UG 
THE RURAL WEW-YORIER. 
TABLE OF CONTENTS, 
Practical Iiepaiitmi.nth : 
House for Less than $800, A Complete. 133 
Thoughts from u Ksrm... 138 
Gate, Fiinn. Lit 
Wheat. Crop. The . 134 
Potatoes. Harvesting. 134 
Glasses for North Carolina. 134 
Strawberry Culture . 134 
Ganlonlng Pen-Talks. 135 
Tomatoes, Experience with. 135 
Nursery, An Extensive... 185 
<'orro»|i"it<lenl»’ Letter*. Extracts from. I3- r > 
Catalogues, Ac.. Received. 135 
Purchasers of Troe*. Hints to. 135 
A pplo, Thn Richard*’ Sweeting. 130 
Answers to Correspomlents. 15*0 
State Pair, Indiana. 135 
State Pair. New Jersey. 135 
Cows. Choosing. 136 
Cow, The Weekly Record nl a Good.136 
Milk. Bloodv. 136 
Poultry, It lining. 137 
Powis, Crum in mg.... 137 
Rural Special Reports. 1.37 
Cornell's A B C Thresher amt Cleaner. 137 
Halliday Mill, The,.. 137 
Children, Managementof. . 138 
Borax. , 13R 
lle.clpes. 138 
Mind ou the Cure of Disease, Intiuenre of the. 138 
Cat Slowly. 138 
lUieumaLisni, New Remedy tor,. It® 
Notes. 138 
Camps Explode, Why. 138 
Petroleum, Tho Origin of. 1311 
Rek'ntiUe and Useful Notes. 136 
Speeiimois, Uireettons foi Sending. 139 
HlUTUKIAI. PAOEt 
Itow Shall We Keen Boys on tho Farm?. 140 
'Those Centennial Awards. HO 
Notes-Brevities..,,. HO 
LtTKRARTt 
Poetry.,,141. 143. 144 
Story... Ill 
Miscellaneous... 143 
Books Received...... 143 
l.adles’ Portfolio. 113 
Reading tor the Wiling. 144 
Puzzler . in 
Sabbath Reading. 144 
Markets. 145 
Publisher’s N’otlee*...,,,,. 140 
Now* ot the Wook. 140 
Personals. 147 
Humorous. 148 
Advertisements.,.139, J4(>, M7. H8 
THE 
RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY. 
Address 
RURAL PUBLISHING CO., 
178 Duane Street, New York City. 
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1877. 
We beg to state that tho issue of Rural New- 
Yorker for July 28 is exhausted. We would 
thank any of our friends if they would mail us 
copies which they do not need, 
We call attention to a series of original archi¬ 
tectural drawings, by Leon F. Graetiter, the 
first of which is published on the front page of 
this issue. One outgrowth of tho depressod 
times in a demand for small, inexpensive dwell¬ 
ings of artistic dosign. The dwellings have 
been planned with this want constantly in view. 
-- 
“HOW SHALL WE KEEP BOYS ON THE 
PARM?” 
This is an extraordinary question to 
ask in seriousness. Farming is a pursuit 
—a business, and the same principles 
which regulate other pursuits, regulate it. 
How shall we make professional raeu of 
our sous ? How shall we induce our sons 
to become merchants or mechanics ? are 
similar questions. If wo prefer that our 
sons should remain upon the farm, we 
have either to make the farm work con¬ 
sonant with their tastes, or else we must 
modify their tastes so that the farm work 
shall appear to them as agreeable as any 
other work But the question seems to 
be asked as if there was no doubt what¬ 
ever that boys ought to remain on the 
farm, and the only question is, how to 
oblige them to do so 
We are of those who view farming as 
among the noblest occupations of man. 
To our view, this is capable of a demon¬ 
stration. In like manner, we may say 
that law iB among the noblest of the pro¬ 
fessions, and that too may, perhaps, be 
demonstrated. It does not make the law¬ 
yer of to-day the more respectable. The 
higher the occupation, the greater is the 
inducement for honorably disposed men 
of all classes to engage in it. But the 
same inducement is offered to the rogue 
who, all things equal, prefers the appear¬ 
ance of respectability if it can offer the 
same compensation for the same or a less 
amount of exertion. 
Now, of all occupations, the farm is al¬ 
luring to him alone who is not afraid of 
physical toil. As there is not the slight¬ 
est hope of any compensation beyond that 
which iH earued—as the farm knowH no 
perquisites—as it recognizes no services 
except those which are actually rendered, 
it is the very last occupation sought by 
those who expect to live without earning 
their livelihood. And wo should there¬ 
fore expect, to find farmers (of all actively 
engaged men) those most, ready to do just¬ 
ice and the quickest to exact, justice. It 
is a lesson ■which farm work teaches them 
year after year. Tho farm never teaches 
profligacy- it never teaches meanness; 
but it, teaches justice, hard-fisted, unem- 
bellished. As the farmer sows, so shall 
ho reap. There is no shrinking, no avoid¬ 
ing, no modifying this edict. It must be 
looked squarely in tho face. All honied 
words, the fairest promises, the best in¬ 
tentions, are as a coquette’s smiles to cap¬ 
tivate an aged apple tree (!) 
Likes and dislikes are ofttimes beyond 
our control. The aphorism, “there is no 
accounting for tastes,” is founded upon 
actual truth. We cannot ourselves ac¬ 
count for our fancies, and it is not unfre- 
quently the case, that, our best endeavors 
to create, mitigate, or obliterate an affec¬ 
tion, are utterly ineffectual. We might 
just as well ask the question, How are we 
to oblige persons to like what they dislike? 
as to ask, How are we to keep boys upon 
the farm, if the life and pursuits of the 
farmer are repugnant, ? 
Many boys at an early age reveal a de¬ 
cided fitness for some particular pursuit. 
It may be music ; then, we say, let them 
study music. It may be drawing ; then 
let them study drawing. Among their 
studies they may excel in mathematics; 
then let them study civil engineering. 
Perhaps they may be possessed of a pas¬ 
sion for tho sea; let their studies, then, 
be specially directed to fitting them for 
the highest positions of that life. 
When in siekness the appetite craves a 
particular juice Or food, wo believe that 
it should be supplied, and that it is na¬ 
ture's call for the medicine best calculated 
to restore health. So, when an emphatic 
l>< >ich<mf for a particular business orprb- 
fessiou develops itself in the youthful 
rniud, wo believe it a very safe indication 
that it is of all occupations the best adapt¬ 
ed to the individual. 
But there is a considerable proportion 
of boys or young men that at the time it 
becomes necessary to decide as to what, 
shall be their pursuit, have “ elaborated” 
no such emphatic desire. Their chief de¬ 
sire is to find some— any employment, that, 
shall prove permanent and compensatory. 
If such boys or young men have been 
brought up upon the farm and parents 
have rendered their home and farm work 
agreeable, ten chances to one, they 
will choose there to remain. The pur¬ 
suit of their fathers is good enough for 
them, and they look with dread upon leav¬ 
ing their pleasant homestead and its ever 
happy associations. 
On the other hand, if parents havo ex¬ 
acted undue labor from their sons—that 
is, labor beyond their physical powers or 
mental development; if the “ homestead” 
consists only of a house, barn, sheds and 
land—there need be no disappointment, if 
the sous desire a change, though they 
know not what. This they do know, that 
anything is preferable to farm life ; and 
from their point of view, they are right. 
Loving to work without an object, is 
not among the affections of sane mankind. 
It is impossible that anybody can like the 
task of filling a bottomless cask or of cart¬ 
ing stones from one corner to another and 
and back again. Either lie must feel that 
he benefits himself or somebody else, or 
there is no motive to do that which is in 
itself wholly devoid of interest. Now a 
greater responsibility rests upon parents 
as to whether or not farm labor shall be 
deemed by the son “ carrying stones from 
one place to another and back again,” 
than many suppose. That some children 
love to go to school and others do not, 
may be as well accounted for under the 
bypotheis that teachers differ as that 
children differ. 
Our advice is, Do not try to “ keep boys 
upon the farm,” but rather assist them to 
go away if they will. In some coses they 
will be glad to return, and they will have 
learnt, a useful lesson. In other cases, 
they will be glad they left the farm and 
have never returned. 
-♦♦♦- 
THOSE CENTENNIAL AWARDS. 
The following letter from a correspond¬ 
ent, with the accompanying circular, is 
additional testimony to the “ true inward¬ 
ness" of the Centennial Commission. 
When we adverted to the matter not long 
since, that estimable Christian gentleman 
and cx-Oeueral, Mr. Hawley, treated the 
matter in a playful spirit,, and intimated 
that when we lmd determined to produce 
mice, we should go to lower ranges than 
the Andes to choose our mountain. We 
can only add, that if it is oue of the func¬ 
tions of the Centennial Commission to 
farm out. fifty cent privileges which it is the 
rigid, of au exhibitor to demand and re¬ 
ceive gratis, we should like to inquire, 
with a diffidence proportioned to the deli¬ 
cacy of the subject, who gets the divi¬ 
dends? Exhibitors have applied in vain 
for their report* and awards. The first 
medal and diploma that came direct from 
the Commission is yet to Vie seen by a 
manufact urer, we believe; but any Yan¬ 
kee of an inquiring mind may learn all 
about the reports and have them, too, if 
he will apply to a private firm and inclose 
H consideration. If foreign exhibitors are 
treated in the same way, they must,, at 
least, havo rarefied ideas of our thrifti- 
uess, and a new appreciation of the value 
of republican institutions and the men 
Who run some of the same. 
T11K CENTENNIAL AWARDS. 
1 equal proportions by an increase in our 
exports, and a falling off in our im¬ 
ports, the former showing that our 
abundant productions have found a profit¬ 
able foreign market, and the latter indi¬ 
cating that our home products and manu¬ 
factures have attained an extent and excel¬ 
lence which are fast checking the de¬ 
mand for foreign goods. The exhuberant 
crops of this year, therefore, will have 
plenty of cheap money to move them, 
and it is not improbable that the farming 
community, at any rate, has seen the 
worst of this period of hard times. 
-- 
Transplanting Evergreens. If 
wo were asked to answer from our own 
experience the question, “Wheu i» the 
best time to transplant evergreens?” wo 
should answer that any time is the best 
time if the roots can he token up with a 
ball of earth about them. If they are to 
bo transplanted from one place to another 
in the sumo grounds, lot the work be 
done wheu there is the least pressure of 
Other work. If they are to be sent by 
rail for considerable distances, wo choose 
early spring—never fall. The fact is if 
the trees have been properly attended to 
in the nurseries; are skillfully packed 
for shipping, and they then die after 
transplanting, it is the fault of the 
purchaser. We would wish to impress 
our readers with our own belief that 
evergreens transplant as easily as do de¬ 
ciduous trees. From now until the 
middle of September it is safe to trans¬ 
plant if the earth is at all moist. Where 
drought lias thoroughly dried out the 
earth for six iuclies or more in depth, it 
would be safer to wait until spring. 
-- 
BREVITIES. 
September tramps—Potato beetles. 
A favorite shopping air with the ladies: 
“The Sweet Buy-aud-Buy.” 
Ed. Rural New-Yorkkii:— The exposure of the 
Centennial officials In connection with the above 
subject, through your columns, Is timely and well 
deserved. I was an Exhibitor there, and though 
i have danced attendance upon the officials till 
forbearance has long since ceased to be a virtue 
lii my composition, I do net, as yet, succeed In 
getting any information concerning my awards, 
not even the report of the Judges, nil hough 1 can 
probably do so lor the small sum Of as will 
appear by the Inclosed circular, several of which 
I have received. 1 have applied personally to the 
ofileials several times for the Report, ou my Ex¬ 
hibit, and have been Informed that It .would be 
sent In its turn, I have also applied by lett* r, 
Out no attention was paid to same. Exhibitor. 
ITilladelpbla, Aug. 11, 1S77. 
This is tlm circular referred to by our 
correspondent: 
August 1,187T. 
United States *Centennial Commission —Interna¬ 
tional iCrMbUlon qj 1876. —Iieports of the 
Ju/tQCS ((f Awards, 
J. B. Llpplncott A Co. announce to the exhibi¬ 
tors and the public that, by direction oi the 
United states Centennial Commission, they have 
assumed the publication or theOiTlclal Reports ol 
tjie luteinational Hoard oi Judges upon objects 
exhibited within ihe respective groups, Including 
generally, Reports upon the industries and Arts 
Illustrated In the Exhibition, as well us the lull 
text of every A ward which has been decreed by 
tile United Suites CGutenntul Commission. 
“Under the system of A muds adopted by the 
Centennial Commission, the governments repre¬ 
sented in the Exhibition designated Judges 
selected for their special knowledge oi the sub¬ 
jects assigned them to report upon, Including 
some of the most eminent scientists In the world. 
The character of the Judges, and the careful 
attention which they gave to their examinations, 
afford assurance that their Reports generally will 
embody a record of the latest advances made In 
the industries submitted to their Inspection, 
“ A. T. GosuOrn, 
“ IMrmor General.” 
Now Ready.— The Reports ot the following 
Groups are now ready, and copies will be sent by 
mail, post-paid, upon receipt or price. 
Here follows schedule of groups and 
the price of the report of each sent post¬ 
paid. 
--- 
NOTES. 
A Good Sign.—It has long been 
said by political economists that we could 
not expect an era of assured prosperity 
until our exports steadily exceeded our 
imports; or, in other words, until we 
sold to foreign countries more than we 
bought from them. When wliat is called 
the balance of trade iB in this way in 
favor of any country, gold flows into it 
rendering its people rich and prosperous. 
Or the other hand when the balance is 
against a nation, the precious metals are 
carried out of it to pay for the goods im¬ 
ported, causing a stringency in the home 
money market, dull trade, and dejiressed 
enterprise. It is a hopeful sign, there¬ 
fore, of the approach of returning pros¬ 
perity that for the last three years the 
exports from this country have constantly 
been very considerably in excess of its 
imports, the difference in our favor last 
year amounting to $61,000,000. This 
large difference has been caused in nearly 
“A pun is the meanest of jokes”— Arch. 
Whately, —Mean Jokes are very fashionable. 
It is almost time for maidens to take precau¬ 
tions against lb© sting of the husking-bee. 
“ Homer, who is supposed to have written 
nearly 3,000 years ago, alludes to the use of the 
razor.” Poor old blind poet! Money was scarce 
with him too. Ho had to make a razor bunt, it 
seems. 
A Newbero livery man calls his stable the 
“ Hotel de Horse.” Suppose it’s oondueted on 
tho “Table d’Oat plan.”— Hum. Advertiser. 
And yet the food must be delivered “ a la 
Carte.” 
Abundant crops are blessings at all Union- 
but they are especial blessings when there is a 
foreign demand both to keep up the price and 
take them off our hands. We are thrice blessed. 
We want our readers to realize, appreciate and 
be jolly over it. 
Mr. I. P. Robinson received about tbree years 
ago from Bombay, seeds of a dwarf Lima Beau. 
Ho has since cultivated them in his own garden 
and now favors us with two or three specimens 
of both plant and fruit. The plant averages 
eighteen inches In bight , and bears about twenty 
beans. 
.Some of tire miners at Pittston and other 
places are in favor of resuming work. Their 
families are hungry. But the majority say, no ! 
How long will this" authority prove potent over 
the minority in the face of a starving child or 
wife ? Can the laborer reject the half loaf, hour 
his child cry out with hunger, nay, see it starve 
to death, anil justify himself ? 
Wood's American Harvester and Self Binder 
has just taken the highest honors at the English 
Agricultural Show. This machine reaps and 
binds twenty-live acres of wheat between suu 
and sun,—JV. 1'. Com. Advertiser. 
Hooray ! We knew he Wood do it! Now let 
the effete despot gnash his teeth and wish he 
was a—down- trodden American inventor. 
A well known gentleman remarks in a private 
letter:—I wish to raise agriculture into higher 
social esteem by a fair showing of the resources 
of farm life to meet the four great normal de¬ 
mands of the huinau soul. Agriculture itself as 
well as agricultural society and education requires 
as a first condition, that farm life ahull be made 
popular and attractive—in one word fashionable. 
Gen. Le Due, Commissioner of Agriculture, 
proposes to institute inquiries with a view to tho 
propagation of products adapted to certain lo¬ 
calities, but which have hitherto not been culti¬ 
vated there, lie also designs to stimulate, as 
far as possible, the home cultivation of agricul¬ 
tural productions, such as tea aud sugar, for 
wliich wo are uovv largely indebted to foreign 
countries. 
At the markets this morning (Aug. 27,) we 
found tomatoes selling out of wagons at twenty- 
tive cents per banket—Cabbage, line solid beads, 
five cents each. Tomatoes iu Washington Market 
are almost being given away, twelve cents only 
being asked per basket. No*w, city folks, if you 
were not at the watering places and cared to 
economize in so small a matter, it would be a 
good time to make Tomato Catsup. 
BUSINESS NOTICES. 
The Best Oil for Harness is the celebrated 
Vacuum Oil, made at Rochester, N. Y., and sold by 
harness makers everywhere. 
I 
