1914. 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
1U2 9 
Manure for Currants ; Cabbage Maggot. 
O N page 025 appeared an article on 
“Cover Crop for Blackberries,” which 
I shall try this year. I have about 
100 currant bushes, from which we picked 
112 quarts, this, their third bearing year. 
Land is a sandy dry soil, inclined to be 
gravelly and pack hard, unless it is fre¬ 
quently cultivated. These bushes have 
had a shovelful of hen manure each 
Fall, worked in around the bush. Part 
of the bushes are thriving, and some, 
about 30, during the dry spell in June, 
were yellow, and had but few berries. 
Would you advise me as to the treatment 
for them all? They were sprayed with 
soluble oil in the Spring and all dead 
wood and too thick branches were 
cut out. Many branches, laden with 
fruit would wither and die and the stalk 
would be all eaten away near the ground. 
2. A neighbor of mine lost over half of 
his early cabbage. When good size, they 
would die, and on pulling up the plant, 
white worms or grubs would be in clus¬ 
ters on each root. Will you tell me the 
cause, and cure? p. t. b. 
West Springfield, Mass. 
It is a mistake to apply manures to 
bush fruits in the Fall with the idea of 
getting the best, and in many cases even 
any results from it, particularly if the 
soil is sandy, or gravelly, or both, as the 
leacliings are carried below and beyond 
the reach of the feeding roots long before 
Spring. Currants do not root deeply, 
most of the fibrous or feeding roots being 
quite near the surface, and whatever is 
applied in the way of manures, should 
be given them in early Spring, and dur¬ 
ing the fruiting season. Hen manure is 
an excellent fertilizer for currants, but 
should always be applied in March, as 
early in the month as it is possible to 
work it into the soil, and only in limited 
quantity. A small shovelful will be am¬ 
ple for a three or four-year-okl bush. 
After the fruit has set, a mulching three 
or four inches deep of coarse stable ma¬ 
nure around the plants will be very help¬ 
ful in carrying the crop through to ma¬ 
turity, particularly if the weather is dry. 
Do not apply much hen manure to these 
sickly plants next Spring, but give them 
a liberal supply of raw bone meal and a 
little muriate of potash, say a small hand¬ 
ful scattered around each bush worked 
into this soil, and before hot weather sets 
in mulch the plants well with coarse sta¬ 
ble manure. The branches that died 
were killed by the stem borer. Every 
plantation suffers more or less from them, 
and the weakly or sickly plants seem to 
be the favorite objects of this borers’ 
attack. All branches showing their pres¬ 
ence should be cut out and burned as 
soon as noticed or the borers should be 
hunted out and killed. 
2. This cabbage was infested with cab¬ 
bage maggot; this insect is found in al¬ 
most every part of the country, wherever 
cabbage is grown and is one of the worst 
and most destructive enemies the cabbage 
is subject to. It being an underground 
insect its presence is never suspected un¬ 
til the leaves begin to wilt. Many reme¬ 
dies have been recommended but none of 
them have proven very successful. The 
insect is always present in greater num¬ 
bers in ground that has been heavily ma¬ 
nured with stable manure, the mature 
insect, or fly, selecting fermenting ma¬ 
nure as a favorite breeding ground. Many 
cabbage growers have dispensed with the 
use of stable manure in the production of 
this crop, relying altogether on chemical 
fertilizers, and consequently have but 
very little loss from the maggot. Heavy 
liming will very materially assist in re¬ 
ducing the damage from maggot. It will 
be quite helpful in most cases to remove 
the soil from around the steins of the 
plants and apply a small handful of fine 
lime around them, three or four weeks 
after they have been set out. Early plant¬ 
ing will also be of advantage, as the 
plants will be too large to suffer much 
injury, by the time this maggot arrives. 
Rotation of crops will be helpful in les¬ 
sening the extent of damage from the 
root maggot and other damaging agents to 
the cabbage. K. 
Scientific Bulletins. 
Y OUR July 25 issue contains a number 
of very good things. The point that 
farmers will quickly and gladly fur¬ 
nish better milk if they are paid to do so 
is something that needs to be impressed on 
city people. Your idea of a double ser¬ 
ies of bulletins, page 948, looks good. I 
have in my desk one I have been looking 
over from a professor. He had accumu¬ 
lated a fine lot of material, but it was 
not presented in a way to appeal directly 
to the farmer who needs most to be 
reached, the one at or below the average. 
New York. daniel dean. 
Cleaning Out Bats. 
O N page 927 L. S. complains of bats in 
his garret. I should, if troubled, go 
after the bats just as the health 
officers do the rats in vessels; kill them 
with fumes and bury the remains. If he 
will close the windows in his attic and 
stuff the chimney full of rags or paste 
a newspaper over the opening, it will be 
ready to get busy with. Operate by day¬ 
light so you are sure all the bats are in¬ 
side, and rig up a line to two windows so 
they can be opened from the ground to 
let the fumes out when the job is done. 
The cannon to do the shooting should con¬ 
sist of a tub with a little water in it, and 
an island made of stones or bricks in the 
middle. On this Robinson Crusoe habi¬ 
tation, put an old iron pot and some live 
coals, and put in a good liberal supply of 
sulphur, then “git a move on yourself,” 
and exercise a little patience. If the pot 
turns over, the water will put out the fire, 
so it is safe. At the end of, say an hour, 
pull the two windows open and allow the 
fumes to escape, but not directly into any 
pet tree or you will ruin the foliage. 
What few bats may not be dead will be 
so near it that they can be gathered up 
and buried with the rest. It will also 
kill the bugs, which probably make life 
miserable for L. S., as that is the way 
with a bats’ roost; they are always full 
thing that has lice on it, plant or breath¬ 
ing creatures, and will do the work, 
of bedbugs. The sulphur will kill every- 
If for any reason the sulphur is ob¬ 
jected to, I believe, a sprayer with a 
good charge of caustic potash or concen¬ 
trated lye solution made very strong, or 
even a very strong lime-sulphur solution, 
applied liberally to the batty festoons 
would kill them or run them off. 
Alabama. m. a. p. 
S TOP the holes where they get in and 
clean up the attic. I knew a man 
who got two wagon-loads of Peruvian 
guano out of his attic, made by leather¬ 
wing bats. The house had not been oc¬ 
cupied for a long time, and the excrement 
was up to the top of the upper joists. 
The stench was so great that he could not 
stay in the house. They can get through 
a very small hole. g. q. p. 
Virginia. 
I AM interested in answers to L. S., 
Sullivan Co., N. Y., who asks: “What 
can be done to get rid «>f bats?” 
We live in an old-fashioned house, with 
attic in middle of upper story—bedrooms 
partitioned off north and south of it. We 
cannot use them in the Summer as the 
bats take full possesion and in Winter 
the foul odor sticks in spite of old-fash¬ 
ioned whitewash. h. t. 
Rhinebeck, N. Y. 
A New Grass for Louisiana. 
A BULLETIN from the Louisiana Ex¬ 
periment Station at Baton Rouge 
gives an interesting account of the 
Paille Finine grass, which promises great 
things for Louisiana farming. This 
pamphlet is written by Prof. F. M. 
Tracy, a special agent for the U. S. De¬ 
partment of Agriculture. It seems that 
this Paille Finine grass, Panicum heni- 
tonum, is distributed over most of the 
open prairies of Southern Louisiana. It 
is rare on the salt marshes and timber 
lands, and also rare on lands which are 
high enough to be cultivated in sugar 
cane. Its best growth appears to be made 
on land which is from one to three feet 
above the ordinary water level. The 
grass seldom produces seed and its spread 
is almost wholly by means of long root¬ 
stocks. Prof. Tracy estimates that there 
are in the State of Louisiana close to two 
million acres under this grass, most of 
it being found in the parishes of Camer¬ 
on, Terrebonne, and Lafourche. The grass 
ranks very high in feeding value, speci¬ 
mens grown at the Experiment Station 
running close to 10% in protein, 42% 
carbo-hydrates and something over 2% 
fat with 5% of ash. The following state¬ 
ment shows how this grass is used in 
Louisiana: 
“Planters at Lockport and Morgan 
City who have used the hay extensively 
in the feeding of mules weie emphatic in 
their statements that they preferred the 
hay to that made from Timothy, as less 
is needed to keep the animals in good 
condition. At Houma, in Terrebonne par¬ 
ish, I found one planter who cuts a large 
acreage, and who uses the hay in making 
balanced rations for his mules. The 
freshly cut grass is taken to the central 
station where it is run through an ordin¬ 
ary feed cutter, and then through a steam- 
heated, revolving cylinder which dries it 
thoroughly in about an hour. It is then 
ground, mixed with ‘blackstrap’ or some 
other carbonaceous concentrate so propor¬ 
tioned as to give a properly balanced ra¬ 
tion. In proportioning the materials used 
he finds the paille finine grass to be 
nearly equal to Alfalfa in nutritive value, 
and makes his mixture accordingly, lie 
has about four hundred mules on his 
plantation, and they were in decidedly the 
best condition of any which I saw on the 
entire trip. He also finds a ready sale at. 
satisfactory prices, for all the feed he is 
able to prepare.” 
This is certainly a novel scheme for 
handling forage but there seems to be a 
large demand for the grass, and when fed 
in connection with the waste molasses 
from the Louisiana mills it seems to give 
promise for a business in stock food pro¬ 
duction. 
FARMERS’ FAVORITE ENGINE 
Is all that the name implies. It is built for service. 
Bight in weight. Easy to move from one part of 
farm to another. Built by skillful workmen and of 
best material. Perfect HopperCooling System. Built 
in sizes 6 to 10 horsepower. Other sizes and styles. 
Equipped with magneto. Can be mounted on wagon. 
Lack of vibration is a notable feature of this engine. 
20 YEARS of experience in building satisfactory engines for 
farmers is behind every FARMERS’ FAVORITE. We have 
never had a dissatisfied customer in this time—a 
record to be proud of. If you need power for any 
kind of farm work, it will pay you to 
investigate the merits and economy of 
FARMERS' FAVORITE ENGINE. Write us for 
further information and prices TODAY. 
GEO. D. POHL MFG. CO. 
Vernon, N. Y. 
SAFETY FIRST 
SAFE 
SILAGE 
CUTTERS 
GOOD DEALERS SELL THEM 
CAREFUL MEN BUY THEM' 
ALL SIZES EQUIPPED TO SUIT 
SEND FOR CATALOGUE 
New York State Agents, DEYO-MACEY SALES CO., Inc. 
28 WASHINGTON STREET, BINGHAMTON, N. Y. 
SAFETY YOKE 
Si GUARDS 
Sour Soil 
Next to the possession of soil and proper moist¬ 
ure, there is no factor more essential to success¬ 
ful crop cultivation, than the presence of Lime. 
Where lime is absent the soil becomes sour and 
non-productive—a condition which is speedily 
and effectively remedied by the use of 
ALFALFA! 
| Crimson Clover and Winter Vetch. Write today for I 
= instructions to obtain larger yields by the use of 5 
| Farniogerm. Our free illustrated booklet No. it. N. I 
= 10 contains valuable cropping receipts and is yours I 
= for the asking. = 
| EARP-THOMAS FARMOGERM CO., Bloomfield, N. J. 1 
?iiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniHiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiitn7 
Edison 
PULVERIZED LIMESTONE 
NATURE’S CROP PRODUCER 
This excellent lime product is made from the 
purest Crystalline White Limestone obtainable. 
Pulverized like flour and not being caustic can be 
applied without danger to plant life. Farm lands 
greatly increase all crop yields by its use. Espe¬ 
cial^ recommended for Alfalfa. Lawns “run 
down” and of slow growth fully restored and the 
grasses thickened. HThis signature guarantees 
satisfaction and reliability 
HarHwnnH Acho* best fertilizer rv use. 
ndTUYVUUU H&nes G E0. I. MUNROE S SONS, gswego. *. T. 
With Wheat at 70^ Per Bushel 
ROCK PHOSPHATE 
PAID 
An average of the experiments at the 
Agricultural Colleges of Ill., Ohio, 
Penn, and Wis., show that an increase 
of 10 bushels of wheat per acre can be 
had from the use of ROCK PHOSPHATE 
at an annual cost of $1.00 per acre. 
Edison Pulverized Limestone 
is packed in 100 lb. bags, also in bulk. Sample and 
prices furnished on request. Ask us to send book¬ 
let No. 202. It is instructive and will please you. 
Edison Pulverized Limestone Go. 
1133 Broadway ::: ::: New York City 
The New GREENWOOD LIME 
and FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTER 
TOP FEED-NO RUSTING-NO CLOGGING 
Accurate indicator for 100 to 3,500 lbs. per acre, 
whether material be wet, dry, sticky, lumpy, heavy 
or light. Write for booklet Ft to 
GREENWOOD MFG. CO., Lawrence. Mass. 
DAYBREAK ROCK PHOSPHATE 
260 pounds of Phosphorus per ton is 
the economical fertilizer. 
Get the trice to-day from 
FEDERAL CHEMICAL CO. 
GROUND ROCK DEPT. 
No. 30 W. Main St., Columbia, Tenn. 
Get Dollars Out 
of the Subsoil 
Stop working the top foot of your land 
—make the subsoil doits duty. Undef 
the plow-cut there are stores of rich 
plant food. Let your crops get this. 
Open up the subsoil by blasting with 
( CXAH.K ) 
Disk Tools for Intensive Tillage 
There isn’t a farmer in America but 
who should own at least one Cut¬ 
away (Clark) disk harrow or plow. 
Over 100 Styles and Sizes 
Ask us about the Double Action Engin® 
Harrow, the Double Action — Regular, 
the Double Action—Extension Head— (for 
orchard work), the Single Action—Regular, 
the Single Action—Extension Head— (for 
orchard work), the Bush and Bog Plow, the 
Corn and Cotton Harrow, the Right Lap 
Plow, the California Orchard Plow, or the 
one horse harrows and cultivators, whichever 
It may be that you need. Ask your dealer to 
show you a Cutaway (Clark) machine. Do 
not accept a substitute. Write us for catalog 
The Cutaway Harrow Company 
Maker of the original CLARK disk harrows and piou s 
839 Main Street, 
Higganum, Conn. 
BOOK FREE 
" The Soil and 
Intensive Tillage * 
The disks are 
forged sharp 
The Safest Explosive 
TV 
and you will have four or five 
feet of productive soil, that will 
give you bigger crops and more 
dollars every year. 
“Better Farming” Book'Sent Free 
Our valuable book “Better Farming,” tell* 
how to blast stumps, dig ditches, and do many 
other kinds of work most cheaply with Ada* 
Farm Powder. Send the coupon and get if 
FREE. 
I I I I I I I I I I I I 
Atlas Powder Company, Wilmington, Del. 
Send me your illustrated book, “Better 
Farming.” I may use Atlas Farm Powder 
RN-Ag22 
for___work 
Name. 
Address. 
i 
When you write advertisers mention The R. N.-Y. and you’ll get a quick repiy 
and a “square deal.” See guarantee editorial page. 
