manufactory of agricultural drain tile in the 
United States. Those who deal with the con¬ 
cern will be satisfied. 
Combination Force Pump. — Catalogue 
from P. C. Lewis, Catskill, N. Y.—The goods 
made l>y Mr. Lewis are first-class. The force 
pump, costing $tl, can also be used as an agri¬ 
cultural syringe—for applying liquid insecti¬ 
cides—and as a veterinary sy ringe. For the 
latter purpose alone it should lie on every farm. 
Many a valuable cow or horse has been lost 
while its owner rushed about to borrow 
some implement with which to give an injec¬ 
tion. We have used this pump in our prem¬ 
ium list to the great satisfaction of our agents. 
Read this catalogue. 
Live Stock Tonic —Circular from the 
Union Live Stock Tonic Co.,Indianapolis,Ind. 
—This tonic is called the best livestock medi¬ 
cine ever offered to the public. It is used for 
horses, cattle, sheep and poultry with good 
effect. It is put up in convenient packages 
containing from 12 to 24 doses. A good horse 
brush and a fine curry-comb can be secured 
by purchasing packages of this tonic. Send 
for the circular and study it. We do not ap¬ 
prove of dosing animals all the time, but when 
the system does need toning up, the best med- 
cine should be given. 
Galvanized Wire Nettings.— Circular 
from Peter Duryee & Co., fiH and 70 Vesey 
Street, New York.—This netting makes a per¬ 
fect poultry and garden fence. A few years 
ago a wire netting fence was a novelty; now 
hundreds of poultrymeu recognize it as the 
most economical fence they can put up. It 
can be furnished at cue cent per square foot. 
The best of wire is used in its manufacture. 
The lawn fence nettiug and mosquito-wire 
cloth, made by the same house, are iu every 
way first-class. Send for the circular. 
liftmans lUflrli. 
CONDUCTED BY EMILY LOUISE TALLIN. 
OF INTEREST TO WOMEN. 
Madras muslin, such as is used for curtains, 
is utilized as a summer bedspread by artistic 
English housekeepers. The drapery of win¬ 
dows and toilet table must correspond. 
An eccentric fashion for a chair back is to 
have a length of sash ribbon joiued to the 
same width of coffee-colored lace, tied in a 
loose knot, to the top <>f the chair, and appar¬ 
ently fixed there by two small-sized Japanese 
paiH t fans, one placed rather higher than the 
chair back and one lower. The fans face each 
other, and look as if they were the head and 
point of an invisible pin, holding the knot in 
place. 
The written signature of the possessor is 
now a very popular adornment for all sorts of 
fancy work. It is enlarged, carefully traced 
and then worked in silk, wool or metal cord. 
It is very ornamental worked across the cor¬ 
ner of a coverlid, traveling bag, racket cover, 
cushion, or, in fact, anything ou which it 
may be worked. 
The old-fashioned chain-stitch is being re¬ 
vived in embroidery. It must lie done with 
perfect, regularity to look well, but is very 
easy work. An outline design may be worked 
in several rows of chain-stitch in harmonizing 
or contrasting colei’s, and the effect is very 
novel. Soft cream linen tidies with open¬ 
work ends, are outlined with raised chain- 
stitch and then worked over in tinsel thread. 
Plush or velvet sofa cushions in the shape 
of a bag, with a bow -of ribbon around the 
neck, look very well with a signature in metal 
cord worked across diagonally. Our English 
cousins describe this shape as ‘‘Canadian sofa 
cushions,” Our familiar “crazy work” is des¬ 
cribed by English authorities as “American 
patchwork,” und appears to be just coming 
into favor there. 
HOUSEHOLD WORDS. 
“I didn’t.” “You did,so there'now. * 1 ' “Keep 
still, will you?” “Out of my road, you good- 
for-nothing!” 
Not very pretty words,are they? 
And yet, if we compiled a vocabulary of 
everyday household words, we should have to 
give them, and a long list of equally objec¬ 
tionable terras. 
Inline with the talks on domestic courtesy 
in recent numbers of the Rural a few re¬ 
marks on household words must naturally 
follow. 
It is passing strange that people who dearly 
love one another should bandy sharp 
words and discourteous speech, such as they 
would nevei display to the casual or indiffer¬ 
ent guest. After such verbal blows we often 
hear some one say apologetically: 
“()h, it is only so-and-so’s way. She doesn’t 
really mean anything by it.” 
This maybe true, but all the same, “it is 
a deuced horrid, unoomfo|’l.qh|p way,” {(sour 
friend Mantalmi says, 
Sharp speech comes so readily to one’s lips; 
when one is overworked and irritable through 
fatigue, it is just as easy as falling off a log. 
Rut the fact that it is so easy is uo excuse; it 
always seems easy to do the things we ought 
not to do. 
Some one iu a novel we once read sapiently 
observes. “If it’s so easy to spend, how much 
easier it must be not to spend.” 
Taking this view, if it is so easy to speak 
sharply, how much easier it must be to speak 
gently, or not at all! 
We do not wish to give a little homily ou 
moral duty, but just to suggest that as there 
are two ways of saying everything, it is cer¬ 
tainly just as well to choose the pleasantest, 
mode. 
The homely wisdom of our ancestors has re¬ 
sulted in t wo very bluntmaxims, “Fiuo words 
butter no parsnips.” and “Hard words break 
no bones.” Sharp speech certainly hurts no 
one physically, it is true, but it does worse; 
for, as a little girl quamtly observed, “Yon 
can’t tie a rag around anybody’s feedings.” 
And pleasant words certainly do material 
good, rt is such an easy habit to fall into, if 
one only tries, and courtesy of speech will al¬ 
ways beget an answering courtesy on the part 
of those it is addressed to. 
This, like every other virtue, must take its 
first growth iu the household. If we could 
only determine, each and all, to give a good- 
tempered answer iu every case and make no 
attempt to have the last word, we might soon 
expect to see the millennium. But, alas! we 
are only human and not angelic. However, if 
we firmly adhere to a resolution to lie just as 
courteous in speech to our own household as to 
our guests we have certainly accomplished 
much. 
WHAT SHALL THE CHILDREN READ? 
In response to inquiries concerning the 
books mentioned in articles under this title, 
“Rhode Lander” has very kindly given the 
publishers and prices of the works she recom¬ 
mends. Of course,they canuot all lie found iu 
any one catalogue, but they could doubtless be 
obtained through any good bookseller. 
Klaxie Frizzle. Leo & Shepard.$ .75 
Tnltl In the Twllhflu, Inn inn. 2.111 
Art Gem Series. •' ti vote . 3 .UU 
Mrs. Pierson's One Syllable Histories. United 
Stales. Germany. England. Rutledge, N. Y... 1.00 
Lady called!'a Histories. T. Y.Crowell, each. 1.25 
Hollo Books. T. Y. Crowell. II vols. “ . LOU 
Abbott's Histories “ H •* •• . 1.25 
Dawn I uk ami Day Spring. K. Warner & Co 
each.....,50 or .75 
Heidi, ciipples L'phnni A Co. 1,25 
Rico and wfscttt (hippies. Cpham&Co. . 1.25 
Golden Went, D. Lolhrop. 1.75 
Thi.n W....I 1?,......... , ,,, 
Zigzag .Tourneys. Kates & Laurlat.. 1.75 
Vassar lilrls. 1.50 
American Roy’s Handy Rook. Serlbuer. 2.0(1 
f atStories. Roberts... I..5 :1 
Marvels of Animal Life Scribner. 200 
Stories In American History. “ .. . 1.50 
Christie’s Christinas. Lothrop.. l.so 
Side by side. Lothrop..fill 
Sidney Martin's Christmas. Lolhrop . 1.50 
Say anti llo Series. Carter s vols . eaeti. 1.25 
Story of small Bedim Inga. Carter, i vols., each. 125 
Who Told It To Me. Lothrop. ... 1.25 
What the Seven Did. ’* ... 1.75 
Spinning Wheel Stories, Roberts. 1.25 
Lulu’s Library. “ 1.00 
CITY OR COUNTRY. 
S. 8, 
- • 
Whether it bo true that every lot, how¬ 
ever sad or wheresoever cast, iu this world of 
ours, has its compensations, it is undoubtedly 
true that there is much iu farm life to be 
thankful for. We acknowledge that there is 
much work, and we think, sometimes, that we 
are not rewarded tor our toil; not considering 
the good health and pure air aud other bless¬ 
ings that we enjoy, 
The beautiful views, too, are a source of 
pleasure that our city friends are deprived of. 
The meadows aud groves stretching as far as 
the horizon all around us would charm the 
eye of au artist. 
Shall I mention the experience of two or 
three friends who, having lived in both city 
and country, are able to testify to the fact 
that farming may be made both profitable aud 
pleasaut? 
One left his work in a large factory in New 
England, his health not being good, and with 
his wife, who was iudeed a helpmate, took a 
farm which was so rocky aud poor that it had 
been named “Littleworth,” which the new 
owner declared to be quite appropriate. Of 
course, he had to meet with some discourage- 
incuts, but a naturally cheerful disposition, a 
bright and intelligent mind, and his own indus¬ 
trious hands, aided by his wife’s equally ener¬ 
getic hands aud wise head, transformed the 
place. As years went by the son aided in the 
good work; the rocks became strong founda¬ 
tion stones for cellars and took the shape of 
walls ou the roadside. His orchard was fa - 
mous for apples; his cows yielded milk to 
supply the wauts of many families in the ad¬ 
joining city, and. in fact, his was the model 
farm. At a large meeting held in that same 
town, one of the speakers in discoursing upon 
the question “Does Farming Pay?” referred 
to my friend as an answer to the question, 
giving a sketch of Ins life. 
Another case js that of one who was lor 
many years a merchant, and whose career on 
a farm has not yet been long enough to decide 
as to its success, but who invariably replies 
when asked if he does not miss the many ad¬ 
vantages he enjoyed in the city, “ 1 never was 
so contented in my lift* as now.” 
Another case is that of a lady who was 
quite averse to “living on a farm;” circum¬ 
stances made it. necessary that she should, 
however, and she soon discovered that her 
health was improving and that site could en¬ 
dure more fatigue than while in tin? city. 
When on a visit to her former home she was 
told by her friends that the country had in¬ 
deed done much for her; her cheeks were full 
and rosy, aud I verily believe she grew young¬ 
er. 
So let us, iu whatever place wo are, therein 
be content, and if fate places us in a rural home, 
“exempt from public haunt, let us look at 
the thousand aud one compensations offered 
us for those advantages peculiar to city life. 
Domestic Ccortouu) 
CONDUCTED BY MRS. AGNES E. M. CARMAN. 
Mothers , seek to cultivate such a feeling of 
confidence between gone children and your¬ 
selves that they will not hesitate to tell you 
everythin//. When a child says “/ will not 
tell mother," there is danger ahead. 
-» • » 
KITCHEN TALK8. 
ANNIE L. JACK. 
“lie useful while thou llvest, that they may 
But want ami wish thy presence still; 
Kindness, good parts, great places are the way 
So compass this." 
I was reading these lines of George Her¬ 
bert’s in the kitchen the other morning when 
the Cynic remarked that it was not always 
the useful people who were appreciated—it 
was rather apt to be the butterflies. Rut L 
think that is all nonsense, aud that if persons 
take duty’s path and live a useful life, those 
who arc near and dear to them must “want 
and wish” for their presence when they are 
no longer with them. And what need one 
care for the rest? The home circle is best ami 
truest, though often apt to speak unpleasant 
truths, I think sometimes that kitchen talks 
among sisters and brothers are very good 
things and lead them to see themselves as 
others see them. 
While I am writing the Amateur Cook has 
chopped the meat from a bone aud put in a 
little seasoning and a teaspoonful of melted 
butter. Tt. is then heated in a saucepan set 
inside another full of hot water, and when 
thoroughly hot, it is packed into small dishes. 
But to be a success the meat must be chopped 
very fine, and every particle of gristle be re¬ 
moved. In country homes, where the butcher 
is not always regular, it is best to have some 
reserve fund, in case of emergency A well- 
filled larder is a necessary adjunct to country 
housekeeping, and it can be kept so by little 
additions and economical savings. To do this 
judiciously is au art every house wife does not 
attain to, and it is to help iu this department 
that domestic economy is instituted, to show 
kitchen “works’* as well as kitchen “talks.” 
POCKET FOR STATIONERY. 
A very useful and pretty pocket is made 
as follows: Cut an oblong piece of card¬ 
board for the back. Cover one side with 
whatever you may have among your “pieces,” 
velvet, plush, satin or silk, and the other 
with silesia. Cut another piece of paste- 
board, rather deeper than half the back, at 
one .side and less than half that depth at the 
other, thus giving it a slanting upper edge. 
Cover this front piece like the back—one side 
with the satin, or whatever you may have 
used, aud the other with the silosia. Join the 
pieces with the muslin-covered sides facing 
aud the bottom edges even. The top edges of 
these two pieces are bordered with u thick 
silk cord. A pretty decoration for the bot¬ 
tom is madeofa fringe of tassels iu alternating 
pairs of contrasting colors suspended by cords 
alternating iu lengths, the first pair having 
the cord one inch in length, the next two in 
ehes. Decorate with embroidery or painting 
according to your ability and means. A rib¬ 
bon passed through a large eyelet worked 
near the upper corner of the pocket, and fast¬ 
ened under a bow at the opposite corner, is 
used for suspending the pocket. a. g. 
THE CARE OF LAMPS. 
During the winter when those who burn 
kerosene use so much more oil than at any 
other time of the year, the care of the lamps 
needed about the house is no small item, A 
lamp should not be filled up to the top, or the 
oil will feed up the wick and run over the 
outside ready to soil (lie hands of ||i0 first per 
son who takes hold of the lamp and will also 
leave a greasy spot where the latter stands. 
The wick need not be trimmed every day, the 
top can be picked off with the fingers, and the 
wick will burn just as well as if cut off and 
last much longer. 
The chimneys should he washed occasionally 
in soap-suds, and rinsed in clear water, and a 
part of the time may be polished with tissue 
paper. Home never seem to notice, when put¬ 
ting a chimney back ou a lamp, whether it. is 
fitted under the little catches which hold it 
fast to the burner, aud when the lump is 
moved afterwards it will fall oil' and break. 
A great mortality in chimneys from 1 his cause 
denotes a heedless workman. 
Some care and good sense are needed in 
handling kerosene to avoid accidents. To 
neglect filling a lamp until there is hardly a 
teaspoonful of oil loft, in it, is to invite 
trouble; or to leave a lamp unfilled until if. is 
wanted at night, and then perhaps light a 
candle to see to do it, or, what is still worse, 
to try to fill a lamp while it is burning, is 
criminal negiigeuee. 
Every morning the lamps that are used 
should Is? filled anil trimmed properly, and 
the chimneys washed if they need it. In wash¬ 
ing them they should nob be changed from hot 
water to cold too suddenly. With the best of 
care glass chimneys are very perishable things. 
AUNT RACHEL. 
EMBROIDERY SILK. 
We have received from the Brainerd cSt 
Armstrong Co , of No. 021 Market street, Phil¬ 
adelphia, Fa., samples of their waste embroid¬ 
ery silk. The silk is put up in ounce pack¬ 
ages and sold at 40 cents per ounce, which 
price is about a third cheaper than we have 
lieen able to get similar goods elsewhere. 
The packages contain embroidery' silk and 
floss of bright colors and assorted shades with 
a small package of black sewing silk and a 
sheet of illustrations of “crazy” stitches. We 
t hink any one iu need of assorted silks would 
be pleased with the colors, quantity and qual¬ 
ity given by this firm, 
THE WILL ONLY WANTING. 
After reading the articles in Rural con¬ 
cerning the home life of the Editor of this 
Department with her taste for study, the 
economy of time which enables her to pursue 
home studies, etc., all so interested me that I 
took the liberty to copy for her the following 
clipped from either the N. Y. Tribune or Chi¬ 
cago Inter-Ocean, I do not remember which. 
It has been a long time in my scrap book and 
although the editor has not asked me to make 
selections for her. to read or print, I thought 
it would prove of interest to her bearing on a 
subject so often discussed in your paper. 
“A few days ago iu one of the finest busi¬ 
ness houses in this city, two persons were dis 
cussing the proper time for putting boys as 
apprentices to trades. “They should not be 
over 15,” said the elder, the proprietor of the 
house, u white-haired man, with long experi¬ 
ence in training boys and men, aud alter dis¬ 
cussing that point he added. “But we are 
never too old to learn.” “No,” replied the 
other, a lady not far past middle age, “We are 
never too old to learn. 1 have an elementary 
geology here, in my hand bag, and occupy 
myself with it while riding on the ferries aud 
in the horse-cars, “Ah, indeed,” said the gen¬ 
tleman, “I have one on my table all the time, 
aud a grammar and a botany. 1 didn’t know 
as any one else eared for these elementary 
text-books but I like to keep fresh in them,” 
The lady who narrated to us this interview 
added: “When I first studied geology iu my 
young womanhood, the science seemed only a 
collocation of objective facts. Now it is n 
magazine of vast, spiritual truths. 1 can see 
that when all the wavesaud billows of trouble 
went over uie, the processes of world building 
were only repeated in my case. But for up¬ 
heavals and submergences the earth could not 
have beeu made u lit habitation for man. Had 
the carboniferous forests never have Wen 
submerged, where would our supplies of coal 
have come from? It is good for me that I 
have been afflicted, that the great deep of my 
soul has been again and again brokeu up; that 
fresh deposits have hud Opportunity to lie made 
there and have been crystallized by fiery trial.” 
Surely, if our common school text boi>ks can be 
converted mto “magazines of spiritual truth 1 
no out* need hunger and thirst for t ruth in 
vain; there need be uo empty intellectual and 
spiritual cisterns. A peak of aspiration run - 
^tectUancouju IMlvcrtWufl. 
When Baby was side, we gave her Castorla 
When she was a Child, she cried for Castorla, 
When she became Miss, she cluug to Castoria, 
VV hr a she had Children, she gave them Cantoris, 
