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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.
* * * * *