556 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
August 21 
NEXT WEEK! 
We shall print a valuable article on 
Homemade Windmills, 
which will illustrate some of the queer 
contrivances used in Nebraska. 
Agriculture in the Yukon Valley 
will be the title of another valuable 
and interesting article. 
The New Black Man! 
An account of a Negro Farmers’ In¬ 
stitute, held last February at Tus- 
kegee, Ala., with an extended study 
of the farm negro problem. 
THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR 
THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE. 
The 46th annual meeting of the American Asso¬ 
ciation for the Advancement of Science was held 
in Detroit, beginning August 10, and continuing 
for one week. The objects of this association 
are, by periodical and migratory meetings, to 
promote intercourse between those who are cul¬ 
tivating science in different parts of America, 
and to give a stronger, a more general impulse, 
and more systematic direction to scientific re¬ 
search. Another object kept in view is to pro¬ 
cure for scientific men increased facilities and a 
wider usefulness. The association comprises 
about 1,000 members and 800 Fellows, making a 
total membership of 1,800.. The Fellows are 
elected by the council by such members only as 
are professionally engaged in science, or have by 
their labors aided in advancing science. 
In the absence of Prof. Walcott Gibbs, of New¬ 
port, R. I., the president of the association, the 
senior vice president, Dr. W. J. McGee, of Wash¬ 
ington, D. C., presided. In keeping with the dig¬ 
nity and national character of the association, it 
was formally welcomed to the city of Detroit by 
ex-Senator Palmer and Mayor Maybury. The lat¬ 
ter made a happy and graceful speech. Among 
other good things, he said that there is one de¬ 
partment of science in which we are, apparently, 
deficient, and that is the science of municipal 
government. If you can tell how, by some scien¬ 
tific method, a chief executive of a large city can 
coerce a recalcitrant and obstinate common 
council, or point out an equally scientific course 
by which a common council might control a 
wicked and perverse mayor, you will solve one of 
the burning questions of the age. In a more 
serious vein, the mayor said that we might all 
rejoice that the fierce contest so long waged be¬ 
tween the religious and scientific world is now a 
matter of history, and important only As it shows 
the marvelous change that has come over the 
minds of men. That religion is strongest which 
challenges every scientific discovery and finds in 
each a confirmation of a'l well-founded faith. 
Science became the handmaid of religion when 
her votaries were not satisfied with discovering 
effects, but looked for the first great cause. Their 
experience in this pursuit taught them that there 
were mysteries in this world and in human exist¬ 
ence which the mind cannot, and was not made 
to fathom. With this concession, religion no 
longer fears science. 
Senator Palmer said, in substance, that amid 
the general scramble for money, place and power 
which characterizes the present age, it is grati¬ 
fying to know that there is an increasing num¬ 
ber of men and women who, ignoring the com¬ 
mon objects of ambition, have devoted them¬ 
selves to, and are diligent in, the unselfish pur¬ 
suit of truth. It seems fitting to ask at this 
time, “ What is science ? ” Herbert Spencer de¬ 
fines it as “ The extension of our perceptions by 
means of reasoning,” but he admits that that is 
not an altogether satisfactory definition. For the 
benefit of myself and others, I humbly offer the 
following, and trust that it may be discussed and 
criticised until abetter definition is arrived at: 
Science is the classification of phenomena to the 
end that principles may be established and de¬ 
clared, from which may be deduced rules of 
action that shall be applicable to particular 
cases. “How did science originate?” By ex¬ 
tended observations, experience, and compari¬ 
son. “ What has science done ? ” She has been 
the handmaid of religion in uplifting humanity, 
and with each successive step, new vistas open, 
revealing greater wonders beyond. She has 
lifted the poor to comfort, and taught the rules 
of correct living. She has manacled the pesti¬ 
lence that wasteth in secret and stalketh at noon¬ 
day, declaring the laws of sanitation so that he 
who runs may read. What her future will be no 
man can foretell; but we know that it will accu¬ 
mulate untold blessings upon the race, blessings 
which, like those from heaven, will fall upon both 
the just and the unjust. 
Following the addresses of welcome came the 
addresses of the different vice-presidents to the 
various sections over which they were respect¬ 
ively called to preside. Among these, the ad¬ 
dress of Prof. W. P. Mason before the section of 
chemistry, and that of Dr. R. O. Howard before 
the section of zoology, were of the most general 
interest, although there were others that elicited 
no small share of attention. Prof. Mason’s sub¬ 
ject was Expert Testimony, and he viewed the 
subject both from the standpoint of the lawyer 
and that of the expert. In referring to the fact 
that a facetious lawyer once divided prevari¬ 
cators into three classes, viz., ordinary flbbersi 
liars and experts, he said that the arraignment 
which met with some approbation from the mem¬ 
bers of the legal fraternity, was caused partly by 
ignorance on the part of the bar, and at times, 
partly by what is worse, the ignorance upon the 
part of the expert. We are now possessed of so 
very little of that which, one day, may be known, 
that no true scientist hesitates to plead legiti¬ 
mate ignorance. What really troubles the expert 
on cross-examination is that court and bar do not 
speak the language of science, which is often 
difficult of direct translation; neither are they 
schooled in the principles of science and, in con¬ 
sequence, insist not infrequently upon categori¬ 
cal answers to the most impossible questions. 
As a remedy, Prof. Mason favored an earnest ap¬ 
peal to the court, urging that the oath requires 
the whole truth and not a misleading portion. 
He also pointed out how serious a matter the 
testimony of an expert may be, and illustrated 
the point by giving the details of a murder trial, 
in which he had been called as a witness. In 
this trial, the defendent was acquitted because 
he was not permitted to give the full result of his 
analysis, a point which the defense was not slow 
to take advantage of. The expert was admon¬ 
ished that, in order to secure clearness before a 
jury, technicalities should be avoided as much as 
possible, and that the illustrations used should 
be so simple as to be easily understood. It is a 
fatal error to know too much, and a pit into 
which the expert witness may fall is often pre¬ 
pared for him by questions leading him to ven¬ 
ture an opinion outside of his specialty. Authori¬ 
ties are often quoted against expert testimony, 
so it behooves the witness to be familiar with the 
literature of the subject so as to be able to point 
out that such an author is not up to date, or that 
a partial quotation did not give the full truth. 
Prof. Mason said that the “ expert witness” 
should be absolutely truthful, clear and terse in 
his statements, homely and apt in his illustra¬ 
tions, and incapable of being led beyond the 
field in which he is an expert. 
The subject of Dr. Howard’s paper was, The 
Spread of Species by the Agency of Man. He 
dwelt mainly upon the accidental introduction 
of injurious insects from one country to another. 
It was shown that, while many injurious species 
from Europe readily acclimatize here, American 
species do not so easily establish themselves in 
Europe. The general direction of the spread of 
species of pests and insects is from east to west, 
or from the older civilization to the new. Dr. 
Howard emphasized the wisely planned and 
guarded introductions. The important and skill¬ 
ful work of Albert Koebele was referred to, and 
was cited as an indication of what might be done 
in this direction. We have no desire to be over¬ 
run by the pests of foreign lands, but there are 
many absolutely beneficial insects which might 
flourish here, and where intentional introduction 
could not be harmful from any point of view, 
while they might be of the greatest service. 
w. R. L. 
f 897 ^ 
COLUMBIA 
BICYCLES 
$75 to All Alike 
Standard of the World. 
1896 Columbias.$60 
1897 Hartfords.50 
Hartford Pattern 2, Women’s 45 
Hartford Pattern I, Men’s . . 40 
Hartford Patterns 5 and 6 • 30 
POPE MFG. CO., Hartford, Conn. 
If Columbias are not properly represented 
in your vicinity, let us kno-w. 
SAND VETCH. 
Pronounced by the United States Department 
of Agriculture as one of the most promising 
fodder crops of recent introduction. Price, $3 per 
bushel of 50 pounds. Full information in our 
Descriptive Fall Catalogue, which we will mail 
free on application. 
T. W. WOOD & SONS, Seedsmen, Richmond, I/a. 
FOR SALE 
Fruit farm, 36 acres. Write for price and descrip¬ 
tion. W. J. BLACK1STON, Denton. Md. 
Cheap 
enough for 
a small 
grower, 
<& the best 
for a large 
grower. 
THIS IS A 
BEAN HARVESTER. 
THE FARMERS HANDY WAGON COMPANY, 
Agents Wanted. SAGINAW, MICH. 
Too little Potash in 
the fertilizer used pro¬ 
duces a “scrubby” 
• crop, just as a lack 
of sufficient grain fed 
to stock means a “scrubby” animal. 
An illustrated book which tells what Potash is, how it 
should be used, and how much Potash a well-balanced 
fertilizer should contain, is sent free to all applicants. 
Send your address. 
GERMAN KALI WORKS, 93 Nassau St., New York. 
Save Money I We Sell Direct to Farmers ! 
Why not economize ? 
Pure Raw Bone Meal. to 
Scientific Corn & Grain Fert... 55 
Scientific Economy Fertilizer . > 
Scientific Tobacco Fertilizer.. 5 
Scientific Potato Fertilizer_>. 
Bone and Meat Fertilizer.< 
You save $10 to $12 on every ton of Fertilizer you buy from us. Per ton 
Ammonia, 4 to 5 p.c. Phos.Acid, 22 to 25 p.c.$22 
Ammonia, 2 to 3 p.c. Phos.Acid, 8 to 10 p.c. Potash, 1)4 to 2)4 p.c. 16 
Ammonia, 2)4 to 3)4 p.c.Phos.Acid, 10 to 12 p.c. Potash, 3 to 4 p.c. 20 
Ammonia, 3 to 4 p.c. Phos.Acid, 10 to 12 p.c. Potash, 3)4 to 4)4 P-c. 22 
Ammonia, 3 to 4 p.c. Phos.Acid, 10 to 12 p.c. Potash, 5 to 6 p.c. 25 
Ammonia, 4)4 to 5J^ p.c.Phos.Acid, 13 to 15 p.c.18 
FOR SAMPLES AND BOOK WRITE 
THE SCIENTIFIC FERTILIZER CO.. P. 0. Rot 1017.708 Bingham Street. Pittsburg, Pa. 
Farmers, 
Gardeners and 
Fruit Growers 
To economize should freely use the time 
tested reliable brands of FERTILIZERS 
we manufacture. The goods increase 
quantity and improve quality of Grain, 
Grass, Vegetables and Fruit, and make 
healthy Trees , Vines and Shrubs. 
Brands for all soils and all crops. 
ffr Some prefer making their own “ home 
mixings,” tor such we always keep In stock the 
Chemicals and crude materials required. 
THE CLEVELAND DRYER CO., 
No. 130 Summit Street, Cleveland, Ohio. 
I |kj| Farmers wishing to fertilize and Im- 
| Iwl EL prove their land, should send at once 
and get a car-load of Pure White Bock Lime. Ana¬ 
lysis 95^ per cent pure Carbonate Lime. Price only 
$1.50 per ton. Shipped to any part of the country in 
good tight box cars. Address WHITE ROCK LIME 
AND CEMENT CO.. McAfee Valley. N. J. 
$20 Phosphate for Wheat and Grass 
Sold to farmers direct. We have no agents. Senp 
for Circular. Low prices lor car-load lots. 
YORK CHEMICAL WORK8, York, Pa. 
FARMERS ATTENTION 
BUY YOUR 
___ FERTILIZERS 
and Fertilizing Material direct at wholesale 
prices of 8. G. LYON & BRO., AURORA. N. Y.. and 
t.hArAhv rrva mnn«v. (krrrfiSDOndence solicited. 
Sow Jones Wheats 
With a record of being the most productive, hardiest 
and best standing sorts known. Jones Lougberrv No. 
1 (new, 1897). Diamond Grit, Early Arcadian, Im¬ 
proved Winter Fife. Bearded Winter Fife. Pedigree 
Early Genesee Giant. Send for catalogue to 
A. N. JONES. Newark. Wayne County, N. Y. 
MCKINLEY \Af || C A T Circular saves W # 
SEED »» n E. I in experimenting 
free. Write to-day. Sample head, 5c. stamp. 
SMITH’S SEED & STOCK FARM, Manchester, N. Y. 
unocc DfltifEDC tiirasiiers 
nutfoc rUVYtno, and cleaners 
One & two-horse Thrashing outfits. Level PIITTCDC 
Tread, Pat. Governor. Feed and Ensilage uu 1 1 LIlU 
Ellis Keystone Agr’l Works, Pottstown, Pa. 
SAVE LABOR 
in that most slavish jobof cutting off com byusingtho 
SCIENTIFIC CORN 
Those side wings are 
hinged. SAFETY 
SHAFTS. 
HARVESTER 
ADJUST¬ 
ABLE 
SAFETY 
SEATS. 
Cuts any de¬ 
sired height. 
SAVES 
LABOR 
SAVES 
CORN 
SAVES 
MONEY 
It meets every requirement of a machine corn cutter 
at a price that places it within easy reach of every 
farmer. Send for catalogue and price. 
THE FOOS MFG CO. SPRINGFIELD, O. 
Why Hire Your Corn Harvested 
WHEN YOU CAN BUY A 
Standard Corn Harvester, 
STEEL FRAME WITH SAFETY GUARDS, FOR 
DELIVERED AT YOUR R. R. STATION. 
ADDRESS 
THE STANDARD HARROW CO., UTICA, N.Y. 
wmm ■ a w m Jl ■ mm | JL Al is the earliest, easiest worked and most pro- 
F D R A I INI E D LAN ductive land. By using tile you get rid orthe 
H I ka ■■ ■%. ■ ■ W mm mm ^ surplus water and admit the air to the soil— 
' Sbh , both necessary to best results In agriculture. My ACRICULTURAL 
DRAIN TILE meets every requirement. Make also Sewer Pipe, Red 
I_ j D-inb Pkimnnw Tnno. Sidfi Walk Tile. etc. Write for 
n^A N I IIP- IIILTIS C*C1J v .7 r, rr~) 
and Fire Brick, Chimney Tops- Encaustic Side Walk Tile, etc. M'rite for 
what you want and prices. JOHN H.JACksON, 76 1 bird Ave. Albany,N.Y. 
“SUCCESS GILT-EDGE’” 5555 . 
Guaranteed a 
Perfect Digger. 
WE MEAN JUST WHA1 WE SAT. 
FIRST digger in each place 
at greatly reduced price. 
Don't delay and 
miss this special 
price for a per¬ 
fect POTATO 
DIGGER. 
Our “SUCCESS JR. 
IMPROVED” we guar¬ 
antee the best low-priced 
digger on the Market. 
Agents Wanted. 
D. Y. HALLOCK & SON, p Si*! 01 YORK, PA. 
