SEPT 8 
such a fact, will no longer be known. A total 
change will occur, much to the satisfaction of 
the humanely disposed, and the general in¬ 
terests of the public. What the ell'ect will be 
upon the stock interests of the Eastern breed¬ 
ers and farmers one can scarcely dare to 
guess. But it will possibly produce for a 
time a period of low prices such as oleomar¬ 
garine and lard cheese have caused in the 
dairy, aud cheap Northern grain has caused 
in regard to wheat, aud give those who are 
affected by it a rather hard squeeze. But if 
we never had a squeeze we should swell out of 
all proportion. The bad must be taken with 
the good, and low prices are often a useful in¬ 
centive to improved methods aud cheaper be¬ 
cause enlarged production. 
TnE whole tendency of the times is towards 
lower prices. It has been so for some years 
aud is general in other industries, aud the 
whole cause of it is enlarged competition 
which makes necessary cheaper products to 
meet it. The dairyman must, double his pro¬ 
duct by improving his stock uud his system of 
farming and feeding; the breeder must im¬ 
prove his stock uud supply the dairymen nud 
tanners with hotter material, and these must 
alter their methods to conform with the gen¬ 
eral advance. When uu army makes u chauge 
of front, or a part; of it makes a charge, the 
line is kept unbroken; there must be no lag¬ 
gards, aud so it must be with the great army 
of live stoek owners, dairymen, farmers, etc., 
etc., etc. 
Tue race is not always to the swift, and 
when one runs a race (1 knew how it was my¬ 
self when 1 was a boy), how he is pleased to 
see the one ahead trip aud go ail of a heap. 
Just uow it is pleasing to know that the first 
of the adulterators, the glucose manufac¬ 
turers, are going of a heap, uud still pleasing 
to hope that the oleomargarine men may fol¬ 
low, and buttoriue aud sume, aud olivine and 
cottouseediue, may soon come to “ col- 
lapsiue" and go the sweet way or the glucose. 
But it wont help matters unless dairymen can 
step light into the vacant place and keep up 
the line of advance. Aud so with the sheep 
aud cattle men. It may be that some of those 
Western stockmen—new to the business—who 
have bought at high prices may fail, but it 
wont help Eastern stockmen; they must too 
the mark along with the Western men, aud to 
do this they must take a step forward. 
I agree with Ur. Hoskins that such rascal¬ 
ities as may bo termed “cow jockeying” 
should be exposed. But it may perhaps be 
just as well to keep the I act tuat they are 
practiced before the public aud so put pur¬ 
chasers on their guard. For myself 1 may 
have perhaps too little confidence in human 
nature. But l learned the lesson at great cost 
and when 1 paid the bill my lawyer said to 
me, “Now don't yon ever trust any' man 
again.” Aud I think of that every time; but 
still I trust men a good deal, but never with 
xuy pocketbook or a blank check unless 1 am 
round to watch; and it is just the same to take 
any rnau’s word when you are paying hun¬ 
dreds of dollars for an animal on the strength 
of a simple representation, even although he 
umy be a breeder of stock, unless one watches 
lum pretty closely. For instance, the A. J. 
C. <J. have issued a circular to the effect that 
ouo W. L. Gardiner uiudu fraudulent entries 
in the herd book, and uo entries will hereafter 
be made on this man's word. Does any sane 
man believe when one rascal is caught there 
are not a score undiscovered! Aud especially 
when it is so easy to cheat in the matter of 
pedigrees, uud pedigrees are worth so much. 
farm Cconoimj. 
A TOBACCO RACK. 
When tobacco is hung upon laths, in the 
field, as the plants are cut, a rack of the 
style shown in Fig. 628, is used for supporting 
the laths in t heir passage from the field to the 
curing house. This consists essentially of two 
railings, about 43^ feet high, which support 
the ends of the laths, t he plants hanging bo- 
tweeu. As the rack is required to support a 
considerable load, it must be substantially 
built, or it will soon give way from the strain 
that it receives when the load is driven over 
rough ground. It is also very desirable that 
it should be made as light as possible tor con¬ 
venience in liftiug it on and oil' the wagon, 
and for ease of draft. The ouo here described 
was constructed with reference to strength 
and lightness. 
Tobacco racks are usually built rather long, 
so that they can carry a good-sized load 
without undue crowding of the plants. The 
one shown is supposed to be 20 feet in length, 
which is the length more commonly used. 
The wood is yellow' pine, though white pine 
THE RURAL MEW-YORSCER. S9I 
would perhaps have answered as well for ah 
except the bed-pieces, The latter should be of 
some strong and elastic timber. A very good 
quality of hemlock would perhaps answer 
as well as yellow pine. The bed-pieces which 
rest upon the wagon, are 2x0 inches, the up¬ 
right posts 3x3, and the cross-beams that sup¬ 
port the posts 2x5, tapered to 2x2 inches 
at the ends. The rail at the top of the posts 
is formed of a 2x3 inch scantling. To the 
outside of this is nailed a board three inches 
wide, so that it projects an inch above the 
top of the scantling. This is to prevent the 
laths from moving end-wise. The posts are 
mortised into the scantling at the top, but at 
the bottom they should be attached to the 
cross-pieces in a stronger way. 1 made a 
very shallow’ mortise in the cross-piece, sim¬ 
ply to hold the end of the post in place, and 
then secured it by passing au eight-inch ma¬ 
chine holt through the cross piece, aud 
upward in the eeuter of the post, letting the 
nut in at the side. This joint, which 1 have 
endeavored to illustrate at the base of the 
center post, iu the drawing, is the one gen¬ 
erally used in putting together the frame¬ 
work of machines, aud it will endure much 
more jarring, without working loose, than the 
ordinary mortise and tenon. The center and 
rear cross-pieces project 15 inches outside of 
the posts, on each side of the rack, to make 
room for braces. The forward cross-piece, 
however, cannot project beyond the work, 
without interfering with the wheels of the 
wagon. The braces must therefore be placed 
on the inside of the posts iu this case. The 
bed-pieces are placed Hi inches nearer together 
at the forward ends of the rack than at the 
rear, for convenience iu turning. The cross¬ 
pieces are attached to the bed-pieces in the 
maimer desenbed for a hay-rack, in a former 
article; viz., by clamps, made of three-eighths 
inch round Iron, bent in the form of a staple, 
with square angles, aud having nuts fitted to 
the ends of the arms. The clamps arc placed 
over the two pieces, as indicated at Fig. 023, 
when a bit of band-iron having holes 
punched through it at the proper distances 
apart, is slipped over the ends of the arms, 
and the nuts screwed on. The pieces are kept 
from slippiug upon each other by cutting a 
very slight gain in each where they come 
together. 
The rack is held iu place on the wagon by 
a cross-piece notched to tit bet vveou the stakes 
_._ 
of the bolster, and placed just forward of the 
forward post, us shown. It is let into the bed- 
pieces its thickness (two inches), aud secured 
to them by bolting. A tic is placed across the 
toil of the ruck at each end to prevent the 
sides from spreading apart. These are made 
or strips of wood, two Inches square, one end 
of which is made into a hinge, aud the other, 
into a hook. The hinge and hook are made of 
band-iron, iu the maimer shown at the left end 
of the rack, iu Fig. 023 where the tie is repre¬ 
sented as living let down for convenience iu 
loading or unloading. A short section of the 
scantling is rounded, over which the baud- 
iron, bent iu t he form of a staple, tits. This 
hinge tits loosely enough to permit the tie to 
swing over the ends of the scantling ou the op¬ 
posite side ol' the rack. The hook tits iu a 
gain cut in the outer edge of the scantling, 
as indicated at the end of the rack, where the 
tie is represented in its place. The iron braces, 
10 in number, are made of cast-off tire from 
a farm wagon, and, if not at hand, this kind 
of iron may be bought very cheap at almost 
any blacksmith’s shop. A single light plank, 
fastened to the cross-pieces in the center of 
the rack, forms the only bottom required. 
‘■Elm.” 
HEDGE FENCES, 
The item in your issue of Jan. 6 , p. 6 , on 
“Hedges vs. Fences,” prompts me to write 
down a lew thoughts on the subject. I have 
often wondered, while traveling iu the country 
in this State, why it ii that one sees so few 
hedges. Timber, such as rail fences are made 
of, is iu great demand for manufacturing pur¬ 
poses, ami lumber is high aud constantly ris¬ 
ing, but it is a common thing here to see long 
linas of fences being just constructed of 
boards and posts; faucy sometimes dictates 
wire; others think they will overcome the dif¬ 
ficulties of repairing fences and evade the. 
“tooth of time,” by putting up new-fangled 
iron fence-posts, iron imbedded in a thick 
wedge of burnt clay and smooth aud barbed 
wire alternately; but hedges in this seetion of 
country are scarce, being an importation 
from the West where one can see farm after 
farm inclosed in neat, yes, beautiful hedge 
fences. This seems strange; but I see that 
opinions as to their value are divided. 1 have 
seen the state nent given in a farm paper of a 
man who has hedges, that if he were rid of 
them he should never plant them again—it 
requires too much work to keep them iu order; 
others say they rob the soil of its fertility. 
These are t he main arguments brought agatest 
them, but after carefully weighing the evi¬ 
dence 1 think they are not well founded. All 
fences hitherto built, except, perhaps, some 
stone walls, are, after the first, few years, con¬ 
stantly out of repair and not only the labor of 
restoring them iu good shape, but the loss 
caused l.y cattle, etc,, getting through the 
break, must lie taken into consideration. If 
you adhere to rail and board fences, every 
stormy night must set you in fear that you 
will wake up in the morning and find your 
fence down, and your stoek in your crops. If 
wire fence resists the attacks of heat and cold. 
* 
wot and drought for a time, you may not infre¬ 
quently lie grieved to find your best eolt en¬ 
tangled iu it and badly torn up, Buc how¬ 
ever much your hedge fence may be neglected, 
after it once turns cattle, you need never have 
your slumbers disturbed with visions of stock 
destroying your crops, to their injury as well 
as your own! 
The Osage Orange puts it iu the 
bauds of every farmer to manufacture his 
own fence with uo other expense than the 
price of seeds or plants. This can be no small 
item with the poor farmer, and is certainly 
no small item with the practical farmer who 
keeps the run of his exjienses and his profits 
From good pla nts well cared for. a good fence 
can be made iu three years. In this time you 
have not only earned the cost of a board or 
wire fence, but as many fences as you might 
be required to put on the same line as long as 
you live , for a hedge fence will outlive you if 
properly handled. The yearly attention to 
trimming is not so great a task as many 
would suppose, but the secret lies iu knowing 
how and when to do it. If the hedge is 
trimmed when iu its growth the tender 
branches can be easily cut with a common 
corn cutter (or even with a grass mower 
turned up) and a side can be clipped as fast as,if 
not faster than, you can mow grass with a 
scythe. Farmers complain that they do not 
know what to do on rainy days; well here is a 
job that can be done successfully; your soil, 
not only when it rains, but some time after, is 
in no tit condition to handle, but your hedge 
is ever ready for work. The thoughtful farmer 
will always be provided with good gum boots, 
rubber coat and hat; donning these be can de¬ 
fy rain and rheumatism, and prosecute his 
work with a generous grin of satisfaction. 
His hired help should be provided or furnished 
with a similar outfit. 
The second objection that it impoverishes 
the soil, I deny. I have seen corn and wheat 
growing nearer an old hedge than they could 
be planted to a rail fence, and if there was 
any difference the corn and wheat were ranker 
next to the fence than further away. I have 
adopted one rule for all vegetation—the hight 
of a plant determines the extent of the roots. 
Keep your hedges trimmed and they will 
never injure your soil. Another objection 
might be raised by those who believe in doing 
things by halves, that it makes a harbor for 
vermin, like rabbits, etc. If your hedge is 
trimmed, not leaving too much base, and your 
weeds are mowed down as you mow them out 
of your fence corners, vermin can find no 
shelter there. Besides all I have said in its 
favor, there are many other considerations 
worthy of notice. In my estimation there is 
no other fence that approaches a well-kept 
hedge fence for beauty. It is not practicable 
to plant hedges wherever fences are needed, 
as in lots that are subject to changes, and so 
it is a good practice to allow’ one plaut in 
a rod to grow without clipping. These are not 
only desirable as shade trees along roads, but 
in a few years will attaiu a size large enough 
for fence posts, aud first-class posts they 
make too, being considered as durable as 
locust or cellar. If you are a gardener 
or fruit grower what, better protection 
against those who are attracted by’ your 
luscious fruits or vegetables, and tempted t 
break the commandment “thou shalt not 
steal” than a good hedge? J. D. K. 
Sidney, O. 
STEEL RODS FOR FENCING. 
Fences are a necessity on nearly every 
farm, and they are made and kept in repair at 
great expense. Hedges and rail fences may’ 
be said to have had their day. Board fences 
are most common uow, but it is quite certain 
that the coining fence will be made of iron or 
steel. The essential qualities iu a fence are 
strength, durability and cheapness. It is im¬ 
portant, too, that it should occupy but little 
room; tfiat it may be made or repaired with¬ 
out skilled labor; and that it should form no 
barrier to the wind, especially when on the 
west side of a road during a snow stonn. Steel 
rods meet every requirement more fully than 
any other material new in the market. A 
barbed wire fence is thought to be strong: but 
within half a mile of where I write a dog 
drove a cow through one—much to the injury 
of both cow and fence. In another instance, 
a w hole herd of cattle ran through one before 
it w’as up 48 hours. A few weeks ago one of 
the Rural subscribers in this tow n—H. B. 
Camp—lost a valuable horso by having its 
throat cut on such a fence. A steel rod could 
not lie broken by any ordinary means. It 
would pull out the post first. As to the durabil¬ 
ity of such rods, uo one will have any feare. 
“Where can they be obtained?” is the ques¬ 
tion asked by many’ of the readers of tb-* 
Rural interested in the mutter by a commit 
mention of mine some weeks ago. Naylor A 
Co, 6 Oliver St., aud Jere. Abbott A Co., No. 
35 Oliver St,, Bostou, sell them. A rivet es¬ 
tablishment iu this town bought 500 tons 
last week. | \V e do not kuow these firms. -Eds. ] 
They may also be obtained at nearly all rol¬ 
ling mills where steel rails are made. There 
is, however, a w'ire mill in connection with 
many of these establishments, uud wire- 
makers would much prefer to have farmers 
use wire instead of rods. Its manufacture is 
very profitable. A man can draw two tons of 
roils from No. 5 to No. 9 iu a day. 
The price of imported steel rods, No, 5 
(thirteen-sixty-fourths of an inch in diameter, 
and running nearly nine feet to the pound,) iu 
50 ton lots, is 850 per ton of 2,240 pounds. A 
single ton would cost a little more. Nos. 6 or 
7 would do as well, but as there is a higher 
duty on smaller sizes, only few are imported. 
On No. 5, the duty is 00 cents per 100 pounds. 
Imported rods are usually softer aud much 
MfADOYf 
/0 A CM S3 
PASTURE 
10 A— 
CORK 
/ 2 A~ 
W OR SHARP 
ZOQTRtss i &0ft 
swfjf xsmiFtu'fS 
0 gfUMU 
jJjUuSf 
% 
STABLE \ 
U PER lot 
J2 flee,* * * * V’ 
' * V /.* V y - 
sj 
CRLF, 
mm 
2A Jt ~ 
smremy 
/o', ns uu as 
0 AC At) 
Plan of a Small Dairy Farm.—Fig. 624. 
