1895 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
557 
THE PROSPECT. 
Will I. K no actual proof has been brought forward, 
there seems little room for doubt that large quanti¬ 
ties of American horse meat are being consumed in 
this country and abroad. A good many horses have 
been driven suspiciously near meat-canning establish¬ 
ments on the 1’acitic coast, and curious-looking car¬ 
casses are cut up and packed into “ corned beef.” The 
export trade in live horses from this country to Bel¬ 
gium and Germany is increasing, though they are not 
at all needed for draft purposes. We have no doubt 
that considerable horse meat is being eaten by those 
who eat canned meats. Practically, we do not believe 
any one is worse off for eating it. The flesh of the 
horse, if well cooked, is as healthful and nutritious 
as that of the ox. Prejudice is against it—but so was 
prejudice once against the eating of tomatoes or 
celery. The worst feature of the trade is the fact 
that this meat is sold fraudulently as a substitute for 
beef. It is on much the same plane as the trade in 
“ oleo” and other butter substitutes. The significant 
thing is that the very men who defended “oleo,” are 
now badly hurt by the trade in horse flesh, and are 
denouncing it exactly as the buttermakers denounced 
the trade in “ oleo.” 
O 
As announced on page 4(50, a trial of machines for 
spraying potato vines was held .July 18, on the farm 
of .J. 8. Combs, Stafford, N. Y. Over 300 farmers 
attended the trial, which was held in a 12-acre field 
of potatoes planted three feet apart in hills. Bor¬ 
deaux Mixture was used. It was not in good con¬ 
dition, being thick and pasty. Two classes of horse¬ 
power machines were entered—gravity machines, or 
those that simply dripped out the water by its own 
weight, and those that cai-ried a pump to force the 
water out. 
All the gravity machines failed to throw out the 
Bordeaux Mixture. They quickly clogged, and be¬ 
came useless. While these machines will handle 
Paris-green in water fairly well, they are not service¬ 
able with Bordeaux Mixture, for the lime will surely 
clog them unless some force is employed to push the 
mixture out. The machines w'ith pump attachment 
did better. The most effective sprayer was a home¬ 
made affair thus described : 
Last among the mounted sprayers came a rude, wild-woodsy 
affair, which contrasted strongly with its painted and polished 
namesakes. It consisted of the frame and wheels of an old grain 
drill, shortened to fit three-feet potato rows. On it were nailed 
some rough boards ; on these was placed a kerosene barrel with 
a force pump and hose. To the latter, was attached with proper 
couplings, a piece of gas pipe, resting on the rear of the machine, 
nine feet in length, and fitted with four Vermorel nozzles. The 
thills were stout hickory poles, lashed on with wire. The operator 
went down the rows driving the one horse, pumping, and occasion¬ 
ally stirring the mixture with a paddle. All the other machines 
had stopped for adjustment, or because they could not get on with 
the spraying. Why would not this rude affair ? But on went the 
“one-horse shay,” where one part was as perfect as another, 
without a stop, save at the ends of the rows, and covering 24 rows 
with the mixture. 
The Kuapsack sprayers, with pumps, did good 
work, and so did the powder guns. The success of 
tiiis homemade sprayer ought to show farmers how 
a little display of mechanical skill may save money 
for them. The trial was a success. More farmers 
should have attended it. 
to 
Reports as to the apple crop this year are very con¬ 
flicting. Great damage was reported from most 
northern localities by the spring frosts ; but these re¬ 
ports were, in some cases, overdrawn, and fair crops 
will be gathered where failure was predicted. But 
from the best information obtainable, the crop is a 
short one. In the New England States, the Govern¬ 
ment report estimates from about one-half to three- 
quarters of an average crop. In New York, one of 
the greatest apple-growing States, less than one-half 
a crop is reported. The State bulletin says that spe¬ 
cial reports show a very uneven yield. Along the 
shores of Lakes Erie and Ontario, and in the lake 
region of central New York, there is nearly an aver¬ 
age crop, also along the St. Lawrence River and in 
the southern Hudson River Valley. But here, for 
some climatic or other reason, some orchards are 
loaded, while others nearby are almost bare. Hill 
orchards promise better than those in the valleys. 
Early apples are more abundant than later varieties, 
while Baldwins are almost a failure. Greenings and 
Russets comprise most of the winter fruit. Michigan 
is a great apple State, but reports place the yield 
there at less than one-third of an average crop. Ohio 
promises about two-thirds of a crop ; Illinois about the 
same, and Indiana 90 per cent of an average. Wiscon¬ 
sin reports about one-third of a crop. Beyond the 
Mississippi, Iowa is reported as having 01 per cent of 
an average crop ; Missouri, which is a great apple 
State, 84 per cent, and Arkansas, 98 per cent. These 
Western apples, though usually larger and of finer 
appearance than those of the East, ripen earlier, and 
arc poor keepers ; hence they do not come into such 
close competition with apples which are held for a 
later market. Throughout the Canadian provinces, 
from all reports, the crop will be a light one. While 
the good crop of peaches will tend to lessen the 
demand early, there seems to be no reason why good, 
sound winter fruit, well assorted and packed, should 
not meet a good demand and bring good prices. On 
page 561 will be found a note giving a summary of the 
condition of the apple crop in Europe, so that it is 
evident some of our apples will be wanted there. 
Q 
In connection with the feeding of rape, and again in 
discussing that West Virginia hog farm problem, men¬ 
tion is made of portable fences. A strong fence that 
can be quickly taken down and moved to a new place, 
is a great convenience on any farm where live stock 
are pastured. One part of a field may be pastured 
while another is growing a fresh crop. This is a more 
economical practice than to turn the stock in to roam 
at will over the entire field. In the latter case, they 
will tramp down and spoil more than they eat. A 
good sheep fence is shown at Fig. 174. The panels 
are twelve feet long and three feet two inches high. 
The standing pieces are four feet high and three feet 
four inches wide at the base. The panels notch into 
the end pieces, and form a continuous fence. For 
hogs, greater security may be obtained by nailing the 
end pieces to stakes and driving them into the ground. 
HORSE SHOE FARM NO TES. 
A FULL CHOP OF CASUALTIES. 
That was a beautiful picture of a “ mutual benefit” 
scheme existing between Farmer X and his “man” in a 
R. N.-Y. editorial. A man who has brains enough to 
learn how to conduct his employer’s business and be 
a “ right hand” in everything, will not consent to 
remain hired, but will start in for himself. An in¬ 
ferior man, as soon as any confidence is placed in him, 
will repay it with ingratitude, and get above his busi¬ 
ness. After two years, at most, one would better 
change help. I respect an honest effort to better one’s 
condition, and teach, aid and encourage every work¬ 
man I have that will put forth an effort. I am proud 
of the success of several whom I have taught good 
farming, and even writing and arithmetic evenings. 
Such boys are the best help to be had, eager to learn, 
interested in the work, at home nights, saving their 
wages, and rested in the morning for a day’s work. 
Such young men will repay one in labor for all the 
time spent in teaching them ; but one need not expect 
them to remain hired men. Therefore, to get cheap , 
ijoud help, one must be able to select those who are 
untrained, but have natural aptitude, and he must be a 
teacher. The farm should be a school, taking in new 
students all the time to take the places of those who 
are graduated. 
A boy eight years old came here last year. He could 
neither write nor figure. When the berry wagon 
went its rounds, he was given some change and told 
to sell all he could as the driver did. He made a few 
mistakes in giving change, but was kindly corrected. 
He went with me to the berry field and helped gather 
berries, and give out the tickets. He was shown how 
the sun would scald the berries, if left out; that the 
pickers must be watched, or they would not fill their 
baskets. I said to him, “ You and I cannot afford to 
pay for what we do not get. These rows must be kept 
clean, or the ripe berries will take the strength of the 
bush, and the green ones will not grow.” I made a 
partner of him, and he felt the responsibility. I 
taught him to write and keep the pickers’ tally. I 
sent him to school last winter so that he could assist 
me “ like a man ” next summer. Now he can and does 
take entire charge of the “berry gang,” day after day. 
He often takes the day's picking to town, and disposes 
of it alone and unaided. His accounts come out to 
a cent, and I would rather have him to assist me in 
this work than any man I could hire. By the time he 
is 15, he will be a professional fruit grower, and 
would it be right for me to expect him to remain ? I 
am getting double pay as I go along—his work and 
the satisfaction of knowing that I am benefiting some 
one. But when one finds no brain or aptitude for 
improvement, better discard the individual at once. 
In the history of agriculture, the time has arrived 
when slow wits can stand by a machine in a shop, but 
are out of place in the field. 
Our best horse was worked moderately for 3j^ hours 
on the mowing machine in the afternoon. The team 
stood in the shade until 6 p. m., and when taken to 
the barn, was cared for as usual. Not a sign of sick¬ 
ness was noted, yet before we had finished supper, 
one was in such agony that she broke the halter and 
ran around the yard in a frenzy. Supposing it to be 
colic, a heaping tablespoonful of ginger in a pint of 
cold water was given her. This will generally effect 
a cure ; but a second heavier dose failing, the veteri¬ 
narian was sent for. He was there in 1^ hour after 
she was taken, but failed to give any relief. The horse 
died at 10 A. m. the next morning. An examination 
showed a perfectly healthy condition of every part 
except the large intestines, which were black and dis¬ 
tended. The horse bloated badly toward the last. The 
doctor said, “ A stricture of the muscles caused a 
stoppage.” The horse was fed hay and ground feed, 
and there had been no change for a long time. Can 
any one tell me why this stricture, and what should 
have been done to save her? The veterinarian did 
not use any injections, but it seems to me that the 
stoppage could have been forced open. When one 
stands by and sees an intelligent, trusted horse in 
agony, turn its eyes with a dumb appeal for help, he 
wishes for more knowledge. The signs of sickness 
and science of relieving pain, should be taught in 
every district schoolhouse. 
Grasshoppers everywhere ! All sizes ! The swarms 
of little ones just out. make one uneasy for the future. 
The oat kernels eaten off by them, cover the ground. 
Corn, potatoes, berry bushes and clover are full of 
holes. A neighbor says, “ I shall spray the edges of 
the oats with Paris-green, as a slight trace of poison 
will kill them. This seems risky if the oats are used 
afterwards. Meadows which are not pastured might 
be treated. Although we have nothing like the 
swarms of the West, where everything is eaten clean, 
still we would like to hear from any one who has a 
remedy. 
What is to me a new disease on apple trees, has put 
in an appearance. The new growth turns brown and 
withers. A careful examination failed to reveal any 
cause. So many shoots died that some trees seem to 
be nearly covered with dried leaves. They were 
noticed about July 4, and seemed to be mostly on 
younger trees. The entire growth of this year dies. 
What is the cause ? 
Last year the red raspberries were attacked by a 
new disease ; just before the fruit began to ripen, the 
upper third of the canes withered and turned brown. 
When bent over, the stalk would snap square off 
about a foot from the top. 1 wrote to the experiment 
station, and their representative spent a day in exam¬ 
ination, and took specimens with him, but failed to 
find the cause, or give a remedy. This season a larger 
proportion are affected. Wild ones along the road¬ 
side in other parts of the town, show that they are 
affected. Black raspberries are showing traces of it. 
If it continue, it will ruin the industry. This year 
the canes die further down, some of them to the 
ground, but none shows any mark of insects where 
they break. Below the dead parts, the leaves keep 
green and the fruit is perfected. What can 1 do about 
it ?_c. E. CHAPMAN. 
THE EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 
Vikcinia Station (Blacksburg-) Bulletin 42 gives the results of 
tests of fertilizers on wheat. We do not see that these results 
teach any lessons of real value. Bu’letin 43 describes the various 
medicines used in treating ordinary diseases of live stock. This 
is an interesting thing—of value to farmers. 
Louisiana Station (Calhoun, La.) Report for 1894. There are 
some new features about this station. The increase of live stock 
is sold at reasonable rates to farmers. Cattle of Jersey, Guern¬ 
sey, Holstein and Devon breeds are kept; also Essex, Jersey Red 
and Berkshire hogs, 11 different breeds of poultry and South 
Down, Shropshire and Merino sheep. For sheep breeding, farmers 
are advised to cross a Merino ram on native sheep to “clothe 
all naked places with wool,” and then to cross South Down or 
Shropshire bucks on these lambs. The Berkshires are called the 
best general-purpose hog for the South. A rotation suggested for 
improving worn-out farms in Louisiana, is as follows : Corn fol¬ 
lowed by oats, then cow peas and cotton—the cow peas being fed 
on the ground or plowed under. The restoration of the laud will, 
of course, be much more rapid if fertilizers of some sort be 
used. Cotton-hull ashes and dissolved rock or muriate of potash 
and rock will, in connection with the cow peas, give a good rota¬ 
tion of plant food. 
BUSINESS BITS. 
Mr. James T. Armstrong, No. 1044 Penn Avenue, Pittsburg, Pa., 
offers for sale Jersey bulls and heifers of a noted family. 
As the season for sowing wheat approaches, many farmers will 
need a combination grain and fertilizer drill. Hench & Dromgold, 
York, Pa., manufacture one which has many points in its favor. 
They can also supply you with a potato digger, if you need one. 
“ Feed savers” are the kind of men that most farmers would be 
glad to become acquainted with this year, owing to the shortage 
of the hay crop. A whoie family of “feed savers” make up the 
Smalley Mfg. Co., Manitowoc. Wis. Write for their 1895 hand 
book, “How to Beat a Drought.” 
The Rogers Nurseries, Moorestown, N. J., are offering potted 
strawberry plants at reasonable prices. “ Buy your plants from 
a man who has a record for giving satisfaction,” is Mr. Rogers’s 
advice, and those who have patronized him in the past will appre¬ 
ciate this fact. Give him a trial order. 
A saving of power is a saving of money. The Belcher & Taylor 
Agricultural Tool Company, Box 75, Chicopee Falls, Mass., claim 
that the Baldwin Improved feed and ensilage cutter, will do the 
same amount of work with one-half the power required by any 
other cutter on the market. Descriptive circular on application. 
