a hill of which 75 per cent., in numbers, were 
marketable. Eaten September 18; flesh near¬ 
ly white, dry and mealy. 
Dakota Red.— Our report of this potato 
last year was unfavorable. We were request¬ 
ed to try it again. Planted A pril 7th (as were 
those above) and dug September 1, the yield 
was at the rate of 275 bushels to the acre, six 
to a hill, 45 per cent., in numbers, marketable. 
Among the best, five weighed one pound and 
three-quarters, 
Montreal,— From 0. H. Alexander, Char¬ 
lotte, Vermont, who claims It to bo a cross 
between State of Maine and Snow Queen. 
The seed was hollow-hearted. Planted April 
7, and dug September 3—a late intermediate. 
The yield was at the rate of 1,189.84 bushels 
to the acre; 1S^‘ to a hill; S7 per cent, mar¬ 
ketable. Tops upright and rather small. 
Among the best, five weighed three pounds 
eight ounces. Buff skin, irregular shape, 
often angular, generally flattened. Fig. 62. 
Eyes rather deep. Large average size. 
A neighboring farmer—a justice of the 
peace—called upon us and desired we should 
show him some of our great yields of potatoes. 
At the writer’s request he gave the following 
statement: 
‘•This is to certify that I saw the above potatoes 
dug: that X weighed them, and found the yield to be 
at the rate of ],1S9.84 bushels to the acre. 
“JOHN I}, WEBB, 
“Justice or the Peace.” 
A lot of these potatoes were cooked January 
2S. The flesh was nearly white—not quite so 
white as that of the Early Rose; it was dry 
and very mealy, the potatoes falling apart 
before fully cooked. No hollow-hearted tubers 
were noticed in the lot cooked, 
THE WYANDOTTES AGAIN. 
It occurs to us that a cross between Wyan- 
dottes and Plymouth Rocks might make an 
excellent all-purpose fowl. These two breeds 
resemble each other in several ways. Both 
mature early. They are of much the same 
size and shape and lay about the same sized 
eggs. Both are hardy, and quiet and thrive 
in confinement. Were we obliged to choose 
between them, we should prefer the Wyau- 
dottes, for the reason that, while equal in other 
essential respects, they have given us more 
eggs than any other breed we have ever 
tested. Further experience may change this 
opinion. 
NOTES ON BACK NUMBERS, 
T. H. HOSKINS, M. D. 
Rural, January 3. I see the Boston Cul¬ 
tivator (which seems to be worried about the 
Rural) assumes that because the Rural 
offered a prize for, and published cuts of 
mammoth potatoes, it therefore desires to en¬ 
courage the production of such for market. 
I did not so understand it. [We emphatically 
stated otherwise.— Eds.] 
Prof. Budd’s article on the Russian Pear (p. 
2) interests us all in the “cold belt,” Though 
we can grow some fruit on a few kind9 (such 
as Onondaga, Flemish Beauty, Clapp’s Favor¬ 
ite and the Macomber Seedlings), yet the 
pear of Western Europe is not at home with 
us. But tbpse new-comers from Eastern 
Europe, aud from Asia, are thoroughly iron¬ 
clad. Some of them are good dessert fruits, 
and by seedlings and crosses we can doubtless 
get a breed of pears that mil be a vast boon 
to the colder parts of the United States and 
Canada. In this we trust that Prof. Budd 
will be our Van Mons. 
Truly, as the Western Rural says (p. 3), 
should we farmers and fruit-growers honor 
the pioneer horticulturists who have done and 
are doing so much in the originating and 
popularization of new and valuable fruits. 
And I deprecate, greatly, the readiness of so 
many writers to speak slightingly of Ameri¬ 
can novelties in this line. I think they will 
at least average in value and usefulness with 
the long list of valuable sorts that have in 
past years been brought from over seas. Of 
course, in the very nature of things, they will 
all have their defects, and some will entirely 
disappoint expectation. Absolute perfection 
is rare indeed, yet how many seem to insist 
that everything short of that should be given 
the cold shoulder. 
The Farm Journal (quoted p. 4) is entirely 
mistaken in saying that “not much can be 
done to change the habit of milk secretion in 
older cows, or even after the first year.” The 
experiments of Mr. Amasa Scott, of Crafts- 
bury, Vt,, have conclusively shown the con¬ 
trary, and Mr. Scott says justly, that many 
cows grow old and die without ever produc¬ 
THE BUBAL NEW-YORKEB. 
FEB H 
ing 150 pounds of butter in a single year, that, 
in the right hands, taken any time before 
their tenth year, may be made to produce 
more than double that quantity. He has 
taken old, common cows, which looked so 
bad that he drove them home by night to 
avoid the jeers of those he might meet, and ju 
two or three years he made them yield 500 
to 600 pounds of'butter in a year. He tells 
bow he did it in the Vermont Agricultural 
Report for 1878, p. 82. 
Rural Jan 10. I am pleased indeed to see 
Mr. Earle’s earnest, energetic, kindly coun¬ 
tenance so well pictured ou p. 21. He well 
answers the definition of a “Western man,” 
made years since, as “a Yankee enlarged.” 
Vermont, is proud of many such, who have 
gone out where there is “ample scope and 
verge c-nough,” and “spread themselves”—like 
the "Strawberry King.” 
It is very true, as Mr. Wakeman, of Connec¬ 
ticut, is quoted as saying (on p. 23), that money 
invested in bonds by our New England farm¬ 
ers at low interest could be made to pay far 
more if used as working capital upon their 
farms So it could, but probably not by the 
same men. The men who can take a New 
England farm and run it to large profit are 
extremely few. Yet in nearly every county 
there are some who do it. But it requires 
busiuess habits and skill, such as very few 
ordinary farmers ever acquire even the rudi¬ 
ments of. Farming as a busiuess is by no 
means generally understood among us, Farm¬ 
ing as the means of getting a living aud sav¬ 
ing up a few hundreds for old age, is the 
standard ideal, and will be so until farmers 
are better trained in youth. Our Yankee 
farmers need “enlarging” badly. 
I am happily disappointed in finding my 
expectation (as expressed on p. 24), that ow¬ 
ing to a hot September my Wealthy apples 
would this season prove only to he “early 
winter.” They are keeping about as well as 
usual. Very few have rotted—not nearly as 
many as of the Baldwins from Southern New 
Hampshire—aud they will, no doubt, keep as 
usual until about April 1, or till the spring 
warmth begins to enter the cellar and set the 
Early Rose Potatoes to sprouting. Then they 
go quickly. 
“Is the Rural a safe guide?’’ Your edito¬ 
rial observations under this head (p 28) are 
excellent. The number of agricultural papers 
conducted by men utterly unqualified to edit, 
cr intelligently judge the quality of matter 
sent them for publication, is far too large. 
It is tbBse that lower the average standing of 
agricultural journalism so greatly with the 
public. The Rural is really one among the 
very few “safe guides” that we have. 
Rural, Jan. 17. Mr. Strohecker’s house 
(deliurated and described on p. 37) is worthy 
of praise. I am particularly pleased that he 
has made bis rooms ot : r* liberal size. The 13x 
14 rooms that may answer in village bouses 
are not nearly big enough in a farm house. 
It is a good plan to make the size both ways 
a multiple of three. This suits the standard 
width of carpets aud lengths of lumber, and 
thus tends to economy in building and furnish¬ 
ing. Then make kitchen, parlor and living 
room at least 15x18, and the smallest bed¬ 
rooms never less than 12x12, better 12x15. 
Prof. Sheldon’s * ‘Cow for the Dairy” is a 
very interesting article. But he is mistaken 
if he supposes we have no good dairy herds of 
Short-horns in this country. The early impor¬ 
tations to New England were nearly all of 
that class. But the trouble with the Short¬ 
horns is that their bulk unfits them both for 
billy land and for thin pasturage. It is the 
same with the ridiculously misnamed Dutch 
cattle—the alleged “Holsteins.” The flanks of 
the Alleghenies, from Canada to the Mississip¬ 
pi, are, for the most part, suited only to small, 
active breeds of cattle. Only a few of the 
larger valleys can profitably sustain the larger 
breeds. 
Mr. Falconer's article on “The Clematis” 
(p. 38) is very instructive. The clematis is one 
of the “iron-clads,” hardy where wistarias 
akebias, honey-suekles, climbing roses, trum¬ 
pet-creepers and grape-vines can be had only 
at the cost of careful winter protection, if at 
all, while clematis, Virginia creeper, aristo- 
lochia and celastrus can be left upon the trel¬ 
lises with perfect safety in the hardest Win¬ 
ter. But the clematis, with Us almost infinite 
variety of habit, size, season, and color of 
bloom, is the queen of them all. 
I am glad to see engravings of Mr. Alexan¬ 
der’s new grapes (p. 89). I know no more of 
the vines than you do, but I have been very 
favorably impressed with the appearance and 
quality of the fruits, from samples sent me by 
Mr. A. 
Referring to the large persimmon from 
Florida, spoken of on p. 40, would it not be a 
good idea to vary the extensive culture of 
the citrus fruits in that State with plantations 
of the finest Japanese persimmons* Is much 
known about their keeping and shipping 
characteristics? [Good shippers. Eds.] 
The Rural’s remarks (p. 44) on the curtail¬ 
ment of the circulation of greenbacks of 
small denominations, are sound. There has 
been not. the least demand on the part of the 
people for such curtailment, any more than 
there was for the withdrawal of the fractional 
currency. The Congressmen know well 
enough that this is so, and while the true rea¬ 
son for such action can only be guessed, it is 
evident that there must be a “cat under the 
meal.” The people- want them, but some¬ 
body doesn’t want them, no doubt for selfish 
reasons. We have a right to expect from 
Congress the defeat of such “jobs,” but as a 
rule it seems that Congress exists mainly for 
the passage of laws which the people don’t 
want, and the suppression of laws that they 
do want. 
Rural, January 24. I quite agree with 
“Stockman” in his admiration of the “red 
Devonshire cattle” which were my grand¬ 
father’s pride in Maine fifty years ago. They 
are the only beef cattle worth anything in a 
rough hill country. If they could only be 
made better dairy beasts, especially in the 
matter of “holding out,” neither the Aysrhires 
nor the Jerseys could drive them out of New 
England. 
We all like the Rural’s impartial treat¬ 
ment of novelties, as readers, but as origina¬ 
tors it makes us squirm, sometimes. I know 
how it feels, brother Cay wood, but the Rural, 
even when hard on us, is honest, and has less 
pride of opinion than tiny authority [ know of. 
It didn’t see, at first, that the American Won¬ 
der Pea was any gain ou Little Gem, but just 
as soon as it did, it said so with perfect free¬ 
dom We want just such a paper to tell us 
“the truth as it sees it,” about other folks’ pro¬ 
ductions—and we can’t have it without taking 
our share of its Rhadamanthine justice, when 
it comes. To spare the whip, is to spoil the— 
whip. 
The Rural is quite right in saying (p. 57) 
that the Dorking fowl, with all its merits, is 
lacking in hardiness. I satisfied myself on 
that point many years ago. And Col. Curtis 
is right (p. 5G), when he puts the Plymouth 
Rocks at the head as market fowls. For eggs 
in Winter, give me the White Leghorns—and 
a warm hen-house. [Try the Wyandottes> 
Dr., Eds.] 
It seems to me that, seeing that most oleo¬ 
margarine is adultered with butter, Prof. 
Taylor’s sulphuric acid test (p. 57) is of little 
value. 
I am glad you advise (p. 57) the planting of 
the Buerre Bose Pear. There are few hand¬ 
somer pears, and very few better ones. The 
Sheldon is as good, perhaps, but in looks it 
is nowhere beside the Bose. 
Indeed it is “startling,” in these bard times, 
that your liberal offering of premiums for 
subscriptions has nob elicited a more lively 
respouse. I see that some papers who employ 
canvassers and agents at a salary think (or 
profess to think) that the Rural’s method in 
“buying” or “bribing” subscribers, is not 
legitimate journalism. There seems to be 
some anxiety about the matter, and a perhaps 
premature jubilation over your frank expres¬ 
sions of astonishment. I hope the boys and 
girls will take hold of your liberal offer, and 
shame the dilatory old folks (and critics), by 
rolling up those lists in good shape without 
further delay. 
f arm Cccmonuj. 
AUGSPURGER FENCE. 
P. B. BROCK. 
The ferce shown in Fig. 67 is the invention 
of an Ohio farmer, Mr. Augspurger. The 
patent on it bos expired, so that any one can 
now make it without any fear of claims for 
“royalty" or suits for infringement of patent. 
As seen, it is made in sections, aud when once 
these have been constructed, it is easily moved 
from place to place, and quickly’ set up and 
connected where desired. Practically it forms 
a firm fence, which cannot be lifted or discon¬ 
nected by swine, or pushed over by cattle. 
The lengths, or panels, are as light as is con¬ 
sistent with strength. The posts, A and B, are 
of unequal length, and are connected by five 
rails, with a brace, either vertical or diago¬ 
nal, about the mid-length of each panel. The 
post. A, at one end of each panel, is only of 
sufficient length for the attachment of the 
rails; but the other, post B, is longer, leaving 
a rest to support the panels above the ground. 
The top, bottom, and center rails of each 
panel extend at each end beyond the posts, 
end are gained out, at C, for half their width, 
the gains being in the upper side at the end 
having the supporting-rest, and in the under 
side at the other end. 
The panels are connected by engaging the 
gains of one panel in the corresponding ones 
of the next, aud are set upon the ground in a 
zigzag form, so that each panel serves as a 
brace for those adjacent. This is said to in¬ 
sure firmness aud rigidity to the fence. To 
secure the connections of the panels from 
accidental disengagement by the operations of 
hogs or cattle, one or more of the rails have 
tongues alternately upon their upper and 
lower edges, which prevent the lifting of the 
upper panel when the fence is set up in its 
zigzag position. A cleat or block, D, is at¬ 
tached to the foot of each loug post to serve 
as an anchor by being placed below the sur¬ 
face of the ground, the post beiug somewhat 
longer when this plan is adopted. 
SUrjcljitFChm. 
A CONVENIENT BARN. 
Having had something to do with barns for 
• the last half century, aud beiug considered 
something of an economist, I take the liberty 
of making a few suggestions relative to the 
bam shown at Fig. 522 in the Rural of De¬ 
cember 20, 188-4. Would it not he au improve¬ 
ment to make the barn 30 feet wide instead of 
50 feet, and the posts 25 feet long instead of 
20 feet. And as horse-forks can now be bought 
that will unload 30 cwt. of hay in less than 10 
minutes, wouldn’t it be better to use the horse- 
fork instead of filling up the drive way, and 
mow the hay from bottom to top, thus using a 
