678 
THE RURAt NEW-YORKER. 
OCT 43 
beef points to do with Jerseys or Holsteins 
when they a re shown as dairy cat tie? Still ex¬ 
cellence in beef points counted for more than 
true dairy points in several important cases. It. 
is disheartening for a breeder to see fine 
animals beaten by scrubs. He would not feel 
it so badly if the committee were composed of 
well known and responsible men. Such men 
should bo chosen by the State Association, 
which should pay them a fair price for their 
services as experts. Th s will have to he done 
ultimately; for the owners of fine dairy 
stock will decline to exhibit in the absence of 
properly qualified judges. 
The Sheep Show, on the whole, was good; 
but not as many were exhibited as in former 
years. 
The Swine Show was good, both in num¬ 
bers and quality. More than two-thirds of 
the animals shown were Poland-Chinas and 
Berkshires, though Jersey Reds and "Indiana” 
Victorias made a fair show. The exhibit of 
Chester-Whites and Small Yorkshires was 
smalL 
The Poultry Show was hardly worthy of 
mention, being light both in quantity and 
quality. 
The Horse Show was simply immense. I 
have seen probably as many draft stallions on 
the fair grounds before, but I have never seen 
such a high average as to quality. Percherons, 
Clydesdales, Cleveland Bays, and English 
Shire horses made a grand display, and the 
sight in the ring when the animals were 
shown,either in classes or for the grand sweep- 
stakes, was very fine. This is the center of 
the great draft horse interest in this country, 
and the competition for premiums is very 
strong. Robert Halloway had over 40 
Clydesdales, and there were a number of 
other large exhibitors in this class. The Per- 
cberons w ere the inos't numerous and attract¬ 
ed a great deal of attention. One of the larg¬ 
est exhibitors was Dillon Bros., Normal, 111., 
who carried off the sweep stakes on the best 
mare, first premium on the best three-year- 
old stallion, and six other first premiums and 
three second premiums. The firm had 30 horses 
on exhibition. 
The Horticultural Show' was very 
light. Tho Warsaw Horticultural Society 
carried off the $150 premium with a very fair 
exhibit of apples, which included 25 new va¬ 
rieties grown by Jules Cbarpentier, Warsaw, 
Ill., iD his experimental orchard, from cions 
taken from the National Experimental Or¬ 
chard of France. This was the first fruiting. 
The apples looked well, but I had no chance 
of testing them. 
Floral Hall had a very light showing. 
Hiram Sibley & Co. had a large display of 
bulbs, implements, etc. J. C. Vaughan made 
a very fine exhibit of choice bulbs, including 
17 classes und 132 varieties. Superintendent 
Haskell says that anotner year the fine build¬ 
ings will draw a much larger exhibit, and 
that the society will offer larger premiums so 
as to make it an object for exhibitors to show 
largely at this fair. 
The Improved Agricultural Machine¬ 
ry display was the largest ever seen in this 
State, rivaling the St. Louis Fair, most of 
the principal exhibitorshaving, as above stat¬ 
ed, erected handsome and expensive buildings. 
Those w'ho had no buildings of their own 
exhibited inside the ring. There were but few- 
new things that 1 have not heretofore men¬ 
tioned. B. D. Buford & Co. exhibited a new 
beveled wheel landside, which is claimed to 
save greatly in draft on the Buford Sulky 
Plow, The Stover M’f’g Co. showed their new 
Triple Gear as attached to Stover’s corn-and- 
cob sweep grinder, which increases the speed 
of grinding. Of this I will have more to nay 
later on. 
Mr. Conrad deserves great credit for the 
way in w hich he has had the buildings at 
this lair erected and the zeal he has shown in 
farthering the interest of exhibitors; but then, 
there are many things yet to bo done before 
this will be a model fair. The horse racing 
should be stopped and the agricultural im¬ 
plement show be extended right across the 
track iuto the ring, the fence being removed. 
The cattle stalls should be placed closer to¬ 
gether so as to afford more space for exhibiting. 
Railroad trains should be run every fifteen 
minutes. Exhibitors should be treated better 
and tickets good tor the week should be given 
them on Monday. Ail side-shows should be 
barred out, and in the course of time the 
great metropolis of the West will have an 
agricultural fair second to none in this 
country. w. h. k. 
STATE FAIR NOTES. 
The exhibitors of Jerseys and Holsteins pro¬ 
test, against having their animals judged by 
beef-points and by unknown judges. 
Superintendent Conrad was presented 
with a handsome $1,000 piano by the agricul¬ 
tural implement men iu acknowledgement of 
jiis services in making this fair a success, 
The halls for the show of fruits, flowers, 
etc., w-ere very nicely arranged, and I hope 
another year to see them well filled. 
Better facilities must be provided for get¬ 
ting something to eat, on the grounds. 
FAIR OF THE MONTREAL HORTICUL¬ 
TURAL SOCIETY, 
(Rural Special Report.) 
The annual show of this society is second 
only to that of the Boston Society, w hich is so 
wealthy, and has been so long established. The 
average membership of the Montreal Society 
for seven years past, lias been 770, producing 
an average revenue of $1,528. In addition, it 
is entitled to an animal grant of $1,000 from 
the provincial government. Many- prominent 
citizens take a lively interest in Hie prosperity 
of the society, and render it efficient aid. One 
of them in particular, Mr. Charles Gibb, of 
Abfiottsford, Quebec, at his own expense, ac¬ 
companied Prof, fcudd of the Iowa Agricul¬ 
tural College, on his tour last Summer and 
Autumn through the fruit-growing districts 
of North Germany, Poland and Russia. Bis 
contributions to the last report of the society, 
giving an account of his observations in con¬ 
nection with horticulture and forestry, ate of 
the greatest value, not only'to Canada but to 
the adjoining portions of the United States. 
I have just retained from the annual ex¬ 
position of the Society, Sept. 18, 19 and 20, 
and can report a fine show', not only of flowers, 
flowering and ornamental plants and other 
garden products, but also a largo and fine ex¬ 
hibition of apples, pears, plums and grapes. 
During the five years I have attended these 
shows, I have marked with pleasure the con¬ 
stant improvement in the exhibits, so that, as 
Secretary Evans says in his report, in some 
classes plants that would have stood high in 
previous years would receive no awards now. 
The show was held, as heretofore, in the 
large hall of the Victoria skating rink, which 
Was billiiautly illuminated in the evening with 
eleetric lights. A fine band was in attendance, 
and the hall was filled with the elite of the city, 
the gay and beautiful costumes of the ladies 
vydDg with the horticultural treasures on all 
sides of them, and affording a splendid sight 
from the galleries. 
Among the specialties of the fruit show were 
several large collections of seedling apples, 
some of which promise to be valuable acquisi¬ 
tions. The investigation of these is placed in 
the hands of a special committee. A large 
number of Russian apples collected from all 
quarters, East and West, were also shown, 
and are to be fully reported upon. Brilliant 
days and clear, moonlight nights contributed 
to the enjoyment of the occasion, aud Mon¬ 
treal has continued and just cause to be proud 
of this organization which she has so well 
fostered. T. H. H. 
POMOLOGY AT THE MICHIGAN STATE 
FAIR. 
Apples and pears usually constitute the 
great bulk of the pomological exhibits at our 
State Fairs; and, knowing that the crop of 
these, the present year, was nearly a total 
failure, w'e were prepared to expect a small 
exhibit and that of but indifferent quality. 
The disc ouraging reports from intending ex¬ 
hibitors and the absence during the opening day 
of several who hail made advance entries of 
fruits, served to confirm the previous impres¬ 
sion ; but on the second day several large ex¬ 
hibits w'ere received aud placed upon the tables, 
aud before the close of the day the entire space 
was filled. 
The number of varieties of apples exhibited 
was somewhat less than usual and, as was to 
be expected, the average of quality was lower. 
Baldwin and Northern Hpy lacked considera¬ 
bly in size and fairness as compared with other 
seasons, while Red Canadas, although few in 
number and diminished in size, were as in 
other seasons free from blemishes, Keswick 
Codlin and Golden Russet (of 'Western New 
York), as well as Red Astra chan and Dutchess 
of Oldenburgb, were noticeable for their 
abundance, size and beauty. 
Of pears, Tyson, Fondanto, d’Automne, 
Bartlett, Seckel, Clairgeau and Anjou were 
notable for their abundauee and fine appear¬ 
ance. 
For many years plums have been a notable 
feature of the exhibits from Northern Michi¬ 
gan, and these were present iu nearly or quite 
their usual abundance, although (ns was the 
case with all the fruits exhibited) they were 
from two to three weeks later in ripening than 
iu average seasons. 
Reaches were exhibited in great variety, 
but many wore yet green, colorless, and but 
half grown. A very fine exhibit of well- 
ripened specimens came from South Haven 
where the crop is a fail' one although below 
the average of other seatuUi T, T, LYON, 
txtrtunj. 
EXPEDITIOUS HOME-MAKING. 
MARY WAGER-FIS1IER. 
One idea with which I was born, practi¬ 
cally—that it required many years for a “ new 
place” to present a homelike and settled ap¬ 
pearance, has given way to a fact that is quite 
the reverse. If one has sufficient means, there 
is little difficulty in "makingthe desert blos¬ 
som as the rose” in a very short time; and 
nearly every day I liave occuln r demonstration 
of this old saying iu the locality where I live, 
where “ new places” are continuously spring¬ 
ing into existence, and at the end of two or 
three years, are charming in every adornment 
of perfect sward, plots of shrubbery, piazzas 
festooned with vines, great beds and borders 
of flowers, with every feature of permanency 
except large trees, that the ideal homestead 
is supposed to possess. Even quite large trees 
are so well transplanted that if the site has 
been barren of trees, the lack is greatly mod¬ 
ified by the care and cultivation bestowed 
upon transplanted ones and by horticultural 
arrangements. I lately visited the house and 
grounds of a distinguished Philadelphia gen¬ 
tleman, Mr. George W. Childs, the editor of 
the Philadelphia Ledger whoso country place 
near Bryn Mawr, now in its third year of ex¬ 
istence only, well illustrates what, may be 
done in a comparatively short time. Tlit es¬ 
tate comprises 84 acres of which 35 are in the 
lawn—the remainder constituting the “farm” 
which is largely in grass. The land fairly 
well wooded is beautifully watered by two or 
three streams, and the one running through 
the lawn, has been made a feature of groat 
beauty The descent of the stream, being 
considerable, dams have been placed at in¬ 
tervals in series, effecting a great economy 
in the water as well as adding to its charm. 
This stream, coursing from the wood at the 
left of the lawn, is particularly delightful in 
the wood, and as it leaves it. Wherever the 
ground is moist and the soil pennitted, great 
quantities of water-loving plants, notably 
lilies, lmve been planted, and wei-e at the time 
of my vhdt, in full anl luxuriant bloom. Two 
springs at a considerable distance from each 
other, have been converted into “living wells,” 
roofed and with open sides, in which swing 
hanging baskets and viues; indeed one is a 
fairy like grotto aud the other an elegant 
structure of fine masonary. Dippers lie on 
the broad curbing for drinkers to use, clear 
water with white pebbles at the bottom. In 
the edge of the wood, stands a flue bronze 
statute of an Indian hunter and dog. Rustic 
seats, every where; the underbrush of the 
wood, cleared up, but none of its natural beau¬ 
ties destroyed. The turf of the great lawn 
is soft, thick and smooth us an English lawn, 
aud the walks finished in Portland cement 
are simply perfect. The grounds have a 
frontage of hslf a mile perhaps on the high¬ 
way, and are enclosed by an iron fence, 
strong aud light, and at regular intervals 
Woodbine and the golden Japan Honeysuckle 
alternate. These vines have already grown 
to the top of the fence, and have run far out 
each side along the iron liars. All this is the 
resultof careful training, not a twig or branch 
being allowed to go astray and the effect is 
very line. A stone w alk is laid the length of 
the road side, and the turf is as carefully 
kept outside the fence as within it.. The 
gatekeeper’s lodge at the entrance is a bower 
of vines and flowers, the windows of the pic¬ 
turesque little house, being furnished with 
flower boxes, blazing with color. A large 
number of flowers are already used in plant¬ 
ing the bedsiu the lawn—six thousand plants 
being put out this year. As the green house 
has now been built in the "farm” end of the 
estate—69x100 feet aud 30 feet high—the fiorul 
feature,will be greatly augmented another yen r 
and fifty thousand plants will bo used, One 
immense bed of flowers aud shrubs is entirely 
bordered with a thick fringe of “ Velvet” 
Marigolds, a dazzling sight indeed. A great, 
many continuously blooming plants are used 
such as Petunias, Pelargoniums, Ageratums 
aud Lobelia. A lied of Mignonette scented the 
air for a long v\ ay around. 
The buildings of the mansion proper, the 
house, carriage house und lodge, are of press¬ 
ed brick with gray stouo trimmings. The 
farmer’s house near the greenhouse is a frame 
building very bright and picturesque. All 
about the farin house a score of men were at 
work, building a barn, and spanning the 
Stream w ith bridges, grading and getting the 
rounds into propershape. A pond of water 
ad been inclosed iu masonry, a good place 
for the ducks, possibly. In the garden 1 no¬ 
ticed okra growing fluoly and as a dainty 
touch to the exquisitely tended vegetable beds, 
there were bordeis of flowers for cutting—one 
long row of Carnation* that led me to break 
the tenth commandment,, 1 fear. 
A* the princely owner of this place—which 
he calls "\Vott.eii”m honor of an English 
friend—lives in Philadelphia in the IV inter, at 
Long Branch in the Summer, where his cot¬ 
tage Is one of the “sights” of the seashore, he 
occupies “ Wotten” only as u Fall and {spring 
residence, and the house, although large aud 
stately iu appearance, is not, in fact large, 
the rooms being quite small em >ugh to be cozy 
iu the full sense of the term. The hall, as it 
should be, is the finest apartment being wain 
coUd andueikd in butternut very buudsome- 
ly ornamented and finished. At one side is a 
fire place too finely finished for use I thought, 
surmounted with an elaborate mantle of 
carved Ohio sandstone in which is si t, a curi¬ 
ous time piece bearing the warning legend 
‘ ‘ tom pus iugiL.” At one side projects a 
pair of magnificent horns brought from 
Africa. The stairway is very fine, the balus¬ 
trade being beautifully carved and on the top 
of the posts at the bottom of t he steps, repose 
in wood the carved portraits of the pet cat 
and dog of the household. The front door of 
the house opens into a square vestibule paved 
with mosaic, and at M e left on entering, is a 
hat, cloak and toilet room which is a most 
convenient and desirable feature in humble 
houses, as well as iu great ones. The dining 
room is finished in cont,resting woods, which 
1 took to be cherry and ash, producing a very 
pleasing and rich effect. Most of the furnish¬ 
ing is of dark, old mahogany, pretty and odd 
in shape, and beautifully polished. The ef¬ 
fect throughout is that of comfort and quiet 
good taste. The kitchen is finished at the 
sides, up to the bight of four or five feet in 
glazed bricks of cheerful coloring. I observ¬ 
ed too, that, the servants had for their separ¬ 
ate use hath ana dining rooms. In front of 
the house at each side of the parte each ere 
stand tubs of valuable plants, as Sago Palms. 
Aloes and Beauearnias. But of all t heebaims 
of "Wotten” none pleased me more than the 
stream of water running through the lawn 
arched by rustic bridges and made bv 
some artists’ hands, its entile length, into 
a thing of winsome and restful leauty, 
with tne numeiousbiid houses fastened in 
the trees. 
Domestic Cconomt) 
_CON DUCTED by kmii-y m afle._ 
ONE SEPTEMBER DINNER. 
EUNICE BROW N. 
Stew and strain a pint of tomatoes, add a 
cupful of boiled rice and one of water. Sea¬ 
son to taste, aud w'hen boiling, add a cupful of 
stock, aud boil for a few minutes longer, add¬ 
ing more water if needed. 
beefsteak. 
Flatten with the broad side of a hatchet, 
and broil quickly upon a greased gridiron. 
Ten minutes should be sufficient. Lay upon 
a hot dish, salt, pepper and butter. Turn a 
plate over it for five minutes before carving. 
BOILED CAULIFLOWER. 
Cook in salted water 20 minutes and be 
sure the water boils liefore putting in the 
cauliflower. Cover with white netting all 
the flower before boiling. When done untie 
it; lay in a deep dish, and pour over it a sauce 
made of drawn butter. 
potatoes unpkki.kd. 
Cook, without paring, in salted, boiling 
water. Pour this off when the potatoes are 
done, set them for a moment on the stove un¬ 
covered, and peel quickly. 
EGG PLANT. 
Slice and pare. Lay for an hour in cold 
salt aud water, drain, pepper and salt, then 
dip in beaten egg, then iu cracker dust, and 
fry to a light brown in lard. 
APPLE CHARLOTTE. 
Beat two cups of nice apple sauce, well 
sweetened and flavored, to a high froth, w ith 
the whipped whites of three eggs. Make into 
a mound in a gluss dish, cuvor with strips of 
sponge cake. Serve with cream and sugar. 
COFFEE OR TEA. 
can be passed around while still at table or 
afterward in the sitting-room, if preferred. 
OVERWORKED WOMEN. 
I have beon both surprised aud amused 
when reading the two articles signed “ Far¬ 
mer’s Wife.” In the first article she seems to 
desire pity as she tells of the hardships of her 
life and at the same time usks for directions for 
easy breakfast dishes, but when the directions 
are given as also pity and advice, she seems 
but ill pleased. [Thearticles ware written not 
by the same parson, but by two different far¬ 
mers’ wives.—Ens.] T agree with Mrs. Fisher 
when she says that an overworked woman is 
a disgrace. Am overworked woman is almost 
sure to be irritable to liusbund and children, 
and when it is the husband’s fault that she is 
not provided with proper help, he is not to be 
pitied. A mother owes to her children a duty 
that no one but she can perform—the duty of 
instiucting, entertaining aud watching over 
the little ones God lias given her. One of a 
mother’s first duties is to her children, aud no 
overworked woman is able to do her duty in 
thut respect. O mothers! yours is a noble 
mission—to mold lives for time and eternity. 
The little ones who cluster around you, whose 
eyes fill with tears and whoso lips quiver at 
an impatient word from you, will carry the 
impress of your words and acts into all their 
future lives. It is easier, when tired and busy, 
to slap or scold than to reason, and so the 
sharp word is uttered, the hasty blow given 
when some thoughtless act of the children has 
caused you uimoywuce. The sumo act at 
