~ iM r é, 4 A de eich i) ae ‘ ‘, Sah 4 Lg dehy) hae ae ie a dh etm ‘ : A: >. * pps as 4 ae CAS r rT UP oe eh OIYA Ie Be a | ) Dy Ad ASS; f ‘4 of the Land 2° R A call to Long Island ‘wy 8 y Gi ; ; mn : > ear A Fite | ie oi ae ie d ape TA Bis +9hei" : 7 "1 x ae es . 7 . . » A A teNG2 - iu Loa M Eyteede ‘Spy in a> eae ’ Cea & The Homestead at No. 1 in the Summer of 1906 “Peace and Plenty” Cottage. “Weace and Jplenty” The Lure of the Land (THIRD EDITION) The History of a Market-Garden and Dairy Plot developed within eight months upon Long Island’s Idle Territory, long designated as “Scrub Oak Waste,” and ‘Pine Barrens” Being a true story of the work carried on by the Long Island Railroad Co. at Experimental Stations Numbers One and Two, to which in the Second Edition was added the Aftermath, bringing the story from September, Nineteen Five, to September, Nineteen Nine W \ (9 By EDITH LORING, F ULLERTON Author of ““How to Make’a V egetable Garden” Editor of “The Long Island Agronomist” wW Published by Long Island Railroad Company Long Island, New York 1911 a4) i Je ) ., si » @ atone ee el y * Copyright, 1906-1909-1911 Long Island Railroad Company TRANSFERRED FROm GOPYRIGNT OF rice ek. FEB 19 1212 4 4 3.5 Preface to Second Edition ue large first edition of the “Lure of the Land” has been exhausted for some time. As requests for the book come with nearly every mail, the manage- ment of the railroad has decided to issue another edition. There have been no changes in the book beyond the correction of typographical errors, obscure points made more definite, and the addition of one chapter entitled “After- math,” which tells of the further success of the Long Island Railroad Company’s Experimental Station No. 1, and a brief outline of the development and equally great success of its Experimental Station No. 2. I wish here to thank the many people from many climes who have written me such delightful letters of appreciation, and to those whom the “Lure of the Land” really lured to Long Island, I wish God Speed. Edith Loring Fullerton. October 24th, 1909. “Prosperity Farm” Long Island Railroad Company’s Experimental Station, No. 2 Medford, Long Island P. S. (A Woman’s Acknowledged Privilege). I cannot resist adding a word regarding this reprint of the second edition which has been made necessary by continued requests. The buildings referred to in the final pages are now completed and the plans have become a reality. A hearty welcome awaits all who care to come and see us. Summer, Nineteen Eleven. eal be “Scrub Oak Waste,” the raw material, 1905 | Foreword W HEN Mr. Ralph Peters became President of the Long Island Railroad, his inspection tours of the Island showed him much to be done, and most forcibly was brought before him the fact that the vast acreage of idle land, especially in Suffolk County (the easterly half of Many thrifty produce farms, dotted here and there in the midst of this wilderness, together with the vast quantity and high quality of vegetables and fruit grown in the section, showed plainly that the land now lying idle, much of it untaxed because it had been burned over so often, could be developed | | | ae ale } the Island) must be developed for its own sake and for that of its railroad. { ; Cy cd | into market gardens, fruit orchards, vineyards and dairies. As “the proof of the pudding is in the eating,” and as practical demonstration is vastly superior to written statements, the President determined to establish Experimental Stations at various points on the Island and give to the public the results of the work; the object being to prove that the unde- veloped territory of Long Island, for years designated as “Scrub Oak Waste” or “Pine Barrens” was maligned, and would, when given the opportunity, produce good crops of high quality. The work of this development was given into Mr. Fullerton’s hands, and I, being favored beyond most women, have been his “‘full partner’’ in the intensely interesting and valuable work. It has included the daily records of not only ordinary farm operations, but details of victory or shipping; the growing of all valuable vegetables native to the temperate zone, as well as many from China, Japan and the Southern States, never before grown in this latitude; the receiving and entertaining of many distinguished ‘‘ Foreign” guests as well as the Island neighbors and workers, investigators and | defeat in the fight with injurious insects and diseases, the quantity of crops gathered, their packing and | experts in the tilling of the soil. } It includes a daily weather report, made with tested Government thermometers and rain gauge, and conducted under Government regulations; together with the photographie record of every step of the work. These records have at all times been open to the public and have been inspected by eminent I h agriculturists in both National and State employ, editors of many agricultural periodicals, besides _ laymen in various callings. | 2 ; 7 i The frequent criticism of the Farm has been that a man of small means could not go and do like-— wise. That is an unfair and unjust criticism. We have accomplished in one year what a man may take several in doing; there is nothing from the simple five-roomed portable house to the 5,000 gallon — tank that a man in moderate circumstances cannot have, and if his means warrant he may have much more than the Experimental Station posse PON Cees eat In proving that this land could raise $380 varieties of plant growth, the income from crops was” materially cut down because this meant small plots of a variety. It has paid Long Island in giving it an agricultural impetus already beneficial. It will show a man who is launching in this new business just how much produce of each certain type was raised on a given space; it has paved the way for hit made some of his mistakes for him against which he will guard, and given him the encouragement the beginner sorely needs. Giving to the public these proofs of the land’s fertility in two County Fairs has materially reduced the Farm’s income, for the greater part of the force was for three weeks taken from_ regular operations that the showing might be as complete and attractive as possible. It has been said, “Oh, of course the Railroad hauls everything free of charge for its own Farm. How can you tell what it would cost an outsider?” The Farm has paid freight and express on all its products, both to and from the Farm and knows just what it would cost another man to do the same thing. It has lived the “simple life” as far as was possible with the educational work it was created to— accomplish. All supplies were as cheap as true economy would permit, for nothing is cheap that does not wear well. ‘ In brief, the Farm stands to-day on its first birthday where many men would place it in ten years or even a lifetime. That others may do likewise, or even exceed the results in the same brief space of time, goes without saying; that is simply a matter of personal equation. EDITH LORING FULLERTON September 7th, 1906 “Peace and Plenty” Long Island Railroad Co.'s Experimental Station No. 1 Wading River, Long Island The “Junior Partner” blowing stumps by battery Selection and Clearing Ww ARLY in August, 1905, the following message came from Mr. Peters: “Find the worst 10 acres on the North Shore upon which to establish Experimental Station No. 1.” “Why does he vant the worst piece?” I at once asked. “Because he don’t want everyone to say, ‘O, well, you have known the Island for years and of course you could pick up the very best piece there was anywhere.’ ” ; » “TI see—and how are you going to prove to the dear public that it was the worst piece after we get through with it?” *O, I have a little scheme up my sleeve,” replied the Senior Partner, and I was fully satisfied, for little schemes up his sleeve always grow larger as they come down and positively burst as they drop out. We traveled the ‘‘ Mountain Division,” as the North Shore branch is lovingly termed, for many ‘days. Our project seemed doomed, for no one would sell a paltry ten acres; talk about hundreds or thousands or whole farms and they might listen (but now that is all changed). Finally two plots were located, one at Rocky Point of the desired area, and one at Wading River of 18 acres. Rocky Point had some very fine standing trees, while the Wading River plot was a slice out of the most desolate burned over “‘waste” mind can picture. Scarcely a live standing tree except along the northern boundary and the northeast corner, and these were scarred and charred second and third growth oak and chestnut. Photographs were taken of both plots and submitted to the President. We told him that the native Long Islanders assured us that the Wading River plot was the “‘no goodest”’ piece of land to be found. “How much soil will we find?” we had queried, and they replied: “Well, if you find six inches you'll be doing well. Besides that it’s cold and it’s sour.” On August 19 word came that the Wading River plot had been purchased, and on the 23rd the preliminaries had been settled and we could start work at once. O, days of our Forefathers! Start work in the wilderness a mile and a half from a drink of water and as good as a thousand miles from anything else. But there is no greater joy on earth than making something out of nothing and no keener joy to the masculine partner than to be allowed the privilege of demonstrating that the so-called “‘waste lands” of the Island he so dearly loves are productive. Next came conferences in regard to clearing. One thing was certain, the money expended was as far as possible to be placed in the hands of Long Islanders. Second, the method of clearing must be the most rapid possible, for Fall was coming fast and crops must be produced the following Summer. It was not our purpose to cut off the trees and brush and allow the stumps to remain six years to rot; nor was it our purpose to attempt to raise partial crops in the stump land, tearing the life and heart out of man, beast and harness, and profiting but little. Thirdly, as the scheme of “‘ten acres is enough” for a market garden, what should be done with the remaining eight? ‘‘Make it into an experimental dairy and prove that this land is capable of producing forage just as well to-day as it did a hundred years ago.” 9 By this time August had passed, and we were still vainly seeking help. Finally on September 1 we started out from our home town, Huntington, with the efficient aid of one colored coachman, who decided that it would be fun to go with us and sent word to his employer that he would not be home that day. (This we learned later, for we would not intentionally have robbed our neighbors). We were armed with an ax, bush scythe, whetstone, snathe and, last but not least, the lunch basket. We arrived at the scene of desolation about mid-morning. Frank was started to work in the northwest corner, while we went about among the good trees, tying white rags on the ones to be spared the woodman’s ax. It was evident the house plot must be at the northeast corner, for we hold firmly to the belief that in clearing land some trees should be left standing for shade about the home and that a person building a house in the broiling, baking sun and then planting young trees around it is short-sighted indeed and loses the best part of a lifetime waiting for them to grow. As a rule the farmer's wife and the house take the dregs of the thought and planning expended, and we made up our minds that the feminine portion of this farmer's household should have some shade and beauty from the earliest days of settlement. ‘ "By careful choosing and much planning, a grove of unmutilated or only slightly burned trees was left in front of the house site, a few trees indicated the road, and a smaller grove to the south of the house site gave slight protection (or should I say future promise of protection) from the hot Summer sun; it also furnished an excellent place for locating the chicken house and yard. The next day we succeeded in getting four men, two colored and two white: Frank and his friend Steve. while the others came from Huntington and Wading River, respectively. It was an interesting day, while two lunch baskets replaced the one of the day previous. Was this pioneering? “Prank, get in here with that bush scythe and trim out this plot where the house is to go,” said the Senior Partner. “Yas, sir,”’ said Frank, whose smile I am sure will never come off as long as his facial elasticity remains. A few strokes and the exclamation, ‘‘Golly, dis year sweet fern and huckleberry am hard cuttin’.” “ Well, suppose you sharpen the scythe up and see how she goes.” “All right, Boss, speck dat mought be a good idea.” “Say, there, George, what are you doing cutting down trees like that; didn’t I tell you not to touch anything until I gave the word, that tree was part of the drive and the only chestnut I had; all right”’—as a dubious expression came over his face—‘‘you get to work trimming up these felled trees and cutting what is good into cord wood.” And then we sat down together and wept over our lost chestnut. “Never mind, you know a cherry tree would be much better than a chestnut,” I said. “Well, maybe it would, but I wanted that chestnut.” “Look at Steve, does he think this is Broadway, he’s wearing gloves and, my gracious, patent leathers also! Great woodmen these. No wonder Westerners call it the effete East.” “Yes, but look at the Captain, he can everlastingly cord wood, and no lost motion.” The next day there was added to our “gang” “ Bijah” and “Tootsie” and “* Rayme,” who was familiarly known as the * Pahson,” while a few more individuals of colorless character but strong on complexion completed the “gang.” Their dinner was a sumptuous meal: coffee, boiled in true woodman fashion, sandwiches galore, bananas and cake. They decided staying right there and clearing up the whole ten acres was just what they were looking for; that coincided with our desires, so they remained. We found that as evening approached the “call of the curbstone” and street lamp was upon them, so they decided to walk to the ** Port,” as Port Jefferson is fondly termed. This they did, covering the twelve miles on the railroad tracks in due and ancient form, and the return twelve miles were negotiated by dawn. Next day work was not so brisk, but it was some time before we discovered the reason. But there was “a grouch on” and complaints started. “Misr Fullerton, we all ain’t gittin’ ‘nough to eat. Dis year san’wich diet ain’t no food fo’ a working man.” “Well, boys, why don’t you appoint a cook and caterer, surely one of you can get up a meal. You have talked enough about being good axmen, you ought to know how to live out of doors.” So the “Pahson” was made chef. Next day a sumptuous meal was in readiness at noon, in fact a trifle before, soup, meat-stew, succotash, pie and cake. The usual result of a hearty midday meal was soon visible, each man wanted to lie down and go to sleep. Then and there we held a conference. The Islanders must be replaced by the manual mainstay of civilization; the sons of Sunny Italy must be secured. In the meantime it was decided to remove the stumps by dynamite, as trying to yank them out by pullers or by mattock and plow was both slow and brutal; as for the ordinary custom of allowing nature to work six years at the stumps and gradually eliminate them in part by decay was not worthy of consideration. Dynamiter Kissam of Hhintington was engaged to do the blowing. He is a man of calm and serene temperament, steady and careful at work, and to be fully trusted. With the approach of his coming, the “up sleeve’ scheme appeared. The editors of all the big New York and Brooklyn daily papers and many editors of the prominent magazines were to be invited to the spot to see the first stump blown out \ good dozen of them made the trip on September 6 and Dynamiter Kissam greeted them with asalute. The first stump was blown, shattered to bits and the ground pulverized, leaving a hole thirty inches deep and, marvelous to relate, every bit of it beautiful rich brown soil with no sign of sand or gravel. The six-inch theory went up with the stump. ) It was an interested and interesting party of men, Some of them decided to travel as far north- The start: assorted native help eGR i Prk Dynamiters and. well-drillers at lunch ward as they could go, others retreated in utter confusion, while some remained the safe 200 feet from the explosion. The universal verdict, however, was that they “would not undertake the task of making that wilderness into a market garden for any money,” and “we certainly had picked out the worst piece of land ever.” They wished us joy of the experiment. ; . By this time the “gang” of woodmen had increased to eight, and some of their experiences were very funny. 7 ~ When the charges had been placed and the usual warning signal, “fire!” given, both negroes and white men would fall over themselves to get out of the county; which was decidedly unnecessary, for the explosions were always kept well away from the workmen. Shortly after the arrival of the dynamiter came Lorenzo Balzarano, a “ Corporale” or Italian boss, to look over the work to be done and receive instructions, that he might pick men best suited to the work in hand. He was a big fellow with a good face and a “job lot” of English in his possession. He remained over night, when the following interesting incident happened. It came to us from the Dyna- miter. One of the colored men being much infatuated with the cornet, and in fact, a village virtuoso, — had taken his instrument into the wilds and made night hideous with his attempts at imitations of — Levy. ” Lorenzo, whose name is shortened and Americanized to “Larry,” asked if he might try the bugle. This portended huge fun for the superior American, so the instrument was gleefully handed over to the man they called the “‘dago.” Larry made some noises even more startling than Steve’s, and amid much laughter they endeavored to teach him the approved method of blowing. Larry made strenuous efforts and finally, rising to his full height and throwing out his chest, filled the air with the most beautiful musical calls, running from the thrilling call for a cavalry charge, through all the war horseman’s life, to the last honors given a fallen hero. Never bad they heard a professional cornetist strike every note more clearly or with the fervor that only the Latin blood possesses. All the American and many foreign army calls were rendered before the men realized that the joke was on them. “Where did you learn them, Larry?” the Dynamiter inquired. ““Me in Emperor’s bodyguard. Me boss bugler,”’ he calmly responded. The next day Larry, his brother, Antonio Monteforte (a half-brother, evidently), who came in the capacity of timekeeper, and 18 other Sunny Sons arrived, when the natives were very glad to depart to places of beds and indoor meals, sidewalks and continuous half-holidays. The question of housing the men while at work was a matter that early came up for consideration. A shanty is the usual solution, while tents might be adopted, or the unsanitary “dug out” mar the landscape. ‘The former was entirely too ugly to suit our tastes; it also was expensive and useless when the men were through with it. Tents were rather too airy, as we knew the work would continue until freezing weather and perhaps well into the winter. We “‘passed” on the “‘dug out.” The ideal as well as the practical was something that would be of use after the work of clearing was completed, and for that purpose we decided upon ‘“‘condemned” freight cars. They cost but $10, the railroad being glad to get rid of them (a later sale by a big trunk line placed the market price at $1.00 each), while the hauling and placing cost about $15. For $25 we had a well-built, permanent, and the warmest and coolest (because lined with air space) chicken house one could possibly secure. A second car (for two were found necessary when the Italians arrived), which we planned ultimately to make into a hay- loft or feed-bin, was placed to the north of the location selected for the barn; so that by building a small barn directly against the car, the warmest possible place for animals would be secured. These cars were purchased and placed as soon as a clearing could be made for them, and the Italians were as happy as kings in a palace. One day a long, lanky, seedy individual arrived and asked for work; cockney English was rampant within him and he proved to be an English ‘“‘Navvy” just come over to join his wife, who had been here some time; he was cheerfully given work, but we looked for but little from him. He proved earnest and eager to learn, therefore of much promise. He started a farmer’s boy and had run the gamut of “clerk,” hostler and soldier, finishing as ’longshoreman. With the advent of Larry and his swarthy followers work began in earnest, for the native helpers had merely succeeded in clearing the house plot of trees and taking out dead and crowding underbrush in the windbreak which bounded the north and had escaped total extinction by fire. Beginning at the east line and working westward the Italians cleared out every useless tree, cutting cord-wood where any could be obtained, and burning the branches and charred trees as they went; they also cleared out all underbrush, and burnt the ground over thoroughly. The Dynamiter with his helper followed them up. This is by far the most exciting and interesting part of clearing land by modern methods. The Dynamiter prepared his charges in two ways, one for fuse ignition, the other for electric spark. The dynamite is put up in half-pound sticks, they are a little larger than an ordinary candle and are wrapped in heavy yellow paraffined paper. One folded end of this paper is opened up and a hole seer by « wooden skewer in the dynamite stick, which is plastic and resembles graham bread in color und consistency, or magnetic battery work a copper cap containing a minute quantity of fulminate of mercury, and which requires a spark to explode it, is attached to fine electric wires and sealed by sulphur; this cap is placed in the hole in the stick of dynamite and then securely tied by drawing string tightly around the paper, which was raised to admit the cap. In preparing a charge for fuse ignition, the cap is crimped on to the end of a piece of mining fuse and this is inserted in the dynamite stick and securely fastened as previously described. lhese prepared charges are placed in a basket and carried very tenderly to the stumps which have been prepared by the dynamiter’s assistant. All the work is handled very tenderly and carefully, for while there is no danger of an accident unless fire is placed near the explosive, extreme caution is used at all times. ‘To handle explosives one requires a nature serene, calm and deliberate, which Mr. lz Once a big stump; now kindling wood A little fellow ‘blown clean” i issam possesses toa marked degree, and never in all the years he has used the dynamite has he become the least bit careless, or ceased to regard it with respect. The helper has made deep oblique holes under the stump singled out for execution with a round crowbar or chisel-ended piece of pipe. This is one of the most important parts of the work. The holes should be as nearly horizontal as possible and directly under the stump, that all the explosive force may be expended on the wood and not on the earth between the dynamite and the stump, for earth acts as a cushion and the natural tendency of dynamite to exert force downward is accentuated. Small stumps up to four feet require about '% lb., while large ones, say six to eight feet in diameter, require 3 Ibs. of the explosive, which is placed in several separate holes surrounding the stump. When a stump requires separate charges, in order to secure united effort the electric spark is used, the wires attached to the sticks of dynamite are connected, and this circle of wire attached to battery wire about 200 feet long. This main wire is stretched to its limit and attached to the magneto battery. At the word “fire,” the plunger of the battery is sent home to the base, closing the circuit and sending the spark generated to the caps, thus the several sticks of dynamite are simultaneously exploded. It is a grand and wonderful sight, and | doubt if many women have had the pleasure and privilege of sending the spark to a stump of live chestnut which measured 7! feet in diameter and in an instant making of a waste place a bit of ground capable of taking its place in the world’s work and ready to grow many blades of grass where none had grown before. Fourteen fuse charges are placed under as many stumps; the method of placing, by the way, is to lower the charge into the oblique hole, press it steadily and firmly with a blunt ended stick until expanded to the full size of the crowbar hole, then fill up the hole with earth and tramp it firmly, that no explosive gases may find a loophole of escape. Each loaded stump is then marked by a stick or branch. Two men light these fuses, which are cut a thirty-second length (about a foot and a half of fuse burns this time). A match is touched to each fuse, which has been slightly opened at the end that the powder may be exposed and catch fire quickly. When the fourteen fuses are all lighted the men take to their heels and flee for their lives. They always reach a distance of 100 feet and often more, for it is the longest thirty seconds one can conceive. At the first uplifting noise and shock they glance backward, ready to dodge any kindling wood coming their way. When they have run a safe distance they turn and face the stumps, counting carefully each explosion and watching the flying pieces, that they may not be hit. Dynamiter Kissam has never had an accident, and I trust he never will. Then follows a most delightful Fourth of July firecracker exhibition on a large scale. Roots are thrown up out of sight and return to earth a hundred or more feet from the place in which they grew, while the air is filled with minute fragments of wood and powdered earth. The record for stump blowing is 130 in one day, when 84 lbs. dynamite was used. Three men can remove thoroughly one to three stumps in one day by the use of the mattock, ax and shovel. But to return to the Farm. Work pushed steadily on and as soon as a small strip was blown, the Italians came in gathering up all the stumps, roots and fragments, removing any pieces that might be loosened but not completely torn out and piling them at intervals and immediately burning them. This is a process that cannot take place when stumps are removed by any other method, for by the dig- ging process the earth must be picked and scraped from them and ultimately the stumps chopped or split in pieces before they will burn. By the method pursued the stump is burned and the ashes spread upon the ground in a few hours after they are blown out. By this process is obtained the finest kind of unleached wood ashes, nature’s best fertilizer, containing vegetable lime to “sweeten” and potash and phosphoric acid to furnish plant food. The two condemned freight cars had been placed in position and the Italians made themselves thoroughly at home. In fact, they seemed supremely happy there. Larry and Tony had partitioned off a portion of their car for a bedroom, while a “‘hot stove” was placed in the remaining portion, which served as kitchen and dining-room. The rest of the men made bunks along the walls and an “eat stove” filled their cup of happiness to overflowing. We made it a custom to say good morning and good night to every man and to learn the name of each one; they soon became bright faced, polite, eager to please and extremely faithful. In fact, each one came to us asking to go out to work there again in the Spring. As the days grew shorter they asked to be allowed to make a full day and get full pay. We were only too glad to have them do so, but didn’t see exactly how they could manage it. They were up with the first streaks of dawn and cut the dinner time down more and more, working on until it became dark. Their meals are curious and interesting: a dish of red peppers and a half a loaf of rye bread for breakfast, half a loaf of dry bread for dinner, and for supper a good pan full of macaroni and beans and tomatoes, During all the time they were there they ate no meat and were well and happy without it. Tony cut his foot badly with the ax once, but kept at work just the same. _. While the work was progressing, much thought had been expended upon the soil and its needs. There was no top soil or humus; forest fires had robbed the plot completely of this valuable element. lis worse than a pity, ‘tis unpardonable negligence on the part of landholders to neglect their fire lines. In the olden days ditches were dug around all boundaries and were kept free from dead leaves and dry matter which would carry fire. Now no one thinks either of ditching or keeping the old ditches clean, so that fires starting from a carelessly thrown match and various other causes, sweep from the Sound to the Ocean, many times utterly destroying small farms and threatening villages in their path, ! We were thoroughly convinced that the soil contained all the elements of plant food and that it was of extremely good quality. Oaks and chestnuts will not grow seven feet in diameter unless this be true; also it requires good soil to produce a forest with from 300 to 700 trees per acre, none under 18 inches in diameter. We also knew that forest land is always sour. ‘That is, it has been shaded so much, the sweetening powers of sun and air have been denied it. The fact that this piece had been l4 burned over aided a trifle, as the sun could reach the soil somewhat; further, the ashes produced from the burned stumps would help. Long Island wood ashes contain, however, but about 5% lime (the Island having no limestone upon it). Therefore, with these facts before us, it was determined to spread half a car load (or 10 tons) of old strawy manure to the acre and procure some Canada wood ashes, which contain 40% vegetable lime, for use where the soil proved too acid. The manure was ordered, five car loads, and delivered on October 3. The Italians proved their interest in the work, and their willingness and eagerness to help was never better shown than when 18 of them unloaded and cleaned two cars (nearly 60 tons) in 59 minutes. The three remaining cars were unloaded by 14 men in 244 hours. It was accomplished this way: “Larry,” said the Senior Partner, “tell the men to unload as quickly as they can and I will give them an American smoke. The railroad men say it will take three hours and I do not wish to delay the train crew so long.” “All right, Boss, we see,” The word was passed around with the above result. The box of cigars was delivered; then came the morrow. “Good morning, Larry, did the boys like the cigars?” “Yes, sir, we keep ’em, feast day.” “But, Larry, were they really good?” “Yes, sir, not so good like Italian cigar, Italian cigar stronger.” “What do you pay for yours?” “T buy fifty cigar, thirty-five cent, him very good.” **Are they American?” ““No, Boss, him come from Italy.” A team of horses with wagon, plow and driver was hired from the neighboring village of Rocky Point. First was hauled to the northern boundary all cord-wood the Italians had been able to secure when clearing the land of standing timber and underbrush preparatory to dynamiting. When this was accomplished we possessed 18 cords of rather small wood; not much for ten acres surely. October 4, Mike Cooper (American for Miguel Coperillo) began spreading manure on acre 1 and immediately plowing it in. It was our intention to sow Winter rye on as much of the land as could be prepared before cold weather prevented further work, in the hopes of having a few inches of green humus to plow under in the Spring. By this time such a hue and cry went up about the expense of using dynamite for clearing land that we had Larry pick his three best men to take stumps out by hand. We chose average stumps for them, and the best they could do was one stump each in from 2! to 314 hours and requiring the united efforts of all three to roll the root out after it was loosened. They succeeded in getting out only the bare stump, leaving all roots, large and small, to check the plow and prevent or seriously hinder culti- vation. Dynamiter Kissam, with ‘Dell’? Hawkins’ assistance, blew regularly from 75 to 110 stumps a day. The dynamite splits them so completely that they can be burned at once, and in fact one of the unwritten laws was that all stumps blown each day should be burned and the ashes spread before work stopped. The stumps taken out by hand required cleaning, splitting and drying before they could be burned; an added expense. Thus the comparison figures on 100 stumps: DYNAMITE Avera Guins. i ynamite at Loc. perdi -\. cica ss 0's wieepe nie de taps «hays ame nl $9.00 Mar Gul mperirand-ElelneRe etn ao sc ee eee shee oe Gives te Feb one elon ere 5.50 Pemrneat attics ere OOM EEE 01S nei) ayer) eM. Mess eda ay Heng oe Bie eae come eens SUG: MOORGa Swat ocs PELE OO yer. eras nitisatl cuits oaths ais -cwestnur walter rire — af —ir- “[a-——~" "SSE, San I io eine Tn Te ET eS hind MANOEL WURZEL is id — 4657 - : | ~—-— OA fis > — =| -.¢ ’ | ° | ° ; as | ° ¢ | ‘ ° | ° | | ‘iz P ! . | | 8 SON Wwe “orn VER . ° “9 | 2 | eo o 7 ] Phin *; * J SANA” NiONs 7 *s 4 $ PA ROCK + 4 | | 6 of < 4 MELon . ' “NOCULATED 4 Rtn mma Clove "ARiGates” « ’ ting nand modern utens la which en: led ee men to carry it out arry thr I l 1 1 ' il ’ The Pla ig a Spring, the Strenuous Season Ww PRING began with us when the ground, even though still hard, _ could be turned over. “* Mack,” so dubbed to prevent confusion with John Coddington, forked the lawn plots about the house— the plow had not done any work here, for the trees interfered. It was hard work and slow, but brawny muscle and encouragement prevailed. A dressing of well-rotted manure and a sowing of ashes had been spread for turning under, for we wished to lay special stress upon the grass plot. Too many new homes never have one, more’s the pity. Of course it needed raking after being turned over, and as no rakes seemed to grow in scrub oak, the Englishman turned Yankee and invented one. He took a board, drove nails through it, fastened it to a stick and proceeded to rake; Teddy, for a drag and leveler, tied a couple of cedars to a board, which answered the purpose admirably. Edward Tuddenham, or Ted, started work March 1, giving us two men. Much work on buildings was yet to be done, while two more portables of 3 and 5 rooms each were ordered; one was for the helpers, the other for our own use. This necessitated moving the seaside cottage already erected on the house plot farther west—an added expense, but one that under the circum- stances was unavoidable. The tower was still incomplete and the barn unerected. March 19 brought with it a corps of four carpenters. I quote from the Senior Partner’s diary to show that things did not go merrily all the time: “The four carpenters arrived with little to eat, nothing to cook with and nowhere to sleep. I took out of the chicken-house- car materials stored there waiting the arrival of the portable houses, set two men to work erecting bunks and tables, while the third returned to the city for food supplies.” Tt was necessary to keep the workmen there, for distances ° were so great the best portion of a day was used in traveling back and forth. Our next few days were spent in getting out orders for vegetable plants (knowing full well we could not raise all we should need), and various other “knitting work.” Receiving word that the carpenter who erected the first portable would be there to erect the others (which, by the way, had arrived), we returned to the Farm. The first thing that greeted us was the barn frame, standing about four feet above the car top and big enough for an apartment house. “For heaven’s sake,” exclaimed the Master Mind, “do you think we are going to keep giraffes? That thing is big enough for giants. Where’s the plan? We drew it and sent it in with this roof slanting south from the car roof!” The drawing was produced, a beautiful blue and white thing by expert draftsmen, but the speci- fications attached did not “‘gibe.” To say we “threw fits” draws it mildly. Three men had worked three days with second hand extra heavy timber (this is where the Pennsy was saving a few millions) and this awful nightmare stared us in the face. “It hoodoos the whole place,” I exclaimed. ‘“‘We might just as well not have worked so hard. Telephone (oh, yes, we had a telephone, every farmer should, especially if he is far from civilization and the base of supplies) to the Engineer’s Department and ask them if it can’t be altered.” A heart to heart talk with the foreman revealed the fact that his instructions were to “‘Do whatever Mr. Fullerton wants. If he says to put the roof on the ground and the floor on top, you do it.” That was sufficient for us, the roof came down in the world and later took its proper place. But March was slipping away and there were no horses, and plowing must start soon! Would that barn ever be built? The Thanksgiving cottage must be moved; for so the first one erected was named, from the fact that we took the two children and dinner under our arms and spent the day at the Farm. Dinner consisted of cold broiled chicken—the real kind that you raise yourself, not the dormant kind of city life—fried sweet potatoes, which I warmed in the little oven (this was before Mack’s family had moved in) and pumpkin pie. ‘To quote again from the diary: “The entire Fullerton family having decided that the small village plot was not sufficient in extent to allow their true Thanksgiving proper expansion, arranged to take their dinner in a basket and eat what was the first Thanksgiving dinner ever eaten, by a white man at least on Peace and Plenty Farm (this is our own pet name for the place). The little portable was warm and the drawing table supplemented by an extremely low rocker, one extremely high rush-bottomed chair, several dynamite boxes and the mattress of a cot bed, made this dinner unique in a great diversity of respects, 25 “As an appetizer, the orchard and growing rye were found remarkable, and the old car which jad once served as a refrigerator car on the once-famous Long Island-Boston milk train, now almost forgotten, gave the children an opportunity which they have longed for, of being ‘real railroad men,’ utilizing the low platform with its brake as a locomotive of express speed. “By means of an object lesson, consisting of peanut brittle, figs, velvet molasses and a very careful and lengthy explanation, the Italian gang were made at last to understand what the American Thanksgiving was about, and finally by combining Spanish with English, reward was secured and some feast day called ‘Succore’ held in Italy was discovered, this evidently being a day of similar meaning to the Italian race.” And I might add that every man jack of them later passed the door, raised his hat and said, “T’ank you, boss.” Boss to them is feminine as well as masculine. : : But to return to the march of events. Thanksgiving cottage was moved, a new one erected over the cellar, and the three-room farther west in the wind-break. We selected as much tree shelter as we could for each cottage, knowing the shade would be welcome during the heat of Summer. Shelves were put in for clothes, books, ete., while kitchen cupboards, diminutive pantries and table shelves made the kitchen arrangements of two cottages complete. We were to eat in the office — end of Thanksgiving cottage, for six of us were to sleep in the four-room ‘* Homestead.” Pruning time was here, so we sallied forth to see how our orchard fared. With fear and trembling we went over il; returned rejoicing in the fact that not a tree was dead and even this early (March 22) they showed signs of awakening. : Rain, sleet and snow now prevented outdoor work; there was plenty inside, however, and the carpenter's hammer still rang. The last day of March being clear, we set out some dormant plants about the house plot; roses, ornamental grasses, iris and such things. At home the tomatoes had grown strong and sturdy; we were giving them all the air possible to keep them stocky, and now they needed transplanting. Potted plants fruit much earlier than unpotted ones; early fruit brings the highest price: ergo, ours should be potted. John and I set to work, making the chickens’ scratching house our workshop. A case of paper pots was to our hand; some earth from the hotbed and the seedlings completed the outfit. John filled the pots, I set the plants, a whole day and they were not done yet; another half day and we had the bed’s capacity filled, 1,300 pots returned to the frame to await warmer weather for transporting. We were rather proud of that bunch. For several days they were kept well watered, shaded and cool, until the fine roots should have gained a new foothold. Cabbage and cauliflower were thriving, though not to our liking, tomatoes need heat, the others cold, so the latter were being somewhat coddled. April first and the barn not yet complete. There was only one thing to do, coax Neighbor Robin- son to rent us his team again until we could get our horses. On the 2nd plowing started on acres 1 and 2. The rye was 15 inches high—alas for the prophets—and was being turned under to do untold good. Fine roots of huckleberry and sweet fern still kept coming up and we knew the fight with them was destined to be a long and hard one. The harrow gathered them up somewhat, but still they were ob- structionists. The annual forest fires started to the west of us; strenuous effort on the part of all the force of workmen saved that section of the Island from again burning over; a second fire a few days later with a westerly wind met its own defeat against the fence of the cleared land of the Experimental Station. By the end of the first week in April work was swinging at a rapid pace, land was being plowed as fast as possible, the stable nearly complete, so that on the 7th the two “‘condemned”’ express horses (condemned because their feet were worn out by city pavements and for no other reason) arrived. Great big beautiful fellows, one a gray with a little Percheron in him immediately named ‘ Buckeye,” while the other, a Roman-nosed buckskin, received the name “Texas,” in recognition of his ancestry. Horse and hand implements were being assembled, these consisted of Planet Jr. one horse culti- vator, horse leveler, hand drills, hand cultivators, a roller and a plow. Three plum trees were heeled in the Fall and saved for Spring planting, for comparison with the Fall planted stock; these were now set out, two in the chicken yard, one near the little cottage. On the 11th grass seed was sown about the house plot, a mixture of Burpee’s “‘ Fordhook Famous” and his “Shady Nook.” It was brushed in with the cedar trees. To the southwest of the house a small plot was sown with U.S. Government grass seed; a row of Haricot Beans, also from the Government, bordered it, so it became known as “Government plot.’ Some plants with lovely copper tags bearing enormous numbers were also planted here; they throve well, but things without a name are never as sweet to me as ones with names, even though long Latin ones. As the land was finally prepared for seeding, it was done in this manner. Rye turned under with the plow, followed by dise harrow, followed by spring tooth harrow, followed by leveler, which, by the way, is one of the best and least appreciated or used of farm implements. It levels uneven spots, breaks clods and pulverizes the soil. The “gude mon” came home and said, ‘Those cussed wiry huckleberry roots are still so thick, I vg i the hand drills will ever work among them. We simply can’t spare time to rake them out by hand. “Why don’t you borrow a regular horse hay rake, I should think that would clear them up a bit.” “Level head,” he exclaimed. We borrowed a rake and it worked like a charm, two carloads to the acre of those “cussed roots” came out and were promptly burned. \pnl lt was ushered in with a light white frost, but hand drills started early and by night four varielies of radishes, covering half an acre, and three varieties of peas had been planted, also Sakura- ima a Japanese radish, The drills worked hard and unevenly, going into the soil deep, then checking against roots. A two-man method was invented, one pulling with a halter, the other pushing. But the men, John and Ted, soon found they could work them alone. In going over the diary for April, one’s head fairly spins with the work accomplished. Plants were removed from Huntington to the Farm, tomatoes were placed in the implement shed until a cold frame 26 ” and “Texas ” Arrival at No. 1 of horses “Buckeye ed as a road roller TV drop-weight se , The well-drillers could be built to receive them. Cabbage and cauliflower were set at once in the field, being covered vith paper pots for a few days to prevent wilting, and sometimes at night to guard against cold. Lettuce, beets, onions, spinach, parsnips, endive, scorzonera, celery (in the seed-bed) and corn were drilled in by the little Planet Jr. hand drills, those exquisite little time-savers. As an illustration of the work they will do in this new ground it required 25 minutes to plant 8 rows of parsnips, each row 100 feet long. 7 : : To plant three rows each of four different varieties of lettuce consumed 45 minutes and this of course meant empty and fill the drill for each new variety. ; Lettuce plants and cabbage plants from a Huntington grower were set out (we wished to test trans- planted lettuce with that grown in drills and only thinned). Chives, shallots, Pe-tsai, carrots and radishes from North China were all sowed. Udo, the Japanese celery, was planted to the east of the raspberries. On the 21st all trees and shrubs were sprayed with “Scalecide,” as a preventive against the San Jose seale. To do the orcbard and berries required 1 hour and 15 minutes and 8 gallons of the mixture (1-3 gal. sealecide at 60c. per gallon); not a very costly ounce of prevention. : A portion of the lawn was sprinkled as a first test of irrigation. On the 26th of April the grass seed had germinated on this portion only. Potatoes were planted this month—nine varieties as a test of their earliness, productiveness and qualities. On the night of the 22nd the “hustler” came home and exclaimed: “A plum is in bloom.” “Where? In our garden?” “Our garden nothing, No. 1 of course.” “Why it can’t be,’ I exclaimed, * you know they really ought not to be alive and they can’t bloom the first year.” : “IT don’t care, it’s in bloom and a lot of the others show fruit buds.” “Whose trees? New York or Pennsy?” “Pennsy, all their trees are way ahead, they’re alive to the tips and some of them are in leaf, while New York’s are only in bud with no fruit buds, and many of the branches have died back three or four inches,” he replied. “Score 1 for No. 1,” I said. Everyone said you should move stock south to have it produce earlier, but we knew that Pennsy’s stock stood the better chance, for they showed more careful packing and the trees looked sturdier and had great numbers of fibrous roots. Anyhow, no one can say they did not have a fair show, for they were warned of the contest and came prepared to meet victory, defeat or a tie. Chill drizzly weather now prevented further planting afield. A cold frame was erected in the lee of the barn and tomato plants transferred there. They were showing the need of overhead light, although still stocky and strong. Rain, however, rushed vegetation along and rhubarb and Udo jumped out of the ground like a *‘Jack in the Box.” The painters were busy on all buildings, while the homestead was being completed and furnished for our occupancy, for the farm needed us every hour, day and night, this its first tender year. The call of its tender youth was strong upon me, for I adore babies of every description, but the dear old home must first be placed in good keeping before I could fly. The office completed and desk in place, the stenographer took up her abode at the Farm with our English family, helping until I came, with the daily records of the multitude of things accomplished each day. To quote from the diary, April 30: “More lettuce, spinach and salsify up and apparently glad it came. Brought further live stock to the Farm in the shape of two setting hens. (This was my scheme, I wanted young chicks, could not set the hens at home and being afraid the trip would ‘break them up,’ I put each hen in a box with hay and three china eggs under her. They traveled the 33 miles setting all the way. I doubt if anything could have disturbed them with the eggs under their breasts. Wonderful nature of motherhood!) “Set out 880 cauliflower from the hotbed. “Being unable to secure plumbing experts, made a practical demonstration that an English soldier and an American cowboy could cut pipe and affix fittings without stupendous difficulty, and further make absolutely tight joints.” This same “skilled labor’ (non-union men, however) made for us the “dandiest” little bathroom ever a farm beheld. Beside the pump head in the lean-to was a space about six feet long and three feet wide. ‘This was boarded in, a cement floor laid slanting to one corner; pipe run through and tap attached. A tiny bathtub was placed across the end of the room, a two-hole oil stove back of it and raised on boxes to the level of the tub. A wash boiler with brass spigot in its side near the bottom crowned the stove and here was the hot water supply. No one could ask for a better bath, and the cowboy-soldier combi- nation made it all after the strenuous outdoor day work was done. _ Lima beans were planted on the last day of April, although I believe the proper old-fashioned time is the afternoon of the 29th of May, or some such jargon, We were also utterly disrespectful of the light and dark of the moon. All root crops being in our forefathers’ day planted in the “dark” and all upper crops in the “light.” To us, nature’s signs are the best; when the maple is in bud, in leaf and in bloom are sure signs, for she never makes a mistake. Her chats with “Old Prob.” are in a better and surer language than ours. April gone! with its sweet odors nowhere so sweet as on new land surrounded by woods, rapid growth, continuous surprises. The month of tears and sunshine—and strenuous work. May day started with the planting of corn and beans, finishing the last cleared acre of the dairy and resowing celery in the seed-bed. This seed-bed was one of the Farm’s semi-failures; we selected a plot to the south and east of the chicken yard, warm and protected, It was forked over with a goodly quantity of manure and raked as fine as possible. Somehow it baked and celery being so slow to germ- 28 : 4 4 inate (three weeks), the surface could not be broken. It needed old light, friable black soil, such as we should have had if forest fires had not robbed us. Too much care cannot be expended on a seed-bed, and a seed-bed is one of a farm’s most valuable adjuncts. Cultivation started on the 4th of May; peas and radishes being far enough advanced to have the Planet Jr. hand cultivators run through them. The rows were rough, crooked and irregular, showing plainly where the drill, running into a bunch of roots, had choked, and, being released farther on, dropped the accumulated seed. Peas did not show this irregularity as much as radishes, but we were content when we saw the seed coming along in the bare spaces a little later, for we felt we would have a succession just as good asa second planting. Our surmise proved true, for radishes continued maturing for one month. The 5th was lost in a big sea fog, that great factor in Long Island’s agricultural success. They steal in during the night at frequent intervals, covering leaves and soil with a soft film of moisture, giving a crispness and freshness to foilage which inland plants are denied. It is no wonder cauliflower is so happy on the Island. On the acres not needed for early planting the rye was allowed to grow as long as possible. It ran up to 34 and 39 inches on some acres, with signs of early and full heading, which proved to our entire satisfaction that a rye crop on newly developed land would be a paying one. On the 7th the diary says: ‘‘Set out 100 Long Island Beauty Cauliflower between the rows of Extra Early Peas. Asparagus up, potatoes up, red and orange carrots from North China up, artichoke and kohl-rabi and nectarine in bloom.” John was working on the Farm by this time, although his wife and family (consisting of one cat and a few pet house plants) had not yet arrived. This made three men on the 13 acres, not quite as much help as one would expect “Pennsy” millions to employ. Canada wood ashes with its 40% vegetable lime had arrived and we sowed them where we felt they were most needed; about the house plot principally, for this section had received next to none of the native ashes. Acre No. 3 in the dairy also received 200 Ibs., for it was newly plowed in the Spring and had received no manure whatever. We knew the ashes could not make up for the manure humus, but we wished to do the best we could for the poor thing. “Tm awfully sorry about that acre,” the Senior Partner said. “But just think what a beautiful test of the soil’s capabilities,’ I replied. “‘We’'ll see what she'll do unaided and alone.” About this time Mr. Peters made the Farm a visit. One of his first exclamations was: *O, Mr. Fullerton, where are the nasturtiums for these roots? You're late, ours at home have broken ground.” He was led to the cold-frame where mine in pots were making trellises of the tomato plants. “All right,” he said. ‘‘You’ll win.” That night we moved out. The children, the cat, the faithful nurse and I. Our baggage was in boxes made to roll under the beds, for the economy of space was to be a large feature. Put four people to sleep in a room 12 x 12, two of them active, healthy children, and every inch of room must be utilized to the best advantage, These boxes were on ball-bearing casters and had a good handle on the front of each, they rolled out easily and held our simple country wardrobes to perfection. The next day being balmy, my first task was to set some pet plants of forget-me-nots from the home acre in a bed to the east of the house; asters, pansies, coboeas and the nasturtiums were also planted, giving us the nucleus of a flower garden. Black beetle had attacked the tomatoes in full force; where these and all the rest of the pests known to creation came from is a mystery. Everyone said we would at least be free from them, but we were forearmed and had a quantity of “killers” on hand. A heavy sifting of fine coal ashes saved the tomatoes, but they simply ate every eggplant during the night. They are about the meanest, peskiest little creatures alive. There was thunder on April 18th, and we decided it was about time for tomatoes to go afield, they had long outgrown the cold-frame and the “Earliest Pinks” were in bud. Some lettuce, Brussels sprouts and flowering plants came from a big commercial grower in Mary- land; they arrived in such bad condition that the sprouts were absolutely worthless, a few lettuce were planted on “‘a chance,’’ but soon gave up the ghost. The flower plants, a few geraniums, holly- hocks, perennial phlox and chrysanthemums were packed better and did well during the Summer. We were hearing tales of woe from our neighbors about the frost on the 11th. “Well, I suppose you lost everything the other night, Neighbor Fullerton?” they would say. “Why, no, I can’t see that anything is harmed except the tips of the leaves of the corn and the Moyashe Udo.” “Corn! You ain’t got corn planted yet, have y’u, why we're just aplowin’?” 4 “Yes, I went up on the tank tower yesterday and I see we’re just about two weeks ahead of you,” e said. “But didn’t you lose your beans?” the neighbors queried. “Beans, bless your hearts, no, my beans arn’t up yet. What are you planting beans for in April? ey don’t you plant radishes and peas and cabbage and cauliflower and such things, that don’t mind rost?”’ “Well, we thought we’d beat you tarnal book farmers and have our beans up ahead of your’n, - I guess you’ve got the best of it.” And they disappeared utterly disgusted with our “book armin’.”” “The trees are in leaf, it’s time to plant squash and pumpkin and cucumbers,” said I. So in they went, while caladium, gladiolus and oxalis were added to the house plot. Wild cucum- bers, that rapid climber with its pretty feathery white blossom and queer prickly seed pod, were planted wherever we could find a place for them to climb. Then the crows began to talk and we heard them deciding that we were now a portion of civiliza- 29 ion, while the cabbage and cauliflower butterflies were so delighted to find a new farm, they decided not to fly farther. , 7 é , ‘ The fields were rough, and it was next to impossible to plant in straight rows, in some cases we were forced to make a drill by hand and plant by hand, at other times a furrow was opened by hoe and the seed drill run upon it, In other places the horses plowed a furrow, hand planting following. Certain it is whatever method was pursued the soil responded and the plants were just as happy crooked as straight. , On May 16th we a jpn the first product of the farm—a bunch of radishes to Mr. Peters. He is the Fairy Godfather and always receives the first or the biggest, as the children say. They were as anxious for him to have it as we were, and the first of everything from their own wee gardens was religiously sent to him. On the 2Ist the Suffolk County Press Association held their annual meeting at No. 1. They dined out of doors “al freseo,” eating of the crops growing not a dozen paces away. To them the Farm was a revelation, for all of them were familiar with the vast tracts of unused lands and to them it meant a new era for the Island they are all working for so earnestly. To quote from one of the number: Wonderful Long Island Soil H. B. Fullerton Shows Newspaper Men Marvelous Results from Scientific Use. Long Island soil is adapted to the growing of all kinds of fruit and vegetables in a degree that is only just beginning to be realized. 1t bas long been a popular superstition that the island was a barren sand waste, which could grow only marsh grass, and that none too profusely. There are still a very few ay: 24 outside of the island who believe it can grow more than pound for pound of vegetables to bone fertilizer. It is safe to say that there is not a baker’s dozen of people in all of New York City who care the unlimited possibilities of the Long Island soil. ; : - A day of awakening is near at hand, however. A man keenly alive to the real agricultural situation on the island (his name is H. B. Fullerton) has come into contact with a man keenly alive to the promising future of all of suburban New York; and the result is that the island will be developed with intelligence and patience along the very lines which Nature designed for it. Ralph Peters is the president of the Long Island Railroad and the man who is alive to the promising future of the suburbs of New York. When Mr. Fullerton, who can give the author of the ‘Simple Life’’ cards and spades in “getting back to nature,” showed Mr Peters what he had done in a small way with Long Island soil on his own place at Huntington, Mr. Peters said, “Fullerton, you can doubt theories; but these are facts,” or words to that effect; and became so possessed of an enthusiasm for Long Island soil that he was not satisfied until the railroad itself had taken hold of the task of demonstrating the soil’s yroductiveness. : Well, the railroad has the task well under way; and you wouldn’t believe, unless you had seen, what has been accom- plished since last fall. ‘ é Ten acres of what were then virgin, tangled, oak land, a little at the west of the Wading River station, the last station on the Port Jefferson branch of the road, are now under cultivation and growing almost every conceivable kind of fruit, vege- tables and flowers. Think of it! It was the despised “‘ Long Island scrub oak land” last fall! And now it is under cultivation and bearing the tenderest of garden truck. “Why, certainly,” many a scoffer has been heard to say about it, “the experimental farm had the dollars of the railroad back of it to buy fertilizer with. Of course you can make thirty cents grow if you plant a double eagle.” But the joke is on the scoffer; for this rich little farm, which has been growing only trees, moss, huckleberry vines and rattlesnakes since Columbus came over on the Hamburg-American or whatever line of steamers it was and nominated himself for discoverer of America, this little farm has not used an ounce of that supposed cherished necessity of Long Island farming—bone fertilizer. Mr. Fullerton knew that the use of it would sound the death knell to his enterprise. The land was freed from stumps and the stumps were burned on the place. On one acre there were over seven hundred of them. The wood ashes were left on the ground and the ten acres which were cleared were sowed with rye, which in the spring was plowed under, Then, in planting the peas, radishes and what not, very poor horse manure was used. So much for fertilizer, fish, bone and every other kind—except water! And there is the secret. There's water enough on Peace and Plenty farm. There's a little kerosene engine which pumps it up from the earth and fills a tank. Cheap iron pipes carry it to the farm; and there isn’t a piece of the land that cannot be reached by it. Old Sol can beat down as he will, and Jupiter Pluvius go on as prolonged a spree as he will, and neglect his business; the crops will grow because they have the water. It is cheap irrigation, too. Here, again, the “money bags” of the railroad have not been foolishly opened. The method of keeping the crops wet is such as any bright young man might go into as an investment on his farm. Everything on the farm is practical; and every effort has been made to make the place a working model which a business man could copy. The aim has been to make it an economical market-garden, growing the finest produce on “Long Island's i er wastes,"’ to put on the breakfast and dinner tables of that great mart of all marts for fresh vegetables and fruit— New York City. The Long Island Railroad invited the members of the Suffolk County Press Association to inspect the farm on Monday and placed a private train of two cars at their disposal. Mr. Fullerton was the host in charge, on the train and on the farm, assisted at the latter place by Mrs. Fullerton, who is, herself, an authority on horticulture. A dinner was served under the trees on the farm on the arrival of the train about noontime. About twelve of the Island scribes spent one of the most enjoyable days of their lives on this occasion; but, more important, were impressed as never before with the possibilities of Long Island soil. —Amityville Record, May 25, 1906. A drought was starting, warm high winds were blowing steadily day and night, a more trying condition could not be found. The irrigation sprayers were started in the peas, radishes and lettuce, still they did not respond as we wanted them to. “Try some nitrate of soda and see if that will give them a boost,”’ I said. “T hate to do it,” the Senior Partner replied, “for I know as well as anyone they need cultivation they have not received.” “Would you mind telling me where anyone has had time to cultivate anything? Take three men on 15 acres of new land and plant everything ever heard of and some that never were and there is no time left for cultivation,” I exclaimed. ‘*We know they need cultivation and a lot else needs it too, but we can’t have an ideal market-garden here this year. Look what the soil has done already.” On the 25rd John mixed some nitrate of soda with earth, half and half, and sowed it beside the peas, lettuce, cabbage and cauliflower (cauliflower between the peas, I mean, only 100 plants). That was 60 lbs. of nitrate, the only fertilizer the crops ever had. Still we kept the sprayers going, for the drought lasted until the 2nd of June, but peas yielded, radishes were so thick there was not force enough to gather and ship them, while lettuce began heading up in excellent shape. The last of May gave us the first discord in our Farm family. A woman we had befriended had been growing grumpier and grumpier for some time, while a member of her family was often sullen and morose. A cloud-burst was soon to appear, we felt the human thunder in the air. 30 anuvul ajqeys puR au SuNOA “soyse POO, ‘posn SIozi[yJey A[UO eq, \t last the pleas from her “that there was more than one pair of hands could do,” although she | been working for a much larger family, decided the question. She was either to stay under the same aditions without further trouble from her, or go. Go it was, and that promptly on June 1. The last day of May the man boarded the train from New York without leave. The Master ordered him back from Port Jefferson on the grounds of desertion. He did not return and the woman disappeared that afternoon, returning about 9 P. M. in a disturbed frame of mind. The secret was out. The man returned the following night in an upset condition, announced himself a deserter not only from the Farm but also from the English army and that he was a dangerous man generally. Amid storm and much unpleasantness and many more incidents, the episode, although closed, left with us a feeling of regret for a man who just missed being a useful and fine member of the community. Powerful, well- built, willing, obedient, faithful, many fine traits, all spoiled by one weakness. Yes, we had our troubles. But Mike, the Italian, was with us now, loyal and faithful, though three hands for these 13 acres was short help. How we coaxed feathered insecticides to make their home with us and save us time and money S$. — i 4 Ne at . i} ; Mike washed and John bunched. They were sorted into two sizes‘and piled upon the table. ‘Young carrots are sold with the leaves on, and nothing could have been prettier than that table ladened with orange and green. 335 bunches, twelve carrots to a bunch, was the final count; while added to that 173 bunches of pink, white, yellow and black radishes made a fair shipment of root crops for one day. This plot of carrots covered a space of ground forty-six by sixty-seven feet and yielded, all told, 485 bunches or 5,820 perfect carrots. I think August twenty-second a good representative day of work at this season. I give it to you straight from the diary: “Ted finished cultivating celery and celeriac (we also put some Bonora, which had been sent us by a good friend with an earnest petition that we try it, upon the celery) in dynamite swale, weeded and cultivared all berries, Udo and peanuts. Mike and Pedro limed the patches where early cabbage, kale and kohl-rabi had come out, sowing 400 pounds. They also sowed 450 pounds Canada wood ashes on the alfalfa, and 600 pounds old rotted manure on the southwest and southeast quarters (these quarters had given the smallest yield), Pedro and Martin picked tomatoes for two hours, Tony all day spraying eauliflowers, cabbage and sprouts with Bordeaux and Paris Green. “Sorted, washed and packed twelve crates tomatoes (1,200), three barrels corn (650 ears), one erate corn (72 ears), one basket summer squash (36), one basket of cucumbers (60). “John finished making crates. Ted cleared out the barn and stacked empty crates over the shower bath-room. “John and Mike picked and packed the corn in two hours, brought in two bushels and one wheel- barrow load of squash in forty minutes.” I might insert here the “crate incident.” On the seventeenth day of July a half car-load of packages in “knock down” shape arrived, they were stacked up by the barn and everyone except Mike exclaimed: ‘*“Where do you intend to store them all winter; they will last a couple of years.” “Ono, Mr. Fuller’, you need more than him this year,’ Mike said, “I know you wait till cabbage and Bruss’ sprout’ ready.” “Why, Mike, we'll never fill those in the world,” I said. “You wait see, Mes Fuller’.”’ He was right, many a message has gone forth this summer “‘for goodness sake rush packages as ‘much as you can, crops are spoiling for want of them.” But many barrels alas, are lying empty! Kale had been shipped two days previously, the plot thirty-one by thirty-nine feet yielded 355 heads, the last shipment filling three barrels. The kohl-rabi, from seed from North China, yielded 144. _ Toots and the space occupied by them after being set out was thirty-one by fourteen feet. These “rabis”’ _ differed in no way from the kind usually raised here as far as we could see. The night of the twenty-second it stormed, so the Italians were sent over the cabbage, cauliflower and sprouts again the next day. In fact it seemed that a spraying day was invariably followed by rain. There were times when “Fullerton luck” did not hold good. Endive was tied up when thoroughly dry, this must never be done when the plants ar damp for | it is intensely susceptible to rot. The field was the quaintest “Dutchest” thing imaginable when the , men were through. | “Fullerton luck”’ brought a thunder storm the next night so there was nothing to do but spray | again the following day. We went to the field in the early morning as was our habit and the sight that met us was enough to make the heart sick, leaves turned black and yellow with blight insects so thick they positively looked crowded. | “What shall we do?”’ we exclaimed, “the pride of our bearts and the portion to bring in the great- est returns going before our eyes! It surely cannot be our fault, or from any neglect.” “ ,! 399 . . tf S * g , : ( Mes Fuller’,” said Mike, ‘‘about every five year, the cauliflower he go so, you can’t save him, I know, I grow him many year.” “Should we have sprayed more Mike?” I asked. “Mah gah, Mes Fuller’ we pass this field about eight times already and two times be enough. This year, you can’t help him,” he replied. “Well, if this is the year we have him for fair,” said the Senior Partner. “‘ Mike, tell Tony to | go over again, this time dust on tobacco dust and slug shot mixed half and half. Then let Martin and Pedro pick all infected leaves and the entire plant, where they are bad, and bring them up to the barn to be burned. We'll save the balance of them if we can.” | The plants and leaves were taken to the barn plot, but we could not burn then green and con- ‘sidered them too dangerous to leave until dry. “Mike, tell the Italians to dig a hole here and bury that stuff,” said the farmer. He watched operations closely and when they had tossed in a good layer of leaves he had them spread it thick with lime, another layer of leaves, again lime, until all were safely interred. I have no doubt that will be a rich spot next year. Eleven times those fields were ‘‘passed” and there is nothing to show for it. Not a cauliflower and but few perfect cabbages and it is doubtful if we get any sprouts. The latter are set and hard and the plants are laden, but the louse has discolored them so badly they would not pay for the picking. ! The plants average one quart of sprouts each and as there were 5,211 plants set out, the loss can be safely estimated at 5,000 quarts. During mid-winter these bring from twelve to thirty cents a quart. I guess I won’t figure what we might have made for there is no use crying over spilled milk and we have not trusted all the eggs to one basket; a diversity of crops is deep wisdom for those who deal with Dame | Nature at first hand. Man as yet cannot foretell the season’s wet or dry characteristics, therefore it is most unwise to rely on one species alone, a season fatal to one vegetable assures a phenomenal yield of another. Our only consolation, if consolation it can be called, is that all experts and old farmers have / suffered the same loss this season. “What is the cause?” I asked one visitor from the east end of the Island, who always has a large }acreage of these special crops. 57 66 SEE MME GO SR: Sas > ee ee eae Pe Lo Ss Se. ee eee _~ a Ns ce Tp OD “Why that damp warm weather started the rot,” he replied, “and then I think last winter was so warm and open all the bugs lived through and we have a particularly choice assortment this season.” “Well, it’s thoroughly discouraging,” I said, “to work so hard and have the crop come almost to maturity and then die before your very eyes, while you are powerless to save it.” “Yes! Yes! It certainly is,” was his rejoinder, but he said it in a way that showed it was not the first time he had met such defeat. The spinach was given a good dose of liquid manure as a tonic at this trying season of the year and it later amply repaid the labor. The tomatoes had received their last cultivation July tenth and crimson clover was broadcasted and harrowed in. It came up in four days and by mid-August the field was a mat of green, while the four-leaved ones among it were Hope’s delight. Many a day she has come in with sixteen fours, a goodly number of fives and sometimes a six-leaf. Clover was now sowed wherever a crop came out, the early cabbage patch received it August twenty-seventh, while early September showed many other patches covered with either this or vetch, or sainfoin, or alsike. Manure, lime and ashes were spread and cultivated in before these nitrogen gatherers were sown, for they will be allowed to remain all winter and turned under for green manure next spring. It takes but little time and costs but little money to sow these crops and they render untold good to the soil. By the thirtieth endive was ready to gather. Those that had been tied (and they must be well grown before tying) were out, the raffia removed and thoroughly washed. The hearts were blanched as prettily as could be and thirteen bushel baskets were made ready for morning shipment. All things that left the farm in the morning were picked the night before, sprayed and allowed to remain out in the night air unpacked until morning. The consequence was such things as lettuce, endive and spinach were as crisp as possible, for these plants wilt immediately after picking, but quickly revive if watered and placed in the shade. When the returns came from the commission merchant they read—“ baskets of chicory.” “Well, if the big New York dealers don’t know endive from chicory, don’t let’s grow it any more,” I said. “I guess we have other things to do,” replied the Farmer, ‘‘Let’s try romaine and escarole next year, just a little to see if they know what that is, they are easier to grow than endive because they need no tying.” The last day of August, our last at the farm! To-morrow would see a new era, for we must return to the dear old home to get ready for school days. John had become converted to market-gardening and he had bought himself eight acres of land and went to prepare it for Spring work, while Mike moved his entire family to No. 1 to remain for the rest of the winter. A Western visitor gave us a feeling of satisfaction. There arrived in the afternoon a gentleman from Indiana, a total stranger, who said he had heard of the Station and would like, with our permission, to look over it. “Mr. Micklejohn,” for the Farmer was still pretty lame, made him welcome and escorted him on a tour of inspection. “*Well,” said our visitor, “I'll tell you, Mr. Fullerton, I’ve been traveling for a year and a half to find just the place I want fora farm. I started in Texas and I have been to every State Experimental Station in the Union and this beats anything I have ever seen. It is the most practical, the best looking and the most educational of any, and I don’t see how you have done it in a year.” “It’s the soil, Old Man,” (all Westerners call each other Old Man, it seems to give them great satisfaction) “‘soil and climate, you can’t beat it!” said the Farmer. ‘‘Come down in the cellar and see what we have,” and he showed him the now famous cellar wall giving the strata of the earth’s construc- tion. “This suits me,” he said, ‘‘my weary search is over. But there is something more here than soil in which to grow vegetables, your island is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen, the unex- pected views and beauty spots make it a continual surprise. | Why, those lakes just to the south of you are gems, and the eyes of man have hardly rested upon them, I suppose.” “Right you are, and there are 200,000 acres of this virgin soil lying idle just waiting for a helping hand to give New York its fresh food.” “Well, I'll make a prophecy, it won’t be many years before there is precious little of it lying idle, and I, for one, am going in to help you. I want a good big farm and I’m going to buy it next week,” he said. ‘By the way, I hear you have another Station at Medford, what do you think of that section, soil’s pretty light, isn’t it?” ‘Lighter than this,” replied the Senior Partner, “but deeper. The surface is drifted over with white sea-sand and we supposed we would find soil a foot and a half at the deepest. When they were clearing they dug a cellar under a shack, in which to store dynamite, and we found the soil four feet deep. You could have knocked me down with a feather, for no one is more enthusiastic about the Island than I, but I never supposed there was four feet of good soil in that section.” ' ; “Well, it only goes to show mighty few people know much about the land they live in,” he said. ‘May I bring some friends in a few days to see the place, they will think I have lost my head when I tell them about it, so I want to show it to them?” : “Sure thing! bring as many as you want and come as often as you wish, and stay as long as you like. Always glad to see you,” was the rejoinder. Dynamiter Kissam had been called away, so that but one acre of the dairy had been cleared, he was to return when he could and finish the piece for we were anxious to get rye in this fall. 1 ON 78 Beypy jo Zuryno yssry . Our “Biggest Girl” and Japan’s Biggest Radish Autumn W HE first of September saw the children and myself off to Pennsylvania for a few days. They had been “good as pie” all summer and often when father and mother were too burdened to be pleasant they had had dull times. Rides were their great joy and they always went to the depot with shipments; but companionship of their age was lacking and it was time they had a “vacation.” Such a glorious one they had with a bunch of cousins; pillow fights, early morning squeals, romps and picnics. With the aid of records kept at various times by the stenographer, Mike, Walter and Martha (Mike’s eldest daughter), I give you the fall work. Sunday the second records the picking of the first melon, a Long Island beauty. The Italians were pressed into service more now for John’s going left a hole inthe force. Tomatoes were coming thicker than ever and I remember asking Mike on my return from a day’s visit: “Any tomatoes yet, Mike?” ““My gah, yes, Miss Fuller’, we ship forty-one crates this morning.” “Forty-one crates! Goodness, that must have been some tomatoes, how many culls?” “Eight bushel, I give em to section hands and train crews, they like ’em,”’ he answered. No wonder the diary records “two Italians picking tomatoes one-half day.” Sugar corn that had been gathered was cut and stacked and the land prepared for a legume. Barrels had to be unloaded and stacked, for we still had hopes of gathering some cabbage and eauli- flower, while sweet potatoes held out the promise of an abundant yield. More endive was ready for shipment on the sixth and the diary records: “Washed and picked six barrels of cabbage, eleven bushels of endive, also some carrots and beets.” Tony showing the greatest aptitude for market-gardening, was given the more particular work and he soon took John’s place in helping Mike with the packing. Walter, the boy, had become quite proficient in many ways, and for a lad of fourteen shows good signs of a budding farmer. On the sixth the Assistant United States Agrostologist visited the farm to see the alfalfa. Asa test had been made for the Government at their special request, they were naturally much interested. His verdict coincided with others already given and he further said upon examining the roots and seeing the nitrogen nodules, that Long Island virgin soil must contain the needed bacteria, for the Jargest nodules found were on the uninoculated section. That the bacteria was at home and at work in all sections he felt was true without a doubt, and he further predicted that “next year you will not be able to tell one quarter from another.” The tenth records the shipment of five crates of melons, and from that time on we could not com- pete with the field, the yield was too great. The prophecy held for them came true, they were not as sweet as we had hoped, but like cauliflower this was an off year, entirely too wet and really good melons were as “scarce as hen’s teeth.” I give you here a letter to Mr. Peters on the subject: “Wading River, Long Island, N. Y., “September 10, 1906, “Mr. Ralph Peters, Pres., Long Island City. ; “Dear Sir:—The weather, which sent the thermometer down to forty and even a trifle below night after night, held up our melons and further weakened the vitality of the vines to a marked extent. The striped beetle, which has been our 61 EU ee re Ae Se ere Field Corn and Mexican Teosinte Tooth” ‘Virginia Horse 9 hardest nut to crack, true to the usual procedure, appeared late in August in immense numbers. This was a time when he could only be fought with severe damage, not only to the vines but the melons themselves, and in spite of the greatest of care and most thorough work they succeeded in laying eggs in great quantities. The beetle itself and its ‘maggot’ not only attacks the vines, but it attacks the melons themselves as it does cucumbers and squashes. While they are seldom able to injure, or in fact penetrate the interior, they certainly spoil the appearance of the melon and in many cases where they happen to work close to the juncture of the vine, they partly cut off the sustenance supply and check growth and ripening considerably. We have a big lot of melons of excellent quality, but they do not look right. I went into the city on Thursday afternoon, Friday and Saturday, and found that, without exception, both Jersey and Southern melons had been attacked in exactly the same way as melons on No. 1. I also found that Rocky Fords were coming in with mutilated skin coverings. At the Delaware Water Gap when I went to bring home my family, I found exactly the same state of affairs existing with every melon I could discover. A few of them were native, most of them were coming from Jersey, Colorado and the South. Nevertheless, in spite of the scientific explanation that there are certain seasons when the natural enemy of our insect pests are entirely absent, or ct in numbers so small that they do not exert any apparent influence and man alone cannot cope with them, we have no esitancy in saying that we will prevent this marking another year and base this egotistic statement on the results of our experi- ments, which, although started late in the season, will show conclusively that the aftermath of the striped beetle need not be feared if tobacco is used freely, particularly, about the melon hills, ete. “Yours truly, “H. B. Fullerton, “Special Agent. On the eleventh “we two” went to the farm for the night, for the following day we were to receive a delegation of dairymen to view the farm’s successes and failures. For their benefit we placed upon the porch a bale of alfalfa and a bunch of plants (roots and all) from each quarter section. They seemed wonderfully pleased with the successes attained and one of them upon examining the root nodules, said: “May I take some of these home with me? We have tried for three years to raise alfalfa at our dairy and we cannot get a nodule or get the plant to live over winter. It is a remarkable showing this section has made and I congratulate you most heartily.” No less interesting to them were the other fodder crops and they were as surprised at the Virginia horse tooth as any one else had been. By this time it had grown to fifteen and one-half feet, with the ears, seven and eight feet from the ground. A six-footer stood among it holding an umbrella in his upstretched hand and the tip of the um- brella could not touch the tassel. 7 The Suffolk County Fair opened on the seventeenth and much time was consumed in making ‘ready. A little portable house, the same size as the one we had been living in, was erected on the fair | grounds, and for some time we had been preparing and framing photographs of the farm’s development, to hang upon the walls. Sunday the sixteenth took us all to the farm again, giving to the children a good treat, for they really had grown very fond of the place, and to us another busy Sunday. . Being ‘‘Suffolk Countyites” we are allowed to enter vegetables for competition and strange to relate, the yearling farm won eleven first prizes, six seconds and an honorary mention. The portable had its miniature sign by the front door flanked by teosinte and backed by Virginia horse tooth, the interior had one room finished as a bed-room, while the others had tables loaded down with vegetables \of various sorts. There was a goodly showing for the time of year, lettuce, endive, summer and spring | radishes, beets, onions, carrots, parsnips, salsify, beans, sugar corn, tomatoes, squash, marrow, canta- \loupes, watermelons, mangels, sugar beets, pe-tsai, and sakurajima, potatoes, sweet and white, cabbage, sprouts and peanuts, alfalfa, millet, corn, sorghum and teosinte. The little cottage was crowded with visitors every day, some from curiosity, some from real interest, many came back a second and third time, becoming so absorbed in the subject we would often ‘talk for hours. | “These are scrub oak vegetables, raised in one year without the use of commercial fertilizer,” jwe would say. | “Oh, I don’t know about that,’ would come the rejoinder. “Then I'll tell you,” and the whole story of the farm’s history would be repeated. No one who heard or saw it as I have tried to relate it in these pages, but saw the logic in the venture, and many an agriculturist had new heart put into him from the long chat, while without a doubt we received as good as we gave. | They contended, those who had not farmed. that ten tons of manure to the acre was “a heap of fertilizer.’ I would like to quote here from the American Agriculturist of recent date. The extract is from an article on raising melons in another state and the quantities used are for one acre. “In the Fall is spread twenty tons of stable manure free of stalks and straw (this would equal \thirty to forty tons of ordinary manure). **1000 pounds high grade Carolina phosphate rock. **300 pounds high grade sulphate of potash. “This is harrowed in and I sow twelve to fifteen quarts of crimson clover to be plowed under in April. I then sow 1000 pounds complete fertilizer (formula two per cent. nitrogen and four per cent. phosphoric acid and ten per cent. potash).” This surely dwarfs ten tons strawy manure into insignificance. The second morning of the fair, a carriage full of visitors drove up to the door and an east-end neighbor, who had visited the farm in the early summer alighted, bearing several large bouquets of asters and dahlias. He brought them with the thought they might help brighten our exhibit. In reality they were a peace offering. I relate the incident as one which to us was full of glee. During his visit to the farm he espied the newly set out celery plants. “Your farm’s all right, Mr. Fullerton, but what did you plant that for?” “Celery? Why not?” said the Senior Partner. “Why not? Because you can’t raise it here and there’s no use trying,” he replied. “Do you raise celery?”’ asked the Book Farmer. “Um!” as our guest nodded his head. “Exhibit at the Riverhead Fair?” “Um!” again as he acquiesced. \ —— 63 i ** Well, so do we, and if you win a prize this year you'll know it, for you'll have to work overtime.” A smile broke over his face and he clapped the “‘gude mon” on the shoulder, saying: “Fullerton, you think the Island will grow anything under the sun, don’t you?” But his expression said, “He’s an enthusiastic youngster (the said ‘gude mon’ being some years his senior) but he'll get over it.” We exhibited celery at the fair and won second prize. Therefore the flowers. One afternoon I was standing in the bedroom door tired from the day’s exertions (the Senior Partner was away that day holding another exhibit at an agricultural gathering). The house was erowded with visitors, among them some Irishmen. One large, portly man said: ‘‘Och, come on out, they know what to put in their fields.” **What did we put on the fields?” I flared up, supposing, of course, that he referred to a high- priced fertilizer. **Shure an’ didn’t they have you in the fields!) Sure, ’'d worruk meself if you was out there!” I blush to tell the story, but it is too good to keep, that was the time my zeal for the farm got me into hot water. In our beloved home town, the Horticultural and Agricultural Association held an exhibition and they particularly requested a showing from the farm, sending us entry blanks for competition. We were glad to help and filled out the blanks with twenty entries. As this took place during the Riverhead Fair week, the Senior Partner left me late one evening, drove the twelve miles to the farm, gathered and packed crops all night and took them in to the exhibition the next morning. The farm’s showing was as pretty as could be, its greatest attraction in one sense being a basket of dainty miniature vegetables from the children’s garden. Their plantings had been made very late and in the shade which tended to dwarf them, but under the circumstances seemed very apropos; as at other exhibitions people wondered whether the corn was not spliced, while the high quality coupled with the extensive variety attracted much attention. When the Farmer returned to Riverhead I eagerly asked the news, meaning, of course, what prizes had we won. “Nothing doing,”’ he said, ““they seemed to think it was honor enough to be allowed to exhibit fifty varieties and would not allow our stuff in competition. I guess the next time I ‘help out’ I'll think twice before I work all night doing it.” “That hurts,’ I replied. “If it were outsiders we could speak our mind, but that touches the quick.” At the Mineola Fair where the exhibit looked even prettier than at Riverhead, the Senior Partner had an odd experience. A gentleman came in and said, “ How are you Mr. Fullerton; I’ve been looking for you and asked a man if he could tell me where to find your exhibit. ‘There’s the whole d humbug over there,’ he said, so here I am.” ‘“Where’s the man,” said the Railroad Farmer, “‘and what’s the matter with him?” ““He’s outside now looking at that corn to see where it’s spliced. He says you didn’t raise the things and if you did you had five tons of commercial fertilizer to the acre,”’ replied the visitor. The Senior Partner stumped out under full head of steam and the following wafted in the window: - §Howdy, neighbor! Hear you don’t believe we raised this stuff without commercial fertilizer. Til‘tell you what T'll do. Tl give you $1,000 for every ton we used on every acre of the ten, and if you don’t think my personal check is good, I’m sure President Peters will be glad to back me; in fact, I’m not sure but he'll raise it a $1,000 or so for every ton we used and I mean it,” he reiterated. “‘At your figures that would be $50,000 sure money, at least, and you had better start in at once. Here's the name of the man we bought everything from in the way of fertilizer, that will start you right and quick.” The stranger had nothing more to say, but left the exhibit at once and I doubt very much if he is hunting for the fertilizer. Among our visitors at the latter fair were many market gardeners (all of whom were most compli- mentary about the produce and felt the Experimental Station had done them a personal favor in open- ing up a territory that had so long been looked upon as valueless and not even considered. Many of them were forced to give up their farms near the city, as price of land and taxation was too high to compete with longer, and big figures were being paid for their acres. They now felt a promised land was open and they would come out into “Suffolk.” Many of our vegetables at the fairs proved tempting, especially the black radishes to the Germans, while a pile of very large sweet potatoes near a door disappeared mysteriously. One portly lady was seen walking across the grounds with a large yellow potato hugged lovingly against a black silk dress. To quote Kipling, “it showed up like a ripe banana in a smoke house.”’ It was particularly fascinating to watch the interest shown in the various varieties. Without a doubt the one bale of alfalfa, together with the photographs picturing the work in the field from inocu- lation of seed up to and including the harvest, caused more comment than anything else there. Interest lin it was shown by young and old, and in fact the younger men seemed the most eager to know how to grow it successfully. A lad of about eighteen became so engrossed in it and the other farm products, that he spent a whole morning in the building; while a boy nearer fourteen said, “I’m going to make my father grow that if I can.’ It well repaid us the long days and incessant talk to see the keen awakening of the bud- ding agriculturists. Women, of course, showed more interest in “garden sass,” especially in the martynias, large radishes, including the twelve pound Sakurajima and the Pe-tsai. Request after request was made for \the names “‘written down so I won't forget” and I doubt not many little gardens will grow them (next year. One gentleman spent much time over the exhibit, went away and returned shortly, with two companions. They passed silently around noting every detail and finally one of them broke forth: “They've got Jersey beat to death!” That was a draught of nectar to we “book farmers.” Ted became indignant many times a day at the remark that the sixteen foot corn was “ spliced,’ and would say: “Even after they’ve looked it all over, from the root to the top they will hardly believe it.” The little stenographer, who is short and round, became, after a brief while, utterly disgusted. “Why, you can’t make people believe we grow them without tons and tons of fertilizer.” She had a long argument with one man, who finally said: “Well, what do you eat to make you so fat?” , And she replied: “Scrub oak vegetables,”’ which seemed to be conclusive proof of their merit. The last day of the fair the little house was thronged with people asking for their favorite vegetable, while many asked for peppers, tomatoes, melons and squashes “for seed.” The watermelons were eagerly sought-for, they were not very large, but the sweetness made up for lack of size. ; I remember asking the Senior Partner, when we were breaking up the Riverhead exhibit: “Are there enough melons for Mineola?” “Enough! The cellar is half full, Mike don’t know how to get time to ship them.” Ted had been constantly at the fair and after going back to No. 1 to see the engine repaired (a blow hole in the eylinder had been causing us a good deal of trouble) went to Experimental Station No. 2, where a countryman of his, with his wife and little children, are ensconced in the portable that did ser- vice at the fairs. , As the weather grew colder we deemed it wise to dig the remainder of the sweet potatoes, but Mike begged so hard to be allowed to leave them, saying: . _ “TT save him, Mr. Fuller’, I make big brush heaps all around, a frost come, I light him, that save. I make brush heaps too all around lima beans, after frost he bring much money,” that we allowed him to have his way. On the tenth the Farmer went to the farm with some very important photographic work in hand. Ile had scarcely stepped foot upon the place when, as he says: “T got uneasy and told Mike to call the men in from the dairy and pick every tomato, bean and eggplant. I felt we would have frost that night.” Mike sat up until midnight to watch for it and deciding there would be none as no dew was falling. went to bed without lighting the sweet potato brush fire. Signs failed for the thermometer fell te twenty- eight degrees and potatoes had to come out next day. They were practically mature, but we would like to have had a week longer. The yield of this digging was forty bushels; this with the previous one bringing the yield up to 51 bushels. Virginia horse tooth not only reached the desired height of sixteen feet, but went two feet higher and has also matured. The yield in bulk of forage is tremendous, while the depth of kernel and cir- cumference of ear are remarkable. One of the prettiest sights on a farm is stacked corn when the yield is good, while as true wigwams for make-believe Indians they cannot be surpassed. ; Alfalfa was cut for the second time October twelfth. The yield was, of course, a mere handful compared with the first cutting, but the field has held to its reputation even in this respect, the second | cuttings totaling 207 pounds, green. A trip over the fields in October makes one feel desolate enough, crops out or half out, signs of the heavy frost everywhere. The most peculiar thing, however, is to find the field where we haye lately removed turnips, thickly dotted with beautiful endive; radishes where sweet corn has been cut, and carrots, peas, beans and spinach among the crimson clover. These plants were “first crops” on each section and it does not seem to matter how deep the seeds have been buried, they all come up in- their own good time. | Thus stands’ the farm, but a year and a month old. Proudly does it raise its head and look the) world in the face, calling to mankind to come and liberate its sister acres lying in idle waste and un- productiveness, awaiting but the touch of that magic wand—the hand of man. o6 The “Littlest Girl” and an “All-head” Cabbage Packing and Shipping Notes and Epilogue W o the beginner this portion of the business is fraught with as much uncertainty as any other. The method of packing varies materially with the locality. We have been much interested in the subject this season and find that if a package is good, and the principle based on common sense, backed by first class products, the market is glad to have it. One day during the height of the tomato season we made a pilgrimage among the markets and commission houses. We saw the same article packed in many differing ways, each with some feature, which must have appealed to the packer. Lastly we went to a commission house where we had been shipping the farm’s surplus and asked them the method in which they would rather have us pack toma- “Well, Mr. Fullerton, I'll tell you,” said the young man in charge, “tomatoes usually come in what we call Jersey crates. Here they are, rather heavy and hold about a bushel.” “Then you don’t care for our package of six baskets to the crate,” said the Senior Partner. “Why, yes, we are doing well on those. Jersey crates are selling now for fifty cents and we are | getting one dollar for yours right along. In fact, there is one buyer comes here and won't look at any- thing until he knows whether you have a shipment in. Your goods are fine and we know they're the same all through. If I were you I'd keep on packing tomatoes your way.” “IT guess we will,” was the rejoinder. One thing is certain, it pays to pack your fancy goods in a fancy style for the fancy trade, then ‘ship your seconds as such. Our tomatoes, as I have said before, were all sorted, which left every day | from three to eight bushels of seconds. These could have been disposed of easily in a local market for a reasonable price, while “our fancies” were bringing just double the price of the usual shipment. The same holds good of other products. Young carrots washed and bunched, with the tops left on and packed, we think, either in crates or bushel baskets, will bring far and beyond the price fully matured carrots with the tops cut off, then barreled. One package appeals to the fancy grocer, the other to the wholesale dealer. Some dealers wish a dozen bunches of carrots tied together, I imagine this is when they are shipped | by the barrel, for it is then easy to ship a barrel’s contents without much handling. If, however, the ae are packed in bushel or half-bushel baskets this quantity is about what the retail dealer would handle. The commission merchants are in need of some education also. When they calmly call four distinct varieties of endive ‘‘esgrove,” it shows they are not on the “fancy” scale; they should seek the “fancy” trade when they have a shipper who sends them “‘faney” goods, particularly varieties of the favorites of foreign climes. It seems to us that a change is needed. The grower’s products go now to a commission merchant, sare sold by him (between 12 and 3 A. M. ) to the w holesale dealer, by ‘him to the small grocer and lastly ito the consumer. “This necessitates the following delays and handlings: , 67 | | Our products, for instance, would leave the farm at 7 A. M. crisp, tender and fresh; that night at midnight they would be sorted out to the wholesale dealer, the following morning he sells to the grocer and by night the consumer has it. This condition is, of course, much worse where the produce is fron twenty-four hours to one week in transit between grower and dealer. The day is shortly to arrive when all restaurants, hotels and clubs will deal directly with the farmer, wiving to him the full value of his crops. This means to the producer a very large increase in his returns, To the private consumer, the ‘*‘ Home Hamper” will bring to the door absolutely fresh yegetables in season, unhandled. If you will stop to think one moment what “unhandled”’ means, you will be astounded. “* Unhandled by a dozen people, not having stood in hot stores, foul cellars, or along dusty streets’’; and it means the same to the famous steward as it does to the simple housekeeper. The “*Home Hamper” means a mail order business, and let me say here let no man, or woman, undertake market-gardening unless they distinctly understand it is a business; as much a business as « department store or a manufactory. This hamper is delivered in New York or Brooklyn for $1.50; exactly the same price in mid-season, much less when vegetables are scarce, than you would pay for the articles at a fair green grocer’s. To the housekeeper within the city limits the mail order carla opens to her door through which she can bring in fresh supplies for jellies, jams, preserves, canned vegetables and pickles, the exact quantity she desires fresh from the garden. To the gardener who adds chickens to his other products, a market for eggs is at once opened, for these may form a portion of the “Tome Hamper” contents, and “dormant” food for city dwellers be reduced to a minimum. Perishable products, such as lettuce, endive, spinach and radishes, should be picked either in the early morning or at nightfall. They should then be spread in the shade, thoroughly sprinkled and left in the open all night. These products wilt instantly when gathered, and the usual method is to take a barrel into the field cut the crop and pack it at once, the result being the produce wilts and heats tre- mendously. Radishes when shipped to a hotel or club should be packed in crates, which have had paraffin paper laid on each side and each end. They should not be bunched, which is a saving of mueh time to both parties concerned, and every radish should be so perfect that the steward may take up a handful and see that they may be served at once. Is he willing to pay a good price? Of course he is, for it saves him one man’s time and brings him much commendation. Lettuce well washed and crisp. saves him further time; in fact, the benefit he derives is well worth a fancy price no matter what the vegetable. Sweet corn, without a doubt, is the most difficult product to get to market in its best condition. It heats very fast, while after a few hours the sugar is transformed into starch. If possible, pick it in’ the early morning and ship at once; if not, pick the last thing at night, spread so the ears do not lie on one another and leave it out in the night air, packing and shipping at once in the early morning. The Senior Partner says, “‘A true corn eat is where you pick the corn after the water is boiling, but alas for city folks, they will never know a “true corn eat.” I doubt not the “‘Home Hamper” this summer has given them the nearest to it they have ever known. The farm has shipped this summer upward of one hundred ‘‘Home Hampers,’ most of them to “history makers’’ and “critics,” which if sold as many of them were, at the usual rate ($1.50) would have netted a tidy sum—they have been forwarded through New York City to interior points and re failed to arrive in prime condition and receive enconiums. The personal equation here as elsewhere means much, therefore study up your packages, deck what you will use and put them together during the winter, time is too precious in the summer season. Gathering a crop when it fas reached the best stage is a matter that entails much thought. ct ” coming idea is “not how large, but how good.” Peas picked when young and sweet will sell as “petit pois” at an advanced figure. Small beans bring “baby bean” figures, while small, crisp radishes are the only ones worth shipping. Young bects are in demand, also young carrots, onions and turnips. Gather your corn before the kernels have reached their largest size and do not wait for lettuce to become) as hard as a rock provided it is well blanched and headed. It seems to me the mutual interests of market-gardener and consumer could be materially advaneed if the former would form a league and meet the National Stewards League of America. They would find their interests identical and here, on equal terms, matters of vital interest could be brought up and discussed. The Market-Gardeners’ Association could have at its head an agent whose business it would be to keep in touch with the members of the association and the members of the league, so that a larger harvest of one commodity could be disposed of where the league members most wanted it. The Suffolk County Cauliflower Association has been established on these lines for some years. Their agent keeps in toucli with the markets of both East and West, giving to the members the knowledge where to ship to their best advantage and thus save a glut in the nearby market. Now the producer and consumer of garden’ crops are as far-apart as the poles with the commission man between them. This may and no doubt (does sound most tremendously hard on the commissioners; they still have their place in the world however, for the big car-load lots and imported commodities must always be looked after by them. The inarket-gardeners’ consignments are usually small and many commission houses do not care to handle them atall. This has been our personal experience this summer, therefore the fact has been forced upon us, that the small producer must find his market direct; easy in this case for the one wants what the other h LS 4 On the same date from the same house there may be a wide difference in the returns on the same commodity packed in different ways. Again the return from one house may be much higher than fron snother on the same goods packed the same way. For instance, from one house on the same day wé received the same price for a basket and fora crate of melons. The basket, of course held much less, but the quality of the two packages was the same. At one time and at one house turnips sold for sixty-) seven cents pe: barrel, at another house, seven cents per bunch, in crates; this seems to be good proof of the advisability of fancy packing. ‘Tomatoes loose in crates (even though carefully sorted) brought fifty cents per crate; in baskets in crates, as high as $1.75. ; 68 en No. 2’s “Wickson” Plum, not yet three years old. Peaches that pleased the palates of even the epicurean Oriole. Grapes of superb quality and big yield ” Cantaloupe a new comer imported from France - Dives Creation.” a Long Island “ Watermelon: Seawanhaka” of Play S. Burean U. Watermelons and eggplants should be packed with a little straw that they may carry unblemished. Lettuce wrapped in paraffin paper and a piece of paper laid over the head of cauliflower will raise them at once to the ranks of aristocratic vegetables. For the convenience of those who are uninitiated, two and one-half bushels make a barrel; spring radishes should have twelve in a bunch, while the summer varieties require only six. Beets and turnips should have six, eight or ten, according to size; understand this is merely the custom of one locality, and package customs, like others, have their good and bad points. Individuality, on a basis of common sense, will prove as good with vegetables as it has with fruits and flowers, while new varieties and hybrids are being as eagerly sought for by stewards as by landscape gardeners. List of Plant Life Flourishing at Experimental Station No. 1 within a year after clearing commenced Vegetables Name No. of varieties Name No. of varieties Name No. of varieties Name No. of varieties mentchokes serusalemy,.. -Celeriat..:......52:... 1. Onions......:.2..4...4 42 Sakurajima....-...02.. 8 BPSPRCACTIS Si tint so Acc’. em Ghivess)) aa... Ae hie De Parsnips ee ev ee cau, 2 = Salsifyc me 1 Beans, string........... Sion sweets of ccs tae elOv Parsley. i>. 8.1. wclenee 2 Scorzonera 1 eons nae tea eG) “Cuctmbers: «6c. see een Bee gh eanutstry. ca. cu tee Se +Shallotasseancecesce eet 1 SA a et Gee SLIP O DINU set-rias sitesi Mek, IDEAS eee Sco Spmadchins eee neea: 8 ADDN 3 Sh leit ok en we bie! 700 3 Peppers...... A> USG Nash; cahaeie seamen an 5 Brussels Sprouts........ 2 Horseradish Teer Pe-tSRIN,Vapoor: oo cere 1 Sunflower 1 BIRDDAPEs ok Cami | 6 he nie 14 HESS Geaiaaetann Snare 2 Potatoes, white. 10% “Lomatoesay s.5../e teat 16 MEAT OOO! (6.055 0/0c.cuj se c's 1 Kohl-Rabi. 1 Potatoes, sweet......... Sie DUNNING cca ye men tee 4 BRETTOL ees rte. fxs Me MERUCG Asse ntace ce osc 5% OS y Lettiriys) epee 6 oe balan he Bi Udo een te ore Q auliflower,...........: SieelWartynian. ews ealds madishesi) a)... ait eee == GEN AAR Bic ommend oneate Dee |Ollinaieniteetecs Cones tote Bevo te CPraliitilo tee tes aa apa Q Motalt ce. eel ache 180 Fruits and Berries Name No. of varieties Name No. of varieties Name No. of varieties Name No. of varieties BEIAD is ere torneo thors) ore a LOpesGurrantaed sce ra c cones S| Nectarine tec v's, eR Reiohe 1 Strawberries’. cife canine setae 1 SE aoe ole, ae Sit Dahlin see css ee Si ihilac <8 2 Scarlet runner.... 1 OO BEGTEN Gey tr Pe ag A PD atrodils: cas svar Ome olihlesseee acon ee 2 Shrub, scented. . 1 aynlbous begonias. ...-... 4 Bulalia.: 2... 6. ..02...% 8 Nasturtium, dwarf 4 Sweet peas....... 6 Malendiial’. 2. sf. . 6.0 1 Forget-me-not. 1 Nasturtium, climbing 5 Sweet William. . 1 Calladium. TF PAs Chias gS Nersthey mctek Saw ANT IOKBLIS* 5 09, Vertes NS Bane 3 Thunbergia.... 1 OA eA Re ae ee ee Geranium’sss. oes csiciste 4 Pansy. i 6 Violet..... : 3 MDOCH Toes metas osc 2 pee Gladiolus ccc ers waves 6 Perennial palox 6 Wild Cucumber 1 Chrysanthemum........ 6 Grass, lawn...... tS wPriVvetwaraen at: 1 — RYE Soneeencleuy tee eee 8 Hollyhock....... ven ge OSES Masa -.ys 15 Total: Sacracts eee oe 117 ari ETT ere Scie as aiciareicrok na stannieniPacirn tie @anreaMalaiesaidene daasteedne Xe be cael «4/5 oo Sp OUNVArTEReS ; J 71 ih Long Island Cauliflower unequalled elsewhere Summary Giving data, also conclusions of Broad Gauge Men HE history of Twentieth Century Pioneering has been written from a record kept day unto day in two diaries; this being supplemented by a very large number of photographs to graphically portray the methods and happenings incident to the subjugation of acreage, frequently referred to as “wild land,” in the quickest time possible.. Unquestionably many improvements will suggest themselves to even the casual reader. Three hundred and eighty varieties of plant growth were successfully developed or naturalized. This great number was experimented with in order to prove conclusively to the world at large the fact well known to real Long Islanders, that any plant growable in the Temperate Zone could be developed far above the average in quality, and further, many little known or entirely unknown growths of marked food value in their native countries would readily naturalize with the particularly favorable conditions of Long Island climate and soil. In no respects were the experiments with unusual plants a failure. The failures as enlarged upon in the body of this book, were without exception with those species long ago proven particularly profitable on the Island. And the failures upon Experimental Station Number 1 were duplicated not only on Long Island, but throughout the East because of the practically unique atmospheric conditions prevalent during the summer of 1906. Commercial fertilizer was not used or experimented with because it was not needed in the virgin soil, whose only lack was humus, or decaying vegetable matter. A particularly small quantity of manure was used in order to show that a very small amount of capital could be made to yield more profit when invested in agricultural pursuits upon the libeled Long Island territory still lying idle and without reason called “pine barrens” and “scrub-oak waste,” than from acres long tilled by ‘‘penny wise and pound foolish” owners. To plant and cultivate thirteen acres, the majority of them intensively, but three men were em- ployed. Again, to show primarily that a small amount of capital would carry on the labor end of market- gardening, also that three men with modern machinery could do what from five to eight experienced hands would accomplish with only the strongest of efforts without the aid of labor-saving devices. The use of mechanical drills and hand cultivators proved time and time again, by measurement and by clock, that one man with a machine whose first cost as from $7 to $10 and with a life lasting many years, equaled ten men with a hoe, Many experiments in packing and marketing were tried, proving conclusively that individuality in packing paid. That there was a great market for strictly choice, fresh, products of the earth and further that the principle proven so successful by manufacturers and mercantile houses, must be pursued to secure the largest returns by those who select to go to Mother Nature for a livelihood. The trend of the times is summed up in the phrase “from producer to consumer direct.” The consumer secures not only absolutely fresh food, but vegetables and berries and fruits that have ripened, as the chemistry of nature requires, upon the parent stalk at no increase in cost, but, in fact, at a marked reduction; while the grower who has given time and labor, thought and capital, receives a return sufficient to prove that agriculture is a business, assuring not only a comfortable livelihood but profits fully equal to those of any manufacturing or mercantile pursuit. It is sincerely hoped that the following data will prove of interest and value. Total area of Long Island, 1,076,480 acres. The west end, comprising Kings, Queens and Nassau Counties, 337,363 acres. Suffolk County, the easterly two-thirds of the Island, covers 739,117 acres. Of this over 40,000 are without assessment. This non-producing territory consists mainly of beaches and salt meadows, while 200,000 acres lie idle and with merely nominal assessment against them, much of them covered with second and third growth timber consisting principally of oak, chestnut and pine which is not considered large enough for cord wood. Some of it through lack of forethought has been burned over by the forest fires so prevalent generally in the spring. As a matter of fact the cord wood on much of this idle acreage would pay and more than pay for the clearing and the first cost. Practically all of it is absolutely virgin soil with every requisite for raising a high quality and big yield of flowers, fruits and vegetables. Prices of uncleared land vary from $25 to $150 per acre. Cleared land, some of it fenced and with dwellings and farm buildings upon it, varies in price from $100 to $250 per acre. Much of this land is extremely valuable having been kept up by the waste matter of live stock of many species. Other acreage has been handled by progressive men who knew the value of cover crops and green manure. Some, of course, has been handled with less intelligence but quickly responds to methods proven rational and assuring yearly increase of fertility. Every section of Long Island is readily accessible. The narrow island has three divisions of the Long Island Railroad paralleling each other; one on the south shore, one through the central section and one along the north shore, making it practically impossible to locate five miles from the railroad facilities, and much of the unsubdued woodland lies within seventy miles of New York City, the greatest market in the world. The Long Island Railroad Company was chartered in 1834, construction completed to Hicksville in 1837 and in 1844 the main line had reached the terminal at Greenport, which, with a connecting line of steamers, opened up New England markets to the farmers at the east end of Suffolk County, which 73 A vel a Rea F F and the deadly parallel between soaked and unsoaked tubers “blights” soaking to destroy imported Potatoes High-class rapidly developed that portion of the fertile island. Railroad statistics show that the Long Island Railroad is the only railroad in the United States which has retained its original name and charter unchanged. Long Island, settled in 1640 both from England and New England, the particularly favor- _able climate backing up the fertile and tractable soil, soon brought settlers from neighboring states as well as across the water. The east end built up speedily and settlements first trended west along the thrifty tree-covered north shore. Huntington, mainly because of its good harbor, developed strongly and furnished in the early days the small villages of New York and Brooklyn with bread from its bakeries. Westbury, developed from Hempstead, was at this time supplying milk to these same small villages and the extreme east end was supplying meat, which was driven on the hoof to be slaughtered by the pre- decessors of the purveyors of animal food to the metropolis of to-day. As New York and Brooklyn grew, the wealthier classes selected Long Island for their country homes. In Colonial days the territory just east of Long Island City was covered by beautiful country places and we were entertaining celebrated foreigners, Lafayette among others. Driven eastward by natural development of the great cities, the Westbury Hills, attracted those longing for great estates and the dairymen exchanged the milk pail for the coupon-cutting scissors. At Glen Cove, between Oyster Bay and Hempstead, and at Amity- ville the rapid settlement by the wealthier classes continued and as transportation facilities were in- ‘creased, the home-seeker of more modest means followed, until the territory up to the Suffolk line was dotted thickly with growing villages, now for the greater part suburban wards. Suffolk was an unknown country sparsely settled and devoted mainly to farming. The natural eastward trend, however, which started in Colonial days, has not abated, the newcomers in Suffolk as a rule selecting their home sites near the island’s shores, leaving the interior still unsubdued. Topographically the island’s surface is most varied. Its north shore is composed of wooded hills dropping abruptly to the waters of the sound, and sloping gradually to the ocean shore, leaving its central section a gently undulating and very easily tilled territory. Its climate is remarkably temperate, records showing the range between May and October to be 56 in October and but 71.8 in July. The waters surrounding the island tempering the heat in summer as well as the cold in winter. The records show between 10 to 15 degrees in favor of Long Island. Government report shows the average date of killing frosts on Long Island to be October 20th, about one month later than in Brooklyn or New York. The same report shows that in the year 1898 there were 312 sunshiny days, a record only claimed in such semi-tropical states as California or Florida, such statistics explain in part why Long Island is the most favored spot on the Atlantic coast. It is the only land lying directly across the prevailing south- west winds of summer, which blowing from the ocean reach it unobstructed and uncontaminated. Its soil is known to the geologist as Norfolk sandy loam, varying in depth from two and one-half to five feet. Its underdrainage being ideal and far superior to that secured by ditching or tiles, composed chiefly of glacial boulders and gravel, surplus moisture is carried off as it slowly percolates through the soil above, which contains sufficient clay to hold the moisture and supply the needs of plant life. This same drainage is given as the reason that of the ten healthiest spots in the world Long Island stands third, the first and second being far up in the mountains of Europe. In the agricultural statistics of New York State the island holds a high place; its area is given as about one-twenty fifth of the entire state. In Suffolk County over one-half of this land is undeveloped. The population statistics of the early days are interesting. POPULATION 1693 1698 1703 1723 INewseYotk Stateless... 2a. be hcle co be 2,932 17,848 20,749 40,584 INewa von Gity)s 2. os. ieees Se ee ATT 4,937 4,436 7,248 Monceislandiemienee rs teat ana zc 1,432 8,261 9,653 15,650 For a century and a half, while New York State was largely agricultural, the island in population and revenue was the mainstay of the Empire State, running up to one-half of the state’s total. Its crop yield led all other portions, not excepting the Mohawk and Genesee valleys’ famous farms. The average yield per acre from old state records show Average yield per acre Long Island All other sections RO hie es kan SSI g clita Sisters uw ein race 35 bushels 28 bushels VERE eee ee i Stee tan 19 bushels 14 bushels MOSES OME hc Say cytes pos cuysllacev alana’ 26 bushels 17 bushels EGViC ree RRR See erachoh usta nea s hanes, 3 oleae 17 bushels 11 bushels UELES? 2s Eg a9 RS Ea a 28 bushels 16 bushels Suffolk County’s settlement is strangely sparse, there being roughly, one and three-fourths persons per acre, averaging the island as a whole. An anomaly for a territory which is the logical residence section of Greater New Yorkers and which for generations has proven itself to be the natural source of supply of milk and vegetables needed by the great cities whose requirements augment stupendously each year. These two foods being of little value and even a menace to health, except when strictly fresh. must perforce be drawn from supply points close by. For even the most studious care and skillful refrigeration fails to compensate for the extended time necessary to reach the consumer from far-off regions. Milk cannot be kept in perfect statu quo nor can the change from vegetable sugar to starchy products of no human food value be checked, hence in the future the easterly half of Long Island will be relied upon to furnish the freshest milk, vegetables, fruits and flowers for the New York market. The Long Island Railroad, continually anticipating the need of growers, is increasing its express service and runs special trains to carry freight cars of vegetables on standard passenger train schedules from growing localities to markets. In 1906 its special service placed vegetables in the hands of city LA ‘ consumers inside of four hours after they were packed and shipped from a distance of nearly seventy miles. In 1905 the freight shipments of vegetables by rail alone amounted to: berries, 433 tons; cauli- flower, 10,075 tons; pickles, 20,962 tons; potatoes, 53,724 tons; requiring 3,250 freight cars to transport this large yield to market, where the growers secured for potatoes, cauliflower, asparagus, cabbage, celery, ete.,ete., prices ranging from ten per cent. to forty per cent. above those offered for the same varieties raised elsewhere. } e The express service handled 3,500 tons of cauliflower, 375 tons of lima beans, 160 tons of Brussels sprouts, 175 tons of peaches, 450 tons of tomatoes. Herewith Long Island data of yield per acre compiled from carefully kept records extending over a number of years: . POTATOES.—Potatoes yield per acre 200 to 400 bushels; average price 75c. per bushel, varying from 50c., when bulk of crop is marketed, to $1.50 and $2 for early and for potatoes kept into the winter. The average gross return per acre is $225, cost of production $56.50, net profit $169 per acre. CAULIFLOWER.—Long Island alone can grow this delicacy in large quantities in the open air, the natural precipitation making this possible. This crop requires care, but protected and blanched, its floweret-formed head nets a profit per acre averaging over $200. CABBAGE.—Average twenty-two tons per acre. Price from $8 to $20 per ton. Easy to grow, gather and pack. One grower netted $935 from three acres. CABBAGE SEED.—One of Long Island’s specialties, being the biggest producer, nets over $400 per acre. CELERY.—Long Island grown frequently commands a premium. Net profits vary widely from $300 to $1000 according to the care given the crop. BRUSSELS SPROUTS.—Cost to grow $30. Yield frequently over 3,000 quarts of miniature cabbage-heads per acre, which sell at 10 to 30 cents per quart. Average net return $555 per acre. ASPARAGUS.—Yields for thirty years, but good business policy dictates renewal after ten — years’ cropping. Profitable crop after three years. Average yield per acre 2,500 bunches. Value 1216 to 25c. per bunch. Net yearly return for 10 years averaged over $550 per acre. FRUITS.—Long Island has developed many famous strains. The Newtown pippin was valued so highly that in 1758 England exempted this pippin from the payment of duty. PEARS have netted from $600 to $800 per acre. QUINCES especially adapted to the island, $1,500 being secured by one grower from a single acre. PEACHES do well, especially on the hills. PLUMS.—The Japanese varieties thrive marvelously, paying the third year a good margin. SMALL FRUITS. per bushel, bring $3 to $4 per bushel. Average net $900 per acre. Gooseberries yield 200 to 400 bushels per acre, cost to raise and market 50e. ; CURRANTS.—Annual yield sure and extremely heavy, two to four pounds per bushel, fre-— quently net $300 to $400 per acre. BLACKBERRIES AND RASPBERRIES thrive well and return upward of $300 per acre. STRAWBERRIES yield heavily, as high as $800 per acre having been secured. CRANBERRIES.—Long Island crops rank very high, yield over 200 crates per acre; value $2 _ and upward per crate. GRAPES.—At present grown mainly for home use. Thrive splendidly and would pay well. SEEDS, PLANTS AND BULBS.—Floral growth has proven extremely successful on the island and growers of specialties as well as a general line are exceptionally prosperous. It is not always possible to see ourselves as others see us, but the case of the Long Island Railroad's Experimental Station Number 1 at Wading River, proves the exception to the general rule as the follow - ing extracts from letters written by prominent men will attest: Among the pleasant recollections that I carried away are the impressions of the possibilities that lay dormant in this so-called “ serub po waste’’ land. It was a revelation in several respects. I was greatly surprised at the character and nature of the soil, especially the 344-foot loam section your cellar shows overlying one of the most perfect beds of gravel as an under- drain that I have ever seen. What you have done in less than a year on the so-called “ waste lands” is convincing proof that all this section needs is intelligent management and hard work to bring out the latent possibilities in vegetable and fruit growing The character of the products I saw on your place was most striking. I have never seen a better showing of alfalfa or a more profuse growth of corn than you have at the present time. Your alfalfa plot, particularly the one on which soil from an old alfalfa field was used for inoculation is a wonder. The work you are doing will certainly have a far-reaching effect in practically demonstrating the possibilities of vegetabl and fruit growing in that section. Your method of clearing land by ilowhie out the stumps with dynamite is unique and interesting. This method will be of great value to others. Pror. W. G. Jonunson, August 15, 1906. Editor, The American Agriculturist, Orange, Judd Co. All were surprised at the wonders of your farm work and will talk about it for months to come. The “Home Hamper” is an excellent method of packing and is a fine method of shipping the splendid vegetables raised at Experiment Station Number 1 Cuartes E. Suerarp, August 16, 1906, Editor, Brooklyn Daily B You could not have secured a better truck and garden soil if you had excavated and made it to order, The demon- | nade in growing such a variety of first quality garden crops in one short season on wild soil and without chemiea! fertilizer 1 « ider nothing short of marvelous, _ Tam: ly gratified at the fine showing of alfalfa and forage crops, You have demonstrated not only the possibility it the ease with which dairy herds may be maintained by the soiling system on soils always considered too light and poor for ~ " h purposes. The problem of an adaqoate milk supply for New York City becomes more acute each year and the opening ! « vast territory of production within two hours’ distance of this great market, in a section hitherto considere impossible, should prove a magnificent opening for the dairy interest. Cou. F. E. Bonstest, August 15, 1906 Editor, Farming; Doubleday, Page & Co. 76 Brussells Sprouts—picking and packing A crop gathered when all other crops are done | You have delivered the goods. Long Island wood ashes and Yankee muscle and brains do work miracles. July 22, 1906. Water S. Fonn Editor, Brooklyn Daily Squashes and cucumbers arrived, melons were great. You are certainly producing the goods. August 1, 1906. Cox. A. G. Peacock, u Editor, N. Y. Herald, 4 I expect to indulge in an old-fashioned country dinner when I get home. You are a bigger and a better farmer Horace Greeley ever was. Joun A. ’ August 2, 1906. Editor, Weekly President, Judge { I was very much surprised to see what a fine lot of vegetables you have raised on what apparently was unproductive soil. [think that the experiment made by the Long Island Railroad was a very wise one. I have enjoyed watchin, progress and development of this undertaking and I feel sure that when the people know how productive the soil is and how compara- lively easy and economical the land ean be cleared there will be many who wish to acquire good farm holdings within easy access of the city of New York. Brooklyn, August 13, 1906. Jupoce Wa. J. Younes , The work of the Experimental Station is very interesting and edible. September 17, 1906. Lewis Witey Adv. Mgr., New York Times The tomatoes were delicious. The first really good tomatoes I had this summer. The novelty of real sugar corn was also delightful to the palate, The radishes were sound and crisp, the beans fine and the potatoes about as perfect as any I have ever eaten. There are many who would appreciate the opportunity to get really fresh vegetables. I think there is an good opening in New York for real sugar corn and real lima beans. You have the advantage and can command a higher price — for the real thing, which is almost impossible to get in the market or even from the fancy greengrocer. September 15, 1906. Wn. Wirr a Editor, N. ¥. Evening Mail. The hamper containing the very attractive samples of your products was duly received. It is work in the right direction wml, systematically pursued, cannot fail to prove of lasting benefit not only to the promoters but to the community at large. August 9, 1906. E. G. Sanporn, Editor, The World. The melons were fine, first-class, in fact, any term implying excellence may justly be applied to them September 18, 1906. S. W. Cooper Editor, Brooklyn Daily Eagle. It is needless to say that the contents of the baskets were used and enjoyed, which is not surprising in view of the fact that the entire contents of the baskets were the products of the finest land in the world. I always have been a great believer in Long Island and felt that all it needed was a show. Wan. mr, Jn, August 6, 1906. Bus. Mgr., N. Y. Presa. If you are going into the business of furnishing ‘Home Hampers” I will be able to get you some customers. August 1, 1906. Wa. A. Deertna, Adv. Mgr., N. Y. Sun. — The “firstlings’’ of the crop came duly to hand and were highly appreciated. Will you kindly permit me to thank you heartily for the token of your skill as a tiller of the soil and the proof it afforded of the availability of Long Island soil. June 12, 1906. F. Danna Reep, Editor, Brooklyn Daily Eagle. I am exceedingly interested in the excellent report concerning the alfalfa experiments. I think the alfalfa has made u most excellent showing. That the results speak well for the possibilities of alfalfa upon this Pe of Long Island soil when given careful treatment, which appears to be essential. J. W. WestGare, : y September 13, 1906. Asst. Agrostologist, U. S. Dept. Agriculture. From the standpoint of development one of the most important features of the year’s work is the practical demonstration made by the Long Island Railroad Company through neighbor Fullerton and his able assistants that the wild lands of Suffolk may be made to produce as good fruits, vegetables and fodder as any man need desire. The theory of “waste lands” on Long Island ts knocked higher than a kite. The way is opened for truck farms, fruit farms, dairy farms and every other kind of a farm in a region which has heretofore been left to the uses of the rabbit, the deer and the wild birds. —Uncle Jerry Wockers, in The County Review. The above are from representative men, and prove conclusively that the Long Island Railroad's xperimental Station Number 1 produced, within one year of clearing, high-grade crops. The publicity ziven this effort to put the so-called “‘ waste lands” in a condition to take their proper place in the world’s work of yielding their full quota of revenue has been so successful, that development is now under way in various sections, and anticipating the rapid development of the thousands of acres of unused land on Long Island along agricultural lines, the Long Island Railroad Company has in hand plans for aiding in the establishment of a produce market where trains from each division of the railroad can be run direct, and thus furnish quick service and an adequate distributing point for the handling of products which will be grown on Long Island soil. - Most clearly does the following editorial sum up the situation and show the motive underlying the Long Island Railroad’s demonstration of the Island’s “waste lands” fertility. Eden and Arcadia at Home Commentators are not, even yet, all agreed upon the location of the Garden of Eden, nor is the local habitation of classic Arcadia as clear as the associations which surround the name. Until quite recently, though, no one, even the most or astute, entertained any serious suspicion that either of these inviting or historic localities belon to Long Island. Within the last few months, however, a movement has been in good faith begun by long-headed, practical business men, few, if of whom can be suspected of idealism or rainbow-chasing, which may end by the demonstration that the Island on which we live, and of which we know so little, has in it possibilities which may yet make it the garden and beauty spot of the entire Atlantic oust, not to say of the whole country. Three quarters of a million acres of as fair land as lies outdoors offers inviting, almost intitmited, field for the experiment; the commercial environment is complete—that is to say, the markets and the money rewards ire at hand; and so the appeal which is both the beginning and end of the most of the activities of mankind is direct and tminediate. Reclamation of what have heretofore been regarded by the lazy and indifferent as merely barren wastes is inaugurated on id lines, both for immediate and remote development, with the greatest and most insatiable markets of the world at th» very Joor, ready to pay even the highest prices for everything which the soil can produce, Never, perhaps, has great industrial operation of unbounded possibilities and reaching into the far future been more advant usly begun than for the new era of agricultural Long Island, Everybody knows that the real estate boom which has inflated values on the ernend of the Island, almost to the bursting or breaking point, must sooner or later meet the inevitable, but for the work 78 Japanese Udo: a winter luxury. Pe-tsai: the delicate Chinese Cabbage. Witloof Chicory, Barbe de Capucin: a Belgian Salad which is now, for the first time, being mt | undertaken no such condition attaches, no such future impends. Intensive farming is the order of the day everywhere. The cream of the Western prairies has been skimmed, with the demonstration that ten acres, or even five, are enough; the trolley and the telephone have put an end to rural isolation; the cliff dwellers of the skyscrapers of the great cities are finding more and more every year the disadvantages of their environment, and the tendency to return to mother earth, to live close to nature b yierts stronger. ‘ Ss: Apart, moreover, from the immediate and local interest in the undertaking which is to transform the greater part of the Island, to change what the uninformed and the indifferent have regarded as deserts and barrens to blooming and fertile fields, the movement deserves attention, both from its economic and political aspects. The difficulties of real republican government in these congested human centers, the problems of administration, sanitation, education, and all that goes to make up life are the most serious, the most perplexing with which the civic administration of the present day concerns itself; and no solution has yet been found to compare, in any degree, with that of distribution of the people in homes of their own, supported by their own labor upon the land. If the Long Island experiment does nothing else than to spread out among the rolling, pictures- que hills and dales of the north shore; the broad inviting plains of the central Island, or the breezy expanses of the southern coast, even a fraction of the people who may, in these surroundings, find prosperous and happy homes, it will abundantly justify itself The public learns only by object lessons, and one like that which Long Island offers the opp6rtunity and the reward will not long go unheeded, certainly in the entire Atlantic coast chain of towns and cities. Another factor which should not be overlooked in the m »vement is the close and direct co-operation of capital. Indeed, the corporation which furnishes transportation to the Island, 1. -sally the genius of the whole undertaking, working out the practical details, gathering information and prosecuting experin nts at its own cost, handling its trains and even extending its lines, all for the benefit and advantage of those who co-operate with it and who primarily receive the benefit of the develop- ment. It has been sometimes said that it would have been a good thing for the Pennsylvania if it had bought the Island when it bought the road. It may turn out to be better than that if it deveiops the Island and so gives to the owners of its lands, both small and great, share and share alike, the unearned increment, the inevitable advance in value which must come from the change in the condition, the use and the product of the lands. In other words, while Congress, commissioners and courts legislate and wrangle over railroad rates, the corporation most directly concerned sets an example by lending its capital, its services, and its enthusiasm in promoting a project which must give to its beneficiaries far greater and more permanent advan- tage than it possibly can to the railroad itself. Mr. Hill, perhaps the ablest railroad administrator living, worked this all out long ago, in his Northwestern development. The Long Island adopts the same principle, with methods modified to suit the conditions, and it is only reasonable to anticipate that what has been done on a large scale and upon thousands of square miles of prairie may be repeated, even more profitably, at our own doors and upon the plains of Long Island. The incident illustrates, again, the old maxim that “the Lord helps those who help themselves,” and that those who are looking for the chance to do something usually are able to find work close at hand. Perhaps, also, there is a side light on the much discussed municipal ownership idea. anyone believes that the agricultural development of Long Island could be accomplished in any other way than that by which it has been undertaken, the experiments pi geome od bridge operations, of tunnel construction, of street opening, and of public buildings, go very far toward demonstrating a negative. The corporation and the public are abundantly able to meet each other half way, at least, in their own interests, and anyone who will take the trouble to study the methods and the policy recognized between the railroad and the people of the Island will see an excellent illustration of the practical, common sense way of doing things. Taken in its large sense, the experiment of Long Island, though now in the day of small things, in its very beginning, is one of which a great deal more will be heard which will warrant the careful study and attention of those who undertake to read from events and from social and industrial changes their laws and lessons, as well as of those who are merely looking for a good thing, for a chance to get rich, not quick, but certainly. —Editorial, Brooklyn Standard Union. This broad gauge article written by Mr. Herbert L. Bridgman, editor, explorer and philanthropist, is assuredly a fitting finis. Of for the morning train srapreeaenel + ’ THT) The Homestead at No. 2 in 1909 Aftermath Ww T is now three years since “The Lure of the Land” was written and we are nearing the close of the fourth year of Experimental Station No. 1. These four years have been overflowing with varied successes. The land becomes more tractable each year, the small fine roots disappearing and forming humus, which, of course, makes cultivation easier, and the planted rows much straighter. Peace and Plenty’s second summer saw it planted to as many crops as the first year, each plot of land was of course planted to a different kind of vegetable; that is crop rotation and the only sensible course to pursue. Each type of plant growth takes from the soil a predominance of one kind of plant food, another type of plant the following year takes of another element, giving the soil a change—which means to all of us—rest. The balance of the dairy plot had been blown free of stumps, and this new land was planted to corn, alfalfa and potatoes. The alfalfa experiments were with various kinds of seed, no laboratory inoculation as we had proven soil inoculation the only rational method. There was seed from Mon- tana, Canada, Dakota, Colorado, New Mexico and from Provence, France, and the Montana grown proved to be the best of all. The other fields were so poor they were plowed under and used for growing vegetables the following year, and the crops proved in a most marked way the value of this plant as a “‘ green manure.’ The orchard made brave growth and was sown to crimson clover early in the fall as it had been each year; that is the only fertilizer the trees have had except a small quantity of wood ashes around the trunk to head of borers and other pests. The third summer saw the fields in still better condition with one or two exceptions. The onion yields had been so fine it was deemed wise to plant two acres to them, and the fifth and sixth acres on the left-hand side of the middle road (if you can picture them in your mind) were laid aside for this crop. The Senior Partner said to Mike (who, by the way, is still foreman and whose family now numbers eight, “Peace” and ‘‘ Nettie” having made their appearance on this planet of ours), **l want to try some experiments here with onions. First disc harrow that land just as soon as you can go on to it. One half acre has crimson clover on it and the rest was not winter covered; cut that clover all under and don’t put any manure or anything else on it. On this part put 400 pounds wood ashes, and on this part 1,000 pounds of the special onion fertilizer you are so crazy to try.” | ** Allright, Mr. Fuller’, Ido him, you see. I think fertilizer he be best, onion he big feeder. e “T know he is a big feeder, Mike, but I am willing to bet dollars to doughnuts that we get the best yield from the crimson clover.” Mike “‘did him,” “good and plenty.” He trebled the dose of wood ashes, so that most of the crop was burnt up as fast as it germinated; as for the commercial fertilizer, the onions withered and died with the first dry spell. There was chemical food in the ground but nothing to hold the moisture to make it available. The crimson clover patch yielded a good crop of fine onions. Whether Mike went “dopy”’ or the proposition was too big for him the third summer, it is hard to 81 ——————— SS tell; in any event the farm had the most glorious crop of weeds along the fences and in some of the crops: that anyone could wish not to see. I am inclined to think the burden was too great for an untrained man, and the Senior Partner was kept closely in the office in Huntington nearly all summer and could not be with Mike as much as we desired. This unexpected office has been a curious development of farm work. The “Lure of the Land” brought us so many letters that it was necessary to add to the office force. In August, 1907, Mr. Peters asked if we could get out a little leaflet every other week or so, giving the work at the Experimental Stations, so that people who had become interested in the ‘*Lure of the Land” could follow the farms in their growth. The Senior Partner “’lowed” that he could and in three days sent the first copy of “The Long Island Agronomist”’ on its life’s mission. Every two weeks since then the little leaflet has gone gratis to anyone who wants it. It is now in the beginning of its third year and goes to every State and Territory in the Union and every country in the globe, numbering over 7,500 copies each issue. More office work to keep the Senior Partner away from the farms! And as a precious little son had come to keep me busy, I was of little or no use as a farmer. In August, Mike was told he would have to do better another year or we would have to put ina new foreman. He has done phenomenally better and this year we and he are proud to have anyone see the farm at any time. . This year there have been magnificient crops of corn, potatoes, cucumbers, cauliflower, pumpkin, beets, beans, carrots, rhubarb, onions, Brussels sprouts, finochio, squash, spinach, lettuce, all kinds of melons, tomatoes, okra, kale, martynia, eggplant, Swiss chard, cabbage and alfalfa. A new acre of alfalfa was planted in June after we had purchased seed from every seedsman we could find who handled it, and had them all tested for purity and germination by the State and National departments of — Agriculture. There were but two fit to plant, the rest containing enormous quantities of dangerous weed — seeds. Knowing that we purchased weed seeds with the alfalfa, we decided to sow the seed in drills 12 inches apart. Also knowing that one cannot spend too much time in the preparation of the soil for a erop — which will last so many years, the field was first dise harrowed four times each way, then spring tooth harrowed, then leveled, then rolled—the latter to compact the soil so that there would be no air spaces — about the roots. As we are still going light on ‘* Pennsy millions’’ and did not have a grain drill, we opened a furrow — with the Planet Jr. Mike’s eldest son followed, sowing soil from the old alfalfa field right in the furrow — and the Planet Jr. drill coming behind dropped the seed in the inoculated soil and covered it over. This is the finest field we have ever seen; it has been cultivated with the Planet Jr. twice and the weeds have been pulled out three times. This is a simple matter for it means walking up and down the rows, pull- ing out an occasional weed. The field has been cut twice, yielding 1,500 pounds first cutting and 2,300 pounds the second. Another acre, where early potatoes were harvested, was sown in the same manner in early Septem- ber; it is doing just as well, but our experience has been that late sowings do not get sufficient root hold to withstand the heave and thaw of winter. Over in the dairy plot where the Virginia horse tooth corn grew the first year, a big crop of lima beans was gathered last year. With the last cultivation crimson clover was sown, as is the custom with every crop wherever practicable each year. This Spring the fine tall stand of clover was disked under, and no other fertilizer whatever was used. Cabbage and Brussels sprouts where planted there and it is the finest field of cabbage it has ever been my pleasure to behold. The total cost of fertilizing this crop for one year was $1.20. Every cabbage and every sprout plant is perfect, the field-running way over normal in point of evenness of yield. It has been our custom to plant anything which we have been told will not grow in this latitude. Among those tried this year were Gibralter onions, more commonly known as Bermuda or Prizetaker onions. In order that the experiment might be complete, the Senior Partner said to Mike last winter: “In early March sow some of this seed in the cold frame, and set the young plants out as soon! as you can, then sow the rest of the seed in the open, the same as the other onions.’’ “All right, Mr. Fuller’, I see you think it not hot enough here for these onions. — I sow them in hot bed—he be all right.” Orders were followed and both sowings of seed have matured their crops, but the field sown seed are — slightly larger than those transplanted from the cold frame. The latter matured earlier, while the field sown grew larger after the usual Summer’s dry spell and matured in late September. These yielded at — the rate of 1,035 bushels to the acre. They measure 28 to the bushel and average 2 pounds each, some weighing as heavy as 224 pounds, running from 1614 to 191% inches in circumference and averaging +— inches in thickness. Needless to say they will be planted in quantity at both stations next year, in 1910. Our friend, Professor Watts of Pennsylvania State College, says he purchased two onions about this size for 35 cents. The Japanese Udo bas exceeded all our expectations; the Summer growth is 10 feet and the winter shoots are large, strong and deliciously tender and inviting. Pe-tsai, the Chinese cabbage, this year headed marvelously and is a most attractive delicate head of greens either cooked or raw. Among the newcomers on the farm this year is the South African pipe gourd or ‘*‘Calabash.’’ The gourds grow with great ease to perfection and the following incident occurred just before Fair time this year. Eliot” (who is one of the efficient, enthusiastic, willing, faithful, office force) “‘ go into a big pipe | dealer's in New York and ask them to fit a mouth-piece and band to this pipe. Bert [another member of i said office force, who, by the way, never know whether they are office men or farmers from day to day, work carrying them so much from one to the other] cut the end off with a hack saw last night, and scooped the inside out. J want to show it mounted at the Fair beside a gourd as it comes from the field.” That night Eliot came back with this tale. “I took it to the store on Broadway you spoke of and the clerk looked at me kind of queerly and asked where I got it. I told him we raised it on Long Island and he said I was crazy, they were al! imported from South Africa and were dreadfully expensive. I told him that might be, but I saw this 82 Low-headed Japanese Plum, three years#after! planting Japan Plums from three-year-old trees one growing in the fields. He asked me to wait until the manager came in, which I did, and he equally skeptical about my story, but finally believed me when I told him about the work of the Ex- — perimental Stations. He wanted to know how many we had and if we could supply him with more. I told him we had a few and I thought you would grow more next year. He is going to write to you about them and would not take any pay for mounting this one.” “All right,” said we, “a new industry for Long Island and another point scored for the Experi- mental Stations and waste land.” “Sugar pumpkins” and “crazy squash” from Italy are both new and extremely good. Finochio, the Italian salad plant, grows to perfection and matures a fine crop of seed. These seeds are used much in the culinary delicacies of the Italians, while the leaf and stalk are used as flavoring for soups and salads, A new sugar corn, Burpee’s ‘Catawba,’ seems to outclass Golden Bantam,for tenderness and sweetness. In field corn Pedrick’s ‘*Perfected”’ seems to lead all others in quality and evenness of yield. } The orchard gave samples of fruit the third year, all samples were of the very highest quality both as to flavor and color. The fourth year a late frost caught many blossoms, but what fruit there was marvelous for size and color. I have never seen such color on peaches and pears; Bartletts, large and handsome as anything Oregon or California can produce, with a flavor that these places cannot put into fruit no matter what the growers do. The quinces are excellent. Apricots and nee- tarines both set fruit and nearly matured them, then for some unexplained reason they shriveled and fell. I hope we can solve this mystery. The trees are all low headed and are kept well sprayed. There —a is not a sign of San Jose scale, the principal fight is with borer. An emulsion of Carbolineum, soap and — water recommended by Dr. Thorne of the Ohio Experiment Station, was used this year with great suecess. It was sprayed on the tree trunks only and the bark is now in excellent shape and the borers much less numerous. The “Home Hamper” came to stay; the demand grows each year and now both farms are kept busy packing and shipping to fill the orders. There has been no advertising of them outside of a notice in one issue of the “‘Agronomist.” Each hamper is its own best advertisement; each new customer is pretty sure to bring two more. Last winter we had an interesting incident. A New York M. D. had been receiving a weekly hamper (and from the orders which came through her recommendation we began to think she was prescribing vegetables from “‘ Farm to Family Fresh” instead of medicine). About January Ist we told her that shipments would have to cease as the crops were now reduced to a few winter roots. She replied in a piteous letter begging us to continue, “even if you have nothing to send but potatoes and cabbage. I cannot buy such delicious vegetables in the city.” She has now had a weekly hamper for a year and a half if not longer, without interruption. Her Winter hampers have contained liberal portions of Witloof Chicory or “‘ Barbe de Capucin,’ lettuce, radishes and young onions. Her continued demand inspired us to renewed efforts with cold frames, and the Double Sunlight Glass Sash made it possible for us to supply her, without any cost for | heating apparatus. These sash are one of the greatest inventions of the age. They are built in the usual manner with the exception of two thicknesses of glass which are separated, forming a dead air space which holds the temperature even, and holds in the hot bed or cold frame the heat stored up on every bright day. The surplus produce is still sent to Commission Merchants, but always to hotels, restaurants and clubs first. We pack only fancy goods in a fancy style and it is stlll bringing the same good prices. The horses, Texas and Buckeye are as sound as a dollar. In Winter they are fed on alfalfa and in the Spring they come out fat, sleek and glossy and the farm has been offered $350 for Texas, the sore- — footed roman nosed buck-skin. The farm help has been about the same. In the Winter Mike and his two boys take care of things. As hot beds increase, so we can ship hampers all winter, Mike will have to have one man to help him. In the Spring two Italians come to work all summer, and August Ist two more go on to help keep weeds from seeding, and sowing the farm to ruination; and harvest the crops. September is given over to Fairs and all hands work night and day with that extra work during the harvesting time. The third summer a young Rutger’s college student worked on the farm in order to gain practical experience. As fall drew near the Senior Partner said: “Well, Jim, have you gotten what you desired here? I am sorry I could not be with you more, but this confounded office work keeps me tied up.” “Indeed I have, Mr. Fullerton,” was the reply; “this summer has meant more to me than a whole term in college.” This year a high school student gained practical experience before he and his sister and mother went to farming for their livelihood. It is one of our dreams to be able to take all the young men who aSk to come to us (and their number is great indeed) and give them practical experience in the fields. Many a lad makes or breaks in his first year in the open; and wise counsel, good common sense and such comradeship as the Senior nrg can give are worth much. Perhaps our dream will be realized at Experimental Station 0. 2. Let us go over to Medford now, leaving “ Peace and Plenty” true to name, more beautiful than ever before, with the grove about the house plot growing so thick some trees will have to be thinned “eh - vines and bushes at home and luxuriant; with a sense of settled peace and comfort pervading the price __ In part IV, I spoke of Experimental Station No. 2. This was established because the wiseacres said: “Oh, it is all right Fullerton, you ean do this kind of work and make things grow in this good soi! of the North Shore, but you cannot do it in the sands of the center section. That is burned over pine — and there isn’t two inches of soil.” St i a ee Homestead and Water Tank at No. 2 No. 2’s intercropping the first year ) Therefore the worst ten acres on the main line were picked out and they lie at Medford, 52 miles east of New York City. In order to obtain 10 acres it was necessary to buy 80, but only ten were cleared and developed as a market garden. The portable house used at the Fairs was placed on the homestead plot, a well driven (and water was reached at 68 feet, going to 74 feet to get well into the vein), a tower built, another Secor engine in- stalled and barn erected. Ted’s friend George Barrett with his wife and two small boys were placed in the portable, and the work of planting began. In digging a pit in the bunk house to store the dynamite while clearing, we discovered to our surprise and joy that the soil was four feet deep instead of two inches. It is a lighter (more