8o4 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
NOV. i4 
THE 
Rural New-Yorker, 
TIME8 BUILDING. NEW YORK. 
A National Weekly Journal for Country and Suburban Home*. 
ELBERT 8. CARMAN, 
HERBERT W. COLLINQWOOD, 
EDITORS. 
Rural Publishing Company: 
LAWSON VALENTINE, President. RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
THE AMERICAN GARDEN, 
EDGAR H. LIBBY, Manager. OUT-DOOR BOOKS. 
Copyright, 1891, by the Rural Publishing Company. 
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1891. 
There is a corner in rye in St. Petersburg. The 
object of those engaged in it is to force the price of 
this necessary food of the Russian people up to an 
extortionate figure in order to add to their millions 
from the distress of the starving population. Few 
anywhere would regret the severest use of the 
Czar’s autocratic power in their case, even if it in¬ 
volved a generous application of the knout, to be 
followed by the consignment of the heartless fore- 
stallers of the food markets in a famine-stricken 
country to the deepest mines in Siberia. 
In 1852 Mr. T. D. Carman went to Australia with 
a ship load of cooking stoves. There is a good deal 
of air space in a stove. It takes up lots of room, 
pays no freight and makes the stove a very bulky 
piece of merchandise. Mr. Carman heard that oats 
were scarce in Australia. He therefore filled all 
the stoves and cases with oats instead of straw. 
They added nothing to the bulk and not enough to 
the weight to make any difference to the ship. 
When he got to Australia he readily sold the oats 
at a profit which nearly paid the whole freight ! 
This was clear gain. A big air space in any busi¬ 
ness is a poor investment. Many farmers have too 
much bulk and not enough ballast about their farm 
operations. They had better fill up with oats in¬ 
stead of straw—that is, they had better work into 
intensive farming and increase the average from 
each acre and animal. 
So strongly do British buyers object to our 
present mode of packing cotton that the British 
Minister at Washington has called the attention of 
the Secretary of State to the matter. The bales, it 
appears, are badly made, covered, cut and broken. 
They are rolled in mud and exposed to the weather 
and are always in a condition in which they are 
liable to impregnation with cotton seed oil, and 
“ thereby to spontaneous combustion.” When a 
bale of cotton slightly moistened with oil at the end 
or side becomes broken or when the air can enter 
among the fibers, spontaneous combustion is liable 
to occur, owing to chemical action. It is charged 
that American cotton is packed more carelessly, 
dangerously and unscrupulously than that from 
any other country. Even Southern planters, 
though claiming that the evils charged are greatly 
exaggerated, admit that there are considerable 
grounds for these complaints. Surely alike for the 
sake of justice and self-interest it would pay them 
to discover on whom the responsibility for these 
abuses rests, and then take prompt measures to 
prevent them._ 
ported—valued at $2,910. The duties were $5,520. 
Now, if the foreign shipper paid the duty, isn’t it 
certain that he not only made us a present of the 
oil, but gave us, besides, $2,610 to get rid of it ? In 
1890 importers brought into the United States 664,- 
653 gallons of spirits distilled from grain, valued at 
$456,121, the duties on which were $1,329,367. Who 
paid these duties ? If the importers, they lost not 
only the liquor, but $873,246 besides. These are, of 
course, extreme cases, but the truth or fallacy of a 
proposition is generally most forcibly shown by 
taking extreme cases. 
Having secured the untrammeled re entrance of 
the American hog into Germany, William Walter 
Phelps, the American Minister at Berlin, is now en¬ 
deavoring to obtain a larger market for American 
corn there. The other day at a banquet he gave to 
numerous German political notabilities, com bread 
formed the most prominent feature, and it is re¬ 
ported that the guests were so highly impressed 
with its merits that it is probable a reduction of the 
duty on corn meal will soon be made and that corn 
will, to a great extent, take the place of rye in the 
rations for the German army. It might be imprud¬ 
ent, however, just yet to decide on a larger area for 
corn owing to a belief in such remarkable effects 
from that banquet. There is little doubt that such 
a change of policy would prove an advantage to 
Germany, and no doubt at all that it would be a 
benefit to this country, but nations are slow in 
altering their various lines of policy, and changes 
in food fashions are still slower. Occasionally, 
under pressure of starvation, a nation, like an in¬ 
dividual, may perforce temporarily take to a novel 
article of food, but, the pressure once removed, both 
alike return joyfully to their ordinary diet. Be¬ 
fore we expect Germans and others prejudiced 
against the use of corn for food to take to it kindly, 
wouldn’t it be well to make it more popular on our 
own tables in the North ? 
Last month the Georgia State Road Congress and 
the Southern States Road Congress held conventions 
at Atlanta, Georgia, and this month a road congress 
of the United States is to hold a convention at Pitts¬ 
burg, Pa. The object of all the assemblies is to 
discuss the best methods of putting country roads 
in good order and to decide on the legislation neces¬ 
sary on the part of the various States to accom¬ 
plish this object. Of the hundreds of suggestions 
made, two appear to meet with special favor. It 
is considered essential that the State should aid in 
road-making, on the ground that the counties can¬ 
not do the work alone and unassisted, and that the 
towns and cities are almost equally benefited with 
the rural districts in the construction of good high¬ 
ways. Again, the organization of road-making 
companies controlled by private individuals, with 
large capital and the best .implements for road- 
making, is strongly advocated. These, it is asserted, 
could do the work far more cheaply and satisfac¬ 
torily than the several counties and districts them¬ 
selves, as the latter are generally poorly equipped. 
They could contract with the States and counties, as 
the construction companies now do in the building 
of railroads, bridges and other important engineer¬ 
ing enterprises. In view of the intolerable incon¬ 
veniences, annoyances and losses to the agricultural 
community caused by the present bad system of 
roads, it is to be earnestly hoped that the free dis¬ 
cussion of the subject will arouse public attention, 
and lead to a satisfactory solution of the road prob¬ 
lem—one of the most difficult of the day. 
Market prices are often like a pendulum : one 
week they are high, the next low. So true is this 
of many products that the fluctuation has become 
noticeable. There is a cause ; sometimes a double 
cause. A particular commodity is quoted at a low 
price ; immediately the shippers learn this, and 
shipments are withheld. This lessens the supply, 
holders are firmer in their views, and prices ad¬ 
vance, sometimes unreasonably high. Higher prices 
lessen demand. Higher quotations stimulate ship¬ 
ments ; increased receipts lower prices so that by 
the time the shipments induced by high quotations 
reach market the price has probably declined. This 
season this has been noticeably true of many varie¬ 
ties of fruits and vegetables, butter, eggs and other 
products. Other causes, of course, affect prices 
and cause fluctuations, but these are pertinent. 
Speaking of this, one old marketman said that were 
he a shipper he would ship when prices were low and 
hold his goods when they were high. This is not 
always best, but it is a fact that many times this 
season it would have proved best. Those living so 
near that market can be reached at a few hours’ 
notice are not likely to be troubled with this phase 
of the question. __ 
Now that the turmoil and confusion of the State 
elections are over for the current year, we can see 
more clearly what are the chief topics on which the 
National elections will turn next year. These evi¬ 
dently still remain the tariff and currency prob¬ 
lems, the former holding apparently the more prom¬ 
inent place. One of the foremost claims of the 
protectionists is that the foreign shipper pays the 
duties. If this is true, isn’t it strange that when 
famine threatens any country, one of the first means 
of relief thought of should be a diminution or re¬ 
moval of import duties on food stuffs ? Again, the 
report of the'Treasury Department for the fiscal year 
1890, shows that 6,109 gallons of castor-oil were im¬ 
For the past year much publicity has been 
given to the reputed cure for drunkenness discov¬ 
ered by Dr. L. A. Keeley of Illinois. We have been 
at great pains to learn all obtainable facts in con¬ 
nection with this “ discovery.” Unquestionably it 
has received strong support from thoughtful and 
well informed men. Men of repute have publicly 
testified that Dr. Keeley’s treatment has cured them 
of all craving for liquor. One canot fail to be im¬ 
pressed by the happiness and hope of these men 
who seem to honestly feel that they have been saved 
from a horrible fate. The Prohibitionists have 
claimed that the great advertising of this “cure ” 
was due to the fact that the opponents of their 
party desired to show that the evils of intemperance 
can be cured by physical means and that therefore 
political temperance is useless. The weak point 
about Dr. Keeley’s method has been that he keeps 
his “ discovery ” a secret, though claiming that he 
desires to benefit humanity and admitting that his 
practice has yielded him a fortune. The public 
naturally think that if humanity is to be served the 
discovery should be made as free as possible. The 
best scientific men have said “Wait and see—give 
this method the test of time. It may keep men from 
drink for months and perhaps for years—but will it 
do so forever?” We have therefore waited for this 
time test. One of the most hopeful and eloquent 
defenders of the new treatment was Col. John F. 
Mines. With this unfortunate man drunkenness 
was a disease. He fought against it with all his 
strength of body and mind, but at regular intervals 
the horrible craving for liquor conquered him and 
he fell again and again. He went to Dr. Keeley as 
a last resort. His report of his treatment and, as he 
expressed it, his complete cure, was deeply affect¬ 
ing in its almost childish hope, gratitude and com¬ 
fort. That was in April. Only two weeks ago he 
wrote that the desire for liquor had passed entirely 
from him and that he was like one looking into 
Heaven. It seemed true and yet, last Friday this 
unfortunate man died the death of a drunkard in 
the workhouse on Blackwell’s Island, near this 
city. The awful craving for drink came back to 
him like a flash. In a moment of depression he 
yielded—and is dead. No one can tell how this 
man longed and prayed for freedom from his ter¬ 
rible habit. He was not strong enough—no “cure” 
could minister to his disease—nor do we believe 
that any cure will ever be found for a mature man 
who has contracted the disease of alcoholism. The 
“cure” must begin at the man’s cradle and land 
him at manhood with a disgust and hatred of the 
rumseller and his business. The parents must be 
the doctors. 
BREVITIES. 
Lots of folks don’t like the Autumn when the leaves begin to fall, 
For it looks like fate had caught ’em. for the past begins to call. 
And we sort of hold convention with ourselves all weather stained, 
And we try to call attention to the good that we have gamed 
From the year that’s making ready to vacate and frame a will, 
When we look the thing up steady, many of us feel a chill. 
For It seems as though we’ve wasted lots of time to Just commence, 
Seems as though we’ve stuck and pasted folly over common sense. 
Seems as though we harvest nubbins when we orter had good grain, 
Looks as though the ugly rubbings of experience and pain 
Hadn’t made us any cleaner, hadn’t cured our life’s disease. 
Nothing makes a man feel meaner than November thoughts like thf se. 
But, see here, we hadn’t orter view tee thing in such a way, 
Unripe stuff ts most all water; what’s it good for anyway ? 
Half a pound of ripe is better than half a ton of g’-een. 
You’re a mighty big forgetter, if you can’t tell when you’ve seen 
Unripe plants and folks and critters go to pieces w* en they try 
Some big job—they’re only quitters, for they’ve rothmg to stay by 
Why we ought to feel lihe thanking, when, thiscrlfp ->ov mberday, 
Life gives surplus things a spanking and Just throws thrm clean away, 
Saving only things worth leaving, thlnntngout the things that can’t 
Stand the winter-no use grieving. Nature’s rule Is never scant, 
Better fill your heart with gladness : better look around and find 
That the frost of Autumn's sadness leaves your whole life more refined. 
Think, in ink—such thoughts live. 
The market never jams with first class lambs. 
Where can we sell late crop strawberries after we raise 
them t 
Liberty and license are synonymous terms with many 
persons. 
The Galloway cattle are all pony-built—why put a big 
carcass of meat on a stilt f 
Good linseed meal 1 good linseed meal gives your cow’s 
hide a most excellent feeL 
If the election of any one candidate will ruin the coun¬ 
try, let it go ; it isn’t worth saving. 
If all the stories printed about political candidates were 
true, what a set of blacklegs they would be. 
The spendthrift who squanders good labor-stamped 
wealth, is not half so foolish as he who wastes health, 
Next year’s corn crop Is likely to be exceptionally 
large, since narrow-toed shoes have come into fashion. 
The English speak of hard clay soil that has “ baked ” 
after a heavy rain as “unkind.” That is certainly what 
It is. 
Now that the election is over don’t you suppose that the 
partisan newspapers regret some of the contemptible 
thiDgs they printed about the opposition ? 
Cotton seed meal is like buckwheat cakes—it ought to 
he fed in cold weather. We know how the buckwheat In 
hot weather takes a mighty big pull at life’s tether. 
Those who use the Bordeaux Mixture on potatoes must 
learn how to use it. Many English experimenters report 
injury to the vines from using too much of the mixture. 
Mr. Jacobs insists that a studied attempt to ventilate 
the ordinary hen house will do more harm than good. 
The great trouble is to keep the air out—not to see that it 
gets in 1 
If there’s any introducer of an animal or plant, who 
wants to get before the public eye, I tell you now in confi¬ 
dence there’s no reason why you can’t just introduce her 
through The R. N.-Y. 
One “ good example ” that Involves a little self-denial 
is worth, to your children, just 15 miles of “ precept.” By 
the way, how many children are you starting on the right 
track for temperance f 
The butter making contests at the English dairy shows 
are giving bogns butter lots of breath-destroying blows. 
For grading up the product will send oleo to grass—the 
butter that competes with it is only second class. 
The purest air drawn directly through the mouth will 
ruin the strongest throat that ever w s made. The nos¬ 
trils were made for breathing. There is a filtering appar¬ 
atus back of them that “ strains ” the air t 
An English breeder of Jersey cows states that he feeds 
his yearlings and dry cows horse chestnuts as a condi¬ 
ment. He says the cattle like them and thrive upon them 
when given in small doses. Have any of our readers tried 
this ? 
DoCTORSoftendisegreeand even statisticians sometimes 
differ. For instance, Mr. Porter’s census found only 300,- 
OtO orange trees in California, while the State Board of 
Agriculture has found 4,000,000, of which 1,000,000 are 
bearing. 
The R. N.-Y. will make special provision for reporting 
the legislation discussed by the next National Congress as 
it particularly affects the farmers of the country. We 
shall also pay particular attention to the doings of the 
State Legislature at Albany. 
Mr. Stewart, whose famous celery business was de¬ 
scribed in a recent R. N.-Y., tells us tbat wind power for 
irrigation was not at ail satisfactory. He now uses a 
horsepower which runs day and night. Two horses work 
six hours, when they are given 12 hours’rest. Six horses 
are thus at work on this job. Mr. Stewart thinks of using 
a steam engine in place of the horses. In a season like the 
past, irrigation is absolutely needed. Mr. Stewart also 
wants a celery fertilizer to use in place of stable manure. 
We are told that Secretary Rusk is “ greatly annoyed ” 
at a local advertisement offering for sale 800 copies of the 
last Agricultural Report and 216 copies of the special Re¬ 
port on Diseases of the Horse. This Is the exact allotment, 
it appears, of each member of Congress, and doubtless 
some city member who has no use for these “ documents ” 
wishes to convert them into cash. These publications are 
of use only to the agricultural community for whose 
benefit they are issued, and their distribution should be 
confined to Congressmen from rural districts. 
Irrigation Irom muddy streams fertilizes as well as 
waters. We have seen waters from Western rivers pour 
into the irrigating ditch just after a heavy rain, almost 
as thick and red as blood. Last year a levee on the Mis¬ 
sissippi gave way and flooded a sugar plantation, ruining 
the crop, and as was supposed, ruining the soil. Instead of 
that, when the waters subsided it was tound that they 
had left a thick layer of rich, black mud all over the plan¬ 
tation besides filling in several low places before unfit for 
cultivation. Had the fertility in this black mud been 
bought in the form of manures and fertilizers it would 
have cost $100,000! The water of the Mississippi ought to 
be “rich” when we consider the millions of barn yards 
that drain into it. 
