94 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
FARMERS’ CLUB 
[ 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 time. 
Put Questions on a separate piece of paper.] 
Planting Asparagus. 
I AM getting ready to put out an acre 
of asparagus; have two pieces of 
ground, one near a branch, a hill sloping 
a little to the south, the other one flat, 
but no water stands on either piece of 
land. Both are sandy loam. What is 
the depth you would advise planting the 
crowns, width of row and how close, two 
or three feet, in row? I have quite a 
lot of one-year old crowns. F. M. w. 
Easton, Md. 
There are many different methods for 
the setting of asparagus roots. Some 
growers think that close planting always 
means slim shoots, but this is more a 
matter of soil fertility than close plant¬ 
ing. The late Peter Henderson advised 
planting in rows three feet apart and 
nine inches in the row. I have never 
planted that closely. In fact for many 
years I have not as a rule planted roots 
at all, but have grown the asparagus 
from seed right where I wanted it to 
remain. Seed sown in heavily manured 
trenches and urged in the growth by ap¬ 
plications of nitrate of soda during the 
Summer will be as far advanced in one 
season as the one-year-old roots will be 
in a year’s growth, and I gain a year with 
the undisturbed roots. However, you 
have the one-year l’oots, and the method 
and depth of planting will depend largely 
on the natural depth of the soil and the 
kind of asparagus you wish to grow, 
whether green or blanched. Nowadays 
in most of the Eastern markets green as¬ 
paragus sells better than the white, for 
buyers have found out that stalks half 
white are always tough at the white part, 
and they prefer the tender green shoots. 
White asparagus, grown entirely under 
ground, needs wider planting and high 
ridging, while green asparagus can be 
grown more closely. I would not, as a 
rule, plant as closely as Mr. Henderson 
advised. My practice is to plant in rows 
four feet apart and two feet apart in the 
rows. I would not advise Fall planting, 
for I have always had better success from 
early Spring planting. Run out furrows 
with a good two-horse plow, going twice 
in the furrows, and then run a narrow 
shovel plow or a cultivator tooth in the 
bottom as a sort of subsoiling, for it is 
not w’ell to set the roots on a hard bot¬ 
tom. Eight inches is plenty deep enough 
to set for early green asparagus, but 
be sure to set in the soil and not in 
the subsoil. Heavy manuring is neces¬ 
sary, and for Spring planting it is well 
to apply the manure late in Fall and turn 
it under broadcast. Then in Spring re¬ 
plow and bring the rotted manure nearer 
the surface, and apply in the furrows a 
dressing of a high-grade commercial fer¬ 
tilizer, and stir it well into the bottom 
of the furrows. We use here a fertilizer 
containing seven per cent, ammonia, six 
per cent, phosphoric acid and five per 
cent, potash which is made here. This is 
used after heavy use of stable manure, at 
rate of 500 pounds an acre. If you do 
not have manui’e you should use double 
the amount of fertilizer. After setting 
the roots, which should be spread out in 
a natural form, cover very lightly at first 
and then work the soil to them as they 
grow till level. During the Summer 
make two applications alongside the rows 
of nitrate of soda at rate of 150 pounds 
at each application. Then in late Fall 
clean off the matured tops and cover the 
soil with manure. Every season after 
cutting tops apply fertilizer heavily and 
cultivate clean to make strong crowns for 
the next season. w. f. massey. 
Lawn Grass Under Trees. 
W HAT kind of grass seed should be 
sown under Norway maple trees, 
and how much to 50 square feet? 
Philadelphia, Pa. w. s. 
Grasses do not thrive as well under 
trees as they do in the full sunlight, and 
where the shade is dense it is next to 
impossible to maintain a turf. This is 
particularly true of evergreens, when the 
branches are near the ground or when the 
evergreens are in groups with their 
branches meeting, affording dense shade 
all through the day. Then again grasses 
do not seem to take kindly to the soil 
conditions under the branches of the 
trees, which after a few years become 
more or less acid, the acidity being large¬ 
ly due to the shade and possibly to some 
extent to the decaying leaves of the tree, 
so that between the shade and sourness 
in the soil, about the only plart that will 
thrive under evergreens is sorrel, which 
of course is not a desirable plant. When 
the trees are a considerable distance 
apart and the branches are high enough 
from the ground to admit more or less 
sunlight during a portion of the day, 
grasses adapted to shade will do fairly 
well under them, but before seeding the 
ground it should have a liberal coat of 
fine sheep or cattle manure worked into 
it, and a top-dressing of wood ashes at 
the rate of half a ton to the acre, applied 
10 days u two weeks before sowing the 
seed. The sheep manure will surply ni¬ 
trogen, etc., and the wood ashes potash, 
and at the same time correct the acidity 
in the soil. All the leading seedsmen 
sell shady nook grass seed mixtures, 
which contain a number of varieties es¬ 
pecially adapted to shade. These mixtures 
are rightly proportioned and will give 
much better results than any mixture 
made up by the inexperienced. You can¬ 
not sow too much, the more the better, 
it mea s a quicker, more satisfactory and 
lasting result. The quantity recommend¬ 
ed on new ground is usually about one 
pint to 50 square feet, (10x5 feet) which 
is none too much, in many instances a 
half more might be used to give advan¬ 
tage. k. 
Pecans in Florida. 
I HAVE bought 20 acres of raw land 
which is supposed to be good, rich, 
dark, loamy sand, with clay subsoil, 
and intend to put in 10 acres of pecans, 
as soon as I get the stumps out. Can 
I get the ground ready and in good or¬ 
der for the trees before it is too late this 
year, and what is the proper course to 
do with such land from the start? 
Lulu, Fla. n. D. 
The climate of northern and central 
Florida is w'ell suited to the very best 
class of pecans. The ideal soil for the 
pecan tree is rich alluvium, but almost 
any soil that is not very dry or very 
wet and that is naturally fairly fertile 
can be economically made rich enough to 
produce good trees and nuts. From the 
description of the land mentioned it 
seems to be suitable for pecan growing. 
If it is subject to long periods of stand¬ 
ing water as is the case in some of the 
flat lands of Florida, it must be drained. 
This is done by open ditching in most 
cases. The holes for the trees should be 
dug deep and wide and filled with top 
soil and well-rotted manure, well mixed 
together. There is ample time to do this 
work and plant the trees this Winter, but 
the sooner it is done the better, for the 
soil should be well settled to the roots 
before the time for growth to start. 
H. E. VAN DEMAN. 
Protecting Bees from Moth. 
W HAT can I do to protect bees from 
worms? I lost bees last Summer 
with worms about 2*4 inches long, 
and as thick as my finger. J. A. M. 
Pennsylvania. 
I know of no bee-destroying worms of 
the size that you mention and am in¬ 
clined to think that those observed by 
you were only casual visitors, not re¬ 
sponsible for the death of the bees. The 
worms ordinarily found in hives and 
combs are hatched from the eggs of the 
bee-moth, and are so destructive that un¬ 
protected combs left outside hives in 
warm weather will soon be riddled by 
those pests. Bee-moths can only obtain 
access to tight hives when the colonies 
have become so weakened as to be unable 
to guard the entrance; common black 
bees are less likely to protect their homes 
than are Italians or hybrids, and this, 
among other reasons should induce all 
bee-keepers having black bees to Italian¬ 
ize them by introducing Italian queens. 
The way to protect hives from worms, 
then, is to keep all colonies strong by 
replacing worn-out or lost queens and, 
if necessary, doubling up weak colonies; 
use well-made hives free from cracks, or 
openings other than the entrance, through 
which moths might enter; Italianize 
black bees and keep the premises free 
from old combs or bits of refuse which 
form nurseries for the bee-moths. Of 
these the most important is replacing 
black bees with their far more efficient 
cousins, the Italians. M. B. D. 
School Teacher: “What little boy 
can tell me where is the home of the 
swallow?” Bobby: “I kin, please.” 
Teacher: “Well, Bobby.” Bobby: “The 
home of the swallow is in the stummick.” 
—Golden Rule. 
FRUIT TREES 
at Half-Plaice 
We Bell best quality fruit trees, shrubs and plants 
at one-half the nursery agent's price—and pay the 
freight* All stock is northern grown, hardy and 
healthy. All orders guaranteed. 
GET THIS FREE BOOK NOW 
Tells just wbat you want to know about selecting, plant¬ 
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big list of unequalled bargains. Don’t buy until 
you’ve read this book. Send postal today. 
tfLTfSV-X RICH land nurseries 
448 
Rochester, N.Y. 
7 
T«A9t HARK 
1878 Grown Right.Handled Right 1915 
3,000,000 fruit trees. 4c each and tip; 5.000.000 
pm all fruits, thousands of roses, cliinhmsr vines, 
hedpre plants, omnmcrtal trees shrubs, at 
lowest prices. WRTTB FOR BREh ILLUS¬ 
TRATED CATALOG TODAY. 
KING BROTHER8 NURSERIE8, 7 OaX St 
Dansvllle, N.Y. **Jt*a cheapest to buy the best* 9 
Don’t Buy Fruit Trees "?££ 
We are not Jobbers or Dealers. Our prices will surprise yon. 
Order from the grower and save disappointment later. Send 
postal today. THOMAS K. SIIKEKI.X, Nuracry- 
inan, 21 Main Street, Dansvllle, New York 
Trees and Plants 
We offer a full line of Fruit and Ornamental Stock 
BLACK'S QUALITY 
Is the highest quality. Send in your list of wants 
for prices and e«t your order placed early. Cata¬ 
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JOS. H. BLACK, SON & CO., Hightstown, N. J. 
FRUIT TREES 
First-class. True to N-me, No Disease. We 
PAY FREIGHT OR EXPRESS to vour Station 
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NEW HAVEN NURSERIES, 
Box 25, New Haven, Missouri. 
REES atHalfAgenisPrices 
f A Guaranteed First Class, True to Name, Fre. 
W from Disease and to reach you In good condi¬ 
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when you want it. Pay at shipping time. Write 
for free Wholesale Catalog and send list of wants for 
special Freight Paid price. 
THE WM. J. REILLY NURSERIES, 22 Ossian St, DANSVILLE, N. Y. 
Originators of “Trees at Half Agents’ Price.” 
January 23, 
When you write advertisers mention The 
R. N.-Y. and you'll get a quick reply and a 
“square deal.” See guarantee editorial page. 
DWARF 
FRUIT 
TREES 
APPLE 
PEAR 
PLUM 
CHERRY 
PEACH 
Best for 
Home Garden 
Less Room 
Finest Fruit 
Also Full Line 
STANDARD 
FRUIT TREES 
Choice Stock 
Catalogue FREE 
THE VAN DUSEN NURSERIES 
W.L. McKay, Prop. Box N, GENEVA. N. V. 
“How to Grow Peaches 
— an interesting chapter in our very in¬ 
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free. Shows latest methods of selecting:, 
planting and growing: both for market 
and home. Other chapters describe our 
full line of apples, pears, raspberries, 
currants, ornamental shrubs, etc.— all 
backed by 25 years’ experience. Send 
postal for your copy today . 
THE BARNES BROS. NURSERY CO. 
Box 18 Yolosvillo, Conn. 
ft 
FROM GROWER TO YOU 
Highest grade, frue to name Fruit 
id Ornamental Nursery Stock, grown 
right, priced right, shipped right. 
__ If you want vigorous Trees, Plants 
and Shrubs, and money back if not sat¬ 
isfied, Write for free catalog today. 
L. W. HALL CO., Inc. 
520 Cutler Bldg. Rochester, N. Y. 
Writ* 4 To Day for 75- Anniversar^_Catalo3 
TREES. SHRUBS PLAN TS. U VINES 
The authoritative hand book on FVuit 
and ornamental trees, shrubs, vines 
hardy plants, roses, etc. 
Save Agent’s Profits 
Perfection of species and condition guar 
anteed or money hack. Send postal now 
EUwanger & Burry, Mt. Hope Nnrieries 
P. 0. Box 218 Rochester, N. Y. 
FREIGHT OR EXPRESS 
PAID ON FRUIT TREES 
Free Catalog shows all kinds of fruit 
and ornamental trees—tells liow we pay transporta- 
io n. Write for it today. 
WM. P. RUPERT & SONS 
Box 46 SENECA. N. Y* 
filiaranfood In “Moira RnniT’ That me * nB * lot to svsry buyer—gnsrsntesd Sturdy, HcMthy 
UUalallluuU IU ivldnu U'JUU md True to Namo by a firm that luu been growing tree* right 
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Direct to you at Growers' Prices 
Qnality before nrlce is our motto, but our personal supervtMion of all tree* from our nnreeriee to yon, to¬ 
gether with up-to-date facilities, enables us to sell Kelly Trees at low prices- Our catalog tells all about our 
trees Aiidpricea. It la our only salesman, and you can order from the catalog just as well as If you visited 
us hero in Dansvllle—why not do both? There arc fi Kelly Bros., each handling different departments, 
and we stand back of every shipment. Write for the Catalog today—It's worth while. 
KELLY BROS. WHOLESALE NURSERIES, 249 Main St., DANSVILLE. N. Y. 
You’ll never regret planting Kelly Trees _ ) 
J. H. SHEERIN’S TREES MADE DANSVILLE FAMOUS 
COO,000 Peach Tree., 5 to 7 feet, 9c; 4 to 5 feet, 7c; 3 to 4 feet, 5c; 2 to 3 feet, 4c. 400,000 Apple Trees, 6 to 7 feet, 12c; 5 
to 6 feet, 8c; 4 to 5 feet, 6c. 50,000 Pears, 45,000 Cherry, 30,000 Plum and thousands of small Iruit plants. Secure varie¬ 
ties now, pay in spring. Buy from the man who has the goods and save disappointment. Catalogue free to everybody. 
SHEERIN’S WHOLESALE NURSERIES 48 Seward St.. Dansvllle, N. Y. 
Vjliiillffffiiiiiiiiln Tm 
■jjpHIIIIIII 
in nilliiiii 
mior 
6S 
ilil 1 
* 
m liSIM' mTJte- 
| || Buy Direct and 
Serve Half | 1 
Deal with us, the growers—not with agents. You \ 
save ha'f 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 Tre 
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GREEN’S NURSERY CO, 22 Wall SL, 
1! 1 
name. I 
jr guarantee. We \ 
ike Green’s for value. \ 
□1 information on care 
lits and Flowers ’ or 
so. Write us today. 
Rochester. N. Y. 
WSgf 
-11-1 .^ 
Established for 61 years. Seeds, bulbs, plants, shrubs and trees of the best 
quality. Sixty acres of home grown roses. 
Our new illustrated catalog No. 2 describes the above. Catalog No. 1 give* detailed 
description of fruit and ornamental trees. Either or both mailed upon request. 
THE STORRS & HARRISON CO. 
Box 559, PAINESVILLE, OHIO 
Nurserymen, Florists and Seedsmen 
