1238 
Ibt RURAL NEW-YORKER 
The Rural New-Yorker 
THE li US IN ESS FARMER'S PAPER 
\ National Weekly Journal i'or Country and Suburban Homes 
Established 1850 
I’ublifilied weekly by the Rural Publishing Company, 333 West 30th Street, New Vork 
Herbert W. Collingwood, President and Editor. 
John J. Dillon, Treasurer and General Manager. 
Wm. F. Dillon, Secretary. Mrs. E. T. Rovi.e, Associate Editor. 
L. H. Murphy, Circulation Manager. 
SUBSCRIPTION : ONE DOLLAR A YEAR 
To foreign countries in the Universal Postal Union, $2.01. Remit in money 
order, express order, personal check or bank draft. 
Entered at New York Post Office as Second Class Matter. 
Advertising rates, $1.00 per agate line—7 words. References required for 
advertisers unknown to us ; and cash must accompany transient orders. 
“A SQUARE DEAL” 
We believe that every advertisement in this paper is backed by a respon¬ 
sible person. We use every possible precaution and admit the advertising of 
reliable houses only. But to make doubly sure, we will make good any loss 
to paid subscribers sustained by trusting any deliberate swindler, irrespon¬ 
sible advertisers or misleading advertisements in our columns, and any 
such swindler will be publicly exposed. We are also often called upon 
to adjust differences or mistakes between our subscribers and honest, 
responsible houses, whether advertisers or not. We willingly use our good 
offices to this end, but such cases should not be confused with dishonest 
transactions. AVe protect subscribers against rogues, but we will not be 
responsible for the debts of honest bankrupts sanctioned by the courts. 
Notice of the complaint must be sent to us within one month of the time of 
the transaction, and to identify it, you should mention The Rural New- 
Yorker when writing the advertiser. 
W E wish to say a word in support of the plans 
which Mr. Tuttle is making for a five-year 
anniversary number of the page for boys and girls 
<m November 1. This department of The It. N.-Y. 
has won its way to the hearts of the children and 
has aroused no small interest on the part of the 
older folks. The fundamental idea back of it is to 
make a page that really belongs to the boys and 
girls. Through it they find an opportunity to ex¬ 
press themselves in many kinds of ways. They 
know that their letters and drawings and other 
work will be received with genuine interest by the 
editor, even though all cannot possibly be used in 
print. The page stands in a quiet, effective way for 
high ideals of character, for increasing knowledge 
of our natural surroundings, for appreciation of the 
good things in art and literature, for the worthy ac¬ 
complishment of the tasks of each day and for the 
growth of our boys and girls into wholesome, re¬ 
sourceful men and women and good citizens. We 
look for a generous response to the call for birth¬ 
day letters. 
❖ 
T HIS is the season when dire tragedies in the 
silo are possible. Poisonous gases are pro¬ 
duced by freshly cut stalks. These gases are heavier 
than air, and if the lower part of the silo is closed 
a “pocket” will be formed in which these gases 
gather, until it Avould be sure death for a man to 
enter. Many workmen have entered such a silo and 
gone to their death. If there is any doubt whatever 
lower a lighted candle or lantern into the silo as 
a test. If the light survives you may safely enter. 
If it goes out—keep away until a good volume of air 
has been mixed in. Before entering the silo in the 
morning it is wise to run the blower or the carrier 
10 minutes. This will stir up the gases and intro¬ 
duce aii*. 
* 
LEGAL case pending in Massachusetts over a 
water right will interest farmers and stock¬ 
men everywhere. A brook or small river runs 
through a dairy farm where for several generations 
farmers have kept cows and sold milk. The stream 
is a necessity for this dairy business, as pure water 
is needed for the cattle, for ice and other needs. 
Long possession would seem to have given the own¬ 
ers of this farm a clear right to the water. Now a 
golf club has been organized, and it has laid out a 
playground on this brook above the farm. A pond 
or lake would look pretty on this playground, and 
the golf club has proceeded to utilize the waters of 
the brook for making this pond. The brook does not 
carry enough water to maintain the pond and supply 
the dairy farms. If the pond is kept up there will 
be at most seasons little beside a dry channel belOAv 
it. The legal contest is between the golf club and 
the owners of the farm. Which can make a more 
practical use of the water? Are cows of greater 
service to humanity than golf sticks and well-de¬ 
veloped calves? It has become the fashion in some 
parts of this country to conclude that the farmer 
has no natural rights which a golf player or hunter 
has any reason to respect. In this Massachusetts 
case the question seems to come up squarely for de¬ 
cision, and farmers are awaiting it with interest. 
* 
O UR friends of the Dairymen's League News 
print the following historical note: 
When the Pilgrim Fathers came to this country they 
were t\ T ise enough to bring a cow with thein on the May¬ 
flower and old Bossy has faithfully remained Avith us 
through all the years, folloAA-ing the course of empire. 
But we are just lately realizing Avhat a A T aluable mem¬ 
ber of society she really is. 
The News takes this from The Milk Reporter, 
Avhile that paper credits it to Ann Hunter of Texas. 
We are not told into AVhat deep Avells of history Ann 
dropped her bucket. It doesn’t make much differ¬ 
ence now AA’hen the first cow came to Netv Engand, 
but one thing is sure; she did not come in the May¬ 
flower! With more than 100 passengers crowded 
into that small vessel, in addition to the crew, there 
was no place for a coav. In Bradfield’s history Ave 
are told that the first cattle, three heifers and a 
bull, came in 1624—that is four years after the May- 
floAver. It must have been at least five years before 
the MayfloAver Pilgrims had milk. It has always 
been a puzzle as to where the earlier Pilgrim chil¬ 
dren obtained their needed vitamines. Later, when 
the cows became numerous, milk became a standard 
food, and there is no doubt that the Yankee brain 
and bone were chiefly developed by a diet of corn- 
meal mush and milk. If true service is to be re¬ 
warded, the cow should displace the eagle on the 
flag, but the League News should brush up its 
knowledge of Pilgrim history. It may also be that 
statements of dairy history need a little brushing, 
too. 
* 
As to the controversy about the Avoodchuek, if, as 
one of your contributors recently stated, the meat 
tastes like fresh pork spare ribs, why not domesticate 
the animal? As I understand it. the ground hog hiber¬ 
nates, hence does not have to be fed during Winter. 
With us fresh meat, except chickens, is out of the ques¬ 
tion. We are 40 miles from city, 4,000 feet up in the 
mountains. Our Avoods are said to be full of ground 
hogs, although I have seen only one in six years. I 
have no time for hunting but would not object to 
feeding a few domesticated animals. f. c. n. 
North Carolina. 
W E have been expecting this suggestion for 
some time. Why not? Woodchuck meat has 
become a marketable product in several places. We 
have good testimony from those Avho have eaten this 
meat that it is tasty and nutritious. The woodchuck 
is a clean animal in its feeding—far more so than 
the chicken or the pig. Under domestication Avith 
careful selection and feeding it is quite probable 
that the woodchuck Avould increase its size, the meat 
Avould be improved, and its habit of hibernation 
might be partly changed. It is generally admitted 
that the tame rabbit is, on the average, larger than 
the wild, and that its flesh is superior. Seriously, 
we think, there are possibilities in this suggestion. 
Noav that foxes and other Avild animals are being 
domesticated for fur production why should it not 
be practical to domesticate some of the animals 
which may serve as food? Surely this has been done 
in the case of the rabbit. Can any of our people give 
an argument, not based on prejudice, to prove that 
Avoodchuek meat should not be and is not equal to 
that of the rabbit? And Ave may conclude our re¬ 
marks on the subject by printing the following note 
from our French Canadian reader, Joe Gravel. This 
is strong testimony: 
For some time lias been read in your paper those 
discussion on woodchuck. What big price they bring, 
and how clean he is and Iioav some good woman cook 
him for some company. Noa\ t Ave live up in Vermont, 
where it is most all woodchuck and tourist. They 
seem very much the same, set up and look at the 
scenery. And up to this Summer Ave should just as 
soon eat a tourist as a woodchuck. But when Ave see 
those discussions in your paper I told Rosa, my Avife, 
Ave try some. So there has been one old fellow just 
across the road set up and look at me when I eat 
breakfast and supper all Summer. So 1 say to Rosa 
we will begin on him, so I take my gun and shoot 
him in the head so not to hurt him any, and Rosa, 
she cook it. Well, what you think? He the best fish 
I never eat, and I Avould just as soon have a lamb as to 
have it. We very often eat bullhead and mud turtle, 
but that woodchuck beat all of it. 
Noav I own a farm on a side hill and can raise 
plenty woodchuck, and Avhat I like to knoAv if some 
of your readers could give a receipt for salt him so Ave 
can have woodchuck all Winter, as the Winters in 
Vermont are so cold he stay on his hole till Spring, 
and then they don’t be very fat. While I write an¬ 
other big woodchuck across the road set up and look 
around at the scenery. joegraa'EL. 
Vermont. 
* 
DONER or later there must be some regulation 
of wayside markets. In some cases Sunday 
traffic is held up and made dangerous by the groups 
of cars which gather in pursuit of “hot dogs” and 
cold drinks. The roads are too narrow, and when 
the stands are close to the roadside there is sure to 
be trouble in a croAvd. Probably some action will be 
taken to drive the stand back into the field so that 
cars can stand on a cut-off or side road AA’ithout 
blocking the highway. The question of license for 
these stands will have to be settled soon. There are 
too many irresponsible dealers. Some of them pre¬ 
tend to be farmers, but they make very poor sub¬ 
stitutes. In granting licenses some advantage should 
be given to actual fanners who sell their own 
goods. At any rate some form of regulation is sure 
to come and we think the regular roadside dealers 
will welcome it. 
September 27, 1924 
T seems necessary to keep up the explanation and 
discussion of this neAv automobile law. During 
recent years many young people under 18 years have 
been driving cars to school and return. The fact is 
that this has been in violation of the law, as such 
law has included the 18-year limit. Should these 
young people continue to drive these cars after Oc¬ 
tober 1, they will xdolate the laAv, but no more so 
than they have been doing. This explanation is 
made by a member of the Legislature: 
“Before October 1 no person, except in New York 
City, has been required to have a license to operate 
their oAvn car in this State, but after that date all 
persons Avho operate a car Avithout an operator’s or 
chauffeur’s license Avill be subject to arrest, and no per¬ 
son under 18 years of age can secure a license. The 
only difference betAveen before and after October 1. is 
people expect the law will be more rigidly enforced un¬ 
der the neAv law, and they will be in more danger of 
arrest.” 
This means an actual and real hardship to coun¬ 
try people. The rural members of the Legislature 
have made ttvo strong efforts to reduce the age limit 
to 16 years, but they are always outvoted by the city 
members. Another effort aauII be made to amend the 
laAv next Winter. It is of enough importance to 
warrant a full campaign among country people. 
This is good work for the Rural School Improve¬ 
ment Society. There should be a severe road test 
for these country boys and girls Avho desire to drive 
to school. If they pass it they should have a license. 
* 
It is strange that people will pile tax upon tax upon 
themselves, through their legislators, but they will do 
it. There is no use in saying “give the people a voice 
in the matterwhen they are given a voice, they in¬ 
variably vote the tax, whether it be in the shape of 
State, federal or local bond issues. The only possible 
remedy that I see is to refuse non-taxpayers the right 
to vote upon tax issues; the non-payers wish to see the 
spending, of course. b. 
W ELL, now, seriously, what do you think of 
that proposition? Have the people avIio pay 
no taxes to support government, any business to 
vote on questions Avhich involve public expenditure? 
What AA'ould be the general result if such questions 
of expense were to be settled by taxpayers only? 
Would we have as many expensive schools or other 
public buildings? Would our roads be improved? 
Would human society be Avorse off if town, county, 
State and nation all cut their expenses as thrifty 
housekeepers are obliged to do? These are ques¬ 
tions which must be answered in the future, be¬ 
cause it must be evident to anyone that Ave are 
coming to the end of the road in public expenses. 
Naturally the non-taxpayers Avould object to losing 
their voting privilege on financial questions. They 
will say that they pay indirect taxes on everything 
they buy, but as a matter of clear equity, Avhat 
right has the man Avho confessedly pays no part of 
the cost to help saddle a debt upon the community? 
Brevities 
Poverty is not romantic to the poor, and wealth often 
becomes tiresome to the rich. 
Would not the proposed child labor amendment put 
an end to club work? Where Avould Congress draw the 
line ? 
At that forestry meeting recently reported in The 
R. N.-Y., over 400,000 young forest trees Avere sold to 
farmers. 
He carries little Aveight—the man who always says: 
“Print this but do not, under any circumstances, use 
my name Avith it!” 
Did you ever see a very rich man who was what you 
can really call happy? If so you have looked upon one 
of the world’s Avonders. 
Would you rather have your children be known as 
the “salt of the earth” or have you ambitions for them 
to be the “pep of the earth?” 
Never feed hay made from millet to horses. A little 
of the green millet will not injure a horse, and the dry 
hay is good for cows—but keep it away from horses. 
Noav they tell of the boy Avho was asked to locate 
several large cities on the map. His answer Avas: “I 
can’t locate them, but I know how to tune in on every 
one!” 
There seems to be something of a “boom” for fish 
culture. The NeAv York State Conservation Commis¬ 
sion states that there never Avas such a demand for 
young trout. 
Cutting Alfalfa later than September 1 is a mis¬ 
take—whether it be the regular third cutting or the 
seeding. We think it better to let the growth lie on 
the ground as protection. 
The trouble with many iiplifters is that you cannot 
pin them doAvn to the real home job which society has 
assigned them. You cannot lift anything unless you 
are in some Avay braced to the ground. 
There has been a flood of letters about that Vermont 
farm to be delivered at surprising terms. They come 
all the Avay from girls to discouraged preachers. * There 
is but one farm and some 50 applicants. • 
They tell of a AA'estern woman Avho has five sets of 
triplets and two sets of tAvina She recently traveled 
on the railroad Avith 13 of these children — all under 
five years. One ticket passed them all. 
There Avould be no great objection to using ground 
limestone in the stalls or on the manure. It might be 
an economical Avay of spreading it. But never put 
burned or hydrated lime Avith manure, unless you Avant 
to drive away the best part of it. 
