576 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
August 26 
THE 
Rural New-Yorker 
Cor. Chambers ami Pearl Sts., New York. 
A National Weekly Journal for Country and Suburban Homes. 
ELBERT 8. CARMAN, Kdltor-ln-Cblef. 
HERBERT W. COLLINGWOOD. Managing Editor 
ERWIN G. FOWLER, Associate Editor. 
Vrrpyrighted 1S93. 
Address all business communications and make all orders pay¬ 
able to THE RURAL PUBLISHING COMPANY. 
Be sure that the name and address of sender, with name of Post- 
offlce and State, and what the remittance Is for, appear In every letter. 
Money orders and bank drafts on New York are the safest means of 
transmitting money. 
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 1893. 
The articles on “ Certified Milk begun in this issue 
will contain facts new to most dairymen. This is no 
fairy story, friends, but a record of actual operations. 
We hope to describe this plant with such attention to 
detail that the whole thing will be made clear. Let’s 
sell no more disease in milk. Health is not only more 
satisfactory, but there is more money in it. 
* * 
The following statement is going the rounds : 
It Is estimated that the melon crop of Georgia this year will be 
worth nearly a quarter of a million dollars to the farmers and about 
a hundred thousand dollars to the railroads In the State. 
Very likely the total amounts are not correct, but 
the chances are that the proportion of earnings is 
about right. The farmer must run all risk, pay all 
expenses of growing, and also pay 10 cents for haul¬ 
ing 25 cents’ worth of produce to market! 
* * 
You can see the nub of this South Carolina liquor 
trouble The Dispensary law does not prohibit the 
sale of liquor at all. It simply puts the business into 
the hands of the State, and, with Governor Tillman in 
office, this means an increased business, if possible, be¬ 
cause he wants to show a large revenue from the 
liquor sales, and consequently a reduction in taxation. 
We have never claimed that the law is perfect. At the 
same time, we again say that it should be fairly and 
honestly tried. * # 
It is quite wonderful how many farmers are grow¬ 
ing the R. N.-Y. No. 2 for an early potato. This variety 
is a late one by rights, yet it grows very rapidly early 
in the season, and when about two-thirds grown, is 
large enough to sell. Many growers then dig and ship 
it, obtaining a fair crop. Such treatment cannot be 
satisfactory. It is enough to kill any variety to put 
these undeveloped tubers on the market as fair samples 
of it. The R N.-Y. No. 2 stands it better than any 
variety we know of. * # 
Reports of several milking machines have come 
across the water, and one of them is being operated 
at the World’s Fair. These machines have never been 
fully satisfactory because most of them have worked 
on a wrong principle—that of the calf’s mouth instead 
of the human hand. They have been suckers rather 
than squeezers. The calf is notoriously a poor milker. 
He will dry off a cow in short order, and before a 
milking machine can be called a success the inventor 
must go to the hand rather than to the calf for a 
model. * * 
Large quantities of American “mess” pork are con¬ 
sumed in the Australasian colonies and in the inter¬ 
colonial and ocean shipping trade. Generally, how¬ 
ever, it goes by way of England and appears in our 
statistics among exports to that country, where it is 
resold and reshipped. From present indications, how¬ 
ever, this market is likely soon to be closed against 
our goods by a liberal supply of native product, 
especially in New Zealand, the most enterprising and 
progressive of our antipodean colonies. The enormous 
shipments of butter and cheese and to a less extent of 
dressed meat from this quarter in the last two years 
have seriously competed with our own exports to the 
English market, and special attention is now directed 
there to hog production. One concern proposes to 
invest straightway §300,000 in a packing plant to 
encourage farmers to raise hogs, which it promises to 
buy from them without the intervention of middle¬ 
men. For years hog raising has been carried on in all 
the colonies in connection with dairy farming, and the 
output increased 350 per cent between 1860 and 1890, 
the number in New Zealand—26 per cent of the whole 
in 1890—having increased between the two dates from 
43,270 to 314,644. Present prices for hogs and hog 
products are so satisfactory in this country that any 
even prospective curtailment of our foreign markets 
cannot be viewed without disquiet. A notable instance 
of the advance in the value of hog products here 
during the past two years is afforded by the fact that 
while our exports of beef and pork products in the 
fiscal year ending June 30,1893, were 68,000,000 pounds 
less than in the previous year, their value was §5,000,- 
000 greater, the difference being almost entirely due 
to the increased price of hog products. 
* * 
So the cranberry growers propose to try to intro¬ 
duce their fruit abroad. Our correspondent, see page 
571, tells how they will try to do this. The first point, 
of course, is to get the fruit to show. This fruit will 
be donated by growers who take in exchange for it 
shares of the stock of the company. With this fruit 
and a suitable supply of cash, it is proposed to send an 
agent abroad who shall make it his business to inter¬ 
est foreign dealers and consumers. He will show the 
value of the American cranberry, establish daily auc¬ 
tion sales at Liverpool, interest canners and preservers, 
etc. The object of this will be to provide an outlet for 
the surplus crop so that our own markets will not be 
glutted. This seems to us like a very desirable thing 
to do, and we hope the organization will succeed. 
* * 
Last spring the Minnesota Legislature appropriated 
§200,000 for the construction of a State elevator at 
Duluth, and land for the building was purchased last 
month, and the contract has already been made for its 
erection. The money for it is to come from the fees 
paid by the owners of private elevators throughout 
the State. The latter have just made a case to test the 
constitutionality of the law. They assert that as they 
have to pay inspection fees while the State will pay 
none, and as the cost of the building is to be taken 
from their fees, the law taxes one class of citizens to 
erect a structure which will enter into competition 
with and injure their business for the benefit of the 
other class, and is therefore unconstitutional. It is 
hardly likely, however, that they can gain their point, 
as they appear to be stretching the constitutional 
limitations in that direction too far. 
* # 
From Pierre, S. D., comes this statement: 
There Is no more profitable business than poultry farming:. In this 
section there are not enough chickens raised to supply the market, to 
say nothing of the mining region west of us. Express rates are very 
high, and therefore poultry brought from a distance is very expen¬ 
sive. Grain Is cheap, and we hope to see some one start a chicken 
ranch. The climate Is dry and healthful, and poultry seems not to 
be affected by many of those diseases that make such inroads in 
damp climates. 
The present low price of wheat has taught farmers 
many new things about that grain. Some years ago 
he who would have advocated feeding wheat to stock 
would have been laughed at. Wheat was considered 
the grain for human consumption. Now the times are 
changed, and tons of wheat will go to make pork 
rather than bread. And why not eggs and chickens 
as well as pork ? Yes, even in Dakota. At the present 
prices of wheat and eggs, is it not sound economy for 
Dakota to export a portion of the former in the shape 
of the latter ? * * 
Who has not wondered at the delicate mechanism 
of a phonograph? How the sound waves are recorded 
and reproduced at will! After all, it is not half so 
delicate or -wonderful as the way little things are 
branded into the life of a child. The little one is just 
beginning to see and understand things about him. 
He must learn by observation and imitation. Habits 
are formed and impressions created that never can be 
wiped out. You may scratch your furniture and save 
its appearance by putting on more paint and varnish, 
but a scratch on a little child’s heart will leave a scar. 
Do you know why there are so many ill-mannerly, 
rude and selfish children ? They are not altogether 
responsible for their ugly traits. They picked up 
little things from their parents and playmates—scold¬ 
ings, hot words, hateful actions and quarrels. That 
is where the bad qualities come from. A little child’s 
eyes and ears are mirrors. Be careful how you act 
before them. Be careful for the child’s sake if not 
for your own. * * 
For some years past this country and England have 
had a dispute over the seals on the Alaskan coast. 
Great money interests were involved and national 
pride was at stake. Over and over again nations have 
been plunged into war over smaller issues. But there 
was no war in this case. The matter was submitted 
to arbitration, and for weeks the lawyers on either 
side argued with brains instead of bullets. While the 
decision is on some points against the claims of this 
country, there is no effort to find fault or offer to fight 
about it. It is a great triumph for arbitration. We 
may look forward to an International Supreme Court 
where such questions may be decided justly and with¬ 
out violence. There used to be an idea that wars were 
necessary in order to keep alive patriotism and 
national feeling. That is dying cut. We live in hope¬ 
ful anticipation of the time when the peaceful victories 
of the student—the self-denying common man—will 
be ranked above those of the soldier. 
The R, N.-Y. has frequently advocated the sale of 
water in straw- and other berries, as well as in or¬ 
chard fruits, vegetables and other agricultural pro¬ 
ducts ; but it must heartily reprobate the sale of 
water as beef—at least after the fashion found lately 
to be common among Philadelphia cattle dealers. 
These draw most of their supplies “ on the hoof” from 
Chicago, and it has been discovered that after the 
animals have left the Windy City they are never 
watered till they reach the City of Brotherly Love. 
The journey requires 70 hours, and on their arrival 
the wretched beasts are able to drink about 70 pounds 
of water apiece, and this is sold as beef to the butchers. 
It has been customary to give water at Akron, Ohio, 
and East Liberty, Pa., but of late the men in charge 
of the stock have drained off all the water in the 
troughs at these places, so that the parched animals 
could not get a drop. Of course in warm weather 
their agony is fearful; but what care the wretches 
who from their sufferings can, by swindling, gain a 
few dollars ? Isn’t imprisonment too mild a punish¬ 
ment for such brutes ? Would a vigorous application 
of the cat-’o-nine-tails be severe enough ? 
* * 
BREVITIES. 
Here’s a singular thing that we find about wheat: 
Knock off the first letter and then we have heat. 
Appropriate, very, at this time of year. 
But knock off the h and then what have we here? 
What happens the product of mixed heat and wheat? 
It’s well known as bread and the same we do eat. 
Now knock off the e and It’s easy as scat! 
To see that the balance tells where we are at. 
Now si ave off the a and It’s easy to see 
What’s left of our wheat tells the tale to a t, 
And when that goes too we have only zero 
And that’s where wheat prices seem likely to go! 
NO baby-act now ! 
Keep the land at work. 
This weather tries out a man. 
Never make a creditor of your land. 
Those Ohio hens make soap—page 583. 
Present prices make folks bored of trade. 
Eternal honesty the price of independence. 
Have you clipped the weeds In the meadow yet ? 
Pen ny wise means sense expressed with the pen. 
“ I will not quit!” Is the knot that makes ‘ snap.” 
The face of the earth does not need the woodchuck. 
IF you find your “ cheek ” growing, shave or beard It. 
Be careful of the bias on which your thoughts are cut. 
If food wheat drops In price should not seed wheat follow It? 
Does the hired man take his type of manners from the boss ? 
Just as honorable to ship wheat In egg shells as to ship It In bags. 
“ Give us men ! ” That's right, turn In and make one out of your¬ 
self 1 
A cream ” of strong ammonia and whiting will polish all nickel 
work. 
Better be stout than fat. What Is the difference between the two? 
Exercise. 
Better boll and bottle the " hardness ” out of cider, as our friend 
tells us on page 1 72. 
Do you like to invest money that pays no Immediate Interest? Why, 
then, pay for fertilizers that are not at once available ? 
Remember that Crimson clover Is an annual. That Is, it will not 
grow the second season any more than cabbage or corn will. 
When the hen becomes a feather eater, make feathers bitter and 
not sweeter, or give her exercise to heat her, or, as a laBt resort, just 
meat her. 
How many farmers there are who have failed because they did 
thlrgs by halves and expected some mysterious power to supply the 
missing halves. 
It makes one feel bad to see the water In a brook running to waste 
while 25 feet above it crops are dying from thirst I Getting that water 
up to those crops Is irrigation. 
During the month of June 2,338 tons of hay were sent from this 
country to England against 234 tons for June 1892. Holland did better 
yet, sending England 3,587 tons against 1,705 for June 1892. 
Will Scarlet clover sown with Timothy In the late summer or fall 
make such a rank growth In the spring that It will stifle out the 
Timothy? From what we can learn It seems better to sow the Scarlet 
clover alone always. 
What will cure the human habit of eating (and drinking) the funds 
that ought to “feather the nest? ’ Feather eating In hens Is cured by 
putting something bitter on the feathers. Will the bitter experience 
of being bitten answer for humans? 
The man who lets September catch him with a single surplus 
ro ster on his place wculd steal comforts from his v lfe and children. 
Does the surplus rooster lay eggs ? Is he In any way responsible for 
eggB ? Do you keep him for his voice or his society ? Kill him ! 
Fine raw bone and ashes make a good fertilizer for grain or fruit. 
(That does not mean that It Is necessary or even economical to mix 
them before applying. Better use them separately as explained on 
page 573. Do you mix your bread, eggs, coffee, sugar and meat before 
eating? 
In a pound of apples are about 1354 ounces of water and 2)4 ounces 
of dry matter: what do you eat the apple fcr? A tablespoonful of 
elder would give you about all the nourishment there is In It. Still 
you prefer the apple. Why? Because you want to provide work for 
your teeth and stomach? 
Some Idea of the Injury done to European farmers by the terrible 
drought during the past season may be gained by the general accept¬ 
ance In France of the truth of the statement that “ French agricul¬ 
ture has lost as much money this year because of the drought as the 
Germans received by way of war indemnity alter 1870.” The German 
indemnity was five milliards of francs. 
IS there any fear that aggressive woman will soon compete with man 
In anoth-r of his immemorial occupations ? Lady Carlisle, wife of 
the Earl of that name, Is, we are told, training a staff of women gar¬ 
deners to keep the grounds of her Yorkshire home In as perfect order 
as their discharged male predecessors have kept them. It Is reported 
that the fashion 1 b not unlikely to extend In England, and, should It 
do so, will It be likely to cross the Atlantic ? 
