1890 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
9 
THE NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF AGRI¬ 
CULTURE AND THE FARMER. 
The Department of Agriculture was created in 1893, 
and was the outgrowth of the Dairy Commission, 
which was established in 1884 for the purpose of pro¬ 
tecting the pure dairy products 
of the State against adultera¬ 
tions and fraudulent imitations. 
In addition to carrying on the 
work of the Dairy Commission, 
the Department is charged with 
the further duty of executing all 
laws pertaining to agriculture; 
and under one head, all agricul¬ 
tural work carrying State appro¬ 
priations is now centralized. Its 
duties, necessarily, are very largely of a police char¬ 
acter. In addition to the execution of dairy laws, the 
Department is charged with the enforcement of the 
law against adulteration of vinegar, the prevention 
of disease among bees, of diseases of fruit trees, of 
insect pests and their eradication, and the enforce¬ 
ment of the law against the sale of hob veal. 
While over so large a territory as New York, with 
its many large cities and towns, it is difficult to pre¬ 
vent all violations of law, and while the work of in¬ 
spection has not always been done by the most com¬ 
petent men, yet the general enforcement of the dairy 
laws has been exceptionally good. For several years, 
our dairy interests have been severely prostrated. 
Oleomargarine manufacturers have been most persist¬ 
ent in defiance of our laws, and in attempts to force 
their wares upon our markets and, but for the con¬ 
stant defense the Department has put up against 
these and the adulterators of milk and cheese, farm¬ 
ers would have suffered still heavier losses in their 
dairy work, and consumers would have suffered 
equally with producers. A most vigorous arraign¬ 
ment should be made against the adulteration of all 
foods. The value of the products of New York farms 
has depreciated $100,000,000 in two decades, and adul¬ 
terations enter largely into this problem. 
A Broader Conception and Scope Required. 
—Important as is the enforcement of agricultural 
law, a broader comprehension of other vital needs is 
required for a State carrying such vast interests as 
does New York. The Department should be a strong 
and leading force in a higher development of the agri¬ 
culture of the State. It should make intelligent study 
along lines of possible development of new and more 
profitable industries. The study of the culture of 
sugar beets has been wise, and the protection of this 
new industry in which so many farmers are now hope¬ 
fully entering, becomes equally imperative. Other 
important fields are open to intelligent study and de¬ 
velopment. 
Horticultural Bureau.— New York, from its 
great markets, population, and vast wealth, has to 
meet, as no other State does, competition from the 
ends of the earth. We are overmatched in the pro¬ 
duction of cereals and coarser foods, but we have a 
large territory that is susceptible of extended develop¬ 
ment in productions of higher value. The Depart¬ 
ment could render invaluable service by establishing 
a bureau for the purposes of investigation and presen¬ 
tation of information and facts that would be of im¬ 
mense importance to the horticultural interests of the 
State. Our experiment stations are doing superior 
work, in scientific investigation for farmers and fruit 
growers, but the work of this Bureau should be more 
along lines of a commercial character. First, it should 
seek to establish organized and cooperative efforts in 
the State. While I am in fullest sympathy with every 
effort made to obtain the passage of helpful laws to 
protect our horticultural and agricultural interests, I 
must frankly say that the Department is incapable of 
enforcing some of them. We are threatened by an in¬ 
vasion of the San Jos6 scale, that will prove most in¬ 
jurious in its effect upon our foreign trade, while 
other insect pests are annually causing heavy losses, 
which are entirely uncontrolled for want of adequate 
funds, and a sufficient force of competent men in the 
right place. 
To make the work of the Department more effective 
in this direction, it needs the cooperation of the fruit 
growers and nurserymen of the State through such a 
bureau. A law that is not enforced becomes a dead 
letter, and is useless. The bob-veal law in many 
places is not at all enforced, dealers buying openly, 
farmers selling, and railroads carrying these veals, all 
in violation of the law. The closer the responsibility 
for the enforcement of law can be placed upon those 
most interested, the more effective its working will be. 
There would be value in county commissions 
created by the people most interested, in counties with 
large fruit-growing interests, these to cooperate with 
the Department in organized effort in every needed 
direction. The second important work of this bureau 
would be the study of markets, and the making known 
of new products in every form, in the markets of our 
own and of foreign countries. 
Immigration Bureau. —Never in the history of 
New York has land with its improvements reached as 
low value as at the present time, and it is because 
there are no buyers for it. It would come clearly 
within the function of this Department to make known 
to foreign buyers who are constantly coming to our 
shores, the advantage of locating in so desirable a 
State, close to the best markets in the world. Many 
of these thrifty immigrants with a little money, who 
go through to the West to become our strong com¬ 
petitors, could to advantage be introduced to our own 
cheap land. Boards of trade could well cooperate with 
the Department in this object. 
In thus centralizing all agricultural work, carrying 
State appropriations under one head, it becomes a 
part of the great political machinery of the State, 
and the Commissioner of Agriculture can rise but 
little above the position of a police commissioner. He 
can establish no permanent policy of internal de¬ 
velopment and improvement, for with the changing 
of administrations and the demands of partisan poli¬ 
tics, comes the breaking down of any clearly-defined 
policy, before it can be put into working operation. 
In no department would the thorough application of 
civil service be of greater value, and if farmers would 
give more study to this beneficent principle applied 
to their interests, together with the advantages that 
would be gained from better organization and greater 
cooperation of effort, the agriculture of the Empire 
State would begin to experience an evolution of im¬ 
provement such as can be reached in no other way. 
GKO. T. POWELL. 
AMONG THE MARKETMEN. 
WHAT I SEE AND HEAR. 
Winesap and Ben Davis Apples.— A Virginia 
reader inquires why we do not quote prices on these 
two varieties. We can’t quote prices on everything, 
hence select the leading kinds in market, and these 
two have not been very plentiful this year. Ben 
Davis will be more plentiful later, and will be quoted. 
This correspondent also deprecates our poor opinion 
of the Ben Davis apple. He says that, doubtless, 
quality varies in different localities, and that, in his 
orchard, the quality is good. It is comforting to 
know that it is good somewhere ; but the quality of 
this variety from most sections is poor, and this is 
generally recognized by dealers. But it is a fine- 
looking apple. 
X X t 
Sale of Turkey Feathers.—Several readers have 
inquired about the market for turkey feathers. Here 
are some points from a firm which uses large quanti¬ 
ties of the feathers : The quills from the third joint 
or tip end of the wing are called pointers, and should 
be kept separate. In packing, keep tail and wing 
feathers separate. Tie each kind in bundles by itself, 
and press the bundles in the boxes tightly. All 
feathers must be clean, sound and dry-picked. The 
wing quills which have full plumage on both sides of 
the quill, which come from the first and second joints 
of the wing next the body, are more valuable than, and 
should be kept separate from, the pointers. The tail 
feathers should be kept by themselves, and are the 
most valuable. The short tail and wing quills, if 
saved, should be kept separate from the long ones, as 
they depreciate their value if mixed with them. 
Prices here at present are about as follows: Prime 
tail quills, from 35 to 30 cents per pound ; mixed tail 
and wing quills, about 20 cents per pound; mixed 
wing, tail and pointer quills, about 12 or 15 cents per 
pound; short tail and wing quills about 7 to 8 cents 
per pound; pointers, about 4 cents per pound. The 
directions for shipping are to mark the correct weight 
and tare on the boxes, also the name of the shipper, 
and ship as “ turkey quills”. The prices named may 
vary from time to time, but are approximately correct. 
f. h. v. 
THE LATE SENATOR MORRILL. 
Justin Smith Morrill, United States Senator from 
Vermont, long known as the Father of the Senate, 
died in Washington, December 28, in the 89th year of 
his age He has served continuously in Congress for 
more than 40 years, the last 31 years in the Senate. 
With one exception, he was the only man in Congress 
whose term of service began before the Civil War. In 
point of age, he was the oldest member. Before 
entering Congress, he was engaged in mercantile and 
agricultural pursuits, and much of his work in Con¬ 
gress was directed toward securing legislation that 
would uplift and benefit those pursuits. Perhaps he 
will best be remembered as the author and advocate 
of the bill which secured to agricultural colleges such 
valuable concessions of public land as an aid in their 
work. 
He was opposed to the annexation of the Hawaiian 
Islands, and the acquisition of the Philippines. He 
was in full possession of his faculties, and as active as 
ever in the performance of his duties up to one week 
before his death. An attack of grip was complicated 
with pneumonia, and proved too much for him at his 
advanced age. His present term of office would have 
ended in 1903. Mrs. Morrill died during the past year. 
BUSINESS BITS. 
Our people like enameline for polishing stoves. It is easily ap¬ 
plied with a cloth, and produces a brilliant gloss with very little 
labor. One reason why it is favored is that it makes no dust and 
no odor. It seems to be for sale everywhere. 
“ Benefits op Drainage ” is a little book prepared by John H. 
Jackson, Albany, N. Y. It is based on an experience of 45 years 
in draining and manufacture of draining tiles. It will be sent 
on application, as it serves to advertise Mr. Jackson’s drain tile 
and tiling implements. 
The Falls of Niagara have been the scene of many a tragedy, 
but many marvelous escapes have occurred through courage, 
presence of mind or good fortune. Some of the most extraordi¬ 
nary of these are described by a well-known journalist in an ar¬ 
ticle which he has written for the next volume of The Youth's 
Companion. We send the Companion and The R. N -Y., both one 
year for 82 50. 
Cotton-seed meal is being adulterated by some concerns. In 
order to make a distinct brand, the American Cotton Oil Co. 
attached a red tag to every sack of their meal as a sort of trade 
mark, with a guaranteed analysis. This would make it easy for 
the trade to distinguish these goods. Some of the other houses 
have now adopted a red tag also. The object is evident. When 
you see the red tag, look to see whether the American Cotton Oil 
Co.’s name is printed on it, if you want to be sure of the grade 
and analysis. 
The farmers of Ohio have shown what a great convenience the 
telephone is. They have, also, demonstrated what can be done 
in the way of private companies in connecting farm houses. In¬ 
terest in the subject is growing, and it is not improbable that 
telephones in farm houses will be the rule instead of the excep¬ 
tion as now. The National Telephone Mfg. Co., 20 (R) Atlantic 
Avenue, Boston, Mass., makes a pony telephone that may interest 
those who would like a short service. 
For ourselves, we have always found it difficult to raise calves 
without milk. We used to try it on creamery whey, but as a rule, 
made a sad failure of it, though we succeeded in some cases in 
raising very creditable stock with ground oats, bran and linseed 
meal. A good many dairymen are now using Blatchford’s calf 
meal. This is prepared especially as a substitute for cow’s milk, 
just as many infants’ foods are prepared as a substitute for 
mother’s milk. There seems to be every good reason why this 
should be used successfully. In fact, we understand that it is 
being so used. It is made by J. W. Barwell, Waukegan, Ill., and 
we understand is for sale by flour and feed dealers quite gen 
erally. 
THOSE $2 DAILY PRIZES 
continue to go out every night, though agents have 
not taken hold of the work with any vigor yet. As 
usual, we get lots of small clubs, and those who send 
them come in all right on the daily prizes, but we 
want once more to remind club raisers, that these 
prizes go out to the largest 47 clubs February 1. 
First Prize, - - - - - $100 
Second Prize, ----- 75 
Third Prize, - 50 
Fourth Prize, ----- 30 
Fifth Prize, - - - - - 20 
Sixth Prize, - - - - - 15 
Seventh Prize, - - - - 10 
Next 10 Prizes, $5 each, - - - 50 
Next 10 Prizes, $3 each, - - 30 
Next 10 Prizes, $2 each, - 20 
Next 10 Prizes, $1 each, - - 10 
That $100 is worth working for ; usually club raisers 
wait until the last couple of weeks before they get 
right down to business. The time is short now. This 
month is the last of the contest. Get to work right 
away. A few days now and the start will help won¬ 
derfully towards the end. A day or two may make 
the difference of $25 to you in prizes. We will send 
samples and supplies if you want them. 
The Rural New-Yorker, New York. 
GEO. T. POWELL. 
