113.3 
THE RUEA-I^ NEW-VURKER 
October is, 
Reconstructing a Straw Shed. 
I intend reconstructing a straw shed 
into a dairy barn. The dimensions are 
39x45 feet, and nine feet from floor to 
the ceiling. I intend building a concrete 
wall all around, three feet high, 10 inches 
wide and continuing between windows 
up to the girders, thus serving as posts 
for the upper floor and shed to rest on. 
I have gravel and fine yellow sharp sand to 
work with. Would you advise such a wall 
10 inches thick? What about windows 
4 y 2 feet high? About double windows? 
With light coming in on three sides and 
the silo at one end, would you advise 
heads together or backs to each other 
for the cow stalls? Would it be well to 
complete the wall above the concrete 
with good chestnut boarding? What is 
the cheapest and best way to ceil the 
double flooring overhead so as to prevent 
chaff, etc., from coming down? What is 
the best material for lining a rat-proof 
granary? J. S. 
Pennsdale, Pa. 
A 10-inch wall resting upon a concrete 
footing course at least eight inches 'thick 
and two feet wide will be suitable for the 
basement of your barn, but if carried to 
a height of nine feet at any point to sup¬ 
port girders, it should be reinforced 
against lateral pressure. This may be 
done by constructing pilasters at such 
points, making these pilasters project 14 
inches from the wall at their base, where 
they are supported upon an extension of 
the concrete footing, and gradually car¬ 
rying them in to the width of the wall at 
the top. For the sake of appearance, as 
well as reinforcement, such pilasters 
should also be built on either side of each 
corner. The basement wall may be com¬ 
pleted with chestnut boarding, as you 
suggest. Double windows are not neces¬ 
sary. A common rule for estimating the 
size and number of windows needed is to 
allow four square feet of sash to each 
thousand pounds of live stock sheltered. 
Single sash hinged at the bottom to swing 
inward, with the lateral openings thus 
made closed by hopper sides, afford an 
excellent means of ventilation. Whether 
two rows of cows should face toward or 
from each other is largely a matter of 
personal choice. In the vast majority of 
modern barns with which I am acquaint¬ 
ed the manure gutters are in the center 
w r ith a driveway between of sufficient 
width to accommodate a wagon or ma¬ 
nure spreader. This makes feeding a 
little less convenient, but facilitates the 
heavier work of removing the manure, 
saves spattering the barn walls, requires 
a little less width of stable, and makes 
it more convenient for caretakers and 
visitors to stand behind the cows, where 
they usually prefer to be. The stable 
may be ceiled overhead with any matched 
stuff, probably the cheapest being the or¬ 
dinary second-grade Southern pine ceil¬ 
ing stuff. 
I know of no better or cheaper rat-proof 
material for lining a granary than a thin 
gauge black iron roofing, coming in 
sheets or rolls, and sold by hardware 
dealers and supply bouses. In building, 
this may be nailed to the studding and 
ceiled over, or in old buildings it may bo 
used as an inside lining. M. B. D. 
A “ Big Story” Factory. 
I was amused somewhat at your arti¬ 
cle on page 1024 relative to the report of 
remunerative yield of apples grown by 
Mr. Collamer, and it brought to mind a 
letter I received recently winch I am en¬ 
closing with a copy of my answer. If 
you can tell by their letter head what 
their business is, you can do better than 
I. Hut I surmise that they are organ¬ 
ized for the purpose of creating the 
wrong idea among those not familiar with 
the profits of farming. If so, and you 
can give them a little free advertising, I 
think you will be doing your readers a 
great favor. G. e. l*. 
Pennsylvania. 
The letter referred to is from the “Cal¬ 
ifornia Soil Products Co.” This is the 
way they describe themselves: 
“A clearing house for certificate hold¬ 
ers co-operating with one another under 
an organization system which precludes 
all possibility of loss by always ascer¬ 
taining its ability before it has a lia¬ 
bility.” 
No; we cannot tell what sort of business 
this means. The concern seems to have 
no commexx-ial rating. Their letter calls 
for the records of “unusual crop yields 
by intensive scientific farming methods.” 
They want to know all about crops which 
show “large returns.” Perhaps we do 
these gentlemen an injustice but we think 
they run a guff factory, and ask and expect 
farm rs to supply the raw material. Some 
farmer might tell them he had a hen 
which made a profit of $10 in one year. 
The finished product in polished guff 
would be the statement that one hen 
made $10—thex-efore 1,000 hens will sure¬ 
ly make $10,000 in one year, and any 
back-to-the-lander can keep such hens. 
These gentlemen can, no doubt, apply the 
same arithmetic to fruit or hogs or hay 
or anything else which suits them. We 
see no good to come from supplying them 
with this raw material. 
Cost of Subsoiling With Dynamite. 
I have recently finished subsoiling one- 
fifth of an acre with dynamite. The top¬ 
soil was a little over a foot deep, and 
under that lay the hardest hardpan that 
I ever encountered. The only way that 
I could get the holes down into it was by 
pouring in watex*, churning it with a 
crowbar, and then taking out the mud 
with an old augur, a little at a time. I 
spaced the holes about 15 feet apart, put 
them down 36 to 42 inches, and loaded 
them with six-ounce chai-ges. There was 
very little surface disturbance when they 
were fired, but the way they shattered 
that old hardpan was a joy to behold. 
Certainly if this method is all its advo¬ 
cates claim, I ough to have the best gar¬ 
den in the neighborhood next yeai*. Fol¬ 
lowing is the bill for the materials used: 
ll 1 /! pounds dynamite at 20 cents. $2.S5 
150 feet fuse. 1.50 
40 caps . -40 
Total cash outlay. $4.75 
I put in about 15 hours’ time sinking 
the holes and shooting them, which at 
the pi'esent state of the labor market 
should be charged at $3. Probably a real 
expert would have done the work in less 
time, although^I doubt if he could have 
hustled that hardpan very jnuch. Next 
time I should use more dynamite by put¬ 
ting the holes in every 10 feet, xinless the 
results next year show that the effect of 
the charges went farther than I now 
think. c. M. GALLUP. 
Connecticut. 
New Tariff Changes. 
Following are comparative rates of the 
old and new tariff on some articles of 
general interest: 
OLD NEW 
Iron Ore. 
Free. 
Pig Iron. 
.$2.50 ton 
Free. 
Wr’t&Oast Iron $1.00 ton 
10%. 
Iron Wire. 
1% ct. lb. 
15%. 
Lumber. 
$1.25 M. 
Free. 
Sugar. 
. 1.9 ct. lb. 
.71 ct. 
Live Stock. . . . 
. 20% 
10%. 
Barley. 
30 cts. bu. 
15 cts. 
Oats. 
. 15 cts. bu. 
6 cts. 
Corn. 
.15 cts. bu. 
Free. 
Rye. 
.10 cts. bu. 
Free. 
Wheat. 
25 cts. bu. 
Free. 
Potatoes. 
.25 cts. bu. 
Free. 
Lemons. 
iy 2 cts. lb. 
% ct. lb. 
Apples. 
25 cts. bu. 
10 cts. bu. 
Butter. 
6 cts. lb. 
2V> cts. lb. 
Milk. 
. 2 cts. gal. 
Free. 
Cream. 
5 cts. gal. 
Free. 
Eggs. 
.5 cts. doz. 
Free. 
Hay. 
$4 ton 
$2 ton. 
Bacon & Hams. 
4 cts. lb. 
Free. 
Fresh Meats. . . 
1 % Cts. 11). 
Free. 
Poultry, Live. . 
.3 cts. lb. 
1 ct. 
Poultry, Dead. 
. 5 cts. lb. 
2 ct. 
Raw Wool.... 
. 11 -12-7 cts lb. 
Free. 
Rice. 
2 cts. lb. 
1 ct. 
Average percentage of tail ft rates, as 
compared to the value of all imported 
merchandise, old law 37 per cent, new 
law 27 per cent. Value of annual im¬ 
ports added to the free list, $147,000,000. 
Estimated revenue from all import rates, 
old law $305,000,000, new law $249,000,- 
000. Estimated revenue from corpora¬ 
tion and income taxes, old law $37,000,- 
000, new law $122,000,000. 
Potatoes, 70; beets, 50; onions. $1.10; 
wheat, $1 ; corn, 75; oats, 60; rye, 85; 
beans, $2.50; butter, 34; apples, 60; 
grapes, $1; tomatoes, $1; cabbage, per 
pound, two cents. J. F. E. 
Broad Top City, Pa. 
STATEMENT OF THE OWNER¬ 
SHIP, MANAGEMENT. CIRCULA¬ 
TION, ETC., of THE RURAL NEW- 
YORKER, published weekly at 333 West 
30th Street, New York. N. Y., as re¬ 
quired by the Act of August 24, 1912. 
Editor: Herbert W. Colli no wood, 
Woodcliff Lake, N. .1. 
Business Manager: John J. Dillon, 
903 West End Ave.. N ov York. 
Owners: John J. Dillon, 903 West 
End Ave., New York: Wm. F. Dillon. 
3675 Broadway, New York; Herbert W. 
Colling wood, Woodcliff Eake, N. J. 
There are no bondholders, mortgagees 
or other security holders. 
(Signed) 
JOHN J. DILLON, 
Publisher. 
Subscribed and sworn to be- 
fore me this 7th day of Octo¬ 
ber, 1913. 
Edward J. Levy, 
Notary Public. 
The Use of Finely Ground 
Rock Phosphate 
Is a Profitable Soil investment, 
and Not a Crop Expense .*• 
Soil investigations conducted by the IT. S. Soil Bureau, 
and the agricultural 
colleges 
of the Middle and Eastern 
States, show that, with the exception of swampy land, the 
amount of crops per acre are limited by the plant food ele¬ 
ments Phosphorus and Nitrogen. 
2,000 pounds of Rock Phosphate contains 
one-fourth as much Phosphorus as is found in 
an acre of the average productive soil • Would 
a 25% increase in the productive capacity of an 
acre of your farm be worth the price of a ton of 
Rock Phosphate? 
Wherever Rock Phosphate lias been used on land planted in 
clover or other legumes the cx*op has been increased 25 to 100%. If 
an ordinary crop of clover takes from the air and deposits in the 
soil $10.00 worth of Nitrogen any increase in the clover crop will give 
a corresponding increase in the amount of Nitrogen. The increased 
yield from Rock Phosphat. have invariably more than paid for its 
use, and the Nitrogen thus secured costs you nothing. 
Thousands of America's host farmers are 
investing $1.00 per acre per year in Roclc 
Phosphate. The increased crop yields each 
year more than pay for its use, and since the 
amount of Phosphorus applied each year is 
more than is used by the crop, the potential 
fertility of their land and its real value is 
constantly increasing. 
We have records of results from the use of Rock Phosphate that 
will convince you of its value on your farm. Write us to-day for 
“The Farm That Won't Wear Out.”, and for prices on “DAYBREAK” 
FINELY GROUND ROCK PHOSPHATE, guaranteed to contain 13% 
Phosphorus (29%% Phosphoric Acid), and ground so that 95% will 
pass through a screen having 10,000 openings to the square inch. 
FEDERAL CHEMICAL CO. 
GROUND ROCK DEPARTMENT 
BOX No. 13 
COLUMBIA, TENN. 
LISVS 
FOR 
YOUR 
LAND 
QUALITY HIGH—PRICES LOW 
Writ® Today For Prices Delivered At Your Station 
BOCK CUT STOHE CO., SYRACBSE, N. Y. 
- BEST 
SAVE HALF Your 
Paint Bills 
By 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 Prices. 
INGERjSOLL PAINT BOOK —FREE 
Tells all about Paint and Painting for Durability. 
How to avoid trouble and expense caused by paints 
fading, chalking and peeling. Valuable information 
free to you, with Sample Color Cards. Write me. DO 
flT NOW. I can save yoti money. 
Q.W. IngersoH, 246 Plymouth St., Brooklyn, N.Y. 
MAKE BIG PAY DRILLING 
WATER WELLS 
MADE 
ON EARTH 
Write us for Litmus Paper to test your soil for 
lime requirements. It is FREE. Our Lime Car¬ 
bonate guaranteed in every respect. Lot us 
prove it to you. 
INTERNATIONAL AGR’L CORP. 
Caledonia Marl Branch 
812 MARINE BANK BLDG., BUFFALO, N. Y. 
EASIEST RUNNING MILL 
A Duplex Mill requires 25# leas 
power and will do twice as much work 
as any other mill of equal size. Grinds 
car corn, shelled corn, oats, wheat, kaf¬ 
fir corn, cotton seed, corn in shucks, 
sheaf oats or any kind of grain. There 
is no mill made that for speed and com¬ 
plete grinding equals the 
Kelly Duplex 
Grinding Mill 
Easily operated. Never chokes. 
7 sizes. Fully guaranteed. 
Any power. Especially xicl- 
upted for ganoline engine*. 
Duplex Mill & Mfg. Co., Box320 Springfield, Ohio 
Save Big Money 
T AKE advantage of our free offer on a Quaker City 
Peed Mill. We pay freight. Get our reduced fac¬ 
tory price. Standard of high quality for 46 years. 
Grind any grain, separate or mixed, to the linest meal; 
also ear corn with or without husk. 
Quaker City » 
lO Days Free Trial 
Twenty-three styles —hand 
power up to 20 horsepower. 
They grind fast, easy and with 
very little power. Write for 
prices, guarantee, free catalog 
and catalog ot Standard Farm 
Supplies at reduced prices. 
The A. W. Straub Co. 
Dept. K 2X411 Filbert SI. 
. Philadelphia, Fa. 
Dept. I SXh!* s. Ashland A>e. 
Chicago, Hi. A 
Our Free Drillers’ Hook with 
catalog of Keystone Drills 
tells how. Many sizes; trac¬ 
tion and portable. Easy 
terms. These machines 
make good anywhere. 
KEYSTONE WATER DRILL CO 
Beaver Falls, Pa. 
FREE CATALOG. 
Are proving of great help to 
hustling farmers. Their 
strong construction makes 
them very durable. Guaranteed te do 
quick and thorough work. Many styles 
1 LI.L'S MUTED CATALOG rnCf 
Tells all atxmt ground feed * ALLi, 
and grinders. Write for it today. 
The Star Manufacturing Co., 
113Pepot St.. New I.cxmgtom Otdo 
old BAGS 
Turn your old bags into nion*y. We buy them in 
any quantity, sound or torn, at a liberal price and 
pay tlie freight. Write for particulars and state 
number you have. Reference: Citizen s Dank. 
Iroquois Hail Co., 450 Howard St-, Buffalo, N. i ■ 
CASH 
Handy 
Binder 
J UST the thing for 
preserving files of 
The Rural New-Yorker. 
Durable and cheap. Sent 
postpaid for 25 cents. 
The Rural New-Yorker 
333 W. 30th St., New York City 
