1885 
S HE RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
289 
what does stable manure contain that is not 
supplied in commercial fertilizers? The only 
respect in which the two materials are dis¬ 
tinctly unlike is this: the stable manure is 
composed largely of dead vegetable and ani¬ 
mal matters in process of decay; the product 
of this decay is the humus, or vegetable mold 
of the soil. This common ingredient of all 
arable soils is not necessary for plant growth, 
for, on a small scale in pot culture, good crops 
have been obtained in a soil as white as snow, 
and therefore quite free from any humus, but 
containing all the real plant nutrients that 
have been mentioned. But that this humus 
is an important ingredient of a fertile soil no 
one can doubt. Given two soils, equally rich 
in nitrogen, potash, phosphoric acid, lime, 
and all matters of such sort, but of which one 
is poor in humus ami the other rich iu it, but 
yet Dot so excessively rich as a bog or a muck 
bed. there is not a farmer or gardener who 
knows soils who would not give more for the 
soil rich in humus than for the other. 
The most evident distinction, therefore, be¬ 
tween stable manure and commercial fertili¬ 
zers. and the distinction upon which we 
should, therefore, base an explanation of the 
greater reliability of the former, is its large 
proportion of vegetable matter, or humus 
forming material, of which commercial fer¬ 
tilizers contain practically none. Professor 
Caldwell gave a comparison of the values of 
certain kinds of manures. Cow manure at 
$1.16 per thousand pounds is not a cheap way 
of getting plantfood; it would be more costly 
than commercial fertilizers, were it not for 
the large arnouut of humus-forming material 
that it contains, which may offset the high 
cost of the plant, nutrients in it. But we have 
just as much of this hutuus-formiug material 
in horse manure, and the important plant 
nutrients in that at $1,54 per thousand pounds 
are cheaper than in the commercial fertilizers. 
Night soil at 43 cents per thousand pounds 
(the cost of hauling) affords plant food at a 
remarkably cheap rate—much more so than 
commercial manures. Rockweed at. $1.21 per 
thousand pounds is an expensive manure. 
Pish chum at $0 50 per thousand pounds pro¬ 
vides nitrogen and phosphoric acid at a very 
cheap rate. Heu manure at $4 per thousand 
pounds is an expensive fertilizer. 
■ ■*<■« 
SHORT AND FRESH. 
Tiikke is no telling where the uses of elec¬ 
tricity may end; a short time ago we were 
told of its employment in making butter, now 
we are informed that by its use any of the 
raw sugars of the lowest grade, can in four 
hours and with a loss of only one per eent.of sac¬ 
charine matter, lie converted into the finest 
grades, and at a cost not exceeding 85 ceuts 
per ton. Not ouly are all the finest brands 
of sugar imitated, but other forms are pro¬ 
duced which are great novelties; for instance, 
oue form is light and flaky,something like fine 
snow. What shall we have next?. 
D. B. Wkih, of Marshall Co., 111., wonders 
if the editor of the R. N.-Y. knows what he is 
doing in distributing seeds of Johnson Grass 
to Northern farmers. He says, in the West¬ 
ern Rural, that the facts are t hat this Johnson 
Grass is considered by one class, the cotton 
planters, as the greatest curse that was ever 
introduced into the South. Another class, 
those who wish to breed and grow stock, are 
equally positive that it is the greatest bless¬ 
ing that the South has ever had. 
Our readers will remember we have for 
several years advised them to select their seed 
com and preserve the ears in a warm room. 
An experiment of the New York Experiment 
Station shows that corn seed thoroughly dried 
at a temperature of 70 to 80 degrees, germin¬ 
ated more quickly and better than did 
the seed taken from the bin iu tbe barn. 
Sir J, B. Gawks says, in the Londou Agri¬ 
cultural Gazette, that nitrate of soda, like 
dynamite and certain poisons, is equally potent 
for good or evil. It can be used or abused. 
Anotokr correspondent of thesame journal 
says that when a tenant farmer is known to 
l*e using nitrate of soda, it is takeu as a hint 
that he is preparing to leave his farm, and is 
also getting all out of the land that he can. 
Thk Nbw England Farmer says that 
a potato can grow sprouts until it is com¬ 
pletely exhausted. All growth of sprouts 
destroyed before planting, is just so uftich 
takeu uwuy from the vitality of the tuber. 
Plant the soundest seed you can get. 
A Farmer is meutinned iu tbe late discus¬ 
sions of New England farmers, reported in the 
Massachusetts I'loughman, who for two years 
planted seed from the seed end and stem-end 
separately. Botli years the seed end gave 
him a crop from 12 to 11 days earlier than that 
from the stem-end.. 
Plant asparagus or sow the seed ac¬ 
cording to the Rural’s recent directions. 
The Rural has always had fine success with 
pansies. The seeds are started late In Febru 
ry, the young plants set in small pots as soon 
as they get second leaves, and transplanted to 
a moist, rich border, near the lake, in mid- 
May. You can not have fine pansies without 
rich soil and plenty of moisture. 
It is time for this climate to plant the first 
lot of Gladioli corms. For succession, plant 
agaiu two weeks later. 
Now is just the time also to plant magno¬ 
lias. We have given lists and descriptions of 
all, in previous numbers.... 
Mr. Lovett, were he confined to one va¬ 
riety of peach, would choose Oldmixon Free. 
As the three best be names Mountain Rose. 
Oldmixon Free and Crawford's Late, ripening 
in the order named. Adding two others, 
he mentions Amsden’s June and Stephen's 
Rare ripe. He deems Keyport White the best 
white; the be=t cling, the large and beautiful 
Heath Cling. 
The Farmers’ Review advocates the grow¬ 
ing of evergreen wind-breaks, which when 
fully grown will very greatly modify the 
severity of the cold winds to everything on 
the leeward of them, whether the dwelling 
bouse, barn, stables, or feeding yards. For 
all Northern localities the Norway Spruce 
and Scotch or Austrian Pine are generally 
considered the best, but were we to plant for 
this purpose, the Rural would select Al- 
cock's, the Oriental and even the Tiger’s-tail 
Spruces.. 
RURAL SPECIAL REPORTS. 
JAMES McCREERY & CO. 
Invite the attention of out- 
of-town buyers to their 
large and attractive Stock 
ofKicliSilks Velvets,PI ash¬ 
es, Dress floods, Laces, In- 
<1 in ShooIs, Hosier v,Gloves, 
Upholstery Goods, Suits, 
Wraps, Housekeeping 
Goods, etc., etc. 
We have, in all our re¬ 
spective Departments, a 
full line of medium-priced 
goods to the finest import¬ 
ed. 
Co rrespondence t'r o m 
Housekeepers resident in 
any part ot the United 
States receives prompt at¬ 
tention. 
Orders by mail or express 
tilled without delay. 
Broadway and 11th Street, 
NEW YORK. 
Arkansas 
Porteau, Scott County, April 14.—This 
Spring, though about two weeks late, has 
been a very favorable one for farm work. 
There has been just enough rain to keep the 
ground in good working order. Oats are all 
up and looking well. Wheat was injured con¬ 
siderably by the late freezes, but what is left 
seeuis to be doing well, and bids fair to make 
au average crop if the season continues 
favorable. Corn planting is now in full blast. 
The first planting is up. Many are ready to 
plant cotton, but prefer to wait a few days 
for the ground to get a little warmer. The 
acreage in oats, corn, and cotton is about the 
same as last year. The fruit prospect is very 
flattering. Peach trees are just going out of 
bloom; apple trees are just beginning to 
blossom. H. c. B. 
Michigan. 
Freeland, Saginaw County, April 17.—A 
Winter of severe cold and deep snow has 
become almost a thing of the past; yet to-day 
I saw here and there spots of old snow, where 
heavy drifts had lain. The weather keeps 
cool and everything is back wan], the frost 
not beiug entirely out of the ground. Wheat 
came from under its heavy coatiDg of snow 
looking exceedingly well and shows fairly 
good yet. L. r. m. 
Minnesota. 
Vivian, Waseca County, April 15.—Natural¬ 
ly, this is a stock country. December. January 
aud February were uuusually cold; but March 
was mild and pleasant. Some began to sow 
Spring wheat the last day of March, and the 
grouud was in good order on April 4. s. K. o. 
Now Hampshire. 
Dover, Strafford Co., April 21—The Win¬ 
ter has been noted throughout the New Eng¬ 
land States for its severity, and we thiuk there 
has not been a Spring for rnauy years when 
hay was so scarce aud high as it is now; as a 
consequence, cattle will go to pasture thinner 
in flesh than usual. But little work has yet 
beeu done on the farm. Plow ing has just com¬ 
menced and some few gardeners have sowed 
early peas. Grass is coining out lookiug well 
with none winter-killed. It has been a severe 
Winter for tender trees; peaches are badly 
damaged and so are grape vines that were not 
covered. The Early Harvest Blackberry is 
killed to the ground. Of raspberries the Han 
sell appears to be the hardiest with me. 1 
hear frequent expressions of praise in regard 
to the experimental work that the Rural 
New Yorker is conducting, and we hope that 
it will continue the good work of promoting 
progressive agriculture. j. m. h. 
RURAL SEED REPORTS. 
Nebraska. 
Nkliuh, Antelope Co.—Farmers have got 
their wheat sowed and are plowing for corn. 
A great deal of fall rye is raised here. It 
brings about 40 cents; corn, 25 ceuts; oats, 22 
ceuts; wheat 55 cents to 60 cents. a. k. f. 
Pennsylvania. 
Stony Point, Crawford Co.—I sowed four 
acres of wheat last Fall from the Rural seed. 
1 have Rural potatoes, corn aud beets that 
I prize very much. A friend told me some 
time ago that he had received benefits enough 
from the Rural to pay for it as long as he 
lived, if he never looked in it agaiu. 
T H. M. 
fmplemetttjs mid Parhinm 
B hay- TEDDER! 
Does better and-mort 
work, draws easier, cost! 
less for repairs, is bettej 
made, lasts longer, deet 
not run on tbe spread 
grass, is the only Teddei 
isf actors 
after be 
Ingyean 
in use 
BELCHER & TAYLOR AGR’L TOOL CO. 
BOX io CHICOPEE FAXES, MASS. 
AHEAD OF ALL COMPETITION. 
10 8 5. 
PRICES REDUCED! 
Lawn Mower®, 
Fourteen Sizes and Style* lor Hand Use. 
Weighing from ’21 to 51 pounds. 
TIIKKE SIZES FOR HORSE POWER. 
Lan n Sweepers. Grass Editors, etc. 
GRAHAM, EMLEN & P SSMORE 
031 
Futentees and Manufacturers, 
Market Street, Philadelphia, Peun’a. 
U.S. STANDARD 
JONES 
0 F 
8INCHAMT0N 
5 TON 
WAGON SCALES, 
Iron Lcrtft, Si*#l Bearing*, Bi»>« 
T*r« Be Hit mid Bvnm Box. 
ANO 
JON ES be pxy* lie freight for 
Pd. e Lite mrni’ M thl« and 
JONES Of BINGHAMTON, 
lliuuhiuut on. 
ilflllTMAIJ’C NEW PATENT 
ftfll I IVlJin 3 REBOUND 
superiorUNDER PERPETUAL 
LEVER PRESS 
NOW MADE. 
r. 
_ LtY PATENT 
Received First Premium at N. Y. State Fair. 1 ^ 0 . 
Iasi and is* and Grand Gold Medal in Mss over 
and Others, also California State Fair In 
188 . 1 . T he only perfect Hav Prt-N* made. Puts 10 tons 
in car. Most simple and dnrnblc. A bale everyg 
minute*. Warranted superior to any. 3 hales to 
any other lbesv «. Sen.! to, Circular* Also Horse 
Powers. 1 ider MIlls.Corn .Shelter*, Feed Cuttom etc 
WHITMAN AGKU ’l. CO.. St. L#«U,VtS 
OI R.SI l.K\ 
POTATO PLOW. 
and attachments Draw* the 
furrows. Cotw* the seed, oul- 
ft vi.it es and dins the crop. No 
pay demanded if It doe* not 
work. Order n ow to get the 
lowest price. _ _ 
REINER ANO DUO., 
l.tnc Lexington, Pa. 
PROPHETS SAY 
fl will bo rainy t»rxi summer. Thera 
' 
Lk jtljr carrier t]>*; hor*.* ruiunii to 
toad, and runs either way without 
changing anything. Big bargain to 
introduce it. Don't forget this. Box 414* 
0150 U N BROS., .M nr ion, O. 
THE GRANGER PA MILT FRUIT ANDVEGETABLE 
EVAPORATORS. 
S3 30, 86.00, and 81 0.00- 
, Send for Circular. Eastern 
i M’f’g Co.,S68 So 5th St., Phila, 
MAST, FOOS & CO. 
SPRINGFIELD, 0. 
^Manufacturers 
of 
the 
IRON TURBINE 
WIND 
ENGINES 
Strong and Durable, will not 
Swell, shrink, Warp, or Rattle 
iu the Wind. 
RUCKEYE 
D FORCE PUMP 
Works easy and throws a constant 
stream. Has Porcelain lined and Brass 
Cylinders. Is easily set. Is the Cheap- 
est and Best Force Pump in the World 
for Deep or Shallow Wells. Over 90,000 
In use. Never freezes iu Winter. Send 
for Circulars and Prices, giving depth 
of well. Also manufacturersof the Buckeye I.nwn 
Mower, Buckeye Iron Fence, Buckeye Hose 
Reel, I.awn Sprinkler, etc., etc. 
LEFFEL'S 
IRON 
IMPROVED 
ENGINE 
nrkinir Part* 
madpo/ Mulleuhle Iron* 
The Lightest* Strong*?!, 
and Kji- jr-tt Regulated Wind 
Engine in the world. Send 
for Circulars w the 
Springfield Machine Co. 
SrRIXUKIELP, OHIO. 
TRIUMPHENGINE. 
Especially adapted for purposes 
requiring light power, wrought 
iron boilers— teared, Inspect¬ 
ed a»d Insured pnvnble to 
ih® purebutter, iinaranteed 
as represented. Ready to run 
as soon as received. 
S Horse Power, . *2so.oo. 
5 " *’ 9)0.00. 
7 “ “ 375.00. 
10 “ “ 3X100. 
Write to PAIGE MF’G CO., 
43 Park Place, New York. 
SOLUBLE PACIFIC GUANO. 
ANNUAL SALES, OVER 50,000 TONS. 
This high-grade 
fertilizer produces 
crops of superior 
quality and quan¬ 
tity. It isnota stim- 
ulent, but a plant- 
food. The high 
standard for which 
it has been noted for 
TWENTY 
YEARS 
past will be strictly 
maintained. 
For pamphlets, address 
CLIDDEN & CURTIS, 
General Selling Agents, Boston, Mass. 
CHURCH’S 
FISH & POTASH. 
. ANALYSIS t 
A mmonta.5.118 per cent. 
Phosphoric Acid, .... 5.33 “ 
Potash.8.58 •* 
Cliemlst.C. V.GOESSMANX, 
MASCFACTCRKD BY 
JOSEPH CHURCH & CO., 
167 lbs. Bag. TIVERTON, It. I. 
Novelty Bone Worts Phosphate. 
and Pure Ground Bone. Manufactured at the 
Novelty Bone Works. West Troy. w. Y.—Established 
in i860. This is a Pure Boue’ Phosphate making 
it a Complete Standard Manure. Send for prices 
and circulars 
William B. Williams, 
General Agent, West Troy, N. Y. 
S AIT ONONDAGA F. F. 
AL I • Dairy and Table .-alt. 
The Puri st, Strongest, Best and cheapest Salt 
made Warranted aa pure a* any. Triuni- 
A phunt Kyen where.— Ai Buffalo in the State 
teat Of'fib at the vew York Mutter and Cheese 
L Exchange test, *75; at the Milwaukee Grand 
Union Dairy Fair, S3, taking all the leading 
premium* and sweep»take* bat one, tying lt« 
rival on that, over tour foreign competitors 
I Sole manufacturers the American Dairy 
Salt Co., L. Address 
J. W. BARKER, Sec’y, Syracuse, N. Y. 
