1903 
573 
MARKET NOTES 
SWEET CORN in large quantities is ar¬ 
riving from the nearby producing sections, 
selling anywhere from 50 cents to $1.25 per 
100. The latter is extreme, and is for the 
larger ears only. The South Jersey goes 
lower, as it has been getting in too late to 
strike the best of the market. 
novel egg TESTING.—Restaurant 
keepers in the Philippines, many of whom 
are Chinese, are reported to have the fol¬ 
lowing method of learning the age, or lack 
of it, and consequent palatability, of the 
eggs bought for their patrons. The egg 
buyer carries a small pail of water. Each 
egg is dropped into this. Those that sink 
are taken and the floaters rejected, the 
latter being wiped off and put in stock. 
This would appear a little rough on the 
buyer who does not carry a pail of water. 
butter.—T he usual Summer drop be¬ 
low the 20-cent mark has occurred. With 
thousands of peopie out of the city trade 
is sl^ck, and the somewhat Increased out- 
of-town business is not sufflcient to make 
up for the local shrinkage. There are com¬ 
plaints of hot weather defects in some good 
marks, and the proportion of strictly choice 
butter is lessened. All State dairy but the 
extra choice is very dull. As has been said 
before, practically none of the choicest 
Slate dairy ever reaches this market. The 
local reputation of most of those who can 
make this grade is such that their product 
is easily disposed of at home. Of course 
this does not refer to the “good” but “ex¬ 
tra” dairy butter. On many farms there 
are no facilities for making the latter. 
HORSE THIEVES have been active 
along the West Side river front recently, 
about 60 truck horses having been stolen 
during the last two months. Sometimes 
both wagon and horse are taken, and some¬ 
times the horse is unhitched. The stealing 
takes *place when the driver leaves the 
truck to go into the freight house on an 
errand that takes some little time. The 
thieves have all sorts of schemes. One of 
the gang may have a truck and horse. He 
drives close behind the rig that they have 
spotted, and, pretending that the latter is 
in his way, says to some small boy: “Lead 
up that horse a little, bub.” In the con¬ 
fusion of teams no one notices anything 
wrong. The rest of the gang are watch¬ 
ing. and at the right time one gets on the 
truck and drives away. If discovered, it 
is easy to make an excuse that they were 
getting the rig out of the way, or that the 
horse had started away alone and they 
had stopped him. One man who had a val¬ 
uable horse taken found the truck about 
20 blocks away. A few of these stolen 
horses have been found in the city and 
suburbs. One man had a horse offered to 
him at a very low price, $25 we believe. He 
thought that there must be something 
wrong, but reasoned that he might as well 
have the bargain as anyone. In a few days 
the owner chanced to pass that way. iden¬ 
tified the horse, and paid the buyer what 
he had given, and a fair bonus besides. 
FINANCIAL MARKETS—Recent de¬ 
clines in the selling price of some stocks, 
with consequent losses and failures, have 
attracted unusual attention to Wall Street 
operations. Within the past two or three 
years the number of small investors in 
stocks has largely increased. These peo¬ 
ple are scattered all over the country, and 
hence the stock market is more widely 
watched than formerly. The same law of 
supply and demand applies to stocks and 
potatoes, and in some respects the analogy 
between the markets for these two widely 
different articles of commerce is close 
enough to warrant comparison. When the 
potato prop is light and people want to 
buy, prices go up. When heavy, prices 
must go down unless large quantities are 
held to keep them off the market. In sea¬ 
sons when rot is prevalent people are 
afraid to buy many at a time. There is no 
“confidence.” It is generally admitted that 
the crop of securities for the last year or 
two has been too heavy. Excessive irri¬ 
gation of stocks is responsible for part of 
this. People have become suspicious of fic¬ 
titious values. Stocks that would natural¬ 
ly have reached a lower, and more nearly 
correct, level months ago have been kept 
up by the action of syndicates or individ¬ 
uals who were determined that the invest¬ 
ing public should take certain amounts of 
securities at considerably more than their 
actual value. The persistent refusal of the 
public to do this has caused them to 
change their plans and unload holdings for 
what they would bring, thus for a time up¬ 
setting things generally and forcing pi'ices 
lower than their real level, as measured 
by the earning power of the industries for 
which the securities stand. But not only 
have the watered or otherwise inflated 
stocks suffered. When pressed for ready 
money, holders may find it neces.sary to 
realize at once on their best properties, 
a-nd, as is the rule, with forced sales, par¬ 
ticularly in times of financial disturbance. 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
the selling is done at a sacrifice. Floaters 
of stocks have appeared to think that there 
could be no such thing as a surplus of se¬ 
curities, but they have learned differently, 
and this surplus has been still further aug¬ 
mented by the lack of public confidence in 
the enterprise or their officers. The actual 
earning power of an enterprise, as shown 
by its balance sheet, is with most people 
who are not professional financiers, the 
final argument for or against investing. 
Mere speculators may have other views, 
but the earning capacity is the final test of 
the endurance of any enterprise, and this 
try square or plummet is sure to be applied 
at some time. Out of the confusing and 
troublesome events of the past three weeks 
a more healthful financial condition is 
likely to arise. We do not believe that 
those who have holdings in well-founded 
and managed Industries need fear, though 
such stocks are bought and sold at less 
than might reasonably be considered their 
real value. In all probability such depres¬ 
sion is only temporary. w. w. h. 
AMERICAN GARDEN PLANTS IN 
PORTO RICO. 
Since Porto Rico has come into the pos¬ 
session of the United States and all tariff 
duties have been removed, increased in¬ 
terest has been manifested in the products 
and resources of this Island. Naturally 
those products which are native to the soil, 
such as sugar cane, coffee and tropical 
fruits, have first claimed the attention of 
the business men and promoters of the 
States, and on this subject the general 
public has had abundant opportunity to be 
informed. In regard to the plants and 
vegetables which are common to the ordi¬ 
nary farmer in the United States and not 
native to Porto Rican soil, as potatoes, 
peas, beans, radishes, corn, wheat, etc., 
little or no Information is attainable. The 
United States Agricultural Department has 
made several attempts 'to experiment with 
many of the articles mentioned, but has 
always reached the same conclusion; that 
no success could be attained until the 
Changa bugs had been exterminated or 
some means devised to protect the plants 
from their ravages. There can be no 
doubt that this animal-bug is a source of 
danger and annoyance to the plants, but 
it is also true that there are many plants 
which it either does not attack or else 
thrive in spite of it. As to the natural 
conditions for raising American plants and 
vegetables nothing more ideal could be 
looked for. As a rule the ground, which 
is a sand loam, contains all the properties 
advantageous for this purpose; with plenty 
of sunshine and rain in very desirable pro¬ 
portions, almost any kind of a plant or 
seed would in a very short time shoot 
forth its leaves, blossom and produce but 
for the Changa. This insect resembles both 
the mole and the cricket, its proper Span¬ 
ish name being Grillo-talpa or mole- 
cricket. Apparently blind, it flies about 
and burrows in the ground, digging its 
way until its path is intercepted by some 
root which it hungrily attacks. But after 
all it is very much the same in its destruc¬ 
tive power as the American Potato bug, 
the Cabbage butterfly, etc., and has been 
grossly exaggerated. 
It has been the pleasure of the writer to 
visit several gardens on the Island, but the 
one which showed most promise was lo¬ 
cated on an orange plantation of the Citrus 
Fruit Co., at Bayamon, about eight miles 
from San Juan. In this garden almost 
everything planted has been successfully 
raised. On November 1, 1902, a large tract 
was planted with peas, beans, beets, rad¬ 
ishes, cucumbers, peppers, watermelons, 
tomatoes and corn. Within 48 hours the 
peas and beans had sprouted, while the 
others shot forth their leaves In an incred¬ 
ibly short time. On November 20 a large 
mess of peas and beans had been gathered; 
then followed the radishes, peppers, cucum¬ 
bers, etc., in order. By December 14 it had 
been demonstrated that all of the above 
could be raised with success with the ex¬ 
ception of tomatoes and beets. The corn 
was over a foot high and very healthy, 
while the strawberries had Just been plant¬ 
ed and were showing much promise. When 
all of these vegetables had been planted 
the roots of each were enclosed in a mam- 
mee leaf in the form of a cornucopia and 
protected in this way were planted on the 
theory that as the Changa bug is blind 
and burrows it would expend its energy 
in attacking the mammee leaf, which re¬ 
sembles the leaf of the rubber plant, and 
thus spare the vegetable enclosed. The 
theory seems to work well In practice, and 
promises to be of incalculable benefit to 
the farmers of the island. Prom the many 
experiments which have been made it is a 
proven fact that American vegetables can 
be successfully raised in Porto Rico. We 
can go still further, and say that Porto 
Rico can produce all the garden vegetables 
needed to supply its home demand, but 
that the only vegetables that are valuable 
for shipment to the United States and for 
which there would be a suitable financial 
return are watermelons, cucumbers and 
peppers. h. e. s. 
San Juan, Porto Rico. 
The Call of the Wild, by Jack London, 
is one of the new books to be read, and re¬ 
membered, and talked over; not merely a 
memorable book of 1903, but of all time. It 
is the epic of a dog; it goes back to nature 
with the bark on; no golden age, but the 
primitive nature that knows no law save 
that of strength and courage. The men of 
the book are merely accessories—a part of 
the dog’s background; its hero is a dog, 
and all the happenings of the narrative are 
looked upon from the dog’s point of view. 
Nature books and animal books are often 
either laboriously instructive or obviously 
sentimental. The book under discussion is 
often cruel and savage, but Nature itself 
is cruel in the wilds of Alaska. Buck, the 
great dog who dominates the story, is 
taken from an easy luxuriant home to toil 
as a sledge dog in the White North. His 
strength, courage and intelligence make 
him a leader until, with the death of the 
only master he has loved, he yields to the 
promptings of his instincts and cuts adrift 
from man, to become the leader of the wolf 
pack. His adventures are many, and the 
reader is held by the fascination of the 
book until its end is reached. Previous 
Alaskan stories have given Jack London a 
prominent place among writers, but he has 
never before given us anything equal to 
this. The book is most artistically illus¬ 
trated by a new color process; published 
by the Macmillan Co., New York; price, 
$1.50. 
AT HALT MAST. 
Sometimes we are greeted in the 
morning by flags at half-mast for some 
prominent official who yesterday 
was apparently in perfect health. 
When we inquire the ailment by 
which he was stricken it is not un¬ 
common to be told "acute indiges¬ 
tion ” or "stomach trouble.” 
It is time people learned that la- 
digestion or any form of 
"stomach trouble” is not a 
thing to trifle with. The 
result may not be fatal, 
but there can be no 
condition of diseased 
stomach which does 
I not carry with it phys¬ 
ical loss and weakness. 
Dr. Pierce’s Golden 
Medical Discovery 
cures indigestion and 
other forms of disease 
affecting the stomacAi 
and its allied organs of 
digestion and nutrition. 
It enables the perfect diges¬ 
tion and assimilation of 
food. 
"Thanks to Dr. Pierce’s Golden 
Medical Discovery," writes Mr, 
Charles H, German, of Lchighton, 
Pa. " It is the only medicine that 
has done me any good. I tried every¬ 
thing I could think of to cure indiges¬ 
tion, and found I was only thro-mng 
away money. Then I heard of Doctor 
Pierce’s Golden Medical Discovery and tried a 
bottle of it, and to my joy found it was doing 
me good. I used six bottles of it, and am now 
oured. It is the 6esi medicine on earth.” 
This grand remedy does its work in 
a thorough manner; it gives the 
health that is all health ; the strength 
that is solid, substantial and lasting; 
not flabby fat, not false stimulus, but 
{ genuine, complete, renewed vitality and 
ife force. 
Accept no substitute for " Golden Med¬ 
ical Discovery.” There is nothing "juat 
as good” for diseases of the stomach, 
blood and lungs. 
Dr. Pierce’s Pleasant Pellets cure con¬ 
stipation and its consequences. 
BELLE CITY Feed 
and Ensilage Cutter 
With 
Blower 
Attach 
cut. 
Fan attached to knife wheel and blows feed or ensilage 
through any length pii>€with less power 
than any other blower. Full Uueof 
Tread aud 8weep Pow- 
ertiyKoot €utterf«vBuw 
Framea, Belle 
Thrcah- 
era 
etc. 
Rend for 
Catalogue. 
Silo and ensilage 
treatise sent free I f 
yon mention this paper. 
BELLE CITY MFC. CO., Racine. Wis. Box 
ROOFING 
Buy of us Direct and 
I Save Money. 
Best goods. Our price# 
J surprise. Write ns. 
S. E. McDonough & co. 
'Dept. C., Pittsburgh, Pa. 
You’ll Wever Regret 
buying The PAGE for your fall fencing. It lasts. 
PACK WOAHiN AVIRK FKNCE CO., Adrian, Mich. 
WE LEAD THE WORLD 
We are the largest manufac¬ 
turers of Grooved and Plain 
Tire Steel Farm Wagon 
Wheels in America. We 
guarantee our patent 
Grooved Tire Wheels to 
be the best made by anybody 
anywhere. Write us. 
HAVANA METAL WHEEL COr 
HAVANA, ILL. 
MILLS, 4H. 
P. cuts 2,000 feet per 
day—All Sizes—Plan, 
ers,Shingle M.i iIs and 
Edgers with Patent 
VariaDle Frio Hon 
Feod-PortableGrind- 
ing MiJls, Water 
Wheels, Lath Mills, 
etc. Send for large 
Catalogue. Freight 
don’t count. 
UeLOACH MILL MFG.CO. 
Box 000 Atlanta, Ua. 
114 Liberty St„ N. Y. 
'W/r'I I drilling 
W MACHINES 
Over 70 sizes and styles, for drilling either deep or 
shallow wells in any kind of soil or rock. Mounted 
on wheels or on sills. With engines or horse powers. 
Strong, simple and durable. Any mechanic can 
operate them easily. Send for catalog. 
WII.LIAMS BUDS., Tthaca, N. Y. 
MACHINERY 
Best and cheapest, 
Send for catalogue 
BOOMER & BOSCHERT 
, PRESS CO., 
118 WcHt Water St., 
SYRACUSE, N. Y. 
New York State Fair 
Syracuse, September 7 to 12, 1903. 
$60,000 in Premiums and Purses. 
It will be the Best and Largest Agricultural Exhibition ever given in the State. 
More cash offered than formerly. The number of classes in all departments have been 
increased. 
The New York State Commission for the St. Louis E.xposition will pay transportation 
charges to St. Louis, and return, on all Cattle, Sheep and Swine, owned in New York State, 
and awarded Fii-st Premium, at the New york State Fair, to be held at Syractise, the week 
beginning September 7th, 1903. 
Live Stock Exhibit 
pi'omises to be larger than ever. New classes have been added in the Cattle, and Swine 
Departments. Full classification for 
Poultry, Pigeons and Pet Stock 
The increased interest and cash offei’ed in this Department promise one of the Best 
Poultry Exhibits ever held in the States. 
The Implement Display 
Will exceed the unusual large exhibit of last year. A new dock and increased unload¬ 
ing facilities have been provided for the quick aud safe unloading of machinery. Special 
care will be given to locating the Machinery Exhibit in advantageous positions. 
The Domestic Department 
will interest the ladies. More classes than formerly have been added this .year to this 
department bringing it up to date. To appreciate the additious made, a copy of the prize 
list should be secured at once. 
Farm Produce 
will be one of the most interesting exhibits of the Fair. Owing to the large increase in 
classes added this year, an unusYial fine exhibit may be expected. Send for prize list and 
note the changes. 
Dairy Exhibit 
More money than ever will be offered in this department. Several new classes in Cheese 
have been added, insuring a larger exhibit than the fine one of last year. 
Fruit and Flowers 
will interest everybody, as an unusual fine display will be .seen this year. New classes 
have been added in this Department. 
Entries in the Live Stock Department close August 8th, in all other Departments, 
August 31st, except Machiuery, which closes on September 7th. Send for prize list. 
S. C. SHAVER, Secretary, Albany, N. Y. 
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