884 
DEC. 20 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
All Sorts. 
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES AND EXPERIMENT 
STATIONS. 
Recent Experiment Station Bulletins. 
[Readers wanting any of these Bulletins should write to the 
secretary of the experiment station in each case.] 
California, Berkeley, Report for 1890. 
Indiana, Purdue, Bulletin 33, Vol.a. Small Fruits, Etc. 
South Carolina, Charleston, Agricultural Report for J890. 
Wisconsin, Madison, Report for 1890. 
Prof. Davenport (Michigan Bulletin69) makes a propo¬ 
sition that will startle many cattlemen. The question, 
he says, has arisen whether there are among cattle such 
things as breed differences aside from form, color, etc. 
Are such differences sufficient to distinguish one breed 
from another ? It has long been known, he says, that 
something besides the food affects the gain of a feeding 
animal. Some steers are “ good feeders,” others are not. 
Successful farmers have watched cattle until they can 
pick out these‘‘good feeders” by their outward appear¬ 
ance. These ideas were suggested to Prof. Davenport by 
the results of an experiment in feeding steers of different 
breeds. Steers of Galloway, Hereford, Devon, Holstein 
and Short horn breeds were fed on the same grain and hay 
ration for the same period ot time, accurate accounts be¬ 
ing Kept of the amount of food consumed, the gain in 
weight, the proportion of edible meat to offal and the ver¬ 
dict of butcher and consumer as to the quality of the 
meat. The animals were fed and handled with the great¬ 
est care, exhibited at the Detroit Exposition,-butchered 
by experts and sampled by the guests at the Russell House 
—the best-known hotel in Detroit. The result shows a 
number of interesting facts ; but the lesson most forcibly 
taught is the fact that there is more in the individual than 
in the breed. As everybody who has ever handled cattle 
knows, there are, in every breed, two distinct types—the 
“meat type” and the “milk type.” The stocky, blocky 
animals with short legs, thick back and a compact form^ 
seem built by Nature for making meat—they are economi¬ 
cal feeders. The “ milk type,” on the other hand, em¬ 
braces animals with a coarser and more loosely built form 
with large bones, and a general “rangy” appearance. 
All breeds show these two types of animals, and the steers 
fed at the Michigan College so clearly show the superiority 
of individual “good feeders” over “ rangy ” specimens of 
the same or other breed, that Prof. Davenport seems justi¬ 
fied in assuming that “it is a question ot type rather than 
of breed, and that breed that affords the largest propor¬ 
tion in members of this type is, all things considered, the 
best.” ‘‘All animals,” he says, “will make some beef, 
only a few will make the best and cheapest.” 
The steers were fed £44 days. The grain consisted of 
corn oats, bran and oil meal with mixed hay, roots, ensil¬ 
age, cut grass or pasture. The following table tells some¬ 
thing of the story of the test: 
Grain Pounds of 
eaten. grain to one 
Pounds. of gain. 
4,157 6. l6 
5 293 6.08 
5,530 7. 
5,657 6 30 
5,120 6.48 
4.134X 4 56 
4.964 4.93 
3,7493^ 4 78 
The Devon was the youngest animal, under two years, yet 
its beef was considered the best, by all odds, by those who 
tasted the meat of all. and, in fact, the Devon seems to 
have been the most profitable animal of the lot. This was 
not simply because he belonged to the Devon breed, but 
because he had the proper shape and form for a “ feeder.” 
A great difference is noticed between the two Herefords. 
This is the strongest evidence against trying to feed 
“ milk” steers, or those shaped like good dairy cows, for 
beef. One of these steers was shaped like a cow. He re¬ 
quired 6 M pounds of grain to make one of beef. The other 
Hereford, a “ block of a steer,” made a pound of beef from 
4X pounds of grain. Another interesting fact is that it is 
characteristic of the dairy types to take on fat about the 
internal parts. One of the Holstein steers was “ all cow,” 
and the amount of fat about his kidneys was astonishing. 
Another fact learned is that the loss of weight by shrink¬ 
age or cooling was greatest in the coarsest carcasses and 
not in the heaviest. 
DR. Kedzie (Michigan Bulletin 68) reports progress in 
the attempt to grow profitable crops on the “Jack Pine 
Plains,” in Northern Michigan. These plains—large in 
area-are composed of light, shifting, “leachy” soils, in 
which at present profitable farming seems impossible, 
The Michigan Station is trying to learn what crops, 
manures and culture must be used to make this soil pro¬ 
ductive. The best crops suitable for green manuring are 
spurry, vetch and field peas. Continued growing and 
plowing in these crops has perceptibly changed the 
condition of the soil. It is firmer, of better color, and 
better able to retain moisture. Sugar beets of good 
quality have been grown on this soil. Shall we go north 
for our sugar? „ . 
Prof. Wheeler (Rhode Island Bulletin 8) describes 
the soils of Rhode Island and the fertilizers most needed 
there. Many farms consist of “leachy” soil, which never 
should have been stripped of its timber. It is fit only 
for forest planting, because too much of the fertility 
applied to its surface runs away through its porous Bub- 
soil. Seaweed is largely used along the seashore as a 
fertilizer. It pays and keeps the laud in good heart. 
Green manuring is but little used in Rhode Island. 
Farmers seem to think it a wrong principle to grow a 
crop and then turn it under. The fact is, however, that 
Rhode Island farms need green manuring as much as 
they need seaweed or barn manure, and not until these 
are used will chemical fertilizers prove most profitable. 
1st Galloway. 
2nd Galloway 
1st Holstein.. 
2nd Holstein. 
1st Hereford. 
2nd Hereford 
Short-horn .. 
Devon. 
Gain. 
Fodder 
eaten 
Pounds. 
Pounds. 
674 
6,518 
870 
7,883 
790 
8,416 
897 
8 563 
790 
7 954 
905 
6 299 
1.005 
7,764 
767 
5,565 
Will chemical analysis of the soil and of the plant solve 
the problem of fertilizing? Most chemists now agree 
that a chemical analysis of a soil has little practical value 
except for comparison. It is understood that the soil 
elements which dissolve in water are alone directly avail¬ 
able as food for plants. Not wholly so, however, because 
the roots of plants are able to take more plant food from 
the soil than water can dissolve. The plant roots are acid 
and can not only absorb water, but act upon the soil. The 
only way to tell just how much the plant can take from 
the soil would be to use some acid that has just the 
strength of that In the plant’s roots. Again, it appears 
that even among plants of the same general character the 
feeding or dissolving power of the roots varies. The oat, 
for example, has exceptional power to extract potash from 
the more insoluble compounds of potash in the soil. We 
might say with truth that some plants are better 
“r»stlers” than others. These things show how impos¬ 
sible it is for any chemical analysis to show just what 
plants can take out of a soil. General conclusions as to 
the needs of a soil may be drawn from plot experiments, 
using single elements and combinations and carefully 
computing the results. 
Director Menke (Arkansas Bulletin 15) reports a new 
insecticide—or a new combination—which promises well. 
It is the kerosene extract of pyrethrum. One and one- 
half gallon of kerosene was soaked through 2 >£ pounds of 
pyrethrum, resulting in a yellowish, oily extract which 
will not mix with water, but which will form an emulsion 
with soap similar to kerosene emulsions. One pound of 
soap dissolved in one gallon of boiling water added to one 
gallon of the extract, well mixed or churned with a force 
pump, made a perfect emulsion which, when diluted—one 
part of emulsion to 450 parts of water—readily killed 
cotton worms. It seems to combine the properties of kero¬ 
sene and pyrethrum, and to be more effective than either, 
easier to handle and cheaper. It will be well for horticul¬ 
turists to try this extract, as it is very easily prepared. 
Prof. Menke also experimented with veratrine, which 
when mixed one part to 64 of flour, was rather more effec¬ 
tive than the usual strength of Paris-green. Veratrine is 
obtained from the root of hellebore and from sabadilla 
seeds. It is a white, crystalline powder, having an acrid, 
burning taste. It is used in ointments for the treatment 
of neuralgia or rheumatism. The supply at present is 
limited, but could be increased if it should prove of suffi¬ 
cient value as an insecticide. 
SOCIETIES AND ORGANIZATIONS. 
The Industrial Senate is an organization lately formed 
in New Jersey, for discussing needed legislation and im¬ 
pressing the wants of the people upon the legislature. It 
is composed of delegates from all the agricultural and 
labor organizations in the State, such as the Alliance, 
Knights of Labor, Grange, League, etc. Meetings are held 
quarterly. At the last meeting at Vineland the “ Single 
Tax ” theory was discussed and the following resolutions 
were passed: 
Resolved. That all unoccupied lands held for speculative 
purposes, should pay taxes the same as the adjacent lands. 
Resolved. That in view of the pronounced character of 
quails as insectivorous birds and consequently friends to 
the farmer, they must be protected by law. 
Resolve d. That manufacturers and others using steam 
power must employ none but competent engineers. 
Resolved. That females in factories and shops shall 
work but 10 hours per day. 
Resolved. That the sense of this meeting repudiates and 
utterly condemns the unseemly haste and action of the 
past legislature in doubling the salaries of the governor and 
other officials as being unjust and uncalled for at a time 
when the financial conditions of the State and its pro¬ 
ducers wanted an opposite measure. 
The fifth annual dinner of the Massachusetts Agricul¬ 
tural College Club of New York, was held in this city De¬ 
cember 10. This is the only agricultural college club in 
the country. 
The Patrons of Industry of Michigan propose to form 
what they call the Patrons’ Commercial Union of Michi¬ 
gan. It is to be a stock company, with $ 100,000 capital in 
shares of $ 5 , with one fifth shares, so that poor people can 
buy them for $1 each. The objects of the Union will be 
“ to oppose and defeat the ends of all trusts and combines 
designed to limit competition in the sale of goods and 
purchase of produce.” The Patrons are also in politics. 
They want the Speakership of the Michigan House, and 
will fight all moves to favor the liquor or saloon interests. 
The University and School Extension is a society which 
aims to develop a taste for education and culture among 
those who have not been able to enjoy the advantages of a 
college education. It is arranged somewhat on the plan 
of the Chautauqua Society, though it tries to develop a 
course of study rather than a course of reading. Some of 
the leading educators in the country are helping this 
society. Seth T. Stewart, Box 193, Brooklyn, N. Y., is 
secretary. 
The Pennsylvania State Grange reelected Leonard 
Rhone, Worthy Master. The farmers of Pennsylvania 
suggest Mr. Rhone for United States Senator in the place 
of Mr. Cameron. Why not ? 
Let The Arid Region Remain “Arid.”— The Massa¬ 
chusetts Agricultural College Club of New York at its late 
meeting adopted the following: 
Whereas, The area of agricultural land in those sections 
of the United States that are already setttled is by no 
means fully utilized. Even the older Central and Southern 
States contain much undeveloped land. Excepting near 
large cities, the best farming land is not cultivated to its 
fullest capacity. No present need demands the compre¬ 
hensive development of the so-called arid region. The 
Western settler should not be compelled to submit to the 
competition of such new land any more than the farmer in 
the Middle, Eastern or Southern States. When the present 
undeveloped agricultural lands are more fully employed it 
will be time enough to reclaim the arid region. 
Therefore , We emphatically protest against the pro¬ 
posed scheme of reclaiming the arid region under govern¬ 
ment auspices. We believe it would retard for another 
decade the relief from agricultural depression which is 
now beginning to assert itself, and that makes the present 
prospects of farming better than for several years. We 
commend government reservation of water supplies on 
public lands, so that speculators may not acquire control 
of the water, but for the government to go further than 
this would be unwise. Indeed, the time has come to so 
modify our land policy that the agricultural parts of the 
public domain shall be acquired only by actual settlers. 
READER’S NOTES. 
Last New Year’s Day the English Parliament passed 
what is known as the Weights and Measures Act. This 
act gives the government official control over all “ weigh¬ 
ing machines.” All scales must be verified and stamped 
with the seal of the government. The following penalty 
is provided : “ Every person who, after the expiration of 
12 months from the commencement of this act,” says the 
section “ uses, or has in his possession for use, for trade, 
any weighing instrument not stamped as required by this 
Act, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £2, or in the 
case of a second offence £5,” while if “ intent to defraud ” 
is proven the culprit may be imprisoned for two months. 
At the end of this year the 12 months will have elapsed, 
yet very few “tradesmen” have had their scales over¬ 
hauled. The Mark Lane Express looks for a “ wholesale 
imposition of fines.” 
An English “ coffee-house ” keeper was recently fined for 
selling “ bread and butter ” which proved to be bread and 
oleomargarine. The English law permits the sale of mar¬ 
garine if the seller states just what it is and does not at¬ 
tempt to pass it for butter. The defense in this case was 
that buyers merely asked for “ a slice ” without naming 
bread, butter or anything else. The court learnedly de¬ 
cided that when a man called for “a slice” he meant a 
slice with a butter addition. 
In its welcome to the Farmers’ Alliance Convention the 
“Florida Dispatch” said: “You see no broad fields of 
grain, no macadamized roads; you see many of our houses 
hovels, the cattle small and mean, the horses ponies, the 
few specimens of swine at a distance slinking away like 
phantoms of the forest. Aside from the few hamlets, 
you see little evidence of productive activity except the 
orange groves in their brilliant green, which do not show 
for half what they are worth (and that is millions) 
because of the invidious rivalry of the pines. We make 
no apology for these things: we have none to make. We 
stand before you as the degenerate Romans stood before 
the big, blonde, yellow-haired Germans who came down 
out of the North fifteen hundred years ago and conquered 
them. Yes, they conquered Rome and Italy, and yet Italy 
made them her own, held them by some subtle 
witchery.” 
The Germans were the first nation to make extensive use 
of “basic cinder” the phosphatic manure which is obtained 
in the furnace from iron ore. In 1887, only 4,500 tons were 
used in Great Britain ; but thus far in 1890, 25,000 tons 
have been used mostly in Scotland and the north of Eng¬ 
land. It has been sent to this country under the name of 
Thomas slag. While some iron ores contain more phos¬ 
phorus than others, it is evident that the Thomas system 
of smelting would cheapen the cost of phosphoric acid in 
our fertilizers. 
It appears that there were castes even among the slaves. 
The negroes who worked about the houses of their masters 
In the lit:le towns were quite different from those who 
lived on the farms or plantations. The Christian Union 
quotes from Mrs. Buford of Virginia, to show this differ¬ 
ence. She says : “The former lived at the home place, 
waited on their masters, were trained and educated by 
constant intercouse with white people, idolized their 
masters and mistresses, and especially the children of the 
family, and were loved and cared for by them. Who 
cared or thought of the hordes of plantation negroes who 
worked the distant farms, where the master went but 
rarely to inspect the crops ? They were left to the tender 
mercies of an ignorant, often brutal, hired overseer. These 
creatures were a separate, distinct race. Even the house 
servants looked down on them with ineffable contempt. 
‘Old field hauds,’ ‘quarter niggers,’ ‘plantation folks,’ they 
were called.” _ 
SOCIETY MEETINGS TO COME. 
New Jersey State Horticultural, New Brunswick, De¬ 
cember 18—19. 
Nebraska Corn Exhibit, Omaha, January 20. 
American Forestry Association, Washington, Decem¬ 
ber 30. 
Farmers’ Institutes. 
MISSOURI. —December 31, New Haven; January 2, Rolla; 
3, Lebanon ; 5—6, Willard ; 7, Carthage ; 8, Sheldon. 
OHIO.— December 15—16, Olive Green, Montgomery, 
North Jackson and Norwich ; 17—18, Westerville, Frazeys- 
burg, Signal and Quaker City; 19—20, Delaware, Plain- 
field, Marlboro and Barnesville; 29—30, Caldwell, Millers- 
burg, Ashville, Pickaway and Kent; December 31—Jan¬ 
uary 1, Woodsfleld, Shreve, Kingston and Osborne Cor¬ 
ners; January 2—3, St. Clairsville. Lodi, Wilmington 
and East Cleveland. 
WISCONSIN. —December 26—27, Oconomowoc and Deer¬ 
field; January 5—6, Mineral Point and Wauseka; 7—8, 
Darlington and Muscoda; 9—10, Monroe and Richland 
Center. 
Indiana.— December 26 — 27, Lebanon ; 30 — 31, Green- 
castle ; January 2—3, Clay County. 
