NOV 24 
the most famous butter cow in the world, the 
second prize was awarded. The point is well 
put. that the average committee on dairy 
cattle at our fail’s cannot, judge of merit by 
appearance, and the test of the pail, or even 
the churn, is demanded in all cases. This, 
with well attested records of performances, 
is the only reliable method of getting at the 
truth, and thus placing merit where it be- 
ongs. 
-- 
Dexter's Relatives —The majority of 
people who have an affection for horses re¬ 
member the popularity of Dexter when he 
was king of the turf, remarks the Kansas 
City Live Stock Indicator. But few have 
kept track of his relationships. These are of 
unusual interest, because they show how pe¬ 
culiar traits become fixed in families rather 
than in individuals. The stallion Dictator is 
f ill brother to Dexter, and is the sire of the 
now fastest horse in the world, Jay-Eye-See, 
which recently beat St. Julian, and has low¬ 
ered the record of Maud S. Dictator is also 
sire to Director and Phallas. He is now 20 
years old, and has recently been sold for 
$25,000. But Dictator’s grandsire on his 
dam’s side was unsound, and this defect is 
now beginning to appear in the progeny of 
his falling age. The whole story is an excel¬ 
lent text and lesson for breeders, and deserves 
noting. 
-»♦*- 
Nitric Acid kor Crops.— Sir J. B. Lawes 
reminds us that if we divide the constituents 
which exist in our crops into two portions, 
we learn that carbon and water are obtained 
from the atmosphere, while the nitrogen and 
mineral substances are derived from the soil. 
The atmosphere furnishes from 00 to 95 per 
cent, and the soil from 5 to 10 per cent, of the 
dry substance of crops. The stoek of fertility 
which exists in soils, though generally large, 
is for the most part in a latent form. The 
nitrogen, for instance, which is in combina¬ 
tion with carbou, does not appear to be avail¬ 
able to any extent for the food of plants until 
it has beeu separated from the carbon, and by 
combination with oxygen has assumed the 
form of nitric acid. Its manuring properties 
we know are then very groat. The various 
mechanical operations which take place on 
the farm or in the garden—plowing, digging, 
trenching, harrowing, rolling, hoeing—have 
for their one object the formation of nitric 
acid. A fertile soil is one competent to liber¬ 
ate and render available for the use of plants 
a considerable amount of active nitrogen; 
while an abundant season is one in which the 
crops are enabled to take up an unusual 
amount of this active plant food by means of 
their roots. 
Planting Cuttings of Hardy Plants in 
Autumn.— Mr. Saunders, in the National 
Tribune, remarks that some years ago, cut¬ 
tings of currants, gooseberries, grapes, wil¬ 
lows, quinces, weigelas, honeysuckles, spiraeas, 
hibiscus, deutzias and other plants which can 
be grown from cuttingsof ripened wood, were 
planted in Spring; but after it became a 
recognized fact that the soil out-of-doors dur¬ 
ing October was warmer than the air imme¬ 
diately above it. and thus presented nil the 
conditions which propagators endeavored to 
secure in the propagation of exotic plants by 
cuttings—that is, keeping the soil warmer than 
the air—Autumn was fonnd the proper time 
to put cuttings of hardy plants in the ground. 
. «««- 
Milk Adulteration.—The Popular Sci¬ 
ence News calls attention to a new method of 
adulterating milk, by the use of an aqueous 
solution of glucose. This method has not been 
hitherto noticed by mi Ik-inspectors, so far as 
we know, and it probably has not. been ex¬ 
tensively adopted by dealers. The specimens 
which have come under notice are well cal¬ 
culated to deceive, inasmuch as, by the use of 
glucose, the density of the milk is perfectly 
maintained, ami the sweet taste imparted will 
commend the adulterated milk to most con¬ 
sumers. The adulterators of milk have been 
earnestly seeking for some substance, which, 
while extending the liquid, would not disturb 
its specific gravity, as does simple water. 
Glucose meets this wunt. It does not unduly 
sweeten the liquid, and it adds to its density 
and gives it “body.” Let milk-inspectors took 
out for the new glucosed milk. 
A writer in Parmer and Fruit Grower 
thinks that If the agricultural colleges aud ex¬ 
periment stations would make disinterested 
trials of the new fruits and give the public un¬ 
biased opinions of the character and merits 
of each fruit. It might prove of as much value 
in their bulletins as some of the lengthy ac¬ 
counts about the albuminoids and carbo¬ 
hydrates. Nursery men’s circulars are gener- 
ally made to puff those plants in which their 
pecuniary interest predominates. This writer 
ought to be pleased with the Rural. 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
773 
President McCann tells the Husbandman 
that his Amber Cane was so injured by frost 
that it would not pay him to have it worked 
into sirup. He is therefore feediug it to his 
cows and is more than pleased with tlie re¬ 
sult. Boon after he began, ail the cows showed 
considerable increase in milk and the gain 
has been maintained. He intends to feed up 
the entire crop, and he thinks with about as 
much profit as he would get if it were worked 
into sirup. His impression after this brief 
experience is that a farmer can get sufficient 
return from Amber Cane raised as food for 
his cows to pay for all the work; in short, 
that it would be a profitable crop for this use. 
MULTUM IN PARVO. 
We are now pruning grape-vines, planting 
cuttings of grape-vines, currants and raspber¬ 
ries; raking up leaves and adding them to the 
compost heap; spreading lime and salt over 
the garden soil; spreading stable manure on 
some plots, and spading it under; gathering 
gladioli corms; planting hyacinths and 
tulips, and digging celery trenches. Our 
raspberries and blaebberries were pruned 
two weeks ago or more. 
“Italian Onions,” says the Garden, “are 
now extensively grown from seeds in our 
Southern States. It has beeu found that in 
rich, moist, aud well-prepared soil, Italian 
Onion seed sowed in November produces as 
flue onions as those grown from sets of 
American varieties planted at the same 
time. Second sowings are generally made in 
January and February. 
The only plum trees in the neighborhood of 
the Rural Grounds that bear full crofis, grow 
in hen yards where the hens destroy the enreu- 
lio. Jarring the trees is an effective remedy, 
but there are few farmers who will take the 
time to do it effectually. 
Is the soil of your garden too hard—too 
clayey ( Spread an iuch of sand over it this 
Winter and rake it in next Spring. 
A writer in the good New England Home¬ 
stead likes to thrash his beans in cotton-seed 
bags. After thrashing, the bags are shaken, 
Tho beans go to the bottom, and the pods are 
easily taken out. 
In treating hedges of Osage, Honey Locust, 
or other deciduous plants, Prof. Thomas 
Meehan likes the plan of letting them grow as 
they will for two or three years, and then, 
when the stems are a couple of inches thick, 
sawing to the ground. A mass of strong sprouts 
then pushes up, which can be pruned into 
shape the next Summer.. 
A Des Moines, Iowa, paper states that a 
few days since a train of $80,000 worth of 
Hereford cattle went west over the North¬ 
western road. They were direct from Eng¬ 
land and were going to Odebolt, in that State, 
Whose were they f asks the Kausas City Live- 
Stock Indicator... 
The editor of a London sportsman's paper 
says: “ When you hare caught a carp, he is 
not worth eating, being a muddy, bony beast, 
on whom any sauce or condiment is simply 
wasted.”.... .. 
The old way of catching, throwing, und 
sticking hogs ought to be done away with. 
Who can suggest a neater, more civilized and 
less soul-harrowing method ? asks a sprightly 
writer in tho good Farm Journal... 
All who feel an interest in the Botanic 
Gardens of Cambridge will regret, to know 
that Mr. William Falconer, one of the Ru¬ 
ral’s most valued contributor, lias left them 
“for good and all.” Mr. A. Dana, the 
editor of the N. Y. Sun, gains what Cam¬ 
bridge has lost..... 
Ravens in Alaska.—W hile collecting 
plants on Wrangle Island Mr. Meehan was 
surprised at the tameness of the shore ravens 
of that part of the world. They would sit on 
stumps and enjoy their meals of stale fish 
entirely without concern. On one occasion, 
to test their tameness, be walked quietly 
towards oue, and approached within five foot 
before the bird (lew away. 
Let not. our readers be deceived regavdiug 
the Russian Mulberry. The tree may bo 
hardier than other varieties of the Morus alba, 
but the fruit is inferior..... .. 
The Mark Lane Express (London) hazards 
the opinion that in ten years’ time the only 
fashionable cattle will l*' the good ones, 
whether of the Short-horn breed or any 
other.... 
Dust lime over potatoes that are in danger 
of rotting..... 
Mr. N. Maltbv, of Geneva, O., cut 200 
pounds of corn-stalks, when the ear was just 
fit for use It made one gullon of sirup, and 
from this he obtained threo-aud-one-half 
pounds of sugar. He thinks he can improve 
upou this next time,... 
The results of experiments! That is what 
the Rural wants. The result of one carefully 
conducted experiment is worth a book of 
theories. 
The editor of the Popular Science News 
raised Lily of the Valley Potatoes weighing 
two pounds and seven ounces. Eight of the 
largest taken from two hills weighed fifteen 
pounds and nine ounces. Lily of the Valley 
is a new variety to us... 
RURAL SPECIAL REPORTS. 
Canada. 
Listowel, Perth Co., Ont,, Nov. 6.—Here, 
as in most other places, there has been a cold, 
wet Summer, which retarded all farm and 
garden operations. A large amount of the 
Fall wheat was winter-killed or smothered 
out with snow, and what did struggle through 
is hardly fit to make bread, and the Spring 
wheat is also poor. Late oats were caught by 
early frosts. Peas and barley are also poor. 
The season here is too short for com, and but 
little even fit for green com is raised. Pota¬ 
toes would have beeu a fair crop, but the sea¬ 
son was too wet, aud they rotted badly. Seve¬ 
ral tried cutting the tops as soon as affected, 
and others tried diggiug earlv, but those dug 
were worse than those left in the usual time. 
My Beauty of Hebron were the worst, about 
half being rotten, although what are left seem 
to keep and are very good. Of the White 
Elephant but few were rotten, and others 
around here had the same experience, a. j. c. 
Bervie, Ont,—This has not been a good 
year for farmers as a rule—too much rain. 
Wheat a light crop Peas, oats, and barley 
fair crops; but prices rule low. a. c. 
Iowa, 
Oskaloosa, Mahaska Co., Nov. 5.—We 
have yet good feed iu the fields. Cora is a 
pretty good crop. Hay is abundant. Oats 
and rye good. Hogs, grass, *3.75 to $4 per 
cwt. Cattle, butchers’ stock, $2.50 to $3; feed¬ 
iug steers, $3.50; coin, -Wc.; rye, the same; 
wheat, 80c.; butter, 20c. per pound; eggs, 20c. 
per dozen. s. R. p. 
Kama*. 
Oswego, Labette Co., Oct. 29.—No frost yet, 
and no cold weather. Oats are good. Cora 
promises better than ever. The hay crop is 
an extra one in this county. I. p. w. 
Wisconsin. 
Elkhorx. Walworth Co., Nov. 5.—Weather 
very fine for a few days past, but it has been 
raining hard all to-day. Work very back 
ward. p. w. f. 
RURAL SEED REPORTS. 
So great has been the number of the reports 
received by us concerning the seeds in our last 
Free Distribution, that we cannot spare room 
for the full text of all. In addition to those 
already published, we give the gist of many 
others greatly condensed in the following 
reports: 
California. 
Vallejo, Solano, Co.—Cut Blush Potato 
into three pieces, of three or four eyes to a 
pieee, which resulted in ~\4 pounds of tubers. 
It matured in about 100 days. Centennial 
Wheat was a failure. Shoe-peg Cora made a 
fine stand, but none matured. f. a. l. 
Canada. 
Bervie Out.— Mv very small Blush Potato 
was planted in nine hills, with one eve in a 
hill, yield 34 pouuds of fine tubers, three of 
which weighed five pounds 12 ounces, the 
largest weighing over two pounds. At our 
fair they were objects of great attraction. 
A. C. 
Galt, Waterloo Co., Out.—Planted the two 
small Blush Potatoes about middle of May, 
and dug, October 20, 27 pounds, all of good 
size. The largest weighed one pound. The 
two planted weighed one-half ounce. They 
had nothing but a little liquid manure two or 
three times. r. r. 
Listowel. Perth Co., Ont.—My two small 
Blush Potatoes made six hills, which yielded a 
level half bushel of good potatoes ou Oct. 2. I 
think very highly of the variety. I hare 20 
Niagara seedlings. The Mignonette and the 
Everlasting flowers were the only ones that 
flourished of the Gardeu Treasures, a. j. c. 
Whitley, Ont., Oct. 15—I have 40 pounds 
of Blush Potatoes, one of which weighed one- 
and-one-half pquud. Shoe-peg Corn did not 
ripen. j. m. w. 
Connecticut, 
Guilford, New Haven Co.—The Shoe-peg 
Corn came up, and did finely until a frost 
killed it on Sept. 3. which froze com, cob, aud 
all. I cut the Blush Potato into 13 pieces, and 
planted one piece in a hill. Came up and did 
well, but very late. I dug 47 15-10 pounds, o 
which two pounds were rotten. Potatoe s a r 
rotting badly iu this section. Oats are fine; 
wheat good; buckwheat poor. I had six 
Niagara seedlings, but the frost cut them 
down. Will they come on again ? [Yes, if 
alive.— Eds.J f. m. p. 
Middle Haddam, Middlesex Co.—Planted 
May 10 three hills of Shoe-peg Cora in poor 
sandy soil. Put, in one handful of superphos¬ 
phate to a hill. Harvested it October 9. 
Nearly every stalk had two ears. It did not 
fully ripen; too late for this locality, j.h.c. 
Payne’s Point, Ogle Co— Dug 162 Blush 
Potatoes to-day, weighing 43>£ pounds; the 
four largest weighing just four pounds. They 
were, planted one eye to a hill, not manured. 
G. B. r. 
Jewett City, New London Co., Oct. 30 — 
I had 25 Niagara Grape-vines, but they all 
mildewed and are dead. Flower seeds did 
well. Shoe-peg Cora too late for this locality. 
Season so dry Blush Potato did not have a 
fair chance, getting two pounds from one 
small potato, which were quite late. Melons 
a failure. E . A . D . 
Middlebury, New Haven Co., Oct. 28.— 
From five hills of Blush Potatoes, with two 
eyes in a hill, I dug 88 tubers, weighing 29 
pounds five ounces. Shoe-peg Cora did not 
mature. Woodchucks ate the watermelons. 
One-half dozen Niagara Grape seeds grew. 
J. E. B. 
Stafford Springs, Tolland Co.— The Blush 
Potato was planted in 13 hills, yielding 49 
table and four small potatoes. Shoe-peg Corn 
is too late for this section. The wheat did not 
head. Grape seeds did not sprout, m. b. f. 
Colorado. 
Livermore, Larmier Co. — Dug 24 pounds 
Blush Potatoes Sept. 23, which grew from one 
small potato, cut to 12 eves. There were 100 
large and small potatoes. The five largest 
weighed four pounds. They were planted in 
a corn-field, and manured in the hill. In cul¬ 
tivating two hills were injured, which I think 
accounts for the excess of small ones. g. w. b. 
Illinois. 
Gexeseo, Hemy Co.—None of the grape 
seeds grew. The Black-bearded Centennial 
Wheat failed to head. Planted the Blush Po¬ 
tato in 16 hills, from which I got pounds 
of tubers. Shoe-peg Cora had grown 10 feet 
high when the frost struck it. Only nine ears 
fit to pick, and they were small. j. j. m. 
Nokomis. Montgomery Co.. Oct. 22.—Two 
Blush Potatoes cut to 13 pieces, yielded 16K 
pounds, of fair size. Of Niagara seedlings 31 
came up, but all died during the dry spell in 
August* Frost billed most of the flower seeds 
in the Spring. h. g. a. 
Polo, Ogle Co., Oct. 23 —Cut my Blush Po¬ 
tato into 10 pieces, aud planted them in 27 
square feet. Yield, 51 pounds of potatoes; 
number, 140, Nearly all were of fair size, 
A. M. 
Villa Ridge, Pulaski Co.—Cut the Blush 
Potato into five pieces, which yielded 45 pota¬ 
toes, or 13 pounds. Have 25 fair-sized ears of 
Shoe-peg Cora. Three Niagara Grape seeds 
grew. A . m. H. 
Kansas, 
Leon, Butler Co.— My Blush Potatoes, 
planted in good, well-manured soil, yielded 
116 tubers, the largest of which weighed two- 
and-a-half pounds; total weight 18 pounds. 
T. H. w. 
Oswego, Labette Co.—The Blush Potato 
had four eyes, and yielded 42 medium¬ 
sized tubers. Shoe-peg Corn did well. Chick¬ 
ens destroyed Niagara Grape-vines, i. p. w. 
Iown. 
Mineral Ridok, Boone Co.—Got 47pounds 
of Shoe-peg Cora, three pounds Centennial 
Wheat blighted: 13 eyes of the Blush Potato 
yielded me 45 pounds of nice, large potatoes. 
Melons a failure. j. h. n. 
Pleasant Valley, Scott Co —My Blush 
Potatoes had eight eyes, which were planted 
on a hillside in middling good ground, one 
eye iu a hill. All grew nicely. One hill the 
mice partly destroyed- but I dug on Septem¬ 
ber 20th 67 potatoes of good size. Four of the 
largest weighed three pounds uiue ounces; all 
weighed 21'3 pounds. The Shoe-peg Corn 
grew, but never came to maturity. Of the 
Niagara Grape seeds about half came up and 
grew nicely till six inches high, when they 
stopped growing and seemed to be blighted. 
The wheat did not head. M. j. w. 
Ma»«R<*husetts. 
Rochdale, Plymouth Co., Oct. 2, 1883.— 
Two White Elephant Potatoes, weighing less 
than one ounce, containing six and seven 
eyes, yielded 24 pounds of good-sized potatoes. 
Three largest weighed four-aud-one-half 
pouuds. F. a. b. 
Westfield, Hampden Co.—The Blush Po¬ 
tato weighed less than two ounces aud cou- 
taiued 10 eyes. I cut the eyes into 30 pieces 
aud planted oue piece in a hill. They all came 
up aud promised well, but the cut-worm at 
tacked them and destroyed 10 bills; they 
