1904 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
223 
Events of the Week. 
'DOMESTIC.—A. W. Machen, ex-Superintendent of the 
Rural Free Delivery Division of the Post Office Depart¬ 
ment; Samuel A. and Diller B. Groff, of Washington, D. 
C., and George E. Lorenz, of Toledo, O., were convicted 
of conspiracy to defraud the Government in postal con¬ 
tracts February 26. Notice was given that the accused 
will file a motion for a new trial. . . . The most disas¬ 
trous fire in the history of Rochester, N. Y., raged for 10 
hours February 26. Before the fire department, assisted 
by reinforcements from Syracuse and Buffalo, had 
checked the flames they had swept the retail clothing 
and dry goods district for a space of three blocks and 
had inflicted a loss which is estimated by insurance ex¬ 
perts at from four to five million dollars. Of this 
amount, $750,000 represents the loss on buildings and the 
rest is on stocks and office furnishings. In addition, 
about 2,500 persons were, for the time being, thrown out 
of employment. . . . The last official report to be 
made on the Iroquois fire at Chicago was filed February 
27 by City Custodian De Witt C. Cregier. To him fell 
the task of sorting and listing the thousands of articles 
found in the theater after the removal of the bodies and 
caring for clothing and valuables of the dead. Mr. 
Cregier puts an estimate of $50,000 on the value of the 
property restored to owners or heirs. More than 1,600 
packages were delivered to claimants; more than 2,000 
packages were given by Chief O’Neil’s orders to the Sal¬ 
vation Army, and 760 packages are yet unclaimed. Dia¬ 
mond jewelry recovered by washing the refuse was 
worth $1,200, and $275 in money was found. . . . The 
steamer Queen, from San Francisco to Port Townsend, 
Wash., took fire at sea February 27, during a terrible 
storm. Ten of the crew lost their lives in the effort to 
save the passengers and ship. Three passengers were 
burned to death and one drowned. The vessel, under 
slow steam, arrived at Seattle bringing all the surviv¬ 
ing and three of the dead passengers. The survivors 
report that when the fire was at its height all the life¬ 
boats were launched and the passengers placed in them, 
but after the flames were extinguished they were taken 
on board the vessel again. 
ADMINISTRATION.—The Post Office Appropriation 
bill, prepared by the House Committee on Post Offices 
and Post Roads, carries a total of $169,997,588, or $1,911,81S 
more than the estimates of the Department, and $16,486,- 
039 in excess of the appropriation for the current year. 
This increase over the estimate is made by reason of the 
increased compensation allowed to the rural free deliv¬ 
ery carriers. The committee cut down the estimates on 
other items by $3,255,000, and then added $5,180,000 to the 
estimates for the rural free delivery carriers, making 
the total sum for those carriers $20,180,000. Their com¬ 
pensation is thus increased from $600 to $720 a year. A 
provision, however, directs that hereafter they be not 
allowed to solicit business or receive orders of any kind 
from any company, person or firm, and that they shall 
not carry merchandise for hire during their hours of em¬ 
ployment. To limit grafting, provision is made for the 
appointment of a bonded purchasing agent for the De¬ 
partment. The bill contains a provision to enable the 
Postmaster General to enter into a contract with the 
New York Central Railroad for quarters for a post office 
in its new station in New York for a term of fifty years, 
the annual rental not to exceed $90,000. . . . The House 
passed the Naval Appropriation bill February 26 without 
material amendment. The measure carrlei $95,000,000 and 
provides for the construction of three large warships and 
other smaller craft. A bitter discussion arose over an 
attempt to amend the bill limiting the price to be paid 
for armor plate to $398 a ton, the bid of the Midvale 
Steel Company. ... A protocol will be drafted to ex¬ 
tend the time for the ratification of the treaty between 
the United States and Cuba relative to sovereignty over 
the Isle of Pines. . . . The formal exchange of ratifi¬ 
cations was made in the Panama Canal treaty February 
26, and the President issued a proclamation declaring the 
treaty to be in effect. Minister Bunau-Varilla cabled his 
resignation to the President of Panama. . , . The 
House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce 
March 1 authorized a favorable report on the resolution 
introduced by Representative Martin (Rep., S. D.), di¬ 
recting the Secretary of Commerce and Labor to inquire 
into the cause of the difference between the low price of 
cattle on the hoof and the high price of dressed beef. 
As originally drawn the resolution asks Secretary Cor- 
telyou to make his report to the House. It was amend¬ 
ed, however, by the committee so as to have the report 
made to the President in order that if the result of the 
inquiry warrants him in doing so he may authorize the 
Attorney General to proceed against the beef trust. 
THE DAIRY DISTRICTS OF NORTHERN 
NEW YORK. 
The first thing that impresses one this Winter is the 
snow and cold. Starting in at Camden, Oneida Co., 18 
miles north of Rome, we found four feet of snow and a 
temperature of 32 to 40 degrees below zero. This, of 
course, was exceptionally cold, yet zero got to be an 
everyday affair, and before we reached the St. Lawrence 
we had 50 degrees below, with some rumors of ambitious 
thermometers that went to 60 below. Yet there was little 
wind, and with the clear dry air, we felt the cold no 
more than with 20 degrees higher in the Hudson Valley. 
I would not give the Impression that this is their usual 
Winter temperature. They have the same proportionate 
increase in cold that has generally prevailed this Win¬ 
ter. The snow varied from that mentioned to very much 
less as we got nearer Lake Ontario. Yet with frequent 
snowfall we found nowhere less than two feet. In most 
places the snow came about the middle of November. 
There is little or no frost in the ground, nor do they get, 
as a rule, the same deep freezing that occurs where there 
is much less snow. I have noticed that not infrequently 
these fields are ready to work in the Spring as soon as 
those 150 or 200 miles to the southeast. 
INSTITUTE ATTENDANCE AND INTEREST.—With 
the cold and difficult traveling through the snow, one 
would naturally expect very light attendance at the in¬ 
stitutes. Yet in spite of the same and many stormy days 
there was only one meeting (and that in a city), where 
we did not have a houseful. When one considers that 
100 farmers means a large representation, how much 
more so is it when that number is doubled and more, as 
it was again and again. We held two weeks meetings in 
Jefferson County at points net far distant. Not only did 
the people attend but they were interested. It should be 
self-evident that few will attend who are not. A case 
in point: At one place, where it was snowing and the 
wind blew so that the walk from the hotel to the hall 
was filled between sessions, wonder was expressed why 
anybody turned out (there were 125 present), and the re¬ 
ply was: “You only come once a year and we can't af¬ 
ford to miss it.” Why is this? First, I believe because 
in these sections the Grange has been long established 
and is strong and active. When in towns of a few hun¬ 
dred people there is a Grange hall costing from $2,000 to 
$3,000 It shows prosperity, enterprise and interest in their 
calling. Next, because the work done by the institutes 
in the past has been in the main of such a nature as to 
commend itself to the farmer and his family. This I can 
say without egotism, as I have not attended or conducted 
institutes in this sections In eight years. 
WHAT ABOUT THE AGRICULTURE?—Of course this 
is mainly a dairy country, yet that is not their only 
source of revenue. About Camden there is a large amount 
of corn raised for canning; generally a profitable indus¬ 
try, but on account of the two bad seasons it has been 
rather unsatisfactory. In parts of Jefferson County 
there are many beans and peas raised for the seed 
houses. There we strike the Timothy hay belt, particu¬ 
larly from Watertown west and north. Level land, ex¬ 
ceedingly fertile, somewhat heavy in texture, but not 
difficult to work, that seems peculiarly adapted to Tim¬ 
othy. The climate is such that their hay holds its leaves 
green, something hard to obtain through most of the 
State. They get an average of at least one ton per acre, 
and or. many of the best-cared-for farms, where the soil 
has been kept up by stock keeping, the yield is often dou¬ 
ble that amount. They seldom get less than $10 per ton, 
often more; the buyer doing the pressing. When the 
labor is taken into account (no annual plowing, seeding 
or cultivating), I question whether there is not more net 
profit than with some crops giving much larger gross 
returns, but costing much more to produce. With mod¬ 
ern tools on such land hay can be made very cheaply. 
The natural conditions have been so good that in most 
cases they have not practiced modern methods in seed¬ 
ing and fitting their land. When this is done much great¬ 
er yields may be expected. Many are beginning to add 
Red-top to their seed, thus increasing the yield and 
length of time the meadow will cut profitable crops. 
There is much inquiry as to Alfalfa, and without doubt, 
when the needs of this plant are better understood and 
the soil becomes inoculated with Alfalfa bacteria it will 
be a boon to them as to stockkeepers everywhere. That 
it will do well when established is evidenced by the fact 
that in nearly every locality one or more fields are found 
of it. There are also some apple orchards, and unques¬ 
tionably there might be more in the higher lands. The 
Spy grows to perfection wherever found. 
A MODEL AGRICULTURAL TOWN.—I could write a 
whole article on the town of Belleville, Jefferson County, 
but space forbids. Suffice to say for level, fertile land 
one may travel far before finding better. Last season 
they matured the corn crop, the best that 1 have seen 
this Winter In the State. Silos are on every hand. I 
think there are more cows to the acre than in any other 
town in the State. The splendid homes and barns show 
the material prosperity of the people. They have also 
been mindful of other things in life besides the almighty 
dollar. This is one of the old academy towns, whose in¬ 
tellectual atmosphere has pervaded the whole com¬ 
munity; one of the few in which the academy has not 
been supplanted by the high school. This has been due 
to its liberal endowment. This institution is the pride of 
all the citizens. It has one unique feature, a professor 
of and a class in agriculture. A prominent farmer left 
$10,000 to endow such a department, and it is the more 
noteworthy from the fact that while the intention of the 
donor was to give this amount, no mention was made of 
it in his will, but his heirs took pride in carrrying out 
bis plans to the letter. 
CONDITION OF THE MILK BUSINESS—A gradual 
change has been and is taking place in all this region in 
the milk business, particularly in sections within a rea¬ 
sonable distance from the railroad. First a change from 
Summer to all the year around dairying; second, to milk 
shipping, instead of manufacturing cheese or butter. The 
New York Central Railroad is running a milk train to 
the St. Lawrence River, 400 miles from New York City. 
The price paid at the shipping stations along the line is 
usually just enough more than it would bring if manu¬ 
factured to give it to the stations, although often this is 
no more than the cash value of the skim-milk. With the 
growing demand for the milk in the cities, the difficulty 
in making cheese in the Winter, the fact that except 
with the richest milk it will not ordinarily bring as much 
at that season made into butter as it is worth as crude 
milk, makes it apparent that before the milk train the 
creamery and cheese factory must go. I believe this will 
not be for the ultimate good of the farmers, except as it 
provides a good market for Winter milk. With the by¬ 
product off the farms it means fewer calves raised, thus 
compelling the purchase of cows where they were former¬ 
ly raised; less swine kept, and less manure made. Then, 
too, with the home market gone, there is no place to put 
the milk at a time of surplus. Then the seller must take 
the shipper’s price. There is a disposition at present not 
to take prices offered £pr the season by the milk ship¬ 
pers. I believe from the handwriting on the wall, the 
locality is wise that “hangs on” to its local manufactory. 
EDWARD VAN ALSTYNE. 
POTATO DIGGER 
Plow and Pulverizer 
Patent 
Allowed and 
Others 
Appliedfor. 
F ARMFRV we * iave just one request to make of you, namely, that you write us or the editor of your paper, giving 
■ Mniflfcllwj either one your reasons why it will not pay you to give this machine a trial. REMEMBER, the editor of 
your own paper fully believes that it will be to your interest to give this machine a trial. What do you take the paper for, any¬ 
way, if not to keep you posted on any subject that will be of benefit to you? Thousands of you have said many times that you 
wished someone would produce a first-class two horse potato digger, but we have three machines in one—a plow, pulverizer and 
digger. Also keep in mind we are paying out our good 
money just to let you farmers know we have what we 
believe will pay you to use. Now, don’t be among the 
number to say, “No Good”, before you have tested it in 
your own field. All we or your editor asks is for every 
farmer who uses a plow and harrow and needs a first- 
class digger is to give us your name and address. 
Messrs. D. Y. Hallock & Sons, Bonnerton, North Carolina, July 8, 1903. 
York, Pennsylvania. 
Enclosed you will ilrul ray check which is to pay for the digger shipped 
to Mr. J. F. Cowell, Bayboro, N. C. He tells me that he is very much pleased 
with the digger and that those who saw his work were well pleased, and that 
he was sure lie could sell as many as thirty or forty this coming spring, and 
that h» would want another for his fall crop. Mr. Cowell says that he saved 
3c per bbl. on his crop, which would pay for the digger ulone. 
Yours truly, W. H. Whitley. 
East Woodstock, Conn., Sept. 25, 1903. 
D. Y. Hallock & Sons, York, Pennsylvania, 
Dear Sirs:—Last night we had a heavy shower and this 
morning the ground is wet. Notwithstanding this, wo 
got the digger from the depot at 0:00 o’clock and now at 
10:30 we have it in the held testing it.and herewith is the 
result—my check to pay for it. and two more sold, which 
please ship at once. If I could have had an idea of what 
, was coming with this last proposition 1 could have sold at least a 
dozen. Re sure and save this territory for mo for another year, for the 
digger now is right and we can get tlie trade. 
Yours truly, J. F. Chandler. 
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, January 4, 1904. 
D. Y. Hallock & Sons, York, Pennsylvania, 
Gentlemen:—We had some trouble with the diggers, owing to excessive 
rains and had conditions of the soil, but where the ground was at all favorable 
the work was just perfect. We are anticipating a line trade for 1901. Weenclose 
our check for *75.00to balance the account. We will work the trade this coming 
season and will have the trade on potato diggers in this territory. We will 
want Linn County. Yours truly, J. W. Emerson & Co. 
Johnstown, Penna.. October 8th, 1903. 
1). Y. Hallock & Sons, York, Pennsylvania, 
Gentlemen:—Enclosed llnd check for bill of September 10. leas freight, $72.89. 
Please ship one Gilt Edge Digger to 
L. A. MEYER, liooversville, Penna. 
Via. Somerset & Camb. Rranch 
We will guarantee our two great agitating forks to run clear in any soil and to place the potatoes on top. 
Q D ET | A I The Keystone Farm Machine Co., of York, Pa., have the exclusive right to man- 
ufacture our Hallock Flat Tooth Weeder for the Eastern and Southern terri¬ 
tory. '1 he Janesville Machine Co., of Janesville, Wis., have the same rights for the Western territory. 
Our friends will therefore have no dilliculty in securing this well known and valuable machine. The 
patents have been fully sustained by five different Circuit Courts. 
wai }* a 9°°d,active,responsible, energetic Agent in every section of the country to handle the 
■deal . First machine in each locality sold at a greatly reduced price. We protect our agents. 
The wise man will surely act quickly for territory on this machino will be eagerly sought for. 
Write for circulars and testimonials from those who have used our Digger. D. Y. HALLOCK & SONS, Box 800, YORK, PA. 
If you will give us your name and address we will send you an elegent 32-page catalogue—a treatise on Potato and Corn Culture. 
Please ship the above at once. 
You might, providing you can ship at once, send mo one “Success’’ Jr.,and 
one “Gilt Edge” Digger. 1 am sorry now I did not get three of each sent to me 
two weeks ago. 1 could have sold them had I had them hero in the North part 
Of Somerset and tile South of Cambria Counties. 
1 have worked up quite a trade on the Digger and will want 25 or 35 next year. 
A. F. Stutsman. 
These testimonials came from the turn-over principle with a solid 
mold-board. We will Guarantee our pulverizing mold-board to over¬ 
come every objection found in the solid moid-board. 
