4884 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
and a number of ladies from Girton College, 
Cambridge University—altogether such a 
galaxy of learning and erudition that it is 
really wonderful, there being nearly one 
thousand transatlantic visitors altogether. 
The young people of Montreal are enjoying a 
iare opportunity, and I esteem it a privilege 
to take down the members of my own family, 
iu turn to meet such a distinguished com¬ 
pany. The good that this scientific meeting 
is calculated to do to America, is not to be 
counted in dollars and cents; the influence of 
the opinion of such men, ou returning to the 
Mother Country, will be wide-spread, aud 
teach our transatlantic friends more of Amer¬ 
ica than has been dreamed of in all their ge¬ 
ographies. The lamentable ignorance of our 
vast resources, and the richness of the land, 
agriculturally aud otherwise, are being appre¬ 
ciated, and many of the visitors are heard to 
say, “ This is not the last visit i shall pay 
this country, if all is well.” Those who have 
visited the Itocky Mountains and California, 
have returned quite lost in admiration at the 
immensity and wealth they have seen. 
Sir F. J. B ram well, President of the Me¬ 
chanical Science Section, remarked, in his 
address, that “if in 18.32, at Oxford, the pro¬ 
position had been made that the next meeting 
but one of the Association would be held in 
Montreal, the proposer would have been lodged 
in a lunatic asylum. Yet this was proposed 
at Southampton in 1882, and had been carried 
out successfully. In 1831, when they mot at 
York, the members arrived there laboriously 
and slowly' by the stagecoaches, only' two liuos 
of railway heing in existence.” The fact that 
our much loved and honored Dr. Dawson, of 
McGill, has been made a Knight Bachelor, is 
a gratification to all good Canadians 
The invitation to Philadelphia seems to have 
been cordially given and received, and I hope 
the British will go, und learn how Americans 
conduct these things. There is an immense 
dual of good done by this interchange of 
thought. Tho contact, both social and scien¬ 
tific, is calculated to do a great deal toward a 
bettor understanding of each other. English¬ 
men seem to be observing everything. Their 
comments arc remarkable for insight iuto our 
weakness and our strength. There is a keen 
wisdom in many of their remarks. Science 
may not be much advanced by tho present 
meetings; but there will be a better under¬ 
standing between tho two countries, and a 
greater respect for each other will he felt in 
future years. annie l. jack. 
—*- ♦♦♦ ■ 
WOOL AND DOGS IN OHIO. 
In the Rural New-Yorker of July 26 is 
an article entitled “The Ohio Wool Growers 
and the Tariff,” showing conclusively that the 
writer buses all his hopes of material prosper¬ 
ity for tho farmer in the wool growing sec" 
tiou of the State on a protective tariff for wool, 
and on the Republican party to establish and 
maintain such tariff. Now, politics for far¬ 
mers is a good thing. Every farmer should 
be a politician to this extent: be should inform 
himself on all question* of political import¬ 
ance sufficiently to enable him to vote under¬ 
standing^. He should be a conscientious poli¬ 
tician, not a selfish one. The difference be¬ 
tween them is, tho one favors the policy that 
will be of the greatest good to the whole num¬ 
ber; while the other looks no further than his 
own interests. If these be served, he is satis¬ 
fied. The writer of the article mentioned 
does not mean to have it known, from his 
statements, if he favors free trade or protec¬ 
tion, or what is the color of his politics. I 
have always favored protection when neces¬ 
sary. But there is a way by which the wool- 
growers of Ohio can protect themselves with¬ 
out Congressional interference. I will tell it 
them iu three words— kill the dogs. Then they 
can raise wool at a profit without protection; 
and, besides, they will be gainers otherwise. 
The cost of keeping dogs in Ohio is more than 
all the taxes levied iu the State. One dog in 
a hundred may be of some use; but the dau- 
ger outweighs that many fold. Kill the dogs. 
L. A. R. 
«♦» ■ 
FIELD “FERTILIZED” WITH STONES. JERSEY 
COWS. 
When a boy, I knew a gentleman in the Is¬ 
land of Jersey who had a fine large field_I 
should say 10 or 12 acres—sloping to the south¬ 
east, elevated in the center, just the kind of 
land a farmer delights in; but it was so full of 
cobblestones that it was difficult to step be¬ 
tween them; but the crops raised iu that field 
were always good. Well, the owner, who was 
very wealthy, took it into his old head to re¬ 
move all the stones, so all hands were set to 
work and the stones were all carted into a big 
heap in the center of the field, and crops were 
pat in. Iiesowed but did not reap; the second 
year, ditto; the third year, ditto. The fourth 
year the stones were distributed all over the 
field, and its fertility was restored and con¬ 
tinued so to my certain knowledge until I left 
home, 30 years ago. I heard the old gentle¬ 
man tell my father that that field needed bones 
to bear, meaning the stones. 
I am sometimes amused while reading about 
the Jersey cattle. I was raised on a farm, and 
father was reputed to have as fine a lot of cat¬ 
tle as any on the island at that time; butsome- 
how or other I never heard of so much butter 
being made from one cow as I read about. In 
my time, a cow that gave 10 pounds of butter 
a week was considered extra good; aud if she 
was a finely-built beast, would fetch from 4M5 
to £20 sterling, provided some wealthy mnu 
wanted her for the sake of bragging about his 
cow. Now, a pound weight in Jersey is \% 
ounce heavier than the English pound, so one 
can reckon what good cows were at that time 
—a mighty improvement since. There is, or 
was, uearly a similar breed of cows in lower 
Normandy then, which were equally good. 
Vittoria, Ont. j. m. 
-- 
TRIUMPH OF THE DUCHESS GRAPE. 
The Fruit Growers’ Exhibition for the Prov¬ 
ince of Quebec, Canada, is over, and again we 
have been so fortunate as to gaiu first prize 
for white grapes with Duchess, Niagara and 
Lady; all three are as ripe now as they were 
10 days later, last season. [They are not ripe 
at Rural Grounds,September 14.—EDS.] There 
was a large competition and some flue grapes; 
among them the Duchess was conspicuous for 
size of bunch and fine shoulder, also for sweet¬ 
ness, considering the earliness of the exhibi¬ 
tion. The Niagara bunches are splendid—the 
berries large, the fruit fully riper than the 
Concord. The vines this season have made a 
good growth, and we expect great things of 
it. We think the sweet, transparent Duchess 
should have been named Queen; for it deserves 
the highest honors. annie l. jack. 
A NEW HONEY DEW. 
Lately some bee keepers in Michigan and 
Ohio have been exercised about a kind of nec¬ 
tar which bathed a kind or grass. Some of 
the grass has been sent to me. 1 find it coat ed 
with a kind of sugar which is very pleasant. 
Upon examination I find the grass covered 
with ergot, or tho fungus known as Clavlceps 
purpurea. It is well known that ergotized 
grain or grass, in its early stages, produces 
this sweet exudation. So here we have an¬ 
other source of honey dew. As is well known, 
ergot is very poisonous to stock, often causing 
convulsions and death. A. j. COOK. 
Melons.—I t would be hard to find 
finer appearing musk melon patches than 
mine were before the middle of July, but 
that month and August have been uncom¬ 
monly wet aud cool, and the melons have suf¬ 
fered accordingly. The plauts have died off 
in broad patches, aud the melons are rotting 
on the field. Even the fruits that are per¬ 
fected ou the healthy plants are of inferior 
quality. Among many sorts, old and new, 
tho Hackensack is the most satisfactory one I 
have got. Throughout all this community 
musk-melons have behaved os badly, and in 
several cases worse. Wuter-melons have 
grown with exceptional vigor, and set a good 
crop, but the melons lack the briskness of 
flavor peculiar to them iu wurmer and drier 
seasons. f. 
Plants on an Exposed Bluff.— The west- 
era bank of our island is a high, steep bluff- 
sand and gravel, aud exposed to furious winds 
and consequent sea-spray in Winter. Many 
wild plunts—as golden rods, asters, and tho 
like—find a home there; but of natural trees 
or shrubs, only a few. Locust sprouts come 
up and do well; tho Laurel leaved Willow was 
planted, but does not thrive; many ailanthus 
were set out, but only a few remain. But 
there is only one bush that seems perfectly at 
home on it, and it is the Wax Myrtle (Myrica 
eeriferu). From the water-line to the top of 
the bank, large patches of this shrub occur as 
thrifty thickets. It is compact in hqbit, almost 
evergreen in nature, fragrant, and although 
one of our commonest wild shrubs in open, 
sterile places, withal a comely garden plant. 
Red Cedar, highly recommended for such 
places, lias been beaten back from even near 
the bank at the top of the bluff’. w. F. 
A Hybrid between Rye and Wheat.— 
The earnest farm editor of the N. Y. World 
says: “The curious fact that a cross between 
two different genera of grain is possible, ap¬ 
pears to have been proven by one of the 
editors of the Rural New-Yorker, his ef¬ 
forts in that direction having resulted in a 
hybrid between rye and wheat. A head of 
Armstrong Wheat—a beardless, hardy, prolific 
variety—was selected for the mother. The 
anthers were removed while they were per¬ 
fectly green, and the head covered for several 
days, when pollen from ryb was applied to the 
stigmas three days in succession, the head 
being covered after each operation. Ten grains 
formed and were planted m September. Niue 
of these grains germinated and matured, some 
early, some medium, some late. 
These plants were seen by a representative 
of the World after the heads had formed, and 
the following facts learned in regard to them; 
During their early growth there was little, if 
any, difference iu the appearance of the plants; 
but when the beads appeared it became appa¬ 
rent that the nine plants were all different, 
and some of them, though differing from each 
other, resembled rye as much as wheat. 
At maturity one of the plants presented 
grain of translucent amber color, the chaff 
being brown and partially bearded. Another 
plant had white chaff and a dark-colored 
grain, little larger than rye, while still another 
closely resembled the mother-plant. One plant 
produced a distinct grain, being neither wheat, 
nor rye, and ns different from either as wheat 
is from rye or rye from wheat. The Editor 
proposes to plant this hybrid grain, hoping 
that another season may develop a grain com¬ 
bining the best qualities of both wheat, ami 
rye. But, even should the result be an infe¬ 
rior grain, tho experiment cannot fail to in¬ 
terest progressive farmers.” 
The agricultural editor of the Connecticut 
Commit hue the following: “The Experiwm- 
till Karra of the Rural New-Yorker has 
succeeded in producing a fertile cross of wheat 
with rye, hut it is doubtful if the world will 
be very tbaukful, because it delights in mak 
ing mixtures for itself. Lot ham and eggs, 
fish and potatoes, sugar and lemons bo grown 
together—who would care? Some of our mil¬ 
lers aud some of our bakers mix the flour of 
the two grains, but, not to the satisfaction of 
the heartiest lovers of either, After growing 
an eager hunger for rye by trying to live on 
wheat alono. we take tho rankest rye teste we 
can get with gusto. If an inexperienced or 
hurried housewife goes for wheat flour to get 
her hands free from sticky rye dough, that is 
all right. We, who are immediately concern¬ 
ed, excuse that as we would excuso anything 
she may do, because wo are food of her. And 
so wo, who are fond of him, will excuse the 
editor of the Rural for hybridizing rye with 
wheat. If be likes it, it is all right—even 
while we believe that both rye aud wheat are 
better “straight.” 
PORK FROM THE CLOVER FIELDS. 
“I have ou my farm 20 acres of good clover, 
with a creek running through the field. 
Would sows with pigs live on the clover dur¬ 
ing the Bummer without an y other food? My 
object is to raise stock hogs. About, how 
many hogs would 20 acres of good clover 
keep?” 
Frof. Shelton, of tho Kansas Agricultural 
College, received the above letter, and an¬ 
swers it as follows: 
“In a pasture-field of 10 acres of mixed 
clover and Orchard Grass, including, also, a 
small patch of Alfalfa, we have kept our 
brood sows since early in the Spring with no 
other feed whatever than the grass aud clover 
that, the field afforded. Wo should say, also, 
that this field has been kept closely pastured 
by a large herd of cattle since early Spring. 
Upon this exclusive vegetable diet our sows 
have kept‘rolling fat.’ too fut, in fact. Never¬ 
theless, we do not believe that sows with lit¬ 
ters of pigs can do justice to them upon such 
exclusive vegetable diet. As to the number 
of hogs tho field will carry: this wo do not 
know auy more than we kuow the amount of 
clover that the field will produce. Our cor¬ 
respondent will find that his 20 acres will keep 
a surprisingly laigo drove of hogs, and keep 
them well, too. To illustrate: on the 10th of 
May last, we placed 15 thrifty eh oats, averag¬ 
ing nearly 100 pounds each, in an accurately- 
measured half acre of Alfalfa. The Alfalfa 
at, that date was about 10 laches tell, aud won¬ 
derfully vigorous. For a month tho pigs hud 
no other feed than this Alfalfa. At the end 
of tho month they were weighed, and five re¬ 
moved from the field. A small gaiu had been 
made; but evidently this field bad been great¬ 
ly overstocked. Since that time we have 
kept the remaining 10 sboats upon the half 
acre of Alfalfa, feeding each daily two pounds 
of corn in the ear. They have been weighed 
at, regular intervals, aud tho weighings show¬ 
ed a uniform and rapid gain for each pig. 
Our correspondent may be able to judge from 
these facts something of the number of pigs 
his 20-acre clover-field will carry. 
Fancy Fowls.— Henry Stewart says, in the 
N. Y. Times, that of fancy fowls, the Light 
Brahma is in greatest demand, and this speaks 
volumes for its general desirability. The 
Plymouth Rock comes next; the White Leg¬ 
horn is next; the Brown Leghorn is next; the 
Langshan, a newly introduced breed, is next 
in popularity. This fowl, ho thinks, is the ^ 
best of all for the quality of the chickens, 
which are hardy, grow rapidly, and are re¬ 
markably tendtr and juicy, and have white, 
dear flesh aud skin; hut so far ns his experi¬ 
ence goes, he is inclined to think it has been 
weakened in constitution, and suffers from 
disease on account of too close breeding. The 
Buff Cochin is a popular bird, and so is the new 
breed called Wyandotte,but either of those had 
better tie left, alone by the inexperienced poul¬ 
try keeper. On the whole, only tho first four 
mentioned are t,o be rocommeuded, and of 
these the first, alone offers the best chance for 
success to the beginner, until the time arrives 
when a flock of White Leghorns may safely 
he added, for the sake of the winter eggs. 
We think Mr. Stewart may change his mind 
regarding Wyandot,tes. At all events, we are 
highly pleased with birds of this breed as far 
as we have proceeded with them, and would 
rank them with the Plymouth Rocks. 
Asthma.—T ho most popular remedies for 
this disorder are those used by inhalation, and 
experience demonstrates them the most effect¬ 
ive. The following formula, the Scientific 
American says, has no superior: 
Grlndollu . 
...H ilrachniH 
Jaboranrit. 
M 
Eucalyptus. 
• • 
Dlvl lulls. . 
II 
Ouuebs . 
il 
StrAinomluni 
.HI 
II 
Nitrate of potash... 
II 
CascarlUa burk. 
l< 
The ingredients should he in fine powder, 
and thoroughly dry before mixing. The com¬ 
position is used by burning from one-fourth 
to one-half teaspoonful, and inhaling the 
smoke, which is most conveniently done by 
using the cover of a tin box. Not only is the 
powder effective, but its price is reasonable, 
averaging about 35 cents per pound. 
The Northwestern Farmer, of Fargo, Dako¬ 
ta, has the following: “The sketch of the life 
of Mr. Juboz S. Woodward, one of the editors 
of the Rural New-Yohkkr, published in their 
issue of July 12, and written by the senior 
editor of that journal, is good reading, and its 
publication will enhance tho value of the paper 
referred to in tho minds of all those who love 
true, conscientious work of any kind. 
The Rural New-Yorker bus done a 
great, work for the farmers, and the work has 
been well done, and not tho least of Its many 
improvements is the division of the labors of 
its management with Mr. Woodward, who is 
a thoroughly practical and successful farmer 
and an educated gentleman. He puts on the 
harness, loving the work that he has under¬ 
taken to do, aud brings ripe experience and 
unquestioned ability to aid him in bis duties.” 
Rih J. B. Laweh says, in the North British 
Agriculturist, from which wo have already 
quoted, t.lmt in practical agriculture it is usual 
to judge of the value of a purchased manure 
by the effect it produces upon the crop to 
which it is applied. Those who have spent 
money on manures expect to see tho mouey’B 
worth in the produce. This is not only per¬ 
fectly true, but it may be said that a manure 
which does not benefit the crop to which it was 
applied, ought not to have boen applied at all, 
and that some error 1ms been committed which 
a better knowledge of the science of manures 
might have corrected. 
- 
WORTH NOTING. 
The Kansas Industrialist quotes: “Cheek 
is a virtue that should not be its own reward.” 
We commend to our readers the following 
remark of Dr. Newman. “If there were no 
enemy, there could be no conflict; were there 
no trouble, there could be no faith; were there 
no fear, there could be no hope. Hope, faith 
and love are weapons, and weapons imply 
foes and encounters; aud relying on my 
weapons, l will glory in my sufferings”. 
Like a woman or man, the farm journal 
needs to bo loved to do its best. 
The directors of the Iowa Agricultural Col¬ 
lege value the various milk producing foods 
as follows: Corn, per 100 pounds, 50 cents; 
oats, 00 cents; barley, 55 cents; wheat, 65 
ceuta; bran, 70cents; Timothy,50cents; pota¬ 
toes, 100 cents. 
Mr. Mkggat stated, before the American 
Reed Trade Association, that it is seldom that 
cabbage, wheu it has been stunted or checked 
in its growth and then starts a second time, 
will do much towards making a head . 
The cruel and inhuman treatment of horses 
and other animals under tho prevalent pop¬ 
ular met hoi Is of curing diseases is amazing 
and deplorable... 
The agricultural press is talking a good 
deal about Japan Clover. The whole story was 
told by H. W. Ravenel, of Aiken, S. C., two 
years ago in tho Rural. It is really of little 
value. 
You can do no better than to set raspberry 
and blackberry plants this Fall. 
Mr. Purdy says that it was wrong to at¬ 
tach the honored name of James Vick to such 
