TERMS, $3.00 PER YEAR.] 
PROGRESS AND IMPROVEMENT.’ 
[SINGLE NO. TEN CENTS 
YOL XYIII. NO. 52.1 ROCHESTER, N. Y.-FOR THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, DEC. 28,1887. [WHOLE NO. 938 
ESTABLISHED IN 1850.' 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
AH ORIGINAL WYKKLY 
AGRICULTURAL, LITERARY AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER. 
CONDUCTED BY D. D. T. MOORE, 
With an Able Corps or Assistants and Contributors. 
Hoh. HENRY 8. RANDALL, LL. D„ Editor of tho De¬ 
partment of S&ecp HoBtiandry. 
Hoh. T. C. PETERS. »ate President N. Y. state Ae’l 
Society, Southern Corresponding Editor. 
GUF.ZKN F. WILCOX, Aaeoclate Editor. 
Tub Rcbal Nxw-Yokkm i* drjritrned to be unanr- 
paEsed in Value, Purity, and Variety of Contents. Its 
Conductor earnestly labors to render the Kobal a Reli¬ 
able Guide on all the Important Practical, Scientific and 
other Subject* connected with Uie business of those 
whose Interest* It tediously advocates. As a Family 
Jouksal It Is eminently Instructive and Entertaining— 
being so conducted that It can be safety taken to the 
Homes of people of Intelligence, taste and discrimination. 
It embrace* more Agricultural, Horticultural, Scientific, 
Educational, Literary and News Matter, Interspersed 
with appropriate engravings, than any other Journal,— 
rendering it by far the most complete Agwctjltitbal, 
Litzbaby and Family X*wsp*rKB In America. 
tW Fob Tkums and other particulars see last page. 
THE RURAL TO ITS READERS, 
ON CLOSING ITS EIGHTEENTH YEAR AND VOLUME. 
At the home terminus of a long anti tiresome 
ride by railroad, we find the printers waiting for 
the closing article of the Eighteenth Year and 
Volume of the Rural New-Yorker,— and it 
must be written now, without time for rest or 
reflection, as other duties are incumbent on the 
morrow. Ilad we time, would give a synoptical 
autobiography of the Rur.il, but are constrained 
to write hurriedly, If not briefly, of its Past, 
Present and Future. 
In closing Volume XVIII, we naturally revert 
to the past,— to arduous and pleasant labors, 
struggles and victories,—and feel conscious that 
our earnest efforts have not only tended to 
advance the cause of Rural "Progressand Im¬ 
provement,” bat also to enhance the Morals, 
Literary Taste and General Intelligence of 
Individuals, Families and Communities. Onr 
constant aim has been to make the pages of thiB 
journal Instructive, Useful and Entertaining—to 
render its leading departments reliable on prac¬ 
tical and scientific subjects, and so conduct oil 
others that the whole paper should be accepta¬ 
ble to people of intelligence, taste and discrimi¬ 
nation, whether residing in Town or Country. 
How well we have succeeded iu this honest 
endeavor daring the past year, we leave the 
reader to determine; but were the decision 
dependent upon the prosperity of the paper, 
and the encomiums bestowed upon its merits 
and management by both Press and People, 
there would be no question,— for the Rural 
never closed a volnme with so large a circula¬ 
tion nor such encouraging prospects. 
In regard to the Future, we cau confidently 
promise some decided improvements. As an¬ 
nounced in our last, the paper will be greatly 
enlarged next week—the increase in 6ize and 
reading matter being equal to about eight of its 
present columns, or over a page and a half, and | 
involving an increased expenditure of some ten 
thousand dollars per year. The appearance of 
the paper will also be improved, as more pains 
will be taken with the typography, illustrations, ‘ 
etc., while a better quality of paper will be used, j 
But its Contents are regarded as of far more 
importance than either the size or appearance of * 
the paper, and will receive the most thoughtful , 
care and attention. Our corps of editorial a>so- t 
dates, and other contributors, will be augmented , 
and continue to embrace the best talent and * 
ability in the country. The Hon. Husky 8 
Randall, LL. D., will continue in charge of ( 
the department of Sheep Husbandry, on which , 
subject there is no better authority in either 
America or Europe. Mr. G. F. Wilcox, an 
experienced farmer and horticulturist, will con- r 
tinne as principal associate in the Practical j 
Departments, having charge in onr absence, and , 
dividing hia time between the office and the j, 
farm upon which he resides. As we said a year , 
ago, "Mr. W. is eminently qualified for this j. 
position. Living on and managing a farm, he c 
knows whereot he affirms on practical subjects, , 
and moreover possesses other rare advantages. 
Having traveled extensively in Europe, and n 
carefully observed and studied the best systems 
of cultnrc and management in the countries 
visited, he is well informed In regard to the 
practical features of European as well as Ameri¬ 
can Agriculture.” As office associates we shall 
have Maj. Hiram Bumphrey and Prof. A. A. 
Hopkins. Maj. B. — who has been with os 
over a year — was a farmer and teacher for 
many years, but has long been favorably known 
as an editor and writer. His attention will be 
chiefly devoted to the Practical and Commercial 
Departments. Prof. H. has been an occasional 
contributor to the Rural for some years, and 
for several months pa»t a member of Us editorial 
staff,—devoting his time to the Literary, Miscel¬ 
laneous and News Departments, aud displaying 
rare gifts aa a writer of both prose and verse. 
Among our Corresponding Editors and Special 
Contributors we Lave the pleasure of announc¬ 
ing the names of Beveral able recruits. For 
example, in addition to P. Barr?, Esq., author 
of "The Fruit Garden,” and former Editor of 
the Horticulturist, Jambs Vick, ihe FloriBt, and 
others, we expect frequent contributions to the 
Horticultural Department from F. R. Elliott, 
Esq., author of "The Western Fruit Book,” 
&c\, and other writers of note— while our New 
York Contributor, "Nowand Then,” will keep 
Rural readers advised iu regard to the New 
Y ork Fruit Market, the best modes of packing, 
etc., (furnishing information of great value to 
trait growers, and such as is not given in any 
other Agricultural Journal.) Dr. Danlel Lee, of 
Tennessee,—who has a National reputation aa an 
Agricultural editor and writer,—will contribute 
frequently us Southern Corresponding Editor. 
We also expect a series of Interesting letters 
from Solon Robinson during his sojourn in 
Florida the present winter. Maj. H. T. Brooks 
(U. T. B.) aud E. W. Stewart, Esq., (E. W. S.) 
will continue their able and Instructive contri¬ 
butions. But we close our enumeration for 
want of time and spucc—leaving the announce¬ 
ment of several literary stars for future num¬ 
bers. Suffice it to say that we purpose to render 
the Nineteenth Volume of the Rural New- 
Yorker far superior, in every respect, to either 
of its predecessors, and altogether unequaled as 
a combined Agricultural, Horticultural, Liter¬ 
ary, Family and Business Newspaper. 
THE PERCHERON HORSE. 
AGRICULTURAL FORCE IN THE SOUTH. 
Friend Moore : — Twenty years ago when 
you were conducting the Genesee Farmer and I 
was editing the Sou I hern Cultivator, you may 
remember that I wrote you from Auguste, Gu., 
that I had seen corn growing below that city 
which was eighteen feet high, and that yon 
made a foot note intimating that there was per¬ 
haps a mistake in the figures, but you “followed 
copy.” Having cut the corn myself and mea¬ 
sured it with an iron square, there was no 
mistake. It grew on the farm of Mr. J. S. 
Miller, the gentleman who got $1 a bnshel for 
his crop of wheat the past May — it being the 
first grown this year that appeared in the North¬ 
ern market, and of a superior quality. On a 
farm near Mr. Miller’s I have known wheat 
sowu the middle of December that was ripe 
and harvested by the middle of May, indicating 
an agricultural force in Richmond Co., Ga., in 
two and a hall winter months and two aud ft half 
spring months, equal to that of about ten months 
in Monroe Co., N. Y., and eleven months in the 
hestxiftrts of England. 
It is rather difficult to estimate fairly the agri¬ 
cultural force of Central and 8oothera Georgia 
from the middle oi May to the middle of Decem¬ 
ber-seven growing months. Two crops of corn 
grown thick and mass ire in drills for forage can 1 
easily be made; one of ripe corn, and a crop of 1 
ripe Southern peas may also be made. From 
these facts it follows that the expert farmer may ' 
raise a crop of wheat, one of corn and one of 
peas, in twelve consecutive months on land that 1 
may bo bought cheaper at this time, all things j 
considered, than in any Northern State or Terri¬ 
tory of the Union. What our native farmers 1 
and immigrants from the North or Europe most 1 
need, is the knowledge that teaches one how to 
utilize the remarkable force which causes corn 
to grow eighteen feet high in our very congenial 
climate, and wheat, oats and barley to mature 
before it is necessary to plant corn. This cli- 1 
mate is as well adapted to the growth of the best i 
European grasses as it is to the best European 1 
cereals. Hence stock-raising can be made very , 
profitable. 
To raise either grass, wheat or clover on 
many cotton soils to good advantage, requires 
more information than many possess; and it 
is not now my purpose to enter into a dis¬ 
cussion of the Bubjcct. I should like to see 
the Rural New-Yorker have a very large cir¬ 
culation in the South; for I am confident that 
its varied family reading will take with the peo¬ 
ple, while its professional teachings Impart a 
largo amount of instruction in all that relates to 
the farm, garden, orchard and household affairB. 
We want not only to forget and forgive much 
that is unpleasant in the past, but to imbibe 
deeply of the spirit of progress and improve¬ 
ment which Is the motto at the head of the 
Rural —the magnetic needle that guides it 
safely through all the storms and darkness that 
sometimes envelop our common country. 
This Nation has more than Bix hundred mil¬ 
lion acres of land south of Mason and Dixon’s 
line with an exceedingly sparse population, 
which opens both its arms and Its heart to re- 
I often have observed in geldings of our com¬ 
mon country horses. • 
The American traveler in the * diligence ’ in 
France 1 b always struck with the appearance of 
these horses. 8tout, and with the appearance 
of clumsiness, with their heavy fetlocks, their 
high shoulder trappings, and their heads carried 
low, for the French never rein up their draft 
horses, the novice on the continent is led to fear 
that he has got behind a 4 slow team,’ bnt when 
the ‘ conductor ’ takes the reins, aud they set 
themselves to work, he is astonished at the pro¬ 
gress they make along the road, with their very 
heavy burthen.” 
analagous word to cast er, because it 
casts or moves along our furniture. 
Then pour Into the speeder the boiled 
A white bo as to be about one- 
V\ fourth or three-eighths of an inch thick. 
If thc speeder is cold, It will in a mo- 
ment flako-ofl lu just the thin Bbeota 
you desire. Dipping the bottom of the 
speeder into cold water (outside of it) 
yon can repeat the pouring till you get 
as many sheets os you need. By this 
feeding last winter, I saved a hive only 
two-thirds full of comb, bnt with an 
old-fashioned black queen. Tho pro¬ 
duct this year of this hive (18C?) has 
been one large swarm that came off 
with this queen, leaving the ceil of 
another line queen in the old hive that 
equals her mother. And the old hive 
has given me forty pounds of clover 
honey, and nineteen pounds of buck¬ 
wheat honey. And the swarm has 
given mo twenty-five pounds of clover 
honey, and nine and three-fourths pounds 
of buckwheat honey. All this Is box 
honey, and both hives have over thirty 
pounds each of honey to winter on, in 
the brood chambers. 8o, too, Messrs. 
Editors, you see the old yam that feeble 
0 warms don’t pay to keep or feed Is not 
always true, oven .though it is a good 
rale. 2d, My last mode of feeding is, 
cum comb Jn two Just one side of the 
middle partition of It. Thus I get a 
comb with one side only cells. These 
I fill with honey or honey and molasses 
mixed, and put it on the bottom board 
inside of the hive. The bees usually get 
at it, and cat eveiy day out of it; for recollect 
that I said bees generally in cool or cold weather do 
not store feed in their cells, much as one would be 
glad to have them do so. 
If I put this divided comb on top of the hive 
I cut a round hole in the middle of it, and pnt it 
on so that the hole In the hive fits the hole in 
the comb. Bees feed better out of a comb that 
iB flatwise than out of combs perpendicular as in 
tte hlve - 8. J. Parker. 
MERCER POTATOES—ERRORS CORRECTED. 
Many writers 
among them) 
— luc luugueiiiu nrcuie unn, guides it acaw ourthen ” „ * ,. 
safely through all Ihe storms and darkness that _ Jf the * Y ’ InfltU 
sometimes envelop our common country. FEEDING bees nob t , ' u ’ 0 ®&5 ee t of Mercer 
This Nation has more than six hundred mil- FEEDING SEES. P°*y Mr. Lawton, who 
lion acres of land south of Mason and Dixon’s Many writers (and I among them) once introduction ^ ^ 
line with an exceedingly sparse population, thought, as many yet think, this easy work; authority it originated in Met 10 ?‘ 8 
which opens both its arms and its heart to re- and so it is in movable combs, provided you i D 1883 ^Thm m “ County ’ Pa *> 
ceive cordially all who will come and make have combs with scaled honey. ^ ^ ^sWerabte mEstake in potat 
their homes in a goodly inheritance which be- Practically, feeding bees is one of the most with Gen 0ri * lnalud 
longs to all alike. My health has been better uncertain of all things, to tell tho truth. If you W thesame' name S 
in the South during the last twenty years than It fill cells with unsealed honey, or honey and mo- northers Erie in WM an iT W ° i k *° T? ** far 
ever was in my native State, New York. At lasses, they wil! sometime, gorge themselves to riorto^otb er 
another time I may write something on the gluttony; and no bee will gluttonize itself more Pennsylvania uwn in Northwestern 
arts of preventing sickness by raising and eating freely than the Italian. A gluttonized hive Is Another error occurs in the a- , 
Wel1 " 8 ®, 0me 5 UJg m0re a ' 8i ? ned t0 to cUe; that is, tho bees fill themselves over in which Mr. Quinn !T °"! 
another time I may write something on the 
arts of preventing sickness by raising and eating 
fruits, as well as something more designed to 
illustrate, practically, the agricultural force of full and become heavy, Bhiny and long in the 
+ i i Q.,_ a _iV i* -rv . . ' J 
the "Sunny South.” D. Lee. abdomen, when they are incapable of doing any- 
Gap Creek, Knox Co., Tenn., 1867. thing, and often perish in consequence of eating 
so much. If you put honey in nice little feed 
THE PERCHERON HORSE. boxes on the top of the hive, just the neatest 
- and the most inviting place that can be, then in 
One of the best and most popular breeds of your feeble swarms they either cannot or will 
irsea on the Continent of Europe for heavy not come up and get it. Often the hive perishes 
•alt and farm work is the Percheron strain, with yonr slick, full feed-box of honey for them 
bich originated in France. Klippart, in his to eat just before them. If you pour honey in 
port of an agricultural lour through Europe, among them they 6ip a little of it, get it on their 
describing this breed, says: — "The Perche- legs, and soon are a mass of cold, lifeless wretches 
ns vary in size as well aa ia color. The color stack up with it If you pat your feed under 
ost sought for is a gray or a dapple gray. The the combs, then they either get into the feed and 
;nd is elegantly formed, withers high, without die, or can’t reach it in the cold weather, and it 
D. Lee. 
THE PERCHERON HORSE. 
horses on the Continent of Europe for heavy 
draft and farm work is the Percheron strain, 
which originated in France. Klippart, in his 
report of an agricultural tour through Europe, 
in describing this breed, says: —"The Perche- 
ronfi vary in size as well as ia color. The color 
most sought for is a gray or a dapple gray. The 
head is elegantly formed, withers high, without 
rw • - r - — -- - —* M y (VUU XV 
being massive, tbe croup, notwithstanding it is does them no good. 8o of every other plan I 
V. r \ r. .1 vi a — w. 1 a an I ^ \ . i i « « . . . , . 
short and very low, is well formed; the hide is 
comparatively fine and 60 ft, the hair fine, mane 
and tail rather silky, their carriage and general 
contour good. The Percheron unites several 
very desirable qualities; he is very gentle in 
have eocn stated or tried; they are very imper¬ 
fect at the best The fact is the bees will not, 
late in the season, or in the winter, take honey 
and store it in the ceils even though starving for 
the want of it. They will cat only what they need 
disposition; as much so if not more than our as a usual rale. Why this is so I do not know. 
Morgans; he is very tractable in harness, has So I now confine myself to two ways of feed- Farming is the base on which tbe social edifice 
great muscular strength and "great bottom,” ing: 1st, I make a candy of white sugar —good rcsta , but its remuneration, to individuals de- 
and his movements are sufficiently rapid for a refined sugar—by boiling it dissolved in water; pends upon the Intelligence which guides farm 
working hor=e. and w h en s0 bard as to be chitted on a cold Iron Ial >or. With some, owing to a lack of money 
U here are some siDgul&r usages or Customs in and not break too easily, or be bo soft as to stick Uie information essential to success or to an 
I ranee relative to this breed, which I learned to the feet of the bees, I make it into thin sheets improvident use of what they huve, farming is 
when in Paris. One of these is that there are no and pnt it in among the combs near the bees. n °t remunerative, bnt, with the masB tbe case is 
Percheron geldings. I have frequently seen four They usually eat it freely enough to live. The different, and each year shows in the aggregat* 
or five stallions of this breed hitched up tandem in best way to make these thin sheets of candy is increased accumulation. Farming therefor* 
a Paris dray or heavy wagon, and I am told that to wipe out clean a well used and smooth “ spi- other business intelligently and syatcmrti- 
none would be sold to persons who contemplate der,” that convenient article of our households, caU Y pursued, pays, and if failures here and tiere 
gelding them. These stallions, in the Paris which perhaps ought to he called speed-er, he- occur, as in other pursuits, they are the exeep- 
drays, certainly manifested less viciousness than cause it speedB or hastens the cooking, and is an tions, while general success is the rule ” 
- -J o- ~ v/A LAX TV LOgp.| U 
Penneylvanla. 
Another error occurs in the same discussion, 
in which Mr. Quinn asserted that the Mercer 
never produced more than 150 bushels to the 
acre. Ibis ia a mistake, and does great injustice 
to one of the bCBt potatoes ever grown in the 
country, which, in its palmy days, gave more 
than double the quantity per acre here assigned 
on the bottom lands of French creek and its 
tributaries. The Mercer, it is conceded, la 
pretty much played out; but this Is no good 
reason for detracting from its former good repu¬ 
tation either as to quality or productiveness, or 
for post dutiDg its introduction to the favor of 
the public.— n. 
DOES FARMING PAY? 
Discussing this oft-mooted subject, Charles 
Morris, Lancaster, Penn., writes to the Rural 
thus sensibly and logically in the affirmative:— 
“This question ia frequently propounded as 
though there were a doubt about it But there 
Is none. In the aggregate It must pay else all 
other vocations must be speedily abandoned 
Farming is the base on which the social edifice 
a Paris dray or heavy wagon, and I am told that 
none would be 60 ld to persons who contemplate 
gelding them. These stallions, in the Paris 
drays, certainly manifested less viciousness than 
