PROGRESS AND IMPROVEMENT 
great Centennial Year—worth many times tbelr 
cost to every attentive roader. 
And now, good friends, anticipating your 
oontinued acquaintance, we close by wishing 
each and all a “ Merry Christmas ” and “ Hap¬ 
py New Year!” 
is less. The nations which have shown most 
vigor have lived on wheat, oate or barley. The 
sluggish and Indolent live on rice, bananas and 
fruits. Assuming that the reported change in 
Japanese diet Is true, may It not bo a result of 
the advance of that people In civilization, as 
well as another step forward in the same di¬ 
rection ? 
own country, owing to the backwardness In the 
South, the attendance Is a little better than In 
England, but there Is Improvement here, and 
room for muoh more In this regard. 
A NATIONAL ILLUSTRATED 
rnnge, P. of H.-At the last 
range, held at No. 1 East 
e, N. Y. City, the following 
ed for the ensuing year: 
core. Overseer— T. E. Wl II- 
R. Ingersoll. Chaplain—S. 
John Koed. Secretary— 
'• Steward—W. J. Fowler. 
I—R. H. Johnson. Gate- 
. Ingersoll. Ceres—Mrs. M. 
na Mrs. B. A. Johnson. 
E. Wager. Lady Assistant 
Benedict. Executive Com- 
rsoll, T. E. Willson, J. W. 
W. Roorbach, Mrs. Jno. W. 
THE GOVERNMENT OF CITIES 
RURAL NOTES AND QUERIES 
Municipal affairs are not presumptively mat¬ 
ters in which rural and suburban citizens will 
be likely to be much Interested; but it is none 
the loss t»ue that the good or bad government 
of cities 1« a subject which Is vitally Important 
to ttao agricultural portion of the community. 
Inefficient or bad government In cities fills the 
State with vicious classes, who Ond their way 
everywhere. It makes necessary expensive 
police regulations, fills the prisons and reform¬ 
atory Institutions, which are largely supported 
by the taxes paid by real estate, and finally, by 
decreasing the prosperity of the cities, indirect¬ 
ly Injures productive industry In every locality. 
Asldo from the moral principle involved in 
good order, considerations of economy slone 
ought to make all classes of citizens interested 
in promoting and maintaining good govern¬ 
ment, not only in their own localities but eve¬ 
rywhere else. 
The proper government of cities is, of late, 
attracting nun ii attention, and, in accordance 
with a Jaw adopted at the last session of the 
New York Legislature, the Governor haa ap¬ 
pointed a commission, composed of the follow¬ 
ing distinguished and excellent gentlemen, to 
devise means for the bettor government of 
cities: William M. Evarts, Oswald Ottkn- 
Donren. Wilts am Allen Butler, James C. 
Cartbr, Judge Lott, Simon Htbbnjs, Joshua 
Van Cott, Edward Cooper, Samuel Hand of 
Albany, E. H. Godkin of New York, and Brest. 
AcfDRwsoN of Rochester. Among the names 
are several from whom the people are entitled 
to expect many careful and excellent sugges¬ 
tion. Messrs. Evaktb, Judge Lott, and Presi¬ 
dent M. U. Anderson of Rochester have each 
given the questions involved much thought, 
and their conclusions will be entitled to great 
weight. It is hoped that, the Commisaiou will 
make at least a partial report the coming win¬ 
ter, though It in probable that longer time will 
be needed for full discussion of all the ques¬ 
tions involved. 
Founder and Conducting Editor 
Close or Volume—•• Time Cp.”—All whoso 
subscriptions expire this week will find the- 
No. (1852) or a blank after their names on ad¬ 
dress label, and note that, as our terms are 
Strictly in advance—the cash system being the 
best for both subscriber and publisher—tho 
ItUftAb'e continued visits to their homes can 
only be secured by prompt renewal. We trust 
all will invite us to “come again,” and induce 
their friends to subscribe, 
WM. J. FOWLER, ANDREW S. FULLER 
A»*ooiate Editor*. 
HENRY S. RANDALL LL, D., Cortland Village, N. Y, 
Editor o» t«» D.i-idtm.kt op Sripp Hpmkndrt. 
X. A. WILLARD, A. M., Little Falls, N. Y., 
Editor op trr Drpirthrkt op Ditrt Ho"»ind»y 
A. V. BARNETT. Publisher 
Duly on Tea.—The proposition to Impose a 
doty on tea and coffee, which, sinco 1872 have 
been on the free list, will not strike average 
citizens favorably. There are sgid io be fifty 
thousand tons of these nrtJclas-Jn store In this 
country, and the Imposition of n duty on teas 
and coffees imported after tbts date would be 
turning three to five mil Mona of dollars into tbe 
hands of speculators, with no boneflt to tbe 
government for at least a year to come, as new 
goods would lie imported very sparingly until 
the stock on hand was exhausted or nearly so 
Let tho government try to be very economics 1 
and dispense with this taxation of what have 
become necossltlos in millions of households. 
The Death of Volekert P. Douw, tbe head of 
an enterprising and prominent firm of seeds¬ 
men and dealers In agricultural implements, 
of Albany, is announced as havlmr occurred 
suddenly of heart disease. Mr. D. was a mont. 
TERMS FOR 1876, IN ADVANCE, 
INCLUDING POSTAGE, WHICH PUBLISHERS PREPAT. 
Single Copy, $2.66 per Year. To tfloMt—Five Cop¬ 
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for$1:1.40; Seven Copies, andone free, for tlT.::(l; Ten 
Copies, and one free, $21.50- only $2.15 per copy. Tl,e 
above rate* Inrhid. pontUQe (which we sb'uil be obliged 
to prepay after Jan. I, IMS, under (ho new law.) to 
any part of the United States, and the American 
postage on all copiun mailed to Canada. On paper* 
mailed to Enrooo, by ncarner. the postage will he W 
cent* extra—or $3.50in all. Draft*. Po*t-Otnce Muncy 
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risk. IW Liberal Premiums to all Club Agents who 
do not take free copies. Hpoeimon Numbers Show- 
Bill*, &c., scut free. 
The Rural's Index Supplement.—For the first 
time In Its history the Rural New-Yorker 
this week Issues » Title Page and Index Tor the 
volume ou a supplemental sheet. This gives 
our readers a full number ns regards reading 
matter, and makes it more valuable, a* it has 
certainly cost more labor and expense than any 
other. The twenty-page Rural for the closing 
week of 1875 is bettor than we promised, and Is 
a fair premonition of what wo mean to do and 
what our readers may expect in the coming 
Centennial Year. See to It that this Index Sup- 
plcment Is not lost or destroyed. Jt will be val¬ 
uable to tho thousands of Rurallsts who care¬ 
fully preserve their papers, and essential to 
those who bind them—as we trust do many 
thousands. 
ADVERTISING RATES: 
Inside. 14th end 18th pages (Agate spacel.SOc. per line, 
*• filth page....70 " 
Outside or last page.1,00 *• 
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bpedal Not ices, loaded, by count. 1.28 “ 
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SJT No advertisement iuserled for le** than |H. 
PUBLICATION OFFIGESl 
No, 78 Duana Street, New York City, and No. 67 
East Main St,, (Darrow’s Bookstore, Osburn 
House Block,) Rochester, N. Y. 
Ohio Horticultural Hoctcty.-The following 
officers have been elected: President— John 
A. Warder. Vice-President— N. H. Ohner. 
Secretary-M. B. Batkham, Painesville. Treas¬ 
urer— GEO. W. Campbell, Delaware. 
FLAX MANUFACTURE IN ILLINOIS, 
SATURDAY, DEC. 35, 1875. 
END OF THE RURAL’S XXVIth YEAR, 
RURAL BREVITIES, 
This Number closes Lite Twenty-Sixth Year 
of the Rural New-Yorker, and terminates 
our engagements with a great majority of ii* 
subscribers—must of whose terms now expire, 
rendering a prompt renewal of subscription 
necessary to Insure an uninterrupted continu¬ 
ance of thelhebdomndal to their homos. The 
occasion is naturally one of unusual Interest to 
ua, awakening thoughts and emotions which 
we fain would but cannot properly express—for 
we have neither time norspiie.c for an extended 
review or dlaqulallloti. lu fact our “ last w ords ” 
must be brief and hast ily penciled, as the inex¬ 
orable printers are calling for the closing arti¬ 
cle of the year and volume. Of course we 
desire to acquit ourselves properly, In such 
manner as to retain the good wishes and future 
support of every reader; and yet, after over 
a quarter of a cent ury's experience tn conducts 
Ing tJin Rural,— during which comparatively 
long period we have earnestly endeavored to 
discharge our whole duty to Its readers and the 
public, it, is difficult to indite a greeting which 
shall bo both terse and appropriate. Under 
such otreu instances the reader must, be gener¬ 
ous, taking i ho will Tor the deed If we fall to 
say what seemeth right and proper to our 
numerous and widely-extended parishioners— 
for wo have Lhe honor of addressing many in¬ 
telligent people all over this Continent, and 
not a few in far distant countries. 
It is no easy task to render a journal com¬ 
prising many distinct departments, continu¬ 
ously interesting and valuable for a long series 
of years: yet, by the aid of frequent addition* 
to our corps of editors and contributor*—the 
annual infusion of new blood—we trust the 
Rural New-Yorker lias been kept fully 
abreast of the times from the publication of 
Its initial number—a period which covers some 
of the most remarkable events, improvements 
and discoveries since the dawn of Christian 
civilization. As we wrote on a similar occa¬ 
sion, that we have often erred is probabls, but 
never intentionally—for our Polar Star has 
been tbe promotion of tbe public welfare—the 
upholding of Right and condemnation of Wrong 
the advocacy of what we conceived to be the 
best for both People and Country. And we 
confidently refer to the past volumes of the 
Rural for evidence of our persistent and con¬ 
tinuous efforts in support of the right-thinking 
and acting portion of community, and the ad¬ 
vancement of Mental, Moral and Physical 
“ Progress aud Improvement.” 
Thus much, briefly, of the past. In regard to 
the future we cau only promise an honest and 
faithful adherence to past tenets, with sucii 
Improvements, iu style and manner of publica¬ 
tion, as tho age and our augmented facilities 
and experience may render expedient. Our 
next volume will appear In a new dress, and we 
ardently desire to make the Fifty-Three Num- 
-M™ Lyons, Mich., made $4,000 out 
of tho peppermint crop this season. 
-iT. n n Wintor t «r, m . of the Kansu* Agriouitur- 
o!o C seMayS aW ° d, ‘ efiday,Jan - * th ’ and wl11 
. r .'°?K .°." t • h «plF ,or hri *lit and good things 
Sfe&MSSfe lUustrntlona S, 
Moses Stocking, the Saunders County, Kan . 
±T;, kini '’ / ,hearrcl 8l, °ut 12,000 pounds of 
wool the pRjjt season. 
Thanks to the many A gent-Friends who have 
already rormed clubs for 1876! May they live 
long arid prosper always I 
It Is stated that 6,000,000 salmon will be 
Plooted In Michigan waters in the next four 
works. There are also 800,000 whiteflsh doing 
• » . . , . -: * auu RUUU I,mi 
In both the reading matter and illustrations 
The Michigan Pomologlcal Society.—The an¬ 
nual meeting of this Society, one of the most 
enterprising and Influential iu the West, was 
held tn Jackson, Mich., Dec. 7tn. The follow¬ 
ing officers were elected for the ensuing year: 
President—T, T. Lyon or Plymouth ; Secre¬ 
tary-,!. P. Thompson of Grand Rapids; Treas¬ 
urer—H. Dale Auams of Galesburg; Executivo 
Committee E. Jl. Reyuolds of Monroe; George 
Panielee of Oraud Traverse; Vice Prosldents- 
J. G. Ramsdeli, Grand Traverse ; Ed. Bradfield, 
Kent; J. W. Gilbert, Clinton; J. C. Holmes 
Mrayne; A. F. Wood. Ingham; E. J. Shorts, 
Oceana; 1. L. llgenlmz, .Monroe: A. O. Win¬ 
e-natter. Berrien; B. Hath way, Cass: T. J. 
lUmsdel,Manistee; Tho*. Wild,Ottawa; N.E 
baiit.b, Ionia; J. W. Childs, Washtenaw ; G. A. 
Phi Bins, Maoomb; Jas. SatterJee, Montcalm; 
A. F.jGaylord, Eaton ; D. W. Wiley, Allegan 
J. a Prutzaiam St. Joseph ; A. G. Gulley, Van 
CHANGE OF FOOD PRODUCTIONS 
The Pacific Rural Press says there is no doubt 
that Japan will soon substitute wheat forrice a 6 
its principal food, and adds that rice is the most 
expensive and least nutritious of the grains: 
“The coat of production In the case of wheat, 
for the same amount of nutritive elements, 13 
twenty-Unt per cent, less than with rloe. It is 
tho cheap production of bread food, together 
with the groat variety of fruits and vegetables 
that enables the American people to enjoy 
many of the luxuries of life, aud leaves many 
of them free to swell by other pursuits than the 
production of food, the aggregate wealth and 
commerce of the nation.” Is it not probable 
that rloe is discarded because not suited to the 
more vigorous civilization which Japan is gain¬ 
ing 7 It has always been understood that rloe 
could be grown more cheaply for the same nu¬ 
triment than any other grain. The trouble la 
that the nutriment is not tbe right kind—mere 
starch, with little nitrogenous or pbosphatic 
matter. The nations which subsist onrlce have 
it sluggish civilization. One Englishman or 
Education in England.—The average school 
attendance in England has been Increased 
from 1,325,000 to 1,725,000 within the past two 
years. The effect of recent legislation has been 
to provide accomodations for 2,871,000 against 
1,785,000 two years ago. There are about 4,500,- 
000 children of school age in England, so that 
but little more tbau one-third of the children 
attend, and there is room for only about nine- 
fifths of the whole number who should go. 
Still the increased attendance argues well for 
the future of Eugland's population. In our 
Brown’s Bronchial Troche*, for Pulmonary 
and Asthmatic Disorders, have proved tbelr efficiency 
by a test of many years, and have received testimo¬ 
nials from eminent men who have used them. 
bers of the Rural Nkw-Yokkkr for 1870— tbe 
\ 
