1901 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
Market Briefs 
PICKED trp HERE AND THERE 
retail fruit trade.—I t is surpris¬ 
ing to what an extent the Italians and 
Greeks have captured the retail fruit bu.sl- 
ness of this city. Formerly butchers and 
grocers handled this almost exclusively in 
the up-town districts, but now many of 
these rent a window or corner of the store 
to an Italian, who takes to this fruit trade 
as naturally as a duck to a millpond. The 
butcher or grocer thus finds that he can 
satisfy his customers and get more out of 
it in the long run than by handling the 
fruit himself. How can the Italian afford 
to do it? Simply because it does not cost 
him much to live and he is willing to work 
for almost nothing. 
DIOGING under DlFFTCUT/riES.— 
New York streets are always more or less 
torn up by the street car companies or the 
gas or water works, but at present the 
whole city Is suffering from a “breaking 
out" almost equal to smallpox. The cause 
is the work being done on the underground 
railway. It would be quite a task to dig 
a ditch of this size in the open country 
where there is clear sailing and plenty of 
room to put the earth that is removed; 
but as soon as one gets below the pave¬ 
ment here a regular tangle of gas and 
water pipes and bottled-up electric wires 
i.s struck, and supports have to be made 
for these from the surface, while the dig¬ 
ging underneath them is done. Also, there 
is no room in many places to put the earth, 
and it must be carted away as fast as re¬ 
moved. Anyone with a desire to study the 
methods of engineers in handling a big job 
of this sort will find an unusually good op¬ 
portunity in this city at present. Gener¬ 
ally operations of this kind are so hidden 
by high fences that the public has no 
chance, to see them, but there are so many 
sections of the city where this work is go¬ 
ing on that there is no trouble in finding 
some out-of-the-way corner where one can 
stand and look as long as he likes. The 
new bridge across the East River is also 
an interesting thing at present, as the 
work of laying the new cables is under 
way. Many visitors to New' Yoik take in 
the theaters, museums and walk a short 
flistance along the Bowery, and think that 
they have seen it all, practically ignoring 
the great and constantly changing produce 
markets and building operations. 
I'HH} SHARKS who make their living by 
swindling farmers who send ttiem iJioduce 
for sale are unusually active at two sea¬ 
sons of the year, viz.: Just before the 
holidays and in early Summer. They 
know that at those times farmers have 
cotisiderable stuff for sale, and so they 
send thousands of circulars tliroughout the 
country, making the most extravagant 
promises in regard to the prices they can 
get and the tremendous facilities they 
have for selling stuff. People are more 
suspicious of these scalawags than for¬ 
merly; still some seem to think that the 
liars all perished in the Flood, and that no 
new crop has come up; that whatever a 
man promises he must mean to do it, or 
he would not promise it. Of late we have 
liad inquiries asking us to look up this 
or that commission man. This is the best 
evidence that we know of that the scoun¬ 
drels are at work with their circulars bid¬ 
ding for the farmers’ early fruit and vege¬ 
tables. In nearly every case the name is 
one that we are not familiar with, and 
going to the number given, the party is 
found occupying part of a store. There is 
a small movable sign which can be hooked 
on a couple of nails beside Hie door or on 
one corner of the building. Nearly all in¬ 
quiries that we have are about people of 
this kind rather than old-established firms. 
Are they reliable? Who can tell? They 
may be, to all appearances, doing a square 
business to-day and “bust” the next. We 
know of men who have done business in 
a little corner of another man’s store for 
years, and who are as “straight as a 
string,” yet so little capital and plant arc 
required to do business in this way tliat 
rascals have an unusual chance. 'J’he only 
sure way that w’e know of to find out 
whether one of these men is honest or 
not is to try him, but this is too much like 
the famous method of learning the differ¬ 
ence between mushrooms and toadstools 
—by eating them—to suit most people. 
Hhy do people inquire about these toad¬ 
stool business men rather than those who 
stay in one place year after year? Because 
the latter know that they must not make 
promises that they cannot carry out if 
they expect to slay in business. Tlie other 
fellows don't expect to stay any length of 
time in one place. The only general rule 
that can be given is to be cautious in 
taking hold of any of this tempting bait 
of promised high prices, even though It 
may be unjust to some who really have a 
trade by which they can dispose of cer¬ 
tain products at an unusual figure. 
Another thing that has been mentioned 
before, but which It is well to keep in 
mind, is that when one gets hold of a 
commission merchant who uses him right, 
it is a good plan to stic'k to him, even 
tliough there may be times when he sells 
your stuff for less than your neighbor gets. 
The chances are that you will come out 
best in the long run. w. w. h. 
BBIARCLIFFAGRICULTURAL SCHOOL 
A Formal Opening. 
The formal opening of the new dormi¬ 
tory, lecture-room, and office building of 
the School of Practical Agriculture and 
Horticulture, Briarcliff Manor, N. Y., took 
place May 15. Last September this school 
was opened in temporary quarters with 10 
students. There are now 30. The new 
building stands on high ground overlook¬ 
ing a large share of the 6,000 acres of dairy 
and fruit farms owned by Walter W. Law. 
Speeches w’ere made by trustees and 
others interested in the school. R. Fulton 
Cutting said that the great business of 
civilization should be to give every man, 
woman and child a chance for the develop¬ 
ment of the best that is in them. He spoke 
of the way in which the unskilled laborer 
is handicapped, and of the hopeless strug¬ 
gle of mere muscle against brain and 
muscle intelligently used. He said that 
the competitive system would be entirely 
wrong if provisions were not made to give 
every one a chance to develop himself so 
as not to be put at a disadvantage in the 
struggle for position. Hon. James Wood 
spoke of the need of more intelligent 
methods in farming. He stated that agri¬ 
culture in this country is carried on in the 
most ignorant method of any coiintry In 
the world—the method of depletion. We 
feel proud of the resources of this country 
which enable us to send vast quantities of 
produce abroad; but we fail to realize that 
these are simply drafts made upon the 
land, and that no provision is being made 
for their payment. It is just taking from 
the soil what has been stored up by nature 
in the centuries of the past, and giving no 
return. He emphasized particularly the 
way in wdiich this is being done in the 
West, and thought that with our growing 
l)opulation and constant depletion of the 
soil, the time would come when the bal¬ 
ance of production and consumption will 
be reached; when we can no longer feed 
the other nations of the earth; when peo¬ 
ple will have to return to the worn-out 
lands in the East, build them up and cul¬ 
tivate carefully as is done in the thickly- 
settled parts of the old world. He thought 
that any movement that w'ould .show peo¬ 
ple more intelligent methods of handling 
the soil should be encouraged, and that In¬ 
struction in this matter could be summed 
up in two points, first showing how the 
fertility in the .soil may be conserved and 
increased, and next how it can be taken 
out to best advantage. It is the law of 
putting money into the bank and draw'ing 
it out when needed. Ho said that in all 
work the two great necessities were "know 
how and can do, and that in the lives of 
many men there is a chasm between these 
two points in to which they fall and never 
escape from it. Mr. Law spoke of the 
work that was being done on Briarcliff 
Farms. He said that their aim was thor¬ 
oughness—to do everything as well as could 
be done, and mentioned I lie motto which 
is tacked up in their buildings; 
“Though only a cobbler,. I’ll make it my 
pride the best of all cobblers to be; 
“Though only a tinker, no tinker on 
earth shall mend an old kettle like me.” 
Dr. Felix Adler, who is well known for 
his Interest in education in all lines, and 
manual training in particular, spoke of the 
two widely different types of men, those 
who live by their wits and those who live 
by their muscles alone. He believed that 
the combination of wits and work made 
the man who gets the most out of life for 
himself and does the most for others. He 
said that a school of agriculture, particu¬ 
larly for the Summer, was needed by those 
who attend the manual training schools 
in the city. Dr. Adler is the head of the 
Society for Ethical Culture. He said that 
he recently recei%'ed a letter addressed to 
liim as president of the Agricultural So¬ 
ciety of New York. He considered it a 
compliment, as it seemed to him that agri¬ 
culture and ethical culture are not at all 
opposed to each olhcit “\Vc all need to 
he cultivated,” said he, “and the best and 
onl.v way to cultivate one’s self is to culti¬ 
vate something else, it is not done by sit¬ 
ting down and saying T must do this and 
tiiat and thus cultivate myself,’ but by 
helping to improve .some other person or 
thing the miracle happens that we our¬ 
selves are helped, and in no other way.” 
Director Powell spoke of the methods 
and aims of the school, which are in brief 
to enable young men and women to study 
ii’.telligently the soil and its products, how 
best to improve lands, and to learn the 
\'arious kinds of farm work by actual ex- 
l)erience. He was encouraged by the In¬ 
terest the students show In their work. 
Thus far nine-tenths of them have been 
fiom the city, young men and women who 
are anxious to get out of city life and 
learn how to handle farm lands. Some of 
them are people of means who are looking 
to farm lands as investments, and wish 
to become familiar with the best modes of 
farming. Mr. Van Norden, president of 
the board of trustees, stated that the run¬ 
ning expenses of the school were about 
$12,000 per year, and that at present the 
fees from students pay about one-third of 
this amount, the remainder being met by 
voluntary contributions. A Summer course 
in nature study for a month beginning the 
middle of July, has been arranged, par¬ 
ticularly for public school teachers who 
wish to do a little vacation work in this 
line. The outlook for this school is prom¬ 
ising, and it is certainly deserving of the 
support and patronage of those who be¬ 
lieve in the spread of practical agricultural 
education in a business-like method. 
_ w. w. u. 
The season here has been favorable to all 
kinds of fruit. Peaches, plums, pears and 
cherries set full crops. Apples bloomed 
very freely, but it is too early yet to tell 
how they will set. Strawberries are in full 
bloom now; weather cool and dry. Gardens 
all late; condition of wheat extra good. 
Barborsville, Va. a. r. n. 
Sir.AOK AND Horses.—I s silage ever fed to 
liorses? E. E. o. 
Purdy's, N. Y. 
Not usually. Cases of such feeding are 
leported from the South, hut some deaths 
in horses have been traced to the silo. 
At the North but little silage is fed to 
luuses or mules—the general opinion seems 
to be against it. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
R. N.-Y. and you will get a quick reply and 
“a square deal.” See our guarantee 8th page. 
Big Crops 
of Big Potatoes 
result from applying about 100 lbs of 
Nitrate of Soda 
per acre just after the potatoes are 
■well up. Then, too, the potatoes are 
smoother and more salable. Insures 
a profitable crop. Our books tell 
about its use on potatoes and the 
profits produced. Send for free copies 
before you plant to John A. IWyers, 
12-0 John St., New York AitraU 
far sale by fertilizer dealers evenjwhere. 
Mfr/#o a# once for List of Ooalarm 
UnDCC DnWCDC thrashers 
nUlldC rUlfCndi and cleaners 
One & two-horse Thrashing Outfits. Level PIITTCDC 
Tread, Pat. Governor, Peed and Ensilage bU I I LUO 
ELLIS KEYSTONEAGR’LWOIiKS,Poltstowil,Pa 
F. L. MAINE, General Agent, Wlllet, N. Y. 
381 
DIO MORE BACKACHE, 
The Miller Bean Harvester 
will successfully harvest your BEANS, 
COW PEAS and Soy Beans. Catalogue 
and prices for the asking. 
We also make the LK BOY PLOWS. 
XxIES IlOY I=»IjiOT7\7’ OO., 
61 Lake Street, Le Roy, N. Y. 
Market. 
ensilage: 
CUTTERS 
I FumUhad miih BLO’VIfE,!^ 
or CARRIER, as desired. i 
QUARANTEED to be the BEST. 
E..W.jio$s Co., Springfleld. 0.( 
' Send for Ceulogue No, f 
CORN 
ftnd itd powrihlHties onder the 
nyetem—belntf the theme of 
BOOK ON SiLAGE^' 
„ By Prof. F. W. WOLL 
of the UnfveraTtyof Wlflconeln. Revised and neat> j 
I y bound Into a Tolmne of 234 paf^a. It embraces full Inform* 
ation from planting to feeding the crop, and Includes working^ 
plans and speciflcailons forbuildfnff aflsllos. Also embraces: 1 
I—silage Crop*. II—Silos. i 
III—Slfage. IV—Feeding of SIIa|t> 
V— Comparison of Silage and other Feeds. 
VI— ^The Silo In Modem Agricnltare, 
And lllnitratlons nnd complete plane for ronnd and 
reotanpilar eiloe, dairy bama, tabice of com¬ 
pounded ratlona, etc. Mailed for lOo. 
ooin or atamps. 
SILVER MFQ. CO. 
Salem, Ohio. 
LIGHTNING WELL MACHY«, 
IS THE STANDARD! i 
STiAMPUMPS. AIR LIFTS, iM // 
GASOLINE ENGINES.®^ 
miTFFon emeuLARSS^ 
THE AMERICAN WELL WORKS 
AURORA, ILL.-CHICAGO.- DAL LAS,TEX. 
DRILLING 
Machinet 
Over 70 slses and styles, lor drilling either deep or 
shaUow wells In any kind of soil or rook. Mounted 
on wheels or on sills. With engines or horse powers. 
Strong, simple and durable. Any meohanlo can 
operate them easily. Bend for oatalog. 
WILLIAMS BROS.. Ittusoa, M. T. 
IDE 
MAGNINERY 
I Best and cheapest. 
' Send for catalogue. 
BOOMER A BOSCHERT 
PRESS CO., 
Water Street, 
■TRAOU8E, N. V 
THE MIETZ & WEISS 
Kerosene Engines 
Cheapest and, Safest Power 
Known. For pumping and 
electric lighting, grinding 
corn, separating cream, 
sawing wood, and all power 
purposes. Send for Catalog. 
A. MIETZ, 
128 Mott Street. New York. 
CHARTER 
Gasoline Engine 
USED 
Any Place 
By Any One 
For Any Purpose 
Stationariea, Portables, Etsginea 
and Pumps, Hoistera 
Send for Illustrated Catalogue and 
Testimonials. State your Power Needs. 
Charter Gas Engine Co., Box 26, Sterling, III. 
**IIAIinY liAII’’ GASOLINE ENOINE 
IIMI1II I niMR worka• wnlkinr bMun pomp 
jack, grhtda, ahalla, entaE^,aaparataa 
eraam, chnnia, onu bona, etc. Eaayto 
diaconnect and pat on bolt. Xn^lne 
Easy to l.am, aaay 
Gaaolln. 
Engina and at I, on on# 
onrlUnatrated catalog, 
WKB8TXB ■ANUrACTUKINe CO. 
lOttl W. 15th St, Chicago, Ill. 
T. ofllea 38 Day St, N. Y. City. 
DEDERICK’S HAY PRESSES 
bale nearly all the hay baled In the 
worlcLSend for free Illustrated catalog. 
Address P. K. DBDERICK'S SONS’, 
yp... JL d5 Tivoli Street, 
r“pTJi, ^ Albany, N. Y, 
Strong, # The Pioneer— It stlU 
, leads all others. 
BALES 
15 Tons 
a Day 
The Gem Full-Circle Baler, lightest, 
Mrongest,cheapest baler. Madeof wrought steel. 
Opjerated by 1 or 2 horses. Bales 10 to 16 tons a day. 
Sold on 6 days trial. Catalogue free. Address 
