1868 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
WIIAT I SEE AND HEAR. 
Rye Exports.— It is said that seldom is a full cargo 
of rye exported from the United States. But the short¬ 
age of cereals this year has increased the demand for 
this grain, and a full cargo of 180,000 bushels, valued 
at §102,000, has just been shipped from Philadelphia 
to Rotterdam. This is the first full cargo of rye ever 
shipped from that city. The Dutch consider rye bread 
more nutritive than wheat, and care little for the 
color, so long as it fills the bill in other particulars. 
Most of the rye bread consumed in this country is 
eaten by foreigners. 
X X X 
Hay Situation. —“ What have you to say about 
hay ? ” I asked Mr. Rickerson, of the firm of Williams 
& Rickerson. “ Good, bright Timothy hay is selling 
well at fair prices, and there is a good demand for it. 
But poor hay is poor stuff to ship to this market. 
There is a great deal of hay that was damaged by the 
wet weather during haying time last summer, and 
much more that was injured by being left so long that 
it became too ripe before being cut. But there is 
likely to be a good demand right along for the best 
hay.” 
X X X 
Wool at Auction. —Another auction sale of wool, 
and the first this year, was held this week, and up¬ 
wards of 1,000,000 pounds were offered, the most of 
which was scoured. This differed from the previous 
sales in that the bidding was confined to trading 
members of the Wool Exchange. There were some 
changes in details of the sale, but methods were prac¬ 
tically the same as the other auction sales. Prices 
varied, some being above and others below current 
market quotations. Bidding was more brisk on the 
larger offerings, and these realized higher prices than 
small lots. 
X X X 
Florida Oranges. —These are not over plentiful 
yet, and from reports a few days ago, are not liable 
to be. These reports were to the effect that the State 
had been visited by a freeze much more extended and 
severe than that of three years ago ; that the Indian 
River district was badly devastated, and that all 
young growth was killed to the ground. Later re¬ 
ports from the Weather Bureau are to the effect that 
the freezes of January 2 and 3 did not approach in 
severity and destructiveness the freezes in the winter 
of 1894-5. The official at Jacksonville says that avail¬ 
able information indicates that the greater portion of 
the vegetables in the north and south central portions 
of the State were killed where not protected. Pine¬ 
apples were damaged to a considerable extent. Citrus 
trees were not seriously affected, excepting tender 
sprouts. So the situation is not so bad as it might 
have been. 
X X X 
Jf Market Women. —At Fig. 14, page 35, are shown re¬ 
productions of several snapshots taken by our artist 
while in Munich, Bavaria. These market women are 
very similar to those found in New York and other 
large American cities, pictures of some of which we 
shall present later. They deal in all kinds of pro¬ 
visions, fruits, vegetables, etc. Some of them have an 
extensive and varied stock, while others deal in but 
one or two articles. These pictures would indicate 
that they are solid members of society, with little of 
that frail and delicate appearance sometimes associated 
with femininity. It is likely, too, that they are as 
varied in their personal characteristics as those found 
on this side of the water. They are, probably, as ex¬ 
pert in dickering and making the most out of a cus¬ 
tomer, as their American sisters. J udging from the 
pictures shown, we should be justified in thinking 
none of these market women very young. Their appear¬ 
ance indicates that age is creeping on. In New York, 
many of the keepers of these stands are young women. 
Here, too, these women buy their wares of the 
wholesalers. Our artist tells us that those pictured 
sell mostly their own products, brought in from their 
farms, gardens and poultry yards. This method brings 
the producer and consumer closer together than with 
us, and should insure the latter’s getting fresher, more 
satisfactory products. He says that, often, a woman 
and a dog will be seen drawing in a cart laden with 
produce, while the man walks alongside, bossing the 
job, probably. After the market is reached, the dog 
helps guard the goods, and after the products are sold, 
the dog draws home the empty cart. What becomes 
the man, he didn’t say ; possibly, he rides home in 
cart. F. u. v. 
WESTERN APPLES IN COLD STORAGE. 
Missouri did have about 275,000 barrels, but of that 
quantity, I should judge that, at least 15 per cent had 
been shipped, up to the holidays. Kansas had only 
about 50,000 barrels, and has been reduced about 10 
per cent. Denver has in the neighborhood of 30,000 
barrels. Our own stock in Kansas City amounted to 
about 90,000 barrels, but we have only about 75,000 
now. Shipments of apples have been exceptionally 
heavy so far this year, and the stock has given general 
satisfaction 
The new element in the apple line this year is the 
Colorado stock. It is an undeniable fact that the 
climate of Colorado, combined with the superior op¬ 
portunities for cultivation found in the valleys of that 
State, give a better color, more firmness of texture, 
and more flavor to most apples than are found in the 
fruit of the Middle States. The Colorado Ben Davis, 
for instance, is really a fine apple, and while it still 
possesses some of the mealiness, which is the great 
defect of this variety, this is to a large extent cor¬ 
rected, the apple being much firmer and juicier than 
the Missouri product, the latter quality, probably, due 
to irrigation somewhat. The bulk of the apples this 
year in the West are Ben Davis. This hardy stock, ap¬ 
parently, endures the drought better than the more 
delicate and palatable kinds! Following along in 
about the order named, are Winesap, Willow Twig, 
Genneting, Grimes Golden, Mammoth Black Twig, 
Arkansas Black, etc. Quite a few Jonathans were put 
in storage the early part of the season, and were sold 
out readily at from §4 to §6 per barrel. The Ben Davis 
are now bringing §3, and the various kinds of stock, 
Willow Twigs, Winesaps, etc., are bringing §3.50 to 
§4.50. 
Our cold storage department has been conducting a 
series of very interesting experiments latterly, for the 
purpose of ascertaining the possibilities of cold storage 
as applied to green stuff as well as small fruits, such 
as grapes and peaches. While there are several points 
that will have to be watched very carefully in the 
handling of this class of goods, it looks now as though 
cold storage would efface the seasons, and give a man 
fresh tomatoes, grapes, peaches, etc., from his own 
section of the country, in midwinter. n. e. f. 
Kansas City, Mo. 
CUT AND SHREDDED. 
On New York State railroads, last year, (542 persons 
were killed, and 1,391 were injured. Of these, 93 were 
killed and 110 injured at grade crossings. At many of 
these crossings, brush, weeds or branches of trees ob¬ 
struct the view, so that a driver cannot see the train 
until it is upon him. On some railroads, there is no 
recognized distance at which the engineer is obliged 
to blow the whistle. The Board of Railroad Commis¬ 
sioners want the laws changed so. that highway com¬ 
missioners must remove obstructions to the view of 
drivers. They would, also, compel all railroads to put 
up whistle posts at proper distances from crossings. 
In New Jersey, the railroads have such things about 
as they like, and the slaughter at certain crossings is 
something fearful. One of the first things the New 
Jersey Legislature should do this year is to pass a 
law compelling railroad companies to respect the 
rights of those who travel across their tracks ! 
The southern cotton planters are hunting for new 
crops, but it does not seem likely that wheat will help 
them out of their trouble In parts of Alabama, there 
has been quite an increase in the acreage given to 
this crop, but Prof. Stubbs shows clearly why, in a 
large part of the Gulf States, wheat growing is not 
likely to succeed. At the same time, the southern 
people are eating more wheat flour than ever, and 
shipments of wheat from southern ports are increas¬ 
ing. Probably half of the area of Georgia and Ala¬ 
bama is fairly well adapted to wheat growing, and in 
both States, there has been something of a revival in 
its culture. It is not likely to be permanent, and the 
chances are that the South will continue to buy most 
of its wheat flour. In 1896, the States of Georgia, 
Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana combined, 
produced 2,131,983 bushels of wheat. In the same year, 
the per capita consumption for the United States was 
4.78 bushels. The population of these States in 1890 
was 6,149,979. If these people were to eat the average 
amount of wheat, this. would mean a demand for 
29,396,899 bushels per year. 
Massachusetts and Connecticut are flooded with 
butter which is put up in imitation of local creamery 
print butter. It bears titles to “deceive even the 
elect.” It is cheap western tub butter, which is 
worked up and printed, usually by the wholesale meat 
dealers, and is sold largely in retail meat shops and 
second-class grocery stores. Ask the clerks and store¬ 
keepers about it, and they will almost always answer 
evasively. Many people who buy it think that they 
are eating straight creamery butter. It is sold for 
4i 
three to five cents per pound less than genuine’local 
creamery butter, and so meets a large sale among a 
certain class. Connecticut has a law requiring all 
such butter to have the words TUB BUTTER in half¬ 
inch Roman letters on every print. They get around 
this by having on the bottom of every print this de¬ 
lusive information, “June Butter made from New 
Grass is the Best of the whole year. This Print is put 
up from Full Grass June Tub Butter, and cannot be 
excelled.” The top of the print, which is the only 
side you see unless you happen to turn it over, may 
bear an inscription such as, “ Litchfield County Cream¬ 
ery Butter put up expressly for family use.” In some 
ways, this is as bad a fraud as “ oleo.” Connecticut 
has a strong pure-food law. One of its provisions is 
that names of those selling adulterated or unwhole¬ 
some goods are to be printed publicly. This system 
drove the fraudulent fertilizer dealers out of the State, 
and it will, probably, have a similar effect upon the 
food sharks. This “deviled butter” must be dealt 
with differently, and this fact greatly complicates the 
matter. 
Governor Black, of New York State, has this to 
say about agriculture, in his recent message to the 
legislature : 
The appropriations for this department have been wisely made. 
The item which has proved the most satisfactory was that to 
encourage the cultivation of the sugar beet. This industry is 
now largely experimental, but the results attained this year were 
such as to justify the liberal cooperation of the State. Induce¬ 
ments to farming in New York are not as great as they formerly 
were. The development of the West has gradually trenched upon 
the lucrative employments of the eastern farmers, until their in¬ 
comes are small and uncertain, and their burdens almost oppres¬ 
sive. The farmer can never escape his taxes; whatever means 
of escape maybe open to others are closed to him. And in the 
distribution of the load, this fact should be borne in mind, and 
the legislature should so treat him as not only to encourage his 
industry, but to show, also, that the State is mindful that he, 
least of all among its citizens, finds exemption from the burden 
of taxation. 
The Governor is right in saying that the farmer can¬ 
not well escape his taxes. His property is usually 
spread out in plain view where all may see it. The 
man with an equal amount of property in cash, bonds 
or stocks may succeed in hiding it, and thus dodge a 
part of his public duty. Governor Black is, evidently, 
in favor of appropriations that tend to encourage the 
industry of agriculture. The dairy industry is of great 
importance in New York State, yet, last year, Gover¬ 
nor Black vetoed the small appropriation asked for by 
the State Dairymen’s Association ! We are glad to see 
that he now thinks better of appropriations for agri¬ 
culture. Of course, he will not now refuse the dairy 
appropriation asked for this year. 
BUSINESS BITS. 
The annual meeting of the New York State Agricultural Society 
will be held at Albany, N. Y., January 19. 
Ip you have ice to harvest in large or small quantities, you will be 
interested in a 16-page treatise on the subject, by Wm. T. Wood & 
Co., Arlington, Mass. They are manufacturers of ice plows, and 
issue the information for the purpose of advertising them. You 
can get it by sending a postal card with your address. 
The Pittsburgh Woven Wire Fence Co., of Pittsburgh, Pa., have 
introduced a new feature in woven wire fencing, which they think 
makes an absolutely non-slipping loop-knot every foot on each 
line wire. They use a heavy stay wire, and think they have over¬ 
come all objections to wire fencing. They will send further par¬ 
ticulars on inquiry. 
The Ayrshire Breeders’ Association will hold its 23d annual 
meeting at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York, January 26, begin¬ 
ning at 10 a. m. Prof. L. L. Van Slyke, of the New York Experi¬ 
ment Station, will address the association on Some of the Solved 
and Unsolved Problems of Dairying. Matters of interest in a 
business way will be brought up for discussion and settlement. 
C. M. Winslow, secretary, Brandon, Vt. 
One of the prettiest calendars of the season reaches us from 
the Bowker Company, of Boston, manufacturers of Bowker’s 
Animal Meal and other poultry supplies. It is in the shape of a 
little girl carrying her hat full of “brand new” downy little 
chicks. The calendar is too expensive to send out generally, but 
any reader of The R. N.-Y. who will send five or six two-cent 
stamps for postage, will get one, provided he send before the 
calendars are all gone. 
The secretary of the Holstein-Friesian Association, F. L. 
Houghton, Brattleboro, Vt., writes us that the period set by the 
Holstein-Friesian Association of America, for recording animals 
over one year of age at the same fee as for animals under one 
year of age, extends to March 16, 1898, and did not cease January 
1, 1898, as many persons have evidently supposed. The fees now 
stand, for non-members, cows $2, bulls 86; for members, cows 81, 
bulls 83. Transfers, non-members, 50 cents; members, 25 cents. 
The announcement of The Youth’s Companion for 1898 indicates 
that the fathers and mothers of The Companion families will look 
forward to its coming, week by week, as eagerly as the girls and 
boys. Indeed, every number contains matter addressed to the 
mature, reflective mind as well as to the eager, hopeful spirit of 
youth. All new subscribers for 1898 are receiving The Companion 
calendar. Those who have seen it say that it is the handsomest 
calendar of the season, and the most charming bit of color work 
yet produced by the publishers of this standard periodical. 
The “ smoking season ” seems no longer to be the trouble it 
once was. The old way was to build a slow fire every morning 
under the meat, and watch it all day lest it blaze up and spoil the 
meat or burn the whole business. Then the fire had to be entirely 
destroyed at evening, as it could not be watched during the night. 
It was difficult under these conditions to maintain a steady 
smoke, and properly season the meat. E. Krauser <fe Bro., Milton, 
Pa., have prepared an extract of smoke that does away with the 
fire and all the old trouble and objections. If you have meat to 
smoke, send them a postal card and ask them about it. 
