THE 
RURAL NLW'YORKER. 
ANatlonal Journal for Country and Suburban Homes 
Conducted by 
E. S. CARMAN, 
Editor, 
J. S. WOODWARD, 
Associate. 
Address 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
No. 34 Park Row, New York. 
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY, 20,1886. 
Ik the number on your address label is 
1882, your subscription expires with this 
number; if 1883, next week; 1884, in two 
weeks, etc. 
— 1 *•-- - 
Subscribers of the Rural need never take 
the trouble to write us to “stop” the paper. 
It is invariably discontinued at the expir¬ 
ation of the subscription term , except by 
oversight, in which case it is our toss. 
Mr. John Thorpe writes us that some 
seedling Japan Chestnuts he has handled 
varied as much as seedling apples, with a 
very large proportion of crabs. 
SPECIAL. 
All orders (applications) for the Rural’s 
present Seed Distribution received prior 
to Feb. 8th, have been mailed. Those 
who have not received them will please 
notify us by postal card. 
Let us say to all that the Rural of 
November 14th, 1885, gives a full illus¬ 
trated description of our Free Seed Distri¬ 
bution, together -with a full list of the 
$3,300 worth of presents to be sent to sub¬ 
scribers (and to them only) who secure 
clubs for the Rural New-Yorker. 
Every one who loves hash, mince pies, 
or sausage (and who does not w r hen they 
are made of meat chopped, not mashed), 
should have an Enterprise Meat Chopper. 
We have used one now foT years and 
know that it is all that can he desired. 
The No. 22 chops two pounds per minute, 
and we will send it to any one for only 
four subscriptions. We ought to have calls 
for more than a thousand. No one will 
regret the time he spent in securing one. 
We have received from Luther Burbank, 
of Santa Rosa, Cal. (Feb. 11), five Japan 
Chestnuts which average five inches in 
their widest circumference. These are 
large specimens of what we have always 
supposed to be the Japan variety, and 
they differ materially in shape from the 
Spanish, so much so, indeed, that it is 
easy to separate both kinds when they are 
mixed together. The Japan maybe des¬ 
cribed as in shape an enlarged American 
chestnut, while the Spanish is more angu¬ 
lar—less conical. 
Wiien Pringle’s Hybridized Hulless 
Oats were first offered* about five years 
ago, we purchased enough of them to 
sow a small plot beside the old Chinese 
Hulless. We judged them to be the 
same. There was no evidence of crossing, 
much less of “bvbridization,” as the 
Rural uses this word. This displeased 
the introducer. Mr. Pringle, the origin¬ 
ator, replied that he was surprised that 
the Rural could see no difference. Now, 
the N. Y. Experiment Station, after two 
years’ trial, pronounces them the same. 
A friend who has bad occasion to use 
the Ideal Fountain Pen almost incessantly 
for three months, remarked a few days 
since, that he would not sell it for $50^ if 
he could not procure another, The No. 
2 size, worth at retail $4, is offered for 
four subscriptions. It will be sent in a 
substantial case, prepaid, in a registered 
letter, and be warranted to fit the hand. 
These pens, which are warranted in every 
way, may he seen and examined in almost 
any book store. It will then appear that 
the. best wav to secure one is by getting 
up a little club for the Rural. Every 
farmer, every farmer’s wife and daughter 
should have one. 
Those whilom noble rangers of the 
Plains—the buffaloes—once so very numer¬ 
ous that, when moving in droves, the sound 
of their tread was like distant thunder, 
are about exterminated, it being estimated 
that not 500 are left in the whole country. 
Though most of the lands once fed over 
THE RURAL MEW-VORKER. 
FEB §0 
by them, are being occupied by herds of 
domestic animals, one cannot but regret 
the wholesale slaughter of those noble 
beasts. With proper regulations as to 
their slaughter, there are thousands ol 
acres amid the mountain ranges where 
immense numbers might have lived and 
thriven for many years. But man’s wanton 
cruelty in killing game for mere sport (?) 
has so reduced their numbers that a year 
or two more must see them extinct. 
-« « » - 
In addition to the long list of special 
articles already announced to appear in 
the Rural during 1880, we have now to 
add, first, articles from the pen of 
Pres. J. M. McBryde, of the South Caro¬ 
lina College, upon Phosphates versus Acid 
Phosphates, and Notes on Bermuda and 
Other Southern Grasses; and, second, sev¬ 
eral articles from J. B. Armstrong, of 
California, embracing Grain-growing, 
Under-draining, Manuring, etc., and some 
experiences with orchards; planting, prun¬ 
ing, grafting, etc., with reference to soils. 
The recent exhibition of poultry at the 
N. Y. Faucier's Club was an excellent one. 
There has been a wonderful advance in 
poultry breeding during the past 20 years. 
The business has never been overdone, and 
it seems almost impossible to crowd it into 
the conditions which dairying and wool- 
growing all too frequently assume. The 
consumption of eggs increases from year 
to year, and it is impossible to counterfeit 
them. The sale for thoroughbred poul¬ 
try is on the increase. Of all farm stock, 
the poultry can be most easily, cheaply 
and rapidly improved. At the late show, 
so far as numbers were concerned, the 
Wyandottes led, with the Plymouth Rocks 
a close second. All breeds were well rep¬ 
resented, and the fact was made more 
apparent than ever that no one breed can 
satisfy everybody. All have superior 
points, and the selection must depend 
upon the location and one's love for the 
business. We shall show ere long some of 
the best birds on exhibition. 
When a good general is not engaged in 
active campaigning, he is always looking 
over his forces and putting everything 
into the best of order. The same should 
be the. case with the farmer, and now is 
the time to see that every implement is 
in perfect condition. Thousands of dollars 
arc annually lost by neglect of tliis matter. 
Often the seeding of a fitdd of grain is not 
completed when the rain comes, only be¬ 
cause of a little carelessness the drill did 
not do its best work and a delay was caused, 
and a rain sometimes delays the seeding 
days and weeks, thus making the crop late 
and lessening the yield. On many farms 
the shortage of crops, caused by late sow¬ 
ing, and the loss by delayed harvests, both 
largely the results of the implements not 
being in the most, perfect order, would not 
only keep all farm tools in perfect condi¬ 
tion. but go far towards buying new ones. 
If any thing on a farm ever paid compound 
interest, it is the putting of every tool and 
implement in “apple-pie” order during 
the Winter. To be forearmed is to he well 
armed!_ 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
It is with much pleasure that we may 
now announce that the next picture to 
adorn our portrait gallery will be that of 
the Rural’s respected friend and long¬ 
time contributor, Mrs. Mary Wager- 
Fisher. Mrs. Fisher is one to shrink 
from such publicity, and she grants our 
request only after repeated solicitations. 
A very interesting sketch of her life is 
written by herself. 
Over a year ago, a project was broached 
in the Canadian Northwest to construct a 
railroad from Winnepeg to a point on 
Hudson Bay near the mouth of the Nelson 
River. The original purpose of the road 
was to connect with a line of steamers 
designed to carry the grain of Manitoba 
and the Northwest Territory to Europe 
through Hudson Straitg; but the hard 
experience of the Alert last Summer dis¬ 
closed that this would be a hazardous 
route at most times. The projectors, 
however, seem determined to have their 
road any way, mainly, it would appear, 
because the country is so admirably 
adapted for track-laying that the line will 
cost only $20,000 a mile. The local busi¬ 
ness is now almost nothing; but it is 
hoped that the road, when built, will 
develop the country. Haven't our Pacific 
railroads done so? Work is to be begun 
when the snow clears off; and it will at 
any rate bring workmen and money into 
the Northwest—and workmen and money 
are just the things wanted there. 
Why not have a fat stock show at the 
East? Are not the consumers of beef in¬ 
terested iu the cheap production? Why 
should these great shows he held for the 
benefit of producers alone? The great 
market for the surplus Western beef is at 
the East. The New England States, with 
New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, 
contain over 20 per cent, of the total popu¬ 
lation of the country. They have but 13 
per cent, of the total number of persons 
engaged in agriculture, hut over 00 per 
cent, of the persons engaged in manufac¬ 
turing. These States have of all kinds 
of cattle 7,000,000, while the whole 
country has over 40,000,000. These figures 
show what an immense meat hill these 
States are called upon to pay. A series 
of fat stock shows held at the East might 
work a benefit in two ways—they might 
do much to overcome the prejudice that 
at present exists, in some quarters, against 
Western beef, and they would surely stim¬ 
ulate our Eastern farmers to increased 
efforts in beef production. 
For some yeavs, the southern termini of 
five railroads have been just on the north¬ 
ern border of the Indian Territory. All 
this time, the companies have been wait¬ 
ing impatiently for an opportunity to push 
their roads through the Territory to tap 
the Texas trade. ' The Chicago Burling¬ 
ton and Kansas City R. R. is now making 
preparations to extend its route to the 
same line. The Oklahoma ‘ ‘boomers” and 
similar adventurers, steady-going, home- 
seeking prospectors, the Knights of Labor 
and several other industrial organizations, 
foreign aud domestic cattle kings and 
syndicates, as well as lobbies from all the 
waiting railroads, are urging Congress to 
throw "the Territory open to settlement, 
reserving only a small part for the Indians. 
It is highly probable that the pressure 
will be effective. What a scramble there 
will then be for choice locations! How 
the weak but obstinate settlers will be 
trampled iu the dust nr mud by the rush¬ 
ing herds of the cattle kings, or ground 
to powder beneath the whirling wheels of 
the railroad monopolists! The reckless 
land-grabbers having appropriated, all the 
best locations, the bona-fide settler will 
have either to seek a home on less valuable 
land, or buy one from the lusty land- 
grabbers. The past is the prophet of the 
future. 
CHEAP POSTAGE IN DANGER. 
rate. Express companies are a great con¬ 
venience and are all right in their places; 
but we are utterly opposed to cutting off 
so great a public necessity as cheap post¬ 
age on this class of goods, or of doubling 
the rates charged for its enjoyment, 
merely to enrich them or enable them to 
pay large dividends on their greatly 
watered stock. Wo arc moving in the 
right direction in cheapening letter and 
newspaper postage; do not let us go back¬ 
ward in this other direction. 
We hope that every Grange, Farmers’ 
Alliance and other organization will sec 
to it that their Membefs of Cougress be 
warned that such a measure would be un¬ 
popular, and urge them to a firm stand 
against so foolish a change. The farmers 
of Iowa should also bear in mind that in 
this matter Senator Wilson has become 
the tool of the express companies, working 
against the agricultural interests of the 
country; how can they trust him in other 
matters in which the interests of the pub¬ 
lic clash with those of wealthy corpora¬ 
tions? Corporations soon learn what leg¬ 
islators can be “influenced” in their be¬ 
half, aud the law-maker who acts for one, 
is hardly likely to refuse to act for an¬ 
other for a like consideration. Cheap 
postage has helped to make our people 
happy and prosperous, and cheap postage 
in all classes we must maintain. 
NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS. 
It is our duty as well jus our pleasure 
to inform our subscribers, who are kindly 
interesting themselves in increasing the 
Rural’s circulation, that the list of $3,300 
worth of presents is being almost en¬ 
tirely set aside in favor of our regular 
premium-list, which offers certain articles 
for specified numbers of subscribers. The 
reason, in so far as we can find one, is 
that all seem to take for granted that 
others will be entitled to them. The fact at 
this time is simply that we offer twice as 
many presents in this gift list as there are 
competitors for them, and that even the 
most valuable will be awarded for merely 
nominal clubs. m 
A bill has beeu quietly introduced 
into the Senate of the United States by 
Senator Wilson of Iowa, doubtless at the 
instigation, as it is in the interests, of the 
express companies. Its object is to double 
the rate of postage to be charged on 
fourth-class matter, which includes seeds, 
bulbs, cions, cuttings, plants, etc. Some 
years ago, such things were charged one 
cent for two ounces; but later, through 
the direct lobbying influence of the ex¬ 
press companies, this was changed to one 
cent per ounce, uud now an attempt is be¬ 
ing made to increase it to two cents per 
ounce—the same as first-class or letter 
rates. 
No doubt the express companies secret¬ 
ly desire to see the mails closed to all such 
matter, and they are cautiously working 
with that end in view. What care they 
for the convenience or necessities of the 
people, so long as they can secure such 
legislation as shall put 25 or 50. cents into 
their cofferB for the carrying of every 
packet, however small? What care they 
if the lone pioneer or homesteader be de¬ 
prived of the facilities for securing a 
few garden or flower seeds, to give his 
family a treat of fresh vegetables or to 
beautify his home, as long as they can 
secure a firmer hold on the public's nepes- 
sities? Wherever there is competition, 
the companies’ charges are usually mod¬ 
erate, hut in the absence of compe¬ 
tition, they practice bare-faced extortion, 
and it is the lonely pioneer, the isolated 
settler and the farmer far away from large 
towns that suffer most from their rapacity. 
Deprive these of cheap mail facilities, and 
they are at once placed at the mercy of 
greedy corporations that know no mercy. 
Our sister country, Canada, still carries 
this class of mail matter at the old 
rate of one cent for two ounces, and does 
not find it burdensome to her mails, ami 
why should not we go back to the old 
standard? We certainly are strenuously 
opposed to any increase of the present 
BREVITIES. 
Money sent iu letters for subscriptions to 
the Rural New-Yorker is at the sender’s 
risk. Our terms are invariably 82.00 a year 
in advance. 
From all we have been able to learn diming 
the past few' weeks, the Spanish Chestnut is 
not hardy in this climate. But the Japan 
Chestnut is about, as hardy as the American. 
An acquaintance, “just for fun,” sent 20 
cents to an advertiser in one of our city dail¬ 
ies. to learn how to make $05 a week at home 
on a capital of 81. and received a printed slip 
with the advice: “Fish (or fools as L do.” 
Official statistics show that the eggs laid 
in the United States during the year are worth 
twice as much as all the silver produced in the 
same period Why all this talk, iu Congress, 
press, and potrhouae about silver legislation, 
while eggs and egg-producers are neglected' 
What a high breeding standard for milch 
cows is that of the Rev. L. B. Loomis, as set 
forth in his address before the Iowa dairymen ’ 
One might imagine that such intelligent cattle 
would be found pasturing “in the green field- 
of Eden,” to Which the Rev. gentleman in 
vites his Hock every Sunday, were it not that 
there frogs could not he m the drinking 
water, tallow iu the feed, or dirty milkers ai 
the pail. 
The State Horticultural Society of Indiana 
recently decided to establish 11 horticultural 
experiment stations in different parts of the 
Slate. The central or controlling station will be 
located at Perdue University, in charge of our 
friend, Prof. James Troop. The Indiana hor¬ 
ticulturists show a commendable enterprise in 
this work. It would be impossible to select, 
any single place where experiments would 
give equal satisfaction to dwellers in nil parts 
of the great State. By scattering the stations 
about, for more accurate reports can lie ob¬ 
tained. 
What is to become of the bill appropriating 
$500,000 for the extension of the benefits Of 
the Weather Bureau to farmers by means of 
signals displayed at the various telegraph 
stations' It was favorably reported to the 
House by the Committee on Agriculture last, 
Wednraoav; but no action was taken on it. 
Has the Committee done its whole duty ui 
merely reporting the hill; or is it not bound 
to push it until it passes the House, and then 
to got the Committee on Agriculture of the 
Senate to continue to push it in that bod\ . 
Let. us have a little earnestness and honesty in 
those in charge of legislation affecting agri¬ 
culture. 
Last week snow fell heavily ueurly all over 
the country. This week mild weather has 
been almost universal. In the Ixiwcr Missou- 
ri, Mississippi and Ohio Valleys the tempera¬ 
ture has ranges.! from 10 to 20 degrees above 
freezing point, and there has been a steuoy 
northerly flow of warn, moist air from the 
Gulf. Are floods likely to devastate the 
Western river bottoms' Snow and ico have 
been melting rapidly, while heavy rams, duo to 
the condensation of the atmospheric moistuie 
from the South, add to the flood? 
