032 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
August 1(5, 
FARMERS’ CLUB 
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attention. Before asking a question, please see 
whether it is not answered in our advertising 
columns. Ask only a few questions at one time. 
Put questions on a separate p ; oce of panor.l 
STORING POTATOES. 
I have a patch of potatoes that will 
mature in about two weeks, and am at 
a loss how to store them so they will 
keep during the Winter. I have a good 
cellar under the house, but it is always 
damp, so much so that anything left in 
it will mold in a few days. Could you 
suggest any plan that would keep it dry? 
I have the upper loft of a sweet potato 
house, but I am afraid it would be too 
warm. T. J. G. 
Vineland, N. J. 
In storing potatoes we use neither cel¬ 
lar nor loft. As soon as the potatoes are 
dug in the Summer, we pile them in 
heaps under the shade of some large 
trees. Sometimes we make cone-shaped 
piles by dumping the baskets over the 
same point and letting the potatoes 
spread out as they will; while at other 
times we make ricks of them by laying 
two rails on the ground parallel to each 
SUMMER HEAP OF POTATOES. 
other and about four feet apart, and 
piling the potatoes just as high in be¬ 
tween these two rails as we can without 
their sliding over them. We then cover 
these piles with a layer of hay from one 
to two feet thick ; using the most on top 
and laying it so that it will shed rain. 
In the Fall as frosty weather comes on, 
we dig holes, from two to three feet deep 
and from eight to 12 feet in diameter, 
on high well-drained ground. The bot¬ 
tom and sides of these holes are then 
lined with about a one-foot layer of hay, 
and the potatoes poured carefully into 
them. They are piled up as high as pos¬ 
sible without their spreading out over 
the edge of the hole. A layer of hay 
about two feet deep is spread over the 
potatoes above ground, after which a 
layer of soil about one foot deep is 
thrown over the hay. This much hay 
and soil is usually sufficient to protect 
the potatoes from freezing here in South 
Jersey. However, it matters little if 
they do freeze so long as they are not 
removed from the pits while frozen, as 
they thaw out so gradually that no injury 
is done. They can be left in the pits 
until the first of April, after which they 
will begin to sprout if the weather is 
warm. In using this method of storing 
we have never experienced any loss ex¬ 
cept one year when we left them in the 
Summer heaps so long that an early 
freeze caught them before they were bur¬ 
ied. Our soil is sandy, I presume' the 
same as T. J. G.’s at Vineland, so this 
method should work well with him. 
THE SCRIBE. 
NEW JERSEY BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 
A field meeting was held at the Sta¬ 
tion Farm, New Brunswick, August 5, 
about 1.500 being present. President 
Frelinghuysen was the first speaker. 
Among other things he said that the in¬ 
dividual farmer is improving and that 
the spread of knowledge during the past 
few years has developed an entirely dif¬ 
ferent type of farmer, who will eventually 
so change agriculture and agricultural 
methods that they will not seem the same. 
Dr. Demarest, president of Rutgers 
College, spoke of the work at the F^qieri- 
ment Station, devoting much attention to 
the details of the work and the benefit he 
thinks it has been. 
In the afternoon Dr. Jacob Lipman, 
head of the experimental work, de¬ 
scribed that work and gave demonstra¬ 
tions. Later evidences of the practical 
application of what he said was seen by 
all who cared to walk over the farm. 
The prejudice against “book farming,” as 
it was formerly termed has almost dis¬ 
appeared. Where practical men can be 
brought face to face with theory as it is 
worked out from day to day on an ex¬ 
perimental farm they see the close Con¬ 
nection between theory and improved 
practice. 
More than one-third of those present 
were women, who went about the farm 
sometimes showing more interest in some 
particular thing or operation than the 
men. They were about the poultry runs 
all day. Many visited the large cement 
horse barn and small fruits claimed a 
liberal share of their attention. A bas¬ 
ket picnic was held on the lawn. 
The most impressive feature in the ex¬ 
perimental work is the struggle for im¬ 
provement. Each experiment is conduct¬ 
ed for the purpose of securing a new 
type, or a modification of existing types 
which would produce something better 
than what existed previously. It is the 
modern application of making two blades 
of grass grow where one grew before. 
An example was an exhibit of toma¬ 
toes which have been crossed with each 
other. Currant tomatoes were crossed 
with the Ponderosa. Where the small 
was crossed on the large a much larger 
tomato than the currant was the result. 
They were perhaps \ V> inch in diameter, 
perfect in form, with a clear red color. 
This result is not likely to break up, and 
after three generations they are perma¬ 
nent. When the large is bred on the 
small the result is a breaking tip which 
in one instance produced nine distinct 
varieties, none of which would come 
true to kind. When bred this way the 
new varieties proved endless, with only 
an occasional one that ceemed worth at¬ 
tempting to reproduce. 
In another instance the pear tomato 
was crossed with the Stone. The pear 
variety retained its shape, but changed 
to red and all semblance of the Stone was 
lost, except the color. Again the result 
was a break up. with probably nothing 
that could be reproduced true to kind. 
The effort is all directed toward produc¬ 
ing a large, smooth tomato of even color 
and attractive shape, with a heavy yield 
and improved flavor. Such a tomato is 
wanted in the markets and canning fac¬ 
tories and will sell at a high price the 
season through. 
What about the peach? New Jersey 
has asked that question often. The 
peach crop of a large part of the South 
failed this year. If New Jersey could 
produce a peach that would be ready to 
go to the New York or Philadelphia mar¬ 
kets at about the same time as the South¬ 
ern varieties come forward, or a little 
later, the sale would be immensely profit¬ 
able. One man from the southern part 
of the State said his peaches netted him 
$2.50 a basket. The writer knows per¬ 
sonally another grower who has a small 
orchard and never gets less than $2 a 
basket. Sometimes he goes as high as $3. 
There were exhibits of peaches grown 
at different points about the State, the 
Greensboro and Carman, grown at High 
Bridge; the Governor llogg at Vine- 
land, all very handsome fruit. The Car¬ 
man was the best color for marketing 
purposes. A housewife who still adheres 
to the old system of home canning, ex¬ 
pressed a wish for a New Jersey peach 
with good color, free stone, good shape 
and with flesh sufficiently solid to retain 
its shape in the jars. The outward ap¬ 
pearance of the Carman as shown there 
would suit her. Of the other essential 
qualities those who have grown and used 
them know. 
Numerous experiments in fertilizing 
and cultivating apples are in progress, 
but as an apple tree is of comparatively 
slow growth it is impossible to give re¬ 
sults. The fruit on the trees, particu¬ 
larly the Bismarck, was handsome. The 
Gravensteins were equally so. But no 
one can yet say what the result will be. 
Those interested in cows had oppor¬ 
tunity to examine the herd and learn the 
results, and the same applied to hogs 
and poultry. 
Pap aw Juice and Fire.—A few days 
since the New York papers contained an 
account of an experiment with a sub¬ 
stance to prevent pain. It was said that 
gum or juice from the papaw tree grown 
in South Africa was smeared over the 
face and body of a man. Flames from a 
gasoline lamp were then turned upon his 
his flesh, but he did not even wince, 'and 
showed no evidence of pain while he was 
smeared with this preparation. It was 
claimed that this stuff actually relieved 
the pain of burning, and that it was to 
be used by firemen for the fire depart¬ 
ment. We sent to the Department of 
Agriculture at Washington, in the hope 
of learning all that we could about this 
material, but the Department knows 
nothing about it, and can give no infor¬ 
mation whatever. The daily papers are 
well filled with fakes and silly stories at 
this season of the year. We know at 
least one faker who said this gave him 
an idea for organizing a farm in South 
Africa to produce this stuff, and then 
selling stock in the enterprise. 
The New York Fire Department tells 
us that the newspaper report was greatly 
exaggerated. No gasoline torch was 
used and the tricks were about what the 
professional “fire-swallowers” do. 
Wheat and Clover 
Many farmers stick to wheat raising 
mainly because clover follows it in the rotation. 
But why not get the best possible out of both crops? 
No crop returns better profit for the right fertilizer 
than wheat. 
What is the right fertilizer? That depends on the soil and 
on what fertilizer you have used on it. The longer you have 
used phosphate the sooner it will pay you to balance it with 
POTASH 
Insist on your wheat fertilizer containing 6 to 8 per cent, of 
Potash. Potash Pays on both wheat and clover. 
[f your dealer does not carry Potash, write us for P r 'S{; Sl , 
quantity needed, and ask for our free book. Fail Fertilixera. It 
will show you how to save money and increase profits. 
German Kali Works, Inc. 
42 Broadway, New York 
McCormick Block, Chicago Bank & Trn*t Bldg., Savannah 
Whitney Central Bank Bldg., New Orleans 
25 California St., San Francisco 
Empire Bldg., Atlanta 
>f J ® The best varieties, both 
new and old, and the best 
methods of planting to raise a 
full crop of Strawberries next 
year, are fully particularized in 
DREER’S 
Mid-Summer Catalogue 
Also the best varieties of Celery, 
Cabbage Plants, etc. 
A most complete list of the Best Hardy 
Perennial Seeds for summer sowing. 
Also vegetable and farm seeds for sum¬ 
mer and fail sowing. Select list of sea¬ 
sonable decorative and flowering plants. 
Write for a copy and kindly 
mention this weekly — FREE. 
HENRY A. DREER PHILADELPHIA /j 
Finest seed wheat, all cleaned, graded 
and tested. Grown in the heart of the 
most prolific wheat soil in the world — 
the fertile valleys of Lancaster county. 
Graded Seeds Mean Bigger Crops 
You can easily grow 30 to 40 bushels 
per acre. Many varieties, smooth and 
bearded—and all big, heavy yieldcra. 
They possess wonderful vitality. 
Valuable Wheat Catalog —Free. I sell 
direct from farm to you. No middle¬ 
man's profits. Money back and all 
charges paid if not satisfied. 
A. H. HOFFMAN, Box 30,Landisville, Lancaster Co., Pa. 
Pot-Grown 
Strawberry Plants 
as shown In the cut are much 
the best. Tbe roots are all 
there — and good roots, too. 
If set out in August and Sep¬ 
tember will produce a crop 
of berries next June. I have tbe 
finest stock of plants in the New 
England States. Send for Cata¬ 
logue and Price List ‘ 
C. S. PRATT, Reading, Mass. 
EEDS FOR FALL 
SOWING 
Red Wave and St. Louis Prize winter wheat, 
Wisconsin Pedipree aud New Pitkus rye, both very 
superior kinds. 
HAIRY VETCH ALFALFA 
99per cent pure 99.92 per cent pure. 
Grass Seeds of highest quality and lowest 
possible prices. Price list free. 
JOSEPH HARRIS CO.. 
Soed Growers 
Moroton Farm, Coldwator, N. Y. 
Dollar-Mark Wheat 
Makes Good Again 
Forty acres went 38 bushels to the acre 
this year— 54 bushel seeded per acre. 
Stokes’ Dollar-Mark Wheat has heads 4 
to 454 inches long, bearded, white-chaffed, 
with large, solid red grain that brings top mill¬ 
ing price. Strong4-foot straw—seldom lodges. 
Plants stool out wonderfully; 
form 10 to 30 heads. Only 54 bushel 
of seed needed for acre. 
Try it. Peck $1; 54 Bushel 
(enough for acre) $2; Bushel 
$3.50; 10 Bushel $30. Sample 
sent free. 
CRIMSON CLOVER. Sow 
now. 15 lbs. to acre. Peck $1.50; Bushel 
(60 lbs.) $5 ; 10 Bushel $47.50. 
WINTER VETCH (Vida Villosa). 
Lb. 10 cents, 100 lbs. $9. Sow 40 lbs. 
to acre, with 54 bushel rye. 
Send for my farm seed 
circular—FREE 
Walter P. Stokes 
Dept. 130. ... Philadelphia 
700,000 Fruit Trees 
FOlt FALL TLANTISG 
You want the best Eresb Dug 
Genesee Valley grown trees 
when you plant this fall. 
Guaranteed True to Name 
I sell them direct from Nursery 
to planter at wholesale prices. 
DO NOT BUY until you write 
for my free illustrated catalog. 
WELLS WHOLESALE NURSERIES 
Box 42,_DANSVILLE, B. Y. 
ALFALFA 
AMERICAN NORTHERN GROWN 
Guaranteed to bo 99# pure and free from dodder. 
Write for sample on which we Invite you to got 
Government tests. We do not handle Turkestan 
“Dwarf Alfalfa” or cheap inferior European seed. 
We rofuse to handle anything but tha very best. 
Experiment Stations agree that American Seed ex¬ 
cels all other. Our seed should produce hay at $60 
per acre annually. Write for catalog and folder 
which contains valuable information that you 
should know about. We are sure it will interest you # 
GRAIN AND GRASS SEED 
Northern grown and of strongest vitality. We 
handle export grade only and can furnish grass 
mixture suitable for any soils. Write for catalog. 
WING S EED CO., Box 223 Mechanicsburg, O . 
PURE FIELD SEEDS-SEED WHEAT 
(RedWave aud Winter King)CLOVER. TIMOTHY. 
ALSIKE, ALFALFA AND ALL KINDS OF 
PURE FIELD SEEDS direct from producer to con¬ 
sumer; free from noxious weeds Ask for 
A. C. HOYT & CO., - rOSTOKIA, OHIO 
• trawberrY Plants 
Pot-Grown and Layer for August and Fall 
planting. Raspberry. Blackberry, Asparagus 
Plants and Fruit Troes. CATALOGUE FREE- 
I RltY I,. SQUIRES, Good Gromid.N. Y. 
4,000 Bushels Seed 
Highest Yielding Varieties 
soMammothWhite Rye, Timothy, Alfalfa,Vetch, 
imson Clover, etc. Catalog and samples tree. 
N. SCAKFF, Box 14, New Carlisle, O. 
ED WHEAT 
—Beets, Lettuce, Kolil-rabi, 
-igs ■ ihiiij $1 per 1000. Tomato, Sweet 
tatoes, $1 50 per 1000. Cauliflower, Peppers, *2 per 
Send for list. J. C. SCHMIDT, Bristol, Pa 
abbage Plants 
Standard Apple Barrels 
Car lots or less. ROBT. GILLIES, Medina, N. V. 
KINGS 
Invite you to come to Dansville. 300,000 fruit trees to sell- 
Apples 2-yr. 5 to 7 ft. at $120.00 per 1.000. Poaches. 1-yr. 4 to 6 ft 
at $80.00 per 1,000. Guaranteed true to name, free from scale 
and aphis. Visit us now or write atonc.e. Prices will advance. 
Buy from a reliable firm on a rising market. , _ w v 
KING BROTHERS NURSERIES, - DANSVILLE, H. Y 
SEED WHEAT 
„ is bred for heavy yields and high milling qual- to* 
^/^/itios. Often yields 3b to 40 bu. per acre. Guaranteed 
; omtSc- ~^ pure or money back. Free from smut and foreign mat-, 
* A tor. We handlo onl/tho finest strains of Fultz, Poole and Gypsy, 
'■\r Write for Free Booklet & Samples Today! ^/ / ' 
Got sample, that interest you. Booklet toll, how wo select and breed wheat. 
.' We also carry a full lino of grass, clover aud farm soeds. Writofor pricos today 
O. C. Shepard Co., Farm Seed Specialists, Box 850 Medina.Ohio 
