830 
DEC 45 
dinately fattened beef. The same rule will 
apply to mutton. In swine the case is differ¬ 
ent. Side pork and lard are and always will 
lie important articles of diet, and conse¬ 
quently of commerce. Petroleum oil and gas 
have driven out mutton and beef tallow as 
illuminating agents; consequently these have 
ceased to be important intergers in the world’s 
consumption. The mania for excessively fat¬ 
tened cattle rests with the consumers. So 
long as they are willing to pay great prices, 
beef with six inches of outside fat will be 
produced, although most of this fat is really 
converted into the cook’s perquisites of the 
d lipping pau. There is no more muscle dean 
nmat) iu one of these inordinately fattened 
steers than in a fairly ripe butcher’s steer. 
The more sensible class of consumers are be¬ 
ginning to find this Out, and hence in buying, 
pass by these cuts at 50 ets. per pound for what 
js known as fat, well marked beef. Hence on 
the butcher’s block the steer that will dress 
the most pounds to the live weight, is not 
always the best lor the consumer; but that 
steer is the best that will dress the most pounds 
of lean meat well intermingled with fat. The 
English well know this. Hence Scotch cattle, 
Highlanders aud Polls, bring the best prices in 
the London markets; Devonscomonext. Here- 
fords, next, and Short-horns next. Iu this coun¬ 
try, the grades of the popular breeds on smooth 
native cow's make better beef than thorough¬ 
breds. and this for the reason that the con¬ 
stant tendency of the breeder of pure bred 
animals is towards excessively early maturity, 
intailing abnormal fat and delicacy of con¬ 
stitution from persistent in-and-in breeding. 
In the test trials at the Chicago Fat Stock 
Shows the Herefords have, as a whole, had 
the better of the Short-horns in the test on the 
butcher’s block. This year the Short-horn 
bullock owned by Mr. JohnP. Gillett, showed 
the smallest percentage of offal to meat, The 
Hereford steer of Adams Earl came next, and 
the Hereford grand sweepstakes prize and 
gold medal steer was third in respect to the 
test on the butcher’s block. In tins connection 
it is proper to state that Mr. Gillott as a 
breeder is not averse to the “Seventeens” as a 
foundation for beef. He looks to the cubic 
inches aud feeding qualities in a steer rather 
than to style. He never pampers his stock 
under blankets and in hot stables, but he does 
know how to feed, and whether on grass or 
under the Winter sheds, his animals receive all 
the grain they can eat from calf hood until 
they are slaughtered. My own judgment as 
to the edible quality, as the carcasses lay cut 
up, was, polled Angus first, Hereford second 
and Short-horn third; but in resoect to early 
maturity the judgment would be exactly re¬ 
versed. It would stand, as a rule. Short-horn 
first, Hereford second, and polled Angus last. 
Chicago, Ill. J. P. 
-» ♦ •- 
THE FAT-STOCK SHOW AT CHICAGO. 
(Rural Special Report.) 
The exhibition was larger, better in qual¬ 
ity. and more largely attended than any for¬ 
mer one. There were more good animals: 
fewer poor ones, and decidedly a higher 
average standard. Thesize, ripeness and gen¬ 
eral excellence of the younger animals were 
especially noticeable. It is a tribute to the 
excellence of the exhibit that, in advance of 
the awards in most classes, there was anything 
but agreement as to “ how they would go.” 
No one and no half dozen animals were dearly 
superior to all others Short horns and Ucre- 
forris and grades of these breeds made up the 
great mass of the show. The Herefords were 
in almost as large numbers as the Short-horns, 
aud better in quality than ever before. Three 
Polled Angus, all imported, competed for 
premiums, aud were highly successful, doing 
much to make the breed more popular. Two 
Holstein cows were shown—creditable speci¬ 
mens. 
As between breeds the honors were well dis¬ 
tributed A three-year-old half Hereford, 
quarter Short-horn steer won the champion 
prize, and received more high honors than any 
other animal. A high-grade Short-horn cow 
was placed as best cow in the show. The best 
five animals of any age were Short-horns; as 
were the. best five two-year olds, and five year¬ 
lings, also best car-load of two-year-olds. The 
best car of yearlings were Herefords, The 
best car of throe-year-olds had steers of both 
breeds. The best carcass was that of a high- 
grade Short-horn, which was also the best 
carcass of three-year-olds. The best two- 
year-old carcass was that of a Polled A ngus, 
the best, yearling carcass, that of a Hereford. 
Of noteworthy animals it may be said that 
the heaviest steer weighed 8,200 pounds, 
having gained 235 pounds in the year. The 
heaviest three-year-old weighed 2,445 pounds; 
the heaviest two-year-old, 2,070 pounds; the 
heaviest yearling, 1,040 pounds. This last h 
the greatest weight for age ever shown at 
Chicago, the steer not being quite 21 months 
oi l, and of high quality as well as great size. 
All these were high-grade Short-horns. There 
were S8 animals weighing 2,000 pounds each 
or more, of which 31 were Short-horns or 
grades, 11 shown by Mr. Gillett: six were 
Herefords and one Angus. Nine Short-liom 
cows averaged 1,300 pounds; three Herefords 
1,745 pounds. The one Angus cow weighed 
1,820 pounds; one Holstein, 1,800 pounds. So 
far as mere weight is concerned, the Short¬ 
horns were clearly in advance. 
A good number of animals made their sec¬ 
ond or third appearance. Few of these had 
improved; some were clearly not so good, and 
probably no one of them had been kept at a 
profit. The gains made by the older animals 
during the last year were small, almost with¬ 
out exception. Mi-. Gillett showed six two- 
year-olds, also shown last year, which had 
made an average gaiu of 597 pounds. A 
pure bred white Short-boni two years old, 
from Canada, with a weight of 2,045 pounds, 
showing a gain of 425 pounds, was even more 
successful iu prize winning than last year. 
The largest aud best show by any individual 
was -30 head from the fields of Mr. Gillett. of 
Illinois. Most of these had been fed out-of- 
doors and very simply, but the average merit 
was very high. Firmness of flesh, accompa¬ 
nying high flesh, was especially noticeable in 
these cattle. On the other hand, two of the 
chief prize winners were the white two-year- 
old steer and a three-year-old grade Short¬ 
horn cow shown from Bow Park. Canada, 
which had been carefully housed and fed 
ground foods iu variety. The cow lacked iu 
firmness of flesh, or she would have been a 
strong competitor for the highest honors iu 
the show. 
The display of dressed meat was a remarka¬ 
ble one, but it forcibly suggested the fact that 
the animats had been overfattened for the 
profit of the butcher and consumer. The per¬ 
centage of fat was quite too great. It is to be 
borne in mind, however, that these animals 
indicate possible maximum results Slaugh¬ 
tered before they had reached a state of over¬ 
ripeness, they would have given carcasses of 
the highest quality, from the practical side. 
The remarkably line Hereford steer. Wabash, 
aud a cow of Mr. Gillett’s, which competed 
for the carcass prizes, would probably have 
been more successful a year ago. 
The cattle classes received much the greater 
share of attention, increased, by the fact that 
a largo number of cattle of different, breeds 
were shown for sale; but the sheep classes 
were creditably filled with specimens of most 
of the breeds known in America. The Downs 
were ill greatest favor, the Shropshire* taking 
lead among these The results of crosses were 
illustrated. Five imported Negretti Merino 
rams, with remarkably fine fleeces, but of no 
special merit in form or weight of fleece, at¬ 
tracted much attention. 
Hogs were fairly well shown, with nothing 
especially noteworthy. A good collection of 
well fattened hogs was the impression left on 
the mind. As between breeds, little could be said 
to have been decided. Among the very best 
animals were Poland Chinas, but the Duroc- 
Jerseys, Victorias and Chester-Whites were 
all well shown. The Berkshires were not rep¬ 
resented by the bests pecimens. 
The show, counted as a whole aud consid¬ 
ered in connection with the conventions aud 
association meetings held during its pro¬ 
gress, was a great success and the manage¬ 
ment deserves much credit, g. e. morrow. 
Til. Industrial University, Champain, Ill. 
L’ilrtun}. 
NEW BOOKS. 
Songs of Faith, Hope and Love. Albert 
J. Holden. William A. Pond & Co., pub¬ 
lishers, New York City. Price 40 cents, board 
covers. This is a collection of hymns suitable 
for Sunday-schools und devotional meetings. 
It is the labor of two years, aud grew out of 
the great distaste the author had for playing 
the hymns that he was obliged to each Sun¬ 
day for children to sing; (hey were so jing¬ 
ling and devoid of music in its higher sense. 
There a re some of the most beautiful tunes in 
this book that can be found anywhere, many 
of them arc of the author’s composition, who 
from a youth has had the keenest, love a ml ap¬ 
preciation for this soul elevating art, and is 
one of the best organists in this city. We' 
hope this effort of his to create a love for 
music that will abide in the heart, may meet 
with the success it deserves. 
Through Texas on a Mustang from the 
Gulf to the Rio Grande. By Sweet & 
Knox, editors of the Texas Siftings. H. S. 
Scranton <& Co., Hartford, Conn. It, is hardly 
necessary to do more than cull our readers at¬ 
tention to the authors of this book, who are 
so well known us issuing the most generally 
quoted paper in the United States. It is teem¬ 
ing with l’uu and humor, good natured satires 
on common follies, and surpasses in natural 
wit and literary ability the so-called humor¬ 
ous hooks of the day, We think it cannot fail 
of a hearty welcome from all fun-lovers. 
Over the World. A book of travels, ad 
ventures, and achievements. Henry Howe, 
Bradley & Co.. Publishers, Philadelphia, 
Pa. The book having this title is just pub¬ 
lished. It is a large, octavo volume, of 843 
pages, and contains over forty consecutive 
narratives. These are largely personal ex¬ 
periences of travel and adventure. Some of 
the countries visited and thus told of are 
Japan, Russia. Asia, Africa, Australia, Ger¬ 
many; not forgetting our own New England. 
A subscription book. Price, $3.50 aud $4.(Ml 
The Life and Voyages of Christopher 
Columhus. Washington Irving. John B. 
Aldeu. publisher, New York City. We quote 
from the author’s preface: “All that 1 can 
safely claim is, an earnest desire to state the 
truth, au absence from prejudice respecting 
the nations mentioned in my history, a strong 
interest in my subject.” 
Elements of Surveying and Leveling. 
By Charles Davies, L.L D. Revised by J. 
Howard Van Amriuge, A.M. A. S. Barnes 
&Co., Now York City. A thorough and 
complete work on surveying,commencing with 
the very elements of the subjects. Chain 
surveying, compass surveying, transit sur¬ 
veying, laying out and dividing land, are 
among those here treated. 
Second Frkncb Book. After toe Nat¬ 
ural or Pestalozzian Method. James H. 
Wormnn, A M. A. S. Baines & Co., pub¬ 
lishers, N. Y. City. This is the second French 
book of the Chautauqua language course, and 
it teaches French without the help of the 
learner’s vernacular. The lessons are strictly 
graded, and are made up of conversations on 
familiar subjects and topics of interest. 
Fore and Aft. Robert H. Dixcn. Lee & 
Shepard, publishers, Boston. Price, $1.25. 
For sale by Dillingham, New York City. A 
story of actual sea life, and told, so says the 
author, “because my friends thought that what 
they had enjoyed hearing might be of inter¬ 
est to many others; and because so few true 
accounts have been giveu by persons who 
have themselves been sailors.” 
The Pocket Manual. No. 2. M. H. Thom¬ 
son. publisher, Philadelphia, Pa. Price, 50 
cents. A useful little work, giving informa¬ 
tion of many subjects. Some of them are: 
How to Learn Shorthand; How to Becon e a 
Proof-reader; How to I,earn Dress Making; 
How to Draw and Paint Flowers, etc., etc. 
It is a “ library in a nutshell ” 
Twenty Poems from Longfellow, Illus¬ 
trated by bis son, Earnest W. Longfellow. 
Houghton, Miffliu & Co., publishers, Price 
$4.00. Oneof the most beautiful of theChrist- 
mas books. It cannot be excelled in style aud 
quality of the engravings, and the letter 
press. It would lie a rare gift, to a friend. 
The Tlvkham Brotheus’ Tide Mill. J. 
T, Trowbridge. Lee & Shepard, publishers. 
Price $1.25. This is a story that has been run¬ 
ning through St. Nicholus for a year and has 
now assumed the hook form. It is a grand 
good story for the young folks, as a great 
many thousands can testify to already. 
Beyond the Gates. Elizabeth Stuart. 
Phelps Houghton, Mifflin & Co , Boston. 
Price, $1.25. This is n story peculiarly the 
author’s own. It gives au accountof the visit 
of a iniud weakened through fever, to the 
realms ol' the Eternul 
Riverside Literature Series: The 
Courtship of Miles STANDisn. Arranged 
for school exhibitions aud private theatricals. 
Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Price 15c., pp. 
What Shall we Do with our Daugh¬ 
ters ? Superfluous Women and other lec¬ 
tures. Mary A. Livermore. Lee & Shepard, 
publishers, Boston, Mass. Price, $1.25. 
Text Book of Popular Astronomy. 
Win. G. Peck, Ph.L). A. S. Baraes & Co, ; 
publishers. New York City. For the use of 
colleges, academies, aud high schools. 
Domestic Camottu) 
CONDUCTED BY EMILY MAPLE. 
PITHS. 
Deliver us from a “nugger.” 
Au infant tightly bandaged is simply tor¬ 
tured. 
A dark house is necessarily au unhealthy 
one. 
Why should we not educate our girls as 
well as our boys to be self supporting! 
Hot liquid lye is recommended for removing 
obstructions in waste pipes. 
It is no credit to a woman of bruins to be 
careless of her personal appearance or to ap¬ 
pear like a dowdy. 
Aprons of lace—black and white—as well as 
of velvet are fashionable. 
Girls.have a bank account—make a begin¬ 
ning, If ever so small. 
Where shall the line be drawn in matters of 
dress, between duty to one’s self on the one 
hand, and extravagance and sin on the other? 
It is said that farmers’families suffer more 
from dyspepsia than any other class of people. 
The water in finger glasses may bo slightly 
tinted with cochineal and faintly perfumed 
with rose water. 
The practice of people calling upon, with 
the expectation of seeing a sick persou, who is 
ill unto death, is, to say the least, very incon¬ 
siderate. Much harm has been done tosuffer- 
ers from this very thing. 
A natural fear of being looked upon as a 
skin-fli t often prevents housekeepers from 
impressing those under them with the princi¬ 
ples of true economy. 
Let men say what they will about women 
for their love of dress, yet, there never was a 
slattern who could hold the love and respect 
of a sensible man 
Coffee retains the scent and flavor of any 
thing with which it is brought into too close 
contact. Remember this when storing it. 
It should also be kept air-tight. 
A good dentifrice: A few drops of tincture 
of Myrrh in a wine-glass of water. Use part 
for brushing the teeth, the remainder as a 
rinse for the mouth. 
Young ladies, make yourselves proficient 
in some one thing, so that you can earn your 
own living should it be necessary, or should you 
wish to do so. The thing to be done, is to fhor- 
ouffhly master some trade or profession that 
will bring you in money. 
AUNT MABBY’S HOUSEHOLD TALKS. 
Mistrksh Every-Day is, as the Scotch folk 
say, “gay thrang” just now, being busy with 
Fall sewing, having carpenters at work, and 
having the time broken up by the hundred 
other things that at times seem to distract 
a household. Now, I am so settled down, and 
quite all alone, since navigation has closed 
and the storm windows arc up, and the 
choicest plants are covered un for the Wiuter, 
and my house-cleaning is done, that I have 
plenty of time to sit down and knit or read; 
aud so, wheu my neighbor came over the 
other day and said, ‘Aunt. Mubby, do write 
an article this week!” I could uot resist her 
coaxing tone, and 1 said: “ Well, if 1 can find 
anything to say that is worth listening to, I 
will.” 
And, first, let me thauk the lady who wrote 
last week about grapes. They are real pesky 
thiugs to ha ve too many of. They have so 
much skin and stone, and then sometimes they 
get ugly and won’t “ jell.” It just provokes 
me, sometimes, when 1 make them up, and 
they stay soft, and run in the molds instead of 
being stiff and firm like other fruit. It is no 
wonder people want some other way of making 
’em up. 
When I was house-cleaning I found some 
spots on my mahogany table, and real rings 
of white where Laura’s girl had set down a 
glass of water, I think, in Summer, aud 
it had left its mark. I made a polish of 
one-half pint alcohol, pulverized resin and 
gum-shellac, of each one-half ounce. Put 
these iuto the half pint of alcohol; let it dis¬ 
solve; then add one-half pint of linseed oil, 
and apply with a bit of canton flannel, folded 
four double. It made a very fine polish for 
all the furniture, aud took the stain quite 
away, leaving no greasy streaks or smears. 
But it must he well mixed and dissolved. 
Just before 1 commenced house-cleaning I 
dyed a lot of wool for stocking yarn that I 
had been spinning in Summer. It came out 
such a pretty brown that the young girls here 
call it “ lovely,” aud my neighbor’s daughter, 
who goes in for art, says it is “real terra 
cotta”—whatever that, may be. For six 
pounds of wool I took one pound of cam-wood, 
and put in the yarn for half an hour: then I 
lifted it with a stick on to another stick across 
the tub, let it drip there, and added to the 
remaining dye in the tub two pounds of fustic. 
1 heated it to boiling in the dye-pot, dipped 
again, aud, after taking out, added au ounce 
of blue vitriol aud four ounces of copperas. 
I then put iu the wool again, and left it half 
an hour, turning it occasionally; when it came 
out aud was dry, it w as a pretty, snuff-colored 
brown, just the match of my new merino 
dress. 
Some of the lads aud lasses came in the 
other night and cracked a largo cupful of my 
hickory nuts after they had eaten all they 
wanted; so I made them a cake, using with 
that quantity of nuts two teacups of sugar, 
half a cup of butter, a little thin cream, aud 
three-aud-a half cups of flour, in which were 
mixed two teaspoou fuls of Horsford’s 
