i89i 
“The Survival of the Fittest.” 
Almost any man of fifty, in our time, has 
led a life more crowded with events than 
the more than nine centuries of Methu- 
saleh. Within the last half century most 
of the inventions that have revolutionized 
the world have appeared, with, perhaps, 
the exception of the steam engine and its 
application to different modes of convey¬ 
ance. A middle-aged man can remember 
when the canal boat was considered a 
luxurious conveyance, and the journey 
from Philadelphia to New York required 
several days. The telegraph was not 
known, and the wonderful inventions of 
Edison and others not even dreamed of. 
But this picture has its dark side. With 
all the labor saving appliances and inven¬ 
tions, there is none to relieve the mind. 
Its activity is increased to meet the de¬ 
mands made upon it. Methusaleh, at the 
age of 40 or 50, with over 900 years of life 
before him, and the consciousness that a 
trifling sum, placed at compound interest, 
would enable him to spend his last days in 
comfort and even in affluence, could afford 
to lose an hour, or even a day or two. But 
now, “time is money,” and money is every¬ 
thing. Neither mind nor body can bear 
the strain, and disease is the result. This 
is the penalty we pay for our high state of 
civilization. But is nothing to be done to 
restore and revitalize us ? 
If you wish to investigate this subject, 
send for our brochure of 200 pages. It 
gives the result of 20 years of study and ex¬ 
perience, and is a carefully written work. 
There is collected, also, a mass of evidence, 
irrefutable and convincing. Address Drs. 
Starkey & Palen, 1529 Arch Street, Phil¬ 
adelphia, Pa., or 120 Sutter Street, San 
Francisco, Cal.— Adv. 
A Flood Fixed the Fences. 
The disastrous flood of 1884 in the bot¬ 
toms along the Ohio River settled the 
vexed fence question in many localities, 
We had the old Virginia rail fences, and 
on our bottoms, a mile and a quarter wide 
there was a fence strip 10 or 12 feet wide 
out of each 48 rods, that was lost to cul¬ 
tivation and was an annual tax if kept 
looking neat. 
The Ohio law compels us to keep up line 
fences—unless the owner on each side con¬ 
sents to dispense with them—wherever the 
road fences are kept up so as to exclude 
stock. I had abandoned the fences along 
the road, but was helping to maintain a 
mile of line fence to please a neighbor, when 
the flood made me richer by robbing me of 
my fences. No stock runs at large. When 
driven along the road, the animals keep to 
the track fairly well, and no appreciable 
damage is done to the crops on either side 
of the road. 
Many fields are foul with a wild vine, 
known locally as the wild sweet-potato 
vine, and these are growing worse since 
the abandonment of the fences, as pastur¬ 
ing, especially by hogs, is the only known 
remedy. Movable fences are needed in such 
cases. I do not find it costly to use old 
rails, making such a fence only six rails 
high for hogs, and it is a great pleasure to 
have an unincumbered field for cultivation, 
when fences are removed to another field 
following rotation. A wire strung along 
the inside of the fence at the top will make 
it sufficient to turn colts or horses, in case 
it seems necessary to pasture them In the 
clover field. It is, however, poor policy to 
graze clover with heavy stock. If it were 
not for the wild vines and the plantains 
that have crept into our fields, even hogs 
would, in some cases, be a detriment to 
the ground, as the shade of the clover 
makes the conditions perfect for the 
storing of plant food. The fences must go 
% 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
i37 
to a great extent, but the good lessons The 
R. N.-Y. teaches in regard to manure 
saving must be heeded, and Instead of 
selling everything off the fields, it must be 
fed and returned to them. Down with 
fences and let every man take care of his 
own stock. ALVA AGEE. 
Gallia County, O. 
Fencing Out “Human Animals.” 
There is a constant effort to change from 
one kind of fence to another, or to dis¬ 
pense with fences entirely; but the fence 
is still here, though a few have removed 
their inside fences and some have dispensed 
with the road fences. In my case (I grow 
fruit mainly) I have no inside fences, but 
retain the road and line fences as protec¬ 
tion against the human part of the animal 
family. I use wire largely, but am now 
starting a barberry hedge along the road. 
It does well here and is ornamental as well 
as useful, and is easily controlled and fills 
the bill better than anything I know of. 
Washtenaw County, Mich. w. F. B. 
Careless Cattle Men; Hedges. 
The R. N.-Y.’s efforts to “ down the 
fences” are commendable ; the only objec¬ 
tions to the absence of these expensive ob¬ 
structions is the lawlessness of cattle men 
in driving stock to market, for they often 
tresspass on our front lawns and flower 
gardens. The American arbor-vitm and the 
hemlock are taking the place of even an 
ornamental wire fence. Most persons want 
too big plants and then train their hedges 
too. high. Two feet should be the height 
in front of buildings after 20 years’ growth; 
the longer the plants can be kept at one 
foot, the handsomer they will be. For the 
front of the orchard and vineyard and on 
back fences the hedge may be permitted to 
grow four feet and barbed wire should be 
strung for hogs at intervals of a foot. For 
back grounds and back fences I would use 
the Norway Spruce, interlaced with barbed 
wire. This tree can be pruned to a solid 
wall two feet wide and of any desired 
height; the plants should not be nearer to 
each other than four feet, and if surround¬ 
ing a farm on the prairies where protection 
is of the greatest importance, I would 
plant a single row eight feet apart and 
prune the sides to three or four feet from 
the center, leaving a wall six to eight feet 
thick. These plants can be furnished at 
three to five cents each, ready for planting 
out, and a live fence well cared for is a joy 
forever. GEO. J. KELLOGG. 
Rock County, Wis. 
Home and Line Fences. 
Men that are farming to improve their 
condition are fast ridding their farms of 
unnecessary fences. On nearly every farm 
a part is suitable for a permanent pasture 
only. This the farmer tries to inclose with 
a good fence, but in the cultivated portion 
some are dispensing with cross fences al¬ 
together ; while many good farmers sup¬ 
port miles of unnecessary fence. I find 
that my line fences and those around my 
pastures are all that are profitable to keep. 
Barbed wire makes a good portable fence. 
A few small posts or stakes should be 
driven about 16 feet apart; a man should 
go about with a crow-bar and make hobs 
ahead 12 or 14 inches deep and three inches 
across the top; then a man with a team 
should drive close to the holes, set the post 
and whack it while standing in the wagon. 
Two men can thus inclose a meadow in 
short order. J. S. T. 
Onondaga Co., N. Y. 
Nalls In the Fence Coffin. 
My observation with regard to fences 
has extended over a large part of Cayuga 
and Tompkins Counties, and I find they 
are slowly receding from view. Many 
farms are open to the highway, while from 
some the fences are entirely removed, ow¬ 
ing, no doubt, mainly to the scarcity and 
cost of fencing timber. Many of the re¬ 
maining fences are unsightly and should 
be removed. j. M. c. 
Five Corners, N. Y. 
“Down with useless fences;” but it is 
impossible to “ down ” them here, because 
the renters, although owning no land, want 
to have their scrub stock pastured in the 
fields. In November down come the fences 
and the stock roam through orchard and 
field. In May the fences are repaired and 
there is a continual fight with the stock to 
keep them up: result, no winter crops of 
any kind. Grasses, wheat, rye, etc., have 
given way to cotton and corn and the win¬ 
ter is idled away. The country is growing 
poorer and land is becoming impoverished 
The cost of repairs to fences is greater 
than the value of all the stock. The rem 
edy can be applied only when a demonstra¬ 
tion of the enormous cost of these incum- 
ERTEL’S VICTOR M 
Sh IPPED ANYWHERE TOOPEfi»*Crt» 
ON TRIAL AGAINS T ALL OTHER 
, purchaser to keep one 
| 0OING most AND BEST W0Bk| 
JONES SCALES 
THE CHEAPEST, 
■■■ ih 
FARM MILLS 
French Burr * 
brances is published in our first-class 
agricultural papers: but the matter is al¬ 
most hopeless here because few read such 
papers. C. E. H. 
Talucah, Ala. 
Road fences are being taken down except 
where pastures adjoin the road. We are 
required to keep up division fences yet, but 
happy the time when we will be required 
to fence against our own stock only. Then 
as fast as our present fences wear out we 
will, if wise, diminish our pasturing and 
increase our soiling. L. G. 
Beaver Center, Pa. 
Useless fences are coming down, and 
some farmers in this town if they had any 
gumption would take up the old fence that 
is already down and clean out the hedge 
that has grown up. I see no use in so many 
fences. New fences—mostly around pas¬ 
tures—are being put up of barbed and plain 
wire and some of boards and some straight 
rail fences wired to posts. Some line and 
road fences of barbed wire, needed to fence 
in pastures, are being put up with maple 
trees for posts. W. H. C. 
East Freetown, N. Y. 
The more thorough farmers of this sec¬ 
tion are pulling down unnecessary fences 
and building only such as they need for 
holding in their own stock. They know 
that it costs less to care for their own than 
for those of the whole neighborhood. New 
fences are mostly of wire. M. w. R. 
Bancroft, Wis. 
Of useless fences there are but few here, 
as the law compels every man to take care 
of his own stock. I think that is the best 
policy. If the fences are kept clean the 
crops are, and the country looks better. 
CamD Springs, Md. J. B. M. 
Factory Established 
since 1851. 
28 SIZES AND STYLES 
-- CORN, CO 
BUCKWHEAT and RYE. 
A BOY CAN OPERATE 
and keep in order. A complete Mill and Shel¬ 
ter for leas than $100. Reduced - 
Prices for Fall of 1800 and 1801. 
Highest Awards 
at St. TiOuia, Cincinnati, New Or- fltfjji __ 
leans and Indianapolis Fairs and jH|P 
Expositions. Milling Book wl - 
a»d sample of Meal sent free. 
FLOUR MILLS BUILT : 
BY CONTRACT. 
Nordyke & Marmon Company, 17 , 
THE ADVANCE HAY TEDDER, 
The most perfect article of Its kind made. Ease of 
movement and fatlsfactlon guaranteed. Also manu¬ 
facturers of Mowers, Rakes. Hay Presses. Feed Gut¬ 
ters, Plows, etc. Writo for Free Circular. AKents 
wanted In every locality. Address 
Ann Arbor Agricultural Co., Ann Arbor, Mich 
Geo. Tylor & Co., Boston, Mass., Agents for the New 
England States, and R. C. Reeves Co., 185 & 187 Water 
Street, New York, Agent for Eastern New York. 
Has fewer parts and joints, 
hence simplest. Is the 
In writing to advertisers please always 
mention The Rural New-Yorker. 
of all Sectional Wheel Wind Mills, 
Is thoroughly well made of best 
materials. Runs, without a tail 
and governs perfectly. Wo stand 
behind the Ideal Junior with a 
strong warranty. Prices and cat¬ 
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G nn 502 River Street, 
, UUi, FREEPORT, ILL. 
ECLIPSE CORN PLANTER 
AGENTS HERE 
arid farmers with no experience make 02-30 an 
hour during spare time. A. D. Bates, 164 W.Rob¬ 
bins Ave., Covington, Ky., made 021 one *ln.v. 
«HI one wec-R. Ho can you. I’rools jmi« 1 eatn- 
locue free. J. E. Shepard & Co.. Cincinnati. O. 
rOr I* Send your name and address on a postal card 
1 Mil CL for all the Latost Styles of Silk Fringe, Pho» 
tograph, Envelope, Beveled Edge, Cnuy Edge Cards Ac* 
Sampled of all free. HOME and YOUTH, Cadiz, Ohio 
Will plant seeds and distribute fertilizers, Wet 
or Dry, indifferent Amounts and Distances, each 
side of seed. “ Send for circulars.” 
ECLIPSE CORN PLANTER CO.. 
Enfield, Grafton Co. New Hampshire. 
in Picture*. 12 Y tin A Beroll 
1 Drawing Guide, I Jap. 
tinlftomn Holder,200 Auto, 
tuno Toller. Deaf. Dumb, 
lalendar. 85 Conundrum*. 
, NEW HAVEN. CONN. 
10c. PACKAGE. Card*. 25 View dcaigim Name Cards. 
Novelty. I Fancy Comb, I Pencil, 1 Rubber Eraaer, 1 Pen& Hi 
Se I Actions, 20 Hongs, 63 Tricks, Dover' * Dream*, flirtations. For 
Telegraph Alphabets, 15 Actresses. Golden Wheel. Age'I'able. < 
TJ Money Making Hoc rota, all 10c. FRANKLIN PTO. C.O. 
CLARK’S 
ROOT CUTTERS 
Novels (book bound) and our large papers mos, 
only 10c. Advertiser & Farmer, Bay Shore, N.Y. 
Acknowledged by all 
stock-raisers to be the 
only perfect Root Cutter. 
Send for New Circular. 
PICTURES, MOTTOES An.. SO STYLES 
OK CARDS. 2n. A A PRESENT FOR ALL 
E. U. PARDEE, M0NT0WE8E, CONN. 
57ft SCRAP 
HIGGANUM 
M’F’G CORPORATION 
jSAJIPLK BOOK of Cards, 2o. Globe Co., Wallingford, Ct 
A uru/ We will send on trial and refund the money 
HC.li if not entirely satisfactory, our “Daisy’’ 
|nn Knife and Scissors Sharpener, 10 perfect 
RICA sharpeners In one. Sent by mail (with guar¬ 
antee) for fifty cents. Tub Bradford Co., 2< School 
St., Boston, Mass. AGENTS WANTED. 
Sole Manufacturers, 
HIGGANUM, CONN. 
[73 OR SALE.— Mammoth Bronze Turkeys and Reg- 
lsterel Merino Breeding Ewes. 
C. W. BLY, Palmyra, N. Y. 
fTTHE FARM AND VINKYARI) AND GARD- 
1 ENERS’ ASSISTANT.— A monthly magazine 
cevoted to Farming, Gardening and Grape Growing 
Trial subscriptions. 25 cts a year, regular price 50 cts. 
Address FARM AND VINEYARD, Erie, Pa. 
THOMAS P. SIMPSON, Washington, 
D. C. No atty’s fee until patent ob 
talned. Writo for Inventor’s Guide. 
BUGGIES at \ PRICE 
Buy director FACTOR!. Save MIDDLEMEN’S PROFITS. 
« A Goat Harness delivered 5 1.H5 
Good 810 Buggy Harness 4,75 
825 Double Team Harness 12.50 
800 Leather M Top Buggy 45.50 
2 Man Open Buggy . 28.50 
4 Passenger Top Carriage 47.50 
TexasSide Spring Top Buggy 49.OO 
820 Two Man Cart . . 0.50 
Geo. Y. Martin, Hampton, N. Y., writes. “ Highly pleased with $50.00Top 
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U.S.BUCCY & CART CO, CINCINNATI,©. 
CATALOGUE 
lONESof BIN6HAMT0N, Binghamton. N.Y, 
