Miue have not always been kept in the dark- 
I speak of this more particularly, because I feel 
the importance of investigating and finding 
out, if possible, the true cause of failure iu the 
putting up of fruit- I cannot tell why Mrs. 
Fisher's tomatoes became sour, but should at¬ 
tribute it to anything but a well-sealed glass 
jar. They may have been too warm—probably 
were. Bits of decayed tomato will cause the 
fruit not to keep well although air-tight. I 
know of several persons who lost their fruit 
last fall, as they supposed, by putting in bits 
of decayed pieces. And yet, while not as good, 
they might possibly have been saved, if they 
had been put in a cool cellar as soon as canned. 
My experience is that if fruit will keep “six 
weeks” in warm weather it will keep always, 
and be the better—much the better for its age. 
To make darkness Bure and keep out Jack 
Frost, who prowls around in a sly manner in 
our Minnesota homes at this season, I put fruit 
jars in boxes and covir them with saw-dust, 
and I have yet to take out the first jar that is 
spoiled. Aunt Flora. 
deems a most Important part ot his evidence, Is 
now presented. 
2 d. Prof. Riley requested us to forward the print¬ 
ed “ proofs ” of ills reply to him for correction. We 
did so. These proofs were returned to us with so 
many parts crossed out and so many additions 
that t.ho alterations could not ho made without up¬ 
setting our pagps and delaying our usual time of 
going to press, for although the proofs were mailed 
In Washington on Friday, they did not reach us 
until Saturday, on which day a part of the paper 
went to press. Jf Prof. Riley were really desirous 
of keeping certain persons out of the controversy, 
why did he put them In ? It Is not fair that we 
should be held responsible for the after-thoughts 
f those who send us matter to be published. It 
was our wish, however, to have made all the alter¬ 
ations Indicated—a wish we urgently expressed to 
our foreman. Ills reply was that the alterations 
Involved a half day’s work and that they could 
not be made If the “ forms ” were to go to press at 
the usual time. 
The Commissioner has asked for neither proofs 
nor corrections,and we cannot Imagine upon what 
grounds Prof. Riley is suspicious that we have 
made his case our own. 
Professor KUey says that he does not care to be 
drawn Into controversies with persons who can 
“ find It politic to forget anything that boars evi¬ 
dence ’’ in his favor. 
It seems that he himself has forgotten the letter 
he wrote to the Editor of the Rural. Nkw-Yorkbr 
requesting the expression of an opinion as to his 
fitness, etc. We have produced the proof. We 
have offered additional proof. And yet he still 
forgets. He now states that he deems It of very 
little consequence whether ho did or not. But In 
this we beg to differ. It was one of tbe distinct 
charges we brought against him, and It was as 
distinctly denied by him. If Professor Riley has 
really forgotten that he wrote such a letter, we 
have only to say that he should be tolerant of 
others’ forgetfulness.— Eos.] 
The Missing Letter. 
The following was addressed to Mr. E. A. Car¬ 
man, Jan. 30th, by Prof. KUey: 
In a published card addressed to lion. W. G. Le 
Due you make certain statements regarding my 
resignation. 
WlUi a view ot refreshing your memory as to 
the facts, 1 beg you to glanco over i he luclosed 
copy ot my own statement thereof, and to answer 
plainly the three following questions: 
1. Is not my statement, correct? 
2. Did 1 ever express VO you a desire, or did any 
one else aver state to you, on my authority, that I 
desired to be reinstated v 
3. Was not my conversation last December la 
New York to the effect that had you been more 
earnest In disabusing the commissioner of his 
error, my resignation might have been prevented; 
In short, was it not in reference to your action 
prior to, and not after, said resignation 7 
Upon refreshing hla memory, ho gave me the fol¬ 
lowing answers in w riting: 
To tne second question: “ No.” 
To the third question: “ From further explan¬ 
ations gtven, and circumstances recalled, l am led 
to believe that it was.” 
In conversation Mr. Carman has shown a natu¬ 
ral unwillingness to correct his previous state¬ 
ment, which he admits ho has hastily made, and 
without any Idea of Its being published, lie gave 
me the above answers with the reservation to ex¬ 
plain the whole matter more lully, and has pre¬ 
ferred to do bo directly to you. (See letter from E. 
A. Carman In Rural of Feb. 21, page 12s.—E ds.j 
I simply reaffirm that Mr. Carman, whose kind¬ 
ness l otherwise fully appreciate, has, In this mat¬ 
ter, done me wrong In hla first mls-slatement, and 
that the facts are just as 1 have narrated them. 
cannot a number of farmers in one neighbor¬ 
hood own as many of these as they should ever 
want, each paying a trifle to an ordinary car¬ 
penter to make them, and let the one having 
the most house-room Lake care of them. The 
family I have mentioned put them over-head 
in the wagon-house. Beside saving work 
it is such a pleasant, social way; the formality 
of the great table disappears and the guests 
can sit down by twos and trees as best suits, 
and be served ; in summer under the trees is a 
nice place, and in winter, all about the differ¬ 
ent rooms. This is much easier than any of 
the old ways, one of which Is to try to hold a 
cup and plate on your lap, succeeding iu eat¬ 
ing a little, and spilling a portion of your 
coffee ou your clothes. 
These tables can bo covered with towels. 
napkiDS or anything handy, and the serving 
can be doue the same as at a picnic. Another 
convenient way is to have all food prepared 
and set upon the diuing-room table, along 
with piles of dishes sufficient for the guests. 
Then each one can help him or herself, or the 
gentlemen can help the ladies, one servant 
being sufficient to pour tea and coffee as de¬ 
sired. I have attended large parties where bnt 
one servant was seen, although there were 
several in the house. I have no doubt that a 
goodly number who may read this article will 
think it foolish to waste paper upon a subject 
which all ought to know already; but 1 was 
once young and inexperienced and also had a 
Beaaon of living in the country, and at that 
time I would have been glad to have learned a 
few of the things herein contained. If there 
shall be one person benefited, I shall feel that 
my time is not lost. 
Montclair, JNT. «T. 
Have a largo prhar stock of all the loading Straw¬ 
berries, Raspberries, Grapes, and other Fruits 
at reasonable [.rices. Customers always satisfied. Cata¬ 
logue free. 
^™^^The most complete assort- 
■Krroont In the West. A par- 
Rr tlcnlorly lluo lot of Standard 
r Pear Trees. FimatpCJCOf Apple, 
Plum, Pear, Pearh,CheerQuince, 
;0. A select lot Of Grapes, Goose- 
•iet. Uaspberries, Currants, Straw¬ 
's, etc., oic. An immense stock of 
ihkJariHith common and NEW AND RARE, 
IKr at bottom prices. Ornamental /)«ciduou* 
Inr Trees,,shrubs, Vine*, Hn*rs,fAii., etc. Large lot of 
|5r Greenhouse plants, Trade-List and Greenhouse 
V Catalogues free. Descriptive Catalogue, 10cts. 
27 rl» Year. 400 Acres, Greenhouses. 
STORRS,HARRISON Sc CO. 
PAlNESYLLliE, LAKE CO., OHIO, ' ) 
GREGG RASPBERRY . most productive, 
and profitable Black Raspberry in existence, at low 
prices, true to name. Send for Price List and Circulars. 
It. & P. GREGG, (originators) Aurora, Inij. 
THE DIN6EE & CONARD GO’S 
APRONS 
BEAUTIFUL EVEK-BLOOMINfi 
An apron is a little thing in itself, but it is a 
great thing in our need for it—an absolute neces¬ 
sity whenever there is work to be done. And just 
because it Is made to be worked in and cannot 
on that account, be disassociated from labor, I 
would have women lay them off when their 
work is done—l know dozens of women who 
are never without one on. Must we wear this 
badge of a toil that, though unceasing in its 
daily round, may admit of pleasurable inter¬ 
missions. Must we wear it whenever we go 
out to call upon a neighbor, or to visit a sick 
friend ? If not, why will we do it ? 
A little girl who was getting ready to attend 
an afternoon party came in tears to her mother: 
" O, rna, I can’t go; my apron is all mussed 
THE BEST IN THE WORLD. 
Our Great Specialty is growing and tlislribulinrj 
these llcaiitlful Roses. H> deliver Strong Pot 
Plants, suitable for immediate bloom, safely by mail 
at nil post-offices. 5 Splendid Vnrirt les, your 
choice, all labeled, for Si; 14 for $‘4; 19 for S3; 
36 for $4; 33 for S3; 75 for $10 t ICO for $13. 
M r) * Solid for our New Gnltl© to Rose CttHnrc — 
GO pages, elegantly Illustrated—and cfwose from ovT.; 
I'lvc Hundred Finest Sorts. Addros'J 
THE BINUKE & CONARD CO., 
Rose Growers, West Grove. Chester Co., £** ' 
SHARPLESS STRAWBERRY. 
Genuine No. t plants direct from t.ho “ Home of the 
Shorplassin (’mitral Pennsylvania," by express pr, lno, 
*l-50; pr. 1, duo, $ 10.00. By mail 4o cts. pr. 100 additional. 
Catalogues free. Address 
.1. I<. DILI,ON, Itlooinshiirg, Pa. 
MART BEALM LOUTH 
I was sorry to Bee in a late Rural, direc¬ 
tions for scattering swellings, boils etc. Al¬ 
though I know some good practising physi¬ 
cians who recommend iodine, calomel, etc., 
for swellings, yet I never would nse them, hav¬ 
ing so many times seeu the ill effects. Let us 
reason. A swelling indicates impure blood. 
If red, there is inflammation, and necessarily 
fever. Nature is taking this course to rid 
itself of poison which is in the blood- And 
to put on a preparation to dry up this, or send 
the poison over the system, is only prolonging 
the trouble. Two physicians have advised 
me to use iodine for goitre, or swelled neck. I 
was afraid, and let it alone. Since then I have 
known two deaths from its use. The iodine 
reduced the goitre, but the persons were pros¬ 
trated on beds of sickness and were kept there 
until they ceased taking medicine, or until the 
neck was allowed to swell again. After a time 
they commenced iodine again and death ensued. 
Again, In several cases a white powder, which 
proved to be calomel, was used to kill erysipe¬ 
las : after every dose the patients were taken 
with cramps iu the stomach, which continued 
until tbe swelling was poulticed, and ouce ended 
in death. The verdict of the people was. “I be- 
lievehe would have lived hud they kept off the 
calomel." A poultice mude of bread and milk 
or flax-seed, is good for allaying out the in¬ 
flammation, but continufe to keep moist as 
long as the swelllug discharges, or shows any 
signs of fever. A dose or two of castor oil 
would assist nature in cleausing the system. 
For goitre, I would recommend wearing gold 
or silver beads. A weight over the spot seems 
to keep it in check. 
To renew old bread for tea : During the fore¬ 
noon, Btoain a whole loaf half or three-quar¬ 
ters of an hour, and then wrap until needed, 
in several thicknesses of cloth. 
To paper whitewashed walls: Wash the 
wall in hot vinegar tie day before. If very 
old I would scrape off, first, what loose lime 
1 could. This is not quite as tedious as mak¬ 
ing paste to cover the wall, and the paper will 
stick as well as though the wall had never 
been white-washed- 
“ Well, child, go without it. You will not 
need it, I am sure." 
“O, yes, I will, m&, for I’ve tored my dress.” 
That apron, at least, had an excuse for appear¬ 
ing in company. Adeline E. Story. 
FOREST TREES 
< .’atii 1 1 -a Sperlosa or 
Hardy. Largest Stock 
in America. 
Forest Trees by Mail. 
SveitrWD amt Forest 
Tree Seeds. 
Send for Catalogue. 
It. Douglas k Sons, 
H'oid.'ecnn, Mils, 
DOMESTIC RECIPES 
To Preserve Citron for Cake, etc, 
In answer to your correspondent, I give the 
following method for preserving home-grown 
citron for puddings, cakes and pies : Allow 
three pounds of sugar to 14 pounds of citron. 
Put the sugar into a preserving kettle with 
two quarts of water, boil and skim. Cut the 
Iruit Into pieces of couveuieut size, put in only 
as much of the citron as the sirup will cover, 
cook until you can pierce the pieces with a 
straw, then place upon plates to dry. In this 
way cook all of the pieces. 8hould there be 
any sirup loft, boil it until very thick and pour 
a little over each plate. A small bag of whole 
cloves and cinnamon may be boiled with the 
sirup if one likes the flavor of these spices. 
Pack in jars with powdered 6ugar sprinkled 
between each layer. H. West. 
ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE 
Spring, IdSsO. Now nearly’. For Greenhouse, 
WS&ZsSm 
To Color Butter wlih Carrot*. 
To color five pounds of butter, grate off the 
deepest-colored portion of a clean, good-sized 
carrot, pour over a teacup of warm water, let 
stand fifteen or twenty minutes, then strain 
through a cloth and add to the cream just 
before churning. 
Cnrrot Coffee. 
Select the smoothest carrots, wash clean, 
cut into small pieces aud dry slowly uutil 
thoroughly dry. Then brown delicately and it 
is ready to use without grinding. 
Mrs. A. E. L. 
OONDUOTED BY EMILY MAPLE, 
If you desire Reliable Seeds, send stamp for this 
beautiful Catalogue with Colored Plates. ■* 
Name this paper. W, H. REID, Rochester, N. Y. 
THE SERVING OF REFRESHMENTS AT 
WEDDINGS, PARTIES, ETC. 
T H E ALBANY SEED STORE. 
KHtalillshed 1831. 
49th YEAR. 
PRICE & KNICKERBOCKER, Successors to 
CONSUI.TK1X 
Dear Household: — I have from week to 
week taken great interest in your detriment, 
and have each time thought of some item I 
could contribute; but family cares have ab¬ 
sorbed so much time aud alien lion that 1, per¬ 
haps like hundreds of others, have let time 
pass and have feasted weekly upon the labors 
of others. Having recently had the pleasure of 
visiting country people, some of them wealthy 
and all well-to-do, my thoughts have crowded 
upon mo in this wise; Country people—aud 
where is there abetter class to visit?—do a 
great deal of work, aud much of it is unneces¬ 
sary. For iuslauco, when they have weddings, 
parlies or social gatherings of any kind, they 
think they must follow the old custom of set¬ 
ting a long table and of serving every one in 
the regular way. If the dining-room be too 
Bmall for the company to sit down all at once, 
there must be two or three tables set, as the 
case may require ; those who do Ibis work are 
frequently overworked, and it spoils all enjoy¬ 
ment, so far as they are concerned. In reality, 
the hostess should be the one to assist in enter¬ 
taining, and should be able to eujoy the society 
of her own guests. People that have ever 
lived in the country know that the lady of the 
house is expected to have full charge of the 
culinary department, no matter how much 
help she has; hence we see how hard this cus¬ 
tom hours upon the farmer’s wife. 
Now my remedy:—I ouce knew a family 
living in the suburbs of a capital city, who 
had a number of 6iuall, plain tables made, 
which were kept for guest tubles wheu they 
had a gathering of any kind (heavy dinners 
excepted). The company were served with 
refreshments on these little tables. Now, why 
,v.aHb:u wKsKctf 
To Color Nankeen. 
Procure boiuo ground bark at the tannery, 
put into a brass kettle, add water and let soak 
«ver night. In the morning boil up and put in 
your cloth, previously wet in alum water. Boil 
half an hour or longer. The adding of a little 
lye will make the goods darker. l. m. 
iienerul Vat tetanus of Meltable 
Flower, Vegetable and Field 
Seed, Vegetable and 
Flowering Plants and Small 
Fruits, 
MAILED FREE. SO Pages— 450 Illustrations 
80 STATE STREET, Albany, N. Y. 
CANNING FRUIT AND TOMATOES 
THE LADY GRAPE 
In reply to the request of your correspond¬ 
ent on the canning of tomatoes, 1 will say that 
I have used only glass jars lor canning fruit for 
many years previous to last year, at which time 
1 used a few iieach aud oyster cans which had 
been washed out and dried immediately after 
emptying, and kept In a clean place. This 
was done at the suggestion of a friend who 
to’d me that she had used such cans for years 
with perfect success. Not a can was spoiled, 
but iu one kiud of new gluss jars there was a 
coat of mold, which very much injures the flavor 
ot fruit for me, although some others think uot. 
This I attributed to the kind of jar, but tried 
the 6ame j irB this year and found the fruit— 
tomatoes—perfect. I cook my fruit carefully 
and usually put in jnst the sugar which will 
be needed when eaten. For years I supposed 
my good success was owing to the seasoning, 
but I now thluk, after making fruit air-tight, 
that the jars should be kept in a cool as well as a 
dark place. As for the different kinds of glass 
jars, I have many patents, aud think they will all 
keep fruit well, if made air-tight and kept cool. 
©reesi, jtrfA*, 
1% thii UfAt llariJy, Healthy* IVmliicf.Ivts Karlj* 
Ripening* Vi UJtv Rrapr In America, Ten year* tested, 
Mnut* by TniiU iVMtp.’w’.l; Two 3 -y nn. or four 
1 -year fm- £ 1. Special rates by iiwor I .nrx). ALu) line pi nuts, 
land 9 yrs., of JJnVAfun. J/o* 7 rti’j Knrly. Duchess, Lady 
ll .1 difriytoji, Cvncotii*, nail 4 >vvr {JO other kind •. of grapes at 
low rate*. HO.HE.S~ Leantl/al, evcr-bKmmiur—per 
do*. [*lower>. Fruit-tree*. Raipbemoi* Struirberries, 
viHfrmta. . Choiuw Cipnluri FREE. Address 
GEO. W. CAM I* HELL, IHrUnarv, Ohio. 
ST 5£H E o R .S 111ES P ! 
RASPBERRIES ^rawing. 
SEED POTATOES'! Ko’cbX&r 1 *: y. 
T p Great Seedling 
MINER’S F.?T. fc 
The best variety of his 10.000 Seedlings 1 and 2 
year old plants of black and white grapes are now 
offered. 
All particulars furnished free on application to 
NIKS. T. B. MINER, 
Linden, N. J. 
Longfellow tforlate) Warren (for early). Largest 
and best. Hardy and prolific. Good shippers. Try 
them. 1‘lauts 81.00 per doz. ; 8-3.110 for i 00. Cir¬ 
culars free. 
J.DEOKER, Fern Creek, Ky. 
BERRIES- 
QUEEN of the MARKET 
tho largest and best. 
‘2,000,000 Sharpies* 
Sfra vibe-me*, t.000.000 
Miner’s Herat Prolific. 10 
acres other choice uarie- 
tU*. 2,R*A bushels Perries 
grown at I'otuotm Nur¬ 
sery In A new race 
of Pears. K Idler’s Hy¬ 
brid Itiigln - Proof ; 
hardy and productive, 
bears early, fruit largo, 
and ot uo"«l quality. 
rff~Neud for Oataloguee 
tree. 
WM. PARRY, 
Cinmiminson, N. J. 
SOUTHERN COW PEAS. 
1 will send by mail t oz, for 10 cts.; 8 oz., 15 cts.; 16 
OZ., 25 cts. By express or freig' t. I peck .qil.UO; half 
bushel, (ifl.T,V, ! bushel, <83.00. Address., 
W. MASON. Nnnd Spring. Limestone Co , Ala. 
100 best aorta plants. Currants, Grapes, 
Ac. See our prices before buying of 
others. Illustrated Catalogue free. 
HALE BROS., So. Glastonbury. Ct. 
BIG 
BERRIES 
