3Ual 
When answering advertisements, par¬ 
ties will please sag that they saw them 
in the Rural New-Yorker. 
rnn CAI C No. looal, timber and funning lands 
rUH OMLClnW. Va.. at *6per acre- For olrcu- 
lar, send stamp to J. O. Brlstor, Buekliannon, W. Va. 
FISH GUANO. KEB 
percent. Bone Phosphate of Lirno. Hull-Dry Fish 
Scrap. good quality. Also Superpbuwnhatn and 
LEAKNING TO WRITE 
®recjs, plants, ft c 
F ||A|| Want ft FARM or HOME, with 
villi Independence and plenty iu your 
I UU old age, 
THE BUNT THING IN THIS WEST 
I* TUK 
set up) hoou quality. 
Pine lain nil Guano 
Address 
OUINNIPIAC FK UTILIZER GO., 
180 State St.. Now Haven, Conn, 
In your Issue No. 5 of this volume is an article 
over my name, entitled “Learning to Read," in 
which 1 spoke or the great Importance of proper 
teaching on the start, In order to induce a habit 
of comprehending what Is read and In acquiring 
a taste for the employment that shall be a never- 
falling source of pleasure and profit, through life. 
In that article I did not feci that I had done full 
justice to the subject or reading and acquiring a 
thorough knowledge of language, that language 
through which we are mainly to learn all that we 
shall ever know; ror reading Is really the key to 
all knowledge, the “open sesame'’ to all wisdom. 
It Is the main thing which raises us above the 
savage, which makes us something more than 
mere laborers, which teaches us to think, to plan, 
and to educate. The man who reads, whatever 
his calling. Is always distinguished : the wisdom 
stored up in his mind shows out wherever you put 
him; he has a motive, an aim, which is manifest. 
In his conduct. By the mu a who reads, 1 do not 
mean simply the man who consults his newspa¬ 
per to learn the prices of produce or slocks, liow 
the election has gone, which horse won lu t he 
race: nor the mail who Is satisfied with reading 
anecdotes and sensational novels, but I do mean 
the man who reads because he loves It, because 
the acquisition of knowledge Is a. pleasure, and 
because lie believes that whatever he learns Is 
liable to come Into play at some time In his life. 
Intimately connected with the art of reading Is 
the one of writing. We read to obtain knowledge, 
we write to express that knowledge to others, to 
fix It In our own memories, or to lay It aside for 
future reference. The acquisition of the art of 
writing, so far as It demands any effort of the 
mind, is a very simple process, und need aot In¬ 
terfere with, any study which requires thought, 
for it only calls for the time that Is necessary as 
a relaxation from mlnd-ratlgulug studies, it re¬ 
quires very little Instruction after the pupil has 
been taught to read writing, which should always 
be the first process, and it, is a question whet her 
any other teaching Is or any value. It, la even a 
question whether any attempt at teaching the 
mechanical part Is not a damage. 
The old-fashioned way of teaching this art was 
for the teacher to write at the top of the page a 
copy which the pupil had to imitate, and the at¬ 
tempts or the latter to move his pen with one eye 
upon It and the other on the copy, were often lu¬ 
dicrous, All that is needed, in the way of teach¬ 
ing, Is to have the written alphabet In sight, on a 
a blackboard with a few written sentences In 
order to show the connection or letters In a word, 
and the proper spaces between words: then give 
the pupil a pen or pencil and paper, and set him 
to writing out his reading or other lesson, and he 
will surely learn to write. Ho will learn to uso 
the pen just as he learns to use a jacknlfe or a 
pair of scissors. The process Is purely mechanic¬ 
al, and requires merely a proper training of the 
muscles. This muscle-training is a very interest¬ 
ing subject, 'l'ho pig and lamb seem to walk by 
Instinct, but tbo child has t.o learn the art, and 
he cannot walk till he has learnt It. The story of 
Casprh lf.trsKii, whether true or not, Is a case In 
point. The same training of the muscles that the 
child requires before becoming an adept In the 
art of walking, will, li carried on beyond the ordi¬ 
nary occupation of life, teach him to walk a rope 
or wire. 
There arc certain exercises of the arms, hands 
and Ungers, which seem to be natural, like the 
striking with a club or the placing the lingers on 
the keys of a piano, but there are certain other 
useful exercises. In order to perform which with 
ease, the muscles require! previous training; such 
as the play of the lingers upon the string of a vio¬ 
lin or the holes In a flute. 
Of this latter class are the compound motions 
of the hands and lingers In writing. The natural 
position of the pen when set on to the paper, is 
with Its upper end pointing off to the right, nearly 
at right angles with the line of vision; but Its 
necessary position, in rapid and easy wrlilug, Is 
with the upper end pointing nearly over the right 
shoulder, and the motions required are a llexor 
and extensor motion of the thumb and two or 
three first fingers, and at. the same time a lateral 
motion of the hand resting on the little finger. 
These motions are acquired by practice only, and 
any attempt at rapid writing naturally leads to 
them, and they eventually become easy and fa¬ 
miliar. 
But for a writing master to attempt to enforce 
these positions and motions on the start, is futile. 
The pupil cannot, at first, endure them or practice 
them without extreme pain. Practice will famil¬ 
iarize almost any use or the muscles, but nature 
will have her own way and take her own time. I 
am aware that a teacher may. with a few daily 
lessons, produce m his pupils tolerable imitat ions 
of his own band; but these imitations are pro¬ 
duced by slow and careful motions like those of 
the engraver, and a hand thus acquired at once 
disappears whenever the business of writing is 
assumed, and every writer who makes It a busi¬ 
ness, acquires a hand peculiar to himself, just as 
nature Intended he should. S. B. Peck. 
Beecher Baskets 
GROUND BONE 
Rnw IIiiiic, Perfectly lnoff«n»lvo. I'r.uiaoo* lux¬ 
urious grass. U never rails with grain crop*. War¬ 
ranted pure and true to analysis. Book showing 
composition of grains uud how to grow them, sent 
on receipt of 20 cents. i’lrmhirs free. Address 
EXCELSIOR FERTILIZER WORKS, Sulnm, O. 
LANDS IN KANSAS. 
Circulars, with map, giving full information, Ireo, 
Address A. 8. Johnson, AcCr IjirulOoin’r.Topokft.Ks. 
L. H. Nutting, Oen’l Ag’t, m Brondway, New York. 
r i n lie in heat part of Murylsnd.at lutulo prices 
I nil In O Good society, schools, churches, R. R., 
uav., snd suit water luxuries Fur catalogue und price 
list, address Mancua & GlllHON, Contrcvtlle, Md. 
Star 
Basket 
Quart. Pint. 
PATENTED DECEMBER 17, IS7‘2 
^U.tirfUnncoujS 
J. V, MANCHA, 
Dover, Dei. 
No AHthniR or cnUrrh tioro, 
Maps ami catalogues froo 
ESTABLISHED 1837 
SVflcnttf Wanted 
Alt MAPS, largest variety, published b 
8TKIQKU, 2*1 & 24 Frankfort at., N. Y. Send 
Llberul terms lo canvassers. 
VENEER BASKETS. PuteiUc.l May 31,’64 
For circular ot description, Ac,, address 
THE BEECHER BASKET COMPANY, 
Westvllle, Conn. 
tfiiomo in tilt flame if III ||] 
and a 10 page, 01 col. Ulus. Paper, 0 mow. •Kl’UxJ 
w ymi w(ll«Kir<-1-■ •tl.triloiti! our tlrvulur*. Knolnio 5t rnnitt for pot. 
i i- Ag.iuu wiudigl. ItK.Mli l.t, X CO,. I’liUUIlvri, Ilmtuu, Miu«. 
RARE AND EXQUI8ITE 
JAPANESE MAPLES 
AT REOUGEO PRICES. 
Also, a full collection of 
ilnrdy Trees A Shrubs. 
Specialties mn<Ic of Rhodo¬ 
dendrons, Kosox, Hardy and 
Greenhouse Araiks, Mag¬ 
nolias. Fruit Trees, Ferns, 
and all the best novelties. 
(ininloBocs Free, and 
visits to the Nurseries at 
Klsseua solicited. 
S. B. PARSONS AS0N8, 
Flushino, L. 1. 
K.ISSKN A 
“ l>U4E.1fl\ BRAND.” 
We offer the above brand of White Load to the 
public with the positive assurance that It Is 
WANTED. A MAN IN EVERY STATE, 
if to hire anil train agents lo sell my hooks. Ad 
dress, giving age, experience and salary wanted. 
J. HOLLAND, Sprlugtlold, Moss. 
NEW OEPAftTORfr. MM 
lieu WAiitnl STAPLE llOOnST N<> PHDDLINI 
nij its mums 
l A MONTH.— Agent* wuntod. 30 best 
’ Stilling articles lu the world. One sain- 
Address JAY BBOMBON, Detroit. Mich. 
*350 
NEW ROCHELLE RASPBERRY 
ATOMIZERS 
For Destroying Potato Bugs, &c, 
Deposits the lnscctlsldo on both sides of every 
leaf. Sure protection at less cost than 13 per acre 
for whole season. Send for Circular. 
T1IE NEW YORK PLOW CO., 
5i> UeeUinuti St., New York, 
Manufacturers of Adamant Plows, Nlahwlt* Wheel 
Harrow, Automatic Swivel Plow, fur side-hill and 
level land, and all the different stylos of Amlrloun 
Plows. Works: Newark, N.J, 
10 a day to Agents. Samples free. 32-] 
loguo. L. FLETCHER, fi Dey St.. N. 
THEDIN6EE&G0NARD CO’S 
UKAtTlFUL JK VICK-BLOOMING 
sVr Our Pest Poison 
IsaSAVIC.SUMKttndOHKAP DKSTOYKR 
of the Potato two, Tobacco Fly. 
CAB11AOB, COTtBANT & GOOHKIItCKRY 
ttjliv '*■* WouM.aud of all Insects that Bat TUK 
L.t:Ae. Unlike Purl. Green and other 
Poisons, It can be entirely dissolved In wuter and ap¬ 
plied by aprlukllng. NOT INJURIOUS TO PLANT8. 
Nor danokrous to Usk. Never Falls to Kill. 
CoSTN Allot!! UA CENTS AN A CUE. Put up In half 
pound boxes. enough for two acres. Price 50 cents. 
Send for On ular with Testimonials. Also kills House 
Flics, Cockroaches, Rats and Mice. 
KEARNEY CHEMICAL WORKS. 
P. O. Box 3139. 06 Cortlaudt St., New York. 
Made bv 17 Agents In January, ’77, with 
my I 3 New Articles. Samples free. Ad¬ 
dress C, M. lilulngton, Chicago. 
Strong Pot Pinnts,suitable forimmediate flow¬ 
ering, sent safely by mail, postpaid. 5 ttulemlUl 
v nr let led, i/out i'Aote«,gll labeled, for®l| OS for ift'-ij 
1 y fi ,r *:i; SMI Ibr $ 1; 8a for #■*». Fur Hi cents each 
additional, one Magnificent Premium Hone 
toe\ i-ry dollar's worth ordered. Send for our NEW 
< l'lOK TO ilOSF- CULTURE. and chooso 
JVoin over 300 llnest sorts. We make Roses a Great 
1 jicflalty, and are the largest Hose ywr.i in Amrr- 
i i. liefer In 1110.000 customer* in the United States 
and < iiiuulu. TUN ldNUEK & CONAUlJ CO, 
Kose-C now Elis, West Grove. Chester Co.. Pa. 
a Week to Agents. 110 Outfit Free 
P. O. VICKERY, Augusta, Maine, 
Bent thing tor Agent*. 
■ J. Latham A Co., Boston 
A TB r X , T , 1T Male or female. NocaplUU. 
<pOU A W XjXjJA. -yvo ulve ■ tendy work thut 
will bring you *240 a month at home, day or evening 
Inventors'Union, 173 Greenwich St.. New York. 
PATENT 
POCKET COIN DETECTOR. 
Site of it silver dollar. It tcstH 
vise, gauge and weight. United 
States Mint standard. No coun¬ 
terfeit can tic made It wifi not de¬ 
tect. Price 3o0., by mail. Agents 
wanted; liberal discounts. 
J. W. HUTTON, 
06 Liberty St., New York. 
k| f (i WANTED TO OBTAIN 
H I \ Subscribers for the best Agrl- 
I “ cultural and Family Weekly 
RURAL PUBLISHING COMPANY, 
Tluunu St„ Nuw York City. 
Address 
Box 8H1R. 
Ifnisutattfe 
ESTABLISHED 1853 
JHoch amt foattry 
PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
or WATERTOWN, N. Y. 
Insures only Farm Property and Private Residences. 
Capital. . #*200,000 OQ 
Surplus . .. . ti5tl,q’2‘2 70 
Net A-sets. Jim 1. 1S77 1,050,0*2*2 70 
Net Sur pin- over Capital and _ _ 
lti'Nsrvr ... . ... 180,315 03 
Total Ain't paid by lliin Com¬ 
pany lor Losses. . '4,089.012 09 
JOHN C, COOFKH. Pres’t. ISAAC MUNSON, Sec’y. 
J. A. SHEHMAN, V. Pres, If, M STKVUNa, Ass'tSuC. 
Hiram Dewey, General Agent. 
FAN 
10c.; f 
20c.; 1 
are the FARMER'S FOWLS. Our fowls are Very 
Lakoe and evenly Marked. Kggs, *3 per 13. 
Also, all other varieties or Land und Water Fowls, 
Blooded Cattle. Sheep and Dogs. A One lot oi Spring 
Pigs Chester Whites, Yorkstdres. Berkshire*. Essex 
and Poland China*. Circulars free. Finest new Cat¬ 
alogue and Breeders' Manual. 20c. 
BENSON & BURPEE. Seed Warehouse, 
223 Church St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
MIXED cards, with name, 10 otH. Burnt 
lie. stamp. J. M1NKLKR A CO., Num.au 
K ELfOANT CARDS, 20 styles, with nunie, JOe . post, 
f) paid. GEO. I. REE1> A CO., NASSAU. N. Y. 
MIXED CA KI»S ,wlt,h name, for Ilk:, arid stamp, 
Ag'ts Outfit lOo. Down & Co.. Bristol, Conn. 
POLAND-CHINAS 
B OWEN «fc SKLK. Columbiia. Wl«., breed¬ 
ers and shippers ot pure-blooded PoliiTiit-Chlua 
Swinoof the Shepard St Alexander slock ot Illinois, 
and of the 1). M Magic slock of Ohio. Pure stock 
f ir sale uf either breed, or a cross. Correspondence 
solicited._' 
advertisement of the Union silver Plat 
IKU Co., In Issues ot March 10th und 24th. 
Act as Agent!—Reader,If there is no ugent for 
theRCTRAL In your locality please become one by 
forming a club. H mill van. 
THE YOUTH*# COMPANION is the BENT 
EGGS FOR HATCHING 
from the following varieties of pure-bred stock, of 
the highest strains, most of them first prize birds: 
Silver Gray Dorkings, Brown Leghorns, Bluck- 
Rruusted Red Uume Bantams, *3 per dozen. 
Pekin Ducks, Aylesbury Ducks and White Leg¬ 
horns, $2 per dot. _ 
To anyone sending an order for two dozen 
eggs of the tlrat three varieties named, I will send 
the Rural New-Youkeii for one year, free: and 
to those ordering two dozen Of tho Duck and Leg¬ 
horn eggs,at tho prioo named, I will send the Rural 
lor six months. HENRY HALES, 
Ridgewood, Bergen Co.. N.J. 
BowpT.^Lady’s Bracelets SENT FREE! 
Putfirnl fu^tvwirtjcnt^ 
BELL TREBLE PIANOS 
Warranted 7 Years, In any climate. 
Centennial Illustrated Terms and Prices sent free- 
Wareroom?! 82 State St, Rochester, N. Y. 
The engravings represent x pair of our Patent Rolled Gold Plate BRACELETB (adjustable to 
wrists), which we desire tointroduee Into kvsry yaicily in tu « land and to which olwcex 
by the public isiovited. PATIEMCf ANfi MISEVEKNM HAVE AT LAST TRI^MOHEII It wHL ben 
any one, who will examine a boi.ip oold Huacxi.kt, that aside from the m-of» 
wrists), which we desire to ini 
by the public is iovlted, PATl_—____ rs—x. -- J^L- 
any One, who will examine a soi.m oor.o lJUAcgi.KT, that aside from the neoeeaary thleknc .-« for on- 
craving and polishing, the large proportion of the precious metal usod, Is nce>:le<1 only to stiffen and hold 
the engravedportions in place, and supply the necessary solidity and ‘iifngth. Tbesar]>IusGold taactu- 
alty needless, as far as utility and niu itv arc concerned. In our Brigade!/:, w« iie.i'U''K'rn is w*st g 
ofthe precious metal, and produce the samk holidity amd stub noth, by a patent pr.wes«, which con¬ 
sists In fbrmlnga.vdid bur of metal rolled to the proper thickness,made from separate platen of Pun a 
Goi.tj and Nickel Cornnooitlcm thoroughly wnlded together. Thu greutest thick ness of Gold hutngou ttiu 
outside, admits of a well defined and (k<-mtiful engraving, making them equally u-s han-tsomo, stronger, 
and more dut -blo than sopd Gold. A Certificate, as follows, accompanies each pair or our Bracelets: 
“ This n, to Certify Hail the aernmimnyiny \iair oj BtarelM* vta» munufu'iured under Alfirrd'i Patent uf lion ftlalee 
of Nolid Hold art rlaijmo a Nickel < 'omiemUion, and are imrranb d to wear twenty years , 1 ' Thin annoiincctnaut 
will appijar hilt Once, «i vino rvzitv lady TTneowoin unity orsacuumut pair or our elegant Bitvce- 
letR FuFE, tiefore placing them in the hands of the Trade. Ob receipt of One Dollar, lo pay cost 
of casket, packing, and postage, a pair of our Pnient Gold UruecletM, encased la u beautiful vulvot- 
llltedCasket, Will b« SENT FREE to any address, fMwnadd, 
It IN U iiilNtuUe lo suppose that any depart¬ 
ment of a paper may bo alighted. The moat Im¬ 
portant Inform. u.lrc. into be found, at Unties, under 
the guise of an advertisement; and It Is agreeable 
to the advertiser and a courtesy to the publisher 
to mention the source ot your Information- in 
other words, to mention the paper. 
Tue salaries of the teachers In the New York 
City schools have been reduced, and very few have 
been found to resign on that account. Perhaps 
this method of economizing was not so entirely 
wrong after ali. While the duties of a principal 
lu our public schools make the position no sine¬ 
cure, yet some maintain that we have been pay¬ 
ing too much for them, and this opinion appears 
to be supported by the result. 
Muxik’H KUUAL Nkw-Youkkk igoneof tbereAL* 
abl«, useful, family papers, equally in demand b J 
the lady in her conservatory. Ibe matron with bet 
household, the farmer in his Held, the stock rai*or 
among bis animals, «r.d the young folks around U e 
evening lamp.—Laws of Lift. 
ALFORD A COMPANY ^MANUFACTURERS), Cincinnati, Ohta, 
