MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER: AN AGRICULTURAL AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER. 
dje (Dtcljari) aub (itirbm. 
SELF-APPOINTED “TASTING COMMITTEES.’’ 
Mr. Moore :—I have just roturned from 
tho Ontario Co. Agricultural Fail' and Cat¬ 
tle Show, which was truly a splendid affair. 
The weather was fine and tho farmers ot 
Old Ontario wore out in full uniform, ihe 
ladies contributed their full share to tho daz¬ 
zling specimens of beauty and skill, which 
adorned “ Floral Hall.” The display of veg¬ 
etables and fruit, and good butter and cheese 
was superb. You will no doubt have an 
elaborate report by some one more capable 
of giving it than myself. 
You lmvo no doubt, when viewing the 
beautiful specimens of fruit on such occa¬ 
sions, seen the disposition of different indi¬ 
viduals creeping out at tho ends of their 
fingers, and restrained only by the vigilance 
of tho owners of thoso large and luscious 
pears, blushing peaches, and grapes with 
velvet hue, (the thoughts of which even now, 
strike very sensibly on the salivary glands.) 
Thus I stood, in mute admiration, viewing 
the fruits as well as some conspicuous labels 
of “ hands off,” when, to my utter astonish¬ 
ment, a lady, noblo in stature and form, and 
for aught I know, one of the upper ten, 
“being moved by the spirit within her,” 
stretched forth her gloved and delicate 
hand, and with the adroitness of a skilful— 
shall I say it ? who shall I offend ?—not the 
fair readers of tho Rural, for they cannot 
be guilty of such an act — therefore I will 
say it; yes, with tho adroitness of a pick¬ 
pocket, convoyed from tho plate to her deli¬ 
cate little mouth one of thoso large, yel¬ 
low, bell-shaped pears. Though labelled, 
the transit was so quick that I cannot in¬ 
form you what particular variety it teas, but 
it was a little too large for convenience; the 
work was performed with such haste that 
the jaws, — what an uncouth word to use 
when speaking or writing of tho fair sex, 
but some ladies do have jaics, so we will lot 
that stand — tho jaws flew open to their 
utmost tension, and beyond tho power of 
contraction, merely marking with her teeth 
at tho first attempt a sogment of this enor¬ 
mous pear, corresponding precisely with 
the dimensions of.that sweet little mouth. 
But it was no go; she was compelled to 
“ let go and tako a new hold.” After she had 
fairly succeeded in getting a bito, and com¬ 
menced the process of masticating, she beck¬ 
oned the lady next her with nods and winks, 
(for she was choked and couldn’t even raise 
a whisper,) to steal another; but the lady 
drew back, shook her head, and with a most 
becoming contemptuousness, turned and left 
her alono in her glory. 
A part of this performance was rather 
amusing — but it is painful to reflect that 
people at such placos have no more polite¬ 
ness, to use tho mildest possible term, than 
to bo picking oft’ hero and tliero a grapo or 
a plum or a peach. Though a small matter 
and of very little value any whore else,— 
here our entorprizing nurserymen bring 
their specimens to be seen and not to be 
eaten ; all of which are infinitely more valu¬ 
able to them than so many silver dollars 
would be in the same placo. I hope my 
fair readers and all others will bo satisfied 
with feasting the eyes on the beautiful pro¬ 
ductions of nature, until it becomes their 
duty as membersvff tho various committees 
or privilege by invitation, to partake of tho 
sweet things that aro lying so temptingly 
before them. A Looker Ok. 
Domestic (Bcononnj. 
HOW TO POP CORN. 
Tins is an American seedling, originated 
in Delaware some fifty years ago, possessing 
much distinctness of character, and of un¬ 
doubted excellence as an early autumn pear. 
It is thus described by Thomas. 
Medium in size, oblong-obovate, obtuse, 
—sometimes slightly obtuse-pyriform ; sur¬ 
face smooth, clear yellow, handsomely mark- 
with conspicuous red dots on the sunny side, 
slightly russeted round the stalk, which is 
an inch and a fourth long, and slightly sunk; 
calyx small, partly closed, basin shallow; 
flesh very juicy, melting, slightly breaking, 
with a rich, unusually sweet, perfumed, first- 
rate flavor. Early in autumn. Growth 
vigorous, shoots very straight, erect and di¬ 
verging. Fruit always fair, but varies in 
size and form—esteemed most by those who 
like a very sweet flavor. 
Take two quarts of salt, put it in an iron 
kettle and heat it; when it is hot enough 
(the degree of heat may be found by trial) 
to pop the corn, put it in and stir the whole 
till the corn begins to pop, then cover tho 
kettle to prevent tho corn and salt from fly¬ 
ing out; raise tho cover occasionally and 
stir the corn to keep it from burning.— 
When you have had a little experience you 
can pop corn in this way better and easier 
than in any other. Tho corn will all he 
turned inside out, white and soft, provided 
the corn is well dried, as it should always be 
when you undertake to pop it. Tho corn 
may be easily separated from tho salt by 
sifting through a common fanning-mill sieve, 
and the samo salt will answer to pop in all 
winter. H- a. b. 
Sunnyside. N. Y., 1852. 
Chilblains. — Inquiry .—Can you or some 
one of your subscribers, givo through the 
columns of the Rural a cure for chilblains 
or itching feet ? I know of many that are 
sorely troubled in winter weather. 
G. Plumb. 
MAKING CAKES 
PIE PLANT AND ASPARAGUS. 
The Garden.—Daniel Webster writing 
to the overseers of his farm in Franklin, N. 
IL, last March, uses the following truthful 
language of cultivation and tho Garden. 
Whatever ground you sow or plant, see 
that it is in good condition. Wo want no 
pennyroyal crops . “ A little farm well tilled” 
is to a farmer tho next best thing to “ a little 
wife well willed.” Cultivate your garden. 
Be sure to produce sufficient quantities of 
useful vegetables. A man may half support 
his family from a good garden. Take care to 
keep my mother’s garden in good order, even 
if it cost you the wagos of a man to tako care 
of it. I have sent you many garden seeds. 
Distribute them among your neighbors.— 
Send them to the store in tho village, that 
everybody may have apart of them without 
cost. 
The Dahlia. — Many who cultivate tho 
dahlia aro not aware of tho ease with which 
the plant may bo obtained from the seed.— 
Those may bo gathered in sufficient quanti¬ 
ties, at this season of the year, from almost 
any plaut which has blossomed freely dur¬ 
ing the summer. If 60 wn in the spring, in 
a rich warm soil, with a southern exposure, 
they will, without any extra care, produce 
plants which will blossom abundantly dur¬ 
ing the samo season. Tho practice ot keep¬ 
ing the tubers through tho winter is quite 
unnecessary, except for the preservation of 
choice varieties. Those obtained from the 
seed will commence blossoming somewhat 
later in the season than the others, but early 
enough to mature 6eed, while tho varieties 
which can be thus secured are almost end¬ 
less.— Farm. Visitor. 
A “Farmer’s wife” wishes to know if the 
large stalks of the pie plant are tho result 
ot cultivation or of selecting a large sort— 
the time for manuring—distance asunder in 
planting—and number of leaves to be left 
to each root. Also the time to transplant 
asparagus, and best mode of culture. An 
answer to these inquiries has been accident¬ 
ally delayed a few months. 
Rows four feet apart, and plants two feet 
in tho row, is a suitablo distance for the pie 
plant. If the sort is large, and the soil deep 
and fertile, they will need all this space.— 
The “ large staiks ” are tho combined result 
of good cultivation and selecting such largo 
varieties as “ Giant,” a green sort with round 
stalks, which sometimes grow to tho thick¬ 
ness of a man’s wrist; “ Victoria,” red, 
equally largo, earlier, and better in quality; 
and “ Downing’s Colossal,” regarded as best 
of all. There are some smaller and earlier 
varieties. Tho plantation should bo covered 
with manure late in autumn, and this should 
be spaded in early in tho spring. All the 
leaves are usually allowed to grow. 
Asparagus seed is sown in autumn or ear¬ 
ly in spring in drills about half an inch deep 
in heavy soil, and an inch in light soil, the 
ground being highly manured. Tho seed¬ 
lings should bo set out at a year old, very 
early in spring or as soon as the ground can 
be worked, in soil which has been trenched 
or subsoiled and made very rich to a depth 
of nearly two feet. Set the plants two in¬ 
ches below tho surface, in rows two feet 
apart and a foot assunder in tho row. Tho 
next autumn cover tho plants three inclios 
with manure. For two years, let the stalks 
grow to strengthen the roots, keeping the 
beds clean, raking off' the dead stalks in au¬ 
tumn and covering with manure, to bo fork¬ 
ed in early in the spring. Some earth will 
perhaps need an annual replacing, or the 
plants will come too near the surface by the 
dressing they get. The third or fourth year 
will givo fine crops, which will continue for 
many years. 
It is" usual to make very rich beds two or 
three feet deep, an excellent practice; and 
to plant them very thickly with plants, a 
very poor one—for tho stalks can never 
grow so largo when crowded. A\ e have seen 
as large asparagus raised on ordinary corn 
ground, six inches deep, in drills threo toet 
apart for horso cultivation, as in abed threo 
Ik the manufacture of cakes it is of very 
great importance that the materials be of a 
good quality. It is better to make a plain 
cake of good materials than a richer one of 
those of an inferior quality. 
Eggs should be beaten in a broad pan un¬ 
til they are thick; the yolks when whisked 
al me will bo as thick as batter. The whites 
when beaten by themselves, should be dry 
and frothy, and appear full of small white 
grains. For most cakes, the wihte pulverised 
sugar is best. 
The flour should always be sifted, as it 
renders the cakes lighter. 
Never warm butter in the pan it is to bo 
beaten in. as it will bo likely to make your 
cake heavy. If the weather is cold let tho 
butter stand in the warm kitchen some 
time, and it will soon be soft enough; the 
action of beating the butter and sugar, and 
the friction produced, will soften tho butter 
sufficiently. 
Never beat cakes with your hand; the 
warmth of the hand will make them streak¬ 
ed. Always use a wooden ladle for butter 
and sugar, or batter, and rods or switches for 
eggs. 
Slrte & §tmt 
LIST OF PATENT CLAIMS 
ISSUED FROM THE UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 
For the week ending October 10, 1852. 
Otis Avery, of Honesdalc, Pa., for improvement 
in sewing machines. 
Lewis Cooper, of Coopersville, Pa., for ira- 
provetnentnn spreaiing lime and manure. 
D. D. Allen, of Adams, Mass., for improvement 
in tools for cutting pegs out of boot sole3. 
Peter Geiser, of Smitlisburgh, Md., for improve¬ 
ment in grain separators. 
Lucius T. Guernsey, of Montpelier, Vt., for im¬ 
provement in printing presses. 
Edson Hart, of New Albany, Ind., for improve¬ 
ment in seed planters. 
Nehemiah Hodge, of North Adams, Mass., for 
improvement in apparatus for elevating and dis¬ 
charging bilge water, etc. 
Ira Jagger, of Albany, N. Y., for improvement 
in water wheels. 
Henry Pemberton, of Philadelphia, Pa., for im¬ 
provement in making soda ash and carbonates of 
soda. 
Daniel AY. Smead, of Peru, Ill., for improvement 
in bedsteads. 
James D. Smith, of New Britain, Conn., for sash 
stopper and fastener. 
Geo. P. Tewksbury, of Boston, Mass., for im¬ 
proved life-preserving seat. 
Linus Yale, Jr., of Newport, N. Y., for improved 
burglar proof plates for doors, safe-walls, vaults, 
etc. 
DESIGNS. 
Elihu Smith, of Albany, N. Y., for design for 
a cooking stove. 
Robert Taylor and Robert D. Laurie, of Phil¬ 
adelphia, Pa., for desig.i for forks, spoons, etc. 
Penj. AYardwell, of Fall River, Mass., and Eph. 
R. Barstow, of Providence, R. I, for design for a 
cooking range. 
PROFITS OF PATENTS. 
HOW TO USE A COAL STOVE. 
The fire should not bo permitted to die 
out during tho winter. By keeping the fire 
up, an immensity of trouble is saved, and, 
paradoxical as it may seem, it is cheaper. 
Tho reason is this: Tho coal burns out 
during the long winter nights, because the 
door of the stove is shut; whereas, if tho 
door is loft open, it will not burn out, and 
will be perfectly alive in the morning. Less 
coal is therefore consumed. There is no 
danger in leaving the door open, as the draft 
is always strong enough to carry the sparks 
up tho pipe or chimney. If any one sleep 
in the room, the upper sash of tho window 
should be lowered two or threo inches, even 
in the coldest weather, and more when it is 
milder. Having a comfortable fire in the 
room in cold weather, and yet enjoying fresh 
air by means of ventilation, is tho very ideal 
of comfort and tho habit of early rising. 
Shake down the ashes, threfore, on retiring, 
fill up tho stove with coal, and leave the 
door open, if you wish to savo yourself or 
servant a deal of trouble in the morning, 
and at the same time economize coal. But 
by all means open tho window, if it is only 
the width of an inch.— Chicago Statesman. 
For the week ending Oct. 26, 1852. 
John Akrill, of Williamsburgh, N. Y., for im¬ 
provement in the mode of forming crucibles, and 
other articles of earthen ware. 
Luman Barrett, of Gainesville, N. Y., for im¬ 
provement in boot crimps. 
Dexter II. Chamberlain, of Boston Mass., for 
improved bilt or drill stock. 
Chas. Lkomdieu, of Charleston, S. C., for im¬ 
provement in guilding daguerreotypes. 
Francis Wolle, of Bethlehem, Pa., for improve¬ 
ment in a machine for making bags of paper. 
Samuel C. Lister and Geo. E. Donisthorpe, of 
the county of Y'ork, England, for improvement in 
machinery for combing wool. Dated Oct. 26, ’52. 
Patented in England, March 20, 1850. 
Chas. E. Jacot, of New York, N. Y., for im¬ 
provement in watch keys. 
Augustus M. Rice, of Boston, Mass., assignor to 
himself and Sandford II. Lombard, of same place, 
for improvement in hot-air furnaces. 
Hosea II. Huntley, of Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor 
to David T. Woodrow, of same place, for improve¬ 
ment in cooking stoves. 
Apollos Richmond, of Providence, R. I., as¬ 
signor to A. C. Barstow it Co., of same place, for 
improvement in hot-air furnaces. 
F. C. Goffin, of New Y'ork, N. Y'., for improve¬ 
ment in locks. 
Albert Gardner, of Cincinnati, Ohio, for him¬ 
self and as administrator of the estate of AY in. L. 
Hunter, deceased, for improvement in construct¬ 
ing plows. 
DESIGNS. 
Pelatiah M. Hutton, of Troy, N. Y'., for design 
for a cast iron cradle. 
James AYager, Volney Richmond and Harvey 
Smith, of Troy, N. Y'., for design for a cooking 
stove. 
Ik our last number there was a small ex¬ 
tract about the profits derived from tho 
Woodworth patent. It is well known to our 
readers that an extension of this patent has 
been prayed for, and arguments have been 
set forth "by C. M. Keller in favor of tlio ex¬ 
tension. A pamphlet has been published, 
and is now before us, which presents argu¬ 
ments against the extension. It is asserted, 
from tho facts sot forth by tho counsel for 
the extension, that the gross earnings of tho 
patent amount to $ 16 , 000,000 per annum. 
Mr. Woodworth sold the extended term of 
the patent for $100,000, as was stated by 
Senator Dawson. In 1842, John Gibson, of 
Albany, purchased a right for $4,600, seven 
months before the first extension was grant¬ 
ed ; he had run five machines for tho ten 
previous years. There are 1,000 AA ood- 
warth machines in the United States ; each 
dresses 10,000 feet of boards per day. The 
owners of the patent get ono dollar of trib- 
ute per thousand feet, which amounts to 
$10,000 of clear profits per day.. The prico 
paid to tho licencces for planing a thou¬ 
sand feet of boards is $5 ; after paying $1, 
tliev have $4 for all expenses. This pam¬ 
phlet states that the whole cost of planing 
boards is only $2 ; therefore, the clear pro¬ 
fits of each machine is $30 per day. Tho 
pamphlet also states that the machine of 
Ceo. AV. Beardsloe, which was illustrated in 
our columns, can plane 1,000 feet of boards, 
in the best possible manner, for one dollar; 
therefore, as tho AA r oodworth machine is 
more expensive, and is a tax upon tho com¬ 
munity, it concludes that it is wrong to bol¬ 
ster up an old and inferior invention. 
The logic of it is this, that tho support 
given to the Woodworth machine retards 
improvements, and taxes the community by 
a law for an invention inferior to another 
one. This is a critical point in judging up¬ 
on such matters ; we aro afraid that it is of¬ 
ten overlooked by our courts. It is tho for¬ 
tune of war—no, not war, of progress—-what 
was a good invention some years ago, is not 
a good one to-day ; at least it has been su¬ 
perceded by a superior improvement.. Un¬ 
less free scope is allowed to genius in tho 
use of improved machines, we cannot ex¬ 
pect to advanco in mechanical improve¬ 
ments. The very spirit of patent laws “is 
the promotion of tho useful arts.” AVe 
have seen many paragraphs respecting the 
profits of the Woodworth patent, and have 
seen no contradictions of tho same: there 
may. however, be some room for correc¬ 
tions. —Scienl ij ic American. 
Orange syrup is so easily mado, and can 
bo used so constantly with advantage, that 
no housekoepor should bo without it. Se¬ 
lect ripe and thin-skinned fruit—squeezo 
the juice through a seivo; to every pint, add 
a pound and a half of powdered sugar, boil 
it slowly, and skim as long as any scum rises: 
you may then take it off, let it grow cold 
and bottle it off. Bo sure to secure the 
corks well. Two table spoonfulls of this 
svrup, mixed in melted butter, make an ad¬ 
mirable sauce for a plum or batter pudding; 
and it imparts a fine flavor to custards. 
To Wash Woolen Goods. —Tho art of 
LIGHTNING RODS.—INFORMATION WANTED. 
feet deep and half manure, with plants j was hj n g woo len goods so as to prevent them 
placed closely together. The finest stalks j f rom shrinking, is ono of the desiderata in 
are always obtained by distance and depth domestic economy worthy of being recorded, 
combined. Asparagus, being usually in- an( j j t j s t h ere f'ore with a saisfaction that we 
creased by seed, runs somewhat into varie- QX p] a j n this simplo process to our readers, 
ties, and a “Giant” variety is much lauded; j ^ descriptions of woolen goods should be 
but tho size depends mainly, if not wholly, 
on tho cultivation which is given. A bed of 
earth and manure well mixed, two feet deep, 
and with plants a foot by two feet, will con¬ 
vert any asparagus into giants. Salt is a 
good manuro, which we have soen applied 
in sufficient quantities to kill the weeds 
without injuring tho plants.— Horticultu¬ 
rist. 
Take care of your dahlia roots. 
Young Trees. —Take away all stubble, 
grass or weeds from their stems, so that 
mice may not find materials for their nests: 
then bank tho trees with clear earth, and 
they aro ready for winter. Where trees 
stand in mowing ground it wil be well 
to clear away the grass roots and throw 
fine manure or loam close to their trunks. 
This will keep tho mice away, and be a 
good fertilizer when spread early in tho 
spring. 
Winter apples usually bear the frost well 
till November commences. 
washed in very hot water with soap, and as 
soon as tho article is cleansod, immerse it in 
cold water; let it then be wrung and hung 
up to dry .—Southern Planter. 
To Fry Tribe.—AV ash tho tripe, and dry 
it well in a cloth. Cut it in long pieces 
about three inches wide. Make a thick 
i batter of egg, flour, milk, a little minced 
onion, and a little salt. Dip the tripe into 
the batter, and fry it in lard or good drip¬ 
ping, of which there must bo sufficient in 
the pan almost to cover the tripe. Fry it 
of a light brown and garnish with fried 
parsley. 
Soap fob Mouse Holes. —A lump of hard 
soap is the best thing to stop a liKuase, rat, 
roach, or an ant hole. Dirty brutes of all 
kinds have an antipathy to soap. 
Sbirits of Hartshorn is used in cleaning 
1 kid glovos, and leaves no unpleasant smell. 
Can any one testify that they have per¬ 
sonal knowledge of buildings being struck 
by lightning, where lightning rods have 
been put up and adjusted in a proper man¬ 
ner ? If so will they please stato tho fact 
in the Rural ? 
For a year or two past, there soems to 
have been an unprecedented call for light¬ 
ning rods in this section of country, and it 
seems that (he more there are put up, the 
greater is tho demand for them, and news¬ 
papers are ransacked after a thunder storm, 
to learn in what direction, or part of the 
country, damage has been done bv lightning, 
and perhaps $100 worth of lightning rods 
will be called for in consequence. This is 
well understood by thoso who make it their 
business to put them up. But another class 
of people beliove—or protend to—that 
lightning rods are a dangorous appendage, 
however well put up; that they nevor saved 
a life or a building yet, but on the contrary 
have been the cause of damage to both; 
that they have a tendency to attract all the 
electricity to one point; that they feel safer 
without than with them; that they haveheard 
of buildings being struck by lightning where 
rods were well put up, &c., &c. And so has 
tho writer heard of such instances—but 
nevor, during a long life of seventy-four 
vears has ho ever known an instance of tho 
kind, although a critical observer of the 
freaks of lightning. S. Pierson. 
Le Roy, N. Y., Oct., 1852. 
Last month tho first locomotive evor seen 
in Upper Canada, was put in motion on tho 
Northern Railroad, which is to run from 
Toronto to Lake Huron. 
Prof. AVillis has discovered that, by 
placing a reed in a common organ pipe, the 
length of which he could vary, and forcing 
air through it by moans of a pair of bellows 
in the usual way, he obtained a series of 
sounds, varying according to the length of 
the pipe; among which sounds, beginning 
with that heard when the pipe was shortest, 
and proceeding to that heard when the pipo 
was longest, ho found those expressed by 
the italic letters in the following words: 1, 
me; 2, may; 3, mar; 4, nioie; 5, mate; 6, 
nn/rrh ; 7, moo,—each particular sound cor¬ 
responding to a particular length of the 
pipe. AVhen he continued to lengthen the 
pipe, the samo sounds recurred, but in in¬ 
verse order , 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 : and as ho still 
went on increasing tho length of the pipe, 
the same sounds again recurred, in the first 
order, 1. 2, 3, 4, 5, G, 7; and so on.— Pho¬ 
nographic Class Book. 
The Hillotype. — Mr. Hill, the reputed 
discoverer of an important improvement in 
tho daguerreotype art, has published a card 
in which he asserts the fact of tho discovery, 
and states that ho hopes ere long to be able 
to impart tho secret to others, if his health 
does not dosort him. He lays claim to the 
invention of a method ofi heliotyping tho col¬ 
ors of objects, truthfully, brilliantly, and im- 
perishably. A number of certificates testi¬ 
fy to the fact that Mr. Hill produces pic¬ 
tures of remarkable beauty, and altogether 
superior to the common daguerreotypes.— 
Some of the writers speak enthusiastically 
of tho developments made by the artist. 
Brswnikg Gun Barrels. —Gun barrels 
of iron and steel are browned by tho same 
means; the browning is a coating of oxide or 
rust; it is formed by rusting the barrels by 
a weak acid, or what is belter, a mixture of 
the muriate of iron and the niti'ato ot cop¬ 
per. The barrel is i*ubbed over with the 
liquid, and laid past for a few days, then it 
is brushed with a wire brush, then coated 
again, and laid past for a few days longer, 
and then washed in warm water in which a 
little soda has been dissolved; it is then 
dried, brushed, and oiled, and again dried 
in a warm place. If the barrel be boiled in 
oil, so much the better. Some use weak 
nitric acid to oxidize the barrel. 
Sugar, Starch, and Gum are compounds 
of charcoal and water, in different propor¬ 
tions. For proof, place a small quantity of 
either in a tumbler, and cover the same with 
oil of vitriol (sulphuric acid,) stir tho mix¬ 
ture with a piece of wood or a glass rod.— 
In a minute or so tho sugar, or starch or 
gum will blacken ; the mixture will become 
hot; stoam (water.) will be evolved, and 
charcoal deposited in the glass. 
Medical Discovery. —Dr. Charles T. 
Jackson, of Boston, has been engaged in in¬ 
vestigating the causes of death, which have 
resulted from Chloroform. Ho states that 
when chloroform is made from pure alcohol, 
no ill effects ensue from inhaling it; but when 
it is made as it often has been, from corn, 
rye, or potatoe whiskey, fusel oil, a deadly 
poison is generated. 
To clean the hands of tho discolorization 
from nitrate of silver (lunar caustic,) dis¬ 
solve iodate of potash in water, and with it 
wash off the stains. 
