10O 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
February 12, 
FARMERS’ CLUB 
[Every query must >e accompanied by the name 
and aduress of the writer to insure attention. Be¬ 
fore 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 piece of paper.] 
THE SCHOOL PROBLEM IN NORTHERN 
NEW YORK. 
On page 70 J. Grant Morse discusses 
the school problem. The conditions 
mentioned may be typical of his section 
of the State, but not so of Northern 
New York, where the high schools are 
striving to impress upon the minds of 
the students the importance of agricul¬ 
ture. There is not the least possible 
chance to contend that the rural scholar 
cannot find something to aid him as a 
farmer. But what does he get to help 
him at the high school? First and fore¬ 
most is the agricultural course that is 
rapidly growing in favor in our North¬ 
ern schools; this course includes labora¬ 
tory. field, lecture and text-book work, 
besides the bulletins, farm papers and 
reference books connected with the 
course. Aside from the agricultural 
science proper, the young farmer will 
find the most direct help in the regular 
science courses. 
The first year he should elect biology; 
this includes botany, zoology and phy¬ 
siology. Thus he will gain an insight 
into the structure and requirements of 
plants, animals and the human body. 
Physical geography should follow biol¬ 
ogy. From thi^~ tudy the student will 
learn of the structure and formation of 
the soils, the relation of organisms to 
the earth, the effect of chemical and 
mechanical erosion, the atmosphere and 
the conditions it governs. The junior 
year will include a science which all 
boys learn to love, namely, physics, and 
one whose principles will be demon¬ 
strated every day the young men remain 
on the farm. Chemistry is left for the 
senior year, not because it is more diffi¬ 
cult than physics, but because the student 
will be of an age that he will use bet¬ 
ter judgment in the handling of danger¬ 
ous chemicals. But if the prospective 
farmer neglects the rest of the science 
course lie should not neglect chemistry. 
To a great extent upon the knowledge 
of this science will the future success of 
the young agriculturist depend. In¬ 
directly, bookkeeping may be classed as 
a farmer subject. From this he may 
learn business forms and terms, also 
a systematic method of recording his 
own transactions. 
Before the student leaves the high 
school he should study economics; this 
is one of the most difficult, yet one of 
the most interesting of the whole curri¬ 
culum. It affords the student knowledge 
of money and its uses, of natural and 
artificial wealth; of the factors of pro¬ 
duction and the general working prin¬ 
ciples of political economy as related to 
our industries. Then come the much- 
despised foreign languages. German 
may be eliminated as of no practical use 
to the farmer. But it is advisable for 
the student to study Latin, for the study 
of this language richly repays one for 
the time and effort spent, no matter 
what his future calling. In comparing 
the teaching of farming in the public 
School, and in the little red school house, 
it is safe to say that more and better 
work along this line is accomplished in 
the public school, where allotted time is 
given to manual training and nature 
study. It is interesting, indeed, to pass 
through the grades and watch the little 
folks at work, the little men industrious 
with their tiny tools, and the little 
maids plying their needles like any 
thrifty housewife; then again both 
equally interested in their miniature gar¬ 
dens, the birds- and flowers. Little, 
yes, very little of this work is found in 
the district school. But where does the 
fault lie? Certainly not with the public 
school, nor with the teacher; she teaches 
what is required to be taught. It lies 
with the farmers themselves. If they 
could come to a conclusion as to what 
they wish their children to be taught, and 
the kind of training the teachers should 
have, and make a just appeal to the 
Department of Education, it is needless 
to say there would be a movement of 
reform in the little red school house. 
EARL. H. ALLEN. 
A TALK ABOUT BLACKBERRIES AND 
PEARS. 
R. A. M., Walker, N. Y .—What do you 
think of the Blowers and Mersereau black¬ 
berries, are they hardy, healthy and pro¬ 
ductive as commercial varieties? Are 
such standard varieties as Agawam, Snyder 
and Eldorado less frequently attacked by 
rusl ? 2. What would you think of the 
Beurre Clairgeau as a pear in place of 
Kieffer? What do you think of this list of 
varieties: Clapp’s E'avorite, Bartlett, Beurre 
Clairgeau, Flemish Beauty, Lincoln and 
Beurre d' Anjou? Which shall I heave out? 
Ans. —1. The Mersereau blackberry 
has been successfully fruited for many 
years, and like all other varieties it is 
satisfactory and profitable according to 
the locality, soil cultivation, etc. Few 
fruits do equally well in all places, and 
for all growers. The Blowers is one 
of the more recent introductions, and 
is said to be very hardy of plant and a 
heavy cropper of fine large fruit. All 
new varieties should be tried in an ex¬ 
perimental way first, as what succeeds 
with one may fail with another. The 
Snyder and Agawam are both strong, 
healthy growing plants and very produc¬ 
tive, but the fruit is too small and can¬ 
not be recommended as market varieties, 
where the Larger berries can be grown. 
Eldorado is a very desirable black¬ 
berry ; while not so hardy as Snyder, 
it is one of the hardiest of the larger 
fruiting kinds, being a good cropper, 
and the berries average large, black, 
firm and good quality. 
2. If the Buerre Clairgeau succeeds 
in the locality and soil of the inquirer, 
there is no doubt of its being a mo’re 
profitable pear than the Kieffer. Clapp’s 
Favorite is one of the best and most 
profitable pears to grow, but it is also 
one of the kinds that is most subject 
to the fire blight—when given good cul¬ 
ture and plenty of manure the trees are 
generally killed by blight before they 
come into profitable bearing age. Bart¬ 
lett is so well known, with all of its 
•advantages and failures as a paying va¬ 
riety, that it does not seem to need ad¬ 
vice about planting it. The only draw¬ 
back is the blight; otherwise it is the 
king of pears, either for quality or profit. 
Beurre d’Anjou is a standard variety and 
is worthy of a place in the commercial 
orchard. The Lincoln (not Lincoln 
Coreless) is considered a very fine pear 
but has not been generally planted in 
the East, and but few eastern nursery¬ 
men offer it. As I fruited it, I con¬ 
sidered it a promising variety, and one 
that should be tried in the orchard of 
every pear grower. Prof. Hedrick of 
the Geneva, N. Y., experiment station no 
doubt can furnish R. A. M. with all the 
information he needs about pears in the 
locality where he intends planting. 
E. S. BLACK. 
Save Money on Fruit Plants 
Healthy, northern-grown stock, which will 
produce money-making crops, Strawberry, 
Kaspberry, Blackberry, Currant, Grape 
Hants, lttc. 
O. A. D. BALDWIN, 
Oak Street, Bridgman, Mich, 
Read Our Guarantee 
Every plant we ship is guaranteed to be 
first class and true to name, packed to reach 
you in good growing condition (by express; and 
please you, or your money back. 
You can make big money growing good 
berries, bnt you cannot expect to grow good 
fruit by planting and replanting small inferior 
stock. 
Ourplantsareall grown on new ground 
(this being the first ciop) and are large, heavy 
rooted and free from disease. 
We grow them by the million on our own 
ground and know what we are selling. 
That is why our business has nearly doubled 
every year for the past twenty-one years. 
We can save you money on 100 plants or a car 
load. Our laTge illustrated catalogue is 
instructive aud is free to all fruit growers. 
Write for it today. 
TO TREE BUYERS. 
T HE difference between profit and loss in 
fruit growing is in getting started right 
by planting only the choicest stock. 
Harrison’s trees are grown on the Eastern 
Shore of Maryland, where the soil conditions 
are ideal for growing nursery stock. The 
growing season is longer than in most 
nursery sections, which gives us a larger and 
stronger tree, and better matured. 
Our nursery comprises over 2,000 acres (the 
largest tree-growing establishment in the 
world). The growth of our business is due to 
the QUALITY of our stock and the pains¬ 
taking manner in which all orders are filled. 
Seeds, Plants, Roses, 
Bulbs, Vines, Shrubs, etc. 
Hundreds of car lots of 
FRCITand ORNAMEN¬ 
TAL TREKS. 1200 acres, 
50 in hardy Roses, none bet¬ 
ter grown. 44 greenhouses 
of Palms, Ferns, Ficus, 
Geraniums and other 
things too numerous to men¬ 
tion. Seeds, Plants, Bulbs, 
Roses, Small Trees, etc., by mail postpaid. 
Safe arrival and satisfaction guaranteed. Im¬ 
mense stock of SUPERB CANNAS. the queen 
of bedding plants. 50 choice collections cheap 
In Seeds, Plants, Roses, etc., Elegant 168-paga 
Catalogue FREE. Send for it today and see 
what values we give for your money. Direct deal 
will Insure you the best at first cost. 56 years. 
THE STORRS & HARRISON CO. 
Box 219„ PAINESVILLE, OHIO O] 
If you want, a dozen trees ora carload it will 
pay you to write us about your needs for Spring 
planting. 
Our booklets, “How to Grow Fruit’’ and “Howto 
Plant About the Country Home,’’ contain just the 
information you want on these subjects—price 25c. 
each—hut either or both free with 11)10 Catalog 
to any reader of The firm at, New-Yorkkii who 
will plant a tree or plant of any kind the coming 
Sprlug. 
HARRISON’S NURSERIES 
Box 421. Berlin, Md. 
CHERRIES. GRAPES. 
VINES. SHRUBS. ETC. 
We offer New York State Grown 
Trees, .Ornamental Shrubs and 
Small Fruits, and prepay freight on all 
orders over $25. . 
DeaJ Directly with the Nursery 
11 will save you money and insure you 
the best stock. 
Write at once for our 1910 illustrated 
catalogue. Free. 
ALLEN L. WOOD. 
Rochester, N. Y. 
Trees, Plants & Vines 
Secure the VERY BEST grown. 
Send for our FREE Catalog. 
THE ROCHESTER NURSERIES, Rochester, N. Y. 
12 FRUIT TREES 
Value $1.90 for 98c 
IRooscvelt, 2 Lombard, 1 Brad¬ 
shaw Pluru: 1 Montmorency, 1 
Windsor Cherry; 1 Niagara, 1 
Elberta Peach; 1 Baldwin, 1 
Dutchess Apple, 1 Orange Quince and 1 Bartlett 
Pear. All 12 trees first class. 4 feet high for 98 cts. 
Send us a list of your wants for wholesale prices, 
freight paid. Write for free illustrated catalogue. 
MALONEY BUOS. A WELLS, Box 16 DAN9VILLE, N. Y. 
35 YEARS GROWING 
EVERGREENS 
and Forest trees. Over 38 
tested hardy varieties. All 
Nursery grown. We have 
over 60 millions and ship 
safely to all parts of the 
country. Our trees live 
and grow, because they 
have good roots. Large as 
veil as small trees supplied. 
$1.00 and up per thousand. 
Our new catalog is a mine of Information. You can 
have a beautiful Windbreak, Hedge, Shelterbelt or 
Screen with the hardiest of Evergreens at a very low- 
cost. Our Bargain sheet describes 50 bargain lots from 
$ 1.00 per 100 and up. Millions of Nursery grown Forest 
trees. Shade and Ornamentals, Shrubs. Roses and Vines. 
Send today for free Catalog and Bargain sheet. 
D UTY f Evergreen Specialist 
• * Box212, Dundee, lllinoit 
BUY FRUIT TREES 
AT A BIG SAVING TO YOU 
Good Cherry Stock has been scarce for the past few years, 
yet wefolTer best varieties at one-third off. Our Big 4 is a 
iuoney-making collection. Plant Pears now—Bartlett and 
the favorite Beurre Bose—exceptionally fine and the genu¬ 
ine. Plums and Peaches, except ours, have nearly doubled 
in price. Our Peaches are grown from buds from beariug 
trees. Many growers claim this point—few actually doit. 
Big savings on all lines. You will be convinced if you 
Send for Picture Catalogue 
containing illustrations of prize fruit and our bargain 
prices. We arc also breeders of prize Hampshire Sheep. 
W. P. RUPERT & SONS, Box 20. Seneca, N. Y. 
aETREEf 
200 varieties. Also Grapes, Small Fruits etc. Beet 
rooted stock. Genuine.cheap. 2sample currants mailed 
for 10c. Catalog free. LEWIS HOKSCH & SON,iredonia, X.Y, 
A DDT I? TDrre - 50 ’ 000 fine Straight, 
/Tri 1/L illLLu healthy, stocky, well 
rooted trees. Leading 
varieties for Ohio, W. Va., Penn., New York Slate. 
Prices reasonable. SALESMEN WANTED. 
Outfit free. Address 
W. T. MITCHELL 8 SON, BEVERLY. OHIO. 
TREES 
CATALOG FREE. 
—150 ACRES. Genesee 
Valley grown. “Not the 
cheapest, but the best.” 
Never have had San Jose 
Scale. Established 1869. 
GEO. A. SWEET NURSERY CO. 
29 Maple St.. Dansville, N. Y. 
Cn II IT Send for new catalog of Fruit and Orna- 
rnUII mental Trees. Berry Plants, Asparugu; 
Tnrro etc. Get 01,1 P*'i ues before ordering 
I Hi lN elsewhere. Stock fresh dug, direct to 
I IIULU planters at low prices. We grow the old 
fashioned, hardy WHITE SWEET CHERRY. 
L’AMOREAUX NURSERY COMPANY, Schoharie, N. Y. 
MILDEW ON VIOLETS. 
TF. B. C., Taunton, Mass .—I am growing 
some violets under glass in cold frames, and 
notice finite a lot of mold or mildew on 
(hem. They have been frozen up. What is 
probably the cause and also a cure for it? 
Could you give some general directions for 
the care of these violets? 
Ans. —The most likely cause of the 
mold on or about these violets is lack of 
ventilation, this being one of the un¬ 
avoidable handicaps in growing violets 
in cold frames. The best remedy for 
it is fresh air and sunshine, but during 
midwinter there are many days that 
are too cold and dull to allow of open¬ 
ing the sashes. Whenever the weather 
will permit the sashes should be raised 
on the side opposite from the wind, 
giving as much air as the weather will 
allow. Some slaked lime sprinkled 
among the plants and then scratched 
into the soil with a weeder would help 
to correct the trouble. The plants 
should also be kept as clean as possible 
by picking off decayed leaves, though 
there are few opportunities for doing 
such work at this season. 
... W. H. TAPLIN. 
EVERGREENS. 
Largest stock In 
America, Including 
Colorado Blue Spruce 
and Douglas Spruce 
of Colorado. 
Also Ornamental 
Shade and Forest 
Trees. 
K. DOUGLAS’ SONS 
Waukegan, 111. 
PRIVET HEDGING. 
You will want to plant early. 
We deliver free if order comes soon. 
APPLE and PEACH TREES 
A full list at present. 
ASPARAGUS and RHUBARB 
Our new catalogue is ready. Free. 
JOS. H. BLACK. SON & CO., Hightstown, N. J- 
TREES 
What-? 1 ”* 
Green's North Grown Apple, 
Pear, Cherry and Peach Trees, Etc • 
Largest Supply of Apple, Bartlett Pear Trees, Roses, 
Etc. Buy direct from Producer. 
Green’s Bargain —10 Big Grape Vines for 98c, 
as follows; 1 Brighton, 3 Concord, 1 Moore’s Early, 
2 Regal Red, 3 Niagara White. 
Green’s 25c Grape Offer —One Niagara 
White, one Worden Black, one Brighton Red. 
Three grape vines by mail for 25c. 
Send to-day for NEW FRUIT CATALOGUE, and a copy of 
BIG FRUIT INSTRUCTOR, all a gift to you. Established 30 
years. Capital, $100,000.00. 
Send 10 cents for Green’s Book on Fruit Growing—worth $1. 
GREEN’S NURSERY CO., Box 22, Rochester, N. Y. 
