1893 
9 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
UNCLE SAM TO MISS CANADA. 
I like you, sweet Miss Canada, you’re bright and fair, 
The frosts of winter sparkle in your coal black hair; 
If you should join our family, our farm would roll 
Up from my Gulf of Mexico to your North Pole. 
A mighty useless fixture Is a fence between; 
’Twould pay us well to burn away that fence, I ween; 
You'd liven up our family, I’ll bet my hat. 
But come, what would your mother say ? Just answer that! 
The good old English mother off across the sea, 
She thinks a heap of you, dear, but she don’t like me. 
We had a little difference some years ago, 
I didn’t like her treatment, and I told her so. 
The good old lady took me right across her knee 
And undertook to spank me. but I wiggled free. 
I wanted you to help me, but you then said “ No;” 
You helped the stout old lady, little maid, and so 
You'll have to ask your mother in your own sweet way, 
Just bring the old Dame's blessing and I’ll name the day. 
_ —II. w. c. 
NOTES OF TRAVEL. 
PART I. 
The month of October I spent in jaunting about in 
central New York, chiefly among lakes Cayuga, 
Seneca and Keuka, the last of which went by the name 
of Crooked when I studied geography. The resump¬ 
tion of the original (Indian) name, because of its 
resemblance to Cayuga breeds confusion to indis¬ 
criminate ears. I saw much of outdoor and of indoor 
country life, of various industries, scenes and acquaint¬ 
ances of my childhood, and was impressed with some 
things that seem worth while commenting upon. 
With one thing I was forcibly struck—the wide dif¬ 
ference between the conditions of country and city 
housekeeping, and how inapt and unsuitable is the 
bulk of what city newspaper people write for the edi¬ 
fication and assistance of rural readers. In the city 
the best husbanding and expenditure of money must 
be looked after, while on the farm, where there is very 
little money at most times, the economy of the house¬ 
keeping must be directed to utilizing the products of 
the farm to the utmost, and where farmers begin to 
copy town methods in their living, there begins their 
own financial downfall. 
Take the one item of beds and bedding for example. 
The town housekeeper buys mattresses and blankets, 
costing so much solid cash. The farm housekeeper, 
with the materials at her hands, constructs for a com' 
paratively small sum a clean, springy and entirely 
comfortable bed, by filling a tick with hay, straw or 
shredded husks, and laying on top of it a thick comfort 
or pad of cotton batting or wool. Instead of buying 
woolen blankets for winter use, she makes comfortables 
of wool, which the “ carder ” cleans and makes into 
layers or sheets, and these she puts between covers of 
cheese cloth, and catches together with knots of yarn 
tied at intervals, a cover as nice as one of down. Her 
carpets and rugs are home-made, often very pretty, 
too, and the work of the house is done by the members 
of the family, for if there is money to hire helpers, 
there are no “ helps ” to be hired. 
Indeed all through the region, the scarcity of help 
is universal, and farms are sold for a song because the 
owners are unable to manage the work, and, more¬ 
over, the old methods of farming which are still in 
vogue, do not “pay.” And this part of New York 
State, which is actually becoming depopulated in the 
rural regions, is a land of surpassing beauty, where milk 
and honey flow. The lovely lakes lie between terraced 
banks covered with vineyards, producing grapes 
enough it would seem to supply the markets of the 
world. There are orchards of peaches, pears, plums, 
quinces (and what is so delicious to the eye as a tree 
bearing ripe quinces ?) and apples, sights to delight 
the heart of man. Apple trees border on the unfenced 
highways (although farmers concede that the roadside 
is not an ideal site for apple orchards), and seeds of 
sweet clover are sown from town to town, to feed the 
bees of the apiaries. I never saw anything in the fruit 
regions of southern California to surpass in productive¬ 
ness and beauty this superb region. A gentleman 
sent me a Tompkins County King apple (it is called 
“ King Tompkins ” in England), which measured 12 
inches in circumference, and which was absolutely 
without a flaw. The heathfulness of the region is 
phenomenal, the longevity of the people is remark¬ 
able, and it is very pleasant to note the bright, fresh 
faces of the young. If I were a man and knew enough 
to make farming “ pay,” I would go neither West nor 
South, but settle myself on a 50-acre farm in this 
land of plenty and of railroad facilities, and be happy. 
Evidently one drawback to the profits of farming 
might be found in the over-large houses the farmers 
have bui't, and which, with the exception of the 
kitchen ends, are closed for the greater part of the 
year. What pleasure or profit there can be in having 
from one to half a dozen rooms shut up for the most 
part, is not apparent. Somehow, tapestry carpets, 
stuffed chairs, windows tricked out with lace curtains, 
sometimes hung with heavy lambrequins and the like, 
do not become farmers’ houses. The prettiest sitting- 
room I saw had a rug or carpet of rags, the floor for 
the width of half a yard all around it being painted ; 
the chairs were made comfortable with home-made 
cushions, the window shades were white roller cur¬ 
tains with maybe a bit of crocheted lace across the 
bottom, and the decorations on the walls most cun¬ 
ningly arranged, had been brought in from time to 
time from the fields and woods—a huge hornet’s nest, 
dainty bird nests and branches of pine bearing beauti¬ 
ful cones; tall grasses in an old-fashioned stone jar 
with a blue tree painted on one side of it, stood in one 
corner, and a brown glazed jar held yellow marigolds 
on a table. Opening from this room was a small 
chamber papered in blue ; the bed was covered with a 
patch-work quilt of white and blue, and the blue and 
white rug on the floor was an old-time coverlet, woven 
of wool in 1838, according to the date in one corner. 
It was very cleverly woven, for all around the edge 
at judicious intervals, were deer alternating with 
churches. It was the best use to which I have seen 
an ancient bed cover put, and it made a very pretty 
floor cover. As there was not space for the bed room 
door to open, it had been taken off its hinges and car¬ 
ried away, while a rod holding a curtain of light blue 
cheese cloth, served in its stead, mary wager-fisher. 
WHAT THEY THINK OF US. 
STILL AT THE TOR. 
I am well pleased to know that the managers of The 
R. N.-Y. have given another evidence of their un¬ 
selfish devotion to the interest of the farmers. Not 
content with getting out a paper as good as the best, 
they have made it as cheap as the cheapest. This 
paper, which in my grandfather’s time, stood at the 
top of the list, still towers above them all. Most 
journals think they have done their whole duty when 
they have given the agricultural news, and advertised 
the frauds upon the farmers, which others have incur¬ 
red the trouble and expense of exposing; but The Rural 
is diligently hunting fraud, and finds it; and has the 
courage to tackle it, even though costly lawsuits 
follow. This is one of the reasons why we love The 
Rural above all others. 
It is a poor man, indeed, who cannot afford to take 
The Rural ; and, indeed, a man will always be poor 
who does not afford to spend a dollar which will bring 
him many more. 
Let every progressive farmer take The Rural ; not 
alone as a reward for a duty well done, but to get the 
benefit of its faithful work. A. e. briggs. 
VanBuren County, Mich. 
Don't Let the Paper Go Down. 
I never complained of paying $2 for a paper as good 
as The R. N.-Y., but if the managers can afford to 
make it for 51, why I don’t complain. But, dear con¬ 
ductors, don’t let the standard go down, for there is 
not a paper to take its place on this continent. So I 
inclose for a renewal of The R. N.-Y. 51 f. b. white. 
R. N.-Y.—When the standard of this paper goes 
down the present managers and editors will go out. 
We have no thought of lowering the character of the 
paper; in fact, we have never begun the year with 
more complete plans for gathering facts and informa¬ 
tion. The R. N.-Y. has now one popular and standard 
price that is within the reach of all. The change 
means harder work for all who help make the paper, 
but we are ready for it and we feel that the public will 
show a compensating appreciation. 
“ DOWN WITH UNCLE, UP WITH ANTI.” 
TO ALL PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY, ALL FARMERS, AND 
ALL LABORING MEN. 
It is believed that the time has come when gambling 
in the necessaries of life should be prohibited by law; 
and for the following reasons: First, it has a direct 
tendency to increase the price of every article of 
food purchased by the laboring man. Second, it 
has a tendency to reduce rather than increase the 
price of all farm products, when sold by the farmer. 
Third, it impoverishes the honest toilers of our land, 
and enriches unscrupulous gamblers. Fourth, it is 
demoralizing to all who engage in the business, and 
especially to our young men. Fifth, it will prove a 
curse to our country not only by its demoralizing and 
debasing influences, but by destroying the equilibrium 
that should exist between capital and labor. Sixth, 
it does away with the natural law of supply and de¬ 
mand, and substitutes therefor the dictatorial laws 
of syndicates and trusts and its inevitable tendency 
is to make the rich richer, and the poor poorer and 
more dependent. 
It is believed that the Hatch-Washburn Anti-Option 
Bill, enacted into law, will obviate these disastrous 
conditions, and tend to restore prosperity to our un¬ 
justly burdened people. 
We therefore appeal to all good citizens, who are 
opposed to gambling in the necessaries of life, to do 
all in their power to secure the passage of this law. 
It has passed the Lower House ; is no w pending in 
the Senate ; and every possible effort is being made to 
secure its defeat. If you desire its passage, write per¬ 
sonal letters or send telegrams to your Representa¬ 
tives, and especially to your Senators, and let them 
know that the passage of this bill is of vital import¬ 
ance to you and your people. 
Every Grange, every farmers’ club or institute, and 
every organization among the laboring and producing 
classes, should immediately and emphatically insist 
on the passage of this bill. Earnest, energetic and 
decisive action is necessary, and every lover of his 
country, who cares for her future welfare and per¬ 
petuity, should act promptly in this matter. Remem¬ 
ber that defeat is equivalent to a surrender of our 
dearest rights as citizens of the Republic. 
Master of New York State Grange, w. c. gifford. 
Eds. —New York State Senators are Frank Hiscock 
and David B. Hill, both at Washington. You, reader, 
have a perfect right to inform them how you stand on 
this measure. _ 
WIDE TIRES IN QUEENS COUNTY. 
The county commissioners of Queens County, N. Y., 
proposed to pass an ordinance providing that all 
wagons hauling a load over a certain weight should 
have four-inch tires on the wheels. A short time since 
a large meeting of farmers was held to protest against 
any tire wider than three inches. The following notes 
from members of the committee appointed to present 
the farmers’ case will show why they have desired 
three-inch tires. These tires have, since then, been 
adopted: 
The only roason presented at the meeting was that tires wider than 
three inches will not work in the street car tracks of Brooklyn and 
New York. On an average the marketmen have to travel three miles 
on country roads and eight miles on railroad tracks and for that roason 
we must have wagons that will work on the tracks. L. e. decree. 
The farmers realize that a wide tire would be a great help In saving 
both our macadam and dirt roads, but ingoing to market wo have to 
travel from 6 to 10 miles on railroad tracks. For about half the way 
the pavement outsldo and between these consists of cobble stones and 
a four-inch tire would project so farover the tracks that riding on the 
linos would be the same as doing so on a cobble stone pavement, but 
on the other hand three-lncli tires would run on top of the rails with¬ 
out projecting far enough to bo a serious objection. Were It not for 
the railroad tracks, there would not be very much opposition to the 
wide tires. I think a wide tiro would boa great benofit to all our 
roads, and hope the farmers generally will take a liberal view of the 
matter and use wider tires on all our country roads, it u. BOBBINS. 
* * # 
We Are Responsible.—A reader in Maine sends this 
note: “The Rural’s publications are in a measure 
responsible for my having traded last October my 
place in town—a one-quarter lot with buildings valued 
at about 51,300—for a 15-acre place about one inileouL 
with buildings which 11 years ago cost 54,800. I have 
30 rods of shore front on the river, with a wharf and 
three good springs of water. The land has a southeast 
exposure and is a deep clay loam and in very good con¬ 
dition. I have bought a horse, cow, pig and 20 hens 
and am beginning to Live. I paid 51,000 difference, but 
this I have made good in the fruit business. I am 
delighted with the change and have to thank The 
Rural in a way for it. I am in the retail fruit busi¬ 
ness and have sold 639 baskets of New York State 
grapes, this season, principally Concord, Delaware and 
Salem and quite a considerable number of other kinds. 
Ellsworth. Me. r. b. h. 
BUSINESS BITS. 
Wuen the Immense task of painting the buildings of the World’s 
Fair Exposition was undertaken, It was found Impossible to secure 
men enough to do all the work by hand In time. The artist In charge 
therefore devised a scheme for painting by machinery. A piece of 
gas pipe was flattened at one end so as to throw a spray of any liquid 
driven through It. This was attached to a force pump and a barrel 
of liquid paint. Two men with this pipe can paint or spray more sur¬ 
face than a dozen men with brushes, and for many parts of the work 
It answers Just as well. 
Mb. E. W. Reid of Bridgeport, Ohio, has purchased the entire stock 
of the Tlmbrell strawberry. The Rural has already told Its readers 
Its opinion of this new berry, based on Its performance at the Rural 
Grounds, where Mr. Tlmbrell, the originator, had sent plants for trial. 
The writer of those lines has watched this berry since its birth, about 
five years ago, officiated at Its christening and has said many good 
words of It, none of which doeB he wish unsaid. It Is hardy, produc¬ 
tive, of large size, solid, and In quality It has no rival among produc¬ 
tive sorts. The numerous readers who have made Inquiry as to where 
plants can be obtained will find In this their answer. We cordially 
commend It to growers for the market or the family, as well as to 
those who desire to test deserving and promising new varieties. 
New Mail Carriers.— For several years past the papers have dis¬ 
cussed plans for Improving the mall carrying sorvlce. Pneumatic 
tubes and other devices have been proposed, but about the first real 
progress In the matter Is the proposed mall tube between New York 
and Brooklyn. Every day New York sends over the bridge nearly 
100,000 pieces of mall. At present they are carried In wagons packed 
In ordinary mall bags. This Is a slow method, and bags are often lost. 
It Is now proposed to put between the two cities what Is really a long 
box 16 Inches square. It will contain a miniature electric railway. The 
mall will be tarried In carriers of steel wire, each 4 feet long and 14 
Inches square. At the end of each carrier Is a small electric motor. 
This box will hang from the Iron work of the famous Brooklyn bridge. 
It Is estimated that a speed of nearly 100 miles an hour can be main¬ 
tained, and, If It proves a success, It will undoubtedly be used to con¬ 
nect cities and towns further apart than New York and Brooklyn. 
Producer and Commission Man.— When a business combination 
of farmers will take a good part of the “ middleman’s share,” what 
will become of the middleman ? Mr. E. F. Adams, manager of one of 
the many California fruit exchanges, has this to say about one phase 
of the matter: “Our exchange has no controversy with honorable 
commission houses, or with brokers. We expect to need their servloes, 
and do not wish to drive them Into selling competing goods; we would 
rather they should work for us than against us; but as each commis¬ 
sion house sells all It can without the aid of brokers, so we shall sell 
all we can without the aid of either. They can find no fault with that 
and will not. The amount of fruit that we shall control will warrant 
us In using the same means to find customers that they use; and we 
shall do It. To the extent that wo are able to do this, wo shall benefit 
the grower. But no one management can ever hunt up all thecustom- 
ers, and we shall gladly pay commissions on all we cannot sell our¬ 
selves.” Who can object to such talk as that ? 
