©32 
<THED RURAL) N R W-YO R K R R. 
September 7, 
Hope Farm Notes 
Reviving Old Trees. —The back-to- 
the-landers usually find old apple trees 
on their farms. It becomes a great 
question what to do with them. The 
neighbors usually advise digging out 
these old veterans, but the newcomer 
does not like to do this. Many of these 
old fellows have sound trunks and body 
but a high straggling top. We have 
many questions about this and there 
are many answers. One of the most 
sensible stories I have heard is the fol¬ 
lowing from a Massachusetts reader: 
When I came here this place had 25 old 
trees anywhere from 50 years to no one 
knows how old, the majority said to be 
Baldwins. What little fruit they had was 
poorer than wild fruit, knurl.v, wormy and 
railroady. They were indeed a discouraging 
lot. I began my treatment of them by 
putting a portable fence 32 feet square 
around the tree and turned in some husky 
pigs. As soon as they had the ground thor¬ 
oughly broken up I moved them to the next 
tree and treated the tree they had been 
moved from with a good heavy coat of hen 
manure well worked in, then sowed about 
four quarts of oats and raked these in. 
So I proceeded from tree to tree. The 
next Winter, when the snow' was on the 
ground, I scraped them thoroughly, gath¬ 
ered up all the scrapings, put them in an 
isolated place and very early in the Spring 
saturated this heap with kerosene and 
burned it. That same Winter I wont at the 
heads of them and cut them back till my 
neighbors put the question as to w'hy I did 
not cut them off next to the ground and be 
done with it. I let them all drift back 
into natural sod and they have been that 
way since, but I have kept up the scrap¬ 
ing, pruning and spraying. I have one 
Baldwin tree of which there is a record 
showing it to be 52 years old. Ten years 
ago this w'as a tall, narrow, ill-shaped 
tree. I have put in a good deal of work 
on this tree, as the few' apples that it bore 
the first year I knew it were extra fine. I 
have made it all over, it is twice as wide 
and but half as high as it originally was. 
Good judges say there are 10 barrels of 
apples on it this year. 
This plan will not appeal to a farmer 
who has grown up with such old trees, 
but to the man who finds such veterans 
on his farm it is worth trying. No 
one knows until he experiments how 
useful a drove of active pigs can be at 
such work. They will tear up the sod 
and clean out grubs and other insects 
and give such trees just the shaking 
up they need. The trouble is that many 
people expect too much of such pigs. 
The poor fellows are to rip the sod, cul¬ 
tivate the trees, provide their own liv¬ 
ing and make a lot of pork. They can¬ 
not do it all. They must be well fed 
and cared for with water and wood 
ashes and charcoal. Give them a chance 
and they will start the old trees into 
new life. 
Strawberries. —We often have people 
ask what they can expect from potted 
plants set this Summer. As a rule I 
promise nothing. The plants will prob¬ 
ably give a few large berries next year, 
but there is not likely to be a large crop. 
At our field meeting a man told us that 
he bought 100 Marshall plants, set them 
last September and this year picked 40 
quarts! This we regard as unusual— 
more than most people can hope for. 
Those plants were well cared for and 
were put in naturally good soil. If" I 
got 20 quarts from 100 plants the first 
season I should be well satisfied. Peo¬ 
ple talk of picking one quart to the 
plant, but we cannot do it, and I would 
not lead anyone to think it possible. 
This season has been a bad one for 
potted plants. The dry season held the 
crop back and very few runners were 
made before the latter part of August. 
While they may still be potted I would 
almost as soon have large layer plants 
at about half the cost. These layer 
plants taken up with a little damp soil 
and put in paper pots will carry well 
and make a good growth. With our 
recent rains September ought to be a 
good month for transplanting and we 
shall put out a good many of these 
layers. With moist soil through Sep¬ 
tember these plants will become firmly 
rooted and if well cared for will give 
at least one spray of fine berries next 
year. 
What do I mean by “well cared for” ? 
Properly planted in moist, rich soil. For 
Fall planting I would keep as much 
dirt as possible around the roots, put 
them in a fair-sized trowel hole and 
firm the earth around them. In Spring 
I would trim the plants back—both top 
and root—but in the Fall I would plant 
them as nearly as possible as they came 
out of the beds. Have the soil made 
very rich with manure, or use fertil¬ 
izer freely and keep the hoe and cul¬ 
tivator going until the ground freezes. 
You need not be afraid of getting too 
much Fall growth on the strawberry. 
When the ground freezes, or just be¬ 
fore, cover the plants with some coarse 
mulching material and let them alone 
until Spring. I would set Marshalls 
in hills from two to three feet apart 
each way. This, I think, is a year when 
September set plants will pay. I am 
speaking now of a garden—not of field 
crops grown for commercial purposes. 
For such purpose I should plant in 
Spring. 
The Sorrel Crop.—H ere is a new 
contribution to the sorrel discussion: 
One of your correspondents complains of 
being troubled with sorrel. We welcome it, 
using almost all that appears for soup, 
which we much enjoy. The French, who are 
very economical, make much use of it, mak¬ 
ing of it a soup which they call “Potage de 
saute.” health soup, which is not only 
healthful, but very nice. J. C. 
I notice that my children eat sorrel 
when they are working in the garden. 
We made considerable use of it as food 
when I was a boy. Tansy was another 
weed often used to make “a dinner of 
herbs.” It may be well enough to use a 
small quantity as food, but what would 
our friend do if he had acres of it? I 
have seen almost entire farms red with 
sorrel whenever the plow and cultivator 
stopped. It is not entirely a sign of 
soil poverty, and lime and manure will 
not always kill it out. 
A Woman Wanted. —I know that 
printer’s ink can do great things. I 
once knew an advertisement to find a 
flyaway canary bird. I print the follow¬ 
ing as an experiment. Of course we 
cannot hope to make, a practice of such 
things, but let us see what comes from 
it: 
1 am turning to the Hope Farm man in 
my perplexity. I am very anxious to find 
a niece of mine who is entitled to a small 
sum of money in England. Her father’s 
name was James Copley, her mother's Ellen 
Quinlan Conley. Her husband’s name is 
Henry Mead Phillips. She had an aunt, 
a Mrs. Spaulding, who formerly lived in 
Sullivan Co., N. Y., and later in Brooklyn, 
N. Y. She was last heard from in Middle- 
town, N. Y. Her husband was formerly a 
farmer but lately worked on the railroad, 
but spoke of returning to farming again. 
1 have tried every means in my power for 
the last five years to find her, and have 
failed, and come to you in my perplexity. 
New Jersey. m. white. 
Whenever money is mentioned there 
is more or less of a scramble for it. If 
any of you know of this woman or can 
get on her track I will see that Mr. 
White gets the information. Now let 
us see what The R. N.-Y. can do as a 
human fine tooth comb. 
Mulch and Wood Growth. —Here is 
a point which, 1 am sure, has occurred 
to many readers: 
1 have about 500 apple and peach trees, 
set 1911, that were cultivated up to July 
20 this year; had manure last Winter, rye 
plowed under this Spring, and wood ashes 
early in Summer; have made great wood 
growth. 1 have just cut oats off from be¬ 
tween rows; will disk and sow to rye, 
vetch and Cow-liorn turnips at once. I 
have a lot of weeds, etc., that have come 
up along the edge of the rows. If I pile 
this around trees for a mulch will this be 
liable to start wood growth again? Will it 
take place of cover crop? I want to cure 
the wood well, as it winter-killed badly last 
year. l. w. s. 
New York. 
All I can say is that this is just about 
what we are doing with our own trees. 
The weeds are pulled or cut and piled 
around the trunks, while the middles 
grow up to the cover crop. My ex¬ 
perience is that this combination of 
mulch and cover crop matures the wood 
as we want it. I think it better than 
to let the weeds grow and the soil 
around the trees remain bare. Of course 
before Winter this mulch must be 
pushed back from the trees—otherwise 
the mice will work under it and do 
great damage. h. w. c. 
Ideal Fruit 
Picking Bag 
Front. 
Back. 
]yrADE of heavy weight 
duck and so arranged 
as to equalize the load on 
both shoulders. 
The openings are ar¬ 
ranged so both hands can 
be used in picking and the 
draw string is arranged so 
the fruit can be let out at 
•the bottom in emptying 
the bag. 
The bag can be let down 
to the bottom of the barrel 
before opening the draw string, thus not bruising 
the fruit. 
This is the best and handiest arrangement for pick¬ 
ing fruit that has ever been offered. A trial will con¬ 
vince the most skeptical. 
Sample Postpaid, $1 Agents Wanted 
BARKER MFG. CO. 
35 Ambrose Street, Rochester, N. Y. 
Look at the Base of the 
Engine You Buy 
Insist that the engine you buy has a Box 
Base. Do not be talked into believing that 
any base is good enough or strong enough. 
The base holds the engine together—makes 
the difference between an engine giving 
years of inexpensive, satisfactory service 
and one gone to pieces in a season or two. 
A Box Base is the only base constructed 
strong enough to hold an engine in perfect 
alignment, without which the best engine 
otherwise could not do good work. It is the 
only kind of a base used on the famous 
Jacobson 
Gasoline Engines 
Hopper-Cooled Type 
It braces the engine in every direction. It collects 
the waste oil, preventing dangerous oil-soaked 
floors. It is a safeguard against the otherwise 
ever-present danger of fire. Box Base engines meet 
the approval of the Fire Underwriters ; save you 
increased insurance premiums. 
Box Base construction, too, is typical of engine 
superiority. Open,frame bases are cheap to make 
and go into the cheapness of cheap engines. 
The Engine You Really Want 
Buy an engine once and be done with buying. Get 
one big enough for your present needs, yet with 
enough reserve power to let you grow. The 
Jacobson is also noted for reserved power—fully 
a third more than its rating—always ready for an 
extra heavy load. It runs with the lowest known 
fuel cost It has the latest and best in gasoline 
engine building. You can turn the job over to the 
Jacobson and be confident it will be done. You do 
not have to be a mechanic to ran it and it needs 
no tinkering. Is always ready for work. 
Let us at least send you some facts. Even if you 
do not buy a Jacobson, the help we give you will 
insure you getting your money’s worth when you 
do buy. This information is all ready to send you. 
Say you want it and it will come by return mail. 
Address 
JACOBSON MACHINE MFG. CO. 
Dept. D, Warren, Pa. 
The Engine^ 
for all Farm 
Power Work 
There is a lot of 
hard, disagreeable * 'The engine for every purpose" 
labor you can get 
rid of by using the simple, compact, reliable^ 
Novo Engine. For the power developed it is 
lighter than any other engine. Easily port¬ 
able. The cooling system is guaranteed 
against damage from 
freezing. Eight sizes 
— lto X0H.P. 
Send for Novo Catalog 
Novo Engine Co. 
clarence e. dement 
Beo’y and GenT Mgr. 
211 Willow Street 
Lansing, Mich. 
YOURS 
—For Greatest 
Power Profits! 
Send in your name on postal! Don’t buy 
outfit of any kind till you get our 
’acts, figures and proof. You don’t 
realize the economy, reliability and 
superiority of the famous 
LEFFELBs 
They are replacing all other power 
outttts wherever introduced. Learn 
the reasons. Buy your last engine 
and save big money. Leffet 
ruys any machine, does many 
things gasoline can't do. 
Burns anything for fuel. 
Don’t waitl Write us now! 
lomoo t affal ?. Pmttniml 
When you write advertisers mention Tub 
R. N.-Y. and you’ll get a quick reply and a 
“square deal.” See guarantee editorial page. 
Before You Buy Another Horse 
Lighten Your Wife’s Labor 
Put running water in the bathroom 
and kitchen. Save her strength by 
doing away with the labor of carrying 
water. Have water in the barn, 
barnyard and cow stable, too— 
everywhere it will save you and 
your men carrying water. One 
of the 300 or more 
SI 
RELIABLE 
UMP 
will save time 
and labor— 
bring to your 
farm all the 
convenience of 
running water 
on tap. You’ll 
find it isn’t such 
a difficult nor 
expensive job 
as you may imagine, to put in a private 
water works system. Write us and we’ll 
solve your water problem. Ask for our 
Free “Water Supply Book** 
You’ll find it interesting and valuable. 
Send now and learn all about the differ¬ 
ent kinds of home water supply systems. 
THE GOULDS MFG. CO. 
68 W. Fall St.i Seneca Falls. N.Y. 
" Largest 
Manufacturer 
of Pumps 
for Every 
Service .” 
Run on gasoline, kerosene, distillate, 
any cheap fuel oil. Cost less to run— 
develop more power. Patent throttle 
gives three engines in one. Many other 
exclusive features—guaranteed 10 
years—we pay freight—30 days’ free 
trial. Send for catalogue today- 
Ellis Engfni Co., 5JMullit St., Dotroltj Mlitu 
Don’t Delay Buying 
A Farmers’ Favorite 
Cider Mill and Press 
Cider making time is right at hand. 
Don't depend on your neighl>or*s 
press. Have one of vour own, A 
FARMER'S FAVORITE Cider Mill 
and Press Combined—one that grincis 
your apples into a fine pomace ami 
gets all the cider. The Farmer*' 
Favorite is made in sizes to suit 
every farmer. If you want only 
a small one, we have that; if 
you want a large one, we also have 
that. Tell us about how many 
barrels you want to grind and press 
per hour, and we will tell you 
all about the Farmers’ Favorite that 
best suit* vour needs. Write at once. 
Cutaway Harrow Co., Box 839 Higganum, Conn* 
Auto-Fedan 
Hay Press 
Let us place the Auto-Fedan on your farm and 
put it in operation. If it is not thoroughly satis¬ 
factory in every respect— if it will not bale huy 20 per 
cent cheaper than any other machine on the market— 
we will not ask you to buy, and will refund you the 
freight and take charge of the machine. 
Write us today for catalog and prices. (37) 
Auto-Fedau lluy Press Co.. Box I . Albion, Mich. 
Here is the Gray,- 
Pumper belted to 
pump jack ready for 
business. A complete 
economical and handy 
pumping outfit. 
Gray engines are 
built for long life- 
no time limit to 
our guarantee. 
RAY STATIONARY ENGINES 
FOR HEAVY FALL AND WINTER WORK 
There is a Gray for every job—sawing, grinding, big jobs 
% ot pumping, etc. All sizes from to 36 H. P. Simple 
’design—easy to run—economical — powerful and 
absolutely dependable. Stationary and portable. 
l for our smallest H.P.—the Gray Pumper 
l *?*-—*-• —other sizes at proportionate prices. 
Shipped complete wired up ready to run. 
30 DAYS Try any Gray 30 days—give it 
TRIAL hard tests—if not O. K. ship it 
back—we pay return freight. Write 
today and get a copy of our Big Engine 
Book “S”. Mailed free for the asking. 
Complete Electric Light Outfits for Coun¬ 
try Homes, if interested ask for catalog 6. 
CRAY MOTOR CO.. 984 U. S. Motor* Bldg., Detroit, Mich. 
