MAY 31 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
For No. 2, next to the old barn-yard fowls, 
we class the Asiatic breeds, and as less hardy 
the European stock. 
For No. 3, the very best is the Plymouth 
Rock, which is a souud, solid meat bird. The 
Brahma runs too much to fat, but is heavier 
on the average than the preceding:. The Dork¬ 
ing is also a good table fowl, especially when 
crossed with Brahma. 
Sulphate of potash is therefore a trade name, 
and, like many other trade names, involves a 
fiction more to the advantage of the seller than 
of the purchaser. The notion is prevalent that 
sulphate of potash is a better fertilizer than 
muriate of potash. Some experiments have 
been published going to show that potatoes 
and tobacco raised with sulphate are of better 
quality than when raised with muriate. 
Whether this be the fact generally, may well 
be doubted and since these samples of “sul¬ 
phate" both contain more chlorine than enough 
to make a muriate of all the potash, they ean- 
not he expected to make better potatoes or 
better tobacco than a pure muriate. 
We see. finally that the cost of potash in the 
high grade muriate is considerably less than 
in the sulphates; evidently, therefore, muriate 
of potash Is the cheapest source of potash. 
The common salt chloride of magnesium and 
water which make up more than half of 264, 
and moire than one-third of 263, have no com¬ 
mercial or agricultural value corresponding to 
their cost. S. W. Johnson, Director. 
A Y0TND - MILL FROM NEW DESIGNS 
Customarily improvements on existing 
machinery are in the line, or follow the gen¬ 
eral plan of the original, but the Myers Wind¬ 
mill, made by the Silver aud Doming Mfg. Co., 
of Salem, Ohio, is quite novel and an interest¬ 
ing 6tudy. Our illustration shows the mill 
out of gear. The regulating vaue, here de¬ 
picted, is again under the control of the smaller 
vane poised at one end. The vane lies directly 
iu front of aud across the wheel, which stands 
behind the mast—a decidedly new departure. 
When at work, or in gear, the main vane lies 
horizontally, presenting no surface on which 
the wiud can act, but the little regulating vane 
tikes its full force, standing erect until the 
wind over-balances the iron ball weight, when 
the regulating vane is turned forward and by 
a connection turns the main vane against the 
wind, and the wheel is thrown out of gear 
where it remains until the decreasing wind 
allows the ball weight to right itself, when the 
above-described operation is reversed and the 
wheel again revolves. The operation is very 
simple and automatic, but the same result may 
be brought about from below aud the wheel 
held from revolving, by a brake. 
The wind mill 5s constructed lightly, but very 
strongly, wrought-iron pipe being used in place 
of solid iron bars. 
The balauee is particularly adjusted, so that 
the mill stands iu equipoise on the mast in any 
position. The engine, pump, etc., are fitted 
with all the mechanical skill the circumstances 
demaud, aud the best pumps and material, are 
used. Circulars giving dimensions, and par¬ 
ticulars may be had on application. 
yrus-ittDD 
I lit\W I HU iV 
a 4 3EMI8PI 
“ the RURAL” CORN PREMIUMS 
[We arc daily in receipt of so many inqui¬ 
ries regarding our Corn Premiums and the 
prescribed method of cultivation, that it has be¬ 
come necessary again to publish the gist of 
what was published at length in Rural of 
April 26.] 
Conditions of Cultivation. 
Any fertilizer or manure may be used in any 
quantity. The method of cultivation is op¬ 
tional with the cultivator. Our only restric¬ 
tion is that the area planted be within one- 
fortieth of an acre. We have kept au account 
of the average number of kernels sent out to 
each applicant. Iu each package there have 
been unsound kernels. These may, of course, 
be rejected. But the exact number of kernels 
(whether 125 or 145 or any other number) 
planted , must be stated in the statement of re¬ 
sults obtained. 
It will he well for each contestant to provide 
himself with proof of his entire proceeding, 
such as the evidence of a Justice or other com¬ 
petent authority. 
We shall want to know th equanlity of shelled 
corn and its weight produced from our seed, 
the weight of fodder, average 
to stalk 
THE LION RAKE 
is a new self-operating sulky rake made by A. 
W. Miner & Co . Belmont, N- Y. Its success 
has been very flattering, and we are told that 
at the present time the factory is running on 
double time, with something like orders for 
one thousand rakes in arrears. Following our 
habitual practice, we here epitomize the claims 
made on behalf of the implement, that our 
readers may be kept informed of everything 
that is new. 
The chief characteristics of the “Lion" are 
simplicity, combined with durability and ease 
of operating. A double crauk and two in¬ 
dependently-acting clutches elevate the teeth 
in a way to withstand severe strains. This 
lifting device is said to be proof against damage 
by an accidental throwing the clutches into 
gear while the teeth are falliug. The gathered 
load is discharged by pressing the foot upon a 
pedal conveniently placed ; the horse completes 
the operation. A slight pressure is enough to 
hold the the teeth firmly to the ground wheu 
“bunching" or raking large windrows. The 
action of the teeth is quickly responsive to the 
motion of the driver’s foot, and being articu¬ 
lated in iron holders, aud shaped so as to insure 
running smoothly over the ground, the hay is 
neatly carried instead of being pushed along. 
The teeth are elevated by both wheels; the 
axle is above the center of the wheel, and the 
rake is adjustable to large or small windrows. 
The twenty steel teeth are oil-tempered, and 
there is au entire absence of ratchets, pawls, 
gears and springs iu wheels, and similar ruinu- 
tia*. The rake dumps from the center, avoid¬ 
ing side-draft. The construction is thorough. 
For No. 4. all light-built, long-legged birds, ' 
like Black Spanish, are in three or four places 
at the same time, rendering themselves very 
troublesome to a gardener. 
For No. 5, we know that Brahmas and Ply¬ 
mouth Rocks, although quiet fowls, are not 
able to endure close confinement. It will stop 
their laying very quickly. Hence, as hens are 
sometimes cared for. these breeds make poor 
winter layers. 
For No. 6, we should class the Dominiques, 
Plymouth Rocks, Black Spanish aud Leghorns 
as especially handsome. 
For No. 7, The Brahmas are incomparably 
best; Plymouth Rocks next. Dorkings crossed 
make also a good home-keepiug fowl. 
For No. 8, There is nothing to equal, con¬ 
sidering reliability, persistency aud light 
weight, the little old-style top-knot*. The 
Brahmas vary exceedingly in this respect, but, 
like Plymouth Rocks, are generally very per¬ 
sistent. 
All things considered for eggs, table, beauty 
and domesticity, give us the Plymouth Rocks. 
They are not voracious, lay on flesh with re¬ 
markable ease and iu a fine stylo. There is no 
waste about them in the line of legs, wings, 
necks, feathers. They are hardy, but dislike 
confinement. Their eggs are large and in won¬ 
derful supply. 
Considering number of eggs alone, the Leg¬ 
horns and Houdaus excepted, the mongrels 
same is true of Piceas firma, compacta, Weep¬ 
ing Hudsonica. Piehta and Silicica. To tell 
the truth. I am sick of common evergreens— 
deciduous shrubs aud trees for me, intermixed 
with a decided minority of choice, evergreens. 
Piues have generally behaved well, especially 
Massoniana aud Maseoniana variegata (Sun- 
ray Pine), but then Piues are such unsatisfac¬ 
tory things to transplant, and people are so idi¬ 
otic about buying large plants, In fact, the desire 
for immediate effect by the setting up of great 
specimens, which are destined to be stunted or 
die in a few months or years, is the curse of 
lawn-planting. People will be idiots, and 
think that the ways of Nature—that is, of God 
—can be traversed by means of gold." 
• • '' ! number of ears 
what kind of fertilizer was used, if 
any, the distance between rows aud plants, 
time of planting and mode of culture. When 
these statements shall all have reached us and 
been carefully examined aud compared, we 
shall auuounce the distribution of the follow¬ 
ing premiums: 
Prize*. 
No. 1. $100 la gold given by the proprietors of 
Thk Kural Nkw-Yokkek for the yield that shall 
have most successfully fulfilled all the conditions, 
and attained the highest general average of 
points. 
No. 2 . A Feed and Meal Mill (value $65), given 
by the Challenge Mill Co., of Batavia, Ill., for 
the yield that Is next in order. 
No. 3. The Improved Bio Giant Feed Mill (value 
$ 45 ), contributed by J. A. Field, 8on & Co., St. 
Louis, Mo., for the third best, result accruing from 
the competition. 
No. 4. The “ Veteran ” Corn Sheller (value, 
$35), made by the Sandwich M’f’o Co., of Sand¬ 
wich, ill., and given by them as a prize for the 
fourth best result. 
No. 6. The Wheeler & Melick Co., of Albany, 
N. Y.,glve a choice of their La Dow’s Pulverizing 
Harrow, of a two-horse Disc Corn 
Cultivator (value, $30), for the filth 
prize. 
No. 6. For the yield of corn, sixth 
in order of merit, M kssrs. Rumsey 
& Co., of Seueca Falls, N. Y., offer 
a choice of auythlfigfrow their cata¬ 
logue to the value of $25. 
Nos. T and s. -Two Hand Corn- 
Shelleks (value, $5 each), donated 
by Livingston & Co., of Pittsburgh, 
Pa., for the sev enth and eighth best 
results from the Corn Distribution. 
Farmer* Publishing Company. 
1. For heat weight of Shelled Com 
per bushel, to be weighed three 
months after harvest, 30 vols. of 
Harper’s Half-hour Series. / 
2 . For second best, Dicken’s Works, jj 
In 19 vols., (D. Appleton & Co.) I 
3. For third best, hooks from Scrib- “ r 
ner’s Catalogue to the amount of $5. I"~ 
4. For Fourth best, The Wilson 11 
Series of Agricultural Works, In L 'A 
cloth. 
5. For fifth best, one year’s sub- sJifc : = J 
scriptlon to the Rural New-Yok- 
6. For sixth best, Miles’ stock- ? 
Total value not less than $30. 
All who Intend to compete for the 
above premiums must give us notice 
of their intention so to do before 
August 1st, by postal card or letter. 
THE BEST FOWLS 
In settling this question more things are to 
be considered than number of eggs. 
(1.) Eggs, their weight and number. 
(2.) The hardiness of the fowls. 
(3.) The quality of the fowls for table use. 
(4.) The habits of the fowls as to strolling 
and scratching. 
(5.) Their ability to endure confinement. 
(6.) Their shape and color, or their beauty. 
THE COMBINED “ CLIMAX' 
The Gibbs aud Sterret Manufacturing Co., 
have made notable improve¬ 
ments iu their “Climax” ma¬ 
chines and this season will offer 
a changeable speed mower in ad- 
■ dition to a center-cut self-rake 
reaper attachment which, applied 
to the mower makes a servicea- 
ble reaping machine. The ad- 
vantages of a quick and slow 
( motionfor grass cuttiug are ap¬ 
preciated by any one having bad 
experience iu heavy or light 
grass; and to have these quali¬ 
ties combined in one machine, 
aud under the control of the op¬ 
erator is no slight benefit. 
The changeable speed is pro¬ 
duced by a shifting lever sliding 
a clutch to the left or right, 
while moving the same lever to 
position in the center throws the 
machiue out of gear entirely. 
•. The whole operation is per- 
^formed iu a moment and with¬ 
out stopping the mower. 
The Self-rake is a combination 
^ of improvements. The center 
cut may be attached to any of the 
Climax mowers. The cut being 
in the center, attaching the pit- 
man to the knife by a rocking- 
bar. enable the driver to. at all 
times, watch the cutting appara- 
tus. The driving chaiu is done 
away with altogether, the rake 
b»dng driven by a universal coup¬ 
ling joint connecting directly 
from the axle of the mower to 
the bevel gear on take head. 
The motiou produced by this 
device ts.very steady and regular. 
The center cut. universal coupling 
joint, and changeable speed are the main im¬ 
provements. Minor exeelleuciea, such us en¬ 
closing the gears in boxes aud having all ad¬ 
justable parts fitted with mathematical accu¬ 
racy, so as to insure smooth working, strength 
aud durability can only be fully appreciated 
after a trial. 
Improved “Lion” Self-Dump Sulky Hay and Grain Rake. 
generally raised by farmers, surpass the fancy 
or pure breeds. A farmyard generally shows 
a cross of Spanish Dorkiug, Brahma and one 
or two more stocks mixed with old styl^ dung¬ 
hill fovfl. These are good layers and frequent¬ 
ly exceedingly pretty. E. P. Powell. 
(7 ) Their domesticity, which involves also 
their tendency to “steal nests." 
(8.) Their quality as sitters and mothers. 
For No. 1, we may set down as among the 
best the White Leghorn, Plymouth Rock, Brah¬ 
ma, Houdan. 
EFFECTS OF THE PAST WINTER UPON 
TREES. 
One of our most experienced arboriculturists 
writes us as follows: “Copious notes might 
