THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 78i 
THE PROSPECT. 
The picture on our first page represents two possi¬ 
bilities, or, rather, one possibility and one strong 
probability. They concern the life of the laborer 
whose daily services to his employer are worth not over 
31.50. If this work be done in the city, the chances 
are that his home will be found just about as our 
artist has drawn it in the upper part of the picture. 
This is the way thousands of poor people live in New 
York. With extortionate rents and exorbitant retail 
prices for provisions and coal, the life of poor laborers 
in the tenement districts of New York may be well 
described as “ a living hell.” Poverty, crime and dis¬ 
ease are ever with them. Lives become hopeless and 
desperate amid such surroundings. There are few 
possibilities for better things, because competition is 
closest_in__tlie_lower walks of life, and the crude labor 
market is always crowded. What is the other side of 
the picture ? Imagine a man using the same force at 
manual labor in the country. If he be faithful, and 
manifest an honest desire to succeed, he will be sure 
to find friends who will help him, and put it within 
his power to build a little home and own a spot of 
land. Instead of paying his little wages to extor¬ 
tionate grocers, coal dealers and landlords, he will be 
able to produce 75 per cent of his supplies on his own 
ground. An honest and sober man, starting with 
ordinary day wages in a country district where there 
are a good many old people, can make the lower part 
of that picture entirely possible. We say he can do it. 
We do not say that all who attempt it will succeed, 
but a failure will be more often due to human weak¬ 
ness than to conditions of country society. 
O 
In many parts of the South, cotton seed is roasted 
before being fed to stock. There is some argument 
as to whether it pays better to feed the seed at home, 
rather than to sell it at the oil mills, but all seem to 
agree that roasting makes the seed a safer feed for 
hogs and cattle. We find in the Farm Implement 
News this story of how seed came to be roasted by 
the inventor of a machine for doing it : 
I had a building burned down which contained several hundred 
bushels of cotton seed. Much of it was burned, bxit a large 
quantity was only fairly roasted. I could not keep the hogs from 
it, although everybody assured me it would kill them. But it did 
not. They throve on it, and came up at Christmas time as fat and 
fine as any of my neighbors’ hogs that had been fed on corn. 
He learned from that experience to go ahead and use 
roasted seed for his stock, as by so doing, he got more 
out of it in feeding value than he otherwise could. 
That was right. Progress is made that way. Suppose 
a farmer were to spill some clover seed in one of his 
fields. Later on, the clover is plowed under, and it is 
found that the crops in that spot are unusually good. 
Of course, he sees at once that the clover was respon¬ 
sible for the increase, and he is not .satisfied until 
clover grows on every available field. Why not? Let’s 
hear from some of you people who do not make half 
the use of clover that you might. 
Q 
A GREAT difference is noted in shape, color and 
quality of specimens of fruit of the same variety 
when grown in different localities. What causes 
this difference ? is a question which cannot always be 
answered. Aside from the common one of effect of 
soil and climate, the selection of buds for propa¬ 
gation from trees, which are slightly different 
from the parent, causes variation. In other cases, 
bud variation, a phenomenon to which are probably 
due most of the existing differences found within the 
varieties of the apple, is the cause. Planters depend 
largely upon the advice of those who have had ex¬ 
perience. All depend upon nurserymen for their 
trees. Some strains of fruit are better, and trees 
more vigorous, than others of the same variety. One 
man has Kings much more oblong in shape, and bet¬ 
ter keepers than the typical King. One Maine grower 
has an apple which takes prizes as a Baldwin, but 
differs so widely in texture and flesh, and flavor, that 
the difference is distinguished when it is cut. From 
California, tyv^o distinct strains of Rome Beauty show 
constant variation in size, form and color, though 
grown in adjoining orchards. Several thousand trees 
of each strain have been propagated, which shows 
that the variation is not due to the direct effect of 
stock upon scion. From the investigations so far 
made, it is evident that even the leading fruit varie¬ 
ties are less accurately designated than is generally 
supposed. A careful investigation by a competent 
person, with a view to selecting the best strains of 
each variety for propagation, would result in great 
future benefit to the fruit-growing public. This in¬ 
vestigation should include a comparison of trees in 
regard to vigor and habit of growth, hardiness and 
productiveness, and of the fruit in regard to size, 
form, color, flavor, season of ripening, and keeping’ 
quality. The approved strains could be propagated 
from scions by nurserymen, and all be benefited. 
The name that heads the list of practical reformers 
of the day, is that of Rev. Chas. H. Parkhurst. This 
brave man has shown the world how wrong and preju¬ 
dice may be overcome by the force of an honest and 
courageous example. It was because Parkhurst dared 
to expose the evils of New York Citj^’s government 
and then had the moral courage to force his disclos¬ 
ures upon the attention of the public, that victory was 
made possible. The following lines, by E. R. Sill, 
seem doubly appropriate at such a time : 
THE REFORMER. 
Before the monstrous wrong: l»e sets him down— 
One man agrainst the stone-walled city of sin. 
For centuries these walls have been a-building; 
Smooth porphyry, they slope and coldly glass 
The flying storm and wheeling sun. No chink, 
No crevice lets the thinne.st arrow in. 
He fights alone, and from the cloudy ramparts 
A thousand evil faces gibe and jeer him. 
. Let him lie down and die; what is the right. 
And where is ju.stice in a world like this ? 
But by and by, earth shakes herself, impatient; 
And dow'n, in one great roar of ruin, crash 
Watch-tower and citadel and battlements. 
When the red du.st ha.s cleared, the lonely soldier 
Stands with strange thoughts beneath the friendly stars. 
This great result in New York City shows, too, the 
power of the church as a practical working force for 
better things. In these times, when the country is 
full of complaining people, and when voters are reck¬ 
lessly rushing from one party to another for redress, 
the great body of conservative voters must be truer 
than ever to the principles of true morality that under¬ 
lie every real reform. The times demand a Parkhurst 
in every school district in this land—one who will 
stand uj) bravely and honestly for justice and honor, 
ever ready to knife a humbug and to tell the truth. 
O 
It ought to be easy for any farmer to see the advan¬ 
tages of cooperation in buying and .selling. A blind 
man can also see that if the share usually paid to the 
middleman and handler be paid to the producer, there 
must of nece.ssity be more profit and pleasure in farm¬ 
ing. Another self-evident fact is that if the farmers’ 
sons can be made to see that there is a satisfactory 
place and share for them on the old farm, they will 
stay thei’e ; if they have any inclination for agricul¬ 
ture. Having stated these self-evident propositions, 
we will ask you to read this letter from a subscriber 
in Pennsylvania : 
What do you think of the change I have made, and our chances 
of success? My farm is 13 miles from a city of 6.5,000 inhabitants, 
and 1*4 mile from the depots of four railroads, giving an oppor¬ 
tunity of several trains per day to the city if I desire to ship. I 
am growing considerable choice fruit—strawberries—also pota¬ 
toes and other vegetables, and fresh eggs, which I furnish direct 
to customers in the city. I have two sons; one is married, and I 
have given them both a share in the proceeds of the farm, to help 
me work it this year. My wife and I have moved into the city 
within the past few days, leaving the sons on the farm to manage 
the gi’owing and shipping the produce, while I do the selling. I 
have horses enough, so that I can keep one team with me, and 
leave enough on the farm to do the work there and hauling to the 
city, when most convenient or pi’ofitable, the farm produce. 
We cull thut un ideul urrungement for growing und 
selling farm produce. It is just what might be done 
in thousands of places in this country. If that will 
not settle the question of the middleman, satisfy the 
young men, and give father a chance to keep in the 
business, too, we don’t know what will. The advan¬ 
tages of such a scheme are easily seen, and just such 
family cooperation as this will go far to settle the 
middleman question. Who el.se will try it ? 
O 
We have referred to the fact that the San Jos6 
Scale insect has been found on trees in New York 
State. Next week we hope to give pictures of the in¬ 
sect and of its work. The dangerous character of 
this insect invasion may be seen from the following 
letter from J. A. Lintner, State Entomologist of New 
York : 
“No more destructive scale than this could be in¬ 
troduced into our orchards. If permitted to multiply 
and spread, it might ruin our fruit industry. In 
three or four years, the inconspicuous scale will com¬ 
pletely cover the bark of young trees, and necessarily 
kill them. Thus far, I know it only on Long Island 
and in Columbia County. (Perhaps I should say, I 
knew it in Columbia County, for in the single orchard 
in which it was found there, it has been most vigor¬ 
ously fought, and we believe, exterminated.) The 
last trees upon which it could be found, were during 
the last week taken up and burned. It must he exter¬ 
minated in this State. The Division of Entomology at 
Washington is fighting it successfully in Maryland 
and Virginia. Prof. J. B. Smith is doing the .same in 
New Jersey where it has abounded, and hopes to ex¬ 
terminate it during the winter. But thei-e is a diffi¬ 
culty with it on Long Island, where it has taken 
possession of some nurseries. The agents of the 
Geneva Agricultural Experiment Station, stationed 
at Jamaica, and under a special legislative appropria¬ 
tion are conducting entomological investigations on 
the Island, report that some of the nurserymen re¬ 
fuse to take any measures for its destruction. This 
indifference on their part, in view of the gi'eat danger 
resulting from the maintenance of an infested dis¬ 
tributing locality, cannot possibly be allowed. They 
should see the importance of active work against it, 
and at once enter upon it as was done by the New 
Jersey nurserymen, for the publication of the locali¬ 
ties and names of the proprietors of the "nurseries, 
would certainly cut off any further .sales of young 
fruit trees for some time to come. Under such con¬ 
siderations, if they still decline to take up and burn 
their most badly infested stock, and spi’ay the re¬ 
mainder with a whale-oil .soap soHition which will 
kill the scales, it only remains to have .such a law 
passed by our Legislature this winter, as will author¬ 
ize the effectual doing of the work by others. The 
insect must be stamped out now, for if deferred, it 
will not be possible to accomplish it a year or two 
later.” 
O 
Each day in the year the people of New York City 
furnish 800 tons of garbage or swill. Thi.s repre.sents 
the wastes of food from tables and provision stores. 
Under present arrangements, this swill is carted to 
the docks and dumped on to huge scows or flatboats. 
I he filthy mass is picked over by Italians, who re¬ 
move the bones, and then taken far out to sea and 
dumped into the water. This method is expensive and 
unhealthful. Other cities have begun to burn this 
garbage or treat it with chemicals, and a month or 
more ago a committee was appointed to visit various 
places and witness the operation of the different pro- 
ces.ses. After examining about 70 such processes, the 
committee issues its report. There are two chief 
methods of disposing of this swill. One is to subject 
it to a high steam heat, and thus extract the grease— 
the residue to be roasted, ground and crushed into a 
cheap form of tankage to be used as a fertilizer. By 
this process it is claimed that each ton of swill would 
yield grease and tankage worth .34.83 or a total of 
33,8.58 per day. Another plan is completely to burn 
the swill to a.shes, by using kerosene sprayed all 
through it while burning. In this way, all the grease 
and organic matter would be consumed, while the 
ashes would average 3593 per day in value. The 
steaming plan is far more expensive than the other, 
but the committee recommend it. In either case, the 
swill must be collected alone—without being mixed 
w ith coal ashe.s or rubbish. We hope that this plan 
of cheaply utilizing swill, will come into general use 
all over the country—producing new sources of fer¬ 
tility, and saving wastes. 
o 
When a man gets hold of a thing for which there is 
considerable competition, it seems to be “ human 
nature ” for him to try to get all he can out of it. So 
long as a man gives good measure and guaranteed 
quality, we are not disposed to quarrel with him for 
asking what the public are willing to pay, provided 
he does not create a monopoly in some necessity of 
life. In that ca.se, he is no better than a thief, and 
should be punished as such. The special article of 
commerce we have in mind now, is the Carman No. 1 
potato. This variety promises to be very popular, 
and all potato growers are anxious to obtain .some for 
seed. The supply is limited, and prices are, therefore, 
high. I hi.s seed is not a neces.sity, and farmers are 
not obliged to buy it if they think the price exce.ssive. 
Those who buy it, do so as a speculation, expecting to 
.sell next year’s crop to others. They simply compete 
with others for the price. But what about the qiuility 
of the seed ? For example, here is a letter from a 
buyer: 
I got one peck for $1. They are a.s .scabby a lot of potatoes as I 
ever saw, only three potatoes in the lot are entirely free from the 
canker, while some look like an old cork. I feel disappointed, and 
think it a pretty scabby business to send out such scabby stock, 
before notifying a customer that it’s the kind you have to sell. 
No man has any right to sell such stock as these pota¬ 
toes are represented to be for pure, sound seed. It is 
worse than sending sick or lousy poultry as “guaran¬ 
teed stock. 1 he potato scab is a disease that can be 
largely prevented by proper treatment. It is an in¬ 
jury to a man’s reputation nowadays, to broadcast 
thi.s disease, even on ordinary varieties. To dump 
such a lot of “ leavings ” on a customer who in good 
faith pays a high price for a new variety, is like sub¬ 
stituting brass for the true metal in the Golden Rule. 
Such cupidity will turn out to be stupidity in the long 
run. for it will ruin a man’s business to raise .scabs on 
his reputation. 
BUSINESS BITS. 
The Homer Fence Co., of Homer, Mich., make a fence that seems 
to meet the requirements of farmers and it is being used quite ex¬ 
tensively. 
Washing machines are fast becoming popular. The New Becker 
is manufactured by N. G. Baughman, York, Pa. It gives good 
satisfaction. 
You will soon be looking for a Christmas present for the boy. 
Why not give him one of those printing presses made by Kelsey <fc 
Co., Meriden, Conn.? They can be made useful and profitable; as 
well as amusing. 
Mr. G. R. Foulke, We.st Chester, Pa., is a prominent breeder of 
the true type of Chester White pigs. He sends out only first-class, 
registered stock, and guarantees satisfaction. This is the class 
of breeders we like to introduce to R. N.-Y. readers. 
Many farmers would raise and feed more roots than they do, if 
it were not for the danger of choking stock or the labor of cutting 
the roots. These objections are however, overcome by the use of 
cutting machines. The Banner Root cutter will cut 60 bushels an 
hour by hand power. It is a strong, durable machine, and leaves 
the roots in long, thin, half-round slices, which do away with a 
danger of choking. O. E. Thomp.son & Sons, Ypsilanti, Mich., 
the manufacturers, and will send description on application. 
