556 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
August 17 
THE 
Rural New-Yorker. 
TUE BUSINESS FARMERS' PAPER 
A National Weekly Journal for Country and Suburban Homes 
Established 1850. Co]ry righted 1805. 
Elbert S. Cabman, Editor-in-Chief. 
Hkhbkbt W. CollinowoOd, Managing Edftor. 
John J. Dillon, Business Manager. 
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able 10 THE RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
Corner Chambers and Pearl Streets. New York. 
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 1895. 
Within the past few years, the culture of potatoes 
has increased enormously in France. In fact, the crop 
has become so large that new methods of disposing 
of it became necessary. Potatoes are now fed to cattle 
in large quantities, and in proper combinations of 
hay and grain, they make cheap beef. This is but 
one of the new developments in foreign agriculture 
which mean more and cheaper food, hence, less call 
for the products of American farmers. 
0 
Throughout many farming districts, a woman driv¬ 
ing a mower, reaper, binder or horserake, or even 
riding a cultivator or sulky plow, is not an uncommon 
sight. A California paper reports that a farmer’s 
daughter in that State drove the 30 mules and horses 
used on a harvester in her father's wheat field, while 
her sister worked the header, and, of course, both per¬ 
formed good work. If the “new woman” keeps it up 
at this pace, the “new man” would better hurry up 
and put in an appearance. 
0 
Mr. Fargo, who sent us an excellent report of that 
trial of sprayers, see next page, writes at the end of 
his letter : 
It lias taken more time to “spray” the ink o.i these sheets of 
paper, than to cover nine acres with Bordeaux Mixture, but I 
hope neither one of the operations will be wholly profitless. 
It will not be profitless. The spraying of Bordeaux 
will, we hope, make a better potato crop, and the 
spraying of the.ink will cure some one of the idea 
that Bordeaux Mixture does not need a pump to force 
it through a small hole. Keep on spraying ink ! 
O 
Three weeks ago, some one asked if there was not 
some course in agricultural reading—somewhat likc**^ 
the famous agricultural course—by means of which 
farmers may learn something of science. There are 
at least three such courses. Prof. Wing, at Cornell, 
has prepared an excellent course of reading for 
Granges. At the Michigan Agricultural College, an 
agricultural reading club was formed not long ago, 
and at the Pennsylvania State College a regu¬ 
larly organized reading course has been prepared, 
with circulars, lists of books, etc. 
o 
At “ Luava ”—the town garden of The R. N.-Y.—a 
piece of land, on which were grown peas, string beans, 
lettuce, early beets and turnips, was cleared July 11, 
and sowed to Crimson clover. The work was done 
roughly by' simply scattering the seed over the ground, 
and working it in with a light cultivator. It came 
up promptly, and on August 6, formed a dense mat 
over three inches high, when it was turned carefully 
under to make a place for potted strawberry plants. 
Also, on J uly 11, Crimson clover and turnip seed were 
sawed on a sod turned over for the first time in, at 
least, la years. Both crops are making an excellent 
grow th. 
0 
It does not require unusual powers of observation 
to see that many farmers throughout the grain dis¬ 
tricts of New York State, make serious mistakes in 
selecting and preparing land for potatoes. On many 
farms where excellent corn is raised, the potato crop 
is far from being satisfactory, chiefly on account of 
the improper preparation of the land. It is true that 
the relative acreage and importance of these two 
crop, in these districts, is greatly in favor of the corn; 
yet no valid excuse is seen for not making the pota¬ 
toes a greater source of revenue than the present 
practice affords. It is a rule, rather than an excep¬ 
tion, that a portion of the corn field is given up for 
potatoes. This is usually a Timothy or June grass 
sod, plowed in the spring and harrowed sufficiently to 
make a fairly good seed bed for the corn; but for pota¬ 
toes which require a mellow soil with deep culture, 
this preparation is not likely to bring the best results. 
Then, too, potatoes, because their period of growth is 
shorter than that of corn, require more readily avail¬ 
able food. Usually, corn will receive a great benefit 
from the decaying sod ; but potatoes should not be 
expected to receive much benefit from this source, 
particularly if the medium or early-ripening varieties 
are planted. 
0 
It seems evident to us that fruit growing at the 
South is sure to develop into an immense industry. 
Climate, soil and cheap labor are provided by the Gulf 
States, and it is only a matter of time before capital 
will find its way there, and change the whole aspect 
of affairs. We shall soon begin the publication of a 
series of articles entitled, 
“ A GEORGIA PEACH 
in which we hope to give in a fair and candid way, 
the advantages and disadvantages of the South as a 
field for Northern horticulturists. Happily we are 
able to do this without considering the claims of any 
laud agent, transportation company, or any particu¬ 
lar locality. 
O 
This has been a hard season for the big summer 
hotels, both on the coast and in the mountains. The 
cool weather has kept people comfortable at home. 
More than that, the hard times have taught economy, 
and many persons who formerly went to the fashion¬ 
able resorts, have been summering quietly in good 
farm houses. The most of such persons have been 
surprised to learn, by contrast, how uncomfortable 
hotel summer life is. We do not believe that this 
lost hotel business will ever fully return. Some of 
these families will buy cheap farms of their own for 
summer homes, while others will prefer to board at 
comfortable farm houses, even when prosperity re¬ 
turns. This redistribution of business is a good thing 
for all concerned—except the hotel keepers. 
o 
Fifteen years or so ago, when American meat and 
cattle were sent in large quantities to England, the 
English farmers kept up their courage by saying that 
such big shipments could not continue. It was 
claimed that American cities would increase so rapidly 
in population that their dwellers would eat about all 
that the farmers could produce. The development of 
our urban population is one of the wonders of the 
century ; yet it is a small matter compared with the 
vast resources of our agriculture. Instead of reach¬ 
ing its limit of production, America is able to feed 
four times its present town population, and export 
enough to provide all the surplus needed in Europe. 
The only hitch in that programme is the fact that 
other nations also possess great possibilities in the 
way of agricultural production. It is declared that 
the Argentine Republic alone is capable of providing 
cheap beef for the whole of Europe. This will be 
possible only because Argentine farmers will make all 
possible use of Alfalfa and clover. Without them, 
Argentine cannot compete with this country. What 
is true of nations is true of individual farms. 
Q 
At certain seasons of the year, the live poultry mar¬ 
ket has a boom, prices advancing materially, and 
large quantities of stock being required. This is be¬ 
cause of the Jewish holidays, as these people buy live 
poultry only, and use great numbers at such times. 
The next of these holidays comes on September 19, 
when the Jewish New Year occurs. This will be fol¬ 
lowed by other holidays and feasts, for nearly a 
month, during which time different kinds of live 
poultry are wanted. For the New Year holiday, 
fowls, turkeys, ducks and geese, are most in demand. 
The next holiday is the Hay of Atonement, September 
29, and most kinds of poultry are used for this, but 
especially spring chickens and roosters. The Feast of 
Tabernacles occurs October 3 and 4, and fowls, ducks 
and geese are wanted. The next is the Feast of Law, 
October 10 and 11, when all kinds of poultry are 
wanted. Stock intended for these holidays should 
arrive from two or four days ahead of the date of each, 
as the retail dealers stock up beforehand. It is well 
to allow somewhat for slight delays in transit. Poultry 
intended for this market should be well fattened, and 
provision should be made for feeding and watering in 
transit. From nearby points, shipments may be made 
by express. Coops should be strongly made, high 
enough for fowls to stand upright, and should not be 
overcrowded. Every care should be exercised to have 
the poultry arrive in the best possible condition, for 
this has much to do with its selling well. This is 
usually the best market during the summer and fall, 
and is is much more profitable to sell the poultry then, 
than to keep it until the Thanksgiving or Christmas 
market. 
0 
Mr. W. D. Barns is a member of the board of con¬ 
trol of the Geneva Experiment Station. In thinking 
of practical information needed by fruit farmers, he 
remembered how important and valuable is a cold 
storage or chill-room on the farm. Fruit may be held 
in such a room whenever prices are unsatisfactory, 
and a few day’s holding at such a time may enable 
the grower to reach the market at a time when fruit 
is scarce. It is an important thing, and there is too 
little information about it. Chiefly by reason of Mr. 
Harns’s efforts, an appropriation was secured which 
u ill enable the station workers to build a small chill- 
room, and conduct some simple experiments in hold¬ 
ing fruits. This will be of great value to many 
farmers, and we hope that the station will issue a bul 
lelin giving plans and specifications before the ice 
season is over. A plain and simple pamphlet on 
this subject will be excellent. 
O 
“One moment, Mr. Farmer,” said the big potato 
vine, as the cultivator chased by. “ Let the horse 
blow while I give you a valuable point about farm¬ 
ing. Notice anything peculiar about me ? I'm 
bigger, stouter, ranker and greener than the vines in 
any other hill in this row. I feel way down to the 
lowest tube on my tubers, that I can outyield any¬ 
thing in the field. Nothing modest about me. The 
rest have had just as much food and culture, but I am 
ahead because I’m a better potato. Now then, what’s 
the use of letting this superiority die out with me ? 
I'm ambitious, I am. 1 claim that I'm too good to eat. 
I’ve got my eye on posterity. I want to put coming 
generations of potatoes through a course of sprouts. 
If some lazy man eats me, there’s an end of me. My 
advice to you is to stick a stake right in my hill. I 
can then throw up my vines and die with a good 
heart, for I'll know that you can pick out my tubers, 
and use them for seed next year. My children will be 
just as good as I am. If you don’t do that, you’ll go 
to the bin next spring and pick out Tom, Dick and 
Harry s tubers for seed, and be sure to get lots of in¬ 
ferior stuff. Thank you, sir ! That’s right ! That 
stake will mark me when you come to dig ! Pick out 
some more good hills for next season’s seed ! Git up, 
Dobbin. I won’t take more of your valuable time. 
My folks will see you next year !” 
Q 
BREVITIES. 
We have said it before, and we’ll say it again, 
Though, perhaps, it may rub against somebody’s grain, 
When a man comes and says, with an accent of strife, 
“ Now, as I’ve raised potatoes the whole of my life, 
And as I’m about three times as old as you be, 
It is no use your coming to try to teach me." 
There’s a self-satisfactory look on his phiz; 
What a foolish and bigoted fellow he is, 
When he claims that because he has worked so and so, 
That there’s no one else knows how potatoes should grow, 
And it’s pretty good evidence that he is wrong 
When he says that he’s worked that way all his life long, 
When the truth is that everything else has been changed— 
Made anew for the times—fitted up—rearranged 
So that when some old hard-headed fellow sits down, 
And would kill off your modern ideas with a frown, 
Just because they don’t happen to run in his way, 
Don’t you argue and fight o’er the matter—but stay ! 
Tender fruit for poor teeth. 
Who likes compulsory honesty ? 
Paying loyalty to principal—interest. 
The sigh-hence of life is a good laugh. 
Wind “gall” in man appears in his “cheek.” 
The deaf and dumb man is an “ off hand ” talker. 
“Single blessedness ” is a singular state of affairs. 
That’s a fair statement about Crimson clover on page 552. 
A mistake ! To let poultry and lice occupy the same roost ! 
It’s nonsense to express a wish that is freighted with foolishness. 
Mb. Crawford says that the worst thing for an idle strawberry 
plant is to be left alone. Same with a boy. 
It is an agricultural crime for the South to send cotton-hull 
ashes away to the North. Use them at home ! 
You can stand a rough workman, if he’s only ready. We can 
rub the roughness off; but he can’t rub in readiness. 
The hen with the shortest moult—lost time between lays—is the 
one you want to breed future egg-layers from. Watch the moult¬ 
ing hen ! 
If wishes were horses that had to be fed, I reckon you’d wish 
that your horses were dead. For hay’s like a feather, while horse¬ 
flesh is lead, in the market, while every horse “eats off his head.” 
On July 4, we transplanted stalks of Evergreen sweet corn then 
about 18 inches high. They all lived, but are now about a week in 
development behind the rows from which these stalks were taken. 
England imports vast quantities of frozen meat. In the ordi¬ 
nary process of thawing, this meat became soft and bad colored 
in a short time. A new process of slow thawing now promises to 
remedy this trouble. 
We know a man who uses his winter forcing house to evaporate 
raspberries in their season. That’s like using part of the silo 
for an icehouse. Make things double up. Suppose you do 
shorten their lives if you get double work ! ‘ 
