1896 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
help them. Give the children your sym¬ 
pathy, take an interest in their affairs. 
Encourage them to study at home, to use 
their spare time in learning by observa¬ 
tion, study and reading, j. w. newton. 
FROM THE KITCHEN WINDOW. 
O UT-OF-DOORS, the ground is snow- 
clad, and there is a stillness in the 
air, while sunshine glitters on every 
tree, and sparkles on the window pane. 
Suddenly we hear a “ tap,” “ tap,” and 
on a tree close by, I see four black and 
white birds with long beaks. “Wood¬ 
peckers ! ” I exclaim, and we can notice 
how they have thrown off pieces of bark 
on to the snow, and are penetrating into 
the tree trunk in search of borers, or 
“ gnawing worms,” as I heard some one 
call them lately. It is a sign, I am sorry 
to say, that our pet tree is infested by 
these enemies, else the birds would not 
be so diligent, and they are faithful 
friends, indeed. 
Looking around the pleasant kitchen, 
I am reminded of the description in a 
late R. N.-Y. of a convenient kitchen. 
It always seems to me that women 
should design this room ; a man does not 
know the needs as to cupboard and pan¬ 
try convenience, and is sure to blunder. 
“ There are so many things nowadays 
to help our work,” I said to a neighbor, 
and he answered, “ Yes, you women 
want them all, and when you get them, 
that’s enough. Why, we have no less 
than three abandoned washing machines 
in our cellar, and I don’t know how 
many more kitchen helps; they use them 
awhile, and then go back to the old 
plan.” Just now we are trying the 
Quaker dishwasher, and it has been a 
pleasant surprise. A prudent neighbor 
advised us to try it on tin plates first, for 
fear that it would break the dishes ; but 
it stands the test well, and especially for 
a large family, where there are many 
dishes, it is invaluable. 
We have a slide between the kitchen 
and diningroom, and I often wonder 
how we managed so long without it. 
For the dishes are put through so easily, 
it is only a step from it to the table and 
the same to the sideboard, and steps 
count in strength as one grows old. And 
so the little kitchen helps become more 
valuable, and one is glad that the brain 
and ingenuity of man, as well as woman, 
are turned to lessening that labor. 
We have been looking for a success¬ 
ful potato parer, but as yet have not 
found one. Paring potatoes is a task 
that would be very much easier if by 
some simple machinery, the potatoes 
could be pared and eyes taken out with¬ 
out staining the fingers. 
As I look from the window, sparrows 
are flocking about the tree tops. I won¬ 
der whether they find something to eat 
that makes them useful like the wood¬ 
peckers ! It is a question not yet set¬ 
tled as to whether the good they do 
overbalances the evil, in that they try 
to banish all insectivorous birds from 
the domain where they establish them¬ 
selves. ANNIE L. JACK. 
ODDS AND ENDS. 
Improved Buckwheats. —Raise with 
yeast in the usual way, but let about 
one-quarter of the whole thickening be 
of oat-flakes. It doesn’t make much dif¬ 
ference in the taste, but they will be 
lighter and more tender. The muscle- 
makers of the oatmeal will balance the 
fat-formers of the buckwheat. * e. 
Spring Blossoms. —I gathered a bundle 
of cherry and pear twigs to-day for 
blooming in the house. They are so 
easy to manage, and are such an inter¬ 
esting study for the children, and, in 
fact, for any one fond of looking into 
the mysteries of Nature. Given cool¬ 
ness, light and moisture, they bloom as 
MOTHERS .—Be sure to use “Mrs. Wins¬ 
low’s Soothing Syrup ” for your children 
while Teething. It is the Best.— Adv. 
145 
contentedly as on their native trees. 
Select small, well-shaped twigs, and put 
into a pitcher or can of water which 
must always be kept full. Keep in a 
cool place, but do not allow them to 
freeze. Every day, take into the kitchen 
and sprinkle freely with cool water; 
soon the little brown buds will begin to 
swell, and in a few days their outer coat 
will fall off and reveal the pale green 
little knob soon to be a blossom. How 
the children watch them and wonder 
over them, and what a jubilee there is 
when the white blossoms begin to open ! 
They will serve to lighten many a dreary 
hour for the invalid shut in from the 
beauties of the outdoor world. 
Apple and peach bloom almost as well 
indoors, and I have had lilacs do fairly 
well, but the cherry and pear seem to 
adapt themselves most readily to a 
change of surroundings. They can be 
brought in at any time from now on till 
spring, and the beauty and freshness 
they bring with them ar$ abundant re¬ 
ward for the little care they require. 
LINDA WILTON-MCNEIL. 
PRINTED PATCHWORK. 
Wliat If thy yesterdays be sadly fraught 
With disappointments, heartaches, f ailures, sins? 
Touch not thy gloomy past with word or thought, 
To-day another chance for thee begins. 
—Emma C. Dowd. 
... .Plain Dealer : “ It is no trouble to 
see that wealth is a curse—as long as the 
other fellow has it.” 
... .Ram’s Horn : “ Isn’t there a strong 
touch of hypocrisy in thanking God for 
the bread and finding fault with the 
cook ?” 
....J. Stuart Mill: “The common 
opinion is that, whatever may be the 
case with the intellectual, the moral 
influence of women over men is almost 
always salutary.” 
-The Outlook : “In spite of the ter¬ 
rible need of work which weighs upon 
the masses of men, and in spite of the 
superior processes of education which 
are offered to the fortunate few, it re¬ 
mains true that society is filled with in¬ 
capable or only partially trained people, 
and that when the thoroughly trained 
man or woman, perfectly fitted to do a 
specific thing in a superior way, is 
needed, a candle must be lighted and 
a long search begun. The great lesson 
to be read to boys and girls to-day, is the 
need of some kind of absolute compe¬ 
tency, some kind of ultimate superior¬ 
ity.” 
In writing to advertisers, please always mention 
Thk Rural New-Yorker. 
“Pearl top ” is nothing. 
“ Pearl glass ” is nothing. 
“Index to Chimneys” is 
nothing. 
“ Macbeth ” with the shape 
we make for your lamp is all. 
We’ll send you the Index ; 
look out for the rest yourself. 
Geo A Macbeth Co 
Pittsburgh Pa 
WANTFlL First - class t armer and gardener capa 
H AIlILD b) e of handling men; must board fari 
hands. Apply with references, stating wages, etc 
to S. A., care of The R. N.-Y. 
Buy Direct 
from maker, and save 
intermediate profits and 
i have the maker’s guar¬ 
antee—a difference of 40 per cent, in 
your favor. Freight paid both ways 
if not as represented. Carriages, 
Buggies and Spring Wagons. 
Our 1896 Bicycles are marvels of 
beauty. You pay for 
the wheel and not for a 
fancy name. 
Binghamton Carriage and Cycle Co. 
Binghamton, N. Y. 
ASK YOUR DEALER FOR 
W. L. Douglas 
®3. SHOE ^vJo&d!^ 
If you pay 84 to 86 for shoes, ex- 
amine the W. L. Douglas Shoe, and 
see what a good shoe you can buy for ■ 
OVER IOO STYLES AND WIDTHS, 
CONGRESS, BUTTON, 
autl LACE, made in all 
kinds of the best selected 
leather by skilled work¬ 
men. We 
make and 
sell more 
$3 Shoes 
than any 
other 
manufacturer in the world. 
None genuine unless name and 
price is stamped on the bottom. 
Ask your dealer for our 85, 
84, 83.50, 82.50, 82.25 Shoes- 
82.50, 82 and 81.75 for boys. ’ 
TAKE NO SUBSTITUTE. Ifyourdealer 
cannot supply you, send to fac¬ 
tory, enclosing price and 36 cents 
to pay carriage. State kind, style 
of toe (cap or plain), size and 
width. Our Custom Dept, will till 
your order. Send for new Illus¬ 
trated Catalogue to Box M. 
W. L. DOUGLAS, Brockton, Mass. 
may be changed—made beautl ful at small cost. 
NEW WALL PAPERS 
—all grades—50% less than common prices. 
Samples and guide to papering, FREE. Describe ropms anil 
state price you want to pay. Paper hanger’s outfit complete, $1. 
CHAS. M. N. KILLEN. 1233 Filbert St.. Phila.. Pa. 
CLOTHES WASHED 
BY THE ^ 
Western Washer 
13?“Are always clean and white. 
300,000 of them in use is convincing 
proof of their popularity. Sold under 
a guarantee to please. Agentl Wasted 
Write for catalogue and prices, and 
mention HORTON MFC. CO. 
thispaper. Ft. Wayne, Ind. 
•TTTTTT 
MAGIC LANTERNS 
Lanterns for Homo Amusement. 265 page Catalogno, fre, 
McALLISTER, Mf*.optioUn,49 Nassau St., N. Y 
iewK illuM'-a'in, 
■to. 
capital. Ala 
Catalogno, 
S95 
U/Ppifl V yearly, no experience re- 
**LLI\LI quired, failure impossible: our 
scheme a new one; particulars free. Address 
S.S. Ware Co. Box. 5308. Boston,Mass. 
Cur Q OI a—Splendid Farm, 105 acres. Eight-room 
I Ul Oulu House, Outbuildings. Best situation; lake 
front. Suit Dairy, Stock, Fruits. Truck. Snap bar¬ 
gain. $7,000. Easy terms. Owner in Scotland. Par¬ 
ticulars, Capt. ZIMMERMAN, Inverness, Florida. 
for a 5-acre farm, covered with 
wood, in Southern New Jersey; 
close to railroad ; finest markets 
in the world ; especially adapted 
for small fruits, poultry, vege- 
and dry; healthy neighborhood; 
sold on instalments of $1 down and $1 per week, 
title insured. Immediate possession. Send for full 
particulars. D. L. RISLEY, 211 S. 10th Street. Phila¬ 
delphia, Pa. 
MARYLAND FARMS £°'»JA L .S: 
logue free. GEO. F. NICKERSON, Easton, Md. 
$100 
tables, etc.; high 
pnftcpe* FARM ACCOUNT BOOK Is the 
nUULnO Best. Thousands in use Price, pre¬ 
paid, 50c. Geo. A. Rogers, No. Andover Depot, Mass. 
Daily Record Operations 
The only book of the kind published. Sample page 
free. Address PATTON’S PUB. CO., Jewett, Ohio. 
Cnp OAI C A complete copy of the “Natural 
I Un OnLLi History of the State of New York,’’ 
n good order. The work is now out of print. 
JOHN H. DANIELS, Evanston. Cook County, Ill. 
CYCLONE FENCE 
Our branch houses which 
we have established in sev¬ 
eral states, place machines 
and materials in the hands 
of the consumers in the 
quickest time possible. 
CYCLONE WOVEN WIRE 
FENCE COMPANY. 
HOLLY. MICH. 
ItflllllllliBOTriTTvrnj 
The Farmers’ Choice 
IS THE 
SYKES 
Improved Iron and Steel 
„ roofing. 
r or all classes of buildings, easily applied, cheaper 
than shingles, will last a lifetime, and is absolutely 
lire and lightning proof. Reduces your insurance 
and is the best roof manufactured. Write for our 
handsome catalogue and mention this paper. 
SYKES IKON & STEEL ROOFING CO., 
Chicago, III., or Niles, Ohio. 
flUAUTER OF CENTURY OLD, 
TMS MANILLA 
CH EAPU/«TCn DDnnC Not affected 
strongWA I tnrnUUn by gases. 
No RUST nor RATTLE. Outlasts tin or iron. 
A Durable Substitute lor Plaster on walls. 
Water Proof Sheathing; of same material, the 
best and cheapest in the market. Write for samples. Ac 
TheFAY A1 A.MIL LA ROOFING CO., CAAlDENJi^ 
Buy our “ECLIPSE ROOFING PAINT” and 
“ECLIPSE” PAINTED STEEL 
ROOFING 
Absolutely guaranteed for five years. Write 
CURTIS STEEL ROOFING COMPANY, 
57 Sigler Street, Niles, O. 
OTHERS GOME AND GO 
But the PAGE stays on forever—that is as 
long as you need fence. Thisideaof permau- 
P*'< y Is worth considering when times are 
hard. You can afford our monthly paper free. 
PAGE WOVEN WIRE FENCE CO., Adrian, Mich. 
KEYSTONE WOVEN WIRE FENCE 
Combines more points of merit than any 
other fence made. A trial will convince 
you. Write for catalogue. 
KEYSTONE WOVEN WIRE FENCE CO., 
19 Rush St., PEORIA, ILL. 
»A.A A 
ft 
Picket Lawn Fence 
STEEL 
WEB 
Steel Posts, 8teel Rails and Steel Gates: 8teel Tree, 
Flower and Tomato Guards; Cabled Field and Hog 
Fence, 24 to 58in. high; Poultry, Garden and Rabbit 
I ence; Steel Wire Fence Board,etc. Catalogue free. 
DeKALB FENCE CO.. 17 High St., DeKalb, III- 
The “HARTMAN’plSet FENCE, 
I Is intended for Lawns, Parks, Cemeter- [ 
ies, Churches & Schools. Stronger, hand- j 
Isomer and CHEAPER than either wood or iron, It 
J Does not mar but rather adds beauty to the lawn or U 
\ garden. When set with our Self Anchoring Steel C 
( Posts it s a thing of beauty. Several heights, seve- f 
if ral widths of pickets. Write for circulars & prices. 1* 
d!t 7 A i? TI '( ,AN mfc - co -» ^.UwfiQd City, Pa. £ 
i 27? Broadway, 1315 Manhattan Bldg, f* 
J New York. Chicago. • 
Tnrr 
WIRE FENCINC 
, JC CAN NOT SAC. The 
■est Farm I ence Made. Steel Lawn and Poultry 
Fences. Steel Posts, Farm and Lawn Gates. 1896 
catalogue FREE. W. J. ADAM, Joliet, III. 
FNf F MACHINES 
LULL SUPERIOR MFG. CO. Martinsvii i f Q 
WE HAVE NO AGENT 
16W—Surrey Harness, Price 114.50. 
As good as sells Tor $20. 
but have sold direct to the 
consumer for 23 years, at 
wholesale prices,saving 
them the dealers’ pro 
fits. Ship anywhere 
for examination be¬ 
fore sale. Every¬ 
thing warranted. 
100 styles of Car¬ 
riages,90 styles of Har¬ 
ness, 41 styles Riding 
Saddles. Ton Buggies 
low as $35. Phaetons as 
as $55. Spring Wagons $31 to 
$50. Send for large Catalogue. 
1 low 
No. 723—Price, with lamps, sunshade, apron 
and fenders, $60.00. As good as sells for $yo. 
ELKHART CARRIAGE &. HARNESS MFC. CO., W.B. Pratt, Sec’y, ELKHART, IND. 
