63© 
1913. 
5TtTEj RURAb NKW-YURKKR 
PROF. AGEE ON POTATO GROWING 
A talk on “Potato Production,’’ by Prof. 
Alva Agee, chief of the Bureau of Agri¬ 
cultural Extension of the New Jersey State 
Experiment Station, was the chief feature 
of the meeting of the Monmouth County 
Board of Agriculture, at Freehold. At the 
outset Prof. Agee said he realized that he 
was among the best potato growers in the 
country, and he would not attempt to tell 
Monmouth. County farmers how to grow 
potatoes. He never saw a better stand of 
potato plants, he said, than he viewed in 
going through this section last Summer, 
when the fields were as beautiful to him 
as a flower garden was to his wife. The 
potato, to him, he said, is one of the most 
interesting of plants, one that repays a 
person for both study and work, and he 
confessed that he knew less about the 
wants of the potato plant than he thought 
he knew 20 years ago. One thing he de¬ 
clared is certain, that the potato plant will 
not wait for moisture, like the corn plant 
will. Fertilizer alone will not grow po¬ 
tatoes successfully, but the plant must have 
sufficient water each day. To obtain this 
the soil should be in a sponge-like condition 
before planting. The absence of sufficient 
rotten organic matter in the soil makes it 
unsafe for potatoes in a dry season, a'n'd 
the advice was given to turn the grass 
under early in the Spring, as this will put 
the land in better condition to hold the 
moisture in the dry midsummer season. 
The speaker favored Crimson clover as cover 
crop, but said Alfalfa, when not used too 
long is valuable. The reason for the 
necessity of procuring northern seed to 
grow potatoes here successfully was given 
as the excessive heat of midsummer in tins 
section, which serves to lower the vitality 
of the potato plant. 
Exhibiting again his temerity at advising 
professional potato growers. Prof. Ag.ee said 
that, while he did not like to argue with 
success, he questioned whether a sufficient 
amount of seed per acre is used by local 
farmers. The size of the seed piece, he 
said, should be more considered than the 
number of eyes. The seed piece should be 
of sufficient size to sustain the plant, and 
the plant should have sufficient vines to 
shade the ground. He advised that 15 
bushels of seed potatoes to the acre be 
used and was promptly advised by several 
of the farmers present that five barrels of 
seed potatoes to the acre are used by 
Monmouth County farmers. The speaker 
professed delight at finding himself in 
perfect accord with his audience, and told 
his hearers that by actual test at an ex¬ 
periment station a profit was obtained on 
potato crops where 15 bushels of seed per 
acre had been used, and, that while an 
increased yield had been obtained up to 
20 bushels of seed to the acre, the yield did 
not show a crorresponding profit. 
One thing the speaker declared his in¬ 
ability to understand is why the farmers 
generally have a fixed formula for fer¬ 
tilizer, regardless of the amount of nitro¬ 
gen that has been put in the soil by a 
cover crop. A friend recently wrote him 
for advice, saying he wanted to produce a 
particularly early crop of potatoes, and 
inquired to what extent it would be well 
to increase the nitrogen in his fertilizer. 
He advised the inquirer that if he wanted 
an early crop he should reduce the amount 
of nitrogen in his fertilizer and increase 
the amount of phosphoric acid, as nitrogen 
delays maturity, while phosphoric acid aids 
maturity. Warning was given the farmers 
that unless they treat their seed with for¬ 
malin before planting, and spray their vines 
thoroughly for blight, they will wake up 
some day to the knowledge that their land 
is not so valuable as they had thought. 
Failure to treat seed with the formalin 
solution, Prof. Agee said, will, in a few 
years, introduce disease in the soil that 
will ruin the crop for several years. The 
speaker strongly advised spraying potato 
vines with Bordeaux mixtures, with pos¬ 
sibly some arsenate of lead mixed with it, 
but declared that unless the spraying is 
done thoroughly it had better not be done 
at all, as it will not pay to half do the 
work. 
In reply to a question as to the value 
of the deep tilling machine, Frof. Agee 
said that he has had the machine under 
observation but three or four years, and 
could not yet say just what soil it will 
pay on. Where subsoil is loose deep tilling 
will not pay. The deep tilling machine, 
However, has revolutionized farming in 
seme sections, where tight soil predomi¬ 
nates. The machine does almost unbeliev¬ 
able work in thoroughly mixing all soil that 
it turns up. D T> H 
Moke About Rams.—T he advice to C. E 
, > on hydraulic ram troubles is good, bu 
z.® V ai ! S et as good results by expendin 
mi eh less money if he will bore on top o 
tne drive pipe close to the ram.a %-inc 
hoie. A brace and %-inch bit are all th 
..n a ne0f ?°d and that size of hole will glv 
ni „ e * al1 noo(le< I to the air chamber. Bu 
ue must see when the ram Is started tha 
tne air chamber is charged with air o 
br,m ra w run enough to make the ai 
trick effect,ve * Flve “inutes will do th 
OHIO NOTES. 
Mansfield will be the next place of meet¬ 
ing for the Ohio State Corn Show, In 
January, 1914. Over $1,000 in cash prizes 
has already been assured by the mer¬ 
chants. 
Farmers’ institutes gained, in the entire 
State, about 20 per cent in attendance, 
during the season just passed, over any 
previous year. Nearly GOO farmers’ meet¬ 
ings have been held over the State during 
the past three months. 
Plans are being made by the State Board 
of Agriculture to conduct a three-weeks’ 
test of work horse teams to determine the 
endurance and adaptability of the different 
breeds. Percherons, Belgians, Clydesdales 
and Shires will be represented in the test, 
which will take place in August, a week 
previous to the State Fair. The various 
registry associations are asked to select the 
pair of horses to represent its particular 
breed. 
Considerable enthusiasm was displayed 
by both farmers and commercial men in 
the Rural Life and Ohio Good Roads Con¬ 
gress held in Columbus, March 11 and 12. 
It was the coming together of the influen¬ 
tial men of the State to discuss plans to 
improve the roads of the State and thereby 
improve rural conditions. In the past the 
State has not taken the proper amount of 
interest in this problem either in the way 
of legislation or appropriations. About 500 
attended the Congress from Perry County, 
which was the largest representation from 
any one county. A resolution adopted by 
the Congress embodied the following: That 
Gov. Cox continue the investigations now 
being made regarding rural life ; that a per¬ 
manent State organization with county or¬ 
ganizations be formed; that a commission 
be appointed to re-write and codify all 
county, township and district road laws; 
that the one-mill tax, proposed, become a 
law, and the plan and scope of the Portage 
County Improvement Association be adopt¬ 
ed in other counties. 
Among the appropriations made for the 
State University are $75,000 for a new 
horticulture and forestry building and $3,- 
000 for milk testing. 
The State Board of Agriculture has 
stated definitely that it will furnish hog 
cholera serum at cost to all farmers who 
ask it, but the virus will be administered 
only by State veterinarians. The board 
has asked the Governor for funds to make 
a township district experiment as to the 
cure and prevention of hog cholera. 
In addition to the corn growing contest, 
It is being planned in this State to con¬ 
duct a Boys’ Apple Growing Contest, the 
prize to be a free trip to Washington. Ten 
trees in a home orchard are the require¬ 
ments in the contest. 
Prospects are bright for a big 1913 
wheat crop in Ohio. Information gathered 
by the State Board of Agriculture from 
correspondents in every county indicates 
that the Winter has been easy on the 
wheatfields and that there has been prac¬ 
tically no damage thus far from the freez¬ 
ing and thawing of the ground. This is 
in marked contrast to the condition of 
the wheat crop of last year, which was so 
damaged by the long, severe Winter, that 
the total yield for the State fell to about 
10,000,000 bushels. If weather conditions 
are favorable there is every reason to ex¬ 
pect a normal crop of 35,000,000 this year. 
The estimated 1913 wheat acreage in Ohio 
is 1,700,000 acres. 
Spraying and pruning demonstrations are 
being made over various parts of {he 
State by the University Extension Depart¬ 
ment. Students are sent out also from 
the Horticultural Department for this work 
to any orchardist who requests them, the 
only expense to the orchardist being the 
expenses of the student in going and com¬ 
ing. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
R. N.-Y. and you’ll get a quick reply’ and a 
“square deal.” See guarantee editorial page. 
TRAINED NURSE 
Remarks about Nourishing Food. 
f i — 
“A physician’s wife gave me a pack¬ 
age of Grape-Nuts one day, with the 
remark that she was sure I would find 
the food very beneficial, both for my 
own use and for my patients. I was par¬ 
ticularly attracted to the food, as at that 
time the weather was very hot and I 
appreciated the fact that Grape-Nuts 
requires no cooking. 
“The food was deliciously crisp, and 
most inviting to the appetite. After 
making use of it twice a day for three 
or four weeks, I discovered that it was 
a most wonderful invigorator. I used 
to suffer greatly from exhaustion, head¬ 
aches and depression of spirits. My 
work had been very trying at times and 
indigestion had set in. 
“Now I am always well and ready for 
any amount of work, have an abundance 
of actual energy, cheerfulness and men¬ 
tal poise. I have proved to my entire 
satisfaction that this change has been 
brought about by Grape-Nuts food. 
“The fact that it is predigested is a 
very desirable feature. I have had many 
remarkable results in feeding Grape- 
Nuts to my patients, and I cannot speak 
too highly of the food. My friends con¬ 
stantly comment on the change in my 
appearance. I have gained 9 pounds 
since beginning the use of this food.” 
“There’s a reason.” Read the little 
book, “The Road to Wellville,” 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. 
AI 
HOW TO 
UFA 
GROW 
> UFA 
V. 
ON YOUk FARM OR COUNTRY ESTATE 
It is now time to plan and piepare 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 
Let us 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 YOUR PLANTING IDEAS FOB THE YEAR AND LET US HELP YOU PLAN IT ECONOM¬ 
ICALLY AND EFFICIENTLY FOR SOIL ENRICHMENT AND GENERAL FARM IMPROVEMENT 
EARP-THOMAS FARMOGERM CO., Bloomfield, N. J., U. S. A. 
__________ Our New Book No. 54 Sent free 
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 MARL CO., Caledonia, N. Y. 
c at once no matter where 
lostage, so all you have to 
t. Address H. C. Phelps, 
even pays the 
BL or letter tonig! 
Save SZ5 to 840. Get best buggy you ever rode in. Book shows 
140styles made-to-order Split Hickory Vehicles, also full and 
complete line of harness. Sold direct to you, no middlemen’! 
profit. 107,000 Split Hickories now in use. 
30 Days’ Free Road Test—2 Yrs. Guarantee 
Auto Seat Buggies, Runabouts, Surries, Driving Carts, Car¬ 
riages, Spring Wagons, etc.—all penuineSplit Hickories_ Get 
Station 2 90, 
SAVE HALF Your 
Paint Bills 
Bv using INGERSOLL PAINT — proved 
best by 66 years’ use. It will please you. 
Only Paint endorsed by the “Grange." 
Made in all colors,—for all purposes. 
DELIVERED FREE. 
From the Mill Direct to You at Factory Price*. 
INGERSOLL PAINT BOOK — FREE 
Tells all about Paint and Painting f~!t Durability. 
How to avoid trouble and expense caused by paint* 
fa«lmg, chalking and peeling. Valuable information 
wlth Sarn P lf * Color Cards. Write me. DO 
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0. Inqersoll, 246 Plymouth *1.. Brooklyn. M.Y. 
THE MODERN GARDEN 
■with its long, narrow rows that require thor¬ 
ough and constant working,M U ST have tools 
that are easy to adjust and operate: that sow, and 
cultivate perfectly. Many farmers who have steam 
heat and a telephone are still using old-fashioned 
tools. Do YOU use a hand hoe? 
Seed Drills and 
Wheel Hoes 
IKON AGE 
save halftime, make bigger and better crops. 
The view shows one of 38 combinations Irom $ 2.50 to I 
$xsloo— our No. 0 C mbhied will sow in continuous! 
* rows or in hills, cultivate, weed, hoe, ridge, open! 
furrows, etc. Parts changed quickly. Can pur-f 
chase in simplest form and add to as needed.l 
Ask your dealer to show these tools and write/ 
us for new booklet, “Gardening With Mod¬ 
ern Tools." We make full lineofpotato 
machines,sprayers for all purposes, etc. / 
Bateman M’fg Co. 
Box *021, 
Grenloch,NJ» SAVES 
HARD 
work 
BUY GOOD PAINT DIRECT 
AND SAVE 50c A GALLON 
SO years’ experience, a modern factory, 
1 pure materials and selling direct is 
why it will pay you to buy 
Brown Seal Prepared Paints 
Shipped on approval. Write for color 
card and prices. 
THE YUMA PAINT CO. 
460 E. First 8t.. DAYTON, OHIO 
How about staying on top of the mud, in¬ 
stead of down in the mud, this coming 
year? Wide tire steel-wheel trucks will 
help to do this, and also help to make better 
roads for your community. Get in the game 
for good roads. Ask for our tree catalogue 
of instructions. 
HftVAHA METAL WHEEL CO., Box 17, HAVANA, ILL. 
I Jl 7R delivered any 
m . ' J STATION EASTof 
MISSISSIPPI RIVER 
'Lucky Low Down” Dump 
Cart Strong, substantial 
Meel wheels, wide tiras, steel 
axle. Body 1x4x6 ft. An j horse; 
ftuy harness. Capacity 1,490 
• « lbs. Farmer*.itanlensrs, fruit 
g row< rs and everybody with 
a horse. Saves its cost every 
year. E. F. HOBSON A CO. 
Easton, Pa. 
Protect your stock and 
grain with a durable 
weather-proof roof 
Certain-teed 
(Quality Cert-iiied —Durability Guaran -teed) 
Roofing in Rolls and Shingles 
It’s the best you can 
buy. Look for the 
Certain-teed label 
of quality and 15 - 
year wear guarantee 
on every roll and crate 
of shingles. Ask your 
dealer for prices—he 
can save you money. 
Get Our New Book— 
“Modern Building Ideas and Plans” —It would 
ordinarily sell for SI. but as it shows the various uses 
of Certain-teed Roofing, we will send it to you for 
25c or you can get it FREE from your lumber, hard¬ 
ware or building material dealer. 
General Roofing Mfg. Co. 
General Roofing 
The World’s largest 
manufacturer of 
Roofings and Build¬ 
ing Papers 
York, Pa. 
Minneapolis 
E. St. Lonis, 111. 
San Francisco 
Marseilles, III. 
Winnipeg, Can. 
uwwwmm m » kills Prairie Does, 
Woodchucks, Gophers, 
and Grain Insects. 
“The wheels of the gods 
grind slow but exceed¬ 
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5“ “FumaGarbon Bisulphide” “”S 
TAYLOK CHEMICAL CO., Penn Yan, N. Y. 
FUNIA 
WELL 
DRILLING 
MACHINES 
Over 70 sizes and styles, for drilling either deep or 
shallow wells in any kind or soil or rock. Mounted on 
wheels or on sills, with engines or horse powers. Strong, 
simple and durable. Any mechanic can operate them 
easily. Send for catalog. 
WILLIAMS BROS.. Ithaca. N. Y. 
Running water when 
and where you want 
it with FOSTER i 
High Duty Ram. A 
Power Specialty 
Co . y 111 Trinity I 
Bldg., New York| 
You 
Can Have 
Running 
Water 
|MAKE BIG PAY DRILLING 
WATER WELLS 
Our Free Drillers’ Book with 
catalog of Keystone Drills 
tells how. Many sizes; trac¬ 
tion and portable. Easy 
terms. These machines 
make good anywhere. 
KEYSTONE WATER ORIEL CO 
Beaver Falls, p a . 
