426 
THE RURAI» NEW-YORKER 
March 22, 
BROOM CORN MARKET, 
The picture at Fig. 135, page 419, gives 
a scene on the broom corn market in 
Liberal, Kansas. It is said that this town 
is possibly the first, or in any event the 
second, broom corn market in the United 
States. It happens that large quantities 
of the crop are grown in the vicinity. 
Several hundred cars of broom material 
are usually stored at Liberal, waiting for 
a favorable market. Other big markets 
are Hutchinson, Kansas, and Wichita. 
In February the market for broom corn 
offered $50 to $70 a ton, and farmers de¬ 
cided to hold for $100. We see in the 
picture how the crop is brought to town. 
Here is material enough in sight for 
thousands of housewives to do their 
duty. 
PROPAGATING ASPARAGUS SPRENGERI. 
Can you tell me the best way to start 
Asparagus Sprengeri ? I have tried to 
start a new plant from a six-year-old stock, 
but have not been successful. c. d. w. 
The inquirer does not say how he tried 
to start the new plant, or whether he re¬ 
fers to increasing plants by propagation. 
Asparagus Sprengeri is easily propagated 
by division of the crown, and also by seed, 
which germinates quite quickly when fresh 
from the seed ball, taking longer—four to 
six weeks when dried out. Divide your old 
plant, potting with sufficient drainage, and 
water rather sparingly until good growth 
starts, after which the divisions should 
grow along briskly and make nice plants. 
When growing well a little bone meal will 
stimulate them. 
Gkaftino Wax. —One pound of rosin, two 
ounces tallow, melt slowly together, then 
remove from stove and add three ounces 
of alcohol for warm weather and four 
ounces for cold weather. Should be like 
table syrup; can be put on with paddle or 
brush to tip the ends of graft. n. k. s. 
More and 
Better Potatoes 
* 
Maine raises twice as many 
potatoes per acre as the average 
yield of the United States and 
33 per cent, more per acre than any 
other state. 
Twenty-five years ago Maine 
did not lead in yields and was only a little above the average. 
The Maine potato growers have been alert to introduce the best methods 
of increasing the crop. Fertilizers have received special attention. The 
common practice is to use a ton per acre, containing 3 to 4 per cent, nitrogen, 
6 to 7 per cent, phosphate acid, and 10 per cent. 
Chicago, Monadnock Block 
Atlanta. Umpire Bldg. 
"New Orleans, Whitney Central Bank Bldg. 
Savannah, Bank & Trust Bldg. 
San Francisco 
This provides enough plant food in 
available form to raise tubers as well 
as tops and leaves a fair residue of 
minerals for the crops following. 
Potash controls the starch forma¬ 
tion. There must be enough so that 
the plant will have plenty at its dispo¬ 
sal during the few weeks in which 
the tubers are forming. Right then 
Potash Pays. 
On muck lands use 200 lbs. mu¬ 
riate or sulfate of potash per acre. 
Another formula for muck or peat 
soils is 1-5-10 at the rate of 1000 to 
2000 lbs. per acre. 
Write for Prices and Free Pamphlet 
Containing Profitable Formulas 
We sell potash in any quantity 
from one 200-lb. bag up. 
GERMAN KALI WORKS, Inc., 42 Broadway, New York 
