SEPT 18 
THE BUBAL NEW-YORKER. 
4 
lost all reverence for the world unseen, has 
ruled out the principal quality that makes 
man superior to the brutes. Weowe a debtof 
respect to our departed friends and neighbors 
whom we cannot recall, and we ought not to 
shock the feelings of our living friends and 
neighbors, by permitting the most Racred of 
all public places to become desecrated through 
unpardonable neglect. “elm.” 
SPECIOUS CLAIMS OF A BOGUS 
ASSOCIATION. 
The Michigan Fruit Association of Monroe, 
Mich., comjwjsed of a large number of far¬ 
mers, are extending their operations into this 
State in the sale of their nursery stock. They 
say the usual mode of growing nursery stock is 
to take the pomace from the cider press and 
sow it in rows, to get the stock to graft on, or 
the roots for winter grafting. As the apples 
generally used for cider-making are inferior, 
the seedlings partake of that inferiority. An 
other objection is that in grafting, summer 
fruit muy be grafted on winter stock, or 
winter fruit on summer stock, which is ob¬ 
jectionable, as summer fruit should be 
grafted on summer stock; that is, the stock 
and graft should lie of the same kind. They 
also claim that from such u beginning infer! 
ority will not only be continued, but will also 
be increased, us a cion taken from a tree that 
originated from the seed of an apple having 
the bitter rot, cannot, make as good a tree as 
one from a sound apple. Then again, they 
object to the use of water sprouts as cions, 
because they make a softer and more watery 
growth of wood Iban grafts from the end of 
the blooming limb, and are therefore more 
liable to winter-kill. They point us to the 
sickly and dying condition of our orchards as 
proof that they had their origin in an unusual 
and vicious system of propagating nursery 
stock. 
Will the R. N.-Y. let its light shine ou both 
the subject aud association? 
Ohio SAMUEL B. HOEFGKN. 
[Remarks— In the first place there is no 
such corporation ns the Michigan Fruit Asso¬ 
ciation engaged in the nursery business at 
Monroe, Mich., and these fellows are bare¬ 
faced swindlers, sharp enough to mix in much 
truth with their falsehoods. It is a fact that 
“ pomace” made from all sorts of apples is 
used as a source from which seeds are ob¬ 
tained for growing seedlings on which apples 
are grafted. Some use pomace made wholly 
from seedling or natural fruit apples, und this 
furnishes as good stocks as can bo desired. 
The claim that winter varieties should be graft¬ 
ed only on seedlings raised from the seeds of 
winter apples, is all the merest bosh, used 
to humbug the people. [Suppose a man were 
to select aud plant seeds of any one sort of 
apple, he would not get one In ten thousand 
like the sort planted. A man planting ex¬ 
clusively winter apple seed, would get but few 
more w iu ter stocks than he w ho used those from 
the earliest harvest, sorts. What we waut is 
seedlings of the native or original stock, and 
no one can so much as guess whether the seed¬ 
lings are summer or wiuter apples unless he 
allows them to fruit. 
There is not a respectable nurseryman in 
America that would use water-sprouts as cions. 
They all use the smooth, thrifty limbs of the 
previous year's growth made at t he extremity 
of tliu branches. The sickly condition of the 
orchards, is not. one -tenth part, so much to be 
attributed to the mode of propagation as to 
the selection of varieties unsuited to the clim¬ 
ate ami soil; but these fellows probably use 
that illustration because the people know the 
trees look bad, and don’t, know that the cause 
they assign for the trouble is not the true one. 
Give those fellows a wide berth, and warn 
your neighbors not to waste their money deal¬ 
ing with them.—E ds.] 
Uxtriuiij. 
BOOKS RECEIVED. 
A Short and Practical Method of Ac¬ 
quiring Complete Fluency in the Span¬ 
ish Language. By Dr Richard 8. Rosen¬ 
thal. Estes A. Luuriat, Boston. 
This is one of the languages taught by the 
Meistersohnft, School of Practical Liuguistry, 
of which Dr. Rosenthal is the author. Gor 
mail, French aud Spanish are each taught, 
aud the lessous are printed iu pamphlet form, 
in 15 parts. 
Cookery for Beginners, A Series of 
Familiar Lessons for Young Housekeepers. 
By Marion Harland D. Lathrop & Co., 
Boston. Price 00 cents. 
This is just the book for those for whom 
it is written—young housekeepers. It tells 
how to make good bread, good yeast, good 
biscuit, with tuauy other good things. Aud 
the directions are very plain, so that the most 
inexperienced cannot fail of doing well, if they 
follow them. 
L. Prang & Co.,Art Publishers, Boston,need 
no word of ours to add to their already un¬ 
precedented reputation as publishers of the 
most elegant ehroruo cards of every descrip¬ 
tion, and suitable for all occasions. Thus 
early in the year they are preparing to issue 
Christmas Cards from the most elaborate of 
designs. They have ready the second series 
of Poet cards, which is in honor of Whittier 
and shows scenes from his Snow Bound, Maud 
Muller, and the Barefoot Boy, Send to them 
for catalogue. 
Margie's Mission, By Marie Oliver. Bos¬ 
ton : D. Lothrop & Co. Price 25 cents. 
This deeply Interest ing story, by the author 
of “Seba’a Discipline” and “Ruby Hamilton,” 
forms the second issue in the Young Folks' 
Library Series, an honor it richly deserves. 
The plan of the publishers is to make this 
series a model in everything that goes to con¬ 
stitute good books—interest, purity of tone, 
and a direct purpose to teach lessons of truth, 
honor, and usefulness. 
Mrs. Hurd’s Niece. By Ella Fannan. The 
Young Folks’ Library. Illustrated. Boston: 
D. Lothrop &. Co. Price 25 cents. 
This fascinating story, one of the best from 
the author’s practised pen, will find a multi¬ 
tude of earnest, and appreciative readers. 
There is hardly a page without it* suggestive 
passage, and we know of few books which 
Contain so much that is really helpful to 
young girls placed in positions where self-con¬ 
trol, moral courage and self-sacrifice are re¬ 
quired. 
Singing on the Way A Collection of 
Hymns and Tunes for Sunday Schools. So¬ 
cial Worship and Congregations. Bv Mrs. 
Belle M. Jewett, assisted bv Dr J, P Hol¬ 
brook. Frieoflft cents. Published by Oliver 
Ditson & Co., Boston. 
MUSIC. 
We have received from the old aud active 
firm, Oliver Ditson & Co., Boston, the follow¬ 
ing pieces of music: “The Child's Prayer,” 
song by Granger; “The Swallows,” song from 
the Spanish by Boot: “About Your Window’s 
Happy Hight,”song b_v Coy; “My Bride Shall 
be My Flag,” by Rotoll; “Killurney,” of the 
Sweet Home Set by Maylath; “Memory,” idyl 
for piano by Burr; “Trip to Africa,” “Opera 
Budget." Piauo piece by Suppg; “Holiday 
Amusement,” Laudler. Piano piece by Low; 
“Night Elopement Galop,” by Fahrbacb: 
“Prince Methusalem,'’ Strauss; “Farewell.” 
(Lebewohl); "Mattel,” valse; “Miuuehuha,” 
song and chorus. 
A LETTER FROM THE RIO GRANDE 
VALLEY. 
CITY OK THE PASS. 
Who can conceive, without actual experi¬ 
ence, the wonderful size of this grand country ? 
We may be familiar with the distances in 
miles, but the realization of the actual dis 
tance comes only after we have traveled it. 
The City of El Paso is half way from Kansas 
City to Mexico City. It is half way from 
everywhere to everywhere else. We are as 
near San Francisco as Chicago, and Puget 
Sound or Vera Cruz, as New York. Still, we 
are not out of the United States, 
El Paso is a growing city of 4,000 inhabi¬ 
tants. Already, at the end of three years’ 
growth, five important railways center here. 
The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fee, the 
Mexican Central, the Southern Pacific to Cali¬ 
fornia, the Sunset Route to Galveston, aud 
Texas Pacific to Eastern Texas. 
Directly across the river is Paso del Norte 
a typical Mexican city. Here the “adobe” 
takes the place of brick, it being a city of 
mud. Mud houses, mud floors, mud walls and 
fences, mud roofs, all testify to the simplicity 
of the inhabitant*. The Mexican Central has 
hero a nice adobe depot—large, airy, cool, 
with a line iuuor court for grasses and flowers. 
Seldom iu passing from oue country to an¬ 
other, is there so marked a contrast between 
the people as there is here. Yet there is a 
friendly feeling between the different races, 
and an international strf.kt railroad 
conveys business men aud tourists from one 
place to the other. 
On this railroad is the inevitable German 
Jew, who, with his fluent use of language, 
speaks to his companion in German, turns and 
makes aside remark to his Mexican neighbor, 
jokes with the American conductor, aud, if 
there isa Frenchman, is at no loss for a fourth 
language; while the impatient Amerieau is 
trying, by aid of gestures, and with a raised 
w oice, to make his remarks intelligible to his 
dark-eyed Mexican neighbor. There are very 
few Americans who learn Mexican tbor- 
rougly. 
To any one contemplating the study of Span¬ 
ish, with a view of locating down here, the 
difference between pure Castilian and the dia¬ 
lect spoken here, would be quite a surprise. 
Certain of the letters have different sounds, 
and a few words savor of the original Indian 
life. 
The post office here is quite au institution. 
For the Spanish idea of “take your choice,” 
is foliowe<l out; one is simply given the whole 
package of letters when he inquires for mail. 
It saves the postmaster considerable trouble; 
doubtless, the system has its advantages. 
To thoroughly understand the Mexican 
people, we must, remember the long years of 
poverty and oppression which they have en¬ 
dured—aud, also, t he character of the Indian, 
for bo, too, is represented. Of course, com¬ 
bining the attributes of indolence, courage, 
and treachery from both the races of ancestors 
it would be natural to expect these qualities 
to predominate, as they do. 
Here may be seen the wooden plow; the 
solid-wheeled, lumbering “careta” (cart); the 
clumsy, heavy hoe; the earthen water jars: and 
all the implements which this people used 
when Cortez came. Of course, the cigarette 
and the guitar hold their own, and are con¬ 
stantly in use. 
June Is the time for apricots; then come the 
fruits of the North iu quick succession. Grapes, 
poaches, pears, apples, abound; and all raised 
by irrigation, which is so invaluable here. 
The yam, or sweet potato, is at home here, 
and attains remarkable size. pilgrim. 
fox Ulomni. 
CONDUCTED BY Mist RAY CLARK. 
A WORD TO THOSE WHO CAN 
UNDERSTAND. 
“I don't see how you can manage it,” said 
Mrs. Smythe to Mrs. Mills; “all your house¬ 
work, and sewing, and taking care of your 
children, and having company; aud then 
painting and what not, besides. I don’t see 
bow you do it. My hands are full enough; 
aud then I have all my sowing done, and have 
one girl in the kitchen and another to take 
care of the children.” 
“O, I manage,” said Mrs. Mills, wincing, as 
though it had come to be a tender subject she 
did not care to discuss. 
Mrs. Smythe was only calling. She soon 
went away, and Aunt Nabby put on her glasses 
and took up her knitting. Now Aunt Nabby 
was a good, simple-hearted woman, who 
picked the best out of everything and let the 
rest go. She made no uncomfortable reflec¬ 
tions. and everybody was at ease with her. 
"I do wish,” said Mrs. Mills, with spirit, 
“that some people would let my affairs alone. 
1 am not going to tell every one just how I 
manage. There is only now and then a person 
sufficiently cultured to appreciate the flue side 
of my managing. Mrs. Smythe would say I 
was careless aud slack, and she never could 
slaud it. She knows nothing about the pleas¬ 
ures and pains of contrivance. The truth is, 
I have been compelled to simmer things down, 
to cut out of my work all except what I call 
necessities. We are tot. aide to hire, and I am 
not able to go on and do my work as the best 
housekeepers do, and—there are some thiugs 
besides work that I must have time and 
strength for, in order to live at all. Sol ‘man¬ 
age;’ for you know, Aunt Nabby, that I am 
not strong." 
“I guess I do kuow; aud I’ve wondered my¬ 
self, how you did get along aud keep things so 
kind o’ trim and comfortable about house, and 
all the clothes decent for Sunday, and then 
get time to sit. down with your white dress on. 
summer afternoons, and do all your extras. 
Now, to our house, there’s me and Ann, and 
her oldest girl, to do the work for seveu; and 
we never seem to be through. Ann takes the 
lead, of course, aud she’s party particular. I 
don’t see how you get along with your wash¬ 
ing and ironing without killing yourself.” 
“ Well, there is not much to it that would 
fit any other family, perhaps; but you will 
never go around telling that I don’t half do 
my work, aud 1 do not mind what l tell you. 
Tie? first thing is, we do keep clean: that is, 
clean from that kiud of dirt that sickens and 
kills people. I have set my foot down there. 
We have no holes of filth around, to sink into 
the ground and poison our well water, aud no 
bundles of soiled clothes lying in closets to 
pollute the air; our cellar is clean from nox¬ 
ious matter, aud the winds audsuushiue have 
free course every day through our sleeping 
rooms; and though there is uot much scrub¬ 
bing and scouring done, you may be sure there 
is nothing about the food, uor in the pantry 
that should not be there. Our family has 
been very well, and 1 am full of gratitude for 
this, thinking of it every night, when weallgu 
to bed aud go to sleep; aud I am not sure but 
that I take a little pride in this matter of 
being welL 
lu doing the week’s work, and the day’s 
work, I try to save every unnecessary step, 
and to make every movement of muscle pay. 
After each meal, little Mary picks up the silver 
spoons iuto a dish, aud I turn the hot water ou 
them from my pitcher, wa»h aud wipe them, 
aud place them iu the holder for next time. 
The dishes are washed iu luke warm water, 
rinsed iu pretty hot water, aud drained on a 
large folded cloth, instead of wiping. Dish¬ 
washing cannot be called agreeable business, 
at the best; especially in warm weather, but 
like a thousand other matters about house, it 
must be done, and it is pleasant to realize that 
such work does not necessarily deaden and 
degrade the soul The results are beauty and 
order, and results are what I have to dwell on 
in doing most kinds of house-work. The child¬ 
ren save me a great deal of running and lift¬ 
ing. Will, and Sammy wash dishes for so 
much a week when they have time. 
About our washing. It is quite large for so 
small a family, but not so very hard. When 
flannel under-clothes are worn, they are 
washed every week, ami as none of us wear 
anything at night that is worn through the 
day, our large night dresses make quite a 
bulk; but as the common ones are eutirely 
plain, and made of soft, unbleached cotton, 
they come clean easily. Will, helps about the 
washing now a-days. He is 14, and pretty 
strong. He puts the boiler on early Monday 
mornings, for 1 like to get a good start aud 
quite a ways up the hiU, before I have time 
to realize how hard it is; ami Will, must be 
off to school about nine, too. We put some 
potatoes iu the oven to bake, and have boiled 
eggs or cold meat for tjfeakfast. I have 
my white clothes in two lots, besides the 
brown towels. After souping the cleanest 
ones well, and rubbing out any spots that hot 
water would fix, I put them in the tub, and 
Will, turns on the Rcalding water, then, after 
pounding them thoroughly, he puts them 
through the wringer. If you have never 
tried it, you have uo (den how soap and hot 
water und u pounder in the hands of an am¬ 
bitious boy will make the clothes and the 
water change color. Now the next lot goes 
into the tub, and 1 soap the first well, and 
put them into the boiler, where they are well 
stirred around with a stick and scalded, but 
not boiled. After 15 or 90 minutes Will 
takes them out iu a pan, turns them into 
clean water in the tub, pounds them a little, 
and wrings them into the rinsing water. We 
often have the second lot iu the boiler before 
sitting down to breakfast at seven o’clock. 
This means hurrying, but I can stand it better 
to hurry aud get through quickly, than to be 
dragging all day. 
I dread washing tbe flannels more, but late¬ 
ly have taken up a new way, the way my 
mother used to scour woolen yarn. I remem¬ 
ber how beautifully white it looked when done. 
While the botllug suds is still scalding hot, we 
sot the boiler in the shed, aud after soaping 
the flannels well, they arc switched rapidly 
back and forth till the water is all iu a foam. 
Will can do this nicely, ami culls it fun, when 
he could not endure to rub; and I find that 
after rinsing them through two clean hot 
waters they are clean, and as it is done quick¬ 
ly, they do not shrink. The quicker they are 
dried the better about that. In this way I 
manage to keep my hands out of the hot water 
mostly, though the stockings must be rubbed 
by somebody, aud after all it is tiresome work 
before 1 am through. In Summer the white 
clothes are spread ou the grass in the bleach¬ 
ing sunshine, and in the Winter they are hung 
where they cun take the frost without much 
wind. 
About ironing; there are many thiugs that 
must be ironed nicely, you kuow. Table linen 
and collars, and shirt-fronts, and so on. Rough 
napkius and table-cloths are distressing to 
look at; and a wrinkled down eollur, and 
ruuHsy shirt-bosom, on a man who pretends to 
be dressed up, are nerve-irntauis to the wear¬ 
er aud to the beholder: depressing to the stan¬ 
dard of civilization. The quicker clothes can 
be ironed after drying, the easier it is; and 
then, it seems so good to have all out of the 
way. My hands are not strong, and I try to 
utilize every stroke of the iron. 1 spread my 
common towels one over another, then tbe 
sheets nicely folded, then the table cloths 
quite damp. I iron the rest of the clothes on 
these, aud find that the table-cloths come 
smooth with much less work after beiug 
pressed out in this way. Sometimes the sheets 
have to go with no other smoothing. I used 
to iron out the hems aud edges; but lately, if 
I feel exhausted aud my hands tired, I let 
them go. Gur eommon night dresses I iron 
very little; and I am not ashamed to tell you, 
that many times, when hurried and over¬ 
heated, I just hang them up without ironing 
at all. I say to myself what will it profit to 
wear myself out and have to leave my chil¬ 
dren, may be, by putting work ou to these 
things that my husband aud sons do not even 
look at? They are clean and wholesome as 
they are, and this will do. I shall teach my 
little girl to iron nicely; and then, when she 
is grown up, if she gets iuto straits, her com¬ 
mon sense will tell her what to slight. But I 
shall teach her to discriminate aud put the 
best work where it will give most pleasure. 
I know that my family are better and hap¬ 
pier for this saving of my strength for litera¬ 
ture and art, and sociability, tbau they would 
