©EC. 24 
THE 
RURAL MEW-YORKE 
from now until Jan. 1st, 1880, for $2. 
NOW THE CHEAPESTPAPER IN THE WORLD. 
A Four Dollar Weekly Journal for 
Two Dollars. 
30th YEAR. 2nd YEAR 01^ ITS PRESENT MANAGEMENT. 
TO ALL OF OUR SUBSCRIBERS WHO APPLY, A FREE SEED 
DISTRIBUTION EQUAL IN VALUE TO THE YEARLY 
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE. 
ONLY SEEDS OF RAKE OR NEW VARIETIES FOR 
THE FARM AND GARDEN OFFERED FROM OUR 
Experimental Grounds of 82 Acres. 
A New Era in Horticultural and Farm 
Journalism. 
4 COUNTRY HOME PAW FOB EVERY SECTION. 
ON PRICE TO ALL. 
ORIGINAL ENGRAVINGS---THE BEST WRIT¬ 
ERS OF THE LAND. 
A JOURNAL THAT IS HONESTLY DEVOTED TO THE 
WELFARE OEJiS READERS. 
No progressive Farmer, Fruit-Grower or Gardener can afford 
to do without the RURAL for 1879. 
Owensboro, Ky., Dac. 1.—Corn is about all 
gathered in these parte, and is worth 30c. to 
35o. per bushel. Hogs are very abundant, 
bringing only 2 }£c. to 2>£o. gross for good ani¬ 
mals, and many have been sold to grocers to re¬ 
tail at 2><o. to 2^0. net. Potatoes are selling at 
40c. per bushel for the best. r. w. 3. 
Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, Nov. 2Gth.—The 
weather hero this fall has been delightful. 
Crops were generally good. Hay and graiu 
heavy. Potatoes only a fair crop; price from 
50o. to 60o. per bushel, with several vessels 
loading for New York. j. e. e. 
Oxford, Oakland Cc., Mich.—Wheat, 85c. ; 
corn, 34o. j oats, 20c.; pork, $3 per cwt.; in¬ 
terest on money from 10 to 12 per cent, on first- 
rate security to those not lucky enough to have 
a bank account. l. l. t. 
Bethel, Clermont Co., Ohio, Dec. 3.—The 
largest of my peachblow potatoes was thirty- 
three ounces, and quite a large number weighed 
a pound. e. a. o. 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Hog Cholera. 
R. S. Dunnvil/e, Essex Co., Va., says: “We 
have a disease hereabouts among our hogs. 
The symptoms appear to be loss of appetite, af¬ 
fections of the bowels and kidneys. Their feet 
Boeru to be all drawn together. Sometimes fat 
hogs die of it in forty-eight hours. Can the 
Rural suggest a remedy ? ” 
Ans.— Iu reply to this question, D. E. 8almon, 
D. V M., one of the commissioners lately ap¬ 
pointed by the government to investigate bog 
oholera, write s us: “This imperfect enumeration 
of symptoms indicates the disease to be the con¬ 
tagious fever of swiue, known as hog oholera. 
Unfortunately, np to this time, neither tho 
medical nor veterinary professions have been a ble 
to discover a medicine or form of treatment 
that has any appreciable effect on the course of 
the contagious fevers; and this is aB true of hog 
cholera as of small-pox or yellow fever. Of 
course, I would not be understood to say that 
medical advice is useless in such cases, for this 
would not bo true; there are often, indeed, I 
may say generally, with these fevers local trou¬ 
bles— inflammations of internal organs, and 
functional derangements which need watching 
and special treatment; and of more importance 
than this is the proper regulation of the sur¬ 
roundings and food. The small value or hogs, 
and the difficulty of administering medicines, 
put it out of the question to give them medical 
treatment. Tho most that can be done is to 
keep them iu a dean place, whore they will not 
bo exposed to draughts of air, and to give them 
cooling and easily-digested food. The latter is 
necessary because of the considerable conges¬ 
tion and inflammation of the digestive organa, 
whioh are ahvayB present in this disease. This 
food may consist of milk, meat, or well-boiled 
oatmeal (made from oats ground and the bran 
removed with a sieve), or other articles of like 
character. 
This disease has now extended over nearly the 
whole country, and nothing but governmental 
interference can abate it. If our farmers desire 
to be relieved from the terrible losses it is now 
causing, they should see to it that Congress 
takes proper aotiou on it before another spring. 
It is the moBt important subject that will be be¬ 
fore the next Congress, and the country cannot 
afford to have action delayed another year. 
Asparagus Culture.! 
W. B. Y,, Norwich Ont., asks how should 
Asparagus bo cultivated; what is the proper 
time for planting it, and Bhould one sow seed or 
get roots. 
Ans.—P repare the soil in which to plant 
Asparagus, as soon as spring opens, by giving 
it a heavy dressing of w r ell rotted manure, and 
a deep thorough pulverizing either by tho use 
of the plow or the spade. If grown on a small 
scale, it is best to trenoh the land from two to 
three feet deep. Plant one-year-old plants in 
rows, one foot apart, aud nine inohes between 
the plants in the rows. By omitting every 
fourth row, a walk is formed between tho bods 
on which to pass while weeding aud performing 
other operations, thus avoiding stepping on the 
plants. 
If grown for marketing on an extensive scale, 
the plants may be set in rows three feet apart, 
and nine inches from plant to plant in tho rows. 
Set the plants about three inches deep and be 
careful to spread the roots well, like the spokes 
of a wheel. By using vigorous plants, on rich laud 
and giviDg them careful treatment, a small crop 
may be gathered the second year after plant¬ 
ing. Iu the above looality it will ho well to 
covor the beds dining tho winter with a layer 
of manure containing a good deal of straw. A 
well kept bed, on rich laud, may bo productive 
for twenty years. 
t. Bone-Dust in the Orchard. 
A Rural Readier asks whether bone-dust would 
be beneficial to apple trees, and, if so, how to 
apply it. 
Ans. —Yes.—Apply it to the orchard in such 
quantities as you can afford, after putting tho 
surface soil into a thorough state of pulveriza¬ 
tion. Owing to the high price of the article, 
however, and to its decidedly beneficial effects 
when applied to many field and other garden 
crops, the application of bone-dust iu tho orch¬ 
ard is rarely made. Barn-yard manure which 
acts as a mulch as well as a fertilizer, is the usual 
kind employed about fruit trees, and no expe¬ 
rience is extant to warrant tbo substitution of 
bone-dust instead of it. In a recent discussion, 
by the Bornological Society, of Michigan, on 
orchard fertilizers, water was placed first, se- 
onred near the surface by thorough pulveriza¬ 
tion ; barn-yard manuro, second, where it could 
be secured at ordinary prices, and ashes, third, 
as a most important sort of manure for that 
purpose; but not a word was said about bone- 
dust. 
Salt for Wheat. 
4 subscriber, La Porte, Ind (?) asks the 
effects of salt upon wheat, and when and how 
it should be applied. 
Ans.— It is the strong belief of many farmers, 
at a distance from the seashore especially, that 
salt is a valuable fertilizer for wheat. It appears 
to decidely stiffen the straw and increase the 
yield. Tho quantity applied is from two to six 
bushels to the aero. The latter quantity will do 
no harm, but two or three bushels aro enough. 
Fine salt should be used, and care must be taken 
to sow it evenly. It must be understood that 
salt will in no wise take the place of a proper 
preparation of the land, amiable fertilization, 
or good seed well put iu. But wi'h these it is a 
considerable help. It maj be applied to winter 
wheat early in tbo spring, and is howu upon 
spring wheat after it is harrowed in and rolled. 
Under fair conditions, the average estimated 
gain in the crop from a dressing of salt, is from 
four to six bushels per acre. 
Reproductive Knarls on Apple Trees. 
A. J. O . Neiory Station, Perth Co., Ont., 
during a visit to England, saw a half-grown apple 
tree of dwaif habit, well laden with fruit, on the 
branches of which knobs, or Bwellings, occurred, 
and if cuttings, made just below the knobs, are 
set out, they will take root aud grow rapidly, 
and a desire is expressed to learn the name of 
that variety of apple-tree. 
Ans. —As a matter of scientific interest, the 
propagation by embryo buds or knarls, has oc¬ 
cupied the attention of horticulturists, but not 
as a thing.of practical importance. These knarls 
are formed in the bark of various trees, and in 
many sorts of apples there is a tendoucy to 
produce them in numbers. The variety men¬ 
tioned is unknowu to us. Evidently the peculiar 
tendency of the variety giveB more life to tho 
knarls than we find in the ones upon cur own 
apple trees, for rarely will these, under the most 
favorable circumstances, throw out a stem. It 
would be interesting to know more of this 
variety. 
Alfalfa Seed, Again. 
M. J. McM., Tallahassee, Fla., says that Al¬ 
falfa seed is not sold by seed dealers there, and 
inquires where it oan be purchased, as it is much 
needed thereabouts as a forage crop. 
Ans-— Local seed dealers should be readily 
able to procure it for a customer. All tho large 
seed dealers in the principal towns in the South 
generally have it on hand, Bach as J. B. West <fc 
Co. audFolger & Co., of New Orleans. 
Cultivating Fruits under Glass. 
M. B. P., Warren Co., N. O., says, “ Please 
give us what information you oau on the culti¬ 
vation of fruits under glass." 
Remarks. —Tho question is too general. Dif¬ 
ferent fruits require different treatment, and to 
give specific treatment for all fruits cultivated 
under glass, would require too much space for 
this department. 
A Thrice-told Tale. 
E. O. G., Bethel, Ohio, asks where he oan find 
out how to oaponize poultry. 
Ans. —Articles giving full descriptions of dif¬ 
ferent methods of performing this operation 
can be found in the Rural for April 20, Novem¬ 
ber 23, and December 21st. 
To Farmers’ Clubs, 
T. C. Loughnj, Indiana , Pa., wants the ad¬ 
dresses of different farmers’ clubs, with a view 
to correspondence, as a club *s about to be 
organized in his neighborhood. We trust the 
membei s of some clubs will write to him at tho 
above address. 
Communications received fob the week ending 
Saturday, December utli: 
R. It. O W. W. K.—F. K M.—N. J. 8.—P. M. 
M.—E. L. M.—C. F. A—C. W. G.—A. R. M.—M. 
A. B.—P. H. M.—A. W.—L. J. T.—\V. C. L. D, 
thanks.—T. U. H.—E. B. mislaid.—S. O. B.—I. W. 
-A. E. B.—J» I\ R.-.T. \V. S.-I\ II.- 
(Tho rapid accumulation of articles and the 
matter required for our special editions make it 
necessary that wo should usk the Indulgence of 
our contributors for a few weeks.) 
M. B. r.-J. 1>. S.-S. L.-8. B.—M. W.-L. A. G. 
—T. P.—N. it., yes you are entitled.—C. G. II.— 
L. L. C.—E. II. B. thank you—but we cannot tell 
which ear is yours.—M. B. 1).—W. T. 11.—S. T.— 
L. S. n. yes.—E. L. T.—M. (i. R.—A communica¬ 
tion (" Indoor Work”) from Flemlngsburgh Va., 
needs a signature.—J. K,—H. T. J.—F. D. C.— 
L. 8. H.-F. H. D. yes. 
The following are among a few of the recent 
notices of tho press of the Unlted Slates. 
The Rural New-Yorker has been enlarged 
and improved, If that be possible. It stands at 
the head of the strictly agricultural and horti¬ 
cultural periodic! Is of i he country .—Philadelphia 
Germantown Telegraph. 
The Rural New-Yorker, so long aud favora¬ 
bly known, seems determined to give 11s read¬ 
ers the Deuetli of whatever increased prosperity 
It secures. It has now, the best list of contribu¬ 
tors of any weekly agricultural paper in the 
country, and is doing a noble work— Boston, Scien- 
tijlc Farmer. 
The editois of the Rural New-Yorker now 
use a portion of their farm for cxpetttncntul 
purposes to raising seeds for their subscribers. 
Their farm, which by the way Is one of t he best 
on the Island, is admirably udapted lor such 
experiments. The Rural Is oneot t he best, of 
agricultural papers.—<S'. 5. Observin', Long island, 
Tile Rural Nkw-Yorkkk.—VV e are glad to note 
by an increase of size lit tbs Rural New-Yorker, 
substantial signs of prosperity. The Agricult¬ 
ural Press of the country has severely suffered by 
ibe general depression of the last few years, and 
it is pleasant to note this first step iu prosperity, 
especially as the Rur.il New-Yorker deserves 
nil the success IL seems to gciln.—banVeruv's 
Monthly. 
The trouble Is that, it you take It one year you 
will like It so well that you will take It every 
year .—North Missourian, 
We regard the Rural New-Yorker as the champ¬ 
ion weekly paper of America, for the farm and 
family circle. While It is especially Intended for 
Rural Homes, there la no fireside that will uot 
be greatly benefited by the Rural New-Yorker's 
weekly visits. It. gives you more for your money 
than any agricultural publication of which we 
have knowledge.— Peinocra f, Coshocton, Ohio. 
We are glad to receive assurances trom head¬ 
quarters that this excellent paper was never In 
such a promising condition as It Is now, either 
financially or editorially, since l£8 removal from 
Rochester. “ It does not owe a dollar, and Ins 
half a million at its back.” Good enough! but not. 
better than it deserves.— DuJJaio Weekly Express. 
Of our agricultural exchanges none presents 
such a clear, crisp appearance, typographically, 
as tho Rural N8w- Yorker, speaking of Its con¬ 
tents, we tiro led to use the roost emphaup lan¬ 
guage. It Is edited with a precision unusual In 
agricultural Journals, and a glance over Its Inter¬ 
esting" muwiilons aud Answers ’columnsdiscloses 
with what painstaking It responds to requests tor 
practical Information, ir. is more cotnpi chensive 
than papors of ltaclass, also, embracing a literary 
department, tint la again subdivided into minor 
departments, which mrulsh excellent short and 
continued Rtorles, fashions and cutpaper patterns 
for tbo ladles. Religious Intelligence, the new s 
of the week, and a cozy nook for the young 
people. 
Its practical departments embrace articles by 
the foremost writers on agriculture, horticulture 
and kindred sciences, accompanied by Illustra¬ 
tions that. Increase the interest of the text. In 
abort, the Rural Is Just such a paper as our people 
should subsbrlbc to. It Is broad and uatloual In 
Its treatment of topics, and more tbau any other 
Journal, serves the farming and fruit, growing In¬ 
terests of the whole country.— Dispatch, Live Oak, 
Floi'ida, 
Th-: Rural New-Yorker.— Tbls old and well- 
established weeklv lsone of our best agricultur¬ 
al anu Horticultural exchanges.— Phrenological 
■Journal. 
The Rural New-Yorker.—O ne of the oldest, 
most reliable, and most welcome of farm and 
household Journals published in America has been 
enlarged aiid otherwise Improved. Its name has 
become a household word throughout the land, 
and we have yet to learn where the Rural Is not 
welcomed by the family to whom It Is sent.— 
Journal, Flint, Mich. 
The Rurai. New-Yorker 13 tho best and most 
prominent igrlcuttural and home Journal In the 
country.— Democrat, Davenport, Iowa. 
On receiving The Rural New-Yorker, we scare- 
l.y recognized it, so greatly has it been changed, 
for Uie better.— Observer, Bownuinmlle, om- 
The Rural New-Yorker has been enlarged to 
tho size of Harper’s Weekly, and otherwise great¬ 
ly Improved. It Is one of the oldest, and best ag- 
rlculi ui ' l weeklies In the country. Terms, fs.Oo 
a year.— Record, Yorkville, Ills. 
The Rural Nkw-yorkek, one of the best family 
and agi i ultnral papers m iuo laud, has receutly 
been enlarged, and Us publishers claim that It 
has also been improved; but we can’t see It, for 
tue reason, we suppose, that our vision l3Clouded 
with tho long end fixed notion that there was no 
Chance for bettering It.— Home and Farm, Louis¬ 
ville (Ay) 
’inn Rural New-Yorker, once published at 
Roeheainr, bur, latterly at New York, has been 
the most widely circulated of the agricultural 
papers.— Times, Hartford, Ct. 
Rural New-Yorker —That old reliable agri¬ 
cultural Journal, The Rural Xew-Yoiker, renews 
11 s youth every year, and steadily Improves with 
age,— Western Homestead , Kansas. 
The Rural New-Yorker has no peer as a 
family and farm paper.— Commercial, Mitchell, 
ind. 
The Rurai. New-Yorker has been enlarged 
and Improved, a: d Is now the best agarlCultural 
paper Issued in the U. s. We cordially recom¬ 
mend It to our farmers.—Wmes, Port Hope, ont. 
The Rural New-Yorker, so long and favorably 
known as a guide and representative of the agri¬ 
cultural interests of the country, has been much 
knDroved U\ Its typographical “get up.” It 
would bo b ird to Improve It otherwise. The Ru¬ 
rai New-Yorker la amine of Information for far¬ 
mers. wherever located, and amply repays pe¬ 
rusal.—dm. Mali and Express Journal. 
TheRukalNbw-Yorker, published at TS Duane 
street. New York, Is now the best agricultural 
w okly we have any knowledge of.— spectator, 
Ohio. 
The Rural New-Yorker.— 1 This popular agri¬ 
cultural journal has recently been enlarged and 
typographically Improved, all of which will com 
mend It still more. If such a thing were possible, 
to Us vast army of readers tn all the walks of life. 
The Rural New-Yorker Is the most popular agrl- 
caltural paper published, and we commend It as 
the best to all wanting a paper devoted to that 
depyrttaent.— Insurance Herald. 
The Rural New-Yorker has made another en¬ 
largement, which makes the Rural the largest 
agricultural weekly published In this country.— 
Western Agriculturist. 
