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PRAIRIE FARMER
A Weekly Journal for
THE FARM, ORCHARD, AND FIRESIDE.
ESTABLISHED IN 1841.
ENTIRE SERIES: VOL. 56--NO. 1.
CHICAGO, SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1884.
PRICE, $2.00 PER YEAR,
IN ADVANCE.
[Transcriber's Note: Some pages in the original had the corner torn off.
Missing text has been marked [***].]
[Transcriber's Note: The Table of Contents was originally located on
page 8 of the periodical. It has been moved here for ease of use.]
THE CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER.
AGRICULTURE--Tall Meadow Oat-Grass, Page 1; The Barbed-Wire
Business, 1-2; A Rambler's Letter, 2; Let Us Be Sociable, 2; Seed Corn
Again, 2; Field and Furrow, 3.
LIVE STOCK--Mr. Grinnell's Letter, Page 14; Prices of 1883, 4;
Docking Horses, 4; Items, 4.
THE DAIRY--Lessons in Finance for the Creamery Patron, Page 5.
VETERINARY--Fever, Page 5.
HORTICULTURE--Ill. Hort. Society, Page 6; A Short Sermon on a
Long Text, 6; Prunings, 6-7.
FLORICULTURE--Gleanings by an Old Florist, Page 7; Am I a Scot
or am I Not, Poetry, 7; Primitive Northwest, 7.
EDITORIAL--Items, Page 8; Seed Samples, 8; The Pork Question in
Europe, 8; Corn, Wheat, and Cotton, 8; Chicago in 1883, 9; Strong Drink,
9; Questions and Answers, 9; Wayside Notes, 9; Champaign Letter, 9.
POULTRY NOTES--Chat With Correspondents, Page 10; Feather Ends,
10.
THE APIARY--Keep Bees, Page 10; The New Bees, 10; Hive and
Honey Hints, 10.
SILK CULTURE--Women In Silk Culture, Page 11.
HOUSEHOLD--The Schoolmarm's Story, Poem, Page 12; A Chat About
the Fashions, 12; A Kitchen Silo, 12; Items, 12.
YOUNG FOLKS--Talk about the Lion, Page 13; A Jack-knife Genius,
13; Little Johnny, 13.
BOOK NOTICES--Page 13.
LITERATURE--Robin, Dear Robin, Poetry, Page 14; Mrs. Wimbush's
Revenge, 14.
HUMOROUS--The Carpenter's Wooing, Poetry, Page 15; Where the
Old Maids Come From, 15; Items, 15.
NEWS OF THE WEEK--Page 16.
MARKETS--Page 16.
TALL MEADOW OAT-GRASS.
Prof. John W. Robson, State Botanist of Kansas, sends THE PRAIRIE FARMER
an extract from his last report, concerning a tame grass for hay and
pasturing which is new to that State. The grass has been on trial on an
upland farm for two years, during which time he has watched it very
closely. The Professor says, "It possesses so many excellent qualities
as to place it in the front rank of all cultivated grasses." He
enumerates from his notes:
1st. The seed will germinate and grow as easily as common oats. 2d. It
maintains a deep green color all seasons of the year. 3d. Its roots
descend deeply into the subsoil, enabling this grass to withstand a
protracted drouth. 4th. Its early growth in spring makes it equal to rye
for pasturage. 5th. In the next year after sowing it is ready to cut for
hay, the middle of May--not merely woody stems, but composed in a large
measure of a mass of long blades of foliage. The crop of hay can be cut
and cured, and stowed away in stack or barn, long before winter wheat
harvest begins. 6th. It grows quickly after mowing, giving a denser and
more succulent aftermath than any of the present popular tame grasses.
For several years, he says, we have been looking for a grass that would
supply good grazing to our cattle and sheep after the native grasses
have become dry and tasteless. In the early portion of 1881, his
attention was called to a tame grass which had been introduced into the
State of Michigan from West Virginia. This forage plant was causing some
excitement among the farmers in the neighborhood of Battle Creek. So he
entered into a correspondence with a friend living there, and obtained
ten pounds of seed for trial. The result has been satisfactory in every
respect. The seed was sown April 1, 1881. It germinated quickly, and the
young plants grew vigorously. During the whole summer they exhibited a
deep-green color, and did not become brown, like blue-grass, orchard
grass, or timothy. As soon as the spring of 1882 opened, growth set in
rapidly, and continued till the latter end of May, at which period it
stood from three to four feet high. At this time it was ready for the
mower; but as the production of seed was the object in view, it was not
cut till the second week in June. The plot of ground of about half an
acre, on which ten pounds of seed were sown, produced three barrels of
seed.
He exhibited a little sheaf of this grass at the semi-annual meeting of
the Kansas State Horticultural Society, where it excited much
attention--the height, softness of the stem, length of blade, and sweet
aroma surprised every one present.
On the last day of August, he went into the plot with a sickle, and cut
two handfuls of aftermath which measured twenty inches in growth. This
he tied to a sheaf of the June cutting, and exhibited the same at the
State Fair, where it attracted much attention and comment.
Here, then, we have, he continues, a grass that will insure a "good
catch" if the seed is fresh; that can endure severe drouth; that
produces an abundant supply of foliage; that is valuable for pasture in
early spring, on account of its early and luxuriant growth; that makes a
valuable hay; that shoots up quickly after being cut; and affords a fine
crop of aftermath for grazing during the late fall and winter months.
The Professor is very anxious that the farmers of Kansas should test
this grass during the season of 1883. Still, his advice is not to invest
too largely in the experiment. Purchase from five to ten pounds of
seed, and give it a fair trial, and he is confident that the experiment
will be satisfactory.
The name given to this valuable grass in the State of Michigan is
"Evergreen," but this is only a local synonym. Its scientific name is
Avena elatior; its common name, "Tall Meadow Oat-grass." Fearing that he
might be mistaken in its nomenclature, he sent a specimen to Professor
Carruth, State Botanist. This is his reply:
"Mr. J.W. Robson--Dear Sir: Yours mailed on the 22d, I
received last evening. I do not get my mail every day. The
specimen of grass you sent agrees perfectly with the Avena
elatior, of Wood, and the Arrenatherrum avenaceum, of Gray;
but I have never seen this grass before. I agree with you in
the scientific name, and also in the common name, 'Tall
Meadow Oat-grass.'
Yours truly, J.H. CARRUTH."
The ground should be plowed in the fall, and early in the spring, as
soon as the soil is in good tilth; sow broadcast two bushels (or
twenty-eight pounds) of seed to the acre; cover well with the harrow,
both lengthways and across the piece of ground sown. Should the ground
prove weedy, cut the weeds down with the mowing machine in June, and
leave them upon the surface, and they will afford shade to the young
plants.
This grass is extensively grown in Eastern Tennessee, and is very
popular in that portion of the State. In some portions of Western
Virginia it is largely grown for hay and for grass. It is known as tall
meadow oat-grass in each of the States we have mentioned above.
* * * * *
The main building for the New Orleans Cotton Centennial Exposition next
year will be 1,500 feet long and 900 feet wide, with 1,000,398 square
feet of floor space, including Music Hall in the center, with a seating
capacity of 12,000 persons. The design also provides for main offices,
telegraph office, newspaper department, fire department, police,
hospital, waiting-rooms, and life saving apparatus. The building will be
the largest exposition building ever erected, except the one in London
in 1862. The design adopted was the work of G.M. Jorgenson, of Meridian,
Mississippi. There were ten competitors.
JOSEPH F. GLIDDEN.
The Barb-Wire Industry--Some Facts in its Early History not Generally
Known--Its Growth.
Joseph Farwell Glidden, "the Father of the Barb-Wire Business" of this
country, is now a hale and hearty man of seventy-one. He was born at
Charleston, N.H. When about one year old the family came West, to
Clarendon, Orleans county, New York, and engaged in farming. The young
lad, besides mastering the usual branches taught in the common schools,
gave some time to the higher mathematics and Latin, intending to take a
college course, an idea that he finally abandoned. He taught in the
district schools for a few terms. In 1842 he came to Illinois and
purchased a quarter section of land a mile west of what is now the site
of the pleasant and prosperous town of DeKalb. With the exception of
three years his life since then has been passed upon this farm and at
DeKalb. He has from time to time added to his homestead, his farm now
embracing 800 acres. His land is under excellent cultivation, a
considerable portion of it having been thoroughly tiled, and his farm
buildings are first-class. Mr. Glidden has been twice married. Two
children were born of the first union, both dying in infancy. By his
second marriage he has one daughter, now the wife of a Chicago merchant.
[Illustration: JOSEPH FARWELL GLIDDEN.]
Mr. Glidden has held several local offices of trust and honor and enjoys
in a marked degree the esteem and confidence of the citizens of his
neighborhood and county. The rapid accumulation of property of late
years, through his barb-wire patents and business, gave him the means to
gratify his feelings of public spirit, and in consequence the town of
DeKalb has benefited greatly at his hands. Its leading hotel and many
other buildings are the work of his enterprise. Mr. Glidden has never
lost the simple manners of the farm. He is unostentatious, quiet,
genial, and at his hotel makes everybody feel as much at home as though
enjoying the hospitalities of his private house. His kindly, firm, and
intelligent face is well shown in the accompanying portrait, though, as
is usually the case, the hand of the artist has touched his features
more lightly than has the hand of time.
* * * * *
Few names are now more widely known among the land holders of the
country than that of Joseph F. Glidden, the unpretending gentleman whose
life we have briefly sketched. It was his fortune to seize upon an idea,
and push it to development, which has not only given him fame and
fortune, but which has enriched many others and saved many millions of
dollars to the farmers of America. He has not only founded a mammoth
industry, but he has revolutionized an economic system of the world. By
his ingenuity and perseverance the fencing system of a pastoral
continent has been reduced to a minimum of expense and simplicity. Not
that he individually has accomplished all this, but as the patentee of
the first really successful barb-wire fence, he laid the solid
foundation for it all.
* * * * *
The first application for a patent for the Glidden barb was filed
October 27, 1873. For some weeks previous to this date Mr. Glidden had
had in his mind the idea of a barb of wire twisted about the main wire
of the fence, leaving two projecting points on opposite sides. He made
some of these by hand with the aid of pinchers and hammer. He strung two
wires between two trees and twisted them together with a stick placed
between them. A pair of cutting nippers was the next addition to his
"kit" of tools. His next means for twisting the two wires together was
the grindstone--attaching one end of the wire to shaft and crank, the
others being fastened to the wall of the barn. And here, as in most
things great and small in this world, woman furnished the motor power.
The strong arm of the good helpmeet, Mrs. Glidden, turned the grindstone
that twisted the first wire that made the first Glidden barb fence that
kept stock at bay in Illinois or the world. Then followed a device for
twisting and barbing, and the application of horse power. Business
expanded, and steam took the place of the horse, and inventive genius
modified and improved the entire machinery, it being estimated that at
least the sum of $1,000,000 has been expended in bringing the machinery
for barb-wire making to its present state of perfection.
* * * * *
At about the same time that Mr. Glidden was wrestling with his ideas and
devices, Mr. I.L. Ellwood was experimenting to accomplish a like result
with a thin band of metal, the barbs cut and curved outward from the
strip. In the meantime Mr. Glidden had put up a few rods of his
hand-made barb-wire along the roadside at his farm. And here again the
good genius of woman enters upon the scene. One Sunday Mr. Ellwood and
his wife were driving along this road and attracted by the wire fence
stopped to examine it. Mrs. Ellwood, much to the chagrin of her husband,
remarked: "This seems to me a better device than your own, don't it to
you?" It did not then, for the remark disappointed and angered him. But
it set him to thinking and before the next morning he was of the same
opinion. The two men meeting the next day it did not take long to
compromise and unite. Mr. Ellwood dropped his own plans and accepted a
half interest in the Glidden patents, and assumed the management of the
business end of the concern, in which position he developed ability and
tact possessed by few business men in this country.
* * * * *
The barb-wire fence met an unexpected and general demand. We know of few
things like it in the history of manufactures. From this small
beginning, scarce ten years ago more than fifty large establishments are
now turning out this wire to meet an ever insatiate demand. The
establishment of I.L. Ellwood (making the Glidden wire) at DeKalb is the
most complete and extensive of them all. The building is 800 feet in
length, and is supplied with about 200 machines for twisting and barbing
the wire. It gives, when running full force, employment to about 400
men, and turns out a car-load of wire each hour for ten hours per day,
on an average, though this amount is considerably increased at certain
times of the year. These figures, though not given us by Mr. Ellwood, we
are satisfied do not overstate the production of this one factory. The
progress of the barb-wire industry of the whole country is shown by the
following record of the past nine seasons. In
1874 there were 10,000 lb made and sold.
1875 there were 600,000 lb made and sold.
1876 there were 2,840,000 lb made and sold.
1877 there were 12,863,000 lb made and sold.
1878 there were 26,655,000 lb made and sold.
1879 there were 50,337,000 lb made and sold.
1880 there were 80,500,000 lb made and sold.
1881 there were 120,000,000 lb made and sold.
1882 there were about 180,000,000 lb.
The record for 1883 is not yet made up, but will probably show a
corresponding increase.
In 1876 Mr. Glidden disposed of his half interest in the concern of
Glidden & Ellwood to the Washburn & Moen (wire) Manufacturing Company,
of Massachusetts, receiving therefor $60,000 in cash and a royalty on
the future goods manufactured, Mr. Ellwood retaining his interest. The
new concern began the purchase of prior unused and conflicting patents
involving itself in extensive litigation, but, sustained by the courts,
soon gained control of almost the entire barb-wire business of the
country. Nearly all wire-making companies are now running under license
from the parent concern. The following is a list of the licensees of
last year:
Pittsburg Hinge Co.--Limited, Beaver Falls, Pa.
H.B. Scutt & Co., Buffalo, N.Y.
Hawkeye Steel Barb Fence Co., Burlington, Iowa.
James Ayers and Alexander C. Decker, Bushnell, Ill.
Indiana Wire Fence Co., Crawfordsville, Ind.
Cedar Rapids Barb Wire Co., Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Cincinnati Barbed Wire Fence Co., Cincinnati, Ohio.
Cleveland Barb Fence Co., Cleveland, Ohio.
Ohio Steel Barb Fence Co., Cleveland, Ohio.
Edwin A. Beers & Co., Chicago, Ill.
Crandal Manufacturing Co., Chicago, Ill.
Chicago Galvanized Wire Fence Co., Chicago, Ill.
Lyman Manufacturing Co., Chicago, Ill.
Daniel S. Marsh, Chicago, Ill.
Oscar F. Moore, Chicago, Ill.
National Wire Co., Chicago, Ill.
Herman E. Schnabel, Chicago, Ill.
Aaron K. Stiles and John W. Calkins, Chicago, Ill.
Thorn Wire Hedge Co., Chicago, Ill.
Baker Manufacturing Co., Des Moines, Iowa.
Superior Barbed Wire Co., DeKalb, Ill.
Jacob Haish, DeKalb, Ill.
Frentress Barbed Wire Fence Co., East Dubuque, Ill.
Grinnell Manufacturing Co., Grinnell, Iowa.
Janesville Barb Wire Co., Janesville, Wis.
Iowa Barb Wire Co., Johnstown, Pa.
William J. Adam, Joliet, Ill.
Lock Stitch Fence Co., Joliet, Ill.
Lambert & Bishop Wire Fence Co., Joliet, Ill.
Alfred Van Fleet & A.H. Shreffler, Joliet, Ill.
David G. Wells, Joliet, Ill.
Southwestern Barb Wire Co., Lawrence, Kan.
Arthur H. Dale, Leland, Ill.
Union Barb Wire Co., Lee, Ill.
Lockport Wire Fence Co., Lockport, Ill.
Norton & DeWitt, Lockport, Ill.
Iowa Barb Steel Wire Fence Co., Marshaltown, Iowa.
Omaha Barb Wire Co., Omaha, Neb.
H.B. Scutt & Co.--Limited, Pittsburg, Pa.
Missouri Wire Fence Co., St. Louis, Mo.
St. Louis Wire Fence Co., St. Louis, Mo.
J.H. Lawrence & Co., Sterling, Ill.
North Western Barb Wire Co., Sterling, Ill.
Novelty Manufacturing Co., Sterling, Ill.
Sandwich Enterprise Co., Sandwich, Ill.
Robinson & Hallidie, San Francisco, Cal.
The Hazard Manufacturing Co., Wilkes Barre, Pa.
Worcester Barb Fence Co., Worcester, Mass.
* * * * *
When Glidden & Ellwood first began the sale of the Glidden fence, which
was confined to the vicinity of DeKalb, they received 25 cents per pound
for the barbed wire. Since then, as production has increased and the
facilities for manufacturing have been multiplied and perfected, the
price has gradually dropped, until now a farm can be well fenced for
forty-five cents, or less, per rod, and to the incalculable advantage of
the country over fencing by posts and boards, hedges or rails, as any
one may see by a simple dollar and cent comparison of materials at his
own door.
* * * * *
Barb-wire has done much for the city of DeKalb. It has built its fine
business blocks and residences, and it has peopled it with industrious,
thrifty citizens. It has made a home market for many of the products of
the country 'round about. It should give a new name, "Barb City," to the
bustling, busy town. There are three concerns now making barb-wire at
this point. The one spoken of is the largest. Next is that of Jacob
Haish, an extensive establishment, turning out an excellent wire, and
the Superior, run by Mr. Hiram Ellwood, Mr. Glidden having a
considerable interest in it.
* * * * *
Mr. I.L. Ellwood is the owner of some 2,600 acres of land in the
vicinity of DeKalb. Much of this land is naturally low and wet. The
proprietor, with his accustomed energy and intelligence, has set
vigorously to work to reclaim it. To this end he has already laid eighty
miles of tile. He last year expended nearly $15,000 in this work. His
poorest land is rapidly becoming his most productive. Mr. Ellwood has
also turned his attention somewhat to horse-breeding, and he is now the
owner of a fine stud of draft-horses, the equal of many better-known
establishments of the kind in the State. Of his drainage operations we
hope to speak more in detail in a future number.
* * * * *
Mr. Glidden told the writer that his first trial of his fence with stock
was not undertaken without some misgivings. But he thought to himself,
"It will stop them, at any rate, whether it kills them or not." So he
took down an old board fence from one side of his barn-yard, and towards
night when his stock came up, turned them into the yard as usual. The
first animal to investigate the almost invisible barrier to freedom was
a strong, heavy grade Durham cow. She walked along beside the wires for
a little put her nose out and touched a barb, withdrew it and took a
walk around the yard, approached the wires again and gave the barbs a
lap with her tongue. This settled the matter, and she retired, convinced
that the new-fangled fence was a success.
* * * * *
Barb-wire is now sent from this country to Mexico, South America, and
Australia. It is also being manufactured in England under American
auspices.
* * * * *
Mr. Glidden, associating with himself a Mr. Sanborn, a young man of push
and enterprise, has opened up an extensive cattle ranch in Potter and
Randall counties, Texas. They have fenced with wire a tract thirty miles
long by about fifteen miles broad, and have now upon it 14,000 head of
cattle. Two twisted No. 11 wires were used for this fence, and the posts
are the best that could be procured. The wire was taken 200 miles on
wagons. The total cost of the completed fence was about $36,000.
* * * * *
Messrs. Glidden & Ellwood put up the first barb-wire ever used by a
railway company--the Northwestern. So great was the caution of the
company that the manufacturers built it themselves, agreeing to remove
it if it proved unsatisfactory. The railway folks feared it would injure
stock, the damages for which they would be forced to pay. It is needless
to say that the fence was not removed. More than one hundred railway
companies are now using the Glidden wire, and it stretches along many
thousands of miles of track.
A RAMBLER'S LETTER.
I would like to call your attention to the fact that there is
considerable cholera among swine in Dewey township, Ill., west from
Joliet. Mr. Cooter lost about 130 hogs. Other farmers have suffered
equally.
I have been looking over the stock in this part of the country and find
it excellent, as a general thing. Many of the farmers are breeders of
fine Hereford cattle. They also own first-class horses. Some of them
whom I called upon would like to know the address of State Veterinary
Surgeon Dr. Paaren, and I should be pleased if you will give it in THE
PRAIRIE FARMER.[A] I have often thought, Why is it that so many sons of
wealthy farmers leave their homes for the purpose of either studying in
some classical college, to learn a trade, or to become book-keepers and
clerks in mercantile business. I think if farmers would take more
interest in agricultural papers, instead of having their children
fooling away their time on novels or comic stories and pictures, it
would be better for both old and young. Let the parents buy a microscope
and let the young folks examine insects and fungi of all kinds, and let
them write their experiences down in a book whenever there is leisure
time. Or let them write to THE PRAIRIE FARMER something in the line of
farming, be it agriculture, horticulture, or about raising and caring
for stock. In so doing the boys of our farming country will become proud
of their noble profession and of their homes. They will gradually be, as
every farmer should be, educated up to the times. There are few farmers
who can afford to let their sons study in an agricultural university,
but every one can surely afford to subscribe for an agricultural paper,
it being one of the most profitable investments for himself and family.
The ground is covered with snow to a small extent, and the roads are in
a fine condition. The crops are all good here except corn, which is very
poor indeed, even the crop in most cases is small. Farmers are not at
all satisfied, and times are not at all encouraging.
H.A.P. WEISSBERGER.
WILL CO., ILL.
[A] 355 Western Avenue (south), Chicago.
A FARMER'S LIBRARY.
As this is the season to make up our list of papers and magazines for
the ensuing year, I will take a glance around my own cosy room set apart
for a library.
It is here that I do the most of my reading, writing, and planning; and
although I pretend to be deeply engaged while ensconced in the large
willow rocker, strictly forbidding entrance to my farmer office, yet the
children and "Spot," my Gordon setter, will intrude, making things
lively for awhile, driving my thoughts wool-gathering and breaking many
a thread of thought that I had fondly hoped would place my name high on
the roll of scribblers. It is a good thing to have the little innocent
children and the dog to blame for these shortcomings, as they can not
take issue with us on the question.
But I started to talk about a farmer's library; and taking my own for a
small sample, let us see how it looks.
For the purpose of keeping my papers in order, I have prepared thin
laths of tough wood dressed with the draw knife to a thin edge, the back
being one fourth of an inch thick, leaving the lath one and a quarter
inch broad; these are cut in lengths to suit the paper they are intended
to hold. Take for instance THE PRAIRIE FARMER. I cut the lath just two
inches longer than the paper is long, then cut notches half of an inch
from each end, in which I tie the ends of a cord; this forms a loop to
hang up the file. In this I file each paper so soon as read, by which
means they are never lost or mislaid. When at the end of each three
months the papers are taken from off the file, the oldest number is laid
face down on a broad piece of plank and the number that follows laid
face down on the top of the first, then they are squared evenly and a
strong awl pierces three holes in the back edge through which a strong
twine string is laced and tied firmly; this finishes the job, and the
book thus simply and quickly made is placed on the shelf with its mates.
This done the file is returned to its hook to await the next number.
This is a simple plan for filing papers of any size, and any farmer can
do it, there being no expense or outlay for material. On glancing up
from the stand on which I am writing, the first objects that attract my
notice are my breach loader, cartridge belt, and game-bag hanging on the
wall; then by the side of the stove hangs the file of THE PRAIRIE
FARMER, within easy reach of my left hand; next it swings the
Country Gentleman, then comes the Forest and Stream, then Colman's Rural
World, then the Drainage Journal; next Harper's Weekly, then Harper's
Bazar. This is my wife's paper and she persists in hanging it among
mine. Then comes Harper's Monthly and the Century, not forgetting the
Sanitary Journal. On the other side of the room we find the Inter Ocean,
Democrat, and several other political papers fairly representing both
sides, also some standard books of valuable information; and last but
not least, the PRAIRIE FARMER Map which you sent for my club.
Now, this may be considered a pretty large outlay for a common farmer to
make, but outside of life insurance, I consider it my best investment.
In this selection I get the cream of all matters of practical importance
to the farmer. From THE PRAIRIE FARMER I get the latest and most
reliable information of the great central ruling markets of the West
Chicago, which has saved me sundry times from three to five cents per
bushel on wheat, sometimes paying the price of the paper twenty times
over in one transaction. From the C.G. I get the Eastern markets, while
Colman gives the St. Louis; and by a close study of the three a farmer
can always make enough to pay for twenty or thirty dollars worth of good
current literature for the use of his family. Then the F. and S. is
always full of delightful reading for the boys, refining their cruel
propensities, and teaching them to be kind to the feathered tribe which
are the farmer's friends. By reading it they soon lay aside their traps,
nets, and snares, with which they capture whole covies of the dear
little Bob-whites, and disdain to touch a feather, only when on the
wing, and then with their light, hammerless breach loader. Such reading
as that ties the farmer's boys to country life, and makes them contented
under the parental roof-tree until they are ready to build up homes of
their own. The Journal tells them all about tile making and drainage, a
very necessary accomplishment when they get their own homestead.
The pictures in H.W. furnish a fountain of amusement for the little
folks, and teach them--with a little help--many things that will be
useful to them in life. As a matter of course the "Bezar" is for mother
and the girls, and [***]
consultations [***]
before the fair, a [***]
daughters, your [***]
good when she insisted [***]
be put on the list.
A boy or a girl with [***]
the Century in their hands, [***]
room, with a bright clear lamp [***]
has no thought of city life, or [***]
In those bright pages the [***]
outer world painted in all its various [***]
so interesting and so fascinating [***]
have no desire to see it in reality; in [***]
they bring the brightest and best thought, [***]
historic, and romantic to our hearth and home; furnishing food for the
youthful minds, leaving no room for evil or discontented thoughts to
enter. Then I say to every farmer who has children, get the magazines
for them, they will save you a mountain of trouble.
Then to balance things have one or two spicy news papers, which picture
in horrid colors the blackest side of human life. This is necessary to
guard the young against the riff-raff of humanity, such as tramps,
sharpers, sewing machine and book agents, the lightning rod man, and a
dozen other sharp swindlers that prey on the farmer and his family for
an existence. The Sanitary Journal treats of health, purity, and
cleanliness, and ought to be read and studied by all. Ah, I had almost
forgotten THE PRAIRIE FARMER Map which hangs by the door. What can I say
about it? that it is a handsome ornament for a living room or library?
yes, but that is not all, it is useful. When it arrived I took it to the
railroad office and compared it with the best map they had, also with a
map made by the U.S. land office. I came away satisfied that it was
reliable; it ought to be in the home of every farmer in this great
country of ours, so that their children can learn and know what a grand
heritage they have got. There is no excuse for being without it, as a
few pounds of butter or dozens of eggs will procure it and a paper that
will gladden the hearts of both old and young.
ALEX ROSS.
CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO.
LET US BE SOCIABLE.
A happy new year to all of the readers of THE PRAIRIE FARMER, and may
your labors of 1884 be crowned with success. Mr. Granger, what are you
doing these long winter evenings? Can't you find time to write a few
lines to the readers of THE PRAIRIE FARMER? You can send a little report
from your county, at least. Come, let us be a little more sociable and
talk more to each other through the columns of our paper. We can learn
something by reading each other's views on different subjects. In my
next I shall try and tell some of the careless fellows how to run a farm
to make it pay. If I fail to give a little light on the subject perhaps
some one else will try it. We are having what you might call winter,
now. Snow is about six inches deep, but the weather is not very cold.
The thermometer has not been below zero but once. Nearly all of the corn
is gathered; only about one-third of the crop is sound enough to keep
until next summer. Farmers are feeding their soft corn to hogs and
cattle. In that way the soft corn will pay pretty well after all, for
fat stock brings a good price. Stock cattle are wintering well, for feed
in the fields is good, and most farmers have got plenty of good hay. The
weather was so nice the first part of this month that the farmers did a
large amount of plowing. Potatoes are plenty and cheap; worth from 30 to
40 cents. Apples are scarce, and good ones bring a big price. Butter is
worth from 25 to 30 cents.
S.O.A.
KNOX CO., ILL.
SEED CORN AGAIN.
There has been much complaint of soft corn in this section on account of
planting foreign seed last spring, but it is all solid since the late
cold spell.
Those who planted seed of their own raising and got a stand have fair
corn, while much of that which was raised from Kansas and Nebraska seed
was caught by the frost when in the milk. Now we will be in just the
same "fix" about seed next spring that we were last. This county has
lost thousands of dollars this year in the corn crop alone, all of which
might have been avoided by going through the fields before freezing
weather and selecting seed and properly drying it before it froze.
And now right here I want to say that the great secret of good farming
is simply being punctual in attending to the small matters, and I
"guess" Fanny Field would say the same about poultry.
Z.L. THOMPSON.
IROQUOIS CO., ILL.
* * * * *
REMEMBER _that $2.00 pays for_ THE PRAIRIE FARMER _from this
date to January 1, 1885; For $2.00 you get it for one year and a
copy of_ THE PRAIRIE FARMER COUNTY MAP OF THE UNITED STATES,
FREE! _This is the most liberal offer ever made by any first-class
weekly agricultural paper in this country._
* * * * *
FIELD AND FURROW.
Says the Iowa Register: One hundred bushels of corn will shrink to
ninety in the crib, and to an extent more than that, depending on the
openness of the crib and the honesty of the neighbors.
The agricultural editor of the New York Times says that no doubt many
farmers who are intending to underdrain their farms would save money by
employing an expert at the first to lay out the whole system and make a
good beginning, and so avoid any possible mistake, which might cost ten
dollars for every one paid for skilled advice.
The New York Times says that lime seems to be a preventive of rot in
potatoes in the cellar. Some potatoes that were rotting and were picked
out of a heap of forty or fifty bushels were put into a corner and well
dusted with air-slaked lime. They stopped rotting at once, and the
decayed parts are now dried up. There is no disagreeable smell about
them.
Cincinnati Gazette: It is remarked that when young hogs are fed mainly
on corn they stop growing at an early age and begin to grow fat; but
that green food makes them thriftier and larger than dry grain. In fact,
it is better to prevent all domestic animals from becoming very fat
until they have attained a fair natural size, particularly breeding
animals.
A member of the Elmira Farmers' Club recently expressed the opinion that
bad results would always be found with wheat sown on land into which the
green growth of any crop had just been turned, although it was believed
that buckwheat was the worst green manure. All green growth incorporated
with the soil near the time of seeding will in all cases be found
prejudicial to wheat.
It is announced that Robert Clarke, of Cincinnati will have ready, in
February, an extensive work on sorghum, containing the results of the
latest experiments and experience of the most successful growers, as to
the best varieties and their culture, and also the details of the latest
and best machinery used in the economical manufacture of sirups and
sugars therefrom. The work is by Prof. Peter Collier, whose name is a
guarantee of the value of the book. It will be very fully illustrated.
A Michigan man writes the Michigan Farmer: I have noticed tarred twine
and willows recommended for binding corn stalks. I think I can propose a
better substitute than either for those who are using a twine binder:
save the strings from straw stacks this winter. They are less trouble
than grass and never slip. Tie a knot in the end of the twine with your
knee on the bundle, then slip the other end through in the form of a
bow, take off your knee and the spring of the bundle will draw the knot
tight. Pull the bow and use again.
"Human labor," says Dr. Zellner, of Ashville, Ala., "is the most costly
factor that enters into the production of cotton, and every consistent
means should be adopted to dispense with it." And then the doctor, who
has the reputation of having raised some of the finest samples ever
grown in the South, describes how, by planting at proper distances, in
checks five by three apart, one-half of the after labor of cultivating
may be saved. About the same amount of plow work is said to be
necessary, but not more than one-fourth as much work with the hoe as is
required by cotton in drills.
Prof. J.W. Sanborn: "Deep tillage in times of drought of surface-rooted
crops, like corn, is an erroneous practice, founded on erroneous views.
'Plowing out corn' not only involves too deep tillage in drought but
adds to the mischief by severing the roots of corn, needed at such
times. Our double-shovel plows work too deeply. Our true policy, in
drought, for corn is frequent and shallow tillage. For this we now have
after the corn gets beyond the smoothing harrow, no suitable implement
on our markets, with a possible exception."
Correspondent New York Tribune: Of the use of oatmeal for cows mention
is not often made in this country; but when spoken of it is always with
praise. That it is better than corn meal there can be no doubt; it is
richer in both albuminoids and fat; and the usefulness of these two
nutriments, and especially the former, for making milk is shown not
only by the results of numerous careful experiments, but by the
acknowledged usefulness of oil-cake meal. Where this meal is used freely
there would be less use for oatmeal; but under some circumstances it
might be advantageously substituted for the bran in the favorite mixture
for cows of Indian meal and bran.
The following paragraph appears in an English cotemporary: The
introduction of a new industry connected with farming into Ireland will
be hailed by everybody, and therefore we rejoice to learn that a company
has been formed with the design of purchasing or renting nearly a
million and a quarter acres of land in Ireland, and devoting them to
beet culture, from which the sugar will be extracted in a manufactory
erected on the land. The promoters of the new company expect that from
the 120,000 acres which they propose cultivating they will produce
400,000 tons of sugar in the year. Immense quantities of sugar extracted
from the beet-root are manufactured on the continent and imported into
these countries, and there is no reason whatever why Ireland should not
have her finger in the sugar pie.
In a paper before the Oxford (Ohio) Farmers' Club, on the subject "The
Morality of the System of Grain Gambling," Mr. Wetmore said: There is a
difference between speculation and investment. Putting money into an
established industry is an investment. Putting it into a doubtful or
untried business, with the hope of gaining much or risk of losing all,
is speculation. The latter is infatuating as it increases the risk and
yet turns to profit. Investments pay no high per cents. Speculations may
pay much or lose all. Hence it is unsafe; and the farmer who makes his
gains only by a yearly turn of his crops, should not try speculation,
but may judiciously invest his surplus year by year in things of real
value, as land or chattels. Invest the last dollar, but speculate only
with loose change. No man can safely invest in a business with which he
is not familiar.
A lawful wire fence in Georgia is described by legislative enactment as
composed of not less than six horizontal strands of barbed wire tightly
stretched from post to post. The first wire no more than four and a half
nor less than three and a half inches from the ground; the second wire
not more than nine and a half nor less than eight and a half inches from
the ground; the third wire not more than fifteen and a half nor less
than fourteen and a half inches from the ground; the fourth wire not
more than twenty-two and a half nor less than twenty-one and a half
inches from the ground; the fifth wire not more than thirty-two nor less
than thirty-one inches from the ground; the sixth wire not over
fifty-five nor less than fifty-three inches from the ground. Posts to be
not over ten feet apart, and every alternate post to be securely set in
the ground. Provided, a plank not less than ten inches wide shall be
used instead of two strands of wire at bottom of fence, it is also
required that a railing shall be placed at equal distance between the
two top wires, which shall answer the same purpose as a wire, and to
extend from post to post in like manner.
Correspondent Country Gentleman: I notice that your journal recently
gave currency to the "saltpetre method" of extracting stumps, and W.H.
White also recommends it in your columns. His method is to bore a hole
in the stump in the fall of the year, fill in the hole with saltpetre,
plug up till the following summer, then fill the hole with kerosene and
fire the stump. It is alleged that the saltpetre and kerosene will so
saturate the stump that it will be entirely consumed, roots and all.
This recipe has been floating around the press for years. It is usually
credited to the Scientific American, but that paper has several times
denied its paternity. The uselessness of the process can easily be
learned by trial. There are few more inflammable substances than pitch
and turpentine. The roots of pine stumps are saturated with these, but
it is impossible to burn them out. The addition of saltpetre would not
help much. Yet there are seasons when the soil and air are so dry that
hard wood stumps may be burned out without either saltpetre or kerosene.
We had such a year in 1881, when corn and clover standing uncut in the
field were burned. In some instances the curbing was burned out of wells
during terrible forest fires that raged in Michigan. If tried in such a
season the recipe would undoubtedly be successful. In any ordinary
season it is "no good."
* * * * *
No matter how wretched a man may be, he is still a member of our common
species, and if he possesses any of the common specie his acquaintance
is worth having.
* * * * *
[Illustration]
FARM MACHINERY, Etc.
GREAT SAVING FOR FARMERS.
THE
Lightning
Hay Knife!
(WEYMOUTH'S PATENT.)
[Illustration]
Awarded "FIRST ORDER OF Merit" at Melbourne Exhibition, 1880.
Was awarded the FIRST PREMIUM at the International Exhibition in
Philadelphia, 1876, and accepted by the Judges as SUPERIOR TO ANY OTHER
KNIFE IN USE.
It is the BEST KNIFE in the _world_ to cut _fine feed_ from bale, to
cut down _mow_ or _stack_, to cut _corn-stalks_ for feed, to cut _peat_,
or for ditching in marshes, and has no equal for cutting ensilage from
the silo. TRY IT.
IT WILL PAY YOU.
Manufactured only by
HIRAM HOLT & CO., East Wilton, Me., U.S.A.
_For sale by Hardware Merchants and the trade generally_
* * * * *
SEDGWICK STEEL WIRE FENCE
[Illustration]
IT is the only general-purpose Wire Fence in use, being a STRONG NET
WORK WITHOUT BARBS. It will turn dogs, pigs, sheep and poultry, as well
as the most vicious stock, without injury to either fence or stock. It
is just the fence for farms, gardens stock ranges, and railroads, and
very neat for lawns, parks, school lots and cemeteries. Covered with
rustproof paint (or galvanized) it will last a life time. It is
SUPERIOR TO BOARDS or BARBED WIRE in every respect. We ask for it a
fair trial, knowing it will wear itself into favor. The SEDGWICK
GATES, made of wrought iron pipe and steel wire, DEFY ALL COMPETITION
in neatness, strength, and durability. We also make the best and
cheapest ALL IRON AUTOMATIC OR SELF-OPENING GATE, also CHEAPEST AND
NEATEST ALL IRON FENCE. BEST WIRE STRETCHER AND POST AUGER. For
prices and particulars ask hardware dealers, or address, mentioning
paper, SEDGWICK BROS. Manf'rs. Richmond. Ind.
* * * * *
[Illustration]
CHICAGO SCALE CO.
2 TON WAGON SCALE, $40. 3 TON, $50.
4 Ton $60, Beam Box Included.
240 lb. FARMER'S SCALE, $5.
The "Little Detective," 1/4 oz. to 25 lb. $3.
300 OTHER SIZES. Reduced PRICE LIST FREE.
FORGES, TOOLS, &c.
BEST FORGE MADE FOR LIGHT WORK, $10,
40 lb. Anvil and Kit of Tools. $10.
Farmers save time and money doing odd jobs.
Blowers, Anvils, Vices & Other Articles
AT LOWEST PRICES, WHOLESALE & RETAIL.
* * * * *
FIVE-TON WAGON SCALES $60
[Illustration]
All Iron and Steel, Double Brass Tare Beam. Jones _he_ pays the freight.
All sizes equally low, for free book, address
JONES OF BINGHAMTON,
Binghamton, N.Y.
* * * * *
[Illustration]
THE PROFIT FARM BOILER
is simple, perfect, and cheap; the BEST FEED COOKER; the only dumping
boiler; empties its kettle in a minute. OVER 5,000 IN USE; Cook your
corn and potatoes, and save one-half the cost of pork. Send for circular.
D.R. SPERRY & CO., Batavia, Illinois.
* * * * *
FARM IMPLEMENTS, Etc.
THE CHICAGO DOUBLE HAY AND STRAW PRESS
[Illustration]
Guaranteed to load more Hay or Straw in a box car than any other, and
bale at a less cost per ton. Send for circular and price list.
Manufactured by the Chicago Hay Press Co., Nos. 3354 to 3358 State St.,
Chicago. Take cable car to factory. Mention this paper.
* * * * *
Sawing Made Easy
Monarch Lightning Sawing Machine!
Sent on 30 Days test Trial.
A Great Saving of Labor & Money.
[Illustration]
A boy 16 years old can saw logs FAST and EASY. MILES MURRAY, Portage,
Mich. writes, "Am much pleased with the MONARCH LIGHTNING SAWING
MACHINE. I sawed off a 30-inch log in 2 minutes." For sawing logs into
suitable lengths for family stove-wood, and all sorts of log-cutting, it
is peerless and unrivaled. Illustrated Catalogue, FREE. AGENTS WANTED.
Mention this paper. Address MONARCH MANUFACTURING CO., 163 N. Randolph
St., Chicago, Ill.
* * * * *
BEST MARKET PEAR.
[Illustration: KIEFFER]
99,999 PEACH TREES All _best varieties_ of new and old Strawberries,
Currants, Grapes, Raspberries, etc.
EARLY CLUSTER
New Blackberry, early, hardy, good. Single hill yielded 13 quarts at
one picking. Send for FREE Catalogue.
J.S. COLLINS, Moorestown, N.J.
* * * * *
CHAMPION BALING PRESSES.
[Illustration]
A Ton per Hour. Run by two men and one team. Loads 10 to 15 tons in car.
Send for descriptive circular with prices, to GEHRT & CO., 216, 218
and 220 Maine St., Quincy, Ill.
* * * * *
"THE BEST IS THE CHEAPEST."
ENGINES
SAW MILLS, THRESHERS,
HORSE POWERS,
(For all sections and purposes.) Write for FREE Pamphlet and Prices to
The Aultman & Taylor Co., Mansfield, Ohio.
* * * * *
NOW READY FOR DISTRIBUTION.
VOLUMES ONE AND TWO
OF THE
NATIONAL REGISTER NORMAN HORSES
The most reliable, concise, and exhaustive history of the horse in
general, and by far the most complete and authentic one of the Norman
horse in particular, ever published in the United States.
PRICES:
Volume I.........................................$ 2.00
Volume II........................................ 1.50
When the two volumes are sent in one package to one address, $3.00.
Sent, postpaid, on receipt of price.
Address your orders to
PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING CO., Chicago
* * * * *
THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR.
CONTAINING Practical Observations on the Causes Nature and Treatment of
Diseases and Lameness in Horses, by GEO. H. DADD, M.D. Will be
sent upon receipt of price, $1.50; or free to any sender of three
subscribers to this paper, at $2 each, by
PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING CO., Chicago.
* * * * *
MISCELLANEOUS.
DIAMONDS FREE!
We desire to make the circulation of our paper 250,000 during the next
six months. To accomplish which we will give absolutely free a genuine
FIRST WATER Diamond Ring, and the Home Companion for one year, for
only $2.00. Our reasons for making this unprecedented offer are as
follows;
A newspaper with 200,000 subscribers can get 1c. per line per 1,000 of
circulation for its advertising space, or $5,000 per issue MORE than
it costs to produce and mail the paper. With but 10,000 or 20,000
subscribers, its advertising revenues do not pay expenses. Only the
papers with mammoth circulations make fortunes for their owners,
DERIVED FROM ADVERTISING SPACE. For these and other reasons, we regard
100,000 subscribers as being of more financial benefit to a paper than
the paper is to the subscribers. With 100,000 or 200,000 bona-fide
subscribers, we make $100,000 to $200,000 a year clear profit from
advertising, above cost of publishing. Without a large circulation, we
would lose money. Therefore, to secure a very large circulation, and
thus receive high rates and large profits from advertising space, this
ONLY EQUITABLE plan of conducting business is adopted.
THE FIRST QUESTION TO BE ANSWERED IS,--is the diamond pure--a genuine
stone?
OUR ANSWER IS YES.
The stone is GUARANTEED to be no Alaska Diamond, Rhine Pebble, or other
imitation, but a
WARRANTED GENUINE AND PURE DIAMOND.
If it is not found so by the most careful and searching tests, we will
refund the money, enter the subscriber's name on our list, and have the
paper mailed to him free during its existence. To the publisher of this
paper has been sent a guarantee from the manufacturing Jeweler, from
whom we obtain these rings, that they are just as represented, so that
readers may rely upon the promises being fulfilled to the letter.
The second question is, IS THE PAPER A DESIRABLE FAMILY JOURNAL? YES.
It contains contributions from the first writers of the times: fiction,
choice facts, intellectual food of the most interesting, instructive and
refined character. It is one of the
LEADING PAPERS OF THE PROGRESSIVE WEST.