Jasper Republican, Volume 1, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 March 1875 — Value of New Agricultural Products. [ARTICLE]

Value of New Agricultural Products.

The old saying that a new broom sweeps clean applies with peculiar force to the subject of agricultural products. The question whether a new grain, fruit, or breed of animals is superior to an old one of the same class is seldom taken into account or discussed; and it is well that it is not; for apathy would then take the place of that enthusiasm which a novelty calls forth, and which is the foundation of great success in almost any calling. We do not wish to be understood as asserting that our farmers have no fixed purpose of their own, or that they are weathercocks, snuffing every breeze for something new; but we have not failed to notice the many new brooms which sweep clean for 'a few years, and then go to_the shop for repairs or a new name. Of course there is no denying the fact of progress in agriculture, and that new plants have been and are constantly introduced, some of which are improvements upon the old; but the advance is less rapid than many persons would feel inclined to believe without a careful investigation of the subject. But we would not cast a straw in the way of the introduction or dissemination of any pretended or actually new farm product, if only on account of the beneficial results which usually follow a belief in the superiority of a new thing over an old one. Improved systems of culture of certain kinds of plants have, in a majority of instances, originated with those who were experimenting with novelties. Who would have ever supposed that a hundred or more pounds of potatoes could be raised from one, had not new and high-priced sorts been introduced as an incentive for experimenting in this direction ?- Enormous crops of the Early Rose potato were produced at the start, and, while every tuber was in demand for seed, to-day the average yield of this variety will not exceed that of the old Neshannock or Pink-Eye, so popular forty years ago. Still, our potato-growers have been greatly benefited by the introduction of the new sorts, because they are really valuable acquisitions, and, in addition, cultivators have learned much in regard to the best method of propagation, both from seed and tubers. The same or similar results follow the introduction of new kinds of grain, for a man who pays ten dollars per bushel for a new variety of wheat is very likely to give it corresponding care, and it would be very strange indeed if no improvement over old sorts did not result therefrom. This painstaking with new kinds tends to more and better care of the old and this is one of the good results which follow their introduction and dissemination. One of our correspondents gave us this week the results or his first year’s experience with a flock of five hundred sheep, and the balance sheet shows almost a doubling of capital within the time. Some may attribute these favorable results more to good luck than man agement; but the new broom with our correspondent has been well cared for, and good work done with it We have not the least reason to suspect that the same thing may not be done again, and repeated any number of times, if there is no relaxing of vigilance or withdrawal of proper care. Infrct, success in any branch of farming depends more upon persistent effort combined with good judgment, or sound common sense, than upon climate, soil, or other circumstances. No matter where some men are located, they are bound to succeed, and everything they touch, whether new or old, yields a profit. Such fanners do not require the stimulus of novelty, while, there are others who do, and require to have it often repeated, or their love of fanning wanes with each succeeding season.— ls. Y. Sun. —Kerosene and powdered lime, whit ing or wood ashes will scour tins with the least labor.

The test of time and experience is the only sure guide in selecting an instrument. It is of little consequence that a man makes one or two fine pianos or organs for a fair and intrigues successfully for a prize. It is the quality of everyday manufacture that concerns the buyer —not what exceptional and costly instruments have been specially made for exhibition. The Smith American Organs are of high and uniform excellence, and are the best for actual use, having been tried and proved for twentyfive years. Etagere Cabinet Organs.—The etagere, as the French call that elegant article of furniture furnished with a number of small shelves, designed for various small ornamental articles, has become a necessity in every fashionable drawingroom. The Mason & Hamlin Organ Co. are now manufacturing a combination of the etagere and cabinet organ, very rich and beautiful, which they furnish for the price of an organ without the dagere. —The Swiss have a clever way of making cheap boxes without the use of nails, the mitred sides being fastened together by wedge-shaped pieces of wood. An English inventor has recently patented another process which may be used for heavy as well as light boxes. The two pieces of wood to be fastened together are first mitred in the ordinary way, and a hole is then drilled in each piece* vertically from the bottom upward, at a short distance from the mitred edge. A channel or groove is then cut by a saw or otherwise from the mitred edge to the drilled hole. This channel is of less width than the diameter of the hole, and may be cut either parallel to the sides of the piece of wood or at right angles to the mitred edge, so that when the two edges are put together there shall be a continuous channel from one side to the pother, shaped somewhat like a dumbbell, and running from the top to the bottom of the box. A key is formed by running a fusible metal, such as lead, into this channel. The key may be made separately of solid metal and driven into the channel; but, m either way, a joint is formed which can be broken only by tearing away the mitred edges of the wood.