1895 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
797 
A FASHIONABLE HORSE SHOW. 
DISPLAY OF HORSES, WOMEN, CLOTHES AND JEWELRY. 
Hackneys Are Favorites; High Prices Gone. 
The great New York Horse Show has come and 
gone with a flourish of trumpets, and such a crush of 
wealth and fashion as were never before known. For 
be it remembered that this is not only a show of 
horses but of women. It is the opening society event 
of the season, and everybody who is anybody in 
society must go to see and be seen. It is a show of 
fashionable millinery, of stylish dresses, of jewelry 
and furbelows. Of course, there are horses, and good 
ones, too ; but with many, they are only an incident 
of the show. This is the lltli annual exhibition, and 
never were there more or better horses, or a larger 
attendance. It costs §1 to get in—more if one wish a 
reserved seat—still the total attendance for the week 
is given as 95,500, and net profit upwards of §100,000. 
Leaving out of the question all considerations from 
the society’s standpoint, the show was a success. It 
drew together some of the finest specimens of horse 
flesh in the country. Although the greater number 
came from New York, New England, New Jersey 
and Pennsylvania, there were exhibits also from Vir¬ 
ginia, Kentucky, Washington, D. C., Ohio, Illinois, 
Iowa, Kansas, some from California, and a number 
from Canada. The quality of the animals was uni¬ 
formly good, for it is useless to exhibit an inferior 
one. The judging is by experts, is very strict, and 
every horse must pass a veterinary examination before 
receiving a prize. There was considerable unfavor¬ 
able comment in this particular in some cases. The 
veterinary examinations were held in the show ring, 
and if there was any trouble, the public knew it. One 
celebrated imported Hackney stallion was claimed by 
the veterinarians to be unsound, and was ordered 
from tlie ring, although other vets declared him 
sound. An appeal was made, but was thrown out. 
The management is very autocratic, and there is con¬ 
siderable dissatisfaction. 
Some of the horses were valued at thousands of 
dollars, while some could not, probably, be bought 
for any price. The number of horses entered reached 
nearly 1,300, divided into 121 different classes. Judg¬ 
ing was done by experts, one of the Hackney judges 
coming from England, and another from Canada, and 
the ring was occupied by one class after another, from 
Monday afternoon until 10 o’clock Saturday night. 
A number of the first premiums were §500 each, and 
from that down. 
Probably the greatest interest attached to the Hack¬ 
neys. This is an English breed, and an exceedingly 
useful one. The typical Hackney is built for business. 
He is strong, blocky, has good knee action, has great 
powers of endurance, and can get over as much 
ground in a day as any other breed. He has a good 
disposition, and is good on the plow, cart, carriage, 
or in any place in which he may be put. Moreover, 
he is an excellent animal to cross on common stock. 
A number of horses, the get of such crosses, were 
shown, and they were good illustrations of its possi¬ 
bilities. All things considered, there is no better 
breed for the farmer to-day than the Hackney. It is 
a popular breed among buyers, and susceptible of the 
training demanded by critical horsemen. 
The possibilities in this direction were well shown 
by the behavior of all classes of horses. Judging was 
largely governed by the behavior of the animals, and 
it is wonderful to see the perfection to which this 
has been carried. Breeders and trainers must under¬ 
stand this when fitting horses for market. Of course, 
good blood is necessary, and this may, perhaps, be at 
the bottom of the almost perfect training seen here, 
for most of these horses are well-bred. There were 
about 150 purebred Hackneys shown, besides some 25 
half-bred Hackneys. 
Another popular class which comprised a large 
number of entries, was the ponies. These are great 
favorites, and attract much attention, especially from 
the ladies and children. There were upwards of 120 
entries of the shaggy, hardy, little animals, and the 
attention they attract, is out of all proportion to their 
size. A dozen of these came all the way from Iowa’, 
having been exhibited by J. M. Hoag of Maquoketa. 
Several of the mares, not as large themselves as an 
ordinary yearling, had foals by their sides. 
Heavy horses were not much in evidence. There 
were but four entries of heavy draught stallions, and 
these were mostly French Coachers. Those who 
patronize this show have little use for heavy horses, 
the Hackneys answering every requirement in this 
particular. 
There was a class for coaching stallions, and entries 
for this must be “ Cleveland Bays, French, or some 
recognized coaching breed.” Nearly all the entries 
were of horses bred in France. 
The old Morgan breed was represented, although in 
a small way, there being but one class, that of stal¬ 
lions kept for service, and these comprised but three 
entries. Two of the prizes in this class were offered 
by the Morgan Horse Society. 
A large part of the horses were exhibited as road¬ 
sters, saddle horses, carriage horses, hunters, and the 
like. Many were shown in pairs, and there were 
four-in-hand teams, and a new class called unicorn or 
spike teams. The latter consist of three horses, two 
wheelers and a leader. In many of these classes, the 
carriage and its equipments—robe, whip, blankets, 
etc.—count as well as the horses. Every equipment 
must be perfect ; all details must be correct. 
An auction sale of horses was held in Madison 
Square Garden the Monday following the Show, and 
many of the horses exhibited at the Show were 
offered for sale, among them being some of the prize 
winners. While an occasional horse brought a good 
price, many of them sold for ridiculously low figures 
considering the quality of the animals. The sellers, 
many of them, at least, were much disappointed. It 
is evident that, while the horse is still a prime favor¬ 
ite, for some cause or other, former prices cannot be 
reached. 
EXORBITANT RATES ON MILK. 
The Interstate Commerce Commission has been in 
session in this city during the past week, investigat¬ 
ing the long-standing complaints of the milk shippers 
against the railroads which transport their milk to 
this city. The charges have been made by the Milk 
Producers’ Protective Association, which comprises a 
large part of the milk producers within a radius of 
100 miles of New York City, and they have engaged 
the most eminent legal counsel in this city. The pro¬ 
ducers have several grievances against the railroads, 
but the principal cause of complaint is that the rail¬ 
roads charge the same rate for hauling milk regard¬ 
less of distance. The charge is 32 cents per 40 quart 
can of milk, and 50 cents per 40-quart can of cream, 
for all coming to the Jersey City side, regardless of 
distance—the man 200 or more miles away pays the 
same as the one 25 miles away. Another grievance is 
that milk rates are excessive as compared with freight 
rates of other commodities. It was shown that on 
one road, the average freight rate was three-quarters 
of a cent per ton per mile, while the rate on milk 
amounted to 12.8 cents per ton per mile—about 17 
times as much. The higher charge for cream was 
defended on the ground of its greater value, but this 
was shown to be fallacious, for the freight on butter¬ 
milk is the same as that on milk, while its value is 
but a fraction of that of milk. It was claimed by the 
producers that the companies had combined to make 
and- sustain these unjust and exorbitant rates. It is 
also claimed that the rate is higher for milk in cans— 
“ the poor man’s milk,” as it was called by the counsel 
—than for the milk in bottles—“the rich man’s milk.” 
Several railroad officials were examined, and, of 
course, tried to justify the existing condition of 
affairs. They couldn’t very well deny that the rates 
were the same for a long as for a short haul ; but 
they claimed that the excessive rates were rendered 
necessary by the special facilities afforded the milk 
traffic. Their replies to all questions were evasive, 
and their evident intention was to convey no more 
information on the subject than they were forced to 
do. Their efforts to convey the idea that there was 
no discrimination against the milk traffic, seemed to 
fail of their object, as did the attempt to convey the 
impression that there is no agreement between the 
different railroads. The facts are that the law is 
violated in charging the same rates regardless of dis¬ 
tance, and in charging excessive rates on milk. This 
much was evident in the first day’s session, and it 
wouldn’t seem to require a week’s session of the Com¬ 
mission to establish it. A Boston dealer testified that 
on railroads running into Boston, there was a graded 
charge of so much per mile for milk. As we go to 
press, the Commission is still in session, and what the 
result of their hearing will be, is a problem. We 
shall give it whenever they render their decision. 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE REPORT. 
Secretary of Agriculture Morton, has just submit¬ 
ted his third annual report, for the year ending June 
30 last. It discusses the workings of the various 
bureaus in his department. He asserts that expendi¬ 
tures have been decreased in some, and increased in 
others for the sake of greater efficiency. Under the 
direction of the Bureau of Animal Industry, meat in¬ 
spection has been increased and improved. The num¬ 
ber of animals inspected at slaughterhouses during 
the year was 18,575,0(39, against 12,944,050 in 1894. 
Ante-mortem inspection was also made of 5,102,721 
animals. All inspectors appointed during the year 
are graduates of reputable veterinary colleges, and 
have passed satisfactory examinations in veterinary 
science before the Civil Service Commission. The 
cost of inspection was 1.1 cent per animal; aggregat¬ 
ing §262,731.34, a considerable reduction per head 
from previous years. During the year, 45,094,598 
pounds of pork were examined microscopically and 
exported, while during the previous year, 35,437,937 
pounds went abroad, and in 1893, 20,077,410 pounds. 
Germany took directly 29,070,410 pounds of micro¬ 
scopically inspected hog products; France, 9,203,995 
pounds ; Denmark, 472,443 ; Spain, 4,752, and Italy, 
3,630. A large number of sheep and cattle were also 
examined and exported. Sheep, although healthy, 
are likely to become affected with scab on shipboard. 
Cattle for Europe and Mexico were inspected. It is 
suggested that a removal of the duty from Mexican 
cattle would be of great advantage to the graziers of 
Texas and the feeders of the Northwestern States 
who have a surplus of corn. The Dairy Division was 
organized July 1, last. Much space is devoted to a 
consideration of the cattle in foreign countries. 
Under the heading, “Dairy Products,” it is stated 
that United States cheese has commanded the mini¬ 
mum figure on the English market, and has reached 
the lowest price yet quoted for American cheese in 
that market. This is because so much of poor quality, 
and so much filled cheese has been dumped on that 
market. While our shipments have been decreasing, 
those from Canada have been increasing, and the 
same is true from every country shipping cheese to 
Great Britain—the United States being the only one 
that has lost its trade. It would seem time for an 
inspection of cheese that would inspect. In butter, 
Great Britain is the best foreign customer of those 
nations who have butter to sell. Last year, the 
United States stood next to the bottom of the list in 
pounds of butter exported, Canada being the only 
country sending butter there that fell below it. Den¬ 
mark sent more than 40 times as much as the United 
States, France 15 times as much, Sweden nine times 
as much, and Australasia more than 10 times as much. 
There is food for thought—and motive for action in 
these figures. Attention is given to the work of the 
Weather Bureau, Division of Statistics, Experiment 
Stations, Forestry, Chemistry, etc. The Division of 
Pomology has introduced 05 new specimens of figs 
from the lloyal Horticultural Society of England ; 29 
varieties of the choicest apples of Austria-Hungary, 
which have been grafted upon seedling stocks for the 
purpose of propagation. Experiments in grafting, 
etc., have been conducted. Exports of apples and 
California fruits, are noted. Some space is devoted to 
the seed division which has been abolished, and the 
report concludes with a dissertation on “The Future 
of Farms and Farming in the United States.” It is a 
document well worth reading. 
BUSINESS BITS. 
Before buying an incubator, write to James Rankin, South 
Easton, Mass., for descriptive circular of the Monarch. 
R. D. Burr, Gloversville, N. Y., is offering 100 barrels of the 
Sir William potato at low rates, delivered now or in the spring. 
The Oakland bean picker is a big factor in the profits of the 
bean crop. If you grow beans, write Bacon Brothers, Pontiac, 
Mich., for descriptive circular. 
One advantage of the Globe grinding mill is that you need no 
other power. Just hitch your team to the sweep, put the grain in 
the hopper and go ahead. This is one of the really good mills. 
It is made by P. N. Bowsher, South Bend, Ind. His descriptive 
circulars are very clear. 
A grist mill for $20 to grind your grain right at home in your 
own barn, looks like a better investment than hauling the grain 
through mud or snow banks, and paying some one else for grind¬ 
ing it. Alfred B. Holcombe, Box 274, Lambertville, N. J., will tell 
you all about it if you write him. 
You like your tea and coffee warm these cold winter days. You 
like your potatoes cooked and served hot enough to melt butter. 
Lots of your barn stock have similar tastes. Why don’t you warm 
their drinking water ? Better turn some of those potatoes into 
hog food before they rot ! How? Put heat into them. How do 
that ? Write to the Star Mfg. Co., Middlebury, Ind., for descrip¬ 
tion of their boilers and tank heaters. 
In old times, when a man had a foot cut off, he was up a stump, so 
to speak—that is, he either did without or went stumping through 
the world on a clumsy substitute. That has come to an end. He 
may now have “ a new foot ” in place of the old one. A. A. Marks, 
701 Broadway, New York, has devised a new pedal extremity 
made of rubber, and carrying a spring mattress along with it. 
It gives real life to an artificial leg. Mr. Marks has written an 
interesting story about it. 
A Fertilizer Test.— Bulletin 93 of the New York Station 
(Geneva), gives an account of a test made in growing potatoes 
on Long Island. A field on a well-known farm was selected. It 
was light, loamy soil and had been in grass since 1890. It was 
plowed and tilled in the usual manner, and divided into 26 plots. 
Ten diffex-ent brands of potato fertilizer were used in varying 
quantities, and all the plots were cultivated alike. Very accurate 
records were kept. We are told just what each fertilizer contained, 
how much plant food was added to each plot, and how much was 
taken away with the potatoes, the yields, cost of fertilizer re¬ 
quired to produce a bushel of potatoes, and other valuable data. 
According to these results, most of the fertilizers used did not pay 
for themselves—particulaily with potatoes at their present low 
price. They conclude that it does not pay to use over 1,000 pounds 
of fertilizer to the acre. Practical farmers will hardly agree with 
some of the conclusions arrived at from these experiments, but 
the figures will prove very valuable as a basis for further work 
in this line. 
