3o8 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
May 2 
THE 
The Rural New-Yorker. 
THE BUSINESS FARMERS' PAPER. 
A National Weekly Journal for Country and Suburban Homes 
Established 1850. 
Elbert S. Carman, Editor-In-Chief. 
Herbert W. Oollengwood, Managing Editor. 
John J. Dillon, Business Manager. 
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THE RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
Corner Chambers and Pearl Streets. New York. 
SATURDAY , MAY 2, 1896. 
CRIMSON CLOVER AND WINTER OATS. 
Many of our readers are trying these crops—some 
for the first time. We would like reports as to their 
behavior on your farm. Please tell us : 
1. When and how were they sown ? 
2. What soil and fertilizer ? 
3. Have they survived the winter ? 
4. Do they promise to be as valuable as Red clover and spring 
oats ? 
5. For what purpose, and under what conditions, are they most 
valuable on your farm ? 
0 
Any reader who has fed cotton-seed meal to poultry 
and observed its effect on the hen or her product, will 
greatly oblige us by stating the results of such feed¬ 
ing. What was the effect of the meal on the hen ? 
Did it affect the flavor of the eggs ? How much may 
be fed with safety, and what foods should be fed 
with it ? 
0 
Mr. A. J. Coe has just returned from Venezuela, 
and has many good things to say about that favored 
land as a winter residence. Among other things, he 
says that the flies there never come into the house, 
but remain out in the street. They are, certainly, the 
most polite flies of which we ever heard. Some of our 
scientific men ought to import a flock of them and 
breed them to the Yankee species, in the hope that 
the resulting broods would inherit this tendency to 
stay outdoors ! 
0 
Hebe is a Southern dairy beginner with a Sunday 
problem : 
Will some of The R. N.-Y. readers tell a beginner bow best to 
manage on Sundays in separating milk ? I have to feed calves, 
pigs, etc., on warm skim-milk. My neighbors think that hitching 
up a mule to run the machine looks very “heathenish.” How do 
the Northerners do? 
We shall be pleased to have some of our Northern 
dairymen tell us what they do with the separator on 
Sunday. 
Charges have been made against Secretary of Agri¬ 
culture Morton by a Chicago seed house, which insists 
that it was unfairly treated in the recent awards of 
contracts for seeds. The R. N.-Y. has received long 
statements from both sides, and will soon give the 
facts in the case. This whole seed distribution busi¬ 
ness is a nuisance, and our opinion is that the true 
facts in this dispute between the Secretary and the 
dealer, will show up the system in blacker colors 
than ever. 
O 
Deposits of mineral phosphates have been found in 
Pennsylvania, and it is probable that there is enough 
of the material close to railroads and farming sec¬ 
tions, to make phosphate mining a profitable industry. 
In the few beds already examined, the phosphate lies 
in such a location that it can be easily mined and 
carried at slight expense to the farms where it is to 
be used. This would give it a great advantage over the 
phosphates in South Carolina and Florida, for there 
is a long and costly haul between these beds and north¬ 
ern farms. Such discoveries put an end to the fear 
frequently expressed that the world’s supplies of 
manurial substances will be exhausted ere long. With 
the air charged with nitrogen, and the hills stocked 
with phosphoric acid, we are not likely to suffer for 
lack of these substances. We need an American supply 
of potash. It is probable that vast stores of this sub¬ 
stance are waiting down below our salt mines, and 
some day a wise and energetic man will, doubtless, 
find a way to reach it. Man need not perish from the 
earth while the clover plant can be fed. 
Not content with a coal trust to put up the price of 
the poor man’s coal, a new combination has increased 
the price of the shovel with which he handles it. 
All the leading shovel manufacturers of the country 
are reported to have entered into an agreement to 
limit the production, and the price has already been 
increased 20 per cent. If this much has been accom¬ 
plished before the ink on the agreement is hardly 
dry, what won’t the combination do after it gets 
fairly organized and at work ? 
© 
That is certainly a very interesting article by Dr. 
Kilborne on the life history of the insect that causes 
the lumps or “grubs” on the backs of cattle—see page 
303. Here is a singular instance of the hold some of 
our popular beliefs have upon the minds of the people. 
The scientific men are dangerous fellows. Just as we 
get some pet theory nicely fitted for a standing place, 
they come along with a fact, knock the underpinning 
aU out, and leave us high and dry. In these days, it 
pays to be open to conviction. It is a mistake to shut 
yourself up in a shell of “know it all.” You may 
shrivel up before you can get the shell off. 
Some weeks ago, we asked our scientific friends why 
“ muscle-makers,” “ fat-formers” and “ pure fat” are 
not simpler and more comprehensive than the words 
generally used by them to denote the nutritive prin¬ 
ciples in food. They have not yet replied, but we are 
none the less desirous of having them do so. Our 
opinion is that “ protein” is not nearly so expressive 
as “muscle-maker,” and we feel sure that “fat- 
former” means more than “carbohydrate” to the man 
of average education. If this is wrong, we wish to be 
set right, and certainly the men to set us right are 
those who persist in using the scientific terms. 
© 
That is an interesting question and answer about 
clover and nitrogen on page 304. There can be no 
question about the ability of the clover plant to assimi¬ 
late the free nitrogen from the air. That has been 
proved beyond dispute. Dr. Jenkins points out, how¬ 
ever, that on soils rich in available nitrogen, the plant 
is not so likely to absorb the air nitrogen. We con¬ 
clude that clover is most likely to make use of this 
valuable propensity on poorer soils, and that it is 
often good economy to add available nitrogen, even in 
connection with clover. There is nothing in this, how¬ 
ever, to show that it is not good economy to use all 
the clover that we possibly can. 
O 
The agricultural papers on the Pacific coast have 
been trying to decide why there has been such a de¬ 
crease in the demand for dried prunes. One reason 
assigned is that trade has been dull in the eastern 
towns and cities, so that people have had less money 
to spend for luxuries. It is also believed that thou¬ 
sands of workmen who formerly worked in towns, 
have now gone to small farms, producing fruits, vege¬ 
tables, poultry, etc., and thus providing immense 
quantities of products that come into direct competi¬ 
tion with the prunes. These reasons are correct, but 
when the papers go on to say that, when times grow 
better, eastern farmers will give up “ small farming ” 
and go back to grain or stock, they are mistaken. In¬ 
stead of decreasing, the production of fruits and gar¬ 
den products is sure to increase, and eastern con¬ 
sumers will never leave first-class, fresh fruit for dried 
prunes! 
© 
Clover and corn form a simple cattle food combina¬ 
tion that is hard to beat for producing milk or butter 
of good flavor and color. Good clover hay and corn 
meal will produce excellent milk, and so will clover 
hay and corn ensilage. There are some farmers who 
believe that first-class clover hay and sweet ensilage, 
with plenty of corn in it, make a perfect butter 
ration, and that one will not receive enough more 
milk or butter by adding other grain, to pay for the 
extra cost. Most dairymen believe in adding grain to 
this ration, but all agree that clover and corn, in 
whatever form they are fed, are the soundest basis for 
a good dairy ration. It is easy to see what an advan¬ 
tage is gained by farmers in* Delaware or other sec¬ 
tions where Crimson clover will thrive. They may 
harvest a good crop of corn for the silo, and sow 
Crimson clover in the growing crop so that, when the 
corn is removed, the clover crop will continue to grow 
through the fall and winter. The clover may be cut 
in spring and put into the silo with stubble and roots 
plowed under for another crop of corn. This may go 
on, year after year, on a field near the barn so that 
short hauls only are needed for these bulky crops, 
while the manure from the corn and clover may be 
hauled to fertilize other fields. The clover stubble, 
with acid rock and muriate, will provide ample fer¬ 
tility for corn and clover. That is the way the Crim¬ 
son clover dairyman is able to cover his land with 
butter—and all he needs to buy to feed with the 
ensilage is cotton-seed meal. 
© 
The R. N.-Y. has frequently warned its readers 
against fraudulent commission merchants, and has 
also advised them to cash all checks received, at once. 
The New York Produce Review tells of a certain New 
York State cheesemaker who barely escaped a heavy 
loss by not heeding the former, saving himself by 
prompt action on the latter. An unknown party sent 
for a sample lot of cheese, which was sent and sold 
for a high figure. A check was promptly sent, and a 
request for the shipment of the rest of his cheese. 
He banked the check, and got the rest of his cheese 
ready to ship, but before he sent it off, he received 
word from the bank that the check was worthless. 
He at once came to this city, secured the aid of the 
police, and managed to force payment of his claim. 
But he had a narrow escape from losing the whole of 
his cheese. Don't ship at random to unknown and 
irresponsible firms. There are many good firms. 
• O 
The debate which led up to the passage of the 
“ Filled Cheese ” bill in Congress, brought out the fact 
that many of our common articles of food are shame¬ 
fully adulterated. As Representative Dolliver put it: 
You have read the precept of Scripture which exhorts you to 
take no thought of what ye shall eat or what ye shall drinK, or 
wherewithal ye shall be clothed. That Scripture will need a new 
interpretation unless we can in some way manage to rescue the 
food and drink and clothing of the people of the United States 
from the bauds of the counterfeiters. As the case now stands, 
neither the clothes on our backs, nor the food on our tables, nor 
the common weapons for lighting thirst between meals, have 
escaped suspicion. In this carnival of deceit, the rich and the 
poor alike suffer. 
The wholesale frauds that are practiced by some of 
those who handle and sell food products, have had 
much to do with the present low prices of farm 
products. It is encouraging to see that farmers are 
taking the matter into their own hands, and demand¬ 
ing laws that will give them some protection against 
the counterfeiters. 
O 
BREVITIES. 
When John, the politician, wants to make the people stare, 
He trundles out his high silk hat and rubs it up with care. 
Then jauntily, a little tipped on to one side, it goes 
With inspiration for his friends and terror for his foes. 
For somehow, though the reason why is difficult to state, 
ihe plug hat man must go up head—the wool hat man must wait. 
There’s nothing in the high plug hat, yet Hobb and all his ilk 
Believe it full of dignity, although its very silk 
Is but the cast-off clothing of a worm, while Mr. Sheep, 
The father of the wool hat would despise the things that creep, 
And laugh to scorn the notion that the worm’s old overcoat, 
When on a hat would influence his master’s voice and vote. 
The sheep is greater than the worm, but when their clothes are 
shed, 
And turned to hats for covering man’s high and mighty head, 
Oh, then the worm is magnified, while poor old sheep is cursed. 
Silk hat is up—wool hat must serve—positions are reversed. 
Be alive now ! 
Miss laid— a soft-shelled egg ! 
Let pie plant sup-plant the pie. 
Don’t knuckle down, but buckle up. 
Cotton-seed meal feeds both crop and cow. 
A calf “weaner” makes a suck-shun pump. 
Try an experiment with cow peas this year. 
Let each institute recruit plant fruit to suit. 
In the early part of this month, there were 2,410,091 tons of sugar 
in sight in the world’s markets ! 
Local papers in New York State report a mild boom in cabbage 
which is being shipped to St. Louis, Mo. 
There are three political “ bugs ” this year—gold bug, silver 
bug, and straddle bug. The last is the most dangerous. 
The more that egg question is discussed, the more evident it 
seems that most of our poultry science is at best but “ guesses at 
truth.” 
It is reported that rock salt is going out of fashion with many 
Western stock raisers. Self-feeding salt boxes are taking its 
place. 
In growling about Secretary of Agriculture Morton, don’t forget 
that his department has saved nearly $ 1 , 200,000 thus far out of its 
appropriations. 
Thousands of buyers have not yet bought their plants and 
seeds. They will hang to the dollar till the last moment and then 
come with a rush. 
Think of that new “ Vineless strawberry” with roots 17 inches 
long ! There is a collection of suction pumps for you that will 
give sure irrigation. 
The State of New Jersey has passed a law prohibiting the use 
of machiues in picking huckleberries ! That is class legislation 
in favor of the human hand. 
There has been a great demand for early varieties of potatoes 
this season, especially in New England, where the early crop has 
always given best satisfaction. 
Now then, Mr. Farmer, the townsman may find it easier to 
obtain cash, but why should he have food on his table that you 
can provide from the farm and do not ? 
J. H. Hale reports the Georgia peach crop in fine condition thus 
far. He says that, apparently, fewer potatoes have been planted 
in the southern truck-growing districts, but more of peas, beans, 
cabbage, etc. 
Fred Grundy announces his adherence to the “new woman” 
as follows : “ Nine-pound young lady arrived at our house last 
night. Evidently a singer, judging from the variations in her 
voice. ‘ Looks like papa,’ of course.” 
