1913. 
4©9 
HUBBARD SQUASHES. 
C. L. M., Seville, O. —Will you give me 
some instruction with regard to raising 
Ilubbard squashes of the green, rough va¬ 
riety? I expect to raise several acres 
during the coining season. 
Ans. —The preparation for planting 
and cultivation of all varieties of squash 
is practically the same, with the excep¬ 
tion of the distances they are planted 
apart. Most of the varieties will suc¬ 
ceed on any kind of fertile soil, but the 
soil that suits them best is a warm, rich, 
mellow loam. The ground should be 
deeply plowed and put in the best pos¬ 
sible condition before planting; for the 
bush varieties the hills should be four 
to five feet apart each way and seven 
to eight feet apart each way for the 
running varieties. The best method for 
locating the hills is to check-row the 
land at the proper distance apart, in the 
same manner as if the land was being 
laid out for corn. After the land is 
marked out, two or three shovelfuls of 
well-rotted manure should be used to 
each hill, and well mixed with the soil. 
This is best done with a garden or 
spreading fork, unless the ground is 
stony; then a ho'e will be found the 
most suitable for the purpose. The hills 
should be at least 20 inches in diameter 
and raised about one inch above the 
ground surface, so as to afford quick 
drainage in case of copious rains during 
the germinating of the seed. As squash 
are of tropical origin, they are there¬ 
fore very tender and extremely sensi¬ 
tive to cold when in their infancy. For 
this reason the seed should not be plant¬ 
ed until the season is pretty well settled 
and the ground is thoroughly warmed, 
which in most Northern sections will be 
about the first of June. Ten to 12 seeds 
should be planted to each hill and cov¬ 
ered about one-half inch deep. Squash 
in many localities suffers severely from 
the attacks of the small striped melon- 
bug and the squash bug, and sometimes 
from the attacks of borers in the stem 
underground. Air-slaked lime, soot and 
various commercial preparations are all 
good remedies for the bugs; any of them 
may be used freely without injury to 
the plants. There is no remedy for the 
stem borer, except to pull out the af¬ 
fected plants and destroy him. Soon 
after the borer enters the stem the plant 
will wilt and thus show unmistakable 
signs of the borer’s presence. All such 
plants should be pulled up immediately 
and the borer hunted out and killed, for 
if this is not done he will soon attack 
and destroy the other plants in the field. 
When the plants are about one foot high 
they should be thinned, allowing two or 
three of the most thrifty plants to re¬ 
main to each hill. Although the danger 
from the borers is not yet passed, the 
thinning of the plants cannot be longer 
delayed, as they will be badly crowded 
for room to grow and thrive. The cul¬ 
tivation consists in keeping the soil loose 
and mellow around the hills with the 
hoe, and with the horse cultivator be¬ 
tween the rows. The plants when once 
well established grow quite rapidly and 
will soon take full possession of the 
ground, but cultivation should be con¬ 
tinued as long, as possible without in¬ 
jury to the vines. Any tall weeds that 
come up later in the season can be pulled 
up by hand or chopped out with the 
hoe. K. 
COST AND PROFIT IN CANNING. 
On page 350 I am pleased to see that H. 
W. gives some information as to the proflt 
in canning tomatoes, and as he is from 
Missouri, lie can “show us” some more, 
f irst he goes in to the cost of labor. I 
” avo before me figures from several manu¬ 
facturers as to the cost of canning fac¬ 
tories based on the product of 300 acres, 
one of these outfits cost $750 and re- 
quires 00 people to operate it exclusive of 
seann 1r h J > (, tc. Another costs about 
■ o,ooo and does not take over 15 or 20 
people at the most to operate, a large part 
nr tne work being done by machinery. In 
''gunng cost of labor which plant does 
,, use, the one that economises labor or 
rne one that he has to make his profit bv 
(uttir^ the price of the tomatoes to the 
rarinaW The cost charged off to depreci- 
TKE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
ation on the labor saving plant will not 
offset the additional cost of labor in the 
other, and while on this question of de¬ 
preciation and investment, how about the 
value of the farm and the hazard of grow¬ 
ing? Has the farmer no rights, or any¬ 
thing that should be considered? Last 
year the crop here turned out much better 
than was expected. What happened? 
The canners began to cut and grade the 
tomatoes, and took advantage of the con¬ 
tract, which is absolutely one-sided and in 
favor of the canner. One of my neigh¬ 
bors took a load in of 1,800 pounds. Noth¬ 
ing was said and when he got his weight it 
showed 1,200, or a cut of one-third. This 
entire load was put through the cannery, 
and what the actual loss was, if any, no 
one knows, but under the contract the 
farmer had no redress. One afternoon I 
sent tomatoes to the cannery and as they 
were unable to handle them had to leave 
my baskets. The last loads in the after¬ 
noon could not even be unloaded, and we 
had to leave the wagons. It was noon 
the next day before I could oven get the 
wagon back with the baskets from the first 
load. No allowance or pay of any kind 
is allowed under the contracts for this 
service, and from the packer's point of 
view this costs the farmer nothing, let 
alone the loss of crop sustained from being 
unable to pick it, account of loss of baskets 
and turning pickers off. 
Now as to the canner’s end, and selling. 
The following is from a friend who is in 
the canning business. Last year he sold 
in the Spring a part of his pack on 
"futures.” This is, I understand, the cus¬ 
tom with a large part of the canners here¬ 
abouts, and I understand the country over. 
These futures were sold at 87^ cents a 
dozen. When the season closed he had 
paid from bis “futures” the entire cost 
of tomatoes, packing, etc. and had a small 
profit besides. In addition, he had some 
3,000 cases still unsold in his warehouse 
for which he was offered 85 cents, or a 
profit of about $5,000, and was holding 
them for a better price. Not so bad, was 
it, for a small factory in a town of but 
a few hundred people? Is it not a fact 
that canners estimate the cost of canning 
at 55 cents a dozen, or $19.25 a ton of 
35 dozen, allowing $10 a ton for the to¬ 
rnados, or a net profit of about $7 a ton 
at 75 cents a dozen? Should not some of 
this honestly go to the farmer who has 
not only the interest on his investment, 
farm, wagons, machinery, etc., but takes 
all of the risk as to raising a crop, as 
well as the loss he sustains on account of 
the inequality of his contract. I could 
go on and show among other things that 
the average price for canned tomatoes dur¬ 
ing the years 1900 to 1907 inclusive was 
over 93 cents but think I have given 
enough to show the farmer is not getting 
a fair price for his tomatoes. 
In conclusion pardon me for criticizing 
the closing statement in II. W.’s communi¬ 
cation about fairness and square dealing 
not being a monopoly of one side. We are 
trying to get an arrangement which will 
be absolutely fair and just to both sides, 
and a price commensurate with the risk 
assumed by both and in discussing these 
subjects the writer is trying to quote only 
figures that lie believes to be absolutely 
accurate and fair as well as the experience 
of men whom he knows to be honorable 
and try to do what is right. If I under¬ 
stand that I am to meet H. W. or any¬ 
one else on other than a basis that is 
open and above the tricks of ordinary busi¬ 
ness you can count me out. Let us ask 
H. W. to give his honest experience both 
as a grower of tomatoes as well as a 
canner, and if canning has proved a profit¬ 
able business for him why we farmers 
would not be justified in forming a stock 
company and putting up a factory with the 
most modern machinery and can our own 
tomatoes? kobert n. meruitt. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
Iv. N.-Y. and you’ll get a quick reply and a 
“square deal.” See guarantee editorial page. 
FLY TO PIECES 
The Effect of Coffee on Highly Organized People. 
"I have been a coffee user for years, 
and about two years ago got into a very 
serious condition of dyspepsia and in¬ 
digestion. It seemed to me I would fly 
to pieces. I was so nervous that at the 
least noise I was distressed, and many 
times could not straighten myself up 
because of the pain. 
Tea is just as injurious, because it 
contains caffeine, the same drug found 
in coffee. 
“My physician told me I must not eat 
any heavy or strong food and ordered a 
diet, giving me some medicine. I fol¬ 
lowed directions carefully, but kept on 
using coffee and did not get any better. 
"Last winter my husband, who was 
away on business, had Postum served 
to him in the family where he boarded. 
He liked it so well that when he came 
home he brought some with him. We 
began using it and I found it most ex¬ 
cellent. 
“While I drank it my stomach never 
bothered me in the least, and I got 
over my nervous troubles. When the 
Postum was gone we returned to cof¬ 
fee, then my stomach began to hurt me 
as before and the nervous conditions 
came on again. 
1 hat showed me exactly what was 
the cause of the whole trouble, so I quit 
drinking coffee altogether and kept on 
using Postum. The old troubles left 
again and have never returned.” 
“There’s a reason.” and it is explained 
in the little book, “The Road to Well- 
ville,” in pkgs. 
Ever read the above letter ? A new one 
appears from time to time. They are genu¬ 
ine, true, and full of human interest. 
'{V.e \| 
“Majestic” (illustrated) — $1975 
46 H. P. four-cylinder touring car, completely equipped 
and fitted with electric starter and lights. 
“Olympic” —$1500 
85 H. P. four - cylinder touring car, completely 
equipped. Electric starter and lights are op¬ 
tional, at an extra cost of 8225. 
“Sultamc”—$2650 
65 H. P. six-cylinder touring car, seven-passen¬ 
ger, completely equipped and fitted with electric 
starter and lights. Five-passenger, 82500. 
Not Comfort or Sturdiness 
alone, but the most of both 
Soundness and strength you must 
have in your car, if it is to prove 
a real investment. 
Comfort you must have, if the fam* 
ily is to get the greatest possible 
pleasure out of the car. 
We believe the Jackson offers the 
best combination of both to be 
found among cars of similar type. 
You have long known the Jackson 
to be a thoroughly comfortable 
car; and you are doubtless ac¬ 
quainted with its reputation for 
service in country use. 
It is because of its ability to Stand 
up in such use that the Jackson 
has won a favored place among 
farmers. 
In many instances, Jackson cars 
have seen three, four and even 
five years of service on the farm 
and over country roads. 
And it is on such roads that its com¬ 
fort features are most appreciated. 
Between you and the ruts are not 
only seat cushions ten inches 
thick but four elliptic springs— 
and you know how easily they 
ride. 
With long wheelbases and large 
wheels, the easy riding is made 
more pronounced; and the gen¬ 
erous room inside the car is a 
feature not to be overlooked. 
On your own judgment will depend 
pretty largely your satisfaction 
with the way your car rides and 
runs. 
So you should not neglect to post 
yourself. 
Do this in the case of the Jackson 
by writing for the catalog and the 
name of the dealer who can give 
you a demonstration. 
JACKSON AUTOMOBILE COMPANY, 1500 E. Main St., JACKSON, MICH. 
STRENGTH—EFFICIENCY—DURABILITY 
are most essential points in a Hay 
Carrier. Yon do not want to wait 
for repair’s during the having season. 
The above points are combined in 
The Rochester 
Reversible Hay Carriers 
which are unequaled for their per¬ 
fect working qualities. 
For fork and sling. For wood and steel track. 
Draft can be run in as soon as it clears the load. 
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED 
Write us for a complete catalogue 
The Ricker Manufacturing Co., 
300 N. Water Street, ROCHESTER, N. Y. 
LITTER CARRIERS 
FEED CARRIERS 
HAY CARRIERS 
DIVISION STALLS 
STANCHIONS 
WATERING BASINS 
Eureka Center Draft Mower 
The cut crop is left in almost standing position, and cures 
rapidly, retaining natural color. No Hay Tedder required. 
No trampling of cut crop. One-third saving in time and labor. 
46' years 
on the market. 
Improved for 1913. 
NO SIDE DRA.FT. Cutter bar directly In front of 
wheels. Mows back and forth on one side of field 
any direction desired, and avoids pulling up hill. 
FASTEST CUTTING, GREATEST STRENGTH, 
LONGEST LIVED. Cuts heavy growths of timothy 
and alfalfa that side draft mowers cannot. 
Works in orchards and between rows. Cuts weeds and 
brush in pastures by raising knife above crop. Made in 
5 sizes for one or two horses. Before you buy any Mower, 
write us for free reports of farmers whose Eureka 
Mowers have cut 40 acres each season 15 YEARS Or more 
and are still in working order. Write today. 
EUREKA MOWER CO., Box 840, Utlca.N.Y. 
^ LET 
THE 
WIND 
PUMP Y0UR 
FOR 
NOTHING 
WATER 
WHY PAY FOR GASOUNE 
WHEN WIND IS FREE! 
Get a Big, Heavy, Powerful, 
Light Running, Double Geared 
SAMSON 
WIND MILL 
5LND FOR CATALOG 
We also build Idea! Feed 
Mills, Pump Jacks, Hand 
Grinding Mills for Poultry Rais¬ 
ers, Gasoline Engines, Ensilage 
Cutters «nJ Brass Candle Sticks 
STOVER MANUFACTURING COMPANY 
188 Samson Avenue FREEPORT, ILLINOIS r 
GIGANTIC VALUE 
Put your money 
in the auto¬ 
matic Safe 
Steam Engine 
and Boiler. 3, 
4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 
and 15 H. P. 
For the dairyman, tobacco grower and gene.al 
farmer. You want our catalog for reference 
ONTARIO IRON WORKS 
PULASKI, N. Y., U. S. A. 
