SEPT 16 
MfW-YOMiSL 
£or ti )t l)mtnQ. 
OUR DISCUSSIONS. 
Wk have now had quite a long rest 
from our Discussions and we should all be 
ready to take hold of them again in good 
earnest, and 1 have no doubt we will. For 
the topic I have chosen one in which many 
have been practically interested this Sum¬ 
mer, and for that reason I shall expect some¬ 
thing exceptionally good because it will be de¬ 
rived from actual experience. This is the 
subject for discussion: “ Melon Culture: How 
to Prepare and Fertilize the Soil; How and 
When to Plant; Insects, How to Avoid or 
Destroy; When and Hoiv to Market the 
Fruit ; Best Varieties, both Musk and 
Watermelons 
This will be an easy subject to write about 
and we shall be glad to bear from every mem¬ 
ber of the cluli, whether he has heen raising 
the prize melons or not. If we don’t have 
room fer all that is written that is good, we’ll 
adjourn the discussions uutil the subsequent 
week, or issue a special number. If your re¬ 
marks are to the point a postal card will con¬ 
tain all, perhaps, that it may be necessary to 
say, though I arn always glad to receive “let- 
ters” in the good old-fashioned style. 
Now, boys and girls, do your best! Re¬ 
member that what you do will benefit each 
other, and, most of all, perhaps, yourselves. 
Uncle Mare. 
- ♦ ♦♦-- 
A LETTER FROM AUNT MAY. 
HOW TO MAKE A STAND COVER. 
Perhaps some of the “Rural” girls who 
are fond of making fancy articles to adorn 
their homes with, would like to know of a 
way to make a pretty stand cover • hat is not 
very expensive, espedaily if you have some 
thick woolen goods or flannel that has been used 
in a garment, that will do to turn and serve 
your purpose. I will give you a description 
of one that I have been making, although 
you can, of course, use your own taste in the 
selection of colors to be combined. It is made 
in form of a scarf spread, being used to cover 
a quartette table w ith a shelf below for music. 
Take one yard of maroon colored flannel (or 
whatever material you are to use), for the 
body of the cover; then purchase one yard of 
striped cretonne. The kiud I used had two 
different stripes in it, one was about three 
inches wide and the other about one inch. 
After cutting the stripes apart there are four 
of each kind. Set one of the wide stripes on 
each end, sewing them on so that the seams 
shall come on the right side, or what wdll be 
the upper side when complete. Now face the 
back of the cretonne back to the edge of the 
flannel with sileria, the color of the flannel, 
uuless your spread is long enough to set the 
strqie onto it, in w T hich case the latter is the 
better way. Abouttwo inches from each wide 
stripe baste a narrow stripe; tbeu at the same 
distance another wide one, and finally another 
narrow stripe at the same distance from the 
last wide ones, bringing two narrow ones in 
the middle of the cover, the same distance 
apart the other stripes had been. Over the 
raw edges of the cretonne stripes set a row of 
narrow black velvet, working that set over 
the edge of the wide stripe with a “ feather" 
stitch, in “old gold" button hole tw ist,and that 
set over the edge of the narrow stripe with a 
“ cat" stitch and twid; of the same color, or 
different if you prefer. Run the velvet on 
neatly, fastening the cretonne on at the same 
time, usiug care about bolding the velvet so 
that the flannel will not look as if gathered 
onto it. After the strips are all finished turn 
back a narrow hem on each side, or face it if 
you prefer with the silesia. Finish off the 
ends with fringe, which you will be able to 
find at most auy furniture dealers or large 
fancy store. The long fuzzy tag fringe is 
most preferable for this purpose, as you can 
find it iu almost any two colors that blend 
well, shaded in together. You wdll be sur¬ 
prised to see what a rich and pleasing effect 
this cover will give at a little distance; mine 
has been admired as a plush cover- by friends 
standing across the room, but in that case I 
think the old adage was proven true, that 
“ distance lends enchantment.” Aunt May. 
-- 
LETTERS FROM THE COUSINS 
Dear Uncle Mark: —We would like to 
tell you about w-hat we have been doing this 
season. Early in Spring we attended to papa’s 
hot-bed; covered, uncovered, raised the sash, 
watered the plants, etc. We had three kinds of 
cabbage—Flat Dutch, Winnings ladt and Early 
Wakefield; four kinds of tomatoes—Trophy 
Perfection, General Grant and Canada Vietor’ 
We also had a bed or sweet potatoes. We 
have a plot of ground to ourselves, on which 
we have beans, peas, radishes, beets, 27 tomato 
plants, cabbage, etc., and one poor little melon 
vine. We take a great deal of car 3 of it, but 
expect we will kill it with kindness. It has 
one melon on it, as large as half-gallon tin cup. 
We have a poor chance for either of the prizes; 
we may raise the largest melon, who knows ? 
We will tell you something of our flowers. 
We have sixty different kinds in bloom; could 
not tell how many different colors. There are 
18 kinds of geraniums. We have nearly a 
hundred pots and boxes of flowers, consisting 
of begonias, lantannas, fuchias, Calla Lilies, 
Lemon Verbena, four cactus,[six asters, and a 
great many others. We have our salvia we 
told you of before; it is three years old and 
very beautiful now. '] be youngest of us, Eli- 
dia, has slipped and rooted three Lemon Verbe¬ 
nas, Snap-dragons and chrysanthemums. She 
loves flowers so much that mamma has given 
the flowers in her care. 1 hope we take inter¬ 
est enough to deserve a place on the list of our 
society to not disgrace it. Every member 
ought to be up and doing to help Uncle Mark 
to make our department the best one iu the 
Rural. Barbara and Eliza Pound. 
Spencer Co., Ky. 
Dear Uncle Mark:— The Horticultural 
Club is my delight, aud I am glad to be one of 
its members. I am afraid we don’t all derive 
the benefit we might from it. How few of us 
ever write letters for our page, and we are 
fewer still -who send in questions to Uncle 
Mark to be answered in the “ Young Querist.’’ 
TbeD about the Discussions; we certainly 
ought to take hold better than w e do, and try 
to get up a real live interest in them. Now 
let us all resolve that when the Discussions 
begin again we will each do our share, even 
though we write but a single paragraph. If 
we are going to be members of the Club let’s 
be live members. I say. Three cheers for the 
Rural Horticultural Club! 
Your nephew, Rollo. 
Charlotte Co., O. 
ftochiits, &C. 
OHIO STATE FAIR. 
The thirty-third annual fair of the Ohio 
State Board of Agriculture opened at Colum¬ 
bus on Monday, August 28:b, continuing six 
days. On Monday the raia put back exhibi¬ 
tors considerably: but by Wednesday the fair 
was iu full operation and was attended by 
15,000 visitors. Thursday over 40.000 tickets 
were sold at the gates, insuring the financial 
success of the fair. The general exhibition 
was a grand one, all the principal departments 
being well filled with the single exception of 
cattle. This fair is now permanently located 
at this place and many exhibitors have 
erected fiae and handsome buildings for the 
display of their goods, which greatly add to 
the general appearance of the grounds. With 
the exception of the race track these are well 
covered with trees,affording a nice shade and 
protection from the sun. The sheep display 
was especially fine and large, most of the 
thoroughbred herds in the State being repre¬ 
sented The wool interest in this State is a 
very large one, and in spite of the low pre¬ 
miums offered, breeders turned out in force. 
Merinos, South Downs and Cotswolds were 
the principal attractions, with a few French 
Merinos and Shropshire Downs. Swine were 
also largely shown, extra pens having to 
be put up at the last momeut to accommodate 
both swine and sheep. Michigan exhibitors 
made a fine display of Berkshires and gave 
their Ohio brethern a close rnb for premiums. 
The black breeds took a decided leaa in this 
department, although there were some very 
fine Chester Whites and Suffolks shown. 
Poultry were not given the advantages of a 
building, but were shown in all kinds of coops 
ou the open ground, somewhat marring what 
otherwise would have been a very handsome 
exhibit. Tnere were some very fine fowls on 
exhibition; also geese, ducks, pigeons, ferrets, 
colly dogs, etc. 
The cattle show, although not as large as 
last year, was very fine. There was a very 
decided increase in Holsteins, and a falling off 
in Devous, Herefords and Short horns. The 
Jerseys and Ayrshires about as numerous as 
usual. The polled cattle were not rt presented. 
Of Holsteins there were four fine herds: 
Edgar Hindekoope’s herd of 11 head was 
headed by Billy Boelyn, 189. u.h.b. seven 
years old, weighing 1900 pounds. A likeness 
of him appealed in the Rural in 1880. The 
Dutch-Friesian herd from Unadilla Valley, 
N. Y., numbered 12 and wus headed by Mooie 
20. d.f.h B aged four years. He was illustrated 
in the Rural last year. They carried off the 
herd premium. J. L. Henderson’s herd of 12 
was headed by Geneva Duke. 254. h.h.b., and 
J. H. Borton’s herd of 12 had at its bead 
Ysbrand No. 523. h.h.b. weight 2110 pounds. 
I give the weight of those bulls to show the im¬ 
provement in beef-yielding qualities of the 
Holsteins. In the dairy test the Unadilla 
Valley cow Jacoba Hartog. No. 2. d.f.h. b. 
carried off the first prize over all others for 
milk and butter. The Ayrsbires were only 
represented by two herds—A. J. Wilson’s herd 
of 13 was headed by “Forrester” six years 
old; and J. Wright’s herd of rine was headed 
by “Champion," five years old. 
The Jerseys made a good showing and some 
very fine animals were on exhibition. There 
are to-day nearly as many registered Jerseys 
in this State as Short-horns. This will show 
the advance they have made within a few 
years. First we come to the fine herd of 
Hoover & Co., amounting to 18 head, headed 
by Cash Boy 2248. five years old, illustrated a 
few months ago in the Rural. This herd 
carried off the herd prize. Next we come 
to W. R. Parson’s herd of 12 head, headed 
by Lemon Rex 5458, two years old. Then N. 
Pinney & Co’s , herd of 12 , beaded by Nian- 
tic 5314, four years old. Tnen there were 
A. Gibson’s fine young herd of seven, headed 
by Lebanon Rex 6124; and a number of single 
entries. The first premium on Jersey calf 
was carried off by one of our old subscribers 
J. C. & W. H. McGrew, of Columbus, with 
Cash Boy, 2d. sire. Cash Boy 2218, dam Im¬ 
ported Lilly Darling 11.713. He is a beautiful 
fawn with black points. 
The Short-horns, although not as numerous 
as usual, still showed some very fine herds. 
James T. Miller showed an extra-fine herd of 
17, headed by Gov. Foster, No. 1043, o s.h.b. 
Eged three years. Pickerell Thomas and 
Smith’s herd of 12, headed by Duke Cliffton 
3d, four years old. J. ft. Anderson’s herd of 
13, headed by Springdale Airdrie, seven years 
D. D. Richard’s, herd of 13 headed by Waterloo 
5th and containing, among other fine animals, 
Red Rose 5th and 6 th and Mamie Sharon. D. 
Gaines &■ Bro’s. herd of 10, headed by Jubilee 
Breastplate five years old. There were also a 
number of flue single entries and fat grades 
of this breed. 
The Herefords were represented by the 
herd of 10 head belonging to Mr. Parsons, 
headed by the 3 earliug bull Lord Raglan. 
The Devons only bad three herds on exhibition 
—S. J. Wooley's herd of seven, headed by 
Brestwork four years old; J. J. Scarf & Sons’ 
fine herd of 10, headed by * ‘Dexter’’ four years 
old, and D. H. Whitemore’s herd of eight, 
headed by “ Barefoot,” eight years old. 
Breeders generally are feeling well this season 
over good prices and the general prosperity of 
the country. 
Vegetable Hall had a fair display of garden 
truck. There was not a very large show of 
grains. Potato show was large and fine. 
Prominent among the tubers were some very 
fine specimens of the “Beauty of Hebron’’ 
and “White Elephant." 
Considering the poor fruit crop and the 
general backwardness of the season, Horti¬ 
cultural Hall was well filled. There was an 
excellent show of peaches from the south¬ 
eastern part of the State.where some of the 
fruit ripens well. There was about a quarter 
of a crop, the rest rotted badly. Apples very 
inferior; some peaches and plums. In the 
grape display of Jacob Luixweiler, of Dayton, 
I notice some new Elvira seedliogs which 
promise exceedingly well for wine grapes. 
They were originated by Nicholas Grein, of 
Missouri, and have lieen fruiting for three 
years with good average results. No 2. Grein’s 
Golden is a fine grower, and large yielder; 
bunch large; fruit large and white; makes 
wood very fast. No. 1 Missouri Riesling is a 
fast grower and good yielder; fruit small, 
white; bunch very compact. There was al 
so a good show of the new Taylor Seed¬ 
ling originated by Mr. Wasserzieher, of 
Nauvoo, III, named " Noah;’’ white, compact 
bunch, a strong and vigorous grower and a 
fine bearer. It has been fruited for three 
years and gives every promise of making 
one of our best wine grapes. When fully 
ripened bunches of the above grapes will b° 
sent to the Rural for further trial and re¬ 
port. 
Floral Hall made a fine showing. Vick of 
Rochester added much to the display by 
occupying over 100 feet with an excellent as 
sortment of cut flowers—gladioli, etc. The 
nurserymen, florists and gardeners in the vi¬ 
cinity sent in choice ornamental plants, cut 
flowers aud, altogether, there was one of the 
finest assortments of floral designs that I 
have ever seen. 
Scattered over the remainder of the 
grounds was a large and varied assort¬ 
ment of agricultural and labor-saving ma¬ 
chinery of all kinds. Many of the larger 
manufacturers have erected permanent 
buildings which add greatly to the gen¬ 
eral appearance of the grounds. This de¬ 
partment has increased so largely that it is al¬ 
ready crowded and another year the society 
will have to give it more room. With all the 
variety, there was little that was strictly new. 
A new device known as King’s Patent Frame 
Erector, for raising barns aud buildings, ap¬ 
peared to be a very good thing and attracted 
a great deal of attention. With it two men 
can put up the frame of a barn or building 
in a very short time and at very little ex¬ 
pense. Another new thing which received a 
great deal of commendation was Yost’s Port¬ 
able Buckeye Sheep-rack. This is cheap, 
saves hay, combines trough with rack and 
will prove a good thing for sheep growers. 
A new wheel harrow, with spring attach¬ 
ment, and also an attachment for cultivating 
wheat, will be illustrated and reported on as 
soon as it can be practically tested on the Rural 
Farm. The number of self-binders, thrash¬ 
ing etigiues and separators at this fair show 
to what an extent Otiio farmers have to de¬ 
pend upon machinery to harvest their crops. . 
The large number of the manufacturers in 
competition brings out every year small 
improvements too numerous to mention, all 
with the same objects iu view—to lessen the 
labor of saving the crops, save them iu better 
condition, and then place them ou the market 
so as to command the best possible prices. 
The Eureka Mower Co., of Towanda Pa,, 
have erected a handsome building at the 
main entrance. The popularity of the Eure¬ 
ka was well shown at this fair. They are used 
by every member of the Ohio State Board of 
Agriculture and over 1700 have beeu sold in 
the Western territory controlled by their 
Western agent at this point, during the past 
year. Their seven and eight foot mowers 
are fast coming into use and farmers are begin- 
ningto appreciate that with one of these ma¬ 
chines they can cut tbis width, and do the work 
well w ith a light team of horses. A large Dum¬ 
ber of the visitors at this fair who have beeu 
using the Eureka spoke of it in the highest 
terms and added their recommendations to 
the many already received. The fine exhib¬ 
ition made by the company will be the means 
of largely increasing their sales in this terri¬ 
tory another season. 
The Farmers’ Friend MTg,, Co., of Dayton, 
Ohio, made a very handsome display of Farm¬ 
ers’ Frieud and Monarch Grain Drills and 
Farmers’ Friend two horse corn-planters in 
their new and attractive building. They 
had on exhibition a full line of their goods, 
with or without fertilizer attachments, grass 
seeders, etc. Their new corn-plau‘er with 
fertilizer attachment will be illustrated and re¬ 
ported on as soon as we can thoroughly test 
it on the Rural Farm. We have used a num¬ 
ber of their grain drills as premiums and they 
give the best of satisfaction. w. H. K. 
Columbus, O., Sept. 1. 
-- 
OHIO STATE FAIR NOTES. 
Holsteins carried off the dairy prize for 
best dairy cow. 
Billy Boelyn, illustrated in Rural some 
two years ago, carried off first prize for Hol¬ 
stein bull of any age. 
The machinery department was too much 
crowded and the race track takes up too 
much room. Why not utilize the racetrack 
for the benefit of exhibitors and farmers and 
let the “ agricultural hoss trot” take a back 
seat? Rain Wednesday afternoon dampened 
the pleasure of many visitors. 
The new Elvira seedling grapes, according 
to Mr. Campbell, promise to be valuable ad¬ 
ditions to our wine grapes. 
The sheep-growers held a large meeting 
Wednesday night and listened to some good 
speeches on the tariff question. Sheep breed¬ 
ers must work together if they want the 
tariff on wool retained. 
In conversation with a prominent sheep 
breeder, he condemned the Ohio Board for 
offering premiums in they way they do. 
Here is the center of the great wool-growing 
interest. The first premium for best ram is 
|30; second, $15; third, $10, the exhibitor pay¬ 
ing 10 per cent, on the above. The sweepstake 
premium is $25. On thistbe exhibitor pays 15 
per cent, additional. Taking horses for breed¬ 
ing purposes and best thoroughbred stullior, 
the first premium is $4); second, $ 20 , and all 
through the sheep, swine, breeding horse and 
cattle the premiums are equally trifling until 
you get to speed premiums, when they 
amount to over $2,900, and this at a time 
when there is a large surplus in the State 
Board’s treasury. Why not less speed and 
more thoroughbred stock for the farm, where 
it is most wanted ? 
A large number of subscribers and old 
friends of the Rural New-Yorker visited 
the Head quarters Tent on the grounds. 
The crowd on Thursday exceeded 40,000 
and made it hard work to get into many of 
the buildings. 
Many farmers at this fair found no at¬ 
traction iu horse trotting and did not visit the 
track at all. We wish that we could see the 
same at all fairs. k. 
