fource he received his name. I have two 
black bantams; one of them has 12 white 
guinea chicks and the other is so tame that 
you can pick her up anywhere and she will 
go to sleep on her back in your hand. I have 
also a pair of doves nam d Della and Delphi. 
I live three miles from a thriving little vil¬ 
lage with a population of 2,500. It. has three 
churches and two National Banks, a goodly 
number of stores and shops, and a graded 
school, with principal and five teachers. 
Union City, Mich. Mertie Lavern, 
gftiiScdtHttfous 
INDEPENDENCE 
THE GREAT CURE 
MAGGIE WOOLMAN THOMAS, 
RHEUMATISM 
want to), to buy some more. There are 
enough ways to eueourage children to do 
farm work. The greatest trouble is with some 
men, that they make their children work too 
hard, when they canuot stand it. If they 
work too hard when young they are apt to 
turn out as that man did whom I just men¬ 
tioned. 
I think that it would be a good idea to send 
Uncle Mark our photographs. Will the rest 
of the Cousins let us know what they think of 
it. I would like to send in a topic for the next 
Discussion: “My experience with potatoes.” 
This is an easy topic and 1 hope it will beone 
of the topics for our Discussions. 1 should not 
think that the Discussion of “ peanuts” would 
be a good oue because many people never raise 
peanuts. O. W. Fuller. 
Blackstone, Mass. « 
From an Enthusiastic Michigan Boy. 
Uncle Mark. —We received the seed that 
were sent out in the ymr ’SI, and most va¬ 
rieties proved a success. 1 am much inter¬ 
ested in the live stock notes, that appear in 
the Run a t„ My first choice is the Holsteins, 
and ere loug 1 hope more of those spotted 
beauties will be seen in this State. At our 
State Fair there was an animal exhibited by 
the Underwood Brothers of Concord, Mich., 
which weighed 8,100. The next in my fa¬ 
vor is the littli Jersey whose reputation 
rests wholly on its butter making qualities. 
These calves are very pretty, their color and 
neat limbs and features resemble a fawn 
more than an animal of the cattle kind. Fruit 
was a success this year in western Shiawassee 
and Cliuton Counties. Owosso and St. Johus 
were the two greatest shipping points of ap¬ 
ples in the State. Michigan is about the best 
state in the Union ; the varied products and 
pleasant climate being much in its favor. Can 
any of the Cousins of other States name one 
that has more important and useful mineral 
and vegetable products. We supply 40 per 
cent, of salt that is produced in the United 
States. Our lumbering interests cannot be 
excelled anywhere. Our fisheries outrank 
those of any other State. Our copper mines 
have no equal in the world. Splendid peaches 
are grown on its shores. Small fruits are 
raised with a high degree of success. Mr. 
J. E. Van Hotten a noted strawberry raiser 
of Burton, Mich , having raised as high as 
500 bushels per acre. Please enroll my 
name on the list of members of the Horticul¬ 
tural club. Quincy McBride. 
Burton, Mich. 
“ Help yourselves and God will help you,” 
I thing to be a very true saying, for we see 
every day that the men and women who rise 
in the world are those who take hold and 
help themselves. Besides, we feel better if we 
are independent. I do not mean that we are 
entirely independent of every oue, tor we are 
all bound together as a great whole so that 
each one is more or less dependent on the oth¬ 
er, and to a certain degree it is best that it 
should be so. lb makes us kinder and better. 
No man is so independent as the farmer; he 
can live if anybody cau, for he has the first 
benefit of what he raises, aud if he does his 
own work, though it may not be exactly as 
some one else ould do it, he is not turned oif, 
but can go right oh. We never hear of farm¬ 
ers marching in mobs with bauneis displayed, 
demanding work or bread, for on a farm there 
is always work, and if we work there is 
bread. Now' while you are young learn to do 
many things. While you are cultivating your 
little gal dens, learn to graft aud bud; plant 
some apple seeds in the Spring, and the next 
Spring they will be ready to graft, or if in 
good soil they will be ready to bud in the 
Fall. When you are visiting your little play¬ 
mates and are eating a very good apple, ask 
for a twig, stick the cut eud in an apple, take 
it home and insert a bud in your little seed¬ 
lings, aud in a few years you will eat an apple 
that is far s q*trior to tne one that you ate at 
your friends because it is the result, so to 
speak, of your own work. AVe enjoy such 
things so much better when we Can feel that 
we help to produce them ourselves. I admire 
the spirit of the young woman who, instead 
of staying at home for her father to care for, 
boldly iauuches out to take care of herself. 
She can then get a choice ribbon or plant if 
she wishes without having to ask for it. 
I, too, with Aunt Moliie, wall plead for chil¬ 
dren to go to school and get a good common 
education. I would do more; I would have 
a law passed in every State to compel parent# 
to send their children to school. 1 think the 
law which provides school privileges is just 
the thing, but 1 think there should be a Jaw 
compelling parents to let their children enjoy 
them; and, children, if you would work when 
you are at homo, get up early in the morning 
and do your work before you go to school, 
and if you are in earnest about learning you 
will find a way. I’ve no patience with the 
girl who vvid cry herself to sleep because she 
canuot go to school, and then give it up and 
marry, and then work herself to death. I’d go 
to work raising potatoes, or something else, 
and go to school first. 
As it is for all diseases of the KIDNEYS, 
LIVER AND BOWELS. 
It cleanses the system of the acrid poison 
that causes the dreadful suffering which 
only the victims of Bh-nmatiam can realize. 
THOUSANDS OF CASES 
of the worst forms of this terrible disease 
have been quickly relieved, in a short time 
PERFECTLY CURED. 
Dear Uncle Mark:— I thought I would 
write a few lines for your meeting in Decem¬ 
ber, but I did not get at it. Will you tell me 
what kind of a flower it is whose name oc¬ 
curs in the follow ing paragraph ? An ama¬ 
ranth planted in a garden near a rose-tree 
thus addressed it: “ What a lovely flower 
thou art, a favorite alike with gods and with 
men, 1 envy you your beauty and your per¬ 
fume.” The rose replied, “Indeed, dear 
Amaranth, I flourish but for a brief season. 
If no cruel hand pluck me from my stem; 
yet I must perish by an early doom. But 
thou art immortal, and doth never fade, but 
flowerest forever in renewed youth.” [Who 
will name it? u. m.] Clara E. Abbey. 
West DePere, Wis. 
ho*had wonderful success, and an immense 
sale in every part of tho Country. In hun¬ 
dreds ofea'u-g it has cured where all else had 
failed. Iiis mild, hut efficient, CERTAIN 
IN ITS ACTION, but harmless in all cases. 
mt clean nos. Strengthen* and ulvc« New 
Life to all the important organa of the body, 
The natural station of the Kidneys is restored. 
The I.lvor is cleansed of all disease, and the 
Bowels movo freely aud healthfully. In this 
way the worst diseases aro eradicated from, 
the system. 
As it has been proved by thousands that 
Uncle Mark.— I would like to become a 
member of your Club. Papa takes the Rural 
aud I enjoy reading it very much. I live on a 
farm. Our farm extends to the edge of Lake 
Erie. AVe have a picnic grove on the shores 
of the lake. I commenced to go to school 
this AViuter, but 1 had to stop on account of 
my health. I am not going any more this 
Winter. I studj' at home and mamma hears 
my lessons. AA r e live twelve miles from the 
city of Erie. I like to read the letters from 
the cousins very much. Ruby Leete. 
Mooreheadville, Pa. 
is the most effectual remedy for cleansing the 
system of all morbid secretions. It should be 
used in every household as a 
SPRING MEDICINE. 
Always cures BILIOUSNESS, -■ ONSTTPA- 
TXON, PILES and nil FEMALE Dlseasos. 
Is put np inDry Vegetable Form, intin cans, 
oue package of which Makes 6 quarts medicine. 
Also hi Liquid Form, very Concent ruled for 
the convenience of (imse who ennnot readily pre¬ 
pare it. It octsuilh egitr.l tffeimey in citherj'on.u 
GET IT OF YOUR DRUGGIST, FIJI UK, #1.00 
AVI5LLS, RICHARDSON A Co., Prop's, 
CIV ill send the dry post-paid.) BIUUMiTOV, YT. 
a Year and expenses to agents. Outfit free. 
Address P. O. VICKERY, Augusta, Me. 
Dear Uncle Mark;— Papa takes the 
Rural New-Yorker, and we all like it very 
much. We have been wishing to write you a 
letter for a long time and asking to join the 
Club. AA r e live in the country four miles from 
Abingdon. Papa is a nurseryman and has a 
large orchard. AVe have some flowers which 
we keep in the house some nights when it is 
very cold. We sot them on the table in the 
centre of the room and pin papers around 
them. AA r e had some pretty pinks from the 
s ?ed you sent Papa last Spring. 
Abingdon, Va. Margy Kelly. 
Cards. Feather & Hand Series tko., rancy caso 10c. 
Samples 3c. Empire Card Co., Birmingham, Ct. 
$5 to $20 
per day at home. Samples worth $5 free, 
Address Stinson & Co., Portland, Me. 
An English Veterinary surgeon an 1 Chemist, now 
traveling tu this country, says that most of the Horse 
and (little Powders * i 1 two are wort I ileus ti ash lie 
says that Shcrtd.m'a Omni it on Fowlers are oloolntoly 
pute and Immense v v.vnable Nothing on earth w ill 
matte tu-uhiay llae Sheridan'S Condition Pruviles Dose, 
onete.isp louiul toblH'pshtfwd Sold even where, or sent 
by mall for right letter stamps t S JOUNSO.N' A 00., 
"oetoll. Mass formerly ll .u or Ale 
THE YOUNG QUERIST, 
IlOLIl IIEDAL AWARDED 
the Autlior. A new and great 
Medical Wors, warranted the 
best aud cheapest, indispensable 
to every man, entitled *' The Sci¬ 
ence of Life, or Self-Preserva 
tiODbound In liuost French 
muslin, embossed, full gilt, 300 
pp., contains beautiful steel en- 
. gravings, 126 prescriptions, price 
r only * 1 . 26 , sent by mail ; lllus 
trsted sample, 6 cents send now. 
i Address Peabody Medical Insti- 
• tuteor l>r. W. A. PARKER. 
4 Rulfluch Sr., Rnatnn. 
Lyman C., New York, says: “ I planted 
two dahlia roots the middle of May and both 
came up (one had four shoots four feet high 
and the other one shoot seven feet high, which 
bore a flower,) and had a great many buds on, 
but only one flower came out; the other buds 
seemed to rot after being on a few days. Do 
you think they will bear next year ? 2. I have 
a few wistaria vine seeds about three years 
old. Are they good for anything, and how 
shall J plant them ? 8. Are growing plants in 
n close room, or a sleeping-room healthy— 
to let them remain all night ? 4. When is the 
Free Seed Distribution for the “ Youths’ Hor¬ 
ticultural Club ” going to take place ? Have 
the members got to send stamps to pay post¬ 
age for the seeds { 5. Please explain about 
crossing flowers as in issue of December 10. 
Ans. — 1 . Either the roots were weakened 
from some cause or the buds were blighted by 
frost. 2. Doubt if they will germinate; plant 
in p-its of mellow soil. 8. No, if the pots are 
well drained and kept clean. 4. In a month 
or so; no stamps. 5. Rub out the anthers as 
soon as the flower can be safely opened. Ap¬ 
ply the pollen of other anthers to the top (stig¬ 
ma) of the pistil of the flower from which the 
anthers were removed. 
May li. Park, Dodge Corners, Wis., asks if 
any of the cousins would like to exchange 
birds’ eggs. She is getting a collection of dif¬ 
ferent; kinds. 
Emma J. asks where the India Rubber tree 
can be had. 
Ans. —Of almost any nurseryman, 
Minnie W,, Alden, N. Y., says she has a 
large Washington Plum tree in good soil, yet 
it bears no fruit. The foliage is luxuriant and 
the tree blossoms well. What is the matter ? 
Ans. —It will probably come iuto bearing 
when older. Root-pruning has been recom¬ 
mended for such trees. 
Rebecca S., Vinita, O. N.. asks some of the 
cousins to tell her how to make a window 
harp. It is made of hair. Who will inform 
her ? 
Jessie E. IT., Amber, Mich., wants to know 
where she can get bulbs or seeds of the hya¬ 
cinth, Lily-of-the-Valley, Passion Flower and 
heliotrope. 
Ans. — Any seedsman in your vicinity 
should be provided with them. 
Something About the Mexicans. 
Dear Uncle Mark:— We have a great 
many Mexicans iu this part of Texas, and 
their ways aud habits are very peculiar. Many 
of their boys are never clothed until they are 
six years old, when they put on pints only. 
In warm weather many of the men wear noth¬ 
ing but pants and bat. But with all their 
sliiftlessness in some things they excel the 
white people. A Mexican man came to buy a 
bushel of potatoes My J’u measured them 
and called for his sack, the man had no sack 
but spread a blanket on the ground which had 
a hole in the centre through which you could 
drop a bushel basket. In that dilapidated 
blanket he tied up the bushel of potatoes, with¬ 
out even a string to work with, anti hung 
them across his horse like saddle bags. They 
are great horsemen and are experts with tho 
rope. Halters or “bosales” for tho horses are 
made by first tying the rope around the neck, 
then making a snug half hitch over the nose, 
then a second half hitch loose enough to give 
it two turns around the first half-hitch, then 
the rope is passed over back of the ears and 
around tho rope which is about the neck and 
then it is drawn forward of the ears to form 
the brow band, then all the turns tire drawn 
tight to take out the unnecessary slack in it. 
Our seeds did poorly, they came too late for 
our Texas Spring, and the drouth killed all 
except a few flowers. AVe hope to get them 
earlier next time. Harley Matthews. 
Losoya, Texas. 
Dear Uncle Mark.—I should judge that 
you was of large family by the number of 
nephews and nieces that put in appearance 
in the Rural, but yet I think there is room 
for oue more. I have been much pleased 
lately iu reading the letters from the Cousins. 
I have no brother nor sister, but 1 have a few 
pets; I have a gray and white cat and his 
name is Burdock. Perhaps you will thiuk 
strange because he has such a funuy name. 
He has quite a cat history. There was au old 
well on the farm and there had been burdocks 
thrown in it, and when a kitten he fell into 
this well. Father helped him out, but he was 
nearly covered with burrs, and from that 
NOTE 
It is no easy matter to select a subject for 
discussion which will be wholly satisfactory 
to alf. Our object is to gain in formation of 
a practical nature, hence, whatever may he 
the subject each one should impart what 
knowledge of it he may have for the benefit 
of others. For the next Discussion I pro¬ 
pose,—“Peanut Culture — Its adaptability to 
the North.—How to grow the plant and gather 
the nuts.—Peculiarities of growth.—iSmall 
plots to experiment etc.” 
I am aware that this will be a new topic 
for many members of the Club, so those who 
have had experience in raising the peanut 
will have to come bravely to the front. Get 
some knowledge of this wonderful plant 
either from books or elsewhere and then tell 
us what you can about it. ltis'ut enough to 
know peanuts when you see them, “ fresh 
roasted—only' five cents a cup,” but we should 
know all about them. u. m. 
m T* ft Bronchitis, Asthma, 
n 91 KkU ,,ni1 Dewiness at 
1J|8« i ft© HI il lil voiirlitm,.-. tl rei.t itui'iTTve- 
“ ® ■ m ■ ■ ■ ■ ■xu'TiIh tij.'ide in } net three 
yeaiv.aml wniirlerl'nl cures e-s t’;i.l<-<l. imtl 
cases \v;t!net]. IIO.UE TKI YTTII NT nut 
on tun/, Send for circulars. A«lvii*u l-'KKE. 
3. FRIGE MILLER, M. U.idO Arch 8u.Th:Lum.,pa. 
Audit* -wanted. $5 n Day made 
selling ..tie M'.IV HOUSEHOLD 
ARTICLES uml FAMILY SC ALE. 
Y\ *igl » i'|» 1" Vj ll»«. S lit* ut 
iM-UBhibTlC hUAI.LiCo.,CmClUlia'-J O 
Elecrant Nev: Style Chmmo Curd x, name in Gold 
& Jet. 10c. American Card CO., West Haven, Ct. 
a week, $12 a day at home easily made. Costly 
outfit, free. Address Trite »: Co. Aiumsta. Me 
AND GRAZING LANDS ARE FOUND ON 
-.Northern Pacific r.r. 
in MINNESOTA, DAKOTA, 
and MONTANA. 
BIG CROP AGAIN IN 1881 
LETTERS FROM THE COUSINS. 
Too Late for the Discussion. 
Uncle Mark: Some men oblige children to 
work hard when young, and others don’t work 
them enough, so they get lazy, aud will nearly 
starve rather than work. Other men make 
their children work on a farm or at some 
other business when young, aud they get sick 
of their occupation when they became men. I 
know of a man in this town that was brought 
up on a farm aud had to do a man’s work at 
the age of 14, and now he is sick of the farm. 
Farmers’ boys want a holiday once in a while 
so that they will be encouraged to do more on 
clear day's and less on a stormy day. Let the 
boys go a huuting or a fishing if they' want to 
once in a while. One thing that is practiced 
among some farmers which I don’t like very 
well is that they work on Sundays. I don’t 
mean that all the farmers hereabout do this, 
but some of them do. Sometimes fanners 
are obliged to work on Sunday, but not very 
LOW PRICES; LONGTIME; REBATE FOR IMPROVE¬ 
MENT; Reduced Fare and Freight to Settlers. 
For Full Information, address 
R. M. Newport, Gen.LAND Agt, 
Mention this Paper. St. PAUL, MlNN. 
Yli> CAT "Cl 400 Acre Farm, located 
ijiV-LJ-Ll 7 miles south of Lawrence, 
Kalis., three-quarters of a mile from U. K. station. 
This farm Is a bargain to anyone desiring to farm. 
There are two houses on the place, suitable for mas¬ 
ter and tenant; wells, spring-,orchard, vineyard,etc.; 
well fenced and stocked; plenty til water, a ercek 
ru li ti lug through one corner of farm with U4 acres 
wood lot upon its bunks; land pan bottom aud part 
upland. Educational advantages unsurpassed ; State 
University at Lawivnce. with other good schools 
near. B. F. KEEFER, Topeka, Kansas. 
Don’t locate before seeing our James River 
Settlement. Illustrated Catalogue free. 
J. F. MANCHA, Claremont, Surry Co., Va 
