1891 
7o5 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
English make a “Hay Spice” for sprinkling over damaged 
hay or other fodder. There is, undoubtedly, considerable 
nutriment in this ground bark; Mr. Stewart speaks of the 
feeding value of leaves and twigs on the first page of this 
issu“. The medicinal properties found in the bark are also 
worth considering, and are probably of more importance 
than the nutriment. 
If you aim to suit the men who are to buy the animals 
you will never spend money trying to breed long legs on 
draft horses. The demand is for “ blocky ” stock. Take a 
hired man : which will stand more work—the thick set 
“chunky ” fellow or the one with long legs and arms ? 
The Country Gentleman says that it will not do at all 
for the inexpert fancier to buy what are called Cleveland 
Bays promiscuously and hope to breed typical and useful 
animals. In this sort, more perhaps than in almost any 
other, the utmost circumspection, as regards both pedi¬ 
gree and individual characteristics, Is an indispensable 
essential for the slightest hope of ultimate success. 
A neighbor of ours buys milk of a farmer who claims 
that “farmin’ don’t pay!” A few weeks ago the milk 
was delivered a3 usual in a tin can. On pouring it out it 
was found to have a dark purplish tiDge. Examination 
showed that it contained London-purple enough to kill a 
child! Investigation proved that the farmer carried Lon¬ 
don-purple—to be used in killing potato beetles in his 
milk pails! It “just happened” that this pall had not 
been washed out! Such are the things that make warfare 
between producer and consumer—and a righteous warfare 
it is. 
Farm Politics. 
Here it is proposed to discuss with freedom and fairness, ques¬ 
tions of National or State policy that particularly concern farm¬ 
ers. The editors disclaim responsibility for the opinions of cor¬ 
respondents. The object is to develop a true and fair basis for 
organization among farmers. Let us think out just what we want 
and then strive for it. 
WHAT DO WE EXPORT? 
The Rural says: “Truly all are dancing to the farmers’ 
piping this year.” It should have said all but the farmer 
who has to produce his crops at high tariff prices, and sell 
them in the open markets of the world in competition with 
those produced by the cheapest labor. No doubt the 
manufacturers and tradesmen are jubilant over the large 
crops raised by the farmers, which will go to enliven our 
exchanges and enable them to do business at high tariff 
prices. The farmers have fed this country and a part of 
Europe for several years at less than cost, and it is about 
time for a change. Farmers furnish 75 per cent of the ex¬ 
changes; the protected industries 25. If farmers should 
stop furnishing this surplus for exportation, and seven or 
eight millions in gold should go out of this country every 
year, how long would high protection keep the nation in 
a prosperous condition ? E. *R 
South Coventry, Conn. 
R- N.-Y. We have read a great many different state¬ 
ments as to the character of this country’s export trade. 
We have gone carefully over the government statistics for 
the past three years and now give a statement which we 
can indorse as substantially correct. So many people are 
making wild statements about the matter that we wished 
to get at the exact facts. We give below the total exports 
from the United States for the past three years. We also 
give the amounts of foreign goods brought to this country 
and then exported. 
„ . , 1890 1889 1888 
Total domestic exports.93,828 $73u,282,739 $088,862,101 
Foreign goods exported. 12,584,a56 12,118,706 12 , 0 * 2,103 
We have divided these exports into four classes of 
goods; 1, agricultural, 2, manufactured, 3, agricultural 
manufactures, 4, natural products. Under the first head 
we have grouped the product that go abroad in their 
natural state or those that are fitted for market on the 
farm. These include cattle, grain, cotton, fruit, hides, 
wool, dairy products, etc.—everything that is not changed 
in form and appearance between the farm and the foreign 
consumer. We have put butter and cheese in this class, 
though strictly speaking these products are not made 
and packed by farmers. The farmers could not supply 
this trade at all as individuals and without the manufact¬ 
uring cheese factories or creameries. Class 2 comprises 
hardware, woodenware, lumber, leather goods, crockery, 
implements, etc.—the finished product as distinct from 
the crude material. Class 3 includes preserved meats and 
fruits, manufactured tobacco, flour and other cereal 
foods—all sorts of foods that are not sold In their original 
condition, but which need the work of the manufacturer 
combined with that of the farmer before they are ready 
for export. For example, pork products are not seat to 
Europe directly from the farm; the pork packer handles 
them and fits them for export. It is a legitimate manu¬ 
facturing enterprise and yet not like that which 
changes wood and metal into an organ or chair. Class 4 
includes coal, ores, petroleum, kerosene, etc.—natural 
products produced by others than farmers and sent abroad 
without beiDg manufactured. 
1890 1889 1883 
Agricultural products.*420,670,689 $314,228,425 $335,310,049 
Manufactured products. 1 9,466,615 13 ,843,860 116,506,434 
Agricultural manufactures. 204,166,947 16 ,592,770 167,159,133 
Natural products. 70,969,163 72,0o6,545 74,255,483 
The cotton crop is most largely exported. The value of 
this crop sent abroad in 18^0 was $250,968,792. Leaving this 
crop out, the exports of crude agricultural products were 
valued at $169,711,897 or about 20 per cent of the total. All 
products, aside from crude agricultural products, were 
valued at $424,622,730 or a trifle over 50 per cent. Some 
single items for 1890 were, animals, $33,638,128 ; wheat in 
grain, $45 278.906; wheat flour, $57,036,168; coal, $6,856,088; 
fish, 6,040,826; iron manufactures, $25,542,208; oil cake 
and meal, $7,999,926; minerals, $44,658,854; bacon, $39,149,- 
635; lard, $33,455,520; leaf tobaeco, $21,149,869; furniture, 
$3,088,902. If these figures show anything at all they show 
that the percentage of crude agricultural products in our 
export trade will not Increase, In fact, will hardly hold their 
own. The export of our finished manufactured goods Is 
constantly increasing, while exports of natural products 
do not increase. The Increase in the exportation of pre¬ 
served or condensed agricultural products is very marked 
and there is a tendency to continue this still further. 
This we believe is a hopeful condition. It is better to ex¬ 
port flour than to send whole grain, better linseed oil than 
oil meal, better beef or pork than live animals—better the 
commercial product than the crude. We need all cheap 
wastes here for feeding or for fertilizing; the finished 
product alone should go abroad. Tnere are many who 
believe that before the end of this century our exports of 
whole grain and live stock will have become insignificant 
while the finished product will be heavily exported. The 
tendency is certainly in that direction, and we can see no 
evil in it for the farmers provided they will be wise 
enough to use their great power in demanding a fair 
share in the country’s business. 
MORE DIRECT DEALING. 
The first month of autumn is on deck and winter sup¬ 
plies of produce are beginning to change hands, and, as 
usual, a howl comes up from the average producer that he 
is not receiving as much for his produce as it costs to raise 
it. The howl is echoed by the average consumer who in¬ 
sists that he Is paying twice as much as the stuff is worth. 
In the stilly intervals we hear the dull thud of the super¬ 
prime potato, and the gentle rumble of the wormless and 
speckless apple as they are being carefully stowed away in 
the capacious cellar bins of the thoughtful, forehanded 
and economizing consumer, by the thrifty, open-eyed and 
dir<ct-dealing farmer. These two fellows have formed a 
combination to circumvent the ornamental, enterprising 
and voracious middleman. They are evading the tax im¬ 
posed by this avaricious gentleman upon all produce that 
passes through his hands, and “splitting the difference” 
between them. 
Let us see how this conspiracy is managed. Farmer A 
grows a goodly quantity of first-class produce, and in 
order to make the most of it, markets it In No. 1 condition. 
Consumer B has a large family, and also entertains 
quite extensively, and prides himself upon setting a table 
upon which only the superlative fat of the .and finds 
place. To buy his provisions in driblets and segments 
would bankrupt his exchequer in a short time, while the 
quality of his purchases would be as varied as spring 
weather. Therefore in order to maintain his financial aud 
culinary standing, he has looked about him and discovered 
and made the acquaintance of farmer A. From him he 
buys such products of the farm as enter into the construc¬ 
tion of a first-class bill of fare by the 50-bushel wagon 
load, by the firkin and by the hundredweight. 
For instance, when the harvest for apples and potatoes 
arrives he informs farmer A that he wants so many 
bushels of each and asks his prices. Farmer A quotes 
about 10 cents above the wholesale prices and guarantees 
quality. Consumer B gives him his order and the goods 
are promptly delivered. The bargain is very satisfactory 
to farmer A, because he gets a good price and spot cash. 
It suits consumer B to a dot, because he gets articles of 
prime quality, carefully handled and safely delivered, and 
they will keep until consumed. It doesn’t please Mr. 
Middleman even a little bit, because it diverts trade from 
what he considers its legitimate channels. He would have 
A sell to him for a price, in order that he might sell to B 
for a price and a half, and thus promote “ commerce.” 
He prefers the dealings of the farmer who markets his 
produce in a chaotic condition and is obliged to take what¬ 
ever he offers for it, and the traffic of the consumer who 
buys In little dabs and frequently, and pays his retail 
prices for it. These two parties rail at him and heap con¬ 
tumely upon him, but they can’t get along without him, 
because one will not grade his produce and the other will 
not give a fair price for a good article carefully handled. 
It is only the shrewd and alert business man who buys 
In round lots directly from the producer, and it is only the 
skillful and careful producer who knows how to keep such 
valuable customers. These two fellows are not execrating 
the middleman. They have simply dispensed with his ser¬ 
vices and are quietly pursuing the even tenor of their way. 
Let us have more direct dealing and less grumbling. 
Christian Co., Ill._ fred. grundy. 
The Farmers Club. 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
| Every query muse be accompanied by the name and address of the 
writer to insure attention. Before asking a question please see If It Is 
not answered In our advertising columns. Ask only a few questions at 
one time. Put questions on a separate piece of paper.] 
Bloody Milk from Young Cows. 
R D. M., (address mislaid )—Some of my two and three- 
year old cows by spells give bloody milk, and then are 
all right for a while, and then the bloody milk comes on 
again. What is a remedy ? 
Ans. —There is a variety of causes which may cause 
bloody milk in cows; but since you give no description of 
the feed, general treatment, and care of the animals, I am 
unable to judge as to what is the probable cause in this 
case. In general, the most common cause is some injury 
to the udder, which causes more or less congestion and in¬ 
flammation, as shown by the bloody milk. The injury 
may be a kick or a blow, a bruise from stones thrown by 
rough attendants, lying on hard or pointed bodies, walk¬ 
ing over a low fence or through underbrush, jumping 
ditches or upon a fence or other barrier, and running or 
being chased, especially by dogs. Riding other cows or 
being ridden when in heat is not an infrequent cause. The 
Injury may be so slight as to be unnoticed on the surface, 
but the glandular structure of the udder of a cow in the 
full flow of milk is very sensitive to even slight bruises of 
any kind. A too sudden change of diet, as from scant to 
rich or flush feed, or over-feeding on concentrated foods 
will occasionally overstimulate the gland in heavy milk¬ 
ers and cause bloody milk. Certain acrid and resinous 
plants, as some of the ranunculi, polygonums, conifer® 
and others, are said to cause it also. First, try to discover 
and remove or avoid the cause. If the cow i 3 in good con¬ 
dition give one to two pounds of Epsom salts with two 
ounces of ginger, according to the size of the animal, to 
open the bowels and relieve the congestion. The diet 
should be restricted aud laxative. Ounce doses of nitrate 
of potash with 15 to 25 drops of tincture of aconite, may be 
given once or twice dally. [dr ] F L. kjlborne. 
Making a Farmer Out of Him. 
W. j E. H., Milwaukee, Wis. —I am very much interested 
in farming, and intend in a few years to make farming 
my business. As the best way to fit myself for success, 
would it be advisable to take the agricultural course In 
some agricultural college, or work for a farmer until I 
am ready to start in for mybelt ? 
Ans. —We have had a good deal to say in past issues of 
The R. N.-Y. about learning how to be a farmer. If we 
were in your place we would go to work for the best 
farmer we could find. Spend some time working for a 
dairyman, after that for a sheep or cattle breeder, aud 
then for a gardener. This will enable you to tell what sort 
of farming you prefer. Then go to the agricultural col¬ 
lege and learn all you can in your specialty and enough 
more about other things to give you a good fund of gen¬ 
eral information and a habit of general thinking. Don’t 
go to the college to learn how to hoe, milk or fork manure. 
Green Mountain and Winchell the Same. 
Q. R. W., Lyndon, Ky. —Having fruited the above varie¬ 
ties I find them the same. What have the disseminators 
of this variety to say to calling one graps by two names ? 
Neither is it as early as claimed ; five others ripen earlier— 
Jessica, Florence, Moore’s Early, Moyer and Diamond, all 
of which ripened on the same date—August 2—and are 
superior to it in every respect. Again, Moore’s Early 
comes to the front as the bast market variety. It pro¬ 
duced a full crop which brought three times as much per 
pound as any other. Will there ever be a red variety to 
supersede the Delaware as a general favorite and market 
grape ? 
Ans.— Ellwanger & Barry are the headquarters for the 
Winchell; S. Hoyt’s Sons for the Green Mountain. Neither 
knew until recently that they are the same—and even now 
there is some doubt of their absolute identity. Jessica is 
worthless in most localities; so is Florence. Diamond is 
a promising grape, but many will object to its foxlness. 
Moore’s Early, being black, will not compete with the 
early whites. Besides, it Is not productive. Berckmans 
is the closest competitor that the Delaware has at present. 
The Color of Pure Jersey Cattle. 
J. W. R., North Webster , Ind. —Are there any pure- 
blood Jersey cattle that have white spots, or arepure-bloods 
all of what we call solid colors ? There are parties living 
here who have Jersey cattle which they claim are pure¬ 
bred, and they have white spots. They can’t tell whence 
the color came and still they claim them to be as pure as 
mine, which are of a solid fawn color. 
Ans.— Yes, there are plenty of Jerseys with white spots— 
the breed varies in color from gray to black. Quite a good 
many are of a light fawn color with white In patches. So 
many of them are of dark solid fawn color with “ black 
points,” that this is accepted by many as the best and 
most characteristic color of the breed. The only way to 
tell whether the white-spotted cattle are as pure as yours 
will be to trace up their pedigrees. The color Is no proof. 
If the cattle are descended from purebred Jerseys, they are 
pure; if not, they are not, no matter what their color is. 
Pedigree alone is the test of breeding. 
Buckwheat for Sheep. 
R. E., Kentucky. —Does buckwheat make good feed for 
sheep ? How may it be fed to the best advantage—ground, 
whole or mixed with corn and rye meal ? If the iatter, 
what should be the proportion of corn and rye ? 
Ans. —We should not feed the buckwheat alone to the 
sheep, but when mixed with corn and rye it will make a 
wholesome food. We should mix the three grains in equal 
parts and feed whole with good clover hay If possible. 
Buckwheat alone is very “ heating ”-r-a diet of buckwheat 
cakes in the human being is only advisable in the coldest 
weather. Mixed with corn and rye, you will obtain a ration 
that Is more digestible and better balanced. As a rule, It 
is better economy to sell the buckwheat ground into 
flour, and buy bran or linseed meal with the money thus 
obtained. The same is often true of rye. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
Shropshire Sheep. —Several subscribers.—Geo. E. Breck, 
Paw Paw, Mich., has an excellent lot of imported and 
home-bred Shrop^ hires. 
Gooseberries for Western New York.—W. A. L., Ham- 
mondsport, N. Y.—Yes, some gooseberries do well in west¬ 
ern New York if mildew does not attack them. Smith’s 
and Downing are good. Try Industry. 
Keeping Canna and Caladium Roots Over Winter.— 
I. W. K.— The R. N.-Y.’s experience Is that canna and cala¬ 
dium roots should bo thoroughly dry before housing them. 
Then they should be kept in a dry place. Dry iess seems 
the first essential. 
“ Chemicals and Clover.” —Several Subscribers—The 
Mapes fertilizers are used on those farms in New Jersey 
described in recent issues of The R. N.-Y. We do not be¬ 
lieve that green manuring alone will prove sufficient for 
reclaiming the worn-out lands of the Eastern States. By 
using large quantities of fertilizers we are able to grow 
profitable crops and at the same time prepare the land for 
clover or grass. Sod alone without chemicals will not 
answer on most of these farms. 
