128 
OCT. 2 5 
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. 
J 
Rural Publishing Company: 
ILAWSON VALENTINE, Preiidant. RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
THE AMERICAN GARDEN, 
EDGAR H. LIBBY, Manager. OUT-DOOR BOOKS. 
Copyright, 1890, by the Rural Publishing Company. 
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1890. 
Aim before you “ kick.” 
The R. N.-Y. has at length discovered the owner 
of the Dougall No. 2 Gooseberry as well as the other 
Dougall varieties that have been described and illus¬ 
trated in these columns from time to time during 
the past eight or ten years. The entire lot, six va¬ 
rieties, was purchased by John S. Collins of Moores- 
town, N. J., April 1,1884, and paid for in December 
1886. We can assure our readers that they are all 
worthy of trial and we hope that they will soon be 
offered for sale. 
Two Canadians give us their views on the result 
of the new tariff legislation, this week. These are 
opposite views. One man sees nothing but disaster 
to Canadian agriculture, while the other somewhat 
defiantly gives his opinion that Canada is able to 
take care of herself. We believe she is ; hue at 
the same time we believe that both Uncle Sam and 
Miss Canada will enjoy better sleep by spending 
the time now spent in watching one another in be¬ 
coming well acquainted. If the young woman 
wishes to join the family, it is very evident that 
the proposition should come from her. 
The publisher insists that the editors don’t call 
attention prominently enough to the money saving 
opportunities of the Premium List. For example, 
our subscribers can buy a good sewing machine or 
a watch, a harness, etc., for half to three quarters 
of the usual price. Our object in securing these 
bargains for our subscribers is to induce them to 
tell their neighbors of them, and thereby excite 
their interest in the paper. After they have read 
it for a while, they will certainly like it, and con¬ 
tinue to take it for its own sake just as our old friends 
do, because it pays to do so. That Premium List 
is worth studying. 
The better class of people throughout the country 
very heartily approved of the anti-lottery bill. As 
far as it goes, this is an excellent measure. But it 
does not go far enough. The lottery documents 
may now oe kept out of the mails, but there is 
nothing to prevent the express agents from carry¬ 
ing them. The result is that the lottery will prob¬ 
ably do about as much business as ever; while the 
imoney-order business of the express-companies will 
ibe greatly increased. This is but another instance 
•of the folly of permitting private individuals to 
monopolize a public business. There are no argu¬ 
ments in opposition to government control of pas¬ 
senger or express traffic that cannot be fully an¬ 
swered. 
That Egyptian “incubatory ” described on pages 
734 and 735, is run somewhat on the business prin¬ 
ciples of an American cider mill. In one case eggs 
represent the standard of value, while in the other, 
apples answer for cash. Those “ hereditary hen- 
men ” teach us a good lesson in breeding. For 
generations they have been largely chickens. The 
skill required in handling eggs and chickens has 
been bred into them until it has fairly become 
what we call “ second nature.” There are men in 
all trades and professions who have this great ad¬ 
vantage of hereditary training. They are, almost 
without exception, peculiarly skillful and accurate. 
Hereditary farmers can give either dignity or the 
xeverse to agriculture. It depends upon the char¬ 
acter of the training. 
It is said that Spain is the first country to hint at 
taking advantage of the reciprocity clause of the 
new tariff bill; and Spain talks for Cuba. It is a mar¬ 
ket for sugar in exchange for a market for flour and 
pork products. We want cheaper sugar and we 
want an increased export trade for our agricul¬ 
tural products, because it is evident that as our ex¬ 
port trade is increased, the home demand is the 
better suited to the supply. It is the duty of the 
farmers to see that these reciprocity treaties are so 
made that the agricultural interests receive a due 
share of direct benefit. Manufacturers have had 
the advantage of this direct benefit long enough. It 
is now the farmers’ turn. Let organized agriculture 
see to it that in this proposed tariff trading, farm 
products are fairly treated. It is not probable that 
the present tariff will be changed for some years; but 
it is quite probable that considerable tariff trading or 
“reciprocity ” will be attempted. If an increased 
export trade is created, will it bring to the farmer a 
direct or an indirect benefit—in other words, will 
it increase the trade in farm products and thus 
bring more money directly to the farmer, or will it 
provide a better market for manufactured goods, 
and thus give mill operatives more money to spend 
in the “ home market ?” We believe farmers can 
do more to influence this trade than they can to in¬ 
fluence a general tariff law, because in the one case 
their influence may be thrown directly in favor of 
a single proposition, while in discussing a tariff bill 
as a whole, they are sure to collide with hundreds 
of different interests, and can expect but a compro¬ 
mise at best. 
The first week in October witnessed lively times 
among the Canadian barley growers. Usually ship¬ 
ments of barley do not commence until after Oc¬ 
tober 1, but it is estimated that up to October 6, 
nearly 3,000,000 bushels were “safe.” A number 
of cars reached this side of the line bearing this 
placard: 
Barley. 
Rush Me Through. 
McKinley Is After Me. 
There have also been large exports of Canadian 
apples, peas and eggs. Canadians appear to be 
divided in their opinions regarding the effect of the 
new tariff. It is generally believed, however, that 
in many parts of Canada a change in farm methods 
must be made, and there are many who predict 
that this change will be for the better of Canadian 
agriculture. 
The great surprise of the week has been the 
action of the Mormons regarding polygamy. For 
several years these gentry have been pushed hard 
by the federal authorities, and the fact has been 
constantly dinned into their ears that this unlawful 
institution of polygamy was the target at which 
public criticism was directed. At last, Mr. Wilford 
Woodruff, president of the Mormon Church, re¬ 
quires his followers to abstain from plural mar¬ 
riages. It is claimed that this act is due to a divine 
“revelation” and is purely a matter of religious 
faith, but this explanation is not entirely satisfac¬ 
tory. It is far more probable that the younger 
Mormons realize that polygamy masses the whole 
civilized world against them and deprives theirTer- 
ritory and themselves of rights and respect which 
they might otherwise claim. But no matter what 
led to it, there is cause for congratulation that this 
revolutionary step has been taken without blood¬ 
shed. 
The most frequent, if not the most forcible ob¬ 
jection to federal ownership of the railroads is 
that the vast increase such ownership would make 
to the patronage of the government would be dan¬ 
gerous to our institutions. “The railroads,” say 
those who favor this view, “should by all means 
be kept out of politics.” True, but no government 
railroads on earth are so thoroughly in politics as 
the private railroads in this country. What phase 
of American politics is free from railroad influence? 
It extends and ramifies in every direction. It pene¬ 
trates the counting room, the editorial sanctum, the 
court and the legislature, State and National. No 
department of the government is free from it. It 
is active from the nomination of the president of a 
village to the election of the President of the United 
States. It is not open and above-board, but under¬ 
hand and insidious. Always exercised to acquire 
political power for private ends, it is constantly at 
war with the public, persistently demoralizing in 
its tendencies, and invariably pernicious to the 
general welfare. It is the monstrous progeny of 
vast wealth, limitless resources, insatiable greed 
and an unscrupulous policy. With the passage of 
the roads under government control a growing 
danger to the Republic would be removed. The 
service should be entirely divorced from politics. 
Efficiency, good conduct and ability should be the 
tests for promotion, not political influence. Is it 
possible that the government of this country is so 
unscrupulous, dishonest and corrupt that it cannot 
be intrusted with duties satisfactorily performed by 
the “effete” monarchies of Europe ; and must 
these duties therefore be farmed out to the Goulds, 
Vanderbilts and other railroad kings and poten¬ 
tates ? 
A great and growing tendency of the times, and 
one greatly to be regretted is the general disposition 
on every hand to get something for nothing. It is 
manifested in every walk and condition of life. 
The midnight robber risks the penalty of the law to 
secure the property of another. The swindler with 
less courage and no more principle, invents all sorts 
of schemes to transfer the dollars of the unwary to 
his own pockets without rendering any equivalent. 
The speculator leaves no stone unturned to secure 
control of commodities which are necessaries, that 
he may extort as large an extra profit for the goods 
as the necessities of purchasers will admit. The 
different methods by which these ends are attained 
aro innumerable, but the underlying principle is the 
same in all. But the anomalous part of this whole 
business is that while the government lays a heavy- 
hand on the poor wretch who breaks into his 
neighbor’s house and steals his property, it permits, 
if it does not aid, the rich monopolist who traffics 
in the necessaries of life. To illustrate: One year 
ago the coal-dealers in the writer’s vicinity were in 
a combination and consumers had to pay $5 a ton 
for coal, though situated on one of the great coal 
roads not one fourth as far from the mines as dealers 
in other parts of the country who were selling coal 
for much less. Another dealer opened a yard and 
sold coal for a lower price. The price charged by the 
combination was dropped to $4.25,at which figure the 
members continued to sell until they had brought such 
pressure upon the independent dealer as forced him 
to join the combination, when the price immediately 
advanced to the former figure. Now the b uyer 
must pay the regular price or freeze. But heemay 
buy his coal by the carload? Oh, no; if hi suc¬ 
ceeded in buying a car-load the railroad wou d re¬ 
fuse to ship it to any one but the regular dealers. 
The roads must protect their customers, you know, 
no matter how much imposition is practice d upon 
the people who permit them to live. We must 
simply pay the combination price for our coal, pay 
for drawing it from distant points by team or go 
without. In our situation coal is a necessity. 
Thousands of other places are similarly situated. 
These men are taking advantage of the power they 
have to take from the pockets of every man who 
buys a ton of coal, an extra price for which no 
equivalent is rendered. They are actuated by the 
same principle as the burglar and the pickpocket, 
though they violate no statute law, while the latter 
do. This is only one example of the many, but it 
illustrates the power of unscrupulous combinations 
aided by our great corporations. How long will the 
peopb endure these impositions ? 
BREVITIES. 
Lady-bug. lady bug comp to our aid. 
Poisons won’t do all the work I’m afraid, 
Scatter bad Insects like quail before shot, 
Fatten yourself on the mischievous lot. 
Then watch the farmer as joyful he hugs 
You, little lady bright queen of the bugs. 
Cultivate a move. 
Build a brace for yourself. 
Never try to burn straw in a common stove. 
How about Professor Plumb’s plump wheat proposition t 
Fremont, the “Pathfinder,” first planted potatoes in 
Colorado. 
Do you understand the changes in the ballot laws of 
your State ? 
Are you the “neighbor” that Mr. Grundy tells us about 
on page 724 ? 
Never hitch a draft horse to a sulky, unless there is a 
plow under it! 
Read the second cash prize offer under Publisher's 
Desk, on page 732. 
The “lazy bed system ” is what the Irish call the trench 
method of planting potatoes. 
Let us have some of the “ records ” ot potato diggers. 
How many bushels can you dig and pick up in a day ? 
It is now suggested that the gladiolus might be culti¬ 
vated as a fiber plant—the stalks to be treated like flax ! 
We learn that our friend John Lewis Childs has been 
nominated for Congress. No doubt he may thank THE 
R. N.-Y. for the publicity which eventuates in this dis¬ 
tinguished honor! 
How long did it take to teach farmers how to kill potato 
beetles ? Who thinks of neglecting to fight them now ? 
Insects injurious to fruit are as harmful as the potato 
beetle, and Paris green is as deadly for one as for the other. 
How long will it take to teach these facts ? 
Those “Genesee Giants” (see page 723) are business 
bankrupts. They cannot pay for the tons of good meal 
they have eaten. Have you been putting tons of energy, 
force and thought into plans which are now valuable only 
as monstrosities ? Go to the giant ox and learn wisdom ! 
A patent has just been granted for a process of prepar¬ 
ing corn for the use of brewers. It is first soaked in warm 
water and then pressed between cold rollers and after¬ 
wards dried. It is evident that brewers are using more 
corn than ever before, thus injuring the “purity” of their 
beer and making a more injurious and intoxicating 
beverage. 
Few plants serve to prolong the floral beauty more than 
dahlias. There are many varieties which bloom constantly 
from early summer until after light frosts. The variety 
named Emperor bears flowers which are simply perfect. 
They often measure four inches in diameter, are perfectly 
double, while the individual florets are large and open. 
The colors are, in varying proportions, bright crimson and 
pure white. 
Do you know just how much water your horse and cow 
will drink every 24 hours ? For the past two weeks the 
writer has carried all the water needed by a horse and a 
cow over 200 yards. This is a tiresome but complete way 
of finding how much water an animal wants—where can 
we find a better ? These animals, both small, require 
daily seven buckets of water—three for the horse and four 
for the cow. 
The R N.-Y. has fed considerable barley hay to horses 
and cows this season. The cows seem to like it better than 
the horses. A portion of the crop was permitted to stand 
too long before cutting; as a result the beards became so 
hard and stiff that the horses had difficulty in eating the 
hay. We conclude that barley, to make good horse hay, 
must be cut earlier than is necessary with oats, and that a 
horse must have good teeth in order to masticate it 
properly. 
Every horticulturist of New Jersey regrets the retire¬ 
ment of E. Williams as Secretary of the State Horticul¬ 
tural Society. He Is one of the few men who never make 
a statement without a knowledge of its truth from actual 
experience. He is one of the few men who aim to tell the 
truth on every occasion, and who have never allowed 
friendships or enmity to influence their judgment. He has 
been a faithful secretary, and largely instrumental in mak¬ 
ing the society what it is. Ill health is the cause of his 
retirement. 
The McKinley bill raises the duty on potatoes from 15 
to 25 cents per bushel. In an ordinary year this will be 
practically prohibitory. The chief sufferers are our Cana¬ 
dian friends who have been the heaviest exporters. Natur¬ 
ally they are looking about for new markets, and we are 
now informed that they are shipping vast quantities to the 
West India Islands at good figures. Of course. Canada 
must find a market somewhere, and whatever advantages 
we have derived from the importation of the goods which 
will henceforth go elsewhere, will be lost to us. 
The remark is very often made by farmers about us: “I 
can raise more potatoes, or corn, or rye, or Lima beans with 
Mapes’s, or Bowker’s or Baugh’s or Bradley’s fertilizer 
than with any other.” In every case in which the writer 
has made inquiry, no fair comparisons have ever been 
made. The conclusion has been a mere matter of guess¬ 
work. Whenever a farmer declares that a low grade ferti¬ 
lizer, costing $25, gave him better results than another 
well-kuown high grade costing $45, and that he is, therefore, 
“ going to use it,” we feel sorry for him, because we know, 
or believe we know, that he has jumped at an unwarranted 
conclusion. 
