1870.] 



THE LANCASTER FARMER. 



31 



IVamlinff siiinc one else, and you will yet tinil oiit luiw 

 fi'W ofuH there are who can resist it wiicii a irood op- 

 portunity otters. Now, my friends and neiiihhors, 

 tliese thiiifjs ou^ht not so to be. The fourth eom- 

 inandnunt says: " Six days shalt thou labor;" hut 

 I do not believe that it ever was the intention of the 

 Wvinc Maker of all, that man slionld work so hard 

 or make sueh lontr days as most of us do now, and 

 are Ibreed to do in order to meet the imaginary wants 

 of the iamily. I eanuot forbear, at this point, to name 

 some of tlie extravayanees that 1 consider worse than 

 useful: For instauee, p:rand wedtlinus, expensive 

 funerals, costly monuments, splendid ei|uipages, four 

 changes of fasliious a year, silver sets and ih'sscrt 

 alter every meal. There are some so blessed with this 

 world's fjoods tliat they can support this style with- 

 out any inconvenience to themselves or injury to 

 others. With them 1 have nothin;,' to do; but with 

 those who allow themselves to be drawn on to follow 

 the fashions of otliers, instead of beinir inilependent 

 enouKli to lay out a pattern for themselves, as suits 

 their circnmstances. Kaeh man on;,'hl to know bet- 

 ter than :iny one else what his eireiimslances are, 

 how nuieh income he has, and where it comes from, 

 anil if he does not live within it he alone is to blame. 

 Many p<'rsoiis have, durin,:; tlie last few years, been 

 able to follow fashions that they never will be again. 

 Many have hitherto supported style that they will 

 soon liave todrop, for 1 assure you the hard timesare 

 not yet over, nor will tliey be for many montliB to 

 come. Centennial or no Centenni:il, hard money or 

 6(d't, inlhition or contr;ietion, has nothing to do with 

 it; but each one of us must bring about easy times 

 for ourselves, which will be as soon as we begin to 

 regulate our family cxiienses by our reduced income, 

 anil not a monu'Ut sooner. .1 havea theory about the 

 c;iuscofthc hard times tliat 1 have never seen in 

 print, and the more 1 consider it the more I am con- 

 vinced it is correct. During the war, and for eight 

 years al'tcr, every person seemed to prosjier, beeausi^ 

 there were numy men ready to put their money into 

 manul'acturing establislnnents, and whili' lliey nour- 

 ished there was a good dennind lor all kinds of me- 

 c-hauics, and for nniterial of every kind, that kept the 

 furnaces and all iron works in full blast, and the saw 

 unlls all running. They in turn keptup the demand 

 for coal; the mines were all working, and every man 

 in the country who wished, had employinent at good 

 wages, and could feed and clothe his family well, and 

 that made business good for every retail dealer and 

 merchant, and through them for the miller, the 

 unmulacturer, the coal miner. All these together 

 made a good home consumption demand for the pro- 

 ducts of the farm, and maintained a ])rice that paid 

 tlic farmer lor his labor. All went on swimmingly, 

 aiai every oue who practiced economy was able to lay 

 nil something for a rainy day. But there came aday 

 when oue of the shrewd manufacturers discovered 

 that his business was being overdone, and that he 

 had too numy machines iin hand, :ind in order to get 

 Ills money out of them, he must put down the price, 

 and cither stop his works or reduce liis expenses by 

 paying out less in wages. The other inanufacturcrs 

 were not slow in linding out what he had done and 

 were forced to do the same in order to keep their old 

 customers; so this lowering of values soon spread to 

 every uuiuufactured article. From that you can eas- 

 ily trace the progress of the downfall, and the cause 

 of the universal cry of ?Mr<l limci. \Vages reduced, 

 restricted the expenditures of every fandly; articles 

 that sold readily before, now went slow, and thcoviT- 

 stoek of manufactured goods, instead of passing ott" 

 at the same rate as before, remains on bund. The 

 factories running on half time with only half the 

 number of hands, still made enough to kec]) the ware- 

 houses full, and consequently there is no prospect of 

 an advance in price. The low wages so decreased 

 tlie demand for luxuries, and even substanlial food, 

 that the evil linally reached the door of the farmer — 

 and wlio can tell where it will end, and when the dull 

 time will be over. I admit I cannot see it, foi- every 

 man who has his money invested in any kind of mau- 

 ufactures w ill try to make his living out of it, and in 

 order to do that he must run it with the least possi- 

 ble outlay, and leave all extra hands out of employ- 

 ment. A good denuinil for articles of clothing, lux- 

 uries of life, and even breadstutfs, can never be until 

 every man is employed. F'or this reason I say that I 

 believe the worst has not come yet; that wages will 

 be lower, and all kinds of jiroduce will be lower, and 

 we will have to learn to live on half of what we have 

 been using; and the sooner we get to that state the 

 better for us, and for the w hole country. I close by 

 recommending Ben Franklin's patent recipe for mak- 

 ing money plenty in every nuin's pocket , viz. : " Spend 

 every day one cent less tlian thy clear gain." 



Mr. St.vikfeu, commenting on the essay, spoke 

 of a nobleman who had \W men emidoycd at land- 

 scape gardening. Every day an old nuin was observ- 

 ed sitting on a fence, watching the workmen. The 

 n^'blennm, whose curiosity had been arouseil ques- 

 tioned the old man, who informeil him that he 

 was a weaver, living in a <'ottage near by. He nuide 

 it a rule to work eight hours, sleep eight hours, and 

 take eight hours for recreation in every twcntj'-four 

 hours. lie found no better recreation than w:itehing 

 the care and labor bestowed by this uobleman and 

 bis meu iu beautifying the landscape I 



D. (i. Sw.vBTZ esq., approved the general senti- 

 ment of the essay, but he did not believe that mere 

 economy would cover the entire ground aw a remedv 

 for "hard liniee." That is not good |ihllosophy. The 

 nation has been injured by over-prosperity and over- 

 conlldenee. The moment Jay tlooki' failed, the peo- 

 ]>le saw the ueccssity for retrenchment . lint we must 

 have <'oidldcnce in each other. As long as people 

 feel that this is not the time to buy homis, or nuike 

 other investments, there can be no recovery from the 

 general stagnation. He believed we had ni'arly reuch- 

 cdtlie bottom. The fact that provisions, prtnluce, 

 and all kinds of numufacturcd goods are nearly as 

 low in prices as they can be, argues well for the fu- 

 ture. He predicted higher prices and greater general 

 prosperity for us as individuals and as a nation, iu 

 the near future, than has ever been known before. 

 The fact that we now ndne 5<lllll,ll(H),UU0 In gold and 

 silver, anntnilly, is very encouraging. 



Mahti.n S. Fiiv attributed our local hard times to 

 the failure of the wheat crop last year, as well as Its 

 failure three or four years ago. Histhcory, however, 

 as to the i-ause of the gt-ncral depression, was that 

 it resulted from a low tarltt'on Imjxjrts. He spoke at 

 considerble length. 



J.KVI S. Ki:isT ascribed the general de|iresslon to 

 over-trading, and cited the rise and fall of prices In 

 many noted years — from IHl.*) to Is:i7; Iheiiriceof 

 rennsylvania State bonds in 1S4»', (then quoted at 

 :U) and the reaction whicli followed the California 

 gold fever of 1N4.S. Ili^ argued that the history of 

 the country will show a "crash" every 1.5 or 'U) 

 years. A panic cnsui's, every article of produce and 

 merchandise gets as low in price as it can get, aud 

 then comes a rise and prfisperous times. 



Mr. EsiiLi-rMAN had not contemplated sueh men as 

 Mr. Swartz when lie wrote his essay. It was intend- 

 ed particularly as a liint to the masses — the [loor peo- 

 ple. 



The discussion was concluded by Peter S. Itelst, 

 who agreed with the essayist that economy in snuill 

 things was a sure preventive of "hard times," and 

 illustrated by citing a ease that had fallen under his 

 own observation. 



On uKition of Johnson Miller, the unanimous 

 thanks of the Society were tendered to the essayist. 



ABOCT I'I..\NTING FOHEST TKEES. 



The question, Is it profitable to convert land worth 

 §100 per acre into forests? was now discussed. 



Mr. John B. Euu, who had iirojiosed it, opened 

 the (jucstion, giving as his opinion that it would pay 

 the (itivernnient to cultivate foi-ests, but it would not 

 pay an individual or a company of individuals. 



isitAEi, L. Landis thought there should be some 

 legislation on the subject, and alluded to Kansas and 

 her young forests, brought into existence by proper 

 legislation. 



Messrs. I'etku S. Heist, Jacob StaulTcr and H. M. 

 Engle discussed the subject at some length, all of 

 them recognizing the imiiortance of planting forests, 

 and all agreeing that there should be some legisla- 

 tion ou the subject. 



The next question for discussion — 



"IS swine Fi.Esn A pkopek food foh man?" 

 was proposed and o])ened by I'eter S. Reist, who took 

 the negative side of it. He quoted liberally from 

 learned physicians in support, of his view, and also 

 cited passages from the Scriplure in support of the 

 same — notably from the Uld Testament, viz. : llth 

 chapter of Leviticus, and both and (iUth chapters of 

 Isaiah. 



Mr. Ekb was glad to have the Scripture quoted, 

 but thought we were not bound by the Mosaic laws ; 

 he quoted the New Testatemeut to show that any- 

 thing in the shape of food could be properly partaken 

 of by man in moderation. 



The question was further discussed by Messrs. 

 .Jacob Stauller and Eplir;iim Hoover, who thought 

 poi-k proper food if well cooked and moderately eaten. 



The further discussion of the question was [wst- 

 poned uiUil next meeting. 



Ja( on Heline was elected janitor, at $1 per 

 meeting. 



A committee, consisting of Messrs. A. F. ITostet- 

 ter, Alexander Harris and Ephrairn Hoover, was, on 

 motion of Mr. Ilostctter, appointed to confer with 

 the Linniean Society, and olfcr to share the expenses 

 of keeping up the room with them. 



WALKINi; HOUSES vs. TUOTTINO. 



Milton B. Esiileman otl'cred the following pre- 

 amble and resolutions, which were adopted : 



Wheukas, The tendency of the times is to im- 

 prove the ruuning eap:icities of the horse, to the dis- 

 paragement of t he walking ; and whereas, in every 

 business sense the walking gait is by far the most 

 important; therefore it is 



Kinoh'nl, Thiit it is the sense of this Society that it 

 would be conducive to the good of the country if 

 the PeniLsylvania State Agricultural Society would 

 otler several premiums for the fastest walking 

 horses at its annual fairs — not requiring the presence 

 of the horse on the grounds more than the day of 

 trial. 



/{isolvcil, That we request said S<Kiety to otter 

 such premiums at Its next exhibition, to be held in 

 this city, and that we as individual members will ex- 

 ert ourselves to get up a lively contest. 



Jiifulrtit, That the Secretary shall forward a copy 

 of this preamble and resolutions to the ollice of tho 

 I'ennsyivanla Stale Society at llarrisburg. 



t'Asi'Kit II II. LEU now called attention to a very su- 

 [M'rlor fruit raised Iu this county, known as the 

 Krauser apple. 



C'liAiiiMAN Cooper exhibited three flno varieties of 

 apph'8 grown In this county, and which he desired the 

 Society to name. On motion, one was nanieil 

 "(lontncr's Fancy," and the other the ".Manor 

 Beauty " — both having Ih-cii raised by .Mr. (iontner, 

 of .Manor. The third apple, also originated In .Manor, 

 was named "The Hitter." 



Johnson .Milllu oll'ercd the following, wtilchwaa 

 adopted : 



THE STATE AORIC'fl.TUUAL IIEI-UKT8. 



WiiKiiKAS, The pr<Hee<llug» of the Agricultural 

 and llorlieiiltural Society, with the essays and pa- 

 pers read at each iiieetlng, have become a matter of 

 interest to the general reader; and wlicri'aH, IhelOlh 

 volume of the I'ennsyivanla Stale Agrlciiliiiral So- 

 ciety, together with the re|i<>rt of the IVnnsylvaiihi 

 Fruit (i rowers' Society, and the essays and pa|H.-r8 

 eonlalnc'd therein. Is a work which tiiteresls every 

 farmer and fruit grower ; and whereas, the meinlwrg 

 of the Lancaster County Agrlcullural and Horticul- 

 tural Society express the senllinints of the agricul- 

 tural, people of this county ; therefore 



y/( sul/'id, That our S*'nators and UepreBcntatlvea 

 In the Legislature, now in session at llarrisburg, arc 

 reipicsted to encourage sueh ap|iroprlalion of tliia 

 valuable agricultural rc|H)rt from lime to time. 



liiMilrcdy That we regard these Iwfisoi'ietlcs as tho 

 representative bodies of tin' agricultural and horti- 

 cultural Inlercsis of I'eunsylvania, and all feel a 

 common interest in their proceedings as benelicial to 

 our agricidturalists and horticulturalisls. 



Jieaolvtd, That our C*)rre8|M»nding Sei-n^tary be re- 

 quested to forward a copy of the aUive resolulious to 

 each of our Senators aud Uepresentatlves at llar- 

 risburg. 



A large variety of apples was exiilbted by Levi S. 

 Ueist, and two iHjttlcs of wine by Jidui B. Erb. 

 After testing the good things. Society adjourned. 



GENERAL MISCELLANY. 



Shade Trees. 



For a list of trees to .set along the lionlers of a street 

 in a city or village, or along the highways in a coun- 

 try, we would rank the first the sugar of rtM-k utapio 

 {Acer giu-cfuiriiiuin). It is a noble [(Kikliig trcewlieii 

 fully grown, and makes a dense shade, so acceptable 

 in a hot day to man or beast. The only objection to 

 its being popular for this purpose Is its 6h>w growth. 

 Most people are impatient to have on the start a tree 

 that will grow up. like Jonah's gourti, in a single 

 night; and will discard this for some quick growing 

 kind — like the poplars or eottonwiMxl, lor instance — 

 forgetting that, while these quick growing trees, like 

 some fast people, grow, flourish, aud have their day, 

 the hard ma[ile continues to grow and rear Its stately 

 head and stand as a inomnncnt to the memory of lilin 

 who, in his wisdom, transplants it. 



Next to the maple we would place the white elm 

 (Vtiiiuii Amaiomii). This Is sometimes called the 

 weeping elm, and is really a beautiful tree, and per- 

 haps more universally used for street |iur|«iKe8 in the 

 Northern States than any other single variety. We 

 need not here give a dcseriplion of this iiiagiiillcent 

 tree, as our readers are all undoubtiHlly acquainted 

 with its habits and growth. A row of trees, alter- 

 nately maple and elm, have a very pleasing cireel. 

 Next in order comes the white ash {Fra£intni Atiu-ri- 

 camu). This Iri'c is not as large in its growth as the 

 two former, but excels them in the rapidity of its 

 growth, and makes an excellent shade tree; its main 

 aud only objection iH-iiig its habit of dnipjiing its 

 leaves iu ealy fall. The linden, or more commonly 

 known basswotnl (Titia Aiiiffictum), makes a beau- 

 tiful shade tree; but its tendency to sucker or sprout 

 makes it objectionable to many. Yet many advise its 

 culture, on account of its beautiful foliage and fra- 

 grant blossoms. 



Thoughts for March. 



The farmers arc now burnishing their armor; Ihoy 

 can hc:ir, as it were, the sounds of approiiching actl- 

 vity, and are making ready to play their part in the 

 great industrial strife In which the tillers of the soil 

 arc shortly to be engaged. On the farmer every other 

 interest mainly dc|H'nds; bis toil sets all arts Inaitloii; 

 without it other interests would of in<csslly flag anil 

 die. The sound of the anvil would no longer be heard, 

 the shuttle aud the spindle would Ix- still, commerce 

 would be susiHMidcd, ami man himseir revert to the 

 savage state, ilcpendcnt on the chase and the st>outa- 

 neous products of mitiire for his daily foo*!. How all- 

 Important, how ennobling, then. Is the mission of the 

 farmer ! When will American husbandmen l)c duly 

 Impressed by that fact, and so train their sons to be 

 mentally qualified to llll their high destiny f They 

 are the owners of the soil, their iiUcrest Is paramount 

 to all others, they are the m;ijority In number, and 

 the legitimate caudldatca for high .honor: It U they 



