1891 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
Business . 
A VEGETABLE CANNER’S CONTRACT. 
We give below, for the purpose of comparison, a copy of 
the contract given by the Erie Preserving Company. The 
conditions are about the same as those enforced by other 
canners in Western New York. We are informed that the 
farmers in Erie County, N. Y., are combining and refuse 
to raise sweet corn for less than $9 or 110 per ton : 
PLEASE READ YOUR CONTRACT. 
Memorandum of Agreement, by and between 
Mr.of . 
Party of the first part, and the ERIE PRESERVING CO., of Brant, Erie 
C o., N. Y., party of the second part, made this 2ist day of January, 1891, 
VV itnesseth. That the said party of the first part, for value received 
and in consideration of the promise and agreement hereafter written 
and undertaken by the said party of the second part, does hereby prom¬ 
ise and agree to plant, properly cultivate and harvest in the right con¬ 
dition for the party of the second part, the following described crops, 
and also agrees that he will not contract any of the same kind of crops 
with any other party, and he also agrees not to attempt to deliver, 
directly or indirectly, on this contract, the produce of any other party. 
... .Acres of Sweet Com, at $8 per ton of 2,000pounds. 
- “ Marrowfat Peas, at $1.25 per 100 pounds, 
_ “ Champion or Wrinkle Peas, at *1.25 per 100 pounds. 
.... “ Early June Peas, at $1.66% per 100 pounds. 
_ “ Refugee Stringl’s Beans, at $ .25 per ICO pounds. 
.... “ White Wax Beans, at $1.60 per luO pounds, 
.... *• Lima Beans, at *4 per bushel. 
.... “ Red Ripe Tomatoes, at $9per ton up to Sept. 
18. Thereafter $8 per ton for Red Ripe Tomatoes only. 
_Acres of Marrow Squash, at $6 per ton. 
.... “ Hubbard Squash, at $8 per ton. 
_Tons Common Field Pumpkins, at $3 per ton. 
. Bushels 
Feeling Apples, 
at.. 
. .per bushel of 50 pounds. 
“ 
Barilett Pears, 
at.. 
.per bushel of 50 pounds. 
. “ 
Plums, 
at.. 
. .per bushel of 60 pounds. 
. “ 
Peaches, 
at.. 
. .per bushel of 60 pounds. 
.Quarts 
Bl’k Raspberries, 
at.. 
. .c. per Qt. of 22 oz., net. 
“ 
Red Raspberries, 
at . 
..c. per Qt. of 22 oz., net. 
. ** 
Strawberries, 
at.. 
..c. per Qt. of 22 oz., net. 
And when above crops are in proper condition as required by this con¬ 
tract, they are to be delivered as directed by said Erie Preserving Com¬ 
pany to said Company’s Factory, at Brant or Farnham, and the said 
Erie Preserving Company, party of the second part, agrees to receive 
such crops, if in right condition and pay for them as follows: 
Peas, Beaus, Squash, Pumpkin and all Fruits, cash when crop is all de¬ 
livered. For Tomatoes, half cash, when crop is all delivered, and bal¬ 
ance January 21, 1892. All Tomatoes to be delivered at Farnham Fac¬ 
tory. For Sweet Corn, one payment in full January 21,1892. 
And it is further agreed by both parties that the instructions and con¬ 
ditions on the back of this contract are made a part thereof. 
Signed in Duplicate. 
P. O. 
ERIE PRESERVING CO. 
Per., 
. f- 
Secy. 
On the back of the contract is printed the following: 
READ YOUR CONTRACT. 
INSTRUCTIONS TO CONTRACTORS 
of 
PRODUCE FOR DELIVERY TO TIIE ERIE PRESERVING CO. 
Sweet corn must have good, rich soil and clean cultivation, and not be 
planted within 25 rods of other c >rn, as it will easily mix. Different 
plantings of early and late varieties must be made so they will mature 
in rotation and prevent overstocking at time of delivery. All Sweet 
Corn must be grown from new seed furnished by the Erie Preserving Co., 
and each corn contractor must grow half early varieties and half late. 
Sweet Corn must be picked when young and tender and in the creamy 
stage, suitable for table use. It must be broken off close to the ear, and 
delivered immediately after picking, and never left in a wagon or in 
heaps over night, as it will easily heat, and heated core, nubbins, mixed 
and that which is too old, will be rejected. 
Corn picked late in the afternoon must be spread out thin over-night, 
and delivered early the following morning. 
Tomatoes must be of smooth varieties, of merchantable size, picked 
when red ripe and delivered the same day they are picked, or early the 
following morning. Green, unsound, and small tomatoes, not received. 
Peas should be sown early in the season and three or four bushels of 
seed to the acre, according to variety. 
Pick when the pods are well filled, tender and green, and deliver soon 
after picking. Peas must not be left in bags in a wagon or in heaps over¬ 
night. 
Heated, shriveled, dried or discolored pods will not be received at 
any price. 
String Beans must be picked and delivered with the satre care as peas, 
They must be young and tender and without beans of any size in the 
pods, and if picked extra small, measuring one-fourth inch in diameter, 
an extra price will be paid from $2 00 to $3.00 per 100 pounds, according 
to size. 
This contract covers only early or first crop of Stringless Beans. 
For second or late crop of Beaus for delivery during September and 
October, a separate contract must be made. 
All crops must be delivered before 6 P. M daily, and on Saturdays 
nothing received after 12 o’clock noon. The Erie Preserving Co. to be 
the exclusive judges of the above products for canning, and when the 
products do not grade first-class as described and contracted above, will 
not be accepted. 
Destruction of factory by fire releases said Erie Preserving Co. from re¬ 
ceiving balance of crop after fire. 
ERIE PRESERVING CO., 
Brant, Erie Co., N. Y. 
A Massachusetts Cannery. 
The canning factory in this town pays $1 per 100 pounds 
for cucumbers under five inches in length. The yield is 
from eight to ten tons per acre. Sweet corn brings 40 cents 
per bushel basket. w. s. H. 
Northfleld Farms, Mass. 
An Ohio Cannery. 
Our canning factory pays $0 per ton for tomatoes ; 25 
cents per bushel for sweet corn, and 50 cents per bushel for 
beans. The pickle factory pays 50 cents per bushel for 
small; 40 cents for medium, and 25 cents for large pickles; 
50 cents a dozen for cauliflowers, and $1 per bushel for small 
onions. W. R. c. 
Sandusky, Ohio. 
In Chautauqua County, New York. 
In the spring of ’88 a company of canners came into this 
section and located at Forestville. The town of Forest- 
ville gave them a lot for a building. The farmers donated 
one-eighth of the produce they delivered the first season. 
Since then the factory has been enlarged each year. 
Several tinsmiths are employed the year round to make 
the cans. The most improved machinery is used, and ail 
that is put up is first-class. From 100 to 150 hands are 
employed through the season, which lasts from the first of 
July until about the first of November. The canners 
make written contracts with the surrounding farmers 
each spring. They are now making contracts for the com¬ 
ing season at the following prices: Green peas, 50 to 60 
cents per bushel of 30 pounds; sweet corn, $8 per ton of 
2,000 pounds ; tomatoes, 25 cents per bushel of 60 pounds ; 
string beans, 40 to 90 cents per bushel of 30 pounds, ac¬ 
cording to their size—the smaller they are the higher the 
price—Lima beans, 12 cents per quart, shelled. Berries are 
not canned. The company furnishes the seeds at whole¬ 
sale prices. The amount is deducted from the price of the 
products delivered at the time of settlement, which is on 
December 20. We have to pay 20 cents per bushel for 
picking peas, and 25 to 30 cents per bushel for string beans. 
On account of the scarcity of help at picking time, the 
company cannot get a sufficient supply from the farmers, 
so has to hire land, paying $4.50 per acre. It runs a 
special train to Dunkirk every morning and night to get 
help. CHAS. G. MCMANUS. 
NOVELTIES AND STAPLES. 
From the Catalogues. 
W. W. Rawson & Co., 34 South Market Street, Bos¬ 
ton, Mass. —A large and beautifully illustrated catalogue 
of vegetable and flower seeds. One of the illustrations 
shows a greenhouse 320 feet in length, filled with Rawson’s 
New Hot house Lettuce, which Mr Rawson has been work¬ 
ing upon for three years past. It is said to be the largest 
lettuce grown, being nearly double the size of the Boston 
Market. Sixteen pages are devoted to new or rare vari¬ 
eties. 
John A. Sal/.er, La Crosse, Wis.— This is a showy 
catalogue, full of illustrations in black and colors. There 
are a number of plants and seeds announced that are quite 
new to The R. N.-Y. Among them are the New Early 
Wisconsin, Saratoga Chips, Hotel Favorite and Ironclad 
Potatoes; Salzer’s La Crosse Tomato, which, as shown, 
measures seven inches in diameter, the largest specimen 
weighing 18 ounces ; Golden Alaska and Arctic Raspber¬ 
ries, the latter being a blackcap, the Wineberry, which is 
shown, bears very large berries of a purplish-golden color, 
etc. Among flowers the “ Mountain Rose ” is represented 
as a new, hardy climber from China, bearing heavy, large 
double rose flowers in great profusion. Its botanical name 
is given as Calystegia Sepuin. The old Double Bindweed, 
Calystegia pubescens, answers the description very well. 
Calystegia sepium is the nearest as to specific name that 
we can And of this genus. Mr. Salzer’s catalogue is full 
in its list of forage plants, millets, grasses, oats, barley, 
and all sorts of vegetables. 
Peter Henderson & Co., 35-37 Cortlandt Street, 
N. Y.—We do not know that we have ever seen a more 
creditable work of the kind than the “ Manual of Every¬ 
thing for the Garden,” just received from the above long- 
established and popular firm. There are 150 pages (9x11 
inches), the cover pages of which are beautifully-executed 
designs, two full-paged colored plates and wood cuts in¬ 
numerable. A striking announcement is that of the “ 400 ” 
Tomato, with an illustration showing a specimen seven 
inches in diameter, and $250 are offered to the one who 
shall suggest the best name, the competition being open 
to all and to be decided by three well known judges. It is 
stated that “ 12 selected specimens weighed 16>£ pounds.” 
It is said to be smooth, of a dark, crimson color, and re¬ 
markably solid and free of seeds. One of the colored 
plates—a masterpiece in its way—presents the portraits of 
nine of the finest chrysanthemums known to-day. It is 
worthy of a frame. Another colored plate shows the new 
pea, Heroine, and the Table Queen Tomato, regarding 
which The R. N.-Y. has already made a report. Fifty 
pages are given to plants and the selections and illustra¬ 
tions are such as to set the plant-lover wild—especially if 
his love is deeper than his purse. The lists of seeds for the 
lawn, field and garden are full and the descriptions ample, 
plain and, for the most part, accurate. We take great 
pleasure in commending an examination of this splendid 
work to every reader. 
Wm. Henry Maule, Philadelphia, Pa.— A very large 
and elaborately illustrated catalogue of farm, garden and 
flower seeds, as well as of plants and fruits of many kinds. 
During past years Mr. Maule has offered large prizes for 
the best specimens of grain, vegetables, etc., produced from 
seed sold by him. This year these cash prizes aggregate 
$2,500. The Freeman Potato is offered for the first time in 
limited quantity, at $3 a pound. The claim is made that 
it is the most perfect early potato ever produced. As early 
as the Early Ohio, it is a stupendous yielder of beautifully 
formed tubers. The flesh is white and of the best quality. 
Mr. Freeman, the originator, says that it ripens with him 
‘‘several weeks in advance of the Early Rose.” In 1889, he 
planted some on June 4, and on July 13, 39 days from 
planting—he dug “ the first mess of fine potatoes for din¬ 
ner.” He has frequently dug from six to nine pounds from 
a single hill. The catalogue has numerous colored prints 
of vegetables and flowers of many kinds. 
Johnson & Stokes, Philadelphia, Pa.— An attractive 
catalogue of 100 pages, profusely illustrated with colored, 
wood-cut and photographic illustrations. It offers all 
kinds of field and garden seeds, poultry supplies, thor¬ 
oughbred poultry, Collie dogs, etc. Giant Beauty field 
corn is set forth as very early and as having the largest 
kernel of any of the yellow dents. The firm offers Blount’s 
White Prolific as a superior ensilage corn. It may be, 
though we would be glad to have the Rural Thoroughbred 
Flint tried beside it. Both mature at the same time, and 
we are confident that the latter would yield 20 per cent 
more of leaves and stalks. Besides, it does not grow so 
tall, and is rarely lodged by high winds. The list of oats 
rates the American Beauty, Baltic White, Clydesdale and 
Welcome among the best. Eitherthe Welcome or Clydes¬ 
i33 
dale will answer for the other. The list of new tomatoes 
is extended, the Atlantic Prize, Brandywine aud Early 
Market being considered the best. Crown Jewel is con¬ 
sidered the earliest potato. Potato eyes are sent by mail 
without additional cost to the purchaser, which euables 
patrons to test, in a small way, all the new aud high- 
priced kinds without much expense. Novelties and varie¬ 
ties of recent introduction cover 18 pages. 
J. T. Lovett Co , Little Silver, N. J.—Lovett’s Horti¬ 
cultural Guide opens with a colored plate of the Lovett 
Blackcap Raspberry, and Lovett’s Early Strawberry. The 
latter, as judged from spring-set plants, is a promising vari¬ 
ety. It is among the earliest, of a conical, even shape, of a 
glossy, crimson color and of good quality. Several speci¬ 
mens of the blackcap were received last April. The plants 
have made a strong growth and will fruit the coming sea¬ 
son. The claims made for the Lovett are that it is as early 
as the Doolittle, as large as the Gregg, very sweet and of 
the finest flavor, while the plants are of ‘‘iron-clad hardi¬ 
ness.” For the strawberry the claim is made that it yields 
as many berries as the Crescent, and they are twice as 
large—as large as the Sharpless—very firm and of the finest 
quality. It has a “ perfect ” blossom, the plants are strong, 
and healthy, and thrive well on comparatively poor soil. 
Another colored page shows the Wonderful Peach, which 
is said to be the ‘‘best and most profitable late yellow;” 
Lovett’s White, “ the best of all white peaches,” and the 
Carlough, ‘‘the handsomest and longest-keeping sweet 
apple.” The Fuller Quince, now offered for the first time, 
is regarded as the largest, handsomest and best in cultiva¬ 
tion. Specimens have been grown measuring 11 inches in 
circumference and weighing 12 ounces. The Idaho and 
Wilder Pears, and Lincoln, Satsuma Blood, Abundance 
and Spaulding Plums are all illustrated and described at 
length. 
ELECTRIC MOTORS FOR FARMS. 
Mr. Smith, who talks about electric motors on page 93, 
has got hold of a good idea. Power can be readily 
obtained from an electric light wire, and, by means of 
branch wires, can be carried to any part of the farm. 
Electric motors are regular articles of manufacture and 
can be bought of any required power from one-eighth 
horse-power upward. A three-horse-power motor would 
be a good size for farm work, as it is small and light and 
can be easily moved about on a hard track. The best appli¬ 
cation would be a motor combined with a hoisting drum 
and cable. It could then be used for lifting hay into the 
barn and for other hoisting and for plowing, cultivating, 
harrowing and mowing. For pumping, a special form of 
motor would be required and fitted to a pump. 
The most valuable work on the farm would be field cul¬ 
ture, plowing, etc. A hoisting drum and cable operated by a 
motor would drag a plow, harrow, cultivator, or mowing 
machine, but the work would have to be carried on pre¬ 
cisely as in steam-plowiDg. The motor would be fixed at 
one place and by turning the drum, would wind up the 
cable and pull the plow, mower or other implement over 
the ground. In steam plowing two methods are used. 
Two engines are placed at opposite sides of the field and 
alternately pull the plow (which is double) across the 
field. Each time the plow Is pulled across, one engine 
moves forward sufficiently to bring the plow into the 
next furrow. The other plan is to use one engine at one 
side of the field and to use two cables, one of which is 
passed through a block anchored at the opposite side of 
the field, the cables to be used alternately. All this 
implies that the engine shall be anchored firmly while 
drawing the plow, and yet be able to move forward as 
each furrow is made. The difficulty of doing this has 
prevented the general adoption of steam-plowing. 
With a motor there would be the same difficulty ; but 
with a difference. A motor is small and light and is read¬ 
ily moved forward, and could be anchored while at work by 
driving a bar firmly into the ground. Two motors would 
be better than one, as one could be moved while the other 
is at work. The motor would have to stand on a low track, 
that could be easily pulled along by hand. Another 
method would be to fix the motor on a movable platform 
resting on a firm foundation and arranged to turn round 
on its center. The plowing would then be done on radial 
lines, the motor being used for the center. The furrows 
would all join at the motor and some of them would be 
shorter than others. The work would be done in one direc¬ 
tion only and the plow moved back for each furrow. A 
pair of light wheels fitted to the plow would make it easy 
to run it back after each furrow. In mowing the best plan 
would be to use two motors at opposite sides of the field. 
These are only suggestions for the future. Some day mo¬ 
tors will be seen on small farms and market gardens near 
towns will be lighted by electricity. The best way to use 
them will be learnt by experiment and practical study. 
One thing is certain—the motor has come to stay. It is a 
practical transformer of power. A horse costs every hour, 
whether at work or asleep. A motor, beyond the interest 
on the plant, costs nothing when not in use. A farmer 
using a motor will pay for the actual power used and no 
more, and electric power will, in time, be much cheaper 
than horse power. A farmer having a stream on his place 
capable of giving water power can use a dynamo and 
motor to convey the power to any part of his farm, and 
transform it into useful work. In the Eastern States every 
little brook that is fit to turn any form of water wheel is 
being examined with a view to its use in driving electric 
motors. A farmer having such a brook should keep a sharp 
eye on speculators who wish to buy water rights. Many a 
hill farm to-day contains a fortune running to waste, and 
the wise man will be very careful how he parts with it to 
the electric power people. The electric motor makes every 
water power valuable, because it enables us to convey 
power, and this is one of the most valuable things modern 
science has given to the world. Charles Barnard. 
