858 
THE RURAL 
NEW-YORKER. 
December 28 
CO-OPERA TIVE INSURANCE AGAIN. 
Heavy Cost of Potatoes. 
C. EL B., South Hingham, Mass.— I 
read with surprise the notes on the cost 
of potatoes. Farmers of this county 
(Plymouth) will tell you that it costs 50 
cents per bushel to raise potatoes. I 
have planted potatoes 14 years, and this 
S75, $50, $40, $30, $25, $15, $10, $5 
are the prizes for the Subscription Contest from December 1 to January 15. 
Besides, a $5 cash prize is guaranteed to every agent who sends 20 yearly sub¬ 
scriptions, in case he does not win one of the larger prizes. Besides them, the 
E. P. s Hillsboro, Mo. — I have my 
property insured in a stock company. I 
paid 822.50 cash down for 81,500 for five 
years. Our schoolhouse is insured in a 
farmers’ cooperative company. We pay 
65 cents on 8400, until a fire breaks out. 
We have had one fire in the last 17 
months, which cost us 81. 
F. W. S., Franklin County, Vt. —It is 
impossible to say whether the rates 
mentioned by A. R., page 808, are exor¬ 
bitant or not, as he does not state for 
how long a period the property is in¬ 
sured. We carry 81,000 on farm build¬ 
ings in the Vermont Mutual, a coopera¬ 
tive company. Policies are issued to 
run six years. The policy or surveyor’s 
fee is 82. Our assessments average less 
than 82.50 per year. Of course the rates 
on town property, mills, etc., are higher. 
While some of the stock companies, 
whose business is in the hands of agents 
who are principally interested in getting 
their fees, and do not examine one risk 
in ten upon which they issue policies, 
are withdrawing from the State, the 
Mutual is doing a safe and steadily in¬ 
creasing business, owing principally to 
the careful examination of all risks 
taken, and precautions against over-in¬ 
surance. 
L. M. S., Canajohariic, N. Y.—Insur¬ 
ance rates, or rather assessments in co¬ 
operative companies in New York, are 
given in the reports of the central organi¬ 
zation as follows : For 1891, reports 
from 84 companies show an average of 
84.29 per 81,000 for three years, or 81.43 
per annum. For 1892, 87 companies re¬ 
ported, and the total average was 85.02, 
or 81.67 per annum. For 1893, 99 com¬ 
panies reported ; the average rate was 
85.42 or about 81-81 per annum for each 
81,000 insured. This insurance covers 
losses from tire and lightning only, and 
the total amount of property insured 
was nearly 8170,000,000, presumably all 
farm property, and representing 41 
counties. The steadily increasing risk 
as shown above, has, probably, been 
felt by all companies alike, and is not 
easily explained. 
A. M. B., Elba, Mich. — I send the fol¬ 
lowing list of assessments of the Lapeer 
County Farmers’ Mutual Fire Insurance 
Association, beginning with 1880, for 
each 81,000 : 
1880. 
.$1.50 
1888. 
...$3 20 
1881. 
. 4.30 
1889. 
. 2.20 
1882. 
. 2.10 
1890. 
. 1.00 
1883. 
. 1.65 
1891. 
. 2.40 
1884. 
.2.70 
1892. 
. 4.50 
1885. 
. 2.80 
1893. 
. 2.00 
1886. 
. 3.50 
1894. 
1887. 
. 3.00 
1895. 
. 2.50 
This makes an average assessment of 
82.68 for each 81,000 insured. The sur¬ 
veyor's fee is 81- This is less than one- 
tenth of the rates that A. R. gives. 
F. P. B., Liberty Corners, Pa.—T he 
rates of insurance in the stock com¬ 
panies are, 81 per 8100 on houses and 
contents, and 81.50 per 8100 on barns 
and contents; this insures for three 
years. But almost all the farmers in this 
place, are insured in a mutual company 
which insures only farm property in this 
county. It has been doing business 21 
years, and the aggregate assessments 
have been not quite 83 per 8100, which 
would make about one per cent for seven 
years. It has been a good thing for us, 
and I do not see why it is not feasible in 
any farming community. We have over 
83,000,000 insured. We have an assess¬ 
ment about once every year, sometimes 
not so often ; we do not make an assess¬ 
ment for every loss, as a very large num¬ 
ber are insured, and it would make too 
much expense to notify the members so 
often. We do not insure against damage 
by lightning, “other than fire caused by 
lightning,” or against cyclones. We 
never have had very much damage by 
cyclones m this country. 
is what it costs me per acre : 
Plowing. 
Harrowing. 
Furrowing. 
Cultivating. 
Covering. 
Dropping. 
Cutting. 
Paris-green. 
Applying Paris-green. 
15 bushels seed, 70c. (last season’s price) — 
Digging and sorting. 
10 cords stable manure. 
One-half ton fertilizer. 
Tax and interest. 
$3.00 
1.20 
1.00 
3.00 
3.00 
1.25 
1.25 
.40 
3.00 
10.50 
24.00 
60.00 
20.00 
6.50 
Total.$138.00 
Average yield of marketable potatoes, 400 bush¬ 
els; cost per bushel, 34)4c. 
Now, in order to keep along with West¬ 
ern soil and low cost, I must reckon on 
the hay that will grow from the manure 
used. After digging, I sow Timothy, 
Red-top and clover, and get three tons 
per year for three years, worth 810 per 
ton, standing, when the soil is in about 
the same condition as before planting. 
Deducting the value of the hay from the 
first cost, leaves 848, or 12 cents per 
bushel. The small potatoes pay for 
seeding down. By figuring in this way, 
I can keep along with Mr. Chapman, 
without using improved machines. 
More About That Pork. 
J. H. II., Germantown, N. Y.—I would 
advise H. F. G., page 808, not to let the 
brine come above the salt on his pork. 
The brine, when exposed to the air, 
spoils and then spoils the pork. Have 
the pork well covered with coarse salt. 
W. S. A., Torrington, Conn. —I came 
near losing my pork in the same way 
as that mentioned by II. F. G. I drained 
the brine all out, and made a very strong 
new one ; poured it on to the pork boil¬ 
ing hot, and it was all right. I pack it 
as he did, a layer of pork and plenty of 
salt—rock salt if I can get it. I pack it 
very tight, so that it will not rise in the 
brine. In about 24 hours, I make a 
strong brine, put it on boiling hot, and 
have no trouble in Keeping the pork 
sweet and good. I make a pickle for 
my beef, dried beef and hams, and pour 
it on boiling hot. We have part of a 
ham from a hog which was butchered 
December, ’74, and it is all right. The two 
hams weighed 100 pounds. I have fol¬ 
lowed this method for more than 40 
years, with perfect success. I use no 
old brine. 
S. D. R., Franklin Grove, 111.—If 11. 
F. G. will sugar-cure his meat, 1 believe 
that he will have no further trouble. 
For 250 pounds of pork, take five pounds 
of common salt, one pound of brown 
sugar, one-fourth pound of saltpeter, one- 
fourth pound of black pepper, one 
ounce of red pepper. Mix thoroughly, 
and rub on the flesh side, all that will 
adhere. Let them lie four hours, then 
apply on the skin side. Let them lie 
overnight, then apply on the flesh side 
again, and, after 10 days, smoke. 
E. W., Oxford, N. Y.—Use a clean bar¬ 
rel, one that has not been used for any¬ 
thing else but pork. After the meat is 
thoroughly cool, say, two or three days 
(Continued on next page.) 
trUant’ou.s ui cvti£im). 
In writing to advertisers, please always mention 
The Rukal New-Yokkeu. 
Merit 
Is what gives Hood’s Sarsaparilla its great 
popularity and constantly increasing sales. It 
perfectly and permanently cures catarrh, rheu¬ 
matism, scrofula, salt rheum, in fact all blood 
diseases, because 
Hood’s 
Sarsaparilla 
Is the One True Blood Purifier. 
Hood’s Pills cure all Liver Ills. 25 cents. 
agent keeps his regular commission, and a 81-bill goes back every night to the one 
who sends the largest club for that day. It sometimes goes back for one name. 
This is the best subscription time in the whole year. Begin now. No agents have 
done very much yet. As usual, all are leaving it till the last week or two. Begin 
now and get a - lead for that 875. Do you want some sample copies to start with ? 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER, NEW YORK. 
HERRICK 3EED CO., 
INCORPORATED, ROCH ES7 ER, N. Y. " 
Purity and Quality Guaranteed. AGENTS WANTED. 
Plant the Best Currants 
WHITE IMPERIAL excels all others in quality 
for a fine table currant. 
PRESIDENT WILDER combines qualities that 
make it the most valuable market and table Red 
Currant that has been put upon the market. For 
prices apply to 
S. D. WILLARI), Geneva, N. Y. 
QRAPEvines 
■ ki Small Fruits. 
All old and new varieties Extra quality. Warranted 
true. Lowest rate*. Descriptive Catalogue Free 
T. S. HUBBARD CO., FREDONIA, fi.Y. 
FRUIT TRFFQ~ Peach ’ Apple ’ plum > strawberry 
I Hull I flLLO Plants and Asparagus Roots, in 
quantities low. 20-page catalogue FREE. Send at 
once. BERLIN NURSERIES, Berlin. Md. 
THE MILLER RED RASPBERRY 
Is all that is desirable, in Plant and Fruit; it has no 
equal. We wili mail 50 Diants to any address In 
America on receipt of $2. For further particulars, 
and 1,000 rates, address 
JERSEY STATE NURSERIES, Bridgeton, N. J. 
MY STRAWBERRY CATALOGUE 
Free to all. Send now. 
C. N. FLANSBUBGH, Leslie, Mich. 
STRAWBERRIES. 
Introducer of Satisfaction Strawberry, has Clyde, 
Wm. Belt, Marshall, Bisel, Brandywine, Eleanor, 
Mary, Staples, Brunette. Over 40 other best varieties. 
Large stock very Hue plants. Descriptive Catalogue 
free. ENOS W. DUNHAM, Stevensville, Mich. 
TUC Pill I Cfl burned at the Orange 
I nL UULLlU ulUlm County Nurseries, 
could be sold low. Poor stock never is cheap. We 
ship only prime stock. Catalogue free. 
T. J. DWYER, Cornwall, N. Y. 
BERRY GROWERS, REJOICE! 
18 to 20 cents a quart for your berries by shipping 
in my new DISPLAY PACKAGE. No division slats, 
no hinges, no crushed berries. The best package ever 
Invented or your money refunded. It has cost us 
hundreds of dollars to secure our rights at Patent 
Office. For 50 cents, by registered letter, we send a 
detail drawing, showing the sizes, cost and how to 
make it. Simple; a child can make it at a cost of 
only 20 cents. Act at once and get a handsome pic¬ 
ture of one of our packages filled with Brandywine 
berries—a beautiful display. Only 1,000 drawings 
will be sold; just to cover mv expenses at Patent 
Office. Your money back when all drawings are sold. 
TICE C. KEV1TT, Inventor, Athenia, N. J. 
FRUIT PACKAGES ^ 
Also Beekeepers’ Supplies. 
Now is the time to order and 
get the DISCOUNTS. Cata¬ 
logue and price list free. Address 
BERLIN FRUIT BOX CO., 
Berlin Heights, Erie Co., Ohio. 
$ 10.00 
FOB LARGEST POTATO, 
Rural New-Yorker No. 2, 
sent me and raised from seed purchased of me this 
season, will be awarded October 15,1396. Potato must 
reach me by mail, postpaid, on or before that date. 
Seed, five pounds, 30 cents; one barrel free, to person 
sending in first order. Address all orders to 
A. C GEARHART, West Decatur, Pa. 
PDIfifiCnil PI largest handler 
linlfflOlllV ULUvElf of American-grown 
Crimson Clover Seed in the United States, Is JOSEPH 
E. HOLLAND, Grower and Jobber, Milford, Del. 
Also. Cow Peas. Winter Oats. Timothy Seed. etc. 
AAUI DC AC l ,er bushel, sacked, Second- 
UU TT itAv Crop Carman No. 1 and White 
Bliss potatoes. The best early potato grown. Lady 
Thompson Strawberry Plants. $2 per 1,000. 
T. B. PARKER. Goldsboro, N. C. 
OPPORTUNITY ?o*R.R;S 
is NOW. Never cheaper. Catalogue ready in 
December. Horse Shoe Farm CHKSHIRKS ^re 
going fast. Write me. C. E. Chapman, Peruville, N.Y 
LIVE MEN 
WANTED. 
To take orders for ray Seeds. 1890 Seed Annual and 
Special Wholesale Price List ready. If you mean 
business, write now. 
FRANK H. BATTLES, Rochester, N.Y. 
Grower of Farm and Garden Seeds. 
ELLWANGER & BARRY’S (1896) CATALOGUE will be the largest.handsomest 
and most valuable that they have published. It will contain accurate and reliable descriptions of the largest 
and choicest collections of fruit and ornamental trees, shrubbery, roses, etc., ever offered, besides ample 
cultural directions. It will be richly illustrated with half tone engravings, and will have a colored plate of 
new and unique design, and illustrated cover. It will be mailed to regular customers free, to others on receipt 
of 10 cents to cover postage. ELUVANUKK & BAKKV. Mount Hope Nurseries, Rochester, N.Y. 
ROGERS’ 
KITTEN 
(OUR LITTLE CATALOGUE) 
has been very active the past fall, and has grown to be a common-sense cat. He is 
lull of business and different from any other cat. Not a big, high-priced sleepy 
fellow, but a lively little hustler, built for business. We want to send him to 
cat-ch your order. It will pay you to have him around. Write for one to-day. 
ROGERS NURSERIES, ISAAC C. ROGERS, Manager, Dansville, N. Y. 
Tour Name address 
Plainly written on a postal card and addressed to 
W. F. ALLEN. JR.. SALISBURY, MD., 
will bring you free of charge his 32-page Illustrated 
Strawberry Catalogue, containing several original 
wood engravings, and honest descriptions of over 60 
varieties (largest and best Strawberry Catalogue pub¬ 
lished); also sample copy ot The Strawberry CulturisU 
or Ain Ainu/ 1 IK you grow strawberries, you 
OCillU IlUYY! can’t afford to be without it. 
The only Yellow Freestone PEACH 
ipening with Amsden. 
The Latest and Largest 
Yellow Freestone PEACH, 
EMPEROR 
MERCER { 
The only Bare-Bearing, 
Non-Rotting CHERRY, 
For full descriptions send for Catalogue (lOo.) We will send our Beautifully IUut. Oalaloffue with 
the Col’d Plates of the 3 Wonderful New Fruits, and 1 Emperor Peach June Bud by 
mail, postpaid, for 10c. JOS.11. BLACK,SON A CO., Village Margeries, HlgkUtOWa, N.J, 
Fall Snpply Of All Kinds OfNnrsery Stock in 
LUM,PEACH,PEAR, 
Apple, Cherry, Quince, Crape Vines, with all kinds 
of Small Fruits. Also Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, 
Roses and Seeds, Japan, Holland and other Bulbs. 
Everything of the best—for Orchard, Vineyard, Lawn, Park, Street, Garden and Con¬ 
servatory. Millions of Trees, Shrubs, Roses, Vines, Bufbs, Greenhouse Plants, etc Why not pro¬ 
cure the best direct from the growers and aave all commissions I Write us your wants and 
we will quote you lowest prices. 
Price list and catalogue free, 42nd year. lOOO acres. 29 Greenhouses. 
THE STORRS & HARRISON CO., Box23 Painesville, Ohio. 
