1901 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
Events of the Week. 
domestic.—A gigantic steel combination has been 
formed, including the Carnegie-Morgan-Rockefeller in¬ 
terests, which allies companies having a capital of $1,000,- 
000 000, and practically destroys competition in this coun- 
..The report of the joint commission on the 
Alaska boundary gives the United States about nine- 
tenths of the disputed territory.A fire at Evans¬ 
ville, Ind., February 6, caused a loss of $176,000. 
February 7 a limited express on the Erie Railroad was 
ditched near Greenville, Pa.; six persons were killed out¬ 
right and 15 others badly injured.Delaware has 
passed a law fixing the death penalty or life imprison¬ 
ment for kidnapping.A fire at Scranton, Pa., 
February 7, caused a loss of $400,000.Part of the 
Oriental powder mills, at Newhall, Me., was demolished 
by an explosion February 7; two men killed.By 
the bursting of a steam pipe on the new steamship Ven¬ 
tura, bound from Philadelphia to San Francisco, five 
men lost their lives.A cork factory at Pittsburg, 
Pa., was burned February 9, the fire spreading to an ad¬ 
joining factory and machine shop; loss $750,000. 
CONGRESS.—February 6, the Senate passed the War 
Revenue Reduction bill. An amendment substituting an 
income tax for the War Revenue bill was rejected. 
.... The House Committee on Banking and Currency, 
February 5, tabled the bill repealing the 10 per cent tax 
on Slate bank issues and the bill requiring National bank 
depositors to pay interest to the Government on public 
deposits. The Senate, February 7, passed the 
Pension Appropriation bill, carrying $144,000,000, after a 
few minutes’ consideration. The House finally passed the 
Post Office Appropriation bill. The amendment to re¬ 
duce the rate of railway mail pay was ruled out on a 
point of order; the amendment to continue the pneumatic 
tube service in New York, Boston and Philadelphia was 
abandoned with the purpose of making the fight in the 
Senate, and the motion to strike out the appropriations 
for special mail facilities was defeated.The 
Agricultural Appropriation bill reported to the Senate 
carries a total of $4,503,920, of which $158,820 was added by 
the committee. Among the amendments recommended 
is one to reorganize the eight divisions of the depart¬ 
ment into four bureaus. The divisions of pomology, 
agrostology, botany, vegetable pathology and experimental 
gardens and grounds are consolidated as the bureau of 
plant industry, and the divisions of forestry, chemistry 
and soils are made bureaus. Another amendment au¬ 
thorizes an investigation of articles imported from for¬ 
eign countries which the Secretary of the Treasury has 
reason to believe are dangerous to health and provides 
for their exclusion if so found. An appropriation of $24,500 
is inserted for conducting an investigation into the char¬ 
acter of the proposed food preservatives and coloring 
matters to determine their relation to digestion and to 
health and to establish the principles which should guide 
their use. The establishment of a weather bureau station 
in Bermuda is authorized in order to complete the chain 
of stations in the West Indies. 
PHILIPPINES.—A Spanish merchant in Manila and an 
American contractor have been arrested on a charge of 
dealing with the insurgents and paying assessments to 
the insurgent cause. The American, D. M. Carman, has 
a monopoly of carrying goods going through the Custom 
House ashore from the ships; he is a rich man, and 
possessed the confidence of Gen. Otis.The Pres¬ 
ident plans to organize the Philippine municipalities, place 
the offices in the hands of intelligent natives and permit 
limited suffrage. 
GENERAL FOREIGN NEWS.—Queen Wilhelmina of 
Holland was married to Duke Henry of Mecklenburg- 
Schwerin February 7.The Rev. W. S. Ament, 
an American missionary, has been arrested with others 
in China, by the French and Russian troops, on the 
charge of extorting money from the Chinese. He de¬ 
nounces his arrest as an outrage, and asks Minister Con¬ 
ger to release him with troops.At Baku, Trans¬ 
caucasian Russia, fire broke out in the oil wells and 
reservoirs February 6. The fire soon became uncontrol¬ 
lable; 500 persons are believed to have perished, and the 
loss is almost beyond computation. 
FARM AND GARDEN.—Prof. S. A. Beach, of Geneva, 
N. Y., presented a paper to a meeting of the Royal Hor¬ 
ticultural Society of England on January 15. His sub¬ 
ject was “Recent Developments in the Treatment of Dis¬ 
eases and Insects Injurious to Orchard Crops.’’ It was 
a resumd of the progress in the United States of the 
methods of fighting insects and diseases and was most 
instructive. 
Twenty-five young men ai'e attending the short courses 
in agriculture, horticulture, and the mechanic arts which 
are now being given at the Oklahoma College at Still¬ 
water. They are studying the work of the experiment 
station very closely and are finding much that will be 
lielpful to them when they return to their farms. 
A deputation from the Ontario (Canada) Fruit Growers’ 
Association visited the Canadian Minister of Agriculture 
February 1, to urge a careful system of inspection and 
fumigation to prevent the spread of San Jos6 scale. The 
Minister requested the Association to appoint a com¬ 
mittee of three to cooperate with the government in se¬ 
curing fjrecautionary measures. It is probable that the 
Provincial Legislature will take action in this line during 
its present session. 
The annual report of the Canadian Minister of Agri¬ 
culture shows an enormous growth in farm products in 
the past few years, while the exports to the United States 
are continually decreasing. Last year Canada exported 
wheat to the value of $11,995,488, while in 1896 the amount 
was only $5,771,521. The value of fiour exported more than 
doubled in the same period, with even a greater increase 
in other grains. The greatest improvement was in cheese 
and butter. In 1896 the cheese exports amounted to $13,- 
956,571, while last year it reached the sum of $19,856,324. In 
the same period the export of butter advanced from 
$1,052,089 to $5,122,156. Pork, bacon and hams advanced 
from $4,446,884 to $12,802,034, and eggs also about doubled. 
The report shows that Great Britajn took no less than 
$4,947,000 worth of eggs. The United States bought only 
$5,044. The same is noticeable in cheese, as the United 
States only bought $4,836, which is $5,000 less than four 
years ago. 
Edmund G. Harrison, special agent and road expert of 
the public roads division of the Agricultural Department, 
died in Washington on February 6, aged 72 years. He 
was an occasional contributor to The R. N.-Y. 
The American Saddle Horse Breeders’ Association will 
meet at Louisville, Ky., April 5; secretary, I. B. Nall, 
Louisville, Ky. 
Five students from Argentine Republic have recently 
entered the University of Missouri for special work in 
animal husbandry. Two of these are sent by the govern¬ 
ment for the purpose of becoming acquainted with 
American methods of instruction in agriculture. 
Anticipating the repeal of the State Wolf Bounty law, 
a number of stockmen in the Bad River section of South 
Dakota have contributed a handsome sum from their own 
pockets, and will keep up the warfare. The State has 
expended $30,000 for wolf scalps, and the present Legisla¬ 
ture is not expected to make a further appropriation. 
The Eastern New York Horticultural Society. 
THE FRUIT DISPLAY.—The fifth annual meeting of 
the Eastern New York Horticultural Society was held 
at the American Institute, 19-21 West 44th St., New 
York City, February 13-14. The attendance was very 
good, especially on the second day, and many questions 
were discussed in a profitable manner. The number of 
women in attendance was noticeably above the average 
at horticultural meetings. Geo. T. Powell, of Ghent, 
was elected for the new president, other officers being re¬ 
elected. The exhibit of apples was quite extensive, ^d 
may fairly be said to be superb in quality. Most of the 
specimens were models in color and finish. Ellwanger & 
Barry, Rochester, had a large and fine display of Winter 
pears as well as of apples. The standard apples shown 
by W. N. Teator, Upper Red Hook, were beauties in 
every way, though individual varieties were surpassed 
in other collections. The feature of greatest interest, 
however, was an exhibit of 14 plates of hybrids and 
seedlings of the famed Newtown Pippin, grown at Croton 
Point, N. Y. Crosses of the Pippin and Northern Spy, 
Greening and Russet, with the good characteristics of 
both parents plainly marked were shown, as well as new 
types. All seemed to be good keepers, and as far as 
tested the quality was excellent. We shall have more 
to say about these exceedingly promising novelties in a 
subsequent issue. Twelve plates of Lady apple seedlings 
were shown by another exhibitor, and were very beau¬ 
tiful, being larger and of brilliant coloring, ranging from 
bright yellow to a glowing garnet red. A new pear, said 
to be a hybrid between Bartlett and Winter Nells, from 
Massachusetts, was in remarkably good condition for 
the season. It is very large and fair, of a good yellow 
when ripened, and of most satisfactory quality. There 
were many fine decorative plants from Siebrecht & Son, 
New Rochelle, and some little-known orchids from other 
growers. A very good display of roses and carnations 
in many new varieties lent attractiveness to the hall. 
DISCUSSIONS AND OPINIONS.—The San Jos6 scale 
question excited much interest and discussion, and was 
disposed of by an indorsement of thorough inspection and 
the necessity of thorough fumigation with hydrocyanic 
gas of all nursery stock. Some points from the com¬ 
mittee reports and question-box discussions are as fol¬ 
lows: Apples in general proved satisfactory to growers 
who held their fruit. Early sellers got low prices. 
I’eaches were plentiful and often small from overbearing. 
Those who thinned got fair prices. Strawberries were 
a satisfactory crop and brought good prices. Currants 
brought little profit. The crop was enormous. The yields 
of raspberries and blackberries were in most instances 
satisfactory, and the prices of good berries quite fair. 
Plums were much Injured by winterkilling and curculio. 
Prices were good. Several of the Japans showed weak¬ 
ness. There is an increasing demand for Brussels sprouts. 
The secret of asparagus culture is heavy and constant 
manuring and thorough tillage. The Palmetto is the best 
and most resistant variety. No better tomato than the 
Trophy, Introduced in 1868, has yet been developed, 
though some of the newer varieties have special points 
of excellence. Pears have been enormously injured In 
the last 25 years, and the dwarf Lima beans are a useful 
acquisition owing to ease of culture. 
PETROLEUM FOR SCALE.—Some progress is being 
made in working out the petroleum cure for scale. 
Crude petroleum is more effective than either whale-oil 
soap, one pound to the gallon, or kerosene oil. The soap 
is good for Summer use. Petroleum in mechanical emul¬ 
sion, 10 per cent, kills most of the scale; in 25 per cent, 
kills practically all* and has not proved dangerous. 
Crude petroleum is dangerous on account of varying 
quality and density. Leaf drop in peaches was bad 
last year in poorly-drained lands. The disease called 
“little peach” is spreading and is very destructive where 
it gains a foothold. A similar appearance is noted from 
the effects of overbearing, but the tree often recovers. 
Floriculture has made gigantic strides in eastern New 
York during the last two decades, more than all other 
branches of horticulture. It has never asked the State 
for subsidies, but has stood on Its own merits. The sale 
of plants and flow’ers during the past holiday season ex¬ 
ceeded all records, amounting to over $1,000,000. 
w. V. F. 
To Fruit Growers. 
We believe that the time is at hand when all those In¬ 
terested in fruit growing In New York State should con¬ 
solidate their Interests, join heart and hand, and be of 
mutual benefit, both in teaching how to grow their fruits, 
and in helping to sell the products. We all know that 
the average producer was made to believe that the apple 
crop of 1900 was equal to the crop of 1896. Whether this 
was through ignorance or intenc we do not know, but if 
an organization, such as is contemplated, had existed last 
Fall, the members would have been in close communica¬ 
tion, through their central head, and, after collecting and 
tabulating the information and sending it to the members, 
would have saved the apple growers of New York State 
135 
alone many thousands of dollars. We also believe that 
through a State organization we can command attention 
in procuring shipping accommodations, cars at the proper 
time, the advertisement of dishonest commission mer¬ 
chants, cold-storage facilities, legislation, and aid in 
many other ways through their executive and legislative 
committees. These are a few of the many advantages 
that a strong organization can accomplish by its co¬ 
operation and unselfishness. Not only in these lines can 
we be of service to each other, but in producing finer and 
more salable fruit, and we would know better how to 
pack the same through closer communication of producer 
and consumer. 
Therefore, we wish to call a meeting, to be held in 
Syracuse, in the assembly room of the Chamber of Com¬ 
merce, February 27 and 28, at 11 A. M., for the purpose 
of forming such an organization. We earnestly urge the 
cooperation of all those interested in growing fruit in 
securing a good attendance at this meeting. We are 
promised the presence of J. H. Hale, of Glastonbury, 
Conn.; H. W. Collingwood, of The R. N.-Y., and Prof. 
V. H. Lowe, of the Geneva Experiment Station. Certifi¬ 
cates can be procured at nearly every station where 
coupon tickets are sold, when first-class fare one way is 
75 cents, and return on one-third fare, on condition that 
100 or more holding certificates attend the meeting. Head¬ 
quarters at St. Cloud Hotel. 
L. T. YEOMANS, 
T. B. WILSON, Committee. 
Prosecution of Oleo Cases 
If violators of the law can escape with only a small fine 
and no newspaper publicity, much of the disgrace 
that should be connected with law-breaking is removed. 
Are dealers who are caught selling oleo for butter let off 
this way too easily? Ex-Assistant Commissioner of Agri¬ 
culture Van Valkenburgh says they are. In a recent in¬ 
terview he said; 
“During the 12 years previous to October, 1896, not a single 
oleo case in the Second District (including New York 
City) was prosecuted or settled in civil courts, except in 
cases where civil and criminal proceedings were insti¬ 
tuted against the same person; and no milk cases, except 
where the milk was undoubtedly adulterated by the 
shipper, who was a non-resident of the State. In such 
instances the dealer was allowed to settle by paying the 
civil penalty, which he would deduct from the amount 
due the non-resident shipper. This system of handling 
the agricultural laws was continued until October, 1896. 
Since that date, and up to the Fall of 1899, nearly half the 
cases were settled by civil penalty, without going to 
court, after which date, as I am informed, the Attorney- 
General notified the attorneys assigmed by him to the 
prosecution of violations of the agricultural law, that all 
cases must be prosecuted in civil courts only, except when 
given directions to the contrary. This is entirely contrary 
to the former policy, which held that nothing but crimi¬ 
nal prosecution would deter violators of the law. To call 
at an attorney’s office and settle by paying $25, $50 or $100 
civil penalty, does not have much effect, as the dealer 
well knows that he can return to his place of business 
and make the amount of his fine in a week or two by 
continuing the sale of these goods in violation of the law. 
In fact, the manufacturers of the goods guarantee 
the dealers to pay all fines and penalties imposed. 
No publicity being given to his prosecution, he loses no 
credit. Other dealers hearing of no prosecutions under 
the law, naturally conclude that it is not being enforced. 
It seems to me that these cases are handled now in such 
a way as to make a record of a large number of prosecu¬ 
tions without having any effect whatever on the quantity 
of goods sold. In fact, this will lead to the sale of a 
still greater amount, as there is but little fear of criminal 
prosecution on the part of dealers who feel disposed to 
sell oleo as butter. The law might about as well be 
wiped off the statute books if this is the manner in which 
prosecutions are to be made. In my judgment, the worst 
blow ever struck at the agricultural Interests of this 
State was the action of the Legislature in placing the 
selection of the attorneys in the hands of the Attorney- 
General, Instead of allowing the Commissioner to secure 
his own counsel, as many of the lawyers selected by the 
Attorney-General are not experienced in criminal law, 
and especially not in agricultural law. The Legislature 
could not do better than to repeal this act and place the 
selection of counsel in the hands of the Commissioner, 
who is better acquainted with the requirements of each 
case.” 
In some sections of North Carolina, the tobacco acreage 
will be decreased as much as one-third, and cotton will 
take its place. The high price of cotton this season is 
the cause. 
It is said that phylloxera is damaging vineyards in 
the neighborhood of Stockton, Cal., and experiments are 
being made with varieties of grapes which have the 
name of being resistant to this pest. 
The southern mule market has had a boom for the 
last three years on account of the increased demand for 
war purposes. The first of this month a British steamer 
left New Orleans for South Africa, having on board 1,506 
mules. 
The crop in the celery-growing section of Florida is 
said to be large, and shipments will soon be made to the 
New York market. This Florida celery is usually su¬ 
perior in quality to that received from California, being 
more tender and not so strong in fiavor. Some of the 
stalks of the California product are nearly two feet long, 
but inclined to be tough. 
At the beginning of this year a new market regulation 
went into effect at New Orleans. It forbids the opening 
of any private market within nine blocks of the public 
market section, and also prohibits peddlers from calling 
out what they have for sale, or in any way trying to 
attract the attention of people in the residence districts 
through which they go with their wagons. The idea of 
this new rule is to prevent the sale of unwholesome food 
by peddlers, and to Increase the income of the city from 
ihe rental of the public markets. It has caused consider¬ 
able hardship to outside marketmen, and some inconve¬ 
nience to the public, and a strong effort is being made to 
have the law repealed. 
