432 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
June 22 
“ MEDITATION ." 
Our minister gave us a sermon a few 
weeks ago that set me on a new train of 
thought. No use talking about verse 
and text—you want the point right off— 
sharpened up. The point was that in 
this fierce, restless age, the tendency to 
“hustle” and rush is getting to be a 
national evil. People go jumping 
through the day, from one job to an¬ 
other, acting from impulse or first 
thought — anything to get through so 
much work. There is getting to be less 
and less of the calm and deliberate 
meditation and serious thought that 
characterized the slow and moderate 
“ good old times,” when work was done 
that will live' for centuries as monu¬ 
ments to the workmen. The tendency 
of to-day’s call for “hustlers.” is to de¬ 
velop a race of nervous, “high strung” 
people who, after a short season of bril¬ 
liant work, must drop out of the race 
and drag themselves along through dis¬ 
appointed and unhappy lives. The re¬ 
sult generally is “skimpy” and shallow 
work. Now, shallow cultivation of the 
soil may be a good thing, as it prevents 
the evaporation of moisture, but shallow 
cultivation of the human mind and ener¬ 
gies is a crime against Nature. The 
richest stores of the human mind and 
heart are hidden deep down in the 
depths of our natures. There is no cap¬ 
illary force to bring them to the sur¬ 
face as water is brought—only the calm, 
patient study and meditation will do it. 
* 
Our advice to the young man who 
wishes to get solidly on in life, is to mix 
his periods of “hustling” with profound 
meditation. It is the dam that gives 
the force to the waters of the stream, 
by holding them back until their accu¬ 
mulated energy gives the desired weight 
against the mill wheel. It is just so 
with the young or, in fact, the old man. 
Thoughts and suggestions, and new 
ideas go floating down the current of 
his daily life. Some of them pass away 
like bubbles ; others slip away over the 
pebbles and are lost. By and by the 
stream dries up for lack of new supplies, 
and rust comes on the wheels of prog¬ 
ress. Why is this? Because these 
ideas and suggestions were not held 
back and accumulated, and given force 
by thought. The daily half-hour of medi¬ 
tation and planning—the thoughtful 
study of the day’s doings—would have 
acted like the dam in the stream to 
accumulate force and energy for those 
ideas. They could not then slip silent¬ 
ly and uselessly away, like the trickling 
water of the tiny stream. The wise 
thought, the careful plan would have 
united them into a force strong enough 
in time to push the old farm practice 
out of the comfortable rut in which it 
is steadily crushing your ambition and 
desire for real improvement. We there¬ 
fore say to you, Don’t, under any cir¬ 
cumstances, forget to lay aside part of 
your day for thought and meditation. 
Dig out the true gold down in the sub¬ 
soil of your nature. Dam up the flood 
of ideas, and thus give them force. A 
few weeks ago we compared a man’s 
head to an egg designed for hatching. 
Shake and rattle that egg through a 
long journey, and it will not hatch un¬ 
less it first has a chance to lie quietly in 
one place and let its contents settle into 
their original order. Just so with your 
mind. Unless you put the half hour of 
careful thought in between your periods 
of hustling, your mind will act like the 
shaken egg. It will never hatch out a 
prize chicken. 
* 
Now we don't charge you a cent extra 
for this point, though if it be well car¬ 
ried out, it may mean a fortune to you. 
When you paid your dollar for The 
R. N.-Y., you paid for this point and 
hundreds of others, which we hope to 
give you before your year is out. We 
just wish to say that, in preparing The 
R. N.-Y., we try to follow out this 
preaching. We hope to make our paper 
a thoughtful one. We desire each line to 
count. We want a thought behind each 
word, so that when a reader sits down 
to look it over, some thought will stick 
to him and follow him about like a 
haunting memory—to the field, the barn 
and the house. A boy drops a stone into 
a brook. A floating stick catches on the 
stone, then a chip, a twig, a larger stick 
—one by one they come until a regular 
dam is thrown across the brook, and the 
water course is changed. Just so with 
that thought in your mind. It may 
gather others about it, and slowly hold 
back the stream until the force and 
power that you have been waiting for 
are at your disposal. That is the sort of 
paper we are trying to make. When 
our readers send voluntary notes like 
the following, we assume that we are at 
least on the right track : 
I wrote you, sometime ago that, as a member of 
The R. N.-Y.’s Farmers’ Club, I felt like doing my 
part to help it along. I seldom take up a copy 
that I am not more and more convinced that it is, 
what it claims to be, honestly interested for its 
readers. I like it because it does not make foolish 
and ridiculous claims for patronage. It does not 
occupy half its space in telling how good it is, or 
in urging its readers to increase its circulation 
to a million. It is, in fact, a thoroughly practical 
farmers’ and gardeners’ paper, and so conducted 
that I place confidence, not only in its reading 
matter, but in its advertisements as well. I am 
always glad to speak of it as the best. 
Massachusetts. benjamin t. wilbur. 
We have no comment to make except to 
say that we shall continue to do busi¬ 
ness at the same old stand. As to the 
future, we are making arrangements for 
what we consider to be some of the most 
thoughtful articles we have ever printed. 
We wish you to read them, and we wish 
your neighbors to read them, for we 
firmly believe that they will be just 
what you need in that hour of quiet 
meditation that is to give force to the 
stream of your thoughts. 
Another thing is that we have a list of 
excellent books that will help you spend 
this “ hour of thought.” Send for it. 
The last point is that you need a good 
time-piece in order to tell yourself when 
the hour for meditating has arrived. We 
supply that also. Just look at our watch 
offer this week ! These watches are 
good ones. We have handled lots of 
them, and they have given general satis¬ 
faction. If you need a watch, why not 
buy it through us ? 
* 
Now, lastly, as the preacher says, you 
know we believe in practice as well as 
theory. We have given the theory about 
meditation ; now let’s have a practical 
example. Here is a good subject to 
meditate over. A good friend in Vir¬ 
ginia says the circumstances of the man 
here described led him to ask this ques¬ 
tion ; “ How far is, or can, a man ig¬ 
norantly be benefited by the diffusion 
of knowledge ?” Here is his statement : 
He is grossly ignorant on a good many things. 
Very poorly educated, a shrewd, keen man, keenly 
alive to getting the dollars, seeing and grasping 
every chance; industrious, persevering, go-ahead. 
Has a good, little farm—some of it highly im¬ 
proved and improving by the hauling of manure 
from town. Does not use much fertilizer, and 
that of poor quality. Thinks nothing like manure. 
Sees and seizes anything good that promises to 
pay—as, for instance, any new vegetable. I for¬ 
get now how the conversation began, but it ended 
by his denying that anything published in an 
agricultural paper, had ever done him any good; 
tnat is to say, all he did and all he knew came 
from himself. On my asking him whether, per¬ 
haps, he had not copied some little thing from 
some of his neighbors who did read, he sneeringly 
asked who they were. He considers—evidently 
from his remarks—himself the farmer, and the 
only one in the neighborhood. On my remarking 
that perhaps he had got some little benefit from 
science, in, say, his implements, or why did he 
not use the old bull tongue, instead of the present- 
day improved plows, he admitted that, but it was 
indirectly. Now, sir, to my mind it seems self- 
evident that this man is deriving untold advan¬ 
tage from the investigations of science, and the 
diffusion of agricultural information, but is either 
so grossly ignorant as not to know it, or so per¬ 
versely self-conceited as not to admit it. Or why 
does he not follow the old-time practice, work the 
land out for all it is worth and then take fresh ? 
Why does he haul manure from town ? Why does 
he not use the old bull tongue and branch brush, 
instead of improved plows, harrows and cultivat¬ 
ors ? Why does he seek new seed, work the crop 
well, and fix up to catch the eye for sale ? Why 
does he say that nothing but the best will pay to 
taKe to market ? Are not all these, in a great 
measure, proofs that science and diffusion of 
knowledge are of great advantage to this man, 
and probably many like him ? If this be so, per¬ 
haps the good which agricultural papers do is far 
greater than even they know or think. 
Now we call that a thoughtful topic for 
consideration. We would like to have 
you turn it over in your mind, and give 
us the benefit of your thinking. We will 
add our own views to the rest, and thus 
make a “symposium” of some value. 
Take half an hour to think it out, and 
see how many other ideas are brought 
out by the thinking ! 
Complete Fertilizers 
for potatoes, fruits, and all vegetables require (to secure the largest 
yield and best quality) 
At Least IO/o Actual Potash. 
Results of experiments prove this conclusively. How and 
why. is told in our pamphlets. 
I hey aie sent free. It will cost you nothing to read them, and they will save you 
dollars. GERMAN KALI WORKS, 93 Nassau Street, New York. 
THE CLEVELAND DRYER COMPANY 
Manufactures first-class FERTILIZERS for all I OFFICE: 
SOILS AND CROPS. | 130 SUMMIT ST., CLEVELAND, OHIO. 
rs guano 
delivered at your 
nearest station, for 
!$£0.00 per ton. 
Agents wanted in every farming town. Send for 
circulars to THE FOREST CITY WOOD ASH C0.< 
No. 9 Merchants Row, Boston, Mass 
We ship our best 
Screened Canada 
Unleached 
Hardwood 
ASHES 
at bottomaprices. Analysis and Weight Guaranteed 
Address THE FOREST CITY WOOD ASH CO., 
No. 9 Merchants Row, Boston, Mass 
D URING the panic times of last year, the great watch-case factories cut the prices of their 
skilled labor, and correspondingly reduced their own margins of profit, so that we were 
able to contract for watches at prices not dreamed of before. In many cases, the skilled 
labor has been restored to its old price; and ultimately watches must recover something of 
tlieii old-time prices. Yet our contract still holds good, and for the present we are able to send the 
" al - ( '^ ies described below at the same prices as last year. We, of course, reserve the right to withdraw 
these pi ices at any time; and hardly think now that we shall be able to extend them after July 15 a 
the furthest. Every watch is guaranteed, and money will be returned in any case of dissatisfaction. 
“ CRESCENT STREET.” 
Waltham Watch, Men’s Size. Pride of the Wal¬ 
tham Factory. 
The best full-sized Waltham watch is called “Cres¬ 
cent Street." This watch is made from the very 
finest materials, each part belcg selected by expert 
workmen. Every wheel is perfect, every jewel is a 
precious stone, every pinion is polished to the high¬ 
est degree. In fact, this watch is, as the Waltham 
Company guarantees, “ perfect in construction and 
finish." The Company also says in its catalogue 
that this is “the finest full-plate movement in the 
world.” The full plate Is a recent Improvement in 
watchmaking. It is a metal cap, covering all the 
mechanism, excepting the balance, thus saving many 
hills for cleaning. These celebrated works are full 
Jeweled with red ruby jewels in solid gold settings. 
They contain compensation expansion balance, safe¬ 
ty pinion, stem winding and setting apparatus, pat¬ 
ent Breguet hair-spring, hardened and tempered in 
form, patent regulator and doublo sunk dial, made 
expressly for this watch. The dial is genuine. 
No. 101. Crescent Street, Solid 14k., 40 dwt. 
(Hunting case only.) . $52.90 
No. 1C2. Crescent Street. Gold filled, 20-year. 
Hunting or Open face case. 37.00 
No. 103. Crescent Street. Gold filled, 15-year. 
Hunting or Open i ace case. 33.25 
No. 104. Crescent Street, 2-ounce Coin Silver. 
Hunting or Open face case. 27.85 
No. 105. Crescent Street, Solid Nickel Silver, 
Open face dust-proof case. 25.CO 
“APPLETON, TRACY & CO.” 
Waltham, Men's Size. 
“Appleton, Tracy & Co.” is one of the cele¬ 
brated watches of the world. The works are full 
Jeweled, with 15 extra line red ruby jewels In solid 
gold settings, compensation balance, safety pinion, 
stem winding and setting, Breguet hair-spring, spe¬ 
cial adjustment to temperature, lsoehronlsm and 
position, and all the very latest improvements. This 
watch took the first prize at the World’s Exposition 
in Paris, against all competitors, both American and 
foreign. We will deliver this watch to any address 
in the United States; works as above in 
No. 106, Solid 14k. gold, 40 dwt. Hunting case 
only .$40.00 
No 107, 14k. gold-filled 21-year. Hunting case. 23.50 
No. 108, 14k. gold-filled, 20-year. Open face... . 22.50 
No. 109, 2-ounce, Solid Coin Silver, Hunting or 
Open face. 17.50 
No. 110, Stiffened Silver, Open face only.15.50 
No. Ill, Solid Nickel Silver case, open face. 12.75 
OFFER No. 112. 
Men’s Size Solid Gold Waltham Watch, $29. 
No. 100. Is a Men’s Size Hunting or Open face 
Waltham solid gold Standard, U. S. Assay Case, 
handsomely engine turned. The works contain seven 
Jewels, and are made according to the celebrated 
Waltham Riverside Model, in which the two nickel 
winding wheels are pltinly Been. The case is the 
t innest solid gold model ever made. Remember, 
we me n that the watch when closed in the pocket 
13 thin. The lids of the case are the usual thickness, 
and form a perfect protection for the movement. 
This is just the watch for doctors, lawyers, clergy¬ 
men, and all others who wish a really first-class 
article. The works are jeweled in nil Import nt 
parts with precious stones; the regulator is an im¬ 
proved pattern; the hair-spring is Logan's patent 
Breguet Spring. We will send this watch, deliv»ry 
guarante d, to any address in the United States 
for $29 
OFFER No. 113. 
Men’s Size Gold Watch, Waltham or Elgin, $14.51 
No. 106. Is a Men’s size Hunting or Open face gold 
filled engraved case, guaranteed by the manufact¬ 
urers to wear 15 years. This watch contains the 
same movement as Offer No. 100. Wo will send this 
watch, delivery guaranteed, for $14.50. 
OFFER No. 114. 
Men’s Size Silver Open Face Watch, $6.50. 
No. 107. Is a seven jewel Waltham or Elgin, open 
face only, stiffened silver case. In other words, in 
order to give strength sufficient to make the case 
durable without making th » metal thick and heavy, 
the silver is strengthened by a nickel plate, intro¬ 
duced in such a manner as to be entirely hidden, 
and were it not explained, the purchaser would not 
be able to tell it from a heavy solid coin silver case. 
This watch comes in open face only, with a heavy 
beveled plate glass crystal, strong and durable. The 
dial is of white porcelain, either Roman or Arabic 
characters. In order to prevent the possibility of 
the hands catching, the dial upon which the second¬ 
hand is mounted is sunk be ow the level of the sur¬ 
rounding face. We will send this watch, delivery 
guaranteed, for $6.50. 
OFFER No. 115. 
Ladies’ Solid Gold Waltham or Elgin Watch, $ 2. 
No. 115. The works are manufactured at Waltham 
or Elgin. They are made of the finest mateilals, 
carefully selected. The jewels are all cut and pol¬ 
ished in Europe, where secret processes are Landed 
down from generation to generation. The di 1 is 
made of the finest porcelain and the hands of blue 
tempered steel. The case is solid 14k. United States 
Assay, handsomely engraved. We will send this 
watch, delivery guaranteed, for $22. 
OFFER No. 116. 
Ladles’ Solid Gold Waltham or Elgin Watch, $16. 
No. 116. Is a ladies’ solid gold hunting or open face 
case, very delicately engraved, and contains a Wal¬ 
tham or Elgin seven-jewsi movement. We guarantee 
this watch as well as all other watches offered, to be 
perfect timekeepers. Postpaid, delivery guaran¬ 
teed, for $16. 
OFFER No. 117. 
Ladles’ Gold Filled Waltham or Elgin Watch, $13.50. 
No. 117. Is a lidies’ gold filled engraved watch, 
guaranteed by the manufacturer to wear 15 years. 
The works contain seven jewels, exposed pallets, 
safety pinion and all improvements. Price, delivery 
guaranteed, $13.50. 
OFFER No. 118. 
Ladies’ Gold “Skylight” Watch, 512.50. 
No. 118. Is a 14k. gold filled engraved “Skylight ” 
Waltham or Elgin, guaranteed to wear 20 years. The 
case is made by placing two heavy sheets of 14k. 
gold, reinforced between with a thin sheet of stiff 
composition, which makes a perfect case for pro 
1 cting the works. The rUg joint plugs, thumb- 
piece, hinges and every part subjected to constant 
wear, are soild gold, while the gold is brought down 
over the edges of the composition metal and joined 
in such a way that even an expert is obliged to cut 
the case to find that it is not solid gold. We will de¬ 
liver this watch for $12. 
OFFER No. 119. 
Ladles’ Solid Coin Silver “Skylight" Watch, $8 
No 119. Is a solid coin silver watch, Waltham or 
Elgin, containing seven jewels and all lmprov. ments. 
We me n by “Skviight" that the from case is cut 
and a heavy crystal is Inserted so as to see the di 1 
without opening tue front case. We will deli\ er 
this watch, postpaid, for $8. 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER, Corner Chambers and Pearl Streets, New Y"ork. 
