402 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
March 2G, 
A FROST-PROOF CELLAR. 
IF. C. R., Hartford, Vt .—Will you tell me 
how to frost-proof my farmhouse cellar? 
The main house is of brick, 26x32, cellar 
nine feet in the clear with a seven-foot good 
pointed wall, and two feet of brick. The 
house has two wings and four piazzas, mak¬ 
ing it difficult to do anything outside. A 
cellar under one of the wings is reached 
through the main cellar, and that under 
cover of a closed shed. At present the cel¬ 
lar has but one window on the east side, 
three lights, 0x12 inches. House has a wood 
furnace, but do not like to use it much, 
as the farm is a fruit, vegetable and root 
one. Cellar keeps only about 30° warmer 
than outdoors in coldest weather. Our Win¬ 
ters are long and severe, mercury often go¬ 
ing from 15° to 35° below zero. Cellar is 
ideal for keeping fruit and produce, but 
in near zero weather requires labor and 
expense in heating. 
Ans. —Brick walls, unless the brick 
themselves are vitrified or in some way 
treated to render them impervious to air, 
are very cold on account of the great 
freedom of air movement through them 
under wind pressure. If the earth is 
banked against the two feet of brick on 
the north and west sides to the height of 
the sills, under the porches, such treat¬ 
ment should thoroughly protect the cellar 
against winds from those two quarters, 
and this would leave the cold resulting 
from loo rapid change of air to penetrate 
from east and south sides only, unless 
it be that the pointing under the sills all 
around is defective so that large air 
interchange may take place in this way. 
I am not certain whether the rotting 
which is referred to in the letter as oc¬ 
curring in the floor is under the porch 
or within the cellar proper. If it is with¬ 
in the cellar proper the indications would 
be that there is not an excessively large 
porosity in the wall, though this does 
not necessarily follow, for the reason 
that the soil itself about the walls may 
be unusually damp, and keep the walls 
so charged with moisture as so maintain 
the cellar air sufficiently damp in the 
Summer time to permit decay, even 
though in Winter the walls may be dry. 
If the low temperature is due to air 
blowing through the brick walls, picking ■ 
the surface, thoroughly wetting it and 
then plastering it with a thick coat of 
cement, using as much as one or 1 % 
of cement to one of sand, should give the 
necessary protection. The matter of 
pointing under the sills would need of 
course to receive attention if there is any 
openness there. If the difficulty is not 
the porosity of the brick the remedy 
would have to be sought in insulating 
the upper four feet of wall. This could 
be done by nailing 2x4s flatwise against 
the wall, projecting from the floor 
downward about four feet and covering 
these with matched flooring, filling the 
space behind the flooring with some non¬ 
conducting material, like spent tanbark 
or, better, dry powdered peat. Mineral 
wool, if this could be afforded, would be 
best but a fibrous peat would answer 
the purpose well. f. h. king. 
[CO-OPERATIVE FARMING. 
IF., Bellevue, Pa—l have a plan which 
I have been studying for the past three 
years, and which I have thought of more 
seriously the past year, since the people 
have begun to cry about pure foods and 
higher cost of living. I have kept in close 
touch with the wholesale and retail houses 
here in Pittsburg, and find that most of the 
farm products come through several hands 
before getting into the retail stores. I 
have also studied expenses, shipping rates, 
etc., and think that my plan would pay well 
after getting in good running order. My 
plan is the forming of a farming company 
by about five good, honest men, not afraid 
of hard work, and who would enjoy farm 
life, but who are, like myself, not able to 
purchase and equip a farm single handed, 
who could invest from $1,000 to $2,000 
each. I have in mind a farm of 500 acres, 
two good houses, excellent barns, well 
equipped with silos, water and heating sys¬ 
tem ; could erect three more houses at little 
expense, handy to two cities, excellent ship¬ 
ping facilities, in western New York, that 
could be bought right, on good terms, and 
help given to make the plan a success. It 
is in a location where it will increase in 
value and is also on a proposed electric trol¬ 
ley line, one-lialf mile to railway station. 
My plan was to keep a good herd of dairy 
cows, pasteurize and bottle our milk, also 
raise hogs, potatoes, poultry, cabbage, celery, 
etc., putting up cabbage into sourkraut in 
five and 10-gallon kegs and marketing our 
products ourselves (instead of selling 
through a commission house) to the con¬ 
sumer as far as possible; also buying our 
supplies in quantities at wholesale. 
Ans. —In theory this plan is good, but 
it would require great ability and rare 
judgment to put it in successful practice. 
If you get an opportunity read a book 
entitled “A Lord of Lands,” the story 
of a group of workmen who went West 
and settled on a large tract of land. You 
will find it very hard to find five suitable 
men for such a plan. All men of middle 
age have fixed habits and opinions. At 
least three out of every five would feel 
that he should be “boss.” In every suc¬ 
cessful co-operative organization there 
must be some strong, dominating mind 
to plan and execute. Again there is not 
money enough in the proposed plan to 
give proper working capital. We think 
our friend will do better to take a small¬ 
er place with such capital as he can raise 
and work out his problem on a smaller 
scale. 
Dairy Returns.— Our herd of 13 cows 
averaged 116 pounds the last six months of 
1909, including strippers. We have now 
nine fresh since December 1 and three strip¬ 
pers; made 336 pouuds in December. 276 in 
January and 343 in February, outside of 
milk and butter for home use. 
Indiana. l. s. fitch. 
Heifer’s First Calf. —You requested the 
experience of those who had raised the first 
calves from heifers. I have raised two, the 
first one, a Jersey, gave a little over 4,000 
pouuds the first time she freshened, average 
test better than four per cent, making over 
160 pounds butter fat, or very nearly 200 
pounds butter, which is rather better than 
the average cow of the country does; but 
in this part of the country, where hay is 
worth $20 a ton, as she did not do better 
the second time, we made beef of her.* The 
second, tin Ayrshire-Jersey crossbred, gave 
5,500 pounds of milk with an average test 
of about 4.5 per cent, equal to nearly 290 
pounds butter. She is now just finishing 
her second period of lactation, with about 
6,300 pounds of milk and probably the same 
test, but the milk has not been tested this 
time. b. s. b. 
New Hampshire. 
MODERN SILAGE METHODS' 
Send for this new 
224-page book on Silos and 
Silage. 1908 edition—size 5Kx 
VA-in.— indexed — over 40 illus. 
Used as a text book in many Agricul¬ 
tural Colleges. Contents by chapters 
follow: “Advantages of Silo,” 25 pages; 
"Silos: Howto Build,”76pp; "Concrete 
or Cement Silos." 10pp; “Silage Crops,” 
16 pp; "How to Make Silage,” 19 pp: 
‘•How to Feed Silage,” 22 pp; “Feeder’s Guide, ’ i 
etc., 66 pp. Avast amount of knowledge 
boiled down—nothing so complete ever 
published—answers every silage ques¬ 
tion. Mailed for 10c,coin orstamps, 
if you mention this paper. -» 
SILVER MFC. CO., ~ 
Salem, Ohio 
SILOS 
Recognized as the standard because of 
their massive strength, surpassing durability, 
perfect convenience, proven merit Used 
by U. S. Government. Send for catalog.' 
_ HARDER MFG. CO., Box 11, Coblesklil, W.Y. 
Bigger Stock Profits 
Feed Ensilage—save expense—get more 
beef, muscle and milk. But get the right, 
silo. Send for our book of facts and 
figures to prove that 
Lansing Silos 
are best. Used and endorsed by thousands 
of farmers and Experiment Stations. 
Choice of 6 woods. All-steel hoops with 
draw-jugs. Positively air-tight. Write 
postal N OW for book. Address 
SEVERANCE TANK & SILO CO. 
Dept, 329, Lansing, Mich. ' 
7 ' W' 
Wt 
Harvest Time, whether 
it’s corn, cotton, or any other 
crop, will show you your profit from 
the liberal amount of 
Potash 
you put in your commercial fertilizer this 
Spring, or drill, or broadcast to follow 
manuring. 
<( No crop can be a success without a balanced -' 
“feed ration.” See that there’s enough 
Potash in the fertilizer you feed your < 
crops—from 6 to 12 per cent according to the / 
crop and soil. 
Potash Pays ^ 
Urge your fertilizer dealer to carry Potash f 
Salts in stock. He will have no trouble in 
buying them if he will write to us about it. 
OERMAN KALI WORKS 
Continental Bldf.,Baltimore,Md. 
Horse Clipping Machine 
Farm horses need clipping: occasionally. Horse ex¬ 
perts say and prove that. They work better, sleep 
better, and keep in better condition when the thick 
coat of hair is removed. They arelessliable to catch 
cold after a hard day’s work as they dryout quicker. 
$7.50 is for the Stewart No. 1 complete, ready for 
use, and includes six feet of highest grade flexible 
shaft and the famous Stewart One-nut Tension Knife. 
CLIP YOUR HORSES WITH A STEWART 
If you want a low priced machine we can sell you 
one for $5.00. This is the best machine made except 
the Stewart No. 1. If 
you want the BEST 
VALUE you NEED 
the STEWART No. 1 
R ALL BEARING 
Horse Clipping Mach¬ 
ine. 
Complete for $7.50 
We have made the 
Stewart so that any 
person can clip horses 
by guiding the knives 
overthe horse whilethe 
crank is turned. We 
have made the Stewart 
durable enough to last 
aiifetime by enclosing 
work ing parts away 
from dirt and dust, and 
cutting the gears from 
the solid steel bar and 
making them file hard. 
We have made it of so 
few parts that we can 
sellit for $7.50, the low¬ 
est price ever made on 
a truly good clipping 
machine. 
Order from your dealer 
or send your order au4 
$2.00 to us and receive 
machine C. O. D. 
for balance. 
Catalog on 
request. 
O 
Z 
X 
< 
Ui 
m 
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m 
Chicago Flexible Shaft Co. 
143 LA SALLE AVE., * CHICAGO 
YOUR BOY 
NDOASMUCH 
WORKASAMAN 
c ft as- a. . 
fKRAUS PIVOT-AXLE 
^ULKYXULTIVATOR 
He simply steers it—the machine does ALL the 
work. A slight pressure of the foot moves the 
wheels and shovels simultaneously to the right or 
loft at the will of the driver, while the width be¬ 
tween pangs and depth of shovels are instantly 
and easily adjusted while machine is in motion. 
Hillsides, Uneven Land and 
Crooked Rows as Easily Cul* 
tivated as Level Ground. 
Simple in construction- 
nothing to get out of or¬ 
der. Madeentirelyof steel 
and malleable iron-every 
S art interchangeable. 
uilt for wear and work. 
Light draft. High or low 
wheels or Pivot-gang. 
Also Clipper Hninmork Seat. 
There is just one Kraus—if 
your dealer docs not have it 
accept no othcr-.but write us. 
Send today for free catalog. 
AKRON CULTIVATOR CO. SlTTu^ 
DEPT . 13 AKRON. OHIO Lt\ >* 
- JJhUlf; MhB* 
You Can’t Cut Out 
A BOG SPAVIN, PUFF or 
THOROUGHPIN, but 
ABSOP. 
TBINE 
will clean them off __ 
you work the horse same time. 
IT. i 
..Does 
not blister or remove the hair. Will 
tell you more if you write. $2.00 per 
bottle at d’lers ordeliv’d.Book4Dfree. 
ABSORBINE, JR., for mankind. 
__ $1 bottle. Reduces Varicose Veins,Var¬ 
icocele, Hydrocele, Ruptured Muscles or Liga¬ 
ments, Enlarged Glands. Allays pain quickly. 
W. F. YOUNG, P. D. F., 88 Temple St., Springfield, Mass. 
NEWTON’S HEAVE 
NOW IS THE TIME TO ORDER 
Wonder Plow Trucks. 
.Write..... 
WONDER PLOW COMPANY, St. Clair, Mich. 
The only thoroughly manufactured 
Silo on the market. Full length atave. 
Continuous door frame complete with 
ladder. Triple beveled ,ilo door with 
hinges. Equipped with extra heavy 
hoops at bottom. 
AIR TIGHT 
Makes winter feed equal to June 
grass. THE ROSS will more than pay 
for itself in one season. Write to¬ 
day for catalog which gives facts that 
will save you money. Agents wanted. 
The E. W. Ross Co.(Est.l850) 
Box 13 SPRINGFIELD. OHIO 
COUCH, DISTEMPER l|7P 
AND INDIGESTION vUKC 
The Standard Veterinary Remedy. 
” a O years sale. Send for 
Makes the horse sound, 
stay sound. 
DEATH TO HEAVES 
The first or second $1.00 can cures. The third 
can is guaranteed to cure or money refunded. 
$1.00 per can at dealers, or express prepaid 
THE NEWTON BKMEDY CO., Toledo, Ohio 
•II ■*>00 
BEFORE YOU BUY WRITE FOR 
NEW CATALOG DESCRIBING THE 
GUARANTEED MONEY.8AVING 
INTERNATIONAL 
SILOS 
strongest built, simplest to put up and easiest operated 
on the market. Adjustable automatic take-up hoop— 
continuous open-door front—air-tight door and per¬ 
manent ladder are some of the unusual features. Th© 
International Silo Co., H • Main 8t„ Linearille. PS* 
SILOS. Rlfi PUT 
Improved Patent Door Front Silo, with H 
sliding i nt.prnhn no'Pfl.hl a rinnrR nil I 
Weedsport Improved Patent Door Front Silo, with 
removable, sliding, interchangeable doors, all 
practical features embodied in a high grade silo. 
We can convince a buyer through satisfied cus¬ 
tomers that our silo meets expectations of those 
who are using them. Write at once for our 
factory-to-farmer prices on size silo needed. THE 
ABRAM WALRATH CO., Box 83, Weedsport, N.Y. 
.GREEN (MOUNTAIN 
v-' mm mam ■ 
The most serviceable, lasting 
and satisfactory. 
Lower prices for early orders. 
Write NOW. 
Creamery Package Mfg. Co. 
338 West St., Rutland, Vt. 
on Quaker City Feed 
Grinding Mills 
Send your name for our Big Book and then own the World’s Standard 
Grinder of 40 years’ success, on our big cut price to you, this season, direct 
from the factory. No extra charge for 1910 improvements—Grinds fastest— 
Takes least power—Can be easily run by hand—Always ready—Saves price 
In short time—Grinds soft, wet or dry ear corn—shelled corn—all grains, 
separate or mixed—grinds coarse, medium or the finest table meal. 
11 Sizes—22 Styles—From Hand- 
power to 20-H.P.—to Choose From 
Fright Send No Money 
You be the judge and jury, on your work, using the Quaker City on our FREE ' 
Trial, That’s all we ask. Make no deposit, either. And We Pay The Freight. We 
take all the risk. Write Today for Book, prices and guaranty. One of our mills 
will just meet your needs and fit your pocketbook. Specify Feed-Mill Catalogue. 
A. G. STRAUB ^ CO. 
3737 Filbert Street. 
Sent to You for 
Free Trial 
Free Feed-Mill Book © 
Philadelphia. Pa 
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