1898 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
875 
FALL OR SPRING PIGS. 
I have been experimenting this year 
with Spring pigs to see whether they are 
more profitable than pigs that are kept 
over Winter, and to the age of 15 months 
before killing. Last February, I had a 
purebred Chester sow, that farrowed 
nine pigs, from a registered Poland- 
China boar. During the night, she lost 
three of them, but raised the rest. Two 
nights later, a purebred Poland-China 
sow bred to the same boar farrowed six 
pigs ; she raised four of them. I weaned 
them all when eight weeks old, and fed 
them white middlings mixed with milk 
from two cows, with •some corn for six 
weeks, and then fed corn meal for two 
months, ending up with corn. The last 
of November, I killed one pig from the 
Chester White sow which dressed 270% 
pounds net. On the same day, I killed 
the four Poland-China pigs. They tipped 
the scales at 250%, 267%, 256 and 228% 
pounds. Total weight of the five, 1,273 
pounds, or an average of 254 3-5 pounds 
apiece. It is very plain to be seen that 
it does not pay to keep over Winter, pigs 
to be killed the next Fall. The remain¬ 
ing five I shall kill in a week or two. 
They are equally as good as, if not better 
than, the ones killed. it. w. l. 
East Liverpool, O. 
SOILING DAIRY COWS. 
H. E. Cooke, of Lewis County, N. Y., 
who is an authority in the matter, says 
that farmers who have Summer dairies 
do not begin to soil early enough. They 
should surely begin by July 4. July is 
sure to be dry, and is always the worst 
month in the year for cows to shrink in 
their milk, and a July shrinkage can 
never be recovered with any plan of 
feeding. This July shrinkage can be 
prevented by a liberal feeding of farm 
grown crops like fresh clover, oats and 
peas and crops rich in nitrogen. The 
prevention of a 100-pound shrinkage of a 
dairy in July, means a saving of 12,000 
pounds in the rest of the season, for the 
dairy kept up in July milk flow, will 
give correspondingly more milk for the 
rest of the season. If extra feeding is 
commenced after the shrinkage, it only 
holds up the flow, never increases it; 
while if this extra succulent ration is 
added as early as July 4, and kept up, it 
will hold up the mess to the normal, it 
carries above the level all the way 
through, and is so much additional to 
the sum total. A succulent ration, nitro¬ 
genous in character, will always be a bet¬ 
ter addition to keep a cow from shrink¬ 
ing than an all-grain attempt. j. G. 
FORKFULS OF FACTS. 
There is every Indication that the trade in 
meat will be greater than ever next year. 
T. L. Miller, the veteran Hereford breeder, 
says that the Hereford is the ideal dual-purpose 
cow. She gives a fair mess of milk, and her 
calves are always ready for the block. 
Hoard’s Dairyman says that the cheese factory 
at Wayland, Mich., closed down because farmers 
fed their cows on cucumbers, which produced an 
“ off ” flavor in the cheese. The farmers refused 
to change the feed. 
Prof. W. A. Henry, in the Breeder’s Gazette, 
says that Danish experiments show that the oil 
of oil meals has a higher feeding value than 
grain for fattening sheep and dairy cows, but has 
a lower value for swine. 
A milk trust is now talked of, with Joseph 
Leiter at the head of it. It is proposed first, to 
control the milk supply of Washington, and it is 
said that $2,000,000 is back of the deal. What has 
become of the New York milk trust? 
Prof. H. J. Waters, of Missouri, tells the Breed¬ 
er’s Gazette how corn fodder is fed in his State. 
He says that the plan of hauling and scattering 
a day’s feed at a time on Blue-grass pasture is, 
in many ways, the best disposition of the matter. 
Poison in Wild Cherry.—A bulletin from the 
New Hampshire Experiment Station, at Durham, 
discusses the poisonous properties of wild cherry 
leaves. This matter was discussed several years 
ago in The R. N.-Y., when we showed how prussic 
acid is developed in the leaves of the wild cherry, 
and stock have been killed by eating these 
leaves. This bulletin states that the leaves of 
the wild Black cherry are the most dangerous; 
both wilted and fresh leaves are poisonous, and 
even dried leaves are not safe. The succulent 
leaves from young shoots are more poisonous 
than the leaves from a mature tree. Leaves dried 
in bright sunlight to about 75 per cent of their 
weight, yield the greatest amount of prussi 
acid. Cut down the wild cherry trees in the 
pasture; they do no good, and are a constant 
source of danger to cattle. 
The Western Live Stock Journal says that many 
of the leading trotting-liorse breeders are success¬ 
fully breeding the imported Coach stallions to 
their trotting-bred mares, or breeding imported 
Coach mares to their trotting stallions. They are 
producing the highest type of harness horses with 
the first cross, while it would take a lifetime to 
develop such horses by selection from the trot- 
ting-bred horses. 
Another “Kicker” Cure. — No method yet 
suggested in your kicking-cow items, equals in 
ease and effectiveness the following: A stout 
ring and staple are firmly set 2)4 feet from the 
floor in a post, five feet behind the cow, she being 
securely tied to her stanchion. Take 10 feet of 
half inch rope, and tie one end in the ring of a 
fetter strap, passing the other end through the 
ring in the rear; then gently buckle the strap to 
the cow’s hind leg, on the milker’s side. Sit 
down on a stool in the milker’s place, take the 
rope in the left hand, take in the slack and 
handle the udder. When the cow kicks, quickly 
draw in the slack, hold it and let her strive. 
When still, lower her leg carefully, and proceed 
as before. Always speak and act very gently. 
She will soon acknowledge mastery, and become 
very gentle. farmer. 
Meredith, N. H. 
Working the Pigs. — In the Western hog 
countries, we found breeders satisfied to let 
their hogs loaf as much as possible. So long as 
they eat great quantities of food, and turn it into 
pork, the breeders are satisfied. Eastern people 
want more out of their hogs. A Massachusetts 
man says that he has 50 apple trees in grass 
land, also a number of pigs. He wants to put 
movable pens 10 feet square around a tree, put 
two pigs in each pen, keeping them there a week 
or more; then move the pen and pigs to another 
tree. In this way, he thinks the pigs will eat the 
grass, root up the sod and catch the grubs, 
fertilize the tree and cultivate the ground. That 
is certainly a Yankee-like scheme, and probably, 
a southern razor-back hog would be the best 
breed for the purpose. We wonder what readers 
will think of this scheme. 
Peddling “Oleo.”— The Jersey Bulletin men¬ 
tions the case of a produce dealer in Wheeling, 
W. Va., who wrote the Commissioner of Internal 
Revenue asking whether persons holding a 
special tax stamp to sell oleomargarine, are 
permitted to peddle the same from door to door, 
and sell out of the original package. The Com¬ 
missioner replies as follows: “There is no pro¬ 
vision of the internal revenue law relating to the 
sale of oleomargarine that contemplates the 
peddling of oleomargarine, therefore, the persons 
engaged in selling oleomargarine in the manner 
of peddlers have involved themselves in liability 
under these laws as retail dealers in oleomar¬ 
garine at each and every place at which they 
have made such sales.” This would seem to 
settle that matter without any question, and 
persons who are traveling about selling oleo in 
the manner of peddlers are doing an illegal 
business, and ought to be stopped. 
During the recent snow blockade, an officer of 
the Humane Society settled a Brooklyn trans¬ 
portation question with great sagacity. In the 
midst of the snow-encumbered street, a small 
but determined horse decided to balk upon the 
trolley tracks, and no persuasion or force could 
start him going again. Immediately behind the 
light delivery wagon for which the “ sot ” equine 
was responsible was a trolley car, and in the 
rear of this a huge four-horse truck loaded with 
carcasses of hogs. Owing to the state of the 
streets, the four-horse truck, which was over¬ 
loaded, was hopelessly stalled, while behind it 
was an ever-increasing procession of trolley 
cars. The atmosphere was full of variegated 
profanity and ill-will, when the Humane officer 
took command. Securing a stout cable, he 
fastened the leaders of the four-horse truck to 
the rear of the foremost trolley car, and requested 
the motorman to turn on power gently. Before 
the balky horse knew what was happening, he 
found himself sliding along gently, but irresist- 
ably, until he decided to move on his own re¬ 
sponsibility. An increase of power pulled the 
big truck out, and gave the tired horses a fresh 
start, and soon the lengthy procession moved 
steadily along, another illustration of the power 
of mind over matter. 
Farmer's Handy Feed Cooker. 
Reader’s attention is called to this device, 
which is sold at $12.50 for 50-gallon capacity. 
By feeding poultry and animals cooked food 
during winter at least 
one-third Jof the feedj is saved ; also having 
stock in a healthy condition, preventing hog 
cholera among your hogs and insuring the 
hens laying freely during the winter months. 
On application to the Empire Manufacturing 
Company, Quincy, Ill., a catalogue giving full 
description, may be obtained. They are made in 
all sizes. 
For 
Beef Cattle 
Work Horses 
Driving Horses 
Hogs and Sheep 
FEEDING HOGS. —Victor Corn 
and Oat Feed does not require 
the addition of any other grain. 
It is complete for the develop¬ 
ment of the most flesh and the 
least fat. It should be fed at 
all stages of growth, the gains 
are constant, the results posi¬ 
tive, the profits sure. Victor 
Corn and Oat Feed is made 
from choice grain and contains 
no dirt. You buy it under this 
guarantee. 
Sold only in Sealed and 
Branded Sacks. 
“Feeding for Flesh,” an in¬ 
valuable book on Horse, Cattle, 
Hog and Sheep Feeding. Sent 
postpaid on request. 
Our Science Department will 
freely answer all questions on 
live stock feeding. Address 
Science Department 
The American Cereal Co. 
1330 Monad nock Bldg., Chicago, III. 
GMtof” /tow 1U0CK 
CONSULT OUR SCIENCE DEPT. 
“ALPHA-DE LAVAL” 
CREAM SEPARATORS. 
He Laval Alpha “Baby” 
Cream Separators were 
first and have ever been 
kept best and cheapest. 
They are guaranteed su¬ 
perior to all imitations and 
infringements. Endorsed 
by all authorities. More 
than 150,000 in use. Sales 
ten to one of all others 
combined. All styles and 
sizes—$50.- to $225.- Save 
$5.- to $10.- per cow per 
year over any setting 
system, and $3.- to $3.- 
per cow per year over any 
imitating separator. 
New and improved ma¬ 
chines for 1898. Send for 
new Catalogue containing 
a fund of up-to-date dairy 
information. 
THE DE LAVAL SEPARATOR GO. 
Randolph & Canal St8., I 74 Cortlandt Street 
CHICAGO. I NEW YORK. 
Sharpies Quality. 
A good machine that 
does its work well, that 
is easily operated, that 
costs comparatively 
nothing for repairs, 
sells other machines for 
its manufacturer. 
THE SAFETY 
HAND SEPARATOR 
is best liked where it is 
best known. It makes 
good butter of the 
“ Sharpies Quality,” it 
lightens the dairy maid’s 
work, it increases the 
quantity of butter, it 
saves all the butter in 
the milk. P. M. SHARPLES, 
Branches: West Chester, Fa 
Toledo, O. Omaha, Neb. 
Elgin, Ill. St. Paul, Minn. 
Dubuque, la. San Francisco. Cal. 
Top Price Butter. 
The kind that a fancy private 
trade demands, is colored with 
Thatcher ’« Orange Butter Color — 
the color that does not contain 
any poison. Send for a sample. 
THATCHER MFG. CO., Potsdam, H.Y. 
Elliot’s 
Parchment 
Butter 
Paper 
To Dairymen or HALF 
others we will - 
send half a ream A 
8x11, free, if they REAM 
wiU forward 30c. 
to pay postage. 
Try the Best But¬ 
ter Wrapper and 
avoid Imitations. SE—S—SJ 
A. G. ELLIOT & CO., 
Manufacturers, 
Philadelphia, Pa 
Free 
FOR DIPPING SHEEP 
For tick*, 
line, scab, 
foot roi 
'And *11 forma 
of SKIN 
DISEASES til* 
HALL D, fflfc° 
will be found th© beat 
, the most convenient. Made of beat 
galvanized steel it is strong and durable. 
Will not leak, runt or rot. You just buy once; they laet. 
Special Inducements to prompt buyers. Circulars and prices fre©. 
HALL STEEL TANK CO., 63 N. Ashland Av. Chicago. Ills- 
WOODWARD’S WATERING BASIN 
A STABLE NECESSITY. SEE WHAT OTHERS SAY OF IT. 
Circular. Free. J. S. WOODWARD A SON, LOCK PORT. N. I 
Feed Cookers and Tank Heaters*^ 
BE8T AN D CHEAPEST O N EARTH * 
Ask Youb Dkai.kr or Sknd to Ua J 
for Circular. h 
Keonomj Mfg. Co., Homer, Mich. S13 
COOK Tour FEED and Save 
Half the Cost—with the 
PROFIT FARM ROILER 
With Dumping Caldron. Emp¬ 
ties its kettle in one minute. The 
simplest and best arrangement for 
cooking food for stock. Also make 
Dairy and Laundry Stoves, 
Water and Steam Jacket Ket¬ 
tles, Hog Scalders, Caldrons, 
etc. tW~ Send for circulars, 
I> B. SPEBBY <fc Co.. Batavia. IS. 
A FEED COOKER 
is a money saver on every farm, ft 
Increases the grain you have by 
making it more palatable and dl 
gestlble. THE 
FARMER’S FAVORITE 
Is a thoroughly reliable cooker at a 
reasonable price. Furnace made of 
best gray iron j boiler of best gal¬ 
vanized steel. It is of special value 
for cooking feed for nil kinds of 
live stock and poultry; for heat¬ 
ing water for scalding hogs, etc. 
Excellent for evaporating Maple- 
sup, boiling down syrii p, “sugar¬ 
ing oir.” etc. Just the thing for boiling down cider. 
Don’t buy until you get our circulars and prices. 
*• R. LEWIS, 50 Main St., Cortland, N. Y. 
A Feed Cooker for $5.00 
Many farmers and poultrymen have not used feed cookers in the past because they 
considered the price too high. To meet this case we have designed the 
RELIABLE FEED COOKER AND WATER HEATER. 
It is an ideal means for cooking food for stock or poultry and for heating water 
for scalding hogs. Made of best cast iron, with No. 22 galvanized steel boiler. 20 gal. 
size $5.—burns wood only. 50 gal. size $12. and 100 gal. size $10. burn either wood or coal. Don 
buy until you get our free circulars RELIABLE INCB. & BROODER CO. Box 101, QUINCY, ILL 
WHAT IS THE BEST SEPARATOR? 
THE IMPROVED UNITED STATES. 
Why—Because it has the Triple Current Bowl 
which recovers all the cream in the inilk. 
Skims Perfectly Clean ; Is Very Easy to Operate. 
Williamsburg, Iowa, July 28, i8g8. 
1 he Improved U. S. Separator is giving splendid satisfaction. 
It skims perfectly clean and is very easy to operate. We would 
not think of handling any milk without the Improved U. S., 
which I consider the best separator on the market. 
J. \V. THOMAS, Steward Iowa Co. Poor Farm. 
Write for catalogues and further information to 
VERMONT FARM MACHINE CO., - Bellows Falls, Vt. 
