1896 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
643 
Houses for Hens. 
M. M. W., Kansas. —I sometimes won¬ 
der that those who can build just as 
they please, do not study to learn what 
the hens like, for they have their likes 
and dislikes. For hens to eat their 
morning meal with a relish, they should 
have the privilege of running for it, and 
scratching for it in a clean place, in pure 
air. Let their food be given them on a 
clean floor among straw or forest leaves, 
anything to hide the grain to give them 
exercise. The nest boxes may be in the 
same building with the feeaing floor ; 
while part of the light may be shut out 
later in the day, to make the nests seem 
more secluded. You want your hens to 
lay eggs i you want them to be healthy ; 
then give them the opportunity to ac¬ 
quire health in the same way that every 
creature must acquire it—by wholesome 
food, pure air and exercise. 
Double Crop from Cow Peas. 
J. C. Senger, Va.—O n page 613, I no¬ 
tice the experience and partial failure of 
parties who have tried cow peas for the 
first time, and this, in itself, largely ac¬ 
counts for the fact that they were not 
more successful. H. F. S., in particular, 
gives us the best “proof of the pudding;” 
in his garden, they did much better. In 
fact, the chances are even in favor of 
their ripening seed. But, in that garden, 
he had, doubtless, previously raised snaps 
and kindred legumes. Now, it is a fact, 
not generally understood and appreci¬ 
ated, that legumes positively will not, 
North or South, do their best on soil on 
which a closely-allied variety has not 
been previously grown. The R. N.-Y. 
is again in the lead, and, on page 536, 
under the heading, “ Nitragin,” clearly 
sets forth the reason why such is the 
case, and I would advise a re-reading of 
the article by all interested in the sub¬ 
ject. The long and short of it is that 
their fields are lacking in the bacterial 
micro-organisms peculiar to this or kin¬ 
dred legumes. Repeated trials on the 
“ same ” ground, will, by degrees, give 
them a much more exalted opinion of the 
cow pea. Have these growers examined 
the nodules ? How many dollars’ worth 
of nitrogen has even this meager growth, 
added to their acres ? 
In this connection, here is a little of 
my experience. Possibly, it is an old 
story to some, but getting two crops— 
one hay and the other seed—from one 
sowing of cow peas, is something new 
to me, and to all whom I have questioned 
about the matter. One of my fields was 
sown early in June for hay. August 1, 
I noticed that the vines were quite long, 
well loaded with pods, very few showing 
signs of ripening ; but some of the lower¬ 
most leaves, owing to the dense mass 
above, were beginning to turn yellow. 
This was on Saturday. On the follow¬ 
ing Monday, the weather was clear, and 
the day promised to be a scorcher. The 
cow peas were promptly cut, two hours 
later raked into windrows, and before 
dark, put into small cocks, which sub¬ 
sequently received proper care. The hay 
was housed toward the end of the week, 
and to-day looks as nice and green, or 
nearly so, as on the evening of the day 
on which it was cut. 
The ground was so mellow from the 
mulch it had had, that I intended to 
raise a crop of turnips on it. Within a 
week of cutting the vines, I noticed, 
however, that the stubs were getting 
quite green, and I concluded to watch 
results. To-day (September 10), the vines 
are about a foot high, very stout and 
bushy, thickly set with bloom, and thou¬ 
sands of pods filling rapidly, all of which 
have more than ample time to mature 
before frost. I will, therefore, get some 
bushels of seed more than I had previous¬ 
ly ever had any reason to hope for. Be¬ 
sides, it will be so much more agreeable 
to gather the pods from sturdy bushes 
than from vines run wild, tangled and 
unmanageable. This practical lesson 
teaches me that from the cow pea, I can 
make an exceedingly palatable hay, 
richer in muscle-makers than Red clover, 
and, without further effort or expense, 
raise a crop of seed ; while, in addition, 
the stubble adds fertility to my soil m a 
manner not practicably measurable, but 
exceedingly palpable to the senses. 
Decidedly the most economical way of 
introducing the particular bacteria into 
one’s fields, is to sow the peas in the corn 
at the last working. The only expense 
will be the seed. Even though the first 
trial may result in small growth, the 
beneficial effect of this will more than 
balance the cost of seed, which, in itself, 
is rich in fertilizing elements. 
Those “ Scientific Terms ” Again. 
E. W. Morse, Mass. — I was pleased 
to notice that Mr. Senger, on page 549, 
states that the reason for writing the 
article there signed by him is because of 
his polemical spirit. It seems that Mr. 
Senger had no difficulty in understand¬ 
ing what is meant by the term, carbohy¬ 
drates ; why should he think that other 
farmers are less capable of understand¬ 
ing the term than he ? Suppose that 
the term were not a well-chosen one ; is 
the difficulty removed by introducing a 
word still more ambiguous ? The word, 
carbohydrates, has been in use some 
years, and is understood by all students 
of chemistry. If it is not as good a word 
as we would wish, why not wait till we 
can get a better one, and not add one 
more to the already large number of 
vague words in the English language ? 
When we undertake the study of a 
science, we accept the terminology of 
that science, whether we like it or not, 
in order that we may the better under¬ 
stand what is already known about the 
science. If we study chemistry, we 
must accept the terminology used in 
chemistry, otherwise we could not read 
a work on chemistry understandingly. 
In order to understand the science of 
feeding animals, we must know some¬ 
thing of chemistry. The R. N.-Y. can¬ 
not hope to do much more than to intro¬ 
duce the subject. I presume that an¬ 
other office of The R. N.-Y. is to get 
its readers enough interested in the sub¬ 
ject, so that they will wish to con¬ 
tinue the study farther. To do that, 
they must be able to understand what 
carbohydrate means. It is as easy to 
learn at one stage of the study as an¬ 
other, and the sooner it is done the 
better. Any intelligent farmer is cap¬ 
able of understanding such books as 
Gulley’s First Lessons in Agriculture, 
and Stewart’s or Armsby’s works on cat¬ 
tle feeding. The words, carbohydrates 
and protein, are used in those and simi¬ 
lar works, and they present no difficulty 
to any intelligent farmer. 
In answer to Mr. Senger, I will state 
that I think that the reason why The 
R. N.-Y. does not advise farmers to use 
K Cl instead of muriate of potash, is 
because K Cl is too costly. Muriate of 
potash is the commercial name of an 
impure form of K Cl, but is almost as 
good as a fertilizer. K Cl is not enough 
better than muriate of potash to pay 
for the difference in price. I accord 
with Mr. Senger in approving the course 
of The R. N.-Y. in using the terms 
muriate of potash, nitrate of soda, 
sulphate of ammonia, etc. These are 
terms in common use by chemists, and 
I see no reason why we should not 
adopt them when we use, or deal in, 
these chemicals. There is as much 
necessity for calling these chemicals by 
the names of stem-producers, leaf-form¬ 
ers and seed-makers, as there is for call¬ 
ing carbohydrates fat-formers. 
I acknowledge that I am far from 
understanding the intricacies of the 
English language, but even a hasty 
perusal of Mr. Senger’s article cannot 
fail to convince any one that there are 
others in a similar state of ignorance. 
Was my article hypercritical? The 
R. N -Y. called for opinions on the 
terminology used in the Primer Science 
column. We have had two, and I hope 
that there will be more to follow. 
J- Cincin 
ARMSTRONG & McKELVY 
Pittsburgh. 
BEYMER-BATTMAN 
Pittsburgh. 
DAVIS-CHAMBERS 
Pittsburgh. 
FAHNESTOCK 
Pittsburgh. 
ANCHOR 
■ Cincinnati. 
ECKSTEIN 
ATLANTIC 
BRADLEY 
BROOKLYN 
JEWETT 
ULSTER 
UNION J 
SOUTHERN -j 
SHIPMAN J 
COLLIER 
MISSOURI 
RED SEAL 
SOUTHERN 
JOHN T. LEWIS & BROS.CO 
Philadelphia. 
Now York. 
Chicago. 
St. Louis. 
MORLEY 
SALEM 
CORNELL 
KENTUCKY 
Cleveland. 
Salem, Mass. 
Buffalo. 
Louisville. 
W HY IS IT that practical painters 
everywhere use and recommend 
Pure White Lead and Pure Linseed 
Oil? Simply because they know their busi¬ 
ness, have a reputation to maintain, and 
cannot afford to use or recommend anything 
else. To be sure of getting 
P ure W hite Lead 
examine the brand (see list genuine brands). 
Any shade or color is readily obtained by 
using National Lead Co.’s brands of Pure 
White Lead Tinting Colors. 
Pamphlet giving valuable information and card showing samples 
of colors free; also cards showing pictures of twelve houses of different 
designs painted in various styles or combinations of shades forwarded 
upon application to those intending to paint. 
NATIONAL LEAD CO., 
1 Broadway, New York 
RANDALL TO FENCING. 
That’s what the business men claim, and 
why not consider that feature when figuring 
on the fence problem. With an unproved 
device, you are never sure that your stock- 
arid crops are safe. Weiare selling Page to 
men who have tested it over ten years. 
They’re not experimenting. 
A three-ply cable on each edge. Always taut. Will 
PAGE WOVEN WIRE FENCE CO., Adrian, Mich. 
not buckle or sag. Handles like a roll of carpeting. 
To erect, simply strain cables. The only fence suit¬ 
able for Lawn, Garden, Orchard, Park and Cemetery 
Fencing. Address 
RANDALL FENCE CO., Le Roy, N. Y. 
FARM SALK.—One of the best farms In 
I An m Westchester County, containing 110 acres, 
100 tillable. Two good houses, two barns and out¬ 
buildings. Location high; running water to house, 
bine orchards. Very desirable every way. 
Address H., North Castle, N. Y. 
Do You Want a Watch ? 
W HEN the prices of Watches were reduced during the panic of 
1893 and the following year, we thought that surely they 
would go up again promptly. But we find that we are still 
able to buy them at panic prices, and some grades even cheaper than 
ever before. We urge no one to buy these watches of us. We 
simply know that retailers are obliged to make good profits on 
watches, no matter where they are located, and we are simply buy¬ 
ing these, as we want them, at wholesale prices, and add enough to 
cover cost of correspondence and postage, so that our readers, who 
want watches of any grade, can get them at practically wholesale 
prices. Every watch is guaranteed to us, and we, in turn, guarantee 
them to purchasers. We will return the money in any case of 
dissatisfaction. We, however, sell these watches only to subscribers. 
All Around Reduction in Waltham and Elgin Watches. 
Offer No. 200- 
Elgin or Waltham Watch—Men’s Size, $4.50. 
No. 200 is a handsome Elgin or Waltham Watch, 
men’s size. The works contain seven jewels, com¬ 
pensation balance, safety pinion, stem winding 
and setting apparatus, and all he greatest im¬ 
provements. The case is open face only, and is 
made of a composite that wears just like silver. 
The case is made by the Keystone Watch Case 
Company and guaranteed in every respect. The 
case is made on the thin model plan. Price, $4.50. 
Offer No. 201. 
Elgin or Waltham Watch—Men’s Size, $10. 
No. 201 is a gold filled open face case, dust 
proof; guaranteed to wear like solid gold for 15 
years. The movement is seven jewels, stem wind 
and set, and contains all the latest improvements. 
Sent delivery guaranteed by registered mail for 
$10. Hunting case, $3 extra. 
Offer No. 202. 
Waltham Watch—Men’s Size, $13.50. 
The AmericanWatch Company, at Waltham, has 
made a reduction in the price of its 15-jewel move¬ 
ments. We take the first opportunity to give our 
readers the advantage of the new price list, and 
offer the following-described bargains. 
No. 202 is an open face, 15-jewel in settings, com¬ 
pensation balance, patent Breguet hair-spring, 
hardened and tempered in form. White porcelain 
dial, stem wind and pendant, set in a gold-filled, 
engraved or engine-turned pattern case. War¬ 
ranted to wear like solid gold for 15 years. We 
will send this watch to any address, delivery 
guaranteed, for the sum of only $13.50. 
Offer No. 209. 
Ladies’ Gold Filled Waltham or Elgin Watch, $13.50 
No. 209 is a Ladies’ Gold-filled Engraved Watch, 
guaranteed by the manufacturer to wear 15 years. 
The works contain seven jewels, exposed pallets, 
safety pinion and all improvements. Price, de¬ 
livery guaranteed, $13.50. 
Crescent Street.” 
Waltham Watch—Men’s Size. Pride of the Wal¬ 
tham Factory. 
The best full-sized Waltham watch is called 
“Crescent Street.” This watch is made from the 
very finest materials, each part being selected by 
expert workmen. Every wheel is perfect, every 
jewel is a precious stone, every pinion is polished 
to the highest degree. In fact, this watch is, as 
the Waltham Company guarantees, “ perfect in 
construction and finish.” The Company also says 
in its catalogue that this is “ the finest full-plate 
movement in the world.” The full plate is a re¬ 
cent imjjrovement in watchmaking. It is a metal 
cap, covering all the mechanism, excepting the 
balance, thus saving many bills for cleaning. 
These celebrated works are full jeweled with red 
ruby jewels in solid gold settings. They contain 
compensation expansion balance, safety pinion, 
stem winding and setting apparatus, patent 
Breguet hair-spring, hardened and tempered in 
form, patent regulator and double sunk dial, 
made expressly for this watch. The dial is 
genuine. 
No. 203. Crescent Street, Solid 14k., 40 dwt. 
(Hunting ease only).$52.90 
No. 204. Crescent Street. Gold filled, 20-year 
Hunting or Open Pace case. 37.00 
No. 205. Crescent Street. Gold filled, 15-year. 
Hunting or Open Face case. 33.25 
No. 206. Crescent Street*2-ounce Coin Sliver. 
Hunting or Open Face ease. 27.85 
No. 207. Crescent Street, Solid Nickel Silver, 
Open Face dust-proof case. 25.00 
Offer No. 208. 
Ladies’ Solid Gold Waltham or Elgin Watch, $20. 
The works are manufactured at Waltham or 
Elgin. They are made of the finest materials, 
carefully selected. The jewels are all cut and pol¬ 
ished in Europe, where secret processes are 
handed down from generation to generation. The 
dial is made of the finest porcelain and the hands 
of blue tempered steel. The case is solid 14k. 
United States Assay, handsomely engraved. We 
will send this watch, delivery guaranteed, for $20. 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER, NEW YORK. 
