4887 
THE RURAL WEW-YDRKEB. 
WOBK-AT-HOMB SWINDLES.—Of all the petty 
swindles perpetrated on the public, the work- 
at-home fraud is the meanest, and most heart¬ 
less. In all cases the victims are people who 
are iu search of employment of some sort 
which they can perform at home and in most 
cases they can ill a If or d the dollar or more of 
which the sharpers usually fleece them, to say 
nothing of the aggravation of disappointed 
hopes The bait Offered is usually attractive 
enough to ho strongly tempting without ex- 
citing suspicion. Swindlers of this kiud hail 
from all over the country, from small as well 
as large towns and cities; hut those in Boston, 
New York. Philadelphia, Cincinnati and Chi¬ 
cago are the most pestiferous. The bait is of 
various k inds, from working lace or worsted to 
painting photographs. It is usually presented 
in small advertisements in various weekly 
publications of a large country circulation, 
and is generally addressed to women or inva¬ 
lids of either sex. Here is a specimen: 
WANTED—Ladies to work for us at their 
homes. Seven to ten dollars per week can bo 
quietly made. No photo painting, no can. 
vassing. For full particulars please address 
at once the Art Company, 19th st., Boston. 
An advertisement like this brings an aver¬ 
age of from 50 to 100 replies a day. An in¬ 
quiry as to the nature of the business costs 
only one cent, for a postal card, or two cents 
for a stamp, and hundreds of ladies in country 
and city, anxious to eke out a slim incorao or 
to make pin money by some sort of home 
work, send their addresses to the concern. Iu 
reply they receive a circular containing plaus¬ 
ible and alluring offers, which invaribly call 
for the expenditure of a dollar or more for an 
“outfit." The Eye-Opener 1ms a pigeon-hole 
full of such circulars and advertisements col¬ 
lected within the current year, to say tiolhiug 
of hundreds waste paper-basketed in former 
years. They are all of a piece, varying 
only with the character jff the bait. 
They all want, remittances for patterns, in 
structions and the rough material to be work¬ 
ed up. The}’ all toll how easily the work is 
learned. After two or three days’ practice 
any one can earn from $7 to $15 a week. 
Each promises to buy the finished article at 
a fair figure and to remit “paymant prompt¬ 
ly by return mail on receipt of work.” This 
is a stereotyped promise. A very largo pro¬ 
portion of those receiving those circulars are 
caught. They sorely need the money from 
the work, and the outlay is small, while the 
promises are enticing. The material sent 
iu all cases is worth only a few cents— 
generally less than a dime—and of eourso 
a-s a rule any ono without experience who 
attempts to do the work soon gives it up for 
a had job. The few who do forward to the 
advertiser any completed work, in almost all 
cases receive iu reply o note saying that it is 
not satisfactory. Usually also attempts are 
made to weedle more money out of the vic¬ 
tim’s pocket for more material, further in¬ 
structions, or a completer outfit. When no 
more money can bo obtained, the dupe is dis¬ 
missed iu short order. 
The Crescent Al t Company of Boston, which 
has for years beou denounced by the E.-O., 
has boon the worst offender in this line. A 
Boston dispatch lolls us that S. M. Venables, 
its manager, was arrested the other day by 
the postal authorities for using the mails for 
fraudulent purposes. The detectives say the 
receipts of the “company” have ranged from 
$25 to $75 per day right along. The appli¬ 
cant for work who sent $1 received a little 
bit of velveteen a few inches square, on which 
outlines of a design were stamped and a 
pamphlet of instructions with a notice that 
paints, etc., would be sent for $1 50 more. 
The National Card Company was another 
Boston fraud of the same sort, which lias just 
been shut up by the Post-office. Charles M. 
Bates, manager, who is now held for trial, 
sent out water-color paintings on gilt-edged 
cards. lie charged $1.50 for an “outfit,” con¬ 
sisting of water-color paints, brushes, etc., 
which the District Attorney thinks dear at 20 
cents for the whole. Testimony before the 
United States Commissioner showed that 
none but a skilled artist could do the work. 
Dr, Echols and Miss Ella F. Watson also of 
Boston, are hold for trial under $1,000 and 
$500 bonds respectively, for using the mails 
for swindling purposes. Their outfits, the 
papers toll us, consisted of a small tin box, 
with half a dozen cheap blocks of paint, a brush 
aud a piece of cardboard, with which the pur¬ 
chaser was to produce a water-color painting, 
which, if acceptably done, was to he paid for 
by the firm; but evidence showed that few if 
auy were satisfactorily completed, while uoue 
were accepted. These are only specimens of 
similar frauds all over the country. These 
have been “found out” and prosecuted—that 
is nil. Many others deserve the same fate just 
as much. The Eye-Opener has a number of 
inquiries with regard to the “reliability” of 
several of these. Instead of speaking of any 
individual case, lie offers the above as speci¬ 
mens of the tribe. 
Concerns Censured. —Under this caption 
the Eye-Opener will, from time to time, give 
the names of various concerns he has seen 
denounced in other papers but which have 
not been investigated from the Rural Office. 
Among such concerns are the following: The 
Novelty Supply Co., Cincinnati, O.; The Peo¬ 
ple’s Homestead Co., of Florida, which offers 
“a beautiful homestead lot, cottage site or 
orange grove tract in one of the best locations 
iu that favored State FREE.” This looks 
very, very much like that other Florida fraud, 
the 8t. Andrew’s Bay humbug, which the 
Rural’s exposures burst up over a year ago. 
_The Tallapoosa I,and Mining and Manu¬ 
facturing Company, Tallapoosa, Git., has beeu 
denounced as a humbug by several papers, 
and certainly its promises are so glittering 
and alluring and made on such a very slim 
foundation, thut the E.-O. would never invest 
a cent in it. 
Culture of Potatoes. —Iu speaking of 
this subject in the Times Heury Stewart men¬ 
tions that the putato consists of the following 
elements: 
.—One Thousand Pounds of—, 
Tubers. 
Vines. 
Green. 
Pounds. 
Vines. 
Ripe. 
Pounds. 
Pounds. 
Wafer. 
....7S0 i) 
825 0 
770 0 
Orvanlc mutter,. 
_mi o 
150 1 
218 0 
Ash, . 
.... a o 
15 B 
11 8 
The n*h consists of— 
Potash,. 
.... 5 ti 
2 3 
0 7 
Soda.. ..... 
.... 0 1 
0 4 . 
0 1 
Mngnrsla.. 
.... 0 4 
2 B 
2 7 
Lime. 
.... 0 3 
5 1 
5 5 
Phosphoric acid. 
.... 1 8 
1 0 
0 B 
Sulphuric aeiil. 
.... Oli 
0 9 
0 6 
Sllleu,. 
.... 0 2 
1 2 
0 5 
Chlorine,. 
.... OS 
0 7 
0 4 
Sulphur. 
.... 0 2 
0 6 
0 5 
This table shows in a conspicuous manner 
two thiugs—first that a young ami growing 
animal must consume 2,500 pouuds of potatoes 
to procure enough lime to furnish the ma¬ 
terial for one pound of bone; second, 
that in the culture of this crop, special 
study should be given to the needs of the tub¬ 
ers as distinguished from the requirements of 
the tops or vines. It is common experience 
that while a full crop of tubers caunot he se¬ 
cured without a luxuriant growth of vine, yet 
there is often luxuriance of vine with a poor 
yield of tubers. This happens w hen the fertil¬ 
izer used contains much lime, as when plaster 
iu superphosphate has been applied; and the 
contrary when potash fertilizers have beeu 
used. In the culture of this crop wo have 
found a liberal use of the complete artificial 
manures which contain all the constituents of 
the plant including vines and tubers, best. As 
regards fertilisers, the most effective of these is 
unleached wood ashes, in which potash, lime, 
magnesia and phosphoric acid are found in 
about the proportions required. Sulphuric 
acid and lime are supplied in gypsum iplaster) 
and chlorine and soda iu common salt. The 
German potash salts supply all these mineral 
elements of tho crop. 
In the Rukal’s experiments in raising po¬ 
tatoes on a loamy, impoverished soil, nothiug 
has given us such large yields as the high-grade 
potato fertilizer furnished by responsible 
dealers. 
WIDE-AWAKE ITEMS. 
If it could bo safely predicted that the 
carrying out of the provisions of the now fa¬ 
mous Hatch agricultural experiment station 
hill would result iu better digested experi¬ 
ments ami in more carefully prepared statis¬ 
tical mutter than some of that which is now 
unloaded from some of the experiment stu 
tions already Iu existence, Secretary Graham 
of tho Kansas Industrialist feels sure the en¬ 
thusiasm iu its favor would spread to other 
classes ol'people as well as gain st rength with 
those who already advocate its measures. 
The probable tendencies, however, will be 
the other way; and, instead of reducing this 
evil, the temptation to “make a show for 
the money” may aggravate it, and the so- 
called “bulletins,” containing a very dilute 
article of “science,” expressed in poor Eng¬ 
lish and poorly arranged figures, upou cheap 
paper, and abounding in typographical errors, 
will increase in number. 
The Jersey Bulletin says that a good ration 
for Jerseys is four pouuds corn meal, four 
pounds linseed meal, six pounds wheat bran, 
aud 15 pouuds of clover hay. If you have 
corn fodder, udd a little more linseed meal 
aud wheat bran or a little malt sprouts if 
you can buy them reasonably. 
C. A. Green says, in Popular Gardening, 
that he cannot think the Lucretia Dewberry 
will be popular as a market variety; aud for 
the homo garden it will be objected to on ac¬ 
count of its inferior flavor, being exceedingly 
sour. Tho R, N.-Y. spoke disrespectfully of 
this blackberry some two years ago. But we 
wore mot by so much praise of tho variety by 
good authorities that we were led to think 
that either we did not have the true Lucretia 
or that our experience wus exceptional. 
Wallace's Monthly says that every 
farmer’s boy knows that he can do a better job 
of work—plowing, harrowing or working corn 
—with a fast-walking team which makes the 
dirt fly than he cun with a slow’ one. The 
saving on a farm when the horses walk three 
miles an hour, or even when they wulk two 
miles and a half, is 50 per cent., oriu other 
words, the fast team can rest a whole day in 
the week and yet do as much work us the slow 
team and do it easier and do it better. When 
work is pressing and weather uncertain, the 
fast, town is a treasure. While every effort 
has beeu made to increase the speed of the 
trotter, the draft-horse men have been work¬ 
ing for pounds with little regard either for 
muscle or walking-speed... 
Hon. William Dally, of Peru, Nebraska, 
being anxious to establish grass where it had 
been killed out by the plow, and failing to get 
it started by sowing in the spring, owing to 
the looseness of tho soil, and tho liability of 
drought, succeeded finally by sowjug it with 
rye in August und packing tho ground by 
grazing the rye as fast as it grew until late 
spring. To gather seed of Blue Grass, which 
moulds and spoils if cut too soon, and drops 
off if left a day too late, he watches its ripen¬ 
ing closely, and then cuts with a mower and 
stacks when quite dry till Lime to sow. Clover 
docs uot succeed well there. We should pre¬ 
fer to pack with a roller. Tender young plants 
of grass are as easily crushed to death by a 
beast’s foot as any other tender young plants. 
Editor Cheever of the New England Far¬ 
mer early learned that to a practical farmer a 
good agricultural paper is one of the very 
best educators within his reach, and he cau¬ 
not sec how any tnuu cun attain even moder¬ 
ate success without a close connection with his 
agricultural newspaper.... 
President Cuadhoukne used to say that 
“no work is drudgery which one likes to do 
and is successful iu doing.”... 
TnE London Garden reminds its readers that 
tho common lilac aud many of its varieties 
are easily brought into flower during the win¬ 
ter and early spring months. The Mock 
Orange (Phiiudclplius) and Guelder Rose and 
also Viburnum plicatum are desirable plants 
for forcing. So also are woigolius. especially 
the white aud the Calico Bush—Kaimia lati- 
folia. Forsvthios, too, should not be over¬ 
looked... 
1 have au idea, writes Dr. Hoskins, iu a 
personal letter*, that the Chesapeake is eventu¬ 
ally to be the great commercial center of 
America, and that investments there are as 
safe as anywhere, while the climate aud soil 
are good aud life can be made as pleasant 
there, the year round, as anywhere else on the 
continent.... 
Riverside, California, has been decided 
upon for the next meeting of the American 
Horticultural Society. Date, February 14 
next. A delightful excursion, it should 
prove to Eastern people. Membership $2.00. 
Address W. H. Ragan, Secretary, Green- 
castle, Ind. 
'Continued on next page.) 
Rheumatism 
tV’o doubt if there Is, or cau be, a specific 
remedy for rheumatism; but thousands who 
have suffered its pains have beeu greatly ben 
eflled by Hood's Sarsaparilla. If you have failed 
to find relief, try this great remedy. It corrects 
the acidity of the blood which Is the cause of tho 
disease, and hullds up the whole system. 
" I was afflicted with rheumatism twenty years 
Previous to 1S83 l found no relief, but grew worse, 
until I was almost helpless. Hood's Sarsaparilla 
did mo more good th.au all tho other medicine 
1 ever had." JL T. B.\I.com, Shirley Village, Mass. 
Hood’s Sarsaparilla 
Sold by all druggists. $1; six for $5. Mado 
only by C. L HOOD & CO., Lowell, Mass. 
IOO Doses One Dollar 
FRAUD! FRAUD! 
CAUTION to the PUBLIC! 
Action Is being taken against Several Seedsmen lu 
Philadelphia, for Infringement of Woodaaon Patent 
iusect Kxicrtnlimtor. The Public fan (let the WoOD- 
AS i.N of L>. LaKUHK’ it & So.ns. The infringement sold 
1,V otte r seedsmen Is made "f Poor Material, and the 
Public Is cautioned agulnst buying them My Exter¬ 
minators have my name on (Tito WOOD ASON). 
THUS WOOOASON, 
lLate of Chicago). 
Wells,Richardson & Co’s 
Improved 
Rutter 
Qolor. 
EXCELS 
IN STRENGTH 
PURITY 
BRIGHTNESS 
NEVER TURNS RANCID. 
Always gives a bright natural color, and will 
not color the Buttermilk. 
Used by thousands of the best Creameries and 
Dairies. Do ten allow your dealer toconvinceyou 
that some other kind is just ns good. Tell him the 
BEST is what you want, and you must have Wells, 
Richardson & Co's Improved Butter Color. 
Three sizes, 35c. 50c. $1.00. For sale everywhere. 
WELLS, RICHARDSON & CO. 
BURLINGTON. VT. 
GLEAN YOUR MILK. 
<r"*33fiE milk 
^ 1 aTitAixF.it 
H |^ vrr y Onirvnan 
S | /should have ono AOflNTS 
/ W ANTED, nr Sends tor 
~ a circulars to solo nninnfacturers. 
Jj \W ^P 7 MOSELEY A sTOOUVKO 
— J M»i 11 ti I’m- I’liif Pimldiry, Vt* 
941 
HIDDEN NAMECARDS,:-^'*:^ 
<t*U, album **<•". aud *V. o.-.* /»f >*w sty l* 
tasuukL xJ a j " ml ***»«p. Kmm Cum Worfca, tfiMaua 15 , 0 . 
GUNS 
Our $15 Shot Gun now $10. 
" %\5Breechloau' > “$9.00 
All Hud* Gun* ::* -jwerthan 
tlacvtiure. Betul •tump - Illustrated 
e*ulu«uc. POWEl. CLEMENT, 
1 HO Mull, St, CTbcId utati. Ohio, 
Great Reduction! 
b'KLNi.K, Hidden Nani*.’ Anti 1 "nil .^—■ 
Ww Cs'Ij lOO \:i'tim rirtur*« t Nw 
Sample* ntui tbit King’, *.l 10 ci'iilw. - ~~~ ~ ' 
Clin (on *U Co, North llimn, Conn* 
ONE 
I * A C 1 C May l C U Hum. iVU, On* P»/k R*e« »v On* T*a*k 
Flirt<»».«* I'*a >4 linU-'*>- 4 bl*U|kl ‘Afli.MvetK- Orurl*. 
vr.ih which you - *>• t»il *1.7 *4*; *,,.] I , f< , •*iu v i* tixah iff Hid- 
«i*o .Sum* All fw uu'7 * Vc**t rtajup. Ii*uu*c C**•* Co., Cad**, 0 . 
POULTRY ARCHITECTURE contains 75 
illustrations of Poultry Houses, Yards, 
Runs, Chicken Coops, Fences. etc. Tells 
now to build them. Price 30c. Stamps ta¬ 
ken. R. B. Mitoukli., tS9 Dearborn St., Chicago, in. 
ONE MILE SIGNAL WHISTLE 
Tie- liimleil ami matt piercingly thrill 
whittle of !ti tit*.- utado. t'un l,,- hoard up ——- 
to one min-, The exact mjo .>1 a 
&0 ,-ittlitre l 1 . S. Government Iff 
It Ulr Curl ridge. Made of bur- l y EL ull 
nUti.-d I,rue. with nickel ,\ wf I I 
bullet, lntaluuhle as A y' '\ i’, 
»u;n* :of t cum- tern, ^ \\- 
farmer*, oportamen < xCvajK'v 
aud all who »lah to /J Vv \ So at- 
attr»ct«tt»oiion*t : ,-ni. xoi \ ^k,. 
■ nrmrr*. aponanien V,VV»\ 
aud all whu »U!l to ,/) Vv — \ s 0 at- 
attract.utroliou *1 / - J# A ira.-',- 
a tong dl.lAO.9u. ( Jwjki |i, » 
full your **| A- Mule 
men to f nov©uv that 
dinner vft \ ' every onn who 
nlth * y \ ’ ***** it. 
/ vV V You nhoutii hove 
\ \ \ IU ro iutroiiut • 
/) \\ \ N -..ars Hill, e t ve, auil In- 
/ y tereitliif cululoguc of 
I ■ ffun** Ln'ven, noa cltlcA* And 
I . /X Unvtui urtlolrou Wf wtp, .»n.1 thl* 
V ' Z 1 ' x taml cAInlonuiv ii r m^fl co«t- 
V cnitN In Vumi.a \d- 
*}r*»x K K N \ 1 t: V |,I. NON >a 
CJU., i UUbcrt Slrv‘« t, l*Mlu-| ( luhla. F«inn«. 
HOME STUDI—ON THE FARM. 
The Inventor’s own system of Phonography: no teach 
er noedod: te timers mutually aid each other. Instruc 
tlon book JO cents. iK«t*bBshed. isdo.) Aditress 
PHONKTlf DEPOT, Tyrone, Pa. 
ffOKH RVlittV WON Til. ■g*,- 
JhXDlJ l ' 000 UVt AGENTS WANT' u 
W<*WV at t>Bcn. Our Agent's Outfit 
NlIsV WAHE, netil Irt’o. VVritn .it* ir 
WAlUMiiUKU MM LU t o.. Wum.UforU. Coai: 
Sherwood’s Steel Harness 
/V -xK _Fur in Kami Uurkll e/Sl 
<j}Ju ( AGENTS WANTED. 
I 
