1899 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
4o3 
HOPE FARM NOTES. 
A New Horse.—We putin too much machinery 
for our engine this year. Tha is, we blocked out 
too much work for the horses. Major is too old 
to keep his end up all day. So, after much ex¬ 
amining and talking, we found a horse that 
suited, though the price was pretty high. In our 
country, good horses are worth money. Dan is a 
dark bay, well built and stocky. He comes from 
Iowa—one of a good class of citizens th&t are 
moving from West to East. Dan is a little over 
six years old, and he makes a fair mate to Frank, 
though somewhat lighter. There is good blood 
in him somewhere. He isn’t dull and stupid 
like some of these sluggish Percherons, but his 
eye is bright and clear, and his ears are up and 
moving about at every sound. The dealer offered 
us $25for old Major. I think the old fellow heard 
it, for he came home and made quite a brace in 
his work, as if to show that there is more value 
than that in him. We keep the three horses on 
the move every bright day. Take two horses on 
the double cultivator, and the other horse work¬ 
ing across the rows with the weeder, and the 
potatoes are left in fine shape. 
Horse Habits.—Dan, the new horse, is about 
as green as can be. When he came, he didn’t 
know how to eat ground feed. He had never had 
but one set of shoes on, and when he tried to 
plow, he walked all over the furrow. He is quick 
to learn, and before long, he will understand his 
business. Frank was just the same. He may 
have had “ horse sense ” when we got him, but 
it wasn’t anywhere in sight. Now he knows 
what is expected of him. Dan will learn in the 
same way. He will know what he is taught. It’s 
the same wita men. I met a man from Europe 
not long ago wno ranked well in his own coun¬ 
try as an educated man. He has been in this 
country eight years, and cannot make his educa¬ 
tion useful, because he has learned the wrong 
kind of English. His associates have been people 
who use slang and bad grammar, and that is all 
he has picked up of the language. Thus he is 
barred out, and cannot get a good job. It will 
be the same with Dan unless we handle him 
right. He has the strength and endurance; he 
will take his habits from those who handle him. 
Thus it is that our habits keep on living in our 
children—or horses or dogs! 
The Potato Crop.—Our early potatoes are 
booming. There is nearly a perfect stand, and 
the plants are mostly strong and thrifty. We 
are using the weider freely, first along the rows, 
and then across. We have planted a number of 
rows in the young raspberries where it is not 
possible to use tne weeder. Kight across the 
lane is a field where the weeder was used alorg 
the rows just as the plants broke ground. What 
a contrast! The weeder scratched out 80 per cent 
of the weeds in the row. On the other side, where 
only the cultivator was used, the row is a perfect 
nest of weeds, which must all be hoed out by 
hand I have never seen a better object lesson of 
the value of the early use of the weeder. The seed 
pieces were ail dropped 18 inches apart in the 
drill. We like this muen better than crowding 
them closer. We have found but few Potato 
beetles yet, but these few may give us gray hairs 
before the potatoes are ripe. 
Seasonable Notes.—On looking up the dates, 
I find that we planted sweet corn earlier this 
year than last. * * * Our potatoes were planted 
earlier last year, but they are up to the record in 
growth now. This season seemed very cold and 
backward, but the middle of May finds it well 
advanced. * * * A strange thing about the 
Crimson clover this year is that it is blooming 
earlier than usual. Last year it was about at 
its best on Decoration Day. This year most of it 
will be 10 days earlier. We are plowing one field 
under for late potatoes—the rest will go into full 
bloom as an advertisement for the farm. * * * 
The strawberries are making a good growth, but 
most of our growers expect low prices again. 
My experience with currants would keep me 
from ever setting out another bush for market. 
Blackberries pay much better. A good many 
people seem to have concluded that they are sour 
enough anyway—without eating currants. 
Child Labor,—The Graft heard us speak of 
hiring a boy to hoe some weedy strawbe; ries. He 
got out the smallest hoe, and started at the job 
himself. He says he wants that money kept in 
the family rather than to pay it to an outside 
boy. That Graft has taken a great notion lately 
to earn money. The Madame pays him one cent 
a day for keeping the pitchers all filled with 
water, and one cent a day for going for the mail. 
When he forgets his water job, he forfeits a cent, 
and when he takes too long for the mail, he for¬ 
feits another. Fust he knew he was several 
cents in debt. He sat down in the barn door and 
thought it over, and now he is getting a little 
ahead. The Bud wanted to work, too, but the 
boys were afraid she couldn’t tell a weed from a 
strawberry. She had a tearful time when I asked 
the children at night how much they had earned. 
The Scion was glad to be told that he couldn’t 
tell a strawberry plant, until he saw the Graft 
receive his pay. Then he was very eloquent in 
asking for a job 1 
Use of Money.—The Graft will work hard in 
the hot sun to earn five cents, and he doesn’t care 
to spend his money. 
“ What are you going to do with it?” 
I have an idea that a fair and honest answer 
to that question will tell more about a person’s 
character than anything else he can say. As 
the world is now made up, money savings repre¬ 
sent the very condensed extract of a man’s work¬ 
ing life. What will he do with it ? What is his 
object in slaving for it? 
The Graft thought the question over for some 
time. He likes candy, he wants a knife, and has 
dreams of a bicycle some day. Yet here is his 
answer. 
“ I’ll give half of it to ‘The Old Ladies Home’, 
and save the other half to buy things for you 
when you get too old to work 1 ” 
“The Old Ladies’ Home” is one of the Madame’s 
hobbies. Perhaps the little Graft has read my 
thoughts sometimes as I sit half questioning 
what is to follow when old Father Time taps 
with his warning finger and says that your hand 
and brain and back must be satisfied with a 
smaller salary 1 I am told that a smoker can sit 
and puff such thoughts away. I don’t smoke, 
and they stick to me. 
Poor little Graft 1 He is coming to a time when 
his ideals about money will be badly pounded up 
in a struggle with his own desires. He won’t be 
any stronger than the rest of us, perhaps, yet 
he’s starting right. There is a bond of fellow¬ 
ship between this little waif and the unfortunate 
little Scion, that is very touching. If I am not 
mistaken, these boys wi,ll grow up to think more 
of each other than most brothers do. The chances 
are, too, that they will think as kindly of the 
Madame and me as most sons do of their parents. 
“ I may be wrong,” as one of our neighbors 
says, when all the time we know he doesn’t think 
such a thing is possible. h w. c 
BULLETINS BOILED DOWN. 
Arizona Sugar Beets.— The climate and soil of 
Ar.zona seem to be well suited to the growing of 
sugar beets. Analyses of the beets show good 
results, and there are many other factors in favor 
of this crop, which are discussed in Bulletin No. 
30 of the Arizona Station (Tucson). One point, 
however, is a new one in the discussion of this 
business. It is said that a factory consuming 
250 tons of beets a day will turn out from 7,000,000 
to 10,000,000 pounds of refined sugar during the 
season. During the year ending June 30, 1897, 
1,572 tons of sugar were shipped into Arizona; in¬ 
cluding all smaller lots, it is probable that the 
year’s consumption of sugar in the territory is 
not over 50,000,000 pounds. One factory, there¬ 
fore, would more than supply the entire home 
consumption, and the remainder would have to 
be sent out of the State to compete with other 
sugar; in other words, Arizona is without the 
advantage of a large home market for sugar. 
Awnless Brome Grass.—The R. N.-Y. has had 
a good deal to say about the use of Bromus in- 
ermis or Awnless Brome grass. This grass did 
well on the Rural Grounds, but seems to be best 
suited to the western plains. It was tried at the 
North Dakota Station (Fargo), and Bulletin No. 
40 states that it makes hay fully equal toTimothy. 
After three or four crops of hay, the sod thickens 
up too much to make a good growth of stem 
This, however, makes an excellent pasture 
Cattle are very fond of the grass, and will leave 
a pasture of native grass whenever it is possible 
to reach the Brome grass. In one 40-acre pasture 
of Timothy and clover, there were two acres of 
the Brome grass, and the milch cows went to the 
two acres and kept them closely cropped. The 
seed is very light, weighing only 14 pounds to the 
bushel. It is best to use 25 pounds of seed per 
acre. The common plan is to seed broadcast by 
hand, and harrow in with a spike harrow. No 
nurse crop should be used with it. Some persons 
have been afraid that this Brome grass would 
spread over the farm when once introduced. It 
has been found in the West quite easy to kill out 
the sod by plowing in the Fall. Timothy is the 
popular grass at the East, but in Dakota, the 
Brome grass seems to be far superior, and it 
will, probably, be very largely sown whenever 
the seed becomes cheaper. 
How to Grow Chrysanthemums —A condensed 
manual of Chrysanthemum culture, adapted to 
American conditions, is a book for which we 
have received many inquiries. This want is now 
filled by a paper-bound volume issued, under the 
above title, by American Gardening. It contains 
73 pages and, in a calendar of operations, details 
work among Chrysanthemums month by month. 
Work among the plants indoors and out, fertiliz¬ 
ers, diseases, general culture and choice of varie¬ 
ties, are all touched upon. A number of illustra¬ 
tions are given. Those who have felt the need 
of a more recent guide in Chrysanthemum grow¬ 
ing will find this book of distinct value. It may 
be obtained from this office; price 25 cents. 
Louisiana Agriculture.— Bulletin No. 2, of the 
Louisiana Farme-s’Institutes, is an interesting 
volume, issued by the Board of Agriculture and 
Emigration It gives a little history of the farm¬ 
ers’ institutes and copies of the addresses deliv¬ 
ered during 1898. It appears that 37 institutes 
were held, most of them during June, July and 
August There was a total of 101 sessions. The av¬ 
erage attendance was 630, making a total attend¬ 
ance of 17,663. It is said that the speakers were 
professors from the State University, the State 
Normal School, experts from the Experiment Sta¬ 
tion, practical farmers, and “ public-spirited 
gentlemen, whose interest in the work prompted 
them to enlist their valuable services.” One 
special feature was the demonstration given by 
a Georgia farmer. This man showed in the field 
how to ditch hillsides. He brought homemade 
implements into the field, and described his 
methods. 
In Louisiana, the social feature of the institute 
is made very prominent. In some places, an old- 
fashioned barbecue was prepared, and during 
the noon recess, farmers and their friends gath¬ 
ered under the trees for a picnic dinner. The 
papers and discussions printed in this volume 
are interesting and practical. Some of the sub 
jecls would be new to many of our northern 
readers. We notice that one man, in asking a 
question about a disease of tomatoes, said, “ The 
leaves just curl up, and have a sort of a gi’en- 
out look.” This certainly describes the appear¬ 
ance of a sick plant exactly. The potato crop 
seems to be a promising one for Louisiana gar 
deners. One man said that he had raised pota¬ 
toes in the State of Iowa, and after keeping them 
through a long Winter, hauled them over two 
miles of the worst road he ever traveled, and sold 
them for 25 cents a bushel. In Louisiana, he could 
get an average of 90 cents a bushel when dug the 
latter part of April or the first of May. It was 
stated that it has seemed almost impossible to 
grow asparagus in Louisiana, with success. Cel 
ery grows fairly well, but asparagus does not 
succeed, and it would seem as though there 
might be a market in the South for the northern 
crop. 
Tomatoes, Cabbage and Onions— This is the 
title of Bulletin No. 56 from tie Arkansas Expert 
ment Station (Faye.teville). Experiments in 
growing tomatoes for early market were con¬ 
ducted for the purpose of determining whether 
or not a large yield of tomatoes of good quality 
and size could be ripened extra early. The seed 
of 10 varieties was so *n January 1, under glass. 
Ten different varieties were used, in six separate 
plots subjected to different methods of treatment. 
All were set in th'e fleli March 30. The average 
of the different varieties Included in each of the 
six plots indicates th ,t the productiveness, size 
and earliness of the frrR are proportionate with 
the vigor of the young plants, and that the vigor 
of the plants is controlled by their early treat¬ 
ment. The average yield per acre was 340.49 
bushels, and the highest yield 500 94 bushels 
Tests were also made with thinning tomatoes to 
increase the s'ze of fruit. The plants were 
treated exactly alike in all respects except that 
the number of fruits was restricted in one lot, 
and was not in the other. Results were decidedly 
in favor of thinning, although the total weight 
of fruits on the unthinned plots slightly exceeded 
that on the thinned. The results of a series of 
tests with onions, extending over five years, are 
given, also of level vs ridge culture with cab¬ 
bage and deep vs shallow setting of cabbage. 
Results in all these tests are tabulated so that 
they are in convenient form for reference. 
Proceedings op tiie American Poultry Asso¬ 
ciation, at the meeting held at Toronto. Canada, 
in January last, make a pamphlet of 104 pages, 
which should prove interesting to breeders of 
purebred fowls. Theodore Sternberg, secretary- 
treasurer, El.sworth, Kan. 
DIETZ BUCKEYE i 
DASH LAMP 
r J'HIS is a most desirable combination 
Lantern, either to carry around in 
your hand or on your carriage when 
driving for which lat¬ 
ter use convenient 
holders are supplied. 
It has a bright tin 
reflector, which is kept 
steadily busy distribu¬ 
ting the flood of light 
furnished; has a 
handy device for oper¬ 
ating globe (to light 
and him), which also 
locks both globe and 
burner where they be¬ 
long. It has a bull's- 
eye lens on the per¬ 
forated plate utterly 
distinct from globe, 
making it vastly su¬ 
perior to the ordinary bull's-eye globe ; also, 
a spring to slip over carriage dash. 
Our line of Lanterns and Lamps is very 
extensive, a Catalogue of which we mail 
free upon application. 
R.E. Dietz Company 
87 Laight Street 
Established in rS.fo NEW YORK 
I 
4,000 Pounds 
is the guaranteed capacity of this wagon. 
It is equipped with 
. ELECTRIC STEEL WHEELS 
with stagger oval spokes, broad tires, etc. 
it has angle steel hounds front and 
rear. It’s low down and easy to load. 
One man can load it; saves'an extra 
hand in hauling corn fodder, etc. A 
pair of these wheels will make a 
new wagon out of your old one. 
Send for free catalogue and prices. 
Elecric Wheel Co. Box 88, Quincy, III. 
FRAZER 
BEST IN THE WORLD. 
Its wearing qualities are unsurpassed, actually 
outlasting three boxes of any other brand. Not 
affected by heat. <iW~ GET THE GENUINE. 
FOR SALK BY DHALKUS GENERALLY. 
Farm Wagon for only #19.95. 
In order to introduce their Low Metal WheelB 
with Wide Tires, the Empire Manufacturing 
Company, Quincy, Ill., have placed upon the 
market a Farmer’s Handy Wagon, sold at the 
low price of $19.95. The wagon Is only 25 inches 
nigh, fitted with 24 and 30-lnch wheels with 4-inch 
tire. 
This wagon is made of best material throughout, 
and really costs but a trifle more than a Bet of 
new wheels and fully guaranteed for one year. 
Catalogue giving a full description will be mailed 
upon application by the Empire Manufacturing 
Company, Quincy, Ill., who also will furnish 
metal wheels at low prices made any size and 
width of tire to fit any axle. 
L ARGEST manu¬ 
facturers of the 
best steel wheels 
for farm wagons in 
America. Any size, 
straight and staggard 
spokes, any width tire. 
The head of 
spoke in the 
groove can't 
wear off. 
Make best 
Handy Steel Wagons. 
All steel, and wood. 
Four different kind*. 
SEND FOR OATALOQUE 
Havana Metal Wheel Co. 
Havana, III. 
4 Buggy Wheels, with tire on, #5.80 
With Axles and Boxes set, #8.20 
I make all sizes and grades. Carriage anil 
Wagon Hardware every description. Cat. 
free. W. W. Boob, Center Hall, Dept.K,l’a. 
AN U^TOTIMES .- DAIRYWAG0N 
SOLD DIRECT TO 
DAIRYMEN. 
IF INTERESTED IN 
A DAIRY WAGON.writl 
[KFHAT lONAirWAfiON CO. CHILLICOTHE .0 
fr4K.r*O FOR THIS $80.00 
TOP BUCCY. Wheels and Gear 
made of second growth a»r seasoned 
hickory, tough as whale-bone, 
double reach, iron full length, Im¬ 
proved 5th wheel, with King Bolt 
in rear of axle, will never break. 
Spring#, highestgrade oil temper¬ 
ed steel. Forging# all made of 
Norway iron. Trimming# all wool 10 oz. imported English 
broadcloth, finest produced Spring# in back and seat cushion. 
Seat ends padded. Painted under the 100 day system. All parts 
first dipped in hot oil and allowed to stand until perfectly dry, giv¬ 
ing foundation for paint. Kent Oil, Lead «!• Varnlnh used. 
NO NflNFY ^ c "*** *hlp this elegant Top Buggy or 
!= V —*. any Phaeton, Surrey, Trap, Wagons, Carts, or 
Harness shown in our l*’4-page catalogue #ubject to examina¬ 
tion. if not found satisfactory, return It at our expenwe. 
r HD riVC VCADQ Wewill give with each one of our 
Uifi ri *F. I E A R O Special $48.50 Baggie# a 5 
years binding guarantee. We have no agent#, we deal on a 
strictly cash basis, have no losses, therefore, in buying of us you do 
not pay any agent’s profit, or any one elses bad bills, because we 
never have any. Send for our FREE !(»4-page catalogue. 
Marvin Smith Co. 16 B-D, 55-57-59 N. Jefferson St. Chicago. 
No. B14—Extension-Top Two-spring Carriage. 
Is complete with lamps, fentlers, side curtains, storm 
aprou and pole or shafts. Price, $t>3. Guaranteed an 
good iu every way as others sell for $90. 
THE BEST FOR THE MONEY 
is what every mail is naturally seeking-. He should be doubly careful 
when it comes to the purchase of vehicles and harness. A man’s life 
and that of his wife and family often de¬ 
pend upon quality in his buggy or carriage 
and harness. We give extraordinary qual-< 
ity for the money. Then there are the 
ail vantages of our plan of doing business. 
WE HA VE NO AGENTS. 
but sell all goods direct from our 
tuctory at wholesale prices. 
We ship our goods anywhere forexamin- 
ation and guarantee everything. We 
make 170 styles of vehicles and 65 styles 
of harness. Don’t buy any of these 
things until you get our large illustrated 
and descriptive catalogue. It’s FREE. 
Elkhart Carriage & Harness Mfg. Co. W. B. Pratt, Sec’y, Elkhart, Ind 
No. lOO— Double Buggy 
Harness. Full nickel trim¬ 
med, price $17 ; as good as 
retails for $25. 
