1901 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
32 ? 
Hope Farm Notes 
Farm Notks.— Hope Farm has a clean 
face at least. Rain! Rain! Rain! That has 
been the programme all through April. 
When the rain did not fall a cold, raw 
wind came out of the northwest, licked 
the moisture out of the soil and rubbed it 
down our backs. Between rains Charlie 
plowed and sowed the oats, while Hugh and 
Brent planted peach trees. We must be 
at least 10 days behind the average season. 
The Crimson clover has been 
strangely backward this year. In former 
years at this time I have known it to be 
six inches high by May 1, but this year it 
has hardly started. On two fields I gave 
it up as lost, as I could not see it from 
the lane. When I came to walk over the 
field I found it covered with little clover 
plants. Give them 50 hours of warm sun¬ 
shine and how they will jump! .... I 
sometimes read advice from people who 
tell us to roll down the grass and grain 
early in the Spring. That would be a 
foolish thing to do this year, for every 
time a horse put his foot into the soft 
ground he would up-root far more grass 
than the roller would pack down. There 
is no use adding to the flood of rain by 
crying over it. Every tear weighs a ton 
by the time it hits the damp ground. 
. . . . Some of our farmers planted po¬ 
tatoes at about the usual time—April 15— 
regardless of the condition of the soil. 
They like to get the seed out of the way. 
1 think it is safer spread out in the sun 
above ground rather than down in the cold 
wet soil. I don’t think we gain anything 
by planting in soil that is not ready. In 
a season like this we get the most benefit 
from dusting the seed with sulphur before 
planting. I am sure that it keeps the seed 
from rotting, and I • am satisfied that it 
helps keep off the scab. It is also my be¬ 
lief that the sulphur gives a stronger plant 
—less likely to be affected by blight— 
though the scientific men say that there 
is nothing in this.The coal stove 
in the house was taken out on April 20. 
Usually it pays to keep the fires going 
longer than this, but we are quite comfort¬ 
able from the big wood stove. 
The hens walk about like soaked feather 
pillows, yet they laid 474 eggs in the first 
20 days of April. These eggs are strong, 
too. Out of 220 put into the Incubator, 198 
were fertile. I expect to set about 1,500 
plants of early cabbage grown and trans¬ 
planted in Fiorida a:nd sent to New Jersey 
by express. I wish to see how these south¬ 
ern plants, grown entirely out of doors, 
compare with the northern hotbed can¬ 
didates. 
What is the Truth?— I have had the 
following note from a good friend who 
evidently thought from something said in 
The R. N.-Y. that first-class farm hands 
were easily to be found; 
“I want to say further that having been 
brought up from a child with The R. N.-Y. 
we have always taken its word as law and 
gospel, and you must not print anything 
that you cannot stand by or that is mis¬ 
leading in any way, for we country peopie 
are prone to beiieve everything we read.” 
Every person who puts thoughts into 
print should understand that he assumes 
a great responsibility. Our friend says 
that country people are prone to believe 
everything they read. I should want to 
edit that statement somewhat. I find peo¬ 
ple very anxious to believe the truths that 
run right along with their own beliefs or 
desires. I have known these same people 
to reject and cry out at other truths which 
rubbed them the wrong way. We all 
know the story of the blind men who went 
to see an elephant. One got hold of his 
tail and was ready to swear that he was 
like a i-ope. Another struck his leg and 
knew he was like a tree, and so on. It is 
much the same way with most of us in 
describing an object or a method. We see 
it from one point of view, and it is almost 
impossible not to put a little of our own 
estimate or belief into it. That is the way 
a good many so-called “big stories” get 
into print. The writer, without knowing 
it, iets his imagination run, and the re¬ 
sult is that he tells, without meaning to 
do so, not just what he saw, but what un¬ 
doubtedly would be if the plans were all 
worked out as they should be. Our friend 
is right. There never should be a line 
written for The R. N.-Y. by one who 
knows that truth can come and lash him 
away from his statements. 
Kickers.—I have that last statement 
right in mind when 1 say that in my 
opinion Julia can kick harder and quicker 
than any cow in this country. Julia is a 
black cow, and Genevieve is her brown 
daughter. I bought them late in February 
of a man who wanted to sell out. He said 
he gave Julia her name because she was 
born in July. Genevieve was his idea of a 
January birthmark. Following out this 
line of thought I don’t see but that Julia’s 
calf, born in April, should be named Ape! 
Genevieve is a gentle little thing, but the 
conduct of her mother is “something 
scandalous.” Kick! Charlie is a truthful 
man, and he insists that she can kick with 
all four feet tied! She is a good cow, and 
able to give a large mess of milk, but one 
would about as soon milk a tiger. I am 
afraid her heels will punch holes through 
too many good resolutions. The most suc¬ 
cessful milkers thus far have been her son 
and grandson—the two calves. We will let 
her make veal of these two youngsters, 
and then get other calves to follow, if pos¬ 
sible. We will sell Julia or make beef of 
her next Fall. I have been forced to do 
some “kicking” myself in my day—the 
Madame also w’ill say that many of her 
rights are kicked-over wrongs—but Julia 
certainly goes up head as a star. “That’s 
another of your bargains!” murmurs the 
Madame. When I bought her she was like 
a lamb. How could I know she was only 
waiting for a chance to kick my head off? 
’I'HE Happy Man.—I cannot say what put 
it into my mind, but I spent several hours 
of a wet Sunday thinking over this ques¬ 
tion, “Who is the happy man?” ’Fhe soak 
and drip of the rain were enough to drive 
a fellow crazy with sad memories, or else 
make him forget his stiff knees and dance 
for joy that he had a dry home that he 
could call his own. Nature’s tears meant 
laughter for the grass and grain. "Who is 
the happy man?" I tried to analyze the feel¬ 
ings of all the Hope Farm folks, and of 
friends whose lives have been opened to 
me. I couldn’t find one over 15 years old 
who can be said to be fully happy! Many 
of them ought to be, and some think they 
are, but there is a knothole of character 
somewhere, though often painted over. 
'I'his one is haunted by the memory of some 
old-time mistake. Another feels a dead 
place in his make-up where some noble 
or helpful impulse was undeveloped. That 
one is under the lash of poverty or ill- 
health. This one feels that in spite of all 
his efforts to earn true happiness evil ten¬ 
dencies master him at times and undo his 
best. Still another has seen the work of 
long, patient and self-denying years 
tiampled under foot by carelessness or in¬ 
gratitude. Who is the happy mant I run 
over all the friends I can think of, and 
see that they are all carrying or shirking 
their share of the world’s great load of 
trouble, ’i’he carriers are happier than the 
shirkers—there’s no doubt about that, but 
there is no happy wan—though, thank the 
Lord, there are millions of happy children. 
The man who comes nearest to happiness 
is he who hangs longest to his childhood, 
and when that becomes too dim to hold 
lives it over again with his children. As 
1 sit struggling with these useless thoughts 
the little Bud climbs on my knee. She 
studies the mournful drip of the rain and 
asks slowly: “Father, are you glad it’s 
raining?” There comes to my mind the 
absurdity of being anything else but glad— 
the futility of growling about the things 
we are powerless to help, and I put myself 
on record as glad to make the best of wet 
or dry, and by so doing, for the moment 
at least. I find—the happy man! 
H. w. c. 
Ohio Farm Notes.— Since I have com¬ 
menced feeding the roof off the shed I 
have come to the conclusion that there is 
less waste than there would have been 
from the same amount of fodder shocked 
in the best possible way and allowed to 
stand till this time. I have sown 10 acres 
of clover sod to barley and Alfalfa; iy 2 
bushel of former and 16 pounds of the 
latter per acre. It Is a costly experiment, 
yet if it wins it will pay me a heavy re¬ 
turn in furnishing hay for lamb feeding. 
The only drawback now is sufficient storage 
room under roof for my clover hay and 
Alfalfa, if I am so fortunate as to suc¬ 
ceed with the latter. However, before I 
tear down my barns and build greater, I 
must make a cheaper improvement in the 
shape of a wind pump, and from now till 
Fall I shall give a good deal of time to the 
study of wind-pump literature. About 600 
lambs will have gone through my yards 
by the time the feeding is wound up from 
the first to the middle of May. 
JOHN M. JAMISON. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
R. N.-Y. and you will get a quick reply and 
“a square deal.” See our guarantee 
For the land’s sake, use Bowker’s Fer 
tilizers. They enrich the earth.— Adv. 
SI Years' 
00 the 
Market. 
ENSILAGE! 
CUTTERS 
I Furnished with BLOWELK 
or CARRIER, as desired. , 
GUARANTEED to be the BEST. ] 
E. W. Boss Co., Springfield, O.j 
T Send for Caulogue No, 4 4 f 
THE WHEEL OF TIME 
k tor &11 time is the 
Metal Wheel. 
We make them in all sizes and vari¬ 
eties, TO FIT AN Y axle. Any 
height, any width of tire desired. 
„Our wheels are either direct or 
■'stagger spoke. Can FIT YOUK 
WAGON perfectly without chinge. 
MO BREAKINC DOWN. 
Nodryiagoot. No resetting tires. Cheap 
becan.e they endure. Send for csta- 
logne and prices. Free upon request, 
Electric Wheel Co. 
OO 
iiIa 
What is A firuarnnteeon a scale worth? Nothing if not 
backed by a reputable, practical, solid scale concern, whose 
goods have stood the test of time, and who are personallT 
interested in the scales shipped out under tAeirotan brand. 
Otgood .stamped on a beam is a guarantee of raitbfbl, prac¬ 
tical workmanship—and much more, which we want jou 
to know. Write for our catalogue. Don’t wait—we save 
you money. OSOOOI> SCALE CO., 
(Established 1866.) 106 Central 8t., Binghamton, N. T. 
BUGGIES 
UNO HARNESS 
THIS ISO 
TOP BDGGT 
YOU CAN BUY FROM US AT FACTORY PRICES 
BUGGIES, PHAETONS, SURREYS, WAGONS. ALL KINDS OF HARNESS. 
We will sell direct to you n vehicle or luirness as cheap as dealers 
buy their goods in car load lots. Don’t pay profits to middlemen. 
Our work is all high-grade, correct ptyle, and elegantly finished. 
tor" free catalogue v"h"i^[e§ 'a*n"d"'h*a'rnVs1 
UNITED STATES. 
All Work Gunrnntecd and Shipped on Approval. 
CONSUMERS CARRIAGE & MEG. CO., 
232 SOm Desplaines Street* CHICAGO* ILL* 
We Site the largest mano- 
factorers of Steel Wheels 
and Truck Wagons in the 
World. "Write for Catalogue* 
Havana (III.) Metal Wheel Go. 
BETTER THAN WOOD. 
Costs less; looks better, lasts longer. 
HARTMAN STEEL ROD LAWN FENCE 
will neither rot nor bum. 
BAKTMAR MFC. CO., Bog i», Ell wood OitT.P*. 
Or Boom 70t Broadway, New Y ork City. 
Planter and Fertilizer 
Is the latest, and It drops 
at twelve different dis 
For CORN, 
BEANS, PEAS 
and 
BEET SEED. 
If you want them, we fur¬ 
nish Marker and Trip At¬ 
tachment for rowing both 
ways. Send lor Circulars. 
AMKS PLOW CO.. Boston and New York. 
0 You Keep Chickens 
Make 100% more. Yon want 
Wilson’s New Green Bone Shell Cuttir 
Bend for circnlar and testimonialk 
WILSON BROS., Sole Mfgrt., EASTON, FA 
Hoover 
POTATO 
DIGGER 
A perfect machine con¬ 
taining improvementa 
found in no other. 
Separates potatoes 
from vinos and 
weeds. Rapid, 
clean worker. 
Warranted. 
Dirt proof brass boxes, 
side hill spurs, special 
shovel, front and side 
levers. 
(Catalog 
free. 
Booveu, PKOUT .fc €0., Avery, Ohio. 
get the Profits 
Under our plan of selling carriages, buggies and harness, 
yoti get the profits. The Jobber and retailer are cut out. 
By dealing direct with our factory, yon pay only the cost of 
making with a moderate profit added : and you take 
your choice from the biggest stock and fullest assort¬ 
ment Our plan of 
Selling Carriages Direct 
Insures satisfaction — your money back If you an 
dissatisfied. Our complete Illustrated catalogue, 
showing many styles of high grade vehicles, harness, robes, blankets 
and horse eqnipments, with detailed descriptions of each, mailed free. 
TBS COLinmiB CAKSUBB aa4 BARHI88 00., P. O. Bex m, CiIm>—, 0. 
TKe St\idebaker 
HUB. 
The foundation of the wheel is the IIUB. 
Our hubs, which are made from specially- 
selected timber, are each scientifically treated 
with the Studebaker Filler before the spokes 
are driven, rendering them absolutely impervi¬ 
ous to moisture, and making a safe guarantee against checking 
or loose tires in any climate. Over 60,000 sold in 1900 and more than 
One Million in Daily Use the world over, testifies to the superior 
points of construction in the Studebaker Wagon. Ask your dealer 
for The Twentieth Century Studebaker. Insist upon it. If not 
there write ns direct, and we will tell you where you can get it 
and why it is the Cheapest Wagon for you to use. 
STUDEBAKER BROS. MFG. CO., 
South Bend, Ind., U. S. A. 
The Business End of the 
NEW HLMELY SEPARATOR 
Like all the “Rumely Goods” this is simply perfection. "When 
I coupled to our New Rumely Rear Geared Traction Engine 
I they constitute a threshinf? outfit that not only makes big 
money for the thresher, but saves grain and money for ^ 
I the farmer. They are durable beyond com- 
’parison and when you buy them you aro 
done buying for years to come. Take a little 
time to think about how it would pay you to 
own such an outfit, then write us for free catalog. 
M. RUMELY CO., La Porte, Ind. 
OO 
BREED’S 
Universal Weeder 
is the best weeder ever made for all con¬ 
ditions of soli. For killing weeds and pnl- 
verlzing the soil It has no equal. 7 leet 6 
Inches wide, permanent tooth, and best of 
material and workmanship. Former price, 
$8; we will send it direct to farmers for $4 
f.o.b., Boston. No agents. You get the bene¬ 
fit. Order at once. The supply is limned. 
UNIVERSAL WEEDER CO.,' 
32 S. Market Street, BestOB, Mass. 
