652 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
October 13 
THE 
Rural New-Yorker 
Oar. Ohamber$ tmd Pearl 8t»., New York. 
A Natisaal Waekly Joarnal for Coantry and Bnbarban Hamoa. 
BI.BBBT g. CABMAN, Bdltor-ln-Cblof. 
MBBBEBT W. COLLINGWOOD, MsnaRlng Editor 
JOHN J. DILLON, Business Manairer. 
Copyrighted 1894. 
Address all business oommunloatlons and make all orders pay¬ 
able to THE BUBAL NKW-TOBKBB. 
Be sure that the name and address of sender, with name of Post 
office and State, and what the remittance Is for, appear In every letter. 
Money orders and bank drafts on New Tork are the safest means of 
transmitting monev. 
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13. 1894. 
Fob the next eight monthe, E. S. Carman would pre¬ 
fer that his friends address all communications to No. 
5 West 82nd St., New York City, instead of River 
Edge, N. J. ^ 
Wbite us about what to you is the most interesting 
thing on your farm. Give us the thought that haunts 
you and won’t give you Zest until it is started some¬ 
where in practice. The R. N.-Y is just the paper for 
such things. Besides, we are on the lookout now for 
new contributors who care to earn a little cash. 
* 
Questions for that “ Primer Science” department 
have begun to come in. We hope to start it next 
week. Most of the questions are about fertilizers and 
manurial values, and how to make a “balanced ration” 
out of ordinary stock foods. The R. N.-Y. realizes 
that it has undertaken a big contract in trying to 
“translate” some of the agricultural science that is 
now so freely offered. However, we shall try it. 
« 
Among other labor questions presented by readers is 
the following timely one : 
When help can be hired for $1 and board per day, and apples are 
worth $1 per barrel, would it not be better to pick the apples by hand 
than by machinery? Is not much of the fruit damaged In falling upon 
limbs when picked by machinery ? 
We would advise hand picking in such a case. What 
do apple growers have to say about it ? 
* 
Qovebnob Floweb, of New York State, continues 
to tell the farmers what great things are being done 
for them by the State Agricultural Department. We 
would like a few details. We have heard a general 
statement of these great benefits long enough. Why 
was the old New York State Dairymen’s Association 
crippled by withholding their usual appropriation ? It 
is reported that the San Jos^ scale insect is being 
brought into the State on California fruit. These are 
matters that might properly be handled and discussed 
by an agricultural department. What about them ? 
« 
Readebs are sending us answers to those questions 
about the present income from the farm which were 
printed on page 598. We expect to gather some very 
interesting statistics in this way. As a rule, what is 
known as “the average farmer”—the one who changes 
little in his methods and grows the ordinary farm 
crops, seems to be having hard work to make both 
ends meet. The “ specialists” are doing somewhat 
better, and their figures will show something of the 
possibilities of farming ; but their expenses are higher 
and are increasing all the time. It will be a very in¬ 
teresting discussion, and we shall all learn something 
from it. ^ 
We find a number of persons who oppose building 
and loan associations because they say the rates of in¬ 
terest to borrowers, including premiums, are extor¬ 
tionate. It is true that the borrower is called upon to 
pay a higher rate of interest than if he borrowed an 
equal amount of money of some friend who had an in¬ 
terest in his welfare. When we think of the thou¬ 
sands of homes that have been built—many of which 
would not otherwise have been started—by means of 
these loans, we must admit that the system has merit. 
We know of a young man who built a house in this 
way, and at once rented the larger part of it to an¬ 
other party. The difference between the rent thus 
received and his dues to the building and loan asso¬ 
ciation is but $6 a month, yet in three years more the 
house will belong to him, clear of any incumbrance. 
This is a good illustration of the folly and hopeless¬ 
ness of paying rent for any long period. One great 
advantage of the building and loan association is that 
the payments must be made monthly, like rent or in¬ 
terest. Most people find it easier to make small pay¬ 
ments in this way than to accumulate a comparatively 
large sum to pay off a mortgage in one payment. If 
there were only some way in which the principles of 
the building and loan associations could be applied to 
the payment of farm debts, we think American agri¬ 
culture would be better off. The great difficulties are 
to get ample security for the money, and to get 
farmers really to engage in real cooperation. 
» 
The State of Georgia is likely soon to become noted 
for its dairy products. The experiment station in that 
State has long taught and explained the advantages of 
dairying, and now this work is bearing fruit. A 
dairyman’s association has been organized, and the 
chances are that the new departure will be vigorously 
pushed and developed. There are many parts of the 
South that possess great advantages of soil and 
climate. Some 'of the best herds of Jersey cattle in 
this country are to be found south of Kentucky. One 
reason why dairying should be developed at the South 
is the fact that a majority of the Congressmen who 
vote against bills to prevent the fraudulent sale of 
“ oleo,” come from the cotton States. An argument 
they use is that the increased sale of this fraudulent 
stuff gives a new demand and value to cotton oil. 
Cover their home States with dairies and creameries, 
and they will soon take another view of the matter. 
• 
In these days of tuberculosis “scares,” the facts 
brought out about consumption have had the effect of 
bringing into special prominence the great value of 
the dry, pure air of the high Western plains as a cura¬ 
tive agent. Some remarkable cures have been effected 
by the patients simply living out-doors in Colorado or 
Wyoming. A well-known friend of The R. N.-Y. 
writes thus about his son who, at the first indication of 
genuine consumption, was taken at once to Colorado : 
He was apparently well In eight months, but as some suffer a relapse 
from too quick return home, I shall let him stay the two years. I have 
talked and made Inquiry until I am satisfied that the consumption 
curing properties of the dry desert air, are not well enough known or 
appreciated by most people In the East. 
From an experience of several years in Colorado with 
a good chance to observe the course of the disease in 
a number of consumptives, the writer believes that 
this “ desert air” is by far the best consumption cure 
known. 
*r 
A COKBESPONDENT writes US a long letter to tell us 
how he has been swindled by a commission merchant 
who fails to make returns for goods sent. He asks us 
to help him, and states that he incloses the name of 
the delinquent, and his letter asking for the shipment. 
So far, so good, but nothing of the kind was inclosed. 
As our mind reader is away on an indefinite vacation, 
and we have no prophet on our force at present, ic is 
easy to see that we are powerless to comply with his 
request. It is also easy to see that if he was as care 
less in shipping his goods, the fault may have been his 
own. One of our advertisers tells of receiving a letter 
inquiring about shipping dried apples to him, and ask¬ 
ing for stencil and snipping instructions. Dried apples 
are good property this year, and this man was more 
than willing to handle them. But the inquirer 
neglected to sign his name, so it was impossible to 
comply with his request. Is it any wonder that such 
carelessness leads to misunderstandings and losses on 
the part of the inquirers? Such people should ne^er 
undertake to ship goods, but should sell them at home. 
* 
A COMMON complaint among strawberry growers is 
the expense of keeping, or rather, getting, out the 
weeds. After one crop, the bed is turned under be¬ 
cause it is weedy. No one will contend that the second 
crop would not pay if the bed were clean. “ My crop 
was a failure,” confesses a noted grower, “ because 
the weeds got the start of me in the spring. The 
plants were crowded, shaded, and choked for want of 
the water taken by the weeds.” He is mistaken. The 
weeds did not get the start of him in spring but in the 
fall. October and November is the time when they 
start. They are small, and seem so insignificant that 
not one in fifty attends to them. A sharp pointed hoe 
and a lively boy make a good combination for exter¬ 
minating them. Every cent paid now brings dollars 
next fruiting time. Let the bed go into winter quar 
ters clean, and you will not suffer from weeds next 
season, even if no labor is done till after fruiting, and 
the mulch contains weed seeds. 
« 
“ I can’t supply half the demand for my butter,” 
said a farmer’s wife who has built up a trade among 
private customers. She began in a small way by 
supplying to a few friends in a nearby city, a choice 
article. These friends were so well pleased that they 
told other friends, and a regular and continuous 
demand has resulted at a uniform price per pound, far 
beyond the ability to supply. It was a simple, inex¬ 
pensive method of building up a trade. The cows 
composing the herd were no belter than those found 
on many a farm, though the effort to improve has 
been constant, and careful testing has weeded out 
unprofitable animals. The facilities and appliances at 
command were nothing more than are at the command 
of the average farmer. Is there not such an opening 
for your dairy products ? Is there not a town or city 
within reach of you where the people are longing for 
regular supplies of just such farm products as you can 
furnish, and who will gladly pay you good prices 
therefor ? Before you do any more grumbling over 
hard times, consider the matter. 
Extended observation seems to show a decided de¬ 
crease in the use of barbed wire for fencing. There 
was a well-founded prejudice against it on account of 
the danger to stock. This liability to injury is greater 
from poorly and improperly constructed fences than 
from those carefully and correctly built. But there 
is always more or less danger. Many other kinds of 
patent fence have been tried—some have been found 
wanting, and others have proved admirably adapted 
to the desired end. But, throughout the North, one 
is impressed with the fact that hedges are not gaining 
in favor. Metal fences largely predominate, and some 
forms of wire fence—without the barbs—or wire and 
wood in combination, play the largest part. Another 
reason for the decadence of the barbed wire, may be 
the extortionate prices exacted by the Trust. It is to 
be hoped that their greed will meet its own reward. 
But then, perhaps their next move would be to gobble 
up some of the other favorite fence materials and 
create a monopoly of them. 
* 
BREVITIES. 
Perched In state upon the sideboard —In the place reserved for ‘‘best” 
Sat old Kelffer in nls rcllow coal and gaily painted vest, 
And all humbly far below him with a meek and patient air 
Just a little dwarf in stature sat poor Mr. Seckel Pear. 
*• Ah 1 ” said Seckel unto Kelffer, *• If I only had your size 
And your handsome suit of clothing, 1 would surely win a prize!" 
Then said Kelffer confidentially, " If I could only take 
Of your sweetness and your flavor—what a fortune I could make. 
Let us make a combination which should surely bear my name." 
No! No! No!” said little Seckel, "I can see your little game. 
I'm to have the job of naming—it's my privilege. 1 guess. 
If 1 furnish all the flavor and you only size and dress.” 
“ No, slree.” said sturdy Kelffer, " that won’t satisfy at all, 
you can give up your Identity or stay forever small.” 
" Small It Is” said saucy Seckel. “I'll remain a dwarf before 
1 will change my name to Kelffer—I’m a Seckel to the core ” 
So we have the little Seckel sweet as honey—pure and fresh. 
And the gay deceiver, Kelffer, with Its coarse and common flesh. 
And It’s so with human beings - though their lacks and faults they see, 
They’ll endure them ere they'll give away their own Identity. 
What pays better than the best? 
To catch up you must first “catch on.” 
The Medium clover seed crop is very short. 
Many a horse loses flesh because of a bad tooth. 
A LOOP hole in a henhouse may mean a roup bole. 
What is the spring that gives force to a man’s “snap 7” 
Twist out the small stumps with a stout pole and chain. 
What objections to corn stalks as a mcleb for strawberries? 
Lost! Lost! Lost! All the milk and butter fed to old Jack Frost. 
The Bose pear may be called the “boss” without any catering to 
slang. 
We need a parity of size and flavor between Kelffer and Seckel 
pears. 
We are eating the finest of Evergreen corn from plantings as late as 
July 4. 
Give us a good argument why the State should pay for a slaughtered 
tuberculous cow! 
We want a hen that can manufacture eggs at one cent each. 
Nominations are In order. 
COKN compared with mangels for feeding—page 069. Let us have 
fair estimates from feeders. 
Calipohnia fruit growers are discussing new methods of cooling 
fruit cars. Ice costs loo much, both first c )6t and freight. 
Ip sulphuric acid will dissolve bones why should it not dissolve 
stumps? Our friend on page 650 claims that It will. Why not? 
It Is the duty of every dairyman to vote for a man who will support 
the great anil-oleo bill—that is If he has any regard for his business. 
When to your flock comes lyrantroup. you say with heart a-droop, 
would that those birds had entered soup before they caught the 
roup. 
Yod never can further your plans by lying awake nights to thl .k 
about them. Night Is the time for rest and sleep. The plans will be 
better for a rest. 
To Irrigate one acre of land once properly will require more water 
than 40 cows will drink in a whole year! No pump can do that with¬ 
out a big reservoir. 
A phihnd of the Ayrshlres puts In a word for his favorites on page 
659. Thai’s right. Let's hear wnat the different breeds can do and 
are doing. Down with the scrubs. 
The pot-hunter comes with his dogs and h’s guns and his bag open 
wide for your game. Your trouble commences-he pulls down your 
fences and seis all your woods In a flame. 
Business is slowly improving all over the country. Many factories 
are starling, but too often with a reduction In wages. We are sorry 
for that, though It is what we have predicted. 
IN the South, rye Is sown late In the fall much as we plant fodder 
corn at the North—thickly In rows 18 Inches apart. This gives a taU, 
rank growth w.ilch may be easily cut with sickle or scythe. 
C. L. Newman of the Arkansas Experiment Station tells how he 
caught 11 live moles by throwing them out Of their runs with a long- 
handled shovel. This method has never been satisfactory to The 
U. N.-Y. 
Uebe Is one of the problems of the ages. The groceryman can come 
to your orchard, fill hlB pockets and stomach with choice fruit You 
go to his store and help yourself to the same value of peanuts or 
candy and you are a thief. Why? 
We have had excellent success wlih bush Lima beans this year—so 
far as crop Is concerned; yet we never expect to plant them largely 
again. Unless the vines are held up in some way, the pods rest on the 
ground and beceme too dusty and diity, 
The world has come to regard Siberia as a wild, desolate country- 
Hi only for convicts. The completion of a railroad through that 
country shows that within a few years It will export several million 
bushels of wheat, thus adding more than ever to the world’s supply. 
