210 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
March 18 
The Rural New-Yorker 
THE BUSINESS FARMENS PAPER. 
A National Weekly Journal for Country and Suburban Homes. 
Established 1850. 
Elbert S. Carman, Editor-In-Chief. 
Herbert W. Collingwood, Managing Editor. 
Frank H. Vai.entine, ( A „ SOf , iatp vsitors 
Mrs. E. T. Royle, • {-Associate Editors. 
Joun J. Dillon, Business Manager. 
SUBSCRIPTION: ONE DOLLAR A YEAR. 
To foreign countries in the Universal Postal Union, $2.04, equal to 
8s 6d., or 8*4 marks, or 10>4 francs. 
ADVERTISING RATES. 
Thirty cents per agate line (14 lines to the inch). Yearly orders 
of 10 or more lines, and 1,000-line orders, 25 cents per iine. 
Reading Notices, ending with “Adv.," 75 cents per 
count line. Absolutely One Price Only. 
Advertisements inserted only for responsible and honorable houses 
We must have copy one week before the date of issue. 
Name and address of sender, and what the remittance is for, 
should appear in every letter. 
Remittances may be made in money order, postal order, express 
order, personal check or bank draft. 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
409 Pearl Street, New York. 
SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 1899 
The farmers of Connecticut have had the best of in¬ 
struction in the use of fertilizers. The Connecticut 
Station has led in its fertilizer investigations, and its 
discussions. After years of study and practice, one 
great fact has been rubbed brighter than ever. In 
buying chemicals or mixed goods, in spite of all the 
aids of science and law, the most important factor is 
still the character of the dealer or manufacturer. It 
is the man behind the bag who does the business. 
A Florida man is said to be making arrangements 
for a frost-proof farm. He has a low-lying tract of 
2C0 acres, originally under water, which will be re¬ 
claimed with ditches, a large canal, dam and locks. 
When a cold wave is advancing, the farm will be 
flooded, being put as far under waten as seems neces¬ 
sary. The ingenious originator of this scheme is 
confident that he can put any crop entirely out of 
danger in this way. The experience of some of our 
friends who were flooded last year, would not be en¬ 
tirely reassuring as to the success of this plan. 
It is said that the exportation of glazed kid from 
this country to all parts of the world, particularly to 
England and France, has assumed large proportions, 
and is constantly increasing. The imports of French 
kid into this country amounted to 815,000,000 annu¬ 
ally 15 years ago, while now very little is brought in, 
the American article having taken its place. It is 
also reported that the American article is used in 
France in preference to the home product. The raw 
material for these goods, however, is imported, the 
goatskins from which it is made being brought from 
South Africa, Australia and South America to the 
value of more than 850,000,000 every year. Why 
shouldn’t we raise some of these “kid” skins here? 
“ Born and Raised on the Farm !”—Whenever great 
events shake up the country’s affairs so that strong 
men are sifted out for great responsibilities, it is re¬ 
markable how much of this selected bone and blood 
traces back to the farm. Admirals Dewey, Schley 
and Sampson all came from the country. Admiral 
Sampson’s wife has recently said : 
Admiral Sampson was born on a farm, and lived on a farm 
until he went to the naval academy. He is greatly inclined to the 
feeling that everybody should have a few years of country life 
somewhere between 5 and 12 years of age, and that the care and 
control and training of animals is the best preparation for the 
care and control and training of human folk. 
There is a whole volume of truth in these few lines. 
We would add that not only is the farm a good place 
for a child, but also, a good place for a man to spend 
his maturer years. 
• • 
The Association of Boston Market Gardeners asks 
the Department of Agriculture to appropriate money 
for the purpose of extending our squash market. Our 
hard-shelled squashes cannot be grown in the British 
Isles, and as they will bear a long shipment, they 
could be exported in very satisfactory condition. As 
our British cousins are usually prejudiced against 
novel foods, and will buy only that which appeals to 
their tastes (a fact strongly realized by our dairymen), 
it is considered that a squash missionary, who will 
push the use of these vegetables, and instruct pros¬ 
pective buyers in toothsome modes of cooking them, 
would be a very sound investment of the 85,000 asked 
from the Department. One fact that would hinder 
the-sale of squashes in the British market is that 
their place is already occupied by the vegetable mar¬ 
row, a cucumber-shaped cousin of the squash. Al¬ 
though the hard- shelled squashes could be put in the 
market at a time when there would be no competition 
from vegetable marrows, the latter are so much 
milder in flavor that the contrast would be disad¬ 
vantageous to the squashes until a taste for the 
American vegetable was formed. The suggestion, 
however, that instruction be given in the cooking or 
preparation of any novel or little-known food, when 
introduced to a new market, is excellent, though we 
think the request that the Department of Agriculture 
spend money for such instruction establishes a bad 
precedent. 
Two farmers of our acquaintance died recently, each 
leaving an elderly widow, a grown-up family, and a 
mortgaged farm. In each case, the incumbrances are 
so heavy that there is not the slightest provision for 
the widow. The point which surprised us, is the fact 
that both farmers were famous for the big crops they 
took to market every season—corn, melons, Lima 
beans, and other truck. They were frugal and in¬ 
dustrious, and the only presumption is that they lost 
money on some of their crops, year after year, with¬ 
out ever realizing exactly where the leak was. We 
know that the more progressive farmers do keep 
account of gains and losses, but there are many who 
are only thankful that they come out even at the end 
of the year, without pausing to consider which of 
their crops may lower the average of returns. It is 
just as necessary to keep strict accounts with a crop 
of potatoes as with a machine shop. 
When a man says a word against the Ben Davis 
apple, he must expect to be under fire. Those western 
men who are in partnership with B n are jealous of 
his reputation. Here is one of them : 
In The R. N.-Y. of March 4, you ask “ How has Ben Davis 
stood the freeze ? ” Benjamin is all right, and in the enjoyment 
of his usual robust health. His brother Jonathan suffered slightly 
from the cold snap of February 12, but Ben Davis came through 
with colors flying, and is as sound and hearty, as full of snap and 
sap as one could wish. You can’t down Ben Davis. Neither the 
icy breath of old Boreas who lives in the Northland, nor the foul 
breath of old “ Bore-us” who lives in York State, has any effect 
on him. He marches serenely forward in the estimation of 
apple growers in the West, and apple eaters in the East, and 
will be in evidence in your markets next Fall as usual. Long 
live Ben Davis ! w. d. c. 
Edwardsville, Kan. 
Ben Davis certainly seems to have the floor, and he 
is a hard citizen to down. However, unless he con¬ 
tains more sap than he usually does after he reaches 
New York, he cannot touch his Uncle Baldwin’s trade. 
Workers in two ends of the country depend largely 
upon the cotton crop for their living—the Gulf States 
where the cotton is grown, and New England where 
it is manufactured. The low price for raw cotton has 
practically driven the farmers on the lighter lands of 
the South out of its culture. Only the farmers on the 
naturally rich bottom lands can grow five-cent cotton 
at a profit. The low price of cotton cloth a few years 
since, compelled the New England manufacturers to 
make a 10 per cent cut in wages, which meant a loss 
of market for thousands of farmers. Massachusetts 
sent a legislative committee all through the South to 
study the problem of southern competition in cotton 
manufacturing. Now the New England manufac¬ 
turers are beginning to restore the old rate of wages, 
as there is an increase in the demand for cotton cloth. 
New England is not greatly alarmed at the prospect 
of new southern cotton mills, but while the cotton 
manufacturer is hopeful, the cotton grower has little 
to look forward to. This is particularly true of the 
small grower on poor land. He fights hard for his 
place, but he is being crowded out slowly but surely in 
the great readjustment of agriculture. 
Is there one standard of business sagacity and prob¬ 
ity for official and another for private life ? This 
question is suggested by many of the acts of the late 
Congress. In private business, extra expenses gener¬ 
ally lead to closer economies and greater watchful¬ 
ness over expenditures. The events of the last year 
have involved the country in extraordinary expendi¬ 
tures for which the people must pay. They had a 
right to expect that their representatives—their ser¬ 
vants—would practice the'closest economy. In face 
of this, the record of expenditures was never before 
so heavy. The figures given under Events of the Week 
show that, outside the expenses of the late war with 
Spain, the appropriations exceeded those of the famous 
—or infamous — “ Billion-Dollar Congress”, whose 
recklessness received an overwhelming rebuke at the 
hands of the people. Another shameless expenditure 
is that involved in the funeral obsequies of deceased 
members of Congress. When a member dies at his 
post, it is customary to send a committee of his as¬ 
sociates to accompany his remains to his former home. 
N o right-minded man would object to a proper observ¬ 
ance of this expression of regard. The sentiment is 
all right, but the trouble is in its performance. For 
instance, a few weeks ago, Representative Dingley 
died in Washington. The usual custom was observed. 
The details of expenditure are just coming to light. 
Some of them are enough to make that honored Son 
of Maine turn in his grave. They certainly are enough 
to make the living blush for shame. The total ex¬ 
pense was about 84,500. Representative Milliken, of 
the same State, was buried less than two years ago, 
for just one-fourth that amount. In his lifetime, Mr. 
Dingley was a teetotaler, a prominent worker in the 
temperance cause, and an office holder in temperance 
organizations. His whole life was a protest against 
intemperance. Out of respect for his well-known 
principles, orders were issued that the liquors which 
have usually accompanied these junketing trips should 
be excluded. But it is said that vouchers for the pay¬ 
ment for whisky and champagne, purchased by order 
of a “prominent statesman”, are now on file in the 
clerk’s office at Washington. The highest-priced 
cigars, also, are included, as well as many other 
luxuries. Isn’t it time for a reform? Shouldn’t any 
“prominent statesman” who would even counten¬ 
ance, not to say participate in, any such shamtful 
doings, be forever disgraced in the eyes of all decent 
men ? 
BREVITIES. 
The first John found a wilderness—the Indian and bear, 
With centuries of pedigree, in full possession there. 
He paid the Red man for his land—the bear was glad to go 
When, on the sturdy forest trees, the ax fell, blow on blow. 
He fought the forest from the hills, he cleared and fenced the farm, 
A sturdy, honest pioneer, he wrought no human harm. 
The second John pulled up the stumps, and picked up all the 
stones, 
He built them into winding walls, with aching Unger bones. 
He also fought the forest back, yet still it downward crept; 
It reached the outward pasture wall before the old man slept. 
Then John the third took up the fight, with no ancestral pluck. 
His bones were full of aches and pains—he called it “ just my 
luck ! ” 
When down across the pasture spread the little oaks and firs, 
A maple here, a White birch there—the forest’s skirmishers. 
The trees jumped o’er his father’s wall, and powerless to save 
His acres from their greedy clutch, he sank into his grave. 
Then John the fourth, a lazy chap, sat down and reasoned thus, 
“ Why should we fight the forest when it’s sure to conquer us ? 
It only claims its own again—I’ll let the forest be, 
I have no fight with destiny—I’ll simply pick my tree.” 
And so, he planted apple trees—his orchards grew in pride, 
The forest grew up to his fruit, and then stopped—satisfied. 
John did less work than all his race—and yet his head was long; 
His hills went back beneath the trees—that’s just where they 
belong! 
Sorrel is usually the flag of a sour soil. 
Alfalfa is to have a “ boom ” in the East. 
The hen-pecked husband is the family cowed. 
The power of the average attorney is his pow wow. 
Ideas with a large I are likely to change to Oh dears! 
“I have an affection of the I,” said the large-headed man. 
Which do you prefer in the hired man—a thick or a thin skin ? 
Who thinks tomato plants are improved by transplanting ? 
Why? 
The robber hen keeps all her eggs in one basket—her bread 
basket. 
Dishorn your frozen peach trees, says L. A. Goodman, of 
Missouri. 
Reports are that the Canadian peach buds are mostly in good 
condition. 
How we do like to ask others to perform the public duties we 
ought to do ourselves. 
Yes, my son, the milk veins in front of the udder are good milk 
vanes, and without them milk hopes are vain. 
It’s good when a man can travel all over the country and come 
back to call his own section “ God’s country ”. 
Northern fruit growers seem to agree that the San Jose scale 
does not spread as rapidly as they thought it would. 
The fungi play havoc with the weakest plants. The character 
that fights and struggles into strength is likely to be immune. 
They may be so slow in Connecticut that they use oxen for 
working the hill farms, but there are $163,482,498 in the savings 
banks of that State. 
Secretary Long has made short work of liquor drinking in the 
navy, by prohibiting its sale to marines and sailors on receiving 
ships or at naval stations. 
A good many readers have started some rhubarb in a dark 
cellar. The only trouble was that they could not start early 
enough—before the roots were frozen in. 
Mr. J. S. Woodward says that he found Baldwin apple trees 
split to the heart by the recent cold. Most of the Michigan peach 
c-op has gone—many of the trees with it. 
There is quite a demand for northern-grown cow-pea seed. 
Somebody can make some money by growing the crop on poor 
soil, picking off the beans, and using the vines for fertilizer. 
When the postage on letters was reduced from three to two 
cents, did the Government lose revenue ? Not a bit of it, for more 
letters were sent. It would be much the same with free rural 
mail delivery. 
The Wisconsin legislature has introduced a bill to allow a 
road-tax rebate of $1 to every farmer who shall display a sign 
with his name on it on some part of his farm where it may be 
read by passers-by. 
A California friend claims that honey is a sure cure for the 
grip. As soon as you feel sick, take a tablespoonful of honey in 
hot water, and keep it up three times a day. Take a little honey 
when you feel like coughing. That is a simple medicine, and 
there is no alcohol in it. 
