THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
87 
160 ?. 
SHALL THE FARMER HAVE PRO¬ 
TECTION? 
The article on page 3, by F. C. Curtis, 
is indeed one of very great importance to 
every farmer in New England. Fifty 
years ago, and even down to 30 years ago, 
the sheep industry of New England was 
one of great importance. Nearly every 
farm had its flock of sheep. The cli¬ 
mate and the hills of New England 
seemed especially well adapted for the 
production of wool and mutton, and they 
were a source of much profit to the far¬ 
mer, and of great wealth to New Eng¬ 
land. Now this is all changed. Sheep 
on the farm is now the exception rather 
than the rule. Dogs have practically 
driven this industry from this part of the 
country. Vermont, like most of the 
States, issues a license for each dog (or 
is supposed to do so), and t'his money, so 
far as it goes, is used for the purpose of 
paying for damage done by dogs in the 
State. This seems all right as far as it 
goes, but where is the farmer who cares 
to grow sheep for these cur dogs to kill, 
even though the State does pay for them 3 
There was an unsuccessful effort made 
to change the dog laws of this State at 
the last Legislature. At present the tax 
is $1 for each male dog, but should be 
increased to at least $5, and every farmer 
should be given the right to shoot any 
dog found unattended by its owner on 
his premises. It is a fact that most of 
the sheep-killing dogs are owned in vil¬ 
lages, and many of them by people too 
poor to furnish themselves or their chil¬ 
dren with proper food. A good dog is 
all right in its place, and if a man has a 
use for a dog, and has a good dog, he 
can well afford to pay a tax of $5 a year 
for him. 
One may well ask the question: “Are 
dogs of greater value to New England 
than sheep ?” But the dog is by no means 
the only nuisance with which the New 
England farmer has to contend. Wild 
deer and some of the protected birds are 
a greater menace to the prosperity of the 
farmer than the dogs. Deer arc becom¬ 
ing very numerous, and are doing a vast 
amount of damage to crops, and more 
especially to young orchards; so much so 
in fact that very few apple orchards will 
be planted until the game laws are 
changed, making it lawful for a farmer to 
shoot this wild game when caught in the 
act of destroying his crops. Deer are in¬ 
creasing very fast, and where three years 
ago deer were never seen, to-day it is no 
uncommon thing to see herds of from 10 
to 20 deer. And the fanners are feeding 
them.. Young apple orchards are being 
destroyed all over this State and New 
Hampshire, and the outlook for planting 
new orchards is so discouraging that 
there is no encouragement for the exten¬ 
sion of this most profitable of all New 
England industries. Vermont passed a 
law at its last session of the Legislature 
making the State liable for damage done 
by deer, but as with the sheep, who will 
care to plant apple orchards for the deer 
to destroy, even though the State does 
pay for them? Our game laws are made 
wholly in the interests of sporting men, 
who do not have the interest of the State 
or. the farrqer in their minds when mak¬ 
ing the laws. Real estate in New Eng¬ 
land will never advance in value for 
farming purposes under our present game 
laws, and our game laws will never be 
changed for the better so long as the 
farmer allows the game leagues to make 
his laws. 
The writer believes that deer and song 
birds should have all reasonable protec¬ 
tion, but when they destroy private prop¬ 
erty they become a nuisance, and the 
owner should have the right to shoot 
them, but only when caught in the very 
act, and while on his own premises. 
Birds are a great help to the farmer and 
fruit grower, but when they become so 
numerous as to destroy from $300 to 
$500 worth of fruit each season, as they 
have done for the writer for the past 
four years, they then become a nuisance, 
and he certainly has the right and I be¬ 
lieve is perfectly justified in shooting 
them, especially as the bird doing the 
damage is not a song or an insect eating 
bird. Yet the law of our State imposes a 
fine of $5 for each bird so shot, but pays 
no damage done by them. Such a law is 
unconstitutional, for the State is taking 
“private property for public use without 
just compensation,” and this it certainly 
has no right to do. 
Last season sportsmen paid the State 
of New Hampshire about $6,000 in li¬ 
censes, and the deer and other protected 
animals and birds damaged the farmers’ 
crops probably more than $50,000 worth. 
Yet New Hampshire pays no damage 
done by its protected game, therefore the 
farmer can shoot the game caught in the 
very act of destroying his property. 
“Which is of greater value to New Eng¬ 
land, protected deer or apples, fruit or 
birds, sheep or dogs?” 
Vermont. a. a. halladay. 
Improving Wild Blackberries. 
It. J. O., Sayre, Pa .—'What sized berries 
can be raised from blackberry cuttings taken 
from the wild blackberry brush? I know a 
place where large berries grow in the wild 
state not far from here. They are in a large 
wood lot in the shade, but those in the sun 
are quite small. 
Ans. —Several of the best varieties of 
the blackberry in cultivation were found 
wild. 1 he bushes were marked and t’he 
roots were dug up and transplanted to 
the gardens for trial under cultivated 
conditions before naming the varieties and 
distributing the stock. The Lawton and 
Kittatinny are two that came to be known 
in this way, and they are among the best 
kinds we have. There are others, no 
doubt, just as good or better growing wild 
now that only need to be tested under 
cultivation. The bushes mentioned by 
R. J. C. may be of such character and it 
would be well to dig up and test them in 
the fruit garden. But the greatest care 
should be used to be sure to get only roots 
of the bushes t’hat are known to bear 
choice fruit. It would be a mistake to 
name and distribute any variety until it 
had been well tested and found to be 
superior to those we now have. 
h. e. van deman. 
Cement Floor for Cellar. 
J. F., Elizabeth, Pa .—I have a cellar 24 x 
45 feet in which I would like to put a 
cement floor. It is almost frost-proof. How 
should this be put in as to depth and amount 
of sand and gravel? What should cement 
cost by the barrel? 
Ans. —I have a concrete cellar floor 
which has been in use 18 years. It was 
made of coarse sand and Portland ce¬ 
ment, three to one, and laid down as a 
single coat two inches thick. With a 
firm solid foundation this floor will be 
sufficient laid in checks four feet square 
or nearly so, making equal divisions in 
length and width. Or you may put’ down 
a couple of inches of five to one and then 
spread a half-inch of two to one over it, 
as a finish coat. The cost will not’ vary 
greatly. Be sure the mixture is complete 
before wetting. Take care to make a 
drainage around near the side wall. Ce¬ 
ment’ will cost from $1.75 to $2 per barrel 
in sections where I am familiar with it. 
Cost of transportation may cause some 
variation in price. h. e. cook. 
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If you have ever sent an order to Sears, Roebuck & Co. you may be entitled to receive from them, FREE OF ANY COST TO YOU of any kind one or more of the 
valuable articles illustrated hereon, this by reason of our LATEST REVISED AND MOST LIBERAL PROFIT SHARING PLAN, far more liberal than ever before 
READ OUR LIBERAL OFFER, OUR NEW REVISED $25.00 PROFIT SHARING PLAN 
IF YOU HAVE SENT US ORDERS Profit Sharing Certificates 
amounting to as much as $25-00, you can now receive from us free in 
exchange for your $25.00 in Profit Snaring Certificates, your choice of any 
of the articles illustrated hereon, or your choice of many others, as shown 
In our new revised and improved free Profit Sharing Book. Write and ask 
for our NEW FREE Profit Sharing Book and learn about our latest plan. 
PEOPLE WHO BUY GOODS FROM SEARS,ROEBUCK 
& pn no * on ly get far more value for their money than they can get 
UUi elsewhere, but they get a Profit Sharing Certificate for the full 
amount of each 
purchase, and now for the first time they can exchange 
the Profit Sharing Certificates when they have amounted to only $25.00 
for their choice of an almost endless variety of very valuable goods. In 
this way you save two-fold, make a big saving in cost on the goods you 
buy and you have returned to you a liberal portion of all the money you 
send us in the value we now give to those who have purchased as much 
as $25.00 worth of goods from us. 
MANY ARTIHI FQ that formerly required $100.00 in certificates to 
Ivifill I fill I lybLv secure are now given for only $25.00, many 
that more recently required from $50.00 to $100.00 in certificates to 
secure, are now given lor only $25.00 in certificates. A great many 
more valuable articles are now being given, wonderfully valuable articles, 
including pianos, organs, buggies, sewing machines, rich and valuable 
furniture, watches and other goods, are now given free to our custo¬ 
mers for a surprisingly small amount in Profit Sharing Certificates. It's 
all explained in our free Profit Sharing Book. Possibly you already 
have as much as $25.00 in Profit Sharing Certificates; If so, and you 
wish any of the articles shown hereon free, send us $25.00 In cer¬ 
tificates, state which of these articles you want, and It will be sent to you 
free at once; or, better still, If you have $25.00 or more In our Profit 
Sharing Certificates write for our free Profit Sharing Book and make your 
selection from the enormous assortment now shown. If you have never 
sent us orders borrow a catalogue from your neighbor or send to us for 
a big 1300-page catalogue,which we will mail you free, startatonce, and 
as soon as your orders have amounted to $25.00 or more, you can 
exchange the certificates we send you for your choice of an almost 
endless variety < it valuable merchandise. 
PLEASE TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGH- 
RflRQ diat we have now gone on to a $25.00 basis,and that many arti- 
cles that were heretofore furnished on the basis of $50.00 to 
$100.00 are now furnished for only $25.00 in certificates. If any of your 
neighbors have Profit Sharing Certificates amounting to $25.00 or more, 
tell them to be sure to write to us at once for our latest Free Profit 
Sharing Book. Don't fail to first write for our latest new FREE Profit 
Sharing Book.Just oft the press, and see all the valuable articles you can 
now get FREE for your certificates amounting to $25.00 and upward. 
This rich, big. 
gold finished metal 
stand or parlor 
table, with a hand¬ 
some, rich, onyx- 
lzed top, a beauti¬ 
ful stand, 30 inches 
high, top 15x15 
inches, is one of the 
richest gold fin¬ 
ished metal onyx- 
Ized top stands 
made, will be sent 
free to any cus¬ 
tomer of ours In 
exchange for Profit 
Sharing Certifi¬ 
cates amounting to 
$25.00. 
This handsome fur 
piece, a fine brown Bel- 
riHm coney fur, is made 
fn the very latest style, 
and has two tabs, one 
overlapping the other, 
trimmed with silk orna¬ 
ments in front and 
chenille trimmings at 
bottom of tabs, lined 
throughout with sateen 
to match, an up to date, 
stylish neckpiece and Is 
given free in exchange for 
Profit Sharing Certifi¬ 
cates amounting to only 
$25.00. 
This big, rich, beautiful 
banquet lamp will be fur¬ 
nished free in exchange for 
Profit Sharing Certificates 
amounting to $25.00. The 
latest style for this season, 
beautifully decorated 1 n 
floral decoration; has a very 
large base and globe, rich, 
heavy metal stand, extra 
high grade burner. Lamp 
stands 20 inches high, and, 
Indeed, is a valuable lamp 
and goes free for $25.00 In 
Profit Sharing Certificates. 
This handsome, 
big, beautifully cm- 
bossed and aecor- 
ated cobbler seat 
rocking chair, an 
extra large, hand¬ 
some, strong and 
well finished chair, 
a chair suitable for 
any home, is now 
given m exchange 
for Profit Sharing 
Certificates 
amounting to only 
$26.00. 
This handsome 
new style ladies’ 
mackintosh orrain- 
coat will be furnish¬ 
ed free inexchange for 
Profit Sharing Certifi¬ 
cates amounting to 
only $25.00. This Is a 
very handsome gar¬ 
ment. made from an 
extra quality Quaker 
gray Berkley cloth. 
The inside of the coat 
Is a light weight 
brown cloth, it Is 
beautifully finished 
throughout; a hand' 
some, stylish gar¬ 
ment. Comes in size 
32 to 44 bust meas¬ 
ure. length 54 to 58 
inches, is real 1 y an ex¬ 
ceptional value and 
wegive it free in ex¬ 
change for Profit 
Sharing Certificates 
amounting to only $25.00. 
This big, handsome, latest 
style mem waterproof mack-, 
intosh or raincoat, a coat that 
can be worn either as a rain¬ 
coat or overcoat, a really 
high grade and valuable 
articleof wearing apparel, 
will be sent to any custo¬ 
mer In exchange for Profit 
Sharing Certificates 
amountingtoonly $25.00. 
This coat is made In the 
very latest style, made 
from a good quality gray 
covert waterproof cloth, 
fancy plaid waterproof 
lining, made In the latest 
douDie breasted style, 
with velvet collar and 
three outside pockets, 
handsome, large, showy 
and durable coat, and if 
ou will send us Profit 
iharing Certificates 
amounting to only $25.00, 
state your size, height and 
weight, number of inches around body 
at breast, we will be pleased to send 
you the coat free. 
This complete and handsome violin out¬ 
fit, a real Stradivarius model violin, com- 
S lete with case, bow, resin, instruction 
ook and all, all given for Profit Sharing 
Certificates amounting to only $25.00. 
full! ducrifaad n our FRE£ PROFIT SHARING I00K. 
This handsome boys’ 
two-piece knee pants suit 
made of wear resisting 
union casslmere, for boys 8 
to 14 years of age, given free 
In exchange for Profit Shar¬ 
ing Certificates amounting 
to only $25.00. Send us 
your certificates, state age 
of boy. be sure to order 
No. 40PS400, and get* this 
suit free. 
Thisbig, handsome, prac¬ 
tical, substantial, full sized 
washing machine given free 
in exchange for Profit Shar¬ 
ing Certificates amounting 
to $25.00. Wonderfully 
more liberal than ever 
before. This washing ma¬ 
chine is made of carefully 
selected lumber, has heavy 
rustless galvanized iron 
bottom, remov¬ 
able corrugated 
rubbers. Is nicely 
finished outside 
and in, all Ron 
parts are Japan- 
n e d ; inside 
dimensions are 
19x28x13 inches; 
the machine 
weighs complete 
45 pounds, Is one 
of the strongest, 
simplest, most 
durable and 
practical washing machines on the market, 
and will be sent free to 
any customer of ours at 
any time In exchange 
for Profit Sharing 
Certificates amount- 
ing to only 
$25.00. 
This handsome, 
extra large, high 
grade, beautifully 
decorated bronze 
finish metal 
mantel clock, a 
clock standing 18 
indies high, 15 
inches wide, an 
excellent time 
keeper, a really 
valuable article 
given inexchange 
for Profit Sliar- , 
ing Certificates amounting to only $25.00 
Sewing Machines, Furniture, Buggies, 
Harness, Organs, Pianos, Fine Curtains, 
Rugs, Silverware, Watches, Dinner Sets, 
etc., are now given FREE by us for a sun- 
prisingly small amount in Profit Sharing 
Certificates, all explained in the FREE 
PROFIT SHARING CATALOOUE. 
This magnificent turned glass bowl and 
stand and twelve beautiful cups to match, 
Ls now given by us free for Profit Shar¬ 
ing Certificates amounting to onlyS25.00, 
a more generous share of our profits 
than ever before. Bowl is 9 ’A Inches 
high and 10 inches in diameter; cups 
are full size, all latest pattern, beauti- 
fully cut,very brilliant. 
This beautiful golden 
oak parlor table, latest 
style, 30 inches high, 
top is 24x24 inches, a 
very attractive piece 
of furniture, is given 
free by us for only 
$25.00 in Profit Shar¬ 
ing Certificates, a 
wonderful offer. 
A crayon 
photograph of any indi¬ 
vidual, enlarged to life 
size, framed in this rich, 
gold finished frame and 
given free in exchange 
for Profit Sharing Cer¬ 
tificates amounting to 
only $25.00. 
This fine rifle with steel barrel and 
seasoned walnut stock, will shoot either 
22 short or long cartridges, is now given by us free for only 
i.OO m Profit Sharing Certificates. 
THIS SHOWS ONLY A FEW OF THE VAST VARIETY 
of valuable articles, many of which were heretofore furnished at $50.00 and upward in 
certificates, which we now give to our customers in exchange for Profit Sharing Certifi¬ 
cates amounting to only $25.00. Many more are offered in our big. free Profit Sharing 
Book, still more valuable articles, at $30.00, $40.00 and upward: rich, valuable parlor, 
bedroom, dining room and other furniture, a vast variety of merchandise now given in 
exchange for a surprisingly small amount in Profit Sharing Certflcates. 
IF YOU HAVE SENT US ORDERS IMh Cer,i,i ‘ 
You 
be sur- 
---cates with each order. 
prised how much more your Profit Sharing Certificates are now worth than when you 
received them, and if you are holding Profit Sharing Certificates amounting to $25.00 
or more, don't fail to write for our latest free Profit Sharing Book. Write us on a 
postal card or In a letter and simply say: “Send me your free Profit Sharing Book,” and 
you will get the big, new, revised book by return mail, postpaid, free. 
OUR FAMOUS BIG CATALOGUE IS FREE 
DON’T BUY ANYTHING ANYWHERE 
until you see in our free Profit Sharing Book what we 
are giving to our customers free. If you need anything 
cf any kind today send your order to us. If you 
haven’t one of our big catalogues and can’t borrow one 
in your immediate neighborhood, write for It. We will 
send you thebig 1300-page book by return mail, postpaid, 
free. Just write us a letter or a postal and say, ‘ Sena 
me your Big Catalogue,'' and the big 1300-page book 
will go to you immediately by return mail, free and 
postpaid. It is a better catalogue than ever, the great¬ 
est money saving book in the world. Then get your 
order to us, get your Profit Sharing Certificates started, 
and when they amount to $25.00 or more there is hardly 
any end to the variety of valuable articles you can 
get free. You will be surprised what a big part of all 
the money you send us will go back to you In your own 
selection of valuable arti ;les we will send you free of 
cost, the articles that you may choose to select from our 
big free Profit Sharing Book. ADDRESS, 
SEARS, ROEBUCK & GO., GHIGAGO, ILL 
