1901 
793 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
Events of the Week 
DOMESTIC.—A fire in the Klondike Theater, at Hurley, 
Wis., November 6, killed 10 persons and injured four others, 
and it was only by strenuous work that the fire was pre¬ 
vented from destroying the entire town. The same theater, 
which was a vaudeville house, was burned down In July, 
1887, when 11 women were burned to death. 
The Lyceum Theater, Atlanta, Ga., was burned November 
7. The audience escaped without a panic, and no lives 
were lost. Loss $75,000.Oberlln M. Carter, 
formerly Captain in the United States Engineer Corps, 
and now a prisoner in the Federai prison at Fort Leaven¬ 
worth, Kansas, is to have a rehearing of his case in the 
United States Circuit Court in Chicago. An agreement to 
this effect has been reached, growing out of the Govern¬ 
ment's effort to recover from Carter’s relatives the proceeds 
of the alleged embezzlement.The thirteenth 
fatal case of lockjaw resulting from the injection of anti¬ 
toxin for the treatment of diphtheria was reported in 
St. Louis, Mo., November 6. Charles Cytron, 11 years 
old, was the victim.Five blocks of the business 
portion of Jennings, La., were destroyed by fire November 
5 ; loss $160,000.While blowing up stumps with 
dynamite near Bloomington, Ill., November 8, one man was 
killed, another fatally Injured, and four others seriously 
hurt.November 8 26 convicts escaped fi'om the 
Federal prison stockade near Leavenworth, Kan.; in the 
struggle one prisoner was killed and two guards wounded. 
. . . . November 11 an explosion in a chemical labora¬ 
tory in Philadelphia, Pa., caused $52,000 damage and 
seriously injured 10 persons. The cause is supposed to be 
a defect in the pressure pan In which thermol was manu¬ 
factured, allowing the gas to escape. The company denies 
that there were any high explosives in the building. 
.... The Paterson (N. J.) Steel and Iron Works 
suffered a loss of $100,000 by fire, and 100 men were thrown 
out of employment.Alabama has adopted by 
general vote the new constitution. It is said that this will 
eliminate 95 per cent of the negro vote, as educational or 
property qualifications are required of all who were not 
soldiers or their descendents.The leader of the 
escaped Kansas convicts has been captured after a fight in 
which he was wounded. Eight of the convicts are still at 
large.Wholesale adulteration of tub oysters 
with borax and formaldehyde has been discovered by Pure 
Food Inspector James Foust In Blair, Cambria, Somerset, 
Bedford, Clearfield, and Centre counties, I’a., and 30 dealers 
will be arrested within a week. Of 80 samples submitted 
to State Chemist Frear 43 were found to contain the 
preservatives. The discovery, so far as known. Is the first 
oyster adulteration brought before the State Department. 
ADMINISTRATION.—Secretary Root has issued an order 
changing the regulations relative to admissions to West 
Point, so that the Academic Board may accept candidates 
who are graduates of high schools or students of colleges 
and universities, without requiring them to pass the mental 
examination prescribed by the Department. 
Finding it impolitic to acquire a coaling station on the 
shores of the Caribbean Sea by direct negotiation, Germany 
has, apparently, attempted to evade the Monroe Doctrine 
by obtaining control of territory for this purpose through 
one of her subsidized steamship lines.An of¬ 
ficial report has been received by the State Department from 
Joseph Bowron, United States Consul at Cartagena, an¬ 
nouncing that the Hamburg-Amerlcan Steamship Company, 
owners of the Atlas Line, which plies between Central and 
South American ports, had filed an application with the 
Colombian Government for the right to establish a coaling 
station near that city. While there is no disposition on 
the part of the United States to interfere with private 
entei'prlse, there is no doubt that the Administration would 
prefer that application of the Ilamburg-American Line be 
not granted. That company draws a subsidy from the 
German government, and in case of war its steamers 
would be available for use by the German government as 
auxiliary cruisers. A coal pile near Cartagena would be 
of Immense value, as a fleet using it as a base would. 
If sufliciently strong, be able to dominate the Carribbean 
Sea for the eastern terminus of the isthmian canal. The 
strategic importance of a coaling station at or near Carta¬ 
gena is hard to overestimate. The application of the 
Hamburg-American Line Is regarded not only In oflficlal, 
but in diplomatic circles, as the thin edge of the wedge 
Intended to split the Monroe Doctrine. 
PHILIPPINES.—During October and November about 550 
teachers have arrived in the Philippines and have been 
assigned to various places throughout the archipelago, 
making about 750 teachers in the field. These are assisted 
by about 200 soldiers, who have been detailed. About 
75,000 Filipino children are having English instruction. 
There are about 4,000 or 5,000 Filipino teachers and the 
majority of these are having one hour a day of English. 
A normal school has been opened with an attendance of 
about 250 Filipinos, and a trade and agricultural school 
has also been opened.General Smith has Issued 
orders forbidding the purchase of hemp in the Island of 
Leyte except in small quantities for food, which purchases 
must be under the supervision of the military authorities. 
All the ports of Leyte are closed and traflflc is forbidden 
where It cannot be supervised by the military. 
GENERAL FOREIGN NEWS.—Bubonic plague has reap¬ 
peared at Glasgow, Scotland, and Liverpool, England. 
. . . . Earthquakes of from moderate to strong foi'ce 
occurred every night in western Nicaragua from October 6 
to 14 Inclusive. The disturbances of October 6 were fol¬ 
lowed by tidal waves, causing the drowning of five or six 
natives and many cattle, and the destruction of several 
houses. The waters, in receding, carried into the ocean 
a large number of valuable dyewood logs which had been 
prepared for export.Li Hung Chang, the dis¬ 
tinguished Chinese diplomat, died at Pekin November 7. 
Earl Li bad a longer and more thorough knowledge of 
foreign affairs than any other Chinaman. In the early 
.sixties he was the only high ofiicial that advocated closer 
relations with foreign nations and the adoption of western 
methods and western ideas. Ever since then he has been 
identified with the conduct of the foreign relations of 
China. His frankness in conversation in bis dealings 
with foreigners with whom he was thrown in contact made 
him more acceptable to the West as the representative 
of China than other officials, who had more of the peculiar 
mannerisms of their race. His death is a great loss to 
the liberal and progressive party in China.A 
circular note has been addressed by the Sultan of Turkey 
to his representatives abroad, announcing that the Porte 
has satisfied all the French demands, and expressing a 
hope that France will appreciate the conciliatory spirit 
thus displayed and resume the relations so unfortunately 
interrupted.Earthquake shocks continue to be 
felt at Erzeroum, Armenia. There have been many casual¬ 
ties. The foreign consuls have jointed the inhabitants and 
are living in tents. 
FARM AND GARDEN.—Following is a list of the farm¬ 
ers’ institutes announced by the Missouri State Board of 
Agriculture for three weeks, beginning November 11; Aux 
Vasse, November 11 and 12; Mokane, November 12 and 13 ; 
Martbasville, November 13 and 14; Ste. Genevieve, Novem¬ 
ber 13 and 15; Perryville, November 15 and 16; Altenburg, 
November 16; Jackson, November 18 and 19; Lutesvilie, 
November 19 and 20; Yorley, November 20 and 21; Last 
Prairie, November 21 and 22 ; Kennett, November 22 and 
23; Piedmont, November 23; Lesterville, November 23; 
Ironton, November 25 and 26; ITredericktown, November 
26 and 27; Farmington, November 27 and 28; Potosi, 
November 28 and 29; Festus, November 29 and 30. 
The first snow of the season fell in Kansas November 
4, but it melted quickly, and no injury to crops is expected.. 
The New York State Breeders’ Association will hold their 
show at Buffalo December 17-19. 
The Missouri State Swine Breeders’ Association will meet 
at Chillicothe December 9-10; Secretary F. 11. Schooler, 
Rockport, Mo. 
The twenty-ninth annual session of the New York State 
Grange will be held at Glean, N. Y., February 4, 1902. 
Applications for accommodations should be made in ad¬ 
vance by writing Brother F. N. Godfrey, Glean, N. Y. 
Arrangements have been made with the Trunk Line Asso¬ 
ciation by which all attending the State Grange can secure 
passage and return for one and one-third fare for round 
trip, on the certificate plan. Gn purchasing ticket take 
a certificate from ticket agent, showing full fare has been 
paid to Glean for the pui-pose of attending State Grange. 
Gn arrival at Glean present this certificate to W. N. Giles, 
who will certify to your attendance, and you will then be 
entitled to a return ticket at one-third regular fare. Per¬ 
sons intending to attend State Grange should make appli¬ 
cation to the ofiice where they intend to purchase tickeis 
some days in advance, so that the ofiice may have oppor¬ 
tunity to provide Itself with certificates. Tickets are posi¬ 
tively not transferable, and the State Grange must redeem 
at full fare all tickets found in the hands of scalpers. 
The forty-sixth annual meeting of the Illinois State 
Horticultural Society will be held in the Agricultural 
Building of the University, Champaign, Ill., December 10 to 
12. The programme will be filled by men of prominence 
in their respective lines, in this and other States, and will 
Include those practical and scientific subjects, which are 
of timely importance. The usual liberal premium list will 
probably bring out a fine show of fruit. The display of 
spraying appliances and horticultural tools which attracted 
so much attention last year will be a feature again this, 
and we are promised some of the latest and best things 
in this line; secretary, L. R. Bryant, Princeton, Ill. The 
three Illinois district societies will hold their annual meet¬ 
ings as follows: The Central Society, at Quincy, November 
20-21; J. C. Blair, secretary; Urbana, 111. The Southern 
Society, at Carbondale, November 26-27 ; E. G. Mendenhall, 
secretary, Kinmundy, Ill. The Northern Society, at Dixon, 
December 4-5 ; Jacob Friend, secretary, Nekoma, 111. 
The Wisconsin Legislature has passed a law requiring 
dealers in concentrated feeds to take out a license, and 
give analyses of all mixed feeds. 
I. N. Barker, of Thorntown, Ind., died at his home 
November 3, aged 62. Mr. Barker was one of the best 
known breeders of Berkshire swine in Indiana, and was 
deservedly esteemed by a wide circle. 
S. 11. Todd, the well-known breeder (now retired) of 
Shropshire sheep and Chester White hogs, will give two 
of his lively talks before the Pennsylvania Live Stock 
Breeders’ Association at the Monongahela House, Pittsburg, 
December 18 and 19. Breeders of Pennsylvania, West 
Virginia and eastern Ghio should not miss this opportunity 
to hear him. Pennsylvania breeders invite those of all 
neighboring States to participate in the good things at 
their meetings. 
The annual meeting of the American Cheviot Sheep 
Society will be held at the Transit House, Union Stock 
Yards, Chicago, Ill., December 4, 1901. 
SELLING MANURE AT THE STOCKYARDS. 
Dumped Into River at Kansas City. 
There has never been any manure sold here. The 
farmers could have same for the taking away. We clean 
pens once a week. We have 14 double carts that hold 
three yards that are kept in use six days in a week; 
they take from 20 to 25 loads each day, making from 
1,500 to 1,800 yards per week, and this is dumped into the 
river. The farmers of this county do not seem to ap¬ 
preciate the value of manure, as we do not have a dozen 
loads per year hauled out by them. j. w. mitchell. 
Kansas City Stock Yards. 
Good Sa/e at Chicago. 
The larger part of the manure from this yard is shipped 
to truck farms within a radius of 75 miles of Chicago, 
principally northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, and 
to the fruit district in southern Michigan. The demand 
from these points is increasing annually. We ship be¬ 
tween 600 and 1,000 cars a year, and charge $5 for old 
well-rotted manure and $3 per car for fresh manure. 
These price are f. o. b. Union Stock Yards, switching and 
freight in addition. About one-third of the manure 
shipped comes direct from the pens, and the remainder 
is loaded from the dump. a. g. Leonard. 
Union Stock Yards, Chicago. 
Fair Prices at Pittsburg. 
There is a large sale of manure from here, or rather a 
heavy demand, at a fair price. We have for sale about 
200 to 300 cars annually. We get $12 per car f. o. b. on 
our siding at our yards. It is shipped on orders in the 
Pittsburg district only a few miles, probably from five 
to 30. We have a force of men who attend to the clean¬ 
ing out of the pens and alleys regularly each week as 
soon as the main market day is over, and this is loaded 
directly on to the cars. We have an elevated platform 
arranged so that we can dump our carts into the car. 1 
might state, however, that we had an order last Summer 
for 100 carloads, provided they could get a shipping rate, 
the distance being about 90 miles into West Virginia, 
where a man was fitting up a nice country home and 
stock farm. We have not heard from him lately, and 
suppose he did not get a rate low enough in price. 
Manager Pittsburg Stock Yards. simon o’donnell. 
Pacts About the Florida Orange Crop 
The number of boxes produced for the season of 1899-1900 
was about 1,000,000; the crop now going forward and to 
be shipped will run at from 1,100,000 to 1,200,000 boxes. 
Possibly 100,000 boxes will be consumed within the State 
and nearby cities and towns. There will be a falling off 
in the output from the older bearing groves, and the in¬ 
crease will be made up from young trees coming into 
bearing, and from the rebuilt groves of the older orange 
district. About 50 per cent of the old groves in the central 
orange section have been worked and taken care of since 
the destructive freeze of 1895, and with no further setback 
these will largely add to the State’s production in the next 
few years, as age of tree tops and bearing surface increases. 
About one-quarter to one-third of the present crop will be 
shipped from points north of a line running east and west 
through Tampa. Grange County produced about 25,000 
boxes last season and will double the output for the present; 
Lake County 4,000 to 5,000 boxes in 1899-1900, and will 
ship 15,000 to 20,000 boxes this season. Crescent City, In 
Putnam County, in the northern part of the old orange 
section, shipped less than 100 boxes last year and will ship 
about 2,500 boxes this. Estimates of the Indian River 
crop run up to 50,000, although we think this is excessive. 
Throughout the State the fruit is said to be somewhat 
smaller in size but of better quality. Complaint has been 
made early in the shipping season for twenty years past 
that producers were marketing fruit which was immature 
or too green. We see no reason for thinking that this 
will be different in the future for several reasons: Many 
growers who are poor or living on credit need the money 
and ship when the fruit begins to tuim in color; fruit in 
some locations either in rich hammocks or lower lands 
split and drop from the ti'ees in the fall and are boxed 
at once to save them ; early picking relieves the trees, which 
blossom more heavily in the Spring, and hold them, increas¬ 
ing the following crop; it pays the shipper, as prices rule 
higher early, and slowly drop as shipments later increase. 
The Florida orange is not at its best until the middle of 
December, when it is fully matured and its juices have been 
perfected. For the week ending November 2 50 carloads 
of fruit left the State, and by the middle of the month the 
output will be doubled to meet the demands of Thanks¬ 
giving. 0. S. GOWEN. 
Jacksonville, Fla. 
Michigan Crop Matters 
The weather has been Ideal for Fall work so far, clear 
and warm, but too dry for Fall grain. But very little 
wheat was sown and that was put in late to avoid the fly. 
There is a large acreage of rye as prices have been good 
and the yield fair for a number of years back. The stand 
is poor on account of dry weather,. Corn is a booming 
crop this Fall. Mecosta County never had better; through 
this section the yield is from one-third to one-half above 
the average, and a large acreage was planted. It is nearly 
all husked and in the crib. Potatoes are away below the 
average this year, a few small pieces turning out fairly 
well. Prices are soaring, and the largest part of the 
crop is gone now. The man that buys potatoes next April 
will pay good money for them. Apples are something we 
read about here this Fall. Prime varieties will bring $1 
per bushel in our home markets. There are but very few 
for sale. The beau crop Is good. 'They are worth $1.65 
per bushel now. They are taking the place of potatoes 
here, and will be raised to a greater extent in the future. 
Mecosta County, Mich. w. b. 
Down on Vermont Deer Laws. 
I think the general opinion of all back farmers is in 
accord with mine; that is, that the deer law is an im¬ 
position on the farmer, and a nuisance, and we have no 
respect for it. We pasture the deer, and the dudes with 
high-topped boots and hunting jackets come in deer 
season and tramp over our premises. If so be that we 
can leave our work at that time we may share the gen¬ 
eral privilege of running the risk of getting a bullet in 
the head, or possibly, but not probably, a shot at or get 
a deer, for farmers as a rule are too busy to practice 
-so as to be expert marksmen. We have had one-quarter 
acre of squashes destroyed one year, to say nothing of 
their tramping down oats and lying in newly seeded 
pieces every year. I hear of one farmer who has lost 
a lot of cabbages and another a garden by the deer this 
year. Our stock is hardly safe In hunting season, and 
even our pet cat came in a night or two ago dragging 
a leg horribly mangled, the result of a bullet after deer 
Healdville, Vt. b. e. q. 
Honesty Among Hay Balers 
Here are two sides to the hay baling business : 
The stories you hear regarding false packing of square 
baled hay are the sober truth, as we know from our experi¬ 
ence, having at our Brooklyn plant broken up many hun¬ 
dred tons of these bales. Besides stones and sticks, we have 
found the hoofs and horns of oxen with an occasional dead 
chicken, all placed In the bales, presumably to add to the 
weight. PLANTEUS' COMPRESS CO. 
New York. 
Relative to the putting of rocks, sticks and similar things 
in baled hay, I beg to advise you that my experience of 
twenty years in the hay business has led to believe that 
this is nearly all a matter of ridicule. I have sometimes 
found sticks and stones in baled hay. The horse rake 
picks up more or less stones and sticks, which are not 
seen by the loader. However, this is a matter of very 
small account in the amount of hay that is put up. As 
a general rule baled hay is put up with as much honesty 
of purpose as any other commodity which we buy. Baled 
hay Is not a gamble when bought In bales, and I would 
much rather take my chances in looking over a lot of 
baled than loose hay, as It enaoDs me to see the larger 
proportion of it and get more closely to the whole amount. 
Towanda, I’a. h. d. randall. 
