1914. 
rt-LLC RURAL NlCW-'» UR RLJiiK 
1316 
Care of Harness. 
W ILL you give a good method for 
keeping harness in the host condi¬ 
tion? What oil, etc., is host to use, 
and how should it be appliedV How about 
the harness soaps and other preparations 
on the market? T. H. n. 
Hillards, Ohio. 
My method for cleaning and oiling har¬ 
ness is as follows: Unbuckle every strap, 
pack in tub, scatter on a handful of 
washing powder, cover with warm soft 
water, let stand 30 to 00 minutes, then 
remove dirt and sweat with coarse cloth, 
and rinse with clean water. Allow 
leather to get nearly dry, then apply a 
blacking made as follows: Two quarts 
soft water (hot) ; two ounces extract of 
logwood ; 12 grains bichlorate of potash. 
When dry apply an oil prepared as fol¬ 
lows : One pint neat's-foot oil, one-half 
pound beef tallow (melted). Apply with 
brush, rub in well. One application is 
sufficient if harness is treated as above 
every six months. The blacking being 
underneath the oil will not rub off. No 
better preparation for harness can be 
made at any price. Most harness soaps 
are good for cleaning harness after they 
have been well oiled, should be used often 
and will keep harness in good condition. 
Most other preparations are of very little 
value as preservatives to leather', as they 
are principally made up with crude pe¬ 
troleum, lampblack, etc. H. A. L. 
Linesville, Pa. 
Contaminated Well. 
A TENANT a few years ago let a cow 
r\ get in a well which was unused, and 
said nothing about it. As the well 
was a good one, and the water badly 
needed this season, I had it cleaned out. 
The water in it is very foul. Will pump¬ 
ing it out a few times cause the water, 
by aid of chemicals, to be fit to use for 
stock again? j. b. a. 
Illinois. 
If the water in this well is foul from 
the presence of decaying matter of any 
kind, it may be made fit for use again by 
a thorough cleaning out of the well after 
pumping it dry. If the water remains 
foul after the well has been cleaned it is 
evidence that there is some other source 
of pollution, and search should be made 
for such possible source in an adjoining 
manure pile, privy vault or accumulation 
of surface water which may find its way 
into the well. Chemicals should not be 
depended upon to purify water which is 
being fouled by some foreign matter gain¬ 
ing access to it. M. B. D. 
Lessons from the Vegetable Growers’ 
Convention. 
T HE seventh annual convention of the 
Vegetable Growers’ Association of 
America, recently held in Philadel¬ 
phia was a signal and all-inspiring suc¬ 
cess. The attendance was large, the re¬ 
ports of the various standing committees 
showed labor and painstaking care, the 
addresses and discussions were lively and 
thorough. The exhibition of gardeners’ 
supplies and equipment were more com¬ 
plete and better installed than at any 
previous meeting. One commendable fea¬ 
ture of the convention was the agricul¬ 
tural college exhibits showing various 
phases of the work in vegetable garden¬ 
ing. The State colleges of New York, Il¬ 
linois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Oregon and 
Maryland were represented. The largest 
exhibit of vegetables was that made by 
the Philadelphia Vegetable Growers’ As¬ 
sociation, but there were several others 
not far behind in quantity and quality, 
and some were even more attractively 
staged. 
Among the subjects that were most ex¬ 
haustively presented and which elicited 
the most general discussion were market¬ 
ing, soil fertility, standardizing weights 
and measures, improving the nomencla¬ 
ture of vegetable varieties, and co-opera¬ 
tion. 
Under the title of “Soil Problems for 
Vegetable Growing,” Dr. Lipman, of the 
New Jersey Experiment Station, urged 
the importance of selecting a location for 
gardening that would meet definite condi¬ 
tions as to soil moisture, soil temperature, 
soil ventilation and soil texture. Having 
found the location, the grower should 
place and keep the soil as far as possible 
under the conditions demanded by his va¬ 
rious crops. In other words, the vital 
needs of the soil must be met if it is to 
continue to bring forth a full return in 
the way of produce. The vegeralde grow¬ 
er cannot depend upon commercial plant 
food alone, but must supplement this with 
stable or green manure. It is very diffi¬ 
cult to maintain soil moisture and soil 
texture conditions with commercial fertil¬ 
izers alone. On the other hand, too much 
stable manure is sometimes used, and the 
soil fails to respond. Under such condi¬ 
tions stable manure should be withheld 
for a year or two, and commercial fertil¬ 
izers used. If the soil is acid a moderate 
dressing of lime will prove of value. The 
war in Europe has cut off our principal 
source of supply of potash. It is esti¬ 
mated that the supply on hand is less 
than 30 per cent, of the usual stock. To 
a great extent the same is true of garden 
seeds. If the war continues for another 
year the situation will become serious, 
unless we boldly face the question and 
supply these needs ourselves. 
In discussing the great economic ques¬ 
tion of marketing no attempt was made 
to solve the “high cost of living” problem, 
and no time spent in simply denouncing 
middlemen. Two things would greatly 
facilitate and improve market conditions; 
one is better crops, and the other is bet¬ 
ter means of distribution. The time and 
means spent in trying to grow crops 
where only half or quarter crops are 
made, is one heavy item on the wrong 
sale of a vegetable grower’s balance-sheet. 
The expense of marketing even a good 
crop is often another serious obstacle to 
success. While much can be done by 
using the parcel post trolley-car, express 
and freight shipments direct to consum¬ 
ers, yet the fact remains that in our large 
cities many persons will be required to 
serve as agencies in the distribution of 
farm and garden produce. While eager 
for information, the Vegetable Growers’ 
Association will not endorse any scheme 
or method of marketing that has not been 
tested and its merits proven. Coopera¬ 
tion in some form seems to be the ideal 
plan in selling as well as in buying. It 
was thought that neighborhood or more 
local markets in large cities were better 
than large terminal or central markets, 
and that the trolley freight might be one 
efficient means of cheapening and quick¬ 
ening distribution. 
One of the most instructive features of 
the convention was a round table discus¬ 
sion led by Prof. Work of the New York 
State College of Agriculture. Some of 
the points brought out were that co-opera¬ 
tion is simply a union of the means and 
efforts of many to accomplish results that 
benefit all. In beginning a cooperative 
effort it is well to commence on a small 
scale. In many a community vegetable 
growers could get together and unite in 
buying seeds, fertilizers, and other sup¬ 
plies, or for simply exchanging experi¬ 
ences and observations. In this way they 
get acquainted and learn to trust each 
other. Confidence and loyalty are abso¬ 
lutely essential in all co-operative enter¬ 
prises. In many places vegetable growers 
could improve and control their market 
facilities by a united or co-operative ac¬ 
tion. When the right attitude or spirit 
is developed then the larger activities like 
grading, packing and shipping products 
by the carload can be entered upon. 
The Association elected the following 
officers for the ensuing year President, 
M. L. Rueterik, Cleveland. O.; secretary, 
S. W. Severance, Louisville, Ky.; treas¬ 
urer, E. A. Dunbar. Ashtabula, O The 
most encouraging lesson of the conven¬ 
tion is the evident fact that the vegetable 
growers are no longer blindly d voted to 
a routine which has cease 1 to b« either 
economical or judicious. The methods of 
the pioneer gardener are not adapted to 
the changed circumstances of his grand¬ 
children. We are infusing more thought, 
more study, more science into our work, 
and this can scarcely fail to incite an ever 
increasing number of young men to feel a 
greater pride in their calling and to take 
a livelier interest in werythiug that tends 
to improve and dignify it. 
WILLIAM B. LAZENBY. 
Ohio State University. 
Soil Management ; by F. H. King, 303 
pages; illustrated; published by Orange 
Judd Co.. New York. This book is a result 
of the extensive investigations of the late 
Prof. King, one of the greatest soil ex¬ 
perts. It is a fitting supplement to his 
other books, “The Soil,” “Irrigation and 
Drainage,” and “Farmers of Forty Cen¬ 
turies.” Some of the subjects discussed 
in “Soil Management” are: Productive 
capacity of fields; Soil moisture and 
plant feeding; Principles of earth mulch¬ 
es ; Physical features of soils; Why 
lime soils are strong; Reclaiming swamp 
lands, etc. For sale by The Rural 
New-Yorker; price $1.50. 
Rural Improvement; by F. A. 
Waugh; 259 pages; many illustrations; 
published by Orange Judd Co., New 
York. Prof. Waugh is well known as a 
teacher and practical authority on hor¬ 
ticulture and landscape gardening. The 
purpose of this work is to improve the 
appearance of country homes, villages, 
school grounds, small parks, etc., and 
stimulate wholesome recreation and 
neighborhood social intercourse. All of 
these things can be done with but little 
expenditure of time and money, and are 
certainly worth while additions to the 
comforts and pleasures of country life. 
For sale by TnE Rural New-Yorker, 
price $1.25. 
Farm Animals ; by Hunt and Bur¬ 
kett; 526 pages; fully illustrated; pub¬ 
lished by Orange Judd Co., New York. 
This book is well adapted to school use 
or the farm library, as it covers in con¬ 
cise and convenient form practically the 
whole live stock field, breeds, feeding, 
sanitation and production, with a chapter 
on farm butchering. For sale by The 
Rural New-Yorker, price, $1.50. 
Marie ; “At the place where I was 
spending my vacation this Summer, a 
fresh young farmer tried to kiss me. He 
told me he’d never kissed a girl in his 
life.” Ethel: “What did you say to 
him?” Marie: “I told him I was no 
agricultural experiment station.”—Bos¬ 
ton Transcript. 
Dellat* 
Watch 
It’s Guaranteed! 
The shrewd buyer always 
gives preference to an article 
that is guaranteed, but he ex¬ 
pects to pay a little more for 
the insurance. 
The Ingersoll is the world’s 
standard Dollar Watch, sold 
at the same price in every store 
from Maine to California. 
The biggest value as a time¬ 
keeper in the watchmaking in¬ 
dustry and its big broad guar¬ 
antee adds not a cent of cost. 
15,000 Ingersoll watches are made 
every day, so uniformly and per¬ 
fectly that the guarantee adds prac¬ 
tically nothing to the expense and 
nothing to the cost of the watch. 
It is the best watch at any price 
for the man outdoors. 
Look sharp for the name “ Ingersoll" on 
the dial—the mark of the good time-keeper. 
Robt. H. Ingersoll & Bro. 
315 Fourth Avenue, New York City 
E-PROOF 
Guaranteed not to rui 
or wear out. Resists fire and light- 
’ ning. Requires no attention, painting or re¬ 
pairs. Made only of 
ERICAN INGOT IRON 
99.S4 Per Cent Pure Iron. NOT iteel 
Easily put on. Cheapest in long run. 
Our bond guarantees a new roof 
Free if not as represented. Write 
today for this Free Roofing Catalog. 
THE AMERICAN IRON ROOFING CO. 
Station 16 Middletown, Otxlo 
When you write advertisers mention Thb 
R. N.-Y. and you'll get a quick reply and a 
“square deal.” See guarantee editorial page. 
Show your friends 
the Kodak pictures you have 
made of amusing incidents 
about home, of the boys and 
girls at play, indoors or out— 
flashlights of the interior of 
the house, of parties or 
socials—portraits of the fam¬ 
ily and even pictures of fruit 
or plants,—in every one of 
these there is something to re¬ 
call—something worth while. 
Ask your dealer for booklet “At 
Home with the Kodak,” or free by 
mail. It tells how to make portraits 
and interiors. Kodaks and Brownie 
cameras $1.00 and up. 
EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY, 
387 State Street, Rochester, N. Y. 
AT YOUR 
DEALERS 
With ontical 
lens 50c. 
extra. 
This beaa- 
titul lamp 
made espe¬ 
cially for 
your night 
driving. Fits 
on either 
side of the 
dash. 
CAN'T blow 
out or 
shake out. 
The most eco¬ 
nomical, brilliant 
and bandy lamp 
that your dealer 
has in stock. 9 
inches high. 
Sold direct if un¬ 
obtainable from 
dealer. 
| Write us for copy of the New State Law regarding 
lamps an vehicles. We send it FREE to you. 
EMBURY MANUFACTURING CO. 
WARSAW, N. Y. 
Make Your Own Drain Tile 
THE FARMERS’ CEMENT TILE MACHINE 
Makes tile 3 to 8 inches in diam., 12)4 inches long. One man or boy operates it by hand 
or power. 500 tile per day by hand, 1,200 by power. Tile thoroughly cured by patent 
process. Wo tamping or use of pallets. This machine and tile used by Experiment Sta¬ 
tions of Agricultural Colleges and the U. S. Dept, of Agriculture. 5,000 farmers have 
doubled the yield of land by underdrainage, and saved 75% of cost by using our Machine. 
You can do the same. Save cost of hauling and breaking. Make perfect 
tile $3 to $5 per thousand. MACHINE SOLD DIRECT FROM FACTORY 
TO YOU. TEN DAYS’FREE TRIAL. SEND NOW for 36-page Illustrated 
Catalogue. Tells you about great benefits of underdrainage, how to take 
levels and get grades, make and lay your tile at low cost. 
FARMERS’ CEMENT TILE MACHINE CO.. . Box 604 . ST. JOHNS. MICH, 
Feed Grinding and Wood Cutting 
In the Winter every farmer finds himself beset with numerous jobs—big 
and small—every-dav job* and occasional ones. This is where an efficient, 
reliable power plant is a time and money saver. 
The “ Badger” Engine is made well from start to finish : made to run 
without interruption ; not merely to sell. 
It is simple—anybody can run it or a»ljust it. It is economical, using 
less gas or gasoline than any engine known. It develops more power 
than rated. There are many types and aizes of “ Badgers ” to suit every 
individual need. Any BADCER is a GOOD engine. 
The “Rulirer” is always ready to run—Winter or Summer —at an instant’s 
Every part guaranteed for five years unconditionally. 
Send for Catalog. Free Engineering lessons sent on receipt of dealers name. 
Address The Christenson Engineering Co., Milwaukee, Wis. 
Or J. B. NORTON CO.. Inc.. Distributors, 209 Elizabeth St.. Utica. N.Y. 
GASOLINE ENGINES 
GOOD PROTECTION FROM FIRE, WIND, RAIN AND STORM 
is assured if your buildings are covered with 
tfJJLJ 0 
Apollo Roofing and Siding Products are highest quality, full weight, 
and reasonable in cost. Made from the well known APOLLO Best Bloom 
Galvanized Sheets, and sold by weight by leading dealers everywhere. 
Our interesting “Better Buildings” booklet sent free upon request. 
AMERICAN SHEET AND TIN PLATE COMPANY, Frick Bldg., Pittsburgh. Pa. 
(Illllinillll 
