382 
THE  RURAL  NEW-YORKER. 
June  11 
W.  E.  C.,  Pontiac,  Mich. — In  The  R. 
N.-Y.  for  February  6,  the  Michigan  tax 
law  is  criticised  editorially.  We  have 
always  had  a  law  allowing  double  taxa¬ 
tion  ;  that  is,  taxing  mortgaged  property 
for  its  value,  and  the  mortgage  where 
the  holder  was  a  resident  of  the  State 
and  honest  enough  to  give  it  in.  Th^  law 
passed  last  winter  is  similar  to  the  Cali¬ 
fornia  and  Oregon  laws,  and  is  intended 
to  tax  the  owner  of  mortgaged  property 
only  for  his  interest  in  it,  and  compelling 
the  owner  of  the  mortgage  to  pay  the  tax 
on  his  interest  in  the  property,  which 
seems  to  be  perfectly  fair.  The  effort  to 
break  the  law  or  to  declare  it  unconstitu¬ 
tional  comes  not  from  the  debtor,  but 
from  the  creditor  class,  who  see  that  they 
must  pay  their  proportion  of  the  taxes, 
(most  of  them  have  heretofore  success¬ 
fully  evaded  the  payment  of  anything) 
unless  they  can  get  rid  of  the  law  in 
some  way.  The  principle  of  our  law  is 
certainly  right.  It  should  have  gone  fur¬ 
ther  and  prohibited  contracts  by  mort¬ 
gagors  to  pay  the  mortgagees’  taxes. 
Who  Tells  a  Big-ger  Peach  Story  P 
N.  Hallock,  Queens  County,  N.  Y. — 
In  a  peach  orchard  I  visited  last  fall  on 
Staten  Island,  the  trees  were  planted  21 
feet  apart  about  10  years  ago,  and  have 
borne  fruit  for  nine  years ;  soil  a  light 
sandy  loam,  sloping  slightly  to  the  West. 
The  ground  has  been  cultivated,  and  no 
crop  has  been  planted  between  the  trees, 
while  a  liberal  sprinkling  of  salt  each 
spring  has  been  given,  with  wood  ashes 
when  obtainable.  The  orchard  had  been 
thoroughly  thinned  and  cut  back  each 
year.  Result :  there  had  never  been  a 
failure  of  a  crop,  and  the  peaches  were 
the  finest.  When  I  visited  the  place  I 
measured  trees  that  were  three  feet  in 
circumference,  three  feet  from  the 
ground.  I  mounted  a  30-foot  ladder 
as  high  as  safety  permitted,  and  gath¬ 
ered  peaches  that  were  12  inches  in 
circumference — a  pretty  big  story,  I 
know  ;  but  the  trees  are  yet  growing, 
and  I  have  a  cast  of  the  fruit  to  show. 
Had  the  trees  been  planted  30  feet  apart, 
the  fruit  would  have  been  higher-colored, 
as  the  great  growth  had  so  interlaced  the 
branches  as  to  produce  too  much  shade 
and  cause  them  to  grow  too  tall.  Can 
any  one  show  a  finer  orchard  than  this  ? 
A  Double-Barreled  Hen  Story. 
N.  M.  Rouse,  Oneida  County,  N.  Y. — 
In  The  R.  N,-Y.  of  May  21,  I  notice  the 
remarkable  record  of  a  hen  which  laid  on 
the  same  day  two  eggs,  one  very  large 
and  the  other  very  small.  A  lad  living 
in  our  town,  whose  statement  is  unques¬ 
tioned,  set  nine  double-yollced  eggs  under 
one  hen,  resulting  in  the  unexpected 
“shelling  out”  of  18  fully  developed, 
well  formed  chickens,  that  have  now 
passed  the  critical  period  and  are  thriv¬ 
ing  finely.  Can  any  lad  or  hen  break  that 
record?  Although  I  have  not  seen  the 
lad  or  the  hen,  or  even  the  chickens,  I 
have  seen  the  neighbors  and  they  vouch 
for  the  truthfulness  of  the  statement. 
Heretofore,  as  far  as  I  have  heard,  the 
chickens  hatched  from  a  double-yolked 
egg,  were  deformed. 
[R.  N.-Y.  We  would  like  to  have  this 
case  further  authenticated.] 
Some  Garden  Gossip. 
E.  L.  M.,  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y. — Last 
year  I  planted  some  Early  Scarlet  Turnip 
radish  seed,  from  Vick,  on  April  10,  in 
the  open  air  in  my  garden.  On  May  13, 
I  pulled  some  of  sufficient  size  for  the 
table — the  quickest  time  I  have  ever  made 
in  this  manner — 33  days  from  planting. 
I  still  plant  every  year  for  my  own  use, 
a  good  supply  of  Black  Mexican  Sweet 
Corn.  Every  member  of  the  family  con¬ 
curs  in  the  opinion  that  it  is  the  best  and 
sweetest  of  all,  and  so  they  condone  its 
appearance,  which,  after  all,  is  not  in  the 
least  objectionable  to  my  eye.  At  its 
best,  it  is  a  superb  variety  for  the  home 
table. 
Treatment  for  Shaffer  Raspberries. 
G.,  Port  Jervis,  N.  Y. — I  am  not  quite 
clear  in  my  mind  as  to  what  is  the  trouble 
with  my  Shaffer  Raspberries.  Each  year, 
for  the  past  three  years,  they  have  win¬ 
ter-killed  more  or  less.  I  have  only  one 
row  in  my  garden,  about  30  hills  in  all. 
The  soil  is  rich  and  the  plants  each  year 
make  a  rampant  growth.  When  about 
five  feet  high  I  begin  to  pinch  them  off, 
but  they  at  once  push  out  laterals  and 
grow  and  grow.  When  the  frost  comes 
they  seem  to  be  well  ripened,  but  some¬ 
how  they  do  not  winter  well.  The  tops 
of  most  of  the  bushes  are  all  killed  for 
about  18  inches;  below  that  they  are 
mostly  sound  and  alive.  Three  hills  in 
the  row  were,  the  past  winter,  killed 
down  to  the  ground.  This  season  I  am 
going  to  let  them  grow  at  their  own 
sweet  will,  doing  no  pinching  or  pruning 
until  the  freezing  weather  comes  and 
growth  for  the  season  is  ended.  Then  I 
shall  cut  them  back  to  about  five  feet, 
and  see  if  they  will  not  go  through  the 
winter  better.  It  seems  as  if  the  pinch¬ 
ing  while  growing,  stimulates  a  growth 
of  wood  which  does  not  get  ripened 
enough  to  stand  the  ordinary  freezing 
and  thawing  of  the  winter.  I  have  had 
fair  crops  from  the  bushes,  but  that  is  not 
enough.  I  want  big  crops,  and  so  I  shall 
adopt  the  change  suggested.  Will  I  suc¬ 
ceed  better  Who  can  tell  ? 
The  Mongoose  in  the  Sandwich  Islands. 
E.  E.  C.,  Wainica  Kauai,  S.  I.— Hav¬ 
ing  noticed  in  a  recent  Rural  an  editor¬ 
ial  in  regard  to  mongoose  as  a  rat  de¬ 
stroyer,  and  thinking  that  any  informa¬ 
tion  on  the  subject  might  be  acceptable, 
I  send  an  editorial  clipped  from  the 
Honolulu  Daily  Advertiser,  showing 
that  while  the  mongoose  has  proved  a 
blessing  to  planters  here,  it  would  un¬ 
doubtedly  prove  a  curse  to  the  United 
States.  These  islands  can  well  afford 
to  import  what  poultry  and  eggs  they 
need,  but  the  United  States  cannot.  The 
article  alluded  to  follows : 
Regarding  the  mongoose  referred  to, 
it  ought  to  be  stated  that  notwithstand¬ 
ing  the  fact  that  it  has  been  the  means 
of  ridding  some  of  the  sugar  plantations 
on  Hawaii  of  the  numerous  rats,  which 
were  formerly  so  destructive  to  the  cane 
fields,  it  is  still  looked  upon  with  great 
detestation  by  the  population  generally, 
owing  to  the  fact  that  it  destroys  poul¬ 
try  as  effectually  as  it  does  rats  and 
mice.  The  mongoose  has  saved  hun¬ 
dreds  of  thousands  of  dollars’  worth  of 
sugar  by  clearing  the  cane  fields  of  the 
rat  plague,  but  at  the  same  time  it  has 
caused  a  loss  of  a  few  thousands  perhaps 
to  the  poultry  dealers. 
About  12  years  ago,  when  Capt.  Obed 
Spencer  owned  the  Kakalua  plantation, 
in  the  district  of  Hilo,  the  place  was  lit¬ 
erally  overrun  with  rats,  so  that  he 
found  it  quite  impossible  to  bring  a  crop 
of  cane  to  maturity  owing  to  the  com¬ 
plete  destruction  of  his  fields  by  these 
pests.  During  a  short  visit  there  in  1879 
he  took  the  writer  out  to  witness  their 
movements.  It  was  a  bright,  moonlight 
evening,  and  after  walking  a  few  hun¬ 
dred  yards  we  stopped  in  the  road,  and 
the  rats  were  moving  from  the  woods 
above  to  the  cane  fields  below  in  count¬ 
less  numbers,  so  thick  as  literally  to 
cover  the  whole  ground,  leaping  over 
logs  and  piles  of  stones  and  jumping  four 
or  five  feet  across  the  ditch  by  the  road¬ 
side.  It  is  safe  to  say  that  in  the  few 
minutes  spent  there  tens  of  thousands 
must  have  come  down  to  enter  the  cane 
fields.  The  mongoose  has  so  effectually 
cleared  this  district  of  the  rats  that  the 
crop  of  sugar  this  year  will  probably  be 
5,000  or  6,000  tons,  while,  had  the  mon¬ 
gooses  not  been  imported,  the  annual 
crops  might  not  have  reached  as  many 
hundred  tons. 
Those  who  intend  or  wish  to  intro¬ 
duce  the  mongoose  into  California  should 
know  all  the  facts,  and  be  prepared  for 
a  small  loss  on  the  one  hand,  while  they 
may  secure  a  much  larger  gain  on  the 
other.  We  are  not  aware  of  any  other 
complaint  existing  against  this  sure  rat- 
exterminator.  It  would  no  doubt  rid 
California  of  the  gophers  and  every  other 
member  of  the  rodent  tribe,  and  in  a  very 
short  time  ;  but  might  cause  a  rise  in  the 
price  of  spring  chickens  and  game  birds, 
and  bring  down  curses  on  the  heads  of 
those  who  venture  to  introduce  it. 
An  Effective  Device. — Last  year  one 
of  “  Leggett’s  Insecticide  Guns  ”  was  sent 
to  the  Rural  Grounds  for  trial  and  report. 
It  was  too  late,  however,  and  the  trial 
was  not  made  until  last  week,  and  then 
only  on  currant  and  gooseberry  bushes 
to  kill  the  currant  worm.  The  machine 
is  little  short  of  perfection  in  so  far  as 
may  be  judged  by  a  single  searching 
trial.  It  is  precisely  what  every  one 
wants  and  needs.  Years  ago  the  Wooda- 
son  powder  bellows  were  sent  to  The 
R.  N.-Y.  for  examination.  They  proved 
to  be  the  best  device  for  distributing 
powder-insecticides  then  known  ;  and  we 
so  stated,  and  have  continued  so  to  advise 
our  readers  until  now.  There  were  and 
are,  however,  two  serious  objections  to 
them.  They  are  serviceable  in  a  small 
way  only.  To  use  them  for  hours  or  for 
a  day  at  a  time  is  nearly  out  of  the  ques¬ 
tion.  The  constant  strain  upon  the 
wrists,  arms  and  hands  is  such  that  one 
must  take  frequent  rests.  Again,  the 
reservoirs  must  be  often  filled,  and  the 
distribution  arrangement  is  so  imperfect 
that,  be  as  careful  as  we  may,  the  pow¬ 
der  is  often  thrown  out  of  the  nozzles  in 
masses — puffed  out  in  a  volume — so  that 
economy  in  the  use  of  high-priced  insecti¬ 
cides,  like  pyrethrum  or  hellebore,  is  not 
possible.  In  just  these  two  respects  the 
“gun”  is  nearly  all  that  can  be  desired  : 
The  fan  or  blowing  part  is  worked  by  a 
crank  that  turns  several  cog-wheels, 
causing  a  rapid  revolution  of  a  fan 
within  ;  and  this  turning  of  the  crank  is 
done  so  easily  that  the  operator  is 
scarcely  conscious  of  an  effort.  The 
quantity  of  powder  is  accurately  regu¬ 
lated  as  desired,  by  an  adjustable  opening 
in  the  bottom,  which  allows  more  or 
less  to  be  fanned  through  the  distribut¬ 
ing  tube.  The  weight  of  the  machine  is 
Gh'  pounds  supported  by  a  strap  which 
passes  around  and  rests  upon  the  should¬ 
ers.  The  tube  through  which  the  pow- 
( Continued  on  next  page.) 
gUiiurtiiaittg. 
If  you  name  The  R.  N.-Y.  to  our  advertisers  you 
may  be  pretty  sure  of  prompt  replies  and  rlgb 
treatment. 
Get  Hood’s 
If  you  have  made  up  your  mind  to  buy  Hood’s 
Sarsaparilla  do  not  be  induced  to  take  any  other. 
Hood’s  Sarsaparilla  possesses  superior  curative 
power  by  virtue  of  its  peculiar  combination,  pro¬ 
portion  and  preparation.  Be  sure  to  get  Hood’s. 
“  In  one  store  the  clerk  tried  to  induce  mo  to 
buy  their  own  instead  of  Hood’s  Sarsaparilla. 
But  he  could  not  prevail  on  me  to  change.  I  told 
him  I  knew  what  Hood’s  Sarsaparilla  was,  I  had 
taken  it,  was  perfectly  satisfied  with  it,  and  did 
not  want  any  other.”  Mus.  Ella  A.  Goff,  61 
Terrace  Street,  Boston,  Mass. 
Hood’s  Sarsaparilla 
Sold  by  all  druggists.  $1;  six  for  £5.  Prepared  only 
by  C.  1.  HOOD  &  CO.,  Apothecaries,  Lowell,  Mass. 
IOO  Doses  One  Dollar 
\}^T 
^EanyO^ 
ANY 
As  much 
For  INTEBNAL  as  EXTERNAL  use. 
Originated  by  an  Old  Family  Physician  in  1 8 1 0 
Could  a  Remedy 
^OUTREAU^ 
Have  Survived  for  Eighty  Years  ? 
Dropped  on  Sugar,  Children  Love  It. 
Every  Traveler  should  have  a  bottle  of  it  in  his  satchel 
THINK  OF  IT. 
In  use  over  40  YEARS  in  one  family. 
Dr.  I.  S.  Johnson  &  Co.— It  is  sixty  years  since  I  first 
learned  of  vour  Johnson’s  Anodyne  Liniment;  for 
more  than  forty  years  I  have  used  it  in  my  family. 
O.  H.  INGALLS,  Dea.  2d  Baptist  Church,  Bangor,  Me. 
Every  Mother  Anodyne  Liniment  In 
the  house  for  Croup,  Colds,  Sore  Throat,  Catarrh, 
Tonsilitis,  Colic,  Nervous  Headache,  Cuts,  Bruises, 
Cramps,  Pains,  Soreness  in  Body  or  Limbs.  Delays 
may  cost  a  life.  Relieves  Summer  Complaints  like 
magic.  Sold  everywhere.  Price,  35  ets.,  6  bottles,  §2. 
Express  paid.  I.  S.  JOHNSON  &  CO.,  Boston,  Mass. 
For  Harness,  Buggy  Tops,  Saddles,  Fly  Nets 
Traveling  Bags,  Military  Equipments,  Etc. 
Gives  a  beautiful  finish  which  will  not  peel  or 
crack  off,  smut  or  crock  by  handling.  Not  a  varnish 
Used  by  the  U.  S.  Army  and  is  the  standard 
among  manufacturers  and  owners  of  fine  harness 
in  every  quarter  of  the  globe. 
SOLD  BY  ALL  HARNESS  MAKERS. 
MEND  YOUR  OWN  HARNESS 
WITH 
THOMSON’S 
SLOTTED 
CLINCH  RIVETS. 
No  tools  required.  Only  a  hammer  needed 
to  drive  and  clinch  them  easily  and  quickly: 
leaving  the  clinch  absolutely  smooth.  Re¬ 
quiring  no  hole  to  be  made  in  the  leather  nor 
burr  for  the  Rivets.  They  are  STRONG,  TOUGH 
and  DURABLE.  Millions  now  in  use.  All 
lengths,  uniform  or  assorted,  put  up  in  boxes. 
,  Auk  your  (IcnKir  for  them,  or  send  40c. 
in  stamps  for  a  box  of  100 ;  assorted  sizes. 
MANUFACTURED  BY 
JUDSON  L.  THOMSON  MFC.  CO., 
Waltham,  ITIa.it.  " 
- RAPID - 
HARNESS  -  MENDERS. 
Just  Drive  ’Em  In  and  CLINCH  ’Em. 
Tha  Quickest,  Strongest  and  Cheapest  way  to  mend 
your  harness  or  any  strap. 
Every  one  who  owns  a  HORSE  NEEDS  a  box. 
Only  Cost  25c  for  One  Gross. 
For  Sale  by  Grocery  and  Hardware  Stores  or  send  to 
BUFFALO  SPECIALTY  MFG.  CO., 
PATENTEES  AND  MANUFACTURERS.  BUFFALO,  N.  Y. 
GENUINE  PHILADELPHIA 
Lawn  Mower. 
HAND  SIZES  10  TO  SO  INCHES. 
BOTH  OPEN  AND  SOLID  CYLINDERS. 
PONY  AND  HORSE  30  AND  3G  INCHES. 
LAWN  SWEEPERS  and  GRASS  EDGERS. 
'GRAHAM,  EMLEN  &  PASSMORE, 
631  Market  St.,  Philadelphia,  Penn. 
The  ROCKER  WASHER 
has  proved  the  most  satis¬ 
factory  of  any  Washer 
ever  placed  upon  the  mar- 
ket.  It  is  warranted  to 
wash  an  ordinary  family 
washing  of  100  pieces  in 
One  Hour,  as  clean  as 
can  he  washed  on  the 
washboard.  Write  for 
prices  and  full  description. 
ROCKER  WASHER  GO., 
Fort  Wayne,  Ind. 
Liberal  inducements  to 
live  agents. 
ENGINES,  m^s, 
Threshing  Machines, 
Best  Machinery  at  Lowest  Prices 
A.  B.  FARQUHAR  CO.,  York,  Pa 
PAINTroofs 
DIXON  S  SILICA  GRAPHITE  PAINT 
W ater  will  run  from  it  pnre  and  clean .  It  covers  double 
the  surface  of  any  other  paint,  and  will  last  four  or  five 
timeslonger.  Equally  usefulforanyironwork.  Send  for 
circulars.  Jos.  Dixon  Crucible  Co.,  Jersey  City.N,  J. 
FRUIT  evaporator 
|UI  I  THE  ZIMMERMAN 
The  Standard  Machine 
Different  sizes  and  prices.  Illustrated  Catalogue  free. 
THE  BLYMYJKR  IRON  WORKS  CO..  Cincinnati.  O. 
