lies 
THE RURAL, NEW-YORKER 
November 16, 
A BRIDGE OF WIRE AND CONCRETE. 
My farm is located on both sides of 
the Des Plaines River, and in Summer 
we can usually drive through the water, 
but whenever the water is high, we are 
compelled to use a boat. Finally I con¬ 
cluded to erect a wire suspension bridge 
200 feet long and 4)4 feet wide. The 
west bank of the river is about 14 feet 
above low water, while the land on the 
east side rises from the water so that 
at the point selected for the end of the 
bridge, it is eight feet above the water. 
In digging for the foundation, solid 
clay was found to be four to six feet be¬ 
low the surface, and holes were dug 7)4 
feet long, three feet wide and nine feet 
deep on the high bank, the same length 
and width and live feet deep on the lower 
bank. Eight-inch I beams, 14 and 16 
feet long, were used for posts, which 
were set in reinforced concrete, the con¬ 
crete on the low bank being raised to 
the level of the other side. Wire fabric 
made of No. 9 galvanized wire with 
spaces two inches apart, was used for 
the bottom, and wire fencing four feet 
high was used for the sides. The bot¬ 
tom wires are attached to a turned oak 
post eight inches in diameter and the 
sides attached to a lRpinch pipe, this 
pipe being held by four double bolts, 
five-eighths inch in diameter, running 
through the flanges of the I beams. 
The planking and joists are rough 
cypress lumber, 1 x 6 x 10 feet long; 
joists cut five feet, laid flat on the wire 
fabric and extending through the bot¬ 
tom opening in the side of the fence. 
Planking on bridge four boards wide, 
nailed with 10-penny nails through the 
two one-inch boards and the wire fab¬ 
ric. The concrete abutments weigh 30 
tons; the wire fabric 600 pounds and the 
lumber 1,400 pounds. Bridge will carry 
10,000 pounds. The bridge cost $250. 
Lake Co., Ill. a. clement. 
LIME AND POTATO SCAB. 
The experience of Maine farmers in 
this line may be worth considering, 
since Maine, or more particularly Aroos¬ 
took County there, is perhaps our ban¬ 
ner potato section. 
The U. S. Department of Agriculture 
has a farmers’ bulletin on potato grow¬ 
ing in Maine, written by a trained ob¬ 
server from his personal investigations, 
in which he says that the potatoes are 
mostly grown on limestone soils, some 
strongly so, and it is the custom to grow 
them in a short rotation so as to plant 
on clover sod, and that any change in 
the rotation to cut out clover would ser- 
iou'sly interfere with potato production. 
Also that a considerable part of the 
crop is grown on rented ground and 
that these renters pay extra to have a 
clover sod for their planting. The 
manager of one of the largest lime 
companies, located in Maine, tells me 
that they sell quantities of lime to these 
potato growers with excellent results 
reported, as likely, since they keep on 
buying lime. 
In my opinion the persistent growing 
of clover will go far toward eradicating 
potato scab, since clover is sometimes 
called a soil purifier, and unburnt lime 
safer than the burnt form. But, never¬ 
theless, it is always advisable to take 
precautions in selecting clean seed and 
to use fungicides. Nevertheless some 
of your Maine readers should be able 
to supply their practical ^experience on 
this subject to the benefit of your far¬ 
mers. FRANKLIN NOBLE. 
BUILDING A HOTBED. 
W. /S'. G., West Hartford, Conn .—I would 
like to know how to build a hotbed, not 
the bed but how to prepare the ground 
whether you dig it out, fill in with manure 
the bed but how to prepare the ground, 
seed be sown in this section, tomatoes, 
peppers, egg plant? 
Ans. —Where the natural drainage is 
good, I would advise the pit style of 
hotbed for our Northern section, as it 
is not so liable to be affected by the 
sudden changes in weather as one made 
on the surface. The ground should be 
excavated about 2]/ 2 feet deep the full 
width and length of the frame, and 
filled with heat-generating manure up 
to within six inches of the level of the 
surface. The heating material to make 
the hotbed should be unfermented horse 
manure, fresh from the stables when 
possible, to which should be added about 
one-half its bulk, straw, or better still, 
forest leaves if accessible. The manure 
and straw or leaves must be well mixed 
and gently trodden down in several 
layers, forming a cone-shaped heap. 
This must be large enough to generate 
heat in freezing weather. In a few 
days, after the manure has been heaped 
together, fermentation should take 
place, which will be shown by the es¬ 
cape of steam from the heap. It should 
now be turned over and well shaken 
out, and if any portion of the material 
is too dry it should be laid to one side 
and moistened with water, as it is es¬ 
sential that the material should be uni¬ 
formly moist or the heat will not be 
equally distributed in the hotbed. Form 
into a pile as before and leave undis¬ 
turbed until the second fermentation 
takes place, which usually occurs in 
two to four days. It is now ready to 
be placed in the pit. It must be evenly 
distributed and at short intervals be 
beaten down with the back of the fork 
and lightly trodden with the feet, to 
insure uniform solidity and equal depth. 
Plunge one or more thermometers in 
the heating material, which should show 
a temperature of about 100 degrees. 
Place the sashes on the frame and when 
the temperature recedes to 90 degrees, 
soil should be placed on the manure 
to a depth of about six inches. This 
will bring the surface of the hotbed to 
the level of the outside ground surface. 
The hotbed soil should be not less than 
one-third well-rotted pulverized manure 
and two-thirds good garden or other 
loam, well mixed, spread evenly (this 
soil should be previously prepared and 
stored under cover if possible until 
needed for use). As soon as the soil 
is well warmed through it is ready for 
sowing. 
For the raising of egg, tomato and 
pepper plants, the bed should not be 
prepared before the 15th or 20th of 
March. Care must be taken not to 
coyer the seed too deep; %-inch is suf¬ 
ficient. There is nothing better for 
this purpose than a mixture of leaf 
mold and sand mixed in equal quan¬ 
tities. A heavy soil over the seeds is 
liable to bake hard and greatly inter¬ 
fere with the coming up of the young 
plants. From the time of the sowing 
of the seed strict attention must be given 
to airing during the middle or warm 
part of the day, and early evening cov¬ 
ering; also to watering. The soil must 
not be allowed to get dry, and at the 
same time must not be kept too wet. A 
gentle moisture’ is all that is necessary. 
Always use a very fine sprinkler when 
watering. If the water is warmed to 
nearly blood heat it will be much better 
than cold. The temperature should be 
75 to 85 degrees during the day 
and may range 10-15 degrees lower at 
night. If an unusualy cold spell should 
come on for a day or two there should 
be an extra protection provided in the 
way of mats or shutters, but discontinue 
their use soon as weather moderate*. 
__ K. 
Pruning High-headed Tree. — The 
proper pruning of high-headed trees is a 
question on which few men agree, and it 
depends quite largely upon the method of 
care and cultivation which the orchard is 
given. For example, high-headed trees con¬ 
stantly pruned to an outside bud have a 
tendency to produce horizontal branches 
which are more in the way of cultivation 
than are low-headed trees with branches 
properly trained. It is not necessary, ex¬ 
cept where trees are growing very rapidly, 
to head back to one-half or one-third of 
the season’s growth after the first two or 
three years, when the scaffolding limbs are 
well formed and trained. In fact, there is 
considerable evidence to show that this 
heavy pruning delays the bearing age of 
the tree, and there is a growing tendency 
among orchardists to prune as little as pos¬ 
sible and still preserve the shape of the 
tree. Pruning to outside buds, however, 
is desirable for most varieties, as it has a 
tendency to keep the top open to air and 
sunlight. The Greening is an exception to 
this, as it naturally grows with very open 
head. The York Imperial, Paragon, and 
Stayman Winesap are much alike in their 
manner of growth, although the York has 
a tendency to grow in a more open head 
than the Paragon and Stayman. These va¬ 
rieties usually require more pruning to keep 
them within bounds than does the Grimes 
Golden, which is often a slow grower, par¬ 
ticularly after it comes into bearing. 
_ w. j. w. 
Will you ask your readers who have 
had experience in heating and lighting, 
and especially with cooking with acetylene 
gas, to give the result of said experience? 
Give the good side and bad side, the cost 
of installing and cost of running; in fact, 
everything that an experience will bring to 
light. I would like to have the same also 
about a gasoline plant. I know gasoline 
is all right for cooking. I think this 
would benefit many farmers. As we grow 
old we need everything that makes our 
work easier. w. h. 
Gallipolis, O. 
From reading The R. N.-Y. for the past 
year, I assume that yourself and readers 
are concerned with the present high cost 
of living, so thought I would let you know 
of an incident that came to my attention a 
few days ago. A friend of mine who works 
in the establishment with me raised some 
very nice cauliflower this year. A few 
days ago his 16-year-old daughter cut 23 
of them and took them to the family gro¬ 
cer. She wanted $2 for the 23, but all 
the grocer would give was $1.85. While 
getting her money a lady entered the store 
and asked the proprietor if he had any 
nice cauliflowers. His reply was in the 
affirmative, and the result was the lady 
purchased three, paying the grocer 50 cents 
for them. It is thus easy to see where the 
high cost of living comes in in this section. 
Massachusetts. jp, n. f. 
The Niobe ha9 adistinctive style, fit and 
beauty. It’s dressy. Because made of 
pure rubber and specially reinforced at 
the heel, this rubber and its companion 
(the Cupid), members of the “Top Notch 
Brand” are made for hard service es¬ 
pecially at the heel. The 
look roa 
The “Cross” on the instep, makes you 
sure of high service in wear. They are a 
balanced rubber, not the ordinary kind. 
Get them at your dealer’s. 
If he hasn’t them write us his 
name and we’ll send you our. 
book No. 27. 
BEACON FALLS 
BUBBER SHOE 
CO. 
BeaconFalls.Cl. 
New York-Boitoo 
Cbletft 
KEEPS OUT 
ALL THE RAIN 
You don't know how much real comfort you 
can take out of a rainy day until you have 
worn a 
TOWER’S FISH BRAND 
REFLEX SLICKER 
The only slicker with the famous Reflex Edge 
(pat’d) that prevents water from running in 
at the front. Made for hard, service. Two 
colors—black or yellow. 
$3.00 Everywhere. 
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. 
A. J. TOWER Co. 
BOSTON 
Tower Canadian Limited, 
Toronto 1012 
ER’s 
.ATENTEft 
These © , 
Reflex Edges 
Protect You a 1 
Water 
Cannot 
Run In At 
The Front. 
I 
We Want More Men 
I Choice territory now open for live men selling our I 
. big line of Household Remedies, Extracts, Spices, | 
I and Veterinary Medicines. All guaran¬ 
teed products in daily demand. Health¬ 
ful, pleasant, profitable work. No exper¬ 
ience or capital required. We teach you. 
S150 Par Month Clear Easily Made. 
Many of our men make more. Steady 
job and exclusive territory. Write /Jfdi 
for full information today. # 3p ■ J 
| HEBERLING MEDICINE & EXTRACT CO. f 
l Boi 627E Bloomington, Illinois 
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, 
fills Engine Co., Si Mulls! SI., Detroit, Milk. 
RAW FURS WANTED 
Highest Prices—Liberal Assortment 1 " ■ 11 
QUICK CASH PAYMENTS 
Why not become one of our satisfied shippers ? 
Write for Price List and References 
Write Today—Write Now 
IIALXIFLY LEVY 
279 Seventh Avenue, New York City 
RAW FURS WANTED 
I PAY THE HIGHEST CASH PRICES for all 
kinds of raw fnrs, and GUARANTEE YOU 
THE VERY BEST RETURNS you 
cangetfor your furs It will 
to get my price lists, 
ways of doing business 
before you sell. Write to- 
without fail to 
0. L. SLENKER 
Box 23 Q East Liberty, 0. 
RAW FURS WANTED 
Highest Market Prices Liberal Assortment, 
Prompt Returns 
Write immediately for price list 
Louis A. Rubenstein Fur Co. 
Dept. B, 52 West 28th Street, New York 
SKUNK 
M. J. Jewett <k Sons, 
We buy Skunk, Mink,Musk¬ 
rat and all other raw furs at 
highest market prices, and 
give liberal assortments and 
“A square deal” to everyone. 
_' Price-list free. 
Redwood, N. Y„ l>ept- 29 
LET US TAN 
YOUR HIUE. 
Cattle or Horse hide, Calf, Dog, Deer, 
or any kind of skin with hair or fur on. 
We tan and finish them right; make 
them into coats (for men and women), 
robes, rugs or gloves when ordered. 
Your fur goods will cost you less than 
to buy them, and be worth more. Our 
illustrated catalog gives a lot of in¬ 
formation which every stock raiser 
should have, but we never send out this 
valuable book except upon request. 
It tells how to take off and care for 
hides; how and when we pay the freight 
both ways ; about our safe dyeing pro¬ 
cess which is a tremendous advantage 
to the customer, especially on horse 
hides and call skins; about the fur 
goods and game trophies we sell, taxi¬ 
dermy, etc. If you want a copy send us 
your correct address. 
The Crosby Frisian For Company, 
571 Lyeil Ave.. Rochester. N. Y. 
RAW FURS WANTED 
IF YOU WANT Highest Market 
Price, Liberal Grading, 
Prompt Returns 
Write for price list and ship your furs 
to the fastest growing Raw Fur House 
in New York. 
DAVID BLUSTEIN & BRO. 
24 ERST 12th STREET, NEW YORK 
The Largest Dealers in Ginseng in the United States 
FUR SHIPPERS 
W£ WILL PAY YOU YOUR 
OWN PRICE FOR YOUR FURS 
Make us a trial shipment stating how much you 
want for same and we will pay you as much, or 
more, than you expect, or we will return your furs, 
express prepaid. 
Send in your name and address, at once, and we 
will send tags: also “ The Schoenen Fur Reporter” 
our own publication, containing market reports 
and LATEST QUOTATIONS. We keep you 
posted all winter. Write today. 
H. A. SCHOENEN 
277 Seventh Avenue, - New York, N. Y. 
RAW FURS WANTED 
Write in Now for our Market 
Quotations. We will send 
you our Trappers’ Guide Free. 
AMERICAN RAW FUR CO. 
130 West 25th Street, New York City 
Make more money out of 
Raw Furs by getting full 
value yourself and save 
middle m a n ’ s profits. 
New York is best market 
and we pay highest prices 
for hides of Skunks, 
Minks, Coons, etc. Cut 
out the commission house ai d ship to us dire t. We 
stand express. More than 30 yeai s in business. Write 
DEI T DIITI CD Pfl for pricelist and references. 
DlLI; DU I Ll.11 LiU. , Exporters,4 E. 12th St., New York 
FUR SHIPPERS 
What's the use of guessing at the value of your furs 
during the coming season when all that’s necessary 
to find out their real value is to hook on one ot my 
little It K P TAGS and say HOLD SEPARATE. 
Let me hear from you at once so I will be sure to 
have your name on my mailing list. Price list issued 
first part of November, free to every trapper between 
the ages of six and ninety-three. 
J. P. ELLIS, 137-139 W. 29th St.. Box 25. New York City 
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. 
Illustrated Circular Free to anyone interested in 
RAW FURS. • 
Trappers’ Guide Free to those who ship to. us. 
RAW FURS 
If you want the Highest Prices, Liberal 
Grading and Prompt Returns, write 
now for market Report and Price /List. 
B. J. Maiback 
130 W. 25th St. New York 
RAW FURS 
Bring High Prices 
Being located in New York since 1861, we can pay 
best prices. No commissions. Prompt returns. 
Kefex-ences. Price list free. 
L. BRIEFNER & SON, 
135 W. 29th ST. - - NEW YORK CITY 
ATTENTION 
Manufacturer’s Samples; Gentlemen’s black broadcloth 
Fur Lined Overcoats ; lined throughout with Australian 
Mink; laige Persian Lamb Collai-s. Sizes 36 to 48. §30 
each. These coats have never been worn. Similar gar¬ 
ments not used as samples, retail at §75. Several Ladies’ 
Furs; beautiful Scarf, large stylish Muff, §15 set. Also 
few large size Fur Robes, plush lined,$1S each. All guaranteed 
new. Sent by express with privilege of examination before 
payitiR for them, ltemit only express charges. Write or call. 
E. ROBERTS, Room 24, 160 West 119th St., New York. 
A. SUSKIND & CO., RAW FURS 
Formerly SUSKIND & LEVY, 159 W. 24th St., New York 
WRITE FOR OUR PRICE EIS T—IT PAYS TO HAVE ONE 
