1897 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
AMONG THE MARKETMEN. 
WHAT I SEE AND HEAR. 
The latest reports from the British apple markets 
are to the effect that prices are considerably lower in 
consequence of heavy arrivals. As usual, those 
which arrived in prime condition sold well at nearly 
former prices; it was the poorer stock that showed the 
greatest decline. The prices received net all the way 
from 75 cents to $2 per barrel, while some shipments 
were so poor as to bring the shippers in debt. The 
weather is unfavorable to shipments, especially if 
the fruit isn’t hard and firm. Exporters advise great 
care in packing and shipping, and some of them ad¬ 
vise the use of half barrels, especially for red fruit. 
But even these will not pay except for a prime 
quality. Maine apples have been bringing higher 
prices than those from more southern points. 
t t X 
A young and progressive Connecticut farmer, with 
an excellent farm, and a small herd of well-bred 
Jersey cows, within an hour of this city by express, 
is having a hard time to find a market for his cream 
at a price that will pay him for his investment and 
labor, to say nothing of a profit. He raises his cream 
by the Cooley system, and has been getting 15 cents 
per quart wholesale. But a newly-established cream¬ 
ery, which it was thought would be a good thing, 
began selling “ cream ” for 10 cents and his trade was 
ruined. As to the quality of the latter, it is only 
necessary to say that a 40-quart can of it made six 
pounds of poor butter. From 40 quarts of the 
cream from the Cooley system, 19% to 20 pounds 
of butter were made. Still, the poor stuff has 
crowded out the other at a price only 50 per cent 
greater. The owner of the Jerseys has been trying 
to find a market for his cream in the city. The deal¬ 
ers give him no hope. The ice-cream makers either 
have their regular source of supply, or must have one 
so near at hand that an extra quantity can be had if 
occasion arise, on an hour’s notice. The swell hotels 
and restaurants mostly are in about the same position 
as the ice-cream makers. The family butter trade 
which was formerly followed on this farm, has been 
about killed by the creameries, that is, so far as pay¬ 
ing prices are concerned. It seems like a hard con¬ 
dition, when pure Jersey cream, that shows such a 
high per cent of butter fat, must go begging for cus¬ 
tomers. I shall watch with interest the solution of 
the problem, for the owner is determined to solve it 
in some way. 
X X X 
I met a commission man, a member of one of the 
most reliable firms in the city, who had been attend¬ 
ing as a witness a lawsuit brought by an apple 
shipper against another commission man who had 
sold a car-load of apples. The price returned did not 
equal the highest price quoted on the day of sale, and 
the shipper brought suit for the difference. The man 
who was subpoenaed as a witness, had bought the 
apples from the receiver. The returns were all right 
so far as freight, commission, etc., were concerned, 
the only contention being that the apples should have 
been sold for full quoted prices on that day. The 
defense was that the apples were frosted and scalded, 
hence were not in condition to bring outside prices, 
no matter how good they might have been on the 
start. The member of the firm who bought the 
apples testified to the condition of the apples, as to 
the price paid, and that they made no money on them. 
The price paid was the same as was returned to the 
shipper. Still the jury brought in a verdict for the 
plaintiff. Of course, this verdict will be appealed, 
and the end is not yet. This sort of thing is poor 
policy for shippers. If this verdict were sustained, 
it would result in driving out of the commission busi¬ 
ness every reputable firm, and would leave only the 
sharks and shysters. It is difficult to understand how 
any man can be compelled to return full prices for 
damaged goods, or how any jury could be led to that 
conclusion. If the apples were damaged in transit, 
the transportation company would be the one to 
settle, if any. _ F. H. v. 
A SUCCESSFUL OAT CROP. 
On page 625 of The It. N.-Y. for 1896, S. D. B. 
solicits readers to give their experience in growing 
oats. It may be stated first, that, as a rule, any soil 
in a fair condition for the successful growth of corn, 
barley, wheat, etc., is quite suitable for the culture 
of oats also. The unwise practice that has largely 
prevailed among farmers as a class, and that has 
contributed to so great an extent in the dimin¬ 
ished yields of this important product, has been 
that the oat crop, after all others are occupying 
the choicest and most productive portions of the 
farm, is the latest sown not only, but is destined 
to struggle for existence in soil least adapted to its 
growth and development. Oats sown on a seed bed 
following a grass crop or turf pasture, seldom give 
good results ; but grown as one of the crops of a 
regular four-year rotation, following corn, potatoes, 
beans, etc., seems the most favorable course to pursue. 
After a long experience in oat culture, it has been 
learned that early and thorough preparation of the 
soil possessing a fair degree of fertility, good clean 
seed sown with a drill at the rate of two bushels per 
acre, as early in the season as the soil is found to work 
in a light and friable condition, are factors that can¬ 
not be omitted if success is to be expected. 
It has, also, been learned that no crop responds 
more readily to a moderate application of commercial 
fertilizers drilled into the soil at the time the seed is 
sown. After seeding, the ground should be well 
rolled, thus firming the soil, inducing early growth of 
the plants not only, but it also adds much to the ease 
and pleasure in running the binder at the time of 
harvest. Care should be taken that this crop is not 
allowed to become overripe. Heavier, brighter and 
more nutritious grain is secured, and the straw is made 
more valuable and appetizing by harvesting at a 
period when much of the straw is, apparently, quite 
green ; the precaution being taken not to have tne 
bundles so large as to prevent curing properly for 
housing or stacking, as the case may be. 
Nor is it essential, as advocated by many, that an 
occasional change of seed is required for best results. 
And I may state that, for nearly one-half century, I 
have grown each year continuously—with the excep¬ 
tion of one year—a mixture of the same two varieties 
of oats that have gained for me a fivorable reputa¬ 
tion as a grower of this special crop. By reference 
to memoranda, it is found that, in the year 1885, 1,623 
bushels were grown from 24 acres ; 1891, 1 500 bushels 
from 23 acres ; 1895, 886 bushels from 18 acres, etc. 
Of course, there were other years when adverse con¬ 
ditions prevailed that the yields were not so large, 
and in others much less. It may be stated that, dur¬ 
ing these years, many of the newer varieties of oats 
that were seeking favors from the farming public, 
have been tested in a small way, and all have been 
discarded, with the single exception of a popular 
variety that has been tested the past two years, that 
now promises to be worthy of continued cultivation. 
Western New York. irving d. cook. 
AT THE DOG SHOW. 
CATERING TO THE CANINES. 
A magnificent collection were the dogs at the last 
show. It is said that this exhibition now ranks second 
only to those of London among the bench shows of 
the world. It drew its judges from far and near, the 
two most noted and who judged the larger number 
of breeds being Mr. Qeo. Raper and Mr. L. P. C. 
Astley, from England. Other judges were from 
Canada, New England and New York. Miss A. H. 
Whitney, of Massachusetts, who has judged many 
shows at New York, but was not seen here last year, 
was again the judge of the St. Bernards and New¬ 
foundlands. The judging is very strict, and the dogs 
must pass a veterinary examination. The competition 
is so keen that a dog must be a good one to win a 
prize, and the expense of exhibiting is heavy, so that 
fine animals are assured. 
The number of entries was upward of 1,400. There 
was an increased number of some of the new breeds, 
the toy dogs in their glass-inclosed, silu-upholstered 
houses being in larger numbers than ever before. The 
old Newfoundland breed has been declining of recent 
years, but some persistent admirers manage to keep 
up the interest by a few entries. Some of the new 
Maltese Terriers look like miniature rugs when spread 
out. Some of these and the other small dogs that 
might be carried in one’s pocket, are held at high 
prices, and attract attention, especially from the chil¬ 
dren, out of all proportion to their size. The breed¬ 
ers and exhibitors of these small dogs are largely 
women. The noise made is almost deafening, and 
the noisiest of the whole lot are the little, but lively, 
Fox Terriers. 
One dog claimed the distinct 1 'on of being the only 
dog that had his teeth filled with gold. Many of the 
dogs may be said to belong to families, for when a 
breeder once chooses a name for his kennels, and that 
name is recognized by the American Kennel Club, no 
other breeder may use the name. The dogs of many 
breeders are usually shown under these kennel names. 
For instance, J. Pierpont Morgan is an extensive 
breeder of Collies, but his kennels are named Crag- 
ston, and his dogs so entered. 
The ancient philosopher who innocently inquired, 
What’s in a name? might have found considerable 
interest in studying the names attached to the differ¬ 
ent canines. Last year, the great dog of the show 
was the Great Dane, Major McKinley. Strange as it 
may seem, this year he comes in second in his class to 
a dog with the Roman name of Marcus Antonius 
Among the St. Bernards, one is very fittingly named 
Mont Blanc, while others rejoice in such names as 
General Maceo, Col. Strong, Lord Tennyson, General 
179 
Jackson, Teddy Roosevelt and Grover. Princes and 
Princesses are largely represented. The French Bull¬ 
dogs all have Frenc h names. 
The latest novelty in canines is the French Toy 
Bulldog. He is a miniature type of the English 
species except the ear, which is the distinguishing 
feature ; this is what is known as the large prick or 
tulip ear. Without this characteristic, he may re¬ 
semble specimens of other breeds. He should have 
a heavy, thick-set and low-swung body. The coat 
should be short, straight and glossy ; skin soft and 
loose, pronounced dewlap. Cheeks well rounded and 
protruding sideways. Eyes low down in skull, as 
wide apart as possible ; nose large, broad and black ; 
neck short, strong and well arched. Chest broad and 
full. Ribs well rounded. Feet med'um size ; compact 
and finely set. Weight should not exceed 25 pounds. 
The breed of greatest interest to farmers is the 
Collie, and these were in great numbers and attracted 
great attention. The business of breeding dogs is 
not so generally engaged in as that of breeding other 
live stock, but it engages the attention of many men 
who make a specialty of it. The judge, Geo. Raper, 
is said to have judged over 400 000 dogs during his 
life. A man must have a great liking for dogs in 
order to succeed. Many women breed dog3, especially 
the toy dogs. But to engage in this business to make 
it profitable, one must have first-class dogs as foun¬ 
dation stock, and these cost high prices. It would 
be useless to start with anything else, because the 
best sales are made on the reputation of the parent 
stock. Many of these dogs are valued at hundreds of 
dollars, and it would cost more to start a good kennel 
of any popular breed than it would to start a herd 
of purebred swine or a flock of the best breeds of 
sheep. f. h. v. 
BUSINESS BITS 
Chas. Weight, of Seaford, Del., is an upright man with a 
downright good stock of plants and trees. His catalogue tells 
the story. 
The young engineer should read, think and act. Reading 
comes first. What shall be read? A book called “The Young 
Engineer’s Guidebook” gives some tboueht-starters on steam 
engineering. Published by J. V. Rohan, Racine, Wis. 
The Standard Wire Fence Co., of Canandaigua, N. Y., claims 
to have solved the wire fence problem by perfecting various im¬ 
provements in bracing postsand tightening the wires. If you 
had their pamphlet, you would, doubtless, agree with them. 
Ir you have aDy beans to pick, just send a card to Bacon Mfg. 
Co , 9 Lawrence Street, Pontiac, Mich., and ask for a description 
of their bean picker. We have not seen it in use, but from the 
fact that they send a machine on approval, we conclude that it 
will do just what they say it will. 
One who bad never had his attention called to the matter, would 
hardly think that so much less power would be required to push 
a band cultivator or hoe with a big wheel than with a low one. 
The big wheel does save labor. The Iron Age hoes all have the 
big wheel. They are made by Bateman Mfg. Co., Box 102, Gren- 
loch, N. J. 
Freight, of course, enters into the element of cost in berry 
crates and baskets; but some manufacturers have better freight 
rates than others. Then, too, if you can get your whole supply 
at one place, there is a saving of rates in doing so. The Pierce 
Mfg. Co., South Haven, Mich., issue a large, 32-page catalogue 
that they will send free to inquirers. Aside from giving you a 
good article, they may be able to save you money in other ways. 
There is no longer any dispute about the advantage of spray¬ 
ing fruits. The money value of it has been proved over and over 
again, but it is not always so easy to tell just what spraying 
apparatus to use for your particular work. The catalogues of 
the different houses making these goods, however, are sent free, 
and you can get a pretty clear idea from them as to just what 
you want. H B. Rusler, Johnstown, O., sends out a catalogue 
containing valuable information on spraying aside from the 
description of his goods. His Comet is a lawn and garden force 
pump, as well as a fruit tree sprayer. 
Tillage machines come and go, but year after year, the Acme 
harrow beads the list as an implement for fitting plowed ground 
for the seed bed. It is one of the first tools we would buy if start¬ 
ing a new farm. It is a harrow, crusher and leveller all com¬ 
bined. Other tools will dig deeper or tear the ground up better, 
but for its special work of preparing the ground for the seed-bed, 
the “ Acme ” heads the list. No other tool has so longdefied com¬ 
petition and held its own against disk, spring-tooth and spikes. 
That indicates m-rit if anything can. Duane H. Nash, of Mil 
lington, N. J., sells this harrow. He uses it on his own farm. 
There has always been one trouble with the combination grain 
and fertilizer drills—tne acting parts were made of metal, and the 
acids of the fertilizer would corrode the working parts of the 
feed. The Buckeye steel-frame combined graiu and fertilizer 
drill introduces a new feature, the working parts of the feed 
being made of glass. Glass, of course, is impervious to the act on 
of moisture and acids, and the old troubles of rusting, corroding 
and clogging are avoided. P. P. Mast <& Co.. 9 Canal Street, 
Springfield, O., are the makers of this drill, and while there was, 
heretofore, no better drill, this feature gives it new value, and, 
no doubt, will make it more popular than ever before. 
It would take nearly a page of The R N.-Y. to record all the 
prizes recently won by butter made in the apparatus manufac¬ 
tured by the Vermont Farm Machine Co., Bellows Falls, Vt. Lots 
of dairymen are still using the good old Cooley system of deep 
setting in cold water. For years, this Cooley system was the 
recognized standard. When mechanical cream separation was 
made practical, this company was soon in the field with the U. 
S. cream separator, and they have endeavored to make it repre¬ 
sent among separators what the Cooley did among deep-setting 
cans. This firm also sells the celebrated Davis swing churn and 
the Babcock tester. We still bear from farmers who are vic¬ 
timized by the “ Creamery Shark.” The Vermont Farm Machine 
Co. will, on receipt of 10 cents in stamps, send an 80-page book 
on creamery architecture, which gives full information about 
building and managing creameries. It will be sure poison for the 
Creamery Shark. 
