1907. 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
661 
PUBLISHER’S DESK. 
The most astonishing piece of literature 
that has yet come to our desk is a little 
black book which bears no mark or im¬ 
print either on the book itself, to show 
who wrote it, or where it came from. It 
seems to have been printed for distribu¬ 
tion to local lumber dealers throughout 
the country, and its principal object seeing 
to be to induce these local lumber dealers 
to embarrass and hazard a mail order 
competitor because of its low prices to 
consumers. The booklet was evidently in¬ 
spired by a convention of lumber dealers 
called to discuss the damaging inroads 
made in their trade by Gordon-Van Tine 
Co., of Davenport, la. This firm former¬ 
ly sold the product of its sash, door and 
blind factory to local dealers, who sup¬ 
plied the retail trade; but some time about 
a year ago the house began to advertise its 
goods and sold direct to the consumer. 
The prices they quoted were so low, we 
at first thought something must be not 
just right, and we made a quiet investi¬ 
gation. Wc found the house not only a 
strong one financially, but a high-class re¬ 
liable house in every way. The explana¬ 
tion of the prices we found in the fact 
that the local lumber yards had been 
charging from 50 to 100 per cent profits 
on the cost of their mill stuff, and that 
the mail order house was abundantly able 
to fill orders for grades and prices as it 
advertised to do. As was to be expected 
their trade grew with a jump and bound, 
and alarmed at this growing trade the 
dealers, or those interested in them be¬ 
cause of supplying them, apparently 
worked up this scheme to embarrass the 
mail order trade. Here are some ex¬ 
tracts from the book that will serve to 
show the despicable trickery these people 
are asked to resort to: 
It is beyond doubt that the greatest men¬ 
ace to the lumber business to-day is the com¬ 
petition of the mail-order house which has 
wrought such havoc in the ranks of the 
small merchants throughout the country. 
Although a vigorous effort toward meeting 
the competition of such concerns is of vital 
importance, it is believed that at the present 
time Gordon Van Tine & Co., otherwise The 
U. N. Roberts Company, of Davenport, la., 
is the most formidable competitor of the 
retail lumber dealer, not only because of 
their own activity, but because of the prob¬ 
able result of their success, if they succeed, 
upon all other manufacturers of mill work. 
In order to successfully compete with them 
it is riecessary for every dealer to keep in 
close touch with them and know what prices 
they are quoting to his customers. To accom¬ 
plish this, tiie- following line of action 
should be persistently, faithfully and system¬ 
atically carried out. 
Secure from Gordon, Van Tine & Co. at 
least two catalogues per week, using your 
own name and also that of other members 
of your family, employes, friendly contractors 
and merchants, with their permission, but 
never use a fictitious name. By using care, 
each name will answer for five communica¬ 
tions. 
1. Send for catalogue in response to ad. 
2. Send list of material for estimate. 
3. Send letter asking questions requiring 
special reply, remembering that all your let¬ 
ters will be answered by printed replies if 
the labor of writing a special reply can be 
avoided. 
4. Send for samples of roofing. 
5. Send for paint color card. 
Send in one or two small orders during 
the season, for two reasons: First, so as to 
have a sample of their goods to show your 
customers. Second, so as to keep a name on 
their buyers’ list, to which they send all 
their “good things.” Also send an order 
occasionally without the money to see if they 
stick to the cash basis. 
Make a practice of visiting the depots each 
day to see if any shipments arrive from cat¬ 
alogue houses, being particular to note the 
party’s name and the kind of goods received. 
With this information the recipient of the 
goods should be seen and have demonstrated 
to him that the local dealer would have sold 
him the goods and will in the future sell 
him on the same terms as the catalogue 
house. 
When you get a catalogue, study it. Then 
make your prices on the same items and on 
the same terms, low enough to get the busi¬ 
ness, and you can better afford to do it now 
to keep your business than you can later to 
get it back. 
There is only one way to buy cheap, and 
that is in carloads. Join with your neigh¬ 
boring dealers and buy carloads of stock sizes 
and divide them. Otherwise you cannot 
compete with Gordon, Van Tine & Co. prices. 
That is the most brazen attempt we 
have ever known to embarrass a competi¬ 
tor, and shows how people who have en¬ 
joyed a privilege for a long time will 
scheme to retain it rather than meet the 
new conditions. Think of a lot of busi¬ 
ness men sitting down to write fake 
letters to a competitor and making re¬ 
quests for quotations on bogus orders, 
simply for the purpose of annoying him 
and taking his time from legitimate cus¬ 
tomers. We believe the great majority 
of lumber dealers will refuse to do any¬ 
thing of the kind, but the fact that it has 
been suggested in this formal way shows 
that some of them are willing to resort 
to anything rather than meet the prices 
of the mail order house. There is just a 
little embarrassment in discussing this 
proposition, as Gordon-Van Tine Co. is 
an advertiser, and being a customer of the 
paper the publisher may be considered 
interested in their success. That is true—. 
in a sense, but if the conditions were 
reversed, we would discuss it with equal 
k frankness. Every man is entitled to a 
square deal; and when any man or set 
of men deliberately set out to embarrass 
a competitor confessedly because he sells 
goods to the public cheaper than they are 
willing to do, then no favor of patronage 
or fear of criticism would justify or merit 
a passive silence. 
Some friends of mine sent my name to 
you some time since, and I have been read¬ 
ing the paper, and have been well pleased 
with it, especially the stand you took and 
the fight, made for the square deal. You 
seem to unmake Congressmen, if you don’t 
make others. The seedless apple and Jersey 
cow cases are all right, and just to all. 
Missouri. b. f. H. 
We are glad to have this kindly word 
from our western friend. It again speaks 
the value of those 10-weeks for 10 cents 
orders. It does not matter much where 
they are located, north, cast, south or 
west; and contrary to what we first sup¬ 
posed, it does not matter much whether 
the farmer sends for the 10 weeks trial 
himself, or has it sent him by a friend. 
The renewal usually comes along in either 
case. Getting these new people acquainted 
with the paper is a work best done by the 
old readers who appreciate its policy and 
work. If you are one of these, we will 
look for you to send a name occasionally. 
J. J. d. 
—or invest Now in Rich 
Saskatchewan Farm Lands 
■CANADA 
Settle 
Here 
Invest 
Here 
Come or Invest in your own farm of 
rleliest growing wheat land in America— in 
Sna-kat-che-wan, Canada. Easierthan getting 
“homestead’’ nnd easy to get to. Write now 
—today—for our Big Free lOO-page Illus¬ 
trated Book and Maps and read w hy 189.000 
people came to Canada last year and why over 
300,000 are coming there this year. Most in¬ 
teresting Free Book published about the 
most luteresting country In America. 
Fay you to read It. Tells you why and 
how you can easily come to your own 100- 
Acre (or more) Farm in Sas-kat-ehe-wan 
and own it clear In a year if you wish.becuuse 
One Canada Crop Pays for the Land. 
Only 60 miles from U. 8. border, north of 
North Dakota nnd Montana. Write— investi¬ 
gate at once —because present low prices 
won’t last long. 500,000 Acres in the very 
"Heart of the Famous Saskatchewan 
Wheat Belt.” Rich, clear,watered quar¬ 
ter sections, well settled, well known, easy 
to reach, easy to work, easy wheat, barley and 
oat crops; easy markets, big spot-cash prices 
S aid for your finest A-l wheat. Climate 
ealthful; neighbors mostly Americans — 
some Gormans and Swedes. Oar Free Book 
shows you all about the muny 
Railroads, Water, Schools, Churches, Etc. 
You get Guaranteed Title direct from 
Canadian Government. You are absolutely 
protected and safe in dealing with this 
company. Ask any Winnipeg or Canadian 
Bank. Write at once for our Free Book, 
which tells you all about this lahd and who’s 
there, and about us. Do it today. Address— 
The Saskatoon &Western 
Land Co., Ltd. 
417 Main St., Winnipeg, Manitoba 
* 
NEW HOMES IN THE WEST. 
Send for free copy of pamphlet con¬ 
taining synopsis of the United States 
homestead laws and information how to 
secure a cheap, irrig-ated farm or a 
quarter section of splendid free farming 
or grazing land along the new railway 
lines of the Chicago & North Western 
Ry., in South Dakota, Wyoming and 
other states. All agents sell special low 
rate excursion tickets to homeseekers 
via The North Western Line. Full in¬ 
formation on request. W. B. Kniskern, 
Passenger Traffic Manager, Chicago, Ill. 
YOU CAN’T GET! 
A BETTER FENCE, 
'no matter how much you I 
pay, than the 
FROST WIRE FENCE 
For farmers’ use, it’s the most sub-1 
stantial fence made, most satisfactory. 
We puy freight, (jet our free catalogue. 
„ THE FROST WIRE FENCE CO.. Cleveland. Ohio.! 
^I.B.Drake «fc Co., 90 West St-, Mew York, M. Y. 
m 
IU-II DRILLING & 
TvCll prospecting machines. 
Fastest drillers known. Great money earners I 
LOOMIS MACHINE CO« TIFFIN;, OHIO. 
WIT I T drilling 
Y? Jls is JL MACHINES 
Over 70 sizes ami styles, for drilling either deep or 
shallow wells in any kind of soil or rock. Mounted on 
wheels or on sill 8. With engines or horse powers, .strong, 
simple and durable. Any mechanic can operate them 
easily. Send for catalog. 
WILLIAMS BROS.. Ithaca. N. Y. 
EVERY PROGRESSIVE FARMER 
CAN AFFORD A 
Caldwell Tank and Tower. 
Costs little and gives as good 
water service as city water works. 
Strong and durable and lasts a 
lifetime without repairs. Easy to 
erect and handsome in appeai-- 
nnce. Plenty of outfits aronnd 
you. Illustrated catalogue free. 
W. F,. CALDWELL CO., Loiiiiviltr.Ky. 
Wind Mills, Pumps, Gas Engine*. 
Clim I TUDECIICDP for yourvort 
SMALL THRESHERS 
and clean perfectly. No waiting or feeding big crews. 
Silos, Cutters. Powers, Manure Spreaders. Catalog free. 
HARDER MFC. COMPANY. Box 1 1 , Coblesklll. W. Y. 
HORSE POWERS 
THRASHERS Wood 
and CLEANERS Saws 
One & two-horse Thrashing Outfits. Level plITTEDC 
Tread, Perfect Governor, Feed & Ensilage wU I I Lila 
Write for catalogue 
ELLIS KEYSTONE AGR’L WORKS, Pottstown, Pfc 
POULTRY COMFORT 
means poultry profit. Keep 
your fowls healthy and free 
from lice with 
Rost’s Lice-Killlng Powder 
Prices: 10c, 25c, 50c, and $1.00 
at dealers. Valuable booklet and 
egg-record free. 
Wm. Rust & Sons, (Established 18544 
Dept, p, Now Brunswick, N.J. 
FIVE MINUTE TALK 
SENT FREE “HOW TO KEEP AWAY 
CHICKEN-LICE AND MITES,”by only 
ONE APPLICATION A YEAR 
Successfully used upward of 30 years 
Carbolineum Wood Preserving Co., 
351 W. Broadway, New York, N. Y. 
£LOSlN(J OUT SALE—White Holland and Huff Turkeys, White 
^ Embden nnd Toulouse Geese, Mammoth Pekin Ducks, S. C. and 
K. C. K. I. Metis. LOZKLLA WILSON, Chandlersville, Ohio. 
B0NNIE BRAE 
POULTRY FARM 
New Rochelle, N. Y. 
five ribbons and two 
Breeders of strictly high 
class Single and Rose Comb 
White Leghorns, Whito 
Wyandottes, White and 
Barred Plymouth Rocks 
and Pekin Ducks. Sixty- 
silver cups won at the last 
Poughkeepsie, Danbury, Walden and Madison Square 
Garden Shows. Mated pens of five matured pullets 
and one line bred cockerel, $16, Leghorns, Yearling 
breeders in pons of ten selected hens and one line 
bred cockerel, $15. Choice Pekin Ducks, $12 per pen 
of six. Largest plant in the vicinity of Now York City. 
Incubators, 10,000 eggs capacity. Agents, Cyphers’ 
Incubators and Brooders, 
AH INFLAMED TENDON 
NEEDS COOLING. 
AJJS ORBINE 
Will do it and restore the circulation, 
assist nature to repair strained, rup¬ 
tured ligaments more successfully than 
Firing. No blister, no hair gone, and 
you can use the horse. $2.00 per bottle, 
delivered. Book 2-C Free. 
ABSORBINE, JR., for mankind,'$1.00 
bottle. Cures Strained Torn Ligaments, 
Varicose Veins, Varicocele, Hydrocele, en¬ 
larged Glands and Ulcers. Allays pain quickly 
W. F.YOUNG, P.D.F. 88 Monmouth St, Springfield,Mass. 
Tuttle’s Elixir 
Our old $100 offer always good for fail¬ 
ure to cure, when cure is possible, any 
case of splint, curb, colic, thrush, etc. 
‘‘Veterinary Experience,” the horse¬ 
man’s infallible guide. Valued every¬ 
where. A copy mailed free. Writ* 
fox it. 
Tuttle's Elixir Co., 
SOBeverly St.. Boston, Mule 
CANADIAN BRANCH: 
32 St. Gabriel Street, Montreal, QutbM. 
A cheap, effective dis- 
\ IVtvV^ infectantand remedy, 
powder form to bo 
dusted on. Perfectly 
harmless. 5 oz. 15c. 1 lb. 40c (postpaid) 
3lbs. 50o. 6X lbs. *1.00. (f.o.b.N. Y.City) 
I Excelsior-Wire and Poultry Supply Co., 
Dept. HG 26-28 Veaey St., New York City. 
CARMERS, it pays to raise squabs; get high prices 
for your grain by feeding it to homer squab 
breeders; write us for prices; send ns 10 cents in 
stamps for our book; it tells how. Address 
PRESTON PIGEON FARM, Morton, Pa. 
HOMER PIGEONS SALE. 
FIRST-CLASS 
MATED 
Consult your interest before purchasing breeding 
stock by writing Win. O. Smith for prices and other 
particulars. WM. O. SMITH, Germantown, N. Y. 
PLYMOUTH ROCK SQUABS 
largest and most prolific. We were first; 
our birds and methods revolutionized the 
industry and are widely copied. First 
send for our FREE BOOK, 
“How to Make Money 
with Squabs.” 
PLYMOUTH ROCK SQUAB CO. 
335 Howard St. Melrose, Mass. 
EMPIRE STATE S. C. WHITE LEGHORNS 
Winners at N. Y. State Fair. 1904-05. Trios, $5; Eggs 
for hatching, $1 for 15; $5 per 100. Catalogue free. 
C. H. ZIM.MFR, li. I). 41, Weeiisport, N. Y. 
WHITE WYANDOTTKS—Choice yearling hens 
"’ reasonable; baby chicks 10c each; eggs for hatch¬ 
ing reduced to $.3 per 100. Foret Hill Farm, llurnwoud, N. Y, 
DOSE COMB Bit OWN LEGHORN cockerels ami pullets for Hale, 
very best strain. 1. C. H.WYKIN8, Bullville. New York. 
THOROUGHBRED POULTRY, STOCK & EGGS 
East Donegal Poultry Yards, .Marietta, Penn. 
R. C. Rhode Island Reds. 
NO BETTER STOCK. NO BETTER EGGS. 
February chicks for early shows. All stock sold on 
approval. Sinclair Smith, Box 153, Southold, Suffolk Co., 
ENTERPRISE POULTRY YARDS, 
STOCK ANO EGGS. 
BLACK ORPINGTON 
WHITE LEGHORN 
** WOODLANDS FARM 
We will hold our Third Annual Sale of S. C. W. Leghorns, W. Wyandottes and B. Plymouth 
Rocks, beginning May 1st. Woodlands Farm, the largest Poultry Plant in America, now has on hand 
0,000 LAYERS 
One half of these, largely Leghorns, will be offered in this Sale, at about one-half their actual 
value, as we hatched an unusually large number of chicks this season and must make room for them. 
This is an opportunity never before offered the public to secure strictly high class foundation stock, 
at moderate prices: bred for eggs by trap nest system, 835 trap nests being in use. Prices: Females, 
$1.50 to $2,00 each; Males, $3.00 to $5.00. p. r p.r loo. p.r l,ooo. 
lomb White Leghorns, $3.00 $8.00 $<>0.00 
~ r andottes, 3.50 10.00 80.00 
mouth Rocks, 3.00 8.00 60.00 
Send for Free Illustrated Catalogue. 
LEE T. HALLOCK, Proprietor. 
EGGS FOR 
HATCHING 
UrtlUO, .1M.UU. 
f Single Coml 
White Wya 
• l Barred I’lyi 
IONA. New Jersey 
Don't buy a 
Manure 
Spreader 
—without seeing it. 
And after you have seen it, inquireinto its record. Ask some practical man who has used one 
what lie thinks of it. Ask him— 
How long he has used it?—What it has cost him for repairs?—Whether it is easily operated? 
The Success Manure Spreader 
is the result of 28 years’ experience in 
making spreaders, during which time 
every new device has been tested and 
those of merit adopted. 
There’s nothing startling about the 
Success,—just plain proven worth all the 
way through. 
These points of construction indicate 
its genuineness: 
Largest of axles, we’ve tried smaller 
ones. 
Tough second-growth white ash 
frame— no other wood is as good. 
Beater braced to axle with steel 
shaft, throwing strain on axle instead of 
end of body. 
Apron on three series of stationary 
rollers. No chance to bind. 
Harpoon teeth on beater. (New fea¬ 
ture.) Keep beater ends clean. 
Apron returns in driving 65 feet 
after load is off. 
Spreading Mechanism absolutely 
locks in or out of gear. No racing of 
Apron in going up or down hill. 
Our special book on Spreaders will 
help you. It presents plainly and truth¬ 
fully the facts in reference to Success 
Spreaders. Write for it before you buy 
but, most important of all, ask some one 
who has used a Success. 
KEMP & BURPEE MFG. CO„ Syracuse, N. Y, 
