68 
January 17, 
FARMERS’ CLUB 
t Every Query must be accompanied by the 
name and address of the writer to insure 
attention. Before asking a question, please see 
whether it is not answered in our advertising 
columns. Ask only a few questions at one timo. 
Put questions on a separate pioce of paper.] 
Preparing Lands for Gardens. 
I am thinking of renting a small piece 
of land for gardening purposes. The soil 
is light, sandy, about 10 inches deep, and 
is underlaid with a sandy clay subsoil. 
The soil is covered with a light growth 
of sod. is not very rich, and in my opin¬ 
ion is deficient in humus. I wish to grow 
a variety of vegetables; beans, peas, cu¬ 
cumbers. tomatoes, lettuce, radishes, 
beets, etc., and to get at least two crops 
off the same space of ground. This would 
call for plenty of humus and plant food. 
The humus 1 had thought of supplying 
partly by turning under the sod and 
partly by the addition of manure. The 
plant food would be supplied partly by 
the manure and partly by the addition 
of commercial fertilizers. If the nian- 
tire was applied fresh to the land the 
latter part of February, and plowed un¬ 
der with the sod about the first of March, 
and the land again plowed about April 
10, would the sod and manure be suffi¬ 
ciently rotted by that time to supply the 
humus necessary for the earliest vege¬ 
tables, as beets, lettuce, radishes and 
peas? Or would the manure, not being 
thoroughly rotted, have any undesirable 
effect on these vegetables? IIow many 
two-horse loads per acre should he ap¬ 
plied to this land? In your opinion could 
this soil, he put in fair condition for 
truck gardening the first season? H. N. 
This land should have been plowed 
latter part of September and seeded to 
wheat or rye, to he turned under to¬ 
gether with 30 tons of rotted manure to 
the acre next Spring, as early as the 
ground became dry enough to_work. The 
decaying sod, together with the green and 
stable manure would not only have sup¬ 
plied a liberal amount of humus, but 
would have enriched the land sufficiently 
to produce a fair crop of vegetables the 
first year. I wish to state here, that 
ordinary farm land cannot be brought 
up to a high state of fertility iu one 
year, no matter how well it is manured 
and worked, as this thorough incorpora¬ 
tion of manure with the soil, their sub¬ 
sequent decaying and assimilation, re¬ 
quires time, usually two to three years. 
In the making of a garden from grass 
land, it is better to grow sweet corn or 
potatoes on it the first year, as the quan¬ 
tity of vegetables grown on such land 
the first year, is rarely satisfactory, and 
in most cases a very meager crop, and of 
very low quality, unless the sod is very 
light, it will not decay enough to allow 
of much disintegration by vegetable 
planting time, and it therefore could not 
he plowed again at that time and be 
got in proper condition for the raising of 
vegetables. I would advise that you 
spread about 20 loads to the acre of 
rough partially decayed manure on the 
sod, and plow it under as soon as pos¬ 
sible, but not later than the latter part 
of February; run over it lightly with 
the Acme harrow (if one is available) 
to fill in all the interstices with fine soil, 
and, in the meantime have in preparation 
about the same quantity of composted 
manure for Spring use. Turn it over 
frequently, working up as fine as possible, 
the finer the better; then just before 
planting time, broadcast it on the land, 
and with a good disk harrow run over 
it at least twice both ways, about four 
inches deep. This will thoroughly in¬ 
corporate the manure with the soil, and 
at the same time, make a well pulver¬ 
ized seed bed. Then before leveling and 
smothering apply bone-meal or a good 
complete fertilizer broadcast, at the rate 
of 800 to 1,000 pounds to the acre. If 
the plowing cannot be done until Spring, 
manure as directed above, hut I would 
advise that you grow sweet corn, pota¬ 
toes and cabbage on the land next year. 
The following Fall plow all that portion 
from which the crops have been harvested 
and sow to either wheat or rye at the rate 
of two bushels per acre; the following 
Spring turn the grcv-n crop under, to¬ 
gether with 30 to 40 two-horse loads of 
manure, that lias been well rotted and 
fined through composting and turning 
over during the Winter. By the second 
year you will have gained considerable 
knowledge of the work, and will be in 
a position where you can pretty safely 
rely on your own judgment in the pre¬ 
paration of the soil, manuring, planting, 
etc. One thing you should be absolutely 
sure of before taking hold of this propo¬ 
sition, is that this land is of good natural 
'X'l-IK KUKAU NKW-YOKKER 
drainage; low wet land is of no earthly 
account in vegetable gardening. Such 
land used for this purpose, lias the word 
failure spelled; in letters large enough to 
cover the whole area within the lines of 
the undertaking. K. 
The New York State Agricultural Society. 
The annual meeting and convention of 
the New York State Agricultural Society 
will be held in the Capitol at Albany, on 
Tuesday and Wednesday, January 20th 
and 21st. Sessions will be held during 
the morning, afternoon and evening of 
both days. 
In addition to the reports of commit¬ 
tees and election of officers, the following 
interesting program has been arranged 
for the different sessions: 
“One Cooperative Success; and a Plan 
to Liquefy Mortgage Credits,” Lucius C. 
Tuckerman, Milton. 
“A Practical Building and Loan Asso¬ 
ciation,” B. G. Parker, President of Gou- 
verneur Building and Loan Association, 
Gouvorneur. 
“Farm Mortgage Loans,” II. B. Van 
Cortlandt, Mt. Kiseo. 
Report of Committee on Cooperation. 
Chairman, C. R. White. Ionia. 
“What the Eastern Fruit and Produce 
Exchange Has Done,” Seth Bush, Mor¬ 
ton. 
“Cooperative Work of the State 
Grange,” Ezra A. Tuttle, Eastport. 
“How Housewives Can Cooperate,” 
Mrs. Julian Heath, President of National 
Housewives’ League, New York. 
“Work of the State Bureau of Coop¬ 
eration,” Hon. Marc W. Cole, State De¬ 
partment of Agriculture, Albany. 
President’s Address: George W. Sis¬ 
son, Jr., Potsdam. 
“Market Roads for the Farmer,” lion. 
J. N. Carlisle, State Commissioner of 
Highways, Albany. 
“Lessons in Agriculture from the Far 
East,” Prof. Charles II. Tuck, Cornell 
University. 
Report of Committee on Development 
of Agricultural Resources. Chairman, 
James W. \Vadsworth, Jr., Mt. Morris. 
Report of Committee on Drainage, 
lion. Richard W. Sherman, Chief En¬ 
gineer. State Conservation Commission, 
Albany. Discussion by Prof. E. O. Fip- 
pin. Cornell University; Prof. B. B. 
Rodd, Cornell University; Jas. A. D. S. 
Findlay, Salisbury Mills. 
“County Farm Bureaus,” M. C. Burritt, 
State Director of Farm Bureaus. Field 
Reports: Jefferson County, F. E. Robert¬ 
son, Agent, Watertown; Oneida County, 
E. W. Bush, Agent, Utica ; Chemung 
County, G. P. Scoville, Agent, Elmira. 
Report of Committee on Agricultural 
Education. Chairman, Dr. Liberty Hyde 
Bailey, Ithaca. Address : Dr. Thomas E. 
Finegan, Assistant Commissioner of Edu¬ 
cation, Albany. “Agricultural Unifica¬ 
tion in New York,” Dean H. E. Cook, 
State School of Agriculture at St. Law¬ 
rence University, Canton. Hon. Calvin 
J. Huson, Commissioner of Agriculture, 
presiding. 
Address: Governor Martin II. Glynn. 
Address: Hon. Franklin D. Roosevelt, 
Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Wash¬ 
ington, D. C. 
This programme promises an interest¬ 
ing and instructive convention. It mer¬ 
its a larger attendance. It comes at a 
time when farmers can well afford a brief 
vacation, and our suggestion would be to 
invite your wife to take the journey with 
you, and both make a holiday of this 
convention. 
The Use of Wood Ashes. 
Are wood ashes of any value to young 
peach and apple trees, and would fine 
shavings do to mulch strawberries? The 
soil is light sand. Would the ashes 
benefit my onion bed, which is black 
muck? f. o. 
Madison, Ohio. 
The ashes contain lime, potash and 
phosphoric acid and are excellent to sup¬ 
ply these elements to trees. You should 
use some form of nitrogen with the ashes 
to make a complete’ fertilizer. On the 
black muck the ashes would he fine for 
onions, iis the muck is rich in nitrogen. 
We presume you mean the fine planer 
shavings. They are not the best for 
mulch, as they pack down over the plants 
and may smother them. The plants must 
have air and a coarseF mulch is best. 
The best money can buy- 
Clean and hardy—germination and purity 
guaranteed. Our choice home grown 
CLOVER, TIMOTHY and ALFALFA 
and all other grass and field seeds are the best 
it is possible to secure. We will send Abso¬ 
lutely Free samples and prices, also our new 
Alfalfa Guide, full of valuable information 
about this profitable plant. Don’t buy until 
you have seen our samples. Write to 
N. WERTHEIMER & SONS 
Dept. K Ligonler, Indiana. 
WE PAYTHE FREIGHT 
THIS SPRING PLANT 
£llwan§er & Barry 
APPLE andPEACH TREES 
Apples and peaches are now paying 
enormous profits. Start your orchard 
this year by planting the highest 
grade stock. Our apple and peach 
trees have no superiors. Every one is 
vigorous, true to name, and free from 
defects. Yet our prices are much 
lower. Note these prices for Spring- 
1914 only on best stock: 
Apple Trees, 100 for $12 
Peach Trees, 100 for $ 8 
We sell direct to you and save you 
agents’ profits. All shipments are care¬ 
fully packed and 
promptly shipped. 
jj vSewc? for 
This BOOK 
OUR 74'-ANNUAL CATALOG 
Describes the most com¬ 
plete nursery stock in 
America. Send for copy today 
ELLWANGER & BARRY 
MT. HOPE NURSERIES r rl 
Box 214, ROCHESTER, N. Y. liz; 
ELLWANGER. 
&BARRY 
ROCHESTER M Y 
William P. Stark 
Nurseries 
By ordering direct from 
nurseries, you snve 30 to 60 
per cent agents’ commis¬ 
sions. You get selected, pure 
strain stock—healthy, Ozark 
Mountain-Krowntrees. Prop¬ 
agated by experts, under tlio 
personal direction of Mr. Wil¬ 
liam P. Stark. And doubly guaran- Vl 1 ii,-p Stork 
toed to be truo to name. William P. Stark 
J. H. HALE Peach Wonder —Outclasses El- 
bortaon every point. lari-cr; hidler colored; firmer 
and fmortoxturcipractic&llyfuzzless skin; round shap a 
for shipping and preserving; hardier in wood or bud ; 
brings 50 per cent higher prices than Klborta; creating 
n sensation everywhere. 
Cama 1/ No Agents 
93V6 /2 Buy Direct 
By enttingout agents and salesmen, wo are able 
to quote rock-bottom prices. Pur below what 
nursery representatives ask yon. You nro euro 
of getting exactly what yon order—and better 
trees. William P. Stark Trees are noted among 
fruit growers for being big rovonuo-producers. 
All prices in plain, low-price figures. Get catu- 
log uud note the saving. 
Write for 120-Page Catalog 
Lists and describes only tested, dependable varieties* 
the famous Delicious, Black Ben Duvis and all profit¬ 
able apples; peach, pear, plum, cherry, apricot, quinco 
trees; grapes, currants, gooseberries, raspberries, 
blackberries, roses, shrubs, ornamental and shade 
trees. Just tho information you want, written In a way 
you will likeand understand. Send for catalog today. 
William P. Stark Nurseries, Sta. K 2. 
Stark City, Mo. 
APPLE TREES $12.00 Per 100 
quality, healthy, grown by us, guaranteed true to name. 
Write for special prices on all fruit trees, freight paid. 
Buy direct and get tile best at lowest cost. Illustrated 
Catalog free. Ifcntoii, Williams A; Denton, Whole¬ 
sale Nurserymen, 127 Elm Ntreet, Dnn.ville, N. Y. 
r 
REES at Half Agents Prices 
Kr'riiin mtrnei y direct to you at wholesale. Otiaran- f 
_ loci. First Class. True to Name and Free Irom C 
Scale and Disease. We pav freight and Guarantee safe de- 1 
livery. Catalog free. TIIE WM. J. KI.ILI.Y NURSERIES / 
22 OSS I AN STREET IUN8VII.I.K, N. V. 4 
Strawberry, Raspberry, 
Blackberry, Asparagus 
- - - . . ..... .i - Plants. All leading var¬ 
ieties. Catalog FRKE. Harry L. Squires, Remsenburo.N.Y. 
FRUIT TREES 
$ $ $ In $ $ $ 
Fruit 
Trees 
REPRESENTATIVES 
V e ltavo a good proposition for responsible, ener¬ 
getic men which will enable them to earn an excel¬ 
lent income iu whole tunc or spare time. Our plan 
is worth investigating—it lias proved unusually 
successful. Write today for 1’Jan A. 
FRUIT GROWERS—You can buy from ns at right 
pticcs for quality trees. Northern-grown and full 
of vigor, wo guarantee all our trees to be disease- 
lice ana true to name. They are backed bv a 31 
years’ record. Write for valuable Catalog 
THE BARNES BROS.NURSERY CO„Box 8,Yalesville.Conn. 
TREES 
HALF AGENTS 1 PRICES. 
We have no agents—we sell direct to you. Our 
prices one-half agents’ prices. Why ? Because we 
save you the agents’ profits. That’s dollars in your 
pocket, Mr. Fruit Grower. 
All our trees are absolutely the finest stock. If any 
tree is not true to name and healthy, we replace 
it. Apple, Peach, Pear, Plum, Cherry, Quince, 
Shade and OrnamentalTrees; shrubs, berry bushes 
and plants—ail at money saving prices. 
We pay freight «.S\,VS!S°' 
Ourcataioguc Is brimful of prac¬ 
tical, valuable information—how 
to plant and caro for all kinds 
of fruit trees. It will pay you 
to get it—absolutely free. Write 
today. 
WM. P. RUPERT * SON, 
Box 20, Seneca, N. Y 
Established since 1879, this nursery has an un¬ 
equalled reputation for furnishing: only strictly 
high grade, fully matured Fruit and Ornamen¬ 
tal Nursery Stcck. Northern grown, fresh 
dug, true to name and free from scale, at 
wholesale prices. 
10 Peach Tree*, 4 to 5 feet, $ .93 
10 Apple Trees, 5 to 6 feet, $1.46 
We Prepay the Freight 
Write today for catalog and you’ll save money 
L. W. HALL 4 CO., 702 Cutler Bldg., Rochester, N.Y. 
FRUIT TREES 
at Half-Price 
Wo sell best quality fruit trees, shrubs and plants 
at ouc-half the nursery agent’s price—and pay tho 
freight* All stock is northern grown, hardy and 
healthy. All orders guaranteed* 
GET THIS FREE BOOK NOW 
Tells just what you want to know about selecting, plant¬ 
ing and growing all nursery stock. Contains a 
big list of unequalled bargains. Don’t buy until 
•at ’ a/V you’ve read this book. Scud postal today. 
RICHLAND NURSERIES 
Box ^88 Rochester, N.Y. 
^ /v A 
Freight PAID 
DWARF APPLE TREES 
DWARF PEAR TREES 
DWARF PLUM TREES 
DWARF CHERRY TREES 
DWARF PEACH TREES 
CATALOGUE FItKE 
Box R The Van Dusen Nurseries 
Geneva, N. Y. W. L. McKAY, Proprietor 
P 
EACH AHB APPLE TREES 
St. Regis Raspberry. Prices Right—Stock Right. 
MYER & SONS, - Bridgeville, Delaware 
For a quarter of a Century we have been represented here. Our exceptional Values accepted diroct' 
without the aid of Middlemen, will save you many dollars. Our purpose is to grow and deliver, not 
the cheapost but the best tree plus n true label. We are prepared to give you the first and last word 
of proof covering this statement. Send for catalog togothor with our useful liooklet on suggestions. 
Watch Wiley's trues bear H. S. WILEY & SON, Beach Street, Cayuga, New York 
L0NEV Guaranteed TREES 
Are hardy, upland grown, fresh dug, FREE FROM DISEASE, propagated from trees of merit. 
No disappointment for we only sell trees we grow, tested 29 years. Each order given personal at¬ 
tention of A. E. Maloney. Prompt Dtdlvery Assured. W. J. Maloney answers your correspond¬ 
ence and urg’cs you *o describe Jand to be planted when soliciting advice on varieties. 29 years 
experience enables us to sell you quality trees and plants at lower prices than our competitors. 
Write today for 1014 Free Wholesale Illustrated Catalogue* Visit our Nurseries of 350 acres. 
JDaloney Bros* A Welle Co., BoxSQ, Dunsrllle, N« Y. Dansville* s Pioneer Wholesale Nurseries . 
mm 
II Hire 
Buy Direct and Save Half 
Deal with us, the growers—not with agents. You 
save half and get better trees. Whatever you want 
for the Fruit Garden or Orchard—we have it. 
A Big Supply of Apple and Peach Trees 
Pear, Plum, Quince, Cherry, Grape Vines, Ornamental Trees, 
Boses, Plants, Best New'Fruits. All of them finest stock—true to name. 
Our 35 years’ reputation for square dealing Is your guarantee. Wo 
deal direct by catalogue only. There’s no nursery like Green’s for valtie. 
Our finely illustrated catalogue gives practical, useful information on care 
of fruit trees. It s free. '‘Thirty Years with Fruits and Flowers" or 
C. A. Green’s Book of Canning Fruits sent free also. Write us today. 
’GREEN'S NURSERY CO„ 22 Wall SL, Rochester. N. Y. 
