1801 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
883 
Farmers’ Club Discussion. 
( Continued .) 
far as profit to the seedsman would be 
concerned, and, more, the real improve¬ 
ments would be lost to the gardeners of 
the country. 
Isn't it time that gardeners .and horti¬ 
cultural writers came to recognize the 
fact that Maud S, First and best, Han¬ 
cock and a dozen other ‘ ‘ sorts ” are 
simply names of certain strains of the 
First Early Pea; that all of our garden 
varieties are not species having a hard 
and fixed boundary; but strains, each 
showing some particular merit and all 
easily merged into each other hy care¬ 
lessness in selection, or more sharply de¬ 
fined hy care in selection to a clearly de¬ 
fined type. And should not a man be 
judged by the general trend and char¬ 
acter of his work as well as by the truth¬ 
fulness with which he describes and 
speaks of the stock he offers rather than 
.by the simple test of his telling or not 
telling the source from which any good 
thing he may offer came ? 
[Tiie R. N.-Y. would say that it is a 
good thing to improve varieties, involv¬ 
ing, as it ordinarily does, a deal of patient, 
long-continued work, and when the im¬ 
provement is marked, there can be no 
reason why it should not he designated 
by a fitting word added to its name.— 
Ens. R. N.-Y.] 
Cellars in Farm Dwellings. 
W. C., Springfield, O.—The first re¬ 
quisite for a complete home is a good, 
dry, well-lighted cellar with windows 
well arranged to let in both fresh air and 
light. It should be subdivided into com¬ 
partments convenient for storage, and 
have a hard floor perfectly free from 
dampness. The stairs leading from the 
inside of the house down to it should be 
lighted by a window through which the 
sun can come daily. A door should he 
placed at the top and bottom of the stair¬ 
way. Care should he taken that the win¬ 
dows are well made and open and close 
easily, excluding rain and snow. They 
should he so placed as to afford light to 
all corners, and the latter should at all 
seasons be kept clean and dry. No home 
can he healthy if the cellar is damp and 
dirty. The outside stairway should be 
conveniently located with regard to ac¬ 
cess for storing. A flue centrally located 
should afford the means of occasionally 
heating it when dampness is very trou¬ 
blesome, and proper drainage should he 
very thoroughly looked after in the neigh¬ 
borhood of the house. Neglect of these 
precautions has caused much sickness. 
The great horse show at Madison Square 
Garden is always a fashionable entertain¬ 
ment, and attracted this year a larger 
crowd than usual. There are always 
fine horses to be seen there, but the chief 
impression of all such exhibitions is pro¬ 
found regret that such noble animals are 
often if not generally so ignobly and ig¬ 
norantly treated. Doubtless, as Harper’s 
Weekly suggests, it was the daily spec¬ 
tacle of the abuse of horses which stimu¬ 
lated Henry Bergh to the great service 
which has justly made his name re¬ 
nowned. But the guilt of the abuse is 
not confined to draymen and teamsters. 
The ignorance and indifference of wealth 
and fashion to the treatment of horses 
are quite as conspicuous, and for obvious 
reasons much more unpardonable. 
The horse, which is one of the most 
sensitive and delicate of animals, is 
greatly to be commiserated as he ap¬ 
pears in the fashionable drives of parks 
and thoroughfares. He is treated as a 
-part of the show of the parade, and he 
is at the mercy of the owner, who buys 
horses not because he likes them or 
knows anything about them, but because 
he must have an equipage, and he aban¬ 
dons them to the care of grooms and 
coachmen, whose sole aim is to produce 
a more swell effect than their rivals. For 
a ‘‘stylish” effect the horse is robbed 
of his natural ornament and defense, and 
is checked and trussed and tortured by a 
harness which encumbers his natural ac¬ 
tion and forces him into an artificial 
“gait.” Human knowledge and skill di¬ 
rected to an auxiliary animal like the 
horse should aim to develop his natural 
aptitudes. He should he treated as a hu¬ 
mane and skillful gardener treats a tree 
in our modern landscape gardening, not 
as a tree was maltreated by the false and 
morbid taste of two centuries ago. 
Such remarks do not apply to the lovers 
of horses who care for them with sym¬ 
pathy and intelligence, who comprehend 
their practical helplessness and acknowl¬ 
edge their faithful service. Such lovers 
permit in their stables no “fashions” in¬ 
vented by ignorant and inhuman grooms 
to produce “ stylish action ” to impress 
similar ignorance and folly. In such a 
show as that which has recently closed 
in the Madison Square Garden it is by no 
means the “showiest” horses which 
please the true lover. It is the animal 
whose appearance is not determined by a 
transitory “fad” of style, but which re¬ 
veals the affection, the knowledge and 
the thoughtful care of the owner. The 
worst result of such an exhibition is its 
tendency to confirm ignorance and care¬ 
lessness in the abuse of horses in order to 
give them what the same ignorance and 
carelessness call style. 
Morsels. 
Mr. John W. Groutage, of Toronto, 
Canada, writes as follows : 
“ Instead of your being sued for dam¬ 
ages by certain parties, they should be 
prosecuted for fraud. 
“ I remember a catalogue sent from this 
town with an illustration of a Little 
Gem Pea, containing 12 peas, and a pod 
of Laxton’s Supreme, with 14 peas. I 
have grown peas for many years and 
have yet to see a pod with 12 peas in it. 
Then we have the frauds concerning 
early things, as corn, tomatoes and pota-: 
toes. The last were always puzzling to 
me, for, notwithstanding the closest 
observation, I could detect but little dif¬ 
ference. I have bought varieties repre¬ 
sented to be 10 days earlier than Early 
Rose, which did not mature one hour 
earlier.”. 
Is it true or is it merely talk that the 
farmer’s gain is no man’s loss ; that the 
more he makes the better the world at 
large is off ? Is a farmer who makes 
money and also, at the same time, im¬ 
proves his farm entitled to respect ?. 
If The R. N.-Y. is to please its readers 
more in the future than in the past, let 
every reader tell us wherein we now 
please him most and wherein, also, we 
most fail to please. 
Do not spare the publisher; do not 
spare the editors. Publishers and editors 
that have the real good of their readers 
at heart will heartily thank their readers 
for intelligent criticism. 
The following letter, dated November 
28, comes to us from Prof. W. W. Tracy 
of the seed house of D. M. Ferry & 
Co., Detroit, Mich.: “I have just read 
this week’s Rural and noted the corres¬ 
pondence in regard to Mr. Falconer’s re¬ 
port. I want to say that I always read 
The Rural and I believe in it. 1 think 
it deserves unstinted praise for the course 
it has taken in regard to novelties and 
the perfect fairness with which it has 
treated this and all other subjects. I be¬ 
lieve most heartily that The Rural is 
doing quite as much to throw light upon 
horticultural questions as—I was going 
to say, all the experimental stations com¬ 
bined—but I will say as the best of them, 
and I thank it for this and also for its 
moral character. There is not one of the 
five or six church or avowedly religious 
papers which come into my house which 
is better.” will w. tracy. 
One thing which Mr. T. Greiner has 
found out to his advantage the past sum¬ 
mer is that there is a good demand for 
really nice pickling onions. He advises 
the readers of our excellent contempor¬ 
ary, Farm and Fireside, to grade them 
well. Then one can get his own price 
for them. But to grow them profitably, 
one must have sandy soil that will not 
stick to the bulbs, so that the latter will 
come out clean and nice, and be cleaned 
in a cheap way by sifting. His favorite 
is yet the Barletta, or Adriatic Barletta, 
although the older New Queen and the 
newer White Pearl do first-rate for this 
purpose, being only two or three weeks 
later than the Barletta. The Barletta, of 
course, can be put upon the market ahead 
of any other, and is sure to bring early 
cash. 
The London Garden illustrates a new 
tomato named the Conqueror that pro¬ 
duces crops in the open air which other 
kinds generally fail to do in the moist 
climate of England. The name is unfor¬ 
tunate as the Conqueror was well known 
in this country years ago. 
Direct. 
-Cumberland Presbyterian; “Ifone 
is overbearing or harsh toward a servant 
or a dependent who can not defend him¬ 
self or punish the indignity, it is proof 
that he would treat his equals or those 
above him in the same way if the re¬ 
straint were removed. Bullying an in¬ 
ferior, treating a person below you in 
social standing or official position with 
neglect or contempt, is especially un¬ 
christian and cowardly.” 
-Iowa Homestead: “ Breed and feed 
to a cow are like two wings to a bird— 
one alone is of little use.” 
--Via N. Y. Tribune : “ Mr. Elijah P. 
Brown points out, in his Ram’s Horn, 
that yon can tell more about a man’s 
character hy trading horses with him 
once than by hearing him talk for a year 
in prayer meeting's.” 
“ One skilled in most of the branches 
of husbandry is better entitled to the pre¬ 
fix ‘ learned’ than any lawyer or doctor, 
because he has studied more, and acquir¬ 
ed more really useful knowledge.” 
-Ladies’ Home Journal: “The rich 
are enviable in only one attribute—their 
power to help the poor.” 
Itti.srcUHncoussi 
In writing to advertisers please always mention 
The Rural. 
Beecher 
For anything either by 
or about Henry Ward 
Beecher send to his long¬ 
time Publishers, 
Fords, Howard & Hul- 
hert, 30 Lafayette Place, 
New York City. 
Books 
Uncle Tom’s Cabin. 
Mrs. Stowe’s world-famous story, Holiday 
Edition , with two Portraits, 10 full-page pic¬ 
tures and about 130 smaller ones, made for this 
beautiful edition. 2 vols. $4.00. 
Venetian Life. 
By Mr. Howells. Beautifully illustrated in 
colors. 2 vols. $5.00. 
Snow Bound. 
Mr. Whittier’S most famous poem, beautifully 
illustrated and bound. $1.50. 
The One-Hoss Shay, 
With two other Poems hy Dr. Holmes. Illus¬ 
trated by Howard Pyle. $1.50. 
Odes, Lyrics and Sonnets, 
From Lowell’S Poems. A very attractive book 
in white, green and gold. $1.00. 
On the Threshold. 
An entirely new edition (24th) of Dr. MuNOEit’S 
remarkably good and popular book for young 
people, with a new chapter on “Purity.” $1.00. 
*„* For sale by all Booksellers. Sent, postpaid, on receipt 
o/ price by the Publisher. 
HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN & GO., Boston. 
A Railroad Conduclor with Ar.iflchil leg*. 
It ccrtaiuly seems as though no amount of 
human mutilation can baffle the genius of our 
American artificial limb makors. No matter 
how a man is physically wrecked, injured, or 
dismombered, our human repair shops can put 
him in shape to make liis life worth the livin'?. 
An instance of this is given in the case of a Mr. 
Wade who somo years ago became the victim of 
a railroad collision and lost both of li is legs. 
The firm of A. A. Marks, 701 Broadway, New 
York city, took t lie young man in charge and 
soon put him on pins that were as good asthoso 
to walk and earn a livelihood was concerned. 
Mr. Wade is now a conductor on a western ex¬ 
press. He fills his position with extraordinary 
ability. He passes through his train when going 
at the rate of 50 milesan hour ; ho collects and 
punches tickets with the suavity of one proud 
of his position. The car jolts, hitches, sways, 
and ho retains his balance without the least 
awkwardness. At stations he alights witli agil¬ 
ity, watches his passongers and gives signals, 
boards his train and walks the passageway 
with the steadiness of ono possessing his nat¬ 
ural logs. Day after day for years lie has per¬ 
formed this round of duty, and not a soul has 
had occasion to suspect that ho operates on a 
pair of artificial legs with rubber f’eef, and only 
those to whom he voluntarily reveals his con¬ 
dition over know of his dependence on artificial 
extremities. His movements arc graceful, li is 
appearance is natural, his step is firm and 
elast ic, and li is power is comploto. Restora¬ 
tions as great as this have given the Marks 
establish men t a worldwide fame. 
IDEALFEEDMILL 
Remember it grinds EAR CORN and all kinds of 
grain FASTER AMD BETTER than any other. Our line 
comprises Everything in the shape of GRINDING 
MILLS. Address for catalogue, 
STOVER MFG. CO., 
60S River Street, 
FKEEl'OUT, ILL. 
Pennsylvania Agricultural Works, York, Pa, 
Farqnhar’s Standard Engines and Saw Hills,’ 
8cnd for Catalogue. Portable, Sta. 
tionary, Traotiou and Automatic Ka- 
rapectatty. Warranted cqualor 
auperiorta 
any made. 
Address A. B. FAROUHAB& CO .York.Ptt. 
IlfrB I ^IIPPIIFY / -" a,er ' fia *’°"' 
Mu L I I OUriLI L U*f, Pitching, Pump. 
l/ng, Wind&Steam Mach'y. Encyclopedia 2 Sc. 
■ ■ ■■•■•■The American Well Works, Aurora,III. 
11-13 S.Canal St., CHICAGO,ILL. I D , „ 
Elm Street, DALLAS, TEXAS. \ Branoh Wou8B, • 
Sweep 
for Two Horses. 
UItm better work, more 
•f It, with lean work to 
team than any others. 
Send for Catalogue X 
THE FOOS MFG. 
SPRINGFIELD. OHIO. 
Sent on Trial. 
BELLE CITY 
ENSILAGE 
FODDER __. 
Only Self-Feeder mad 
All sizes for Hand or Power; 
also Horse Powers. Root Cut¬ 
ters, Saw Frames, Feed Grind¬ 
ers, full line of Hand A Water 
Carts, Harrows, Cultivators, 
Mangles, etc. Send for Cata¬ 
logue and work on Ensilage. 
CO., • - RACINE, WTS. 
SAM’L B. WOODS. 
Mayor City of Charlottes¬ 
ville. Va. Commissioner 
University l/|DP|M|A 
of Virginia. I I If Va I Iw I A f 
LEWIS D. AYLETT. 
Formerly Treasurer 
Georgia Pacific R R. 
ALBEMARLE COUNTY. 
The great fruit, grain and stock raising section of 
the State. Winters mild and short. Scenery beautiful. 
Health fine. Near the great markets. Kducailonal 
advantages unsurpassed. 
Land Good ! Prices Cheap t Taxes Low ! 
Farms and City property for sale. Write to 
WOODS di AYLETT. Charlottesville, Va. 
