600 
THhC KUKAL NEW -YORKER 
April IK, 
THE USE OF COMMERCIAL BACTERIA. 
There is a company which advertises 
a preparation which is intended to in¬ 
oculate soil for leguminous plants, such 
as Alfalfa, clover, etc. They charge $2 
per can. A can of this, they say, is 
sufficient for one acre. Can you tell me 
if there is such a commercial product in 
the line of a bacterium which will actu¬ 
ally collect nitrogen from the air? If 
there is such a product would you ad¬ 
vise one to invest in it? o. A. n. 
New York. 
The bacteria which are offered for sale 
are not intended to inoculate the soil, 
but are intended for use upon the seed. 
Inoculation of the soil would be under¬ 
stood as taking several hundred pounds 
of the soil from a field in which Alfalfa 
or clover had been successfully grown, 
and scattering it over the ground at the 
time of seeding. The object of this would 
be to introduce these bacteria so that 
they would spread and grow throughout 
the soil. The commercial bacteria are 
usually intended for use upon the seed, 
so that when it is put into the ground 
the bacteria will develop and do their 
work. The scientific men have proved 
that the pod-bearing plants, running all 
the way from Alfalfa to locust, are able 
to secure nitrogen from the air. For a 
long time it was evident that these plants 
possessed the ability to do this, but the 
scientific men could not explain how it 
was done. They finally discovered that 
the nitrogen was obtained through bac¬ 
teria, or tiny forms of life, which live in 
little nodules or warts upon the roots of 
these plants. This knowledge led to va¬ 
rious ways of introducing these bacteria. 
It was of the utmost importance to have 
these bacteria present. The simplest way 
of introducing them is to dig 300 or 400 
pounds of soil out of a field where they 
are known to be present, and scatter this 
soil over an acre of ground at seeding 
time. It is not always possible for farm¬ 
ers to obtain this soil. It is also found 
that this soil will not only carry the bac¬ 
teria, but also an abundance of weed 
seeds as well as germs of various dis¬ 
eases of plants. The chemists therefore 
worked out a plan for adding this bac¬ 
teria without using the soil. 
In a way this plan is similar to the 
modern system of distributing yeast cakes 
for bread raising in the place of the old 
plan of making the homemade yeast and 
distributing it through the neighborhood. 
The bacteria are taken from the soil and 
propagated or bred in a laboratory. They 
spread rapidly, and are so small that 
many millions of them can be put into a 
small bottle. These bacteria propagated 
in this way are bottled and sold with the 
food which they need for growth and 
propagation. Thus a farmer can buy a 
bottle of these bacteria and handle them 
according to the directions so as to in¬ 
crease them with great rapidity. The 
liquid in which they are bred may be 
sprinkled over the seed. Thus when the 
seed is put into the ground these living 
bacteria are attached to it and if all goes 
well with them, do their work upon the 
roots of the plant and spread through 
the field. This is the theory upon which 
these commercial bacteria do their work. 
It is a sensible method of inoculating the 
seed and starting it properly. It often 
happens that these commercial bacteria 
are not properly handled so that they 
lose more or less of their force and thus 
do not give complete satisfaction; but 
when handled properly, and if the ground 
is in proper condition with an abundance 
of lime, the introduction of these bac¬ 
teria will certainly help the seed. The 
great trouble has been that farmers have 
not understood the most important thing 
about these bacteria. They cannot possi¬ 
bly take the place of fertilizer, of clean 
cultivation, good seed and lime. Some¬ 
how farmers get the idea that these bac¬ 
teria will make Alfalfa or clover grow on 
very poor soil, but really they will do 
nothing of the sort. They are only an 
aid in the starting of the clover or Al¬ 
falfa seed into proper growth. They have 
their limitations, and unless the soil is in 
proper condition, the money spent for 
bacteria might far better be given to some 
charitable object. 
“Who was that modest-looking young 
man, Cyrus?” “Modest looking? Say, 
what do you think he was?” “I don’t 
know. “He was a moving-picture mak¬ 
er. AH he wanted was to borrow our 
church for a mock marriage, and then 
have a bogus shooting affray on the front 
steps!”—Cleveland Plain Dealer. 
THE MAIL BAG. 
Hand Power for Spraying. 
Can as good results be obtained with 
a hand as power pump and which is ad¬ 
visable for spraying about 300 trees, 15 
years old? L. J. B. 
No. not in the majority of cases. It 
is a matter of steady pressure back of the 
nozzle. The power sprayer will keep up 
a constant high pressure which drives out 
the spray uniformly. The hand pumping 
is apt to be intermittent or irregular, for 
it takes a superior man to work the 
pump at constant high pressure. 
FRUIT 
AND VEGETABLE 
BASKETS 
or A1,I, DESCRIPTIONS 
Write for free catalogue and price list. Huy direct 
from the Manufacturer and save money. 
WEBSTER BASKET CO. 
Box 14 ... Webster, Monroe Co., S. V. 
<« 
A Silo Question. 
FLETCO ” Round Paper Pots 
For Growine. For Shipping. Sample. 11)00 24 in., 
$1.50. FEKTCIIEK & CO.. Auburndule, Mass. 
Fall-Bearing or Everbearing Strawberry 
plants are my specialty. The new Progressive is 
the best berry I ever fruited. I sell it lor $2.00 per 
100 Amorieus, Superb, Productive and Iowa only 
$1.75 per 100. Drop me a postal to-day and I will 
send you free, my beautiful illustrated catalogue, 
which illustrates and describes all of these wonder¬ 
ful everbearing varieties. I guarantee every one of 
my plants to he pure and true-to-name. Write to-day. 
S. A. VIRD1N, IIAIITLY, DELAWARE 
Would it be good business judgment to 
construct a silo where eight cows are to 
he kept to produce milk for Bordens? 
If so what size and character of con¬ 
struction, concrete or wood? L. b. 
Yes. if you consult the Borden people “StrAWbCrfY PlSVltS THflt 6r0W” 
beforehand and learn what kind of a silo 1 . # - - 
they will endorse. We understand they 
permit the use of silage under certain 
conditions which insure its being whole¬ 
some. but they will prohibit the use of 
inferior silage. Get their views before 
building. 
Acetylene Refuse. 
One of our neighbors spoke to ine 
about getting a barrel of the refuse taken 
from acetylene generator to use around 
peach trees; claims it will kill grubs. 
How about apple and other trees? Is 
there any danger from emptying on grass 
or garden? a. s. b. 
Rock Stream, N. Y\ 
This refuse is lime—about as valuable 
as ground limestone. After a month’s ex¬ 
posure to the air there would be no dan¬ 
ger from its use. We doubt if it will 
have any value for killing peach borers. 
We should simply spread it over soil 
which needl'd lime. 
“Mill Run.” 
What does “ground screenings not ex¬ 
ceeding mill run” mean when printed on 
the tag of a bag of feed? K. j. w. 
It means that under the present law 
dealers are obliged to state what their 
feed contains. Formerly it was possible 
to buy pure bran or shorts, hut now 
many millers blow the screenings taken 
out of the wheat back into the bran aud 
sell it all together. “Mill run” is sup¬ 
posed to mean the average proportion of 
“screenings” found in the grain, hut an¬ 
alysis often shows that there is much 
more than this put into the bran. 
“Screenings” are supposed to be the 
shrunken kernels of grain which arc un¬ 
fit for flour making. They also contain 
weed seeds and often oat hulls, sweep¬ 
ings and trash. In one case a feed was 
found to contain nearly three per cent, 
of sand and dirt, which all came from the 
screenings. 
Poultry Droppings for Potatoes. 
I have always used hen manure for 
corn with good success, also used it in 
the garden and around apple trees. I 
have always grown my potatoes with 
high-grade phosphate, and they have been 
smooth, free from scab and lot. Will it 
do to use hen manure either plowed or 
harrowed in for potatoes, or is it liable 
to produce scab? Most of my neighbors 
use stable manure in their potato field 
and usually have scabby potatoes. 
f. a. c. 
including the BEST of the FALL-BEARERS. Also 
RASPBERRY, BLACKBERRY, CURRANT lUld GRAPE 
plants in assortment, catalog free. 
C. E. WHITTEN, Box 11, Bridgman, Mich. 
STRAWBERRY PLANTS 
We have eight that have been selected out of a 
hundred: eight that are TRUE BLUE. If you wish 
that kind send for our 1014 catalogue. Do not eost 
any more than common stock. ROMANCE SEED. PLANT 
AND TRUCK FARMS. Caleb Bonos 8 Son. Clieswolri. Delaware 
Fall-Bearing Strawberries 
I grow the best tested variety—it is tho “Superb.” 
20 plants, $1.00; loo plants. $.'{.00. Order now. 
WILLARD H. K1I.EE, Swedeshoro, N. J. 
MILLIONS 
OF STRAWBERRY PLANTS 
for sale, true to name. As¬ 
paragus roots, etc. Send for FREF, catalogue. 
J. KEIFFORD HALL, Dept 2. RHODESOALE, MD. 
CTRAWKERRY FI.ANTS-Gunranteedtrne-to- 
^ name. Best varieties at reasonable prices. Cata¬ 
logue Free. E. W. JOHNSON 8 BR0 . Salisbury, Maryland 
'ttrnu/hprrv Plante - Leading Varieties. $2 and 
oirdwuerry ridiiib # ._,,.- )()foi )l)0()- Apple trees.$8 to 
$15 for 100. California Privet, $12 for 100(1. Stock guar¬ 
anteed. Catalog free. G E. Bimtino 8 Sons, Selbyvllle, Del. 
Sfra wherrv Plants - ° ver T ' v<,ntv Varieties at 
oirawDerry rianis*,-,, po,- moo. Descriptive 
Catalogue Free. BASIL PERRY, Georoetown, Delaware 
Headquarters for Fall-Bearing Strawberry Plants. 
CT. REGIS RASPBERRY. Ward Blackberry, best varic- 
ties Strawberries, including Fall-bearing. Other 
varieties of small Fruit Plants and Vines, at right 
prices. Send for price list, ( has. Black, Hightetown. N J. 
St. Regis Ever-Bearing Raspberry Plants 
$12 per thousand. Bj TAI'LL. IIK(J6AK,Waterford Work*, N.J 
G rnpo Vln«**. Brut grown In U.8. Ounrnntcitdtriietonami*. Noex- 
|*rc**, in* poMtago. $1.00 pays all, for (Mir earh. Concord, 
early. Ninvarn, Brighton, IM«*ore8 Early. Pontal will Brinr 
more offers. Fmmet V. KlioadsHMWM Franklin Ar.,Co!nmbtis,0. 
m> alilia 
bulbs. Free catalogue on application. 
I). V. HOWELL. Dahiia Specialist. PECONIC, L.I. 
GlcdioHi Fincst Varie,ics ’ 
M1UUIUUI Large.Medium and 
Planting Sizes— Rare imported Novelties. 
DAHLIAS <iry roots,up-to-date vari- 
-.-cties, with planting in¬ 
structions Free. Write for Catalogue. 
Vaughan’s Seed Store 
31-33 W. Randolph Street, CHICAGO 
SWEET CL OVER SE ED en^ai ^uoWrUs 
an<l circular how to 
Kiuw it, .sent on ruqnusi. E, Barton, Box 29, Falmouth. Ky. 
J In, P- Early learning, Held's Yellow Dent and 
Oeea wQl H| ’' 1912 crop. IVifort irrrmi tint ion. $2 
bu. Catalog free.Theo. Burl A Sou*, Mo) rose,0, 
Tested Seed Corniiasfsss 
variety. Have reports from 1912-13 crop, showing 
99 to 110 bus. per acre. Have bred this corn for 
the past thirty years. Write for circular. EDWARD 
WALTER. Dept. R Eureka Stock Farm, West Chester, Penita 
McKinley T " ECU,PI0 " 
Main Crop Potato 
In demand for market; white skin, fine winter 
keeper. In field culture 76 tubers yielded 26A 
bushels. An acre, over 525 bushels. 12 acres 
averaged 400 bushels to acre. Postpaid, pound 
20 cents; 5 pounds 65 cents. Peck 75 cents; 
bushel $2; 2 'A bushels $4.50; 5 bushels $8.00. 
Free SEED Catalogue. Write Today. 
THE W. W. BARNARD CO., Dept. S 
231-235 West Madison St., CHICAGO, ILL. 
SSSSlSiSiSS 
D 
Complete Guide 
for the 
Amateur Gardener 
More than 200 cultural instruc¬ 
tions by famous experts; describes 
all the worthy novelties and se¬ 
lected strains of almost every variety 
of flowers and vegetables worth 
growing. 
The departments devoted to Roses,Dahlias, 
Cannas, Gladiolus and old-fashioned per¬ 
ennials are especially interesting. The best 
strains of Asters and Sweet Peas in America. 
Mailed free to anyone mentioning 
thin magazine. 
BHF.l irs t Altm.NAl* CUMBER is the 
mowt beautiful, brilliant ami dia- 
tinct annual cl Ini her ever introduced. 
It I* a Flrong, rapid grower, with 
\ tern-like foliage and covered with 
I rilliant ml ttnwera.which make 
i it a Maze of glory from mid-July 
, till frttKl. 25c. per packet. 
BKEEirS GARDEN BOOK 
. free with each order. 
HENRY A.DREER 
714 Chestnut St.PFiila.' 
Fruit Trees 
STRAWBERRY,ASPARAGUS, VEGETABLE PLANTS 
All the Best Varieties. First-Class 
Stock. Prices Low. Catalogue Free. 
HARRY L. SQUIRES, REMSENBURG, N. Y. 
Seed Potatoes 
Red River Valley Grown; 
$1.45 per bush. ip. Our 160 
page Catalogue f. _-e on request. 
Vaughan’s Seed Store 
31-33 W. Randolph St., Chicago 
^wootPntntn Swe< ’ t Rotate plants; vege 
oweeiroiaio oeea tab | 0 , in(1 f rn jtplants. 
Price list free. MICHAEL N. BORGO. Vineland, New Jersey 
Hen manure contains a good propor¬ 
tion of ammonia, which is an alkaline, j 
and might under some conditions increase 
the amount of scab if the potato seed con¬ 
tains much of the disesise, or if the soil 
is filled with the germs. Under ordin¬ 
ary conditions there would not be much 
danger, and we should go ahead and use 
the manure. Some fine results have been 
reported to us from the use of crushed j 
hen manure put on top of the hill and I 
worked in. 
Getting Rid of Pigeons 
Can you suggest a plan whereby I can 
get rid of the pigeons, which are a per¬ 
fect pest, around my house? Being a 
closely settled neighborhood, and in the 
city limits, it is impossible to shoot them, | 
They originated from a pair that a neigh- ; 
bor had, but now are claimed by no one, 
and a nuisance in the neighborhood. 
Huntington, W. Va. j. s. 
We were troubled in the same way, 
and got rid of the pigeons by shooting a 
few of them and keeping the barn closed 
as much as possible. The noise of the 
shooting seemed to frighten the pigeons 
and keep them away. If conditions are 
such that a gun cannot be used, you 
might poison them. Soak wheat in a 
solution of strychnine and sugar, and 
put it on a platform high up in the air, 
out of the reach of the farm poultry. 
Keep the barn closed as far as possible, 
and put this poison, if you can, where the 
pigeons are most likely to enter the build¬ 
ings, or where they congregate. This 
will kill a number of them, and the 
rest will become suspicious and leave. 
The poisoned pigeons should he buried as 
soon as possible after they fall. We re¬ 
gret to poison these birds, but we know 
what a nuisance a flock of them will 
soon become if they are not driven off or j 
taken care of. [ 
FOR SALE— 
Grower. Good Yioliler. 
Yellow Dent Seed Corn. 
$1.50 per bushel ears. Quick 
Maplewood Farm, Cheshire. Cl. 
100.000 1-YEAR ALFALFA ROOTS FOR TRANSPLANTING 
Sure success. Eany Wisconsin crown seed corn. 
Silver Kim; (White), Golden Glow, Number 12, 1 
Inoculating Alfalfa Soil. VAN LOON. La Crosse. Wis. I 
Soy Beans, Vetch and Alfalfa 
Inoculated soil, 5(lc 100 lbs.: $9 50 ton in bags FLO R. 
here. Each kind is Separate. We kmnv tiiisis hotter 
than any culture and guarantee it. Makes poor land 
good anil good land rich. Largest shipper inoculated 
soil Let us help si art sou right as we did 1UUU others 
last year. Orderearly. Circularfree. Plenty Hairy 
Vetch for sale after .1 uly 1st. Dahiia roots,$2 per 100 . 
JACOB McQUEEN, BALTIC, OHIO 
Central Maine Seed Potatoes 
Main crop and early varieties. Send for des¬ 
cription and prices. I. J, WAKE, Gardiner, Maine 
SEED POTATOES 
Best of the leading main crop varieties. Fourteen 
years’ experience growing healthy Potatoes, espe¬ 
cially for seed. Prices reasonable. Send for list. 
HUM Kit B. HOWE - Wellsboko, Pa. 
SEED POTATOES IKSI 
Red ltiver Stock. Karly Ohio. Marly Six Weeks. 
Early Triumph. Irish Cobbler, Petosky. Large size. 
$1.35 per bu. Medium size, $1.15 per liu. Bags 1 roe. 
Cash with order. W. N. SCARFF, New Carlisle, Ohio 
CORBLERS, OHIOR. ROSE, HERRONS, MANIS- 
TEES. CARMANS, RALEIGHS, GOLD 
COINS, RURALS 
the standard kinds that aro worth growing and a new, 
round, white, main cropper that has out-yielded other 
kinds grown in the same fields over two to one on tho 
farms of over 300 of our customers. 
Headquarters for Seed Potatoes 
Selling fast Only few thousand bushels left. Order 
promptly. Also full stocks of Alfalfa. Clover, Tim¬ 
othy. Corn, Flint and Dent.. Oats. Parley, etc. One 
grade only, the best obtainable. 
Don't pay high prices for your farm seeds. 
Buy direct aud save money. 
Dibble’s Farm Seed Catalog FRF.K. 
APORKSS 
Edward F. Dibble Seedgrower, Honroyr Falls, N. Y., Box B 
