646 
SEPT. 27 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
THE 
Rural New-Yorker, 
TIMES BUILDING, NEW YORK. 
A National Weekly Journal for Country and Suburban Homes, 
ELBERT S. CARMAN, 
HERBERT W. COLLINGWOOD, 
EDITORS. 
Rural Publishing Company: 
LAWSON VALENTINE, President. 
EDGAR H. LIBBY, Manager. 
RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
THE AMERICAN GARDEN, 
OUT-DOOR BOOKS. 
Copyright, 1890, by the Rural Publishing Company 
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1890. 
Help the office to seek the man by being 
outspoken in favor of the most honorable 
man you know. The office itself cannot do 
any seeking. Public sentiment, public con¬ 
fidence must do that. 
Kindly send all perishable articles (fruits or 
plants) for trial or identification, to the Editor of 
The R. N.-Y., River Edge, Bergen County, New 
Jersey. _ 
It is to be regretted that there is discord among 
the members of the Farmers’ League in New York 
State. It is difficult for an outsider to determine 
what the trouble is. One side holds a convention 
and adopts certain resolutions and then the other 
side holds another convention. This sort of thing 
will not answer. A grand row among the farmers 
will be hailed with delight by the politicians. We 
must avoid discord by all honorable means. Let 
the Farmers’ League settle its differences and go 
ahead. 
Tte barley growers of Canada look upon the 
McKinley bill with dismay. They will be obliged to 
mid a new market for barley or go into some other 
branch of agriculture. Sir John A. Macdonald 
advises farmers to grow a barley that will he sal¬ 
able in the London market; and to seek closer trade 
relations in Australia and South America. An idea 
of what Canadian'farmers themselves think may be 
gained from the following note : “ The farmers in 
this vicinity are improving and getting more cows 
as fast as they can. The manufacture of cheese is 
a very profitable industry, and every possible effort 
is being put forth to improve the quality of our 
cheese. Owing to the McKinley Tariff Bill we will 
be obliged to quit raising barley for export, and 
will keep more cows and stock ot all kinds and 
feed our grain. A large acreage of fall wheat has 
been sown.” 
A few years ago some startling statements were 
made by Mr. A. N. Cole, regarding the possibilities 
of sub-irrigation. Many persons tested his method, 
which was simply a systemjof stone drains connected 
with suitable reservoirs for holding and distributing 
water. It would he interesting now if we could ob¬ 
tain the experience of those who tested the matter. 
Mr. A. I. Root, of Ohio, went to considerable expense 
in testing the system, being obliged to purchase all 
the stones used in the drains. His conclusion is that 
by far too much was claimed for the system. But 
he adds in a recent letter: “At the same time there 
are great possibilities in this line of sub-irrigation 
with certain kinds of plants that send their roots 
down deep. Perhaps thorough underdraining ac¬ 
companied with large quantities of manure (which 
I used), might do nearly if not quite as much.” The 
very extravagant and in some respects absurd 
claims made by Mr. Cole, did much to keep prac¬ 
tical men from trying it. The R. N.-Y. is satisfied, 
however, that when the merits of sub-irrigation are 
fully understood, so that they can be fairly stated, 
it will represent to gardeners and fruitmen almost 
what the silo represents to dairymen. 
A very intelligent, middle aged gentleman made 
the remark in a recent conversation that he never 
yet had voted a straight ticket. He considered 
himself independent of party ties. If any candidate 
were unfit for the office to which he aspired, he 
would use his influence and cast his ballot against 
him, and would use every honorable means in his 
power to secure the election of che best and most 
capable men to all offices. If all electors, all 
farmers, even, would take this stand, what an 
overturning there would be. To the unprejudiced 
observer the only issue between the old parties 
seems to be as to which shall secure the most 
“ patronage ;” which shall feed the most of its 
followers at the public crib. The methods adopted 
to secure and hold political power are a disgrace to 
an intelligent people. Thoughtful men, every¬ 
where, are becoming disgusted with them and the 
number of “independents,” “bolters,” etc., is con¬ 
stantly increasing. Many of the measures advo¬ 
cated or adopted by Congress are palpably in the 
interest of corporations and monopolies which are 
able and willing to furnish the necessary “ boodle ” 
to influence legislation, to secure the re election of 
favorites; and the defeat of undesirable legislators. 
Some of the leaders of the political organizations 
and members of the United States Semite aro 
notorious corruptionists, and are becoming a by¬ 
word of reproach among right-minded members of 
their own parties. Methods that would disgrace 
a monarchy are openly followed to perpetuate 
their political supremacy. Patriotism seems to be 
a forgotten or unfashionable virtue with many of 
them. But the fact is unmistakable that a change 
is coming. Thoughtful men are declaring them 
selves in favor of less legislation for monopolies, 
less place-hunting and more solid work for the 
good of the people. Let less party, more principle, 
he the watchwords which must inevitably hasten 
the day of political purification. 
The liquor dealers of New York State have just 
closed what they term a “successful convention” 
at Albany. Their association contains 30,000 mem¬ 
bers; their organization is perfect, their rules are 
strict, and their treasury is full. In fact, this is 
one of the most powerful organizations in the coun¬ 
try. In the recent meeting they boasted that it 
was their money and “influence” that defeated 
the High License bills of last year and the year 
before. It is always well to know what the enemy 
favors, therefore it is worth while to see what these 
dealers approve of in their “resolutions.” Natur¬ 
ally, they oppose “ Prohibition,” and urge all their 
friends to vote against the ( amendment in April. 
They say they are willing to pay for a license to do 
business; but are opposed to any heavy license that 
would drive them out of business. High license, 
they say, would favor the rich dealers as against 
the poor. Of course, they condemn what is 
known as the Civil Damage Act. They think all 
revenues from liquor licenses should revert to the 
local treasury of the town where the liquor is sold, 
and they refuse to “favor, assist or protect” any 
dealer who does not belong to the association. We 
copy the following “ resolution ” entire : 
“ Resolved , That we favor an excise law which will al¬ 
low the people of the State that liberty which they enjoy 
in the Old World, viz., the right to have their refreshments 
on the day of the week which is set apart for their comfort 
and pleasure.” 
This “ day,” of course, is Sunday. Instead of a 
day of worship we are to have a day of “ refresh¬ 
ment.” “Civilization must destroy the liquor 
traffic or be destroyed by it.” There is no more ap¬ 
propriate way of closing these remarks. 
Is there any economic question in which farmers 
are more deeply and directly interested than in an 
equalization of taxation ? It is flagrantly notorious 
that real estate pays an exorbitant proportion of 
the taxes in every State in the Union. Wherever, 
therefore, farmers may obtain predominance or a 
controlling vote in any State legislature, prompt 
equalization of taxation should be one of 
the first acts of justice on which they should in¬ 
sist. The problem of taxation of mortgages should 
also early engage their attention. The solution of 
this will not be an easy task, however. At present 
in nearly all the States, the mortgagor has to pay 
taxes on the mortgage as well as on the land as 
though no mortgage burthened it. Thus the owner 
of an estate worth $10,000 and mortgaged for that 
amount, is taxed for $20,000, while the record of the 
mortgage and the evidence of the estate render any 
evasion of the injustice impossible. Maryland and 
Massachusetts have already legislated on the vexed 
subject, and Maine is at present struggling with it. 
To tax or not to tax is the question; and if the for¬ 
mer, on whom should the tax be imposed or how 
divided. That the mortgagor should pay double 
taxation is obviously unjust; but if the tax is im¬ 
posed on the lender, will not he shift the burden from 
his own shoulders to those of the debtor by requiring 
higher interest or making extra charges, or in both 
ways? After a great deal of study, Maryland decided 
not to tax mortgages at all; while Massachusetts 
thought the fairest way out of the difficulty would 
be to tax the mortgagee as joint owner with the 
mortgagor of the land mortgaged, to the extent of 
his interest. The mortgage is taxed to the former 
as real estate to the amount of the debt due him 
upon it, and the mortgagor is to that extent relieved 
from the tax, as he is taxed only for so much of the 
value of the mortgaged property as is in excess of the 
debt, thus making, in effect, but one tax upon the 
property, the note being free from taxation. The 
Special Tax Commissioners of Maine, after diligent 
study of past legislation on the matter in other 
States, have just decided to adopt the Massa¬ 
chusetts plan. Of course, the lender’s facilities 
for shifting the tax on the debtor’s shoulders will still 
remain ; but is there any practical means of avoid¬ 
ing this objection ? In view of the enormous 
amount of farm mortgages all over the country, and 
of the gross injustice of the taxation of mortgages 
now in force in nearly all the States in the Union, 
does not this problem deserve the earnest attention 
of farmers everywhere ? 
The latest scheme reported by the Farmers’ Al¬ 
liance is a plan for securing an advance on the cot 
ton crop while holding it for a rise. It is said 
that the “ cotton committee ” of the Alliance has 
perfected arrangements with a syndicate of English 
capitalists to advance $32 per bale on 1,000,000 hales 
of cotton at a yearly interest of four per cent. 
Farmers may store their cotton as at present and 
the money will be paid on the warehouse receipts, 
the farmers being permitted to buy back the cotton 
if they wish to do so, by paying the $32 and a fair 
rate of interest for the money. The object of this 
scheme is to try to force up the price of cotton. It 
is argued that if 1,000,000 bales can be with¬ 
drawn from the market, the stock on sale will be so 
reduced that prices must rise and that these high 
prices will be maintained, if the surplus is put on 
the market only m small quantities. Most cotton 
growers do business on such a close margin that 
they are obliged to sell their crops as soon as they 
can in order to obtain money to pay their debts. 
This fact has been made use of by cotton agents, 
who not only buy in the crop at their own figures; 
but advance money on it at ruinous rates of inter¬ 
est—sometimes even before it is planted. The Al¬ 
liance people claim that the advance of $32 per bale 
will enable the farmer to pay his debts, while the 
expected rise in price will be pure gain. This means 
the employment of private capital and enterprise to 
carry out the main features of the proposed Sub- 
Treasury Bill. This bill proposes to erect govern¬ 
ment storehouses where farmers could bring their 
grain or cotton and receive government certificates 
for 80 per cent, of its value—these certificates to be 
legal tender. The trouble with this would be that 
speculators could secure these certificates and buy 
back the produce and sell it for its market value. 
Again, if growers of cotton and wool and grain are 
to be cared for in this way, there is no good reason 
why the government should not erect canning fac¬ 
tories to accommodate growers of sweet corn, toma¬ 
toes or Lima beans. In this way the Maine farmer 
might pay his bill for Western feed with sweet corn 
certificates. Why, too, should the plan be confined to 
agricultural products? Why should not the manufac¬ 
turers in a dull season obtain similar advances on 
the manufactured wares they may desire to hold 
for a better market, and why should not every 
other industrial class have a like privilege ? Let 
the Farmers’ Alliance carry out their schemes if 
they can, but remember two things: 1. This is the 
essential principle of the “trust.” 2. The increased 
price for cotton will either ruin speculators or add 
heavily to the price to consumers. And if 1,000,000 
bales of cotton are held back in this way from the 
present crop so as to enhance the price of the re¬ 
mainder, will not these 1,000,000 bales come into 
competition with next year’s crop, and depreciate 
its price ? Even if the same scheme is carried out 
next season, the withholding of 2,000,000 bales 
would be needed to keep up prices if next year’s 
crop were as large as this vear’s. 
BREVITIES. 
Discuss "Discussion.” 
Help us fight frost. Show us how ! 
PUT au umbrella over your barn-yard. 
Do you want a watch ? Then watch our Business page. 
No use going “up head,” farmer, unless you make up 
your mind to stay there. 
Rain, rain, rain ! Potatoes are rotting as they never 
rotted before at this time of year. 
The nomination of Mr. Gifford, as described on page 652, 
recalls t he “ good old times.” What can be done to make 
the “ office” more hunter than hunted ? 
The Peach Tomato is soft when ripe—as soft as a mel¬ 
low peach. It would be reasonable to assume that it would 
be a shore keeper—a poor shipper. It is a poor shipper, 
but, odd to say, a very good keeper. 
The wet weather is making the curing of seed Limas 
difficult. Many seeds are sprouting in the pods while 
still on the poles. Those which have been gathered are 
molding. Seed Limas, in so far as this part of the country 
is concerned, will be scarce. 
There is said to be a rush to Colorado to buy potatoes at 
81.50 per 100 pounds. The writer can remember when po¬ 
tatoes could hardly be given away out there, and yet it is 
the best potato-growing section in the country. They 
will have to use fertilizers there some day, however. 
Pres, Chamberlain again favors us with an article 
that sets us to thinking and, let us trust, good frieuds, 
that it will affect you similarly. It explains, we think, 
certain parts of the success of Mr. Terry's farm life and 
methods better than Mr. Terry himself has explained 
them. 
A friend criticises the picture on our first page because 
the farmer is going “up head” behind the other members 
of the class. This friend would have him march up in 
front, stamping on a few of the toes in his way as he passes. 
No, no! The true road to the farmer’s proper place lies 
over the path of politeness. 
Bulletin No. 10, just issued by the Maryland Agricul¬ 
tural Experiment Station, Agricultural College P. O., 
Prince George’s County, describes the many kinds of 
wheat (40) raised the past season. The conclusion is that 
the Dietz, Fulcaster and New Australian are superior to 
the rest in all respects. Of the three, the Dietz is the best. 
Mr. Stribling’S ideal new machine, mentioned on page 
047, would surely .revolutionize sorghum culture. As to 
the merits of silage from pressed sorghum cane, theory is 
abundant, but actual facts are scarce. In Mr. Colcord’s 
patent silage the juice is pressed from the stalks after they 
are put in the silo; in this new machine the pressing would 
be done before they enter it. 
The Boston Ivy (as it is called in Boston) or Japan Ivy 
(Ampelopsis Veitchii), is probably the most beautiful 
known vine for covering stone dwellings. Many of the 
dwellings of Boston are entirely covered with it, produc¬ 
ing a beautiful effect that must be seen to be appreciated. 
It is perfectly hardy and grows—even in poor soil—with 
great rapidity and luxuriance. 
The R. N.-Y. is greatly disappointed over its inability to 
send a larger quantity of its wheats to applicant-sub¬ 
scribers. Y/e can assure them that our inability to do so 
is not due to any cause that it was possible for us to con¬ 
trol. Again, three varieties which were shipped some 10 
days ago, reached us not until late last week. They will 
now be mailed as fast as possible. 
IN so far as we are informed, The R. N.-Y. pays more 
for engravings, more for contributions, more to its 
editors than any other farm paper published. We make 
this statement confidently aud would be pleased to print 
any conclusive evidence to controvert it. Now, if we en¬ 
deavor to the best of our ability to promote the true inter¬ 
ests of agriculture, are we not as well as any other 
journal, entitled to the support of the farming com¬ 
munity? If not, why not ? Judging by the unprecedented 
number of subscriptions for this time of the year, now 
being received, the farming community takes our view 
of the situation. 
