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diff --git a/17512.txt b/17512.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..07d4b92 --- /dev/null +++ b/17512.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6758 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Prairie Farmer, Vol. 56: No. 1, January 5, +1884., by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Prairie Farmer, Vol. 56: No. 1, January 5, 1884. + A Weekly Journal for the Farm, Orchard and Fireside + +Author: Various + +Release Date: January 14, 2006 [EBook #17512] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PRAIRIE FARMER *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Susan Skinner and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + +PRAIRIE FARMER + +A Weekly Journal for + +THE FARM, ORCHARD, AND FIRESIDE. + +ESTABLISHED IN 1841. +ENTIRE SERIES: VOL. 56--NO. 1. + +CHICAGO, SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1884. + +PRICE, $2.00 PER YEAR, +IN ADVANCE. + + +[Transcriber's Note: Some pages in the original had the corner torn off. +Missing text has been marked [***].] + +[Transcriber's Note: The Table of Contents was originally located on +page 8 of the periodical. It has been moved here for ease of use.] + + +THE CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. + +AGRICULTURE--Tall Meadow Oat-Grass, Page 1; The Barbed-Wire +Business, 1-2; A Rambler's Letter, 2; Let Us Be Sociable, 2; Seed Corn +Again, 2; Field and Furrow, 3. + +LIVE STOCK--Mr. Grinnell's Letter, Page 14; Prices of 1883, 4; +Docking Horses, 4; Items, 4. + +THE DAIRY--Lessons in Finance for the Creamery Patron, Page 5. + +VETERINARY--Fever, Page 5. + +HORTICULTURE--Ill. Hort. Society, Page 6; A Short Sermon on a +Long Text, 6; Prunings, 6-7. + +FLORICULTURE--Gleanings by an Old Florist, Page 7; Am I a Scot +or am I Not, Poetry, 7; Primitive Northwest, 7. + +EDITORIAL--Items, Page 8; Seed Samples, 8; The Pork Question in +Europe, 8; Corn, Wheat, and Cotton, 8; Chicago in 1883, 9; Strong Drink, +9; Questions and Answers, 9; Wayside Notes, 9; Champaign Letter, 9. + +POULTRY NOTES--Chat With Correspondents, Page 10; Feather Ends, +10. + +THE APIARY--Keep Bees, Page 10; The New Bees, 10; Hive and +Honey Hints, 10. + +SILK CULTURE--Women In Silk Culture, Page 11. + +HOUSEHOLD--The Schoolmarm's Story, Poem, Page 12; A Chat About +the Fashions, 12; A Kitchen Silo, 12; Items, 12. + +YOUNG FOLKS--Talk about the Lion, Page 13; A Jack-knife Genius, +13; Little Johnny, 13. + +BOOK NOTICES--Page 13. + +LITERATURE--Robin, Dear Robin, Poetry, Page 14; Mrs. Wimbush's +Revenge, 14. + +HUMOROUS--The Carpenter's Wooing, Poetry, Page 15; Where the +Old Maids Come From, 15; Items, 15. + +NEWS OF THE WEEK--Page 16. + +MARKETS--Page 16. + + + + +TALL MEADOW OAT-GRASS. + +Prof. John W. Robson, State Botanist of Kansas, sends THE PRAIRIE FARMER +an extract from his last report, concerning a tame grass for hay and +pasturing which is new to that State. The grass has been on trial on an +upland farm for two years, during which time he has watched it very +closely. The Professor says, "It possesses so many excellent qualities +as to place it in the front rank of all cultivated grasses." He +enumerates from his notes: + +1st. The seed will germinate and grow as easily as common oats. 2d. It +maintains a deep green color all seasons of the year. 3d. Its roots +descend deeply into the subsoil, enabling this grass to withstand a +protracted drouth. 4th. Its early growth in spring makes it equal to rye +for pasturage. 5th. In the next year after sowing it is ready to cut for +hay, the middle of May--not merely woody stems, but composed in a large +measure of a mass of long blades of foliage. The crop of hay can be cut +and cured, and stowed away in stack or barn, long before winter wheat +harvest begins. 6th. It grows quickly after mowing, giving a denser and +more succulent aftermath than any of the present popular tame grasses. + +For several years, he says, we have been looking for a grass that would +supply good grazing to our cattle and sheep after the native grasses +have become dry and tasteless. In the early portion of 1881, his +attention was called to a tame grass which had been introduced into the +State of Michigan from West Virginia. This forage plant was causing some +excitement among the farmers in the neighborhood of Battle Creek. So he +entered into a correspondence with a friend living there, and obtained +ten pounds of seed for trial. The result has been satisfactory in every +respect. The seed was sown April 1, 1881. It germinated quickly, and the +young plants grew vigorously. During the whole summer they exhibited a +deep-green color, and did not become brown, like blue-grass, orchard +grass, or timothy. As soon as the spring of 1882 opened, growth set in +rapidly, and continued till the latter end of May, at which period it +stood from three to four feet high. At this time it was ready for the +mower; but as the production of seed was the object in view, it was not +cut till the second week in June. The plot of ground of about half an +acre, on which ten pounds of seed were sown, produced three barrels of +seed. + +He exhibited a little sheaf of this grass at the semi-annual meeting of +the Kansas State Horticultural Society, where it excited much +attention--the height, softness of the stem, length of blade, and sweet +aroma surprised every one present. + +On the last day of August, he went into the plot with a sickle, and cut +two handfuls of aftermath which measured twenty inches in growth. This +he tied to a sheaf of the June cutting, and exhibited the same at the +State Fair, where it attracted much attention and comment. + +Here, then, we have, he continues, a grass that will insure a "good +catch" if the seed is fresh; that can endure severe drouth; that +produces an abundant supply of foliage; that is valuable for pasture in +early spring, on account of its early and luxuriant growth; that makes a +valuable hay; that shoots up quickly after being cut; and affords a fine +crop of aftermath for grazing during the late fall and winter months. + +The Professor is very anxious that the farmers of Kansas should test +this grass during the season of 1883. Still, his advice is not to invest +too largely in the experiment. Purchase from five to ten pounds of +seed, and give it a fair trial, and he is confident that the experiment +will be satisfactory. + +The name given to this valuable grass in the State of Michigan is +"Evergreen," but this is only a local synonym. Its scientific name is +Avena elatior; its common name, "Tall Meadow Oat-grass." Fearing that he +might be mistaken in its nomenclature, he sent a specimen to Professor +Carruth, State Botanist. This is his reply: + + "Mr. J.W. Robson--Dear Sir: Yours mailed on the 22d, I + received last evening. I do not get my mail every day. The + specimen of grass you sent agrees perfectly with the Avena + elatior, of Wood, and the Arrenatherrum avenaceum, of Gray; + but I have never seen this grass before. I agree with you in + the scientific name, and also in the common name, 'Tall + Meadow Oat-grass.' + + Yours truly, J.H. CARRUTH." + +The ground should be plowed in the fall, and early in the spring, as +soon as the soil is in good tilth; sow broadcast two bushels (or +twenty-eight pounds) of seed to the acre; cover well with the harrow, +both lengthways and across the piece of ground sown. Should the ground +prove weedy, cut the weeds down with the mowing machine in June, and +leave them upon the surface, and they will afford shade to the young +plants. + +This grass is extensively grown in Eastern Tennessee, and is very +popular in that portion of the State. In some portions of Western +Virginia it is largely grown for hay and for grass. It is known as tall +meadow oat-grass in each of the States we have mentioned above. + + * * * * * + +The main building for the New Orleans Cotton Centennial Exposition next +year will be 1,500 feet long and 900 feet wide, with 1,000,398 square +feet of floor space, including Music Hall in the center, with a seating +capacity of 12,000 persons. The design also provides for main offices, +telegraph office, newspaper department, fire department, police, +hospital, waiting-rooms, and life saving apparatus. The building will be +the largest exposition building ever erected, except the one in London +in 1862. The design adopted was the work of G.M. Jorgenson, of Meridian, +Mississippi. There were ten competitors. + + + + +JOSEPH F. GLIDDEN. + +The Barb-Wire Industry--Some Facts in its Early History not Generally +Known--Its Growth. + + +Joseph Farwell Glidden, "the Father of the Barb-Wire Business" of this +country, is now a hale and hearty man of seventy-one. He was born at +Charleston, N.H. When about one year old the family came West, to +Clarendon, Orleans county, New York, and engaged in farming. The young +lad, besides mastering the usual branches taught in the common schools, +gave some time to the higher mathematics and Latin, intending to take a +college course, an idea that he finally abandoned. He taught in the +district schools for a few terms. In 1842 he came to Illinois and +purchased a quarter section of land a mile west of what is now the site +of the pleasant and prosperous town of DeKalb. With the exception of +three years his life since then has been passed upon this farm and at +DeKalb. He has from time to time added to his homestead, his farm now +embracing 800 acres. His land is under excellent cultivation, a +considerable portion of it having been thoroughly tiled, and his farm +buildings are first-class. Mr. Glidden has been twice married. Two +children were born of the first union, both dying in infancy. By his +second marriage he has one daughter, now the wife of a Chicago merchant. + +[Illustration: JOSEPH FARWELL GLIDDEN.] + +Mr. Glidden has held several local offices of trust and honor and enjoys +in a marked degree the esteem and confidence of the citizens of his +neighborhood and county. The rapid accumulation of property of late +years, through his barb-wire patents and business, gave him the means to +gratify his feelings of public spirit, and in consequence the town of +DeKalb has benefited greatly at his hands. Its leading hotel and many +other buildings are the work of his enterprise. Mr. Glidden has never +lost the simple manners of the farm. He is unostentatious, quiet, +genial, and at his hotel makes everybody feel as much at home as though +enjoying the hospitalities of his private house. His kindly, firm, and +intelligent face is well shown in the accompanying portrait, though, as +is usually the case, the hand of the artist has touched his features +more lightly than has the hand of time. + + * * * * * + +Few names are now more widely known among the land holders of the +country than that of Joseph F. Glidden, the unpretending gentleman whose +life we have briefly sketched. It was his fortune to seize upon an idea, +and push it to development, which has not only given him fame and +fortune, but which has enriched many others and saved many millions of +dollars to the farmers of America. He has not only founded a mammoth +industry, but he has revolutionized an economic system of the world. By +his ingenuity and perseverance the fencing system of a pastoral +continent has been reduced to a minimum of expense and simplicity. Not +that he individually has accomplished all this, but as the patentee of +the first really successful barb-wire fence, he laid the solid +foundation for it all. + + * * * * * + +The first application for a patent for the Glidden barb was filed +October 27, 1873. For some weeks previous to this date Mr. Glidden had +had in his mind the idea of a barb of wire twisted about the main wire +of the fence, leaving two projecting points on opposite sides. He made +some of these by hand with the aid of pinchers and hammer. He strung two +wires between two trees and twisted them together with a stick placed +between them. A pair of cutting nippers was the next addition to his +"kit" of tools. His next means for twisting the two wires together was +the grindstone--attaching one end of the wire to shaft and crank, the +others being fastened to the wall of the barn. And here, as in most +things great and small in this world, woman furnished the motor power. +The strong arm of the good helpmeet, Mrs. Glidden, turned the grindstone +that twisted the first wire that made the first Glidden barb fence that +kept stock at bay in Illinois or the world. Then followed a device for +twisting and barbing, and the application of horse power. Business +expanded, and steam took the place of the horse, and inventive genius +modified and improved the entire machinery, it being estimated that at +least the sum of $1,000,000 has been expended in bringing the machinery +for barb-wire making to its present state of perfection. + + * * * * * + +At about the same time that Mr. Glidden was wrestling with his ideas and +devices, Mr. I.L. Ellwood was experimenting to accomplish a like result +with a thin band of metal, the barbs cut and curved outward from the +strip. In the meantime Mr. Glidden had put up a few rods of his +hand-made barb-wire along the roadside at his farm. And here again the +good genius of woman enters upon the scene. One Sunday Mr. Ellwood and +his wife were driving along this road and attracted by the wire fence +stopped to examine it. Mrs. Ellwood, much to the chagrin of her husband, +remarked: "This seems to me a better device than your own, don't it to +you?" It did not then, for the remark disappointed and angered him. But +it set him to thinking and before the next morning he was of the same +opinion. The two men meeting the next day it did not take long to +compromise and unite. Mr. Ellwood dropped his own plans and accepted a +half interest in the Glidden patents, and assumed the management of the +business end of the concern, in which position he developed ability and +tact possessed by few business men in this country. + + * * * * * + +The barb-wire fence met an unexpected and general demand. We know of few +things like it in the history of manufactures. From this small +beginning, scarce ten years ago more than fifty large establishments are +now turning out this wire to meet an ever insatiate demand. The +establishment of I.L. Ellwood (making the Glidden wire) at DeKalb is the +most complete and extensive of them all. The building is 800 feet in +length, and is supplied with about 200 machines for twisting and barbing +the wire. It gives, when running full force, employment to about 400 +men, and turns out a car-load of wire each hour for ten hours per day, +on an average, though this amount is considerably increased at certain +times of the year. These figures, though not given us by Mr. Ellwood, we +are satisfied do not overstate the production of this one factory. The +progress of the barb-wire industry of the whole country is shown by the +following record of the past nine seasons. In + + 1874 there were 10,000 lb made and sold. + 1875 there were 600,000 lb made and sold. + 1876 there were 2,840,000 lb made and sold. + 1877 there were 12,863,000 lb made and sold. + 1878 there were 26,655,000 lb made and sold. + 1879 there were 50,337,000 lb made and sold. + 1880 there were 80,500,000 lb made and sold. + 1881 there were 120,000,000 lb made and sold. + 1882 there were about 180,000,000 lb. + +The record for 1883 is not yet made up, but will probably show a +corresponding increase. + +In 1876 Mr. Glidden disposed of his half interest in the concern of +Glidden & Ellwood to the Washburn & Moen (wire) Manufacturing Company, +of Massachusetts, receiving therefor $60,000 in cash and a royalty on +the future goods manufactured, Mr. Ellwood retaining his interest. The +new concern began the purchase of prior unused and conflicting patents +involving itself in extensive litigation, but, sustained by the courts, +soon gained control of almost the entire barb-wire business of the +country. Nearly all wire-making companies are now running under license +from the parent concern. The following is a list of the licensees of +last year: + + Pittsburg Hinge Co.--Limited, Beaver Falls, Pa. + H.B. Scutt & Co., Buffalo, N.Y. + Hawkeye Steel Barb Fence Co., Burlington, Iowa. + James Ayers and Alexander C. Decker, Bushnell, Ill. + Indiana Wire Fence Co., Crawfordsville, Ind. + Cedar Rapids Barb Wire Co., Cedar Rapids, Iowa. + Cincinnati Barbed Wire Fence Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. + Cleveland Barb Fence Co., Cleveland, Ohio. + Ohio Steel Barb Fence Co., Cleveland, Ohio. + Edwin A. Beers & Co., Chicago, Ill. + Crandal Manufacturing Co., Chicago, Ill. + Chicago Galvanized Wire Fence Co., Chicago, Ill. + Lyman Manufacturing Co., Chicago, Ill. + Daniel S. Marsh, Chicago, Ill. + Oscar F. Moore, Chicago, Ill. + National Wire Co., Chicago, Ill. + Herman E. Schnabel, Chicago, Ill. + Aaron K. Stiles and John W. Calkins, Chicago, Ill. + Thorn Wire Hedge Co., Chicago, Ill. + Baker Manufacturing Co., Des Moines, Iowa. + Superior Barbed Wire Co., DeKalb, Ill. + Jacob Haish, DeKalb, Ill. + Frentress Barbed Wire Fence Co., East Dubuque, Ill. + Grinnell Manufacturing Co., Grinnell, Iowa. + Janesville Barb Wire Co., Janesville, Wis. + Iowa Barb Wire Co., Johnstown, Pa. + William J. Adam, Joliet, Ill. + Lock Stitch Fence Co., Joliet, Ill. + Lambert & Bishop Wire Fence Co., Joliet, Ill. + Alfred Van Fleet & A.H. Shreffler, Joliet, Ill. + David G. Wells, Joliet, Ill. + Southwestern Barb Wire Co., Lawrence, Kan. + Arthur H. Dale, Leland, Ill. + Union Barb Wire Co., Lee, Ill. + Lockport Wire Fence Co., Lockport, Ill. + Norton & DeWitt, Lockport, Ill. + Iowa Barb Steel Wire Fence Co., Marshaltown, Iowa. + Omaha Barb Wire Co., Omaha, Neb. + H.B. Scutt & Co.--Limited, Pittsburg, Pa. + Missouri Wire Fence Co., St. Louis, Mo. + St. Louis Wire Fence Co., St. Louis, Mo. + J.H. Lawrence & Co., Sterling, Ill. + North Western Barb Wire Co., Sterling, Ill. + Novelty Manufacturing Co., Sterling, Ill. + Sandwich Enterprise Co., Sandwich, Ill. + Robinson & Hallidie, San Francisco, Cal. + The Hazard Manufacturing Co., Wilkes Barre, Pa. + Worcester Barb Fence Co., Worcester, Mass. + + * * * * * + +When Glidden & Ellwood first began the sale of the Glidden fence, which +was confined to the vicinity of DeKalb, they received 25 cents per pound +for the barbed wire. Since then, as production has increased and the +facilities for manufacturing have been multiplied and perfected, the +price has gradually dropped, until now a farm can be well fenced for +forty-five cents, or less, per rod, and to the incalculable advantage of +the country over fencing by posts and boards, hedges or rails, as any +one may see by a simple dollar and cent comparison of materials at his +own door. + + * * * * * + +Barb-wire has done much for the city of DeKalb. It has built its fine +business blocks and residences, and it has peopled it with industrious, +thrifty citizens. It has made a home market for many of the products of +the country 'round about. It should give a new name, "Barb City," to the +bustling, busy town. There are three concerns now making barb-wire at +this point. The one spoken of is the largest. Next is that of Jacob +Haish, an extensive establishment, turning out an excellent wire, and +the Superior, run by Mr. Hiram Ellwood, Mr. Glidden having a +considerable interest in it. + + * * * * * + +Mr. I.L. Ellwood is the owner of some 2,600 acres of land in the +vicinity of DeKalb. Much of this land is naturally low and wet. The +proprietor, with his accustomed energy and intelligence, has set +vigorously to work to reclaim it. To this end he has already laid eighty +miles of tile. He last year expended nearly $15,000 in this work. His +poorest land is rapidly becoming his most productive. Mr. Ellwood has +also turned his attention somewhat to horse-breeding, and he is now the +owner of a fine stud of draft-horses, the equal of many better-known +establishments of the kind in the State. Of his drainage operations we +hope to speak more in detail in a future number. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Glidden told the writer that his first trial of his fence with stock +was not undertaken without some misgivings. But he thought to himself, +"It will stop them, at any rate, whether it kills them or not." So he +took down an old board fence from one side of his barn-yard, and towards +night when his stock came up, turned them into the yard as usual. The +first animal to investigate the almost invisible barrier to freedom was +a strong, heavy grade Durham cow. She walked along beside the wires for +a little put her nose out and touched a barb, withdrew it and took a +walk around the yard, approached the wires again and gave the barbs a +lap with her tongue. This settled the matter, and she retired, convinced +that the new-fangled fence was a success. + + * * * * * + +Barb-wire is now sent from this country to Mexico, South America, and +Australia. It is also being manufactured in England under American +auspices. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Glidden, associating with himself a Mr. Sanborn, a young man of push +and enterprise, has opened up an extensive cattle ranch in Potter and +Randall counties, Texas. They have fenced with wire a tract thirty miles +long by about fifteen miles broad, and have now upon it 14,000 head of +cattle. Two twisted No. 11 wires were used for this fence, and the posts +are the best that could be procured. The wire was taken 200 miles on +wagons. The total cost of the completed fence was about $36,000. + + * * * * * + +Messrs. Glidden & Ellwood put up the first barb-wire ever used by a +railway company--the Northwestern. So great was the caution of the +company that the manufacturers built it themselves, agreeing to remove +it if it proved unsatisfactory. The railway folks feared it would injure +stock, the damages for which they would be forced to pay. It is needless +to say that the fence was not removed. More than one hundred railway +companies are now using the Glidden wire, and it stretches along many +thousands of miles of track. + + + + +A RAMBLER'S LETTER. + + +I would like to call your attention to the fact that there is +considerable cholera among swine in Dewey township, Ill., west from +Joliet. Mr. Cooter lost about 130 hogs. Other farmers have suffered +equally. + +I have been looking over the stock in this part of the country and find +it excellent, as a general thing. Many of the farmers are breeders of +fine Hereford cattle. They also own first-class horses. Some of them +whom I called upon would like to know the address of State Veterinary +Surgeon Dr. Paaren, and I should be pleased if you will give it in THE +PRAIRIE FARMER.[A] I have often thought, Why is it that so many sons of +wealthy farmers leave their homes for the purpose of either studying in +some classical college, to learn a trade, or to become book-keepers and +clerks in mercantile business. I think if farmers would take more +interest in agricultural papers, instead of having their children +fooling away their time on novels or comic stories and pictures, it +would be better for both old and young. Let the parents buy a microscope +and let the young folks examine insects and fungi of all kinds, and let +them write their experiences down in a book whenever there is leisure +time. Or let them write to THE PRAIRIE FARMER something in the line of +farming, be it agriculture, horticulture, or about raising and caring +for stock. In so doing the boys of our farming country will become proud +of their noble profession and of their homes. They will gradually be, as +every farmer should be, educated up to the times. There are few farmers +who can afford to let their sons study in an agricultural university, +but every one can surely afford to subscribe for an agricultural paper, +it being one of the most profitable investments for himself and family. + +The ground is covered with snow to a small extent, and the roads are in +a fine condition. The crops are all good here except corn, which is very +poor indeed, even the crop in most cases is small. Farmers are not at +all satisfied, and times are not at all encouraging. + + H.A.P. WEISSBERGER. + WILL CO., ILL. + +[A] 355 Western Avenue (south), Chicago. + + + + +A FARMER'S LIBRARY. + + +As this is the season to make up our list of papers and magazines for +the ensuing year, I will take a glance around my own cosy room set apart +for a library. + +It is here that I do the most of my reading, writing, and planning; and +although I pretend to be deeply engaged while ensconced in the large +willow rocker, strictly forbidding entrance to my farmer office, yet the +children and "Spot," my Gordon setter, will intrude, making things +lively for awhile, driving my thoughts wool-gathering and breaking many +a thread of thought that I had fondly hoped would place my name high on +the roll of scribblers. It is a good thing to have the little innocent +children and the dog to blame for these shortcomings, as they can not +take issue with us on the question. + +But I started to talk about a farmer's library; and taking my own for a +small sample, let us see how it looks. + +For the purpose of keeping my papers in order, I have prepared thin +laths of tough wood dressed with the draw knife to a thin edge, the back +being one fourth of an inch thick, leaving the lath one and a quarter +inch broad; these are cut in lengths to suit the paper they are intended +to hold. Take for instance THE PRAIRIE FARMER. I cut the lath just two +inches longer than the paper is long, then cut notches half of an inch +from each end, in which I tie the ends of a cord; this forms a loop to +hang up the file. In this I file each paper so soon as read, by which +means they are never lost or mislaid. When at the end of each three +months the papers are taken from off the file, the oldest number is laid +face down on a broad piece of plank and the number that follows laid +face down on the top of the first, then they are squared evenly and a +strong awl pierces three holes in the back edge through which a strong +twine string is laced and tied firmly; this finishes the job, and the +book thus simply and quickly made is placed on the shelf with its mates. +This done the file is returned to its hook to await the next number. + +This is a simple plan for filing papers of any size, and any farmer can +do it, there being no expense or outlay for material. On glancing up +from the stand on which I am writing, the first objects that attract my +notice are my breach loader, cartridge belt, and game-bag hanging on the +wall; then by the side of the stove hangs the file of THE PRAIRIE +FARMER, within easy reach of my left hand; next it swings the +Country Gentleman, then comes the Forest and Stream, then Colman's Rural +World, then the Drainage Journal; next Harper's Weekly, then Harper's +Bazar. This is my wife's paper and she persists in hanging it among +mine. Then comes Harper's Monthly and the Century, not forgetting the +Sanitary Journal. On the other side of the room we find the Inter Ocean, +Democrat, and several other political papers fairly representing both +sides, also some standard books of valuable information; and last but +not least, the PRAIRIE FARMER Map which you sent for my club. + +Now, this may be considered a pretty large outlay for a common farmer to +make, but outside of life insurance, I consider it my best investment. + +In this selection I get the cream of all matters of practical importance +to the farmer. From THE PRAIRIE FARMER I get the latest and most +reliable information of the great central ruling markets of the West +Chicago, which has saved me sundry times from three to five cents per +bushel on wheat, sometimes paying the price of the paper twenty times +over in one transaction. From the C.G. I get the Eastern markets, while +Colman gives the St. Louis; and by a close study of the three a farmer +can always make enough to pay for twenty or thirty dollars worth of good +current literature for the use of his family. Then the F. and S. is +always full of delightful reading for the boys, refining their cruel +propensities, and teaching them to be kind to the feathered tribe which +are the farmer's friends. By reading it they soon lay aside their traps, +nets, and snares, with which they capture whole covies of the dear +little Bob-whites, and disdain to touch a feather, only when on the +wing, and then with their light, hammerless breach loader. Such reading +as that ties the farmer's boys to country life, and makes them contented +under the parental roof-tree until they are ready to build up homes of +their own. The Journal tells them all about tile making and drainage, a +very necessary accomplishment when they get their own homestead. + +The pictures in H.W. furnish a fountain of amusement for the little +folks, and teach them--with a little help--many things that will be +useful to them in life. As a matter of course the "Bezar" is for mother +and the girls, and [***] +consultations [***] +before the fair, a [***] +daughters, your [***] +good when she insisted [***] +be put on the list. + +A boy or a girl with [***] +the Century in their hands, [***] +room, with a bright clear lamp [***] +has no thought of city life, or [***] +In those bright pages the [***] +outer world painted in all its various [***] +so interesting and so fascinating [***] +have no desire to see it in reality; in [***] +they bring the brightest and best thought, [***] +historic, and romantic to our hearth and home; furnishing food for the +youthful minds, leaving no room for evil or discontented thoughts to +enter. Then I say to every farmer who has children, get the magazines +for them, they will save you a mountain of trouble. + +Then to balance things have one or two spicy news papers, which picture +in horrid colors the blackest side of human life. This is necessary to +guard the young against the riff-raff of humanity, such as tramps, +sharpers, sewing machine and book agents, the lightning rod man, and a +dozen other sharp swindlers that prey on the farmer and his family for +an existence. The Sanitary Journal treats of health, purity, and +cleanliness, and ought to be read and studied by all. Ah, I had almost +forgotten THE PRAIRIE FARMER Map which hangs by the door. What can I say +about it? that it is a handsome ornament for a living room or library? +yes, but that is not all, it is useful. When it arrived I took it to the +railroad office and compared it with the best map they had, also with a +map made by the U.S. land office. I came away satisfied that it was +reliable; it ought to be in the home of every farmer in this great +country of ours, so that their children can learn and know what a grand +heritage they have got. There is no excuse for being without it, as a +few pounds of butter or dozens of eggs will procure it and a paper that +will gladden the hearts of both old and young. + + ALEX ROSS. + CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO. + + + + +LET US BE SOCIABLE. + + +A happy new year to all of the readers of THE PRAIRIE FARMER, and may +your labors of 1884 be crowned with success. Mr. Granger, what are you +doing these long winter evenings? Can't you find time to write a few +lines to the readers of THE PRAIRIE FARMER? You can send a little report +from your county, at least. Come, let us be a little more sociable and +talk more to each other through the columns of our paper. We can learn +something by reading each other's views on different subjects. In my +next I shall try and tell some of the careless fellows how to run a farm +to make it pay. If I fail to give a little light on the subject perhaps +some one else will try it. We are having what you might call winter, +now. Snow is about six inches deep, but the weather is not very cold. +The thermometer has not been below zero but once. Nearly all of the corn +is gathered; only about one-third of the crop is sound enough to keep +until next summer. Farmers are feeding their soft corn to hogs and +cattle. In that way the soft corn will pay pretty well after all, for +fat stock brings a good price. Stock cattle are wintering well, for feed +in the fields is good, and most farmers have got plenty of good hay. The +weather was so nice the first part of this month that the farmers did a +large amount of plowing. Potatoes are plenty and cheap; worth from 30 to +40 cents. Apples are scarce, and good ones bring a big price. Butter is +worth from 25 to 30 cents. + + S.O.A. + KNOX CO., ILL. + + + + +SEED CORN AGAIN. + + +There has been much complaint of soft corn in this section on account of +planting foreign seed last spring, but it is all solid since the late +cold spell. + +Those who planted seed of their own raising and got a stand have fair +corn, while much of that which was raised from Kansas and Nebraska seed +was caught by the frost when in the milk. Now we will be in just the +same "fix" about seed next spring that we were last. This county has +lost thousands of dollars this year in the corn crop alone, all of which +might have been avoided by going through the fields before freezing +weather and selecting seed and properly drying it before it froze. + +And now right here I want to say that the great secret of good farming +is simply being punctual in attending to the small matters, and I +"guess" Fanny Field would say the same about poultry. + + Z.L. THOMPSON. + IROQUOIS CO., ILL. + + + * * * * * + + +REMEMBER _that $2.00 pays for_ THE PRAIRIE FARMER _from this +date to January 1, 1885; For $2.00 you get it for one year and a +copy of_ THE PRAIRIE FARMER COUNTY MAP OF THE UNITED STATES, +FREE! _This is the most liberal offer ever made by any first-class +weekly agricultural paper in this country._ + + + * * * * * + + + + +FIELD AND FURROW. + + +Says the Iowa Register: One hundred bushels of corn will shrink to +ninety in the crib, and to an extent more than that, depending on the +openness of the crib and the honesty of the neighbors. + +The agricultural editor of the New York Times says that no doubt many +farmers who are intending to underdrain their farms would save money by +employing an expert at the first to lay out the whole system and make a +good beginning, and so avoid any possible mistake, which might cost ten +dollars for every one paid for skilled advice. + +The New York Times says that lime seems to be a preventive of rot in +potatoes in the cellar. Some potatoes that were rotting and were picked +out of a heap of forty or fifty bushels were put into a corner and well +dusted with air-slaked lime. They stopped rotting at once, and the +decayed parts are now dried up. There is no disagreeable smell about +them. + +Cincinnati Gazette: It is remarked that when young hogs are fed mainly +on corn they stop growing at an early age and begin to grow fat; but +that green food makes them thriftier and larger than dry grain. In fact, +it is better to prevent all domestic animals from becoming very fat +until they have attained a fair natural size, particularly breeding +animals. + +A member of the Elmira Farmers' Club recently expressed the opinion that +bad results would always be found with wheat sown on land into which the +green growth of any crop had just been turned, although it was believed +that buckwheat was the worst green manure. All green growth incorporated +with the soil near the time of seeding will in all cases be found +prejudicial to wheat. + +It is announced that Robert Clarke, of Cincinnati will have ready, in +February, an extensive work on sorghum, containing the results of the +latest experiments and experience of the most successful growers, as to +the best varieties and their culture, and also the details of the latest +and best machinery used in the economical manufacture of sirups and +sugars therefrom. The work is by Prof. Peter Collier, whose name is a +guarantee of the value of the book. It will be very fully illustrated. + +A Michigan man writes the Michigan Farmer: I have noticed tarred twine +and willows recommended for binding corn stalks. I think I can propose a +better substitute than either for those who are using a twine binder: +save the strings from straw stacks this winter. They are less trouble +than grass and never slip. Tie a knot in the end of the twine with your +knee on the bundle, then slip the other end through in the form of a +bow, take off your knee and the spring of the bundle will draw the knot +tight. Pull the bow and use again. + +"Human labor," says Dr. Zellner, of Ashville, Ala., "is the most costly +factor that enters into the production of cotton, and every consistent +means should be adopted to dispense with it." And then the doctor, who +has the reputation of having raised some of the finest samples ever +grown in the South, describes how, by planting at proper distances, in +checks five by three apart, one-half of the after labor of cultivating +may be saved. About the same amount of plow work is said to be +necessary, but not more than one-fourth as much work with the hoe as is +required by cotton in drills. + +Prof. J.W. Sanborn: "Deep tillage in times of drought of surface-rooted +crops, like corn, is an erroneous practice, founded on erroneous views. +'Plowing out corn' not only involves too deep tillage in drought but +adds to the mischief by severing the roots of corn, needed at such +times. Our double-shovel plows work too deeply. Our true policy, in +drought, for corn is frequent and shallow tillage. For this we now have +after the corn gets beyond the smoothing harrow, no suitable implement +on our markets, with a possible exception." + +Correspondent New York Tribune: Of the use of oatmeal for cows mention +is not often made in this country; but when spoken of it is always with +praise. That it is better than corn meal there can be no doubt; it is +richer in both albuminoids and fat; and the usefulness of these two +nutriments, and especially the former, for making milk is shown not +only by the results of numerous careful experiments, but by the +acknowledged usefulness of oil-cake meal. Where this meal is used freely +there would be less use for oatmeal; but under some circumstances it +might be advantageously substituted for the bran in the favorite mixture +for cows of Indian meal and bran. + +The following paragraph appears in an English cotemporary: The +introduction of a new industry connected with farming into Ireland will +be hailed by everybody, and therefore we rejoice to learn that a company +has been formed with the design of purchasing or renting nearly a +million and a quarter acres of land in Ireland, and devoting them to +beet culture, from which the sugar will be extracted in a manufactory +erected on the land. The promoters of the new company expect that from +the 120,000 acres which they propose cultivating they will produce +400,000 tons of sugar in the year. Immense quantities of sugar extracted +from the beet-root are manufactured on the continent and imported into +these countries, and there is no reason whatever why Ireland should not +have her finger in the sugar pie. + +In a paper before the Oxford (Ohio) Farmers' Club, on the subject "The +Morality of the System of Grain Gambling," Mr. Wetmore said: There is a +difference between speculation and investment. Putting money into an +established industry is an investment. Putting it into a doubtful or +untried business, with the hope of gaining much or risk of losing all, +is speculation. The latter is infatuating as it increases the risk and +yet turns to profit. Investments pay no high per cents. Speculations may +pay much or lose all. Hence it is unsafe; and the farmer who makes his +gains only by a yearly turn of his crops, should not try speculation, +but may judiciously invest his surplus year by year in things of real +value, as land or chattels. Invest the last dollar, but speculate only +with loose change. No man can safely invest in a business with which he +is not familiar. + +A lawful wire fence in Georgia is described by legislative enactment as +composed of not less than six horizontal strands of barbed wire tightly +stretched from post to post. The first wire no more than four and a half +nor less than three and a half inches from the ground; the second wire +not more than nine and a half nor less than eight and a half inches from +the ground; the third wire not more than fifteen and a half nor less +than fourteen and a half inches from the ground; the fourth wire not +more than twenty-two and a half nor less than twenty-one and a half +inches from the ground; the fifth wire not more than thirty-two nor less +than thirty-one inches from the ground; the sixth wire not over +fifty-five nor less than fifty-three inches from the ground. Posts to be +not over ten feet apart, and every alternate post to be securely set in +the ground. Provided, a plank not less than ten inches wide shall be +used instead of two strands of wire at bottom of fence, it is also +required that a railing shall be placed at equal distance between the +two top wires, which shall answer the same purpose as a wire, and to +extend from post to post in like manner. + +Correspondent Country Gentleman: I notice that your journal recently +gave currency to the "saltpetre method" of extracting stumps, and W.H. +White also recommends it in your columns. His method is to bore a hole +in the stump in the fall of the year, fill in the hole with saltpetre, +plug up till the following summer, then fill the hole with kerosene and +fire the stump. It is alleged that the saltpetre and kerosene will so +saturate the stump that it will be entirely consumed, roots and all. +This recipe has been floating around the press for years. It is usually +credited to the Scientific American, but that paper has several times +denied its paternity. The uselessness of the process can easily be +learned by trial. There are few more inflammable substances than pitch +and turpentine. The roots of pine stumps are saturated with these, but +it is impossible to burn them out. The addition of saltpetre would not +help much. Yet there are seasons when the soil and air are so dry that +hard wood stumps may be burned out without either saltpetre or kerosene. +We had such a year in 1881, when corn and clover standing uncut in the +field were burned. In some instances the curbing was burned out of wells +during terrible forest fires that raged in Michigan. If tried in such a +season the recipe would undoubtedly be successful. In any ordinary +season it is "no good." + + * * * * * + +No matter how wretched a man may be, he is still a member of our common +species, and if he possesses any of the common specie his acquaintance +is worth having. + + * * * * * + + +[Illustration] + +FARM MACHINERY, Etc. + +GREAT SAVING FOR FARMERS. + +THE +Lightning +Hay Knife! + +(WEYMOUTH'S PATENT.) + +[Illustration] + +Awarded "FIRST ORDER OF Merit" at Melbourne Exhibition, 1880. + +Was awarded the FIRST PREMIUM at the International Exhibition in +Philadelphia, 1876, and accepted by the Judges as SUPERIOR TO ANY OTHER +KNIFE IN USE. + +It is the BEST KNIFE in the _world_ to cut _fine feed_ from bale, to +cut down _mow_ or _stack_, to cut _corn-stalks_ for feed, to cut _peat_, +or for ditching in marshes, and has no equal for cutting ensilage from +the silo. TRY IT. + +IT WILL PAY YOU. + +Manufactured only by +HIRAM HOLT & CO., East Wilton, Me., U.S.A. + +_For sale by Hardware Merchants and the trade generally_ + + * * * * * + +SEDGWICK STEEL WIRE FENCE + +[Illustration] + +IT is the only general-purpose Wire Fence in use, being a STRONG NET +WORK WITHOUT BARBS. It will turn dogs, pigs, sheep and poultry, as well +as the most vicious stock, without injury to either fence or stock. It +is just the fence for farms, gardens stock ranges, and railroads, and +very neat for lawns, parks, school lots and cemeteries. Covered with +rustproof paint (or galvanized) it will last a life time. It is +SUPERIOR TO BOARDS or BARBED WIRE in every respect. We ask for it a +fair trial, knowing it will wear itself into favor. The SEDGWICK +GATES, made of wrought iron pipe and steel wire, DEFY ALL COMPETITION +in neatness, strength, and durability. We also make the best and +cheapest ALL IRON AUTOMATIC OR SELF-OPENING GATE, also CHEAPEST AND +NEATEST ALL IRON FENCE. BEST WIRE STRETCHER AND POST AUGER. For +prices and particulars ask hardware dealers, or address, mentioning +paper, SEDGWICK BROS. Manf'rs. Richmond. Ind. + + * * * * * + +[Illustration] + +CHICAGO SCALE CO. + +2 TON WAGON SCALE, $40. 3 TON, $50. +4 Ton $60, Beam Box Included. + +240 lb. FARMER'S SCALE, $5. + +The "Little Detective," 1/4 oz. to 25 lb. $3. + +300 OTHER SIZES. Reduced PRICE LIST FREE. + +FORGES, TOOLS, &c. + +BEST FORGE MADE FOR LIGHT WORK, $10, + +40 lb. Anvil and Kit of Tools. $10. + +Farmers save time and money doing odd jobs. + +Blowers, Anvils, Vices & Other Articles + +AT LOWEST PRICES, WHOLESALE & RETAIL. + + * * * * * + +FIVE-TON WAGON SCALES $60 + +[Illustration] + +All Iron and Steel, Double Brass Tare Beam. Jones _he_ pays the freight. +All sizes equally low, for free book, address + +JONES OF BINGHAMTON, +Binghamton, N.Y. + + * * * * * + +[Illustration] + +THE PROFIT FARM BOILER + +is simple, perfect, and cheap; the BEST FEED COOKER; the only dumping +boiler; empties its kettle in a minute. OVER 5,000 IN USE; Cook your +corn and potatoes, and save one-half the cost of pork. Send for circular. +D.R. SPERRY & CO., Batavia, Illinois. + + * * * * * + +FARM IMPLEMENTS, Etc. + + +THE CHICAGO DOUBLE HAY AND STRAW PRESS + +[Illustration] + +Guaranteed to load more Hay or Straw in a box car than any other, and +bale at a less cost per ton. Send for circular and price list. +Manufactured by the Chicago Hay Press Co., Nos. 3354 to 3358 State St., +Chicago. Take cable car to factory. Mention this paper. + + * * * * * + +Sawing Made Easy + +Monarch Lightning Sawing Machine! + +Sent on 30 Days test Trial. + +A Great Saving of Labor & Money. + +[Illustration] + +A boy 16 years old can saw logs FAST and EASY. MILES MURRAY, Portage, +Mich. writes, "Am much pleased with the MONARCH LIGHTNING SAWING +MACHINE. I sawed off a 30-inch log in 2 minutes." For sawing logs into +suitable lengths for family stove-wood, and all sorts of log-cutting, it +is peerless and unrivaled. Illustrated Catalogue, FREE. AGENTS WANTED. +Mention this paper. Address MONARCH MANUFACTURING CO., 163 N. Randolph +St., Chicago, Ill. + + * * * * * + +BEST MARKET PEAR. + +[Illustration: KIEFFER] + +99,999 PEACH TREES All _best varieties_ of new and old Strawberries, +Currants, Grapes, Raspberries, etc. + +EARLY CLUSTER + +New Blackberry, early, hardy, good. Single hill yielded 13 quarts at +one picking. Send for FREE Catalogue. + +J.S. COLLINS, Moorestown, N.J. + + * * * * * + +CHAMPION BALING PRESSES. + +[Illustration] + +A Ton per Hour. Run by two men and one team. Loads 10 to 15 tons in car. + +Send for descriptive circular with prices, to GEHRT & CO., 216, 218 +and 220 Maine St., Quincy, Ill. + + * * * * * + +"THE BEST IS THE CHEAPEST." + +ENGINES +SAW MILLS, THRESHERS, +HORSE POWERS, + +(For all sections and purposes.) Write for FREE Pamphlet and Prices to +The Aultman & Taylor Co., Mansfield, Ohio. + + * * * * * + +NOW READY FOR DISTRIBUTION. + +VOLUMES ONE AND TWO +OF THE +NATIONAL REGISTER NORMAN HORSES + +The most reliable, concise, and exhaustive history of the horse in +general, and by far the most complete and authentic one of the Norman +horse in particular, ever published in the United States. + +PRICES: + +Volume I.........................................$ 2.00 + +Volume II........................................ 1.50 + +When the two volumes are sent in one package to one address, $3.00. +Sent, postpaid, on receipt of price. + +Address your orders to + +PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING CO., Chicago + + * * * * * + +THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. + +CONTAINING Practical Observations on the Causes Nature and Treatment of +Diseases and Lameness in Horses, by GEO. H. DADD, M.D. Will be +sent upon receipt of price, $1.50; or free to any sender of three +subscribers to this paper, at $2 each, by + +PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING CO., Chicago. + + * * * * * + +MISCELLANEOUS. + + +DIAMONDS FREE! + +We desire to make the circulation of our paper 250,000 during the next +six months. To accomplish which we will give absolutely free a genuine +FIRST WATER Diamond Ring, and the Home Companion for one year, for +only $2.00. Our reasons for making this unprecedented offer are as +follows; + +A newspaper with 200,000 subscribers can get 1c. per line per 1,000 of +circulation for its advertising space, or $5,000 per issue MORE than +it costs to produce and mail the paper. With but 10,000 or 20,000 +subscribers, its advertising revenues do not pay expenses. Only the +papers with mammoth circulations make fortunes for their owners, +DERIVED FROM ADVERTISING SPACE. For these and other reasons, we regard +100,000 subscribers as being of more financial benefit to a paper than +the paper is to the subscribers. With 100,000 or 200,000 bona-fide +subscribers, we make $100,000 to $200,000 a year clear profit from +advertising, above cost of publishing. Without a large circulation, we +would lose money. Therefore, to secure a very large circulation, and +thus receive high rates and large profits from advertising space, this +ONLY EQUITABLE plan of conducting business is adopted. + +THE FIRST QUESTION TO BE ANSWERED IS,--is the diamond pure--a genuine +stone? + +OUR ANSWER IS YES. + +The stone is GUARANTEED to be no Alaska Diamond, Rhine Pebble, or other +imitation, but a + +WARRANTED GENUINE AND PURE DIAMOND. + +If it is not found so by the most careful and searching tests, we will +refund the money, enter the subscriber's name on our list, and have the +paper mailed to him free during its existence. To the publisher of this +paper has been sent a guarantee from the manufacturing Jeweler, from +whom we obtain these rings, that they are just as represented, so that +readers may rely upon the promises being fulfilled to the letter. + + +The second question is, IS THE PAPER A DESIRABLE FAMILY JOURNAL? YES. +It contains contributions from the first writers of the times: fiction, +choice facts, intellectual food of the most interesting, instructive and +refined character. It is one of the + +LEADING PAPERS OF THE PROGRESSIVE WEST. + +We are determined to make it the most desirable and reliable paper in +the United States; will spare no effort or money to achieve that object. +Sample Copies sent free on application. Remit by draft, express, or new +postal note, to + +THE HOME COMPANION. +N.W. Cor. Fourth and Race Streets, Cincinnati, O. + +Don't fail to name the paper in which you see this advertisement. + + * * * * * + +REMEMBER _that $2.00 pays for_ THE PRAIRIE FARMER _from this date to +January 1, 1884; $2.00 pays for it from this date to January 1, 1885. +For $2.00 you get it for one year and a copy of_ THE PRAIRIE FARMER +COUNTY MAP OF THE UNITED STATES, FREE! _This is the most liberal offer +ever made by any first-class weekly agricultural paper in this country._ + + * * * * * + + + + +LIVE STOCK DEPARTMENT. + +[Illustration] + +Stockmen. Write for Your Paper. + + +MR. GRINNELL'S LETTER. + + +Last week we briefly noted the fact that Hon. J.B. Grinnell, of Iowa, +Secretary of the Committee of the National Cattle-Growers' Convention, +appointed to secure legislation for the protection of live stock from +contagious diseases, had issued a circular letter to the public. In this +letter he discusses with his usual intelligence and ability the +important question in hand. As it will form the basis of Congressional +discussion and prove an important factor in shaping legislation, we give +the letter space in our columns. Mr. Grinnell says: + + To find a legitimate market for our surplus products is a + question of grave concern. After meeting home demands the + magnitude of foreign consumption determines in a large degree + the net profits of production. It thus becomes the especial + concern of the American agriculturist and statesman to find + the best market for meat products. The profits in + grain-raising for exportation, which impoverishes the soil, + are exceptional, while our animal industries enrich it, + augmenting the rural population in the line of true economy, + the promotion of good morals, and the independence and + elevation of the citizen. Under the laws of domestic animal + life gross farm products and rich, indigenous grasses are + condensed into values adapted to transportation across oceans + and to various climes with little waste or deterioration; + thus the brute a servant, becomes an auxiliary to the cunning + hand of his master, blending the factors which determine our + facilities for acquisition in rural life, and attractions + which stimulate enterprise, adventure, individual + independence, and contribute to National wealth. + + THE MEAT PRODUCTS. + + No nation has so large a relative portion of its wealth in + domestic animals, and none can show such strides in material + advancement during the present century. But what is our + foreign trade? The exports of provisions from the United + States during the last fiscal year were in value about + $107,000,000. Those in 1882 amounted to $120,000,000, equal + to a falling off in a single year of $13,000,000. Our exports + of manufactured articles for the last year aggregate + $211,000,000, against $103,000,000, a gain of $108,000,000 in + a single year. It was a reasonable expectation that our + animal exports would have increased in like ratio as the + manufactures, which would have enhanced the value of all + domestic animals and furnished, instead of a mortifying fact, + a proud exhibit. + + The causes of a decline are not found in high prices at home + nor in inferior product; rather in suspicions of diseases, + and the clamor of interested parties which led to arbitrary + restrictions, oppressive quarantine regulations, and + forbidding beeves which were ripened for the highest markets + to pass beyond the shambles; and the egress of young immature + cattle on the English pastures. Pork products up to the + Chicago meeting were prohibited by France, and they are + inhibited now from Germany, our long-time valuable customer. + It was their whims, caprices, jealousies, commercial + restrictions and bans which decreased our exports and led the + Commissioner of Agriculture to call the Chicago meeting of + November. + + The convention developed facts and was fruitful in results: + That there were solitary cases of pleuro-pneumonia, and + limited to the eastern border States; that Western herdsmen + had just cause of alarm on account of the shipment of young + stock West from the narrow pastures and dairy districts of + the East. It was shown that across the ocean there was a + morbid appetite for suspicions and facts which would justify + severe restrictions and an absolute inhibition of our + products. + + The Cattle Commission formed by the Treasury Department gave + decided opinions and imparted valuable information, but they + were constrained to admit that they were powerless in an + emergency to stop the spread of contagious diseases, and that + it was a vain hope that there would be an increased foreign + demand for our cattle and meat without radical Congressional + enactment. + + Skilled veterinarians, fancy breeders, political economists, + and savants from the East met the alarmed ranchmen, + enterprising breeders, and delegations and officials from + many agricultural and State associations, representing + millions of cattle and hundreds of millions of dollars, + resolved that a meeting should be held at Washington, and a + committee was appointed to secure appropriate legislation. + + In the discharge of duties assigned to the Secretary I at + once repaired to Washington for consultation and to gather + pertinent facts. The heads of the State Treasury and + Agricultural Departments were awake to the necessity of early + and radical legislation. President Arthur evinced great + cordiality, and gave good proof of his interest by calling + attention in the annual message to the approaching meeting in + Washington, which I have called the 10th of January. + + FACTS. + + I have sent out in a circular to the committee the following + "head-land" facts of startling import, which should be well + considered: + + 1. That there is an investment of $1,008,000,000 in cattle as + estimated by the Department of Agriculture, representing + 41,171,000 animals. That of swine is $291,000,000, + representing over 43,000,000 animals. + + 2. That losses annually on exportation of cattle and beef, + consequent upon restrictive regulations and the decreased + relative consumption of our beef, aggregates many millions of + dollars. We reach an approximate estimate by these facts + relative to our foreign trade as follows: + + The exports of 1880-81 were 368,463 animals. Those of 1882-83 + were 212,554--a loss of 155,009 animals, and in value a loss + of $11,506,000 in two years. + + The exports of fresh beef for two years were less by + 40,071,167 pounds, and by a value of $2,191,190. The value of + pork products decreased in the same time to the extent of + $35,679,093. + + This shows a falling off of about $25,000,000 per annum for + two years, as compared with the receipts for the two + preceding years. + + CONTAGION TO BE AVERTED. + + It should be known that the pleuro-pneumonia often mentioned + as a scare or a myth by the thoughtless and optimist is a + stern reality. Its journeys and track of destruction among + cattle have been as marked as that of small pox and + cholera--contagious diseases which have so tearfully + decimated the human family. Lung diseases of the modern type + were known before the Christian era, and were considered by + Columella and other Latin writers. Australia resigned her + great herds to flocks of sheep, as did South Africa, never + yet recovered from the blow to her cattle industries. + + England has been tardy in the publication of her losses by + lung-fever, yet it is a fact which forbids secrecy that + calamity has reached the enterprising breeders, and colossal + fortunes have been swept away by the cattle-plague. In our + own country it has been no more the policy of secretive + owners to publish facts than that of city authorities to + proclaim the prevalence of small-pox in the town. Still, + startling facts have sprung from original sources of inquiry. + A town meeting is called in the State of Connecticut, + terror-stricken owners in New Jersey, Maryland, and + Pennsylvania meet for council. Massachusetts had a Governor + twenty years ago bold in telling truth, which led to + searching investigations by experts and officers of the + State. With autocratic power they made a diagnosis of + diseases, which led to the stamping out of the infection by + law, and a truthful proclamation that the plague was stayed. + + The sacrifice of 1,000 brutes at a cost to the Commonwealth + of about $70,000 was a trivial sum compared to the perils + that beset a State valuation of $7,000,000, for bovines, and + the cattle of the Nation, numbering 40,000,000, and worth + nearly $1,100,000,000. + + The monarchies of the Old World have set us an example; even + Denmark, Norway, and Sweden have pioneered for the world by + sagacious acts and the stern enforcement of law in + prevention. + + AN AMERICAN POLICY + + worthy of us is not secrecy, but boldness--sacrifice + commensurate with exposure. This will lead to the formulation + of a bill by the Washington Convention, which Congress will + enact in the interest of individuals, the State, and for the + National protection. If State-Rights theorists bring + objections, the law may be so equitable to the States that + its ratification may be asked on the ground of a just + National policy and a right which inheres to the General + Government under the Constitution in the regulation of + commerce between the States. This implies a power to destroy + a contagious disease which if allowed to spread would arrest + all commerce in bovines between the States. A State may and + ought to waive the question of damage if it is fixed by a + neutral Commissioner, and the General Government and not the + State meets the losses to which unfortunate cattle owners + maybe subject. This will be the touchstone--trust by the + State and statesmanlike generosity by the Nation--that means + courage for the now fearful ranchman of the unfenced domain, + and the furnishing of a "clean bill of health" for our + products seeking a foreign market. Having evinced zeal in + doing justice, it can ask for justice--that the rights of our + meat-producers be respected under our + + COMMERCIAL TREATIES. + + Commerce means a mutual exchange, and having performed our + home duty will be in no mood to tolerate a whim or a caprice. + Non-intercourse has been proposed in Congress. That may be a + final resort when a conference, practical discussion, and + even arbitration have failed. A graver subject measured by + dollars may yet engage the statesman diplomat than the Geneva + arbitration, and we shall have no fair status in discussion + or arbitration until our meat and cattle are made healthy by + prevention and the best sanitary laws known to civilized + countries. + + THE TIME IS AUSPICIOUS. + + Cattle-raising as an attractive and profitable vocation is + now exciting a deep interest. A lull in politics forbids the + wants of our agriculturists, numbering 60 per cent of the + population, being waived out of notice and their voiced + demands drowned by partisan clamor. The treasury has hundreds + of millions in its vaults and a fraction of 1 per cent of our + surplus will only be required, under a just disbursement, to + isolate and destroy the diseases which fetter our commerce + and repress home enterprise. + + A full and able convention at Washington is assured by the + responsive letters received. The State of Iowa will make her + requests to Congress by fine-stock meeting and other + associations, as becomes the State with $100,000,000 invested + in domestic animals. + + Who can be indifferent in the face of our great perils, and + recounting the losses by foreign restrictions and inhibition? + We are emphatically a Nation of beef-eaters, and by the + extent of our domain and healthful climate are justly + entitled to the honored designation of the first producer + among civilized nations. + + It is the question of healthful food for the masses, of + profitable tonnage for the railways, and of deep concern in + cultivating fraternal relations abroad, not less than a + question for the political economist in maintaining a good + trade balance-sheet. If we can impress our Congressional + delegations with the necessity of early and decisive + legislation, we shall have accomplished a noble work and have + earned the warm commendation of millions of citizens whose + interests have been neglected and whose vocation and property + have been imperiled. + + For the committee by request of the Chicago Convention. + + J.B. GRINNELL. + + + * * * * * + +During the first eleven months of 1883, no less than 411,992 animals in +Great Britain were attacked by by foot-and-mouth disease. December +opened with a greater number of ailing animals than did November. + + * * * * * + +An Iowa farmer is experimenting with steamed clover hay for feeding +hogs. + + + + +PRICES OF 1883. + + +The average price of Short-horns at the public sales in this country in +1883, as reported by the auctioneers, was $205.56. The Breeder's Gazette +figures up the number of cattle of the different breeds disposed of at +public sales as follows: + + Breeds. | Number. | Totals. | Average. +Short-horns | 3,284 | $ 675,057 | $205.56 +Herefords | 112 | 53,330 | 476.61 +Aberdeen-Angus | 300 | 154,885 | 516.28 +Galloways | 263 | 111,200 | 422.81 +Angus and Galloways | 44 | 16,865 | 383.13 +Holsteins | 239 | 89,290 | 373.60 +Jerseys | 1,688 | 690,405 | 409.01 +Guernseys | 52 | 12,090 | 232.50 +Red Polled | 15 | 4,435 | 295.70 + ------------------------------------- + Totals | 5,997 |$1,807,557 | $301.41 + +Of the above Short-horns, 1,609 were sold in Illinois, 541 in Kentucky, +and 1,134 in other States. In Illinois the average price received was +$222.23; in Kentucky, $271.01, and in other States, $149.73. Of the beef +breeds there were sold $4,018, the total receipts were $1,015,772, +making the general average $253.80. Of the dairy breeds 1,979 were sold +at an average of $400.10. + +It will be seen that the average for Short-horns is less than that for +either of the other breeds though, of course, the number sold is greatly +in excess of the others. In 1882 the average for Short-horns was but +$192.10, and in 1881 but $158, so that on the whole the breeders are +perfectly satisfied with the way the business is running. + +The dairy breeds did remarkably well in 1883, the Holsteins coming up +well to the Jerseys, but the latter leads greatly in point of numbers. + +The pure bred cattle business of the country as indicated by these sales +is exceedingly prosperous. + +In Great Britain the Short-horn sales were less numerous than last year, +or, in fact, any year since 1869, but the average was better than since +1879. In 1880 the average for 1,738 head was $225, while in 1881 and +1882 the average further declined to $175. In 1883 the average was close +upon $230, but, upon the other hand, the number of animals sold fell to +1,400. The highest price paid was 1,505 guineas, for a four-year-old cow +of the fashionable Duchess blood, which was purchased by the earl of +Bective at the sale of Mr. Holford's herd in Dorsetshire. The +Australians purchased largely at the Duke of Devonshire's annual sale in +1878, and this year American and Canadian buyers bid briskly for animals +of the Oxford blood. These were the only two sales at which the average +reached three figures, the next best being that of a selection from Mr. +Green's herd in Essex, when forty-one lots averaged $360 each, or less +than half secured by the Duke of Devonshire's Short-horns. + + + + +DOCKING HORSES. + + +An English veterinary society has lately been discussing the question of +docking the tails of horses. The President looked upon docking as an act +of cruelty. By docking, the number of accidents from the horse holding +the rein under the tail was greatly increased, for the horse has less +power of free motion over the tail. If a short dock is put over the +rein, the animal has so little control of the tail that he can not +readily liberate the rein. The "stump" is sensitive, the same as the +remaining part of an amputated finger. In the majority of cases he +considered docking entirely unnecessary. + +On the contrary, Doctor Axe (rather a suggestive name for an advocate of +docking) thought the practice improved the looks of a horse, thus +rendering it more salable. His sentimentality did not allow him to argue +this question of increased value. He did not think docking increased +accidents. Statistics, not assertions, were needed to establish facts of +this kind. As to the remark of the President, that the shortened tail +could not be so easily freed from the rein, he said it would depend on +who was driving; an expert would more quickly disengage the rein from a +docked tail. It may be true, he said, that there was more flexibility in +an uncut tail because its more flexible portion had not been removed; +but the docked tail had not the same power of covering and fixing down +the rein that the long tail possessed. The long retention of a certain +degree of sensibility after amputation was a known fact, but neither +this, nor the operation itself, involved much pain. He detailed the +structures divided, and said that they possessed a low degree of +sensation. He would be glad to see horses have the free use of all their +members, if practicable, and would leave them their tails if the removal +of them could not increase the animal's comfort, value, or power of +being safely used, but he would not do anything to lessen the value of +horses without good reason. + +It seems that prosecutions for docking, under +the cruelty to[***] +common in England [***] +convictions are not [***] +in the discussion [***] +vigorous prosecutions are [***] + +We notice that with [***] +and docking are on the increase [***] +of this country. Fortunately [***] +beasts, public sentiment in this [***] +against the barbarous act; still [***] +is it that fashion has not yet so [***] +the taste of the majority of people [***] +convince them that docking adds to [***] +beauty of the noble animal. But the rage is now to imitate the English +in nearly all manners and customs, and it may not be long before the +miserable fashion will gain new headway with us. + + * * * * * + +Too much care can hardly be taken in packing pork so as to have it keep +through the season. The chief requisites are pure salt and freeing the +meat from every taint of blood. The pieces of pork should be packed as +closely as possible. After a few weeks if any scum rises on the surface +of the brine it should be cleaned out and the brine boiled so that all +impurities may be removed. If pork is to be kept all summer twice +boiling the brine may be necessary. For some reason a barrel that has +once held beef will never do for a pork barrel, though the rule may be +reversed with impunity. + + * * * * * + +One of the firm of Galbraith Brothers Janesville, Wis., is now in +Scotland to make selection for an early spring importation of +Clydesdales. While making mention of this we may say that Messrs. +Galbraith though disposing of twenty-one head of Clydesdales at the late +sale in Chicago, have yet on hand an ample supply of superior horses of +all ages from sucklings upward. They will be pleased to receive a visit +from intending purchasers of this class of stock, and from all +interested in the breed. + + * * * * * + +The first lot of Dr. W.A. Pratt's Holsteins, from quarantine, recently +arrived at Elgin. The Doctor informs us that the animals are in prime +condition and choice in every respect. He says he is preparing to open a +ranch near Manhattan, Kansas, for the breeding of high grade Holsteins +and Short-horns. He will also keep on this ranch a choice herd of +pure-bred Holsteins for supplying the growing Western demand for this +very popular dairy stock. + + + + +PUBLICATIONS. + + +_The Free Seed Distribution alone of the Rural New Yorker is worth at +catalogue prices more than $3.00. This journal and the Rural, including +its Seed Distribution, will be sent for $3.00. For free specimen copies, +apply to 34 Park Row, New York. The Rural New-Yorker is the Leading +National Journal of Agriculture and Horticulture._ + + * * * * * + +_The Rural New-Yorker has over 600 contributors, among them the most +distinguished writers of America and England. It is the complete Journal +for the country home and for many city homes as well. Free specimen +copies 34 Park Row, N.Y._ + + * * * * * + +THE RURAL NEW-YORKER + +The great national farm and garden journal of America, with its +Celebrated Free Seed Distribution, and + +THE PRAIRIE FARMER + +one year, post-paid, all for only $3.00. It is a rare chance. Specimen +copies cheerfully sent gratis. Compare them with other rural weeklies, +and then subscribe for the best. Apply to + +34 PARK ROW, NEW YORK. + + * * * * * + + + + +THE DAIRY. + +Dairymen, Write for Your Paper. + + +LESSONS IN FINANCE FOR THE CREAMERY PATRON.[A] + + +Any business to be permanent must make reasonable returns for the +capital employed and give fair compensation for the labor bestowed upon +it, otherwise it will be abandoned, or if continued at all it will be +done under the protest of economic law. In addition to the ordinary +circumstances attaching to business enterprise, the creamery business is +essentially and peculiarly co-operative. It thrives with the thrift of +all concerned--owner and patrons. It fails only with loss to all. The +conditions of success, therefore, to the patrons are included in the +conditions of success to the creamery, and vice versa. + +The object of this paper is to suggest some of these conditions and some +of the instances of violation of them. + +It is hardly necessary to discuss the case in which peculiarity of soil +or climate, the greater profitableness of some other kind of industry, +or other reason, would so restrict the size and number of dairy herds as +to make the locality a barren dairy region. Notwithstanding the splendid +achievements of the dairy industry it is safe to say that it may not be +profitable in any and every locality. Given the soil, the climate, the +water, the people intelligent and disposed toward the exacting duties of +this business, there are still many questions to be considered and many +mistakes to be avoided. + +It has been a pet idea in this country that competition is the +corrective of all industrial evils. Competition without doubt holds an +important place among the industrial forces, but may be carried so far +as to defeat the very objects it is adapted to subserve, when +intelligently encouraged. Carried to the extent of employing two persons +or more to do the work of one, of absorbing capital without the full +employment of it, it becomes destructive and expensive. We find, for +instance, in many towns, a large number of commercial establishments +doing business at an immense profit on single transactions, but the +transactions are so few and so divided up among struggling competitors, +that neither secures a profitable, nor even a respectable, business. +With choice cuts of meat from twelve to eighteen cents a pound and +butcher's stock at three and four cents, we often see butcher shops +multiply, but the price of meat usually remains the same. Indeed, the +very increase of middle man establishments beyond the employment of +these to their full capacity, and the consequent full utilization of the +capital and labor employed, is a sure loss to somebody, and if it does +not all go to the producer it is almost always shared by him. + +One of the greatest burdens which the creamery business has to carry +to-day is the excessive number of its creameries beyond legitimate +demands. The co-operative idea, so far as it enters into this business, +implies the most profitable use possible of the resources employed in it +both of patron and creamery owner, and a fair and equitable distribution +of the profits. Said a large creamery owner to me recently, "I find +the comparative value of my butter steadily decreasing from year to +year. I have the same territory, the same butter-makers, the same +patrons, substantially, but my butter is not up in quality and price as +it used to be. I ascribe it to the excessive competition prevailing in +it, i.e., it is one of its results. I have lost my influence over +patrons in securing the best quality of cream. If I make any criticism +of their modes or practices they say to me, 'Mr. ----, if you do not +want my cream I will let the other creamery have it. Do just as you like +about it; take it or leave it.'" But the loss of one or two cents a +pound on the net proceeds of a season means five or ten per cent of its +value, or of the entire season's results enough difference to make any +community in a few years rich or poor, thrifty or unthrifty, according +to the circumstances in the case. + +Further: the idea of co-operation implies the doing of equal and exact +justice to all included within the co-operative limits. This, an +excessive and unprincipled competition greatly interferes with. It can +properly be demanded by every fair and honest patron of a creamery that +every other patron should be as fair and honest as himself. Indeed, this +is an essential part of the implied contract. But in the case of +excessive competition no restraints can be imposed and no penalties can +be made to follow attempts to violate the principles of equity, except +the possible inconvenience of changing from one creamery to another. The +straight and honorable patron is powerless; the owner of the creamery is +powerless; and the co-operative element is rendered a nullity. + +Further: the co-operative element, in the relations of creamery and +patrons, requires that the price of milk or cream shall vary with the +market price of the finished product. Contracts for the future are mere +speculation, as a rule. If the transaction is large and the turn of the +market unfavorable to the creamery, ruin is liable to come to the +business, and loss and disaster follow to all concerned. If the turn of +the market should be the other way, among the numerous patrons there is +sure to be more or less dissatisfaction and a more or less breaking up +of the condition of friendly reciprocity which should exist between +creamery and patron. Patrons may damage their own interest by exacting +too much from the creamery as well as by accepting too little, and a +greedy grasping after an unreasonable share of the profit on the part of +the creamery owner is sure to bring retaliation, disturb cordiality of +feeling, and bring loss to all concerned. + +The remedy for most of these evils can only come from intelligent and +wise action on the part of the creamery patrons of a given locality. +They should study to prevent an unseemly and expensive competition. +They, as the encouraging source, will surely in the end pay the expense +of it. It has been said that no people in the world enjoy paying taxes +like Americans, provided they are only indirect, sugar coated, and with +some plausible pretense. It would seem, however, that even American +dairymen could see that the maintenance of superfluous creameries, +superfluous teams for hauling cream and milk, superfluous men for +manufacturing and handling the product is an extra expense of which they +will surely bear their full share; if not at once, they will do so +before the outcome is reached. + +Another thing the patrons of creameries may properly take note of is +that the expense of manufacturing butter in all well regulated +creameries is nearly the same, and the value of the product does not +widely differ. When a creamery therefore claims large and peculiar +advantages, and offers a price for milk or cream markedly above the +ordinary price paid for it by other creameries, you may be sure there is +something illegitimate about it. It may be done to drum up business, to +beat a rival, or it may be a downright swindle, it surely will not be +lasting, and the operator intends at some time to recoup for himself. + +It is to be remembered that the dairy business is not one which can be +taken up and laid down hastily without greater or less inconvenience, +expense, and loss. Like most other branches of agriculture, it must be +engaged in with the purpose of a steady, long, strong pull in order to +be a success. It has the advantage of springing directly from the earth +without fictitious help, props, or governmental protection, so-called. +It taxes no other industry for its own benefit, and has expanded to its +present magnificent proportions in spite of the burdens laid upon it +from outside sources. + +But it is written "And Satan came also." Nothing could more aptly +describe the full influence of adulteration which has come upon this +industry. It has come clothed in deceit and fraud, the very habiliments +of the devil. It can be exterminated no more than sin itself. It must be +fought by exposing its nature; by stamping upon it its own features. +Wise legislation, I believe, will be in the direction of Government +inspection and the sure and prompt punishment of fraud. The interest of +the creamery patron is more deeply involved in this matter than that of +any other class, just as in other branches of production the perils and +losses by fraud, deterioration, and adulteration ultimately fall back +upon the producer of the raw product. The apathy now existing among the +producers of milk and cream is ominous of evil, and discouraging to +those who are working in the interest of unadulterated goods. We have no +doubt that the time will come when not only the adulteration of butter, +but the adulteration of other food products as well, will only be +carried on under the stamp and inspection of Government supervision. + +The thoughts I have presented are intended to be suggestive rather than +dogmatic, and I leave the subject with the hope that the intelligence of +the average dairyman may be as active in tracing and comprehending the +subtler principles of trade and commerce relating to the products of his +labor as he is in comprehending the more immediate facts of his calling, +such as breeding, seeding, and the handling of the raw products of his +herd. + +[A] Paper read before the Illinois Dairymen's Convention by C.C. Buell, +of Rock Falls. + + + + +VETERINARY. + + +FEVER. + + +Many kinds of horse fevers have been described by antiquated veterinary +writers; but most exist only in the imagination of the writers, or have +been manufactured out of the mistaken analysis of human fevers. All the +real fevers of the horse may be comprised in two,--the idiopathic, pure +or simple fever, constituting of itself an entire disease, and the +symptomatic fever, occasioned by inflammatory action in some particular +part of the body, and constituting rather the attendant of a disease +than the disease itself. + +Though idiopathic fever is comparatively infrequent in occurrence, it +unquestionably meets the attention of most persons who have extensive +stable management of horses, and its general tendency to degenerate into +local inflammation and symptomatic fever, seems to arise far less from +its own nature than from foul air, vicissitudes of temperature, and +general bad management. If idiopathic fever is not easily reduced, the +blood accumulates in the lungs, the viscera, or some other internal part +of the body, and provokes inflammation; or, if a horse, while suffering +under this fever, be kept in a foul or ill-ventilated stable, or be +exposed to alternations of heat and cold, he speedily becomes locally +inflamed from the action of the filth or exposure. The symptoms of +idiopathic fever are shivering, loss of appetite, dejected appearance, +quick pulse, hot mouth, and some degree of debility; generally, also, +costiveness and scantiness of urine; sometimes, likewise, quickness of +breathing, and such pains of the bowels as accompany colic. Idiopathic +fever, if it does not pass into inflammation, never kills, but is +generally always curable. + +Cattle are subject to both idiopathic and symptomatic fever, very nearly +in the same manner as the horse, and require, when suffering them, to be +very similarly treated. The idiopathic fever of cattle has, in many +instances, an intermitting character, which may easily be subdued by +means of ordinary care; and, in other instances, has a steady and +unintermitting character, and is exceedingly liable to resolve itself +into pleurisy, enteritis, or some other inflammatory disease. The +symptomatic fever of cattle is strictly parallel to the symptomatic +fever of horses, and is determined by the particular seat and nature of +the exciting inflammation. But besides these fevers, cattle are subject +to two very destructive and quite distinct kinds of fever, both of an +epizootic nature, the one of a virulent and the other of a chronic +character,--the former inflammatory and the latter typhoid. Numerous +modifications of these fevers, or particular phases of them, are more or +less extensively known among our readers as black-leg, bloody murrain, +etc. The fever which in many instances follows parturition, particularly +in the cow, is familiarly known as calving fever, or milk fever; and the +ordinary fevers of sheep, swine, dogs, upon the whole, follow the same +general law as the ordinary fevers of the horse, and are classifiable +into idiopathic and symptomatic. + + + * * * * * + +MISCELLANEOUS. + + +[Illustration] + +YOUR NAME printed on 50 Cards ALL NEW designs of _Gold Floral. +Remembrances, Sentiment, Hand Floral_, etc., with _Love, Friendship_, +and _Holiday Mottoes_, 10c. 7 pks. and this elegant Ring, 50c., 15 pks. +& Ring, $1. + +[Illustration] + +12 NEW "CONCEALED NAME" Cards (name concealed with hand holding flowers +with mottoes) 20c. 7 pks. and this Ring for $1. Agents' sample book and +full outfit, 25c. Over 200 new Cards added this season. 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It will also knit a great variety of fancy-work for which +there is always a ready market. Send for circular and terms to the +TWOMBLY KNITTING MACHINE CO., 163 Tremont Street, Boston, Mass. + + * * * * * + +500 VIRGINIA FARMS & MILLS + +FOR SALE AND EXCHANGE. Write for free REAL ESTATE JOURNAL. + +R.B. CHAFFIN & CO., Richmond, Virginia. + + * * * * * + +THE BIGGEST THING OUT. + +ILLUSTRATED BOOK SENT FREE. + +(NEW) E. NASON, & CO., 120 Fulton St., New York. + + * * * * * + + + + +A MYSTERY OF THE SEA. + +THE FATE WHICH OVERTOOK THE "CITY OF BOSTON."--CAPTAIN MURRAY'S IDEAS +AND EXPERIENCES. + + +A few years ago, the City of Boston sailed from harbor, crowded with an +expectant throng of passengers bound for a foreign shore. + +She never entered port. + +The mystery of her untimely end grows deeper as the years increase, and +the Atlantic voyager, when the fierce winds howl around and danger is +imminent on every hand, shudders as the name and mysterious fate of that +magnificent vessel are alluded to. + +Our reporter, on a recent visit to New York, took lunch with Captain +George Siddons Murray, on board the Alaska, of the Guion line. Captain +Murray is a man of stalwart built, well-knit frame and cheery, genial +disposition. He has been a constant voyager for a quarter of a century, +over half of that time having been in the trans-Atlantic service. In the +course of the conversation over the well-spread table, the mystery of +the City of Boston was alluded to. + +"Yes," remarked the Captain, "I shall never forget the last night we saw +that ill-fated vessel. I was chief officer of the City of Antwerp. On +the day we sighted the City of Boston a furious southeast hurricane set +in. Both vessels labored hard. The sea seemed determined to sweep away +every vestige of life. When day ended the gale did not abate, and +everything was lashed for a night of unusual fury. Our good ship was +turned to the south to avoid the possibility of icebergs. The City of +Boston, however, undoubtedly went to the north. Her boats, +life-preservers and rafts were all securely lashed; and when she went +down, everything went with her, never to re-appear until the sea gives +up its dead." + +"What, in your opinion, Captain, was the cause of the loss of the City +of Boston?" + +"The City of Limerick, in almost precisely the same latitude, a few days +later, found the sea full of floating ice; and I have no doubt the City +of Boston collided with the ice, and sunk immediately." + +Captain Murray has been in command of the Alaska ever since she was put +in commission and feels justly proud of his noble ship. She carries +thousands of passengers every year, and has greatly popularized the +Williams & Guion line. Remarking upon the bronzed and healthy appearance +of the Captain, the reporter said that sea life did not seem to be a +very great physical trial. + +"No? But a person's appearance is not always a trustworthy indication of +his physical condition. For seven years I have been in many respects +very much out of sorts with myself. At certain times I was so lame that +it was difficult for me to move around. I could scarcely straighten up. +I did not know what the trouble was, and though I performed all my +duties regularly and satisfactorily, yet I felt that I might some day be +overtaken with some serious prostrating disorder. These troubles +increased. I felt dull and then, again, shooting pains through my arms +and limbs. Possibly the next day I would feel flushed and unaccountably +uneasy and the day following chilly and despondent. This continued until +last December, when I was prostrated soon after leaving Queenstown, and +for the remainder of the voyage was a helpless, pitiful sufferer. In +January last, a friend who made that voyage with me, wrote me a letter +urging me to try a new course of treatment. I gladly accepted his +counsel, and for the last seven months have given thorough and +business-like attention to the recovery of my natural health; and to-day +I have the proud satisfaction of saying to you that the lame back, the +strange feeling, the sciatic rheumatism which have so long pursued me, +have entirely disappeared through the blood purifying influence of +Warner's Safe Rheumatic Cure which entirely eradicated all rheumatic +poison from my system. Indeed, to me, it seems that it has worked +wonders, and I therefore most cordially commend it." + +"And you have no trouble now in exposing yourself to the winds of the +Atlantic?" + +"Not the least. I am as sound as a bullet and I feel specially thankful +over the fact because I believe rheumatic and kidney disease is in the +blood of my family. I was dreadfully shocked on my last arrival in +Liverpool to learn that my brother, who is a wealthy China tea merchant, +had suddenly died of Bright's disease of the kidneys, and consider +myself extremely fortunate in having taken my trouble in time and before +any more serious effects were possible." + +The conversation drifted to other topics, and as the writer watched the +face before him, so strong in all its outlines, and yet so genial, and +thought of the innumerable exposures and hardships to which its owner +had been exposed, he instinctively wished all Rheumatic Cure which +entirely eradicated who are suffering from the terrible rheumatic +troubles now so common might know of Captain Murray's experience and the +means by which he had been restored. Pain is a common thing in this +world, but far too many endure it when they might just as well avoid it. +It is a false philosophy which teaches us to endure when we can just as +readily avoid. So thought the hearty captain of the Alaska, so thinks +the writer, and so should all others think who desire happiness and a +long life. + + * * * * * + +THE PRAIRIE FARMER + +AND + +YOUTH'S COMPANION + +ONE YEAR, $3 FOR THE TWO. + +It is not required that both papers be sent to one address, nor to the +same post-office. + + + Address PRAIRIE FARMER PUB. CO., + 150 Monroe Street, Chicago. + + * * * * * + +REMEMBER _that $2.00 pays for_ THE PRAIRIE FARMER _from this +date to January 1, 1885; For $2.00 you get it for one year and a copy +of_ THE PRAIRIE FARMER COUNTY MAP OF THE UNITED STATES, FREE! +_This is the most liberal offer ever made by any first-class weekly +agricultural paper in this country._ + + * * * * * + + + + +HORTICULTURAL + +Horticulturists, Write for Your Paper. + + +ILLINOIS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. + +The ad-interim committee of the Illinois State Horticultural Society for +the northern part of the State reported through Mr. O.W. Barnard and +Arthur Bryant, Jr. Mr. Barnard had found the orchards thrifty and +healthy. The yield of apples had not been large this season, but +orchardists generally felt encouraged in regard to the future of their +orchards. He had found the high clay soils preferable for the apple. Mr. +Bryant reported the apple crop small. Some orchards had borne good +crops, especially of the Ben Davis. In others, this variety had failed. + + +ORCHARD CULTURE. + +Mr. W.T. Nelson, of the committee on orchard culture, recommended the +planting of orchards on high, sloping ground. In the rather low and +level country in which he lived (Will county) orchard trees lasted but +fifteen or twenty years. But few varieties seem to do well in any +locality. He would advise men about to set out orchards to ascertain +what varieties do well in their particular locality, and then plant no +others. He would not prune young orchards. He recommended the tiling of +orchards. + + +HIGH OR LOW, LAND. + +Mr. Nelson's report opened up the subject of high or low lands for +orchards. Mr. Robinson got more apples from trees on low lands than from +elevated sites. Prof. Budd did not commit himself to either theory, but +remarked that some varieties do best on low lands, while others +preferred the higher situations. Parker Earle thought that this theory +of low lands for our apple orchards was contrary to the past teachings +of the society. In his opinion high grounds are preferable. The subject +was a complicated one for Prof. Burrill. He had seen many low ground +orchards that bore good crops this year. There are many modifications +that effect the crop. It is not merely the elevation of orchard sites. +It was his belief that high ground, all things considered, is the best. +Mr. Robinson was not enthusiastic about the tile drainage of orchards. +Our trees need more water than they usually get. They do not suffer from +too much water, but from dry summers and rolling land. Mr. Spalding, of +Sangamon county, had found his nursery trees poorest when planted on a +depressed surface. He tiled extensively. His subsoil was a clay loam. +Nine years ago he laid tile 3-1/2 feet deep and 30 feet apart. He did +not believe in manuring young trees. Too rapid growth is not wanted. +Trees in Illinois grow as much in one year as they do in two years in +the State of New York, where they raise more fruit than we do. The most +rapid growing trees are the tenderest. He does not force the growth of +his orchard trees. He is satisfied nurserymen have manured their young +stock too much. The question of high or low land was not settled. It was +hard for members to give up the old theory that high lands are best for +orchards in Illinois; but it may be set down as a fact that the matter, +as first brought to public discussion through THE PRAIRIE +FARMER by B.F. Johnson, Esq., of Champaign, is having wide +discussion among our fruit men. It will result in close future +observation and closer scrutiny of past results. Without doubt this is +the leading new horticultural question of the day. It requires a careful +collection of facts and a broad generalization. The theories and +teachings of the past are nothing if facts are opposed to them. + + +FRUIT GROWERS AND FRUIT SELLERS. + +Mr. Ragan, of Indiana, read a suggestive paper upon the relation of the +fruit-grower to the commission man and the transportation companies. The +paper led to considerable discussion. Mr. Earle always sells his fruit +through a commission house. Without the commission men market-fruit +growers could not do business. He found no difficulty in getting +honorable men to do business with. When he got a good man he stuck to +him. The commission man is just as important a factor in the fruit +business as the grower or consumer. He believes in a liberal percentage +for commissions. Dealers can not do an honest business for nothing. He +is willing to pay ten per cent to the man who sells his fruit to the +best possible advantage, and who makes prompt and honest returns. The +cheap commission man is to be avoided. The proper handling of fruit by +intelligent dealers at fair rates is what we want. He ships small fruits +in full quart boxes. Uses new boxes every time. Wants no returned +crates. To get best returns we must have neat packages. Stained drawers, +baskets, old barrels, and the like do not help to sell fruit. He would +advise shipping black and red raspberries in pint boxes; blackberries +and strawberries in quart boxes. He picks his berry plantations every +day during the ripening season. Sundays not excepted. No man who is not +prepared to work seven days in the week during the picking season, or +who can not get help to do the same, will succeed in the raising and +marketing of small fruits. He has this year paid two cents per quart for +picking blackberries and strawberries, and the same for pints of +raspberries. It requires from five to ten pickers to the acre. He likes +women or grown-up girls to do this work. As to varieties he likes +Longfellow and Sharpless. They ripen slowly and everyday picking is not +so necessary. Mr. Pearson said the apple growers in his locality find +that judgment must be used in marketing apples. The Lord made little +apples and we must do the best we can with them. A neighbor had small +apples and the shippers grumbled at them. The neighbor would not stand +this and shipped his apples to Chicago and had them sold on their +merits. The result was satisfactory. An Iowa buyer came down there and +offered 50 cents per bushel for apples without regard to size, etc., and +he got them and shipped them in boxes to Muscatine where they were made +into jelly, dried fruit, etc. We can have no cast iron rules in regard +to marketing, but must be governed by circumstances. This year it was +better for his people to sell as they come, without the trouble of hand +picking, sorting, and careful packing. We must act like intelligent men +in this business as in all others. Circumstances alter cases. Good +common sense is a prime requisite. Mr. Miller agreed with Mr. Earle +about packages for marketing fruit. He uses white wood boxes from +Michigan. + + +MULCHING AND MANURING. + +Mr. Earle was questioned about the use of castor bean pomace for +strawberries. He uses it mixed with wood ashes. It is capital on poor +land. He likes unleached ashes in both strawberry and orchard culture. +He pays six cents per bushel for them. The castor bean pomace is good +for anything in the poor soils of Southern Illinois. He uses about half +a ton to the acre. Spreads with a Kemp spreader. Five hundred pounds per +acre will show excellent results. Has tried a tablespoonful of the +mixture to the strawberry plant when setting out. Has tried salt to kill +grubs in asparagus beds, but found it to kill the weeds and most of the +asparagus, while the grubs seemed to enjoy the application. Did not find +it of much value as a manure. Bone dust had shown no particular results. +Superphosphates acted much like the bean pomace. Does not think coal +ashes of much value. He uses the pomace as early in the spring as +possible. Sometimes he plows it under and sometimes applies after the +plants are set, and cultivates it in. One application answers for two +years' cropping. He fruits a strawberry plantation but two years, and he +sometimes thinks one year sufficient. He does not agree with some of his +neighbors that mulching has resulted unfavorably. Does not think the +mulch has increased the noxious insects. Knows of a plantation not +mulched at all, that suffered more than any other this year from the +tarnished plant bug. + + +CENTRAL DISTRICTS. + +Mr. Vickroy reported for Central Illinois. In August of the present year +he visited the orchards in the vicinity of Champaign, among them the +noted Hall fruit farm, near Savoy. He found the orchards in fair +condition. Many were sheltered by belts of trees. He observed that in +the lower or bottom land he found in connection with drainage, the best +orchards and the healthiest trees, and that on the more rolling or +higher grounds the trees were not as hardy nor did not bear as well. His +observations led him to believe in the draining of orchards, although it +was opposed to his previous education and of the teachings he had +received in this society. He regarded the experimental orchard which he +visited at Champaign a failure, for the very reason that it was on too +high ground; that the trees were dying, and many were not bearing. There +were, however, some varieties that showed good fruit. In his visit +referred to, he found the following varieties of apples did well in this +latitude: + +Fall Varieties--First, Snow; second, Standard; third, Maiden Blush; +fourth, Colvert; fifth, Baker Sweet; sixth, Pound Sweet; seventh, Fall +Romanite. + +Winter Varieties--First, Minkler; second, Rawles' Genet; third, Willow +Twig; fourth, Little Romanite; fifth, English Russet; sixth, Ben Davis; +seventh, Michael Henry Pippin; eighth, Jonathan; ninth, Gravenstein; +tenth, Rome Beauty. + +In varieties in pears he gave the Howell and the Bartlett. In grapes he +recommended the Martha in white grapes. + + +GRAPES. + +Mr. E.A. Riehl, of Alton, read a very exhaustive and complete report on +grapes and grape culture, including the so-called grape rot. The +suggested remedies were bagging and training vines up on elevated wires, +so the sun and air could get freely to the fruit. This point was +combated by Dr. Shroeder. Grapes ripen best in the shade. Another +gentleman suggested that with the wire system as suggested by Mr. Riehl, +the grapes are shaded by the foliage in all the hottest part of the day. + + +INSECTS. + +Prof. Forbes gave a learned and scientific dissertation on contagious +diseases of insects, and a number of germinal diseases, and experimental +and successful attempts to kill them. The Professor showed that nausea +is contagious and may be transferred by diseased worms, and that +therefore the spread of disease in worms would considerably lessen the +danger to plants and fruits from their inroads. These facts, said the +Professor, give us reason to hope that we have discovered another means +of defense from destructive insects. + +Mr. Earle will try pyrethrum next season for the tarnished bug. Prof. +Budd gave a brief sketch of latest methods of killing off noxious +insects as followed by J.N. Dixon, of the State of Iowa, one of the +greatest fruit farmers in that State or in the Northwest. He destroys +the insect by sprinkling the trees with water diluted with arsenic, +using one pound of white arsenic to 200 gallons of water. This has +proven a great success and is not at all expensive. Some members +objected to the use of arsenic on account of its poisonous properties. +London-purple or Paris-green were recommended by some. Some members did +not like to have hogs running in their orchards; others found them a +benefit if but few were permitted. They did a good work. If the orchard +is overstocked with them they do harm. They root about the trees and rub +against them. It is not an uncommon thing for them to kill the trees in +the course of a couple of years. + + +FRUIT COMMITTEES. + +Dr. Schroeder, member of the committee on pear culture, made no formal +report, but in brief remarks urged the general planting and raising of +the kind of fruit as being profitable and productive. Mr. Samuel +Edwards, of Mendota, chairman of committee on currants, read a very +interesting report on currants and gooseberries, in which it appeared +that the cultivation of this fruit was neglected and was on the decline. +Dr. A.L. Small, of Kankakee, made a report on plums, in which he +recommended the general planting of this fruit, he making a specialty of +plum trees, and regarded the plum as a fruit that was coming more in +demand and popular, and one that readily adapts itself to the many kinds +of climates and soils. + +Mr. Weir also read a paper on plums and plum culture. He recommended the +Chickasaw because it is hardy and not liable to have its blossoms +injured by a late spring, like many fruits. He named the Newman and Wild +Goose among other so-called seedlings that were very good. He expressed +the opinion that there was but one distinct species of plum in the +United States. + + +FLORICULTURE. + +Mrs. Mary J. Barnard, of Manteno, from the committee on floriculture, +strongly urged the cultivation of house-plants, not only as beautifiers, +but to give the most pleasant occupation to every lady of the family. +She referred to the earlier flowers of summer especially--the crocus, +snow-drop, lily of the valley, tulips. Next to these came the annuals; +with little trouble these could be had for months. The wild flowers of +the prairies were spoken of, and she suggested that we should obtain +seed of the flowers and raise such as we wish. The paper was a good one +and was well received. Mr. Baller, a florist of Bloomington, said that +of late the demand for plants had fallen off. The reason given was that +there was an increased general knowledge among the people. At the +present, the chief demands are for hot-house, cut flowers, and +monthlies. The reason given for the falling off of the demand for plants +was the fact that plants were more easily raised since the introduction +of base-burners. This, he thought, could be still further increased by +having a double sash, and the building of bay windows on the south and +east of the houses. He reported, however, that there was still a good +market for hot-house flowers among the rich for decorating purposes, +funerals, etc. + +THE PRAIRIE FARMER will, from time to time, consider other +papers and discussions at this meeting, for there was much more of +interest said and done than can be condensed into a simple running +report. We advise farmers to send one dollar to the Secretary and +receive therefor a copy of the Transactions when issued. + + + + +A SHORT SERMON ON A LONG TEXT. + + +The text will be found in Leviticus 16: 21-22-23; but whether its +application can be found is uncertain. Horticulturists are prone to find +scape-goats to carry their sins of omission and commission; and they +load these--a great burden--upon them, and send them off to be lost in +the wilderness. Providence is most usually chosen by them for this +purpose. Most of their mistakes and failures--sins, let us call +them--are ascribed to Providence; and He is expected to carry the +burden. But I strongly urge they remain our own after all. + +I am led to these conclusions by the fact that among the many failures +in fruit culture there are some splendid successes; and that these +successes occur with those, as a rule, who are guiltless of these sins; +and that just in proportion to the magnitude of the guilt is the success +insured. In other words--that almost invariably are our failures to be +attributed to our own want of skill and our neglect--most generally the +latter. Here and there we note cases of marked success--of heavy crops +and large returns for care and labor invested. These are mostly on a +small scale; as for instance, one man produces from at the rate of 200 +to 300 bushels of strawberries per acre, on a few rods of ground. +Another, his neighbor, gets about as many quarts. The conditions of soil +and climate are about the same. Now is Providence to be charged with +this disparity? Certainly not. The same care, the same intelligent +management, and the same amount of labor bestowed, would have produced +as favorable results in the one case as in the other. + +And so, as to larger tracts. I hold that what my neighbor can do on a +dozen square rods, he and I both ought to be equally able to do on five +or ten, or twenty times as large a tract. But, you say, these large +yields are the results of extraordinary care. True, they are; and that +proves my theory--that extraordinary care will produce extraordinary +results. What one man can do once, he can do again and all the time; and +we all can do the same. Extraordinary care may be defined as the care +necessary to produce good results, and if that care were always applied +it would cease to be extraordinary. + +I myself saw in my neighbor's field a crop of strawberries, on two rows, +which at the safest and closest calculation I could make, yielded at the +rate of over 300 bushels per acre. He had but the two rows; had given +them extraordinary care--had kept them clear of grass and weeds--and the +ground mellow--and had mulched them with forest leaves. Those two rows +were in a field of several acres in size. The same care in planting, in +cultivating, in mulching, and the whole tract would have produced +corresponding results. That same year, my crop, on soil equally as good, +reached a yield of less than one-fifth in amount. Why this difference? +Providence favored him and didn't favor me, I might say, if I felt +disposed to make a scape-goat of Providence for my misdeeds. But I do +not believe that Providence did anything of the sort. The fault was my +own; and I have no right to attempt to shift the responsibility. And it +was not want of knowledge either. We, none of us, do as well as we know +how. Our failures are mostly the results of sheer neglect. Mistakes, we +incline to call them. Let us call them sins, and repent of them; and not +endeavor to do as Aaron did, pack them off into the wilderness. When we +bring ourselves to thus correct our mistakes, our crops will be +increased threefold, and Providence will no longer be made a scape-goat +for us. + +T.G. + + + + +PRUNINGS. + + +The strawberry was introduced into England from Flanders in 1530. + +Gardeners in London, England, are always ready to buy toads. The regular +market price for them ranges from $15 to $25 per hundred. + +Soap-suds are a valuable fertilizer for all forms of vegetation; +especially serviceable for small fruits, and in the fruit garden proper +will never be wasted. + +An Italian claims to have discovered that by drenching the foliage of +grapevines with a solution of soda the filaments of the mildew fungus +will be shriveled, while the leaves will remain uninjured. A Wisconsin +nurseryman, however, advises the use of flowers of sulphur, which he +believes a good remedy, also, when applied to the vines and when added +to the soil surrounding them. + +A correspondent of the Germantown Telegraph says that he has found salt +a valuable remedy for rust on blackberry vines, and concludes: "I have +applied two or three handfuls on the surface of the ground, immediately +over the roots, when the plants were badly rusted; in two or three weeks +the disease had disappeared, and the plants had made a good growth. I +believe moderate applications of salt, sown broadcast over a blackberry +patch, would be of great benefit as a fertilizer and health renewer." + +Gardener's Monthly: In the discussions on forest culture, little is said +of the willow, which forms a very interesting department. The white +willow, Salix Candida, is often used for coarse work. S. Vinnunatis and +S. Russelliana, are the most commonly used in the Eastern United States, +under the name of Osier, or basket willow, and S. Forbyana, a variety of +S. rubra, or the red willow is often used for fine work. In the Editor's +recent visit to the Northwest a number of fine species were noted which +would evidently be worth introducing for basket-making purposes. + +The Germantown Telegraph says: "To grow good crops of blackberries the +soil should be good and especially deep, for the roots run down +wonderfully when possible for them to do so; and as the growing fruit +requires its greatest nourishment in the usually dry month of August, it +is an advantage to have deep soil for the roots to draw a supply from. A +deep, sandy soil will generally grow the best crop of berries, while a +clay soil tends to produce rust. Good cultivation, good soil, and a +judicious use of manure make stout and vigorous canes, with a crop of +berries in increased ratio." + +Indiana correspondent Orange County Farmer: I have had a good deal of +experience in propagating currants. I always plant my currant cuttings +in the fall as soon as the leaves fall off. They will make durable roots +two to four inches long the same fall, while the buds remain dormant. +They will make double the growth the next season if set in the fall, and +they should be set in ground that will not heave them out by the effects +of frost and should be covered just before winter sets in with coarse +litter. Remove the covering early in the spring and examine the cuttings +to see if any of them hove, and if so, press them down again. Should +they heave up an inch or more, if well pressed down, they will start and +make better growth than cuttings set in the spring. In either case, +however, the cuttings should always be made in the fall. + +A Rural New Yorker correspondent gets down to the real art of grape +eating. Hear him tell how to manipulate the fruit: No! the man who holds +the grape between his thumb and dexter finger and squeezes or shoots the +pulp into his throat, does not know how to enjoy the fruit, and is not +likely to appreciate the good qualities of a fine grape. Let the berries +follow each other into the mouth in rapid succession until three or four +are taken, while with each insertion the teeth are brought together upon +the seeds without breaking them. The acid of the pulp is thus freed to +mingle with the saccharine juice next the skin, and a slight +manipulation by the tongue separates the seeds and skins from the +delicious winey juices; after this has tickled the palate, skins and +seeds may be ejected together. Close to the skin lies a large part of +the good flavor of the grape. + +On the subject of protecting trees from mice, R.W. Rogers, in Ohio +Farmer says: "As the season is near at hand when farmers will have to +look to the protection of their young fruit trees from ground mice, I +send you my method if you deem it worthy of publishing. It is as +follows: Take old tin fruit cans, put them on the fire until the parts +that are soldered have become heated, when they will come apart. Take +the body of the can and encircle it around the tree, letting the sides +lap each other, and press firmly in the ground before it has become +frozen. The mice coming in contact with the tin will turn them in +another direction. It is far better than mounding up or tramping snow +about them. Most any farmer can gather up enough for a good sized +orchard, and make them pay compound interest, which otherwise would be a +nuisance or pitched out of the back window." + + + + +FLORICULTURE. + +Gleanings by an Old Florist. + + +ARTIFICIAL MANURES AND OTHER MATTERS. + +The successful raisers of many kinds of flowers use, more or less, some +kind of what might be called artificial stimulants other than the +ordinary manuring of the soil at the time the plant is set out, whether +it be in pot culture or in the open benches. This is no new thing under +the sun; not a few who have been in the habit, and found great results, +have tried to keep a monopoly, and have been more or less close-mouthed +in the matter. Perhaps one of the oldest forms of this feeding extra +stimulants to their pets was in the form of liquid manure made from +various materials, as horse, sheep, cow, and other manures. They are +sometimes prepared with ever so much mystery in the matter of quantity, +time of preparation, quantity given, etc., all of which was supposed to +have its influence. Of one thing, however, there was certain, tangible +evidence that many of these persons managed, if for exhibition, to carry +off the best premiums; and if for the market were pretty sure to command +the best prices, and what is more, obtain the greater results +financially. + +Soot, guano, ammonia, and in later years, material obtained from the +immense slaughter-houses, such as blood and other offal in a highly +concentrated form, find, perhaps, nowadays, more advocates; principally +because the first-mentioned list contains articles that give off very +offensive odors while being applied, so that the more fastidious are +loath to use them. What may not be very offensive to the plodding +florist would be highly so to the more refined, or when the general +public comes more into contact with the crops while being so applied. In +almost all of the cases where the ingredients mentioned are used they +are diluted with a large quantity of water, except in the case of the +droppings of the animals; the latter are often used by florists in the +form of a very heavy mulch, depending upon the ordinary watering to +carry down to the roots such parts of the dressing as would dissolve in +the water, and thus give extra stimulant, and at a time when it would do +the most good, because, ordinarily, the more water necessary the greater +the growth going on, and vice versa, if plants are in a state of rest, +either from a finished growth or from lowness of temperature, but little +water would be needed, and but little benefit from the mulch, except +such as undoubtedly arises from the ammonia itself in the manure +permeating the atmosphere, which again, however, would be the most +active when heavy watering was necessary, simply because of the high and +humid temperature. + +For obvious reasons the votaries of window gardening will use those +giving off little or no unpleasant odors. Others again make the soil so +rich in the first instance that much less of what may be called +artificial manures are required during growth. But without some skill in +this matter it is not safe, for if much of the material is not +thoroughly decayed (which, however, has then lost most of its volatile +ingredients) it is, in the common vernacular of the gardener, too rank +to give good growth and results, whether it be in fruits, flowers, or +foliage. For example, in Henderson's horticulture he recommends, as the +best soil for potting, loam and hops. He says, "Not the least simple of +these operations is the preparation of our potting soil. We have, we may +say, only one heap--a big one it is--but it contains only two +ingredients, rotted sods, from a loamy pasture, and rotted refuse hops +from the breweries, in about the proportion of two of the sods to one of +hop. One-year-old rotted manure, if the hops cannot be obtained." It is +evident upon its face that so large a proportion as one-third of a fresh +manure or hops would be disastrous; but well rotted, and with care +otherwise in temperature and other desiderata, it would be a highly +stimulating soil. This was in 1869. We well recollect the commotion the +hop business caused in the horticultural world at the time, as Henderson +recommended it for plunging pots in, setting pots on mulching outdoors, +and almost every purpose. And did he not grow the best of stuff and +himself practice what he preached. Spent hops in this city were eagerly +sought after and used, apparently with great success, in almost every +florist's establishment as well as market garden. What before was a +nuisance to the breweries was eagerly sought after; like most things, +however, it had its day, and is now seldom seen again. We might, +however, say that its decline undoubtedly arose from its unpleasant +features, as it drew myriads of insects in its train and often emitted a +very unpleasant odor. Its great value consists in that it is the seed of +the hop plant, all seeds contributing by far the greatest value in +manures. + +In the green-house the object aimed at, is the greatest possible results +from limited area. Of the atmosphere the gardener has almost absolute +control--no siroccos, biting frost, or destructive winds interfere. He +can beat nature all to pieces in growing plants faultless in shape and +in quantity of flowers, but his soil is of limited extent for the roots +to wander in. To counteract this, he can give in other forms just as +much and no more nutrition as is necessary to effect his purpose, and +here comes in this artificial supply of manurial agents. + +Mr. DeVrey, the successful superintendent of Lincoln Park, uses horn +shavings. This is the cleanest and most pleasant material that we ever +recollect to have seen used for the purpose, it is the refuse in the +factories where the horns from the slaughterhouse are steamed and +manipulated into the numerous objects they are applied to, not the least +being into knife and fork handles, and the like. It is in the form of +thin shaving of half an inch to an inch in length, quite dry and light, +entirely free from odor. He takes all they make, and this year has a ton +of the material for which he pays at the rate of three cents per pound. +The method of using is simply to mix with the soil at the time of +potting, giving it, to the common eye, as oil specked all through with a +white flaky substance. Its effect is very visible in a clear, healthy +growth, given off gradually, and as it is quite common where vast +quantities of plants are required to be grown in small pots, when there +appears to be a necessity of some new stimulant, it should be given by +the amateur in a larger pot. This is done by shaking nearly all the soil +from the roots and re-potting again if possible in the same sized pots, +thus doing away with all artificial watering, and yet having healthy, +luxuriant growth all the time. + +A pound of the material, which is light, will be enough for a +wheelbarrow of potting soil. After all, the question is not so much the +exact material employed of a number of similar agents, as it is with the +intelligence brought to bear so as to apply at the right time the right +quantity, and under the best possible circumstances. + +EDGAR SANDERS. + + + + +SCIENTIFIC. + + +AM I A SCOT, OR AM I NOT? + + If I should bring a wagon o'er + From Scotland to Columbia's shore, + And by successive wear and tear + The wagon soon should need repair: + Thus, when the tires are worn through, + Columbia's iron doth renew; + Likewise the fellies, hubs, and spokes + Should be replaced by Western oaks; + In course of time down goes the bed, + But here's one like it in its stead. + So bit by bit, in seven years, + All things are changed in bed and gears, + And still it seems as though it ought + To be the one from Scotland brought; + But when I think the matter o'er, + It ne'er was on a foreign shore, + And all that came across the sea + Is only its identity. + + I came, a Scotchman, understand, + By choice, to live in this free land, + Wherein I've dwelt, from day to day, + 'Till sixteen years have passed away. + If physiology be true, + My body has been changing too; + And though at first it did seem strange, + Yet science doth confirm the change; + And since I have the truth been taught, + I wonder If I'm now a Scot? + Since all that came across the sea + Is only my identity. + +--_Wm. Taylor, in Scientific American._ + + + + +PRIMITIVE NORTHWEST. + + +Mr. C.W. Butterfield contributes an article on the Primitive Northwest, +to last number of the American Antiquarian. He says that early in the +seventeenth century French settlements, few in number, were scattered +along the wooded shores of the river St. Lawrence in Canada. To the +westward, upon the Ottowa river, and the Georgian bay, were the homes of +Indian nations with whom these settlers had commercial relations, and +among some of whom were located Jesuit missionaries. In the year 1615, +Lake Huron was discovered. To it was given the name of the Fresh Sea +(Mer Douce). But, as yet, no white man had set foot upon any portion of +what now constitutes the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, +Wisconsin, and Eastern Minnesota. And thereafter, for nearly a score of +years this whole region remained, so far as the visitation of white men +was concerned, an undiscovered country; and such it continued down to +the year 1684. However, previous to this date, something had been +learned by the French settlers upon the St. Lawrence, of this (to them) +far off land; but the information has been obtained wholly from the +Indians. This knowledge was of necessity crude and, to a considerable +extent, uncertain. Such of it as has been preserved is properly treated +of under the following heads: First, as to what had been gleaned +concerning the physical aspects of the country; second, as to what had +been brought to light relative to the various tribes inhabiting this +region. + +Previous to 1634, nothing had been learned of Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, +or Lake Michigan although it was understood there was some kind of a +water-way connecting the Fresh Sea (Lake Huron) with Ontario. A little +knowledge had been gained of a great body of fresh water lying beyond +the "Mer Douce," "a grand lac," so called by the French--now known as +Lake Superior. The length of this superior lake with that of the Fresh +Sea (Lake Huron), the Indians declared was a journey of full thirty days +in canoes. At the outlet of the great lake was what was described by the +savages, as a considerable rapid, to which the French gave the name of +"Sault de Gaston," the present Sault St. Marie, in the St. Mary's river, +the stream, which, it is well known, flows from Lake Superior into Lake +Huron. + +Accounts also had been received from the Indians prior to the year last +mentioned, of a lake of no great size, through which flowed a river +discharging its waters into the Fresh Sea (Lake Huron). These were +reports of Lake Winnebago and Fox river, in what is now the State of +Wisconsin. As the French upon the St. Lawrence had no knowledge as yet +of Lake Michigan, they imagined the location of this small lake, and its +river was beyond, and to the northwest of Lake Huron and that they +emptied into it; Green Bay into the head of which Fox river really +flows, being (like Lake Michigan) wholly unknown to them. + +It had further been reported by the Indians before this date that there +was a mine of copper on an island in what has been mentioned as probably +Lake Winnebago; doubtless, however, this island should have been located +in Lake Superior. A specimen of native copper had as early as 1610, been +exhibited by an Indian to an interested Frenchman upon the St. Lawrence, +and an account given by him as to the rude method employed by the +savages in melting that metal. But other islands besides the one +containing the copper mine had been brought to the knowledge of the +French settlers. A large one southeast of the "Sault de Gaston" being +described, and two smaller ones, to the south of it. These islands were, +it is suggested, the Great Manitoulin, Drummond, and Little Manitoulin, +of the present day. + + * * * * * + +Dr. Leeds has said that spices were adulterated to a great extent, but +only such substances were added as were purely non-poisonous. Mustards +were never found to be pure. Vinegars were also highly adulterated. +Competent officers, who shall be specialists, should be appointed in +each State to examine manufactured and natural foods to detect +adulteration. So far these examinations have been made by college +professors. The State Boards of Health should take the matter in hand +and see that it has the proper attention. + + * * * * * + +A French periodical, La Culture, gives the following simple method for +testing the purity of water. In an ordinary quart bottle three parts +filled with water dissolve a spoonful of pure white sugar, cork it well +and put it in a warm place. If at the end of forty-eight hours the water +becomes turbid and milky there can be no doubt of its impurity, but if +it remains limpid it may be considered safely drinkable. + + * * * * * + +THE PRAIRIE FARMER + +AND + +YOUTH'S COMPANION + +ONE YEAR, $3 FOR THE TWO + +It is not required that both papers be sent to one address, nor to the +same post-office. + +Address PRAIRIE FARMER PUB. CO., +150 Monroe Street Chicago. + + * * * * * + +Political talk is generally very eloquent, but it lacks the +insignificant element of truthfulness. A great deal of the buncombe of +politics reminds us of the lines of Lord Neaves, not long since +deceased: + +[Transcriber's note: This is where the article ends in the original and +the lines in question are not to be found in the rest of the +periodical.] + + + +PUBLISHERS' NOTICE. + + +_THE PRAIRIE FARMER is printed and published by The Prairie Farmer +Publishing Company, every Saturday, at No. 150 Monroe Street._ + +_Subscription, $2.00 per year, in advance, postage prepaid. Subscribers +wishing their addresses changed should give their old as well as new +addresses._ + +_Advertising, 25 cents per line on inside pages; 30 cents per line on +last page--agate measure; 14 lines to the inch. No less charge than +$2.00._ + +_All Communications, Remittances, etc., should be addressed to_ THE +PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING COMPANY, _Chicago, Ill._ + + * * * * * + +The Prairie Farmer + +ENTERED AT THE CHICAGO OFFICE AS SECOND-CLASS MATTER. + +CHICAGO, JANUARY 5, 1884. + + * * * * * + +[Transcriber's Note: Original location of Table of Contents.] + + * * * * * + +RENEW! RENEW!! + +Remember that every yearly subscriber, either new or renewing, sending +us $2, receives a splendid new map of the United States and Canada--58 x +41 inches--FREE. Or, if preferred, one of the books offered in another +column. It is not necessary to wait until a subscription expires before +renewing. + + * * * * * + +1841. 1884. + +The Prairie Farmer + +PROSPECTUS FOR 1884. + +SEE INDUCEMENTS OFFERED + +SUBSCRIBE NOW. + +For forty-three years THE PRAIRIE FARMER has stood at the front +in agricultural journalism. It has kept pace with the progress and +development of the country, holding its steady course through all these +forty-three years, encouraging, counseling, and educating its thousands +of readers. It has labored earnestly in the interest of all who are +engaged in the rural industries of the country, and that it has labored +successfully is abundantly shown by the prominence and prestige it has +achieved, and the hold it has upon the agricultural classes. + +Its managers are conscious from comparison with other journals of its +class, and from the uniform testimony of its readers, that it is +foremost among the farm and home papers of the country. It will not be +permitted to lose this proud position; we shall spare no efforts to +maintain its usefulness and make it indispensable to farmers, +stock-raisers, feeders, dairymen, horticulturalists, gardeners, and all +others engaged in rural pursuits. It will enter upon its forty-fourth +year under auspices, in every point of view, more encouraging than ever +before in its history. Its mission has always been, and will continue to +be-- + +To discuss the most approved practices in all agricultural and +horticultural pursuits. + +To set forth the merits of the best breeds of domestic animals, and to +elucidate the principles of correct breeding and management. + +To further the work of agricultural and horticultural organization. + +To advocate industrial education in the correct sense of the term. + +To lead the van in the great contest of the people against monopolies +and the unjust encroachments of capital. + +To discuss the events and questions of the day without fear or favor. + +To provide information concerning the public domain, Western soil, +climate, water, railroads, schools, churches, and society. + +To answer inquiries on all manner of subjects coming within its sphere. + +To furnish the latest and most important industrial news at home and +abroad. + +To give full and reliable crop, weather, and market reports. + +To present the family with pure, choice, and interesting literature. + +To amuse and instruct the young folks. + +To gather and condense the general news of the day. + +To be, in brief, an indispensable and unexceptionable farm and home +companion for the people of the whole country. + +The style and form of the paper are now exactly what they should be. The +paper used is of superior quality. The type is bold and clear. The +illustrations are superb. The departments are varied and carefully +arranged. The editorial force is large and capable. The list of +contributors is greatly increased, and embraces a stronger array of +talent than is employed on any similar paper in this country. We +challenge comparison with any agricultural journal in the land. + +THE PRAIRIE FARMER is designed for all sections of the country. +In entering upon the campaign of 1884, we urge all patrons and friends +to continue their good works in extending the circulation of our paper. +On our part we promise to leave nothing undone that it is possible for +faithful, earnest work--aided by money and every needed mechanical +facility--to do to make the paper in every respect still better than it +has ever been before. + + * * * * * + +SPECIAL NOTICE + +To each Subscriber who will remit us $2.00 between now and February 1st, +1884, we will mail a copy of THE PRAIRIE FARMER FOR ONE YEAR, AND ONE +OF OUR NEW STANDARD TIME COMMERCIAL MAPS OF THE UNITED STATES AND +CANADA--showing all the Counties, Railroads, and Principal Towns up to +date. This comprehensive map embraces all the country from the Pacific +Coast to Eastern New Brunswick, and as far north as the parallel of 52 +deg., crossing Hudson's Bay. British Columbia; Manitoba, with its many +new settlements; and the line of the Canadian Pacific Railway, completed +and under construction, are accurately and distinctly delineated. It +extends so far south as to include Key West and more than half of the +Republic of Mexico. It is eminently adapted for home, school, and office +purposes. The retail price of the Map alone is $2.00. Size, 58 x 41 +inches. Scale, about sixty miles to one inch. + + * * * * * + + +READ THIS. + +Another Special Offer. + +[Illustration] + +"The Little Detective." + +Weighs 1/4 oz. to 25 lbs. + +Every housekeeper ought to have this very useful scale. The weight of +article bought or sold may readily be known. Required proportions in +culinary operations are accurately ascertained. We have furnished +hundreds of them to subscribers, and they give entire satisfaction. +During January, 1884, to any person sending us THREE SUBSCRIBERS, at +$2.00 each, we will give one of these scales, and to each of the three +subscribers Ropp's Calculator, No. 1. + + * * * * * + +A meeting of farmers interested in ensilage will be held at 55 +Beekman street, New York, Wednesday, January 23, at 12 o'clock. All +interested in the subject are invited to attend. + + +The Iowa State Horticultural Society will hold its annual +meeting at Des Moines, January 15-18. Prof. J.L. Budd, Ames, will +forward programmes on application. The usual reductions in railway and +hotel fares are expected. + + +Professor S.R. Thompson, Superintendent of the Nebraska +Agricultural College farm, has been chosen to represent Nebraska at the +meeting to be held at Washington, D.C., next week, for the purpose of +taking action in regard to contagious diseases of cattle. He requests +stock men and all others interested in the cattle industries of his +State to correspond with him, and make such suggestions as they may +think proper for guidance at the meeting. + + +Since its organization in 1853 to 1882 inclusive, the managers +of the Illinois State Fair have offered the following amounts in +premiums for live stock: Cattle, $70,406; horses and mules, $81,825; +sheep, $24,450; swine, $25,320; poultry, $8,214;--total $210,215, which +must be considered pretty substantial encouragement. The total offered +in premiums for all classes of exhibits has been $303,961. Thus a little +more than two thirds of the entire amount has been given to the breeders +and importers of stock. + + +The officers of the Northwestern Dairymen's Association say +that every indication warrants the conclusion that the coming convention +at Mankato, Minn., commencing February 12, will prove the grandest +success in the history of the association. A full array of the best +dairy talent of the entire Northwest will be present. The purpose is +both in the arrangement of the programme and in the conduct of the +discussions, to make of the coming convention an institute for study and +instruction which no intelligent and progressive farmer can afford to +miss. + + +The Missouri State Board of Agriculture asks the aid of one +competent man in every township in the State to give it estimates of +crops, etc., in his vicinity. The aim is to give as full and reliable +statistics for crop reports as it is possible to collect. The State +provides but $1,250 for the general expenses of the Board, and it is +thus dependent upon voluntary aid in the matter. The Board will defray +all expenses of postage and stationery. Competent persons willing to +undertake this work for the public good should address J.W. Sanborn, +Secretary, Columbus, Mo. Such persons will receive, free, the monthly +and annual reports of the Board. + + +In March of last year Secretary Fisher, of the Illinois State +Board of Agriculture, submitted his report for 1882 to Gov. Hamilton. +This report has just made its appearance. It has taken the State printer +ten months to get the volume printed and bound for distribution, a work +that any respectable job office in Chicago would have turned out in four +weeks without any extra exertion. The report is valuable, of course, but +it would have been worth a deal more had it appeared last April. Such +papers as the report of Prof. Forbes, State Entomologist, for instance, +might have been of immense benefit to the people of the State if the +information it contains regarding noxious insects had reached them in +early spring. + + + + +SEED SAMPLES. + + +We have letters from several parties desiring us to publish an offer +they make to send packages of seed corn and other seeds to any one +applying and inclosing stamps to pay for trouble and postage. Some of +these parties also send samples of the seed. There is one great +difficulty in the way of publishing this class of communications. Once +we begin, the door is open to the practice of petty frauds upon our +readers which we have no right to encourage or allow. Now we are almost +certain that all these writers, thus far, are honorable men, who wish to +confer a favor upon their brother farmers, and who do not wish to gain a +farthing in the transaction. But some of them are personally unknown to +us, and we do not feel like vouching for their responsibility, still +less so because it is difficult to tell who will next propose a similar +scheme. There is to be a brisk trade in seed corn during the next four +months, and parties having a well tested article will find no difficulty +in disposing of it at good prices, providing they can convince people +they have exactly what they claim. The way to do is to advertise the +seed corn in the regular way, giving as references such men as the +postmaster, justice of the peace, banker, etc., as may be most +convincing and convenient. We are as anxious as any one can be to see +the people supplied with well ripened and well cared-for corn grown in +the proper latitude, and we are equally anxious to guard them against +imposition. + + + + +THE PORK QUESTION IN EUROPE. + + +The question of admitting American pork into France is not yet settled. +The Corps Legislatif is again "all tore up" by rash statements made by +member M. Paul Bert, who has published a letter at Paris in which he +argues that the use of our pork must result in disease, and that a +general outbreak may be feared at any moment, so long as the products of +diseased swine are offered in French markets. He endeavors to strengthen +his position by pretending to quote from Dr. Detmers, Department of +Agriculture Inspector at the Chicago Stock Yards. He alleges that +Detmers has reported that diseased and dying hogs are sold daily in +Chicago, and then shipped as pork, bacon, and lard to Havre and +Bordeaux. To this audacious or mendacious charge Dr. Detmers replies as +follows: + + The statement made by M. Paul Bert, as contained in a cable + dispatch from Paris, is not only a perversion of facts, but a + falsehood cut from whole cloth. I never certified, wrote, or + said that dead hogs are shipped to packing-houses, or that + these carcasses are shipped abroad. All I ever said in regard + to transportation of diseased or dead hogs is contained in my + official reports to the Commissioner of Agriculture, + Washington, and can be found in his annual reports of 1878 + and 1879, on pages 355 and 418 respectively, where it is + accessible to everyone. I simply called attention to the + transportation of diseased and dead hogs to the rendering + tanks--entirely distinct from packing houses--as affording a + means of spreading the then prevailing disease--swine plague, + or so-called hog cholera. + + M. Paul Bert seems to be a true demagogue, otherwise he would + not resort to a falsehood to please his constituents. I never + in any manner, directly or indirectly, stated or intimated + that packers are or ever were in collusion with dealers in + diseased live stock. Moreover, the laws and regulations of + the Chicago Stock Yards are such as to render it absolutely + impossible that a dead hog should be smuggled into them, and + if an animal should die while in the yards it is at once + delivered to a soap-grease rendering establishment outside of + the Stock Yards, and can not possibly get into a + packing-house. + +This reply came too late to have any effect upon French legislation, and +the decree of prohibition has been re-enacted. So far we notice no +marked effect upon the prices of pork products in this country, but +later it must result in depression. We notice the leading papers of the +United States are advocating the retaliatory measures proposed months +ago by THE PRAIRIE FARMER against European States interdicting +the importation of our meat products. We refer to the prohibition of +French and German adulterated and poisonous wines and liquors, and dry +goods and silk goods colored with poisonous dyes. It must come to this +at last if such totally unreasonable legislation against American +products is to continue in those countries. + + + + +CORN, WHEAT, AND COTTON. + + +The preliminary crop estimates by the Statistician of the Department of +Agriculture have been completed. He says the average yield of corn per +acre for 1883 was within a fraction of twenty-three bushels, which is 12 +per cent less than the average for a series of several years past. The +quality is another thing. + +It is doubtless true, Mr. Dodge says, that the quality of the corn north +of parallel forty is worse than for many years, increasing practically +the amount of shortage indicated by the number of bushels. As the whole +corn grown in 1883 in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Dakota, added +to half that grown in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska, would +make 400,000,000 bushels only--a fourth of the whole crop--so that the +possible depreciation of 40 per cent in all of it would be equivalent to +a 10 per cent reduction in the value of the entire crop. The Illinois +Department agents make the quality 31 per cent less than the average in +this State. An effort will be made later, after the worst of the crop +has been fed, to ascertain the feeding value of the year's product. It +is not proposed, however, to reduce the product to the equivalent of +merchantable corn, or "sound" corn, as no crop ever is free from +immaturity or imperfection. There always are some Northern fields caught +by frost, some neglected acres, some choked with weeds or flooded by +over-flows, and so on--corn, which is mainly "nubbins." What is intended +without reference to panic or exaggeration is to find out the exact +truth and then tell it. There is nothing gained, be it to farmers or +consumers, the Statistician adds, in suppressing truth on the one hand +or exaggerating the losses on the other. One feature of corn-growing in +1883 should prove a lesson to the farmers of the country; that is, the +general use of seed corn in the West, grown in lower latitudes. The +planting of Nebraska seed in Minnesota and Kansas seed in Illinois, has +demonstrated the folly of attempting to acclimatize the Southern maize +in the more Northern districts. Much loss from frost would have been +avoided had the seed been carefully selected from the best corn grown in +the immediate neighborhood. + +The wheat crop is estimated, as before, slightly in excess of +400,000,000 bushels. + +The cotton product, as shown by the December returns, is about 6,000,000 +bales. There will be another investigation after the close of the cotton +harvest and the shipment of a large portion of the crop, when precise +results will be approached more nearly than has been possible hitherto. + +The Department evidently feels a little "nettled" over the criticisms +that have been made upon its estimates of the last two corn crops. Again +we must protest that the amount of harvested corn in the West will fall +considerably below Mr. Dodge's figures. Whether or not the Department +sees fit to "reduce the product to the equivalent of merchantable corn" +such an estimate would be of interest, and when it gives the result of +the feeding quality of the corn, there will be something of a basis +furnished for such a calculation, especially as we shall have by that +time a pretty accurate account of the exported corn of the crop of 1883 +and the amount "in sight," as the grain merchants say. It is true that +there is nothing gained to consumers by "suppressing truth on the one +hand or exaggerating losses on the other" but there is something lost to +consumers by overestimating yields at about the time the harvest is +ready and when speculators can use Government estimates to force down +prices. + +The statistical machinery of the Department of Agriculture is far from +perfect, but it is the best the Government has supplied it with, and it +is not wise or fair to criticise its estimates too severely, based, as +they often must be, upon inadequate returns. The most that can be said +is that the Department should be exceedingly careful not to err on the +side that may result in injury to the producers, for, as we understand +it, it was created solely to advance their interests. + + + + +CHICAGO IN 1883. + + +Compared with the other great cities of the Union, and even with +previous years in her own history, Chicago had a prosperous business +year in 1883. The total trade of the year foots up $1,050,000,000, which +is a slight gain over that of 1882. The receipts of flour were 4,403,982 +barrels; wheat, 20,312,065 bushels; corn, 74,459,948 bushels; oats, +37,750,442 bushels; rye, 5,662,420; barley, 10,591,619. Of cattle there +were received 1,878,944 head; hogs, 5,640,625; sheep, 749,917; horses, +15,255; dead hogs, 55,656. Of seeds, 122,582 tons; broom corn, 15,038 +tons; butter, 53,987 tons; hides, 34,404 tons; wool, 20,122 tons; +potatoes, 13,000,000 bushels; coal, 4,042,356 tons; hay, 50,000 tons; +lumber, 1,848,817,000 ft.; shingles, 1,154,149 M.; salt, 1,096,587 +barrels; cheese 23,590 tons. The total value of farm products of all +kinds is estimated at $402,000,000, which is $20,000,000 above the +valuation of that of 1882. The products of Chicago manufactures are +valued at $325,000,000. In 1881 the receipts of hogs amounted to +6,474,844 head, and in 1882, 5,817,504 head. The wholesale mercantile +trade has fallen off somewhat, as it has all over the country, owing to +depression that seems to be universal. In manufactures the city is +making wonderful development. In growth she is still unchecked and +without a rival in the world among large cities and business centres. + + + + +STRONG DRINK. + + +We often see in the papers the amount in dollars and cents, that strong +drink costs the people of this country. Some one has been making out +similar statistics for Great Britain, and finds that if the total house +rent is added to the rent of farms in the three divisions of the Kingdom +the total is $30,000,000 less than is usually spent for drink. Add +together the cost of the linen goods, cotton goods, coal, tea, coffee, +sugar, milk, butter and cheese and the total is only $45,000,000 in +excess of the sum spent in drink. And this is only the direct cost. The +indirect expense of drink--the crime and misery entailed, the cost of +prisons and almshouses, criminal courts and trials, the loss from +idleness, incapacity, blunders, sickness--towers above these figures in +colossal magnitude. Counting all these things it may be said of both +countries that strong drink costs more than sufficient to supply the +personal needs--food, clothing, and homes--of all the people. It is +indeed a fearful showing. + + + + +ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. + + +CHARLES DE LONG, Artesia, Miss.--THE PRAIRIE FARMER has the reputation +of knowing all about the prairies, north and south, and, therefore, I +appeal to it to tell me whether the Japan persimmon will be likely to be +hardy in this section, some portions of which is, as you probably know, +a prairie country? + +ANSWER.--The Japan persimmon, Diospyros kaki, is, as we understand it, +an evergreen of sub-tropical origin, and will not be likely to fruit +satisfactorily far north of the region of the orange. Like the fig, in +your latitude, it may stand what frosts you have and, like it, attain +considerable growth, but you will seldom get a crop. We know +enterprising nurserymen are telling us it will grow and fruit as far +north as Washington; but we were told the same story about the +eucalyptus, which proved to be no more hardy than the orange. Our +authorities for these opinions may be regarded as first-class--no less +than LeBon Jardinier, who says it can not be grown and successfully +fruited outside the region of the orange. Recently, at a horticultural +exhibition at Nice, France, there was a fine show of the kakis +contributed by a gardener in the vicinity of Toulon, of which the +official report gives this account: "Among the newer exotics were the +kakis, of Japan, grown at Toulon. The fruit is about the size of an +average apple, a bright, orange-red in color, and the tree is very +productive. The Japanese make a great account of it, both as a fruit, +when ripe, and as a source for obtaining tannin, in its green state. It +appears to accommodate itself remarkably well to the climate of +Provence, and especially merits to be introduced into Algeria, where it +will even do better in all reasonable probability.". In respect to the +appearance of the fruit, it more nearly resembles in shape and size a +bell pepper, than an apple, but the color is orange-red, as described. +It is pretty sure to cut a great figure among the fruit products of +Florida, where its successful cultivation will lend additional +attractions to that already seductive State. + +MRS. SARAH Y. STAPLES, DALLAS, TEXAS.--I do not ask you for a remedy for +the roup, with which my fowls have been recently affected; but for a +course of treatment to follow to prevent its return? + +ANSWER--The roup may be brought upon healthy fowls if they are shut up +in narrow and unventilated quarters at night, and of days turned out in +cold or wet weather. And it will almost certainly follow if they are +confined under glass, as they sometimes are in winter, in abandoned +green-houses. In the first place, see fowls have a dry and airy roosting +place, but where they will be out of a draft or cold currents. Feed once +daily in the morning, the following compounded rations. Raw onions one +part, pork-cracklins one part, and bread or boiled potatoes one part, +chopped tolerably fine, but do not wet the mixture before feeding. If +you can substitute a few bits of garlic for twice the measure of onions, +it will be all the better for the health of the fowls, but they might +taint the taste of the eggs. If fowls are fed this mixture once daily, +it don't matter much what the other food is, whether corn or small +grain, though for laying mill-screenings or shrunken wheat is best. + +ASA GRAY, ROCKFORD, ILL.--I have seen it stated the daily rations of the +cowboys of the Southwest, in certain sections and during some months, +was confined to raw beef, rock salt, and red peppers. How is it? + +ANSWER.--We don't know. Will someone familiar with cowboys and their +manner of living report. However, all things considered, the ration is +not a bad one, for the reason that raw beef digests in half the time of +beef well cooked, and the large, sweet pepper of the Southwest deprived +of its seeds is not near as hot in the mouth as it is commonly +represented. + +R. ROOT, CLARKSVILLE, IOWA. 1. Does the basket willow have to be +cultivated like a field crop? 2. Is there more than one kind, and if so +which is best? 3. What kind of soil is best adapted to its cultivation? + +ANSWER.--1. In some respects, yes; the land having to be given over to +them exclusively. In France the cuttings are planted from twelve to +fifteen inches apart in order to obtain long and slender shoots. 2. +There are half a dozen cultivated in Europe, the best two being the +Salix rubra or red Osier, and the Salix vitellina or yellow Osier. But a +hardier variety, Salix viminalis, is commonly preferred in this country +where the cultivation, though often undertaken, has never been very +successful, from the fact that American labor can not compete with the +labor of women and children in Europe. 3. In cool climates having a +moist atmosphere the Osier willow is successfully grown where ordinary +crops thrive, but in warmer and drier sections low and moist land must +be chosen. Indeed the whole tribe of willows love cool, moist +situations, and the richer the soil the stronger and quicker the growth. +We should be glad to hear from correspondents who cultivate, or who live +where the Osier is grown and prepared for market, the details of the +whole industry. + +B.F.J. + + + + +WAYSIDE NOTES. + +BY A MAN OF THE PRAIRIE. + + +I don't know that I really ought to take any credit to myself for it, +but I hope I have done something toward increasing the number of farmer +correspondents for the hale old PRAIRIE FARMER. I can't help +noticing, as I do with pleasure, that the number is increasing. +Furthermore, the correspondents all write well, I mean, simply; they +seem to have something to say, and say it in a manner that can be +readily understood. Their writings are instructive, too. Well, I hope +this writing fever, like most others, will prove highly contagious, and +have a run through the entire PRAIRIE FARMER family. I know +from experience the malady is not a dangerous one. At least it don't do +the writers any harm; if the readers can stand what I say, I am +satisfied. The editor may boil down our communications, or chop them up +and serve them in any style he chooses, so that he presents all the good +we mean to say, and we will be satisfied. Will we not, +fellow-contributors? + + * * * * * + +Rufus Blanchard, for many years a leading map publisher of Chicago, told +me the other day, that in 1838 he was farming in Union county, Ohio. +That year he grew about 1,000 bushels of oats, some 250 bushels of +wheat, and raised 100 hogs. He sold his oats for eleven cents per +bushel, his wheat for twenty-five cents, and his hogs for one cent and a +quarter per pound. He hauled his grain to Columbus, forty miles, to +market, and took his pay in salt. I remarked that this was pretty rough +farming. "On the contrary," said he, "in those days we were happy as +clams. We had all the pork we wanted without cost, for our hogs fattened +themselves on the mast of the woods. We paid by toll for grinding our +wheat into flour. The woods supplied us with deer, turkeys, and many +other kinds of game. Our clothing was homespun. We had plenty of corn +meal and cheaply grown vegetables, and helped each other in sickness or +accident. If a neighbor's log house burned down, we all joined together +in putting him up a better one than he had before. We had pretty good +schools and interesting religious meetings without expensive pew rents +or style in dress. We visited each other and had plenty of sound +amusement. I never was so happy or so well contented in my life," he +added, and I believe him, for his face is wrinkled with care and +saddened by misfortune. It don't do, you see, to get too far removed +from this simple, natural life. + + * * * * * + +I am looking out for a little colder weather. The pond is not yet frozen +sufficiently for us to cut ice as we want it. But both my neighbor and +myself have gotten all things in readiness for the harvest. I like an +open winter pretty well, but I do want ice. + + * * * * * + +It seems to me that Dr. Detmers is always going off "half-cocked." He +once did the foreign cattle shipping interest great harm by an +ill-advised and unwarranted dispatch concerning the prevalence of +pleuro-pneumonia at the Chicago Stock Yards, and now I notice that his +alleged statements regarding diseased hogs and the disposal of them at +the same point have furnished the French Corps Legislatif an excuse for +enacting the decree prohibiting the introduction of American pork +products into France. Isn't it about time the Department of Agriculture +at Washington sat a little down on this man who writes too much with his +pen? Not that I would silence any man who sticks to facts, no matter +whose soap-bubble he pricks; but a simple alarmist who rushes into print +mainly for the pleasure it gives him to see his name in print, and to +know that he is talked about, deserves to be squelched. For aught I +know, though, Dr. Detmers has been misrepresented by the wily Frenchmen. +What has Dr. Loring to say on the subject? + + * * * * * + +But, after all, as I think the editor of THE PRAIRIE FARMER +himself said some months ago, this foreign agitation of the live stock +question may result in great good, inasmuch as it must lead to proper +legislation in this country against the introduction and spread of +contagious diseases among animals. It is without doubt the basis of the +proceedings at the Chicago cattle-growers' convention in November last, +and of the present movement for immediate Congressional action upon the +matter. The difficulty abroad will, I believe, prove short-lived. + + + + +LETTER FROM CHAMPAIGN. + +With the exception of two days, the 22d and 23d, which were stormy and +gave us ten to twelve inches of snow, followed by a little sleet and +rain, the latter half of December has been as delightful as the first +half was, though a good deal colder. The sleighing since the 17th has +never been better; and as there is ten inches to a foot of solid snow +now lying on the ground, it is likely to last some time longer. The +sleet and rain formed a crust an inch and a half thick, and though it is +not very strong, it, together with the compact snow, makes getting down +to the grass beneath quite out of the question, and stock have to depend +on the stalk fields or be fed hay and corn. + + * * * * * + +This will make a heavier draft upon the grain and hay in reserve than +has been anticipated by those who depend on carrying their stock through +mostly on grass, and be sure to lessen the surplus and raise the price +of corn, oats, and hay accordingly. Corn in the field is drying out so +fast under the influence of the dry, cold weather, stock do not refuse +soft corn as they did after the first sharp frost in November and +December. It is now seen that it would have been better to have left all +the soft and some of the immature corn in the field, than to have husked +and cribbed it as many did and lost more than would be believed, if +reported, by mould and rot. + + * * * * * + +At any rate the fall wheat is safe so long as the present covering of +snow lasts, and this more than compensates for the loss of winter +pasture. The snow, as near as I can learn, covers all Illinois, except a +few counties on the west, and as usual, is quite as heavy in the +timbered regions of which Vandalia is near the center, as in Northern +Illinois. So far the cold season considerably resembles the winter of +1878-79, and let us hope it will continue to the end, that we may have +light snows and many of them, good sleighing and moderate temperature +through January and February. + + * * * * * + +It has mystified me, as I have do doubt it has many others, why European +Governments have had so much to say about trichinae in the hog, of which +we have had scarcely any, and so little of hog cholera, of which we have +had a good deal. But the mystery is now cleared up. The sickness and +losses from hog cholera, have either by error or intention been reported +to the several European Governments as results of almost universal +trichiniasis, and they have acted accordingly. That it should be so, +seems surprising, but that it is so, we have the proof in the following +paragraph from a late number of the Journal D'Agriculteur Pratique. The +writer, Dr. Hector George, one of the regular contributors, in a long +article opposing rescinding the order prohibiting the importation of +American pork products into France, first quotes the report of the +Chicago Board of Health, that 8 per cent of hogs slaughtered in Chicago +are afflicted with trichinae, goes on to say: "This per cent, however +considerable it may be, is far inferior to the reality if we judge from +an official dispatch addressed to Earl Granville by Mr. Crump, English +Consul at Philadelphia." in 1880 trichiniasis destroyed 700,000 hogs in +Illinois alone. According to an official report by Dr. Detmers to the +Government of the United States, the hogs sick or dead from trichiniasis +are hurried to the packing houses and are thereafter prepared and +immediately sent off to Europe. + + * * * * * + +M. Paul Bert, from whom we have recently heard on the same subject and +in the same strain, no doubt got his inspiration from the article in the +Journal D'Agriculteur Pratique after which he probably read the official +report of Dr. Detmers, to whom he refers, and like Dr. George, either +did not understand or intentionally misconstrued it for political +purposes. Perhaps what Dr. Detmers did report was bad enough and +extravagant enough, but it had exclusive reference to hog cholera then +prevalent, as any one can satisfy himself who will turn to the reports +or the Department of Agriculture for the several years 1879, 1880, and +1881. B.F.J. + + * * * * * + + +A RECORD OF UNFASHIONABLE CROSSES IN SHORT-HORN CATTLE PEDIGREES; a book +of 240 pages; the only work of the kind in existence. Send for a +circular. F.P. & O.M. HEALY, Bedford, Taylor Co., Iowa. + + * * * * * + +REMEMBER _that $2.00 pays for_ THE PRAIRIE FARMER _from this +date to January 1, 1885; For $2.00 you get it for one year and a copy +of_ THE PRAIRIE FARMER COUNTY MAP OF THE UNITED STATES, FREE! +_This is the most liberal offer ever made by any first-class weekly +agricultural paper in this country._ + + + * * * * * + + + + +POULTRY NOTES + +Poultry-Raisers. Write for Your Paper. + + +CHAT WITH CORRESPONDENTS. + + +Notwithstanding the fact that I have repeatedly said I would not answer +questions unless they came through THE PRAIRIE FARMER the +people who, by ways and means best known to themselves, have managed to +obtain my address, keep right on asking questions by mail at a rate that +would drive me frantic if anything could. But nothing ever troubles me +long at a time, so I take your disregard of my wishes good naturedly, as +I take everything else that I can't help, and in the future I will +answer all questions whether they come through THE PRAIRIE +FARMER or not, sometime. To be sure "sometime" is not very +definite, but it is the best I can do. My poultry letters are "too +numerous to mention" and it requires no small amount of time to answer +them all; but I won't growl about that if you will only be patient and +not grumble if you don't get an answer "by return mail," or "in the next +paper." All questions of general interest will be answered in these +columns as soon as possible, while those that require an immediate +answer will be attended to by mail. Poultry raisers who desire +information that I can give, and who have not my address, can address +THE PRAIRIE FARMER. However, let me ask you not to write except +when necessary, and then please put your questions as plainly as +possible, and "be as brief as the nature of the subject will permit." + +And when you are writing to me don't use postal cards. Postal cards are +only intended for the briefest of business messages, but lots of people +use them for nearly all their correspondence. I know one man who writes +love letters on postal cards. Most women and some men manage to make one +side of a 5 x 3 inch postal card do duty for four pages of commercial +note. They will write up and down and across lots and on the bias until +the whole thing is so hopelessly mixed and tangled up that if the +mystery of a woman's ways, or the fate of Charlie Ross were solved upon +one of these cards all the "experts" in the world could not unravel it. +A penny saved may be as good as a penny earned, and I have no objections +to your saving it in a legitimate way, but when it comes to saving it at +the expense of my time, patience, and eye-sight, I object most +decidedly. Hereafter I will not answer postals; I will not even read +them. + +An Iowa woman writes: "If it is true that vaccination prevents chicken +cholera, how does it happen that fowls which had the genuine chicken +cholera last season took the disease again this season and died from the +effects of it? This happened on our place." I have puzzled my brains on +the same thing but I am not scientific enough to explain things that I +don't know anything about, so I leave that conundrum to be answered by +some of the learned people who have the whole theory of chicken cholera +at their tongues' end. + +Several correspondents want to know how to get rid of rats in +poultry-houses. One man says that he firmly believes that there are more +rats than chickens in his poultry-house, and although he has tried half +a dozen different kinds of rat-traps he rarely catches anything in them. + +I never found rat-traps much good; some of them would catch one or two, +but after that the rest of the tribe would fight shy of all such devices +for their undoing. A well trained rat terrier proved to be the best +rat-trap we ever had on the premises, and for the poultry raiser who +likes dogs a good ratter would be a good investment. Or you can use some +one of the "exterminators" that may be obtained at the drug stores. +Remove your fowls to some other building, prepare the poison according +to directions, and place it in the poultry-house. The best kinds to use +are those that make the rats thirsty and cause them to die immediately +after drinking; water can then be left in the hen house and the dead +rats will be found close by. When you have rat poison in the house see +that it is properly marked and put out of reach of children and careless +hired girls; and always see that all remnants of bait are taken care of. + +A Nebraska man wants to know why his hens don't lay. Says they are +mostly early pullets, have a fairly comfortable poultry house, all the +grain they will eat twice a day, and plenty of fresh water at all times. + +It seems to me that "all the grain they will eat twice a day" is rather +overdoing the grain business. Have some of that grain ground, mix with +boiled vegetables and feed warm every morning; also give green food and +raw bone, and my word for it your hens will soon "lay like sixty." + +FANNY FIELD. + + + + +FEATHER ENDS. + + +Plymouth Rock pullets are not always early layers, for they +often grow for ten or twelve months before laying, though some say as +early as six months after being hatched. The best plan the keep Plymouth +Rocks is to get the pullets hatched as early as possible. April is as +late as should be desired, but a Plymouth Rock cock crossed on common +hens will produce pullets that may be hatched later. + +N.Y. Times: A poultry-house should be large enough to be airy, +but if it is kept strictly clean and sweet it will do no harm to be +somewhat crowded. A house 24 feet long, 10 feet wide, 5 feet high behind +and 8 feet in front, and having four roosting poles, all on a level and +only a foot from the floor, will hold 60 to 80 fowls. This manner of +arranging the roosts prevents a good deal of quarreling to get on the +top perch. + +Poultry-rearing for export appears to be largely on the increase in +Germany; and Rummelsburg, near Berlin, boasts of the largest goose +market probably in the world. There arrive daily at that station on an +average forty cars with geese and ducks. Every car contains about 1,500, +thus making about 400,000 birds shipped every week, or an annual total +of 20,000,000. The largest portion of these birds are reared and +fattened in the surrounding provinces, and thence dispatched to all +parts of Germany, England, Belgium, France, Switzerland, and other +European countries. + +Farmers' Call: Turkeys do not require as warm quarters in +winter as do other fowls. They will rest on a cherry tree when the +mercury is frozen solid in the thermometer bulb, and then fly down in +the morning and wade through the snow to cool off. This is a hint to the +turkey raiser. Do not confine the turkeys in quarters too warm and +close, and be sure that they have three or four hours' exercise each day +in the open air. The turkey is really a hardy fowl and easily wintered +if you do not pet it too much. Be a little unkind to it in cold weather. +About all the shelter they will need is a wind-break. Give them plenty +of highly nutritious food. + +Mr. Harrison Weir writes: "What the farmers should do is +this--they should produce their poultry of the finest quality, poultry +of the stamp of the old Dorking--plump birds, thick-skinned birds, +small-boned birds, and birds with little offal--fat them well, truss +them well, and send them to market. The white-legged beauties would take +the highest price, and, if well seen to, would very soon drive the +foreign fowls from our markets, and English gold would gladden the home +of the English henwife. I may mention that a neighboring farmer intends +rearing 3,000 chickens next spring, all to be off his ground before the +beginning of May, when the cattle will come out. He expects to get 75c. +a head, and I believe he will, and it will pay him if he does." + +Poultry houses should be whitewashed inside and out. For the +inside we add two tablespoonfuls of carbolic acid or a pound of sulphur +to a pailful of the wash (to kill vermin); do not be afraid of putting +on too much, but apply the wash to every corner and crevice in the +building. If you have plank floors, clean them off nicely and put on +three or four inches of fresh earth. Dirt floors should be dug up the +depth of one foot. Wash your windows (if you have any in your house, and +if not you ought to have them), so that the fowls can see daylight, and +in bad weather they will enjoy the confinement of the poultry houses +much better. Wash off the roosts with kerosene oil at least once a week. +Take every nest box and wash inside and out, and put in clean straw, +sprinkling upon it some sulphur or loose tobacco. Observe these rules, +and your fowls will do better and keep healthier. We find this good +advice floating about and do not know its source. The hints are worth +remembering. + + * * * * * + +THE THROAT.--"_Brown's Bronchial Troches_" act directly on the organs +of the voice. They have an extraordinary effect in all disorders of the +throat. + + * * * * * + + + + +THE APIARY + +[Illustration] + + +KEEP BEES. + + +The beginning of the new year is a general time of settling accounts and +making resolutions for the future. The head of many a family is overcast +with gloom as he ascertains the true state of his affairs, and perceives +how little he has to show from the past year of toil. His family may +have been industrious in a general way, and yet been consumers only, and +not producers. We knew a farmer's family where there were three +daughters just budding into womanhood. On inquiring of the mother what +she had to sell to clothe her daughters with, she answered, Not a thing. +Have you no butter, eggs, fowls, honey, or bees-wax to sell from this +good farm? No, nothing. These girls were not idle! Oh no. They pounded +the organ, and the result was music as sweet as filing a saw; crocheted, +darned lace, and helped mother. When their father went to town they +asked him to bring them a pair of shoes, a bustle, or a necktie, with no +thought or care. And all the while the neighbors said "he was hard run." + +There are few farmers' families that are so situated that they can not +care for a few colonies of bees. They not only need the sweets they +gather, but these industrious insects help to fertilize the bloom of +their orchards and meadows. Nature has appointed this insect, and it +alone, to do this work for her. + +Honey can be used in many ways as a substitute for sugar--in canning +fruit, making cookies, and for other culinary purposes. + +We would advise all those contemplating bee-keeping to start on a small +scale, if they have had no previous training. Two colonies are plenty, +and then let their knowledge increase in the same ratio as do their +bees. The next thing in order, after purchasing bees, should be a good +standard work on apiculture; and study it well. A person should be full +of theory, and then they are ready for practice. Those who are +energetic, willing to work, intelligent and willing, eager to learn, +observing, persevering, and attentive to their work, will rarely ever +fail in apiculture. + +We have heard farmers say that bees will not flourish with the same care +given to other farm stock, and that they have not time to attend to +them. We would recommend to all such to try the experiment of procuring +a colony or two of beautiful Italians, in some good movable frame hive, +and present them to the family, with abundance of bee literature, and +see if they are not taken care of, especially if the almighty dollar +puts in an appearance. + +MRS. L. HARRISON. + + + + +THE NEW BEES. + + +Prof. Cook, at the late Michigan Convention of Bee-keepers, spoke in +this wise on the topic of the New Bees: + +"I have had no experience with the Cyprian bees, but I think more and +more of the Syrian. I find no trouble to handle them, and take my large +class of students, new to the business, right into the apiary. These +thirty or forty students daily manipulate the bees, doing everything +that the bee-keeper ever needs to do, and rarely ever get stung. I find +that the comb honey of the Syrians is excellent, that the bees go +readily into the sections. We did not get all our sections so that they +could be crated without the use of the separators; but I am not sure but +that it was more our fault than the fault of the bees. They are very +prolific, breeding even when there is no nectar to gather, and they +often gather when other bees are idle. I have this fall secured from Mr. +Frank Benton a Carniolan queen, and shall try crossing the Carniolans +with the Syrians. Perhaps we can thus secure a strain with the +amiability of the Carniolan, and the business of the Syrians." + + + + +HIVE AND HONEY HINTS. + + +Mr. Willingford, of Carlingford, Ontario, who had a crop of +several tons of honey this year, has taken it to England for sale. + +Manufacturers of tobacco, of pickles, of cakes and cookies, +confectioners, and pork-packers are now using honey more extensively +than ever in the preparation of their specialties. + +A singular instance of bee-swarming occurred a short time ago +in Singapore harbor, on board the British steamer Antonio, which at the +time was lying entirely outside the shipping in the roads. A swarm of +wild bees from the shore suddenly located themselves directly under the +sternpost of a boat lying above the deck, and all attempts to drive them +away proved unavailing, the chief officer being very severely stung in +endeavoring to get rid of them. They held to their position for several +days, and were eventually destroyed after the steamer had hauled +alongside the wharf. + +Rev. L.L. Langstroth recently said: When I commenced +bee-keeping, a sting caused much swelling, but in time this trouble +passed away. Several years passed, during which I handled no bees, and +when I again attempted it, I found myself more susceptible to the poison +than ever, but by continuing to work with the bees, disregarding the +stings, my former indifference returned. + +Ohio bee-keepers will discuss the following questions at the +Columbus meeting on the 14-16: How to winter bees successfully. How many +brood-frames are necessary in one hive? What can be done to prevent +adulteration of honey? How to create a home market for honey. How many +colonies can be kept in one locality? Can we do without separators? What +shall we do with second swarms? Which is the most salable +section--one-half, one, or two pounds? Which are best--deep or shallow +frames? Is it advisable to have a standard-size frame for all +bee-keepers? + +Many are inquiring the proper way to let bees out on shares, so +as to have both parties satisfied. I do not know any such way, for the +most I have known in regard to letting bees out on shares resulted in +both parties being dissatisfied. But it all depends on what the +agreement is; and perhaps you had better have it down in writing. One +case I have recently heard of, the agreement was to divide the profits. +Well, it so happened that there was no profit, but there was a pretty +big loss; and as no provision had been made for this state of affairs, +each one felt disposed to put the loss on to the shoulders of the other. +I decided it would be about fair to divide the loss; but very likely +circumstances might make this not the right way after all. So says the +editor of Gleanings. It strikes us that he is all right, but if he had +said to bee-keepers "use the same common sense as to contracts that +people do in other kinds of business," he would have covered the whole +ground. + + * * * * * + +THE PRAIRIE FARMER + +AND + +YOUTH'S COMPANION + +ONE YEAR, $3 FOR THE TWO. + +It is not required that both papers be sent to one address, nor to the +same post-office. + +Address PRAIRIE FARMER PUB. CO., +150 Monroe Street, Chicago. + + * * * * * + +RAILROADS. + +[Illustration] + +A MAN WHO IS UNACQUAINTED WITH THE GEOGRAPHY OF THIS COUNTRY WILL SEE BY +EXAMINING THIS MAP THAT THE + +CHICAGO, ROCK ISLAND & PACIFIC R'Y + +By the central position of its line, connects the East and the West by +the shortest route, and carries passengers, without change of cars, +between Chicago and Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Leavenworth, Atchison, +Minneapolis and St. Paul. It connects in Union Depots with all the +principal lines of road between the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. Its +equipment is unrivaled and magnificent, being composed of Most +Comfortable and Beautiful Day Coaches, Magnificent Horton Reclining +Chair Cars, Pullman's Prettiest Palace Sleeping Cars, and the Best Line +of Dining Cars in the World. Three Trains between Chicago and Missouri +River Points. Two Trains between Chicago and Minneapolis and St. Paul, +via the Famous + +"ALBERT LEA ROUTE." + +A New and Direct Line, via Seneca and Kankakee, has recently been opened +between Richmond Norfolk, Newport News, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Augusta, +Nashville, Louisville, Lexington, Cincinnati Indianapolis and Lafayette, +and Omaha, Minneapolis and St. Paul and intermediate points. + +All Through Passengers Travel on Fast Express Trains. + +Tickets for sale at all principal Ticket Offices in the United States +and Canada. + +Baggage checked through and rates of fare always as low as competitors +that offer less advantages. + +For detailed information, get the Maps and Folders of the + +GREAT ROCK ISLAND ROUTE, + +At your nearest Ticket Office, or address + +R.R. CABLE, +Vice-Pres. & Gen'l M'g'r, + +E. ST. JOHN, +Gen'l Tkt. & Pass. Agt. + +CHICAGO. + + * * * * * + +REMEMBER _that $2.00 pays for_ THE PRAIRIE FARMER +_from this date to January 1, 1885: For $2.00 you get it for one year +and a copy of_ THE PRAIRIE FARMER COUNTY MAP OF THE UNITED STATES, +FREE! _This is the most liberal offer ever made by any first-class +weekly agricultural paper in this country._ + + * * * * * + + + + +SILK CULTURE. + + +WOMEN IN SILK CULTURE. + + +The feminine portion of our population is getting to be mighty +independent. Instead of waiting, Micawber-like, for something (a man) to +turn up they are going to work to turn it up themselves. They would +rather make a living for themselves than have a man to make it for them. +They are teaching schools, operating telegraph instruments and +telephones, clerking, keeping books of account, type-writing, doing +short-hand reporting, lecturing, preaching, practicing law, and some +have so far fallen from grace as to be editing papers. But many of these +occupations present closed doors to our country girls and women. Many of +these can not leave their country homes, and these occupations, with the +exception of school teaching, can not be carried on in the country. +Others, who could leave home, are chary of braving the wiles and +temptations of the city, and their friends are still more loth to have +them go. The great need is some work, light, respectable, and yet fairly +remunerative, which our country lassies can carry on at home. School +teaching is possible, but teaching country district schools is the most +thankless of all drudgery, and, besides, a majority of our young women +are not able to endure the worry and close confinement. If it can be +made successful, sericulture offers by far the best opportunity to +country girls to earn their own pin money, or even their own living. It +can be engaged in at home; it is light, pleasant, and interesting work; +and there is no doubt that American silk can be produced of such a +quality that there will be a brisk demand for it at good prices. But if +all this be true the question at once presents itself, Why have not +American women engaged largely in sericulture? + +The answer is that they have been appalled at the very outset by the +alleged expense of the undertaking. The promoters of the enterprise took +to writing books. There was an excuse for this amounting almost to a +necessity. To engage in silk culture, a person must be possessed of some +special knowledge. It is no harder than poultry or bee-keeping, but a +person to succeed at these must have some expert knowledge, and as +sericulture was a new thing, beginners must have books containing what +they needed. But these authors made the business much more difficult and +expensive than it should be. First of all, they laid it down as one of +the Medes and Persian laws of sericulture, that the worms must have +mulberry leaves to subsist upon. Mulberry sprouts are costly to begin +with; then the trees must grow at least two years, and should grow five +years, before the leaves are used. This, of itself, was enough to deter +but a very few from silk culture. But they made it appear, also, that +very expensive appliances for a cocoonery were necessary, and only the +most costly breeds of worms should be used, entailing greater expense +and difficulty. The books were, and for that matter are, filled with dry +scientific details of the internal construction of the worm and of its +habits--details which only confused the learner and which, though giving +an author material from which to deduce rules of instruction, should +have been omitted from the book and their place supplied with the rules +deduced. In short, it seemed to be the prime object to make sericulture +as hard and forbidding as possible, and to deter the people from it +rather than to induce them to engage in the work. For this very reason +there has been considerable popular indifference to it, and from the +agricultural press it has not received that attention which so promising +an industry deserves. I would not be so unjust as to leave the reader to +infer that all authors on sericulture have been thus guilty. There have +been some very few who from the very start have presented it in as easy +and practicable a light as was consistent with successful work. Nor +would I be ready to assert that those who have said it could not be made +financially profitable without mulberry groves, fancy priced worms, and +expensive appliances, have done so from base motives. Yet it would +appear as if not a few could be justly indicted of this; for they have +mulberry sprouts, fancy priced worms, and costly appliances to sell. And +perhaps it occurred to them that if they deterred the people generally +from taking hold of it, they would have less opposition and competition. + +But be this as it may, the fact is that it is not necessary to have +mulberry groves, costly appliances, or even fancy priced worms (though +good worms only should be reared), in order to profitably engage in +sericulture. I know of no business presenting so promising an opening +that requires less capital. And I say this, having no axe to grind in +any way, simply for the sake of those girls and women who might make +money by it, and who would do so if they only knew the facts. I have no +book, no sprouts, no worms, nothing whatever, to sell. + +I have said that the leaves of the mulberry are not essential to silk +growing. If this be true the greatest obstacle in the way of sericulture +becoming a great national industry will have been removed. And that it +is true is proven by the experience of not a few practical silk-growers. +Without exception those who have tested the matter say that the leaves +of the Osage-orange are equal to those of the mulberry, and some say +they are better. My position brings me into correspondence with the +leading specialists in agricultural pursuits, and among others with many +practical silk-growers. To-day I received letters from three +silk-growers, one in Illinois, one in Kansas, and one in California. +Each had fed the leaves of the Osage-orange exclusively for the last two +years, and with the best results. One said there was no doubt that they +were at least equal to the leaves of the mulberry, and the other two +pronounced them superior. One of our best authorities on sericulture, +Prof. Barricelli, has shown by means of chemical analyses and other +scientific data, that as nourishment for silk-worms the Osage is +superior to the mulberry. In fact, nine-tenths of the practical +silk-growers of the West, those who are making it not only practicable +but profitable, are now feeding Osage leaves exclusively. This should be +known by the people at large. There can be no monopoly of the +Osage-orange. No one can demand of the expectant silk culturist +exorbitant prices for Osage sprouts. In very few localities will it be +necessary to plant the Osage even. We have an abundance of Osage hedges, +particularly in the West. In such localities the silk culturist will be +at no expense whatever for food for the worms, and will not be under +even the necessity of waiting a couple of years for it to grow. When +this is more fully understood by the girls and women of the country, we +may expect silk culture to assume the importance of a profitable +national industry. + +JOHN M. STAHL. + + * * * * * + +MEDICAL. + +Weak Nervous Men + +[Illustration:] + +Whose DEBILITY, EXHAUSTED POWERS, premature decay and failure to +perform LIFE'S DUTIES properly are caused by excesses, errors of +youth, etc., will find a perfect and lasting restoration to ROBUST +HEALTH and VIGOROUS MANHOOD in + +THE MARSTON BOLUS. + +Neither stomach drugging nor instruments. This treatment of NERVOUS +DEBILITY and PHYSICAL DECAY is uniformly successful because based on +perfect diagnosis, NEW AND DIRECT METHODS and absolute THOROUGHNESS. +Full information and Treatise free. + +Address Consulting Physician of +MARSTON REMEDY CO., 46W. 14th St., New York. + + * * * * * + +TWO LADIES MET ONE DAY. + +One said to the other "By the way how is that Catarrh of yours?" "Why +it's simply horrid, getting worse every day." "Well, why don't you try +'DR. SYKES' SURE CURE,' I know it will cure you!" "Well, then I will, +for I've tried everything else." + +Just six weeks afterward they met again and No. 1 said. "Why, how much +better you look, what's up! Going to get married, or what?" "Well, yes, +and it's all owing to 'DR. SYKES' SURE CURE FOR CATARRH;' oh, why +didn't I know of it before? it's simply wonderful." + +Send 10 cents to Dr. C.R. Sykes, 181 Monroe street, Chicago, for +valuable book of full information, and mention the "Two Ladies." + + * * * * * + +30 DAYS' TRIAL + +DR. DYE'S + +[Illustration] + +ELECTRO VOLTAIC BELT, and other ELECTRIC APPLIANCES. We will send on +Thirty Days' Trial, TO MEN, YOUNG OR OLD, who are suffering from NERVOUS +DEBILITY, LOST VITALITY, and those diseases of a PERSONAL NATURE +resulting from ABUSES and OTHER CAUSES. Speedy relief and complete +restoration to HEALTH, VIGOR and MANHOOD GUARANTEED. Send at once for +Illustrated Pamphlet free. Address + +VOLTAIC BELT CO., MARSHALL, MICH. + + * * * * * + +CONSUMPTION. + +I have a positive remedy for the above disease; by its use thousands of +cases of the worst kind and of long standing have been cured. In deed, +so strong is my faith in its efficacy, that I will send TWO BOTTLES +FREE, together with a VALUABLE TREATISE on this disease, to any +sufferer. Give Express & P.O. address. DR. T.A. SLOCUM, 181 Pearl St., +N.Y. + + * * * * * + + + + +PUBLICATIONS + +THE YOUTH'S COMPANION + +FOR 1884. + +THE COMPANION presents below the Announcement of its Fifty-Seventh +Volume. Its unusual character, both in the range of its topics, and its +remarkably brilliant list of Contributors, will, we trust, be accepted +as a grateful recognition of the favor with which the paper has been +received by more than 300,000 subscribers. + + * * * * * + +Illustrated Serial Stories. + +A Story of English Rustic Life, by Thomas Hardy. +The Foundling of Paris, by Alphonse Daudet. +A Boys' Story, by J.T. Trowbridge. +The Covenanter's Daughter, by Mrs. Oliphant. +A Story of Adventure, by C.A. Stephens. +My School at Orange Grove, by Marie B. Williams. + + * * * * * + +Science and Natural History. + +Eccentricities of Insanity, by Dr. W.A. Butler. +Common Adulterations of Food, by Dr. J.C. Draper. +The Home Life of Oysters, and other Natural History Papers, by + Arabella B. Buckley. +Wonders in Ourselves; or the Curiosities of the Human Body, by Dr. + Austin Flint, Jr. +Insect Enemies of the Garden, the Orchard and the Wheat-Field, by + A.S. Packard, Jr. +Demons of the Air and Water. A fascinating Series of Papers on + Sanitary Science, by R. Ogden Doremus. +The Youth Of the Brain, "Speech in Man," "Animal Poisons and their + Effects," and Other Papers, by Dr. W.A. Hammond. +Strange Ways Of Curing People. A Description of Curious + Sanitaria,--the Peat, Mud, Sand, Whey, and Grape Cures, by William + H. Rideing. + + * * * * * + +Encouragement and Advice. + +Hints for Poor Farmers, by C.E. Winder. +The Failures of Great Men, by James Parton. +A Dietary for Nervous People, by Dr. W.A. Hammond. +Hints for Country House-Builders, by Calvert Vaux. +The Gift Of Memory, and Other Papers, giving Instances of Self-Help, + by Samuel Smiles. +A New Profession for Young Men. The Opportunities for Young Men as + Electrical Engineers, by Thomas A. Edison. +At the Age Of Twenty-One. A Series of Papers showing what Great Men + had accomplished, and what they proposed doing, at that period of + their lives, by Edwin P. Whipple. + + * * * * * + +Original Poems. + +BY ALFRED TENNYSON, +VICTOR HUGO, +THE EARL OF LYTTON, +J.C. WHITTIER, +T.B. ALDRICH, +DR. CHARLES MACKAY, +And Many Others. + + * * * * * + +Illustrated Adventure and Travel. + +Shark-Hunting, by T.B. Luce. +Four Amusing Stories, by C.A. Stephens. +Outwitted. An Indian Adventure, by Lieut. A. Chapin. +A Honeymoon in the Jungle, by Phil. Robinson. +Wrecked Upon a Volcanic Island, by Richard Heath. +Stories of the Cabins in the West, by E.J. Marston. +Adventures in the Mining Districts, by H. Fillmore. +The Capture of Some Infernal Machines, by William Howson. +Breaking in the Reindeer, and Other Sketches of Polar Adventure, by + W.H. Gilder. +An American in Persia, by the American Minister Resident, Teheran, + S.G.W. Benjamin. +China as Seen by a Chinaman, by the Editor of the Chinese American, + Wong Chin Foo. +Stories Of Menageries. Incidents connected with Menagerie Life, and + the Capture and Taming of Wild Beasts for Exhibition, by S.S. Cairns. +Boys Afoot in Italy and Switzerland. The Adventures of two English + boys travelling abroad at an expense of one dollar a day, by Nugent + Robinson. + + * * * * * + +Reminiscences and Anecdotes. + +Stage-Driver Stories, by Rose Terry Cooke. +Stories of Saddle-Bag Preachers, by H.L. Winckley. +My First Visit to a Newspaper Office, by Murat Halstead. +Queen Victoria's Household and Drawing-Rooms, by H.W. Lucy. +Child Friendships of Charles Dickens, by his Daughter, Mamie + Dickens. +Our Herbariums; Adventures in Collecting Them, by A Young Lady. +My Pine-Apple Farm, with incidents of Florida Life, by C.H. Pattee. +Bigwigs of the English Bench and Bar, by a London Barrister, W.L. + Woodroffe. +At School with Sir Garnet Wolseley, and the Life of a Page of Honor in + the Vice-Regal Court of Dublin, by Nugent Robinson. +Student Waiters. Some Humorous Incidents of a Summer Vacation in the + White Mountains, by Child McPherson. + + * * * * * + +THE EDITORIALS OF THE COMPANION, without having any bias, will give +clear views of current events at home and abroad. THE CHILDREN'S PAGE +will sustain its reputation for charming pictures, poems, and stories +for the little ones. + +ISSUED WEEKLY. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE, $1.75. SPECIMEN COPIES FREE. + +SPECIAL OFFER.--To any one who subscribes now, and sends us $1.75, we +will send the Companion free to January 1st, 1884, and a full year's +subscription from that date. + +Address, + +PERRY MASON & CO., +41 TEMPLE PLACE, BOSTON, MASS. + +_Please mention where you read this Advertisement._ + + * * * * * + + + + +HOUSEHOLD. + + For nothing lovelier can be found + In woman than to study _household_ good.--_Milton._ + + +THE SCHOOL-MARM'S STORY. + + A frosty chill was in the air-- + How plainly I remember-- + The bright autumnal fires had paled, + Save here and there an ember; + The sky looked hard, the hills were bare, + And there were tokens everywhere + That it had come--November. + + I locked the time-worn school-house door, + The village seat of learning. + Across the smooth, well trodden path + My homeward footstep turning; + My heart a troubled question bore, + And in my mind, as oft before, + A vexing thought was burning. + + "Why is it up hill all the way?" + Thus ran my meditations: + The lessons had gone wrong that day + And I had lost my patience. + "Is there no way to soften care, + And make it easier to bear + Life's sorrows and vexations?" + + Across my pathway through the wood + A fallen tree was lying; + On this there sat two little girls, + And one of them was crying. + I heard her sob: "And if I could, + I'd get my lessons awful good, + But what's the use of trying?" + + And then the little hooded head + Sank on the other's shoulder. + The little weeper sought the arms + That opened to enfold her. + Against the young heart, kind and true, + She nestled close, and neither knew + That I was a beholder. + + And then I heard--ah! ne'er was known + Such judgment without malice, + Nor queenlier council ever heard + In senate, house or palace!-- + "I should have failed there, I am sure, + Don't be discouraged; try once more, + And I will help you, Alice." + + "And I will help you." This is how + To soften care and grieving; + Life is made easier to bear + By helping and by giving. + Here was the answer I had sought, + And I, the teacher, being taught + The secret of true living. + + If "I will help you" were the rule. + How changed beyond all measure + Life would become! Each heavy load + Would be a golden treasure; + Pain and vexation be forgot; + Hope would prevail in every lot, + And life be only pleasure. + +--_Wolstan Dixey._ + + + + +A CHAT ABOUT THE FASHIONS. + + +Although the lady readers of THE PRAIRIE FARMER have probably +by this time made up the heavier part of their winter wardrobe, still a +few suggestions may not be out of place, for the "fashions" is a subject +of which we seldom tire. + +In discussing the subject of silk and silk-culture at the late Woman's +Congress, Mrs Julia Ward Howe said that "although silk is said to be +depreciating in value, and is not quite as popular as formerly, yet we +must confess it lies very near the feminine heart," at which statement +an audible smile passed over the audience, as each one acknowledged to +herself its truth. + +We are glad to see that wrappers are becoming quite "the thing" for +afternoon home wear, and a lady now need not feel at all out of place +receiving her callers in a pretty, gracefully made wrapper. The Watteau +wrapper is made of either silk or brocaded woolen goods, conveniently +short, the back cut square at the neck, and folded in a handsome Watteau +plait at the center, with a full ruche effect. A yolk portion of silk +fills in the open neck and is sewed flatly underneath to the back. The +side seams are curved so that a clinging effect is produced at the +sides. Jabbots of lace extending down the front, and a prettily bowed +ribbon at the right shoulder, with a standing collar at the neck, and a +linen choker collar give the finishing touches to the toilette. + +Velvets and velveteens seem to be taking the place of silk, and are +really quite as cheap. In fact, velveteens are cheaper, as they are so +much wider. A suit of velveteen is fashionable for any occasion--for +receptions, church or street costume. The redingote or polonaise is very +stylish and pretty, especially for a tall, rather slight person. For a +young miss the close-fitting frock coat, with pointed vest effectively +disclosed between the cut-away edges of the coat fronts, is much worn. +The latter curve away from the shoulders and are nicely rounded off at +their lower front corners. An underarm dart gives a smooth adjustment +over each hip, and in these darts are inserted the back edges of the +vest. Buttons and buttonholes close the vest, but the coat fronts do not +meet at all. The coat and long-pointed overskirt can be made of any +heavy material, but the vest should be of silk; a deep box-plait on the +bottom of the underskirt made of silk to match the vest will make the +suit very stylish and pretty. + +There ought to be great satisfaction among the wearers of bonnets and +hats this season, because they can so easily have what they want--big or +little, plain or decorated, as they please. For a person with dark hair, +gold braid loosely put around the edge of a velvet capote is very +becoming. Bunches of tips are worn much more than the long, drooping +plumes, though both are fashionable; while birds--sometimes as many as +three on a hat--are often preferred to either. We notice upon the street +a great many elegantly dressed ladies with but a single band of wide +velvet ribbon fastened somewhat carelessly around the bonnet and tied in +a bow under the chin. Unique it may be, but undoubtedly the taste of the +wearer, would be the verdict of the passer by. In fact, one can scarcely +be out of the fashion in the choice of a bonnet or hat, but care should +be taken that it be just the thing for the wearer, and that it be +properly put on. + +I firmly believe in the doctrine that "good clothes tendeth toward +grace." What woman can not talk better when she knows she looks well? +She can then forget herself and lose all self-consciousness, which is a +state most devoutly to be desired by all women--particularly our young +women. So, girls, study your costumes, especially the "superfluities," +or "furbelows," as they are wont to be called; make yourselves look as +pretty as you possibly can--and then forget yourselves. + +I wish all our lady readers might have been here the holiday week, for +the stores were perfect bowers of beauty. It was a pretty sight in +itself to watch the crowds of happy-faced children, with their little +pocket-books in their hands, at the various counters buying presents for +father, mother, brothers, and sisters. Children always enjoy Christmas +more when they can make, as well as receive, presents. So I hope all our +little readers were made happy by both giving and receiving. + +I am sorry I could not give you a more satisfactory talk on the +fashions, but our space is limited this week. I hope the ladies will not +forget that our "Household" department is open to them, and that they +will contribute anything that may be of interest to the others. + +MARY HOWE. + + + + +A KITCHEN SILO. + + +The farmer's wife in the Netherlands has long been using a sort of a +silo. Probably she had been doing so for long years before M. Geoffrey +began experimenting with preserved stock food in France. The Netherland +housewife's silo consists of an earthenware jar about two feet tall. +Into one of these jars in summer time she places the kidney bean; in +another shelled green peas; in another broad beans, and so on. Making a +layer about six inches deep in each. She sprinkles a little salt on top +and presses the whole firmly down. Then she adds another layer and more +salt. She leaves a light weight on top to keep all well pressed down and +exclude the air, in the intervals between pickings for often the harvest +of a single day will not fill the jar. When full, she puts on a heavier +weight, and covers all with brown paper. She thus has green vegetables +preserved for winter. The ensilage is said to be "more or less good, +according to taste." + + * * * * * + +CHICKEN SALAD: Two common sized fowls, one teacup of good salad +oil, half a jar of French sweet mustard, the hard-boiled yolks of ten +eggs, half a pint of vinegar, one teaspoonful of cayenne pepper, eight +heads of celery, one teaspoon of salt or a little more if required. Cut +and mix the chicken and celery and set away in a cool place. Mash the +eggs to a paste with the oil, then add the vinegar and other things, mix +thoroughly, but do not pour it over the salad until about half an hour +before serving, as the celery may become wilted. + + * * * * * + +SOFT GINGERBREAD: One cup butter and two cups sugar well worked +together, three eggs well beaten in, one cup New Orleans molasses, one +cup good sweet milk and five cups of flour into which has been stirred +one teaspoonful baking powder, not heaped, two tablespoonfuls ground +cinnamon and one tablespoonful ground ginger. Bake in small dripping +pans not too full, as they will rise. + + * * * * * + +Mixture of two parts of glycerine, one part ammonia, and a +little rose water whitens and softens the hands. + + + * * * * * + +OUR BOOKS. + + +BOOKS FREE! + + +Good books are valued by intelligent men and women more than silver and +gold. They are treasures in every home. They are to the mind what light +and heat are to plants. They + +_STORE THE MIND WITH USEFUL KNOWLEDGE_; + +the mind directs the hands. An intelligent man has an advantage over one +who is ignorant, whether he is a farmer, or mechanic, or merchant, and +is surer of success in his occupation. Think how + +_LOSSES OF TIME AND MONEY MAY BE SAVED_ + +by having some book at hand containing just the information desired in +some line of the rural industries. We offer an excellent opportunity for +any one to obtain BOOKS FREE for himself or family, and also for +societies, farmers' clubs, and associations to make additions to a +library, or to start one. + +These books comprise standard works, and the latest and best books for + +Farmers, Stockmen, + Dairymen, Fruit-Growers, + Gardeners, Florists, + Poultrymen, Apiarists, + Silk-Culturists, Housekeepers, + Architects, Etc., Etc. + +THE PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING COMPANY will give to any person, +association, or club, who will obtain and send subscribers to THE +PRAIRIE FARMER (including both new subscribers and renewals), at the +regular price of the paper ($2) each, any of the books contained in our +Book List on the following terms: + +For THREE subscribers, books to the amount of $1.50. + +For FOUR subscribers, books to the amount of $2.00. + +For FIVE subscribers, books to the amount of $2.50. + +For SIX subscribers, books to the amount of $3.00. + +For SEVEN subscribers, books to the amount of $3.50. + +For EIGHT subscribers, books to the amount of $4.00 + +For TEN subscribers, books to the amount of $5.00. + +_FOR TWELVE SUBSCRIPTIONS AND UPWARD_, + +A DOLLAR'S WORTH OF BOOKS FOR EVERY TWO SUBSCRIPTIONS SENT AT $2.00 +EACH. + +All books given under these offers will be delivered at our office, No. +150 Monroe street. + +If it is desired that they shall be forwarded by express, they will be +packed and delivered at the express office by us, the receiver to pay +cost of carriage. + +Sent by mail to any part of the United States or Canada, the postage +will be seven cents on each dollar's worth of books. + +It is necessary that parties to whom the books are given shall remit us +the postage before the books are sent. + + * * * * * + +A Dictionary Free! + +This is no catchpenny affair, but a valuable lexicon. It is the popular + +AMERICAN DICTIONARY, + +on the basis of Webster, Worcester, Johnson, and other eminent American +and English authorities. It contains over 32,000 words, with accurate +definitions, proper spelling, and exact pronunciation; to which is added +a mass of valuable information. It is enriched with 400 illustrations. + +REMEMBER, + +every subscriber at the regular price of THE PRAIRIE FARMER +gets this Dictionary FREE, if preferred to our commercial map. + + * * * * * + +HERE IS ANOTHER. + +ROPP'S CALCULATOR +And Account Book for 1884. + +This is the most useful thing in the way of a memorandum book and +calculator ever issued. It is a work of nearly 80 pages of printed +matter and an equal number of blank leaves, ruled, for keeping accounts. +The contents include a vast array of practical calculations, 100,000 or +more in number, arranged for reference like a dictionary, so that a +farmer or business man may turn to the figures, and find the answer to +any problem in business. + +There are three kinds. We use No. 3. Full leather; assorted colors, with +flap, slate pocket, and a renewable account book, ruled with divisions +or headings especially adapted to farmers' use. The retail price of +this book in leather is $1. We will send it FREE to every +subscriber to THE PRAIRIE FARMER who sends us $2. Or we will +send THREE copies of No. 1, the cheaper issue. + + * * * * * + +AND YET ANOTHER. + +AMERICAN ETIQUETTE AND RULES OF POLITENESS. + +It is the latest and best standard work recommended and endorsed by all +who have read it. The acknowledged authority. Beautifully and +appropriately illustrated; handsomely and substantially bound. It +contains 38 chapters, treating on all subjects relating to etiquette. We +send this book--plain edition, to any subscriber desiring it who sends +$2.00 for THE PRAIRIE FARMER year, or for two subscribers to +THE PRAIRIE FARMER at $2 each, we will send American Etiquette +bound in English cloth, burnished edges. + +Our large and varied premium list will be issued in a few days. Send for +it. + + * * * * * + +MISCELLANEOUS. + +TO PRESERVE THE HEALTH + +Use the Magneton Appliance Co.'s + +MAGNETIC LUNG PROTECTOR! + +PRICE ONLY $5. + +They are priceless to LADIES, GENTLEMEN, and CHILDREN with WEAK LUNGS; +no case of PNEUMONIA OR CROUP is ever known where these garments are +worn. They also prevent and cure HEART DIFFICULTIES, COLDS, RHEUMATISM, +NEURALGIA, THROAT TROUBLES, DIPHTHERIA, CATARRH, AND ALL KINDRED +DISEASES. Will WEAR any service for THREE YEARS. Are worn over the +under-clothing. + +CATARRH, It is needless to describe the symptoms of this nauseous +disease that is sapping the life and strength of only too many of the +fairest and best of both sexes. Labor, study, and research in America, +Europe, and Eastern lands, have resulted in the Magnetic Lung Protector, +affording cure for Catarrh, a remedy which contains No Drugging of the +System, and with the continuous stream of Magnetism permeating through +the afflicted organs; MUST RESTORE THEM TO A HEALTHY ACTION. WE PLACE +OUR PRICE for this Appliance at less than one-twentieth of the price +asked by others for remedies upon which you take all the chances, and WE +ESPECIALLY INVITE the patronage of the MANY PERSONS who have tried +DRUGGING THE STOMACHS WITHOUT EFFECT. + +HOW TO OBTAIN This Appliance. Go to your druggist and ask for them. If +they have not got them, write to the proprietors, enclosing the price, +in letter at our risk, and they will be sent to you at once by mail, +post paid. + +Send stamp for the "New Departure in Medical Treatment WITHOUT +MEDICINE," with thousands of testimonials, + +THE MAGNETON APPLIANCE CO., +218 State Street, Chicago, Ill. + +NOTE.--Send one dollar in postage stamps or currency (in letter +at our risk) with size of shoe usually worn, and try a pair of our +Magnetic Insoles, and be convinced of the power residing in our Magnetic +Appliances. Positively _no cold feet where they are worn, or money +refunded._ + + * * * * * + +CLUB RATES. + +To Our Readers. + +THE PRAIRIE FARMER is the OLDEST, MOST RELIABLE, and the LEADING +AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL OF THE GREAT NORTHWEST, devoted exclusively to the +interests of the Farmer, Gardener, Florist, Stock Breeder, Dairyman, +Etc., and every species of Industry connected with that great portion of +the People of the World, the Producers. Now in the Forty-Second Year of +its existence, and never, during more than two score years, having +missed the regular visit to its patrons, it will continue to maintain +supremacy as a STANDARD AUTHORITY ON MATTERS PERTAINING TO AGRICULTURE +AND KINDRED PRODUCTIVE INDUSTRIES, and as a FRESH AND READABLE FAMILY +AND FIRESIDE JOURNAL. It will from time to time add new features of +interest, securing for each department the ablest writers of practical +experience. + +THE PRAIRIE FARMER will discuss, without fear or favor, all topics of +interest properly belonging to a Farm and Fireside Paper, treat of the +most approved practices in AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, BREEDING, ETC.; +the varied Machinery, Implements, and improvements in same, for use both +in Field and House; and, in fact, everything of interest to the +Agricultural community, whether in FIELD, MARKET, OR HOME CIRCLE. + +IT WILL GIVE INFORMATION UPON THE PUBLIC DOMAIN, WESTERN SOILS, +CLIMATE, ETC.; ANSWER INQUIRIES on all manner of subjects which come +within its sphere; GIVE each week, full and RELIABLE MARKET, CROP, +AND WEATHER REPORTS; PRESENT the family with choice and INTERESTING +LITERATURE; amuse and INSTRUCT THE YOUNG FOLKS: AND, in a word, aim +to be, in every respect, AN INDISPENSABLE AND UNEXCEPTIONABLE FARM and +fireside COMPANION. + +Terms of Subscription and 'Club Rates': + +ONE COPY, 1 YEAR, postage paid $ 2.00 + +TWO COPIES, " " " 3.75 + +FIVE " " sent at one time 8.75 + +TEN " " sent at one time, and + one to Club getter 16.00 + +TWENTY " " sent at one time, and + one to Club getter 30.00 + +Address + +The Prairie Farmer Publishing Co., +Chicago. Ill. + + * * * * * + +SELF CURE FREE + +Nervous Lost Weakness +Debility Manhood and Decay + +A favorite prescription of a noted specialist (now retired.) +Druggists can fill it. Address + +DR. WARD & CO., LOUISIANA, MO. + + * * * * * + + + + +OUR YOUNG FOLKS + + +A TALK ABOUT THE LION. + + +We wonder how many of THE PRAIRIE FARMER boys and girls have +seen the lion, "king of beasts," as he is called. Perhaps not all of you +as yet, though many of you doubtless will as the years roll on--and, by +the way, you will find that the older you grow the more quickly will +they speed away. So be careful in this, the beautiful springtime of your +lives, to so cultivate and make ready the garden of your minds that the +coming manhood and womanhood may not only find you with well developed +arms and limbs and muscles, ready to face the world and to help lift +some of its burdens, but also with a mind that has kept even pace with +the body--because of constant _growth_. + +We think we will have to depart from our usual natural history articles +some day, and have a talk with the boys and girls on this subject of +growth--growth in its largest, broadest sense, the mind, soul, and body +all growing together into the stature of a perfect man. + +But to return to the lion. This animal is the largest of the cat family +and is found, only in Asia and Africa. The Asiatic lion is not so large +nor so fierce as the African, and has a much smaller mane. The mane of +the African lion is long and thick, and gives the animal a very noble +appearance; the female, however, has no mane. The lion is always of one +color, that is, without spots or stripes, generally tawny, though the +mane is dark sometimes nearly black. The lion gets its full growth when +seven or eight years old, and lives usually about twenty-five years, +though some have been known to live much longer in menageries. + +These animals see much better in the night than in the day, so they +generally hide away during the day and search for food in the gray dawn +of the morning. They feed chiefly on antelopes, zebras, giraffes, and +wild cattle. It is said that the lion rarely attacks man, only in cases +of extreme hunger; indeed, they seem somewhat afraid of man. Dr. +Livingstone says that when the lion meets a man in daylight it will stop +two or three seconds to stare at him, then turn slowly round and walk +off a few steps, looking over its shoulder, then begin to trot, and when +at last he thinks he is no longer seen will bound away like a hare. The +Doctor says also, that the roar of the lion is very like the cry of the +ostrich, but the former roars only at night, however, while the latter +cries only by day. + +Did you not think it wonderful when you saw for the first time, perhaps, +a keeper walk boldly into the lions' cage, when in their natural state +they are so very fierce and wild? Well, we think it is wonderful, +although the keepers tell us that they are easily tamed. + +In ancient times they were used in many more ways than they are now. +Hanno, the Carthaginian general, had a lion to carry his baggage, and +Mark Antony often rode through the streets of Rome in a chariot drawn by +lions. A short time ago we read a story of a slave named Androclus, who, +while hiding away from his master in the deserts of Africa, cured a lion +of lameness by pulling a thorn out of its foot. The slave was afterward +caught, carried to Rome, and condemned to be eaten by the wild beasts. +He was thrown into a lion's den, but the beast, instead of killing him +fawned upon him and showed the greatest delight at seeing him; Androclus +was surprised to find that it was the same lion whose foot he had cured +in the desert. The Emperor, it is said, was so much pleased at the sight +that he gave the slave his pardon, and presented him also with the lion, +after which he used to lead the great beast tamely through the streets, +held simply by a little chain. + +In modern times, also, lions have been known to exhibit strong +friendship for man. In 799, two lions in the Jardin des Plantes (Garden +of Plants), at Paris, became so fond of their keeper that when he was +taken sick they gave signs of the greatest sorrow, and when he recovered +and came back to them they rushed to meet him, roaring with joy, +meanwhile licking his hands and face. + +Perhaps you have read of Theodorus, King of Abyssinia (he killed himself +in 1868), who used to keep several tame lions in his palace and treated +them almost like dogs. + +Travelers tell us, too, that these great animals often show fondness for +other animals, as, for instance, an old lioness belonging to the Dublin +Zoological Gardens was taken sick, and was greatly annoyed by the rats. +At last a little terrier dog was put into the cage, but was received by +the lioness with a surly growl; finally when the old animal saw the +little dog could kill her enemies, the rats, she coaxed him to her, and +petted and fondled him, so that they soon became great friends. + +The lion is a mammal of the order carnivora, or flesh-eating animals. + +The word lion comes from the Latin leo, Greek leon, lion. + +Would you like me to tell you next week about a bear I saw upon the +hills of Nova Scotia, near the scene of Longfellow's beautiful +Evangeline, a few months ago? + +MARY HOWE. + + + + +A JACK-KNIFE GENIUS. + + +St. Louis Post-Dispatch: William Yohe claims to be the champion +jack-knife artist of the day, although he was born in St. Louis and not +Yankeedom. A reporter heard of this professional lacerator of pine +sticks and sought him out. It was not until the inside of an unused +Methodist church at Kirkwood, this county, was reached that Mr. Yohe and +his knife was cornered. The knife was slashing cigar-boxes to pieces at +railway speed when the reporter opened up with: "Are you the man who +makes an automatic world's fair and St. Louis Exposition with a knife?" + +"No, that isn't what I call it. I am making what I call the Missouri +Pacific and Strasburg Cathedral Automatic Wonder, with the Golden Ark of +the Covenant. It will contain over 180,000 pieces and will have 1,100 +moving and working figures." + +All around the gaunt and dismantled church were piles of cigar-boxes and +laths and myriads of nicely-carved pieces of wood, apparently portions +of models of buildings. The whittler was a small man, with keen eyes and +ready tongue and about thirty-six years of age. In the course of an +hour's conversation he said in substance: "I didn't know that I was +anything extra of a whittler until about 1869, when, in a small way, I +made some models. I was in Texas working at millwrighting. The first +large piece I ever made was a model of a Bermuda castle. Afterward I +made Balmoral Castle, Bingen Castle, Miramar Castle, and the Texas State +Capitol at Austin. Solomon's Temple contained 12,268 pieces and had +1,369 windows. It is now on exhibition in Texas. The Austin Capitol +Building has 62,844 pieces and 561 moving people. Every room and +department in the building was given, with all the officers and +legislators. Everybody was represented, down to the man sawing wood in +the basement for the furnaces. All the figures were moved by a wooden +engine, which was run by sand falling on an overshot wheel. I made this +piece at odd moments in 1881. + +"I have just hired this church and begun steady work. I shall sleep and +eat in this church until about May 1, next. The material? Yes, it does +take considerable. I have already used up 967 cigar boxes and 300 laths. +It will take in all 1,800 cigar boxes, 500 laths, and 500 feet of +lumber. The cigar boxes I get for one cent each. I used no tools except +my knife." + + * * * * * + +Little Johnny Botts found a garter snake in the park the other +day and he brought it home and hid it in the piano. When his sister's +young man opened the instrument that evening to play "For Goodness Sake" +he thought he had 'em and yelled like a Piute on the war-hath. They +won't believe in Johnny's innocence somehow, and his father said that +after dinner he'd attend to his case. When the family sat down to table +Johnny solemnly entered the room in his stocking feet and carrying a +pillow which he placed on his chair before sitting down. "What new +monkey shine is that?" growled old Botts. "S-s-s-h, pa," said Johnny +anxiously; "I was playing fireworks with Billy Simson this afternoon and +I swallowed a torpedo." "Did, eh?" "Yes, and if anything should touch me +kinder hard I might go off and all bust up." + + * * * * * + +THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS + +in prizes is offered by the YOUTH'S COMPANION for the best +short stories either for boys, for girls, humorous stories, or stories +of adventure, to be sent them before May 20th, 1884. The terms and +conditions of the competition are issued in a circular--for which all +who desire to compete are invited to send. + + * * * * * + +Sin is very much like the ordinary North American mule. It may +be very tame and docile at the front, but in the rear there is always a +sly kick hidden away and you'd better be on your guard. + + + + +OUR BOOK TABLE + +BOOKS RECEIVED. + + +ARIUS THE LIBYAN: AN IDYL OF THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH. Author unknown. NEW +YORK: D. Appleton & Co. CHICAGO: Jansen, McClurg & Co. 12mo. Cloth. +Price, $1.50. + +This is a romance of the church in the latter part of the third and the +beginning of the fourth centuries. The scene is laid near Cyrene, A.D. +265. It is an exquisitely written idyl of primitive Christian life, and +can not fail to attract a great deal of attention, especially now that +the public mind is being turned in the direction of early church +history. It deals in a powerful, yet simple, manner with that subtle +question, the Trinity of the Godhead, and gives the reader many new +thoughts in connection with it. The characters portrayed awaken an +unusual degree of interest, being as they are, persons eminent in +history, both secular and religious. As one follows the story to its +close he can not but agree with the author, that Arius, the hero and +arch-heretic of the Nicene age, was "one of the grandest, purest, least +understood, and most systematically misrepresented characters in human +history." The latter portion of the book brings out, prominently, the +real character of Constantine, stigmatized by Arius as "that unbaptised +pagan, the flamen of Jupiter." The noble plan of the book and the grave +importance of the questions that agitate the characters, combine to make +it a valuable production to both believer and skeptic. + + +THE ORGANS OF SPEECH. By G.H. Von Meyer, Professor In Ordinary of +Anatomy at the University of Zurich. NEW YORK: D. Appleton & +Co. CHICAGO: Jansen, McClurg & Co. 12 mo. Cloth. Price $1.75. + +This book is the forty-sixth volume in the international scientific +series, and needs no better introduction than the well-known name of the +author. The subject of the organs of speech and their application in the +formation of articulate sounds is treated in a masterly and exhaustive +manner. The object of the author has been not merely "to enter into the +field of discussion upon the various modifications of sounds, * * but to +bring forward a sufficient number of examples in confirmation of the +laws explained," in which purpose he has most admirably succeeded. The +work contains forty-seven wood cuts, and will be a valuable addition to +any library. We would recommend it especially to teachers of vocal music +and declamation. + + +FIFTY YEARS' RECOLLECTIONS. By Jeriah Bonham PEORIA, ILL.: J.W. +Franks & Sons. Sold by subscription. + +This is a carefully compiled work, giving the author's observations and +reflections on the historical events of Illinois for the past fifty +years, it also gives very interesting and full biographical sketches of +many of the prominent men who have, during this time, figured in the +affairs of the State, so far as Mr. Bonham's personal acquaintanceship +and recollections extend. The sketches, condensed, yet complete, of the +sixteen Governors of Illinois, from Shadrach Bond, the first Governor, +down to the present time are especially interesting. The book will be +enjoyed by the old settlers of the State on account of its personal +reminiscences, which are all true, not drawn from the imagination. + + * * * * * + +The Youth's Companion, Boston, is another famous, and deservedly so, +American juvenile publication. It has attained an immense circulation. +Among its contributors are a score or more of the most talented American +authors. It is edited with great care and ability. See advertisement on +another page. + + * * * * * + +From W.D. Hoard, a report of the proceedings of the eleventh annual +Dairymen's Association of Wisconsin, held at Elk Horn, January 31 and +February 1-2, 1883. The pamphlet was compiled by D.W. Curtis, Secretary +of the association, Fort Atkinson, Wis. + +The second edition of Bee-Keeping for Profit: A New System of Bee +Management, by Mrs. Lizzie E. Cotton, West Gorham, Me. Illustrated. +Price, $1.00. + +Seventeenth annual report of the Northwestern Dairymen's Association, +with addresses and discussions delivered at the meeting held at Mankato, +Minn., February 14-16, 1883. R.P. McGlincy, Secretary, Elgin, Ill. + +The Florida Annual. Edited by C.K. Munroe, 140 Nassau st., New Fork. +Price, 50 cts. + +How to Become a Good Mechanic. The Industrial Publication Co., New York. +Price, 15 cents. + +Tennessee Crop Report for November, 1883, with the report of the +Tennessee Weather Service. 49 South Market st., Nashville, Tenn. + +From C.V. Riley, Bulletin No. 3 of U.S. Department of Agriculture: +Division of Entomology. Contains reports of observations and experiments +in the practical work of the Division, made under the direction of the +entomologist. With plates. + +Landreth's Rural Register and Almanac. Philadelphia, Penn. + + * * * * * + +BREEDERS DIRECTORY. + +The following list embraces the names of responsible and reliable +Breeders in their line, and parties wishing to purchase or obtain +information can feel assured that they will be honorably dealt with: + +CATTLE. + +Jersey. + +Mills, Charles F.....................Springfield, Illinois + +HORSES. + +Clydesdales. + +Mills, Charles F.....................Springfield, Illinois + +SWINE. + +Berkshire. + +Mills, Charles F.....................Springfield, Illinois + +Chester Whites. + +W.A. Gilbert......................Wauwatosa Wis. + +SHEEP. + +Cotswold. + +Mills, Charles F. ............. Springfield, Illinois + + * * * * * + +LIVE STOCK, Etc. + +DR. W.A. PRATT. + +IMPORTER AND BREEDER OF + +THOROUGHBRED HOLSTEIN CATTLE + +100 head on hand Oct. 1st. + +DR. W.A. PRATT, Elgin, Ill. + + * * * * * + +SCOTCH COLLIE + +SHEPHERD PUPS, + +--FROM-- + +IMPORTED AND TRAINED STOCK + +--ALSO-- + +NEWFOUNDLAND PUPS AND RAT TERRIER PUPS. + +Concise and practical printed instruction in Training young Shepherd +Dogs, is given to buyers of Shepherd Puppies; or will be sent on receipt +of 25 cents in postage stamps. + +For Printed Circular, giving full particulars about Shepherd Dogs, +enclose a 3-cent stamp, and address + +N.H. PAAREN, + +P.O. Box 326, CHICAGO. ILL. + + * * * * * + +MISCELLANEOUS. + +I CURE FITS! + +When I say cure I do not mean merely to stop them for a time and then +have them return again, I mean a radical cure. I have made the disease +of FITS, EPILEPSY or FALLING SICKNESS a life-long study. I warrant my +remedy to cure the worst cases. Because others have failed is no reason +for not now receiving a cure. Send at once for a treatise and a Free +Bottle of my infallible remedy. Give Express and Post Office. It costs +you nothing for a trial, and I will cure you. Address Dr. H.G. ROOT, 183 +Pearl St., New York. + + * * * * * + +80 CARDS + +BEST QUALITY. + +New designs in Satin and Gold finish, with name, 10 cts. We offer $100 +for a pack of cards any nicer work, or prettier styles. + +_Samples free._ Eagle Card Works, New Haven, Ct. + + * * * * * + +MISCELLANEOUS. + +SEEDS FOR THE GARDEN, FARM & FIELD. + +ESTABLISHED 1845. + +Our Annual Catalogue, mailed free on application, published first of +every January, contains full description and prices of RELIABLE +VEGETABLE, TREE, FIELD AND FLOWER SEED, SEED GRAIN, SEED CORN, SEED +POTATOES, ONION SETS, ETC; ALSO GARDEN DRILLS, CULTIVATORS, FERTILIZERS, +ETC., with full information for growing and how to get our Seeds. + +Address PLANT SEED COMPANY, +Nos. 812 & 814 N. 4th St., ST. LOUIS, MO. + + * * * * * + +FAY GRAPES + +CURRANT + +HEADQUARTERS + +ALL BEST NEW AND OLD. + +SMALL FRUITS AND TREES. LOW TO DEALERS AND PLANTERS. +STOCK First-Class. Free Catalogues. GEO. S. JOSSELYN, Fredonia, N.Y. + + * * * * * + + + + +LITERATURE + +[Illustration] + + +ROBIN, DEAR ROBIN! + + + Robin, dear Robin, could you come back to me, + Back to the hame you'll never mair see, + Could you sit down at evening and crack wi' me, + Oh, what a proud, happy woman I'd be! + On the white hearth the fire should burn clearly, + Nothing of comfort or rest you should lack, + And I would always be kindly and cheery, + Could you come back to me--could you come back. + + Oh, Robin, Robin, I've miss'd you fu' sairly, + Morning, and evening, and a' the day long; + Many have treated me unca unfairly: + O for your arm so tender and strong: + If once again in your love I could hide me, + Little I'd care though all else I should lack + Sairly I'm needing your wisdom to guide me, + Oh, my lost darling, if you could come back! + + Never again with frowns would I greet you; + Never again to your love be unkind; + Ever with kisses and smiles I would meet you; + Oh, in the days that are gone I was blind! + Oh, I was selfish, and foolish, and fretful, + Now I remember--remember in vain; + But I would never be cross or forgetful, + Could you come back to me, darling, again! + + No, you will never come back to me--never! + But I shall come to you, Robin, some day. + Then you will ken a' my loving endeavor, + Just to grow better since you went away. + Yes, you will ken, in that happy to-morrow, + I hae been true to you, darling--sae true! + Asked my heart always, in joy or in sorrow, + "Will it please Robin, the thing that I do?" + + Oh, in that wonderfu', wonderfu' meeting, + What shall I say to him? what will he say? + We shallna weary life's story repeating, + Seeing the end o' the sorrowfu' way. + With such a hope, then, how could I say truly, + "Robin, dear Robin, come back unto me!" + Heart, answer the thought sae wild and unruly, + "Robin, dear Robin, I shall come unto thee!" + +--_Harper's Weekly._ + + + + +MRS. WIMBUSH'S REVENGE. + +(_Concluded from last week._) + + +It was a large picnic party. Mr. Charles Brookshank had drawn Mrs. +Wimbush's arm through his own, and strolled away from the rest. + +"How delightful it would be if one could know the language of birds, as +folks did in the old Hindu fairy tales! Would it not, Mr. Brookshank?" + +"My dear Mrs. Wimbush, they do nothing the whole day long but make love +and cry 'Sweet, sweet!' I would I were a bird, to make love in music." + +The widow sighed, but it was more like a purr of pleasure. + +"What did I know of love till you came here?" continued Mr. Charles. +"Absolutely nothing--except," he added, with reservation, "in a +professional way. And then we lawyers generally see the dark side of the +picture--the damages and the decrees nisi. But your visit has brightened +my whole life. O Mrs. Wimbush, you can not have been blind to my secret! +You have seen it written legibly in my face, and have not interposed to +check its development. I see you understand me, just as by intuitive +fine feeling you can penetrate the meaning of Mendelssohn's Songs +without Words. Mrs. Wimbush, you have already far advanced toward +learning the birds' language. I may rely upon your consent?" + +"Charles, this happiness is indeed too much," ejaculated the widow. + +"You need never be separated from your daughter Carry. A home for one is +a home for both; and I will cherish her while I live." + +"But, Charles dear, she may marry." + +"Marry, ma'am? Bless my soul, of course she will! She will marry me! She +has said so, don't you see?" + +Mrs. Wimbush never said another word, but fell flat down upon the grass. + +"What on earth has got the woman?" thought Mr. Charles. "She couldn't +have taken it worse if I had proposed to murder her daughter." + +In their walk they had strayed through the trees close to the outskirts +of another picnic party. Mr. Charles immediately ran to ask some fair +volunteer to come to the assistance of Mrs. Wimbush, who had fainted. At +hearing the name, an active middle-aged lady sprang up and followed him. +It was Mrs. Marrables. The sight of her mother brought Mrs. Wimbush +round quicker than any smelling bottle could have done. She sat up. + +"Mother, Mr. Brookshank; Mr. Brookshank, my mother, Mrs. Marrables." +They bowed. "Have the goodness to leave us together, Mr. Charles." He +bowed and obeyed. "Mother," said Mrs. Wimbush, "what on earth brought +you here? I thought you were at Taunton." + +"No, dear. I have been at Bournemouth three weeks, I came merely for +change. Only last week I heard of your being here, and should have +called, but have been so much occupied, and I felt sure of meeting you +somewhere, and thought the surprise might be the more agreeable. We've +had a most delightful picnic with the Mount Stewart folks. But what was +all this fainting about? One would think Mr. Brookshank had been +proposing to you." + +"He certainly made me a proposal mother, but I was quite unprepared for +it, and was overcome." + +"What an imaginative and sensitive-minded girl you must be, Matilda! You +make me feel quite young. When will you be old enough to attend to +business? You will accept him, of course? Well, do as you please; you +may reckon on my consent, you know. But I must get back to my party, and +perhaps you had better rejoin yours. Ta-ta." + +Jilted for her daughter! It wasn't pleasant. When Mrs. Wimbush got home, +she blew up Carry for being so sly. + +"Well, mamma," said Carry, "of course I thought you knew all about it. I +never made any secret of the affair. I knew very well that you had +rejected Mr. Tom, but I could not possibly suppose that was any reason +why I should refuse Charles. Of course he is older than I am, but he is +only five-and-thirty, and has a good position; and I am sure we shall +always give you a welcome; Charles said so." + +"Well," thought Mrs. Wimbush, "he has money, and it will be all in the +family; that's at least a comfort." + +The effect of the little episode of the last chapter was that the +brothers were made friends, and Tom recovered his spirits, and could +laugh heartily at what he had before supposed was his brother's rivalry. + +Mrs. Wimbush repented her that she had rejected Mr. Tom. Her repentance +produced a salutary desire on her part to make atonement for the past. +She would have him yet. When a widow says so much as that about a man, +let him 'ware hawk. + +A month went by, and behold Mrs Wimbush and Mr. Tom Brookshank seated +tete-a-tete at an evening party, where the music which was going on was +sufficiently loud to render private conversation inaudible save to those +to whom it was addressed. + +"I fear," said the widow, affecting an absent manner, "I treated you +very unkindly, Mr. Tom. You took me so entirely by surprise, that, +really, I--hardly know what I said. I have been very unhappy about +it--very." + +"Forgotten and forgiven," whispered Mr. Tom. + +"How generous of you! you make me so glad! because now that your brother +Charles is going to marry my daughter, we shall be in some sort related, +and I could not bear you to think unkindly of me." + +"No," said Mr. Tom, fidgeting a little, "I shall never do that." + +"How droll!" said the widow. "Let me see, what will the relationship be? +You will be my son-in-law's brother, and consequently I shall be your +mother-in-law once removed. You will have a mother younger than +yourself, Mr. Tom. I hope you will not presume upon her youth to be a +bad boy." + +"All this is very true," he answered; "but I see the relationship in a +far different light. I shall be your father-in-law, and consequently my +own brother's grandfather-in-law." + +"You mistake, Mr. Tom. Don't you see that Carry--" + +"No mistake at all about it, ma'am, for I've promised to marry your +mother, Mrs. Marrables!" + +"Monster!" cried Mrs. Wimbush aloud, and went off shrieking. + +The music stopped, and there was a great fuss. But above all the others +was heard the voice of Mrs. Marrables. "Don't be alarmed, pray. She is +subject to it; she went off just like that the other day at a picnic. +Poor young thing, a very little upsets her. Let me come to my little +gu-url, then." + +They moved her into another room. Presently Mrs. Wimbush opened her +eyes. "Mother! how dare you come near me! Go away, do! You ought to be +ashamed of yourself, at your time of life!" + +"My time of life! Why, I'm only fifty-four--about ten years older than +Tom. How can you talk so to your mother!" + +"Mother, if you don't leave the room, I will. It's really disreputable +to have you for a mother. You've never done me any credit." + +"My dear, I am so glad to think you feel well enough to leave the room +that I will remain." + +Mrs. Wimbush got up and went home. + +Jilted, first for her daughter, and next for her mother! This was too +much. Mrs. Wimbush went to church as regularly as any one, but revenge, +after all, is very sweet. + +Six weeks afterward Mrs. Wimbush recovered sufficient fortitude to go +and call on her mother. + +"Well, child, I'm glad you are going to be friendly; there is nothing +like harmony in a family circle. Let us consider the relationships into +which we are about to enter, that we may rightly judge of our +responsibilities and duties. I and my granddaughter are going to marry +two brothers--the consequence is, she and I will be sisters-in-law. But +as you are mother of my sister-in-law, you will nearly be my +mother-in-law, which is a very singular relationship for a daughter to +sustain toward her mother, especially when she is not the wife of one's +father-in-law. Now, as"-- + +"Wait a moment, dear mamma; I've news for you; I'm going to marry old +Unguent! Old Mr. Brookshank has asked me to be his wife, and I've +consented. The consequence is, I shall be head of the family, and +bona-fide mother-in-law to you all. I don't think we need trouble about +harmony, for we shall be a united family, more so than any I know of." + +Before her marriage, Mrs. Marrables set to work to draw up a table of +the relationships involved by the three weddings. It is an extensive +work in three volumes, and when our readers see The Brookshank Family +advertised, they will know what it means. + + * * * * * + +OUR +New Clubbing List +FOR 1884. + +THE PRAIRIE FARMER +IN CONNECTION +WITH OTHER JOURNALS. + +We offer more liberal terms than ever before to those who desire to +take, in connection with THE PRAIRIE FARMER, either of the +following weekly or monthly periodicals. In all cases the order for +THE PRAIRIE FARMER and either of the following named journals +must be sent together, accompanied by the money; but we do not require +both papers to be sent to the same person or to the same post-office. + +We send specimen copies only of THE PRAIRIE FARMER. + +Our responsibility for other publications ceases on the receipt of the +first number; when such journals are not received within a reasonable +time, notify us, giving date of your order, also full name and address +of subscriber. + +WEEKLIES. + Price of The two + the two. for + +Harper's Weekly $6 00 $4 60 +Harper's Bazar 6 00 4 60 +Harper's Young People 3 50 2 55 +New York Tribune 4 00 2 50 +Toledo Blade 4 00 2 20 +Chicago Times 3 25 2 50 +Chicago Tribune 3 50 2 50 +Chicago Inter-Ocean 3 15 2 50 +Chicago Journal 3 25 2 50 +Peck's Sun 3 75 3 00 +Milwaukee Sentinel 3 00 2 50 +Western Farmer (Madison, Wis.) 3 00 2 00 +Burlington Hawkeye 4 00 3 00 +The Continent (Weekly Magazine) 6 00 4 00 +Detroit Free Press, with Supplement 4 00 2 50 +Detroit Free Press, State edition 3 50 2 20 +Louisville Courier-Journal 3 75 3 00 +St. Louis Globe-Democrat 3 00 2 15 +St. Louis Republican 3 00 2 15 +Scientific American 5 20 4 15 +Interior (Presbyterian) 4 50 3 60 +Standard (Baptist) 4 70 3 60 +Advance (Congregational) 5 00 3 35 +Alliance 4 00 3 00 +New York Independent 5 00 4 00 +Christian Union 5 00 4 00 +Boston Pilot (Catholic) 4 50 3 50 +American Bee Journal 4 00 3 00 +Florida Agriculturist 4 00 2 75 +Breeder's Gazette 5 00 3 50 +Witness (N.Y.) 3 50 3 00 +Methodist (N.Y.) 4 00 3 50 +Chicago News 3 00 2 50 +Globe (Boston) 3 00 2 75 +Youth's Companion 3 75 3 00 +Weekly Novelist 5 00 4 25 +Ledger (Chicago) 3 00 2 90 + + +MONTHLIES. + +Harper's Monthly $6 00 $4 50 +Atlantic Monthly 6 00 4 50 +Appleton's Journal 5 00 4 25 +The Century 6 00 4 50 +North American Review 7 00 5 50 +Popular Science Monthly 7 00 5 50 +Lippincott's Magazine 6 00 4 50 +Godey's Lady's Book 4 00 3 00 +St. Nicholas 5 00 3 50 +Vick's Illustrated Magazine 3 25 2 25 +Am. Poultry Journal (Chicago) 3 25 2 75 +Gardener's Monthly 4 00 3 00 +Wide Awake 4 50 3 00 +Phrenological Journal 4 00 3 00 +American Agriculturist 3 50 2 50 +Poultry World 3 25 2 75 +Arthur's Home Magazine 4 00 3 00 +Andrews' Bazar 3 00 2 40 +Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly 5 00 4 00 +Frank Leslie's Sunday Magazine 5 00 4 00 +Frank Leslie's Ladies' Magazine 4 50 4 00 +Our Little Ones 3 50 3 00 +Peterson's Magazine 4 00 3 30 +Art Amateur 6 00 5 00 +Demorest's Magazine 4 00 3 00 +Dio Lewis' Monthly 4 50 3 50 + +For clubbing price with any publication in the United States not +included in the above list send us inquiry on postal card. + + * * * * * + +NOW Is the time to Subscribe for THE PRAIRIE FARMER. Price only +$2.00 per year. It is worth double the money. + + * * * * * + +PUBLICATIONS. + +MARSHALL M. KIRKMAN'S BOOKS ON RAILROAD TOPICS. + +DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A RAILROAD MAN + +IF YOU DO, THE BOOKS DESCRIBED BELOW POINT THE WAY. + + +The most promising field for men of talent and ambition at the present +day is the railroad service. The pay is large in many instances, while +the service is continuous and honorable. Most of our railroad men began +life on the farm. Of this class is the author of the accompanying books +descriptive of railway operations, who has been connected continuously +with railroads as a subordinate and officer for 27 years. He was brought +up on a farm, and began railroading as a lad at $7 per month. He has +written a number of standard books on various topics connected with the +organization, construction, management and policy of railroads. These +books are of interest not only to railroad men but to the general reader +as well. They are indispensable to the student. They present every phase +of railroad life, and are written in an easy and simple style that both +interests and instructs. The books are as follows: + +"RAILWAY EXPENDITURES--THEIR EXTENT, +OBJECT AND ECONOMY."--A Practical +Treatise on Construction and Operation. +In Two Volumes, 850 pages. $4.00 + +"HAND BOOK OF RAILWAY EXPENDITURES."--Practical +Directions for Keeping +the Expenditure Accounts. 2.00 + +"RAILWAY REVENUE AND ITS COLLECTION."--And +Explaining the Organization of +Railroads. 2.50 + +"THE BAGGAGE PARCEL AND MAIL TRAFFIC +OF RAILROADS."--An interesting work +on this important service; 425 pages. 2.00 + +"TRAIN AND STATION SERVICE"--Giving +The Principal Rules and Regulations governing +Trains; 280 pages. 2.00 + +"THE TRACK ACCOUNTS OF RAILROADS."--And +how they should be kept. Pamphlet. 1.00 + +"THE FREIGHT TRAFFIC WAY-BILL."--Its +Uses Illustrated and Described. Pamphlet. .50 + +"MUTUAL GUARANTEE."--A Treatise on Mutual +Suretyship. Pamphlet. .50 + +Any of the above books will be sent post paid on receipt +of price, by + +PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING CO., +150 Monroe St. CHICAGO, ILL. + +Money should be remitted by express, or by draft check or post office +order. + + * * * * * + +FREE! FREE!! +TO ANY ADDRESS IN THE WORLD! + +"THE RED RIVER VALLEY" "ILLUSTRATED." + +AN ELEGANT EIGHT-PAGE PAPER + +Full of the Most Desirable Information. +Send for "Publication P" to + +JAMES B. POWER, LAND COM'R +St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Ry., +St. PAUL. MINNESOTA + + * * * * * + +MAPS. + +RAND, McNALLY & CO.'S +NEW RAILROAD +--AND-- +COUNTY MAP +--OF THE-- +UNITED STATES +--AND-- +DOMINION OF CANADA. + +Size, 4 x 2-1/2 feet, mounted on rollers to hang on the wall. This is an + +ENTIRELY NEW MAP, + +Constructed from the most recent and authentic sources. + +--IT SHOWS-- +_ALL THE RAILROADS,_ +--AND-- +EVERY COUNTY AND PRINCIPAL TOWN +--IN THE-- +UNITED STATES AND CANADA. + +A useful Map in every one's home, and place of business. PRICE, $2.00. + +Agents wanted, to whom liberal inducements will be given. Address + +RAND, McNALLY & CO., +Chicago, Ill. + +By arrangements with the publishers of this Map we are enabled to make +the following liberal offer: To each person who will remit us $2.25 we +will send copy of THE PRAIRIE FARMER One Year and THIS MAP +POSTPAID. Address + +PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING CO., +CHICAGO, ILL. + + * * * * * + +DRAINAGE. + +PRACTICAL FARM DRAINAGE. + +WHY, WHEN, and HOW TO TILE-DRAIN +--AND THE-- +MANUFACTURE OF DRAIN-TILE. + +By C.G. ELLOITT and J.J.W. BILLINGSLEY + +PRICE, ONE DOLLAR. + +For sale by + +THE PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING CO., +150 Monroe St., Chicago, Ill. + + * * * * * + +THE SHEPHERD'S MANUAL +A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON THE SHEEP. + +Designed Especially for American Shepherds +BY HENRY STEWART. + +Finely Illustrated + +PRICE, $1.50, by mail, postpaid. Address + +PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING CO., Chicago. + + * * * * * + + + + +HUMOUROUS + +[Illustration] + + +THE CARPENTER'S WOOING. + + "Oh, beam my life, my awl to me!" + He cried, his flame addressing-- + "If I 'adze such a love as yours, + I'd ask no other blessing!" + "I am rejoist to hear you speak," + The maiden said with laughter-- + "For tho' I hammer guileless girl, + It's plane what you are rafter. + Now if file love you just a bit, + What further can you ax me? + Can--will you be content with that, + Or will you further tacks me?" + He looked handsaw her words were square-- + "No rival can displace me-- + Yes, one more favor I implore, + And that is, dear Em, brace me!" + + She came full chisel to his arms; + It really made him stair + To have her make a bolt for him + Before he could prepare. + He tried to screw his courage up, + And did his level best + To nail the matter then and there, + While clasped unto her breast. + Says he: "It augers well for me, + All seems to hinge on this; + And, what is mortise plane to see + The porch child wants a kiss." + He kissed her lip, he kissed her cheek, + And called her his adoored-- + He dons his claw-hammer next week, + And she will share his board. + +_--Detroit Free Press._ + + + + +WHERE THE OLD MAIDS COME IN. + + +"Do you know, sir," inquired an American tourist of his companion, while +doing England, "can you inform me the reason for the fresh, healthful +appearance of the English people? Their complexion is far superior to +ours, or our countrymen over the herring pond." + +"Well, I know what Prof. Huxley says." + +"And what reason does he advance?" + +"Well, Huxley says it is owing to the old maids." + +"Owing to old maids! You surprise me." + +"Fact. Huxley figures it out this way. Now, you know the English are +very fond of roast beef." + +"But what has that to do with old maids?" + +"Go slow. This genuine English beef is the best and most nutritious beef +in the world, and it imparts a beautiful complexion." + +"Well, about the old maids?" + +"Yes, you see the excellence of this English beef is due exclusively to +red clover. Do you see the point?" + +"All but the old maids. They are still hovering in the shadows." + +"Why, don't you see? This red clover is enriched, sweetened, and +fructified by bumble bees." + +"But where do the old maids come in?" said the inquisitive American, +wiping his brow wearily. + +"Why, it is as plain as the nose on your face. The only enemy of the +bumble bee is the field-mouse." + +"But what have roast beef, red clover, bumble-bees, and field-mice got +to do with old maids?" + +"Why, you must be very obtuse. Don't you perceive that the bumble-bees +would soon become exterminated by the field-mice if it were not for--" + +"Old maids?" + +"No, if it were not for cats, the old maids of Old England keep the +country thoroughly stocked up with cats, and so we can directly trace +the effects of the rosy English complexions to the benign cause of +English old maids, at least that's what Huxley says about it, and that's +just where the old maids come in. Science makes clear many mysterious +things." + + * * * * * + + +"Those picture cards I brought back from Boston," remarked Mrs. +Partington, in a pensive mood. "They are momentums of the Art Loan +Imposition." + +Don't give up in despair, girls. Naomi didn't marry until she was five +hundred and eighty years old--and then she was sorry she hadn't waited a +century longer. + +"Is you gwine to get an overcoat this winter?" asked a darkey of a +companion. "Well I dunno how dat's gwine to be," was the reply. "I'se +done got my eye on a coat, but de fellah dat owns it keeps his eye on it +too." + +Her nephew had just come home from his day school. "What have you been +learning this morning?" asked Mrs. Ramsbottom. "Mythology, aunt," +answered the little man, "all about the heathen gods and goddesses." +"Then I must brush up my memory," said Mrs. Ramsbottom, "and ask you a +question or two. Now, first, who was Juniper?" + +"What is a limited monarchy, Johnny?" "Well, my idea of a +limited monarchy is, where the ruler don't have much to rule." "Give an +example?" "An example! Lemme see! Well, if you was bossin' yourself, for +instance." + +It was at the close of the wedding breakfast. One of the guests +arose, and, glass in hand, said: "I drink to the health of the +bridegroom. May he see many days like this." The intention was good, but +the bride looked as though something had displeased her. + + * * * * * + +ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD. + +The elegant equipment of coaches and sleepers being added to its various +through routes is gaining it many friends. Its patrons fear no +accidents. Its perfect track of steel, and solid road-bed, are a +guarantee against them. + + * * * * * + +THE PRAIRIE FARMER + +AND + +YOUTH'S COMPANION + +One year, $3 for the two. + +It is not required that both papers be sent to one address, nor to the +same post-office. + +Address PRAIRIE FARMER PUB CO., +150 Monroe Street. Chicago. + + * * * * * + +MISCELLANEOUS. + + +ONE CENT + +invested in a postal card and addressed as below + +WILL + +give to the writer full information as to the best lands in the United +States now for sale; how he can + +BUY + +them on the lowest and best terms, also the full text of the U.S. land +laws and how to secure + +320 ACRES + +of Government Lands in Northwestern Minnesota and Northeastern Dakota. + +ADDRESS: + +JAMES B. POWER, +Land and Emigration Commissioner, +ST. PAUL, MINN. + + * * * * * + +AGENTS WANTED, Male and Female, for Spence's Blue Book, a most +fascinating and salable novelty. Every family needs from one to a dozen. +Immense profits and exclusive territory. Sample mailed for 25 cts in +postage stamps. Address J.H. CLARSON, P.O. Box 2296, Philadelphia, Pa. + + * * * * * + + +MEDICAL. + +DISEASE CURED +Without Medicine. + +_A Valuable Discovery for supplying Magnetism to the Human System. +Electricity and Magnetism utilized as never before for Healing the +Sick._ + + +THE MAGNETON APPLIANCE CO.'s + +MAGNETIC KIDNEY BELT! + +FOR MEN IS + +WARRANTED TO CURE +_Or Money refunded_, the following diseases without medicine:--_Pain in +the Back, Hips, Head, or Limbs, Nervous Debility, Lumbago, General +Debility, Rheumatism, Paralysis, Neuralgia, Sciatica, Diseases of the +Kidneys, Spinal Diseases, Torpid Liver_, GOUT SEMINAL EMISSIONS, +IMPOTENCY, ASTHMA, HEART DISEASE, DYSPEPSIA, CONSTIPATION, ERYSIPELAS, +INDIGESTION, HERNIA OR RUPTURE, CATARRH, PILES, EPILEPSY, DUMB AGUE, +ETC. + +When any debility of the GENERATIVE ORGANS occurs, LOST VITALITY, +LACK OF NERVE FORCE AND VIGOR, WASTING WEAKNESS, and all those Diseases +of a personal nature, from whatever cause, the continuous stream of +Magnetism permeating through the parts, must restore them to a healthy +action. There is no mistake about this appliance. + +TO THE LADIES:--If you are afflicted with LAME BACK, WEAKNESS OF THE +SPINE, FALLING OF THE WOMB, LEUCORRHOEA, CHRONIC INFLAMMATION AND +ULCERATION OF THE WOMB, INCIDENTAL HEMORRHAGE OR FLOODING, PAINFUL, +SUPPRESSED, AND IRREGULAR MENSTRUATION, BARRENNESS, AND CHANGE OF LIFE, +THIS IS THE BEST APPLIANCE AND CURATIVE AGENT KNOWN. + +For all forms of FEMALE DIFFICULTIES it is unsurpassed by anything +before invented, both as a curative agent and as a source of power and +vitalization. + +Price of either Belt with Magnetic Insoles, $10, sent by express C.O.D., +and examination allowed, or by mail on receipt of price. In ordering +send measure of waist, and size of shoe. Remittance can be made in +currency, sent in letter at our risk. + +The Magneton Garments are adapted to all ages, are worn over the +under-clothing (NOT NEXT TO THE BODY LIKE THE MANY GALVANIC AND +ELECTRIC HUMBUGS ADVERTISED SO EXTENSIVELY), and should be taken off at +night. They hold their POWER FOREVER, and are worn at all seasons of the +year. + +Send stamp for the "New Departure in Medical treatment WITHOUT +MEDICINE," with thousands of testimonials. + +THE MAGNETON APPLIANCE CO., +218 STATE STREET. CHICAGO, ILL. + +NOTE.--Send one dollar in postage stamps or currency (in letter +at our risk) with size of shoe usually worn, and try a pair of our +Magnetic Insoles, and be convinced of the power residing in our other +Magnetic Appliances. Positively no cold feet when they are worn, or +money refunded. + + * * * * * + +THE PRAIRIE FARMER is the Cheapest and Best Agricultural Paper +published. Only $2.00 per year. + + * * * * * + +SCALES. + +U.S. STANDARD SCALES, +MANUFACTURED EXPRESSLY FOR +THE PRAIRIE FARMER + +_Every Scale Guaranteed by the Manufacturers, and by Us, to be Perfect, +and to give the Purchaser Satisfaction._ + +The PRAIRIE FARMER Sent Two Years Free + +To any person ordering either size Wagon Scale at prices given below. + +[Illustration] + +2-Ton Wagon or Farm Scale (Platform 6 x 12 feet), $35; 3-Ton (7 x 13), +$45; 5-Ton (8 x 14), $55. Beam Box, Brass Beam, Iron Levers, Steel +Bearings, and full directions for setting up. + +THE PRAIRIE FARMER SENT 1 YEAR FREE! + +To any person ordering either of the following Scales, at prices named +below. + +[Illustration] + +The Housekeeper's Scale--$4.00 + +Weighing accurately from 1/4 oz. to 25 lbs. This is also a valuable +Scale for Offices for Weighing Mail Matter. Tin Scoop, 50c. extra; Brass +75c. extra. + +[Illustration] + +The Family Scale--$7.00. + +Weighs from 1/4 oz. to 240 lbs. Small articles weighed in Scoop, large +ones on Platform. Size of Platform, 10-1/2 x 13-1/2 in. + +[Illustration] + +The Prairie Farmer Scale--$10.00 + +Weighs from 2 oz. to 320 lbs. Size of Platform 14 x 19 inches. A +convenient Scale for Small Farmers, Dairymen, etc. + +[Illustration] + +Platform Scales--4 Sizes. +400 lbs., $15; 600 lbs., $20; 900 lbs., $24; 1,200 lbs., $28; Wheels and +Axles, $2 extra. + +In ordering, give the Price and Description given above. All Scales +Boxed and Delivered at Depot in Chicago. Give full shipping directions. +Send money by Draft on Chicago or New York Post Office Order or +Registered Letter. Address + +THE PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO, ILL. + + * * * * * + +MISCELLANEOUS + +[Illustration] + +THE STANDARD REMINGTON TYPE-WRITER is acknowledged to be the only +rapid and reliable writing machine. It has no rival. These machines are +used for transcribing and general correspondence in every part of the +globe, doing their work in almost every language. Any young man or woman +of ordinary ability, having a practical knowledge of the use of this +machine may find constant and remunerative employment. All machines and +supplies, furnished by us, warranted. Satisfaction guaranteed or money +refunded. Send for circulars. WYCKOFF, SEAMANS & BENEDICT, 38 East +Madison St, Chicago, Ill. + + * * * * * + +GIVEN AWAY $10,000 IN PREMIUMS TO AGENTS Ladies or Gentlemen, selling +our NEW BOOK For particulars write for Circular C. RAND, McNALLY & CO., +CHICAGO. + + * * * * * + +SEEDS + +ALBERT DICKINSON, + +Dealer in Timothy, Clover, Flax, Hungarian, Millet, Red Top, Blue +Grass, Lawn Grass, Orchard Grass, Bird Seeds, &c. + +POP CORN. + +Warehouses {115, 117 & 119 Kinzie St. + {104, 106, 108 & 110 Michigan St. +OFFICE. 115 Kinzie St. +CHICAGO, ILL. + + * * * * * + + + + +GENERAL NEWS. + + +The Emma Bond case has been given to the jury. + +Queen Victoria will go to Baden Baden in February. + +The war feeling in France against China is increasing. + +Four colored men were lynched at Yazoo, Miss., on Saturday +last. + +Serious trouble is threatened between the Orangemen and the +Catholics of Ireland. + +The works of the Lambert & Smith Wire Fence Company, at Joliet, +Ill., burned last week. + +Mr. Villard is sick from nervous prostration. Rumor says he is +financially embarrassed. + +It is expected that the Directors of the Suez Canal Company +will pay a dividend of 18 per cent this year. + +John D. Leslie, a grain-dealer of Elkhart, Indiana, was ruined +by handling corn which failed to pass inspection. + +Gen. Grant fell upon the sidewalk in New York, the other day, +and hurt his hip severely. He is recovering. + +N.G. Ordway, Governor of Dakota, is charged with accepting +bribes in making appointments of County Commissioners. + +Holloway, the great pill man of England, is said to be worth +$25,000,000. He spends $250,000 per year in advertising. + +The extensive sewerage system which Boston has been several +years in constructing is at last finished, at a cost of $4,500,000. + +Bradner Smith & Co, and the National Printing Company, Chicago, +were partially burned out on Sunday. Loss about $200,000. + +Among the distinguished dead of the year may be mentioned +Chambord, Gambetta, Gortschakoff, Alexander H. Stephens, Karl Marx, +Schultze-Delitzsche, Turgeneff, and Prof. Anthon. + +It is reported that the Salters' Company, one of the largest +and most successful of the London guilds, has decided to dispose of its +Irish lands, and is now offering them to tenants on twenty years' time. + +During the year 1883, up to the close of business Saturday +night, 7,243,969 gallons of spirits were produced in the Chicago +distilleries. The total receipts of internal revenue in the first +district of Illinois for the year were $8,774,890. + +The outcry over the houses of the poor has spread to Paris. +Alarming statistics are published of the increase of overcrowding and +the consequent spread of disease, and no less than 650 schemes of reform +have been presented to the Municipal Council. The deaths between 1870 +and 1883 have increased per 100,000 inhabitants from 48 to 96 in +typhoid-fever, from 53 to 101 in diphtheria, from 11 to 74 in small-pox, +from 30 to 43 in measles, and from 7 to 18 in scarlet-fever. + +Alarm has been created in French commercial circles by rumors +that the American Congress will make reprisals for the prohibition by +France of the importation of American salted meats by passing a law +increasing the duties on French wines or providing for the seizure of +French adulterations. The National, of Paris, says: "France must expect +that the Reprisals bill now before Congress, which was first directed +against Germany, will now be turned against France." + +P.T. Barnum has just made his will. In order that there might +be no question as to his sanity upon which to ground contests after his +death, he had eminent physicians examine him, and secured their +attestation that he was of sound mind. The will and its codicils cover +more than 700 pages of legal cap, closely written, and disposes of real +estate and personal property of the value of $10,000,000 to twenty-seven +heirs. The property is in New York, Brooklyn, Bridgeport, Colorado, and +several other places. Mr. Barnum values his interest in the Barnum and +London Shows at $3,500,000. He gives largely to charitable institutions. + +The number of lives lost by the more noticeable accidents of +last year give a total of 125,000, or over 342 for each of the 365 days +of 1883. These colossal figures are attained principally through the +results of three calamities--Ischia, Java, and Syria. Aside from the +earthquakes the year was unequaled in shipwrecks, cyclones, fire-scenes, +and mining horrors. Over thirty people were killed for each day in +January, the Newhall fire, the Russian circus horror, and the Cimbria +shipwreck being the principal of thirty calamities during the month. +Three hundred and ninety-eight people went down in the Cimbria alone. +Two hundred and seventy people burned in the circus at Berditcheff. The +panic later on at Sunderland, England, caused the death of 197 children +and 150 workmen were drowned like rats in the tub called the Daphne on +the Clyde. There were 1,697 murders, 107 executions, 135 lynchings, and +727 suicides. + + + + +MARKETS + +MARKET REPORTS. + + +OFFICE OF THE PRAIRIE FARMER, +CHICAGO. Jan. 2, 1884. + + +FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. + +The general bank business of Chicago last week was rather dull. But few +new business contracts were made as everyone was waiting for the New +Year to begin before extending business. + +In the loan market money was quoted throughout the week at 6@7 per cent +interest. + +Eastern exchange opened Saturday at 25c off between banks, but +subsequently sales were made at 25c per $1,000 premium. The market +closed at 25@30c per $1,000 premium. + +Railway stocks in New York with the exception of Northern Pacific were +firm on Saturday. + +Government securities remain unchanged at last week's quotations. + +4's coupons. 1907 Q. Apr. 123 +4's reg., 1907 Q. Apr. 122 +4-1/2's coupon, 1891 Q. Mar. 114 +4-1/2's registered, 1891 Q. Mar. 114 +3's registered Q. Mar. 100 + + +GRAIN AND PROVISIONS. + +More was done on the Board of Trade in corn and hog products at the +close of the week than in wheat and other grains. The bears had +decidedly the best of it on Saturday. Wheat receipts were liberal and +everybody seemed willing to sell. Outside orders to purchase were +exceedingly light. There were many transactions in corn but prices +showed a gradual decline. + +FLOUR was quiet at about the following rates. + +Choice to favorite white winters $5 25@5 50 +Fair to good brands of white winters 4 75@5 00 +Good to choice red winters 5 00@5 50 +Prime to choice springs 4 75@5 00 +Good to choice export stock, in sacks, extras 4 25@4 50 +Good to choice export stock, double extras 4 50@4 65 +Fair to good Minnesota springs 4 75@5 25 +Choice to fancy Minnesota springs 5 50@5 75 +Patent springs 6 50@7 00 +Low grades 2 25@3 50 + +WHEAT.--Red winter, No. 2 99@95c: car lots of spring, No. 2, sold at +93-3/4@97-3/4c; No. 3, do, 77-1/2@81c. + +CORN.--Fluctuating but active. Car lots No 2, 57-3/4@58c; rejected, +46-1/2; new mixed, 48@48-1/4c. + +OATS.--No. 2 in store, closed 32@33. + +RYE.--May, in store 54@59. + +BARLEY.--No. 2, 66@67c; No. 3, 44c. + +FLAX.--Closed at $1 41. + +TIMOTHY.--$1 23 per bushel. Little doing. + +CLOVER.--Quiet at $5 90@6 15 for prime. + +PROVISIONS.--Mess pork, January $14 02-1/2 per bbl; May, $14 52. Green +hams, 8-3/8c. per lb. Short ribs, $7 40 per cwt. + +LARD.--January, $8 75; February, $9 07-1/2. + + +LUMBER. + +Lumber unchanged. Quotations for green are as follows: + +Short dimension per M $ 9 50@10 00 +Long dimension, per M 10 00@11 50 +Boards and strips, No. 2 11 00@13 00 +Boards and strips, medium 13 00@16 00 +Boards and strips, No. 1 choice 16 00@20 00 +Shingles, standard 2 10@ 2 20 +Shingles, choice 2 25@ 2 30 +Shingles, extra 2 40@ 2 60 +Lath 1 65@ 1 70 + + +COUNTRY PRODUCE. + +NOTE.--The quotations for the articles named in the following list are +generally for commission lots of goods and from first hands. While our +prices are based as near as may be on the landing or wholesale rates, +allowance must be made for selections and the sorting up for store +distribution. + +BEANS.--Hand picked mediums $2 10@2 15. Hand picked navies. $2 20@2 25. + +BUTTER.--Dull and without change. Choice to extra creamery, 32@35c per +lb.; fair to good do 26@30c; fair to choice dairy, 25@30c; common to +choice packing stock fresh and sweet, 20@25c; ladle packed 10@13c; fresh +made, streaked butter, 9@11c. + +BRAN.--Quoted at $11 87-1/2@13 50 per ton; extra choice $13. + +CHEESE.--Choice full-cream cheddars 12-1/2@13c per lb; medium quality do +9@10c; good to prime full cream flats 13@13-3/4c; skimmed cheddars +9@10c; good skimmed flats 6@7c; hard-skimmed and common stock 3@4c. + +EGGS.--In a small way the best brands are quotable at 26@27c per dozen; +24@25c for good ice house stock; 16@20c per pickled. + +HAY.--No 1 timothy $8 50@9 50 per ton; No 2 do $7 50@8 00; mixed do +$6 50; upland prairie $8 00@9 50; No 1 prairie $5 50@6 50; No 2 do +$4 50@5. Small bales sell at 25@50c per ton more than large bales. + +HIDES AND PELTS.--Green-cured light hides 8c per lb; do heavy cows 8c; +No 2 damaged green-salted hides 6c; green-salted calf 12@12-1/2 cents; +green-salted bull 6 c; dry-salted hides 11 cents; No. 2 two-thirds +price; No. 1 dry flint 14@14-1/2c. Sheep pelts salable at 28@32c for the +estimated amount of wash wool on each pelt. All branded and scratched +hides are discounted 15 per cent from the price of No. 1. + +HOPS.--Prime to choice New York State hops 22@26c per lb; Pacific coast +of 23@26c; fair to good Wisconsin 15@20c: Wisconsin 1882's 8@12c. + +POULTRY.--Prices for live lots were: Turkeys 12@13c per lb; chickens, +7@8c; ducks 8@10c per lb.; geese 8@10c per lb. for full feathered. +Dressed turkeys sell at 1@2c per lb more than live offerings. + +POTATOES.--Good to choice 35@40c per bu. on track; common to fair +25@30c. Illinois sweet potatoes range at $3@3 50 per bbl for yellow. +Baltimore stock at $2 25@2 75, and Jerseys at $5. Red are dull and +nominal. + +TALLOW AND GREASE.--No 1 country tallow 7@7-1/4c per lb; No 2 do +6-1/4@6-1/2c. Prime white grease 6@6-1/2c; yellow 5-1/4@5-3/4c; brown +4-1/2@5. + +VEGETABLES.--Cabbage, $8@12 per 100; celery, 35@40c per per doz bunches; +onions, $1 00@1 25 per bbl for yellow, and $1 for red; turnips, $1 35@ 1 +50 per bbl for rutabagas, and $1 00 for white flat. + +WOOL.--from store range as follows for bright wools from Wisconsin, +Illinois, Michigan Indiana, and Eastern Iowa--dark Western lots +generally ranging at 1@2c per lb. less. + +Coarse and dingy tub 25@30 +Good medium tub 31@34 +Unwashed bucks' fleeces 14@15 +Fine unwashed heavy fleeces 18@22 +Fine light unwashed heavy fleeces 22@23 +Coarse unwashed fleeces 21@22 +Low medium unwashed fleeces 24@25 +Fine medium unwashed fleeces 26@27 +Fine washed fleeces 32@33 +Coarse washed fleeces 26@28 +Low medium washed fleeces 30@32 +Fine medium washed fleeces 34@35 + +Colorado and territory wools range as follows: + +Lowest grades 14@16 +Low medium 18@22 +Medium 22@26 +Fine 16@24 + +Wools from New Mexico: + +Lowest grades 14@16 +Part improved 16@17 +Best improved 19@23 + +Burry from 2c to 10c off; black 2c to 5c off. + + +LIVE STOCK MARKETS. + +The total receipts and shipments for last week were as follows: + + Received. Shipped. +Cattle 27,295 11,368 +Hogs 89,505 22,450 +Sheep 9,417 4,856 + +CATTLE.--The above figures show a falling off of 18,850 head from the +previous week's receipts. This contraction on the part of shippers is +said to have been on account of advice from the commission men who argue +that the unusual demand during Christmas week following the previous +large supply would not be very large. Dressed-beef operators bought +freely and there was a general advance in prices. The quality of the +beef was not first-class. The highest price paid for the best was $6 65 +per cwt. Sales were principally at $5@6. Common lots brought $4 25@4 95. +Some poor ones went at $4. Cows for butchers sold at $3@4, and inferior +lots at $2@2 90. Bulls brought from $2 to $4 75. A few car loads of +Texans sold at $3 50@4 50 per cwt. Veal calves brought $4@7 for 100 lbs. +Milch cows were lower as the supply has been large. There was a falling +off of about $10 per head; they sold for $25 to 55 per head. + +HOGS.--During the past week they formed a strong combination to break +the market, all the 20 packing houses doing business here agreeing to +buy only a stipulated number of hogs each day. The plan worked as was +anticipated, and although the receipts for the week dropped to 89,000 +against 187,470 during the previous week, there was a steady decline +from day to day. Shippers were good buyers, taking on an average 5,500 +hogs daily, but city packers bought only about 11,000 or 12,000, leaving +at times upwards of 28,000 or 30,000 unsold at the close of the day. +Choice hogs declined only moderately, but other descriptions were very +weak. Up to date there have been packed in the West this season about +100,000 head more than to same time last year. The market closed on +Saturday at $4 65@5 90 for heavy; $4 60@5 30 for light, and $3 25@4 60 +for skips and culls. + +Note.--All sales of hogs are made subject to a shrinkage of 40 lbs for +piggy sows and 80 lbs for stags. Dead hogs sell for 1-1/2c per lb for +weights of 200 and over and [Transcriber's Note: blank in original] for +weights of less than 100 lbs. + +SHEEP.--The demand has been brisk and prices for good lots advanced +fully 25c per cwt. The receipts have fallen off greatly. Sales were made +of common to choice at $2 50@4 65. No fancy droves were received, and +they were nominal at $4 75@5. + + * * * * * + +COMMISSION MERCHANTS. + +J.H. WHITE & CO., +PRODUCE COMMISSION + +106 S. Water St., Chicago. + +Refers to this paper. + + + +MISCELLANEOUS. + + +GOLD MEDAL, PARIS, 1878. + +[Illustration] + +BAKER'S +BREAKFAST COCOA. + +Warranted _absolutely pure Cocoa_, from which the excess of Oil has been +removed. It has _three times the strength_ of Cocoa mixed with Starch, +Arrowroot or Sugar, and is therefore far more economical. It is +delicious, nourishing, strengthening, easily digested, and admirably +adapted for invalids as well as for persons in health. + +SOLD BY GROCERS EVERYWHERE. + +W. BAKER & CO., Dorchester, Mass. + + + +CHEAP FARMS. + +NEAR MARKETS. + +The State of Michigan has more than 4,500 miles of railroad and 1,600 +miles of Lake transportation, schools and churches in every county, +public buildings all paid for, and no debt. Its soil and climate combine +to produce large crops, and it is the best fruit State in the Northwest. +Several million acres of unoccupied and fertile lands are yet in the +market at low prices. The State has issued a NEW PAMPHLET containing a +map and descriptions of the soil, crops and general resources of _every +county_ in the State, which may be had free of charge by writing to the + +COMM'R OF IMMIGRATION, Detroit. Mich. + + + +MONEY TO LOAN TO FARMERS + +in Illinois on Mortgage security at 6 per cent interest, with privilege +of yearly payments. Call on or address + +BURNHAM, TREVETT & MATTIS, +Champaign, Ill. + + + +PATENT Procured or no charge. 40 p. book patent-law free. Add. +W.T. FITZGERALD, 1006 F St., Washington, D.C. + + + +EDUCATIONAL. + + +UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK +AMERICAN +VETERINARY COLLEGE, +141 WEST 54TH ST., NEW YORK CITY. + +The regular course of lectures commences in October each year. Circular +and information can be had on application to + +A. LIAUTARD, M.D.V.S., +Dean of the Faculty. + + + +SEWING SILK. + + +CORTICELLI SEWING SILK, + +[Illustration] + +LADIES, TRY IT! + +THE BEST SEWING SILK MADE. + +EVERY SPOOL WARRANTED. + +FULL LENGTH, SMOOTH AND STRONG. + +Ask your storekeeper for Corticelli Silk. + + + +MISCELLANEOUS. + + BUIST'S + SEEDS + ARE THE BEST. + +WARRANTED TO GIVE SATISFACTION OR MONEY RETURNED, SPECIAL-INDUCEMENTS +FOR MARKET GARDENERS. OUR VALUABLE CATALOGUE OF 192 PAGES FREE TO ALL. + + SEED GROWER + ROBERT BUIST, JR. + PHILADELPHIA, PA. + + + +"FACTS ABOUT +Arkansas and Texas." + +A handsome book, beautifully illustrated, with colored diagrams, giving +reliable information as to crops, population, religious denominations, +commerce, timber, Railroads, lands, etc., etc. + +Sent free to any address on receipt of a 2-cent stamp. Address + +H.C. TOWNSEND, +GEN. PASSENGER AGT., ST. LOUIS, MO. + + + +[Illustration: FERRY'S SEED ANNUAL FOR 1884] + +Will be mailed FREE TO ALL applicants and to customers of last year +without ordering it. It contains illustrations, prices, descriptions and +directions for planting all Vegetable and Flower Seeds, Plants, etc. +INVALUABLE TO ALL. + +D.M. FERRY & CO. +DETROIT, Mich. + + + +[Illustration] + +LYON & HEALY +State & Monroe Sts., Chicago. + +Will send prepaid to any address their + +BAND CATALOGUE, + +for 1883, 600 pages, 210 Engravings of Instruments, Suits, Caps, Belts, +Pompons, Epaulets, Cap-Lamps, Stands, Drum Major's Staffs, and Hats, +Sundry Band Outfits, Repairing Materials, also includes Instruction and +Exercises for Amateur Bands, and a Catalogue of Choice Band Music. + + + +KNABE PIANOFORTES. + +UNEQUALLED IN +Tone, Touch, Workmanship and Durability. + +WILLIAM KNABE & CO. +Nos. 204 and 206 West Baltimore Street, +Baltimore. No. 112 Fifth Avenue, N.Y. + + + +AGENTS make over ONE hundred per cent. profit selling the + +REFLECTING SAFETY LAMP + +which can be sold in every family. Gives more light than three ordinary +lamps. SAMPLE LAMP SENT FOR FIFTY CENTS IN STAMPS. We have other +household articles. Send for circulars. + +FORSEE & MCMAKIN, CINCINNATI, O. + + + +SEEDS! PLANTS--Catalogue Free. + +A.E. SPALDING, +AINSWORTH, IOWA. + + + +PIG EXTRICATOR + +To aid animals in giving birth. Send for free circular to WM. DULIN, +Avoca, Pottawattamie Co., Ia. + + + +FREE + +_By return mail_, Full Description MOODY'S NEW TAILOR SYSTEM of Dress +Cutting MOODY & CO. CINCINNATI, O. + + + +CARDS + +50 SATIN FINISH CARDS, New Imported designs, name on and Present Free +for 10c. Cut this out. CLINTON BROS. & Co., Clintonville, Ct. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Prairie Farmer, Vol. 56: No. 1, +January 5, 1884., by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PRAIRIE FARMER *** + +***** This file should be named 17512.txt or 17512.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/7/5/1/17512/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Susan Skinner and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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