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S42 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER 
AUS. 29 
grarg of a Hwralist. 
DAILY RTJKAL LIFE. 
From the Diary of a Centleman near New 
York City. 
AN UHWElliOMt INSECT. 
Aug. 17.—The much talked of Colorado 
potato beetle has at last made its appearance 
in my neighborhood, and in fact throughout 
the suburbs of New York city. There can 
be no longer any dodging of this peat, and 
our farmers must meet it and give battle or 
their potato fields will suffer. At present 
this insect, is found only in comparatively 
small numbers, a few of the yellow grubs 
perhaps, scattered liere and there in a field, 
or clustered on a hill or two in some corner, 
but there in enough to furnish an abundant 
l rood next spring, because nearly all which 
came to maturity this Fall are going to bur¬ 
row in the ground and be ready to multi¬ 
ply their kind next spring. 
Farmci's as a class are not very close ob-, 
servers, especially in the way of hunting in¬ 
sects, and the comparatively few Colorado 
beetles, now present in our potato fields, are 
very likely to escape observation or destruc¬ 
tion, and the results will be an immense 
number next year, and much wondering in 
regard to their sudden appearance follow. 
Now is the time to “nip this post in the 
bud if every farmer and gardener would 
scrutinize his potato fields this summer and 
kill and destroy every larva and beetle 
found, It would save a vast amount of labor 
another season, because this insect must, be 
destroyed or potat o culture abandoned. 
There is no other alternative, and potato 
eulturists may as well make up their minds 
to it first, as last. 
There will certainly be enough indolent, 
indifferent cultivators in every neighborhood 
to permit a sufficient number of til's pest. to 
escape to keep up a supply for many years 
to come, but the industrious can console 
themselves with the promise of an advance 
In price of potatoes, sufficient to pay the 
cost of keeping their plantations clear of in¬ 
sects. It will be the same old story over 
again of the industrious and intelligent 
securing that which the indolent and 
ignorant lose. 
CHINESE YAM EON ORNAMENT. 
Aug. 18.—Few persons in looking for 
pretty ornamental climbing vines ever think 
of adding the Chinese yam to their lists. At 
least it is seldom noticed in the catalogues of 
our florists, or nurserymen, although well 
worthy of a place beside the Madeira, Cy¬ 
press, Grecian, Silkvine and similar climbing 
plants. When introduced from China some 
twenty years since, it was claimed by 
a few interested parties that this yam 
(Dioscorea Botatax) would eventually super¬ 
cede the common potato as an edible tuber, 
but it has failed to meet expectations, by its 
peculiar habiri of growth which preclude 
the possibility of economical cultivation. 
The most serious obstacle to its profitable 
cultivation was the form and position of the 
tubers in the earth. They grow two to three 
feet in length, and perpendicular, the small 
end at the surface gradually enlarging to the 
bottom, consequently to secure the crop it 
is necessary to trench the soil to the very 
bottom, aa the tubers are so tender that they 
cannot be pulled up, 
Tins species of yam may answer very well 
for China, where laborers can be secured for 
a few cents per day, but not for America. 
But the plant is very ornamental, growing 
ten to twenty feet in a season. The leaves 
are glossy green, heart shaped ; the larger 
ones approaching halberd-shaped, and three 
or four inches long and two in width. The 
flowers are quite small, white and fragrant; 
produced in long, slender racemes from the 
axils of the leaves. 
Only one sex of this species has been in¬ 
troduced, at least 1 have never seen but the 
one, and as this is the s laminate we can ob¬ 
tain no seel therefrom, having to depend 
upon the small bulblets produced at the axils 
of the leaves, or from pieces of the tubers 
grown under ground. The tubers are very 
hardy, and when once planted no further 
care is required to insure a handsome vine 
for covering an arbor or trellis every year. 
The first frost will kill the vine, from 
which the bulblets fall in great numbers, 
and if a further increase in vices is desir¬ 
able they maybe gathered up and kept in a 
cellar or warm room through winter as 
readily ns potatoes. If the Colorado potato 
beetle should continue to increase, the time 
may not be far distant when this Chinese 
yam may be worth cultivating for market 
even if the digging is rather an expensive 
operation. The tubers are of excellent qual¬ 
ity, the flesh white, and resembles the ordi¬ 
nary potato in flavor. But without taking 
the useful merits into consideration this 
plant is well worthy of cultivation as an 
ornamental vine. 
ENLARGE HIS SHIRT COLLARS. 
Aug. 19.—I have never considered it my 
prerogative to lecture wives or husbands in 
regard to their “plain duty to each other.” 
But there are plenty of women who honest¬ 
ly think that having succeeded in managing 
one man they could do the same with the 
entire race. There are also a great number 
of men holding similar opinions in regard to 
wives, and it is to these tvro classes that we 
are indebted for the vast amouut of “ twad¬ 
dle” published as advice to wives and 
husband?.. 
For once, however, I have a word to say 
to wives, mothers and sisters, hoping that 
they will consider it strict ly confidential. Of 
course in making this communication I shall 
have to confess the weakness of my own to 
the opposite sex ; but as the information I 
am about to give will teud to put husbands, 
fathers and brothers in good humor for the 
remainder of their lives, they will probably 
be ready to pardon mo for the confession. 
As a starting point, I wish to inquire of 
my lady readers if they ever sa w a man at¬ 
tempt to put on a collar that was a bad fit, 
and keep his temper at the same time. I 
atn quite sure you *ever did, and more than 
one “first, family jar” commenced just with 
that confounded shirt collar. Men are not 
all saints, it is true, but the best of them 
never submitted to a misfit in a shirt collar 
with good grace. 
Of course I am addressing those ladies 
who make shirts for the men of their house¬ 
hold, and not those who take pride in con¬ 
fessing their ignoruuee of such work. Now, 
the secret of the misfit in ninety-nine cases 
in every hundred is in size and not shape. It 
is almost a universal fault in band or collar 
that they are too small for comfort. If the 
edge of a tight, collar is slightly frayed it 
scratches and irritates the flesh and eventu¬ 
ally sinks deeper until the wearer’s whole 
nature rebels, ending in an overflow of bile 
and the destruction of the offending gar¬ 
ment. f never go to cily, or elsewhere, 
where l meet dressed-up men without seeing 
more or less uncomfortable necks in tight, 
collars. Sit ing on the ears one can see stiff¬ 
necked gentlemen running tlicir fingers 
around under their collars to obtain relief ; 
moving their heads very slowly about, if 
they hare occasion to look in any other 
direction but straight ahead—all in conse¬ 
quence of want of freedom for the jugular 
vein. I never saw a man who wore a light 
collar all his life that, did not become a 
small-souled, stingy, irritable mortal, who 
thought, all the rest of mankind were, or 
ought to be, as miserable as himself, Who 
ever saw a right-down old thumbscrew who 
would fill a lfi or 18-inch collar, or dared to 
wear one of these sires I Why do our farm¬ 
ers and mechanics bare their arms and un¬ 
button their shirt collars when commencing 
the labors of the day, if it is not to give 
freedom of circulation between heart and 
head, as well as assist brain and muscle to 
do their whole duty without, restricted lib¬ 
erty > Some of us can remember the time 
when every man who “ dressed up ' put on 
a stiff, tight-fitting stock, which kept his 
head erect as though clasped in a vice, and 
we also know too well how few broad, cos¬ 
mopolitan ideas ever emanated from the 
brains just above such narrow, contracted 
devices. 
It is unnecessary for me to enlarge upon 
this subject. My point will be gamed if I 
can persuade every woman who has control 
of a man’s shirt collars, which ever give the 
wearer the least uneasiness, to enlarge them 
one, two, or more inohes. If any of the fair 
readers of the Rural New-Yorker doubt, 
or have any fear of the consequences, let 
them try the experiment. If you desire 
a great souled, loving husband, father or 
brother, don’t put him in a straight-jacket. 
Salt for Strawberries —Capt, D. Stew¬ 
art of Upper Alton says“ I wish to add to 
what I said last month about salt. I believe 
in a heavy dressing. I find on manuring the 
ground that I have applied salt to strawber¬ 
ries at the rate of 13i<* bushels to the acre. I 
did this early in the season to kill the beetles, 
and the leaves of the strawberries were not 
injured. The cut worms were doing great 
damage to my separate beds, eating into the 
crowns of the plants, and I applied salt at the 
rate of 20 bushels to the acre. I consider salt 
as a perfect remedy against many injurious 
insects as well as an excellent manure for the 
land. 
|3 afro mi of gusbanirg. 
AN ABIDING PRINCIPLE OF THE 
GRANGE. 
Oxe of the most beautiful features in the 
Grange is the fellowship and brotherly feel¬ 
ing that it developes among its members. 
It strengthens the bond of friendship, and 
brings neighbors and farmers generally into 
close bonds of union, which results in mutual 
profit and improvement. Anything that, 
tends to fost-er charity and sympathetic 
kindness, and brighten the mystic chains 
that bind heart, to heart, is a blessing. 
Prominent among the objects of the Pat 
rons of Husbandry is the development and 
cultivation of fraternal harmony. Its plat¬ 
form inculcates the doctrine of Charity, in 
these words:—It shall be an abiding principle 
with us to relieve any of our oppressed and 
suffering broth hood, by any means at our 
command. 
The Grange, while cultivating the virtues, 
dispensing charity, and strengthening the 
bonds of good fellowship among its members, 
wages no warfare against any other interest 
whatever ; but, on the contrary, as declared 
at St. Louis, all its acts and its efforts, as far 
as business is concerned, are not only for the 
benefit of producers and consumers, but, 
“ also for other interests that tend to bring 
these parties into speedy and economical 
contact.” 
Let the Patrons of Husbandry abide by 
all the great principles enunciated at St. 
Louis aud the Order will continue to grow 
until it spreads over the whole country and 
takes in every farmer. But let it once go in¬ 
to politics ns an organization, and it will die 
like a tree poisoned at its roots. No secret 
association can control the political destinies 
of the Republic. The attempt to do it will 
shipwreck any secret order. Recognizing 
this great truth, the St. Louis platform says : 
“ We emphatically and sincerely assert the 
oft-repeated truth taught in our organic law, 
that the Grunge, National, State or Subor¬ 
dinate, is not a political or party organiza¬ 
tion further, it declares that “no Grange, 
if true to its obligation, can discuss political 
questions, nor call political conventions, nor 
nominate candidates, nor even discuss their 
merits in its meetings.”— N. C. Observer. 
-- 
THE GREAT MOVEMENT. 
The Great Movement is assuming grand 
proportions all through the land. The Grange 
lias become the great question of the day a- 
mongstatesmon, petty politicians, tradesmen 
and people out of the Order everywhere. 
The question how it can be captured is being 
carefully considered : plans are being laid, 
and we shall soon sen heavy work. It is 
already evident that the country is lull of 
men who think that all that is needed to 
make themselves good and great is opportu¬ 
nity and development—the 1‘atron’s vote is 
all they want. Remember, Patrons, that 
men who will try to draw farmers, who are 
members of the Order, into political entangle¬ 
ment.’ are not your true friends. If you heed 
their advice they will sooner or later involve 
the Order in a partisan strife which can end 
only in our utter destructoin. Such men are 
supremely selfish. They aim, ty thus getting 
you off from your sound and beaten track, 
to involve you in intricacies where they mil 
have you entirely in their power. Avoid 
such men asyou wouldyour bitterest enemy. 
You have wisely adopted a constitution 
which forbids your entering into politics as 
an Order. Let no man without the gates 
tamper with you in regard to your fealty to 
our great organic act. A wise member of 
our Order has given this sensible advice : 
“ When it is necessary for the Organization 
to go into politics, let it be done only after 
you have as deliberately repealed ti e con¬ 
stitutional prohibition, as you adopted it in 
good faith and sound principles. There is 
never any hurry about going away from the 
grounds that are safe and pleasant. There is 
always great danger iu tampering with what 
is sound in principle, and much more danger 
in letting others, even though they have got 
within the secret gates, tamper with and 
trample upon the plain, fair and protective 
c’auses in our constitution. Keep aloof from 
all such persons, or only come in contact 
with them to upbraid and rebuff them.” 
—Pacific Rural Press. 
--- 
GRANGE WORK. 
If the Western Grangers are not becoming 
potent in a political way, they certainly ex¬ 
hibit a wonderful activity collectively, in 
pushing the individual interests of the farm¬ 
ers. This is especially true in Iowa, where 
the hayseed elements have carried the 
Grange system into more branches of every 
day needs than iu any other State. The 
Order has attained immense strength in the 
State. A recent meeting for business showed 
that councils are in operation in each county, 
the total membership being something like 
200,000. Under these, 41 county councils 
have been organized to attend to the pur¬ 
chasing of supplies for the different Granges, 
and to assume the management of the co¬ 
operative stores, mills, manufactories, etc., 
already begun. A law was passed at the 
last session of the Legislature enabling the 
councils to organize local fire insurance com¬ 
panies, and 20 are already doiDg business. 
They usually include about four civil town¬ 
ships iu each assigned territory, giving the 
offices of President and Secretary to some 
local members, and charge only from one to 
two mills on the dollar, and as yet there has 
not been a failure to meet a liability. Sev¬ 
eral of them are carrying §400,000 to §800,000 
each in risks, and the satisfaction is reported 
universal .—Nashville Banner. 
THE ORDER IN PENNSYLVANIA. 
The State Grange of Pennsylvania recently 
held its session at Mcchanicsburg, at which 
more than three-quarters of all the counties 
in the State were represented. It was pre¬ 
dicted by the Lecturer of the National Grange 
who was present, that there would be over 
1,000 Craugesin 1 he State by January next, 
one county already numbering 45 Granges 
with a membership of 5,000. The same 
county had but a single Grange only four 
months previously. Indeed, the Order but 
barely had an existence in that State six 
months previous. 
The resolutions pas ed by the State Grange 
appealed to agriculturists everywhere in the 
State to learn the objects of the movement 
from trustworthy sources without delay, and 
if favorable, to show the principles practi¬ 
cally at an early day. The amendments to 
the constitution of the National Grange were 
iu the main, ratified. The Master’s closing 
address congratulated the Pat i ons present 
upon the marvelous growth of the Order in 
Pennsylvania, Os well us in other States. He 
admonished the members to show their prin¬ 
ciples—a part of true manhood—invariably, 
aud to guard well their rights, at the same 
time remembering that all others have rights 
as well as themselves. 
- — 
A CASH BASIS. 
Tins is the true basis upon which the pres¬ 
ent reform movement among farmers must 
rest. No co-operative movement can suc¬ 
ceed on any other basis. Cash is the one 
thing needful. The credit system will kill 
beyond any possible hope of resurrection, 
any co-operative enterprise. It is this that 
has killed them in the past, and will destroy 
them in the future. Let us once set out on 
the principle of paying for what we get, and 
doing without what we cannot pay for, and 
success will ultimate!} 7 crown our efforts. 
— Western Agriculturist. 
♦- 
GRANGE NOTES AND ITEMS. 
The Grangers are doing more to project 
and establish substantial enterprises in con¬ 
nection with their organizations than all the 
efforts of legislation and capital have done 
heretofore. At Red Oak, Iowa, they propose 
the organization of a stock company for es¬ 
tablishing a linseed oil mill, to consume the 
large amount of flax seed raised in that vi¬ 
cinity. We hear many instances of this kind 
every day, and hope that the good work may 
go on with redoubled energy .—Omaha 
Union. 
A Patron says of the results of the organi¬ 
zation in his neighborhood“ The discussion 
of questions of practical interest to Patrons, 
which form a feature of our Grange, is hav¬ 
ing a tendency to develop not only a better 
manner of ex pressing ourselves, but a greater 
willingness to make the effort. Great im¬ 
provement has already been observed in even 
the little practice we have thus far had.” 
IF/iaf (he Grangers are doing .—We are 
asked to state what the Granges are doing. 
If we were authorized to answer for them, 
we should say in brief—the Granges are 
quietly attending to their own business, and 
they wish that others might find as much 
pleasure and benefit from like occupation as 
they do.— Ex. 
The Granges of Williamson county, Tenn., 
at a recent meeting at Franklin, resolved to 
subscribe §200 each to purchase aud hold the 
County Fair Grounds in perpetuity. 
