waoBE’s 
£$£55 
304 
“PROGRESS AND IMPROVEMENT.*’ 
MOORE'S RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
A NATIONAL ILLUSTRATED 
RlEAL, L1TEEAK1' AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER. 
D. D. T. MOORE, 
Koundor and Conduotiujl Editor# 
CHAS. D. BRAGDON, ANDREW S. FULLER, 
A*HOoiatR Editor*. 
HENRY S. RANDALL LL, D., Cortland Village, N. Y., 
Euitob or thm D«rA»TM*»T or Bnrrr 
X. A. WILLARD, A. M., Little Falls, N. Y„ 
Editob or tui D*ri»tM*KT or Dai»v Hv«*ai»d»y. 
G. A. C. BARNETT, Publisher. 
TERMS FOR 1875, IN ADVANCE, 
INCLUDING POSTAGE, WHICH FUllUSHERS PREPAY. 
Single Copy,$2.06 per Year. To Clubs: Five Cop¬ 
ies, and one cony free to Agent or getter op of Club, 
for $1S.40; Seven Copies, undone free.for 117.20; Ten 
Copies, and one frc«,*2l.50-only 82.15 per copy. The 
above rates Itm-I'I'Ic j(which we shall be obliged 
to prepay after .tan. I, 1875, under the new law.) to 
any part of the United States, and tho American 
postage on aJl copies mailed to Canada. On papers 
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cents extra or$3.50m all. Drafts. Post-Office Money 
Orders und Registered Letters may be mailed at our 
risk. tt r Liberal Premiums to all Club Agents who 
do not take free copies. Specimen Numbers Show- 
Bills, &o., sent free. 
ADVERTISING RATE8 : 
Inside. 14 th and Kith pages (Agate space).60c. per line. 
“ Kith page. i-rS " 
Outside or last page...........1,00 
Fifty per cent, extra for unusual display. 
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©ORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER 
NOV. T 
SATURDAY, NOV. 7, 1874. 
“A LEADER WANTED!” 
“A Leader is Wanted," says our foreman 
In the typing department on the busy morning 
of publication day. Thecal) sets us to thinking 
about leaders In the various walks and ranks 
of life and the scarcity of tho genuine article. 
Lot us pursue the subject, n few moments—for 
the Idea may prove at least suggestive. 
Leaders are wanted in numerous places and 
positions all over the land and world. Many 
nations and governments have Incompetent 
leaders—such as prove a curse rather than a 
blessing nr benefit—and hence want men or 
Intelligence, principle and nerve at the head of 
affairs. Wise and conscientious statesmen are 
wanted to aid and advise Presidents, Kings, 
Queens and other head centers in the manage¬ 
ment of vast Republics, Kingdoms, Provinces, 
States, Ac., to prevent wars or restore peace 
and otherwise maintain or secure the prosperity 
and happiness of various peoples and nations. 
For upon tho wisdom and discretion of those 
in authority largely depend the very exlstenco 
of many natlousand the progress of civilization 
throughout Christendom. 
In our own count ry the right class of leaders 
is wanted almost everywhere—for in nearly 
every department there are some vacancies. 
Not that we have no good men at t he head of 
National, State. Municipal and other affairs, for 
we have—some; but the inoompotency, dishon¬ 
esty, corruption and general demoralization so 
alarmingly prevalent clearly demonstrate what 
Is wanted to secure the prosperity of the people 
and the perpetuity of tho Republic. The old 
political cry or axiom of “Principles, not 
Men," will not, suffice for the people (or any 
party) now—for we need not only principles, 
but men of pure principle at the head, and as 
members of, all our governmental and legisla¬ 
tive bodle 9 -Natlonal, State and Local—and In 
all corporations, institutions and organizations 
designed to promote the mental, moral and 
material interests of the body politic. 
Aye, “ A Leader is Wanted "—one who Is ju¬ 
dicious, wise, exemplary — in almost every 
school district, town, village, city, county and 
State in the Union—and that leader’s efforts 
for good should be seconded by all who have 
at heart the welfare of community. Verily, 
the people want the right kind of leaders— 
those possessing ability, integrity and stamina 
—in every’ department of official, business and 
private avocations, from the highest to the 
lowest. As officials,—governors, legislators, 
judges, preachers, teachers, etc.,—ludood in 
every position of responsibility where there is 
lack of capacity or dereliction of duty, there is 
necessity for a leader. Every family and farm, 
and even the household or “kitchen cabinet," 
requires an efficient and authoritative head to 
secure and promote harmonious aotion, facili¬ 
tate progress and assure prosperity. 
FALLACIES OF LIFE INSURANCE. 
Number XXXII. 
From its Inception to the present time life 
insurance has been the creatureof experiment. 
These experiments are now going on, and will, 
doubtless, continue to the end of time. The 
eminently scientific and as eminently artificial 
plans now in use arc at best only tentative. No 
one claims that they are perfect. All that the 
most rigid stickler for legitimacy ran aver is, 
that of the thousands of devices that the fertile 
invention of the human mind has brought 
forth, this is the only one that endures. Hun¬ 
dreds of companies that adopted varions plans 
lacking the essential features which character¬ 
ize the prevailing method have been aban¬ 
doned. It has not been established beyond per- 
adventurc that the present plan is the only 
one that can endure. Further experiences 
may demonstrate certain influences to be as 
useless as they arc confessedly cumbersome 
and Inconvenient; but In tbo present condition 
of society, and with tbo present knowledge of 
the possibilities of practicable Insurance, It is 
unwise, if not dangerous, to inaugurate radical 
changes. 
That which is regarded as indispensable to 
insurance, to that certainty of indemnity which 
is the distinctive and essential condition 
of Insurance, is the prepayment of premiums. 
Unless the company is certain to be able to 
pay, the transaction that Involves the promise 
to do so may be called by any name that, suits 
one’s fancy, but it is not Insurance. This cer¬ 
tainty must be based upon facts that can be 
relied upon. In life Insurance it is founded on 
the nat ural fact that human life terminates in 
a certain, nearly invariable, ratio of dying to 
living. If this ratio was Invariable, the com¬ 
pany would be certain of the fulfillment of its 
assumptions In that respect; but since it is 
variable, the company seeks safety by expect¬ 
ing the worst and makes Its propositions ac¬ 
cordingly. Unless enough is received in ad¬ 
vance of the promise to repay, there la no cer¬ 
tainty of repayment, for if the company adopts 
any other terms It assumes the fidelity of men 
to their obligations to pay, which is perhaps the 
most uncertain quantity that ever defied tabu¬ 
lation. The business of insurance cannot be 
done on trust. This is the radical defect of 
benefit societies, and the reason why these 
societies have failed in their attempts to make 
life insurance rise of their benefactions. The 
sympathy of men for each other, the feeling of 
mutual dependence and tho social tie suffice 
to unite them in various wuys. While the as¬ 
sociation lasts they will contribute to the neces¬ 
sities of their unfortunate brethren, w ill attend 
them in cases of illness, bury them will: fitting 
ceremony, and bestow a more or less precarious 
assistance upon their widows and orphans; bur 
suoh a society, however numerous its member¬ 
ship, has never yet compassed the ends of In¬ 
surance to make a sure provision. The attempt 
lias been made so often, tt comes up so invari¬ 
ably, and, as Mark Twain would say, so mon¬ 
otonously, that, the futility would be by this 
time notorious but for tho circumstance that 
no one ever cares to try it again, or cares to 
confess his stupidity for others’ benefit. 
That which breeds a perennial Inclination to 
repeat this experiment in the apparent fairness 
of the mutual agreement to pay a dollar or so 
when a member dies, and nothing short, of the 
dissolution of the society convinces the well- 
meaning members of Its futility, and even then 
they are as likely to Impute t he failure to other 
than the roal causes. The real disintegrating 
element is Its unfairness. The association must 
maintain its original number of contributing 
members, else tbo second family that is be¬ 
reaved must receive one contribution 1698 than 
the llrst, and the third and each succeeding 
loss be settled with a smaller sum. This is 
obviously unfair to the survivors, and must fall 
especially heavy upon the last one, who gets 
nothing w’hutovar in return for as many contri¬ 
butions as there were charter members. 
In the ordiuary course of nature (lie oldest 
members will die first, while the membership 
is fullest, and so receive the largest benefit, 
though they have contributed least, toothers” 
claims. The young and vigorous will survive 
to pay most and will die when their members 
are thinned out by death, and so receive least. 
This is too plainly unfair to require comment. 
On the other hand, If each member is to receive 
the same benefit, new members must be re¬ 
cruited to take the place of those who die. 
They must be either old or young; if the 
former, the young members will be compelled 
to repeat their contributions to another and 
still another installment of rapidly-maturing 
claims. Their experiences will not. invite young 
recruits to share their burdens, and the expec¬ 
tation of keeping the original number intact 
will end, as it always has ended, in failure and 
disappointment. The same fate has always be¬ 
fallen these enterprises, evon when the mem¬ 
bers were bound together by other ties of com¬ 
mon Interest, aud when the facilities for meet¬ 
ing iu common halls reduced the expenses to 
the lowest figure and facilitated the collection 
of contributions. There have been many thou¬ 
sands of such societies aud just as many fail¬ 
ures. However strong the ties of brotherhood 
and common interest, the final a is uniform in 
its history. The members would not and did 
notcojtinue to pay, and the associations broke 
up in disgust rather than dissolved. 
In England and the older countries where 
these societies at one time abounded, the dis¬ 
honesty of the custodians of money, and of col¬ 
lectors and other officials, became so notorious 
that the gevernment was compelled to interfere 
in behalf of the victimized members. The his¬ 
tory of the co-operation life insurance compa¬ 
nies of this country, the frauds they practiced, 
and their rapid decay and disappearance, Is a 
matter of shameful notoriety. 
-♦- 4 -*- 
REQUIRING CREDENTIALS. 
In some quarters farmers are resolving to re¬ 
quire credent ials or references of the class of 
men who apply to them for employment. The 
fact that such resolutions are adopted by 
Granges or other farm organizations, indicate 
that some one has suffered because Buch re¬ 
quirements have not been made of farm labor¬ 
ers. How suffered ? Have they proven incom¬ 
petent, dishonest. Indolent, unreliable, vicious, 
vulgar and nuisances? It is not infrequent, 
that men arc found who are embodied combi¬ 
nations of all these negative qualities. It is 
not a little astonishing that farmers are found 
who will give employment to total strangers 
without some evidence of competency, trust 
valuable property within tbelr reach without 
bonds for their honest action, risk losses from 
their unreliability and vicious natures, and the 
corruption of their children from such associa¬ 
tion, without demanding testimonials as to 
character and insurance of probity of life and 
purity of speech. 
This has become a grave matter in many lo¬ 
calities. One farmer told us he did not dare to 
hire the class of men who offered him their 
labor. He could get. no evidence of either com¬ 
pel ency, honesty or purity. lie did not dare to 
take the risk their employment would involve. 
He had valuable animals which Incompetency 
or unreliability might ruin; ho had sous and 
daughters whom he desired to protect from vile 
associations; be had bulldlugs ho did not de¬ 
sire burned because of any word of censure lie 
might And it necessary to speak, or because cl 
an Imperative discharge from his employment, 
which would surely result from the discovery 
of any of these disqualifications in a laborer. 
It Is not any reflection upon competent and 
good men who hire as farm laborers that farm¬ 
ers are seeking to protect themselves from the 
incompetent class. Every such effort will in¬ 
crease the premium that will be paid for the 
best and most reliable, and all such should re¬ 
joice at this action of the farmers. 
--- 
RURAL NOTES AND QUERIES. 
A Good Book for Patron*—Is the one enti¬ 
tled “ The Grange Illustrated, or Patron’s Hand- 
Book,” just published by the Grange Publish¬ 
ing Company of 27 Clinton Place, New York. It 
Isahandsome octavo volume, fluely illustrated, 
and contains much matter of special Interest 
to members of the Order. Among other things 
it. embraces, as stated in the title page, "the 
Origin and History of the Order,—Constitution, 
By-Laws, Rules and Regulations of N&ticmal, 
Stato and Subordinate Granges—Co-operation 
In its adaptation to the Order—Social Exercises, 
Songs, Music, Redlratlona," &c. It also treats 
upon “ farming, farm machinery, stock, poul¬ 
try, fertilizers, etc.—together with invaluable 
suggestions, recipes, hints," etc. The w’ork is 
by John G- Weli. 8. Master of Knickerbocker 
Grange, author of “ Wells' Every Man His Own 
Lawyer," &c., and is approved by and under the 
direct supervision of Wm. Saundkrs, Chair¬ 
man Executive of the National Grange; X. A. 
Thompson, Worthy Lecturer of the National 
Grange, and other prominent officers of the 
Order.” The great value of this w’ork consists 
in its succinct aud authoritative history of the 
Order of Patrons of Husbandry and matters 
connected therewith, which must prove of great 
interest to all members and a source of infor¬ 
mation to outsiders who desire to become con¬ 
versant with the origin, principles and objects 
of the fraternity. The work is advertised in 
this paper. 
The Brilitdi Corn Trade.— The London, (Eng.,) 
Agricultural Gazette of Oct. 17, says:—The low 
point now reached in the value of wheat com¬ 
mences to awaken general reflection, and an 
improved feeliugonour markets is the result, 
indeed, for the last month the falls in prices 
are less, and more restricted than they at first 
seemed to be. Three weeks ago a good sample 
of old red American wheat commanded 47s. 
6d. per qr., in Mark Lane, and this week the 
clearance sale of the remainder was sold at the 
same figures, 47s., without the 6d. having been 
refused. The real decline of value is upon 
samples of the home and foreign new crops, 
and new American wheat to be shipped this 
autumn is now reduced to 09s. per qr. Agaiu, 
the local average of new wheat at Norwich is 
under 43s. per qr., and shippers at Odessa are 
accepting offers at corresponding rates. We 
cannot, therefore, notico and weloome the 
prospect of any decided recovery of the price 
of wheat, but a stronger and more regular de¬ 
mand la promised. The existing state of polit¬ 
ical opinions in Europe is, moreover, such that 
the corn markets may easily become disturbed 
suddenly to tbe advantage of sellers, but from 
such cause fluctuations would probably be only 
temporary. The weight and blessing of a boun¬ 
tiful harvest rest on the nations, and may not 
be lifted this season, but bread might remain 
cheap and potatoes abundant, and yet farmers 
receive a few shillings per qr., and ton more 
‘ than they do at present." 
Fnir of (he Hudson River Agricultural and 
Driving Park V»*oeiation.— This Society held 
its First Annual Fair on their new grounds, 
situate Just outside the City of Poughkeepsie, 
Oct. 20-23. In attendance the Fair was a grand 
success. The entries tn the livestock depart¬ 
ment were very fair, fat and working cattle 
and grades taking the lead. The sheep depart¬ 
ment showed w’oll, as did also the swine, tbore 
being a larger number of the latter exhibited 
than at the State Fair. This Society having the 
River counties on both sides to draw from 
ought to another year have as fine show of Live 
Stock as any fair in this country. Domestic 
Hail and the Agricultural Implement Depart¬ 
ment were not as well Ailed as they ought to 
be. The Horse show was very flue indeed. 
Among the horses, we noticed “ Old Tom, ” 
42 years of ago, ow ned by Mayor Eastman, and 
a fine six-year-old PJiicton Pony owned by Miss 
Cora Eastman. Mr. Edwin Thorn of Thorndale 
showed some tine Roadsters. 
« ♦>- 
The Export* of Wheat to Englnnd from tho 
United States—or, rather, tho amount of wheat 
received In Englund from the United States— 
during the nine: months ending Sept. 30,1874, 
was 31,323,042 bushels, against 24,388,823 bushels 
during the same period in 1873. England has 
received from Lhe United States tbo present 
year more than six times as much wheat as 
Russia has contributed to the sustenance of her 
people; and Russia Is the largest contributor 
after the United States. 
- - - 
The Premium List tor the Rural Campaign 
of 1875 is now ready. Those of our Agent- 
Friends and others w’ho can use them for the 
benefit of themselves and the Rural, send for 
them at once In order to be early In the field. 
- 44-4 - 
RURAL BREVITIES. 
The Illinois State Farmer*’ Association is to 
meet at Springfield, December 1. 
The New Hampshire Poultry Society Is to 
hold an exhibition at Concord,Feby.9—H next. 
“ Youno Poultry Fancier" is referred to 
tbe People’s Poultry Book for answers to his 
inquiries. 
This year’s wheat crop in New Mexico was 
thrashed in the old Egyptian Style—with goats, 
sheep and horses. 
Remember that w’o send our new Premium 
List, Poster. Specimens, &c., to all disposed to 
form clubs for this, lhe original, Rural. 
We have Inquiries as to where the rose 
“James Spnint " can be obtained. We cannot 
answer. Let those who have It advertise. 
The Annual Fair of the State Agricultural 
and Mechanical Society or South Carolina, will 
open in Columbia on the 10th of November. 
Thanks to our Agent-Friends and others for 
many kind letters of late relative to the Rural 
aud what, they propose to do for it In future. 
The Pennsylvania Poultry Society is to bold 
its seventh annual exhibition at Philadelphia 
(cor. 10th and Chestnut Sts.) Dec. 29—Jau. 1, 
1876. 
Senator Thurman of Ohio delivered an ad¬ 
dress at the Pair of the Maryland Agricultural 
and Mechanical Association at Baltimore last 
week. 
We see It assorted that Mr. M. H. Cochrane, 
the well Known stock breeder of Canada, is 
going to remove with his herds and flocks to 
Illinois. 
Don't forget, to send for our new Premium 
List and examine it carefully—doing which 
you will find wnat will Induce you to give the 
“Old Rural" a lift, for 1875. 
October was pleasant and genial—very favor¬ 
able for out-door operations on thefarm and in 
garden and orchard—and November opens with 
bright, sunshiny days. 
Tjif. Home, Farm and Orchard, Newburgh, 
N. Y., of Oct. 31, says" A company of horti¬ 
culturists and capitalists is about organizing in 
this city for the purpose of purchasing and 
propagating on a large scale Mr. Ricketts 
seedling grapes." 
Tinslet, of the Lyons Republican, is said to 
bo the moat muscular and beaVlonking editor 
In the Empire State. Don't admit that last, 
altogether, (alter looking into a mirror, not 
glass,) but affirm tin t he is a right clever man 
aud worthy of his popularity. 
The latest advices from the Louisiana cane 
growers show an uncommonly large yield of 
cane per acre, and a greater proportion of sac- 
chatlne matt t than usual. Tho prospects now 
are good for the largest crop of sugar that has 
been made in Louisiana since 1861. 
Edmund Carr, Black River, King Co., W. T., 
writes that a man is wanted there who thor¬ 
oughly understands the manufacture of butter 
and cheese and has capital to establish a faotory 
fur tbe purpose. He says there is no better 
dairy region in the Union, and not. a cheese or 
butter factory In the Territory. He invites 
correspondence. 
In our roceut report of the N. Y. State Fair, 
we attributed to Messrs. McDonald & Gordon 
the exhibition of the “ Boss Hay Itake ” when 
they should have been credited with exhibiting 
the “ Boss Horse Hay Fork ” and the " Boss 
Grapple." Mistakes sometimes will occur in 
the host regulated families, and as Messrs. 
McDonald ® Gordon are the Bosses of these 
particular implements we cheerfully accede to 
their suggestion In making the above correc- 
BUSINESS NOTICES, 
Pianos.—We advise any of our readers who may 
contemplate purchasing u Piano-Forte to write to 
the Arion Piano-Forte Co.. No. 5 K. 14th St., N. Y., 
for one of their Illustrated Circulars; a* their Instru¬ 
ments are noted for their unequaled tone and great 
durability. 
- 
Call for Eureka Machine Twist and Eureka 
Button Hole Twist, if you wimt the best. 
