368 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
May 25 
AWeCoIoM 
" GOPHERS." 
The United States Department of Ag¬ 
riculture has just issued an interesting 
pamphlet on “ The Pocket Gopher.” 
This little animal burrows in the ground 
like a woodchuck. We are told that it 
is about the most surly and bad-tem¬ 
pered animal that ever lived. It will 
fight and bite and scold at the least 
provocation. You can’t tame one, and 
you can’t possibly make a petof it. Now 
why is this gopher so different from the 
rabbit or other wild animals? There 
must be some reason for it, and here it 
is as given in this pamphlet: 
The fierce disposition is just what might be ex¬ 
pected from the solitary mode of life. From the 
time the voung are half grown and big enough to 
start burrows of their own, each individual lives 
entirely alone, except during the short mating 
season in early spring. Living alone and in the 
dark for 11 months in the year, is not calculated 
to develop a lovable disposition. To the same 
causes—darkness and solitude—may also be at¬ 
tributed the gopher’s small eyes and ears, nar¬ 
row brain case, and undeveloped voice. 
* 
Thebe you have it, and you, as a 
farmer, may well ponder those words. 
This gopher simply shuts himself up in 
his own hole, and stays there. He is a 
living illustration of the evil results of 
continued selfishness. He lives “unto 
himself alone,” and the result is that all 
the better parts of his nature are unde¬ 
veloped. He scratches around in his 
hole, and lets the water and air into the 
soil, and at last he crawls down into the 
subsoil and dies—thus putting “ organic 
matter ” down where it will do some 
good. That is all. Socially, he is a surly, 
mean-spirited wretch, that leaves only 
hatred behind him. and abuses his life’s 
opportunities. Maybe he is proud of the 
fact that he has to die in order to do the 
earth any good. He that as it may, the 
lesson of his life is clearly to the effect 
that the best things about us come from 
the discipline of contact with and study 
of others. A gopher or a man that cuts 
off all communication with the rest of 
his race, is sure to be a surly, bigoted 
person, unhappy, and impotent for doing 
good. Were all men to follow this rule 
of life, we would have a race of savage 
men in less than three generations. 
* 
Now there are a great many farmers 
in this land who are in danger of be¬ 
coming human gophers. Living in lonely 
places away from the towns and cities, 
they are in danger of drawing off by 
themselves, and saying that their little 
household doesn’t need any social con¬ 
nection with others. In our opinion, 
that is a great big mistake from several 
points of view. It is an excellent way to 
make stubborn, self-willed and dogmatic 
people, because they come to measure 
the wants and wishes of the world by the 
narrow limitation of a single family. 
The fact is, we have long felt that the 
great strength as well as the weakness 
of the farmer as a citizen, may be traced 
to his reverence for his home. These 
homes have done their full share in de¬ 
veloping that true and sturdy manhood 
and womanhood which has made this 
country great. Could these homes have 
been welded together like the links of 
a chain—each with its distinct home feel¬ 
ing, yet each a part of one strong com bi¬ 
nation—what thoughtful man can say 
that to day the whole aspect and trend 
of agriculture would not be far better 
and more satisfactory ? 
41- 
In brief, then, we believe that one 
chief reason why agriculture has been 
called upon to take a back seat, is that 
a good many farmers have been looking 
to the gopher as a model for conducting 
their social relations. Until farmers 
can work with more concert of action, 
get rid of envy and distrust, and stand 
firmly shoulder to shoulder for the 
common good, we shall never have a 
state of affairs in agriculture that we 
all so much desire. VVe didn’t start out 
to Doom the Grange or other associa¬ 
tions. They are excellent. We wish 
there were more of them. We are here 
to say tbat the simplest and easiest way 
to start this change in sentiment, is to 
introduce The It. N.-Y. into the homes 
of the people. That will give a handle 
for the people to hold on to, and the first 
you know, they are all interested in our 
schemes for cooperation in Duying and 
selling goods. They also cooperate in 
thought on some of the great questions 
of the day, and the results will astonish 
you. Come, now; we will send the 
paper the rest of the year for 50 cents. 
Now, sir, as a patriotic, thoughtful 
American, you know that our words are 
founded on truth. Are you now going 
to stay like the gopher, worrying over 
the threatened downfall of farming, or 
are you going out to poke The R. N.-Y. 
into the farm homes of the land ? 
Worn-Out Lands 
* 
And now, right in this line, we must 
have another word about those nine sub¬ 
scription premiums to be given June 16. 
We didn’t expect very many clubs, but 
we did look for more interest than has 
yet been manifested. Up to date, no 
one seems to have started. We know 
that most of our readers, and farmers 
generally, have been busy with their 
spring work, and it is not the best sub¬ 
scription season. Hut in spite of all this, 
we thought that there would be some 
one to realize the situation. In truth, the 
very fact that there would be few at work 
we expected would encourage some one 
to start; but no one has. All the same, 
those nine premiums will go for the 
nine largest clubs if the mowing machine 
goes for a club of five names, and the $5 
cash prizes to readers who send only a 
trial subscription. 
Perhaps all our people do not know 
just what these premiums are. Here is 
a cut of the mower. There is no better 
quickly restored to fertility by the use of fertilizers containing 
A High Per Cent, of Potash. 
Full description of how and why in our pamphlets. 
They are sent free. It will cost you nothing to read them, and they will save you 
dollars. GERMAN KALI WORKS, 93 Nassau Street, New York. 
More Gats and Straw, More Large Potatoes, 
More Corn and Stalk, More Vegetables, 
More Luscious Fruit, More Growth of Young Trees and Shrubs, 
mower made. Send to Adriance Platt 
<fc Co., Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and get 
full particulars about it. We also give 
you a cut of the rake. The Walter A. 
Wood Mowing and Reaping Machine Co., 
Iloosic Falls, N. Y., will send you cata¬ 
logues describing it in full, it has all 
the latest improvements, and it is just as 
easy to rake hay with it as to ride in a 
buggy. Then we give $50 in cash prizes. 
Every one knows what cash means. It 
is divided into seven prizes, $15, $10, and 
five prizes of $5 each. Remember, you 
have your regular discounts besides. 
These are extra. The man that slips 
out in the evening and picks up a few 
subscriptions, and take a lowery day or 
two for the work before June 15. cau 
easily come in fora choice of one of these 
nine premiums. We repeat that there is 
no effort at all yet, and the time is nearly 
half gone. There is the opportunity. We 
never expect to make another contest so 
late in the season. Hence, this is no 
doubt the last chance. Now, who 
wants it ? 
gjtU&rHanfou# gwlmtisinfl. 
In writing to advertisers, please always mention 
The Rural New-Yorker. 
The Heller Riding Harrow 
does the same work as a Disk, cuts five 
inches deep, pulverizes and levels the 
soil, and is the lightest draft harrow in 
the world. Write for special prices. 
HELLER MANUFACTURING CO., 
Montclair, N. J. 
FFNfF machines 
! LULL SUPERIOR MFG. CO. Martinsville .0. 
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FIRST on the FARM, 
FIRST on the RAILROAD, 
FIRST around PARKS and CEMETERIES. 
Not our word for it, but that of our regular 
customers, first-class farmers, who pride 
themselves on having the best and whose 
motto is “what is worth doing at all is wort h 
doing well,” and first-class railroads that 
seek protectiou for riglit of way, rather 
than “anything to comply with the law.’’ 
The Park Commissioners, Cemetery Directors 
and owners of Game Parks who have tested it 
will vote for it first, last and all the time. 
PAGE WOVEN WIRE FENCE CO., Adrian,Mich. 
FOLLOW THE JUDICIOUS USE OF THE 
Made by THE CLEVELAND DRYER COMPANY, who have made a full line of scientifically-made 
Fertilizers for different soils and crops. We makegoods that insure a profit for those who use them. Nitrate 
Soda—Sulphate Potash—Muriate Potash—Sulphate Ammonia—Dried Flesh—Dried Blood—Soluble Phosphoric 
Acid—always on hand for those desiring to compound their own formulas. 
THE CLEVELAND DRYER CO., 130 Summit St., Cleveland, Ohio. 
H Bowker’s | 
| Fertilizers. 3 
Rich, powerful, concentrated."^ 
They contain just the materials-3 
g— to make crops grow. They arc-^ 
made largely of chemicals, and—S 
besides starting the crops off well—^ 
S— will “ back them up ” to maturity —3 
S For sale by agents. ^ 
j Agents wanted where we have none. 
53Z Illustrated catalogue free. * 
^ oniA/VCD fertilizer co„ ^ 
DU II MZri BOSTON Sl NEW YORK^S 
Five Tons 
of Grapes 
remove from the soil 12.60 lbs. of nitro¬ 
gen, 10.62 lbs. of phosphoric acid, and 
25.48 lbs. of potash. 100 lbs. of 
Albert’s Vineyard Manure 
contains 13 lbs. of nitrogen, 11 lbs. of 
phosphoric acid, and 28 lbs. of potash. 
Send for tree sample, and our literature on “ The 
Manuring of Vineyards and Orchards," and “ The 
Manuring of Garden Crops." They are sent free, 
ROBT. L. MERWIN & CO., 
Importers of Chemical Fertilizers, 88 Wall St., N. Y. 
We ship our best 
Screened Canada 
Unleached 
Hardwood 
ASHES 
at bottom prices. Analysis and Weight Guaranteed 
Address THE FOREST CITY WOOD ASH CO., 
No. 9 Merchants Row, Boston. Mass 
ODORLESS GUANO 
MINERAL UUHHU 
delivered at your 
nearest station, for 
$>20.00 per ton. 
Agents wanted In every farming town. Send for 
circulars to THE FOREST CITY WOOD ASH CO., 
No. 9 Merchants Row, Boston, Mass 
EVERY FARMER 
is more or less interested In fencing. Whether 
intending to purchase or not, drop us a card, and 
we will mail a copy of our 1895 catalogue. 
Keystone Woven Wire Fence Co., 
No. 49 Locust Street, TREMONT. ILL. 
I A 0Q C fl for MACHINES to weave your 
03 TO OOlwU fence at 18 to 25c. per rod- 
Weaves 100 rods per day. Strongest indorsements. 
Bend for illustrated pamphlet, giving valuable in¬ 
formation on fence building. Unparalleled chance for 
agents to sell fence and machines. Mention this paper 
STANDARD WIRE FENCE CO., 
2 Main Street. Canandaigua, N. Y. 
NEW ANGLE STEEL POST 
PLAIN WIRE FENCE. 
Will not burn, blow or rot down, and the price has 
been put down from SI to 65 cents per rod, 
complete with wire stay. Our tightener will tighten 
your old wire fences. Call on your dealer or order 
direct. Write for circulars. Agents wanted. 
HOMER STEEL FENCE CO.. HOMER, MICH. 
RAIL 
ROAD 
LANDS 
STEEL, WEB PICKET LAWN FENCE, 
Steel Poets, Steel Rails and Steel Gates', Steel Tree 
Flower and Tomato Guards; Cabled Field and Ho, 
Fence; Steel Wire Fence Board, etc. Catalogue free 
DeSALB FENCE CO., 17 High St., DeKalb.m 
The Illinois Central Railroad Company offers for sale 
on easy terms and at low prices, 150,000 acres of choice 
fruit, gardening, farm and grazing lands located in 
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS. They are also largely 
interested in, and call especial attention to the 600,000 
acres of land in the famous 
Yazoo Valley of Mississippi, 
lying along and owned by the Yazoo and Mississippi 
Valley Railroad Company, and which that Company 
offers at low prices and on long terms. Special induce 
ments and facilities offered to go to and examine 
these lands both in Southern Illinois and in the 
“Yazoo Valley,” Miss. For further description, 
map and any information, address or call upon 
E. P. SKENE, Land Commissioner, No. 1 Park Row. 
Chicago, 111.; or. G. W. McGINNIS, Assistant Land 
Commissioner, Memphis, Tenn, 
