1876 .] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
87 
*svhole, the lot of paper, envelopes, pens, pen-holders, 
pencils, blotting pads, and “ valuable pieces of jewelry,” 
do not cost the seller of the package anything like the 
25 cents asked for it. 
WE CAN OFFER NO HELP FOR IDIOTS. 
Some strange cases are presented to us. Here is one. 
A couple of well-dressed men drive up to the house of a 
well-to-do young farmer. The strangers are plausible 
and pleasant; they have to sell the right of a new fan¬ 
ning mill for that county for $1,400. Mr.-, a well- 
known farmer in the county, has bought the right for 
half the county for $700. Well-to-do young farmer 
knows Mr.-, would be glad to be associated with 
him, and the W. T. D. Y. farmer planks down his $700 in 
cash for the other half of the right. The two well- 
dressed young men stopped at the next town overnijfht, 
and have not been heard of since. All that the victim 
knows of them is that they were well-dressed, and one of 
them was named Smith. We are asked if we “ have ever 
heard of them.”—“Heard of them I” bless your inno¬ 
cent heart we know these fellows “like a book.” They 
are not always selling fanning mill rights; they keep 
brokers offices on Wall street; they have real estate 
offices on other streets; they run lotteries in Texas and 
Wyoming; they offer counterfeit money in New York; 
they keep matrimonial offices in Chicago; they run 
quack medicine shops in Buffalo and other cities; they 
sell bogus jewelry in Maine. It is just “Mons. Tonson 
come again,” this same old humbug we have known and 
fought these many years. This well-to-do young farmer 
has paid $700 for a lesson that he might have had for 
much less. He does not write ns himself, but his neigh¬ 
bor does, and we advise that neighbor, if he does not 
think the young man sufficiently cured by this operation, 
to have him put under a guardian. He certainly is not to 
be trusted with his <5wn property... .The readiness with 
which farmers are caught by such swindlers has been a 
matter of surprise to us, and we can only account for it 
by the fact that their isolation keeps them from the 
knowledge of the wicked ways of wicked men. In their 
own honesty of purpose and uprightness of dealing, they 
cannot conceive that a “well-dressed” man, especially 
one “ named Smith,” can be less honest than themselves. 
If farmers could become more social, either through far¬ 
mers clubs, granges, or other means where they could 
come together frequently, and know each other well 
enough to take counsel of one another, they would be 
less open to fraud. 
EYE CUPS AND EAR DRUMS. 
We receive complaints from those who have invested 
money in these appliances, and find them not only of no 
use, but hurtful, and letters from others who ask our 
opinion of them. We have but one answer to those who 
propose to tamper with their own eyes or ears with any 
appliances whatever , and that is “DON’T." How many 
of those who write us about these things understand the 
Structure of the eye or the ear ? These organs are sub¬ 
ject to various derangements, and in some cases it is be¬ 
yond all human power to help them—yet persons are 
willing to try a mechanical affair, and one which may be 
really injurious, for an imperfection of the sight or hear¬ 
ing, without first finding out the cause. This reckless¬ 
ness in meddling with these organs, upon which the 
comfort of life so much depends, is something astonish¬ 
ing. The very same persons who would try these upon 
their eyes and ears, would not think of repairing their 
own mowing machine, sewing machine, their kitchen- 
Xlock, or even their coffee-mill. Let everything of this 
kind alone; if eye or ear is at fault, go to a known phy¬ 
sician and find out what is the matter. If there is no 
competent one at hand, go where there is one, but as 
you value eye or ear, do not tinker with it yourself. 
MOREOVER—ONCE MORE—PLEASE NOTICE. 
We almost every day receive letters asking about per¬ 
sons living in New York, and who advertise themselves 
in far off papers as physicians possessing a wonderful 
ability to cure some particular thing. We know nothing 
of such persons, and the very fact that they advertise in 
this manner shows that we do not want to know about 
them. Have nothing to do with any one who advertises 
his cures. Our western friends need not think that they 
alone are cursed with quacks ; they abound all through the 
east, especially in New England, and the wealthy city of 
Providence, R. L, is their very “Bonanza," a perfect 
harvest field for all “ Blood Doctors,” “ Clairvoyants,” 
and the whole tribe. A chap calling himself “ Dr. Wil¬ 
lard, of Boston,” has been making a tour of some of the 
Connecticut towns, from one of which a prominent citi¬ 
zen writes: “ He operates by obtaining in advance the 
address of diseased persons on his route (paralysis and 
-eye diseases a specialty), then representing the call made 
'Upon such persons as by request of the local physician, 
whose name has likewise been previously obtained, he 
proceeds, if confidence has been secured, to apply to dif¬ 
ferent parts of the body of the patient, coils of simple 
•copper and zinc wires, guaranteeing in all cases a perfect 
cure. For this service, the eharge, cash down, is varied. 
according to ability and credulity of the victim, $15 to 
$25 being, perhaps, the more common amount. A war¬ 
rant for his arrest was issued here, but he succeeded in 
eluding the reach of the officers.” 
One Way to Save Money.— Do not put 
postage stamps upon letters to us that are not of sufficient 
importance to sign. It takes all the time that we can pos¬ 
sibly command to attend to letters properly signed—those 
that the writer considers not worth putting his name to, 
are of no consequence to us, and are as if they had not 
been written. 
One of* the little Conveniences.— 
Some grumbling John Bull once wrote a book called the 
“Little Miseries of Life,” or some such title, in which 
he had his growl over everything from a missing shirt- 
button to a creaking door. A book on the comforts of 
life would be much pleasanter, and were we to write 
such, we should enumerate among the little conveniences, 
Mr. J. S. Birch’s watch key, which adjusts itself to any 
watch, and is as handy as can be. In traveling, we have 
often had occasion to lend it, and never found a watch it 
would not fit—besides this it is as neat as it is useful. 
Slock- keeping on tine Plains.— 
“ Subscriber.” In a conversation recently with a person 
engaged in stock-keeping in Wyoming Territory, we 
were informed that there are very few facilities for 
young men there who wish to learn the business, unless 
they have sufficient capital to procure an interest in a 
herd. Every person there is busy enough in looking 
after his own interests, and none but experienced help is 
needed. There are always openings for men with capital 
to join others in the business, but to commence with 
less than $10,000 to $20,000, is simply to get in the way 
of the larger stock men who occupy the ranges. 
Scribner’s Horticulture.— It has now 
become the custom for literary journals to give their 
readers instructions in horticultural matters, and we 
know of no more amusing reading than the horticultural 
columns of some weekly and monthly periodicals we 
could name. The number of persons who know about 
garden matters, is large, and the number of those who 
write on 6uch topics, is large also ; but the number of 
those who both know, and are able to write what they 
know, is surprisingly small. When we took up our ad¬ 
vance sheets of the March Scribner’s Monthly, and saw 
the heading “ Rural Topics,” it was with the thought of 
“one more unfortunate, rashly importunate,”—but on 
reading on, we were surprised to find it sense, and when 
we came to “P. T. Q.,” at the bottom, we saw it all. 
Scribner has had the fortune to capture our friend P. T. 
Quinn, and make him tell what he knows on rural mat¬ 
ters. Here is one magazine at least, ont of whose horti¬ 
cultural column we shall not get a bit of fun, but only 
sound and well considered teaching. 
Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce. 
—Sidney D. Maxwell, Esq., Superintendent of the Cin¬ 
cinnati Chamber of Commerce, favors us with a copy of 
the 27th Annual Report, being for the year ending 
Augnst 31st, 1875. This report is filled with a mass of 
valuable information, regarding the trade of Cincinnati, 
and statistics of the production of and business in pork, 
grain, and other produce for the past year, to which we 
have not space at this time to refer more fully. 
The Next Teach Crop.— The peach- 
growers last year had a disastrous season. In an article 
published last fall, we showed that one cause of their 
failure was filling the market with fruit which would at 
any time be regarded as poor, and which, in a season of 
abundance, did not pay the freight, but brought the ship¬ 
per in debt. We are glad to learn from the Maryland and 
Delaware papers, that the lesson has not been lost upon 
the peach-growers, some of whom are grubbing np their 
trees of inferior varieties, and have come to the sensible 
conclusion to keep all inferior fruit at home. This is 
right. Good fruit will always bring paying prices; bnt 
a large share of the baskets and crates sent last year, were 
fitted with stuff unworthy the name of fruit. 
History of the booth Short-horns. 
—The publishers of the Farmer's Home Journal, of 
Louisville, Ky., favor us with a copy of the History of 
the Rise and Progress of the Booth Herds of Short-horn 
Cattle, by Wm. Carr, which they have reprinted from the 
London edition of 1867. This little volume should be 
in the hands of every breeder and fanner in the country. 
Swill for Hoc*.— “A. D. F. F.,” Wash¬ 
ington, D. C. The swill from a hotel, which consists 
mainly of refuse food, is very good feed for hogs. It 
would be improved by the addition of 20 pounds of bran 
and eorn meal mixed, to every barrel of it 
Something 
To Think of.,..and To Do. 
Here are a few random extracts from letters sent by the 
16,000 persons who have felt themselves so well paid 
for the time they have given to securing subscribers for 
the American Agriculturist. A hundred pages of this pa¬ 
per would not contain all the good things that would be 
freely said by the happy recipients of our Premium Ar¬ 
ticles. You, reader, and thousands of others, may yet 
this year get some of these Premiums. Send to the Pub¬ 
lishers for an Illustrated List of Premiums, if you have 
not already received it. 
A Widow Lady greatly desired a good Piano, but was 
unable to buy one. Seeing the offer of the Publishers of the 
American Agriculturist , she started out one April morn¬ 
ing among her friends first, with her copy of the paper, 
and before returning at night she had a dozen subscribers. 
She followed this up on other days, making three tempo¬ 
rary visits to friends in other towns, and before May 
closed, she had forwarded subscribers enough to obtain, 
free, and had received one of Steinway & Sons’ splendid 
$650 Pianos. It cost her nothing but the freight.— 
Many others have secured similar results. Hundreds, yes, 
thousands of others may do the same this year. There 
are millions of people who would be benefited by having 
the paper urged upon them. 
A Postmaster writes: “ ... .My splendid Premium Tea 
Set far exceeds my expectations....It really cost me 
nothing, as I got these subscribers by showing it to call¬ 
ers, and they are all pleased with the American Agricul¬ 
turist. I suppose the publishers are pleased, so we are 
pleased all round... ” 
A Missouri Subscriber writes: “ .... My Premium Gun 
arrived ‘ safe and sound,’ is just what you represented it 
to be, and I am well paid for my trouble In securing the 
necessary subscribers to obtain it....” 
A Missouri Subscriber writes: “ The Premium Tea Set 
is received .. It Is a beauty—abundant pay for getting 
the subscribers....I am going right on to get another 
Premium....” 
An Ohio Subscriber writes: .. .Many thanks for the 
excellent Premium Watch... .After trying it as a time¬ 
keeper, I can truly say it is ‘ Good pay for Little Work,’ 
and that getting subscribers for the American Agricultur¬ 
ist is time well spent....” 
A Pennsylvania Subscriber writes: “....ThePremium 
Microscope came yesterday, and I am already delighted 
with it. The Premium Watch you sent me two years ago 
is a splendid time-keeper.” 
A “Missourian” writes : “_The Premium Multum- 
in-Parvo Knife is received. I have tested its metal, and 
find it extra good—and the combination of useful things 
is a perfect success .—I once gave $6.50 cash for a knife 
similar to this one, but without the screw-driver or gim¬ 
let. It was one of Rogers & Son’s, not as convenient and 
no better metal than yours,” (which is only $3.50, and 
which he got free for a very little time in collecting eight 
subscribers.) 
Coloma, Ill., Bonds—NOTICE.—All 
holders of the Bonds issued by the Township of Coloma, 
Whiteside County, Hlinois, are requested to promptly 
communicate with the undersigned, to the end of secur¬ 
ing co-operation in obtaining their just rights. They 
are advised to give no heed to the efforts made by official 
or other persons to induce them to sacrifice their inter¬ 
ests. The undersigned is intrusted with some of these 
bonds by a widow and orphans, and proposes to secure 
their just dues. Full particulars concerning the issuing 
of these bonds, and of the individuals opposing their 
payment, etc., will appear in due time; until which time 
farther comment is reserved. Orange Judd, 245 Broad¬ 
way, New York. 
Roots for Tigs. — “G. A. H.,” Thompson, 
Conn. Potatoes or sugar beets are the best roots for 
swine ; the first have 15 to 20 per cent of starch ; the 
second have 8 to 12 per cent of sugar, and both these 
substances are very valuable for making fat. The pota¬ 
toes will be more digestible when cooked. A good root- 
cutter is made by Warren Gale, Chicopee Falls. 
Basket Items con¬ 
tinued on page 113. 
