1264 
August so, l !> i 
elude. "The lesson is obvious. Either 
the results with guinea-pigs on experi¬ 
mental scurvy should not be translated 
to infantile scurvy, or we should follow 
the wiser course of using some anti¬ 
scorbutic in conjunction with the exclu¬ 
sive use in infant feeding of such heated 
milk products as described in this paper.” 
Tn direct contradiction to this, experience 
is that of Hess and Unger, an account 
of which is published in the same number 
of the Journal of Biological Chemistry. 
These authors . made numerous experi¬ 
ments with another brand of milk powder 
which they sr.y was dried by heating for 
a few seconds to 240 deg. Fahr. These 
led them to conclude that milk dried as 
this had been loses little of its anti¬ 
scorbutic power, and they further state 
that “infantile scurvy could be cured by 
giving dried milk of this variety.” 
THOMAS B. OSBORNE. 
(To Be Continued) 
Fighting the Meadow Mouse 
The fields of my farm are full of mice 
or rats, which have and are causing con¬ 
siderable loss of produce. Their holes 
can be seen all over the fields, and I was 
wondering if it would not be possible to 
drop poisoned corn into these holes and 
so kill the pests. Have you had any 
experience with such, and if so how did 
you poison them ? b. W. C. 
Northport, N. Y. 
The quarterly bulletin of the Michigan 
Agricultural College contains an article 
on the meadow mouse (Microtus penusyl- 
vanieus). The following notes are taken 
from that article. On our own farm we 
have been experimenting with a “rat 
virus” as a means of spreading a disease 
among rats in the house. It has given 
good results thus far. 
The surface run-ways lead to shallow 
underground burrows, to which the mice 
retreat when danger threatens. Unlike 
many of our native rodents, the meadow 
mouse does not hibernate. Breeding con¬ 
tinues throughout the year with the excep¬ 
tion of the Winter months, and we are 
safe in assuming at least four litters of 
s : x young to be the normal reproduction 
of the species under the climatic condi¬ 
tions of lower Michigan. Such a rate if 
unchecked for five years would result in 
CONTENTS 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER, AUG. 30, 1919 
FARM TOPICS 
Farming in the Granite State.1261, 1262 
Potatoes in Succession. 1264 
Fighting Meadow Mouse. 1264 
Improving Poor Soil. 1265 
Rye as Green Manure. 1265 
Improving Old Land and Old Orchard. 1265 
Clover with Rye. 1265 
Wheat a~d Rye for Cover Crops. 1265 
Community Potato Plan. 1268 
What Is Farmer’s Share?. 1268 
Keeping Clover Growing. 1269 
Buckwheat and Squash Bugs. 1269 
Willow for Fence Posts. 1269 
Hope Farm Notes. 1272 
Fffects cf Aches on New Seeding. 1272 
Destroying Sumac . 1273 
That 35-cent Dollar. 1275 
Co-cnerative Societies Discuss the Situation 1275 
What Guaranteed Price of Wheat. 1275 
Farmers’ Week at Storrs—Part 1. 1280 
LIVE STOCK AND DAIRY 
Controlling Breachy Horses. 1269 
Problems in Feeding. 1278 
Kale for Forage. 1278 
for Heifer; Storing Cut Straw and 
Fodder . 1278 
Coming Live Stock Sales. 1280 
Prizes for Calf Clubs. 1283 
Blood in Milk... 1284 
Disinfecting a Stable. 1284 
Bloat . 1284 
Mammary Tumor . 1284 
THE HENYARD 
Salvage Wheat for Poultry. 1278 
Caponize No Culls. 1284 
Telling the Age of a Hen. 1284 
Egg-laying Contest . 1285 
Nervous Hens . 1285 
HORTICULTURE 
Fresh Manure for Melons and Cucumbers.. 1265 
Garden Notes from New England. 1266 
Making Unfermented Grape Juice. 1267 
Sweet Clover in Orchard. 1269 
Repelling Mice in Orchard. 1269 
Peony Culture . 1271 
Eradicating Wild Morning-glory. 1271 
Notes and Comments. 1271 
Weed-killer for Roadway. 1273 
Peaches in Bushel Baskets. 1273 
Gnarly Strawberries . 1273 
•WOMAN AND HOME 
From Day to Day. 1276 
Ways of Preserving Peaches. 1276 
The Rural Patterns. 1276 
Cocoanut Cookies .1276, 1277 
Decorating a Grange Eooth. 1277 
Embroidery Design . 1277 
Filet Lace . 1277 
Two Good Supper Dishes. 1277 
MISCELLANEOUS 
The Story of the Vitamines—Part II. 1263 
Lightning Rod Agents. 1268 
Searing Robins . 1269 
More About Woodchucks..... 1269 
Catching a Weasel. 1269 
Countrywide Produce Situation. 1270 
Un-State Farm Notes. 1270 
Allegany County Farm Picnic. 1270 
Editorials . 1274 
Wayne County and C. H. Betts. 1275 
Buffalo Markets . 1280 
Electric Power from River. 1282 
Leaking Tank . 1282 
Fairo Water Supply. 1282 
Driving a Well. 1282 
Publisher’s Desk . 1286 
The RURAL NEW-YORKER 
more than one million descendants from 
a single pair. 
During Spring and early Summer the 
meadow mouse feeds largely on green veg¬ 
etation and unripe seeds : in latter Slimmer 
and Fall on the ripe seeds of grasses and 
grains; in Winter on seeds, stems, roots 
and the bark of trees. When consuming 
wild grasses and plants, it cannot be con¬ 
sidered a pest, but when it makes its 
home in cultivated fields and meadows 
and consumes hay or grain, either grow¬ 
ing or harvested, its control becomes of 
economic importance. The girdling of 
young trees, usually during the period of 
deep snow, is often held to be the chief 
offense, since such an injury can be readily 
seen and the loss computed. The damage 
to corn in shocks is also an apparent one, 
but the other items in the bill against the 
meadow mouse are not. so readily ascer¬ 
tained. and consequently they are usually 
overlooked. 
The first and most important control 
measure for meadow mice is clean culti¬ 
vation. Rubbish or brush piles, neglected 
fence rows and the banks of open ditches 
furnish: conditions under which the mice 
thrive, and from these breeding grounds 
tbe surplus population seek a food supply 
and home in nearby fields and orchards. 
Many injurious insects and some other 
mammal pests multiply rapidly in the 
same situations, therefore the removal of 
rubbish and brush and the close mowing 
of fence rows and open ditches is of 
utmost importance for many reasons. 
Trapping is not generally recommended, 
since it is an expensive and difficult 
measure where large areas are involved. 
Poisons are effective, yet there is always 
an element of danger connected with their 
use. When used with grain as bait, un¬ 
usual precautions must be taken to pre¬ 
vent the slaughter of other animals, espe¬ 
cially song birds. The use of strychnine 
sulphate is recommended by the Biological 
Survey. 
To treat grain dissolve one ounce of 
strychnia sulphate in two quarts boiling 
water, add one-lmlf pint cold water in 
which two tablespoonfuls of laundry 
starch have been dissolved and boil the 
resulting solution until the starch is clear. 
Pour it, while still hot, over one bushel 
of grain (cracked wheat or crushed oats), 
stirring constantly so as to distribute the 
poison evenly. Let the poisoned grain 
stand overnight and then place a tea¬ 
spoonful of poisoned bait in mouse run¬ 
ways or tbe openings of the burrows. If 
placed under brush or weeds it will not 
endanger birds. 
Potatoes in Succession; Mixed Compost 
1. What is your idea of planting pota¬ 
toes more than one year on the same 
ground? I see that Rapp Bros, have done 
it for 17 years. 2. What do you think of 
a compost mixed with hen droppings with 
ashes (coal) from the dropping board, 
and straw from the floor mixed with hen 
droppings ; also all the leaves that I can 
get, with bean vines, potatoes and to¬ 
matoes? Do you think it would make 
a good fertilizer ? w. H. E. 
New Jersey. 
With us three years is about the limit 
for continuous,planting of potatoes. After 
that the crop usually becomes too scabby 
to pay. Some growers on light soil con¬ 
tinue to grow potatoes year after year 
on the same soil by plowing under heavy 
green crops each year, and taking pains 
to treat the seed for scab. Most growers 
fail to produce a clean crop after tbe 
third year. 2. The mixture you mention 
is quite strong in nitrogen, and would 
naturally produce a strong growth of stem 
and vine. It would not do so well at pro¬ 
ducing seeds or roots. We should add 
acid phosphate or bone to the compost. 
Oyster Shells or Bone 
In looking over the March 1 number of 
The R. N.-Y. I note on page 362 the 
question by II. A. E. about oyster shells 
as a sweetener of soil, and the answer to 
it, with reference to bone. Is the infer¬ 
ence intended here that bone is a sweet¬ 
ener of soil? I am using some bone, and 
am not sure of this effect and would like 
to be, with some explanation or illustra¬ 
tion. s. E. F. 
Portland, Conn. 
Xo. There was no such inference in¬ 
tended. We merely referred to the bone 
as an organic combination of lime and 
phosphorus, which, as everyone knows, is 
of little use as a fertilizer until it is 
finely crushed or treated with acid. In 
much the same way tbe oyster shells will 
have very little sweetening power until 
they are crushed fine or burnt. Even 
when bone is crushed fine it will not 
sweeten the soil as fine lime will. The 
bone is a phosphate of lime, while the 
shells are carbonate of lime—the latter 
being the form needed for neutralizing tbe 
soil acids. The “availability” of both 
bone and lime depends on tbe fineness of 
the particles, and the use of acids or 
burning gives a “finer grinding” than any 
mechanical mill. 
Seed Wheat 
A very reliable variety—smooth chaff—the most popular 
wheat ever offered in our 20 years of specializing in Seed Wheat. 
Yields of Leap’s Prolific this year are excelling those of other 
varieties under our observation. This has been true in every 
one of the past six years we have grown this variety. Local yields 
as high as 46 bu. per acre upon large fields have been made. 
40-bu. per acre reports from customers have been numerous. 
Leap’s Prolific is a rod wheat—long and plump in the 
berry—white smooth chaff. Straw grows tall and very stiff 
—does not lodge. Heads are long, broad and compactly built 
up (see photo at left), filled with grain from base to tip. Does 
not shatter easily. Ripens early. Leap’s Prolific is a great 
stooler. Biggest crops we know of were from seedings of 
1*4 bu. per acre. We recommend your sowing 1*4 bu. per 
acre. Yon need not sow more. Leap’s Prolific wheat, pro¬ 
duced here on our fertile Lancaster County soils, put 
through our thorough cleaning plants, will stool out strongly, 
root deeply, and produce a good bunch of stalks from each 
grain. Leap’s Prolific stands rough farming. Responds 
with big yields to careful culture and fertilization. Has 
succeeded on all sorts of soils—it has now been given fair 
trial for several seasons on highland, lowland, limestone, 
gravel, slate and clay soils, and seems equally at home on 
all of tliein.^ The undersigned has distributed hundreds of 
thousands of bushels of winter seed wheat—twenty or more 
varieties, all of merit—and believes Leap’s Prolific entitled 
to the first place as a hardy, vigorous and prolific variety. 
Sped we offer you was harvested amf in the barns before reeent 
rains. Is absolutely dry—sound in germination—cleaned clean. Free 
from cockle, rye, cheat, garlic, smut, scab and disease. Was grown 
on tiie famous Lancaster County wheat soils with greatest care, 
especially for seed purposes. Is now packed in good cotton hags, 
ready for shipment direct to farmers the day orders are received. 
When the Leap’s Prolific you order roaches you, examine it. If it 
does not suit you, send it back. We will refund your money and pay 
round-trip freight. We could not afford to make this offer if our 
Leap’s Prolific was not first-class seed. This paper would not print 
this ad. if they did not know we can back it up. 
(Bags free). 1 to 14 bu. at $3.69 bu.; 15 to 49 bu. 
* at $3.50 bu.; 50 bu. and over at $3.40 bu. Note that 
bags are froo, and wo pay the freight on orders of 5 bu. or over to 
any railroad station in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, 
Maryland, Virginia. West Virginia. Delaware, Connecticut and' Massa¬ 
chusetts. Customers not in freight paid territory may deduct 18c per 
bushel from above prices of seed when they order 5 bu. or more—this 
to help pay their freight charges. Send cash with order, your cheek 
will be acceptable. Order today. This ad. appears only once. 
A. H. Hoffman, Inc. 
Box 15 
Ilead of 
Leap's Prolific 
Landisville, Lancaster County, Pa. 
LIMING PAYS 
And it pays best when you Lime with 
Annville Snow Flake Hydrated Lime 
as it is almost 100 % pure and is high in Car- 
lsjnate of Lime. Insist on having it. If you 
can’t get It from your agent, write us direct 
for prices. In order to get the best results from 
Fertilizers or Manure, you must sweeten the 
soil and give the Bacterial a chance, ns a Sour 
Soil won’t digest the Plant Food in the Fertilizer 
or Manure to the best advantage for the growing 
crop. If your soil contains so much acid that 
the Bacteria in the Soil is weakened, that is 
why you must Lime heavily to get a good catch 
of Alfalfa or Clover, as this gives the Bacteria 
a chance. While we have our money invested 
in Fertilizer as well ns Lime, until you correct 
fiiat. Soil Acidity on your farm we would advise 
the use of Lime, as we won’t give as good re¬ 
sults ns on a Healthy Soil; and we want our 
Fertilizer to be used under the best conditions. 
THE READING CHEMICAL CO. 
AMERICAN CASUALTY BLDG. READING. PENNA. 
P. S.—A minimum carload is 18 tons. Use 
from 500 to 1,000 lbs. to the acre. 
Jge Ej bS !Oft> 
Wire Mesh 
Tree Guards 
insure protection against 
gnawing or girdling of 
trees by rabbits, mice and 
other rodents. Strong and 
sturdy: heavily galvan¬ 
ized to prevent rust; easily 
set up or removed; eco¬ 
nomical-cost ing little an d 
lasting for years. All sizes 
Write /or Catalog /? 
CLINTON-WRIGHT WIRE CO- 
Worcester, Mau. 
SCOTT’S ROSEN RYE 
We have some extra quality Rosen Rye at a special price. 
Will be glad to send sample of this or wheat. Ask lor catalug 
O. M. SCOTT & SONS CO. 
115 Main Street Marysville, Ohio 
STRAWBERRY PLANTS 
For August and Fall planting. Pot-grown and run¬ 
ner plants that will bear fruit next summer. Pot grown 
plants ready now; runner plants early in September. Also 
RASPBERRY. BLACKBERRY, OOOSKBKKKV, CURIUM, 
(!RACK, ASPARAGUS, RHUBARB, PARSLEY PLANTS; FRUIT 
AX1> ORNAMENTAL HIKES, AND SHRUBS for fall planting. 
Catalogue free. HARRY L- SQUIRES, GoodjGroand, N.Y. 
RUSSIAN PITKUS RYE fSfe 
1 to 5 bn., S2.25 per bn. Over 5 bn., S2.00, Bagged. 
Sample for stamp. CL0VERDALE FARM. Charlotte, N. Y. 
ForSale- Longlsland SEED CORN 
J. CODDINGTON, - Glen Head, L. I. 
For Sale—Recleaned SEED RYE 
W. S. FORD <Sc SON - llartly, Delaware 
Seed Wheat, RED WAVE, beardless, .straw- 
long, stiff, ripens mid-season. Largo yiclder. $3.U0 
per bu.. bags included. Write for sample 
RED HILL FA KM Bridgeport, Pa. 
VETf'll 0,,r own rown HARDY WINTEll VETCH 
Wtl wn A, VAN VRANKETS SONS, RtXFORO, N. Y 
D'NQril D VC _Our own growing. *2.25 ;>er bu., bags in 
I1JOLH eluded. J. H. F0RELL, Sears, Mich 
Apple BARRELS 
oiiguly seasoned material. HURT. CULLIES, Median. >. Y. 
Farm Superintendents and Foremen 
Teamsters. Poultrymen, married ancVsingle; Farm 
Hands. We have good positions on private estates 
in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut states 
listed continually. Good pay for good men whose 
v Terences can be investigated. FARMERS'BUREAU. Inc., 
150 Nassau St. and 47 W. 42nd St., New York City (Agency) 
FARM PRINTING* ri00 Letterheads and Envelopes, $ 5 , 
I Mil III f III II I I Uf ■ p- ( , - lid (.'notations on any printing 
furnished. CHATHAM COURIER CO., Chatham, N. Y. 
Superior ROOT Cutters 
Cut Fast and Easy 
They cut any kina' of 
roots or pumpkins in tiie 
finest possible shape for 
feeding. 
Made for band or 
power and with Electric 
Motor attached. 
If not at your dealer’s 
write us. Place your 
order early. 
SUPERIOR CHURN & MFG. CO. 
kRBI UBox:4S4, Northvilla, Mich. .. ,, mm 
