WELLS, RICHARDSON & CO’S 
IMPROVED 
BUTTER COLOR 
h>/IRGlNIA FARMS 8 c MILLS* 
to/ fob sale ic exchange. warn; for freeRJAL ESTAH 
JOURNAL,HB.CflAFFIN&€ 0 .. RICHMOND. VA 
£t0cfc an® fattUtu 
PteceUanrou? 
from a Canada cousin, and a Christmas 
poem from a cousin in Illinois, dedicated to 
Uncle Mark. 
MOST EXTENSIVE PURE BRED 
LIVE STOCK ESTABLISHMENT 
IN THE WORLD. 
I wish to call attention to the letter in 
another column about experimenting with 
potatoes. Our young friend speaks of raising 
seedling potatoes, hence we must infer that 
the “ small tubers ” that he speaks of as being 
planted last spring were the year previous 
raised from seed-balls. Will he inform us, if 
our supposition is correct I At any rate, I am 
glad he is so interested in this kind of work 
and I wish him the best success in it. Now 
why cannot many more follow the example 
he has set 1 
“ We found thcut in 
passing the ‘ACME’ 
Pulverizing Harrow, Clod 
Crusher and Leveler over 
twice, it not only broke 
and crushed the lumps, 
but it pushed and depos¬ 
ited them in the hollows 
and depressions, so that 
the beds look ed as smooth¬ 
ly made as if clone with 
spade and hoe.” Hee page 
16 this peeper.') 
Now, Uncle Mark, if you will let Aunt 
Hester contribute a pickle for your castor, I 
will tell the young people about a Christmas 
gathering of fifteen years ago, though 
Christmas has passed for this year. Our 
home was situated at the extreme end of a 
beautiful village in the Virginia valley. It 
was notan elpgant edifice but was surrounded 
with shade trees, evergreens, and roses; and 
when I arranged my boxes of flowers on the 
portico, passers by would say what a cool¬ 
looking place sind what sweet flowers, why 
old Aunt Hester would feel as proud as a 
Prima Douna with bouquets of flowers 
showered upon her. We all love such notice 
if we don’t always admit it. 
Oa Christmas day my little nieces and son, 
and several young ladies of fourteen and 
fifteen were assembled in our little parlor. 
I had sent out a favorite niece to invite all 
the little girls from four to eight years of age 
in our neighborhood to come to a Christmas 
bag. They had heard of Christmas trees, 
boxes, and baskets, but had not heard of a 
Christmas bag, but I had read about it. 
Twenty-five little girls came. Our little one 
said to her dear Grandpa, “Will you take me ?” 
“ Yes, my darling, I will.” Both long since 
have gone to rest in the little grave-yard. 
Another father said/'It is the first time any of 
my children have been noticed by any one." 
I only speak of this to show how often we 
forget little ones around us. The feeling of 
parents for their little children is deep, and I 
know when my little grandson is called a 
manly little fellow and polite. I can live on 
that for a long time. Mentally, I mean. 
The bags were made of yellow and purple 
tissue paper. One contained little prize boxes 
costing only ten cents each, and one for each 
of the children. Every box had some little 
pieces of jewelry and candy in it. Our little 
Lucy had a ten cent greenback in hers, and 
she said she did not want it, and pacified her¬ 
self by buying a ten cent mug with it. That 
dear child bas met with many privations 
since. May the God of their mother bring 
them prosperity in their distant home I 
The bags were suspended from the ceiling 
and the children were blindfolded, one at a 
time, having a cane in the.r hands to hit the 
bag. All were so sure of doing this that their 
failure was laughable. At length Ida, one of 
the young ladies, hit it effectually, and then 
what a scramble 1 Oaly one box a piece was 
allowed, but all the candy and nuts they could 
get was theirs. Happier children I never 
Baw. Aunt Hester. 
(The above was to have been published last 
week hut it was unavoidably crowded 
out.—U. M.) 
► VUUSC 
'VU.L.SCTO*. 
CLYDESDALE BOUSES, PERCHERON NORMAN 
HORSES, TROTTING BRED ROADSTERS, 
HO lime IN’ AND DEVON CATTLE. 
Our customers have the advantage of our many 
years’ experience In h reeding and importing large 
collections,opportunity of comparing different breeds, 
low prices, because of extent of business find low rates 
of transportation. Catalogues free. Correspondence 
solicited _ _ 
POWKIjIj BROTHERS, 
SPRINGBORO, CRAWFORD OO., PA. 
Mention Rural N“w Yorker 
results of some experiments, under “ Letters 
from the Cousins." Why, we promoted him, 
and he did not realize it I Whenever a letter 
is of special interest, relating some practical 
experiencein horticulture, it is worthy a more 
conspicuous position and we give it a special 
heading. That is the way we make practical 
writers or contributors for the Rural and 
other papers. Who is the next to be pro¬ 
moted ? 
LABEL 
Luu,Vs White Metallic Ear Marking Label, stamped 
to order with name* ov name and address and niim- 
here. It is reliable, cheap and convenient. Sells at 
sight and givea perfect satisfaction. Illustrated 
iTlce-LiiH and samples free. Agents wanted. 
C. H. DANA, West Lebanon, N. H. 
Three or four of the Cousins have re¬ 
sponded to the call for original drawings for 
the heading of our page. I want a very large 
number to select from so don’t withold your 
favors yet. 1 kDow there must be more than 
a half dozen artists in our Club. I have also 
received two, just think of it two ! contribu¬ 
tions for our next discussion, and on a subject 
of such general interest, too. But I am glad 
to say these two are exceptionally good and I 
want fifty more just like them. I presume 
there are several new members of the Club 
who have not been introduced to our Discus¬ 
sions, but we shall expect to hear from them 
also, pretty soon. 
ASSIUS M. CLAY, breeder of pare SOUTHDOWN 
SHEEP. Whitk-Hali,. Kentucky- 
PROFESSOR 
Wsmmo til Bronze Turkey 
for sale. MILTON A. LAIN, 
Westtnvrn. Orange Co. N. Y. 
©.state 
^aSPHATfc 
LETTERS PROM THE COUSINS. 
FIRST MORTGAGE LOANS Vtod Uctlvefarms 
® the best localities in the <Vi t negoUsteil for banka, 
tulleges, estates and private Individuals. Coupon Bonds 
Interest and pnn.-ipul puui on day of tmufnty at. the 
Third Notional Hank In Now fork City, 
junits promptly pUced. )jtrgo experirnrr. No losses. 
Investors compelled to take no land. N o delays 111 pay 
Dear Uncle Mark I thought that I 
would write and teil you what success I had 
with my watermelons, I received six seeds, 
I made three hills of them. I also planted 
some Surprise Melons and Citron, none of 
which came up, on account of t’nedry weather. 
I plained the Gem Squash seeds ; they all 
came up but the bugs destroyed them all but 
one vine; that had eleven squashes on it. 
Last year I saved seeds from potato balls. 1 
sowed the seeds last Spring in a drill. I have 
a good many different kinds some as large as 
a hens egg. 1 shall plant them next Spring, 
and then fiad names for them. Of the Lima 
Beans you sent me last year only one hill 
came up, the frost came so early that they 
did not get ripe. The Catalpa seeds you sent 
me 1 planted in a box in a warm place ; they 
all came up nicely, but as bad luck would 
have it my pet kitten got into the box and 
broke them all down. I will write another 
time and tell you about my flowers. 
Arthur L. Cummings. 
Milford, Otsego, Co., N. Y. 
[Thanks for your kinds words about Christ¬ 
mas. u. M.] 
Made from Professor Hereford's Acid 
Phosphate. 
Recommended by 1-ading physicians. 
Makes lighter biscuit, cakes, etc-, and 
Is healthier than ordinary Baking Pow¬ 
der. 
In cans. Sold at a reasonable price. 
The Hereford Almanac anti Look Book 
sent free. 
Rumford Chemical Works, Providence, R. I. 
U. M. ANTHONY, AgT 100 and 102 Reade St., N. Y 
TKT U R S E K V A N 1) C It F. A M E R Y 
IN WANTED. I'holee Jocntl"i)8 f .r r>om In new 
town »t railroad crossing at centre of a No. 1 county 
In Northwestern Missouri. 1 will aid the right men 
with partial means but the men must be all right or 
they need not apply. Wide awake merchant wanted 
at same pluce .send for list of NO to O-iO-acro 
FARMS FOR SALE. Address 
C <«. COMSTOCK, Albany, Gentry Co., Mo. 
A NEW DISCOVERY 
. CYTFor several years wo lmvo furnished the 
‘Dairymen of America with an excellent artl- 
■ tidal color Tor butter; so meritorious that it mot 
iwith great success everywhere receiving the 
highest and only prizes at both International 
Dairy Pairs. 
I CSTBut bv patient find sidontifio chemical re- 
■searcliwehavei'iiprtvvedin several points, and 
|now oiler this new color as the best in the world. 
It Will Not Color the Buttermilk. It 
A POTATO EXPERIMENT. 
I suppose Uncle Murk would like to hear 
how my seedling potatoes came out this Fall. 
When I cut the small tubers up I only had one 
eye on a piece, then I let them stand one week 
before planting, then I planted them and 
put one piece in each hilL As I planted 
them I drove a small stick between these hills 
and a larger one between those containing 
whole potatoes. I planted them on a dry, 
gravely spot on the »ide of a hill; they grew 
nicely all Bummer. Each hill was numbered, 
and they turned out as follows : Hill No. 6 
had nine potatoes, the largest was 8% inches 
long and five inches in circumference. Hill 
No 10 had seven potatoes, the largest was 3X 
inches long aud GX in circumference. Hill 
No. 15 bad six potatoes, the largest was 2 % 
inches 1 )ng aud five inches in circumference. 
Hi I' No. 23 had seven potatoes, the largest 
was 3X ineh“B long and five inches in circum¬ 
ference. 1 saved two potatoes from each hill 
to plant next year. The color of them varies 
from a dark to a light red. 
I would like to know if I am the only one 
out of this large Horticultural Club that is 
experimenting on different fruits and vege¬ 
tables ? In my first letter Uncle Mark said 
he wished others would follow me in raising 
seedlings. He tries to please us and we ought 
to please him. I am doing all that is in my 
power to please him. Last Spring he told us 
how ro graft; I have done grafting before, but 
this year I grafted three small trees to Bald¬ 
wins, and one out of the three lived. How 
many of the Cousins tried grafting last 
Spring ? If there is any one who did, please 
write and let us know how you succeeded. 
O. F. Fuller. 
[Thanks for your kind words. You are on 
the right track, u. M.] 
Worcester Co., Mass. 
OUT in riDMO I James River. Va.. in a 
bilLur rflUflio 1 Northern settlement. Ulus, 
trated circular free J. F. MANCHA. Claremont, Va. 
WEALTHY FARMERS gJ ot KSK rto jSSH[ 
business and reside In a CHy, can huve a circular, with 
outs of a FINE RESIDENCE for sale on easy terms, 
by writing to JOHN H. .1011N.SON, 
K. K. Agent htrlniillslil, Ohio. 
Will Not Turn Rancid. It Is the 
INVESTORS 
Dear Uncle Mark;—I t has been a long 
time since I wrote to you last so I will try 
again. Three of those melon seeds came up 
that you sent me; one of the vines did not 
have any melons on but the other two did 
nicely. The seeds were planted on sod ground; 
two large ones and one Bmall oue got ripe, the 
rest did not get ripe. One weighed 24 pounds 
and one 2G, the small one about 15 pounds. 
One measured three feet four inches around 
lengthwise, and two feet three inches around 
the middle; the other three feet six inches and 
two feet two inches, and the green rind ex¬ 
clusive of the white, was from one-half to 
three-quarters of an inch deep aud as nke a 
melon as I ever ate. I had a fine garden be¬ 
sides. There were radishes, tomatoes, carrots, 
lettuce, peas and beans. 
Your niece, Ollie Pike. 
Knox Co., Nebr. 
[The flower you enclose is a chrysanthe¬ 
mum. u. m ] 
M i ti- •rotation about 
pet cent, farm mort- 
i? years experience l 
t.Wntkins & Co. 
icW \ L.K. 
Strongest, Brightest and 
Cheapest Color Nlade, 
. 000,000 loaned 
wwiuuv luouaii; no( a dolliii lest. J, 
iwreoce, Kansas, and 243 Uroatiway, 
1 ISTAnd, while J>rupart'd In oil. Is so compound 
ed that it Is (niptiaxihle for It to become rancid. 
1 riTSE WARE of ull Imitations, and of all 
other oil colors, for they an# liable to become 
rancid and spoil the batter. 
1 t3T If you cannot tret the “Improved” write us 
to know-whore and how to get it without extra 
I expense. (48) 
HUMS, RICHARDSON A CO., Burllnifton, Vt. 
1 A IJ DO —Agricultural, Grazing, Fruit and Timber, 
LAnUO “1 aim Ti-iim. A.mi, CluULammgii v_lty 
property For catalogue send green stamp 
to J. N. BROW N, 1S2 Vine St., Cincinnati, Ohio. 
awplcmnug and illachinrrj 
EVAPORATING FRUIT 
Can now grasp u fortune. Out- 
fit worth SI 0 free. AddressK G. 
Rips >i;t& Co.,lOBarolay St.. N.Y, 
AGENTS 
Treatise on Improved method; 
SEN T FREE. Wonderful roealt.- 
Tahlee of Yields, Prioes, Profits 
and General Statistics. Address 
AMERICAS MAS CFG C0„ 
Waynesboro, Fa. 
FARMSRS and F YRIYICR 
CAN MAKE _ 
During the Fall and Winter. For particulars, 
Vddress J. O. VhenRDV * GO Philadelphia. Pa 
SONS 
iiwnta, FV.II Z>ntr, 
IMPROVED FARM IMPLEMENTS. 
Non-Explosive Steam Engines. Rest Railway & Lever 
Horae-P. 'were, Threshing-Machines, Straw-preserving 
Threshers; La Dow's Disc and Steel spring Tooth Har¬ 
rows,Eagle Sulky Horse Nukes,Cultivators Feed Mills 
Feed Steamers,etc ete.U iikki.kh&Mkuck Co..Albany 
N.Y. Established iSdi. Bond for Illustrated Catalogue 
oAHUS FOR 1883 
G-I/^Wuc ilfHily prliitHl In tii-Htv I M „. 
on oO I .Will I I II 1,0 ii(l litrUK,* nil u 
Milk**, -lu.t Mill, II) riw. ill) lill.T IIK> I I.T 
IiULKv I uni imI nirni-n a ml plain, 1. 
I- PI. Uil. > LOItAUv, lni[i*i*l, uni (■in. 
ha ml ilcsIgiiK, SiO». J2 MVP'S 
IIUi! rmarnl hv liamt mii*I !UiV*«*r> ’JZr. 
nt-vf Allium of Niinipt*** ftir Agint**. f'i. 
•Ku fife £00 XF.W LU SH,Ns millet) thU 
•tv pri.inpfU tlllfsl. III.INK I AltftS nt 
Till AS IIIION. X TO. >♦.» (..fiiH, i nnn. 
Dear Uncle Mark; —Myself and two 
brothers are interested in reading the 
children’s letters and wish to join the 
Horticultural Club. Our father, who Is a 
subscriber of the Rural, received from it last 
Spring a paper of h illybock Beeds. We nave 
now from it three plants, all thrifty looking. 
Baby Florence pulled up the first one, saying 
it was a weed. We have a flying squirrel, 
caught last week in the woods. It was lying 
in a rotten tree six inches through. Father 
hit the tree with an ax when the handsome 
little fellow stuck his head out of a hole in the 
tree. Father immediately plugged up the 
hole, cut the tree off two feet each way from 
the hole aud brought it to the house, squirrel 
and all, for he was safely imprisoned. When 
we let him out he flew against mother’s apron. 
She oaught him in her hand and put him iu a 
cage. Katy Ingraham. 
Binghamton, Broome Go., N. Y. 
Latest out, and beat adapted for the 
farmer In America. 
Write for testimonials and Circular. 
I.KWIH NT It A Y1KK, Vork. Pa 
LEARN TELECRAPHY 
jroiltnolo omployr 
T 11II III It Ml f III It wives profitable employment 
1 U UIV U ill L JV the year round. We give written 
guwrautee to furnish good situation 
Write for particulars 
OBERLIN TELEGRAPH CO., 
Oberlln, Ohio. 
TENTS TO RENT for Fair purposes, by CHA8. 
M. Gibbs u>6 Sycamore 8t., (Tn’tl, o., pi w. ft. 
Rt. 8yr»«'i*o. N V. and 4.58 Klver Rt.. Troy, N V 
Can now gTasp a fortune. Outfit 
worth $10. free. RIDEOUT & CO. 
1(1 Barclay St.. New York. 
GHfcAl WESTERN 
GUN WORKS, o 
Pittsburgh. <8 
NOTES BY UNCLE MARK 
I wish to acknowledge, with many thanks, 
he receipt of a beautiful Christmas card 
OUT 
b. Watchmakers By nialL Mo. Clrcnlan 
fro*. J. a 1UKCH a CO.. SB Uar* St N * 
Write far t.srge Illnitrstefl C«t»lo*oe 
Rifles,Shot Gum, Revolver,,sonl o. o. d for ciemiuitooo. 
