THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
6o5 
1895 
HAS THE FARMER FAILED ? 
A recent writer in an agricultural newspaper asks : 
Has the farmer failed ? Seriously we answer, that he has not. 
What is the business of the farmer ? Evidently to grow food and 
raiment for man and for beast. Has he not done this ? Look at 
the present overloaded markets, and answer. 
This seems to me to be a very superficial view of the 
subject. Agricultural success needs a broader basis 
than the one thus laid down, surely. To be success¬ 
ful. the farmer must not only supply food and rai¬ 
ment, but he should do so at a sound living profit to 
himself. Is the American farmer—especially the 
Western American farmer—doing so to-day ? His evi¬ 
dent unrest, and his excitement over his situation, 
plainly indicate the contrary ; and this, notwithstand¬ 
ing the fact that he holds the home market, and sells 
largely in foreign markets. Yet his mortgages re¬ 
main unpaid, and to his own eyes his future is dark. 
To be successful, the producer, be he farmer or 
mechanic, must not only produce, but he must pro¬ 
duce at a clear net profit; not sometimes, but 
habitually. Can the farmer, or any other producer, 
do this in these days without a thorough knowledge 
of his business, and the possession of sufficient capi¬ 
tal to enable him to use that knowledge to its full 
extent ? Our American farmer fails, both in the mat¬ 
ter of skill and of capital, and also in the lack of 
ability as a buyer and seller. When you find a farmer 
with these characteristics well developed, you will 
find one who is really successful, and one who cannot 
be stirred up to make a fool of himself by political 
demagogues in search of official positions to be util¬ 
ized, not in the farmer's behalf, but in their own. 
It must be admitted by every intelligent observer, 
that the average skill in, and mastership of, his 
business, are yet very low in the average American 
farmer. So long as there was enough of rich virgin 
soil to be had for the asking, it was vain to expect 
much improvement in this direction. A man in the 
exclusive possession of a rich gold placer, need hardly 
to be expected to make a close study of the arts of the 
scientific miner. So with the Western farmer and, 
in fact, with many in the East ; for all the good 
land is not in the West. Far from it, in fact, as is 
readily proved from the annual crop reports of our 
Nat’onal Department of Agriculture. These show 
the best results, not in the West, but in the Middle 
and Northern Atlantic States ; and these have, with 
few exceptions, been improving all the time that the 
West has been declining. Hut in both sections, we 
are still frightfully behind the best farming of Europe. 
Now is the time for our agricultural schools which 
have not been grabbed and suffocated by the preda¬ 
tory literary colleges—now so widely noted for the 
.success of their students in manly (!) sports—to justify 
themselves before the nation. Their instructors have 
surely had time enough to master the business they 
are paid to teach. Now let them teach it with the 
enthusiastic vigor and success which are sure to com* 
mand popular attention. Agriculture is both an art 
and a science ; and the arts and sciences do not come 
to man by nature. They must be learned ; and to be 
learned, they must be taught. We need about 10,000 
Prof. Haileys in America ; and we need them soon. 
_ T. H. HOSKINS. 
THE PROSPECT. 
Farmebs near the Rural Grounds are complaining 
bitterly this season. The cyclone damaged their crops, 
and now prices for their products are lower than they 
have been in years. Sweet corn, potatoes, Lima 
beans, melons and tomatoes are almost given away. 
Even the great New York market is filled with these 
products. These farmers read about the improve¬ 
ment in business throughout the country, but they do 
not find any part of it touching them. There are a 
good many other localities in the country where 
similar hardships prevail among farmers. Near the 
large towns and cities where, in former years, the 
workmen bought largely of vegetables and fruits, 
farmers this year generally complain. The worst of 
the “ hard times” has been slow in reaching these 
farmers. It has reached them with this crop, while 
workmen who buy their produce felt it a year ago. 
All the habits of economy that have been enforced, 
during the past year, now meet the crop of the vege¬ 
table farmer. People regard sweet corn as a luxury 
this year, because the price of corn meal mush has 
made a better fit for their purse. It is true that some 
lines of manufacturing are improving, and that many 
workmen receive more money than they did a year 
ago. The farmer does not receive the indirect benefit 
of this at once, because most of these workmen have 
debts to pay—there are plenty of creditors on the 
lookout for the first money they earn. Again, they 
will be anxious now, if they never were before, to 
nave money and lay something aside for the next dose- 
of ‘-hard times.” The farmer will be the last of all. 
the industrial classes to feel the benefit of the present- 
business revival. While we believe that the condi¬ 
tions throughout the country are slowly improving, 
the average farmer cannot hope for any immediate 
“boom” in his trade. We do think, however, that the 
outlook will justify any farmer in making conserva¬ 
tive plans for improving the capacity of his farm, and 
strengthening its working force with the best tools 
and appliances. 
Q 
The R. N.-Y. has often urged its readers to make 
use of cards and circulars in advertising their goods. 
First make sure that you can guarantee a thoroughly 
reliable article, and then get up a good circular tell¬ 
ing the people what you have, and where it may 
be obtained. The chances are that you can find some 
honest local dealer who will be glad to handle these 
goods, and put out your circulars among his customers. 
“ Printers’ ink makes folks think,” and thought and 
curiosity bring trade. We know of a number of men 
who have tried this plan with eggs. Here, for ex¬ 
ample, is a copy of a postal card sent out by Mr. T. T. 
Hibben, of Pennsylvania : 
PORT VIEW POULTRY FARM , 
THOROUGHBRED POULTRY, 
GUARANTEED FRESH EGGS T. T. HIBBEN, PROPRIETOR. 
FOR MARKET. 
Port View Farm.189.... 
I wisli to inform persons desiring absolutely fresh eggs of finest 
quality that they can be purchased from. These 
eggs are produced on the Port View Poultry Farm. 
Every egg stamped and guaranteed to be not only not rotten, but 
absolutely fresh, laid by fowls in perfect health and fed on purest 
food to be obtained. Cold storage eggs, probably several months 
old, and laid by fowls whose principal food was the pickings of 
the barnyard, are not exactly healthy food, say nothing about 
their uncertainty. These guaranteed stamped eggs, although re¬ 
tailed at a slightly higher price than the so-called fresh eggs on 
the market, really cost no more money, and are used with much 
more satisfaction. They are delivered to the store every Tuesday 
and Friday morning. Arrangements can be made for stated 
quantities each week. Ask for “the stamped eggs.” 
Visitors welcome at the Farm on Tuesdays and Saturdays, but 
positively not on Sundays. 
FROM PORT VIEW POULTRY FARM. 
That is mailed to people all over that town, and the 
result is that they come to the store with their orders. 
And here is the wording of a circular sent out by our 
old friend, O. W. Mapes, who has headquarters for 
eggs in this city. He says that he has received not 
less than 20 cents per dozen all summer. 
I keep about 1,000 hens, which lay a bushel of eggs every few 
hours. Every egg is stamped with the date upon which it is laid. 
You do not buy a “ pig in a bag” when you buy these eggs. The 
Electric Poultry Yards are fitted up with all modern improve¬ 
ments for furnishing a first-class article. The hens never scratch 
in the barnyard, but have the run of the green fields, and are fed 
on a well-balanced ration of pure feed. I have 30 poultry houses 
scattered over my pasture fields. I use no yards, but give them 
free range over the fields during the day. By pressing an electric 
button in my dining room, I scatter grain on the floors of all the 
houses simultaneously and every hen runs to her own house for 
her supper. I also close the doors in the same way at night after 
they have gone to roost. The nests have an automatic attach¬ 
ment by which the eggs are pressed into a pasteboard drawer 
beneath the nest as soon as a hen attempts to sit down on them. 
It is impossible for a hen to get the heat of her body upon the eggs 
and spoil them. I guarantee every egg to be in perfect order, and 
not over 24 hours old on the date that is stamped on the shell. You 
need not come to the country for new laid eggs, but have them 
brought to you. 
That is one good way to pick up trade. First of all, 
make sure you have a prime article—then push it. 
O 
The horse-meat question continues *to agitate the 
public mind, and many wild rumors are floating around 
concerning it. It has been asserted that large quan¬ 
tities of it have been canned as beef, and used both 
in this country and for export. Several of the large 
meat packers assert that this is not true ; that horse 
meat contains certain properties that preclude its 
ever being used in this way, and that no cook can 
prepare horse meat so that it could be palmed off as 
beef. They say that horse meat will never be used in 
large quantities in this country, that only under¬ 
handed methods can avail in its distribution, that 
markets like New York are let severely alone, and that 
sausage makers, and similar trades use la~ge quan¬ 
tities of it. We are accustomed, perhaps unjustly, to 
look upon reports from these firms with several grains 
of salt, but some of their views are worthy of con¬ 
sideration. Cattle exporters say that reports from 
Germany indicate that the prejudice there against 
horse meat is dying out. This is partly due, perhaps, 
to the fact that, at first, the butchers killed old, 
worn-out horses, which cost them but little money, 
the quality of whose flesh was, perhaps, not of the 
best. Now better horses are used, higher prices must 
be paid, and higher prices are charged for meat. One 
of the United States Consuls in Germany has had con¬ 
siderable to say about the profit in exporting horses 
to that country. According to his statements, horses 
should be exported alive, to be killed there, as the 
duty on them is only $4.75 per head; but as he figures 
the transportation charges at only $5 per head, while 
the regular export rate on horses is $25 per head from 
New York, and $35 from Chicago, his figures and 
statements seem to merit little consideration. The 
gist of the whole matter seems to be that horse meat 
is used to some extent (not to the extent that some 
would have us believe), both here and in Europe; that 
it is sometimes sold as such, but often is disguised ; 
that it is as healthful and nutritious, if from healthy 
animals, as beef, especially poor beef ; that it is a 
good way to dispose of broken-down—not diseased— 
horses, or of poor scrubs that are not worth keeping, 
and that it may be a blessing to those who cannot 
afford to buy higher priced meats. Congress last 
winter passed a law which required all meat exporta¬ 
tions after September 16, 1895, to be accompanied by 
a certificate showing that the cattle from which they 
were produced were found free from disease, and that 
the meat was sound and wholesome ; and further re¬ 
quiring that the meat of all other species of animals 
shall be packed in barrels, cases or other packages, 
which are legibly marked in such a manner as clearly 
to indicate the species of animal from which the meat 
was produced. Secretary Morton has issued an order 
to carry into effect this law, and it is expected that its 
enforcement will set at rest the reports that horse 
meat is packed and sold as beef. If the law is strictly 
and thoroughly enforced, it should; but we some¬ 
times hear of inspection that doesn’t inspect, and 
enforcement that doesn’t enforce. 
Q 
A housekeeper living in a town not many miles 
from New York, and in the midst of a truck farming 
community, says that it is almost impossible for her 
to get an adequate supply of vegetables which are 
fresh and of good quality. The growers insist upon 
shipping them to the Metropolis. Yet the prices they 
obtain this year are very small, many times barely 
covering the cost of gathering and marketing, to say 
nothing of growing. Yet these men who are evidently, 
this year at least, conducting business at a loss, can’t 
be induced to supply their village neighbors, who 
would be g-lad to purchase their vegetables fresh from 
the ground. That would be too small business for 
them ! Talking with another housekeeper on the 
same subject, the great difference between the prices 
paid the farmer by the storekeeper for his fruits and 
vegetables, and those charged by the latter to the 
consumers was mentioned. “The farmer ought to 
bring his products around, and we would be glad to 
buy of him if he would only sell at a little lower price 
than the storekeeper.” “ Hut why shouldn't you pay 
the farmer just as much as you do the storekeeper ? ” 
was asked. “ because it is more trouble to buy of 
him. He comes along with apples, perhaps ; we buy 
some apples. His neighbor may come along later 
with some potatoes; we need some, so we purchase of 
him. Another may have green corn ; we take some 
of this, and so on. Each takes time, change must be 
made for each, and then, they come at all times of 
day, and we never know whether they are coming or 
not. We can give an order to the grocer in the morn¬ 
ing, the goods will be delivered promptly and on time, 
and that ends it. If the farmers would only furnish 
a variety of what we buy, would have regular days 
on which we could be sure they would be on hand on 
time, and would be more businesslike, we would 
much prefer to patronize them; as it is, we can’t 
afford to do so.” All of which is worth considering, 
for there are thousands of towns and cities where ex¬ 
actly these same conditions prevail. How is it in your 
town ? 
O 
BUSINESS BITS. 
“ The old reliable” commission house of S. H. & E. H. Frost, 100 
Park Place, wish shipments of fruits, potatoes, poultry, dressed 
calves, pork, etc. Send to th em for price current and shipping 
and packing directions. 
One of the good places to buy nursery stock of any kind, is at 
the Village Nurseries of Joseph H. Black, Son & Co., Hightstown, 
N. J. This is one of the old reliable houses in the business. Their 
catalogue is sent on application. 
Veterinary surgery is attracting the attention of many of the 
young men of the farm, and the opening is a favorable one. The 
New York College of Veterinary Surgeons and School of Compara¬ 
tive Medicine offers a course of thorough and practical instruction 
to its students, and we would recommend any one interested in 
the subject to write the Dean, H. D. Gill, V. S., 154 East 57th St., 
New York, for catalogue of the university. 
It will soon be time to cut the corn. How can you do it bestand 
cheapest—by man or horse power ? That seems to be a question 
for consideration if you have any considerable acreage of corn to 
harvest. There are now several makes of corn harvesters some¬ 
thing on the same principle, that do save lots of time and money 
in harvesting; one of them is the Daisy, made by the A. W. Butt 
Implement Company, Springfield, O. They have different styles 
and sizes, and will send description and prices for the asking. 
The John Moore’s Sons Company of Raritan, N. J., have added 
a new feature to their superior land roller in the way of a grain 
seeder as well as a grass seeder formerly used. The company 
have experimented with the grain seeder for several years, and 
did not put it on the market until they felt satisfied of its effi¬ 
ciency. They recommend rough harrowing, then seeding and 
rolling and harrowing again. The roller is made of steel. We 
know of some that have been in use for several years, and are 
doing good work. We don’t see any reason why they should not 
last for a century, if cared for. Address the company for fuller 
description. 
Farmers, or those making a business of jo b baling from farm 
to 'farm, who are looking for the best and most profitable hay 
press outfit on the market, should investigate the merits of the 
Southwick Two-Horse Full-Circle hay press, manufactured by the 
Sandwich Mfg. Co., Sandwich, Ill. This press has positive plunger 
draw—no spring used—gong indicators, steel linings, chaff grates, 
feed opening 40 inches long, no foot feeding required. The press 
standing upon its wheels, the tyer may stand up to do his work, 
not being obliged to get down on his knees in the dust, mud and 
snow as he is with machines whose wheels have to be sunk into 
the ground. It is light of draft, has an actual capacity of 12 to 16 
tons per day. This company also manufacture the Southwick 
steam hay press—capacity 2 to 3*4 tons per hour—which has a 
reputation for lightness of draft, quantity and quality of work. 
