THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
DEO 36 
K-, 
THE 
RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
A National Journal for Country and Suburban Homes. 
Conducted by 
E. S. CARMAN, 
J. 8. WOODWARD, 
Editor. 
Associate. 
Address 
THE RUB AT, NEW-YORKER, 
No. 34 Park Row, New York, 
8ATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, lsb5. 
Subscribers of the Rural need never tal-e 
the trouble to write us to “ stop ” the paper. 
It is invariably discontinued at ike ex¬ 
piration of the subscription term ,, except by 
oversight , in which case it is our loss. 
We are aiming to have the Rural ap¬ 
pear next week in an entirely new dress 
of copper-faced type. This costs about 
one-third more than plain type, but it 
gives a much brighter and clearer im¬ 
pression, and in this, as in al' other things, 
we think nothing is too good for the 
Rural. 
During 1886 special attention will be 
given to the dairy; to poultry and incu¬ 
bators; to markets and, as hitherto, to 
new grains, roots, tubers and ornamental 
plants of all kinds. 
One of our subscribers reports, under 
Everywhere, a yield of 373 bushels of po¬ 
tatoes under the Rural’s trench-mulch 
system of cultivation. 
We have claimed and do claim that the 
Rural’s Index is longer, more accur¬ 
ate and comprehensive than any other 
published. The index is before you, 
friends, and, by comparing it with those 
of other rural journals you may readily 
see for yourselves whether our claim is 
correct. 
The Potato Special is working into 
shape nicely and now promises to be the 
most instructive Special we have offered. 
Fertilizers, insect enemies, potato statis¬ 
tics, potatoes for stock, potato diseases, 
marketing, storing, manufacturing of 
starch, potatoes as a diet, as well as every 
phase of planting and cultivating will be 
briefly treated. It will be dated January 
16th. 
SUNSHINE FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. 
We wish to call attention to the offer 
we make elsewhere in connection with 
this splendid publication. We have not 
the least interest in its distribution further 
than to get names to which we can send 
specimen copies of the Rural, and do our 
friends, as we believe, a genuine kindness 
in placing in their homes such a bright, 
pretty and pure companion for the 
children. 
THE POTATO SPECIAL OF THE R. N.-Y. 
The potato is the most universal of all 
vegetables. In our country it is about as 
important an article of food as bread. It 
is grown everywhere; and under all con¬ 
ditions of culture. Its cultivation is as 
important to the workman who digs his 
small garden spot, as to the large culti¬ 
vator who devotes acres to the crop. Few 
crops will make surer and quicker returns 
for thought and care bestowed upon 
them. A wide-spread aitack of potato 
disease, such as the world has known 
would be a national calamity, wider and 
quicker in its effects than any stock dis¬ 
ease. Few farmers appreciate the value 
of the potato crop of the country. Last 
year it was valued at more than $80,000,- 
000. In the New England States the 
crop was of more value than any other, 
except hay. Even in New York State it 
was surpassed in value by only two others 
—oats and bay. 
Great improvements have been made 
in potato culture during the past 10 
years, yet there is still much to be 
learned. We believe the subject to be 
of sufficient impoxtance to warrant us in 
devoting an entire number of the Rural 
to its consideration. Our next Special, 
therefore, will be given up exclusively to 
potatoes. We take particular pride in 
our Specials, sparing neither time nor 
money in our efforts to make them com 
plete. In the words of a distinguished 
agricultural writer, “They^are worthy of 
a place in a new encyclopaedia of agricul¬ 
ture, so exhaustive are they, and so much 
the sum of individual experience.” It is 
believed that our Potato Special will be 
as comprehensive and practical as any 
that we have ever issued. Every possible 
phase of the production and handling of 
a potato will be treated by the best au¬ 
thorities to be found in the world. This 
single number will contain more practical 
information concerning the culture of 
potatoes than any book ever published; in 
fact, $50 invested in the current agricul¬ 
tural literature could not procure facts 
which we shall furnish in this single 
number of the Rural. This Special will 
be published January 16, giving ample 
time for studying it before the crop is to 
be planted. This will be followed during 
the year by at least five or six other 
Specials on subjects of importance to the 
farmer. 
BABY BEEF. 
Considerable has been written recent¬ 
ly, characterizing all steers uuder three 
years old as producing meat little better 
than veal, and stigmatizing it as “baby 
beef.” To show how erroneous this idea 
is, a first prize was awarded at the late 
Fat Stock Cattle Show at Chicago to 
Messrs. Elbert & Falls for the pure-bred 
roan Short-horn sixteen-months old steer, 
Cleveland. The committee reporting on 
this class of animals pronounced him to 
be “a perfect model for the block, with 
little, if any, room for improvement. It 
would be difficult to imagine how the 
top, side and bottom lines could be made 
better for inclosing a more compact and 
profitable carcass. The steer was a 
marvel, and a more perfect outline for a 
profitable carcass has never been exhibited 
at any previous show.” Cleveland 
weighed, alive, 1,290 pounds. His gain 
from birth to slaughter was 2.60 pounds 
per day. Throughout the show, he was 
the most admired of all the entries on the 
floor by all who critically examined him. 
He netted, of dead meat on the block, the 
remarkable percentage of 70.4, The 
meat was sold at the fancy price of $10 
per 100 pounds live weight, amountin'? 
to $129 for the sfeer. The general man¬ 
ager of the hotel for which he was 
bought, says the meat gave the best of 
satisfaction to lus patrons and guests, 
that it was not “vealy” in the least, as 
some bad predicted it would be, but 
possessed all the flavor and character of 
matured beef. The steward and cooks of 
the bouse joined in this opinion. 
Lambs also under a year old, have been 
slaughtered recently in England, the 
mutton of which was pronounced equal 
to tba* of older sheep. By hastening the 
ripening of animals in this way. there is 
much greater profit in rearing and feeding 
them, for they gain faster in flesb during 
the first year than in any subsequent one, 
for the food consumed, and the capital 
devoted to their breeding is more quickly 
turned and made available for raising 
other stock. In addition to these advan¬ 
tages is the added gain of considerable 
less risk from accidents, disease and 
death. Farmers will do well to carelully 
consider the above, and as soon as pos¬ 
sible adopt breeds of domestic animals 
from which they can realize these sure 
extra profits. 
-- »»« - 
TO EVERY READER. 
Our work upon the Rural New- 
Yorker, for 1885, ends with this number. 
We are conscious of having made mis¬ 
takes; conscious that the paper might 
have been better in many ways. But we 
are also conscious that we have done our 
best. The only promise, therefore, that 
can be given for 1886 is that we shall 
continue to do our best, aided by the ex¬ 
perience of another year. 
We beg to tender our sincerest thanks 
to those who, through a desire to aid in 
a good work, have voluntarily assisted in 
extending the Roral’b circulation and 
influence. As between the publishers 
and those subscribers who merely receive 
the paper, read it and pay for it from 
year to year, it appears to us that the 
obligations are fairly reciprocal. To those 
who kindly send us clubs and are willing 
to accept of pay for their valued ser¬ 
vices, we are confident that our several 
premium-lists will be found to offer very 
liberal compensation. 
We can not hope to retain all of our 
present subscribers for another year. 
Many names will drop out of our lists 
from various causes. We trust, however, 
that the charge that “the Rural has 
not been worth the subscription price” 
will not be found among them. 
The Rural New-Yorker closes its 
36th year with a larger actual paid-up 
circulation than in any previous year, 
and, if earnest, honest efforts can effect 
it, we confidently anticipate a further in¬ 
crease for 1886. 
We have now only to add a regretful 
good-bye to such of our old friends as 
from any cause cannot continue with us 
longer; to extend a cordial greeting to 
such as still stand by us, and to heartily 
welcome all new friends coming with us 
for the first time, and to all friends 
(God bless them!) we wish, from grate¬ 
ful hearts, a prosperous and thrice 
HAPPY NEW YEAR! 
AN IMPROVEMENT SUGGESTED. 
One of the grandest enterprises 
of this or any other country is the New 
York Cential Ruilroad. For nearly 500 
miles it traverses the State of New York, 
having a magnificent road bed and four 
independent lues of steel tracks. It is 
well built, well managed, and it. employs 
no person who uses intoxicating liquors. 
The officers on its trains are courteous 
and obliging, and so carefully do they 
run the trains that the danger of injury 
on them is less than in an ordinary wagon. 
It is a fine road, finely managed and run¬ 
ning through one of the finest countries 
on the earth. 
Now, don’t think that for what we have 
said we have ever been, or expect to be. 
paid either in passes or money, for such 
is not the case, as it is against our prin¬ 
ciples to write up, or write down any 
railroad or other thing for pay or passes. 
We have given it praise simply because 
it deserves it, and in order that we 
might call the attention of the com¬ 
pany to a grand improvement that 
it could make at a small expense, 
and the present is the proper time to 
move in the matter. We allude to the 
ornamenting ol the grounds at each sta 
tion with a grass plot, large or small, and 
a few flower beds. How much this mea¬ 
sure would brighten and beautify the 
premises, and how much it would add to 
the pleasure of the traveling public, to be 
able to refresh their eyes"on a hot and 
dusty day, by looking out at every sta¬ 
tion upon a fresh, green plat and a few 
beds of beautiful flowers properly cared 
for! The New Yoxk Central can compare 
advantageously in other respects with the 
best European railways, why should it 
fall behind them in the ornamentation of 
stations along its course? Gentlemen, 
won’t you accept our suggestion kindly, 
and accede to its reasonableness? Allow 
us to modestly hint that it would add 
much to the certainty that the plots 
would be nicely cared for if you would 
have a copy of the Rural New-Yorker 
sent regularly to every station agent 
along the line. 
THE RURAL’S 
Special Contributors 
For 1886. 
With a Partial List of the Subjects to be 
Considered. 
(ENGLAND.) 
SIR J. B. LA WES. 
Subjects not as yet announced. 
PROFESSOR J. P. SHELDON. 
Dairy and 8toek Notes. 
JAMES SINCLAIR. 
General English Farm Notes. 
(UNITED STATES.) 
PROFESSOR G. E. MORROW, Illinois. 
1. A series of short articles on The Princi- 
plesof Breediugaud Improvement of Animals, 
with Descriptions of Breeds and their Adap¬ 
tations. 
2. Notes on Live Stock in general. 
GEN. CASSIUS M CLAY, Kentucky. 
How Live Stock may he Improved. 
GEN. W. H. NOBLE, Connecticut. 
Rural Adornments and Comfort. 
PROF. THOMAS MEEHAN, Penns’a. 
The Relation which Water bears to Suc¬ 
cessful Culture. 
C. A. GREEN, New York. 
Improving a Run-down Farm. (Continued.) 
MAJOR HENRY. E. ALVORD, Houghton 
Farm, New York. 
1. A Noteworthy Change in Public Opinion 
regarding the Bureau of Animal Industry. 
2. The Prospective Increase in the Factory 
System of Dairying, as the Result of Compe¬ 
tition from Substitutes for Batter. 
WILLIAM FALCONER. Long Island, 
New York. 
1. The Flower Garden. 
2. Ornamental Tree* and Shrubs. 
3. The Window Garden. 
4. The Greenhouse. 
5. The Vegetable Garden. 
PRES. T. T. LYON, Michigan. 
Horticultural Matters viewed from an 
Amateur’s stand point. 
F. L KILBORNE, B. V. S,, Washington. 
Veterinary Topics for the Farmer’s Con¬ 
sideration. 
T. H. HOSKINS. M. D., Vermont. 
1. Vegetable growing; especially the Test, 
ing and Improvement, of Varieties. 
2. Artificial Fertilizers. Which are the 
Best and Cheapest for the Crops Grown. 
3. Fruit Culture—especially for the Cold 
North 
DR. C. V. RILEY, Washington. 
1. Bepg vs. Fruit. 
2 Mildew od Grape vines. 
3 The Best. Remedies agaiust Scale Insects, 
4. Special Insects of Interest. 
DR. W. J BEAL. Michigan. 
The Structure of a Blade of Grass in two 
or three articles. 
PROF. R. C. CARPENTER. MICHIGAN. 
1. House Drainage as Applying to Farm 
Houses 
2. Water Supply for Farm Houses. 
PETER B. MEAD, New York. 
Horticultural Notes under a nom de plume. 
PARKER EARLE. Illinois. 
1. Matters Pertaining to Distant Markets. 
2. Better Distribution of Fruit, Products. 
P. M. AUGUR, Connecticut. 
High Fertilization aud Culture a* Affecting 
the Growth and Fruitage of Plants on the 
Basis of Economy. 
PROF. A. J. COOK. Michigan. 
1. New Poiuts of Value in Bee-keeping. 
2. New Injurious Insects and New Reme 
dies. 
PROF. I. P. ROBERTS, New York. 
Recuperative Aericulture. more especially 
adapted to the South. 
PETER HENDERSON, New Jersey. 
Potatoes—Large or Small Sets. 
JOHN THORPE. New York. 
Seedling Chrysanthemum*. Piuks. etc. 
JAMES TAPLTN, New Jersey. 
The Comparative Value of the Newer Roses. 
In so far as we are at present aware, all of 
the Rural’s regular contributors will con¬ 
tinue with it during 1886. 
BREVITIES. 
A neighbor who raises the Rural Thor¬ 
oughbred Flint, says that it gives him more 
and better fodder than any other kind, and 
that it also yields heavier. The only thing 
that can be said against this distinct and re¬ 
markable variety of corn is that it will not 
always ripen north of Chicago aud New 
York. 
Our friend. S. L. Randoll, of Springfield, 
Maes., Bends us a box containiug seedliDg 
apples, the peculiarity of which consists in the 
flesh being of a bright rose color, almost a red. 
The apple is of fair size, is evidently a seed¬ 
ling, and of rather poor quality. Its only 
value would be as a curiosity, and it is curious 
indeed. 
Some time since, in noticing the report of 
the N. Y. Experiment Station, we remarked 
that copies could be had of the Director at 
Geneva. Dr. Sturtevant now says he is 
flooded with applications, and as he has only 
a limited number left, he can no longer 
supply reports, except in extraordinary 
cases. We are sorry, for this is a valuable 
work. 
We have in band from Prof. A. J. Cook, a 
splendid report of the 16th annual meeting of 
the North American Bee-keepers’ Association 
recent.lv held in Detroit, Mich , which is un- 
avofdablv crowded out by our very copious 
indpx. We shall commence its publication In 
the New Year’s Number, and no one should 
fail to seenre and read it. It is In the Pro¬ 
fessor’s be9t stvle. aud is well worthy of the 
attention of all who love honey—“the balm 
of a thousand flowers.” 
The Revue Hortieole (France) of December 
gives a picture of the King Humbert Tomato 
and a glowing de cription of the productive¬ 
ness of the plants and the quality of the toma¬ 
toes This was one of the binds of tomatoes 
tried at tli» Rural Grounds when first intro¬ 
duced, and it was sent to our subscribers in 
our seed distribution of 1884 It is merely a 
sport the old Pear Tomato, however, and 
though the plants arc immensely productive, 
it will not. be grown in this country as a gen- 
eral thing, if we mav judge from the accounts! 
of our subscribers who have tried it. 
We received, on Decemher 5th. 1885. from 
Mr. DuRois Geralds, CJintordale, Ulster 
County, N. Y., through the kind remem¬ 
brance of our friend. Mr. Ward D Gunn, a 
basket of Concord grapes. They were cut 
from the vines on September 22d and placed 
in a refrigerator of Mr. Geralds’ invention. 
They were taken therefrom December 4th, 
and sent to New York in o shipment con¬ 
signed to his commigdou house, Trolease & 
Underbill, whence they were sent to us. 
They were in extraordinarily tine order even 
the stems and peduncles being as green and 
plump as when cot from the vines. In fact, 
no one could have told by their appearance 
or taste that they had been off the vines more 
than a few hours instead of 74 days. They 
were. Dec. 5tb, selling at 10 cents per pound 
bv the basket Any system of cold storage 
that will keep fruit, especially grapes, as per¬ 
fect as these bad been kept, must be of great 
benefit to the fruit grower. 
