APRIL a 
THE 
RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
A Nat ional Journal for Country and Suburban Home s 
Conducted by 
E. S. CARMAN, 
J. S. WOODWARD, 
Editor. 
Associate. 
Address 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
No. 34 Park Row, New York. 
SATURDAY, APRIL, 3, 1886. 
A POULTRY SPECIAL NEXT.—It 
will appear in about one month. 
If the number on your address label is 
1888, your subscription expires with this 
number; if 1SS9, next week; 1890, in two 
weeks, etc. 
Legislation in favor of the special 
interests of corporations and individual 
capitalists is the hardest legislation to 
kill. It may seem to have been buried 
under a cloud-capped mountain of pub¬ 
lic disapprobation and denunciation; but 
straightway it creeps up quietly or “bobs 
up serenely” in the same or some other 
form, and either glides unobtrusively or 
pushes its way jauntily through our legis¬ 
latures. Senator Wilson’s proposed legis¬ 
lation in the interest of the express 
companies appears to have been killed, 
or shorn of its most objectionable pro¬ 
visions, so far as agriculture and horti¬ 
culture are concerned ; yet we are glad 
to learn that farmers’ clubs, farmers’ al¬ 
liances and Grange meetings are still 
protesting against the proposed outrage, 
and we strongly urge our friends to con¬ 
tinue to remind their Representatives and 
Senators in Congress that it is their duty 
and to their interest to offer a vigorous 
and indignant opposition to any bill in¬ 
cluding such legislation, should it ever 
come up for consideration. 
--- ♦ • - 
By reference to Notes from the Rural 
Grounds, it will he seen that from the ex¬ 
periments there conducted, the following 
kinds of sweet corn may he selected for 
every day use from the middle of July 
until September 10, viz,: Early Minne¬ 
sota, Marblehead, or (perhaps) Cory; 
Moore’s Early, Triumph, Black Mexican, 
St owell’s Evergreen,if all are planted about 
May 20. It is worthy of remark that in 
the above trial the Early Minnesota, 
Moore’s Early, Triumph and Black Mex- 
can matured their pollen while the silk 
was receptive, while the Evergreen sheds 
its pollen generally before the silk appears. 
For small garden plots, it is probably as 
well to select those kinds whose tassels 
bloom and shed their pollen at the same 
time that the silk appears and is ready to 
receive it—otherwise many imperfect 
ears may be looked for. 
- ■ - 
The N. Y. Tribune says that 
Dr. William Trelease, of the Shaw School 
of Botany, while acknowledging the interest¬ 
ing character of figures cut in wood and pub¬ 
lished as evidence of the alleged “wheat-aud- 
rye hybrids,” thinks they cannot be accepted 
as conclusive evidence of an actual cross be¬ 
tween these two grains either in America or 
England. 
This work of the R. N.-Y. has now 
been before the public going on four 
years. Except, that an account of it in 
the Century Magazine of last January did 
not mention the place or even the country 
where the crossing was effected, and that 
it has siucc been spoken of as having 
occurred abroad, w T e know of no attempted 
hybridization in England or elsewhere. 
If I)r. Trelease had visited the Rural 
Grounds and examined the plants, instead 
of the “wood cuts,” perhaps he would not 
talk of “alleged!’ or about not “accepting 
them as conclusive evidence of an actual 
cross between these two grains.” With 
all respect for Dr. Trclease’s opinion, it 
sometimes occurs to us that it is possible 
to be too scientific for anything. 
A statement appeared in the report 
of the N. Y. Ex. Station for 1884, that 
Hammond’s Slug Shot w'as probably com¬ 
posed of a large quantity of gas-lime 
poisoned with London-purple. Mr. 
Hammond, as we have said, made an 
affidavit which was sent to the press and 
others, that it contained neither gas-lime 
nor London-purple. A circular recently 
received from the N. Y. Ex. Station states 
that the main substance is gypsum con¬ 
taining, according to an examination of 
one sample, about one per cent, of arseni- 
ous acid, of another two per cent, and of 
a third one-aud-one-half per cent. The Di¬ 
rector, commenting upon its composition, 
says that when it is considered that one 
grain of arsenious acid is a dangerous dose, 
and that a tablespoonful of any of the 
above samples would contain more than 
this quantity, the necessity for caution in 
its use will be evident. 
SPECIAL. 
Those who, having applied for the 
Rural’s present seed distribution prior 
to March 20 th, have not yet received it, 
will kindly notify us by postal at once. 
The seed packages for Canada sub¬ 
scribers have been expressed, to be 
mailed there, and all should have re¬ 
ceived them bythistime. 
MIXED SEEDS FOR LAWNS. 
We have many times had occasion to 
advise our readers in making lawns to 
sow Red-top or Blue Grass (June Grass), 
or both, instead of the lawn mixtures sold 
by the seedsmen and, at this season of the 
year, advertised under various attractive 
names. Dr. W. J, Beal, of the Michigan 
Agricultural College, in a timely bulletin, 
presents the results of a careful examin¬ 
ation of these lawn-grass mixtures pro¬ 
cured from several of the leadiug seeds¬ 
men of the country. He finds most of 
them to consist largely of Blue or June 
Grass (Poa pratennis) and Red-top, with 
smaller quantities of White Clover, Sweet 
Vernal Grass, Perrenial Rye Grass, Or¬ 
chard Grass, Timothy, Sheep’s Fescue, 
Meadow Fox-tail, etc.; with traces of 
Chess, Plantain, Orchard Grass, Velvet 
Grass, etc. 
While June or Blue Grass may be pur¬ 
chased for $2.00 per bushel at retail, and 
Red-top at $1.00, the price of the “lawn- 
mixtures” varies from four to five dollars 
per bushel. If, however, by their use, 
the lawn would prove more uniform, vel¬ 
vety or permanent, a reason would at once 
be found for selecting them, notwith¬ 
standing they cost twice as much. Such, 
however, in our view, is not the case. 
We can not improve upon either Red- 
top or Blue Grass for lawns, and any 
additions of Timothy, Perennial Rye 
Grass, Orchard Grass, Red Clover, Meadow 
Fox-tail, etc., had better be left out, even 
though the additions reduced the cost. 
As we have often said, a little White 
Clover added to the Blue Grass and Red- 
top will do no harm. 
POSSIBLE TROUBLE WITH CANADA. 
There is prospect of a good deal of 
xnnbrage and recrimination, if not of 
serious international difficulties, between 
tiffs country and the Dominion with re¬ 
gard to the fishery question. Canada 
claims for her citizens the exclusive right 
of fishing within three miles from the 
Canadian coast, including a line betweeu 
the headlands at the entrance of harbors, 
estuaries and bays. This country con¬ 
cedes the three-mile limit, but disputes 
the other claim. The fishermen of New 
England are inclined to trespass on 
acknowledged Canadian waters, and to 
fish in the large bays anywhere beyond 
three miles from the shore. The fisher¬ 
men of the Canadian Mara time Provinces, 
especially those of Newfoundland, exas¬ 
perated at the duties imposed in this 
country on importations of their fish 
since the abrogation of the late treaty, are 
bitterly and belligerently opposed to the 
“enterprise” of the New Englanders. 
Hence, many unfriendly and some menac¬ 
ing demonstrations. A few days ago a 
Maine firm engaged 70 men in a Nova 
Scotia village for the Grand Bank fish¬ 
eries; but the vessels for which they were 
hired were forbidden to call at any port of 
the Dominion to take them on board. 
The Legislature of Newfoundland is con¬ 
templating the prohibition of the sale of 
bait to Americans. Armed Canadian 
cruisers have already appeared on the 
most frequented coasts, under instructions 
to seize every American vessel found fish - 
ing within the three-mile limit. The only 
possible escape for the fishermen from 
outrage and for the country from inter¬ 
national complications, appears to be the 
negotiation of a new treaty. “Let us 
have peace!” 
THE JAPAN CHESTNUT. 
When a paper endeavors to popularize 
a new plant of any kind, it runs a risk 
of depopularizing itself with many who 
purchase the new plant, if it fails with 
them. We run this risk when talking up 
the Japan Chestnut. Scores of inatten- 
ti ve readers see only the favorable common ts 
which appear, or are uninfluenced by the 
cautions which precede or follow. What 
we are striving to do is to aid iu adessem- 
ination of the best varieties of the Japan 
Chestnut known at present. We hww 
that there are several varieties in New 
York, Ohio and Connecticut, that bear 
nuts nearly as good in quality as the 
American; while they are probably three 
times larger. We know that some of 
these trees hear as early as four years 
from the seed; that the trees are compara¬ 
tively dwarf in stature and bushy in habit; 
that they will endure at least 20 degrees 
below zero unharmed. We also know of 
Japan Chestnuts that, have been injured 
by 10 degrees below zero; that bear nuts 
scarcely larger than the largest American, 
and usually but one in a burr. We also 
know of some that are eight years old, 
that have not yet fruited. 
How are our friends to get at these 
finest varieties? They cannot at present, 
so far as the R. N.-Y. is informed, except 
by chance, since they are not as yet offered 
for sale, though, no doubt, they will be iu 
a year or so. Meanwhile our friends can 
purchase such trees as are offered for sale 
and take their chances, or they can plant 
the nuts and raise their own seedlings. 
We propose to gather all the information 
we possibly can on this subject for the 
guidance of all. But we have already in¬ 
vestigated the subject far enough to be 
impressed with the belief that the intro¬ 
duction of the Japan Chestnut to all parts 
of the country, where it will thrive, 
will prove to be a good work, and we 
shall never shrink from having it known 
that the R. N.-Y. was the first journal to 
engage in it. 
■ ■ ■» > » 
THE BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 
The House Committee on Agriculture 
has unanimously reported in favor of a 
bill “to promote the export of live cattle” 
by increasing the powers of the Bureau of 
Animal Industry, and appropriating $250,- 
000 to pay for cattle killed in order to 
prevent the spread of infectious and con¬ 
tagious diseases. In spite of the charges 
of jobbery, incompetence, exaggeration 
and general unfitness made by some parties 
against officers of the Bureau, the bill is 
very likely to pass the House by a con¬ 
siderable majority, and is hardly likely 
to meet any serious opposition in the 
Senate. Some minor alterations wilt 
probably be made; hut doubtless the bill, 
substantially unchanged, will receive the 
President’s signature ultimately. Before 
any of the appropriation can be spent in 
any State, the plans and methods of the 
Commissioner of Agriculture, under whose 
direction the Bureau is to act, must he 
accepted by the. authorities, and the Gov¬ 
ernor must signify his willingness to act 
with the Commissioner. The sum to be 
paid for each slaughtered animal is limited 
to three-fourths of its value, and is not to 
exceed $150 per head for registered stock 
and $60 per head for all others. No 
compensation is to be paid for animals 
that contracted the disease in a foreign 
country, or for those who je owners have 
not taken reasonable care to prevent the 
spread of the disease. 
When the Bureau of Animal Industry 
was first established, three years ago, we 
protested against the inadequate legis¬ 
lation and the niggardly appropriation 
made for stamping out contagious dis¬ 
eases of live stocK through its action. Had 
its efforts not been hampered on this 
account, it is not unlikely that pleuro¬ 
pneumonia would have disappeared from 
among our herds, and that our cattle 
would by this time have obtained free 
admittance into the United Kingdom like 
those from Canada, At present, how¬ 
ever, 455 herds, containing 60,000 animals, 
are reported to be affected; and of these 
17,000 arc sick. The experience of all 
countries lias demonstrated that the dis¬ 
ease can be effectually suppressed only 
by killing all infected animals. Euro¬ 
pean countries have spent vast sums in 
maintaining quarantines and inspections 
without avail. The Iosr to American 
cattle-dealers by restrictions on importa¬ 
tions of live cattle to Europe is from $10 
to $15 per head. The capital at stake is 
$1,200,000,000, represented by 45,000,000 
cattle. We caunot afford to run any risk 
with so great an interest through fear of 
a trifling risk of mismanagement of the 
appropriation. 
POULTRY RAISI NG F OR PLEASURE. 
We should be grad if we could induce 
those of our lady readers who have never 
done so, to try raising poultry this Spring 
and Summer. Commence in a small way. 
A house eight feet square and seven high, 
with a slanting roof, will be about the 
right size for 10 hens and a rooster. A 
glass sash in front, three feet by seven, that 
can be raised when the weather is warm, 
will admit all the light and sunshine nec¬ 
essary during* cold weather. Three perches 
made of any kind of wood two inches in 
diameter, may extend diagonally from any 
two sides. These should be not over two 
feet high, and it is well that a little 
ladder with two rungs should rest against 
the first so that the fowls need never be 
obliged to jump from the roosts to the 
floor. The nests (two will be enough) 
may be nailed to the sides of the house 
just above the roosts, or they may be 
placed on the floor. The house should be 
raised a few inches above the ground, so 
that a free current of air may pass under¬ 
neath. The door should opeu towards 
the east or southeast. Such a building 
will cost about $8 complete. As an iri- 
elosure, nothing is better or cheaper than 
the wire netting now sold for about one 
cent a square foot, tacked below to a spruce 
base-board, and above to scantlings of 
suitable strength, with posts about, eight 
feet, apart. For a dozen hens, an in¬ 
closure of 20 feet square will lie ample, 
provided the hens be supplied with gravel, 
bone-meal or oyster or clam shells, and an 
abundance of green food. The earth 
should be spaded up every week or ten 
days, and grain food strewn among straw 
or hay so as to induce the hens to exer¬ 
cise. Change their food freely, provide 
fresh water as needed, kerosene the 
perches and sides of the building every 
fortnight, sift a little sulphur in the nests, 
change the straw iu them as often as it 
becomes soiled or dusty, never place more 
food before them than will be eaten up iu 
half an hour, and if the Rural may speak 
from its long experience in poultry rais¬ 
ing, the hens will supply what we may 
call a maximum number of eggs; they 
will be healthy and contented. Next to 
the cultivation of flowers, we know of no 
out-door occupation more likely to please, 
to interest and to instruct the lady folks 
of the family. The sooner we sot hens, 
the earlier they will begin to lay in the 
Fall, and we cannot now, therefore, begin 
too soon. If pure breeds be preferred, 
select Black Cochins, Langshans, Brahmas 
(Light or Dark), Wyandottes nr Plymouth 
Rocks. Such breeds as Leghorns, Ham- 
burghs, Games, etc., are not satisfactory 
as all-purpose fowls; neither do they 
thrive as well in confinement as the others. 
Our lady friends may be aided in making 
their selections of eggs by sending for 
the circulars of those who advertise them 
for sale. 
BREVITIES. 
Our Japan Chestnut has passed the Winter 
in safety. 
Grafting. —We aim to give a full, explicit 
and simple account of the whole subject. 
Rose-comb Leghorns, If we were about to 
try Leghorns, we should select the Rose-comb. 
The Pnmus Fissardii or Purple-leaved Plum 
does not, as yet. show signs of injury from the 
past Winter's severities. 
Our readers are still cautioned against buy¬ 
ing Nature's Incubator, manufactured by the 
Company of that name in Quincy Illinois. 
In reply to many inquiries as to where eggs 
of certain breeds of poultry can be bought, 
we would respectfully call attention to our ad¬ 
vertising columns. 
We have several accounts favorable to the 
Clydesdale Oats. We are preparing to sow 
four acres of them. Last, year they reminded 
us of the Welcome or White Austraian; but 
it seems they are not the same. 
Those of our readers who are anxiously 
waiting for more about sheep husbandry 
from the Western New York Farm, will be 
gratified next, week. A press of other mat¬ 
ter has kept out these Instructive articles of 
late. 
We learn from reliable sources that the 
Jewell Strawberry is thought to be the best 
strawberry for canning, because, first, it seems 
to retain its form and color perfectly, and, 
second, it holds the strawberry flavor better 
t han others. 
We know of nothing more airy, refined and 
graceful in the way of green foliage to min¬ 
gle with cut (lowers or for table decoration, 
than the Climbing Asparagus. It may be 
used in vases with fine effect, if only it receives 
plenty of water. 
Mr. P. J. Berckm ans, of Augusta, Ga., writes 
us: '*1 have two-year-old trees of the Japan 
Chestnut, and although transplanted last year, 
they produced fruit the same season, and this 
when only three feet high. 1 am favorably 
impressed with this fruit, but as the nuts were 
stolen before maturity, I am so far unable to 
say anything as to their quality.” 
An effort is being made in the Interest of 
pomologists to establish a Bureau of Pomol¬ 
ogy at Washington. The present Commis¬ 
sioner of Agriculture is in sympathy with the 
plan. If the proposed Rureuu could be 
established now, there is strong ground for 
belief that it would be started light. All 
persons interested in this matter are requested 
to write to their Congressmen, urging them to 
confer with the Commissioner of Agriculture 
and to support legislation and appropriation 
to this end. 
Professor C. V. Riley writes us that 
he has been suffering from over-work for 
some time back, otherwise he would have 
stated iu his recent article on Grape-vine 
Mildews, that it was published in advance 
from the Proceedings of the American Pomo- 
logical Society. Indeed, he sent to ns, with 
it, a statement that it was an elaboration of a 
shorter article written for the society. It was 
atffirsffsupposeditlmt the more extended orti 
cle could not be published in the Proceedings; 
but afterwards room.was made for it. 
