Ihe  RURAL  NEW-YORKER 
921 
General  Farm  Topics 
A  New  Idea  in  Scarecrows 
I  have  made  a  scarecrow  that  really 
does  scare  not  only  crows,  but  wood¬ 
chucks  and  squirrels — only  it’s  not  so 
good  for  little  birds.  They  get  used  to 
it,  but  I  keep  changing  it  a  bit. 
It  is  an  aluminum  pie  plate,  10  cents, 
with  a  hole  punched  near  the  inside  edge 
in  the  bottom.  Through  that,  a  bit  of 
copper  wire  runs  loosely  by  which  it  is 
hung  on  a  crosspiece  fixed  to  a  pole. 
Just  above  the  pie  plate  there  is  a  loop 
twisted  in  the  copper  wire  and  a  piece 
of  telegraph  wire  about  a  foot  and  a 
half  long  is  passed  through  the  loop,  and 
twisted  so  it  won’t  slip.  This  is  bent 
into  two  tines  or  arms  just  long  enough 
to  reach  the  bottom  of  the  pie  plate.  The 
copper  wire  is  connected  with  the  cross¬ 
piece  by  a  'bit  of  good  twine. 
When  the  little  breezes  blow,  the  plate 
revolves  and  twists  the  string  so  that  it 
keeps  the  pie  plate  revolving  and  swing¬ 
ing.  The  wire  arms  tap  against  the  pie 
plate,  and  the  light  glances  off  the  bright 
aluminum.  It’s  never  still.  It  stirs  and 
glitters  so  that  it  looks  as  if  it  were 
just  going  to  jump  at  you,  and  the  wire 
taps  on  it  as  it  swings  and  makes  a 
mysterious  jingle.  I  vary  it  by  tying  a 
shipping  tag  somewhere  on  it,  so  that  it 
looks  different  each  week. 
It  is  at  “Free  Acres”  near  Berkley 
Heights,  N.  J.,  where  anyone  can  come 
and  see  it. 
Here's  a  rude  sketch  of  it.  Of  course 
it  could  be  used  to  make  the  head  of  a 
coat  scarecrpw,  but  I  have  not  found 
that  necessary.  bolton  hall. 
Electrifying  the  Garden 
How  about  electrifiers  in  the  garden? 
Has  anyone  tried  them  out  yet?  I  have 
four  %-in.  by  20  ft.  galvanized  pipes  set 
up  at  equidistant  parts  of  a  75x80  ft. 
garden,  with  copper  wire  brush  at  top  of 
each.  I  put  them  out  last  Spring  and 
had  a  fine  garden ;  everything  is  doing 
well  this  year,  and  soil  is  more  friable 
and  mellow.  But  other  folks  say  I  am 
crazy  when  I  suggest  that  the  poles  are 
responsible.  C. 
Youngstown,  O. 
We  have  had  several  notes  about  these 
electrifiers.  They  are  simply  metal  rods, 
pur  about  2  ft.  into  the  ground,  and  some 
over  10  ft.  high.  At  the  top  of  these 
metal  rods  little  strands  of  copper  wire 
spread  out  like  a  rosette.  The  theory  is 
that  this  outfit  takes  small  charges  of 
electricity  out  of  the  air  and  carries  the 
current  down  into  the  soil,  and  that  this 
form  of  electrifying  stimulates  the  soil 
into  new  activity  and  has  some  effect  in 
making  plant  food  available.  It  has  been 
tried  in  gardens,  and  also  in  fruit  or¬ 
chards.  In  these  orchards  the  rods  are 
placed  close  to  the  trees ;  in  fact,  the  rod 
runs  up  from  the  ground  through  the 
branches.  Apparently  no  one  has  been 
able  actually  to  prove  any  great  advan¬ 
tage  from  the  use  of  these  rods,  but  sev¬ 
eral  of  our  reporters  feel  sure  that  their 
crops  have  been  benefited.  So  far  as  we 
know  there  has  not  been  any  actual 
scientific  experiment  to  determine  the 
matter,  but  a  number  of  practical  men 
who  have  used  the  rods  in  the  orchard 
feel  sure  that  trees  have  made  a  better 
growth  and  given  a  finer  crop  of  fruit  as 
the  result  of  this  electrifying.  That  is 
about  all  that  may  be  said  for  the  process 
at  this  time.  Personally  we  think  from 
our  reports  that  there  are  possibilities  in 
tbe  matter,  but  we  are  unable  to  give  any 
definite  figures  to  prove  the  statement. 
We  think  it  would  pay  our  scientific  men 
to  carry  definite  experiments  through  to 
a  final  result. 
Black  Soil 
The  editorial  on  page  832  brings  up -a 
question  on  which  I  have  been  tempted 
to  write  ever  since  I  came  to  this  part 
of  the  country. 
For  years  I  have  heard  of  the  mar¬ 
velous  richness  of  the  black  soil  of  the 
upper  Mississippi  Valley  region,  and  com¬ 
pared  them  with  the  results  we  could  ob¬ 
tain  on  clay  and  dune  sand  in  Western 
New  York.  It  is  putting  it  very  mildly 
to  say  that  I  was  disappointed  when  I 
actually  saw  the  country.  Early  in  July, 
1921,  I  traveled  by  train.  New  York  Cen¬ 
tral,  Lake  Shore,  across  Northern  Indi¬ 
ana,  and  it  remains  in  mind  as  some  of 
the  most  desolate  looking  country  I  have 
seen.  Pastures  were  brown.  In  many  cf 
them  the  cattle  seemed  to  have  destroyed 
every  green  thing,  leaving  only  the  bare 
earth.  The  cornfields  were  thin  and  yel¬ 
low,  quite  different  from  the  dark  green 
of  the  corn  on  our  dune  sand  in  New 
York  the  next  day.  In  two  trips,  August 
and  October,  1922,  I  traveled  diagonally 
across  Illinois  from  Chicago  to  Alton 
and  down  the  Mississippi  about  50  miles 
below  St.  Louis.  In  all  that  distance  I 
did  not  see  a  field  of  corn  better  than  we 
raise  every  year  on  “very  poor”  land  in 
New  York. 
I  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that 
there  are  two  type  of  “black  soil”  in  the 
Middle  States.  There  is  a  small  amount, 
which  probably  increases  southward,  of 
soil  which  we  Call  muck  in  New  York. 
When  properly  handled,  and,  especially, 
when  large  amounts  of  fertilizer,  and 
lime,  if  necessary,  are  used,  this  soil  will 
produce  immense  crops.  The  other  is  the 
common  “black  soil.”  It  is  a  light-col¬ 
ored  clay,  very  tough,  subject  to  terrible 
baking,  colored  black  by  the  charcoal 
from  centuries  of  prairie  fires.  If  fire  is 
kept  off  and  very  large  amounts  of  humus 
added,  it  makes  good  soil,  but  in  its 
natural  state  is  far  inferior  to  the  “worn- 
out  soils”  of  the  East,  except  for  making 
bricks.  It  produces  some  of  the  best  pav¬ 
ing  bricks  in  the  world. 
It  seems  to  be  the  earnest  desire  of 
everyone  in  this  part  of  the  world  to  pre¬ 
vent  an  accumulation  of  humus  in  the 
soil.  Practically  everyone  burns  over  all 
waste  places  as  often  as  possible.  Lawns 
are  raked  clean,  the  clippings  fed  to  the 
chickens  or  sent  to  the  dump,  and  sheep 
manure,  at  more  than  $100  a  ton,  pur¬ 
chased  to  make  the  grass  grow.  The  back 
part  of  my  city  lot  has  been  in  lawn  or 
garden  for  about  35  years  since  it  was 
a  farm.  When  dry  it  is  hard  as  a  brick, 
and  when  a  light  rain  has  fallen  it  is  as 
sticky  as  good  brick  clay.  It  will  take 
years  to  make  really  good  garden  soil  of 
it.  ALFRED  C.  WEED. 
Illinois. 
Wormy  Apples  on  the  Pacific  Coast 
I  was  much  interested  in  the  article  on 
page  767,  “Wormy  Apples  on  the  Pacific 
Coast,”  as  it  is  the  only  comment  from 
the  East  on  the  fruit  growing  conditions 
of  the  Pacific  Northwest  that  rings  true. 
It  is  indeed  true  that  the  fruit  growers 
here  have  their  share  of  trouble  with  the 
pests  met  with  by  orchardists  everywhere. 
Eternal  vigilance  is  the  price  of  success 
in  growing  the  fine  apples  here  that  find 
their  way  into  the  Eastern  markets.  We 
do  not  grow  fruit  extensively,  but  we 
have  watched  this  work  on  some  of  the 
large  commercial  orchards  in  the  Rogue 
River  and  Hood  River  valleys,  and  will 
say  that  it  would  certainly  be  a  revela¬ 
tion  to  the  Easterner  to  see  with  what 
great  care  those  apples  that  are  to  be 
shipped  to  the  Eastern  market  are  trad¬ 
ed  and  packed.  Not  over  35  per  cent  of 
the  entire  apple  crop  destined  for  this 
market  pass  inspection. 
It  has  taken  the  fruit  growers  here  a 
long,  long  time  to  build  up  their  present 
trade  in  New  York  and  other  large  cities 
in  the  East  by  rigid  grading  and  costly 
advertising,  and  they  are  wise  enough  not 
to  undo  all  this  by  carelessness  in  grad¬ 
ing. 
The  picture,  Fig.  285,  showing  a  pile  of 
cull  apples  in  Washington,  is  a  common 
sigh:  not  only  in  that  State,  but  Oregon 
also.  This  rigid  grading  of  fruit  applies 
also  to  prunes,  cherries  and  berries.  The 
Loganberry  has  gained  a  nation-wide  rep¬ 
utation  for  its  fine  appearance,  mostly 
through  careful  grading.  The  Loganberry 
crop  for  1923  will  be  the  best  in  quality 
and  largest  in  point  of  production  ever 
grown  in  Oregon.  Indeed,  it  has  been 
an  ideal  season  for  all  fruits  on  the  Pa¬ 
cific  coast.  WESLEY  RAY. 
Oregon. 
Roofs  that  Increase 
the  Value  of  Your  Farm — 
Midsummer.  Roads  full  of  pasiers-by.  As  they  drive 
along,  what  kind  of  an  impression  does  your  place  make 
on  them  ? 
Attractive,  substantial  Barrett  Roofs  on  well-painted 
buildings  give  your  farm  an  unmistakable  air  of  prosperity 
that  increases  your  respect  for  yourself  and  the  respect  of 
others  for  you. 
Besides,  some  day  you  may  want  to  sell.  If  your  house 
and  farm  buildings  are  covered  with  Barrett  Roofings, 
you’ll  find  that  the  value  of  your  property  is  appreciably 
increased.  A  Barrett  Roof  is  just  as  much  a  mark  of  qual¬ 
ity  construction  as  hardwood  floors  and  modern  plumbing. 
For  almost  three-quarters  of  a  century  The  Barrett 
Company  has  been  recognized  as  the  leading  manufacturer 
of  roofing  and  roof  materials  in  America.  This  fact  has  a 
definite  meaning  to  every  man  who  buys  roofings,  for  in 
this  age  of  keen  competition  only  leadership  that  is  based 
upon  high  quality  products,  honest  prices,  and  fair  deal¬ 
ing,  could  remain  so  long  unquestioned. 
In  every  way  the  roofings  described  below  measure  up 
to  the  Barrett  standard.  It  is  sound  judgment  to  invest  in 
things  that  have  proved  their  worth.  It  pays  to  be  sure 
the  Barrett  label  is  on  the  roofing  you  buy. 
Send  for  This  Interesting  Book — It’s  Free 
“  Barrett  Handbook  for  Home  Owners  and  the  Farm¬ 
er  ”  describes  the  right  roof  for  your  home,  barn  or  other 
steep-roof  building.  Shows  how  Barrett  Roofings  look 
when  laid  and  tells  about  each  in  detail.  Also  describes 
other  useful  Barrett  Products  that  will  save  you  money. 
ROOFINGS 
Your  Choice  of  Six  Styles 
Everlastic  Giant  Shingle*. 
These  “Giants”  for  wear 
and  service  are  handsome 
enough  for  the  expensive 
home,  economical  enough 
for  small  farm  house  or  cot¬ 
tage.  Their  weather  side  is 
mineral-surfaced  in  beautiful 
shades  of  red,  green,  or 
blue-black.  This  fadeless 
mineral  surface  resists  fire 
and.  never  needs  painting. 
Their  base  is  extra  heavy 
roofing-felt  thoroughly  water¬ 
proofed.  Because  of  this  ex¬ 
tra  thick,  extra-rigid  base, 
these  shingles  can  be  laid 
right  over  the  old  roof — a 
big  saving  on  reroofing  jobs. 
Size  8  x  12J4  inches.  .  Are 
laid  easily  and  without 
waste. 
Everlastic  Single  Shingles 
Mineral-surfaced  in  red, 
green,  or  blue-black.  Base 
of  best  grade  roofing-felt. 
These  shingles  are  staunchly 
weatherproof,  fire  -  resisting 
and  need  no  painting.  Size 
8x12^4  inches. 
Everlastic 
Smooth-Surfaced  Roofing 
The  most  popular  of  plain¬ 
surfaced  roll  roofings.  Made 
of  best  grade  roofing-felt, 
thoroughly  saturated  with 
high-grade  waterproofing  ma¬ 
terial.  Under  surface  is 
protected  by  rot-proof  seal- 
back.  Tough,  pliable,  elas¬ 
tic,  durable,  and  low  in  price. 
Easy  to  lay.  Nails  and  ce¬ 
ment  in  each  roll. 
Everlastic 
Mineral-Surfaced  Roofing 
A  beautiful  and  enduring 
roll  roofing.  Mineral-sur¬ 
faced  in  red,  green,  or  blue- 
black.  Has  rot-proof  seal- 
back.  Nails  and  cement  in 
each  roll.  Very  popular  for 
bungalows,  cottages,  garages 
and  all  farm  buildings. 
Everlastic  Multi-Shingles 
Four  shingles  to  a  strip. 
Mineral  -  surfaced  in  red, 
green,  or  blue-black.  Two 
sizes — 10  inches  and  12} 4 
inches  deep,  both  32  inches 
long.  The  12}4-inch  Multi- 
Shingle,  laid  4  inches  to  the 
weather,  gives  three-ply  roof 
— the  10-inch  gives  two-ply 
roof. 
Everlastic 
Octagonal  Strip  Shingles 
The  latest  in  strip  shin¬ 
gles.  Mineral-surfaced  in 
red,  green,  or  blue-black.  Af¬ 
ford  novel  designs  by  inter¬ 
changing  red  strips  with 
green,  or  red  strips  with 
blue-black. 
Ask  your  dealer  or  write  us 
40  Rector  Street  New  York  City 
T  the  barritt  company,  limited,  2021  St.  Hubert  St.,  Montreal,  Quebec,  Canada 
