1896 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
757 
AMONG THE MARKETMEN. 
WHAT I 8AW AND HEARD. 
“What causes the greatest loss to shippers?” I 
asked an experienced commission merchant. “Ship¬ 
ping to irresponsible men,” was the reply. “ Here is 
a letter we received from a man with a car-load of 
apples to ship. He says that Mr. So-and-so, has 
visited his orchard, seen his apples, and tells him 
that they will bring such and such prices in this mar¬ 
ket. You can see for yourself that those prices are 
out of the question here, and reputable dealers know 
that this man has no standing at all, and, probably, 
would never pay for the apples should he secure 
them. There are many of these firms, and they have 
various ways of securing shipments, but the leading 
inducement is to offer to secure higher prices than 
those ruling in the general market.” All of which is 
as true as anything can be. 
X X X 
“You can also tell your readers that those who 
persist in using the ‘ pony ’ apple barrels lose heavily 
by doing so. They, probably, think that the apples 
will sell for just as high prices as those m the larger 
barrels, but they won’t, especially this year, when 
apples are so plentiful and cheap. The large barrels 
sell quickest, and at proportionately higher prices.” 
X X X 
Some of the white onions in market this fall are 
remarkably fine. It requires considerable skill to grow 
white onions of good quality, and it requires more 
skill to cure them, so that they will be of the proper 
color and present a fine appearance. The small, 
white ones are used for pickling, and generally bring 
good prices. The restaurants and hotels use a good 
many of the larger ones, but only those of medium 
size are desired for the best trade. Very large ones 
are not wanted. 
X X X 
The trade in popcorn is, usually, good from now 
until the Christmas holidays ; after that, it is dull 
until spring. Corn one year old is the kind wanted, 
that has been well dried under cover, where it has 
been kept clean and bright, and away from mice and 
other vermin. The rice corns are preferred by most 
dealers. Most commission men dislike to handle pop¬ 
corn, and the bulk of it is sold by a few dealers who 
make a specialty of it. Dealers say, too, that only in 
certain localities is the best corn grown, where just 
the right combination of soil and climate exists, and 
the growers understand correct methods of growing, 
curing and handling. 
X X X 
Sweet cider—or any other cider—is not profitable 
to ship here. Few commission men will handle it. 
It is liable to loss, and is hard to sell, because firms 
who make a specialty of it, canvass the city thor¬ 
oughly, and fill most orders. Vinegar comes in the 
same category, and a local market is the place for it. 
Don’t ship any product at random. Learn first 
whether it will sell at a paying price. f. h. v. 
HOW STREET FAIRS ARE MANAGED. 
A GOOD ONE IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 
Situated upon the shores of Lake Erie, in the heart 
of the “Grape Belt,” only an hour’s drive from the 
famous Lake Chautauqua, lies the beautiful village 
of Westfield, a place of 3,000 inhabitants, which 
claims the distinction of holding the first fair of its 
kind in the State of New York. Chautauqua is al¬ 
ready famous the world over. “ The Chautauqua 
Idea,” the C. L. S. C. course of reading, is known 
throughout civilization. The leading farmers organi¬ 
zation, the Grange, had its birth here. 
We do not lay claim to the originality of the street, 
fair, as it is an old-time custom revived, improved 
and brought down to the conditions of the present 
time. The inhabitants of the Old World, for hun¬ 
dreds of years past (and I believe that it is yet in 
vogue to some extent), when they had gathered their 
harvest of fruits, grains and vegetables, set apart a 
day for the sale and trade of such commodities as the 
people of the locality were in need, produced or manu¬ 
factured. Before the advent of railroads, these fairs 
were, in many instances, the market days for the 
whole year. Whole families traveled, perhaps for 
days, to reach the market place ; donkeys, carts, and 
even members of the family were laden with goods 
and wares, which were placed on exhibition so that 
would-be buyers might inspect them. The fair was 
over only when the peasants had disposed of all they 
had brought, either by sale or exchange, the latter, 
perhaps, being the most probable. Merchants and 
speculators were there to secure bargains, stock up 
their stores, dispose of their goods, and load up their 
ships with articles for other markets, the same as 
they do at the present day. 
The street fairs of the present time have many 
modifications, but the end in view is the same—to se¬ 
cure trade, both by the business men of the town and 
the farmers. The merchants of the town offer small 
premiums (generally in their line of trade) for nearly 
everything grown or raised upon the farm, from the 
smallest to the largest. The pig weighing only 1% 
pound, and exhibited in a bird cage, showed the 
propensities of his hog nature by rooting, squealing 
and grunting. The largest count in a half-bushel of 
potatoes reached into the hundreds, while the other 
extreme, the smallest count, took only 16 to fill the 
measure. Each of the business houses build out 
from the sidewalk a platform large enough to accom¬ 
modate the exhibits for which they offer premiums. 
A strife at once begins to secure the most attractive 
display, both of their own stock and the exhibits for 
premiums, making many novel and interesting 
features. There is an originality about it not exist¬ 
ing at the ordinary fair. The section of the street 
where the exhibits are held, is roped off so that 
there is no driving except by horses entered for the 
premiums. 
The fair holds only one day ; should the day prove 
to be a stormy one, the first pleasant day following 
leaves no doubt in people’s minds as to the time. 
Exhibits are put up in the forenoon. The first on 
the programme in the afternoon, was the baby show. 
There were 20 entries by as many fond mothers, each 
of whom thought her own the best looking, and it 
was remarked that lots of better looking babies were 
left at home. Next among the attractions were 
amusements and athletic sports. In the fat man’s 
race, no contestant to weigh less than 200 pounds, 
there were three entries ; the fastest runner won the 
prize of $1. The boy that ate a five-cent bag of pop¬ 
corn the quickest and then whistled, was rewarded 
with a pearl-handled pocketknife. The amusing part 
is to see a boy try to whistle with his mouth two- 
thirds full of popcorn. Eight boys entered the con¬ 
test to see which could eat the most crackers in a 
given time; some of them showed a remarkable 
aptitude for that kind of food and, apparently, would 
never go hungry while crackers existed. There were 
also bicycle races for both sexes ; foot races for old 
and young, throwing the sledge, speaking pieces, 
playing upon stringed instruments, singing songs, 
reading original poems by the composer and other 
minor sports. 
Among the curios and relics, were a silver dollar of 
1800, a Chinese coin over 2,000 years old, a $5 gold 
coin of 1802. A continental $4 bill of 1775, a complete 
collection of confederate money, a sample of each 
issue circulated by the Confederate goverment, and 
many others. Fine music was rendered by the 
“Pumpkinville Band” from Squash Hollow, each mem¬ 
ber dressed according to his own tastes in the most 
grotesque costumes imaginable. As they came into 
town, every one selected his own route, some back¬ 
wards, some sidewise, and otherwise, and as each 
played a different tune, they created no little amuse¬ 
ment. It soon became evident, however, that they 
were not as green as they looked. Balaam used a 
small animal for saddle purposes, and one of his 
species, said to be a direct descendant, received his 
share of honors without its seeming to elevate him. 
In a convenient place and a little to one side, was a 
large sign : 
FARMERS’ EXCHANGE, 
where could be offered for sale or trade, farm imple¬ 
ments, wagons, buggies, pigs, horses, cows or oats ; 
anything a farmer had to sell, even to sheep and 
goats. It was said to be very successful, as nearly 
everything offered found a buyer except a farrow cow 
that was hitched to a post ; when she saw the boys 
go by in the bicycle race, dressed in their bathing 
suits, being a country cow, it so shocked her modesty 
that she broke loose and ran home. No side shows, 
exhibiting only a fraction of what they advertised, 
were permitted. No fakirs or gambling of any kind 
were seen on the streets, and only a few privileges 
were sold for popcorn, candy and peanut stands, and 
these outside of the ropes. The management are to 
be congratulated on their success, for the example 
set for other towns to follow. 
This being the second street fair held, I have made 
inquiry of nearly all business men in town, and with 
one voice, they pronounced it a success. The small 
outlay each one had to make in premiums and ex¬ 
penses was only a small investment compared with 
the advertisement of their business, and their in¬ 
crease in trade. That the exhibitors were satisfied 
is evident from the fact that a much larger entry of 
exhibits was made this year than last; this year, they 
numbered 770. Let every farmer who reads this, in¬ 
terest the business men of his town, and next year 
hold a good, clean, free, street fair, minus horse 
racing, gambling and the many other allurements so 
often existing at county fairs. l. d. gale. 
Chautauqua County, N. Y. 
How They Do It in Minnesota. 
The R. N.-Y. of October 24, comments editorially 
on street fairs. I note that, in Greely, Col., “the 
farmers meet on the streets and make a display of 
their products right from their wagons.” At the street 
fair held at Faribault, the county seat of this, Rice 
County, they have a different plan. A committee 
call on each business man and give him a chance to 
offer a premium or premiums on some article. The 
premium is rarely cash, usually some article of value 
in his line. The articles competing for a certain prize 
are brought and exhibited in front of the place of 
business of the man who gives the premium, when 
they are of such nature that that is practicable. 
Stock, poultry, hay, etc., are provided special places. 
Quoting from the premium list issued this fall: “ In 
1894, the merchants of Faribault arranged for and 
held a street fair. This was in the nature of an ex¬ 
periment, but it proved to be a success far beyond the 
expectations of the most sanguine. So great was the 
success, and so general was the expressed wish for 
future affairs of a similar nature, that an association 
has been formed for the purpose of holding a street 
fair every year. 
“ Please bear in mind that this is not a money mak¬ 
ing scheme, and, although valuable premiums will be 
given, no entrance fee [the italics, I quote] will be 
charged. 
“ The object of holding these street fairs is two¬ 
fold. In the first place, it brings the merchants and 
farmers nearer together, and demonstrates to each 
that their interests are mutual—what benefits one 
benefits the other. In the second place, competi¬ 
tions like these are sure to stimulate a friendly rivalry 
between producers, the tendency of which will be to 
improve the quality of the stock, grains and vegeta¬ 
bles used.” 
The success this year was as great as ever, or greater. 
Large crowds came to town, the exhibits in nearly all 
lines were most excellent, and the merchants enjoyed 
a good trade. A. A. r. 
Dundas, Minn. 
The Agricultural College of New Jersey opened, in 
the fall of 1891, a department for extension teaching. 
It was decided to hold a number of “ short courses” 
in agriculture, not at the college, but out among the 
farmers. These schools have been held at 10 places 
with classes numbering from 30, to more than 100. 
They are held wherever a local demand is manifested. 
They consist of lectures, recitations, examinations 
and written exercises, and are almost exactly like the 
short course in the college. The cost is $60. The usual 
way is for a Grange or farmers’ club to canvass the 
neighborhood and secure as many students as possible, 
and then the cost is divided between them. When 
all is arranged, the lecturers come and the school 
opens. There are some excellent things about this 
scheme, and there are many points in New Jersey 
where such a school could be held with much success. 
It will be of special value to those who find it impos¬ 
sible to leave home to attend the college. We like to 
see the college men get out among the farmers, and 
carry the elements of agricultural science to them. 
Those who wish to learn more about these schools 
should address Prof. Louis Bevier Jr., New Bruns¬ 
wick, N. J. 
BUSINESS BITS. 
While the famous Fearless thrashing machine has been his old- 
time specialty, Mr. Minard Harder, Cobleskili, N. Y., catalogues 
horse-powers, saws, fanning mills, ensilage cutters, land rollers, 
etc. Ask for all his catalogues if you want them. 
It seems to us that it is a good idea of the Wilmington Wheel 
Co., 401 Union Street, Wilmington, Del., to advertise to furnish 
any kind of a wheel desired for any kind of a wagon. They can, 
no doubt, furnish them cheaper, all things considered, than the 
repairing of old ones. 
Do you smoke hams and other meats in the old way by making 
a smoldering tire of chips and corn cobs under them ? Now there 
is a liquid extract of smoke that takes the place of the slow fire. 
If you care to know about it, send your address for circular to 
E. Krauser & Bro., Milton, Pa. 
When you want to buy anything in the way of a harness, just 
send to King Harness Company, 10 Church Street, Owego, N. Y., 
for their catalogue. Most manufacturers bell to agents, and the 
agent’s profit must be added to the original cost. These people 
sell direct to the consumer. 
In Campton township, Kane County, Ill., there are 27 Goodhue 
Power windmills, some of which were erected nine years ago, 
and every one'is now in perfect order and doing satisfactory 
work. This is, certainly, a good record for the Goodhue mills. 
They are manufactured by The Appleton Mfg. Co., 27 Fargo 
Street, Batavia, Ill. This firm also makes the celebrated Hero and 
American feed mills, fodder cutters, corn huskers, wood saws, 
tread and sweep powers, etc. Write them for catalogue and any 
information needed. 
There have been wide differences of opinion as to the advan¬ 
tages and utility of the practice of cooking food for stock. But 
In the end, the preponderance of testimony seems to be in favor 
of the cooked food. It is certain that the practice is gaining, and 
that it now holds a firm position among well recognized farm 
economies. It seems perfectly natural that anything that will 
induce those chemical changes which must otherwise take place 
in the stomach of the animal, must aid or assist digestion by so 
much; that the cooking of stock food is a species of pre-digestion 
that must be wholesome n effect and beneficial in results. Masti¬ 
cation of the food, which is in itself a species of digestion, is 
made comparatively easy by cooking or otherwise softening of 
the food substance or material. A very good treatise on this 
subject is sent out by the Mitchell Machine Co., Kendallville, 
Ind., who, of course, are sending it free as a means of calling 
attention to their food boiler. 
