1893 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
769 
THE PROSPECT. 
A commendable enterprise on the part of several of 
the agricultural colleges is the starting of reading 
clubs for the study of agricultural literature among 
farmers who do not attend college. The latest circular 
at hand is from the Agricultural College of Michigan. 
In this case a special course of reading has been pre¬ 
pared on lines that will prove of particular value to 
farmers. Old and young alike are invited to read 
through the course, and an accurate list of all persons 
taking it will be kept. When one has finished study¬ 
ing a certain book he may make out a report of it and 
send to the secretary, F. B. Munford, Agricultural 
College, Michigan. After a certain number of these 
reports have been accepted, a diploma is to be granted. 
Thus it will be seen that the system is somewhat like 
that of the Chautauqua Reading Circles. It seems to 
us like an excellent plan and we hope it will be well 
patronized by farmers and their families. 
X X t 
The new Belgian constitution gives one vote to 
every citizen over 25 years of age who is not disquali¬ 
fied by law. In addition, supplementary votes are 
given to men 35 years old, married or with legitimate 
children who pay at least $1 in personal taxes, one 
more to those who own a certain amount of property, 
and also one more to these who win diplomas or other 
certificates of education. Nobody can have more than 
three votes, and voting is obligatory—those who do 
not vote or give satisfactory reasons for not doing so 
are punished. It is considered that this makes the 
greatest advance yet made in true democracy or rule 
by the people. While all have a right to vote, it is 
thought that the extra votes will enable wealth and 
invested property to protect itself. While the edu¬ 
cated classes also have some little advantage which is 
open to all who will avail themselves of it. The pro¬ 
vision making it an obligation for all voters to cast a 
ballot is a good one, and might well be introduced in 
this country.:] J t J 
The Populists in this country are not by any means 
the only persons who desire that the people should 
have a greater share and ownership in public enter¬ 
prises. In Europe, too, the idea is growing more and 
more that monopolies in coal, light, transportation, 
etc., should never be permitted. For several months 
past a great coal strike has prevailed in England. 
The chances now are that the striking miners will 
win the points for which they contended; but the 
most remarkable outcome of the strike is a demand 
by the Socialists and Radicals that the coal fields 
should pass into the hands of the State in order to 
prevent combinations for high prices or low wages. 
It is surprising to see how, in one form or another, 
this proposition is favored by good people. In fact, 
what are the arguments in favor of a system that per¬ 
mits a few men to control the price of a necessary 
article like coal ? In Switzerland, the people are 
about to vote on a proposition which would recognize 
by law a man’s right to work. It is in effect, that it 
is the duty of the government to provide work for the 
idle and to plan and carry out public improvements 
for the sake of providing “ a job ” for men who have 
labor to offer. J J J 
The fall elections have resulted in an overwhelm¬ 
ing victory for the Republicans. In New York State 
this party, so long out of power, has swept everything 
before it, electing not only State officers and legisla¬ 
ture, but what is of more importance, a majority of 
the delegates to the convention for revising the State 
constitution. This remarkable result is due largely 
to a belief on the part of many good citizens that the 
State Democratic party is run by a ring or “machine” 
that puts its own political welfare above that of the 
people at large. A nomination that was objection¬ 
able to many members of the party was forced upon 
it by this “ring.” As a result thousands of good 
Democrats voted against their ticket as their only 
means of showing their disapproval of the methods 
adopted by the bosses. The lessons of this election, 
as well as that in New Jersey, are that old-time party 
ties are breaking up, and that the ranks of political 
independents are rapidly filling. The Republicans 
won in this contest simply because they nominated 
men in whom the peopie had confidence, and who 
seemed to promise political cleanliness and reform. 
If the acts of the Republicans forfeit the respect and 
confidence of the people, down they will go—and 
serve them right, too. 
X X t 
Governor McKinley’s great victory in Ohio, and 
the result in Iowa and Massachusetts, where national 
issues were made prominent, make it evident that 
many who liked the theory of a change in the tariff, 
do not like so well an actual taste of such a change. 
In England, Switzerland or France, such a complete 
change of opinion expressed at the ballot box would 
result in a change in the policy of the government, 
and the proposed tariff changes would probably be 
given up. It is not likely, however, that this election 
will have much of any effect upon President Cleve¬ 
land and the Democrats in Congress. They have been 
elected for a certain time, and are safe to carry out 
their plans unmolested. It is a question whether, 
under our form of government, the will of the people 
as expressed at the ballot-box can be carried out 
quicker and surer than in England. The Populists 
seem to be thriving. In the Eastern States they in¬ 
creased their vote somewhat, but in the South and 
West they easily took rank with the old parties in 
organization and voting strength. On the whole the 
efforts made in the past few years to introduce the 
secret ballot in most of the States seem to have been 
successful in adding to the list of independent and 
conscientious voters; which is a most desirable outcome. 
t X X 
Since preparing the table of imports and exports of 
agricultural products given on page 774, the report 
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893 complete has 
come to hand. This shows that in this year our im¬ 
ports of wool were valued at $21,064,180, an increase 
of $1,376,072 over the previous year, while our ex¬ 
ports of wool were valued at $14,808, a decrease of 
$15,856. It is hard to see low any one could have 
thought that our exports of this product exceeded the 
imports. Another remarkable thing about our for¬ 
eign trade may be learned from the following table : 
1893. 1892. 
Total value of Imports.*868,400.922 *827,402,462 
Total value of exports. 831,030,785 1,015,723,011 
This shows that we are paying more and more for 
foreign goods, while the value of our own goods sent 
abroad is falling off. Regarding the imports of the 
two years, in 1893 we bought $52,453,907 worth more 
of the goods on which duties were paid, and $13,455,- 
477 less of those that were admitted free. On the 
single article of coffee which was free, the decrease in 
value of the 1893 importations was $50,132 624. As to 
exports, there was a loss of $184,701,226, chiefly on 
cotton ($69,689,796), breadstuffs ($99,050,463), animals 
($8,970,236), seeds, provisions, fruits, etc. The heav¬ 
iest single loss was on wheat ($67,864,162), or 40,159,- 
242 bushels. In most of these items the chief loss is 
due to the fact that the valuations per bushel or pound 
were lower than in 1892. That is, Americans received 
less for every bushel and pound sent abroad. While 
in some cases they sent more than they did the pre¬ 
vious year, the total price obtained was much less. 
X t X 
So many conflicting stories have been told about the 
efforts to employ prison labor in Minnesota for making 
binding twine, that we were unable to tell whether it 
was a success or not. We wrote to a number of farm¬ 
ers in that State for information. Among others, the 
following letter was received from S. M. Owens, 
editor of Farm, Stock and Home : 
The system was successful from the start and Is very popular. 
There Is no disposition to forego the work by the authorities, and the 
farmers would not tolerate it If there were any. While but a small 
proportion of the twine used In the State was made at the prison the 
effect on the price of all was undoubtedly good. At all events, the 
very best of hemp twine was made and sold at cost of production, and 
that price was met by other manufacturers. The opinion here Is that 
making binding twine In prison Is an excellent way to employ prison 
labor that else would be employed In competing with free labor In 
industries In the State, there being no twine made In the State out¬ 
side of prison. 
If this is so who writes the reports in the daily 
papers ridiculing the experiment and declaring con¬ 
vict labor at twine making a failure ? That is the 
sort of information Secretary Morton prescribes for 
farmers! XXX 
The Germans have the reputation of buying for 
quality, that is, they give a thorough test to all arti¬ 
cles of food sent them by other nations. American 
pork and corn meal have been forced to meet such a 
test, and now American hay is under fire. When Rus¬ 
sian hay was excluded from Germany, American 
dealers at once saw a chance to secure a new market 
for their product. They must have sent some poor 
samples, for the German chemists report that this 
American hay is much inferior to the English product 
in feeding value. As a result of these analyses and 
comments by the German chemists, Consul Stephan 
writes to the State Department as follows : 
These analyses certainly make a bad showing. If Americans wish 
to open up a hay market In Germany this winter, they will have to 
send the very best on hand, and not—as some German papers have 
complained—make this country a dumping ground for half-rotted 
grass simply because hay Is scarce. Rather than feed this, the farmer 
will reduce his stock. 
It is certainly unfortunate that Americans should 
lose a good hay market through the carelessness or 
cupidity of hay dealers. 
X X X 
Consul Chancellor, of Havre, France, also protests 
against the way American hay is sent into that coun¬ 
try. He says: 
The bales of hay received here are not always what they are repre¬ 
sented to be, or what they should be, and naturally complaint Is 
made of the fraud. On the outside, as far as can be seen, the hay is 
good: In the middle It Is rotten or of an Inferior quality, which at 
times has caused the seller at this port great Inconvenience and loss 
—the purchaser In the Interior coming back on him for Indemnity. 
* * * * Hay has never before come to Europe in such bad condition 
as It has recently, the bales being badly packed or pressed, and not 
unfrequently In a state of decay. If there were Inspectors and proper 
warehouses at the shipping ports, the factors and brokers would not 
be able to sell hay In such condition except at depreciated prices. 
The same fault is found with the way American cot¬ 
ton is baled and packed, but the complaint is louder 
and more general about our hay, as this is something 
of a new product abroad. Such practice will surely 
ruin our foreign trade before it fairly begins. Cana¬ 
dian hay of poor quality has also been sent abroad 
from our ports. It is bad enough to be hurt by our 
own mistakes without having our neighbors help in 
the bad cause. It]; 
Hay as a market crop is attracting more attention 
this year than ever before. The foreign demand 
earlier in the season stimulated the market greatly, 
and led to many false hopes of exorbitant prices. 
Owing to the cessation of the drought in Europe, fol¬ 
lowed by an abundant aftermath, and an extreme 
economy in the use of fodder, the demand from that 
quarter has fallen short of expectations. Exporters, 
too, have lost largely on later shipments, as so much 
was sent abroad that the markets were overstocked, 
and prices declined rapidly. In this country, too, 
prices have not reached the extreme limit expected 
by many producers. Farmers have been more care¬ 
ful to save all the fodder, as well as more prudent in 
feeding. The many small consumers who must needs 
purchase their supplies, have also been more spariug 
in buying. All this has led to an accumulation in 
many markets which has seriously depressed prices. 
Other markets are well supplied, but without any 
great surplus. In none is there apparently a shortage. 
The Hay Trade Journal publishes the highest prices 
ruling for hay in a number of markets, on November 
3. They are as follows : 
Boston. 
...*18 00 
Omaha. 
.. *7 00 
Providence. 
... 18 00 
M tnneupolis. 
.. 7 50 
New York. 
... 18 00 
Chicago. 
.. 11 50 
Brooklyn. 
... 18 00 
Cincinnati. 
. . U T5 
Jersey City. 
...13 00 
Louisville. 
.. IS 50 
Philadelphia. 
... 18 00 
Toledo. 
.. 13 00 
Baltimore. 
... 15 60 
Detroit. 
.. 12 00 
Washington, 1). C... 
... 16 00 
Cleveland. 
.. IS 50 
Buffalo. 
... 13 00 
St. Louis. 
..IS 50 
Rochester. 
...15 00 
Montreal. 
.. 11 .0 
Worcester. 
...18 00 
San KranclBCO. 
.. IS 50 
Savannah . 
... 16 00 
New Orleans. 
.. IK 00 
Charleston. 
... 17 00 
Augusta, Ga. 
.. 16 75 
Jacksonville. 
. . 16 25 
Kansas City. 
.. 9 50 
Birmingham. 
... 15 25 
St. Paul. 
.. 7 50 
Memphis. 
... 1? 25 
Washington, N. C... 
.. 17 50 
Pittsburgh. 
... 14 25 
Quebec . 
.. II to 
Milwaukee. 
... 11 00 
Raleigh. 
.. 19 Of) 
Duluth. 
...10 50 
Richmond. 
.. 16 00 
X * X 
It will be noticed that there is a wide variation in 
different parts of the country. This is due in some 
cases to local causes, but generally to the fact that 
hay is an expensive article to ship on account of its 
bulky character. There is little variation in the great 
Eastern markets, and next to these come those of the 
South, several of which are nearly as high, one, 
Raleigh, N. C., being quoted the highest of any in the 
country. The two Canadian markets quoted, although 
both important market centers, are much lower than 
the American markets of equal prominence, either 
Eastern or Southern. The lowest prices of any are 
those of the trans-Mississippi cities, all but St. Louis 
being extremely low. There may be some difference, 
in these several markets, in the grades of hay that 
bring highest prices. Many of the markets are said 
to be suffering with a surplus of clover and mixed 
hay, as well as of the lower grades of Timothy. It 
costs just as much to handle and ship a ton of this 
low-grade hay, as it does of the best Timothy. It is 
therefore poor policy to send this hay to market under 
existing conditions. It is not wanted to any extent, 
and, if sold, must often be sacrificed. Not only this, 
but an over-supply and consequent low prices of the 
poorer grades, always react, to a certain extent, on 
the price of the higher grades. Choice Timothy will 
always sell well, however, especially in the Eastern 
markets, but it is estimated that not over 10 per cent 
of the best grades of hay received, will actually come 
up to the grade. . . . 
Considerable prairie hay is made in the Western 
States, and this is generally considered excellent for 
horses; some say superior to any other hay grown. 
Some of this shipped to England the past summer did 
not meet with an encouraging reception, owing, it is 
said, to the conservatism of John Bull in taking noth¬ 
ing that is different from what he is accustomed to 
using. If this hay ever is accepted in the Old Coun¬ 
try, however, it can be placed there at a much lower 
price than our Eastern hay. The opening up of the 
new ports in the South mentioned last week will do 
wonders for the shippers of the South and West. The 
rates to Europe will be materially lessened and the 
length of the railroad haul will be greatly shortened. 
This will mean to the great territory which comprises 
some of the most productive of our vast domain an 
immense boom. In bulky products, especially, like 
hay, will there be a great advantage over existing 
conditions. . . . 
BUSINESS BITS. 
Do you want a black cattle coat, a fur coat or robe for yourself or a 
muff or seal cape for your wife or daughter ? E. U. Hardy, Ablngton, 
Ill., manufactures these goods and will send them to you direct. 
IS It going to pay you to turn cows out In the cold to suck drinking 
water through the Ice this winter? Or will it pay better to put 
Buckley's watering device Into the stable? C. E. Buckley & Co., 
Dover Plains, N. Y., will f urnish Information In regard to this device. 
Our young friend, Mr. C. E. Chapman. Peruvllle, Tompkins County, 
N. Y., believes In using The It. N.-Y. as a middleman. He has been 
doing It for several years, and Is so well pleased with the results that 
he continues to use it every time he has anything to sell. See his 
advertisements this week. Potatoes, Brown Leghorns and Jersey 
bulls are the articles he wants The Ruuai. to sell for him. 
