298 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[July, 
Commercial Matters—Market Prices. 
The following condensed, comprehensive tables, care¬ 
fully prepared specially for the American Agriculturist, 
from our record kept daily during the year, show at a 
glance the transactions for the month ending June 1th, 
1881 (as compared with the preceding month), and for 
the corresponding period last year: 
1. TRANSACTIONS AT THE NEW YORK MARKETS. 
Receipts. Flour. Wheat. Corn. Rye. Barley. Oats. 
26 (l’s thism ’th384,000 4,449,000 5,531,000 90,000 104,000 907,000 
24d’StaS«m’th476,700 3,445,000 2,345,000 45,100 277,0001,439,000 
Sales. Flour. Wheat. Corn. Rye. Barley. Oats. 
26 d. «’sm’th476,000 44,707,000* 17,543,000 138,000* 15,500 3,370,000* 
24 d. Vt m'th474,000 36,068,000*13,858,000 ' 227,000*106,000 4,649,000* 
* Including forward delivery. 
2. Comparison with same period at this time last year. 
Receipts. Flour. Wheat. Corn. Rye. Barley. Oats. 
26 days 1881..384,000 4,449,000 5,531,000 90,000 104,000 907,000 
22 days 1880. .401,000 3,605,000 4,117,000 102,000 291,000 1,108,000 
Sales. Flour. Wheat. Corn. Rye. Barley. Oats. 
26 days 1881. .476,000 44,707,000 17,543,000 138,000 15,500 3,370,000 
22 days 1880 . 347,000 23,794,000 7,491,000 156,000 - 2,337,000 
3. Stock of Grain in store in New York. 
Wheat. Corn. Rye. Barley. Oats. Malt. 
bush. bush. bush. bush. bush. bush. 
June 7,'81..1,432,783 575,725 82,136 29,466 428,999 58,304 
June 7,’80.. 1,251,384 105,442 61,454 26,425 461,490 181,747 
June 10,’79..1,984,368 744,320 118,733 128.542 217,046 84,549 
June 11,’78. .1,487,700 676,626 148,389 197,507 603,152 238,285 
327.400 bushels; of Barley, 513,100 bushels, and of Oats, 
4.589.400 bushels. 
Prices of Fertilizers. 
Nitrate of Potash (95 per cent), per lb. 7)4@8Xc. 
Sulphate of Potash (potash 41 per cent), per lb.. 3>4@4 c. 
do. do. (potash 27X per cent, per lb.. lA®l%c. 
German Potash Salts (potash 12 to 15 p. c.), p. ton.$12.00@15.00 
Muriate of Potash (potash 50 per cent), per lb.... 2'A®'i'Ac. 
Nitrate of Soda, per lb. 4 @l%c. 
Sulphate of Ammonia (25 per cent), per lb. 5)4@5)<c. 
Dried Blood (ammonia 13 per cent), per ton.$50.00@52.00 
No. 1 Peruv. Guano,guaranteed, ¥ ton. 58.00 
Soluble Pacific Guano, per ton. 45.00 
Excelsior Fertilizer Co., Fine Ground Raw Bone. 45.00 
Mapes’ Complete Manure (clay soils), per 1.000 lbs. 26.00 
(to. do. do. (light soils:, per 1,000 lbs. 26.00 
do. do. do. “A” Brand (wheat), $ 1,000 lbs. 21.00 
do. Tobacco do. do. 53.00 
do. Fruit and Vine Manure, per ton. 37.00 
do. Pure Raw Bone, per ton. 38.00 
Matfield Fertilizer, No. 1. 45.00 
do. do. No. 2. :. 30.00 
Homestead Superphosphate, per ton . 40.00 
do. Tobacco Grower, per ton. 60.00 
Banner Raw Bone Flour, per ton . 45.00 
Bowker’s Wheat Phosphate, per ton. 40.00 
do. Acid Phosphate, per toil.25,00 
do. Soluble Bone, per ton. 35.00 
do. Grain Phosphate, per ton. 40.00 
do. Hill and Drill Phosphate, per ton.. ..45.00 
Stockbridge Corn manure, per ton . 50.00 
do. Potato manure, per ton.50.00 
Stockbridge Rye Manure, per ton.. . 45.00 
do. Wheat Manure, per ton. 45.00 
do. Seeding Down Manure, per ton. 40.00 
Walton, Whann & Co.’s Raw Bone Phosphate, per toil.. 40.00 
Gypsum, Nova Scotia, ground, per ton. 8.00 
Cubrent Wholesale Prices. 
Flour—S uperfine. 
•• Extra Southern.. 
•• Extra Western. 
•• ■ Minnesota. 
•• Rye, Superfine.. 
Corn-Meal, ¥ bbl. 
Wheat—A ll kinds of White. 
Red and Amber. 
Spring. 
Corn--Y ellow. 
White. 
Mixed. 
Oats... 
Rye. 
Hay—B ale, ¥ 100 lbs. 
Straw, 18 100 lbs. 
Cotton. Middlings. n>. 
Hops— new crop. ¥ ft. 
" olds, $1 ft. 
Seed—C lover, W. & St. ¥ ft. 
Timothy, 18 bushel.... 
•• Flax, 18 bushel. 
Tobacco, Kentucky, &c„ ¥ ft 
Seed Leaf, per ft.. 
Wool—D omestic Fleece, ¥ ft 
•• Domestic, pulled. 
California. 
Tallow, $ ft. 
Oil-Cake—¥ ton. 
Pork—M ess, ¥ bbl. 
•• Extra Prime, ¥ bbl.. 
Beef—E xtra Mess. 
Lard, in tres. & hbls, $ 100» 
Butter—S tate, ¥ ft. 
' ■ Western, poor to f’cy.ft 
Cheese. 
Eggs—F reeh, ¥ dozen. 
June 10, 1880. June 7,1881. 
$3 65 @ 4 50 $3 90 @ 4 60 
4 50 
@ 7 00 
4 85 
@ 7 50 
4 00 
@ 8 50 
4 50 
@ 8 25 
4 10 
@ 8 50 
4 50 
@ 8 00 
4 60 
@ 5 60 
5 50 
@ 6 00 
2 50 
@ 3 15 
2 75 
@ 3 40 
1 20 
@ 1 30 
1 15 
@ 1 25 
1 15 
@ 1 33 
1 12 
@ 1 31 
1 05 
@ 1 22 
88A@ 1 24 
55 
@ 58 
56 
@ 58 
55 
@ 58 
57 
@ 66 
52 
@ 55 
48 
@ 56K 
39 
@ 41A 
43K@ 51A 
96 
@ 98 
1 07 
@ 1 11 
70 
@ 1 05 
65 
@ 1 12K 
50 
@ 1 15 
55 
@ 1 05 
11%® 12 
UH® 11% 
27 
@ 40 
15 
@ 23 
4 
@ 12M 
5 
@ 12 
6X® IX 
7 
@ 9 
2 40 
@ 2 65 
2 80 
@ 3 00 
1 40 
@ 1 55 
1 30 
@ - 
5 
@ 14 
4 
@ 15 
6 
@ 40 
6 
@ 40 
28 
@ 55 
25 
@ 45 
25 
@ 56 
20 
@ 46 
18 
@ 38 
14 
@ 24 
6 
® 5% 
6A@ 6% 
32 50 
@33 00 
30 00 
@ - 
11 35 
@11 40 
15 70 
@17 00 
9 50 
® 9 75 
13 00 
@13 50 
10 00 
@10 50 
11 25 
@12 00 
6 80 
@ 7 40 
10 75 
@11 15 
13 
@ 21 
15 
@ 22 
9 
@ 20 
10 
@ 20 
8 
@ 12 A 
7 
@ 10 
10 
@ 13 
15 
@ 18 
Speculative activity has been the notable feature, as 
well in the commercial as in the financial line, during the 
past month—attended, of course, by frequent, and, in 
•everal instances, wide fluctuations in values, which 
worked seriously—in the produce lines—against pur¬ 
chases for regular home trade requirements, as well as 
for shipment, though the dealings reached a very liberal 
aggregate, especially in Wheat, Corn, and Western Steam 
Lard, in the way of options. Recently, in Breadstuffs, 
Provisions, and Cotton, the advantage as to prices has 
been with buyers, as the accounts from the West, as well 
as from Europe, have been rather of a depressing tenor. 
At the extreme close, however, the market hardened 
again, and Wheat, Corn, Oats, and Western Steam Lard, 
and the favorable grades of Cotton, developed much 
more firmness. The course of the Breadstuff interest 
hinges, measurably, on the current crop and weather re¬ 
ports. Canal navigation was resumed, formally, for the 
season on the 17th of May, and very free deliveries there¬ 
from of Grain were subsequently made here, which, 
however, were quite promptly marketed, as far as re¬ 
ceivers sought to place them at the ruling quotations. 
The May contract deliveries and settlements on 'Winter 
Wheat and No. 2 Corn occasioned great disturbance.... 
Extraordinary animation has been reported in Flax Seed, 
of which the receipts, since our last, have been about 
292,000 bushels—largely disposed of previous to arrival; 
while sales have been reported about 35,000 bushels, for 
export, at $1.30@$1.32i, chiefly at $1.30@$1.31—about 
20,000 bushels going forward by steam to London, at 5 d. 
per bushel.... Wool has been in more favor with buyers 
and has shown more steadiness... .Ocean freights have 
been quoted somewhat stronger for Grain accommoda¬ 
tion on a better demand—rates on Grain to Liverpool by 
steam closing at 3 d. ; to London at 4}<3>5(f.; to Glasgow 
at 4 id. ; to Avonmouth at 4 id .; to Rotterdam at 5 id. per 
bushel; and on flour by steam for British ports, at 7s.(kf. 
(o)15s. per ton. A moderate chartering movement has 
been noted at about steady figures, sailing vessels of av¬ 
erage carrying capacity—say 3,000 to 4,000 qrs.—closing 
here at 4s. 3d. per qr. of 480 lbs. The visible supplies of 
Wheat—embracing the hoards at lake ports, in transit, 
and on the seaboard—at latest dates, embraced about 
14,910,000 bushels ; of Com, 9,223,000 bushels; of Rye, 
The Great Barbed Fence Suit. 
Numerous inquiries come from western farmers and 
others, some of whom have been in fear of penalties for 
having used barbed wire. To answer these we have ob¬ 
tained from responsible sources the following items: 
There were a great number of individuals and com¬ 
panies making and selling a variety of forms of barbed 
fencing. The Washburn & Moen Company, and Isaac 
L. Ell wood, had purchased the patents of Wm. D. Hunt, 
(No. (5976), Lucien B. Smith (No. 7136), Michael Kelly 
(Nos. 6902 and 7035), Joseph Glidden (Nos. 6913 and 
157,124), and Chas. Kennedy (No. 163,965). They sued 
seven parties, as infringers of the patents owned by 
them. After three years litigation the plaintiffs secured 
a verdict, which by implication gave them the exclusive 
right to any and every form of wire or strap fencing 
armed with barbs, on the ground that the patents now 
owned by them were the original ones, that of Wm. D. 
Hunt being the bottom aDd centrally controlling one. 
Since this decision, all the principal manufacturers have 
settled by paying a royalty or a round sum, in settle¬ 
ment for past manufactures. This payment releases from 
liability those farmers or others who have bought the 
wire of them and used it. 
So far some forty individuals and companies have 
settled for the past on the best terms they could, and 
taken out licenses to continue the work under certain 
limitations, and are now going on making and selling. 
The parties licensed up to this date are as follows; (This 
list will indicate the sweeping character of the patent 
decision, as well as the extent of this industry, the 
present production of barbed wire being reported at full 
40,000 pounds, or 7 to 8 miles a day!) 
In OHIO, at Cleveland: Railway Barb Fencing Co.; 
Ohio Steel Barb Fencing Co.; Cleveland Barb Fence Co.; 
Farmers’ Steel Barb Fence Co.; and the Cincinnati Barb 
Wire Fence Co.-—In ILLINOIS, at Chicago: Noble G. 
Ross; F. T. Sherman and Eben J. Mark; Chicago Gal¬ 
vanized Wire Fence Co. ; Edwin A. Beers ; Oscar F. 
Moore ; Crandall Mfg. Co.; Herman E. Schnabel; Thorn 
Wire Hedge Co. At Joliet: Norton & De Witt; H. B. 
Scntt & Co.; Lock Stitch Fence Co.; Watkins & 
Ashley; Wm. J. Adam; Lambert, Bishop & Co; Stone 
City Fence Co. At Sterling: N. W. Western Barb Wire 
Fence Co.; Fish & Cornell; Novelty Mfg. Co.; J. W. 
Lawrence & Co. Also, Arthur H. Dale, at Leland; Reu¬ 
ben Ellwood, at Sycamore; Frentress Barb Wire Fence 
Co., at East Dubuque ; and Sandwich Enterprise Co., at 
Sannwich.-In IOWA: Iowa Barb Steel Wire Co., at 
Marshalltown; Home Mfg. Co., at Cedar Rapids ; Baker 
Mfg. Co., at Des Moines ; and Hawkeye Steel Barb Fence 
Co., at Burlington.—— In other States: Thos. Gibson, 
Oronoka, Neb.; Iowa Barb Wire Co., Johnstown, Pa.; 
Pittsburgh Hinge Co., at Bejver Folly, Pa.; St Louis 
Wire Fence Co., Mo. ; M. W. Warne and Albert Henley, 
at Lawrence, Kan.; R. Hallidie, at Stockton, Cal. ; and 
Thos. H. Dodge, Worcester, Mass. 
Those who have used the wire of the forty companies 
last named, are exempt from any liability. 
Universal Force Pumps.— We like to see one 
enthusiastic in his business. He may be called a man 
with—whatever it may be, “ on the brain ”—a man “with 
one idea,” or one “with a mission.” Mr. W. S. Blunt, 
several years ago thought it was his “ mission ” to fur¬ 
nish a good pump; he has had “pump on the brain” 
ever since. Some 12 years or more ago, needing a pump, 
we purchased one of Mr. Blunt. Since then he has sent 
for the pump several times, in order that he might 
bring it “ up to the times.” The pump takes water from 
a cistern 25 or 30 feet away, and besides supplying the 
the kitchen, where the pump is placed, forces water into 
the adjoining wash-room. The noteworthy p®int in this 
is the ease with which the changeB are made, to adapt it 
to locality, and to every requirement. More recently we 
procured another pump for a well, and besides being an 
anti-freezing, ordinary pump, it serves as an admirable 
force pump. The simplicity of construction to avoid 
friction, and of readiness with which its changes may 
he made, illustrates what excellent results follow a 
proper enthusiasm in one’s calling. If Mr. Blunt had 
been satisfied with his first pump, we should not have 
had the admirable form, so well suited to every possible 
case, that it is with propriety styled “ Universal.” 
Read the Advertising; Columns.— 
Letters are daily received by the Editors, asking where 
pigs, fowls, seeds, fertilizers, machinery, etc., can he 
procured. We consider all the information of this kind 
that is given in the advertising pages sufficient, if those 
needing anything will only look there ; we can not find 
room to repeat what is already plainly told elsewhere. 
Every page of the American Agriculturist, including the 
covers, is interesting reading, and should all be carefully 
examined every month. In addition to looking after what 
one may want, the reading of what others have to say, in 
offering their wares, etc., starts up some new idea in the 
mind of the reader.—When writing to any advertiser, al¬ 
ways tell him in what paper his advertisement was seen. 
Ensilage Cutters.— “The Baldwin.” Onr in¬ 
ventors and makers of agricultural machinery are doing 
much to aid those who would preserve their fodder corn 
by ensilage, by affording them the means of meeting 
one of the requirements of success—the rapid filling of 
the silos. We have just received an account of a new 
cutter, “The Baldwin,” made by C. Pierpont & Co., 
New Haven, Conn. We hope to give, another month, a 
review of the subject of ensilage, including notices of 
the several cutters now offered. 
New York State Farming Prospects. 
The “prospects ” of the crops is always a question of 
great interest to all classes—farmers, and business men, 
and manufacturers, as well as dealers in grain or dairy 
products. Good crops mean greater ability to buy and 
use manufactures, merchandise, and livelier trade. Dur¬ 
ing the summer season, especially, one class of dealers in 
farm products, having large stocks on hand, are interest¬ 
ed in circulating reports of poor crops to keep up prices. 
Another class, those short of stock to fill contracts, fos¬ 
ter the most favorable reports possible, to depress prices. 
—Many years ago the American Agriculturist started the 
project of securing, through reliable correspondents all 
over the country, regular, accurate reports, and main¬ 
tained the system until it seemed desirable to have it un¬ 
dertaken on a still larger scale by the General Govern¬ 
ment, and our plans, plates, list of correspondents, etc., 
were turned over freely to the Agricultural Bureau at 
Washington. But private enterprise, and organized ef¬ 
fort are now supplying much that is needed. Among 
others, the N. Y. State Agr. Society sent out. May 6, a 
blank Circular to five trustworthy correspondents in each 
county of the State, for the information given below. 
Ausr. 1 another Circular will go, inquiring as to results of 
the hay and grain harvests, and autumn crop prospects; 
and Nov. 1 another inquiry as to lall seeding, harvesting 
fall crops, etc. We hope these calls will be considered 
by every one receiving them, and faithful reports given: 
New York Report for the Second Week of May, 1881. 
WINTER GRAIN. — Condition: 15 reports “ very 
good” ; 67 “good” ; 30 "poor”; 3 “very poor.”.. Acreage 
as compared with last year: 22 reports of much more; 27 
of more; 54 of about the same; 8 of less; 2 of much less. 
SEASON thus far, for spring seeding: 90 favorable; 50 
unfavorable.. ..for Grass: 63 favorable; 50 unfavorable 
_for Fruit: 90 favorable; 12 unfavorable. (Tne plen¬ 
tiful rains further on, very greatly changed the grass 
prospects for the better.) 
SPRING CROPS.—Acreage as compared with 1880: 
Barley, 19 reports of more; 57 of the same; 8 of less.... 
Potatoes, 66 reports of more; 38 of the same; 8 of less 
_ Tobacco, 7 reports of more; 10 of the same; 0 of less 
— Hops, 18reports of more; 25of same; 2 of less. 
COWS.—Number as compared with last year: 16 re¬ 
ports of greater; 60 of about the same; 34 of less... .To 
the question has there been any considerable occurrence 
of Abortion inCows: 98 reports say “no,” and 11 “yes.” 
SHEEP.—Number to be shorn as compared with last 
year: 28 reports say more; 57 say about the same; and 
16 say less_As to this spring’s product of lambs, 52 re¬ 
ports say good; 15 very good; 17 say average ; 13 poor. 
Of Oats and Corn not many reports made, but gener¬ 
ally favorable when referred to. 
