THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
704 
ducing good crops, seeing absence of frost and 
sufficient heat are always with us during the 
growing season Our wheat is being delivered 
slowly by the farmers, partly because the 
price is not remunerative, and partly because 
farmers are now ‘•fore handed. 7 * Our corn 
crop is hardly so good here as last year, but, 
take the whole State, it Is better than last year. 
Prices have been good, averaging here 80 
conts per bushel. Hay was light. Potatoes an 
average Pasture* are splendid. Times are 
generally dull, and low prices seem inevitable 
until the days are longer than now. But, 
farmers are not going to raise much wheat, 
ami as they will raise so much the more corn 
they may overdo the lutter. Some of our 
larger farmers are shipping off as fine hogs as 
were ever seeu. They ure childly Poland- 
Chinas, weighing nearly 400 pounds. They 
bring $4,50 to $4.75 per 100 pounds. j. b. 
Maryland. 
We.stovkr, Somerset Co., Oct. 13.—We are 
now suffering from a severe drought: we have 
had no rain for six weeks, and the last rainfall 
was small, and the ground being at that time 
quite dry, the raiu that fell was quickly ab¬ 
sorbed. At present, whore the grouud is not 
lumpy, it is like powder, and upon the roads 
the dust is suffocating. Forest fires have been 
burning for a month past, and in some locali¬ 
ties they have been doing much damage. 
Springs arc gettiog low, and our streams are 
all either salt or brackish. During a residence 
here of II) years, this is the driest weather I 
have experienced. Wheat seeding is progress¬ 
ing rather slowly, owing to the dry and hard 
state of the ground. Fallowed land can bo 
put in order, but much wheat is sowu after 
corn in this section, and getting such laud in 
order is rather slow and laborious. Corn fod¬ 
der is all saved, bat little corn is husked yet. 
New corn is selling at 45 cents; seed wheat at 
$1 per bushel. No frost yet, though nights 
are mol. Owing to our proximity to salt 
water (both Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic 
Ocean) we do not have any injurious frosts 
early iu the Fall or late in the Bpriug. 
8 . 0 . 8 . 
yiaaxnrhiiMetls, 
West Nkwrrky, Essex Co., Oct. (!.—We 
arc blessed with an abundant harvest here¬ 
abouts, with the exception of potatoes, 
which were injured by the unfavorable 
weather at, the time they were setting, and 
later by the rust. '1 hey are also rotting badly. 
Apples also in this immediate vicinity are 
light; but all around us they are abundant. 
I entirely checked the decay of my potatoes 
while stored for VV inter, by picking them over 
and throwing out all that showed any evi¬ 
dence of d isca.se; and then 1 ropluced the others, 
sprinkling air-slaked lime freely over the 
heap. Corn has done finely, and is out of the 
way of frost. Squashes and tomatoes are 
very plentiful and cheap. Hay is quite high. 
Grass land is looking rather poor; little or no 
second crop has been cut for three years. 
J. R. G. 
Michigan. 
Hubbardston, Ionia Co., Oct. (>.— Although 
we bavo had a frost every month this season, 
except the presont, still up to this date we 
have had none to do any damage, and to-day 
cucumbers, squash and tomato vines are not 
injured. This condition of the weather has 
boon very favorable to numerous farmers, as 
many were obliged to buy their seed corn last 
Bpriug, aud wore deceived und purchased In- 
diana corn, supposing It to be early Ohio; 
hence at this date there are many fields of 
very green corn. It bus been a season of fair 
success to the industrious man. Wheat is of 
good quality, although the price is low. Oats 
and com good. Vegetables plentiful. Ap¬ 
ples abundant. 8. a. s. 
Manistique, Schoolcraft Co., Oct. 7.— We 
are between the two great lakes—Michigan 
and Superior. Our climate is cool aud health¬ 
ful, and the soil eau’t be surpassed for all 
kinds of crops.except corn and vines. In wheat, 
oats, barley, potatoes and all kinds of root 
crops, and all sorts of grasses, we can beat the 
world; but corn and vines will not do well 
here because the nights are cool, and they do 
not grow fast enough to ripen. Our timber 
to mostly hard wood—beech, maple, elm and 
basswood in the furmiug country, and pine 
on the light soil. I have seen good farms on 
land that was lighter than our pine land; but 
this country is new, and the settlers pick 
among the heavy timber. There are lots of 
good laud for sale here at from $4 to $0 per 
acre. We have plenty of game, and all of 
our streams and small lakes abound with fish. 
a, w. 
Wayland, Allegan Co., Oct. 3.—Western 
Michigan has been favored with a very favor¬ 
able season for the farmer. There has been 
just enough rain for the growing crops, and 
plenty of fine weather to secure thorn in good 
shape. Prices are rather low: wheat, 70 ceuts; 
oats, 30 ceuts; potatoes, 35 to 80 cents. This 
is a great grass country, and farmers are 
beginning to realize that there is more money 
in dairying than in raising grain to sell at 
present prices. h s. b. 
Missouri. 
St. Louis, St. Louis Co., Sept. 37.—T have 
just completed a tour through Central Illinois. 
I traversed the State from north to south,along 
a line parallel td the Illinois Central Railway, 
and from five to six miles west of it The 
tract is everywhere slightly undulating. The 
soil is a rich, black loam, about two feet deep, 
aud under this is a bed of gray clay, which ex 
tends to considerable depth. Owing to such 
an arrangement of earths, the land is exceed¬ 
ingly retentive of moisture. It. is entirely free 
from rocks and stones, except, that one meets, 
at rare intervals, with isolated black stones, 
perfectly round, and about the size of a cocoa- 
nut, which the inhabitants call “nigger heads. 77 
These He upon the surface. Why they have 
received this rather odd name, I was unable 
mixed with ordinary brown New Orleans 
molasses. The mixture is then re-shipped, 
beiug of a lighter color, as pure New Orleans 
golden sirup. 
A word with regard to apple orchards. The 
Rhode Island Greening seems to thrive the 
best. I saw specimens which were almost as 
large as a small musk-melon, and they were 
no less juicy and delightful than those of 
more moderate size. On account, however, 
of the large crop, the prices have fallen, and 
farmers only get 35 cents per bushel for the 
best fruit. II. P. 
North Pnrallnii. 
Henderson, Vance Co., Bopt. 30. After a 
cold and wet Summer, wo have a dry, hot 
September, the mercury ranging up among 
the nineties almost every day. But little in¬ 
jury, however, CHU bo done by a drought thus 
late, except to turnips, sweet potatoes, and 
West. 
Bay, 24x40, 
Fig 3. 
- For’" 
horse-power 1 
8x15. 
"0 
Bam Floor, 18x40 
Driveway, 12x15, 
Stairs to Basement, 
imnn/n 
K.n-y. 
in 
o 
C 
Plan ok Barn Floor. 
Bay, 18x40. 
East.. 
Fig. 403. (Bee page 007.) 
to find out. It is probably, however, on ac- 
countof their superior hardness and rotundity. 
If the average man were asked to name the 
product# of this country, he would probably 
answer, corn, oats, wheat, and other cereals. 
If ho hail made this answer 25 years ago, ho 
would have been correct. But such an answer 
to-day would only he correct in the case of the 
first, article named—corn. Strange to say. the 
raising of small grain seems to have been dele¬ 
gated to those living in the Far West—in Minne¬ 
sota, Dakota, Kansas, and Nebraska. Farmers 
here devote their eutiroftttention to the raising 
of sorghum, corn, apples, pours, poultry and 
hogs. The first aud third of these products 
deserve special mention. Sorghum raising is 
a new industry, and is springing into favor, 
at an alarming rate. In some sections of the 
late corn. Early planted corn is well-matured 
—a good crop From most farms it is already 
on its way to the mill. Cotton short, and the 
price—!) 1 .* cents—not encouraging. A large 
breadth of tobacco was planted, and the cur¬ 
ing is nearly done. Quality generally good, 
though many new beginners have ruined a 
portion of their crop. Prices high, consider¬ 
able new tobacco has been marketed, though 
the market has not fairly opened yet. Our 
people are getting waked up about, the State 
Exposition, which opens at Raleigh to-uior- 
row, and we hope to make such a display of 
our varied productions as will bo worth your 
time to come and see. m. b. p. 
i'nnnsylvnniu. 
Hope Church, Oct. fi,—We have cause to 
rejoice over the bountiful harvest which has 
I 
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country, one-half the fields are under sorg¬ 
hum, and sorghum-molasses factories are only 
three or four miles apart. The great induce¬ 
ment to farmers to go into sorghum, seems 
to be that it requires but little capital to start. 
Two rollers, revolving in close proximity to 
one another, a blind nag to work the rollers, 
and an iron kettle in which to boil the sorg¬ 
hum juice are all required. The pure sorg- 
num sirup, as finally sold, Is of a beautifully 
clear, greenisb-white color. A large amount, 
of it is sold to Chicago sugar-refiners, and, as 
I was surprised to learn upon my arrival here, 
a large amount is shipped to New Orleans. I 
understand that it is sent down there to be 
just passed. Although we have endured a 
very dry season throughout, we have been 
graciously blessed with good crops in general. 
Hay was plentiful, and all was put up in good 
order. 11, is now selling for $5 per ton. Wheat 
was a fair crop, and although better than usual 
in quality, the price is only 87 cents per bush¬ 
el. Outs “middling good;" worth 35 cents per 
bushel. Corn not so good as last year, owing 
to the drought; selling at, NIJ cents per bushel. 
Potatoes yjehled better than was expected; 
they are worth from (50 to 80 cents per bushel. 
Butter, 40 cents per pound. k. f. h. 
Wisconsin. 
Mannawa, Waupaca Co., Oct. 3.—Crops 
are fair and secured in good condition, but 
prices are uncommonly low. Weather warm, 
with frequent heavy showers; the sowing of 
fall groiu much retarded in consequence. The 
season was marked with ninny damaging 
storms of wind ami hail. k. e. c. 
RURAL SEED REPORTS. 
Canada. 
Crystal City, Manitoba.—I think the 
Rural Seed Distribution a grand success. All 
mine grew well, though I do not think some of 
them suitable to this climate. Theoatsnrp too 
late. The corn grew fluely, but only one stalk 
had cobs, and they will not ripen. The peas 
grew, and yielded well. The tomatoes have 
succeeded better than any I have grown in 
this section. The Garden Treasures I con 
sider worth more than the price of the paper. 
My littlo girl has a glorious bed of flowers 
from half of the packet sent. 0. L. T. 
Georgia. 
Macon. Bebb Co.—The R. N.-Y. Peas were 
planted Fob. 32; first full pods, April 2(5. The 
Market Garden planted at the same titno hail 
first, full pods May 7. Vines of sturdy growth 
and very prolific; quality excellent. I regard 
it as n first-class intermediate pea. The Spring 
was wet and cool. Tomatoes did well and 
among them there wore some superior sorts. 
Union Corn is not as good as the kinds grown 
here. Wheat and rye complete failures; they 
were entirely destroyed by rust. They would 
probably do well sowed in the Fall. The oats, 
pluntod alongside of the wheat and rye re¬ 
mained free from rust throughout, and suc¬ 
ceeded very well. I carefully saved the seed 
of all I considered worthy. d, m. 
Ii allNHS. 
Peoria, Franklin Co.—Tbo Garden Treas¬ 
ures were sown in the open ground, and did 
well. The peas were sown with Landreth's 
Earliest and Burpee's Extra Early. Lan- 
droth ami the It. N Y. are about cquully early; 
if therein any difference, I t.hlulc I.undreth 
the earlier, and of a better quality. The 
Rural Union Corn grew well; but I do not 
think it will amount to anything here. 
H. T. T. 
Willow Springs, Douglas Co —The Rural 
Oats were a failure. Corn very good. To¬ 
matoes and peas good. Garden Treasures 
beautiful. p. db n, 
Michigan. 
Hubbardston. Ionia Co.—Last Spring I 
was short of seed corn, aud having some Ru¬ 
ral Heavy Dent, I finished with that, thinking 
it would make fodder, but it lias ripened, al¬ 
though planted ns late as May 8Ut, and to-day 
it has been put iu the shock. From my two 
small Blush Potatoes I grew 13 pounds; and 
planting the 13 pounds this Spring, I have Just 
dug nine bushels of very nice tubers of good 
quality for the table. The Shumaker Wheat 
is a week or ten days curlier than the Fultzo- 
Clawson; of the two ! have nearly an acre in 
the ground now. The Rural Union Corn has 
done fairly well. The tomatoes are lino. 
The peas were splendid The Black Champion 
Oats did well, but they are a littlo late; they 
stood up well and s too led out wonderfully. 
This season i shall have six kinds of wheat. I 
find it pleasant, and interesting to experiment; 
bub with wheats it is a little difficult to keep 
them separate and clean. The Garden Treas¬ 
ures did well. 8. A. 8. 
New York, 
Central Ihlip, Suffolk Co., L. I,, Oct. 8.— 
Of the Rural 1 cannot speak too highly. I 
value it, more ami more, and congratulate you 
on your success hitherto, and wish you widely 
extended prosperity and usefulness in the 
future. Of seeds sent out for last year, B B. 
Centennial Wheat failed as a spring wheat 
utterly, as wiuter wheat It was almost all 
killed; some twenty-five heads matured, and 
looked very fine; wheu ripe, I harvested it 
and we boiled it and ate it, for breakfast. The 
Perfection Watermelon hud a poor chance 
between woodchucks und poor soil ; but I 
saved the seed of one small specimen; and this 
year planted 18 hills which produced some 
fine molous, for the season. Will try again. 
The Blush Potato suffered from moles and 
frost last year; this year I raised about half 
a bushel of nice tubers. The Garden Treasures 
have givou us some very handsome flowers, 
especially zinnias, phlox, asters, coxcombs, 
balsams, and mignonette. The R Cham¬ 
pion Oafs produced three good-sized bundles. 
TlieR. N.-Y Pea and florsford Market Gard¬ 
en have all been saved for seed. The first and 
best lot of toiuutoeB were killed by the May 
frost; the second lot, set out, after the frost, 
are now full of flue, fair fruit. The It. Union 
Corn good; cut, but not yet, husked, e. .r. p, 
St. Jounmville, Montgomery Co.—We 
were much pleased with the Garden Treasures. 
The sun flower need was planted iu rich gar¬ 
den soil, which is a kind of gravel, uud it grew 
to a hightof nearly 12 feet. It has at present 
over ^100 flowers. The R. U. Corn was 
