regarding: the Russian Mulberry in the remark 
that the idea of raising an apple orchard of 
seedlings would appear absurd to nursery¬ 
men, yet this is practically what the majority 
of those handling the Russian Mulberry have 
done. The production of fine fruit applies to 
about one in a thousand of the seedlings,while 
it might be true of each tree propagated 
either from grafting or cutting. As a tree its 
principal value would be as a hedge plant, 
either alone or with taller growing trees. 
No Timothy on the Lawn I —Friend Stiles, 
of the Philadelphia Press, takes exceptions to 
our criticism of his recommendation to sow 
Timothy as a lawn grass. He says he recom¬ 
mends it for immediate effect. He admits it 
is a coarse grass, and that if closely mowed, 
it soon runs out; but he says if sowed in the 
Spring, it will soon cover the grou d with 
greeu and be fit to cut much sooner than any 
other grass. In this we think he could not be 
much more in error. Red Top will start much 
sooner than Timothy, and will make a quicker 
and better covering, and will not cease its 
growth nearly as soon; but if a liberal supply 
of White Clover is used, as it should be, it will 
come up, cover the ground, and be fit for a 
lawn mower in half the time of either, and if 
kept closely mown, nothing makes a prettier 
lawn or one more agreeable to walk ov *r, We 
were recently in the Chicago parks, which are 
noted for their flue turf, and White Clover is 
largely used in all of them. Nol friend S„ 
notwithstanding you have a very level head 
in most things, you are surely “off” in this, 
and will certainly mislead everyone who fol¬ 
lows your advice in sowing Timothy as a lawn 
grass. Under no circumstances, and with no 
excuse, should it ever form one, even in the 
smallest quantity, of the varieties in a mix¬ 
ture for lawn seeding. 
Muriate of Potash. —Muriate of potash 
comes from Stassfurt. Germany. The knowl¬ 
edge of theBe deposits extends back to the 
year 806; but the first shaft was not begUD 
until 1852. lu 1857, at a depth of 1,018 feet, 
carualite, crude muriate of potash, was dis¬ 
covered. What was first thought to be use¬ 
less is now a mine of wealth. Jn 1S68, 13,500 
tons of raw material, equal to about 2,200 
tons of 80-per- eeut. muriate of potash, were con- 
sun: ed . At present, 150,000 tons per year are 
used. One ton of 80 per ceDt, muriate of 
potash is made from 6>/ tons of the raw 
material. A by product, “kieserite” is ob¬ 
tained from the residue. Muriate of potash is 
the purest, cheapest and best form of potash 
for agricultural purposes. It costs only about 
3 13 cents per pound for pure potash It con¬ 
tains from 80 to 08 per cent of pure muriate 
of potash, free from any impurities. It is 
guaranteed to contain not over one-balf per 
cent, of chloride of magnesia, an element de¬ 
structive to plants. It is thus really cheaper 
in the end than the inferior goods. Persons 
wishing to lower the standard, may take 
three-fourths pure muriate and one-fourth 
kainit, giving the result at a lower price. As 
compared with sulphate of potash, SO per 
cent, muriate produces 50.54 per cent, actual 
potash, while the sulphate produces 43.26. 
The Way to Talk— From the very 
northern part of Minnesota comes the prem¬ 
ium list of the Pine County Agricultural 
Society. This region, 20 years ago a part of 
the “forest primeval," is now dotted over with 
fertile farms and happy homes. In the ad¬ 
dress to the public, with which the pamphlet 
opens, sentiments are expressed that might 
well put to shame the inhabitants of many a 
warmer climate. The writer says that ex¬ 
clusive grain raising does not pay. It mort¬ 
gages the farm, brings sorrow to the heart, 
and makes the owner old before his time. 
There is no locality in which stock raising has 
become the major fraction of the farmer’s 
business, where the resulthas Dot beensmili(|g 
prosperity. Raise less wheat, and put the 
energies into the raising of horses, cattle, 
swine, sheep, etc. People know that stock 
raising pays, but knowing without doing 
profits nothing. There is no better way of 
pushing the matter than to meet at the fair 
and talk matters over, and show stock and 
vegetables. Each one must talk and tell .vhat 
he knows, and give his reasons. It makes no 
difference who gets the prizes, and if nopriz.es 
be given, little would it matter. The great 
good will be found in unitedly and intelligent¬ 
ly working together. Each may hold out a 
helping hand. The ladies too, God bless them! 
They have ingenuity to devise, and can bring 
to the fair a thousand-and one ar ticles which 
will entertain and profit all. 
Winter Shelter for Stock.— In making 
preparations for the Winter, says Prof. S. A. 
Knapp, stock shelter should receive immediate 
attention. The blood of an animal must be 
kept at a uniform temperature. Nearly 
seven-eighths of the food consumed by Iowa 
cattle belongs to the fuel department. Ex¬ 
periments by Theodor, on a cat, showed that 
it required 50 per cent, more fuel to sustain 
heat at 5.5 degrees than at 27.6 degrees. The 
great poiDt. is to prevent loss of heat by radia 
tion, since 65 degrees of animal fuel is passed 
off in tin's way. Good, warm barns, where 
the animals may spend cold days as well as 
nights, will ne absolutely necessary. It does 
not pay to keep an animal comfortable at 
night., and then turn it out to shake in a cold 
Winter’s day. Care must be taken to avoid 
dampness is stables. A leak in the roof is no 
worse than wet bedding or floors. Good win¬ 
ter quarters and good care for stock are a surer 
way to sell grain aDd hay at a round price 
than hanging on the street corners. 
Chicken Figures.— It is said that “figures 
never tell lies.” Breeders of all kinds of im¬ 
proved stock like to set the farmers to figuring 
out profits. The poultry people do uot propose 
to be kept behind. The Poultry World gives 
a “sum” about like this: One man pays §15 
for a trio of White Leghorns. He raises a 
laying stock of 50 pullets for next season. 
Another man pays §1.50 for a trio of ordinary 
fowls, and likewise raises 50 pullets. The cost 
of raising is the same. Atthe eud of the first 
year, the difference in thetwo investments will 
be §13.50 in favor of the second man. The 
next year, the splendid laying qualities of the 
thoroughbreds will tell auother story. The 
Leghorns will lay at least 150 eggs each, or 
7,500, while the mongrels will do well to lay 
5,000. Here we have a difference of 208 
dozen, which at 20 cents per dozen would 
represent §41.60. Now will pure Leghorn 
fowls lay eggs at this rate? Meu who have 
handled them say they will Meu who have 
never handled them do not know. 
Useful Analyses.— Bulletin No. 17 of the 
Massachusetts Experiment Station, is given 
up largely to analyses of food stuffs aud fertil¬ 
izers. High meadow hay contained, in pounds, 
of digestible cellulose 185.16, fat 42,10, proteiu 
158,61, non-nitrogeuous extract matter 098.09, 
or a total of 1383.96 per ton of 2,000 pounds. 
Corn meal contained, cellulose 17.61, fat 
67.34, proteiu 223.21, non-nitrogenous extract 
matter 1471.46, or a total of 1779 46 digestible 
matter per ton. The relative proportion of 
some essential ash constituents of Concord 
grapes and blackberries are given as follows: 
Concord Grape. Blackberry. 
Pot a? slum oxide 
- - 63.29 
- - 51.42 
Magnesium oxide 
- - 1.77 
• 5.80 
Calcium oxide - 
15.49 
- - 17.22 
Ferric oxide - - 
1,96 
- 1.48 
Phosphoric acid - 
- • 18.49 
- - 24.63 
100.00 
100.00 
It is thought that these results may point 
out to fruit growers facts concerning the 
special requirements of fruits in soil eonstit- 
ueuts. The common sorrel contained 1 11 per 
cent, of mineral constituents, the soluble por¬ 
tion of which contained potassium oxide 19.85 
per cent., sodium oxide 10.79, calcium oxide 
47 . 53 , magnesium oxide 8.99, ferric oxide 2.55, 
phosphoric acid 10.79. There was no free 
volatile acid. The characteristic taste of the 
juice is due to the presence of acid combina¬ 
tions of oxalic acid with the alkalies, potash 
and soda. The chemical examination of this 
weed was suggested by its sudden appearance 
upon land which had previously been free 
from it. Many authorities in Europe state 
that sorrel does not grow upon a calcareous 
soil. Liberal applications of lime are recom¬ 
mended as an effective remedy. Prof. Goess- 
man thinks that the predominance of lime in 
the mineral constituents of the plitnts,asshown 
by this analysis, would indicate that the ben¬ 
eficial action of lime should be ascribed to 
its modifying influence on the physical and 
chemical condition of the soil, and not to a 
deficiency of lime as a plant food. Tie thinks 
that a more systematic inquiry into the chem¬ 
ical character and habits of our weeds cannot 
fail to give us some useful lessons regarding 
an intelligent course to lessen their chances 
of a luxuriant growth. 
■ ■ - ««« 
SAMPLES. 
A little lie takes the place of unlimited 
labor, says the American Dairyman. The 
truth of the above sentiment strikes into the 
soul of the milkman who tries to sell good 
honest milk, and sees what the smart young 
fellow on the opposition cart is doing. 
The Iowa Homestead advises the farmer 
who wants to grade up his stock to look out 
the breeder of plain every day cattle and buy 
his best. The breeders of plain-bred cattle 
have in mind something beside mere pedigree. 
They breed for sound merit. They are the 
missionaries in the work of cattle improve¬ 
ment. ... 
TnE Farm Economist advises farmers to 
help the boys to store away a good supply of 
nuts for “winter consumption”—a good idea. 
It also says that a barrel of cider where the 
boys can have access to it, is more dangerous 
than a barrel of gunpowder. The following 
advice from the same source is good. Look 
with suspicion upon any man who makes you 
an unreasonable offer. Never sign your name 
to a paper and give it to a stranger. 
Hon. J. A. Woodivaru, in describing the 
ordiuary country road, tells the story of the 
stranger who asked the boy which one of the 
two roads he had better take “The distance 
is the same,” said the boy, “and no matter 
which oue you take, before you have goue a 
mile you will wish you had taken the other.. 
The Live Stock Indicator says that you 
can’t eat enough in a week to last you a year, 
and you can’t advertise on that plan either. 
It further says that trees coming from 
Northern Europe have proven hardy in Min¬ 
nesota and Dakota.....*. 
As the birds prefer even the poorest of the 
mulberries to other fruit, this should be in¬ 
ducement enough to fruit growers to set them. 
The seedling trees will afford the necessary 
fruit for the birds and come much cheaper in 
price .. . 
The editor of the Orange County Farmer 
does not believe that, the Comet Lawson Pear 
is the old French Jargonelle, as Mr. C. M. 
Hovey declares it to be. Mr. Hovey was mis¬ 
taken as to the Manchester Strawberry; per¬ 
haps he is mistaken again.... *.•. 
The N. E. Farmer reminds its readers that 
pears should be picked from the trees before 
they are fully ripe; but they must not be ex¬ 
posed to the sun and air, or they will shrivel 
without ripening. Place them in shallow 
boxes or drawers with woolen cloth on the 
bottom and more on the top. Or spread the 
pears thinly in closed rooms. A cold room 
will, of course, retard ripening. 
According to the Scientific American, ex¬ 
periments in France prove that, eating the 
same food, a cow supplied with water at a 
temperature of 113 will give one-third more 
milk than one drinking cold water. This only 
coufirms our experience. We are quite san¬ 
guine in the belief that it will pay to warm 
the water for cows to drink in Winter . 
It seems the brook trout is truly an Ameri¬ 
can fish, as, according to the Scientific Ameri¬ 
can, all attempts to introduce it into English 
waters have failed. During the last dozen or 
more years many thousands of fry have been 
turned into different English streams; but in 
no instance have the fish seemed to thrive. 
Occasionally a specimen may be taken, but as 
tbe years go by there is no perceptible increase, 
while in some waters liberally supplied, the 
fish have entirely disappeared. Would that 
this fish were made more common in suitable 
American waters... 
Salicylic acid should not be used for pre¬ 
serving fruit in tin but only in glass cans, so 
says the Philadelphia Press. We say, don’t 
use it at all either in tin or glass. Put the 
fruit in glass cans; scald them well and seal 
them tightly, and it will beep till Doom’s-day, 
and when you eat it, it will not turn your 
stomach into a drug-shop. Be sure, that every 
chemical that will preserve fruit is not good 
for the human stomach, or for that of any 
other animal either, for that matter. 
Dr. Suhtevant is tryiDg to have the people 
learn that English sparrows are good eating, 
and says that when fat, as the little gorman¬ 
dizer always is, it is toothsome, aud that many 
find their way into the restaurants as reed- 
birds. That is the best use we have ever 
beard of for the nuisances, aud we hope they 
will become so popular as tid-bits, that so high 
a price may be got for them as to set people 
hunting them. They certainly have no place 
now in American agriculture . 
Farm and HoME(Eugland) cautious its read¬ 
ers against handling potatoes in wet weather. 
Dig ns many os possible in the forenoon, and 
spread them out. Collect in the afternoon, 
and get them under cover where they may be 
spread out and dried. Drying, of coarse, 
must be quickly done, as light injures the color 
aud flavor.... 
A writer in the N. Y. Tribune deems 
goose-oil the best of all oils for lubricating 
purposes in warm weather when it melts thin 
enough to run. In cool weather, it is too hard. 
It is also excellent for keeping harness and 
boots pliable and waterproof. 
RURAL SPECIAL REPORTS. 
Camilla. 
Dunedin, Ontario, Sept. 26.—Hay fine; 
wheat rusty; oats and peas an average. Roots 
very good. Apples scarce. Plums plentiful. 
Cherries poor. Grapes will be ripe in a few 
days if this fine weather continues. I had 28 
Niagara seedlings; 1 have only 16 now; some 
of them look well. The Rural corn is no good 
here. Diehl Mediterranean Wheat good. 
Rural New-Yorker Pea very early; Market 
Garden a fine pea. 1 have three pounds from 
Prince of Wales. Stratagem did not come up 
well; but I have a pound from what did come. 
Beans yielded well. Tomatoes very fine look¬ 
ing; only one here and there coloring: inclined 
to rot. Very fine weather at present; no frost 
yet. J. L. 
Colorado. 
Greeley, Weld Co., Sept. 16.— The Rura 
Peas were good, but the Bliss’s Ahundarce 
were much better, I thiDk. I shall try King 
Humbert Tomatoes next year, as they are 
nice-flavored. I picked out 39 grains of wbat 
appeared to be white dent corn, and put it by 
itself; also nine grains of what appeared to be 
Pride of the North, and put it by itself; they 
both eared well, but are still green, and it is 
six days past the time at which I usually look 
for frost. Flower seeds didu’t grow. The 
beans did splendidly; planted May 18; gath¬ 
ered September 1st to 16th, as they ripened. 
Number planted 160; all but five grew. Five 
vines were examined and averaged: number 
of pods to vine, 37 4 5; beans to vine, 126 4 5; 
beans to pod, 8 67-189. Weight of 634 beans, 
seven ounces; weight of whole crop thor¬ 
oughly haudplcked, six pounds twelve 
ounces, equal to 108 ounces from 160 beans 
planted. Will this showing warrant a little 
enthusiasm ? These beans when the pod first 
dries are green; when the pods whiten the 
beans whiten also. w. D. L. 
Illinois. 
Quincy, Adams Co., Sept. 24th.—The 
weather in Central Illinois has been all that 
could be desired. Com cutting and shocking 
have begun in earnest. Hay is more conven¬ 
iently fed for Winter than corn fodder, yet 
more of the latter will be saved than usual. 
Many farmers think that cattle and horses 
winter better on corn fodder than on hay. 
Hog-raising is one of the surest and quickest 
ways of making money. Less capital is re¬ 
quired than iu tbe raising of horses or cattle. 
Returns come in much sooner. The greatest 
drawback is the liability to loss from epidemic 
diseases. The rapid growth and prolificacy of 
hogs render it possible to recover from these 
losses, and still beat the fast-horse men. A 
friend recently told me that, be had followed 
the showing of horses at the fairs for many 
years. At the same time, he kept a lot of 
good hogs at home. He always had to sell the 
hogs to pay bis horse-showing expenses. Siuce 
then he handles fewer horses aud more hogs. 
Instead of standing near tbe foot as a horse 
breeder, he is now in the foremost rank as a 
breeder of improved swine. P. T. 
Indiana. 
Lucas Co., Sept. 21.—Tbe Rural’s Free 
Seed Distribution has done much good; I have 
received great benefit from it. Tbe Beauty of 
Hebron Rotate has been of much profit to me; 
we think it the best we can find. I have raised 
as muny as 760 bushels per acre with flat 
culture. I had three quarts of Diehl-Mediter¬ 
ranean wheat; last Fall l sowed this amount 
on a quarter of au acre, and have 5U8 pounds 
of very uice wheat. I shall sow six acres with 
it this Fall. 1 think very much of it. o. f. 
Iowa. 
Oskaloosa, Mahaska Co., Sept. 18.—We 
have had a great quantity of rain the past 
season, which has caused a good deal of dam¬ 
age to grain; very warm aud pleasant uow. 
Corn is very good—about out of tbe way of 
frost. Late potatoes light. More than an 
average crop of oats. Spring wheat about an 
average. a d- 
Kaunas. 
Junction City, Davis Co., Sept. 22.— We 
think this the garden spot of the earth. We 
live four miles from Junction City, and iu 
sight of Fort Riley, quite a noted place. 
Tliey are preparing to build u college for the 
benefit of the soldiers. This place is claimed 
to be the center of the Uuited States. The 
climate is just splendid, and certainly the re¬ 
gion will be a grand fruit country in the uear 
future, judging by the few bearing orchard 
near us. We have been here two years, and 
although times have been dull and there has 
been almost a failure in wheat, we do not feel 
disheartened. We came from Ohio, and left 
just as lovely a home as was in that State; 
yet we have no desire to return to the home 
of our childhood. We think the West far 
surpasses the East in educational advantages. 
We see a graded school-house in every little 
towu, and it is surprising how soon the little 
villages grow to be cities. It seems to put 
new life in anyone to come West. We do not 
ask the aged, but the young to come and help 
to build up this country. e. d. 
Minnesota. 
Spring Grove, Houston Co., Sept. 21.— 
Heavy frost on Sept. 4th killed corn aud to¬ 
bacco on low land; on the ridges they are all 
right. Wheat poor, both in quantity aud 
quality. Rota toes rotting iu the ground. 
Oats, rye and barley good. Of apples and 
other fruits there are hardly any at all owing 
to a destructive hail storm on Juue 7ctv 
