302 
grarw of a pluralist. 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
NOV. 7 
DAILY RURAL LIFI-. 
From the Diary of a Gentleman near New 
York City. 
THE WALKING-STICK PEST. 
Daily Run a i. Life .-—About forty years 
ago my father set out a grove of Locu.it t rees 
for fencing purposes at the foot of a rocky, 
wooded hill. The trees throve, arid for years 
have funiidled the farm with pouts and 
stakes. When they were young we begun 
to notice on them, now and then, the insects 
known mi “Walking-sticks,” and some fif¬ 
teen years ago they began to increase rapid¬ 
ly appearing in summer on the locusts, to 
which at first they seemed to confine th • ni¬ 
sei vo-, entirely at ripping them of their leaves, 
and hive done so every second year siuee. 
The locusts have nearly all succumbed to 
the repeated attacks of these repulsive-look¬ 
ing posts, which have for some time extended 
their operations to the adjoining native trees, 
most kit ds of which they feed upon raven¬ 
ously 
t have never by observation been able to 
discover v. hen or where the eggs arc depos¬ 
ited. nor can 1 find more than a description 
of the insect In any book within my roach. 
Will you throw a little light on t he subject, 
and can you suggest any method of destroy¬ 
ing t hose pestiferous walking-sticksI 
Ferrisburgb, Vt. K. it. u. 
Oct. 28.—I presume you refer to the long, 
slender insect which is quite common 
throughout the Eastern States and known 
by the common name of walking-stick, de¬ 
scribed many years ago by Thomas Say, in 
his American Entomology, as Spectrum fe- 
moratum, also known as Dlapheromcra /<:- 
morula— Say. I am not surpassed at your 
want of knowledge in regard to the habits 
of this insect, because those who have made 
entomology a study appear to be in the same 
fix. Mr. Say gives no information in regard 
to the food of the two species which he de¬ 
scribes, and not a word about the depositing 
of eggs. Packard, in his recent “Guide to 
the Study of Insects,” is also silent on these 
points, but he says the eggs are deposited in 
autumn, which, of course, is a very explicit 
statement. Harris states (“ Insects Iujurt 
ous to Vegetation ”) that these insects “ walk 
slowly over the leaves and young shoots, 
which are their appropriate, feed and that 
is the only hint 1 remember of having no¬ 
ticed that the species under consideration is 
a vegetable feeder, although from its near 
relationship to grasshoppers and crickets it 
is but reasonable to suppose t hat it is. That 
it should have become so abundant in Ver¬ 
mont as to destroy groves and forests with¬ 
out attracting the at tention of New England 
entomologists seems rather strange; but I 
have no good reason for doubting your st ate¬ 
ment, neither can I suggest any practical 
method of destroying them. Perhaps some 
of the many entomologists who read the 
Rural New-Yorker may be able to throw 
light on this subject. 
AFRAID TO TRY. 
Oct. 27.—There are persons who appear to 
be afraid to try the most simple experiment. 
If they have been told to plant potatoes 
during a certain phase of the. moon, they 
continue to do so all their lives without once 
daring to make a change. Of course I am 
not disposed to advocate “contrariness” to 
extremes, still it is not best to fully believe 
what is told us without pretty good reasons 
for doing so. In horticultural and agricul¬ 
tural affairs, at least, there is far too 
much timidity in those who follow these 
callings and consequently experiments arc 
not sufficiently numerous to make progress 
general among those engaged therein. Far¬ 
mers who have been in the habit of sowing 
their wheut broadcast are usually a little 
afraid to try the drill system, although re¬ 
ported to be preferable, and the same timidity 
or lack of energy prevails in regard to drain¬ 
ing, deep culture, and other advanced meth¬ 
ods of soil culture. 
The application of lime, plaster, salt, ashes 
and similar materials are usually taken hold 
of very tardily at first, and perhaps it is 
well that they are, because their true value 
upoi a soil or crop can only be determined 
by experiment. But it is not of these more 
important operations of the farm or garden 
of which 1 find cause to complain, but of 
those minor transactions, such os doing cer¬ 
tain kinds of work on certain days because 
of some supposed influence of far-distant 
planets. A farmer’s wife once told me that 
all the cattle got down on their knees at 12 
o’clock on Christmas Eve, and I think she 
was honest in making the assertion. But 
she had lived nearly sixty years on a farm 
without once taking a trip to the barnyard 
to learn the truth or falsity of her belief ! 
“ Never begin a job of work on a Friday ; if 
you do, something dreadful is likely to hap¬ 
pen,” still has its thousands of believers, and , 
not altogether among wiiat are termed the 
ignorant classes, either. The horse shoe is 
nailed over the stable and kitchen doors to 
keep the witches out, even where newspapers 
are taken, read, and paid for. Witches and 
fairies still live, in the imagination, at least, J 
of many a household where better things ^ 
might be expected. 
Of course planting, hoeing, weaning calves 
and babies at certain “times of the moon,” 
as well aa many other operations, are com¬ 
mon practices—and why not ? when a lead- ^ 
jng newspaper like the New York Herald ( 
tells its huedred thousand readers, as it did 
last Sunday (Oct. 25), that “ wood cut at 
certain phases of the moon is more liable to | 
rot than when hewn at other periods, and 
changes of the weather are more likely to ' 
take place when the moon enters her respect¬ 
ive quarters than at any other time,” 
And it is to be presumed that the writer who 
gave the public an elaborate description of 
the late eclipse of the moon in the paper 
named keeps a horse shoe nailed over his 
kitchen door and another over that of his 
stable, if he happens to have one. But if we 
lay aside all these purely imaginary influ¬ 
ences ami come down to the real, practical 
operations, we will find that there are many 
who lack confidence in their own abilities to 
conduct the most simple experiment. If it 
is one’s belief that a post set In the ground 
the reverse cf the position in which the tim¬ 
ber grew, or top end down, will last longer, 
the question may readily be settled by ex¬ 
periment without offending the fairies or 
witches. It, is also a very easy matter to 
test the various methods of sowing and cul¬ 
tivating farm crops. A half acre will answer 
just as well as a hundred, only the experi¬ 
menter will have to be a little more exact in 
performance and observation. 
A dozen years ago, when the “ grape fever” 
was at its bight, there were plenty of writers 
who proclaimed very positively that our 
great-American-spread- eagle varieties would 
not bear close planting or pruning like the 
foreign sorts ; but nobody seemed to have 
experimented sufficiently in that direction to 
determine the fact, if it really was one. 
For the purpose of learning how much 
truth there was in the assertions made in 
regard to the uncontrollable nature of our 
nat ive sorts, I selected among other varieties 
the Clinton, which is oue of the most vigor¬ 
ous and rambling of all, and submitted vines 
to various systems of close pruning. One 
vine, which was some five or six yeara old, I 
transplanted and set ill among my orna¬ 
mental shrubbery, cutting off the main cane 
about three feet from the ground, removing 
all side shoots. For the. past, ten years this 
vine has been pruned annually to a close 
stump, leaving only' a half dozen buds on as 
many.canes which grew out of the head, or 
top, and during all this time the few buds 
left have not failed to produce a full crop, 
proving conclusively that the Clinton will 
bear if pruned on the old, ancient systems of 
Europe. In other words, principles are uni¬ 
versal, but wc vary practioe to suit circum¬ 
stances. 
The lesson which wo all should learn is to 
pay less heed to what “ they say,” but try 
and determine the truth for ourselves. It is 
not advisable to rush into extremes and un¬ 
dertake rash experiments, but make haste 
slowly and determine why this or that can¬ 
not be done. 
It, is now just the season for trying experi¬ 
ments iu transplanting cultivated or wild 
plants from the woods, also sowing seeds, 
making cuttings, as well aspreserving fruits, 
flowers and vegetables. Don’t be afraid to 
try. 
J SHRUBS AHO HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 
Early autumn is an excellent season for 
transplanting all kinds of hardy, herbaceous 
and shrubby plants. Old clumps may be 
taken up, divided and replanted with more 
safety than in spring, especially if the ground 
above the roots is covered with some kind of 
mulch, as coarse barnyard manure or half 
rotted leaves or hay. 
Old clumps of Lilies, Peonies and other 
herbaoeous plants are greatly benefited by 
dividing and replanting in fresh soil. Re¬ 
arranging of the groups of shrubs planted in 
the borders is frequently necessary, as they 
become large and overgrow the space origin¬ 
ally allotted them ; and a few hours spent in 
moving and dividing will make a great dif¬ 
ference iu the appearance of one’s grounds. 
I have never been aide to g& things of this 
kind just right the first time ; in fact, plants 
do not always come up to expectations, con¬ 
sequently a little rearranging is absolutely 
! necessary in order to give, perfect satisfac- 
’ tion. 
$srtrmta of Husbandry 
TJSE YOUR POWER WISELY. 
The Patrons of Husbandry are becoming a 
power in the land—indeed have become so 
already—but it behooves them to exercise 
their power wisely and well. Thus far they 
have done so, we believe, but there is clanger 
ahead, unless the officers and members of 
the Granges—National, State and Subordi- 
t)ftte _jMirsue the even tenor of their way and 
keep aloof from outside influences. The vi¬ 
tality and beneficial influence of the Order 
must depend largely upon the action and ex¬ 
ample of individual members, both in the 
Grange and before the Public. A\ e say 
action and example—terms which are nearly 
synonymous—for we regard them as import¬ 
ant in and out of the Grange. The conduct 
and general bearing of members of the Or¬ 
der arc constantly subjected to the criticism 
of community, and they will be judged 
thereby. Every Patron who lives according 
to the Golden Rule will prove a missionary 
and tend to induce his or her fellow citizens 
(we wish wc could Apply the latter term to 
both sexes on the basis of Suffrage) to think 
favorably of the beneficial influence of the 
Order, By right conduct and living, in the 
meetings of the Grange and before the pub¬ 
lic, on the part of members—iu other words, 
by adhering to their rules, principles and ob¬ 
ligations— the Patrons can but increase in 
numbers, power and popularity. 
But, to accomplish these laudable purposes 
successfully, every Patron should exercise 
his influence wisely and discreetly in all his 
relations,—not only with his brethren of the 
Grange, but with his fellow citizens of all 
classes and occupations. Readers of the 
Rural New-Yorker who are members of 
the Order understand their duty in this mat¬ 
ter, and we trust, it Cannot truly be said of 
any of t hem that 
'* Tliov know the right, oiri t hey approve it. too. 
Condemn the wrong uml mill the wrong pursue.” 
Of course Patrons should stand by one 
another, but it is also their duty to be kind, 
tolerant and charitable even to enemies, 
and by so being they will make friends of 
those who may now be foes, and thereby 
enhance the interest, and welfare of the 
fraternity. 
-♦♦♦- 
AFTERNOON MEETINGS. 
That is an excellent suggestion recently 
made in the New Jersey Granger—that every 
other meeting of the subordinate granges 
Rhould be held in the afternoon Instead of at 
night. The change is urged because of the 
opportunities it would afford the older mem¬ 
bers for attending ; also, the many sisters 
who, however desirous they may be of taking 
part in the proceedings of the grange, are 
not able to “leave the children.” During 
the winter months, at least, there is no reason 
why the practice of meeting in the afternoon 
should not generally obtain. It would have 
the further advantage of rendering possible 
the attendance of members of the grange in 
opposed to our Order, or, who being eligible, 
have no disposition to join it. 
--- 
KEEP YOUR SECRETS. 
It is not well to talk much with outsiders 
about grange affairs. Without, any wrong 
intentions, you may, thoughtlessly say some¬ 
thing which should have been kept secret. 
If your friends and acquaintances desire to 
know all about it, let them knock at the 
gate in due. form. We are not leagued to¬ 
gether against any legitimate business or 
interest, but simply to promote our own 
welfare as a class, and to maintain our 
rights. Our safeguards are secrecy and 
fidelity—but no good patron need be re¬ 
minded here of the grand crowning virtue of 
his Order .—Rural Carolinian. 
-- ■•♦♦♦-- 
ITEMS FROM THE GRANGES. 
The new grange elevator at Spring Valley, 
Minn., has been finished and is one of the 
lions of the town. 
Smith County, Tex., has already 21 granges. 
A orange elevator is in process of con¬ 
struction at Mapleton, Minn. 
A joint stock cotton and woolen factory, 
owned and to be operated by the Patrons of 
Corinth, Miss., has been almost completed. 
Colonel Musgravk has been sent North 
by the Patrons of Mississippi to induce the 
movement thither of capital and intelligent 
labor. 
The funds of the National Grange now 
amount to #85,000. It is proposed to expend 
part of it for libraries for subordinate 
granges. 
The amount of the reserve fund of the 
National Grange is placed at #71,001) by 
Brother Shankland, Master of the Iowa State 
Grange. 
Punctually as ever the Missouri State 
Grange publishes its quarterly report, show¬ 
ing receipts from the subordinate granges of 
$9,675.48. 
The Nebraska State Grange holds its next 
annual meeting at Lincoln, commencing on 
Tuesday, December 15. Grand Master Adams 
will be present at its sessions. 
The National Grange of the Patrons of 
Husbandry will commence its annual session 
in the city of Charleston, S. C., on the first 
Wednesday in February, 1875. 
SACRAMENTO WINE IN GERMANY. 
The Californians have been shipiiing sam¬ 
ples of their wine to their German friends. 
Wine made from grapes grown at Cache 
Creek, Yolo Co., Cal., was shipped in a pure 
state, with no addition of spirits, to Germany 
by wr.y erf Panama. It reached Germany in 
June instead of April, as intended, when the 
temperature was 90J$p. It was kept three 
weeks before being tested. When tested the 
wine tasters uttered exclamations as they 
DHL unavumnuvv -J-• - ---- - 13 o 11 *1’ 
those thinly-settled territories where it takes placed glasses under their noses and to their 
J . . «• ill •___ -.11 -4- k/.mni1e in 
a Patron half the afternoon to get to the 
grange and all night to get home again. 
With this change should be combined a sim¬ 
plification of the ritual, so as at least to make 
optional much of the working, and leave 
more time to the Patrons for the practical 
business features of the grange. Upon the 
latter subject the various papers that espe¬ 
cially devote themselves to grange matters 
should make common cause during the three 
months that yet remain before the assem¬ 
bling of the National Grange. The ritualistic 
features that contributed so largely at the 
outset to the popularity of the Order, and 
even now we of value, rendering its proceed¬ 
ings attractive, and elevating and human¬ 
izing those who take part therein, should not tity of nice grapes of which I am about to 
be allowed to monopolize the time of Pa- rnake vinegar. 1 would feel obliged if some 
trons to the exclusion of more practical and one Of your numerous readers would send 
profitable matter. Blossoms are pretty in me a recipe through the Rural NeW- 
spring, but have to yield place to the fruit. Yorker.—T. Davis. 
ELIGIBILITY OF MARRIED WOMEN. 
In answering a lady the Rural Carolinian 
remarks:—We have no ruling of the Nation¬ 
al Grange or of our State Grange in regard 
to the matter about which you inquire, but 
Worthy Master Hamilton, of the State 
Grange of California, has ruled that a mar¬ 
ried woman derives Her eligibility to become 
a member of a Grange Horn the eligibility 
of her husband, and if he is not eligible and 
worthy of being admitted to the Grange, 
the wife should not be admitted alone. It 
is not safe or good policy to admit married 
women to the Grange whose husbands are 
lips, that wine so excellent should he made in 
60 young a state. It was concl uded that it was 
something like Hungarian wine, but finer and 
more delicate, and that it was just as good 
as any Rhine wine. It had lost nothing in 
its quality on its voyage, although it was dis¬ 
covered, after the barrel had been emptied, 
that it had been tapped in seven places by 
removing the hoops and boring through the 
staves. It is recommended that wheuever 
wine is shipped in barrels hereafter, that an 
outer barrel be put on the wine barrel proper, 
with several inches of room between the two, 
which is to be filled with straw, to prevent 
this boring nuisance. 
To Make Crape Vinegar .—1 have a quan- 
GRAPES AS FOOD. 
Emphatically we say that grapes are 
strong food ; that in them we have not on.r 
the most healthful and the only naturally- 
adapted sugar, called by the chemists grape 
sugar, infinitely superior to that chiefly ex¬ 
otic product, cane sugar, being more digesti¬ 
ble, more natural and more healthful, espec¬ 
ially for sedentary persons in temperate cli¬ 
mates, but we have, also, the healthful ac * s 
and a notable amount of those nitrogenous 
essentials which are blood-makers, not to 
speak of the various salts which also become 
necessary constituents of the biood. 
&L. 
