THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
fox t\)C 
I 
_ O our boys and girls ever , 
Cl ,—\ stop to think how many 1 
1\y>v^CQSS®t^ things they enjoy that city 
jotii people never know ( I saw 
a$r\ some city children the 
v3i) ^ m ofcber day playing in one 
Oj /."j 3^' L^b] of the parks and I could 
/£?v \^oq pK, not help wishing that they 
could live in the country 
V where the sun and air | 
t" cj could color their faces and 
strengthen their muscles. 
Aj; As'CT) I am always sorry to see a 
Y ^ ( "tjj country boy anxious to 
V_y get to the city. If he 
could only see himself after 10 years of city 
life, he would never think of coming. There 
are far too many sad and discouraged looking 
people in the cities now, who if they could 
only live over their lives again would gladly 
stay on the farm. Many people say that 
country life is hard and that a young man has 
no chance unless he goes to the town. That 
is a poor thiug to say. Don’t let any of our 
boys ever believe it. Work is made hard and 
dull just because people get discouraged and 
blue. We want all the cheerful people we 
can find in the world. Did you know that 
hundreds of city people are longing to get 
back to a home in the country, that when 
they are sick they have to go to the country 
to get well? That is so, and it ought to show 
you that you are better off than they are now. 
Don’t ever try to leave the farm boys and 
girls. You can make farm life just as pleas¬ 
ant and happy as any other life in the world. 
Get a good education and stay on the farm, is 
the best advice I cau ever give you. 
I wish that the Cousins could see the great 
bags of peanuts and chestnuts that are now in 
the market. It may be that some of the mem¬ 
bers of our family helped to gather some of 
these very nuts. I wonder what the Cousins 
would say if they could see the way these 
chestnuts are sold on the streets, most of them 
are sold by Italians who have little iron stoves 
in which they burn charcoaL With a sharp 
knife they cut a deep cross on each chestnut 
and then put it in over the fire. This cutting 
the shell prevents the nut from bursting up 
like pop corn. The hot nuts are sold in little 
tin cups and people pour them into their pock¬ 
ets like peanuts. From the great number of 
people I see eatiug them, [ decide that they 
are pretty good. It seems a little strange to 
me though, to see great stroug men doing such 
work as roasting chestnuts. It does seem as 
if a man might had better work than that. I 
never feel like trading with such people 
because it seems just as if they were crowding 
weaker boys and women out of light work. 
I hope we have all planned to have warm, 
com forcahje places for the poultry this Win¬ 
ter. It destroys all the pleasure of keeping 
pets to know that they are cold or uncomfort¬ 
able; and then again, there can bo no profit 
possible unless we look out for such matters. 
Did it ever ocear to you that if we could only 
make Winter sBeni more like Summer to the 
hens, we could get many more eggs? The 
best and cheapest way to do this is to make 
the houses as warm and clean as we can. 
SEED RAISING AND SAVING SOIL. 
1. A very rich soil produces foliage rather 
than seed. 2. A naturally good but not ex¬ 
cessively enriched soil produces the best if not 
the largest quantity of seed. 3. Seed plants 
should have more room thau other plants. 
RULES. 
There are two rules to be observed in rais¬ 
ing seed. 1. Never plant related kinds near 
each other, if good seed is wanted from either 
kind as they often mix. Such as two kinds 
of beans or beets, etc. 2. Always be sure to 
select the best fruits, roots, or plants for seed. 
RULES FOR SELECTING SEED. 
A certain part of a row of beans or peas 
should be set apart and saved for seed when 
fully ripe. The largest, firmest head of cab¬ 
bage should be selected and saved for seed, to 
be planted out the next Spring. Of tomatoes, 
egg plant, peppers, melons, cucumbers, and 
corn, the earliest and largest should be saved 
for seed. Of Lettuce, the best heads are 
saved for seed; it comes earlier if sowed in 
the Fall. Roots, for seed, should be selected 
with care. The round-rooted vegetables as 
radishes, beets, and turnips, should be well¬ 
shaped, having but one thin and short root. 
The long rooted kinds, as carrots, parsnips, 
blood-beets, etc., must be of strait and uni¬ 
form shape, having but one root. The roots, 
except early radishes, are all to be kept over 
Winter and planted out in Spring. The onions 
raised for seed Bhould be of large and flat 
shape. 
WHAT PART OK THE STEM PRODUCES THE 
BEST SEED. 
The central shoot or main stalk produces 
the finest seed. The side shoots are later in 
development, slender aud weak aud the seed 
they produce are smaller aud generally less 
perfectly matured. Of parsnips, celery, car¬ 
rots, etc., the central head is best the outer 
one’s being less perfect. 
Seed should not be gathered until fully ripe. 
After gathering the seed should be thoroughly 
dried aud stored in cool, dry apartments. But 
however dry and cool the apartments, the 
seeds should be in small packages, for when 
stored in masses they are extremely liable to 
heat aud lose their vitality. The best way of 
saving seed is to wrap them in strong paper and 
place in a cool box or drawer, proof against 
mice. From your niece, 
Oskaloosa, Iowa. yellow myrtle. 
-- - - 
NOTES FROM THE COUSINS. 
Dear Uncle Mark: I have been consid¬ 
ered a member of the Youth s Horticultural 
Club for several years, but as I have been off 
to school at a convent, and am here now, 
having been home for two month’s vacation. 
I was here last year too. I study Scholar’s 
Companion, grammar, United States history, 
classical biography, English history, familiar 
science, arithmetic, drawing, writing and 
music. I entered the convent for the first 
time Sept. 34 1SS4. We were at Fort Griffin 
when last 1 wrote to you, and during these 
few years, time has brought sorrow as well as 
pleasure, and the worst of all was the loss of 
my dear brother, who died ou the 22d of Jan¬ 
uary. 1SS4 from measles aud pneumonia. I 
hated to leave Mamma aud Papa so badly, 
but they always know best. They have a nice 
garden at home, which furnishes more vege¬ 
tables than they can use. We have one little 
fig tree about two or three feet high with two 
very small figs on it, and are doing well. 
Sweet potatoes do splendidly there; nothing 
seems to eat them at all, but the bugs ate all 
the Irish potatoes. The name of our school is 
Ursuline Couvent. It is a great distance from 
home, but it is said to be an excellent school, 
and I think it is, for I have improved so much. 
I cau’t tell you much about my garden, for I 
have none here. The flowers you sent us 
were doing nicely when I left. We had ever 
so many watermelons while I was at home. 
We had two ripe 4th of July. For fear my 
letter is gradually making its way to the 
wastebasket, I’ll close for to-day. 
Your niece, jennie curtis. 
Dallas. _ 
Dear Uncle Mark: As my sister has 
written to you several times, I thought I 
would write aud ask you if I might join the 
Y. H. C. Papa has taken the Rural New- 
Yorer for a number of years, and we think it 
is a very nice paper. I always read the 
Cousins’ letters, and like them ever so much. 
We had a very hard hail storm here not long 
ago. The hail stones wore as large as a pul¬ 
let’s egg. My 9ister and I have got a cow that 
we own together; she is red aad white spotted. 
We also have a little calf that is red all over. 
We call ber “Blossom.” From your niece, 
KATIE S. AIKEN. 
[That is a pretty name for a calf, Katie. 
You are a member of the Club now.— 
uncle mark.] 
Dear Uncle Mark: I know I am a long 
way off, but want to see the cousins just a 
little while. I am a little girl staying with my 
grand-pareuts. Grandfather has rheumatism 
aud hasn’t walked a step in several years. He 
goes about the bouse in a wheel-chair. Grand¬ 
mother does all the gardening. 8be has just 
finished resetting her strawberry bed. Onion 
sets planted and growing nicely. Turnips and 
radishes large enough to eat. Cabbage plants 
nearly ready to transplant. Potatoes (second 
crop) will be ready to gather by the time frost 
comes, which we look for by the first of Nov¬ 
ember. We have plenty of snap beaus (second 
crop). The oats have been sown in the lot 
adjoining the yard for winter grazing for the 
poultry. Grandfather has a pet jay bird 
(blue jay). It stays about the yard, garden 
and in the house. It will fly up on grand¬ 
father's chair and on his shoulder; will eat 
from his hand. When night comes it goes to 
roost in the honeysuckle vines growing around 
the porch. He also has a little pet dog. The 
bird and dog are very fond of each other. The 
bird often sits ou the dog’s back, and they, 
with a cat, eat together without quarreling. 
Now I expect they are better than some of the 
little cousins sometimes. Good bye. 
Camden, Ala. ella may COOK. 
[We are glad to hear from you, Ella. Never 
fear that you are too far away. The best thing 
about our department is that it brings us all 
together. A great many of us could learn 
useful lessons from your bird and dog I am 
gure< UNCLE MARK;] 
Dear Uncle Mark: Papa takes the Rural 
and likes it very much. I always read all the 
letters from the Cousins. I have never seen 
any letters from Moutaua, aud I thought I 
would write and ask if I could join the i . H. 
C. The Rural com is too late with us. Some 
of the tomatoes ripened and were very nice. 
We have a little farm of 320 acres; we raise 
pigs, chickens, aud cattle. We had a very 
nice gardeu this year. My little sister and I 
milked four cows all summer. I am 11 years 
old. I live near Helena, the capital of Mon¬ 
tana. your neice, martha danikls. 
Meagher County, Montana. 
[Yes, we are glad to have you join the club 
Martha. Your farm would not seem so small 
here, I am sure. I hope you will write agaiu. 
—UNCLE MARK ] 
Dear Uncke Mark: As my father has 
taken the Rural for about one year. I have 
become deeply interested in some of the letters 
from the Cousins, and would like now to join 
the club. My father is a farmer and we live 
in the town of Lyme, New Loudon Co. We 
received the seed sent by the Rural in the 
Spring, which were planted and now have all 
been harvested. The 50 crosses of corn,which 
consisted of 100 kernels, yielded well, one 
bushel of ears. Most of it is too late for this 
section of the country, but some of it is very 
nice corn. Only a few spears of the Johnsou 
Grass came up. The beaus came up and yield¬ 
ed well, but are pretty small to be profitable 
to raise. We raise mostly Lima Beans, which 
prove satisfactory. The peas did well and we 
have gathered them all for seed next year. 
On the whole, we are very much pleased with 
the harvest this Fall. We have had a very 
dry season here during the past Bummer. The 
apple crop has been unusually abundant, also 
the potato crop; we are afraid they will decay 
considerably. Please do not put this in the 
waste basket as I would like very much to join 
the club. Truly your niece, 
MARY A. TOOKER. 
New London Co , Conn. 
[You are one of the Cousins now Mary. I 
am glad that the harvest is so good. Write 
agaiu.— unolk mark.] 
pUstollantouss ;§MvertijSitt0. 
(fetatc. 
FOR SALE, 
\ stood Stock or Grain Farm of 440 acres, live miles 
from the town of Farmville : two dwellings: a green¬ 
house; all necessary buildings: two orchards; good 
fencing: well watered. Apply to 
(J. LKSTOrKUEON, Faruiville, 
P. O. Box 39, 
Virginia. 
Southern California. 
THE MOST DELIGHTFUL COUNTRY ON THE CON¬ 
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pnrr InComiatl'in given In regard to Soil, Clim- 
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1 ■“ Home In Semi Tropic California. Address 
Fretl. I.. A lies. CoMM'SsrosKB of Imwqration, 
Southern California. Immigration Association, 
Los Axcikles, Cap. 
Virginia Farm*. -Mild climate. Cheap Homes. 
Send for circular A. «. B1 .T<l»ntralla. Va. 
Southern California. 
1 and Syndicate aud Colony forming. A few more 
subscribers wanted, to increase capital. A P^rty to 
go (his Fall to settle. Sprcial rates and cars. Call or 
write for full information F. D. LEONARD, 
333 Washington St. (Room Si, Konton, Mass. 
THE LINE SELECTED BY THE U. S. COV'T 
TO CARRY THE FAST MAIL. 
Is the Rest general purpose wire fence In use. 
It Is a strong nci-wurU without barbs. 
Don't Injure stock. It will turn dogs, pigs, sheep, 
and poultry, as well jus liorws and cattle. The 
best fence lor Farms. Gardens,Slock ranges, und 
Railroad*. Very neat, pretty styles lor Lawns, 
Parks,Sr hooHots, and Cemeteries. Covered with 
rust-proof paint, or rondo of galvanized wire, as 
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Give it a fair trial:it will wear lwelt into favor. 
The Sedgwick Gates mode of wrought Iron 
pipe and steel wire, d-ty all competition In light¬ 
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make the best, cheapest, and cuslest working 
nil-iron nornu ntlc or Melt-opening gate, 
aud tile neatest cheap Iron fences now 
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SEDGWICK BROS., Richmond. Ind. 
“EUREKA” STAINED GLASS 
A perfect substitute. 
Beautiful Stained Gians Windows at a trifling cost. 
Can he applied to tiny window without removing sash 
or glass. Illustrated catalogues. 25c. _ 
Also mnfrs. of the H. Petrie Patent Gold Letter- 
aud Numbers on Gla«s or Wire Screen. All styles of 
Lettering done nrtlstleully and warranted to last 10 
years. Send for circular. Agents wanted. 
THE C. I.. SEIB !HFG. CO., 
Domestic Building, 
Cor, Broadway and 14th St., N. Y. City. 
MAGIC LANTERNS! 
IVI AND STEREOPTICONS 
Foh PUBLIC, SUNDAYSCHOOL & HOME EXHIBITIONS 
lflFUIC R' llfil rating I ion pngo TUu*. CDCC 
V It YlO all Kuhjictrt | IxU Catalogue, [(ILL 
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BEST TRUSS EVER USED !| 
Improved E lastio 
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Wrileforfnll descript¬ 
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NEW YORK ELASTIC 
TRUSS CO., ^ 
744 Broadway, N. Y. 
It is the only line with its own track from 
CHICAGO TO DENVER, 
Either by way ol Omaha, Pacific June., St. Joseph, 
Atchison or Kansas City. 
It connects In Union Depots with through trains from 
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SAN FRANCISCO, PORTLAND Jt, CITY OF MEXICO 
it traverses all of the six great States of ILLINOIS, 
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Its equipment Is complete and first class In every 
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Switches and Signals are used, thus insuring com¬ 
fort and safety. ,. . 1 
For Tickets. Rates. Ceneral Inlormation, etc., 
regarding the Burlington Route, call on any Ticket 
Agent in the United States or Canada, or address 
T. J. POTTER 1st V.P. & Gen. Mor., Chicago. 
HENRY B. STONE, A86T. Gen. Mgr.. Chicago. 
PERCEVAL LOWELL, Gen. Pass. Aqt., Chicago. 
PIITTA DCDPU1 For steep ami flat roofs. Mro 
DU I I A rL nil 11 A ami waterproof, cheap aud dur- 
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HUUrlNb. Empire Hooting Co.» 
1130 Race Street. Philadelphia. Pa. 
HUMPHREYS’ ■ 
Homeopathic Veterinary 
Specifics for 
HORSES, CATTLE, SHEEP. 
DOGS, HOGS, POULTRY. 
Used by U. S. Governm’t. 
Chart on Rollers, 
and Book Sent Free. 
Humphreys' Med. Co., 103 Fulton St., N. Y. 
Wan Wanted It, 
In his locality. Responsible house. References ex¬ 
changed. GAY & CO., 12 Barclay St., N. Y* 
Costs only per SCI, (10x10 ft.) Lusts 
a life time on Steep or Flat r<n>f*. Rondy for uso. Any - 
hotly run dffii/w it. I llu* irate (1 book rPftg if you mention 
tli 10 paper. If'* Hr at oner to 143 Duuno St . N. V. City* 
INDIANA, PAINT AND HOOFINGCO. t 
General Advertising- Kates of 
THU RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
The following rate* art invariable. Ml are there¬ 
fore resveatfullu informed that anv correspondence 
with a view fo obtainiup different terms will prove 
futile. 
Ordinary Advertisements, per agate Line—80 cents. 
Ouo thousand line* or more.within one year >( 
from date of Ilrsl Insertion, per agate line. 45 
Yearly order* occupying 4 or more ‘ties „ 
Pr^ired **poslti'o'iia '• • '.'!•• y i*? extra ' 
Reading Notices, enrttng with Aciu., per , 
line, minion leaded...... — .,..7scen . 
Terms of Subscription. 
The subscription price of tho Rural Nkw Yorkkr Is. 
Blngle copy, per year..... &-Q0 
•• " Six months...* 
Great Britain. Ireland, Australia and 
Germany, per year, post-paid. *8.04 (>*■• 8J ' 
France....- . 8.04 (Kb* fr> 
French Colonies .... 4-08 (J9V4 f r.) 
Any one sending a club of seven Is entitled to ono 
oopy. one year free. 
Agents will be supplied with canvassing outfit on 
application. __ 
Wotsrsd at the Post-offloe at New York Olty, N. T, 
ai seaond-ciass mall matter. 
