1897 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
WHAT I SEE AND HEAB, 
□ The quotations of hay published from week to 
week are, and will be for some time to come, for old 
hay. But little new hay finds its way into market 
until fall. Many papers quote prices on “ prime” 
hay. This is a mistake, as this grade means abso¬ 
lutely pure Timothy with not a spire of anything 
else and of perfect color. Not enough such is received 
here to be worth mentioning, and some dealers say 
that not a bale of such is received here in a year. 
Good No. 1 is a fine quality of hay, what many would 
call prime, but it isn’t so graded. 
X X X 
In one commission store, I saw a lot of exceedingly 
dirty eggs, and was told by the merchant that the 
poor ones had been sorted out. What the lot could 
have been before they were “ sorted”, I don’t know. 
The best of them were simply filthy. What people 
can be thinking of to ship such things when water is 
usually so plentiful, beats me. It is a losing busi¬ 
ness. Have the eggs clean by all means. Egg buyers 
in some localities are now refusing to pay as much 
for dirty eggs as for clean ones, thus putting a prem¬ 
ium on cleanliness. 
X X t 
A dairyman who supplies a number of select cus¬ 
tomers with choice butter for family use, sends his 
surplus to a commission merchant in this city. Of 
course, this surplus is a variable quantity, but it’s 
choice what there is of it. The commission merchant 
wanted more, and told the dairyman that, if he would 
send him a certain fixed amount each week, he could 
get him a price considerably above the quoted mar¬ 
ket price. This only goes to show that, despite the 
heavy receipts and the sometimes glutted market, 
choice butter is always in demand and at good prices. 
Why not make more of it ? 
X X t 
The wholesale meat dealers have advanced the 
price of meat. Do the farmers get more for the live 
stock ? Not very much, it is true, but enough to 
make quite a sum on the large quantity of meat 
handled by the great packers. I asked my butcher 
whether he would advance his retail prices. He said 
no, that it would drive his trade all away, and he 
couldn’t afford to do that. But while the retailers 
will stick to the old prices, they are likely to weigh 
more closely, to cut out a little less bone and waste 
before weighing, and in other ways to make the con¬ 
sumer pay, at least, a part of the advance. So the 
increase is likely to be distributed. But what occa¬ 
sion was there for any increase, anyway ? The 
demand for meat is less during the summer than at 
any other time of the year. 
X X X 
New York butter exporters are disposed to criticise 
the report of the Department of Agriculture upon its 
recent experiments in shipping sample packages of 
butter to British markets. They are of the opinion 
that the Government is not likely to do much to help 
the export trade. Many of these exporters have been 
in the trade for years, and think that they know more 
about the business than Government agents could 
possibly learn in one or two visits, and by a single 
shipment. The report stated that 60-pound packages 
were sold as half-hundredweights, and that the Eng¬ 
lish are preiudiced in favor of the latter package and 
weight, and also will pay less for butter in tubs. The 
English do prefer the square, packages, but exporters 
say that it is ridiculous to think that any dealer would 
consent to lose four pounds of butter on each package 
on this account, or to sell for a materially lower price. 
The report also stated that the English prefer only 
one-fourth ounce of salt to the pound of butter. This 
would not be sufficient to keep it during the passage. 
The English don’t like so much salt as is commonly 
used, but one-half to three-fourths ounce per pound 
is about right. The Department has also brought 
over samples of fine butter purchased in the English 
market, and representing different countries that send 
butter there. These were exhibited in New York, 
but were seen largely by the exporters who are 
already familiar with these goods. If the butter 
makers could see these, it would be more helpful to 
the butter interests. The United States stands sixth 
in the amount of butter shipped to the British mar¬ 
kets from the different foreign countries, but statis¬ 
tics show that it is increasing its trade more rapidly 
than any of the others, while some of the others are 
sending less than formerly. If the United States 
Government will effectually choke off the bogus butter 
business, the reputable exporters of the country will 
build up a big trade for our butter. Cold storage 
facilities for this trade are being extended and 
improved. f. h. v. 
A STOVE AND A '• STOVE SHARK." 
VERBAL PROMISES OP AGENTS. 
The Rural New-Yorker has had something to say 
about the agents who sell the Home Comfort range, 
and our advertisement of the Wrought Iron Company 
may seem to many as inconsistent in consequence. It 
is true that, for a time, we supposed the company 
acquiesced in the actions of their agents. We 
are, however, assured by the representatives of the 
company that they not only do not authorize the 
agents to make any variations in the price or agree¬ 
ment, but discharge the agents that they detect in 
promising special prices, or making special agree¬ 
ments. The price of the stove is $69, and you can get 
it only by signing the following note: 
$69. 
.State of., .189.. 
On the first day of.after date, we, 
or either of us, promise to pay to the order of 
WROUGHT IRON RANGE CO., 
SIXTY-NINE DOLLARS 
Value reoeived, without discount or offset, waiving 
our rights to all exemptions allowed us by law, witli 
interest at six per cent from date, if not paid when 
due or when presented. 
County of. .. 
Witness. . 
In addition to this, the following agreement is 
signed by the buyer and the agent who sells the stove: 
STATE OF. 
.COUNTY. 
This Memorandum of Agreement , Made and entered into 
this.day of...A. D. 189.... Between the 
Wrought Iron Range Company, of St. Louis, Mo., of the first part, 
an( i.of the second part, 
WITNESSETH: That the Wrought Iron Range Company has this 
day sold to the parties of the second part one Home Comfort 
Range No.and delivered the same in good order. And in 
consideration of the same the parties of the second part have 
caused to be executed their promissory note bearing even date 
herewith for the sum of Sixty-Nine Dollars, payable to the 
order of Wrought Iron Range Company, without discount or 
offset, and due on the first day of.189_ 
with six per cent interest from date, if not paid when due and 
presented. 
Now, be it understood, that the Wrought Iron Range Company 
warrant said Range to bake, boil, and do all kinds of cooking in 
a good, workmanlike manner, and agree to furnish free of charge 
any parts that may, with ordinary usage, get out of repair suf¬ 
ficiently to injure the working of said Range during the period of 
Twelve Months from the date of this writing, provided that 
the above note is paid when due and presented, and that the 
parties of the second part furnish such flue and fuel as are neces¬ 
sary to its perfect operation. It is further agreed that the Range 
is not transferable until paid for, and that no receipts, discounts, 
or offsets will be accepted against the above note. This is the 
only agreement or stipulation recognized in the purchase and 
sale of said Range, and no alteration of above conditions, or 
erasure by salesman, is authorized, or will be recognized by said 
Company. [Signed in duplicate.] 
No * WROUGHT IRON RANGE COMPANY. 
Witness. . 
On the back of this agreement is printed the fol¬ 
lowing : 
NOTICE—SPECIAL. 
Ranges must be sold at prices regulated by the Company, and 
no other time for payment given than as instructed by the Super¬ 
intendent in charge. 
Any erasures or alterations upon notes or warrants, or any 
endorsements allowing discounts, except for cash paid on ac¬ 
count, or for payment on delivery, are positively forbidden. 
We furnish our salesmen with lithograph receipts, numbered 
and signed with fac-simile of name as below, which is charged to 
them as cash, and is used by them in payment of bills to custom¬ 
ers, or for cash received from parties who are indebted to us for 
Home Comfort Ranges. 
We were led to the adoption of this scrip partly for the protec¬ 
tion of ourselves, but more particularly for the protection of our 
customers. It has occurred that irresponsible persons, repre¬ 
senting themselves as having authority from us, have collected 
money on sales and given receipts for the same, signing the name 
of the Company. 
Now we want to caution all persons that no receipts for money, 
bills or anything whatever, will be accepted either in full or part 
payment of any note or claim held by this Company, unless 
endorsed on the note, except the scrip above named, and it only 
in the manner specified on its face. 
Neither will we recognize any transaction outside of the guar¬ 
antee which is signed with fac-simile of Company’s signature, 
nor any erasures, alterations or additions to its printed condition. 
No old stoves taken in part payment for Home Com¬ 
fort Ranges. wrought iron range company. 
Now it would seem that these words are plain enough, 
and the agreement seems fair provided the buyer is 
ready to pay $69 for the stove. In every case that we 
have investigated, the trouble if any, comes from the 
fact that the agent was said to agree to let the stove 
go for less than $69. In one case, the agent verbally 
agreed to let the farmer have the stove for $64— 
“ knocking off $5” to make the sale. The farmer 
signed the note for $69 and was forced to pay it. The 
agent’s verbal agreement amounted to nothing when 
it came to settlement. Other agents have promised 
and agreed to do various things, but these promises 
<V 
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441 
are repudiated by the company, as they state in the 
contract, and it is safe to say that no farmer will be 
able to buy this stove for less than $69, no matter 
what the agent may say or promise, since the agree¬ 
ment distinctly states that “no receipts, discounts or 
offsets will be accepted against the above note.” This 
point seems to be as clear as it can be possibly made, 
and we have never heard of a farmer who was com¬ 
pelled to pay more than his written agreement 
called for. 
We have one of the Home Comfort ranges on the 
farm. It cost $69, and was bought of an agent in the 
regular way by giving a note for the amount and pay¬ 
ing when due. It is an excellent stove, and our folks 
would not have it taken out to-day, after several 
years’ use, for the return of the first money. A cheaper 
stove may answer every purpose, and for a time, we 
thought the price very high ; yet we had no trouble 
hauling or setting up—the agent did both. The parts 
cannot be broken with a sledge hammer, so there is no 
breakage and no cost for repairing, and in the long 
run, it may be as cheap as, or cheaper than, one 
that would cost less on the start and give less com¬ 
fort during daily use. It is not, however, our purpose 
to advise any one either to buy the stove or let it alone. 
We only frankly express our own experience, and 
leave it to the good judgment of the farmer whether 
his conditions are such as will justify the purchase ; 
but we want to make clear that the agent who sells 
it has no authority from the company to sell it for 
less than $69, and that he cannot sell it for less under 
any circumstances. Further, that you will, probably, 
never again see the agent who sells it, and if you sign 
the note and contract above, the company will insist 
on your paying the note for full amount when due. 
If our readers buy this stove, we want them to buy 
it with their eyes wide open. If you can afford to 
pay $69 for it, and want it bad enough to do so, then 
you need have no trouble. Otherwise, do not try to 
drive a special bargain with the agent. He may ver¬ 
bally agree to your terms, but he will make a liar out 
of himself when he hands you the contract to sign, if 
you read it. 
Many farmers who do business mostly with neigh¬ 
bors or friends, consider a man’s word as good as his 
bond. When the dashing and talkative agent so 
readily agrees to cut the price of the stove, they be¬ 
lieve him and sign the note without carefully read¬ 
ing the agreement. The note is collected by a second 
party who, of course, says that he has nothing to do 
with what the other man said, and simply points to 
the printed agreement. These practices are wrong 
from every point of view. The company inform us 
that they do not sanction them, and that they will 
discharge agents who deceive buyers. They should 
certainly do so, for such practices are dishonest and 
fraudulent. 
We advertise the stove because we know it is a 
good one. We warn our readers that they cannot 
possibly buy it for less than $69. If any agent 
promise you a reduction, he is simply trying to de¬ 
ceive you. Sooner or later, if you sign that note or 
agreement, you will be obliged to pay it in full. We 
do not believe that you will be obliged to pay more 
than $69, for the note cannot be fraudulently in¬ 
creased. 
BUSINESS BITS. 
In answer to many inquiries about Sears, Roebuck & Co., of 
Chicago, we may only say that we refused to run their advertis¬ 
ing though our pay was secured, because-well, because. 
A rigid seat such as we find on most farm implements and 
wagons, usually makes one feel rather stiff and sore after a few 
hours’ ride; but now comes along a manufacturer with the Daisy 
seat, attachable to wagons and implements generally, which 
makes riding a land roller or a mowing machine as easy as a 
buggy. A. J. Fake, Fort Plain, N. Y.. will tell you all about it if 
interested. 
THE Farmers’ Handy Wagon Co., of Saginaw, Mich., give, as an 
advertising inducement, with each free catalogue, a picture of 
their wagon. Each picture is numbered, and each month they 
announce, in their advertising in The R. N.-Y., the number of a 
free gift wagon, which they will ship to the farmer who holds the 
right card. The wagon for June went to Enos Wood, a farmer at 
Malone, N. Y., who held No. 2,272 V. 
There has been considerable discussion of late as to the best 
kind of power for farm use. After all, the wisdom of a general 
character is in the peculiar requirements of each place and must 
be taken into consideration. One great advantage of the gasoline 
engine is that you can get a very low horse power for light 
work. The Pierce Engine Co., 45-45 Racine Street, Racine, Wis., 
make one as low as three-fourths horse power, while, of course 
making larger sizes also. 
As the season for thrashing approaches, many will be looking 
for new machines for the first time, and others to replace the old 
ones. The first thrasher the writer remembers to have seen was 
the Fearless. This machine was then, and until this year, manu¬ 
factured by the father of the present maker, Mr. Geo. D. Harder, 
of Cobleskill, N. Y. From time to time, improvements have been 
made, and new features have been added, so that it is always up 
to the developments of the times. We are glad to see this business, 
since it must leave the father, pass to the son. Mr. Harder built 
up a most successful business, and enjoys a reputation for integ¬ 
rity and honor, which his son will find it hard to improve, though 
from a personal acquaintance with him, we believe that he will 
fully maintain it. His descriptive catalogues will be sent free on 
application. 
