THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
■v 
THE 
Rural New-Yorker, 
PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY. 
Conducted by 
Kl.BERT 8. CARMAN. 
Address 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
No. 34 Park Row, New York. 
SATURDAY, DEC. 18, 1880. 
SPECIAL NOTICES. 
As already announced, the Special 
Corn Number of the Bubal New-Yorker 
will be the first of the New Year. 
We shall present our annual Index 
next week. Special pains have been 
taken to render it accurate and full, so 
as to facilitate a quick reference to any 
article in the present volume. Few are 
aware of the immense amount of labor 
involved in properly compiling and ar¬ 
ranging an annual index of such propor¬ 
tions ; but those who have occasion to 
use them frequently are aware of their 
great value. 
Subscribers who receive the Rural 
without any Number appended to their 
names or address, may know that their 
subscription terms expire with the Index 
Number. 
Our present Plant and Seed Distri¬ 
bution will be begun about January 15th 
and continued until further notice. The 
White Elephant Potato will be mailed 
separately in a little wooden box as the 
weather permits. Subscribers are ad¬ 
vised to place it in sand and keep it in a 
temperature as near 32° as practicable. 
At present there is almost a grain 
blockade at the Eastern termini of all 
the trunk lines, while at many of the way 
stations the facilities for handling the 
crops are altogether inadequate. Among 
the many needed reformations in railroad 
management an improvement in this re¬ 
spect is not the least desideratum. 
-- 
Readers of the Rural, when you com¬ 
municate with advertisers mention the 
Rural New-Yorker, and if any article 
purchased should not prove to be as rep¬ 
resented tell us. We desire to have 
our advertising columns trustworthy , 
and we shall be glad to entertain any 
complaint and to ascertain, by searching 
inquiry, to what extent it may be well 
founded. We place the interest of our 
readers far above those of merely merce¬ 
nary advertisers, and we shall strive in 
every way to make it appear that these 
columns are to be shunned by all who 
have reason to dread the light of truth 
and justice. 
-- 
What is Gxucose?—The establishment 
of several factories, and the great profits 
in its production lead to this inquiry. 
The cost of a factory may be anywhere 
from *10,000 to $300,000.* One costing 
$100,000 should use 1,000 bushels of corn 
a day, and the production of glucose 
should be simply enormous, for the 
greater portion of the corn is saved. 
There is no process by which glucose 
and starch may both be obtained, but 
either may be, although there is a greater 
weight of refuse in starch making than 
in glucose making. The process of mak¬ 
ing glucose is to grind the corn and soak 
it in pure water. It is then passed 
through rollers to extract all the moist¬ 
ure and starch. The extract is then 
boiled, and after it is purified it becomes, 
according to the treatment, either a sirup 
or glucose—a hard, waxy substance 
nearly as sweet as sugar, ' The refuse 
corn is sold for feed. 
- +-++ - 
The Army Worm of which we give an 
illustrated account on p. 832, appeared, 
our readers will remember, in vast num¬ 
bers at the Rural Farm last Summer. The 
Rural was, indeed, the first agricultural 
paper to make the announcement of the 
appearance of this pest in this part of the 
country. Of all food, it preferred the 
heads of Timothy. In the infested belt 
of our farm, scarcely a Timothy head was 
left— the straight pointed straw alone re¬ 
maining, While the wheat was in the 
milk stage, the army worm preferred the 
grain to the leaves. As soon, however, 
as the milk stiffened a little, the leaves 
were preferred and the grain was no 
longer molested. It is remarkable, as 
showing the ways of this worm, that while 
some fields of wheat and grass were alive 
with it, scarcely a worm eonld be found 
upon other fields. It is to be hoped that 
the auguries of entomologists may prove 
true and that we shall not have another 
march of the army worm during the Sum¬ 
mer of 1881. 
- 
The Veterinary Surgeons attached 
to the Health Department report ten 
oases of pleuro-pneumonia iu one stable, 
containing fourteen cows, iu Brooklyn. 
The other four beasts are extremely 
emaciated, and the officers declare they 
do not think that the milk of any animal 
in the stable is fit for human consump¬ 
tion. The filthy stable is twenty feet in 
the rear of a densely crowded tenement 
house, and the neighborhood is thickly 
populated. There are several cow stables 
iu this and the neighboring cities of 
which a similar report might be made. 
These are the hot-beds of disease from 
which emauate frequent deaths to chil¬ 
dren and others who use the milk from 
them, while they are a constant menace 
to the herds of the country. In view of 
the difficulty of maintaining cleanliness 
and health iu such places, and of the 
evils of disease and filth there, why 
should these pest-holes be longer toler¬ 
ated, especially as every town has now 
ample facilities for obtaining an abun¬ 
dant supply of milk from the country ? 
— ■ •»♦» - - 
It is a reenrring practice every Fall for 
many papers to find fault with Western 
farmers for not sending their grain more 
quickly to market, and this year these 
croakers have been unusually loud in 
their complaints, attributing the delay 
to a desire on the part of the grangers to 
obtain better than the current prices for 
their produce, an expectation fostered by 
the great rise in prices of wheat last year 
after moBt “ of the crop had got into the 
hands of dealers and speculators.” There 
is little doubt but this consideration had 
some influence on the action of farmers 
early in the season, although as we 
pointed out a couple of months ago, 
there has been this year no signs of the 
speculative movement to which the rapid 
advance in the price of wheat was due 
last season ; but the main reason for the 
delay iu marketing the crop early was 
the unfavorable weather for thrashing, 
and when the farmers were ready to de¬ 
liver their grain they were hampered by 
a scarcity of railroad cars and elevator 
room, wnieli has gone on increasing to the 
present time. 
--- 
The Japan Judas Tree.—A specimen 
of this has been growing in the Rural 
Grounds for six or seven years. It is 
generally harmed more of less by Winter 
and early Spring storms and sudden 
changes, but the wood has never been 
killed withiu a foot of the ground. It is 
with us a great favorite, and Mr. I ’ar¬ 
sons's article says not one word too much 
in its praise. It has needed no cutting 
back such as is recommended by Mr. 
Parsons, to preserve a full, bushy shape, 
since it is often enough harmed by severe 
weather to make pruning quite unneces¬ 
sary. Before the leaf buds unfold, the 
beautiful clusters of purplish-pink flowers 
appear wreathing the stems. These flow¬ 
ers bloom in early May, dozens of them 
together nearly an inch broad or long. 
Never until last season have the flowers 
with ns produced seeds, when they were 
produced so abundantly that we picked 
a peck of pods from this single bush. 
The seeds germinate very readily and, so 
far as our own experience goes, the seed¬ 
lings do not vary in leaf or flower from 
the species. Our engraving on page 833 
is a very correct portrait of the leaf and 
fruit as they appeared in October. 
Clover Seed is likely to be unusually 
high-priced this year, as the crop seems 
to have been short nearly everywhere. 
Toledo, Ohio, is the headquarters of the 
trade and probably the largest market in 
the country. A late telegram from that 
place predicts a “corner ” in clover seed 
there, which, if formed, must raise the 
prices elsewhere also. The stock now 
held is reported to be not over 6,000 bags 
of old and 4,000 bags of new clover seed, 
the former being practically out of the 
market, and most of the latter in the 
hands of a couple of firms, who are said 
to be determined to hold on to it until 
they get their own prices, buying iu all 
that may be offered, so as to get control 
of the market. While a capital of mil¬ 
lions of dollars is needed to “ corner ” 
wheat, pork or dairy products, less than 
$100,000 would be sufficient to “ comer ” 
clover seed. Last Tuesday the price of 
prime medium seeil ou ’Change was $5, 
and the tendency was upward. The 
“heaving” of clover last Winter will 
not only lower the supply and thus 
raise the price, but also increase the de¬ 
mand, as it is likely that au unusually 
large area will be sown next Spring. 
Farmers who have to buy seed as well as 
those w ho have to use it, should not lose 
sight of these considerations. 
-♦♦♦- 
CLEANLINESS AND HEALTH. 
The alarming spread of diphtheria and 
kindred diseases is a warning to the peo¬ 
ple of the United States, of which they 
cannot long neglect to take heed. In 
many cities aud towns diphtheria now 
exists almost to the extent of becoming 
epidemic, while there are few sections of 
the country entirely exempt from its rav¬ 
ages. 
ft is believed that the first cause of the 
disease is the preparation of the system 
by the presence of impure air for the 
germs of the disease to take effect, while 
tijese germs are believed to be multi¬ 
plied by this impure air. The best houses 
of the cities, where there is a tide flow, 
are liable to the disease because the sewer 
connections are in the house, and cannot 
easily be bo secure but that the gas is 
forced by the bellows of the tide back into 
them. This is also the case with dwellings 
in cities where high water fills the Bewers, 
or into which from other courses the 
sewer gas escapes. 
Upon the farm and iu villages the dis¬ 
ease is propagated by the impure air 
from cess pools and other sources. The 
germs of the disease are not destroyed by 
the frost as with those of yellow fever, 
and the only safety is in a complete re¬ 
moval of all impurities from the vicinity 
of the dwellings, and not only this but 
the filth must be entirely deodorized and 
rendered innocuous. 
In the cities the sower may be made a 
complete carriage way to a place of safe¬ 
ty. In the villages and upon the farm 
the remedy can be made the means of 
adding largely to the fertilizing element 
of the country as well as securing health. 
The farmer and the village improvement 
societies should take this work iu their 
especial charge. 
■ *■*■*■ -- 
PECUNIARY INDEPENDENCE. 
There are two millions of persons iu 
France who live quietly aud moderately 
upon their iucomes from investments iu 
real estate or other property. In Eng¬ 
land there are probably half as many, who 
live in a simple and unostentatious maimer 
under the same circumstances. The Eng¬ 
lish Government funds known as “con¬ 
sols” in the technical terms of the money 
market, pay three per cent, per annum ; 
the French “ rentes” pay about the same 
rate of interest. The average income 
from these sources to each owner of these 
funds is not more than $300 per annum, 
and on this amount thousands of persons 
live simple and contented lives, enjoying 
in a modest, unassuming manner the fruits 
of their carefulness and economy. 
A French “ rentier,” or an English 
owner of “the funds,” or a person who 
may be possessed of real estate, occupied 
or rented, enjoys a certain social distinc¬ 
tion on account of lm “independence,” 
to which term there attaches a distinct 
idea of certainty of income with the as¬ 
surance of a competency and freedom 
from the cares aud inconveniences of 
poverty or embarrassment. Bo long as 
these persons live within their incomes, 
they are privileged persons iu au easy 
aud well-defined position; persons of 
moderate fortune who can afford to look 
upon their front door as secure from the 
possible presence of the typical “wolf,” 
which is the dread of all those who live 
by uncertain employments. But with¬ 
out the strictest plainness and economy 
of living, all these people would become 
“of all men the most miserable.” Their 
property saved by years of industry and 
economy, would soon disappear and leave 
them, iu their old age, in poverty anti 
wretchedness. Few of them, knowing 
their security and realizing their comfort, 
are tempted to risk their income in 
the hope of increasing the rate of inter¬ 
est by riskful investments or specula¬ 
tions. 
How fortunate it must be for Ameri¬ 
cans if they would but take a lesson from 
such examples as these ! What misfor¬ 
tunes, what losses, what disappointments 
and even miseries would be avoided by a 
more contented disposition, more devotion 
to simplicity of life and economy of 
living V What secure friendships, what 
continued social pleasures, what perma¬ 
nent family affections and happiness iu 
our home lives could be enjoyed, if peo¬ 
ple were only more contented with their 
present fortunes and the modest enjoy¬ 
ment of what they now have in secure 
possession ? The foul demon of specu¬ 
lation keeps us all iu a turmoil; society 
seethes aud bubbles over with the excite¬ 
ment due to the constant race for riches; 
to the struggling pursuit of more wealth. 
This is common to all classes. Farmers 
and country dwellers are tempted to send 
their small savings to be swallowed up in 
the whirlpool of speculations in the cities, 
iu the vain hope of acquiring riches that 
have never existed, and which they can 
no more secure than they could grasp a 
shadow. The business mau and the man 
who possesses already a sung competence, 
haste to throw their property away in the 
same foolish manner to be swallowed up 
in the bottomless maw of speculation. 
Aud so the wrecked hopes and fortunes 
may be counted by the thousands and 
ciirne, ignominy and wretchedness are 
present everywhere. In a less degree the 
evils of over-living, too, prevail, and men 
and families mourn for want of that 
which they have unwisely squandered 
and wasted iu a way that brings no solid 
comfort to them. 
There is no happiness in living beyond 
one’s means. Those who have no debts, 
who pay as they go and make this their 
rule, are more careful and economical 
than those who buy on credit whatever 
they may desire or think they need. 
Buying on credit is our national bane, 
an evil which saps the foundations of our 
social comfort. It keeps a man iu debt, 
increases his expenses; makes his neces¬ 
sities greater, and tempts him to risk his 
property in vain efforts to extricate him¬ 
self from pecuniary difficulties. It is 
quite easy to spend what we have not; 
but a man always thinks twice before he 
breaks upon a small accumulation which 
he already has, and will rather add to it 
than trench npon it. Therefore the habit 
of saving, once created, is a safeguard 
against careless spending and should be 
encouraged in every legitimate and proper 
way. There is an economy that is mean 
and stingy; but it is very easy to avoid 
this fault without falling into the oppo¬ 
site vice of extravagance, and to hit the 
happy mean of a sensible and wholesome 
economy. 
-M-f-- 
BREVITIES. 
The imports of coffee for the year ending 
June 30, 1880, were over $00,000,000 in value. 
One half of this could have been saved at 
home by growing and using ehiccory instead. 
Why not grow it at home? The Importa¬ 
tions of raw silk amounted to over $ 1C,000,000 
during the past year. The silk industry with 
a duty of (taper cent, is rather over stimulated, 
is it not ? Would it uot be a good tbiug to put a 
little more energy Into the linen industry, not a 
manufactory of which exists iu the country ? 
Oar Importations of flax goods are about 
$35,000,000 worth annually. 
A uiuiat lind is reported from themountaius 
of Nevada of a new hardy silk worm that 
feeds upon oak leaves. Naturalists describe the 
worm as bomby.v ijuercicus. It is said, how¬ 
ever, to be known in China and that it inakeB 
several broods iu a year, and does not cut the 
silk iu emerging from the cocoons, but pushes 
the threads aside. The silk is said to bo 
strouger, anikthe worm hardy, living in open 
air and needing no care or shelter. 
The committee to select a site for the World’s 
Fair to be held in 1883, have made choice of a 
vacant piece of 250 acres of lund on aud near 
the upper end of Manhattan Island, known as 
Inwood It is about eleven miles from the N. 
Y. City Hal), in the lower part of the city, but 
accessible by the Elevated and Central rail¬ 
roads, while two steamer lines can carry visi¬ 
tors to it. Three other railroads are already 
uuder way to the vicinity and will no doubt 
be eopidieted before the time for the opening 
of the Fair. 
The price of rye iu St. Petersburg has fallen 
very considerably of late, and a similar de¬ 
cline is expected iu Germany. in Russia the 
Government it seems, follow!ug the advice of 
Joseph of old to Pharaoh, is accustomed to pur¬ 
chase. iu years of abuudauce, largo stocks of 
that cereal, so as, In times of war or short 
crops, uot to he deficient in a commodity 
which is so extensively used by the masses of 
the people. To lower the high orices of rye 
bread and thus alleviate the sufferings of the 
poorer classes, the Government bus thrown a 
large supply on the market, thus depressing 
prices, much, no doubt, to the disappointment 
of those who were speculating in public dis¬ 
tress. It is anticipated that this reduction in 
the price of rye will lesson the demand for 
Indian, for which there was growing a largely 
increased demaud iu const"i ueuee of the high 
price of its rival. 
The meeting ol the Connecticut Board of 
Agriculture promises to be one of great in¬ 
terest. It will take place the 15th, 16th and 
17th instant at New Britain. Many lectures 
will be delivered which have been selected 
with great good judgment. Prof. Atwater’s 
subject is " How to develop the rational side 
of farm life and practice.” “ What the farmer 
should know about diseases of domestic ani¬ 
mals,” is the subject upon which Prof. Creasy 
will lecture. “Oar Schools of Agriculture”— 
•’Thoughts on agricultural education’'—“Sys¬ 
tematic agi icultural education as adapted to the 
American farmer”—“ The Agricultural Press.” 
will be treated respectively by W. J. Beal, E. L. 
Sturtevant, S, W. Johnson aud J, B, Olcott. 
