i89o 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
63 S 
which he mentioned some time since ? This 
was claimed to be much hardier than the 
common sort and fully its equal in other 
respects. 
Peaches are a fair crop in this section, 
which is a singular fact, considering that 
apple growers feel certain that their short¬ 
age is due to the cold, wet weather at 
blossoming time, as the trees were unusu¬ 
ally prolific of bloom, while in many 
orchards hardly any fruit “set.” Mr. G. 
W. Goddard, of Greenville, N. H., showed 
a new free-stone peach, with yellow flesh, 
called the Excelsior, which is said to have 
been originated in Billerica, Mass., some 
years ago, by a local nurseryman, who, 
after he had sent out a limited number in 
trial lots, either died or went out of busi¬ 
ness, so that the small quantity originally 
propagated was lost sight of until the few 
trees owned by Mr. Goddard came into 
bearing. The specimen was of good—not 
extra—quality. Mr. Cheever, of the New 
England Farmer, considers it very promis¬ 
ing, and is raising seedlings from it. The 
points especially claimed for it by Mr. G. 
are its prolific qualities, combined with ex¬ 
treme hardiness. Side by side with Craw¬ 
ford, the Excelsior stood the winter per¬ 
fectly, and the trees are loaded with fruit, 
while the Crawford was killed back con¬ 
siderably and is producing very little fruit. 
One of the large nursery firms is propagat¬ 
ing this variety, and it will undoubtedly be 
“ pushed ” in the near future. 
No Abandoned Farms Here.— Mr. God¬ 
dard believes that money can still be made 
on a New England farm and in proof of his 
argument offers his own experience. He is 
a man under 30; his farm of a trifle over 
100 acres, of which 40 acres are tillable, is 
located in Greenville, N. H., 19 miles from 
the thriving manufacturing town of Gard¬ 
ner, Mass., which offers the principal mar¬ 
ket for his produce. He ran into debt for 
this farm and now has it nearly paid for 
wholly from its products. In fact, he says 
that his available assets—stock, farming 
tools, etc.—would more than balance his 
remaining indebtedness. It may be well to 
add that nine years’ living expenses should 
also be credited to Mr. G’s efforts, as he 
had no capital to begin with. He makes a 
practice of exhibiting regularly at the 
leading New England fairs and finds this 
pays him well, as he has realized from $100 
to $400 in premiums on fruits and vege¬ 
tables at nearly every exhibition. He 
claims to have the largest collection of 
fruits in New England north of Mas¬ 
sachusetts, including a fine peach orchard. 
At present he is getting $5 per basket for 
his best peaches. 
The following hints were gleaned from 
his remarks: “Bone and potash are the most 
economical purchased fertilizers for all 
fruits. No culture should be given to 
peaches, and no manure should be applied 
after July 1, as either will produce too late 
a growth of wood. Potash puts color in 
all fruits, in peaches particularly. He uses 
either sulphate, muriate, or unleached 
wood ashes. He cannot afford to raise 
weeds in New Hampshire. He runs his 
own store in Gardner. To do so is cheaper 
than to employ middlemen, and it is much 
more satisfactory to deal directly with the 
consumer. He makes three grades of 
nearly everything—extra fancy for those 
who can afford to please their personal 
tastes; first-class quality for the general 
demand ; and common for that class who 
are found everywhere, who either cannot 
afford better or do not appreciate quality. 
Mr. Goddard carries his produce to Gard¬ 
ner with his own team, making five trips 
weekly. He has a herd of 25 Holsteins and 
Guernseys, and saves all the manure pos¬ 
sible ; but he is a firm believer in commer¬ 
cial fertilizers. 
The girdling of grape-vines has many 
advocates in this locality. The only fully 
ripe grapes (Moore’s Early) were from 
girdled vines. The fair was about 10 days 
too early for a good showing of grapes. 
The need of a good early white grape 
adapted to this climate was again empha¬ 
sized. 
Vegetables and Grasses. It is a 
pleasure to see an improvement in the veg¬ 
etable exhibit as to quality vs. size. At 
many exhibitions the sole aim of the exhib¬ 
itors seems to center in excelling in the 
size of the specimens rather than in theii 
form and other characteristics necessary to 
make up a representative type of the vari¬ 
ety. Some of these “ pumpkin like ” speci¬ 
mens were seen; but, as a whole, the vege¬ 
table exhibit was au improvement over 
those in previous fairs in this respect. Not 
many new things were shown. The Banana 
Sweet Corn, though hardly a novelty, is 
one of the newer sorts which is well liked 
for home use. The quality is excellent. 
The German Box Knife Pole Bean is a mon¬ 
ster in size of pod, but seems of no special 
value over standard varieties. With so 
many good, smooth,early and late tomatoes, 
why should we continue to grow any of the 
old rough sorts ? 
The collections of dried grasses were both 
unique and interesting. Mr. George Calvin 
Rice, one of the “ hustlers ” of the Worces¬ 
ter Society, showed 219 varieties. The Los 
Angeles Chamber of Commerce displayed 
an extensive collection, and a Worcester 
lady, Miss Agnes Chambertam, showed 230 
specimens, embracing 44 variet ies. Her 
exhibit was especially valuable on account 
of the careful labeling of individual speci¬ 
mens. The writer noticed two young men 
not over 18 and 20 respectively, evidently 
brothers, carefully examining these grasses 
and making memoranda with regard to 
them. Other exhibits were looked over 
with the same thoughtful care. I did not 
question the boys; but I venture to say 
that those cheap memoranda books and 
pencils will prove great helps to their 
success in life. So much I could hardly say 
with candor of the numerous young men 
whose pencils were used on the score cards 
and whose sole interest in the fair centered 
in the horse-racing. 
Flowers. —There was a goodly show of 
flowers, and no one who looked them over 
could deny that the good, old-time favor¬ 
ites, the “China Asters ” of the old folks, 
as well as nasturtiums, zinnias, marigolds, 
etc., made up a liberal half of the attrac¬ 
tion. If there is a Rural reader who does 
not grow some of these annuals he ought 
to be ashamed of himself. Orchids and 
other exotics are wonderful and beautiful; 
but comparatively few can afford the costly 
houses for growing them, and who can say 
that the old timers—“ ’sturtions” for 
example—are not productive of more plea¬ 
sure in the aggregate than the costlv 
orchids as a class. If you have not time 
for a separate flower bed, plants half-dozen 
annuals in the vegetable patch next season. 
They will do well there, and the ladies of 
the household will appreciate the chance of 
picking a bouquet now and then. w. A. R. 
FARMERS IN POLITICS. 
( Continued .) 
As the political campaigns progress in 
the various States in which the farmers 
have become prominent or dominant fac¬ 
tors, it becomes more and more apparent 
that, however sycophantic and subservient 
the old “war-horses” of the two old-time 
parties may appear under agricultural pres¬ 
sure, they resume all their immemorial ar¬ 
rogance and contempt for the “ Grangers ” 
whenever they see a chance for success 
without bucolic aid. In spite of all their 
friendly protestations, they swallow the 
farmers’ programmes as so many nauseat¬ 
ing boluses, the deglutition of which has 
been rendered necessary by what they hope 
is only a temporary disturbance of the po¬ 
litical atmosphere; but they would rejoice 
at any time to be in a position to reject the 
doses with abhorrence, or even regurgitate 
what they have been forced to swallow. 
Let not the farmers make any mistake 
with regard to the attitude of the old par¬ 
ties towards them. While these would 
rejoice to welcome them back to their 
old position as quiet, faithful, un¬ 
obtrusive voters in their ranks, they 
will never, until forced by severe les¬ 
sons for years, allow them to become 
leaders or even to occupy a prominent 
position in their forces, and whatever prom¬ 
ises they may make under duress, they 
will lightly repudiate should a plausihle 
opportunity present itself. The truth of 
these statements is being strongly exem¬ 
plified in several States of the Union at 
present, but in none so forcibly as in Geor¬ 
gia and South Carolina. So long as they 
entertained any hopes of success, the 
straightout Democrats in both insisted that 
each faction should faithfully abide by the 
decision of the party conventions ; but now 
that the farmers have overwhelmingly 
triumphed in both cases, the “stalwart” 
minority are “kicking” most viciously, 
and attempting as well as threatening all 
sorts of evils to the majority. In the Pal¬ 
metto State the Democratic State Conven¬ 
tion met at Columbia last Wednesday with 
266 Tillmanite delegates and 54 Anti-Tlll- 
manites, but, in spite of this overwhelm¬ 
ing agricultural preponderance, the aristo¬ 
cratic minority tried every means of re¬ 
taining its control of the party or of ruin¬ 
ing the majority if it could not rule it. 
The National Farmers’ League is 
making rapid progress, especially in New 
Euglaud and the Middle States. It was 
started 1r Massachusetts last fall for the 
purpose of effecting a single object—the 
passage of the anti-oleomargarine bill, 
which the farmers had for years demanded, 
but which had been repeatedly defeated by 
the State Senate, though passed by the 
House. Within a month,over 40,000 farmers 
enrolled themselves. Of the 40 Senators 22 
pledged themselves to vote for the bill, but 
two of them shamefully violated their 
pledges and voted against it, so that the 
measure, though overwhelmingly passed 
by the House, was again lost in the Senate 
—this time on a tie vote. The farmers be¬ 
came wild, and political revenge in the Bay 
State this fall will be relentlessly satisfied. 
In every district in which the farmers’ 
votes predominate, the fate of candidates 
favorable to “ oleo ” is sealed. The declar¬ 
ation of the objects of the League is confined 
to a single sentence : 
welfare, securing to hfcn due recognition and just 
representation In all elective and appointive offices 
affecting his welfare, without conflicting with the 
best Interests of the entire people.” 
It is organized for political purposes only. 
It is a non-secret, independent, non-partisan 
organization in harmony with the Alliance, 
Grange, Farmers’ Union and kindred asso¬ 
ciations as well as with agricultural soci¬ 
eties, farmers’ clubs, and similar organiza¬ 
tions. It consists of a National League and 
of State Leagues, with County and Town 
Leagues. The National League has general 
supervision of the affairs of the Farmers’ 
League and the work of organization, and 
attends specially to the farmers’ interests 
in Congress. The State Leagues, as soon as 
organized, push the work of organization 
in their respective States, and attend to the 
farmers’ special interests in the legisla¬ 
ture. The County League attends to the 
farmers’ interests in county matters, and to 
affairs in Senatorial and Representative 
districts. The Town Leagues furnish the 
delegates who constitute the County 
Leagues, and attend to the farmers’ inter¬ 
ests in local districts, and in each election 
precinct. The payment of 50 cents consti¬ 
tutes life membership in the Farmers’ 
League—State and National. Every mem¬ 
ber signs a pledge affirming his purpose, by 
vote and influence, to advance the farmers’ 
interests in politics and legislation accord¬ 
ing to the doctrine of the constitution. 
The constitution provides for a grand 
confederation of all existing farmers’ or¬ 
ganizations by making the leading officer 
of such in every town a Vice-President of 
the Farmers’ League. “The Farmers’ 
League,” it tells us, “offers a means where¬ 
by all members of these organizations, as 
well as all farmers who don’t belong to any 
society, may join in one grand combination 
to advance our country’s best welfare by 
restoring to farmers their former political 
prestige.” Whether other agricultural or¬ 
ganizations will accept the offer of this 
ambitious juvenile is perhaps a trifle 
doubtful; but its membership is increasing 
rapidly in many of the States. The New 
York State League was officially organized 
the other day and claims that it already 
has a membership of over 60,000. which 
will, it is expected, reach nearly 100,000 by 
the time for the fall elections. There is no 
doubt that the organization is destined to 
play a prominent part in town, county, 
State and National politics. 
The Farmers’ Alliance Literary Bu¬ 
reau, at Washington, which has attained 
“mammoth size,” is doing a world of 
service during the present agricultural 
campaign. It is located in an old church 
in Ninth street, in which the official organ 
of the Alliance is printed. It also contains 
the offices of the Executive Board of the Al¬ 
liance and of the Legislative Committee. 
Dr. C. W. Macune, born in Illinois and for 
some years a resident of California and 
Texas, is editor of the National Economist, 
the Alliance’s official organ, and Chairman 
both of the Board and the Committee, and 
probably the most active man in the organ¬ 
ization. A vast number of circulars, 
pamphlets and other documents of all kinds 
bearing on the objects and methods of the 
Alliance, and on all matters likely to ad¬ 
vance its interests and aims, are daily 
disseminated all over the country from 
this office; while a large number of 
lecturers are sent out to various sections to 
represent in glowing terms the advantages 
to be derived from the combination of 
farmers and the indorsement of the theories 
of the Alliance. Of these, Terrill, of Texas 
is chief, while General Humphries, of the 
Confederate Army and the Lone Star 
State, devotes his time almost entirely to the 
organization of negro lodges, in which he 
has beeu very successful. This bureau is a 
“holy terror ” to Congressmen who are op¬ 
posed to it, as it furnishes to their constitu¬ 
ents an account of their official record, and 
often of those features of their careers in 
Washington, which are likely to injure them 
most in the estimation of those whose votes 
they are anxious to secure. 
PRINCIPAL 
-AND- 
INTEREST 
IN THESE7BOOKS 
FOR RURAL READERS. 
HORTICULTURIST’S RULE BOOK-Bv 
Prof. L. H. Baii.ky. A book wh,eh should be In the 
hands of ever}' rural worker. Pronounced by press 
and public as invaluable. John J. Thomas says In 
Countru Gent I envoi: "It Is just such a portable bock 
as many practical and experimental gardeners wll, 
want at. hand for Its condensed Information on the 
multitude of subjects which are constantly coming 
before them.” 
Dr. F M, Hexamer of American Agriculturist 
says: ‘ It is difficult to conceive how a greater 
amount of practical, every day Information relating 
to fruits and vegetables could be condensed into 
smaller compass than Is contained In this little 
manual.” 236 pages; flexible cloth covers. Price 
$1 00 by mail post paid. 
General 
Hor- 
1889. By L. H. Bailey. CONTENTS 
Annals: Review of Yields and Prices of 1889, 
ttcultural Work of the Experiment Stations. Hor¬ 
ticultural Work of the Department of Agriculture, 
Economic Entomology. Arsenites for the Curculio. 
Combating Insects with their Parasites. Vegetable 
Pathology. Laws for Checking Insect Ravtges and 
Plant Diseases. Oriental Fruits. Th« New Plants of 
the Southern States. Fruits of the Cold Prairie 
States. Fruits for the Cold North, and Protection of 
some Tender Fruits. Notes on Fruits In California. 
Recent Tendencies In Ornamental Gardening, and In 
Ornamentals. Chrysanthemums. Orchids. The Na¬ 
tional Flower Discussion. Laws to Regulate Weights 
and Measures. Societies. Recent Horticultural 
Literature: Reviews of Books on Horticulture, for 
1889. Reviews and Abstracts of all Bulletins of Hor¬ 
ticultural Interest which have Appeared from the 
Congressional Experiment Stations. Lists of the 
Horticultural Periodicals of the World. Toots and 
Convenience* of the Year. Annals of Plants: Com¬ 
plete Lists of all the Fruits. Vegetables and Ornamen- 
tal Plants Introduced in 18S9. a Complete List of all 
the Varieties of Vegetables now Cultivated in North 
America, with Revision of the Names by the Horti¬ 
cultural Committee on Nomenclature. Plant Por 
traits In all Periodicals of the Year. Directories: 
Officers of all the National. State. Provincial, and 
other Important Horticultural Organizations of 
North America. Horticulturists of the Experiment 
Stations. Botanic Gardens of the World. Obituaries 
and Biographies for the Year. Horticulture. In Other 
Lands. Price in cloth, about 250 pages. Illustrated 
81.00: paper. 60 cents. 
THE HOME AURE-By E. P. Roe. Mr. Roe 
wrote half a score of novels, yet many of his ad 
mirers Insist that he knew more about gardening 
than human nature, and could talk about it to better 
effect. During the last few years of his life he had 
one of the most beautiful home estates In America, 
and was his own landscape gardener, orchard plan¬ 
ter. vine grower and florist His book Is not a mere 
list of trees, shrubs, plants and vegetables: it is a 
leisurely discussion of matters of taste and utility out 
of doors, and no one Interested in beautifying the 
grounds around his home can fail to get some 
valuable suggestions from Mr Roe. Even the man 
or woman who has only a “ truck patch” In a back 
yard will get Ills or her money back if he buys this 
book and reads It carefully, umo cloth. Price 81.50. 
THE ROSE : Its Cultivation, Varieties, Etc., 
Etc. By H. B. Ellwasgkr. “ Mr. Ellwanger’s con¬ 
nection with one of the largest nurseries In America, 
which has yearly Imported the new varieties of 
merit as they have appeared and given them extensive 
cultivation, has placed unusual advantages within 
his reach, which he has suceessfutlv improved. In 
addition to the valued directions for cultivation—for 
planting, pruning, propagation, the treatment of 
diseases and Insect enemies-the work ts rendered 
particularly valuable for Its classification, and for 
the full alphabetical and descriptive list of 956 
varieties. We are glad to commend this work, 
which Is the result of great care and much labor.”— 
Country Gentleman. 16mo. cloth. Price. 81.25. 
MY HANDKERCHIEF GAR DEX-By Charles 
Barnard. "Mr. Barnard,”says Garden and Forest 
“Is popularly said to write on more subjects than 
any one else, not excepting Mr. Gladstone, and 
wrfte equally well upon them all. Certainly nothing 
could be better of its kind than this little volume, 
into the 69 pages of which Is crammed much useful 
information, conveyed in a delightfully easy way. 
His " Handkerchief Garden” was a house plot in a 
suburban town, measuring 25 bv 60 feet. In one year 
it yielded him ‘ a garden, fresh vegetables, exercise, 
health and 820.49. and the why and how are so 
clearly explained that any one who reads and re¬ 
members need not despair of doing likewise. Price, 
paper. 25 cents. 
SUCCESS WITH SMALL FRUITS— By E. P. 
Roe. A cheap edition of this famous book, bringing 
this most valuable treatise, which has heretofore 
been offered only ac a high price, within the reach 
of every one. l2mo., cloth. Price, $1.50. 
LIBERTY AND A LIVIXG-Howto get Bread 
and Butter, Sunshine and Health, Leisure and Books, 
without Slaving away One’s Life. By P. G. Hubert 
Jr. 16mo. cloth, with frontispiece, 81.00. “It is de¬ 
cidedly well written, with a good deal of dry, some¬ 
times caustic, humor and a half satirical shrewdness 
of penetration .—Chicago Times. 
THE GARDEN— As considered In literature by 
certain polite writers. With a critical essay by Wal¬ 
ter Howe. With portrait of William Kent. $1.C0. 
GARDENING FOR PROFIT-By Peter Hen¬ 
derson. This book has beeu read by thousands of 
people who in Its pages hav^found the first incentive 
toward gardening. Every phase of gardening after 
the most approved methods ts touched upon in the 
writer's pleasing style, and the course made plain for 
following the business profitably 3',U pages, full 
cloth bound, by mall post paid, $2.00. 
GARDENING FOR PLEASURE— By Peter 
Henderson. Uniform with the above, but treating 
of plants and flowers, as well as fruits and vege¬ 
tables. A valuable work for enthusiastic amateurs 
Cloth bound, by mall post paid, $4 to. 
PRACTICAL FLORICULTURE— By Peter 
Henderson. This work is generally conceded to be an 
authority on the subject of which it treats: it con¬ 
tains hints on the growing of flowering plants both 
Indoors and out. Cloth, by mall post paid, $1.50. 
HOW THE FARM PAYS-By Wu. Crozier 
and Peter Henderson. This work Is recognized as 
one of the most reliable guides lu the work of the 
farm. Every branch of tee work is touched upou 
and made plain. Cloth, by mall post pant, $2.50. 
THE RURAL PUBLISHING COMPANY, 
TIMES BUILDING, 
1ST ZE3 T5YT YORK. 
