1901. 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
829 
As We Go to Press. 
A GOOD TURN. 
During the past few weeks we have 
received letters from Maine, Maryland, 
Pennsylvania, Ohio and New Jersey, of 
which the following is a fair specimen: 
Thinking that one good turn deserves 
another, as you so kindly answered my 
nuery in regard to the shredder business, 
I retaliate by renewing my subscription 
and sending you another, r, r, b, 
Pennsylvania, 
This man sent $2 and the name of a 
neighbor. The Maryland man sent the 
money and names wifh his question. 
He was so confident that The R. N.-Y. 
would do its part that he got in his 
“good turn” ahead. The Maine man did 
his good turn on general principles, for 
he says that he helps the business of 
farming whenever he helps increase the 
circulation of The R. N.-Y. 
Such little things are very encourag¬ 
ing. The best of it all is the thought 
that our friends are ready to help with¬ 
out any urging on our part. They know 
that we are prepared to turn the crank 
when such a turn will do them good. 
They are not selfish enough to pocket 
all the good, but they proceed to turn a 
notch on our subscription list. There 
is another side to all this, too. Every 
dollar we get for subscriptions helps us 
to .stand close to the interests of our 
siihscrlhers. Where a paper is forced to 
depend largely upon political patronage 
or advertisements for support no one 
can expect that it will put the interests 
of its readers ahead. The R. N.-Y. is 
published for its subscribers first of all, 
and thus the man who picks up a new 
subscriber not only benefits his friend, 
but indirectly benefits himself. 
BOOK BULLETIN. 
The Forcing Book, by L. H. Bailey. A 
full description of the appliances and 
methods necessary for the cultivation of 
fruits and vegetables in glass houses, with 
list of plants which can be grown in this 
way to advantage; 266 pages, illustrated. 
Price, postpaid, $1. 
The New Rhubarb Culture, by J. E. 
Morse. A guide to the field culture and 
Winter forcing of rhubarb, giving the ex¬ 
perience of practical growers in various 
parts of the country. Numerous recipes 
for preparing this plant for table use. 
Price, postpaid, 50 cents. 
Cut-price Books.— Any of these 20-cent 
pamphlets mailed postpaid for 10 cents: 
Milk Making and Marketing. 
Country Roads. 
Chemicals and Clover. 
Feitilizcr Farming. 
Memory Training. 
Cooking Cauliflower. 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
409 Pearl St., New York. 
MARKET NOTES 
BUTTER.—Extra creamery is selling at 
the same figure as last year, 2514 cents, and 
occasionally a superior lot brings a half- 
cent more. The June creamery now being 
received appears to have kept unusually 
well. The exports from this city since May 
1 amount to nearly 7,000,000 pounds. 
hay.—T rade is quiet at present, the most 
active item being clover mixed, a grade 
which is always popular for general feed¬ 
ing purposes. Very little strictly prime hay 
is received, a large part of what is shipped 
for prime being graded here as No. 1. Rye 
straw shows a very wide range on account 
of the quantity of poor stuff offei'ed. Long 
bright straw would bring 80 cents per hun¬ 
dred. There is practically no sale for oat 
straw at prices w'hich will pay for ship¬ 
ment. 
THANKSGIVING SPECIALTIES.-Tur- 
keys and chickens do not have a monopoly 
of this business of helping people to ex¬ 
press their annual thankfulness, for what 
is Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie, 
cranberries, grapes, celery or cress? There 
is great activity in the trade in these pro¬ 
ducts. Cranberries, celery and grapes are 
the chief items, and large quantities are 
shipped to out-of-town points. Some busi¬ 
ness is done in greens for decorations, but 
this is a small item as compared with the 
Christmas trade. I’rices on the better 
grades of cranberries are as high as $7.50 
per barrel. Figures on celery are moderate, 
running from 10 to 40 cents per dozen roots. 
Considerable tough, stringy and inferior 
stuff is disposed of, and an attempt to eat 
it is likely to make one wish for the ma¬ 
chinery with which the cow grinds her hay 
and cornstalks. There is still plenty of 
grapes in the market, Cataw'ba, Concord and 
Niagara. They retail at 20 to 25 cents per 
four-pound basket. They lose in flavor by 
storage, and more or less w’ithered and • 
decayed ones are found in every basket. 
DRESSED POULTRY.-Many shippers 
who previously sent their poultry for the 
holiday trade dry packed now ice it. This 
is on account of the severe losses they 
have had owMng to warm w’eather in tran¬ 
sit. As a result there was a real scarcity 
of dry poultry, and high figures were ob¬ 
tained. After the rain of Monday the 
weather was clear and cold, and in every 
way favorable for handling poultry. Local 
retailers were slow in stocking up, wait¬ 
ing until the last minute to see whether 
later receipts would not bring prices down. 
Out-of-town buyers were on hand, and con¬ 
siderable business was done in this line. 
Large quantities of poultry are every year 
re-shipped from New York to towns within 
a radius of 50 to 100 miles. Of course, poul¬ 
try is brought into these places by neigh¬ 
boring farmers, but, unless dealers engage 
it In advance, they never know just how 
much they can get. Many dealers prefer 
to order supplies direct from New York, 
as they then know just what they will 
have and when it will come, although this 
is a rather roundabout way of getting at 
it, and the poultry is inferior to that fresh 
killed. Iced poultry was plentiful. 11 cents 
being an extreme price for both turkeys 
and chickens, while dry packed brought as 
high as 14 to 15 cents. As is usually the 
case there was a surplus of low-grade 
stuff. No matter how fine poultry may be 
when shipped, icing injures its appearance 
and sale. When opened it is wet and 
slippery, and no amount of wiping and 
fixing up can remove the white-livered look 
and disagreeable odor that it gets by being 
soaked with the melting ice. w. w. ii. 
Robbing Bumblebees’ Nests. 
In his admirable work, “The Insect 
Book,’’ Dr. L. O. Howard gives the follow¬ 
ing interesting story: “Marlatt, in the 
proceedings of the Entomological Society 
of Washington, tells how the boys in 
Kansas avoid stings and gather honey. 
He said that they (and he was one of 
them) were led to rob these nests more 
from the excitement caused by the danger 
of being stung than to secure the honey, 
which, in fact, was not only rank and un¬ 
palatable, but in the early Fall, during 
the haying season, was small In quantity. 
The method followed was to take a one or 
two-gallon jug, such as is commonly used 
to carry water to haymakers, fill it partly 
with water and place it, with cork re¬ 
moved, within two or three feet of the 
nest. The bees were then thoroughly 
aroused by beating the nest, immediately 
after which the brave boys removed them¬ 
selves to a safe distance. The enraged 
bees w'ould swarm out and begin flying 
about in widening circles to discover the 
enemy. The jug would at once attract 
their attention and numbers would fly 
about it and over Its open mouth, which, 
by reason of the air set in motion by their 
wings, would give an answering roar to 
their angry humming. Excited beyond 
measure by this noise, the bees would fly 
at the mouth of the jug, and one after 
another would pop into it (the noise pro¬ 
duced by those within still further at¬ 
tracting those without), until all had en¬ 
tered. A second disturbance of the nest 
would serve to draw out and dispose of 
any remaining fighting worker bees, after 
which the robbing of the nest was easy. 
After robbing the nest the water and bees 
in the jug were emptied out on the 
ground, and the bees, although apparently 
drowned, would soon recover, and start off 
to found new colonies, which other boys 
would probably rob. In later years, when 
Mr. Marlatt became interested in collec¬ 
tion and study of insects, this method was 
employed with unvarying success in the 
examination of bumblebees’ nests, in order 
to secure parasites and the guest insects 
which inhabit these nests. This method 
seems to be a discovery of the western 
farm boys, since the writer, although he 
robbed bumblebees’ nests in central New 
York when a boy, was never ingenious 
enough to invent such a capital method 
of avoiding stings.’’ 
Report of Secretary of Agriculture. 
Following is a synopsis of Secretary Wil¬ 
son’s report for the year ending June 30, 
1901: 
Rural delivery has aided in getting 
weather forecasts promptly to farmers, 42,- 
000 families having received these reports. 
It is expected to extend this service during 
the coming year, giving warning of ap¬ 
proaching frosts and storms in time to be 
of real service. The value of animals ex¬ 
ported was $253,000,000. Inspectors have ex¬ 
amined 385,000 cattle, 228,000 sheep, and 48,000 
horses and mules for export, and 37,000,000 
animals for slaughter in this country. 
Animal diseases are being treated by vac¬ 
cines sent out by the Department. Special 
studies in plant diseases have been made 
to learn resistant varieties, and various 
commercial seeds were tested for germina¬ 
tion. Valuable seeds and plants adapted 
to our climate have been imported, includ¬ 
ing macaroni wheats, date palms and 
Kgyptian cotton. About 4,500 pounds of tea 
were raised on the experimental farm at 
Summerville, S. C. Efforts are being made 
to extend our foreign fruit trade, particu¬ 
larly in high-grade apples. Investigations 
have been made of the composition, nutri¬ 
tive value and adulteration of food pro¬ 
ducts. Extensive work has been done in 
forestry, both In improving Government 
lands and in advising private owners of 
the best means of handling their forests. 
Commercial trees, tree planting, forest 
fires, forest productions and lumbering are 
discussed. Experiment stations have been 
established In Hawaii and Alaska, and ar¬ 
rangements are being made to carry on 
this work in Porto Rico and the Philip¬ 
pines. Agricultural education by college 
extension work has made decided gains. 
Farmers’ institutes are held in 43 States 
and Territories. Irrigation and Improve¬ 
ments of the grazing lands of the West 
have received increased attention. In the 
work in entomology is noted the intro¬ 
duction of numerous useful Insects, such 
as the flg-fertllizlng insect, and several 
natural enemies of pernicious plant pests. 
Object lessons in road making have been 
given. Sample roads were built in nine 
States under the direction of the Depart¬ 
ment. The machines were loaned by the 
manufacturers, railroads carried them free, 
and the local communities furnished the 
materials and labor. The publications is¬ 
sued amounted to nearly 8.000,000 copies. 
Of these 3,500,000 were farmers’ bulletins. 
The value of all agricultural products ex¬ 
ported was $950,000,000. Of all the mer¬ 
chandise sent abroad 65 per cent originated 
on the farm. The amount appropriated by 
Congress for the work of the Department 
for the year was $3,303,500. 
Raking Leaves. —I made my leaf carrier of 
two-inch mesh poultry wire six feet wide by 
eight feet long, nailing two fairly heavy cedar 
stakes to each end. 1 laid the wire out flat 
and raked until I got a large heap of leaves 
on it: I then took one end and drew it toward 
the center and did with the other end like¬ 
wise, thus rolling the leaves very tight and 
enabling me to carry a large load. 
Westfield, N. J., c. ii. k., jr. 
A Liberal Proposition. 
Thrice-a-Week World and ) gR 
The Rural New- V orker f a 
One of our special offers is the Thrice-a-Weeb 
World and The Rural New-Yorker combined 
for $1.65 a year. By this arrangement you are 
sure to obtain all the news of the day, and infor¬ 
mation of special interest to the farm and home 
at the same time. The Thrice-a-Week World is a 
clean, reliable newspaper, and the low figure at 
which it is offered, in conjunction with The Rural 
New-Yorker, should make the combination un¬ 
usually attractive. 
STEVENS 
Ajiti-Irtelin, BridM Itm, Avtooutie td- 
Non-cbokiof 
Hand, SwMp, and Power farm 
mllla, for ^ pQrpoeea.,^ Will 
grind all grain to any degree of 
fineneea. Thonsanda In dally 
nse everywhere. Send for free 
catalogue C. Agents wanted. 
STEVFNS MFG.ro., 
Fisher Bldg., Chicago, HI, 
UIEII DRILLING 
nCLL Machines 
Over 70 sires and styles, for drilling either deep or 
•hallow wells in any kind of soil or rock. Mounted 
on wheels or on sills. With engines or horse powers. 
Strong, simple and durable Any mechanio oas 
>perate them easily. Bend for oatalog. 
WlLBlAlilS BBOB.. Itbaoa, N. Y. 
BRAND NEW STEEL ROOFINQ 
Bought at Receivers' Bala 
Sheets either flat, oorr» 
gatedor“V”crimped. Ns 
tools except a hatchet o< 
hammeris needed to lay 
the roofing. We ^Vnls* 
free with each :orde( 
' enough paint to a | Y C 
cover and nails to lay. Price persquare, O”*® 
A squnre means 100 square ft. Write lorFree CtUloga. 
Vn. 67 on Ocnerai merchandise. Chicago House 
Wrecking Co.. WestSSth and Iren Sts., Chicago, lit, 
Clubbiiig List. 
We can save you money on any paper or magazine. 
We give yon a list below. If you do not find all you 
want here, send us a list, and we will quote you price 
by return mail. It will save you trouble to send all 
your orders to us at one time. The price opposite 
each paper is our price to you for it. Every order 
must, of course, include asubscription to The Rubai. 
New-Yorker at $1. To make up a list start with 
The B. N.-Y. at $1, then take as many of the others 
as you need at price opposite each. 
American Bee Journal, Chicago, Ill. 
American Poultry Journal, Chicago. Ill. 
Amerlcau Sheep Breeder, Chicago, Ill. 
American Swineherd, Chicago. Ill. 
American Queen, New York. 
Arena, The, New York. 
Atlantic Monthly, Boston. Mass. 
Ave Mana, Notre Dame, Ind. 
A Few Hens, Boston, Mass. 
American Boy, Detroit, Mich. 
Babyhood, New York. 
Blade, Toledo, O. 
Blooded Stock, Oxford, Pa. 
Baptist Union, Chicago, 111. 
Cincinnati Weekly Gazette, Cincinnati, O. 
Cosmopolitan Magazine, Irvington, N. Y. 
Courier-Journal, Louisville, Ky (begin Jan. 1)... 
Cleveland Daily World, Cleveland, O. 
Century, New York. 
Christian Herald, New York. 
Constitution, Atlanta, Ga. 
Commercial Tribune, Cincinnati, O. 
Cleveland I.eader, Cleveland, O. 
Conkey's Uome Journal, Chicago, Ill. 
Courier, BuHalo, N. Y. 
Chronicle Telegraph, Pittsburg, Pa. 
Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cleveland, O. 
Courant (Daily , Hartford, Conn. 
Courant (Semi-Weekly), Hartford, Conn. 
(Columbus Press Post, (iolumbus, O. 
Dispatch, Pittsburg, Pa. 
Drainage Journal, Indianapolis, Ind. 
Deinorest's, New York. 
Designer, New York. 
Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, N. Y. 
Enquirer, Cincinnati, O. 
Evangelist. New York. 
Everybody's Magazine, New York. 
E.xaminer, New York. 
Examiner (Daily) San Francisco, Cal. 
Examiner (Weekly) San Francisco, Cal. 
Every Where, New York. 
Forum, New York. 
Free Press, Detroit, Mich. 
Frank I.eslie’s Monthly, New York. 
Farm Poultry, Boston. Mass. 
Family Herald and Weekly Star, Montreal, Can. 
Gleanings In Bee Culture, Medina, O. 
Globe Democrat (Weekly), St. Louis, Mo. 
Golden Days, Philadelphia. Pa. 
Grape Belt, Dunkirk. N. Y. 
Good Literature. New York. 
Household, New York. 
Horse Review, Chicago, 111. 
Horse World, Buffalo, N. Y. 
Harper's Bazar, New York. 
Harper's Magazine, New York. 
Harper’s Weekly, New York. 
Housekeeper, Minneapolis, Minn. 
(lousewife, New York. 
Hoard's Dairyman, Ft. Atkinson, Wls. 
Holstein-Friesian Keglster, Brattleboro, Vt... . 
florae Journal, Boston, Mass. 
Independent, New York. 
Inter Ocean, Chicago. Ill. 
Inter-State Poultryman, Tiffin,O. 
lournal, Boston, Mass. 
Judge, New York. 
Jersey Bulletin, Indianapolis. Ind. 
•Journal, Indianapolis, Ind. 
Little Folks, New York. 
Lippincott's M.agazine, Philadelphia, Pa. 
iAjdger Monthly, New York. 
IJving Church, Milwaukee. Wis. 
Leslie’s Weekly, New York. 
Motherhood, New York. 
National Tribune, Washlnglon. D. C. 
North American Review, New York, 
News and Courier, Charleston, 8. C— 
Ohio Poultry Journal, Dayton, O. 
Our Grange Homes, Boston, Mass. 
Outlook, The, New York. 
Poultry Keeper, Quincy, 111. 
Press, Philadelphia, Pa.... 
Poultry Monthly, Albany, N. Y 
I’ioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn. 
Post Express, Rochester, N. Y. 
Puck, New York. 
Review of Reviews, New York. 
Register, Wheeling. W. Va 
Reliable Poultry Journ.al, Quincy, Ill 
Republican, The (Weekly), Sp^iuglield, Mas:^ 
Sabbath Reading, New York.... 
Scribner’s Magazine, New York 
Scientific American, New York. 
Spirit of the Times. 
Star, Kansas City, Mo. 
Sentinel, Indianapolis, Ind. 
Swine Breeder's Journal, Indianapj 
Sunday-School Times, PhiladeliJ 
St. Nicholas, New York. 
Success, New York. 
Table Talk, Philadelphia. P; 
Tribune Review, New Yor] 
Thrlce-a-Week Tribune.^ 
Times (Weekly . Cinciu; 
Toledo Bee, Toledo, O.^ 
Truth. New York... 
Union Gospel News, 
Wool Markets and " 
Witness, New Yorl^ 
Woman's Home Cj 
World, Tri-Weeki 
Youths’ Com pan i' 
Young People’s W J 
THE BUBAL NE 
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