MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER 
FEB. 43 
408 
DAILY RURAL LIFE 
Prom the Diary of a Gentleman Near New 
York City. 
PREPARING F3R SPRING. 
Feb. 1 .— Winter is often referred to as a 
leisure time for farmers, but I liuve never 
found it so in fact. A man who desires the 
work can always find something to do, no 
matter where located within Uncle .Sam’s 
domain. I know this is a pretty broad as¬ 
sertion to make in the face of the hundred 
thousand men, and almost us many women, 
“ out of work ” within a few miles of where 
this is written. Still I hold to the truth of 
tho above, knowing whereof 1 speak, as well 
as the difficulties one encounters in trying to 
find laborers to dig ditches, chop cord wood, 
or do other similar jobs which afford a fine 
play of the muscular forces in man. Five 
hundred girls will answer an advertisement 
for “ young ladies to promenade in a theatei* 
at twenty-five cents per night,” but a dollar 
per day would be no temptation to them to 
go into kitchens and do no more work than 
many a wife does whoso husband counts his 
annual income by the thousands. 
This little digression from the purely agri¬ 
cultural line may, however, furnish the key 
to the success as well as tho failure of many 
a farmer. Those who find winter a leisure 
time, are pretty certain to find the spring 
and summer well advanced before getting 
their hand fairly into business. I confess to 
be just old-fashioned enough to want my 
summer supply of firewood cut up in winter. 
If bean poles are to be wanted next summer, 
winter is a good time to cut and sharpen 
them. Stakes for tho grape#, roses and 
climbing plants, rails to build new and re¬ 
pair old fences, and hundreds such large or , 
small jobs, always crowd upon the man who I 
works systematically. In addition to all 
these minor jobs, there is one which is never 
finished, no matter how much time and 
money is expended upon it, and this is mak¬ 
ing of compost heaps about the barnyard 
and elsewhere. This is always profitable 
work for the leisure winter mouths, for 
there i 3 little danger of making land too 
rich. 
I have sometimes almost wished that I 
lived in some one of the Southern States, 
owning one of those old, worn-out planta¬ 
tions, just for the pleasure of residing for 
once where I could keep the compost heap 
a-steaming the year round, and see the bar¬ 
ren fields laugh at the results. But upon a 
sober, second thought, I think the labor 
question might bother me (here as well as up 
here in our frigid climate. There are a dozen 
families residing within a mile of my house, 
who are on the verge of starvation : in fact, 
the children would starve if the neighbors 
did not feed them, and all this distress may 
be summed up In two words—nun and lazi¬ 
ness. The families nbout here have been to 
the heads of these families and begged them 
to come and work for good wages and cash 
at the end of each week. But no, the 
weather is too cold, or seventy-five cents to 
a dollar per cord for cutting fire-wood is not 
enough, so they remain in idleness and steal, 
beg or starve. When I was a young man 
thirty-seven and a half cents per cord was 
considered a big price, and I kuow many a 
man who commenced the savings which 
helped him to purchase a farm out of his 
three shillings per cord for cutting wood 
during the winter months. But what I have 
said above is a truthful picture of the starv¬ 
ing poor within twenty-five miles of New 
York city, and it is to be presumed there are 
similar phases of society elsewhere ; conse¬ 
quently farmers who would succeed must in 
a great measure make preparations for 
spring work with their own hands, and not 
depend wholly upon hired laborers. Never 
was there a more truthful maxim than Poor 
Richard's, to wit: 
“ He that by tho plow would thrive, 
Himself must either hold or drive.” 
LONG-LIVED FLOWCRS. 
Feb. 2.—Those “strawy” kinds of flowers 
known as “ Immortelles” or Everlastings, 
may be termed long-lived, but it is not of 
these I wish to make a note in this Diary, 
for they a-e too well known in shops, ready 
made for whoever may desire them But 
among other orders and families we have 
many flowers which hold fast to beauty and 
form for a long time, while others remain 
only for a few hours. Perhaps one of the 
most noted examples of the gaudy and 
ephemeral kind is that of our common Tiger 
flowers (Tipridia), their large and handsome 
flowers opening during the forenoon and 
closing at sundown, and the same flower 
never opening the second time. 
Next to these come the roses, which are a 
long time showing their beautiful buds, and 
even after the flowers fully expand they close 
at night and open the next morning, repeat¬ 
ing this for several days in succession. 
The Peonies, poppies, and many other of 
our garden flowers go to sleep at night, wak¬ 
ing with the morning sun, while others, like 
the gaudy Dahlia, appear to have a fixedness 
of purpose and will never take a “resting 
spell” during their brief or longlife, which¬ 
ever it may happen to be. 
FORCING VEGETABLE PLANTS. 
i It is time to make preparations for start¬ 
ing early vegetable plants. In the more 
Northern States the season is none too long 
for the maturing of many of our most valu¬ 
able kinds of annual fruits and vegetables, 
and if one desires the enjoyment of these, 
extended several weeks or months, it be¬ 
comes necessary to start the plants quite 
The habits of flowers are an interesting 
study, but unfortunately life is too short to 
enable one to get very far into the mysteries 
which surround this subject. Brief glances, 
however, from time to time, might afford a 
pastime to those who i re in search of amuse¬ 
ment if not with a very profitable occupation. 
1 have been reminded of these variations in 
tho life of flowers through examining a few 
kinds in my greenhouse t o-day. First among 
tho very long-lived sorts I would name the 
Nepaul Lady Slippers, particularly Cypripe- 
dium InHigne. This curious and striking 
flower resemble* our wild Lady Slippers or 
Moccasin flower in form, but the colors are 
green, red and orange. The flowers appeal 
in autumn or early winter if the plants are 
given a moderately warm situation in the 
house, and they remain almost without 
change three or four months. Flowers 
which opened last November are apparently 
as fresh and bright as ever. This lasting 
quality fa flowers is a great merit, especially 
with house plants, and is one worth consid¬ 
ering in making selections for this purpose. 
The wax plaut (Hoya carnosa) and its va¬ 
rieties also produce long-lived flowers and of 
great beauty, although of sui ill size. The 
sweet-scented Daphne (Daphne odora) is 
another fine plant for large culture, bloom¬ 
ing in early winter. The flowers are small 
and of a pinkish white color, very fragrant, 
and remain a long time upon the plant. 
The old and quite common Egyptian Calla 
(Richard ia A fHe ana) is a very showy w fitter 
blooming plaut, the large broad sputhe, 
which is usually termed the flower, being 
rather long-lived. But there is a variety of 
this, with leaves spotted with white, which 
is worthy of being more generally known 
than it is at the present time. Where beau¬ 
tiful and showy foliage can be obtained in 
connection with handsome flowers, it must 
certainly bo considered a great addition to 
the value of the plant. But one needs to 
keep a very close watch upon our florists’ 
catalogues, else valuable acquisitions ■will be 
overlooked. For house plants there are two 
merits worthy of consideration : 1st, Hand¬ 
some foliage and adaptation to the variable- i 
ness ot the temperature which is usually uu- j 
avoidable in ordinary dwellings. 2d, Free, 
or perpetual bloomers: else in lieu of this 
long-lived flowers. 
---- 
A RAMIE MACHINE. 
It is well known that one of the obstacles 
encountered by cultivators of this plant is 
the difficulty of decorticating it—of separat¬ 
ing and preparing the fiber properly for 
manufacturing purposes. It is now an¬ 
nounced that M. Felix Roland of Paris, 
has invented a machine which satisfactorily 
separates the fiber from the bark and the 
bark from the stalk and it is commended for 
j its simplicity, moderate price and for the 
amount of work it is capable of performing. 
It is designed not only for the treatment of 
ramie, but of other textile plants of which 
the fibers are utilized for the fabrication of 
tissues. The 6tems can be worked by it 
either green or drv, and whether rotted or 
not. Rotting can thus be dispensed with to 
great advantage, if the time and expense 
'and unhealthiness of the operation are con¬ 
sidered. 
early in Spring. The most general method , 
of doing this is that of forcing in hot-beds. 
These should be located on dry ground, and 
if against the south side of a building or 
tight board fence, greater heat will be se¬ 
cured and a more equable temperature can 
be preserved than in more exposed situations. 
The method of preparing a hot-bed may be 
briefly described as follows : 
The first thing to be secured is the requi¬ 
site number of glazed sash, the usual size 
being three feet wide by six long. The glass 
used may be six inches wide and eight to 
twelve long, or larger, but small sizes are 
less expensive and not so liable to breakage. 
The bars upon which the glass rests run 
lengthwise of the sash, there being no cross¬ 
bars, as in common window sash, but the i 
glass overlap somewhat like the shingles on 
a roof. This not only adds to the strength, 
but insures the shedding of water which falls 
upon it. Fresh horse manure is the material 
most generally employed for generating 
heat, and this should be secured some time 
before it is desired for use. Thut which is 
taken fresh from the stable, from day to day, 
is best, and it should be put under cover, or 
if left out placed iu conical heaps in order to 
prevent lieing soaked with water, which 
will prevent rapid fermentation, so neces¬ 
sary to the generation of heat. 
If leaves can be had, these may be mixed 
in with the manure, and the entire heap 
forked over occasionally in order to secure a 
homogenous mass. If the beds are to be lo¬ 
cated on dry, porous soil, where there will 
be no danger of water remaining in any ex¬ 
cavations made, then a pit a foot or two In 
depth may be made of the size proposed for 
the hot-beds, and the manure thrown in at 
the proper time ; otherwise it is best to 
make the bed on the surface. 
Frames should be made of plank, and as 
wide as the sash are long, and of a length to 
correspond with tho number of sash to be 
employed. A handy frame is one that will 
hold the sash—say nine feet or a little over 
in length, with blocks nailed In the cornel’s 
to hold the plank firmly in place. The front 
plank maybe about six or eight inches wide, 
and the back one twelve to fourteen. 
This will give the sash the necessaiy angle 
to insure the passing off of the water which | 
may fall upon them. 
When all these preparations have been 
made the manure may be put in place, care¬ 
fully spreading it in layers, pressing it down 
gently with the back of a fork or a spade, 
but not treading upon it with the feet. The 
manure should not be less than eighteen 
indies in depth to secure a good and pro¬ 
longed heat, and two feet is still better. The 
manure heap should be a little longer and 
wider than the frames which are to be placed 
upon it when finished. As soon as the ma¬ 
nure has been placed in position, set the 
frames upon it and put on the sash, closing 
tightly. A quantity of good friable and rich 
soil should be obtained if it has not already 
been secured, and kept in readiness for use 
when required. The hot-bed should be ex¬ 
amined daily, aud as soon as fermentation 
has raised the temperature to eighty or 
ninety degrees, soil to the depth of four to 
six inches, carefully pulverized, at this time 
should be put on and raked level and smooth. 
In two or three days this mass of earth will 
have become warmed through, after which 
the seeds may be sown. 
From this time forward careful attention 
will be required. If the heat becomes too 
strong during the middle of the day, the 
sashes must be raised sufficiently to give air 
and lower the temperature. Also water 
must be applied when required, and in cold 
nights the frames must be covered with 
straw mats, old carpets or some similar ma¬ 
terials to keep out the frost. 
As the plants advance in size it may be 
necessary to raise the entire frames a few 
inches, banking up with fresh manure at the 
same time. Also as the transplanting season 
approaches, give more air during the day in 
order to harden the plants and prepare them 
for removal to the garden. 
Early cabbages, tomatoes, peppers and 
similar plants may be started during Febru¬ 
ary and March, and it is now none too early 
to begin preparations for the almost indis¬ 
pensable hot-bed. 
flatnma of Husbandry. 
NEW YORK STATE GRANGE. 
The recent annual meeting of this Grange, 
held at Syracuse, was well attended, there 
being 150 regular delegates and 400 other 
members of the Order present. As part of 
the sessions were secret we are unable to 
give even a synopsis of all the proceedings. 
In future meetings tho representation will be 
one delegate for each five Granges in a 
County. County' Councils were provided 
for. The address of the Master G. D. Hinck¬ 
ley, was brief but able. Ho said quality 
rather thau numbers had been sought for in 
securing members. The State Grange has 
not funds enough to meet all demands upon 
its Treasury. In the general resolutions 
adopted it was declared that corporations 
should be subject to governmental supervis¬ 
ion and controL The usefulness and value 
of railroads were recognized, but unfair 
disoriminatiop# against any class or locality 
were opposed. All property was declared 
properly subject to taxation. Extension of 
patents was opposed, and a law favored 
allowing any persouto manufacture patented 
articles on paying a fixed royalty. Officers, 
it was declared, should be paid by salaries 
and not by fees. Any effort to prevent the 
spread of intemperance was hailed with 
satisfaction. 
-*-*-♦- 
VIRGINIA STATE GRANGE. 
Among other business transacted at the 
recent meeting of this Grange, in Richmond, 
it was recommended thut in buying and 
selling all local Granges should combine aud 
act together respectively and through the 
locul agencies established by the executive 
committee as far as practicable. Also that 
Farmers’ exchanges bo established in Rich¬ 
mond, and such other points as may be 
deemed ad visablo. A resolution was adopted 
looking to the establishing of a central bank 
in Richmond, A committee was appointed 
to urge the passage of the immigrant bill 
pending before the Virginia Legislature. 
—-- 
NEWS AND NOTES FOR PATRONS. 
A Grange warehouse, to cost 820,000, is to 
be built as Van Wert, 0. 
The Grange store at Eden, Fayette Co., 
Ia., reports a good and safe trade. 
The Sycamore, Ill., Grange has sent three 
tons of flour to the Kansas sufferers. 
It is announced as settled that the Patrons 
of Husbandry of Alabama will hold a State 
Fair. • 
The Patrons of Fannin Co., Tex., have ar¬ 
ranged for the establishment at Bonham of a 
plow factory'. 
The Patrons at Seymour, Ind., have pur¬ 
chased a lot and building for their Grange 
Hall and store. 
The Independence Grange, No. 1,046, Cen¬ 
ter Point, la., reports 20 per cent, saving on 
its grocery bills. 
Bro. T. R. Allen, Master of the State 
Grange of Missouri, will spend a month or 
six weeks in Virginia after the adjournment 
of the National Grange. 
The Pennsylvania State Grange, at its 
late annual meeting held in Williamsport, 
re-elected D. B. Madder Master and K, H. 
Thomas Secretary. It was reported that 
440 Granges were in existence in the State, 
383 of which were organized during the last 
year. Resolutions in favor of a National 
| Currency, secured by gold, were discussed 
and adopted. 
