238 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
NOV. 3 
TABLE OF CONTENTS, 
PKAcricAt. Departments: 
Fertilizers, Commercial. 
Jot Min'* mi Kirby Homestead. 
Colleges. Agricultural. 
Note* from i he Hack Woods. 
Note* from the Rural Grounds. 
Note* from Texas,.. 
Ron go 1*1 Hiiln.. 
Fall Flunllng, Suggestions Concerning. 
Texas. 
Farm Notes. 
Extracts from the Agricultural and llortlcultu 
ral l*res*... 
Haven Colony, Texas, The. .... . 
Sea - Oia ble Hulls. 
PI tli 
m 
m 
m 
28) 
281 
m 
281 
281 
281 
285 
285 
285 
285 
281! 
288 
2kc, 
28*1 
288 
280 
280 
287 
287 
287 
*87 
287 
Dress ut Home... 
itrelpe*... 
Apoplexy . 
Phosphorus and Phosphoric Acid. 
RUIbt'l, What Makes a. 
Rural Special Reports. 
Plijlloxera. or Crape Disease. 
Good Word* tor the Scuppernong.... 
Feed Grinder, Stover's Oscillating. 
Foot-POtver Machines. 
Washer. The Monitor. 
KniTOJUAL Page: 
Daw and Lawyers. 288 
Charitable Abuses.28s 
Notes—Brevities.288 
LlTKRAllV: 
Poetry.28!), 291, 2 h2 
Story. 2H!l 
A .’Madman'* Method. 2!I0 
llr Ic.-u-Hrao , *!ii 
Ladles' Portfolio. . 201 
Announcement.. 221 
From a Woman Farmer.291 
Have Fathers any Responsibility 7. atl 
Ladies' NocltUi's. Mill 
Misncllunc'iii*... 2.<1 
Origin and Progress of the Kusso-Turkish War 29i 
Reading tnr the Voting.2112 
Anxiously Waiting. 2U2 
Puttier... 2 !i* 
SubCulti Heading. 292 
H cavcti N purer.. 292 
Golden Maxims.... 292 
Market*..... *93 
Answers to Correspondents. 291 
Publisher’s Notices. 2!H 
News of the Week. 294 
Personals,,. 295 
11 umiirons. 2!)'! 
Advertisements.287, 293, 295, 290 
THE 
RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY. 
Address 
RURAL PUBLISHING CO., 
78 Duane Street, New York City. 
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1877. 
We are not awaro that Professor Stockbridge 
lias stated anything “ new ” in his two essays 
upon Fertilizers; but, iu our poor judgment, a 
good deal to interest and instruct bas been 
said with rare simplicity. The subject was se¬ 
lected at our request. 
We apologize to our young friends this week. 
Their department has been sacrificed to a history 
of the war between Russia and Tin-key, of the 
unrelenting fioroeuess of which our first page 
engraving is emblematical, 
- +++ - 
LAW AND LAWYERS. 
Law, as defined by an eminent English 
jurist, is a command proceeding from the 
supreme authority of the State and ad¬ 
dressed to the persons who are the sub¬ 
jects of that authority. Burke says, 
“Law is beneficence acting hy rule.” 
For other definitions, see Webster’s, or 
any other good dictionary. For our pres¬ 
ent purpose we may consider law, in this 
country, at least, as an agreement entered 
into between the members of society, that 
certain rules shall govern them in their 
actions toward one another. 
As men are not infallible, it often oc¬ 
curs that different constructions of the 
meaning of a written law are made by dif¬ 
ferent people, and different opinions are 
held as to whether the actions of persons 
are such as to make them guilty of its 
violation. To settle such points when in 
dispute, judges are appointed, before 
whom the matter is brought and discussed 
by a class of men called lawyers. It is 
with this class that we have to do at this 
present writing. 
It might reasonably be supposed that 
the whole talent and skill of the lawyers 
should be directed to the support of the 
law; but it has become the custom with 
many of them, to support their clients, 
right or wrong. The result is, that many 
lawyers of ability are engaged the greater 
part of the time iu defeating the action 
and intent of what they believe to be just 
and righteous laws. Their maxims seem 
to be—First, get your fee ; second, look 
out for your client. 
It is said that the first criminal case 
undertaken by Wm. H. Seward, was that 
of a thief accused of stealing a bed-quilt. 
The stealing was clearly proven, and the 
article stolen was produced in court; but 
as it was a bed-cover, tacked, not quilted, 
Mr. Seward insisted that his client be 
discharged. He might be a thief and he 
might have stolen something, but he did 
not steal a bed-quilt, as charged in the 
indictment. 
We once asked a lawyer if a man under 
arrest, should confess to him that he was 
a murderer, but desired him to undertake 
his defence, if he would do so ? “ Cer¬ 
tainly.” he said ; “ lawyers know no guilt 
until it is proven ; aDd they must in all 
practicable ways, strive to clear their 
clients from any and all charges. Tn such 
a case, even if the lawyer was witness of 
the crime, ho could plead that he should 
not be required to divulge the secrets of 
his client, and decline to testify against 
him.” 
But while, we are sorry to say, many 
lawyers take this ground, there are others 
who feel it a duty to society that right 
and justice should prevail. One of this 
class living in New Haven a few years 
ago, was approached by a Yalo student to 
serve him iu a matter in which he was 
shamefully wrong. After listening to the 
statement of facts, the lawyer said :— 
“ Young man, I will not undertake your 
defence, but I will give you advice iu the 
case without feej and it is, that you make 
humble and ample apology for wliat you 
have done, and that you never again in¬ 
sult a lawyer by even suggesting that he 
should lower himself or degrade his pro¬ 
fession by endeavoring to shield a culprit 
from his just deserts. 
Iu speaking of an eminent attorney, 
now judge in Brooklyn, a fellow lawyer 
once said to us, “ when ho finds he has 
the wrong-side of a case, he is the easiest 
man to whip there is in the county.” 
We have had greater respect for the 
j udge ever sinoe. We suppose there is no 
class of men, except it be physicians, 
who are more generally deceived by those 
desiring their services than are lawyers. 
Most clients, instead of stating their case 
fairly, argue their own side and only show 
the facts bearing in their favor. We 
have heard lawyers examine their clients 
in order to get at facts, with as much 
keenness as they would on trial, the 
opposing witnesses. The fact that un¬ 
foreseen conditions arise on trial, may 
sometimes be the reason why attorneys 
resort to trick and subterfuge. No one 
likes to be defeated after having taken 
up a case. 
To become deservedly eminent as a 
lawyer doubtless requires more talent, 
and application than to attain a high 
position in medicine or theology. The 
ignorance or blundering of the physician 
is often undiscovered, and the “thus 
saith the Lord ” of the clergyman is too 
often allowed to pass without criticism or 
thought. But the lawyer stands before 
judge, jury, the members of the bar and 
the public with no other armor than his 
intellect and no other weapon than his 
tongue. 
How important that these be used only 
in the cause of justice, and it is for the 
people to decide if it shall be so. Let 
the trickster iu law be frowned down. 
Avoid all suits at law if possible, but if 
you must appeal to the courts for redress 
or protection, employ as your attorney 
only him who desires to have the law 
properly enforoed, and to see justice 
prevail. 
-♦♦ ♦- 
CHARITABLE ABUSES. 
Reports of recent investigations into 
the operations of charitable institutions 
in this city, as well as iu different parts 
of the couutry, have disclosed, in many of 
them, abuses so gross, that the benevolent 
should be extremely cautious iu intrusting 
their donations for distribution through 
such channels. In several caseB it lms 
been found that the chief beneficiaries by 
contributions to these organizations, were 
the plausible speculators who had started 
or managed them, while in a large num¬ 
ber of others the salaries paid to clerks, 
collectors, aud other officials, appropri¬ 
ated a disproportionately large share of 
the income. It is somewhat doubtful 
whether, on the whole, the evils of such 
institutions do not equal their benefits. 
Their tendency is to make charity a mere¬ 
ly business transaction, to do away alike 
with the kinilly interest that animates 
those who personally help the needy, as 
well as the grateful feeling with whieh 
the worthy receive needed assistance di¬ 
rectly from the hands of a beuefactor. 
Moreover, besides the abuse in regard 
to the excessive expense of the manage¬ 
ment of somo of them, they are all ex¬ 
ceedingly liable to imposition. As a rule, 
there is neither time nor opportunity for 
them to investigate closely tho character 
and circumstances of those who obtain 
aid from them ; and it too frequently hap¬ 
pens that the glib, plausible hypocrite, is 
more liberally helped than the really de¬ 
serving. Injudicious liberality of this kind 
is a premium upon pauperism, aud has 
done not a little to produce the hordes of 
tramps that now afflict, the country. The 
truly charitable should become person ally 
acquainted with the needy in their own 
neighborhood, and regulate their bene¬ 
factions so as to render their beneficiaries 
self-supporting rather than to keep them 
dependent upon alms. The personal re¬ 
lationship in this way established between 
the donor and recipient of assistance, 
will be mutually beneficial. While ren¬ 
dering the former more compassionate, 
humane, and helpful, it will double the 
kindness to the latter by tho sympathy 
with which it is accompanied and its apt¬ 
ness to his needs. 
-- 
NOTES. 
The Rose hy any other Name 
etc. —The numerous synonyms, both 
botanical and familiar, wliioh many 
plants bear, are often a trifle perplexing ; 
and the same is true as to diseases. The 
“propagation” of an additional name 
for any particular ailment, we, therefore 
strongly object to; especially when the 
malady, under its ordinary appellation, is 
recognized by all, the wide world over. 
During tho past season wo heard of 
several country districts—where land and 
houses were for sale—that were advertised 
as free from “ Fever and Ague,” although 
“Malarial Fever” was by no means an 
infrequent visitor in the neighborhood. 
This, of course, was either a new or 
different disease : cause, fatigue or a low 
state of the system; remedy quinine. 
“ For quinine is an excellent tonic, you 
know, aud a good tonic is j ust the thing 
to brace up the system. ” We once heard 
an old gentleman, venexablo iu appear¬ 
ance, at auy rate, say to an investigating 
buyer of land iu bis neighborhood. “ I 
have lived here all my life ; my father 
lived here all his life, and neither of us 
lias ever known hereabouts of a single 
ease of “Fever aud Ague.” The inves¬ 
tigating buyer, at once closed the bargain 
for the place. Before long he discovered 
that there “ waB lots ” of what, he had 
always regarded as “Fever and Ague,” 
but which, according to local nomencla¬ 
ture, was only “ Malarial Fever.” Wo 
suppose it a permissible misrepresenta¬ 
tion for a person to say that, there is no 
“ Fever and Ague ” in his neighborhood, 
although he may know that “ Malarial 
Fever ” is oppressively prevalent there ; 
otherwise we don’t know what will be¬ 
come of many worthy people, who attend 
clinroh quite regularly, aud are m every 
other particular unimpeachably respec¬ 
table, yet who are frequently guilty of 
sueli prevarication. 
-m- 
The French Exhibition. — The 
space allotted to the United States in the 
immense building now in process of con¬ 
struction in Paris for the Great Fair next 
year, remains blank and “ uncultivated,” 
awaiting the action of the powers at 
Washington to cause it to “ blossom like 
the rose ” with a first-rate display of the 
products of our industry. Other coun¬ 
tries have been busy with their prepara¬ 
tions for months, having their duly ap¬ 
pointed Commissioners on the ground. 
Great. Britain has been allowed additional 
room for her exhibits, the space originally 
allotted to her (which was more than 
twice tho size of that allotted to us) being 
not more than one-quarter of that which 
she now finds requisite. It would cer¬ 
tainly be a great misfortune, not to say 
disgrace, if we were to fail to uphold the 
excellent reputation which we gained at 
Philadelphia last year among all nations, 
on such an auspicious occasion as the 
Paris Exhibition will offer. The Presi¬ 
dent has given the matter a good “ send 
off" in his brief message to the extra 
session of Congress, and we believe that 
the latter cannot refuse to respond to his 
suggestions. The time remaining for 
preparation on the part of our citizens is 
very short, but energy and promptness, 
for which we are somewhat, noted, will 
eveu yet enable us to maintain the high 
standard we have acquired before the 
world. 
- ■■ 
Autumn Leaves.—In addition to 
the many commoner plants that have 
beautifully colored leaves iu the fall, the 
following two shrubs, or small trees, de¬ 
serve laudable mention: Sorrel tree 
(Oxydendrum arboreum), a very pretty 
little tree, native from Pennsylvania 
southwards with oblong-lanceolate* leaves 
which just, now (Oct. 25) are intensely 
colored with crimson and gold. It is also 
a fine flowering plant, bearing iu July 
and August a profusion of wliite blossoms 
arranged in raceme-like clusters. Fra¬ 
grant, Sumach (lilius aromatica) is nat¬ 
urally a straggling bush, growing in 
rocky places from Vermont southwards, 
but in the gardens here it is thriving 
wonderfully well in company with ferns, 
in low ground and a moderately shaded 
situation. Just now its leaves, which 
are trifoliate aud pubescent, are most 
intensely colored with crimson aud red, 
and particularly those on the uppermost 
aud most exposed branches. Mr. Fal¬ 
coner writes ns that leaves of this 
Sumach are at present more beautifully 
colored than those of any tree or bush in 
the Cambridge Botanic Garden. 
— - 
Maim ring Strawberry Beds.— 
We should like to have our friends who 
want, large Strawberries and who do not 
mind puttering a little, try the following : 
Dig a pit (of any desired size) three feet 
dee]). Throw in rubbish, such as stones, 
sticks, sods, blackberry and raspberry 
oaues, tree pruniugs, or any other mate¬ 
rial that usually goes to make up the rub¬ 
bish heap, and thou fill in with the rich¬ 
est soil obtainable. That enriched by 
barnyard manure, muck, ashes, lime, rot¬ 
ted leaves, bone-dust, etc,, is best. Then 
plant Boydeu’s No. 30, (it. American, 
and Pres. Lincoln. Should the season 
prove dry, give water without stint. The 
result of all this will he the production of 
Strawberries which, if not quite so huge 
as Pine-apples, will answer the wondering 
queries of those who look upon the finest 
specimens exhibited at fairs. 
-*♦*- 
BREVITIES. 
If the Gardener's Chronicle oould grow but 
two Roses, they would bo Globe do Dijon and 
Charles Lefebro. 
Plaxt young fruit trees this fall to take the 
place of those which are sick and may die. A 
sick tree is better dead. It does not pay to doc¬ 
tor it. 
All far-sighted lovers of the weed will lay in 
a good supply before the first of January, unless 
they think tho Cigar-makers’ strike will end iu 
smoke. 
Do all the painting, or as much as possible, 
between this and freezing weather. Whitewash 
your ceilarB and then clean them up as tidily as 
if the cellar were a sitting-room. 
Collect all the leaves about the farm or gar¬ 
den. Place them iu a heap and cover with earth. 
Next y ear this will be found a baudy store for 
hot-beds, cold frames or for potting purposes. 
If possible make all new paths and flower 
bods thiB fall. All rough, bard work accom¬ 
plished now will be felt in the spring to have 
paid a good intereHt upon the labor expended. 
Fob this climate there is no better time than 
the present to prune Grape viuea. As soon as 
freezing weather sets in, lay the vine down aud 
cover lightly with leaves, hay, straw or rubbish. 
Sticks or a little earth here and there will keep 
the material used in its place. 
Let us toll our lady friends that in making their 
baskets for whiter, as a general thing, they crowd 
them too much. The roots soon become so nu¬ 
merous and entangled that they are not reached 
by ordinary watering, and unless thoroughly 
soaked every day or so, the plants soon lose their 
leaves. 
A Fabjieks' Institute, or Agricultural Lec¬ 
ture Course, will he held at the Illinois Indus¬ 
trial University, Champaign, January 14-18, 
1878. Lectures will be given by the Professors 
of the College of Agriculture, and by leading 
farmers of the State, on subjects selected be¬ 
cause of special interest and importance. The 
full programme will soon be announced. 
We have received the first number of the 
“ The Country,” a weekly journal published in 
this city, devoted to the Kennel, Archery, Lawn 
Tennis, Polo, Hunting, Yachting aud Boating, 
and to open-air life generally. This initial num¬ 
ber is certainly full of promise which tho long 
experience ol' the editor, as associate editor of 
the Forest and ytream, well fits him to redeem. 
