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diff --git a/17683.txt b/17683.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f8d5539 --- /dev/null +++ b/17683.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6633 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Prairie Farmer, Vol. 56, No. 2, January +12, 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: The Prairie Farmer, Vol. 56, No. 2, January 12, 1884 + A Weekly Journal for the Farm, Orchard and Fireside + +Author: Various + +Release Date: February 5, 2006 [EBook #17683] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRAIRIE FARMER, VOL. 56 *** + + + + +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. 2. + +CHICAGO, SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1884. + +PRICE, $2.00 PER YEAR, +IN ADVANCE. + + + + +[Transcriber's Note: The Table of Contents was originally located on +page 24 of the periodical. It has been moved here for ease of use.] + + +THE CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. + +AGRICULTURE--Dew and Soil Moisture, Page 17; Specialty in Farming, 17; +Public Squares in Small Cities, 17-18; Farm Names, 18; Diogenes In His +Tub, 18; Field and Furrow, 18-19; Agricultural Organizations, 19; Didn't +No. 38 Die Hard, 19; A Grange Temple, 19. + +LIVE STOCK--Items, Page 20; Swine Statistics, 20; Iowa Stock Breeders, +20; The Horse and His Treatment, 20; Items, 20-21. + +THE DAIRY--Winter Feed for Cows, Page 21; Churning Temperature, 21; Seas +of Milk, 21. + +VETERINARY--About Soundness, Page 21; Questions Answered, 21. + +HORTICULTURE--The Hedge Question, Page 22; Young Men Wanted, 22; +Possibilities of Iowa Cherry Growing, 22-23; Prunings, 23. + +FLORICULTURE--Gleanings by an Old Florist, Page 23. + +EDITORIAL--Items, Page 24; Illinois State Board, 24-25; Sorghum at +Washington, 25; The Cold Spell, 25; American Ash, 25; Wayside Notes, 25; +Letter from Champaign, 25. + +POULTRY NOTES--A Duck Farm, Page 26. + +THE APIARY--Apiary Appliances, Page 26; What Should be Worked For, 26. + +SCIENTIFIC--The Star of Bethlehem, Page 27. + +HOUSEHOLD--How the Robin Came, Poem, Page 28; After Twenty Years, 28; +Will Readers Try It, 28; The Secret of Longevity, 28; How the Inventor +Plagues His Wife, 28; Recipes, 28; Pamphlets, etc., Received, 28. + +YOUNG FOLKS--The City Cat, Poem, Page 29; Amusing Tricks, 29; Bright +Sayings, 29; Compiled Correspondence, 29. + +LITERATURE--The Wrong Pew, Poem, Page 30; Yik Kee, 30-31. + +HUMOROUS--"A Leedle Mistakes," Page 31; Sharper Than a Razor, 31; A +Coming Dividend, 31. + +NEWS OF THE WEEK--Page 31. + +MARKETS--Page 32. + + + + +DEW AND SOIL MOISTURE. + + +Bulletin No. 6 of Missouri Agricultural College Farm is devoted to an +account of experiments intended to demonstrate the relation of dew to +soil moisture. Prof. Sanborn has prosecuted his work with that patience +and faithfulness characteristic of him, and the result is of a most +interesting and useful nature. + +The Professor begins by saying that many works on physics, directly or +by implication, assert that the soil, by a well-known physical law, +gains moisture from the air by night. One author says "Cultivated soils, +on the contrary (being loose and porous), very freely radiate by night +the heat which they absorb by day; in consequence of which they are much +cooled down and plentifully condense the vapor of air into dew." Not all +scientific works, however, make this incautious application of the fact +that dew results from the condensation of moisture of the air in contact +with cooler bodies. Farmers have quite universally accepted the view +quoted, and believe that soils gain moisture by night from the air. This +gain is considered of very great importance in periods of droughts, and +is used in arguments favoring certain methods of tillage. + +Professor Stockbridge, in 1879, at the Massachusetts Agricultural +College, carried on very valuable and full experiments in test of this +general belief, and arrived at results contradictory of this belief. He +found, in a multitude of tests, that in every instance, save one, for +the months from May to November, that the surface soil from one to five +inches deep, was warmer than the air instead of cooler, as the law +requires for condensation of moisture from the air. That exception was +in the center of a dense forest, under peculiar atmospheric conditions. +After noting these facts, ingenious methods were employed to test more +directly the proposition that soil gains moisture from the air by night, +with the result that he announced that soils lose moisture by night. +Professor Stockbridge's efforts met with some criticism, and his +conclusions did not receive the wide acceptance that his view of the +question justifies. In reasoning from observation, Professor Stockbridge +noted that the bottom of a heap of hay, during harvesting, would be wet +in the morning, the under side of a board wet in the morning, and so of +the other objects named. In the progress of tillage experiments related +in his Bulletins Nos. 3 and 5, Prof. Sanborn's attention was again +called to this question, resulting in the prosecution of direct tests of +the soil moisture itself. When completed it is thought that there will +then no longer be occasion to reason from assumed premises regarding the +matter. The trials were begun late, and under disadvantages; and are to +be understood as preliminary to more complete tests during 1884. The +experiments were all conducted upon a soil bare of vegetation. + +Prof. Sanborn concludes from his experiments thus far that the surface +gains moisture from soil beneath it by capillary action, but gathers +nothing from the air. This is made strongly probable, if not shown; +first, because the soil is warmer by night than the air. (He relies upon +other facts than his own for this assertion.) 2nd. Because he found more +moisture in the soil when covered over night than when left bare. 3d. +Because when hoed, thereby disturbing capillary action, he found less +moisture than when unhoed, in surface soil. Finally, he concludes the +position proven, for, when he shut off the upward flow of water to the +surface of the soil, he found not only less moisture above the cut off +or in the surface soil than where no disturbance of capillary action +had been made, but actually less moisture in the surface soil than the +night before. Strongly corroborating this conclusion is the fact that +all of the tests conspire to show that the gain of moisture in the +surface of the soil by night is traceable to one source, and only one +source. + +[Illustration: AMERICAN ASH.--See Page 25.] + +The facts of this bulletin accord with the previous ones in showing that +mulching and frequent shallow tillage economize the moisture of the soil +and add new proof of this to those already given. + + + + +SPECIALTY IN FARMING. + + +This subject in my estimation should begin to attract attention, +especially among the large land owners and farmers of the West. If we +study the whole catalogue of money-making enterprises and money-making +men, we find that the greatest success has been attained where there has +been the greatest concentration on a special line of work. True, it is, +that specialists are subject to unexpected changes of the times, and if +thrown out of their employment are not well prepared for other work, and +yet their chances for success as compared with the "general idea" man +are as ten to one. + +For an example look at science. How has it advanced? Is it not by the +invaluable aid of men who have given their whole lives to the solution +of some special problem? It could not be otherwise. If every scientist +had attempted to master the majority of scientific truths before he was +contented to concentrate his time on some special branch of science, +science would have progressed little or none at all. Linnaeus opened the +way in botany, and the world profited by his blunders. But to be +brief--it seems to me that the most successful farmer in the future is +to be the man who can so arrange his work that he is led into the +deepest research on some one branch of farming. He must be a specialist. +He must thoroughly master the raising of fine stock for breeding +purposes, for practical profit and the shambles. Attend stock +associations, and hear witnesses testify on every hand to the +difficulties connected with properly rearing calves for breeding +purposes. + +The honest breeder, though full of ideas, acknowledges he knows but very +little on breeding. His time in farm life, for twenty years or more has +been devoted to too many things. Is not the expert swine-grower the +successful man? Books are something, but practical experience is +something more. It matters little however practical the author of a work +on agricultural science may be, unless the man who reads has some +practical experience, his application of the author's truths will be a +total failure. + +We insist, therefore, that the successful farmer must be a specialist. +He must devote his time to special more than to general farm work. You +ask me to outline in detail the idea thus advanced. You somewhat +question its practicability. To attempt it might lead to endless +discussion, but let us reduce to example. Farmer A. raises cattle, hogs, +and sheep for breeding purposes, devotes some attention to fine horses, +and keeps thirty-six cows for dairy purposes. Farmer B. devotes his +entire attention to dairying and has invested in dairy cows as much +money as A. has in all his stock. Is it not evident that though each +farmer began life the same year, the latter man will make the most +money, providing the section he is in demands dairy work? It seems to me +so. And if we further place limit on the dairyman's work, we should say +he can not afford, with fifty or seventy-five cows, to give as much +attention to the manufacture of cheese and butter as that work +necessarily demands. Even though he employs a specialist in creamery +work, he himself must be a specialist to some extent. We say to +investing farmers do not put $500 into horses, $500 into fine cattle, +and $500 into swine, but concentrate on one class of stock, and give +that your time. + + J.N. MUNCEY, + Asst. Ag. Expts. Ag. Col., Ames, Iowa. + + + + +PUBLIC SQUARES IN SMALL CITIES. + +BY H.W.S. CLEVELAND. + + +A respectable looking, middle-aged gentleman called upon me not long +since and told me he was a resident of an interior city of some eight or +ten thousand inhabitants, and at a recent public meeting had been +appointed chairman of a committee on the improvement of a small park, +which it was thought might be made an attractive ornamental feature of +the town. + +On further inquiry I learned that the proposed park was simply a public +square with a street on each of its four sides, on which fronted the +principal public buildings, stores, etc. It was a dead level, with no +natural features of any kind to suggest the manner of its arrangement, +but they thought it might be made to add to the beauty of the town, and +he had called to ask my advice in regard to it. + +As the arrangement of such areas had occupied my thoughts a good deal in +a general way, it occurred to me that this was a good opportunity to +ventilate some opinions I had formed in regard to prevalent errors in +their management, and accordingly I addressed him substantially as +follows: + +"It is very rare that the people of any town show a just appreciation of +the value of such an area for ornamental use. Such a piece of ground as +you describe in the very business center of a town must of course +possess great pecuniary value, and the fact that it has been voluntarily +given up and devoted for all time to purposes of recreation and ornament +would lead us to expect that they would at least exercise the same +shrewdness in securing their money's worth, that they do in their +private transactions. They have given this valuable tract for the object +of ornamenting the town by relieving the artificial character of the +buildings and streets by the refreshing verdure of trees and grass and +shrubbery, and that it may afford a place for rest and recreation for +tired wayfarers and laborers, and nurses with their children, and a +pleasant resort for rest and refreshment when the labors of the day are +at an end. + +"Its arrangement, therefore, should be such as to set forth these +objects so obviously that no one could look upon the scene without +perceiving it. The trees should be so arranged in groups and in such +varieties as would afford picturesque effects when seen from the +principal points of approach. The paths and open areas should be so +arranged as to prevent the possibility of saving time by a short cut +across, and so provided with seats under the shade of the trees as to +invite to repose, instead of this, in nine cases out of ten, the trees +(if any are planted) are simply set in rows at equal distances, without +the faintest attempt at picturesque effect, and the paths are carried +diagonally across from corner to corner for the express purpose of +affording an opportunity for a short-cut to every one who is hastening +to or from his business. The consequence is that at certain hours the +paths are filled by a hurrying throng whose presence would alone suffice +to banish the effect of repose which should be the ruling spirit of the +place, while at all other times it is comparatively deserted. + +"Perhaps these ideas might not be satisfactory to your people, and I +have therefore set them forth somewhat at length in order that you may +understand what I conceive should be the ruling principle of +arrangement." + +I perceived that my visitor was somewhat disturbed and it was not till +he had told me, in a kind of half apologetic way, that he did not know +"but what I was pretty nigh right," that he finally informed me that the +square in question was already divided in the manner I described, by +diagonal paths, and moreover that the paths were lined on each side by +rows of well-grown trees. + +I could not help inquiring what further laying out it required, and it +then came out that there had been no thought of a re-arrangement of the +component elements of the park in order to give it an expression of +grace or beauty, but they had thought I might be able to make it +attractive by the introduction of rustic arbors and gateways, or perhaps +a fountain or "something of that sort to give it a stylish look." + +I gave him an advertising pamphlet containing designs and prices of +garden ornaments, and told him they could select and order whatever they +liked from the manufacturers,--but declined to give any advice which +should connect my name with the work. + +I have told this story as the readiest means of setting forth my ideas +of the capabilities of such public areas, and also as an illustration of +prevailing errors in regard to landscape gardening, which most people +seem to think consists solely of extraneous, artificial decoration, by +means of which any piece of ground can be made beautiful, however stiff +and formal may be the arrangement of the trees, shrubbery, and lawns +which give expression to its character as truly as the features of a +human face. + +Such squares as I have described are the most common and simple forms of +public parks, and they might and should in all cases constitute not only +a chief ornament of the town, but a most attractive place of resort for +rest and refreshment. Nothing beyond the materials which nature +furnishes is needed for the purpose, but it is essential that these +should be gracefully dispersed, and that they should exhibit a +luxuriant, healthy growth. + +Above all we should avoid the introduction of artificial decorations +which are intended to "look pretty." If arbors or rests are needed, let +them be placed at the points where they are obviously required, and be +made of graceful patterns; but do not put elaborate structures of rustic +work where no one will ever use them, and where in a few years they will +be only dilapidated monuments of a futile effort at display. + +The Village Improvement Societies which are everywhere springing up +should devote their earliest efforts to the tasteful arrangement and +care of these public ornamental areas, which should form the nucleus and +pattern of the graceful expression which should pervade the streets. + + + + +FARM NAMES. + + +Since the call of THE PRAIRIE FARMER for "something new" I have been +afraid to follow any of the old beaten paths so long traveled by +agricultural writers; and have been on the lookout for the "something +new." Something that does not appear in our agricultural papers, yet of +interest to the fraternity. It matters little how trifling the subject +may be, if it begets an interest in farm or country life; anything that +will make our homes more attractive, more beautiful, and leave a lasting +impression on the minds of the boys and girls that now cluster around +the farmers' hearths throughout this vast country of ours. + +There is a beautiful little song entitled, "What is Home Without a +Mother?" which could be supplemented with another of equal interest, to +wit: "What is Home Without a Name?" I answer, a dreary waste of field +and fence, there being nothing in the mind of the absent one to remind +him of his distant home but a lone farm-house, a barn, long lines of +fences, and perhaps a few stunted apple trees; and when he thinks of it, +his whole mind reverts to the hot harvest field, the sweat, the toil, +and the tiresomeness of working those big fields! Nothing attractive, no +pleasant memory. Nothing to draw the mind of the youth to the roof that +sheltered his childhood. No wonder boys and girls yearn for a change. + +Then what are we to do to change this for the better. I say give your +country homes a name, no matter how homely or isolated that home may be. +Give each one a name, and let those names be appropriate and musical, +short, sweet, and easily remembered and pronounced, and then, when you +go to visit a neighbor, either on business or pleasure, instead of +saying, I am going to Jones', or to Brown's, or Smith's, let it be, I am +going over to "The Cedars," or, to "Hickory Grove," or, to "Holly Hill." +How much pleasanter it would sound. There would be no mistake about your +destination, there being perhaps half a dozen Jones, Browns, or Smiths +within five miles of your home, but only one "Hickory Hill." Then, when +young folks make up their surprise parties during the long, cold, winter +evenings, in place of notifying each other that they are going to +surprise the James', the Jones', or the Jackson's, it would be, we are +going to surprise "Pleasant Valley" "Viewfield" or "Walnut Hill." Every +member of the surprise party would know the place intended, and the +squads and companies of sleighs with their closely packed loads of +laughing girls, and well filled baskets of good things would begin to +marshal on the several roads that lead towards the trysting place; and +when the merry-makers reach the well trimmed walnut grove from which the +farm takes its name, and march up to the dwelling, instead of shouting: +Mrs. Brown, we greet you, or Uncle Brown, etc., it would be: "Walnut +Hill" we greet you, which would include all the Browns, old and young. + +One of the brightest spots in my memory is the remembrance of "Rose +Valley" my childhood's happy home. Every pleasant occurrence of my +boyhood clusters around that never-to-be forgotten name. It has acted +like a guide, a land mark for me through my life; and my great aim in +life has been to make my own home just like dear "Rose Valley." To begin +the work, I have set my own house in order; and the following names +given to the farms under my care will practically illustrate my plan. + +-----------------+-------------------------+----------------------------- + FORMER OWNERS. | FARM NAMES. | PRESENT TENANTS. +-----------------+-------------------------+----------------------------- +Thompson Place | Hickory Ridge | A. Maddox +Home " | Elmwood | Mr. Houck's home +Doutey " | South Elmwood | D.Q. Renfrue +Horroll " | Gravel Hill | T.H. Miller +Conran " | Cedar Grove | A. Miller +Casebolt " | Millbrook | C. Blettner +Harness " | Burnside | A. Tunge +Heller " | Pleasant Hill | J.H. Kempf +Lewis " | Woodlawn | W. Lewis +Oaks' " | Castle Rock | Noah Neff +Held " | The Glade | W. Reubelman +Jackson " | Beechwald | G. Edwards +Bottom " | Deerfield | . . . . . . . . . . . . +Benna " | The Mound | R. Oliver +Williams " | Blacklands | W. Mitchel +McGee " | Lone Tree | Tom Miller +Johnson " | South Park | Owen Bush +New Land | Cedar Cliff | Peter Heller + " " | Cypress Grove | Geo. Surlett +Old Homestead | Middle Park | Johd Meintz +West of City | West Park | Dave Meintz +East of R. By. | Spring Park | Jas. Ballinger +Manning Place | Longview | Aug. Klemme +Cox " | Meadow Hill | H. Stinehoff +Davis " | Lilypond | Chas. Davis +Renfroe " | Beechfield | I. Renfroe +Ruble " | Sycamore Springs | Mrs. Sarah Miller +Bair | Clover Hill | W. Gunter +Edmonson " | Riverside | J.H. Relley +New " | Cotton Grove | W.H. Henson +Garaghty " | Wheatland | J.H. Relley +Price " | Roundpond | W. Miller +Jordan " | Parsonage | Wm. Jackson +Bird " | Richwood | Mrs. Jackson +Laseley " | Richland | W. Lackey +New " | Lakeside | D. Edmunson +New " | The Island | Geo. Laseley +Sexton " | Beech Hill | J.H. Irving +Martin " | Creekfield | Joe Bair +Miss Co " | Catalpa Grove | Geo. Burns +Cramer " | Hubbleside | . . . . . . . . . . . . +Miller " | Spring Grove | A. Miller +Brown " | East Gravel Hill | J.H. Miller +---------------------------------------------------------------------- + +I give these as samples to guide my brother farmers in selecting names +for their homes. Every one of those farms can be identified by some +local peculiarity, prominent and visible. For instance, Davis place is +situated close to a large pond covered with white lilies. Standing on +the doorsteps of the Manning place you can view a ten-mile stretch of +the Mississippi river, while Mr. Relley's place is situated on the banks +of that great stream. Such names can be multiplied to an indefinite +extent, and duplicated in each county. + +If such names were generally in use, it would greatly assist postmasters +in their difficult task of knowing which Smith or Brown was intended. + +Now brother farmers, I have moved the adoption of appropriate names for +every farm in the land; who will second the motion? Give your wives and +daughters a chance to name the homestead, and my word for it, it will be +both musical and appropriate. Let us give our children something +pleasant to think of after they have left the dear old home. To afix the +name, paint it on a large board and nail it over your front gate. + + ALEX ROSS, + CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO. + + + + +DIOGENES IN HIS TUB. + + +Allow me, Messrs. Editors, to give you notes of what I see, and hear, +and learn, and cogitate, and endeavor to inculcate, from my snug little +home in my Tub--will you not? + +Well--having your assent, I begin by wishing you all--editors, +correspondents, typos, and "devils"--a Happy New Year, and your +excellent paper unlimited success in 1884, and a long life thereafter. +Next, permit me to advert to the contents of some + +RECENT NUMBERS. + +First, to the pro and con of pasturing corn-stalks. That is a subject, +like many others, on which much can be said on both sides. Mr. Stahl (in +No. 50) quotes Prof. Sanborn as saying that a ton of corn fodder, +"rightly cured and saved," is worth two-thirds of a ton of good timothy +hay. That may be true; but to be rightly cured and saved it must be +protected from the rains and snows as the hay is; otherwise it will be +as worthless as the corn left standing in the field. Most people who +have cut their corn and left it standing in the shock during the fall +rains, know by experience that large portions of it are rendered +useless. And if we deduct the waste of corn by wet, and by rats and +mice, and the waste of fodder, added to the cost of cutting, it would +seem that a "Subscriber" (in No. 52) has at least a strong side of the +argument. But these men are both right, in a degree. In the East in +cases where the crop is not large, or in the West, and where the +producer has large barns or sheds in which to store his fodder, it had +doubtless best be cut and utilized in that way. But where no such +facilities exist and the crop is large, as usual in the West, I can +conceive of no better way to utilize the product than to feed it where +it grew. + + +HOW TO RAISE WHEAT. + +Prof. Hamilton (see No. 52) has hit the nail squarely on the head in his +essay. I doubt if there has been a more valuable article on +wheat-growing in the public prints, for many a day. It gives a new view +of the question, and in my opinion illustrates, at least in part, why it +was that in the early days of wheat-growing throughout the prairie +States, the crops were so much better than now. Wheat was then sown for +the most part on newly broken prairie sod, and its character was such +that the grain could not be deeply covered, nor could the ground be +heaved so much as in later sowings, when it has been mellowed by deeper +culture. Prof. Hamilton's essay ought to be read by every wheat-grower +in the country. Other valuable articles in No. 52 are those of J.H., on +Corn, Prof. Hall's lecture on Schools, and many others--not omitting +what the two talented ladies say about hens and bees. + + +COUNTS AND BARONS IN AMERICA. + +Some alarm has been manifested in certain quarters, and Congress been +inquired of, concerning the fact that divers European noblemen have been +purchasing large bodies of lands in our public domain. There are no +laws, I believe, to prevent foreign noblemen from acquiring lands in +large or small quantities in our Territories; but it is clearly contrary +to public policy to permit these, or our own capitalists or syndicates +to do this thing. The public lands should be held for actual settlers, +and for them alone; and it is to be hoped that Congress will so amend +the laws as to prevent English or European lords, or American lords, +from acquiring large bodies of land. The Government has been +generous--too generous--to the railroads in the gift of lands; and that +policy ought now to cease, and the roads required to fulfil their side +of the contract to the letter. + + +MONOPOLY--AGRARIANISM. + +In connection with the above, it will do to say, that as monopolies +increase and gain strength, agrarianism also is extending. Legislation +should be so shaped as to check the one, and give no cause for the +other. Good government and strict regard for the rights and interests of +the masses, are the surest means of checking agrarian and nihilistic +tendencies. Had the French monarchy and governing classes been just, the +revolution would have been impossible. + + +TO CONCLUDE. + +It does seem to me that your magnificent offer of your Standard Time or +Commercial Map--worth $2 itself--in connection with THE PRAIRIE FARMER, +all for $2, ought to bring you hosts of subscribers, and that it does is +the hope of + + DIOGENES. + + + + +FIELD AND FURROW. + + +The best temperature to preserve apples, potatoes, turnips, or any other +roots or fruits stored in the cellar, is just above the freezing point. + +Stiff, hard clays intended for tillage in the spring ought, by all +means, to be broken up in the fall. A light, sandy soil should, on the +contrary, be suffered to remain unbroken. + +A wholesale drug house in Indianapolis, tells the editor of the Drainage +Journal that tile drainage has reduced the sale of quinine and other +fever and ague medicines nearly sixty per cent. + +The American Cultivator says that if barley has not germinated the fact +of its having been slightly stained by wet is no actual detriment +whatsoever; the grain is not really injured and ought to bring to the +farmer just as much as the bright samples of equal plumpness. + +Dr. E. Lewis Sturtevant, reporting in Bulletin LXXII. of the State +Experiment Station his hybridizing tests during the past season with 135 +different kinds of corn, incidentally mentions that "the red ears have a +constancy of color which is truly remarkable; where sweet corn appears +upon red pop and red dent ears the sweet corn partakes of the red +color." + +An esteemed exchange suggests, if farmers would go to the barn on a wet +day and spend their time in making an eaves-trough for the barn or +stable, and thereby carry away the drip which would otherwise fall on +the manure pile, causing a waste of the elements of plant food contained +therein, they will make more money that day than they could any fine day +in the field. + +American Cultivator: In winter, while the ground is covered with snow +and the soil is frozen deeply, it is sometimes curious to note the +effect of openings leading down to deep underdrains. The snow will be +melted away by the warm air coming up from the unfrozen earth. Even in +an uncovered drain three feet deep, a little straw or loose earth will +generally protect the bottom from severe freezing. + +Cincinnati Gazette: There are so many excellencies about the cow pea, +and it is good for so many uses, that we advise our Ohio, Indiana, and +Kentucky farmers to be sure and cultivate it this year. Next spring, +when all danger of frost is over, sow, plant, or drill more or less of +these valuable peas, and, in the language of the elder Weller, "you'll +be glad on it arterwards," and so will your live stock. + +New England Homestead: Nearly level culture, hand-hoeing and slightly +hilling but once, and keeping the cultivator running, was recommended at +the Waterbury meeting as the best culture for potatoes. It was said that +the second hilling induced a second growth of roots higher up on the +plant which produced small tubers. If this is not done the additional +growth will make large potatoes. + +Cincinnati Gazette: During sundry recent visits to Tennessee, we noticed +that a considerable share of the immigrants arriving were from Michigan. +They are mostly of the second generation from the settlers from the East +in that State--men in the prime of life, who are seeking cheap lands in +a genial climate, where the pastoral, dairy, and fruit-raising pursuits +to which they are accustomed may be pursued with perfect success. +Michigan farmers are usually intelligent, practical workers, who +understand their profession and like it. They, and such as they, +appreciate the advantages they will enter upon in their new homes at the +South. + +New England Farmer: Prof. Goessmann, as Director of the State Experiment +Station, has been analyzing a sample of rye hay, sent to the Station by +Secretary Russell of the State Board of Agriculture. The sample was not +cut till in full bloom, but Prof. Goessmann finds it compares well in +nutritive value with a medium good quality of meadow hay. This agrees +with our own estimate of well cured rye hay, judged by its effect in +practical feeding to stock. Animals usually have to learn to eat it +heartily, as they do many other kinds of coarse fodder which are +inferior to the best hay. Rye should be cut before it comes in full +bloom, to obtain the greatest feeding value from the fodder. It is then +liked better, and a larger per cent will be digested. + +Republican, Manhattan, Kan.: In traveling through a considerable portion +of the country this week, we noticed that the wheat looked exceedingly +promising. The contrast between the green fields and the dry grass and +naked trees was cheering to behold. Cattle are in good condition; most +of the farmers are provided with sheds or shelter of some sort to +protect the animals, but we saw some small bunches of young cattle +standing in unprotected enclosures shivering from the north wind; it is +cruel to take them through the winter without so much as a wind break to +turn off the scorching blasts. Surely every farmer can afford to build a +wind break, at least a pile of brush and old hay, around the stock +yards. The cost would be more than made up in the saving of feed. + +They are growing some pretty heavy crops of wheat in New Hampshire. The +Lebanon Free Press reports that Harlan Flint, of Hanover, raised this +year eighty bushels of wheat on five acres of ground, and Uel Spencer, +of the same town, 206 bushels from four and a half acres, while the town +farm crop averaged forty-three bushels per acre. That raised by Mr. +Flint was winter wheat, and Spencer's White Russian. A Meredith +correspondent of the Laconia Democrat says that eight farms adjoining +each other, in that town, have produced this year 524 bushels of wheat. +Reports from all sections of the State show that a great yield of wheat +has been secured wherever the crop has been sown. Perhaps by the time +the prairie skinners of the Northwest have spread over all the wheat +bearing land this side of the Rocky Mountains, they may begin the New +England States and travel the continent over again. + +Correspondent Farm and Fireside: There is nothing so much needed about +many houses as good walks in paths that must be used daily. There is +hardly an excuse for not having them when either brick, gravel, or +timber can be had. A good walk through muddy yards can be easily and +cheaply made by placing poles side by side, a short distance apart, and +then filling the intervening space with gravel, or with broken corn +cobs, or with sawdust. Oak planks will last many years, if turned over +occasionally, and this also counteracts warping. One of the best of +walks through a level barn-yard can be made by cutting off short pieces +from logs, a foot or more in diameter, and setting them upon end in a +shallow trench. Such a walk from the barn to the kitchen will always be +clean, and there will be less to disturb the temper of the women folks +of the household, to say nothing of the good effect upon the men folks +who take pleasure in lightening the labor required to keep everything +neat and tidy within doors. + + + + +AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS. + + +[_Officers and members of farmers' organizations of all kinds are +invited to send for publication in this department notices of meetings, +time of holding fairs, and other pertinent information. We desire to +make of it a weekly bulletin that shall be looked for with interest by +members of clubs, granges, fair associations, and agricultural and +horticultural societies._] + + +The Maine State Grange has elected the following officers: Master, +Frederick Robie, of Gorham; Overseer, H.E. Gregory, of Hampden; +Lecturer, D.H. Thing, of Vernon. + + +At a meeting of the Wisconsin State Grange resolutions were passed +requesting the Legislature to separate the State Agricultural Experiment +Farm from the State University, and to locate it in an agricultural +district. + + +At the Vermont State Grange's annual meeting at Brattleboro, December +13-14, 1883, 72 granges were represented. For the first time since the +organization of the grange its doors were opened to the public, and the +State Board of Agriculture met with it. Worthy Master Franklin's address +revealed a healthy condition of the Order in Vermont. + + +The meeting of the Massachusetts State Grange was an excellent one. +Master Draper was again re-elected. The committees' reports and +discussions revealed a hearty interest in and sympathy with the +experimental station and the agricultural college, but the present +system by which the college trustees perpetuate themselves was sharply +criticised, and a change in the law was recommended. It was also +"Resolved, that as Patrons of Husbandry, we recommend such a change in +the law as will withhold the State bounty from all societies that permit +liquor selling or gambling at their annual fairs." + + +The annual meeting of the Michigan Grange last month was largely +attended. The Secretary's report showed the grange to be in good +condition. The committee on the agricultural college recommended the +admission of girls to that institution. Reports were adopted +recommending the restoration of the duty on wool, so that it shall equal +that on manufactured woolen articles; urged that taxpayers be required +to make oath to their assessments; recommended the continued fostering +of the sorghum industry; condemned the extortionate practices of many +millers in the State, urging co-operative mills if necessary to remedy +the same, and asks the appointment of a committee to draft a bill +similar to the Reagan bill to remedy some of the evils of +transportation. + + + + +DIDN'T NO. 38 DIE HARD! + + +New England Homestead: "The eminent men"--George B. Loring, Daniel +Needham, Charles L. Flint, Benjamin P. Ware, and George Noyes--composing +the late Massachusetts grange No. 38, couldn't appreciate what had +happened to them when the State Master's action in revoking the charter +of their grange was sustained by the National Grange tribunal. So +Brother Ware hied him to Barre, last week, to bring the matter up before +the State Grange at its annual session. No doubt the "eminent men" +supposed that the presence of the Hon. Mr. Ware would alone be +sufficient to cause the State Grange to tremble and humbly beg pardon +for their Master's action in disturbing the serenity of this mutual +admiration society. Alas, pride must have a fall! Judge of the +consternation of these "eminent men" when the State Grange unanimously +refused admittance to Brother Ware because he was a suspended member! +Now if the honorable delegate from No. 38 deceased had known when he was +"set on," he would have silently packed his grip sack and returned to +the secrecy of the obscure agricultural newspaper office at 45 Milk +street, Boston, the "headquarters" of the corpse of No. 38. But like all +"eminent men" he made a grave mistake. At a subsequent session he +induced a friend to move that he be given a hearing, but the grange +again voted against taking any further action in the matter. This double +rebuff was effectual. With his hopes dashed to the ground, the honorable +suspended brother crept sadly away to the depot, and when last seen was +trying to derive some consolation from his flattering picture as it +appeared in the Homestead of December 15. + +As our able contemporary, the Maine Farmer remarks, it was a triumph of +principle, proving that the grange recognizes no aristocracy. Thus may +it ever be! + + + + +A GRANGE TEMPLE. + + +At its last meeting the National Grange determined to enter upon the +work of erecting, in Washington city, a building in which the records +and archives of the Order may be preserved. It is proposed to raise the +money needful to erect such a building in a way which shall enlist the +brotherhood at large, and yet not to be burdensome to even the least +wealthy of the members. The National Grange asks each subordinate grange +to solicit from every name on its roll a contribution of not less than +fifty cents. The money so collected is to be kept separate from all +other funds, and is to be used for no other purpose than the building of +a Grange Home in Washington. The treasurer of the National Grange is +directed to procure a book in which the names of all contributors, and +the sums contributed, shall be properly entered. In due time a +building-fund certificate will be prepared, containing an engraving of +the building, and such other devices as may be agreed upon, and a copy +of the same will be sent to every individual who donates the sum of +fifty cents or more. + + * * * * * + +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-Fourth 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. + + * * * * * + +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. + + * * * * * + +FARM MACHINERY, ETC. + +NICHOLS' CENTENNIAL WIND MILL. + +[Illustration] + +Contains all the valuable features of his old "Nichols' Mills" with none +of their defects. This is the only balanced mill without a vane. It is +the only mill balanced on its center. It is the only mill built on +correct scientific principles so as to govern perfectly. + +ALL VANES + +Are mechanical devices used to overcome the mechanical defect of forcing +the wheel to run out of its natural position. + +A wind wheel becomes its own vane if no vane is used, hence, vanes--save +only to balance the wheel--are useless for good, and are only useful to +help blow the mill down. + +This mill will stand a heavier wind, run steadier, last longer, and crow +louder than any other mill built. Our confidence in the mill warrants us +in offering the first mill in each county where we have no agent, at +agents' prices and on 30 days' trial. + +Our power mills have 25 per cent more power than any mill with a vane. +We have also a superior feed mill adapted to wind or other power. It is +cheap, durable, efficient. For circulars, mills, and agencies, address + +NICHOLS & DAGGETT, ELGIN, ILL. + +(Successors to the Batavia Manf. Co., of Batavia, Ill.) + + * * * * * + +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. + + * * * * * + +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.B. SPERRY & CO., BATAVIA, ILLINOIS. + + * * * * * + +EVAPORATING FRUIT + +FULL TREATISE on improved methods, yields, profits, prices and general +statistics, free. + + AMERICAN M'FG CO. + WAYNESBORO + FRANKLIN COUNTY, PA. + + * * * * * + +HOOSIER AUGER TILE MILL. + +[Illustration: Mills on hand. + +Prompt delivery.] + +FOR PRICES AND CIRCULARS, ADDRESS NOLAN, MADDEN & CO., RUSHVILLE, IND. + + * * * * * + +"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. + + * * * * * + +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. + + * * * * * + +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. + + * * * * * + + +MISCELLANEOUS. + +[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. + + * * * * * + +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. + + * * * * * + +MISCELLANEOUS + +SEED CORN + +FOR SALE. + +A large quantity of first-class, selected Iowa seed corn, in large or +small quantities. Address + + _MITCHELL VINCENT,_ + Onawa, Iowa. + +Please state you saw ad in this paper. + + * * * * * + +The Great Musical Wonder of the Age. + +A STEM-WINDING MUSICAL WATCH. + +Each Watch is finely made, silver plated, and a _complete and +sweet-toned Musical Instrument_. Size and shape of an ordinary Watch, +and has a Music Box attachment concealed within, so arranged that when +wound at the stem plays one of the following tunes: "Wait till the +Clouds Roll By," "Carnival of Venice," "Blue Bells of Scotland," "Home, +Sweet Home," "Coming Through the Rye," "Swanee River," Waltz, Polka, +Schottische, etc. The notes, time, and tones are correct. It will please +both old and young, and is truly the _Greatest Novelty_ ever offered to +the American public. + +OUR SPECIAL OFFER. + +In order to introduce our large Illustrated Family Story Paper entitled +YOUTH into every home in the Union where it is not a visitor, we are +making this extraordinary offer: Upon receipt of 40 CENTS (or 20 +two-cent postage stamps), we will send our paper for the next THREE +MONTHS on trial, and this _Musical Watch_ as an absolute _Free Gift_. +Just think of it! A _Music Box_ and our large 16 page paper _three +months_ for _only_ 40 cents. For a club of 3 and $1.00 will send three +subscriptions and three _Musical Watches_. This is a chance of a +life-time. Write to-day. + +Address, YOUTH PUBLISHING CO., 27 DOANE ST., BOSTON, MASS. + + * * * * * + +HOPE FOR THE DEAF. + +PECK'S PATENT TUBULAR CUSHIONED EAR DRUMS cure Deafness in all stages. +Recommended by scientific men of Europe and America. Write for +_illustrated descriptive book_ and testimonials from doctors, judges, +ministers and prominent men and women who have been cured, and who _take +pleasure in recommending them_. They are unseen while in use, +comfortable to wear, and make a permanent cure. Address.--WEST & CO., 7 +MURRAY ST., NEW-YORK, AGENTS FOR SOUTH AND WEST. + + * * * * * + +FAY GRAPES + +Currant HEAD-QUARTERS. + +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. + +REMEMBER _that $2.00 pays for_ THE PRAIRIE FARMER _one year, and the +subscriber gets 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._ + + * * * * * + + + + +[Illustration] + +LIVE STOCK DEPARTMENT. + +Stockmen, Write for Your Paper. + + +Hon. A.M. Garland is expected home from Australia about the first of +February. + + * * * * * + +Col. J.W. Judy & Son, the popular thoroughbred cattle auctioneers of +Tallula, Ill., last year sold 2,057 head of cattle for $500,620. + + * * * * * + +Ohio Jersey cattle-breeders will hold a convention at Columbus, on the +15th. The Short-horn breeders of the State will meet at the same city on +the same day. + + * * * * * + +Mr. C. Huston, Blandinsville, Ill., has gone to Scotland to purchase +Clydesdale horses. He expects to be gone about half the year, and will +make several shipments. + + * * * * * + +Wm. Yule, Esq., the well-known Short-horn breeder, of Somers, Kenosha +county, Wisconsin, names, through THE PRAIRIE FARMER, March 19th prox., +for his public sale for 1884. + + * * * * * + +At the annual meeting of the American Guernsey Cattle Club, held at the +Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York, December 20th, Dr. J. Nelson Borland, New +London, Conn., was re-elected President; Edward Norton was chosen +Secretary and Treasurer. + + * * * * * + +Three new cases of pleuro-pneumonia were recently discovered near West +Chester, Penn. Thus far the disease has been confined to three dairy +herds. All infected animals are promptly appraised, condemned, killed +and paid for by the State. The disease was introduced there by cows +purchased at Baltimore. + + * * * * * + +The twenty-ninth volume of the new series of Coates' Short-horn +Herd-Book has just been published by the English Short-horn Society. It +contains the pedigrees of bulls ranging from (47311) to (48978). The +larger half of the volume is devoted to the entry of cows with their +produce. Each breeder's entries of females are recorded together under +his own name. Her Majesty the Queen heads the list, followed by the +Prince of Wales. + + * * * * * + +The offices of the American Short-horn Breeders' Association in Chicago +were badly damaged by fire on Sunday, December 30. Some 1,500 pedigrees +were destroyed and many others partially destroyed. Pedigrees received +previous to December 20th, were saved. It will take time and work to +restore these pedigrees and the loss must cause some delay in the work +of the office. It will be remembered that the records of the association +had a narrow escape at the time the Evening Journal office burned. + + * * * * * + +The following are the officers of the National Chester-White Swine +Record Co. for 1883: Hon. Jack Hardin, Pleasureville, Ky., President; +H.W. Tonkins, Fenton, Mo., Vice-President; W.B. Wilson, Eminence, Ky., +Treasurer; E.R. Moody, Eminence, K., Secretary. The capital stock of the +company is $5,000, in shares of $10 each. Fees are charged as follows: +Book of 100 blank pedigrees, with stub for private record and +instructions for filling, $1; for entry in Record, each pedigree, $1; +stockholders, 75 cents; Record will be furnished at cost of publication. + + * * * * * + +At the late meeting of the American Merino Sheep Register Association at +Burlington, Wis., the following officers were chosen: President, C.S. +Miller, Caldwell, Wis.; First Vice-President, Daniel Kelly, Wheaton, +Ill.; Second Vice-President, F.C. Gault, East Hubbardton, Vt.; +Secretary, A.H. Craig, Caldwell, Wis.; Treasurer, George Andrews, +Mukwonago, Wis.; Directors, C.A. Dingman, Troy Center, Wis.; G.B. Rhead, +Norvell, Mich.; George Peck, Geneva, Ill.; E. Campbell, Pittsfield, +Ohio; S.D. Short, Honeoye, N.Y.; John S. Goe, Brownsville. Pa.; F.C. +Gault, East Hubbardton, Vt.; E.F. Gilman, Farmington, Me.; Ward Kennedy, +Butler, Ind.; A. Wilson, Richfield, Minn.; Fayette Holmes, Russell, +Kan.; H.J. Chamberlain, Davilla, Tex. Registering committee, T.W. +Gault, Waterford, Wis.; C.A. Dingman, Troy Center, Wis.; Perry Craig, +Caldwell, Wis. + + * * * * * + +Here is an excellent prize winning record: S.H. Todd, of Wakeman, Ohio, +won on Chester-Whites and Poland-Chinas in 1883 as follows: At the +Tri-State Fair, at Toledo, O., sweepstakes for best herd of +Poland-Chinas, and the same on Chester-Whites. At the Michigan State +Fair he took sweepstakes on Chester-White boar; at the Illinois State +Fair, sweepstakes, for best Poland-China sow; do. for Chester-White sow, +and the grand sweepstakes of $50 for the best herd on the ground +regardless of breed. He also won in breeders' ring the prize for best +herd of Chesters, and the prize for best boar with five of his get; also +first and second prizes for sow with five of her pigs. Besides these +notable premiums Mr. Todd's stock won for him nearly 100 class prizes at +various leading fairs. + + + + +SWINE STATISTICS. + + +One of the Chicago dailies recently made the point that this city should +be the center of the swine and pork statistics of the country on the +ground that here is the center of trade in these products. The point is +a good one. Some years ago the bulk of the hogs of the West was marketed +at Cincinnati. At that time the Price Current of Cincinnati with +commendable enterprize established itself as an authority in swine and +pork statistics, and it has held the position from that day to this, +despite the fact that Chicago has for several years received and packed +several times as many hogs annually as has the original porkopolis. And +this year, as usual, the Chicago press is dependent upon Cincinnati for +packing statistics throughout the extensive swine-growing regions of the +country. Of course it makes no real difference to merchants or producers +where the figures emanate from so that they are comprehensive and +reliable. It is only a bit of local pride that suggests the idea that +here should the records be kept and the statistics compiled. If there is +not sufficient enterprize here to capture the business, there is no +ground for complaint. We should not have alluded to the matter, +probably, but for the fact that the Cincinnati Price Current, with its +hog-packing statistics, for the season of 1883 has just brought it to +notice. Here the figures are compared with those of last year: + +Cities. 1883-84. 1882-83. + +Chicago, packed 1,405,000 1,500,000 +Kansas City 254,059 233,336 +Cincinnati 301,000 300,000 +St. Louis 200,000 207,000 +Indianapolis 181,700 183,000 +Milwaukee 185,000 197,000 +Louisville, Ky. 142,000 118,000 +Cedar Rapids, Iowa 91,618 86,965 +Cleveland, O. 62,280 42,352 +Keokuk, Iowa 28,601 31,411 + + + + +IOWA STOCK BREEDERS. + + +The Iowa State Improved Stock Breeders' Association had a good +attendance at its annual meeting at Ames, last month. + + +SHEEP. + +Hon. J. Kennedy read a paper on the subject "Will Sheep Breeding Pay." +Viewed from a financial point of view, he thought there had been no +better financial results from any commodity than from the sheep--the +wool and mutton--when given proper care and attention. Speculators and +traffickers in wool and woolen goods were failing all over the country, +but he attributed this to want of fitness for the business in which they +were engaged. Though the present depression in the wool market was +somewhat due to tariff tinkering, was more the result of +over-production--greater supply than demand. + +Mr. Grinnell said that at one time he was the owner of a flock of 6,000 +sheep, but wool went down in price, and he did not think it profitable +to keep so large a flock, and sold out. + +Col. Lucas believed the owner of 160 acres of land could not do better +than to put upon the tract at least 100 sheep. + +Hon. E. Campbell had found the business profitable where flocks were +fairly dealt with. He thought Iowa one of the best places in the world +in which to raise sheep. He believed that both sheep and cattle could be +profitably kept upon the same farm. His favorite cross is Cotswold and +Merino. The average weight of fleece in his own flock was over six +pounds. + + +SWINE. + +Col. John Scott introduced the subject of swine by reading a compilation +of historical facts regarding them. He presented drawings, showing the +different breeds and the improvements made in them, in form and size. + +Mr. Failor spoke of the Jersey-Reds as his favorite breed for docility +and other essentials. + +Prof. Knapp said the most profitable hogs are those with sound +constitutions, good muscular systems, of early maturity, and in general +made to resist diseases which prevail from time to time, all over the +country. + +Mr. Young said that when we want an animal for the farm, we must first +look to soundness of constitution. Breed is not of so much consequence. +A breed should not be run after merely because it is novel. He breeds +Poland-Chinas. In order to gain the most prolific breeding, the sows of +this breed should not be allowed to get too fat before dropping the +first litter; simply keep them in good condition. + +C.R. Smith thought early breeding injurious to the swine interests of +the country. + +H.W. Lathrop asserted that the forcing system of putting on meat had +injured the constitutions of many of our breeds of hogs. In times past, +when less pampering was in vogue and hogs were allowed wide range, there +was less disease than now. + + +CATTLE. + +Mr. Clarkson, of Des Moines, read a paper entitled "Plain and Practical +Thoughts for Common Farmers." It treated of the breeding and care of +cattle. + +Mr. Roberts said the more care there is bestowed upon cattle, the more +profitable they are. He had bred up from a good Short-horn bull. Other +members agreed upon the necessity of improving the grade of cattle. The +best demand is always for the best stock. + +Hon. J.B. Grinnell read his paper upon the extent of the cattle interest +and the necessity of protecting our cattle from contagious diseases, in +this connection, the following resolutions were passed: + + Resolved, That we earnestly urge upon Congress, in view of + the fact, the cattle interest is one of the most important + industries, the justice and expediency of passing laws + providing for an effectual eradication of pleuro-pneumonia + from the entire territory of the United States, and also + preventing the introduction of all contagious diseases in the + future. This is the only authority to which we can go for the + power for this purpose, as Congress has the exclusive power + to regulate commerce with other nations, as well as among the + several States; and, as there is now no law in any of the + States to prevent any man who has a herd infected with a + malignant, contagious disease, from taking them anywhere he + pleases to the herds of any of the States; to prevent which, + there must be a law more comprehensive in territorial power + and extent than any State has. Therefore, it is of the most + vital importance that the authority to regulate inter-State + commerce should promptly act to protect our great cattle + interest from total annihilation. + + Resolved, That the Legislature of Iowa, as a police + regulation, should put the power in some hands, carefully and + wisely guarded from abuse and wasteful extravagance, to + arrest by isolation and destruction, if necessary, any + contagious disease which may suddenly be developed in any + neighborhood. This, however, not to include any of doubtful + contagious character, such as hog cholera; and that we + respectfully ask the Governor to call the especial attention + of the Legislature to this subject, though there is no + pleuro-pneumonia in our State now, nor has there ever been + any, but we need laws to arrest it if any should be + introduced. + + Resolved, That nations, as well as individuals, who ask + justice should do justice, therefore, we insist that our + Government should as carefully and vigilantly seek to prevent + the exportation of contagious cattle diseases as to prevent + their importation. This policy would create a feeling of + national comity, and an effort to eradicate the scourge of + nations (the cattle diseases). + + +WOLVES, DOGS, SHEEP. + +The committee on resolutions submitted the following, which was adopted: + + Whereas, It has become impossible to keep sheep in safety in + many parts of this State, owing to the loss occasioned by the + ravage of wolves and dogs: therefore, be it + + Resolved, That this association petition the State Legislature + to increase the bounty on wolves and the tax on dogs. + + Resolved, That the President of this association be requested + to appoint a committee to draft a bill embodying the sense of + this meeting in reference to a wolf and dog law. + + +BUSINESS. + +The next meeting of the Association will be held at Ottumwa, commencing +the first Tuesday in December next. + +Col. Scott is to prepare and publish the proceedings of this meeting. +The edition will be 5,000 copies. + +The following are the officers for 1884: President, C.F. Clarkson; +Vice-presidents, H.C. Wheeler, B.F. Elbert, R. Stockdale, H. Wallace, +W.H. Jordan, E.W. Lucas, and P. Nichols; Secretary and Treasurer, Fitch +B. Stacy. + + + + +THE HORSE AND HIS TREATMENT. + +NUMBER ONE. + + +History chronicles no improvement in the horse made by the agency of +man. The horses of the days of Pharaoh, or of Homer, have their +superiors in no part of the civilized world to-day. The Arabs have for +ages been noted for the excellence of their horses, but that excellence +was not created, nor has it been increased by the arts of man. Since the +time of Cromwell the horses of England have steadily degenerated. Those +most conversant with the matter say that this degeneracy has been the +most marked and rapid during the last fifty years. The horses of this +country lack the value of their ancestors of the Revolutionary period. +Nowhere, or at no time, can man boast of improving the horse by the arts +of breeding. What is the reason of this? + +The horse, the ox, the hog, and the sheep comprise the four great +classes of domesticated farm animals. In certain directions man has +improved these three last. These improvements have made them more +valuable. The ox has been bred to make more flesh from the same amount +of food, and to lay on fat at an earlier age; the cow has been bred to +give instead of a supply of milk barely large enough to sustain her +young, a bountiful yield, and of a richer quality; the hog has been bred +into a veritable machine to convert food into pork; the sheep has been +bred to yield more wool, and of a finer texture, and to make more +mutton. All these changes have been beneficial because the value of the +animal lay in its production of beef, milk, pork, wool, or mutton, as +the case might be. It is true that these changes have been accomplished +at the expense of vigor and endurance. These two qualities are important +in the hog, ox, or sheep, but those that have been developed so far +overshadow their lessening that on the whole we can say that the arts of +man have improved our kine, swine, and sheep. + +But it is not so with the horse. Its value does not depend upon the +quantity and quality of its flesh, milk, or bodily covering. Unlike the +others its value depends upon the work it can do. Hence vigor and +endurance are the prime essentials of a good horse. But as man has +lessened the vigor and endurance of the hog, ox, and sheep, so he has of +the horse. This is the invariable result of human art. Whenever man +tampers with the work of nature he is certain to lessen bodily vigor. It +could not be otherwise. For the course of nature, undisturbed and +undeflected, is always towards the greatest health. Man changes the +course of nature and the result is lessened vigor and endurance. + +Man has improved some qualities of the horse. He has increased its +speed, perhaps, but only for short distances. Our race horses of to-day +would make a sorry record with those of days no longer past than those +of the "pony express," to say nothing of the couriers of centuries ago, +because they have been made to deteriorate in vigor and endurance. We +have ponderous, heavy horses to-day; but they can not do as much work +before the plow or dray as those of the eighteenth century. We can not +point anywhere to horses produced by breeding that are the equals of the +horses of the days of chivalry. They lack not only in vigor and +hardihood, but in intelligence. As the perfect symmetry of development +by the course of nature has been destroyed by man the intelligence of +the animal lessened. Whenever the hand of man has touched his equine +friend it has been only to mar. + +This decrease in the excellence of the horse can not be shifted from man +to time. One instance alone demonstrates the unfairness of this. The +Andalusians are now mere ponies, yet they are the descendants of those +noble beasts ridden to victory by the Spanish chivalry in the days when +the valor of the horse was as important as the valor of the knightly +rider. Taken from their hills and valleys to serve in the haunts of men, +and to be subjected to the arts of breeding, they have sadly +degenerated. But the horses of the Spanish explorers of both North and +South America escaped, and to-day the descendants of these same Spanish +horses are, under the nurture of nature and nature's ways, the superb +wild horses of the new world. They are the work of nature; the +Andalusian ponies are the work of man's art. + +As this degeneracy is the necessary co-existent of man's breeding, so +far as it is produced by this cause it can not be escaped. But a good +part of the evil is not the necessary sequence of breeding per se. It is +also attributable to errors in treatment so palpable and easy of +correction that it behooves us to note and avoid them. In my next I +shall briefly mention a few of the most important of these. + + * * * * * + +Breeder and Sportsman: The old story of the countryman and his deceptive +plug was recently repeated in Jersey, where people are supposed to have +their eye-teeth cut. It was an old gray pacer this time, attached to a +dilapidated wagon by cords and odd ends of harness. The astute hotel +proprietor refused to give $20 for the outfit. Owner then replied that +he would pace the horse over a good track in three minutes. Landlord +bets $100 to $50 that he can't do it. Money was then put up, and owner +wanted to draw, as the track was a good way off, and he could not spare +the time to attend to the matter. Landlord insisted that the horse must +pace or pay forfeit. A sulky and harness were borrowed, and judge placed +in the stand, according to Hoyle. Owner claims the right to three +trials, according to National Association rules. Point conceded. Old +crowbait is scored up and given the word. Works off the mile very slick +in 2:43. Landlord feels small, and $100 goes into owner's pocket. +Another greenhorn bets $100 that horse can't beat 2:43. Rips off another +mile 2:42, and owner pockets the money. Landlord feels better; owner +better yet. Latest advices: same old side-wheeler won two or three +hundred same way at Flemington, some more at Paterson, and has had a +little pacing circuit all to himself. "What fools these mortals be!" + + * * * * * + +The following by Richard White in the New York Sun, might very +properly have been dedicated to those trichinae-frightened twins, +Bismarck and Paul Bert. + + Sing, heavenly muse, the noble quadruped, + Whom Orientals oft presume to scorn, + Who glorifies the food that he is fed, + Extracting carbon from convenient corn. + + Peaceful his life, his death almost sublime, + His end a grand effect of modern art; + Scarce has he bid a sharp adieu to time, + When he is packed and ready for the mart. + + He goes abroad, our land to represent; + The earth, from pole to tropic, is his range; + He fills the bill for use and ornament, + Greases the world, and regulates exchange. + + Though ministers abroad may lightly treat + The rights that only appertain to men, + They must protect our Western corn-fed meat, + Defending our four-footed citizen. + + If Bismarck bars our barrels, tubs, or cans, + Forcing our pork to make its way incog, + Upset his schemes, and overthrow his plans, + And clear a pathway for the native hog. + + * * * * * + +Dr. Detmers, V.S., stationed at the Union Stock Yards at Chicago, by the +Department of Agriculture for the purpose of inspecting swine, alleges +that during the last four months he has examined at one packing-house +not less than four thousand hogs and has seen at least ten times that +number, but has not seen the slightest trace of disease, as he certainly +should if any had existed. During the last two years but very little +swine plague has prevailed anywhere, and, as far as he knows, no +diseased hogs have been shipped; nearly if not all the small rendering +tanks having been closed. + + * * * * * + +M. Pasteur, the eminent French scientist, says epizootic hog-cholera, +even of the most virulent type, can be prevented by inocculation with +the attenuated virulent virus. He also says it is proven that the period +of immunity is more than a year; that, consequently, this is long enough +for the requirements of hog-raising, since the period of fattening does +not generally exceed a year. Yet, in spite of these happy results, I +repeat that the question of the use of vaccination for different breeds +needs new investigation, so that the vaccination of swine may be made +general. + + + + +THE DAIRY + +Dairymen, Write for Your Paper. + + +WINTER FEED FOR COWS. + + +The increasing demand for milk in our cities and villages, and for +gilt-edged butter during the winter season, is leading some of our most +intelligent farmers to study more carefully the problem of winter +dairying. "It costs more to make butter in winter than in summer," says +the American Agriculturalist, "but if a select class of customers in +cities or elsewhere, are willing to pay for the increased cost of +producing it fresh in zero weather, then there is no good reason why +they should not be gratified. Its feasibility is already established on +a small scale, and there seems to be no discernible limit to the demand +for a first-class article during the six months when the pastures are +barren. The farmer who has the capital can readily provide a barn that +will make his cows nearly as comfortable and healthy in winter as in +summer, and shelter all the food they need to keep up a constant flow of +rich milk. We have not attained, perhaps, all the information necessary +to secure the best rations for winter milking, yet we are approximating +toward that knowledge. Some think they have found in ensilage the one +thing needful. Yet, some of the parties dealing in gilt-edge butter +begin to complain of that made from rations consisting largely of +ensilage. We shall probably have to put down early cut hay with the +flavor of June grass in it as an essential part of the winter rations +for first-class butter. We doubt if the bouquet of the June made article +can be found elsewhere. Another ration will be Indian meal, our great +national cereal, which is abundant and cheap and likely to continue so. +Then we want green, succulent food with the dry fodder to sharpen the +appetite and help the digestion. This suggests roots as another ration. +We have carrots, mangolds and sugar beets; all easily raised, and +cheaply stored in barn cellars or pits. And from our own experience in +using them during several winters in connection with dry feed, we judge +them to be a safe ration in butter-making. Cabbage also is available, +and in districts remote from large markets, might be grown for this +purpose. Near cities it is probably worth more for human food than for +fodder. The whole subject is yet in the tentative state, and all are +looking for further light!" + + + + +CHURNING TEMPERATURE. + + +A correspondent of the New England Homestead found difficulty in making +the butter "come" from cream raised in the Cooley Creamer. In a later +issue several correspondents tried to help her through the difficulty. +One said: + +First of all be sure your cream is ready to come before you churn it. If +you have no floating thermometer, please get one right away. Deep set +cream needs not only to be ripened, but the temperature must be +right--not less than 62 degrees, and 65 degrees is better. Don't guess +at it, but be sure. Mix each skimming with the others thoroughly, and +keep the cream pail in a warm place at all times. + +Another said: Keep the cream at 60 degrees to 65 degrees all the time +before it goes into the churn. Take care to thoroughly mix the different +skimmings. Sometimes in cold weather the butter will nearly come, and +then hold on without any advance. In such cases, put into a thirty-quart +churning, half a cupful of salt and four quarts of water heated to 55 +degrees; it will cut the butter from the buttermilk in five minutes. My +butter sells for fifty cents a pound and this is the way I manage. + +Another: Sour your cream before churning and have it as near 62 degrees +as you can, and you will have no trouble. The first fall we had the +Cooley we had one churning that would not come into butter. I found it +was perfectly sweet. Since then I have been particular to have it ripe +and have had no trouble. + + + + +SEAS OF MILK. + + +A newspaper correspondent contributes the following which is of course +made up of a mixture of facts and guesses. But as it is somewhere near +the truth, as a general thing, we do as all the rest of the papers are +doing, print it. + +"There are nearly $2,000,250,000 invested in the dairying business in +this country," said an officer of the Erie Milk Producers' Association +yesterday. "That amount is almost double the money invested in banking +and commercial industries, it is estimated that it requires 15,000,000 +cows to supply the demand for milk and its products in the United +States. To feed these cows 60,000,000 acres of land are under +cultivation. The agricultural and dairy machinery and implements in use +are worth over $200,000,000. The men employed in the business number +700,000 and the horses nearly 1,000,000. The cows and horses consume +annually 30,000,000 tons of hay, nearly 90,000,000 bushels of corn meal, +about the same amount of oat-meal, 275,000,000 bushels of oats, +2,000,000 bushels of bran, and 30,000,000 bushels of corn, to say +nothing of the brewery grains and questionable feed of various kinds +that is used to a great extent. It costs $400,000,000 to feed these cows +and horses. The average price paid to the laborers necessary in the +dairy business is probably $20 a month, amounting to $168,000,000 a +year. + +"The average cow yields about 450 gallons of milk a year, giving a total +product of 6,750,000,000 gallons. Twelve cents a gallon is a fair price +to estimate the value of this milk at, a total return to the dairy +farmer of $810,000,000. Fifty per cent of the milk is made into cheese +and butter. It takes twenty-seven pounds of milk to make one pound of +butter, and about ten pounds of milk to make one pound of cheese. There +is the same amount of nutrition in three and one half pounds of milk +that there is in one pound of beef. A fat steer furnishes fifty per cent +of boneless beef, but it would require about 24,000,000 steers, weighing +1,500 pounds each, to produce the same amount of nutrition as the annual +milk product does." + + + + +VETERINARY. + + +ABOUT SOUNDNESS. + + +It may be supposed that the hackneyed term "sound" is so explicit as to +need no comment,--and most people conceive it to be so; but the term +"sound" really admits of as much contrariety of opinion as the word +"tipsy;" one man considers another so if, at ten at night, he is not +precisely as cool and collected as he was at one in the day. Another one +calls a man so when he lies on the floor and holds himself on by the +carpet. So,--as to soundness, some persons can not see that a horse is +unsound, unless he works his flanks like the drone of a bagpipe, or +blows and roars like a blacksmith's bellows; while some are so +fastidious as to consider a horse as next to valueless because he may +have a corn that he never feels, or a thrush for which he is not, nor +likely to be, one dollar the worse. + +So far as relates to such hypercritical deciders on soundness, we will +venture to say that, if they brought us twenty reported horses in +succession, we would find something in all of those produced that would +induce such persons to reject them, though, perhaps, not one among the +lot had anything about him of material consequence. To say the least, we +will venture to assert that nine-tenths of the horses now in daily use +are more or less unsound. We make no reservation as to the description +of horse, his occupation, or what he may be worth. We scarcely ever had, +indeed scarcely ever knew, a horse that had been used, and tried +sufficiently to prove him a good one, that was in every particular +unequivocally sound. We have no doubt that there are thousands of owners +of horses who will at once say we are wrong in this assertion, and would +be ready to produce their own horses as undeniable proofs, whereby to +back their opinion and refute ours. They may, perhaps, say that their +horses are never lame--perhaps not; that is, not lame in their +estimation or to their eye; but we daily see horses that go to a certain +degree indubitably lame, while their owners conceive them to be as +indubitably sound. These horses, perhaps, all do their work perfectly +well, are held as sound by owners, servants, acquaintances, and casual +observers; but a practical eye would detect an inequality in their +going, as a watchmaker would do the same in the movement of a watch, +though we might look for a week, or listen for the same length of time, +without being able to either see or hear the variation. The watch might, +however, on the average keep fair time; but it would not be a perfect +one; and what matters, if it answers all the purposes for which we want +it? A really bad watch that can not keep time is a different affair;--it +is pretty much the same with a horse. If the unsoundness is such as to +render him unable to do his work, or even to do it unpleasantly to +himself or owner, or if it is likely to bring him to this, our advice is +to have nothing to do with him. If, however, this is not the case, or +likely to be so,--if you like him--buy him. + +It is not improbable that a man may say, I begin to believe that few +horses that have done work are quite sound; but a sound one I will have; +I will, therefore, buy a four-year old, that has never done a day's +work. We will acknowledge that if he does so, he may probably get his +desideratum; but do not let him make too sure of this. There are such +things as four-year olds, unsound, as well as worked. But, supposing him +to have got this sound animal; what has he got? An animal that he has to +run the risk of making useful, so far as teaching him his business goes; +and by the time this is effectually done, and the colt has arrived at a +serviceable age, he will probably be quite as unsound as many of those +he has rejected; independent of which, and supposing him to continue +sound, the breeder of this horse must have better luck or better +judgment in breeding than his neighbors, if more than one in five or six +that he does breed turn out desirable horses in every respect. If he +turns out but a middling sort of beast, it is but small satisfaction to +know that he is sound; in fact, so little satisfaction should we feel, +that, if we were compelled to keep and use him, so far from rejoicing +that he was sound, we should only regret that he was not dead. + +In relations to the doings of dealers in horses, it is not our present +object to expose the tricks of the trade, or to prejudice the +unsophisticated buyer against all horse dealers. There are honest horse +dealers, and there are dishonest ones; and we are sorry to say that, in +numbers, the latter predominate; that honesty in horse dealing is not +proverbial. But horse dealers, like other mortals, are apt to err in +judgment; and all their acts should not be set down as willful +wrong-doings. However, be their acts what they may, the general verdict +is against their motives. Therefore, supposing we could bring any person +or number of persons to believe the fact that a man conversant with +horses might sell, as a sound horse, one that might, on proper +inspection, be returned as unsound, all that we could say or write, +would never convince the majority of persons that a dealer could +innocently do the same thing. If his judgment errs, and leads him into +error as to the soundness of his horse, it is set down, not as willful +or corrupt perjury as to oath, but most undoubtedly as to his word and +honesty. + + + + +QUESTIONS ANSWERED. + + +Glanders, Chronic Catarrh, and "Horse Distemper."--H.P.W., Peotone, +Ill.--Query--What are the symptoms whereby a person may know the +difference between glanders, catarrh, and ordinary horse distemper? + +Reply--Among the prominent symptoms of glanders may be mentioned a +discharge of purulent matter from one or both nostrils; one or both +glands on the inside of the lower jaw bones are more or less swollen, +hard and knotty. One or both nostrils are sometimes swollen and glued up +by a sticky, unhealthy looking pus, sometimes streaked with blood. On +opening the nostrils, pustules and ulcers are seen on the inner surface. +The nose may sometimes bleed. The eyes are often prominent and watery; +the coat rough and staring if the horse is in lean condition; and the +voice more or less hoarse. The appetite is not often impaired. Sooner or +later, farcy buds may appear on the head, neck, body or limbs, generally +along the inner side of the thighs. In chronic nasal catarrh or +so-called gleet, the glands between the jaw bones are very slightly, if +at all, enlarged; they are loose, not hard and knotty, as in glanders. +This ailment, which is apt to persist for months, unless properly +treated, may leave an animal in an unthrifty state, with a staring coat, +disturbed appetite, dullness at work, cough and discharge from one or +both nostrils; but there are no pustules or ragged sores or ulcers +within the nose, as in glanders. Chronic nasal gleet, however, is apt to +run into glanders; and, as there is no telling when the beginning is, +such a horse, with chronic discharge from the nose, should always be +looked upon with suspicion, and be kept away from other horses. The +difference between glanders and influenza or ordinary horse distemper, +is so marked that a mistake is not easily made. The more prominent +symptoms of distemper are as follows: With signs more or less prominent +of a general febrile condition, there is great dullness and debility, +frequent and weak pulse, scanty discharge of high-colored urine, +costiveness, loss of appetite, and a yellow appearance of the membranes +of the mouth and the eyes. The eyes appear more or less sunken, upper +lid drooping and lips hanging, giving the animal a sleepy look; there is +cough, soreness of the throat, and labored breathing; the mouth is +filled with frothy slime, the legs are cold and sometimes more or less +swollen below the knees and hocks. In the advanced stages of distemper, +there is a free discharge from both nostrils. + +Brittle Hoofs.--I.F.C., Camden, Ill. If the animal is shod, the shoes +should be removed and reset at least once a month, to allow the feet to +be properly pared and trimmed. If habitually brittle, it will be proper +to keep such feet off from much moisture, and instead provide dry floor +of whatever kind. Once or twice a week such feet should be given an +ample coat of some simple hoof ointment, such as equal parts of tar, +tallow and beeswax, carefully melted together, and stirred till cold. + +Lung Disease in Swine.--A.J.T., Emery, Ill. Most internal diseases of +swine, especially inflammation of the lungs, which is often given the +wrong name of thumps, are very intractable and apt to prove fatal when +occurring during the winter months. Prevention is the sheet anchor for +these troubles, and it must be a poor farmer indeed who can not manage +to provide clean, comfortable and dry housing for his live stock during +this season, or who can not comprehend that such is necessary for the +well-doing of animals as well as of himself. Any animal, even a hog, +will of course suffer more, or less severely when constantly exposed to +chilly winds, draft of cold air, wet ground and damp surroundings, icy +or frozen drink or food, etc. + +Blindness After Lockjaw.--M.J.G., Los Angeles, Cal. Let the animal go +loose in a comfortable, roomy, well-bedded shed, from which strong light +is excluded. Apply, once daily, to the hollow space above the orbit of +the eyes, a small portion of fluid extract of belladonna. Give food +which does not require much hard chewing. + + * * * * * + +REMEMBER _that $2.00 pays for_ THE PRAIRIE FARMER _one year, and the +subscriber gets 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 + +[Illustration] + +Horticulturists, Write for Your Paper. + + +THE HEDGE QUESTION. + + +At one of the December meetings of the Massachusetts Horticultural +Society a prize essay from the pen of John J. Thomas, of Union Springs, +N.Y., was read on the subject "Hedge Plants and Hedges." + +The subject of the essay was proposed in the form of a question, "Are +live hedges to be recommended either for utility or ornament, and if +they are, what plants are most suitable?" The answer to this question +was given from the experiments of the essayist during the last forty +years. The deciduous plants tried were the buckthorn, Osage orange, +honey-locust, privet and barberry. The evergreens were the Norway +spruce, hemlock, and American arbor-vitae. + +The buckthorn has the advantage of great hardiness, thick growth, and +easy propagating and transplanting, and requires but a moderate amount +of cutting back. But the growth is not stout enough to resist unruly +animals, unless in very rich soils, and even a moderate amount of +cutting back is an objection to farmers. + +The cost of buckthorn hedges, including the preparation of a strip of +soil five feet wide, purchase of plants, setting, and occasional horse +cultivation on each side, was about twenty-five cents a rod the first +year. The yearly cultivation and cutting back, until the hedge had +reached full size, was three or four cents a rod. Though the buckthorn +has nearly passed out of use on account of its inefficiency, it is not +impossible that it may be extensively planted when cultivators find that +it may be converted into an efficient barrier by inclosing two or three +barbed wires extending its length through the interior--these wires, +supported on occasional posts, being successively placed in position as +the hedge increases in height, the branches growing around the wires and +holding them immovably in position. Galvanized wire should be always +used, on account of its durability. + +Osage orange hedges require more care than buckthorn, in assorting +plants of equal size and vigor, and the rejection of feeble plants. Like +all other hedge plants, they should be set in a single line, and eight +inches apart is a suitable distance. For the first few years the ground +must be kept well cultivated. It is partly tender and will not endure +the winters at the North, unless on a well-drained soil. Hence the +importance of placing a good tile drain parallel to the hedge and within +a few feet of it. Thus protected, good hedges have stood for twenty-five +years where the thermometer has often shown ten or twelve degrees below +zero, and sometimes lower. + +No hedge is more commonly mismanaged than the Osage orange. It is +planted in imperfectly prepared ground; vigorous and feeble plants are +planted indiscriminately, cultivation and pruning are omitted or not +done thoroughly, resulting in broken and irregular lines. When more care +is given, the hedge is nearly spoiled by being pruned too wide at the +top, the heavy shade above causing meagre growth and openings below. It +should be pruned in wedge shape, but shearing is objectionable as +causing a thick and short growth of leaves at the exterior, excluding +light from the inside and causing bare branches there. Cutting back more +irregularly with a knife allows the growth of interior foliage, and +gives more breadth to the hedge. The sheared hedge presents an unnatural +stiffness in ornamental grounds; but skillfully cut back with the knife +it has more of the beauty of natural form. The manner of pruning is very +important, both as regards utility and beauty. For farm barriers hedges +do not require so elaborate care. Another mode of treatment has been +adopted in the Western States. The trees are trimmed and the main stems +trained upright for a few years. They are then cut half off at the +ground and bent over at an angle of thirty degrees with the ground, a +tree being left upright at distances of four or five feet, and the +inclined ones interwoven among them, a straight line of trees being thus +formed. The tops are then cut off about three feet high. New shoots +spring up in abundance and form an impenetrable growth, as many as +fifty having been counted from a single plant the first year. The top is +cut to within a few inches each year of its previous height. Hedges made +in this way have no gaps. + +A similar treatment may be adopted when a hedge becomes too high by long +years of growth. The trees are first partly trimmed with a light axe or +hook with a long handle, and then half cut off at the ground and bent +over. A new growth will spring up and form a new hedge. This course was +adopted by the essayist with a hedge planted twenty-eight years ago, and +which has been a perfect farm barrier for more than twenty years. The +cost of this hedge was about twenty-five cents a rod the first year, and +the three subsequent cuttings for sixty rods cost about twenty dollars, +averaging less than a dollar a year. But it was usually too tall and +shaded, and occupied too much ground, to be recommended where land is +valuable. + +Ninety rods of Osage orange hedge, properly trimmed, cost about the same +for the first four years of cultivation, but more for annual cutting +back. It was planted twenty-four years ago, and has been a perfect +barrier for about twenty years. The yearly cost of pruning was about +four cents a rod for ten or twelve years, and since it has become larger +and higher nearly double. For cutting back a stout hook with a handle +two and a-half feet long or a stout scythe was used. Hedge shears are +too slow except for ornamental hedges, and even for these the knife is +preferable. + +The Honey locust has been extensively used for hedges of late years on +account of its hardiness. Seed should be selected from the most thorny +trees. The trees have a tall, slender, and not hedgy growth, and require +thorough cutting back to secure a thick mass of branches at the bottom, +and very few have received this treatment when young. The care in +planting and rearing is similar to that required by the Osage orange. + +Many hedges have been injured or even destroyed by pruning after the +summer growth has commenced. The pruning must be done in spring before +the buds swell, if vigorous growth is to be preserved. But +strong-growing hedges, that are likely to become too high, may be +checked by summer pruning. + +Though the cost of planting and starting a hedge is less than that of +building a good board fence, they are not adapted to farmers who will +not give them the continued care required to keep them in good order. +This conclusion is justified by observing how few have succeeded with +hedges, and many have allowed them to be ruined by neglect. + +The evergreens which have been employed have been exclusively for +ornamental screens, and not for farm barriers. The Norway spruce may be +placed at the head on account of its rigid growth, hardiness, and the +freedom with which it may be cut back, it will bear more shade than many +other evergreens, and hence the interior of the screen is green with +foliage. The cutting back should be done with a knife, and not with +shears. Next to the Norway spruce is the hemlock, which excels the +former in its livelier green in winter, while it is unsurpassed for +retaining interior foliage. It will bear cutting back to an almost +unlimited extent in spring before growth commences. But it is not so +stiff as the Norway spruce as a barrier. The American arbor-vitae, though +much used, becomes destitute of foliage inside, and is browned by +winter. + +By the introduction of barbed wire an important change is likely to take +place in planting hedges. Barbed wire makes a cheaper fence for its +efficiency than any other material. A serious objection to it is the +danger of animals being lacerated against it, the wires being nearly +invisible. This objection may be obviated by inclosing the wires in +visible hedges. Efficiency may also be thus imparted to small-growing +hedge plants, such as privet, barberry and small evergreens, which will +require but little labor in pruning and would become handsome ornaments. +The purple barberry, for example, would present an attractive appearance +during a large portion of the year. A new value may thus be given to +hedges by rendering moderate growers and those easily kept in shape +efficient barriers for farm and fruit gardens. + + + + +YOUNG MEN WANTED. + + +Perhaps one of the greatest needs of horticulture at the present day, is +young men to engage in the work--intelligent, patient, energetic young +men, who will begin and make it a life-labor and study. What nobler +employment in which young men can engage? What field for study and +investigation can be found for them which offers a more gratifying and +pleasant pursuit, and promises richer and more substantial results? + +There are so many open questions connected with the science; so many +points that need investigation, so many problems to be solved; so much +to learn that is yet unknown--that the needs for more laborers are great +and pressing; and the wonder is that more of our young men are not +entering upon the work. + +That young men are needed, rather than the old or middle aged, is +because many of the investigations to be undertaken require a lifetime +to perfect, and can only be brought to a profitable issue in a long +series of years. Such, for instance, as the production of new varieties +of fruits; the relative hardiness and longevity of trees; the effects of +soil and climate, heat, cold, etc., upon plant life; the degeneracy of +species, etc.;--all of which require a long series of experiments to +determine. Older men, here and there, are engaged in these +investigations; but they are passing away in the midst of their work +only partially accomplished, and their labors are thus in a degree lost. + +Our farmers' sons--stout, healthy, energetic young men--are the ones +upon whom this labor and high duty more properly devolves. To them +belongs, or should belong, the honor and glory of pushing forward this +noble work. Many of these, however, are mistakenly leaving the farms to +engage in trade and speculation; while others who remain at home mostly +incline to other branches. The agricultural colleges are doubtless +developing a few faithful workers for these too neglected fields; but +these munificently endowed institutions are believed to fall far short +of their duty in this respect. + +I will close by recommending this matter to the thoughtful consideration +of the young readers of THE PRAIRIE FARMER, who, as a class, I believe +to be as capable and intelligent as the country affords, and with the +remark that I know of no business in life to which I would sooner urge +any young friend of my own to devote his talents and his energies. + + T.G. + + + + +POSSIBILITIES IN IOWA CHERRY GROWING. + + +Prof. Budd, of Iowa, sends THE PRAIRIE FARMER the following copy of his +address before the Eastern Iowa Horticultural Society, remarking that +its appearance in this paper may lead the Bloomington nurserymen to look +up this very important line of propagation: + +The topic assigned me is, as usual, experimental horticulture. I select +the division of the work implied in the heading for the reason that it +is, as yet, mainly an unoccupied field of inquiry. If the idea occurs +that my treatment of the question is speculative rather than practical +permit me to suggest that thought and investigation must always precede +the work of adapting fruits to a newly occupied country, especially if +that country is as peculiar in climate and soil as the great Northwest. + +In the summer of 1882, I was fortunate in having a fine opportunity for +studying the varieties and races of cherries in Continental Europe. The +fruit was ripening when we were in the valley of the Moselle in France, +and as we went slowly northward and eastward it continued in season +through Wirtemberg, the valleys and spurs of the Swabian Alps to Munich +in Bavaria, through the passes of the Tyrol in Saltzburg to Austria, +Bohemia, Siberia, Poland, and Southwestern Russia. Still farther north +of St. Petersburg and Moscow we met the cherries from Vladimir on every +corner, and our daily excursions to the country permitted the gathering +of the perfectly ripened fruit from the trees. + +Still again when we passed six hundred miles east of Moscow we had +opportunities for picking stray cherries of excellent quality from trees +standing near the 56th parallel of north latitude. + +To undertake to tell of the varieties of the fruit and the relative +hardiness of the trees--as estimated from the behavior of varieties we +knew something of--of the many varieties and races we studied on this +extended trip would make too long a story. On the plains of Silesia, +north of the Carpathian mountains we first began to be intensely +interested in the cherry question. Here the cherry is the almost +universal tree for planting along division lines and the public +highways. As far as the eye could reach over the plains when passing +over the railways, the cherry tree indicated the location of the +highways and the division of estates. As we passed the highways running +at right angles with the track we could get a glimpse down the avenues +to a point on the plain where the lines seem to meet, and we were told +that unbroken lines along the highways were often found thirty to fifty +miles in length. + +As a rule these street and division trees are of a race wholly unknown +in this country excepting a few trees of the Ostheim in Iowa and +Minnesota. They are classed in the books as Griottes with colored juice +and long, slender, drooping branches. The trees are smaller than our +English Morello with low stems, and neat round tops. While some other +races are hardy on this plain as far north as Warsaw in Poland and +Russia the Griottes are grown for three main reasons. (1) The trees are +deep rooted and so small in size that they do little shading of the +street or cultivated fields. (2) They rarely fail to bear full crops as +the fruit buds are hardier and the fruit buds expand later than the +Kentish and the other and more upright forms of the Morello. (3) The +fruit is less acid and richer in grape sugar than the Kentish forms +making it more valuable for dessert, culinary use, and above all for +making the celebrated "Kirsch wasser" which here takes the place of +wine. Some of the thin twigged Griottes with dark skins and colored +juice are as large in size as our Morello and nearly or quite as sweet. +That they will prove hardy and fruitful with us we can hardly doubt as +they grow on the dry plains of Northeast Europe where the Kentish forms +utterly fail. Why have they not been introduced? I once asked this +question of Mr. George Ellwanger, of Rochester, N.Y. He replied that in +the early days of their nursery some varieties of the Weichel type were +introduced in their collection. But the Eastern demand ran in the line +of the Heart cherries and the Dukes, and if sour cherries were wanted +for pies the Kentish forms with uncolored juice seemed to be preferred. +I suspect the difficulty of propagation and the inferior look of the +little thin twigged trees in the nursery had something to do with the +ignorance of our people of the merits of this hardy and fruitful race. +In the trying climate of the Swabian Alps, the Tyrol, and the east plain +of Silesia, Hungary, Poland, and South Russia, the trees are on their +own roots mainly, and the sprouts are used for propagation. When small +they are placed in the nursery with the tops and roots cut back in the +form of root-grafts. For the use of methodic growers and or planting on +private grounds where sprouts are not wanted the trees are budded or +inarched on Prunus Padus. + +How will we propagate this valuable race of the cherry? The scions are +too small for profitable grafting, and budding on our Morello seedlings +hardly answers, as the slow-growing top favors sprouting from the root. +Perhaps we shall find that our bird cherry (Prunus Pennsylvanica) is +best suited for our use. The question of propagation of this race is +important, as the cherries grown in immense quantities in the Province +of Vladimir, one hundred and fifty miles east of Moscow, and in all the +provinces of the upper Volga are of this thin twigged race. Beyond all +doubt it is the coming cherry for universal use in Central and Northern +Iowa, and even in Dakota and the far Northwest. Yet it is not the only +race of the cherry which will thrive on our prairies and prove +longer-lived, more fruitful, and far better in quality than any we now +have. + + * * * * * + +On the grounds of the Pomological Institute, at Proskau, Silesia, we saw +many varieties of the Amarelle and Spanish cherries that will bear more +summer heat, an aridity of air, and a lower summer temperature than our +Richmonds or English Morello. In leaf and habit of growth these Amarells +of Austria and South Russia are much like our Carnalion, but some of the +varieties bear large fruit, as nearly sweet as is desirable for dessert +use. The race known as Spanish bears sweet fruit, much like our tall +growing Hearts and Bigarreaus, but the leaves are smaller, firmer, and +thicker, and the habit of the tree is nearly as low and spreading as +that of the Amarells. In Austria we are told that the original stock of +these round-topped, sweet cherries came from Spain, but as we went east +to Orel, Veronish, and Saratov we met varieties of this race on the +grounds of amateurs and proprietors who told us that the race was +indigenous to Bokara and other parts of Central Asia. While these +varieties are hardier than the Richmond the trees are lightly protected +with straw during the winter for protection of the fruit buds, when +paying crops are secured. North of Orel the Griottes alone are grown on +the bush plan, with from three to six stems springing up from the crown. +In Vladimir tens of thousands of acres are covered with these bush +cherry orchards, producing many train loads annually of fruit of +surprising excellence, considering the far northern and inland location +of the plantations. + +On the college farm we have some specimens growing of the Ostheim, +Vladimir, double Natte, and other forms of the Griottes, and a few +specimens from Orel and Veronish of the Amarells and the Spanish races. +We have now orders out, of which we have received a part, for perhaps +fifty other varieties from Austria, Poland, and South Russia. + +For the present these will be planted in experimental orchard with a +view to noting their behavior in our climate. Until scions are grown +here we can not make much advance in propagation. The work is +necessarily slow, but it can not fail, I think, to finally demonstrate +that so far we have been on the wrong track in attempting to grow +cherries on the prairies of the Northwest. + + + + +PRUNINGS. + + +If turnips or other vegetables to be fed to stock become frosted, place +them in a cool cellar, cover lightly with straw, and let them remain +frozen. If they do not thaw they will be little harmed for feeding. + +Snow should not be allowed to accumulate on evergreens. If so, and it +partly thaws and then freezes, it can not be removed, but will catch the +snow and wind, often to the entire destruction of the tree. + +A frost proof vegetable house is described as made with walls fifteen +inches thick, double boarded, the space between the boards being filled +with sawdust. The ceiling is also boarded, with about ten inches of +sawdust between the boards. + +New England Homestead: The early black cranberry is the popular early +berry on Cape Cod. It escapes the early frosts and so the crop produces +better prices. A larger, lighter and longer berry is the James P. +Howley, which is being introduced in Essex county. The latter variety is +not so early as the former, but bears well, and in the protected bogs +along shore is frequently preferred. + +Northwest Farmer: Mr. Edison Gaylord, of Floyd county, Iowa, advocates +setting trees in a leaning posture, to prevent them from being killed by +the combined effects of the wind and sun on their southwest side. Prof. +J.L. Budd, of the Iowa Agricultural College, says, in confirmation of +Mr. Gaylord's view, he saw hundreds of the finer cherry and plum trees +in Russia planted at an angle of forty-five degrees towards the one +o'clock sun. He says that only for a short time will trees thus set have +an awkward appearance. + +The most convenient boxes in which to start seeds and cuttings are those +known as "flats" among gardeners. A good size for the kitchen garden in +which to start tomato seeds, etc., or for the ordinary conservatory, is +two feet long, sixteen inches wide, and three inches deep. These shallow +boxes are easy to handle, take up little room, and allow of much better +drainage to the young plants. Salt or soap boxes can be easily cut up +into three or four boxes three inches deep. Neat leather handles on each +end of the box will increase its handiness. The bottom is better if made +of several pieces of board, as the cracks insure good drainage. + +James Vick's plan of catching slugs is as follows: "Take some pieces of +slate, or flat stones, or flat pieces of tin, and lay them about in the +garden among the plants, distributing them very liberally; just at +sundown go out and place a teaspoonful of bran on each piece of slate or +tin, and the slugs will soon become aware of it, and begin to gather and +feed on it. In about two hours, when it is dark, go out again with a +lantern and a pail containing salt and water, and pick up each piece on +which the slugs are found feeding, and throw slugs and bran into the +brine, where they instantly die. It is well, also, to go around in the +morning, and many slugs will be found hiding under the pieces of slate, +and can be destroyed in the brine. By following up this method +persistently for a few weeks the garden may be effectually rid of the +nuisance." + +A correspondent of the Iowa Register advises us as to the proper manner +of performing this operation: "To heel trees in properly, a trench +should be dug on high, dry ground from two and a half to three feet +deep; one side of which should slope from the bottom at an angle of 35 +to 45 degrees. The trees should then be set against the sloping side of +the trench and sufficiently apart to allow of fine earth being brought +in close contact with every part of every root. When the roots and +bodies of the trees are carefully covered, the trench should not only be +filled but rounded up so as to form a mound over them. When air spaces +are left among the roots they are liable to mould and rot. And very +frequently, when they have not been buried sufficiently deep, the +outside bark becomes detached from them and will slip off when they are +being taken from the trench." + +A correspondent of Gardening Illustrated (England), says this is the way +to make an asparagus bed: Trench the soil at once two spits deep, and +work in stable manure as the work proceeds, or if procurable, seaweed +and plenty of sand, or any gritty substance, such as road scrapings. It +should be left as rough as possible on the surface until April next, +when the young plants will be in the best condition for planting, viz., +with shoots a few inches long; then draw wide drills, and spread the +roots of the plants out, covering with fine sandy soil, leaving the tips +of the shoots just peeping through the soil, and if mild showery weather +prevails the growth will be rapid. Put some pea-sticks to support the +growth and keep it from suffering by wind waving. Merely keeping from +weeds is all the other attention required until November, when the old +tops may be cut off, and a dressing of rotten manure spread on the +surface of the bed, to be lightly forked in during the following spring. + +The Rural New Yorker says as follows: We plant the Cuthbert raspberry +for late, the Hansel for early--both are of a bright red color, and +suitable for market as well as for home use. For a yellow plant the +Caroline. It is hardy and productive, though not of the first quality. +For canning, or for table use, if you like a fruit full of raspberry +flavor though a little tart, Shaffer's Colossal. It is rather dark in +color for market, and perhaps a little soft. For a hardy, early, red +raspberry that is sweet and delicious for home use, plant the Turner. +For a raspberry that is excellent in every way, plant the new Marlboro. +For the earliest and most productive of blackcaps, plant the Souhegan. +For a larger and later blackcap, plant the Gregg. For currants, plant +the Fay's Prolific for red, and the White Grape currant for white. For +grapes, plant the Lady for earliest white, Moore's Early and Worden for +early black. For later, plant the Victoria or Pocklington, for light +colored; the Vergennes, Jefferson. Brighton or Centennial for red, and +the Wilder, Herbert or Barry for black. For strawberries, try the +Cumberland Triumph, Charles Downing, Sharpless, Manchester (pistillate), +Daniel Boone, James Vick, Mount Vernon, Hart's Minnesota, and Kentucky. +You can not select a better list for trial unless by experience you know +already what varieties will succeed best on your land. + + + + +FLORICULTURE + +Gleanings by an Old Florist. + + +PROPAGATING HOUSES AND OTHER THINGS. + + +In the days of our boyhood the propagating house was, in the more +pretentious nurseries, a very sacred place, under lock and key, and some +of its mysteries supposed to be so profound that prying eyes of other +establishments were not welcome. + +Bell glasses in those days were thought to be indispensable, and some of +the plants desired to be propagated were found to require months, +sometimes nearly a year, before they could be transferred from the +cutting pots. The hot-water tanks, and other bottom heat appliances of +the present day were then unknown; and these appliances have resulted in +greater simplicity of management. Still we are bound to admit that the +demands here generally embrace a class of plants that, as a rule, are +found to root the most readily, while those that have always been known +to tax the propagator's skill, as the Heaths, New Holland, and others +called hard wooded plants, are but little called for in this market. + +At that time nearly everything was placed in pots of almost pure white +sand, surrounded by the ordinary atmosphere of the house; while nowadays +the establishment must be small indeed if it does not contain some place +where the bed is so arranged that the heat at the bottom is from ten to +fifteen degrees above that of the house proper. Here lies the whole +secret as to whether it is a part of a single green-house or a house +devoted exclusively to propagating purposes. For the purpose of being +able at all times to control the temperature of the top, the propagating +house has often a northern exposure, except in the very dead of winter. +With a bright, clear sun above it is almost impossible in the daytime to +keep down the temperature of the house sufficiently to prevent the young +cuttings from wilting, after which disaster is very likely to follow in +their final rooting. Given a top temperature never above 55 or 65 +degrees, with a bottom always from 10 to 15 degrees higher, if the +cuttings are in good shape it is a simple matter to root them in from +seven to fifteen days; though the time it takes depends, of course, upon +the plant and condition of the wood. At first efforts used to be +contrived to get this bottom heat by means of the old flue system, with +plenty of material covering the bricks, to break, in part, the dry +burning nature of the heat. + +Then hot water came in and furnished what was thought the acme of a +propagator, and tanks of elaborate workmanship, and made of the finest +material down to the commonest wood, were made so a circulation of hot +water was kept up over as large an area as the necessity of the owner +might require. + +The results seemed excellent, but lo, every now and again, disastrous +failures would occur. A material would spread all around called by the +florist the cutting bench fungus, that would sweep through his crop like +a plague; all sorts of theories would be given, and numberless articles +appear in the horticultural periodicals of the day on its cause and +cure. Presently it was found that those who did not use a tank of water, +but had inclosed a space to be heated by hot water pipes, did not seem +to suffer so much from the invidious foe. Much moisture was found an +excellent remedy for the enemy, though it might have been its first +cause, as it could be best warded off by dousing with the once praised +hot water tank. + +Whether a house is used exclusively or not, the ordinary hot water pipes +are simply inclosed in a brick or wood space, with ventilators that may +be opened to let off part of the confined heat into the house at +pleasure. The front benches used are about two feet six inches to three +feet in width, over, say four 4-inch pipes, up to within eighteen inches +or two feet of the glass. On this is a platform over which three to six +inches of sand is put, and in this bed are placed the cuttings where, +with the differences before mentioned, they are kept as uniform as +possible, and the sand kept decidedly wet. Almost everything we called +soft wooded, or that can be got from the soft wood, even including most +of our hardy shrubs, can be rooted with almost unerring certainty in the +larger establishments by the hundreds of thousands. + +As modern ideas demand large propagating, even in the summer, when it is +next to impossible to keep these proportions of top and bottom heat, if +in an ordinary propagating house, such firms as Miller & Hunt, strike +out with another idea to overcome the difficulty. This is none other +than instead of glass, they have a muslin canvas-covered house, in which +they have again pits, where mild bottom heat can be obtained by the use +of spent hops, tan bark, manure, or other material. Of course, it would +be idle to talk of a summer bottom heat of 60 deg., but instead of that, +they get one of about 80 deg., and depend upon a close, uniform, high, +moist temperature to carry out the same results. + +With this, rose plants can be and are raised by the hundreds of +thousands from the single eye to a cutting, with a loss of not five per +cent in the aggregate, and often not one per cent. It is very evident +that with new or scarce plants this is an enormous average, as by its +means firms can import the new European plants in the spring, at perhaps +very high rates, start them into immediate, rapid growth, and from half +a dozen plants to work on, maybe in the next spring markets have +hundreds for sale. + +This is all new as managed by us old 'uns in former times, but he who +expects to be up with the present day and cater for that class of +patronage, must take the new and not the old way of doing things, or he +will, in the vernacular of the streets, "get left." + +As we are on this particular topic, however, and as the amateur window +plant-grower may want to propagate some little stock as well, even if +not on these "high-falutin" ways, it might not be amiss to say that +beyond the methods of "slipping" here and there cuttings in and among +others growing in pots, or, mayhap, in a pot all by themselves, they can +readily root lots of plants in a water and sand bath, which is nothing +more than taking a deep saucer, putting half an inch of sand in the +bottom, filling up the saucer full of water, and keeping it full; stick +your cuttings into this, place right in the sunniest spot of your +window, and they will grow about as certain, many of them, as if treated +by the florist's more portentious method. Likely the reason of all this +is, the water keeps the cuttings from wilting long enough for them to +put forth their efforts for existence in the shape of new roots, +obtained from the stored up material in the cuttings, and as soon as +this is done they become new individual plants, requiring only to be +transferred into a suitable medium of earth to go on as an independent, +but similar existence to the plant from which they were obtained. + + EDGAR SANDERS. + + * * * * * + +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 5 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 50 +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 +American Bee Journal 4 00 3 25 + + +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. 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POWER, + +Land and Emigration Commissioner, + +ST. PAUL, MINN. + + * * * * * + +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. + + * * * * * + +NOW is the time to Subscribe for THE PRAIRIE FARMER. Price only $2.00 +per year is worth double the money. + + * * * * * + +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, &c., should be addressed to_ THE +PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING COMPANY, _Chicago, Ill._ + + * * * * * + +The Prairie Farmer + +ENTERED AT THE CHICAGO POST OFFICE AS SECOND-CLASS MATTER. + +CHICAGO, JANUARY 12, 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--58x41 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, horticulturists, 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. 58x41 +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. + + * * * * * + +The sorghum-growers of Kansas are invited to meet at Topeka, the second +Wednesday in February. The Kansas wool-growers meet on the 15th of this +month. + + +Do not forget the Mississippi Valley Horticultural Society meeting at +Kansas City, January 22-25. This will prove one of the important +horticultural events of the year. + + +If any of our friends have Vols. I to XIV, and the years 1861, 1863 to +1873, and 1875 to 1883, of THE PRAIRIE FARMER, they would like to +dispose of, we should be glad to hear from them. + + +The fifteenth annual exhibition of the Montana Agricultural, Mineral and +Mechanical Association, will be held at Helena, September 8th-13th, +1884. President, S.H. Crounse; Francis Pope, Secretary. + + +The twenty-fifth annual fair of the Linn County (Iowa) Agricultural and +Mechanical Society will be held on the fair grounds at Cedar Rapids, +September 9, 10, 11, and 12, 1884. C.G. Greene, Secretary, Cedar Rapids. + + +If you are in need of a first-class wind mill, find out all about the +Nichols' Centennial as advertised in our columns by Nichols & Daggett, +and see if you do not think it just fills the bill. It is strong, +durable, steady, and it takes and uses all the wind there is going. + + +Hon. E.B. David, member of the Illinois State Board of Agriculture from +Mercer county, made a brief call at THE PRAIRIE FARMER office last week. +From him we gathered the facts regarding the late meeting of the Board +mentioned elsewhere. Mr. David has long been a staunch friend of THE +PRAIRIE FARMER, and his call was a very welcome one. + + +Immigration at the port of New York fell off last year to the amount of +66,405 persons, or about 14-1/2 per cent from that of 1882. The total +number landed this last year was 388,342. The greatest decrease was from +Sweden and Russia. From England came 30,818; Ireland, 52,555; Germany, +164,036; Italy, 24,101; Norway, 11,536; Hungary, 11,448; Switzerland, +9,447; Denmark, 7,770; Bohemia, 4,652. Last year the arrivals were +182,893. It is not unlikely that there will be a greater falling off +this year for times are not sufficiently promising here to greatly +stimulate emigration from Europe. + + +The Crystal Palace Company, of London advertise the holding for six +months, from April 3 next, of an "exhibition of arts, manufactures, and +scientific, agricultural, and industrial products," and invite the +participation of American exhibitors. A court in a central position on +the main floor has been set aside for expected American contributions, +and the ordinary charge for space is two shillings per square foot. This +will probably seem a trifle steep to American exhibitors who are not +accustomed to pay for space in their own exposition buildings. + + +Last year was not a very surprising one in the matter of railway +extension within the limits of Illinois. The report of the Railway and +Warehouse Commissioners will show that but 135 miles of track were laid. +But there are 10,456 miles of track in use in the State. The companies +among these lines numbering sixty-four, operate 29,370 miles of road or +nearly 20,000 miles outside of Illinois. The total net income of these +companies was $81,720,256 and the dividends amounted to $36,374,474. In +1882 the dividends amounted to but $29,000,000. The average freight +charges in 1883 were 1.09 cents per mile, while the year before they +averaged 1.20 cents, hence it must follow that the amount of traffic +greatly increased over that of 1882. + + +A lecture course for farmers at the Nebraska Agricultural College, will +be given from February 4-15, by the regular instructors in the college. +One or more lectures will be given on the following topics: Breeds of +cattle and swine; breeding, improving, and care of stock; care of farm +machinery; health on the farm; adulteration of food; economical farming; +tame grapes; ensilage; what to feed; meteorology and plant growth; +sorghum-growth and manufacture; horticulture; principles of pruning; the +digestive organs of domestic animals; injurious insects. A number of +leading farmers of the State have been invited to lecture upon their +specialties. All the facilities of illustration and study owned by the +college will be at the disposal of the students attending the course. +These include several compound microscopes, a good agricultural +library, meteorological apparatus, six breeds of cattle and four of +swine, orchard, nursery, arboretum, vineyard, etc., etc. A limited +number will be boarded at the college farm for a price not to exceed +three dollars per week. Persons attending will be aided in securing +cheap board in the city. Persons expecting to attend or desiring further +information should write to S.R. Thompson, Dean Agricultural College, +Lincoln, Neb. + + +Some of our readers may wish to paste this item in their scrap books. It +cost to run the United States Government last year the sum of +$251,428,117, expended as follows: To supply deficiencies, $9,853,869; +legislative, executive, and judicial expenses, $20,332,908; sundry civil +expenses, $25,425,479; support of the army, $27,032,099; naval service, +$14,903,559; Indian service, $5,219,604; rivers and harbors, +$18,988,875; forts and fortifications, $375,000; military academy, +$335,557; post-office department, $1,902,178; pensions, $116,000,000; +consular and diplomatic service, $1,256,655; agricultural department, +$427,280; expenses District of Columbia, $3,496,060. The interest on the +public debt amounted to $59,160,131 and the amount of principal paid off +was $134,178,756. The receipts from internal revenue were $144,720,368, +and from custom duties $214,706,496. + + +The Minnesota State Horticultural Society will hold its seventeenth +annual meeting at the College of Agriculture, Minneapolis, four days, +beginning with January 15th, and with the Minnesota State Forestry +Association on the 18th. A cordial invitation is given to all persons +interested in horticulture and forestry to be present. A large number of +papers and reports are to be read, followed by discussions. These +reports are by persons who possess a thorough practical acquaintance +with the subjects presented, including such men as Peter M. Gideon, J.C. +Plumb, Dr. T.H. Hoskins, Prof. C.W. Hall, Prof. J.L. Budd, Dr. F.B. +Hough, H.J. Joly, J.F. Williams, and others. A number of premiums are +offered for apples, grapes, plants, and flowers, vegetables, seeds, and +miscellaneous objects. John S. Harris, of La Crescent, is President, and +Oliver Gibbs, Jr., of Lake City, is Secretary. + + + + +ILLINOIS STATE BOARD. + + +The Illinois State Board of Agriculture held a business session in +Springfield last week. All the members were present at one time or +another during the meeting. The premium list was revised for the fair of +1884. The premiums for speed were somewhat increased over last year. In +cattle sweepstakes classes it was decided that no animals can be allowed +to compete except the winners of a first prize in other classes in which +they had been entered, except in the case of the grand sweepstakes, to +which will be permitted animals not previously entered for any prize. + +The Board is to make a laudable attempt to stimulate corn culture and to +benefit the corn growers of the State. It offers $100 for the best +bushel (ears) of corn grown in each of the three grand divisions of the +State, and a second prize of $50 for the next best sample in the three +divisions. The premium samples are to become the property of the Board, +and the winners of prize premiums must deliver on cars directed to the +agricultural rooms, Springfield, twenty-five bushels (ears) of same +variety that shall equal in merit the premium bushel. The winners of the +second premiums must send the samples and fifteen bushels of same +variety and of equal quality. The premiums will not be paid until the +comparisons of the premium corn with the larger lots are made by a +committee of the Board at its winter meeting in January next. The corn +thus donated to the Board will be distributed to farmers throughout the +State for planting in 1885. + +Premiums are to be offered for tools, implements and appurtenances used +in the coal mining and handling industry of the State. + +Premiums for poultry have been increased, and an expert will be selected +to do all the judging in the poultry department. + +The chicken exhibit at the Fat Stock Show will not be continued. + +The committee of dairymen appointed at the late meeting of the Illinois +Dairymen's Association did not present themselves at the State Board +meeting to confer about holding a dairy exhibit either at the State Fair +or the Fat Stock Show, as instructed to do. No explanation of the +failure was made. The State Board, however, to leave nothing undone to +establish its desire to meet the dairymen half way or more, appointed a +committee consisting of Messrs. David, Chester, and Griffith, to confer +with the DeKalb committee, in Chicago, at some convenient time to be +agreed upon. + +It was decided to hold the next Illinois State Fair at Chicago the week +beginning September 8th, and the Fat Stock Show at the Exposition +Building, Chicago, beginning November 11th. + + + + +SORGHUM AT WASHINGTON. + + +Prof. Wiley, of the Department of Agriculture at Washington, will soon +issue his report upon the sorghum business of 1883. Newspaper +correspondents have been permitted to make a digest of the report. He +pronounces erroneous the prevalent impression that every farmer may +become his own sugar-maker. Sorghum, unlike sugar beet, contains various +non-crystallizable sugars, the separation of which demands much skill +and scientific knowledge. Sorghum-sugar will have to be made in large +factories. The existing factories have shown that it can be made, but +how profitably or unprofitably can not be stated by Prof. Wiley, who +suggests that farmers near factories may, in effect, make their own +sugar by raising the cane and trading it at factories for sugar. Cane +giving sixty pounds of sugar per ton ought to bring the farmer +thirty-five pounds, the rest of the sugar and molasses going to the +manufacturer to pay expenses and yield profit. The profitableness of +making sugar from sorghum depends largely on utilizing all waste +products. The scums and sediments make manure hardly inferior to guano. +Bagasse, or crushed cane, can be turned into manure by being thrown into +hog-pens, as at Rio Grande, N.J., or it will make a fair quality of +printing paper. It is not economical to burn it. If the manufacture of +sorghum-sugar is proved to be profitable, it will result in supplying to +a large extent our demand for sugar, but as sorghum makes a great deal +more molasses in proportion to sugar than sugar-cane does, the Professor +concludes that when there is enough sugar there will be a great deal +more molasses than can be disposed of. + +Prof. Wiley has made experimentally some fair samples of rum and alcohol +from sorghum molasses. Under favorable circumstances one gallon of +molasses weighing eleven pounds would give 2.75 pounds absolute alcohol, +3.03 pounds of 90 per cent, and 5.5 whisky or rum. Thus each gallon of +molasses would give nearly half a gallon of commercial alcohol and two +thirds of a gallon of whisky or rum. As it has been abundantly proved, +he says, that sugar can be made from sorghum, the Government should make +no further experiments in this direction. Prof. Wiley has tried the +diffusion process, and finds it yields 20 per cent more sugar, but at a +somewhat higher cost than grinding. The Government, he thinks, should +purchase machinery for large experiments in the diffusion process, and +should raise its cane somewhere else than near Washington, as land there +is expensive and not adapted to the purpose. The Government should also +make arrangements with agricultural colleges or other agencies in +various States for experimenting with sorghum-culture to determine what +parts of the country are most favorable to the culture of +sugar-producing plants. Prof. Wiley suggests in each State the trial of +two acres divided into ten plots--five for sorghum, four for beets, and +one for corn--to test for purposes of comparison the general fertility +of the soil and the character of the season. The Government ought to +carry on for a series of years the process of selection of sorghum seed +in order to secure an improvement in the quality of the cane. + + + + +THE COLD SPELL. + + +The cold weather of last week seems to have extended over nearly the +entire North American Continent. Nothing for severity has been known to +equal it during a long series of years. East, West, North, and South it +was all the same, differing in degree of course, but uniformly colder +than scarce ever known in the same latitude. + +The greatest loss to stock so far as heard from was in that in transit +to market. On some of the roads the losses were heavy. A dispatch from +Independence, Mo., says a train of fifteen cars, loaded with mules from +Texas via the Iron Mountain and Southern road, arrived there on the 5th, +when it was discovered that at least 100 of the mules had frozen to +death, and the others were in a freezing condition. The mules were two +years old and direct from grass. They had been three days without food. + +Many trains arriving at Chicago had scores of frozen animals. + +No great disaster is yet reported from the far West or from Minnesota +and Dakota. Still there must have been great suffering not only among +the dumb brutes, but among human beings as well. It is fortunate that +polar waves do not visit us more frequently. + +The effect upon fruit, buds, trees, and shrubs is not yet ascertained. +It will be a marvel if many localities are not barren of fruit of nearly +all kinds next year. + +THE PRAIRIE FARMER will be very glad if its readers will favor it with +their ideas and the results of their observations in regard to the +damage of all sorts done by the intense cold of the first week of the +year. + + + + +QUESTIONS ANSWERED. + + +William Miller and F. Myrick, Peotone, Ill.--1. What are the laws in +regard to drainage passed by the last Legislature? 2. Who is the Chief +Justice of the Supreme Court and who his associates? + +Answer--1. This is a question probably neither lawyers nor judges in +Illinois are competent to answer. It you doubt it procure from the clerk +of your County Court a copy of the public laws of 1883 and read the +fifteen pages relating to drainage. 2. The Chief Justice of the United +States Supreme Court is M.R. Waite, and his associates are S.F. Miller, +S.J. Field, J.P. Bradley, J.M. Harlan. W.B. Woods, S. Mathews, H. Gray, +and S. Blatchford. + +Samuel Snodgrass, Meade Co., Ky.--1. I have some large, old, and +apparently healthy, apple trees, but they are comparatively barren. What +can I do for them? 2. I have others which appear to be going to decay +and will soon die. Had I better anticipate their death by cutting them +down, or try to save them as I would like to do, for their associations +with the past. + +Answer--1. We know no better course for you to take than to dig a deep +ditch all around the trees, say three feet wide and as many deep, and +just within the outer reach of the limbs, and fill this in with half the +earth removed and the other half made up of vegetable matter, ashes, +road dirt, and such manure from the barn and stable as you can spare. +Having done this make an arrangement about each tree that will retain +all the rainfall which comes down to the earth beneath and collect as +much more from the open spaces about as possible. 2. Your old and +decaying trees may be saved if decay has not gone too far. But the +remedy is an heroic one, and rather expensive as you will find. First +treat the decaying trees as described for the healthy ones, with the +exception you add a greater proportion of fertilizers and manure when +you fill in the ditch with half new material. Then (and all this work +should be done, as it can readily be done, in your latitude during the +cold months when vegetation is at a stand) give the old trees a thorough +pruning, even going as far as to remove 90 per cent of all the leaf and +fruit buds on the tree. Then wait for results, looking for nothing more +than a new growth of wood the first year, but fruitfulness thereafter +and a new lease of life. But remember as in the first place, care must +be taken to supply abundant water, indeed as much more as the average +rainfall, so much being absolutely necessary to afford the roots the +amount of manurial plant food, in solution, the new departure demands. +Every fruit-grower knows when a dwarf pear has borne a certain number of +crops, fruit buds cease to form and the tree becomes nearly barren. If +at this stage the dwarf is deprived of every bud, whether fruit or leaf, +and the limbs are left to resemble bare sticks, and at the same time the +earth about the roots is fortified with wood ashes and well rotted +manure, a handsome growth of branches will be made the first year and a +crop of fruit result the second. This, the writer has tried with +perfectly satisfactory results twice on the same dwarfs, and has others +which, having been submitted to this course of treatment, in the fall of +1882, made a handsome growth in 1883, and have set fruit buds for a good +crop in 1884. The life of an average apple tree in Illinois is scarcely +more than 35 or 40 years; but there is no doubt if, when they begin to +show signs of decrepitude or decay, they are treated as above, they may +be made to live and bear fruit for perhaps a hundred years. + + + + +AMERICAN ASH. + + +There are five well-known species of this genus (Fraxinus Americana), +and they occupy an important place as valuable timber trees. This is +especially true of the white ash, more commonly called the American ash. +Of this tree the late Arthur Bryant, Sr., said in his Book on Trees: "It +is one of the most valuable and worthy of culture for the quality of its +wood and the rapidity of its growth. When full grown it is one of the +largest of the trees of our forests. * * * * The prairie soils of Iowa +and Central and Northern Illinois are well adapted to the growth of the +white ash." + + + + +WAYSIDE NOTES. + +BY A MAN OF THE PRAIRIE. + + +It is a strange and almost an unheard of thing for any one to say a good +word for the "tree peddler" but I am going to say it if it breaks the +heart of every horticultural baby in the land. Since a time to which the +memory of man runneth not back, the poor "tree peddler" has been abused +and maligned by horticultural speakers and writers. In conventions he +has been ridiculed and denounced. Every cross-road nursery-man not +possessed of stock sufficient to warrant a line of advertising even in +his local paper, nor business force enough to send an agent through his +own neighborhood to take orders for trees, has spoken in a horticultural +meeting or written a letter to his favorite paper, warning the farmers +against the wiles of the oily tongued fellow with colored fruit plates, +specimens of preserved fruits, and an order book for trees, shrubs, and +vines. And I think I have known of some of the big fish in the nursery +business who with one end of their tongues have lashed some other big +fish in the same business for employing irresponsible agents to sell +stock for them, while with the other end they were commanding a small +army of the same class of agents to go forth into all the world and +preach the gospel of tree planting and--sell trees. Others have sold and +continue to sell trees to peddlers without limit, for cash, and of any +and all varieties called for, while they denounced the system of +peddling in unmeasured terms. Now it is just as possible for a tree +peddler to be an honest man as it is for the man who grows trees to sell +to be honest. I do not say that all men belonging to either class are +honest. It would be equally absurd to say that all of either class are +dishonest. I despise the quack, the liar, the deceiver in any business, +and I have no respect or love for the man who will sell worthless +varieties of trees or wrongly named varieties, knowingly. Honesty here +as elsewhere is the best policy. But here is a fact, as I believe: It is +better to plant an inferior tree than none at all, and I know of +neighbors who would go down into their graves without ever planting a +tree if some persuasive peddler had not talked it into them to do so, +and these same neighbors now have quite respectable orchards. Here is +another fact: One half the orders sent to nursery-men by farmers during +the past twenty years have called for varieties utterly worthless for +the localities in which they were to be planted. And the tree peddler +often gratifies the purchaser by pretending to sell to him a sort which +he has made up his mind to have because he knows it was good in his old +home a thousand miles away. But the peddler, not having this variety, +and knowing that if he did have it it would prove worthless, substitutes +a Ben Davis or some other approved variety, and it goes into the ground +and in due time produces an abundance of excellent fruit. In this case +the peddler does a really good thing. If nursery-men will stop +propagating everything but varieties adapted to the country and the +markets, and many of them are doing this, the tree peddler will be +powerless for mischief--will in fact become a great public benefactor. +But so long as nursery-men will continue to grow and sell worthless +varieties, and so long as the people will remain in ignorance regarding +adaptability, so long will the dishonest peddler remain an unmitigated +nuisance and fraud. In brief these three things are wanted: Intelligent +and honest nurserymen; orchard planters who either know what varieties +are best for them to have, or who are willing to trust the selection to +the afore-mentioned intelligent and honest nursery-men; and third, +first-class talkers, intelligent as to varieties and methods of culture, +who buy only of the intelligent and honest nursery-men, to go through +the country and sell trees. It is unfortunate that it takes so many +words to express what I wanted to say, but I am done at last. + + * * * * * + +I have got it! Yes, all the ice I want is now white for the harvest in +our "artificial" pond. It is the only thing that reconciles me to this +fierce visit of polar weather. As soon as a trifle milder wave gets +along our way we shall carefully store away sufficient for the year's +use. By the way, where are the poor deluded woodchucks, muskrats, and +Old Settlers, who told us we were to bask in mild etherialness all +winter long? I am disgusted this morning, with the mercury at 30 degrees +below zero, and still going down, at the whole batch of them, and with +Vennor and Hazen, and all professionally weatherwise men and things. I +have heard of little real suffering in my neighborhood from the cold, +among either humans or brutes. Doubtless, when the weather moderates +and people get out to tell each other all about the cold spell, there +will be many true tales of intense suffering and more than the usual +romancing about the terrible week. And then the Oldest Inhabitant will +thaw out, and with all the self-satisfaction that superior age and +experience crown him with, will tell how much colder it was in such and +such a year, until we wish this little spell had sealed his memory and +mouth, for we do all take a great pride in living in a time that excels +all other times, albeit, if it be only in a storm or a freeze. But in +these things the early times of the Old Settler can never be excelled, +no matter in what century he flourishes. He is always master of the +situation. His experiences are like those of no other settler that ever +lived and died. With him, imagination has gradually usurped the place of +experience and its isothermal dips and dodges carry him through hotter +and through colder seasons than are marked down in any Standard Time +PRAIRIE FARMER, or any other map or chart in existence. But for this +weather business I should like to live next door to the Old Settler, for +he is generally truthful, good, kind, full of practical knowledge and +common sense. + + + + +LETTER FROM CHAMPAIGN. + + +We are having some very sharp winter weather, and sleighing as +uninterruptedly good since the 20th of December as I ever remember. This +morning, January 5th, the mercury reported 28 degrees below zero at 5:30 +A.M., and 20 degrees below at 10 o'clock. This is the coldest since +January 29th, 1873, when 36 degrees below was recorded at the Industrial +University here, and 42 degrees below by the spirit thermometer at one +of the Jacksonville institutions. But the wind was west at that date, +and it is so to-day, showing our coldest weather comes from that +direction rather than from the northwest or north. The explanation I +suppose to be, those great fountains of cold storage, the Colorado +mountains, lie west and southwest of us, and are several hundred miles +nearer than the lower peaks and ranges northwest. + + * * * * * + +It is an interesting and important truth to know at this time that an +unexpected source for seed corn has been discovered here at home. It has +been ascertained by experiment and investigation that the early frosted +corn, which has been allowed to stand in the field, has a sound germ, +and though shrunken, will make fairly good seed, whereas corn which was +not frosted till late in October, and ripened in most respects, save +drying out, is wholly unfit for seed, having had the cells of the +kernels ruptured by the freezings it has been subjected to. This rupture +of cells the grain of the frosted corn escaped, having parted with the +surplus water of vegetation before hard weather set in. However, the +early frosted and shrunken cane fit for seed may be confined to this +county or neighborhood, or a narrow area, and therefore I advise every +one who thinks of making use of it to ascertain for himself, by the +usual methods, whether the germ is sound or not. + + * * * * * + +Several parties have written me--one from Missouri, another from +Indiana, and a third from Kentucky, that they have seed corn for sale, +cheap and in quantity. I have no doubt of it, and I have accordingly +advised each to advertise it in THE PRAIRIE FARMER, if they are really +desirous of selling, stating briefly what variety, where grown, and at +what price. I should be glad to advertise it for them gratuitously, but +the contract of THE PRAIRIE FARMER with its contributors contains a +clause to the effect that "they shall neither use its columns to grind +their own axes nor the axes of anybody else." With the recourse of early +frosted corn to go to, and the assistance of appropriately selected seed +from abroad, the gross mistakes and disappointments of 1883 are pretty +certain to be avoided in 1884. + + * * * * * + +No doubt many who are more or less familiar with the Reports on Hog +Cholera in the official publication of the Department of Agriculture, +ask themselves why Dr. Detmers is singled out by Frenchmen as the sole +authority on swine diseases, when his colleagues of the commission, Dr. +Salmon and Laws went nearly as far as he did in their extravagant +statements. But the prominence Dr. Detmers has obtained in the +estimation of Frenchmen is now explained in this: At a late sitting of +the French Academy of Sciences that eminent savant, Pasteur, referred to +him and his investigations in flattering terms. Giving an account of the +discovery of the microbe which causes the rouget of swine in France, +Pasteur said: "Respect for historic truth compels me to state, however, +that in the month of March, 1882, the microbe of the rouget was +discovered at Chicago, in America, by Professor Detmers, in a series of +investigations which did great honor to their author." With the +indorsement of one of the most eminent scientists in the world, before a +body equally distinguished, Dr. Detmers may find some compensation in +being singled out as the scape goat for an unfortunate commission which +has cost the country many millions. + + B.F.J. + + * * * * * + +REMEMBER _that $2.00 pays for_ THE PRAIRIE FARMER _one year, and the +subscriber gets 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. + + +A DUCK FARM. + + +You will not find it on the map because it is not mentioned there, and I +shall not tell you where it is because I promised the little woman who +owns it, and who gave me permission to tell other women what she had +done, that I would not mention her name or the name of the place where +she lives and works. How did I happen to find her? I didn't find her; it +just happened--i.e., if anything ever happens in this queer old world of +ours. We bumped our heads together once in a railway accident, and we +have been firm friends ever since. + +Her farm is only a bit of land, some thirty acres, but for the last five +years she has made from ten to twelve hundred dollars a year from it, +and most of the money came from the ducks. She sells eggs for hatching, +and ducks for breeding and for exhibition, but the main object is ducks +and feathers for market. She thinks ducks are less trouble and quite as +profitable as hens. She keeps twenty-four stock ducks, eight males and +sixteen females, through the winter. The ducks commence laying from the +middle of February to the first of March, and lay from 100 to 125 eggs +each in a season. The first laid eggs are set to get ducks to sell for +breeding stock and for the early summer market. For this purpose the +eggs from the ducks that are two or three years old are used, and when +hatched the ducklings from those eggs are marked by punching a small +round hole in the web of the feet. She thinks, and rightly, too, that +the eggs from the older ducks procure larger and more vigorous birds +than the first eggs from the young ducks. + +As soon as the weather gets warm enough to ship without danger of +chilling on the way, she sells eggs for hatching at $3 per dozen, and +finds no difficulty in disposing of as many as she cares to spare at +that price. Her sales of eggs for hatching amount to about $100 yearly. +Besides the eggs used and sold for hatching she generally sends a +twenty-four-dozen case to New York just before Easter. These large, +finely-shaped, pure white eggs sell readily for Easter eggs, and bring +from forty to fifty cents per dozen. + +From the eggs set on her own place during the season she raises from ten +to twelve hundred ducks each year. The ducklings are hatched from the +first of April up to about the first of August. Most of the ducklings +are raised by hen mothers, and she keeps some fifty hens for that +purpose. The hens are all pure Buff Cochins, and are kept until they are +two years and a half old. Besides raising two broods of ducks each +season, each hen pays her owner an average profit of seventy-five cents +a year from the sale of eggs for market. When fattened for market at the +end of the second season, these Cochin hens are large and heavy, and the +carcass of the old fowl generally sells for enough to pay for a pullet +to take her place. No chickens are raised on the farm; the pullets are +bought of a neighbor who keeps the Buff Cochins. + +She aims to set several hens and the incubator at the same time; when +the eggs hatch the incubator ducklings are divided up among the hens; +one hen will care for twenty ducklings until they are old enough to care +for themselves. The eggs hatch well--those in the incubator quite as +well as those under hens, and when the incubator ducklings are once +mixed up with the others she finds it impossible to distinguish "which +from 'tother." + +When the ducklings are ten or twelve hours old they are moved with the +mother hen to coops and safety runs, which are placed in an orchard near +the house. This orchard contains about four and a half acres, and the +coops are scattered over it a few rods apart. On the side of the orchard +that leads to the "pond lot," the bottom board of the fence is a foot +wide and comes close to the ground in order to keep the ducklings from +taking to the water too early in life. + +When the ducklings are four weeks old the hens are taken away, but the +ducklings are kept in the orchard until they are six weeks old, or until +they are well feathered on the breast and under part of their bodies, +when they are turned into the pond lot, where they "take to the water +like ducks." + +The pond lot contains nearly thirteen acres, five of which are covered +with water. Originally, this lot was a piece of low, rocky, bushy +pasture land, between two low ranges of hills. A stream of clear, +sparkling water, a famous trout brook, ran through the center. The woman +who proposed to raise ducks saw at once the advantage of such a +situation, and had a dam constructed near the upper end of the lot, and +later another was made lower down, so that the lot contained two large +ponds. Where the fences which separate my friend's land from that of her +neighbor cross the stream, water-gates are put in, which keep the ducks +from swimming out with the water; and the bottom boards of the fence +around the rest of the lot keep them from getting out that way. Two +well-trained dogs guard this lot at night, and woe to the two-footed or +four-footed prowler who intrudes. + +The duck houses are simply long, low sheds--with the exception of the +one where the breeding stock is wintered, which is inclosed--placed on +the slope a few rods back from the water. They were built of refuse +lumber, and the cost was comparatively trifling. Connected with the +house for the breeding-stock is a small yard where the ducks are shut in +at night through the laying season. From the time when they are twelve +hours old till within twenty-four hours of the time when they are killed +for market, the ducklings are well fed with a great variety of food. +From the first meal until they are turned into the pond lot they are fed +every two hours between daylight and dark. "Little and often," is the +motto. Before they take to the water the ducklings are fed a little +cooked meat once each day, and doubtless this ration of meat has much to +do toward making the fine large ducks that my friend has a reputation +for raising. After they are turned into the pond lot the ducklings are +fed but three times a day till within two or three weeks of the time +when they are to be marketed; then they are confined in the fattening +yards and fed oftener. + +The fattening yards are situated between the two ponds, and so arranged +as to inclose a portion of the stream. + +The ducklings are marketed as fast as they reach a suitable age and +size. She commences sending them to market about the middle of June and +keeps it up till about the middle of September, when she quits till near +the middle of January. These prime young ducks, getting into market at a +time when such poultry is scarce, bring good prices--from 22 to 25 cents +a pound, dressed. By the time the price begins to decline she has +marketed all the earlier ones that she cares to spare, and the +later-hatched she keeps growing till mid-winter, when fine ducks are +again scarce and the price goes up. At Thanksgiving and during the +holidays when the markets are crowded with poultry of all kinds, she +holds on to her ducks, unless she has an order at an extra price. + +At first my friend kept the Rouens; then she tried the Aylesburys, but +now she keeps only the pure Pekins, and is so well satisfied with them +that she has no desire to change for anything else. She says, "For +laying qualities, quick growth, great size, fine flesh and fine +feathers, the Pekins can not be excelled." + +On her place I have seen six-weeks old Pekins that weighed six pounds a +pair alive, and those that dressed from three to four pounds each at ten +or twelve weeks. At five and six months her ducks dress from six to +eight pounds each. For the feathers, the best and finest of which are +carefully saved by themselves, my friend obtains forty cents per pound. + +All the work connected with the duck-raising, except now and then some +heavy work which is necessary in the pond lot, is now performed by my +friend and her three children, a boy of fifteen, and two girls of +thirteen and eighteen. + +There is a moral to this, but if you can't find it it will not do you +one bit of good. + +FANNY FIELD. + + * * * * * + +CONSUMPTION CURED. + +An old physician, retired from practice, having had placed in his hands +by an East India missionary the formula of a simple vegetable remedy for +the speedy and permanent cure of Consumption, Bronchitis, Catarrh, +Asthma and all throat and Lung Affections, also a positive and radical +cure for Nervous Debility and all Nervous Complaints, after having +tested its wonderful curative powers in thousands of cases, has felt it +his duty to make it known to his suffering fellows. Actuated by this +motive and a desire to relieve human suffering, I will send free of +charge, to all who desire it, this recipe, in German, French, or +English, with full directions for preparing and using. Sent by mail by +addressing with stamp, naming this paper. + +W.A. NOYES, _149 Power's Block, Rochester, N.Y._ + + * * * * * + +A GUILT frame--the prison window. + + + + +THE APIARY. + + +APIARY APPLIANCES. + + +In the last issue of THE PRAIRIE FARMER the "Italian and German Bees" +were described true as life, by that prince of writers, L.L. Langstroth. +After a careful perusal of the article named, in which the good and bad +traits of each race are delineated, any person ought to be able to +choose intelligently which bee is best, all things taken into +consideration, for him to procure. + +In starting an apiary, there is another item of equal importance, and +that is what kind of dwellings should be erected for the occupants of +this future city. The wants of the future tenants should be considered; +provide them with all modern conveniences, as to pantry and larder, and +don't forget, as some architects do, that abodes should be ventilated as +well as warm. Some bee-masters prefer houses that are high between +ceilings, others low; some prefer large houses, many again those that +are smaller. The size has to be made according to the frame chosen. +There are five different sizes of movable frames now in use among +bee-keepers, and those are equally successful who use either size. The +Langstroth is more in common use than any other. Some object to it, +claiming that it is too shallow. + +[Illustration] + +In looking at the plates of the five different sizes of frames, an idea +is gained how minds differ. Each one has its advocates, and its votaries +claim that the frame they use is the very best for all purposes. We were +once looking out of the window of a friend's house on her neat, +well-kept apiary, and remarked what baby hives. And we found no fault +with the baby, when this lady showed us her beautiful white sections of +comb-honey, and ate her delicious peaches, canned, with extracted honey +for sweetening. + +It must be fun to handle the little Gallup, but the Langstroth has an +advantage over all others; it consists in this: that it is most used, +and if a person desires to sell his hives and frames, he can more +readily do so. It is also easily obtained, as it is kept in stock by +supply dealers, and can be quickly sent forward when ordered, but if it +was an off size wanted, a delay would occur; some change might have to +be made in the machinery, and it would cost more, as well as the delay +occasioned, which, if in the midst of the honey harvest, might cause +great loss. + +Other appliances of the apiary, to suit this frame, are kept by supply +dealers; such as extractors, comb-baskets, uncapping cans, etc. With any +of these frames a hive can be made large or small, by regulating the +number of frames. If the hives are bottomless, as many make them, a tall +hive can be made by tiering up, as is practiced by those who work for +extracted honey. The Adair frame was formerly used in a hive called the +"New Idea, or Non-swarming Hive." Its non-swarming qualities consisted +in its being a long hive, and if empty frames were always kept in front, +so that the bees had to pass through empty space to reach the brood +nest, they would not swarm. + +Frames should be placed in a hive an inch and one-half from center to +center, and should have three-eighths of an inch space between them and +the hive. This last item was considered of enough importance to have a +patent issued for it. If the distance from the top of the frames to the +honey board, or between the frames and the hive, is less than +three-eighths of an inch, the bees will propolis it together, and if it +is more, they will build comb between. + + MRS. L. HARRISON. + + + + +WHAT SHOULD BE WORKED FOR. + + +As publishers, says the Weekly Bee Journal, we should, + +1. Encourage planting bee-pasturage, that there may be, every season, a +crop of honey to gather, in order to make apiculture a certain +occupation. + +2. Foster district and local societies to afford mutual instruction, and +strengthen fraternization. + +3. Institute large and attractive honey and apiarian exhibits at all +fairs, to educate the community to the desirableness of a superior +product. + +4. Cultivate a discriminating domestic market, to encourage superiority +and excellence. + +5. Sell at all times, and in all places, an honest article under an +honest name. + + * * * * * + +BROWN'S BRONCHIAL TROCHES for Coughs and Colds: "I do not see how it +is possible for a public man to be himself in winter without this +valuable aid."--_Rev. R.M. Devens, Pocasset, Mass._ + + * * * * * + +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. + +A MAN WHO IS UNACQUAINTED WITH THE GEOGRAPHY OF THIS COUNTRY WILL SEE BY +EXAMINING THIS MAP THAT THE + +[Illustration] + +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. + + * * * * * + +STANDARD BOOKS. + +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 + + * * * * * + +REMEMBER _that_ $2.00 _pays for_ THE PRAIRIE FARMER _one year and, the +subscriber gets 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._ + + + + +SCIENTIFIC. + + +THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM. + + +"We have seen his star in the East," said the wise men. From what remote +region of antiquity may we suppose that this fancy came, that important +events to the world of man were heralded by marvelous phenomena of the +heavens? To the ignorant man, there can never be any world outside of +that with which he is concerned. So the primitive man had no use for +planets, comets, and the like, that were not in some way concerned with +his destiny. And we no doubt own our magnificent modern science of +astronomy to the quack system of astrology, which was only a device to +induce the heavenly bodies to minister to the importance and conceit of +man. + +The accepted Scriptures tell us that the birth of the Savior of mankind +was heralded by the appearance of a remarkable star in the sky. Taking +this assertion to be true, it might be a matter of some interest to +consider what explanations have been made of this phenomenon. A large +majority of religious teachers, we admit, even to the present day, have +attempted no explanation whatever, but have settled the subject by +calling the star a miraculous appearance, concerning whose true nature +we can know nothing. But two solutions of the phenomenon have been given +by well-known astronomers, either of which, if accepted, will place the +miracle in the list of purely natural occurrences. + +Kepler held that the Star of Bethlehem was simply a conjunction of the +planets. Astronomy, which, more fortunate than history, can bring +unimpeachable witnesses to its record of past events, assures us that +there was a remarkable conjunction, or rather three conjunctions of the +planets Jupiter and Saturn, in the year of Rome 747, or seven years +before the Christian era. It is now generally admitted that Christ was +probably born at least four years before the date fixed upon as the +first "year of our Lord," and remembering how much uncertainty hangs +about this date we might consider ourselves fully justified in placing +it, as Kepler did, in the year 7 B.C. This being granted, let us see how +the occurrence of the conjunctions in this year explains the miracle of +the "Star." + +In the first place, note that the Magi, or Wise Men, of the East +(presumably the country of Chaldea) were the first to call attention to +the star as indicating the birth of the "King of the Jews." The +Chaldeans were devoted to astrology, and it is only reasonable to infer +that whatever remarkable appearance they saw in the sky, they would +endeavor to explain it by their astrological laws. On the 29th of May, 7 +B.C., a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn occurred, in the 20th degree +of the constellation Pisces, close to the first point of Aries; on the +29th of September of the same year, another conjunction of these planets +took place, in the 16th degree of Pisces; and on the 5th of December, a +third, in the 15th degree of the same sign. (These are not conjectures +or inferences, but known astronomical facts.) If we suppose that the +Magi, intent on their study of the heavens, saw the first of these +conjunctions, they actually saw it _in the East_, for on May 29, it +would rise three and one half hours before sunrise. It is not necessary +to suppose that the planets approached near enough to each other to +appear as one star, for they probably did not--it was their conjunctions +that gave their astrological significance. It plainly indicated to these +observers that some important event was impending, and what could be +more important than the birth of a great man? But where was this one to +appear? The sign Pisces was the most significant one for the Jews, for +according to astrological legend, in the year 2865 A.M. a conjunction of +Jupiter and Saturn in this sign had heralded the birth of Moses; the +proximity to Aries indicated that the hero foretold was of kingly +lineage; the Jewish expectation of a great king had become a well-known +story in Chaldea during the captivity, ergo, the inference was prompt +and sure, this conjunction indicated the birth of the expected King of +the Jews. That they might be among the first to do honor to so great a +personage as they believed this king to be, the wise men soon set out +for Judea. The journey probably took them five months or more. On their +way they witnessed the second conjunction, which no doubt only +strengthened their faith. If they performed the journey from Jerusalem +to Bethlehem at the time of the third conjunction, December 5, in the +evening, as the narration implies, the stars would be some distance east +of the meridian, and would seem to move from southeast to southwest, or +towards Bethlehem. Their standing over the house we may regard as an +additional statement that crept into the narration probably through its +repetitions. + +Such is Kepler's explanation of the Star of Bethlehem. But before he had +given this to the world, indeed while he was an infant in his cradle, +Tycho Brahe had connected the phenomenon with that of one of the great +variable stars of the solar system. + +The latter astronomer discovered, in 1572, what appeared to be a new +star in the constellation, Cassiopeia. It was a star of the first +magnitude when first perceived, and daily it increased in brilliancy, +till it out-shone Sirius, equaled Venus in lustre, and could be +perceived, even by the naked eye, at noonday. For nearly a month the +star shone; at first it had a white light, then a yellow, and finally it +was a bright red. Then it slowly faded, and in about sixteen months had +disappeared. + +Amidst all the conjecture concerning this remarkable appearance, some +regarding it as a new world in process of creation, others as a sun on +fire, Tycho Brahe held to the belief, though unable to prove it, that it +was a star with a regular period of light and of darkness, caused +possibly by its nearness to, or distance from, the earth. When the +telescope was invented, forty years later, the accuracy of this theory +was known. At the spot carefully mapped out by Tycho Brahe, a telescopic +star was found, undoubtedly the same one whose brilliant appearance had +so startled the world in 1572. Upon this, astronomers began to study the +annals of their science for similar appearances, and found that a very +brilliant star had appeared and disappeared near the same spot in the +heavens in 1264, and also in 945. The inference was that this star had a +period of about three hundred years, and counting back, imagination +might place one of its periods of brilliancy very near the time of +Christ's birth. For this reason it received the name of the Star of +Bethlehem, and many have fully accepted the theory which makes this +variable luminary identical with the "Star of the East." + +This second theory has especial interest just now, for if astronomical +calculations are correct, we may look for the reappearance of this +remarkable star during the coming year. If it does fulfill the +prediction of its return it must be reckoned as one of the most +noteworthy phenomena of the century. + +For the benefit of amateur observers, who are as likely as any to be the +first to perceive this remarkable sight, we may say that Cassiopeia, the +constellation in which it will appear, lies very near the North Star. +You all know how to find the Polar Star by the pointers of the Great +Dipper; continue this line beyond about an equal distance, and you will +strike Caph, the largest star in Cassiopeia, or the Chair, so-called +because the stars form the outline of an inverted chair. Near one of +these the wandering luminary will probably flash out, "to amaze a +wondering world." + +We may remark, in conclusion, that though there are quite a number of +variable stars, their nature and the cause of their changes are but +imperfectly understood. The Star of Bethlehem has no doubt an orbit, +which brings it much nearer the earth at some times than others. But +astronomers do not believe that the mere fact of distance explains all +changes. There is a star known as Mira, which for eleven months is +wholly invisible to the naked eye, then flames forth as a star of the +first magnitude, and is visible for a period of nearly three months, +fading at its close into darkness again. The star Algol, in the +constellation Perseus, is usually of the second magnitude, but every two +and a-half days it begins to decline in brilliancy, becomes very faint, +and remains thus for about three hours, and then waxes bright again. +Possibly this may be caused by the shadow of another star. In 1866 a +star of the eighth magnitude, in the Northern Crown, suddenly flamed up +into extraordinary brilliancy, remained thus for several months and +gradually subsided. This star was examined with the spectrum, and showed +lines of burning hydrogen. This led to the theory, now held, that the +increase in brilliancy of these stars is caused by the incandescence of +this gas. These fixed stars are all supposed to be suns of other +systems, and to be surrounded--like our sun--with envelopes of fiery +gases; from some cause not at all understood these gases may, at +regular periods, flame up with fiercer heat than usual, and produce this +appearance of greatly increased light. This is a very inadequate +explanation, no doubt, but it is the best that astronomers have yet been +able to devise in the matter. + + A.C.C. + + * * * * * + +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 THEIR 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_. + + * * * * * + +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. + + * * * * * + +CUT THIS OUT & Return to us with TEN CTS. & you'll get by mail A GOLDEN +BOX OF GOODS that will bring you in MORE MONEY, in One Month, than +anything else in America. Absolute Certainty. Need no capital. M. Young, +173 Greenwich St. N. York. + + * * * * * + +40 (1884) Chromo Cards, no 2 alike, with name, 10c., 13 pks, $1. +GEORGE I. REED & CO., Nassau, N.Y. + + + + +HOUSEHOLD. + + For nothing lovelier can be found + In woman than to study _household_ good.--Milton. + + +HOW THE ROBIN CAME. + + + Happy young friends, sit by me, + Under May's blown apple-tree; + Hear a story, strange and old, + By the wild red Indians told, + How the Robin came to me: + + Once a great chief left his son,-- + Well-beloved, his only one, + When the boy was well-nigh grown, + In the trial-lodge alone + Left for tortures long and slow + Youths like him must undergo, + Who their pride of manhood test, + Lacking water, food and rest, + Seven days the fast he kept, + Seven nights he never slept. + Then the poor boy, wrung with pain, + Weak from nature's overstrain, + Faltering, moaned a low complaint; + "Spare me, Father, for I faint!" + But the chieftain, haughty-eyed, + Hid his pity in his pride. + "You shall be a hunter good, + Knowing never lack of food; + You shall be a warrior great, + Wise as fox, and strong as bear; + Many scalps your belt shall wear, + If with patient heart you wait + One day more!" the father said. + When, next morn, the lodge he sought, + And boiled samp and moose-meat brought + For the boy, he found him dead. + + As with grief his grave they made, + And his bow beside him laid, + Pipe and knife, and wampum-braid-- + On the lodge-top overhead, + Preening smooth its breast of red + And the brown coat that it wore, + Sat a bird, unknown before. + And as if with human tongue, + "Mourn me not," it said, or sung; + "I, a bird, am still your son, + Happier than if hunter fleet, + Or a brave, before your feet + Laying scalps in battle won. + Friend of man, my song shall cheer + Lodge and corn-land hovering near. + To each wigwam I shall bring + Tidings of the coming spring; + Every child my voice shall know + In the moon of melting snow, + When the maple's red bud swells, + And the wild flower lifts its bells. + As their fond companion + Men shall henceforth own your son, + And my song shall testify + That of human kin am I." + + Thus the Indian legion saith + How, at first, the robin came + With a sweeter life from death, + Bird for boy, and still the same. + If my young friends doubt that this + Is the robin's genesis, + Not in vain is still the myth + If a truth be found therewith: + Unto gentleness belong + Gifts unknown to pride and wrong: + Happier far than hate is praise-- + He who sings than he who slays. + + _--J.G. Whittier in St. Nicholas._ + + + + +AFTER TWENTY YEARS. + + +The following tale of love and faithful waiting is told the New York +World by its Canton, Ohio, correspondent: + +At the residence of Thomas Barker, three miles from this village, two +people were to-day made man and wife. William Craig left his pretty girl +sweetheart in a fit of jealous anger on the eve of Dec. 9, 1863, +returned a week or two since, found his betrothed still single and true, +and this afternoon the long deferred marriage was consummated. All the +surviving friends of their youth were present, and many half forgotten +associates came from neighboring towns and farms to join in the +merrymaking. + +Twenty years ago Will Craig worked on his father's farm near here during +the day and spent his evenings at the residence of a farmer neighbor. +The attraction was Mary Barker, a pretty seventeen-year old girl. Craig +was deeply in love and so was Mary, but like many other girls she liked +to play the coquette occasionally. + +Their wedding-day was set for Christmas, 1863, and the prospective bride +felt secure. One evening, however, the pretty Mary pushed her coquetry +too far. On December 7, 1863, Farmer Barker gave an old-fashioned +"sociable" in honor of his daughter's approaching wedding. Craig was +there, of course, but his happiness was marred by the presence of a +Pittsburg youth--a new comer. Mary allowed this young man to pay her +many attentions. + +Craig was madly jealous. After all his attention he thought his +betrothed showed too much regard for his rival, and as she only laughed +at his pleadings he grew angry and threatened to leave. Her seeming +indifference made him desperate, and he declared: + +"If you dance once more with that fellow you will not see me again for +twenty years." + +"You couldn't leave me for even twenty hours if you tried ever so hard," +she replied, and with a coquettish smile she went off to dance with his +rival. + +Craig went home alone that night and the next day was missing. The most +careful search failed to reveal any trace of him. The old couple +continued to till the farm without the aid of the strong-armed son, and +at the neighbor's down the road pretty Mary Barker went about her +household labors with a demure air that told plainly how she regarded +her lover's disappearance. She refused to "keep company" in the +old-fashioned way with any of the young farmers who would willingly have +taken young Craig's place. She went out very little, kept a cat and grew +domestic in her habits. She had an abiding faith that Craig would +return, and to all entreaties would only shake her head and say: "I am +waiting for Will." The firm contour of the cheek grew somewhat less +rounded, the springing step less elastic, but she would not think of +marriage. + +Friday, December 7, of this month (December) was just twenty years since +the disappearance of William Craig. In the twilight a bearded man of +forty came up the walk and as Miss Barker opened the door he put out +both hands and said: + +"Mary, I have come again." + +"I am sorry you waited so long Will," was the quiet reply, as she led +him into the house, where each told the story of the weary waiting, and +Christmas was fixed upon once more as the day for the wedding. + +To the eager questions of old friends as to where he spent the time, he +told them, as he had already told his wife, how he had at once gone to +Philadelphia, enlisted in the army under an assumed name, then, after +the war, gone to Nebraska and taken up a tract of valuable land. This he +had diligently cultivated until at present he is in more than +comfortable circumstances. The Craigs will leave early in January for +their Nebraska home. + + + + +WILL READERS TRY IT. + + +The other day, says an exchange, we came across the following recipe for +making ink in an English archaeological journal. Archaeology is the +"science of antiquities," and surely this recipe is old enough to be +good. It occurred to us that during the summer vacation many of our boys +who are longing for something to do, might earn some money by +manufacturing some of this ink and selling it in their neighborhood. At +any rate the recipe is a good one and worthy of a trial by old folks as +well as young people. Here is the recipe, and the way it was discovered, +as told by a writer in Notes and Queries: + +While examining a large number of MSS. of an old scribe some twenty +years ago, I was struck with the clearness and legibility of the +writing, owing in a great measure to the permanent quality of the ink, +which had not faded in the least, although many of the MSS. were at +least two hundred years old. It was remarkable, that the writer must +have been celebrated in his day for the excellence of his calligraphy, +for I met with a letter or two from his correspondents in which there +was a request for the recipe of the ink he used. I found his recipes, +which I copied, and from one of them, dated in 1654, I have, during the +last fifteen years, made all the ink I have used. The recipe is as +follows: + +Rain water, one pint; galls, bruised, one and one-half ounces; green +copperas, six drachms; gum Arabic, ten drachms. The galls must be +coarsely powdered and put in a bottle, and the other ingredients and +water added. The bottle securely stoppered, is placed in the light (sun +if possible), and its contents are stirred occasionally until the gum +and copperas is dissolved; after which it is enough to shake the bottle +daily, and in the course of a month or six weeks it will be fit for use. +I have ventured to add ten drops of carbolic acid to the contents of the +bottle, as it effectually prevents the formation and growth of mold, +without any detriment to the quality of the ink, so far as I know. + + + + +THE SECRET OF LONGEVITY. + + +A French medical man who has just died at the age of one hundred and +seven, pledged his word to reveal the secret of his longevity, when no +more, for the benefit of others. It was stipulated, however, that the +precious envelope containing the recipe for long life was not to be +opened until he had been buried. The doctor's prescription, now made +known, is simple enough; and easy to follow; but whether it is as +available as he pretends, the Journal of Chemistry says, is extremely +doubtful. He tells his fellow-men, that, if they wish to live for a +century or more, they have but to pay attention to the position of their +beds. "Let the head of the bed be placed to the north, the foot to the +south; and the electric current, which is stronger during the night in +the direction of the north, will work wonders on their constitutions, +insure them healthier rest, strengthen their nervous system, and prolong +their days." It is, he adds, to scrupulous attention to the position of +his bed that he ascribes his longevity, the enjoyment of perfect health, +and the absence of infirmity. + + + + +HOW THE INVENTOR PLAGUES HIS WIFE. + + +A facetious chap connected with one of our daily newspapers gave the +following amusing burlesque on the trials of an inventor's wife: + +"It is all very well to talk about working for the heathen," said one, +as the ladies put up their sewing, "but I'd like to have some one tell +me what I am to do with my husband." "What is the matter with him?" +asked a sympathetic old lady. "William is a good man," continued the +first, waving her glasses in an argumentative way, "but William will +invent. He goes inventing round from morning till night, and I have no +peace or comfort. I didn't object when he invented a fire escape, but I +did remonstrate when he wanted me to crawl out of the window one night +last winter to see how it worked. Then he originated a lock for the door +that would not open from midnight until morning, so as to keep burglars +out. The first time he tried it he caught his coat tail in it, and I had +to walk around him with a pan of hot coals all night to keep him from +freezing." "Why didn't he take his coat off?" "I wanted him to, but he +stood around till the thing opened itself, trying to invent some way of +unfastening it. That's William's trouble. He will invent. A little while +ago he got up a cabinet bedstead that would shut and open without +handling. It went by clockwork. William got into it, and up it went. +Bless your heart, he staid in there from Saturday afternoon till Sunday +night, when it flew open and disclosed William with the plans and +specifications of a patent washbowl that would tip over just when it got +so full. The result was that I lost all my rings and breastpin down the +waste pipe. Then he got up a crutch for a man that could also be used as +an opera-glass. Whenever the man leaned on it up it went, and when he +put it to his eye to find William, it flew out into a crutch and almost +broke the top of his head off. Once he invented a rope ladder to be worn +as guard chain and lengthened out with a spring. He put it round his +neck, but the spring got loose and turned it into a ladder and almost +choked him to death. Then he invented a patent boot heel to crack nuts +with, but he mashed his thumb with it and gave it up. Why, he has a +washtub full of inventions. One of them is a prayerbook that always +opens at the right place. We tried it one morning at church, but the +wheels and springs made such a noise that the sexton took William by the +collar and told him to leave his fire engines at home when he came to +worship. The other day I saw him going up the street with a model of a +grain elevator sticking out of his hip pocket, and he is fixing up an +improved shot tower in our bed-room." + + + + +RECIPES. + +A hot shovel held over furniture removes white spots. + +A paste of equal parts of sifted ashes, clay, salt, and a little water +cements cracks in stoves and ovens. + +Fried potatoes: Chop fine cold boiled potatoes; heat some butter in a +frying pan and put the potatoes in. A few minutes before taking them +from the fire stir in some well beaten eggs. Serve hot. + +Sardines picked up fine, and mixed with cold boiled ham also minced +fine, and all well seasoned with a regular Mayonnaise dressing, make a +delicious filling for sandwiches. + +Rye Bread: Make sponge as for wheat bread; let it rise over night; then +mix up with rye flour, not as stiff as wheat bread. Place in baking +pans; let rise, and bake half an hour longer than wheat bread. + +One of the best ways to cure sore throat is as follows: Wring a cloth +out of salt and cold water, and keeping it quite wet bind tightly about +the neck. Cover this with a dry cloth. It is best to use this remedy in +the night. + +A delicious hot sauce for puddings is made of six tablespoonfuls of +sugar, two of butter, and one egg; beat the butter, sugar, and the yolk +of the egg together, then add the white beaten to a froth; lastly stir +in a tea-cupful of boiling water and a teaspoonful of vanilla. + +A Dish for Breakfast: Take six good cooking apples, cut them in slices +one-fourth of an inch thick; have a pan of fresh, hot lard ready, drop +the slices in and fry till brown; sprinkle a little sugar over them and +serve hot. + +A little curry-powder in chopped pickle gives a delicious flavor to it. +A tablespoonful of the powder to four quarts of pickle is about the +right quantity to use, unless you like to use the curry in place of +pepper; then at least twice this quantity should be put in. + +A good way to extract the juice of beef for an invalid is to broil the +beef on a gridiron for a few minutes, and then squeeze the juice from it +with a lemon-squeezer. Put a little salt with it. This may be given, as +the sick one prefers, cold or hot, or it may be frozen, and given in +small lumps. + +Rolls: Flour, two quarts; sugar, one tablespoonful; one half cup of +yeast; one pint of scalded milk, or water if milk is scarce, and a +little salt. Set to rise until light; then knead until hard, and set to +rise, and when wanted make in rolls. Place a piece of butter between the +folds and bake in a slow oven. + +For Earache.--A writer in the Druggists' Circular says: "The remedy +which I here offer has, after repeated trials, never failed to afford +almost instant relief. It is perfectly simple, easy of application, +costs but little, and can be procured at any drug store: Olive oil, 1 +ounce; chloroform, 1 drachm. Mix, and shake well together. Then pour +twenty-five or thirty drops into the ear, and close it up with a piece +of raw cotton to exclude the air and retain the mixture." + + * * * * * + +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. + + + + +PAMPHLETS, ETC., RECEIVED. + + +Gunnison, Colorado's Bonanza County, by John K. Hallowell, Geologist, +Denver, Col. Price 50 cents, postpaid. + +Midland Florida: The Eden of the South. By "Carl" Webber, New York. + +United States Consular Reports, No. 35, for November, 1883. + +The Saskatchewan Fife Wheat: Its history, from its first importation +from the Saskatchewan Valley, in Manitoba, six years ago, till the +present time. By W.J. Abernethy. + +Price list of Huntsville nurseries, Huntsville, Ala. + +Oscar Close, Greendale. Catalogue of nurseries, Worcester, Mass. + +Price list of L.R. Bryant's cider vinegar works, Princeton, Ill. + +Vich's Floral Guide. Here it is again, brighter and better than ever; +its cover alone, with its delicate tinted background and its dish of +gracefully arranged flowers, would entitle it to a permanent place in +every household. The 1884 edition is an elegant book of 150 pages, three +colored plates of flowers and vegetables, and more than 1,000 +illustrations of the choicest plants, flowers, and vegetables, with +directions for growing. The price, only 10 cents, can be deducted from +the first order sent for goods. Rochester, N.Y. + +The Great Rock Island Cook Book, dedicated to the women of America, +Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway. This book contains a selection +of the most useful recipes and other valuable information in the +culinary art. It will be found especially valuable for the young +housekeepers, as they can hardly fail to become good cooks with such a +guide. + +Buist's Almanac and Garden Manual for 1884, Philadelphia. This little +book is in its fifty-sixth year, and is one of the best of its kind +published. It contains a full descriptive list (with cuts) of all kinds +of vegetables, and many kinds of flowers. + +Report of the crops of the year, December, 1883. Department of +Agriculture, Washington, D.C. + +The Household Magazine for January comes to us in its usual bright, +readable form. It is an unusually good number and will be enjoyed by the +ladies. + +Catalogue of Clydesdale and Cleveland Bay horses. Imported and bred by +the Door Prairie Live Stock Association, Door Village, La Porte, Ind. + + * * * * * + +REMEMBER _that_ $2.00 pays _for_ THE PRAIRIE FARMER _one year and, the +subscriber gets 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._ + + + + +OUR YOUNG FOLKS. + + +THE CITY CAT. + + + He is gaunt and thin, with a ragged coat, + A scraggy tail, and a hunted look; + No songs of melody burst from his throat + As he seeks repose in some quiet nook-- + A safe retreat from this world of sin, + And all of its boots and stones and that-- + For the life of a cat is a life of din, + If he is a city cat. + + He is grumpy and stumpy, and old and gray, + With a sleepy look in his lonely eye, + (The other he lost at a matinee-- + Knocked out by a boot from a window high.) + Wherever he goes, he never knows-- + Quarter or pause in the midnight spree, + For the life of a cat is a life of blows, + If he is a city cat. + + He is pelted by boys if he stirs abroad, + He is chased by dogs if he dares to roam. + His grizzled bosom has never thawed + 'Neath the kindly blare of the light of home. + His life's a perpetual warfare waged + On balcony, back yard fence, and flat; + For the life of a cat is a life outraged, + If he is a city cat. + + The country cat is a different beast. + Petted, well-housed, demure, and sleek; + Three times a day he is called to feast, + And why should he not be quiet and meek? + No dreams of urchins, tin cans, and war, + Disturb his sensuous sleep on the mat; + Ah! cat life is a thing worth living for, + If he isn't a city cat. + + And even when dead, the cat + With strident members uneasy lies + In some alley-way, and seems staring at + A coming foe with his wild wide eye, + Nobody owns him and nobody cares-- + Another dead "Tom," and who mourns for that, + If he's only a city cat. + + --_Providence Press._ + + + + +AMUSING TRICKS. + + +THE FRUIT CANDLE. + +Procure a good, large apple or turnip, and cut from it a piece of the +shape to resemble the butt-end of a tallow candle; then from a nut of +some kind--an almond is the best--whittle out a small peg of about the +size and shape of a wick end. Stick the peg in the apple and you have a +very fair representation of a candle. The wick you can light, and it +will burn for at least a minute. In performing you should have your +candle in a clean candlestick, show it plainly to the audience, and then +put it into your mouth, taking care to blow it out, and munch it up. If +you think best, you can blow the candle out and allow the wick to cool, +and it will look, with its burned wick, so natural that even the +sharpest eyes can not distinguish it from the genuine article. + +Once, at a summer resort in Massachusetts, I made use of this candle +with considerable effect. While performing a few parlor tricks to amuse +some friends, I pretended to need a light. A confederate left the room, +and soon returned with a lantern containing one of these apple +counterfeits. + +"Do you call that a candle?" I said. + +"Certainly," he replied. + +"Why, there is scarcely a mouthful." + +"A mouthful? Rather a disagreeable mouthful, I guess." + +"You have never been in Russia, I presume." + +"Never." + +"Then you don't know what is good." + +"Good?" + +"Yes, good. Why, candle ends, with the wick a little burned to give them +a flavor, are delicious. They always serve them up before dinner in +Russia as a kind of relish. It is considered bad taste in good society +there to ask a friend to sit down to dinner without offering him this +appetizer." + +"The bad taste would be in the relish, I think." + +"Not at all. Try a bit." + +I took the candle out of the lantern, and extended it toward my +confederate, who shrank back with disgust. + +"Well," I said, "if you won't have it, I'll eat it myself." And so +saying, I put it into my mouth and munched it up, amid the cries of +surprise and horror of the assembled party. Two old maids insisted on +looking into my mouth to see whether it was not concealed there. + +Having soaked a piece of thread in common salt water, tie it to a small +finger-ring. When you apply the flame of a candle to the thread it will +burn to ashes and yet sustain the ring. + + +A DIFFICULT CIRCLE TO JUMP FROM. + +Take a piece of chalk, and ask, if you make a circle, whether any boy +standing in it thinks he can jump out of it. As soon as one proposes to +do so, bring him into the center of the room, draw a circle with the +chalk around his jacket, and say, "Now jump out of it!" + + +AN IMPOSSIBLE WALK. + +Ask one young lady in the company whether she thinks, if she clasped her +hands, she could walk out of the room. On her saying she could, request +her to pass her arm round the leg of the table or piano, join her hands, +and walk away. + + +THE HAT TRICK. + +Fill a small glass with water, cover it with a hat, and profess your +readiness to drink it without touching the hat. Put your head under the +table, make a noise, as if drinking, rise, and wipe your lips. The +company, thinking you have drunk the water, one of them will certainly +take up the hat to see. As soon as the hat is removed, take up the glass +and drink its contents. "There!" say you, "you see I have not touched +the hat." + + +THE INCOMBUSTIBLE THREAD. + +Wind some linen thread tightly round a smooth pebble, and secure the +end; then, if you expose it to the flame of a lamp or candle, the thread +will not burn; for the caloric (or heat) traverses the thread, without +remaining in it, and attacks the stone. The same sort of trick may be +performed with a poker, round which is evenly pasted a sheet of paper. +You can poke the fire with it without burning the paper. + + +AN IMPOSSIBLE JUMP. + +Take a ruler, or any other piece of wood, and ask whether, if you laid +it down on the ground, any of the company could jump over it. Of course +one or two will express their readiness to jump over so small an +obstruction. Then lay the ruler on the ground, close against the wall, +and tell them to try. + + +A DIFFICULT LOAD TO CARRY. + +Take a piece of wood, such as a lucifer match, and say to one of the +company, "How long do you think it would take you to carry this piece of +wood into the next room?" "Half a minute." perhaps one will reply. +"Well, try, then," say you; "carry it." You then cut off little pieces, +and give them to him one by one. He will soon be tired of the +experiment. + + +TO TURN A GLASS OF WATER UPSIDE DOWN WITHOUT SPILLING ITS CONTENTS. + +Fill a glass carefully, place a piece of paper on the top, place your +hand on the paper, and tilt the glass round sharply, when it will be +found that the pressure of the air upward on the paper will retain the +water. The glass may then be held by the bottom. + +Health and Home says: I want to tell you of something very funny to do, +if you have a little brother or sister who does not mind dressing up and +standing still for a few moments. My aunt showed me how to do it the +other day, when sister Nelly had a birthday party. We took little +brother Tommy out into the library and stood him upon a high wooden +stool, and dressed him up very finely in mamma's clothes. The stool made +him so full that the dress was of just the right length. Then Uncle Ned, +telling him to stand straight and firm, carried him, stool and all, into +the parlor. I wish you could have heard the girls and boys laugh! He had +such a comical look--with his tall body and little round face--just like +some of those French Parian figures. One little girl handed him a fan, +and then it was too funny to see the tall lady fan herself affectedly +with her very small, dimpled hands. All the boys and girls just +shouted.--_Young People._ + + + + +BRIGHT SAYINGS. + + +A writer in the School-Boy Magazine has gathered together the following +dictionary words as defined by certain small people: + +Bed time--Shut-eye time. + +Dust--Mud with the juice squeezed out. + +Fan--A thing to brush warm off with. + +Fins--A fish's wings. + +Ice--Water that staid out in the cold and went to sleep. + +Nest-Egg--The egg that the old hen measures to make new ones. + +Pig--A hog's little boy. + +Salt--What makes your potato taste bad when you don't put any on. + +Snoring--Letting off sleep. + +Stars--The moon's eggs. + +Wakefulness--Eyes all the time coming unbuttoned. + + * * * * * + +If you would have good health, go out in the sunshine. Sickness is +worse than freckles. + + * * * * * + +HYPOCHONDRIA. + +THE MYSTERIOUS ELEMENT IN THE MIND THAT AROUSES VAGUE +APPREHENSIONS--WHAT ACTUALLY CAUSES IT. + +The narrative below, by a prominent scientist, touches a subject of +universal importance. Few people are free from the distressing evils +which hypochondria brings. They come at all times and are fed by the +very flame which they themselves start. They are a dread of coming +derangement caused by present disorder and bring about more suicides +than any other one thing. Their first approach should be carefully +guarded. + +_Editors Herald_: + + It is seldom I appear in print and I should not do so now did + I not believe myself in possession of truths, the revelation + of which will prove of inestimable value to many who may see + these lines. Mine has been a trying experience. For many + years I was conscious of a want of nerve tone. My mind seemed + sluggish and I felt a certain falling off in my natural + condition of intellectual acuteness, activity, and vigor. I + presume this is the same way in which an innumerable number + of other people feel, who, like myself, are physically below + par, but like thousands of others I paid no attention to + these annoying troubles, attributing them to overwork, and + resorting to a glass of beer or a milk punch, which would for + the time invigorate and relieve my weariness. + + After awhile the stimulants commenced to disagree with my + stomach, my weariness increased, and I was compelled to + resort to other means to find relief. If a physician is + suffering he invariably calls another physician to prescribe + for him, as he cannot see himself as he sees others; so I + called a physician, and he advised me to try a little + chemical food, or a bottle of hypophosphates. I took two or + three bottles of the chemical food with no apparent benefit. + My lassitude and indisposition seemed to increase, my food + distressed me. I suffered from neuralgic pains in different + parts of my body, my muscles became sore, my bowels were + constipated, and my prospects for recovery were not very + flattering. I stated my case to another physician, and he + advised me to take five to ten drops of Magende's solution of + morphine, two or three times a day, for the weakness and + distress in my stomach, and a blue pill every other night to + relieve the constipation. The morphine produced such a + deathly nausea that I could not take it, and the blue pill + failed to relieve my constipation. + + In this condition I passed nearly a year, wholly unfit for + business, while the effort to think was irksome and painful. + My blood became impoverished, and I suffered from incapacity + with an appalling sense of misery and general apprehension of + coming evil. I passed sleepless nights and was troubled with + irregular action of the heart, a constantly feverish + condition, and the most excruciating tortures in my stomach, + living for days on rice water and gruel, and, indeed, the + digestive functions seemed to be entirely destroyed. + + It was natural that while in this condition I should become + hypochondrical, and fearful suggestions of self-destruction + occasionally presented themselves. I experienced an + insatiable desire for sleep, but on retiring would lie awake + for a long time, tormented with troubled reflections, and + when at last I did fall into an uneasy slumber of short + duration, it was disturbed by horrid dreams. In this + condition I determined to take a trip to Europe, but in spite + of all the attentions of physicians and change of scene and + climate, I did not improve, and so returned home with no + earthly hope of ever again being able to leave the house. + + Among the numerous friends that called on me was one who had + been afflicted somewhat similarly to myself, but who had been + restored to perfect health. Upon his earned recommendation I + began the same treatment he had employed but with little hope + of being benefited. At first, I experienced little, if any, + relief, except that it did not distress my stomach as other + remedies or even food had done. I continued its use, however, + and after the third bottle could see a marked change for the + better, and now after the fifteenth bottle I am happy to + state that I am again able to attend to my professional + duties. I sleep well, nothing distresses me that I eat, I go + from day to day without a feeling of weariness or pain, + indeed I am a well man, and wholly through the influence of + H.H. Warner & Co's Tippecanoe. I consider this remedy as + taking the highest possible rank in the treatment of all + diseases marked by debility, loss of appetite, and all other + symptoms of stomach and digestive disorders. It is + overwhelmingly superior to the tonics, bitters, and dyspepsia + cures of the day, and is certain to be so acknowledged by the + public universally. Thousands of people to-day are going to + premature graves with these serious diseases, that I have + above described, and to all such I would say: "Do not let + your good judgment be governed by your prejudices, but give + the above named remedy a fair and patient trial, and I + believe you will not only be rewarded by a perfect + restoration to health, but you will also be convinced that + the medical profession does not possess all the knowledge + there is embraced in medical science." + + A.G. RICHARDS, M.D., + 468 Tremont street, Boston, Mass. + + + + +COMPILED CORRESPONDENCE. + + +E.B.F., Scotia, Neb., writes: The weather, so far this winter, has been +extremely warm. No snow to exceed one inch since October. Cattle and +hogs doing finely. Corn planted early is a good crop both as to quality +and quantity, but late planted is soft. Wheat and oats were an extra +good crop, wheat yielding from 25 to 35 bushels per acre, and oats from +50 to 75 bushels. + + E.B.F. + + * * * * * + +Cobden, Ill., Jan. 6.--We have been through the coldest weather ever +experienced here since weather records have been kept, which is +twenty-five years or more. Yesterday morning the mercury reached 24 +degrees below at my house, which is 200 feet higher than the village. +Reports from lower situations run down to 26, 28, with one of 30. This +is six degrees lower than the lowest record ever made here, which was +twenty years ago, when on the 1st of January it marked 18 below at my +house, with some other records two or three degrees lower. At that time +peach orchards were badly killed. There can be no doubt that such is the +case now. And if it has been proportionately cold north, I fear that the +injury to all kinds of fruit trees must have been very serious. + + PARRER EARLE. + + * * * * * + +Kane Co., Jan 7.--The weather has been intensely cold here since the 3d +instant. The thermometer has been from 4 to 28 degs. below zero at 7 +a.m., and from 2 to 16 degs. below at 2 p.m. The 5th was the coldest. +The mercury dropped to 28 degs. below at sunrise; in some places 32 +degs. below. On the 6th, 22 degs. below at 7 a.m.; at 12 m. 4 degs. +below; at 5 p.m. 10 degs. below. Domestic animals were kept closely +housed, except while being watered. Where they were exposed to the +weather, they froze. We have not had such continued cold weather since +January 1864, when for ten successive days it was intensely cold. Some +farmers are short of coarse feed, and are shipping bran and middlings +from Minneapolis, and corn from Kansas and Nebraska. Many farmers who +were shipping milk to Chicago, are now taking it to the cheese +factories. There has been an over supply of milk in the city. The +dividends for October were from $1.16 to $1.25 per cwt. + + J.P.B. + + * * * * * + +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. + + * * * * * + +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. + +Jerseys for Sale. + +One heifer, 2 years old in May, due to calve in April. Heifer, 2 years +in June, and due to calve in April. Cow, 4 years old, due to calve in +May. Bull calf 5 months old, and one good yearling bull. Address + +L.P. WHEELER. Quincy, 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. + + * * * * * + +HOUSE PLANS FOR EVERYBODY. + +By S.B. REED, Architect. + +One of the most popular Architectural books ever issued, giving a wide +range of design from a dwelling costing $250 up to $8,000, and adapted +to farm, village, and town residences. It gives an + +ESTIMATE OF THE QUANTITY OF EVERY ARTICLE USED + +In the construction, and probable cost of constructing any one of the +buildings presented. Profusely illustrated. Price, postpaid, $1.50. +Address + +PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING CO., Chicago + + * * * * * + +MAP + +Of the United States and Canada, Printed in Colors, size 4x2-1/2 feet, +also a copy of THE PRAIRIE FARMER for one year. Sent to any address for +$2.00. + + * * * * * + +AGENTS + +WANTED EVERYWHERE to solicit subscriptions for this paper. Write +PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING CO., Chicago, for particulars. + + + + +LITERATURE + + +THE WRONG PEW. + + + There's one who wrote in years gone by in clear and ringing rhyme-- + A poet of an elder day and of a distant clime-- + Who sang of mortal misery, of sufferers long and lorn, + "Man's inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn!" + + The hand that held that golden pen--that golden tongue--is dust; + A dust that's dear to hearts that hold his homely truths in trust; + And you who read this simple tale of wrath, and ruth, and wrong, + May hear the echo of the sob that breaks upon my song! + + I sat upon the Sabbath-day within the sacred fane, + The sunlight through the windows poured like rainbow-tinted rain; + While maids and matrons passing fair, and men of high degree, + All fashion's proudest votaries, knelt low on bended knee. + + And there was one of stature tall, whose robe of silken sheen + Draped quiet grace and courtesy that might have shamed a queen, + Save only that her pallid face, and drooping, tear-dimmed eyes, + Looked like the Peri's, waiting by the gates of Paradise. + + What is it moves that jeweled throng of dainty worshippers? + Their hearts have probed the cruel wrong that rankles sore in hers; + For she who sat beside her there--ah, heart of hardest stone! + Swept forth with stern and haughty stare, and left her there alone. + + Then one, God bless her woman's heart! the loveliest woman there, + Stepped down the aisle with stately tread, and calm and steadfast air; + With gentle voice, and tender eyes distilling heaven's own dew, + She whispered to the shrinking girl, "I've room, my friend, for you." + + I think earth's sorest sinners need a judge less stern than they + Who wear their ermine clasped across a breast of common clay! + I think heaven's loveliest angels come among us circling down, + To bear the cruel earthly cross, and then regain the crown. + + Alas! alas! for paltry pride arrayed in rich attire, + And woe is me for priestly praise which is our heart's desire! + Would we could seek, like pilgrims gray, beside that sunlit sea, + The simple faith that lit the shores of sacred Galilee! + + Sometimes it seems that ages past our souls have sojourned here; + But God's great angel guards the gate and stands beside the bier; + For when some mystic touch awakes the chords of memory, + His awful hand holds down the note, and clasps the quivering key. + + Bend low, bend low the lofty brow and bring the sack-cloth gown; + Throw dust and ashes on our heads, and through the sinful town; + I think the green earth grows more gray, beneath its golden sun, + Because the good God sits in heaven, and sees such evil done. + + --_Edward Renaud._ + + + + +YIK KEE. + + +After father died some ten years ago, I found, that for three years we +had been living on credit. I was eighteen, strong and well, but did not +know how to work. In the little back room of the New York tenement house +(by the way, the landlady seized my clothes for our rent) I considered +my future. I had inherited a great faith in relatives, from my father, +so I wrote to seven. I received six polite notes, telling me to go to +work, and the following letter: + + JONESBORO, COLORADO--JACKSON'S RANCH. + + Dear Nell.--I'm your cousin Jack. Your father once give me + money to come out West. I've took up land, got a comfortable + home, no style or frills, but good folks to live with and + healthy grub. I've got the best wife you ever see and seven + fine youngsters. The city ain't no place for a friendless + girl. Wife wants you to come. She'll be a mother to you. Come + right off. I'll meet you at Denver. + + Jack. + +Inclosed was a check sufficient to defray expenses; so I started. Denver +was then only a large town and the depot a barn-like structure. I got +out of the cars and stood bewildered among all the emigrants and their +bundles. Some one touched me on the shoulder--a roughly-dressed, +broad-shouldered man with long, blonde beard and big blue eyes. + +"Are you Nell?" he said. + +"Yes; and you're Cousin Jack." + +"I knew you," he said, as he led the way, "by your black clothes an' +sorrerful look, an' them big blue eyes, like yer father's as two peas. +We'll git the shader outer 'em when we get home. Yer father was a mighty +good man. Bless yer dear heart, don't let them tears come. This 'ere's a +dry country, we don't waste no water." + +Comforting me in his kind, rough way, he reached his team, a big green +wagon, drawn by two wild-looking steeds which I afterward knew to be +bronchos. A fat, blonde boy, about twelve, held the reins. + +"That's Ted," said Cousin Jack. "Ted, this is Miss Nell, yer cousin; +give her a hug." The fat boy solemnly obeyed. + +After this he seemed to have a special claim on my affections because he +met me first. Jack's wife was a jolly, plump woman, with brown eyes and +curly hair. She always had a baby in her arms and another at her heels. +She adored Jack. I never knew them to have a quarrel. I soon grew to +love the life at the ranch. I liked the big, half-finished house, its +untidyness and comfort--its pleasant, healthy atmosphere. I loved the +children, the household pets--Shep, the sagacious dog; Thad, the clever +cat; the hens and sheep; the horses Dolly, Dot, and Daisy, that did the +plowing, and the marketing at Denver, twelve miles away, and were so +gentle and kind we used to ride them without saddle or bridle. I learned +that cattle grew fat on the dry-looking grass and gave the best of milk. +I learned to love the broad plains and the glorious sunsets, and to +watch the distant bands of Indians with half fear, half interest. I +helped Cousin Mary, sewed and cooked, kept the house and children neat, +and lifted many burdens from her weary shoulders. We were so happy. The +children and I took long walks over the plains, and Ted and I took many +rides on Dolly and Dot, and in the long winter evenings I told the +children stories. Occasionally Harry White came over to visit us from +his ranch five miles away. He lived with his old mother; he and Jack +were dear friends. Harry needed a wife, Jack used to say, winking at me. + +One day Jack went to Denver for supplies. He went alone, and coming home +later than usual, Ted and I and baby Mame went out to meet him. Jack +looked sober and guilty, and seemed ill at ease. If he ever drank, I +should have thought him intoxicated. In the wagon was a queer-shaped +heap under a horse-blanket. I was sure it moved. When we got behind the +barn Jack said, sheepishly, avoiding my eye. + +"Well, Ted, I calkerlate I've got su'thing in that there waggin that 'ul +astonish yer marm." + +Little Mame pulled the blanket off the heap; she had been peeping under +it all the while she was in the back of the wagon. There lay a human +being. Such an object; short and squat, dressed in a queer blue blouse +with flowing sleeves, wide trousers and queer wooden shoes. He had +small, black eyes, a shaven poll, from which depended a long thin queue. +His countenance was battered and bruised, his clothes torn and bloody. + +"There was a row down to Denver," said Jack; "the Christian folks stove +in these 'ere heathen's winders, tore their houses down, an' killed half +on 'em. I cleared out soon as I could. When I got half way home I heard +a noise back o' me, and out crawled this thing. I was so dumfounded I +couldn't speak. He thought I was going ter send him back, an' he fell +ter cryin' an' jabberin' in that yap of his, an' clingin' onter my han' +an' kissin' of it. It sorter turned my stomach. I told him ter set down, +give him some crackers ter eat, covered him up an' told him he could +live with me. What do you s'pose marm'll say?" + +"Oh! Cousin Jack," I said, "of course, she will not care. Your home is a +refuge for all the wretched and unfortunate." + +"Now don't, Nell," he said, turning as red as a rose, and busying +himself about the harness. The Celestial looked at us solemnly: Mame +toddled up to him. He looked at her curiously, but did not move. + +"Get out, John," said Jack, "you needn't be scared no more; we're to +home." + +He got out stiffly, and, to my surprise, turned and lifted the baby +down. She caught his pig-tail, and pulled it in wild delight. He seemed +grieved when I took her away. When Jack told Mary, the good soul found a +thousand reasons why he should stay, and hurried to make him a bed in +the attic. The Celestial did not say much, but when Jack called him +"John," he smiled a sad smile. + +"Melican man callee John. Hump. Yik Kee." + +So with due consideration for his feelings we addressed him as Yik Kee. +He was of great use. He helped take care of the children, did the +washing (Mary did not fancy his method of sprinkling clothes) and helped +Jack on the farm. We made him one of the family. He was always pleasant +and smiling, but was a man of few words. + +Cousin Jack added much to his income by trading in hides. Ranchmen +living at a distance sold their hides to him and Jack sold them to +traders who came around at certain times in the year. Harry White was a +partner in the business. He used to go on a sort of round-up and visit +the ranches all over the country. The cattle of the ranchmen roamed in +vast herds over the plains, protected only by the brand of the owner. +Cattle stealing was frequently practiced. Offenders in this respect were +shown no mercy. They were convicted, tried, and executed only in the +court of Judge Lynch. I never blamed the ranchmen for this; it was +impossible to guard the herds in the vast area over which they +traversed, and the cattle must be protected in some way. Gil Mead was a +wealthy ranchman, who lived about ten miles from us. He owned the +largest herd of cattle on the plains. They were branded with the vowels +of his name. E.A., which could be recognized anywhere. He always shipped +his cattle East to his brother in Chicago. I feared the man. He was tall +and gaunt, with deep-set black eyes and low forehead. His home was +unhappy; his wife cross and ugly, and his children wild and unruly. This +made him more than commonly disagreeable. + +I think it was in the fall of '74 that Harry White brought the big load +of hides to Jack. Both were much pleased at the bargain they made. Harry +gave glowing accounts of a new customer--a ranchman from Chicago, who +had taken up an abandoned homestead. He had purchased many cattle from +his cousin, Gil Mead, and hoped to rival him in the number and quality +of his herd. Jack packed the hides away to keep till December, when we +expected the dealer. + +One afternoon, not long after this, Gil Mead rode up to the house, +looking very agreeable and pleasant. A couple of strangers, also +ranchmen, were with him. They wanted to look at the hides, one of the +men being a trader, Gil said. Jack was in Denver, so Yik Kee and I went +to the barn with them. They looked the hides over carefully, and +conversed in low tones, Gil with a suppressed oath. Finally they thanked +us courteously and took their leave. + +"Hump; no goodee," said Yik Kee, but he wouldn't say any more. + +At five that evening, when we were at supper, a crowd of twenty-five or +thirty men rode up on horseback. Jack came out and met them, inviting +them in to take supper, in his generous, hospitable way. They wanted him +to go to Denver with them, there was to be a meeting there of importance +to ranchmen. The meeting would be at eight. They had brought with them +an extra horse for Jack. Mary looked around for Yik Kee to help her, but +he had mysteriously disappeared. + +I faintly remembered seeing his white, horrified face peering around the +barn at the horses. I noted the visitors ate little--the food seemed to +choke them. Some of them watched Mary and the baby in a queer sort of +way. When Jack, as was his custom, kissed his wife and babies good-by, +one of the visitors, an oldish man, coughed huskily, and said: "Blest if +I kin stan' this." They all rode off, Jack the merriest of all, waving +his hat till he was out of sight. + +When we were clearing up the unusual quantity of dishes, Yik Kee +appeared at the end window and beckoned me. I followed him out. Ted was +with him. Behind the barn were the three horses saddled. Shep was with +them, released from confinement, where he had been secured from +following his master. + +"Foller 'em," said Ted in an excited whisper. "Yik's afraid they're up +to something." + +"What is it, Yik?" I said, sternly. "No fooling now." + +For answer he twisted his long pig-tail around his neck, tying it under +his left ear in a significant manner. + +"Hump, he hangee; stealee cow." + +"Oh, Mary," I sobbed, remembering Gil Mead's visit, and his strange +actions, and dimly seeing what Yik Kee meant, "I must tell Mary," I +said, wildly. + +"Hump, no," said Yik Kee. "Yellee sick," and he closed his eyes in a +die-away sort of manner. "Go now--too latee." + +We mounted. + +"Mother'll think we're gone to ride," said Ted, as we galloped over the +plains. He was deathly pale, poor little fellow, but he sat erect and +firm. I saw his father's big Colt's revolver sticking out of his pocket. +He was a determined boy. Even in my despair, in my wild hope that I +could save Jack by begging on my knees, that I could cling to him, that +they would have to kill me first, I could not help a smile at the +comical figure Yik Kee presented on horseback. His loose garments +flapped in the wind, his long pig-tail flew out behind, and he bobbed +up and down like a kernel of corn in a corn-hopper. + +It was a soft, warm night, lighted only by the pale young moon and the +twinkling stars. We rode as fast as our horses could gallop. Shep was +close at our heels. Way ahead, when we reached the top of a little hill, +we saw the crowd of horsemen. They were riding toward Denver. We +galloped on with renewed zeal. They turned into a cross road leading to +Mead's ranch. On this road was a bridge over Dry Gulch, which was in the +spring a roaring torrent. Beyond the bridge, across the fields, was the +hay-stack of Mead, where was stored sufficient to feed his domestic +cattle through the winter. We at last reached the turn in the road. They +were three miles in advance, riding rapidly. Yik Kee stopped at the +turn. "Hump! Can't catchee. Hangee at bridge. You goee!" He turned his +horse and sped across the field, deserting us basely. + +We rode on, Ted and I. He was pale and still; my cheeks were burning. We +neared the bridge. The high mound of earth before us hid us from sight. +We stopped our horses and listened. The men had lighted torches, some +were preparing a rough gallows under the bridge; two were uncoiling +rope; some held the horses of the others beyond the bridge. The men were +masked now, and I could see by the lighted torches that this number was +increased. Jack was very white and sad, but he showed no fear. + +"I am innocent, gentlemen," he said, slowly, "but I refuse to tell you +of whom I bought the hides." + +I understood him. Could Harry White be a cattle thief? I felt as if I +were going mad. + +"What shall we do?" whispered Ted, cocking his revolver? + +Suddenly a bright red light illuminated the heavens, followed by clouds +of black smoke and a queer crackling noise. A yell from the men--Gil +Mead's voice above the rest. The hay-stack was on fire. It seemed to me +in the gale around it that I could see a foreign-looking human vanishing +across the plain. + +The men mounted their horses, Gil Mead at the head, and set off across +the fields at a mad gallop. They must save the stack. They left Jack, +bound hand and foot, and guarded by one man. + +Shep, the wonderful dog, had kept by us until now, slinking in the dark +shadows. Now, gliding sidewise and still, he reached the man on guard +whose back was to us, and with no warning growl caught him by the throat +with strong white teeth that could choak a coyote in a second. The man, +who was in a sitting posture, fell back with a groan. Ted struck him +over the head with the butt of the revolver, and pulled off the dog. I +cut Jack's bonds with a knife. He looked at us wonderingly and staggered +to his feet. + +"Never mind how we came, Jack," I said; "quick, mount the horse beyond +the bridge, and ride to Denver for your life. They will not harm a woman +and child." + +"Harry White," he muttered, the loyal soul that even now could think of +another's danger. + +"I will tell him." + +"No, no; not of this--only say, if he stole the cattle, to fly the +country. They will find out, sooner or later." + +He galloped down the road. Ted and I mounted, calling off Shep, who sat +on his haunches watching the unconscious man, and then we, too, sped +down the road. The hay-stack was giving out great columns of black +smoke, but the fire was dead. + +Ahead of us was a riderless horse, Dolly, who greeted her master with a +joyful whinny. Where was Yik Kee? Then Dot, my horse, shied from the +road at a recumbent black figure. It was the indomitable Yik Kee, who +had crawled all the way from the stack on his stomach, so that he could +not be seen, after lying in the ditch till the blaze had faded out. +"Hump! no catchee Chinee; heap sore," he said, laconically rubbing his +stomach. + +He mounted Dolly, and we rode on to White's ranch. Harry rushed out at +the sound of horses' feet, at midnight. There, under the twinkling stars +I looked into his eyes, and I told him the whole story. He showed no +guilt, but only said we must stay the night at his ranch, for the men +would come back to Jack's for him, and then mounting his fleet colt rode +off down the road. I comforted his mother as best I could. At day-break +we rode home. + +Mary was in a wild state of alarm. Where had we been? Where was Jack? +and how cruel we were to leave her alone. She said that at one o'clock +three masked men had come to the house and searched it and the +premises, and had not molested her or the children, only asking where +Jack was, very sternly and sharply. + +At noon Jack, Harry, the sheriff, and a party of armed men from Denver +rode up, stopping only a moment to tell me they would be back at night. +I dared not tell Mary, and she worried all the afternoon at their +strange conduct. At night Jack and Harry came home, looking tired but +happy. Then Jack told Mary, and she clung to him as though she could +never let him go. + +It seemed the pleasing ranchman from Chicago was one of a band of cattle +thieves. He sold the hides to Harry, who, honest and open himself, was +slow to suspect wrong dealings in others. The sheriff had caught the men +skinning a cow that belonged to Mead, and had captured the gang and +taken them to Denver. + +The men concerned in the attempt to lynch Jack were sincerely sorry. +Their regrets would not have availed much, however, if they had +succeeded in their purpose. They gave each of the children ten acres of +land; they gave Ted sixty-five, and me, whom they pleased to consider +very plucky, one hundred and fifty acres. I felt rich enough, and time +has made it very valuable land. The man on guard was our warmest +admirer. He thought Ted, Shep, and I wonders of courage. He said when I +came down on the bridge with the open knife, he thought his last hour +had come. + +Gil Mead committed suicide not long after this. He was always queer. No +one ever knew that Yik Kee set the stack afire. I tell you Jack rewarded +the faithful fellow--gave him a good farm, taught him to work it, and +built him a house. The funniest thing was Yik Kee had a wife and three +queer little children back in China, and Jack sent for them, and Yik Kee +and his family are as happy as they can be. The children play with +Jack's (he has twelve now) and get along finely together. + +In '75 I married Harry White, which, I suppose, was foreseen from the +beginning--at least, Jack says anybody could have seen it. The most +serene and satisfied face at the wedding was that of the Celestial. In +my inner consciousness, notwithstanding he is a "heathen Chinee," I have +the conviction that as great a hero as is seen in modern times is the +man of few words, Yik Kee.--_The Continent._ + + + + +HUMOROUS + + +"A LEEDLE MISTAKES." + + +"I see all how it vhas now," observed Jacob Handonder, as he came out. + +"Oh, you do! You are the man who got drunk and raised a fuss on a street +car?" + +"I vhas der man, and I tell you how it vhas. You see, I vhas tight. I +took too much beer." + +"Can a saloon-keeper take too much beer?" + +"Vhell, maype I vhas seek. I shtart to go home. Vhen der sthreet car +comes along I pelief it vhas my house. I got in und look all aroundt, +but I doan' see Katarina. I call out for der shildrens, und eferybody +laughs at me. Maype dot makes me madt, und der drifer calls a boliceman, +und I vhas galloped down here." + +"So it wasn't your home?" + +"Not oxactly. It vhas a leedle mistake." + +"It'll cost you $5." + +"Vheel, dot ain't so bad. I pay him oop und go home to preakfast." + +"Be careful next time." + +"Oh, I vill dot. Next time I vhas tight I go home on some shtreets +midout cars. If I take some ice-wagon for my house I pelief I got cooled +off pooty queek." + + + + +SHARPER THAN A RAZOR. + + +A long-waisted man, with the nose of a fox and an eye full of +speculation, walked up to a second-hand clothier, in Buffalo, the other +day, and said: + +"See that overcoat hanging out down there?" + +"Of course." + +"Well, I've taken a fancy to it. It's rather cheeky to ask you to go +down there, but I'll make it an object; I won't give but $8 for the +coat, but I'll give you $1 to buy it for me. You are also a Jew and know +how to beat him down. Here are $9." + +The dealer took the money and started off, and in five minutes was back +with the coat. + +"Good!" chuckled the other. "I reckoned you'd lay him out. How much did +you make for your share?" + +"Vhell, ash dot is my branch shore, and I only ask six dollar fur de +goat, I was about tree dollar ahead." + + +A COMING DIVIDEND. + + +Last fall, when a would-be purchaser of railroad stock called upon +Russell Sage and asked him regarding the outlook of certain stock, Mr. +Sage replied: + +"Splendid idea! That stock is certain to raise fifteen per cent." + +"Upon what do you base your calculations?" + +"Upon the immense crops to be moved along that line." + +The other day the same gentleman again interviewed Mr. Sage regarding +the same stock, and the great financier replied: + +"Best outlook in the world for that stock! Certain to advance fifteen +per cent." + +"Do you base your calculations upon last fall's crops?" + +"No, sir; it's going to be an open winter, and the line will save enough +in snow-plows to declare a dividend of five per cent." + + * * * * * + +At a party: Merchant--"Ah! How d'do, Mr. Blank? How is your paper coming +out? I read it daily. By the way, you are getting up a report of this +grand assembly, I suppose?" Editor--"No. By the way, how is your store +coming on? My cook buys a good deal of you. You are here drumming up +custom, I suppose?" + + * * * * * + +"Yes," said Mrs. Towers, as she expatiated upon the beauties of her +flower-garden, "I have given it great care, and if you come over in a +week or two, I expect to be able to show you some beautiful scarlet +pneumonias." + + * * * * * + +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. + + * * * * * + +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. + + * * * * * + +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. + + * * * * * + +Self Cure Free + +Nervous Debility Lost Manhood Weakness and Decay + +A favorite prescription of a noted specialist (now retired.) Druggists +can fill it. Address + +DR. WARD & CO., LOUISIANA, MO. + + * * * * * + +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. + + * * * * * + +Send for Catalogue and Prices. + +ATLAS ENGINE WORKS + +[Illustration] + +INDIANAPOLIS, IND., U.S.A. + +MANUFACTURERS OF + +STEAM ENGINES AND BOILERS. + +CARRY ENGINES and BOILERS IN STOCK for IMMEDIATE DELIVERY + + * * * * * + +SEEDS + +ALBERT DICKINSON, + +Dealer in Timothy, Clover, Flax, Hungarian, Millet, Red Top, Blue Grass, +Lawn Grass, Orchard Grass, Bird Seeds, &c. + +POPCORN. + + Warehouses { 115, 117 & 119 Kinzie St. OFFICE. 115 KINZIE ST., + { 104, 106, 108, & 110 Michigan St. CHICAGO, ILL. + + + + +GENERAL NEWS. + + +Gen. Butler is now out of office. + +A verdict of not guilty was rendered in the Emma Bond case. + +St. Petersburg, Russia, is in a panic over recent acts of the Nihilists. + +Two wolves have lately been killed in the vicinity of Douglas Park, +Chicago. + +Another effort is soon to be made in Congress to reinstate Fitz John +Porter. + +Brokers in Dubuque have offered $330,000 cash for the B.F. Allen +Homestead. + +At Winnipeg on Thursday of last week the mercury was 45 degrees below +zero. + +Albert E. Kent, of San Francisco, gives $25,000 for a chemical +laboratory at Yale College. + +Judge McCrary, of the Supreme Court, has resigned, and accepted a +position as a railway attorney. + +The Government of China has ordered the construction of two more torpedo +boats at the German port of Stettin. + +St. Louis had many fires last week. There were nine outbreaks within +forty-eight hours. The firemen were completely worn out. + +There were 319 failures in the United States last week--the largest +number yet recorded within the same number of days. + +There was strong talk at Hillsboro of lynching the discharged prisoners +in the Emma Bond case, but better counsel prevailed. + +Governor Stoneman presided at a meeting in San Francisco, where +arrangements were made to hold a world's exposition in 1887. + +The mercury at Charleston, S.C., was 13 degrees below zero January 4th. +Through New England the weather was extremely cold. + +Mary, the seventeenth wife of the late Brigham Young, died at Salt Lake +City Saturday from blood poisoning. She has fourteen survivors. + +A pie made of tainted meat caused the poisoning of sixteen boarders and +three Sisters at a convent in Montreal. Two of the former are +dangerously ill. + +It is announced from Paris that the French government is intending to +sell the railways owned by the Republic. The Rothschilds stand ready to +purchase them. + +By a railroad accident near Fort Dodge, on Wednesday last, three persons +were killed and several wounded. Among the killed was Mrs. J.H. South, +of Bureau Co., Ills. + +Mrs. Holcomb, daughter of the murdered millionaire Crouch, of Michigan, +has committed suicide. There is some suspicion that she knew something +about the murder. + +A nihilist proclamation has been issued threatening the Czar. There is +much anxiety at Gatschina palace. It is now said the Czar's injury in +the shoulder the other day was caused by a bullet. + +The United States Consul General at Cairo reports the deaths by the +cholera epidemic at from 65,000 to 70,000. A member of the international +tribunal says there are still from one to three fatal cases each day. + +The Gould system of railroads is about to establish a telegraph school +at St. Louis, with a view not only to educating operators, but of +selecting pupils from the acclimated people along the Southwestern +lines. + +The Catholic convent at Belleville, Ill., took fire from the furnace +Saturday evening, and in an hour was reduced to ashes. Sixty pupils made +desperate efforts to escape, some of them leaping from the windows. +Twenty-seven lives were lost. + +The Secretary of State at Springfield has issued papers of incorporation +to Col. Wood's museum, at Chicago, with a capital stock of $100,000. The +Colonel is said to have secured a lease of his old stand on Randolph +street, and the Olympic Theatre. + +Henry Villard closed his business career by handing over to assignees +his mansion on Madison square and other property, with instructions to +dispose of the same, pay a mortgage of $200,000, and discharge any +indebtedness to the Oregon Railway Company, the residue to be given to +his wife. + +The directors of the Northern Pacific road held a meeting in New York, +on Friday, of last week. A letter was read from Henry Villard, resigning +the presidency of the company because of nervous prostration and in +deference to the interests of the stockholders. The resignation was +accepted, and a special election was ordered to choose a successor. The +directors voted Mr. Villard $10,000 per annum for his services. Vice +President Oakes reported the line in first-class order except one +hundred miles near the junction west of Helena. It is understood that +the Oregon Navigation company will reduce its dividends to 8 per cent. +The Oregon Transcontinental has raised $3,000,000 in Boston with which +to lift its floating debt. + + + + +MARKETS + +MARKET REPORTS. + + +OFFICE OF THE PRAIRIE FARMER, +CHICAGO. Jan 8, 1884. + + +FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. + +The extremely cold weather of the past week interfered with business +very generally. In financial circles, as in others, the arctic wave made +matters rather quiet. Early in the present week, however, business at +the banks was active. The arrival of delayed mail trains added to the +volume of business; but while there was much activity, the monetary +situation remained about the same as usual. + +In the loan market quotations were 6@7 per cent. + +Eastern exchange sold at 70@75c per $1,000 premium. + +Government securities are as follows: + +4's coupons, 1907 Q. Apr. 123-1/4 +4's reg., 1907 Q. Apr. 123-1/4 +4-1/2's coupon, 1891 Q. Mar. 114-1/8 +4-1/2's registered, 1891 Q. Mar. 114-1/8 +3's registered Q. Mar. 100 + + +GRAIN AND PROVISIONS. + +The leading produce markets have been irregular for several days past, +and the tendency, in the main, was downward. Yesterday wheat was +moderately active, but the market was depressed at the close. There was +a drop, also, in corn, oats, mess pork, and lard. + +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 50 @ 4 75 +Choice to fancy Minnesota springs 5 25 @ 5 75 +Patent springs 6 00 @ 6 50 +Low grades 2 25 @ 3 50 + +WHEAT.--Red winter, No. 2 96 @ 98c; car lots of spring, No. 2, sold at +93-3/4 @ 95c; No. 3, do. 77-1/2 @ 81c. + +CORN.--Moderately active. Car lots No. 2, 57-3/8 @ 57-5/8c; rejected, +46-1/2; new mixed, 48 @ 48-1/4c. + +OATS.--No. 2 in store, closed 33-1/2 @ 33-5/8. + +RYE.--May, in store 58 @ 58-1/2. + +BARLEY.--No. 2, 62 @ 63c; No. 3, 44c. + +FLAX.--Closed at $1 41. + +TIMOTHY.--$1 25 per bushel. Little doing. + +CLOVER.--Quiet at $5 90 @ 6 15 for prime. + +PROVISIONS.--Mess pork, February, $14 45 @ 14 47-1/2 per bbl; May, +$15 @ 15 05. Green hams, 8-3/8c, per lb. Short ribs, $7 42-1/2 per cwt. + +LARD.--January, $8 75; February, $8 85. + +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 00 @ 2 10. Hand picked navies, +$2 15 @ 2 20. + +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. + +BROOM-CORN.--Good to choice hurl 6-1/2 @ 7-1/2c per lb; green +self-working 5 @ 6c; red-tipped and pale do. 4 @ 5c; inside and covers +3 @ 4c; common short corn 2-1/2 @ 3-1/2c; crooked, and damaged, 2 @ 4c, +according to quality. + +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 25 @ 26c per +dozen; 20 @ 23c for good ice house stock; 18 @ 19c per pickled. + +HAY.--No. 1 timothy $10 @ 10 50 per ton; No. 2 do. $8 @ 9; mixed do. +$7 @ 8; upland prairie $8 00 @ 10 75; No. 1 prairie $6 @ 7; No. 2 do. +$4 50 @ 5 50. 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 25 @ 26c per lb; Pacific +coast of 23 @ 26c; fair to good Wisconsin 15 @ 20c. + +POULTRY.--Prices for good to choice dry picked and unfrozen lots are: +Turkeys 14 @ 15c per lb; chickens 10 @ 11c; ducks 10 @ 12c; geese +9 @ 11c. Thin, undesirable, and frozen stock 2 @ 3c per lb less than +these figures; live offerings nominal. + +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 @ 6-1/2 c. Prime white grease 6 @ 6-1/2 c; yellow 5-1/4 @ 5-3/4c: +brown 4-1/2@5. + +VEGETABLES.--Cabbage, $8 @ 12 per 100; celery, 35 @ 40c per doz bunches; +onions, $1 00 @ 1 25 $ 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 25,594 13,722 +Calves 353 166 +Hogs 45,376 31,864 +Sheep 14,206 8,903 + +The live stock receipts are increasing, and show a large gain over last +week. + +CATTLE.--The receipts for Sunday and Monday were rather large, being +estimated at 6,800 head of cattle, as against 3,700 received in the +corresponding time last week. Shipping grades of cattle were active and +firm yesterday at $5 @ 6 67-1/2, exporters taking a fair number. Common +lots were lower, with sales to dressed-beef buyers as low as $4 25. A +good share of the day's trading was done at $5 70 @ 6 60. Quotations are +as follows: + +Fancy fat cattle $ 6 75 @ 7 00 +Choice to prime steers 6 05 @ 6 70 +Fair to good shipping steers 5 55 @ 6 00 +Common to medium steers 4 25 @ 5 50 +Butcher's steers 4 50 @ 5 00 +Cows and bulls, common to good 3 00 @ 4 25 +Inferior cows and bulls 2 00 @ 2 95 +Stockers 3 40 @ 4 40 +Feeders 4 25 @ 4 75 +Milch cows, per head 25 00 @55 00 +Veal calves, per 100lbs 4 00 @ 7 25 + +HOGS.--The receipts Sunday and Monday were estimated at 18,000 hogs, +against only 6,700 received in the corresponding time last week. +Although the receipts have been increasing during the last few days, +supplies are still remarkably small for the first half of January. The +great bulk of the crop has undoubtedly been marketed, but there are +known to be a very good number still unmarketed, and it is believed that +farmers are unwilling to ship freely to this market while packers are so +largely inactive, fearing a decline in prices. Shippers have been taking +most of the hogs lately. Butchers took in the neighborhood of 1,900 +hogs, leaving a few thousand still unsold. Sales were made of heavy at +$5 10 @ 6 25; light at $5 10 @ 5 75, and skips and culls at $3 50 @ 5. + +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 for weights of less than 100lbs. + +SHEEP.--The market opened with a good supply, the receipts for Sunday +and Monday being estimated at 2,500 head, as against 1,968 received in +the same time last week. There was an active local and shipping demand +for all desirable offerings, and prices ruled firm at the recent +advance, sales being made of fair to choice at $3 65 @ 5 60. + + * * * * * + +COMMISSION MERCHANTS. + +J.H. WHITE & CO., + +PRODUCE COMMISSION + +106 WATER ST., CHICAGO. + +Refers to this paper. + + * * * * * + +MISCELLANEOUS. + +YOUR NAME printed on 60 Cards + +ALL NEW designs of _Gold Floral, Remembrances, Sentiment, Hand Floral_, +etc., with _Love, Friendship,_ and _Holiday Mottoes_. 10c. 7pks. and this +elegant Ring, 50 c., 15 pks. & Ring, $1. + +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. Blank Cards at +wholesale prices. + +NORTHFORD CARD CO. Northford, Conn. + + * * * * * + +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. + + * * * * * + +$1000 Every 100 Days + +Positively sure to Agents everywhere selling our New SILVER MOULD WHITE +WIRE CLOTHES-LINE. Warranted. Pleases at sight. Cheap. Sells readily at +every house. Agents clearing $10 per day. Farmers make $900 to $1200 +during Winter. _Handsome samples free._ + +Address, GIRARD WIRE MILLS, Philadelphia, Pa. + + * * * * * + +BEST QUALITY. + +[Illustration] + +80 Cards + +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. + + * * * * * + +500 VIRGINIA FARMS & MILLS + +For Sale and Exchange. Write for free REAL ESTATE JOURNAL. R.B. CHAFFIN; +CO. Richmond, Virginia. + + * * * * * + +PATENT + +Procured or no charge. 40 p. book patent-law free. Add. W.T. +FITZGERALD 1006 F St., Washington, D.C. + + * * * * * + +CARDS + +50 SATIN FINISH CARDS, New Imported designs, name on and Present Free +for 10c. Cut this out. CLINTON BROS. & Co., Clintonville, Ct. + + * * * * * + +EDUCATIONAL. + +MT. CARROLL SEMINARY + +And Musical Conservatory, Carroll Co., Ill., + +_Never had an agent_ to beg funds or pupils. The PECUNIARY AID +SYSTEM _is original_, and helps many worthy girls, without means, +to an education. "_Oreads_" _free_. + + * * * * * + +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. + + * * * * * + +SPECIAL OFFER. + +$67 FOR $18! + +[Illustration] + +A Superb New Family + +Sewing Machine! + +Combining all the most recent improvements, and now selling for $65, is +offered by THE PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING COMPANY to subscribers to THE +PRAIRIE FARMER + +FOR $18, + +including one year's subscription to the paper. + +This exceptional offer will remain open for a few days only. + + * * * * * + +MISCELLANEOUS. + +"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. + + * * * * * + +Stock Farm for Sale + +Consisting of 565 acres--360 under plow, 35 acres timber, balance in +grass--situated in finest County in Iowa, one-fourth mile from Village, +Station, and Creamery. Or will sell one-half interest to practical +stockman and feeder who will assume management. Write for particulars to + + H.I. SMITH, + Prest. First National Bank, Mason City, Iowa. + + * * * * * + +Print Your Own Cards + +Labels, Envelopes, etc. + +[Illustration] + +with our $3 PRINTING PRESS. Larger sizes for circulars, etc., $8 to +$75. For pleasure, money making, young or old. Everything easy, printed +instructions. Send 2 stamps for Catalogue of Presses, Type, Cards, etc., +to the factory. + +KELSEY & CO., Meriden, Conn. + + * * * * * + +[Illustration] + +We will send you a watch or a chain BY MAIL OR EXPRESS, C.O.D, to be +examined before paying any money and if not satisfactory, returned at +our expense. We manufacture all our watches and save you 30 per cent. +Catalogue of 250 styles free. EVERY WATCH WARRANTED. ADDRESS +STANDARD AMERICAN WATCH CO., PITTSBURGH. PA. + + * * * * * + +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. + + * * * * * + +THE PRAIRIE FARMER is the Cheapest and Best Agricultural Paper +published. Only $2.00 per year. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Prairie Farmer, Vol. 56, No. 2, +January 12, 1884, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRAIRIE FARMER, VOL. 56 *** + +***** This file should be named 17683.txt or 17683.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/7/6/8/17683/ + +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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