CORTLAND COUNTY FARMERS' CLUB DISCUSSES FUNGUS

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, January 20, 1888.

COUNTY FARMERS’ CLUB.

   The annual meeting was called to order by President Blodgett, who gave a brief review of the ten years since it was organized. He was followed by others. The following were elected officers for the ensuing year: President, A. D. Blodgett; Vice-President, J. D. F. Woolston; Secretary, C. M. Bean; Treasurer, A. P. Rowley; director for three years, Robert Purvis; committee on questions, H. P. Goodrich, B. F. Tillinghast, J. D. F. Woolston, Robert Purvis and N. G. Harmon.

   The following interesting letter, received by Mr. Newton, was read:

   ITHACA. N. Y., Dec 5, 1887.

   Mr. Charles O. Newton:

   Your letter of the 27th of October enclosing some specimens of diseased grass and asking information as to its cause, was handed to me by Prof. Roberts. I have been prevented from answering it until now.

   The disease in question is a true rust and is caused by a microscopic fungus that grows within the tissues of the plant; and when approaching maturity breaks out on the surface into the will known brown or reddish spots called rust. The fungus belongs undoubtedly to the genus Puccinia, several species of which attack our grasses. No preventive is known. The only thing that can be done is to avoid the disease by early cutting. It must be borne in mind, however, that the disease develops most abundantly in warm wet seasons; and the time of cutting must be determined by the time of the first appearance of the fungus.

   The soil has only an indirect influence on the development of the rust; the most vigorous plants, other things being equal, least succumbing to the disease.

   Very truly yours,

   FRED V. COVILLE, Instructor in Botany, Cornell University.

   P. S. On account of the incomplete development of the fungus on the leaves sent me, I am unable to tell the species. F. V. C.

   Mr. Goodrich: I think this may be true in most cases, but that many times the ripening of the grass gives a similar appearance.

   Mr. Bean, W. A.: My experience is that rust comes independently of the ripening period.

   Mr. Harmon: Has any one tried salt for rust on wheat and other crops?

   President Blodgett: They practice it in Onondaga county.

   Mr. Harmon: I tried it several years ago on oats, sowing one bushel per acre through the center of a field, and that portion was bright and the balance rusted.

   Mr. Purvis: I have tried it on barley with good results.

   Mr. Rowley: I have sown it on wheat for years and consider it beneficial.

   Mr. Purvis: I think it is well to experiment on our hot gravelly soils.

   President Blodgett: There has been some complaint of late of a form of hog cholera in the vicinity of the large villages. We hope it may not prove anything serious. I noticed in some paper that one half teaspoonful of carbolic in a gill of milk is recommended for hog cholera.

   Mr. W. A. Bean: I heard stated recently that potato fertilizers should not be applied too green. In other words we should try to feed the soil—let the soil feed the plant rather than to feed the plant directly.

   Subject of "wintering stock" continued at the next meeting, Saturday, January 21.

   Cortland, Jan. 7, 1888.

   C. M. BEAN, Sec'y.

CANTON FAIR.

   The Canton fair to be held in the new Wickwire building on Railroad street from February 6 to the 11th inclusive, promises to excel anything of this kind ever before attempted in Cortland. The managers are making strenuous efforts to place before the people an entertainment in which every one may find both pleasure and profit and which shall be worthy of the large patronage it is sure to obtain.

   One of the most interesting features of the fair will be the Bohemian American Glass Blowers who will be in attendance each afternoon and evening of the week. They will have on exhibition a glass engine which will be seen working every evening. The managers wish it understood that this is not a toy but a real engine five feet long and three and one half feet high. They have also a lady's dress made of glass and will make any article requested that can be made of the same material.

   The curiosity department will be a fair in itself. A representative of the Canton [unit of International Order of Odd Fellows, Patriarchs Militant--CC editor] has recently been in Florida and the South and many objects of interest from those parts will be placed on exhibition. The display will be further augmented by very many rare and valuable articles which have been kindly loaned to the Canton for the occasion. The business men of the town will also have an exhibition which will repay [any hour's visit.]

   A novel feature will be a representative of the zones, in which will be displayed the characteristic forms of vegetation, animal life and also the costumes and characteristics of their people. The two extremes will be placed side by side.

   Holders of season tickets will have one chance in a drawing of each of the seventy grand prizes, lists of which have been published. Holders of single admission tickets during the week will be entitled to one chance for the grand door prize, a New Home sewing machine presented by M. L. Decker, the popular representative of the company in this place.

   Days specially devoted to the interests of various organizations will be set apart. There will be Odd Fellows day, Firemen's Day, District School day, etc. On these days some appropriate prize will be voted for to go to the body receiving the most votes.

   The Mechanics Band will furnish music for the entire week. Dancing each evening from 9 to 12 for which a fine orchestra has been engaged.

   The members of the Canton will appear in full dress uniform two evenings. Invitations have been extended to the Cantons at Albany, Utica, Syracuse, Binghamton, Elmira and other cities, and it is confidently expected by the managers that they will be present on the opening night. Tickets for the Fair are now on sale at Pruden's Gallery and will be found at the hall during exhibition. Parties from out of town desiring to visit the Fair can have the benefit of reduced rates which secretary Robinson has secured. We look for the fair to be one of the events of the season, and wish the managers the greatest success.

HERE AND THERE.

   C. B. Allard is to open a laundry in Wickwire Bros.' old building on Railroad street.

   Send a copy of the DEMOCRAT to your absent friend for a year. It will be appreciated.

   The Homer Band give a hop to-night in Keator Opera House. They propose to hold one every two weeks until the robin comes.

   The annual sermon to the Protective Police, Cortland Fire Department, will be delivered at Grace church on Sunday evening, Jan. 22d, by Rev. John Arthur.

   A donation for the benefit of Rev. L. H. Bahler, pastor of the Presbyterian church in Preble, will be held in that village on Friday evening, Jan. 27th, 1888.

   The new Congregational chapel in Homer contains an audience room 33 feet square and a kitchen 14 by 27 feet. Two set of folding doors allow the rooms to be made one.

   Colonel McGraff, of Albany, will muster in the 45th Separate company, New York militia, at Taylor Hall, Jan. 24th, at 7:30 P. M. Adjutant General Porter is expected to be present.

   The storm of last Wednesday blockaded the E. C. & N. R. R. so effectually that all trains had to be abandoned that day. On the D. L. & W. the snow did less damage and trains were nearly on schedule time.

   Last Monday Mrs. J. L. Wheeler, who resides on Port Watson street, fell on a step covered with ice and broke one of the bones of her left arm between the wrist and elbow. Dr. Hughes reduced the fracture.

   The Hitchcock Manufacturing Co. resumed work in their blacksmith shops last Monday. The other departments will be started soon. The company expect to make 10,000 wagons and 30,000 cutters for this year's trade.

   The Hon. W. D. Tisdale will soon introduce a bill into the Assembly providing for the extension of the charter of the proposed [railroad] between this place and Cincinnatus, known as the Erie and Central New York. It is rumored that should the bill pass, work will be commenced in the early spring.

   One day last week a man registered at the Messenger House as J. H. Sage, but omitted to give his residence. The day following one of the boarders, Mr. Duell Lovell, who is a clerk at Warren and Tanner's store, found that a new suit of clothes was missing from his room. From the fact that Mr. Sage is also missing, and that he had been seen by the employees in the hallway that leads to Mr. Lovell's room, it was surmised that he was the thief. He has not yet been found.

Orris Hose Co. Banquet.

   The annual banquet given by Orris Hose Company at the Cortland House last Friday evening, was one of the most enjoyable occasions of the season. The table was literally loaded down with delicacies and the after dinner speeches were both eloquent and witty. Several invited guests were present to partake of the boys’ well-known hospitality. 
   The following was the MENU.

LITTLE NECK CLAMS, BLUE POINTS, HALF SHELL.

RADISHES, LETTUCE

TARRAPIN AU QUINELLE, OYSTERS.

CELERY.

BROILED SPANISH MACKEREL AU SABAU.

BAKED BLUE FISH, STUFFED WITH FINE H.

POMMES DE TERRE AU SARATOGA.

YOUNG TURKEY. CRANBERRY SAUCE.

CREAMED MASHED POTATOES.

FILET DE ROEUF, CHAMPAGNE SAUCE.

POTATOES A LA PARISIENNE.

ASPARAGUS TIPS A LA CREAM, SWEET CORN.

OYSTER PATTIES A LA BADEN BADEN.

FRESH LOBSTER IN SHELL.

ROMAN PUNCH.

QUAIL ON TOAST. PARTRIDGE. HUNTER'S SAUCE.

SHRIMP AND CHICKEN MAYONNAISE.

RUSSIAN CREAM. LEMON ICE.

PHILADELPHIA ICE CREAM.

RUM JELLY. ASSORTED CAKE.

FRUITS. NUTS.

FRENCH COFFEE.