Title: Quarterly report of the Pennsylvania Board of

Agriculture, no. 53

Place of Publication: Harrisburg, Pa.

Copyright Date: 1894

Master Negative Storage Number: MNS# PSt SNPaAg018.7

FIFTV-TllIRI) OUARTKKIvY REPORT

OF TIIK

PennsylvaniaStateBoardofAgriculture

i'OlJ TUJi; YEAll ISDI

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Mkmbkks Ex-Okficio.

Hon. Robert E. Pattison, Governor.

Hon. T. J. vStewart, Secretary of Inter mil Affairs.

Dr. N. C. SchaefTer, Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Gen. D. McM. Gregg, Auditor Ge?ieraL

Dr. G. W. Atlierton, President Pennsylvania State College.

T. J. Edge, Secretary.

Appointed by the GovkrncjR.

Term '■x^tiri's.

Hon. S. R. Downing, Goslienville, Chester county, 1895

Hon. Will B. Powell, Shadeland, Crawford county, 1896

Col. James Young, Middletown, Dauphin county, 1897

Elected by County Agricultural Societies.

Term expires.

Adams, - I. Garretson, Biglerville, 1897

Allegheny, W. H. McCullough, Tarentum, 1897

Armstrong, D. W. Jvawson, Dayton, 1896

Beaver, E. 6. Weyand, Beaver, 1896

-^Bedford, S. S. Diehl, Bedford, 1897

^ Berks, G. D. Stitzel, Reading, 1895

Bradford, Louis Piollet, Wysox, 1895

V Blair, Fred'k Jaekel, Hollidaysburg, 1895

Bucks, E. Reeder, New Hope, 1896

.Butler, W. II. II. Riddle, Butler...... 1897

^ Cambria, J. J. Thomas Carrolltown, 1895

Centre, John A. Woodward, Howard, 1897

. Chester, J. P. Edge...... Downingtown, 1896

Clarion, W. Shanafelt, Brinkertou, 1895

Clearfield, J. Blair Read, Clearfield, 1S97

- Clinton, J. A. Ilerr, Cedar Springs, 1S96

Columbia, Chandlee Eves, Millville, 1S97

Crawford, Luther Gates, Beaver Center, 1895

Cumberland, Charles II. Mullin, Mt. Holly Springs, 1897

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2 Pennsylvania State Board of Agrk ultuke.

Ti-rin e.rinres.

Dauphin, G. Hiester, Harrisburg, 1897

Erie, A. L. Wales, Corry, 1895

Fayette, G. Hopwood, Uniontowii, 1S97

Franklin, D. Z. Shook, Greencastle, ^ 1896

, Fulton, D. H. Patterson, Webster Mills, 1895

Greene, B. F. Ilerrington, Waynesburg, 1895

Huntingdon, G. G. Hutchinson, Warrior's Mark, 1897

Indiana, N. Seanor, Pluniville, 1895

Jefferson, J. McCracken, Jr., Frostburg, 1896

Juniata, Matthew Rodgers, Mexico, 1897

Lackawanna, A. C. Sisson, I^a Plume, 1897

Lancaster, C. Cooper, Bird-in-Hand, 1895

Lawrence, J. B. Johnston, New Wilmington, 1897

Lebanon, C. R. Lantz, Lebanon, 1894

-Lehigh, - J. P. Barnes, Allentown, 1897

Lu/erne, W. P. Kirkendall, Dallas, 1896

Lycoming, A. Prague, Picture Rocks, 1897

Mercer, Robert McKee, Mercer, 1896

Mifilin,* J. B. vShannon, Lewistown, 1895

Mifflin, M. M. Naginey, Milroy, 1895

Monroe, Randall Bisbing, Minsi, 1896

Montgomery, Jason Sexton, Springhouse, 1896

Montour, T. L. Clapp, Limestoneville, 1895

Northampton, B. B. McClure, Bath, 1897

Northumberland,. John Hoffa, Milton, 1896

Perry, f F. M. McKeehan, Ferguson, 1897

Perry, D. Kistler, Kistler, 1895

Potter, W. A. Gardner, Andrew's Settlement, ....1897

Snyder, E. W. Toole, Freeburg, 1897

*^ vSomerset, N. B. Critchfield, Jenner's X Roads, 1895

Sullivan, D. T. Huckell, Forksville, 1897

" Susquehanna, R. S. Searle, Montrose, 1895

Tioga, 1'. D. Rexford, Mansfield, 1896

'^ Union, J. A. Gundy, Lewisburg, 1896

V Venango, Porter Phipps, Kennerdell, 1895

» Warren, Charles Lott, Warren, 1895

w Washington, John McDowell, Washington, 1896

- Wayne, N. F. TTnderwood, Lake Conio 1895

Westmoreland, W. C. Sloan, Sloan, 1895

Wyoming, N. G. Bunnell, Vosburg, 1894

York, W. S. Roland, York, 1895

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* Resigned.

t Deceased, March 25, 18H4.

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(JUAKTEKLY KePOKT.

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OFFICIAL LIST.

Dr. John P. Edge,

Hon. R. E. Pattison,
Geo. Hopwood,
C. Cooper,

James McCracken, Jr.

G. Hiester,
W. C. Sloan,

C. Cooper,

G. Hiester.

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Preszde?iL
Hon. Robert E. Pattison, Governor.

Vice Presidents.
N. B. Critchfield,

Executive Committee.

B. B. McClure,
J. McDowell,
Joel A. Herr.
Thomas J. Edge, Secretary.

Advisory Committee.

Joel A. Herr,

ThouKis J. P^lge, Secretary.

Secretary.
Thomas J. Edge, Harrisburg.

Botanist.
Thos. Meehan, Geriiiantown.

Pomoiogist.
Cyrus T. P'ox, Reading.

Chemist.
Dr. Wm. Frear, State College.

Veterinary Surgeon.
Dr. F. Bridge, Philadelphia.

Sanitarian.
Dr. G. G. Groff, Lewisburg.

Microscopists and Ilygicfiists.
Dr. H. Leffmann, Philadelphia, Prof. C. B. Cochran, West Chester.

Putotnotogists.
Prof. R. C. Schiedt, Lancaster, Dr. H. Skinner, Philadelphia.

Ornithologist. •
Dr. B. H. Warren, West Chester.

Small Fruit Culturist.
Prof. S. B. Heiges, Washington, D. C.

Me tear o lo gists .

J. L. Heacock, Quakertown, Maj. Frank Ridgvvay, Harrisburg.

Min e ra log is t .
Joseph Wilcox, Philadelphia.

Apiarist.
Dr. G. G. Groff, Lewisburg.

Geologist.
Prof. J. P. Lesley, Philadelphia.

Stenograp her.
Joseph V. Cumniings, Sunbury,

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^ .TTA <^'vx'iv Board of Agriculture

Pennsylvania brAiL i>oiVKi^

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Quarterly Kkport.

STANDING COMMlTTEES-1894.

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LEOlSr^ATlON.

N . B. CritohlkM, Chairman, J. L "J^lJ'^Xara,
H. II. Wiirrcii, J*

D. H. rattursoii.

VO R ESTS ^ N D I'^O.K HST R Y .

Dr. W. b. KOiaim, «^ ^, Umlerwood,

Dr. |. T. RolhrcK'k • p,,ucrsoii.

I'rof. Thouuis Mecluiii, i^- al

CKRKAIyvS.

David H. lU-aiisoii, J^ ^. Hulrliinsoii.

J. B. Johnston,

Wool, AND Thxtilk Fibers.

11 rhnirunin Thomas Dohiii,

John McDowell, Chainnan, ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^

Will B. rowcll, ^ J, lleiKcs,

James YoiuiK, Tames S. McKeaii,

J.A. Herr, a. C. Sisson.

Chill Ha/./ard,

BlRIXS AND MAMMAL,vS.

K. W. Toole,
Frank N. Moore,

John McDowell,
Noah Seanor,

J. Blair Read,
Matthew Rogers,

Julins LeMoyne,
J. S. Bnchanan,
W. W. Hunter,

Randall Bisbing,

N. B. Critchheld,
J. J. Thomas,

F M. McKeehan, Chairman,
Dr. (>. O. Oroff,
Calvin Cooper,
N. F. Underwood,

Abner Fague,
B. B. McClure.

AriARY.

Geo. D. vStitzel,
I. Oarretson,
John lloffa,
N. B. Critchfield,

Roads and Road Laws.

• , rhnivman Dr. T. F- Barnes,
Sanuicl K. l^ovvuiuj^, George Ilc^^wooa,

Calvin Cooper, ^ ^^^ ^^ jj^^r,

J. A. (Umdy, \, 13 Rexford,

N F Underwood,

Fruit and Fruit Culture.

J. A. Gundy,
vS. R. i:)owning,
J. A. lUrr,

A. L. Wales,

B. B. McClure,
J.A. Woodward,
J. Blair Read.

Geo. Hopwood, Chairman,
Cyrus T. hox,
vS. B. Heiges,
Calvin Cooper,
J. A. Herr,

Ensilage and Fodder Crops

H. C. vSnavely,
Casper Hiller,
W. C. Sloan,
E. B. iCntjle,
Fred Jack el,

^ 1^. Wales, Chairman.
Jason Sexton,
Louis Piolett.

J. A. Gundy, Chairman,
George Corson,
II. L. Holmes,
J. t. Ailin'iii-

G. Iliester,
B. B. McClure,

Poultry.

John Iloffa,
PMward Hickman,
Mrs. K. S. Starr,

J. Pv. Jamison,
E. A. lirinser,
A. C. Sisson,
G. Hiester,
D. Z. Shook.

I. Garretson,
J. A. Gundy,

I^ V. Herringlon,
William IC Milkr,
D. B. Ksh

EXTRACTS FROM FARMERS' INSTITUTE

ESSAYS.=^-

Agriculture and Ivducation.

Sciriitilic fnrnici's h:iV(^ Ikh^i suLjcctcMl to luncb cnlicisni, bnl crili
cisius \\vr (nilv lli(' jMirifvin,!; forces bv wbicb i<b'as arc ivikIchmI (dear
anil iK)lcul, so thai i>ro,uiH\^s iHM-oincs possildc.

A scieiUitic fanner can rcacb (be same, yes, iKdIer resnlis wiib less
bibor tbaii an nnedncaNnl man wilb nioiv labor; be knows wbal SK>il
is best adapled to Ibe cnllivalion ol' (liireivni Idnds of j^rain aiul will
aclii(»ve Xh^Ww resnlis I'roni bis knowbMl<;'e of cbeniislry. We know
ilial ai^ricnl(ni'(^ is lb<^ basis of all weallb, ])ros]M'rity ami bixiiry. Tlu*
(d(! w/n- of farming; was a mislake. Kverytbin- was done Die wronjj:
wav. It was all work and wastes want and w<^ariness. In Ibose
davs, wbeii i)eople lived on corn and bacon, and wb(^n cookini; was an
unkilown art, (Nilin-; was a necessity— not. a pb 'a snr<\

Tlndr b(vdies ^rew coarse, tln^ir minds insipid, Ibeir labors were re-
warib'd only by wearini^ss of body and vexalion of sjdrit.

Tbe ])rosj>erons farnuM's of tod,ay bave n»a(died Hudr i>r(ssenl <le|;»'<'^'
of excellency by vij^ilant care and skill. Tliey ar(^ z(^\l(nis in Ibe at-
lainmiMil of Ibeir objeets,and Ibe impi-oT(^]nents tbeyare niakinj;' ar(»
not (oilv important, bnt iMM-manenl, laslinj;-. Tbe yonlbs slronld 1m*
cdncalcMl lo tbe practical Irntbs ev(dved fnvm llndr exiw'ri<*nce, and
taniAbt, tliat, it is no dis-raci^ to till tbe soil. TIhmv is intlnence <Mna-
na.liim- fi'om association wilb natni-e tbal is iMinublin-- in its tendency,
and Ibev who work in litis ureal laboratory of natinv are rui-nisiied
wilb niat<M'ial f'ni- jH-id'eniid Ibon-bt. — i^//«y'^ E^^^icllc Va7i Soyac, ) ork

TiiK Fknck Laws.

The fence biws of 1700 and ITSl were ennct<Ml wben if was much
<^asi<-r to f<Mi<-(^ tbe f<^w ;;Tain tirlds than lo restrain liw st<Hdv
wilbin «'n(b)snres. an<l bence these laws natnrally placed llie <lnty of
fcMicin^- ujmhi Ibe <»wners of lb<' croi»s and permilt<'d llic liv<- sto( k i<»
ranjL^'e al will (►v^'r Ibe nnimjM-nxcd (leai'ed fields and woHHlland. '1'1'<'
law of 170(» made il obli<^al<H'y Ihat Ibe low<'r i-ails sbnnld be wilbin
live iiK lies of the ^rtmnd, and Ibe npper rails be placed al certain dis-

* Tlie spare aUho roinmand of tho Hoard precludes tl.o publication of all institute es««a>y» entire; tlie Secr(>-
tary has, therefore, taken this plan of securinj? reco?nitiou for the ^'reiitest possible number of those who have
kindly assistid at itiMilutes with essays. The extracts have been made as extensive as possible under the <ir-
cumstauces. It is regretted that much valuable matter now on hand cannot be used. -Secretary.

6

Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

liinces i\\rAvi. T>y 1784 the five-inck liinii. had hocomo tronl:)l<^some
and live k^^^al dist'anc<' of thi' h)vver rail from tlu^ j^muiid was iucreasi'd
to nine iuclK^B. This distance was pivserved in the k^^-al f(mee of our
State until tlu^ Liw was repeak^d, within a few years.

Since ITOO and 17S4 the rekitive status of the live stock owner and
the owner of the grain crops lias been greatly change<l, and it became
mucli less exiKiiisive io restrain the live istock than lo prot(H!t the
crops, and hence, the feiding in favor of the reptnil of thc^ old f<^nce
laws gi-adnally incr(\nsed in force until a iweut Legislature repealed
tliem entirely, leaving us without any law determining what an out-
side or road tenci^ should be, making it optioual with (^ach lan<l owner
whether he would maintain an outside fence or not.

To I'educf^ the com[Karisou of the two •systems to the shortest ]X)!S-
sible space consistcmt willi correctness, we might state that und<'r the
fence laws of 1700 and 1784, the owner of crops fenced them to kee})
live stx)ck out, but that undin- the present system everyone fences for
the purpose of resti-aining his own stock, and not for tke purpose of
laN']>ing out that of his neighbor; or, in other words, the laws of 1700
and 1784, as compared with th(^ fcmce legislati(m of the yu-eseiit day,
have th<^ positions exactly reversed.

The rejH'al of the Acts of 1700 and 1784 have produccnl sonn^ uncer-
tainty in the minds of farnu^rs as to the exactt legal status of line or
division fences, many sui>posing that IxM-ause the laws relating to out-
side or roa<l fences have bwn repc^ikMl, the line oi- division fences fol-
low them. This theory is incorit-ct, because- line fem^es ai^ governed
rJtogc^her by the Act of 1842, which was in no way all'ected by the
repeal of the Acts of 1700 and 1784, The law as to fenc(^s betwec^n
neighbors has not Ix'cm changed in any way, and all owners of "im-
IjroviMV land aw bound by law to maintain thc^ir share of the line

f eiH*es.

The Act of 1842 mak<\s the auditors of each townshii> the fence
viewers of the township, and if a :aan is at any time dissatisfied with
his neighbor's line fence, he has but to ai>ply io th(^ township auditors
and they must view the fence, and if, in their judgm<^nt, it is not a
good and sutlicient fence, they may notify his neighbor to make it
good within a c(>rfain time, and if he fails to do so they may employ
some one to maki^ a, i>rop(^r f(-nc(^ and charge the neighbor with the

cost thei*eof.

A case receutlv decided in tke Ckester county courts fully affirms
tke standing <.f tlie Act of 1842, and it makes it bin<ling between neigh-
bors and adjoining land owners, and oIIkm- d(H-isions have confirmed
this view of* the case.— 7^'^^;;/^^/. /^V^^, Secretary, Harrisburfr^ Pa,

Pleasures of Farm Like.

Knral occuj>ati<m leads a man fortk among scenc^s of grandeur and
beauty; it leaves him to the workings of his own mind, opcM-ated niM>n
by the purest and most idc^vating of external intluenc^es.

A more ind<'p(Mulent, industiious, self-reliant class of people is not
to be found on tke fac(» of any inhabitcnl planet.

Quarterly Report. 7

Farm life is alwa^'s associate<l with early rising; and what can be
more exhilarating tlian to arise on a briglit. summer morning at the
call of the bird of dawning, calknl also Ohant.icleer, but more com-
moidy '^rooster,'' to rise at kis clarioii voice, pass out into t lu^ bracing air,
watch the ever-changing color of Ohl Sol, as lie keralds a new day,
listen to tke tinkle of llie bell as it lloats sweetly from tke kerd graz-
ing in tke far-olY held, watck tke mists as tkey rise fiHun lowland to
sky, watck tke sparkle of tke diamond dew-drops, listi^n to natui*e's
choir as its Resonance comes from the wood, and be soothed bv the
ri[>}>ling and purling of the brook as it glides onward — in all this tkere
is a pleasure unknoNN n in any other vocation in life.

Thai musi<*al whistle of the plow-boy will ring in eai'S so long as
<»artli remains. Then, at eventid<^, when the day is done, the same*
sccMie j»asses in revin-se orde^' and sootlies to rt^st an<l sbnnber, as it
awoke to action, duty and pk^asur<^ Duty, work and action is a
pleasure to every ligkt-tkinking p(»rson,but ten-fold is it a pleasure when
'Surround(Mi by scenes suck as greet tke farmer. But you will say,
^'You kave painted only a summer scene; wait until winter, and the
conditions will be revi^'WHl." (iranted; but in winter, the farmer has
his ph^asurc as W(41 as in sumnuM*. — Miss Jennie Brugh, Trent, Pa.

Formation and Cark of Manure.

I have a stable tkat Indds 50 kead of cows, with a manure pit under
th(» wlvok^ length of tln^ stable, two and one-half feet deep and two
and one-half fe-(^t wide, cemented, so as to hold the li(iuid as well as
the solid manur(\ Tln^ pits are covered with a steel grat ing, on which
tin.* cows stand.

Tkesc* pits will hold the? manure, both litpiid and solid, of alniut two
weeks'make. You will say that this plan will make an offensive odor
in tlu^ stable, it will; but you c^an easily overcount that by the use of
four (juarts of land |>last<M', night and morning, which also adds to the
value Off the fertilize^'.

The advantagH's of this system of stabling are many:

I^^irst, It keeps your stock clean ami diy witkout: bedding.

S(M*ond, It re(piii\?s but little labor to keep tke stabler dry and
clean.

Tkird, l>y this system you save all of the manure, both liquid and
solid, wiiich is tlu^ most important ]>art in this pTOblem.

And lastly, by tkis system of stabling, in connection witk an im-
proviNl ni.inuiN^ s]U'(\ader wagon, you get your manure hauled out
and s[)read in the winter, and ccmsequmtly you save tin* valuabh' time
of sunimei*, which nn^st farmers take for tkis work, and also g<'t, a
retuiMi from the manure the year it is made, which is an innnu'tant
it<Mn. I think a combined manun* wagon and s]vr(sid<T is an econom-
ical iuMsstment, as it .sav(^s a great d<*al of ha id lalK)r and time in
s]>re;iding, and b{\sides, it distributes it evenly ov<m* liic ground, so tkat
all \\\i^ plants receive IxMiefit. — B, C. Mitchell^ Brandaniore, Pa,.

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Pennsylvania State Board of Ar.RicuT.TUKK

Winter Dairying.

Winter (iMiiTini;', mH Hiinjis coiisidcicd, is by fiir tli<' im..sI desiiMhk',
as ^^.•ll as tlu^ most pnililablr sysirn. of (l.iini'«Ji; ''' '.►>;';;'■ f'> *^"C-
.•p(m1 ».'l(H-t none lull llu' l'<'sl (ows that y<Hi can (hhI, (-(hI (l.cin suit-
,,,,1,.' rations in lilM-ral .,>imiiI ilics, water tli.Hi n-nlaily. .ouse tl.em
.•aniforlal.iv, treat, tl.rn. in a |.i(.|.ei- mannvr, milk i-ej^nlariv, keep llie
slahLvs elean. and y<Hi will lind llie Imsimt^s a |.rolilal.le one.

Ti.e eows for li.e winter dairy sl.oul.l all be fivsh .n Se,,tea>ber and
()et<d)er r.v this arran-(Mnenl, there will be bat 111 lie nulkiii- to k>
,1,,,,,. i„ ihoAe two months, as the ealvcs will milk lln- e.nvs ••hielly.
This is an im|K.rianl eonsideration l«-eans(M)f the faet that, these two
na.nlhs aiv usually busy ones for the farmer.

The advanlat'vs of llu^ winter dairy over tin- siunmer dairy may be
slated as follows: 1. It interferes h-ss with the -eneral tarm work.
Fmm llu. lirst .d- September until the lirsl of .Mareli, th.> e<Hni,ion
f„rm help .an att,^nd lo ihe dairy wilhonl, seeiiih.j; any <-xtra he l».
» TUr ealves will briiii-- m.ieh higher i.ri.M^s than those drop|.ed m the
^nrin-- bv fiillv tw.^ntvtive iM-r eent. :{. The cows will prodiu.- milk
l',,"..; than those of -th,. summer dairy. 4. 'Hie winter dairy cow is
fmsh twie,. in (he v.'ar: first in S..pleiiiber, then aj-aiu wlieii she -eh,
into pastniv. .-.. The w inter dairy cow, if proi>erly cared for, will milk

oiv\-,-uularlv than the summer eow. when the 1 le.. are ('''^"^'■•'■►"Y
and th.' h.'at is Jiieat. C. Th.- milk, fr.M.i S..pt.',nb..r nulil Apiil,

r ni hiuh.-r pri.-T-s than from .-\,ail until O-tob... .. The manure

•Mln.-ed bv h .•hlv f.'d .-ows duriiij; the winter will vry n.-arly pay
frih.- in-ain f':d,iul.liuf.- so mn.h m..re to th,- f,.-tility of the soil.-
/acod Rodcnbauirh, Lewisburg, Pa.

Gambling at County Fairs.

Cnlhleii.-.' in.-n, who liv.- by th.-ir wits, at the .-xi><'"**<"''' '^l'"'''"'
base th.-ir ..p.-rations ui-on ih.- .npi.lily of m.-n that I.nhIs Ihem b. a.-
nnire ^^mds or pr..|M.rly witlmnl ^■ivin^' a full ..lu val.M.t l.u- llu- sam.-^
Wh.-n anv o.m- proposes a. s.h.-me for su.i.l.-n j^r.-at pr.dit an. ,.romise.s
that, for a small sum paid his trust w.vkly he will iv.nrn - 'M,bi.> he
amount in tiv.- or six y.-ars, he may saf.dy be s^d .l..wn as a Iran. I thai
means to ch.^at von. or ninst cheat, «ome om- els.' to mak.' his pronus^^s
tf.MMl. .\nd T h'ear that on.- or two su.h .•on.-ern« are WiH-kiny up
Chester conntv at th.' |>r.'seiil tim.'. ,. , „

" Theiv is n.;saf<'tv in any lolt.M-y or oand.lin- op..rati.ms, however
<,peulv .u- fairly caiih'.! on; n.-arly all .d' th.-m an- <lea.l sure aiiamsf
the ffi'.-enhorn wh<) v.nl ur.-s his m.uiey on tli.-m.

In the simid.- 1ittl.- jjame .d' ihiiubleri.u. so inn.H-.-nl m ai>p.-arance,
the eve of the bov is <l(-ceiv.-d. lb- wal.h.-s the -am.-. s.'es th.- luih-
i„1<erpass under 'the .-d-e of on.- of tin- thimbh-s. A istranf,'.-r by his
Sid,, bl-ts that h.- .an tell under whicdi cup it is, lifts th.- .-up, w ins h.-
stake and walks away. A^ain the boy s<h>s the joker pass und.-r th.-
,,,,.,. „,- „„- cup in the saim- way, and. thinking h,- has a sure Hunt,',
venliir.-s his .lobar, but on raising- his .up it is not th.-r.-, au.l h.- walks

QUAKTEKLY RePOKT. 9

awa.N a wis.-r boy. 1!.- does iiol know Ihat Ihe siraiifi'.-r w.is but a
sl.iol |)ifiei)ii lo draw him on, uul.-ss h.- may lal.-r s.-i- llial !.;ambl.-r
and st.Md |H<;<-on lunc chan.i;.--d .K-.-u]>alioiis, and Hit- birm.-r is winniiij;
his ni.iney ba.k aj^ain.

A year or two aj^o I was at a ra.iu;;' fair held at one .)f Ihe small
towns of this .•.Minly. Six jiamblin;; tables, .u- jjames .>f chan..-, w.-r.-
beiiif^ run, ;iii.l nianv dollars wen- bi-iii" liansf.'rr.-d from Ihe .•()uiilr\-
iiicirs jHH'krls to (liosc of ilic «;ainl)lri"S.

!n (Mic casis hv a rounii calculaiion, tlu' chaiiccs in favor of iii'
^aiiihlcr \v(T(Nihoiit aw iivo tooiHs in auoOier, say ten toono; ina Ihird,
piM-liaj^s a ImiHli'iNl lo oiio, \>liilst in Ihr (Hln^r llirco llic professional
Jiad a suro lliin*^ vwvy tinio.

.\1I wci'o worked sncccssfnllx ]>y ]ia\in.u slool pi,i;tMvns lo cntico llie
nnwaiT. — Alfred SJiarpkss, West Chester, Pa,

Look on thk Bkkwit Side.

Looking- abonl us npon llie;;i\'al world of naUiieiu wliii-k iuti^-niin^U^
all tlieeiH'alun\sof an all-wise ('r<*aloi', w(* ol)Serv<^ <'V<'rylliin,<4 Ihat is
g(X)d ami l)eanlifnl in ai>jH'aian(H'. Kvervthiii^' thai is liarnionions and
wondei'fnl in its ohe^lii-nci^ to Ihe laws of natnre seiMns lo sav to us,
^'Ivook nj)on tin* bi'i;;lu side/' iJelicjId llie grass as it sIkhHs forth frcnn
its frosty ImmI as so<ni as winter disappisirs, and tin* trees as th(\\ push
forth IImmi* huds and leavers npon th<' first aj)|>earance of spring, and
llu' lillle birds as I hey checrfnlly sing in every snnshinc, regardle^ss of
tlieir (^xperie-uci^ in the slorin that lias just gone over. All U-acli us to
forget the s()rn>vvs and dinicuUies of the past, aud lo look njKm lln^
bright side of tlie present and fulni-e.

Of all animal creation, there is mnu' so ]HM)ne to boi*row Ironble and
create a gloomy sid<' lo the gre^al pictnre of life as is maid^ind. The
most <devaled of (Jod's creatni'es, endowed witli superior facnllies,
aiul assigui'd the high jnisition oecn[ne(l by man, it is unkind and dis-
loyal in us lo alh^w ourselves lo be overcome and discouraged by Ihe
little trials and ditrKiillies which iiav(^ been put in uui- wa\ onlv to

I « «

t<^st our abilili(\s and strengthen us for greater woik lo couk*. Y(^t,
1h>w often do we find ourselves Ihoughllessly yielding to (►ppri'ssivi' in-
thi(*nc(^s which, when nurluix'd, seiMii to sluiK'^fy our brighter scMise^isi
and shut out the line light of r(\"ison which can attach Ihe silvi'r
lining to the <larkest (doud, and turn the dark<'sl picture (d' sori'ow
and misforlun<' into a beautiful scene of wisdom and kindness when
we ha v(0(^a rued lo ''look u|M)n IIk^ bright side/'

How many a true and lo\ing mother has alm(>st fainted awav as
sill' iook<'d upon the lifeless form of hei- dear lilMe child; and a
momeiil, later, smiled thi'ough l<*ars of jo\ when she icmembiM'ed Ih.il
its can\s and sorn>vvs w(mn^ ov<'r and it was safe wiiliin the haven
wlu're tin* storms of life could never come.

How many a heroic woiinni has fallen unconschvus to the th>oT' when
sIh* iHH-eived the sad news that her son had peiashed (Ui the^li<'ld of
battle, and in the next bn^alli she piunls toward heaven in li-iunij^h
and joy, in the tlnmght that she had given all she had in defense of
riirht.

Il

10 Pennsylvania State Board of Agkiculture.

No mat hT lunv hard lli(> stroke, or severe the trial, the pain and sor-
row .auuoi he l..sseue<l hy yielding helph^s^ly ^l'-<'f '^/'--^''li^^,.'^^'.
;, „„>,„.'..( wli.il we are .nost eaUed uih..i to aiise to the e meisen, >,
iui with our hemisni of soul and brilliancy of character, h't us out-
shine' and subdue the oppression that lias befallen us.

This fiivat i>rinciple of heins iv man or a woman m the •">""■'■
in.^ of the w..rd, is not applicable only in a few extreme calamities j.n
" Hfelinn., but Should be carried into the realities of everyday lite.-
'jlln. James McCraclcen, Jr., J-rostbiirg, Pa.

QUAKTEKLY REPORT.

11

BuTCiiKKiNG Hogs in Fayktte County.
The l)i.-.>st hog butchering,' I ever heard lell of hai>peiied years a.^o

rHMMiin, ivin- iher<' bv llie name of .histus Lankey; he raised Hie
Sr..;: aclioii i.T.or backs-lois of them; there is 1-v T enm^ to know
«, much al..uit. that breed, (I used to buy pi«s from i i . ^ ^^"'^ > .^,
the time of this imrticular buLlicrmK occasion dusliiN l'<'«l • ' *^
penful of well-niU two-year-.dd ••.M..,inta,n 1 an,.>r,s. just la( ly
brou^'ht in. and rather fierce. 'Hie pen was a low one xMth aw
door iti.t hi- enoii-h for one hoji to enter or escape at a time. When
cheriu.' dav arrived, Justus had his brother-in-law <"o<my Stein,
S a utchnianl, on hand t,. help do the killing. <>K.ny w|^ sta-
i m(.l at Ih.- door with a heavy ax in his hands, with ins metions 1.
Itril e down tlH' first hoji' that slnnild put its h(^^d out, while Justus,
hie' Is primed hims^-lf with a bij;- dram of lij,ditnin« whisky, was
to e itT-r he K-n and .Iriv.^ the hoos out, one at a lime. Havinji e-very-
thin- in rea( in.'ss. Justus hastily threw off his ...at mid .HX.nsk.n .a,.
S;i a heavy dnb prepared for the <K-casion, ^^^-^^^^ ^\^'^-
down on all f.mrs, and went thrnu,!;!. like a shot ^ no < '< J ' ' '' '^
„u-e.l lor the worst. (^.K.ny raised his ax ready to strike, f<.r it had lo
be doiir (,uick. The hog. weiv quh'tly smu'ing in one corner < f he
p^„ and lid not choose to be distnriM'd so earl.V. No sooner had
St lean to ,,uuch them up with his club l.just to remind Ihe.n i
was '< ing <lav ightl, than the whole fraternity-horse, foot a

ago7n iirsolid' phalanx, chargvd upon poor Lauk..y. «)f ''""i'^;; »«-
tm-luded his da s were numb,.red His .• Inb -^^-^^^J^^Z

r * ket in ide.l V concluded his'tiuH. to strike had come. No sooner

h 1 T a nk .v's head appean.l through the door than ( oony, h.nking

•. : 1 ;.' let drive with all his might, hitting Lankey fair .ui tli.'

.. Ic h-opocd like a bar of lead. Seeing his mistake (^.onywa.

'e '.d supiK.s ng ho had killed Lankey instead <.f a hog but as luck

w u d have it, T;,nkev's head proved to be harde-r than the head of a

1 . 1. w-.s nil V St mnu.l. soon scrambled up. mad as a Jer.sey bovine

S; tine "ci"!! the ax dropped by Ooony In his fright. .I'niyed'ipen

the now defenceless Coonv with all the ti.M'ceness of a wild but!.;...

tne "of course, had no other alternative^ but to run t" -- his Irfe

T don't know whether thev did any nio.v bnlehenng tha da.v. but

shu^ tl.:^', better and safer merhods for kiUint; hogs liav,> be<.n

iulnpt<Ml.

TIu' west beirij;- the best country in the vvorhl to raise hogs, we, in
this h)cality, cannot exi>ect to make ho|»* raisin<;- pay further tlian for
our own us-e. Where pro]>er care and attention is j^iven, I think it
is more profitabh^ for th<^ farmer to raise his pork than to buy it. —
—Daniel Pcrshhii^, Mt. Pleasant^ Pa,

PhasKvS of Country TyiFR.

There's a, bri<j^ht side and a dark side to country life, and there's a
bright side and a dark side to any life or callinij:. TIk^ farmer who ji^oes
j)hxldin<i: alon<»', year after year, and expectin<j;' \\\% family tx> follow in his
footsteps, payinj;- no regard to the (pu^stions of the day, wkicli so
largely aiTect his <\\istence, having no system about his work, and con-
sequently always behind; moving in that careless, vslip shod manner,
his di'ess and whole appi^a ranee, his orders to his servants — all indi-
cating his lack of (»n(M'gy, r(*rinem<'nt and culture; he naturally looks
on the dark side of life and bemoans his hard lot. Just the same, tlu^
professional or business man wlio lacks the em^rgy and perseverance
to rise above the petty hindrances to his snccess. He is satisfied with
a bare subsistence, makes no advances in his profession, adds neither
informaticm nor <Milhusiasm to tln^ world about him, and tinally
dies in obscurity, to Ix^ forgotten as soon as Ihi^ grave (tloses over him.

The farmer and mistress unitc^ in exclaiming. What makes lielp so
scarce, and why does my giil leave for th<^ factory, the- work-shop, the
city kitchen? The glimmer of a little more uioney than the farmer
can alTord to ])ay is tln^ bait the^ manufacturers ust^ to catcli our lu'lp.
And the girl does not demand the higher wages of her brother- worker,
so the employer is glad to employ the ch(*ap(U' labor. And so they
leave the countrv hoinc^ and think to better themselv(^s ftnanciallv,
but as the c^xpense of city life is great<'r than that of country lif(\
thev're reallv no beft(H* off in Ihat way. r>ut tlu^ social reformer and
]»lii!;intln*oi)ist hav(» taken u]) Wm^ cause of the city woi-king girl, and
societies ha v<^b(Hm established fobem^fit her sociallv, and from an edu-
cational stand-j^iviut. I1<m* advaiit-iiges and pleasures far cxccmnI those
of the country working girl. Even the general governmc^nt has
h(\nrkened to the* voice of conscience and is stmding its agents into
different parts of the country among working women to' investigate
their condition as wage-earners. This seems to be a step in the right
din^ctioTi, and rennmls us that the age of chivjilrv is not past. It
will lead to gr(^at(M' carefulness on th(^ ])art of em]>l()yers, it will sug-
gest to legislators wholesonu^ laws that should be enacted, and it will
cause the workers to be more s(»lf-reli;nit and iiidc|)eTul(^nt, because*
they find a new ally in tln^ battle of lif(\ So can w(^ bbinn^ tln^se
girls when we consider how meagn^ their lives in a farme-r's kitcln^n,
unless Ihey can be received as members of lln^ familv. and allowed
t'» enjoy many of its social privileges? — Miss Belle McSparran, Fur-
niss, Pa.

I

I

I !

1L2

Tennsylvania State Board of A(JKTculture.

TiMK ANM) Progress.
Tinu- MS NV<- iuv nil awa.v, may l.c, and is divuhMl into many
-,K..n<Mls.' Ami vH it ni.-aus simi-lv .tn.alion; tl..' iMrsrnt af;v, iiio
.etc An.l u-l ihr i.ivsrni only is <»...>•; a.nl lo,- wliat? II .s ou,-.. to

V ' ' , ,,;„„ n„,.o I,, |„> h, iiolilc<l 1)V. Ours <» iiislrnct

iinnrovts oui-s (o <'njoy. (Hits, lo ii« inutinyi i.»

•or ivoisv insln.cliou from tlios«- of j;rcal.T I^iionn l.-.l^y. Aim .o« is
il,is inslrunion lo l.o in.parl.'d li.al wr may m-.-iv.; >'"; '""-^ '";";:*;;
tlHMvli-oi.r' Is 11 bv .-cmainiM- at our kon.es, Wilmj;- day al .• day
will, our n.us.K.s, Nv'id.out any pai-li.ular anmuni <.! I.ia.n wo.-k W^-
..ounoHod tl,..,vwilli? Or by lindin^ fauli will, oui- mn^hbor bo.-a m
lu. ,i.K-s liis work dilToivnlly f.-om llio way w,^ do ours' I ^«lv no.
Kmi.l.aticallv. uol I'.ut on Iho .•onlraiy, it is by m.H'liu^ lo^Hl.or and
ex<-l.an"inir Vicnvs on ti.o dilloiH'nl hkmIos or systems ol ta.n.in-. I is
by th«^xchanj.iuK of tl.ont;l.t that wo as a InKly ^"''7''- ,^; '■';;';•'■;'
n^.n- ••omp.-lonT, to sunnouut the dillinilth^s that, we in.M>t with. I- a n -
•„,..• is in all its iMirsuits a very inteit.'^tiuiC, enjoyalde (►(■••upation
Time-' Yes. .-a.h kind of -rain ha« its time, it« season to jitoav <.nd
,„;,l...v Tre<"s have Ih.^ir tin,,- to blossom and bloom, also the Innis
,;; 1,0 w and ripen. And we are «iven' the .MM-Wnnity, and .t .s onr
duly to do the ix'>ii. -Jason Blackburn, New Farts, Fa.

Old Time Kakming.
Ti. the southern i.orti<.n of Y<Hk county, the ..ri^nnal limber was
.etrSiv blaekoak; soil 1 to 2 in.-hes in .h-ptlb sand loan,, the sul.

<.»il vi'llovv (lay mid pretty sionr at that.

Mod nin^^:lout part «rf tindn-r down; Ik., tanners took otl

tlu • rk n frour thai stan,lin^^ iH.-h.l it as far as they could ivach.
\\\ i n ; e, nt down, toj^vlher with the brush, wa.^ burnt on Ihe
All tnb. 1.1. 1 , . ^^^^ 1,^^^ ^,n-VM-^u tlu- soil

?:;;:; :iovei'wi.h^:'ivH;ow,rak.lalitlle.d,,..an^

I 1 ff f.. Utt f.i+rf- I l\av(^ S(HMi vtM'V fine (•n>ps <>t wImmi m> i<iin(mi.
;;r Ilifit^'Vo fwf rye, ^veled in . the n<.t .as c.r., ; l,„- ,a..d listed

^;;:rr ':i:^.;;:!: t.r-n;SV^H^;^.;:'^ur f ;;:n. ; w' s j::^^^

1 Is 11,- CO d b<:irri,..led. I'oti.to {xnM.nd was umnure<l and a
; w ;. 1 n II don,^ skhrmio which the cattle were ,u,n..l a u.«kt.
TdJwilh the manure fnm, the stabh- mad<- another wlx-aUo

Tliis s s.|em .-ontinued Inm. ab<u.l ITCT to uutd alHMit M-, ^^h n
nils s\M(iii <"ii. wilt ii WIS ilmosi an eiitiiv failure,

n.. wl.ral.r.H>pb.^:in to ail; ^^> ,J^^^\;^^ \ ^; !' V w|u.rt dnrin^ that
iH'iiiirdi^sl roved by the llrssmn th. Hh' pint oi

liuH^vas (» shilHn«.^s and (>s :U1. . ii,.. .nM-ivd ,ff s<^v<M'al new-

Ab(MiMSl-n isMdni > >va. mm,..,, i niM'-uvd i<> In-of a s<Hial and

(ouHisM I 1111^ M . , ... ^^^..j,^n„. staple (•n>i»,t<H)k the

(••^'Herons ( ispesil ion. -M iii.ir iiiih i vi v>«i. ». i i . , w-

r,- erf wheat for f.e<l, was ^n-<.und into .-hov for h.M->^-s. ..nd about ...
iwiM. was sold to th,- disliUe,-, and the U. or ir,.«alhH. !«■;;■ was otien
! .H 1 ,;r Uer the keji- was IIUchI, the balance was caielul y
Sdei u^lo W oui shad and h..ning, it bcin,- necessary to su.,'y

Quarterly Report.

r

13f

the lar^'<^st amount of food for smallest amount of money. At that,
lime I here were six still hoiis<'s in I his conmiunity, liv(^ in opeiati<Hrr
This slate of alVaiis continned until about. 1S2S, w hi'ii lln^ rye crop
failed; iail. the \\h<^al j^atehes showed improvement until about ls:U,
when two or three of the tarmei'S bi^^aii iisin^ some lime, b(Kiti'<l
down the I'ivei' fi*oin ( 'onesloj^a, which on the eld fields show'<Hl r<^-
niarkable r(^sults. (lover ^rcnv i*emarka]dy; tii-st ci-oj> hay, second
s<hm1. a lii^hl c(Kil <»r lime on {\w ^rass turned down in (he spring' for
corn; i*<\sull, a tim^ crnj> of corn. Stock increastMl ;ind the nianuri*
iMNip lik(^wis(\ 11iis had been limited until ls:57, when Ihe ojH'iiinu <^f
Ihe canal crcNited jinolher era. Ambition kejM pace with Ihe excit<^-
meiit. in ISliMhere w<'re more lime kilns in I'earh UiHIom lowiiship
than distilleries in ISlM). The wheat durin.i;- this tim(% IS'JS to \K\:^,
was Ihe red head and whit(^ blue stem, IJie latter a veiy tine aial
piolilir variety. Wheal was fl.lir) to Jjfl.r)0 per bushel in ls:'5r):{<;. The
old Meditei'ranenns w<'ix' introduced, since which time tlu' M<Mlit<'i'ra-
neaiis and Fultz have IxM^n tlie standard wlu^its.

The farmers were^ |)r(vs]M'rous, *»raln and hay in abundance; but the
labor was heavy, hauling' lime sbuu*, clmpjuni; wood and burnlui:: liim^, .
haulins; and sjM*eadin^ lime. Farim'rs ]'<^sidinj; ten miles distant WiM-e
at the river with their P'ams l>y daylij.vhl. A man, now livinj^ n<'^inby, .
hauled lime from ^'e^k when it was not, to Ix^ had at the ri\er. —
Willi am G. Ccuhon^ Delta ^ Pa,

Applk Culture.

Suceesis in fruit cultur«^ lar^^cly de]H'nds u|w)n vari(^ti(^s, h>calion,
cultivation, fertilizing and a. V(My strict att4'nti<Hi to tin' wlioh' subj<H*t.
Pennsylvania has lost thousands of dollai*s by |>lantino varieties
a<lapted to a latitmh^ s<^veral dej;i'(s\s north of this. The leadinjj^
winter varietii's ^rown in New York state and Michigan have proven
to 1k» almost an entir(^ failure Iumh^ as winter apples. W<^ can biiv in
our maT*ket>4 in March, April and May, ^<Kvd sound apples shipiMMJ
from tlh' muMh. of the followinj^ vaT'i(^ti<\s: K. I. <Jre^enin,n, Xoiilh-rn
Spy, Kin^ and Kuss<'ts, ami which have Immmi lai^^ely planl<Ml in Peim-
svlvania; and tlu* sain<' fruit i;rown 1i<m*(* is past and uoiu* bvdanuaiT,
or nearly SO. Their bearinj^ (juali't ies an^ all w<M*oiild <l<^sire, but in fact,
we have no northern apple worth relainin<^ <*xcept the IJaldwin. I
am fully c<uivinc(Ml if aj>|>l<' culture is to Ix^ a success h<'r<s we must
cultivat(» nafiv(» vari<'ties or look farther S4)ulh for- varieties to suit
onr (limate. North<^rn varieties Hj^M^n t<w) c-arly here in llH^fall, Ix--
foi'c cool weather comm<'nces, lieiif-e will not k(H'|>. I would therefoiv-
lecommend the foll<>win;j: winiei- varie^tic^ for our (•Iiniat4' an<l s<ul:
York InijM'rial, l*en Davis, Yoi-k StrijM*, i;aldwin; and s(nne Sniith's
<'i(h'r, deniH'll. \\'inesa|K for fall \arieiies, Seeknnfarl hn-, Maid<'n
IJhish, l\ai!iboand INu'ti-r; foi* sumnuM', H<mI Astrachan, t'aily IlaiV4'Ht
and a tew others. OIIhm's mi.t!:lit b(* ad<led, bnl I wonld recommend
not lo planl loo many kinds for profit. — A. D. Taylor^ Arcndtsvillc^
Pa,

I

il

14

Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

Quarterly Report.

15

Manure.

Muiure consists of various forms. Green ninmire is simply turn-
iii- under of v(^K<^t^i^>l^' matter to obtain the plant foods, nitrogen and
carbon derived from (he air, and the phosphoric acid, potash and
nitro-<4i obtaincul from the soil, in an available form for future crops.
Barn-yard nuuiure includes tlie li<iiHd and solid cxcreuumt ot cattle,
or animals, mixcnl with beddiu- or litter of some kind Ihe quality
of uianure depends alto-ether upon tlie food from which it is derived
;i ml tlu^ care it receives. , . . • t.

(Jarefnl investigations and analyses made at various expiuinuait
stations <nv(^ the value of manure, derived from various substances,
usiiio- as a basis the price of commercial fertilizers to calculate fmm.
The following tabh^ gives the fertilizing value of various farm pro-
ducts on lilt'' basis of the potash, phosphoric acid and nitrogen con-
tained in the same, so that in selling a ton of each ol the tollowing
articles, plant food is disposed of, thus:

In a ton of timothy hay ^ Hn

In a ton of clover ^ ^^

In a ton of potatoes V2 45

In a ton of wheat bran .91 00

In a ton of linseed meal ow '^r

In a ton of cotton seed nu^al "7 75

In a ton of wheat ^ ^^

In a ton of oats ^ ^'^

In a ton of corn ^ ^^

In a ton of barley ^ ^

In a ton of milk J^ ,^^

In a ton of cln^ese t;

In a ton of live catth' ' ' '^

It according to this lablr a t(m of chnvr hay is sold, it will co^t
$<)07 in comnu^rcial fertilizers to replace th(^ plant food f^M' m
potatoes only §1.ST, and in milk |2.01). H the articles stated are fen
!o stock, the manurial value is diminished in pro])ortmn to the kind
of stock consuming it; young growing catlle recpiirmg more phos-

flesh and mus( le

ence.

...... Theiv is some loss of manure in handling it from the time it is

voided bv stock unlil it is used, and allowing one fourth or twenty-
five i>er cent, to be lovst, we have the value of the maiiuiv from a ton

nosuiv I0 weathering and leaching, by which the .soluble^ fertilizing
Ilemimts are rapidU lost. Oareful (experiments conducted at the
(%>niell Slaliou, New York, show that horse manure thrown on a
hH>se pihs will lose nearly half its value in six months, and that the
mixed manure of horsi^s and cattle^ also lost much of its value, but
not to the same extent as where the horse manure was separate.

Under ordinary conditions, the throwing of manure in the yard during
the summer months loses about lifly i)er cent, or half its value.
Similar investigations at Kans^is, Ohio, North Carolina and elsewiiere,
coiilirm these facts. — W. H. Stout, Pme Grove, Pa,

Profit of Poultry.

TluH'e certainly is no other stock ui)on Ihe farm thai will i>ay as
well for the capital invested, as a well cared for Hock of poultry. The
(pi(\stion is often ask(^d, ai\^ pure bred fowls any better than the com-
mon or mixed sorts? Which do we tind on most farms? And, if such is
the case, why is it so? In every case where fowls receive proper care
and attention, the results show a mark( d difference in favor of pure-
bred varieties. The reasons why this is so are easily explained; they
are, on the average, much Ix^ter layers; they lay larger eggs, and
many more in the course of a yeai-, than the common barn yard fowl;
they are superior to common stock for raising chickens for market;
of course, in mentioning a first-chiss fowl for maiket, wi' mean soim^
of the most popular varieties, which ai\^ adapted to tha t purpose. Such
as the l*lymouth Kock or Wyandotte, as thc^y producer chicks of
uniform siy.e with yellow legs and bodices, which are preferred by the

consumer.

The question is often ask(Ml, how many eggs will a hen lay in one
year? We often read of hens that lay 200 and more eggs a year,
but such statements do imn-e harm than good, by inducing the inex-
perienc<Hl to believe such to be a common fact.

At the present day our farmiM's have begun to learn Ihat it pays
to keep hens in a. systematic and careful manner, and that they are
all the more profitabh^ when cared for like <Mher stock. TIh' j)ro
gressive spirit of the age has compelled better treatment of all
classes of stock, and though ]M)ullry usually counts in at the end of
the list, vet a great im])rovem4Mit has been made and will continue. —
L. O.ainger, Milton, Pa.

Influence of P'armers.

As a malter of fact, we find Ihat the influence of farmers in piiblic .
affairs is in no wis<^ commensurale to their numerical strenglh. Tiiat
power and iniluence that their numbers ami imporlanc<' justly entitle
th(^m to in shaping and moulding the policy of onr nation is <^n-
tirelv lost to us. Wlio is to suggest a renunly? It certainlv lies within
Ihe pnvvince of those who have bcH^n misrepresented, to view causes
and sugg(^st remedi(^s. Ai>ro]>os then to this, we affirm ihal a gov-
ernmenTtmly republican in fenn is llial in which Ihose who are en-
trusted wilh' pelitical framhise exert an influence pro]>ortionate to
their numbers. Do we exert this power? Are we the bless^ed recipi-

ill

16

! I

Pennsylvania State Boart> of ArjRicuLTURE.

ciiis of n just r('])r(^s<'ivtalion of our claS"; wliich luiinlx^'s ton millions?
Farmers, by unit<Ml clloiM and comhincMl action, could, with the utnuvst
facility, suhoi-dinato cnn^'v i)ublic int(Mvst tO' their (^wn; oncnc^ss of
j)ur|M>^o and concerted action at the jiropei* time and place would
form the basis fr<Hn which would emanate^ all the ]'i<^dits, advauta^U'S,
]>rolits and liberti<\s to which the farnn^* is justly <'ntitled. l»ut ;i
l)lind followin;^- at tlu^ ])olls of nun*e ]>arty name is frauj^ht with dan-
^•ei-; justice^ is miscanaed; fairness set aside and rij^hts which are
preeminently ours ar(^ lost. Ouly sixty thousaml lawyei-s in the
United Stat(\s and yet facts will v<Mafy the statem<'nt, that we can
cite von to one liundre<l of this class that <'X<'rt more practical in-
(luence in lh(^ states and in the nation, than Ihe whole ten miirhui
tillers of the soil. We have no obj<'cti<)n to raise t<v lawyers; they are
a, \('ry useful class <>f luen. P»ut we do most, seriously (d>ject to a
mere haJidful of these, representing^ another mere haudt'ul of ]H)werful
( lienls, moulding- and shapin*:; the policy of sixty millions <d" jx'ople. —
T. J. Sturgis, Spy in i^ field, Pa,

Order on thk Farm

l>y order on lln^ farm, W(^ mean regularity; the nH'tluHlical arran«;c-
ment of thin<jjs on the farm. Om^ of the most strikinjj; examples of
th(^ superiority of order ov(^r disorder, of de-sij;!! ov(^r c<mfusion, is
seen iu the etfectiven<^ss of the militai'y ov<t the mob. A well di'ilh'd
re<j;iment. each soldier movin<;' with inlellij;<'nc(^ ami ]U*ecision accoi'd-
in^" to order, will acconi])lish with ease and c(*rt;iinty what a mid) of
ten thousand men would be unable to ]>erform. The (uu' is an ex-
ample of th<' jK)ssibiliti(^s of oi'der; the oth(»r, of the inetliciency of
dis(H'der. l>y order on llie fai*m we (hv not nuNin military exa,(*tn(^ss:
as such an arran;j:enu^nt, would be imjvossible of execution; but we do
mean that, no farmin<j: can be^ successfully or prolitably earner] on
without <lue rt^pird to order. As every fa I'm has dilTei-ent <^nviron-
ments, ditVere^nt mitural a(lvanta<^<\s and l>uildinj4:s diilerently situated,
it is impossible to foi'inulate an oi*d<'r that would Iw advanta^(W)us to
all. Thai must be left to the judgment ot the farmer, as each, fai'iu
fuinishes a dilVer(^nt pi-oblem.

Tin' ( ^reator of the fields and llowers, tlu^ j;rains ami j^rasses and
the herds on a 'thousand hills, has j^iven us in th<^ seas(vns,a general
oriler <d' fainiin<^. In the spring tiuu' the husbamlman ju-epari^s the
w)il and ])lants the seeds, i-epairs the fence^s and re]nov(^Sl from ^rass
and <^rain iields all <d)strnctions to nu)w<M* and reajK^r. Tn the snm-
nu'r lie cultivates the <j:rowin<^ crops. In autumn In^ fiarvc^stvS and
leathers them into the bam: in tlie wintei* he threshes out th(^ crain.
ami markets his surplus pr(Hluce noi needed on the farm, sells his
]uiis and poull ry, disposes of his fat cattle if he can at a ])rofit, strij^s
tobacco, cares for his faiiu stock, repairs farm implements, plans a
campaign for the bkllow inti" se;is(Ui which he end^Mvoi's to make a
<j:reater succ<\ss than th<' precislin;; on<'. Me ^athei-s all the infoiana-
tion that he may solve that, at pn'sent nnvst <litlicull problem, suc-
cessful fa inning'. — Wm. Chandler, Lancaster county, Pa.

Quarterly RRroRT. 17

Labor on thk Farm.

Tlu^ late war caused a dearth of abh% skilled faini laborers and in
au^urated the era of machinery that has ^rown to such t^i^antic pro-
}H)rii<uis, and it is fortunate that tln^ in^^cnuity of oui- people has
emibled the farmtn* to accomi>lish so much, with llu^ <;really r<Mluced
amount of helj» available, oi* our comlition would have Ix^en much
woi'se than il now is.

Labor has bec(vnu' a distinct factor in both tht^ social and pjlitical
world. As much sj)ac(^ is occaipii^l in the nevvs]>aper of today to the
workinunnm, his ri<^hts, his \vron,t»*s, his and)itions, expectations, etc.,
as is (leNoted to (he mai'kets, jxditics (u* any other universal interest-
In.!; subject. Tin* woikin^nian's laboi' is his cajutal. Ib^ cerlaiidy
has a ri^'hl to sell it in any market he may chooses and bu* the time
and compensation In^ nniy elect; and to re-sti'ict tlu^ tinn^ he can work,
or to say that he shall not work at all, thou;j;li his necessities de-
mand it, is wronj:;.

. Capital in labor and cajutal in money are very intimately blended
and interwoven, but the success of one dcn^s not always mean the suc-
cess of the other.

In nnuiufacturinjj^ an article protected by patent, or aji income
duty, tin* })rice of labor may be advanced and tin* increasinl cost add<Hl
to the consumer; hut such is not tlu' cas<' with the ])roducer of an
arti(de, o])en to free* competition, {^specially if that article has aln^ady
outgrown th(On)nu» marki4,; ami the ju'ice of the wlndeis <;*overned by
the sum tlu' suri>lus will S(dl for a distant or fcund^n market, freight,
insurance, wastajx<S <'tc., deducted. Tln^ producer of an article iH>t
j)rotected by pat( nt or other special privile<j^e, may by the multiplica-
tion of ca[>ital and the emjdoynu'nt of numy laborers, on tlu' princi-
j)al tbat one nnvn can and will learn one tiling; well and only one, imiy
ci'ush out compel it i<m from weaker or h'-ss favorably situat<Hl com-
petitors, by cheapeniniLr his ]>roduct, and yet have for himself a ^r<^;iter
percentajxe of j)rotit than is healthy for the community at lar^c.

It is not so with th(» farnn'r. In this <;reat country n<'arly all the
pivnlucts to which our clinnit(* is ada])te(l arc^ j^rown in such |)rofusion
that W(^ liti'rally fe<^d the woi-ld. Oompcdilion beconu'S j;reat(M* each
sncccHHlin;;- year, but the farmer cannot eiuj^loy helj) on the division of
labor systi'm after th(^ manner of the sho]) <u* factory, the mining oi'
transjmrtation company, b(^cans(* each seasjon, oftc^i c^ach w<M'k or
nH)nth, forc<\s him to direct all his strenii^th in entirely <litTerent di-
rections. IFence his help must be of the ^ood, all-around kind. It
must Ih^ skilled in the handling; and care of hoises, and ad<*pt in the
saddler's trade, (for tar i-ope and bimler twim', thouiih inlendcMl U^Y
a very ditfei'eiit purpivs{\ have larj^-ely supplanted the knight of the
awl and neiMlle in these days).

IFe shonlil be an expert machinist, able to detect by si«;ht or sound
a d(4'ectiv<' machine and save expensive re])airs if not injury to iu'rson
or team.

TlesluMild Ih^ skilled in asti'onomical (>hases, foi' no occu)>atinn is so
depemlent u]>on the weafher as his. The failure to pro]MMly ini<M*pret
Ihe I'isin^- or settin.u' of the sun, the nmvenu'nt of the clouds, etc.. may
entail upon him over ni,ubt, the labor of days and damaj^iMl ci*ops. He

I i

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il

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I

18

Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

must niH'ds be a chemist and understand the character of his sod, and
be able to supplv llio ingredient necessary for tlie prodnnion m its
ifi-eatest perfecljoii of tlie cereal or tuber under cultivation And
even the fertilizer itself, will bear watching.— 7//^w«5 /. 1 hihps, At-
glen, Pa.

DOMIiSTIC Hei.p.

Let there be schools for training any and all classes in cooking
and hous<.work; and if ihey are organizinl similar to those for tnumug
nui>ses Ihcv v.oidd create a revolulion in this ticld of lalwr. ihe
schools lor nurses can, of course, be only in connection with hospitals,
but there is nothing to ])revent hospitals, colleges, hotels or any large
institutions from having connected with it a scliool of "Home and

Housework Training." ...... ■■ 4 .,

The school should have at the head of every institution its matron
or housekeeper, or some competent, intelligent woman, a good, prac-
ticiil cook, who would superintend their woi-k (the work ol the
students we will call them who come there to leiu-n), lecture to them
at least one hour a day, and require an examination on these.

The work which they do will be turned to good account for there
will be pUmty to eat the food cooked, and the cleaning, sweeping and
etc will be benelicial to the institution. Such a school should be
chartered, and have certain i-ules and regulations, which any mstitu-
tion would have to confoi-m to who would belong to it.

The time of training should be at least two years, at the expiration
of which time a certificate or diploma should be awardwl and tor
two months at least, called the months of probation, board and in-
stnict ion should be sutticien t recomiM'nse to student s.

]?oside "-iving instruction in c<K.king and housc^work, we desire to
make Ihis licl.l of labor a dignilied occupati<m, and can this te done
as well in any oth.-r way? We have but to make tlie woild Ihmk it

is dignilied, and it will be so. , ., ,-

Vfter such a school is organized, lioiisekcei>ers and those needing
hell, in hom.^, should band themselves together as a sort of protec-
tive st)ciety; prot«:tive to them, as well as to those wanting their

ThosV iKHHlin^- lu^p and unable to pay bij? wages, should bike ap-
prontiees and i>ay aecordin-ly, and those who ean afford to ])ay more,
frive the ])osi(ion to thos(^ trained; Www Ihen^ will be thoiou-h roin-
Tx^tition and (W>onra-(Mnent for all to be ])rofieient in tlunr work.

JJo we o-ive her a eomforlabh^ room and IxmI? Is she allowed eoni-
pany ko long as it is of the right kind? The p^ivil(-(^ <^f visiting Ikm-
fric^iids which is a desire so common to her sex? In short, in all <Mir
dealing's wilh her, do we follow out the ^^Golden Kule?'' W(^ must
cnllivjUis if need bo, the feeling of eharity and sympathy. The love-
liness of a charilabh^ and sympathetic heart is not to be questioned.
All frcl i(s power and innu(aice and all are the better for being witlnn
its radius Tx4, us not cram]) this pow(n- or limit its rangers. We
have the same inivilege to give as we have the willingness, to re-
^jeive. Annie Moore, Prospectvillc , Pa,

Quarterly Keport.

Animals' Rights.

19

The brute has rights which we are bound to respect. He is not to
be treated like insentient matter, but always with due ix.^spect to his
susceptibility of pleasuix^ and pain.

The absence of the rational element in the brute gives us certain
lil>erties in our treatment of him, which we cannot exercise toward
men. He lises in the present. To him there is no past or future.
The satisfaction of today is not affected by the remembrance of yes-
terday or by the hope of tomorrow. His enjoyment goes for what it
is worth in the j>resent moment, Hence we are permitted to use
animal ]>owers and life as utilities to minister to- our hai)piness or
welfai-e. "We may take brutes to bear our burdens, or to minister
to our good, by tlu'ir life; or by their death, if we use them in ac-
coi-dauce with their nature under the law of benevolence. Such a use
of brutes, doubtless secures the greatest amount of good, in connec-
tion with animal life, which the nature of the case admits. But to
occasion wanton x>ain to bi-utes is wrong."

Such, tJien, is the law. A righteous law, ordained by God in the
very act of cmation. One that should be held sacred by man, but alas,
how often is it viola ted ?—/'r(7/. A. B. Miller, Warren, Pa.

Rkpairing Roads.

I submit the following method for consideration: — That every tax-
payer who pays $1.00 and upwards, of tax, be given a portion of road,
in proportion to the amount of his taxation, to keep in good ropair.
That a money tax be levied on all taxpayers; tliis, in addition to the
amount collected from those whose tax is less than |1.00, shall he
used in making and keeping in repair all bridges, and the payment
of supervisors. That the supervision of Wu^. townships be entrusted to
two supervisors, or road inspectors, whose duties shall consist in the
work herein specilied. They shall apportion the roads among Ihe
individual taxpayers and in this work shall adopt as a rule "That
(^very man keep iip the roads on his own land,'' but shall limit, or ex-
t(M!d the same, that justice may be done to all. They shall have direct
supervision in making and keeping in repair all bridgeSr— counting
as a bridge all water courses recpiiring more than two plank, the
township to furnish all plank recpnred. If any one neglects or refuseti
to keep his allotment of road in good repair, the supervisor shall, on
notice, repair the same, at the exjKnise of Wm individual taxpayer.

If any taxpayer, who has no pul)lic road on his own lan<l, ])n'fer8
paying all his road-tax in money, he can havc^ the privilege by paying
his cash tax, and as a road tax, that sum multiplied by two.— W. D.
Porter^ Goheenville, Pa.

SCIENCK ON THE FarM.

In every (\nlling of life, it is Ihe s}>ecialist who becomes eminent and
a leader in his profession. So with lln^ farnuT; obs^M-valion has
tauiiht us that the man who is farming from choice, and who haii

ll

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20

Pennsylvania State Board of Agrtcut.turt!,

ina.(l<' il. ll lirdoii.u study, succeeds; \vliil(^ liis nci.ulibor who, ])('rli;i])^^,
lijis left. souN- trade or jliofessicui hecause lie could not uiake a, success
of it, and weiil to laruiin-, thinkiu*;, if lie could do notliin- else, lu^
(ould farm, soon finds that, in his cas(^ at least, farming don't. \k\\.
The reason is he does not l<no\v enough about the l)usin<'ss. to j»'o at

it intelli^^ently.

He ceiinnences to ]>low whi'ii h(^ sei'b; his Tiei<j:hbor connn<'nc(\ and,
wJH'n his nei-hlMU- sows or plants a cro]), he does the same, and heaves
Ihe r(\st t(^ nature, and nature is held responsible for the rosult\

>:<>\v what business could b(^ ex]KMd(Ml to sncc(HMl in thai way? Cer-
tainlv, noman could reasonably expect anylhin- but the \rvy poorest
n^sul'ts from a busin( ss left to nm itself in the manner described
above; and yet |veoph^ say *1'annin<;' (h)n't jhay," and lay the blame
upon the farm, the markets, etc.

Tki.^ (pn^stirui will natnrallv arise, how can the faruKT aeipiire tins
education? The answer is sinijde. He can do as the minister or the
physician <loes, attend a school that educates youn.^- nu'n siHH'ially lor
the busiiuss which In^ expects to follow. TIumv he <;-ets a. thecnvtical
knowled<ie, and aft<'r he heaves school he can continu<' his res<'arches
and studies, in n i>ractical manned', in the field. If he wishes to study
botany, tlu^ whole vc^^vtable kingdom i» about him. If he wishes 'o
inveHtij;at(^ th<^ wonders of ji(M>lo-y, the rocks ar<^ beneath his b'ei.
The millions of iiis(K-ts, crawlin*;' ii]^m tlu^ <'arth and swarmin- m
the air, alTord him tln^ linest op]>ortunitie.^ for the t^'tudy of ento^
mohx'V and, if he wishes to learn sometlnnir of astnmomy, the whole
heavens ai*(^ an open booh before him.

Sn with all the other branches of natural science. Tlie farmer j>os-
sesscs o])iK)rtunilies eiijoved bv no other man, in any callin.^' of life,
for tlie ])ractical studv'of the same.— W^. A. AwA-, ne7ifo7i, Pa.

Poultry on the Farm.

The avera^-e farmer can winter only from thirty to sixty hens, nn-
less Invuses and fences are built and th<' fowls are pro]»erly divid<Mk
No farm is complete without fowls and e^^s, but there are a ^ivat
many fai-mers who do not. have ej.^<j:s the yi^ar round. One reas4)n i^
becanH(* they do not s^M-nri^ th(^ Im-ccmI that is best suit<Ml to tlndr im-
mediate snrmundiniri^. If they want to hnxnl (^xclusiv<'ly for .e«r-s,
th(^ lij;lit<'r bre^'ds sliould W sel(M't(Hl, such as the Minorcas, Tvei^-horns
and I?anibur-s; if for size only, the Asiatic bn^'ds; if an alI-]mrpose
fowl is desired, bnvdin^^' bn* e<;<.s, eaily broilei's, and a j^ood nuMlinm
siz(Ml marlvet b)wl wIkmi matured, the riymouth Ko(d<s and Wyau
dot tes stand at the h^sid of tln^ list.

T<^ lessen the cost of producini; winter <\irjis, too much <rrain must
l>e a.void(Ml. Fowls at liberty do not fecnl wholly <m <iTain, but always
an^ lavin^r b(v^t when tln-y have access to (4ov<'r. Too niu(di stress
ran not 1m' laid upon the savinj^' of s^H'oml o:rowth clovrr to b'.Ml lay-
iiiiX stock in wintrr. Jhdh the orchard and <;anh'n are benefitted by
alh>win^ the v(Min«;- chickens free ran.u:(N as insect.s are destmyinl and
Uiev piHc up 'much of their livin-', while their musch^s an^ develojHHl

Quarterly He port.

21

and they ac(piire \ ii^or ot constitution. Some breeders that lack these
advanta^XNs raise fair broilei's and k(H'p their chi(dvens in confinement,
but thou<i,ii fed tlu^ sam(Oen<rth of time, ihey can never (Mpial in size
and beauty the farm-raised chickens.

j'oultrx' raisini; and <;ardeniii,i;- j;<) hand in hand and may bi^ com-
bined on the same ground, the hen manure from the yard aiding- Ihe
garden, thus lesseniii.u" the cost of |)r>ducin^ certain ve^elables lluU
h(dp to brinji. our laying- stock throujj;li the winter, such as clover and
carrots, that ^iv(^ to the yolk that ^^oldeu oranj^e color so desirable,
and that is lackin<i- when fowls an^ in continemeiit. And without
this color a, ^reat many e^-^^s will not Ih^ fertile. To phuit some crop

.' .. . -.-11.-1 II illTj II

to br-in*^- in 150 ]>rotit would re(]uir(^ double the labor that it would
for a tioek of fowls; and the possibilities of one acre of ground set
asi(l(^ on the farm exclusively tor the uardeu and tlu^ poultry can not
be over estimated. — Mrs. John Cmillard, Girard, Pa.

Cark Oi- CiiiLDKim.

Tn the time of the settlement of th(^ c(doni(^s, the regimen was so
strict and unbending-, and Ihe slightest infr<icti(m was j)unish(ul with
such undiK^ s<'verity, that human nature revoltinl; and from that time
until the present tlu^ tendency has Immui gradually toward the other
extreme until the time has c(un<^ when children may almost be cajled
the law-maktTS, with tlu^ |>arents as tln^ yielding;- subjects. What, tin*
ivsnlt of this system may be, tinn^ alom^ will <h't(^rmine, but, us we
r<^•^d of the reiVnt terribh^ (»xnm])les of youthful depravity and are
told that the polic<' records show that the number of juvenile of-
fenders aiH^ rai/idlv increasin;^-, we find ^rave cause for alarm. A
child of avera<;(' ability will in the first thn^^ <u- four years of its life,
if its environment b(> 'fav(H'abh\ coiopuM- several lan«^ua,i.^es, spi^akini^-
them with a jj^reater decree of purity than is possible of attainmiMil in

lati-r vears.

At this period, then, care should be taken that nothin;j: but ^n'am-
nnitical lanj^niaj^'e b<* si)ok<'n in iis jireseiice, for its )>owers <d' imita-
tion are now at th(dr maximum and it will adojd int(v its vocabulary
words and expressions which years of patient endeavor will be neces-

sarv to eradicate.

Moiv than this, however, so infinitely more that all else sinks into
c:<unparativ<* insignificance, see to it that no hint of profanity or
(d)scenity be contained in Ihe conviMsat ion snrroiindin- that infant
mind, lest that juatllin^- tongue be«;iiis t(^ imitate in lliis as in all
ollierthalwhi<li is heard; and ihcMliild, which, if trained ari-ht, would
shrink from such lan^na.uv as from cruel blows, by bec(niiin- familiar
with it, falls into habits whi<-li make him a moral pariah to the chil
(bvu of such parents as fear contaminati(m b)r their nunu^ carelully

rear(Ml lit tie ones.

Much can 1m^ tau-ht incidentally. The ambition ti> wiiat taiher or
mothrr is (loin-- can be turned to advanta-v. llow quickly tlu^ litth'
.uirl will h^rn to sew whih.^ mother is sewing. She wishes to make
dollie a dress while mother makes one for her little girl.

11

=«.:*r«i«» iKiii. wet.-*

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22

Pennsylvania State Board of Agkicultuke.

It is true it takes time aud patience to arrange the work, and in-
stnict the awkward fingers, yet this time cannot be used to better
advantage, even though each minute is precious and the duties aiH3
miiiiifoid, for by means of this instruction many of those duties may
be lightened in the future. So with luaiiy household tasks. If the
child has tasted of the full deliglit of li('li)i]ig mother (for with a lov-
ing parent it will b(^ so regarded, she will soon grow up to be a vabicd
assistant, and that a tlioroiigh knowledge of liousekeeping is i>rac-
tical, may be exemplilicd in almost any household in this community
of well kept homes.

Ho w^ith the boy. While following ^'father'' from task to task, the
embryo nuin is constantly gaining experience that, be his future what
it mav, will alwavs be <>f value. — Miss Ellen P. (nlbert, Horsham^ Pa.

Need of Soctabitjtv in Rural Districts.

• We, as a pfMvple, are too selfish, too much wrapped up in self, too
careless for our nc^ighboTs' comfort and welfam. We are too apt to
benefit oursi^lves at the expense of others. It was tlu^ niHMl of this
socialnlity that allowcnl the curse of slavery to be planted, grow and
develo]) in oui* country — that took so much of cmr nation's best blood
to wash it out. We are, or should bt% sociable creatures, for the more
we associate together, tlu^ mor-e wo know of our neighb(n*'s and of
every thing that is going on around us. Through our associations
one with another, we have our inannerB refined and our minds de-
veloped. In rural districts persons are partially dei>rived of associa-
tion with their neighbors on account of th(* vocations they follow, for
the farm<T must attend to his own business. In order to cultivate
this S])irit of sociabilily, we must nnn't together and discuss subjects
that we are all int(M*est(Hl in. Tin* farmers' institute is on(^ ])lace
where w(* c;iii me-et iind discuss subj(^cts that we an* esiXM-ially in-
terested in. I»ut Ihis not enough; we meet in farmers' institutes
too seldom, not more than once or twice in a year. There are other
organizations it is the social feature that is in them. Such (u^ganizations
liance, patrons of husbandry, etc. One of the main objects of these
organization is Ih social feature that is in them. Such organizations
ai'<^ (lesigufMl to elevat(^ and improve, socially and intellectually. —
William M. Mciiary, Bellcviczv, Pa.

HoLSTKiN Cattle

'i'hev are noted foi* their dorilitv and arc known as easy k<M»pers,
goofi foed(^rs and i^nnd growers. Thc^ ])ro(luction of milk by this
bre(^d is considered throughout the world to be superior to that of
any other breed. For family us<\ where (piantity and quality are
both an object, tln^ ITolstoin Fri(^sians liave no equal. Tlicir strong,
vigorous, constitutions and marked freedom from dis^'ases arc im-

Quartekly Report.

23

portant considerations, as milk conveys disease more ixNidily than
any other food. As milk x)roducers they are without a paialhd; an<l
ad tJie milk containing, as it does, a large }>ercentage of casoin and
other solids, after being skimmed of cream for butter, is still worth
half the price of new milk for making cheese and feeding young stock
aud it will pay largely towards the keei)ing of the cows.

With tlio ]M'csent system of using separators and coolers in cream-
eries, the milk is sweet after the cream is removed. The fact that
these cattle are so highly est(^med in the In^st grazing districts of
Holland, which we may safely term are the best in the world, wIh^n?
land is worth from $400 to |()()0 pc^r acre, and rents at |20 and up-
wards an acre per annum, and where the production of Ix^ef, butter
and cluMvse is almost the only industry, goes far to show their sujH'ri
ori ty. It is an abnost universally admitted fact that no other lu-eed
so successfully combines milk, chec^se, butter and beef. The large and
growing demand for this breed of cattle in America seems unpre-
cedentc^d, and also indicates that tlu^y will deserve the reputation
that Ihey have alr(»ady gaine-d.

These cattle adapt themselves to circumstances and seem to thi'ive
whenever introduced, being rapidly acclimated in all sectH)ns of the
United Stat(\s. Tliev seem to improve in this country rather than lose
anv of their original good cpialities.— PF. M, Bcimingcr, Walnutporl,
Pa.

Boys and Girls on the Farm.

Only the carefully educated and thoroughly disci]dined nn^n and wo-
UK'H ar(^ fully piepai-ed to solve tlu^ complex problem of a happy and
prosperous lite (ui thefarm. An independent life, w<^ say. Oh, yes; inde-
pendent so far as our judgment causes us to Ix^ware of other farmers'
mistakes and to ])r(vtit by the expfU'ienee and precedents of those who
have learned how to make farming pay, not (mly in dollars and cents,
hut in th(^])roduction of that grandestoutgrowthof our civilization — an
American farmer's hom<'. F>ecaus(^ men have made fortun(\s on farms
who weredcn'oid of education, only argues that with the wi<ler visiim
and strength, of intellect that is the result of instruction and culture,
they would not (udy hav(^ succeeded in making money, but in the art
of using it; their hom<\s made happier, surround(Hl by an air of re-
hn(^numt that money cannot buy; themselves made better citizens,
and their children more likely to retain and add to tlndr inh(M-itance.
I^)vs and girls, likc^ their elders, naturally s^^ek for pleasure and proiit;
if 'thes<^ are found at home, they are not likely to leave Wu^ farm.
Think you that ambitious, enterprising boys and girls will cling to a
farm that has Ixmmi so poorly managvd that thesev(n-est toil and petty,
j)inching economy has not secured freedom from d(d>t, nor just reward
for labor? The desire to ''turn an honest penny" — in ])lain Fnglish
to earn monev — in our boys and girls is as natural as a heallhy \\\\\w-
tite. It should b(^ fostered and cultivated at an early age, for without
this spirit th<^re can be no n^al ind(^penden('e. Let the chihlivn have
tluMr little ph)t of ground and their own calves and pigs and {H>nltry.
J^'SJMM•t th(>ir choice and judgment in rt-gard to the clothes they wear,

i;

I;

u

^

II

24

Pennsylvania State Board vh' Agrioultuke.

iuul inrl fully -iiidiN l)n( uni control, llH^r actions in iv<;a.id lo lluMr
spiMidin^i; nioin^y. Jx^ our boys and i-irls early iVel lliat. lln^ honu' is
a co-ojK'rativc^ establislinicnt and that tlicy arc niciid)ci's of i\n^. lirni.
We would emphasize (his matter because vv(^ lirndy belit^ve that it is
not. a dislike to the country or the work that caus^^s so many eiii^r-
'•etic boys and ^irls to drill to the towns and cities; it is the stiM-n,
hard fad, that the farm onlv t)nVrs lliem a bare livini*-. —

11 is onr duty to mak<^ onr farnKS profitabh' and our home life at-
tractive; thai oni- children be early trained to habits of industry, and
that, we ^ive I hem I he best educational advantages witliin our nuMUS.
If we cannot keep our boys and ;;irls on the farm, we will not lose faith
ill theiu,bul believe thai I lieir count ry t raininj^ laid broad foun<lations
for a, noble callin.i' in any life. We do not believe (lod ever iul<MHh'd
Abraham Lincoln to si)end his life in splillin^' rails, nor Frances Will-
nrd hers, in washing dishes. l*ity the boy who tiud^vs after the i)l(nv
while his brain is Kvuiinj^- witli beautiful cr(Mti(ms in architecture, or
his hands tin^lin.i;- to touch the tools with which he may fashion cun-
nin.ji: implements, With which he may lighten hibm- and bhsss the world.
lmai;in<' a. farmers dauj;hrer who looks upon the sparklin*'- dew and
(he sun li;^htin.u \\\) Ihi^ easti'rn skies with an artist's eye and a poet's
soul, but if she Iries io paint on canvas, or write in sonj;-, or we^ive in
story this <;lowin^- vision she hears tln^ weary voice of her tired
uaMher: "My daui^hter, I am sorry to interrupt you now, but when
you have milked the cows and driven them to pasture, and churned
the butter, and \mi u\> the children's lunch for school, and fed the
chickens and turkcns, and picdved and shelh^d the peas for dinu<a\ you
can have the rest of the foremnm for study." Think you that farmer's
dau<;hter will (^vc-r place on canvas that picture, or sin^ that son^-, or
write that story? Wcdl W(^ know that if we cannot keep all our lK)ys
and i;irls on tin* farm, in every walk in life

"T>ruv(^ men are needed, and ]nir(^ womiMi, too,

T(> build the royal Jiri h
Of lime, the beauliful. in skies of blui',

Whei-e (lod's own footsteps march."

— A/ary Sainmons Parry, Graysvillc, Pa.

TllKOKY OK DrAINAGK.

If the removal of sta;;nant wat4M- from the soil is of impiu-tance for
it.s inthuMUM* in ]>r(^servin^ it in a rij^ht condition as res|>ects moisluiv,
it is still more imp(n*tant for its elfect upon tln^ temperature.

W<' sjH'ak (»f naturally dry sculs as waiin and early, and of wet soils
as bein^^ cold and late. An excess of water in soil ke(^])s down its
t<'mperatui'e about 10 dej^rei's. Water possesws a hi^^h radiatinjj:
jM^wer, and when present in the soil, in a stagnant state, is ciuistantly
carrying oil' heat by evaporation and i-adiation.

While sta^^nant water in a soil has this injurious iH)wer of loweiinjL,^

its lem|KM'atui*e, a diU'erent etb^'t ensues when rain wat<*r can sink

fn^^ly into it and How out throuj^h the drains; the rain water carriet*

lown with U the heat which it has acquired from the atmosphere and

Quarterly Report.

25

from the heated surface of the ground, and im])arrs it to the sub soil.
Ivain water not only conveys heat to the soil and subsoil, but carries
lar^e (piantities of amiuonia that is in the atmosphere, togctlu^* with
all other fertilizing matter spread uivon the suiface, down into the
soil, for the i>lant roots to feed u]M)n, and instead of washing- otV from
the surfac<' into sti'eams, i(d>bin;j;- the land to eniich the liver IkhIs,
(dosely folh^win.i; this tillerin.u' jU-oe(\ss, the air is forced downward by
atmospheric pr<\stsure and takes the i)lace of tln^ wa.t<T which luns
out into the ditch, j^ivin^- ns the alternate action of air and water
]>assin.i;- throunh tlu^ 4^oil. Freed from the constant ])resence of wat(^r,
tlie soil gradually becomc^s looser, more friable and sweeter, the hard
lunijKs ciMind)le and become mon^ ]H)rous and the free expoisure to,air,
with a prop(M- <legr(H^ of moist uri', pi'omotes the rapid decay of organic

matter.

An abundant su])i)ly of oxygen, by fre<^ ventilation of tin* soil, is ab-
solutelv necessarv to maintain the c(mstant chemical action which
should go on to secure its highest f(M'tility.

Fn)st is the greatest of all disintegrators. If the water is removenl,
land frcM'zes d('<']M-r. Aft<M' the wint<4^'s frei'/ang, tlu' time recpiii-ed
for the "set tling" of the soil dejvends largely upon its ])orous or r<'t<'ntivo
charaeter. Sandy or gravelly loam will be free from water in a short
\\\\\K\ whih^ a. lu^avy clay will not be tit for cidtivation until much
later, for in the latt'(M* the water is carried otf ujainiy by evai)orati<m.
Thoroughly drained land is not unfreipn'ntly ready for the plow from
1(^1 to lifteen days earlier than a sinnlai- undrained ar<'a. T(Mi days
gain in the tiim^'of planting, with such crops as c<n*n, oats, potatoes,
will often i)i'OVt^ Ji safe-guaid against damagv from drought, early
frost and insect enemi<'s, and an ecpially advanced maturity would
often ]a-otect wheat fi*om thc^ elb^cts of rust, r.esides this forwarding
of the croj)s, it must be remembered that any h'ngtlH^iing of tlu*
season, esjM'cially at se<Ml tim(% enablef* the farmei' to' accomplish
moiv work than lu' otherwise could do.— 7//^.?. A^. Rahion, FJdcjion,

Pa.

Raising TTogs.

The hog is always a ready sale, bringing more money for the cost
of k(M'ping than any other farm animal. What it costs to keep a half-
starv(Ml dog will ke'e|» a pig fat. There is enough wasted in most fam-
ili(^s vearlv to k(M']> two or three pigs fairly well. A pig should have
his own wav; vou make a nnstak<^ ev(^ry time you attemjd t<K drive
him; but coax him, and you never fail to win. '('all hiiu fi-om the far
side of a twentv-acn^ ]>astui'e and he will run with all his might just
for the fun of beating his mate to th(^ trough. Then^ is great div(M-sity
of (opinion as to the b(^st hog to bn^Ml. Which will lu'ove the most
profitable^ dei>ends much on the surroumlings. Y<ars ag(>, when
chcsstnuts and acorns vv(T(i nnu^c^ ph'ntiful than now, (►ver \\\ r.idlskin,
wluM-e I live, we had a br(MMl of hogs calh^l thc^ gvnuim', long-snouted,
loj) (>anMl, hoilow-ground, bacdv-acting i-azor bacdcs. All yon mnnhHl to do
with that bleed, was t(» let th(Mn run l(H)se in tln^ woods; they brcnl
amonu the ro(dvS in (Mu'slnut Kidge, and could run like a deer and

I

1

26

PEN^SYL\A^JIA State Board of Agkiculture.

li^iit like a catiiinoimt Tliis was the favorite breed witli tlie moun-
taineer. When fall came, all that we had to do was to sliouhler a
^nn, ciiil u|» the do^^s, g^o to the woods and bring- lionu^ the winters
porlc (with liorse and sled.) The razor-back would live and gi-ow
fat, wliere the line bred Poland (Jhina would freeze to death.

That used to be the best melhod of raising hogs for this locality.
But, owing to nuicli litigation arising as to the ownershij> of the num-
erous herds of mountain hogs, the metliod has bei^n abandoned. As
a gencM'al i>nr]>ose hog, tJie (Jhester Whites are probably the best
breed for this locality, because of the excellent quality of their meat,
large size an<l iiardy constitution. With comfortable and commodious
(luarters, proper care and attention, the Poland China will, perhaps,
give the best retunis for tln^ amount of food consumed.

Witli the pres^^nt liigli j)rice of poik, and low price of w^heat, any
bleed, even the razor-back, can be made to pay — uiore depending upon

the treatment than tln^ bi-(H^d. All brecnls are good in their way.

Daniel Pershing^ Mount Pleasant, Pa,

Road Mknding.

The idea of us all wanting to work out our ix)ad t^ixes, when we never
liave time, on only a few days after coju planting, is wrong; and even
then all want to work at once. The ix-sult is 40 or (;0 hands on the
road at once. They get so jubilant that one half talk and the other
half listen, and they are more likely to throw the earth where it is not
ncK^deil than in th(^ low^ places. Follow them up and you find outlets
and wat<H' courses left to the care, of a few boys, and the result is
a sharp chuck in the road and open only to the fence, or, i)erhaps, a
few shovelsful spaded up in the field, but nearly always damming
water back to road again, and the first heavy rain tears away the
bi-eaker and cariic^s away all r(^j)'^"*s done.

Six to ten men, under the c^ye of a good foreman, would leave the
same road in a more serviceable condition at less than one-fourth cost.
'Jlie rest of us would be able to find plenty to do at home that would
I)ay us. I think, the Ix'tter j)lan would be to have the tax paid into
the treasury and hav(> a foreman with six to eight hands, or less, when
not needed, to follow up roads and repair as needed, before they be^
come almost impassable. The foreman should Ix^ undei- the juilsdic-
tion of thrive road commissionei's, and the power might be vested in
our township auditors, who should adjust wages and see that no par-
tiality was shown in selecting favorites as laborers, irrespective of
senices nmdered, still giving men a chance to work out Iheir taxes
if they will furnish helj) whc^n needed and will I'ender amph* stM'vice
for money iKn<l. — Geo. W. Beaver, Millerwtown, Pa.

Rearing Chicks in Broo]:>kRvS.

It is a coTu para lively (\asy matter to rear chicks under a hen, but
artiticial rearing is a much more ditficult task.

There were taken from the incubator. May 10, at 4 oxlock ]). m.,

Quarterly Report.

27

220 chi(-ks and placed directly under two brooders, liO in each, where
the temperature stood about 108 degrees about three inches from the
centre. Boards six inches wide, nailed together, were placc^d a foot
fn)m the broo<ler to con line the chicks. -

May 11, at 7 o'clock a. m., the chicks wx^re fed their first meal, and
a very light one of bread and crumbs moistened in water and placed
on sand, repeating the same every two hours; last meal at 5 o'clock
p. m.

May 12. Same houivs for feeding, alternating bread crumbs with
dry oatmeal, and ])lacing water in inverted peach cans on saucei^s b(^
fore them.

May 13. They were fed every three hours on a diet of baked bread,
compos(Hl of sifted ground oats, corn and wheat — equal |)artS' — with
bran a<l(l(Hl equal to the whole bulk of ground feed an<l uioisiened with
swx^et, skimmed milk.

This fc^d was repeated each day until one week old. After that,
and up to two months, they were fed three times a day on the follow-
ing: Equal ])arts, by measure, of ground oats, corn and wheat, with
tvvice its bulk of bran, also same amount of gi*een or dry-cut clover,
with about a tablesi>onful of ground oyster sh(41s addinl; the whole
mass thoroughly mixed and moistened with hot sour milk. The last
feed at night was all the wheat they would (nit up clean.

After two months old, and up to laying, the sam(^ diet followed, only,
fed tvvice a day all tliey would eat uj) clean, with ciushed oyster shells
always In^foi'e them.

Out of the 220 chicks, 29 di(^d, 107 were roosters, 9 disappearcHl, and
75 were ]>ullets raised to laying.

IVniperature under brooders gradually decreased until four weeks
old, when lights were put out.

A low roost w^as placcnl close to the brooders to induce them on to
it early, which they did.

The brooder house was 10x1 (> fe<'t, with partition through centre;
each yard contained about 400 s(piare fcH^t, and the chicks were
never out of it. They were removed to laying pens when about three
and oiH'-half (.*U) nuuiths old.

On Keptember 10, just four months, I was rewardcnl for my con-
stant care and close attention to details by finding a tiny ^Millet's egg.
— Mrs. R. E. Knapp, (jreeiiville, l^a.

Education of Farmers' Children.

Tlie subject of <Hlucati()n is fraught with a deep interest to all who
have a, just aj>preciation of its merits. Its object and, wIhmi rightly
conduct(Ml, its effect, is to make man a complete creature of his kind.
The power of education is shown in that it hath power to giv^e to chil-
dn^n resources that will endure as long as life endures, habits that
liuK^ will amc^liorate but not destroy, in that it renders sickness toler-
al)l(\ solitu(l(^ pheasant, age venerable, life more digniri(Ml and useful,
and death l(\sis terril)le. When God created man in his own image
and gave him powers and capabilities but little Iowct than the angels,

r5.'**ty!M!W«fc:*«**ii**.'J«fcMiA»^-"i

'

Ul!i|

i|

fliiti

28

Pennsylvania State Board of A(;ricultuke.

lie infrinlcd llial hi- should li\(^ worthy of liis liiuli (^shito; and the
.Ui-aiid cent ml end of all (Hlucalion is Ihe attaiiiiiieiU of IhaL inaiih(K)d
whiclL (fod d(\si<^ii(Ml for man and which was i\u' idral ]>i'ot<>tyiK^ after
whicli lie cri^atcHl him. \W ^ivin«j;- to our childi-eii an cdMcation, they
shall hav(^ Iheii' n^vard in llir licli stoi*(^s of iNiiowlcd;;!' they have thus
collecUMl, and which shall over ho at their connnanil, more valnahh^
than matorial trcasnros. AVhilo Hoots may sink, storohiMLses ccm-
sum(% and riches Un\(\ the inlclloctual stores tlu^v have thns iia.thoi*od
\N ill he pormanont and ondurin*^', as unfailing as tho constant fk)vv of
Niagara.

We cannot ho too car<'fnl to have tho odncation of onr familic^s pro-
ceed in the right direction, for education may \k' right oi* wi'ong — good
or had. Uc^ason may grow sfrong in error and revel in falsities. The
lieaF-t may grow in vice and tlu^ passions exjyand in nnsinle. It. has
IxM'n wisely oi'dained that light shonld have no color, water no taste,
and air no odor; in like manner, onr edncation or hnowledge shonld
becMpially pare and without admixlnre. (Classical ](sn*ning ami polite?
litei'atnn* are very dilferent from that vast amount of inlelligenci' —
practical int<dligenc(^ for evei-y day use — that om- mnst havi^ to render
his interc(Hirs(^ with society pleasing to« himself or agreeable to others.
L(^t boys and girls be tanght first what is necess^iry to prepare them
for the common duties of life; then all that can be gaintnl from fudds
of classic lor<^ or works of polite ermlition is of tln^ utmost value. It
is a. c<mimon failure^ that boys and girls hang back Ikm-uusc^ it takes
so long to ac(piire a mastery of anything, viewing the end from a c<m-
tem])lation of ihe beginning. T^et the end alonc^! ISi^gin at the begin-
ing and learn thoroughlv what vou learn. Ue it ever so little, vou
may speak of it with conlidence. A few well delimMl facts and ideas
are worth a whole librarv of uncertain knowle(lg(^

It is not what a man i^ats, but what a man dig<t^ts that makes him
strong; not what he gains, but what he saves that mak<\s him rich;
so it is not what he re-ads oi* hears, but what he i*enHMubei*s and ap
jdies that makes him hsmuMl. Hence it is our duty, as well as owi priv-
ileg(N to so train and cultivate th<^ mind and bodv that thev will an-
swei' readily all demands made uuou them bv an enlight<Mn'd mind,
and will perform all their a])pro|M'iat<' functions in ihe great w(U-k of
lib'- In this enlighten<Ml age, ignoi-ance is a voluntary misfortune,
for all who will niav diiid< d<MM)lv at the fountain of knowlcMlgo.
Sinc<', then, intellectual attainments are so ])recious and wisdom so
grand in its achieveme^nts, he^ who n(*gh>ct« io imjM*ov(>^ his nu'ntal
fa<'ulties, or fails to train all his |wHvers of mind and lM>dy, is not
walking in those jjaths which, undei* (Jod's guidance, conduce most
surely to happiness and ciuiteut. — N. F, Aliman, Dime, Pa,

A Word to tiik Bovs.

T would not advis<' a bov whose tastes an^ so decidedlv in favor of
s.(UU(* othei' employment that he canind be hap|;y (U- contented <m the
farm, to stay there; but I would ask every young man to look all the
^acts in the face and weigh the matter well before ciuninu to a d(Hd-

Quarterly Report.

29

sH)n. To fh(ks(^ boys and young men wiio are impressed wii h i he beau-
tu'sot nature, who h>ve to study natural history, and those sciences
related to agrnailture and horticulture; who are sharp, ch)se observers
ot natural objects, who love trees and plants, fruits and (lowers, who
h)ve donu'stic animals, and are deeply moved by the voices of liafure
the songs ot birds and the hunimifjg (d' insects, we commend the jnir-
suit of agriculture and hort icull uiv. I know of no other pursuit that
can alford so much aid in tln^ h(>allhfnl, harmonious <hselo{)ineni. of
body and soul, of physical strenglh and int<41ectual and moral growth,
as the exercise, the food and rlie incentives to right thoughts and
right conduct (^\perienced in the daily tillage <d* the soil. \o ath-
letic exercise will call into nnu'e luNilthful aetiim eviMw muscle of the
body ihan the ex(M*cise resulting fi-om the p(M-formanc(^ (►f the niulti-
faiaous labors of the farm. Vou contribut(* also to the phvsical
health and growih by nourishing tlu' Ixxly with the best jM-oducts of
the soil, the cereals of the thdd, the fruits of the orchard and vegeta-
bles of th(^ garden gathered when at their Ix^st, fresh and fullv^ma-
turtHl, instead of i>artially lipe when gathered tor market, and' stale
when pi-epared tor the table. Then you may have those d(^licH)us
animal pi-odiicts, fresh eggs, |»uie milk, genuine cream and purely
Havered butter, l)(\sides lln^ llesh of domi\stic animals, reared, fed and
siaughtiMHHl by ycmrself. Willi frcf exercise in the pure air and such
a diet, the intelligent farmer ought to Ih^ blessiMl with a sound bodv.—
/. /. Barley, Bhomfield, Pa,

What wk Lack.

< 'Un we not, as farmers, becium^ bright (^xam|)h\s of succt^ss? Let us
C(nisid(M- tin- hindering caus<\s: First, I think that we hav<' bei^n fol-
h>wing too long in (dd ruts, which, w hile they may hav<' led our fathers
to succ(\ss, ar(^ too nari'<)w and circumscribed for our day. W(^ todav
need more than mere muscle to mak(^ farming pay. The farmer who
can now c(unmand success is he wlnv is intelligent and wide awakc^ to
tin' (hMuamls of the times. He is a subscriber for the best farm j<Mir-
nals and a nuMnber of a grange (u- alliance, if such (U-ganizations (^xist
in his neighborhood. He tiies new methods and knows what crops
he can rais<^ with most profit. His n<dghbor who does not believe in
those nevv-fangh^d notH>ns of farming, reading farm jiaiM-rs and at-
temling instilut(\s, can't see how to \!:,v\ along without his ''old fogy"
notiiuis. The good, c^ld way, and the old, scrub breed of stock is what
suits him best, lie thinks it extravagance to fcM^l vvln^at to st(Mk, in-
stea<l of selling it at 50 cents per bushel, lie pieters s<'lling'liis
wheat at live-sixths of a ccmt a imjuikI and buying back the huTls at
one cent per pound, and the middlings at six-liflhs of a cent, or %\:1<)
per 100 jMMinds.

AVhile th(^ wide awake mdghbor sees that selling wheat at 50 cents
]M'r bushel, which cost him about 75 cents per bushel to }>r<Mluce, d(M's
not justify a la?'ge ar<'a of iis culture; ihe (Mher fellow thinks he
must incriMse his acr<'age <d wheat in <uder to Inne nnu-e to sell to
make \\\) loi* the low price. The int<'lligen t, i-eading farmer, knowing
the inarkfH pric<' of wheat at rittsburgh, diicago and IMiila<lelj»hiir,

i

30

Pennsylvania State Board of Agkiculture.

does not consent to sell his wheat here at 50 or 55 cents, when at the
markets named it is s(41in«;' at from 5 to 10 cents hi<>lier. But the
poor fellow who does not read, fearing that the millers will get grain
shipped from the west, sells at the miller's price, instead of standing
by his fellow farmer in holding for at least the Pittsburg or Chicago
prices for wheat. This matter of a just price for farm products shows
our lack of co-operation, which could be remedied by organizing for
our [)r()t(^ction. We need to get together more frequently and com]>are
notes about our calling. Tf we have a successful way of doing a certain
tiling, let us tell it to our neighbor, and if there be any good in him,
he will :^ive us the benefit of it. — /. 6*. Mock, Ore 1 1 ill ^ Pa,

FarmkRvS' WivKvS.

1 know that farmers' wives, as a rule, must do lots of hard work;
but even this can be lightened by systematic management. A pretty
fair (Mlucation, quick tact, and a keen sense of observation will go a
long way toward lessening the work on a farm. We will now lead
gradunlly up to the master thought. A farmery's wife can and ought
to be just as much of a lady in every sense as any one. How often we
hear this expression, '^Oh, she is just going to be a farmer's wife," as
though that meant something ipiite inferior; now, what woman, or
what wife in the land can be so thoroughly independent as a farmei*'s
wife? She can put a meal upon the tcible which is almost wholly her own
production. Society does not cix>wd her into a little, narrow niche, f i-om
which she dare not stir, because custom and etiquette does not ap-
prove. Over her home, tyrant fashion does not sway her sceptre and
I'ule with her rod of iron; she contwls her own domain, and she can be
every whit a lady, and has it in her power to elevate and purify her
position. Of course, she can be a drudge, if she choose. No one
will interfere with lu^* rights and pi-ivileges, but this is just the point
1 wish to make: First, a farmc^r's; wife must know how to tiike
proper care of herself, and it will naturally follow that she will Ix*
bettx^^r fittcHi to take care of what she^ is entrustA^d with. TIkm'c^ is no econ-
omy whatever, in a woman who has had indications which cannot be
mistaken, symptoms whicli nevcn* deceive, that nature* is crying out
for rc^st. If she dm^s not h(x^d all these warnings by kindly nature,
she drags on, day aft(n* day, so miserable she can scarcely endure the
agony, only half doing the work to save the exp^mse of liired help.
Now, I will show you just what the (^nd of all this tired feeling will
inevitably \m\ She goes down into a long spell of sickness, a physi-
cian is called, who says, ^Sall run down," "nen^ous jn-ostration," the
hired help must come, and the doctor bill, too, and \\\\ the sufF(^i'ing
and drain on the system thrown in gratis, and ]>robably that pr<Mi<)UH
health, which money cannot buy, forfeit<Ml. Now, as the good fai-m-
ers of our hmd must have wives, let us try to give them a good article
and one upon which they will not be afraid to invest. Educate the
girls up to that j>oint thnt when they marry a farmer it menus to
him home, hnopiness, health and prosperity. — Miss Annie M. Gilsoii,
Spruce Hill, Pa.

Quarterly Report.

31

Why Boys Lkavk the Farm.
Much as we deplore and complain of the fact, almost weekly we see
young men, grip m hand, bidding father and mother and the old farm
adieu, however dear they and it may be to him. That old home and
surroundings he leaves. Our teaching .ml the little education he may
have received at the public school has brought him to conclude that
the farm is no place for him. We are cruelindeed if we say of him
he nas no love for home," for every nook and corner of the old house'
plain and simple though it be, has to him its dear associations. HerJ
he spent his boyhood days. Here, perhaps, witli brothers and sisters

to hin "^ M ^Y^ ''^^^^ ^^^'^ of his life. No place is so deai^
to him. h(^ old, tamiliar barn, with its mows and stables, horsivs,
cattle and pouUry— all are imbedded so firmly in his nu^norv that^
even in his dmims he fancies he sees each pass before him and i-ounts
them all as dear friends. He dare hardly think, as he lies uiH,n a
strangers couch, of the other ties that biml him to home— of llithor
mother, brotliers and sisters, and the thousand and one ties that bind'
hiiu to the old place. For, by a mistaken system we call '^education"
he has l>c^^n taught that the great business successes of life are not
achieved on the farm. In the very limiled education he has btn^n able
to gam in our public schools, he has bc^^n taught fmm his first reader
up through all the grades of history and political economy (if he has
had the opportunity of going that far), no word or thought or lim^ has
ever been iK>inted out or hinted to his ambitious mind that success in
lite ever could l)e attained by tilling the soil. Up to the time we
see him mth grip in hand, leaving homes he has \m^n t<iught from
his text books and by his teachers that the men who attain to success
in the world, who hold and ayh to hold positiims of honor and trust in
the councils of {\w. nation, are mostly recruited from tlu^ professiems
or trom men whose wealth alone seem to maki.' them great, no matter
al)out ability.

Hardly a. favorable word is found in the text books which he has
bcMm studying of that one-third of our population— the tillers of the
soil, prcKlucers of that upon which the inhabitants of the world eve^-
have and ever will depend for sustenance and lif<s and of the crops
that must feed and iinj)rove all the domestic animals of the world
and, by training, mak(^ them subservient to thc^ will of mon. In other
words, not a word of encouragement to th(^ fanner's boy to bc^ccmie a
tanner is given in the text books as now uschI in ohr public schools.
No teachings on the science of practical agriculture have yet been in-
troduced or adoi)ted as part of the course of study. The teaching of
Uie gmit Washington, that "agriculture is the noblest occupation of
man, s<.^ems wholly to have been ignored or lost sight of by those who
prepare our school text books.— /a^^;^ Sexton, Sprijighouse, Pa.

HoMK Training.

We often hear our fathers and mothers sp<Nik of the training'- they
received wh(Mi boys and girls at home and in school. amipaHng it
with that given the boys and girls of to<lay, w<' find a vast difference

■'->»■

32

'i\

Pennsylvania State Boakd ok Agkiculture.

riM'V \V(M'e accnslojiHMl to strict oIkmIIciicc to tkcir jKn-cnts, niid eon-
S(MiiH'iitIv }() llu'ir school (cjichers. For we fm<l lliat lhos<' who obey
llh'ir jfai-cnts are usually ohi'dieiit in school. For any act of disobe-
dii^iicc Ihr cliihl was ])iinish(Ml, ofloii seviMvly.

llow often (io w(^ enter homes wliere we liear the parent threaten
{he ehihl with all manner of pnnishnnvnt, [>i\)vid('(l he wouldn't do
this or that, or stop doini^' a certain thini*', and still piM-niit the- child
to 'hav<^ his own way in all things? Js that the kind of training;- chil-
4lixMi shouhl Imve? i^urelv we caunot bnt answei* with an <'m])hatie

-Nor

INm)j>1!' w ill say, tlu^ will power of inir children must be develojHMl.
A\'<^a.urcM* with Hhmii. Wo <1o not believe that: childi-en shouhl «;row nj)
withonl a will oF their own, always bein^i;- ready to (hv as* everyone
(^Ise does, or t<*lls them to do. 'IJut they slionld rather be (d)lli;('d to
obey, as our j^i-andfat Ikm-s and ^I'and mot hers did, than that the will of
iJie child should dominate over that of the parent, a« is too often the
case. A«4'ain, the children of today are not trained to work the way
th(\y were years a^o. W(* read in the JJible that the Jevv«, however
rich, learncHl a trade. Fanl, who becanu^ the ^reat preacluM*, was a
tent maker. And so every man had sonu'thiui; to rely on in cast' of
a. luistortune. VV^as that merely a foolish whim of theirs, because so
lew ])(N)ph» of the pn^Si'nt day follow their example, bnt rather con-
si<ler it de^radin*;- to be a working man?

Many a youn^- man who is heir to a hn\j;o fortnne — even if it isn't
s^) lar.i;'e^ — do<^s not conein-n himself a boat work in any w^ay, whatever.
I^^t ns pictnre to onr nnnd's eye such a yonnjj^ man, and also another
one who, thon^h as rich, is wiser than he and learns a trade. Misfor-
tnne comes to both. The former is nnprei>ar(Ml for it, an<l uidess
some kind friend hel|)-s hiui alon<;", starvation stai'es him in the face.
The latter r(\sorts to his trade, thereby <'arnin^' an honest and inde-
pendent livini;".

(J iris, let ns slunv willinpiess when onr motlu'rs endeavor to teach
ns to work.

Keys, lift the burden from your parents' shoulders byai<iin^- tlu'ni in
every way yon can. <i(k1 has placed ns here n]Hm earth in onr differ-
ent positions to bi^ useful. Tn ord(^r to be iisefnl, W(^ nnist be willini;'
to do our share of the lalw>r. Th<M'efor<% we shonld alwavs make tln^
b(^st us(M>f (^very mouient of time that is ours. — Miss Lirj2'ze D. Heycit,
Flechuood, Pa.

FakmkRvS' Reading.

AVhy is it that in so niany familii'^s, (^spcM-ially in faruiers fam-
ine's, ri^adin^' is hold of so little importance? Mothei', amid all lin*
multiplicity of dutie^s, feels that slu^ has ih) time to r(»ad; father may
I'isid lh<^ newsjKipers and once in a whih^ a book of history or bi-
o;4i'aphy, bui .ill novels ho looks upmi with a frown, and |M)etry, iu his
estimation, is ncMhini; but a nund)er of words ^ronped tegethei' in
snch a wav as to mak<» a f(nv ihvnies.

Every true parent reco^ni/x^s the fact that when (lod ^ives into his

IK

iin
in*;-.

Quarterly Report. 33

rare and keeping an immortal soul, a very great responsibility goes
NMlh he gift. His duty it is to see that the little one grows nientallv
as well as physically, and that he is instructed in all that is pure and
■M)ble and the parent's work along this line cannot be completed
a til he has tried to impart in the child's mind a love for good read-
ig. ihmk you that that boy who finds in the best books a staunch
companion will be as likely to go astray as the one whose mind is
almost en irely devoid of the good that is contained in our standard
literature.'*

Each true teacher of our country is b(-inning to realize that it
does not so gix^atly matter how much arithmetic or geography she
teaches a child as how much better and purer she makes him There
are many ways of doing this, cluef among them being that ^f cultivat-
ing m the child a taste for the best literature that the country affords
and in eveiy schoolliouse that is pix^sided over by a live teacher we
hnd reading desks and libraries for the use of the children Now if
the teachers are awakening to their responsibility in this direction
hovv much more necessary it is that the parents should be fully alive
to their duty. Granting, then, that reading should be practiced in
the farmers' families more than heretofore, the question naturallv
arises, ^Shall we follow a special course of reading?" The answer is
yes; but not an ironclad one. In the summer, when eveiybody about
the farm is working early iind late, it is scarcely possible to carry out
any prescribed course of reading, although each member of the family
should try to read something; a few lines, well digested, will do more
good than many lines huriedly read and never thought of again.

The one thing that is greatly needed in all homes is svini)a thy— that
bond of love which draws father and mother, brother airid sister closer
together and makes them all feel that there is indeed ^^no place like
home, sweet home." One of the best ways to bring about a greater
amount of sympathy in the home is by having a reading circle, for
when people are working together for the same end, that great mon-
ster selfishness is practically excluded, and a common chord of feelin^>-
runs through all and unites all more fully in the tender ties of love. "^
The book of all books, the IJible, claims a most important place in
the reading course, especially for Sunday afternoim and evenings.
What more beautiful sight can there be than that of the whole family
gathered about the Word of (lod and obtaining from it truths which
will go with them through life .and enable them to become purer and
nobler men and women?

Once more we repeat, ^T.et us read." If any among us are not read-
mg people, let us become so at once, for our own sakes not only, but
for the sake of our children and loved ones, and let us always remem-
ber to put into practice the good and true of which we read, so that
when the books on earth are closed, it may be said of each on(» of us:
"His d<HMls shall be held in everlasting remembrance."— MV.s- Sue V,
Slack, Richboro, Pa.

i

34

Pennsyi.vania Staie Board of Aokicultuke.

Winter and Summicr Dairying.

In order to show tlie results obtained in \n inter da irvin*^', I will ap-
pend ii statement showing the amount of milk sold and the net prices
realized per month:

Month. Milk Sold. Value.

September, 3,20i}lbs. $24. OG

October, , 2,573 '' 20.58

November, 2,5(>8 " 21.82

December, 5,800" 62.23

January, 5,800" G2.23

February, 0,000 " 70.08

March, 5,927" 70.15

April, 6,100" 62.23

May, 6,072 " 62.68

June, 7,289 " 75.90

July, 6,006 " 63 .06

August, 6,390" 61.97

63,7641bs. 1659 . 59

In addition to the above I realized $114.00 from the sale of calves,
making a total of $773.59, as the product of twelve cows. This is a
remarkable showing, but the facts are those received from the cream-
ery. The statement does not include anything for the value of the
j)ig feed received from the creamery, which, at a low estimate, is
worth $50 per year.

In comparison with the above, the usual summer dairying would
show the follov.'ing ro^ulis:

April, 3,0001bs. $33.00

May, 5,000 " 62.50

June, 6,300 " 66.15

July, 6,130 " 52.10

August, 5,300 " 36.10

KSeptember, 4,550 " 36.40

October, 4,500 " 36.00

November, 4,000 " 36.00

December, 2,500 " 20.40

41,2801bs. $378 . 65

To the above is to be added $90 for calves. If we allow the sum of
$100 on account of pig feed in favor of the summer dairy, the differ-
ence of $204.94 will still I'emain in favor of winter dairying. Although
the dilference may appear as very large, the writer is firm in the be-
lief that his estimates of tlie pi'oduct of the summer dairy have bt^n
made very liberal. — Jacob Rodcnbazcgh, Lennsburg, Pa.

The Horse.

The scienci^ of breeding, as applied to th(^ animals and feathered
ci-eaticm, though comparatively in its infancy, is developing tnily
wonderful results. The study is most fascinating, and as we pursue

QUAKTEKLY REPORT,

35

it, the niind becomes impressed with w(jnder at th(^ astonishing pro-
gress It has attained. ^ ^

The extent of the breeder's ambiti(m ]ii(h(M'to, was to breed up to a
certain Ideal ot excelh^nce, selecting for that standard the finest speci-
mens of the best attainable varieties. When this point was reached,
t was thouglit that a gn^at achievement had been accomplished, but
ihere are no bounds to human wisdom, wlu^n the necessity for its exer-
cise exists. ^ ^^^^i.

AVifhin a few short years it has been made nianif(^st that the orig-
iiijil tyiKvs could be improved by a system of judicious crossing with
ditlvrent varu^ties of the same genus, assisted in some measure by a
happy concurrence of climatic and dietetic inrtuencos. At no other
time since the introduction of breeding the horse in these United
^^tates, has it been of as much importance to the farmer and the
large, extensive breeder as it is at the present time.

I must pass along to a boom in a certain line of horses, that while
It made several parties rich, it about bankrupted the balance'of the
farmers that tlie hctitions standard missc^l, and that was the fabu-
lous prices that they paid for stallions and brood mares of the Norman
Clydesdale and otlu^r breeds of draft horses. Farmers all over the
country were led into the trap and even went so far as to pay several
thousand dollars in cash for a half interest in a large stallion -ive a
mortgage on their farms and a chattel mortgage on their half of the
horse for the otluM- h-ilf. Of course, in this State tlu^e are no chattel
mortgages but in Ihat casi^ parties would take a judgment exemption
note which IS worse, for that took all the ]>roperty the poor farmer

11 1 . , •^'''' ''^'^'^'' ^'^^^ "^^^^''y ^^''^^ ^''^'^^ shortsighted men were
allowed to do business for themselves and families. ^ I have tliou-ht
had th(^ courts empowered their wives to look after their business!
they ^^'ould at least have known enough to have stH^n that the draft

iniT^'^'^'f """l^^ ^'t ^«^* I'^'^'^y ^^'o^'l^ «»n^l must, to a great measure, be
sold to tlie laboring class in our large cities-a class of men that
could not aftord to pay moi-e than ordinai'v pricc^s— hence, there was
no money m fancy prices for tliat class of iiorses. Yet we must have
large, slow moving liorses for draying, etc., but we must raise them so
as to b(^ abl(^ to s^^ll them from $75 to $100 pcT head, or not breed them

Allow me to give you the average prices of horses in several*
'\... ^"^^ ^^^'^ average price in Texas to be $21.00; Mis-
souri, $30; South (^arolina, $79; Kentucky, $82; Oregon, $51 Cali-
fornia, $46; IVnnsylvania, $67; New York, $76, and New Jers^v, $75
per head. When we take into consideration the fact that these\aver-
ages were carefully compilcnl from tlie recorded sales, includin<r the
fi?T>^''^'?/'^ $125,000 i)aid for Arion in (:alifornia,Axtel, $105,000;
ilell Boy, $515,000, and hundreds of otlu^rs from one to thirty and fortv
thousand dollars pcM- lu^d. Suppose the average price was compiled
Irom all biv(Mls of hors(>s, not including high bivd fast trotters and
the thorough ])red horses, we would find the avcu-age price reduced at
least on(-third. In this Stat<^ it would make the average price of
ordinary bnnl horses about $45 per head. I ask what farmer can
hviHHl horses at that ]vrice and live, financially?

There is a vast difference in the kind of horses we should now breed
and more especially the fnrmpr, than there was from five to twenty five
years back. Heretofore, almost any horse that was souud in limb and

86

Pennsyt.vanta State Board of Agriculture.

I

wind, from ten to twelve hundred pounds, altliou<^li minus one eye,
would sell for striH^t car purposes. Alas! that has vanished and elec-
tricil V has taken its place. Where, perhaps, ten years iv^o, there weix^
half a million horses used on street ear lines, there is not one used
today. Some one asks, what shall we do with that class of horses?
I answer, donl breed Wunn. Stop breeding- mongrels. Either breed
the large, heav}^ draft horse, with good bone and muscle, clean,
smooth joints, say from fourteen to sixteen hundred pounds, or
breed for style and action, with plenty of endurance. And in breeding
for the latter, I would breed to a large, stylish, thoroughbred stalli(m
on cold-blooded mares, with short cannon bones to give them plenty of
knee action. Such horses make tine saddlers and roadsters that can
trav(d from ten to twelve mil(\s an hour, and for such horses there is a
great demand, and always will be, at fair prices.

llemcmher, always ,not to i)ay any fabulous «tud fe(\s, for such have
ruined hundreds oi breeders, and today their ])roperty is being sold
under the sherilf's hammer.— C C. Dcmpsey, Springboro, Fa.

Quarterly Report.

87

and nitrogen, valued at about six, eight and seventeen cents per
ppuud, respectively, or, in other words, potash is worth $120 per ton;
phosphoric acid |1G0 per ton, and nitrogen $340 per ton— the prices
paid for the same in commercial fertilizers. When we sell our pro-
ducts we part with or sell fertility; when we buy manure or fertU-
izers, we do so \\n\\ the expectation of turning tliem out in »ome
other form at a higlu^' price to pay for tlu^ labor and care in producing
them. If we sell butter, lard or potatoes, we do not draw heavily on
our capital; but if we sell clover hay, corn, oats, wheat, etc., at the
lu-ices we sonu^times recede, it will be well to do a little calculating to
learn whether we receive first cost for the articles.

The business of the farmers is to produce crops and sell the same at
a profit; or, in other words, to sell his potash, ])hosi)horic acid and ni-
trogen at a higher price than these cost liim to replace. The main re-
liance of the practical faimer to maintain ferlility is stable manure,
supplemented by the judicious use of commercial IVrtilizers.— ^. H,

tit, Pine Grove, Pa.

1 1

CoMMERCLVL Fertilizers.

Commercial fertilizers come under the head of manure, and it is ad-
mitted by most farmers that fertilizers i)ay if used judiciously and ob-
tained at their real value. In this and many other states, laws have
been enacted for the protection of the farmer against fraudulent fer-
tilizers, and it is requirxnl that the analysis be branded plainly on all
bags, stating the amount of nitrogen, phosjjhoric acid and fiotash con-
tained therein, so that the purchaser can easily calculate the value of
a fertilizer from the analysis. As a rule, the fertilizer which contains
the greatest amounts of th(^ fertilizing elements is the cheapest, for
the cost of manufacture, freight rate and commission are as high on a
low grade as on a high grade, and the hibor on the part of the user is
increased as the grade decreases, since 200 i>ounds of a good, hone>st
article will do as much good as 400 pounds of a low gi»ade will, with
only half the quantity to handle, aside from paying double the rate of
freight. Every one using comnn^'cial fertilizers should acquaint him-
self with the prevailing pi-ices of the ingrcnlients and calculate from
the percentages given on tlu^ bags the value of what he buys, and not
take the word of the manufaetuix^r or agent selling the same.

The common saltpetre consists of nitric acid and x>otash, but it is
too costly for use as a fertilizer. The principal sources of nitrogen are
from vegetation, from animal tissue, from manure, from gas factories,
a small quantity absorbed by the soil thr<:)ugh the medium of rain and
snow, and in commercial fcM'tilizers from a natural deposit found in
the nitre beds of South America, known as nitrate of soda. The aver-
age nitrogen contained in grain usi^l for feed is about sixteen per
cent. The clover family of plants an^ rich in nitrogtm, consequently
the liigli <'st imation of manure from clover hay and grain, since nitro-
gen is valued at about seventc^en cents per pound, the highest valued
and the easiest lost of all fertilizing eh^nents. Bearing in mind that
tihe three leading ingredients in a fertile soil are potash, phosphoric acid

The Winter Milker.

Every farmer who has had experience in winter dairving will admit
that it takes mon^ labor to ])ro])(M'ly care for his winter dairv than it
does to care for the same animals in summer, when on pastum; but
as butter usually brings nea.i-ly doubh^ in winter what it does in'sum-
nier, the farmer can well alt'ord to give his winter cows more atten-
tion, as it i)ays best to pnHiuce \\w bulk of the butter in winter.

To get good returns from the winter milker, we must abandcm some
of the old ways of caring for them. It will not increase the flow of
milk to turn them out on a cold, stormy djiy to wandtM* in large barn
yards. Neither is the protection from north winds that a wire fence
^ affords sufTicient to k(M'p the arch out of tln^r backs. If you want a
profit out of them, you must keep tliem warm, by having warm stables
for them, and fecMling i)lenty of good, nourishing food. The colder
your stables are, the more food you must give tlic^m to keep them in
good condition. Therefore, it will be profitable for us to close every
hole and crack in our stabl(\s with boards and building paper, until we
have it so warm that the manure won't freeze in the coldest weather.
For tieing the cows in the stalls there are vari(ms metliods cham-
pioned by our best dairy ukmi. TIk^ main thing is to keep them clean
and comfortable, for without cleanliness it is impossilde to produce a
first-class article, whether butter or milk. After we have our stable
to our entire satisfaction as to warmth, V(>ntiiation and comfort, we
must consider their care and feeding during the six montJis that they
ought to spend in their winter quarters. For a profitable winter cow,
she ought to come in i)rofit about the middle or latter part of Septem-
ber. I want to imi)i'ess that the six weeks previous to the cow's calv-
ing are tlu' most im|K>rtant in her existence, in so far as it relat(^s to
her prolitabh^ness as a dairy animal. She needs to be liberally fed
with a i)rop(M'ly balanced ration to dev(dop Ikm* udder, and builil her
up to w healthy condition. (\ire must be exercised so as not to feed

■lit I

38

Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

)

i

lier too strongly for one week before and one week after calving, lest
you have milk fever, garget or some other evil attendmg maternity.
1 have found coarse wheat bran, fed in liberiii (luantities, to be the
best grain ration for this period..

After the calf is one week old, and you have made such disposition
of it as you think best, you will probably commence to use the milk
for butter purposes. From this time forward your cow will need the
best skill and good judgment exercised in her care and feeding. In
fact, if you have a good cow, it will depend altogether on her carc^,
whether she makes you 150 pounds or 300 pounds of butter per year!

One hundred and fifty pounds, at 25 cents per pound, would give
you a return of 1^7.50, hardly enough to ])ay her keep, and nothing for
your Libor; ;^00 pounds at the same price would return to you |75.00,
or sullicient to pay for a liln^ral j-ation and a good profit besides!
Three hundred i)ounds pjH- year is' no fancy figure, but, on the con-
trary, there are many herds of fi-om 20 to 100 cows that average that
amount per year and pay a, good profit to their owners; but these
cows are well fed and cared for, and are never persuaded with a club
to stand still while being milked.

As to the b(\st food for your winter milker, this depends largely on
your farm. Of course, if you can arrange to have succulent food, your
success will be easy if you an^ a skillful feeder. In the absence of
the silo, vvi^ must de{)( nd u[)i)n root croj)s for a succulent food. If your
soil is suited for such croi)-:, you will be sur]>rised at the amount of
roots that can be gn)wn on an acre of ground. l*robably corn fodder
and clover hay are the cheapest fodder that we can raise in this lati-
tude, and if you have plenty of it, supplemented with four or five
3>ounds of grain i)er day, it will give vou good returns.— Z. ^. Over-
field, Mhisi, Pa. * •

Quarterly Report.

39

TiiR Farmer and Cot'ntv Fairs.

He should, therefore, mak(» it his special duly, wlienever visiling
such fairs, to spend consirlcinble of his time, not only amidst ma-
chinery, but equally as well iimong the cereals, live stock, etc., gaining
information on all sid(^s interesting him, ami lik(nvise, making sure
that such informution gained will serv(^ as a guiih- to the road of ad-
vanceuK^iU with his own st(M-k and province, which goes far towards
(^nrichiug uiul filling the pocket book of the ever wisi- and intelligent
fanner, making him prosperous and hap])y. So much for the faimers
tluMuselves; but we must not lose sight of the ladies— our faithful
house-keepers and home-makers. In what manner will they be en-
abled to enlightc^n themselves and prolit by such agricultural fairs?
As we are all pc^rff^ctiy aware, suf-h ex])ositi(ms are partially consti-
tuted by various women's departments, where the grandest and
nobh^st of work, executed by \\\q most skilhnl an:l deft fing(TS of the
fairer sex is exposed to our full vision. Work that probiibly the in-
genuity of all th(^ men combined could not successfully and compara-
tively achieve, but which is solely assigned or allottcHl to our ambi-
tious and loving copartners through our life's journey. It may siH^m

ridi( ulous, perhaps, to utter or believe that such could yet profit
through the infiuence of such exhibitions; yet we know that some
possess an over-fondness for crocheting," others for oil ])aiuting, others
for embroidery or outlining, others i>robably for the baking Qf deli-
cate and delicious tasting pies and cakes, otlu^rs for preserving or
canning fruits, etc. Hence, it is plainly coinjo-elicnsibh^ that some ai*e
supiH'ior toothers in some respects, and therefore it is vc^ry natural that
such, even if slightly lacking in dexterity, will eventually atti^mpt to
(Mpial her suj)erior in such work, with which she is not so familiar and
adroit, and as a result of great benefit to her on that account. There-
fore it is xiiv\ imiiortant for the ladies, as W(dl as the gentlemen, to
a ctua te themselves with the transacti<ms of such f airs,for Uie promotion
of their own interests and wx'lfare. Even thechihhen, wlvo seem to be
so highly interested in those institutes, who delighl in exhibiting
articles of their own make and ])roperty, have embodied within their
breasts, long before the approaching of fair week, anticipations of the
most gratifying nature in view of the enjoynumts and benefits they
ho[>e to secure by the fr(H3 and accessibk' ])rivileges aft'orded to them
on such occasions. — Wyn, T. Beck, Nazareth, Pa,

«v

Drinking Water.

Wlu^re cistern water is usc^d for drinking purposes, the greater care
should be exercised in its proper construction. The cistern should be
built of brick, laid in cenu^nt and plat4tei*ed water tight uix)n the out-
side as well as uikjii the inside, so as to prevent the iK>ssibility of
water from the adjacent soil passing into it.

The top of the cistern should be well covered, so as to ])revent ani-
mal and vegetable refuse from falling in. A tight covering of stone is
the best. A w<H>den j)ump should not be placed in the (ustern, Jis it
so(m decays and collects uix)n it much filth. An inui pipe, with the
l>ump in th(» kitclu^n, is probably the best and most convenient ar-
rangeuumt for those who use cisterns. However, the cistern should
never be built in the cellar. When so built, the air above the water
is invariably bad, and the periodical cleaning out of the cistern, which
should be done at hsist once a year, is not so likely to l>e attended to.
Th(* ]>i*actic(^ of placing an overflow pipe from the cistern which leads
to a cesspool or a vault cannot be too strongly cond(Mnned, as it has,
without doubt, cost many lives. Then^ should not be, under any cir-
cumstances, any conn{M*tion betwc^m the cistern and any recei)tacle of
filth. (Mstern water slundd be liltercMl before us<'d, and in the case of
any e]>i(l('iMic disease j)revailing, always boiled. The ]Miiity of surface
water will dcjx'ud on the c(uidition of the soil ujmn which it falls and
over which it flows, as wtOl as upon the air through which it falls.
Wat(M' which falls upon and flows over filthy soil should not be us<m1
for drinking. That there is a certain degrcx^ of purification in running
streams there can be no doubt; but, notwithstanding this, sjH^cific
poisons, such as the ty])hoid fever germ, has bcnm carried long dis-
tances in I'ivers and have still manifested their poisonous effects.

When any serious epidemic prevails, and surface water constitutes

III

40

Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

f*

Quarterly Report.

41

iiii

[!!''i

i|!

tke drinking supply, it should always be boiled. The eiMdemic of
typhoid fever wliieh prevailed at Plymouth, in this 8tate, several
years ago, Avas traced uumistakeably to the pollution of their drinking
water, from the excretions of a typhoid fever case living on the stream
several miles above the town. The water collected in shallow wells is
really surface water, and that, often, of the worst kind. The use of
drinking uater from shallow wells is, as a rule, to be cond(^mned
3iany people think if water percolates through a few ivvt of soil everv
harinlul substance is removed. No greater mistake could possiblv be
niade. On the contrary, by percolation through the soil, the impurity
of the water is often increased. A^arious kinds of tilth which have ac-
cuinulatod upon and within the soil are dissolved in the water and ear-
ned into the vvell Often we find in a small back yard a cesspool,
vault and well, all in close proximity. If the well be a shallow one
such an arrangement is pixjbably the worst, in a sanitary sense that
could possibly be devised.—/^. L. Maish, M, D,, Mt, Pleasant Pa

Jefferson County Horses.

J.T}i.T^ '\^ T Jelferson county horses, and I assume that we are

m. w ) T t '"^ ^?T. i^^^^^^^io^^^ '^»<1 productions, are we satisfied
VMth Avh.it we have.^ I hope not; for wei^ it so, there would be no in-
centive or improvement. Is it not a rare exception to see a pair of
hne vve 1 balanced horses hitched to our farm wagons, plows, harrows,
etc. I We are compelled to answer tliis in the affirmative. Let a pair
"" i7. rp?"''^'^^^ ^^'^'^^ ^^ ^^'^^'^^ d<>^^'^ the street, and what is the re-

w . ^?>\1^S.''?V ^^'"^ ^"'*^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ l^^^^l^ ^^t and admire them.
Why IS this.^ lirst, because it is an uncommon sight. Second, be-
cause there is m all of us the love of the beautiful and there is notliin-
hntl 't!" '• ^'^ ?! ^'''^'T ^^^'^^^^^ ^^^^'^ ^^^^ ^^--l^t of a fine looking

w wh.i 'T^ ^J^? ""^ ^^' ^^"" ^^^^^ ''^''''''^ ^^^^t is applicable to
the whole county and its surroundings. If, then, a good In'rse, a fine
teani, are exceptions, thei^e must be something radically wrong with
our horse stock in general. And what is it? They are lackin<^ in si/e
symmetry, muscular development and nerve force-the result of poor
selection and still worse breeding.

There has bi^n too much bi-ec^ing for the mere producing of colts,
regard ess of kind. We have be<m breeding horses at cheap service,
^^t il. n ^^^^\"!«^^^^- We saved a few dollars on the start, but it
cost just as much to feed, rear and break the colt as it would have
done with a much better one, and when we had it ready for the mar-
ket, no one wanted to buy, and we have been a little shy of the horse
business ever smcc^ We all make mistakes, but our errors are often

correct them, thus ])rofiting by our failures. If, after looking over
our horses as w(^ find them to<lay, we discover that they are deficient
and not what they should be, what is our duty*^ '

M^> ^l/r"" '^^^'"^ ^r^^ ^'^^"^ ^^^^- breeding unrlersize<l, unsalable
stock.^ Is It anything to our credit that buyers go west ainl Ic^ave
their money for horses? It is rarely the case that buyer find hat

<

they want here; and why is it? Becatise we haven't the kind thev
want for sale. "^

Would it not be good business sagacity on our part to trv to supplv
this ever-increasing and never ceasing demand for better horses? WhV
not have mcmey pouring into our county for our productions, instead
of putting money into the i>ockets of others at a profit to the breeder
and seller; and all through our own neglect.

In thus easting a hasty glance over the equine field of Jefferson
county, we find that the ''horse as he is," is not what he might be or
should be. How can we best improve his condition? Undoubtedly by
selection and breeding. lu order to gain an end, we must have an
object or goal in view. We all have, or at least should have, an ideal
horse — one to fill all our requirements and still be sought after by
those who want to buy. 1 low shall we picture him in our mind's eye?

A solid color is most pleasing. Sixteen hands in height a good aver-
age. Twelve to fifteen hundred a good range in weight, lie must be
well-bred, sound, kind, int(41igent, good knee action and non-interfer-
ing. Xot a mere mountain of flesh and bone, but a nervy, compact
good-styled combination roadster and farm horse. '

Breed your best mare; bn^ed to the Ix^st horse you can find. To do
this intelligently, study your ideal horse, make a mental calculation of
all that is desirable in your best mare; note as carefully h(»r defects.
Select a sire having as many of her good points as you can, so as to
intensify them in the offspring. Be sure that the sire is i)art.icularly
strong in the jM)ints wherein the mare mav be improved uixm —
A. D. Long, Brookville, Pa, ^

Farmers' Daughters.

It's a mistaken idc^a to suppose that because one lives in the coun-
try he must be ^'behind the times" in anv ])hase. A' thickly setthnl
country community should enjoy almost every advantage of 'the city
Talented lecturers and musicians should be eallcHl out to benefit and
enjoy. Talented artists, as teachers, should be encouraged The
country graded schools should be equal to those in the city so
that the young peoi)le shall be sent into the world on a firm foiimhi-
tion of learning and experience, and widl-fitted for its duties. We
should not be inferiors in any way, and it lies within each f.ne to
be equal or superior, in every worthy pursuit, to his citv fric^nd.
'Tis true, a young pmson\s surroundings and advantnues have much to
do with his inclinations and aspirations, but even all disadvanta^-^es
can be overcome if he will. Tlu^ bird, the beast, tln^ fish is fn^e when
It. IS left to do what it was created to do— the bird to flv, the beast to
walk, the fish to swim. No less is man the creature of bondage to the
path his father trod, to the influence of impure surroundings, to the
grovelling in the mire wh(m crowns hang over his hi^ad. Each was
created to fill a position especiallv his own, and jk^t the creature is
free to fulfill or forfeit his trust. '

And qnit(^ ns often will 1k^ hc^ard "it might have been" from the lips
of Wi- city-born as from his country friend. But, on being left to

42

Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

I

liiiiiself, free to choose his course, the creature is surpounded by
various competitors for his intellect niid intluc^nce. Tlie struggle to
vsound the choicu- of wisdom above the outcries of riches, pleasure
fasliion seems difficult; and how often ai-e failures made in the at-
tempt. But, as Longf(41ow tells us,

"Our little lives are kept in equipoise

By opposite attractions and desires —
The stru-ole of the instinct that enjoys.

And the more n()l)le instinct that aspires." •

So, if the fates ordain a life on the farm, and it appears lo be (he
most lining- occupation, act out with much dignitv the calling. Study
pohdcal economy and find out the best way of doing everything con-
nected wilh ihc profession; cultivate society and every educadonal
ndyantage; rise abov(^ th(^ pettiness in politics, in societv.— ^m
ije//a Mc Spar ran, Fzirniss, Pa.

Importance of Manure.

There is no subject which comas before the farmers' institute more
vital to tlieir mtercst than the manure question. It is the kev note of
keepms "I> the fertility of the soil. The habit of throwin- out their
manure to be waslied away un(h'r tlie ea.V(-s of their barns is so fived
amon^faruH-rs tliat it will be a difficult thing to arrest and break it
up. Ihe farmers' institute is just the place to combat and throw
.Micli li-lit upon it that the wide-awake man will see it to be to his
mterest to break it up, rather than to let it break him np

It IS s<'ld()m that a farmer learns the :value of an animal as a pro-
ducer of manure. ^

Recent experiments at Cornell University show that the cow sliould
return ten cents worth of manure daily. This includes both liquid
and so Id n.atter, and is equivalent to po..50 for one year. Bear in
nund (hat the liquid manure contains nearly five times the nitrogen
that the solid manure does.
Jfanure loses a great deal by exposure. A recent experiment in Cornell
niversity shows that a bulk of 4,000 pounds of hor.se manure was re-
duced by exposure for five mon ths to ] ,730 jxiunds, or 57 per cent. Its loss
in fertilizing material was 00 p<^r cent, of nitrogen, 47 i>er cent of
phosphoric acid, and 70 per cent, of potash, or over GO per cent., of real

]SlVl "V""""'' "' J*''?.^ ^"^'- ^^ ^•""•■■^*'' ^he value of the manure
•lepends largely upon (he kinds of food that is fed and the manner of
exp,>sing or preserving it, but the results are sufficient to show that .

Dehorning Cattle.
The advocates of dehorni,,- cattle, not content to lei fh-ir d>v -ui-l
generation p,ss withont the benefit denved fro,,, ke:.o'nl .• t h' w ,
out horns, have adopted tlie method of (aking them off, uliich is now

Quarterly Report.

43

being practiced quite extensively in many localities. The main ob-
jection by the opposers of dehorning is tluit it is cruel— which the ad-
vocates of dehorning deny. The process of dehorning, when properly
done, on ordinary sized cattle, takes about ten seconds. When re-
leased the cattle will, in nearly every instance, go out into the yard
and lick themstdves, as they formerly did, and if thirsty go to the
trough and drink as if nothing unusunl had happened, and on being
put back in the stable will eat as readily as before. If they are cows
giving milk they will give their usual amount.

Many farmers are so situated that their cattle, horses and sheep run
in the same pasture in summer; and in winter they are more or less
together. I have found quite a number of num thus situated who
have had at some time shec^p or horses either injured or killed by
horned catth^ and after having tlu^n dehorned have become lirm be-
lievers in it, and have not experienced any of the annoyance and lossi^s
they formerly did. We think that one of tlu^ best arguments in favor
of dehorning is the number of persons killed eveiy year by vicious
bulls. While we do not claim that they are, in every instance, per-
fectly safe after being dehorned, we do claim that it lesscms the danger
to a. great degree. How can we compai'e the life of one of our fellows
with the benefit, if there is any, of keeping the horns on our cattle?

Tliat dehorning meets with o}>j>osition is nut strange. All great
reforms and departures fi-om the old, establishi>d rules have met with
oppositi(m in times past, and perha])s always will. In nearly kivevy in-
stance the opposers of dishorning are those who have never tried the
experiment, and, in most cases, have never seen tlie operation ])er-
formed. If dehorning is such a cruel thing and detrimental. to our in-
terests, why are not the ranks of the ojjposers filled with those who
have tried dehorning and found it a bad thing?

In my experience I have never met wilh any who have had their
cattle dehorned but who were in favor of dehorning, and nm number
is fast nndtii>lying. As nearly as can be estimated, at least thirty
millions of cattle ar(.» now without horns in this country.

I am satisfied, from my own observation and experience, that de-
horning is much less painful llian castration, and would be glad if na-
tuR» would devise some plan by which all male animals (that must be
im])roved u}Hm by artificial means to attain the best results for man),
would be born in that modified condition; but until that time comes,
we must follow the old plan of imprH)vem(mt by castration. And if
greater improvement and gi'eater saving c^an be realizcnl by dehorning,
by all means let it be adopted and an act of great kindness to every
herd will have been achicwed — b(^sid(\s beinu' a great saving to the
stock raiser in many wa}"S.— C. B. Stnit/i, Union City^ Pa.

Farm Homes.

Let this litth^ home- world — the test of the nation — b(^ mad(^ one of
cultuT-e and refinement. Have those j>owers to reign there which
shall elevate the home and thus tlu^ nation at the same time. Teach
the young people of the farm to spend their evenings in companion-

m

44

Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

I

'M\

I

sliip with the great, noble minds of the world. Have in jonr homes
those ^lighthouses which have been erected all along the sea of time''
—books. Ix^t them wander over the large field of history, and as they
follow some boy from his obscure liouie in the country to daring ex-
ploits for his nation, Uwy will be filled with a desire to do likewise-
or over the field of fiction to make the thoughts of great men their
own; or to the fairy land of poetry.

When th(^ mind, taught by nature, is looking into itself, it finds
there teachings from her richest store. Tliey must draw from their
own rc-sources the power to do their work each day. As they are work-
ing in the field and notice the many mysterious things of crc^ition, they
long to know more of mother earth. Being thrown upon their ovvn re-
sources to acquii-e this knowledge, they observe closely their gi^^at
teacher. As the mind must always be acting upon something, and as
they have not the sights and scenes of city life to occupy their atten-
tion, they observe, instead, the wonderful changes of nature. Instead
of being mere curiosity seekers, they are finding ont truths of natural
phdosophy and developing the mind— the power which rules the world
^^Ever remember," some one writes, ^'that for health and substantial
wealth, for rare opportunities for self-improvement, for long life and
real independence, farming is the best business in the world.'' Farm-
ing is not always a paying business financially, but it is ennobling, and
It IS the fonndation of commerce, domestic and foreign. What is niost of
the fmght the iron horse is carrying as it rushes across the continent?
I'roduce from the farm or articles manufactureil from something of
the farm. In the vessels that are plowing the mightv deep we find
products of agTiculture. And as those vessels anchor iii the harbors of
distant countries, the governments of those countries recognize the
prosperity of the fanners of America. Let the farmers go bravely on
111 their work, ever remembering "That we are born for a higher'des-
tiny than that of earth; there is a realm where the rainbow never
fades, where the stars will be spread before us like islands that slum-
ber on the ocean, and where the beings that pass before us like shad-
ows wdl stay in our presence fovever:'— Miss Amu'e Mumfyer Dills-
burg, Pa, r y

Hkaltiiy HomEv^^.

Every dwelling housis even that which has but one room in it,
should either have a cellar, or should be raised sufficientlv high fmm
the ground to allow a. free su])]>ly of air under it. The walls of the
cellar shouhl be perfectly water and air tight. It is better, in making
the excavation, to remove \he earih a foot, on all sides, further than
the line on which the outside of the wall will stand; then, after the
walls are built, pack the space with clay. In this wav the walls Of
the cc^llnr are more likely to b(^ ke])t dry. The cellar li(H>r should be
of concrete, about six incln^s thick, and coveix^d with Portland or other
good cement If the soil should be very damp, tiling should be placed
und(M- Ihe cellar floor, and carried out under the wall, which leads
^me distance from the house. It is absolut^dy essential to a healthv

Quarterly Report.

45

house that its cellar should be free from damimess and ground air.
In order to secuix.^ thest^ requisites, the walls and floor of the cellar
must be well built, even if it becomes necessary, on account of in-
creased cost, to deprive the superstructure of some of its ornamenta-
tion. The cellar should be well supplied with light by having win-
dows above ground, or by sunken areas in front of the windows. The
window sashes should be hung on hinges so that they may be easily
opened when ihe cellar needs an airing. If the cellar is to be used for
several purposes, as the location of the heating apparatus and the
storage of fuel and vegetables, it shonld be divided into compartments,
the temperature of which may be kept at different degrees. Base-
ment bed rooms are almost universally unhealthy, and should be used
only in cases of absolute necessity. It is best, also, not to have the
kitchen in the basement. Tliey are "woman killers," and at best un-
healthy, and es])ecially to the rooms direc (ly above.

If built of brick, the wails of the house should be hollow; further-
more, the plastering, should never be placed directly on the brick.
The inside of the walls should be "furred," as the builders cidl it,
scantling nailed to the furriAg, and the lathing done as in a frame
house. If you place a single brick in a bucket of water it will absorb
as much as one pound or more of the liquid, and if a brick wall be
built solid and the i)lastcring be placed directly on the brick, the
house will be constantly damp. Many of our old brick houses have a
damp, musty odor, it matters not how untiring the housekeeper may
be in her efforts to have everything sweet and clean. I*a]_x^ring is the
most economical way in which the walls can be decorated. Wall
papers containing arsenical colors have been, and are sitill, to some
extent, used, llooms decorated with such pa^xir are not suitable for
living apartments. It is generally supposed that only the green colors
contain arsenic, but, in truth, it may be present in paper of any color.
The only way, then, by which they may be avoided is by having the
selected samjde tested, which any intelligent druggist or chemist can
do for you. In a strictly sanitary iK)int of view, the best and nicest
way of finishing inside walls is to paint and then varnish, which
places the walls in such a condition that they may be washed when-
ever desired.

Floors should be made tight so that they may be thorougldy
scrubbed with soaj> and water occasionally. The best floor, fix)m a
hygienic view, is one of hard wood, planed smooth and oiled.
It is far better to have a clean, bare floor than one covered with a
filthy caii)et. However, where carpets are kept clean and are occa-
sionally taken up and th(^ iioor scrubbed, there is no objection to their
use, and it must be admitte<l that a clean car^H^t adds much to the
comfort of a room. — F, L, Maish, M. D., Mt. Pleasant^ Pa.

Quiet Work.

If there is one quality in a friend that is to be particulaily admired, it
is that happy faculty of taking circumstances as they open in a nnld.
gentle manner, attending to daily dutieisJ with a prompt and quiet

46 Pennsylvania State Board~of Agriculturb!.

routine, and not having to exliibit a ruffled temper at every cross way
and (urn in this crooked, c^liangeabky weary, and at the same (ime
I'atlier enjoyable' road of life.

Let U9 call to mind some practical points that we observe daily
VVe are none of us i)erfect in llie mode of entertaining our guests but
we have all noticed the various ways that different people take to do
this one Hung. Who has not enjoyed to the fullest extent the com-
panionship of those who, though they never fail to attend to the
smallest detad that adds to our personal comfort, do all this without
any great disturbance which would make you feel that you were
troubling them? They go in and out, and in fact seem to be ev^-
where at once, and all this wilhout any apparent etfort. They for-et
nothing, are ever on the alert, ami, uiihout your knowledge, see lust
what to do next. They do the right thing exactly at the right time
and are not like some of the rest of us who never s«.mi to accomplish
rhis last act at all, but are always doing just what we should not have
done, or leaving undone that which we should have done

We look with pity ui)on that pers<.n who is almost broken down bv
a trouble too sad (o repeat to her friend,' ami think what a relief it
woiild be If she would only confide in some one. IJut. here is another
difterence in dispositions. Slie bears her grief alon.., although it mav
be slowly wearing ln.r life away, while another would tell her friends
obtain sympathy and condolence, thereby receiving strength for the
time being and courage, to be better able to ward off the" burden in
the future.

We need none of us try to be perfect in disposition, but only trv to
improve our own in tlie iirst plac,>, and then do what we can to make
the lives of those around us, if they are weary and toil worn be
brighter and .-asier, that some one may be better for our ha;ing
known (hem. It is easy to talk of such things as Uiese, but when wf
come ace to face with the stern realities of life, and fl id our power?
iiHd streng.h lest<.d, it will take a clear cons.uence and a pravjrf ,1

^f.lr^ ^''''' »7/Il^;-l^J.v/lie crosses and trials that best^t our way.-
Jfjss Florence J. lUrk, Neio Hope, Pa. ^

Quarterly Report.

47

Woman's Work on the Farm. '

Peihai^s my task w.mld be easier if I were to tell what is not her
work as there are some extreme cases where the woman on the farm
is cook, child 8 nurse, washerwoman, maid of all work, chore boy, hired
man (minus the hire), and in one instance was even geared ud with
the horse. .0 do the thr.^shing, Ihus becoming a beast of burden ^?len
on the other u.nd, 1 have occasional visions of what woman's work
should be. These, I suppose, will be realities to the women who Hve
at the time of the millenium. ^

In the meanlime as Ihe price of farm produce is low and that of
lured labor high, ,t is n^M.-ssary to look at this problem from a 1 side,
.-...,1 consider it carefully. Her work in the household i» general h
suj.pos<^d to consist of washing, ironing, cm.king, sci-ubbhTg 2i
washing and sewmg. It is almost impossible for her to pSm a

of these duties without assistance, and as in many cases she can pro-
cure no helj), the most economical plan would be for the iiu^n to assist
her in the heavier part of her woi-k, such as carrying- the v\at(»r for
washing, turning the wringer and carrying the clothes to the line. I
have known of cases where the men even liuiig up the clotlies, but if
they are to be placed ah)ng llie road, x>erhaps this is not advisable, as
your assistant might indulge in expressions that would be hardly
proper to i*each the ears of passers-by.

Where a butter dairy is kept, the men should also do the milking
and churning, leaving the women to skim the milk, wash the ]>ans
and kettles and makc^ the butter. Milking, in my opinion, is never
woman's work, as it necessitates an entire change of clothing before
going back to household duties, besides it comes just at meal lime,
when a woman is busier than at almost any other time of day.

In retum for this assistance from the men, the women may do some
of the lighter out-door duties, such as caring for the jvoultry, hunting
the eggs, and planting and weeding the garden.

As for the cooking, a woman may save a great deal of time by con-
sulting her health cook books and getting up a substantial and ele-
gant meal without the pies and cakes that formed such a large part
of our grandmothers' cooking, but were of no earthly use except to
give the whole family a bad headache. Or, at least, that would be
the effect upon us, with our modern way of living.

In the care of the house, the first essential is plain, but substantial
furnishing. Why do our city friends so like to become an inmate of
our homers for a few days? Not sim])ly because we live in ihe coun-
try, but because in their own homes there is so much of heavy, stuffed
and i>added furniture, and so much bric-a-brac strewn through their
i*ooms, requiring constant care, that when they sit down in our large,
airy, plainly furnislu^d I'ooms there is a sense of roomin(^ss and rest-
fulness about it that they greatly enjoy. — Miss Lizzie Balderston,
Rush Valley, Pa.

The Progressive Farmer.

A progressive fancier will always find employment on a farm in
various ways — looking after his stock, caring for his poultry, keeping
his f(mces in rej)air, watching the markets closely, so as to know when
to sell his i>roduce, and in different other ways is the mind of a pro-
gressive farmer constantly absorlxMl in looking after his interests.

Look at tlu^ advance that has been made in farming since tli<^ land-
ing of the IMlgrim fathers on riymouth Ilock, in KIL'O. The sickle has
be(m r(^i)laced by the binder, the flail by the thresher, the axe by the
saw mill, the scythe by the mower, the stick used for tilling the ground
by the j)low, and various other implements do the farmers of today en-
joy that our ancestors never dreamed of.

And is this due to the sluggard? Would the farmers of today enjoy
these modern im])lemenls had it not been for that ])i'ogressive interest
that has and always will stimulate the minds of all wide awake farm-
ers? Even at this progressive period, we have men, in our own neighbor-

4S

Pennsylvania State Board op Agriculture.

hood, who never see a farm journal or a ma^j^azine unless they' borrow
it from a neio-libor. Is this })ro<»resision? Will a man malce a success of
any vocal ion in life unless he looks to 'those who know more than he
does and lays aside that egotistical feeling that sends more than one
man to hnancial ruin?

If teachers, lawyers, nicnx-hants and mechanics of every description
liud it neces:^ai'y to look to others for aid in conducting their dillerent
occupations successfully, why not, then, the farmer? I repeat if all
(he followers of these professions just enumerated need something
from brigliter minds to stimulate them, why can't the farmer take in-
terest enough in his occupati(m to take just a little time in reading
and studying more about the work he is going to do, instead of going
at it in a hai)liazard sort of way?

But subscribing for and reading works on farming is not all that
constitutes good fiirming. You must put what you read and study
into practice. A i)rogressive farmer will never alk)w a thought like
this to enter iiis mind: ''I never heard of such a thing and am afraid to
try it.'' Would we have the steam engine today had such a thought
tilled the mind of the boy Watt? Would we have the motors and other
electric applinnces which we now liave the privilege to enjoy had it
not been for Edison, who was not afraid to try what he had never seen
or heard? The progressive farmer lays all these old fashioned ideas
aside and looks to sometliing new all the time. — Afiss Minnie Stani-
oaugh, York Spriiigs, Pa.

Strawberry Culture.

After an experience of some years 1 lind that the most profitable
way to raise strawberries for market is the way that will take the
least labor, and yet give large yields and good returns. The directions
in as few words as i>ossible are as follows: First, have two pieces of
gi^und or one piece of ground divided into two parts. Manure your
gix)und heavy riant tln^ oue piece, well, say next spring early with
good plants of good growing and l>earing varieties. Set plants twelve
to htteen inches apart in rows Wwiie an<l one-lialf feet apart. Be-in
and cultivate as soon as grass and weirds begin to start, and keep it
up, hoeing and pulling out weeds between the plants until toward t'all
iiy this time the plants will nearly cover the ground. In the winter
Haul out coarse straw manure on top of patch. Spread the whole
siirface over just as thin as you can get over it, for if you cover too
hick It will smother your plants in the spring. If v(mr T)atch h^m
been kept^clean during Ihe summer season ?ou iumhI do lol n< nit^
until the berries get ripe. TVlien you liave gathered your cix)p of bJS^
plow the patch of ground and sow it with buckwheat and the next
sprmg nianun^ and plant again with strawberries. The other piece of
ground treaty the same way, but plant it one year later. Thus, with
two pieces of ground you can have a crop every year and ke.^^ IZ
mdefimtely or ns long ns you want to grow strawbernes. By this nro

Quarterly Report.

49

The Farmer and the Farm.

Of the three great departments, agriculture, railway and manu-
facture, agriculture exceeds both the latter. The agricultui'e of the
world furnishes employment to two hundred and eighty million men.
There is no country in the world where labor is more profitable or
more respected than in the United States. The commercial and pro-
fessional classes are over-crowded. There are in the United States
70,000 lawyers, eight times as many as France with two-thirds the
population, and ten times as many as Germany. The producing occu-
pations are not over-crowded. With labor-saving machinery, farming
has become moi^ agreeable. The tendency in the spread of popula-
tion is from the country to the city. The lands in Europe are locked
up in the hands of a few; onc^-half the soil in England and Wales is
owned by 5,000 persons; twelve per cent, only of her people till the
soil. The United States, with its seven million heads of families, two
and a half million own and farm their own land. The farmer is the
basis of all national strength.

Baise each year a fair proportion of all cereals adapted to your soil.
Potatoes are a profitable crop; plant early and late varieties. You
can realize $05 per acre with broom corn. England pays her annual
interest with the turnip croi); sweet corn will yield |30 per acre. Di-
versified farming pays. Give also attention to pork raising and poul-
try, ad at present prices of grain, feed it to your stock. Wheat pro-
duces eggs. Devote some time to growing onions; you may expect
200 bushels per aciH?. Fruit culture must not be neglected. ]^ine-
tenths of the apples in foreign markets are American. Keep up your
interest in the dairy. Four hundred million dollars of butter and
cheese are exported annually. Tobacco culture is another item of
consideration; $175 worth can be grown on one acre. Bees are an
item of profit; they board themselves, while they work. The bees-
wax in the Unite<l States amounts to 20,000,000 ^xjunds annually.

The House of Lords finds beef from the United Strifes better than
the English; 344,000 tons were sent frOin the United States to Eng-
land last year. The success in farming no longer dei)ends ujwn large
sized farms; three-fourths of the agricultural people in France farm
on farms of twenty acres, producing butter, eggs, poultry, grain, vege-
tables, fruit, milk, cheese, cattle, sheep and swine.

l*lant trees for ornament, shade, shelter and sanitary elTect. They
increase your property in money value. For every tree planted by the
roadside, (Act May 2, 1870), you shall ix»ceive an abatement of 25 cents
on road tax. The sure way to prosperity is to do everything well. If
our sons and daughters do not like the farm, there is almost always
some reason for the dislike. Make home attractive; too often our chil-
dren are glad to go out from under Ihe roof which has b(H^n, to IImmu,
only shelter, rather than a \\(^\\\i\-'Prof. Willy am May cr, Freebnrg^ Pa.

Agriculture Among the Ancients.

The most certain and inexhauslible source of wealth and ph^ity,
for all nations and at all limes, has been agriculture; and never was

50

Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

Quarterly Report.

51

this art more liiglily esteemed or more carefully studied than in Egypt,
where, in fact, it was under the special care of the government; and
no countiy, perhaps, was at first more populous and prosperous.
When this countiy became a province of the lioman empire, and when
Kome itself, the capital city, had considerably increased in size and
population, she received annually from Egypt 20,000,000 bushels of
wheiit, and so necessary to its sujjport was this enormous supply that
without it, the people were sometimes exposed to the danger of starv-
ation.

The other countries most famous for the cultivation of wheat, which
is the principal and most valuable among the productions of the earth,
were Palestine, {Sicily, Sardinia, Thrace ana Northern Africa. By-
zantium, a small province in Thrace, furnished, yearly, 2,400,000
bushels of wheat to the people of Athens. Sicily, on account of its
astonishing fertility, received the appellation "granary and storehouse''
of the Koman people, and, for many years, furnished nearly all the
wheat that was necessary for the support of Kome's inhabitants and
the subsistence of its armies.

It is known that in Africa proper, one bushel produced 150 bushels;
nay, one grain even produced 400 grains at one planting; on these ac-
counts we may appreciate the kind attention of I'rovidence, which
has ordained that the plants destined to supply the usual food of man,
and consequently the most useful and necessaiy, should likewise be
the most plentiful and productive.

These examples, to wuich many others might be added, are sufficient
to convince every one of the high appreciation in which this most use-
ful art was held by the ancients, and the great fertility with which
some countries were favored. Another evidence of the former truth
may be found in the writings of the multitude of authors who then
wrote on the subject of husbandry; Varro counted 50 of them among
the Greeks alone; and he himself, as well as Cato and Virgil, elab-
orately wrote on the various branches of agriculture. Mago, a Car-
thagenian general, did the same, in a learned work of 28 volumes.
Even crowned heads, such as Hiero II, of Syracuse; Attalus I*hilo-
meter, of Tergamus, and Archelaus, of Cappadocia, left treatises on
the same subject.

Columella lamented the sad condition into which agriculture had
fallen at his time. -I see in Eome,'' he said, "schools for philosophers,
rhetoricians, etc.; nay, for cooks and hair dressers, but none for agri-
culture. Still, we might pmsper without the other arts; but we can-
not subsist without 'the fruits of the soil.' " Of all the means they
might have adopted to increase or preserve their wealth or fortune,
is there any more honest or innocent? Could any reasonable person set
less value upon it than upon the art of war, which gathers spoils only
at the cost of so much human blood and the loss of so great a number
of our fellow beings? Or upon commerce, which requires so many per-
sone to leave their lionies to brave the dangers of the sea and spend a
great portion of their existence in distant countries? Or upon the
practice of usury, so odious in itself and so fatal in its consequences?
Could anyone presume to compare these occupations, however honest
they may appear, with husbandry, that harmless, innocent manner of
life, which nothing else than n^laxation of morals could brin*'- into
contempt and d(^prive of its utility? "^ '

Tliougb mines of gold and silver should be exhausted; though dia-
monds and i>earls should remain hidden in the earth or at the bottom
of the sea; though the various arts which have no other object than
comfort and embellishment should disappear, and commerce itself
considerably decline, the fruitfulness of the earth, improved by as-
siduous labor, would alone be sufficient, generally speaking, to supply
the necessary wants of the community. — Thomas Sir ittmatter, Carroll-
toum^ Pa.

Intkllecti^al Ci^lturk of thk Farmer's Daughter.

The development of the intellectual faculties begins with the devel-
opment of the physical powers. Eor this we can find no better com-
l)arison than tne story of the brook. A beautiful, green spot in a
larmer's field attracted his attention. Upon examination it was
found that a little spring had welled up from beneath the sod; from
this spring starts a tiny rill, which fiovvs on, making bright the plants
and grass it nourishes, as it tiows, gathering in from both sides until
it has grown stronger and stronger, forming the rivulet; thus it con-
tinues m the same way, with the exception of growing wider and
dcM^per, until it forms tJie brook; from the brook it unites with the
river, v>iiere it has grown so wide and deep, making it bright and
cheerful all along its route, doing its best tor the vegetation in its
reach, and with one moi'e bound it plunges within the mighty waters
of the ocean. 8o it is with the girt who would develop her intellect,
beginning u hen she realizes her existence, or when capable of telling
rigiit from wrong. She is forming, by every thought, word or deed,
v\ hether consciously or unconsciously, a character which is to be life-
long reputation; just as the tiny rivulet started, so the intellectual
culture begins, growing wider and deejxn*, step by step, gathering in
brighter thoughts, nobler ambitions and higher aspii'ath)ns, giving to
others an example of cheerfulness and refinement which is to be en-
vied. Finally, she has reached her last stage and stands on the brink
of time; one more step, and she has gone to receive her reward, leav-
ing behind an example and an infiuence which will live through time.
JSuch is our ideal of the farmer's daughter. She who would reach her
ideal must be ambitious and determined to surmount the difiiculties
and obstacles in her way. There are, perhaps, some of us who have
more time for thought and refi(»ction than others, yet there are none
who are so encunit)ered willi the cares of life, or so engaged with
pleasures but that thc^y have some time for thought and study. —
Miss Lizzie Hiss cm, Mount Pleasant^ Pa,

TiiiNOs WE Lose on the Farm.

Trying to save in hay and ft^ed, stock is allowt^l to roam over field
and meadow in the lale fall, getting a scanty living of frosted grass,
to the great damage of next season's pasture and hay crop. A few

52

Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

weeks later, the same cows may be seen at the barn, shivering- out a
miserable existence through the greater part of the day. It saves
labor in cleaning stables, you know, and the cows need sunshine and
exercise; but, while they are getting those needs supplied, remember
that corn-meal is expensive fuel to keep them warm out-doors; and for
milk consumption, a windy winter's day has few equals.

One of the serious losses on the farm Is that of our many intelligent
boys engaging in other vocations. They do not leave so limch from a
distaste of faini life as from its poor remuneration. To see father and
mother toiling early and late for the absolute necessaries of life, un-
able to gain the luxuries they so well deserve, is not encouraging to
the ambitious Ixjy, who longs for a higher education, social position
and iinancial success, which he sees but little chance of getting in the
country. So, olf to the city he goes, where wealth and prosperity
scH^m so plentiful. The farm is left to be tilled by those, who, though
they make no more money, are satisfied with what, to us, are the ne-
cessities and to them, luxuries, liaised amid tlie poverty of Europe,
it is to them a lift, indeed; but in their uplifting we, as a class, must
sulfer.

Are we not losing the habit of thinking and acting for ourselves,
leaving behind tliat manhood and womanhood that should keep us
abreast of our fellowmen in other walks of life, drifting along in the
tracks of the fathers, (tracks that h)ng ago should have been^'obliter-
ated), waiting, Micawber-like, ^'for something to turn up,'' when the
duty next to us is to turn something up'.^—Goer^'e W. Roic Edirewood
Pa, ' '

ProgrkSvS in Agriculture.

While to "till the gmund,'' in the Divine edict, reads like a sentence
of punishment, agriculture, in all its variations, has become a blessing
and the supiK)rt of millions who inhabit the sphere.

A live subject must exhibit vitality, and we affirm that agriculture
is keeping abreast with the multitudinous variations of labor, and is

.- -~ — — --^ "'^^ ^.TXA v./^.xiL^iiiii«ii, lb vviis recog-

nized. In many of the recent national centennials commemorating
important epochs in our national life, a conspicuous place was given it
in the parades and displays .

These are times of i)ush and enterprise, and that which does not
keep pace will tiii;rlly languish and fail in its ])urjK)se. Put that which
IS the fouiidation of all busin(^^s— agriculture— has passed the rude
and imp(n^fect state, and, within the memory of farmers, has been the
central point towards which investigation has been dii'ected, and
ihrough human industry, will soon stand upon Uk^ summit, monarch
of all. '

The fact that the farmer labors with the elements of nature has
brought to his assistance and aid I he comprehensive term, agriculiural
(Hlucation, in wliirh \ho science, as well as the practice, of agriculture
IS un(l(>rstood. Chemistry has given us fertilizers; geology instructa

Quarterly Report,

53

us about our soil; botany explains organic laws — the germination,
growth and maturity of plant life, how it is promoted by manures, by
water, air and light, and zoology has widened our acquaintance of
animal life.

To sustain this animal life, scientific analysis shows us the per-
centage of life-sustaining elements in grain, hay or straw, its value as
food, and the result that ought to be obtained in a commercial way.—
//. E, Plank, Joanna, Pa.

Essentials of Making Good Butter.

The first essential of producing good butter is to select cows of good
butter-making qualities. Second, good f(K)d, pure water, sufficient
salt, with comfortable (luarters and proper care. Tliird, proper care
and niiinagement of milk. Milk is a great absorbimt of odors and im-
purities; it possesses this property to a much greater extent than
water.

Two prox>er elements to be observed are cleanliness and tempera-
ture. The vessels used for milk should be well washed and aired be-
fore using; also tln^ cream wxdl stirred when put in vessels for ripen-
ing, and should be churned b(^fore it becomes too rip(\ Have the
cream all lipened alike. Never have ripe, half ripe and sweet cream
mixed together.

While all ar(^ agreed u}>on the point of cleanliness, it is not the case
in regard to what it the best tempc^rature. On this point dairymen
differ in opinions, all I he way from the freezing point of 32 degrees to
the scalding point of 140 degrees. I do not propose to discuss this
question, but will merely say that I keep the cream at a low tempera-
ture and chum at 05 degrees in summer and 08 in winter. The churn
should be of the same temperature as the cream, and the churning pro-
cess should require about 80 minutes.

The fourth essential is the working and the salting of the butter.
My experience is that butter made from Jersey cows can be salted
with dry salt and woi'k<Hl Ihoi'oughly so that it will not be streakiul
or unev(Mily sailed, while llu^ butter will be linn and tine graiiUNl.
For the butter made from Shorthorn (;ows, I prefer the brine salting
method, because much working gives the butter a greasy-like appear-
ance. Never color butter artificially, for it spoils the taste. Good
cows, fed on proper food, will mak(^ butter of a lemon color in winter,
which is admired mort^ by somc^ than the goldc^i orange color of sum-
mer.— Mrs. Harry Mahan, Creekside, Pa.

Education Needed by Farmers.

Those of us who have been intimatcdy connected with the farm and
its operations for tlu^ past forty or fifty years can speak with some de-
gree of assurance. The slipshod methods of a generation ago will not
do now, and the farmer who does not keep step with the progress of

54

Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculturk.

Iiii
lilt

the age may as well move on or quit. So, let us insist that the boys
and young men of today who choose farming as a vocation, have not
only a liberal education, but a thorougli laiowk^dgc^ of science as ap-
plied to i)ractical agriculture. No other occupation requires such a
thorough know l(Hlge of nature and nature's laws, ajid yet how little w^e
know of either. Generations of farmers have come and gone, and yet
how little we find we know in many of th(.^ departments of our work.
For exam[)k', (he principles of breeding; the best and most econom-
ical metliods of applying manures and fertilizers to our soils; tlu^ com-
binations of tlie best rations for our stock in order to produce the best
results for which we feed; liow to preserve the healtli of our domestic
animals, and to care for them whtm sick. These, and a legion of other
important matters, are constantly being brought before the mind of
the progressive fai*mer, and can only be answered by the application
of the principles of science in each of thcnr lines.

Our worn-out lands are already demanding the attention and teach-
ing of }>ractical men of science to aid us in restoring the essential in-
gredients in the production of the crops that have exhausted the soil
during the past hundred years. Already we have use for these men
to tell us what we need to apply to our lands to produce certain crops
An eminent statesman years ago, taking a general view of our Amer-
ican institutions, said: "We must educate, we must educate, or short
would be our race from the cradle to the grave." Taking a general
view now, of American agriculture, I say, we must educate, we must
educate, or short will b(^ our road to the almshouse.

I do not mean that kind of an education that will enable men, sur-
rounded by all the luxuries of life, to sit in comfortable rooms and
tarin upon paper; neither do I menu that kind of an education that
will enable the kid-gloved farmer, backed by his inherited wealth, to
make fjii-mmg a partial success. But I do mean that kind of a prac-
tical education that will enable the farmer's son, and all others who
choose t^o do so, to buy, improve and pay for 100 acr(^s of good, Amer-
ican soil Wlu^n he has done this, and built for himself good and con-
venient buildings, and has his farm well stocked with well bred ani-
mals according to his taste, and has added to his home beauliful sur-
roundings, when he has accomplishcni this, I want him to f(H.d that he
has achieved a success that the merchant, or manufacturer cannot at-
tain to w-ith ten times the capital invested. He may not have or han-
dle as much ready cash; he may not spend as much' time or monev at
^aside resorts and watering places-in fact, does not need to, for so^
tht L'' TJ'^ i^x^ohn^ of him-but if he is wise he will have many of

for IWn^'lo f Tr^'n ^^' ""^''-^ ^^^" merchant is spending his hundreds
for himself and family, growing in his well cared for vegetable garden

nv he 2Z 1 .w^^ '^' ^^ '''^"*^' ""^ ""'-^'^^ surrounded by his fam-
come to Zr T^ |^^a^«l^^^^^ce and peace of mind that; does not
}T..A?^ ""''^ business compels them to keep thousands of dol-

^r tv f. !;T!'''^^^'^'' '^''^' ''''^^ ^^^ lv^nowh.h,e that thev are se-
curity jor others for as many thousands move.-/asou Sezfon, Spring.

Quarterly Report.

Boys on tiik Farm.

55

The cities are built and maintained by recruits from I lie country and
farm. The habits of self reliance and careful foresight there accpiired
paves the way, very often, to solid fortune. This is as it should be.
The laborer is worthy of the greatest good, and to say that he shall
not better his condition when opportunity oifers, or that he shall not
seek advancement would be slavery. But if you ask why onr boys per-
sistently turn their backs ui>on the home and the farm,'^! would whis-
per that you yonrselves, perhaps, are to blame. ]lav(^ yon not, from
th(4r tenderst infancy, instilhMl into them (unconsciou'sly, perhaps),
that honest labor is vulgar, and after periods of exceptional exhaus-
tion from toiling in the hot sun, or the cold and snow of winter, en-
couraged thcmi by voicing the thought that you hope ''they won't always
have to farm." The picture of a street car conductor, with its ever
changing load of human selfishness, is enough to excite the admiration
of the chore boy, but to drive a delivery wagon or pile boards in a neigh-
boring town would make him the envied of all others. I repeat, have
you not trained your boys to look forward to something else than the
farm, and your girls that they had better never been born than marry
a farmer? Try the other way; teach your boys, and girls, too, that the
farm is the surest road to success; prove to them that 1)0 per cent, of
our farmers make homes for themselves and give social position and
character to families, while 05 per cent, of those in mercantile pursuits
fail. The farm hand, so-called, if prudent, soon becomes an employer
of other men, while the clerk or emjdoye of the city or town barely
holds his own through life. If a mechanic, he may save through the
summer, only to eat up his substance in the winter of non-employment,
and in seasons of especial hardship, like the pi^sent, he may even
leave his dear ones to the charity of the soup-house, and himself tramp
among the despised farmers, where there is always enough and to

soare.

The competent farm hand of today has as good a trade as any man,
and is bo-ss of the situation ; he fc^ars not the tariff nor the income tax;
he will fill his stomach with good, wholesome food, wear strong, warm
clothing, and put his sui*])lus into the building association or refurnish
and decorate his home, ^'because things are cheap." He has no fear
of a strike or lockout, his trade, like the br<K)k, "will go on forever."
Treat the boys fairly and enough of them will stxiy at home to rejdace
the g(Mieratioii now going, and the others will find a niche to fit them.
— Vlionias / PJiilips, A^glcn, Pa.

Dairying.

A Pennsylvania or New York farmer will laugh at you it you in-
timate that he, Iwrn on a farm and subject to cows in the first person
singular, all the days of his life, does not understand this animal sulfi-
ciently to make a success of her management. Yet the figui-es show
inconi(^stablv that such is the ^asp. Census and ^^\\v^v sfatistirs
prove that there is not one l*ennsylvania or New York farmer in ten,

5()

Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

II !

wlio keeps lierds of ten or more cows, bnt who does so at a loss of
protit, in half, at least, of Uio animals. The very exhaustive "Cow
Census," of P:]]isbiir«:, New York, taken bv Iloai-d's Daiivman, in 188(5
showed that with a cow population of over 5,000, there was an annual
loss of over ^i>3,()00 to (lie farmers of that town; and it was one of the
foreniost dairy towns in the state. Wliat caused this sad st.ite of af-
fairs? No lack of cheese factories and creameries, for they wei-e there
in ahmiilance; but, rather a lack of sound, intelligent dairy under-
standing. They were running cows and farms on a lot of old, worn out
threadbare notions abtmt dairying, that the nuMlem, profit dollar iv^
tused to acknowledge obeisiince to. The annual loss told that But
there was not sufficient modern judgment, modern ec(momv in feed-
ing and (he production of f(vd to all'ect the change, and so the loss
had iKH'n going on for years, and the farmers charging il, meanwhile
to Western competition.

^Fany farmers, as they c<m template this agitation of the dairy and
Its economies, often expnvss a fear that the business will be overdone
1 liave been a student of this business for over thirty years in all its
phases, and I never s:iw the production of good, merchantable butter
overdone. It is the poor goods, the pixiduct, too often, of stupidity and
detmnined ignorance, that lies on the stomach of the iiiaik<>t undi-
gested. I can find hundreds of farmers in everv state, who will delib-
erately lose a hundred, and in many instances five hundred dollars a
year on b nid, wasteful methods of dairy management, who would be
Shocked at the thouglit of spending fifteen dollars a year on their own

'^l!' ufT'r. ^^'1' U'^ ''"''" """'^>' ^^'""l^l »o«'n s^'ve the other loss.
—//on. IV. D. //oard, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.

Budding and Grafting.

I find August to be the best time to bud. After the buds are well
npened and yet part freely from the wood, we cut m ir bnf^ticks
leaving tlu> stems to the bud, but cutting off the leaf to prevent tt

trtreeorli-mV^ ^^ ^'^'^ ^'f '"« ''^ ^"'-'' '^""•<'' ^^ -r.;ronnd
f^l .1^^^^ li> >b, as the case may be, sufficient to admit the bud- we

Wh t f Ti ^'"'' ^''"'" ""'' ^"^ *^^^"' '^bout one inch, th.ni ^ rt the

^e bud s !! t' I'r-""' V "f"^'^ ^'^^ ^^'^- ^«^^t ^-^ ^"t the bud frem
the bud stick, starting about one quarter inch above the bud and cut

so as to leave a small portion of the wood with the bud 'Cbui

when cut IS to be about one inch long. We then pu.h the {ml into

Its Plnce, so that it fits tight to the ^ree. WeTiep 111^1 1 with

Wtin^ H. < " '^'" running water about two or three weeks

Tn ^^T^: 7 ' ^'"' ^"'^ '-arefnlly and the job is complete
proD,.?h w ^r,'"r^rf '' ^" ^'•"'^'"^'' >•«" '""^t prepare'^.or; grafts

ree n^ fi in, 11 '/'7""'' 'V"^ ^^'*' ^''^'^ '" ^he fall before hard
tree/.mg. taking tln^ last growth, well matured wood. We then mck

X

4

Quarterly Report.

57

Sending Chii^drkn Away to bk Educated.

I heard some one speak, not long since, of tlie disadvantages result-
ing from sending our children away to get an education. 1 believe if
we had good, live schools at home, where the boys and girls could
have an opportunity of i-eceiving that kind of knowledge that makes
them think and see, that kind of education which meets the every day
wants and needs of the working people, it would be better for us and
lor the cliiidren. trending them away from houie at a time of life
when they most nwd the care and counsel of their parents, at an age
when they are most susceptible to the inlluences that surround them,
is a risk that often results disastrously. Let us resolve, then, to have
better public schools at home, so that our children can get a thorough
English education; and if we were as earnest as we should be, we
would see to it that the practical branches were taught more and the
useless less. Instead of devoting so much time to the study of ge-
ography and hygiene, which, in nine cases out of ten, are thrown aside
the last day of school, never to be called into use again, let them learn
more of the things around them — of botany, of geology, of entomology,
of astronomy — so that when the children see a tree, or plant, or flower,
they see it, not as a thing having no individuality, but as an acquaint-
ance with a name and a family. When they see the soil they w^ork
amongst, it is not simply dirt and stones, which have noi history, for
to one who has studied these things, each formation has its own grand
story.

This, it seems to me, is more the kind of knowledge we need to give
our children, and which, with keeping our home attractive and our-
selves in symj>athy with them, will ke(*p our boys at home if farming
is their true calling; if not, and the boy still wishes to follow other
pursuits, then all that remains for the parents to do is to give him
their blessings and let him work out his destiny. In conclusion, I
would Siiy, boys, be sure you're right, before leaving the farm.—
William A. Martin, Boyd.s, Pa.

Co-operatiox in the Farmer's Family.

The farnu^r who do(\s not fully co-operate in all his transactions
with liis wife and children as soon as they are old enough to take an
interest in all tli(^ nuitters pertaining to the business features of the
farm, makes a grand mistake. It is much easier to keep the boys on
the farm than to get tlu^m back after they have left it. Give the
boys a course in a business college; a knowledge of bookket^ping, useful
in any walk in life, is almost indispcnsible to the j)ractical farmer.
If possible, give them a year or two at an agricultural college. At any
rate, give them a good start. Teach them that eveiy farmer should
understand his business thoi'onghly. lie should use his brains in ma-
turing plans, muscle to execute^ lliem, and aj>ply bu.<i]i<\'^s principles
to all faiiu ojM'rations. And wluui the farmer nses to a sense of his
own imi>ortance and denmnds his rights of Congress that there shall
be no more specula ling in breadstuffs, nor corners in wheat, corn,
pork, or any of tlu^ farm products, then, indcMnl, will the country hold
out the moi^t flnttei'ing opportunitic^s to the ambitious farmer. — Mrs,
Lucretia Blakesle% Spartansdurg \ Pa.

68

Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.
Care of the Farm's Fertility.

As the soil is the source from wliicli we must get our gaiu, it is im-
portant that it should be in the best possible condition to produce
what we want; and wliat aix^ these conditions? Available fertility is
very important, thorough preparation and cultivation of tJie soil is
equally important, and then the best seed that it is possible to secure—
these ai*e all essential to success.

Fert^ility— how can it most quickly and cheaply be secured? This
is what perplexes the fanner without a bank account. With plenty of
money to buy them, fertilizers and clover will go a long wav toward
produriu- the desired result. To secure fertility as cheaply as pos-
sible, we must depend on clover, as this plant provides the necessary
nitrogen, which is the most expensive part of all fertilizers. We can
secure a heavy stand of clover if we will supply the cheaper phosphoric
acid and potash, and with a good clover sod to plow down, we can se-
cure a good crop of anything we may wish -to grow. By repef^tin<»-
this clover crop frequently before the soil has lost what it'^has gained
from tlu^ decaying sod, we can secure the condition of soH that is so
much to be desired.

The most of us have heard tliat economy is wealth, but it is a i)oor
place to save a little when you are sowing your clover seed; sow the
seed thick enough, at least six quarts to the acre, so the clover will en-
tirely cover the ground, leaving no room for the weeds to grow.

When the ground is entirely covered with clover, the June bug won't
stop on that field to deposit tlie seed for next year's crop of^ white
ginibs tha t will so grea tly reduce your crop of corn, next season M v ex-
perience this year has been that I got much the best crop of corn from
the part of the field where there was a voung clover sod than I did
from the other part that I manured, and\vhich was almidy the best
part of the field. So, the all import^mt thing, in mv estimation, to
mamtam fertility cheaply, is to sow from six to eight quarts of clover
seed to the acre, and to do it often. Cut the first crop of clover for
hay when it is in full bloom, allowing the second crop to come on to
develop the roots (the ]>nrt of the crop that gives vou the most fer-
tility), and to produce seed that will fall upon the ground and be there
lor years, ready to sj)riug ui> and help produce a sure growth when-
ever tJie conditions are favoi'able for its development.

Weeds allowed to grow to maturity produce seed,' and plentv of it
and producing this seed, they rob the soil of fertilitv and return very
ittle to it that is of value; so, let us hold these evil things in check
by completely covering the ground by souiething of xniuc—O D
Tho7npson, I oicn Hill, Pa. ' '

Potato Culture.

soit^horid'h/ '1 ^^'"^ I>;^^^^<^;a^^^ the tu])ers that grow on its roots, the
sod should be of a mellow, loose nntuiv, that the tubers have no bur-
den to resist as t^hey grow nnd enlarge. Tf the soil he nndlow and
loose. It IS genernlly fc^^tile nnd under a high state of cultivation wide

■*3

^i

Quarterly Report.

59

is one of the great secrets of potato growing. The lay of the ground
has much to do for a successful and at the same time beneficial yield.
If on too high ground, in a dry season they will be injured by the
drought; if planted on too low ground, in a wet season the produc-
tion will be small and liable to rot. The best soils for potatoes are
black loam, if not too low, sand and clay mixed, and fossiliferous or
soap stone. The best fertilizer, after guano, is barnyard manure,
which should be spread over the ground during the winter or quite
early in the spring. Of the different sods, clover is the best.

The ground should be well plowed and harrowed, or cultivated, be-
fore marking out. By checking or marking two ways it gives a
better opportunity to cultivate and free the potato plant of weeds.
The width depends upon the fertility of the soil and the kind of plow
used in cultivation. If the soil will admit, and the cultivating be done
with a single shovel plow, the rows may be much closer than where
the soil is not so fertile and the cultivation is done with a double
shovel plow. The closer planted, the better will the ground be
shaded by the tops, but if so close that in cultivating the root of the
plant be disturbed, especially when commencing to put on tubers, it
will produce a large amount of small potatoes.

The best and most profitable seed is the medium size, smooth and
well developed tubers. The end of the potato, containing so many
eyes, should be cut off and not used for seed, and the balance of the
potato equally quartered, cutting toward the root, where the tuber
was fastened to the vine. In so doing the fibre that runs from the root
to each eye will be less injured in cutting, and the pieces w ill be suffi-
ciently large to contain enough of the flesh or substance to drive the
sprout or sprouts in each piece. If a large potato be used for seed,
one eye to a piece is sufficient. The cutting should be commenced at
the stem or root i>art of the potato, slanting the knife toward the root
each time, fixing the eye on the centre of the piece thus cut, thus con-
tinuing until the whole potato is used, except the last piece which con-
tains so many eyes, is ustnl uj). This piece shimld not be used for seed.
Thero is no profit in planting quite small ]>otatoes. Four of the above
pieces should be i)laced on each hill and not all in a bunch. They can
be separated a little from (nuIi other by using the foot, if not the iiand.
It is a mistake to plant too long of the same variety. It will pay
largely in the end to purchase new varieties for seed. They should
not be covered too deeply. The sooner they get out of the ground, the
better. The best time to plant isi the first eight days of May. If
planted before the first of May, the seed is apt to rot and the grass and
w^eeds come on b(^f<H'e tln^ potato is large enough to cultiv^ate. If
planted after the eighth of May, if the season be dry, the drought will
affect them. If j)lanted at that time the potato will mature in time,
that the ground may be sown iu wheat. — /.A. Cuppct, New Paris ^ Pa,

Thoughts on Farm Lifr.

Let us put spirit, force, tliounht and c^nergy info all we do. Ix^t us
study to economize labor and to apj)ly it to the best advantage. T^et
us discipline ourselves. Thero is much iu a farmer's life to cnll our nil

i

1)0

Pennsylvania State Board of AgfvIculture.

the best, highest and noblest faculties of our nature. Our work is in
the gardens of the earth, which it is God's care to watch over, sendin*--
rain, sunshine, warnilh, or frost, as may be needed. In all thinos it
is easy to see His handiwork. ^

Pur(^ air, pure inliuences, freedom of action, of mind, and of thon^'-ht
The farmer deals directly wltli his Cmator. Into his hands daily
bread is gi\(m; \\hen they have eaten and have some to spare, they
divide ^\ilh (he banker, the lawyer, the preacher and the millionaire
all of which ai^ dependent on tln^ farmer. The prosperity of the
farmer robs no one. They are not subject to strikes, nor to any corpor-
ation, or c()m[)ulsion to any overseer, or to the whims of anv one. The
fai'uier, too, is happier than are many richer men; he has a fe<4*in-- of
independence and secnirity which the millionaire knows nothin<'^''of
U lule the rich man is disturbed by fears that the bank may fail or
his factory burn, the farmer feels secure of what he has, and *>'oes on
serenely with his work, gathering each year the banquets spread by
the seasons, extending his broad acres, and by the wealth his honest
toil brings him, giving his children an education, fitting and prepar-
ing them for their station in life, making the wife and children happy
sparing no pains to make Uw home attractive with books, music pic-
tures, papers, innocent games, etc., educating their sons for the farm
If they want: them to stay there. It is useless to tell our boys that
farming is a noble, honorable, independent, pmtitable and attractive
business unless we make it so.— Mrs, Lucretia Blakeslee, Spartans-
ourg^ Pa. ^

Make Fakm Life Pleasant:
Farm lifo as it is known by a larj^e ix-reentago of our farniin >• nopn-

s own""Th"";;::""' ^'---"^—'^ "-l cirsadvanta,...s p":;, i ;

h,r. . fl«^«<-\are moiv varied in form or s<^ri(ms n nature

ban those b.-lonj,nng to professional life, or met with along th" v^^

mes of trade, it is not our purpose to argue. Neither would we nt

tempt an exposition of them as in.mutal.le^.djuncts to ou^a ' cuUural

system, or inherent factors of it, with an aceompanvi, g Y. i ii on

.auses, preventives and cures. x\or do we assert tl em'to be ci iimm^S

k.nd or character pressing alikc^ heavily on allengaged n a.'ri" 1^^

pursuits .rr,^spective of circumstances or conditions VVeon v"s i e h^

we "do know," and testify, "that we have seei^ and he^d " u i ti^

who will may receive the testimony ' ^^^

Farm life, for the practical farnu-r and his familv has himlrmces

l"Mn^.go, When the first farmer weii for h wf. A? r ? niorning,
"Ours*,d is the ground for thv s.I e^ -n ' , "''' ''^^''^ "'""' '''"'•

it bring forth to tl^ee" " i tt sweufoTuiv f"' '"', "i?'';'-^ ^'""
bread.'' {^^^eat ot tin face shalt thou eat

Tliat edict has never bf^pn row.i wwi wr ^ n

M

X

Quarterly Report.

61

control— those arising from adverse circumstances. And as if this
were not enough, each one adds thereto many trials, the' legitimate
iH^^suit^ ol Ihoir own peculiar disposition of mind and heart. Surely
the picture, if not overdrawn, is dark enough to suggest tlu^ need of
help.

That many are failing to keep abreast with the disadvantages live
down th(^ discouragcnuaits, or overcome the liindrances— in other
words, that many farmers and tlunr families are not as happy as they
miglit be, IS painfully apparent from (he unrest and dissatisfaction of
the young the murmurings and complainings of tho^se who are older
and the oft-repeated desire of many "to leave the farm nnd try some-
thing else.''

Such dissatisfaction ought not, nt^ed not, exist. In this land of frtM?-
dom and equality they who stand by the base of supplies, whose indus-
try and effort contribute lai-gely to feed the hungry multitudes en-
gaged in other trades and prof(>ssions, ought and can Ix^ the most free-
hearted, hai)py people on the eart\i.~Afrs. N. A. Bingham, Clearvieiv
Ba. '

Poultry for Profit.

Tlie first thing necessary upon entering tlu^ business would be to
procure good stock, suitable for that part of the business which we
might wish to follow. If our object be eggs, exclusively, we mi<»-ht
suggest Leghorns, IJlack Spanish, Minorcas, Hamburgs, '^etc. If our
obj(^ct b(^ to produce fiesh for food, dressed fowls, and eggs for the
market, then we must turn our attentiim to some of the larger brcH^dvS,
such as I'lymouth Rocks, Wyandot tes, Langshans, etc; but whatever
our object, g(^t i)ure stock if possible. When we say "good stock," w(*
don't nuMu fancy stock; Ihat is, 125, |50 or $100 i)irds; this is'alto-
getlier a different line of business.

The poultry yard is gen(M*ally considered as one of the most insignifi-
cant parts of the fai-m, ofteiitim(\s considerinl as more of a nuisance
than anything els(^ only to ])e tohM'ated to please the women folks.
Rut, in order to ascertain the real value of the poultry business, we
must look after the wants and requirements of our feathered beauties.
We must look to their comfort if we wish to get good results. Tlie
quart^ers usually provided for the common barnyard mongrels are such
that it cannot be expcn-ted to obtain very great results in the way of
producing (^ggs for market. Neither can tlu^ proceeds be increased
from the amount of flesh produccnl for food; but, when we have once
procured good, w<'ll bred stock to start with, then we must provide
comfortabh^ (luart(M\i? for th(»m wIhto the long, cold winter nights will
not frcH^'ze the life and vigor out of them.

Then we come to the feeding problem. This is the great key to snc-
cess. It has In^en calcuL'Ued that \\\v(h^ and one-tenth pounds of corn
will produce five-sixths of a j)oiind, or six and two-thirds eggs; but to
produce five-sixth of a pound of pork iti requiiY^s five ymund.-; of cotti.
Eggs at this season of tin* year an^- worth sixteen and two thirds
cents a pound, while pork is worth seven cents; and then again, if
from a pure com ration such results can be obtained, the yield can

\ .1

n

15

62

Pennsylvania State Board of Agrtoulture.

be largely increased by a varied feeding system, consisting of clover,

rowen, wheat bran, middling, corn and oats clioi), mixed with cooked

vegetables, small ])otjitoes, etc., ted warm tor the morning feed. Then

feed oats, buckwheat, wheat and corn alfei-nately, at noon and night,

with an occasional dessert of ground bones, meal scraps, with a good

su[)|>Iy of oyster shells and other sharp, flinty substances for grit,

and milk and water twice a day, warm in cold weather. But don't

throw the grain feed into a trough so that all tluit the birds will have to

do is to pick it up; mak<^ them work for it by throwing it among straw,

chaif, leaves or litter of some kind, thereby giving tlK^m exercise by

scratching for it. Good, healthy, well-matured pullets of an egg-pro-

dncing breed, cared for in this manner, will surelv repay the vavo

and exi)ense by a generous supply of eggs.— A". P. A//s/i07cse, Brook-
ville^ Pa,

Need of a Commercial Education.

While schools are so numerous and so many excellent -things are to
be learned, tlie (piestion often presents itself as to what school shall
be attended and what branches of study accepted. When one has
ample time and means, the question may easilv be answered thus*
Take a regular college course and supidcnunit it, 'if needs be, with any
other that nmy especially fit one for the ]>articular profession or call-
ing that may be taken u]>. But where means are limited and one
must earn a livelihood for himself and others, a commercial education
must especially commend itself.

A young man with an ordinary common school education, coupled
with industry and good common sense, may in six months time, pre-
pare hunself for a position of tnist and importance. An expenditure
ot fmm fifty to one hundred dollars in a good commercial school may
Insult in his securing a i)osition that may pav him, even for the first
year, from four to six hundivd dollars, and niav open up the way for
hiin to control a business of his own, or to become a partner with
others. James A. (Jarficld said that ^'These business colleges furnish
h<nr graduates with a better education for practical pu^oses than
either l*rinceton, Harvard or Yale."

Further a business education never come amiss in any life-work
that may be chosen. The writer has never known a vonng man who
regretted taking such a course. " ^

Many practical matters, if not learned where such matters are
taught, may be learned to one's sorrow in Ihe sehool of life. Even he
filing out of a check impix^perly may result in a great loss to the one

Holder. Again, the throwing aside of a piece of paper on which a Der-
son has vvritten his name may result in his having to ])av a pi^m s^^^^^^
notc^ that a rogue has written on the blank space above Ms rme and
passed over into the hands of an innocent holder

What has b(H^n said of young men may'also be said of ladies ^Vu^v
positions of trust and profit are h<^ld by th.m, and maiv a^;nues ol
usefulness are constantly being opened up for their occui^ancT To

QUARTELLY RePOKT. 53

rlioir credit be it sni.l, that Ihey are preferred in some cases to -en-
Ueim^n, on accoaut of tli.-ir being more honest and reliable.-^/'../. /.
A. Crner, Blue Rock, Pa. -^

The Corn Crop.

The problem presented to us is, how to get the most corn for the
least amount of labor?

Every farmer understands the main conditions needed to produce a
good crop; the first of these is a rich soil; if planted on poor land
witliout manure, no amount of work will produce a good crop Com
always responds with a generous yield, if a few and simple demands
are complicMi with at the proper time and season. Many farmers
neglect or forget to mcH3t these demands, and neariy always sulfer the
penalty at husking time by getting only a part of a crop, instead of a
lull crop. No soil is too rich for corn. It is not like wheat, oats or
buckwheat and some other crops that may lodge and waste on land
that IS too rich for them, but corn will only use what it nc^ds of the
elements in the land, no matter how generously they may be supplied.
Among the first requisites is land well prepared and made mellow,
and good seed to plant. A good clover sod is the best land for corn'
well manured the previous fall and winter, with good stable manui'e,'
twenty-five loads to the acre. This manure should be hanled as made,'
direct from the stable, and spread evenly, so the land will become rich'
by the leaching of the manure.

Plow about April first, if the land is a good clover sod. There will
be no trouble in plowing it, as it will be as mellow as a garden. As
soon as plowed and dry enough, put on the harrow once, then put on
the i\>ller; if dry enough, harrow again. Let the weeds come up,
which they will do in a few days; this is the way to get the ground
ready for a crop of corn. You can do more now toward cultivating in
one day than after the corn is up in two. Mark off three and a half
by thr(^ and a half feet, both ways, plant four grains in each hill,
cover two inches dc^p; if dry, ix>ll as soon as i>lanted, which will make
the ground level. If the weather is wann, the corn will com(^ up in
five or six days; four days after planting, sow over the com field, corn,
wheat and oats. This will keep the biixls from pulling the corn; the
birds will pay you for all the grain they eat, and your trouble, too, by
catching all the worms they can find, which may save a crop. As soon
as you can see the row, commence to cultiv^ate; cultivate often but
shallow, not more than two inches deep at any time. After a heavy
rain, use the cultivator to break the crust. At the last cidtivalion,
sow one and oue-half bushels of rye to the acre; you will be sui j)rised
at the pasture you will have next fall; it will also enrich llu^ land and
keep it from washing and leaching. — A. R. Marthi, Sandy Lake, Pa,

64

Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculturr.

Quarterly Report.

C)6

Sheep Husbandry.

Tlie low prices of wool for the past fifUM'ii velars goes to prove tliat
fe^heep have to be raised for the butcher, and not for the greater profit
on wmil. In speaking of the profits of sheep husbandry, I will not
confin<^ myself to any particular pei'iod of time, but will will go no
fmllK^r back than 185(>. In this year, I find wool selling at GO cents
a pound in Boston, the controlling market of the United States. The
average pi-ice of wool from 185f> to 18()7, w^as Gl centis per pound.
These were the best years for the wool industry ever known in the
United States. In 18G8, w^ool commenced sagging down in the mar-
ket, and continued witliout check until 1882, when it reached 25
cents a pound, the lowest price known in forty years.

^^)w l(»t us look at the cost and profit of sheep husbandry from 1856
to 18(>7. AVinter f(Ml sheep requii-e about three per cent, of their
Aveight per day in hay, oats or oil-(»ake. We will take one «heep
weighing 100 ]K)unds. This sheep will cost 1-J cents a day, or |2.25
for five months' winter feeding. Pasturing for seven months at one
cent a day, |2.15; total cost for one year, |4.40. Wool i)roduced, 5
pounds, at GO cents a ])(mnd, |3.00. Lamb sold, p.OO; amount pro-
duced, IG.OO; gain, |1.G0, or 3G per cent, profit. In 1882 the cost of
producing sheep was ihe same as in 18G7. Lambs and sheep the
same value. Wool, 25 cents per pound, showing a loss of thi^ee and
one-fourlli per cent. This shows the tnith of my statement, that at prc^s-
ent sheep are raised for the butcher, and not for the profit on wool.

Wliy is it that the animal that produces for man both clothing and
food is now raised at a loss, and not at a profit? — S, C. Thompson^
Indiaiia^ Pa.

Retaining Fertility on the Farm.

It is understoml that all soils have more or less fertility; at least,
when the land is new\ IIow^ to retain that fertility is wiiat you ask;
T answ^er, "by giWng back what w^e take from it."

There are diffinvnt ways of doing this, but I think the best and the
cheapest is with manure made from the products of the soil, ftnl to
stock of almost any kind, sheep, cattle or horses, with a sprinkling of
hogs and chickens to gather up W\^ leavings. In the shape of pasture,
hav, straw^ or fodder, with sufficient grain to make the stock thrive.
Of course, w^e must have suitable houses, sheds and pens to feed in
and save the manure, without unnecessary w\aste. Apply manure at
the T-iirht time and in the ritrht way. To do all this we must be willing
to work in both warm and cold w(\ath(T.

In connection with the above, I would r(^c<nnmeTid one hundred or
more busluis of lime per acre, to be apy)lied every fis^ years, where it
don't cost too much.

Another method that has been successful with me is to sow^ clover
and timothy along with wheat or oats, and let it crrow until nearly ripe,
and then turn the stock on it, and tramp it dow^n the first year. Pas-
ture it the next year, but not too bare, and the third year acrain paft-
ture it, and then plow it about the last of June or in July, wiiieh

ai

j)low ing should be done when it is neither too wet nor too dry. The
field will be more fertile than when fii^t plowed for w heat or oats.

Another plan is to apply fertilizers. If the fertilizers are good, it
does very well on some soils, pro^ided grass seed be sown at the same
time, and the grass is left to rot on the field for about two years. In
most cases it will increase its fertility. But if the wheat or oats
straw^ and the grass of two years is taken otf, the fertility of the field
will be decreased.

Another important point in retaining the fei'tdity of the soil is to
follow- a suitable rotation. That is, to i)ut in a crop that will prepare
the ground for th(^ next, or put a crop in for wiiich the ground is pre-
pared. This rotation needs to be varied to suit the kind of soil we
have to work, and also, in some places, to suit the lay of the land. For
instance, some soil will raise some kinds of grain better than others.
Some will raise blue grass, red top or wild grass that would raise very
little timothv or no clover.

It is always a waste of fertility to plow^ the banks that tace the
northw^est for fall grain. Hence, for these reasons, a man, if he
would retain the fertility of his soil, must arrange his rotation some-
what according to his location and soil.

The most impoiiant part of all is to do the work at the right time
and do it well, killing weeds that exhaust the soil, with the plow,
harrow and cultivator; alwavs having an eve to the fertilitv in lln^

future, more than to
Hamill, Indiana, Pa.

tin* grasping of present wi^altli.— WiUia77i 7".

Kducaticnal Influence of Institutes.

As an organiz(Hl movement, the farmers' institute belongs to the
last quarter of the present century. In this time it has passed
through many changes. It has been reformed more etfectively than
I hat which it is stiiving to reform. The result has been most helx)ful
to the farmer, in the increased light wiiich science, as well as the
(»xperinn*ntal station, study and eli'ort have thi-own on the whole sub-
ject, clearer views have been obtained, dilficult problems have been
solved, and more unity of action secured. The cause has been estab-
lish(Hi on a more permanent basis, and lines of eft'ort have been de-
fined, which ])oint to real and permanent results.

The State and county institutes have given new impetus to the
farmer; his work has been more syst(-matically done, and more intelli-
gence is disj)layed in all its departments.

While thert^ are now many discouraging features in tlu^ present out-
hnjk, yet, on the whole, the prospect is hopeful. The dark cloud tliat
ov(/r hangs has a silver lining. The farmer has learned to take care
of himself. His voice is now h(\ard in Wx^ legislative halls; this is a
great gain ov<m' tlu^ past. The farmer is no moiv a tool for the poli-
ti(ian to us(^ at his i)leasure. R(^si)ect and standing an* now given to
the calling, and no h^gislator of today speaks with <lisivsp(H^t of the

farmer.

The Board of Agriculture is coinpos4'd of nn^i of inU^lligence and

bt>

Pennsylvania State Board of Agkicultuke.

Quarterly Report.

broad vimvs, wlio are dlsseminaling useful iuformation all over the
State, whicli, if utilized, will lead to better results. It is a well
known fact that by intelligent management, a majonty of our farm^
could be made toVi'<^>duce double what they do now. That is just
what these institutes are doing; Leaping you to double your produc-
tions with the same labor.— /'r^/. /• ^^^- Speers, Limestone, Pa.

67

Wealth Seeking Country Homes.

The flow of the wealth of the nation is ?>lowly but surely going
towards the country. Every man who has acquii'ed wealth seeks a
home in the country for atleast a part of the year. And it is this
countrv place that is really his home, where he spends his money, his
thoughts and his time. Along all the lines of railroads (teutering in
the cities, for twenty or thirty miles out, are built beautiful liomes.
Upon some of theur have been spent |100,000 for the house alone,
and as much more upon the grounds and stables, so that these places
are almost veritable ^'dreauis of beauty," These men delight in their
c(uintry life, and are proud to call theuLselves farmers.

There is a tendency among farmers to disparage their work. Did
you ever hear a gi-oup of lawyers, doctors or merchants saying there
is more money and less work in eveiy business than in their own ])ar-
ticular calling? And yet this is what farmers are continually doing;
not only anumg themselves, but wheiever they may happen to be. If
a man^ipplies to his farin the same capital, thought, energy, i>erse-
veranee, indomitable, hard work that the successful man of business
gives to his work, he will succeed. If he makes his supply equal to
the best dcMuand of the neighborhood as the merchant does, if he sees
to eveiy detail, that there is not more wasting here than there is
coming in there, he \\\\\ not have to say, ''farming does not pay.-'

And y^\^ notice the ditference in the surroundings of the farnu^r
compared with tln^ man of business. Instead of the clo'se, dark office,
he works with only the sky for a limitation; instead of the smell of
"goods," he inhales blossoming x>h^nts, riiK-ning gi-ain, and newly cut
hay. Instead of being compelled to rear his children among the
doubtful influences of the town, he can give them a limitk^s ]>lay
gi'onnd, the purest air, the best of play fellows. — Miss Ella IV. Thomas,
A^ottingham ^ Pa,

Fruit in Pennsylvania.

Wi* will confln(* ourselves to our native fruits. We find them very
strangely and wisely arranged with regard to their season of ripening
and their acidity of taste. We find all the low grown plant or bush
fruits that iHpen first in the summer, to be of an acid taste, and as the
season advances, the small fruits become more sweet, while the first
tre(^ fniits that ripen ai*e sweet, and as the season advances, they be-

come more sour. We believe this thought worthy of attention by
those who grow and use fruits. They should observe the effect of the
various fruits on the system, and see if they were not designed as a
tonic, instead of a food.

We have but a limited knowledge of the improvement of fruits in
the early history of the different countries, but we learn it was rather
slow on account of the human mind not being ix^ady to receive ad-
vanced or improved ideas. Later the science of fimit cultui'ehais kept
pace with other improvements, and thanks are due to the poinologists of
this and other countries for bringing the several fruits to their high
standard.

Few realize the magnitude of the fruit industry of this country, and
know little of its commercial value. We have W natural fruits as
grown in their season; then follow the canned and evaporated fruits,
altogether aggregating over one hundred million dollars. The exports
of fiTiits from this country in the year 18!J0 amounted to |4,059,o47,
and the imports amounted to |G,8G7,670, during the same year. Dur-
ing the year 1891 we exported $2,434,793, and during the same year
we imported |10,422,814 worth. To look at the above figures it
u ould seem that the foreigners were studying the wants of our people
and our markets more camfully than Ave aie.

Xotwithstanding the great improvements and high standard of ex-
cellence in our small fruits, the wild fruits come in competition bv
being picked by the unemployed youths of the country and village, and
are placed utK)n the markets at about the cost of picking. This is not the
only bad feature of growing and marketing wild fruit; it shows
neglect and shiftlessness on the part of the farmer or land owner.—
/. B, Brown, Pulaski, Pa.

Grafting Wax and Grafting.

A good wax is made by taking one pound rosin, one-half pound bees-
wax, one-fourth iH)und tallow; melt and stir until the rosin is thor-
oughly dissolvcHl; then fill a small tub two-thirds full of cold water.
Pour the wax into it; then grease the hands with lard and work it
thoroughly and make into balls. :N^ow, having our grafts and wax
ready, we will t)rocfH?d to grafting. Grafting may be done anv time in
the spring that the w^ax will work. I have grafted in Febniary^ and
although we had very cold weather after that, it was a perfect success.
In grafting we use a fine saw to cut off the stock. W^e then pare the
stock so the wax will adhere to it; we split the stock with a grafting
chisel, made with one end winlge-shaped, used to hold the stock opim
until the graft is inserted. We use from two to three buds to the
graft, cut wedge-fashion, leaving the outside a little thicker so as to
])ress tight on the outsidi^ bark. Leave the top of the graft out a little
so it is snre to cross the sap. Xow, having the grafts set, wax Uie top
and down the sides as far as the split extends, so that it is perfectly
watcT- proof, and success is certain.—/. D. Wright, Clearfield, Pa.

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Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

Quarterly Report.

69

Bright vSide of Farm Life.

The baiikiT may worry about his dividends and bonds; the lawyer
may burn his midnight oil in preparing his brief; the doctor sjiends
sleepless nights at the bedside of his patients; the politician lies
awake all night meditating about affairs of state; the mariner may
go down to sea dreading the midnight storm, whilst the farmer re-
turns from his daily toil to his family and enjoys the sweets of home
in peace and contentment. Wliils't wrapt in the embrace of refreshing
slumber, free from disturbing care, the seed which he has planted,
moistened by the dews of heayen, germinates amid tlie darkness of the
night, as well as under tlie power of the noonday sun, springs and
gro\ys up, he knoweth not how, for the earth bringeth forth fruit of
herself, first the blade, then the ear, after that, the full corn in the ear.
Then, again, from the earliest days until the present time, pastoral
or farm' life has been rated among the most noble and worthy of liyes.
The coining of Christ was lirst made known to the shepherds on tlu^
plain, and the prophecies of the gospel state that the better life shall
be a lural one. ''When men shall beat their swords into plow^shares
and their sjx^ars into i)ruiiiiig-hooks, and nations shall not learn war
any more.-' And thus we tind that throughout nature and reyelation,
the occupation of Ihe farmer is held up as a type of the true, the beau-
tiful and the good; and if so, sunny and bright should it always be.
And the farm<^r who does not ftn^l and realize the sweet influences
which surround him as he engages in his work on the farm, must in-
deed fail to (uijoy that which the great Creator, in his wisdom, in-
tended he should enjoy.

Aside fmm this, his life is and always can be the most independent
of liyes. If the earth, in respcuise to his toil, brings forth fruits in
abundance, he has the lirst choic<'; his garners are generally full; his
larder at most times well supplitMi. When seasons of dearth and
scarcity come and men in other employments go forth to secure the
wonted provisions necessary to sustain life, like that whicli i)reyails
over the country at the pn^sent time among all trades and labor, lie
can sit quietly at home, with no need lo care for tin* woi-ld of mankind
outside.

We must try to mak«^ home the most pleasant place, encircling it
with h)ve, with mutual kindness; ginng to our chihbvn that mea-
sure of courtesy and ]>olit('ness that we mete out to those outside of
our household. — William A, Martin, Boyds, Pa.

Beauty on the Farm.
Somewhere Emerson has said:

"If eyes are ma do for seeing,

Then beauty is its own excuse for being."

Wh(^n we think of In^autv, unconsciously our minds turn to natural
Ireautv. or, rather, to scenes of nature. We admit that an occasional
beautiful building may be found in the cities, but the surroundings of

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brick, mortar, cobblestones and other unsightly things detract from its
beauty — we may almost say, its symmetry. If the new City Hall of
riiiladelphia could be set on one of our own beautiful knolls, what a
difference in its influence on all who might see it?

Nature's works are all beautiful. She never creates an inhar-
monious tone or featnre, and the more frequent her works, the more
beautiful they are. Indeed, Ruskin says, '^I think I am justified in
considering those forms to be most natural which are most frequent.
1 believe that we may reason from frequency to beauty and vice versa,
that, knowing a thing to be frequent, we may assume it to- be beau-
tiful, and assume that wdiich is most frequent to be most beautiful."
The rising and the setting of the sun every twenty-four hours, the
firmament filled with stars every night, the new creation every spring,
the death succeeding, each speaks its own beauty.

If the lives of people are influenced by their surroundings, should
not the farmers that live in the midst of these beauties, in the midst of
the flowers, the birds, the soft and many colors of the spring, the deep
greens, the ripened grain, the sweet scents of the summer; the chang-
ing coloT*s, the ripened fruits and nuts of the autumn; the pure, white
snow and fresh cold of the winter — should not these be lovers of
beauty and nature? But is it so? Do we find the farmers, the dw^ellers
in the midst of this beauty and loveliness, aware of their advantages?
Do we not, as farmers, live on from day to day, mindful of the ma-
terial things, forgetful of the pleasure lying unheeded at our very feet?
Is it not left for the dwellers in the cities, in the country for an oc-
casional day or week, to point out to us the fine building site, call the
attention to the loveliness of the gi'een pastures, the grandeur of the
forests, the symmetry of the oak or maple tree, the fine prospect Jrom
the piazza, the unobstructed view of the setting snn?

Will you not all admit, even though it may be unwillingly, that the
condition x>Te;sented is a tnie one? — Miss Ella \V. Ihomas, N'oiiiyig-
ham, Pa,

Successful Peach Culture.

To grow peaches succesisfully and profitably, you must first have land
that lays up high and nearly level, so that you can cultivate both ways.
Second, you must have good varieties of x>eaches that will stand the
cold winters. Third, you must live near a good home market, where
vou can deliver the fniit to the consumer. Fourth, if you intend to
plant, say ten or twelve acres for a peach orchard, do not plant them all
in the same year, but plant one-third each year for three years in suc-
cession, and you will be sure to hit the right season with one or more
of your orchards, and perhaps all thrc^. The great hindrance to
peadi culture nowadays is the disease called the "yellows,^' which at-
tacks nearly all the peach trees sooner or later, causing them to be
very short-lived generally. I use kainit and also wood ashes as a fer-
tilizer on my peach trees of the first and second year's planting, and
yet the trec^s that gi-ew the thriftiest and were fertilized the most
took the yellows first, while trees on poorer ground and not cultivated
as much, had more perfect fruit and done best. All of this is con-

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Pennsylvania State Board of A(iRicuLTURE.

Quarterly "Report.

71

trary to the teachings of some of the most advanced theories in liorti-
culture. My orchard of 1,200 ti*ees that bore this last season's crop
I have not fertilized with anything thus far. But if the fruit buds
come through this winter all right, I Ihink I shall use about 150
l>ounds of muriate of potash per acre early in the spring. Shall sow it
on broadcast and cultivate \\ith spring-too ih liarix)w\ The culture I
gave tills orchard was plowing and cultivating the first and second
year, and harrowing with spring-tooth harrow the last two sea-
sons. Now about the profits of peach growing. Have I been paid for
my labor and expenses thus far? Let us figure. The first crop 1 raised
amounted to about |400, of which about |325 worth of peaches came
from about two acres of ground containing the 600 trees planted the
first and second years. These trees, having occupied the ground ^va
and six years, respecti^-ely, it would be the s'ame as one acre eleven
years, which would average |29.54 per acm from the time the trees
were planted until the crop was gathered. The next orchard of twelve
hundred trees contained ^ve acres of land planted five years next
spring. Total amount of proceeds, $75 two years ago, and $950 this
last season, making |1,025 on the five acres, or |205 per acre, averag-
ing 111 per acre from the time the peach trees w^ere planted up to the
time the crop was gathered. The trees in this orchard are, the most
of them at least, in a good, healthy condition and may bear another
large crop or two. — P/nV/p Harris, Lime Ridge, Pa.

i(»nt'(l crooked hooks, would reap grain for a few hours, at whicli time
they would have breakfast and take a fresh start for the half day.
^'Now'' one man can harness two or four horses to his reaper or binder
and from morning until dinner, can have his breakfast and ten o'clock
piece thoroughly settled, and have from five to eight or ten acres of
grain ready for shocking, or shocked.

Education and experience have reached a. high degree among the
farming class, yet we are never too old to learn. Education has
taught them that the growth of our countr}^ depends widely upon thi^r
eft'orts. It has taught them that the soil could even yield more per
acre by bestowing part of their incimie upon it for the next produc-
tion. There was a time when fertilizers, such as we are using now,
\vei*(^ iiTilaiown. It has taught them the profit on one bushel of grain
is less "now'' than ''then.-' They have the pleasure of knowing also
that by propi^r care and the use of fertilizers, they may have a plenlifnl
harvest.

The time has come now wlnm farmers look s(un<nvhat in a different
diiH.^ction than that of raising grain f(H' their yearly inconn^ Years ago
the barns that are now full of stock had possibly but one-half; the
sheep fold was equally as interesting, but the iK>rk and poultry depart-
numts were of less interest. So, from these taken together, a farmer
can realize a fair income in spite of the downfall in prices of all pro-
ductions. Therefore, r(Mncmbering the past in com] )a risen with the
prev^ent, we know we have been a ])r(>gressive i>eoplc. — John Walter ^
Biglerville, Pa.

Now AND Then.

Three centuries and a half ago the sod which we are tilling was
known to be inhabiteni only by a race of people who knew nothing of
advancement, nothing of books, nothing of the rest of the world; but
as the white men gradually settled here and there and drove back the
uncivilized nation, ample room had been made for an industrious peo-
ple to lay the foundation of a country, such as we are inhabiting to-
day. When we behold the cities and towns, dotted all over our land,
we can readily perc(^ive that through the strength and (mergy of man,
the earth has yielded her treasure and the forest given way to the
axennm, and cinlization became the pride of a happy*^ people.
If an advancement of this kind had never taken place, the realization
of life could only be told by those who would gathei- around their tent
fires, or later on, in rude huts, enjoying their family circles.

**Then," or in ancient times, the farmer would 'take the slow pro-
cess of spades for breaking up the soil, and later on, a pair of oxen
yoked together, with their wooden plows, such as would be a curiosity
to many of us to see. But ^'now'' time has brought about a more easy
and speedy way of doing work of this kind, and that with less labor.
Therefore, today, or ^'now," we know the art of machinery of all kinds.
It has brought the smile of contentment upon the countenance of all
farmers and day laborers. When we hear the old p(H)i>le tell of their
harv^est time we can readily notice (piite a contrast "Then" they
would rise early in the morning, quaff the bottle, take a piece of l)utter
bread, and a half-dr>z(Mi or more n<4ghbors together, with the old-fash-

Farm Helps.

Along the line of giMicral helpfulness, we are in duty bound to con-
sider farinci's' institut<»s and conventions, dairymen's associations, and
all iiiovcnu^nts intendf^l to bring farmers together, socially and for the
discusison of mutual interests. "Iron sharpcneth iron; sd the counte-
nance of man his friend.'- A mutual exchango of views in lh(^ right
spirit, is always beneficial. Every wide awake man or woman is
anxious to learn more of their particular branch of business, and good
opi)orluni(i(^s for so doing ari^ aifordcnl all who care to attend these
gatherings. The best succession of crops, the best system of under
drainage, how lo succeed with poultry, the best methods in gardening
or the dairy, liow best to care for horses, sheep or pigs, ]>otato culture,
and many questions in ]>i)liiics an 1 tinance, each and all ai'(^ important
and a knowledge of them I'ight, propel* and good. But it is not
enough. Such knowk^lge does not always bring success, and success
is by no means certain to bring ha])piness and content. Hence, we
often find the mnn who raises thc^ biggest cro]>s in a community also
I'aising the bigg(^st storms in his family, over every slight mistake or
failure, ]K»rha])s driving them to desiKM'ation and disgust, both with his
calling and liimself. The woman making the finest butter and a mar-
vel of snccess in the house, garden and ]>oiill]y yard, may also be
known by her boys and girls as a marvel of imi)atience, petulance and
fault finding.

Hoping foi* b(^ttei' things, we turn our tloaights to tlu^ hclj) found in

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72

Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

improved macliinery and favorable pecuniarv cirenmstances. We w ill
go among those who t'anii for recreation and profit, or as a matter of
business where tlu^ iiilKTited property and prosperity of a generation
or two furnishes aniple means with which to secure strengtli and
muscle at so much x>er day, or week, or month. Overwork, thought t<)
be the bane of so many lives, should be here unknown; but we se^ek
vainly for our ideal. Over-anxiety, over-exaction, greed, avarice, la-
mentations, long and loud, over trials, real or imaginary, greet us in-
stead. Disap])oinred and weary, we comj)ared these favored exceDtional
few with anuneiiualnumbv'rof the many, to whom .^uch conditions of

life would se(Mn a ]>aradise. by way of contrast. Homes where close econ-
omy must be practiced, not to add to the bank account, but to meet
necessary obligations, where the few modern a[)pHances mean many
months of toil and self denial, where many carefully and well la it I
jdans fail utterly for lack of strength and the power of endurance in
the nearlv worn-out frame of their author; and failure onlv means
closer economy and harder times. Amid these suroundings, and they
abound everywhere, one would scarcely expect to lind frc^e-hearted,
hai)py people. l>ut, most likely, as we draw comparisons, we ai*e
forced to acknowledge the balance is in their favor. — Mrs. N. A.
BinghaDi, Clcayvicir^ Pa.

Quarterly Report.

id

ing in their vastness, and it certainly behooves all those interested to
give this new foe of the human race, or rather, the comparatively new
source of danger, the earnest and careful thought that the question so
fully deserves.

It is a well known fact that the thoroughbred cattle seem to have a
marked predisposition to contract tuberculosis, but grade and common
herds arc^ also not exempt from its attack. It is admitted by those
conversant with the tme condition of alfairs that more effective legis-
lation is necessary, and with proper legislation, the object of eradicat-
ing the disease from the dairy herds of Pennsylvania can be attained.

The law should also prohibit the sale of milk from herds that are
under the care of State authorities or veterinarians because of the
prevalence of disease, or until all the diseased or suspected animals
have been destroyed or removed from (piarantine. The intelligent
farmers and stock growers are especially anxious that the disease
shall be exterminated, and will heartily co-operate with the proper
authorities in any movement tliat will produce this much desired re-
sult. The subject is being thoroughly agitated in nearly all sections
of the vState, and it remains to be seen what will be done in the future
to prevent the dread disease from spreading and iKissibly l>eing trans-
mi rted to the human family through the medium (d' consumptive cows.
— Oliver D. Schock, Hamburg, Pa.

Suppressing Tuberculosis.

There are those who assert that the present laws relating to conta-
gious diseases of animals arc* entirely inadecpiate, because of the faci
that there is no law that will compel the thonmgh investigation and
examination of any cows that may be supposed to sutler with tubercu-
losis. There are some who insist that it shoidd be obligatory for
dairymen to see to it that none but healthy cows shall supply milk for
their patrons, including the sickly babe, as well as the strongest man,
all of whom are susceptible to the insidious and fatal disease. The
writer knows of a herd of Jersey cattle that were killed in Berks
county, whose owner susijected the prevalence of the disease, and upon
applying the customary tests, the State veterinarian kUled what wen*
supposed to bo tin* healthiest and best cows in that herd. In om-
case, both lungs were a solid mass of tubercles throughout, and
after seeing their condition, the owner vowed that he would never
touch another drop of milk. Both medical doctors and veterinarians
recognize tho wide ]>revalence of the disease, which, like in the human
family, is an incurable one, and it is safe to assert that some radical
legislation will take i>lace in the near future to supx>ress an evil that
is so vast and far-reaching in its consequences.

It is not tin* intention of the writer to appear as an alarmist; nei-
ther is he willing that the facts shall not receive due consideration.
The matt(*r is of too great importance, and the interests involved are
too lai'ge to warrant any unnecessiary alarm. It is well to ctmsider
carefully what must be d<me to remove* th(* dread disease from oui-
midst. An examination of the death records shows a constantlv in-
ci'easing number of deaths from consumjjtion ; tigures that are surpris-

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AvoiJ>iNG Wrecks.

Some parents do not seek sufficiently to develop in their chUdren
that higher spirit of hope and confidence. They are left to rely upon
themselves, and tludr i'ducation is neglected.

Persons do not wish to see their children become useless members
of society, yet in every ])ossible way is this uselessness instilled into
them, and the foundation which is being laid beeomes too weak to
sustain the burden of later years.

Then there is another downward step, the reading of trashy nov-
els, which tend to weaken the mind, give false views of life, and pos-
sess no ennobling tendency.

Xo one can successfully brave the storms of life's sea unless he
studies well the map of his journey, for without this, he cannot
anchor in a safe harbor.

Without a captain we cannot cross the deep waters, and without
implicit faith in him, we will be in continual terror. We may have a
true captain to guide us, one who will guide us safely o'er the rough
billows, if we will trust ourselves to his keeping; yet, we cannot hope,
or even wish, to be carried over life's si^a by sitting with f<dded hands,
ready at any dang<n' that arises, to cry for help, but every one niust
do his duty.

W^ork, is the word. No on(* is born great, nor does hi* acquis great-
ness by entertaining idle thoughts of what may occur; he must be uj)
and doing, and on his guard for the enemy that may try to mis-
lead him.

Our lives are not so lon<r that we can aff(u-d to wa-*t(* a part of it

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Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

iH

Quarterly Report.

75

in idle dreams, and then try to turn to the right path after the wix^ck
lias bo^'iin.

^^^' must begin well and persevere in the right course, being
guarded on our A'oyage by high and noble prineiples.

TJK^n, with thr l>il)lr as our chart, and with faith in the unseen, yet
ever present captain, we, though weak, frail and helpless, may bid de-
fiance to the Sturm and gain at last the celestial port. — Miss Chloe
Kopp^ Yo>-k\ Pa.

Can we Afford to Raise Wheat ?

In estimating the cost of production and comparing it wilh i)resent
or prospective prices governing the great bread cereal, the question
assumed and propounded, commands a direct negative answer, espe-
cially as a financial basis or benefit to the farmer, as derived from the
giYiin alone.

It does not require much, either of mathematical skill or practical
experience on the part of the farnu^r, to provt^ that its jn'oduction at
its present prices does not return a just reward. For a period of 20
years its price has not maintained the average standard j)rice, fl.OO
per bushel, and during the last decade it ha< fallen far below that
price standard. Eecently, we i^ad an article in a western newspajier
of a Minnesota farmer reporting a yield of nearly 100 bushels per
acre, and that the cost of production b« ing so snijill, he could raise
\Alieat profitably at 30 cents per bushel. Thus, evidently, the griev-
ance of the Pennsylvania farmer was not regarded or summed up by
<iur generous western brother of the soil. Yet, W(% knowing of the
vast acreage, producing faciliti<\s and tr"ial (expense attending the
westeni farmer, it becomes an impossibility to cope with him in th(»
jiroduction of wheat or even any staple production of the soil, and in
fact, our meagre production, or non-production, if you choose, would
not materially atfect the market price of wheat, i^specially at present
low rates of transit or shij>ping. Thus it becomes apx>arent that w(^
cannot ^ie with the great wheat garner of the west.

Both our cost of production and extent of acrc^age being decidedly
adverse, the mere piH^tension in the act would jn-ove nn warranted pre-
sumi)tion. Yet, be this fact ever so discouraging to the eastern
farmer, can ho afford to quit the field? Shall he cease raising wheat?
Then how will he succeed? How about the grass setting upon his field
or farm? Will we sow timothy and closer upon our corn stalk or oat
fields, or the acreage (^f the abandoned wheat field, and vainly expect
a profitable reward? This, you are aware, would be folly in the ex-
treme, for every practically experienced fanner knows that the d<Oi-
cate grass seed requires a thoroughly tilled soil and finely pulvfTized
seed bed in ord(n' to insun^ pi-oper germination; also, a i)rotection dur-
ing its early growth, afforded only by the stronger plant-growth
(wheat), <'ls(\ unjiidcnl and unprotected, the former will doubtless prove
a partial failure or utterly peinsh. Thus we see the whc^at plant, sown
in autumn, becomes the prime factor in fostering the tender grass
germ, which at wheat harvest (all else being ecpial), the grass set be-
comes suflicieurly strong to assure self protection. And we all agree.

a farm destitute of the grasses is not only a destitute waste, but a
severe drain upon thi^ owner's pocket for taxes and current expenses.
— y. G. Ramsey^ Delta ^ Pa,

Boys and Girls of the Country.

Farming was the first business of uliu. Not only is it the farmer's
\\ork to cultivate the land, but it means stock culture, fruit culture,
vegetable culture; and it ought to include human culture. It is veiy
pleasant to impix>Ye the various fruits and grains, but better still to
develop boys and girls that will bring honor on their country.

Industry seems to be one of the characteristics of a countiy boy or
gii-1. Their work is such as requires them to work the entire day.
The eye is satisfied with scenes of beauty that approach the sul)lime;
the ear is ever-charmed with the song of birds; the sense of smell is
delighted by the sweet odor of fiowers; every latent power of the
mind springs into activity.

And is it not true that knowledge thus gained equips the boy or
girl to better appreciate the diffei^nt things in nature? Does not the
growing of plants and food, and the care of domestic animals better
acquaint the farmer's son and daughter to appreciate and learn the
laws that govern their growth? Is it not tnie that the country boy or
girl better understands the feelings and wants of the horse, which, in
so many cases, is abused and over-driven by those who never learned
that that most useful and serviceable animal needs regular hours for
food and rest, and that there are limits to his strength and power,
which should be carefully considered? Indeed, there are many latent
forces that can be developM by environments that are found only in
the countrv.

No human being is fully equipped to fill their design, unlesis they
have an harmonious devcdopment of mind, soul and body. Hence, con-
ditions that are conducive to this end are those that should be sought
after, and these ai^^ found in the environments of a busy, country life.

The safetv and securitv of our future destinv is found in the indi-
viduals that were reared in the country and received much of their
early training from lessons of nature. — Miss Rosa R. Bcfider, Dills-
burg ^ Pa.

A(;ricultural Progress.

At no time in the history of our country has the future of agriculture
been moiv jiromising than it is today. Tlieri^ was a time, not long
ago, when the soil and the farmer were not on friendly terras — when
there was a bitter conflict betw^een them. There w^as a time when a
vast amount of discontent was found on the faiTii, and the fanner
found the work hard, the hours of labor too long, the profits small, and
the wife over-worked and disheartened, the daughter determinel
never to marrv^ farmers, and the son anxious to get to the city and
enter business for himself.

Quarterly Report.

77

76

Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture,

II

There was a time when the farmer was considered almost nothing,
was looked down upon, and even subjected to ridicule, being consid-
ered an inferior sort of being— a man who simply "tilled the ground."

Compare, if you please, the home and condition of the average
farmer of today with that of the past, and what a marked contrast
there is! The farmer of today lives a free and independent life, sur-
rounded by a bright, intelligent family, in a home such as a king
might envv. All niodern conveniences are his. His stables ai'e
Slocked with the finest breed of horses, lovely Jersey, Holstein and
other line-bi'ed cattle; large, well-bred sheep graze in the fields, and
fine swine grace their pens; chickens, dogs and all other domestic
animals have also undergone a change, and life, to the farmer, is now
one of prosperity and ha])piness.

Again, the farmer no longer plants haj^hazard; neither does he con-
sult his almanac in regard to the 'nip-goings" and "down-goings" of
the moon; he passed that period and has begun to see that agriculture
is an art — a science more intricate than any other; that to be suc-
cessful in its prosecution, he inust know several sciences. No longer
does he merely drop a potato into the ground, cover it up, keep down
the weeds and dig the increase in the fall. He studies the soil and the
fertilizer, and then the potato; shall he plant large or small potatoes,
cut or uncut, one eve or more, the stem end or the seed end? Thus,
throughout the range of agriculture, eveiy step and thought has indi-
cated progress. — Mrs. 'R. Evima Hariman, DilJslnirg^ Pa,

Soil Formation.

All the water courses and streams that flow fi'om the glaciated area,
like the north branch of th<^ Susqu(^hanna, the Lehigh, Schuylkill, the
Delaware and others, east and wr^st, have carried more or less of the
moraine matter and deposited it ahmg their courses, forming a soil of
the same nature, adapted to the use of the fniit grower and
farmer. From Trenton to l*hiladelphia, the Delawai'e river haa
left a de|M>sit of considerabh* width on which are located fine
grain, fruit and seed farms. The geological feature creat<Hi dur-
ing lhe great ic(^ age has bc^en favorable to the fruit grower and
agriculturist. The soils south of tln^ moraine are formc^d mainly of
the underlying rock, and vary accordingly, consisting of limestone,
red shale of Devonian system, red shale of the trias, (or new i^ed, as it
is called), found extensively in Bucks and Montgomery counties; the
sandstone and shale of the J^ilurian period; the shady soil of the slate
formation, and that formed from the granites, with many minor varia-
tions.

All soils differ accoi^ding to the rock from which it is formed and
contain difp<n*ent clirmical <^l(Mn(mts, so that they differ from good,
bad, to indifferent, and in ord<^r to treat soils intelligently, fruit grow-
ers and farmers will find it of advantage to learn the composition of
their resx)ective soils, so as to be able to apply in the way of plant
food those essentials wanting to produce satisfactory^ crops. The me-
'hanical condition, too, h;is much influence on crops, so that there is

room to study, from geology and chemistry, what may be the best
treatment to bestow on such soils as we may possess. Some persons
advocate drainage for land that is otherwise too wet tO' raise fruit
trees. I would say, if one has no land fit to grow trees without drain-
age, it had better be devoted to other cix>ps, as the roots of growing
trees will surely gain access to the drains and stop them up effectu-
allv in time.

The great terminal moraine, consisting of a deposit of sand, gravel,
round stones and boulders, crosses the state of New Jersey from Am-
boy to Belvidere, where it enters Pennsylvania and passes in an ir-
regular line through the counties of Northampton, Monroe, Carbon,
Luzerne, Columbia, Sullivan, Lycoming, Tioga, Potter, into New
York, and enters Pennsylvania again in Warren county, through
Crawfoixl, Venango, Butler, Mercer, Lawrence and Beaver, passing
into Ohio, Kentucky and so on, probably crossing the continent, as it
is found in South America, as well as in Europe. — W, //. Stout, Pine
Grove, Pa.

Attractions of Farm Life.

Farm life, as compared to city life, is as the life of a bird in its na-
tive woods to the life of a bird which is deprived of its liberty. You
all have seen the robin flitting from limb to limb, merrily chirping.
He can clnim the wide and beautiful world for his abode. There is
apparently nothing so happy, so free fi\un care.

But, on the other hand, think of that same bird deprived of its lib-
erty, shut up in a cage. It may have x>l^nty to eat and a pleasant
place to live in, but not liberty and the pure air of the fields. Its
throat will not s<md forth its song so meiTily, if at all.

We begin life as free from care as the bird which has its liberty;
and in our early years we are surounded by ever^'thing which is so
beautiful, grand and pure.

Freedom! There is nothing a boy or girl loves better than freedom;
free to run at his or her will.

You know on(^ hears of the literature that is scattered broadcast
through our land which shows '"city life" in all its best advantages,
leaving the disadvantages entirely out. as they have to be leaiTied by
exp<^rien'Ce. TIk^ boy of tlu^ farm imagines he has very hard work, not
thinking of his health, which is one of the best blessings of life. It
has been proven again and again that life is an utter failure without
health — that state of welMxnng which we feel, but cannot define. If
health is lost in the city, it is in the country we expi^ct to recover it.

W(^ have long observed, and with no fals^' regret, the growing tend-
ency o^f young men and lioys yet early in their 't(^ns to abandon the
healthful and c^nnobling cares of the farm for the dangers of city life

and trade.

l*leasant firesides and friendly circles in the quiet districts are even
dnily sacrificed to the sorrowful mania of the present dny. Young
men favonni with every^ comfort of life, and not over-workc^d, fancy
they may do b<4ter than to guide the horse, or turn the stubborn turf,
ami, without meditation, th(\v turn from the ini|)lements of agricul-
ture and try office or shop-work in the city, which, only too generallv,
proves less agre<-able and profitable than they anticipated.— Mj^ Ella
HalL Content, Pa.

■I

I

78

Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

ii

The Public School System.

A defect in the school hiw is the failure of the Legislatui-e to define
bv law what branches shall be taught in all the school distiiets.

' Article 1), section D9, of the Act of 8th of May, 1854, says, ^'It
shall be the duty of each county superintendent to see that in every
district there shall be taught orthogTaphy, reading, writing, English
grammar, geography and arithmetic, as well as such other branches
as the board of directors or controllers may require."

This, in my judgment, is wrong. The law ought to be uniform
throughimt the State. It is unjust to the pupils in giving some of them
advantages for ac(]uiring a liigiier education titan others. It is equnlly
unjust to the taxpayers in imposing burdens upon some from w hieh
others are exempt.' The injustice of this discretion, left with the
school boards, has resulted in the establishment of schools, at the pub-
lic expense, where an education may be acquired nearly equal to
that of many of our colleges, while a large ])ortion of the pupils, par-
ticularly in the rui^al districts, have only the advantages of learning
the particular branches nann^d in the Act referred to.

This is a meeting of the farmers' institute. The inquiry may be
made, why is the subject of public schools introduced here? The
farmers and inhabitants of the rural districts have a greater intei\^st
in the maintenance and success of the public school than any other
class in the State. Strike from the Constitution and laws everything
relating to our public schools, and the inhabitants of our cities, bor-
oughs and larger towns may and would, to- a limited extent, snj)ply
their jjlaces; the density of their population and their wealth, and the
absolute necessity of providing emph)yment for their cliil(li'<Mi would
force upon them the necessity of establishing pay schools. But, repi^al
these laws in the rural districts, and the handsome, comfortable school
houses, now erected within a reasonable distance of every man's door,
would »(>on disappear, and in their places, in time, the pay school, as
it existed one hinidred years ago, would re-appear.

Universal sulYrage, *'the government of the })eople and by the
people," is one of the princii)les u\K)n which our government is
foundcKl. In order to exercise this right intelligently, the rising gen-
eration must be educated; the State owes this to evc^ry one of her
wards.

The common school is the best svstem vet devised to effect this ob-
ject Let us maintain it. Let ns adhere to article 10, section 2, in
the Constitution of 1873. It metes out justice to all in caiTying out
its intent. Let the directors of every school district, in selecting
teachers, avoid all politics, all sectaiianism, and have but one objc^ct
in view, viz: the right ]>(M\son in the right ])lac<\ With this piinciph*
carried out, all truly loyal citizens of this State ought to Iw^ cont^^nt.
It is the only system yet devised by which tin* masses of our cliildicn
can b(^ educated. We hav(* tried it to a greater oriels extent for eighiy
years; its benefits are greater today than ever before. If so, let us
maintain it and have the laws carried out according to its letter and in
its true spirit. For fifty-seven years the gen<»ral ^^^^• of 1830 has In^en
in successful oyyoration. Let us give it a fair trial. L«'t us fiu-thcr
prove its merits by th<^ mn^rring tc^st of exjierience, and if it turns oni
to Ik* what its frinids cbnm for it. ii will continue to prove a source
(>f blessing and bciirtit to tli<* g(*n<M'ations who will succeed us. —
7i. B^iffin^ton, Kittanning^ Pa.

Quarterly Report.
Educate the Farmer.

79

The farmer, who produces the raw material and passes it to the
.mauiiracttirer, and through him to tho merchant, to sut>j)ly all our
wants, is at the fouudaiion of the whole structure of human societv.
The farmer is taught by nature, the conmum teacher of all; nature
teaches him daily; the heavens always shine on him; he communes
ever with the works of the Almighty. It must be confessed that
farmers are not always as eager for knowledge pertaining to their
jjrofession as they shoidd be; they are not destitute of important
knowledge; the}^ daiH^ not be; it is impossible. The minister, the
lawyer, the doctor ni^d books on their t)rofcssi(ms; and so does the
farmer. The farmer can learn a greater proportion of his duties with-
out them than thev, but not the whole. The farmer needs books. It
would be very ditlicult, if not impossible, for him to reach the top of
his profession without them. The farmer should be as eager for the
test agricultural paper as the merchant is for the best journal of com-
merce, or the mantifactuier for the test practical machinist. If min-
isters, lawyers and doctors insist on having gi^eat libt*aries, then why
shall not tlie fa.rmer insist on having a small (me of his own? ^Study
your agricultural j)apei\s and journals, and then try and better your
condition, linanciallv and intellect uall v. — A. /. Fravipton. Fraviptoii^
Pa,

Wide Wagon Tires.

I rememlxM', when I was but a boy, my father, as well as other
farmers, all used broad tread wagons, and we had Ic^ss road tax to i>ay,
and had not the dcvp ruts in our public i-oads that we now^ have to
contend with wdierever w^e go. How can we avoid this? I think the
only and the bt^t way is that we must have better legislation to pi*o-
tect <mr roads. Onr prt^sent road laws are good enough in some ways,
but there is room to improve th<'m. They can be gn^itly improv^^d
by the r<^quii^nnent that all i>ers(ms using heavy wagons or hauling
heavv loads slnmld be requiitHl to have broad tires. I^nless we use*
a biH>ad tread wagon, W(^ may macadamize <mr roads from 18 to 1*0
inches thick, and the first narrow tread wagon that comes along will
cut a rut several inches deep, where the broad tread wagon would
crush down the stone and h(dp to make a good, solid road, without
heaving a rut. 1 hope that our coming tegislature will enact such
laws that will c<Hni>id every man to use a broad tread wagon on the
l>ublie road, with tires from 3^ to 4^ inches wide, and give the pe(j])le
t woy<nirs' tinn^ to dispense with the naiTow tread w agents, which have
teen doing so much harm to our jniblic ro.ids for the last thirty years.

Our road tax should te paid in cash, the same as our otlu^r taxes;
this would giv(^ th<^ su]>ervisor an opportunity to hire his hands where-
ev<T he can (Mujjloy the best service. Tlie farmers should have the*
]MN-f(M-ence of being first employe<l, as he genernlly ])Mys tlu^ heavic-st
road tax. 1 am o])]m)S<h1 to saving a lot of boys and m4'n, or rather, a
mix<Ml lot of hands at work on the public rond. There is usually more
time wasted than work accomplished. — //. S, Baker, Maria, Pa,

80

Pennsylvania State Board op Agriculture.

Quarterly Report.

81

':1

The Farmer's Independence.

Talk ol* iiKlepeiidence; where can you tind a more indepeiideiit little
republic than a t'ai'mer's home, surrounded by fine meadows, good
orcliards, A\'hicli \\ill yield of the finest fruit possible, with his happy
family and almost everything in the shape of real luxury and pleasure^
at his command?

Imagine a business man, who, from Monday morning until late
Saturday night, with not even an hour to spend in the evening with
his family, or without an hour he can truly call his own, and you will
have a real picture of the average business man. I mean one who
will likely be successful, and you will have a position not to be envied,
and one that the prosperous farmer would be loth to accept.

AVhile many farmers do not make a success, noi* command the inde-
pendence i)ossible, the same is true to a greater degree among business
men, for wi^ find (uily one successful out of a hundred. To become an
indeix^ndent farmer, one must possess ability; this need not be su-
perior to what the ordinary business man must possess.

There should be a. thomugh preparation, with a liberal education
adapted to the wants of the farmer, which is as important to hislnde-
pendence as is a college course for the business maii'S success.

The farmer s calling must not be condemned because of the inability
and indilference of many of those who folio ^^' it. It is purely a mistaken
idea that any one who is not adapted to any thing else may become a
successful farnit^r. — Thomas Shtfft, Osterburg, Pa.

Country Homes, Versus, City Homes.

The beauties of the country dunng spring, sumnuM* and autumn, the
superior sanitary condition of our homes and surroundings, the fresh
air, pure water, tln^ healthfulness of our out-door occupations, our
wholesome and unadulterated food, our fresh milk, cream, butter and
eggs, berries and fruits from vine and tree, vegetables in their season
direct from the garden — these are conceded to us bY all. Note with
what eagenn^ss our city friends flock to the country during certain
months to enji)y them. I have been fi-equently asked the question,
**How can you, having livcni so long in a large city, content >X)urself on
a farm during the winter?'' I give them, one and all, the same answer:
"I love the country at all seasons."

Midw inter is a time of comparative rest for the farmer. His crops
are all haiYested, his barns well filled with hay and fodder, the sitock
warmly housed, quietly diminishing his hay mow, chewing their cud
and decreasing his next season's phosphate bills. The farmer and his
family have gone into winter quarters, with cellar and larder well
filled. The winters fuel is proYid<Ml for, except, occasionally, a little
wood left outside to split, just enough to keep his blood in circulation.
Well contented with his year's labor, ample time is now ad'ordrd hiui
to entertain his friends and neighbors, and in i*etum, \isit and l)e en-
tertained bv them.

By far the greater number of farmers throughout the countrv' own
their own homes, whereas, in New York citv, of the one and one-half

million inhabitants, less than four thousand families are owners of the
homes they occupy. The greater portion of the balance, or we might
say, the masses of the population, tliose deiKmdent on their daily labor
for the support of their families and homes, reside in rented apart-
ments of from three, six, eight to ten iN>oms. This vast number are
huddled or crowded together on an island, a tract of line a little over
thirteen miles in length and of an average breadth of one and one-half
miles. At least one-half of this space is taken up by numerous ware-
houses, stores, public buildings, hotels, bank buildings, churches,
schools, mills, factories and many other buildings adapted to the
various uses of the numerous mercantile and industrial pursuits, so
largely carried on in this, the largest city on this continent. On the
balance of this area are erected the tenements aboYe referred to, to-
gether with the flats, dwellings and mansious of those engaged in
more lucrative pursuits. Let us look at some of the tenements. A
row or block in the lower portion of the city, occupying a space of
little more than half an acre numbers under its roof a pox>ulation
greater than is contained in the borough of Spartansburg. This im-
mense building is divided oif into apartments of from three to four
rooms, each apartment haYing generally one, and never more than two
windows, affording a splendid view of the wall of a building opposite.
Very seldom a ray of sunshine penetrates these apartments, and the
inmates, should they desire a glimpse of the blue sky, will have to be-
take themselves to the middle of the street and look up. You ask tlie
question, "What kind of people live in this building r The day la-
borer, factory hands, the owner of a peanut or apple stand in one of
the better streets not far off, the vender of small wares or peddlor,
shoe makers and tailors; and for the privilege of packing themselves,
away in these miserable, small and dingy apartments, they pay all the
way from five to twenty dollars i>er month.

Look at your own homes for a moment and consider what must the
Siinitary condition of such an over-crowded rookery be? Scatterc^d
throughout the city, we find a vast number of tenement houses, fre-
quently whole blocks and squares of them, all the way from three to
six stories in height, one to four families on a floor, rents ranging all
the way from ten to thirty dollars pt^r month. I'hese are the hounds
of the mechanic, artisan, city car drivers and ccmductors, clerks and
porters in stores, or men employed in one or another of the various in-
dustrial pursuits, earning good wages when work is plenty, but, owing
to high rents and being compelled to purchase everything they eat,
drink and wear at the higliest possible retiiil rates, they seldom save suf-
ficient to lay by a litth^ for a rainy day. Of the flats, brown stone and
marble front houses, of which we also find a large number, especially
in tiie upper part of the city, we need not for the puiT>ose of our com-
parison, describe in detail.— ^^r^. /• / Stdter, Jr., Spartansburg , Pa,

Crimson Clover.

Orimson clover is a nativ<^ of Italy, and is in common use there and
in Fi-ance for cutting and fen-ding in the green f^tate; also for hay and
seed. It is also grown sucessfully in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia

6

S'2

Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

and Soiitliern Peiinsylvania, and I see tMt it has even been grown
in uortlK^rn New York. The yiekl of fodder is immense.

Its ^rowili is rapid and luxuriant, and thei^foiN? is vahiable as a fer-
tiliz(^r to turn under. It is said to be 20 per cent, richer as a fertilizer
llian red clover. It i)roduces from 8 to 15 bushels of seed per acre,
when properly handled. It makes the earliest pasture, blooming in
April, and is in condition to be cut for hay in ^lay. I will enumerate
some of the advantages of this clover:

1. 11 grows when notliing else is gro\Ning, mnking its growth in the
fall and early s|)ring. 1*. You can have the earliest pasture, coming
before even vvi^ is lit to use for pasturing; that should i^conimend it
most stronglv lo our dairvmen. 3. You can soil, can cut it earlv and
cut it again, cattle and all kinds of stock eating it with the g'l'^atest
relish. 4. You can mow it and make splendid hay. L cut from 12
acres, 22^ tons of good hay. 5. You can plow it under for corn or po-
tatoes and it becomes a splendid fertiliz{M\ 6. You can cut it for seed
and finally, if it fails, you have lost nothing but your secHl and have not
lost a vear in tindinu it out, aiul can either put vour land in wheat in
the fall, or corn, oats or potatoes, as you (dioose. Y(hi can use the
same, yeai* after year, for coin, can cut vour hay tirst if you think best,
and then i)ut in corn. In fact, 1 think it the best thing introduced
in years for the fai*mers.

Our fertiliztn* bills are a \ ery hea\y item of expense, and 1 know of
no way you can cut it down as much as by the use of Crimson clover,
if piT^perly used; and allow me nght here to warn my bn)ther farmers
against the use of so much timothw Almost everv one sows timothv
when they sow their wheat, and in si)ring sow clover, and the conse-
quence is that they have timothy hay the firsic year, and timothy
always, whereas, did they sow both seeds together, you would have
(dover the tirst yoar and timothy and cIovih* the n<'xt, and noi^i^n-
lirely timothy, which vnrh of you will agree with me, being a plant
right on top of the ground, draws most all its nutriment from the
top soil, and not like the broad leafed and dep rooted clover, which
draws its sustenance mostly from the subsoil and the air, and stores
up nitiM^gen for all future crops.— W^. 6^^// Whiteford, Delta Pa.

Importance of Organization.

There is a truism that ^'in union there is sti-ength.'' Great interests
are advanced by organization, with a view to discuss means to en-
hance those interests and through investigation and comparisons
reaching the best results to invigorate entei^prises. Farming inteix^sts
must be no except icm. Everv farmer who desirx^s to be advanced in
his vocation should have full faith in organization. Have faith in all
the combined ellorts that aim to bring prosperity to the tillers of the
soil. The grangers of our land have a noble end in \dew. The agri-
cultural and horticultural societies afford opportunities foi- many
fnnners to accpiire knowledge relative to tilling the soil and many
forms of mnuiigenKMit for successful farininij. Th(\^^ ar(^ woll w(u*thV
of your su])p(>rt. If you have faith in organization, I enjoin up(m you,

Quarterly Report.

83

delay not to act your part, to do what you can to further the noble
calling in which you are engaged.

It seems to me that all lias not been done to impress the young
with such inclinations that afford love for rural life and its pursuits.
The tendency is greatly to engage in some employment in the city.
A gi'owing dislike to farm life, doubtless, is the cause of this. If this
be the true answer, it is evident that all has not been done that ought
to be done to dignify farm life. It may be well to direct the pupils at
school in our rural districts to the first principle of agricultui^. This
would, in very many cases, awaken such an interest in early life, di-
j^^cted to the various activities of farm life, that would attach more
importance to life in rural homes. My sincere wish is that the farm-
er's vocation will advance to occupy the rank that it merits among
the pursuits of life, and that right here in Berks county the pro-
ductiveness of farms will be so improved as to yield an increased annual
\'alue of i)roducts, one million dollars more than at present, which, I
1 hink, can be done, if the forces that can be utilized are applied. Organ-
ize yourselves into a body; the nucleus is already at your command ; be a
j>ower to save your interests. There is need to protect them, need for
ripened thought, for investigation to acquire means by which to check
what opposes the propei' return of labor expended. I cite but one
illustration as a proof. Thousands of dollars' worth of fruit are an-
nuallv destroved in our c«)untv b\ destructive insects. Organize and
l)e one of the many to lind a remedy to save your fruit. Organize to
be a power to save the character of your vocation, to be strong against
the enemy within, and es]>ecially against that which works w ithout in
an underliandc-d form, even legalized, to sap your interests. — Prof. //.
G. Hunter^ Birdsboro^ Pa.

A Talk on Clovkr.

Olovx^r is the great ivnovator of our soil, and about the onh^ means
with which natuiv has i)rovided us to carry on farming successfully,
and at the samt.^ time, economically. Indeed, our All wise Creator
could not ha\'e accomplished anything gTeater in which II is dignity
and wisdom would have been more pr(Hninently reveahMl, than pi'e-
cisely by placing into our possession this herbage, which not only
constitutes one of the most valuable and nutritious foods for our live-
stock, but which is equally prominent as one of the most powerful
remedies to ix^store and maintain the fertility of our soil.

In order to be able to gain all the advantages offered to us by rais-
ing (dover, it becomes necessary to have a proper rotation, where it
will have free access to apply its natural and influential powers to
such crops that ai'e to foUow. SubstMiuently our system of rotation
should be such as to allow no moi-e than two successive crops of cereals
or otlK^T' products of the soil to follow clover, unless dressed with a
liberal supply of home-mnde manure for the third crop, to make good
the dcti(d(^ncy in ]danr f(M>d, with whi(di the clover has been overtaxed.

It may be all right for the capitalist or wealthy farmer to purchase
his nitrogen, x>iiosidioric acid and potash, th<^ thi»ee (diief elements of

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Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

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fertility, with some commercial fertilizer, but for the poor fanner,,
hsueh would l>ro^'e tcx) expensive; and he will have to depend upou
(•lover — nature's permanent impro\ er of the soil— which generally pro-
vides for all these plant foods in abundance, if properly treated.

Nitrogen, at sixteen cents or more per pound, is a very costly ele-
ment when bought with commercial fertilizers, and can be procured
much cheaper and in a much better way by using clover in short rota-
tion, which is capable of gathering large quantities, both from the at-
mosphere and the soil, to be assimilated by succeeding croi>s. ilumus
forms another important factor, bidngcss.^ntial in bringing up Ihefertil-
ityof the soil to a desired standard, and is very benelicial in that it is
conducive of mellowing the soil and making it porous, thus giving free
admission to heat and air, and adapting it to retain moisture, all of
^^hich tends to be wonderfully encouraging to the growth of young
plants. Thus, by growing a luxuriajit crop of clover on our land,
which we should always be cautious, however, not to pasture too
close, we will have an abundance of humus, richer in all the elements
of fertility than any other herbage could possibly supply; and, in con-
nection with those drawn from the soil by its roots, going down deep
into the subsoil, thus bringing forth plant food and putting its dor-
mant properlies in operation, we will have sucli an ample wsuiticiency
that, with our wheat, corn and poitatoes, gio\\'ing on top of it, when
turned, we need not worry ourselves very much about the probal>le re-
sults, as even exhausted soil, thus treated, will take on new life. —
IVm. F. Beck, Nazareth^ Pa,

Things for Fariviers to Think x\bout.

We must, by our patronage, encourage those industries already es-
tablished, and Ih'lp to create o't hers for the manufacturing into usi^ful
articles the abundant material we have in the country.

For instance, all our bark might be used in our t^anneries in tanning
hides into leather, as was formerly the case, for we all need shoes
and we are not yet able to grow them as we do potatoes or applies.
Nor, at this advanccMl age, are we likely to g(M back to the good, old
custom of having tln^n made to measure of good, home tanned leath</r
by honest worknum. Our shoes were then minus paper or shoddy fill-
ings and tlanky insoh's, which hold water like a sponge, and are not,
therefore, very conducive to health. If we cannot go back to the days-
of small things, the question is whether it is good policy for us to
continue our present mode of supply, which gives us a little present
comfort and a pile of old shoes, with a loss to the country of thousands
of dollars paid out?

Next, our wagon and coachmakers; how have they been faring at
our hands? Are w<^ not causing them to leave the county or sx>ond
many of their days in idleness, because we will not employ them to <lo
our ^^ork; because we send our money out of the county for a western
wagon, carriage or sleigli, not because they are any Ix^tter, or even as
g(HKl, but because they are sold a trifle cheaper? Fellow farmers, in-
stead of shipping our good oak and hickory, would it not be wisdom in

US to give it into the hands of our mechanics and have them inanu-
factui^e our wagons, carriages, sleighs, etc., for us at home, thus sa\4ng
to the countv the price of labor, together with that of the lumber used
in their con'struction? At the same time, we would be developing a
profitable local employment.

Instead of sitting down and complaining that our neighbors gix)W
rich, let us adopt the same line of policy that has made them rich, and
press forward until we have built up our own section in wealth and
powder.—/'. L. Hoicck, Gettysburg, Pa.

Fence Laws ok Pennsylvania.
The State Board of Agriculture, at nearly every meeting since its or-
o-anization, has given considtM'able attention to the fence question. A
modification, a t L^ast, of the law, has been desired, and, the subjec t bomg
presented in its various phases, it became the opinion of most of the
members that the changes that had taken place since the original
enactment were such as to warrant the Board in asking the Legisla-
ture to so modifv the principle involved in the laws relating to fencing
as to reserve the intenjretation given by the law of 1700, so that, in-
stead of the farmer fencing to keep the cattle of his neighbor out, he
t^hould fence for the sole purpose of restraining his own stock. ^ Upon
this i>r()position the assemblvmen were inclined to look with disfavor,
and the bill introduced at Harrisburg had, at first, but very fe\y sup-
porters and as a compromise, an Act was passed m ISSo permitting
each countv to vote for or against the repeal of the Act of 1700, and
to make an aftirmative vote operate as a repeal of the original Act, so
far as the individual county was concerned. In those counties where
a vote was taken, it always resulted in the repeal of the Act of 1(00
Bait the Supreme Ckmrt, on an appeal from Venango county, declared
the Act of ISSo unconstitutional, and decided that all Acts referring
to fences had beiai repealed exctqit the first clause of the Act of 1(00
and that it alone governed the fencing in all parts of the State. And
t^o the situation remained until the fourth day of Aprd, 1889, when
Governor Beaver approved an Act repealing the obnoxious law of 1(00.
What is going to be the eifect of that legislation? It will be a
mightv ]>owi^ in the prevention of the wholesale destruction of oui-
forests: it will increase The farmers revenue by not obliging him to
eivct fences; it will enable him to cultivate additicmal ground hereto-
foiv made useless bv the construction of his fences; it will s^ave him
th(' time anrl trouble of fighting Oanada thistles and other obnoxious
weeds that find a hiding place about thc^ posts and rails; it will avoKl
encounters with the thoughtless sportsman or the dirty tranip, who
sivks to build a noon-day fire with a job-hrt of poc.ts and rails pur-
chased at his neighbor's last public sale; it will beautify his planta^
tion; if you would doubt this, look at the Landreth seed farm, of
n(^aiiy a thousand acres, near Bristol, Pa., that has scarcely a single
f<-nce to bisect its broad expanse, and compare it with the sumninding
properties; it will prevent, largely, the accumulation of winter sno^^9,
whose driftiMl banks fre(iurnlly makes travel over our highways impos-

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sible; lastly, it sanctions the ri«^ht of private property and protects
your ^oil from the encroachment of your neig'hbor or your neighboi*-s
stock. These are blessino'^ that I \A-on<ler the Legislature did not
long ago cont('ni[)late. — Thomas Siuenk, Millon, Pa.

Spraying Fruit Trees.

The time to spray any kind of fniit ti-ees is just when the blossoms-
begin to fade, and the fruit is beginning to shape; then, in al)Out ten
days, go over them again; if we had much rain in the meantime, to
wash the j)oison a\\'ay, I would give them another application in about
two weeks.

It is estimated that the extent of the damage done to the fruit trees
and Wnes in the United States, by insects and fungus diseases, will
reach four luiiulred million dollars, annually. It is time that some
improved method was densed to avoid this heavy loss.

The curculio is the mo«t destructive enemy of the plum, making its-
appearance about from the first to the fifteenth of ^Fay. It comes on
wings, and will tisually be found on the brandies of the plum trees..
You are not likelv to see them until vou shake the tree, w^hen thev use
their wings in trying to get away. In size, they are less than half-an-
inch in length and of a dark color; their habit is to sting or deposit
eggs in tlie plum about the time the fniit is slu^dding its blossoms.

If vou liave anv sweet cherrv trees in vour orchard, vou will notice,,
about the time they are in blossom, that a certain fly deposits hosts of
eggs on the under side of the leaves; the leaves will curl around them,,
and in the course of time they will hatch out and destroy the leave®;
by this time they commence on the fruit, eating and destroying it.
For their destruction, use London pui*ple, and continue the dose as
long as the enemy is to be found alive on the trees.

Pear and quince blight is another serious disease which attacks the
leaves early in the season, and if not attended to in time, the trees
\\ ill become almost strijjped of tlu^r leaves by the middh^ of the sum-
mer. The siH)ts <m the pear leaves are usually smaller than thos<3
found on th(^ leaves of the cpiiuce. The fungus attacks the small
branches of the season's growth so seve^rely as to kill them; in
fact, if let alone for two or three years, it will kill the ti\^. The ac-
tion of this parasite upon the fruit tree often renders it unfit for the
market. The best remerly is the Bordeaux mixture. — Thomas Hayes,,
Baldwin, Pa.

Development of Horticulture.

Horticulture furnishes an unlimited field for thoiiglit and study..
We subsist largely upon its pi^nlucts. It is a frtiilful source of health,
pix>moting nourishnumt, luxury and pleasure. The garden, orchard,
field, shi'ub, tree, vine and flower alike claim the attention of the hor-
ticulturist. It was the jM-imaiy oecupation of man; its fruit his na

tural food. Although man early learned the value of trees and fiaiit,
he has been slow to bestow upon them the care necessary to bring out
the full measure of fruition. This can only be attained by constant
care and labor, and he who withholds either, will noit attain great suc-
cess, for there aro dilliculties to be met and mastered. To those who
are equal to the task, a generous reward is suix^. Perhaps in no field
has w^ell-directed research, labor and attention been more prolific of
results. It has brought about impi\)vement in species, added new va-
rieties, creating new sotirces of usefulness, and has proven their fit-
ness and utility.

Perhaps there are more persons interested in propagating fruit than
in anv other branch of this industry. The field is an extensive one,
with many good things from which to choose. One who cannot find
here something to appreciate must be hard to please. Men of pi\^c-
tical ideas find ample opx>ortunity for usefulness. To such, never be-
f()r(^ has the outlook been so promising as today, or the product of his
labor been in such demand as an article of consumption. While va-
rieties have multiplied, the demand has moi'e than kept pace with the

increase.

\<\X\\ a natural ada])tation of soil and climate, we have reason to be-
lieve that bv our situation near the large cities and centres of densest
]>opulation,'the great number of our people engaged in vocations not
productive of what they consume, Avith the ra])id growth of industries
that draw their material from the orchard and garden, together with
the faciliti(\s now afforded for the handling, shipping and storing, will
find consumers for more fniit than is now produced, and at more re-
munerative.^ prices. Fniit s are now c<msidered necessities in homes
w here thev were reuarded as luxuries in fi)rmer years. — N. H. Thomp-
son^ Elora, Pa.

Silos and Ensilage.

In 1873, a Frenchman by the nanu^ of Goffert, is credited as having
built the first silo in France, and six years afterwards, Fi^ancis Morris, of
:\Iarvland, is said to have built the first silo in America, Some few-
years afterwards, the farmers and dairymen of this country took the
"ensilage fever,-' and silo after silo was built, until we now have many
thousands, costing all the way from |40 to rj,0()() each.

Associations were organized in the interest of ensilag(\ Ensilage
conventions were held, and farmers and daiiymen were invited to be
present, for the entire ]>u impose of discussing the merits of ensilage.
The manufacturers of feed cutters also stepped forward and made
every possible effort to stimulate the stockman, dairyman and the
farmer to build silos, as the more silos that wero built, the larger the
demaml for improved cutters and other necessary- machinery. Many
of our leading dairymen became (piite enthusiastic on the subject and
strong believers in ensilage, while others, proliably with lef^s ex-
I>erience, but eqnally as intelligent, conld not see how much advantage
or benefit could be derivcMl fi'om it.

At this time it has become a question, how the average farmer can
pay all the ('Xpens(\s on tlu^ farm, raise and edural(» his children, pay

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Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

Quarterly Keport.

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]u';litaxe«, the interest on the mortgage, live comfortably, and keep the
sherilt* away from his door, especially when he has to depend ui)on his
vN'heat crop, and is forced to sell it at sixty cents a bushel. The
farmer, to succeed, must at this time be absolutely progressive. Many
of the old ways of farming have had their day, and will noc answer at
present.

I am somewliat interested in ensilage. I am a believer in it. I
keep a small dairy— from twelve to eightc^en head of cows— on sixty-
five acres of cleared land, and it is highly important for me to know
how to raise feed and ^^'hat to feed to those cows, so that the milk they
produce will cost me the least amount of money.

After much research I concluded to build a silo. It must, however,
be borne in mind, that good corn ensilage can only be made by having
due regard to the manner of raising the corn, the proper time to cut it,
and the proper air-tight silo and manner of filling it. The chemist
don't always say from what sort of ensilage his analysis was made.
Thev find in green ccun stalks, dried corn stalks and ensilage, ash,
protein, fat, fibre and carbhydrates. The only loss, they say, in en-
silage, is in the carbhydrates, a portion of which, they claim, is con-
verted into acetic acid', lactic acid, citric acid, butyric acid and alcohol.

No man in the dairy business should be without a silo. In local-
ities whei'e building stones are plenty, build it with stones, by all
nuNins. A wxdl built stone silo, if kept well roofed, it seems to me
should last a hundred years. Wooden silos will soon rot, ai^ hard to
kerp air-light, and after awhile will be troublesome to keep in re-
pair. Then, be sure to raise big corn, with lots of big ears, and cut it
at the right time— rather a little late, than too early. It is a little
liko haymaking; no i>erson would want to cut clover when it was only
three-fourths grown.

When once tried you will not be willing to do without this handy,
cheap and most valuable winter feed.—/. /. /i^a/er, Nazareth, Pa.

Work and Mission of the Farmer's Daughter.

Farmers' daughtei^s are usually an industrious, hard-working class,
but there is so much variation in their duties that it is not monoto-
nfuis; they ai^e taught to watch with interest, the trees blossom and the
fruii mature; and each kind in its season, come to be cared for, canned,
(li'ii> 1, pr(^s(^ryed, or whatever is best to be done with it, to prepare it
for fui ure use on the table. There is so much of interest that the work
is j)]oasant and lioalthful — a work to grow a healthy body and a strong
mind.

It is an undisiMited fact that a majority of the brainy men in our
lanti have been raised on farms, and I believe the same will hold good
in iv^^gard to the women, who are to the front in the reforms of today.
Tlio time when it was thonght nnnecessary to educate the daughters
is jKist, as all thinking p^^oph^ now admit that it is of the first import-
ance that mothers bi^ educated; for bcmeath her nnnilding iuliucnce,
the boys grow up and take their places in the world on the side of
right or wrong, while lln^ daughters go out to make or mar new homes
and reproduce their mother's teachings.

It is said the soul's armor is never well set to the heart, unless a
woman's hand has braced it, and it is only when she braces it loosely
that the honor of manhood fails. As to the mission of these daugh-
ters I do not see that it differs from the mission of all good women,
vNhich to mv mind, is to uplift all with whom they associate, and be-
friend^he friendless, and help all to be better men and women. One
thing I wish, that every farmer's daughter would make it her mission
to befriend the dumb animals that help to make life on the farm so
pleasant. Do all in your power to prevent cruelty to these dumb
friends. Shun a young man that is cruel to a dog or horse, for 'a
merciful man is merciful to his beast." , . . ^i

Of all the varied occupations which are open to womankind, there
is none for which she is so well fitted or which she adorns so admir-
ably as the commonplace, everyday one of being a -home-maker.''

I^ n.o one think her sphere is narr^)w, or her mission small, be-
cause she has a home and home duties and cares. The mother ot
Abraham Lincoln may haye thonght her misison small m her log-
cabin, but he claimed that all he was, was owing to her early teach-
ings.—A/r.9. E. J. Incin, Dayion, Pa.

What Shall we do with our Wheat ?

Ten or fifteen vears aji:o this question could easily have been an-
swered Hut a ('hanse in prices of our coiumodities has appeared.
^Ve are livinj; and seeing wheat produced at an enormously greater
ratio than onr papulation, lliis, probably, has been the outcome ot
the "-overnment's pDlicv in lur aid to people in the west, assisted by the
warTthat made speculktion easy, which tixed large sums of money ni
the eastern capitalists' hands, to be sent there to budd up and plant
wheat in her large, fertile valleys, aTid il was also helped along by tor-

*"' tt did 'nit end there, but many of those dollars, easily acquired at
that time, rolled into railroad stocks, which hav(> laid their steel
chains across our country' and otherwise until our land is but a net-
work by which the iron horse, in the way of cheap transportation
puts numberless acres of fine, rich soil almost beside our once prized
farms, so far as raising wheat is concerned. , , ,

But with Yankw ingenuity, and a determination to go ahead and
make 'the best of opportunities, the average eastern farmer can and
will vet succeed. But I can see no one plan that will exactly suit, all
of oun)urpo.ses best in the way of disposing of our wheat. If sold, it
will bring, at pirs<'nt prices, from 55 to Go cents in our local luarkets.
Next, it can be stored for higher pi-ices. but that is uncertain. M«ou <
the twenty-five cent duty be taken olf of wheat any year, it migiit
mean the absolute ruin of all wheat raisers in our countiy, as it is
said Argentine alone can be made to raise enough wheat to supply

the whole worlil. „ ,, , i.. . i i

\ow the last resort. How can it be profitably fed.' As has been
said bclure, it will not be easy to lay down a rule to suit us all. If
our farms are small, which they should Ik- for profit, and the owner is

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Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

Quarterly Report.

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■yri

v^mhvr to reside on it and help liold tlie plow, he need not mi»e so
much ch(^ap wheat. He can have as large a poultry 3wd as on the large
farm. He will probably have as many swine as the man with his
many acres, and a larger dairy in proportion to the same. It is well
known that wheat makes one of the best feeds for the laying hen.
The little chicks i-elish small grains of wheat, and are less liable to
disease than whcai fed on cracked corn, which is often an uninter-
rupted diet for them. ^Vfanv bushels of wheat can be used in that way
in a year. In feeding swine, the value of crashed wheat can hardly be
over-estimated, beginning with the miniature pig, and producing the
mammoth porker. Then, AA'hy not have our own wheat ground for
them, and not buv the merchant midillings at about the same cost
per pound, which may be made from cockle and cheat and all other
refuse from large f\imv mills?— >/^?^ //. ^fy> Aqitetong, Pa.

Potato Culture.

Thoroughness is the secret of success in potato culture, as it is in
the cultivation of all other crops. Potatoes do best in a dry, loose
soil. Low, wet lands, or those with a heavy, compact nature, can
never be made to produce the crop, either in quantity or quality that
can be produced on gravelly or loamy lands not of a spouty nature.
\Miile a considerable amount of moisture is needed in the development
of tJie potato crop, it is not of the kind or extent which accumulates
in quantities in the soil. Wet land will increase the danger of rot,
the great enemy of the potato. The potato grower should select a
dry piece of land for his crop or make his land fit, in case it is wet, by
under draining. Sullivan county has some of the best land for potato
growing. It also has considerable spouty or wet land which could
rpiickly'^be turned into capital land for the potato crop, by a little exer-
tion, and the burying of those unsightly and bothersome stones.

Tlie ground should be mod(^rately rich for potatoes; land previously
enriched for other crops is the best. A good clover sod, on wliich a
coat of bainyard manur(^ has been spread the fall previous to planting,
is the best of all foundations for a good crop. The use of large quan-
tities of barnyard manure at or near the time of planting is a great
cause of scab and rot. Next in value to a clover sod is a good timothy
sod. Top dressing hilly land likely to wash mnch, is hardly advisable.
I*otatoes are industrious feeders, but cannot go from the top to the
bottom of a hill after rich juices, washed there by the rain or melting
snow. Many claim to have found commercial fertilizers on iH>tatoes
\^vy profitable, and it is altogether probable that the use of such fer-
tilizers is less likely to cause diseased potatoes than the use of barn
yard manure. ]\Iost farmers, however, will find it advisable 1<> de-
pend, as much as possible, on their ow^n farm resources in the fertilizer
lin(\ Prepared potato manure usually comes high, while the potato
crop of t(^n s(*lls very low, if at all abundant. A small handful of wood
ashes in the hill is an excellent application, and a small amount of
good, artificial manure used on the hill, so as to push the young plants,
is much l>etter than the common practice of dropping bam yard ma-
nure in the hill, wheiN? it comes in diwct contact with the crop, and
is sure to affect the tulKn\s.— ^. //. Marr, Eagles Merc, Pa,

Why Farmers Fail.

That one man will fail where another will succeed, is vividly
brought to our notice almost every day. Two men, umhM' a])parently
equal circumstances, launch out in business, have eipial chances to
succeed. The one fails; the other succeeds. The question comes,
what is the reason of the failum? It is not because of the circum-
stances surrounding them. Conditions for success or failure ai^ the
same. It is not because of one being more frail in body than the
other, because the man of ft^ble body often succeeds far beyond the
more hearty. The cause is in the man, and not in the circumstances.
It is the mind, general intelligence and makeup of the man, and not in
the body. Some one w ill say, I know plenty of men who have had no
education, and have proven a blessing to society and have been wry
successful in business circles. Why, yes, that is trae. But no one
would doubt for a moment that if these same men would have had a
better early training, that their lives for good \\()ulil have been much
more felt. ^ All men of ability are fully aware that success is not at-
tained by following a prescribed course of text books, but by life ex-
periencei^ proper- thinking and acting. Farmers fail, although they ac-
cumulate wealth, when thev do not bi^ng to themselves and all who
feel the vibrations of tlunr lives, those things which make life pleasant
and profitable and homes happy. :Money cannot purchase all these.

Show me a man whose mind has been disciplined, has a good heart
and a i^solute will. I will show you a successful man. Farmers
often fail to interest their children in farm operations, because they do
not take them into their confidence and share the management. They
fail for the reason that thev do not permit them to share a small part of
the profit, teaching them to dispose of it at their own pleasure, judi-
ciou-lv. Thev fail because they do not teach their children to prop-
erlv'ciire for all kinds of stock and poultry, and give a word of encour-
ao-ement for all honest efforts to do their ]>art. Remember, we amve
toward perfection by constant effort at ii'iiprovement. Some farmers
fail U^\' the reason that thev do not want to realize that m the sweat
of their face thev shall eat their bread, and the commandment, ^^six
davs Shalt thou labor and do all thy work," is not applicable to their
nature. They are too indolent to S(^cure property, or even to retain
what they mav have inherited.

Vnoiher class are too eager to amass wealth and are excitable.
When land is booming and at its highest pitch, they go in debt. Then
when reverses come and crops fail, and interest on debts accrue, they
nsk s(une unquestionable speculation to help them steer ashore. The
result , aluK^st invariablv, is failure. Solomon says, ^^He that hasteneth
to l>e rich is not wise." Intellect and labor go together. According
to the courst^ of natural events, there always have been revolutions m
business circles when the tide of prosperity would change The
farmor who is guided by a cool and judicious judgment will at once
conclude that this state of affairs will not be kept up indefinitely.
This class of farmers seldom have occasion to complain of hard times,
for the reason that thev are judicious, systematic, economical and in-
dustrious. Tiu^ farmer who is governed by a system and keeps close
watch, invariablv succeeds. Th(^ farmer who constantly complains
has made a fata'l mistake %mm^\^\\o\\^.- Harvey Raff e^ispergcr, Arendts^

ville, Pa,

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Pennsylvania State Board op Agriculture.

Agricultural Business Methods.

Quarterly Report.

93

So loiiti: as fanners cease to imite; so long' as tlie government con-
tinues to practically give aAvay its ricli western lands to foreigners, or
whoever may apply, and so long as railroad corporations continue to
discriminate and bring the cereals of the west in direct competition
with ours, ^^e may expect low prices for our gi^ains. But I believe it
farmers would unite more lirmly, tll(^v could regulate^ numy ot these
evils; they could step grain gambling; ihey could c qualizi' taxation ; they
could control grt^edy corporations, and if more intelligent farmers were
in our legislative halls, we would have legislation more in the mterest
of a<n'iculture; and we will never have it until we do. Since (lod
placed man on the earth, agriculture has existed; there is no oecupa-
tion which precedes it; no order or association which can suii)ass the
tiUers of the soil; no calling more elevating to the mind of man. God,
in the beginning, made it honorable, and it is our duty to sustain it as
such. Before literature existed; before governments were known
agriculture was the first calling of man, and all tlie fruits of soeial
progress since then, have gmwn from the brown soil. It has always
been a source of regret to me to see so many of our comfortable farm
homes going into th«^ hands of foreigners. It looks as though, in turns
that this beautiful countrv of onrs would be controlled largely by for-
eign masters; then h^t us'hasten the day for restricting foreign immi-
gration.

I contend that farming is as much of a business as any othcn* calling,,
and the man who would make a success of it must be a good business
man. He must study his business. Besides the buying and selling,
and the employment of labor, there is the planting, the cultivating, the
harvesting of crops, the brecniing, feeding, doctoring and care of live
stock; the culture of fmit trees, the use and care of machinery; sonn^
knowledge of the nature of the soil, of drainage and a hundred other
Important things, which require intelligence, skill and executive abil-
ity of a higher order. All the little details must be looked after, and
that bv the head or heads of the family, both indoors and out. No
business in our cities would stand under the easy-going management
of some farmers; and I know something whereof I speak, for I w^as
twenty-four vears of age and had sjK^nt six years in the mercantile
business in Philadelphia before I ever plowed a furrow; and, perhaps,
the lack of attention to details is partly, but not the entire cause of so
manv failures among farmers.— PF. Rodmajv Paxson, Langhorjie, Pa.

SpkayinCx Potato Vines.

It is to spraying, or the us(^ of fungicides on the ]>i>tato crop, thai 1
wish to call your attention. During three years out of the past f(wu%
leaf blight of the potato has been prevalent in our county. The wet,
muggy vvearlnn- of tlie three seasons was undoubtedly the caus<.» of
blight and the consf^quent rottening of tubers. The loss to our farm-
ers, and the attending loss to consumers, has been very grenit. First,
w^e had the Colorado beetle to annoy us, and th(^ pesky creature 1^

still here. Potatoes have always been more or less subject to rot from
other causes, and now we have an excessive amount of leaf blight to
increase the trials of the potato raiser. Let us take courage and seek
a reniedv. Science has done much for agriculture during late years.
It is doubtful if it has ever done more for the farmer than in its appli-
cation of the spraying system for the prevention of many forms of dis-
eases of i^lanls aiid friiit trees. By the use of a reliable fungicide,
properly applied, potato blight can be almost entirely or wholly pre-
vented,*eveii in the worst seasons. The Department of Agriculture, after
careful investigation, endorses spraying the potato crop, as well as
gi-ai>i\^ and A^arious fruits. Last season, which was very wet,
during which the crops of my neigh])()rs sulfi^red badly from
bli<'hr 1 did not have one hill to sulfer from this cause; due,
in *iiiv opinion, to the fact that I sprayed, while my neighbors did
not. ' Xever, in all my experience, did potato tops stay green so long,
and this at' a time when unsprayed tops died off early. While the
ero]>— Burbanks— were planted eariy, tlu^v showed no signs of dying
until fall, although the tubers matured early. The potatoes were of
o(K>d size, uniform, free from scab and also free from rot. I used a prep-
aration called copperdine in spraying, which contains ammunia, and
it may be that the extraordinary thrift of th(^ vine was partly due to
the fertilizing effects of this plant food. I did not have all vines, but
a n-ood crop <>f tubers. The vines were sprayed three times, as the
weather was so wet as to soon wash the copperdine off and increase
the dan^-er of blight. By niixiim- I»aris Green with the solution, I was
able to kill the bugs when spraying. Once or twice is often enough to
use ]>oison for bugs, and it is safer to use London V\\y\A^\ i)robably,
when mixing with fungicides, as it is not so apt to destroy the tops.—
A. H. Mar r\ Eagles Mere, Pa.

Air in Houses.

l»uiv air on an average contains about 21 per cent, of oxygen, the
vital element of resiuration, and alxmt one volume in 2o per cent, ot
carbonic acid, a narcotic pois^m. The air is vitiatcnl in breathing, by
a doubh^ process, the withdrawal of oxygen and the exhalation of car
bonic acid. Various causes conspiiv to deteriorate the air in closely
inhabiKMl a]>artments. A person robs of all its oxygen nearly four
cubic f<vt of air per hour, and diminish(^s its natural quantity 5 per
cent in SO cubic fwt per hour. Thequantity of carbonic acid in the ex-
piivd breath is 100 times greater than in the natural a tiuosphere. A
person, bv breathing, adds 1 per cent, of carbonic' acid to oo cubic feet-
in an hour, or would vitiate to this extent neariy one cubic .foot per
minut<^ Om^n combustion in a room contaminates the air in the
sann^ wav, unless the combustion is so conducted that the products an'
stc^adilv 'withdrawn. A candh^ will consume one-third of the oxygen
from 10 cubic f(^t of air per hour, while an oil lamp with a large
burner will change in th(^ same way 70 cubic feet per hour. A cubic
foot of coal gas c^^nsumes from 2 to 2^ cubic feet of oxygen, and pro-
duces from 1 to 2 cubic feet of cari>onic acid. Thus, ev(M-y cubic foot

I >.

'ti

'%

i

If-

94

Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture

QUAKTEKLY RePOKT.

95

of aas burned imparts to tlie atmosphere one cubic foot of ckibonic
acid, and charges 100 cubic feet of it with one per cent, ot this noxious
Lnis. Besides these sources of impurity, subtle streams of ettete or-
o^anic matter ai^ constantly exhaling into air from the lun-s and
skin of every lis in- animal. Thus, you see morbid organic i>oisons, so
subtle and minute as to elude cheniical detection, may be engendeixid
in the confintKl air of our crowded and ill ventilated rooms and become
the -ernis of fever and pestilence. Oxygen, the consumer of effete
matter and purifier of the system, is shut fi-om without and burned
within, and, the carbonic acid already in the air offering a barrier to
its exhalation from the lungs, the vital currents are encumbered from
the noxious products of bodily waste. Under these circumstances, is
ii any wonder that we often get up in the morning with headache and

depression of feelings? . • i . .^^

Many persons labor under the too common delusion that night air
is deleteiious and that the windows of the sleeping apartments should
be closed upon retiring. Of course, it is important to avoid i>ercept-
ible draughts, but the admision of plenty of fresh air must be had.
Upon few things is enligiitent^d medical experience more unanimous
than that, bv the continued exposure to an atmosphere impure from
bodilv exhaliitions, causes or greatly aggravates the most malignant
dii^ases such as fevei^s, inllammation, infantile maladies, scrolula,
consumption, etc. The point of entrance of fresh air into dwellings is
a matter of importance too much neglected. A very simple device, in
order to secure the admission of plenty of fresh air, without dangerous
draughts, is that suggested by Dr. Vaughan. It consists in titling a
pitHM^ of board, from 4 to 8 inches wide, to the window frame under
{\w lower sash. Bv this means a space is left between the.bottom of
the uppcn- and the top of the lower sash, through which the air (Mitel's,
and the current is thix)wn upward, striking the ceiling, from which it
is diffused all over the room. Or, tmother method consists in tacking
a piece of cloth across the lower 8 or 10 inches of the window frame,
then raising the lower sash to a greater or less extent, according to
the weather. In this way, two vents in the window are established,
one urnhM- the lower sash, th(^ current of which is turned up by the
cloth, and the oWwr b(»tween the upper and lower sash, or as when the
board is usimI. \\\ either of the abovi- lucuiioned d<nices\ abundant
facilitv may bt^ funiished for the admission of fresh iUV.—F. L. Marsh,
M, D., ML Pleasant, Pa.

ileges that children enjoy at the present time wei^ withheld, through
the sternness of ])arentiil rule. It is within our province to assert
that in many cases the pleasures of the associations with those whose
age and position made their companionship desirable, were denied to
children under the mistaken idea that it created in the mind a dis-
taste for the severe manual labor that necessity almost compelled the
parents to exact at the hands of their oft'spriiig. The mental faculties
were sometimes undineloped through the lack of educational faciliti(^s,.
and the ready punishment for any misdemeanor was the rod. Al-
though many grand and noble minds, even under adverse circum-
stances, arose and shone with lustre, which seemed yet more brilliant
and ]>ow(M'fiil in consequence of the mighty struggle which marked
their advent before the world, we are compelled to admit that many
more were dwarfed and stunted simply through the workings of the
despotism of parental will. The pertinent question of the querist
musitbe: Is this extreme rigor for the best? Is this salutary? Theexper-
ience gatheie-d through the onward march of time must answer, no!
Ilather, then, let the broadest scope be given for intellectual develoih
ment; let the mental keep pace with the growth of the physical body.
Let us, as parents, bear in mind that children are not mere machines,
to be used for sweeping into our coffers an inordinate amount of this
\\ orld's goods, the benefits of which they are not permitted to enjoy,
but let us ever remember that the bounding spirit of youth demands
enjoyment, as well as employment. Let us not frown with l»uritan-
icarseverity upon the recognized pleasures of society, and thus force
our children to seek by stealth, or in open violation to our commands.
Wild oats must be sown, and if sown under the supervising eye of the
parent, no ill-ivsults will arise therefrom. But, if we compel them to
be sown in darkness and stealth, and in questionable places, tal^^'^,
weeds and foreign growth will most surely meet the eye and rend the
heart. Parents, let us ever regard our children as sacred trusts, for
the stewardship of which we will one day be called upon to give an ac-
count. Let us train them caix-fully, as we train the delicate tendrils
of the vine. Then, in the language of the second proposition of the
(piery, we will not be conii>elled to turn them loose upon society.
There would be no scourge, no tenx)r, as the language of the query
would seem to imply; but, walking forth in the pride of glory, and
beauty of manhood and womanhood, they will become pillars of
strength to uphold the temple of honor, justice and right. As an orna-
ment to society, they will promulgate to the world the noble prin-
ciples thev were taught. In ccmclusion, 1o biing up a child in the way
it should go, ^lead tin* wav.'-^/r^. Rachael Garretson, Biglerville, Pa,

w

Then and Now.

The question naturnlly comes, would it be the best practice to ke(^])
our childr<^n under our control, as we were kept in our younger days,
until we were twenty-one, and tlnii turner! loose upon society? The
query, for convenience of discussion, may be divide<l into two distinct
y>arts.' The first pi'oy>osition involves the ditterent methods of control-
ling the different natures and dispositions of children, as practiced by
parents. The universal opinion seems to b(^ that family discipline
was formerly luuch more vigorous than at present, and that mnny ])riv-

Present Status of Agriculture.

Wo are living todav in a progressive age, when ]»eople are not only
siiistied with doing things and living in contentment and ease, but
doiip'- them in the verv best way, and struggling for somc^thing better,
1)101,7^ iiiid ii(>bler. Progress is the watchword of humanity; hence,
th- a-ricultiirists have orgjinized societies and institutes forthe pur-

I

Ik

90 Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

pose of progress in their pursuit. These were ->t 1^^^^^^^^^^^^
ind fanners were eomi>elled to learn by experience. J he stua\ ot me
sdLcersuch L chemistry, botany, meteorok,gy, etc., have taught the
' < rkulluSt many useful lessons. These sciences have taught us the
; n o llriT o^m of vegetable life, teaching what elements m a

^l^^^S^tLen up by the tiny rootlets of plants, and con^
v^r^e 1 into leav^^ stems and seeds. Science and experience have also
'u>M The ™ certain elements wanted in the soil, must be

sip^Ued or i^stored, and that it is as necessary for the farmer to feed
^ M^r^?^ hirte«im This in many sections, and with many farmers,
:::Lt<^ di^^^^^^^^^^^^ and the result is barrenness and failure of crops,
^e^^^tx^ndafvmtfni harvest should be the result. O t-time.,
Mil th'it a sterile soil needs, is treatment with some mineral which na-
rirf^^irde^^^^^^^ nearbv. Heretofore, scientitic knowledge was
iouoM to bTof little consequence to the agriculturists, it being sup-
uS that every man could be a success in the farming arena. But
Sated ^^.^^ have proyen otlierwise. This erroneous idea has

S om^ f the principal causes of the slow progress ot agriculture.
Safari iJrrequ an education which shall teach the principles use-
hd to h s arts and liow to applv them. As a teacher must understand
S^ ml:^^^^^^ mind^ order to cijtivate his miiid^ ^ ^^^l' t^
a<rricnlturist understand the nature and composition ot the soil to
u ItSate it thoimighly. Agricultnre, in this vicinit, ^^^^^^^f^^^J^.^
ing pursuit of man, and we, as l>ennsylvanians, do not rank as high as
our Southern or Western states in this industry.^ But the soil is
comparatively as fertile as the west. Our country is more capable of
raisin*>- increased crops than any other on the tace ot tlie eartli.

Welire feeding over T(),000,OOOiii]iabitanls of tlu^ riiited States, an
avera-e of 40 .\ bushels of grain each a year, while the greatest num-
ber of any European country, which is France, is but li4 bushels, be-
sides exporting a suri»lus of -83,000,000 bushels in 1871), and this was
raised on less than one-ninth of tlu^ smallest estimate of our noble
1-md It is estimat<^d that one hniHhvd million people could be sus-
1 •lined without in(.'reasing the area of a single farm, or adding one to
their number, bv m(4vly bringing our products up to the average
standard of reasonably good agriculture; and then thei^ "V^'^'^'^^"
main for export twice the quantity we now send abroad to teed tne
hun<'-ry in foreign lands. It is also said that if our crops would wholly
fail one year, tlu^re would be sufficient to last the next without raising
•i sin«de <n-ain A distinguished feature of agriculture i?« that m its
mrvancement, utility is ever k^it in view. Ib^nce, it is often cjUled a
utilitarian profession, having a tendency to seliish individuatism, and
that* mammon would become its idol. ^ ^ . j. . .

But the natural K'lidency of tlu^ farmers pursuit is calculated to
foster virtue. It is not beset with the temi)tations peculiar to many
callings. The minds of an agricultural community are fully occupied,
ami pUMseii with their occupation. It is certainly one of the most
healthy occu[>ations, since the farmer enjoys plenty of pure water and
the bi-'illiaiit sunshines and though he may not always walk with the
sjime grace and erectness of some professional uion. yet he has mus-
cles fully d(n'<'lo]KMl for his arduous work. As he travels over his
acres, the book of nature- is ever open before him with its nunuM-ous in-
.struclive pages. He sees giand lessons in the glorious sunshine, ser-

Quarterly Report.

97

mons in stones, and good in every plant that grows. He hails the
birds, the harbingers of spring. He sows his seed in faith— the har-
vest is reaped in joy. Health, contentment and independence are his
reward. — Miss Alice Mills, Rieglesville, Pa.

Farmers' Boys.

In taking a view of life, we all must have some standpoint from
which to make our observatioiis and form our opinions. If our
horizon is limited by the circle of time, if it only shows as the glitter
and glamour of earthly successes, if we measure men by what they
have, and not by what they are, then, mayhap, other secular pursuits
would offer greater attractions.

If, however, the greatest of all creations is the human being, if the
life which shall exist when time is forgotten, if the soul which shall
carry heavenward all of the good it has accomplished on earth, as an
immortal possession, if these are more precious than all else, then no
other station in life has so much to recommend it, no other position the
privileges so enjoyed by the man who owes only to nature and his own
industry, his prosjK^rity and advancement. This you should yourselves
appreciate, and impi'ess upon your children the sturdy independence,
the utter freedom from the temptation to be servile, that thrift may
follow fawning, that is the almost universal experience of other voca-
tions in life.

This proud inheritance is yours and theirs, and you should so feel it
and impress it upon your children. Do you do it? I fear but few of
you do. Instead, if your boy shows talent and tliirst for knowledge,
you straightway impress upon his infantile mind that he shall be
something better than a fanner; that he shall not work with his
hands. He may be, shall be a lawyer, and after years of hard study
and honest struggle, finds at last success, as the world puts it, by sell-
ing his brain, his influence, his eloquence to the highest bidder, guilty
or innocent; and this you rate more honorable than tilling the soil,
regardless of the fact that the inspired prophet has proclaimed God's
curse u]>on such action, saying ^'Woe upon them that call evil g(X)d, or
good, evil, that justifieth the wicked for a I'ewaixl." — Mrs. D. H. Bol-
fo7i^ Franklin, Pa.

Planting Trees.

To the planter of trees and plants, at least three things are indis-
pensable; first, varieties true to name; second, healthy, vigorous, well-
matured trees or plants, and third, careful and judicious packing,
without which all may be lost.

Select thrifty young trees in i>peference to old or very large ones;
the roots are more tender and fibrous and they bear transplanting
better and are far more apt to live: they can also be more easily
trimmed and shaped to any desired form, and in the course of a few

7

PENNSYLVANIA StaTK BOAKD OF AGRICULTURE.

r^; butall soilH .nay be u.ad. '-f ^^^^;,'i\^;^Svr^" a«, to thor-
-fo prepay, lor ptoting, ^^l^^.^^ftolT^n inches. When
oughlv pulverize to a depth of t™" t;^'!^^^';^ ,§,e sod for a diameter
phmting upon the lawn or ^™ f *« removf t ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^

of font- to live feet and ke^'P ^^T^^^^^^ ^^ necessi.rv to admit all
weeds. Dig the hole deeper f^}^%^ '^e surface and subsoil
the roots in their natural position, lvccpin„ ux

separate. . , . .^^a shorten the tops to half a

Cut oif all bmlcen and bru,«M twte and sno .^ .^ ^^^^^^^ ,^^ ^^^^^

dozen good buds ^^^^^f^J^^^r^ prepai^d to plant wheai
top pruning unUl ^^^^^:S:: ^^ tonch deep enough to adnut

K^^s^: a^- ^^ ^± ^:^^^v^ ess;

^/^^^'^"^^ ?;i'r;Tised to the sun and air,

and ^^piuldle'' before planting. ^^^ ,,._ ^^^ go tliat the tree ^^m

To plant, fill lip tl^e Ivole with sn^a€c ^^'^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ .^ttknl,

stand about as it did when m -; -^'J^^l.;;^^^^^ deep enough to cover

excepting dwarf pears, ^^'^!^^,^ , ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ tw^o or thr.H. inches.

the quince stock upon which ^^^^o the iCS^ and, when well covered,
Work the soil thoroughly ^^^^^^^^ ,\^^^ ^' ?fi;^l^ leave the surface

tramp firmly. Set the tree ^J\^;:'l^^,^^^ except with ver,'

tall trees. >^ever let manui^ come ^.^^^ |,.^y ^r loosi^

In mulching, a covering of ^<>^^^^^^^^^^^ in ury fiw

chip dirt during the first season will effectually pi^ve j

drought, and is a ^^^^^^^^^^^^^J^i^^^ ,,.iien it is neeessary to make a
For sniall grounds or, street^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ,,l,en

show as soon as possible, large tiet> ai ( ^ ^^ ^^^.

handed with special care, should not fail to (lo
ni7i(rer, ^Valnutport, Pa.

Quarterly Report.

How TO Beautify Homes.

99

In studying how to beautify home, we should not foTget that timt
of all there musit be a home, and that in a true home, the household,
and not the house, is of prime importance. You are all, no doubt, ac-
quainted with careful housekeepers, whose first and last thought is to
keep their domains with i)erfect neatness, and whose domestic rule
is of Medean and Persian iuUexibility. These 1 call housekeepers, not
home makers. I tell you, when the evil of extreme neatness enters a
woman, it defies family comfort and drives the angel of peace from
that home. It Is true that the virtue of carefulness is a housewife's
glory, but when carritHi to excesis it becomes a woman's shame, leading
her to imagine that meat is mor^ than life, life more than raiment,
and raiment more tlian man. Not the house we live in, but the life we
live in it, is that on which the time beauty of home depends; no home
can be truly beautiful if tarnished by an un worthy life within its
walls. In this county (Armstrong), the homes are almost all what you
would call beautiful,\ind, to a gi'eat extent, convenient as to design;
but that a home may be beautiful, it should have beautiful surmund-
ings. There should be a lawn enclosed with a neat fence. The grass
should, in summertime, be cut once every week with a lawn mower.
There should be a few treesr— not too many— and a few bedvs of fiowers.
The house should be painted and kept bright by an additional coat of
paint every four or six years. Witliin, the house should be made
bright and homelike, with cheerful carj)ets, pictures on the walls, a
bookcase with growing numbers of good volumes on its shelves, the
curtains should be gracefully hung and looped, there should be restful
sofas, comfortable chairs, easy footrests, fire screens, house plants,
beautiful flowers— every! hing in every room arranged in a beautiful
and harmonious order. All this can be accomplished without wealth,
if there be tast(\ economy, purpose and study. — Miss Ella Marshall^
Bryan, Pa.

!>>*

If.

The Farmer's Diaky and Note Book.
11 if^v tho f'lnner to educate himself as a calculalor. -V well-

„ot('b.M.k m ^\ '< ':';^fj,;; .j^vinR a nail; but, if the nail requires
rlnli; s bet er to do it at the proper' time than to neglect it.
t Ue fhe pJrsuft oTflnnin, a careful, business like study, and success
w crown our efforts.- Wilson Rex, Slatedale, Pa.

Woman's Work at Farmers' Institutes.

Woman's work at the farmers'insititutes is vari(Ml. She conies as a
learner, to get new thoughts, new ideas, to gather from the practical
lessons taught, facts which will help her to help make the dairying and
farming movQ pleasant and profitable, and the farmer's home a better
place to live and grow in. Well we know that a woman's duty is not
done when she has caivfully and well performed her own individual
work. She must be a stimulator and encourager in all work planned,
out of doors and in, never discouragcKl or blue when the plans fail or
things in general go wrong. It is not her mission to throw wet blan-
kets'on new projects, but to smooth over rough ])laces and ever incite
to better, more careful work.

It is plain she needs all the help she can obtain fmm tlu- farnKM^' in-
stitutes. She must also be a gleaner, gathering up stray morsels of
l<nowledg(s working th(^m over, and nppwpriating them to her own
ncK?ds and uses.

%n

k',

n

100 PlNNSYLVANIA STATE BOAED OF AOB.COLTOUE.

Quarterly Report.

101

Changes.

Tn Hn« world there are few things that remain the same for any
, \IZ Zie Some Things chaSge ahnost every moment, some
cSy day o";SarwMle others require centuries to produce any v.s-

ible alteration. +^ „^ t^Vnrone- now tlie migMy steam-

Years ago, it took months to go to Europe.^ow t J ^^^j^.^

the speed ot lisW°i"» f.nnarfmce occurs in one part of the country,
urfnownT/'^n iScre<^^^^^^^ -'ery oTher part, for along

lUt'^rte taSus Wire sUh^ f^^^^^^^ ^^^4^ ^e^
try, news flies ^'^^ '^^If^'^J^'^l' The%Sest and best ordered law

?:ria?orcSrar^:^^^^^^^^^ ^^ -^;^^x^i!

be if every material thing remained the same.-^r^. JUary w^ ,
Townville, Pa.

The Farmer's. Cow.
Th.. farmers cow like everything else the farmer possesses, or tries

i'!T,!.Us ^nd vSy often the cressing of two good, pure breeds will
the breeds, and ^^ o"«° ^^^ ^ ^,^,^8 should be kept aa

bring the best resultj I ^^'^;^^;^^^^, .^^ if crossing be found
S^esl^r^ theTsiouM Xaji be bred upward, and never backward,

''l" tlT'Jlvl'fsharp competition, the prudent farmer does tho^
th?ng that pav best, ami T think that all agree^at -'--^y'^™'
iXling dairying, suits our part of the country be^t.-Z). IV. Lee,
Woodbury, Pa.

Farmers' Institutes.

Farmers' institutes are doing much \^ ^XZ\^'^^\^^^S'Z
throughout the land, and they are certainly entitled to the hearty co-

oi>eration and sup]>ort of all who desire to aid in advancing agrieul-
?SiXrsts It has been re^m-arked that the farmers wlio succeed
el^st \?e tiioi who devote their chief attention to the study of
Iheir occupatL. There is one key only which will open the way to
succcS f^irming, and that is knowledge of and careful training for
the wik si ected Agriculture is the foundation of our national
nms^ y and in pro^ition as our farmers are supplie<l with the
heSformalion in regard to their occupation, will their business pros-
nS T^e oi ide^that farmers do not need an education has out-hved
Us dav Mod I^iifarmiug is a science, and one that requires a solid
pJ^Stiom Wme iu.aglne that it is easy to be a first c;^- ^™-^
th-it about all vou have to do is to own the farm, and it will ran itseir.
But do we fnd that the ca:se? It is no treuble to drive a machine if t
w 1 rroTtself but it requires skill to know what is wrong when it
will go itseit , out iL ^ f.iriner- it is a science to know how to make
te'l^rm mv Tnd ttt ;an only be acquired by careful study and
cfose Xn^J S; tobiSiess. The farmer is not only a F-^^^^^" ^ut ,a

t nu?acturer of food, and he must wake up a-^ -^kj^-^^^ must t
+hnt hnvp been developed by scientific men. Old tke^nes must ue
abanS nnd give w.^ to the mighty tread of advancing science.-
David R. Hindnian, Reidsburg, Pa.

Dehorning Cattle.

nncommon tiling to sec anum^ Auiimifrh ihere lias been a great

With cattle it is q"i^\difterent AUU^^^^^^^^^^ time have

improvement by careful breeding, ^e cattle ^ tuc P ^^^^^^

horns though of diminished size. It will be many b'^'JV^
we whl hue hornless cattle by breeding J'i^ M* ^da^'and genera-
The advocates of ^^X^litt-S^m^te^^^^^^^^^^

being practiced quite ^^tensive^ m m^^^loca^^^^^^ ^,^^.^,^

jection raised by the opposers of .<l^-»?,y"^°" *^g, '^f dehorning, when
the advocates of dol'ornmg deny. 1 e l)rocess jt ae j. ^^^^

properly done, on ord nary «i^ed cattie^ ^^Hnce go out into the Vard,
when released they will, in n(>arl.> ^^^f^/"; J,'^^' f to the treugh and
lick themselves as they formerly did, '^ thi'-sty go to b

drink, as if nothing '"-^^''^lIl^^'^^^X^S' befoW^hro^^^^^ If

in the stable, will eat ^^^;^t^Z^^ quautity.
they are cows giving milk, tli^yj;'' -''"^J. ^ „f de-boniing have
A majority of those I ^'-^y^^ J^Vcattle w^^H^ or from a know-

i::rnf^vir?het' m^i^h^^^^^^ - «-^ '--^^-^

C. ^B. Smith, Union City, Pa.

a

102 Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

Progress in Farming.

In everytlimj.-, ia the sciences, the <arts, the trades, the pTOfessions
we have advanced wMi lis-htning-like rapidity. How so^in taruiinj-- .'
Have we made the same strides there? Or, is it because that we have
not made these strides that the boys leave the farm? I suppose many
of you will not agiw with me when I say that aj-TKnilture has not
kept pace with the onward march of improvemcwt. \ou will recaU
the davs when the sickle was used to cut the grain, when the gleaners
in the' field were a merry, happy lot, thinking more of the },nv?at de-
lights of the harvest than of the value of the crop. You will think
a^n of the later day of the cradle and mowing scythe. Again you
will speak of the plow with the wooden mould-board, the long iron
point, which required the service of the blacksmith once in every 24
hours. The threshing of the grain with the (tail, or tramping it out
with the iron hoof of the horse, "or of the ox that treads the com
There will ari.se in your mind the memory of the days of sowing broad-
cast the grain, of covering it with the harrow or the shovel plow, ot
the old revolving hay rake, and of the day when the corn was dropped
by hand and covered with the hoe. Trim these you will point me to
tiie farmer of todav, who, with his perfectly working self-binder, be-
hind his team of spanking bays, rides through the field, and at one
stroke reduces the liijened grain to a sheaf, ready for the shock, io
the mower who, as he rides through the meadow, does the xyork
which a few years ago required a half dozen men; to the beautihil
steel plow wh'ich, if not driven by steam, yet turns over the soil with
the same ease and p(*rfection that the keen-edged ra/.or disposes of
your beard. You will point to the steam thresher, which, in a day
df^es the work formerly accomplished in weeks ; to the corn i)lanter,
which does the work of many boys, and is never in danger of rt-cemng
across its back a hoe handle from the hands of an irate father, because
the corn has been dropped one-sixteenth of an inch from its proper
place; to the grain drill which puts in the grain in even proportions
at the same time that it sows the fertilizer which accelerates its

^^-^u will iwint to these and exclaim, "has not the agriculturist kept
even pace with the march of progress?" And I will answer, No. I
say to vou that these improvements are not the result of improved
agricultural methods, but are agricultural helps, bora of the bram of
invention and worked out by mechanical skill. He is the real philan-
thropist, who makes two blades of grass grow where but one grew be-
fore He is the real farmer who produces two bushels of wheat where
but 'one grew before. The science of agriculture will have kept up
witli the march of improvement when it shall have made a careful
studv of the soil, when it shall have, with its improved machinery, by
its caT.-fnl analysis of cause and effect, by its learning when to sow
what soils and what phosphates will produce the best results, that is
income and profits may be commensurate with the outlay, i"*'" J^
will be that agricultui-e will have arrived at its proper p ace to the
place where it rightfully belongs. When the farmer shall studv his
soils, his seeils and his fertilizers, as a physician studies his pntient
as the lawyer does his cause, as the preacher does his theology, and as
the politician does the whims of the people, then, and then onh, will
the farmer occnpv his proyyer. his riffhtful and his natural place among
his fellow mon.-//on. H>. J?usk Gillan, Chamhcrsburi;:, t a.

Quarterly Report,

103

legislation to destroy Canada Thistles.

s,„,., „. ,„ws .;„ sr iSzrs' rit:ttv,t.S£

as well as the ssv-aV. A"'^,^^^"^*™"':'' ' ^ ^Ith the situation, it is

late Cwiada thistles out of her ^" \^"\-^.i i^.^iy boast she has

border lies the great state <>* |«- ^^c ^.^Ji^'^ S L \vould imply that
xnore Canada thist es tfi^^.^^^'.^'^Jf'^^Ja'natioma .-haracter. Then
legislati(m upon this «"l'.1\'"-^4^^^. t, ^^er to the Dominion of Canada,
y^u point me just ^^^^J^^l^^:^ S a single v^ar to containi-
where I have seen em ugh t^i^Jles^rovv „ distributed over

„ate the whole American <'"«1;";^;\;JJ^^ the two eoun-

i r. This would imply a nw^ded ""i^^'^l^l^'^i^i^.eV^nv legislative juris-
ti-ies. and since ^« /on't havx^r want to h^^^^^ .^^ anti-reciprocity
diction over Canada, ^f .'"^^^t J><^s Wj in.m ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^.,. ^^,.^.

treaty with them, in ;^;1\\';;^f ,^>,\~;^^^^ T,ank cashiers at home,
ties if America would ^^''^^P , !^,^^''J!,*;""^e Canada thistle can be con-
At all events let ^^^:^^^^ ^^ fall into line, for she is
trolled and killed, and i cinaaa nv m ^^ r, rMipin

;:tl tired of her thistles as --^^^^Z^l A country that
■' You think I am dreaming of 1" i;'^^^, ? "?,' ^^ threw off the yoke of
in her infancy arose like a ''';^:;>^^;^";'^;' ^res the chains of slav-
bondage, and since then !'ff"'^J;r^, "Stamped contagious pleuro-
,.ry, and within the past few ><^f ^„^*';^Xe(l her ports, protecting
pneumonia from her ^^^'^^'^XLTaToXreak of diolera, and yet
'„<,arly seventy millions of P':;f t^;!,7 /" ^em as destroying Canada
is incapable of grappling wi h sucli a P™bU."i .^^^ ^hat

ihistles? I have faith to ^^'l^^^-ilJ^lt^TmiStanceandnecessity of the
is needed is for the peop e to '■^^^^{^Z^^^^.nmff. Truly. th<>re is
work, and the ways and '"«'";,;;, "J/. ,.;4'in ,i,is „,atter.->^^^ Mc-
.vccasion f<.r our pi^iple to exert Ihems. Ivcs in
Craci-ett, Jr.. FrosUmrs;, Pa.

Electricity on the Farm.

f 1 • , i-iif^ first arrested the lightning s
XVhen Franklin, by m*^^'"^'^^,!'^;;^,^; f,:„^W^hat the experiment
„ash anl bottled it, so to s^pf^k.littkwa^t^^^^^^^ .^ ^^^^^^^^^^ ^

iKU'tended. That subtle fluid ^y jMi'^''^ "' ■ ,.,>r. towns and

:; propelled with a ^P-^/^^^l^l^-t/^^^Uei^^i-.- which shivers the
..itieJ lit up almost as ^--'KW n« da • ^ «^"^„^^P ,.,, ^,. able to do the
roughest tiws, burns down o^ r b"'!' "- „-^ "^f ^^j.^ara are b.-mg
,vork of man's hamls -^l'-^^f;>^;^^'^ir ' ,, r the surrounding country;
utilized to create electric power •'i^^';- ''',., ,„i f„r the same puri>ose?
,, av we not expect other **^''^-^"}fJ^„^^ "^i .^ i,l. power in their ever-
Tl e water of the great rivers, ^^^^t^b an inca u i ^^^

t t^vo^rofw-S Si^rre tJy'onloV a share. Is it too much

104 Pennsylvania State Board of Agricultuke.

to say that in the fiiluw we will do our plowing, harrowing, seedin"-
harvesting, indeed, all of our work by electricity? Possibly, too, inge-
nuity wUl discover a metliod to arrest the electricity of the air and
liold It subject to do stationery woriv, like threshing, unloading hay
etc. ITiei-e is probably enough power in a good, healthy flasli of H-lit-
nmg to do a half day's thresliing with a large separator. Is it too
much to expect that the lieat of the summer's sun uiav be stored up for
use dui-ing the cold of winter ? We store up the cold of winter for ust^ dur-
ing (lie heat of summer, and why not reverse the proposition? Is it too
much to expect that in future each dwelling house will be connected
by telephone with others, and by wire with instruments to record all
matM-s of imiwrtance happening elsewhere? Touch a button and will
get the hired girl outin season, another will li-ht up the house, the next
will make the hired man jump out in a hurry; then the hen coops,
peach trees and water melon patches will be safe against midni-ht
prowlers, as the near approach to a wire, will, by induction ring a gong
at the farmer's bedside; and a line of wire around a truck patch will
be as dangerous as to touch a live electric light wire. When that time
arrives, the earth will be a paradise for farmers; and may you all live
to enjoy it!— JV. //. Stout, Pine Grove, Pa

Education for Farmers.

PP;tf^^r;-n*nn"".f ^T""^ ^"^ *^ ^'^''^ *^^« ^^*^^ *«t if a man is unsuc-
rote Th,-; i +^ • '^"^1°^^' he can make a success at farming, at any
rate, fhis one thing gives us a great deal of light in regard to whv so
many farmers make a failure of the woi-k. We do not entirely belL?^

or tl!!^ m/ie? ^r/'Tf' ^f '"^ ^^ ^"^'''^^ *h^y '""^t have a taste
for the quiet, country life and surroundings of a farmer, or tliey can-
not mak,> a mark as a farmer. By being a farmer, we do not mean
those who simply get what they can from the land for the Te?^
amount of labor and capital expended, but we mean those who are
AMI bug to woH. and are each j-ear trying to better the condition of
themselves and those around them.

It would be folly for a physician to begin practicing medicine if he
had never attended a course of lectures, or made a st^dy of the work
by whu-h he expects to make his living. It would be unwise f o? a
min.s er to beg n preaching without first having taken a c<^r2 at
some theological seminary, and it would be folly for a woman to b^4
the work o training horses if she had never made a stSy of the art
of training horses. So we say, it would be foolish to expeet a n7a n to

'Wh.Tf'lrTriV™'" ^-^0 ha« never studied the arrof faTm?ng
Whatfolly/' I hear you say, and "How can a man b<> taught to farm?"
Following the great law, "we learn to do by doing," we have an easv
answer to your questions. Everything may be learned by doin" M
first we may make blunders, but "If at first you don't succeed trV trv
again, we take as our motto, we flnallv make a success in life

Our successful hvmm are not those of city birth and training but
they are those who were born and raised on the farm, and to whom the

B:iZ^^OalZjy:. '' -''' '^"""'' ^^ '^ '^'^ alphabet-^.. L^.ia

Quarterly Report.

105

Should Farmers Organize ?

An organization of men and women, when their precept and example is
for good, and their motto is "With malice toward none ; with charity for
all," cannot fail to greatly benelit themselves, as well as all who come
within their influence. All organizations of farmers, when conducted
in a proper manner, either local or otherwise, are a benefit to all con-
cerned; but an organization of farmers that has a national head and
dispenses its power and patronage to all that are united with it all
over its domain, is capable for good which local organizations could
never hope to attain. It is emblematical of the human heart, where
the life blood pulsate® through the system to its utmost limits and
back to tlie fountain head, aU working for the life and vitality of the
whole system. How easy it is to realize the power of such an organ-
ization where, all over our broad land, they of the utmosit regions, with
those that are nearer, unite in one harmonious whole? — A//en Tom/m-
son, Hollaiid, Pa.

Our Country Homes.

This longing desire for the old scenes of boyhood and girlhood days,
seems to pen^ade all classes and conditions of the human family.
How carefully and prayerfully ought we, then, to make our surround-
ings that our absent ones may always return and feel that here, in-
deed, is the very gateway to heaven! The Author of our being and
Creator of all tilings has, with an open hand, provided everj^-thing for
our comfort and gratification. If our homes, humble though they be,
are not beautiful and soul-iu spiring, it is because we have neglected
our privileges. IVrhaps, from our limited resources, we feel that we
cannot spend either time or money on such fancies, and must jog
along thix)ugh life without many of the things that those more able
can supply tliemsit4ves with; but surely, every one can secure from
our hills such of the flowers as grow spontaneously, and transplant
them successfully by their doors, thus helping to make the home such
as it should be.

From early spring to late autumn our forests are constantly sending
out beautiful creepers and s<tately vines, while our hills are crowned
with tall decidous trees, cone pines and the beautiful evergreen hem-
lock, ^^ liile undi'r your feet., from beneath the snow, are the buds of the
trailing arbutus.

But a few more days of sunshine, and then comes the rich and fra-
grant honeysuckle, live little, unpretentious anemone, the rhododen-
dixjn, the blue idolets, the velvet-like johnny-jump-up, and tlu^n, later
on, bitter-sweet and goldenrod; and all these, gathered in st^ason and
planted by your abiding place, will help largely to make your home a
place which your wanderiTii:: boy will always turn to with a longing
»oul. — Miss Sadie Stahle, Manchester , Pa,

106

Pennsylvania State Board of Agricultuke.

Corn Culture.

Firs't Select that iK)rticm of your farm whicli is most suitable for
the crop. This should be done in I be fall in order to ^ve anipk^ time
to make all necessary preparation for tlie coming spring. The prin-
ciple elements needful to success in corn culture are the ^'lection of
the soil, the seed, the fertilizer, good plowing and preparation of the
seedbed, and thorcmgh cultivation. For the laclv of any of those, we
have all s(^en tho poor farmei-'s labor to be in vain.

The soil on some of our farms may be particularly adapted to the
raising of cora, and jet, by neglecting to select and dry our seed at the
proper season, by not applying suitable fertilizers, or by carelessness
of the plowman, the crop may prove a failure.

We think the proper way to proceed is to use plenty of barnyaixi
manure, spreading it in the fall, winter and early spring; apply from
thirty to fifty bushels of lime XK-r acre. This makes a good foundation
for a crop. Plow the ground when in good condition; follow with a
land roller or harrow — I prefer the roller first and then the harrow —
and when the time for planting arrives, mark out the ground, three
feet four inches apart each way, and have the rows running
square with the com])ass, so the afternoon sun will shine along the
rows, striking the ground, whicli is very imjK>rtant; cultivate both
ways. Apply some fertilizer wh^^n planting. I use a composition of
Innd plaster, leached ashes and chicken manure with very good i-e-
sults. Roll; then, very soon after the plants can be seen, commence
to cultivate and do not parley, but keep at it without ceasing until the
tassels b(»gin to start; you have struck the keynote to successful corn
cultures — Jason Blackburn, Osterburg, Pa.

Live Stock in Winter.

I will venture to opine that if one were to make a thorough canvass
of this farming community and would see eveiy farmer that has made
the business a success, nine-tenths of them would say that they real-
ized more monev from the sale of their stx)ck than from any other
products raised on the farm. They sihould always prepare proper
shelter for both stock and feed, for without proper shelter it is im-
po<ssible to meet with any reasonable success. Then comes the feed-
ing. Care should be used, for it is not so much the amount thait is fed
as the economy exercised in feeding. Stock will very often waste
more feed than they will consume, and over-feeding is just about as
injurious as not having sufficient, food to eat. I know of no other way
that the farmer has a greater leak on his farm than by not sui^plyiiig
water sufficient for his stock, for under the improved methods, water
can be hnd in abundance in almost any locality. — 6*. ^S. Rei<^harie,
Baker's Sianmit, Pa.

Farm Industry.

The earth, although ages have (dapsed since its creation, continues
to move on in the course to \\hi(h it has been accustomed since the
beginning. One season is succeeded by another in the appoint(»d

Quarterly Report.

107

order. Yet, all is in accordance with a system of harmony and a
natural law.

In this expanded country, no one need l>e without isome occupiition.
Our time here is too short for that. Life is as a vapor; it shapes
itself for a sbort time and passes into the atmosphere.

We deplore the disposition of young people to get away from their
farm homes to the large cities, where they are subject to ditViculties
and temptations which (hey but too often fail to overcome. The no-
blest thing in the world is honest labor.

Labor built the pyramids on Egypt's |>lains, erected the gorg(x)us
temple at Jerusalem,^ reared the Seven-hilled city, inclosed in adamant
the Chinese Empire, scah^d the stormy, clond-cappiMl Alps, harnessed
a thousand iron steeds and set them living from nation to nation.
Work is the order of the day. The slow \mn\j is surer than the quick
dollar. We must learn to labor and to^ wait, if wx^ would succeed.
It is not work that kills men; it is worry. Work is healthy; worry is
rust upon the blade.

Therefore, follow agriculture, which is the greatest among- the arts,
for it is first in supplying our necessities. It is the mother and nurse
of all other arts; it favors and stirengthems population; it eremites and
maintains manufactories, gives <^mployment to navigation and ma-
terials to commerce; it animates every species of industry and opens
to nations the surest channels of success. It is also the strongest
bond of well-regulated society, the surest basis of internal peace, the
natural associate of good morals. We should count among the bene-
fits of agriculture the charm which it communicates to a countiy life
— that charm which has made the country, in our opinion, the retrea t
of the h(M-o, the asylum of the sage, and the temple of the historic
mus(\ — Miss Ada Page, Mercer, Pa.

Locating Farm Buildings.

Inconvenience causes many unnecessary steps, a cost of time and
labor, which are money to the fai*nun's and should be much valued.

In the fii'st settlement of our country, circumstances unknown to
our time and the present generation settlinl the location of farm build-
ings, and perhaps a majority of the sites have bwn retaintKl where the
old biiildings were replaccnl by more modern stnictures. As a nile,
the first settlements were made on the hills, presumably for the reason
that these were more^ easily cleared than the valleys. The next consider-
ation was to find a spring near which to locate the house, and to this
reason we may attribute the fact that so many homes are to be found
upon st<H'p inclin(^s when much better building sitc^s can be found
neai'by. Th(^ location of th(- Ikuti was not a matter of much moment;
any hillside facing the east,having a dry foundiition and room enou-h
for a cellar for st^nbh^s, met all the requirements.

But the condition of farm life and the wants of the farmer and his
family have changed. Th(^ simple life and easily s«\tisfied d(^sir(^ of
"ye olden time" have no charms for the fanner of the- present day,
who must have (^verv convenience and comfort which i^^w b(^ obtained.

108

Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

Tlie only siigjjcestion that I have to make here is that convenience
be not sacrificed to a vain desire to make a ^a«and appearance, and,
while neatness and attractiveness in appearance should be a matter
of consideration, convenience and comfort should be the first thing
thoii<;lLt of and should have the greatest weight in the an-angement
of eillier liouse or other buildings. lu pliuining a house, (and the same
is true of all other buildings belonging to the farm), the first thought
should be of sa\ang labor. — J. B. Read, Pennville, Pa,

How TO Handle and Apply Manure.

There is probably no one item in the line of farming wliei'^ the losa
or gain to the farmer is more positive in its results than in the hand-
ling and applying of the manui'e that is annually accumulated upon the
farm, llie barayard, as the depository of the accumlating mass,
ehould be the first thing to be looked to and placed in the A^ery best
condition to insure the best results, both as to the handling and its appli-
cation. In the first place, the yard should be enclosed perfectly tight,
BO that the animal heat of the stock will insure a temperature above
hard freezing; light and ventilation to be regulated by windows and
ventilators, so as to insure the proper temperature desired. The floor
of the yard should be graded level and made smooth with clay or hard-
pan soil, so constructed that no water can come in contact with the
contents of the yard, neither from the gix)und beneath, nor the ele-
ments.

Grood water should be pumped daily into the yard, or conveyed in
pipes from some spring to supply the wants of the stock, as they
should never be left to run at large during the winter season.

When the stock is taken from the pastures, the yard should be liber-
ally coated with straw, w liich serves as bedding for the stock, and an
absorbent for the liquids; forest leaves are good where they can be
cheaply obtained before the falling snows; no corn stalks or large
quantities of coarse straw should be permitted to enter the yard with-
out being pn^pared by the feed-cutter, with an eye to its future appli-
cation to the soil.

Remove the manure to the fields early, say in March, spreading it
evenly over the whole surface to await the action of the melting snow,
to carry the soluble portions into the loosened soil, where it is ab-
sorbed and retained for the use of the growing crop; and when the
spring time has come and the soil is dry, so that the farmer can enter
upon his field, thoroughly pulverize the soil, thus mixing the coarser
portions of the manure that has remained upon the surface, and then,
by carefully sowing or x>lanting his seed, he may soon behold glorious
results. — David Molyneux, Millview, Pa.

The Road Problem.

Tliis question is of more import<ance than any one now before the
people; it is one that not only concerns the farmers, but all other

Quarterly Report.

109

callings. G'ood roads are great promoters of social intercourse, and by
social intercourse we become more enlightened and better citizens.

The value of the farm de^K^nds largely upon good roads, thereby
making them accessible to market. The desiimbility of town loca-
tions depends gi'eutly on good roads leading into the country.

Bad roads make it expensive for the farmer to deliver his produce to
the towns, so he must increase the price to the consumer. It is an
advantage to both ivroducer and consumer to have good roiads. I be-
lieve in having good, solid roads, with the best gi-ades, so that we could
haul full loads the year round. They will increase the value of our
farms twenty-five per cent.

Is it not a singular faet that every man you talk to in regard to
road making knows all about it, and yet our roads remain in the same
miserable condition? The fact is that roadmaking is a business that
requires the services of expert engineers; it is expecting too much of
the farmer to expect him to be an engineer, together with his multi-
farious duties on the farm.

In the road problem, as in very many other questions, it is a
great deal easier to find faults than to discover a remedy. I am in
favor of classifying the roads, making them highways and roads.
Main thoroughfares, as highways, made and kept up by the county, in
connection with and oversight by the State; and all property, both mu-
nicipal and corporate, to be fcixed for their maintenance.

I claim this as a matter of justice. There is no more reason why
one township should make roads for other townships or towns to use
and have the benefit of, than it would be to compel one person to make
roads for the benefit of others. It would certainly be of gi*eat value
to the general public to have these roads good; and they should be
made good at the expense of the general public, and not at the ex-
pense of other townships alone.—/. W. Bell, Bower, Pa.

A Farmer's Liee.

Wliat do you expect to make of your boys—the lads who are gmw-
in<'- up Tinder your roofs and who look to you for paternal guidance?
This is a vital question, for it conceras the interests of millions yet
unborn, and holds in the balance the destiny of the future agricultural

commonwealth. . ., ^ :„

There is no interest or calling in the nation that can compare in
importance to the calling of agriculture. There is no interest on
which the well being of our nation so much depends as agnculture.
Other interests mav rise and fall with the tide; may, under the force
of circumstances, even cease to exist as an industry, and the nation
scarcely realizi^s it. But agricnl 1 ure st^mds as the mighty bulwark of
the narion, the gi^eat ai-rn upon which the government can h^m with
perfect securitv and confidence. The refined and studious Jefferson
was one of the most enthusiastic farmers that Annaica ever saw.
His immortal colleague, Washington, led the van of agncultural set-
tlement into the wilderness, with surveying chain in haml. The
farmer who inflnences his brightest sons to adopt law, medical or
m^antile pursuits, virtually resigns his farm to inferior hands and

110 Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

adds Ills mite towards perplexing' and inipoverisliin^' futurity. We
need some of the brightest boys left, on the farm (that is, after they
have received the necessary education).

We see that other interestis, not m important as ours, are much
more prospeix)us, and we naturally seek to ascertain the means by
which they thrive. You will liud that education is the key to their
success. We must educate. Education is an expansion of the rea-
soning faculties and powers of the mind. Ivnowledge is power. The
laborer, depending solely upou his muscle, who tries to compete with
him who intelligently combines muscle and brains, will certainly be

left in the race.

An educated farming community means the downfall ol monopoly
and the disenthrallment of the farmer. Our sons and daughters
should be educated in order that they may the bettei* pro'secute their
vocation. There was a time when almost every one thought (and some
think so still), that anyone could farm; that it wais almost a crime to
allow a boy of fine intellect to plod away on the old homestead, but that
he should choose for his calling some other profession. It was thought
too, that the calling in itself was degrading. And hence our country
boys were accosted by their cousins as "country jakes^' and "clodhop-
pers."But sentiment is changing. What a mistake it is to suppose that
it does not require an education, as well as excellent business tact, to
operate a farm? A business so important that if the farmers of the
world w ould sit down and stop business for several years, the wealth of a
Vanderbilt w^ould not purchase a sack of flour. It requires no pro-
phetic vision to plainly tell that farming has seen its best days in our
State and nation, unless the fanner wills it otherwise. He has in his
own hands the destiny.

Agriculture can still maintain its proud distinction among the in-
dustries of the land, but whether or not depends upon those who cul-
tivate the soil. And they must not only be taught the important
truth that they must take care of themselves, but be qualified to do so.
There need be no di'udging in an American farmer's life, as we read of
drudgery among the European peasants. But he can make his life in-
dependent, haj>pj and free, which will give the most satisfaction to a
noble soul, and redown to the good of posterity, by delving into nature's
secrets, to extract blessings for mankind or expanding the same
amount of brain force on a dry, technical problem. Longevity and
happiness lie among the vineyards, orchards and grainfields. If you
want to get the nearest to heaven on earth, live on a farm. — S. F.
States^ Punxsutawney, Pa,

Potato Culture.

Take a good clover sod, nianur(^ th(^ suinnier before with plenty
barnyard manure; then plow the sod in early spring, as soon as the
g-round gets dry enough; then harrow down well and let it remain
until the ground gets warm, say about the fifteenth of April; then
harrow the ground again until perfectly fine, marking the ground with
rows thirty inches apart and five or six inclu^s deep. IMant ])otatoes
tw^o feet apart in the rows, four eyes to the hill. If you cut the ix)ta-

Quarterly Report.

Ill

toes several days before planting them and spread them in a warm
p^ce to let the starch dry, they will come up ten days sooner than
thn^e (Mit fresh when i)lanted. , _ ,

Sver the potatoes with hx,se ground, about thrc>e iiic-he. deep, wh.m

Dlintin- them. As soon u« the potatoes appear above the !,n'ound,

; ;,w Hunn ^vl h a cultivator or double shovel plow, covenns up as

y them as vou can. Then follow with a good hoe and hoe out

weeds that may be left. As soon as the potatoes aj;ani appear

,1 K, ^ tite .iound i-low them as before, except covering them,

iu hoe hem well, letting the ground flat on the top around the hdls^

Continue plowing and h.veing them after each rain, as soon as the

^Z\L diy "enough to work until the stalks ^><^S!n to blossom

this is all they need if kept clean up to this time. l.e vei-y cait u

to keep each kind of potaifoes separate from the others as they will

not comrup at the same time, and you can't cultivate them properly

w'lSX ground I wet; put them in a dry, ^l'-;;,f J-^-^r^f^J,-!
^f .v.^f /^,. ihfMii nnd let them remain until cold nignts come,
"^^mZ^^d^ 1--Pi»«- The best plan is to let them
JnthI ground until' September.-/. M. hnler, Osterburg, Pa.

Wastes on the Farm.
IVe see on some farais, instead of men digging ditches and filling
ihlniTwih stones or w .od and draining the ground, plowing through
them up witu stonts o ^^^^^ ^^^ ground, where

wet I>1''^«^;,^^,^"'^;;^;^J d ;;;;;iJ amin the plot and thus make it
one man in tl^i*^^ «*«"/;' J *^, ^^^^^ yet we see men going over

.,*k in the ba™)-,.rd, "l''» 'h?;"^'t;\ ':','; "'c,"tol off l^tU«
ments »n<l "u";!"' "J- If '» ^~ ;, „,„„ „„4*ed cultivatins cm,

112

Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

used last, the plow pei-haps turned over into the fence corner, whUe
aixmnd the Inim the sleds, wagons, hajT^ake, hay ladder's, mowing
machines, reapers and even binders are all exposed, hanning them
more in one year than the proper use of them will in three years.

With all tliis waste, you hear men say, '^here is nothing in farming,"
but I would ask tlie question, is there anything in any other business
with such waste?— /^/^^7^>/ Shoemaker, Ciirlhville , Pa.

ProgreSvS.

Our grand parents thought the biilllant light shed fi'^m the fluid
lamp almost equalled the sun. After the flickering flame of the "tal-
low dip," then came coal oil and gas. Now all of our great cities and
many homes are illuminated by the wonderful means of electricity.

One hundred years ago not a pound of coal, not a foot of illuminat-
ing gas had been burned in this country, and no arrangement was
made for economizing heat until Pi'anklin invented the iix>n-framed
fire-place, which istill bears his name. Only one room in any house
was kept warm. In all the others the temperature was at zero the
greater part of the winter months. Now, steam and hot water make
our houses as comfortable in December as in the fairest day of June.

Forty years ago the ways and means to be employed in garnering
the harvest was a problem over which the farmer studied and planned
for months before, and the gathering in of the gTain meant many days
of laborious toil to all the household. Can we not say that farmers
have made progress, when in our eastern states the sheaf is cut and
bound a t a stroke and ready for the mow ? While in the states of the Da-
kotas, which have so i*ecently i>roudly added their stars to our grand,
old fltig, it is no unfrequent sight to see a machine in operation which
cuts, thraishes and delivers the golden grain in sacks ready for market.
Is this not progress? Yet, how much there is to be done.

In the Roman Empire, certain magistrates drew up daily bulletins
and posted them in a public place. They contained accounts of games,
foreign wars and all ])iiblic affairs. The earliest English newspapers
came in the early part of the seventeenth century, and though small
as they were, the publishers found difficulty in filling them. Now,
when we see what a i>owerful inliuence, religiously, politically and so-
cially the newspaper exerts, how wonderful the progress discovered !

One hundred years ago the obtaining of a thorough education re-
quired almost increditable self-denial. Now, only energy and persever-
ance are necessary, for books, "the true university of these days,'' are
within the reach of all. — Miss Isabella Irwiv^ Fawn Gr<rje, Pa.

OrganizatioNvS.

When we, as farmers, have applied the same business principles to
onr occupation that other business men have to theirs, then, and not

Quarterly Report,

113

until then, may we expect as great success. Our country is one mass
of organizations and associations formed for the pui-pose of protect-
ing and furthering the interests of the members of such organizations.
No class of people have done so little to protect themselves as the
farmers. But some one says that organizations have become a curse
to our country — we would be better off without them. In this,
doubtless, there is some truth; "When each one shall seek the othei'^s
good and love the Lord's command, or when our nation shall have be-
come one vast organization or family, with a mutual interest", such as
Edward I^ellamy pictures in his book entitled "Looking Backward,"
then these organizations will not be necessary. But, while men are
selfish, and others are organized for selfish purposes, the only remedy
is for us to organize also, and throw around us such protection as we
are capable. — /. C. Be bout, Canonsburg, Pa.

The Agricultural Situation.

The agricultural situation is one which requires the deepest thought
the closest scrutiny, the most pix)found consideration on the part of
the Government, the people in general, and, more particularly, our-
selves. The advancement of agriculture marks the area of ci\1liza-
tion, the accumulation of wealth, and is the great promoter of intel-
lectual development. AgTiculture is the structuix^ on which all other
trades, occupations, professions and governments build their founda-
tions. Did not Greece in her strength, Kome in her mai-velous pros-
perity, show a condition of agriculture astonishing to us, even at this
distant day? Why was it that Rome made such advancement before
the introduction of Christianity into her empire? It was truly be-
cause reason was her only guide, and she was comp^^led, as a matter
of necessity, to make correct conclusions; for, if she did not, her em-
pire was endangered, her people degraded, for human reason was her
only ballast. We discover from this the thought tliat a correct sys-
tem of logic was enforced on her people to accomplish such grand re-
sults.

Our farmers have searched for a cause, and the one which was para-
mount to all others was that want of thought; and, as reason was
what raised an empire, a Rome, to such a state of civilization, so a
want of directed thought has caused us to be depressed and discour-
aged. Charged with onerous duties and responsibilities, taxed to our
utmost physical strength, is it any wonder that we neglected to un-
eartJi the source of injuries? And the one which overshadows all
others is a neglect on our part to persistently demand an equal amount
of legislation in our interest, with other trades and occupations. How
to get the unit(^d co-operation of all our forces, is one of the most diffi-
cult problems for us to solve. The Grange, the Ix^agu(^ and the M-
liance have all been making an honest effort to arouse the fanners
from this state of lethargy, in the hope of an improvement of their
condition.— /^raw>^ Kerr, Kingsville, Pa.

8

114 Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

The Farmer and the School.

ThronRliout the world the people who till the soil owl number all the
others ^riiey live in fixed abodes; they diNide the land, and mark its
boundaries with care. To remove a landmark has been a cnme ti-om
the tirliest dawn of history. And why? Because the tarmer must,
gain his li^•inK on a certain definiti' piece of giwnd, and when such
fimlts are disturbed unlawfully, the food and clothing of his family ai^

^t^!y^'^os.\.i\S^ is re.,uin^d of the farmCT. He miist unrlei--
stand the mitui^e of crops, of soils, of culture and harvesting, ihe
needs for his labor are increased; he uiust be a man ot resources^f
ideas The day has long passed by, if, indeed, it ever existed, vylien a
man could succeed in farming through the simple possession ot

•*' The ^farmer has alwavs been strong in the assertion of his indus-
trial ri"tits b<4<mging to his lal)or. But, although .your rights are
blended" one with the other, I am not here to speak to you so
much of your industrial rights, your political rights, nor yet your r.-
lioious and moral rights, so much as of that one social right which re-
lates to education. That the educaticm of the man shouhi proceed
alon.-- physical, mental and moral lines is a tiuth which cannot be
irainsiid The farmer who has a child in our public schools, has the un-
doubted right to demand that the school which he attends shall be a
good school. Now, a good school costs money. There must be, in the
first place a good teacher. The man oi- woman whom you employ
must be a pc«rson of character. What man of j-ou would place his
choice stock in the care of a careless, incompetent person? Are your
children, then, less procious in your sight? No; you cannot alTord the
one any more than .you can the other. The grandest thing in the
world is the individual soul, and such choice material should not be
trusted to bunglers. "Like produces like," in the public schools as
surely as in nature, and no stream rises higher than its source. All
petty, factional fights, all jealousies of one part of the district against
the other, must be excluded when the teacher is selected. Get a teacher
with a backbone, and when he or she is selectc-d, suiiiiort him or her with
heart and soul. The i-ule in such a scluwd will be a reign of justice,
and vou will not regret your choice. I'rinciple will rule in everything.
— Prof. A. E. Maltby,Centerville, Pa.

The Contrast.

It is in the country that we give way to natural feelings, break loose
from formalities, llirow olT shy reserve, and bccoinc joyous and Iree-
hearted. Those whose homes are in the city, will, if they can afford
the time, go to the country for a few weeks, there to enjoy the free-
dom and the beauties of nature.

They almost envy us in our home in the country, for they see only
the brighliK^s, and none of its shadows; they come for rest and re^cre-
ation, and experience none of its busy labor. Yet, the contrast l>e-

QUARTEKLY EEPORT.

116

twcen the town and the country life is not moro distinct than that
which we find in the life of the farmer's daughter during twelve
sliort months. This contrast might be presented by two pictures:
The one, bti-ht, sunny, full of life, full of work— her long, bright, saim-
mer day. The other, her winter night, 1u which to rest and gather
strength for the coming tomorrow. _

In the first picture we see her running to and fro, singing gaily as
she goes. Flowers spring benwith her feet. They are companions in
her Wdom and her joy. But the busy bee is on the wing, and she is
busT, too. She begins her day in the eariy sirring, bhe does her
morning work of planting seeds, feeding i>oultry and cleaning house.
At noon, while father and brother gather in the harvest, she is gather-
ing ripe, red berries in the meadow; in the afternoon, while the farmer
"•athers in the golden com, sh(^ butters and preserves the frait gath-
ered from bemding bough and trellised vine. But the day i% drawing
to a close. Tlie sweet llow<"rs have bloomed and died and the golden-
rod but reflects the golden beams of a setting sun.-Mw Sue M. Haines
Canonsburg, Pa.

What is Home?

What is home? We find by searching that it is the place in w'hich
we live- and attractive in the power to allure, entice or draw. How
to b^ competent to do this is the question. We farmer^ or wouhl-be
f irmers' wives must devise ways and means to secure this end. As
f' rm^-s we can make our homes attractive by ha^ang our everyday
S's beautiful; having them so good that their use will be a pleas-
ure It does not lessen the use of a horse or ox to have them look
hrndsomeTnd well cared for; neither will it detract fix>m their value;
Sh?r wi 1 it detract from the yards around our homes to have them
neit and tidy Better have our surroundings neat and fresh, by what
wThave in our power to obtain, than to strive an elaboration beyond

""'^^Tmuch easier to cl«in up and plant new things than to keep the
Pice in <Ser afterwards. Let us think out what we want Hr. place
to be, and then work to this end. The reason of so many failures is
y^eeniise we have no definite end in view.

l^a^to keep the surroundings of the home neat, even if there are
1 ian to '-^^P "^ : " _„„_^ " old lilac or moss-covered appletree.

Use'^Sr ^n'tr'^at w^kVT; if well adaptod, and you will be the
Ser ratified with i-esults. Women play an in.po.lant part in mak-

^mL homrattractive, in the arrangenunfcs of '^'^^'^2\J^S7^^
«7^ v,-etables and cull them and res^^rve for use only those of the

Pa.

116 Pennsylvania State Board op Agriculture.

Farm Literature.

To promote fa.ra literature, we must take an interest in farm papers
and keep ...ii'selves posted on the doings of our intelligent faruKn-s at
home and abroad. If we wish, we can enlarge the circulation of
farm journals; have more reading and bettei- practical farming; we
must put foi4 eveiy effort to bring the non-reading farmer to the

Organize a madiug club, and have the best agricultural boote and
papers. There ai^ good agricultural p^ipers published m this btate.
While speaking of farm papers, let it be understood that I refer to
tliose that are honorable, upright, enterprising and self -sustaining

agncultural journals. u.- i ^i

We should get the papers that are the mo'st practical, the most
scientific* and tiie most thoix)ughly conversant with all the depai-t-

ments of agricultural science. ^ r^. ^r. ^ . i

If you wish to retain a boy on the farm, teach him that farm work
if; noble and honorable. Give him books, magazines and agricultural
papers to read and ponder ovei^; this will teach him to love reading

and respect the farm. , ., , x.

Our agricultural papers are better today than they have ever been
before and the better class of them are still making steady and rapid
advancement in the right direction. They are more ably edited, better
illustrated, and much better generally, than ever before. The very
best and most experienced fanners throughout the worid are sought
after to contribute to these journals, thus creating a vast and rapidly
accumulating fund of the best information that can be had anywhere.
This proves a reliable aid to the thoughtful and careful farmer. Farm
papers were never as practical, reliable, trustworthy and useful as the
papers of today.— W. F. Biddle, Charlesville, Pa,

The Raspberry Patch.

A pU)t twelve rods long and eight rods wide would be about what
should be desired, and would contain three-fifths of an acre. Haul
and spread ui>on it all the manure that you can well plow down. The
finer the manure, the more you can put on, and it will be more desir-
able than coarse manure. Haul and spread it on as early as prac-
ticable that the spring rains and frosts may partially mix it with the
soil. Plow as soon as dry enough. Harrow, then cultivate and har-
row again. After each harrowing, pick off all stones and other sub-
stances that will not pulveriz(\ Cultivate and harrow until you have
the ground made thoroiiglily fine, three inches or more deep. Use your
smoothing harrow and perhaps garden rake in places. Tlien float off
with plank float. Mark out with a chain and stakes, making the
rows the long way three and a half feet apart, until you have about
twenty-two rows. Then mark the balance, which will be about twelve
rows, four and a half fe(^t wide. Plant in the last four rows Ancient
Briton blackberri(^s; might plant a few hills at one end of all the
rows to Earlv Harvest or Snyder, or both. The Early Harvest is an

Quarterly Report

117

excellent berry, but the --^y^'^f^.J^^ ^t'^KSt!
of them Ancient ^^ton and aW three fe^t ^part m ^\^^^^^^^^^ ^,

plant four rows with red raspberries, wou TheCaro-

r„„ng ,p.ouls or pi™te "If* •J>™f/^, j^^'S^-l^t not be able tt

be some of one ^'"'^ »"/"■"« ft^rldong c»Ua»Uy ,o„r stock
determine to what vaiiety tuty ''^ »' , /i„ ^ ^o a nui'sei-y-
would soon be mixed and you would '^'^^^^''^^^.''J-^^^^d. H. Le
man or some one else for plants when you next *.et Mnes.

Fever, Hayficld, Pa.

Wheat Culture.
T «tmn<.lv believe in and endorse the rotating, cropping system of
,:.X:'iL^^ each P--l^i» -PSr.ur X^^ rid
one following, which <^o'i''«^N;\"^*^^^,t "nt woM interfere

feeding his corn and oats ^^to stock thus a ddint^^ ^^^^^

effects of the manure heap. In making PieparaLi""
ttX is necessary to commence when preparing for the c^^^

by p owing from seven to eight inches deep, ^^ ^^^fr^.^^P ^^ ^i^ter,
Sfso as to expose the larva of "™- jj^^^^^e *?^^^ pjparing

which will also mulch the soil and facilitate ^^^ P^^'^J; ^J. /great
it for the crop. We find by experience that, sown too aecpi^, „

amount of grain never comes up. thrashed in some other way

Wheat intended for seed ought to ^e t^rasneu in
than with the steam and horse power machines. Many germs a

injured as to prevent tl^^'\y ^^^^^^^^ ^he sowing of the wheat crop, in
Liming should be done ]ust bo/ojc the ^^^J^^.j.^ very valuable ad-

volatile.—/. L. Pailerson, Mexico, Pa.

Social Unrest.

The average American is full ^^^^^^^Z^^^^^T^^^^^^
Tl,.. Orientals are conten to live ^"^ ^^^ ^^^tZ^^^^^^ \^ rest-

..„.e occupation that tiieir ^ "«^«- ^<ij^^;,^i ^f ^.^^^^^^^ and

less, wherever you put Inn . lie is consTanxi^ b a^ygnture

stUl more constantly moving in Am(>iica. This spmt

118 Pennsylvania State Board of Agricultuke.

and cliMii-e is an evidence of a stining and progressive people, but it
has its disadvantiiges as well as advantages. This spirit ot unrest is
found in the woakshop and thc^ office alike; it enters into the fanner
boy's dreams and the merchant's calculations, and no class or occupa-
tion seem to be exempt from it. While this spirit of unrest leads men
of all occupations to strive for a liigher standard of excellence, it is
also a potent, factor in breeding discontent. The laboring man feels
that he is oppressed and undenmid, and he entei^s into comlimation
with his fellow laborer to gain his point by stopping the works ot hi-s
employer. The manufacturers combine to keep up prices, and the
farmers combine to raise the prices of their produets and secure uni-
formity of taxation, and for various other 3)urposes, some beneficial,
some chimerical. The whole country is nwre or less divided up into
occupation classes, each class certain that it is not receiving its full
share of the wealth of the countiT- The laborer tlimlcs lie is under-
paid, the merchant thinks his protits are small, and the farmer is sure
that he does not recive his share of the world's wealth, wliile the man-
ufacturer's cry for protection against foreign competition is too well
known to need discussion. .

Now, is not this unrest largely the result of a misapprehension ot

Tke niaiuifacturer claims that competition is p^reat, and that it is
unlv tlirou-h mannfacturino- in lar^c^ quantities that he can atfoi^d to
sell his wares as low as he does. The merchant says that goods wei^^
never sold with so littk^ profit a^s now, and that business men are con-
stantly failing. In all of this dismal compUiining, the voice of the
farmer is not unheard. In fact, a large number of farmers are so dis-
contented with their occupation that they are living with the idea tliat
some day they will retire into some viUage, or change their occupation
in some'way. Notwithstanding all lliat maybe said against farming,
the fact remains that farmers have mow elbow-room, more libei-ty to
go and come when they choose, coupled with less anxiety, than men (»f
ahnost any other occupation or profession ; and next to him in freedom
from care* is the laboring man, if he is not, in fact, the first on the list.
It is not mv purpo«;e, in saying this, to undeiTate the ability or un-
der estima te the care of the farmer, but I still think there is an indeptm-
dence, with an assurance of a competence in connection with faiTuing
that does not attach to any other occupation, and the cauj^es of discon-
tent miglit be greatly abated if farmers generally woukl take more
pride in their calling.—/?. ^. Stocker, Honesdale, Pa.

A Visit to the Country.

It is a great help to your education if you study the grains, fruits
and everything that is grown on a farm, as this will kelp you to feel
more and more deeply the power and work of the Divine Creator. He
has also caused each flower, tree, fruit and shrub to have its own re-
gion, in which it flourishes, and it teaiches us the nature of Ike soil,
to notice the flowers and tkeir brilliant colors, and observe the
fruits as they grow, sio that you can tell one from the other. Many per-

QUAKTEKLY REPORT.

119

f Vti^w nnd never learned to know the differ-
sons living in towns do not know and never ^^^^^ frequent

ent kinds of fruits, aiul it is ^^^^ ^.\^^. ^^^^^^^^ .^od finiit from that
country visitation ^^^ ^^^^^^^^ a good baking

which is i-f-™-' ^^^^^^^ that purpose. How many

apple from one which is not ii^[^;y!^^^^^ ^^^^^ .^^d for table use I

l^w the first cla^ ^ ^^:T^^^^ I. destroyed by cook-
How many know ^^^^^^J^^.^^^Vf , t^^'^^^^^ inferior to the ta^-te be-
ing, whik^ some <^'ther ^\^^^!^i^^^^^ tliat that almost un-
foi. being subjected to ^^^^^^^^^^ one of the be.t
palatable pear, known l^'^/^f^^f .' ^^^,e? Thus, a boy or girl ^vho

E. Evans, Dilhburg, Pa.

Sheep for Profit.

we thinU that sheep are t^e,^-t P^
f rennsylvauia. ^e have our hd^ ides, Attedj^^^.^^ ^

of rennsylvania. We have oui "^,^^'^^*'^^; pi^/uction of wool and
tion to rival the plains o/J^^^.^^;^^r'iductiv<% exhausted land might
mutton. Thousinds ot acres oJj^^P;*'?"^' ^^ ^f ,, discouraged people,
be made fertile, and ^vould gladden ^^^^ ^,^, farmers Uf
by dotting these acres wit i «h*^P-^,,/;,^ '^^ev crop too closely to the
an antipathy to sheep i<l!^.^^^^^^\^Z^Zn^ They can
ground. We consider this thei^ '.^^i^ ' ^^ ^^ y,,. pasture is short
bite close only where the P^^^^^^^^^^/J",!^^^ to improve ^soil and to
only on a poor fam. llie ca ac tj ot sheep ^^^,.,^^^ it can be

renovate and bring up worn o«t land: / ''^^^ J^ are they prefitable
very profitably done by tje use «* ^^^^Pj^^j ^^ t of view, they rival all

in improving our fanns 1^"* ™J^, ^"'I^."'' Xt we assert, I nv iU try to
other kinds of stock. In f^er to prove wluUw ^^^.^^^^.^^^^

illustrate: We will take, «r instance a two j ^^ .^ ^^^^ ^^^^

1,000 iK,und8, worth 4 cent« ^r P^^und or * , ^^^^ . ,^^.„^
of raising it to lliat age.' "^^^'I^ZI^k hay and grain, $20; mak-

and hay, $12; f^Vl^^or^'w thi't^tS '^ubt^^ this expense from
in- a total cost of $32 to raise that steci. >^u nothing for

vluU he sold for, and j-ou have a P^fl^^/ f^^^^, ^^^^^ Now, for the
;our trouble, aUo^ving the n.a.mre to ^ 1^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^.^ ,^^

sheep; it will cost to keep ""f '•^^'^^.^J,". f^r one v<^ar more, pasture,
year old, for pasture, hay aiud S^am, *l- ^^ -j^^^^,, , ^le shec-p to

hay and grain, |20 ; i"';';"^^ 'V ^,^'„". i^o^O Inds, at 4 cents per pound,
weigh 125 ].ounds perhead, making l^mu ^ ^-eighing .-. pounds

would equal $40 ; two clips «* ;^,««^,f ^.j'^^^^r^S. ^md: $25.(i0. Taice
each, equal to 80 f >"°*l%'\%^^l'^;\^\t, Imvo ff>3.00; subtract the co^t
the $40 that the sheep f ^^.l^.^^'^^^^i "on ei^bt sheep agai,i..t $8 pmflt
of kcH.ping and you have ^fr^^^'^'it^e^^nne age, and both costing
on one steer, both weighing the same at tne .^^^^^^^_ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^

the same for l<<'<i'"'."; *'^^7"^^',,^^i^;.f ^J,^ T eari tbat it pa^-s better
This is a v«y low estiuva te ='^J J;;^^^ j.^^^na, Pa.
to k(M.p sheep than cattle.— y»^f A <?^ Jyav

120 Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

Elevating the Calling.

Many farmers are careless about their work because they Icx^k upon
farming- as a menial employment and the farmer as holding a second-
rate imsitlon in life. IJut this is a great mistake, and it is undergoing
rapid correction. And the correction is brought about by the farmers
themselves, just in the very best way. Farmers are now coming to
the fore. They are making theii* power to be felt. They are claiming
for their interests recognition, the same as is accorded to other mter-
estB, such as mining, manufacturing and railroading. ^

If you were to visit our farmers, you would hnd them enjoying a
good deal of prosperity, contentmeiit, and generally living in couifort.
The principal yield fi^m the farm is grain of the mrious kinds, though
stock is raised to a considerable extent also. The pi\)ducts of the
dairy and of the poultry yards also foot up no mean sums. And fruit
is quite an important product; the small fruits, as strawberries and
raspberries are receiving increasing attention. Our farmers seem to
understand weU the advantages of a diversity of products, and they
ai^ ready to turn their land to almost anything which gives pi-omise
of a rewani.—J^ev, /. C. Barr, Dillsburg, Pa.

Management of the Farmer's Home.

The farmer's home is one of the most important spo'ts on this green
earth of oui^, from the fact that it is here where gi'e^it men and illus-
trious women have made their advent into the world, and, judging
from the past, the farmer's home must contribute a large share of the
great minds that are to manag-e and control the affairs of this nation.
It is, therefore, imi)ortant that all its surorundings should be pleasant
and attractive, both indoors and out, and there should be a judicious
investment of all the means that can be spared for this purpose. But
it is not always the finest house, with the most costly furniture and
elegant fixtures around it, that is the abode of perfect happiness.

Home life on the farm must necessarily differ in many respects from
that in towns and cities, and the ditt'eronce is largely in favor of the
rural home, so far as the children are concerned; for they have vastly
superior advantages over those raised in towns and cities, both phy-
sically and mentally. As a rule, the conditi(ms of farm life are favor-
able for the full development of strong, healthy constitutions, vigorous
intellect, and are remote from many of the avenues that lead to tempt-
ation and vice.

In an ideal farmer's home there are certain indispensable requisites
that must be held in common. I care not whether in a log cabin or
a marblr jKilace. Among these are neatness, cleanliness and good
order. Extreme poverty cannot furnish any excuse whei*e these are
wanting. It is not our puipose to dwell \\\mm\ the exteraal or material
part of the home, but rather upon the intluences that should emanate
from it. Every home must have a head — dual one; each one vicing
with the other in a determination to promote harmony and th(^ Ix^st
interest of all concerned. The central figure in every well re^ilated

121
Quarterly Report.

Mn.e i. the wife and n.oJ.e. ^X:^^^^^^^^^
ity Of nu.kinj,' the home d^'^i'-'l'^*^,^'^ " ;".'^':';^' ' rticnhir^ d^^

she shouhl have al'^'''"'«/«"^^?\l. T^rifu-e a share of means
and should have placed :^t her disi>osal just as e a ^ ^^^^ ^

as the income will pos;s.l.l.y allow ^^l^^^^ ;„ p.-ovidinR for
come careless becanse h<'r 1'"f^«'"^'^ .l^" I':"'" rstri..us husband has
the hon,e, and on the o her ^^;>",<^' "^^"^ ";,,r l^! of waste and ^en-
become discouraged and dlnatured in ^^"^ *!"'"; ,,^.f„^, there should

eral mlsmanaj-oment of tl^"' l^"'^^^^^*^ ' '^^fhet^^^^ ='-^

always be the most P*''/^*;* ""'^::r!^"tSneiSir-^. C. Sisson, La
wife as to the financial status of the partnti^nip.

Plume, Pa.

The Farmer's Position.

That the farmer's occupation is ^%}f^^^^^;i^'^^

The al>andoned farms of New En.^hmd, ^f^ *;"^^„f S;\,'it thus?

onvincins that profits «>me injer.v ^J^^l>;^^i^,i^,,,i,ts themselves.

mo is to blame? To a ffreat ^^t^^^^; !^^ onTcondiHons-if we will.
With ourselves rests the power of bettenn oiir c .^ ^^

We talk of the oppression of "'^.""^"^'ff /'"^^ eT b t no; we have
were obli.^ed to submit to oppression «"' V^.^^^^^^^' ^^ ^h^ ballot-box.
the power, if we only exercise it. Hmv ;^^ l'"*^'- ,,. ^^,^, ^fter onr
Let lis send people to make f^^^l<';:^^:^VSe whole' people, and n<vt
interests. That is, I mean the i°^^;f ^^ «^ f^^ ^^^ -,1 the past. To
for certain classes only, as h"« J^^l^j^'^jjjt T^^ of the soil,

secure equality will "^nmre^co^oTK^ratmn amon t .^^^ ^^^^^^

IXilSa^rirthif^Iy'rburn^^ he lightened and eor-
porations be kept in check. ^ ^^^ ^„ ^r^^^ this

The farmer must be Vro9Xe^^^J,f^X We must be evolutionary,
wav or Ihat, just beca.m^ onr f'^^nf ^^^ /^ V,'; J.,,,^,. To be stationary

ink<H^,>ins with the <^<^:-<'l"T>"^?i,,^, ^ ri^^^^^^

means ruin. We must study «'« ^^J'V^VS^in^ wheat to sell; now

markets. Formerly ther(> was a profit ^^^"^^^ ^.j,^., p^.^^use the

it barely pays to raise '-"""'-V^^to whent "• winjr We cannot corn-
great northwest is better adapted " ^%rnce the greater need of di-
pete with them in the world's markets. Hence tue ^

versified farming. , Twined so many. T-<et ua

We must Ret out of the ruts +^«+ J^%^^^ ""^,,i,^t wan s. Let ns

hunt for safe ground. Let us s udy ^^^/t ^^ J^nt cautiously and

read at least one ^^^'^'t rliZIsBulkr^^^^^ P<^-

carefully note the results.— r/ww«^ htuiers.

The Pioneer Farmer.

122 Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

Abrakam. It is tnie that tlie plmv made of a forked piece of wood
with an iron point, had given way in favor of '^"Jl''' ''"^^'^^^^'^^Vot^ch
wooden n..,.ild-bonrd, to which the Iniicstone soi * ^^^J^jf ^^
Irish hillsides stu.k as pe^istently as mn o 1""";'" "^i^'^.: jf^f ^e
bnish harrow did valiant service in smoothing "i^^^" .^^^ ^^^*^^^^^^^^
vnllev and the grain was cut with the sickle, which was pix>b,il)l,\
hnint'edl- Tukd Cain, who was the first manufacturer of farming

implements after the flood. v + +„ i,;^, pr<viu he it

The pic.neer farmer had a hard row to hoe; but, o « f'^^^^^^^^^^^
snid he hoed it well. He lived in a day wh-n muscle in fainung was
Ta premTum and brain at a disc^mnt. ITie gmat need of the time
:4:X.n with strong arms to fell forests, ^'-fV^;)^'"?:: ^•;;™7;;^ ^
drain swamp=^ subdue the earth and bring it into a state ot cull n a
t on 'nielr strn..gle was one for existence. They contended with
Si and iivao^ miture, and they had not time to cease from their
Warfare to'Sr out many invenHoivs. They plowed ^^J-^ff^Xo
reaned as their fathers had done, nor dreamt that there might be
other and belter methods. Th.w laboivd, and we, their descendants,

hnve entered into th(4r labors. ^ -, ,.n

How different the Now from the Then! Musele is indeed s dl nece«-
sarv but brain is more necessary. The conditions under winch agri-
cSure is carricHl forward have changed gi-eatly from the days of the
pioneers. The vast prairies of lh.> west have been opimed up by it
Blow and have biK-ome one of the world's great grana.ries. In the
east'gi-eat centres of population have arisen, making markets for
products which could not have found purchasens in the early days.
K inventive genius of inau, in this age of industrial advanmnent,
has so multiplied and perfected labor-saving machineiy that the l)o\
can r^rform, with scarcely an <.frort. that whi<-h would I'^ve reou.ml
the back-breaking toil of a score of men in former times.-/^. //• ^^ee,
Canonsbnro; , Pa.

Strawberry Culture.

Almost any soil that will bring a good crop of corn or wheat and is
well drained, either naturally or artificially, is good for strawberries.
Corn ground that has been well tilled the year previous, is in an ex-
cellent condition for them, as grass and weeds are less troublesome.
The ground should be well i.lowed and harmwed smooth and rolled.
In setting out plants, in place of making furrows, I stretch a line the
length of mv field. I set my plants four feet by one in the row. For
setHn'-- out 'the plants, T use a hard wood i.addle. shaped like a wedge,
about"one inch thick in Ihe centre, two and one-half iiuh.;s wide, ten
inches long, tapeivd down to a sharp <'dge on sidc^s and p..int. Insert
into the ground about three inches or more, if necessary, to suit tlie
roots of th.> plant; with a side motion withdraw it, take the plant in
vour left hand, spread the roots fan-shaped, place thein in the lio e
take the paddle in the right hand, and shove a portion of ground tight
up a^ainsl roots; be careful not to cover the heart of Ihe plant.

Strawberries should alwavs be planted early in siniiig: the sooner

123

Quarterly Rkport.

^ i^iir^ u 1^ cool an<i moist,
the better, after the f^^J loaves the ^^^^^J^^^, than planting

IToiToTg^ting a e-P of Wes the nex — ^ ^^^^^ ^^
warm and dry, most of the Pl'^^^'^ ''V,^ '-.j^ ^are aiid more labor
will make but a f cn-b e growtli. I ^ "^^'^^J^^,,. ,„ew. The following
the next spring to replant than it an ouiu i
table may b<; of interest:

Number of rlants Kequired for an Acre.

■^" . 10,500 plants

rr^ «pf 4 feet bv 1 foot in rows, will require, ^ ^^^^^

"en the plants to be loosened with^^^^^^^^ ^,^^^ ^, ,aken

and widen the rows, the c"l^";7j,'%'^; game direction, drawing the
?o pass along the rows every time « «^« ^^"^^^ ^ore even and reg-
•un^ners always in one way, ^-^^^il ^" .^^^Jthen form ridges abouc ten
ular than if drawn both AN^ii.ys. ;rhe fmts tn ^^^ ^^^ ^^

I twelve inches wide^ Tins phmmo^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^

keeping the plants m hills and tuttin«

less hand labor. ^enther ^ivc them a good covering oi

Wels/i. Mill Hall, Pa.

Sheep Husbandry.
In the united States and Territories .x. have so^^^^^^^
sheep valued at $100,000,Ot.O, and '^K^l^^tZ^^^^ ^^ «ie worid is
: rtmated at 250..)00,000 P<^-n«i ^ s^ f,i,% r^r b?eed of sheep, the
put at l,75()..H.o.(...0 of l>^>n ;^,„^<^.*^ tte fi-o..t ranks and taken a
fine wooled have step!«'d down ^'"'^, ,"„„„„ pooled varieties are at

J fee in the rear, while '''',V,":;7;XVhe lead as a general purpose
Ihe front. Of th<^^*^.t»'« ^.S"' f„.%T^^ and South Downs

«h->en The Shropshire. Oxfoulsniu, n.u ' „ , ^ p,^p is a profit-

; Jstbnated and bred in the ;«^- ^J^^^' ,,'^iilhe best fleece, are
flbl<> one So, those most prolihc and li""l>' ';" , ^^^ nearest at-
ttXn> sought aftc.. ^XScTsrVin our Se slu.^P, a« they
tain.Hl for market purposes ^ crosses ^ it ^^^^ ^.^.^^ ^^^^^^^ ^e

frequently excel the t^"'''\"!^'''\' !;^^,;^,Xi As to the care and man-
a thor<mghb,vd. is ff" \^t^tv^. the following sheep hus-
agementof the flock. I would uy>i.l>s.^^^^^ ^^.^^^g. .^.^ond,

b^ndry wisdom: First, V'^*;^;". ^7;^, '^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^\

s<dect healthy st^ck; t urd, su, P^oi^ ; ^ ,, le pure water

124

PENNSYLVANIA STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

The Dairy Cow.

The fonn and foatur^s of a good ^-'^Im" bTso^^Tp^inf "et

scribed that ouly a brief "-'f ^^J ^^.^t' in re-"l ^A good cow
essential that they can hardly be toe. ^J ""'> ' ^o,,^ |,odv, short, fine
must be ions, level and l^^^^^J^'f ^j^;;, ,^,;^t'S athin withers, deep

legs, ions, lisl.l neck ^l^^^^;^;!? '/^^^J^^^^^^ow s kin, showing a deep
flanks, Ihin, Hat Ihighs and rich, ^^^ ' ™^""^ l^^^^_ viewed from
orange color under whUe "''^'-l^^'^SS * "d ins d^^^^ ^^^^^^

the side, a perfe.^t wc. ge shape .<^^f ^J'^^^f^.^ Xw amp e room to
light iu front. Viewed from b(>h.nd, ^^^V""^ '."J^^^ifas abeefy con-
cirry a fnll ndder with --. /^'k h ertl lU soJt^nd silky, well
formation, ami not a good arch. ^'^^ /...,,;„ size the udder millc-
quartered, teats evenly paced and ""'^ "^o dd be excS^dinglv large

lca™...l bT eM« rioncf.-P. W- S^V. Iklt.m. P..

Whkat Culture.

nr.Tbnt owr and over again, until all lumps are pulverized and the
Lc^'lJ^d is placS in an excellent condition; it can not be too well pre-

^'""Af we ire readv for the seed, we should use our judgment in select-
inftl e iS b'S^'^adapted to our climate and soil, -^^ continue rai^
n- s ch varieties as long as they prove a success. Of great imiK.rt.
^nce fthe con mi.m of The seed, knowing that as we sow, such may
we also reap Sow fllthy, adulterated seed, (as is done by many), and
7he result" s' we have be^n at the expense of preparing our soil and
Sfs^n' a crop called wheat, but virtually, rye, cockle, cheat and just
a S wheTt is the result. Upon attempting to market the same, we
find it hVs a condemned value. It is a poor policy to try to realize full
nunkeJ prices on such grain; but some say "it is good enough for

*^iu's immriant to assist the crop by the use of fertilizers All will
agree wUh me that there is nothing better t1\^'^,^^^™-^«''?,I"":"^*;
Tt f-nn be 'iDulied followed l.v an extensive use of clover, and the s.ime
may be pC ^ down again while a good sod exists. By ,his method
but little or no commercial fertilizers are needed. But, owing to the
^tn-ou? condition of so many farms, and the Vunited ^^;^^
of clover, it is of the utmost importance to use conunerc al fe, ili/.ers
libernllv to advance and increase your wheat crop, and also make cer-
tain your grass catch. -^Z,. M. Putney, Puineyvtlk, Pa.

125
Quarterly Report,

STARTING AN APFI.E ORCHARD.

TO plant an apple orcbard Jnd^^snUab^^^^^^^^^^^^

western situation is P^f e^aWe^ ^^^^T^X fertile condition; if not
by deep plowing, etc; it sliould be "^ '^ = ^ ^^ barnyard manure or
fertile, it should be made f^^^ ^he appli^^^^ ^^ ^ ..^ „ se-

Ither fertili/>ers, and ^^"-f.J^tloung trees. Lay the ground out,
cure a good, strong «''»^\ '^, i" ^ees this should be done very exactly
ready to dig the holes f"^' )\*^/."^'f,;.,"„iarlv planted orchard. I plant
as there is nothing worse than an uu^m. i ^..uting on high

my trees 33 feet apart, ^•;'^>\)^^«^J,jrtr^es between the apple trees
^n,und, I would adn«e phmting^peac^ tre ^^^^^ ^.^^ ,^^^ ^ ^^

but only the one way, f.^ t^'^P'^^^^t 'he time the apple trees come to
trees will luive done then dnty oy t .^^^^^.^ aeep, and from

bearing. I dig the holes -Uess ^an^u ^^^^^ ^^^^ ,

ihr(-e and a half to loui leet m ^ whatever soil it iBa> oe,

so rseparate from the lower jel^w day, or w^. ^

so when I come to plant the trees i na ^^^ ^^^^^^.^ ^^

^rounS the roots. Apply a YvlfthJ^^onnd loose around the young
nnvthin.' that will decay, and kc^p the >'^"" ^r-old tree is plenty

?ooC never use ---^]"i Kre'thaf a ^wo"Jear-old tree would be
bett'e?' iorftl^-S theVrc^ thr-ore roots it must necessarily lose
in traAspla'nting. ' „,.„„nd the roots. A little of the clay or

1 use nothing but good «<;^ '^'XrboUom^f the hole may be used on
poor ground that came out of the bottom ^^^^^^ the tree,

?he ton When I plant in the f^\"'. J^^^'^'^f^LoQ but this mound has
ltut% or 12 inches ^^i;^ ^IT'i cut back the top to
to be leveled again m the spii"»- ^ one-half to two-

correspond with the necessary loss of oots,^^^^^^ ^ ^,^., eut back

thirds of the last season's f^-ow^th, i plantiUn ^ ^-^^^^

till spring. Where the greatest ^^f ;\\«%^'j^^^™' ^f en scH^n men plant
tin spuun nninins at all. i nd\e « „„„„„„iv Inrsre

... Where the greatest mistaues ai^ . ,^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^.^^^

inL. nnd improper or no pruning at alL ^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ scarcely large
Ktr\v^icri they^paidjancy^^^^^^^^^^

Sf;s f^r wK they paid fancy pr-es ..^^ ;^^ ^ ^^^,,^ ^,,^

Sgh to plant a --P^^^7/^,ltir„Vn Planting trees is not Ae lea^^^^^
nn the roots or top. Ihe last ^'"' '^ , V^ „„^ the ground all levueo,
iVtL mulching, men trees '7« P';^,°4f .'^"aw manure over the top
I i?se about three or four ^^'^^f^^^.X-xf^n^ov a little further, as it
spreading it about as far as the ^^le was ^n , ^^^^^ ^^^^_.^^^ ^^^ ^^

case of a drougiu. ^

S. Nicderriter, Marble, Pa.

Apple Culture.

nonrlv every county well
Tl.ere are hundreds of acres of huu^n^n ^^^ ^^^ ^^

o^nnted for an orchard; that is, ^,o< i handled nulitly. If >ou

126

Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture,

If 1 liud iii^' choice, 1 would take elevaited land, as the side of a liill,
for all kinds of fruit trees. A farm will sell lor much more if it hais
an orchard upon it. One hundred trees will make an orchard, and will
cost you |l'0. In planting for market, do not have too many kinds.
The kinds that I like for winter use are (1) Baldwins, (2) Greenings, (3)
Spy, (4) King. For family use, you can try a few otliers. Kussets are
a faihin^ wiih me. I have been planting a few Ben Davis, Wolf liiver
and Bolt' a[>])les. For summer varieties tlic number is legion that do
well in this section, viz: No. 1, Astra chan, Early Harvest, Sweet
Bough, Golden Sweet, etc. Do not plant many for market, for they have
to be shipped right in ike midst of haying. For late fall varieties,
Gravestein and Golden i*ippin are the best with me.

I can do you no better ser\ice than give you my experience in handling
a crop of from 100 to 800 barrels a year. Winter apples must be picked
very carefully in a basket or pail, not later than the hi*st week of Octo-
ber. When you have them pickcnl, do not allow yourself or hired man
to dnni[> Ihem roughly on the heap. Always put your heap on the
north side of the tree, under the branchc^s. If you make them any-
where else, you will find the outside of the heap burnt by the sun.

The time to market a crop is when you have a good chanee to sell.
My experienee has been to sell or ship them yourself, right from the
orchard. Nine times out of ten, you will get more ready money and a
good deal less work and worry; neither rot or shrinkage. If a man comes
along and wants to buy your crop, and has the money to pay for it,
he is the man we are looking after. Use him well, so he will come
again. — Gcojge S. Ressegicic^ Flarford^ Pa,

Farmers' Clubs

Do you wish to love your occupation? Do you hope your boy will
love it? Then haste to join and maintain a farmers' club. Cheer up,
fellow farmers! There are bright days ahead for us. Only yesterday
one of the most thorough, most practical farmc^rs, told me that for the
masses, no better business could l)e found. Its gains wc^re smaller
than those of spi^cuhUors who risked much and often lost all, but they
winx? sure gains. It was an occupation where a fair amount of judg-
ment, wholesale economy and patient labor were sure to win.

What benefit have we derived from our club? (1) Members have
positively come to look upon farming as a good occupation, and are
satisfied to remain in th(^ business. (2) Enlhnsiasm has actuallv been
aroused, and worlc, hard work, has ceased to be repulsive. (3) Compe-
tition has b(Hm aroused, and members are striving to do their utmost
to outstrip each other. (4) Moi'e intelligent work is being done on the
farm. (5) The making and sa\ing of manure^ has become a passion.
(0) Lime, plaster, ashes, fertilizers, are being ordered by tJie carload
for our use. And we are not narrow in this, but take in all farmers
in the township who wish to profit by reduced rates. (7) We are en-
rolled at the State r^)llege and will receive bulletins and reports. (8) We
hope to establish a riinntancpia Circle and takeacours^^ in agriculture.

Quarterly Report.

"127

We mean that some of us shall understand scientific terms and scien-
tific farming; that in our futum sessions they may tiv^mslate the lan-
guage of ''higher farming" into the plain Knglish of club talk.

Let me advise the farmers to organize a club next winter. As in
our case, it need cost very little money and have but little red tape in
its proceedings. Secure a chairman popular with the masses, and a
secretary who can report proceedings, even if the r(^]X)i't b(^ shoi't.
Mention each member taking ])art in discussion by nanK\ The pub-
lication of these repoils will give you a standing in the county. Select
sensible subjects for debate, and occasionally invite the farmers' wives
and daughters. Let each have something to say; overcome timidity,
and quietly hold your place. You may say you have no talent for
spi^aking; set about and break yourself in. Study what you said at the
last meeting and improve on it. It is marvelous what one can do with
himself in this direction by persistence and drill. Above all, bring in
the young men and let them also take part; then youll have in the
generation soon to take the front, the ability to argue, or take the plat-
form, an acc<)inj)lishment for which many men would pay |1,000 in
middle life. — W. L. Iliac her, Harford, Pa.

Progress in Machinery and Agricueture.

In all departments of thought and labor, there is an unusual amount
of education and energy manifested. Light, more light, is man's uni-
versal desire, with the increase of knowledge. No period in the
world's history has been so prolific of great results. Time and space
have almost been annihilated by the potent infiuences of steam and
electricity, bringing distant nations within whispering distance of
each other, that a century ago wei*e beyond the reach of fraternal
greeting. We can very i)roperly do as Carlyle did 00 years ago, style
this the age of mechanism, the limits of which aix? the limits of power;
and the only object of i)ower is to produce machinery, not only for the
many advantages of succesisful labor, physically, but there is ma-
chinery rationally traceable in the intellectual, moral, political, and
even religious aspect of the age.

Everything nowadays is pi-oduced by machinery, from (he legislative
halls where our laws are made, and the constructing of the majestic
ships that traverse the billowy ocean, down to washing dishes and
catching files in the kitchen pantr3\ Contrast Euth and I5oaz glean-
ing and threshing, and even our grandparents' pe^riod, with the appli-
ances of today — of self-binders and steam threshers that have been
wrought to such a high state of perfection.

With all the achievenu'nts made possible through (he agency of
progress and machinery, there is a barrier \vorking luinous stniggles,
evils that threaten the nation's good. Too many of our young p<x)ple
disdainfully turn from farm life to the professions as a step higher.
I would like to impress upon such that th(^y are mistaken. There are
false views of respectability and pleasure; a seeming n^])ugnance
njM)n the part of some to manual laboi*. With all these economies of
labor-saving devices, the masses have thc^r living to make. They are
all involved in the stniggles of life, and their existence in the world de-
pends, for the most part, \\\)i)\\ their own exertions.

128

Pennsylvania State Board of Agricultuke.

That a <; Tie 111 lure is the foundation of the business of the whole coun-
try, and that tlu^ inlelli^^eut farnu^r ranks highest on the basis of in-
dustry—the daily tele;4rauis from the uioney centre of the world are an
unconscious, daily tribute to agriculture, and the farmers are the
prime factor in commerce. The merchant takes a secondary place;
is a mere exchanger. The earthly head of our race was a tiller of the
soil— a gardener, working with his own hands; "not a seller of robes
and fine linens." I say this, not by way of Reflection npon any useful
occupation, but to rebuke the spirit that does not reverence the honest
sons of toil. Truly, farmers should n^t be made out of what is left
after the lawyers, merchants and preachers are picked out, but should
be the lirst, intellectually as well as physically, whereby more of them
would be enabled to attain to the higher positions in our government.
— Miss Annie F. Afaurer, Mackeyville , Pa.

Better and Cheaper Way to vSettle Disputes.

Could we have a better demonstration that our courts are without
any law or fixed principle to rule them, but simply that given us,
through great expense, by the views of able and learned men who are
placed in high authority, and wliose decisions are as irrevocable as
the laws of the Medes and Persians?

Mankind needs some better and cheaper way to settle their dis-
putes; the farmers especially need it. They are scattered over the
broad face of the land, and have to go long distances and at great ex-
pense to the courts, and more than half the time only to see the courts
adjourn the case at issue to some other time.

When the jury system was fii*st established, the jurymen were
taken from the vicinity of the dispute or breach of the i>eace, because
they would know something of the dispute in question. Now, if they
know anytliing about the case at issue, they are unfit jurymen and
rejected.

Suppose we had a law by which either party in a contest had the
right to demand a trial in the vicinity of the dispute, by a jury of three
or five men, chosen ecpially by the two parties; and this small jury,
to have the powder both of judge and jury. All cases before them, if
concurred in by their whole number, up to several hundred dollars, to
be final. How many hundred cases would be annually settled in this
way at home, in the ^icinity of the dispute? No long trail of years of
anger — of wasted fortunes — of mortgaged homesteads, making the
dispute as ruinous financially, as a cyclone is physically through
the land.

No one could doubt the far greater ability of a small jury thus
chosen, in comparison with the ordinary jury, drawn from the mass of
citizens, without any especial knowhnlge or training to fit the case at
issue. Besides, this jury would have the contidence of the parties
whose cases were before them; the trial would take place at home,
and would be tried on the day appointed, and in most cases the dis-
pute end<Hl.

Quarterly Report.

129

Most of us know a few i)eople in whose judgment we would place
our disputes for settlement, rather than that of any court, however
high or learned, and in whose decisions we would have the utmost
confidence. Farmers want their disputes settled; they do not wish to
leave them as heir-looms to their children — a skeleton of misfortune,
a beacon of dread to the third and fourth generation. Disimtes and
difficulties are common to humanity — one of the evils to which man is
heir. But the farmer needs to have them settled at home, and settled
by his pe^rs, and without ruining himself by the operation. — 1
//. Heathy Dalton, Pa,

Poultry for Profit.

It has been my observation that farmers in general, with but very
few exceptions, take no interest in poultry and give their attention
almost entirely to other lines of business, from which they expect to
derive the bulk of their income.

Farmers underrate the value of x>oultry as a source of profit, because
poultry represents but little value in comparison to horses, cattle,
sheep or swine; but it is nevertheless true that collectively, poultry
exceeds in value any one of the above named domestic live stock. It
has been my experience in the last nine years that poultry, if given a
little well directed attention, are the most profitable source of income
on the farm, considering the amount of capital invested. Judging
from accounts while fowls are kept confined in the winter, and have
to be furnished everything, from 50 to 75 hens can be kept as cheap as
a well-kept cow. The total product of the hens is from $84 to $125 a
year, while the product of a good, average cow would not exceed $45
a year.

The largest profit from poultry to the farmers of this country, is de-
rived from the production of eggs, which are always in demand at fiiir
prices. No farmer can raise i>oultry and sell it at from 6 to 9 cents
per i>ound and make money, but he can produce eggs at 25 cents per
dozen, the present price, and make a profit of from 9 to 15 cents per
dozen, dependent upon the kind of hens he keeps and the way he cares
for them.

There are three great essentials necessary for the profitable produc-
tion of eggs, namely: A good, w^arm, comfortable |X)ultry house; a
pure breed of non-setting hens, and last, but not least, proper atten-
tion and care. — J. C. Walter^ Cowajisville^ Pa,

Bek Culture.

The first man of whom we read that kept bees was Samson, and
the kind of a hive he usi^d was the carcass of a lion. Of all brancln^s
of farming, the one that yields the greatest returns for the outlay, is
th(^ culture of the bee. They are the only servant of man I know tJiat
will work for nothing and board themselves. No one living on a farm
can disyu^nse with this little w^ork<^r without loss to hims<df The out-

9

]30

Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

Quarterly Report.

131

lay to provide for tke comfort of these litUe people is very sli<^lit, and
tlie i^M^arn is great, even if one does not raise more than enough honey
to supply his own table. Honey is a necessity, as well as a luxury.
If more honey was eaten there would be fewer doctor bills to pay.
Honey, as food, is i-ecognized in scripture among the first of the arti-
cles mentioned for the food of man. It was also considered the
choicest kind of food; for instance, the Lord told the children of
Abraham that the land to which he would take them was "a goodly
land; a land llovving with milk and honey." We also have it from
scripture, that honey is good brain food; for instance, the pi-ophet, in
projiliesjihg the coining of some great personage, says of him: "Butter
and honey shall he eat, that he may learn wisdom," and in reference
to John the Baptist, we read that his meal was "locusts and wild

honey."

Some localities are more snited for the culture of bees than others,
but thei-e is nowhere that the business of farming can be carried on
with even a small degree of success but that the bee, under proper
management, will not make at least enough suri)lus honey to su])ply
the table with this luxury for three meals daily, during the entire year.

We often hear the remark, "I cannot keep bees, for they dislike me
and pounce on me and sting every time I get near them." This is all
nonsense, for if the conditions are the same, the bee has no preference
for individuals, and will not sting one person sooner than another.
There is no one but can care for and work about bees with an equal
degree of safety. When working about bees one does not want to go
about it with a rush; neither does he want to go creeping and slipping
about as though he was afraid of liis life, and when the first bee that
presents itself, strike at it and stand and hesitate about continuing
the work, or take to flight; but go about it in a business-like w^ay,
and pay no attention to their humming and buzzing; and, if once in
awhile, you pinch one and get a sting, pick up your smoker and ply
them with smoke for a momcmt, then lay it down and go on with the
work. No one should go about Ix^s without a good smoker; this can
be procured from almost any one who keeps bees, and it will last for
years. Various kinds of material are used for fuel, but in the ex-
perience I have had, I find that old, worn-out, white cotton cloth makes
as good smoke as can be had. The object of the smoke is to destroy
the effects of the essence emitted by the process of stinging. This
odor seems to act as an alarm for the other bees, and unless it is de-
stroyed, you will have the whole colony on you in a few moments.

As regards the variety of bees, I can only speak of one, that is the
hybrids, as I have never had exy)enenee with any other. These ai^ a
cross between the Italians and the common black bee. I like this va-
riety very well, as they a]>|K\ar to have all the docility of the black
bee, as well as the regularity of the Italian. — C. J. Law, Mercer^ Pa,

The True Woman.

of them to their homes, and you will find that they have lain aside
their masks, and appear as empty l)ubbles. A true woman will try
to be agi'eeable in whatever splu^re she is placed, if it is the wife of a
farmer, mechanic or millionaire. If she is placed where it is i^
quired of her to both entertain and serve, she will do both with credit
to herself and husband. Hearts seem to warm toward one another
w^hile gathering around a well-filled family board, prepared by the
loving hands of the hostess. There are plenty of women all over our
broad land who like to entertain, if they have servants to do the work,
and have everything ari*anged so as to give them no thought or care,
beyond being agrcH^able to the guest. I have no sym])alhy with the
wonum of good health tliat are so iH)W(M*less that they cannot go into
the kitchen and make Uiings hum once in a while. They may dress in
satin and diamonds and try to be oimaments of society, but tlunr utter
worthlessness will remain apparent. We may admire brilliant
women, but it is she who takes us into her own habitation and makes
us happy and welcome thei^, who wins our hearts.

Society, today, is strewn with wrecks of men who, under the storm
of domestic life, have been driven to their downward course. Let us
not undervalue our work at home. If we have not enough grace to
preside with cfToct in our own households, we are not worthy of trust
anywhere. Farmers' wives are growing in intelligence. They read
and think more of improving the tahmts the all-wise Creator saw fit
to give them, than in the days gone 'by,—Miss Ellie V, Bzf/er, Excharige,
Pa.

If you please, you can follow those who are called "society ladies."
They are, as a nile, very brilliant conversationalists and obey all the
inles of etiquette, both in style and manners; but, alas, follow some

The Forestry Question.

In the beginning of the present century, rennsylvania was an
almost unbroken forest. Our ancestors lived in log cabins, having
few of the comforts and none of the luxuries of life. Now all is
changed. Tlie pioneer log cabin has passe^l away; the noble forests
of Pennsylvania ai^^ rai)idly disapi)earing. Every few miles the port-
able saw mill is at woik, cutting the last groves of pine and white oak
that beautify the landscape. For every word that has bt^m written,
I)rinted or spoken in favor of the protection of American forests, the
author should receive public thanks.

We ought to learn from the experience of other nations, great and
terrible lessons, without insisting upon suff coring the same disasters
ourselves. The history of tho world j>resents a feaiful record resjx^ct-
ing the destruction of the forests. l*alestine and Syria, Egypt and
Italy, France and Spain, have seen some of their most populous re-
gions tuimed into a forsaken wilderness, and their most fertile lands
into sandv deserts.

The i)r()tection of Amc^rican foivsts is a national question that is
now before Congress and our state legislatures. Societies are organ-
ized all over the land for the purpose of influencing the public mind to
have laws enacted to ward off the impending desolation that threatens
this re7)ubbV. There has been improvident waste, as thousands of
acres hav(^ aln^ulv b(^n destroved.

132 Pennsylvania iState Board of Agriculture.

Men, in their haste for wealth, have girdled and burnt vast tracts
of our magniiicent forests, while they could, with the grt^atest ad-
vantage to the crops, the general health, and the beauty of the farm,
leave every Held with a belt of timber around it, protecting the grow-
ing crops from the bleak winter winds. The time has undoubtedly
come to i)lant trees; "plant for beauty, plant for profit/'

With walnut timber selling in our own market at sixty dollars per
thousand feet, and all kinds of lumber advancing in price, it will be a
paying investment in the future. Thousands of acres of land in Penn-
svlvania are practically worthless— worn out by thriftless agriculture,
liillsides covered with rocks and stones, fields covered with weeds or
worn in gullies, swamps grown up with ix^eds and i-ushes; and the
owners of these lands are land-poor. Plant these worthless lands in
fruit-bearing and forest trei-s, the rocky hillsides in vin(\vards: (liese
lands will become the most valuable part of the farm.— W'. H. Mc-
Mullen, Indimia, Pa.

Why Girls IvEavk the Farm.

What is the reason that the country girl has a desire for town life?
This seems to be a comprehensive subji^ct, but I will attempt. to an-
swer it. This is a question that interests every farmer and farmer s
help in the community. Is it not the case that if farmers want help
to do housework, especially girls, that it is almost impossible to get
the help you need? Now, in my limited knowledge, I will say one of
the reasons is, farmers' work means unlimited numbers of hours.
Girls acting as servants do not have hours for their own use, no time to
themselves for reading; while in the sho]), they have a regular system
of time and hours. So, when that time has expired, girls are free for
a time at least. Another i^ason I may give is the matter of wages.
Girls working in our shops are enabled to earn from five to eight dol-
lars, and even twenty dollars per week, notwithstanding they work
less hours than on the farm, while on the farm or in doing housework,
they receive from one dollar to one dollar and a half, or at the most,
two dollars per week nnd boarding. I do not know what you may
think, but I will give these as the ])rinci[>al reasons why girls leave
the comforts of country life and go to town.

Would it not be well if these causes could be obviated? Thev cer-
tainly are working an injurious effect uix)n domestic help. Girls are
unfitted to do work in the house, and will neglect to learn how to be-
come good housekeepers. — Miss Lottie B rite her, Dillsburg, Pa.

The Agriculturist.

The farmer of the Unitcnl States will ever be loolu'd upon as the
pioneer of civilization. 'Twas he that liewtMl the road into the forest,
Who beat back thc^ hord(\s of savages, who climbed the apparently in-
accessible mountains, and went through their passes. Tie went to the
field of labor, with his horse and plow, and with his trusty rifle

Quarterly Report.

133

strapped over his back; we shall ever i^member him as an aggressive
man, accustomed to hardships, full of self-reliance, ready and willing
to bear his full share of the ills of life without a murmur or complaint.
He naturally was liberal, broad-minded, was never subject to preju-
dice, a believer in the Sabbath as a day of rest for man and beast; an
upright, honoi-able man — pure life and mind — a law-abiding citizen,
and a. lover of his home and country.

The low price of wheat at present prevailing to the detriment of the
farmers of this country is due to the effects of the attempts of Amer-
ican speculators to raise the price of the grain cornered on the English
purchasers, as well as on the American consumers, which caused
England to look to other quarters, notably, l>ritish India and the Ar-
gentine Ilepublic, from which countries she imported in the year 1S93,
aggregating in round numbers, (K), 000, 000 bushels. My advice to farm-
ers is to turn to the production of some otlier commodity, instead of
wheat, as a source of profit.

The following statistics relating to the production of wool and
sheep raising will prove intei'esting. In 1840, there was produced in
the United States, wool to the value of $30,802,114 — all retained; im-
ported, 9,898,740 pounds. Total value, |42,015,325. In 1870, $1G2,-
000,000; retained, $101,847,108; importi^l, 49,230,199 }>()unds; con-
sumed, |209,3(>7,254. In 1893, the production of wool was 303,153,000
pounds; imported, 172,433,838 pounds; total consumed, $471,200,243
worth.

In 1809 the number of sheep raised in the United States was 37,-
724,279, valued at $82,139,979; 1880, 40,705,900, value $90,230,537;
1892, 47,273,553, value $125,909,204; 1894, 45,048,017, value $89,180,110.

This show^s a decrease in the number of sheep in the Unit^ States
of 2,225,530, and in value to the amount of $30,723,104.

Notwithstanding this decrease and the decline in the price of wool,
I would advise the famiei^ not to give up the raising of sluH^p, which,
even yet, may be made profitable.— //"^/e. /. Jh Hicks, Altoona, Pa.

The Condition of Agriculture.

The necessities and wants of a famOy of the nineteenth century,
begotten by the refinements of our advanced civilization, favors a sysr-
tern of monogamy, and equally discourages that system of ]K)lygamy
which sustains a parasitical sort of life in some parts of tliis fair land.

The only source of supply for these necessities — food and clothing —
to nifM^t the absolute wants of man, is the farm. As in the sci<mtific
and the vegetable world, the sun is the source of all j>ower, so in the
economic rounds of man's dailiy needs, the fai-ni is the base of suj)ply.
But it is more than this. All our industries, productive on the one
han<l, such, as our nmnufnctories; and our non productive industries
on (h(* oilier, such as exchanges, trans|M)rtation companies, mercan-
tile distributive centres and agencies, de^^end, and depend solely, upon
the product of the farm, not only for success, but for actual life.
Given a large product of field nnd farm in any countrv, the railwavs
9*

134

Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

are busicnl in transportation, furnishing employment to thousands in
their service. BanlvS follow in thrift and success in the diversified
exchanges called into being by the whirl of commerce; and all mercan-
tile transactions rising with the business tide, acquire new impetus,
until, like the waves of the sea, their force is not spent till the dis-
tributing effects are felt by every consumer in the entire country.

AgricuKuiv, in its relaticm to the other induslries, stands now, as
alwavs, the great heart, beating life into every portion of the diversi-
fu^d body of a country's industry. Imi>air its action; the nerves of
commerce are sIiocIcchI, and (he arm of all industry is paralyzed.

And right here I may say that I once heard a gentleman who some-
times writes for papers and makes si>eeches, as we were riding to-
gether on the train, declare that over-production was the principal
cause of the prevailing dc^pression, and that the only way for farmers
to protect themselves and raise the price of wheat they produce was to
stop raising it altogether.

But, my friends, it is an "old chestnut," for there is no such thing as
over-production. It is undcM'-consumption. Millions of mouths are
empty and starving for food. As many more bodies are shivering
for want of clothing. They stand ready to consume all that this earth,
in its greatest fecundity, can produce. The gi^eat economic question
of this day is, how shall they get it?

A political turn of mind might assign demonetization of silver as
the cause; another, protection or high tariff, who would be stood off
by his opponent, ascribing free trade or low tariff. But the facts — what
are they? With these bricks in hand, each one filling in with his judg-
ment, as the cement and mortar, can complete the structure for him-
self. Professor Chamberlain says: "Farmers, now out of debt, and
with health and sons, can swing dear." That is, if they have a capital
fully paid up and labor free, they may succeed with good management.
"Those in debt mostly sink deeper, and if they try to sell their land, it
will hardly bring half its former value." TTow oftc^n is it dinned into
our ears that no one can buy a farm, run in debt and pay for it, adding
that if you have money enough to ])ay for it, you aic all ri^ht? This
cannot properly be said of any other inrlustrv, anl vet this industry is
the basis of all the rest. —C. C. Dersheimer, Tunkhannock, Pa.

Improving Public Roads.

Tlirough difficult travel, farming loses a great deal of its beauty
and attractiveness, as well as profitableness. How to overcome this
difficulty and have roads that can be relied on at all times and in all
weather is a question that is second to none in im]M)rtance, especially
so to us, who live so far from rnili-oads, wlu^re we are mud-bound for
wrecks at a time.

A wise and well regulated system of public ronds throughout the
United States, is daily becoming a greater n(H!essiry for the material
development of the resources of this country. While our railway sys-
tem has become the most perfect in the world, the public roads of the

Quarterly Report.

135

state have been neglected, and are inferior in some instances, to those
of other civilized countries. They are deficient in every necessary
qualification that is an attribute to a good road— in direction, in
slope, in shape and service, and most of all, in want of repair.

It is a question of vast imiK)rtance to every taxi>ayer that we have a
better system for keeping up our public roads. Good roads cost
money, but they are w^orth much more than they cost, or rather, what
they ought to cost. True, the money must be raised by taxation, but
sensible men do not object to moderate, equitable taxation when it ac-
complishes its pui-pose.

Bad roads are a heavy tax on any community; but just let a farmer
use his pencil a little and figure up the annual cost of hauling his
products to market over bad roads, and what it would cost to haul
over good roads, and he will be surprised to find wliat a heavy tax he

pays indirectly.

We must not expect the road machine to accomplish all in good
road making, for we must use stone or gravel on certain portions of
the roads to make them solid; and the more we can do in this line, the
better, and the less repairs it will take for years to come.

Elevate the centre of the roads, so that all surface water will lead
off to the side drains, instead of having the drains in the centre, and
let stones be used abundantly where they can be gotten conveniently,
especially on all fiat roads; have it well broken, leaving good sized
drains, and in a few years we will have better roads and less taxes to
pay. — A. G, Walker, Dayton, Pa.

The Grange.

The organization of the grange did wonders for the farmer, and is
still doing wonders in the exchange of ideas, in arousing the lethargy,
and in the direction of the popular thought of agriculturists to the con-
templation of their ow^n calling.

This auspicious event has had a tendency to bring out the manhood
of the farmer, and of making his worth and position in the w^orld felt
and resi>ected. While we cannot subscribe to all the creed of that or-
ganization, we hail with joy its beneficial results in the furtherance of
a healthful, neighborly sentiment in the rural districts, and a just
feeling among farmers that their calling entitles them to an honorable
rank; that, in the economy of our government, the niche he fills is not
so insignificant as some w^ould suppose, and, with the increased con-
fidence, gotten through conventions and institutes, he is rapidly be-
coming less and less subservient to the dictates of political power.
When agriculture shall have fully aroused to the enormity of the
wrongs heaped upon her, and shall have fully realized the studied pur-
pose of corporate power to withhold every right due her, the grc^at and
pressing necessity of taking an aggressive step for better legislation
will be met. Instead of acting on the defensive, she will claim a linnd
in the enactment of laws herself. Whether the soil ])roduces bounti-
fully or little is not really important, if the demands upon its products
take all. Knowledge of how best to preserve and protect our annual

136

Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

yield, is quite as necessary as laiowled^e of how best to increase that
yield. Not how shall agriculture meet these heavy demands, but
rath(T, how shall a^niculture fix the demand? is the question. And
the sooner the question is met the better, for when the farmer shall be-
come ag^a-essive and cease to be passive, when he shall claim a place
among the law-makers, and shall lead and not be led, may we confi-
dently hope for a S]X^edy bettering of his condition. — F. P. Kimble,
Wayne County^ Pa.

Raising Clover Seed.

Clover is classed by botanists as a biennial, arriving at maturity
th.e second year from planting, after which it either dies or deterior-
ates to such a degree that it is of but little value, thereby making it
imperative on those interested in its cultivation, in order to grow full
crops or secure profitable returns, to seed annually. This causes a
constant and increasing demand for seed, which can be supplied with
much profit by those skilled in the art of its production..

In order to gi'ow full crops of clover, the soil should be rich and the
seeding should be done early in the spring; if on grounds planted to
winter grains, from the first to the last of March, or so that it will re-
ceive the benefit of the spring rains. If with spring grain, it should
be bush-harrowed or rolled that it may better retain moisture. The
seed should be evenly distributed, sowing at the rate of eight quarts
per acre on ground devoted entirely to clover; if sown with timothy or
other grass seeds, it must necessarily vary with the results desired.

The most profitable of the different varieties of clover in cultivation
is medium, or small red, which is capable of producing two crops, while
most others gi'ow but one, the first of which may be cut for hay, the
second for hay or seed, as required. If intended for seed, the first crop
must be cut early, from the first to the fifteenth of elune; not later, as
a grub of diminutive size, somewhat allied to the midge or weevil,
for the past few years, has infested the clover fields when in bloom, de-
stroying in a few days alnn^st the entire seed crop, by feeding upon the
blossoms while yet in a rudimental state. Their ravages are not con-
tinuous, but divided into two distinct and separate terms, which vary
somewhat with the se^ason, the first of which includes the entire
month of June, and the second from the fifteenth of August to that of
September. This leaves an interval of several weeks in which those
varieties of clover producing but a single crop, put forth their bloom,
such as ^Mammoth, Alsike, White, Medium, etc., where the first crop had
been removed in due time. All clover blooming at that season will
produce full crops of seed, if there is a good stand on th(^ ground ; that
which blossoms later will be of little account, as the insects will then
infest the fields for at least a month.

Trojx^r care and attenli(m is necessary in all th(^ d(>parlments of its
cultivation, and a fertile soil and careful seeding are indispensable
in growing large crops. Early cutting secures the best hay and most
swM^d. — D. Devlm, Cool spring , Pa.

Quarterly Report.
Building and Filling Silos.

137

Building silos is just like any other business; in the first place vou
must know how to build the house; then how to grow the (^om then
last but not least is how to fill it, as you can lose money .^ry kastTn
a silo. You must also know how to t^ke it ont. You must not tMnk
because ,xm have a silo and a few Jersey or Holstein Zs,thatS
IS all hat is necessary. They won't give five or six gallons of miS
or make two ix>unds of butter a day, just because the^.rtho J^^^^^^

hS t ''''' '' "^T ^^'""^^ ^^ -^"^ ^^^ I>^<l^^^t by the food than the
blood, feome people spend much money in getting full-blooded7t^ek
but never spend a thought on the best method of feedinrthenr I
heard a man talking about ensilage. He said that good c^)rn fodder
and good clover hay beats ensilage. Just try feeding that man on
good, diy bmad, and dried apples that had been sti-ung on a strint and
hung up until dried; then hear him t^U you they a?e hard to digest
and he would hke tx) have a little canned fruit, or a few green apnk^
to help him digest his food and keep his stomach or blood in order-
but he never thinks of Ms cows having any stomachs or blood. He
just feeds ner like he would a thrashing machine, then milks two
cows to get one gallon of milk, and afte^- all, says, "cows don^t pay and
silos are a humbug." ^^

The excellent reason why a silo does pay, is because you can get a
cow to consume and digest a greater amount of food than by feedinir
anything else. My idea is, the gi^ater quantity of good food you can
get your cows to eat, the more likely you are to get some profit, and
that IS what we all want. You can't get it if you don't invest There
are hundreds of cows being wintered that don't pay two per cent on
what they eat, and the owners won't have ten cents a day for what
little attention they give them. A man should have at least fifty
cents a day on every cow he keeps; and if he can't get that much he
had better keep less cows, and save both work and moneT.— /. D. 'mc-
Gee J Vuleyicia^ Pa,

Poor Richard's Sayings.

At a sale, the crowd were convemng on the depressed condition of
the times. One of the company callcni to a plain, clean, old man, with
white locks, "Pray, Father Abraham, what think you of the times?
Won't these heavy taxes quite ruin the country? What would you ad-
vise us to do?"

Father Abraham stood up and n^plied: "If yon would have my ad-
vice, I will give it briefly, for ^a word to the wise is enough, and many
words won't fill a buslud,' as Poor Kiclmrd says."

"Friends, the taxes are very hc^avy, but we are taxed twice as mncli
by our idleness, three times as much by our i)ri<l(', jind four tinier as
much by our own folly, and from tln^se taxes the commissioners can-
not eas(^ or di^iver us. However, something may be done for us; God
helps them that help themselves.

"It would be a hard government that takes one-tenth of our time;

138 Fe.>.nsylvania State Board of AoRicaLTURE.

but sloth, idle e.uplo, .nents, and ^--^^^J^;^ *f ^^^^^"^^^ ^uff

Dost thou love life? Then do not -l--<l-;tnne for ha^ s^ tlu .tuff

life is made of, «%l'"<'':.f^f;;ft t^tfsleepingTx catches no jmiltry,
necessary in sleep, forgetting that the sieepiii« ±

..a that there will ^^^^^ ::^:^ ^Ji^^ J::y: ,r...s

liu^eL^lllli; He hxatlisn'h M^must trot all day, and shall scarce

overtake his business at nii^lit x-^^^o w^ n^nv mnl^o

What signifies wishing and hoping for bettey times We may make

these times better if we bestir ourselves. He that lives on hope

v^Udie Sing" If we are iiulustrious we shall ^ ^^^^ J J

try pays debts, while despair iiicreaseth them. Cxod gives all tuiii^s

'"w:^'k ufday; you Icnow not how much y^" "-^^ ^<: ^^i^J-f ,^^^^^^^^
row Uiiidle vour tools without mittens. The cat m -loves cattnea
row. ^^^\^'J^^,^^7..'^^ ^^.g m. diligence and patience, the mouse
n^r Iv^ thrSi^f a^ ^n>kes1ell great oaks. But with aU

Z'12:^;^^ m;.st likewise be steady, -^^^^^^^^^^^
oversee our own atlairs. Thrive niovings are as bad as a tire. -Keep
ihv shop, and thy shop will keep thee. v^^nw^ nr^

To industry must be added frugality. A man may if he knows not
how to save, keep his nose all his life to the grindstone and die not
worth •! cent at last. A fat kitchen makes a lean will. ^

Hewtre of 1 ttle expenses: a small leak will sink a great ship.

V^:^U."l^e, sh.Sl beggars prove, ^^^-^^^^^^^.t^t 3
men e'lt them Yoti exm^ct these goods at this vendue \yill be sold
X'mI, and perhaps the/may for less than they cost; but if you have
no occasion for them, they must be dear to you.

Wise men h^arn by others' harms; fools scarcely b> their o^vn but
h(>'s lucky who is made cautious by other men's perils. -I^. L,
Thacher, ^Harford, Pa,

Quarterly Report.

139

Improved System for Road-Making.

The farmer has a two-fold consideration in the subject, "The im-
Drovement of our roads without an increase of taxation." ^

The burden of making and keeping in repair our public highways
fills priniipallv u]M)n the farmer, and it is wise for him to heed the
iniunction of sacred history by counting the cost. Measures that
tend toward centralization and openly imply the incapacity of the
fu-mer for the transaction of his own business, should be carefully
scnHiniz(M] In'fore receiving- our ai>i>roval. If there is anything in the
liberty and ('(inality of which we boast, those who perform the phy-
sical labor have the riuht to the floor on this question.

Th(» introduction of horse power, in the way of road machines, has
wrou"-ht a change that lessens physical labor, and tliat will, ere long,
oives^us better oads and less taxation. When the township work -tax
Ts abandoned ann the contract dven to the lowest responsible bidder,
v-e can exrxM-t still better results. It is generally conceded, as a rule,
1>)at'the taxpayers only perform about one-half the work on the roads

they would at home, whei-e their intersts are centred; hence, it neces-
sarily follows (hat an apix)rtionment of the roads among the indi-
vidual taxpayers, in proportion to their taxation, or the cash conti'act
system, as stated, would be an impmvement on the methods of the
past. We certainly have these means within our reach of making
better roads without increasing taxation; and trtat method is no't
through State supervision. — W, D. Porter, Goheeiiville, Pa,

Life is What We Make it.

We are living in a fast age. The nineteenth century is one of
haste. Men and women hustle through life without sto})i>ing to think
of its resiH)nsibilities. Some are intent on fame, some bend all their
energies to the accpiisition of wealth, and some struggle hard to obtain
the necessaries of life. But all are borne along in the race as by the
force of a mighty current, w^hich they are powerless to resist. The
better impulses of the heart are well-nigh smothered. There is little
time spent in retiecting upon the solemnity of life., and we are in
danger of forgetting our mortality, even, unless warned by the near
approach to our homes of the "angel of death.'^

Then, i)erhaps, we pause in the hurry of life, and remember "It is
not all of life to live, nor all of death to die."

We should set our standard of manhood and womanhood high, and
BO live that the world will be the better for our existence; not forget-
ting that we exert an inlluence over others which follows them into
eternity. This thought alone should make us careful how we live.

Life is what we make it; not only for ourselves, but in a great
measure for those around us. We are not equally blest with this
world's goods, for while one has ten pounds, his neighbor may have
only one. And we tind much umhai-itableness shown by those Whom
foi'lune has favored toward those of their fellows, who have been less
richly blest; many a life has been blighted by this means, which,
under more encouraging iniiuences, would have been useful and hapj)y.

Perhaps the life of some fellow-being is shadowed by sickness and
discouragements. Here we can give a helping hand, and by our sym-
pathy, dis[)erse the clouds and let in the sunshine of hope to brighten
the darkened life.

But, alas! for human kindness; we are so ready to push down,
instead of helping up! ^\\\v\\ of the misery or happiness we experience
in our journey through life is of our own making. If we continually
Iwell cm our troubles, we will make ourselves "of all men the most mis-
erable." Hut, if we count our bh^ssings, w(» will always find much to
make us glad. — Mrs. J. M. Krydcr, Cedar Springs, Pa,

Industry, versus Idleness.

The bread which we solicit of God, He gives us through our own in-
dustry. As industry is habitual activity in some useful pursuit, so
not only inactivity, but also all eilorts without the design of useful-

140 Pennsylvania State Boakd of Agriculture.

ness are of the nature of idleness. The supine sluggard is no more
Sen. than the bustling, do-nothing. Men may wa k much read
and talk much, and pass the day without an unoccupie.l moment, an!
Jet be idle, because industry requires at least the mtenlion ot usH ul-

"''Siere are manr grades of idleness, and many veins of it run thnmgh
the most industdo".s life. We shall indulge in some of the varmus
classes of idlers and leave you to judge if he be an indolent man, to
wliicli class he belongs. , . , ., . . ^ ,

Tlu' lazv man is of a very ancient pcMlio-ree, for his family is mum ely
described by Solomon. ''How Um- wilt thou slei^p? O, sluji-ard when
wilt thou awake out of sleep?" This is the lanj;uage o unpatience;
the speaker has been tryino- to awakou him-pu in-, pushing and rcdl-
ins him over, and shouting in his ear; but all to no purpose. He
sleeivs long and late; he wakes to stupidity, with indolence; eyes
sleepily rolling over neglected work— neglected because it is too cold
in spring and too hot in summer, and too laborious at all times; a
great coward in danger, and therefore very bustling in safety. His
lands run to waste, his fences are dilapidated, his crops chiefly weeds
and brambles, a shatteml house, the side leaning over as if wishing,
like its owner, to lie down to sleep; the cliimney tnm])ling down, the
roof breaking in, with moss and grass sprouting in its crevices; the
well without pump or windlass— a trap for their children. Ihis is the
very castle of indohmce. Another idler, as useless, but vastly more
active than the last, attends closely to every one's business except his
own His wife earns the children's bread and his; procures her own
raiment and his; she procures the wood; she procures the water, while
he with hands in his pockets, is busily watching the building of a
neighbor's barn, or advising another how to train and trim his vines;
or he has heard of sickness in a neighbor's family, and is there to sug-
gest a hundred cures and do everything l)ut help.

I have not mentioned the fashionable idler, whose riches defeat
every object for which Gk)d gave him birth; he has a fine form and
manly beauty, and the chief end of life is to display them. A coat
poorly fitted is the unpardonable sin of his creed. He is a reader of
fiction, if they be not too substantial; a writer of cards and billet
doux, and is especially conspicuous in all)ums, gay and frivolous, rich
and usidess, iK)lisli(Ml' until tln^ enamel is worn otf. His whole life
serves only to make him an animated pupiK^t of pleasure. He wor-
ships where fashion worships- today at the theatre, tomorrow at the
church, as either exhibits tlu^ whitest hands, or the most polished ac-
tion. A gaudy, active and indolent butterfly, he flutters without in-
dustry from flower to flower, until summer closes and frosts sting him,
and iie sinks dow^n and dies, unthought of and unremembered. —
Mrs. IV. //. A>//r, Pto/e/f, Pa.

Quarterly Report.

141

The Amkrican Farmhr.

The birth of American agriculture occurred under very adverse cir-
cumstances. A morning light was just dawning over the dark ages
of civiliz.ition. The stalwart few who landed u]von Plymouth "Rock in

the blustering December of 1G20 met many difficulties, but they laid
the foundation deep and strong of a progressive, energetic, practical
nation, which is now astonishing the world watli its productions.
Agricultural societies have done much to improve the condition of the
farmer. The first one organized was in South Carolina in 1784. Ten
years later, New^ York and Massachusetts followed, and today we hear
the stuiily and sure tread of the American farmer, from the Dominion
of Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, from the Atlantic to the Tacitic, as
we keep marching on, gaining v)iie conflict after the other, until we
stand as a unit; and today, wlio shall estimate the grand results? No
avocation in life is more exalting, refining, and none more scientific if
proi>erly pursued; not one more conducive to health and happiness.
But he who engages in it must listen to the teachings of science and
exp(^rience of wiser men than himself. To make farm labor honorable
and pleasant and ]>roiitable, by making it intelligent, should be the
aim of every American farmer. The duty of the American farmer is
therefore, plainly indicated by the march of events. We must do our
part in meeting the world's demands of our country. In no way can
this be done to better advantage than by storing our minds with
knowledge pertaining to our calling. True, we have much to discour-
age us at present, but more to encourage us. Our soils respond most
generously under proper cultivation. Water, pure and plenty, and the
whirl of machinery is everywhere heard. The old, clumsy, wooden
mould-board plow used by our fore-fathers, has given way to the
polished steel plow of today; the sickle has been supplanted by the
reaping machine, the scythe by the mower, the steam thresher now
does in a day the work of a thousand flails. The present march of im-
provements in America surpasses that of all other periods in history.
The problems of today are many and important, and among most im-
portant is the founding of homes and families. Confucius taught
that the individual family or household decides a nation's destiny.
To say that agriculture controls the character, perpetuity and destiny
of a nation is but to repeat histor^^ A migratory life never builds up
good farms or cities, or aids in the great march of human progress. A
family should be grounded like* the mighty oak; be permanent; help
to build up the country, constitute a part of it, in its social, educational
political and religious surroundings. Truly, the American farmer of
today ought to be the happiest and most indei>endent man on earth.
The glory of this grand Kepublic, as of all prosperous nations, is its
husbandmen, their wives, sons and daughters. — Williar?i Cook, Dills-
burg, Pa.

m

PRErARATlON OF THE SeED-BED.

It has been but a few years since it made little difference whether
we raised a full crop or half a crop of grain; the price realiz<'d jx'r
acre was about the same. The short/er the crop, tli(^ high(-r the price
per bushel. P>ut not so today. It makes little dilTen'nce upon the
price jxn- bushel, whether we raise a full cro]) or half crop, the price
b(Mng governed almost entirely by the condition and yield of the crops
of the great west and northwest.

Those of us who have resided here during the last twenty years

U2 Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.
have noticed quite a change in regard to this respect Th^^

the western farms and place them at our ^'^^^J ^oors at less cost than

WrnmZbe clone to accomplish this result than m a thoroug-h

P"K'd"we S-rsS by a thoroughly prepared seedbed? Doubt
lesr/ou have heard fanners express themselves m regard to^elds
S 'w"re in tine condition at sowing ti-e, somcJh".g W^e
field was as mellow as an ash heap ox^ 3-t hWe a Mjdcn^^.^Let^ ^

^:;^:S^^^^^S'S:h^ Now a gfrSn is generally located on
,.lrv a Piece of ground as possible. This, then, impress^ upon our
n,indH ?he necessity of first looking to the drainage of fields to be
«.opt^ ire ai too many spots or fields upon many of our farms
cioppeu. .,, , _,v^ ^^«v flP^irnble irardens on tkis account, ine
^r^":^^^^^^^ ' -ry important matter in the
saving ''"^ •Y'f'"'» , . , It appears that many farmers try to see
Kmirm^m'Jrrth.'lan maraud save, instead of trying to see

^ou ^tm ^otXurorplTntinglarden truck among clods ranging
in si e rom that of a man's fist to a bushel basl^t; and yet we often
s^ men solving their crops on fields in just such a condition.- Pf. S.
McGinness, Mi. Jackson, Pa.

Quarterly Report.

143

Education and Agriculture.

For me to attempt to define education seems entirely unnecessary
as -111 of us here made more or less effort to obtain an education. It is
a subject that demands our greatest consideration and most careful

""'u wonld seem that every one knowing the importance of education
as we think all should, that for me to tell you that every one should
avaTl themselves of every opportunity to acquire the highest culture
Dossible is unnecessary. Yet, how very often do we hear our boys and
Kirls say that the vocation they intend to choose doep, not demand any
further preparation than they have already received, as if a man cojild
becomeU well educated. How absurd! Not only is this so of the
fhihlren- but we are astonished to hear the same from the parents,
whom we would think should know better, as they hav;e had more ex-
perh'nce; hence, the boys and girls quit attendmg the schools and
tliink that they are e(inippod for their work in life.

Fspcciillv is this tnie of some who enter the occupation of farming
and kindred oc<u,.ations. They should remember that it is only through
the complete and harmonious development of all llieir possibilities of
mnn-mind, body and soul-that life can "be worth the living; and
most certainly life is worth the living. It, to me, is a most distressing

if

#
«■

si^^ht to see boys and <^irls refusing to take advantage of the common
school, at least, while they are open to them.

While pupils attend school, it is absolutely necessary that they study
all the branches assigned to their grade. Without this, tliere can be
no harmonious development, and the work will be slow, up-hill work.

Each and every branch gives that kind of culture which cannot ex-
actly be given by any other branch, and without a harmonious com-
bination of all these, his success wliile in school is comparatively slow.

An intelligent and cultured person, if he farms, or whatever he does,
will do his work with much more ease, and do it much better than he
who is not cultured. There is a great deal of hard work connected
with farming, therefore it requires an intelligent person to labor on
the farm, because he will do his work in a way that will give nu)re sat-
isfaction, and greater results will eventually follow. lie will know
how and when to plant and sow, what kind of fertilizer to use, which
is adapted to his soil and crop, and what kinds of crops are of most ad-
vantage to plant in his soil. In no other vocation is intelligence so
absolutely necessary, it seems to me, as in farming. The intelligent
are far more thrifty than the unintelligent. The farmer will plough,
harrow, and everything he does, he will do with more ease and reap
the greater pecuniary benefit, for brains always tell. Therefore, see
that your children be given every educational advantaire possible, and
also see that they make good use of the same. — G. William Miller,
York Spri7ig^, Pa.

To Make Fruit Culture Pay.

Human nature is so organized that we can profit from the failures
of others, as well as by their success. First. Starting into the busi-
ness with too little knowledge of it, and planting too largely of varie-
ties that are not suited or adapted to the soil and climate. Planring
too largely of varieties that are not marketable when raised; at
least they must be sold at inferior prices. Planting too many varie-
ties and not looking around to see what kinds are doing best around
them. My experience teaches me that two or three varieties of straw-
berries, three of blackberries, three or four of grapes, two of currants,
seven or eight varieties of peaches, and that many of apples, will cover
the most desirable varieties, whether for home or commercial use.

Second. A great many look to big mnrk(4s at a distance, instead of
starting with the determination of first supplying their home market.
Experience teaches me that one home market is worth two or three
distant markets. In s]ii})ping to distant markets, we have to encoun-
ter too many losses, namely, commission, stealage, loss of crates and
boxes, and express charges.*^ Deducting these from the price received,
we almost invariably received less than if we would have sold at home.
In some instances, where a person has a large amount of choice fruit,
it may pay to ship to more distant cities.

Third. Many plant too largely, and do not grow properly what they
plant. Th(»v do not keep berry patches clean, do not trim fruit trees
properly, and do not supply them with the necessary nutrition. They

144

Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

Quarterly Report.

145

should remember that a tree is like its owner, it not only wants some-
thiiur to eat, but likes sometliin-; oood. Remember, one acre planted
and cared for right, and with the ri^^ht kinds, will bring; more returns
than four acres of poor-yielding sorts, cared for improperly. A suc-
cessful grower will say, *'^Come, boys," and lead the way, and oversee
his business, and not, "go, boys," and let some other person oversee it.
He wiU plow and cultivate just what he can attend to properly, and
if he has more land, let this be occupied with other crops, like potatoes,

wheat or corn.

Only the best fruits pay. It does not, as a rule, pay to keep any-
thing except the best, for the reason that the difference in the first
costis so little that we cannot afford to keep anything except the best.
The time was, within the remembrance of many now living, when the
chief distinction between fruit, as to varieties, was that of natural, or
from the seed, or grafted, and of the latter there were not many va-
rieties. In those days, natural fruit sold well, but the markets in this
direction have become more critical, so that natural fruit must be dis-
placed by something considered better by the public taste. Years ago
it was only necessary to graft a tree with the improved variety, and it
would bear fruit for many years after; now, the grafted fruit has to
be guarded against insects, mildew and scab. Many, in those days,
regarded fruit growing as unprofitable. We find almost the same
thing today. Even a few are giving up the raising of fruit because
they have to spray against insects with poison, and against mildew
with sulphur mixtures. They are not diilicult or expensive operations,
and will pay by securing a fine crop that otherwise could not be ob-
tained.— Ulysses S. Myers, Monaghan Toumship, Pa.

Mistakes.

When we observe the many ways of doing amiss, and know that
there can be but one right way in a given instance, we almost wonder
that we ever hit upon the right way and lose surprise that mistakes
are so numerous.

But, however much the human family may err, we are inclined to
believe that mistakes come more often from a lack of good judgment
or cleai-ness of forethought than from negligence or a disregard of
consequences.

There are mistakes made by the public, as well as by the individual,
and it is easier to condemn in the masses than to specify faults in
which w^e ourselves may be culpable.

The farmer who works in his fields until dark and does his bam
work by lantern light, is not always the one who accomplishes the
most work, is considered the best farmer in the neighborhood, or
gathers in the greatest number of shekels for his labor; lliongh, ac-
cording to his way of seeing things, and the way he wills to do, he may
be doing \^i^ best he can. IVrlmps ;in observer miglit see that his late
woT'king is offset by his late beginning in the morning, his general
slowness of motion, and his lack of headwork. Such a man's mistake
is in not observing how his successful neighbor manages his work, and
then copying his habit of action and following the example in business
matters until it becomes a set habit of his own.

The housekeeper whose week's washing never flaps upon the line
until th(^ last of the week, is not supposed to be showing a ga'eat deal
of wisdom in Ikm* woi-k; neither does she who is so exceedingly partic-
ular that she never finds time to read the county pa^x^r, play a game
with her children, nor attend an agricultural meeting. Of these two
evils, it seems to me, the latter may have the worst consecpiences. I
have often thought that over-nicety in housekeeping, with its effect
upon the housekeeper, has had something to do with the scarcity of
kitchen help.

We make a mistake when we fail to attend to the little ills that
flesh is heir to. Some of us have known sad results from a neglected
cold. A tooth may be lost from the want of timely care. A felon
may be backened if taken in time, and thus much sullering may be
saved. Proper care of eyes and ears may cause thankfulness in old
age. Tlius, we might go on througli a long list of small matters^ —
small in the beginning, but which, when neglected, cause much regret.

Parents make a sad blunder when they fail to educate their child's
moral and religious nature, as well as his intellectual, or when they
lose sight of his physical well-being. The mother who allows the love
for her children to blind her to their faults, is not in a fair way to raise
children to be proud of in old age.

Many of our young men make a mistake in being more interested in
prize fights and base ball than in the consideration of their own future
and the choice of a trade or profession. Most of them read too little,
apparently thinking that there is nothing to be learned by reading,
worth the cost, and that all knowledge is to be gained by experience.
This latter is true only to a certain extent, and if they do not devote
time to useful reading, and study in their chosen vocation, they will
find themselves mere automatons and others supplying the brains
required in the work. We sometimes make a mistake by being too
familiar in speech and manner with those we love the best. "Many a
little rift within the lute which, slowly widening, makes all the music
mute," has opened thix)ugh careless words which sprang from a heart
whose love was veiled from observation by impoliteness.

If men could sin to themselves alone, it would not be so bad, but
they cannot. Their evil doing reaches out in its effects to all persons
who are in any way connected with them. — Beidah Belts, New Hope^
Pa.

Ambition on the Farm.

It is said there are no two persons exactly alike, and it may be
added there are no two ambitions the same. You do not niM^d be
afraid that your ambition and some other one's may collide, for there
will always be modifying minor causes that will Tnak<^ them differcmt.

Nowhere is am])ition more needed than on tln^ farm. In a mere
glance at the farm can be told the character of the farmer. If your
forte is raising fine stock, give your faculty the liberty to act; if rais-
ing fruit, try to produce the best. Never be satisfied with the half-way
station, but try to climb to the top; and in raising the best, you will
obtain the prices which are so necessary to the farmer.
10

Iv,

1\

/

146 Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture.

SomethiiiL' of vast importance to the future generations, although
fre(,iieutly neglected, is the phiuting of trees. By having tliem we ob-
tain shade for cattle, which is so necessary to their comfort and wel-
fare The value of trees along the public highway is inestimable,
and makes a pretty landscape. How dillerent is the farm upon which
trees are scattered, and the buildings are surrounded by them, than
one without them, which is sure to appear bleak and lonely in the win-
ter, and scorched in tlie summer! Tlie elfect of trees upon the climate
is well known. But be not ambitious alone for your farms, and de-
sirous oiilv for the financial benefit that may accrue. I;et your choic-
est farms^be your own minds. Cultivate them so that they will be

fruitful of good acts. . ^^ c ^

The reason that so many of our country boys leave the fiirms and
trv something else is, that they have not been taught the digiiity of
faVming, and that they can make something of themselves beyond
mere tillers of the soil. Have them study physics, geology, botany
and zoology, and they will have a new interest in all things around
tluMu. TlH^ technical facts will be remembered by being constantly

called to mind. , , ^ ^ _^

Boys, do not be satisfied with following in the old ruts. Have some
life and energy! Try to improve upon what your ancestors have done.
Have a high aim, and never be satisfied until you have attained it.
Trv and be cultivated; be acquainted with the best writers, for there
is no better company for long winter evenings than books. Go away
to school, where you will receive new ideas and meet refined young
people.— 'M5^ ICafe Mumper, Dillsburfr, Pa,

Farmers and Popular Education.

Tntelli^^ence is the spirit of the age. If farmers mean to cope with
their encmiies, and gain their just rights, they must not be ^^hayseeds
from wavback." As long as men are ignorant, they can be fooled into
believing anything and doing what their masters command them to
do, or coax and ]>ersuad(^ them into.

You can cheat a blind man in many ways that a person who can see

would only laugh at -r. , i . ^r- • •

Two hundred and fifty years ago, old Governor Burkley, m Virginia,
said ''he thanked God 'there were no printing presses in the colony,
and hoped there would be none these hundred years." Tyrant that he
was, he knew that as long as he kept his people ignorant, they eould
be imposed upon and cheated with impunity. Just as the colonists
passed out from the shadow of monarchy by the light of increased
knowledge, so must the farmers, if they expect to become independ-
ent, do so by letting tlie light of intelligence shine for themselves and
their sons and daughters. -o .j.

The light of knowledge is just as real as the light of day. By it
alone can assured success come in any effort.

As long as farmers stand back and let other callings take the lead
and shajve the ends in popular education, just so long will they be
found complaining that the schools teach their boys to seek towns and
hjite work on the farm, and their girls to prefer dainty accomplish-
ments to honest, h<'li)ful work.

Quarterly Report.

147

The farmers have the management of their schools almost entirely
in their own hands; but as long as they feel afraid to spend their
money and their time in the interests of their children, and refuse to
insist that school affairs be conducted on common-sense, business prin-
ciples, and as long as they will let their children go to a school that
they never themselves go into, that long there will be good reason to
complain that ''the schools don't come up to their standard."

The tendency of {wpulation is toward the cities and towns. They
may be said to rule the nation already. If an ignorant class is al-
lowed to rule in cities and mining districts largely populated by for-
eigners, who care little for the education of their children, the gov-
ernment of state and nation will not be favorable to advancement nor
conducive to the best interests of farmers.

Thus, all things considered, it is easy to understand why farmers
should be specially intersted in popular education — a broad, useful
and properly directed education. Indeed, it seems strange that they
have not heretofore taken the matter more seriously in hand in llu^ir
own districts, and displayed more zeal in a cause of such importance
to their every interest.— T, L, Wall, Clea}'field County, Pa.

The Agricultural Situation.

How shall we cultivate the soil to the most profitable advantage,
and shall we build our houses and barns so as to secure the greatest
amount of strength, convenience and beauty, with the least expense?
How furnish and adorn these buildings inside and out, so as to make
of them attractive homes from which all farm interests shall radiate,
and to which all farmers' hearts shall loyally return? These, and kin-
dred subjects, we hope to hear discussed at farmers' institutes.

While the outlook in our chosen occupation is not as bright as we
should like to see it, yet we must not forget that the American farmer
leads the world. If times are hard in our country, they are still harder
in every other country on the face of the globe. There is much to en-
coui'age us, after all. We have the best soil, the best im]>l(Mn(mts with
which to till it, the best stock, the best fruit; we eat the best food,
live in the best houses, wear the best clothes, and make the most
money of any farmers in the wide world.

Let us not sink in the slough of despond, but let us chcH^r up and
make the most of our circumstances. Let us read and think and talk
and work, to make the tilling of the soil a success. Ivet us find a way
to make farming pay; or, if we can't find a way, let us
make one. The trouble with many farmers is, they are, like the
fa I her of the Sunday school scholar who, when asked whether his
fallier was a Christian, replied, "Yes; but he don't work at it just
now." We don't work at it in dead earnest. Success, in any pursuit
in life, follows well directed effoi-t, oy\\\.— Joseph II. Landis, Reed's
Gap, Pa.

148

Index,

INDEX BY AUTHORS AND TOPICS.

Page.

fii

ATT m^OTJSE K. p.— Poultry for Profit „_

IlTMAN N^F.-Education of Farmers' Children ^^

79
BAKER. H. S.— Wide Wagon Tires 28

BARLEY, J. J.-A Word to the Boys ..^ ••••••• • ; ; ' ; ^^i)

T^AT?T? TREV J C — Elevating the Calling •• .»

ilSgERSTON. MISS I^I^ZIE.-Woman's Woi;k or^ the Farm 4

BECK WILLIAM T.-The Farmer and County Fairs. ^^

BECK, WILLIAM T.-A Talk on Cloyer ••••• ^^

BENNINGER, WILLIAM M.— Holstein Cattle,

BENNINGER. WILLIAM M.-Planting Trees . - --- •;;;••• 75

BENDER, MISS ROSA R.-Boys and Girls of the Counti y, ^^

BEAVER, GEORGE W.— Road Mending, ^^^

BEIGHTOL. MISS LYDIA.-Education for Farmers ^^^

BELL, J. W— The Road Question ^^2

BEBOUT, J. C— Organizations, 124

BERG, P. W.— The Dairy Cow I44

BETTS. BEULAH.— Mistakes ' 13Q

BITLER, MISS ELLA V.-The True Woman, ^^^

BIDDLE, W. F.— Farm Literature, : • • Ll, : 60

BINGHAM, MRS. N. A.— Make Farm Life Pleasant ^^

BINGHAM, MRS. N. A.— Farm Helps, ^2

BLACKBURN, JASON— .Time and Progress ^^^

il:l^liE^E";M^^I.Txrc"RrTI^"-i'c^pera^^^ %

BLAKESLEE, MRS. LUCRETIA.-Thoughts on Farm Life. ^^

BOLTON MRS. D. H.— Farmers' Boys, •• ^^^

BRITCHER, MISS LOTTIE.-Why Girls Leave the Farm 132

BRUGH, MISS JENNIE.— Pleasures of Farm Life ^^

BROWN, J. B.— Fruits in Pennsylvania, r^^

BUFFINGTON, P":.— The Public School System, ^22

BULLERS, THOMAS.— The Farmers' Portion,

16
CHANDLER, WILLIAM.— Order on the Farm ^^

CLINGER. L. O.— Profits of Poultry ^2

COULSON, WILLIAM G.— Old-Time Farming. ^^^

COOK, WILLIAM.— The American Farmer ^^

CUPPETT, J. A.— Potato Culture. •

119

DAVIS, McKEE.— Sheep for Profit, 34

DEMPSEY, C. G.— The Horse :,' V ' I" W'! ". ' . 133

DERSHEIMER, C. C— The Condition of Agriculture ^3^

DEVLIN. D. —Raising Clover Seed

87
BALER. J. J.— Silos and Ensilage, 5.

EDGE. THOMAS J.— The Fence Laws ..••••• ■ • •• • • • • • gg

ELY JOHN H.— What Shall we Do with Our Wheat !

EVANS, MISS MAGGIE E.-A Visit to the Country

79
FRAMPTON, A. J.— Educate the Farmer

20
GAILLARD. MRS. JOHN.— Poultry on the Farm ^^

GARRETRON, MRS. RACHAEL.— Then and Now gl

GILBERT. MISS ELLEN P.— Care of Children ^^2

GTLLA N HON. W. RUSH.— Progress in Farming ^^

GILSON,' MISS ANNIE M.-Farmers' Wives •;•••••;•- 62

GRIER I'ROF. J. A.— Need of a Commercial Education,

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END

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