013 . 
RUHAb NEW-YORKER 
606 
LUNAR LUNACIES. 
It was several months ago that P. W. 
asked the opinion of the editor of Tni3 
It. N.-Y. about the advisability of follow¬ 
ing the signs of the moon in farm work. 
The answer of the editor expressed doubt 
about it, stated that scientific men scoff at 
the idea, although they have never con¬ 
ducted any experiments to disprove it, and 
suggested that some of the moon believers 
try it. I wish they would. The beliefs 
in the influence of the moon over the 
planting of crops, the amount of rainfall 
and the killing of domestic animals are 
numerous and widespread, likewise ancient. 
It is not surprising that such beliefs should 
spring up among uncivilized and ignorant 
people. The only explanation of their con¬ 
tinuance is that many people still accept 
dicta as true, without reasoning or per¬ 
sonal investigation. If one does think of 
investigating, the thought lasts only till 
the next new moon or other phase, and 
perhaps that particular event follows the 
rule. That settles it. The old belief is 
vindicated. 
The moon is a spheroidal body, 2,163 
miles in diameter and nearly 240,000 miles 
from the earth. It revolves around our 
little planet once in about 28 days. It 
does not shine by its own light, but re¬ 
flects the light of the sun from its surface. 
When it passes between us and the sun ttie 
latter lights up the side opposite the earth 
and we do not see it. When we take our 
first look at the “new moon’’ (over the 
right shoulder, of course) it is not the 
new moon. It has already passed that 
stage. We are beginning to see the lighted 
half. When the moon has passed through 
a quarter of its orbit from the “new” phase 
we can see half of the lighted portion, or 
a quarter of the whole body and we call 
that the first quarter. When it is opposite 
the sun, rising as the sun sets, we can see 
the whole of the lighted portion and the 
moon is “full.” In getting full only once 
a month it does better than some men. 
As it swings round the circle our view of 
the lighted part decreases as it passes 
through the last quarter back to new moon 
again. 
The wet and dry moons depend upon the 
tilting of the narrow crescent that we see 
every month low in the west at sunset. 
The weather prophets who have endeavored 
to enlighten me have not agreed upon this 
valuable weather rule. Some say that if 
the cup is much tilted the water will run 
out upon the earth and so it is a wet 
moon; others that if the cup tilts but 
little it will hold water and therefore this 
is the wet moon. I sincerely believe that 
one rule is as true as the other. The 
middle of the outside curve of the cres¬ 
cent is always the nearest point to the 
sun and the tilting is due to the angle to 
our horizon of the moon’s apparent course 
through the sky. These positions occur at 
regular times regardless of the weather. 
The harvest moon is the full moon nearest 
the autumnal equinox. The hunter’s moon 
is the next full moon. At this season of 
the year the moon is “running low” and 
consequently the new moon between these 
two fulls will be very much tipped, and 
yet we do not always have the same 
amount of rainfall at that time. 
In my locality the belief in the influence 
of the so-called changes of the moon over 
the weather is more in evidence, perhaps, 
than the others. The almanac or calendar 
is assiduously studied and predictions are 
freely made that we will have a change 
in the weather “next Friday, when the 
moon changes.” If wo do we remember it 
and pass on the information that the rule 
Is infallible. If we do not, we straight¬ 
away forget it. “All signs fail in a dry 
time," and that will explain many fail¬ 
ures. Just recall what causes the changes 
in the appearance of the moon. As it 
swings about the earth the amount of the 
lighted parts that we can see is constantly 
♦ hanging. It is never the same for two 
consecutive days, or hours, or minutes, but 
astronomers have selected the two extremes 
and the two Intermediate points and given 
the dates of these, and the popular mind 
lias concluded that there are changes at 
these particular times. There are—just as 
much as at any and all other points of 
time in the revolution of the moon around 
the earth, and no more. When we know 
what causes the increase and decrease of 
the visible part of the lighted lunar hemis¬ 
phere we are inclined to be a little skepti¬ 
cal of the idea that pork killed during 
the waning of the moon will shrink in the 
barrel. 
The question rises in the minds of 
scientists as well as others: Does the moon 
have any inlluence upon the climatic con¬ 
ditions of the earth ? The moon’s heat 
la only what it gets from the sun and 
only a very small part of that is reflected 
to the earth. This has been found to be, 
at full moon, only 1-185,000 of the heat 
that we get directly from the sun. This 
might have a slight influence upon the 
weather, but not much. A thin plate of 
glass is sufficient to cut off 86 per cent, 
of it. The moon, like the other celestial 
spheres, is magnetic, and its effect upon 
the magnetism of the earth is measurable. 
The moon at one time is about a hundred 
and twenty miles nearer the eartli than it 
is at the opposite side of the orbit, two 
weeks later. The disturbances of terres¬ 
trial magnetism are distinct as the moon 
approaches or moves away, but no ap¬ 
preciable effect upon the weather has ever 
been observed. 
One thing should be remembered in con¬ 
nection with any reputed influence of the 
moon over the weather. If any particular 
phase or position of the moon causes a 
storm or other phenomenon at one time 
it ought to at every recurring period, 
weather permitting. This does not liap- 
pen If there is any sueh influence ema¬ 
nating from our lunar neighbor it ought 
to be felt over the entire earth, which all 
comes under the rays of its mellow light 
i weather again permitting) during the 
twenty-lour hours of one terrestrial rota- 
l ! ut , isn't. I have heard of but 
one rule in connection with the moon and 
crops that I could heartily endorse, ex¬ 
cept for its strenuosity. At a convention 
a practical, hardworking farmer was asked 
if he paid any attention to the phases 
of the moon in planting potatoes. He re¬ 
plied that he did. lie always liked to 
plant them in the full of the moon, for 
he could see best then to work nights. 
w. H. HL’SE. 
Thin Rye. 
I have a field that has been badly run¬ 
down before I bought the place, and I 
was told that former owners could not get 
a catch of clover on it. I sowed it to rye 
last Fall ; the rye is somewhat thin on the 
ground and would like to know what would 
be best to sow in with it this Spring. I 
wish to plow the crop under, and when will 
be the best time to plow it under? The 
soil is sand and clay loam. e. w. s. 
Alamo, Mich. 
In the short time between seeding and 
plowing tile rye under there is nothing 
that can make a full growth. Turnips will 
do as well as anything, but the time is too 
short to add very much to the rye. We 
should plow the rye under after it makes 
a firm head, and be sure to roll the 
ground hard after plowing. 
Growing Trees in the Sand. 
The problem of making trees grow in 
the sands of the seashore may be solved, 
according to State Forester Alfred Gaskill 
of New Jersey, without the necessity of 
transporting soil from other parts of the 
country. In consultation with residents 
of Atlantic City, Mr. Gaskill learned that 
many people who try to grow trees, shrubs 
or grass along the coast import soil from 
other States. The forester found that a 
number of persons in Atlantic City seem 
to think they can make plants grow only 
in earth brought from Pennsylvania. Such 
a belief, he said, is ridiculous, for if it were 
necessary to transport soil at all, there is 
plenty of it in New Jersey just as good. 
Though admitting that the sands along 
the coast are sterile, Mr. Gaskill holds 
it easily possible to manipulate them so 
as to support vegetation. To confirm this 
Dr. Jacob G. LIpman, director of the State 
Agricultural Experiment Station, a soil 
chemist, was called for a formula to treat 
seashore sand. He gave assurances that 
if the following directions were observed 
any one can make trees grow under con¬ 
ditions like those of Atlantic City. First, 
apply oyster-shell lime at the rate of ten 
tons per acre, one and a half ounces per 
square foot. Second, apply wood ashes at 
the rate of half a ton per acre, three-eighths 
of an ounce per square foot. Third, apply 
the following fertilizing mixture at the rate 
of 1,000 pounds per acre, three-eighths of 
an ounce per square foot: 200 pounds tank¬ 
age. 200 pounds ground fish, 500 pounds 
acid phosphate, 300 pounds muriate of pot¬ 
ash. In lieu of this, composted manure may 
be used at the rate of 10 tons per acre. 
The application of lime and wood ashes 
should be given once in three or four years, 
but the fertilizer mixture should be applied 
annually. 
Those who are interested in this subject 
are reminded by Mr. Gaskill that tree plant¬ 
ing along the coast involves other problems 
than those concerning the soil, such as the 
choice of species, unusual exposure to Win¬ 
ter winds, etc. Mr. Gaskill, however, as 
serts that except in the most exposed situa¬ 
tions trees properly chosen, properly planted 
and cared for, can be maintained even 
though the soil is not suitable. 
D. T. H. 
Dig Ditches With 
( gppit ) 
RED CROSS 
DYNAMITE 
Q UICKER and cheaper than the 
shovel method. Ditches from 
50 feet upwards in length instantly 
excavated. One man does the work 
of many. No re-shovelling of dirt 
necessary. 
FREE BOOKLET 
Explains how to safely and efficiently 
use Red Cross Dynamite to ditch and 
drain land, blast stumps and boulders, 
plant trees, regenerate old orchards, 
subsoil, excavate, etc. Write today 
for name of nearest dealer, or expert 
blaster, and Farmer’s Handbook No. 
30. 
Du Pont Powder Co, 
Wilmington, Delaware 
'"lii!/.. 
■''////!! 
\^sml 
::,nii:; 
'"Itl/il /Mi. ""''I 
//9984/ 
[•/AMERICAN' 
i M"/i 
^ % f 
The highways belong 
to you. See that they 
^are kept in good repair 
I 
W/4 
Uk ? 
T is your money that builds the public 
roads. Your labor pays the taxes to 
keep them up. If these taxes are 
spent wisely, they are your best invest¬ 
ments. If they are spent foolishly, your 
money is wasted. 
It is your right and your duty to co¬ 
operate with the public officials in this 
matter of road improvements. Perma- 
, nent installations are the only true econ- 
, but every construction should be suitable to the 
Bridges and culverts of masonry are sure to fail, 
absolutely rigid and permanent; while 
omy 
conditions. 
unless the foundations are 
corrugated steel is quickly destroyed by corrosion. 
AMERICAN INGOT IRON 
CULVERTS 
Guaranteed 
can be installed at moderate cost; and they will take care of all the rain¬ 
fall and all the watercourses. 
Unlike steel, American Ingot Iron is of immensely long life. 
Foreign substances in the metal which are the cause of corrosion, have 
been reduced almost to the vanishing point, and the result is the nearest 
to a rust-proof iron which has yet been produced in commercial quanti¬ 
ties. For this reason, it is used by the United States Government, by 
the great railway companies and by advanced road-builders everywhere. 
Send us your name and the name of your road supervisor, and we wilt mail to 
you, every month for a year FREE, The Highway Magazine, a live publication 
devoted to Good Roads. Write today, 
Publisher HIGHWAY MAGAZINE 
544 Walnut Street Cincinnati, Ohio 
CALEDONIA MARL CO., 
for the soil only. Our Agri¬ 
cultural Lime can be applied 
at the time of seeding and 
will not burn anything. Will 
drill, broadcast or scatter. 
We guarantee immediate 
shipment, analysis, mechani¬ 
cal condition, fineness, quick 
results and no burning. 
Litmus paper free. Write us. 
Caledonia, N. Y. 
ON YOUK FARM OR COUNTRY ESTATE 
It is now time to plan and prepare for the summer planting. You can grow Alfalfa on your 
farm! But you must meet your particular soil conditions— therefore—we will .without cost or ob¬ 
ligation give you expert advice on the selection of seed—seed bed preparation—planting—and 
care necessary to meet your requirements and secure a perfect stand with the aid of 
FARMOGERM INOCULATION 
Standard throughout the world 
I-«t ns tell you of the method of growing Vetch with your spring planting of Oats to increase the Oat crop 
and enrich the soil at the same time. Also how to secure the same results by growing Soy Beans or other le¬ 
gumes with your Corn. All spring sown clovers should be inoculated, and a little fertilizer applied now means 
more hay. Cow Peas and Soy Beans for Hay—as milk producers, cannot be excelled. This is practical inform¬ 
ation of value to every farmer. 
TELL US YOUK PLANTING IDEAS FOR TIIE YEAR AND I.ET US IIEI.P YOU PI.1N IT KCONOM- 
U’ALl.Y AM) EFFICIENTLY KOK SOIL ENRICHMENT AND GENERAL FARM IMPROVEMENT 
EARP-THOMAS FARMOGERM CO., Bloomfield, N. J., U. S. A. 
Our New Book No. 54 Sent free 
Planet Jr. 
Get these time-saving, labor-lightening farm and garden tools 
to secure the greatest yield from your crops. They are scientific 
soil-tillers—the result of a practical farmer’s more than 40 years’ 
experience. Light, strong, and lasting. Fully guaranteed. 
[^jSi^Jpisnet Jr Combined Hill and Drill Seeder, Wheel Hoe, Cultiva¬ 
tor, and Plow does the work of almost all garden tools combined. It 
sows accurately all garden seeds, cultivates, hoes, furrows, and plows. 
Indestructible steel frame. 
OZEZO Planet Jr Horse Hoe and Cultivator does more kinds of 
work better, quicker, and easier than any other cultivator. 
Indispensable on the up-to-date farm. Can be fitted with plow 
and disc attachment and all-steel wheel—new this year. 
FDFF An Instructive 64-page 
4 -EV-lliJLla illustrated catalogue 
It’s yours for the asking! A regular 
encyclopaedia of information about 55 of 
the latest and most helpful tools for all 
cultivation. Send postal for it today! 
S L ALLEN & CO 
Box 1107V 
Philadelphia- 
No. 8 
No. 4 
