1910. 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
1041 
WAS THE DOG POISONED? 
We had a faithful watchdog, always 
kept him tied since we had him—two 
years. He never attempted to bite any¬ 
one. He was well Thursday; Friday 
morning we noticed he was sick. Think¬ 
ing he had a cold, we gave him oil. lie 
seemed to drag one hind foot for half a 
day. Saturday we thought him a little 
better, but gave him more oil. In after¬ 
noon he started to vomit (a greenish 
matter something like grass). lie ate 
nothing, but drank a lot of milk, just a 
little at a time, but about every three or 
four minutes acted as though hungry, but 
would eat nothing. On Sunday he seemed 
livelier, but very restless, lying down and 
jumping up again and giving a sound, 
which we could not distinguish from a 
bark. Once we thought it a bark, then a 
cry of pain, then a cough. He got worse 
and at four o'clock died. Can you tell 
me what was the matter with him? Do 
you think he was poisoned? How should 
he have been treated? We would like to 
know, as it may happen again. Do dif¬ 
ferent poisons act differently? h. l. 
While it is of course possible that 
the dog took some poisonous substance 
which disagreed with it and caused 
death, that is merely surmise and could 
only be proved by an expensive analysis 
of the contents of the stomach. The 
symptoms, however, suggest rabies 
rather than poisoning, and it seems a 
mercy that the animal died without hav¬ 
ing bitten anyone. If a person was bit¬ 
ten by the dog the head of the animal 
should be sent to the bacteriologist of 
the State Live Stock Sanitary Board 
for examination, as it is possible to tell 
definitely by the presence or absence of 
negri bodies in the brain whether or not 
the animal was afflicted with rabies. In 
rabies the dog has a half-bark, half-howl 
which is characteristic. The eyes also 
look unnatural, one pupil being dilated 
and the other contracted. The lower 
jaw hangs down and the animal there¬ 
fore appears to have choked by attempt¬ 
ing to swallow some foreign body or a 
bone. The animal laps its own urine and 
swallows manure, dirt, straw, sticks, etc. 
We see no good reason for suspecting 
that anyone gave poison to the dog, and 
it would be unwise to make statements 
to that effect or enter into a lawsuit 
without absolute proof. The analysis re¬ 
ferred to might be considered proof, but 
in court the judge would require proof 
as to the actual administration of the 
poison by the person suspected. That 
would be difficult or impossible to give, 
and it always is wise to avoid litigation 
—and poison! A. s. A. 
A CONCRETE FLOOR FOR STABLE. 
I am building a cow stable with base¬ 
ment underneath ; floor timbers are heavy, 
laid close and eover«4 with two-inch plank, 
well spiked, making very solid floor. I 
wish to prevent the liquids from running 
through into the basement. Will two 
inches of concrete over that floor do it? 
In what proportion should it be mixed, and 
how much cement will be required to con¬ 
crete 300 square feet of floor surface? The 
concrete will be planked over where cows 
stand. h. a. J. 
Vermont. 
I have never had experience in laying 
cement on plank. It would have to be a 
very solid floor, and the job well done 
to prevent cracks that would leak. We 
have put cement floors in all of our 
stables, one having been in use for 12 
years, and I find them satisfactory. My 
experience with solid cement floors leads 
me to offer the following suggestions: 
Do not make the surface too smooth. 
Float well with a wood float, but not 
with the steel float. Sift a little cement 
over the surface before it dries. Do not 
make too much pitch to the floor. I 
would never cover a cement floor with 
plank for cattle. j. h. putnam. 
Litchfield County, Conn. 
I have no personal experience in lay¬ 
ing concrete over a plank form. I have 
seen work of this sort many times. Its 
success depends upon the rigid support 
of the timbers below. If there is no 
chance to spring, which will eventually 
crack the cement, then I should put down 
over the plank three thicknesses of com¬ 
mon tar paper with a heavy coat of coal 
tar paint between them; then I should 
drive nails through the paper into the 
plank below, allowing the heads to pro¬ 
ject about three-quarters of an inch 
above the paper. Put down cement, 
mixed three to one, or four to one, will 
do very well for this work, until the 
nail heads are covered; upon this place 
ordinary chicken wire, bedded in the soft 
cement, upon this put on one and one- 
quarter inches of finish coat, one to 
three. It will be safer to lay in checks, 
cutting through to the paper. After the 
cement is hardened, fill all of the spaces 
with finely sifted sand mixed one to 
three. This will prevent any chance for 
leakage between the blocks of cement 
and still at the same time provide for 
a certain amount of spring or give and 
take, should the floor prove not to be 
thoroughly rigid. H. e. cook. 
Canton Agricultural College. 
A FRENCH COACH HORSE. 
The horse shown on the first page is 
a well-bred French Coacher, Mantell, 
which was bought by Joseph Peel, of 
Middlesex Co., Mass., in the hope of 
improving the horses in his vicinity. In 
many parts of the East farmers do not 
take kindly to raising colts, believing 
that they can buy horses cheaper than 
they could raise them. In former years 
the New England States, as well as New 
York, produced many fine horses, as the 
climate and soil are admirably adapted 
to the business. Horse raising would pay 
again in these sections if farmers would 
go at it in a right way. It is doubtful 
if the old style horse would pay, but at 
this time a new type of horse is wanted 
and the production of good colts of this 
new type could be made very profitable. 
Many farmers through New England 
feel that they are being driven away from 
milk production. The exaction of health 
boards in the city and the high prices 
paid for feed combine to make milk 
making unprofitable, and it is true that 
many farmers are ready to give up their 
cows if they can find some other form 
of live stock suited to their farms. It is 
more than likely that some of these men 
would find just what they need in the 
production of good colts of the carriage 
type. The market does not want second- 
class trotters, and the West has the ad¬ 
vantage thus far in producing heavy- 
horses, but in the East, close to the large 
cities, the well-shaped and well-grown 
carriage horse could be made a most 
valuable property. The brood mares can 
be used on the farm and the colts eat up 
the roughage now consumed by cows. 
Mantell is a fine specimen of the breed, 
with size, vigor, color and good action. 
If he were patronized as he should be 
there should be a great change in the ap¬ 
pearance of the horses within a few years 
in that part of Massachusetts. Strong 
claims are made for the various breeds 
of horses, but fine carriage horses raised 
on the farm and well cared for will al¬ 
ways demand a good price. Mantell 
stands over 16 hands high and weighs 
about 1,300. He has short powerful legs 
and remarkable high knee action for so 
large a horse, with a deep chest, fine head 
and good disposition. lie makes a well 
nigh ideal sire. The French Coach horses 
are noted for their good nature, endur¬ 
ance and have been called the gentlemen 
of harness horses because of their good 
behavior and fine style in action. One 
thing in favor of a French Coach horse 
is the fact that the French government 
never permits an unsound stallion to be 
used. In fact, the same holds good of 
the mares, and this unblemished pedigree 
run far back for nearly 300 years. Such 
a horse as Mantell can make a great 
difference in the appearance and value of 
the colts in any eastern neighborhood. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
It. N.-Y. and you’ll get a quick ren)y and 
“a square deal.” See guarantee page 12. 
DAILY 
OUTPUT 
17,500 
BBLS. 
YEARLY 
OUTPUT 
OVER 
6 , 000.000 
ALPHA 
PORTLAND CEMENT 
is absolutely the best that can be made 
for all farm work. Largely used by 
U. S. Government and in State, Munici¬ 
pal and Railroad work—a reputation of 
20 years behind it. Ask your dealer for 
ALPHA 
Send for Booklet and learn why it is the best. 
ALPHA PORTLAND CEMENT CO., 
ADDRESS 
2 Center Square, EASTON, PA. 
SAVE MONEY ON ROOFING 
buys full roll (108 sq. it.; of strictly high 
I iVU grade rooting, either rubber or flint coat sur- 
H ■■■ face, with cemez.t and nails complete. 
m Most liberal offer ever made on first class 
roofing. Better than goods that sell at much higher prices. 
Don’t spend a dollar on roofing until you have seen 
UNITO ASPHALT ROOFING 
You send no money when you order Unito Roofing. 
Satisfaction Guaranteed. Write today for free samples for 
test and comparison and our unparalleled selling plan. 
UNITED FACTORIES CO. Dept. A31 .Clevelcnd, O. 
Tons of Money Saved 
by Wearers of STEEL SHOES! 
Write today 
for book, 
“The Sole 
of Steel.” 
Pat. 
Dec. 4, 
190t>. 
others 
Pending 
You can positively save from $5 to $10 a year and get more good wear, more solid comfort, 
more health-protection out of Steel Shoes than from leather-soled work shoes or rubber boots. 
Thousands arc wearing Steel Shoes to-day, saving immense sums of money. Every wearer 
will tell you they are easier on the feet, lighter, more healthful and durable than the best all- 
leather work shoes that money can buy. Absolutely the best farm shoe in existence. 
Better Than the Best Leather-Soled Shoes—Fee! Better, 
Fit Better, Wear Better, Look Better! 
One Pair Out¬ 
wears 3 to 6 
of All-Leather 
Shoes—Saves 
$5 to $IO a Year 
If you will put a pair of Steel Shoes on your feet— even for five minutes- the shoes will do tlie rest. 
■They will surprise and delight you with their lightness, neatness and comfort—their astounding 
durability. They will literally sell themselves! 
Hence I am making this special Free Examination Offer, merely asking you to send me the price, 
- while you are “sizing up” the shoes. If they fail to convince you immediately, you can simply 
notify me to send for them at my expense and the money will be refunded at once. 
Try Them On—In Your Own Home—at Our Risk! 
FREE EXAMINATION! 
Your Money Back if Shoes Don’t Suit! 
Steel Shoes are the strongest and easiest working 
shoes made. There is no need of breaking in. Com¬ 
fortable from the first moment you put them on. Easy 
to put on or take off. Impossible to get out of shape. 
We could not afford to make you this special offer if 
we were not confident that our Steel Shoes are just what 
you need. You ran absolutely no risks, no trouble on 
your part. All we ask is that you try on a pair of Steel 
Shoes before you buy any other style of working shoes! 
You will wonder how you ever did without Steel Shoes 
this long. 
Steel Shoes Explained 
Hero is the way Steel Shoes are made : The uppers 
are made of a superior quality of leather, as water¬ 
proof an leather can be tanned. This leather is 
woudertully soft, flexible and pliable—never gets stiff 
and hard, no matter how long the shoes are worn in 
mud, slush or water. 
The soles and sides are made out of one piece of special 
light, thin, springy, rust resisting Steel. 
We have added 100 per cent to the strength of the 
Steel Soles by corrugating the bottoms. 
The Sole of Steel keeps the uppers in shape, pre vents 
them from warping, twisting or cracking. Soles and 
heels aro studded with adjustable Steel Rivets which 
prevent the bottoms from wearing out. Rivets are 
easily replaced by hand when partly worn, making the 
shoes as good as new ! Fifty extra Hvets cost only 
30 cents and should keep the shoes in good repair for at 
least two years. 
These soles are lined with soft, springy, comfortable 
Hair Cushions, which rest the feet, absorb perspira¬ 
tion and odors, and add to ease of walking. Cushions 
can easily be taken out for cleaning. 
No Corns! No Blisters! 
No Wet Feet! No Rheumatism! 
Steel Shoes are so easy on the feet that they absolutely 
do away with corns, callouses, soreness, blisters and 
other foot troubles. They give rest and support to the 
feet, and keep them in perfect condition. 
If you wear Steel Shoes you can work all day in' mud 
and water or snow without having wet or cold feet. 
Thus you escape colds, rheumatism, neuralgia and the 
long train of ills that result from cold, wet feet. Steel 
Shoes pay for themselves again and again by preventing 
sickness and saving doctor’s bills. 
Steel Shoes In Sizes 5 to 12 
6 inches, 9 inches, 12 Inches and 16 inches high 
Steel Shoes, 6 inches high, $2.50 per pair. 
Steel Shoes, 6 inches high, better grade of leather, $3.00 
per pair, 
Steel Shoes, 6 inches high, extra grade of leather, black 
or tan color, $3.50 per pair. 
Steel Shoes, 9 inches high, $1.00 per pair. 
Steel Shoes, 9 indies high, extra grade of leather, black 
or tan color, $5.00 per pair. 
Steel Shoes, 12 inches high, extra grade of leather, 
black or tan color, $0.00 per pair. 
Steel Shoes, 16 inches high, extra grade of leather, 
black or tan color, $7.00 per pair. 
Each pair of Steel Shoes is worth $2.00 more than the 
best leather work shoes. A trial pair will convince you. 
Every pair of Steel Shoes is inspected and tested before 
shipment. 
Boys’ Steel Shoes—Sizes I to 5 
Boys’ Steel Shoes, 6 inches high, $2.50 per pair. 
Boys’ Steel Shoes, 9 inches high, extra grade of leather, 
black or tan color, $3.50 per pair. 
Save buying several pairs of boys’ shoes a year. One 
pair of Boys’ Steel Shoes will do it. 
A Blessing to Farmers’ Feet 
Steel Shoes are unquestionably the most important 
discovery for the benefit of farmers in the last 100 years. 
They enable you to work in comfort, rain or shine, in 
heat or cold—in the field, barnyard or feed lot—in the 
swamp, in ditch work, among brush, stones or wherever 
there’s work to do. They stand hard knocks! They 
shed mud ! They keep your feet bone dry, rested and 
free from corns, chafing and blisters ! 
They save time and money and doctor’s bills. 
The proof is yours for the asking. 
Don’t Wait-Send NOW! 
Seethe shoes—then decide ! 
We don’t ask you to buy the shoes ! 
We just want you to slip your feet into a pair of Steel 
Shoes—to feel and see and know how much lighter, 
neater, more comfortable they are than any other 
work shoes in existence. 
We offer to send you a pair of Steel Shoes for FREE 
EXAMINATION—any size or style you may select—on 
receipt of the price and let the shoes themselves tell 
you their marvelous story of comfort, lightness, neat¬ 
ness, strength and wonderful economy. 
If they don’t convince you instantly—DON’T KEEP 
THEM! 
Simply notify us to send for the shoes nt our expense, 
and every penny of your money will be returned 
promptly without delay or argument. 
Don’t hesitate. Any banker, any express company 
will tell you we are responsible. Any agricultural editor 
will do the same. You need steel Shoes and you need 
them NOW. Don’t put it off. but accept, our liberal 
FREE EXAMINATION OFFER at once, and make 
sure of getting your shoes promptly. 
We strongly recommend the 6-inch high Steel Shoes at 
$3.50 a pair or the 9-iuch high Steel Shoes at $5.00 a |>air. 
For all classes of use requiring high-cut shoes, our 12 or 
16-inch high Steel Shoes are absolutely indispensable. 
Throw away your old shoes and hot rubber 
boots. Don’t torture your feet in hard, twisted, warped 
leaky, shapeless leatlier-soled shoes. Don’t sweat your 
feet and make them tender by wearing hot rubber hoots, 
felt boots or arctics. Get a pair of Steel Shoes and learn 
what foot comfort really means. 
Our Three Great Factories 
The success of Steel Shoes is almost startling. 
Within three years we have established Shoe Factories 
in Racine, Wisconsin; Toronto. Canada; and Northamp¬ 
ton. England. 
These great factories, running at full capacity, can 
scarcely keep up with the demand from all over the 
world. (74) 
EXAMINATION COUPON 
STEEL SHOE CO., Dept. 37, Racine. Wis. 
Dear Sir: 
Please send at once for free examination 
•.... Pair.inch Men’s Steel Shoes, Size. 
.Pair.inch Boys’ Steel Shoes, Size. 
I enclose.for $.in payment for 
same, as per free EXAMINATION OFFER. 
Hame. . .... 
Town . State . 
County .. R. F. D. . 
N. M. RUTHSTEIN, Secretary and Treasurer 
STEEL SHOE GO., Dept. 37, Racine, Wis. 
Canadian Factory—Toronto, Canada Great Britain Factory—Northampton, England 
