THE RURAL MEW-YORKER. 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
ICTICA1. UvrARTMESTTS: 
Acriculture end Education In the United States 
No.6... JO* 
.Tottinj?s at Kilby Homestead.. 
Bural Topics ... 'O ' 
Western F«rm Topic*. ly* 
Maple Sirup. Manufacture of.. 102 
A Novcitv. .. . I'*.’ 
Slitting the Bark of Ilide-hnnnd Trees.....103 
Sale "f Trccf . The I.a«' as to the. 
Bulbs for the Flower Garden.. . 102 
Flower Garden. The... *n* 
Nebraska Plante ..... 
•Tottiii b from my Note-Book... 
Notes and < 'mamAtlls-. .. 10; 
Vim's VI. w.< . 105 
Tricks of T. ee Peddlers...... 105 
Cataiotruc*, Ac., Received. 10s 
Plinrery, Model... 105 
Alderney rattle In Shropshire. England . JOS 
Siftmus from the Kitchen Fire. 10* 1 , 
Pudding*. JOi- 
ndcr ponding. 1®» 
Recipes Warned...-. '00 
Facts, Nul Fancies, from Mississippi. lOt; 
Notes from California...... joo 
Recipes... lOt; 
Bees, Our.... . 10b 
Poultry, Fare of. Ill” 
Pigeon Show at the New York Aquarium. Hit 
Pmilti'y Shows. . 107 
Cross-Bred Fowls for Practical Farm Cue. 107 
Editorial page: - 
Aspect of ICuropean Politics. 108 
8 <>me of the Best,...... .108 
To Headers .lt'8 
Hereford Herd-Book Society. 108 
Where to Hell Good Butter. 108 
A Word to Parents. 108 
Financial.108 
Hook to Your t i . 108 
Exchange Kent - .. 108 
lx n t Wash a.i a : hear Sheep Early. 108 
Brevt. « . 108 
l.ITF.RAR . 
Poetry. 
Decorating F ttery. 
Talks on Tlivoiy Topics. 
Beautiful I' juton.... 
Cora.. .. ... 
Jove's A It . .. 
Bile-a-Brac. 
Answers 10 Oof pondents.... 
News of the W ••• k.... 
Publisher’s Notices. 
Various. .. ... 
Ma rket*........ 
Iteadinir for the Young. 
A Few Comments.. 
Letters from Uuys and Girls 
Pussier... . 
Saht-atb Heading. 
Pray On. .. 
Per-onulB.. 
Wit and Humor. 
Advcrtiseme "H. 
109. Ill, IIS 
.109 
. 110 
. 110 
.no 
.Ill 
.Ill 
. 112 
. 112 
. 112 
. 113 
. 113 
. lit 
.. 114 
. Ill 
.114 
. 114 
. 414 
.1115 
.115 
.113.115,110 
THE 
RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
PUBLISHED EVERT SATURDAY. 
Address 
RURAL PUBLISHING CO., 
1 78 Duane Street New York City. 
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1878. 
We earnestly request that all letters containing 
money, or any communication intended for the 
Business Department of the paper, he addressed 
to the Editor, the Publisher , or The Roral New- 
Yorker, and not to any individual. We cannot 
otherwise guarantee the prompt entry of names 
upon mt,r hooks, or the acknowledgment of money. 
We have said that wo should try to do more 
for our subscribers for 1878 tbau we promised. 
We respectfully call their attention to our an¬ 
nouncement on page 107 as the first, proof there¬ 
of. It will be seen, we think, that the offer there 
presented is the most liberal which has hitherto 
been made to the subscribers of any journal. 
As an evidence of our entire good faith, we 
would s, y that if tho article does not meet the 
expects, on of the subscriber, he is privileged to 
return it at our expense and we will at onoe re¬ 
fund th<-. money. 
ASPECT OP EUROPEAN POLITICS. 
In view of the id omen tons contingen¬ 
cies dependent on the election of a new 
Pope, the distrust product! by the vigor¬ 
ous action and astute diphr aey of Rus¬ 
sia, and the uncertain iss .es of the ap¬ 
proaching Conference on the Eastern 
Question, European polities wear a de¬ 
cidedly menacing aspect. The loss of the 
temporal power has by no means deprived 
the Papacy of grave influence in political 
questions, for the possessor of paramount 
spiritual influence over a large proportion 
of the citizens of nearly every nation in 
Christendom, must always be an import¬ 
ant factor, not culy in European affairs, 
but in those of the world at large. 
The presence of the Russian forces 
within thirty miles of Constantinople and 
that of the British fleet in the Bosphorus, 
places these two Powers in a state of dis¬ 
trustful watchfulness, while the senti¬ 
ments of both nations are becoming mu¬ 
tually more bitter. The Liberal peace 
policy in England has brought upon its 
foremost advocates a storm of opprobrium 
and unpopularity which will probably 
cling to them for many a day ; but, how¬ 
ever willing the Government may now be 
to support the Turk, the time for doing 
so favorably, has been suffered to go by. 
It would take at least thirty days to land a 
British force at Gallipoli or Constantino¬ 
ple, whereas the Russians could easily 
make themselves masters of both places in 
two. The Czar is emphatically now mas¬ 
ter of the situation. He can readily bid 
defiance to Eugland, and by seizing on 
favorable points, prevent the entrance of 
her fleet into the Black Sea. He can af¬ 
ford to be comparatively indifferent to 
the action of Austria ; for, with the free 
command of the Black Sea, be can make 
the Crimea the basis of supplies for his 
forces. The consciousness of his strong 
position will probably keep other nations 
watchfully neutral, at least until the pro¬ 
posed Conference shall have an opportu¬ 
nity of making a satisfactory disposal of 
“the sick man’s” inheritance. 
--- 
NOTES. 
Some of tlie Best.—The Alnwick 
Seedling is thought in England to 
be their best late Grape of recent 
introduction. And Lord Napier is 
classed as the largest and best of 
early Nectarines. Of new Peas, the 
'Criterion, introduced by Messrs. Veetch 
of London, is highly Bpoken of. Of Po¬ 
tatoes, Miiguum Bonum, as a general 
cropping Potato, is placed in the front 
rank. Of American varieties, the Gard¬ 
eners’ Chronicle says a good many have 
appeared during the past year, but 
although handsome in appearance it is 
premature to speak of them as suited for 
cultivation in Eugland. Trophy, Cen¬ 
tennial, Superior and Manhattan are 
specially noted. The Tomato is every 
year becoming a greater favorite in En¬ 
gland. “Early Gem,” by which we 
suppose Little Gem is meant., is highly 
valued a6 a dessert fruit eaten raw. 
Vick’s Improved is set down as a “de¬ 
cided acquisition”—while our well-tried 
and favorite Trophy is thought to be line 
for “exhibition purposes." During 
every year we hear a great deal of new 
fruits and vegetables, that are far supe¬ 
rior to all others of their kind, but u \«.>ry 
few of which are again heard of after Jibe 
first season of trial. 
•-«-M- 
To Readers.—Our circulation has 
increased over that of last year beyond 
our expectations ; or rather we might 
better say, the increase over last year has 
fully met our expectations. The fact is 
simply that at this time our actual paid- 
for circulation is twice as great as it was 
the first day of August of last year, and 
of course it is increasing every day. The 
offer which we make on page 107, is one 
which we did not feel we could afford to 
make at an earlier date, though we have 
had it in mind for a considerable time. It 
will be seen that it is an out-and-out pres¬ 
ent, worth at the least retail juice $2.50, 
to any one of our present subscribers 
sending us two new subscribers for one 
year. By Bueh means, as well aB by oth¬ 
ers which will develop themselves as the 
year goes on, the Rural will strive to 
work a place in the hearts of its readers 
wider and deeper than that it has ever 
filled before. As we have no mind to be 
carried beyond our depth, we reserve the 
right to discontinue this offer ujion giving 
in these columns due notice. 
• + • 
Tlie Favorite Horse for New 
York. — The horscB which bring the 
highest price in New York are those large 
enough with fine style and step to go be¬ 
fore a carriage. They are called “park 
horses” because they are adapted for this 
form of driving. They must be full six¬ 
teen hands high. Bay is preferred, but 
other colors are often in demaud. These 
“park teams,” as the name implies, are 
for driving in the park, where every after¬ 
noon they may be Been by the hundreds 
prancing along with lofty step and showy 
style. They are not wanted for speed 
but for disjday. Fast driving is pro¬ 
hibited in the park, but out on the 
“road” beyond the park the trotters 
have it all to themselves. In New York 
the horses of most of the fashionable 
turnouts have their tails out squarely off. 
It is called the “English style.” There 
are two forms, one to cut the hair just 
below the bone and the other to square it 
off a little above the hocks. Some of the 
most elegant teams are not bobbed after 
this fashion but wear their tails as long as 
they chance to grow. Doubtless the 
owners have more regard for their comfort 
in fly time or perhaps they, like us, do not 
fancy this awkward style. 
Hereford Herd-Book Society.— 
We hear from England that the above 
Society lias been formed for the carrying 
on of “Eyton’s Herd-Book,” the copy¬ 
right of which they have purchased from 
Mr. Tiioh. Duckuam, the late proprietor. 
A council has been foi'med, and editing 
and other working committees, on the 
same basis as the Short-Horn Society of 
Great Britain and Deland. We are told 
that the prospectus will soon be jjublish- 
ed, and that the tenth volume of the book 
will be jiublished under the new superin¬ 
tendence as Boon as jiossible. The Sec¬ 
retary is Mr. Samuel Ubwick of Lein- 
thafl, near Ludlow, Eugland. We are 
glad to see the interests of this excellent 
and rent-paying breed of cattle looked 
after ; their popularity is increasing over 
the -whole world, but more especially in 
this country, where their merits as meat 
producers and their capability of living 
on rough feed, and being able to stand 
cold and wet, are becoming more and 
more appreciated. 
- •»< - ■ ■ 
Wlicre to Sell Good Butter.— 
In talking with a person who had been a 
grocer, we heard the following remark iu 
answer to the question, “ Why do you not 
make more difference in the jjrice of but¬ 
ter taken in from the farmers ?” “We 
cannot do it. It will not work. Nothing 
will offend a woman quicker than to tell 
her that her butter is not first-class. If 
we tell her the butter is poor, she will sell 
it somewhere else, and she will trade 
where she sells her produce. To keep 
her trade, I must buy her butter. So it 
is often customary to pay about the same 
price for all grades of ini tier offered in 
small lots. We make on the best lots 
and lose on the poorest. We come out 
about even, satisfy all p&rtiea, and get 
the custom of those who sell butter which 
is good or poor.” Tiie better way for 
those who make the best butter is to fiud 
some regular customers aud supply them 
from week to week, throughout the year. 
In this way, the producer gets better 
prices and avoids the close shave of mid¬ 
dle-mem 
--M*- 
A Word to Parents.— If you wish 
to make your son like his business place 
him in responsible places. Trust him ; 
consult him about the work he is to do. 
He will take more interest in his work 
and be much more likely to succeed when 
he starts for himself. Don’t make slaves 
of your children. For want of proper 
training, many a young man has grown 
up without discijjliue. He has been 
able to run through iu an incredibly 
short space of time all that his strong- 
minded father left him. Twenty years 
ago we knew such a man. To-day his 
son owns only a poor old span of horses 
and is living from hand to mouth—and a 
very poor iiviDg he gets at that. The 
fine estate slipped easily from the hands 
of the son who had no skill to manage it. 
So one generation makes money for the 
next to squander. 
-- - 
Financial. —If Jones, a dealer iu 
dry goods and groceries in a country 
town, should offer to take in trade pota¬ 
toes and turnips, at the same price per 
bushel, while the farmers could, in an 
adjoining town get two bushels of turnips 
for each bushel of their potatoes, how 
many potatoes would Jones be likely to 
get in payment for his goods? When 
you arrive at a satisfactory solution of 
this jiroblem, sujijioso you construct from 
it a formula and see how it will apply to 
the financial topic of the day. 
■---- 
Look to Your Cellar.—Clear out 
all decaying vegetables for the bad air 
will find its way into the rooms above and 
poison your wife and children, who may 
piue away and die. Do not, in such 
eases, lay* it. to some mysterious Provi¬ 
dence. When the air is dry outside and 
near freezing, or a few degrees below, 
open the windows and cool and jiurify 
the air. Keep the windows closed on 
damp and warm aud on very cold days. 
Pick up the rubbish ; sweep up the 
litter ; whitewash the walls aud ceiling. 
Exchange Resumed. — We now 
give notice that our seed and jilant ex¬ 
change will be resumed to subscribers 
during the next three months. Our old 
subscribers understand it. To our new 
friends we will say : State plainly the 
names of the seeds or plants of which 
you have a large quantity above your 
own needs and then state the seeds or 
plants you desire in exchange therefor. 
Finally* write your address in full. 
Do Not Wash, and Shear Sheep 
Early.—Washing is injurious to the 
sheejj aud to the washer. If not washed 
the sheep may be sheared earlier. If 
sheared early the new growth of wool 
comes on more rapidly. A sheep with a 
heavy fleece is in poor condition to stand 
a cold rain. She will suffer less if 
sheared. Sheep will do better and shear 
more if sheared earlier than common 
among most farmers. 
-*4~t- 
BREVITIES. 
Good things generally come slow. 
The mau who tlhuks most—enjoys the most 
on the average. 
Give us lews dress and style, and more time to 
study aud experiment. 
Parents should fiud time to attend to the in¬ 
quiries of their children. 
SAVOY-leaved is about the only spinach raised 
by N. Y. market garduers. 
Agriculture advances with the improved 
condition ol the common sohools. 
TnE question is whether there isn’t a connect¬ 
ing link between sausagOM and hydrophobia. 
A person may have a perfect knowledge of a 
trade in all its details, aud yet be a very narrow 
man. 
For private gardens no celery is so good or so 
little trouble an the Giant. It may remain 
where grown all winter, and well grown seed is 
always solid. 
The most successful farmer is not the one who 
squeezes the most money out of everything. 
Ilia children and his wife should receive some 
attention. It should not all be given to his hor¬ 
ses, cuttle, and sheep. 
Late London papers announce the death of 
Mr. Andrew Murray, a distinguished and much 
loved horticulturist. Iu speak mg to those who 
sought his advice, he was wont to conclude with: 
“ Now 1 have told you—do not believe me ; go 
aud see for yourself how it is." 
Mr. Lawks states that for twenty-two years 
in succession, artificial for;iliners (nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash) gave an aver¬ 
age ftonual crop of hay of nearly three tons per 
acre. During that period, a second crop was 
cut each yielding 2 % tons more. 
Ouu country children need to be in school 
more days in the year, and fewer hours of each 
day. A part of each day should be applied to 
technical education. Iu mauy oases, the large 
towns would be better off with less showy school- 
houses and teachers who should be better paid. 
If Tailby’b ‘ ‘ llj brid” Cucumber is to become 
popular, it is time it made some progress in that 
direction. We have never praised it as a market 
variety, but for family use, it proved last sum¬ 
mer, as it did the preceding one, the most tender 
and tho smallest-seeded variety we have ever 
cultivated. 
A thoroughbred or a grade is much more 
certain to mako good uhc of his food than a com¬ 
mon or scrub animal. Feed in warm places ; feed 
regularly. Do not kick, and yell, aud thrash 
your stock, if you caro to have them thrive. 
Roots and bran have a good sanitary effect iu 
winter. Their food value cannot be estimated 
Lv tho amount of starch or albumen they con¬ 
tain. 
The Rural clock is the neatest, prettiest, 
most substantial article ot the kind ever before 
offered for sale. It will please all, and every¬ 
body should have it even though he has a 
dozen clocks In the house besides. It will 
keep time Hi any position and may be carried 
from place to placo. It is dust-proof, needs no 
key—the hands are moved without touching 
them—is nickel-plated—a pretty ornament for 
any room aud an excellent time-keeper. Sou 
page 107. 
Me. Meehan, in his interesting European 
Notes, makes the following statement which 
brings one back with a shook to an understand¬ 
ing of the real improvement made in the Straw¬ 
berry by English horticulturists: “ Strange, 
very strange, it seemed to me from a country 
where we are not satisfied unless we have a new 
kmd of strawberry every year or two, to bear 
Mr. Norman avow that the host kind he had yet 
was the Keen's Seedling, a variety which may 
soon advertise its “centennial show." 
The always varied and interesting Agricul¬ 
tural department of tho Tribune, speaking 
of “Brands aud Butter/' says: In Brooklyn 
complaints have been made againBt at least four 
dealers, for selling unstamped oleomargarine. 
Their disinclination to comply with the statute 
Is not only a little suspicious, but impolitic. If 
they make a substitute for butter, which is as 
good as butter itself, they should let their manu¬ 
facture stand upon its own merits, and should, 
in fact, prefer to stamp it, in order that the pub¬ 
lic may accord the palm to tho thing which mer¬ 
its it. This is the true way of promoting an 
honest Bale. Instead of pursuing it, some of 
them at least run the risk of paying a penalty 
rather than use the brand. 
BUSINESS NOTICES. 
Hearing Restored. — Great invention by one 
who was deaf for 20 years. Send stump for particu¬ 
lars. Jno. GARMORS, Lock-Box U05, Covington, Ky. 
