1901 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
57 
Events of the Week. 
domestic.—I’- irc! broke out in the Erie Basin, on tlie 
water front at Brookiyn, N. Y., January 9, starting on 
the steamer Idlewiid. It spread to surrounding shipping, 
and the damage is over $500,000. . . . The overdue 
Alaska steamer Tillamook was hemmed in by ice in 
Saldova Bay, Cook Inlet, and Anally wrecked. She had 
50 passengers on board, and a steamer was sent to rescue 
them. ... A smallpox epidemic at Murray, Iowa, has 
caused the closing of schools and churches. A portion of 
the town is under quarantine. . . . Gates Mills, O., is 
entirely cut off from the outside world by a smallpox 
quarantine. January 8 there were 40 cases, and it was 
feared that the medical resources of the village were 
unequal to the situation. ... A panic caused by a 
cry of lire during a theatrical performance in a hall in 
Chicago, January 12, caused the death of four women and 
two children., who were trampled to death. Many other 
persons were injured. . . . The United States Supreme 
Court, January 14, made a decision in the Neely ex¬ 
tradition case. The Court held that Neely was subject 
to extradition, and must be surrendered to the Cuban 
authorities; that Cuba is foreign territory, our only pur¬ 
pose in the war with Spain being to free the Cubans 
from Spanish domination. . . . Alvord, the defaulting 
New York bank official who embezzled $620,000, has re¬ 
ceived a sentence of 13 years imprisonment. 
CONGRESS.—The United Slates Senate January 10 
made considerable progress with the Army Reorgan¬ 
ization bill. The committee amendments were disposed 
of, and those providing for the appointment of Gen¬ 
erals James 11. Wilson, Fitzhugh Dee and Shafter, to be 
Major Generals of the regular army and retired, pre¬ 
vailed, despite bitter opposition from Mr. Pettigrew. An 
aijpeal was presented by Mr. Teller, of Colorado, from 
more than 2,000 persons in Manila, urging the Government 
to cease its operations against the Fiiipinos. The appeal 
was so unusual in form that Mr. Hawley, of Connecticut, 
objected to its publication as a document, and declared 
that it was treasonable denunciation of the Government 
and an attack upon our soldiers. ... In the House 
January 12, Mr. Pearson, of North Carolina, introduced 
a bill empowering the Secretary of Agriculture to pur¬ 
chase land suited to tlie purpose of a national forest 
leserve in the Appalachian Mountains, within the States 
of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, 
Alabama and Tennessee, not to exceed in extent 3,000,000 
acres. Five million dollars is appropriated for the pur¬ 
pose. . . . The House Committee on Post Offices and 
I'ost Roads, January 15, practically completed the Post 
Office Appropriation bill, tlie total of which will be about 
$122,748,000. The item for rural free delivery is increased 
from $1,750,000 to $3,500,000. No provision is made for 
pneumatic tube service. The Naval Appropriation bill, 
completed in committee January 15, carries $77,000,000, an 
increase of $11,000,000 over that for the present year. Two 
new battleships and two cruisers are provided for, but no 
additional submarine vessels are recommended at present. 
GENERAL FOREIGN NOTES.—The recent blizzard 
throughout Russia stopped all traHic on several railways, 
and the poor in many outlying districts are nearing 
starvation. All business in Odessa was stopped for sev¬ 
eral days, and prices of provisions advanced 500 per cent. 
Some of the trains were blocked in the snow for six 
days, and the passengers suffered much distress, some of 
them being frozen to death. . . . An explosion in a hat 
factory near Manchester, England, January 14, killed 10 
l)ersons. . . . Tlie Italian steamer Leone was wrecked 
near Corsica, January 14; 15 lives lost. . . . Venezuela 
lias seized tv/o steamers belonging to the Orinoco Ship¬ 
ping Company. They sail under the British flag, but the 
majority of the stock is owned by Americans, and it is 
believed that the aggression is the result of tlie contro¬ 
versy over the asphalt beds, and is part of a plan to 
dispossess the American holders of the concession by 
ibrce. The Colombian government recently seized a 
British vessel under similar circumstances, but paid $30,- 
u(X» indemnity wlien visited by the gunboat Pheasant. 
FARM AND GARDEN.—The Montana State Arid Land 
Commission lias let a contract to L. D. Beary, of Helena, 
for a 50-mile irrigating canal, intended to reclaim 33,000 
acres of land located in the northern part of Lewis and 
Clarke counties, of which Helena is a county seat. The 
contract price is $412,000, to be paid in bonds which are 
to be secured by the lands sought to be reclaimed, and 
the work must be completed within tliree years. The con¬ 
tractor also agrees to place settlers upon the lands. 
Work on the canal will be commenced next May. 
At the annual meeting of the American Beet Sugar 
Association at Detroit, Mich., January 9, tlie association 
adopted a resolution earnestly protesting against any 
form of reciprocity that would sacriAce protection to the 
domestic sugar-growing and manufacturing industry. It 
was also agreed to protest against the suspension of duty 
on Russian sugars, and especially in the face of reports 
by Government experts that Russia pays a sugar bounty. 
At the meeting of the Illinois Dairymen’s Association 
at Aurora, Ill., January 8, a resolution Indorsing the 
Grout bill was the first business considered. About 300 
dairymen from Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana were in 
attendance. Among the speakers were C. P. Goodrich, 
president of the Wisconsin Dairy Association, Prof. T. 
L. Haecker, of the Wisconsin State dairy school, A. H. 
Jones, of Robinson, III., State Dairy, and Food Com¬ 
missioner, G. A. Wllmarth, president of the State 
Farmers’ Alliance, and Prof. Davenport, of the Illinois 
Agricultural College. 
The thirteenth annual meeting of the Illinois Swine 
Breeders’ Association convened at Taylorville, Ill.. 
January 8, about 150 members being in attendance. 
The Illinois State Pigeon and Pet Stock Association 
opened its seventh annual show at Bloomington January 
10. Among the principal exhibitors were T. H. Ayers, 
Hoopeston, Cochins; George Attig, Chenoa, Black Lang- 
shans; W. E. Nesbitt, Bloomington, Bantams; C. A. 
Axllne, Wenona, Brown Leghorns; John Brey, Neola, 
la.. Buff Wyandottes; Ora Bthell, Bloomington, Buff 
Rocks; George Eyre, of Buckley, Barred Rocks; P. H. 
Jackson, Rutland, bronze turkeys; J. F. Hulva, Bloom¬ 
ington, Mlnorcas; W. C. Mootier, Gibson City, Pekin 
ducks; Joseph Vogel, Benson, white Holland turkeys. 
The annual meeting of the Arkan.sas State Horticul¬ 
tural Society will be hebl at Lillie Mock, January 30-31. 
The fouiieeiith aiuiuai coiiveuiioti of the Kansas Dairy- 
meii s Association was commenced January 8 at 'i’opeka, 
with an attendance of 3U0. The topics of the principal 
papers were devoted to creamery systems, methods of 
feeding, butter-making machinery, keeping dairy ac¬ 
counts and grades of milch cows best suited to Kansas 
herds. An interesting description of dairying in Den¬ 
mark was given by A. M. Larson, of Kansas City. 
A meeting of the Mississippi Valley Apple Growers' 
Association was held at Quincy, Hi., January 10. It was 
the sense of the meeting that drastic measures should 
be taken to exterminate all pests which had contributed 
largely to the .recent failures of the fruit crops in that 
part of the country, and especially so where Illinois was 
affected. It was ordered that a special committee of 
lour, consisting of Henry C. Cupp, of Fall Creek, presi- 
iient; James Handly, of Quincy, secretary; Homer D. 
iJrown, of Hamilton, and C. H. Williamson, of Quincy, 
should be appointed to cooperate with the Illinois State 
Horticultural Society, and also to make special efforts 
in the work of securing an appropriation from the State 
Legislature for the purpose of providing means of eradi¬ 
cating all of the general orchard pests. A resolution was 
also adopted condemning the existence of the English 
sparrow, and petitioning the State Legislature to con¬ 
tinue the standing of the statute which offers a bounty 
of two cents on the head of each sparrow killed. 
The meeting of the Illinois State Dairymen’s Asso¬ 
ciation at Aurora closed January 10, the following officers 
being elected: President, Joseph Newman, Elgin; vice- 
president, J. H. Biddulph, Providence; secretary. Geo. 
Caven, Chicago; treasurer, H. H. Hopkins, Hinckley. 
Directors, Joseph Newman, John Stewart, Elburn; R. 1. 
Murphy, Garden Plain; J. 11. Buddulph, F. A. Carr, 
Aurora. H. Nolan, Hinckley, scored the highest on but¬ 
ter, 97%. He gets $25 and a gold medal from the Elgin 
jloard of Trade. G. Herman, Manhattan, scored second, 
97V^; F. E. Barrett, Union, third, 97; Otto Bloyer, Elk- 
horn Grove, fourth, 96%. Two hundred and ten dollars 
will be divided pro rata among those who scored 93 or 
better. J. H. Biddulph, of Providence, 111., scored high¬ 
est on cheese. 
The annual meeting of the New York State Association 
of County Agricultural Societies and the State Association 
of Union or Town Agricultural Societies was held at 
Albany, January 17. The organization of County Agricul¬ 
tural Societies elected the following officers; President, 
D. W. Jenkins, Central Bridge; second vice-president, 
Philip Keck, Johnstown; secretary, G. W. Harrison, Fort 
Edward; treasurer, A. E. Brown, Batavia. The Union 
.(Vgrlcultural Societies elected president, George I. Wil¬ 
ber, Oneonta; vice-presidents, J. B. Wilton, Dryden; H. 
C. Wallace, Sandy Creek; F. A. Wickers, Hemlock; 
Perris Reynolds, Walton; Delbert Dinehart, West 
Copake, and William Wallace, New York City; secretary, 
G. B. Harmon, Brockport; treasurer, D. C. Dow, Coble- 
skill. 
As we go to press we are informed that the Grout bill 
will be favorably reported by the Senate Committee on 
Agriculture, and its success may now be considered 
secure. 
WHAT ABOUT THE POTATO CROP? 
Tho Commission Hon Talk. 
There are no potatoes in the farmers’ hands in our 
section of the country, and very few dealers have any 
quantity stored. No doubt good stock will bring much 
better prices later. The present market of jobbers is 55 
cents for good stock. pletsch & sutton. 
Columbus, O, 
We have been out through Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, 
and have had considerable talk with the farmers, and 
do not think that they have any large quantity of potatoes 
on hand. We should think that the prices would be con¬ 
siderably higher In the Spring than they are now. 
Providence, R. 1. Humphrey & cornele. 
The closest estimate we have been able to make on the 
potato crop is that one-half of the crop is still in the 
liands of the grower. We do not anticipate higher prices 
until after March. If anything there may be a slight 
drop, but it will only be temporary we think. 
Denver, Col. the donaldson & Howard com. co. 
The stock of potatoes in farmers’ hands is about as 
usual, and we do not anticipate any high prices this 
Spring, unless something unusual should happen in the 
meantime, so that part of the crop would be destroyed. 
We think that the market will be liberally supplied with 
potatoes until the new crop comes in. 
Cleveland, O. the kedly co. 
The larger part of the trade liere had expected to see 
a 60 to 65-cent market here for potatoes by this time, but 
our local market has only reached 50 cents so far. It 
was pretty thoroughly understood early that the late 
plantings of late potatoes came out very light, but 
weather has been too mild to put the price where it 
should be. strange & nokes. 
Cleveland, O. 
Our impression is that about 30 per cent of the 
potatoes are still lield by the farmer, and about 10 per 
cent by the potato merchant. In this part of the country 
the growers all have their supply in full. There are some 
potato merchants who carry a few carloads each, which 
they are holding for better prices in Spring, but it is our 
judgment that between 30 and 40 per cent are still held 
for sale. john a. salzer seed co. 
La Crosse, Wis. 
Maine had a fine crop and growers hold about one-half 
of them. At present they are shipping to the South and 
Southwest large quantities for seed, as they do every 
season. New Hampshire had about one-half crop, and 
has sold most of them. The crop of Massachusetts was 
small, and very few are held at present. We have re¬ 
ceived some foreign potatoes, and should the price hold 
to 75 to 85 cents per bushel there will be lots shipped 
here. i.awrence & co. 
Boston, Mass. 
The stock of potatoes in the farmers’ hands is large. 
The farmers are speculators this year, both on seed and 
table stock. The same may be said of the dealers in 
localities wiicie tlie crop was good, but in many lucalilics 
where large crop was raised in 1899, last Fall’s crop was 
a failure, and they are shipping in potatoes from other 
sections where they are in larger supplies for their 
present use. We do not look for any higher prices in 
the Spring. gamble-robinson com. co. 
Minneapolis, Minn. 
Tlie supply o’f potatoes in tliis market is moderate, and 
luices are steady for a good quality at around 50 cents 
tier bushel. Our supplies are drawn very largely, and 
up to this time this season almost exclusively, from tlie 
States of Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. 
Ohio has become quite a potato producer, but this ^ear 
the crop was much below an average, and it has been 
largely disposed of. In the other States named, or 
through the northwestern lield, the crop was understood 
to be large, the quality up to an average, and the move¬ 
ment to market restricted through a scarcity of cars dur¬ 
ing the early shipping season. The quantity from this 
territory still to come forward is understood to be large 
enough to meet all demands during the remainder of 
the season, and the outlook does not favor advanced 
selling prices. somers, bro. & co. 
I’ittsburg, Pa. 
Notes from Potato Growers. 
There is about one-half of the potato crop in the 
farmers’ hands. j. a. thomrson. 
Idvingston Co., N. Y. 
i believe about 50 per cent of the potatoes are marketed; 
that would leave about 50 per cent unsold. The local 
market to-day for general stock is 30 cents per bushel. 
Mears, Mich. w. m. 
I should think about 50 per cent of crop is in farmeis’ 
hands unsold. It is the opinion here that seed potatoes 
will be higher this Spring than last. g. b. p. 
Ontario Co., N. Y. 
There are few potatoes in the hands of farmers’ in this 
county; not enough for home use. They are selling here 
at 60 cents per bushel, but 1 think seed will be $1 fur 
common stock. t. c. tiEATii. 
Armstrong Co., Pa. 
1 do not iliink that there is 10 per cent of the potato 
crop in the hands of producers in this section. Prices 
of seed are 15 to 20 per cent lower than last season. 
Earlies will be short. geo. h. codvin. 
Lackawanna Co., Penn. 
The potato crop throughout this county is almost all 
sold; very few in farmers' hands af'present. I think seed 
potatoes will be high this Spring. It will depend largely 
on stock unsold in other sections. u. e. e. 
Washington Co., N. Y. 
Une-half of the crop (which was a light one,» is still 
on hand; those wlio were obliged to sell sold last Fall, 
and those who could hold their crop have them yet, and 
are holding for 60 cents per bushel. Carload price now 
is 50 cents per bushel. Judging by the crop of the country 
prices must advance before Spring. As to seed potatoes, 
good stock will be scarce, and will bring good prices. 
Waterloo, N. V. a. a. b. 
The general impression is that there is not over 25 or 
30 per cent of the potato crop held by our farmers, aim 
this is being gradually worked off in our local market. 
From present conditions there will be less acreage 
planted the coming Spring than in the past, which was 
above the average. With few exceptions the crop was 
very light the past season. c. b. 
Mercer Co., N. J. 
Shipments have been liberal from all points where 
cars were furnished, and buyers have had more trouble 
in securing cars than potatoes. Where there is storage 
the bulk of crop in potato sections is in the hands of 
buyers. This is especially true of northern points, and 
the demand for potatoes has exceeded supply of cars at 
all places. I have had larger inquiry and more urgent 
demand for stock for immediate shipment from dealers 
and buyers than before in years. My opinion is that 
there will be an advance over present prices, and whether 
advance will be sharp or not will show by February. 
Eaton Co., Mich. w. e. i. 
From the most careful estimates, we lind fully 50 per 
cent of this year’s potato crop is marketed, in this sec¬ 
tion. Owing to the most severe drought ever experienced 
in this part of the country, there was not more than half 
an average crop. However, the stock, as a whole, is 
smooth and nice, with no signs of rot whatever. At this 
writing, the outlook is favorable for a greater demand 
lor seed potatoes this season than last. There has been 
a fair demand for southern seed, which is nearly all 
shipped. From various indications, especially in the 
West, we venture to predict that the price of seed will 
rule higher this year than last. hiler brothers. 
Steuben Co., N. Y. 
Good Roads in New York. 
I believe If all tax assessed upon the people was paid 
in cash, and put into the hands of a competent man in 
each town, or part of town, as he might be able to over¬ 
see, and properly expended in the improvement of the 
roads, we would need very little increase of taxes to 
secure good roads. The road commissioners of each 
town should, on petition of the best and most respon¬ 
sible men of the political parties, be appointed by the 
county judge, very much as the wheel path commissioners 
are chosen. Each commissioner should be known to be 
a good, responsible and competent man, who would give 
a bond sufficient to cover double the amount of money 
given into his hands, and should not have too large a 
territory to look after. The idea is to take the selection 
of the road commissioners out of politics, as in many 
cases under the present system they are elected by the 
town’s money, and by votes of the lowest element, those 
who pay no taxes, not even a poll tax. 
These men many times appoint the path-masters from 
the same element, and this system has resulted within a 
few years, in two districts near my home, in not having 
a single man called out to work the roads. Other years 
money has been collected upon the assessments to the 
amount of $50 or $100, and to my certain knowledge 
only a small part of the amount expended upon the roads. 
Aside from that, favored ones in the district would escape 
either in whole or in part, the payment of their road tax. 
It seems to me all the legislation we need is sufficient 
to carry out something in line with the above, making 
the penalties for “crookedness” so severe that no official 
will dare do aught but his duty. Commissioner Todd, of 
the town of Eaton, Madison County, by the system of 
collecting the tax in cash and expending the amount 
under the supervision of honest men, has accomplished 
a grand work on the roads in his town. 
Oneida Co., N. Y. j. t. thdmr.son. 
* 
