AU§. 2! 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
127 M 
fjittiw; of |§it!ihmlrg. 
PENNSYLVANIA PARMS. 
A WORD TO THE GRANGERS ABOUT NOXIOUS WEEDS. 
Central New York, Aur. 10. 
Dear Mr. Moores — Recently I spent, a 
week in the farming region lying in a radius 
of fifteen to twenty miles west of Philadel¬ 
phia, and saw much of the country between 
Conshohockon and Valley Forge, Nature 
has done much for that portion of the Key¬ 
stone State, but the farm owners have done 
more. A land owner at Bryn M/uvn—an 
aristocratic suburban town of great elegance 
—asked me how I liked the country, and I 
replied, “ It is almost equal to Central New 
York.” Such thrifty fields, such tidy barn 
and housekeeping, such abundance of whole¬ 
some greenness and ripeness, such dearth of 
weeds—why, for a ride of a dozen miles, 
one fine afternoon, I was enabled to see but 
two daisies growing in field or wayside, and 
not one solitary Mayweed. “ How is it ? ” I 
queried ; are you not tormented with weeds 
in this fair land ?” 
“ Yes ; or w^ should be, but for our county 
laws,” was the reply. “We—the farmers 
and land owners — framed laws some time 
ago that all real estate owners within our 
limits should allow no noxious weeds to grow 
and ripen in Held or roadside; that if they 
failed to abide by this law, a man should be 
sent to cut down the weeds at the expense 
of the farmer, and be fined additionally. In 
this way our farms have come to present the 
appearance you so admire to-day, have been 
increased immeasurably thereby in value, to 
say nothing of the innumerable other bless¬ 
ings that have accrued from that law.” 
Since arriving in Central New York I have 
been everywhere ashamed and chagrined at 
tho appearance of this much-lauded land of 
farms. Road-sides, knee high for miles and 
miles with thistles, rag weed and .burdocks) 
or stretching away in rods and roods of May¬ 
weed thicket; great fields rank with weeds 
that infest the fence corners quietly ripening 
and dropping their myriad seeds in the soil 
about their roots, or being carried by the 
winds to neighboring meadows ! Even door 
yards, over which women are supposed to 
preside, but furnish so much space to smart 
weed, plantain, burdock, mustard, milk and 
rag weed and clumps of horseradish tops and 
tansy ! There may be abundant excuses for 
disorder—that is endurable; but for slack¬ 
ness, for utter disregard for an appearance 
of tidiness and thrift, there is no excuse. It 
is the result of unpardonable vulgarity. A 
large part of the untidiness af farms and 
farm buildings is the result of active effort 
toward it. Old hate and brooms and sheets 
of paper are thrown out of doors when it 
would lie quite as easy to put them in the 
fire. But the. worst of such slackness is the 
deplorable effect it has upon children brought 
up under its influence. Children should be 
taught to hate weeds and everything that 
defaces the face of nature to no good end, as 
to hate vice and crime, those weeds and un¬ 
sightly blotches that deface and at length 
ruin the soul. 
The short-sightedness of people is some¬ 
thing amazing. We hear tine things said 
about the country dotted with farm houses, 
and cottages “nestled in trees and vines,” 
when the truth is that where one farm house 
is intelligently located and the ground about 
it rendered attractive by a well-kept lawn 
and trees aptly and judiciously planted, 
there are ten of the reverse order. This will 
continue until as a nation we learn the 
eternal truth which, thank God, is old as the 
world, and new and fresh as the dew, that 
the highest value of anything in heaven or 
on earth lies in the Highest Beauty. 
I am only half a Granger, but I have great 
faith in the Order, as I have faith in the 
clear, far-sighted judgment and philan¬ 
thropic spirit of its founder, our Scottish 
Saunders. A nd what may not the Grange 
do in educating the public taste ? Why not 
be Patrons of Beauty the same as Patrons of 
Husbandry, for beauty embraces husbandry 
of the right sort 1 Why not every town and 
county adopt the Pennsylvania farm laws 
and thereby put an end to the everlasting 
and hopeless single-handed combat against 
weeds i The Grange can do this, if It will, 
and In what other way can it crown itself 
with glory ? 
In France the Government awards a prize 
for the best kept and best improved farms in 
certain districts. Our Agricultural Depart¬ 
ment may be too meagerly apportioned to 
imitate such a praiseworthy example, but 
6 G f ange m >ght do it—each county Grange 
deciding upon its own area of farmship and 
P**~*-Z ——- 
awarding diplomas of excellence which 
would be of real financial value to the win¬ 
ning farmers, as their farms would be dis¬ 
tinguished aud likewise their produce, as of 
superior worth. Let the Grangers think of 
it, and speak out their minds about it. Let 
Mr. National Lecturer Thompson’ weigh the 
anti-weed law in his mind and inject the 
theory well into his lectures. Let us all be 
of one accord and work for the Millenium 
in agriculture. With the anti-weed law 
rigidly enforced in a township, the farms in 
five years' time would be increased ten per 
cent, in valne. Does any body doubt it ? 
Those Pennsylvania farms are worth from 
1400 to $600 per acre. They are owned, and 
have been for years, by men and women 
who knew that it cost little more labor to 
plant a tree than a hill of beans and so plant¬ 
ed it; who were wise enough in their day to 
know that beauty aud tidiness, if put in the 
market, will any day outsell sloth and slack¬ 
ness. 
And now that 1 am at the bottom of my 
last page, I have only room to beg you to 
indorse ray suggestion to the Grange in gen¬ 
eral, and to accept the expression of my 
most distinguished consideration. 
Mary A. E. Wager. 
Aye, Miss Mary — beg pardon, Sister 
Wager — we do indorse your sentiments 
most heartily, and trust the suggestion will 
not only be adopted by every Granger, bub 
by all the rest of rural mankind. The pro¬ 
posed reform is greatly needed, and will 
prove vastly beneficial in almost every sec¬ 
tion of our widely-extended country—for, 
like sin and wickedness generally, weeds 
abound in all directions.—F. d. 
-- 
THE ROCHEDALE PLAN. 
At the late session of the National Grange 
Executive Committee, the subject of business 
co-operation with the co-operative societies 
of England, on the Rochedale Plan, was con¬ 
sidered. A late publication, from which we 
take the following extracts, gives something 
of the history and method of this : 
in 1843, twenty-eight weavers formed this 
company. They were so poor that they 
could pay into the capital-fund only 4 cents 
apiece per week. It took them two years to 
accumulate a capital of $140. On a Decem¬ 
ber evening in 184-1, “ Toad lane,” a dingy 
little street in Rochedale, was crowded with 
a hooting rabble, gathered to see the opening 
of the “ weavers’ shop.” When the shutters 
of the little room the society had hired wore 
taken down, the jeeriug crowd screamed 
with laughter at the sight of the almost 
empty shelves within. For a long time the 
twenty-eight weavers were the only cus¬ 
tomers. They could not afford to hire a 
clerk, so they took turns in “ keeping store” 
in the evenings. It was shut during the 
day. The scanty stock of groceries was 
soon sold. The proceeds bought a larger 
stock. This went, and the next, and the 
next, and so on. By buying tlieir goods 
directly from the producers, they got them 
so cheaply that they could sell them below 
the usual prices, pay all the store expenses, 
and declare a small dividend on the capital. 
In 1845 their capital-fund was $910. Their 
membership was 74. Soon they rented a 
larger room and hired a manager. In 1846 
they began to sell meat ; in 1847, dry goods ; 
in 1853, boots, shoes and clothing. In 1852 
they opened a wholesale department. From 
the start the weavers have kept on weaving. 
This co-operative store is managed by persons 
they employ, but it does not interfere with 
their work. 
The main building of the society is now 
the most conspicuous structure in Rochedale. 
Its top-floor is a plain, comfortable hall, 
where the monthly meetings of members 
are held, lectures delivered, and parties 
given. On the floor below are the reading 
room and the library. The latter has about 
10,000 volumes. There are eleven branch 
reading-rooms in the town. The society 
maintains schools for its members and their 
children. It has a collection of scientific in¬ 
struments which it loans for two or three 
cents an evening to members who wish 
them for their own instruction or for the 
entertainment of their friends. The two 
lower floors of tho buildiug are divided into 
the different stores the society owns, and 
the basement is devoted to packing and 
storage. There are branch stores in di fferent, 
parts of the town—among them eleven 
butcher shops and thirteen groceries. The 
society manufactures tobacco, and has in¬ 
vested some, of its Bpare funds in coni, cotton 
and woolen mills. In December, 1871, the 
society began to build homes for its members. 
It now sells them coal. Almost from tho 
beginning it has been their savings bank, re¬ 
ceiving deposits at any time and paying 
interest upon them. 
Tho Equitable Pioneers’ Society is organ¬ 
ized in this way :—Anybody who is approved 
by a majority of the Executive Committee 
and of the members can join the society. 
He must subscribe for five shares of $5 each, 
pay an admission fee of 25 cents, and pay 9 
cents a week until his five shares are all paid 
for. The money received in tins way is the 
share-capital of the society. There is also a 
loan-capital, formed by deposits by mem¬ 
ber?. Interest is paid on these deposits, and 
they can be withdrawn at any time. While 
the society has them, it uses them to extend 
its business. Tl\?y are therefore parts of its 
capital. All goons are bought and sold for 
cash. This rule is not proved by its excep¬ 
tions, because it has no exceptions whatever. 
The society sells Its wares at about the mar¬ 
ket rates, sometimes a trifle lower. The 
profits are divided in this way :—The ex¬ 
penses of management and the guaranteed 
interest of 5 per cent, on the loan-capitul are 
paid; then a dividend (never above 5 per 
cent.) on tho share-capital 13 declared ; then 
percent, of the remainder is allotted to 
the educational fund (this amounts to over 
$5,000 a year); and the rest is divided among 
all the Patrons of tho store in proportion to 
their purchases. If one person has bought 
$20 worth of goods aud another $10 worth, 
the first gets twice as much of this dividend 
on purchases as tho second. A non-member 
gets about half as much as a member would. 
In the quarter ending June 10, 1873, the 
dividend on purchases was 1 '1% per cent. A 
member who had bought $100 worth of 
goods would then get $13.50 back, and a 
non-member who had bought as lurgely 
would get $6.25. 
The members of the Equitable Pioneers’ 
(Society therefore get back part of the price 
they pay for everything at tlieir store, get 
dividends on their shares, get interest on any 
savings they deposit with the society, having 
the use of the reading-rooms, books, schools, 
etc., and get puro, good, unadulterated 
wares. Adulteration can be prevented only 
by making tho interests of buyer and seller 
identical, and this can be done only by dis¬ 
tributive co-operation. 
AUNT RUTH’S” ECONOMY. 
BY MAY MAPLE. 
In the Rokal New-Yorker of July 10, 
“ A Farmer’s Daughter,” (referring to “Two 
Homes Contrasted,” in issue of May 5.) asks 
how “ Aunt Ruth” managed to do her wash¬ 
ing in two hours, thinking that a remarkably 
short space of time to do the work for so 
many individuals. I am glad she has made 
t.ho inquiry, for in taking Up the pen in self- 
defense l can give a few hints in regard to 
a long-thought of subject, viz.,—Washing. 
“Aunt Ruth” was systematic with all her 
work, and for this reason she was always 
“ready for company.” And I wish every 
young lady who thinks of being a housekeep¬ 
er could be under her instruction for at least 
one year before she stepped upon the carpet 
of her husband's “vine-wreathed cottage” 
or “ stately mansion.” For most surely do I 
know that those instructions, well followed, 
would add years to her dower of youthful 
beauty, as well as a wealth of unalloyed hap¬ 
piness not to be bought with gold. 
All the secret of “Aunt Ruth’s” washing 
for so large a family being completed almost 
invariably within two hours was, Never to 
soil clothes unnecessarily. Jennie was not 
allowed to trail muslin dresses and innumer¬ 
able white skirts through dewy grass and 
over dusty walks at the close of the day, for 
seven days in the week. Neither did she 
allow her to put on white aprons to wash 
dishes aud dust rooms. Both auntie and her 
daughter wore neat-fitting calico dresses and 
corset-jcun skirt3 while about their morning 
work, and these workging costumes were 
always made to clear the floor. And if 
by accident they spilled milk or dropped 
grease upon the dress, recourse was at once 
had to the sponge, which soon effaced all 
marks of soil. So they seldom had more 
than one dress in the wash, while at Cousin 
Palmers’ it was nothing strange to count a 
round dozen on the line each week, and I 
have counted six apiece for the two oldest 
girls. 
Then there was the matter of dish towels 
that often grows into a mammoth heap in 
most families. These were cleansed after 
the evening meal, hence did not accumulate, 
and were always ready for use. Uncle Ralph 
and his sons always wore gingham shirts in 
the field, which did not soil as quickly as 
white ones, washed easier, and wore longer. 
Although they went Into society a good deal, 
yet it was very seldom that more than two 
fine shirts were in the wash, because they 
were neat and careful with their clothes. 
Oh, it is these great washings that cause 
wrinkles and cow’s tracks in so many faces 
that should only wear “beauty lines” aud 
dimples. (One thing I had almost forgotten ; 
“ Aunt Ruth” used to put two pounds of sal 
soda and one half pound of resin into her 
barrel of soap when making it in the spring. 
The clothes need less rubbing when washed 
with this preparation.) 
Now about the “pin money” that goes a 
“ long, long way.” Three cows supplied but¬ 
ter and milk for the table, besides pin money 
for household machinery and clothing for 
two individuals. Let us see if there is any¬ 
thing impossible about that. “ Aunt Ruth” 
had made Economy a study. Therefore, 
when tho milk was strained in the morning 
a certain portion was set by for the day’s 
cooking. Thereat was set in the milk-room 
and on no account disturbed till the cream 
had fully separated. She knew it was Im¬ 
possible to make butter if there was a con¬ 
stant dabbling into the pans. She averaged 
her 15 pounds of butter per week—something 
over 600 pounds a year. And this is by no 
means a remarkable amount for three well 
kept animala. One-third of this was reserved 
for family use. The remainder was put down 
in beautiful golden rolls, ready for market, 
and brought an average price of 40c. per 
pound. 
Again ; when “ Aunt Ruth” purchased a 
36wmg machine she did not select one for its 
highly-polished surface, its half dozen thread 
boxes und oxtra table leaves—all of which 
could bo made at home, if they were needed, 
at a trilling cost,—but for the work it would 
do. She found plenty of good machinery for 
$35, which would do the work just as well as 
the more stylish ones that cost $100. A good 
washing machine and wringer were pur¬ 
chased for $14. For less than $50 three 
good, convenient household utensils wore pur¬ 
chased. And there were over $100 left to 
supply their demands for clothing, which 
would be, not costly, but good material ; also 
a small margin for books and periodicals 
wherewith to clothe the mind. Though the 
amount of spending money waslimited their 
purse was soldom empty and never closed to 
the wants of the needy and distressed. No 
poor and deserving wanderer ever went 
empty-handed from their door. Year by 
year they gathered aoout them those things 
that would really add to their true comfort 
and happiness. And if a “Farmer’s Daugh¬ 
ter” will take “ Aunt Ruth” for a pattern 
in the matter of Systematic Economy in all 
her work, I am sure she will never have rea¬ 
son to regret having read “The Two Homes 
Contrasted.” 
-- 
SELECTED RECIPES. 
Gooseberry Jam.— Stalk and crop as many 
as you require of ripe, red, rough gooseber¬ 
ries. Put them in the preserving pan, and, 
as they warm, stir and bruise them to bring 
out the juice. Bet them boil forten minutes 
then add sugar in the proportion of three- 
quarters of a pound to every pound of fruit, 
and place it on the fire again. Let it boil 
slowly, and continue boiling for two hours 
longer, stirring it all the time to prevent its 
burning. When it thickens and is jelly-like 
on a plate when cold, it is done enough. 
Put it into pots, and allow it to remain a day 
or two before it is covered. 
Palatable Beets. —A small teacupful of 
vinegar (if very strong reduce with water), 
a tablespoonful of butter, the same of white 
sugar, a little salt and pepper, a heaping tea¬ 
spoonful of corn-starch dissolved in water, 
and added. Stir altogether, until thickened 
by boiling ; it should be like thick cream 
when done. Have the sliced beets in a 
small saucepan, on the stove. Pour the 
dressing over, stirring carefully. Send to 
the table very hot, in a covered dish. 
To Seal Preserves. —Beat the white of an 
egg, take good white paper (tissue is the 
best), cut it tho size you require, and dip it in 
the egg, wetting both sides. Cover your 
jars or tumblers, carefully pressing down 
the edges of the paper. When dry it mil be 
as tight as a drum-head. 
To Wash Linens.— Put in the water, used 
for washing them, a little dissolved pipe¬ 
clay ; It will give the dirtiest linens the ap¬ 
pearance of having been bleached, and cleans 
them more thoroughly with onefiialf the 
labor, and one-fourth the soap 
