i89o 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
645 
them. They are, fortunately, innoxious 
except when they come in contact with 
diseased or decomposing matter. Their 
purpose in the universe is healthful rather 
than the reverse, for it is to remove matter 
that is unwholesome and dangerous to life, 
and absolutely pure water, or pure air, or 
pure food is an impossibility. Dr. Detmers 
is a specialist in the science of morbid mi- 
crology, and specialists are always enthusi¬ 
asts, and he showed that he is one if he 
said, as is stated, that “if one did use pure 
water the few germs contained in it,” etc., 
etc , for if water is pure, it is pure, and 
must be free from germs, but water is 
never pure unless it baa been well boiled 
and sealed from air in a perfect manner, 
and as this is a clear impossibility in ordi¬ 
nary practice, it is useless to talk in that 
manner, and inconsistent with reason on 
the face of it. It is well that every one 
should be on his guard in this respect in all 
things; but with ordinary care to use 
water fit for common domestic purposes, 
there can not be the slightest danger and 
no apprehension need be entertained. 
Silver and Indian Wheat. 
Alva Agee, Gallia County, Ohio— 
A leading New York newspaper is respons¬ 
ible for the following: “ The advance in 
the price of silver from 94 cents to $1.20 per 
ounce has a wider bearing than seems to 
be generally appreciated. * * * By causing 
the appreciation of silver, as measured in 
gold, we make Indian wheat and cotton 
cost just as much more as the rise in the 
gold price of silver measures. * * * We 
believe it will be found that this new value 
of silver provides the true protection to 
our agriculturists. Given $100,000,000 more 
in the pockets of our farmers, and it is 
safe to argue that an activity such as 
we have not witnessed in years in this 
country must follow in all lines and ram¬ 
ifications of business.” 
The idea found in the above quotation, 
that the American farmers have had mil¬ 
lions dropped into their pockets as the 
result of a single act of Congress is finding 
its way, unchallenged, into many of our 
papers; but, with the light of a common 
farmer, the writer cannot see any truth in 
it, and, with modesty, asserts that there 
is none. It is entirely fallacious. 
Silver, like any other commodity cap¬ 
able of easy transportation, cannot rise in 
value in one country without having its 
price in gold similarly affected in other 
countries. It seeks the temporarily high¬ 
est market, and finds a level in value the 
world over, or nearly so. When we lately 
created a demand for silver in this country, 
and it appreciated in value here, we neces¬ 
sarily increased, by the law of demand and 
supply, the price of silver everywhere. 
That is to say, a given amount of silver 
bullion can be exchanged for a greater 
amount of other commodities in the world’s 
market than before the price of it ap¬ 
preciated. India’s silver currency was in¬ 
creased in value by the rise of silver bullion 
in our market, from 90 cents to 120 cents 
per ounce. She could buy more gold or 
any other commodity she wanted with her 
silver. Now, as a result, the Indian farmer 
can afford to sell a bushel of wheat for a 
less number of grains of silver, as the pur¬ 
chasing value of a grain or an ounce of 
silver is increased. If he could formerly 
afford to raise a certain amount of wheat 
for one ounce of silver valued at 90 cents 
in gold, he can now afford to sell the 
same amount of wheat for three-quarters 
of an ounce of silver, when it is worth 120 
cents per ounce in gold. The three-quarters 
of an ounce will buy just as much in the 
markets of the world as one ounce formerly 
did. The Mark Lane dealer who used to 
buy our cheap silver and use it to buy 
wheat In Iq^ia because her currency is of 
silver, can still do so at the same profit he 
formerly did. He will buy his usual 
amount of wheat with three quarters of his 
usual supply of silver—his capital having 
the same gold value or wheat value it 
always had. 
The Indian farmer will receive the same 
value for his wheat that he always has re¬ 
ceived in the past, subject to the law of de¬ 
mand and supply, and we American farm¬ 
ers will have the same competition. An 
ounce of silver, coined into his currency, 
was to the Indian farmer the equivalent 
of a certain amount of necessaries in the 
world’s markets. Today, three-quarters 
of an ounce of silver is an equivalent. 
When he is able to buy according to this 
new ratio, he is able to raise and sell his 
wheat for a proportionately less price. 
It is probably true that the demand and 
consequent rise in value of silver in this 
country may have been too sudden and 
recent to allow the Indian farmers to ad¬ 
just their prices to the new ratio, and thus 
there may be a tendency for them to delay 
in taking the reduced price in silver, not 
yet seeing that the silver has increased pur¬ 
chasing value, and this may cause a tardy 
delivery of their wheat to market, thus 
temporarily advancing the price in Eng¬ 
land; but eventually all this will adjust 
itself, and we will find ourselves competing 
with India on the same old basis. The only 
advantage worthy of consideration the 
Mark Lane dealer has had lies in his ability 
to obtain his Bilver, like any other com¬ 
modity, at a shade lower price from its 
producers than from any other party who 
must have something for handling. This 
advantage he still has and always will have 
unless silver, with the present ratio, rises 
to a premium over gold, permitting its pro¬ 
ducer to obtain pay for its handling out of 
the premium, and netting him its full cur¬ 
rency value in gold. This is, of course, 
highly improbable. I hold that this is the 
only solution of the puzzle connected with 
Congressman White’s statement, as given 
on page 589 of The R. N.-Y. 
Farmers at Fairs.— Our bright Western 
contemporary, the Breeder’s Gazette, re¬ 
marks that a stranger at the average fair 
might very naturally reach the conclusion 
that farmers were more interested in tar¬ 
get-shooting, giants, snakes, Australian 
wonders, double-headed calves and third- 
rate novelties generally, than in choice 
farm products and improved live stock. 
He would find it difficult to make his way 
through the crowds gathered about the 
bawling fakirs, while he might go around 
the judges’ ring and along in front of the 
live-stock pens, finding the way no more 
crowded than the shady sidewalk of the 
sleepiest country village. Of course fair 
time is a period of relaxation from the 
arduous labors of the summer; it affords 
one of the too few opportunities of meeting 
friends from a distance and renewing ac¬ 
quaintance. At such a time we cannot 
expect every one to be seriously inclined the 
whole day through, but the general indif¬ 
ference to the primary purposes of the fair 
is entirely too evident. This attitude of 
indifference toward the real object could 
not prevail if farmers were in dead earnest 
about their business. If a man cares for 
cattle, heart and soul, he will early make 
his way to the cattle pens; if he is a verit¬ 
able lover of horses he will be found in the 
horse department intent upon every pass¬ 
ing feature of the exhibit. How to get the 
great indifferent mass awakened is the 
problem meriting serious attention of fair 
managers. This is not the time to discuss 
that feature ; we broach the subject rather 
to remind our readers not to be found out 
of place at fairs, but by their presence to 
encourage the exhibitors by studious atten¬ 
tion to all of the animals shown in their 
special line. 
BY THE SHORT WAY. 
A late bulletin of the Purdue Univer¬ 
sity E. S. (C. S. Plumb, Yice-Director), 
gives the average result of thin and thick 
wheat seeding for five years. There is a 
gradual increase from sowing two pecks 
(the smallest quantity) to eight pecks (the 
largest). 
The increase in yield from thick sowing 
is most marked in adverse years, which 
tends to show the value of a thick fall 
growth as a winter protection. 
Wheat was sown at various dates for 
two seasons, from September 20 to October 
18. The largest yields were harvested from 
the earliest sown plats. 
In a catalogue just received, we see that 
a fertilizer called the “ Excelsior ” is 
offered in half-pound packages for 35 cents. 
This is at the rate of $1,000 per ton 1 In the 
remarks regarding this fertilizer there are 
several statements made which are untrue. 
One is that it Is “the only artificial fertil¬ 
izer which can be used without danger of 
injury to the plants.”. 
Our friend Mr. Terry tells the Country 
Gentleman that he is more and more 
pleased with the Monroe Seedling Potato. 
He had not dug them when he wrote, but 
there was no doubt that the yield would 
prove “ away ahead of other varieties.” Has 
Mr. Terry tried the R. N.-Y. No. 2 ?. 
James H. Leggett, of Oroville, Cal., was 
the man who won the first prize for the best 
Henderson Bush Limas last year. He now 
writes (September 1), that he has five 
bushes of the Burpee Large Lima growing 
just where he raised the Henderson’s Lima 
last year, and that his best bush contains 
100 fine, large pods well-nigh at maturity 
and more than that number of different 
sizes, down to those just emerging from 
the bloom. 
George W. Campbell says that success 
in grape culture requires that varieties 
should he selected which are especially 
adapted to the locality where they are 
grown ; and that because a grape does not 
succeed in one section, it is by no means 
certain that it may not be both successful 
and valuable in another to which it is 
fitted naturally. This point should be con¬ 
sidered by every one planting a vineyard 
or even a single vine except as a trial. If 
one has the means, it would be well to try 
every one of the old and new varieties that 
are known to thrive at home as well as those 
valued in other places. In three or four 
years, those worthy of being retained or 
discarded may thus be ascertained. We 
have always regretted that such mag¬ 
nificent grapes as the Eldorado, Jefferson, 
etc., are worthless at the Rural Grounds. 
But where they do thrive, one loses his 
relish for those kinds which thrive in 
almost any locality—like the Concord, 
Moore’s Early, etc. 
Save the pits of the best peaches and 
plant them this fall a couple of inches 
deep. You will have little trees next year 
—and these little trees will, many of them, 
bear in three years. Generally, too, they 
will be stronger and healthier than nursery 
stock. 
THE GREAT ENGLISH REMEDY, 
BEECHAM’S PILLS 
For Biliras ail Nervous Disorders. 
“"Worth a Guinea a Box” but sold 
for 25 Cents, 
BY ALL miLGCaSTS. 
|pianos "i i ip" organs; 
INCORPORATED 1877 
§ 
§ ESTABLISHED 1859 
v Yes, Ethel, my Marchnl & Smith Piano is 
S beautiful Instrument. The tone is so sweet and Sj 
S, pure, the action so fairy-like, and the finish so $ 
^ elegant that not another thing can I wish for. I s 
5 wrote to the factory,and told them just what I 5 
$ wanted, and they selected it, and sent it to me for ^ 
Atrial, agreeing to take it '— J 
^ freights if I did not like 
back and pay all thet 
x ..... it. Bnt I could not beg 
S better suited if I had a thousand to choose from. 5 
^ My dear, when you want a Piano or an Organ $ 
g send for their Catalogue. They have & 
$ PIANOS FR03I $150.00 TO $1500,\ 
^ AND 
| ORGANS FROII $35.00 TO $500. S 
| Write to S 5 
| Sfie IJlarefiar § limit! Pi©R@ 0©., ^ 
I 
235 East 21st Street, New York. 
J 
DIRECT. 
-Orange County Farmer “ It is safe 
to predict that the next Congress will con¬ 
tain a score more farmers than the present 
one, and they go, moreover, knowing what 
they want. The movement is most power¬ 
ful in the South and West, but it is also 
growing in this part of the country. We 
trust it will continue to grow. There is 
no selfishness in legislating for agriculture. 
When this great basic industry flourishes 
all others will share in the prosperity.” 
-Life:—" The fashion of buying or build¬ 
ing a palatial country house and spending 
most of the year in it, is one which seems to 
be spreading rapidly among wealthy 
Americans whose business is not of a press¬ 
ing nature. And a wise fashion it is. 
What is better than a farm, if you can af¬ 
ford it ? ” 
“ Doctors say we are not to go to bed on 
an empty stomach. It is not a good plan, 
and who wants to do it ? But is it not al¬ 
most as uncomfortable to go to bed on an 
empty mind. A judicious nip of the right 
sort of literature seems a night-cap that is 
not to be spared.” 
g$i£ccUattC0u;5 
Readers of The R. N.-Y. will please the 
advertisers and benefit the paper by always 
mentioning it when writing to advertisers. 
Tried 
And True 
Is the unanimous verdict of people who take Hood's 
Sarsaparilla. When used according to directions the 
good effects of this excellent medicine are soon felt 
In nerve strength restored, that tired feeling driven 
off, a good appetite created, headache and dyspepsia 
relieved, scrofula cured and all the bad effects of Im¬ 
pure blood overcome. If you are in need of a good 
blood purifier or tonic medicine do not fall to try 
Hood’s Sarsaparilla 
Sold by all druggists. $1; six for $ 5 , Prepared only 
by C. I. HOOD & CO., Apothecaries, Lowell, Mass. 
IOO Doses One Dollar 
Ev£ bY M° tHEB 
Should Have it in The House. 
Propped on Sugar, Children love 
to take Johnson’s Anodyne Liniment for Croup,Colds, 
Sore Throat, Tonsllitis, Colic, Cramps and Pains. Re¬ 
lieves all Summer Complaints, Cuts and Bruises like 
magic. Sold every where. Price 35o. by mall; 6 bottles 
Express jjald, I. S. JOHNSON & CO., Boston, Mias. 
TO OLD SUBSCRIBERS. 
Your subscription will be extended 
a year from the time it expires if 
you send us 15 ten-weeks trial sub¬ 
scriptions for THE RURAL NEW- 
YORKER (or three months for THE 
AMERICAN GARDEN) at 25 cents 
each. Send these during September 
and you may win part of the 
$100.00 in Cash 
• 4 
• 4 
4 
4 4 
to be given away to the ten who 
send in the largest clubs of these 
trial subscriptions this month. See 
“Publisher’s Desk,” page 592 , for 
particulars. 
You also get any article from our 
Premium List, or a cash commission 
in lieu of the extended subscription, 
as preferred. See page 650 . 
FENCE 
ROPE SELVAGE 
All SIZES MESH. PRICES SEDUCED. 
Sold by dealer*. Freight paid 
Writ* to SUB BeSCIiLBS WOVEN WIKI ntSCK CO.. CHICAGO. 
tlVERNEUR.N.Y 
piSO’S REMEDY FOR CATARRH.—Best Easiest 
-L to use. Cheapest. Relief is immediate. A cure is 
certain. For Cold in the Head it has no equal. 
CATARRH 
It Is an Ointment, of which a small particle is applied 
to the nostrils. Price, 50c. Sold by druggists or sent 
by mail. Address, E. T. Hazeltine, warren, Pa. 
