29o 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
April 11 
The Rural New-Yorker 
THE BUSINESS FARMER’S PAPER. 
A National Weekly Journal for Country and Suburban Homes, 
EBlablislied 1850. 
llKKBERT W. COLI.INGWOOl), Kditor. 
l)K. Walter Va.v Fleet, i . , . 
Mrs. K. T. Koylk, ^ABSociates. 
John J. J^illon, UunineBB ManaKcr. 
SUBSCRIPTION: ONE DOLLAR A YEAR. 
To foreign countrle.s In the Unlver.«?al Pontal Union, $2.04, 
equal to Ss. 6d., or 8*^ marks, or lOVi francs. 
“A SaUARE DEAL.” 
We believe th.at every advertisement In this paper Is 
backed by a responsible person. But to make doubly 
sure we will make good any loss to paid subscrlber.s 
sustained by trusting any deliberate swindler advertising 
In our columns, and any such swindler will be publlcLv 
expo.sed. We protect subscribers against rogues, but w’e 
do not guarantee to adjust trifling differences between 
subscribers and honest responsible advertisers. Neither 
will we be responsible for the debts of honest bankrupts 
sanctioned by the courts. Notice of the comjilaint must 
be sent to us within one month of the time of the trans¬ 
action, and you must have mentioned The Kurai, New- 
Yorker when writing the advertiser. 
Name and addre.ss of sender, and what the remittance 
Is for, should appear In every letter. 
Remittances may be made in money order, express 
order, personal check or bank draft. 
THP: rural NEW-YORKER, 
4U9 Pearl Street. New York. 
SATURDAY, APRII. 11, 1903. 
55 FOR A GOOD EYE. 
A Double-Flowered Vyhite Dandelion! 
ts there any such thing? A friend of The R. N.-Y. 
wants to find out, and he offers ?5 to the boy or girl 
wh’o, during the coming season, first discovers such 
a flower and sends it to The R. N.-Y. It will cer¬ 
tainly require a good eye to find it, but the hunt will 
he worth while. 
There are some fixed principles which underlie 
the use of chemical fertilizers. We feel sure that 
many so-called failures with them have resulted from 
a failure to interpret properly the results of experi¬ 
ments. For example, a writer on page 278 says that 
because plaster gave no apparent results he concluded 
that lime was not needed. Because wood ashes made 
a good showing he concludes that potash may be 
helpful, when the chances are that the lime in the 
ashes “did the business.” We feel quite sure that 
this method of estimating results is responsible for 
the discredit which some western farmers throw 
upon fertilizers. 
• 
Tuk proposed tax on mortgages has been aban¬ 
doned at Albany. The chief opposition came from 
the savings hanks and corporations which loan 
money on bonds. It was stated that the savings 
banks alone hold $500,000,000 worth of mortgages, 
many of which would be called In for readjustment 
In case the tax hill were passed. It was claimed that 
no matter how the tax was arranged it would, sooner 
or later, be thrown upon the borrower—especially in 
the case of farm property. The representatives of 
the banks made such a strong showing before the 
committee that the bill was abandoned although a 
<few days before the Legislature decided to pass it. 
• 
We are starting an investigation of the town mar¬ 
ket question. Are there public markets In your town 
or city? What is the charge for occupying a stall? 
Are any attempts made to compel farmers to take 
out a license? Are farmers left free to peddle their 
own goods from door to door? These are questions 
that call for discussion. You will see that we have 
begun it on page 291. We would like to hear from 
every good-sized market in the country. As a gen¬ 
eral proposition a farmer has a right to sell his own 
produce anywhere provided he does not block or dis¬ 
turb ordinary traffic. If he buy produce of another 
and sell it he becomes a dealer and may be made to 
pay for the privilege. 
We have been for some time collecting facts about 
the use of automobiles for work which would dis¬ 
place horses. There are several strong reasons why 
those who do business on the city streets would pre¬ 
fer to dispense with horses if they could, but very 
little real progress in this direction has yet been 
made. We see now and then trucks or delivery 
wagons moving about under steam or electric power, 
but it has also become a common thing to see them 
standing helpless in the street with men underneath 
with wrench and hammer trying to make them “go.” 
Usually the discarded horses must be brought out to 
haul the machine home for repairs. There is a feel¬ 
ing, however, that, in time, a large share of the heavy 
trucking will he done by these machines, thus actually 
displacing some heavy horses. The lighter and active 
horses do not seem in much danger. The large ex¬ 
press companies and department stores tell us that 
they much prefer horses, and that they are now 
obliged to pay more for them than for several years. 
To sum up, our information would indicate that the 
cry about “driving out the horse” comes from those 
who are Interested in the sale of autos, and those 
who know little about them. Our good friend the 
horse is still on four legs, and when well bred and 
trained will command a fair price, 
• 
Every Spring flower and vegetable seeds are sold 
upon the streets of New York by peddlers at one and 
two cents per package. The parcels are gorgeous 
with all the possibilities of printers’ ink, and seem to 
contain about the usual quantity. We recently saw 
a man getting a variety of this cheap stuff sufficient 
to plant a small dooryard. He was certainly taking 
the quickest way to write disappointment in big let¬ 
ters on his land and labor. The best seeds are none 
loo good, and prices charged by reputable seedsmen 
are not high enough to warrant experimenting with 
these bargains (?). 
Now there is to be a combination of duck raisers. 
This duck business has grown to great size of late 
years. Most duck men are obliged to buy all their 
grain, and a large share of the ducks are sold by 
commission men. The object of the organization is 
to try to secure cheaper grain and fairer treatment 
in the market. If such an organization can deal di¬ 
rect with the western grain growers and thus shave 
off a few of the handler’s profits they will benefit 
themselves and western farmers as well. This is 
clearly the thing for eastern grain buyers to do— 
combine and buy In large lots direct from western 
farmers. 
• 
The exportation of nearly 12,000,000 frozen rabbits 
from Australia to England in 1902 seems to furnish 
the solution of what was lately considered a serious 
problem—the extermination or control of the plague 
of European rabbits imported years before, which 
had become so numerous as to threaten the sheep In¬ 
dustry by devastating the pastures. So destructive 
did this pest become that the government offered a 
large reward for the invention of some practical way 
of exterminating the nuisances, or at least checking 
their ravages. Every means was tried, including 
wholesale poisonings and disease infections, but the 
rabbits still increased at an alarming rate, and the 
award was never made. Now comes the cold storage 
process, putting a value on the hitherto worthless 
animals and furnishing a new food supply for Euro¬ 
peans, which may have in time an appreciable effect 
on American beef exports. 
♦ 
On the next page will he found a reproduction of a 
sheriff’s hill of sale which will interest many readers. 
The American Farm Company, of Buffalo, has taken 
occasion to “point with pride” to its building at Lines- 
ville. Pa. The “success” of this enterprise has been 
one of their strongest arguments in urging the sale 
of stock. The sheriff ends this part of the drama. 
We also learn that J. W. Woodruff and C. H, Spauld¬ 
ing, of this company, brought suit against S. W. Low¬ 
ing, owner of the Linesville Herald. Mr. Lowing un¬ 
dertook to show that the people should not buy stock 
in the proposed building, and Woodruff and Spauld¬ 
ing sued him. The court’s record of these cases is: 
“Judgment of non pros on failure to file bond,” which 
means that the case was dismissed because the court 
required Woodruff and Spaulding to make a bond 
large enough to cover the court costs If they failed 
to make out their case against Mr, Lowing. 
« 
The New York State Senate Finance Committee 
gave a hearing on the bill which provides for the 
new agricultural college at Albany on March 31. 
Friends of the bill were hastily called together by 
telegram, so that all sections of the State were repre¬ 
sented. We were given 30 minutes in which to pre¬ 
sent our case. It was thought best to divide this 
time so that the chief points could be briefly stated. 
H. E. Cook, of the Dairymen’s Association, made a 
strong showing of the competition which faces New 
York farmers from western States which have been 
liberal in providing facilities for agricultural educa¬ 
tion. He also pointed out the difficulties in the New 
York farmers’ way and clearly indicated the need of 
scientific instruction. Mr. Coliingwood reminded the 
Senators of Gov. Odell’s statement and said that the 
farmers simply took the Governor at his word. This 
is the first time in the history of New York that all 
the farm organizations have united in support of one 
measure, man asked the appropriation as a gift, 
hut as an investment which would pay interest In 
money and men beyond any investment the State can 
make. T. B. Wilson, of the State Fruit Growers, 
made a plain, nusiness-ilke statement showing the 
need of the college and the sincere desire of the farm¬ 
ers for It. Prof. W. G. Johnson told how as a boy he 
was obliged to leave Ohio and come to New York for 
an agricultural education because his native State did 
not provide for what he needed. Since then western 
States have far surpassed New York in developing 
their agricultural colleges, so that the conditions are 
reversed, and the New York college cannot accommo¬ 
date those who desire to attend. Prof. L. H. Bailey 
clearly stated the needs of the college and answered 
numerous questions from members of the committee. 
The most significant thing about the hearing was a 
remark made by a leading member of the committee: 
“You need not waste time in saying that the farmers 
want this college. We know that—we have had let¬ 
ters enough from them to fill this room!” Every 
Senator had been plastered from head to foot with 
postage stamps, and this was what gained us the 
hearing and most respectful consideration. The mem¬ 
bers of the committee asked many questions, and 
seemed determined to get at the facts. We were all 
asked if farmers would object to paying their share m 
support of the college. This brought out the fact 
that in Iowa 1-5 mill tax on all property is given the 
agricultural college; in Michigan 1-10 mill tax, and 
in North Dakota 1-5 mill. The outlook for the bill is 
hopeful, but everything depends on the pressure that 
is brought to bear by the farmers. The politicians 
were frank to say that they were astonished at the 
strength which had been developed behind this bill. 
As is well known the “managers” at Albany have 
opposed every possible demand for appropriations, as 
it is a part of their plan to reduce or wipe out all 
State taxes. We were told early in the session that 
this bill would not be even sniffed at, since the poli¬ 
ticians had no finger in it and there was no “lobby” 
in its favor at Albany. Its friends simply went ahead 
urging farmers to vote with the postage stamp. The 
letters have come by the thousand, and have changed 
the whole aspect of affairs. If they can be kept up 
until the end of the session no power can stop the 
bill. The way in which this flood of letters has 
changed indifference and even ridicule into respectful 
attention and eager service is the greatest demonstra¬ 
tion of the possibilities of the postage stamp in poli¬ 
tics which New York has ever seen. Now, then, no mat¬ 
ter if you have already written your representatives 
and Gov. Odell —do it again! Mall the strongest letter 
you can write within an hour after you read this! 
Ijiek a stamp for the education of the fwrmert 
m 
BREVITIES. 
Good horses are good pronertv. 
Spring comes on springs this year. 
Pertinent questions are often considered impertinent. 
Teli. u 8 about experience with the dust spraying mix¬ 
tures. 
A HOQ that contracts rheumatism will expand It on a 
cement floor. 
Mr. Mapes makes hen-keeping an easy job. It may be 
after you learn how! 
Child’s play; some of our troubles compared with those 
which others bear In silence. 
To what extent Is the Grout antl-oleo bill responsible 
for the higher milk prices? 
A TENT of cheesecloth will head off the Rose-chafei — 
If one can afford to put it on. 
Mr. Smith says on page 285, that dishwater will Improve 
a pig In flesh and bristles. Why care for the bristles? 
They Indicate health. 
Those trained hogs which Prof. Smith mentions on page 
281, are useful members of society. So are any animals 
which grub out grubs for grub in this manner. 
Ip a milk trust is ever formed, it would appear quite 
legitimate to water the stock. It would also be easy to 
cow the stockholders and steer clear of trouble. 
When liquid air was suggested to take the place of Ice 
for cooling in creameries we said It would be little more 
than a “fad” for years. We were criticised for saying so, 
but events have justlfled the remark. 
ON a recent ocean trip the third-class passengers on (he 
steamer Campania consumed among other supplies six 
tons of potatoes and six barrels of apples. These pas¬ 
sengers are good candidates for membership in the Am¬ 
erican Apple Consumers’ League. 
THIS is what a well-known Jersey farmer writes: “If 
you will solve the hired help question as easy as you do 
some others I will see that you get a monument when 
your labors are done; provided I am left behind.” A good 
'monument Is useful in Its way, but this method of earn¬ 
ing one Is too hard for the average ciUzen. 
“We won’t do a thing to them hayseeds!” This forcible 
remark was made by a New York saloon keeper on the 
passage of the bill Increasing the cost of a liquor license. 
Rum-selling is to come high, and the saloon keepers 
promise to punish the “hayseeds” by boycotting New 
York cheese, cabbage and butter! Too bad about them! 
DURING the past Winter the New York State Depart¬ 
ment of Education sent men to various farmers’ Insti¬ 
tutes to speak ori rural schools. We heard some of these 
addresses, which were forcible, practical and to the 
point, emphasizing Just the matters which farmers should 
consider. This work ought to be extendfed until the pro¬ 
gramme of every Institute In a rural section shall contain 
a live address on this important topic. i 
