94 
MOORE’S RURAL. NEW-YORKER. 
AUS. 3 
gistrg of a Moralist. 
DAILY RURAL LIFE. 
I 
From the Diary of a Centleman near New 
York City. 
HOW ERRORS ARE DISSEMINATED. 
July 27.—Having sharpened a pencil pre¬ 
paratory to jotting down a few lines in my 
diary, I happened to glance at a Bcrap of 
newspaper lying on the table, wherein I read 
these words, “ The Curious Ways of Plants.” 
The first paragraph following the above ran 
thus “ The American aloe,” says a writer 
in the Christian Weekly, “is one hundred 
years in getting ready to bloom,” etc., etc,, 
all of which, to use a vulgar phrase, is 
“ bosh ;” but somebody started the story on 
its travels centuries ago, and those who pos¬ 
sess the faculty of writing prettily about 
things of which they arc profoundly igno¬ 
rant have kept it a-going Probably our cor¬ 
respondent of the Christian Weekly obtained 
his information from some other equally un¬ 
reliable source, and thousands of children 
■will read his story, and repeat it in after 
years, believing it to be true, and thus 
errors are disseminated and handed down 
from one generation to another, few persons 
ever t aking the trouble to consult an author¬ 
ity in reference to the subject for the pur¬ 
pose of learning the truth. 
Perhaps one of the common names of our 
largest species of American agave (which, by 
the way, is not an Aloe), i. e.. Century Plant, 
has had somet hing to do in perpetuating the 
idea that it only blooms at the age of a hun¬ 
dred years ; but if one were to place auy re 
fiance in the wonderful stories told of won¬ 
derful plants, or take their common or local 
names as indicative ol' specific characteris¬ 
tics, our knowledge of the vegetable kingdom 
would soon become a fearful jumble of In¬ 
consistencies. 
Now, the American aloe, or Agave, has 
been known almost from the first discovery 
of this continent and cultivated in gardens 
for more than two centuries ; therefore its 
peculiarities, even in regard to flowering, 
should be well known, as I trust tlmy are, 
and writers for the press who pretend to in¬ 
struct their readers have no excuse. Had 
the writer referred to above consulted uny 
of our standard botanical works, he might 
have saved himself the sin of aidiug in the 
disseminating and perpetuating of a long-ago 
exploded falsehood. To show that the dis¬ 
coveries made in regard to the time at which 
this plant blooms arc not new, I will quote 
from the first botanical work opened from the 
many in my library, viz,, Loudon’s Encyclo¬ 
pedia of Plants, 182H. Ou page 245 the author 
says :—“ An idea used to prevail that the 
American Aloe only flowered once in a hun¬ 
dred years; but independently of this un¬ 
natural application of time to the inflores¬ 
cence, it has long been known to flower 
sooner or later according to the culture be¬ 
stowed on it. Many have flowered within 
these few' years in this country ; and if the 
plant, had the same treatment as the pine¬ 
apple, it would probably flower nearly as 
often.” In other words, the plant blooms as 
soon as it becomes sufficiently large and ma¬ 
ture, which may occur in twenty years, or 
in a hundred and fifty, more or less. 
IN SEARCH OF A VARIETY. 
Varieties among domesticated plants and 
animals are so abundant that their appear¬ 
ance neither attracts attention nor causes 
comment, unless one happens to be produced 
which is widely different from the general 
type, or possesses sofne valuable property 
not common amoug others of the same 
genus. But not so among the wild plants 
and animals, as natural varieties or any con¬ 
siderable departure from the normal type in 
individuals of the same genus are compara¬ 
tively scarce, consequently scientists are al¬ 
ways more or less anxious to procure them. 
These valuable varieties are found among 
wild plants, and they can usually be pre¬ 
served and multiplied ; but with animals, 
and especially insects, the case is quite dif¬ 
ferent, and we have to depend upon the 
chance appearance of unique and rare va¬ 
riations without knowing anything of their 
origin or how to multiply them. There are, 
it is true, many species which are quite vari¬ 
able in both color and size ; but this when 
known excites no remark or attention, be¬ 
cause the variations are confined within 
what we term natural limits. But suppose 
we should find a specimen of Cardbus that 
was white instead of black, which is the 
general color of the species in this genus of 
ground beetles, it would certainly be a curi¬ 
ous freak of nature of inestimable value, 
mainly on account of its rarity, just as dia¬ 
monds are worth more than lead or iron 
because less abundant. 
Specimens of natural history are not, how¬ 
ever, generally subject to the same laws of 
trade in regard to supply and demand, at 
least only in a very limited degree, for they 
are seldom weigbedin a commercial balance, 
as the true scientist scorns to place a money 
value upon Ids collections; hence the fre¬ 
quent poverty (in a money point of view) of 
many a noted naturalist. 
Perhaps there is a little of what the world 
calls “ vainglory ” and honor among his fel¬ 
lows, which inspires uDd encourages the 
naturalist to bravo hardships, even the 
frowns of the uusympathlsing masses, while 
he pursues his investigations of an apparently 
insignificant object. 
This was quite forcibly brought to mind 
by a letter just received from my enthusias¬ 
tic and learned friend, Hickman Btrkckkk, 
the well known lepidopterist of Reading, Pa. 
A few weeks since Mr. Strecker spent a 
day with me, and while we were rambling 
about the garden he discovered a large 
brood of caterpillars feeding upon a laurel¬ 
leaved willow. These caterpillars were those 
of the common Antiopa butterfly ( Vanessa 
antlopa), and there was nothing remarkable 
in the fact that we should find these great 
black, hairy caterpillars upon a willow tree, 
because the leaves of this tree and the elm 
are their favorite food. But my companion 
saw something else, in imagination at least, 
for he exclaimed, ‘‘How I wish 1 had that 
entire lot of caterpillars at home.” And I 
asked what for? “Why,” said he, “don’t 
you know that a wonderful curious variety 
has been found among this species of vanessu, 
but 1 have never been able to get it ? But 1 
am almost positive that if all those black 
rascals up there could be carried safely 
through their various transformations to 
their final change, that the variety which 1 
want so much would Ije among them.” 
I have burned up many a thousand of 
these caterpillars, and had those now under 
consideration been discovered the day be¬ 
fore they would have gone the same way, 
but to please my guest I proposed to put the 
entire lot into a breeding case, and feed 
them until they change to chrysalids, and 
then forward them to him by express. Mo 
this proposition he readily agreed, and in a 
few moments over two hundred caterpillars 
were safely housed. There were two lots 
on the tree, one apparently about a week 
older than the others, and of course they 
would become chrysalids at different times, 
necessitating different sendings. 
The breeding case was first placed in my 
greenhouse for the sake of greater security, 
but an accident happened to them there and 
a few of the fi' at chrysalids were destroyed 
by mice, but the greater part were carried 
safely through and safely conveyed to Read¬ 
ing. A few days after the first lot of cater¬ 
pillars were secured, another was found up¬ 
on a weeping willow, and those were also 
placed in the case, fresh branches being put 
in every morning and evening, and sprinkled 
with pure water once a day; for these cater¬ 
pillars are great drinkers. After securing 
the second lot I set the ease against the 
north side of my office, as the greenhouse 
appeared to be a little too warm and close; 
but the next day we had a storm, and the 
wind hurled the case over the rocks and 
scattered the caterpillars in ail directions; 
some even crawled up the sides of The house, 
and J had to use a ladder to get at them, 
But an hour’s work of picking up saw them 
all safely at work again, and a few days 
later the last lot of chrysalids were sent off. 
In the meantime, however, I was in the re¬ 
ceipt of several notes from Mr. Strecker, 
informing me how things progressed at his 
end of the line. In one he said:—“ One hun¬ 
dred and twenty butterflies are out, but no 
variety yet,” Another read“ Two- thirds 
of the last lot sent are out, but no variation 
from the general type; still I have hope.” 
This morning I received a more lengthy 
epistle, and upon opening it I saw in large 
letters one word, which meant much; this 
was •• Eureka!” Then followed an account 
of the discovery', to wit:—“ Yesterday morn¬ 
ing the last of the butterflies emerged from 
the chrysalids you sent me, and as there 
were but seven of them, my chances of get¬ 
ting the variety began to look slim. My 
wife called me and said, ‘ A few more but¬ 
terflies are out and are flying around the 
case, and you had better look at them.’ I 
went, and the first one was the common 
form; let it fly. Second ditto, and so on to 
the sixth, which, the mcment I touched it. 1 
saw was the desired variety. Didn’t I raise 
a yell, and nearly upset the wife and baby, 
who had their noses rather too close to me 
for safety on such an occasion! I tell you it 
was grand; only to think that out of over 
four hundred examples the last but two 
should be the much coveted and long looked 
for variety? But I knew 1 should succeed. 
1 can always feel these things; a kind of 
clairvoyance or something like It impresses 
me with the facts. While I am writing, the 
beautiful thing is on the table before roe, 
and about every live minutes I take it Tip 
aud look at, it; verily, the Almighty does at. 
times vouchsafe some goodness to us poor 
overloaded mortals, after all. But it seems 
like a dream, although T was sure 1 would 
get it; still, now that 1 have succeeded, it 
seems too wonderful to believe. 1 ’ 
Doubtless some reader of the Rural New- 
Yorker will say, “What a fuss about one 
little butterfly, which happened to have 
some peculiar mark that another didn’t! ’ 
Bure enough: but what a fuss Dr. Living¬ 
ston made in the world about, a country fit, 
only for savages and snakes. Well, there 
are at least two families made happy over 
the discovery of one little butterfly—the one 
that possesses it and the other for aiding in 
its production. 
SCARCITY OF BIRDS. 
There has been considerable comment on 
this subject, and not, 1 infer, without cause. 
Strict observance on my part has induced 
me to believe that, the number of birds this 
year falls fur behind that of several preced¬ 
ing yearn. Corroborating statements from 
several persons have doubly induced me to 
adhere more strictly to the above. Every¬ 
body in Central New York, and probably 
elsewhere, will remember the snowstorm of 
the 26th of April. All over the country the 
snow acted as a death-blow to large num¬ 
bers of our immigrating aud resident birds. 
One lady related to me an instance of the 
sad havoc occasioned by this snow upon a 
mixed flock of about thirty birds. Just be¬ 
fore the snow these birds flocked to a sin¬ 
gle sumac tree (the soft seeds and flowery 
substance of which a great many birds are 
fond) and staid there. The cold weather 
coming on killed about three-fourths of 
them, and when the show' vanished the 
ground was strewn with blue birds, chip¬ 
ping aud tree sparrows, cedar birds, purple 
finches, etc. 
I do not suppose that the snow materially 
affected our birds, os Dr. Cones says “ All 
the public and private museums and cabi¬ 
nets in the world might be overstocked, and 
yet not seemingly reduce the number of our 
birds.” 1 thoroughly believe tllis. It is from 
the season, I think. Reports from all over 
the country have reached me Which confirm 
my Statement. Collectors everywhere com¬ 
plain of a dullness in obtaining skins and 
eggs. 
Sometimes, when out myself, I am ac¬ 
costed by some farmer with, “Well, spect 
to get anything ? Won’t find much ’bout 
here, save a few crows or a chipping bird. 
Our birds arc scarce this year.” A great 
deal of shooting has been going on t hrough¬ 
out the country ; but I should not infer even 
from that that it lessens our game to any 
great extent. I hear that the ruffled grouse 
and prairie hen will be shot in abundance. 
A pretty strict accordance with the game 
law’s has been kept this year, so that I do 
not scruple in indorsing my friend’s state¬ 
ments. 
I join with others in anticipating more 
game of all kinds next season, if the year is 
appropriate. S. L. Willard. 
Ctlca, N. Y., July 27. 
--- 
THE SKUNK. 
In the “ American Journal of Science,” for 
May, the Rev. H. C. Hovey has a very im¬ 
portant and interesting article under the title 
of Rabies Mephitica , in which it is shown 
that the skunk can no longer be regarded as 
simply a very disagreeable animal, but ou 
the contrary a most dangerous one, and is to 
be classed with the rattlesnake as an enemy 
to mankind. As strange as it may appear, 
Mr. Hovey has brought forward an array of 
facts to prove that the skunk is very often 
affected with a disease or perhaps with a 
natural salivary secretion, that causes its 
bite to bu far more dreaded than that of the 
rattlesnake or of a mad dog As the skunk 
is a nocturnal animal that steals upon his 
victim without warning and gives toe bite 
which almost invariably proves fatal, it is 
truly to be dreaded ; especially is this the 
case in the western states when the animal 
is abundant and many persons are nightly 
exposed to its attacks. We adyise all to read 
the article and take warning. 
f atrons of guskmlrg. 
WILL THE PATRONS PLAY OUT! 
“ The Grange movement will play out in 
a year or two.” This seems to be the gen¬ 
eral idea expressed, if not felt, by those out 
in the cold. They liken the Order of the 
Patrons to the old Know Nothing movement; 
various Temperance organizations that have, 
in the last half century, run bravely for a 
season and then run into the ground, and the 
numerous social or benevolent societies that 
get their growth in early infancy, and then 
go to seed. 
They don’t seem to comprehend the 
strength and vitality of the Grange move¬ 
ment. There has been nothing like it in the 
history of the ages. It is a child of necessity. 
It sprang into existence because it couldn’t 
help it. The farmers saw that they were 
somehow, with the aid of all the labor-saving 
implements of the age, and the use of steam 
on land and water, growing poorer. They 
realized that they must “ root hog or die,” 
and in their desperation, they rooted up the 
Grange. All other secret Orders arc a con¬ 
stant drain from the pocket; the Grange 
draws into it. All othei-s are founded on a 
sentiment, a charity or the social element; 
the Grange is a financial investment. It is a 
crumb of bread cast upon the waters, which, 
in a few days, returns a full, fat loaf. 
We asked a hard-handed Patron from the 
south of Bridgeton, the Other day, what he 
thought of the Grange dying out. With a 
smile that said, a ridiculous idea, he re¬ 
marked “ It won’t play out witll me, so 
long as it (lays as well as it has for the past 
six months. Why ! I have already saved 
one hundred dollars in my purchases ! ” 
When the merchant, who is laying up 310,- 
000 a year profit on his sales, plays out, then 
you may begin to look for tremblings in the 
knees of this Western bom giant, with the 
hay seed in his hair, and his boots blacked 
with prairie mud.— N. J. Granger. 
.- - 
RECENT DECISIONS. 
The Executive Committee of the State 
Grange has no jurisdiction over county 
couueils. 
A special meeting cannot be called to elect 
a Master. 
Any member of a Grange has a right to 
examine the minutes of a meeting for in¬ 
formation. 
A Grange cannot refuse to admit a mem¬ 
ber who is in good standing. By “good 
standing” is meant that the person is not 
only clear on the books but has no charges 
standlug against him. 
If a member of another Grange should 
present himself to your gate for admittance, 
and cannot work in, he certainly cannot be 
allowed to remaui. No Patron should at¬ 
tempt to visit without being prepared to 
work. There might be an exception in the 
case of new members that were not posted. 
The deputy might have them admitttd, as 
he organized the Grange. 
No State Grange dues are to be reckoned 
by subordinate Granges till the end of the 
first full quarter. 
-♦♦♦- 
THE PATRONS AND LOUISIANA RELIEF. 
The Patrons’ Relief Committee of Louisiana 
make the following announcement to the Pa- 
troDs of Husbandry throughout the Union : 
“ It is with great pleasure that the Patrons’ 
Relief Committee announces to our large- 
hearted brethren throughout the Ur ion, that 
no more contributions to sufferers from 
overflow are needed, the liberal assistance al¬ 
ready received being amply sufficient to 
carry our distressed brethren through the 
most urgent of their necessities. A full re¬ 
port. of the disbursements, as well as of the 
receipts, will soon be published by the Com¬ 
mittee and placed in the hands of the Master 
of every State Grange. Until then, the 
Committee, as well as those who have been 
Recipients of our brethren’s kind liberality 
return sincere thanks for the same.” 
-♦♦♦- 
ITEMS FROM THE GRANGES. 
The Maryland State Grange requests 
manufacturers and dealers in agricultural 
and farming implements of all kinds to dis¬ 
continue the practice of demanding exor¬ 
bitant pay for separate pieces or parts of 
such, when needed for repairs. 
Masters and Secretaries should not neg¬ 
lect to inquire at their respective post-of¬ 
fices for mail matter, addressed to their 
Granges by name and number, or numbers 
alone, We know that much matter is so 
gent, and, unless-special inquiry is made, 
much of it will never reach its destination.— 
i Ark. Grange. 
