L'l M If I w LI BRA FLY OF THE UN I VERS IT V'^' or ILLINOIS 630.5 ILF V.5 cop. 3 The person charging this material is re- sponsible for :ts return to the library from which It was withdrawn on or before th^ Latest Date stamped below. To renew call Telephone Center, 333-8400 UNIVERSITY OF lU.NO.S LIBRARY AT URBANA-CHAMPA.r.M L161— O-1096 r U ■ THE ^ /. > ^: . ILLINOIS FARMER; ^tftttMg Jk^Mfttltttfal f fltttnal^ DEVOTED TO THE INTEEE8TS OF THE FARMER, GARDENER, FRUIT GROWER AND STOCK RAISER. M. L. DUNLAP, Editor. ATOLTJiMiE -\r. iseo l?XJ3311.ISIIEr) B"Sr BAILHACHE & BAKER. SPEINGFIELB. ILLINOIS. A 35 •■ ■ it -'? M ,'i J^ ^ ' XT / s i^ ^y^, 3 INDEX TO VOLUME Y: -«•»- AGRIOULTURAL SOCIETIES. SIec wins 8 Clinton County Fair 84 Executive Board Meeting 49 Scott County ." 50 Lee County 19-2 Lee County Fair 60,lf-5 Lee County Spring Fair 7S : Knox County Fair 79 : Atlanta Union Fain 79 J Macon County Fair 205 Macon County Fair 114 I Dupage County Fair. 116 j Cass County Fair 116 I Pike County Fair 116 j Slacoupin County Fair 116 i Macoupin County Fair 20? i Adams County Fair 135 i Hancock County Fair l.So \ Champaign County Fair 155 ' Rock Island County Fair . .■ 135 Edgar County Fair U>5 Sangamon County Fair 156 Green County Fair 156 Agricultural Ingtitutions 74 At Mendota 20* ; Ash, blue 31 ; Ash, E. M 31 I Agricultural Irapleraents 164 ! Agricultural implements 31 \ Are you Insured ? IS i Address of M. L. Dunlap 18 | Appeal to the Ladies 20 j Article, a useful L'03 \ Amphitheater at State Fair. ..164,105,106,168 ; Artist, a young Illinois 170 j Advertising gratis 24 | Architects and Mechanics Journal 50,63 ' April 53 I Ash, E. M. geedsof how to grow 4 | APPLES, what shall we plant 8 ' Apple, barrel ventilation of 186 ; Apple Seedlings 192 \ Applesauce 54 \ In Central Ulinois 115 \ Baldwin 8 j Belmont 8 ] Bogby Russett 11 ■ Bevoni 30 Bethelhemite 47 I Brandy wine 31 I PAOB. APIARY. White Clover for Bees 7,S6 Honey 11 Queen Bee 14 Parthenogensls of bees and moths 41 Swarming 86,116 Honfey made to order 67 Phelps' Hive 67 Division of labor among bees. 202 Bse Hives .115,165 Bees on the Prairie 186 To keep millers from bees 136 The bees and bee hives .146 Artificial swarming 146 Different hives value of .147 Moth top 156 Bees and hives ; . .ilS2 Attica 102,141 Amalgam bells .103,114,166 Agricultural depart ihent of thj Normal University 113 August 121 Agricultural lecture.? 184 American Pomological Society. . . 164 Acknowledgment '. 165 PAOa. Cattle disease, 7«, 77, 88, 111, 115, 122, 185, 103, 156. Chickens, early »....>. T9 Colored plates of fruit 79 Columbus Nursery 79 Chase's hand books 79, 115 Crops along the G. W. R. B 101 Coal at Danville 102 County, its appearance . 102 Crops on the timber lands .102 Cincinnati ....153 Crops and the weather .115 Cobs for fuel 116 Crops in Adams county 123 Curing hay , .' 13.5 PAOl. Fence port*, how to preserve 18 PWl Plowing li, W Formation of the Prairies 80 Fossil Fishes TO Fence, a new patent .14 February 17 Flushman's new mode of plowing S4, 106 Fah-ljanks' scales, 60 60, 72, 79, 9«, 109, 196, 161, 176, 19tl. Francis, bimeon 86, TB Farm houses.. i...... 64 Farm cellars.. ...i..i.. '..;,. 66 Farmers' enemies .T. .62, 70 Flower gardens , 65 Farm heme 98 Catalogues 155 t Fann products, i»riee of 94 comforter '. .!!..'!!.""..'!.. 9 ' Clark, Cholton, and his fruit? at state fair, 1 ^4 '■ "- '' Cook's evajiorator 19! Buckingham 80,79 Black Vandoveer 142 Carolina 80 Carolina Red June 80,75,12.5,144,30 Dorraina Oldenburgh 125 Duche-8 oJ Dunilow 125 Early Hornet 30,75,125,140 Early I'ennock 30 English Russett 31 \ Fall Wine 30 ' Fulton . . ._ .30 Farmuse .'. 31 I Fall Orange. 120 I Fall Water 151 ! Harrison 35 | Horse Apple Ig \ Honiell's Sweet oO j Jonathan 31; Kiawick Codlln .30,75 ' Lowell S,SO I Little Red Romanite 30,125 j Nlckajack 79 | Newtown Pippin 80 I Newtown Epitzenburgh.^ 47 Minklee 3 ' Maiden's Black 30,125 Ortley . . .31 Peck's Plea.sant 8,30 ; Pryor's Red 30 Richfield Nonsuch S R. I. Greei.ing 8,11 Red Astrahera 8,12,30,125,151 Uambo .30 ' Romernstem 30 Rome Beauty 42 \ Roule's Janet 59 ' Sweet June 30 \ Swoor 30 ; Sweet Romanlte 30 Sops of Wine 125 Tallman Sweet 30 , White Winter Peruvian 30 ] White Pippin 30 : Winsop ,.80,67 I Wllow Tree 30,144 ! Yellow Bellflower 80,142 ! Yellow Insrestlne 75 ' B Burlington toQuincy, From..;... ..208 Bed • Beech 31 Box elder .31 Buckeye ..81 Birches 31 Bloomington Nursery 34,5 »,63 Bean Indian 40 Broom Com Culture of 126 Business prospects 144 Birds of Illinois .43 t^-, . . Bread and Biscuit IPO S'*"^'>'"S "^-'^'-'hine. Baker, Mrs. G. H. (Mariah) 190 i Business iy2 1 Birds, display of 103,169 i Botany of State 169 I Broom Corn 177 Beans...* 177 BL.^.CKBERRIES, value of 20 Wine, how to make 64 The crop 116 Borers and moths 165 Bishop's Hill Colony 125 Baker, Mrs. G. B. ".Mariah." letter of 68,59,74 Bloomington 116 Beautify your houses .74 Barometers 95 Breaking plows for two horses 95 Blind Asylunr 105 Breaking prairie 114 Breaking prairie, wlien shall we?. ." LVJ Crops in Michigan 155 Chicago bank note detector 156 Coal for swine... - 156 Crops in Wisconsin .... 156 Cattle at the state fair. 168, 164, 166 Cattle, Devon, 28 head of 1"0 Counterfeiters and j/ickpockets 165 Clevis, Taylor's. 166 Crystals 17«» Cook's nursery 177 Chess, premium for 177 Commercial college, B. 4 Stralton's 177 Decemlier .197 j Delay of this Number. 209 i Dogs, give them water 32 I District scliools, value of 1 : ~ H. & Tucker's 13 i Deep tiller 80, 1.56 ; Deep tilling h.:M^fff, : Double Micliigan plow ,. W, &• ; Deciduous ornamental trees 31 ; Dunlap's nursery 50, 96, 155 Dupage county nursery 83 j Double shovel plow 96 : Deaf and Dumb Asylum ,...100 Draining and subsoiling. W7 • Drugs, a good place for 116 ' Dbcon, Fair at ....165 i Deaf and dumb Asylum .171 I Ditching machine, Hammond's .lu j Commercial 209 Corn Sheller, Adams' 2l)S Colored Fruits 209 Crops of l.N)» 14 Crops of Oliio in 1S5!) .14 Crops of Cliampaign county 14 Chestnuts 31, 1'4 Cucumlxn- tree 31 Calves, rearing of 37 Clough Mr., li.-tter of .38 Cincinnatus ."lO Cheney, Post & Co XA Cellars 55, 72 County Fairs .60 Chiifa or Earth Almonds 3t>4 China, interior of T."> CORN, King Philips 47 Ma::ket for 49 I Editor's Table 20S i Editor's table, 14, 34, 49, 63,73, 95, 114. 1:34, i 155,170,191. j Eastern ».s. Western farming 11 j Exchanges, where to address 14 ! Express company 19 EG YI'T, boundary of 1'-, *', "> Cliinrite and products lt> Prairies of 20 ' Butter in -W Letter of 4=3, 123 Spring in •>9 Tomatos in 65 Prospects of fruit in 77 A trip to 94 (Jardens in 123 Drouth in IS*) ' Heard from 16.> Summer and crops in 19*' EVERGREENS, planting of \\^i List of hardy %^ In belt-s 25 When to plants 25, 26 Costof 26 Tree peddlers " 79 Native 60, »o \ 31 .30 Culture of lA, 95 Shcllers, .McQuestoi's W, M) " Ad:uns' hand 05! Elm, white Deep plowing for Ill i Education, agricultural Crop prospect 11.5 " K new system 143 New grades l"* Culture iif, at state fair Iti') I'lanttrs. suit in regard to 1S7 Seed Engravings of stock . Editors' work Ernst, A. 11., death of Elwanger k Barry, letter of. . . Evans F. , letter of ,34 .66 .05 .92 101 I Esterly's self-raking reaper 110 Sheller, SIcQueston's 192 i Exports of bread stuffs 145 CULTIVATORS, Young's 48 64 ' 55P"'"f "P proposed 16.5 Bovden's 95 j S"!**"".* ^^^^ Fie'ld's 95 ' Turner's 1.36 j Turner's Illinois 166 ! At the state fair 166 '■ CURRANTS, Culture of 2^? ' Worm on the 105 j Red Dutch 1.30 | Cherry, grafting of 57, 78 Commissioners' report 127 .164 Editorial staff at state fair 170 Essay on rural life 1^^ Election of officers at state fair 16.5 Flower Garden, The. Farmer's Journal .209 .209 Farmers, what do you live for? 4 ; Hog cholera. Field's rotary cultivator..... ..96 i Farming on a grand scale. 125 I Farmers' Zeitung 1«6 I FRUITS, small value of. . ..65, 67, 58, 75, 1«S ; Preservation of .80, 144 ; Show of a Want of .......1 Trees for ornament ..........^..12 Growing at an early day. .............^96 Convention .87 Stealing of 29 Wash for 1 14 Trees to an acre . . . . ; 184 Trees of peddlers 185 Show of at state fair 168 Collared, Dawson's 176 Fosalsat state fjur 168, 170 Floral hall .- 1C3, 164, 168 Fence, a patent 164 Farm Products at state fair 165 Farmers meetings at rtat« fair 166, 171 Fine arts at state fair 169 Ferns from the coal measures 170 Pair, county, what can be made of * 176 Flower pots 177 Fanner's clothes 201 Fall Plowing ...179,191 "Field notes" 192 Farming in 1860 203 Farm Grain Mills, my Exprience in uring.203 Felon, asure remedy for a 203 Gardener's Monthly, The 208 Gratuitous Advertising 9(lS Glue, Spalding's 176.190,208 Grapery, a cold 167 Grapery and Grape Culture 187 Geological Survey K Gardening at Jonesboro 84 Genessee Farmer 88 Glue, Spalding's Prepared. ..3:3,68', 16,91,109. 120,153 Gardener's .Monthly 34,u0,64 Good Butter 34 Geology, collections of speclmeng 43 Garden Evergreens 114 Grain, movement of 166 Grasses, cultivation of 76 Green Peas .95 G. W. R. R. and the 8t*te F^r 95 Greenwood Miles' Manufactory 103 Geology of the Wabash 142 Gophers 144 Grain trade of Chicago 148 Grapes, culture of 89 Concord 9,156 Delaware 9 Comments on 31 Layering of 79 Cost of fruit 93 Cold Grapery of I. N. Arnold 93 Summer pruning of 114 Experiments 153 Gooseberries. Houghton and others 28 Culture of - .28 Worms on the. 105 Garden the 78 Good advice 98 Hams Suyar Cured ;. . 209 Hor«es at State Fair .164,166,168 Humbugs, Corn Planters and Patents in general 191 Horticulturist, the 14,85,M Horse taming 84,180 Horse chestnut ...81 Hubbard squash. 40 Homestead, the 60 Hedging 60 Housekeeping 54 Home talk 58 .78,90 8609 I :iSr D E X . '■ .^- ^PAGI. . i Hahneman'i Medical College 79 Horse rake, revolving 115 History of the steel plow 181 Hogg, pens of 155 Hand book , 156 I INSECTS. The Hessian Fly 8,4,53,53 -Chinch bug, how to check its ravages. . .7 Remarks of Wm, Walsh on 2(; The Curculio, huw to destroy 42 Collections of 43 Winter effect on 53 Peach borer 79 The Curculio, time lor 114 The borer 115 The bark louse 125,156 fnSiana State Fair 156 Indiana Farmer 166 Ice houses 6 Illinois Natural Historical Society, Meeting of 125 Illinois Central Railroad Lands 203 Indian Weapons 169 Iron Amalgam Bells 191 Important discovery in camphene 67 Illino's State Journal 63 Indian bean 40 Indianapolis 102,104 Insane Asylum 104 January 1 Johnson, n. P. letter of 2 Japan apule-pie melon 40 June S5 July V'l Johns, J)r. H. C. wisdom of 116 Johns, Mrs. N. C. essay on rural life ISo Joseph's corn 40 Jones, K. K. letter of 47 Jones, K. K. letter of 1S4 Kennicott, Dr 176 KIrtland, D. J. P. letter of 8,41 Kerosene oil 115 Locust, varieties of and culture 5 Locust, Black 18 Linden, Amos 81 Larch 81 Love of the beautiful ,. 44 Lamville Nursery 30,64 Land roller, cast iron 64,79,114 Locust seed, how to sprout 65 Lightning rods 78,95 Land, how to sell 116,135 Linin and flax 134 M March .' 87 Manures 2<>4 Minerals at State Fair 170 Mastodon 1 70 Melodeons, Prince & Co 191 Mice and Trees 192 Magnolia Gloria 8 Melodeons, Geo. A. Prince & Co 15,78 Music, value of 84,61,115 Medals, value of 83 Milk sickness 8S March 44 Melodeon agency 50 May 70 Manufactures, why don't the West 73 M ixims 94 Missouri Fruit Grower's Association 95 Mariah Kstelle, letter of 109 Married 115 Melodeons, value of 84,61,115 Mole drainer 119 Maryland Agricultural College 156 N ■ November 181 Nursery, the Columbus (Ohio) 20S New York Ledger 7 Normal University 12 Nicoll's House 31 Natural History at the State Pair. 162,163,169 Natural History Hall 105 Natural History Society Meeting of 43 North-Western Parmer 63 Naperville 93 No Cattle Show in Massachusetts '.I5 Niles, work and the big bell 104 Naturalist, not far 153 o October 161,177 O'Rellly'B American Terracultor 208 Otis, R. C 183 Out bow S Ohio Farmer .■34,63 Our paper 34 Ohio Pomological Society .63 Old Firkin, letter of 75,112 Oats 46 Ohio Cultivator 64 PAOK. Our trip 101 Osage Hedging 50,152 Seed how to sprout 65 ORCHARDS. Apples for Northern Illinois 80 Apples for Central Hllnois 80 Apples for Southern IlMnoii .80 Form and size of trees 27,80 Age of trees to plan' 26,80 Culture of 26,30 Autumn work In 39 Setting of 17T Site for 11 Digging holes for trees 11,27 Protection of 11,20 Aspect of 20 Pruning of 20,49.78 Crops to cultivate In -SO Fall planting of trees 11,27 Proportion of 20,'27 Setting out '. 66 In Central Illinois 92 Ohio Valley Farmer 108 Ornamental and Market Gardening 123 Our Canadian Visitors 12S Prairies, of the Western States The.— Their Advantages 203 Prince of Wales, The 209 Premiums for Crops Awarded by the Indiana State Fair 206 Progi-ess against Fogy dom 1 62 Plowing Match 167 Paintings 170 Premiums, list of at State Fair 171,177 Potatoes 177 Potatoes, the Carter 192 Peach Pits 192 Powell, W. H. letter o' 8 Poisinous plants of Ohio 6 Pragress S Pumpkins, large yiehl of 11 Potatoes, manure for 11 To keep hogs from routing 42 The culture of 44 Sweet, seed of 60,64 In Adams County 56 Sweet, plants for sale 64 Sweet, manual 63 Culture of y i Exptrimeiit with 11-2 Sweet, late setting 116 The crop and a market 156 PLANTS. Care of 0,50 Cultivation of 4;} Pears,, disease of 29 Pratt's Ditcher 79 Preserves 11 Peach trees, cutting back 11 Prairie Fruit Culturist U Persimons 18 Peach Orchards 29 Prairie Farmer .V) Pleuro Pneumonia. .76,76,88,121,115,122,136, 1.^)3,156 Peach trees for sale 154 Peachful 156 Post Off.ce change 96,176 Plums, disease of 29 Poultry rearing 109 Political 116,165 Plantain 164 Plowboy's of the West 146 Plow Premium 146 Q QUINCES 12 Shortlived 42 Salt for 42 R Rural Annual, The 209 Rat Terrier 209 Reading, time for 1 Rural Alfairs, Annual Register of. 20S Rain amount of Id Rugg, a. H., letter of 32 Reaper trial i)roported 32 Rooms of State Agricultural Society 34 Rural Annual 63 Reiiuiescain, poetry '^4 Rain, amount of in InV,* Ill, 127 Rye for hogs 1 15 Railroad fares 11.) Railroads iuid half-fares 124 Rats, remedy for I'iii Rat Terriers 208 RASl'RKKRY, culture of 2S Pur])lc cane 29, 79, l.M Black cap 29, 130 Allen '2'.i Cattiiwissii 2-5 B. Fontenoy 2U Ohio cranberry 29 Brinkle's orange 29 Black cap, culture of 150, l,Vj .Jam l.V) Lake Superior LV) Purple cane, its history 1^3 Purple Cane ." 209 Repc>rt on 19S Rhubarl), Wyatt's Victoria 1,56 Rliubarb, Scotch hybrid l.')!) Reynolds, J. P. k-t'ter of. lo:i PAOB. Rye and chess 145 Roses, monthly 145 Robbing, S. W. , letter of 126 Reapers and mowers .^ . .166 Rain, artificial way of making.. 1S9 'r i r Swine, history of 2, 14 Sorgum in Iowa 9 SiJk worms 9 Stock, wintering of 9 Sugar cane convention 10 Seasons 17, 92, 110 State Fair, when to Ije held 41 Sewing machine, its value.. 31, 79, 80, 9.'), 115 Subsoil plow 28, 60, 04 Silver maple seedlings 44, 50, 64, 184 Size wins 8 Silver leaf maple 31 Silver leaf poplar 31 Sugar maple 81 Seed List 208 Singular Fact 206 Shade tree.i, list of 31 Sweet potatoes 85 SUGAR CANE, Chinese and African 38 Manufactory at Paua. 38 Value for stock 39 Experiments with .39 Remarks on 60 Sugar from 135 Squasli, Hubbard 40, 65 Squash, Metairie 40 Sugar cured hams i>5 South Pass Hort. society 42 Stetson, E., letter of 43 Shells, collection of 43 Sale of stock at Sunmiit farm 79 Sap sucker 79 Stump puller 92 Scarlet fever, a remedy 49 Springfield nursery 40 Spring is coming G2 Sullivant Farm 64 Scientific Artizan 79 Swine, to new comers S7 Shaw, Henry, letter of 92 STEAM PLOW, Fawkes, 14, 2-3, 84, 50, 64, 7S, 30, 95, 1.35. Fawkes, what it Is 17 Waters 33, 95 Bassett .33 Subsoiling 108 State Hort. Society, meeting of 4y Sewing Machines and the Royal Family. . .209 STATE AG. SOCIETY, Meeting of 49 Rooms of 34 Preiiuuuis offered on field crops 60 Premium list 79, 95 List of ollicers ' 176 Con.stitution of 19i STRAWBERRIES. Wilson's Albany 28, 9>i Iowa 2n Extra red 28 Longworth's prolific 29 Ilovey's seedling 2-i Burr's new jiine 28 Prolific bought boy 28 Hooker ". 28 Peabody 28 Culture of ,...28 Slarketing of 28 From Dr. Warden SO Early Scarlet 96 Hudson 90 McAvoy's superior 96 As a paying crop llo Great yield of^,,/ .-. 187 SOUTHERN /LL HORT. BOClETY, Meeting-fof H, 79 Meeting, failure of 94 And the HI. Cent. Railroad 84 Exidanation by B. G. Roots 124 Superior Job Printing 209 Silver ware for i>remiuius 95 State fair 9.% 116, 135 Shelter, value of H, 20, 63, 56, 95 "■ ■ '- .) Str .112 Smart Boy 11,5 Season and the crops 180 School and family readers 135 St, Louis fair 1.35 Seed, quantity per acre 7S State fair grounds 136, 151 Septend>cr 141 State line 141 Shiftles.s farming 149 State Horticultural Society 206 State Agricultural Society 209 Sorghum Syrup 209 STATE FAIR at Jacksonville 162 A glance at-the state fair 162 Suppressions of exiubitor's names 162 The buildings 162 A success 177 Steam plow, Fawkes 163, 1(» Stock at state fair 103 Swine at state fair 1(!3 Sheep at state fair 103 Stock for St. Louis 105 Sewing machines at state fairs 16.5, 191 Springfield Zouoze prays 167, 108 Seed sower, Copeland's ISS Seasons, progress of iss Subsoil plowing 192 PAoa. Turtle soups 40 Transactions of the State Agrlculta.al So- ciety 209 Farmer's Clothes 201 Town and country 3 Timber, preservation of ....6 The Farmer, what It will be 9 Tulip tree n 31 Tile, cost of 23 Trees, western i .34 Tree peddlers 47 65 Thomas, Cyrus, letter of .'.52 Threshers 79 The Hoosier capital 102 Timber belts, value of 11, 20, 53, 66 Timber, growing 55 Tlie frost of June 4th, '69 TD2 The late tornado 115, 116 Tomato pickles 125 Trip to the Wabash 141 Talk with the editor 143 Turner, J. B., social chat with 162 Textile fabrics at state fair 165 The railroad r«. the state fair 163 The big tent ^ 165 The Grove nurserv 176 "The Seminary Bdl" 177 The dying of the month 187 Tobacco Crop, The 8o2 ■ ' ' Tj .;::-■■••■■;/ ' ' Under draining 33 United States fair 14 United States Ag. Society 185 United States fair 777 Vetches 41 'Vines, culture of 71 Vinegar, how to make 186 IT Winter, value of. 17 Weather, The 208 Wheeler, Merick & Co.'s thresher 82 Work, plans of for the year 1 WHEAT, transmutation of 34 Spring 22 W inter 22 Chapter on spring wheat 45 Spring vs. winter 46 Whiter killmg 68 Rust and smut in , 183 l»rilluig of 134 Winter sowing of 147 Crop of in Wisconsin 155 Slunt in seed 165 Spruig, discussion of at state fair 166 Fall sown 182 Wisconan wheat crop 166 Woods, J. R., letter of 144 Woodruff, H. D., letters of, 56, 107, 123,183. White beans 22 Wax Flowers , ] n Wind, value of 14 Weather !!84 WINE, currant, how to make " . 7 Rhubarb ii Blackberry 11. 64,'il5 Catawba n Warden on hedges and evergreens 155 Warden, Dr. J. A., letter of 88 Weed hook 43 57 Woolen factory ,• /141 Western printing .*.'.' .164 Wholesale nursery trade 47 Wisconsin Farmer 50 Weejiing willows 59 64 Watts, Thomas, poetry ','. .'.'.'. . .'. 85 Wilbur, Emery & Co " !!.'!95 Wire fence !!!*.!! "95 Wlutewash, durable !.!.'.' .'i]4 Washington, memoirs of .116, 156 Wisconsin fruit growers' association. . .125, 156 Woods, collection of 170 Watermelons !!!'.!!! !l77 W^iue, culture of in Ohio .'!!.'!.. .189 AVaukegan nursery .*.'.' .190 Woodburu nursery ".'.".'.'. 191 ENGRAVINGS. Cherry dark g French uieriuo sheep ! ! ! ! ! 10 Wheeler's improved patent ........... .82 Jubilee of Albion "',' "40 Manny's Reaper .."..'..,..'. . .42 Bethlehemite apple '.'..!.'!. "47 Newtown Spitzenburgh .*.'.'.* '. '. '. .47 Young's cultivator '.!."! !48 Dunlap's weed hook !!.'!.'!.' .57 Moline plow .'.'."!!!. 57 Winesap apple .'.!'..'.'! !59 Rsiwles Janet :'.','.'.'.'.'.67 Manny's reaper works .'H Hiort horn cow, Adelaide .".!.' !s8 Fluslunan's new mode of plowing, 8 cuts..ioO Red Astrachan apple 151 Fallowater apple ! .151 VOLUME V. SPRINGFIELD, ILL., JANUARY, 1860. NUMBER I. THE ILLINOIS FARMER. PUBLIBUBD MOWTHLT, BT BAILHACHE & BAKER, JouKN/u. Ofriox, Spiukofmls, Ilusoib. M.L. DUNLAP, Editor. <•»■ — - TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. One eopT, one year, ia advance...-- _— (1 00 FlTe copieB, " " 3 79 Ten " and one to the person petting npclnb .. 7 60 Fifteen copies and over, 62*/^ cents each, andone to person getlioK up club, OIBB R&T1I OF ADTIIlTIsmO : One dollar par *qaar* of ten lioes, each iniertlon. CONTENTS. January.... - 1 More about tho Hog and its history 2 Town and country 3 Queries about Wheat 3 Sowing Mountain Ash Seed 4 Farmers what do you lire for f 4 Farinvrs Ice houses ....« • 5 The Locust 5 Durham BuU— Chicago Duke 6 Poisonous Plants of Ohio ^...._ 6 Care of Qouse Plants 6 The i^iary „ — 7 To the friends of Horticulture 7 Important discovery .7 ChlnchBng 7 Premium Currant Wine .....7 The New York Ledger 7 Editorial Bow 8 Bize Wins 8 What variety of Apples shall we plant ? „...8 Sorghum in Iowa 9 Magnolia Glaaca .9 Autumn work in the Orchard 9 About wintering Stock ».9 Concord and Delaware Grapes 9 Crops — Advantages of Fall Plowing 10 Sugar Cane Convention 10 Amount of lain in 1868 , 10 French Merino f'heep 10 noUTICnLTURAL. Annual Meeting of the Southern Illinois Pomological and Horticultural Society, held atTamaros, Perry county, 111 , December 'iOth, Slst. 1859 11 Fruit trees for ornamental purposes 12 The Egyptians moving ., :„ 13 Texas .'. 13 Another competitor far the (500 Premium of (be 111. Cent. Railroad Company, for the best Ditching Machine 13 How to Preserre Fence Posts 13 Difference between Eastern and Western Farming 13 THE KDIXOH'a TABLE, The crops of 1869 - 14 How corn shrinks ; 14 • United SUtes Fair at Chicago 14 Pawkes' Steam Plow 14 . Illustrating the Farmer 14 To Nurseoymen 14 Our Kxchanges..^ 14 The Prairie Fruit cult^rist 14 Fawkes' Stfam Plow 14 The Horticulturist 14 Plowing by gleam 14 State Horticultural Society 14 More about tWe Hog and its History 14 Engravings for the Farmer , 14 A New Fence. ....14 Culture of Fruit „ 16 Engravings of Stock 16 Prince's Melo'ieons 16 Geological Bnrvey 15 MARKETS ....15 January. Oh Wintsri rnler of the inverted year. Thy scattered hair with sl«et-itiiui-.,iii-Ki;-.«»,'.-— '. . THE ILLIISrOIS FA.IIME]R. his hogs, and feeds and fats them on corn, is doing a losing business. To be a source of profit, the hog must attain his growth by grazing and by *' staying waste," more or less of which inevitably follows stock raising and many farming operations. For this purpose, a larger and hardier breed is wanted than the SuflFolk, or the pure Berkshire. The Irish Grazier is no doubt an excellent breed; so is the Chester county, of Pennsylvania, and so are numerous oth- ers ; but the testimony seems to be in favor of a stock of hogs, got out of our best native sows, large, long and deep, by the pure black Berkshire. The pro- duce of this cross grow as large as the best native stock, but make a great deal more flesh and fat on a less quantity of food, and in less time. It is of the first importance to to the farmers of Illinois, whose hogs almost entirely go into the hands of the packer, to get a large breed of hogs, and make them weigh well. — Two hogs- that weigh 800 pounds are worth more than five that weigh 1,000 pounds. Indeed, two hogs, or two hun- dred, that weigh 400 pounds each, will bring $40, or f4,000, much more readily than five, or five hundred, weighing 200 pounds each, will bring $40 or $4,000 — the first being rated at $5, and the sec- ond at $4, per hundred. In short, the packer views a hog as a log of wood is viewed by the miller : valuable according to the square of its weight, or diameter. Experience and observation have estab- lished the fact, that in propagating spe- cies, among domestic animals, the male gives the form and the female the size. Hence, mules sixteen or seventeen hands high are got out of roomy, hardy mares, by jacks, high bred, but comparatively diminutive. The Berkshires brought into this State in August, 1857, by the Illinois Stock Importing Association, (a body of men who deserve the heartiest thanks of every farmer in Illinois,) have been largely bred to native sows, and this stock has furnished some of the heaviest lots of hogs that have gone to market this season. For the benefit of some of the foreign readers of yonr paper, we will give an outline of the method pursued by our farmers in raising swine and producing pork. This method, or one near akin to it, must be pursued in order to render the growing and feeding of hogs profit- able. The sows are bred to farrow in April and May, and pick up a good living, during winter, among the cattle and horses. In April or May, accord- ing to the forwardness of the season, they are turned, sometimes with other stock and sometimes by themselves, into a timothy, clover and blue grass pasture; or meadow, and remain there until the stubbles are ready, which they are ex- pected to glean in July and August. — The pigs make a strong growth, and the sows sustain themselves well under the same circumstances, care being taken to furnish plenty of water and shade, if convenient. They then return to tho pastures till corn is ripe, or out of the milk — generally by the 1st of Septem- ber. If the sows are intended for an early market, they are, together with the stock hogs, turned into a lot adjoin- ing the corn, and fed plentifully and frequently, and put on from ten to twelve pounds for every bushel of corn fed. The rapidity with which hearty, vigorous hogs, which have besn pastured well during the summer season, will lay on flesh, when high fed with green corn, is wonderful. This is due to the pre- paratory course of summer feeding, which has put them in the healthiest condition, enlarged their stomachs, and endowed them with great capacity of digestion and assimilation. Meantime, the pigs and stock hogs, intended to be kept over, and those selected for a later market, are kept on grass until into November, and sometimes^ as in this season, into December. During the winter the spring hogs run with the cat- tle, go to grass in April or May again, and at eighteen or twenty months old, are fatted on the incoming corn crop, and, if well cared for, should weigh from 275 to 350 pounds, average. The Berkshire hog is surely, and in some places swiftly, winning its way to general favor, and promises in a few years to take the eminent rank among swine, that the noble Short Horns do among our cattle. It is possible we have done injustice to the Suff'olk, and that the objectionable features we see in this breed of swine have not the origin and do not come of the causes we have imputed. But as there has been; for several years, a system of steady praise, if not puffery, in its favor, we have thought a little talk on the other side of tho question, and in favor of a breed of such eminent merits as the Berkshire, was due in fairness and honesty. BENJ. F. JOHNSON. West Urd an a, Champaign County, Dec. 1859. Town and Country. — We wish that any hints we can offer might induce our stalwart young men who are struggling for a livelihood in towns and cities, to go forth into the country, throw off the livery of conventional life, put on the frock, and, with uprolled sleeves, seize themselves the plow, and "greatly inde- pendent'' live. The prolific bosom of mother earth has enough for all her chil- dren who will seek their supplies from her abundance, for giving doth not im- poverish her, and scattering her bles- sings but increases her D^o^ins. — [Horti- culturist. For tho Tllinoii Tanner. Springfield, Nov. 21, 1859. Dear Sir: — Inclosed will you please find two specimens of winter wheat taken from the model farm connected with the Normal University at Bloomington. This wheat was drilled in on blue grass, (ploughed dur- ing the summer,) on the 6th of September; come up finely, and did well until about October, when the small kind was attacked by the fly. • The large kind is from seed raised in Michigan, and called the Amber wheat — a very large red wheat — ^brought two years since from Maryland. The small specimen is from seed grown in McLean county, said to be the finest red wheat raised in the county. These iwo kinds were drilled in, side by side, at the same time and in all re- spects treated alike. I have been unable to find a single fly on all the large wheat, while over one half the small kind is in the con- dition of the stem inclosed. The specimens sent you were pulled within ten inches of each other, or the distance between the drill teeth. In all cases where the wheat lias bcsen af- fected by the fly, a second growth has put out like the one inclosed. '-■ ' Having stated this much, I beg to make the following inquires: 1st. What kind of fly is it in this wheat? 2d. Were the eggs, which are now hatch- ing out, in your opinion, deposited on the kernal of the wheat before it was sowed; or were they deposited after the wheat came up on the footstalks? 3d. If the latter, why has the lar^ wheat no flies in it? 4th. Will these eggs hatch this fall if the cold weather does not come on too soon, and if it does, will they remain till spring, and then hatch out. and destroy the re- mainder of the *rheat? 5th. Will the new shoot now putting out produce wheat or cheat? I£ you have a moment to spare, I shall be exceedingly gratified to receive a brief reply to my several queries. Very respectfully, yours, W. H. Powell. Remarks. — The two samples of wheat are dissimilar. The "Amber'' wheat is very large and healthy looking, while the sample of "May wheat" is small and sickly. There is a natural difference in the growth of the two varieties, the latter not being of as large a growth, but it has long been a very popular variety, from its early maturity. At the south part of the State it ripens sometimes as early as the last week in May and always the first of June. 1st. Pupa of the "Hession Fly," (^Ceci- domi/ia destriictor, of Sa,j.) 2d. Tho eggs are deposited on the blades of the wheat, and after hatching, pass down between the sheath and stem and injure the plant by sucking its juices. 3d. When the insects are not abundant they can select the place of deposite of their eggs. The May wheat has become well THE ILLIjSTOIS EA.IIMER. known as its favorite place of resort. When abundant, it sometimes lays its eggs in rye and timothy, A strong growing wheat like the "Amber," would be best able to resist its riivages, as it requires several of the insects to destroy a single plant. We therefore do not conclude that the "Amber'' is fly proof, that the May wheat is the first to be destroy- ed, from the fact of some property in it that pleases the parent fly. 4th. These pupas will remain as they are until April or first of May, they then pass out of the pupa case in the form of a fly maggot, and the fly itself appears, lays its eggs in the creases of the leaves, when in about five to ten days they are hatched, and at once find their way down between the sheath and stem, when they commence pumping up the juices of the plant. If the plants average half a dozen each the crop is settled for, and you may proceed to plow it up for other crops. There arc two or three varieties of ickncuman flies that prey upon these pupas, and sometimes so lesson their number that they do little harm. You can easily see by the 10th of May what is to be done with the crop, whether to let it stand or plow under. Nothing but the ichnenman will save it now. 5th. We are no believer in the doctrine that wheat will under any condition of things turn to cbcsa. We have grown too much chess, much more than good farming would warrant, but we could always trace it to natural causes. If there is chess in the soil, and it will remain in meadow land for a long series of years, or if but a small quantity was in the seed; the thinning out of the wheat plants will allow the chess room to swell out into wonderful prolific proportions. We know of no better place for the insect tribe to make tbeir forays than the "model farm," if it is their ambition to have their ways watched and duly to be gazetted by our friend Powell, the efficient Superintendent of these grounds. All stubble land containing the Hessian fly should be turned under immediately after harvest, as then they are in the pupa state and can be destroyed. Lite sowing is sometimes a remedy, say after 20th September, as at that season the fly will have laid her eggs, but in this case the young plants are in danger from an enemy nearly as fatal — the winter frost. ••» . Sowing Mountain Asn Seeds. — In one of your late numbers, in answer to a,n inquiry about planting the seeds of the "Mountain Ash," you recommend putting them in the rotton pit one year. This I believe is in accordance with most publications on that subject, but my experience has taught me difiercnt. I had little more difficulty in growing these seeds than those of the apple. I prefer sowing them thick in beds instead of drills. Let the bed be well prepared and raked smooth, then cover the sur- face with light mould; sow the seeds on after being washed from the pulp, rake lightly, and the process is finished. Let them grow one season in the seed bed and they are ready to transplant into nursery rows. They vegetate early in the spring, and the young plants being weak will not come up through a heavy soil, hence the necessity of covering the bed with vegetable mould. — [Genesee Farmer. Farmers what do >ou Live for? We cut the following remarks from the N. W. Farmer., which will be found as appropriate to this latitude as to Northen Iowa: Ed. It is for the pupose of acquiring title to all the land which "joins you" with- out regard to the means, or the'sacrifice which you are obliged to make in doing so? It is to break up your boundless prairies and thereby increase the num- ber of acres of your crops, from year to year, regardless of the proportion be- tween the expense and the profits of the operation? Is it to increase the number of your cattle, horses, sheep and hogs, regardless of the expense of keeping — the quality of the animals, or the profits arising from the sales thereof? Is it to amass wealth for future gcneratrons, re- gardless of you present comfort and en- joyment? Is it to pinch your life out for the sake of becoming rich — for the purpose of furnishing your children with a "bone of contention," or a profligate son with the means of defraying his ex- penses down to perdition? We are afraid that too many of you, would answer this question in the affirmative were we permit- ted to take your practic for your answers, which would not be very flattering to the pride of your more rationalintervals. It is true, that you are not the only class of men who act upon the same principle. — But, other men ac tunder different cir- cumstances, and their conduct is no ex- cuse for yours. You must recollect that one great point is conceded by all candid men, to-wit: that no condition of life affords so favorable an apportunity for the real enjoyments of life as the farm- ers. The perpetuity of our free institu- tions depends upon the virtue and intel- ligence of our citizens; and, for that virtue and intelligence we are chiefly de- pendent upon you. Well, then, if you are not guilty of doing the things of which we have so broadly hinted that we suspect you, what are you doing ? Are you doing your duty? Have you moral courage enough to defy the current of public opinion, and discharge your duty to yourself and country ? Ask you what that duty is? Your own conscience, and your own interests tells you plainly what it is. The question is, will you do it? ^ ^ - Permit us to give you a few items of what we consider to be you*duty. Own no more land than you can oc- cupy to advantage, as the capital inves- ted in useless land is generally poorly invested. Recollect, that one acre, well cultiva- ted, will produce as much as three acres poorly cultivated, besides the money invested, and labor and materials wast- ed. If you have more land than you really need, sell part of it, and with the pro- ceeds improve the balance of your farm, build comfortable houses for youself, and family, and stock, and otherwise improve your premises, and you will be f;ir more comfortable and happy in the end. Keep less stock, and that of a better quality. You can just as easily raise a horse worth two hun'dred dollars, as one worth one hundred dollars, as many of you now do, not seeming to care so much about the quality as the number. Obtain the best breeds of stock, of all kinds — give them proper care and keeping, for you lose twice as much by stinting your stock, either in sfood or shelter, as you gain in so doing. They will require protection from the inclemency of the weather just as much as you do, if you would derive the high- est amount of profit from them possi- ble. But, your stock is not all you have to look after. Your crops require your especial attention. Perhaps you will say, *'what is there about farming that everbody don't understand ?'' Do you know how your land ought to be plowed? If you do, and practice upon your knowl- edge, you are one in a thousand. Most farmers are afraid to disturb mother earth; and, therefore just tickle her bos- om, and she soon ''runs out," as they say. Don't you know that the richest soil upon the Mississippi bottom "runs out" sometimes ? What is the cause ? you ask. The cause is perfectly plain. Those properties of the soil required for the growth of the same crop, from year to year, become exhausted in the sur- face; and, hence it becomes necessary to sub-soil, a practice which all lands require occasionally at least. By this time you understand that we mean to say that you must plow deep — and that is not all; plow thoroughly, and often, both before planting and after. Well, seeding, perhaps, will be the most im- portant step in order. Do you know what kind of seed you ought to plant ? If you do, do you ])lant it ? Here you are planting seed; and although you know better, you say, you are planting any- thing you can get, rather than take a ts^arn^'^ THE ILLIISrOIS F^HMiEIl. little trouble to procure good seed. Can you expect to raise good crops from poor seed ? Certainly not. Now can you see the reason why mother earth * 'runs out," as you say? Don't any- thing "run out'' when it has a mean origin, and no chance for improve- ment? Let U3 tell you what we would do un- der such circumstances. "We would pro- cure the best seed, of all kinds which we wished to plant. We would then be sure to put the ground in the ■ best possible condition. Then we would plant our seeds after the most approved methods, and take the best possible care of our crops until harvest. If we should plant poor seed and take no care of our crops, we should expect a poor return for our labor. Again, in a new country, like ours, we would plant orchards as soon as we could get the ground in a suitable condi- tion to receive the seed, or the trees. — This is a matter which is shamefu^ neglected in new countries. A good orchard is a valuable acquisition to a farm, and you have no excuse for being without one, after living upon your farm for eight or ten years. You want ap- ples— both green and dried — and you can certainly raise them much cheaper than you can buy them at present prices m our State. A little sweet ci^r now and then is not an unpleasant affair to manage. And, if it becomes sour, you can make vinegar of it — just the stuff in a family. We would set Ledges where timber is scarce, as it is in some portions of the Northwest. We would also plant groves of forest trees. They will afford fuel, and timber for various other purposes in a few years. We would try to make home the dearest spot on earth. We would educate our sons and daughters, not only in books, but in practice of all those great and good principles which make up the character of a good citizen. We would teach them that labor is hon- orable when exercised for an honorable purpose. To the real accomplishments of life we would give all the encourage- ment in our power. "We would impress upon the minds of our children, as they are about bidding adieu to the paternal roof, perhaps forever, their real duty to themselves, their country, and mankind. You need not flatter your- selves with the idea that your children will thank you for depriving yourselves of the comforts of life, for the sake of leaving them a fortune. If you train them aright, they will not need it. If not, they are not prepared to receive it. Enrich their minds, and they will thank you, so will the world at large. The possessor of mental wealth is the true aristocrat of the land. We must stop. If we have said anything from which you can learn wisdom, we are very glad. — We wish we had space to say more, but practice upon what you think worthy of imitating, and we shall be satisfied. Farmers' Ice Houses. — In order to secure the benefit of the ice crop of win- ter, the preparations must all be made beforehand. If the farmer would enjoy the luxury of a lump of ice in the hot season, he must lay in his own supply, and not like the people in cities, depend upon the ice wagons, which bring it to their doors, day by day. The farmer may take advantage of this necessity of having his own ice house, to make it subserve the double purpose of furnish- ing his ice, and also furnishing a cool room and cold bath for dairy purposes. For this the house may be constructed with two rooms, side by side, with the base of the ice room a few feet higher than the floor of the milk room, so that the drippings from the ice can be con- veyed along the main shelf or sink, in which the milk pans are to stand. The ice room must be made with double par- titions, with a foot or more space be- tween, filled in with dry tan bark or sawdust, well packed, and secured against the ingress of rats or other such pests. The room should have a scuttle in the ceiling overhead, or in the side near the top, to be opened or shut at pleasure, to let off foul air. - The build- ing should also have a double roof, to break the heat of the sun and the force of warm winds, but the space between roofs should be sufficiently open to afford ventilation. Choose a northern side hill with a loose subsoil, if convenient; dig out a Step next the hill side for the ice room, and then make the milk room a step lower; guard well with shade trees, or artificial shade; make the en- trance so as not to admit warm currents of air near the floor, and for this double purpose have the floor of the ice room water-tight, and ascending to one side, where there must be a gutter to take the drippings into the milk room. In packing the ice, it should be cut into blocks Avhich will fit well together, and any open spaces that may occur, should be packed full of broken ice. The more ice is put in a solid body, the better it will keep, but a room ten feet square will contain sufficient for a farmer's use, if the house is constructed with care. — [Ohio Cultivator. An excellent plan to obtain ice, by those who have no ponds or streams near, is to make a water-tight box about a foot deep, which can be filled from the well. Do not let it freeze quite to the bottom, or in that case the ice will be- come fast and cannot be removed. When one crop of ice is formed in the box re- move it for another crop, and so on until the house is filled. Ed. The LocEst— Varielici and Cultnrf. Messrs. Editors: — In the August number of your paper I observe that a correspondent desires information on a topic of much interest to settlers in the prairie regions, viz: the diflferent varie- ties of locust trees, and the best mode of preparing locust seed to secure its germination. Having given some atten- tion to both these points, for a number of years past, I will briefly give the re- sult of my observations. I am convinced that it is a mistake, to suppose there are different varieties of the locust indigenous to this country, as the yellow, black., red, &c. These names have been applied in different parts of our country, in consequence of a slight difference that has been observed in the color of the heart wood on cutting locust timber; but this difference of shade can be accounted for by the effects of climate, soil and location, the age and health of the trees, tfec. The best bo- tanists of our country have been unable to detect any peculiarities of foliage, flowers or seed, that can be relied on to distinguish varieties; and it has been found that the seeds of what is called the yellow locust in New York or Penn- sylvania, and those called the black lo- cust in Kentucky, when sown side by side produce trees exactly alike. In my experience as a seedsman, in former years, I have procured locust seed from a number of States, and also from Eng- land, and never made any distinction, or could discover any difference between "yellow" and "black," except as the one name or the other seemed to be most common in certain districts of coun- try. :/^::;-^.; ■:■•'■/ ; :.; ■/•=■•■':; Of course no reference is here made to what is called the honey locust, which belongs to a different genus, is worthless for timber, and tas seeds four times as large as the other. Nor do I notice the several exotic varieties of Rohinia, as the viscosa or gummy locust, inermis or thornless locust, the rose accasia, &c., which are only grown for ornament and not thought of when speaking of locust trees for timber. I am persuaded that this error in re- gard to the supposed different varieties of locust, has been a hindrance to the general culture of this tree which prom- ises so much advantage to the farmers of our prairie regions, as I have several times been written to by persons in the west, desiring to procure the "true yel- low locust seed,'' stating that the black variety could be obtained near home, but it was supposed to be less valua- ble. The mode of preparing locust seed for DURHAM BULL— CHICAGO DUKE. Roan in Color. Calved 10th November, 1857. Bred by R. Aitcheson Alexander, of Woodford county, Kentucky. The Property of Hon. John Wentworth, of Chicago, Hlinois. Sired by Imported DUKE OF AIRDRIE, (12,730,) son of Duke of Glostcr, (11,382.) sowing has been correctly given in the Farmer, and other agricultural papers, viz: thorough scalding and soaking for 12 or 24 hours. But most persona are afraid to scald the seed thoroughly enough, lest it should destroy its vitali- ty. It does seem a little strange that boiling water shoul be beneficial, and yet nothing less will suffice in this case. In fact the seed may be actually boiled for half a minute, or longer, without de- stroying its vitality. The common error with those who know that boiling water is required, is in not pouring on suflfi- cient water to retain the heat long enough to secure the softening of the seed. My rule is, for a pint or less of seed, use two quarts of water, pour it into a tin vessel, 80 as not to cool too rapidly; and for a larger amount, use not less than six or eight times as much water as seed; let stand over night, and if sufficiently scalded the seed will have swollen to three or four times their former size; but if the scalding was thoroughly done, only a portion of the seeds — those which were less perfectly ripened — will be swollen, and these must be separated by stirring in water and floating them off, as being lighter can easily be done; then the re- mainder can be again scalded. After the seeds are thus swollen they may be planted immediately, and will vegetate as quickly as peas or corn. M. B. Bateham. Columbus, Ohio. Poisonous Plants of Ohio. White Snake Root — Jiupatorium ageratoides — WUld. Fami- ly COMPOalT^. It is with considerable doubt that we place the White Snake Root in the list of poisonous plants. The only reason for so doing, being the experiment of several parties, principally in this State, who having fed the plant to cattle and horses, the disease called milk sickness or trembles appeared to be produced thereby. For an account of these expe- riments, see Ohio Agricultural Report for 1858, page 670; and Ohio Farmer, Vol. 5, page 183. Mr. Vermilya, in these cases, satisfied himself and others that this White Snake Root really produced this much dreaded dis- ease. The genus JSupatorium is almost confined to America; and milk sickness is entirely or almost unknown, except in the northern portion of the Mississippi Valley and the basins of the great lakes, and this is the region in which the ager- atoides is found. The plant naturally grows In rich, moist woods; but will also spring up and bloom freely in any good garden soil partly shaded, without any care, and is apt to become a mere weed. It has considerable beauty, and is often used in making up boquets. The flowers are snow white. Description. — Heads 3 to 30 flower- ed; corymbs compound; scales of the in- volucre nearly equal, and in one row; leaves opposite, broadly ovate, pointed, long petoiled, triple nerved and veiny, not resinous dotted, coarsely and sharplytoothed. Height about three feet, branching and smooth; herbaceous, root perennial. Some writers have asserted that milk sickness never at- tacks animals that are well fed; and if this is the case, it is good evidence that the disease is caused by the eating of some peculiar food, not par- taken of when feed is abund- ant; and this is the case with the White Snake Root, the cattle never eating it, unless compelled by hunger. Other plants^than this may produce the disease, and it may also result from other causes; but if feeding on this plant is inju- rious to stock then there is good reason for preventing them from eating it at any period; and care should be ta- ken to eradicate it from the lands where they pasture. As woods are cleared away, this plant will become rare, for it is never to be found growing in meadows. All the species of this genus have more or less medicinal properties. The ^. aromaticum is also called White Snake Root, and is sold as such in the shops, E. perfoiliatum — boneset — is in common use among home simples, but unlike many others its possesses strong medic- inal powers. That plants possessing such properties should produce disease, when taken in large quantity, is not sur- prising. The habitat of the IE. ageratoides is in all moist woods throughout the State; — plentiful around Cleveland, on the Cuy- ahoga bottoms. — [Ohio Farmer. We publish the above for the purpose of calling the attention of those of our farmers who reside in the vicinity of this terrible malady. There is strong plaus- ibility that this is the plant that does the mischief. Ed. <••— Care of Ilonseplants. Keep the plants free from dust by syringing the leaves and stems. Avoid too much watering, especially of plants not flowering. The water should pass through the soil, else it is not sufficient- ly porous or lacks drainage. Water should be of the same temperature as the room and given in the morning, and should not be allowed to stand in the saucers. Endeavor to keep the room of regular temperature — about 65® which is a healthy temperature for humans as well as vegetables. This refers to the THE ILLIlSrOIS F^mMER. day; at night the temperature may and should fall 15 ° or 20 * . To render young plants stocky and strong, pinch out the tops of shoots. Give the flow- ering plants the most light and the ten- der ones the warmest place. If insects appear, fumigate with tobacco. <•• THE APIARY. It appears to us that no part of the North West is better adapted to the profitable culture of the bee than our own, and yet little effort has been made in that direction. White clover is the best food, and this grows bountifully when sown. Those who wish to keep bees should obtain a few pounds of this seed, and sow about their premises; its cost is about seventy-five cents a pound, to be had at the seed stores. We would ask our bee keeping friends for practical details of their experience. . *—■ — ■ To the Friends of Horticulture. The fourth annual meeting of the Illi- nois State Horticultural Society will con- vene at College Hall, in Bloomington, for the purpose of discussion and elec- !jion, on Tuesday, the 10th day of Janu- ary, 1860, and continue in session four days. ;:.■■ "•-■^ Arrangements have been made for a series of practical and scientific lectures and ssays, on subjects pertinent to the grea* interest of Horticulture in the northwest, among which are the follow- ing : Dr. John A. Warder, of Cincin- nati, on "Vegetable Physiology ;" Dr. B. Walsh, of Rock Island, on "Insects injurious to Fruits and Trees;'' N. J. Colman, Esq., o£ St. Louis, on "The Culture of the Small Fruits ;" Prof. C. D. Wilber, of Aurora, on " The Prairies and Prairie Soil ;" C. T. Chase, Esq., of Chicago, on " The Elevating Influ- ence of Horticulture;" Mr. Kern, of Alton, on "Landscape Gardening;'' Mr. C. Thomas, of Murphysboro, on *'The Climate and Soil of Southern Illi- nois and its Adaptation to Fruit Cul- ture." It is very desirable that every mem- ber, and all others in Illinois and the adjoining States, interested in the pro- gress of the good cause should be pres- ent at this meeting. To amateurs it gives promise of a rich feast, and to the farmers, by whom the great bulk of the. fruit of this countay is to be produced,'! the discussions and lectures cannot fail to prove most interesting and instructive. At no period within the history of our State, perhaps, has there been a time when a course of systematic experiments and scientific research was so impera- ively demanded as at present. The ''larming increase of diseases in trees, a plants and fruit, and the myriads of in- sect tribes that prey upon them and threaten their destruction, call for prompt action. Can it be that in a country such as ours the people can afford to abandon Fruit Culture? — settle down into apathy and indifference, and despair of success in producing even the hardy- fruits? NO, NEVER! We can and must search out and ob- viate the various diseases — exterminate the hordes of insect enemies — educe and PRACTICE the best methods of culti a tion, and thus we may, with compara- tive certainty, secure to ourselves and bequeath to our children an abundance of the luscious and health-giving fruits of the earth. With this great end in view, all who can attend are pressingly invited to do so ; and all who may have specimens of winter apples or pears are respectfully solicited to bring them along, or pack them properly and send by express the day preceding the meeting, addressed to " C. R. Overman, care C. W. Holder & Co., Bloomington, Illinois," and mark- ed ("Fruit.") Assurances are already given of att tendance by the principal fruit growers of the State, and it is confidently expec- ted the discussions will exceed in interes- those of the last annual meeting, which was conceded by all present, to be the most interesting meeting ever held in the West. V This Society is not, as some suppose, a Nurserymens' Society, but is designed to embrace all who are engaged in grow- ing either fruits or trees, and also Flor- ists and Gardeners, as well. In short, all who are desirous of elevating this branch of industry to the position its im- portance demands. The cultivation of ornamental trees, plants and flowers, vegetable and land- scape gardening, also come legitimately within the scope of this Society, and a portion of the time of the meeting will be devoted to each of these departments. Every effort will be put forth at this meeting to render the Society permanent and eflicient. \^ The citizens of Bloomington, with their accustomed lib ra ity, offer, as far as practicable, to entertain the member, and visitors from abroad, and the pro- prietors of some of the principal hotels have proffered to board guests at half their usual rates. It is earnestly hoped that the known liberality of the ofi&cers ©f the Railroads centering at Bloomington, will induce them to convey visitors to and from the meeting at half the usual fare. All who attend the meeting are requested to re- port themselves at the store of C. W. Holder & Co., on Front street, at eight o'clock on Tuesday morning, where a Committee>ill be in attendance to wait upon them and assign them places. C. R. OVERMAN, Pres't. 0. B. Galusha, Cor. Sec'y. . Bloomington, Dec. 10, 1859. Important Diieovery. Quite recently, while walking in the gar- den with the Hon. J. W. Fairfield, Hudson, N. Y., he called my attention to the small stakes, which supported the raspberry canes. The end in the ground, as well as the part above, was as sound and bright as if lately made, but he informed me that they had been in constant use for twelve years! Said, I, "Of course they are cyanized?'' "Yes," he replied, "and the process is so simple and cheap that it deserves to be universally known, and it is simply this: "One pound of blue vitriol to twenty quarts of water. Dissolve the vitriol with boiling water, and then add the remainder." "The end of the stick is then dropped into the solution, and left to stand four or five days, for shingles, three days will answer, and for post six inches square, ten days. Care is to be taken that the saturation takes place in a metal vessel or keyed box, for the reason that any barrel will be shrunk by the operation so as to leak. Instead of expand- ing an old cask, as other liquids do, this shrinks them. Chloride of zinc, I am told, will answer the same purpose, but the blue vitriol is, or was formerly, very cheap, viz., three to six cents per pound." Mr. Fairfield informed me that the French government are pursuing a similar process with every item of timber now used in ship- building, and that they have a way of forcing it into the trees in the forest as soon as cut ejecting the sap and oyaniaing it all on the, spot. I have not experimented with it, but Mr. Fairfield's success seemed to be com- plete.': r,- o-;;. ,.v^."-, -J: ■'-;'=;'.. ^*^ A- ■'";■■ The process is so simple and cheap as to be within the convenience of every farmer, and gardener even, and therefore thought it so valuable as to warrant a special notice of it.— iJ, G. Pardee. Chinch Bug.— The Ogle County (HI.) Reporter says that a fanner checked the ravages of the chinch bug, by strewing a breadth or lino across his field with air- slacked lime. — «•» — '■■■'-- Premium Currant Wine. — The currant wine which receiveed the first premium at the Illinois State Fair, was made by Mrs, Lewis Ellsworth of Naperville. It was made of equal parts of currant juice and water, with one pound of sugar to each quart of the mixture — nothing else was used, and we think the sample the best we have ever tasted. — Prairie Farmer. jg®-The Prospectus oilhe New York Ledger, the great family paper, will be found in another column. It ia scarcely neoessary to say that The Ledger is by far the most popular fam- ily paper in the country, having a circulation of over four hundred thousand copies. It is always characterized by a hijjh moral tone and ks will be seen by reference to its advertise ment ciupioys more eminent contributors than any other paper in the world. 8 THE ILLIISrOIS FA-RIMEH. SPRINGFIELD, JANUARY J, i860. BAILHACHE & BATCER, Publishers. M. L. DUNLAF, Editor. .^ ' Upon taking charge of a journal of this character, it is customary to make a bow to its readers. In accordance yrith this time honored custom, we now make due obesiance and give you our jfS^. You will perceiye that it is the hand of a farmer, hardened by toil; that the brow is one from which the sweat of toil has been wiped from its sunbrowned surface, and that our muscles hare had full exercise with the varied implements of our calling. You will thus see that no carpet knight of pen and sclsors, is to do the honors of the fireside and give you lessons in farming, but one of your own number, one who is taking daily lessons in the cultivation of the farm, the orchard and the garden; and one who delights in the carving out and the beautifying of his new home. For twenty-three years have we re- sided upon and admired the beautiful prairies of the great West, — we have looked down their vast slopes — have wor- shipped with awe struck- wonder the sin- ious belts of forest that skirt the streams — have paid our adorations to the sylvan groves that lie like gems of beauty upon its bosom of waving verdure, — but more than all have we been touched and our pride rose up in view of the vast im- provements made by the hand of art — the music of a nations progress, — the silent whispering of the magic wire, — the thunder of the train as it whirles along the thread of iron that guides its swaying force — the scream of the pent up steam, ever ready to obey the hand of its master and work with a titon pow- er— the fields of waving grain — of tas- sellated corn — the quiet homes, bathed in luxurious shade — the distant school whose murmuring chant, falls upon the ear — the village spires that point the highway of the iron horse — the marts of commerce and the workshops of the ar- tisan. All these have been called into being to fill up the picture, ^to add the useful and the beautiful in art, to the artless simplicity and beauty of the rich undulating drift of these cis-Atlantic slopes, and to awaken the^solitudes that only resounded to the heavy tread of the bufi'alo or rang with the war whoop of the savage. It is here that the genius of man has taken some of his most lofty flights, — the steel- clipper, the reaper and the mower have challenged the admira- tion of the world. The one turns up the elements of vegetable nutrition from the prairie drift, while the other sweeps down the harvest of the world. The one glis- tens in the sun as the rich mould is thrown from its polished surface, while the other lays low the swelling grain that so lately waved its serried ranks of golden spears, and bending beneath the ripening heat of summer. It is of the farm, the garden and the orchard that we^should hold our free con- verse with the readers of the Farmer, — the productive soil and climate of Illi- nois and more especially of Central Illi- nois, shall be our vantage ground, and which we intend to make an especial study. An agricultural paper must of necessity be local, and to attempt to make it otherwise is simply out of the question. To general subjects we shall pay some attention, but until our field 18 thorougJily jplowed we shall go upon the old adage that charity begins at home. We shall endeavor to raise the standard of western farming, to make it not only profitable but pleasurable, to have the home made pleasant by fruits and flowers, sunshine and shade, and to this end we ask the aid of every friend of progress, — every lover of our beautiful prairies — every one who would wish to have our country dotted with pleasant homes around which wave the leafy treasures of Gods watchful care, and where bloom the beauties of the Floral world, set to the music of the feathered songster of plain and woodland. To sum up, we must make it a farmers paper, for being but a farmer ourself we cannot be expected to make anything else if we should try, nor do we claim to be a perfect farmer at that, we are plod- ding along like the rest of you, trying to eke out the odds and ends in these hard times. If farm products bear a low price, we must try and lessen their cost. This is the true end and aim of all agri- cultural papers, and we do not intend to be a laggard in the field ot progress. But it is useless to say anything fur- ther, for in the past twenty years our pen has acquired such habits that we fear that it will keep on in the old way dealing mt\\ facts, both old and new. We shall now close by wishing the rea- ders one and all of the Farmer a happy thrice happy new year. «•» Size Wins. At all our State and county fairs the large ox, horse, apple, squash, potatoe, pig or pul- let, take the premiums. It matters not what the offer may be, whether for the best or the biggest, it is the latter that will win. Little or no regard is made to quality, it is the monfiter that fills the eyes of the com- mittee— corn twenty feet high; squashes of a hundred and fifty pounds; huge yellow fleshed potatoes, unfit for domestic use; an overgrown, slab-sided, coarse haired calf; a stall fed milch cow, all fat but no milk; a working ox fit for tht shambles; a roadster puffed up with "Jqpe;'' a breeding sow too fat to stand up, or a huge frame where beef is wanting. This is all wrong, and it is time that our agricultural societies looked to it, that com- mittees give a just award; to this end they should be specially instructed, that quality was the first requisite, and size next. As the winter months is the time to make the premium lists, we throw out these hints in time. Another thing, too large a proportion of the funds are given for cattle and horses, thus leaving out a great number of small, but useful articles. We shall look for a re- form in this matter, and hope that our county papers will give their valuable aid to effect this reform. What variety of Apples iliall we plant? A farmer asks the "Ohio Farmer" what variety of apples to plant, to which he gives response as follows: "The best varieties, in our opinion, are those that bear best, and for which there ia a demand in the market; and these are the Belmont, Baldwin, Richfield, Nonsuch, Rhode Island Greening, Peck's Pleasant, Red Astrachan and Queen Ann or Lowell apples. To these might be added the Early Harvest; but the Red Astrachan is a much finer looking fruit, sells betterj and is almost as early. Sweet apples have no sale. But the best early one is the Sweet Bough; and it is a good annual bearer. Amateurs will add to this list, but farmers raise fruit to sell." In our soil and climate the Baldwin is considered almost worthless. The Richfield Nonsuch we are not acquainted with, the others we can fully indorse as valuable in the south part of the State, but for the central and north we would leave out Peck's Pleas- and Rhode Island Greening, and substitute Yellow Bellflower and Fameuse. So much for difference in soil and location. To the first part of his remarks we most cordially respond, amen, WTv' THE ILLIlSrOIS FARMER. 9 Sorghum in Iowa. The Keokuck Gate City has the follow- ing encouraging news with regard to the growing of Sorghum in Iowa: Estimating the value of the crop by the known amount in a few counties, we think it entieely safe to say, that over one million dollars will be saved to the State of Iowa this year in con- sequence of the introduction of the Chinese cane among us. A million of dollars saved in this way is equal to two millions earned. The production is yet but just emerged from an experiment. If they save a million this year, next year they will save two mil- lions. The Dubuque Times remarking on the same subject, says: that a tour through nine counties in that section showed an aver- age of one sugar mill to about four farmers. The crop of molasses in Jefferson county is estimated this year at 60,000 gallons. Tama county last year produced 11,000 gallons; this year the crop is estimated at 20,000 gallons. Jasper county raised 18,700 last year, and the amount estimated this year is nearly 60,000 gallons. The price of the syrup ranges from fifty to sixty cents per gallon. : , The cultivation of Sorghum is slowly, hut surely, working its way to public favor. It is now fully demonstrated that it will make a good syrup. This, of itself, will give it a prominent place among the valuable pro- ducts of the farm. We shall endeavor to give some practical figures in relation to the crop of this season in the February number. The farmers of Iowa have rather taken the lead in growing this cane, probably from the fact that syrup in the interior, owning to expensive land carriage, has been rather dear. Ep. Cleteland, Ohio, 1859. M. L. Dunlap, Dear Sir: — Enclosed find seeds of the Magnolia Crlauca — with slight protection for a year or two, I have no doubt would prove hardy with you. I have one with a large and spreading top more than twenty feet high, which annually yields hundreds of flowers every day in succession for six weeks. It is now loaded with seeds. — It is enjirafted on the M. Acuminata. Sow the seeds in a cold frame and cover them one inch deep with vegetable loam and sand. This should be done Avithout delay. With the best respect of J. P. KiNTAND. The seeds came safe to hand, and were duly planted, manj thanks to your kindness Doctor. We hope yet to set under the shade of the waving leaflet of your kind gift. If this beautiful shrub is hardy at Cleveland, it ought to be in central and certainly in southern Illi- nois. Who of all our nurserymen have this tree for sale ? Phoenix or Ellsworth can probably answer. No man in the West has done more for western hoti- culture than Professor Kitland, and yet his efibrts have always been so unselfish and so marked with a love of the useful and the beautiful, that he has become well known among the benefactors of the race. In his last letter he complains of ill health, but we hope he will be spared to us for many long years. Ed. — ■ «•• — • ' "/ From the Prairie Farmer, Antumn Work In the Orchard. Eds. Prairie Farmer: — Since the cal- amity to fruit trees in the winter of '55-6, very many trees have died each year from the efiects of that winter, and many more will die this and the coming season, which will have to be replaced by young trees. I would advise those who have shared in this calamity (for such I view it,) with your humble servant, to dig out those dead trees, and those nearly so, (that are only living at a poor dying rate) this fall, and fore part of winter, if the ground keeps open, and leave the borders open to the effects of the frost and air during the winter. It will do much to ameliorate the soil for the reception of the new tree Examine the newly planted tree; see that there are no grass or weeds around the roots for mice to borough in. Mice work under cover, and gnaw the bark from the trunk of the tree at the ground, which is charged to the rahbit's account many times. It is an excellent plan to raise a mound of earth around the trunk from eight to twelve inches, it serves two purposes, it keeps wind from swaying the tree during the winter, and mice from gnawing them. Above all things see that your trees do not lean to the north-east. If they do the sun will scald them on the south-west side both winter and summer, which causes the death of three-fourths of all the fruit trees planted. Right them up; drive a stake one foot from the tree on the south-west side, then take straw, or slough grass, which is better; make a band, twist it hard, put it first around the tree, then put the band together, twist it hard for six or eight inches, then open the strands and tie it firmly around the stake. The band being twisted between the tree and stake prevents the stake from chafing the tree. This should be practised with all new set trees. S. G-. Minkler. We have known Mr. Minkler for many years, and are indebted to him for many val- uable items in orchard culture. He is one of the most careful, and consequently suc- cessful orchardists, in the north part of the State. Ed, Jg^^'^'At a Fair down East, the re- porter under the head of domestic ar- rangements, gives the following item : Best bed comforter — Miss Susan Thomp- son. -«•»- About WlDterlng Stock. Under this head a correspondent of the New Yorker, gives some seasonable advice which we would commend to our western farmers: ;. "As much has been said about the scarcity of fodder, I wish to give the public, through your paper, a sure way to "help it hold out." It has been my experience that Btock kept warm and dry, will thrive with one- fourth less feed than when exposed to "the fury of a winter's storm." Now, brother farmers, if you are short of fodder, instead of buy- ing hay at exhorbitant prices, to be fed out of doors and perhaps trampled in the mud, just expend a trifling sum for lumber, and batten up all the crevices about your stables, and make some good mangers, and underpin your bam — mak- ing it, as sailors say, "all taut,'' — then keep your cattle in there most of the time while the snow is on the ground. Having done this, go and expend two, three, or five dollars more for blankets for your horses, and employ an idle hour fastening on suitable straps and buckles to keep them on, and you are rigged to brave a hard winter with thirty tons of hay, where before you needed forty. Every winter the county press brings us tidings of loss of stock from the cold and from want of food. This is not in accordance with good farming. We knew a breeder of choice durham stock turn them into a field of constalks with the thermometer below lero; the result was the loss of several head of valuable animals. He is now going out of the business, being disgusted with the prof- its. ,. Ed. -»m^ ^^ Two thousand nine hundred silk- worms produce one pound of silk ; but it would require 27,999 spiders, all females, to produce one pound of web. Concord and Delaware Srapei, At the Pomological Meeting recently held at Zanesville, Ohio, the following was said about the two varieties of the grape. The Concord and Delaware are unquestionably the grapes for this lati- tude: .'iv;.;;. ■ --■■■■■..•■ ■■^\, \ -!/■ Concord. — Specimens'^of this grape were presented by Mr. Carpenter ; and in answer to calls for information re- specting it, Messrs. Warder, Carpenter, Bateham and others corroborated what has before been published, that it is profitable as an early, hardy variety, es- pecially valuable as a market grape, and for farmers and others, who are willing to bestow care and labor in cultivation. Delaware. — Specimens of this grape were exhibited at the Fair by H. C. Nnblo and M. B. Bateham, of Colum- bus, and Geo. W. Campbell, of Dela- ware. Mr. Campbell also distributed some at the meeting, which disappeared lO THE ILLIISTOIS F^mMEH. committee, and the meeting resolved to hold another exhibi- tion in this citj on Tuesday, the 6th of Deccmher. The great feature of progress which transpired at this meeting, was the ex- hibition of cane juice completely defecated, ready for boiling down in any simple pan or kettle. The usual practice is to perfect the separa- tion of the gum and other foul elements in the juice, by constant skimming during the application of heat, but by this new pro- cess the foul elements are all precipitated before the juice goes FRENCH MERINO SHEEP. to the boiler, and a The above picture was made by J. R. Page at the Summit Farm, Cook county, in this State, of f^*™P^^ of syrup made a French Merino Buck and two Ewes, where they and their stock can still be seen. There are also V the exhibitor the a few Bucks for sale. Address Charles L. Reed, care of Hon. John Wentworth, Chicago, Illinois. 9^7 before the meet- ~ — . — mg, on a common ,K«^i"^W' rapidly, and elicited unmistakable signs of commendation, as usual. At the National Fair specimens of both of these grapes were exhibited, and were very fine. The Delaware is a small grape but one of the most palatable that we have met with. We find the Dela- ware a slow grower, while the Concord is quite rampant, we hope to fruit both this year. Ed. Crops— Advantages of Fall Plowing. Knowing that information about crops are always acceptable, I send you a few items. The wheat crop through South- ern Wisconin is not as good as expected before it was threshed — only averaging, on the prairie, from sixteen to eighteen, and in the openings, from nine to elev- en bushels per acre. The quality is very good. Two facts, which were generally no- ticed, are worthy the earnest considera- tion of all farmers. First, the crops on fall plowing were better than on that plowed in the spring ; and on heavy lands, I think this will be found invariably the case. This is ow- ing to the disintegrating powers of the frost on the soil, and rendering soluble the mineral elements, that they may be more readily taken up by plants. Again, the soil is better prepared to absorb the ammonia which is collected by tlie rain and snow as it falls through the air — there being a good deal of truth in the old saying, that "snow is the poor man's manure.'' Second, those who took the most pains in getting in their crops thorough- ly, realized the most abundant harvest. One farmer who well prepared his ground, and drilled in his wheat on a piece of thirty acres, had an average of 26-^ bushels ; while adjoining fields of equally good land yielded only sixteen to twenty. These facts show that there is a profit in good farming, while negli- gence reaps a negative reward in poor crops. Oats were good. — iV^. W. Farmer. Every day brings us new evidence in favor of the value of fall plowing. With our long, pleasant autumns we have abundant time to do up all the necessary fall plowing ; plow afXany time when the frost is out. The frost will pulver- ize the soil and kill thousands of insects. In Southern Illinois this is absolutely necessary to succeed with many crops. Will they heed it? Ed. -«•»- cook stove, was the best we ever saw — better than some we had last year, that had been double refined in a sugar refin- ery in Cincinnati. The discoverer of this process is Mr. D. F. Boyd, of Mansfield, who retains the secret of his disocvery for the present. We look upon this as the greatest advance step of the season in the sugar cane business. — [Ohio Cultivator. ■ 4«> ■ ■ ■ Amount of Rain in 18§8. Blodgett, in his admirable work on Climatology, gives the average fall of rain for Central Illinois at forty-five inches. Last year was characterized as a very wet season. The amount of rain which fell here was as follows : Month. Sugar Cane Convention. The Convention of Sugar Cane grow- ers of this county and vicinity, met ac- cording to notice, at J. L. Gill & Son's Warehouse, and though the day was ex- ceedingly snowy, there was a very fine show of syrups of home manufacture, besides some excellent samples from the Evaporators of Cook and Harris, and a fine sample of sugar from Cook's Evpor- ator. Premiums were awarded by the JaDuary.... February.., March April May Jnae July August September.. October November.. December.. Inches of rain and Ifumber of vulUd snow. rainy days. Total Arvtage.. Excess . 6,'^860 6 6,8400 11 1,0520 9 6.7180 » 8,4117 18 8.0810 S 3,7956 12 3,7515 6 3,1140 « 3,0862 0 6,0220 8 2,1306 10 66,1323 100 45 12.1333 thermometer we January 8th the down to 12 deg. below zero, and on the 22d to 9 deg. below, killing the peach blossoms. In a few days we shall have the figures correct for the year 1859. At this date (Dec. 9th), we have had about as sharp a frost, but the peach buds are safe thus far. THE ILLXISTOIS F^HnydCEH. 11 HORTICULTURAL. AnnualTUeeting of the Southern Illinois Fomolog- ical andlHorticultural Society, held at Tamaroa, Ferry County,!Ill., Bee. 20th, 21st, 1859. Wo left Urbana on the evening of the 19th, and arrived at Tamaroa about midnight, and was met on arriral by the President of the Society, B. G. Roots, Esq., who had eecared accommodations among the citizens for their Northern friends. It was with no small de- gree of pleasure that we learned that Dr. War- der of Cincinnati, had arrived in the morning train,;and though bis right eye was under cover; his general health was much improved, and his enthusiasm up to the old standard. The Northern winter has spread its mantle of white over all this region, and tbe farmers are having a rare treat in the way of sleighing. To see the various crafts gotten up for tbe occasion, would be a study for a painter. The cold spell has bad tbe effect tj prevent the farmers from bringing in fruits, and the show was small; BO much so that it was',concladed not to carry out the intended plan of awarding premiums. As v» eball have tbe official report in a few days we shall only give a few randam notes at tbis time. LARGE YIELD 01* FUXPKINS. Mr. D.W.Simpson of Tamaroa, ^^'presented specimens of sweet pumpkin, of the green cheek variety, sometimes called "Ohio Cheese." His crop was eight hundred and ten pounds from a single seed. Tbis sweet pumpkin is valuable for stock, and should be more largely planted. Mr. J. M. IInnter,'of the Ashley Nurseries, presented a box of superb frnit,^among them "Bagby Russett," in size and general appear^ ance resembling tbe English Russett, but with faint stripes of red on the suLny side, Mr. H. says it keepn to April, bears large annual crops — tree a good grower with round bead. Tbe flavor is equal to any of the Russet ts. We think it worthy of further triaU Nothing is yet known of its history, whether an old varie-< ty brought by tbe fathers from tbe East or a seedling of E;;ypt. Dr. Crane of Burkville, Pulaski county, pre- sented fine specimens of the "Holman," sup- posed by Dr. Warder and others, to bo the "Pottinger" of the Ohio River orchards. It is a very largo, firm and showy apple, much es- teemed ior a market fruit in St. Louis, and along tbe MissisFippi river towns. A PEAR ORCHARD. Mr, Wm. Yates ot S,)niij4field, has on his farm two miles from this place, a dwarf pear oriihard of two thousand tress. The trees are four years old, having been planted two years This season they produced three bushels of fruit, and ure now filled with fruit^buds. The growth of the^trees is very fine. And wg shall look forward to this'pioneer effort as the harbinger of the pear in our markets. The soil of this orchard is the common lime mud drift for the depth of two feet, when a stratii of hard pan of four or five inches thick is met; id rainiriir tho or- ) low thi- ill be taken off, and ulti- mat ly tbis bard pan will yield to the influence of the air and become permeable; VEQETABLES. Messrs. Hutchinson and Hawley of the Cen- tralia House, Centralia made a fine display o^ potatoes and beets. They have demonstrated that potatoes will grow in Egypt. Manure is the eDchanters wand with which tbey tickle the soil and make it bring forth vegetables in abundance. Mr. Hunter also bad fine speoi- mens of potatoes. HESWICK CODLIN. The writer presented a package of scions of tbis apple so well known throoghout Europe^ and the North part of our own country, fur its great value as a summer cooking apple, and which is believed will prove not only valuable for tbe South for tbe same purpose, but will be one of the most valuable for drying. Tbe scions were accepted and distributed for trial. SITE FOB THE ORCHARD. An interesting discussion was bad on tbis subject. Ail agreed that the best site is the north slope of a mound, or prairie swell, so as to allow the cold air to settle away from the trees in the low lands down the slope. The great danger is from frost on still nights, and on these elevations the circulation is more brisk than in the valleys. In an early day t'je settler erected his cabin in the valley for tbe purpose of shelter and water, and in too many cases planted bis orchard too near tbe foot of (ho slopes where the water ooxed out in the spongy soil. This was alluded to, and a caution given not to repeat it. DIGGINQ HOLES. Dr. Warder said there should be but one bole in the field, and that of the size of tae field ; that is, the whole ground should be deeply plowed- — say on tho jir rie, trench plow a foot deep and subsoiled six inches deeper. With this preparation be would be satisfied for a few years, and then the whole orchard should be tile drained. Charles Kinnicott and others fol- lowed in tbe same strain. Thorough cultiva- tion and draining was tbe first great need in orchard culture ; better plant a dozen trees, and plant them well, than to plant a hundred indiff;rently. Ridging up the land for plant- ing was recommended. . ,. PROTECTION. : With the exception of Kennicott, all agreed that protection on the south and west was very banc'ficial, preventing sudden changes of tem- perature and the blowing off of the fruit. Mr. K. cited many oaees of fine orchards without protection, and contended that it was not only unnecessary but hurtful. HONKr. Mr. G. Wilgus of Richview, presented a box of pure honey of superior quolity. He Lad taken one hundred and fifty pounds of honey from four swarms the past summer, thus show- ing that bco keeping is a source of profit as well as of pleasure. WAX FLOWERS. Miss Clara Terrill presented a box of wax flowers of very high merit. Had it been sum- mer no one would have suspected the counter- feit: dahlias, peach and cherry blossoms so natural that it almost made us wish for spring. The lillies and roses were also most delicate. PRESERVES, ETC. Mrs, J. M. Hunter presented rhubarb jelly, grapes in sugar, citron in sugar and canned rhubarb, all of which the committee pronouened very fine. THE TPLIP TRIl. It is well known that the yellow poplar or tulip tree (liriordendron tulip fera) is one o^ the most beautiful and magnificent of all our forest trees. It is equally well known that ninety-nine out of a hundred of these plants taken from tbe forest die. To remedy this, tbey should be grown in tbe nurserp and trans- planted every second year ; this will give them fibrous roots, so that they can withstand trans- planting. Dr. Warder says, these when set out to remain should be cut back to within a foot of the ground, even if eight feet high. This ia a very importatt fact and should be generally known. FALL PLANTING. . Fall planting of the apple and cherry was especially recommended, and that at the time they should be banked up and tbe heads prop- erly trimmed out. Small trees were rccom« mended over large ones. Good thrifty trees two and three year old, were considered the best, not only for early fruiting but as making the best trees. Dr. Wardor recommended tho cutting back of the peach to within a foot high and allow it to form a new head. In the plant- ing of evergreens it was deemed best to have tbe ground thoroughly plowed or dug up and kept in good condition. Mr. Very Aldrich of Bureau county, sent a box of apples all of which were not only fine but of valuable varie- ties: Roman Stem, White Pippin, Willow Twig, Raules J.nett, Honey Pippin, Esospns Spitzenburgh, Wagner, White Bellflower, Yel- low Bellflower, Emperor. . ; ^ ■ RHUBARB WINE. Mr. Norris Sweet of DeKalb Center, DeKalb county, presented two bottles of tbis wine, made from tbe pure juice, by adding four pounds of sugar to the gallon of juice. It was rather too new, not having been fined, but it has body and promises well. Tcie committeo commended it. . . :.r/ \\":,. y'l ./'_'.■■■■'■:- '■:■- Messrs. Goodale & Marsh of Centralia, by Mr. Ingrabam, presented specimens of black- berry brandy, blackberry wine, blackberry cor- dial and catawba wine. Tbe committee had a fancy that pure spirits bad been used in mak- ing it, or in plain English, that the brandy bad been fabricated. At all events, we would rath- er risk it than tbe brandy in common use. The blackberry wine to our taste was too sour, and so said tbe committee. At the same time tbis wine is the nearest approach to Catawba that we have ssen. APPLES. : ■ '■'^: /'■:'■ i'.- The Committee on Apples reported the sam- ples of Rhode Island Greenings not true; Eso- pus Spitzenberg a shy bearer ; Willow Twig very fine and profitable; White Pippin magni- ficent and worthy of general culture; Virginia Greeaing good tor market— a gaod keeper and popular along tbe Ohio river. Yellow Boll. 12 THE ILIL-IlsrOIS FA.R1VIEII. fluwer, worthy of moderate cultivation. In the central part of the Stute this is a favorite. Yfcllovr Newtown Pippin. Reaolvod, That this apple be reoom?nended as the best winter apjile for general cultirntioo on limeetone formation After considerable debate the meetiug oon- oarred in the resolution of the committee. It was stated bj Dr. Warder, that oa some of the Ohio limestones it had done badly, but in our own State the evidence was strongly in its favor. Wine sap was sent to the head of the list for general cultivatioo, both by the committee and members. Raulet Janett. The ooirmittee say good for Central Illinois and highly valuable for Egypt. Mr. Young, Pres- ident of the Louisville (Ky.) Horticultural Soh ciety, said it stood at the head of the list of valuable apples in his State. If it had any fault it was in its tondtncy to overbear, and in most oases it required thinning on the trees, if extra fine specimens were wanted. Milam. This fruit had many friends io the meeting, but the report of the committee ibat it mu8t give place to better sorts was concurred m. Little Koinanite wea Toteid valuable for market. This fruit should be more generally cultivated. The trea is hardy, an annual bearer, a sound keeper, valuable for cider, will not rot if bruis- ed in packing, is showy in market — of medium sisa for the stall and will sell, though not of decided good flavor. There is no apple that will bear the abuse that this fruit will endure. In discussing fruits for Egypt, the eubject very nntaraliy came up, which is the north line of Egypt. Some said the Obio and Miasis- sippi Kiiiruad, some town No. 12 north, some the Terre Haute and Alton Ilailroad. The wri- ter claimed that it was on the division line, between the clay loam drift of Central Illinois and the limemud drift, but the matter was not settled, and the question as to the bounds of Egypt is still an open one. Pryor's Hod was voted valuable. Mr. Young, of Kentucky, said it was liable to the leaf blight. Dr. Warder said that though it had the reputation of being slow to come into bear- ing, yet he thought such was not the case. Kod June or Carolina Red June, was highly rec- ommended by all. Early Harvest and Red Astraohan, were put in the same class as highly valuable. Limber Twig was put down among the most profitable. R-ome Beauty wa? only set down for trial. Dr. Warder and others, think it largely overestimated. Buckingham; considered synonymous with Striped Fall. Queen of Kentucky, was recommended for trial, to which Fall Queen was added; valuable for cooking and drying. This is the largo apple that has attracted so much attention at our State Fair for some years. Northern Spy passed as of no value in this part of the state. Rambo, one of the best of the Autumn apples, if picked rather green, it will keep well into the winter, but if allowed to remain long on the trees, soon decay. These are facts of value, and account for the diver- sity of tipiuion, in regard to the keeping of this fruit. QOINCE. This fruit has done well at Jonesboro, for the past thirty years, bearing gDod annual cropf-; th«»y have been little cultivated. No doubt from the evidjoce adduced, that it will prove a profitable fruit. The now officers elect, are John M. Hunter^ of Ashley, Prest, Charles Kennioott, of San- doval, Cor. Sec, H. C Freeman, of South Pass, (Cobden) Reo. Sec, B. G. Roita, Trees. The society is in able and energetic hands, and will go ahead. If there are any who think this society will die out, they will find them- selvoB happily disappointed, and will have to wait fur a change of officers. Next month we shall publish the secretary's report, which will fill up any omission now made. [Editor j ■«• Fruit Treci for Ornamental Purposes. Under this head, Mr. Sanders, a not- ed horticulturist, of Germantown, Pa., writes an instructive article to the Horti- culturist. He would combine the useful with the ornamental, and plant fruit trees together in groups. A similar recommen- dation was made by the Chairman of the Fruit Growers' Meeting, held at our last State Fair : "In the course of my practice I have frequently taken occasion to advise the propriety of planting fruit orchards so as to secure more variety of outline than they usually present, and to a certain extent carry into the orchard some of the most characteristics features of orna- mental planting. There are many situ- ations where a fine eflfect can be produc- ed by planting the orchard so that it will appear as a further extension of the lawn, somewhat in the manner that I have here attempted to describe. "It may be urged that very littlefruit would be produced by this method of planting, the trees being placed so close- ly as to prevent thorough cultivation. — This objection is not so formidable as might at first sight appear. The soil around the trees in all the larger groups can be cultivated the same as in any oth- er well kept shrubbery plantation; and I am not convinced that the European method of planting applo and pear trees at forty feet apart, is the best adapted to this climate. Closer planting, so as to produce a more thorough shading of the ground by foliage, and the shelter thus afforded from the drying winds of spring and summer, arresting to some extent the rapid evaporation of moisture from the soil, are considerations worthy of attention. "An ample variety of really ornamen- tal, and at the same time useful fruit trees may be selected, and it would be no difficult mutter to plant a lawn almost exclusively with such and still produce a great variety of landscape effect. The American and Spanish chestnuts are lof- ty trees bearing useful fruits ; so are the shell bark hickory and pecan nuts. The black walnut may also be introduc- ed ; the English walnut, of which there are dozens of fine old specimens in this vicinity yielding annually many bushels of fruits, is also available. — The butter- nut forms a fine group ; its foliage at a distance resembles the ailanthus. The persimmon, when in vigorous growth, has glossy foliage of great beauty, and like the butternut, is well adapted for planting in groups. The mulberry fam- ily, although in some respects rather ob- jectionable, would form a distinct fea- ture; the red fruiting forms a tree of con- siderable size and is rather distinct in foliage. The black European is also a desirable plant. The pawpaw is cer- tainly one of our finest foliaged plants, forming a beautiful group in close plant- ing. In rich soil it will grow into a beautiful small tree with foliage equal to a magnolia, and fruit but little inferi- or to the banana. The wild cherry, and the English bird cherry are both orna- mental trees, especially the mahaleb cherry is very desirable on account of its fragrant blossoms ; in this respect it resembles the English hawthorn, and is a capital substitute for that delicate fra- grant plant so much planted for its beau- "For shrubbery and undergrowth we have the chinquapin chestnut, which will even grow into a good size tree under favorable conditions, but may easily be kept as a low spreading bush, for which it is admirably adapted. The species of barberry afford much variety, both in habit and foliage. The cornelian cherry (cornus mas,) is a plant seldom equaled in beauty when covered with its brilliant- ly colored cherry like fruit, of which some people are fond. The species of hazle nuts form admirable bushes ; the purple leaved variety being particularly attractive in early spring, and is of very rapid growth. The cut leaved and vari- gated elder berry are frequently cultiva- ted in shrubberies ; and the wild plum, quince, high bush cranberry, and even tlie huckleberry need not be excluded when they can be properly disposed." Mr. Sanders drew the plan of the Nor- mal University grounds at Bloomington, by reference to which it will be seen that he is a late convert to the above the- ory. It has generally been the fault of landscape gardeners to intensify the beautiful, but the demands of the age — the peculiar utilitarian views of the peo- ple have compelled this change, — a com- bination of the useful and the beautiful. What more beautiful on the lawn in early spring than the May cherry covered with blossoms or in June loaded with fruit ? The Siberian crab, the persimmon, paw- THE ILLINOIS F^HMER. 13 paw, etc. We are pleased to learn thata man so well known for Lis success in landscape gardening, has put forth views so nearly in accordance with our own. — In the laying out of our grounds last au- tumn we made the various fruit trees as- sume a prominence in the ornamentation of our grounds. Ed. The Egyptians Moving. The "Horse Apple" spoken of, is a valu- able fruit for drying. The tree is a rapid upright grower and an abundant bearer, and is becoming deservedly popular in the south part of the State. It ripens the last of July and first of August, just at thst season favorable for drying. It is probably the best apple we have for summer drying. The Early Harvest is becoming a popular summer market apple and is also well adapted to the south and central part of the State. It is not an annual bearer, though producing good crops alternate years, with but few or no specimens at other times. Our South Pass (Cobden,) friends have an excellent soil and climate for the full development of fruits; at the same time they have an army of destructive insects to contend with. We hope to hear from them often, and have no doubt they will find decided profit in these meetings: Ed. HoRTicuLTURAri SOCIETY. — The South Pass Horticultural Society's monthly meet- ing was held on the 18th of November. The President and Secretary being absent, J. A. Carpenter was elected President pro tern., and Mr. Clark, Secretary. Benjamin Vancil said, twelve years ago he planted four apple trees, of the horse apple variety. They bear alternate years. This year three of them bore thirty bushels of marketable apples. Next year the other one will bear, and those that fruited this year will not. Mr. Gow gave a very favorable account of the early harvest apple, and said he had been trees in New Jersey that were large old trees bearing heavy crops annually. One of Mr. Wm. Kimmel's specimens was a spice apple. It will keep until apples ripen next year; hangs well on the tree; and is free from the bitter rot. Mr. K. has an orchard of seven hundred trees, all budded by the proprietor from bearing trees, the varieties of which are all well adopted to tbis soil and climate. Two hundred of his trees fruited this year. The meeting adjourned for four weeks. — Jonesboro Gazette. g@* The State of Texas is a model in financial matters — out of debt, five millions on hand, a school fund of ten millions of five per cent., and taxes lighter than any other people on the globe. Another Competitor for the $500 Premium of the 111. Cent. R. B. Co., for the best Ditching Machine. r " Harrington & Co.'s Ditching Ma- chine.— This machine, invented and manu- factured in Chicago, made its appearance on our farm a few days since, but the sudden freeze put an embargo on its working, and it is resting in masterly inactivity^ patiently waiting a thaw to try its prowess in the miry sloughs of Central Illinois. It has not been tried, and therefore, is only an idea, to grow into a fact or sink out of sight — a phantom of the brain. It is expected to cut a ditch three feet deep, three feet at top and twenty inches at the bottom. It has a set of rotary cutters in front and the earth is discharged through a spiral screw upon the Archimedian principle, and is worked by a horse on a com- mon capstan windlass. It is, of course, in- tended for an open drain. Genius has gen- erally been at loggerheads with Paddy and his spade, and in attempting to monopolize ditching has been sent to the wall. But Pratt's Digger shows some evidence of pro- gress, and we hope this new candidate may win fame in the handling of the muddy fur- rows. Should Faddy lose in the contest, the farmers will have plenty of work for him in the handling of the heavy crops that a sys- tem of thorough draining will and must bring as a certain result. Soon as the frost is out this machine will have traveling or- ders, not up salt river, but up one of the sloughs not yet invaded with the spade. We hope to have the result for our next issue. How to Preserve Fence Posts. — At a recent meeting of the Farmers' Club in Hudson, N. Y., one of the members exhibit- ed a post which previous to being placed in the ground had been soaked in a solution of blue vitriol — one pound of vitriol being used to twenty quarts of water. The post was pine, and when taken up was as sound as when first put down, eight years since. This solution is good for all kinds of timber ex- posed to the weather — spouts, shingles, stakes, bean poles, etc. Posts soaked in a solution of copperas (sulphate of iron) or even strong brine, will last much longer than in the natural condi- tion. We have no doubt but that it would pay well to treat all our fence posts in this way. The top instead of the butt end of posts should be set down. — Ed. It is said that the mummy of Nebuchadnezzar has been found. There was some uncertainty about the identity, but some grass in the stomach settled the question. <•. — . J^^A series of fossil fishes have been at the Smithsonian Institution from a coal mine in Ohio. They are said to appear like fish cast in brass. Difference between Eastern and Wcitern Farm - There seems to be a vast difference between Eastern and Western fanning; and several causes may be assigned for this difference. In the first place, the Eastern States are densely populated, and labor is plently, and consequently, the balance must be expended in producing the raw material, or in com- merce or manufactures. The latter branches can exhaust but a certain quantity of that labor, consequently, the balance must be expended in the former channel of industry, viz., agriculture. The natural sterility of the soil, which exists in many parts of the East, can be overcome by an extra amount of labor ; and as the individuals whs com- pose the agricultural population are limited in the quantity of land which they occupy, they are necessarily compelled to resort to every means within their reach, to draw from the bosom of the earth, in their respec- tive localities, all that she is capable of pro- ducing. Not so in the West. Here, we have generally an abundance of land. Every farmer possesses at least forty, and the ma- jority of them eighty or one hundred and sixty acres, and many of them even far more. They are anxious to cultivate as many of their broad acres as possible. They think they cannot afibrd to hire help, especially when times are bo hard and labor so high, and connsequently they run over a large amount of land, with the vain expectation of realizing as much per acre, as if it had re- ceived all the attention required to bring it to the highest state of cultivation. The difference no one can fail to observe any where in the western country, to a greater or less extent. It should not be so. If every farmer would but consider that it is much less labor to cultivate twenty acres well than to cultivate forty acres poorly; and that the same labor expended upon the twenty acres would produce the same amount of grain or other crops, he would be very likely to come to the conclusion that farming upon a large scale, for tlie honor of it, would scarcely re- pay the investment. We say, then, that one great difference between eastern and western farming, consists in our western farmers trying to cultivate more land than they ought, with the amount of help which they employ. Cultivate thoroughly every acre which you attempt to cultivate, and you will be repaid in various ways. You will invest less money in land and fences — less labor in cultivating your land — ^your crops will be of a better quality, and in greater quantity, and your farm will be in a far better condition for another year But the difference of which we have spo- ken, is not the only one which exists be- tween eastern and western farming. In the East, farmers consider themselves at home. They improve their farms and buildings in such a manner as to render them permanent, useful, convenient and comfortable. Their houses are built with a strict regard to the comfort and happiness of themselves and families, and supplied with all that can re- ally render them so, without regard to ex- pense ; while, at the same time, a rigid econ- omy in matters of show or display, can al- ways be observed in their dwellings. Their barns are always erected with strict reference 14 THE ILLIISrOIS F^mMEK. to the comfort of their stock, as they have become convinced that stock well-sheltered, will yield a higher degree of profit on half feed, than stock over-fed, or well-fed, and left to the mercies of the wintry winds and storms. Their fences are neatly and perma- nently built. They have orchards and gar- dens, and various other little comforts around them, which are eeldom seen upon the farms in the West. They cultivate only what land they can cultivate thoroughly ; and, in fact, they generally consider themselves fixtures upon the soil they occupy. They make all their improvements with direct reference to that fact. But how do we find this matter in the West? An eastern farmer wanders away into the " far West," in search of a fortune. He has [and we now speak of the maj ority of eastern men coming west] no other idea in his head, but to make money, and then, perhaps, return to his native State, to spend the balance of his life. Everything in the West seems to be temporary. Farm- ers erect buildings and fences to answer present purposes alone. They cultivate their farms, in every way, for temporary purposes. They are like a saloon or hotel keeper at the terminus of a railroad, who is ever ready to move farther onward as the railroad progres- ses, always aiming to be where the most mo- ney is to be made for the present, that he may make his "pile," and retire. There are other and important difierences between eastern and western farming, which we have not space to mention now; but which willl, perhaps, form a subject for an- other artic e. But we will say, in conclusion of this article, to the farmers of the West ; settle yourselves down for life — make all your arrangements for a permanent and life- long residence. Convince yourselves of one fact, which you all know to be true, viz.: that you are living in one of the most fertile valleys that the Almighty ever created. That in all the natural resources, the East beams no comparison with the West. Con- vince your children of the truth of these statements. Let them never understand from your words or actions, that you do not consider yourselves firmly rooted and immo- vable in the soil of the beautiful and fertile valley of the Mississippi. In fact, make the West your home and an inheritance for your posterity. It may, indeed, be difficult [we know it full well] to sever those ties which bind you to another spot of earth — to forget the home of your childhood, and to break off those associations of early life, which you have there formed ; but when you take into consideration the welfare of those you love, the struggle between parental duty and the gratification of a feeling which can render you no real benefit, must cease, and the for- mer prove triumphant. — N. ^y. Farmer. *%^ Jg@^ The extreme velocity of the w^ind, was found by Dr. Lind to be 93 miles an hour. The machine used to measure it with was what is called an anenomcter. -<•«■ A queen-bee will lay 200 eggs daily for fifty or sixty days, and the eggs are hatched in three day. A single quecn-bec has been stated to produce 100,000 bees in a season. THE EDITOR'S TABLE. We intend to btivs this number out by the 25th of Decem- ber, 60 that our rriunds can make np their dabs in time for tbo next number of the Fabkxr, as the Pablishers want to know what nu i.ber of copies to print. Money is said to be scarce and hard to get, and the way to mako a saving it by getting up clubs. This is an excellent remedy for hard times, and will make yon a large saving. We expeot to send a cop] to aach farmer and to each mechanic in Central and Sonthern J llinois, beside a large number outside of that circle. A little time spent in presenting the claims of this paper to your neighbor will soon double our liat, and be money in your pocket. Every reader can constitute himself an agent, and proceed at once to canvass. If year copy gets soiled or torn in showing around, the Publishers will send you another ; also, circulars and sample numbers. «•> Tni Crops or 18&9.— The last Legislature of this State di- rected that the ABsessors should make a list of the number of acres of wheat in one column, corn in another, and other field crops in a third. Every farmer should be ready to an- swer these questions when the Assessi'r makes his annual rounds. This is not for the purpose of taxation, but fur statistical information. The law stops short of what would have been useful. Uad the number of bnehels of grain been added, valuable results sonld bo arrived at, i»i t)3=. We have before us a table of the grain and meadow crops of Ohio for 18S8, which foot up as follows : Bushels Acres, Bushels. ( er acre. Wheat 1 695,412 17,065,483 10.29 Corn 1,834,138 60,8t)3,68J 27.7 Kye 90.101 874,556 9..^9 Barley 125,745 2,103,100 167 Buckwheat 71,283 791,921 1111 Tons Acres. Bushels. per acre. Meadow 1,367,874 1,806,466 1.3 It will thus be seen that the average yield per acre of the great staples of Ohio is nothing very wonderful. Aside from wheat, it is much below the products of our prairie farms. We hope the next Legislature will give us a list something like the above, with the addition of oats, pota« toes, sorghum, hemp, tobacco, flax, apples and peaches. ••> How CoBN Shbinks,— Perhaps our readers may be better able to Judge of the profitof marketing corn in the ear now, or of holding ii until spring, after reading what follows: Mr. Walker, of Champaign county, told as he weighed out seventy»five pounds of corn in the; ear, dried it thoroughly, shelled it, and weighed the corn and cobs. The corn weighed fifty-ou-1 poundf, the cobs nine pounds — total sixty ponuds, having lost fifteen pounds I He thinks that it did not shrink more than must of the corn will that is wintered over. ••» Ukiibd States FairJat CaiOAOo. — The Prairie Farmer in- forms as that the sub-committee of the Executive Board, of which the Uon. Uenry Wager is chairman, had a meeting in New York last week, for the examination and settlement of varions matters. ia relation to the late Fair. They "passed upon more than one hundred contested awards. Those cases have been mainly those embraced in the miscel laneous class of implements and manufactures. It was found that in the hurry of business at the late National Fair at Chicago, articles had in same instances been entered in sevaral classes, and the judges of eaeh had passed opinx ions on their merits, so that there were actually awarded in one case five distinct prizes to one and the same article. Again, it happened that after a regular committee had exa amined end passed upon some article, the owners had man- aged to get another committee'appoicted to act in the case ; and the decision perhaps reversing that ot the regular judge, much confnsion resulted. The Kxccutivo Committee have patiently sifted all these cases, and invariably sastaincd the awards of their regularly appointed committees." ••• Fawkbs' Stsam Plow.— The Scientific Artisan (Cinn.) says M. Greenwood k Co., of the Eagle Works in that city, have obtaiued the right of Mr. Fawkes to build one of his plows, and it is the intention of Mr. Greenwood to have it at work on his farm early next spring, and to exhibit all its points in great perfection. Several improvements have been sug* gested, which will doubtletis be adopted. <•» • iLLusTRATino Tus FABKJiB — It is tho intention of the publishers tu make a free use of cuts the current year; but this will depend suuiewhat on the amount of patronage rea ceived. We are now uakiug arrangements to perfect this valuable feature, as fast as tho fiutuccsuf thu paper will warrant. To NuBSEBTMCN. — ^To tbose wishing to sell trees ic Central and Soatheru Illinois, tho Faru£r offers great inducements to advertise, and We would eay to nurserymen and others, send in yonr advertisements J09> It ibonld be borne in mind that all letters for the editor, such as communications, inqairiea and specimens, should be sent to his address. West Urbana, Champaign county, Illinois ; and tbose on business to the Publishers, Bpringfleld, Illinois. ••» OcB ExcnAicoBS.— Exchanges should be directed, "Illinois Farmer, West Urbana, Illinois;" otherwise they will not reach as. t^^ Farmers, we must have the nee of your pens. Give us facts. We want no long essays, but living experimental facts. Th« Prairix Fruit Colturist.— Mr. Chase, the author of the little " Hand>Book of knovtledge for Prairie Life," has made a happy hit; and done the cause of fruit-growing a real benefit. As a text-book it is valuable, and for its prac* tical detail is entitled to a place on the shelf of every prairie farmer. Mr. Chase has promised us another of the series on the adornment of onr homes. We hope that it it will soon be forthcoming. The Fruit Cnlturist can be found at most gf our book-stores— price twenty*five cents. .«. Fawkcs' Stbam Plow. — This machine is yet on our farm, housed in for the winter. Mr. Fawkes has gone home to Pennsylvania, and will return early in the spring to pursue his experiments. In the meantime we ask that no one cod« demn it, as we have no doubt that, with a few slight modifi cations, it will succeed. Let it have a fair trial on its mer< ts. Thus far it has been the big elephant of our Fairs; i must now work, or sink out of sight. The Hobiiodltubist. — The December number comes to baud with a notice that tho editor, J. Y. .'-mith, will retir from its condnctorship. We have no inkling who is to suc^ ceod him. On the 1st of January the 1st numbei of Volume XV will be issued. In all its varied changes it has continued to prove itself useful. It is in good hands, as Soxton lets nothing lag that bb turns his hand to.- Terms |2. Address 0. M. Saxton, Bar ker A Co. We will furnish the Horticulturist and the Tabmis for $2 50. ■«•» Plowing by Stbam— We are in receipt of a letter from Mr James Waters, the inventor of the Detroit steam plow He says that he will be on the prairies early in the spring ready to take contracts for plowing old land. We think Mr Waters in earnest; that he is a gentleman hns been proved. Will some of our large corn growers give him a job of a few hundred acres? «»» SiATc HoRTicuLTVRAL t'ocixTT. — It is With no Small amount of pleasure that we place upon our record the programme o tho next meeting of our State Horticultural Society. It i a rich dish offered, and no iruit-grower can afford to stay at homo. «• MoBi ABOUT »HB Uoo AHD ITS UisioRT.— We Would call the special attention of our readers to this well-written article It not only ontains much valuable information respecting the history of this useful animal, but gives many practical hints in regard to breeds and management. Mr. Johnson is not a breeder for fancy pricej, and consequently his views are entitled to full weight. We have Been bis pigs, and to say that h'l bus been completely Euccessful in hii> experiments is a fact that has given us much satisfaction. 4«> 4^ It is estimated that Champaign county has shipped 200,000 buxhels of corn, of the now ciop, without making any serious impression on the surplus. Large numbers of fat cattle and hogs have also gone forward. Who will say that hard times has not had a bsckaset In that county? Stand from uuderl Central Illinois will yet be beard from in tho produce markets of the world, ««> EuQRAviNGS FOB iHi Fabmbb,— It is^tho intention of the Publishers, a< well as the detire of the Editor, to make a fteo use of engravings. We could not complete the arrange* ments in time for this number, but hope to be fully up to grade in the February namber. Perious who have engraV'* ings of stock, machinery, or other subjects appropriate to this paper, and wishing them inserted, will address the £di* tor on the subject. A New Fence.— Wonders will never cease, until the last itinerant patent peddler is laid cold in liifl gr:ive. Weaving fence like cloth, is henceforth to be the order of tho day. — iiijiL ^i£t.ti'..^;Iiiiii-' /. THE ILLINOIS FA-RnSIER. 15 Only one twentieth of the usnul quantitj' of timber is requira ed for the new iDTention. The next cheap fence ahonld be made of moral suasion, addressed to all boTiues and packy derms. The man is at the American for a few days only.— Go and aee it — it will sell itself and the buyer. CcLTtTsa OF Fruit — We bare saimples of nearly all the Tar* ieties of fruits shown at the S I. P. & Hort. Society at Tama« roa, and intend to present outlines of the mottTaluable. EiraKiviNGS op Stock. — In this nnnber we present two ea* graTings of stock, both from theherdof Hon. John Went^ worth, of Cook county. Els herd of stock is among the best as well ai oneof the most extensive in the State; it is there* fore with no small degree of state pride that we eall attention to them. Mr. W.'s stock are Herd Book animals, of the pur- est order. Any person in want of blooded cattle, sheep or Bwino will do well to call at the Summit Farm or address him at Chicago. Priitcis Mblodioxs— We would call the attention of our readers to the card of Messrs. 0. A. Prince k Co. They haT« earnsd a wide spread fame for their Improved Patent Melo- deons. Next month we intend to hare something to say on the value of music in the farmers' family. Qkolooical Sdrvit. — Onr State has expended some $40,000 in a geological survey. And last winter the Legislature or- dered the report of the State Qeologlst to be printed, The report wa6 made bat as we'know,' baviag examined it in manuscript. To our surprise we now.Iearn that tbeicopyTis rasting In the desk of th* Secretary af State. Out with it gentlemen officers, the farmers receive f«w enough favors now. and are not disposed to be drove out of what has been granted them, by the assembled wisdom. We want nc dry nursing; if the report is valuable we need it, if it is not we want to see Just huw much we are cheated, (JOMMliKClAL. Springfield Market— Dec. 24. WHEAT— 95@I00c ^bu; FLOUit— |5@f6 ^ brl; COKN— New, 30c fi bu; COKN MEAL— 50c ^ bu; OATS— 25c(a30c ^bu; BEANS— $Ua>l 26 ^bu; BRAN— 10c ^bu; SHORTS— 15c ^bu; TIMOTHY s'D— $1 75; HDNOAHIAN Ot SM-none. MILLET— None; CLOVER— $6 60@7 ^ bu; POTATOES— New, 40@60cr HAV— $6@|;8 ^ ton; TALLOW— 8>^^9c ^ft>; SOAP— bar, 4 to Cc ^ lb; CANDLES— 12}^cf4 box; PICKLED P'K-$8@10 fi 100 , BACON— hams J 2 to 13c fi lb; CHICKENS— $1 a5@$l 60; BUCKWHEAT— $3 ^100 BACON-sides, "123^0 ^ lb KQOS -I0@15c ^ doi; LARD-lOc^.B); SUGAR— 8c(ai0 ^ lb; COFFEE— 13c@15c "i^ ft); MOLASSES— t5c@60c^ gal SALT— $1 25^sck; HALT— fl 76 to brl; MACKEREL— 12c@13c No 1; CODFISH— $6 50 ^ 100 lbs ; APPLES— dried; $1 60 f» bu; WOOD-$3@$4 00 ^ cord; COAL— llcfcbu: WUISKY— 25@28c ^gal; VINEGAR— 10c ^ gal; BROOMS— $1 60@2 50 ^ doz; BUTTER— 18@20c ^ tb. HIDES— Dry, best, 10@12c. HIDES— Green, 5c; APPLES — green; 75@$1 FEATHERS— 35@40c ^fl); THE HOa TRADE. The number of hogs packed in thid city to date Is sbont 17,000. This is mneh short of last year's operations. There are about .3,000 in the pens. We quote the market steady at a range of |4 50 to 5 50 net; according to weight. The busit nosB will probably cloBo here the first week in January. Thursday's St. Louis Democrat says: Up to last evening, about 60,000 heal of hogs had been killed in St. Louis or an increase of 7,000 over the whole num ber packed here last season. A little over 3,000 cameinby rail today. The packing season closed here about the firat of January last yeur, and will not, probably, continue much later this year tbitn last. The market is yet firm at a little higher figures than at previous quotations, |5 25@|6 40, Noth ing is noted in pruvisious. Wednesday's Cincinnati Commercial says : Prices have ranged from $6 for 170 fl) averages to $6 £0 for 200 tb wfighte! At this date last year 210 9) hoge wore in af-tiTO demand at |7, and receipts had run up to 306, 905. — We are now in excess of those figures 12,000 or 14,000 head, with a very indefinite basis for calculations as to what they may continue to be from this on. <•• [By Telegraph.] CHICAGO MARKET— DEC. 23. Flour quiet. Wheat there is l>>8g doing: 1 car in bulk 10) bags at 93c on track; 3 cars No. 3 spring in store at 92c; 3 cars, in bags nearly equal to No. 1, at 95c. Good enquiry for corn, prices steady and firm; 7 cars in bulk on truck at 44c; 3 do 44i-^; 2000 bu delivered at 46c; 3 cars ear corn ou t rack at 40c. Oa's in good demand and firmer if anything; 35c in bags on track, 1 car SSJ^c delivered. .«» ■ — ST. LOUIS MARKET— DEC. 21. The only business iu flour consisted of sales of 2.000 bria superfine, for February delivery, 1,000 brl8at$5 50, and 1,000 ou private terms, and a few small sales of country. Most of the wheat sold was on private terms; and prices for corn, oats 4c. woje full, with small salKS. Whisky sold at 22c, Dealers ja hides, relUBo toi)ay over I2c for flint. There was a further declinein salt Large sales of prime Miesouridried apples at $1 50. New Orleans boats were n< t receiving freight uu uc- count of the ice and the cold weather. -«o»- [By Telegraph,] NEW YORK MARKET, DEC. 23. Flour 6c better, sales SOOO bbls at $5 10@6 20 super state; $5 30@5 40 extra western; $5 60(g^5 76 inferior to good ehipo ping brands extra K. H. O. Canadian quiet, sales 150 bbls at $6 60@6 6". Rye flonr steady at $3 60@4 40. Wheat very firm and quiet. Rye 89c. Barley steady at 76@86c. Corn dull and lower, sales 10,000 bu. at 86@87c new. Oats dull at 469 sheep, 816 swine, and a decrease of 36 cows. The bul>' locks were in better flesh and heavier than usual, making tho excess of beef greater than indicated by the numbers. At tho General Market beeves sold at a trifle lower than the same grades last week; though, owing to the general better quality, the average of all sales was higher than for some time past. A few premium buUorks were sold at prices equivalent to 10*^c@llc %^ lb for the dressed carcassas, but mcst of the first quality went at about loc. Several hundred head were left unsold last evoiiing. Milch cows were in lit- tle request at any price. Veal calves were in fair demand at 6^c(a(7c ^ &, live weight, for the best, and 5c@6c for medi- um grades. Sheep and l./amb8 were somewbat active at rates equivalent to 4c@5c ^ B), live weight, for the better grades. A few "Christmas slieep" went at $14@$16 tach. Swine were in active demand at improved prices; 6j4e@5J^ for corn-fed of medium and first quality ; h]^c for still led. A. M. Allerton A Co , proprietors of the Washington Drove Yards, Forty-fourth street, report the cattle in market from the following States : New York.. 1,310 Iowa 131 Pennsylvania 149 Connecticut 88. Ohio 720 New Jersey „« 84 Indiana 231 Michigan 35 Illinois 466 Kentucky....- 251 Virginia 76 Canada... .151 QcoTATioNs. — The current prices for the week at all the markets are as follows : BEEF CATTLE. First quality, per 100 fts $10 00@10 BO Ordinary to good quality 9 60@10 00 Common quality „.„ 8 00@ 9 00 Inferior quality 7 00® 8 00 Tho following droves from Illinois were at this market : D. Tallman, J. BndUng, £. 0. Lockman, Martin & Valen* tine, Thomas Conner, Wm, J. Hutchinson, Quinn & Fowler, Mr. Shaw, M.Cougfaman. Reoapitclation.- The total receipts of all stock at the yards, for the week and last week, were as follows : Heeces, Cbwt. Veals. Sh.t£L. Washington yard... 3,711 24 380 1,737 Browning's 178 6 36 3,767 Ch«mberlin'B 83 29 78 6 182 O'Brien'B 43 34 66 3,016 13,701 10,612 Total .4,016 93 650 Last week _a,836 120 463 EECEIPTB BT EAILBOAS. Cattle 1,952 Hogs 4,721 Sheep 4,763 Horses 1 Calves „ 6 -«^ CHlCaGO CATTLE MARKET— DEC. 17. Market less active and prices a shade lower. The following sales are reported : 6 Cattle averaging 14S0 &h at $2 40 32 do 1350 do 3 10 11 do 980 do „ 2 60 8 do 1310 do 3 05 THE ILLINOIS FARMER. THE FIFTH VOLUME OF THIS JOURNAL will commence on the first day of January, 1S60. It will be the aim of the publishers to make the paper a favor- ite with the farmers of Illinois, and to tliat end we shall bring all ourencrpes. The former Editor, Mr. Francis, has removed to Oregon, in accordance with a desire long expressed, and we now have the satisfaction of announcing M. L. DUNLAP, the well known "Rural" of the Cliicago Press and Ti-U/une, who will take charge of its Editorial Department. Arrangements are now being made to secure a list of valu- able contributors, and no expense will be sjiared to make this an ever welcome visitor at the farmers' fireside. TERMS OF THE ILLINOIS FARMER FOR ISCO. OBBAT IKOrCEUBHTB. 1 Copy 1 Year...!..... $100 2 Copies 1 " 175 6 " 1 " 8 T5 10 •• 1 " 7 50 We will send sample copies and prospectuses to aU who wish to aid in its circulation. tS^Exchanges should be directed to Illinois Fakmeb; West Urbana, Illinois; and also, all communications should bo directed to the same office, to the address of M. L. Dcnlap. tS^All remittances and business letters should be ad- dressed BAILHACIIE & BAKER, Sprhiyjield , Illinois. THE GREAT FAMILY PAPER. THE GREAT FAMILY PAPER. THE GREAT FAMILY PAPER. THE 'JREAT FAMILY PA ER. THE GREAT FAMILY PAPER. THE GREAT FAMILY PAPE&. /PROSPECTUS OF The JVew-lTorh Iiedger, As an indication of the popularity of the LEDGER, we need only state the simple fact that its circulation is larger than that of any other TEN literary papers in the country — Its great sucoeBB is owing to the fact that its proprietor se- cures the best writers in the country, and spares 00 ex|>en';e in getting up the BEST FAMILY PAPER— a paper of high moral tone. The exalted reputation of its contributors, tho practical and invariably pure and healthy character of all ita articles, the care which is taken that not even one offensive word shall appear in its columns, and the superiority of its Tales and Sketches, have gained for the NEW YORK LEI>> GER a position that no literary papt-r has ever before reach- ed. We feel, and always have felt, since the LEDG KR attain- ed its immense circulation, that a heavy responsibility rests upon us, and have endeavored to discharge that respuuKibiU Ity conscientiously, feeling confident thai ultimately we should receive the thanks of thousands and tens of thous- ands of famiUes. As to tiie future, we are at a loss what to say. We prefer Xnperform rather than to promise. What we have heretofore done 18 known to our readers; they know what the LEDGER has been and is now, and must therefore Judge what it will be hereafter. We can only say that among the contributors to the LEDGER are EDWARD EVERETT, WM. C. BRYANT, • CHARLES DICKENS. GEO. P. MORRIS, PAUL MORPHY, N. P. WILLIS, Hon. H.J. RAYMOND, ANNA CORA RITCHIE. GEO. D. PRENTICE, FANNY FKRN. JOHNQ. SAXE, MRS. 8IG0DRNET, SYLVANUS COBB. J». MRS. SOUTHWORTH, EMERSON BE.NNETT MARION HARLAND, W.M. R. WALLACE, ALICE CARY, CARLOS D STUART, EMMA A. BROWN, COL. W. B. DUNLaP. SALLIE M. BRYAN, and many eminent Lawyers, Clergymen, ProfeBsors in CoN leges, and others, who write for ^he LEDGER anonymonely: and that our complete arrangements are Buch tbat'the cur* rent expense of tfie LEPGEK are now and will cunstantlr be at the rate of over three hundred tJurusand doUart per an" num. FACTS like these carry with them more weight than any comments thatcould be made, and comments will therefore be dispensed with. As we have already intimated, we shall leave j>rowisin<7 to those who i, refer to expend their (orce in that way, and content ourselves with doing what we can to mwke the LEDGER the moet interesting end instructive FAMILY PAPER in the world. THE NEW YORK LEDGER is published every Saturday, and sold at all the news ofiices in everv city and town through out the country, and is mailed to subscribers at two dollar* perannum; two copies sent for three dollars. Any Postmsa- ter obtaining eight subscribers at $1 50 ea;h (which it our lowest club rate); and sending us $12, will be entitled to one copy free. Terms invariably in advance. i»-The postage on the LEDGER to any part of the United States, paid quarterly or yearly. In advance, at the office where it ia received, isouly twenty six ce-jits a year. Cauada Bubscribers must each send us twenty six cents in addition to the subscription price of the LEDGER, to pay the Ameri- can postage. .Cgf^SubBcribers must write their addresses, including the name ot tne place, county, and State in which thej rtside, in a plain haua, so as to avoid mistakes. 49~No subscriptions arc wanted from cities, large villa« ges, or other places where news offices are permanently es- tablished. i^~All communicati ns must be addressed, postage paid to ROBERT BONNER, Proprietorof the New Y'ork Ledger. No. 48, Ann Street, New York," dec3waflt b. m. p. DUNLAP'S NURSERY. 40 ACRES IS TREES AND P1.AMTS. IN ESTABLISHING A NURSERY AT this place, we have done fo with a view of making it a permanent business. We invite the prtronage of those who wish to encourage home industry, and have a doRire to beautify their grounds and fill their orchardi with such plants and fruits as are adaiited tt onr soil aud climate; at tfa« Bume time we disclaim any intention to make war on those Who purchase of peddlerB, or send east for their supplies, we arc content to wait, as we lo 'k to these persons to make us a valuable class of customers, at no distant day. The well cultivated ground where their d«-ad trees stand will be in excellent condition to do ample Justice to live healthy trees, to which we may point with pieasure. Trees grown in New York, with highly stimulating manures, and being protect- ed by snow in the winter, can hardly be expected to Btand, unscathed, onr changeable climate. It is our pride to give Lur customers satisfaction; this wo intend to do on all occasions, as we can live by a fair aud legitimate business. Apple Trees, 5 to 7 feet high................. SOcentseach " " " " " $16 per 100 " " 6 years old „ 25ceut8each Dwarf aud Standard Pears. 60 " " " «» " Cherry 60 " " Standard Plums 60 *' " A General Stock of Everg-reeiis. Oruameiital Trees and Plants. Catalogues had on applicatioe. Conductors on the Illinois Central Railrnadhavedirections to leave passengers at the Nursery, 3J.i miles South of Ur- bans, when requested before leaving the last station, when on time. Farmers and tree planters < f Central Illinois, will you enccurage home inJustrj? M. L. DUNLAP, West UriyBna, P. 0., Chumpagn Co., HI. July 1, 1859 — If. 16 THE iLLiisrois ]fa.iim:eii. PMiMcn & €o:b ON. C3-EO. -A.. PHii>TCE cSc CO., is/lj^i>ttjfj(^c:tttiris:rs, BTjrr-A.ijO. isx.-sr. Wholesale Depot, 87 Fulton Street, New York, and 110 Lake Street, CMcagOi III. . CotnhiHing all of their Recent IfnprovetnentH-^^Tlie IMividea Swell, Organ, Jflelodeon, 9fc, THE DIVIDED SWELL CAN ONLY BE OBTAINED IN MELODBONS OF OUR MANUFACTURE. « ♦ * The Oldest Establishment in the United States, Employing Two Hundred Men, and Finishing Eighty Instruments Per Week. All Mclodcons of our manufacture, cither sold by ub or dealers In any part of the United States or Canadas, are warranted to be perfect in every respect; and should any repairs be oeceasary before the expiration of ine year from date of sale, we hold ourselves ready and willing to make the same free of chargp, provided the liyury'is not caused by accident or design.* GEO. A. PRINCE & CO., no •LaA.sliei street, cmo-A-oo. iLXiiisrois. Agents, for the sale of our Melodeons, may be found in all the principal cities and towns of the United States and Canadas. I V ~ ' . ■ ' B. F. FOX, Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Hardware, IN ALL ITS VARIOUS BllANCUKS.lIAS NOW IN STORE one (if tho largest and best assortments cf goods in bis line ever offored iu thit market. Importing many styles of Eng- lish goodn direct, and purchasing liis American goods of tho manufacturors at the lowest (rash) prices, he is cnaliled to offer iiiercbautH aiid consiunera gooflHat the luwest prices, and Oil aH favorable terms as any house e:ist or weot. Ilia stock embraces a very large and complete assortment of Agricultural Tools and Implements ! of the latest and most improved kinds and i]uiilitie8. litap- trsi Moioers, iStraw Cutlers, Hedgf, Trimmers, SickUi, Grots and I Tuning Hvoks, VraUUs, ScyllitS, Snaths, f}>rhs, ITnts, Shnvrls, ficnops, ^^^(all kinds and mal(es). Pick*, Mattocks, t\in ilUls, Setd Separators and Tlireshing Ma- ck in««. HOUSE FURNISHING & BUILDERSWAREHOUSE. Largo and complete assortment of Locks, Latches, liuttj. Hin- ges, Screws, liiJts, Brads, Nails. TJiJMMlNGS— great variety Carpenter^s and Builder^s Tools ! Planes, i>aw3. Chisels, Augers, Braces, Bitts, Drawing Knives, Squares, Trowels, Bevils, Hatchets, Hammers, Adzes, Barch and Broad Axes, Bnreing Machines, Gould's and Sieploe't Morticing Machines, Files, dv. Black$mith*s Tools. Bellows, Anvils, Vices, Screw Plates, Tongs, Horse Nails, Horse Shoes, Butlressi's. dc. COOPER'S TOOLS. Fine assortment. Knives. ITools. Planes, th. CUTI.ERY. A Tory large stock and assortment of Wostcnholm's Butch- er's and otliei's. Table, Pocket, Pen, Butcher and Shoe Knives, Jlazors, Shears, Ci.isors, Carvers, dk. Great variety. GUNS, PISTOL.S, Gun Trimmingsand Mountings, single and douhlel>arrelled En' glish and German Jiijtes, I'istol-s of great variety, ti>^etlier with a general a-ssortm-iut of goods usually kept in a Hardware etoro. S A "W 8 Every variety, mill, cross cut and circular, from three inches to sixty iuclusive, furnished at mannfacturers prices. Saddlery Hardware and Carriage Trimmings. In this l)rancli of my business, 1 am enabled to extend to B.vldlers and carriage makers uuusual facilities, boingsupplied direct from the manufacturers, (jloods in this lluocome to me at extraordinary low prices. My stock embraces all varieties: Buckles, Fernts, Ornaments, Unseatfs, Jtinys, Snaffles, Bitts, Punclies, Webbing, Self-Adjusting and Dennisnn Trees, Sad- dler's Silk, Shoe, Three-Cordand Pitting Thread. Carriage Triininingrs. rass and .SVieirc PI eU, Screiv Front BajiU.-i and Plated Screw ront Mail Bounds, ach Handles, Curtain Frames, Turned ollars, Patent an Enamelled Leather, Enamelled Muslin, Duck and Drill, Kubber Cloth, CUrrufge Bows, Peer and Curled Hair, Patent Leather and Rubber Belting, Hemp and Hubbir packing. *T%_ Orders promptly filled and forwarded. May Ist, 1857. »• F. FOX. F AI KS s c s R R A N PATKNT ALE OF ALL KIND?. Fairbanks & Greenleaf, 3S Lak». Street, CBtcAOO. gold in .«pringfleld, by mayl ly E. B. PE.\SE ILLINOIS MUTUAL FIEE IMEANCB COMPANT. vtO'CJA.T, CAPIT. ^INCI CAPITAL TED «o«rtAirn.T INCEEASINQ. PRESENT FUND for tbipajBtatAf LOSSES BY FIRE $1.UUO,UOO 00. PRINCIPAX. office; at ALiTON, Ilili. THIS COMPANY WAS CHARTERED in 1839, and insures, at a moderate cost, almost every ipeciea of property in IlliDoig against Ix^fis or Damage by Fire. The rates of risk are so arranxed that eacu clMi of property insured will support its own loss. ^Kvery one insured becomes a member— the Company being an asBociatioB of customers — each of whom is concerned iu inaurint; his neighbor. The capital augments in exact ratio with the increase of risks; the security for which remains in the hands of the insured; therefore, every member is the treasurer of hii own money until the same is required for the purpose of payiuic losses. BOARD 01 ''IRKCTORS: II. W. nillingt, M. a. Atwood, Kobert Smith, Alfred Dow, John .\twood. . LONQj President. rim. Turner, Lyman Trumbull, BenJ. F. Lon|;, Samuel Wade, John James, L. Kellenberger, Ueury Lea. Klias Hibbard, F. A. UoffmRtDn, B. K. Llart, B. 1 L; EcLLEN>(KasK,]Treasurer. M. G. Atwood, Pecrotary. John Atwood, Ass't Secretary. John Blaibdell, Gen'I Atcent. 49* Application for insurance may be made to the Loca Agents, one or more of whom may he found in every county in th« State. JAMKS L HILL, Agent. janlO dSmwiy B. B. LLOYB, r> E NTT S T, OFFICE ON NORTH FIFTH STREET, OVER J. RArBUB.N'8. SPR£NGFX£LX>, ILL. A DENTAL IMCACXICKOK FIFTEEN YKAUSWARRANTS him in saying that all operations shall be carefully and neatly performed. Ho is in possession of several premi- ums and diplomas awarded by the best institutes for the pro- motion of science and arts in the country. Teeth inserted, from one tooth to full sots, as substantial and handsome as can be had in any city of the United States or Europe. Artificial palate plates inserted, supplying the want or loss of the palate, velum and would, so as to restore articulation. Refer to I'rof. David Oilbort, Pennsylvania College of Med- icine, Philadelphia; Hon. J. S. Ulai'k, Washington City; Uev. Dr. llarkey, Illinois University; Drs. Helm, Uyau and Wal- lace: Messrs. Jacob Loose, J S. Condoll, J. U. Gray, Foasel- man, Owen, Corueau A Dillcr, June', 185. Kuffene />. Grous. ATTORNEY AT LAW, SPRINGFIELD, ILL. Corre!«poii(Icuce Sullclted. Rkters TO— Col. M. Br»>mau, Springfield; Ilcn. Julius Mauning, Peoria. docl-ly Blooming ton JVursery. BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS. Eighty Acrea Frnit and Ornamental Tiees. Onn NAMED SORTS TULIPS, ALSO '^^' v/Hyacinths,Crocat,and*'j5eiier»laMortment Eof Bulbs .'nd Flower Roots fur Vail and Springj lUntiog. Nursery stock, .Kvergreeni, Qreenh' ■iise' and garden plants — all at wholesale and retail at lowest cash rates. J^For particulars see Catalogues or address subscriber. F. K. PH(EN1X. ''BlooBington 111 ., Angnst 1,1850. Uui42 Western Ijand Office. T. S. MATHEK. roK Ta> PURCHASE AND SALE OF CITY PRO. perty, Farms and Unimproved Iiftllds, PAYMENT Of TAJTES, Colkction ofClaimt. [ Govermnent Ijands ENTERED WITH WARRANTS OR CASH IN ANT LAND DISTRICT IN ILLINODi, IOWA, MISSOURI, MINNESOTA OR NEBRASKA. I^AKD WARRANTS BOUGHT AND SOliD. "OflBce over N. H. Eidgely's Bank, West side Public Square^ Springfield, Ills. WESTERN TREES FOR TU JE IW JS S T , AT THE WOODBURN NURSERY 1 PERSONS WISHING TO PURCHASE their Fruit Trees, Shade Trees, or' Shrubbery; jg|^ will find It to their *idvantag« to order^ at the above ^^^ named Nursery j[^ We have for sale Thirty Thousand of 6 to 7 feet liiifb, choice Apple Trees, of some fifty approved varieties, for Western culture; which we can with confidence clTer to the public. We also offer a good assortmant of Peachts, Petri, (Dwarf and Standard,) Ciieiries, Plums, Quinces, Gooseberries, Cur- rants, Kaspberries, l.awton lilackbrrry, Strawberiies, Bbu^ barb, or Pie Plant, Ac. 3.000 S1LVER-L.EAVED MAPX,E. Th n irhich a handsome 8htd»;,Tree cannot be found.— They are eiiiht to t«n feet high, of thrifty growth, and to.ba had fur ten dollars ajhundred. .■,-,^.-, ^^.We will sall^the abo^e named Trees and Plants urea sonable as they can be^had at any respectable Nursery— di«- t nctly labeled, and ^carefully packed and delivered at the Niirseiy, or at the Railroad Depot. ^^'Vij Wd desire and shall aim to conduct our business, in'^all respects, satisfactorily to those who favor ni with their pat- ronage. We are putmanently engaged iu the business, and int..-ud to makb it to the iuterest of our frieuds to call on ui. JONATHAN HDQQINS. Woodbnrn, Macoupin Connty, Illinois. Augl Maoutratxs' Blanks. — We havejust printed a quantity Of new blank forms for the nse of maglstratss, whlcb together with the >'est forms of blank deeds, bonds, mortgages, etc. are offered for sale at our Counting Room on first flcor, dAwtf ^rpj^vr;5?p?^?-^-^ = ;//' , ' ... ■(■ . ^r VOLUME V. SPRINGFIELD, ILL., FEBRUARY, 1860. NUMBER 2. THE ILLINOIS FARMER. PUBLISHED MONTHLT, BT ■■■ BAILHACHE & BAKER, JocBKAi. Office, Spbingfield, Illikois. M. L. DUNLAP, Editor. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. ^ One copy, one year, in advance $1 00 Five copies, " " 8 76 Ten " and one to the person getting up club. .... 7 50 Fifteen copies and OTsr, 62^ cents each, and one to person getting up club. CASH RXTES OF ADVEBTISINO : One dollar per square of ten lines, each insertion. Special Notice. Letters connected with the business department of this paper must be directed to the publishers in Springfield. Those in- tended for the eye of the Editor should be addressed to him at West Urbana. CONTEXTS. r ebruary 1 7 Are you Insured ... IS Address delivered before the Southern Illinois Pomolo^cal and Horticultural Society, by Hon. M. L. Dunlap, at the Second 'Annual Fair, held at Tamaroa, Illinois, December 20th, 1859 18 Fawkes' St-eatn Plow as it is and what it may be 21 Meeting of the Executive Committee of the State Agricul- tural Society, Jan. 5th 22 Com 24 Advertising Gratis 24 State Horticultural Society 25 The Household 31 Give your Dogs water and keep off Hydrophobia 32 Wheeler's Improved Patents 32 Reaper Trial 82 Underdraining 33 Steam Plows 83 Prepared Glue 33 EDITOR'S TABLE : Errata 84 Our Paper 34 Horse Taming 34 Silver Maple Seedlings 34 Clinton County Agricultural Society 84 Genessee Farmer 34 Fawkes' Steam Plow 34 Engravings of Stock 34 The Weather 34 MuKC 84 Agricultural Implements 84 Rooms of the IlUnoia State Agricultural Society 34 The Gardener's Monthly 84 Horticultural Matters 84 Fleishman's New Mode of Plowing 34 Bloomington Nursery .84 Good Butter 84 Ohio Farmer 34 Western Trees 84 The Horticulturalist 85 Sweet Potatoes 85 Are the Peaches Killed Si MABKEIS 85 Febrnary. Behold, the joyous winter daya Frosty, succeed; and thro' the blue serene For sight too fine, the etherial mitre flies ; Killing infectious damps, and the spent eit Storing afresh with elemental life. THOMPSOir. Many fanners complain of the severity of winter and wish tor its more mild and genial reign, but there is a mean to be ob- served in all things, and though we may complain of the severity of winter, the drenching rain and the long summer drouth- yet all these are a part of the universal sys- tem of Him who holds the.worlds In his b&l- lance. The long severe drouth of 1857 de; pressed the hopes of the farmer, which being followed in '58 by long continued rains, al- most crushed out his energies; the spring of '59 was dry and wet alternately, and the plow turned up the sodden land in clods the most unpromising that we had seen for years. The elements of fertility appeared locked up in the unkindly soil, and it was with difficul- ty that a stand of any of the Cereals could be obtained. The summer came and the wheat harvest was gathered; the thin stand had sent up long heads, but the fructifying elements were partially dormant, and the grains were thinly set; but a wonderous change was rapidly advancing with the sea- son, and the kernals were filled to their ut- most, thus making the quality good, and pre- senting a singular anamoly in this crop; "a light harvest with superior quality of grain." The soil became more friable, as dis- integration advanced, its fertility was readily yielded to the growing plants, the result was an unusual crop of potatoes, including all garden vegetables, and the corn crop, so un- promising early in the season, came forward rapidly and produced long, well filled ears. The yield per acre was not extraordinarily large, only as we take into consideration its unpromising aspect early in the season. Per- haps forty bushels per acre may be set down as an average, when ordinary culture was used. The chinch bug had made fearful ravages in the late spring wheat, and nearly destroyed the Hungarian grass, which had been largely sown. The soil was never in better condition for working after the first . of August, and it so continued until the last Autumn furrow was turned. The severe winter of '54-5, though destruc- tive to orchard trees and shrubbery, was equally as severe on the insect tribes and small vermin, which were swarming in such myriads that the farmer and the orchardist became justly alarmed, and with the excep- tion of the chinch bug last season, and in .some few localities the Hessian fly, we have since been almost wholly exempt, but the two past mild winters have had the effect to renew their hoards to a large extent, which, with the now friable condition of the soil, only wanted a mild, open winter to again allow them to swarm in destructive numbers; but the long continued severity of the winter will have the effect to thin off their ranks and hold them in check. This cycle of sea- sons is therefore wisely ordained, and pre- sented to the reasoning faculties of man, that in spite of all his genius, in spite of his scientific attainments he muststill "eat bread in the sweat of his brow." We cannot pre- dict the result of the incoming season with certainty, for the blighting cold, the whirl- wind and the summer drouth, are held like thunderbolts in the hand of the Almighty, who will send them through space at his appointed time, and lay low at his good pleasure the hopes of years and "scourge the nations at his will." But under the present aspect of affairs, with the genial condition of the soil, the probable absence of either excessive rains or drouth, we may look forward with cheering hope to a most fruitful season. The northern counties of the State have been less fortunate, and from a somewhat attentive observation of the seasons for the past twenty years, we are in- clined to the opinion that the cycle of seasons for that part of the State and of Wisconsin, vary from the central and south part of our State. The Illinois and Miasis- sippi river belts of timber; the elevation of that portion of the country, so change the air current coming from the south, which with the aid of Lake Michigan produce a more marked continental climate, than in 18 THE ILLINOIS I^^HMiEiEl. other portions of the Mississippi valley which are iu more direct comumnic-tiou with the vast volume of heated air, from the Gulf of ■ Mexico that flows northward for so large a portion of the year. Not that we regard that portion less valuable, but that the same rules of climate do not equally apply to both. The soil also differs in many respects, and to apply either the same rules of climate or of culture to the whole prairie portion of the northwest is simply absurd. When w6 can convince our readers of this fact, so apparent to the close observer, we shall have made a long stride in that progress at which we are aiming. Know thyself is a trite aphorism, and know thy soil and the cycle of seasons that control its value, is also of great im- portance, for then by art he will so adapt his culture that he will reap a rich reward from their annual changes. What to us may geem untoward seasons, are but the throes of nature preparing for greater ben- efits. In the temperate climates it is the winter's frost that purifies the air and renders innocuous the miasma that the heats of sum- mer had gathered like a cloud above our pathway; it also holds in check the insect tribes that otherwise would eat out our sus- tenance. At the south, the annual parching up of the land by drouth and the sweeping tornado perform the same offices. Winter, therefore, has its values, and if heeded, can be made one of the most pleasant portions of the year. In fact, we could not well spare winter from the calendar, not only for its uses to the physical, but the moral world. ADDRESS DELIVERED BEFOUE THE SOUTHERN ILLINOIS POMOLOGICAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, BV HON. M. L. DUNI-AP, At the Second Annual Fair, held nt Tamaroa, HUnois, JJecemOer '20th, 1S09. Are you Iniurcd? The season for fires is upon us. Scarcely a paper that comes to hand that does not contain a record of some disastrous Qonfla- gration, and it becomes the prudent to seek without delay the insurance of their dwel- lings and other valuable property, in some responsible company. It will be seen by our advertising columns that the Illinois Mutual Insurance Company are taking risks upon txceedingly favorable terms. This company has earned an enviable fame for promptness and liberality in the adjustment of losses. We have good reeson to know that the company is exceedingly cautious in taking risks, and that its affairs are directed and controlled by gentlemen who have learn- ed, that the interests of stockholders are the most surely advanced by faithfully protecting the rights of the assured. The company is the oldest in the State, and is deserving of patronage in perference to the doubtful institutions from the eastern States. When our farmers can be accom- modated on equal terms, it is a duty they owe themselves to encourage home institu- tions, and in this case we think they will make a large saving. Ladies and Gentlemen: — And this is Egypt ? Not the Egypt where flows the classic Nile, or where stands in lone- ly grandeur the vast pyramids, whose dates have faded out beneath the hand of time, and whose arts and civilization have degenerated into barbarism ; but it is the Egypt of the new world — of the f^reat northwest — the wheat field and fruit garden of the valley of the upper Mississippi, whose genial slopes and wood-crowned hills are the pride of south- ern Illinois. With a climate soft and lovely as Italia, no wonder that the peach blushes like the cheek of beauty; that her great orb-like apples challenge the admiration of all ; that the pear is full of melting richness, most pleasing to the palate; that the small fruits glow with health and beauty, while the vine brings forth its tempting clusters, and whose ruddy flow of juice sparkles in the cup. Has nature been more lavish of her gifts "on strand or shore?'' Is not this the seat of Pomona? is it not here that she is to receive the homage of her subjects and send Forth her orders in council. — Away south, along that line of rippling silver, whence come the zephyrs that have kissed the Indies, and now sway the leafless branches of your stately forests. Away north, where Min-ne- ha-ha sends up her winter spray; and yonder where Michigan pours her winter tide past the cities of the north, come claims upon your bounty. They ask you for the fruits that nature h-is denied them. Shall they ask in vain? Shall you turn to them a deaf ear, or Avill you fill their baskets to repletion ? If you but will it, these wood-crowned hills and prairie slopes shall be redolent of rosy health, of wealth and domestic happi- ness. Your homes shall nestle beneath the vine and the leafy treasures of Ilis care shall shut out the summer sun, and check the raging blasts of the frosty north. But even in this cherished spot, where the seasons touch so lightly, the fiat of Him who waters the plants from the fleecy clouds, and who says thai "in sweit shalt thou eat bread,'' knows no abatement ; and if He has made the fruits to flourish, He has let loose the in- sect tribes, the floods of rain and the summer drouth. He has made man His gardener, and in sweat shall he eat the fruits that the summer's sun has ripened for his use; his sun-browned brow shall bow beneath the harvest toil and receive the blessings due to his watchful care. If we would see the apple tree sheeted in gorgeous hues, we must first plant the tree. If we would have the fruit glow with colors that would shame the artist's pencil, we must cultivate the soil. If we would have its crude juices made rich under the glowing heats of the sum- mer sun, we must give it the proper de- gree of light and shade. • There is no climate so delightful, no fruit so fair, no flowera so gorgeous but that " The trail of the serpent is over them all." If the great giver has made this the seat of Pomona, He has left it to the genius and care of man to crown her with her autumn glories. If you would have the peach rounded up to its max- imum size, if you would have it blush with the deepest crimson, or pale like purest snow, you must toil beneath the summer sun and moisten the soil witti sweat from the brow of labor. There is no retreat but the one built by your own hand* — no asylum but that of the creeping vines and the waving leaflets of the whispering wood. Life is sweet with labor, when that labor brings ua roseate health and all the luxuries of a teeming soil. Without it we would be subject to ennici, and rust out our lives in inglorious ease. But our business is not to moralize. We have met here for active duties. A task is before us, and one that will require all our energies, all our tact and our skill. Is it a secret to be kept within your own breasts, or shall I announce it to the world? You say, speak out. Aye, and it shall be spoken. The gardens of Egypt shall fill the ta- bles of the north with early vegetables before the vernal showers ehall have fallen from her more inhospitable skies. Her early fruits shall make glad the hearts of both young and old, and her luscious peaches shall carry health and joy to all. The fruit and vine shall bring memory back to the miity past and return to us one of the lost luxuries of the new world. June shall crown Ceres with the wlieaten sheaf, and the north shall send to Egypt for bread. The persimon, our northern banana, shall be grown in orchard, and the pecan and the almond shall supply the winter eve- ning luxuries of the young when the frost king holds sway. The Newtown pippin, the mnesap, the bellflower, the Vfhiie winter pearmain, the limbertwig, the belmont and others of the same class shall be carefully culled for the south, that when the frost king has laid an em- bargo on northern shipments, the sunny v/inter of the south shall receive her due share of our products. But how much is to be done before our trains will grpwn under the weight of shipments from the orchard. How oft shall the summons come and go, before the hill-sides shall pour forth the teeming harvest of the orb like apple, the luscious peach and the melting pear. To produce this result, to devise the best way to grow the best fruit, to select the varieties adapted to THE ILLIlSrOIS EA^HMEH. 19 the several markets that are within your reach by railroad, by lake and by river, is the object of your present meeting ; to this end will you bend your energies; to this end vrill your investigations be directed, and to this end will you con- tinue the work when you shall have re- turned to the scenes of your home la- bors. The soil, the tree, the fruit and the insect tribes shall be your study, when you brush the morning dew, when the birds first begin to chirp their matin lay, when with keen e.ve they seek out the sluggish grub upon which to feed their callow young, when the mist lays heavy in the valley, or when frosty air rolls down the hill-sides, these to you shall be notes and thoughts of stirring interest — themes that no sluggard can appreciate, no laggard can enjoy, WHAT PROGRESS HAVE WE MADE. After any new enterprise has been in- augurated, it is a matter of right, aye, a duty to sum up the results, and ascertain the rate of progress made, whether that progress be an advance or a retrograde one. We then ask, have the market gardeners of Jonesboro, of South Pass, of Ashley or Centralia paid a living profit. You shake your heads with an emphatic no ! Well, why is this ? The gardeners of Cincinnati are reaping a rich reward from the cities of the north ; Chicago, Waukegan, Kenosha, Milwau- kie, Rockford, Galena, Madison and others are paying them a large tribute for early garden favors. The climate of Cincinnati is no more favorable, the soil is no better, the distance for freightage is not much less ; then why may you not successfully compete with them for this rich prize? " The Express Company'' — 0 ! yes, the Express Company have crushed out your hopes and sw.all ow- ed up your profits. Isthis so ? *' Yes, two companies combined to eat us out." But this is no reason for your sitting down in despair. It should arouse you to further activity, for the trade of the north is your legitimate property by right of soil, of climate, and of position. If the great Illinois Central Railroad Company have for the time per- mitted the Express company to bear a heavy hand on you, this will not always be the case, for so soon as you call their attention to the fact, no doubt they will eradicate the evil by taking the matter in their own hands. From my personal acquaintance with the officers of this great highway, I can have no doubt that it is their wish, and that they take a deep interest in whatever tends to develop the resources of this part of the State, and in the giving of the freighting of fruits and vegetables to the Express company they thought that they were advancing your interests in the rapid transit of your perishable products. They, like you. have been disappointed in the result, but the blame we will rather charge to the system than to the agents of either com- pany. That some new arrangement must be made with the railroad company is evident to all. At Urbana the eve- ning freight train is all that can be de- sired. At Centralia the morning express freight train arrives in Chicago in twen- ty-six hours. From Jonesboro the ten o'clock morning express freight arrives in Chicago in thirty- four hours, eigh- teen hours behind the express, and ar- rives, according to the present time-ta- ble, at a quarter past eight in the morn- ing. Now, if a change of time could be made so as to arrive at four in the sum- mer and five in the winter, this freight train would give you ready and cheap facilities for the safe transit of the pro- ducts of your orchards and gardens. The rates of freight as at present estab- lished by the company, cannot be com- plained of, as I think they are as low, if not much less, than any other road in the State. Owning as the company do vast tracts of land along the line, it should be and has been their study to encourage the cultivators of the soil in their varied departments. If at any time this policy has been departed from, it has been more an error of judgment than wrong intent. No man could have given the vast interest of the freight department more attention or exercised a more vigilant supervision than the present incumbent. With him there is no favoritism, and all have been served upon the same terms. I wish I could say the same of the Express company, whose special rates and favoritism have disgusted the public. We see no reason why most fruits and vegetables may not go with safety on the freight train, pro- viding that the cars are not allowed to lay over at the way stations. Green corn, lettuce and all berries must, of ne- cessity go on the night express train with the baggage, otherwise they will soon sour and prove worthless. Many of you will recollect the attempt made by the wise heads of the Express company the past summer, in compelling this trade to take the day line. The result, you all know, was the entire suspension of the trade, and the thousands of bushels of blackberries that hung in rich clusters around your fields and through the skirts of your groves were allowed to go to de- cay — worthless ali|j;e to the farmer and the Express company. Mr. Ott, the Division Superintendent at Centralia, made an attempt to arrest this loss, but his efforts in your behalf dime too late to save your favorite fruit; but his good offices are being felt in preventing this monopoly from continuing to ride rough shod over your interests. YOUR SHIPMENTS ARE TOO SMALL. It cannot be expected that with the present limited shipments that the rail- road company should make expensive outlays to accommodate you ; they have no money to spare, and if they provide the facilities as fast as you need them, it is all that you can reasenably expect. This I believe they will do, and that, ©n this point, you will have no reason to complain. FRUIT GROWING WILL NOT PAY. No, it will not pay to set out a large orchard and let it grow up to weeds , to let the borer cut down the trees and the curculio sting the fruit. Nor will it pay to shake down the apples, bruising them in their fall, tumbling them into barrels and sending them to distant markets. If .we had telegraph facilities for ship- ping, 80 that these fruits could reach the distant customer before these bruises produced speedy decay, this plan might answer. It will not pay to send poor peaches to a distant market, as the freight will eat up the profits. It will not pay to make cider of rotten apples, from the simple fact that people Avill not cultivate their tastes in accordance therewith. It will not pay to let stock run among your trees, browsing them at will, depending upon their crude ideas of pruning and thinning out the fruit. It will not pay to put several varieties of apples in th« same bin, especially those that mature at different seasons, such as Fameuse and Llmbertwigs, Milams and Rawles Janett, Bellflowers and Romanites, Fall Pippins and Winter Russets, or you may find too late that some of them in the pile will be rotten, and add no very agreeable flavor to the others. I could go on and enume- rate a great many other practices, com- mon in orchard management, that will not pay, but why need I point them out when there are many of you so familiar with them that I should give place to you to describe them in more glowing terms than it is possible'for me to do. I have felt the blighting influence of my own neglect when borne down by an un- congenial climate, but here, where you all acknowledge a kindly soil and genial skies, the charge of failure taust be mainly at your own doors. If your prairie slopes and wood- crowned bills are not laden with the blushing fruits — if the railroad trains do not groan under the weight of pomonal wealth — if the north does not send back the wealth of her forests, her mines and her workshops in return, lay the charge to your own want of wisdom in the development of the elements that lie within your own grasp. - -;-■'.: ■•:■■"'■ • '■■-[■■ -■'■'■'■■ FRUIT GROWING AND GARDENING WILL PAT when labor and a reasonable share of intelligence is brought to its aid. It is evident that the timber lands south of the Big Muddy river and the prairies north to where they meet the clay loam 20 THE iLLi:sroTS 3T'^i^:m:ei^. soil of Central Illinois, require a some- what different mnnagement. First, I will make some suggestions to my friends of the timber lands. To carry on any- business, it is important to have all the necessary aids required in its successful prosecution. A lack of any of the pre- dominant elements will always work to a disadvantage; therefore, care should be taken to ascertain the proper needs, and at once provide them. With but very few exceptions, those who have made fruit-growing their only dependence have been much disappointed in the net pro- fits of the business. The want of native grasses for pasturage, the long, dry summer or floods of rain, the insect tribes that swarm in countless myriads, the autumn sickness and winter feycr, have come in to mar the pleasures and profits of the fruit grower. In most ca- ses we can account for disappointment. It is not in want of energy, not in want of ardent toil, and, in most cases, not in want of capital, but results in a general want of the knowledge oP the climate, the mode of culture and the real needs or materials to carrv on the business. In preparing for an orchard, the land, if an old farm — which is often the case — should be plowed deep. To do this, the team must be heavy and well fed ; not fed on corn alone, but good hay and pasturage — otherwise your team will not remain in good health. Then, of course, one of the great needs is a good clover, timothy or blue grass pasture, and a red top, timothy or clover meadow. These are among the first essential elements of success, and if neglected I will fearlessly predict a failure. Milk and butter must be had for the family, and this cannot be done without pasture and meadow. In the total absence of native grasses, leaves must be resorted to for food. One visit to Union county will show the small value of the woodland pasture range for milk and butter. It makes a good rain- how cow, with tight-fitting hide, but lacks the succulent grasses to give it value. Fat meats and gravies are for the north, but fruits, vegetables, milk and butter are for this climate. If we wish to enjoy uninterrupted health, these are among the needs to ward off autumn sickness and winter fevers. They can- not be dispensed with. Better to defer the planting of the orchard to another year than to put off these indispensable duties. In the next place, the house should be on an airy slope, not in the valley ; and the first great need of the family is a supply of wholesome water, either from spring, well or cistern. In cither case have it handy and in abun- dance. It is the gushing springs of the hill-sides that pleases me, and to have their rippling treasure forced up these wooded slopes to the kitchen, is an achievement noble as it is useful. Order half the trees that you think you can plant, and then you may expect to get them in in time and in good or- der, for if drove with too much work it will be liable to be neglected and half done. Better have time to sit down in the shade for two hours, at mid- day, contemplating these glorious old hills, that have melted and crumbled beneath the hand of time since the ocean ceased to roll in silent grandeur above them, or watch the motions of the whispering leaves as they are kissed by the zephyrs as they pass on their way to greet the summer of the north. No man thinks of erecting a great house without ample time to provide the materialas, and no man should expect to grow a great or- chard without taking time for the prepa- ration. THE APPLE ORCHARD. In making selections for the apple orchard, reference must be had to the wants of the markets. Early summer fruits are wanted at the north, and these should be liberally planted, as, taking all things into consideration, they will return the best profit. Among these, Early Harvest, Red June, Sweet Bough and Red Astrachan should stand promi- nent, with such others as are found both early and productive. With these early fruits you would be the first in the northern markets, and obtain a good price. Autumn apples, except for home use and for drying, would be of little value. It is probable that the KeswicJc- Codlin will prove valuable both for an early market cooking apple as well as for drying; and, for this purpose, equally or more valuable than the Horse apple, now so popular for this purpose. After the summer apples for the north comes the long keeping winter varieties, for the winter and spring shipments to the south. On the limestone soils I need not say that the Newtown Pippin stands at the head of the list. Others of high merit I have already named. Of the protection to prairie orchards, I have spoken on another occasion, but of the protection required in the timber lands we must leave for future observa- tion. I have no theory, much less prac- tical advice to offer. I have observed that in some orchards the rot is much more destructive than in others. Wheth- er this is effected by soil, aspect or acci- dental cause, I cannot say ; but careful observation should be made on this point. As New York, Michigan, Ohio and Indiana usually produce good crops of apples ; and, with low freights in their favor, it cannot be expected that the northern winter market would offer the advantages of the south. In sending apples to market, they should be hand- picked and carefully assorted. It is the best fruit that sells. Poor fruit will not pay the expenses of shipping when put up alone, and when mixed with good, it deteriorates its value in market, and leads to disappointment, and injures the credit of those who send it. -; PEACHES. Large peach orchards have been plan- ted, but I have not seen one that has re- ceived any particular care. No attempt has been made to thin out the fruit or to destroy the curculio, and until these two matter.^, together with good culture, are attended to, you may boast of great crops, but for fine fruit, Alton will stand a head and shoulders above you. Here, too, you want the early varieties, for Michigan, Indiana and Central Illinois, with their cheap freights, will undersell you in the autumn market. THE PRAIRIES. I look upon the prairies'of Egypt as of great ultimate value for the apple orchard, and a strong competitor with the pear and the peach. Draining and deep plowing will be the enchanter's wand that shall unlock their pomonal products and place them high in the list of fruit growing lands. On them the natural grasses abound ; hence the first great need, pasturage and meadow, are supplied. Most of these lands are of the lime mud drifts but the sandstone over- laying the coal occasionally crops out, giving a sandstone soil with soft water. On such lands the Rhode Island green- ing is found in perfection, and doubtless the Swaar would also prove a favorite. The question of protection by timber belts I leave for you to discuss, merely suggesting that, if for no other purpose, you would find them useful in checking the severe winds of the south-west from blowing off your fruit before ripe. BLACKBERRIES. . No fruit has so rapidly come into pop- ular favor, and no soil or climate appears to be more congenial than this. The rocky frontlets of the grand chain, the woody slopes of the sandstone forma- tions, the lime mud drifts where skirts the groves and cultivated fields, whether of prairie or woodland, alike teem with this invaluable fruit. Forty rod whisky and " red eye," said to have been a pop- ular beverage in all this country, have given place to the more mild and health- ful juice of the bramble, popularly known as blackberry wine. . : t. POMOLOGICAL AND HORTICULT (TR AL SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS. That this society must exert a vast influence on the future of this part of the State, is plain to the most obtuse observer. Embracing as it does, gentle- men of high practical attainments, both in the orchard and the garden, its delib- erations will go forfh to the world as an earnest of success, and show that the dark cloud of orchard abuses is rifted, ;:rJi^M£:'., THE ILLIISrOIS ir-^RMiER- 21 and that henceforth the light of science and of practical utility shall place the products of Egypt proudly before an appreciative people. IN CONCLUSION, I appeal to the ladies present, that they use their influence in persuading their husbands, sons and brothers to devote a small portion of their time to the beauti- fying of their homes, to add the beautiful to the useful of the homestead around which the loved ones cluster. It is the flowers that call back our thoughts to the Infinite and the beautiful ; then why may we not drape our walks with these symbols of love, and festoon our homes with'lthe nobler gifts of Flora? Shall the evening sun be sent back from forest aisle or waving field of grain, and his last rays not kiss the closing beauties of the floral world that should blush beneath the window of the homestead, and give a parting good night as she sinks beneath the prairie billows. «•> From the Chicago Press and Tribune. Fawko' Steam Flow as J is and what it may be. That Fawkes has demonstrated that plowing can be done by steam no one will deny, but that he has demonstrated that steam can profitably compete with animal power is entirely another thing. In September, 1858, he plowed the first furrow by steam on the western prairies. His plow was pronounced a success by others as well as Ourself, at the time, for it had turned six perfect furrows side by side, in the most workman-like manner, and of the length required by the com- mittee. The shouts of the crowd of farmers present was a sufficient attesta- tion that the much desired end had been attained, and Fawkes was the hero of the hour. But no one claimed that all had been fully demonstrated; its economy must still be proved; it must show ill dollars and cents whether it had the vantage ground of the ox, the mule and the horse. To ascertain this point a day of trial was set at Decatur, to come off in November. The day proved a complete cross between rain, hail and snow; the wood was wet, the ground was slippery, and the whole thing, so far as a trial of any value, was a failure. But in the midst of these untoward circum- stances it was discovered that the machine had not the capacity to generate steam in sufficient quantity for continu- ous work on long lands. There was no pump apparatus for pumping up water; the fire box and flues were too small for our Illinois coal, together with other minor defects. To those who looked at these defects they did not seem insur- mountable; the boiler could be made larger, pumps could be attached, the fire- box and grates enlarged, and clipper plow could replace the ones in use. Fawkes was urged to take his plow to some large farm and give it a thorough trial in the various kinds of plowing — such as raw prairie; timothy clover and old land. But the shouts of the crowd had elated him, and the fact that he could plow was sufficient in itself to convince him that it could be done with his engine cheaper than by animal power. His machine was housed at Decatur, where it still rests in maaterlj inactivity. In- stead of remodeling this machine at some one of our railroad locomotive shops, and continuous trials m^de on our western prairies, (for if the nlachine ever suc- ceeds, it must be here,) a new one was ordered and made at Philadelphia, and brought west for exhibition at the State Fair. In some respects it is an improve- ment, and in others a decided loss. The boiler is too small, (the old fault,) the fire-box and flues the same, the pump for filling the tank but little better than none, the pinion, spur and driving wheel too small, making a loss of leverage, liable to stop in passing centers, and pre- venting the use of a steam cut-oflf. The whole too heavy, weighing some thirteen tons without fuel or water; the plows were not adjusted, but run by guess. Such was the condition of this machine, which, all untried as it was, its inventor expected would carry off the premium of the State Society and that of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, being an ag- gregate of four thousand five hundred dollars. ' A scientific committee pronounced in its favor, the gold medal of honor of the United States Agricultural Society was awarded it, the snouts of the multitude indorsed its powers, and it stood proudly forth as the great agricultural achieve- ment of the day. But conservatism is yet an element, and claims a hearing in the affairs of men, and it is said to Fawkes, you must prove by actual trial the working power of your machine; you must go upon the prairie slopes of Central Illinois and show the number of acres you can break of the raw, uncultivated prairie per day, and the cost of the same, you must turn over the cultivated meadow and the stubble land, and demonstrate its actual cost. These you must do be- fore capital will give you encouragement or the practical farmer will invest in your iron steed of the prairie. To this inex- orable bidding Fawkes bowed acquies- ance, and landed his machine on our farm. Like its predecessor it is housed in for the winter, and in the spring is to undergo the necessary alterations. — Fawkes has learned wisdom from defeat, and has pledged himself that his plow shall win fame from actual worth, or be broken up and sold for old junk. Since our notes of the trial of the 22d of November, the gang of plows have been under the hands of one of our best plow makers, and of course much im- proved in the arrangement of running. Only six have been put on as yet, and they did not require more steam to draw them than the four did at the trial, show- ing a decided gain. When they are all properly arranged they will cut about eight and one-fourth feet, or half a rod in width, and will not probably require over one hundred pounds of steam. That the machine is much too heavy is now conceded; that its gearing must b« materially altered — the boiler and the fire box enlarged, a much larger pump, an extra tender for wood and water, and several minor improvements must be made before it be all that is expected of it. We have an abiding faith that Fawkes will make it a success, that is as much as a reasonable man could expect, but this will take him probably all of next season. The Illinois Central Railroad Company have given him all the possible aid, even more than money would have done. They can see the ultimate succesa of the en- terprise and therefore have overlooked the whims and caprices of the inventor. Mr. F. is a carpenter and farmer, but has had no training as an engineer. — Had he put his machine in the hands of a good, practical engineer, he would have done much better. It does not follow per se that an inventor of a drum upon which a locomotive may be moved or to move itself is capable of running the engine, no more than that a general who conquers a country is capable of gover- ning it; Mr. Fawkes is no exception to this rule, and we doubt, that without further training, that he could keep his place even as a fireman on one of our railroad trains. We would therefore advise him that when he again gets up steam, that he put a good engineer and fireman in charge, and that he devote himselE to the arrangement of the machinery; for while at the throttle-valve how can he see whether the plows work right or wrong. There has been plenty of time, even with the bad weather, since the arrival of the plow, with the proper aid, to have made considerable progress, but that time has been frittered away without working any practical results. It is no disparagement to Mr, Fawkes that he is not master of all the trades necessary to make his invention a great success. The motive power is made upon the usual plan of a locomotive with upright boiler, and his invention consists of the drum, and the application of the power to move it. That this power can- not be directly applied to the drum as stated in a recent notice of a Chicago model, is plain to every observer. The arrangement of plows in a gang is no easy matter. Many inventors have es- sayed it, but thus far without complete success. We can sec no reason why thi cannot be overcome; but it will requir^ ■■,'iX ■ 22 THE ILLINOIS F^HIMEH. patient, laborious effort, and when Fawkes brings his inventive energies to bear on this point, untrammelled with other cares, we shall expect to see him succeed. WPIAT THIS MACHINE MAT DO. At present it cannot be expected that anj other than that class of large farmers who use steam power would invest in this machine; but should it prove a success, small farmers will club together to pur- chase. As a stationary power, it is one of the best, as it can move itself from place to place over good roads, and can be used to saw wood, to thresh, to ^rind sorghum, to shell corn, to make brick and tile, and when the ground is dry and in proper condition, will do a large amount of plowing in a short time. now MUCH will it plow per day. In plowing on the 22d, the best time in half a mile was made in some ten minutes, add two minutes for turning, and we have twenty-two minutes to the acre — this would give less than three acres per hour — now add fifteen minutes as the average of each stop for wood and water and we have about two acres per hour. We therefore estimate that if this machine was in good running order that it would plow of raw prairie from sixteen to twenty acres per day. As the machine nev'cr has done a day's work, of course it is mere guess work what it can do, but from our stand point, the above is our guess on the subject. This will not please the inventor, and may disappoint the expectations of the people, and we confess that it is less than we had placed it before. We are not dealing with what improvements may do, but with the machine altered as contemplated. — AVc cannot estimate the speed it makes — over three miles an hour, stoppages included. We must wait another season for the full growth of this machine, and learn, that like other useful articles it may undergo material changes for the better. All valuable farm implements have had to gradually win their way, however valuable they may have proved, this may be the case also with the steam plow. The Bteam- boat and locomotive were years in being' brought to perfection, and we should not be discouraged wi h the steam plow. Something of the kind is demanded and genius will bring it forth. For his efforts thus far Fawkes is entitled to no small meed of praise, he has shown a noble perservancc and is richly deserv- ing of warm encouragement in his future efforts. We think that the expectation has been raised too high in the quantity that any steam plow will be able to ac- complish. The prairies of the west have asked for a steam plow, and gpniijs that has given us the steel clipper, the^reaper and the mower will grant the boon. Rukal. West Ur'oana, 111, Dec. loth, 1859. . Meeting of the Executire Committee of the State Agricaltnral Society, Jan. 5th. With the exception of the corresponding Sec- retary and Gen. Singleton the members were all present. The President read a letter from Sim- eon Francis, the corresponding Secretary, saying that he was on his way to Oregon, but that he expected to return within four months, and that in the meantime, Capt. Barrell would perform the duties of the office. lie tendered his regards to the Board for many kindnesses he had received at their hands, and wished them a full meed of success in the arduous duties before them. Dr. Johns offered a resolution to the effect that in consequence of the absencG of Mr. Francis the Office of Corresponding Secretary be declar- ed vacant, and that the Board proceed at once to an election to fill the vacancy. After some little discussion and the examination of some unimportant matters, the Board proceeded to an election. John P. Reynolds, of Marion county, 0. W. Murtfeldt, of Ogle county and J. T. Little, of Lee county, were put in nomination. Dr. Johns moved for an informal ballot, which was had, and resulted in eleven votes for Mr. Rej^nolds and two for Mr. Little — Mr. Bunn be- ing absent and not voting. Dr. Johns then moved that Mr. Reynolds be j^|lectcd by acclamation, which was done. Mr. Reynolds is well known to our State Fair goers, having been Superintendent of the two last Fairs. He is a good scholar and a graceful WTiter, of the most strict integrity, and in all respects a gentleman. We learn incidentally that he is to take up his residence in Spring- field. ESSAYS. The reading of essays had been gone through with yesterday, and this morning they "came up for the aw.irds. Charles AV. ilurtfeldt, of Ore- gon, Ogle county, received the premium of ten dollars for the best essay on practical farming. There were two competitors, both of whom had a higher regard for fine writing than for the practical. Miss Mary Murtfeldt was awarded a special premium of ten dollars, for a very cx- ceUent essay on Agricultural Literature. It is a matter of surprise that there was so poor a show of competition in this department, and we hope for the credit of the Agricultural press of the State that our writers will sec to it, that this very important feature of tho Society does not hereafter sulTer. BEPORT ON FIELD CHOPS. Messrs. Gage, Bro. Sc Drake, of the Trcmont House, were awarded the first premium on po- tatoes. They grew three hundred bushels of pinkeye potatoes on one acre. The ground had been underdrained in the summer of 1858. Some eight loads of manure was used to the acre; plowed twice and planted May 20th, in rows three feet apart. The land was well culti- vated with the shovel plow and cultivator. Ten bushels of seed was used, cut in pieceg and planted in the usual way. Farmers of Illinois, do you know the secret of this success ? Do you suspect the cause of the wonderful produc- tive powers of that worthless flat prairie, the great inarsh that belts the city of Chicago? Let us whisper it in 3'our ear ; don't start ! the words are simple ; listen : Underdraixing ! When you become dissatisfied with your crops of forty or fifty bushels, see if you cannot subsoil this term so as to comprehend its value. Its meaning is apparent, being simply great crops. The second premium was awarded to Harrison Hancock, of Groveland for his crop of two hun- dred and eighty bushels to the acre, the variety Rhode Island Neshannocks, a worthless potato for culinary purposes, and hardly fit for stock, but is a great yielder, and so long as size wins, competitors had better plant it, providing always that the premimns are large enough to warrant it. A. & 0. Barnard, of McT^an county, plant- ed forty-two acres, three-fourths of which were Pinkeyes and the remainder Neshannocks ; the entire crop was 7182 bushels, or an average of seventy-one bushels per acre. The land was manured and plowed ten inches deep. The hills three feet by two, wsing seven bushels of seed per acre. The crop has three plowings. After awarding the premiums as above, a warm dis- cussion occurred in regard to the value of this last crop over the one receiving the second pre- mium, and the result was a special premium to the Messrs: Barnard, of $5 for the large amount planted, and the fine quality of the crop. In this case gaving a back hand stroke at size wins. ' 0. B. Galusha, of Kendall county, grew on half an acre planted with the Shaker potato forty-five and a half bushels, or 190 bushels per acre. Hugh Hulls, grew sixty bushels on half an acre. SPBIN'G wheat. Wm. Wyman, of Freeport, was awarded the first premium on his crop of Rio Grande of 37 32-GO bushels per acre provided that he amended his returns satisfactory to the Board at the next meeting. A sample of this wheat obtained the first premium at the State Fair. Hugh Hulls, of Kane county, was another competitor, claiming to have grown twenty-six bushels per acre on five acres, but, the report was not well authenticated ; nor would the Board send it back for amendment. Mr. Hulls takes too many premiums ; and some of his neighbors are either jealous of his good fortune or have good reason to doubt his statements, and in con- sequence throw discredit on his statements, and it therefore requires strong proof to fortify his claims. WIKTER WHEAT. ' Messrs. Chambers & Rhea, of Morgan county, raised nineteen bushels per acre, on Illinois river bottoms. Harrison Hancock, of Groveland, rais- ed 29 55G0 bushels per acre of May Wheat. J. B. Turner, of Mattoon, raised 26 26-60 bush- els, samples of which took the first premium at both the State and National Fairs. The proofs were imperfect, and the matter was referred to the President, with power to act. c 0 B N. Harrison Hancock, 99 4C-5G bushels per acre, •< ^ A(m;£>; £; AH^-A 'Mijf!,- THE ILLIISrOIS FARMER. 23 $25. Plowed land ten inches deep ; cultivated four times with shovel plow; variety large gourd seed. We suppose when this corn is ready for market in June next, it will weigh out about 84 bushels, as it must shrink at least eight pounds per bushel. Hugh Esdale, Sparta, 83 47-56 bushels per acre, $15. Plowed a foot deep; cultivated four times. The proof in both of the above cases was imperfect and unsatisfactory and the Board directed the President to have new proof in form, and if satisfactory, to pay the premiums. This was done in several cases and the paying of the awards will depend upon compliance. At this point the Board got pretty well snarled up, at one time, the rules must be enforced and at another not. The truth is that the Ex- Presidents have pretty much had their own way and what they chose to have done was made the order of the Board, but there was a growing disposition on the part of the President and Vice Presidents to have their say, and put a stop to this species of dry nursing by these ex- officio gentlemen, and upon examination the rules governing the action of the Board were found to be the ipsi dixit of these gentlemen. A great many curious things will turn up in re- lation to this kind of management ; but as they are now defeated, it is probable that they will withdraw their valuable services from this insti- tution for a time and repose in the shade of their laurels. The records of the society, as printed, do not show the list of applicants for premiums, nor the disposal of rejected essays or premiums. The svunmary manner of disposing of essays will account for the want of competi- tion. When they reject an essay the reasons should be given, and the writer will then know what the Board expect. But this kicking them out of doors is no way to encourage this kind of literary labor. We have but a few who venture on this species of competition, and they are all too sensitive to be used roughly ; they should be encouraged, for we cannot afford to do with- out them. We think there are few members of the Board who could write an essay on practical farming but what would show some crude points. Hard working, practical farmers are not polished writers in all cases, though their facts are in- valuable. An essay on practical farming should embrace the practical minutia of culture, and is separate from general farm management, which is another matter. FIELD PEAS. ' Harrison Hancock, half an acre, 10 40-60 bushel, $10. Plowed eight inches deep; sowed one and a half bushel of seed. A good result, considering that our soil and climate is not suited to this crop. SWEET POTATOES. John Anderson, Sr., Sparta, 90 bushels on thirty-nine rods, or at the rate of 369 bushels per acre. A quarter of an acre was the require- ment, but the rule was waived and the first pre- mium of $10 given to Mr. Anderson. H. Hancock, quarter acre, at the rate of 320 bushels; and Wm. Robinson, quarter acre, 324 bushels, and was awarded the medal. Proof in all three cases imperfect. This .shows that this is a profitable crop in this part of the State, but it is too much neglected. OKIONS. S. Wilbur, Momence, Will county, 472 bushels per acre, $10. Deep and thorough culture with abundance of well rotted manure; the seed drilled in, in rows eight inches apart; variety, large red. SPEINO BARLET. Robt. Jones, CedarviUe, 43 1-3 bushels per acre; ground plowed deep in Autumn; sowed early to the four rowed variety; harrowed and rolled; one part of the field used manure; this part much the best; recommends thick sowing. Wm. F, McAlmar, Dacotah, 40 bushels per acre. He also plows deep in Fall; .sows two bushels seed, early in Spring; after cutting shocks to cure, and then puts in stack to sweat. FLAX SEED. W. Robinson, Flat Praurie, one acre, 12 bushels seed, $10. .:::■;'•' .: CLOVER SEED. Hugh Hulls, one acre; seven bushels seed; cut the first crop for hay and the second for seed; $10. : ,"■-•■'■ ■"■■^- TIMOTHY SEED. H. Hancock, 15 28-48 bushels per acre, $10. Hugh HuUs, 4 bushels per acre. ;■ . BLUE GRASS. . H. Hancock, 23 6-14 bushels per acre, $10. Blue grass is usually stripped by hand and sold in the chaff; this weighs 14 pounds per bushel; it is also cleaned, but this clean seed is seldom in the market; again it is cut up in the hay with common feed-cutters and sown; this is quite common for home use. CASTOR BEAN'S. "' James Crawford, Flat Prairie, 7 acres; 20 2-46 bushels per acre. WHITE BEANS. Harrison Hancock, half acre, 23 40-60 bushels: ground plowed in March; planted June 15th; peck of seed, of White Cranberry; $10. OATS. Hugh Hulls 62 bushels per acre, $10. "Best improved and highly cultivated farm of not less than 500 acres." J. N. Brown, Island Grove, gold metal. This is a stock farm mostly in blue grass, is well cared for, buildings and fences in good repair, groves and belts of artificial forests make a valuable feature, warding off the severe winds and protecting the stock, which feed on the blue grass nearly all winter. W. S. Buler, Ogle County, $15. BEST 160 ACRES. Andrew McFarland, Asylum Farm, belonging to the State, at Jacksonville, gold medal. This is really a model farm, of which our citizens and tax payers shoiJd be proud. J. S. Sherman, Rockford, $15 00. BEST 40 ACRES. K. K. Jones, Quincy, gold metal. The Committee commended this farm very highly. Mr. Jones has had no training as a farmer until he purchased this farm two years since, his early years were spent in the city of Chicago, where he graduated to the lumber dis- tricts of Wisconsin. Being enamoured of the prairies of our State he removed to Quincy and purchased the farm in question. With his own energy and good sense, aided with a liberal use of agricultural books and journals, he has carved a home out of one of our delapidated worn out farms that now stands a model among small farms. Old Fogies must wake up or the book farmers \\'iU carry off the prizes. ' ' John Cook, of Springfield, $15 00. Mr. Cook is another of the active book farmers ; the modest and unassuming Recording Secretary of the State Board. Louis Clapp, of Lee Center, was highly commended. With all three of these farms the Committee were well pleased. "Best arranged and economically conducted Prairie Farm" — A, & O. Barnard, of Blooming- ton, gold metal. This farm was the one to which a special premium was awarded for the large field of pouitoes. "Best arranged and cultivated nursery of fruit and ornamental trees, plants and shrubs" -—Lewis Ellsworth & Co., Naperville, $20 00, M. L. Dunlap, AVest Urbana, $10 00. "Best arranged and cultivated nursery of grafted apple trees from one to four years old" — 0. B. Galusha, Lisbon, $20 00, J. S. Sher- man, Rockford, $10 00. "Best show of one and two year old grafted apple trees"— Overman & Mann, Bloomington, $10 00, S. G. ilinkler, Spring Grove, Kendall County, $5 00. PLOWING MATCH. Fifteen teams entered. J. D. Brewster, Peru, $15 00, Amos Washburn, Freeport, $8 00. Hugh Hulls claimed the gold medal offered for the "best improved farm for all purposes. Hia statement is interesting, and we copy it; 60 acres of Spring Wheat, 1132 bush., 80c f 905 TO 35 acres Oats, lT;i5bu> greater. We may be disposed at some future time to show up the corn fields of some of our would be great farmers, who boast of their hun- dreds of acres of half- tilled crops. ^t- Advertlsing Gratis. Baltimore, January 1, 1860. To the Editor of the JUitiois Farmer: Bear Sir — We take the liberty of enclosing a grand scheme to you in the Delaware State Lottery Class 48, to be drawn January 28th. Our object in writing to you is to offer a very liberal proposition in this superb scheme. We will send you a very finely arranged package of 26 tickets in the enclosed scheme for the risk of only $40; this package gives you the advantage of $65 worth of tickets for the cost of $40. This is the most successful way to pur- chase, and to convince you of our confi- dence in its success, we will promise to sen* you another package free of charge if the first fails to draw a threa number prize, the lowest being five hundred dol- lars— see full scheme within. We make this offer in good faith, with a desire to sell you the grand capital of $100,000, and we hope that you will accept it. Enclose us the $40 and the package will be sent by return of mail, the result of which we confidently think will be satis- factory to you. Hoping to hear from you, we remain, respectfully, [Box 546.] & Co. Kemarks. — The west has been and continues to be flooded with these swind- ling lottery schemes, and we regret to say that too many of our young men, sons of our well-to-do farmers, have been the victims of these leeches, under the garb of law. Their promises are as baseless as those of the confidence man or the counterfeiter, and their contact is almost as dangerous as the pickpocket. The only safe way is to give them all a wide berth. These vampyres have taken enough money out of our State to pur- chase a good library in every town, and yet they continue to find willing victims to their repeated rascalities. If any of our readers can give us a single instance where a dollar has been drawn on any of these sham lotteries, we shall be glad to make an extended notice of it. • ... OUR SCHEMB, V ; for alubs of subscribers, ib one that wilj THE ILLIISrOIS FARMER. m • '■ .. pay fco canvass for, both morally, social- ly, intellectually and financially. (The publishers are making propositions to print twelve thousand copies of the March number. Shall they not have the subscribers ? We can work under almost any condition of things, but we will no doubt become eloquent when greeting our twelve thousand snbscri- bers. — Ed. -: «•»- State florticultnral Soeicty— First Day. This Society met at Bloomington on the 16th January, 1860. The attend- ance was much the largest of the aunual meetings thus far, this being the third one since the organization of the Society. It has been charged that this Society has been under the control of nurserymen, who were using it to adver- tise their wares. But such has not been the case. It is well known that nursery- men and fruit grows have diflfered widely on the subject of root grafting vs. bud- ding, on high and low heads, on deep and shallow planting, as well as vaiious nursery practices, more or less effecting the value of the tree for orchard culture. It was natural that these mooted points should be discussed and finally settled, for it is the nursreyman who lays the foundation of the orchard, and fruit growers have a right, and it is their duty to look into the nursery and critecise the the various processes. These points have been maijily disposed off as pre- liminary to orchard culture, and hence, the discussions at this meeting have been more of a practical nature, and to the general reader will possess no small'in- terest. Other engagements have prevented us from writing out our notes at the time, but with ample time before us we can now do them better justice than to have been compelled to sit up after the long sessions and when worn by the day's work to have, written them out at the time. With these remarks we will proceed to the subjecf in hand. The meeting was called to order by the President, C. R. Overman, who deliver- ed an appropriate and eloquent address, going far back into the past and con- trasting it with the present. He jointed proudly to our schools, those great aids in the onward progress in our beautiful calling. He spoke eloquently on the subject of an agricultural and horticul- tural department to the Kormal Univer- sity, and recommended that the subject be brought to the attention of the next Legislature, and that the farm of some one hundred acres belonging to the Uni- versity, be put under the charge of proper persons in connexion with the proposed department for an experimental farm, garden and fruit orchard. This was subsequently ac-ted upon as will be seen by the proceedings. ' ; ■ ■■:;■-:■;-•: \; EVERGKEENS. . Mr. Bryant, Chairman of the Com- mittee on Evergreens, appointed at the last session, read an able report on this subject. The report is too long for our space and we condense it. "Beautiful as are our prairies, when clothed with the green grass, the waving grain and the flowers of spring, summer and early autumn; they are at this sea- son, where yet unornamented with trees, among the dreary spoto of earth. Many farmers — some of them perhaps having failed in a few ill-directed efforts to cul- tivate fruit and other trees — appear to have adopted the idea, that as they found no trees upon the soil, nature never in- tended that any should grow there; and that it is useless to contend with her. And among the groves and belts of trees with which some residences are furnish- ed, how seldom do we see an evergreen! Very few trees of that class are natives of our State, and those are only found in the most rugged and retired situations. Here then is a deficiency for the culti- vator to supply.- Let him who plants trees remember that a single fine ever- green attracts more attention and is more pleasing to the eye for at least six months in the year, than several trees without leaves; and that as a protection •against the fierce blasts of winter, one row of evergreens is more efficient than twenty rows of deciduous trees. Experi- enced tree planters have asserted that a double row of Norway spruces is as effectual a screen against wind as a building of equal height.*' The following is a list of evergreens which prove perfectly hardy in Bureau county — all of them will doubtless suc- ceed much further north. They are all well worthy cultivation — those markedf are most desirable. ;. tWLite Pine, ■f-Austiian Pine, Cembran Pine, tUed. or Norway Piue, Gray, or Labrador Pine, tScotcbPiue, tYellow Pine, Jersey JPine, American Arbor VitsB, Siberian Arbor Vitaa, lied Cedar. +N>jj,^3,rfJJi<:a;-»^r^i,-:I-s;i£ii'^ai.c'..' v 't'f-ji.i'-.^ ii:^\.->^.^i^:' 'i^Si^i^Z' T% • ,v ■.-.'!r'^.\----:^^''r TiWm^ m 26 THE ILLINOIS E^HMEH. H Evergreens of most of the hardy var- ieties, two feet high, twice transplanted, can be furnished in this State at from $15 to $20 per 100. Those six to ten inches high, once transplanted, at from $5 to $10 per 100. Native varieties of the latter size $30 to $50 per 100. We would recommend early spring for the transplanting of evergreens, before the buds swell. We are aware that this is not orthodox, but we challenge any man in the west to show a greater success in moving these valuable trees than has fallen to our lot when we have moved them while in a state of rest, and we point with pride to the fine growth of all such trees so moved. We have yet to learn of a single dead tree sent out at that season of the year from our grounds. It is true that these trees can be moved at any period of their growth, even in July or August, but we would not com- mend the practice. We seldom mulch, preferring clean, constant culture. ORCHARD CULTURE. Mr. Bryant spoke at length on this sub- ject. His soil is a strong clay, or rather clay loom, well adapted to the growth of spring wheat, corn and vegetables, and comes up close to the timber land, and much of it was at the time of his settlement cov- ered with hazel, and protected on the south by the forest. It was nearly thirty years since he first put the old cast plow into the virgin prairie and turned up its rich mould. Young and buoyant with hope he entered upon orchard planting, and subse- quently commenced his nursery. For many years the groves poured forth their pomonal products in profusion — the wild plum, the paw-paw, the persimmon and the crab apple, were the auvajit couriers of the more valua- ble apple, the pear, the cherry and the plum; but, alas, his hopes had been sadly disappointed. The severe winter had destroyed many of his best apple trees; the blight had killed his pears; the curculio had stung his plums, and the scalding sun had destroyed his finest cherries; but he did not dispair, with protection and underdraining he believed that he could guard against the Bunden changes of cold. That the blight, like other miasmatic diseases had abated, and might not again return; that the bark louse and the curculio could be successfully dealt with, and that we had in the May cherry, and a few hardy sorts, a fair show of this fruit; the Houghton gooseberry, the current, the strawberry, the Black Cap and Purple Cane raspberries, the blackberry arid the persimmon — all that could be desired in these fruits, both as to hardiness I and fruitfulness. He urged deep and thorough culture — would throw up the ground into ridges and set the trees on these very shallow, rather haul up the earth on the roots than to set deep, \cet feet for trees should be avoided. The orchard should not be seeded down to grass, but in case this is done, clover is the least objectionable. Hogs will do good service in the orchard by destroying the apple worm aud in keeping the ground loose. With deep thorough culture no manure is required, nor would he recommend any stimulents unless he was certain the soil was becoming exhausted. On the whole, with the apple he has been successful, but has attributed much of it due the forest and artificial protection around his orchard — on one side is a long belt of the black sugar maple set out some twenty- five years, and now forming a belt of trees unsurpassied in symetry of form, and inter- posing a solid wall against the heavy winds that sweep over the orchard. Mr. B. was listened to with a deep interest, as he is one of the oldest and most careful orchardists in the north part of the State. Mr, Kennicott wished an expression of the Society on the subject of the proper age of trees planted and recommended the plant- ing of young trees not more than two or three years old. Dr. Warder, of Cincinnati, " coincided in favor of small trees, for three reasons — they were better than large ones, large ones were not so good, and small trees were not sub- ject to such heavy freight charges. He ob- jected to the tying up process, preferring to guide the direction, of growth by careful trimming. If he used stakes at all it would be for the purpose of preventing injury in plowing, by wrenching ofi" the bark by the whifiletree, this should be avoided. In cul- tivating among orchard trees a short whiffle- tree should bo used, say one foot in length, this would seldom injure the tree. EVENING SESSION. A very respectable audience was present to hear an address by Mr. B. D. Walsh, of Kock Island, who proceeded to speak on Insects injurious to fruits and trees. Mr. W. remarked that it was not neces- sary in this meeting to comment on the great extent of the injury done to crops by in- sects. It is tenfold that done by all other animals, and amounts annually to hundreds of millions of dollars in the United States. So multitudinous are the destruc- tive insect tribes, that they would speedily lay waste the earth, were it not that by the wise arrangement of Providence, there is for each family of noxious insects another fam- ily to prey upon it and check its increase. Mainly by this agency, the numbers of the noxious insects are kept down so thoroughly, that it is only occasionally they become numerous enough to efi"ect a general destruc- tion in any region. Thus in New York and New England, in 1791 and again in 1853, the "palmer worm" stripped not only the orchards, but even the forests almost entire- ly; yet between and since those epochs it not only did not become very destructively numerous, but was in some of the years so scarce that it was difficult to find a speci- men. ' '• \ - The speaker suggested that fruit raisers would yet have to rear these cannibal insects (or insects which eat insects) to make war upon the noxious ones which attacked their fruits. This idea might be thought ridicul- ous, but since the French breed fish by arti- ficial means, and the Italians rear the silk- worm, and the Mexicans annually produce by artificial care a million pounds of the little cochineal insect, each pound containing some seventy thousand of the insects, why might not we study the habits of the insects which are hostile to our enemies, and breed them for the sake of securing their help? Insects are divided into about one hundred and seventy-eight families, and each of these into numerous species. But all these fam- ilies were grouped into only eight orders, and it was observable that through every group of allied families ran a similarity of a.spect or appearance which would enable any one to easily recognize their relationship, and with this similarity of aspect also went a similarity of habits. Thus there were some three thousand species of ichneumons, all of which lay their eggs in the bodies of larvae of other insects; and there were several fam- ilies of "digger wasps" all of which make nests and imprison spiders in them to serve as food for their young larvae when hatched. So it was far less diflScult than might be sup- posed, to learn to know the general habits of an insect from his appearance, and to know whether he was a noxious or a useful one. After dividing all insects Into biters and suckers, and each of these into four orders, whose leading characteristics were pointed out at considerable length, Mr. W. proceed- ed, in answer to questions to suggest the em- ployment of certain described "cannibal'' larvae to rid plants of particular classes of destructive parasitic insects. The curculio might be contended against by the usual method of shaking the tree, or by paving under it or if overhang water, or by cutting off" and burning the black knot, which ho harbored the pest at one stage. He sug- gested burning the weedy edges of fields to destroy the chinch bug in Its supposed win- ter haunt; and also advised springllng co.n with water when attacked by this bug, as Wi^'^^^^--' 'grS^^^ !Tf!^4|pf'~*^3«?sr?s™ *iww SME^^^f!!PiB??5fv'^spp?p|B^^ • =^^S*r^r^ ^i./'-;-:^!*': ";^? ''■;.■ THE ILLIISTOIS F_^RM:EII. the habits of the bug make rain peculiarly fatal to it. Mr. Walsh spoke for nearly two hours, and was listened to with undivided attention and interest throughout. Adjourned to 9 A. N., after passing a hearty vote of thanks to Mr.W. :: \.-:: SECOND DAT. : After the order of business and some other unimportant matters were disposed of — on motion of Mr. Jones, of Quincy, a commit- tee of three — L. Shaw, K. K. Jonos and C. T. Chase — were appointed to devise ways and means for securing a more general circula- tion of the printed minutes of )the Society's meetings among the people. F. K. Phoenix was appointed chairman of a committee, consisting of himself, Dr. Schroder and Carew Saunders, to make out and forward to the Corresponding Secretary of the Society a report on vegetable garden- ing. ; - - • ■■■- - .• "'Y-'-' The following gentlemen were appointed by the chair to compose a committee of nine; three each for the north, centre and southern divisions. of the State respectively — to report on the twelve best varieties of apples for cultivation in each division: — north, J. T. Little, L. Montague, S. Gr, Minkler; central, M. L. Dunlap, J. H. Stewart, F. K. Phoenix; southern, Chas. Kennicott, C. Montross, John A. "Warder. The committee to report on Friday next. The first article (preparation of soil) in the discussion of orchard cultivation was then taken up, upon which the following opinions in substance were expressed. Mr. Jones, as result of successful experi- ence, advised deep plowing, even subsoiling, with back-furrowing to secure surface drain- ing, and plant trees on the ridge of furrow. He had plowed to the depth of sixteen inches. Mr. Minler, of Tazewell county, trench plowed with two teams, and advised under drainage where not too expensive. Had planted in all soils, but gave preference to high or rolling ground. Mr. Montague reported loss of many trees m the wet season of 1858, and thought low, wet soil more injurious than cold of winter; recommended planting on ridge of furrow, and rolling ground for drainage. Would plow deep, especially on clay soil, and back- furrow, giving decided preference to high lands for orchards. Mr. Smith, a gray headed vetran, had had fifty years experience in orchard culture in the west, and had found a wet soil to be the great cause of failure. He insisted on deep plowing, and if possible underdraining, a dry high situation with clay soil is the best. Mr. Minkler, had dug large holes for his trees in his early orchard practice, and set deep; he now, trench plowed his land a foot deep, ridged up and set his trees on the ridge. When he loses an animal he takes the carcass to the orchard or yard, digs a deep hole where he wishes to set trees, puts in the carcass, fills up with earth and sets a tree on it; the growth in all cases have been double that of other trees, and have proved both hardy and productive. He would prefer underdraining to surfaee-draining — sets his trees two rods apart in squares, and stakes his trees when plant- ed; prefers low heads, but not so low as to prevent plowing close to them. (We have made repeated visits to Mr. M.'s orchard, and ^now him to be very suc- cessful— re ore so than any one as far north as Kendall county.) Dr. Warder, digs one hole for the whole orchard, uses a double Michigan plow and subsoils, throws the land into ridges and plants shallow — would not seed down an orchard. Mr. Bowman thought that upon sandy soil back-furrowing or subsoiling was not necessary, but clay soils should be plowed deep and holes made large toac- commedate plenty ef root. Mr. Montague objected to stimulents, bones, &c,, upon the ground that they hasten decay of the tree; that the rich- ness of the soil was the priucipal cause of premature decline of orchards, and trees should not be forced. They would live longer, and be more hardy on indif- ferent soil. Mr. Coleman thought an abundance of animal muscle, applied in the form of deep plowing and careful cultivation, the best stimulant in preparation of the soil. Mr. Shaw had used slaughter house offal, but without any advantage — the soil was rich enough. FOEM AND SIZE OF TEEES. Mr. Phoenix prefered two and three year old trees; would rather have two year old trees than four at the same price. But he would here remark, that some varieties were larger at two than others at four years old, and of these slow growing kinds, four year old trees would suit him. He would rather fix upon size as a criterion than age, say trees four to six feet high. With upright growers he would head lowe, but the spreading ones head higher, so as in all cases to be able to plow the orchard — wants to work the land two to five feet, the last depth being the underdrain. Sets his orchard trees twenty to thirty feet apart, depending on the habit of the tree, whether upright or spreading. Mr. Jones would have two or three year old trees; prefers to dig them him- self, so as to have plenty of roots; would not stake his trees, if not stocky enough to stand, would cut back; likes to see the branches come out singly, like the limbs of an. oak, to prevent splitting down. ^ ^ ^ ^ Mr. Bateham, Secretary of the Ohio Pomological Society, would prefer two year trees of the fast growing kind, and three of others. He was an advocate of low heads, but not so low as to prevent working up to the trees with a team. He thought the low head theory had to some extent been run into the ground. - = Mr. Dunlap would prefer two year old trees of fast growing varieties, and three of others ; on the whole three year old trees are best. In setting out over two thousand orchard trees, he had se- lected mostly three year olds, always preferring two to the four year old trees. Plows deep, throwing into lands twenty- four feet — the width of the rows of trees, and intends to underdrain with tile. By putUng the drains in the dead furrow two and a half feet deep. Has the heads so as to plow the lands. Never expects to seed down his orchard — uses no manure — prefers thorough culture- prefers fall planting of the apple, and banks up with earth ; this keeps the tree in place until June, when the mound is leveled off, and the tree will stand firm. Uses no stakes ; thinks them sometimes useful. The heads of young trees should be thinned out, not cut back. Dr. Clapp planted 1500 two year old trees last spring ; prefers such trees on account of their fine fibrous roots ; large trees will lean to the north-cast, and re- quire staking, while the small ones will root firmly, and need little staking up. Mr. Galusha had experimented in both large and small trees ; when planted to- gether the small did better, grew faster, and finally overtook the large, and proved more hardy in winter. Favored low heading and mulching, and thought thirty feet not too far apart. Thought fall a good time for planting if_ well mounded up. Mr. Minkler would plant in' the fafl, as at that time the land is in better con- dition. In the spring the ground is apt to bake and the trees make less growth ; another thing, we have more time in the fall ; would bank them up. Mr. Bryant suggested that the matter should be regulated rather by the size or height of the tree than by the age — trees in one portion of the State being as large at two years as others at four. Mr. Montague thought fall planting in the north part of the State out of the question — would never do there. Mr. Overman*s experience was fayor- able to fall planting. . ■ ; ■ ^ ■ ./.>... AFTERNOON*;. .';;;■■> -^/V'-i^' ■ Small Fruits V7ere taken up; and first, the SXBAWBERRY — Mr. Dunlap was called ^■^yr:-^ wy-^-- • • '",l#*fp -J'^'^^'' •"T^ 28 THE ILLINOIS E^HMEH. out. Trench plows his land a foot deep, •without manure ; sets out his*plants while in blossom, in rows three feet apart, and die foot apart in the rows ; covers with long manure after the first freeze in winter, and if possible while snow is on the ground ; rakes this off in the spring. For the second season, let them stand without any cultivation till the fruit is off; then spade under a strip some four- teen inches wide between the rows; rake the ground smooth ; let new run- ners fill up this space. Next season, after^the fruit is off, spade under the old rows in like manner, and so proceed from year to year. It was easy to raise strawberries. .; A large number of members spoke, all approving Mr. Dunlap's culture, with unimportant variations, if any. The discussion was chiefly on a choice of va- rieties for cultivation, and on this point there was much diversity of opinion, scarcely any one plant securing an una- nimity of voices in its favor. Finally, by votes more or less strong, the Early Scar- let, Neck Pine and Hudson, were recom- mended us suitable for general cultiva- tion throughout the State, and Wilson's Albany and the Iowa or Washington were recommended for further trial. In addition to these, the Extra Red and Longworth's Prolific were strongly com mended. During the discussion, L. Shaw of Tazewell described his methop of trans- porting the berries to market, in wide but shallow boxes of lath, only three or four inches deep, which he had found to keep them in best condition. The boxes are made of lath and hold four to six quarts. He said it would not do to ship in air-tight cans as tliey would sour and mold. The boxes cost about one cent per quart for material and making. Has Ilovey's seedling from an undoubted source; it is staminate, and very pro- ductive. Several members stated that this plant was a pistillate, but Mr. S. contended that it was as true a Hovey as any, and he would call the attention of gentlemen to the fact that it took Mr. Hovey six- teen years to decide on the sex of his strawberry, and he believed he was yet in doubt, Mr. Henry Shaw had compared the plants of his father with some procured from Mr. Hovey himself, and that they were in all respects identical. Mr. Batehara had tried over forty varieties, and found Burr's New Pine the best, and Hovey 's seedling the worst; it wont bear in his grounds ; Wilson's Albany was not ot good flavor, but pro- fitable for market ', Prolific Haughtboy's with him is not prolific ; thinks well of Hooker ; Peabody with him is poor, but g^t Cleveland does better ; Extra Red is fine, a good grower and productive, the fruit is rather acid, but sells well. Mr. Galusha finds the Neck Pine the most productive ; Peabody is good, with large fruit, but less productive than Neck Pine, which was the berry for him. Mr. Edwards haa lost his last crop by the June frost ; Neck Pine was his fa- vorite for market ; had a high regard for Early Scarlet, which had also proved profitable. Mr. Kennicott had tried over thirty varieties. For all the State the Early Scarlet was the best, as it done well un- der almost all circumstances. He had found Neck Pine the most productive ; Hovey's Seedling and Prolific Haught- boy not productive. All agreed that when strawberry cul- ture was divested of the mystery that quacks had placed around it, we should have plenty of this invaluable fruit. The Currant — was next taken up In relation to this fruit, deep culture and manure were recommended by nearly all the speakers, and for central and southern Illinois some shade seemed also to find favor with most. Mr Edwards. The red Dutch is the best of all currants; the white Dutch and white grape, the best white currants; black Naples is valuable for jelly. He sets three by four feet and manures heavilv; leached ashes are valuable — grows the bush form. The Victoria is a productive late variety, ten days later than others. Mr. Pha3nix said the Victoria was worthless. He was for the red and the white Dutch. Mr. Dunlap, plants three by six feet, so as to work with a horse, manures. Had found those shaded in the afternoon to do the best. Mr. Freeman, knew of a row on nortli side of tight board fence and another row through middle of the garden, both well cultivated, but the one next the fence did not produce one- fourth as much as the other. Mr. Starr, sa'd that on the north side of a picket fence they did much better than in the open ground; he would make a wide distinction between shade and the cutting off the circulating air; cur- rants needed air as well as shade. Mr. Kennicott, would use shada; but too much shade would tend to excess of acidity. In Egypt, the spring rains drown out this plant, and underdraining mvLAt be resorted to. The currant there is of less value than at the north. GoosEnERRY. — Mr. Galusha said the Houghton would mildew, but not to damage it materially; is the best variety. The general sentiment apparently was that the only plan is to plant a kind tha: wont't mildew; and Houghton's Seed- ling was very generally concurred in as one that mildews very little if at all. Mr. Bateham recommended also a variety known as the American Seed- ling, or Ohio Seedling, or Pale Red, &c., which is however supposed to be of French or German origin. Mr. Phoenix mentioned favorably kinds known as the English Green and the City. Hough- ton's Seedling and Pale Red were recommended by resolution for general cultivation. Subsoil Plow. — Mr. Dunlap intro- duced a steel subsoil plow, made by Messrs. Deere & Co., of Moline, Illi- nois. A recess was had to examine it, when Messrs. Warder, Bragdon and Freeman, explained its use and value, and the thanks of the Society was voted Mr. Deere for this valuable implement, and it was also recommend for general use in the preparation of all clay soils for horticultural purposes. It is made after the pattern of Mapes' steel subsoil plow. Mr. Deere himself was present with it. In shape its share is like a somewhat elongated trowel laid on its face or upper side, ridged up but very slightly in the centre, and a little hol- lowing under. It has no landside. Team, from two horses to three yoke of oxen. Dr. Warder suggested that the share be fastened with a screw and nut, so as to take it off when sending to the shop to sharpen; as it was, the whole plow must be sent. The Raspbekky — was then discussed, with general concurrence in favor of deep culture, and severe pruning. Dr Warder said the Purple Cane was the berry for the north country, it roots at the tips and thus sends up new shoots. It was also valuable for wine. Mr. Chas. H. Rosenstiel, of Freeport, had found it perfectly hardy. By some, the Doctor said, it was called English, but he considered h an American varietv: it never suckers, needs severe pruning, and on the whole promises well for the State at large. Mr. Galusha recommended the com- mon Black Cap for general culture. Mr. Kennicott and others concurred, and it was so passed. The Allen Raspberry was also put down as promising well. Catawissa, Belle de Fontanay, and Ohio Everbearing, were recommended for fall crops. Mr. Sanders, would prefer Catawissa for family; use it is too soft to carry, has a musky flavor, should be severely cut back in spring. Mr. Bateham, prefers the Belle de- Fontanay, but to have a fall crop it must be severely cut back; he would cut it back to the ground. s . :•/ ;> Dr. "Warder, said those Everbearing varieties should be severely cut back in spring, or the fall crops would be light. The season of this fruit could be extend- ed some weeks by cutting back, say m^i^ !,lf^-'- ■■^?iT«?^-?;;^-' »-^ . f^ypWy;- Xf^mPfP^v^ - . -■T^r^' THE ILLINOIS FARMER. 29 commencing at a foot liigh, graduating up to the mere tips. Those cut the least "would ripen first and others in succession, according to the height of pruning. The above fully explains the want of success in the Everbearing varieties, and we now hope that they will again come in favor. Mr. Starr, had grown Brinkle's Orange, it was a little tender, and must be cut back to the ground \7hen trans- planted; if the plants were allowed to fruit the first season it would be the last of them. This was generally concurred in. Dr. "Warder, would plant in rows nine feet apart and four feet in the row; the usual custom was in hills five feet each way, but this is too close; the Allen would do that distance; but Purple Cane and Black Cap should have ample space, cut back in February and March. EVENING gESSlON. Dr. Warder, of Cincinnati, delivered a written lecture illustrated by diagrams, showing the process of growth in plants, and tracing the analogies between bud and seed, and between branch and root. It was long and able, but any abstr ct we could give would not do it justice. THIED DAY — MOENING SESSION. After the introduction of Dr. Brendle, of Peoria, as an honorary member of Society, the business committee reported the following programme for the day. First, Appointment of a committee to petition the Legislature, in the name of the Society, to pass a law making fruit stealing larceny. Second, Appoint- ment of a committee to petition the Legislature for an appropriation of $ to aid the Society. Third, Discussion of the pear, plum and cherry until eleven o'clock. Fourth, Election of oflficers of the Society for the ensu- ing year. The committee on "stealing fruit" consists of Dr. Clapp, K. K. Jones, C. R. Overman and F. K. Phoenix. The one on appropriation was the President and the Corresponding Secretary, with authority to fill the blank with the amount they should see proper. Discussion on the Pear was next in order. Dr. Warder, although not much ac- quainted witn the subject practically in Illinois, had seen some good samples on native stock and quince root, and thought they might do well especially in the prairies of the south part of the State, and on clay soil. Several examples were noted where pear tree exposed to kitchen draining and soap suds yielded well, where those in the orchard died out. Others had failed on both sod and cultivated land, and seemed despairing of the cultiva- tion of the fruit in this State, complain- ing much of blight and premature decay. Mr. Galusha "recommended dwarf style, with good deep and thorough cul- ture, and Mr. Chase dry gravely soil, good cultivation and underdrainage with shelter. Had known both dwarf an standard to do well. Mr. Shaw had known no blight with dwarf on trenched ground, and Mr. Ellsworth thought draining, or subsoll- ing to bring up the clay loam on prairie soil, necessary, as also protection by sufi'ering the limbs to grow low. Mr. Montague had succeeded tolerably well in the northern part of the State. His trees had not suffered from blight for several years, thought certain varieties more subject to it than others; did better on northern slope, than facing the sun. He manifested confidence in pear raising in Illinois^ but thought better to adopt only the more hardy varieties, especially the Bartlett and St. Grermain. Mr. Kennicott advocated deep cultivation, underdraining, shelter in central and north- ern Illinois, avoidance of stimulants, stand- ard growth and especially Egypt as the place to raise good pears. Mr. Phoenix had confidence in the success of pear culture in this portion, particularly of the standard, and thought the dwarf would do well south. Recommend hardy varieties here. Mr. Overman was desparing of general success in the cultivation of the pear, through the many obstacles to be overcome, the principal of which was the univers»»l negligence among farmers in its cultivation. Several other members expressed desponding views, mostly considering wet soil detrimen- tal, and drainage essentially necessary, and many instances of the beneficial effects of shelter from sun were remarked. A con- tinued application of the plow and hoe was by others considered sufficiently stimulant. Altogether it seemed pretty generally con- ceded that in successful cultivation of the pear, deep and ceaseless stirring of the soil, effectual drainage, and sufficient shelter and protection, are more essential that a firm but inactive reliance on the goodness of Provi- dence. Messrs. Phoenix, Bryant and Kennicott were appointed a committee to recommend a list of the best varieties of pear for cultiva- tion. On cultivation of the plum, which came next on the programme, the experience of Mr. Shaw, of Tazewell county, seemed to prove favorable to what he terms the Chick- asaw variety — a deep red plum. He had reared them to considerable extent and profit, missing a crop but once or twice in fifteen years; his trees bearing often three bushels each at three dollars per bushel. A good enough recommendation. He thought them superior to the wild plum, and the awarding committee at the State Fair seem- ed to think so too. On the other hand Messrs. Bryant and Overman could not recommend the Chicka- saw— the former reporting them a decided failure in Bureau county. The wild plum found several sanguine advocates, who thought them more hardy and a sure crop when not inclosed from stock to trample the ground ground them. Mr. Phoenix thought the Damson profit- able here; there was much demand for them, and they were remarkably free from the cur- culio. Had done well, especially- where the ground was trampled. Mr. Shaw set his out from eight to twelve feet apart, with the ground well plowed; but recommended no cultivation after two years. Mr. Minier coincided in favor of the Chickasaw, as bound to succeed, especially in Southern Illinois, and become the plum. Mr. Kennicott found no trouble, with underdrainage, in raising plenty of plums, and was not confined to the Chickasaw, but recommended a selection of hardy varieties, among others the Imperial Gage. He would rather go east once in five or six years, take his fill of grand plums, and depend upon the remembrance of their lucious flavor, than to te compelled to eat the Chickasaw upon any condition. Mr. Bryant thought budding more uncer- tain than grafting, and cleft grafting the surest to grow; considered underdraining an advantage. As to varieties he preferred the Lombard as hardy, and objected to the Nectarine as tender in winter. Had tried Brewster's remedy for curculio with success. Brewster's remedy is to syringe the tree with white wash, chamber lye and other offensive fluids. Mr. Edwards in an experience of many had succeeded well with the Lombard, and as a protection against the curculio recom- mended a thorough whitewashing of the trees in the spring, and an occasional after application of chamber lye under them, with good cultivation. Mr. Ellsworth presented Rosenstein's remedy for curculio — fumigating the tree several times a week with tobacco smoke, which was considered very effectual. An- other method, presented by Mr. Starr, was to carry a canvas under the tree while it was shaken or bumped to dislodge the curculio. Should be used often. J. Warder thought it anakcellent method and that with the intermission of a few weeks in the last of May, the tree should be shaken every morning from the time the blossom falls. Messrs. Galusha, Overman and Bowman were appointed a committee to recommend a list of best varieties of plums and cherries for cultivation. The Society then went into an election of officers for the ensuing year, which resulted as follows: President, Samuel Edwards of La Moile; Corresponding Secretary, J. T. Little of Dixon; Recording Secretaries, T. Starr, Alton, and H. C. Freeman, of La Salle; Treasurer, S. G. Minkler, Kendall county; Vice Presidents, one for each Con- gressional District, were elected as follows: 1st, L. Montague; 2d. J. W. VVukeman; 3d, R. W. Waterman; 4th, N. Overman; 5th, — Scarboro; 6th, J. A. Hilliard; 7th, — Hostetter, of Decatur; 8 th, C. A. Montross; 9th, G. H. Baker. AFTERNOON SESSION. ^. The Society, immediately after dinner, accepted the invitation of Profs. Hovey oad Wilkins to visit the Normal School buildil^ Several large sleighs were speedily loaded" ,.^. , 30 THE ILLINOIS F^HMiER. and after an absence of more than an hour the members returned to business evidently much refreshed and pleased with the trip. The nowly elected President was duly in- Btalled in office, and congratulated in a short speech from the recent incumbent, C. II. Overman, to which Mr, Edwards made a brief but pertinent reply. A vote of thanks was also tendered all the retiring officers by unanimous acclanjatioii of tlic Society, lor the faithful manner in which their dutica have been performed, Mr. EIl3(T0rth, of DuPage, President of the State Board of Ap-iculture, referred to the kiniily and efficient CO-operation of the Horticultural Society with the former in tlieir lute State Foira, and expressed the hope of a continued alliance oflnter- csta. To whicli Mr. Galusha responded on tlie i)art of the Hor- ticultural Society, and a resolution was passed that its oflicera confer with those of the State Agricultural Society in regard to further co-operation at State Fairs. The subject of Oi chard Culture was again talcen up, and aftee much loss of time in detemiininK what branch of it was in order, Mr. Kennicott was permitted to remarlc that he de- cidedly preferred, in planting an apple orchard, to choose young and small trees. For Southern Illinois he would set out the free-growing kinds at one year, those of slower growth at two years; for Central and Northern Illinois he wuulit take the free and the slow growers of two and three year.s old re- ■pectively. Among the reasons for preferring small trees hO Rientioneit of the tree in pruning it to for a head. Mr. Whitney described his mode of planting an orchard. Sets low-headed trees — or rather Ifavea them utancliiiff in nursery ground which is about to be abandoned, — as close as 10 by 16 feet for some kinds; 12 by 16 feet, aud up to 20 by 24. Root-prunes pretty severely every alternate tree in the other rows; this dwarfs them and makes them begin bearing early; will bear tliemselves to death in some teu years, when they can be cut out, leaving an orchard standing. Root- prunes in the spring. Just as the bud is bursting, or else after the June growth. Mr. Ellsworth — would cultivate orchard in hoed crops until trees fairly get to bearing, then seed down with clover. Mr, Whitney concurred. The gathering and preservation of the fruit next received ■ome attention, Mr. Bryant leading ofiT. The main thing was, to hand-pick very carefully, on a dry day; don't bruise them or pull out the stems; place them by hand in barrels, and head them up, immediately from tlietree, without preliminary "sweating" in pilos; keep the barrels where the temperature is low without reaching the freezing point. Several other mem- bers concurred in these views. Mr. Montague found apples keep we!I in bins not more than a foot deep, but best of all in headed barrels. Mr. Bragdon coecurred in preferring barrels; has packed fruit in str^w; but preferred to use nothing of the lort; simply put the apples into barrels and head them up. Several others concurred in saying that salt barrels or pine boxes will impart a taste to the fruit. . Dr. Worder called attention to the necessity of packing apples very tightly in barrels, even to crowding the head down with such force as to bruise the upper tier considerably; this is necessary where they are to hear transportation. Several others coi.carred heartily In this. Messrs. Overman and Bryant stated tliat if apples be packed in air-tight barrels, they may be left out doors or in other freezing places all win- ter, and the fruit will not spoil. Sv^ning. — .Kt about 7,V o'clock p. m., at Phoenix Hall, meeting called to order. An interesting communication was was read from Cyrus Thomas of Murphysboro', describing tlie climate and sails of Southern Illinois, and drawinjf the conclu- sion that Egypt was '25 per cent, ahead of the North in adap- tation to fruit growing. He fixed the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad as Egypt's Northern boundary. Prof. C. D. Wilbur delivered an eloquent and interesting lecture, on the formation of the prairies aud prairie soils. His explanation of these wonderful formations, was that this part of the prairie country was once covered witli a deep aea, like the sea of Saragossa, where the vegetation and drift of other climes settled and termed beds of coal — of drift borne down from distant mauntains. ami carried out into this sea, in the same manner that deltas are uow being formed at the estuarios of our large rivers. Some mighty power with Titon force, raised the bed of this vast ocean from beneath its rolling bil- lows; not at all once but gradually, leaving a lake whose Southern rim was the grand chain of hills, and its Northern border now marked by the gray or lime drift which form the Southern limit of the great corn zone of the State. At length this lake broke through this wall of silicious conglomerate and the windings of the Upper Mississippi presented itself to view. As his lecture is to be published we took no notes and shall not attempt even a synopsis. FOlTRTH'n.tT. The'plan of exercises for the forenoon session was — Ipt. Discussion on the place of holding the next annual mceliiig of the Society; '2d, Difcussion on the proper and most ni>|)roved implements for deep and thorough tillage of the soil; :id, Re- port of the throe committees a])i)ointed to prepare a list of varieties of apples best adapted to cultivation in different sec- tions of the State; 4th, Report of committee on fruits exliibited at this meeting; 5th, Miscellaneous business; Cth, Grape cul- ture. Progranuiie adojited. In discns.' recommended the Michigan highly as a pratrie- breaker, for which the plows should be set about two inches apart, and the top plow cutting about an inch deep, turning under the turf like a scroll, cutting in all some three inches deep, he had broken seven acres in this way last February and first of .March, aud in September it was so thoroughly rotted that no coulter was required to cro.s, plow it. As a complete pulverizer of the soil, he would recommend them for old land also; but to his mind their greatest value was in breaking up prairie or meadow land. Mr. Deere, the manufacturer, testified to their pojiularity by stating sales of two hundred the present season, to be used mostly on old ground, where they would i)low eight or ten inches with one span of horses. Mr. Kennicott considered the Double Michigan ahead of all others, on uni/ soil, and rejiorted a perfect furor lor it in Egypt. It would jilow two acres per day, and with three horses turn a depth of from 14 to IS inches, tive acres of such work being in his opinion better than forty plowed in the old way. In regard to the draft of this plow, some objections were made by those who had given it atrial sevend yoars ago, when it was first introdnced. Great improvements in it since, have, according to amjile experience of others who spoke of it, en- tirely obviated this dilliculty. Its simjiiicity and ease of regulation to any gauge, from three to fifteen inches, was also adduced as likely to secure its genejal use as a deep tiller. APPLES FOK KORTUblHN ILLINOIS. Best twelve varieties, considering hardness, productive- ness, quality and profit. iSum7ner. Red .\strachan — Hardy, productive, and profitable. Early Pennock— Early and abundant bearer, and best mar- ket fruit of its season. Carolina Red June — June, productive, enrly bearer, growth slow. I'all. Maiden's Blush— Very beautiful, an abundant bearer, excel- lent for cooking and drying. Fameuse — Uardy, excellent, profit.tble. Kcswiok Codlin — An early bearer, very valuable for culin- ary purposes. Winter. Dominie — Great bearer, pood quality, profitable. Jonathan — Hardy, excellent, profitable. White Pippin— (iood quality, productive, will take the place of the Newtown Pijipin. Winesap — Good and profitable in all localities. Willow Twig — Good bearer and best late keeper, poor tree In nursery. liittie Red Romanite — Contains the dollars and cents. For a Sweet Ajiple — Talman Sweet. GKEATER M'MBER OF VARIETIES. Summre ^Ticnon'i^ Swect June. ^all — Kambo, Lowel. IC/^^cj'— Fulton, Swaar, Yellow Bellllower, Roman Stem. Messrs. Gahisha, Overman and Montgomery objected to Little Romanite. Mr. Overman moved to substitute Sweet Romanite. Lost. Mr. Galusha moved to insert Rawles' Janctt. Lost. LIST OK APPLES FOR SOl'THERN ILLINOIS — BEST TWELVI VARIETIKf!. Summer — E. Harvest, Car. Red June, Bcnonl. J''trll Maiden's Blush; Fameuse, Rambo. Wintei — Jonathan, Yellow Bellllower, Rawles' Janett, Dominie, Winesap, Willow Twig. SrpPLEME.NTART LIST. Summer — Sweet June, Astrachan, Early Pennock. »///— Hask.ill's Swect, K. Codlin, Fall Wine. iri?i^een under discussion in the regular course of proceedings of your body. There is one, however, which from its importance demands especial atten- tion at our hands. We refer to the subject of Horticultural Education for the youth of our State. No part of that excellent address has imiiressed your committee with more favor or given them a Iiigher estimate of the forecast and wisdom of its author. AVe view Horticulture as a branch of Agriculture. In this calling about three-fourths of the people of our State are en- gaged. Other branches of business have their schools in which their candidates for admission must go through a course of preparation. The training received by those who enter the learned professions is given in richly endowed and ably con- ducted institutions. They are not only qualilied to fill their posts with honor, bus we see them in after life taking the lead of men more worthy and more talented though less favored in their youth by educational advantages. The workshop; the manufactory and the otiice are schools in which are taught the theouy as well as the practice of manufaotures and commerce. Persons following these avocations are naturally drawn to- gether in cities and villages, when commercial colleges and mechanics' institutes are appreciated and fostered. In them the knowledge of the jiast is treasured up and by them trans- mitted. They are the rejiository of every new fact elicited or improvement made, and through them the acquirement of that knowledge is rendered easy. With farmers it is otherwise. Their business and liabits of life render them solitary. Scat- tered over a wide extent of territory, each one is forced to pursue his own plans in his own way, knowing little what his fellows have done, except through the intervention of the ag- ricultural press. We therefore find the tillers' of the soil la- mentably ignorant of the first great principles which underlie the science and practice of agriculture. Farming in the west, including that elegant and important branch. Horticulture, is to a great extent a system of disastrous experiments, based on undefined and often falsely assumed premises. It avails little that we, j-ear liy j'ear, expend time and mo- ney in e.xperiments, if our children must go over the same tedious process after us, being none, the wiser for what we have done. Some method of transmission must be devised. The child should stand on the shoulders of his father, sweeping a wider field of vision ; for so, every generation, rising in the light of its predecessor, can start where he left off, and thus, in process of time, attain a summit from which the whole field of science can be viewed. To ])lace the children on this vantage ground it is only ne- cessary to teach tliem the reliable results of the experiments of the past. A single result may have cost the labor of a gene- ration, and yet can be learned in a day. Knowledge stimu- bites inquiry. Children placed at the top of the knowledge of tlieir time, would be especially stimulated to add new facts, and thus, by systematic advancement, we may gain access, one by one, to the secrets of nature, until she shall cease to be an unexiiiained mystery. Knowledge imparts delight. A secret learned, a fact gained attaches its possessor to the study Investigated. The illiterate farmer merely stays and vege- tates. The educated man is enamored of his profession, aud follows it with a zeal stronger than the attractions of commer- cial i>ursuits, or the honors of public life. We regard this subject worthy of our ablest and best citizens, and therefore recommend the adoption of the following resolutions : Kesolved, That a committee of five be appointed to call a convention of the people of this State to concert measures for the establishment of a permanent system of agricultural in- struction on a practical and economical basis. Jlexolved, That said committee be furtlier instructed to lay before such convention, facts and statistics on the subject. Rexolved, That the conmiittee be directed to confer with the Executive Board of the State Agriculiural Society at their next meeting, with a view to securing the co-oper.ition of that society. C. T. CHASE, Chairman. The report and resolutions were adopted, and Messrs. C. R. Overman, Minier, Dunlap, Galusha and C. T. Chase were appointed a committee of five to act as referred to in the above resolutions. Tlie reading of the report was the occasion of drawing out a fine expression of feeling from several of the members upon the important matters therein treated upon and contemplated. Messrs. Dunlap, Minier, Overman, Chase and others were eloquent in the advocacy of the incorporation of a school for the practical education of tlie agricultural com- munity— a kind of manual labor branch of the State Normal School — wherein the principles forming the foundation of the science upon which two-thirds of the people of the State de- pend for a laborious livelihood shall l>e taught by practical teachers in a practical manner, instead of being slowly wrought out by uncertain experiment. CiLTfRE OF THE Grape. — Dr. Warder being called upon, said that he should not prefer the prairie for vine culture, but if planting in that region would select the most exposed situa- tions— elevated and airy. Prepare the ground by using the Double Michigan and the steel subsoil plows, such as that shown by Mr. Deere, of Moline ; stirring as deeply as possible ; drain it possible; furrow the ground so as to plant five by six feet, setting two cuttings or one rooted plant at each intersection ; cultivate well; keep clean and throw the soil to the vine so that they shall be on ridges eventually, and thus have surface drainage between the rows. Trimming — winter, when not frozen ; remove all the shoots but one cane of last year's growth, and a spur from which to bring up two canes for the next year. The long cane is cut back to a point where sulKt ciently strong, say from three to six feet long, for bow training. In the siiring, as the buds start, this cane is to be bent and tied to the stake. The summer pruning is very important ; all ••*■■ THE ILLIjSTOIS f'^rm:eii. 31 superfluous sprouts are to be removed as they appear. The bearing wood i3 to be shortened in during the summer by pinching off the end. The two strung c;ines for ne.\t year are tlius encouraged to grow, and should be allowed to extend, only removing the ends of the side shoots that may appear. Tills U but a brief outline of the mode of pruning adapted to bower training stakes. The graft is easily jiropogated by cleft or saddle grafting, done beneath the surface, either on established vines or on pieces of root ten or twelve inches lon^, set in tlie soil so deep as to cover the graft, raising a little ridge over the' grafts to protect them. By earthing up tlie soil tliey will root finely. Hardy kinds only were recommended for general planting, such as Concord, Isabella, Clinton, Delaware, Northern Mus- cadine, Ac. AFTERKOOX SESSION, At 8:20 P.M. the society was called to order. Programme reported and adopted as follows: 1st, Unfinished Business. 2d. Deciduous Ornamental Trees. 8a. Ornamental Slirubs. 4th. Climbing Plants. 5th. Flowering Plants. Under the first head, the matter of securing the publication of the full minutes of this annual meeting was considered. It appeared probable that to issue them in pamphlet form would not cost less than $275. Mr. Galuslia explained his action in the matter of publishing the minutes of last year in the third volume of State Agricultural Society's Transactions. He was informed by Mr. Francis that those proceedings could be so inserted if they were cut down to about one half their first extent and the copy furnished to the printers by a definite time, which was so short as to give him no opportunity to consult the other officers of the Horticultural Society. He had aimed, in abjidging the proceedings, to leave out those parts which were least interesting to the general public, how- ever important they might be to nurserymen. In this connection, Mr. Spencer complimented the Panta- graph for its careful reports of the several sessions, and sug- gested that members could send copies of that paper to their local papers as a basis for a notice of the proceedings. Seve- ral members concurred in expressing obligations to the Pant- agi'aph for its reports, and a vote of thanks to that paper was passed by acclamation. Subsequently a number of copies of the Pantograph Extra, containing proceedings of the first tlirec days of the meeting, were l)rought in and distributed gratis, among the members, and a number of packages of the Weekly were offered by different gentlemen for general distri- bution. [We are also under obligation to the PantagrapJitor many items In our report. Knowing that the editors of this enter- prising paper would publish a pretty full account of the meet- ing we were less attentive than usual in taking notes. — En. III. Farmer. Mr. Bragdon offered the following resolution. Adopted unanimously : " Reaolved, That this society were highly pleased with their observation of the new Normal Uuniversity building, in its size and adaptedness to the purposes for which it is intended, and we regard it as a nucleus around which much of interest for coming generations shall cluster." On motion of Mr. Overman, the constitution was so amended as to make the Executive Committee more central and a more convenient working body ; and the meeting appointed Messrs. Hamilton Spencer, C. T. Chase and C. U. Overman as such committee. A considerable amount of correspondence being on the table, which there was not time to read, a committee was appointed to take it in charge, with power to publish, we believe. Deciduous Ornamental Trees.— Mr. Bryant was called up, as the leading authority on this topic, and gave his views and responded to questions. He thought the Silver-leaf Ma- ple the best ornamental tree, all things considered, to plant on the prairies ! it was a hardy and beautiful tree, clean ane free from suckers, and a rapid grower. Silver-Leaf Poplar and Black Locust, objectionable in many situations for ornamental purposes, on occount of their sprouting so freely from the root. Tulip Tree or American Poplar, a nolile tree ; one of the finest for ornamental purposes. He raises them easily ; has no difficulty in getting them through the winter. Mag- nolia Aoimiiuiia or Cucumber Tree ; a very fine ornamental tree, and very hardy. Sugar Maple, a very desirable orna- mental tree, where one has time to wait for it to grow. White Elm, another very desirable tree. Box Elder, a beautiful tree for a small one. Horse Chesnut, does not succeed in this State, which is singular, since its cousin the Buckeye grows so rapidly. Chesnut — Will succeed with proper management. Must be very careful to get good seed ; must take up the young trees at one year old and replant them, cutting off the tap root. Grows best on the highest ground. Quite a discussion arose concerning this tree. Mr. Overman spoke of the great importance of saving the seed carefully ; must not be allowed to dry so as to shrink in the shell ; if they do they will never germinate ; must be gathered from the tree and packed immediately in clean sand, with all the soil pre- viously washed out of it ; wet the sand and let it freeze and thaw during the winter. Mr. Montague would not freeze them at all ; thought Mr. Overman's treatment in that lespect likely to kill them; oth- erwise he approved of it; kept his sand dry. Mr. Overman said seeds treated by him as already described had germinated and grown well. Mr. Montague had raised the tree successfully on high land. Mr. Minier thought it best not to transplant them at all ; plant the seed where they are to stay. Others thought they would infallibly winter kill the first or second winter, if not taken up and partiall.r buried. Mr. Minier would protect them then. There were chesnut trees growing in one or two places in and near Oidtown Tim- ber in this county. Dr. Clapp described a chesnut tree standing in Gov. Wood's yard at Quincy, fully two feet in diameter, from a nut planted by Gov. W. himself; trees near it of twelve to sixteen inches diameter, from nuts grown on the first tree ; trees in bearing condition from nuts grown on these second trees and jiroduced nuts of the same character as the origina' *,ree. But all this was away up on a high Mississiipi river bluff. Mr. Spencer suggested some s.ight experience going to con- firm the belief tliat the chesnut grows slowly in our soil until it strikes the gravelly subsoil, after wliich it advances rapidly. Mr. Dunlap would recommend packing in mass as soon as gathered from the tree; keep till spring in a cool cellar, and plant early where the tree should stand, and protect the first winter. Mr. Bryant resuming. American Linden (Basswood,) often makes a beautiful tree when standing alone. Blue Ash was a fine tree. Had always failed with the Spanish Chesnut ; would not Stand the northern winters. [Mr. Starr remarked that he had raised them at Alton.] The European Mountain Ash succeeds; single tree very ornamental. Red-bud, strikingly beautiful wlien in bloom ; luindsome when only in leaf, lieech, very slow grower; diffi- cult to make succeed. [Others concurred.] Larch, very de- sirable ; suits prairie soil well, and is very ornamental. The American species or Tamarack, is at home in a swamp, yet does about as well on upland. European species rather finer, but succeeds best in dry soil. Weeping Willow, preferable to any other willow, but unfortunately wont stand the winters north. Golden Willow, rather desirable.' Birches succeed well with him, (Mr. B. lives at Princeton, Bureau county,) and are tine trees ; the kind known as Paner, Canoe or White Birch is finest. Mr. Minier made some eloquent general remarks on the desirability of planting trees: Mr. Spencer, as one who was not a nurseryman, gave his testimony to the advantage of getting trees from a good nur- sery, instead off from the forest. They were much more likely to live and grow well. At about this time a number of members left to take the early afternoon trains, and the fuither consideration of the regular programme was virtually given up. Some miscella- neous business was however done. A communication was read from the Wisconsin lYuit Growers' Association, inviting Illinois Horticulturists to attend the meeting of that society soon to beheld, or to send communications on matters appro- priate to the meeting. Letters from Dr. Kennicott and from Mr. Hazletine, Presi- dent of the Cincinnati Horticultural Society, were read, and those gentlemen were elected honorary members. A paper on Landscape Gardening by Mr. Kern of Alton, was presented and referred to a committee; we believe the same committee which was selected on motion of Mr. Galusha, to make out a list of ornamental trees, shrubs, plants and flowers to be recomraened for amateur cultivation in the several parts of the State, committee consisting of Messrs. Bryant, of Bu- reau, Phoenix of McLean, and Kern of Madison. Dr. Shroeder moved a committee of three to report on best variety of grapes, mode of cultivation, Ac. Carried, and Messrs. Shroeder, Freeman and Smiley Shepherd appointed. The following resolution of thanks was adopted by acclama- tion : Renohfid, That this society teiider our sincere thanks to the people of Bloomington for the kind reception we have received at their hands, and that we shall ever remember with senti- ments of gratitude the noble-hearted friends residing in this beautiful and growing city, and shall look back upon the few days spent among them as the happiest of our lives." Mr. Kennicott here jumped upon a bench, declared he was not satisfied with the society's recognition of the kindness re- ceived here, and called for three times three cheers for Bloom- ington, which was given with a will. In response. Dr. Shroe- der led off with three cheers for the society. Mr. Galusha moved tLe appointment of three committees for the three divisions of the State, to act ad interim in examin- ing and making notes on fruits at the time of tneii ripening, and report next year. Carried, and the following committee appointed: Messrs. G. H. Baker of South Pass, Union co., J. M. Hunter of Ashley, and George Berry of Alton, for the south; F. K. Phajnix of Bloomington, H. Shaw of Taiewell, and Dr. Clapp of Peoria, for the centre ; C. H. Resens tiel of Steven- son, B. Galusha of Kendall co., and Edgar Sanders of Chicago for the north. SHOW OF fruit. The show of fruit was not large, but specimens all good. E. K. Jones, S. G. MinKler, Dr. Warder, C. K. Overman, F. K. Phoenix, Mr. Montague, W. H. Hanson of Lee co., and N. Overman, were exhibitors. There was a committee appointed to make a report, but it did not fall in our way. Jlr. Minkler presented Winesap, Yellow Bellflower, Esopus, Spitzenburg, Slinkier, which bj' the way we consider identical with Brandy wine of K. K. Jones. Mr. M. distributed a large dry goods box of the scions of this fine fruit, English Kusset, Harrison, Ortley, Domine and Green Everlasting. The society then adjourned sine die, and the late evening and night trains carried most of the members homeward. Thus ended one of the most important meetings of pomolo- gists ever held in this State ; important, as explaining many failures in fruit-growing, and showing how they are to be avoided ; important, as giving a reliable list of fruits for the State, not only of apples, but of the small fruits. The subject of the Peach and Chgriy was not reached, but these, together with vegetable gardening, will receive due attention at the next meeting. We spent the time most pleasantly and profitably, much pjeferring to listen than to take part in the discussion. Our first night at the Nichol's House, under the management of G. A. Smith, we made two disceveries, the firsi that this hotsl has the best beds of any hotel at which it has been our good fortune to stop at, during cold weather ; and secondly, they have excellent coffee that puts one in mind of home. The traveling public will thank us for telling them these facts, for Bloomington hotels have not in past tilne stood very high. For the remaining portion of our time we were the guest of Prof.Hovy and Sheriff Withers, to whom and their kind ladies and return our thanks for their many attentions. The State Fair. — The Magnet is trying to stir up the Decatur folks to make an effort to secure the holding of the State Fair in that thriv- ing city. This question will be determined at the next meeting of the Executive Board to be held in this city, Feb. 21st. Jacksonville, Peor- ia and Bloomington are competitors for the honor; but the Chicago papers say the Fair must be held in the Ciarden city. AVhat are our peo- ple about V Is there to be no effort made to secure the Fair to Springfield ? THE HOUSEHOLD. the seeding machine. The progress of cultivation has been marked by the introduction of new machinery and of a more scientific course of developing the riches of the earth. The measured beat of the hand flail is hushed in the music of the thresher; the cast iron plow, has become a matter of history, as the morning sun flashes from the polished surface of the steel clipperj-the hand sickle and tha huge cradle, have given place to the Autor- mac reaper, that now sweeps down the harvests of the prairie slopes. The revolving rake rolls up the lengthened windrow, which the iron mower had spread out to cure in the morning sun; and in yonder field stands the iron horse, ready to be harnessed to the plow, when winter shall have receded back to the icy north. But the genius of man has not been circumscribed to the development of the productions of North- em earth; the snowy fleeces of the .Saxon flocks, are now twined by iron fingers, and the hum of the spinning wheel is lost but to memory; the clanking of the looms and the lightning flashes of the shattle, are but the sport and play- thing of steam, and its cea.selets din is far away from the household; iron fingers are plying the busy needle, and the cadence of rerolving wheels beat in unison to the pulsations of the laboring mind. The genius of the sewing machine was bom poor, aye, steeped in poverty, the pitiful sum of twenty-five dollars was denied him, but he struggled on, his object was noble, he would snatch the wife from an early grave, and she should no longer ply the needle in the long watches of the night, henceforth her task should be easy, and that which was heretofore the greatest dread should now be but a pleasant pastime; but capital grasped the prize and her toiling mother toiled on, it was after all but a gift to the indolent, a parlor ornament to the rich; its life-like motions and fidelity of purpose was circumscribed to the wealthy; it mocked the widow in her poverty, for it deprived her of labor, it made the sewing girl an outcast, for it took firom her the patronage of the wealthy; it brought no solace to the overtasked mother, for its cost was out of her reach; it was a gift beyond the ability of the masses, a beacon of hope, but to mock them^with disappointment ; but capitol cannot always hold her sway and must yield to the patient plodding of the mechanic. Her useful implements cannot always be dressed up in the costly trappings of expensive show to place them beyond the reach of those, who would be benefited by their use. Such has been the history of the sewing machine, and now mth valuable improvements added, it is present- ed at a price within the reach of all. The sew- ing of the farmer's household is now but a pleas ■ ant task, as compared with the hand needle. At my side is a machine which never tires. It is always ready to do the bidding of busy feet and ready hands, the work of half a score of busy .sewers and vet its cost is but forty-two dollars with its various appliances of "guage" and "Hcmraer." It will ' stitch, bind, hem, fell, tuck, gather and em- %. •■#:.■ 32 THE iLLiisrois f^r:m:eii. broider." In the multiplicity of cheap ma- chines there are many of course perfectly worth- less and others of little value. Our readers will no doubt consider it a favor to have us point out to them a good and reliable machine, on« made near home, so that if any of the parts should meet with accident that it could be quickly and cheaply repaired. In our family are twelve persons, who of coura© will require many thou- sand stitches in a year to keep their wardrobes in order, besides the necessary bedding for a large number of workmen, this work formerly occu- pied nearly the entire time of one per- son, but for the past year we have had one of L. Cornell & Co.'s "machine, and the task has been comparatively light ; at the same time the saving in wages and board has been no small item. Many people suppose it is necessary to go in person to make the purchase of a machine, but this, we assure them, is not the case, as by sending their orders, with money inclosed, they will get an equally good machine. These gen- tlemen are old residents of Chicago, and well known for their fair dealing and strict integrity. The "Universal Hemmer and Guage" is new, and we have but lately added it to our machine; but we find it a most valuable addition, nearly doubling its value. Extra needles have been all the repairs needed the past year, as no part has given out, or shows even the appearance of doing so. To those of our farming friends who complain of the want of help in the household, we say, most decidedly, get one of those valuable ma- chines and you will have disposed of one of the most laborious parts of female labor. A boy or girl of a dozen years will soon learn to run it, and will consider it but a pleasant pastime to do so during the odds and ends of the day's duties. We had rather give up the reaper and return to the old cradle than to forego the use of the sew- ing machine. We cut such portions of these gentlemen circular as will be of interest to those wishing to purchase. L. Cornell & Go's, new and improved two thread double thredd tight fast stitch. STYLES AND PRICES. Cornell A Co.'g Small New Family Sewing Machine, (Young's Patent,) Table with Drawer f 25 The s»me, in Cabinet Case, locked 27 Needles, assorded sizes, per dozen 1 The Universal Uemmer, for the above or any other Ma- chine 6 Thread and ailk of the best quality can be found by inquir- ing of us. L. Cornell t Co.'s late Improved Family Machine, Table with Drawer, (Taggart & Farr'g Patent,) $85 The same in Cabinet Case, loclced ^ 37 L. Cornell & Co.'s Improved Large Manufacturing Machine, complete, (Taggart & Farr's Aatent,) •40 The same, in Cabinet Case 42 E^With each Machine goes a set of Needles, an Oil Can filled with Sewing Machine Oil, a Screw Driver, Pair of Tweezers, Two Spools Thread, Sample Cloth, FULL PRINT- ED DIRECTIONS, the whole boxed and delivered free any where in the City. We have the last named machine, which with hemmer costs $42. The Young's machine is not as large but makes beautiful work. It requires some little time and patience to learn to use any sewing machine, but with the printed direction any ordinary person can master the art. ■»■ Give Your Dogs Water and Keep off Hy- drophobia.— A freeze up like the present is al- ways dangerous on account of dogs. They can get no drink and become mad. Every person owning a dog should be careful to supply the animal with water daily, as the best preventive against hydrophobia. Frequent cases of this terrible disease occur in winter weather, simply because the poor dogs find it impossible to sup- ply themselves with water. Ice and snow only aggravate the thirst — they must have water. WHEELER'S IMPKOVED PATENTS, Within the past few years great im- provements have been made in the thresh- ing of grain. It has been the ambition of our farmers to obtain the largest ma- chines -of this kind, or those that would thresh the most in a day, without regard to economy, either in the cost of thresh- ing or saving of the grain. In the autumn of 1848, we made a visit east, and in our sojourn spent a day at Rochester, in attendance at the coun- ty fair, then in session. One of Wheel- er's horse-powers, thresher and sepera- tor was there on exhibition. It was not put up as such things are now-a-days, to look at and its value to be guessed, but was set to work, putting through several loads of oats, well charged with Canada thistles. We thought if it could do as well on- our western grains and weeds, as with the oats and thistles it would be valuable, and the next season five of us farmers ordered one of these machines to do our threshing, the cost of which waa considerable less than what we would have paid one of the large machines to do the same work. This machine did the threshing for the five small farms for three years before the first dime was paid out for repairs, and the same ma- chine is now in good order and giving entire satisfaction, being owned by one of the original purchasers. For two winters it was but little housed, and the whole amount of repairs for the time has been but a few dollars, and that mostly for new lags. In that time it has done an immense amount of threshing ; it has sawed some hundreds of cords of wood ; it has stripped over a hundred tons of corn husks for the Chicago market ; ground thousands of bushels of corn meal ; crushed sorgum ; cut posts and pickets, and various other work, all with the aid of twe horses, and now the owner would not trade it for the best eight horse power in the State for his own use. These horse powers are among the most valuable, and can be applied to various farm uses. Two or more small farmers can club together and purchase, and in most cases they can save the cost of the machine the first year. The same power is used to drive the winnower (in the above cut,) and by having a saw frame costing some $40, a Pitt's grind- er, a clover huller, and a sorgum mill, you are rigged for most kinds of work where power is required. Our farmers have run wild after ex- pensive agricultural implements, and in many cases have overlooked the really useful. We have seen several of these winnowers at work and giving excellent satisfaction. It is always a pleasure to present cheap, well made and valuable implements to the farmer, and especially those that our own hands have tested. Ottawa, III, Jan Y, 1860, Editor Illinois Farmer: — I wish to make inquiry in relation to a reaper trial for 1860. I would like to see a thorough trial, with premiums sufficient to insure a large attention. The trial to be at Urbana or some other accessible point on the Illinois Central Railroad. Such a trial, with practical judges, would be of great value to the farming interest. The points of merit should be settled upon before the trial, and the awards made accordingly. I feel no small interest (1) in the matter, as 1 have made important im- provements in my machine within t'ne past year. I want to see a "grand gold medal of honor'' (2) awarded to the m^- ■■■ THE IIl.Il.I]N'OIS IT'.A.IlMiEIl. 38 machine that will perform satisfactorily as a grain reaper, header or mower. *_ * A farmer ought to have a machine that can reap, head and mow; (3) this can be done, and is done in my machine * by a change of motion in the sickle. What say you to this proposition? Yours truly, G. H. Eugg. Remarks. — The manner of awarding premiums on reapers and mowers at our fairs, is one of the most glaring "hum- bugs" of the day, and should be discon- tinued; such awards are of no value and only tend to bring the whole system of premiums into contempt. 1. The same interest that prompts our friend Eugg, will probably prompt others who have also made valuable improvements, and we think an actual trial in the harvest field would be of great value in advertising these new im- provements. Go ahead gentlemen, our pen shall be at your service in setting forth the new values, and pointing out your defects. 2. Bah! A GRAND GOLD MEDAL. Medals belong to the war department and are awarded on the sanguinary field, not the field] where waves the golden grain, bending its wealth of food beneath the keen blade of the reaper. Give us the approval of the farmers who buy reapers, mowers and headers, and your gold, pewter or leather medals may go to the dogs. A statement of actual facts; the quantity and quality of the work, the cost and durability of the machine on the ground, are the grand disideratum in such a contest. 3. The heading might be left out of the contest, or made a special matter. But few reapers can he so changed as to be used for headers. In Central and Southern Illinois, headers are valuable, but in as damp a climate as that in the vicinity of the lakes, they are of less value. -■.■■;.;■-■■■ We vote for the trial, and would sug- gest that the State Agricultural Society offer liberal premiums, and charge an entrance fee of $20, to make up the premiums to be awarded pro rata. Ed. -ff Underdrainlng. The cost of tile draining is made up of three items — the digging, the price of tiles at the kiln, and the expense of hauling them. It will readily be seen that each of these may vary considerably, and the total cost of the improvement be influenced accordingly. If tilet are made on the farm, or in the immediate neighborhood, the cost of haul- ing is reduced to its lowest figure. Where they must be drawn several miles, the trouble and expense are great; five hundred of the smallest size being ail that can readily »nd safely be put in a common two-horse wagon. Taking this item into account, the desirable- ness of concert of action among farmers is apparent, if several can agree to enter upon such improvements at the same time, they may manufacture in company, or what is bet- ter, give their contracts to the nearest and best brick maker, and get their tiles made at the most convenient point. Every farmer should consider it his interest to sustain any tile maker who has enterprise enough to commence the manufacture in his vicinity. There ought to be one or more good tile yards essablished immediately in every township in the State. The price of tiles must vary in different localities, the cost of manufacture depending on the nature of the clay, the price of fuel and of labor; but these matters relating to the manufacture of tiles may be deferred to another timei. - ; v ;. V ' ^ Tiles are at present sold in Ohio at prices ranging from §8 to 812 per 1,000 for the smallest size, or two inches in bore. Four inch tiles are about double the cost of the two inch, and six inch tiles are about double the cost of the four inch. A thousand tiles of ordinary length will lay sixty rons — thus, at the lowest figure stated above, the cost of tiles is a trifle over a shilling a rod. The cost of digging, where men accus* tomed to the work, and proper teols can be obtained, will not exceed a shilling a rod for a three feet drain. The cost is proportion- ally greater for deep drains than for shallow ones; so that if the depth is diminished one- third, the priee should be lessened one half; or if the depth is increased a third, about half the original price should be added. It will doubtless appear to some that such prices are low, compared with what they have been used to pay for ditching; this dif- ference arises from the fact, not more than a third of the earth is' removed in making a drain, that • must needs be lifted in making an open ditch of the same depth. The cost cf thorough draining will de- pend, of course, on the frequency of the drains. At two rods asunder, there will be eighty rods to the acre, and this, at the prices already stated, or two shillings a rod, will amount, to twenty dollars. To this, it will be sometimes necessary to add ten per cent, for main drains In general, about one-tenth of all the drains in a field are main drains, and made at neany double the cost of the minor drains. The profit or loss of under- draining, at sueh prices, will next be con- sidered.— Ohio Farmer. Could our brick makers be persuaded to try the experiment of tile making, we have no doubt that it would pay as well, if not better, than the making of brick. Thousands of rod* of wood drains have been laid the past year — on our farms — in cellar drains, and kitchen drains^ and which have cost more than for tile, at the same time will last but a few years, when the same process must be repeated. It will be seen tile draining costs but little more than mole draining, while in the real value there is no compari- son. Ed, STEAM PLOWS. ■ lawkfi, Waters, Bassett. \^ Such is the heading of an article in the Kewana Advertiser and we give below ita main points. • •; - '^--^irrj^'r^^':;:- We hope friend Bassett will be patient and not make a fortune too soon. Steam plows are a success} that is, they will plow; but an- other point is yet to be settled, and that is, "will they pay?" We hope they will, but we must wait patiently for this solution. We have paid considerable attention to this subject of steam plowing, but we must confess that the paying point of the enter- prise itill looms in the £e^ oft distance. Ed. * * But just at this time the hopes of the public seem almost to have been "crush- ed out" in consequence of the failure of those which have been produced, to meet the expectations of their inventors and the public. * * The causes of their failure are natural causes, easily accounted for and will enable others to profit by their experience. * * Samuel K. Bassett, of Galesburg, has partially constructed a steam plow, which is pronounced, by the best judges, practical engineers and machinists, to possess every quality necessary to obviate the difficulties which have existed in those which have been exhibited to* the public, and that there is not a reasonable doubt that when completed it will prove a complete success. We have ourselves examined this machine and we art convinced that it will answer the purpo.se for which it was intended, and not only prove the practicability, but the utility of such machines for farm purposes, on a large or small scale. Mr. Bassett's machine will not weigh or cost over one half as much as either of the others, and the ease with which it can be managed — turning on a small space of ground — the faciUty with which it can be changed from a moving to a stationary power, and its adaptation to travelling over common roads, must make it the favorite machine for iaxax. purposes. :■' . ■ ;; ■ .>^j-:^- ; ' '~-:--\ ;; . From the New York Daajr Tribune, Jttly22, 1S5». Prepared Glue. — Little conveniences for gen- eral family use, are often of more value than what are called "great inventions." There is no housekeeper that has not been often annoyed by- squeaky, rickety chairs, sofas, tables, etc., which have become so by the joints where thej"^ are put together becoming shrunken and loose, and so long as furniture is left in this condition, there is constant danger of a general smash-up. And again, such accidents as breakage of furniture do occasionally occur "in the best regulated families." To remedy the annoyance and per- plexity occasioned by these troubles, we keep in the house a small quantity of Prepared Glue, which can be applied to the affected parts by any person of ordinarj^ skill, with much less trouble than sending the article to a cabinet-maker, to ssig nothing of the saving of expense. The kind we use is labeled "Spalding's Celebrated Pre- pared Glue — useful in every family," and as we have found it a valuable addition to our cabinet of "little conveniences," we fully concur in the sentiment of the labeL . ., :. ..: " 34= THE ILLINOIS EA-RIMER. EDITOR'S TABLE. In the January number occurred several typographical errors, which we hope our proof reader will avoid hereafter. Tlie editor's sanctum is nearly ninety miles from the place of publication, and hence little opportunity for him to look after vagaries of the types. We fear few mistakes from our own pen as those who have seen our chirography can attest. It is at least ecjual to that of Greeley, Choate, and others of the same style. One our friends undertook to imitate it one warm day last summer, but he failed. He caught a dozen ants and placing them la the ink took them out one at a time and let them run dripping across the paper, and at the end of the line hit them a lick, when of course they made a period, but the I'aand t'swere not finished, and though a pretty fair imitation were not quite up to the original. Our Paper.— The report of the State Horticultural Society occupies considerable space, but we could not think of putting over a part of it to the next number, and have added four extra pages, which no doubt our subscribers will appreciate. They will observe that nearly all the matter is either from the pen of contributors or the editor. Our scissors are of little use while we have so many home subjects to discourse about. Our good friends will continue to send us facts for its pages, and subscriptions to the publishers. This month the pub- lishers will send out bills to those in arrears, which we hope will meet with a ready response, accompanied with additions to the clubs. If subscriptions continue to pour in the two thousand will soon be reached. Go ahead, good friends, we can work all the better under such a pressure, and with twenty thousand subscribers we think it no hardship to work an extra hour each day. HORSB Tamiso. — Last week, at Springfield, we attended the class of Prof. O. UelewofSt. Louis. Upwards of twenty persons received instruction, including new and old pupils. Prof. Belew gave, we think, the most entire satisfaction to all. The subject was a three year old colt from the farm of .Mr Crowder. He was simply a high spirited colt; a few minutOg under the manipulation of the Professor of tlie art of liorse taming, and the colt was completely subdued — could be rode with or without a bridle — an umbrella had no effect upon him, and to all appearances ho was as docile as the most staid of work horses. This is certainly a great achievement in the art of managing this noble animal. Five dollars worth of labor could not have so completely subdued this colt by the best horsemanship under the old method. No man who has the management of horses should neglect an opportunity to obtain this management. Prof. B. claims that his system has advantage over that of Prof. Ilarey, but not having attended this latter gentle- man's class we cannot decide the matter. The lectures to the class are private and under tlie injunction not to teach it. No drugs or mesmerism are used, nothing but straight-for- ward common sense, and yet so simple that it is a matter of surprise that the discovery had not been made a thousand years ago. When farmers learn to break and use their horses in a rational way we shall hear of less runaways, and the pleasure of riding after spirited horses will be enervated just In proportion as the danger is lessened. We wish Prof. B. the moat unbounded success In making up clasbcs wherever he goes. Silver Maple Seedli.vos. — We take especial pleasure In calling attention of ornamental tree planters to the card of Mr. Pullen. We have purchased largely of Mr. P., and have always found him upright in all his dealings. Last spring we set some of these trees in our orchard belts and intend to set more the coming spring. The freight is but trifling when sent by freight lines. We have had them three weeks on the way and nearly every plant live. The average growth of our plants last season was over three feet. We think this tree the most valuable for timber belts and shade. It is a rapid grower, of fine form, and little troubled with insects. Farmers can club together and obtain a cheap and valuable addition to the shrubbery. CuNTOs CocsTT AoBiccLTDRAL SociKTT. — Officers for 1S60 — President, James Jenkins: Vice Presidents, Reuben Ruther- ford, O. A. Henry and Smyth Moore; Recording Secretary, Zophor Case; Corresponding Secretary, 0. B. Nichols. Re- ceipts for 1859, $231; expenses f2G9. The show of vegetables very fine. We hope to hear good results from this part of Egypt the coming season. Genesseb Farmer. — The January number of this well known agricultural journal is received. It is a splendid num- ber. There are forty-eight articles on various agricultural! and twelve on horticultural, subjects, besides many short arti- cles 1 It is illustrated with Ucelce beautiful engravings. It is one of the very best agricultural and horticultural journals published. Price only fifty cents a year ! Address Joseph Harris, Rochester, N. Y. Fawkes' Steam Plow. — We have a ruuiortliat several gen- tlemen of wealth, both in New York and Chicago, are about forming a company with a capital of $100,000, for the purpose of perfecting this plow and for manufacturing them. The head-quarters are to be in Chicago, and a well known wagon manufacturer is to be President of the company. We hope for once, that Madam Rumor will prove true. Engravings op Stock. — Several of our stock growers are anxious to furnish us electrotypes of their stock, but the diffi- culty is in finding a person who can make correct drawings. So soon as this can be done we shall be able to present several fine animals. Mr. Crowder has several splendid Berkshlres and Durhams, and Dr. Johns has also some of the finest Dur- hams In the State; all of which we hope soon to present. In this number will be found an engraving of a fine cow from the well known herd of Hon. J. Wentworth, Chicago. The Weather. — Of late the weather has been mild and the roads somewhat muddy, but marketing of corn has been regu- larly prosecuted, and the cribs at the various depots in Cen- tral Illinois are fast filling up. Various reports are afloat in regard to winter wheat, but it is too early to form any opinion on this head. The breadth of winter wheat sown In Central Illinois last fall was comparatively small, consequently there will be little to lose in any event. f^~We were promised an article on the value of music In the farmers' household, by a person well qualified for the task, but it has not been received. We need more attention to this v.aluable and dcsiral)le accomplisliment in the rural districts. If the piano is the Instrument jjar excellence for the city, the melodeon is the one for the country. The clear notes of childhood accompanied with the swelling tones of the melo- deon, is to our ear, richer than the music of the piano. Another important point that should not not be overlooked is, the difference in cost. A fine octavo melodeon in plain case, costs only seventy-five dollars, and in piano case a hun- dred, and certainly this last is in our opinion equal to an ordi- nary piano. Wc have had one of Prince &, Co.'s fine octavo piano melodeons for our household for the past season. Six members of the family use it, and several of them are taking lessons. This, of course, must subject the instrument to a deal of thumping, tending to put it out of tune, but as yet, every note is as perfect as the first. No piano could have stood this amount of practice witiiout re-tuning. Messrs. Prince k Co. have built up a very enviable reputation for their instruments; their durability is now unquestioned. It makes little difference as to the room in which thoy are placed, whether the kitchen of a prairie cabin, or the parlor of the millionare. Its tones float out as sweet to the touch of the hand of toil, as the dainty fingers of the pampered sons of wealth. And when accompanied with the full, round voice of roseate health is most pleasing to the ear. Many of our far- mers suppose that the melodeon is only suited to the capacity of the female, but we can assure them of their mistake. If you want your boys attached to their home, give them home arausementa, and they will have no desire to seek the village haunts of immorality. We know nothing more valuable than music to draw the bond of union and cement the household than this. It softens down the rough corners of our nature, and gives us a better opinion of our kind. We cannot too strongly commend this subject to those of our farmers who have a youqg family growing up. We know the times are hard and but little money to spare for luxuries, but you will find this one of those luxuries that have a largo per centage of profit attached, and you cannot do without It, for it will pay you in dollars and cents. You will find your children more cheerful, always at home, always ready to share in the daily toil. These instruments are sold as low as fifty dollars, and some of them as high as three hundred and fifty; these last are for churches. The card of Messrs. Prince k Co. will be found on the outside of our paper. AGRicrLTCRAL IMPLEMENTS. — Last week we took a look through the sales rooms of B. F. Fox, Springfield. The first floor Is devoted to shelf goods, hardware, carpenters' and builders' tools, blacksmiths' tools, cutlery, guns, pistols, saws and carriage trimmings. Second floor — Store Room for extra stock of shovels, chains and heavy hardware. Third and fourth floors — Agricultural implements. Including Manny's Reapers, (of Tallcott, Emerson k Co.'s make,) Wood Pumps, Gang Plows, Straw Cutters, Messrs. Deere k Co.'s celebrated Clijiper, Double Michigan and Subsoil Plows, Sub^l Plows of Prof. Mapcs, three patterns ; Corn Crushers, etc. The main building fronts on the north side of the Public Square, and Is twenty by one hundred feet, to which Is attached a back build- ing twenty by fifty-six feet, two stories high. This is filled witli wood work for wagons and carriages, i)low handles, etc. At the Depot he has a warehouse fur the storage of Reapers, Thrashers, Plows, Corn Mills, Fanning Mills, and other heavy goods. It will thus be seen that there is little need of looking beyond Springfield for such goods as Mr. Fox keeps on hand. AVc learn that it is also his intention to add a large stock of garden and field seeds next month. Rooms of the Illisois State AcRiccLTraAL Societt. — These are now on the south side of the square, opposite to the entrance of the Capitol. The new Secretary, Mr. Reynold.<«,» is hardTit work, and everything about him wears a cheerful and progressive look. Our farmers, on visiting Springfield, should make him a call. They will find a plain, good, com- mon sense farmer — one who takes a deep Interest In the culti- vation of the soil — one who has not only the will but the ability to make himself useful in the great field of progress before him. This is the eighth year of the Society, and yet the library Is of no account ; — but few even of the Transactions of kindred Societies tire on the shelves. He Is making efforts to remedy this defect. Eight Hundred copies of the Transactions have been sent out to those entitled to them, and others will be sent as fast as the proper address of County Agricultural Societies can be had. Tliere are ninety-six County Societies organized out of one hundred and two counties in the State. The Cor- responding Secretary lias sent circulars to all the Societies directing them to send delegates to the next Fair for the elec- tion of officers, and acting upon the proposed change of the Con- stitution. Specifications are also out for the holding of the next Fair. Chicago, Bloomington and Jacksonville are the competitors thus far. The next premium list is also under the Secretary's charge, and will be ready for the next meeting of the Board. TuE Gardener's Monthly. — This valuable work comes to us in octavo form, changed from the quarto. We like the cliange, as when bound it will make a sizeable book, convenient for future reference. The work, as its name implies, is devo- ted to kitchen and ornamental gardening, and is the best work of the kind now published. Mr. Mechan is one of the best and most practical writers, in his various departments, that we have, and the " Incog." publishers are deser\-ing of great praise for the manner in which the work Is presented to the public. The papers on new grapes, in the January number, are worth twice the subscription price : $1. Address the Pub- lishers of the Gardener's Monthly, box 406, Philadelphia. We club it with the Farmer at f 1 75. {^"A large portion of this number of the Farmer Is taken up with horticultural matters, but we trust our readers will find It profitable. We need more and better fruits, and to obtain them must learn the conditions necessary to their suc- cessful growth and preservation. The March number will be more particularly devoted to the preparation of the ground and culture of spring crops, orchard and garden planting. Our motto is : less land better culture ; less acres and more bushels ; less land to pay taxes on and more to pay with ; less grabbing after shadow and more of real, rational enjoyment. Fleishman's New Mode of Plowing. — We are in receipt of a pamphlet copy of twenty-one pages, describing this new mode of plowing, supposed to be particularly adapted to corn culture. We shall discuss its merits in our next number. Bloomington Nchsert. — When at Bloomington a few days since, we had a look Into this nursery, and were pleased to find a large and well grown stock of trees, plants and shrubs. From his eighty acre patch, he can supply orders, both at wholesale and retail. Mr. Phoenix is a progressive man ; his motto is cheap and reliable trees, adapted to the soil and climate of the West. His catalogue will speak for itself; send for one If you want good trees. Good Butter. — In a recent visit to Egypt we saw several specimens of very fine winter made butter. Even in summer, the butter is light colored, wliich we have attributed to the excess of brine in the soil, and to find golden butter in winter was rather a surprise to us, but clover hay and corn explained the secret. Mrs. B. G. Roots of Tamaroa, had on her table a good sample of Hamburg cheese made with her own hands. This was the first specimen of Egyptian cheese that has fallen under our notice. Clover, timothy, blue grass and good hus- bandry will do wonders for Egypt yet. Ohio Farmer. — This old and popular journal Is out with a new head and new type. We could not well do without this paper, as we made the experiment for some three months, and failed. It is in every sense a farmer's home journal. The articles on draining for the past year is worth to every farmer a half dozen subscriptions. Cleveland, Ohio, $2 weekly. Western Trees. — Mr. Jonathan Uuggins offers a large stock of trees adapted to the prairies of the West. Among them is a large stock of extra sized silver maple, the very best of all shade trees for rapid growth and beauty. The price is by far the lowest that we have seen, even less than the wholesale price of the same trees at the east. Farmers, you should have these trees, including the maple, of Mr. Huggins, to fill up your^fruit gardens, orchards and bouse grounds. You will THE ILLINOIS FA^RIMER. 35 find him not only a careful nurserj-man, but a gentleman in all respects. We beg of you not to give your orders to itinerant eastern peddlers, when such trees are offered you at home on such advantageous terms. The Hobticclturist. — The January number of this journal comes to us under the editorial charge of Mr. Peter B. Mead. It shows no signs of lagging, but on the other hand it is im- proved in practical matter ; we have of late needed a little more of the useful, and we see evident signs of this result in the practical pen of Mr. Mead. We have an abundance of engravings of fine suburban residences along the Hudson and thereaway, and now we have a treat of a House in the West. Yes, a house West equal to many of the suburban residences of the East. It was our good fortune to furnish Mr. Bryant with several thousand trees that go to make up the gems in the outer fitting of the Biro's Nkst. C. M. Saxton, Barker, & Co., N. y., 12, We club the Horticulturist and Farmer at $2 60. ^_ Sweet Potatoes. — Mr. Tenbrook announces a supply of the Nansemond Sweet Potatoe for seed. We have had our seed of him for several years, and can most cheerfully attest to their good quality. We have tried several other varieties from time to time, but none of them have proved of any value. This variety always matures with us. They took the first and second premiums at the National Fmr in Chicago, one of which it was our good fortune to secure. Many of our plant- ers have been cheated with spurious sorts for the Nansemond by peddlers, most of whicli are valuable in Missouri and Ken- tucky, but will not mature at the North. Helper's Crisis. — We would call the attention of our read- ers to the advertisement of Helper's Impending Crisis, which will be found in another column of our paper. It is said to be selling at the rate of from 12,(K)0 to 18,000 copies per week, and the demand is rapidly increasing. ~~~ COMMERCIAL. SPRINGFIELD MARKET— JAN SI. WHEAT— 90c@H f bu; FLOUR- f5@G ^ bbl; CORN— New, 30c |i bu; CORN MEAL— 50c ^ bu; OATS— 25@30c ^ bu; BEANS— «1@1 25 ^bu; BRAN— 10c ^ bu; SHORTS— 15c ^ bu; TIMOTHY SEED— $1 75; HUNGARIAN G'b S'd— none. MILLET— None; CLOVER— $6 50@7 ^ bu; POTATOES— New, 40®50c; HAY— «;8®9 ^ ton; TALLOW— 8 l-2@9c ^ lb; SOAP— Bar, 4@6c ^ tt>; CANDLES— 12 l-2c "^ box; PICKLED P'k—i'S; EGGS— 15c ^ doz; LARD— 10c ^ ID; SUGAR— 9®10c ^ B); COFFEE— 13@15c ^ D); MOLASSES- C0@C5o ^ gal; SALT— *2 ^sack; SALT— 12 ^ bbl; MACKEREL— 12@13 Nol; CODFISH— 16 50 ^ 100; APPLES— Dried, »1 75 ^bu; WOOD— 15@,4 ^ cord: COAI^r— lie « bu; WHISKY— 25@28c ^ gal; VINEGAR— 10c ^ gal; BROOMS— $1 50®2 SOipdoz; BUTTER— lS@,20c ^ R); HIDES— Dry, best, 12(gjl2j^; HIDES — Green, 4; @5c; APPLES— Green, f 1@1 25; FEATHERS— 35@40c ^ ft; WEEKLY REVIEW OP THE ST. LOUIS MARKET- JAN. 28, p. M. With light receipts of produce, and a good market South, the general market has been r-ither buoyant all week. The weather has been open and pleasant, but not sufiiciently warm to open the upper rivers to any extent. Freights for the South have of course been limited in quan- tity. The rates to New Orleans have continued about as fol- lows : Flour 40c ^ bbl; pork 70c; whisky SOc; com 25c ^ sack; pound freight 25c % 100 fts. Shipping facilities have increased, but at the close there was but little doing. The grocery trade has been comparatively small, with heavy receipts. On Tuesday the receipts of sugar, molasses and cof- fee amounted to about $200,000 in value. On Tuesday and Wednesday a dealer sold 900 bags coffee on private terms; also 21*0 baps nearly prime at 12.!t;C; the range of prices is 12 @13j^c. Sugar is 7M®.8Xc, and it can be bought at almost any price for cash; there are a great many common or low grade sugars here; fair goes in lots of ten or fifteen hhds at 7?ic, anil fully fiiir at about 8c; common at 7^8®7>^c. Mo- lasses, good plantation, 4.o@47c. Flour has been in fair demand, with an advancing tendency all wck, closing today with the market steady and firm. Sales to-day of 100 bbls city superfine at $5 60; 500 do do pri- vate; 40 bbls country at $5 25: 50 bbls double extra at $6 25, and 75 do at $6. [By Telegraph.] NEW YORK MARKET— Jan. 81. Flour dull and unchanged; sales of 3,700 bbls at f4 S5@5 for super State; 15 15®5 25 for extra State; f 4 90@5 for super western; $5 15@5 30 for common to extra western; $5 00@.5 70 for inferior to good shipping brands extra R H 0. Canadian flour dull; 150 bbls at f 5 50@;t5 75. Rye flour quiet at $3 75@4 45. Wheat very dull and nominally unchanged. Rye quiet at 90®92c. Barley dull at 70(3;S;jc. Corn dull and heavy; sales of small parcels at 7S@S0c for new white and yellow., Oats dull and heavy at44@45c for Western, Canada and State. Pork quiet and firmer at f 17 25 for old mess; $18 12 for new mess; f 12 12 for old prime; |13 75 for new prime. Beef steady. Cut meats steady and unchanged. Whisky dull and nominal at 23i<;@24c. [By Telegraph.] CHICAGO MARKET- Jan. 31. Flour, demand limited, and market is dull. Wheat market inactive, but firm; sales 390 bu No 1 spring at f 1 in store; 300 bu No 2 spring at 97c; 600 bu rejected spring at 87c for milling; there was a fair demiind with sales on track; 7(Ktba No 1 red at $1 15; 300 bu club at $1 03; 300 bu do at $1 02. Corn, receipts light and demand good, under which prices advanced y.c; sales 1500 bu No 1 at 4Sc in store; 500 bu do at 4S}(^c. First quality 10c. @10Xc. 9Kc.®10c. Medium quality 8J^c.@ 9c. 8c. ® S>^c. Poor quality 7c. @ 8c. 6c. @ 70? Poorest quality 6c. @, 7r.. 5c. @ 6c. General selling prices... 7>^c.@ O.Vc 7c. @ 9c. Average of all sales Sc. @, 8>^c. 7^'c.^ I^c The transportation from Illinois of medium beef cattle, in- cluding feed and attendance, will average $15 a head. A car from Hancock county, Illinois, to Chicago is $47 50; from Chicago to Suspension Bridge, $75; from the bridge to Albany, 275; from Albany to New York, $15; making $212 50, and averaging, 12 or 13 cwt. cattle, 16 head. ELPER'S IMPENDING CRISIS.— A LIVE BOOK. 75,000 COPIES SOLD IN FOUB WEEKS! This is the work that is creating so much excitement in Con- gi'ess. Get the unabridged edition and you have all the power of Helper's keen pen ! Unabridged large 12rao. vol., 420 pages, price $1. Octavo edition, paper covers, 50 cents. For sale by booksellers and news agents everywhere, ACTIVE AGENTS WANTED to sell this work the country through. Terms liberal. Send $1 50 for sanii>le copies in both styles, with terms to agents, and begin operations at once. ^ _ No other book is selling one quarter as fast. Single copies sent to any address, postpaid, on receipt of price. Address A. B. BURDICK, Publisher, jan31 d6t w4t fit No. 145 Nassau St., New York. ~~~ SW:fiET POTATOES ; FOR SEEL, TEE NANSEMOl^TD. SWEET POTATOE IS THE ONLY VAR- IETY that has given entire satisfaction in the Northwest. Wy stock now on hand is large and of the best quality. I want fifty agents to sprout on shares in such parts of the West not yet supplied. All such applicants will Ije required to give good refferences. Directions for sprouting will be sene to all customers. I regret to learn that some have sent out late maturing varieties, resembling the Nansemond in color, much to the damage of this production and early maturing variety. Prices low; no charge for delivery at Terra Haute Railroad Depot. Address, J. W. TENBROOK, febl Rockville, Indiana FAIRBANKS' PATENT *^ S C A L E S OF ALL KINDS. Fairbanks & Greenleaf, 35 Lake Street, Chicago, Sold in Springffeld by mayl-ly E. B. PEASE. GREAT REDUCTION TO CLUBS ! SUBSCRIBE NOW FOR THE Illinois State Journal, A rtliaMe Xetcspaper, and a faithful advocate of Reptib- lican prineipltJi — FufAuched at S jfingjield, lUitiois, BY BAILHACHE * BAKER. The season for forming clubs is at hand, and in order to enable our friends to compet* with the agents of Ea. W 50 xwcniy •*'•'••■••-• a**.^ •••••••••••'•• «*•• w uu Thirty " •« - .;,.,. .,...,„i^;. »,.."....-* 80 00 . All persons sending clubs of ten, flft«en and twenty subscri- bers at the above rates, will be entitled to an extra copy free; and all persons sending clubs of thirty subscribers, shall re- ceive two extra copies of the paper free, or a copy of Godey's Lady's Book for 1&60, if preferred. AVe hope our friends will respond liberally in view of the above reduction of rates. Each paper will be addressed to the person for whom it is in- tended, and will be forwarded to any desired post office. ^S" Clergymen and teachers supplied at $1 a year. ^^~ Money inclosed in registered letters sent at our risk. Address BAILHACHE t BAKER, dec30 Springfield, HI. St accidents will happen, even in teell reflated families, it i* very desirable to have some cheap and convenient way for repairioi; Furniture, Toys, Crockery, 4c. SPALDING'S PREPARED GLUE meets all such emergencies, and no household can afibid to be with- out it. It is always ready and up to the sticking point. There le no longer a necessity for limping chairs, splintered veneers, headless dolls and broken cradles. It is just the article for cone, shell and other ornamental work, so popular with ladles of refinement and taste. This admirable preparation Is used cold, being chemically held In solution, and possessing all the valuable qualities of the best cabinet m.iker8' glue. It may be used in the place of ordinary mucilage, being vastly mt^re adheave, " USEFUL IX EVERY HOUSE." N. B.— A brush accompanies each bottle. Price, 25 cants. Wholesale Depot, No. 30 Piatt Street, New York. Address HENRY C. SPALDING & CO. Box No. 3600 New York. Put up for dealers in cases containing four, eight and twelve doz en — a beautiful lithograpliic show caroaccompanying cadi package. ZWA single bottle of SPALDING'S PREPARED GLUE will save ten times its cost annually to every hoiisehoki. ^^ Sold by all prominent Stationers, Drug|;ists, Hardware and Fur. niture dealers. Grocers and Fancv Stores. Country Merchants should make a note of SPALDDftf S VRZt. PARED GLUE, when making up their Ust. It will stand any climate. DUNIiAP'S NURSERY. " 40 Acres in Trees and Plants. EMBRACING THE USUAL NURSERY stock, all of which will be sold low for cash. Orders for Spring planting should be be sent in early. 6,000 two year old SILVER MAPLES ^ . . .. for timber belts, can be had at $5 per 100. ' " J. B. 'Whiting, of Chetham, Sangamon county, is the agent for Sangamon and neighboring counties. Cataloguas had on opplication. Address M. L. DUNLAP, ^'-"bl West Urbana, Champaign Ce., His. 200,000 SILVER MAPLK SEEDLINGS. ' I BEG LEAA^E TO CALL THE ATTEN- TION of Nurserymen to the following list of cash prices for my one year old Silver Maple seedlings. They are strong thrifty plants, ranging in height from 8 to 24 inches, being of suitable size for boxing and shipping to a distance. fl 5<( per hundred, :,■■•••• ■ ■■ j6 00 per thousand, ■ ■ ' • f55 per ten thousand, f 100 per twenty thousand. When purchaserr do not remit with their orders, satisfactory reference or a a good indorsod note, payable at some bank irill be required. I have for sale a large stock of Peach trees, one year old from bud, 4 to 6 feet high, of the best market varieties; Stan- dard and Dwarf Pears; Standard and Dwarf Cherries on Mahaleb stock; Standard and Dwarf Apples; Apricots, Necta- rines, Almonds, Grapes, Blackl>erries, Strawberries, Ac, and a fine stock of Deciduous and Evergreen ornamental trees of all kinds. Catalogues for planters and trade lists for nurserymen will be sent on application. Address, . ISAAC PULLEN, febl -2m Hightstown, Mercer County, N. J. ■4- •'V>-^-5^^»'..- ■ 36 THE ILLINOIS FARMER. PRINCE & CO.'S IMPROVED PATENT MELODEON. O-EO. -A- JPRIISrCE , provided the izgury is not caused by accident or design; GEO. A. PRINCE & CO., no XiA-KlE STREET, CI3:iC-A.QO, Ilil^IlsrOIS. Agents for the sale of our Melodeons, may be found in all the principal cities and towns of the United States and Canadas. ILLINOIS MUTUAL FIEE INa^EANCS COIPANT. .^^ CAPITAL UNLIMITED INCREASINQ. PRESENT FUND for th. pa7si.at »t LOSSES BY FIRE $1,000,000 00 PRINCIPAL OFFICE AT ALTON, ILL. This Cbmpany was chartered in 1S89, and Insures, at a moderate cost, almost every species of property in Illinois against Loss or Uamage l)y Fire. The rates of rislc ara so ar- ranged that each class of property insured will support its own loss. Every one insured becomes a member— the Company be- ing an association of customers — each of whom Is concerned in insuring his neigtibor. The capital augments in exact ratio wilh the incrense of risks; the security for which remains in the hands of the insured; therefore, every member is the trea- surer Of his own money until the same is required for tlie pur- pose of paying losses. BOARD OF DIRECTORS : Time. Turner, Lyman Trumbull, H, W. Billinps, Benj. F. Long Samuel Wade, M O, Atwood, John James, L. Kellenberger, Robert Smith, Henry Lea, Elias IIibl)ard, Alfred Dow, F. A. Hoffman, B. K. Hart, John Atwood. B. F. LONG, President. L. Kellesbeboes, Treas. M. a. Atwood, Sec'y. John.Atwood, Ass't. Sec'y. JoHii Blaisdell, Gen'l Agent. ^^Application for insurance may be made to the Local Agents, one or more of whom may be found in every county In this State. JAMES L. HILL, Agent. janlO-dSm-wly B. B. LLOYI). DEISTT 1ST , (office on north fifth street, over J. ratbubh's. Springfield, 111. A DENTAL PRACTICE OF FIFTEEN years warrants him in saying that all operations shall be carefully and neatly performed, lie is in possession of sever- al premiums and diplomas awarded by the best institutes for the promotion of science and arts in the country. Teeth Inserted, from one tooth to full sets, as substantial •nd handsomo as can be had in any city of the United States or Europe. Artificial palate plates inserted, supplying tlie want or loss of the palate, volum and would, so as to restore articulation. Refer to Prof. David Gilbert, Pennsylvania College of Med- icine, Philadelphia; Hon. J. S. Black, Washington City; Uev. Dr. Harkey, Illinois University; Drs. Helm, Ryan and Wal- lace; Messrs Jacob Loose, J. S. Condell, J. H. Gray, Fossel- man, Owen, Corneau k Diller. JuDe7-1869 PRINCE'S IMPROVED MEL.ODEONS. FOR SALE BY GEO. W. CHATTERTON, Agent for Springfield. A large variety of Jewelry and Silver -ware always on hand. Call and see. West side of the Square. febl-fur-tf Eugene 1>. Gross, ATTORNEY AT LAW, SPRI\GFIELD, ILL. Correspondence Solicited. Refers to— Col. M. Manning, Peoria. Brayman, Springfield, Hon. Julius decl-ly TO •SrehitectSy Buifderg, CARPENTERS, MACHINISTS, AND DECORATORS. XOW PrBLJSI/TXG WEEKLY, THE •Brchiteets^ and wHechanics^ JOURNAL,, The only Illustrated Weekly publication of its kind In this country, and indispensable to all engaged in Building and Mechanical Operations. EDITED BY PRACTICAL MEN. Who are well known as among the ablest men in this country. Every week. Illustrations appear of great practical utility, such as Engravings of New Buildings Already erected, now going up, or intended for erection, In different parts of tlie country. Designs and Worlcing Details Connected with Building operations, of great value to Archi- tects, Builders and Carpenters. The Mechanical Department Is enriched by Engravings connected with new Inventions, as well as a complete synopsis of everything which is going for- ward in the Mechanical World. Subscription, $2 per annum, in advance. ^^"Send 25 cents for five weekly numbers, as samples. the Scifviifie American, of October 29, in noticing the Architects' and Mechanics' Journal, says it is "Edited with evident ability Altogether, the best work ofthekind ever published in onr oity." — [Now York.] Published by Alexander Harthill, 12S Fulton street. New York. The Trade supplied by any wholesale House in New York. febl-tf T)y E STERN LAND OFFICE. T. S. MATHER. PURCHASE AND SALE OF CITY PROPEKTY, FARMS AND VNIMPOVED LANDS, PAYMENT OF TAXES, COLLECTION OF CLAIMS. Government Lands Sntered with Warrants or Cafh in any land district in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota or Nebraska. LAND WARRANTS BOUGHT AND SOLD. ^^OflRce over N. H. Ridgely's Bank, west side public square, Springfield, Ills. BLOOMINGTON NURSERY, BLOOMJNGTOK, ILLINOIS. Eighty Acres Fruit and Ornamental Trees. Onn NAMED SORTS TULIPS, ALSO <^vyv/ Hyacinths, Crocus, and a general assort- ment of Bulbs and Flower Roots for Fall and Spring^ planting. Nursery stock. Evergreens, Greenhouse" and garden plants — all at wholesale and retail at lowest cash rates. ^^"For particulars see Catalogues or address subscriber. F. K. PH(ENIX. Bloomlngton, HI., Aug. 1, 1S69. WOODBURN NURSERY. THE PROPRIETOR OF THIS ESTABLISH- MENT offers for sale over 100,000 Trees and Plants, more or lese, of which evary one needs who has the smallest piece of ground for cultivotion. Our list of Apples contains the best SUMMER, FALL AND WINTER VARIETIES, both for market and family use. Also, Pears, Plums, Cherry, Apricot, Quince, Currant, Gooseberry, Blackberry, Ra-ipberry, Strawberries, Grapes, may here be found of the l>est varieties; bendes EvergT'^ens, Shade and Ornamental Trees and Shrubs, Roses, Dahlias, Phloxes, Chrysanthemums, £c., &c. We have a large stock of the SILVER-LEAVED MAPLE, which is very valuable, either for its fast growth or beautiful foliage. This nursery is gaining a high reputation for the accuracy and thorough manner in which everything is done, and the proprietor is determined to make it worthy the confi- dence and patronage of all persons. Our Trees, Plants and prices, we are sure, will compare favorably with those of any growth in the State, and all interested are cordially invited to visit our gi'ounds and see for themselves. Apple trees, two years old, %Vl}^ per 100; three years old, $15 per 100; Peaches, fl8 per 100. Description and priced catalogue sent on application. Letters of inquiry receive prompt attention. Packages delivered at the railroad free of drayage. JONATHAN HUGGINS. Woodbum, Macoupin county, Hlinois. febl-far-tf B. F. FOX, DEALKR IK AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS AND SEEDS, Washington Street, between 6th and 6th, Sprinfieeld, Illinois. MY STOCK OF AGRICULTTRAL IM- PLEMEMTS and Seeds will be very complete for Spring sales. I shall keep on hand a complete assortment of the Moliae and Peoria Plows. Also Mapes, Enggles and other makers of Sub-Soil Plows. It shall be my aim tO keep for sale «o«e but the VERY BEST articles for FARMERS' USB. Farmers are particularly invited to call and examine goods and prices, assuring them they shall receive every attention and be furnished with any information they may eesire. febl-2t _ B. F. FOX. IRD SEED^IIXED AND ALL KINDS— Always on hand at CORNEAU & DILLER'S. B ►OTASH— POTASH— A NO 1 ARTICLE— at COBNEAU k DILLER'S. Sm!?^^ orTr^' '■v^'iy'^' VOLUME V. ,OS: SPRINGFIELD, ILL., MARCH, 1860. ■^^M an-^Ai: ...... 87 Milk Sickness 88 Chinese and African Sugar Cane 88 Value of Sorgho as food for stock 89 Chine" S«»8a» Cana -^'^'■~~^.M:,;i::i..:^ 89 Vegetables faied by UB in 185)^^.. ,^^j|5jg|,g*^;j^^ ........ 40. The Appiary ~. .,,,.41 Manny's Patent Adjustable Reaper and Mower .... > ... .',,. 42 To keep Potatoes from Rotting .42 South Pass Horticultural Society ^ Pear Culture 43 The Weed Hook 48 State Natural History Society...... . ... 48 Spring Duties ....44 The Culture of Potatoes 44 The Farm and Garden 45 Bethlehemite Apple 47 Newtown Spitzenburg Apple . , . , . .^ . . 47 A'etches .>.,'.,. 47 King Phillip Com ^ 47 The Wholesale Nursery Trade and the Tree Peddlers 47 Young's Adjustable Cultivator and Weed Exterminator. . . 48 Commercial ....*. i..v... >...... ......... 49 EDITOR'S TABLE. Meeting of the Executive Boai-d of the State Agricultu- ral Society 49 The corn market 49 Scarlet fever 49 The Orchard 49 Engravings 60 Osage hedging 50 Subst^lplow 50 Care of plants 50 Edwards' Lamoile Nursery 50 Sweet potatoes .^ ............ . .50 Melodeon agency , .60 Bloomington and Woodbum Nurseries 50 Dunlap's Nursery 60 Silver Maple Seedlings 5l) Fairbanks' Scales .80 Double Michigan Plow for prairie breaking , 50 Steam Plow Lancaster 50 The Rural New Yorker 60 The Architects' and Mechanics' Jeurnal 50 Gardener's Monthly 50 Cincinnatus 50 Wisconsin Farmer. .,.\..... 50 The Homestead .60 Trade and Commerce of Chicago 60 Cairo and Fulton Rulroad 50 Personal 50 HARCH. : M is tere, just ushering in the spring, born of winds, frost, sleet and rain. Winter is moving out with his household goods, leaving the debris of his camping, in house, in court yard and in field, and before the laughing, joyous, leaping Spring can stttle down in her quiet home, so long usurped by grim, stern, hyperborean winter, and his thou- sand sattelites, who have held high car- nival on the stores that the summer sun threw into the lap of autumn, she must clean up the ground thus desecrated ; the orchard trees must be looked after for dead and decaying branches, and their heads like a jBchool boy's, must be thinned of superabundant locks and insects. The garden walks must be put in order, for winter, with his ever busy frost, has been crumbling down th«ir borders ; trees must be tied up, roses uncovered and cut back, and every part of the garden searched and carefully examined, with pruning knife in hand. The farm fences must be examined for decayed posts and nails broken by the frost. Water courses must be opened to carry off the heavy showers that come to the aid of spring, to wash out all trace of the bad housekeeping of winter. The stock must also be looked after, that no bad effects of the winter's ordeal shall rest upon them, when the new grasses first greet their longing appetites. The busy bee should be also looked after, for to make sweet honey for us, it is neces- sary that it has sufficient honey for him- self in the first place, and before the balmy spring has opened the flowers. But a few weeks hence and a grassy carpet shall be spread at our feet, the vernal flowers shall greet us with a smile and fill us with thankfulness, that the Great Euler of the Universe has wisely ordered the seasons in their course. From the Rural American. ^ ' ^ Rearing Calves. Mr. Editor: — ^WJth a little care and attention, it is as well to raise good cattle as poor ones; but in order to do this, care must be taken in the first step; BO I will speak of calves. I deem it wrong to let calves remain with the cows a week, or any number of days — better not be allowed to suck at all, as they will learn to drink much quicker, and if the cow be a heifer, the longer she remains with her calf, the more she will resist being milked. I will here mention, although it is a little from my subject, that a heifer's calf should not be fattened for veal, as a heifer becomes so attached to her calf, while remaining with it so long, that un- less she be ot an uncommon mild and pleasant disposition, it will worry her much, when the calf is taken away from her, and it will be very hard to make her comply with the milker's terms. I have known some to break so hard to milk, that they were obliged to be dried up, and were lost for the season. Force should never be used to get the cairs head into the pail. I have fre- quently had calves drink on the first trial, but I never force their heads into the milk, as it does no good. Humoring them is better than force. In about a week, when the calf gets well learned to drink, a little sour milk can be mixed with the sweet milk, and by gradually increasing the quantity of sour milk, in a short time it can be fed on all sour milk, which is just as well for them, and they never will obserye the change. '; ; ; ; : ; , •■ .-v *-':^-^ - *:; I warm my milk some, in the cold days of spring, but not so much as to separate the milk from the water, — it had better be cold than too warm, as this nearly always produces scours. Calves should have an even mess, and be regu- larly fed, although the quantity may be increased with benefit, as the calf in- i creases in size.' V; ;-'a'V;^L' •-' r»? -r^^ I have now seven calves, for which my neighbor has offered me seven year- , lings. But mine are far preferable. j Franklin Co., N. Y. -/::'> :% 38 THE ILLINOIS F^RMiER. Milk Sickness. Edit&r IlUiwis Farmer: Dear Sir: — In the January number of your interesting paper, which greatly aids me in keeping myself posted in regard to my prairie friendB, I find on page six »n article on the poisonous plants of Ohio, in which the Eupatorium ageratoidet is ac- cused of being the cause of milk-aickneas, or at least of being injurious to cattle. Th« article is credited to tho Ohio Farmer , but I see it in your paper, and you appear to think the theory of its causing the disease is plausible. Many years ago I had a quantity of this plant sent me, with a similar accusa- tion. My inrestigations at that time satis- fied me of its harmless pharacters. My proof amounts to this, it grows abundantly everywhere in half-cleared woodland, cattle eat it frequently where no such disease ii known. The account of Mr. Vermilya, in the Ohio Agricultural Report, is yery circumstantial, and he arrays testimony of many individuals in confirmation of hia assertion, that animals died after eating this weed; these I unwilling- ly questionj but do know that my stock con- itantly browse off this weed every autumn, without injury. .•-/>-,' Further, I also know that the whole genua is possessed of very little active prop- erties; -some have a small amount of essen- tial oil, and one, the common and well known bonetet or thorough wort, is mildly emetico-purgative and bitter; whereas, the leading character of the disease referred to is obstinate constipation, it is indeed drr/ murrain in cattle and enteritis in the human family, s condition of the system that may arise quite independently of food. While in Decatur the other day, Dr. H. C. Johns informed me that a Dr. Rice, of Mowcqua, Illinois, treated the cases called milk-eickncsB, very successfully with minute doees of sweet oil, frequently repeated and constantly increaaed as the patient could bear it, until relieved by evacuation of the bowels. This is no secret nostrum and perfectly safe. Beyond this I have nothing new to oflFer on the subject of trembles, whicli I learned to consider a myth, when, an ardent devDtee of medicine, I set out in its pursuit, like another Quixote, but for years could never approach within two miles of the ignis fatuus. W. The above is from the practical pen of Dr. J. A. Warder, well known as an able Botonist and Pomologlst. This most singular malady has thus far baffled the Bontonist and Minerologist as to its producing cause. It is a singular fact that only certain districts are subject to its attacks. The prairie everywhere is free from it. It is no myth, we have been on the farms subject to it, and in the houses made sad with its deadly powers, and know many who have been snatched from its fatal grasp, but at the expense of impaired con- stitutions. We have the same dread of it as of the coiled rattle snake, whose bite is death, without the use of remedies promptly applied. Sweet oil is one of the best remedies for the snake bite, and now we thank the Doctor on behalf of our readers for the information of its value in this case also. No family should be without a bottle of sweet oil, not only for the above cases, but in case of accidental poisoning. In the dis- tricts where this malady abounds, a sure preventative is in confining stock to culti- vated grass lands after the first autumn frost. Ed. <•» . . For th* Illinois Fanntr. Chineie and African Sugar Cane. It will, we think, no longer be denied that the Northern Sugar Cane is entitled to a rank among the staple products of our lati- tude. Its cultivation has ceased to be re- garded as an experimental or a fancy enter- prise, Year by year it has grown in the con- fidence of the agriculturalist, until it has achieved by its intrinsic merits a name and a place in our list of staples. The amount of cane grown last season was considerably greater than that of any former year, while it is probable from present indications that the amount which will be planted the coming season will be greater than that of all previous years. This as- sumed increase is not attributable to any ex- traordinary success attending the operations of the last year, but rather to the fact that the results were for the most part remuner- ative, notwithstanding the season was a most unpropitious one. The spring, as will be re- membered, was wet and backward, delayed the planting nearly a month. The plants had then made but little progress against the hard rain packed soil, when they were over- taken by a protracted droughth. This ar- rested their upward developcment while it favored an extraordinary extension of root, preparing them for a rank and vigorous growth when the rains should return. But the rains were delayed until the middle of August, and until the time when the cane should have been making its seed and con- centrating its sacharine juices. Upon the occurrence of rain the plants took on a rapid growth, re-absorbed their sacharine secretions and continued to grow and thrive until cut down, or until arrested by the frost early in October. The degree of maturity or ripeness attained by the cane in the whole period of six or seven weeks, from about the middle of August, was less than is ordinar- ily acquired in two or three weeks. The canes when cut and pressed were abounding with crude tap, or water loaded with the vegetating elements. The sugar which had not been absorbed by the rapid growing plant, or that which had begun to be deposited at the latest period, was contained in a great excess of water; the juice exhibiting sacharine proportions, in many cases as low as 5 ° and 6 ® Beaume. Yet notwithstanding the combination of adverse circumstances, and the meager quality of the juice, the product of the cane in sirup was an ample compensation for all the labor and expense incuned, and such as to warrant the most sanguine expectations from the crop in the future. The true science of cultivating the cane, and the soils best adapted to its growth are as yet undetermined. Those who know irothing of all that is supposed to be known, are perhaps as well off as if they had conned all the voluminous lore with which the sub- jects have been invested. As a general rule, the soil and cultivation required for corn is adapted to cane, at least it will he safe to pursue this treatment until a better way shall have been demonstrated.. • >>,: ~ In the treatment of the ripe cane and of the juice, much has been learned, though it would be presumption to assume that we have attained to anything more than a rudamental knowledge of this department of the sub- ject. Cane sugar is one of the highest and most delicate organizations in the whole vegetable kingdam. It exists in a combina- tion of elements and conditions which can- not be imitated or approached by synthesis. Formed only in the alembic of nature, the delicate aflBiniti«BTipolKwhich its atomic con- stitinion deiiends, onceN, disturbed, it is de- grwled nevm- to be restored. It readily enough falls Into the stajies of starch, glucose andVther Ipsa subtle combinations, but these never^^*oclprocate, and \o power of art has yet enable them to do so. For this reason tho art of extracting crystalizable sugar from sugar bearing plants and roots is attended with many difficulties. Moreover, the sugar is always found intimately associated with a great variety of vegetable and inorganic ■ubstances, and these substances occur in ever varying quantities, qualities and conditions which opposa by intricate and changeing phases any fixed system of treatment. All the resources of science were exhausted be- fore sugar was successfully produced from the beet root in Franoo. Ton yoftre elapsed before the cultivation of cane and the pro- duction of sugar was fully established in Louisiana; and yet, in both these cases, perseverance triumphed in the end. The Chinese and African canes transfcred to our soils and peculiar climate, should be expected to exhibit peculiarities of constitu- tion differing from all other canes; and it should not be surprising if the same cane should behave quite differently in different soils, and yet these peculiarities may all be learned and the difficulti^ overcome. The advantages and the honorable distinction of a man's being his own sugar planter, is worth more than all the trouble likely to be in- curred. And we might certainly afford to face the difficulties which the enterprise presents, when we have the assurance in ad- vance, that even if we fail in the highest re- sults, pure crystalized sugar, we shall not fail to reap more than a compensation for our labor in sugar of only a little inferior quality — pure clear sirup. Mr. Arthur Folsom, of Cherry Grove Farm, near Pana, planted last season 150 acres in Sorgho and the different varieties of Imphee cane, and erected machinery capa- ble of handling 300 acres, which it is his design to plant this season. Mr. Folsom had been for many years an extensive sugar planter in the West Indies, and his confidence in the productive value of the Northern Cane was unbounded. His mill and apparatus was made by Messrs, Hedges, Free & Co., Cincinnati, and consisted of a three roller horizontal mill, rolls three feet long, twenty inches diameter, total weight 11,500 pounds. Engine, thirty THE ILLINOIS FA.IIM:EII. 39 inch cylinder, ten inches diameterj two double-flued boilers twentj-eight feet long, forty inches diameter; one evaporating pan twelv* and a half feet long, nine feet wide, heated by 185 feet one and a half inch steam pipe; one pan eight and a half feet square, heated by 125 feet one a half inch steam pipe. Water and juice tanko, cooleri and other appurtenances adapted to the require- ments of a first class sugar house. The mill is furnished with an ample cane carrier, ex- tending outside of the building and to a point from which it receives the cane from the wagons as they come from the field. The buildings consist of a boiler house 40 by 20 feet; engine and machinery building 30 by 24 feet, surrounded on two sides by a gallery 16 feet deep; boiling house 60 by 24 feet, adjoining the machinery building, but hav- ing its floor eight feet below the level of the latter, affording a descent for the juice from the mill in the upper building to the juice tanks, from thence to the first or defeacating pan, from thence into the concentrating pan, from thence into the eoolen, from which it is measured into barrels; thus obviating the use of pumps for elevating the juice at any of the itagCB. It was, however, discovered by Mr. Folsom, that at a certain stage in the process of boiling, shortly after the heaviest scum had been removed, that a large amount of suspended matter could be precipitated by allowing the juice to repose for an hour or two. He then arranged a series of tanks in which the juice after leaving the first pan was permitted to remain for any coBvenient length of time before it was passed into the last pan to be finally concentrated. ; The full grinding capacity of the mill is from 300 to 400 gallons of juiee per hour, which is equivalent to grinding in a tiay of twenty-four hours, six acres of cane, produc- ing 150 gallons of sirup to the acre. The capacity of the pans for evaporating, employ- ing steam at a constant pressure of seventy- five pounds to the square inch, is 250 gal Ions of juice per hour. The boilers have a capacity to furnish steam for grinding and boiling at the rate of 200 gallons per hour, or at the rate of between three and four acres per day. The consumption of coal is at the rate of four tons per day. The capacity of the mill, boilers and pans is thus seen to be 4,800 gallons of juice ex- pressed and evaporated, producing say 600 gallons of sirup in twenty-four hours and consuming thirteen and one-third pounds of coal for each gallon of sirup. Allowing for accidents and unavoidable delays, it would perhaps be proper to state the capacity of the apparatus at 500 gallons of sirup per day, and the consumption of coal at fifteen pounds per gallon, . It will be seen that by the addition of another boiler and another evaporating pan the capacity of the apparatus would be nearly doubled. The whole cost of the establishment, in- cluding the buildings; was about five thou- sand dollars. The cost of manufacturing sirup with this apparatus may be stated as follows: Esti- mating for two sets of hands working alter- nate watches through a day of twenty-four hours, and assessing interest, depreciation, insurance, &c., for the year upon 75 days, comprising the grinding season: 2 Engineers , i ., , ; . , . . . . ,. $S SO 2 Fireman ., ^ .. i ............ 1 ......... ^... ..... .. 2 00 4 Mill hands ,..,...'.. — ^... ................ .... , 4 00 6 Skimuiers ......./............,,. 6 00 2 Bagasie hands and carts.,.........,.,..;,.......,.... 8 00 2 Hands of all work ,;.;..,...i..... 2 00 Superintendence.. , 8 00 Oil ...;..:.......:...;......,....,.. 75 Insarance on $5,000 at2 percent perannnm. ........ 1 88 Depreciation and Taxe» 10 per cent. 6 67 Interest on $5,000 at 7 per cent ...\. . ;. . 4 66 8X Tom coal at $335 .......^;..:..;.ia 19 $49 10 Coit per gallon on 500 galloni 0 cents and 8 mills. By a proposed increase in the evaporating capacity of the apparatus, estimated to cost $650, increasing the daily product to say 750 gallons, and adding for increase of coal and attendance requi.ed, the cost of manu- facturing wonld be reduced to less than eight and a half cents per gallon. The foregoing estimate is upon the basis of one gallon of sirup for eight of juice. A substantial gain will generally be obtained upon this estimate. A product of one volume of sirup for seven of juice, would reduce the cost of pro- ducing the syrup, other thingi being equal, fully one and a half cents per gallon But a small portion of the crop planted by Mr. Folsom reached maturity, and before that portion of his cane from which the best results were anticipated had been reached, he was interrupted by an accident to his boilers, which delayed his operations until about the first of December, and until the weather became so severe that he was obliged to abandon the remainder of his cane. At the time of the hardest freezing weather in December, that portion of the cane which had been left in the field in windrows, unstripped, was entirely sweet and apparantly unchanged by the protracted exposure, while other portions of cane which had been stripped, though in some cases carefully housed, were entirely spoiled. The observations of the writer, upon canes variously exposed, all seem to establish a decided superiority of 'resistance to the acetous change in the Imphee over the Sorgho canes. Without feeling fully war- ranted in asserting that such is "the ease, he cannot refrain from calling attention to even a possible peculiarity of so much import- ance. It is hoped that other testimony may be elicited upon the subject, or at least that attention may be especially directed to it another season. ^ - The sirup made by Mr. F. was of a very superior quality, much better than is made by the ordinary protracted processes. It would fully answer the most fastidious de- mand for a rich table sirup, while in the culinary department it was found infinitely superior to the Louisiana molasses. The yield of sirup was found upon differ- ent measurements for quantity, from 100 to 203 gallons per acre, the measurement being upon different lots of custom cane and the amount of land cultivated reported by the producer. The average product upon tenor twelve lots was between 150 and 160 gallons per acre, though in every instance the party reporting his crop, remarked that he could have produced from 50 to 100 per cent, more upon the same ground, had he been assured of having it manufactured. C Valae of Sorgho as food for Stock.; Editor Illinois Farmer: Dear Sir: — About the fourth of June I trench plowed about one-third of an acre, by using two plows, or rather two plowings in the same furrow, turning up the solid earth ten inches deep. Afler harrowing I sowed at the rate of four bushels of Sorgho seed to the acre, harrowed fine and finished by rolling. It came up well and made a fine growth, until killed by frost in October; let it stand some four days, when the leaves be- came cured, and then cut it with a common grass sythe, and shocked up without further curing, putting some two hundred pounds in each shock — making forty shocks, or about four tons to the third of an acre. It has now been fed out, making Jtmple feed for eighteen head of cattle for twenty days, equal to feeding one head a year. It will require half an acre of corn to winter a cow, while half an acre of this cane will winter two cows equally as well, while the labor in its production will be less, and at the uire time it is as equally valuable, in my opinion, for horses, as they eat it with avidity. In cutting I would recommend the use of a cradle, as it will facilitate the shocking. To obtain the large snpply of seed required, a ' piece will have to be planted for that pur- pose early in the season. 5; iV/:i,-;vvj^}^ '5^:.;' I have tried the Imphee, but thui far find it a much later variety, being full ten days behind the other. -r :>->i:T ^v3^^^^#;^'^ '■■. Can you inform me where T can obtain twenty bushels of Sorgho seed? Yours truly, J. M. Bkach- Springfield, Dec. 24, 1859. Remarks. — Such facts as these given as by Mr. Beach, are valuable, and go to esta- blish a disputed point in the value of the Sorgho or Chinese sugar cane. Hii manner of curing is certainly a cheap one, if not the most valuable. Frost and drying winds are cheap commodities in October, and in this case easily made available. From the first season's experience with this cane, wo have had confidence in its, value. Such a vigorous grower of foliage when thickly sown, must produce a vast amount of feed. One season cannot settle its value for forage, and we hope, therefore, the experiments will be continued by others as well as Mr. Beach. We do not know who has seed for sale, probably some of oiir seed stores could furnish it. There is considerable demand for this seed and those having it would do well to introduce themselves through our advertising columns. Ed. RusHViLLE, III., Jan. 25, 1860. M. L. JhtrUap, Editor of lUiTwig Fanner: Dear Sir: — I received your's of the 3rd inst., requesting information as to my ex- periments with the Chinese sugar cane, a few days since, and though, not aware that I can supply you with any additional inform- ation to what, I should suppose is generally known, or has been conveyed to the public through other sources, I will simply state my 4.0 THE ILLINOIS F-A.IIMEII. experience ol laat year, leaving to your dis' cretionary power its disposal. I would recommend to those who design raising the article this year, to put in six or eight seeds to the hill, as my experience has shown that the cane is not liable to sucker when a large number of stalks come up to- gether. As regards the amount of molasses produced per acre, I find, from several acres measured, that I made last fall only from 150 to 175 gallons per acre. Oloott's statement of 468 gallon* per acre, I can hardly con- ceive correct, though I am aware that my cane last year was very inferior, yielding not more than 17 deg. of saccharine matter; also, my mill, though a good iron one, runs too fast to extract the entire amount of juice. In making for other individuals, or oiTthe halves, (as I did^) I was accustomed to note down the comparative strength (amount of saccharine matter,) in each separate amount of cane, so that by the use of a scale I made, I was eDkbled to give to each individual (be- fore boiling tho juice,) an estimate of molasses his cane would produce. The variations, by my saccharometer, were from 11 deg. (poor- est) to 25 deg. (beat.) I obtained my in- strument in Chicago. And not knowing whether it is graduated as Beaume's, I am unable to tell whether the cane in this neighborhood is as good as else- where. As regards the quality of last year's cane, compared with that of the year before, it was not generally so strong in saccharine matter, averaging not more than 20 deg., while the year before it averaged 25 deg. This, I imagine, may be accounted for by the circumstance of its not having fully ripened before the frost. v From 8,330 gallons of juice, which I boiled down, I obtained 1,190 gallons of molasses, or a trifle more, being in the ratio of seven gallons of juice to one of molasses. The best oane yielded in the proportion of five to one, the poorest, thirteen to one. In reference to my mode of making the molasses, for the benefit of those of your readers who may wish to make this year, I would state that my experienc* of last year waa altogether different from the preceeding. I used wooden boilers with sheet-iron bot- toms. I used no clarifying substance, simply skimming the syrup as often as requisite, and boiling down with the greatest rapidity. The fire should not b« slackened in the least until the sirup is nearly or quite finished then, if possible, lift the boiler off the fire, if this is impracticable, draw the fire in- stantly. There need be no apprehension of scorching it, if the fire is well kept up until it is finished, but should the fire be allowed to go down, and again replenished when the article is nearly done, the molasses will be inevitably spoiled. The quality I have made has been universally of a very light color, and much approved by all to whom it has been furnished, being considered much superior to what the merchants have on sale. I have made but one attempt to obtain sugar, and at the time was unsuccessful, the sirup becoming glutinous. A small quan- tity, which I allowed to stand for a time, be- came crystalized in large firm crystals. Should you ever gain any information con- cerning tho process of making sugar, I shall be pleased to hear from you by letter or by DURHAM HEIFER— JUBILEE OF ALBION "'^Nt^>^\:i'b^>\»'b^ >j< Bred R. Aitchersox Alexander, of Woodford County, Kentucky. The property of Hon. JOHN WENTWORTH, of Chicago, Dlinois. the number of the Illinois Farmer, con- taining such information. Respectfully, Jas. Scripps. P. S. The disparity between Olcott's statement of the amount of molasses pro- duced from the acre, and my own experi- ence, being so great, I should like to hear through the statements of your correspond- ents the amounts obtained by others. J. S. Remarks. — TVe have not seen a sample of Mr. Scripps' simp, but have been in- formed that his samples are very superior. It will be seen that he uses no chemicals, simply rapid boiling in a shallow pan, and when done, turns out to cool. There is no secret in this, no formula that any person mav not successfully imitate. The wonder- ful minute details of some of our professional men have been laid aside as worthless, by the good, practical, common sense of farmer Scripps, and the whole process stripped of ita chemicals and of its mystery. We have little faith in making sugar, to any extent, from this cane in our latitude, and shall spend no time over it, but for sirup it must prove valuable. Ed. Vegetables tried by us in 1859. Japan Apple Pie Melon. — This melon sustains its character established last year and is destined to be grown in garden and corn field thoroughput the prairie States Indian Bfan. — Thisbean, lately brought from Kansas, where it was obtained of the Indians, grew and ripened where the common white beau was destroyed by frost. It is equal to the Lima and produces luxuriantly. We have some to spare. Hubbard Squash. — This needs no com- mendation at our hands — its character is established and known, and it speaks for itself to all who eat of it. No one should grow a poorer squash than this. Joseph's Corn. — This was grown by a neighbor, and is very highly recommended by him. The seed came from California, where it is said to have yielded 210 bushels per acre. It grows upon a strong stalk, an inch or more in diameter and eight to ten feet in height. The head is compact, and when ripe hangs down like wheat. It is good cooked as rice, and is also good feed for horses. It is we, believe, well worthy of cultivation. i (We suspect this to be the well known Doura com, which has figured on more than one occasion. Ed.) Turtle Soup Beans. — This bean is famous for soup. It grows well and is easily cultivated. We have a fine parcel of them. The Neotarin« Squash — This is some- thing new, The friend of whom we pro- cured our supply of seeds was offered fifty cents each for all his seeds last winter. His seeds came from Honolula (Sandwich) Is- lands. The flesh of this squash has been eaten by such men as B. P. Johnson, Secre- tary of New York State Agricultural Society, Luther Tucker, Editor Country Gentkman, and others, who pronounce it by far the finest squash they ever tasted; ita flesh, with- out any sweetening of any kind, more resem- bling jujube paste than squaih. It must ba tasted to be known. We will send sample to all who will send us a letter stamp for post- age. These seed we sell this winter at the low price of fifteen cents each. They are not ours — we sell them on commission. Send and get the testimony of those who have eaten of it and a sample. But one man has the needs in the United States. An offer — We will send a package containing of each of the above varieties of seeds, except the last, to any one who will join our club for either of the following papers, thereby getting them at lowest club rates and teeds in the bargain. Send on singly or in clubs — The IlUnoli Farmor t T5 The Prairie Firmer 1 50 The Rural New Yorker 1 95 The Oencsaee Farmer 40 The Atlantic Monthly 8 00 With two red stamps extra for each name, to pay postage on seeds. Addresi W. H. G-ARDNKR, Ldand, LaSalle County, 111. THE ILLINOIS FA-RMEH. 41 THE APIARY. ; -.■. Cleveland Mbd. College, Jan. 28th, 1860. Mr. Dunlap — Bear Sir : While at- tending the State and National Fairs in Illinois last autumn, I found that many of your people took a deep interest in the management of the Honey Bee. The inclosed article may not be adapted to the tastes of all classes of your readers; yet, to the entomologist and apiarian it may aflford some important facts. It embraces the substance of an article which I read before the Cleyeland Acad- emy of Natural Sciences. Very truly yours, J- I*' KiBTLAND. It is with no small degree of pleasure that we lay this interesting paper on the Honey Bee before our readers, and we trust that they will profit by it. By this it' will be seen, that to lessen the number of drones in the hive is simply to cut out the drone comb, and this is easily done in the movable frame hive. As the natural habits of this useful in- sect becomes better known, we shall , have an increase of its rich^products. — Ed. Parthenoseneiisin Bees and Moths. Re»a before the Cleveland Academy of Natural Scienceg, by Prof. J. p. Kirtland, M.D. Physiologists, in their investigations, are wont to consider the mammalia as of a higher order of creation, in^comparison with certain other classes. As a consequence, they conclude that the latter must, to a great extent, con- form to the former, in their structure and functions. The Creator, in his wis- dom, has, however, constructed them after types peculiar to themselves, and adapted them for the fulfilment of duties not appertaining to the former. The aphorism, "Zwema sine concuhi- .,■;-■■■■ :; Peddleri. .::.■-.:;./,■•••■;;•.,■.■. Not wiihlng to be lield responmble for the tranMctioni of other parties, yrt hereby caution the public against certain persons who are In the habit of using our catalogues, and rep- resenting themselves as our agents, but who in reality hare no dealings with us. The reputation of our establtstunent lias already been li^ured in sereral parts of the country by such parties. All our agents, and those who purchase from us extensirely to fill their orders, have certificates bearing our signature. Those who have no such certificate are to be regarded as im- postors. The above extract I have clipped from an advertisement of Ellwanger & Barry; in the Grardener" a Monthly . As I hope the time is soon coming when Western nurserymen are to supply the tree peddlers and the wholesale trade, 48 THE ILLINOIS FA-HIMER. YOUNG'S ADJUSTABLE CULTIVATOR AND WEED EXTERMINATOR. Farmers who visited the United States Fair, our own State Fair, and BCTcral other Western State and County Fairs the past autumn, will recognize in this machine an old acquaintance, that re- ceived from the thousands of farmers who there saw it, an unanimous approval. The above cut will pretty fully explain it. The shares or wings can be taken off and replaced with mold boards or hill- ers. We have not tried the implement, but so well are we convinced of its value ^^^ that we give place to the cut as above. ~^^ We shall give it a trial in the nursery, Patented June 7th, 1859 S^^and shall be able to speak further of its limerits in the May number in time for sthe corn crop. Address John Young, " Joliet, Will CO., 111., who is ihe patentee "^and manufacturer, and who will be pleased to send a circular containing full particulars. Price of cultivators with weeding cutters, and a set of shares for hilling; $12. I wish to call their attention to a matter of great importance to them and all who may wish to plant trees and shrubs. I do not, in what may follow, intend to attack Messrs. Ellwangoi' & Barry, but as they are the great firm in their line in this country, and the only firm who have felt called upon to put such cautiona in their advertieementa, I uso it for the purpose of showing how it is calculated to mislead the public, and the wholesaler made morally but not legally responsible for most tree peddlers' ras- calities. " I^Tot wishing to be held responsible for the transactions of other parties," &c., &c. "All our agents, and those who purchase extensively of us, have CERTIFICATES bearing our signature." Well, now, that sounds good. Let us see how it works reduced to practice. We will suppose one E. S. Pike & Co. goes to Messrs. E. & B. and wish to contract for trees to peddle. A contract is entered into, in which B. & B. stipu- late that the party first named shall " purchase exclusively " of them. This clause is m all their contracts. Armed with their certificate and order books, bearing the vague words "Mount Hope Nurseries," at the top of every order, the peddler starts out on his travels. Now I like the tree peddler and his trade, because he sells thousands of trees and shrubs, to people who would never never think of buying, unless they were urged upon them with the suavity, per- severence and impudence of your genu- ine tree missionary ( ?) Yes, I like the tree peddler, and do not desire to see the " genus " become extinct, provided they are not the smallest kind of thieves. Mr. Peddler having reached the scene of his intended operations, seeks a cus- tomer. He finds him somewhat auspi- cious, with the air of an injured saint. He exhibits his "certificate,'' his order book, and his little bottles with the marvellous "big" specimens of small fruits, expatiates upon the well known reputation of the establishment. The result, in most cases, is, our suspicious friend gives the obrtifioate, not the peddler an order. So he goes; selling his wares almost entirely upon the strength of THAT certificate. So far, it is all right and proper. Now Mr. E. S. Pike & Co. having in their carpet (not J. B.'s) bag, all the orders obtained by themselves or em- ployes, proceed to Rochester and make out a list of such articles as they want, and hand it to the parties who gave them that certificate. These articles are car- ried to that part of their packing grounds allotted to the party purchasing. Labels ad libitum are furnished them by the concern, and they commence to put up an order for James. Thompson, Esq., Quincy, Illinois. On that order reads fifty Catawba Grape Vines, at ten cents each. Fifty Diana Grape Vines at J3@=- TWE^'TY five cents each, all taken from the same heap. Now these names are real, and the case occurred in the spring of 1858. Now by reference to Ellwanger & Barry's wholesale catalogue of that year it will be seen that they offer but a " limited stock of this new and valuable grape'' at one dollar each AT wholesale. Mr. Thompson had never heard of the Diana grape and purchased it entirely on the recommendation of E. S. P. and paid all he asked for it. Mr. Thompson made me a present of ten of these vines as a great acquisition to my stock. Our Diana vines grow as fine Isabellas as ever gladdened the heart of those who like foxish things. Now, Mr. E. S. Pike in person, took this order, and in person delivered it. I had a number of rose bushes of the same concern, all of which accidentally (?) happened to have the same kind of flow- r might multiply these cases by ers. the hundred, but these are sufiicient for my present purpose. This fall and* winter, other parties (the same parties have sufiicient discretion to not pass over the same ground twice) are perambulat- ing all parts of the State, armed with "certificates" **bearing our signature," Mount Hope order books, and those "little jokers" of bottles, obtaining their orders. If they are honest, honorable men, and deliver what they sell, no one has a right to complain. The temptation to sell a Delaware vine for three dollars and deliver a Catawba or a Clinton that costs five cents, is too much for the moral stamina of most tree peddlers. On the cars, while on my way to the Bloomington Convention, 1 had the pleasure of meeting and forming the acquaintance of Mr. M. B. Bateman, the Ohio partner of Ellwanger & Barry. I asked him what was the practice he pursued with those parties who had his or "our certificates?" "We deliver what they call for as per contract, pro- vide them a place to do their own pack- ing, and there our reponsibility ceases." And so it does, legally. But what is the effect upon the customer, who knows the articles came from a certain estab- lishment, and that a tree peddler could not touch them with a forty foot pole, without one"of these certificates ? Now I found Mr. Bateman an honorable, high-minded man, and a gentleman of cultivated intellect. I know full well thth: iLLTisrois f ahomek. 49 that now his attention is called to this matter, that he "^yill, in his own case, reform it. The reputation of Messrs. Ellwanger & Barry as men, citizens and nurserymen, is above reproach, and they have. acquired a princely fortune in the business. I feel assured that they would not tolerate an instant upon their grounds persona whom they knew were engaged in such practices. Yet it has been done ; and let me assure all wholesale nursery- men that all the impostors that have traveled have never done the trade half the harm that these certificate swindlers have. THE REMEDY. Suppose Ellsworth, Overman, Whit- ney, Bryant, Aldrich, Kennicott, Stew- art, Edwards, Galusha, Huggins, Dunlap or any well known and reliable nursery- man gives one of these chaps one of their certificates, does he not sell most of his wares upon the well known reliability of the establishment issuing such certifi- cate. Such being the case, is it not the duty of the nurseryman to require that the orders taken shall be correctly and honestly filled. If the peddler Is required, in order to avail himself of the reputation of a well known establishment, to bind himself to purchase exclusively of them, should they not protect the public and their own reputation by requiring that the purcha- ser shall receive what he pays for. IE I see fit to take orders for trees on my own hook, without " certificate " en- dorsement, and then go to a nursery and buy what I call for, and take them away, and then so pack them as to steal from those who have reposed confidence in me, there is no remedy, except sled stake law, or an action for false pretense. To reach these petty thieves, whom no re-^ sponsible establishment would endorse, I would require them to get license to peddle under an existing law, or if there is none, ask the Legislature to enact one, and require them to give bond, with two good and sufficient sureties, to fulfill his orders correctly. When the tree peddler will cease to be a swindler, I, for one, will do all in my power to aid him in his profitable and glorious work of inducing the people to buy and plant trees, shrubs and flowers. I have made free use of the names of Messrs. E. & B. as representative men, and necessary to elucidate my subject, as well as to call the attention of "the trade '' to this great wrong. K. K. J. Qidncy, lU., Feb. 17, 1S60. The practice to which our friend Jones here alludes, has become one of no small moment, and the wholesale nurseryman, both east and west, Avill thank him for his straightforward expose of these swindling " tree peddlers " — we Avill not call them agents, for ^they are not so, as they have purchased at wholesale, and do their own packing. For ourself we have for the past year refused any of these parties to pack trees on our grounds. If they want to fill orders from our stock we will do the packing, and take the responsibility of their correctness, but none of these gentry can play this game with our labels. We hope all wholesale nurserymen will adopt the plan suggested by Mr. Joues, to do their own packing, and com- pel these peddlers " to be as honest as they seem fair.'* Tree selling is a legit- imate and honorable calling, and should be so regarded, but of late, by their ras- cally practices, it has grown into con- tempt, and every man engaged in it is looked upon with suspicion. We propose to give all well authenticated cases of this kind an airing. In the communication of Mr. J. we have allowed him to use names, as he is fully able to take care of himself. We have known him from boy- hood, and believe him to be actuated by the best motives, as we have always found him a person of the most strict integrity, and a rigorous opposer of humbug in all its forms. — Ed. COMMERCIAL. ST. LOUIS LIVE STOCK MARKET— Feb. 25. Beef Cattle — A large business has been done in the past week, and prices have been fully maintained. At the close of the week the supply is fair, and the demand good at 6 to 6 Vc ^ n> net for the better quality, and 6 to 6c for inferior and common. About 500 head have been shipped South. Hogs — There is a fair demand, with a supply to meet it, and sales at 6 to 7c ^ B) net. Shipped South 500 to 600 head. Sheep — A good supply has brought prices down and we now quote at |8 5G@4 00 ^ head. Cows and Calves — Supply and demand moderate. Prices range from $20 to $40. ST. LOUIS HOBSE AND MULE MARKET— Feb. 25. In the early part of the week a good business was transac- ted, and fair prices were had for the animals ofiFered, which were mostly of a common and medium quality. There have been good receipts— fully equal to the sales. Private Sales. — 1 grey carriage horse at $175; 1 span mares; 1 saddle horse $125; 1 do at |100; 1 small work horse |75; 6 mares at $500 the lot: 1 span draught horses at $275; 1 buggy horse at $120; 1 work mare at $100; 1 brood do at $100; 1 work horse at $110; 1 dray do at $72 50; 1 stallion at $400; 1 saddle horse at $S5; 1 do at $75; 1 do mare at $75; 3 small horses at $240 the lot; 1 pacer at $250; 1 mare at $85; 1 draught hojse at $150; 1 span mules at $300, and 80 mules at $147 £0 per head— $4,426 the lot. NEW YORK CATTLE MARKET— Feb. 22. Another full supply of beef, as will be seen, when we state that 4,447 fresh cattle have been offered at all the city markets during the past week. This is 1,107 more than were reported last week, and 1,295 more than the corresponding week last year, when the prevailing rates were about Ic ^ S) in advance of the present market. Of course the present large supply carried prices below the figures of last week, when 1,425 fewer cattle were on sale at the principal market places. Of milch cows the numbers have been rather larger, but the de- mand is no better. There is a surplus on hand awaiting pur- chasers. Veals are iu moderate supply with a fair demand for those of good quality. Sheep are still scarce, although the receipts show an increase over last week. They are worth 2oc ®50c ^ head more than last Wednesday, and at these prices the pens were emptied. Swine have come in as last week, rather below the requirements of the market, thus keeping up prices. Were it not for free arrivals of slaughtered hogs tliey would rule even higher than quoted below. Of the 3,706 bullocks yarded at Forty-fourth street this week so far as we could ascertain their origin from owners and sales- men, and from the yard books, 807 head came from Ohio, 1,- 005 from New York, 417 from Indiana, 829 from Illinois, 135 from Pennsylvania, 82 from Canada, 116 from Michigan, 51 from Connecticut, 116 from Iowa, 173 from Missouri, and So from New Jersey. EDITOR'S TABLE. MeETISO op the EXECUTPTE BoAItD OF THE STATE AGRI- CULTURAL Society.— The Board met on the 21gt February, mainly for the purpose of locating the next State Fair and making up the premitun list. Peoria, Jacksonville, Bloom- ington and Chicago were the competitors. Peoria was repre- sented by Dr. Clapp, who in the course of the discussion with- drew the claim. The Board held several secret sesdons over it, and on the 24th, at noon, came to a final vote, which re- sulted in eight votes for Jacksonville, tliree for Bloomington, and three for Chicago. Some vigorous "dry nursing" had been used to obtain this result, and the course pursued by some of the members In declaring^their vote before band, and before the applications were all in and heard, is not much to their credit. We have t)efore taken occasion to enter our pro- test against the ex -Presidents holding a position as voters In the Board, as well as the Secretaries and Treasurers, mere ex- cutive ofiBcers; and now, we think the great mass of the fanners of the State will see the impropriety in the same light. September 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 141h and 15th, are the days set for the fair. The premium list and other doings of the Society will be discussed in our next. The list, as far as we could learn, is to be on a very liberal scale. There can be no doubt but the show will be a good one. The Superintend- ent of the Great Western Railroad says he can move all the freight and passengers forthe Pair.f He is one of the best railroad men in the State, and we have great confidence that be will do all that he promises. Exiiibitors will have a choice in the awards to take plate or cash, except in cases where books and periodicals are offered. We are surprised that volumes of the Transactions are not offered, this would be the means of placing this valuable work in the hands of our most enterprising farmers, which is not often the case at present, as politicians and favorites now get most of them. The Corn Market — Is very much unsettled, and a wide difference of opinion exists as to the quantity in the country. There is about six hundred thousand bushels now in store, all of which was shelled, in a partially uncured state, and will need careful attention to prevent heating. The amount daily thrown on the market is ample for the local demand her e until navigation opens. The "bears" have the market all their own way. Added to this, this last named class of dealers are re- porting the crop immense, they have the dngle item of three millions of bushels from the Illinois river alone for thi* market. From the present demand we may set down that along tne line or the Ureat Western Kallroad, the com crop will go to Toledo, and south of that to points south. Thia will leave only a part of the crop to go north. It is possible that the Illinois river will send out three millions of bushels, but not over one third of it will come to this city. Out of the amount received yesterday only some six thousand bushels came from the central part of the State, while most of it is from Iowa and the Mississippi river counties. June, July and August are the shipping months for corn, and with the short crops and bare stocks around us, the fanners of the great corn zone need have no anxiety about the result, as by that time they will see plenty of buyers offering f^ prices. To the corn crop, Illinois is largely indebted for her pros- perity, and we would urge our farmers to look well to it.^ Rural, to State Journal from. Chicago. Scarlet Fever. — In the country, where we have spent several days, scarlet fever is quite common, and for the benefit of anxious mothers we will say, that keeping the patient in a warm room, poulticing the throat with slices of fat pork and oiling the chest, is nearly all that it is required. This must be continued until the symptoms are entirely abated, as a re- lapse in this disease is often followed ^ -''■Vr^^-iVfrfi1iri''^?rif"^r-Vr'fl<^i-r..-t ."rrnh^i^ n' V.^rfA^^'':tn'r.'^'if-.i^i;.rT^ 'i:^ \.i^e^Cfii£*^^sc: 50 THE ILLINOIS F_A.Il]VtEIl. SoROno. — In thU number we have two important communi- cations on this Interesting subject. As near as we can learn, the mill at Pana wiis a failure tiS regards the machinery, at least there is an important suit pending in relation to it. Mr. rolsom contends that the loss of the crop by frost was In con- sequence of the failure of the mill to work it up in season. Prom the letter of Mr. Scripps it will be seen that a first-rate quality of sirup can be made by the farmer, without any very expensive apparatus. As the cane Is heavy. It will be expen- ■Ive to haul It any distance, and these small and cheap mills, like the one he describes, will be just the thing. In tliis, the juice is boiled down in a shallow pan over a simple arch, that any farmer can put up ; no patent boiler is needed, nor is tb« aid of a chemist to be CTok«d. The mill at Pana is an expensive affair, and in working up large crop, no doubt of value, as lessening the aggregate cost per gallon, but it will be seen that in boiling by steam the product la of no better quality. The sugar point still iooras in the far-off distance, notwithstanding the State Agricultural Society did give a large premium for fifty pounds of sugar from the Sorgho. But we apprehend the least said about the matter the bettar it will please the parties immediately inter- ested. We saw the sample at the time, and expressed our distent that sugar had been made from the Chinese Sugar Cane grown in tliis State ; but the award was made, and what is the practical result ; that sample appears to be the last of the Illinois sugar crop — " What a falling off ray countrymen " is this ; not even a claimant for an award on sugar. That thousands of barrels of good sirup have been made the past year in this State, we have good reason to believe, but we cannot hear of a single pound of sugar, except from the sugar maple. Another point is, that the cultura of the cane will be largely extended this year. Edwards' Lamoile Ncrseby. — The card of this old and well established nursery will be found among our advertise- ments. Mr. Edwards has paid particular attention to the sub- ject of evergreens, and his stock is very large and select. As will be seen, he has a general stock of articles usually called for in his line. Now, we ask, can any sane man be so blind to his Interest as to patronize a tret jteddler, when such trees and plants as those are offered at much less rates, to say nothing of adaptation to the climate, the saving of freight and the certainty of their being true to name. Mr. £. is the largets grower of the strawberry in the State. The West is under many obligations to him for the interest he has taken in horticultural mftiteve. For luunj j-eiiro be yrtM Boer«j^fkrj of th« N. W. fruit Growers' Association, and now the President of the State Horticultural Society. We take pleasure in in- dorsing him as a man of sterling integrity, and you need have no fears that your orders will not be filled with fidelity. Subsoil Plow. — We cannot too strongly commend the uso of the subsoil plow to our progressive farmers. If we could Induce one farmer in a neighborhood to try it, we should be satisfied, for then It would commend itself to the pockets of tlie rest of the neighborhood. If not for sale at any of the agencies of Deerc's plows, order itifrom Messrs. Deere* Co., MoUne, Illinois. Caiko akd Fclton Railroad. — We arc in receipt of a pamphlet of forty-four pages of the first report of this new company. This road has a large landed interest connected with it, most of which Is of the most valuable kind for fruit growing. AddregaM. Ilrnyraan, President. We shall look further into this next month. Scott CoouTy Aoriculti'hal Societt.— Officers for 1860: President — James Oillham. Vice-Presidents— N. M.'Knapp, D. J. Haggard and W. if.. Hawk. Treasurer — E. O. Miner. Secretary— Wm Lelghton. . CI5C1SNATC8.— This monthly has now a trio of editors. The well known Dr. J. A. Warder is giving it the benefit of his practical pen to fill up its horticultural department. Price $2. Address F. G. Cary, Box 1,052, Cincinnati, Ohio. The work wastormerly published at College Hill. Wisconsin Farmer.— This work has now entered on its twelfth year, looking hale and hearty. It has done good service in the cause of agriculture in the Northwest, and wc wish it a good speed. $1, monthly. D. J. Powers, Madison, Wisconsin. The Hombstbad gives us an account of the agricultural lecture at New Haven, and other matters of interest to those of our readers who hail from the Nutmeg State. Weekly, %'2. G. D. Rand, Hartford, Conn. Trade asd Commerce or Chicago. — We have had no time to examine this work of 104 pages emanating from the Board of Trade, by Secretary Collins, but will do so next month. Enghavihos. — In the present number we present the readers of the Farmer with an engraving of a fine animal from the splendid herd of lion. John Wentworth, of Chicago. The Manny prize, wliich will call the attention of farmers to tho fact that they must put In ten acres of wheat if they would win, and in consideration that there will be some deep plow- ing and thorough culture in the case, that they too must put forth no faint effort, if they would win so magnificent an award. Of Apples, we present two outlines of those which have proved valuable in the open prairie. We have had pre- pared cuts to illustrate our review of Fleschman's new mode of plowing, but it must go over for want of room this month. OsAQB IlEDaiKQ. — Messrs. Overman & Mann, of Blooming- ton, have sold al>out six millions of osage plants for hedges. The demand for plants is largely ahead of the supply. Six Imndred miles of hedge plants grown by one firm in a season! This will take the place of 444,000 posts.^over 0,000,- 000 feet of fencing and over a car load of nails, besides these living hedges will modify the climate by breaking off these vere winds, and add lines of beauty around the farm — thus com- bining the useful and the beautiful. Fairbanks' Scales. — Cattle feeders should have one of the box scales In wliich to weigh a single animal; they can thus learn the value of different kinds of feed. In selling, this scale will often prove of value, as it is time that guesHng at live weights should be dispensed with. Their Post Office Balance is a great convenience to business men, and only cost 92. The housewife will also find them a valuable asdstant In in weighing small parcels of ingredients tor pastry. DocBLE Michigan Plow for Prairie Breakiko.— In using, set the top plow so as to cut an inch deep; the large plow three inches. You need not wait for the ground to settle, but ss soon as your team can travel on the soil, go tn work and breakup your prairie for crops of oats, flax or corn. For corn, we Intend to harrow in May, plant and cultivate same as old land. We give notice that we have done with June prairie breaking. For a crop of broom corn, this kind of breaking must prove valuable. We have the samples, on sight, if any person would wish to see the practical demon- stration. Sweet Potatoes. — The time is approaching to prepare the hot beds for the raising of the plants of this valuable veg- etable. J. W. Tenbrook can furnish you with seed and directions. See hli card. SIelodeon Aoenct. — It will be seen by the card of G. W. Chatterton, that he has the agency of Prince's improved Melodeons, which have attained the very highest reputation. Mr. C. also has a large stock of Jewelry, sewing machines, thermometers, etc. Bloomin'gton and Woodbvrn Ni'RSERiEB should not be overlooked by tree planters. Mr. Hugglns Is well located for our more southern friends, but he can ship In all directions. His prices are remarkably low. PhcenIx Is now East to look up the novelties, as he is determined to give his customers no excuse to either patronize tree peddlers or to send East. DuNLAP's NcRSBRY. — J. B. Whitney will receive orders at Chatham for Sangamon and other counties, and E. W. Downee, of St. Mary's, Hancock county, will do tbcsame^for the counties adjacent. All others ^should send orders direct, or hand them to some authorized locaragent. Silver Maple Sebdlinos. — Those intending to plant screens, should not over look the card of Mr. Pallun. We planted eight thousand of these Maple Seedlings last spring in our orchard belts, without losing a dozen plants. They made a fine growth, and in a few years will be the pride of our farm. Mori about thi Sobguo.— J. W. Badger writes utthat he aasisted in making one hundred gallons of sirup per day in Green county last fall ; that the crop of the cane was a poor one, but turned out 200 to 2.50 gallons per acre, and says that with good culture and a favorable season, 800 to 450 gallons can be made. lie has spent six years in Florida, Georgia and Louisiana, putting up sugar machinery and making sugar. He wishes to engage with some person in its culture and man- ufacture in a large way. His address Is Pana, III. Tns Oregon Farmer has the following: Personal. — Mr. Simeon Francis, for many years and until recently, editor of the Illinois Farmer, arrived with his family, on the Northerner. It was but natural that he should look in upon us soon after his arrival. We shall be glad to know that Mr. F. has located In Oregon. We shall hope to hear from him in his far off new home. Wc can assure our Oregon friends that Mr. F. will be no small acquisition to the progressive population of that new country. He is a close observer, a ready and pleasant writer, a genial companion; and we commend him and his family to the kind attentions of the settlers on the hither verge of our broad country. Care of Plakts. — Plants that have',been covered to pro- tect them from winter, such as pinks, carnations, roses, straw- berries, etc., should not be uncovered too soon, for a sudden freeze after a few warm days might seriously injure them; better let them start under their winter protection than to prematurely come forth. We have lost a large number of plants in this way, and can therefore speak from sad experi- ence on the sulfject. Steam Plow Lancaster is resting its honors under its can- vass cover, in that "hundred acre field," in sight of our sanctum window. The Double Michigan will soon be invadin g its domain, and its steady plodding may largely invade the ground consecrated to the god of steam. The Rcral New Yorker comes to us with all the freshness of spring. The large amount of original matter has always made it a favorite at the farmer's fireside, and so long as there is a little Moore to add unto Its ample columns, it will con- tinue to please. Address D. D. T. Moore, Rochester, New York— $2, weekly. The Architects' and Mechanics' Journal. — This Is a new work, the tliirteenth number of which has reached us. It is conducted with ability, and we can see the utilUtarian stick- ing out of it at every point; in fact, it is a valuable work for the farmer and all those who wish to know any tlung about building. It is filled with good plain common sense. Weekly, |2. Address Alex. Harthiil, Publisher, No. 128 Fulton street, New York. Gardenir's Monthly. — The February number of this in- valuable paper Is at hand, and as usual, filled with valuable matter pertaining to vegetable and ornamentitl gardening. Price f 1. Address the Publishers of Gardener's Monthly, Philadelphia, Pa. Thomas Mechan, Editor, G^rmantown, Pa. Springfield Nursery. — We take pleasure in introducing this new establishment to our readers, it is yet young, but Mr, Spaulding promises to make it stlU more useful as it attains age. As will be seen by his card, his assortment is such as planters need, comprising the useful and the beautiful. Most of hii stock is of size to plant, having been reset and become well rooted, and hence in good condition to transplant. Choice Seeds.— Apple Pie Mellon. Seeds of this delicious substitute for pies, nina cents a paper. Mammoth Table Pro- lific Lima Beans; vines grow only six feet high, completely covered with bunches of from fifteen to twenty pods to the bunch, nine cents a paper. Large Cheese Squash, excellent for pies and as a substitute for the sweet potato, twelve cents. Pure Hubbard Squash, nine cents a package. Any three packages of the above seeds mailed for twenty-fi je cents. Address C. V. Rapalte, care of the Editor "JlortictUtmal Monthly;' Morrisania, N. Y. Special Notice. Letters connected with the business department of this paper must be directed to the publishers in Springfield. Those in- tended for the eye of the Editor should be addressed to him at West tJrbana. SPRINGFIELD NURSERY. THIS NURSERY WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1S6S. It is one mile southeast of the capltoi, on South Eighth street, near the machine shop of the Great Western Railroad. The stock covers ten acres with Apples, Pears, Cherries, Plums, Peaches, Apricots, Nectarines, Quinces, Grapes, Currants, Gooseberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Blackberries, Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Evergreens, Roses, Bulbous and Herbaceous Plants, £c., &c. Address Springfield, 111., R. J. HUBBELL,Proprietor. niarl-2m J. B. SPAULDING, Agent. ASHLEY NUKSERY AND GARDENS. HAVING SOxME HEAVY LIABILITIES to meet this coming spring, we offer to farmers and the planters generally, great Inducements In the way of finely giown apple, pear, peach, cherry, plum, quince, apricot and nectarine trees; also, currants, gooseberries, strawberries, and ail the small fruits; together with a fine assortment of orna- mental trees, slurubs and vines, evergreens, roses and bedding plants, gi-ape vines, as low as any nursery In tho west. Send for catalogues. Addresss JOHN M. HUNTER, marl-*lm Ashley, Washington Co., 111. BLOOMINGTON NURSERY, ILLINOIS. QA ACRES FRUIT, ORNAMENTAL AND Ow Nursery Stock— for cash. 10,000 Root Grafts |50. Per 1,01 Q— Apple, one to three and four years, $25 to f 95; Strawberry, Wilson's Albany $10, other fine lots |o; Aspar- agus, two years, |3; lihuharb, Linneu's best, two sizes, ^60 to $85; Gooseberry, Houghton, two and three years, f 40; Currant, Red, two years, f 30; JCcergreens, American and Foreign, $15 to $30. Grapes, old and new, a great variety, very low. Per 100 — Orange Raspberry, Lawton Blackberry, $7; Dahlias, green $10, dry $15; Verbenas, 140 sorts, $5 fo 8; Dyclytras, $8. Per dozen — Tiger Flowers, Double Tube- rose, 50 cents; Phloxes, Rose Geraniums, $1 60; DelpUn- iums. Campanulas, Lemon Verbenas, $2. Prince Albert ! Potatoes, packed, $1 50, bush. Ros^s, Bulbs, Greenhouse, Garden Plants, Ac. See new list. F. K. PHOJNIX. marl -4m THE ILLINOIS FA-TOSIEH. 51 Condensed Catalogue ot FRUIT A?ID ORNAMENTAL TREES, PLAfTS, &C., CULTIVATED AND FOR SALE AT THE EVERGREENS, Lamoille, Bureau CO., nUnoIs, BY SAMCBL EDWARDS. Specimen orchards were commenced in 1S44, and number several thousand trees. Some 150 varieties have fruited. Genuineness of varieties as labeled, g^uaranteed. Strawberries, Currants, Gooseberries and Rhubarb, are cul- tivated largely for market, and plants can be furnished in quantities at very low rates. Much attention has been given to the cultivation of Ever- greens, for screens from the blealc winds of the prairies ; some good specimens of which can be shown, of sufficient sise to demonstnite their practical value. Nearly fifty varieties have been tested, as many as forty-flve of which are recommended by Eastern Nurserymen. Very many of them are worthless liore. Twenty-two varieties were awarded the first premium and a gratuity at the State Fair, Ceutralia, 185S ; 30 varieties were awarded the first premium in 1859. The present stock numbers 160,000, from three inches to fifteen feet in height — the largea sizes several times transplant- ed. They are more valuable for planting on the Prairies than trees from Eastern Nurseries, as it requires from two to tliree years for trees to become thrifty here, when brought from different soil and climate, besides the saving of freight and loss. From opening of ground In the spring till buds are opened, is a good time for planting Evergreens; also, from the inlddle of August to the latter part of September, and for very large specimens in winter, witli ball of frozen earth, is the best time.* All orders from a distance will be securely packed, for which cost only will be charged. Customers will please to give full directions as to route, consignees, Ac. No charge for deliver- ing at R. R. Depot, Mendota, or Arlington, after which our responsibility ceases. Terms cash. SAMUEL EDWARDS. *For Unts to successful culture of Trees and Plants on the Prairies, I would refer to Chase's Hand Books on Fruit Culture and Evergreens, published by S. C. Griggs & Co., Chicago; ■old by aU booksellers, and at this Nursery, Fruit Trees. Applet. Summer — Carolina Red June, Early Harvest, Keswick Cod- lin. Sweet Jane, Early Pennock, etc. AuTCMK — Maiden's Blush, Uawley, Snow, Fulton Strawber- ry, Lowell, etc. WiKTKR— Yellow Bellflower, Rawle's Janet, Domlne, Wine- sap, Willow Twig, Fulton, Red Romanite, etc. Standard Trees, six to ten feet high, $12 60 per hundred. Dwarf trees, 30o each. Pears. Standard and Dwarf Trees of best sorts, SOoenta each. Cherries. Early Richmond, Reine Hortense, Belle de Choisey, English Morello, Jlay Duke, Belle Magtiiflguc, Carnation. Donna Ma- ria, Plumstoue MoroUa. Trees, 50 cents each. The Heart and Bizarreau Cherries do not succeed well on the Prairies. Isabella, 10 to 25 cents. Grapes. Gooseberries. English varieties, |2 per dozen. Houghton's Seedling, and Pale Red or Cluster, never mildew, abundant bearers, $1 25 per dozen, $6 per hundred, $50 per thousand. RoHpbenies. Allen $1 BO per dozen, $7 per hundred. American Black Cap 75 cents per dozen, $4 per hundred. American AVhite Cap 75 cents per dozen. Brinkle's Orange (3 per doz. Ued Antwerp, fine, |1 per dozen. Cincinnati Red, very hardy, 00 cents per dozen, $3 per hundred, $15 per thousand. Allen's Prolific, Belle de Fontenay, Marvel of Four Seasons, each tl 50 per dozen. Currants. Cherry, Attractor, White Grape, Champagne, Chasselas, Fertile de Palnau, Fertile de Angers, Prince Albert, Belle of St. Giles, twenty-five cents each, or two dollars per dozen. White Dutch, Victoria, Red Grape, Silver Striped, Magnum Bonum, Wilmot's Grape, Kqight's Large Red, 15 cents each, tl 50 per dozen. Red Dutch, Black English, or Black Na- ples, Common White, Missouri Large Fruited, ten cents each, TO cento per dozen, f 5 per hundred, J40 per thousand. Lawtos BI.ACKBBRKT — 25 Cent* each, $2 per dozen, f 8 per hundred, |60 per thousand. /Strawberries. Necked Pine, 10 cents per dozen, 50 cents per hundred, $3 per thousand. Hooker, Wilson's Albany, 25 cents per dozen, il 50 per hundred, flovey'i Seedling, Longworth's Prolific, McAvoy's Superior, Early Scarlet, Jenning'a Seedlings, Mon- roe Scarlet, Jenny Moyamensing, 20c per dozen, |1 per hun- dred— my selection $5 per thousand. ASPARAOCS— 2 year old roots, 60c per hundred, 14 per thousand: 3 year old roots, 75c per hundred, $5 per thousand. BMiiarb. > Llnnasus, Downing's Colossal, Myatt's Victoria, Tobolsk, Royal Albert, 20c each, $2 per dozen, |8 per hundred. Scotch Hybrid, none better, 16c each, $1 per dozen, $5 per hundred, $45 per thousand. Gaboon's Seedling, largest, roots liable to rot, 60c each, $4 per dozen. Hedge Plants. Osage Orange, two years old $2 per tliousand. Buckthorn, two years, $6 per thousand. Osier Willow, Viminalis, Pur- purea, Beveridge and Golden, cuttings, S-c per 100, f 3 per thousand. Scions. Apple 10 cents per dozen, 80 cents per hundred, $3 50 per thousand, $20 per ten thousand. Pear, Plum and Cherry $1 per hundred, $6 per thousand. Ornamental and Deciduous Trees. NAME OF TREK. FT.niQn. EACH. DOZ. Abele, silver 3 to 6 $100 " 6 to 10 25c 2 00 Pui-ple Fringe Tree 30c Ash, European ....5 to 6 26c 3 00 Birch, white European 6 to 6 25c 2 00 Butternut 4 to 8 25c 2 50 BlackWalnut 4 to 8 35c 2 00 Elm, American white 6 to 8 25c 9 50 Elm, European. , .8 to 6 26c 2 60 Larch, European .4 to 6 25c 2 50 Larch, American 3 to 6 26c 2 50 Maple, American silver leaved 8 to 10 80c 8 50 " ....6 to 8 25c 2 60 Mountain Ash, European 8 to 10 50c 4 00 " " 6 to 8 80c 2 50 " " " 5 to 6 20c 2 00 " " oakleaved ...6 to 8 60c 8 50 " " weeping.. ....8tol0$l Poplar, Lorabardy .8 to 12 30c 8 00 Willow, gold barked 6 to 8 25c 2 50 ncKD $ 5 10 12 14 18 18 18 15 15 16 25 15 80 75 10 18 15 Evergreens, At Retail, except where noted. 25 cts. per foot for Grood Specimens. '^ American Arbor Vitse, Balsam Fir, Red Cedar, Austrian Pine, Scotch Pine, White Pine, Hemlock, Norway SpKice, White Spruce, Irisli Juniper; Evergreen Cypress. Rhododendron, $1 ; Sabin's Pine, $1 60 ; Beatbam's Pine, $1 6J; PinusTuberculata, $2; Savin, Holly. Small Evergreens. Native, assorted, one year bedded, six to twelve Inches, one dollar per dozen, four dollars per hundred, twenty-five dolls, per thousand. Norway Spruce, three years transplanted, three dollars per hundred, five dollars per thovisand. ■ Shrubbery, re adhedve. "USEFUL IN IVBKT HOUSB." K. B.— A brush accompanies each bottle. Paioi, 35 cents. Wholesale Depot, 48 Cedar-st,, New Yorkt Addres. HENRY C. SPALDING- & CO. Box No. 3600 N«w Tork. Put up for dealers in cases containing four, eight and twelve doz en — a beautif\il lithop-aphic show card accompanying each package. |3»-A single bottle of SPALDING'S PREPARED GLUE will save ten times Its cost annually to every hou»ehold..^E8 Sold by all prominent Stationers, Druggists, Hardware and Fur- niture dealer^ Grocers and Fancy Stores. Country Merchants should make a note of SPALDING'S PRE- PARE!; SLUE, when making up their list. It will stand an" climate YOUNG APPLE TREES. I HAVE 40,000 TAVO YEAR OLD GRAFT- ed Apple Trees, which I will sell at $30 per 1 ,000, on six months time with approved paper. They are all of good varieties. They were reset at one yeai- old, have fine roots, but of moderate growth, but thrifty. I offer them cheap, as the ground is to be cleared off for other purposes. GEO. STEVENS. Mendota, LaSalle Co., 111., marl -2m* GREAT REDUCTION TO CLUBS] II 1 i n o SUBSCRIBE NOW FOB THK is State Jo n r n a I , A reliable Ketcspaper, and a faithful advocate of Repvb- licam pHficiples— Published at Springfield, JUinois, BT BAILHACHE * BAKEB. The season for forming clubs is at band, and in order to enable our friends to compete with the agents of Eastern publications we have determined to offer the Weekly Jockmal at the following low prices, for the next thirty days : TEBUS TO CLITBS— CASH IN ADVAKCK. Six copies for one year $750 Ten " " ., 12 00 X U 1(6611 •••■.•••;•••••»•••*.•••••••■■*•■« XO OU Twenty «•.•••■»,•••■•*••»••■•••,••••,#••. 30 00 Thirty *< - ^ ^ « ai 00 All persons sending clubs often, fifteen and twenty subscri- bers at the above rates, will l>e entitled to an extra copy free; and all persons sending clubs of thirty subscribers, shall re- ceive two extra copies of the paper free, or a copy of Godey's Lady's Book for 1S60, if preferred. We hope Our friends will respond liberally in view of the above reduction of rates. Each paper will be addressed to the person for whom it is in- tended, and will be forwarded to any desired post office. Clergymen and teachers supplied at $1 a year. Money inclosed in registered letters sent at our risk. Address BAILHACHE t BAKER, decSO Springfield, 111. DUNLAP'S NURSERY. 40 Acres io Treei and Plants. EMBRACING THE USUAL NURSERY stock, all of which will be sold low for cash. Orders for Spring planting should be be sent in early. 5,000 two year old SILVER MAPLES .:.: for timber belts, can be had at $5 per 100. J. B. Whitney, of Chatham, Sangamon county, is the agent for Sangamon and neighboring counties. Catalo^es had on opplication. Address M. L. DUNLAP, febl West Urbana, Champaign Ce.,IUs. 200,000 SILVERMAPlirSEEDLINGS. I BEG LEAVE TO CALL THE ATTEN- TION of Nurserymen to the following list of cash prices for my one year old Silver Maple seedlings. They arc strong thrifty plants, ranging in height from 8 to 24 Inches, l)eiiig ot. Address, J. W. TENBROOK, febl Rockville, Indiana FAIRBANKS^ PATEKT SCALES - or ALL KIVDS. Fairbanks &, Greenleaf, S.S Lake Street, Chicago, Sold in Springffeld by mayl-ly E. B. PEASE. : EVERGREENS. V THE SUBSCRIBER~OFFERS AT TVHOLE- sal* and retail a good assortment of native and foreign Evergi-eens adapted to cultivation on the prairie. Speci- mens exhibited at the two last fairs of the State Agricnltural Society received the first premiums. Also, Fruitand Ornamental Trees, ■ SHRUBS, VINES AND PLANTS, Strawberries, currants, raspberries, blackberries, rhul)arh, aspai'agus roots, osage orange and buckthorn, sweet potato plants, &c. PRICES LOW— TERMS CASH. Catalogues furnished on application. SAMUEL EDWARDS. The Evergreens, Lamoille, Bureau Co., HI., marl-2m 53 THE ILLINOIS F^RISIER. PRINCE & co;s IMPROVED PATENT MELODEON. C3-EO. -A.. FPlinsrCE <5c CO., 3yE-A.I^TJF-A.CTXJI^EI^S, BTJrF-A^ZjO. DtT.'H'. Wholesale Depot, 87 Tulton Street, New York, and 110 Lake Street, Chicago, III Combining all of their Recent Improvenients-'-The MMivided Swell, Or gan^ Jflelodeon, Jl^c, THE DIVIDED SWELL CAN ONLY BE OBTAINED IN MELODEONS OF OUR MANUFACTURE. The Oldest Establishment in the United States, Employing Two Hundred Men, and Finishing Eighty InMmments Per Week. All Melodeons of our manufacture, either sold by ua or dealers in any part of the United States or Canadas, are warranted to be perfect in every respect ; and should any repairs be necessary lucfore the expiration of one year from date of sale, we hold ourselves ready and willing to make the same free of charge, providedthe iiyury is not caused by accident or deagn; GEO. A. PRINCE & CO., no liA-ICE STRIBET, CI3:iC-A.a-0- ILLHsTOIS. Agents for the sale of our Melodeons, may be found In all the principal cities and towns of the United States and Canadas. B. B. LLOY]) DErtTTIST (office on north fifth strebt, over J 9 ratdurk's. Springfield, 111. A DENTAL PRACTICE OF FIFTEEN years warrants him in saying that all operations shall be carefully and neatly performed. He is in possession of sever- al premiums and diplomas awarded by the best institutes for the promotion of science and arts in the country. Teeth inserted-, from one tooth to full sets, as substantial and handsomo as can be had in any city of the United States or Europe. Artificial palate plates inserted, supi)Iying the want or loss of the palate, volum and would, so as to restore articulation. Refer to Prof. David Gilbert, Pennsylvania College of Med- icine, Philadelphia; Hon. J. S. Black, M'a«hington City; Uev. Dr. Harkey, Illinois University; Drs. Helm, Ryan and Wal- lace; Messrs Jacub Loose, J. S. Uondell, J. U. Uray, Foascl- inan, Owen, Corneau & DiUer. . ■ June7-1869 MELODEONS. CIIATTERTON, PRINCE'S IMPROVED FOR SALE BY GEO. W Agent for Springfield. A large variety of Jewelry and Silver-ware always on hand. Call andsee. West side of the Square. febl-far-tf ILLINOIS MUTUAL FIRE INSUMNCBdCOMPANY. CAPITAL UNLIMITED Ajn CfiM.TAirrLr ?- a pM INCREASING. TRESENT FUND for the pajrmeDt of LOSSES BY FIRE $1,000,000 00 PRINCIPAL OFFICE AT ALTON, ILL. This company was chartered in 1830, and insures, at a moderate cost, almost every species of property in Illinois against Loss or Damage by Fire. The rates of risk ara so ar- ranged that each class of property insured will support its own loss. Every one Insured becomes a member — the Company be- ing an association of customers — each of whom is concerned in insuring his neighbor. The capital augments in exact ratio with tlie iiicnease of risks; the security for which remains in the hands of the insured; therefore, every member is the trea- surer ol his own money until the same is re123^ per 100; three years old, |15 per 100; Peaches, $18 per 100. Description and priced catalogue sent on application. Letters of inquiry receive prompt attention. Packages delivered at the railroad free of drayage. JONATHAN HUGGINS. Woodburn, Macoupin county, Dlinois. febl-far-tf B. F. FOX, DEALEB IN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS AND SEEDS, Washington Street, between 5th and 6th, Sprinfieeld, Illinois. MY STOCK OF AGRICULTTRAL IM- PLEMEMTS and Seeds will be very complete for Spiing sales. I shall keep on hand a complete assortment of the Molino and Peoria Plows. Also Mapes, Rupgles and other makers of Sub-Soil Plows. It shall be my aim to keep for sale no»i« but the VERY BEST articles for FARMERS' USE. Farmers are jiarticuiarly invited to call and examine goods and prices, assuring them they shall receive every attention and be furnished with any information they may desire. febl-2t B, F. FOX. B IRD SEED— MIXED AND ALL KINDS- Always on hand at CORNEAU k DILLER'S. POTASH— POTASH— A NO 1 ARTICLE^ at CORNEAU k DILLER'S. VOLUME V. SPRINGFIELD, ILL., APRIL, 1860. NUMBER 4. THE ILLINOIS FARMER. PUBLISHED MONTHLY, BY BAILHACHE & BAKER, Journal Officb, Sprikgfield, Illikois. M. L. DXJNLAP, Editor. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. One copy, one year, in advance f 1 00 Five copies, " " 8 76 Ten " and one to the person getting up club 7 50 Fllteen copies and orer, 62^ cents each, and one to person getting up club. CASH RATES OF ADTERTISISO : One dollar per square of ten lines, each insertion. CONTENTS. April ....88 Blackberry Wine 64 Housekeeping '. 64 Farm Houses , 64 Varm Callor* luid Timber Orowing .... . . .... 65 Agricultural Progress in Adam*. ......<...... 66 Dunlap'8 Weed Hook .1..... 67 Grafting the Cherry, etc 67 Small Fruits .' 57 Winter Wheat 68 Home Talk 63 Spalding's Prepared Glue 68 Wine Sap — Raule's Janet '. 69 Spring in Egypt 69 Important Discovery 59 County Fairs . . 60 Premiums offered by the Illinois State Agricultural Soc'ty. 60 Fairbanks' Scales 61 The Fireside 61 Spring is Coming '. 6'i The Farmer's Enemies 63 EDITOR'S TABLE: The Fanner ...^S The Ohio Farmer 63 Transactions of Ohio Fomological Society 68 The Rural Annual, 1860 63 The Architect's and Mechanic's Journal 68 Editors Work 68 Bloomlngton Nursery 63 Weekly Illinois State Journal 68 Ohio Cultivator 64 Chfa, or Earth Almond 64 Northwestern Farmer 64 Lamoille Nursery 64 Sweet Potatoes 64 Silver Maple Seedlings 64 Steam Plow, Lancaster 64 Sweet Potatoe Plants 64 The Horticulturalist 64 The Sullivant Farm 64 Woodburn Nursery 64 Young's Cultivator 64 The Gardener's Monthly 64 Make Good Implements 64 Ca^t Iron Land Rollers 64 McQuiston's Corn Sheller 64 Review of Fleishman's New Mode of Plowing 64 An Illinois Barn and Piggery 64 Engravings. 64 Subsoil Plow 64 Death of A. H. Ernst 06 Sprouting Osage and Locust Seed 65 Sweet Potatoe Manual 65 Exchanges, etc 65 Tomatoes in Egypt 65 The Flower Garden 65 Setting out Orchards 65 Hubbard Squash 65 Native Evergreens 65 The Pnurie Farmer 65 The Wholesale Nursery Trade and the Tree Peddleri. . 65 Oommeroial 65 APRIL Come, gentle Spring ! ethereal mildness, come. And from the bosom of yon dropping cluud, WTiile music wakes around, veiled in a shower Of shadowing roses, on our plains descend. [Thompson's " Sbabons." March, with its sunshine, its chilly blast and fitful gusts of heat and cold, as it battled with the Winter King for the rights of Spring, has passed, and April, with its more mild and genial, though oft-dripping skies, is hailed with delight, and " The glorions sun Stays in his course, and plays the alchemist, Turning, with splendor of his precious eye. The meagre, cloddy earth to glittering gold." The wheat, oats, rye and barley are sown, and are sending up their rank foliage to drink in the kindly shower; the vernal flowers are bowing their modest heads, or peering out along the garden borders, almost doubtful if Spring has come ; the buds upon shrub and tree are preparing to burst forth into leafy splen- dor, while the embryo flower will exer- cise more caution until the frosts that have been lurking in the borders of Spring shall have been driven back to the icy north. The hum of insects and the chaunt of politicians are upon the April air. The one you must study well, and after him with fire and Knife ; while the oiher should but excite your pity, and caution you to guard well the ballot-box from their depredations. With them, like fish. The great thieves eat the less. The past winter has no doubt made large inroads in the larvae of the insect tribes, and we shall hope to hear of little damage from the cut-worm and the chinch-bug the coming summer. The Hessian fly is too well armed to heed the effects of winter frosts, and, under the name of wint(.r-killing, he has done no small amount of damage ; for in autumn he had eat into the heart of the succulent wheat, where he lay con- cealed, and when spring called forth to the plant to renew its growth, it had not the heart to do so, and its green leaves turned of a yellow hue and died — insect killed in late autumn and early spring. This month the vegetable and flower garden will need your care — the one filled with use and the other with beauty. So shall be combined the one that shall give us health and the other joy. Spring, with all its budding hopes and promise of plenty, is upon us ; the winter is past, and March has put him just over the border, yet not so far that he may not— :^^*>re' ^--'i-'-rr;'-,''''^ •;";'■...:,'■"" ■ Come back when the irind Is stin, ■ *" ' ■ And the stars shine out with their silver light, When with a chill and a silent tread. He may spread his mantle of dazsling white, And the gems of frost, sparkle and dance Over the fields and the herbage green. When the sun in his glory shall rise o'er the land- Then woe to the vines, and the jroung blades of com. The more tender plants, {md the blossoms of fhiit ; For the mantle of white and the setting of pearls, But point to the shroud that envelops them all. Deep tillage will ward off the spring frosts to a great extent ; for through the day the soil drinks in the sun's rays, and becomes so well warmed up that no ordinary degree ol cold will affect it. Protection by timber belts will prevent the cold air from robbing the cultivated land of the heat absorbed during the day and thus stimulate the early growth and maturity of the spring grains. The small fruits that produce the great com- forts should be planted in great abund- ance. They are strawberry, currant, gooseberry, raspberry and blackberry. Look well to your sowing and plant- ing, for upon the care with which these is done will be } our success. Do not in the hurry of spring work, neglect the garden, from which so many of the essential elements of the table are : drawn. The orchard, that great conser- ■ vator of health, will require looking : after, .new trees to be planted, and old j ones pruned and grafted. .1 54: THE ILLINOIS F^mSIEH. For the IlUnoii Farmer. Blackberry Wine. AsHLET, March 12, 19C0. Editor Illinois Farmek: — The way "we made our wines is as follows: 3 ber; ries and 5 waters; that is, 3 gallons of good ripe berries well washed, and then add water to the berries enough to strain out 8 gallons of liquid, and then add 3 lbs. of brown sugar to every gallon of liquid, and mix well and let it stand 24 hours and scum, and then put in cask, fill full, leave the bung out for six weeks ; fill up the cask every day as it works out. I think it would be better to put half and half berries and water ; that is, have one gallon of berries make two gallons of liquid. Yours respectfully, Cheney Post tfe Co. We have a sample of the blackberry wine of Messrs. Cheney Post & Co., and pronounce it superior to any samples ex- hibited at the State Fair, and with one exception, the best that w^e have met with, and that was made with loaf sagar which gave it a clear, light color, and a blackberry taste. These gentlemen made some forty casks of wine last sea- son, and sold it at the low price- of one dollar per gallon. It has very little in- toxicating properties, not more than good cider, and for medicinal purposes must be valuable. It is certainly a very pleasant drink. By the recipe, it will be seen that it is very cheaply made. With abundant annual crops of black- berries in the south part of the State, this wine may soon become very popu- lar in our markets, from the very large quantities that will be made. French wines made in Chicago and New York will be at a discount beside this pure na- tive production. — Ed. ••> For the Illiaois Fanuer. nousekeepins. Chicaoo, March IC, 1860. Editor Illinois Farmer ; — The March number of the Illinois Farmer, came to hand just in time te relieve the tedium of convalescence from sickness. I have read it carefully, and recognize but one deficiency in its conduct, viz : not telling the wives and sisters how to cook those fine varieties of squashes, beans, etc., etc. I am not a very old or experienced housekeeper — only an average one — but if you have a corner for a few good reci- pes, I will cheerfully furnish them. The old-fashioned method of putting up " apple sauce '' for the winter, out of " down apples " when cider is sweet and cheap, is familiar to every one who has had access to a bounteous farmer's ta- ble. But with those farmers, who put up a large quantity of fruit in the Fall, there will always be much that will rapidly de- cay on the approach of warm weather. My method has been to sort them over weekly, and carefully*peeling and cor- ing the decaying ones, speedily convert the fruit into " Spring apple butter." Three pints of molasses with the same of water to each half bushel of prepared fruit ; twelve hours boiling and stirring in a porcelain kettle will reduce the mass to a fine red jam equal to the best pre- serve. Dried pumpkin, or those " Hubbard squashes,*' with the addition of some agreeable spices or lemon peel, will be equally nice. "Housekeeper." We thank " Housekeeper " for the suggestion of a housekeeper's corner. Yes, we shall always have a corner for just such practical recipes as the above. But we cannot fill valuable space with a long string of stereotyped formulas for this and that nondescript cake, etc., usually found under the head of "House- keeping," "Domestic Matters," or "The Kitchen." We intend that the pages of the Farmer shall contain facts which can be of use to its readers. The prac- tice BO common of using "windEalla'' for "apple butter'' and "apple sauce," is not a good one. It is seldom that any two apples cook alike, and for this, if no other reason, they should not be mixed. In putting up apples for winter use, each variety should be kept separate as their season of maturity, or the time when they begin to decay, are not alike. If Lumber twigs and Komanites are put in the same bin, the latter will decay and injure the others, if not sorted over often ; but in keeping each variety sep- arate, a large amount of sorting will b& saved. We prefer the apple sauce to the apple butter, and think there is less trouble in making it. The suggestion of using molasses in place of sweet cider, is new to us. We like the idea of ma- king it during winter or spring, as sug- gested. That made in the fall is, as "Housekeeper" states, liable to sour on the approach of warm weather, and must of course, "be made strong to keep," and requires scalding. Better make it from good, fresh, sound apples as wanted. Ladies, we have room for you in which you shall be heard, but ex- cuse us from putting scissors into prin- ted matter that we do not understand. —Ed. F&rm Houies. A New York merchant of wealth pur- chased a farm out west for a promising son; within a year he became unwell. Inquiries were made as to his sleeping room; the answer was, that he had for his chamber a large upper room, well lighted. His sister paid him a visit, and soon observed that his clothing in his wardrobe was damp, while that in the drawers were actually moulded; when the fact presented itself, that the room was on the north side of the house, overlooking an immense prairie, and that no ray of sunshine ever en- tered fiom one year's end to another. He returned to New York ana died of tuberculous disease, which, with great certainty was hastened, if not origin- ated, by the unfortunate position ot his chamber. The lesson is, that the family room, the sleeping apartment, the study, in short, any apartment which is oc- cupied for the greater part of each twenty-four hours, should have its windows facing the south, as nearly as possible, BO that the glad sunshine may lighten it up, and keep it warm, and dry and pure. — Mall's Joarual of Health. That damp rooms have much to do with ague and other western diseases, is a fact too potent for denial. Sleeping rooms are generally too small, and when not exposed to the direct rays of the sun should have either a stove, fire-place or pipe by which to wram up and to dry the room. Dry, airy sleep- ing rooms are great labor saving institu- tions, for they keep the laborer in good health and vigor, and he is able to do full justice to his work. In summer, a room on the second floor is to be preferred to one on the ground floor, as it is generally above the miasma that seldom rises a half dozen feet above the surface of the earth, and which has a free circulation through the lower rooms. Farm houses on the prairie should in all cases be two stories high, with most, if not all the sleeping apartments above. In winter, these rooms to no small ex- tent, can be warmed with the stove pipes passing up through from the rooms below, which will keep them dry., and healthy. Too little attention is paid to a proper form of architecture; farmers of no experience in building, young wives, just from boarding school, and ignorant carpenters, have too much to do with the plans of our farm houses. We have thought seriously of making drawings of a few farm houses as they THE ILLIISrOIS FA^RMER. 55 are, with a view to show all their dis- comforts. A new married couple com- mence farming, their means are limited, but the wife says we must have a sitting- room, a dining-room, a kitchen and bedroom below, a chamber for drying clothes and two bedrooms above. While the young farmer admits all this, he is constrained to say, that "if we have these, they must be small,'* and the re- sult is there is not a room in the house fit to live in, and they find too late that the rooms are all too small, and that the numerous partitions and doors occupy too much spare room and have cost too much money. In a city we can bear to be crowded, but in the country, room is cheap. It is better to have one large room than three small ones. In the case cited, it would have been better to have the sitting and dining-room com- bined, with a kitchen and pantry below, and the chambers divided into two sleep- ing rooms, even if they should contain two beds each. Such a house, of the same size outside, would cost very much less than if cut up into so many small rooms, and on the whole more convenient, and certainly, more healthful, and when more room is needed, as is generally the case with our young progressive farmers, an addition could be made: first, by ad- ding a one story wing for a kitchen and woodshed, when the old kitchen will be turned into a dining and living room, and another wing will furnish a comfort- able family sleeping room. The plan of having halls in small farm houses, is not only expensive, but nseless; but ample verandas are al- ways useful and add greatly to the value of the farm house. "When the hurry of the spring work is over, we shall pay some attention to farm build- ings, especially the farm house. •— « — » — Farm Cellars and Timber Growing. Tdscola, 111., March?, 1860. Editor Illinois Fakmeh: — Can you or some of your correspondents give me some information in relation to that important part of a farmer's home com- fort, a good cellar? 1st. Where would you put it, under the house or have it separate; is it not unhealthy under the house? 2d. Of what would you construct it, to have it dry, well lighted and ven- tilated, rat and mice proof? 3d. Can you give us any directions in growing forest trees, say a grove of four acres, so as to shelter the orchard and farm crops from severe winds, the timber for posts when hedges are not wanted, and fur the repairing and mak- ing of farm tools? How would you pre- pare the ground, what trees would you plant, and how cultivate them? Ought not the rows to run so as to conduct the winds around the orchard? An answer through the Fakmek would much oblige. Yours, &c., Wm. L. Pbose. Farmer Prose has given us a pretty ex- tensive job, but "we will take off our coat this evening and see what we can do for him. We have handled the spade all day, and the pen is to be driven with rather clumsy fingers. When at Pana, a few days since, we called on business at a new house put up last season by an emigrant from western New York. Ob- serving a quantity of sawed timber six inches square, we inquired to what pur- pose it was to be applied; the answer was, "for an out-door cellar, for we can- not have cellars here under our houses, as they are too wet and they will be full of water, and if not are too damp. I shall build above ground and bank up to keep out the frost; this will keep it dry, warm and rat proof; for you see the rats will not eat through six inches of oak," But, my good friend, you have set your house on the ground; and in the course of three or four years the sills and floor will be ruined with the dry rot; your oak timber covered with the earth embankment will rot down in ten years, and its rotten timbers will be riddled with rats in less than half that time. The embankment will be a fine harbor for rats, mice and other vermin, and your cellar will be but a disappoint- ment. Now, suppose you had set your house up four feet from the ground, dig your cellar three feet, and wiih the earth raise up an embankment with a nice slope from the wall, put in windows of six lights, eight by ten glass, which will ventilate the room. If you use brick, make the wall hollow, a wall ten inches, two of which will be the hollow space, will do. provided that the flues run down into the cellar wall so that you can put up a stove to keep from freezing in the coldest weather and to dry, should it get too damp. In a clay soil, the cellar must have a drain, or it will fill up with water in the spring. The bottom should be cemented to prevent dampness, but not to keep out the water, for the drain alone will do this. When stone cannot be had, hard burned brick will answer a good purpose; but in all cases have the chimney flues reach down into the cellar. Our cellar is an eight inch wall of brick laid solid, with four windows oE six lights each. We do not bank it up, but in the coldest weather pile some straw against the windows an occa- sionally make up a fire in and old stove that we use for the purpose. Our veg- etables keep in excellent order. The cellar is so that it is easily ventilated by an outside door which is left open through the day iu mild weather; it is not so warm as to start the vegetables of to have them decay; consequently being so well aired, there is nothing un- pleasantor unhealthy about it; but on the contrary, the abundance of fine vegeta- bles that it contains is a source of health. Potatoes do not keep well in a strong light, and we throw some covering over them, usually Russia matts that we use in tree packing; a thin layer of sods would even be better. Such a cellar is rat proof, except by the door. A rat will not remain in a tight cellar, and if he gets in by the door and it is closed a few days, lie will get out the first opportun- ity. They make us very little trouble. Unfortunately our cellar is four feet in the ground and two and a half above ground; but having occasion to put up a building in the village, we have set it up four feet from the ground and find it about the thing; when the earth that is thrown out of the cellar is nicely graded about the building, the falling rain runs off finely and the yard is soon dry. The cellar should bo put under the whole house. The cost id but little more, and for dairy purposes the wing cellar is in- valuable. Ours is partitionfrd off seper- ate for this purpose, and thus the milk is free from the effect of vegetables in the same room. We have cabbage and Hubbard squash yet in fiue order. It will be seen that a house thus set up high and dry, will last much longer than if on blocks near the ground. TIMBER GROWIXO. The subject of timber growing is ©ne in which we need further experience to be perfect. It is comparatively new to all of us. On our farm at Leyden, in Cook county, we have & fine grove of locust; many of the trees are over k foot in diameter and would make several cuts of posts. Four years since we used 56 THE ILLIIsrOTS F^RMiEH. them for sleepers in the barn, sixteen feet long, to replace a lot of white elm ones that had given out. These trees are about eight feet apart; they were sown in rows four feet apart and have been cut out to that distance. If they are too close, some Avill die out to give room for others, and if too far apart, •will be lower and spreading. In grow- ing timber the object is to have the trees tall and straight, and to do this, close planting should be resorted to. From our own experience we think eight feet about right, and are putting in our belts in that way; that is, we intend to thin them to that distance. We have put them in four feet apart, intending to take out every alternate roAV and every alternate tree in the row left; this will require six hundred and eighty trees to the acre. For our timber belts about the orchard we use the silver leaf Maple, 8,000 of which we had of Mr. Pullen, whose card is in the Farmer. We will suppose that a farmer has a q-iarttT section, and wishes to divide it into forty acre fields, he would at two rods width have about twelve acres in timber belts; should he want more, he could add to the width. A quarter sec- tion thus protected, would be much more valuable for any kind of a crop. An Osage hedge could be set next to the timber belt and would require no further attention after the first three or four years, for it would not matter whether it was six or twenty feet high, so that it turned the stock. We like the Silver Maples for their thrift, beauty, hardiness and exemption from insects; the timber makes good wood for fuel and for turner's use. The Locust we would not plant, on account of its liability to destruction by the borer, especially if we were near the grove, out on the prairie it would be much safer. Our native White Ash wo intend to use, also the Tulip tree and the Catalpa, the latter of which makes the most durable timber for posts. Wo would grow the trees oneyearin nursery beds and then transplant; as a general thing, the farmer 'will find it cheaper to purchase the trees of those who make a business of growing them, than to at- tempt to grow them himself. Two year old Maples, two to four feet high, can be had for $40 per 1,000, and those in a hurry can plant theie, but yearling trees are very much cheaper. The seeds of the White Ash ripen in June, and should be sown at onco in a rather moist soil. They -will como up the next spring. Silver Maple seed ripens in May, are sown at once and come up in a few days, and are ready to transplant the next spring. The com- mon Soft Maple is also a valuable tree for timber belts, but little inferior to the Silver Maple; plenty of seeds can be had on any of our river bottoms. The seed must be covered very lightly and rolled These belts should be thoroughly culti- vated for two or more years and until they shade the ground and the roots get too strong to work them. Beans are a good crop the first season, we grew over forty bushels of them in our belts last season. Ed. -«•»- Agricultural Proffess in Adams. QuiNCT, March 12, 1860. Editor Illinois Farmer: I herewith send you a statement in regard to a crop of potatoes entered for premium at our last county fair, you can do as you think best about publishing it, at any rate, it will show what can be done in Adams county in the way of raising potatoes. Yalentine Davis, being duly sworn, says: "that he raised a crop of potatoes ou his farm in Concord township, Adams county, the present season, on land measuring one half acre; and that the produce of said crop was two hundred and eighty (280) bushels, estimated by legal measurement, being equal to five hundred and sixty (560) bushels per acre; that the specimens presented are a fair average sample of the whole crop," &c. And in answer to the questions os printed in our lists, he replied as follows: 1. Kind of soil? A. Rather sandy timbered land. 2. What kind, and how much, man- ure applied? A. jS^o manure for seventeen years, except on about four rods had a straw Stack, and on this the potatoes were smaller, but quite as many in a hill and now and then a rotten one, but no rotten ones in any other part of the piece. 3. W^hat crops have preceded it, on the same land, for three years past? A. Wheat; then corn, stood over in the corn stalks; broke up late for wheat, but not the four rods new ground, broke up just before planting. 4. When, and how sown? A. Planted about the 25th April, ground furrowed four feet apart, planted about twenty inches apart in the furrow; potatoes cut up, one or two eyes in a place. 5. What kind of seed? A. New kind, do not know the name, I call them "Davis Seedlings." 6. How much seed used per acre. A. About six (0) bushels per acre. 7. What was the expense of cultiva- tion and the manner of cultivation? A. Cost about four dollars, beside digging the potatoes; in eight rows plowed the dirt away from the potatoes, the ground being wet, I stopped, and when the ground got dry enough I threw the dirt to the potatoes on the whole piece; then cleared out the weeds in the rows with the hoe. This may. be considered a favorable yield and encouragement for our farmers to see what they can do in this line. The sample of potatoes shown are splendid, large, smooth, with a red skin and many large eyes, and white and ex- tremely solid and fine grain within. Our county fair ofiicers met last week, completed premium list, and we expect to have the best fair we ever held, which will make it the best in the State. The plan adopted last year of throwing open our fairs and inviting competition from other States and counties, proved a great benefit and drew many from Missouri and the neighboring counties. This year we hope to see some of the fine stock from Morgan and Sangamon grace our beautiful grounds — the finest 1 know of any where. I will send you our list as soon as it is out and the time for holding our fair is decided. If you know, 1 wish you would publish the time of the other county lairs. Truly yours, H. D. WOODRTTFF, Secretary A. C. A. & M. A. The clouds of darkness are being dis- pelled, and old fogyism, who has been preaching that good crops of potatoes could not be grown away from the woodlands of the north, may step out of his pulpit if he would save his repu- tation for truth. Sending to Michigan and Wisconsin for potatoes is now out of joint, and the farmers of Central Illinois will hereafter have potatoes "to sell and to keep." Adams county is taking her true position, she is one of the most important counties in the great corn zone of the State- We intend to take a look through her borders in June. We shall publish the time and place of holding fairs, soon as we get them. Ed. X. — "Wc have received a copy of a pretended literary paper from Illinois, entitled "The Sub- lime." \Vc have not read it, but wc think, from its title, that there is just "one step" be- tween it and its editor. — A local paper says that an old lady applied to a grocer for a pound of oblong tea. THE ILLINOIS F_A.RMEIl. 57 =DUJVLAPS WEED HO OK. We often have patches of weeds to plow under. Sometimes the weeds in our buckwheat patch get so high that we cannot cover them. This, to us, was a source of annoyance. We first tried the log chain; but it was not satisfac- tory. We next bolted a piece of tim- ber to tlie beam, at the end of which we put through a bolt. This did the work quite satisfactorily, and we used it seve- ral years. We then thought of substi- tuting iron for wood ; and after several attempts, (for we are no great genius at invention,) we succeeded in getting the weed hook as herewith presented. We have no idea of making it any more perfect, and give full permission to any one who will improve upon it. The most stubborn corn-stalka must yield to it ; the tallest of weeds must come under. But we must give you notice that loose rubbish will clog it, and it is useless to put it in a field of dry weeds, loose at the bottom, dead tumble weeds, or anything that is not fast to the ground at one end. Thus, corn- stalks standing in the hill are first bro- ken down by the whiffle-trees, and then brought by the hook in position to be covered by the turning furrow. So of tall green weeds, or any green crop : they are gathered within its arm and buried beneath the furrow. Last fall we turned under a portion of corn- stalks from which the corn had been husked, and so deeply are they buried that we intend to plant with potatoes, and cover them with the plow. With this hook in the latter part ^of the sea- son, all the unfarmer-like patches of weeds can be put out of sight, and we would particularly recommend it to those farmers who have entered for the best farm, to be put in active requisition a few days before the committee on farms shall make them a visit. The hook is two feet long, made of common bar or wagon tire iron. We dedicate it to the slovenly farmer, for with it he can disguise and make valuable much that he has run over and tilled at, — he can pick his nubbins, and plow under both weeds and stalks, and thus prepare his land for a crop of spring wheat or oats, and besides, it will so effectually wipe out his bad culture, that Mr. Sloven will have a better opinion of himself, and of course think better of mankind. This we call elevating the industrial classes. We dedicate it to the progressive farmer, for he will make money out of it by its ju- dicious use. We dedicate it to the fancy farmer, because he will be cli£ated into a little profit by its use, and may t^ke the big pitcher for the best prairie farm. -••► Graft.ng the Cfierry, etc. Downing says that "grafting commences earliest with the cherry and plum, and ends with the pear and apple. The precise time of course varies with the season and the climate, but is generally comprised from February to the middle"" of April." That so close observers as the brothers Downing should "write bo loose a para- graph, on such an important subject, we are at a loss to determine, other than that grafting is not well understood in New York, or that budding is more popular. Grafting the cherry is so little resorted to there, that we may take a little of both conclusions. On the prairies the new set buds of the cherry are liable to winter kill, more especially on the Mahaleb and Mazzard stocks, which are often killed to the ground, bud and all; at the same time the Morrello presents a hardy stock for us, though it must be confessed with the bad habit of sending up suckers; but with deep tillage and deep planting, this will to some extent be modified. ; GRAFTING THE SAME SEASON OF TRANSPLANTING. To do this with the cherry, the trees should be taken up early in spring, be- fore the swelling of the budg, the branches trimmed off and top cut back to within four or five inches of where the head is to be inserted. They are then to be planted in orchard or nursery rows to be grafted as soon as the buds are ready to hreah and until the leaf is half grown. Of course, the top is cut back i four or five inches, as before noted. i This is the season of grafting. The i cions should have been cut in the fall or winter and kept in some cool place, and without materially having swelled their buds. If the stock is half or three- fourths of an inch in diameter, wo cut It off at anr angle of forty five de- grees, square off the upper part of the cut and insert as in clift grafting, with this difference, that the knife is held at an angle so as to cut instead of splitting the bark, but when the stock is of less size we make the usual splice graft, but without the tongue, simply putting them together and winding with Imen thread; for this purpose the thread is cut in lengths of sixteen to eighteen inches. The graft is then protected by melted wax, put on Avith a brush in the usual way. Soon as the growth indicates that the thread is to cut into the bark, cutting down through the thread even into the wood will do no harm, but the thread should not be removed, as the wax will hold it so as to protect the graft from blowing off until it is firmly knit to the stock. GRAFTING TITE NEXT SEASON AFTER TBANSPLANTING. The trees to be graf ed, if of good size, say one half to an inch or more in diameter, must not have their side branches cut back at the time of graft- ing, but are to be shortened in as, the graft is capable of absorbing the sap. Those suitable for splice grafting can be safely pruned at the time. We think the fault in grafting the cherry has been mainly in doing the work before active growth, and which resulted in the loss of the graft. Grafting the cherry and plum, even after they are in bloom, is much safer than too early. The caution to be ob- served in rooted trees, is not to cut away too mu«h of the top at once, but in the case of the newly transplanted tree it has been deprived of its vigor and the growth checked, hence it is not safe to set the graft until growth is resumed sufficient to act on the graft. No buds or sprouts should be rubbed or cut from the tree the first season after trans- planting, GRAFTING THE APPLE. This we manage in the same manner and set until the leaves are nearly full size, using the same precaution in regard to pruning.. Small Froits. At the meetiug of the State Horticultural Society at Bloomington, it was suggested tha the so-called "suiiill fruits'' be ctilled the ''great fruits," from the fact that at the 58 THE ILLIIN-OIS F^HIVEEII. nurtii thi-y arc rcallv tuc most valuable and reliable, ready at all seasons, either fresh from vine or shrub, dry in the pantry, or ccizily stowed away in a cool nook in the cel- lar in can or jar; in fact, they are the fruit of the year, and must have some more ai<;nifi cant name than the term "small,"' for thoufj,h small in size compared to the orb-like rpple, yet from their great value as a staple luxury, they rank high and large. Though cheaply grown and a sure crop, yet by being termed "small" they have been overlooked. Let us give them a name that shall be significant of their value, and they will thrive in every farmer's garden, in every mechanic's village plat, and along the borders of every yard. Make them popular and they will be grown, show them to be profitable and they will be cultivated for market ; show them to be healthful and they will be planted, show them to be beautiful and they will be tended by fairy bands. Let us take a look through the market and Bee what our farmers and our villagers pay for them in the dried state : Black Cap Kaspberry 33c '§ lb. Blackberry 20c "^ ft. Cherries 30c "^ ft, Strawberries, none in market, Currants do. Foreign fruit: Zante Currants lOo f ft, Prunes 12 Jc f ft. Thus it will be seen that our own native fruits, that grow freely and always produce abundant crops, bring a high price in mar- ket. Let us see who are the purchasers. Here is a merchant from Lake street, who leaves his order for Zante currants and prunes — that blacksmith's wife :aust have the raspberries, for she has not forgotten the country and the days of her girlhood, when she rambled through the old fields after this delicious fruit — that farmer who has just sold a load of potatoes at thirty-five cents a bushel, is exchanging a part of his money for these luxuries, that he should have grown himself, but he must have some black- berry pies and stewed raspberry for compa- ny, so Mr. Hoyt is putting up his order. But, good friend, why do you not onlj grow these fruits for home use but for market? Here you see they have them by hundreds of barrels, nicely put up, and are Belling them at a round price. "Well, stranger," taid he, "I reckon they are not quite lich as grow about here." Preciicly the same was our reply. About Cincinnati the farmers grow them by the five, ten and twenty acres, and of course they find large profits in it or they would not engage in it so extensively, and here you are paying them a good profit for grow- ing— the commission man in Cincinnati for putting up and shipping, the railroad freight — and our considerate friend, Mr. Hoyt, his b 1.1 for dealing them out to you. Now, do you not think that you had best give these fruits a place in your grounds and see if you cannot have them in abundance for your own labor. Four quarts of the fresh ripe fruit, costing you three or four cents a quart in labor, will make a pound of the dry fruit, for which you are paying thirty- three cents. "But just stop stranger and tell me whcie to get the plants, and I will set them out and try my luck with them." Well, sir, the Black Cap are abundant in your woodland, the Lawton Blackberry and the fine varieties of Raspberry, Currant and Gooseberry, with the May or Richmond Cherries, which are the sorts for drying, can be had at any of the nurseries, and for diree- tions and other things connected therewith, see report of the meeting of the State Hor- ticultural Society, in the February number of the Illinois Farmer. "Here, sir, is a dollar, which I wish you would have the kindness to send to the publishers for me and order the FARMER to . Well, 1 did not take you for an editor, I guess you had best h^nd me back that dollar, you told me you was here in the city, 8elliii<< a load of ■'corn, and now call yourself an editor." Yes, sir, I am in lu city to sell a car losd of corn, which 1 know how to grow; but do you suppose, that because I work on the farm with my own hands, and thus become practi- cally familiar with all its minute details — of field, of garden and of orchard — that it in- capacitates me from using my pen in editing a practical agricultural journal, when aided by practical farmers like yourself? "Excuse me, sir, but I thought all editors live in a printing office and get their news from read- ing and inquiring of others, but I am glad to hear that there is one agricultural paper edited by a farmer, on a farm. You may keep the dollar, and I will not only get you up a large club, but will give you some of my farm experience, if you will put it in good shape. My name is John Cautious, but all call me "Uncle John." And we bade "Uncle John" a pleasant ride home. Thus, thought we, "book farming,'' by city editors in printing offices, can have but little of real rural life, it has the picture of the country, but it lacks the aroma of flowers, the freshness of the new mown hay, the song of bi^'ds and the pulsations of life. winteTwhcat In the south part of the State the crop is good, but more north there is com- plaint of winter killing and damage from the Hessian Fly. Bat we apprehend, that it is not as bad as reported, as we have been over some of the damaired districts. The small breadth sown is the real dilHculty. For the Illin'ii« Fatmer. nome Talk. A comprehensiveness of grasp, a clear- ness of perception, a power to command language and readiness in expression, are qualities to be sought after and ad- mired. We are delighted with the well chosen language of the public address. — The orator's power lies much in the music tones of the language he calls to his aid. We are fascinated with the good conver- sationalist— wonder at the strange charm like spell as the glad ear takes in the har- mony of sweet sound. We are particular and choice in the language we make use of in company; yet at home sometimes indulge in low, gross expressions that could only have had their origin in grov- eling minds. It is at home that the pow- er of language is known and felt; here a pure language would bring the spirit into harmony with the beautiful and true. It is at home in the private circle that the tenderest, holiest feelings are called into action. Then home is the place to speak a pure language. The place to learn it. If vou would talk well in socie- ty, talk well at home; if you indulge in loose conversation at home, it will surely betray you in company. If you would talk well every where, cultivate the intellect, train the mind, give place only to pure and refined thought; then form your expression truth- fully, simply, and your language will be full of beauty, poetry and music, 'Mike apples of gold in pictures of silver.*' ' Mabia, South Pass, Union Co. ni. K* From the Christian Advocate and Journal, New York, Au- gust 4, '59. The Housekeeper's Fbiend. — Spalding's Pre- pared Glue. — Small conveniences for general family use arc often of more value than what are called "great inventions." It isestim.. u uj mil- lions of households, in all of which the annoy- ance of squeaking, rickety chairs, sofas, tables, etc., is constantly experienced, and so long as furniture is in this condition there is always danger of a "smash up." The experience of the city housekeeper, with May-day before her eyes, will readily suggest the value and convenience of a really trustworthy prepared glue, that can be instantly brought in requisition where re- pairs to furniture and other household wares are needful. The want of such an article is as constant and universal as the family, and hith- erto it has been a want unsupplied. This, however, can be truly said no longer. Spald- ing's Prepared Glue seems to be all that has been desired in this direction. It is kept soluble by chemicals, retains its strength and tenacity, is convenient and always "up to the sticking point," is put up in a bottle with a brush, and sold at twenty-five cents. No housekeeper in city or country can well afford to be without a bottle of Spalding's Prepared Glue. It is just the thing for the library and schools, where books are constantly in need of repair. "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness." — Christ. "They that preach the gospel should live of the gospel." — Paul. "I think they should preach for nothing, or at least should follow some other business for their living." — Cavetousn^ss. THE ILLINOIS FA.I11SIEII. 59 Raule's Janet, called also Neverfail, Rockrimon, Janet, Genitan and Jenetan is one of the most popular winter fruits in the latitude south of Bloomington. — The tree is of rather slow growth, upright with speckled shoots. The tree starts several days later than others, except the Northern Spy, which it resembles in form and color of treej consequently it blooms after the others, and many times escapes late spring frosts. The tree is hardy and very productive. For description,see any work on fruits. ? Wine Sap, is another favorite apple for winter, good for early cooking and for cider — is hardy and productive. No farmer can have too many trees of either of the above, for they will pay in spite of even bad treatment. The Wine Sap if a spreading, rather straggling grower, with dark, almost black shoots. It i^ in eating before the Janet, which follows it in season. For the Ulinois Farmer. Spring in Egypt. In this beautiful land of Egypt, al- ready does the sweet spring time give us presage of the near return of that milder season, when the drawing-room and parlor may be found in all beauti- ful places in the temple of nature. — Slowly but unerringly the outer world is advancing. We already inhale the warming breath of spring; delight the eyes with new developing beauties, catch the cheering sound of nature's music. Nature, after all, is a great teacher. In her unselfish pages we find lessons and sympathies for all. It is sad indeed, here, in a land Adhere a kind Father has been so lavish with his gifts, to see those that have no perception of its charms, and can walk through its varied beauties — her wood-crowned hills, and lovely vales, and not behold the wisdom of the All Father in the dazzling magnificence and grandeur of the scenery. While all are revelling in the delights of spring a large portion of the time of the tiller of the soil is devoted to toil- some labor, animated by hope rather than actual possession, while the strong hand labors, hope softly whispers of bud, of blossom, and an abundant harvest. The strawberry graces its turban of green with a profusion of blossoms. — The peach and apple no longer look barren, but are already budding into beauty. The tomato, sweet potatoe and the variety of garden vegetables give promise of an abundant harvest. "Aye, and it shall be spoken, the gardens of Egypt shall fill the tables of the North with early vegetables." "Her fruits shall make glad the hearts of both young and old.'' It is a source of delight to see the folded buds of roses, and catch a glimpse of the future flower in the slender branch of the carnation, or the rising stems of lillies. Every day brings forth new candidates for approving smiles; along each hill-side a mingled wilderness of trees and flowers, fair Spring unbosoms every grace. Maria. South Pass, Union Co., 111., March, 20, 1S60. We are promised occasional articles from the graceful pen of " Maria, '' who has made her home in this Italia of the West. Trained in the varied and arduous duties of the editor's sanctum of a northern paper, no wonder that now she has taken her place by the side of one whose home is amid the Peach hills of Pomonal Egypt, that she can fully appreciate the beauties of this pictur" esque region, whose hill-sides are first kissed by the laughing zephyrs from the South, that clothe their slopes with ver- nal flora, and sheet the peach and apple in gorgeous livery, while her olden home lies locked in frost. But such is the genial climate of Egypt, which sends the first greeting of spring to the north, and her pulsations will soon be felt where Old Michigan pours his winter tide, where stand the cities of the North — and Superior will also feel the warm breath that so late kissed the peach blos- soms, and upon which the song-birds wing their way to his rock-bound shores. — Ed. Important Discovery. It is announced that Prof. Greenough, of New Orleans, has discorexcd a method by which camphene or common burning fluid may be ren- dered inexplosive, and therefore comparatively harmless. His method is by the impregnation of the fluid with carbonic acid gas, which acts as a neutralizing agent It is objected that af- ter a certain length of time, the carbonic acid gas will evaporate, thus leaving the fluid as dan- gerous as before. In reply to this objection, It need only be answered that the specific gravity of this gas as compared with atmospheric air is 1.52, so that its evaporation can only take place by mechanical means ; that is by combination with the lighter gas evolved by the fluid, a very slow process indeed. If the discovery be all that is claimed for it, it will be one of immense importance to the fluid-burning public. It may well be doubted whether murder, in any form, can claim as many victims as the use of cam- phene. Scarcely a paper comes to us, that does not contain accounts of one or more horrible ac- cidents, involving life or disfigurement for life, all caused by this agent of destruction. It is to be hoped that the discovery of Prof Greenough will inaugurate a new era in the statistics of life and death in our country. The New Or- leans Courier says of Prof Greenough's exper- iments : "We have seen camphene poured from a large jar into a burning lamp, and vice versa, the dangerous flaid passing through the bright flame ; and boiled in a common tin feeder, that emitted flames by its open top and its narrow beaic, and the Professor handling it as unconcern- edly as though it had been cold water, and we have seen the same foeder explode by thi! com- bustion of a thimbleful of pure camphene sha- ken in it." , 60 THE ILLinsrOIS FA-HMER. SPRINGFIELD, APRIL 1, 1860. BAILHACHE & BAKER, PubUshers. M. L. DUNLAP, Editor. Connty Fairs. County Agricultural Fairs have now become a part and parcel of our social enginery, and without some substitute they could not well be abandoned. The old annual * 'muster," or general train- ing day, has become obsolete, and in its place stands forth the annual County Fair. We grant that it is a decided im- provement, but there is a respectable margin for more of the same sort. — There are loud complaints of favoritism in the awards, and of the want of tact in the management. As a general thing, we think the proof is wanting in the first, but abounds in abundance in the second. The management generally de- volves upon a few individuals, and often these have been chosen and entrusted with the management, when if the mem- bers had asked themselves the simple question, are these men capable ? the selection would have been different. In no position do we need bettor men than in our County Agricultural Socie- ties— honest, thorough business men — men who will see that no bills are incur- red but those absolutely necessary — not parsimonious, but liberal in all that would enhance the usefulness of the so- ciety, and when debts are incurred see that they are promptly paid. A President of an Agricultural Suciety, who puts its funds to his own use, and wKo has to be sued to compel him to dioburse, should be looked upon with the most supreme contempt, and hereafter branded with the infamy that he deserves. To thus trifle with the annual amusements of the peo- ple, and cut off their source of enjoy- ment, should put him without the pale of good society. On the other hand, those \ ho give of their wea. is and oi their timj, should be held in grateful remem- 1 ranee for their liberal and unselfish acts. We do not wish to be invidious, but it may be uaefuljto point a moral, to show how things are done in some place in a Buccessful way, that others msiy pro tby the exam^)le. Tiie farmers and hiidnes? m n o Le:" county, he a . air i;i Di.i n last Octo- ber. They commenced without funds or fixtures, but they had a set of officers, among whom stood foremost, W. H. Van Epps, the efficient Vice President of the State Agricultural Society for the 2nd District, and I. T. Little, now Corresponding Secretary of the State Horticultural Society. Backed up by a couple of dozen of workiog men for as- sistants, they boldly announced their premium list of $2,000, and challenged the world; and this in the face of bad harvest, and crops cut off by frost. — But the motto of these men was go ahead, and .'f struck down, "up and at 'em.'* Well, Fair week came, and so did exhibitors after the two thousand dollars, and so did the crowds to " see what they would see'' — and they did see a noble sight — a most successful and glorious Fair. Everything in its place, and order in every department. The receipts were $3.j16, and after paying all expenses, they have seventy-one dol- lars, and an excellent reputation as new capital for the year 1860. Among the premiums off.Ted, was a large amount in agricultural journals, and so well pleased are the officers with this class of premiums, that they will enlarge the list this year. Mr. Van Epps, and nearly all his associates of last year have been re-elected for the cur- rent year. Out of last year's receipts, they purchased seventy thousand feet of lumber, and put up seven new buildings, and this year they intend to put the grounds in the most complete order. — With good crops, we predict, that under the management of such officers, the next Fair will be little, if any, behind the State Fair at Freeport, and second only to the State Fair to be held at Jacksonville. All those who wish to attend one of the most important Coun- ty Fair in the North West for 1860, will consult the time table of the Lee Coun- ty Fair, at Dixon. ««. Premiums Oflered by the Illinois State Agri- cultural Society. Aqkicctltcral Rooms, ) Springfield, Ulinois. f -EV?. farmer : The following is the List of Premiums offered by the Executive Committee of the Illinois State Agricultural Society, for farms, nurseries, field crops, &c., &c., for I860. John P. Reynolds, (7 4th " •• " " 10 00 (See statoments required for this crop.) B Bt cr< p fall barley not less than 50 bushels per arre.. 26 00 2d best, (yield per acre not limiied) 15 00 3d " " •• " 10 00 4th " " " " ,~..."The Wheat Plant" and Ag. Periodical. Same premiums for spring barley, and same mini- mum yield for Ist prize. Best crop rye not less than 5 acres, nor lesi than 26 bushels per acre $10 00 2d best, (yield per acre not limited) 8 00 3d " " " " - 5 00 4th " " " " Transactions. Best crop oats not less than 5 acres, nor less than 8U I'UshpU p<-r acre $26 00 21 best, (yield per acre not limited) 10 00 Be-t crop buckwheat, not less than one acre In 00 2d beat, " " '' 6 00 3(1 " " " " " The Wheat PI nt" Best crop white beans, not leas than V^ acre 10 00 2d be-t, •' '• " 6 00 B Bt ' rop potatoes, not less than }^ acre 10 00 2d best, •• •' " 5 00 Berii crop sweet potatoes, not less than ^ acre 10 00 2i best, " " " 5 00 Best crop onions, not less than ^ acre Id 00 2d best, '* " " 5 00 Best acre of hemp 10 00 Bt.»t acre of flax 10 00 B>^8t acre of broom corn 10 00 Best acre of clover seed 10 00 Best acre of timothy seed 10 00 esi acre of blue gra s seed 10 00 Best acre of millet seed -. 10 00 Best acre of flax eeeii 10 lO Beat KCre of CHHtor beans 10 00 Best 'Top of carrots, not less than ^acre 10 00 Best crup of field beet^. not 1 ss than ]4 ^cre 10 00 Best crop of Swedish turnips, not less than yi acre... 10 00 Best crop of En^liah turuips, nut less than }^acre... 10 00 Samples of each of the above crops must be exhibited at the Fair — and sent to the Agricul- tural Society's rooms in Springfield, for exami- nation at the January meeting, 1861. See statements required. Best 10 fits, of sugar made from Chinese or Africtn sDgar cane 15 00 2d best 10 00 3d '• 10 00 Beat gallon «yrup, made from CLineBe or African sugar cane, without the me of cleansing agents other than fire aud tho skimmer 26 00 2d best 15 00 3d " 6 00 Competitor to furnish careful detailed state- ment of mode of manufactures, machines and implements used, and cost of production — veri- fied by affidavit, and samples to be sent to the Agricultural Society's Rooms, for the January meeting, 1861. Awarding committee— Executive committee of the State Agricultural Society. FARMS, NURSERIES, ETC. Best Improved and highly cultivated iarm, not less than 500 acres |26 00 2d best 16 00 Best improved and highly cultivated farm, not less thaa leoacreg 25 00 2d best 16 OO Best improved and highly cultivated farm, oot less than 60 acres „ „ 26 00 2d best 16 00 Best improved end highly cultivated farm, not It as tlinn 40 acres 26 00 2d best 16 00 Best improved and highly cultivated farm, not less than 20 acres 25 00 2d best 16 00 Best arranged and economically conducted dairy farm 26 00 2d best 16 00 Best grove of cultivated timber, not less than 6 spe cle« 26 00 2d best 10 00 Beit traogplanted forest tree§. Dot leiB than lix foet hlgh^ for permanent growth, and covering not less than one acre of ground 10 00 Best g»rminated forest tree seeds, not less than five species, covering not less than one acre, for per- manent growth, not as a nursery 10 00 Best arrnnged and cultivated nursery of fruit trees and fruit shrabs 20 00 2dbe«t 10 00 Same of grafted apple trees one to four years old 20 00 2d best 10 00 Same of grafted apple trees, one to three years old... 20 00 2d best ;o 00 Same of one and two year old grafted or budded apple trees 10 00 2d best 5 00 THE ILLINOIS FA.IljVrE:il. 61 Best show of one year old grafted or budded apple trees 10 CO 2d best ~-. 5 00 Best apple orchard, in bearing; not less than one hundred trees, with names of varieties anddetails of mauagement of tiees, fruit and soil 25 00 2d best - 15 00 Same, not less than five hundred trees 25 00 2d best 15 00 Samples of the fruit in the orchard to be exhibited at the fair. Best peach orchard in bearing, not less than 100 trees 25 00 2d beat 16 00 B -St peach orchard, in bearing, not less than 500 trees 25 OU id best „..,. 16 00 Samples of the fruit then in season to be exhibited at the fair. Best \^ acre Usier willow, product to be weighed be< tween the Ist December and 1st January, and sample to be exhibited atfairandsent tosociety'g looms 10 OO DRAINING, for the best experiment of underdraining, during the year, not less than 10 acres $20 00 To be accompanied in each case with — Ist. Statement of the siruatioB of the land previous to the commencement of the process; the kind and condition of th:- soil. 2d. The method pursued, with a particular account of the ezp'nse. 3d. The result, and increased value o> the land, if any. FARM BOOK-KEEPING. To the farmer who presents the best approved farm accounts, for the year 1869, will be awarded 4IO 00 AMiardinff Committee. CHARLES D. BRAQDON, Chicago, Chairman. EBENEZGR SGELKY, Portland, Whiteside Co. CHARLES SAMPLE. To the competitors for premiums on farms, the corresponding secretary will furnish a list of questions, tu which full written answers must be returned. Jl^" Competitors are desired to give notice to the corresponding secreiary on or before the first day of July, of their intention to compete. Statements to be furnished by Applicants for Pre- miums on Farm Crops: 1. The land shall be in one contiguous piece, measured by some competent person, who shall make affidavit of the accuracy of the measure- ment, and the quantity of the ground. 2. The applicant shall make affidavit, accord- ing to the forms annexed, 10 the quantity of grain raised on the ground, entered on the pre- mium list, which must aocompany the applica- tion for premiums, together with a sample of the grain. 3. The object of the society being to promote profitable cultivation, they do not propose to offer premiums for crops produced by extrava- gant expenditures ; therefore, a detailed certified amount of the expense of cultivation must be made. The expense of labor and manure flhould be particularly stated, and the kind of manure used. The statement must be in the following form : — loads manure, at $ per load..,.. $ — days' pKwiog, at $ per day $ — " Ittbor, ac $ " $ — " harveeting, ^ " j — " marketing % To- To- To To- To. And thus each item of expense incurred in the cultivation and marketing of the various crops, upon ■which premiume are applied for, must be fully stated, and after giving credit for the pro- duct of the field, the balance must show the net profit realized. 4. The kind and condition of the soil; the quantity and kind of seed used; the time and mode of putting it in the ground, should be particularly stated. Samples of grain and veeetables produced, to be exhibited at the state fair where practicable, and also to be sent to the rooms of the board at the January, 1861, meeting. '5. All the grain grown on the entire piece of land measured, must be weighed, and not tht pro- duct of a square rod or two weighed or measured, and the remainder guessed at. Corn to be measur- ed in the ear, and an average specimen of not less than 20 bushels of ears shelled, cleaned, and weighed as above, after the 15th of Novem- ber, and the number of bushels thus estimated, stated in the affidavit. Forms of AJJidavils. County, ss. — A. B. being duly sworn, B&yg .je uccurutely measured the land upon which C. D. raised a crop of and the quantity of land is — more. Sworn to before me, this 186 . the past season, acres, and no day of -, Justice. County, 88, — C D. being duly sworn, says that he raised a crop of the past season, upon the land measured by A. B., and that the quantity of grain raised thereon was bushels and no more, weighed, (or meas- ured in a sealed half bushel, as the case may be,) and that the statements in regard to the manner of cultivation, etc., are correct to the best of my knowledge. Sworn to before me, this ; day of , 186 . C D, , Justice. ■*»*- From the Chicago Demoorat. Fairbanks' Scales. — In that mag- nificent block of iron buildings erected upon the corner of Lake street and Wa- bash Avenue, by I. H. Burch, Esq., and which challenges comparison with any edifice designed for mercantile pur- poses in the Union, is the Warehouse and ofiice of Messrs. Fairbanks & Green- leaf, Manufacturers and Dealers in those Platform and other Scales which have given the name of •'Fairbanks" a world- wirie celebrity. Messrs. Fairbanks & Greenleaf occu- py No. 35 of this Block, and their rooms are entered both, from Wabash Avenue and Lake street. They have three rooms, 140 feet deep and of a pro- portionate width, filled with every vari- ety and description of Scales, from the ponderous Railroad Scale that will weigh a locomotive, down to the delicate balance in which the Chemist measures his infinitessimal drugs. The scales are all from the manufactory at St. Johns- bury, Vt. At this manufactory the original inventor of Scales still presides devoting his time, and the entire resour- ces of his mind, now enriched by an ex- perience and practice of thirty years, to the improvement and perfection of the Scales, which to the general eye appear advanced to the ne plus ultra of utility and perfection. The reputation of the Fairbanks* Scales is unequalled, and never has the demand for them been greater than now. Orders for them are sent, not only from all parts of this country, but from China, France, Spain, Central and South America, and even England herself, the fact being recog- nised and admitted that the Fairbanks' Scales are really better than any which can be made at the most celebrated Eng- lish manufactories. -—>- An earth greater or smaller, denser or rarer, than the one on which vre live, would require a change in the structure and strength of the footstalk of all the little ilowcrs that hang their heads under our hedges. There is something curious in this considering the whole ina.ss from pole to pole, and from circumference to centre, as employed in keeping a snowdrop in the posi^ tion most suited to the promotion of its vegeta- ble health. — Wluwell. The Fireside. MUSIC IN THE HOUSEnOLD. All boys and girls have a strong desire for amusements, especially during the long win- ter evenings, and if this natural desire is not ministered unto by rational amusements be- ing furnished by parents, they will be in- clined to seek it elsewhere than within the home circle, and if restrained within these bounds, they become morose, and lose that interest under the parental roof that should always mark the devotion of the younger members of the family. It is the want of something to fill up the void during the hours of relaxation from work or study that gives such a craving — such a strong desire to leave home and to seek for enjoyment in other social circles ; it is this which strands so many young men in our large cities j it is the sound of revelry that invites them into the toils of danger, and sends them back to their country home with shame, or drags them down to an early grave; better give them rational enjoyment that should bind them to their own home until the intellect is lo far inatured that the danger of undue excite- ment is past. As a general thing our farm- ers and mechanics have been too remiss; reading for the family has not been suffi- ciently supplied ; by this we do not mean to include all agricultural reading, but newspa- pers, magazines and works of travel, of hia- tory and of science. Music, which has such charms at the fireside, and which binds the family into closer bonds of union, has, with the farmer, been almost wholly neglected. It is true that many of our more wealthy farmers have procured a piano for the daugh- ters, while the. sons have been left nearly uncared for. The hands of the boy have become hardened by labor, and unfitted to play on this instrument, which requires a rapidity of touch beyond other than those little accustomed to labor, either on the farm or in workshop; hence, the piano, like the long nails of the Chinese gentleman of lei- sure, is the badge of wealth or leisure, and is unfitted, by its pecular construction, to be used by the toil-hardened hands of the farm- ■ '-Jl'^ 62 THE ILLINOIS ir^Il]MEIl. K*^'' er's son or the mechanic's apprentice, while the eara of both are as delicate and as sub- ceptible to harmony as the most perfumed cit or effeminate dandy ; in fact, they are more sc, for they have had the advantage of robust health that labor brings, and only re- quire cultivation to fully appreciate the rich- est melody. It is in the country and in the workshop where the human voice acquires its notes of deep pathos, which, when ac- companied with instrumental music, lifts our souls above the gaze of mortals. It is there- fore evident that the piano, could not even if its cost was within the reach of all, fill that place; but in the melodeon we have just the kind of instrument required ; it is fitted to the hand of labor, and its full rich tones mingle ■with the voice of robust health, or bink to the cadence that soothes the fevered brain of one prostrated on the bed of sickness. Conversing with a farming friend a short time since, he said he regretted his inability to furnish his wife with a piano, as she was accustomed to its use before marriage, and he confessed that the melody of those sounds still lingered with sweetness in his memory, but the tightness of the times prevented any idea ot indulging in the luxury, but a melo- deon he could afibrd, and would at once order it. The ruling spirit of the age among farmers is more land, and to this moloch is offered up the richest gifts of sympathy — the fine chords of affection are snapped asunder, and the mi- ser's greed scatters the household far away from the fireside, and the declining years of age must be spent in the presence of the sordid god, without the sympathy of those to whom they have given being, and whom they have sent out into the cheerless world, beyond the kindly warmth ot the paternal roof. Would it not be better to spare two or three head of cattle from that ample stock, and make a present of a melodeon to those interesting boys, and give them and yourself the benefit of sweet sounds in the long winter evenings, and when soft zephyrs steal through the vines that are kissed ly the last rays of the summer sun as it sinks in the hither west. The mother, proud of her boys, will be proud to assist them in their lessons, and music will go up from a united household, over which memory shall linger when that mother shall have passed to the unseen world, and new hearths and new al- tars are redolent with thankfulness and mu- sic for the gift of the melodeon. «•»— Spring is Coming. Yes, Spring is coming. He is playing hide and seek amid the peach hills of Egypt, and soon he will take to the track of the Great Illinois Central Rail- way and give us a pleasant greeting. — Come on, Spring, we shall be most hap- py to welcume you to the prairie slopes and picturesque groves of our Cham- paign. A friend writing us from Jonesboro, says that " on the 8th inst., we had rhubarb pies made from rhubarb grown in the open ground, in my garden, from plants set out last year — ^lots of peaches in Egypt yet. Do not see that the young trees suffered from the winter at all ; wheat looks fine — weather pleasant — several varieties of native flowers are in bloom, — lilacs almost out.'' Give Spring a start this way, friend Wiley, that we too may enjoy fresh rhubarb pies and vernal flowers. Hereaway old Winter has sent young Spring to the wall, and once more remin- ded the boys of their skates. The ice is an inch thick, and the signal notes of Spring are no longer heard. The frogs have again dove deep into the mud. — The peepers have hushed their discor- dant notes. The birds of passage no longer set their eyes on the north star, and the fields lay locked in frost. The plow is frozen in the furrow that the spring like weather of last week tempted out, and the early sown wheat is having a cold bed : but be patient, for while the busy fingers of the typo is setting this up, Spring may greet his cheek with a warm kiss, and he may truly shout — See, SPKiisa a A Come. The above was written 11th inst., and now on the morning of the 27th, we have the ground frozen two inches deep, and ice a half an inch; but of this we ought not to complain, the weather has been dry and farmers have been busy plowing. The wheat, oats and barley have been sown and a large breadth plowed for corn. Our Double Michagan is busy breaking up the borders along the open ditches made last year, and in grounds that could not have been broken without draining. This backwardness of the season will be of great advantage to fruit, and to the farmer generally. — A cold winter and late dry spring, ac- cording to our exprience, indicate an abundant harvest. — Ed. For tb« niinoii Farmer. The Farmer's Enemies. Although the farmer meets with many enemies not belonging to the Animal Kingdom, yet it is to this division, of nature we intend to confine our inquiries at present. And surely it cannot fail to be inter- esting to the farmer to glance over this vast assemblage and mark those that are against him as well as those for him. — We would much prefer being simply de- scriptive than systematic, but as the for- mer method would require too much space, we must of necessity adopt the latter plan in part, as by this method we may often at a single stroke dismiss a considerable portion of this vast king- dom. Naturalists have divided the whole Animal Kingdom into four great branch- es, as follows : First, the Vertebrata, those having back-bones, as quadrupeds, birds, fishes and reptiles. Second, Ar- ticulati, as lobsters, spiders, centipedes and insects. Third, 3Iollusca, as shell- fish, snails, slugs, &c. Fourth, Radi- ata, as star-fish, corals, and sponges. The Mollusca and Radiata^ although playing an impo tant part in the watery element, in which they chiefly reside, yet do little, if any injury to the farmer, consequently may at once be dismissed. This leaves but two branches, the Ver- tebrata and ArticulatUy in which to seek the farmer's enemies. Beginning with the former, which em- braces the higher animals, we will follow naturalists, and divide the branch into four classes as follows : Frst, Mam,' maliay embracing quadrupeds, bats and whales; second, Birds; third Reptiles; fourth. Fishes. From these we may at once set aside the fishes as not injurious. The first order of mammalia ( Quad- rumana,) containing the monkey tribes, has no representative in this portion of the country, therefore requires no notice from us. The second order ( Cheiropte- ra,) containing the bats, include some three or four species found in Illinois; but as none of these belong to the fru- givorous tribes they do no injury But on the contrary, they befriend him by destroying a vast number of insects, their favorite food. The next order or group ( Insectivora) contains a number of species found in our State, which are often condemned by the farmer and gardener as pests. — To this group belong the Shrews and Moles; of the former, some five or six species are to be found in the State. — These principally subsist on insects and worms, and certainly do no injury to the farmer or gardener. The common Sil- ver Mole (^Scalops argentatusjhdiS often provoked discussion as to whether it is injurious or beneficial. As its food con- sists chiefly of insects and worms, it must be granted that so far as it de- stroys these it is beneficial; yet it often eats the tender roots of useful vegetablas and plows up the beds and walks to the no little annoyance of the earful garden- er. The Star-nosed Mole {Qondylura cristata,) I am unacquainted with, it is probably to be found in the extremely northern portion of the State. Mr. Kennicott gives it in his list. Trans. III. Ag. Soc. Vol. 1. The next order of mammalia, {Carni- THE iLLiisrois f^iim:eii. 63 vord) containg several species occasion- ally found in Illinois, which often do the farmer serious injury. The Ameri- can Panther, {Felis concolor) and the American Wild Cat, {Lynx rufus) al- though exceedingly scarce, yet are occa- sionally met with in the heavily timbered districts. The Wolf, (Cawzs occidenta- lis) although fast retreating before the hunter's rifle and the sound of the wood- man's axe, occasionally makes sad havoc in the sheep-fold. The Prairie Wolf, ( Cants latrans,) once abundant on our broad prairies, is now but seldom seen. The Red Fox, ( Ulpes fulvus) may be found in the northern part of the State, but does not often occur in the southern or middle portion. The Gray Fox, ( Vulpus virginianus) although frequently found throughout the State, is not sufficiently abundant to give the farmers much uneasiness. The common Weasel, {Putorious no- vehoracensis) often gives such fatal evi- dence of his prespnce that he is dreaded by the good housewife who prides her- self in the amount and beauty of her poultry. An insatiate villian seems to have nanght in view but to slay his vic- tims. Blood, blood; is all he seeks, and but few houses or coops are sufficiently close to prevent his ingress. The common Mink, {Putorious vison) is a close relation of the weasel, and is possessed of the bad traits of that sly scamp. Although, while living, he is an enemy to be feared, yet after death his soft fur yields a partial return for the wrongs he has committed. Notwitstand- ing thousands are annually sacrified for their furs, yet considerable numbers are to be found especially in the southern part of the State. The Skunk, [Mephitis mephtiica) al- though a beautiful little animal, from the horrible odor that accompanies hlra, and his thieving habits, has caused his name to become a word of reproach. The Raccoon, {Procyon lotor) is an enemy too well known to every farmer's son to need any description here. Al- though his food Is chiefly frogs, birds, mice and insects; yet he is exceeding fond of the young juicy corn, and to gratify this taste, often does great inju- ry to the corn-field. The only atone- ment this pest makes for his thefts, is, after death to yield his furs to be worn by those more worthy to receive their warmth. The Black Bear, ( Ursus American- us) is occasionally met with in the south- ern part of the State, yet it does not ex- ist in sufficient numbers to occasion any uneasiness in the minds of our farmers. In fact it is so rapidly disappearing be- fore our increasing population, that it is a treat to the hunters to hear of a bear in the neighborhood. The next order of the mammalia (^Marsupiata) has but one representative in the State, and that is the well known Opossum, {jDidelphys virginiana). This singular animal should be closely studied not only to combat his mischievous hab- its, but on account of his peculiar char- acteristics. It is a species of that strange order of animals, which appear to be the remnant of the fauna of a former world. So marked an distinct are their characteristics that some naturalists have arranged them in a separate class. Aus- tralia is the abode of the great majority of the species of this order; The Opos- sum exists in considerable numbers in the timbered portions of this State; and of- ten makes destructive forars into the poultry yard- His food consists chipfly of insects, small reptiles, birds, birds' eggs, and persimmons. The next order (Rodentia) contains the Squirrels, Gophers, Ground Hogs, Rats, Mice, Rabbits, .entative in the State. It is to this order that our common hog belongs. The order {Solidungula) although without any native representatives is represented by the horse which has been introduced. The next order, (Ru]vnvANTiA) is the last of the terrestrial mammals, and con- tains the common Virginia Deer {Cervut virginianus). This species is too well known to require any description, and can scarcely be considered injurious. The other orders, {Pinnipedia and Cetacea) live chiefly in the sea and as a ttracLer of course are without our bounds. Cyrus Thomas. MuRPHYSBoRO, 111., March 24, 1860. The readers, as well as the editor of the Farmer, will thank Mr. Thomas for his very interesting article, and we hope that amid his other labors, he will find time to continue the subject. It is time that the farmer knew his enemies from his friends among the Mammalia and the Insectivora, and no one is better qualified for the task of giving this branch of natural history a practical verification than our close observing friend, Cyrus Thomas. g^Faith is a fruit of grace, from whence spring all the sweet flowers of joy and peace. Faith is like the bee ; it will siick sweetness of every flower ; it will extract light out of darkness, comforts out of distresses, mercies out of mis- eries, wine out of water, honey out of the rock, and meat out of the e%ter. EDITOR'S TABLE. Dear reader, we are once more at your fireside, and holding familiar converse with you, and we hope these our monthly viaita will not only prove pleasant, but profitable to us all. During the month we are gathering up a store of information, which the busy fingers of the silent compositor has put in form, and over which the iron fingers of the steam press has drawn the virgin sheet, now bearing the impress of thought, that speaics to you, in the thousands of homes where we make our monthly vitdts. The aid that you have thug far given the new editor, In the numerous facts that you have presented him in person and by- letter, has, we hope, been duly appreciated, and the material V! aid that you have contributed to the publishers in the pay-, "^ ment of back dues, the renewing of subscriptions, and e«pee> • ially the large number of new ones, has been to them pleasant - . — very pleasant, indeed — and they authorise us to eay, thai the paper shall be improved in illostrations, aa4 otherwise.. The encouragement the Famitr has met mace the begin- ning of the new year, is of the most gratifying kind, and we hope the ball will roll on, until it shall be a welcome vimtor to every farmer's fireside in Central and Southern lUinois, at least. In this State there are about one thousand post offices. Now, a club of ten at each ofiSce, will make an edition of ten thousand, just the number the publishers hope to reach be- fore the russet leaves shall again whirl in the autumn eddies. Send in the clubs, we can write all the better with an increased number of readers, and we expect to become quite eloquent before the end of the year. Thb Ohio Farmbr. — This old and well conducted paper, has of late been doubling its editorial force. The announcement is as follows; "Married in Cleveland, March 7. Thomas Brown, editor of the Oliio Farmer, and Miss Sarah Beards- lee." A wise arrangement, friend Brown, and shows that talent can be appreciated and placed in its proper position. Wa hope that "Althea" will continue her contributions, and that the Farmer may yet have a bouquet of " Altheas." Transactions of Ohio Pomological Socibtt. — We have not the space to make such extracts from this valuable report as we would like, and must lay it over for next month. We have sixty-four pages only — will Secretary Bateham please send us the missing pages ? The Kural Annual 1800. — Thu »••* uuie booklet has reached our table, from the oflBce of the Genesee F aimer. It contains one hundred pages of valuable reading matter. The engravings of Iruit and ornamental trees, and of insects, are interesting features, and particularly valuable to the Western reader. Address Joseph Harris, Rochester, N. Y., enclosing 25 cents in stamps, to which add 50 cents, if you wish a good eastern agricultural journal, the Genessee Farmtr, now com- mencing its 30th year. The Architects' ako Mecbanic's Jourital, is again on our table. It is edited with evident ability, and we think highly useful to those of our farmers and others who wish to erect convenient and tasty buildings. The design of a Gothic Villa In this number, cannot fail to please the taste of our western people, who have experienced the great value of am- ple veranda about their houses. We, therefore, take pleasure in commending it to our readers. See advertisement. EDrroRS Work.— The readers of the Farmer will bear in mind that the editor is a practical farmer; that like other far- mers, he must not only hold the plow, but drive, sow, plant, hoe, and look after the farm, the garden, the nufsery, and the orchard personally. Not that he does all the work, for this would be out of the question; but he must give all of these much of his attention, and therefore, has no time to write fine well-turned editorials, or get up dissertations full of learni d agriculture, but at Intervals of leisure and absolute trenchingt on his other duties, he can only note down those practical re- sults for the readers of the Farmer in which he is personally engaged, and which he is practically demonstrating. If you want speculative farming, you will have to apply elsewherA. Bloominoton Ncrsbbt. — We would call the attentldn of tree planters, to the very large variety of trees, plant* and shrubs at this establishment. Send for a catalogue, and you will receive much valuable information in regard to tree planting. Mr. P. is one of the live, progresdve men of tb« WiiKLT Illinois State Journal. — We do'not attempt to make the Farmer a family newspaper, or to give the politi- cal news of the day. Hence, every farmer who takes it, is supposed to read a neicnpaper In addition to his agricultural journal. To fill up this void, the State Joiimal is expressly Intended. It is published at the State capital, and is, of course posted on State affairs. See advertistrment. Ohio Chltivator. — Col. Harris keeps his paper us freih as a new blown rose, and withal, stuffed full of the valuable. Central Ohio had ought to feel proud of their paper and its handsome editor. (Ool., we keep that likeness of yours in our sanctum.) The missing Nos. of the FarmeH arc mailed. The Ohio Cultivator is $1; Beml-monthly. We club It wltli the Farmer for 1 1 75. CuuFA, OB Earth Almond.— A writer in iht Ohio Culti- vator says this new edible should be put In cloth bags and kept though the winter in a dry place, free from frost ; that in tight boxes or in a cellar they are apt to mould. They im- prove by keeping, and like a winter pear, require houie ripe- ning. He considers them valuable, and plants largely. We have several inquirers for the seed or tubers. Who has them CD sale ? NoRTHWisTiRK Farhir, Dubuque, lova. — This monthly Is of the same age with our own pet, and Is giving indabitable signs of usefulness. Mark Miller is the Home Editor, and I. 0. Brayton, a practical nurseryman and fruit grower, the Hor- ticultural Editor. S. Lombard, a practical farmer, Is Associ- ate Editor, and Edgar Sanders, the well known florist of Chi- cago, has lately become the Editor of the. Garden Department. We think our Iowa friends should be satisfied with this array practical talent. We always read the A'orthiceeieni, because we expect practical good sense, fresh from the farm, the orch- ard and the garden. Lamoille Ncrbert. — We ask our readers who are in want of fine evergreens and other trees, to look through the adver- tisement of Mr. Edwards. His prices are exceedingly low, and we know bis trees to be fine. Belts of evergreens about the garden, will make from one to two weeks difference In the maturity of early vegetables, by preventing the cold winds from sweeping over the ground and robbing It of its heat ; be- sides how much better will such a garden look, both in sum- mer and winter. Of small fruits, it will be seen that his stock is large and select. The small fruits are the great fruits after all, and It is a matter of surprise to us, that so many will neg- lect them. A farmer who purchases a hundred apple trees, will usually take half a dozen currant buihes, two gooseberry, one pie plant, one grape and cherry, costing two dollars. His bin will be for apple trees, that he will have to wait four to six years for fruit, say $20; for small fruits that will produce good crops the next year, $2,00. Every farmer, on a new place, sheuld Just reverse this; for the small fruiti are always reliable, always ready, imd tunilsh fruit at once. SwiET Potatoes. — Those who intend to sprout their own seed, should order at once, and send for directions. See card of J. AV. Tenbrook. Mr. T. Is now publishing a pamphlet on the culture of this rich esculent, which he proposes to send to bis justomers. and others con have it by enclosing him twen- ty-flre cents in stamps. Silver Maple Se^olinos. — These, for timber belts are very valuable, and those planting largely should order at once. A few thousand will add lines of beauty and of use to the farm. Plant trees, plant trees, and they will break the chill winds from your stock, your orchard and your garden. Steam Plow, Lancaster. — This engine stands where left last fall, and we hear nothing from Mr. Fawkes. Tliree acres of the breaking done last fall has been town to spring wheat, one acre to oats, and half an acre to plant to corn; all of this to test the value of fall breaking. Seven acres broken up last March with the double Michigan plow, has also been sown to wheat. The sowing was done the 14th, 15th and 16th ingt., and four and a half days work of two teams to barrow in; a full day to the acre of the last fall breaking. At this writing, our roller has not arrived, (19th) but as soon at It is received we shall commence to roll. This is probably the first crop of gr&in sown on land plowed by steam on tlus side of the Atlan- tic. The great prairie slopes are the place for steam culture, and it la fitting that the first crop should be grown on them. The breaking was done In the most perfect manner, and from present appearances, will 'produce a fine crop. Yet we think that if broken to the same depth with double Michigan plows, the winter's frosts would have had a more decided effect upon It. Sweet Potatob Plants. — In this No., we introduce to our readers, another patron of good living, Mr. M. M. Murray, whose ambition is to supply the million or more of people In this great Northwest of ours, with an ample supply of sweet potatoe plants. Mr. M. claims to have the genuine Na.vsb- MOND, which all our readers ought to know. Is the only variety of any value In these diggings. But comparatively few of our farmers grow a tithe of what they should use in their own fam- ilies, to say nothing of the markets. The sweet potatoe is one of the most valuable of our autumn vegetablos, coming in use the last of August, and keeping into January. With plants at such low rates, no excuse can be had fur not adding tliis to the list of staple luxuries. The HoRTiccLTURisT.-The February No. of this valuable journal did not reach us in time to make a note of its contents in our last. As we have before stated, Mr. Mead is giving It a more practical turn, and of course, enhancing its value for the West, where utility it more in demand than mere orna- ment. Not that we have failed to appreciate the valuable ar- ticles on ornamental gardening, but the truth Is, that we have not had the means of indulging in such luxuries. The editor commences with a chapter on Dicarf Pearg, De^p Planting. He is a^jainst deep planting, though he admits that the tree should be so worked that the junction should be below the surface when planted. In New York, where the winter covering of snow fully protects the quince stock. It Is of no consequence about setting the quince stock below the surface ; but on the prairies, where the ground has no protec- tion from the sudden freezings and thawlngs of our winters, the more tender quince stock must either be set below the sur- face, or a mound of earth be thrown around it. When the stock has been worked high, we should, with Mr. Mead, pre- fer the shallow planting, and In this case bank up ; but we would not take from a nursery any of those high worked trees. We insist upon dwarf pears being worked lower for our prai- rie planters. Will our Eastern nurserymen please make a note of this? Underdraining, protection, shallow planting, and thorough culture, will give us a supply of this delicious fruit. Since writing the above, the March No. has come to hand, and the subject of Dwarf Pears is again discussed. Shallow I>lautlng is shown to be tlie best, and so well is this being un- derstood, that most nurserymen are working their trees two to five Inches high. Pear quackery and special manures are having their day, and we shall goon be on open plain sailing, with fine trees and plenty of pears. We club the JInrticulturalitt and Farmer at $2,50. Back numbers of both from January can be supplied. The Sullitant Farm.— Much has been said of this farm, but the public has very incorrect ideas in relation to it. Mr. Michael Sulllvant is probably the largest individual land hol- der in the State. He resides near Columbus, in Ohio. His son, J. M. Sullivant, resides on a portion of this land, some eight miles south of Homer, in the county of Champaign. This farm is a part of a body of land containing about twenty thousand acres of prairie, only a small portion of which is under culture. Mr. Sullivant is a practical farmer, and man- %Koe tlie business with care and economy. He has of all ages of cattle some ux hundred head, being something less than Capt. J. N. Brown keeps on his farm of fourteen hundred acres, set in blue grass. Last fall he sowed six hundred acres of wheat on the sod which looks well, and two hundred on old land, which Is of little value. Of his spring crops we •hall speak 'at the proper time. He sold to Messrs. Murphy k Slaughter, of McLean county, Kentucky, one thousand tons of timothy hay; four hundred of which have been sent to New Orleans. The price was $10 per ton delivered at the depot, after having been baled by the purchasers. Mr. S. has some 200 tons more than will be necessary to winter his stock. In draining, orcharding and planting of timber belts, Mr. S. is doing considerable. But few of the very large farms have even paid the outlay, but from what we learn of this farm, it has been made to pay quite well, and with the experience of the Messrs. S., father and son, we may look forward to good results from this " Great Farm." We intend to visit it lu May, and take a look at the machinery that works these thousands of acres, and are makinif them attrac- tive and useful. WooDBCR.v NuRSKRY. — Farmers of Central and Southern Illinois, should not overlook this fine nursery. When you or- der fruit trees, don't forget the silver maples. YooNo's CcLTivATOR. — We gave this an hour's trial to-day, (20th) and must say, that our good opinion of it at a weed exterminator is not abated. That for a young crop of weeds it must be decidedly the best thing of the kind. It makes a clean sweep the width of the implement. As It will only re- quire once passing through a row. It will work six to eight acres a day. It is not calculated for rough, sody or clody ground, or for tall weeds; and no shiftless farmer should In- vest In one; but for nurserymen, gardeners, and such farmers as delight In thorough, clean culture and fine growth, we can commend this new candidate for public favor, as we are quite sure 1' will please them. The Qakdeber's Mo-ntulv.— The March No. of this excel- lent gardening journal Is at hand, and as usual filled with val- uable practical matter. Wo wish every subscriber of the Farmer had a copy of it, as we know it would be worth five I times its cost to them. It is devoted to hurticulture, arbori- • culture, botany aud rural affairs; $1 a year; ?1,75 with the ' Farmer. Subscriptions received and forwarded by the ed- i Itor, at West Urbaua, aud the publisbers of the Fanner, \ Springfield. I Maeb Good Implemknts. — Many of our cultivators, shoT- el plows, harrows, reapers, et-c., etc., are made of poor mate- rial, and Instead of being a benefit, are a real damage, as they always fMl when most needed. The greatest fault It with the timber, much of which is of brittle ash, wholly unfit for other purposes than fire wood, and not the best for that. When we have abundance of good liickory, maple and oak, it appears sheer nonsense to use XY\t poor ash. WTien we shall have second growth ash we may use it; but out with this trash. Last season we purchased a shovel plow; the standard was of ash nicely painted, but did not run ten rods before it broke, and that without coming In collision with anything more seri- ous than deeply plowed land. The team had to be turned out and a half day spent In repairing. Damage, loss of team half day, fifty cents; repairing, seventy-five cents; loss of time to look aftpr it, twenty-five cents; total, one dollar, damage to the maker the profit on two other shovel plowi purchased of other parties. The same thing occurred with two cultivators; one of which was made some few miles distant, taking about a day with team going and returning, to have it made good. W» have met with repeated loss in thii way, and have come to the con- clusion to pay for no more poor timber. It is often the case, that new cultivator teeth and plows must be sent to the shop to be sharpened, before you can use them. It is a well-known fact, that Eastern-made tools, as a general thing, are better made and of better material than those made West. This la a shame to our workmen, yet such is the impression, and it is just that and no more that makes them more sought after than from our own shops. Unless we see signs of reformation in this respect, whe shall become a little more personal in our re- marks, and point out to our readers who do and who do not use good timber and good workmanship. While the cast steel mould boards of our steel clippers are faultless in form, the worm eaten beams, covered over with putty and paint, only serve at a disappointment, but in justice to our plowmakers, they have made good progress, and are but little liable to censure, yet not all are free from thi.i sin of rotten wood. Cast Iron Land Rollers.— To cultivate corn with success, a land roller is almost indispensable. It crushes the clods and makes the surface in fine tilth. The seed can be planted shallow, and vermin cannot find the hills until the plants are up, and the earth being so firmly packed about the roots, that it will l>e almost impossible to pull It; It may be broken off but this will start again. We have one of Atwater's six sec- tion rollers, costing f 45 and weighing S50 pounds, with which we are well pleased. It is cheap, durable and efiicient. See his advertisement. McQciston's Corn Subller. — Manufacturers are begin- ning to appreciate the value of the Illinois Farmer as an ad- vertising medium, circulating as it does, largely in the cen tral and south part of the State, and more or less all over the west. In this number we introduce to our readers Mr. Isaac P. Atwater, the owner of McQuiston's Sheller and Horse Power. A neighbor of ours has one of them, and is highly pleased with it. Great speed of work and durability is claimed for them, and also, what is of no small Importance, immunity from breaking the corn. We hear of one sold in November, that up to February first had slielled over thirty thousand bushels, with less than three dollars expense for re- pairs. The one we saw at work was shelling green corn, ele- vating and bagging it at the rate of fifty bushels per hour; that was in November; If dry corn, of course It would do much more. We doubt if there is a better and cheaper shel ler in the State. Farmers having large lots of corn to shell, would do well to write Mr. Atwater. Review or FLSisnMAN's new mode of Plowing, it una- voidably crowded out. It will not spoil to lay over, and we cannot afford to leave out much other valuable matter for it. Aw Illinois Barn and Piggerv. — In the next number, we hope to have the engraving for the above. Will some of our readers send us plans? — no untried ones, but actual, targible buildings, owned by somebody and used to some purpose. Fngravinos.— The readers of the Far^ner will see that we are redeeming the promise of the Publishers in improving the paper, as the receipts will warrant, which thus far have more than met their most sanguine expectations. If they had ta- ken the course of some publishers to send old garden and flower seed, or the paper six months on trial, they would now have a list of over ten thousand; but they believe In substan- tial progress, and will give value for value. SCBSOIL Plow. — In this number we present a cut of Deere A Co. 's Subsoil Plow, the first plow of the kind made in the State, so far as we are advised. Many have made deep tillers for trench i)l()wing, but this subsoiler is another ihing en- tirely, it breaks up and loosens the subsoil without throwing it out. AVe hope our fanners will give it a thorough trial; for one, we are bound to do so. THE iLLiisrois f^r]sj:er. 65 Drath of a. H. Ebnst. — This noble man has gone from among the pomologist3 of Ohio. He died at his residence, in Cincinnati, February 13, 1S60, aged eixty-four yeara. Dr. Wardor paid a worthy tribute to his memory, before the Cin, cinnati Horticultural Soi iety, but our space is too limited to transfer it to our pagts. It was a tribute, worthy of both the living and the dead. The last labor of love in which the de- ceased was engaged, was [to rescue from oblivion the history of the early pioneers of fruit culture in the Northwest; and we are gratified to learn that a large part of this work has been accomplished . Thus, one after another of the leaders in the pomological army pass away — ^but none have made a greater void in the circle than the generous and noble hearted Ersst. SPROCTiifa OSAOB AND LoccsT SEED. — Osage seed should be covered with warm, almost boiling water, and left to stand in a warm room, and water changed once a day; warm water af- ter the first application, until the seed shows signs of sprout- ing, which is manifest by a minute white ipeck at the small end of the seed; plant at once in newly plowed ground, and cover them half inch deep; don't sow too thick— a bushel to five pecks to the acre. A bushel of seed should make 10",000 plants. Two or three old seed is good, but will require longer soaking — five to ten days is required to sprout the seed, de- pending on age of seed and condition of temperature. Don't sow until sprouted, and then in damp earth. Pour boiling water on the locust seed, and let it stand in a warm place to swell, which will require about twenty-four hours. The seed that do not so swell out full and plump, can have another ap- plication. We put in a bowl or some dish of crockery ware, and pour the boiling water from the tea kettle, and at the same time stir up the seed. Plant as you do Osage. BwEBT PoTATOE MANUAL. — We are in receipt of a portion of the proof sheets of this valuable little booklet, by John W. Tenbrook, of Rockville, Ind., the Swebt Potatob Mam of the Northwest. We shall make extracts from it next month. Those growing this delicious edible, should send for a copy at once, either to the publisher or some one of his agents, or those sprouting potatoes purchased of him. Price 25 cents. Don't plant sweet potatoes too early; say not till May or June; but get the Manual first, to know just how to do it. Exchanges, Etc. — It should be borne in mind, that ex- changes should be marked, '^Illinois Farmer, West Urbana," and all communications for the editor, to the same office, while all business letters should be directed to the publishers, SprlniiCeld. Those who wish to club with JTorticulivridt, Gardentr'i Monthly, etc., can address either, as most con- venient. Tomatoes in Egypt. — J. H. Baker Is planting ten acres near Cobden. It is probable that others will put in large lots. Last year tomatoes and other garden sauce, did not pay veiy well, what with poor prices, the rascality of Chicago huck- sters and high express rates, the thing became top-heavy, and went under. We hope our Egyptian friends will have better success this season. The Flower Garden. — Now is the time to begin work in the flower garden — that is, the setting of hardy shrubs and plants. Dahlias, bedding out plants, and annuals must not be set out yet. In setting roses, cut them back freely, and they will grow and bloom all the better. All of our month- ly roses have been left out in garden; they were cut back in the fall and a few shovels fidl of earth thrown over them. Setting out Orchards. — We cannot too strongly urge upon our farmers the necessity of setting out orchards, and not only orchards but the small fruits. There are thousands of farmers in the State who have been staying, we will not say living, on farms without even a dozen currant bushes, to •ay nothing of apples, the great staple. Currants, Goose- berries and Strawberries, if set this spring and well cared for, will yield ncf inconsiderable amount of fruit next season. The cost is but trifling, ten dollars will pay for quite a plantation. Make up your minds good friends to procure those health giving and delicious fruits for the family. To the hundred Apple trees add one hundred Currant, twenty-five Houghton Gooseberry, five hundred Strawberry, a dozen Myatt'i Vic- toria Rhubarb, half a dozen Grape Vines, a few Pears, Peaches, May Cherries, Raspberries and Blackberries. Farming is not an institution made ex-pressly to own all the land that joins you, but for the purpose of enjoying life like a rational being. Without an abundance of fruits and vegeta- bles your family will sicken in the hot days of summer for want of the vegetable acids that nature intended to secure good health. As you love thera, do not let the season of planting to go by. By consulting our advertising columns you will see where you can get these things cheaply, ofreliable men. Send your order to the nursery, and let tree quacks go "t something else for a living. IIcBBARD SQnA.?H. — To-day, '(March 24th) we had the last of our winter stock for dinner. This is of course, as long as they would keep with us this spring; but we hope to have them in such number next season, that they will go through to June If they will keep sound to that time. Everybody should grow the Hubbard. Native Evbroreens. — The Rev. Isaac Marvin proposes to procure nativ* evergreens for the dwellers on our prairie tslopes. That Mr. M. will do the work dilligently and falth- u!!y, we have such full confidence, that we have pven him an order for 25,0^0 trees for our own grounds; and this with 20,000 silver maples from Mr. PuUen, we think will tend to make us a little comfortable from the sweeping winds of the north and southwest. In ordering native evergreens, we would recommend the small ones, and on arrival would bed them out in rows as close as they can be conveniently seU — Sprinkle a little straw over them to take off a part of the sun's rays, and let them stand one or two seasons, when they are ready for setting out in the belts. Those of our friends who cannot wait this slow process by which they make a large saving, will do well to consult the card of Mr. Edwards, who has the trees now ready for the open belt. Thi Prairii Farmbr. — This paper is the pioneer of the agricultural press In the North- West. In 184 >, John S. Wright of Chicago, a young man of no practical experience in farm- ing, but imbued with a love of rural life, undertook to publish an agricultural paper. In the session of the Legislature of 1S39 a charter had l)een granted for an agricultural society, "for the sole purpose of instruction and science, and im- provements in scientific and practical agriculture, and the mechanical arts, in the ccanties of LaSalle, Cook, McHenry and Kane." Mr. Wright was elected corresponding secreta- ry, and In September commenced the publication of his paper, but soon after issuing the first number, the officers of the society undertook the publication of the paper, and on the Ist Jan., 1841, the first regular number of the Union Agriculturist, was sent forth as the pioneer of agricultural improvement to th« sparse settlements of the North-West. Mr. Wright was its editor, and right nobly did he fill his post. January, 1843, the name was changed to that of " The Prairie Farmer," and in March of that year, J. Ambrose Wight, (now Rev. J. A. Wight) became associate Editor.- The vigorous practical pen of Mr. Wight soon made the paper a popular one. For some years Dr. J. A. Kennicott was the Horticultural Editor, and for one or two years after Mr. Wight left the tripod for th« gown, the doctor was the acting EOliur. Some few jeari since Mr. Wright, who had again become the sole owner, changed It to a folio weekly, and in 1858 It was sold to Messrs. Emery & Co., and united to Emery's Journal of Agi'culture. It will be proper to say that Jlr. Bragdon was the Editor for a year when issued as a weekly folio newspaper. The paper passed to the hands of the Tribune office, then to the Messrs. Medill, before its consolidation. Under the hands of its present publishers and Editors, both its circulation and usefulness have been increased, and it now holds that position among the agricultural press of the North-AVest, to which it is entitled by priority of age. $2 a year. Address Emery 4 Co. , Chicago, Jf. L. Dunlap, Esq., Editor Illinois Farmer: DiAR Sir: — A correspondent of your journal for March has made very free use of our name In discussing "the wholesale nursery trade and the tree peddlers," for the purpose, he says, of elucidating his subject. We think that your correspond- ent would have shown quite as much good sense and good taste if he had avoided the use of our names and allusion to our private affairs. We submit to you, as conductor of a journal, whether this practice of dragging the names and business of private individuals into newspaper discussions be right and proper? Suppose that any number of meddling persons take it into their head that Mr. Dunlap neither manages his n»riery affairs and his editorials as he should do, and that they all go to work to lecture and advise him, how would betake It? Why is it that nurserymen are to be so continually annoyed in the man- agement of their business more than other persons? Does any Intelligent man suppose that a nurseryman can run around the country after all his customers who buy his trees to sell again, and see that he acts honestly and tells the truth? Are the manufacturers or producers of any other goods required to do this! And if a respectable man, well recom- mended, comes to a nurseryman and agrees to purchase fl.OOO or ^5,000 worth of trees from him, will the nurseryman refuse to pve a certificate to that effect? Would you, Mr. Editor, hesitate to sell one, two, or three thousand dollars worth of trees to a responsible man, and give a certificate that you have done so? There are tricky and dishonest tree dealers, and there are errors committed by dealers and by nurserymen, but there are quite as many dishonest purchasers as there are sellers, we believe, E. S. Pike & Go. have been referred to by your corres- pondent. Whydidnot Mr. Thompson, who bought Diana grapes at 25 cents each, from them in 1858, write to Messrs. Pike &. Co., who are wealthy, responsible men, at Paingville, Ohio, and claim damages for any fraud they committed upon him. We hope, Mr. Editor, you will discountenance this practice of meddling with people's names and business. If any party who deals with us feels aggreivcd, let him address us at once, and be shall have justice. Trulv yours, ELLWANGER & BARRY. We give place to the above the more cheerfully, that we know the writer of the communication alluded to, had no in- tention *o injure, or even displease Messrs. E. & B., being a very warm friend of theirs. We considered it a vindication of them, at the same time advising them of the bad effect and danger to the trade growing out of the practice to allow tree dealers to do their own packing. We have no idea of com- mending the tree peddler who purchases at wholesale aad packs to suit himself, some of them may be honest, but the proof thus far is against them. Nurserymen have a perfect right to sell at wholesale, but we suggest that when they have given a bill of the goods, they have done their duty to the seller. It is not customary for wholesale merchants to give their customers a certificate of character to enable them to re- sell; but we do not look upon these wholesale tree growers in the same light, they are more intimately connected with the seller, tcora the fact that his sales or contracts depend upon the popularity of the goods offered; hence the certificate is of value to him in effecting sales, and of course makes the pur- chase larger. This also inures to the benefit of the grower, and therefore, as be has been the means by which the sales have been in part effected, it is due to the person who is the subject acted upon, that the grower, or the one who ms^e the certificate, should protect his interest. He cannot morally say that his duty to all parties is ended when the goods are delivered In bulk, but he is bound to see that the person car- ries out In good faith what the certificate implies; that is, tfiat the goods should be kept true to name. Our columns are open to the discussion of this subject, and we hope to see the present practice reformed. The farmers of this State have suffered severely from nurserymen and tree dealers, both at home and abroad. COMMERCIAL., SPRINGFIELD WHEAT— »1 16®1 25 ^ bu; FLOUR— 86®7 ^ bbl; CORN— 25@30c ^ bu; CORN MEAL— 60c ^ bu; OATS— 30@85c f? bu; BEANS— »1®1 25 ^bu; BRAN— 10c ^ bu; SHORTS— 15c ^ bu; TIMOTHY S'D— 12 75(^3 00 HUNGARIAN G'r S'd— lalX MILLET— None; CLOVER^ie 50 ^ bu; POTATOES— New, 40@50c; HAY— 18@9 ^ ton; TALLOW— 8 l-2@9c ^ Tb; SOAP— Bar, 4®6c ^ B>; CANDLES— 12 l-2c ^ box; PICKLED P'k — »8(3,lC>f!lftO; i BACON— nams,12@13c^ lb; CHICKENS— »1 5<) ^ doz; BUCKWHEAT— 12 50 ^ 100; MARKET— APRIL 8. 1 BACON— Sides, 10c ^ lb; I SGG3— 8c ^ doz; I LARD— 10c ^ tt; SUGAR— 9©10c ^ lb; COFFEE- 18@15c ^ fl>; MOLASSES— 60@^ ; choice club $1 15 ; good red and white Jl 85; choice white $145. Com — ^Demand good. Damp and poor, mixed, 42@.44c ; prime, mixed and good yellow 47®48c ; yellow 52c on board ; choice white 56®57c on board, new gunnies inclnded. Pork — Mess 17 25 ; small inquiry. Out Meats dull ; prices at 6c for slioulders, 7Jic for hams and 3c for sides. Lard — Quiet ; prime lOJ^c ; No. 1, 93^®954C. [By Telegraph.] CHICAGO MARKET— April 2. Flour Inactive. Wheat — Holders are quite firm in view of the light receipts; sales No. 2, in store, fresh receipts, at 9Sc, and by sample, on track, at 9S@$1 01. Corn — Heavy ; about 3,000 bu No. 1, fresh receipts. In store, changed hands, in par- cels, atj43c; 7 cars No. 2, by sample, on track, at 42c. Oats — Dull ; 1 car, deUverec, at 85c; 1 do 84)<(C. Barley steady. Rye — Quiet and nominal. L By Telegraph. ] NEW YORK STOCK MARKET— Aran, 2. Stocks active but lower. Money easy and plenty at 5<^6 per cent, on call ahd 6@7 per cent, for short first class paper. Sterling Exchange dull and nominal. - C & R I 67)^; T 235i; Gal &, Chi 61 J4'; Pan 134X; Mich quar 20>g; M S lOji^; M 0 UX\ C & P 5X; I C scrip 62>^; Pac Mail 103 Ji; Cumb 15; Penn 84>4; Tenn 6's 90>4; U S 5'8 of '65 100; Mo 6's SIJ^; Illinois Freeland bonds 89;^; do first 91%; Del, L & W second 98 ST. LOUIS HORSE AND MULE MARKET— March 81. Private sales for the week — 1 span mules $290; 1 draught horse f 150; 1 dray mule f 157 50; 1 span black ponies $225; 1 dray mule $165; 1 work horse $108; 1 mule do. $125; 1 sad- dle horse $105; 1 span sorrels $2S0; 1 buggy horse $150; 1 fine draught horse $1*0; 1 buggy horse $200; 4 head work horses $4 0 for the lot; 1 mule $120; 1 do. $125; 1 saddle horse $115; 1 span mules $300; 1 span colts $215; 4 common and medium horses $75@90. .. NEW YORK CATTLE MARKET— Mat.ch 28. These markets have generally been well supplied during the past week. Beeves have come in moderately, but there is no scarcity, and prices remain as at last quotations. More of 66 THE ILLIISroiS FA.HMER, the aniruaU have been of a heavy clnss, which gives a larger imouiit of beef than tlian tlie corresponding numbers one wuelt ago. Milch Cows sell a shade better. The receipts of fresh animals show lOy less than the previous week. Numbers iire Still unsold, and those having cows in the country for sale had better dispose of them there. Calves are i|uite plenty, and rather cheaper than one week ago, especially those which only weigh aboni 60 tbs alive, and whose hoofs are scarcely hard- ened. The best calves rarely bring over GSic |? R), live wght. Sheep are not as plenty, and the best command slightly ad- vanced rates, or say 6)it&7}4c, live weight, for wool sheep, of prime quality. A lot of very fair shear sheep brought 6c. The stock has all been sold. Hogs are plenty, and J»(^Xc cheap- er. Large numbers remain unsold on the market. Of the 3,037 bullocks yarded at Forty-fourth street, this week, so far as we could ascertain their origin from owners and salesmen, and from the yard-books, 649 head came from Ohio, 470 from New York, 129 from Indiana, 1,049 from 1111 nois, 27 from Pennsylvania, 78 from Canada, '24'2 from Michi- gan, 866 from Iowa, 60 from Virginia, ^i from New Jersey and 14 from Missouri, and 80 Kentucky. Illinois is again a large contributor, furnishing one-third of the stock. The following is the range of prices to-day compared with last week : PRicrs. To-day. Last week. Premium cattle 10>ic.@llc. 10>ic.@U c. First quality lOo. ®10j^c. 10c. <£jlO>ic. Medium quality 9c. @ 'Jiic. 9c. © 9>4c. PoorquaUty 8c. @ 8^c. 8c. @ 8>4C. Poorest quality 7c. ® 7;sc. 6J4c.^ l}iC. General selling prices 8c. @10 c. 8c. @10 c. Average of all sales 8jtiC.® 9 c. - 8iJic.@ 9 c. As compared with this time last year, the prices of to-day are fully i;^c ^ tt> lower than then. The receipts of the pre- sent week are 1,100 greater than the corresponding week last season. Looking over our tables of prices last year, we find the maximum rates were reached during the latter part of May, when grass cattle began to arrive. From what we can gather of the amount of cattle being fed, we do not think last year's prices will be reached, and it will not surprise us if some of our future markets during April and .May should give a lot) - er average than thj present. It is customary for brokers and others buying droves at Albany to pay enough money down to secure the lot, and usually there is no trouble. One case, how- ever, is now undergoing litigation, where a firm paid less upon a drove at Albany than they would lose by retailing them here. The result was they forfeited what they had paid, and refused to receive the cattle when they arrived here. The original owner brings suit to recover what he lost by their failing to comply with the engagement. It may yet be necessary to put drovers and others on their guard agaiD3t this class of specu- lators, even to calling names. The following droves of cattle from Illinois were at this market : Sheuster A Kats ... 78 D. S. Doty A Co ...69 Alexander & Fitch ...61 Thomas Qallis ...16 Thomas Conner ...84 J. Flinn A^ Co ...77 Phil. Uolan ... 23 Shuester & Seigle ...67 J. L. Alexander ...76 Isaac Crosby ...66 Thomas Humes ...31 J. C. Waterman ...63 H. R. Smith ...81 0. Bartram ... 16 N. D. Bills ... 17 WilUrd* JohMon... ... 64 Fountain k Parsons . . . ...47 Dan McElwee ...32 John J. Deforest ...100 Beach It Bray ... 42 PERFECT AND PERMANENT SECURITY. IiVOZT'S PATENT COPPER LIGHTNING RODS have been extensively used for five years in the States of New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, .Minnesota and Iowa, and hao« always given the most perfect satUtfaction for everything that science or experience has shown to be essential to form PER- FECT LIGHTNING RODS, has been adopted in their con- struction . Copper Rods have from five to ee/veti times as much con- ducting power as new Iron Rods. Copper Rods do not rust but will retain their conducting power for years. Copper Rods need no paint. T. Merriam, of Brooklyn, says paint destroys the conducting power of any Rod. READ OUR CIRCULARS and see what the most scientific and practical men in the country say of them. We have reports from almost every one who has investigated the science and principles of Electricity,and all are in favor of our COPPER RODS. [Circulars aentfree.] ; Rods of various styles of Spiral, Tubular and Flat furnished in any quantities. Single Rods sent by Express to any part of the country. CAUTION. "Lyon's Patent" bears date July 11th, 1S54, and Is for the "Metalic Surface" Lightning Rods, made in any and every form where sheet copper is used. Any other Lightning Rod made of sheet copper [whether patented or not] is an infringement upon our Right, and all persons who 6ity, sell or use, ure liable to prosecution and damages, and will be dealt with according to law. We are ownersBY DEED of this Patent, for the States of Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kentucky and Tennesseee, and do hereby notify all persons iu our Territory, to purchase such rods, only of us, or our authoriEed Agents. Orders or Communications addressed to E. P. MARSH t CO., Post Office Box 3,174, apl Office, 150 South Water Street, Chicago, Illinois. NANSEMOND SWEET POTATO PLANTS. BY THE MILLION— PUT UP SO AS TO carry one thousand miles in good order. Price — 400 $1 , 1,00 $2, 6,000 $9, 10,000 *16. The plants have grown fine crop844 deg. north. Send for my circular containing full directions for cultivation and the experience of those who have grown them. AddrcH M. M. MURRAY, Fruit Hills, Loveland, apl-Sm Clermont, Co., Otiio. YOUNG'S ADJUSTABLE CULTIVATOR AND WEED EXTERMINATOR. This is the most valuable Cultivator in use, and cannot fall to give the most entire satisfaction. Price of Cultivator, with ^^" Ceding Cutters and a Set of sliares for Hilling, $12 They are made of good materials and workmanship. Address apl-Sm* JOHN YOUNG, Joilet, Will County. THE MQUISTION 8HELLER AND HO BSE POWER. MANUFACTURED BY J. C. CARR. For particulars address ISAAC P. ATWATER, Morris, Grundy County, lUinois. The most perfect, substantial and economical Farmer's Sheller ever btiilt. Cast Iron Land Rollers, 24 inch diameter in 13 inch sections. 6 Sections $45 — 7 Sections $50 — 8 Sections $55 — All hung ready for the field. TERMS.— Cash on delivery at Railroad. Purchaser pay freights. apl-y* NATIVE EVERGREENS. THE SUBSCRIBER HAS CONSIDERABLE experience in the taking up and packing of NATIVE EVERGREENS, And now proposes to put them up at such rates as will make it an object to those in want of TIMBER BELTS ON THE PRAIRIE, or make their homes beautiful during the winter months. To those wanting 20,000 and over, I will ship as follows: 8 to eincheshigh *5 00 per 1,000 6 to 12 " " 10 00 " " 12 to 24 " " 25 00" " Of DOUBLE OR WHITE SPRUCE, BALSAM FIR, ARBORVIT.*, NORWAY PINE AND WHITE PiNE. They will be taken from the open grounds at the lumber station of our own Great Northern Evergreen Forests. Small lots will be charged some over the above rates. Send orders soon as possible, as the season is advancing. Address ISAAC MARVIN, Huntley's Grove, apl-tm McUenry Co., HI. PUBLIC NOTICE. IN COMBINATION WTIH A CORN planting machine that Is conptsntly moved over the ground (when planting,) and drops the grain intermittently, the so combining of two slides, one of which is at or near the seed hopper, and the other at or near the ground, or their equivalents, with a lever, as that the operator or attendent on the machine can open said slides at the proper time to deposit the seed, and prepare a new charge, by the double droping here in specified. Rkmarka. — It makes no difference how the mode of opera- ation, as the patent is on the dou))le drop, to compensate for the forward motion of the machine. All those making, selling or using will be made to pay for such infringement. Yours respectfully, JARVIS CASE. April 1, 1S60. BLOOMINGTON NURSERY, BLOOMIXGTOar, ILLINOIS. Eighty ierrs Fruit and Ornamental Trees. 900 NAMED SORTS TULIPS, ALSO ^\)\j Hyacinths, Crocus, and a general assort- ment of Bulbs and Flower Roots for Fall and Spring^ planting. Nursery stock, Evergreens, Greenhou and garden plants — all at wholesale and retail lowest cash rates. ^^For particulars see Catalogues or address subscriber. F. K. PHCENIX. BloomingtoD, 111., Aug. 1, 1&59. THE ILLINOIS E^HMEH. er Couitensed Catalogue ol FRDIT AND ORMBEMAL TREES, PLANTS, &c., CULTIVATED AXT) FOR SALE AT THE EVERGREENS, Lamoille, Bureau co., Illinois, BT SAMUEL EDWARDS. Specimen orchards were commenced in 1844, and number several thousand trees. Some 150 varieties have fruited. Genuineness of varieties as labeled, guaranteed. Strawberries, Currants, Gooseben-ies and Rhubarb, are cul- tivated largely for market, and plants can be furnished in quantities at very low rates. Much attention has been given to the cultivation of Ever- greens, for screens from the bleak winds of the prairies ; some good specimens of which can be shown, of sufficient site to demonstrate their practical value. Nearly fifty varieties have been tested, as many as forty-five of which are recommended by Eastern Nurserymen. Very many of them are worthless here. Twenty-two varieties were awarded the first premium and a gratuity at the State Fair, Centralia, 1858; 30 varieties were awarded the first premium in 18.59. The present stock numbers 150,000, from three inches to fifteen feet in height — the larges sizes several times transplant- ed. They are more valuable for planting on the Prairies than trees from Eastern Nurseries, as it requires from two to three years for trees to become thrifty here, when brought from different soil and climate, besides the saving of freight and loss. From opening of ground in the spring till buds are opened, is a good time for planting Evergreens; also, from the middle of August to the latter part of September, and for very- large specimens in winter, with ball of frozen earth, is the best time.* All orders from a distance will be securely packed, for which cost only will be charged. Customers will please to give full directions as to route, consignees, Ac. No charge for deliver- ing at R. R. Depot, Mendota, or Arlington, after which our responsibility ceases. Terms cash. SAMUEL EDWARDS. *For hints to snccessfal culture of Trees and Plants on the Prairies, I would refer to Chase's Hand Books on Fruit Culture and Evergreens, published by S. C. Griggs* Co., Chicago; sold by all booksellers, and at this Nursery. Fruit Trees. Apples. Summer— Carolina Red June, Early Harvest, Keswick Cod- lin. Sweet Jane, Early Pennock, etc. Autumn— Maiden's Blush, Hawley, Snow, Fulton Strawber- ry, Lowell, etc. Wi.VTER — Yellow Bellflower, Rawle's Janet, Domine, Wine- sap, Willow Twig, Fulton, Red Romanite, etc. Standard Trees, six to ten feet high, $12 60 per hundred. Dwarf trees, 30o each. Pears. Standard and Ihrsrf Tree* of best torts, 50 cents e«clu Cherries. Early Richmond, Reine Hortense, Belle de Choisey, English Morello, May Duke, Belle Magnifique, Carnation. Donna Sla- ria, Plumstone Morolla. Trees, 50 cents each. The Heart and Bizarreau Cherries do not succeed well on the Prairies. Grapes. Isabella, 10 to 25 cents. Gooseberries. English varieties, f 2 per dozen. Houghton's Seedling, and Pale Red or Cluster, never mildew, abundant bearers, |1 35 per dozen, $6 per hundred, $50 per thousand. Itaspben-ies. Allen $1 60 per dozen, $7 per hundred. American Black Cap 75 cents per dozen, $4 per hundred. American White Cap 75 cents per dozen. Brinkle's Orange $3 per doz. Red Antwerp, fine, $1 per dozen. Cincinnati Red, very hardy, 50 cents per dozen, $3 per hundred, $16 per thousand. Allen's Prolific, Belle de Fontenay, Marvel of Four Seasons, each $1 50 per dozen. Currants. Cherry, Attractor, White Grape, Champagne, Chasselas, Fertile de Palnau, Fertile de Angers, Prince Albert, Belle of St. Giles, twenty-five cents each, or two dollars per dozen. White Dutch, Victoria, Red Grape, Silver Striped, Magnum Bonum, Wilmot's Grape, Knight's Large Red, 15 cents each, $1 50 per dozen. Red Dutch, Black English, or Black Na- ples, Common White, Missouri Large Fruited, ten cents each, 75 cents per dozen, $5 per hundred, $40 per thousand. Lawton Blackbbbrt — 25 cents each, $2 per dozen, $8 per hundred, $60 per thousand. Straicberries. Necked Pine, 10 cents per dozen, 50 cents per hundred, $3 per thousand. Hooker, Wilson's Albany, 25 cents per dozen, $1 50 per hundred. Hovey'f Seedling, Longworth's Prolific, McAvoy's Superior, Early Scarlet, Jenning's Seedlings, Mon- roe Scarlet, Jenny Moyamensing, 20c per dozen, $1 per hun- dred— my selection $6 per thousand. Asparagus — 2 year old roots, 50c per hundred, $4 per thousand; 3 year old roots, 75c per hundred, $6 per thousand. lihiibarb. Linnseus, Downing's Colossal, Myatt's Victoria, Tobolsk, Royal Albert, 20c each, $2 per dozen, $8 per hundred. Scotch Hybrid, none better, 15c each, $1 per dozen, $5 per hundred, $45 per thousand. Cahoon's Seedling, largest, roots liable to rot, 50c each, $4 per dozen. Hedge Plants. Osage Orange, two years old |2 per thousand. Buckthorn, two years, $6 per thousand. Osier Willow, Viminalis, Pur- purea, Beveridge and Golden, cuttings, 6- c per 100, $3 per thousand. Scions. Apple 10 cents per dozen, 30 cents per hundred, $2 50 per thousand, $20 per ten thousand. Pear, Plum and Cherry $1 per hundred, $6 per thousand. Ornanuntal and Deciduous Trees. name of tree. yT.niGH. each. doz. hchd Abele, silver 3 to 6 $1 00 $ 5 " ....6to 1025c 2 00 10 Purple Fringe Tree 30c Ash, European 5 to 6 26c 3 00 12 Birch, white European 5 to 6 2.'>c 2 00 14 Butternut 4 to 8 26c 2 50 18 Black Walnut 4 to 8 36c 2 00 18 Elm, American white 6 to 8 2.50 9 50 18 Elm, European 3 to 6 25c 2 50 15 Larch, European 4 to 6 2.5c 2 50 15 Larch, American 8 to 6 25c 2 50 16 Maple, American silver leaved 8 to 10 30c 3 50 25 ** ** '* 6 to 8 25c 2 50 15 Mountain Ash, European ! '. ! .8 to 10 50c 4 00 80 " " " 6 to 8 30c 2 50 75 " •• " 6 to 6 20c 2 00 10 " " oakleaved 6 to 8 60c 8 50 " " weeping 8 to 10 $1 Poplar, Lombardy 8 to 12 30c 3 00 18 Willow, gold barked 6 to 8 25c 2 50 15 Evergreens, At Retail, except where noted. 25 cts. per foot for Good Specimens. ^ American Arbor Vitae, Balsam Fir, Red Cedar, Austrian Pine, Scotch Pine, AVhite Pine, Hemlock, Norway Sp»uce, White Spmce, Irish Juniper; Evergreen Cypress. Rhododendron, $1; Sabin's Pine, $1 50; Beatham's Pine, <1 5;; PinusTuberculata, $2; Savin, Holly. Small Evergreens. Native, assorted, one year bedded, six to twelve Inches, one dollar per dozen, four dollars per hundred, twenty-five dolls, per thousand. Norway Spruce, three years transplanted, three dollars per hundred, five dollars per thousand. Shrubbery, er8, shall re- ceive two extra copies of the paper free, or a copy of Godey'g Lady's Book for 1860, if preferred. We hope our friends will respond liberally in view of the above reduction of rates. Each paper will be addressed to the person for whom it is in- tended, and will be forwarded to any desired post ofiSce. ^^ ClergjTnen and teachers 8ui)plied at $1 a year. ^^~ Money inclosed in registered letters sent at our risk. Address BAILHACHE k BAKER, dec80 Springfield, lU. DUNLAP'S NURSERY. 4D^ Acres in Trees and Plants. EMBRACING THE USUAL NURSERY stock, all of which will be sold low for cash. Orders for Spring planting should be be sent in early. 6,000 two year old . ■ SILVER MAPLES for timber belts, can be had at $5 per 100. J. B. Whitney, of Chatham, Sangamon county, is the agent for Sangamon and neighboring counties. Catalogues had on opplication. Address M. L. DUNLAP, febl West Urbana, Champaign Ce., His. 200,000 SILVER MAPLE SEEDLINGS. I BEG LEAVE TO CALL THE ATTEN- TION of Nurserymen to the following list of cash prices for my one year old Silver Maple seedlings. They are strong thrifty plants, ranging in height from 8 to 24 inches, being of suitable size for boxing and shipping to a distance. $1 50 per hundred, $6 00 per thousand, $65 per ten thousand, $100 per twenty thousand. When purchasers do not remit with their orders, satisfactory reference or a a good indorsed note, payable at some bank will be required. I have for sale a large stock of Peach trees, one year old from b«d, 4 to 6 feet high, of the best market varieties; Stan- dard and Dwarf Pears; Standard and Dwarf Cherries on Mahaleb stock; Standard and Dwarf Apples; Apricots, Necta- rines, Almonds, Grapes, Blackberries, Strawberries, Ac, and a fine stock of Deciduous and Evergreen ornamental trees of all kinds. Catalogues for planters and trade lists for nurserymen will be sent on application. Address, ISAAC PULLEN, febl-2m Hightstown, Mercer County, N. J. SWEET POTATOES FOR SEED, TEE NANSEMOND ^ SWEET POTATOE IS THE ONLY VAR- IETY that has given entire satisfaction In the Northwest. My stock now on hand is large and of the best quality. I want fifty agents to eprout on shares in such parts of the West not yet supplied. All such applicants will be required to give good refferences. Directions for sprouting will be sent to all customers. I regret to learn that some have sent out late maturing varieties, resembling the Nansemond in color, much to the damage of this productive and early maturing variety. Prices low; no charge for delivery at Terra Haute Railroad Depot. Address, A J. W. TENBROOK, febl Bockville, Indiana FAIRBANKS' PATEKT SCALES OF ALL KINDS. Fairbanks & Greenleaf, 85 Lake Street, Chicago, Sold in Springffeld by mayl-ly E. B. PEASE. EVERGREENS. THE SUBSCRIBErToFFERS at WHOLE- sale and retail a good assortment of native and foreign Evergreens adapted to cultivation on the prairie. Specie mens exhibited at the two last fairs of the State Agricultural Society received the first premiums. Also, Frnitand Ornamental Trees, SHRUBS, VINES AND PLANTS, Strawberries, currants, raspberries, blackberries, rhubarb, asparagus roots, osage orange and buckthorn, sweet potato plants, &c. PRICES LOW— TERMS CASK .; Catalogues furnished on application. SAMUEL EDWARDS. The Evergreens, Lamoille, Bureau Co., 111., marl -2m 68 THE ILLIlSrOIS FARMER. PRINCE & CO.'S IMPROVED PATENT MELODEON. Wholesale Depot, 87 Fulton Street, New York, and 110 Lake Street, ChicagOt IlL 'OV^i Combining all of their Recent Imprdv^ientg'^The Mfivided Swell, Organ, Jflelodeon, 4*c. THE DIVIDED SWELL CAN ONLY BE OBTAINED IN MELODEONS OF OUR MANUFACTURE. -• — ♦- The Oldest Establishment in the United States, Employing Two Hundred Men, and Finishing Eighty Instrnments Per Week. All Melodeons of our manufacture, either sold by us or dealers In any part of the United States or Canadas, are warranted to be perfect In every respect ; and should any repairs be necessary before the expiration of one year from date of sale, we hold ourselves ready and willing to make the same^ree of chargi', provided the iiyury is not caused by accident or design; GEO. A. PRINCE & CO., no il.-a.i5:e street, chic^a-o-o. iXiLiisrois- Agents for the sale of our Melodeons, may be found in all the principal cities and towns of the United States and Canadas, B. B. LLOYD. DEIN'T 1ST , (office on north fifth 8TRKBT, OVER J. RAYDCRM'S. Springfield, 111. A DENTAL PRACTICE OF FIFTEEN years warrants him in saying that all operations shall be carefully and neatly performed. He is in possession of sever- al premiums and diplomas awarded by the best institutes for the promotion of science and arts in the country. Teeth inserted, from one tooth to fiill sets, as substnntial and himdsoraoas can be had in any city of the United States or Europe. Artificial palate plates inserted, supi)lying the want or loss of the palate, volum and would, so as to restore articulation. Refer to Prof. David Gilbert, Pennsylvania College of Med- icine, Philadelphia; Hon. J. S. Blaclc, Washington City; Rev. Dr. Ilarkey, Illinois University; Drs. Helm, Ryan and Wal- lace; Messrs Jacob Loose, J. S. Condell, J. H. Gray, Fossel- man, Owen, Corneau & Diller. June7-1859 PRINCE'S IMPROVED MELODEONS. FOR SALE BY GEO. W. CHATTERTON, Agent for Springfield. A large variety of Jewelry and Silver-ware alwa.vson hand. Call andsee. West side of the Square. febl-far-tf ' ILLINOIS MUTUAL FIRE I\SUCANCB COMPANY. ^O^Bi.Yoy CAPITAL UNLIMITED i| INCREASING. PRESENT FUND for the paymtDt of LOSSES BY FIRE $1,000,000 00 PRINCIPAL OFFICE AT ALTON, ILL. This company was chartered in 1839, and insures, at a moderate cost, almost every species of property in Illinois against Loss or Damage by Fire. The rates of risk ars so ar- ranged that each class of property insured will support its own loss. Every one insured becomes a member — the Company be- ing an association of customers — each of whom is concerned in insuring his neighbor. The capital augments in exact ratio wilh the increase of risks; the security for which remains in the hands of tlie insured; therefore, every member Is the trea- surer of his own money until the same is required for the pur- pose of paying losses. BOARD OF DIRECTORS : Tlmo. Turner, Lyman Trumbull, H, W. Billings, Benj. F. Long Samuel Wade, M G, Atwood, John James, L. Kellenberger, Kobert Smith, Henry Lea, Elias Hibbard, Alfred Dow, i\ A. Hoffman, B. K. Hart, John Atwood. B. F. LONG, President. L. Kellenberger, Treas. M. O. ATWOon, Sec'y- John Atwood, Ass't. Sec'y. John Bl-Iisoell, Gen'l Agent. jg^ Application for insurance may be made to the Local Agents, one or ri-ore of whom may be found in every county In this State. JAMES L. HILL, Agent. janlO-d3m-wly Eugene Mj. Grosfi, ATTORNEY AT LAW, SPRrCFIELD, ILL. Correspondence Solicited. Refers to — Col. M. Brayman, Springfield, Hon. Julius Manning, Peoria. decl-ly TO JMrehitects, Builders, ARPENTERS, MACHINISTS, AND DECORATORS. NOW PUBLISUIKG WEEKLY, THE Jirchtteets^ and Jf Mechanics'^ JOURNAL, The only Illustrated Weekly publication of Its kind in this country, and indispensable to all engaged in Building and Mechanical Operations. EDITED BY PRACTICAL MEN. Who are well known as among the ablest men in this country. Every week. Illustrations appear of great practical utility, such as . Engraiings of New Bnildings Already erected, now going up, or intended for erection, in different parts of the country. Designs and WorMng Detnils Connected with Building operations, of great value to Archi- tects, Builders and Carpenters. The Mechanical Department Is enriched by Engravings connected with new Inventions, as well as a complete synopsis of everything which is going for- ward in the Mechanical World. Subscription, $2 per annum, in advance. ^^"Send 25 cents for five weekly numbers, as samples. The Scientific Ainei-ican, of October 29, in noticing the Architects' and Mechanics' Journal, sn.vs if is "Edited with evident ability Altogether, the best work of the kind ever published in onr oity." — [New York.] Published by Alexander Harthill, 12.8 Fulton street. New York. The Trade supplied by any wholesale House in New York, febl-ff w E S T E R N LAND OFFICE. T.S. MATHER. FOR THE WOODBURN NURSERY. THE PROPRIETOR OF THIS ESTABLISH- MENT offers for sale over 100,000 Trees and Plants, more or less, of which evsry one needs who has the smallest piece of ground for cultivotion. Our list of Apples contains the best SUMMER, FALL AND WINTER VARIETIES, both for market and family use. Also, Pears, Plums, Cherry, Apricot, Quince, Currant, Gooseberry, Blackberry, Raspberry, Strawberries, Grapes, may here be found of the best varietiesi besides Evergreens, Shade and Ornamental Trees and Shrubs, Roses, Dahlias, Phloxes, Chrysanthemums, Ac, Ac. We have a large stock of the SILVER-LEAVED MAPLE, which is very valuable, either for its fast growth or beautiful foliage. This nursery is gaining a high reputation for the accuracy and thorough manner in which everything is d0D« and the proprietor is determined to make it worthy the confi- dence and patronage of all persons. Our Trees, Plants and prices, we are sure, will compare favorably with those of any growth in the State, and all interested are cordially invited to visit our grounds and see for themselves. Apple trees, two years old, %\iyi per 100; three years old, llSperlOO; Peaches, |18 per 100. Description and priced catalogue sent on application. Letters of inquiry receive prompt attention. Packages delivered at the railroad free of drayage. JONATHAN HUGGINS. Woodbum, Macoupin county, Illinois. febl-far-tf PURCHASE AND SALE OF CITY PROPERTY, FARMS AND UNl.MPOVED LANDS, PAYMENT OF TAXES, COLLECTION OF CLAIMS. Government Lands Entered with Warrants or Cash in an.v land district in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota or Nebraska. LAND WARRANTS BOUGHT AND SOLD. {j^Oflfice ov('r N. H. Ridgely's Bank, west side public square, Springfield, Ills. ^ ^ TO THE RAISERS OF FINE JLfcrf> HORSES. The subscriber, since the death of f \ ^^ Imp. Barnton, has been searcliing for somrttiing •""'■"'""'" to fill his place, and has succeeded In procuring the services of the thorough bred horse Richard. He will be at my stable, 1 miles west of Springfield, by the 1st of April, where he will stand the present season, on terms to correspond with the times. His pedigree is us follows : Pedigree.— Richard is a bay horse IfiX hands high and was by imported Richard— he by Gray Irville— he by Boning- brough— he by English Eclipse. Richard's dam was by Black- burn's Whip, he by imported Whip — he by Saltrum — Saltrum by Beningbrough. Richard's grand-dam was by a half Chap- man horse — his dam by Talamachus, out of the Shelton mare and was said by old Ned Blackburn to be the best mare that went to Whip that year out of a hundred. Richard's third dam by Evan's America— he by Geo. Boone's Eclipse of Vir- ginia ; Richard's fourth dam by Jack the Barber— he by Old Sealer of Virginia. Richard's fifth dam by Young Aristotle he by imported Aristotle — Young Aristotle's dam by Old Vir- ginia Regulus. For further information, look to the Turf Re- gister, and see if the English Eclipse stock is worth per- petuating. Also Young Gazan, by Old Gazan out of Nancy McCoy, the dam of Glenco, African, and others of like character. For full pediiiree and terms, see bills in due time. I will just say here that I will aaye abetter stable of horses and upon better terms than can be found in this or any other part of the country. mar2T wAf Im JOHN C. CROWDER. HORSE AND JACK BILLS— PRINTED with dispatch in the best style, with new tvpe and hand- some cuts, at the Daily Journal Office, Springfield. ^^Or- ders by mail accompanied with the Cash will receive prompt attention. marchU-wtf SPRINGFIELD BREWERY.— ALE, " POR TER and Lager Beer, Malt and Hops, always on hand and for sale by JOHN BUSHER, Jr., Agent. Depot opposite Journal Buildings, Springfield, Uilnels, rebl6tf VOLUME V. SPRINGFIELD, ILL., MAY, 18G0. NUMBER 5. THE ILLINOIS FARMER. PUBLISUED MOKTULY, BT BAILHACIIE & BAKER, JOCKNAL OFFICB, SpbIXGFIELD, IlLIKOIS. M. L. DXIDSTLAF, Editor. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. One copy, one year, in advance f 1 00 Five copies, " " 3 75 Ten " and one to the person getting up club 7 50 Fifteen copies and over, C2^ cents each, and one to person getting up club. CASn RITES OF ADTERTISINQ : One dollar per square of ten lines, each insertion. CONTENTS. May 70 The Farmer's Enemies, No. 2 70 The Culture of Vines 71 F.Virbanlis Scales 72 Prairie Cellars 72 Manny Reaper 73 Why don't the West manufacture 73 Agricultural Instruction 74 Beautify your homes 74 Old Firkin heard from 75 T)ie interior of China ....,,,„ .i. „...,. ,wj»«ii>*.. -75 The cultivation of grasses. .....;;.,.■;.i....'•.'.';'.i^■^.-,t^... 76 The Picuro-Pueumonia Epizootic. 76 Fruit prospect in Egypt 77 The Cattle Distemper in North Brookfield, Mais 77 Quantity of seed per acre 7S EDITOR'S TABLE: Difference of climate in tlie Northwest 78 Lee County Agricultural Society 78 Fawlies' Steam Plow 78 The Garden 78 The Orchard 78 Prince & Co's Melodeons 73 Western Land Ollice 7S Grafting Cherries 78 Spaulding's Prepared Glue 73 Sweet Potatoes. 78 Liglitning Rods 78 The Peach Uorcr 79 Apples Identical 79 Wheeior, Melick & Co's. Tlirashers 79 The Small Fruits 79 Early Chickens 79 Scientific Artizan, Cincinnati, Oliio 79 Coe & Robert's Patent Thrasher and Cleaner 79 Fairbanlc's Scalei 79 Piatt's Ditcher 79 Colored Plates of Fruits 79 Land Rollers 79 Uahneman Medical College 79" Catalogue of Columbus Nursery, Oliio 79 Sweet Potatoe Culture 79 Evergreen Tree Peddlers 79 Southern Illinois Horticultural Society 79 Sale of Stock at Summit Farm 79 Knox County Fair 79 Chase'sHand Books 79 The Sap-Sucker, 79 Atlanta Union Central Agricultural Society 79 Premium List of Dlinois State Agiicultural Society. . . .79 Sewing Machines 79 Layering tiie Grape 79 Purple Caue Easpberrys 79 A Change 79 Exchanges 79 Strawberries 80 Sewing Machines SO The McQuiston Corn Slieller 80 :■—■- : 8T. LOmS, MISSOURI. > ;: . ^ • •", The largest sized octavo volume would not contain the letters we have received in praise of the machines it has been our goodfortuneto sell. It is now nearly four years since we sold the first Singer Machine In this city to Messrs. Stickkit A Scollat, Proprietor* of the Planters' House. Tlie lady who presides •^er that immense hotel, remarked a few days ago that Uieir SINGER Machine Had be€ti in constant tCsenearhfFOUJB TSARS; never been the Uatt out of order, and was, to all appearance, ai this moment EXACTLY AS GOOD AS NEW. It is a signiflcact fact that out of the thousands of SINGER MACHINES wo have sold, not one has ever required TO BE SENT TO OUR OFFICE FOR RBPAI S. The price of Singer's Machines are now so low that every- body is purchasing, ^ . , , The simple fact that tailors will buy no other than SINGKR'S No. 8 STAND- ARD, is sufficient, of itself, to prove that it cannot be excelled, for tailors re- quire the NEATEST AS WELL AS THE STRONGEST WORK. It is well knoicji that we Guarantee every MacJdne, and tliat the lest men in St, Louis vouch for ourre^wmihiUty. :. r- ._: ; ■■ -^^ A scribbler of doggerel indulges in the following: SINGER'S LETTER "A" MACHINE, The best and cheapest ever seen ; Rapid and noiseless — sewing thread as fine As any cobweb, or as coarse as twine. It's nice strong stitcli, alike on either side — The matron's comfort and the tailor's pride — Compared witli which the " double chain, "* each day, Will waste more tliread than could the wages pay. Of some strong lass who sits with dainty skill Proud of the chance her mistress' place to fill. • *Cheap machines, so called, all make the heavy " double chain stitch, " that uses 6^ yards of thread to the yard sewn ; while Singer's stitch only uses 2;^ yards of thread to the yard sewn. :..,■., . ' ■ ■. - May, 18G0. It EDWARD DEAN, Proprietor, 85 Fourth Street, ST. LOUIS, MO, 70 THE ILLINOIS F^HIMER. May. I murked the Spring as she passed along, M'ith her eye of liRht and her lip of song ; While she stole in peace o'er the green earth's breast, While the streams sprang out from the icy rest, The budi bent lower to the breeze's sigh, And their breath went forth in the scented sky; When the fields looked fresh in their sweet repose, And the young dews slept on the new born rose. Willis G. Clark. The great stretches of prairie again have on their coat of green, dappled with tlie vernal flora that nestles close to the scorched turf, where the autumn fires had lapped up the herbage of the departed year; the meadows lay smiling in their green vesture and the new sown fields are sending out their luxuriant blades to drink in the morn- ing dew; while the great corn fields of the teeming west are now receiving the seed from the hand of the busy farmer; the flocks and herds are feeding in lazy quiet on the prairie billows; the orchards are clothed in gorgeous livery, and all nature partakes of the joyous spring. The weather has been genial for the sea- son and rural labor ha> made wonderful pro- gress, and tlie season gives promise of most ample harvests. Should no untoward weather occur, the summer will throw into the lap of autumn such stores of agricultural products, that the railroad trains shall groan under their weight and the ships that go down to the sea shall be filled with golden grain; aye, cheap grain for the toiling sons of want and those crushed under the iron heel of mili- tary despotism. The planting of orchards has been at- tended to, 80 far as time and means would j^ermit, and in this respect our farmers have fiiiown their appreciation of the great value of fruita, and more especially of the small fruits, which should enter more largely into the economy of the hou.sehold. A farmer who can grow strawberries at fifty cents a bushel, raspberries and blackberries at three cents a quart, currants and grapes at twenty- five cents a bushel and gooseberries at the same, to which only the trouble of picking is to be added, and neglects to do bo, is blind to his own interest and is hardly en- titled to the right to be called a good farmer, though he own thousands of aorea of land and ships his stook by the car load. A farm ia the place to live and enjoy real life, not a place on which to stay, to vegetate, or to play the miser, but the place to enjoy roseate health; it is the place that nature has provided for the worn out people of the city to retrieve and renew their worn out and exhausted energies. It Is from the ranks of the farmer that the active business men of the city have filled their ranks, and when age creeps on, it is their desire to return to the country. The country then should be made beautiful and attractive, and the farmer live on his abundance, enjoy good health and feel at peace with all mankind. But to enable him to do so, he must not own too much land, be a slave to his broad acres, or a drudge to his ambition to grow rich. It is the farmer's right to live well, to enjoy good health, to have his family grow up intelligently and industrious; but we fear too many make themselves and fam- ilies slaves, not so degrading as the toil of the unwilling plantation negro, but free slaves to the potent dollar, for which the roseate hues of health are blanched by un- ceasing ill directed toil. It is intelligent well directed toil that is required on the farm, labor in the right time and in the right place, the ability to command your time to drive your plans to maturity, not your plans to drive you. The farmers of the Northwest have made, and are still making good progress. From being considered the most unhealthy people, cursed with intermittent fevers and all the ills that flesh is heir too, they have acquired a reputation for good health. Have the seasons changed, has the climato become more genial or have the people become more rational in their habits and mode of living? A diet of fat bacon; potatoes, if cooked at all, swimming in grease; strong cofiee, with- out sugar or milk, and forty rod whisky, are not well calculated to add to the health of a country, especially when the farm house is flat on the grDund, the well at the edge of a slough and the cellar with its stores of vegetables nowhere; the garden a patch of weeds and the orchard but a thicket of brush. But better counsels have prevailed, and with few exceptions, the whole social aspect is changed, and the census now being taken will prove the Northwest to be as healthy as any part of our broad country. This ia not due to any change of climate, but to the change in the mode of living and of labor, Farmers, can we improve upon this, cajinot we go up another notch in the scale of social and of moral progress? Let us try. -••»- For the IlUnois Farmer. The Farmer's Enemies — No. 2. In the rapid review of the injurious Mammals of Illinois, in my previous article, I expressly omitted the Rodents. Therefore, I shall now take up tliis numerous order, which contains more than half the species of the North American Mammals, and an equal proportion of the Illinois Mammals. But before I commence the list I must be allowed to state, that to the labors of that persevering young Naturalist, Robert Ken- nicott, are we indebted for the beet history of Illinois Rodents extant, and from which I shall draw largely. The works of Audubon and Buchman, and llobcrt Keunlcott, to- gether with the Monograph of North American Mammals by Dr. S. F. Baird, have exhausted the subject so far as de- scriptions are concerned. Yet the geo- graphical distribution of species, their habits and peculiarities, still afford an open field for inquiry. The Roihntia are distinguished by two large incisor teeth in each jaw, with sharp, cutting, chisel-shaped edges, fitted for gnawing. One of the most abundant and best known groups of this order is that which comprises the squirrels — {tSciuridae.) The largest species of the squirrels found in our State is Western Fox Squirrel — (^Sciui-us ludovicianus.') This species is met with in considerable numbers through- out the State in the timber, to which it is confined, and together with the next species often does great injury to the corn crop, frequently destroying entire fields of this grain. The {Sciurus Carolineusis,') which in- cludes the gray and black squirrels, Is the most abundant species of the family, in this State. To this species Dr. Baird, in his Jlono- graph. refers to the S. migraioriut of Aud. Bach.; and the iS. niger of Godman. The gray variety ot this species is the most abundant of all the squirrels in the southern portion of the State. This variety Is given by Mr. Kennicott as the S. Caroliuentis. The Little lied Squirrel, (S. hudsonius,') is occasionally met with in the northern part of the State. The Cat Squirel, (*S'. cinereus,') may pos- sibly be found in the State, but if so, it is very seldom. The common Flying Squirrel, {Pteromys volucella,') is found throughout the State in the timbered districts, and is one of the most beautiful and interesting quaprupeds found in the State. And although it may, when pinched by hunger, occasionally steal into the crib or grain store of the farmers, yet It can hardly be classed as one of his enemies. The Ground Squirrel, (Taynais striatus,) is not sufficiently numerous to do the farmers of Illinois any serious injury;* and the industry and frugal habits of this species should teach all idle farmers a lesson they would do well to imitate, and this would amply repay for its occasional thefts of re- cently planted corn. The Spermophiles or Prairie Squirrels, as their comipon name Indicates, are confined to the prairies, and are found only In the northern part of the State. And as they can scarcely be counted enemies of the farmer, we will leave them and pass on. The well known Woodchuck or Ground Ilog, (^Arctomys tnonax,^ is found in all parts of the State, especially around the clearings and cultivated grounds in the timbered portions. Although well known even to the children, he Is quite a shy chap, keeping close to his hole, in which he hides at every approach of danger. In pa.ssing by the locus of the American Beaver in the list, I must add that a speci- men may even yet be found in this State. So late as 1848 one was killed In this county (Jackson,) and another has been reported as seen but a few years since. The Pouched Gopher, {Geomys hursar. THE ILLINOIS FA.R]\£ER. 71 ins,') althougli a westeru .species, found chiefly beyond tlic Mississippi river, is fre- quently met with ia the ■western and southern portions of this State, but not in numbers sufficient to do any great injury to farmers, in fact, in this and the adjoining counties it is but seldom seen. This county appears to be the southern limit of its range in this State. This brings us to that too well known group, the mouse family, {Muridae,') which is well represented in this State. The littl© Jumping Mouse, {Juculus hudsonius,') has the widest geographical range of all our small native llodents, being found from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It is found throughout our State, though it is by no means abundant, and although found in the prairies, appears to prefer the timber. The Norway or Common Brown Hat, (Mus decumames,) although not a native, is nevertheless the most troublesome of all the llodents. According to Pallas, it be- longed originally to the wanner regions of Central Asia; thence it crossed the Volga in 1737, peopled Russia, and subsebuently over- spread the whole of Europe According to Erxleben it reached England in 1730, France in 1750, and North American in 177o. I am sorry to add that I can give no new remedy or more effectual method by which to exterminate this pest than those already known. The Common Mouse, (3Ius Ilusadus,') is another troublesome attendant upon man; a house, barn or crib is scarcely finished be- fore this watcliful gentleman has prepared himself snug quarters therein. The White Footed or Deer 3Iouse, (^IIcs- jyeromi/s Icucopus,) inhabits the timbered districts; wliile the Prairie Mouse, {^Hes- j)erom>/s Michiganensis,) of Aud. and Bach., the {Mas hairdii) of Hay and Keunicott it found only in the prairies. The injury done by these species is probably not very great, though their known habits would lead us to conclude, that when abundant, they would prove quite injurious, and at any rate add something to tke difficultie* with which the farmer has to contend. The Red Mouse, (^11. nuttalit,') is a rare opeciea, found in the southern portion of the State. Aud if I am not mistaken, the first specimen of this species, found by Mr. Keunicott, was in this county. I recollect the time, as 1 was with him, and was amused as well aa surprised at his rapid movements. We had just turned over a log, whan in- stantly I heard Mr. Keunicott give a scream, and looking round saw him holding" a bush in each hand at arms length, and to my surprise each hand held a mouse, that had escaped so suddenly from beneath the log that I had not Been them, though look- ing with all my eyes. The Meadow Mouse, (Arvicola rqyaria,') spoken of by Mr. Kennicott, (in Pat. Off. llep.) may yet prove to be a distinct species, and if so will be entitled to another name It is not abundant, and is confined to the northern part of the State. The Prairie Meadow Mouse, (^A. austera,) is said to be the most abundant in the northern ' portion of the State of all the field and ! meadow mice, and ia one of the farmer's j enemies he would be glad to be rid of. i The Wood 3Ieadow Mouse, (J.. ^h"/2c- torinn,') is another ppccies found in dift'crent portions of the State, but is not abundant. This species belongs to the timbered dis- tricts, never being found on the prairies. The Muskrat,(^/7>f^;' ZibeOttkiis,) in quite abundant along our water courses and i around the lakes of the bottoms; but it can- not be counted , as one of the farmer's enemies. ■:.:■, ,, The Gray Rabbit, {Lrpus aijlvatlca,) is so well known that 1 have but to suggest the name m order to bring a description before the reader. It is quite abundant in the middle and southern portions of the State^" thousands of dozens being killed every win- ter. The extent of the injury done by this species I am unable to state, 3'et it may be- come a pest, especially to gardeners and probably fruit growers. In this portion of the State (south) it does not do much harm, because of the number of dogs usually kept on the farms. And now, Mr. Editor, allow me in the close to state that it is desirable to have specimens of all the Illinois Mammals in the Museum of the Illinois Natural Historical Society; aud all contributfons of this kind will be properly acknowledged in the Re- ports of the Society. They may be skinned, the skull and feet to be left in theskin, after carefully removing the brains and the flesh; or the smaller kinds may be dropped in al- cohol. All memoranda as to habits, distri- bution, &c., will also be thankfully received. Yourg, &c., C. TnoMAS. It is with no small degree of pleasure that we present the readers of the Farmer with the above, from the practical pen of Mr. Thomas, and we hope it will call out facts from our farmers in regard to the Rodents, that infest, for good or evil, the farmer's broad acres. The general impression is that most, if not all oi those Rodents do damage to the farmer, and it is time that the sub- ject be investigated, so that those that are really the farmer's friends should be saved from an indiscriminate slauirhter. We have never met with the Little Red Squirrel in the north part of the State, but it is one of those Mammals that follow the footsteps of civilization, and will soon spread over the State. The SpermojjJiilcs or Striped Prairie Squir- rel, we have looked upon as a great rogue in digging up corn, apple, osage and other seeds, and as a nurseryman we have heW him in nb high esteem. The Pouched Gopher, we believe, is not known north of the Illinois and Kankakee rivers and east of the Missis- sippi, north of the mouth of the Illinois. The only damage that we have discover- ed, is his eating off the roots of young trees. Last winter we had several hundred thus destroyed in one of our belts of Silver Maples. They probably live on insects and the roots of trees and vegetables. The Woodchuck is just beginning to spread over the north part of the State. Clover is his favorite food; we think him inoffensive. The Norway Rat, of all the Rodentia, is the most villainous, and we can scarely find a term of reproach sufl^ci- ently strong to show tlie low estima- tion in which ho is held. We have thinned their ranks on our premises to an endurable condition by the use of rat terriers and by putting our buildings sufficiently above ground to get at their holes and hiding places. Ed. The Cullurc of Vines. . The time is now approaching when melons of all kinds should be planted for the main crop. Select a piece of good, rich, new or sod land, more particularly for watermelons. Skillraan's fine netted melons do very well on older land, pro- vided it is black, good and rich. A lit- tle compost or well rotted manue tlirown in or about the hill, wull often double or treble the crop. On good land, watermelons should not be planted at less than ten or twelve feet asunder, each way between the rows. The only kind that is fit to eat, is the Mountain Sweet. We used to think others were good before we knew how good melons tasted. Last year we used up all our seed of Mountain Sweets, and got them pretty well killed by the June frost. Having plenty of old seed, which we once thought first rate, we planted them. They produced well. Large, fine looking melons — give them to those who never tasted a Mountain Sweet, and they would pronounce them first rate. But just give those very per- sons a Mountain Sweet first, then take them into the common patch. They would invariably say, " W^hy, what ails your melons ? They are not better than pumpkins?" ;.;;;. It is just as cheap raising good as poor melons. Then, by all, means, pro- cure the best seed, give them a good dis- tance a.part, tend well, and you will have enough for yourself and family, besides some to give to your less industrious neighbors. Skillman's fine netted is, amung the nutmeg or muskmelon fami- ly, what the Mountain Sweet is among the watermelons — king of all the other sorts. Mark out the rows seven feet apart, and plant five feet between the hills. Then as soon as all danger from frosts and bugs is over, thin to three stalks In I each hill, don't leave more. Tend often and well, Sufter not a weed to grow. i.j;-fc^.-ir-:-. - 72 THE ILLINOIS FA.IIMER. Poor tillage will not produce good mel- ons of any kind, much less of the finer sorts. JDon't neglect to put out a patch, however small, and thus compel your sons to sneak abous and steal your moreindus- trious or thoughtful neighbors': the sin will lie at your own door, for the boys will have them. If they can't get them at home, they will steal them. Of Squashes, we have found the Hub- bard the best. Plant the same distance apart as for watermelons — same kind of land. Tend the same, but be careful not to plant them near together, or they will mix and spoil both. § ^Cucumbers, too, m\\ soon need atten- tion ; they should be treated in all re- spects as Skillman's fine netted melon, but not planted near to each other. — The Early White Spine is much the best either for table use, 'or for jnckling. The little striped bug is the pest of all these vines. We know of no remedy. Sifting plaster over them while wet with dew is the bcst,'but sometimes that fails, and the vines are all destroyed. The pumpkin, too, is getting to be worthy of more attention, especially as it fails among corn, except on new or sod land. And as our fruits are grow- ing less and yet less, who would not like to have a nice lot of sugar pumpkins for pies ? Plant about ten or twelve feet apart each way, on" good rich land, and tend well, without any other crop on the ground, and you may expect to be well repaid next autumn. The old yellow-fleshed muskmelon to- gether with all the coarser kinds of other melons, we consider unworthy of further cultivation. G. S. Innis, In Ohio Cultivator. April 10, 1860. We have little to add to the above. Early planting is our motto, and if a frost is threatened, cover up the plants with earth. This is to be taken off in the morning. In this way a few hours work will save the vines, and you will have them early and out of the way of the little striped marauders. We sometimes use boxes made of clapboards and cover with a pane of glass, but the earth is the cheapest and the best. — Boxes covered with millent answer a good purpose for the squash family, for which the striped bugs have a partic- ular relish. For fall and early winter the Boston Marrow is an excellent squash. The Hubbard follows it in season. applied the principle, with progressive improve- ments, to other descriptions of scales, until they now furnish upwards of one hundred varities of scales, the largest of which will weigh a loaded canal boat of five hundred tons, and so down to the nicest bank or jewel scale. The world-wide reputation of the Fairbanks' Scales is owing, first, to the ingenious but sim- ple mechanical arrangement, and next, to the persistent determination of the proprictoi'S alwaj'S to sell a first rate article, atid at a reason- able j)rice. Hence their scales arc everywhere the acknowledged standard, and at the same time are sought for the commonest uses. By this means they have built up a model town around their father's old mill, its character an honor to the State, and a desirable home for the families of their several hundred workmen. [ From the New York Independent.] Fairbanks' Scales. — Two brothers, sons of a miller in the northern part of Vermont, having occasion for a more convenient method of weigh- ing a bulky article than by the old fashioned hay scales, contrived a more simple plan, for the mechanism of which they took out a patent in 1830. The result was so satisfactory that they -••»- Prairie Cellari. Editor Illinois Farmer : — Your correspondent, Wm. S. Prose, asks how he can make a cellar upon our prairies so that the same will be dry, well ventila- ted and secure from rats, frosts, &c. No difficulty need be experienced in making a cellar upon any place on our prairie possessing all the requirements of Mr. Prose. Brick for a wall, (if hard burn- ed,) will answer a very good purpose in the absence of that better material stone, they are not as good as stone for the reason, that they absorb a large amount of moisture, (even if of the best quali- ty,) rendering your wall less secure against frost in consequence. The wall should be not less than one foot in thick- ness, and the foundation for the wall should project one foot outside of main wall, and be well laid in cement, the ob- ject of which, is to prevent rats from getting in from the outside, it is a well known fact, that rats, in making their entry into a cellar always follow ihe wall until they reach the bottom, then go un- der into the cellar; but if upon their ar- rival at the bottom, they meet with the projection, it is to them an insuperable barrier ; as their sagacity is not suffi- cient to enable them to surmount the diflSculty. No cellar on our flat prairies should be more than one foot below the surface, if more, darrpness is the result. To make a cellar secure against water, tho wall should be well laid in cement as high as the natural surface, and plaster- ed upon the outside with the same mate- rial ; and that too, iu as thorough man- ner as would be done for a cistern — if plastered upon the inside, the pressure of the water will break it loose — the bot- tom of your cellar should be excavated in the form of inverted segment and paved with brick or stone laid in cement and then upon the inverted arch you can fill in either with broken brick, stone or coarse gravel, and grout the whole with thin cement, which after being thorough- ly set, may bo plastered ovor with one coat of cement mixed, three parts sand to one of cement, which when thorough- ly dry will not only be rat proof, but water proof — as no amount of pressure from underneath can effect it in the least. As regards the cost of walls for cellars, stone is nearly as cheap at Tuscola as brick. Stone from Kankakee laid in wall at Tuscola will cost seven dollars per cubic yard of 27 cubic feet ; while brick will cost $9 00 per thousand laid up — 1,000 brick will lay one and 17-27 cubic yards — for instance the cost of a wall of stone for a house 24 by 32, wall 6 1-2 feet deep and one foot thick, will cost $189 00 complete — while brick would cost of same dimension, ^147 42, and will last perhaps fifteen years, while stone will last for all time. Now who would not pay the difference and have stone ? To make it proof against frost, it must be hollow above the ground, and the better way to construct it is get your underpinning stone about four inches in thickness and about eighteen inches wide and set them on edge with joints closely pointed with good mortar and back up with one course of brick upon the inside leaving a clear space between the stone and brick of four inches. A wall con- structed in this manner is secure against any frost we have in this latitude. One word about filling around the house. If you have plenty of room, (I make this remark because land in all our western towns is so very scarce that but little room can be had,) make your fill one foot for twenty feet from your house on all sides making the slope of the edge of your embankment one and one-half to one, protecting it from washing by turf- ing it with good blue grass sod. Then fall back five feet or more, and make another fill — turfing as before, and so on until you have it raised to sufficient height — sow the whole in blue grass and in a short time you have a neat yard around your house which is perfectly dry and sufficiently elevated to secure to your home that much desired appendage health. It costs no more money to build a cellar above described, than to make excavation, while its advantages are manifold. L. W. Walker. West Uebana, April 9, 1860. The above is just in time for those contemplating to build, and not too late for a large class who ought to raise their houses to grade and put good cellars un- der them. We think Mr, W. recom- mends setting up pretty well, but as his own dry, neat and well ventilated cellar is so valuable, that we do not feel dis- posed to quarrel with him. That stone is better than brick, all must concede, and the suggestions of Mr. W. in rela- tion to hollow wall, with the economy of making it, should not be overlooked. Ed. — A bad hat, takon to an evening party, tVequently comes out the next day as good as new. THE iLLiisrois fa.iim:er. 73 MANNY REAPER WORKS, At Rockford, Illinois, owTied by TALCOTT, EMERSON & CO., Successors to J. H. Mantit. Why Dofl't the West Manufactnre? This question is often asked us, and we can make no better reply than to point to the extensive works in the cut above, and they are but one in a thou- sand of similar ones to be found all through the Prairie State. When the next census is complete, the amount of capital engaged in manu- facture will astonish those not well posted. Some suppose that because we have no cotton factories, that we have no machinery, but this is a great mistake. At Rockford, the Rochester of the west, an immense water power is used, and at Moline on the Mississippi, the water power is second only to that at Niagara. Those who talk of the want of water power at the west, know but little about it. Moline can outrival any town in New England. The Rock and Fox rivers pour their large volumes of water over beds of limestone, and from their rapid descent, could and will build up manufacturing villages every few miles. Northern Illinois will ere long be the New England of the west, and the music of the spinning jenny and the shuttle will be heard, when the waters of the north come pouring over the lime- stone beds, and wash the great prairie that can feed the million. In the cen- tral and south part of the State, cheap coal and wood give them a promise also, while the waters that have turned northern wheels, now float the products of our teeming soil. There is no State in the Union that so happily blends the interest of agriculture, horticulture, and manufactures, as does our own prairie State. Situated in the center of the valley of the upper Mississippi, she com- mands the trade of the north. She has a great water highway to the Ocean east, and when the Great Pacitic R. R. is completed, the trade of the Orient must pay us tribute. At the head of the lower Mississippi w© hold the gates of winter that bridge the rivers of the north, and thus have an outlet at all seasons by water, that cheapest of all highways to the great cotton and sugar fields of the South. If nature had planned our State for a happy blending of mechanical and rural pursuits, she could hardly have bettered it, in any re- spect. In the north part, abundant wa- ter power, building stone and lime, wood, lead, iron and copper, ore from Lake Superior, with good pasturage for the dairy, — at the center cheap coal for cheap transportation for the products .of the great corn zone— at the south superior winter wheat, fruits for the north west, the best of coal and timber with a cli- mate soft and delicious as Italy — can we reasonably ask for more ? Far better that we make a reasonable use of what we have, which is in most respects much more than our sister States can boast. But we are taking up more space than we intended, and have somehow left our subject. The genius that gave birth to the manufactory in the picture which we here present, has passed to the un- seen world. In 1855, at the age of thirty, just entering upon the threshold of active manhood, Mr. Manny, the great reaper inventor, departed from among us, a victim to consumption, but his works remain, and wherever the gol- den grain waves on prairie slope or gent- ly undulating hill side or widespread val- ley, there his great triumph lays it in gavel ready for the binders hand. His invention has nerved the arm of rural labor, and the sturdy swing of the scythe as with superhuman effort it laid low the luxuriant grass, is no longer a reali- ty; the golden grain no longer rustles on the fingers of the cradle as it went sigh- ing through its serried ranks ; but the cadence of revolving wheels now beat time to the rustle of the falling grain, and sing a blithe song as they spread out the lengthened swath. The pale boy of seventeen, the slender frame of more advanced manhood, has bent the iron to his will, and the jagged edge of the sickle, and the keen edged knife have at his bidding sung to sleep the scythe and cradle, and henceforth they are consigned to do penance where jag- ged rocks and the stumps of the forest fallow yield but a poor return for tho 74 THE ILLIlSrOIS FA.RjMEII. toil of the Imsbandman. Uut a single decade Las been added to the roll of time since the first machine Trith success- ful effort la id low the ripened grain. The next season, 1851, forty Trore at work; in '52 eighty-four; and then commenced the great progress of grain growing at the west, and in '53, four- teen hundred •were called for ; in '54, twenty-six hundred ; in '55, six thousand ; in '5G, eight thousand, when our shipments of -wheat reached nearly twenty millions of bushels. Since then, extensive works have been erected in different States to manufacture the Man- ny machine, and the shops in the picture are only for the demand in our State. Do we want a better evidence of the pop- ularity of a home machine, — home in- vented,— home made than this ? We may call in the photographer and en- gravers' art to present other similar es- tablishments to our readers. AgrieuUuril Instrnetlou. BT 0. T. CHASB. The west is largely agricultural in its interests. To all time this must be the predominating employment of our laboi'- ing people. Their experience has not been of the most favorable kind. Agri- culture has indeed paid, but rather from a coincidence of favoring circumstances than any thing else. While railways were building, population rushing in from abroal, short crops in the east, or in Eu- rope and prices corresponding above the regular or ordinary range then agricul- ture was remunerating. But, for two years past, it has been quite the reverse, and when we come to see that with the exception of these extraordinary seasons of scarcity abroad, farming has not of itself been a paying business, we are led to inquire why things are so. The far- mers nearly all tell us the profit of farm- ing is in the rise of pro2)erty — but that is not farming, and the advance a far- mer realizes from these sources are no more creditable to farming 2^f agricultural knowledge. The result has been the most favora- ble. Agriculture is able to sustain itself and prosper abundantly without legisla- tive protection, where, in former times, it scarcely prospered with it. To this increase of reliable information and its diffusion among the people, must we look for the advancement of the best in- terests of the people, and for the adop- tion of that liberal fundamental policy which shall be partial to some, but just to all. There is too much truth in the re- marks of Mr. Chase, and it is time that farmers depended more on their skill in culture than their claims on the rise of real estate. That farmers have made large sums in the rise of real estate is true, but it is equally true that large numbers of them arc sinking under the accumulations of interest in the attempt to grow rich out of too much land. If a farmer has surplus means r.ot required to improve his farm, we have no objec- tion to his purchasing, but to purchase on time, by paying a quarter down, rely- ing upon his crops or the sale of the land to meet the payments, is too haz- ardous altogether. The subject of a better education amoufr farmers or rath- or a farmers education, is now drawinir no small attention, and must result in the establishment of agricultural schools. Mr. C. is an earnest worker in the good cause, and we shall be glad to hear from him often. Ed. Beautify Your Homes. Editor Illinois Farmer: There is a cord which vibrates in our hearts at the thought, that we possess a beautiful home. It is rather the prop- erty of the heart, and is so interwoven among its tendrils, that it seems to change its pulsations, direct its niove- raents, improves and ennobles its nature, teaches it to rise, to look up after the beautiful and the good. The associa- tions that spring up and gather in bright clusters, around our homo, are scenes fraught with life's holiest emotions. It is the Sanctuary of the Lord, where the Spirit inherits, its purest and holiest thoughts, and wherever its influence is felt, morality is purified and exalted, virtue courted and happiness perfected. The human mind naturally seeks the beautiful. It courts beauty in all its forms, all its dreams are mingled with the elements of imperishable beauty. Home is the word Avhich, like the magic ring, of old, brings to life all the nobler impulses of the heart, awakens each sleeping power, and prompts them to ac- tion. Then beautify your homes. All homes are comparatively beautiful to the weary one who seeks Its shelter, rest and kindness. The veriest hovel has its attractions where necessity makes it our home. But much may be done to beau- tify and render home more cheering and attractive. Beauty is of origin divine, is but one of the forms chosen by a good father to show his power and his love. God, is the architect, and man is his agent in this charming work. Many think a beautiful home can be made only with a great outlay of time and money, and for that reason live or stay in a place that derives its only beauty from the fact that they can stay there. It costs but little to surround a dwelling with a garden of flowers, and shrubbery, and these simple oft'erlngs of nature, will delight the eye, and cheer the heart far more than costly surroundings. If you will but let the sunshine and the rain lend their aid, and the skillful and and active hand work In harmony with nature, soon you will see the powers of the great beautifier. Soon you will see beauty in her perfections, rise out of that Avhich has heretofore appeared but an unshapely mass of discords and con- fusion. Nature herself being beautiful delights in beauty. She loves to brigh- ten and perfect her work to make it suit the fancy and please the taste of man. She presents to us unnumbered bright flowrcts from which she invites us to se- lect to suit our taste. She ofters all to us without charge, she freely gives her rich- est gifts, that they may grace our beau- tiful home. While our body is busily engaged in beautifying our earthly dwel- ling, the soul is actively at work prcpar-, ing a mansion for a future time in the spirit land, and being thus at work in unison with the body. Heaven lends enchantment to the work, and cheers and brightens all you do, adds new tints and new lights around our earthly home. The forms and colors of the mansion above blend with charms that contrib- ute to the one below. Soon man begins to love with all his heart his beautifuj THE ILLINOIS F^IIM:EII. To home, and wishes that he might remain in that blessed spot until he shall change for his spirit home. Home, the best boon given ns by our father above, that ■we may have one spot consecrated to beauty, in which shall be shadowed forth to us the beauties the loveliness of our heavenly home. Then adorn it with wisdom, enrich it with the gems of beau- ty and science. Let its guardians be the bright angels. Truth, Purity and Love, thus securing to ourselves a para- dise o£ joy on earth, and faithfully ful- filling our mission of love and mercy, strictly obeying the laws of nature's God, and ere we are aware, bright spirits from above become our companions, hold with us sweet converse. 'Tis then we realize all the joys, all the bliss, of our Spirit Some. Maria. South Pa3g, ni., April 21, I860. Old Firkin Heard From. Obiqos, III., April IS, 1860. Editor Illinois Farmer : — If you please to accept a few rambling thoughts from 0. F., of northern Illinois, here they are : No doubt in the estimation of all Egypt (bounded on the north by the Ohio and Mississippi R. R.) according to your notion of things geographically, we, who live in this ice bound region are much to be pitied, because we cannot have the pleasure of listening to the first notes of the feathered songsters, or participate in the enjoyment of early vegetables, &c. By this notice of Egypt, (which undoubt- edly has its advantages,) I only wish to remind you and others, who like you seem to have forgotten the fact, that by special resolution, passed unanimously, at the Farmers' Congress at Freeport last fall, Egypt now extends to Lake Superior ; so let us have no more of your narrow contracted Egypt. Is not that 80 friend Roots? — [a.] We have had a very remarkable spring. In March, weather warm and pleasant, very dry, springs and wells low, and sloughs no where. Most of the spring wheat where the ground was prepared in autumn was sown in March, seeding all done and a good share of land pre- pared for corn, by far the greater share of which will be planted by May 10th. We have with us a large area of rye, which looks remarkably well, and bids fair of a large harvest, (b. ) If I should judge by my own orchard, we certainly have a prospect of fruit. The Red June, Early Harvest, Yellow Ingestrie, are full ot'^fruit buds, almost ready to open. Currants are in full bloom, (c.) You know that the mind of the man who holds the plow is not necessarily oc- cupied about the business of his hands, and that the farmer has many an hour when he may look inward and upward too, while he follows his team. Now I never could see how it is possible for a man to be a farmer, to be out in God's own creation in the time of the singing of birds *' when the voice of the turtle dove is heard in the land " when all na- ture animate with new life and beauty seems to sing praises to the Most High — I say I never could see how such ft man can profess infidelity and say "there is no God.'' There are such farmers ! You are making promises of vists to several counties in your April number. Mr. Editor, let me say for one we should be very happy to take '' Rural '' by the hand, if in his migration he should come as far north as Ogle county, where dwells (d. ) Old Firkin. Ah ! " Old Firkin," (we like the name. It reminds us of good solid win- ter butter, such as our mother used to put up in our old ash Firkin, all aglow with gold and the aroma of white clo- ver,) we welcome you to the columns of the Farmer, and herewith introduce you to our thousands of readers in "Cen- tral Illinois," and in *' Egypt." (a.) The question of the northern boundary of Egypt is yet an open one, as it has not as yet to our knowledge been settled by any authoritative body. Certainly the Southern Illinois Horticultural Soci- ety did not pass upon it, though such a report has been made, and we still ad- here to our geological line, the north shore of the old lake or sea, that at last broke through the " grand chain '' and drained the prairie portion of Egypt, and which is a little south of the T. H. & A. R. R. (b) The practice of fall plowing so general in northern Illinois, is a most valuable one, and we hope the farmers in all parts of the State will get into this valuable habit. That is what makes your spring wheat and rye look so for- ward and so thriving, and which has given you time to prepare your corn grounds, but we well remember when this practice was as much neglected there as it is here now, which fact gives us encouragement that we shall soon get in the good way. ^ ' (c) Red June, Early Harvest, and Yellow Ingestrie are valuable fruits, though the E. H. bears only moderate crops every alternate year at the north, and might be exchanged for Red Astra- chan. The Yellow Ingestrie is one of the best for that part of the State, and our friend Whitney of Franklin Grove, is entitled to much credit for introducing it. It bears young, and abundantly, is hardy, good for cooking and eating, and though not large, must prove a favorite fruit. We have planted it largely. — Fruit trees here with the exception of Peaches, promise abundantly, as they are now in bloom — (21st.) We have 225 of the Keswick Codlin six years old three years set, that are sheeted in gorge- ous livery presenting to a new home like ours no small attraction. If they fulfill the present promise we shall have from these young trees an abundant supply of the best cooking apples for three months of the season, ending with September. We would commend this variety above all others for the new settler, and the old ones without fruit, (d) The far- mer who can calmly contemplate the change of seasons, the waking up of vegetable and animal life, the song of birds, the development of the useful and the beautiful, and say that it is all a chance show is to be pitied, it is use- less to labor with him, for if he cannot appreciate the wonderous working of nature, he will be deaf to the argument of his fellow man. We had contemplated a general tour of the counties, but our health is so much impaired within the past three months, that we shall not be able to car- ry out our plans, yet we do not quite despair of meeting maay of our readers and contributors, and making their per- sonal acquaintance. Ed. «•> ■ — The Iktebiob of China. — The voyage of the Earl of Elgin, two years since, up the great river Yang-tse-kiang, of China, the particulars of which are only now first made known to the ■n-orld through the publication of the narrative of the mission, has furnished some interesting facts relative to the interior of this empire. The ruin which the rebels have caused can hardly be believed — populous cities had been destroyed, and the country everywhere laid waste. Chir- kiang, which once had a population of 500,000, did not contain 500 souls. The great city of Ching-kiang-foo, which had been taken by the rebels, was in a most deplorable state. "A single dilapidated street, composed only of a few mean shops, was all that remained of this occe thriv- ing and populous city; the remainder of the area, comprised within walls six miles in circum- ference, contained nothing but ruins, weeds and kitchen gardens." At AYoo-chang, a city of 400,000 inhabitants, the parly landed. They fourid its wall thrown down, large tracts were covered with the ruins of houses destroyed by the rebels, and so solitary were portions of the ruined city, that in its very centre the officers scared up two brace of pheasants. r< 7G THE iLLiisrois fa^rm:er. ®lvc ^Uinofe gmwcL SPRINGriEI.D, MAY I, ISOO. B AILHACHE & BAKER, Publishers M. L. DUNLAP, Editor. The cultivation ot the farm grasses and clover have been too much neglected, and should receive more of our attention. Throughout the northern counties, this is done to somo extent, and red clover and Hurd's grass are receiving a fair share of attention, but on the stock farms of central Illinois the common prairie grasses and the cornfields are the main reliances. To this there are some excellent exceptions, and among these stand foremost C.ipt. J. N. Brown, of Sangamon county, Tvith his immense pas- tures of blue grass, the most valuable of all the cultivated grasses for pasture. On farms intended for grain mainly, the red clover will prove of great value, it makes good pasturage, excellent haj, and is a valuable fertilizer for wheat, oats and corn. Our farmers do not ap- pear to understand its nature, and often complain that it runs out, and will not stand well for pasture. Rod clover is a biennial, that is, it only lives two years. The second year the plant dies, and un- less new seed is sown, or seed enough ripens and falls on the ground for a new supply, ttic stand of clover is gone, or run out, as many farmers say. Now if this is a fault, it is a valuable one, for the long tap roots of the clover pump up from below the sulphate of lime, (plaster) of which to form in part the upper portion of those roots, and upon their decay leave this rich fertilizer m a free state, ready to be absorbed by the more delicate tissues of the cereals, thus clover is of the greatest value in a rota- tion of wheat, either spring or winter. Clover sown on wheat or rye in March, will produce an abundance of feed after the wheat is harvested, the next season a crop of clover hay can be taken off and another crop of clover for seed, add- ed to this a large amount of Fall feed. In this case considerable seed will be shattered out to re-seed, and then the crop continues, but when closely pastur- ed the second season, so that no seed matures, the stand of clover will bo found dead the following spring, much to the disappointment of the coufidiiig farmer. In the curing of clover hay, mucli of it is spoiled, instead of allowing it to become dry in tlie swath, it should bo only wilted, and then put in cocks to euro; tiien if the season be wet, should be covered with cotton caps made of shirting, but in this part of the State, these are seldom required, as the natural continental dryness of the atmosphere is sufficient to insure them to cure out. No night dew should be allowed to fall no the newly cut clover, it should always be cut in a dry day, in the forenoon, and towards evening put up in cocks to cure. Hurd's grass is now assuming no small importance as an article of shipment south in the form of baled hay. Thou- sands of tons have been sent out of the State the past winter, and it is still be- ing shipped at a good round profit. — There is no reason to suppose that there will be a falling off in the demand, but every reason to believe that it "will in- crease. Ohio meadows have heretofore furnished the supply, but wo cannot see how they may successfully compete with the prairie soils, which are so natural to the grasses, and which produce the hay crop with almost unerring certainty. — Hurd's grass seed is in great demand, and the purity of Illinois seed is such that it is eagerly sought after in all of the other markets. Hurd's grass, (tim- othy,) is of little value for pasture, as its bulbous roots are injured by the tramp- ing of cattle, but as a hay and seed crop for export, is valuable. Blue grass for stock farmers for pasture, is invaluable, its ability to continue green and succu- lent throughout the frosts of winter, makes it unrivaled for winter out door feed. It is bad policy for our farmers to depend upon the prairie grass for pas- turage, «•• [From tlie Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] The rii'uro-Pncumoiiia Epizootic. This contagious infectious cattle dis- temper is very justly exciting much at- tention among the owners of cattle not onlv, but also among all other classes, for all are consumers of beef, milk, but- ter or cheese, and have therefore a deep interest in the subjeet. Hence the ex- ecution of tlie late law passed by the legislature, by the commissioners appoint- ed for that purpose, though a terrible necessity, is looked upon with very gen- eral approval, as it should be. Jts contagious character seems to be confirmed beyond a doub;, though some of the V. S. practitioners deny it, whicli is about a.s reasonable as it Avould be, to deny any other well authenticated his- toric fact. Every case of the disease is traceable to one of two sources — either to Mr. Chenery's stock in Belmont, into which the disease was introduced by his importation of four Dutch Cows from Holland, which arrived here the 23d of last May, or else to one of the three calves which he sold to a farmer in North Brookfield, last June. The Commissioners appointed by the Governor consist of Mr. R. S. Fay of Boston, Mr. Amasa Walker of North Brookfield, and Mr. Paoli Lathrop of South Iladley, the latter a well known breeder of improved Short- Horns. They have commenced the killing and burying of carcass, hide and horns of such herds as are infected with the malady. Dr. Joseph N. Bates of Worcester, and his brother in Boston, who is also a physi- cian, have been employed by the Com- missioners to assist them, and they have been remarkably successful thus far in detecting diseased lungs by percussion over the parts affected, and then judging by the resonance of the sound thus pro- duced, the condition of the lungs. The only hope of exterminating the disease at present, is in the entire de- struction of the infected herds, with a thorough fumigation and of purification of the stables with the most approved disinfectants. This disease, new to American far- mers, is creating no small excitement among the farmers of New England. From the decided stand taken in regard to it, we hope that it will be fully arres- ted, but if it is half as contagious as represented, we can hardly hope for so desirable a consummation, and may ex- pect that it will gradually spread itself over the country. In this case, it would not be reasonable to suppose that all parts of the country would suffer alike, as there would be many counteractinn- cases to prevent. In case it be not ar- rested, every precaution should be used to prevent its entering the great herds in our State. There is no doubt that it is greatly exaggerated, and that reme- dies for arresting it in its early stage will soon be found. We shall keep an eye out for it, and post our readers upon its progress. Ed. From the Independent, New York, July 2S, t'5,59. Glue. — Our advertising cohinins contain somo testimonies to the value of a new article known as "Spalding's Prepared Glue," u.^eful to house- keepers for mending furniture. It is prepared with chemicals, by which it is kept in the pro- per condition for iratnodiate use, the chemicals evaporating as soon as it is applied, kaving the glue to harden. We can a.s.sure our readers that this article has the excellent phrenological qual- ity of "lartre adhesiveness." THE iLLiisrois fa.rm:er. 77 Fruit Pfospcet in Egjpi. South Pass, AprU 20, 1S60. Mr. Editor: — Some of your readers may be interested in laearing from Egypt, •which is now emerging from her clouds and darkness and is rapidly improving in the growing of her choice fruits. The season thus far has been very favorable for fruit growing, and at present prom- ises an {4>undant crop. Vegetation of all kinds is now so far advanced that we begin to feel safe against the late frosts. There are but few of the culti- vated varieties that have been planted in this section long enough to be in bear- ing. We have within one mile and a half of this station five locations which are elevated from 125 to 200 feet above the road, and may be called good or even superior locations, that have been improved and set with the choicest var- ieties, and all has been done within the last two years except one. There are several others within the same distance, comparatively good, that have not been improved with anything except seedlings or native varieties, which are much older and bear large crops of apples and peaches; some of which will compare well with our old cultivated and noted varieties, and equally well or better adapted to this locality, and may prove more profitable to cultivatiye, which time and experience will hereafter develop. This station, which is now called Cobden, formerly called South Pass, is located six miles north from Jonesboro and six miles south from Makanda. This being the only point through which the railroad could cross the elevated range of land which ex- tends from the Mississippi on the west, to the Ohio on the east, and from its great elevation, being well adapted to the growing of early and choice fruits. This is the most southern point in any of the free States, where early fruits can be successfully grown, and will eventually supply Chicago, the northern and western portion of this State and a large portion of "Wisconsin, as well as several of the more northern and east- ern States with early fruits. We have easy access to market, being only twelve hours ride from Chicago. This eleva- tion extends to the Ohio river, a few miles below "Shawneetown, and extends across Kentucky until it reaches the Al- leghany Mountains. The peach put out on the five farms mentioned, amount to 8,000, apple 3,000, grapes 5,000, and 2,000 pears, Avlthin the last two years. The one five years old has 3,000 bearing peach trees, 4,000 grape and aboul 1,000 apple. Our tomatoes are now in a fine condition. There will not be as many sent to market from the country about here as formerly, but from this station there willl be a much larger amount than ever before. I have now 15,000 plants that stand six by seven inches a part under glass, now in bloom and ready to be transplanted in the field. The prospects now are that they will be ready for market by the middle of June. G. H. Baker. Mr. Baker has taken much, pains to ascertain the varieties of apples that have long been successfully grown in Union county, and in his research he has dis- covered several old well known sorts dis- guised under the name of seedlings, among these Smith Cinder, Fall Queen and Lowell Let. He is satisfied that there are several others thus materially lessening the number of native seedlings that otherwise might have become fa- mous, but for the discovery that they are old acquaintances. ecause he knows of but ii sinjile man who will buy, nor will the buyers bo compelied t'> give more than the worth of an article, under the inii)rcssiou tliat there are no others in market. 2. A ffiir narex travel. — The sellers need not set out on a wild goose cha.se to find a purchaser, neither need the buyer travel hither and thither to find what he wants. A conven- ient time and central place being agreed on and publicly an- nounced, a comparatively short journey wlil bring buyers and sellers together, and much fruitless journeying about be avoided. 3. Time is fared in hnrgnining.—M fairs, men do not sit on fences and whittle for half a day. There is no time to lose, if one custoruer will not buy, the seller must look out for another ; or if a buyer cannot obtain this animal at a price which suits him, he must try that before some one else h.is purchased it. All this favors dispateh in the mode of doing l)usine3s. Wliy may not a farmer learn to make a bargain us promptl.v a? a niercliant in a store? 4. A fair yiren oppoHuniti/ for seleciiov. — The man who wishes to purchase a brood mare or a working horse, or a cow, i>robably has in his mind an idea of the animal he wants, l)ut in his neighborhood or within the range of Iiis ac- quaintance, he knows tf no such animal. At a fair, there will probably be many animals belonging to the same class, and some amoHK them may be precisely wliat he wislies; at any rate, the fair gives him a better chance than lie would otherwise have. 6. A fairNeeurex greater nnifontiittj of price. — Honest men do not always know the market value of the articles they have to sell. Some would expect too much, others would be satisfied w.th le?s than the real worth. Justice and a fair dealing will l)e i)romoted by giving to all, both sellers and buyers, the bcneiit of comparing articles and prices, and the price demanded, witli actual sales. In the spring of the year, team horses, working oxen, milk- ing cows, fat cattle and sheep, young cattle and .swine, are often needed l)y tlK^se who had not conveniences for winter- ing them. Such iinimalg may be brought to a fair, and all the pun bases needed for the accommodations of an extensive region of country may be made in a single day." Pawkes' Steam Plow.— This plow is to undergo extensive alterations, and is expected to get up steam about the 15th inst., when it will be tried in prairie breaking on our farm. A new machine is being built in Cinncinati, by Miles Green- wood, under Fawkcs' direction, and will be ready for the field this month. We learn from Mr. F., who paid us a visit last week, that a company of capitalists have united with him with the view to perfect the machine, and he hopes to have it ready for the farmers during the year. Thus it will be seen that we were not wide of the mark when we dared to eaj- that it wa.^ no great advance over the one exhibited at Decatur. We hope that it will be made a success, for if it can be, it will add materially to the value of prairie lands. Before another issue we shall hope to have lometlilng more definite for our readcrg on this point. The Garden. — If not already done, the garden should be planted. Put in plenty of the various kinds of seed that you will require for summer and winter vegetables. The ground should bejdowed deep, to bury the weed seeds and to insure a good growth. A steel rake Is of great valtii in preparing the gi-ound, to pulverize the surface. Beans, corn, squashes, cucumbers, beets, carrots, parsnips, tomatoes, onious, peat; for late cropi , Lima beans, cabbage, etc. Tns OncnARD. — Those who have neglected to prune until now, should attend to it at once, before the leaves have at- tained full size, the sap has ceased to flow and the wounds will soon heal over, unless too large ; in such cases grafting wax or white lead in oil should Ije applied to the wound. Orchard trees are too much neglected when young, the heads are left too thick, and as they grow large, the branches begin to crowd each other and must be cut out. This should have been .ivoided by cutting out when small, and there then would havp been no ugly wounds to heal over or spoil the tree by making a rotten spot in after years. A stitch in time, Is o' value in tlie orchard. Prince & Go's Melodeons. — We hope our farmers will give their boys a little recreation in the long summer days — a little chance, to learn whether their fingers are all thumbs or not. We would suggest that for this purpose there is nothing better than one of these splendid Melodeons. Give them a trial good friends, and our word for it, the boys will fully ap- preciate their value. Kcmember that it was all work and no play that made Jac7.- a dull hoi/; and on the other hand, all play and no work male him a mere toy. Be wise then, ye good fathers and do justice, do not make your boys planta- tion slaves, but give them a chance of a little rational enjoy- ment, and for this purpose what better than music? Linr.TXixG Rod?, Prurp, Safes, etc.— Beard & Bro. are dealers in and manufacturers of lightning rods and pumps of all descriptions, which they will be pleased to furnish all who may need, on the most reasonable terms. Purchasing direct from the manufacturer, will be to the interest of all who de- sire to avail themselves of the lowest prices, and the long ex- periences of the manufacturers. All orders by mail will bo promptly attended to and any infonnatinn^iiertainiDg thereto given by them with pleasure. Address Beard &. Bro., No. 29 North Main Street, St. Louis, Missouri. P. S. — Also manufacturers of the Excelsior Fire and Bur- glar Proof Sates; and Scales, all descriptions, which are fur- nished on the most reasonable terms, and guaranteed equal to any in the United States. Address as above. Slate Roofing, Ktc— The attention of our readers is in- vited to the card of Henry Folsom & Co., St. Louis, agents for the sale of the best slates, for roofing and other purposes. It will be found on page 63. Grafting CiiEnRiES. — We are now, April 24th, grafting cherries. Some that we set two weeks since are now pushing their leaves. Unfortunately our cions have been started and the bads are swelled ready to burst, and in some cases have done so, and the cion rejected. We shall therefore prove that e.if ly grafting the cherry is not the only successful time to do so. The Slocks are nearly in full leaf, and many of the trees in Ijlooni ; what say you old fogy book-farmers, are there not some things yet to be tested that have long been covered up in the old beaten track? Western Land Office. — Those who have lands to buy or sell in the central part of the State should not forget to ob - serve the card of T. S. Mather. If you live at a distance from j-our lands, he can pay your taxes cheaper than you can, for his arrangements arc such that small sums can be re- mitted by him to county collectors cheaply. Lightning Rons. — The season for puttingup lightning rods is at hand. Our readers should consult the card of Messrs. E. P. Marsh & Co. There is no question as to the super- iority of copper over iron rods. No farmer can afford to leave his barn unprotected. The column of heated air that arises from a barn filled with hay, foruis a most perfect con- ductor, and without a rod to carry the fluid safely to the earth, sure destruction follows. This accounts for the large number of barns, over other buildings, destroyed by this mysterious agent of the skies. The first cost of a copper rod is more than an iron one, tmt when we take into account its greater security and durability, it doubtless will prove in the nd to be much the cheapest. THE ILLINOIS F^RjMER. 79 TnK PnACiT BoREK. — A writer from Indiana, in the Gardener's Jfoiii/ili/, says: "L;i?t year I mulched a quantity of peach trees with weeds cut from otlior parts of Uie gi-)und, and around many of them tlie ra'; wood was mostly cmiiloy- ed. In the fall, none of those with the rag weed mulch had a borer in them. I do not know what peculiar virtue there may be in the possession of tlie rag weed that should give il this protective power." The peach borer is becoming veiy destructive and any remedy that will accomplish the purpose will be of great benefit. We hope the rag weed will do it, for it is of no other value. Applks Identical. — Eciuiraitely, Buckingham, Fall Queen. Dr. Warder last year pronounced the two last «y>i. The Berry, Wall, Sumerous and Nickajack are the same. Tliis last the Patent OfTice has distributed largely. We have trees growing of the cions sent out. Haywood's June, and Pear Mississippi and Gloria Mundi. Such is the opinion of North Carolina nurserymen who have grown the trees side by side in nurseries, and who have fmited them. Wheki.ek, Mrlick & Go's. Tiiba.shers — These valuable machines have a well established fame in the grain growing world, and we take pleasure in introducing them to the readers of the Farmer. They will find them made in a most superior manner and of excellent material, and cannot fail of giving the most entire satisfaction. With this thrasher the farmer can thrash his grain, without having an army of men lounging about every time one of the big humbugs breaks down. They will also find a saving of grain, as well as labor, to say nothing of their great durability, compactness and ease of handling. The Small Frcit-s — or what should be called the staple fruits — are beginning to attract the attention that they deserve. Their increased use is making thera decrease in market, and hence the dcmantate Fair. The hen, a most queenly bird, laid her first egg in mid-winter, and kept right on till she had given us seven- teen eggs, and then took to setting on the 20th of February. Punctual to a day, she brought off her brood on the 12th of March. Very proud was madam Cleopatra of her perform- ance, and in three days the chicks could fly like sparrows. Such gamy little birds we never saw before, and not one of them has drooped a moment since. The hen is a capital nurse anil protector, for though she will allow us to draw our hand over her glossy plumage, she will strike out like an arrow with her serpent-like neck, to the length of half a yard, if the dog or rabbits put their impudent faces within her range. The above we clip from the Ohio Cultivator. Well Cul., those chicks of yours are pretty lively little fellows and we must bespeak a pair of them for our heuery. We have a few Creoles, good layers and wide-a-awake, but they don't think of ^ing until half grown. When we call chick, chick, with a pan full of wet up meal in hand, we like to see the little fel- lows come flying at our call, but since the lubberly Shanghies have usurped the barnj-ard we have given up chicken feeding to a big box of corn, which we have filled up with the aid of a scoop shovel. Scientific Artizan, Cixcixxati, Ohio. — This enterprising weekly has some how missed us the past two months. We cannot well do without it. It deservei a liberal support from the mechanics of tlic west. Published by the American Patent Company, Cincinnati, Ohio; $1 50 a year. -■■ Cox k rtoBERT's Patent Turasher and Cleaner. — Our St. Louis neighbors are disposed to enter the field of competi- tion among manufacturers of machines for our farmers. This favorite machine is sold by Kingsland& Ferguson, proprietors of the most e.xtensive foundry and machine shop in St. Louis. Sec their advertisement. Faiubask's Scales. — By the card of E. B. Pease, it will be seen that these valuable and highly popular scales are for .sale in Si)ringfield. We have one of them in use weighing l,20i) j pounds and a post office balance, which we consider uU that j could be required of a scale. They are well made, of the | best material. ' Piatt's Ditcher. — We have heard nothing from this ditcher since it was on exhibition last fall on our premises. Tile and mole draining should be freely discussed ; if tile wins, the ditcher will be wanted, if not, Mr. Piatt must turn his hand to sometliing else. Colored Plate.? of Fruits. — We are in receipt of catalogue of colored fruits by D. M. Dewy, and shall be able to speak more fully of them next month. Land Rollers. — >Ve have one of Atwater'* land rollers, and find it a valuable machine. To corn planters, we say most decidedly, roll your corn land iftcr planting. S«e his advertisement. Hadnkman Medical Coll»gb. — ^^Ve are in receipt of the first annual anouncemcnt of this new college, located at Chicago. There are eight professors, several of whom we are well acfiuainted with, and who stand high in their profession. This new pathy has now a place among the, institutions of the day, and is not disposed to be eitlier laughed down or frown- ed down. "Who shall decide wiien Doctors disagree?" la such case, we can only throw physic to the dogs and get well on our own hook. For our.self, we prefer plenty of ripe fruits and vegetablesto Doctor's diet. CATALOGua OF CoLUMBCs NcRSEKT, Omo.— Sir. Batcham presents a tempting lot of nursery stock to western planters. AVehad the pleasure of meeting him at Bloomington last win- ter, and had a pleasant interchange of fruit gossip. He has been long identified with the west, and stands high in his pro fession. SwEBT PoTATOE CULTURE, by J. W. Tenbrook, now ready for distribution, price 2.5 cents. Address J. W. Tenbrook, Rockville, Indiana, or any of his agents sprouting sweet pota- toes. It is a very valuable work. Evergreen Tree Peddlers. — The annual infliction of dead evergreens is now being duely attended to throughout the State, and at almost every village, one of these venders of forest evergreens, with sod attachment, are to be found deal- ing thera out to the greenies at the rate of one Itit and up- wards, each ; just as they can light with chances. How many years this will continue we cannot say. We would be sorry to have the "fool-killor" pass through our village jards and farm house grounds, this month or the next, as the sickly l)inc3 might attract him to places that we would like to have him pass by for the time, as we have hopes of rescuing some of them at no distant day. Southern Illinois Horticultural Societv. — Tliis society is to hold a fair, May22d and 2.3d, at Centralia, so says the Centralia Rcjnihlic. From the proceedings of the last meet- ing, we think it will prove an interesting time, and we would urge our more northern friends to be present on the occasion. They will meet a most cordial welcome. Sale of Stock at Summit Farm. — Mayor Wentworth, of Chicago, has sold from his Summit Farm, in Cook county, his Durham Bull (Mars) to Mr. Morgan, Ainsworth Station, Cook county; his Devon Bull (Jupiter) to Dwight Freeman, Gen- eseo, Henry connty ; an aged Suffolk boar to T. B. Irwin, Paw Paw Michigan ; a young Suffolk boar to Geo. White, Tacusa, Christian county, Illinois ; three sows to Gen. J.-C. Bennett, Polk City, Iowa; a pair to Isaac T. Henderson, Middleton, Logan county, Illinois ; a pair to W. W. W. Watts, Clarkesvillo, Missouri ; a pair to D. Pardee, Garlyle, Clinton county, Illinois. Two fine engravings of some of his remaining stock arc unavoidably crowded out of this numljer. Knox County Fair^s to be held at Knoxville, Septembe 25th, 26th, 27th and 2Sth; Thos. Moeir, Secretary. Chase's Hand Books. — We see by the Chicago dailies that the second number of this series of booklets is out of press, but for some reason they have not as yet reached our rural sanctum. Thb Sap-Scckeb. — Some considerable discussion has been had in relation to this bird, some aver that he bores into the bark for the purpose of extracting the grubs ; others, that he sucks tlie sap. Our private opinion is, that he is an arrant rascal ami digs the holes for the purpose of eating the bark. We have no idea that he has paid any attention to the study of grubology, and that he makes his dinner on the apples, the ])oplars and the pears, without more regard to the value than did Cleopatra when she had the jewel dissolved in vinegar to give her a relish. Boys, give them the shot and teach them better habits. Miss Pomona will bear you out, for she has no idea of having her best trees spoiled in this way. Atlanta Usion Cesteal AG:RiciLTraAL Societt.— The counties of Logan, Tazewell, McLean and DeWitt, or parts of Hum at leaf^t, have united in foruiing the above society, witli Hon. .\. W. Morcun, of Logan, President, and Hon. J. A. Mills, Corresponding Secretary, with a full board of other oflicers. So says the Lincoln Herald. Premium List of Illtnois State Agricultural, Societt. — This list is now in the hands of the printers, and will be soon forthcoming. We will predict in advance, that it is the best list offered by the society ; not that it is as large as it might be, but that it is judiciously distributed among the sev- eral departments of agricultural and horticultural industry. Skwiso Machines. — We call the attention of our readers to the manifesto of Messrs. J. W. Littlefield & Co., on the out- side page of the Farmer. Sewing machines have become among the acknowledged institutions of the age, and among the great variety offered by this house, some of them cannot fail to please the most critical. We would as soon think of doing without our spade in the garden as to have the wife forego the iron fingers that ply the busy needle, which never tires. The matching of steel against muscles, in this most laborious department of female labor, is a great triumph of the genui man. Until within a few years, and since grandmother Ere sewed the ./f^ leaf apron with the hawthorn needle, her daughters and grand daughters have had to ply the needle with waste of health, but now the task is made easy with one of these ti-iumphs of genius. Laterino the Grape. — This is* very simple procesf, and not yet as well understood as it ought to be. Last year we engaged of a friend the layers of a valuable seedling grape ; we supposed him fully posted as to the moduli operandi, but to our bitter disappointment found him a mere novice in the art. He applied to a German vine dresser to layer it, and this man buried the long vines six inches deep the whole length, leaving out the, tops of the shoots. The result was that they did not take root, and of course we had no rooted plants, nor even cuttings. An excellent way is to dig a trench, say two inches deep, and at the bottom of this put down the vine ; as soon as good strong shoots are thrown up from the joints they should be covered with earth, but only at the joint ; these will send out roots, and thus a single vine will produce a large number of layers, in fact, nearly every bud will send up its shoot for a layer. When vines are cover- ed deeply, they will not take root so readily, and are of little value. A space next the parent vine must be left exposed, and but a few inches of the vine at any one point should t>« covered with earth. Purple Cane Raspberry.— Chas. Rasensteil, of Fereport, has for several years cultivated this variety, and finds it hardy and productive. It is valuable both for the table and for wine ; specimens of which he exhibited at the last State Fair, and which was pronounced by good judges to be superior. We think this rasjjberry is destined to have a great run at the north, on account of its adaptation to the climate. Mr. R sent us two hundred plants, which, with those from Dr. War- der, will make us a good plantation, and upon which we look forward to many a pleasant dish of this delicious fruit. Dr. W. writes us that he has sent a large amount of these plants overour State the past months Persons desiring them will please take a hint where they "are to be had, but we adriseyou not to be fooled with bogus plants from the peddlers, whoof course will have the Purple Cane— all but the purple. A Change. — Last j'ear we visited the home of S. Francis former Editor of the Farmer. The yard was filled with shrubbery; the grape vines were loaded with fruit, and the whole presented a picture of beauty and of home enjoyment* to be envied. But oiu- friend is now in a far off realm, where " rolls the Oregon. " The shrubbery, the roses and the grape- vines have vanished ; the giant apple tree stretches it wide arms over the desolation of beauty and is shedding its coronet of fading bloom over the ravished grounds ; the cedars stand forth as sentinels on the outposts ; the Osage orange hedge, so nicely trimmed and woven into a solid wall, bristling with dangerous spikelets, is bursting its buds, while a dozen sturdy men are busy placing rollers under the foundation of the house, preparatory to sending it to the suburbs to give place to the new City Hall. The pioneer who toiled and delved when this was the hither west, who carved out a home, has gone west with the west, and again sits him down on the shores of the now hither west, beyond which rolls the billows of the broad Pacific. Long time will it be before he can carve out another such a gem of glowing beauty as the home that he left, and now all dismantled. The owner has pone to the sub- urbs of civilization and the homestead to the suburbs of the city. And this is change, in this changing world of ours. E.xchanges. — Will our exchanges please remember that the Editor resides at West Crbana, in Champaign county, and that e.xchanges to reach him should be directed "Farmer," West Urbana, Illinois, and not Springfield. All communica- tions for the eye of the Editor should be also directed to that oflice. Busiuess letters and those pertaining to subscriptions, should be directed to the Publishers, Messrs. Bailhache & Baker, Springfield, Illinois. ^^t. 80 THE ILLINOIS F^HMER. Strawbehkies. — AVe have the pleasure of acknowleflping the receipt of a box of strawberry plants from 1)r. 'VVftrder, containing nineteen varieties, and under laid with a hundred of the Purple Cane Uaspberry. AVe shall remember you, Doctor, in a dish of strawberries and cream. t^" There isno doubt that the Sewing Machine has become an institution. We had thought that our experience was some in regard to show-Stores, but the establishment for the Bale of Singer's Sewing Machines, In St. Louis, is a light worth going a little distance to see. Fancy a room si.xty feet by twenty-five in extent, the floor covered entirely with the richest and costly velvet^carpet. Lounge", sofas and chairs of rosewood and brocatt'l; Sewing Machines in rosewood cases inlaid with mother of pearl, ivory and gold, and the whole or more reflected in French plate mirrors nine feet by twelve 12, stretching from the floor to the ceiling. Arches of ala- baster stretched over marble pillarsjjand a coup d'ocil suggeiG tivc of Alladdin's palace, and you will have some Idea of Singer's Sewing Machine office at St. Louis. Perhaps the best proof of the excellence of Singer's Sewing Machines, is the fact that the clear profits for the last year were up ward of Four IIundked Thousand Dollars — to be divided between Messrs. Singer & Clark, who alone constitute the company. Their Machines having been constructed without regard to decoration, but with a view to utility alone, those who re- quire excellence without to regard to beauty, such as tailors, dress-makers, shoemakers, in short the whole circle of manu- facturers, find Singer's Machines indispensable, from their ac, curacy, simplicity and capacity. And here Singer & Co. might here remain content, especially as many have seen thei. value and adopted them into their families. But after such extraordinary success in the most difficult branch, they rej solved to produce a family machine, that while it could be sold at a reasonable rale it should also be divested of all ob- jectionable features, and by its simplicity, capacity and beauty recommends itself forcibly to all who desire to obtain a relia- ble Sewing Machine. Thb McQciston Corn Shellbr. — AVe invite the attention of farmers and corn dealers to the advertisement of this super- ior sheller, which well be found in another place. A number of ccrtiflc.itcs from highly respectable parties who have u.?ed this machine, give the strongest evidence of its value and use- fulness. They are sold by Isaac 1". Atwater, Morris, Cirundy county. 111., who will give all particulars on application to him by letter or otherwise. Grover & Baker's Sewing Machine. — We invite atten- tion to the card of the Grover & Baker sewing machine in this number of our paper. It speaks for its self, as does the machine wherever introduced. Send for a circular. Brya.m & Stratton'3 Chaix of Natiosal Commbrcial Colleges. — This well-known chain of Colleges, the AVestern link of which is locaeed in St. Louis, has been established on a broad basis for the promotioii»«f business education through- out the entire country. It is an enterprise fraught with im- portant public benefits, and strongly commends itself to the American people. The development, legitimate accumulatiou and wise use of wealth, so essential to private and public wel. fare, demand suitable business education. Such education every young man should secure, if possible, before embarking in the pursuits and assuming the responsibilities of active life, and nowhere can it be so well obtained as in a thoroughly conducted Commercial College. The St. Louis link in the " National Chain," at the head of which stands R. C. Spencer, is of the first rank of excellence. Charles Stewart, the celebrated mathematician, has recent- ly connected his long-established and popular Mathematical bistitute with this institution. [From the Chicago Press and Tribune] Fawkcs' Steam Plow, AVest Urbana, April '21, ISCO. Fawkes {irrivecl here yesterday, and reports a ncAv machine nearly ready to run, at the shop of Miles Greenwood, Cincinnati. lie Avill ship the plows used here, and Avhich are cast steel clippers, for their trial on the nCAV machine. He is busy taking draAvings and dimensions for important improvements on the "Lancaster," and expects to have it ready to run hy the 15th of May, so as to give us the benefit of a crop of sod corn. A company of capitalists have been formed for the purpose of bringing it to perfection, and we may now look forAvard to a solution of the question of steam ploAving at au early day. It Avill thus be seen that our vicAvs in relation to the imperfections of the machine have been proved correct, and that the shouts of a croAvd at our Fairs are not to be taken as a true exponent of noAv princi- ples in machines. The proposed im- provements AA'e think must add to the value of the invention, and we hope Avill place it among the list of valuable farm improvements. Plowing by steam has been tested and no doubts can be had on that score ; but the great problem is yet to be solved : "Will it pay?" This Mr. F. is now endeavoring to prove, and Ave can but Avish him success. On this point he is Still sanguine, and having good backers, with abundant means, avc see no reason why he will not settle the question. When the Lancaster again gets up steam Ave intend to take careful notes of its working, and keep the readers of the Press and Tribune posted as to its do- ings. Eukal. COMMKRC^IAL, SPRINGFIELD MARKKT— MAY 1. AVUKAT— ?! 15@,1 '2.'; ^ bu; FLOUR— »0@7 5til^ bbl; CORN— •i^Hicmc ^-i bu; CORN MEAL— 60c ^i bu; OATS— SOfTf.a'ic \-i bu; BKANS— fKT/.l •25x^bu; BHAN- 10c ^ bu; SHOUTS- loc ^J bu; TIMOTHY S'D— 1-2 75@3 00 HUNGARIAN G'r S'i>— lal;.^ MILLKT— None; CLOVKR— *t) 50 ^3bu; I'OTATOKS— New, 4(l(a,C0c; HAY— *7(ii.» ^Um; TALLOAV— Sl-'2(S)9c 1^ ft; SOAP— Bar, 4C".t''C ^? ft; CANDLKS— 121-'2c 'f box; PICKLED P'k- ».S(r/,l(|-iJ 100; BACO.N— Hams,12@i;3c-t^ ft; CHICKENS— $1 &0 t^ d..z; BUCKAVHEAT— f -2 50 %> 100; I BACON -Sides, lOc l^ ft; I EGGS— Sciydoi; I LARD— 10c ^> ft; SUGAR— l»{5;10c |1 ft; COFFEE- ia@.iric %i ft; MOLASSES-tiO^Oio ^ gal; SALT— ♦•> >(i sack; SALT— 12 \^ bbl; .MACKEREL— 1'2@13 No 1; CODFISH— ffi 50 W 1(K); APPLES— Dried, f 1 75 X3 bu; AVOOD— *:l(r; 4 \.i cord; Ct^AI.— loc %! bu; AVHISKY— 25@'2Sc ^ gal; VINEGAR— lOo \^ gal; BROO.MS— ^1 50((?i2 .50qpdo2; BUTTER— lo@.'2Uc %3 ft; HIDES— Dry, best, 12(g>12>4; IIIDES-Green, 4 fl^; APPLES— Green, |il@l 25; FEATHERS— 85((i»40c ^ ft; NEW YORK CATTLE MARKET— Mat 2. Beef Cattle — In good supply, and sold rather heavily at last weeks' prices. Receipts, 3,200 common quality at 6><.@. 7><.c; best i»W,@ 10c. Slitep— Dull. Receipts, 1,800. Swine— Receipts, 6,3 0. Sales at 6?4@6;^c. ST. LOUIS HORSE AND MULE MARKET— April 2S. During the past week the market has been rather dull. The demand has in no wise fallen ofi", but the dullness has proceeded from a lack of supplies. A drove of twenty-four liead arrived yesterday, and a good part of them were taken immediately. There have been buyers from Kentucky for mules, taking them as fast as they arrive. A Southern buyer was also in the market during the week, and Government purchased a few head of horses for artillery use. At the close there were no mules and only about 50 head of horses in the Bazaar Stables. The sales have been as follows : At auction on Tuesday and Friday — 41 head, mostly at rates last quoted, but good stock at something higher. [By Telegraijh.] NEAV YOUK MARKET— Mat 8. Flour market a shade better; sales 10,S00 bbls at f ."> 50@ 5 5."> for sujier stale; .t5 57(<>5 Co extra do; .f5 ,'»o^> 5 55 super western; fo 00(((^o 75 conmnm to medium extra do.; !fti20^»,ti 30 inferior to good shipping bran bu; fair to Mil. club If 1 31 in store; ■)f.\ tA) choice white Mich. Barley dull. Ilye 81c. Corn market steady; sales 22,0(10 bu; 8i c mixed western; Slg>'2c yellow ,)er.-ey. Oats dull; 42{r>;13c western and state. Pork steadv; sales 13 bills at fl7 4.")((& 17 80 old mes.-i; ^17 75 new do; :ti'l2S7old prime; Jfll 20^1125 new prime. Beef steady; sales 190 bbls. Cut meats un- changed. NEAV YORK CATTLE M.ARKET— April 35. The receipts are again very heavy, being about 200 in ex- cess of last wctk. As a iiatund consequence the market dragged .soniewlmt, and liolders* had liurrt work to obtain last week's prices. Notwithslandin;.' this fi:ct, however, all tlie oOerings, amounting to 3,751 head, were disposed of at our range of prices inserted lielow. The <>irerin};s were mainly large, fat oxen, but they were mostly coarse and undesirable. I The number of first quality which were offered was conse - quently small, and were all taken readily at 7J<.' to 1 c, and •, occasional sales were made at higher rates. The sales at Ber I gen_llill were 344 bead, and prices correspond with those paid I pt Al'.erton's to-daj-. At tlie other yards the market was JJbout as last week, and all tlie ollerings were readily taken at srevious prices. A fair proportion of the supply was sold testerday. The number of cattle reported at Forty-foui'th areet for this market was 3,071. Illinois 1045 New York 821 Pennsylvania 131 Ohio 447 Indiana 130 Liwa 324 Kentucky 00 A'irginia 55 Missouri 5'J7 Michigan 16 Canada 34 The following droves from Illinois were at this market : Evans & Evans 129 Steele & AVest 14T P. AVhalen 20 John T. Alexander 225 Patrick Keams 16 Woodruff and Dudley 85 AVm. J. Hutchinson 78 Baldwin & Adams 93 J. Reagan 5-3 Conover & Co 100 T. C.Eastman 80 D.Barnes 140 Ben AA'esthcimer 03 Mr. Heywood 60 Seuester and Katz 38 M. Dalton 33 Pratt & Reed 71 Edwards & Pickerill 63 AVm. P. Mclntyre 65 Phelps & HoUingsworth... 62 Belden & McElwee 35 The current prices for the week at all the markets were as follows: BEEF CATTLE. First quality, f? lOO fts |9 25@.10 00 Ordinary to good tiuality i) 00® U 50 Common quality 7 50®, 8 75 Inferior quality 6 00® 7 0(J, MiLcn cows. First quality f.'iO 00@60 00 Ordinary to good quality 40 ( 0@50 0 ) Conmion quality 35 ( 0®40 00 Inferior quality 25 00®30 00 VEAL C.VLVES. First quality ^ ft 5 c.@6.;4c.®5?ic. NEW ORLEANS CATTLE MARKET.— Mat 2. Beef Cattle Receipts unimportant. About 200 AVestcm beeves and 50 Texas cattle remain on sale. AVe quote Te.\as at $20@45 ^ head, and AVestern beeves at 8®U>^c. ^ft net. Hogs— At 5y((T,G3<;c. \0 ft gross. Stock 600he.id. Sheep- Receipts 150 head. Prices |2 50@6 50 « head.— Stock 900 head. Dull. j Milch Cons— Near SO head offer at |S0@9O fp head. Veal Cattle— Receipts 600 head. Stock 450 head. |S®12 %i head. Prices ST. LOUIS LIVE STOCK MARKET— April 28. Beef Cattle — The supply has been fair and the shipping de mand good, with sales at 3 to 4c \^ ft gross. From 500 to COO head shipped during the week. Hogs — Good hogs, such as sought for by butchers, have been scarce and in demand, selling at t)>j®7c \i ft net. There has been very little inquiry for light hogs, and prices have ranged from 5 to Gc ^3 ft net. The Southern markets continue to be well supplied and prices so low as to prevent shipping almost Sheep — Good sheep are scarce and worth ?4@5 ; common Cows and Calves — Demand good and supply very light; worth from fH) to f 40 ^-! head. PIANOS AND MELODEONS. A. REED, 49 North Fifth Street, St. Louis, Mo., AVholesale and Retail Dealer in A. AV. Ladd & Co.'s AVorld's Fair Prize Medal Full Iron Frame Grand and Square Piano Fortes; Hallet, Davis & Co.'s Celebrated Patent Suspension Bridge New Curved Scale and Re- peating Grand Action Piano, with entire Iron Frames. Every Instrument fully warranted. Also, Mason & Hamlin's un- rivalled .Alelodeons .and Harmoniums for Parlors, Churches, Seminaries anil Lodges ; all of which have received upwards of sixty gold and silver medals for their superb instruments. A lilitral discount to Clergymen, Seminaries, A'estries, Churches and Lodges. Orders by letter or otherwise prompt- ly attended to. Pianos tuned and repaired in the best man- ner. mayl dawCm BT.003IINGT0N NURSERY, ILLINOIS. on ACKIvS FRUIT, OKNAMENTAL AND Ov/Nmsery Stock— for cash. 10,000 Root Grafts 1(50. Per l,'i 0 — A]>p/e, one to three and four years, ?25 to f95; lit rate lie IT J/, AVilson's Albany |10, other fine lots 15; Aspar- nguK, two years, |3; Jihvbaib, Linneu's best, two sizes, |6i) to $S5; Oooxibernj, Houghton, two and three years, f 40; Currunt, Red, two years, $30; Evergreens, American and Foreign, f 15 to $30. Grajiffi, old and new, a great variety, very low. Per 100— Orange Raspberry, Lawton Blackberry, f7; Ita/iliim, tireen flO, dry J15; yerbe7ias, 14o sorts, |5 to S; Dyclytras, $S. Per dozen — Tiger Flowers, Double Tube- rose, 50 cents; J'hloxes, Rose Geraniums, 1150; Delphin- inm.x, Ciinipaiiulas, I>emon Terlienas, ¥'2. Prince Albert Potatoes, packed, $1 5tt, bush. Rosis, Bulbs, Greenhouse, Garden Plants, Ac. See fieiv lUi. F. K. PUtENIX. iuarl-4m THE ILLINOIS FA-HMEIl. 81 COX & ROBKKTS' PATEI^T THRE8HER A]\D CLEAMER. These Machines thresh and clean the Grain ready for market, without waste, in a manner superior to any other machine now in use. They have been thoroughly tested for a number of yeart past, several hundred having been made and sold by us, giving the most entire satisfaction. They are the most simple and basily managed machine now in -use, and dubable in their con- struction, requirhig LK33 power and thresh faster than any other Thrasher and Cleaner in the United States. At a trial of Machines at the Fair of the St. Louis Agricultural and Mechani- cal Association in 1868, our Machine with/owr Aorws, threshed andjcleaned wo? e isJieat, in better style, in a given time, Xhan any four or eighthorse viacMne on Wik poMui, andreceiv- ed the first premium, and a the late great Fair of the St. Louis Agricultural and Mechanical Association, in 1S69, our Machines received the first premium for best four horse and best eight horse Tliresher and Cleaner. The Grasd Gold Medal op Honor was awarded to our Lever Cabin Power at the same Fair, both in 1S5S and 1S59; they are an improvement on any now in use, being very portable and durable. Having largely increased our facilities for manufacturing these machines to meet the increased demand, and with improvements that have been added from year to year, as experience sug- vely used than any other; they 'can be ordered on wheels or without, as de- d. The machine with two horse Lever Cabin Power isintended for farmers who wish a small and less expensive machine to thresh and clean for themselves; it is a splendid Thresher, and does its work as well as the large ones. Orders respectfully solicited. All further information desired cheerfully given. _ tS^ Manufactured and sold by KINGSLANDS k FERGUSON, corner of Second and Cherry Streets, St. Louis, Mo. [may] -3m ^ SECURITY. %^ LYON'S PATENT lightnTn^g^rIds Have been extensively used for five years in the states of New Kngland, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, and have ahoays given the most perfect satisfaction' for every- thing that science or experience has shown to be es.sou- tial to form PERFECT LIGHTNING RODS, has been adopted in their construction, Copper Rods have from^re to seven times as much conducting power as new Iron Rods. Copper Rods do not rust but will retain their con- ducting power for years. Copper Rods need no paint E. Meriam, of Brooklyn, says, paint destroys the con- ducting power of any Rod. BEAD OUR CIRCULARS and see what the most Bcientific and practical men in tbe country Ray of them. Wo have reports from almost every ono who has investi- gated the science and principles of Electricity, and all arein favor of our COPPER RODS. [Circulars sent free.'] Rods of various styles of Spiral, Tubular and Flat, furnished in any quantities. Public Buildings furnished with neat and compact Rods, liavingfrom six to fifteen inelics surface. Single JXoSa sent by Express to any pai-t of the country. CAUTION. " Lyon-s Patent " bears date July lltli, 1854, and is for the '■■ Meialic Surface," Lightning Rod, made in any and every farm wliere sheet Copper is used. And any other Lightning Rod made of Sheet Copper, (whether patented or not,) is an infringement upon our Eiglit, and all persons who buy, sell or use, aro liable to prosecution and damages, and will be dealt with according to law. We are owners BY DEED of this Patent, for the States of lllimis, Iowa; Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ken- iucly and Tennessee, and do hereby notifyalljpcrsons irour Territory, to purchase such rods only of us or oiu- au- thorized Agents. Orders or Communications addressed to E P. MARSH & CO. Post Office Box 3174, Office, 150 South "Water Street, Chicago, Illinois. m * V» >> t -^ ~ ^i ST. LOUIS QOLLEGE, SPENCERIAN ^V KITING DEPARTMENT, AND Stewarfs Mathematical Institute. Located in St. Louis, Mo. Corner Fomth, Vine and St. Charles streets, over Ubsdell, Pierson & Co.'s Dry Goods House. THE OTHER COLLEGES COMPOSING THE chain are located in New York, Philadelphia, Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit and Clucago. ^^^~ Scholarships good in the Eight Colleges. BOARD OP REFERENCE: D. A. January, Esq., Hon. O. D. Filley, Maj. Uriel Wright, Hon. Samuel Breckinridge, Hon. F. P. Blair, Prof. Richard Edwards, Prof. E. D. Sanborn, B. Gratz Brown, Esq., H. D. Bacon, Esq., Pres. E. C. Wines, Rev. Wm. G. Elliot, Rob't. A. Barnes, Esq., Henry Ames, Esq., Hon. J. R. Barrett, Hon. Washington King, Prof. J. G. lloyt, Ira Divoll, Esq., Stephen D. Barlow, Esq., S. H. Bailey, Esq., R, M. Funk- houser, Esq., Rev. T. M. Post, Wm. Holmes, Esq., Rev. Jas. H. Brookes, W. L. Ewing, Esq., Geo. R. Taylor, Esq., Joseph Baker, Esq., Stephen Hoyt, Esq., James Duncan, Esq., Jas. H. Lightner, Esq., Adolphus Meier, Esq. Prof. N. L. Tracy, State Lecturer on Popular Education. The course of study and plan of instruction is at once com- prehensive and thorough, combining theory and practice in every department, perfectly. The famous Spencerlan System of Penmanship, the best known to the world, is our standard. f. Charles Stewart, the celebrated mathematician, has recently Connected his long-established and popular Mathematical In- stitute with this Institution. For catalopues, circulars, and information of any kind, caUi at the College, or address BRYANT & STRATT, O. N. may5-fly St. Louis, Mo. GREAT REDUCTION TO CLUBS ! SUBSCRIBE SOW FOR THE Illinois State Journal, A reliable Xeicipaper, and a faithful adcocate of Repub- licaii princijjlei) — Puhliahed at S pi-ingfield, Illinois, BY BAILUACBE b BAKER. Six copies for one year $7 50 Ten " " 12 00 Fifteen " " 16 60 Twenty" " 20 00 Thirty " " SO 00 All persons sending clubs often, fifteen and twenty subscri- bers at the above rates, will be entitled to an extra copy free; and all persons sending clubs of thirty sulxscribers, shall re- ceive two extra copies of the paper free, or a copy of Godey's Lady's Book for 18G0, if preferred. AVe hope our friends will respond liberally in view of the above reduction of rates. Each paper will be addressed to the person for, whom it is in- tended, and will be forwarded to any desired po.st office. t^° Clergymen and teachens supplied at |1 a year. ^^~ Money inclosed in registered letters sent at our risk. Address BAILHACHE & BAKER, decSO Springfield, 111. Aa accidents will happen, even in well regulated families, it it fery desirable to have some cheap audconveaieut way forrepaiiing Furniture, Toys. Crockery, Ac. SPALDING'S PREPABED GLUE meets all sudi emergencies, and no household can afford to be with- out it. It is always ready and up to the sticking point. There U no loncer a necessity for limping chairs, splintered veneers, headle» (•.oils and broken cradles. It is just the article for cone, shell and Other ornamental wort, bo popular with 'adies of refinement and taste. This admirable preparation is used cold, being cbemlcally held In Bolution. and possessing all the valuable qualities of the best cabinet makers' glue. It may be used in the place of ordinary mucllag*, being vastly m('re adhesive. "USEFUL m EVERY HOUSE." K.B.— 4. brush accompanies each bottle. Prick, 25 cents. . Wholesale Depot, 48 Cedar-st., New York, HENRY C. SPALDING & CO. Box No. 3600 New Tork. ^.ddrcss Put up for dealers in cases containing four. cUrht and twelve doz en— a beautiful lithographic show card accompanying each packacc. SWA smgle bottle of SPALDING'S PREPARED GLUE will save ten times its cost annuallv to every househol(l._£j Sold liy all prominent Stationers, Druggists, Hardware and Fur- niture dealers. Grocers and Fancv Store?. Country Merchants should make a note of SPALDING'S PRE- P.MIEIJ OLUF.. when making up theu: list. It will stand any climate. A WORD TO THE DISCOLTIAGED.— In another column you will find my card relating to the cure of Dyspepsia, and in this place I will just add, it is well known that thousands of Dysj)eptic patients, and thou- sands more who have not known what was the matter, have been trying many kinds of patent medicine, known as Cure All", and the skill of the profession (all the Schools) without having realized satisfactory results; all of which have in a great measure, Ijeen owing to overlooking the Electrical state of the Stomach, ts rotary motion in the process of digestion, and the. further fact, that the gastric juice, when in a healthy con- dition, is a neutral, and as soon as there is present too much acid or alkali, this condition is changed, and instead of diges- tion, we have a fermentation of the food. The fact is in or- der to extract the dynamic or cohesive forces of the food, reducing it to pulp, which is easily converted into chyme and chyle,'it is absolutelv necessary that the g.a«tric juice SHOULD BE NEUTRAL. SPECIFIC REMEDIES TO EVERY DISCOVERED CONDITION. Please read my card. Office and consultation rooms, 94 Pine street, between Ctli and 7th. Box 659, St. Louis. ^^~ All letters with stamps answered, f^" Consultation free. apr23-a&f > CLARK WHITTIER, M.D. 82 THE ILLINOIS F^I^MER. NEW P R 0 r R I E T 0 u 3 YORK STATE A G 11 1 0 U L T U II A L WORKS. [ DOl'BLI POWIR AND COMDIKID TIIRBSIIER AND WIHSOWBR, AT WORK. ] Manufacturers of EndlMi Chain Railway Horse Powers, and Farmers' and Plantera' Machinery for Ilorse Power ute, and owners of the Patent* on, and principal malcer* or tliu following valuiiljlc Machines: WHEELERS PATENT DOUBLE HORSE POWER, , AMD IMPROVED COMBINED TURESHER AND WINNOWER. [ SIIOWM IN Tn« CLT. ] WHEELER'S IMPROVED PATENT COMBINED THRESIIIR AND WINNOWER, Is a model of simplicity and compactness, and is made in the most sul)stantial manner, so tliat its f work. Its capacity, under ordinary circumstances, has been from Ti.") to 175 bushels of Wheat, and from 200 to .'ilM) bushels of Oats per day. It works all other kinds of grain equally well, and also threshes and cleans rice, clo?traud timothy seed. Pries, $'^0. WIIEELEK'3 PATENT SINGLE HORSE POWER, AKD OVERSHOT THRESIIE R W I T IF V I B R A T I N G SEPARATOR, Threshes from 75 to lOit bushels of Wheat, ortwice as many Oats per day without chant{ing horses — by achangs nearly doubia the quantity may be threshed. Pries, $123. WUEELERS PATENT DOUBLE HORSE POWER, A.ND OVERSHOT THRESHER WTTH V I B R A T 1 1^' O SEPARATOR, Does double the work of the Single Machine, and is adapted to the wants of large and medium grain growers, and persons who make u business of threshing, Price, |1C0. WHEELER'S NEW FOUR HOR.SE, OR SIX MULE HOR.SE POWER, Is a recent Invention, designed to meet the wants of Southern and Western customers. We believe it the simplest and most perfect Lever Power made. Price, |100. Also, Circular and Cross-Cut Sawing Machines, Clover Ilullcra, Feed Cutters, Horse Rakes, and other Farming Machines. t:^~To persons wishing more information and applying by mail, we will forward a Circular containing such details as pur- chasers mostly want — and can refer to gentlemen having our Machines in every State and Territory. Our firm have been engaged in maimfacturing this class of Agricultural Machinery 25 years, and" hare had longer, larger and more extended and successful experience than any other house. All our Machines are warranted to give entire satisfaction, or may be returned at the expiration of a reasonable time for trial. |^~"Orders accompanied with satisfactory references, will be filled with promptness and fidelity; and Machines, securely packed, will be forwarded according to iustructluns, or by cheapest and best routes. WHEELER, MELICK A CO., Mayl,lS60. AlOany, IT. Y. PUBLIC NOTICE. IN COMBINATION WTIII A CORN planting machine that is constantly moved over the ground (when planting,) and drops the grain intermittently, the so combining of two slides, one of which is at or near the seed hoi>per, and the other at or near the ground, or their equivalents, with a lever, as that the operator or attendent on the machine c."\n ojjen said slides at the proper time to deposit the seed, and prepare a new charge, by the double droping here in .siiecified. KEMAnKH. — It makes no difl'erence how the mode of opcra- atlon, as the patent is on the double drop, to compensate fiT the forward motion of the machine. All those making, selling or using will be made to pay for such infringement. Your.-) respectfully, JARVIS CASE. April 1, ISGO. Jlngene JL, Gross, ATTORNEY AT LAW, SPRINGFIELD, Correspondence Solicited. M. Brayman, Springfield, ILL. Refers to— Col. Manning, Peoria. Hon. .Julius decl-ly N A N S E M O N 1) SWEET POTATO PLANTS BY THE MILLION— PUT UP SO AS TO carry one thousand miles in good order. Price — 400 $1, 1,00 J $2, 5,000 ♦9,10,000*15. The plants have grown line crops44deg. north. Send for my circular containing full directions for cultivation and tlie experience of those who have grown them. Address M. M. MURRAY, Fruit Hills, Lovcland, apl-3m Clermont, Co., Ohio. SWEET POTATOES FOR SEED, THE NANSEMOITD S^VEET POTATOE IS THE ONLY VAR- IETY that h.is given entire patisfaction in the Northwest. My stock now on hand is large and of the best quality. I want lifty aK'eiits to sprout on shares in such jiarts of the West not yet supplied. All such applicants will be reciuircd to K've pood rellerences. Directions for sprouting will bo gent to all customers. 1 rejiret to learn that some have sent out late maturing varieties, resembling the Nanscniond in color, nmch to the damage of this productive and early miiturinj; variety. Prices low; no charge for delivery at Terra Haute Railroad Depot. Address, J. W. TENHROOK, febl Rockville, Indiana "VrrE STERN LAND OFFICE, T . S . M A T II E R . FOR THI PURCHASE AND ?ALE OF CITY PROPERTY, FARMS AND UMMPOVKD LANDS, PAYSIKNT OF TAXES, COLLECTION OF CLAIMS. C>ovcrunicnt Lands Entered with Warrants or Carh in any land district in Illinois, Iowa, Mi.-i3(juri, .Minnesota or Nebra.ikn. LAND WARRANTS BOUGHT AND SOLD. {^-Office over N. II. Ridgely'a Bank, west side public square, Spriuglleld, Ills. TO •9rchtt€cts, Buittlers, CARPENTERS, MACHINISTS , AND DECORATORS. KOVr PUBLISHINO yVEEKLY, THE JIrchU€€ts^ and •iflechanics'^ JOURNAL, The only Illustrated Weekly publication of its kind in this country, and indispensable to all engaged in Building and Meehuiiic.al 0]>cratious. EDITED BY PRACTICAL MEN. Vfho arc well known as among the ablest men in this country. Every week. Illustrations appear of great practical utility, such as Engravings of New Bnildiugs Already erected, now going up, or intended for erection, in different parts of the country. Designs and Worlcing Details Connected with Ituilding operations, of great value to Archi- tects, Builders and Carpeuters. The Mechanical Department Is enriched by Enprravinps connected with new Inventions, as well as a complete synopsis of everytliing which is going for- ward in the Mechanical World. Subscription, t2 per annum, in advance. |^~Send 25 cents for five weekly numbers, as samples. The Scientific American, of October 29, in noticing the Architects' and Meclianics' Journal, says it is "Edited with evident ability Altogether, the best work of the kind ever published In onr oity." — [New York.] Published by Alexander narthill, 123 Fulton street. New York. The Trade supplied by any wholesale House in New Y'ork. febl-ff BLOOMING TON NURSERY, BLOOMJNGTOX, JLLIKOIS. Eighty Acres Fruit and Ornamental Trees. 900 ^^-^^lED SORTS TULIPS, ALSO <t attention. Packages delivered at the railroad free of drayage. JONATHAN HUGQINS. Woodburn, Macoupin county, Illinois. febl-far-tf DUNLAP'S NURSERY. 40 Acres in Trees and Plants. EMBRACING THE USUAL NURSERY stock, all of which will be sold low for casli. Orders for Spring planting sliould be be sent in early. 5,000 two year old SIL VER MAPLES for timber I)elt3, can be had at $5 per 100. J. It. Wliitney, of Chatham, Sangamon county, is tlie agent for Sangamon and neighboring comities. Catalo>rues had on opplication. Address -M. L. DUNLAP, febl West Urbana, Champaign Ce., Ills. THE ILLIjSTOIS FA-RMER. 83 THE MQUISTON SHELLER AND IIOBSE POWER. MANUFACTURED B Y J. C. C A Rll. For particulars address ISAAC P. ATWATER, Morris, Grundy County, Illinois. The most perfect, substantial and economical Farmer's Sheller ev«r built; Bloomikqton, April 17th, 1860. Mr. Tsgac P. Atwater : Sir :_In answer to your questions, I will state that sine* 10th NoTcmber last, I hare shelled with the McQUISTON TWO nORSE POWEK ELEVATOR SHELLER, oyer 45,000 bushels of Corn, with less than |5 expense for repairs, and my machine Is atill in good running order and will probably shell as much more. I have shelled, cleaned perfectly and sacked SO bushels In one hour, and can do it any day with good corn. Would not sell my machine at any price, if I could not get another just like it. Two light horses have done all this shelling and kept fat. I shell and car my own corn at an expense of one and a half cents per bushel. Yours respectfully, WM. VREELAND, Corn Buyer, at C. A. A St. L. Depot. Mr. JOSEPH LTTDINOTON, Corn Buyer, etc., at Depot of Illinois Central Railroad, Bloomington, says : I have shelled about 40,000 bushels since 20th November last, with about $3 expense for repairs, running every day now. Ilave timed it one hour and shelled 75 bushels. Common average of evsry day is 50 bushels per hour. It is the most substantial, durable and economical Corn Sheller I have ever seen. Don't think It can be equalled. Messrs. AUGLE A ALLER, of Bushnell, C, B. k Q. R. R., have shelled about 40.000 bushels since November last, if achine still in good order and shelling every day. Repairs have been trifling. Sheller and Power considered unequalled. Shells from 450 to 600 bushels per day, depending upon the quantity of corn got to it. Have never seen it fed as fast as it would shell. Messrs. WYCKOFF A SHREVES, Bushnell, have shelled since November about 60,000 bushels ; expenses for repairs not to exceed 15; is in tip top order now and shelling from .500 to 600 bushels per day. For economy and perfection of work, have no idea it can be equalled. Have sold a number of machines in the neighborhood and never known one to be in any way imperfect or incapable of giving the fullest satisfaction to the purchaser. Messrs. COLE A WEST, also of Bushnell, have shelled with their machine 60.000 bushels since last November, and it is now running every day, and from appearances, will shell as much more without any but trifling expense for repairs. Never think of having to stop for any break down or repairs whatever. Can shell, clean and bag just any quantity of corn the men wilt put into it. Mr. TAYLOR, of Kewanee, has shelled 35,000 bushels since November. Don't think he has had any expense for repairs. Has run a great many Corn Shellers, small and large, has never seen one before that he considered perfect in every respect. Has never seen two men feed it to its capacity. Thinks it capable of shelling from 500 to 700 bushels per day, if rightly managed. And I might go on multiplying reports similar to the above, until it would cost me about as much to get you to print it as the profits on the 160 odd machines sold since last October would amount too. It will be understood that the above references are to single machines, that is, one Sheller and its Two Horse Power ha-s done the work named. If there is any Corn Sheller in the State of Illinois, of any capacity, capable of doing as economical and perfect work, or any Sheller of its capacity able to do as much work, with as little expense for repairs, I would like to hear of it. The parties above named are all responsible gentlemen, who hare freely made these itatemeuti and volunteered their names as references. Moaats, Gku.ndt County, Ills., April 1S60. ISAAC P. ATWATER. Cast Iron Land Rollers, 24 inch diameter in 13 inch sections. 6 Sections $-iy — 7 Sections $50 — 8 Sections $55 — All hung ready for the field. TERMS. — Cash on delivery at Railroad. Purchaser pay freights. apl-y* YOUNG'S ADJUSTABLE CULTIVATOR AND WEED EXTERMINATOR. This is the most valuable Cultivator in use, and cannot fail to give the most entire satisfaction. Price of Cultivator, with Weeding Cutters and a Set of shares for Hilling, $13 They are made of good materials and workmanship. Address apl-3in* iOim YOl^lsQ, Joilet,. Will County. H ENRYFOLSOM & CO Southwest Comer Washington Ave. & Fiith-st., ACEKTS FOR THE West Castleton and Hydevillc Slate Co's. WUOLES.ILE DEALERS IN AMERICAN SLATE STONE, ' ' . BOOFINU SLATE, GRATES AND MANTEUS, ' FLOOR TILE, HEARTHS, 4c. State Roofs laid in any part of the country at as low rates as by any other responsible party. MARBELIZED SLATE MANTELS, In imitation of the most costly colored marbles, such as Black and Gold, Egyptian, Spanish Bro-icn, Srocatfll«, Poriiliyry, VerdAntiqui, Bed Antique, Sunna,^^/ CAPITAL -J UNLIMITED AJIF* COWBTAJfTLT irCEEASING. PRESENT FUND for the payoMOt of LOSSES BY FIRE 81,000,000 GO PRINCIPAL OFFICE AT ALTON, ILL. This company was chart-ered in 1639, and insures, at a moderate cost, almost every species of proi)erty in Illinois against Loss or Damage by Fire. The rates of risk ara so ar- ranged that each class of property insured will support its own loss. Every one insured becomes a meml)er — the Company be- ing an association of customers — each of whom is concerned iu insuring his neighbor. The capital augments in exact ratio with the increase of risks; tlie security for which remains in the hands of the insured; therefore, every member is the trea- surer of his own money until the same is required for the pur- pose of paying losses. BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Time. Turner, Lyman Trumbull, H, W. Billings, Benj. F. Long Sa.niuel Wade, M. G, Atwood, John James, L. Kellenberger, Ilobert Smith, Henry ],ea, Elias Hibbard, Alfred Dow, F. A. Hoffman, B. K. Hart, John Atwood. B. F. LONG, President. L. Kellenberger, Treas. M. G. Atwood, Sec'y. John Atwood, Ass't.* Sec'y. John Bla.iei)ell, Gen'l Agent. ^^"Application for Insurance may be made to the Local Agents, one or more of whom may be found in every county in this State. JA3IES L. HILL, Agent. janl0-d3m-wly FAIRBANKS' >S' s C A L E Of all kisds. Fairbanks & Greenleaf, 3,^ Lake Street, Chicago, Sold in Springffeld by »iiayl-ly E. B. PEASE. 84 THE ILLINOIS FA-RMER. FRINGE & CO/S IMPROVED PATENT MEL C3-EO. -A,. FMlSrCE Sc CO., 3VE.A.3SrXJF^ft.CTTJI^BPlS, BTJFF-A.LO. HST-^ST. Wholesale Depot, 87 Fulton Street, New York, and 110 Lake Street, Cliicago, 111. Cotnbiniuff all of their Recent Improvements — Tlic JDividea Swell, Organ, Jflelodeon, A'c. THE DIVIDED SWELL CAN ONLY BE OBTAINED IN MELODEONS OF OUR MANUFACTURE. « ♦ « The Oldest Establishment in the United States, Employing Two Hundred Men, and Finishing Eighty Instruments Per Week* All Melodeons of our manufacture, either sold by us or dealers in any part of the United States or Canadas, are warranted to be perfect in every respect; and should any repairs bo necessary before the expiratiou of cue year from date of sjile, we hold ourselves ready and i^illing to make the same free of charge, provided the injui-y Is not caused by accident or design; GEO. A. PRINCE & CO., no Ij-A-kie street, chio-a-Oo. iXiLinsrois. Agents for the sale of our Melodeons, may be found in all the principal cities and towns of the United States and Canadas. AV BED'S TATENT CrNH IV ALL ED SLJ WIN G MA C II IX US. A FIRST CLASS ARTICLE. WEED'S UNRIVALLED F A M I L Y SEWING M A CHINE S ! SEWING MACHINES!! SEWING MACHINES!! A FIRST CLASS ARTICLE. Lock Stitch alike on both sides. Simple and reliable — without complication. Warranted In every respect. Price $50 to 8100. WEED'S PLANTATION SEWING MACHINES! SEWING MACHINES!! SEWING MACHINES!!! Price $100. WEED'S MANUFACTURE OF SEWING MACHINES! SEWING MACHINES!! SEWING MACHINES!!! WESTERN AGENCY, 74 Fourth Street, [directly opposite Everett House, ] ST. LOUIS. J. W. LITTLEFIELD & CO., Agents. Also Agents for SLOAT'S ELLIPTICAL, WILLCOX *fe GIBBS', AND HUBBARD'S .5' E W I N G M A CHINES. May 1-1 y. ORDERS PROMPTLY FILLED. Agents Appointed. G ROVER & BAKER SXriVZlTG XXACKZXTZ! FOft FAMILY AND FLAMATION SEWIXG. From the very flattering manner in which our Machines have been received by the public, resulting ia the uie of ux>ward8 of 5 0,000, We are led to believe that our endeavors to manufacture A RELIABLE MACHINE have been appreciated. We take this oi)purtunity to remark that the policy will remain unchanged, and that EVERY MACIIIN'E SOLD BY US We shall not hesitate to warrant in eyery respect. GROVER & BAKER SEWING MACHINE has one advantage which is worthy of especial attention, in addition to the peculiar character of the stitch, and that isiti adaptation to either liglit or medium heavy work. The Machine which at one moment is used on The Most Delicate Fabric, In a few moments after can be brought to bear with equal facility on cottonades and towels of the coarsest description. Its adaptation for P A M I L Y W 0 R K , is thus remarkable, and gives it a laperlority over ^^^^rj other style of machine in the market, FROM THE SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN of Nov. 5, 1559, which we think is fully entitled to be conclu- sive, from the high character of that paper, which is con- sidered the best authority on all such subjects as that under consideration. The machines manufactured by this company are too well known by the public at large to need any recommendations at our hands, and we will simi)ly add tliat we have hiid one of them in use in our family for some time past, and it is con- sidered the most useful article in the house next to the cradle, and no less indispensable than that. In No. 2 of the present volume (If'^O) of the Scientijie American, we published an illustration showing the mechanical principles of the Orover k linker machine. By reference to that illustration, the form of the stitch will be seen, and its security from ripping, aa well as its superior elasticity, will be readily understood." There are constantly kept on exhibition machines of the different patterns and styles of finish, for the convenience of I)urchaser9. Young ladies, experienced In their use and courteous in their manners, are always on hand to receive lady visitors or purchasers.- SKSD FOR CIRCI'LIKS. SALES ROOMS, 124 North Fourth Street, myl-ly Veratidah Row, St. Louis. VOLUME V. SPRINGFIELD, ILL., JUNE, 1860. NUMBER 6. THE ILLINOIS FARMER. PUBLISHKD MONTHLY, BY BAIL II AC HE & BAKER, Journal Office, Springfield, Illinois. M. L. DUNLAP, Editor. TERMS OP SUBSCRIPTION. One copy, one year, in advance $1 00 Five copies, " " 3 75 Ten " and one to the person getting up club 7 50 Fifteen copies and over, C2J^ cents each, and one to iierson getting up club. CASH RATES OF ADVERTISING : One dollar per square of ten lines, each insertion. SPECIAL NOTICE. All business letters should be directed to the Publisheri, at Springfield; and all communications for the eye of the Editor, and the exchanges, should be directed — Illinois Farmer, Champaign, 111. (The name of the post office at West Ur- bana has oeen uimugcd a.» •boTc.) CONTENTS^ ~~ ■-.;■■/ Requie?cam fS The Waltz S5 June S5 The Apiary S6 f^wine $7 Honey made to Order hi Shiii-I Horn Durham Cow Adelaide ,SS The Cattle Disease 8S Sweet Potatoes 90 Native Evergreens 9^ Hog Cholera .'aking I'lows for two Horses 95 Enlargement 95 Cultivators 95 Silver Ware for Premiums 95 Missouri Fruit Grower-- Association for 1S59 95 G. W. R. R. and the State fair 95 Premium List of Illinois State Agricultural Society 95 State Fai r 95 The Value of Shelter !.95 NVilbur, Emory & Co., Chicago 95 New Potatoes and Clierries 95 Field's Rotary Cultivator 95 Corn Culture 95 Young's Cultivator 95 The Medical Investigator 95 Wire Fence 95 Cheese Hand Book, No. 2 95 l)oul)le Shovel Plows 95 No Cattle Shows in Massachusetts 95 Hand Corn Sheller 95 Steam Plowing 95 Wheeler pity, skippity, fhunippity-fh'umps; Coat skirts against dresses go liippity-flap. Then huggity, tuggity, rubbity-rap ! Thus mated together, strange murmurs arise, Discordant ofmuth inst., William F. Bicknell purchased of Orrin Hill, at Brighton, four oxen, one of which, on Friday last, showed symptoms of the prevailing dis- ease. The ox died on Sunday, and on being opened, the lung and plura on the left side were found to be extremely in- flamed, and the cavity of the chest con- tained a large quantity of serum. Judge Mattoon, of Barnstable, has already commenced an investigation of the case, and to-morrow Messrs. Brooks and Se- wall, in company with a competent veterinary surgeon, will proceed to Sand- wich to examine the matter. It is not improbable that some unscru- pulous person having diseased cattle may have secretly conveyed them to Brighton market. There are grounds for appre- hending this, from the fact that in North Brookfield, recently, an Irishman went at break of day to a farmer, one-half of whose herd had died of the disease, and inquired the price of his best cows. The farmer, an honest, staaightforward man, told him that considering the dis- ease which prevailed among them, he might have his choice for forty dollars. The Irishman reflected and agreed to take two. The farmer then asked him what he was going to do with them ; whereupon the man said he was going to drive them to Spencer. "But the people will not allow you to drive them there,'' said the farmer. ♦' I know that,'' re- })lied the unscrupulous purchaser, '* but I shall drive them in the night time." This opened the eyes of the farmer to the dishonesty of his customer, and he rebuked him saying, "I have got all I ,.v..i'» ....J . THE ILLINOIS FARMER. 89 want of you ; I shall not let you have the cattle ; you can go.'' We hope for the "welfare of the community that all the farmers whose herds have been visit- ed by this frightful scourge are thus mindful of their neighbor's welfare. There is great danger to be appre- hended from a class of small farmers, principally foreigners, who are ambitious of bargains. The utmost vigilance is necessary to prevent such men from trafficking in cattle infected with the con- tagion. A man recently informed the Commissioners that he had three cows which had been exposed, and wanted the commissioners to take them off his hands while there was yet a chnnce of his re- alizing their value. The commissioners promised to sell ihem as soon as possi- ble, but the owner directly sold them to a man in a neighboring town, where they were driven into a herd with four others. The commissioners learning the fact dispatched a person immediately, and ascertained that the three cows were diseased. These, together with the re- mainder of the herd, were at once de- stroyed. On Thursday, Dr. Loring and Prof. Clarke visited the farm of Mr. Thrash- er, in Amherst, where four head of cat- tle belonging to Mr. Edward "W. Fay of North Brookfield, had been sent to pas- ture. Although from the infected dis- trict they had not shown signs of pleuro- pneumonia. They have been in contact with only three other animals, and are no%v isolated and shut up in a barn. No danger is apprehended from them. On the other hand Mr. Ebenezer Fairbanks of West Brookfield, who has a herd of eighteen head, killed a cow this morn- ing which had exhibited symptoms of the contagion, and found the lungs very much enlarged, and other unmistakable signs of pleuro-pneumonia. The com- missioners will examine the herd to- day, and probably condemn the whole. The disease has obtained a strong hold at New Braintee. The commissioners have examined several large herds, num- bering in the aggregate about two hun- dred and fifty head, and found several cattle to be affected. All have conse- quently been exposed to the contagion. The disease is supposed to have ramifi- cations in Oakham, Ilardwick and Stur- bridge. Since, a yoke of oxen belong- ing to William Fullum of North Brook- field, one of which has been killed, and found to be badly diseased, have been used in drawing box-lumber from those towns, Dana, Pelham and places as far north even as New Hampshire. The people are now fully awake to the danger of this disease, which threat*- ens to become a national calamity. Al- ready meetings have been held in several towns, and measures taken for the pron tcction of the healthy cattle. The citi» zens of Warren, Mass., and Portsmouth, R. I., have adopted resolutions prohib' iting the passage into those towns of any cattle from the infected and suspected districts. The commissioners recom' mend this course, and the establishment of stringent regulations in all the towns of New England. Mr. Flint, Secretary of the Board of Agriculture, has been instructed to notify the Governors of all the States and Ter- ritories in the Union States, and also all the Boards of Agriculture and Presidents of State Societies, of the existence, na- ture and magnitude of the ditease, and of its dangerous character, that they may adopt such measures for self-defense as they may deem proper. SIEETINO OF THE FARMERS OF NOBTHAMPTOX, The farmers of Northampton have be- come SO much interested in the subject of the prevailing disease, that they have sent Dr. E. F, AYood to investigate and report upon the matter. A meeting was held in Northampton on Wednesday evening, which was at- tended by about two hundred persons. H. K. Starkweather, Secretary of the Hampshire, Hampden and Franklin Ag- ricultural Society, presided. Dr. Wood reportecT^ihe result of his visit to the in- fected districts, stating that he was per- fectly satisfied that the disease was conta- gious, and that in his opinion there was no way o£ exterminating the disease but to continue the work of slaughter. Prof. Clarke of Amherst, having been invited to address the meeting, spoke of the contagious character and fatal effects of the disease, and the absolute neces sity existing for its radical and entire extirpation. He defended the commis- sioners against the attacks of certain croakers, contending that they were pur- suing the proper and legitimate course open to them. The nature , of the dis- ease, and its effect upon the community at large, were made the subject of an earnest appeal to the people to come forward and subscribe to the guarantee fund. Dr. Charles G. Loring, ohe of the commissioners, also spoke by invitation, defending the position and action of the Board, and presented evidence of the existence and effects of the disease, ex- horting the people to come up and help to stay the malady by subscribing to the fund. Mathew Smith, a delegate to the State Board of Agriculture from the Middle- field Agricultural Society, spoke of the impression made upon his mind during a Stay of a few days in North Brookfield, and expressed his convictions of the pro- priety of the course of the commission- ers. ■;' '.' ^-yy THE DISEASE IN AFRICA lilPOETAKT IKFORMA- TION. While in New Haven, Mr. Walker met the Rev. Mr. Lindsey, a missionary of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, who previous to seven years ago, resided at Port Natal, on the eastern coast of Africa. From a conversation with this gentleman, whose position and opportunities for observa- tion entitle him to public confidence, Mr. Walker was fully convinced that the commissioners had taken the only course open to a complete extinction of the dis- ease. Mr. Lindsey states that five years before he left Africa, a bull affected with pleuro-pneumonia, was imported into Port Natal from Holland. In sixty days after the arrival of the animal, it died. In the meantime, the disease had been communicated to other cattle, and spread rapidly in all directions, jumping three hundred miles at one time, in conse- quence of one ot the tribe in the infected district driving a herd of cattle that dis- tance. The disease extended along the entire coast, a distance of thirteen hun- dred miles, sweeping all the cattle be- fore it. The cattle belonging to the tribe in which Mr. Lindsey dwelt, were, how- ever, exempt from the infection, not a single case occurring, and for this rea- son : The chief of the tribe, impressed with the belief that the only remedy was in insolatiug his people and their herds, and cutting off all communition by means of cattle with the surrounding tribe, for- bade the introduction of all cattle into his domains. He cleared a belt of land about three hundred rods wide, entirely aro«Hid his kingdom, and this by agree- ment with the surrounding chiefs, was regarded as neutral ground. No cattle were allowed to cross it but in the pro- cess of transportation. Goods were drawn to the line of demarkation on one side by cattle, then carried across the belt by natives, and taken up again by oxen in the adjoining territory. The result of this judicious action was that not an animal died of the disease in that tribe, while behind the belt, cattle could be seen dying upon the hills, and within it there was perfect security. Mr. Lindsey strongly asserts that the disease cannot be compromised ; that it is a con- tagious consumption, which is incapable of modification. It is the same in Af- rica as it is in Holland, and it will be the same in the United States as it is in Africa, unless it is eradicated. It has obtained a foothold in this country, and unless some speedy and effective plan is adopted it will overrun the State. We offer no other apology to our readers than the importance of the sub- ject for the space we occupy on this matter. With care "n receiving stock from the east we may escape the malady for some years, but we have little hope that now it is on the continent its pro . j: _ '-ii»;ltA£^•■?- ,'.riiitjr^A 90 THE ii^Liisrois fa.r]nj:er. gress will be more than stayed for a time ; to p;et rid of it entirely is too much to expect. We have no doubt but that the commissioners and farmers will do their duty in the premises, but the cattle dealers we fear will thwart all their well laid plans. Ed. <^ Sweet Potatoes. As we intend to have this number of the Farmer out a little in advance, and as the time for planting sweet potatoes is yet in order, we make no apology for devoting a large space to this valuable esculent, which is now becoming one of the staple products of the farm and the garden. Since the introduction of the Nansemond sweet potatoe, its cultiva- tion has b«en rapidly extending, and in a year or two more it will hare become one of the prime neceisities of the table. It is well known that all attempts to grow the varieties usually cultivated at the South have proved failures, and that in consequence the impression has pre- vailed that we could not grow this plant in the Northwest. But this illusion ii now dispelled, and the sweet potatoe hat already taken its place among the most valued of our farm products. Aaron Vestal, of Wayne county, Indiana, -was the first to call our attention to the value of the Nansemond ; and Jacob Smith, of Lockport, Will county, Illinois,' was the first person, so far as we know, who first cultivated it for market in this State. But, unfortunately, Mr. Smith did not confine his efforts to this variety, and mtt with lo much serious disappoint- ment in wintering the seed, and poor crops of the larger sorts, that he gave up th« business at an early day. To Mr. J. W. Tenbrook, of Rockvillo, Indiana, is due the more general disem- ination of this variety throughout the Northwest. The superior manner in which he kept the seed through the win- ter soon gave him prominance among thoie who sprouted the plants for lale, and ha has become by general consent, to be regarded as the *' sweet potatoe king" of the Northwest. His Siveet Potatoe CuUuristy now before us, is the most complete and valuable work of the kind that we have met with, and we can most confidently recommend it to all those who plant a hundred lotts and up- wards, as an invaluable guide and as- siBtant. Mr. M. M. Murray, of Loreland, Ohio, has also established a good trade in our State. On the whole we have now a good and healthy competition to supply seed and plants to all who want. The demand is so rapidly increasing that we may not expect the plants as cheap as they will be, so soon as sweet potatoe houses are put up in most of the counties to winter the seed. In putting up seed for winter it has been the prac- tice to pave the small ones or those unfit for market, thus making the cost of seed merely nominal above the cost of winter- ing. But we like the large potatoe for seed and would prefer to pay the differ- ence. It is the large potatoes or the entire crop that Mr. Tenbrook saves, instead of selling the marketable ones for table use. Nearly all our nursery- men, seed stores and market gardeners keep the plants for sale. They are also hawked through the country by ped- dlers, but of this latter class beware, for you may get anything but theNansemond of them. Many persons plant too early. It is useless to plant before the ground is well warmed up towards the last of May and even the first of June. In preparing the land we prefer to plow it deep early in April, and ridge up at the time of setting. These ridges we formerly made by back-furrowing, or throwing two furrows together. We now make them by going around the land and throw one furrow on the other — that is, first throw a furrow outwards, and again pass around, letting the off- horse go into the furrow. This will let the plow run deeper than at the first round. The plow cuts a furrow from four to six inches wide and some ten inchei deep. This is thrown on to the first furrow. In passing around the next time the off-horse it on the land, just sufficiently near to throw the furrow to the edge of the last furrow, but not into it ; and this double-furrow system is continued until the field is completed ; and the furrows will be found about three feet apart from centre to centre. In the top of these ridges set a single plant in a hill, at from fifteen to eighteen inches apart, and cultivate with a large ■ingle shovel-plow, by passing it through weekly, or oftener if needed, until the vines are too much in the way ; but do not mind cutting the most forward ones off. We do not raise up the vines as formerly, but let them run and grow as fast to the ground, as they will persist in doing. In digging use a potatoe fork with flat tines. In marketing the small ones should be thrown out, as they will injure the sale more than they measure. It may be proper to state that we hare cultivated the Nansemond for twelve years, several of which we procured the seed of Mr. Tenbrook, and thev have always come to hand in fine order, and produced strong healthy plants. Mr. Loomis, of Wisconsin, say of his last year's planting: " My first plants were removed from the hot bed about the 2d of May. Be- tween that and the 15th of June my neighbors and myself set out some eight hundred more plants. Some two hundred more were set out on the 25th of June, in'very sandy soil. Most of my neigh- bors were afraid to risk a few shillings m such an unpromising experiment. My object was to test the raising of the sweet potatoe in different kinds of soil, and also to see how late they might bo set out with us and yet mature, as many are of the opinion that our seasons are too short for the sweet potatoe. We are now prepared to look at the results of those experiments. The first result noticed was this — that by the middle of July no difference could be observed between the first and last settings of the sweet potatoe. 2d. That when we came to use the potatoes the tubers from the last settings seemed as mature as those from the first. 3d. That the more sandy the soil the more yellow in appearance and rich in flavor, the potatoe. The smallest and poorest potatoes were raised in the rich- est black loam. '* The largest sweet potatoes that wo have grown were planted the 18th of June, and very small plants at that. A clay soil is better than a black mucky one. The dry upland prairie is good in all cases, but low, flat, mucky land should be avoided. Clean and thorough culture until the vines cover the ground is desirable. Mr. Barret, oE Vincennes, says : " They may be cultivated on clay, and indeed on any soil where Irish pota- toes will do well ; but in all cases the land should have thorough tillage, by deep plowing and harrowing well, until the Boil is in fine tilth, and the ground must be made naturally dry, or made so by draining. Sweet potatoes will grow when the hills are dry as dust; hence the yield THE ILLI^SrOIS F^rtjy£ER. 91 is better in dry hot seasons than in Tfet ones. If the land is well prepared by deep culture, it is unnecessary to make high hills, as they are only a substitute for deep plowing. I have found the easiest method of preparing the hills for the plants, is by turning two furrows together, or listing as for Indian corn, then run a one-horse shovel or bull-tongue plow the other way, and the work is done. Where but few are cultivated the hills may bo prepared -with a hoe, but it is too expensive for field culture, requir- ing four days hard labor to hill an acre. -s. Everything being ready, the plants may be set the same as cabbage plants. Better to select a cloudy day, and if the soil is only moist (which is best) they should be watered as set. My method is this : I have water hauled and placed in barrels at convenient dista^s. We take two rows at a time. A Doy goes first and drops a plant on each hill ; two men follow close after, making a funnel- shaped hole in the top of each hill with the right hand, while they hold the plant in the left, and a man before them walk- ing backwards with a wator-pot, tho nose oflF, or a bucket of water and pint cup, pours in sufficient water, when the earth is immediately hauled in upon the roots of the plant, the hole filled up level, and a little dry earth upon the top pre- vents baking in the sun. Like most other crops, early planting is generally best, or as soon as the danger from from frost is over; but the planting may be continued in Southern Indiana from the tenth of May to the first of July ; but the yield from late planting is much less — one hundred and fifty bushels per acre being a good yield where all the circumstances are favorable. Where but few plants are wanted, it is best to buy them from some one who raises them for sale. If planted three feet each way. it will require four thousand eight hundred and forty plants to an acre, and it will take a bushel of potatoes to pro- duce them. '* We never plant on a rainy day,but pre- fer cloudy, damp weather. If in dry weather, we water as recommended by Mr. Barret. Mr. Tenbrook^proposes to publish a revised edition of his valuable booklet annually, so as to take advantage of any new light on the subject. ■■. — Native Evergrecni. We have just completed the bedding out of flome 20,000 native evergreens from the forest of Northern Wisconsin. Thoy ftre from four to twelve inches high and well grown ; camo in apparent fine order, with most of tho buds itarting. They were packed in boxes with tops out and roots in damp mois, They are partially shaded. We again repeat, that native evergreens are sent out too late ; we should have had these a month eince, when the cool weather and spring rains would have given them a start, but now they have to contend with our hot luns and drouth, and run too great a risk. We have dont with late planting of evergreens ; that they can be successfully moved even later than this, in wet weather, we aro free to ad- mit, but as we said before, the risk ii too great to warrant the practice. Last year we lost a large share of our setting. Evergreens are too valuable to be thrown away. We will further report on the prospect of oar pets. ■,- '■. V ■".>■ ■•■/./■- !»■ Hog Cholera— Kentncky Prcminm. This disease, bo much dreaded by farmers, has met with no serious check as yet so far as we can learn, but any one who thinks he has the all important secret, can make a ■mall fortuae by making the proper proof. — Quacks will save themselves the trouble. — The person making application, can send his statement of the fact addressed to the Gov- ernor of Kentucky, at Frankfort, according to this regulation, which we copy from the Paris Citizen: The last session of the Legislature passed a law offering a reward of one thousand dol- lars to any person -wlio may discover and make knoifn the true cause of the disease called hog cholera, and a remedy that will cure the same. Any person who shall claim to have discovered the cause of said disease, and a remedy that will cure the same, may set forth the same in a written memorial, and the fact of his having discovered the cure together with such facts as will tend to sbow that an inquiry into the matter is worthy of being pursued, which memorial shall bj& pre- sented to the Governor, who shall refer the same to two skillful physicians, one practical chemist and two practical farmers, to be ap- pointed, whose duty it shall be to examine Baid memorial, and satisfy themselves by thorough investigation, of the truth of the same, such as will leave no doubt upon their minds that the true cause of said disease, and a remedy that will cure it, has been found ; and the result thereof, together with their opinions as to whether the cause of said disease, and the remedy therefor will cure the same, has been discovered, shall be submitted to the Legislature succeeding, for their approval or disapproval ; and if ap- proved, an appropriation shall be made for the payment of the reward. »*» ■ ffiaximi. "Never put oflF till to-morrow what can as well be done to-day." Our short working sea- sons and variable climate render this abso- lutely neceisary. "Never occupy more land than you can cultivate thoroughly." One acre well tilled is more profitable than two acres slovenly managed. "Never contract debts, with the expecta- tion of paying for them with crops not yet grown." There are so many liabilities to failure, that we seldom realize what we an> ticipate. "Never keep more stock than you can winter well ; nor less than will consume all the fodder you can raise." To sell hay or straw IS unwise and unprofitable. ■ "Never expose stock of any kind to the inclemency of winter.'' They require at least one third more food, and are poorer in the spring; besides it is cruel and shiftless. "Never neglect getting up a year's supply of wood in the leisure of winter," It is un- profitable to cut wood in summer, when wa- ges are double, and every hour is required 00 the farm. ^Never spend your labor and waste your seed, in trying to raise grain in 'dropsical' land." It is better to spend the price of the seed, and the labor of plowing and haarow- ing, in drains at the first ; then your capital is properly invested, and you will be likely to get a handsome dividend. "Never plant an orchard with the expec- tation of its thriving, unless you first pre- pare the land well, then plant well, stake well, fence well, and cultivate well — hoed crops are the best." "What is worth doing at all, is worth doing well," must always be borne in mind in the raising of fruit trees to anything like perfection. "Never let your tools and impletiaents be exposed to the decaying influences of the sun, rain, and frost, except when in use." — "A place for everything, and everything in its place," will pay at least twenty-five per cent, per annum, in this respect. "Never depend upon a noigbbor's grind- stone to sharpen your tools on." It is a waste of time; and time is a farmer's ctfpital when rightly employed. Thii might also apply to borrowing in general. ^'Never trust boys to plow, unless you are frequently in the field." A man's wages may soon be lost in careless plowing. . ■ ■■ "Never trust children to milk the cows, unless some competent person follows after to secure the most valuable part of the milk." "Never use the contemptible saying 'time enough yet;' " but always endeavor to do everything in season. "Take time by the forelock." Lead the work, rather than be driven by it. [From the New-Yorker, July 80, 1S59-] Among desirable articles, we may name as foremost the want of a useful glue, easy of use, and of general and universal application to the repair of furniture, crockery, shell-work and other serviceable and ornamental purposes. — The prime qualities of a good glue are immedi- ate readiness for use at all times and rcliabilit}'' as a hold-fast And this is the article which Mr. H. C. Spalding has been so fortunate as to in- troduce. In convenient bottles with a handy brush; Spalding's Prepared Glue requirers no day's preparatory softening in water ; no heat- ing for use, and no tedious delays to secure its junction and cohesion — bemg held in solution chemically, and capable of being applied instant- ly, and to every variety of work and require- ment. Spalding's Glue thus proves itself to be a true Household Friend, and will be welcomed heartil}' in all parts of the country. Wo have given it a trial, and we have found it quick as hunger in taking hold, and firm as death in holding fast. 92 THE ILLII^OIS F^TOVEEH. She lUiuoiss gmmx. SPRINGFIELD, JUNE 1, 1800. BAILHAGHE & BAKER, PubUsher*. M. L. DUNLAP, Editor. "VYe enter upon the threshold of sum- mer yfiih the most cheering prospect of Buccess. Everywhere the farmerg are jubilant -with hope, — everyvthere the me- chanics' hammer is busy, and every- where the word progress is standing out in pleasing letters. Money is yet hard to be obtained to pay off old debts, but the phantom of hard times has ceased to operate as an incubus on our daily ef- forts, and every department of business is feeling the kindly influence that the genial season has infused into every de- partment of rural labor. In the north part of the State, abun- dant rains have given the immense breadth of spring \Theat a most luxuri- ant growth; the corn and oats never gave a better stand. While Pomona has spread her mantle over them and the promise of fruit is met with no mea- sured rejoicing. In the central part of the State, the great corn zone of the north west, a little more rain would have been agree- able, but nothing is Buffering seriously, and the great corn fields lay smiling un- der the haze like sun with which spring loves to pass her charge over to the ar- dent embrace of summer. Here our most serious drawback has been in the loss of fruit by severe frosts in April, making the crop a light one. Winter rye, oats, spring and winter wheat look very promising, and the corn never bet- ter. In Egypt the winter wheat is only a fair crop, corn good, and fruit of all kinds exceedingly promising. Taking the whole State throughout, we have never seen a better crop prospect. The excellent and abundant hay crop of last year, with plenty of corn, brought the stock through the winter in excellent condition which with the early and abun- dant pasturage, has put them in the best of condition to enter on the heats of summer. We have never seen such an abundance of butter and of such good quality as has been sent to market dur- ing the month of May since our resi- dence in the State, whicn dates back to 1836. Illinois beef will again stand high in the markets of the world, and our stock growers cannot fail to make good profits. Emigrants are coming in and making purchases of farms. Every- where we see the signs of improvement and hear the busy notes of preparation for a vigorous prosecution of every de- partment of productive industry. The vocation of the speculator is gone, and the great prairie State is returning to the legitimate business for which her great prairie slopes, her vast water pow- er, immense beds of coal, her stately forest and unrivaled facilities of trans- portation have fitted her. Henceforth she will move on in the steady path of progress and take her stand among the most progressive States in the Union. .«. Tremont, Tazewell County, May 21, 1S60. Friend M. L. Duxlap : — Fruit gro^ving in Central Illinoia having employed the thoughts of the writer for several years, you will perhaps welcome any communication on that subject from nie, even if it prove a thrice-told tulc, in consideration of my en- thusiasm,if not on account of its practical val- ue. I propose to confine my remarks mainly to apple orcharding, and consider, first, whether as a reliable business orcharding will pay. I assume as a basis of calculation, that owing to the common negligence of farmers and the acknowledged and serious obstacles in the way : such as a soil too warm and too rich, a climate too warm often for the good of the apples which we wish to keep; and occasionally too cold for the health and lon- gevity of any but the hardiest variety of trees, and a soil so light and porous as to har- bor great numbers of insects and at times to hold great quantities of water, and most of all, to the somewhat common opinion that the prairie country will not grow fruit. — There is no immediate prospect for an over- production of fruit to such an extent as to make prices rule very low, or to make the supply greater than the demand. AVe may then hope for many years fgr a home market that is either in our large towns and cities, or in those of the States immcdately adjoin- ing, and at remunerating prices. Let us look at amount cf capital necessary to be invested in, and the probable proceeds of a twenty acre orchard : 20 acres land Improved at ?30 $000,00 CO trees to the acre, l'2i)0 at lOctg 12(i,00 Setting of name and care for one year 80,()0 Subsequent care for six years 100,00 Interest on abore amounta six years 100,00 $1000,00 The use of land during the six years is supposed to cover all that it may cost, except as above, for cultivation. We have then at end of six years, invested in twenty acres of orchard, a value of one thousand dollars, to which add 10 per cent, as an insurance fund against hail storms and hard winters and we have an investment of 81,100 00. The year- ly account with said twenty acres will stand then about as follows : Interest on $1,100 00. . . .-. $110,00 Cost of culti valiou, picking, etc 19 ',00 $300,00 We may safely put the avcra^'c crop of 120 trees for the first five bearint; years, at one bushel per tree, and a probability of much more, say I'^^OO at bOcta $fi00,00 Deduct expenses as above 300,00 $300,00 Or near 80 percent, on the Investment, and during the next five years we may expect at least dou- ble the produce— 2,400 at bOctg $1,200 01 With the eame expense 300 00 $900 00 Or over SO per cent, on the Investment, and the en- suing five years, an average of four bushels per . tree, or 4,SU0 buihels at SOcta $2,400 00 At same cost 300 00 $2,100 00 Or near 100 per cent, on the investment, by wliich time the proprietor may be sup- posed capable of judging by the weight of his purse whether the apple crop can com- pare with any of the grain crops or grasses as a standard and reliable crop. In these calculations, I have endeavored to make the most moderate estimates of the average yield even in our fickle climate, but have presumed tliat the varieties shall be well selected — say of such varieties as Car- olina Pine.Pcswick Codlin,Moreten's Blush, Rambo,^arnese, llomanite. Yellow Bell- flower, Winemp and Roule's Janett (largely of these) and a small number of White Pearmain, WhHe Pippin, some of Willow- twig, Limbertwig, Milburn, and others; that cattle and horses are excluded, as well as crops of small grain and injurious insects, es- pecially borers, be diligently hunted out. Yours, Henry Shaw. Mr. Shaw has had large experience in orcharding, and it is with plea.sure that wo present his views to our readers. — Ed. ■%. ■ LowEB Egypt, April 29, 1860. EniTOR Illinois Farmer : — Having lo- cated down in Lower Egypt, with the inten- tion of engaging extensively in growing fruit, I find it very inconvenient to plant trees with any regularity or precision, among the stumps, which these "wood crowned hills" are covered with. And I am desirous to know if there is any better mode of get- ting rid of these "jsesA-y stvmjx'i/' than the usual way — grubbing hoe and axe? Is there such a thing as a practical machine for pull- ing out stua^ps ? One that can be used with economy and dispatch; one that will take out stumps from 2 to 3 feet in diameter ? And if there are any such, where can they be had ? and what would be the expense of one at the shop ? Any information through the Farmer will be thankfully received by your numerous friendi and patrons in Lower Egypt. Finis Evans. Makanda, Jackson co.. 111. Yes, there are several patterns of stump pullers, which arc cheap *nd effective ; wa send you drawing of one per mail, at our earliest convenience. The above letter has just come into our hands, as we are at the ofiice of publication to make up this number; it should have been sent to our home address. We hopo our friends will bear this in mind. We only go to Springfield to spend one or two days to read proof and arrange the paper ; the copy is all sent over by mail, as fast as prepared, and set up before our arrival ; they will thus see why their favors are too late for us to use when directed to Springfield. •■ ;i , »^ THE ILLINOIS F_^Il]MER. 98 Items from Exchanges. Grapes are displayed in the "windows of Broadwfcty fruiteries, with the notice attached, §3 per pound. The probabiHties are that a full old- fashioned crop of peaches "will be pro- duced in New Jersey this year. Some years ago a young man -wrote to Horace Greeley, asking his advice — whether he had better become a profes- sional man or farmer — and received this sensible and pithy reply: "I judge that there are three times as many law- yers and doctors in the country as are needed, and, judging from the price of flour and beef, not half enough farmers. Of course, I judge that you could better look toward growing grain than making pills or pleas. " •* "t;. From Home. ^' A vfMt to Chicago — The Grain Trade — Gardening— Sdilroad Fare— The Stage— Jf^aperville—DuPagi Jfurterj/. Having some business in Chicago, we stepped on board of the train at Cham- paign, (late Urbana Station,) and away over the broad prairies and along the lake shore to the city. There is life in such ft ride, after on© has been worn down by hard work and ill health. On reaching the streets the next morning and meeting the bustling masses moving hither and thither, we said to ourself, the good time is coming, the people are so busy In pre- paring for it that they have no time to discuss the subject of hardtiines, and it is thus becoming obsolete. We went " on 'change " to see the kings of trade and learn how fortunes are made and lost in the great agricultural staples of the country ; but as this will require a chapter by itself, we will pass on, simply remarking that the price of farm pro- ducts is not, as many suppose, regulated wholly by the laws (?f demand and supply — printer's ink, currency, exchange, (a new name for usury, ) freights, telegraph and the Mark Lane markets have a wonderous power, and form the cabalis- tic characters that give to the market its daily shiftings and forms the life and soul of trade. Being delayed in the completion of our business, and having a day on our hands, we cast about to see where we could spend it the most agreeable. We thought at first to spend it among the Chicago gardeners, but a visit to the grounds of Hon. I. N. Arnold, only convinced us that we were too early in the season, and the gardeners too busy to receive company, and we promised to spend a day with them when June shall crown them with roses. Mr. Ure, gardener to Mr. A., is making success- ful experiment with his cold grapery, of which a full account hereafter. At this juncture we met Mr. Milton S. Ells- worth, the junior member of the firm of Lewis Ellsworth & Co., of the DuPage County Nursery, and at 5 p. m. took the train with him to Wheaton. From there the distance is seven miles, by an ancient conveyance, the stage. By the way, the rate of fare on the Galena Railroad is out of all reason ; eighty-five cents for twenty-five miles. While this com- pany puts down fares and freights where there is competition, yet to the local trade and travel they have always shown a narrow disposition, to say the least of it. If Superintendents would pre- vent official stealing, they could put the fares down BO that people could afford to travel, and the business would pay. But so long as a Conductor can spend from two to three thousand dollars a year, and build fine houses and make liberal purchases of real estate out of seven hundred dollars a year, the fares will be kept up. We could point out a dozen Conductors who would need little watching to convince all, but the Superintendent, that they are " old used hands, " and should be where they can financier on their own funds. The farmers ask for cheap fares, and this can be granted if officers do their duty. We know a number of Conductors, who with small families and the utmost econ- omy, have as much as they can do to meet their moderate expenses, while others on the same road and at the same salery, not only live fast, but are getting rich. When we hear of roads not pay- ing, we like to see who run the trains and what officers are living in fine style on small saleries. : -; The ride from Wheaton is a pleasant one, over rolling prairies of small ex- tent, through groves and belts of tim- ber, with cultivated farma on all sides. The spring wheat, barly and oats look remarkably well, never better. The breadth of potatoes is unusually small for this section, the present low prices no doubt affecting the planting. Our readers all known that Lewis Ellsworth, the senior of the nursery firm, is Presi- dent of our State Agricultural Society, and right worthily is he filling the post, devoting a large portion of his time to the duties of the office, and at our visit he was absent, looking to the people's interest. Naperville is beautifully located in the valley of the DuPage river, a small stream, gently murmuring over beds of niagara limestone, and draining a rich, diversified and fertile soil, Biefore the advent of railroads, Naperville wai the most flourishing village in all that part of the State, but the new condition of things has made a change, though it still does a large amount of business. As corner lots were at a discount, there was no speculation in real estate and the people thus escaped the epidemic and are now making good progress. The nurseries cover about one hundred acres and are in a thrifty and prosper- ous condition. The spring sales are just closed and the well thinned rows attest the popularity of the establish- ment. The green house, under charge of Mr. Rees, Gardener, is a fine struc- ture, eighty-four feet long. The long shelves have been very much thinned out, though Mr. Rees is fast filling up the vacancies with young plants. The sale of verbenas, at four dollars per hundred, is a new feature in the trade and has had the effect to strip the shelves of this favorite bedding plant. At this price the profits must be small. We are glad to know that this department of the nursery has been well sustained ; it has not only made a large saving in the cost of plants in the way of freights, but it has been the means of extending the taste for the beautiful. Visitors to our own grounds have been pleased with the show of roses, but the very large assort- ment of fine roses there,most of them new importations direct from France, was too tempting for us to withstand and we purchased a hundred plants, which now add attraction to our new home. We have no space to enum- erate the long list of plants, and can only say that the plants are well grown and that Mr. Bees packs no inferior ones. Messrs. L. E. k Co. have published a catologue of plants, which any person in want of such things should send for. With Mr. Thatcher we took a stroll through the pomonal and ornamental department. The stock of apple trees 94 THE Ii:.LI]>^OIS fa.ii]nj:ek. are mostly at "\Vhcaton,Ayhere at one timo they intended to remove the whole stock. To us the great attraction was the large amount of evergreens, nearly all im- ported from the French nurseries. Norway spruce leads off in largo numbers, and the Austrian pine, fine, showy, thrifty plants, grow as though they were pleased with their Republican location in free soil. The small fruits occupy a large apace ; so of grapes, dwarf pear and apples. If our tree planters will compare the prices of this large nursery with those East, they will observe that they average less, while the plants and trees are better grown, of course acclimated, to say no- thing in regard to saving of freight and the risk of loss by distant transporta- tion. In this case, " far brought and dear bought, " proves but poor economy. During the season we intend to visit other Illinois nurseries, and show what c»n bo had at home. i Trip to Egypt. The readers of the Farmer will recollect that in the last number an announcement was made of a Fair, to be held at Centralia, by the Southern Illinois Horticultural Soci- ety, May 22nd and 23d. In accordance with that announcement, we proceeded to Cen- tralia, and much to our disappointment, learned that the contemplated Fair waa post- poned indefinitely. Dr. Warder had been advertised to deliver the address, and we had expected to have seen the vernal flora, the embryo fruit of the orchard, ripe strawber- ries, mulberries, and the early vegetables of this favored region ; but alas, none of these came to greet our vision, and we decided to take the return train for home. "With Mr. S. Silver, we visited several gardens in the city, and found the dwarf pears, the peach, the apricots, and the grape vines loaded to profusion. The otrawberry season was near- ly over; green peas were. in abundance, and new potatoes will be plenty in some two weeks. Most of the fields of winter wheat look well, though some of them have suffer- ed with winter-killing. Until within a few days, the weather had been dry, and the chinch bug had began to make their appear- ance; but the late heavy rains have checked them. Corn was coming up good, and on the whole the prospect is flattering for the grain crops. Irish and sweet potatoes have been planted in liberal supply, and gardens have received more than usual attention. — The dwarf pear is giving good? promise of success, and large plantations of them will now be planted out. The Coutraliu House, which is kept by Mes.sr8. Hutchinson & Ilawley, is a model of its kind. Not being disposed to run the risk of the market for a supply of vegetables they have an extensive garden, which fur- nishes an abundant supply the year around, and thus their table is always loaded with fresh regetftbles in season, and out of season. In this way they have built up a reputation with the traveling public of which the Cen- tralians should be proud. CAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF THE FAIR. In regard to this, we could learn nothing definitely, though several threw the blame on Superintendent Arthur, for not granting half fare on the I. C. R. R. Others, that Secretary Kennicott had resigned, and that no one had been appointed in his place. We knew Charley was capable of getting up a Fair without much help, but we hope for the credit of Egypt, that they did not rest the •whole responsibility upon him, though we were assured had he put his shoulder to the wheel, the whole thing would have moved forward to success. On this half-fare ar- rangement we have something to say. From our experience, it is a source of great incon- venience to the rail roads, resulting in a loss to them in the disarrangement of their busi- ness, and of little or no particular advantage to enterprises of this kind. The thing has been run into the ground — so many excur- sions of this kind have provpid fjiilurefl, that we do not blame Superintendents from shut- ting down on the whole thing. Last year when the Fair was at Joncsboro, Superin- tendent Arthur took an active part. He is- sued over one hundred and fifty free passes to persons attending the Fair, not half of which were used on that occasion, but most of them afterwards, and with all this liber- ality on the part of the Illinois Central rail- way, the Fair was but a partial luccesi. — AYc do not believe this to be the cause of failure, nor do we think it either the policy of the road or of such Societies to depend upon any such arrangement to ensure suc- cess. It certainly will not pay the road and should be abandoned. We know this Com- pany take a deep interest in all that tends to develop the agricultural and horticultural re- sources of the country, from the fact that they own large tracts of land, and wo can suggest no better way for them to encourage an enterprise of this kind, than to carry ar- ticles for exhibition free, and to pass such of the ofliccrs as take an active part in the getting up of these shows ; beyond this, we cannot see that the public have any claims upon the Company. People do not like to pay freight on articles for exhibition to please others, but would willingly bo at the trouble of packing and sliipping, if sent free of freight; and in this way a larger show would be had than otherwise. In this way tho Company might encourage these enterprises without loss to themselves, as the increased number of passengers would make up the loss on freight, and thus, without loss to any one, tend to build up and encourage these shows. If the Company was paying large dividends to stockholders, the case might he different; but so long as the Company are struggling to pay current expenses and the seven per cent, to the State, it is not right to censure them for doing what is their duty for the best interest of the road. We are not disposed to lay the blame to any one in par- ticular, for there is little doubt that the real difficulty is in the want of material for such a show, and the want of time in the mana- gers to get it up. Until a taste for the beau- tiful is more generally infused in the rural population, our Egyptian friends will find the getting up of floral exhibitions an uphill business. Horse-racing and circuses seldom fail to draw a crowd from the rural popula- tion without the aid of half fares, but the time is not distant when this Italia of the West will draw large crowds to see her rich ofi"erings ol floral and pomonial products. 4*. The Prices of Farm Producti. The prices for all kinds of farm pro- duce are well sustained, and bid fair to continue. There seem then nothing to prevent the farmer growing richer every year. The great thing is to so manage — by industry and proper cultivation of the soil- — as to have plenty of something to sell. If he does this, the prices his surplus stock will command will soon place him in a position of independence and comfort. We would again urge our farming friends to cultivate no more land than can be cultivated well. If you have been in the habit of planting forty acres to corn every year, stop and think whether you cannot raise as much from thirty acres, rightly tilled, as you could from the forty, run over in the usual style. If you shal^ be convinced that the thirty acres are susceptible of net- ting you as great a crop as the forty acres have previously produced, just calculate some of the advantages to be derived from this going over a less quan- tity of ground. The expense of keepin(T up fences will be reduced twenty-five per cent. In the plowing of the land, and in the tilling of the crop, the amount of traveling to be done will also be reduced twenty-five per cent. The amount of wheat, oats, clover, or timothy raised on the other ten acres should also be taken into the account. Every good farmer in the Ohio Val- ley should not fail to give due attention to the raising of the grasses. Plow no more land whether it be for coi-n, oats, . -.> V . =• -•!«ii.M; 4' «^ J THE ILLINOIS FA.RJMER. 95 in or wheat, than can be made, by high cultivation, to produce the largest crops. The remainder of the farm kept grass, which will thus enable you to in crease the amount of your live stock. — Ohio Valleg Farmer. EDITOR'S TABLE. Here on the threshold of the month of roiei ve again gr«et the readers of the Farmer. Another moon has waxed and waned, and the summer sun now sends down its ardent heat, tempered with the showers of June, the crop prospect wearg the most auspicious promise, and we hail our readers with bounteous and brightening hopes. With improved health, we take up the pen amid the bustle of the spring season to jot down the progress of improvement, and to make such sugges- tions as may seem useful. ^^"Green Peas, raised In the open garden, have been serv- ed up at the Central! I House, for the past week. — Centralia Rbpublic, of May 23d. Green peas from our garden were served up the 26th. — Strawberries the same day. Fawkes' Steam Plow — Stands where left last autumn.. We have nothing new in relation to its movement, or whether It is to move at all. This silence may be ominous of future success. The fever heat of steam plowing appears to have subsided, and the pub- lic mind is no longer In a foment on the snbject, and the in- ventors are left to the undisturbed field, but such men as Fawkes, Waters and Greenwood are not to be lulled to sleep over their great idol, and we may as well keep an eye open and be prepared for some new move. The idea of a steam plow is not abandoned by any means. lipe Mulberries were gathered in Johnson county two weeks since. ^^~ There will be an immense quantity of blackberries In this vicinity this year. Baromiters. — The farmers have long been in need of a good, cheap Barometer, one that could bo sent by e3cpress without danger of breakage or displacement of the mercury. Ten dollars is as much as our farmers can afford to pay for such a one, and a good one at that price could be sold in large quantities. We have one at our old farm in Cook coanty, but the risk of getting air into the mercury in moving it is so great that we have not dared to attempt it. Besides a slight jar by some careless boy or biddy is liable to ruin it. On this account we have liad to reboil and replace the mercury twice in the last dozen years, and prefer one that is not liable to these objections. If any of our philosophers have invented such an instru- ment they will do well to post our farmers up in its behalf. We have seen such advertised, but thus far those that we hare seen do not fill the bill. Who has it ? CniCAGO ScGAR Cured Hams. — Messrs. Leland & Srixer, packers of Chicago, sent us a specimen of their art in the above line, and we have to give up that they can beat us some in that part of the mystery of housekeeping. We intend to bribe one of the clerks so as to obtain the secret for the ben- efit of our readers, for what business have they to the monop- oly of the best hams in the State ? True, they have an im- mense stock as though all the hogs had run to them with their hams for curing. We have no objection to our county dealers purchasing of them until we can get hold of the art preserva- tive, then we will do up our own pigs and snap our fingers at Messrs. Leland & Mixer, so we will. (Come Caleb give us the receipt and you shall have one of our best bouquets, for that gal of yours.) Brl^eikq Plows for two Horses. — We have one of Deere & Co.'s sixteen inch breaking plows, which we lent to a green Yankee who had purchased a farm near us, and he has aver- aged over one and a half acre's per day of prairie breaking on raw unpastured prairie, and that with a pair of horses not above the average. He says that breaking prairie with the big teams is all humbug besides being too expensive. We wont lend him our plow any longer, and he has ordered one. People will learn after a while that prairie breaking is no great mystery — with one of the Moline cast steel breakers. Enlargejiest. — Our advertising friends are requiring so much space that we shall have to add four pages to the paper next month. We can still supply the back Nos. to January. Now \i a good time to send in sabscriptions. Fifty cents will pay to the end of the year. To persons having friends east, the Farmer win be a very acceptable present. CcLTiVATons. — A deal of money is fooled away every year on worthless cultivators sent out from Boston and other bar- barian cities. They will neither scour nor kill weeds. Cul- tivator teeth must be made flat like that of a shovel plow, and not convex. We had one last year made at Urbana by Mr. E. Eoydon thatsuits us. We gave it a thorough trial, and it DOW displaces all of the old style, several of which will have to go to the jimk. dealer. Silver ware for Prbhiums. — Mr. Chatterton calls atten- tion of officers of Agricultural Societies to his stock of silver ware for premiums. His offer is exceedingly liberal as will be seen by reference to his card. All those intending to give premiums of this class, will do well to make arrangements with Mr. 0., as from his high standing as a gentleman and ex- perience in this department he will doubtless give good satis- faction. We ask of you pood friends to patronize our home Institutions where it can be done. Missouri Fruit Growers AasociATioH for 1859.— Through the kind attention of the President, Norman J. Coleman, we arc In receipt of a pamphlet copy of the above, containing sixty-four pages of well arranged and valuable matter. The late hour of receiving it prevents a more extended notice, but we shall recur to it in our next. O. W. E. K. AND THE State Fair.— There seems to be an Impression with some, that this road cannot carry all the freight and passengers to the State fair. Well suppose it cannot, what is to hinder the Superintendents of the I.C.U.R. and St. L., A. k C. R. R. running their trains over this road ? We learn from good authority that this will be the case, and that goods shipped on these roads will not break track until they arrive in Jacksonville. Premium List op Illinois State Agricultural Society. — This list is just out of press, and foots up $15,000. It is well got up and reflects much credit on the officers for the care in which it has been arranged. It is ready for all appli- cants. Apply to J. P. Reynolds, Corresponding Secretary, Springfield, Illinois. State Fair. — Before our next issue we intend to visit Jack- sonville, and post up our readers in regard to the progress making in the Fair grounds. We Icam that most of the lum- ber is on the ground, and that good progress is being made. Thr '^i^i.v-E, OF Shelter. — At Bement, some sixty miles east of SpriugSeld, is a small garden inclosed with a high board fence, within which is planted about one eighth of an acre of potatoes, and which are now in bloom (2Sth.) The train stop])ing in front of them gave ua an opportunity to study the effect of shelter in forwarding this desirable vege- table, no doubt giving them ten days the advantage of those in the open ground. Shelter should be written in italics, in small caps, in large caps and in posters, and placed on every gat« post, on every farm comer, on the farm, the garden and the orchard, so that its great value shall never, for a moment be lost sight of by the farmer. Shelter, farm- ers repeat the word until you have it indelibly impressed upon your minds as the means by which you will grow not only early but good crops. Wilbur, Emery & Co., Chicago — Successors to H. D. Emery & Co. are doing a good business in the way of seeds and implements. We have purchased most of our seeds of this house for eight years, and have found them generally of an excellent quality. It cannot be expected that a seedsman can always have the best, as they are occasionally imposed upon, but we have had so little to complain of, and so much to commend, that we are very well content to give them our orders. May they live and flourish. New Potatoes and ripe Cherries are said to be plenty In Randolph county in this State. Field's Rotary Cultivator. — Mr. Field is creating no small excitement in certain circles in Chicago with his new invention, which is intended for both horse and steam power. We have not seen it, but from what we hear, it promises to be useful. We do not like to say much in relation to those new things until they have been tested, and shall hold our opinion subject to future trial. Corn Culture Is being better and better understood, and with the new >mplements is receiving a goodly share of atten- tion. Farmers are beginning to learn that weeds left in the corn fi^ld to pump up the moisture, shade the ground and ab- sorbs the elements of plant growth as fast as it is formed is not profitable, and a new and vigorous warfare Is carried on on against them. Stirring the ground it also found useful, aside from wted killing, by irrigating the soil Keep 'em Btirre J up good farmers, and you will play the duce with that arrant scamp the chinch bug, who has a horror of drj dirt and cold water. Give himplentyof one or the other. Lightkikg Rods, Pumps, Safes, etc. — Beard k Bro.,are dealers in and manufacturers of lightning rods and pumps of all descrl ptions, which they will be pleased to furnish all who may need, on the most reasonable terms. Purchasing direct from the manufacturer, will be to the Interest of all who desire to avail tliemselves of the lowest prices, and the long exper- iences of the manufacturers. All orders by mail will be promptly attended to and any information pertaining thereto given by them with pleasare. Address Beard &. Bro. , No. 29 North Main street, St. Louis, Missouri. P.S. — Also manufacturers of the Rxcelrior Fire and Burglar Proof Safes; and Scales, all descriptions, which are famished on the most reasonable terms, and guaranteed equal to any in the United States. Address as above. Wire Fence.— The agent, James W. Reed, of Lockport, New York, has left with us a pamphlet descriptive of the patent wire fencing. The price is much reduced, and we see no reason why it should not come into general use. It must prove effective and durable, and with the Improved machinery for making, with the present cheap rates of wire, it should be sold at such prices as would warrant its general use. Mr. Reed is now looking through the State with the view of intro- ducing it on the prairie. Descriptive pamphlets can be had of Z. Hosmer k Co., Boston. We hope to hear more of thii fencing. Double Shovel Plows. — We have tried several of them and given them up in disgust, until within a few days ranee, Messrs. A.Adams k Co., of Sandwich, DeEalb county, sent us a sample of their art. It not only covered and ran clear at the beginning, but it continues to do so and is giving the most unbounded satisfaction. We will not attempt to describe It, for any farmer curious In these matters will order one or more and then he will know all their good qual- ites. No Cattle Shows in MASSAcnusETTS — In consequence of the cattle disease now prevailing there, we understand that no shows will be held the current year. What will be done ? The Grand Muster will have to be revived or adolea- ant Yankeedom will burst for want of vent. ..;■: Hand Corn Sheller. — A. Adams & Co., of Sandwich, have sent us a hand com sheller, which Is just the thing for small farmers like ourself. It has a cleaning and separating apparatus and does the work to a charm, runs easy, is dura- ble, ha\-ing chilled iurfaces, and for the quarter section farmer is just the thing. Every farmer can well afford to own one of them, the saving of cobs for fuel and extra hauling to the station will soon repay the cost, They are made in a Buper- ioi; manner and of excellent material. Steam Plowino. — We hear that Waters Is bt^ at Mhi- acka, but get no particalars, further than be plows some twelve acres of prairie a day. Greenwood & Fawkes were to have put their new plow to work at Cincinnati on the 28d ult. , but we learn nothing as to the trial. Is the practical demonstration of steam plowing as a paying matter yet in the far off distance ? We pause for a reply. Wheeler k Wilson Sewing MAcmsE Roomb at St. Louis.— Ever sir ce Mother Eve made her primitive apron of fig leaves, there has been a demand for tewing machines, and good Dame Nature has done her best to forniih a supply ad- equate to the necessities of mankind in general — including the ladies ! The machine thrown into market by the kind old dama Is beautiful to behold, well modeled, graceful in move- ment and perfect in action ; but hard usage soon wears it out — and Its career closes by a strong stitch in the side or a back Stitch snapping the thread of its existence. To compete successfully with Nature, has been a dlfiScnlt task; but the very stupendousness of the work proved the most powerful stimulus to ingenious and energetic men. Within the last tf n years the sewing machine (new style — made by art,) has become almost universally diffused through- out the " wide wide world" — competition with Nature has ceased — she having withdrawn from the field — and Individual competition taken its place. Huge piles of money have been made by manufacturing and selling sewing machines — In fact, fortunes amassed by some companies have been terrifically tremendous. Perhaps the wealthiest company of the kind In the world, is the Wheeler k Wilson, whose head-quarters are in the great city of "New York." The supposition that they are the richest. Is founded upon the fact that they sell double the number of machines sold by any other company — which truth is establiah- ed by the sworn statements of their competitors. Branch offices conducted by gentlemen of ability, amiabil- ity, affiiliility, respectability and responsibility, are establish- ed throughout the coimtry. Some of these offices at e furnish- ed in the most magnificent style of decorative art. An old and honored friend of ours, Mrs. Grfundy, has juA retume :'5^-^^' 06 TEEE ILLINOIS F^HINIEII. from a visit to St. Louis, where ihehad thc'good fortune to be-J hold one of these temples of mapniflcence ! ' To give our readers a lucid idea of the granduer of its beauty, we will describe it in the words of the old lady as Bhe spoke them unto us : " Jest to think," said she, "of a room something less than half a mile long, by not over a quarter of a mile wide, all covered over with splendifurious bristles carpet that must have cost a right smart of money. Then there was loungers and sopbias and all manner of elegant fixens scattered all around — and a ceiling of all plaster stretched overhead and a cup (Toil that made one think of Aladdin and his wonderful lamp ! And then to see it all twice at once by looking into a glass seventy-five or thirty feet high or a trifle less — and then such grand sewing machines standing on strong legs and good qualities — and beautiful young ladles making 'cm go like rain on the roof, and singing like lark» all the time ! I asked one of the young ladies if she would be pleased to let mo see on^ of the ivory cases inlaid with gold and mother of pearl — but she showed a beautiful set of pearls when she smiled and said they did'nt keep fancy cases — they kept sewing machines !" Mrs. Grundy is well known in our conuuunity, and what- ever she says can be relied upon. A Change. — Tn passing to and fro from our sanctum to Springfield, we have occasion to itop at the Central House, Decatur, for meals, and have always found an excellent, well set table, in fact, one of the best. Mr. J. 11. Slaughter, the former steward, is now proprietor, Mr. Varney retiring to a farm. The house, good before, has lost nothing by the change in giving full control to Mr. 8., wlw knows just how a railroad eating house should be kept and who carries out Ills ideas m a style satisfactory to the hungry traveler. The Advertisements. — Our readers should carefully look over these, and profit by them . Boys don't forget to keep in mind that melodeon . The wife 'and daughter will also find a variety of first class sewing machines by oar St. Louis friends, and the farmer will find a great variety of valuable agricul- tural Implements. Farmers should look to the protection of their buildings from lightning. Mr. Davis, a.'neighlior of ours, was struck down a few days since at Us door . The copper rods advertised will be found valuable. DcsLAP's NcKSERT. — J. B. Whitney and 11. L. Bruce arc traveling In the central part of the State receiving orders for this nursery, and are also authorized to receivo subscriptions for the Farmer. Agents canvassing for Illinois nurseries, would do well to canvass at the same time for the Farmeb. For terms, address the Publishers. Strawberries. — The severe"frost damaged the early scarlet to some extent . They commenced to ripen in our grounds and gave us the first picking the 25th. Ilud.-fon, a fair crop ; McAvoy's Superior, well loaded ; Wilson'i Albany, the game, but not ripe before June 5th, we think. Post Opficb Chanqb. — The name of our post office at West Urbana has been changed to that of " Champaign," and we ask our friends to govern themselves accordingly in drop- ping-ua aline. The Farmer as a PaEMirM. — We would call the attention of officers of county agricultural societies to the value of the Farmer as a premium. Persons receiving it could begin at any time they chose. The publishers propose to make a liberal deduction to societies awarding them. We also wLsh to publish a list of officers and the time of holding fairs, in the July number. Will the Corresponding Secretaries favor us with the desired Information. Grain Trade in Milwaukee. — To give some idea of the wheat receipts in thi.s city by rail it is only necessary to say that it requires seven of Fairbanks' 30 ton track scales to do the amount of weighing. Two of these have recently been placed at IJigby's Elevator, on the La Cros.se II. K. To test the exactness of these scales, a load- ed car was placed on the upper one and weighed, and then moved to the lower scale, each scale weighing the car precisely the same. Besides the above, there are four at Smith's Elevator, and one at Kellogg & Strong's. The reputation these scales have obtained has been well earned, and the general confidence of the public in their accuracy and reliability is no more than a just reward for the untiring and vigilant care and efforts of the manufacturers, that no imperfect scale shall ever leave their manufactoi-y. — Milwaulcce Dally Wisconsin. ditf-lt Very Liuer.il. — Doctor AV'hittier, the cele, brated chronic di.sease doctor of Saint Louis, Mo.- desires us to say ho will send an exposition of his views on chronic diseases to every Invalid in Illinois free of charge on application. All he wants is the address and one stamp, to prepay postage. Regarding consumption he would like to put one of his circular letters relating to that disease into the hands of every person young or old who are consumptively inclined. lie says some of the following symptoms are always present in such persons : General debility, wan- dering pains in or tightness of the chest, short- ness of breath after exercise, indigestion, consti- pation, weakness, weariness, nervousness, indo- lence, with generally an active mind. The above are predisjjosing cases or the result of hereditary taint which if properly treated prevent the dis- ease. "We refer you to the Doctor's advertise- ment in our columns. Wc think the writings of a physician who has won the good opinion of the community where he is located, and a large practice should be worth reading. His address Is Clark Whittier, box 059, St. Louis Mo. C OMM KRCI AL, SPRINGFIELD MARKET— MAY 29. WHEAT— f I 25(?ni 80 ^ bu; FLOl U— ♦« 50@i7 5l)!{3 bbl; CORN— 25(«;3iic 1;1 bu; CORN MEAL— Wlc %} bu; OATS— 25(fji8()c \i bu; BEANS— ifKrhl i5|?bu; HHAN— 10c ^ bu; SHOUTS— 15c ^ bu; TIMOTHY S'D— «2^2 25; HUN(i.\KIAN3'D— 5li®70c: MILLET— ♦! ^^bu; CLOVER— 14 50 H bu; POTATOES— New, Kt^SOc; l\\\—t"Q>'i t3 ton; TALLOM'— 61-2#;»c ^ ft; SOAP— Bar, 4(f?l6c ?5 lb; CANDLES— 12 l-2c ^ box; PKMvLEl) P'k— ifstTfilOt^ 100; BACON— Hams WCa],Wy\i lb CHICKENS— fl SO^Jdiiz; BROOM CORN— 1120 IMon; BACON— Sides, 9c ^ ft; EGOS- 7(g,Sc|}doB; LARD— 10c \i ft; SUGAR— yf^lOc ^ ft; COFFEE— ia@15c ^a ft; MOLASSES— 4;.@65c » gal; SALT— ^2 q-;?sack; SALT— f 2 %< bbl; MACKEREL— 12@13 No 1; CODFISH— 10 60 \i 100; APPLES— Dried, »2 OOfJbu; WOOD— «;2 50(rt,8^cord; COAI,— Hic W bu; WHISKY— 25(rn2Sc ^ gal; VINEfiAR— 10c ipgai; BROO.MS— 12 (Rl(5i2 50Wdot; UrTTER- 12@16c W ft; HIDES— Dry, best, 14c; I HIDES— Green, C@6'ac; APPLES — Green, none; FEATHERS— 80@40c |} ft; CniCAGO MAKKKT.— MAY Z'J. Wheat more active, market advanced )^®1c. Flour limit- ed request, market dull. Corn market declined Ic; sales 6,000 bu No 2 canal at 45c alloat; 12,000 bu No 1 at 4Gc; 14,000 bu do nt 45>;c; 5S,000 bu do nt 45c; 7i 0 Iiu do at 43c; 5,000 bu No 2 early at 44>;c; 15,00 i bu do at 4;3c all in .store. Oats market quiet; sales 500 l)U No 1 at 29c in store; 140 bags do at 81c on track. Rye .«teady; 400 bu very choice for mill- ing at 77c on track; several small lots were sold at 70® 72c. — Barley market ijuiet. WEEKLY REVIEW OF ST. LOUIS PRODUCE MARKET— .'May 26, p.m. The stock of sugars, in first hands. Is low : less than SOD hhds, against l,hOO this time last year. Business in sugar and molasses has been unusually small; common to prime sugar is h«ld at C?4lg)8>.Vc, and inobLsses at .30^^,4(lc, for com- mon or fermenting to i)riine ])lantation. ColTees are in light gupi>ly, only one house having anything like a large stork; the range from common to prime Rio is 13^14c; Rica 4,^4@ 5c. Belcher's rates of refined sugar, etc., were changed on Wednesday as follows, fo-wil: Refined yellow, (A) O.^c; (0) 10c; powdered, (C) 10,'a ; crushed and enuill loaf, 10^<;c; crushed and powdered, (B and C) Wfi^c; crushed, 10;'.jC; doul)le refined loaf, lie; golden syruj), 04c, Ofic and C9c per gal.; sugar hou.se molasses, 4(ic, 4Sc and 41c; city refined do., 40c, 42c and 45c ; Missouri refining, 8t)C, 30c and 41c per gal. Receipts of Corn have been quite large this week, causing a daily decline in price until the close, when, with receipts to- day of some 52,0011 bushels, the best white woulii sell for only 57(f^5Sc, and mixed at 5^10c lower than this. High freights anly heavy and demand limited. Prices range from 5 to (Ic \\ 11) net. Sheep — Good siieep find ready sale, and the market is firm. A lot of r.0 head fine sold at $4 50. Prices range from $2 50 to 4 5(1 'C heiiil — wool off. Cows and Calves— There is a fair demand for good cows, of which the supply is oniy moderate, but common are in lanje »upi)ly and dull. Wc quote coiumou, $15(74,20, good, $25(^,40 \> head . [ Abridged from the New York Times.] NEW YORK CATTLE MARKET— May 23. Of the 8,724 bullocks yurded at Forty-fourth street, this week, so far as we could ascertain their origin from owners and salesmen, and from the yard books, 1&4 head came from New York, 119 from Indlaiia, 1,4S2 from Illinois, 82 from Pennsylvania, ('>17 from Iowa, 4.'j9 from Missouri, 8S5 from Kentucky, 2o6 from Ohio, 53 from Texas, 28 from Virginia, and 18 from Michigan. Taking the average of the entire transactions of this Week's market, yesterday's sales being included In those of to-day, and setting down those of last week for comparison, we have the following quotations : To-day. Last week. Premium cattle None . None. First quality 9X.i© 6»ic. BM@ 8?:^c. Poor quality 7>i® 73^0. Poorest quality 1%% 7)<^c. ^}i® 7c. General selling prices 6 ^ it't'c. 8 ®. 9c. Average of all sales — (g) SJ^c. — @ 8>^c. We have remarked for several weeks past upon the almost uniform good (|uality of the bullocks yarded at Forty-fourth- street, liut those of the present week have exceeded them in those properties which go to make up a right nice killing ani- mal for a liist-class butcher. We have seen more extra fat, or premium bullocks oC'ered — in fact there were none such to- day, nor are tliey wanted at this season — but it has seldom fal- len to our lot to witness so large a proportion of No. 1 cattle yarded for a single market. As a consequence, prices were unusually even, ranging mainly at 8-!4@.9>(.'c. A few of the best brought 10c, large numbers sold for 9>..c, more still at 9c, a good many between S3y5 dwafkrm 6m T> OURElfs COMMERCIAL COLLEGE^ _Ci>mer Fourth and Poplar Streets, ST. LOUIS, MO. A full course of instruction tn this Institution embraces DOUBLEJENTRY BOOK-KEEPING, Commercial Law, Aritlmielic and Penmanship ; also. Mathe- matics in all its branches, Drawing, Modern and Classic Languages, and DETECTING COUNTERFEIT MONEY. Gentlemen can enter for the course separately, and at any time, as instruction is given iiulividuaily and not in classes, each department being independent of the other, and under the cdiitriil of a Professor educated for the especial depart- ment in which lie is employed. For iiarlleulars call at the College, or address jiiiicl-ly LOl'13 ROHRER. F RESil BUTTER— IJUSTON AND SODA CRACKERS, baked daily, at AVATSON'S. •■ \ THE ILLIISrOIB F^HMiEB. COX & ROBERTA' PATEJ^T TARESUER ANB CJLEAI^ER, These Machines thresh and clean the Qrain ready for market, without waste, in a manner superior to any other machine now in use. They have been thoroughly tested for a number of years past, several hundred having been made and sold by us, giving the most entire satisfaction. They are the most stUPLS and easily managed machine now in use, and durable in their con- struction, requiring LESS POWER and thresh faster than any other Thrasher and Cleaner in the United States. At a trial of Machines at the Fair of the St. Jyouis Agricultural and Mechani- cal Association in ISoS, our Machine with/oMr^ww*, threshed andjcleaned more wheat, in better style, iu a giyeti time, tham any four or eigJit horse niachitie on the f^ound, and receiv- ed the FIRST premium, and a the late great Fair of the St. Louis Agricultural and Mechanical Association, in 1S59, our Jlachines received the first premium for best four horse and best eight horse Thresher and Cleaner. The Grand Gold Medal of Honor was awarded to our Lever Cabin Power at the same Fair, both in 1S5S and 1S59: they are an improvement on any now in use, being very portable and durable. Having largely Ihcreased our facilities for manufacturing these machines to meet the increased demand, and with improvements that have been added from year to year, as experience sug- gests, we are determined the workmanship and materials ^/lall not he excelled hy any establmhmeiit in the Union. The Machine with four or six horse Lever Cabin I'owcr is the leading machine for general use, being more extensively used than any other; they 'can be ordered on wheels or without, as de- mred. The eight horse does a larger business, and is always sold on wheels, with Elevator and Straw Carrier attached. The machine with two horse Lever Cabin Power is intended for fannert who wish a small and less expensive machine to thresh ind clean for themselves; it is a splendid Thresher, and does its work as well as the large ones. Orders respectfully solicited. AH further information desired cheerfully given. {2g|~ Manufactured and sold by KINGSLANDS k FKRGUSON, corner of Second and Cherry Streets, St. Louis, Mo. [mayl -3m N. may5-fly St. Louis, Mo. GREAT REDtiCTION TO CLUBS ! SUBSCRIBE NOW FOR THE Illinois State Journal, A relialle Xetcspaper, and a faith fill advocate of Bepub- lican principle'^ — Puhlhilied at tiprlngfield, Illinois, BY BAILUACHE it BAKER. Six copies for one year $7 50 Ten " " 12 00 Fifteen" " , 10 60 Twenty" " 20 00 Thirty " " 30 00 All persons sending clubs often, fifteen and twenty subscri- bers at tlie above rates, will be entitled to an extra copy free; and all persons sending clubs of thirty suljscribcrs, shall re- ceive two extra copies of the paper free, or a copy of Godey's Lady's Book fur IbGO, if preferred. We hope our friends will respDnd liberally in view of the above reduction of rates. Each paper will be addressed to the person for whom it is in- tended, and will be forwarded to anj- desireil post oflice. f:;^= Clergymen jiiid teachers supplied at ^1 a year. ZSr° Money nriosed in registered letter ssentiit our risk. Address BAILUACHE & BAFiKR, dec30 : Springfield, 111. As acctdentt wtll happen, even in teell reyulnted frmili'it, it it rery desirable to have some cheap and convenient way for repairing Furniture, Toys. Crockery, &c. SPALDING'S PREPARED GLUE meets all such emergencies, and no household can afford to be with- out it. It is always ready and up to the sticking point. There is no longer a necessity for limping chairs, splintered veneers, headlcjs flolls and broken cradles. It Is just the article for cone, shell and other ornamental work, so popular with lathes of refinement and taste. This admirable preparation Is used cold, bebig chemically held in solution, and possesang all the valuable qualities of the best cabinet makers' gfte. It may be used in the place of ordinary mudlage, being vastly mcire adhesive. "USEFUL IN EVERY HOUSE." N.B. — A brush accompanies each bottle. Price, 35 cants. Wholesale Depot, 48 Cedar-st., New York. address HENRY C. SPALDING & CO, Box No. 3600 New York. Put up for dealers in cases containing four, eielif and twelve dor en— a beautiful lithographic show card accompany ing each package. C^" A single bottle of SPALDING'S PREPARED GLUE will save ten times its cost annually to every househokl._^3 Sold by all prominent Stationers, Druggists, Hardware ai.d Fur- niture dealers. Grocers and Fancv Stores. Country Merchants should make a note of SPALBTNG'S PRE- PMiElJ SLU'S; when making up their Ust. It will slaiidanv (Jiniate. A WORD TO THE DISCOURAGED.— In another column you will find my card relating to the cure of Dyspepsia, and in this place I will ju., St. Lodis, Mo. lANOS AND MELODEONS A. REED, 49 NORTH FIFTH STREET, ST. LOUIS, MO., Wholesale and Retail Dealer in A. W. Ladd & Co.'s World's Fair Prize Medal Full Iron Frame Grand and Square Piano Fortes; llallet, Davis & Co.'s Celebrated Patent Suspension Bridge New Curved Scale and Repeating Grand Action Piano, with cntiri! Iron Frames. Every Instrument fully warranted. Also, Mason k lanolin's unrivalled Melodeon's and Uarmonl- ums for Parlors, Churches, Stniinaries and Lodges ; all of which have received ui)W!irds of sixty gold and silver medals for their siiporb instruments. A liberal dLscount to Clergy- men, Seiiiiiuirics, Vestries, Churches and Lodges. Orders by letter or otherwise jiromptly attended to. Pianos tuned and repaired In the best manner. opaj-dwfarCra TO •Mrchttects, Builders, CARPENTERS, MACHINISTS, AKD * DECORATORS. KOW PUBLISUJNG WEEKLY, TEE ^ m&rchitects'' and, Jflechanics^ JOURNAL, The only Illustrated Weekly publication of its kind in this country, and indispensable to all engaged in Building and Mechanical Operations. EDITED BY PRACTICAL MEN. Who are well known as among the ablest men In this country. Every week, Illustrations appear of great practical utility, such as Engravings of New Buildings Already erected, now going up, or intended for eretrtlon, In different parts of the country. Denigns and Worlcing Details Connected with Building operations, of great value to Archi- tects, Builders and Carpenters. The Mechanical Department Is oni;ichcd by Engravings connected with new Inventions, aa well as a complete synopsis of everylihing whicli is going for- ward in the Mechanical World. Subscription, $2 per annum, in advance. {^"Send 25 cents for five weekly numbers, as samples. The Scietiiific American, of October 29, in noticing the Architects' and Mechanics' Journal, says it is "Edited with evident ability Altoguther, the best work of the kind ever published in onr oity." — [New York.] Published by Alexander Ilarthill, 12S Fulton street. New York. The Trade supplied by any wholesale House in New York, fcbl-tf BLOOMINGTON NURSERY, BL00:4IKGT0h\ ILLINOIS. Eiglity Acres Fruit and Ornamental Trees. 9(10 NAMED SORTS TULIPS, ALSO i^yj\J Jlyacinths, Crocus, and a general assort- .„«OU;. ment of Bulbs and Flower Roots for Fall and Springo"** * planting. Nursery stock. Evergreens, Greenhouse^ and garden plants — all at wholesale and retail at _ lowest casli rates. f^~For particulars see Catalogues or address subscrib. F. K. PUCENIX Bloomington, III., Aug. 1, 1S59. WOODBURN NT RSERY. THE PROPRIETOR OF THIS ESTABLISH- MENT offers for sale over 10(1,000 Trees and Plants, more or less, of which evary one needs who has the smallest piece of ground for cultivotion. Our list of Apples contains the best SUMMER, FALL AXD WIXTEIi VARIETIES, both for market and family use. Also, Pears, Plums, Cherry, Apricot, Quince, Currant, Gooseberry, Blackberry, Raspberry, Strawberries, Grapes, may here be found of the lx!st varieties; besides Evergreens, Shade and • Ornamental Trees and Shrubs, Roses, Dahlias, Phloxes, Chrysanthemums, &c., Ac. We have a large stock of the SILVER-LEAVED MAPLE, which is very valuiible, either for its fast growth or beautiful foliage. This nursery is gaining a high reputation for tho accuracy and thorough manner in which cverj'thing is done, amltlieproi)rietor is determined to make it worthy the confi- dence and patronage of all persons. Our Trees, Plants and prices, we are sure, will compare favorably with those of any growth in the State, and all interested are cordially invited to visit our grounds and see for themselves. Apple trees, two years old, |l'J>i per 100; three years old, $1.") per 100; Peaches, $1S per 100. Description and priced catalogue sent on application. Letters of inquiry receive promjit attention. Packages delivered at the railroad free of drayage. JONATHAN IIUGGINS. Woodburn, Macoupin county, Illinois. febl-far-tf DUNLAP'S NURSERY. ^~^ 40 Acres in Trees and Plants. EMBRACING THE USUAL NURSERY stock, all of which will he sold low for cash. Orders for Spring planting should be be sent in early. 5,000 two year old SILVER MAPLES 'or timber belts, can be had at $."> per 100. J. B. AVhitney, of Chatham, Sangamon county, is the agent for Sangamon and neigliboring counties. Catalogues had on opplication. Address .M. L. UrXLAP, febl West Urbana, Champaign Ce., Ills. THE ILLXjN^OIS K'.i^lilvlEIl. 99 THE MQUISTON SHELLER AND HORSE POWER. MANUFACTURED B Y J. C. CARR. For particulars address ISAAC P. ATWATER, Morris, Grundy Countj, Illinois. The most perfect, substantial and economical Farmer's Sheller ever built. ■ Bloomikgton, April 17th, 1860. Mv. Tusac P. Atinater : Sir : — In answer to vour questions, I will state that since 10th November Last, I have shelled with the JfcQUISTOX TWO HORSE POWER ELEVATOR SHELLEU, over 45,000 bushels of Corn, with less than $5 expense for repairs, and ray machine is still in good running order and will probably slicll as much more. I have shelled, cleaned perfectly and sacked SO bushels n one hour, and can doit any day with pood corn. AVould not sell my machine at any price, if I could not get another just ike it. Two light horses have done all this shelling and kejit fat. I shell and car my own corn at an expense of one and a 1 cents per bushel. Yours respectfully, W>I. A'REELAXD, ] Corn Buyer, at C. A. & St. L. Depot. Mr. JOSEPH LUDiyOTON, Corn Buyer, etc., at Depot of Illinois Central Railroad, Bloomington, says : I have shelled about 40,0(K) bushels since 20tli November last, with about ^'i expense for repairs, running every day now. Ilave timed it one hour and shelled 75 bushels. Common average of every day is 50 bushels per hour. It is the most substantial, durable and economical Corn Sheller I have ever seen. Don't think it can be equalled. Messrs. Al'GLE & ALLER, of Bushnell, C, B. & Q. R. R., have shelled about 40.000 bushels since November last. Machine still in good order and ^helling every day. Repairs have been trifling. Sheller and Power considered unequalled. Sheila from 450 to 600 bushels per day, depending iq)on the quantity of corn got to it. Have never seen it fed as fast as it would shell. Messrs. WYCKOFF & SHREVES, Bu.^hnell, have shelled since November about 50,000 bushels ; expenses for repairs not to exceed f5; is in tip top order now and shelling from 500 to GOO bushels per clay. For economy and perfection of work, have no idea it can be equalled. Have sold a number of machines in the neighborhood and never known one to be in any way imperfect or incapable of giving the fullest satisfaction to the purcliaser. Mos=rs. COLE & WEST, also of Bushnell, have shelled with their machine 60. Ofl<) bushels since last November, and it is now running every day, and from appearances, will shell as mucli more without any but trifling expense for repairs. Never think of having to stop fur any break down or repairs whatever. Can shell, clean and bag just any quantity of corn the men will put into it. Mr. TAYLOR, of Kewanee, has shelled .35,000 bushels since November. Don't think he has had any expense for repairs. n.is run a greixt many Corn Shellers, small and large, lias never seen one before that he considered perfect in every respect. Has never seen two men feed it to its capacity. Thinks it capable of shelling from 500 to 7uO bushels per day, if rightly managed. And I might go on multiplying reports similar to the above, until it would cost me about as much to get you to print it as the profits on the ICO odd imichines sold since last October would amount too. It will be understood that the above references are to single machines, that is, one Sheller and Its Two Horse Power has done the work named. If there is any Corn Sheller in the State of Illinois, of any capacity, capable of doing as economical and perfect work, or any Sheller of its capacity able to do as much work, with as little expense for repairs, I would like to hear of it. The parties above named are all responsible gentlemen, who have freely made these statements and velunteered their names as references. Morris, Gru.ndyCou.nty, Ills., April ISGO. ISAAC P. ATWATER. Cast Iron Land Rollers, 24 inch diameter in 1 3 inch sections. 6 Sections $4-5 — 7 Sections i^oO — 8 Sections $55 — All Tiling ready for the field. TERMS. — Cash on delivery at R.iilroad. Purchaser pay freights. apl-y* YOUNG'S ADJUSTABLE CULTIVATOR :AND WEED EXTERMINAtOR. This is the ino-Ic Cultivator in use, ,ind cannot fail to give tlie most entire satisfaction. Price of Cultivator, with Weeding Cutters and a Set of sliares for Ilillinjr, *12 Tlioy are made of good materials and wurkinansliip. Address apl-3in* JOHN YOUNG, Joiht, Will County. B. B. LLOYD, DEISTTIST , (orncE OS kobth fifth stkest, oveb j. katbcsb'S. Springfield, 111. A DENTAL PRACTICE OF FIFTEEN years warrants him in saying-that aU operations shall be carefully and neatly performed. He is in possession of sever- al premiums and diplomas awarded by the best institutes for the promotion of science and arts in the country . Teeth inserted, from one tooth to full sets, as gabstantial and handsomo as can be had in any city of the Unita.*t, and it is con- sidered the most useful article in the house next to the cradle, and no less indispensable than that. In No. ii of the present volume (l'S59) of the Scieiitijic Ameiivan, we published an illustration showing the mecliunical principles of the Grover 4 Uakcr machine. By reference to that illustration, the form of the stitch will be seen, and its security from ripping, as well its its superior cla.-'licity, will l)e readily understood." There are constantly kept on e.\hibitioii machines of the different patterns and styles of finish, for tlie convenience of purchasers. Yount; ladies, experienced in their use and courteous in their uianiier.s, are always on hand to receive lady visitors or purchasers. SEND FOR CinCULAKS. SALESROOMS, 134 North Fourth Street, myl-ly Verandah Row, St. Louin. VOLUME V. SPRINGFIELD, ILL., JULY, 1860. NUMBER 7. THE ILLINOIS FARMER. PUBLISHED MONTULY, BT BAIIiHACHE & BAKER, Journal Office, Springfield, Illinois. M. L. 33IJNLA1P, Editor. TERMS OF SUBSCKIPTION. One copy, one year, in advance f 1 00 Five copies, " " 3 75 Ten " and one to the person getting np club 7 50 Fifteen copies and over, 62_% cents each, and one to person getting up club. CASH RATES OF ADVERTISING : One dollar per square of ten lines, each insertion. SPECIAL NOTICE. \ All business letters should be directed to the Publishers, at Springfield; and all corainunlcations for the eye of the Editor, and the exchanges, should be directed — Illinois Farhbr, Chaniijaign, III. (The name of the post office at West Ur- bana has been changed as above.) CONTENTS. July 101 Our Trip 101 The Currant or Gooseberry Worm 105 Fleshman's New Mode of Plowing 106 Draining and Subsoiling 107 Poultry Rearing 109 Fairbanks' Scales 109 Corn 110 Strawberries as a Paying Crop 110 Amount of Rain f >r '6!) Ill The Value of Deep Plowing for Corn Ill The Cattle Disease Ill Straws 112 EDITOR'S T.4IJLE : July 114 Summer Pruning of the Grape 114 Land Rollers lU Amalcam Bells 1 14 Vralrie Breaking 114 Sweet Potatoes 114 Lime, Sulphur, the Plums and Curculio 114 Oiirden Engines 114 AVash your Fruit Trees 114 Macon County Fair, at Decatur 1 14 DuPage County Premium List 114 Durable Wash for Wood Work 114 Kerosene Oil 115 Sewing Machines 115 A good place for Drugs 115 Married 115 The Small Fruits 115 Blackberry Wine 115 Kye for Hogs 115 Apples inCentr&l Illinois ..115 The Corn Crop. 115 The Late Tornado 115 The Cattle Disease 115 A Sweet Boy 115 Post Office Change 115 Revolving Hor.se Rake 115 Chase's Hand Book 115 Bee Hives 115 The Weather, Crops, &o 115 The Orchard 115 Railroad Fares ... .115 More Native Wine 115 Political 116 How to sell Land 116 The Great Tornado 116 The State Fair 1 IG The Advertisements 116 The Farmer on the Fair Grounds 116 Blaekl>errie8 116 Cass County Fair 116 Pike County Fair 116 Swarming of Bees 116 Memories of Washington 116 Cobs for Fuel 116 Mole Draining 116 Residence of U. G. Johns 116 Bloomington 116 Lee County Fair 116 Esterly's Self Rnking Reaper 116 Macoupin County Fair 116 MARKETS 116 Jnlj. From brightning fields of ether, fair disclosed, Child of the sun, rtfulgent suinmer comes. In pride of youth, and felt through nature's depth, He comes attended by the sultry hours. And ever fanning breezes on his way ; While, from his ardent look, the turning spring Averts her bashful face ; and earth, and skies. All smiling, to his hot dominion bow. Thomjifion's Seasons. July is here witli his ardent fires, simmer- ing down the juices of the plants to plastic wood, and with mystic hand building up their structures layer after layer, with the wonderous mechanism by which nature loves to do her noble work. The gentle rains and warm winds ot spring had opened the bud and expanded the leaf, but it is the duty of summer to envelop the stem in new layers of wood and pile on millions of hexagonal cells, that shall hold the starch in recesses too small for the unaided eye. How wonder- ful the processes ot nature under the ardent gaze of the summer's sun, how apparently simple the growth of plants. Yet man with all his endowments can. only till the soil, water their roots ana patiently wait for nature to build up their structures. Man, with his genius can bridge mighty rivers ; he can call down the lightning of heaven and compel it to become his messenger of thought; he can make the water of the sum- mer cloud transport him with the swiftness of the wind, but he cannot make a rose leaf or paint tis petals with the gorgeous colors of tbe sun. July is an important month for the farmer, it is the month that nature has set to do her noblest work, to put forth her best efforts. If he has planted carefully and cultivated with an unsparing hand, the ardent sun of July will build up for him the structures of his plants, that shall make glad his home in winter. July too pours out her wealth of ripened grain, the rye, the barley and the wheat, now bend their ripened heads to the sickle and are gathered for our use. The sun-browned brow of toil must pour out the sweat like rain, to moisten the muscles of labor and give strength to endure the heats of summer. Nature is all aglow with energy, the gentle rustle of the leaf is but a whisper of the summer growth, and the music of the reaper is testimony to the integrity of the season. OCR TRIP. Indianapolis, Ind., June 8, 1860. The Great Western Railroad cora- incncing at Naples on the Illinois river, runs east through the heart of the great corn zone of the State, passing Jack- sonville, Decatur, Tolono, Danville, to the State line in direction of the Toledo, and connecting at Fort Wayne with the greau through route via Chicago, Pitts- burgh and Baltimore east. --^~.__ THE CROPS. From Springfield to Tolono we ob- serve but little winter wheat, but what there is looks well. But little spring wheat is sown, though every year in this part of the State this grain is becoming more and more popular, and at no dis- tant day will rank high among the sta. pie products of Central Illinois. Rye looks well and is quite largely cultivated, but it is the great breadth of corn that attracts the eye of the traveler, the large fields stretch far down the prairie slopes, and away over the wave-like swells- Generally the rows have been laid straight, and now as the plants are a few inches above ground, they show to good advantage, but when June with its gentle rain and ardent heat shall have put it in tassel, and when the south-west wind that has kissed the luxurious foli- age of the "tropics'' shall ripple its sur- face of deepest green, then may the eye of the traveler be feasted to some purpose, and the sun-browned brow of toil brighten with the promise of well requited effort Of all the West the great pairie slopes that lie within the corn zone, are the richest and most certain to return value for value, and give to labor the most sure reward. ; , . : Most of the stock from points west of Tolono goes east by the way of Chicago, not the most natural route certainly, but northern energy is not made of pliant 102 THE ILLINOIS FARMER. stuff, and never yields, but to greater force or more favorable circumstances ; and in summer with the Lake and cheap labor, she can and will to a certain ex- tent command the trade. But the great natural outlet of Central Illinois products is over the great]|( through route before noted, and the attempt to force trade and travel over the Toledo and Western Railroad beyond Fort Wayne only tends to call forth northern competition, and turn the tide north at Tolono. Would not our good friends of the G. W. and T. W. & W. do well to look at the ef- fect of these through routes along the Lake shore as compared with the one named? And would it not be better to have the divergence at Fort Wayne than at Tolono? We think so? COAL AT DANVILLE. The Great Western passes over the immense beds of coal at this place, but instead of opening the veins, as they should have done, along side of the track and loaded the cars on the side track they must run an extra track into some deep ravine so as to get at the outcrop, and thus get not only a poor quality of coal, but at a greatly increased expense. We shall hope at no distant day to see these mines worked in a business-like way, and cheap coal distributed within the range of the mines, of a quality that shall make them valuable. We look upon these mines as of great ultimate value to the State, but to be so they must be worked in a more systematic manner. THE COUNTRY. From Naples to the State line the prai- rie predominate?, and the timber is in groves and timber belts of no great maeinitude; but soon after leavinfi; the State line, the prairies become small and a few miles brings us to the great forest that skirt the Wabash, and which with a fev7 intervals of prairie is continued on east in unbroken wood-land to the Atlantic; in fact, it is the western limit of the great forest that once covered the valley of the Ohio and swept up to the lakes on the north. The prairies make but an interlude to the forest range along the south bank of the Wabash ; whence to the capital of Hoosierdom, we dive through one great wilderness of massive growth, upon which the wood- man's axe has made but slight impres- sion, and upon whose deep leafy ailes the prairie traveler can feast his eye with forest grandeur. ATTICA. Lies mostly in the valley of the Wa- bash where it comes up from the South and takes a bold stretch to the eastward. The village is pretty and well built, and does a large amount of business. It is not only an outlet for the hoosiers, but draws to itself no small amount of trade from the Prairie State. The river bottoms are noted for great yields of corn, but of course subject to summer Hoods, which every five or six years is sure to sweep them off. But yet with this disadvantage they are the most pro- fitable lands for corn in this part of the State, perhaps the Wea plains excepted. CROPS IN THE TIMBER LANDS. We had supposed that the shelter of- fered by the timber lands would present us an advanced growth of vegetation, but to our surprise found that it was full a week behind the prairie, and we sought for an explanation. In looking at the map it will be seen that the little pond called Lake Michigan lies to the North, and stretches away toward the hyper- borean regions a long way, and conse- quently that when the north wind moves over her bosom, it gathers up a vast amount of cold water, which it spreads over this forest range in the form of cold mist and chilly winds, thus retarding vegetation. In addition to this, the soil, as far south as Lebanon, is a heavy clay, and needs underdraining more or less. From thit point south we observe a change of soil for the bet- ter, and as the lake winds have faded away into other air currents, coming from the south and west, vegetation is much more advanced. The clearings along the line of the Lafayette and In- dianapolis Road are small, and of recent date, and the heavy forest walls close in on the little way stations, giving them an air of seclusion that, were it not for the little ribbons of iron that connect them with the rest of mankind, might well account for tlieir want of know- ledge of the out-^ide world. THE IIOOSIER CAPITAL. At 11 o'clock, A. M., we emerged from the deep forest that we had so much ad mired for its almost impenetrable depths of wooded verdure, in contrast with our own prairie slopes; and the broad streets and shaded avenues of Indianapolis were before us. We were welcomed at the De- pot by Dr. L. Dunlap, one of the pio- neers, who, forty years ago, just fresh from his college course, rode into the little village of a hundred souls that has since grown up into a city of 25,000 inhabitants. It was then even beyond the further west, a mere point in the distant horizon that shut out the great prairie slopes, and between which and civilization lay the mighty fi^rests of Ohio, now carved out into thousands of happy homes. But all this has undergone a great change. The National Road, that stupendous swindle on the national treasury, here came to a fatal end, and for a time gave this point no small importance, as the eastward travel must pass over it. But steam and the lakes became the watchword, and the prairies were opened up to the view of the farmer, who could see in the fu- ture, their rich undulating surface dotted over with homes and protected from the dreary winter by belts of artificial forest. And not until the iron horse broke the stillness of the streets of the hoosier cap- ital, did she begin to recover from |the stagnation that followed the opening up of the great lake route. The city is now the railroad centre of the State, and ap pears in a healthy and prosperous con- dition. It is well laid out with ample width of streets, with fine yards well cared for, which to us, glowing as they are with roses in full bloom, form no small attraction. The Locust is the most common shade tree, and no where have we seen this tree look so well, but its day is over, and it must give room for the Catalpa, the Silver Maple and the Elm. On our return from further East we shall have more to say of the city and the State Institutions that are in such good hands. The Asylum for the insane, the Blind and the Mute, we visited to-day, all of which we found in the most flourishing condition. Indukapolis, June 4, 1860. One year ago this morning, when the dusky night hud melted into morning, and the sun threw his floods of light over the northwest, it was reflected back by a mantle of frost, white and glittering, as in modest beauty it lay upon the vegetation with which May hud carpeted the earth, now given over to ■•J'f. l:i&-i::fn<.t.^: . THE ILLIIS^OIS FA.RMER. 103 the keeping of summer. But in all its beauty, it brough ta paleor to the cheek of the farmer as from his window he looked out upon his garden enfolded within the grasp of this now unwelcome visitor j and before the sua had reached his noon-day's splendor a great portion of the garden and field crops lay dead and blackened beneath his ardent gaze. From the Alleghanies to the Missouri, from Lake Huron to the Ohio, from "Egypt" to the farthest north was the mantle of frost spread out, crushing to earth the fond hopes of the husbandman. Wherever the atmosphere was saturated with moisture ; wherever the valleys spread out tlieir wealth of soil; wherever the brooklets sent their mists up the hill-sides; there the dazzling frost, born of April, came with its mantle of snowy white bring- ing destruction to fruit and tender plants. How different this morning ! The balmy air comes up from the field sprinkled by the clouds of night, and the fields look gay with the promise of abundant harvests, as the train whirls past the clearings, shel- tered from the sweeping winds by the forest walls that every where belt in the fields. Here, instead of the prairie billows, ready lor the plow, the massive forest had to be carved down by the steady swing of the woodman's axe, as blow by blow the tower- ing monarch of the forest reluctantly yielded to his sturdy efforts. Forty years ago the great forest stretched far away in its almost unbroken solitude ; but the iron rail is work- ing like the magic of Alladin. and thousands of happy homes are carved out of the great reaches of forest that so lately lay in solemn grandeur, mocking at the feeble effort of the pioneer. As we remarked in our last, the crops are not as forward as on the prairies. More to the north, no doubt the open prairie offers a more ready track for the volume of heated air that at this season is forced north through the valley of the Mississippi, and thus sooner shows its efi'ects on the vegeta- tion lying within its pathway. The crop of winter wheat looks well, though not of heavy growth. The orchards are small, but well loaded with fruit. Our Hoosier friends, like us of the prairies, make no great pretensions to fine gardens. As we write, the train is speeding on its way through field and forest, towards the Queen City of the West — the great Porkopolis of the Ohio valley — and upon whose vine clad hills we intend to feast our eyes and take lessons in the beautiful. The increasing undulations of the country and the windings among the hills give warning that we are fast approaching the river. The clearings are larger, the orchards more numerous and a change in the soil shows that we have left the heavy clay loom and reached the lime- stone formations that give such value to the slopes of the Ohio. From Lawrenceburgh we follow the Ohio river. North Bend, so well known in the political history of the country, is one of the most humble stations on the route. The vineyards on the south slope of the great excavation that the Ohio has cut out are beginning to appear, and now they grow thicker and of greater extent as the onward train gives warning that our journey is at an end in this direction — and we must close. CisciNKATli, May 4, 1S60. Our last left us entering the city, and we are now quietly located at the Burnet House. It is said that " birds of a feather,'' etc., all of which we believe, for we first found ourself in the sanctum of the Ohio Valley Farmer in the presence of our friend Sandford, chatting as familiarly as though we had been acquainted for a dozen years at least, and so we have, but not personally. We next turned up with Prof. Gary, of the Cineinnatus, both of these gentlemen are doing a good work, and we were pleased to find that they are well appreciated by their large list of subscribers. The Farmer is a home paper, in quarto form ; while the Ciii- cinnatus is octavo, with more scientific tendencies, and has a wider field; they difier from each other, but each fills an im- portant place in the agricultural literature of the day. Manufacturing is the great feature in this city, and which give it so much importance to the north-west and south. One firm, in 1857, tilled orders of engines and machinery for the south alone to the amount of $800,- 000, and last year a quarter of a million, and this is but one of a large number of similar establishments. We met Mr. Hedges, of the firm of Hedges, Free & Co., well known manufac- turers of agricultural machincry~which has been largely sold in our State, more especi- ally "Little Giant corn mills," sorgum crushers and pans. They have a new patern of crushers, which we think must prove of use ; one of the rollers is sixteen inches in diameter, {.nd the other two eight inches each, thus giving a grinding motion that should wring out the last drop of juice from the cane. This firm is just now largely engaged in the Casting of *' Amalgam Bells" from different qualities of cast iron, carbonized so as to have the hardness of steel, yet at about the cost of cast iron. So far as we could judge, they are a most per- fect success, thus giving us a cheap bell with qualities little, of any below that of steel, and the common alloy bells that cost nearly three times the same amount per hundred pounds. Of course a furtber trial must be had to doteimine their relative value, but judging from the demand that has sprung up in so short a time, they are giving the most unbounded satisfaction, and what is a little singular, a large proportion of the orders are from the eastern States. We saw one cast this af'ernoon at thc'^Niles Works,'' for Messrs. H., F. & Co., for which was melted four tons of metal. It measures six feet across the month, is four and a half feet high and three feet at the crown. The largest bell ever before cast in this city was five and a half feet by four, and five and a half inches thick, This bell cost some two thousand dollars, while this amalgum bell, of larger size, will cost less than seven hundred dollars. This bell is to fill an order from the city of Elizabethtown, New Jersey, and another one of two thousand pounds is being molded for New Brunswick. The casting af this large bell was done at the Niles Works, on account of its capacity for melting so large a lot of metal in one cupulo Should this new discovery in bell making prove as valuable as it now promises, we shall have a revolution in the trade, and every village church that now has a bell of from three to five hundred pounds, will have a new one of as many thousands, and the sound of the " church going bell," that is circumscribed to the village limits, will send its deep tones away into the country, and call the rural population to the worship of Him who sends the gentle rains and cloaths the fields with verdure. This firm are also making bells of fifty pounds and upwards for farm and plantation use, costing from six to twenty dollars. This we look upon as a desideratum long needed. We want some cheap and cflScient signal by which to call in the farm laborers, or any particular person. By these bells every farmer will have this at his coi.imand : for instance, three taps of the bell will call in the farmer, four taps another person, and by having a given number of tapa for each person, they can be called with certainty and ease. We make the suggestion, and hope our farmers will take the bint before we apply for a patent on farm signals ; just think of it, a good bell at twelve dollars per hundred pounds. Buy one by which the lady of the house can with a little effort at the cord send the welcome announcment of dinner to the most distant field, or call in husband to meet a friend, etc. CisciSKATi, June 6th, I860. Last evening the city was visited with a much needed rain. This morning ia cool and pleasant. j Our first work waste visit the shop 104 THE ILLIISrOIS F^njyCER. of Miles Greenwood, on Wulnut street, north of the canal. It -was at this shop that the new steam plow has heen con- structed, at the expense of, and for the use of M. Greenwood, (the principle member of the firm of M. Greenwood & Co.,) but before it goes out to his farm, which is eight miles from the city, it is to be thoroughly tried on the prairies of our State; when we intend to make it a visit, and to see its working powers, we shall therefore enter into no particulars of its struction at this time. We will give the reader some idea of the extent of these works. First is the en- gine building department, from that we look into the foundry, which covers sev- eral acres, for the casting of steam en- gine work, stoves, house fronts, posts and pillars, door butts in great variety and quantity, sewing machine stands and parts, door locks, malleable iron castings, stools, chairs, and a great va- riety of hardware goods. On the sec- ond floor is the pattern shops, finishing shops, and an almost endless number of door butts are here finished and pack- ed for market. The sewing machine rooms are interesting and employ a large number of workmen. We found it no small task to get through the whole es- tablishment. From there we visited the market on Fourth street, which we found a monster show of almost every thing one could desire in the eating line. The market house extends one entire block, and in addition the market wagons were closely packed, side by side, with the hind end to the side-walk, for the distance of three squares. Vegetables, butter, cheese, 6gg*5 poultry, hams, bacon, strawberries, currants, gooseberries, cherries, etc., in great abundance. The fish market was poorly supplied. Every thing appeared to command a good price and ready sale, and about eleven o'clock the wagons began to move out of place emptied of their contents, and at twelve scarcely a thing could be found m the market. After dinner we visited the Niles Works to see the big bell that had been cast yesterday, it had just been taken from the bed, and the men Avere clean- ing it; the casting was perfect in all re- spects, and the workmen think they can get one up of any size required. In mold- ing the bell no pattern is used, but made | true by what is called sweeping. The molds arc made of sand mortcr, finish- ed smooth, and then run into a huge oven and baked until the moisture is completely driven off, in this way the outside coating of the casting which is generally hardened in the process of casting, remains as soft as any part of it, nor does the melted metal pufi" up or become full of air holes produced by the gasses arising from wet sand, as in the old process. We also witnessed the casting of a large shaft. This is now done from the end, the metal running in at the lower end, the upper end being open allows all impurities to float to the top end, and as the metal settles away, it is renewed at the top, and thus a solid shaft is made, without a flaw or imper- fect place m it. We noAv took the Walnut Hill Omni- bus to the nursery and garden of Mr. J. S. Cook. It was an up hill business to reach the country above the river, and there it is pretty well broken into ravines. Mr. Cook has about seventy acres un- der tree and floral culture. He is a careful propagator, and his plants are remarkably large and fine, making a broad contrast to some of the sickly things sent out by our Rochester friends, and we may as will just hint to them that the West will have better plants sent them, or they will set up for them- selves, and grow their own plants. Mr. Cook has a large stock of the Early May Cherry, which is becomraing so popular. Upon examination we find it identical with the Early May that we have grown for some years, and which is known at Cottage Hill, near Chicago, as the Early Richmond. For Central and Northern Illinois, we look upon this cherry as of more value than all other varieties yet tried put together. Un- forClinately for the city, most of the shade trees are the Ailanthus, which are now in full bloom, and give off an aroma equal to at least a thousand pole cats in full working order, and we see no rea- son why the aroma will not last until pork killing time, unless the city should fortunately he visited by a tornado. — Why the Cincinnatians continue this pestiferous shade tree, and longer toler- ate it in their streets is a mystery. We saw large trees in court yards, poking their flowers in the chamber windows. The side-walk is strewed with the falling polon that gives them anything but a pleasing appearance. Why the Elm and Silver Maple have been overlooked for shade, is beyond our comprehension. At six o'clock we left the city behind us, and intended to call on Our friend Dr. Warder, at North Bend, fourteen miles run from the city; but the 0. & I. trains on the track of the 0. & M. road, and trains take only through passengers, and stop to take up passengers going beyond Lawrenceburgh, and to put down pas- sengers from points West. Unfortun- ately for us, the conductor of this train had been lately promoted to the respon- sible position of conductor, and thus had command of the world of travel, and refused to let us oflf at North Bend, or to give us a stop over ticket from Law- renceburgh, that we might return to North Bend by the 0. & M. trains, not wishing to submit to either the insolence or extortion of this worthy individual, we came through. We did not enquire his name, but he can be easily known from his close resemblance to a swag- gering river boatman, or a rowdy in a beer saloon. That it was his duty to stop at North Bend, and give us a stop over ticket we well know, and the refus- ing to do so was to deprive us of the principal object of our visit, and hag given us no high opinion of the discrim- ination in the selection of conductors as to their fitness, or the supervision of their acts, in this part of Iloosierdom. At some no distant day, we hope to be more fortunate in reaching North Bend, made so memorable in the political annals of the day, we certainly can fare no worse on the O. & M., and in case of failure, can fall back on the first principles of loco- motion on our own account. I.sDiANAPOLis, Ind., June 6th. Last evening we arrived from Cincin- nati, of which we gave a hasty state- ment, while riding to this city and from our^note book, but we have failed to give more than a slight impression of the manufacturing facilities of that great in- land city. A fortnight would be too limited to do it full justice. It shows what the west can do, with her cheap food, vast coal fields, and ready facilities for transportation, it will not be long be- fore the west will be a sharp competi- tor in every department of manufac- tures, not only in the north-west, but in the markets of the world. INDIANAPOLIS. This city is handsomely laid out with broad well graded streets, which are gen- ally shaded with Locust trees. The yards are nearly all well stocked with flowering plants. Among the rose fami- ly the Queen of the Prairies, White Ayershire, Red Boursal, George the Fourth, Harrison, and one or two of the Mosses, are the favorites, and at this time make a grand display of floral beauty. The more recent favorites of the rose family, the perpetuals have not as yet found their way to the gardens of this city. The lots are large, having mostly a front of a hundred feet, thus giving ample space for floral decoration, which with the taste of our Hoosier friends, will soon make their capitol one of the handsomest in the West. INSAiSE ASYLUM — JUNE 7tH, Nothing more clearly shows the ad- .-■■ww..-^, •■;....■-*,■ ■> THE ILLINOIS FARMER. 105 vancemeut of a State, than the care be- stowed upon the unfortuate, the insane, tho blind, the deaf and dumb, and the unfortunate poor. The Insane Asylum is under the charge of Dr. Athon, Superintendent, assisted by Drs. Barnes and Dunlap, jun. The buildings are large, well ventilated and conveniently arranged, and now contains over three hundred patients, and yet it is too small to admit all that have made application. We passed through all the wards, din- ing rooms, kitchen and cellar, and every- where neatness and ttie strictest order prevailed. With such a motly and almost ungovernable set of boarders as are here congregated, it is surprising how they could be kept anywhere within bounds, but throughout the whole estab- lishment, Ave could detect nothing like a prison smell, even in the wards of the most wretched of the unfortunates. We would like to see some of our hotel keepers passed through this establish- ment, that the blush of shame might mantle their cheek, and they return home with a determination to air their rooms, and clean up the garbage about their kitchen, so that sane men might have some of the comforts of home ; and not a few of our farmers and farm- er wives might take lessons in good house-keeping and neat house grounds. Neatness here is a virtue redolent of health, that tends to restore lost reason, and is the great curator, combined with kindness that enables the officers to re- store a large percentage, to the useful walks of life. To the hospital is at- tached a farm and garden, which pro- duces most of the vegetables, m,ilk and forage required. Nearly thirty of the patients were out at work planting pota- toes and other work, of course they are not the best hands in the world, but it gives them employment, and thus has a beneficial effect, and at the same time makes them to some extent useful. The grounds ai'e naturally beautiful, and with a little of the landscape gardeners art would be magnificent and a pride to the State; but thus far the Legislature have shown a want of taste in this regard, and the few trees that adorn the house grounds have been the donation of indi- viduals. A large number of shrubs, roses and plants have been obtained in this way and extended by divission, un- til the grounds immediately around the house presents a fine display of horti- cultural taste. With the good taste, en- ergy, and perseverance of Dr. Athon, aided by a few hundred dollars from the Treasury of the State, these grounds would become a paradise, where in it shady retreats, and amid its floral beau- ties, the lost ones might all the sooner be restored to their friends. Politicians have from time to time attempted to use this institution as a hobby horse, and to the contest growing out of it, we may attribute the neglect of the grounds. But a better day is dawning, and the leafy treasure of God's love will soon wave their banner of healing alons: the walks and lawns of this most christian and philanthropic institution of the State. THE BLIND. The buildings are located in a plot of four acres, just on the outskirts of the city, and on a commanding rise; from the top of the building we have a fine view of the city, and of the forest that stretches its wide arms far in either di- rection, but whose deep masses is now laid open to an intelligent population, and through which the iron way pene- trate in all directions. Dr. J. Mc Workman is the Superinten- dant; under whoso charge the inmates are making good prjgress. There are some^ fifty patients nearly all of whom are hopelessly blind. The pupils read with surprising correctness, and have considerable taste for music. It is in- tended to not only educate them, but to fit them for usefulness, that on being discharged from the Institution, they can support themselves. The boys make brooms and brushes, the girls palm leaf hats^ bead work, and knitting. The bead work sells to visitors at a large price, but it is a question whether the making of hats will not prove the most reliable when the pupils return home, and among the rural population. It is interesting to see how they go, from room to room, up stairs and down, and through the grounds, with almost the same facility as those who have the gift of sight. In company with Dr. Dunlap, Ben., we visited the different rooms, with- out a word being said by him, they called bim by name and gave him a cordial greeting, they knew it was the step of a stranger that^accompanyed him. Some were reading, some taking music lessons, others making beaijs. All appear in- dustrious and happy. The art of read- ing from raised letters is a great source of pleasure to them, in which the deli- cate nerves of the fingers seem as eyes, and to hear them read without seeing them, you would have no suspicion that the light of heaven was shut out from them. THE DEAF AND DUMB Asylum is under charge of Thomas Mclntire, A. M., assisted by seven in- structors. The boys work at cabinet work and shoe making. The ground had been laid out by a competant land- scape gardener and planted with abund- ant trees and shrubbery, but have been neglected, a little brushing up would make the place most beautiful, though even now it is the pride of the citizens. The buildings are well planned and con- venient. The library well filled, and like the Insane and the Blind, neatness and perfect ventilation is everywhere ap- parent. In the mornig we leave for home, and shall close our "trip'' by a short notice of the railroads that carry the products of the great heart of the State to the seaboard. — Ed. [From the Qenesee Farmer.] The Currant or Gooseberry Worm.^ ■ The Gooseberry Worm (^A^ematus trtmac- ulatus,) has already (May 10th,) made its appearance here and commeuced its work of destruction. In most gardens it is al- lowed to take its course, to the total destruc- tion of both fruit and bushes ; while others, with commendable zeal, are combatting it with all the methods ingenuity can suggest, but we are sorry to say that in most cases the little armies are the triumphant victors. The most usual methods employed to de- stroy these worms, are, first, hand-picking the bushes ; and this is the most effectual, as it is also the most laborious and expen- sive. It involves the necessity of looking over every leaf, picking off the worms and afterward destroying them; this operation must be performed as often as any worms show themselves — sometimes every day, and again in two or three days. And this must be followed up until late in the summer; a day's neglect, or even a few hours, some- times, will hazard great loss. Dusting the leaves with lime is often re- sorted to, but as it is impossible that it should be scattered on all the leaves, and especially on the under sides, where the worms generally are, it is really of but little use. It has been suggested to us that a weak solution of turpentine and water, thrown on the bushes with a syringe, might prove effi- cacious; but we have never heard of a trial having been made with this, and of course cannot give an opinion as to results. If any should try this experiment, it will be neces- sary to use the turpentine very weak, or it will injure the foliage. The strength neces- sary to destroy the worms can be tested by using it on a few worms at first, and on one plant, before making a general trial. On the whole, we can offer little encour- agement for saving our useful currants and gooseberries, but still hope that among all the expedients resorted to for th« destruc- tion af this peet, t:.at some effectual means will be discovered. Last year we had a number of currant bushes that were entirely denuded of leaves in June by the caterpillars. We removed them while in this state to another part of the garden, thinking that they might escape the second brood of caterpillers. The bushes all lived and did well, putting out new leaves, and escaped the caterpillers. They are now, however, nearly as much infected as those not removed. We examine the bushes every mornino-, removing all the caterpillers as soon as they are hatched ; and the leaves are healthy, and we anticipate a good crop of currants. Some of the bushes^not tran s planted last June were so much affected by •^jLJi^!;A9A^i£it^fSAtL*'^:' 106 THE ILLIISrOIS F^I^IMER. the second brood of caterpillars that they have since died. We believe that by trans- planting the bushes immediately alter the crop is gathered, and then spading the ground where the bushes grew two feet deep, putting the surface containing the caterpillers a7id their cocoons, at the bottom of the trench, we shall destroy the great portion ; and then by a little attention the next year we can still raise currants and gooseberries. This insect, though comparatively new here, is a very old enemy in England, where, however, by care and attention, it has been so far destroyed that it does but little injury. Such will, we hope and believe, be the case in this country. Remaks. — In the above is a whole volume of warning to those who, without any regard to the result, purchase trees and plants of tree peddlers and others at the east. The im- mense demand for trees and plants has in- duced our large nurserymen to purchase largely of European nurserymen, and in doing so liave with their importations brought many of their most destructive of the insect tribes to our country. ]iut such firms as Elwangcr &, Barry, A. Frost & Co. and many others, know too well that it will not do to send out with the plants tliese new depredators, and thus make an unceasing war upon them as fast as they are discovered, at the same time others pay no regard to the subject, their object being the most money for the least value. The Bark Louse has nearly destroyed the apple orchards in Wisconsin and in the north part of this State, and we may well be excused from wishing immunity from the insects describ- ed above. We believe that our western nurseries are yet clear of this pest, and we trust they will remain so, by refusing to send for a single plant in the infected dis- trict; emigrants from the east will bring them soon enough without the nurserymen sending them broadcast over the land. Farmers cannot be too careful of what they purchase in the way of seeds. At an early day a friend of ours seeded his farm nicely with yellow dock, sorrell, charlack and white daisy, purchased with his llochcster grass seed ; and we had a fine show of white daisy and yellow dock sown with winter rye, from Long Island. Since then we have been suspicious of new importations of seeds. A fine plum orchard of ours was ruined by the plum leaf blight, purciiased ten years ago at Cleveland, and which could be directly traced to the French nurseries. We are now rid of it, but not until the last plum tree was dead. The pear leaf blight was imported, and for a long time proved disasterous, but it is now nearly or quite eradicated, and we hope that the west will keep clear of it. People cannot be too careful what they plant. Apple trees grown in the outskirts of our groves are generally well filled with embryo borers, which will cut down the orchard in due time. All such importations of insects are all the more destructive in this country, from the fact that their natural enemies the ichneumons, are not imported with them to feed on them and thus check their rapid progress. Farmers and planters should see to it that they deal with responsible parties and not with every itinerant who may ply them with plausible stories. Ed. -—^ ricshman's Xcw Mode of Plowing. 1500 K FARMING. We have a class of agricultural writers, who without any claims to practical experi- ence, set themselves up par excellence as the oracles of wisdom in all that pertains to the improvement of the soil. We have be- fore us a pamphlet of twenty-one pages, with the above title, and which we place under its appropriate head — hook /armiufj!. The writer, without even claiming that he has seen the prairies of the west, draws comparisons between them and ths strjipes of Southern llussia, and prescribes what he calls a new mode of culture. We have re- produced his illustrationa,and will give them without further comment, as they need none toehow our farmers their true value. We do' this to show our readers what kind friends they have among this class of phil- anthropists. When the new plow, that is to produce the wonderful revolution in prairie culture arrives, we will post them up so that its superlative advantages may not hi lost. The noval manner in which it is to operate, with the ease of draft, will no doubt soon make it a favorite — with the inventor. We have only room for a few of the argu ments advanced : ''But we cannot convince ourselves tiat the stcam-pIow will become general in its application, and that it will entirely replace working cj'.ttle, especially as long as wc arc obliged to keep cattle to produce the neces- sary manure; as long as we have to carry that manure into the fields, to gather and house the crops, to transport grain to market, and to perform many other jobs about the farm. When chemistry discovers a clieap and convenient fertilizer, steam- plowing miglit then be more advantageous; but as long as such a discovery has not been made, the steam-plow will be only instru- mental, by our present mode of exhaustion, in deteriorating our fertile lands faster, and hastening the ruin of the western States. It would make rich fathers, but many poor sons, and a number of depopulated States. The apnlication of steau* to plowing will be limited, and the small farmers have little to fear from a depression of prices caused by an excessive production by moans of steam- | plows. To escape that influence entirely | they must endeavor to find means to produce cheaper, in order to bo able to compete with their rivals in foreign wheat markets. However, the question is not yet settled, whether the United States is in "reality a wheat producing country, and if she will be able to calculate much upon exportation, especially if the ruinous effect upon that crop shall continue, as it has of late years." Well, Mr. Fawkes. what do you think of that, eh? And Fields, with your rotary digger, pulverizing the soit a couple of feet deep, just stop and take breath, wont you ? With a dozen millions of bushels of wheat exported from the little village of Chicago annually, it will be difficult to convince the western farmer that he cannot grow wheat, and especially when the culturo of clover is more fully introduced. ** The principal staple of the country is Indian corn, which is mostly consumed at home, finding little demand from abroad.'' Yes, and goes abroad in the form of pork, beef and hiinage. Drained land does not, as has been supposed deteriorate, but constantly in- creased in fertility, and retnin the in- crease from season to season, though it may be washed by heavy rains every week, if manures are supplied even in a liquid form they do not find their way to the drain, but are retained chemically by the soil, this is proved by tlio fact that the water passes off as pure as crys- tal and fit to drink. I trust I have stated in a manner clear enougii to be sufficiently plain, to every one, some of tlie advantages to be secured by the system of drainage, and that some such plan must be adopted in many parts of our State to render a sure and valuable return for the labor of the farmer is evident, and it is to be hoped that some of our intelligent farmers Avill give it a test and be the pioneer of a system so important and valuable. SUBSOILING. I don't care how deep the top soil may be. Any farmer, no matter how stupid or slow to notice or adopt new plans Or improvements in his mode of farming, knows that a deep plowing is more likely to produce and secure a good crop, than shallow plowing ; and if the principle is good at all, it is good all the way, and is worth adopting, or, at least, worth a thorough trial to test its value. I could give instances, where, with ns and among my neigh- bors, the plan of the double plowing has been tried and in every case fully proved the principle; and I take it that so much is already known that it is useless for me to occupy space to prove what no one can deny. I am well Satisfied that no instrument is more needed, or is of more value for success- ful and systematic farming, than a good subsoil plow — one that is adopted to the soil of our State — and that none will better repay its use by increasing the production of the soil, in removing many difficulties now experienced by the great variations of our climate, to over- come the effects of extreme wet or dry seasons, and to protect our winter wheat from the great liability'of freezing out and winter killing. Deep soil will not always produce good crops if let alone, but can always be made to produce them if properly handled. The subsoil, or that Avhich lies next under the depth the surface plow is run, is sometimes so hard and compact that it is impossible in ordinary seasons for the tender and minute roots of plants to penetrate it ; and although it may possess every cle- ment of great production, it lies as use- less as a bed of rock would, fur the purpose of feeding the plants. To pro- duce large and healthy corn or growth of any kind of grain or grass, it is ne- cessary to have large, long, and healthy roots ; and such roots cannot grow un- less they have a mellow and well pre- pared soil to penetrate. But with such a chance for a lull and strong root, the plant will correspond, and with a thin and shallow soil the roots must also bo weak and poor, and the crop will cor- respond. The roots cannot collect and convey to the plant the needed nourish- ment to give a largo product, unless the roots can have a chance to "spread themselves '' sulliciently to draw such nutriment from the soil in which they grow. Considerable discussion has pass- ed among agriculturists at the East and in England, in regard to the form of the plow wanted — whether one that would lift the subsoil and spread it on the surface, or one that would go like a mole through the soil, breaking and pulveriz- ing it and letting it fall back to its ori- ginal place but in a broken and loose mass, were best ; and much information has been gained from such discussion and has established the fact that both have their advantages, subject to the quality and nature of the soil. For in- stance, when the subsoil is of a superior quality to the surface soil, which may have become impoverished or worn out by constant croppmg and neglect to maintain its productive qualities by ar- tificial supplies — it is of benefit to raise the subsoil to the surface to invigorate the old worn out fields; but where, as is the case on the surface of our rich prairies, the surface soil is equal in all its parts and sometimes better than the subsoil, all that is wanted is so to loosen and prepare it that the plants growing in it shall have a full chance to spread and extend thembclves to gain the most nourishment "and support. And I give some reasons (which, if not all my own, are none the less good,) in evidence of its value and some of the advantages which I think will result from its use. 1st. One object in loosening the soil is to admit roots to a sufficient depth to hold the plant in its position, to obtain nutriment necessary to its full growth, to receive moisture from the lower por- tions of the soil. It must be evident that roots penetrating the soil to the depth of two feet or more anchor the plants more securely than those which are spread more thinly near the sur- face. 2d. If plants will grow better in a soil of six inches deep than in one of three inches, there is no reason why they should not be benefitted in pro- portion by disturbing the soil to the whole depth to which roots will travel, which is usually more than three feet. The minute roots of corn and wheat will, if allowed by proper cultivation, go to the depth of three feet and more, every inch of the soil being occupied by the roots. 3d. It deepens the surface soil, because it admits roots into the subsoil, where they decay and leave elements which improve the fertilizing qualities of the soil. The subsoil often contains matters which are deficient in the surface soil, but by the use of the subsoil plow they are made available. 4th. Soils are rendered earlier in the spring, because the water which render- ed them cold, heavy and untillable, is earlier removed, leaving them earlier in a growing condition. 5th. The throw THE ILLIISTOIS FARMER. 109 ing out of grain in winter is prevented, bectiuse the M-ater falling on the earth is immediately removed instead of re- maining to throw up the soil by freez- ing, which it always does. 6th. Far- mers are enabled to work the sooner af- ter rains, because the water descends and is immediately removed from the surface, instead of lying to be taken off by the slow process of evaporation and sinking through a heavy soil. 7th. The effects of cold weather arc kept off longer in the fall, because the excess of water is removed, which produces an unfertile condition on the first appear- ance of cold weather. Farmers will find on experiment even on our deep, rich prairies, that they have gold buried in tlie soil if they will go deep enough to obtain it. The law gives a man the ownership of the land for an indefinite depth; but few seem to know or realize that tiiere is a farm below the one they are cultivating, which is as valuable as the one on the surface. And now, Mr. Editor, I have already written more tlian twice as much as I intended when I sat down, and will not impose on your room or the patience of your thousands of readers; but I am anxious to have every means put into the hands of our hard-working farmers that shall tend to make more sure, and to increase, a suit- able return for their care and toil, and hope to have this subject fairly brought up and discussed. Will not some farm- er who has tried the plun give us his experience next season? I can give some more practical experience, having only tried it last fall in some wheat, and will give you the result when it can be obtained. <•» . ■ P»uUry Rearing. Editor Illinois Farmer : Since the successful combination of beauty with utility, in mechanical inventions, and of plcasaro with profit, in employments seems to be the grand desideratum of practical philosophers, permit me a few remarks intended for your lady readers, upon a subject whose result is the latter combination. Among the various objects of indus- try, in which country maids and ma- trons are wont to engage, there is none more deserving of their attention, or better suited to their taste and capacity, than that of rearing poultry. And vet how few comparatively seem to consider it within their sphere of action, or think it more than proper, that its petty duties should devolve upon their brothers or husbands, who, amid other multiplied cares, are quite apt to neglect what might become an important de- partment of farm interests. It is especially suited to those, to whom spare moments come but seldom, and would be grudgingly given to the cultivation of the beautiful for its own sake merely, as for instance caring for a flower garden and klndi-ed occupations, and yet such persons need some change from the dull routine of cooking, wash- ing, sewing, etc., something that while it would afford delight, must also have the accessory of a reasonable remuner- ation; to those and others, upon whom plenty of out- door exercise, and the wholesome stimulant of a little care, would have a beneficial effect, the rear~ ing of turkeys, chickens, geese, ducks, or fancy fowls cannot be to highly com- mended. Yiewcd in a reasonable light it is a branch of economy, not to be despised, as having a tendency to develope the attributes of the mind, for we know that it enlarges the sympathies in a remarka- ble degree, and besides it should be con- sidered as a study both pleasant and im- portant, in which every item of exper- ience is valuable. It is to be hoped that ladles of every class, will show it more favor, and a little practice will convince them that it is an employment worth ad- vocating. I had no idea when I began this, of detailing methods for best securing suc- cess in the business; but I am tempted to give a few general hints to those un- initiated, garnered from the experience of my raotlier — whom to see among her downy pets of all descriptions would convince any one that she was good authority. In the first place, she makes it a rule, that all eggs for hatching must be handled with extreme care, and not suffered to get wet previous to setting; if it is necessary to keep them some time, they should be put into a box or cask, with layers of cotton betTrecn and over them; they will keep quite well in this way, during the cooler months of Spring, but in warm weather all eggs ghould be fresh as possible. At the time of hatching, all eggs which have the appearance of not being good, should be destroyed, and as fast as they leave the shell, the littlcj ones should be removed until the whole brOod comes forth, when they may^be returned to the hen, who should be placed in a coop which can be moved every few days. The most common food at first js a mash of corn meal and water, and this is much healthier for the little chicks, if pre- viously baked. Turkeys — though perfectly hardy after attaining a certain age, are among the most tender when quite young, requir- ing at that time, judicious attention. We never confine the hen in a coop, but fasten her by the leg to a stake or tree where it is shady, using a long string, and if possible, selecting a grassy spot. The old birds have such-a rambling pro- pensity, that they should not be suffered, to go at large until the little ones are two ] or three weeks old, or until they are strong enough to withstand the effects of a thorough drenching in the morning dews, and able to extricate themselves from all the dangerous places through which their improvident mother is sure to lead them. Their food should for a week be hard boiled Qgg^ chopped fine, and mixed with moistened bread crumbs; they are very fond of this, and gain strength rapidly upon such fare. After a while a well baked cake of corn meal and water may be substituted — ^^it is raw food which swells in their tender crops, that causes them to die so unaccountably to many poultry fanciers. Turkeys soon learn to catch insects, and will grow surprisingly at a time when grasshoppers are plenty, after this they require but little care, save to be sheltered in case of storm. But this is a prolific theme Mr. Edi- tor, and I must conclude as your space will be tresspassed on. Martk Ebtelle. Oregon, Ilk, May, 1860. It is such letters as the above that we like for the Farmer, practical and uses ful, and we hope our fair young friend will not forget us hereafter. If our boys were a little older, we might be disposed to send them up to look among the prairie slopes that skirt the Rock river for the writer, for we will warrant she will do justice to hoasekeeping in all its departments. — ■•■ ..■• Fairbanks' Scales. Among the large number of the highest pre- miums awarded to these Scales during the last tliirty years, by the most eminent scientific as- sociations in the country, and by National, State and County Fairs, are thirteen by the Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa State Fairs of 1859, and the National Fair held at the same time in Chi- cago, and that, too, after sharp competition and the most rigid tests. But what is of more im- portance to practical men, as showing not only the groat strengtli and accuracy, but durability, of the Scales, ib the award of superiority in these respects by tho vast number who have ^uxd thorn for many years, all over the world, almost, in all branches of business, and under all circuin- Btances. The skill and enterprise of the Messrs. Fair- banks, arid their large experi> nee and unequalcd facilities, enable them to adapt their Scales to all required uses, and at moderate prices; and so long as they keep thcin up to their present point of excellence, and pursue their present honora- ble mode of dealing, the public will wisely con- tinue to use their Scabs, which have been iried and approved, rather than experiment with oth- ers.— Chicago Prma and Trilmne. _ m [From the Arueric^.n Uiipiist, New York, Aug. 2, lSr.3.1 A Mixr.vTiKK wooden pagoda which we brought from Hurmah, having been broken while on shipboard, wc were very anxious to have it repaired, and tried several sorts of glue, but> without success, till our attention was called to Spalding's Prepared Glue, sold at 30 Pratt- street. This we found to answer the purpose. The pagoda appears now to be strongly^ ce- mented, and can be seen by calling at the office of the Amerkan Buptiit. .-ii^ ■ no THE ILLIiSrOIS FjVlijNIXilR. Wxt ^Wimb £mim\ SPRINGFIELD, JULY 1» 18G0. BAILHAGHE & BAKER, M. T.. ■nrTTJT.AP- . . ... . . .Publishers. .. .Editor. The season has made a steady march into the heart of summer, and the ripened grain waves in golden glory, and is yield- ing to the sickle of the reaper as it goes singiiig through its serried ranks with spikelets all reversed, for with it the bat- tle of life is over, and the blades that so lately stood upright, drinking in the morning dew, and made strong by the summer zephyrs, have bent their ripened heads and yielded up their values to the hand of the husbandman. The farmers of Central Illinois can sing ajubalant har- vest home, for the yield of \Yheat, of oats, oF rye, and of barley is good, even beyond their most sanguine expectations, •while the corn is leaping and laughing and growing more vigorous, from day to day, and giving promise of a most bounteous harvest. The grass is only moderate, and the same may be said of potatoes and garden vegetables. The weather is not scorching hot, so as to shrink the ripening grain, and curl the leaves of the growing corn, but rightly .tempered for the small grains and for labor, while the excellent condition of the soil and the very thorough culture that it has re- ceived, brings the corn forward in the most satisfactory manner. Yesterday (the 25th) we passed over the great Western Kailroad from Tolono to Spring- field, and along the route, the reapers and headers are busy cutting the winter wheat. In one field of fifteen hundred acres, several headers were busy. With- out headers it would be rather difficult to harvest this field, for it will be recol- lected that in our climate we have a short harvest, say ten days at most; this would require some twelve reapers, and over a hundred men, but with the header a less number of men are employ- ed, at the same time a larger outlay of capital is required. W^ith the small farm- er, the reaper is his implement fcr the harvest, but the large one must rely upon the header. We have passed over this route monthly for the past six months, but now that we can see the extent of the fields, as thej stand out in their golden glory, we must confess to a great- er breadth of wheat than ire had sup- posed was on the ground, and this wheat though no!; as good a stand as might have been, yet with well filled heads, will turn a good if not more than an average yield, in fact much better than for years past. The corn has re- ceived more than its usual share of cul- ture, and in this respect our farmers are inaugurating i new era, and will demon- strate the theory that a small farm well cultivated is worth more than a largo one run over. We must say that the farmers o£ Central Illinois are the best corn growers in the State, that they can produce more corn for the same amount of labor, over and above the ad- vantages of climate, in short, that they understand the business better, but we shall not claim for them perfection, as in this progressive age, with so many val- uable now implements, they \vill con- tinue to improve from time to time. With the new implements we cannot see why planting in drills will not prove the best. Among the improvements in corn culture the roller lias its share, by crushing the clods, and giving us a well pulverized soil for the seed, hiding it from the vermin and protecting it from drouth. No corn planter should think of dispensing -vN-ith this implement. The weather for the past month has been rather dry, yet no crop has been seri- ously injured, though the po aloe crop will suffer most. We would call especial attention to the letter of our good Friend Mr. " Old Firkin, " in regard to the time of planting of this crop. Early potatoes sometimes fail, when a late crop comes in well. Ilye for fall feed of stock, and for early feed for hogs, is of great value, and we take this occa- sion to call attention to it. Many of our new farmers have little or no fall feed, and to such the rye pasture will be invaluable. Sow a few acres in July or August, by plowi g up grain stubble, this will give abundance of feed after the Autumn frosts have cut off the supply on the prairie, and it can be plowed up for corn in the Spring, or allowed to make a crop either for the grain, or in which to turn the hogs. Wheat s'k uld not be allowed to stand in the field, as the grain is bleached by dew and rain, and is less valuable ; if it cannot be threshed as soon as cured, it should be stacked and allowed to go through the sweating pro- cess, which will require four to six weeks; either thrash from thos hock, or allow it time to sweat and dry out, otherwise the threshing will be a tctllous process. Do not in the hurry of har- j vest forget the garden; recollect that you owe to that valuable department of the farm, much that has made the country more popular as to good health; better have a plenty of fat vegetables than fat pork, in the long hot days of summer. Strawberries as a Paying Crop. When iu Cincinnati, a few da^'s since, we were forcibly struck with the large amount of strawberries sold in that market, which must amount to several hundreds of bushels dally. To produce this amouut of fruit, pick and market it, must require a large amount of farm labor. The retail price was ten cents per quart, with brisk sales; at wholesale was six to eight cent", according to quality, put up in drawers, the drawers either paid for or returned as agreed upon. The cost per quart to Chicago is about two cents, being a net cost of say ten cents, and retail at fifteen cents. When in Chicago the last of 3Iay, we called at the fruit stand of H. Newhall, in Dearborn street, and were shown a lot of Crimson Corn Strawberries, grown at South Pass, (Cobden) iu Union county, picked the day before, shipped G P. M. and at 9 A. M. next morning was in market, as fresh as though they had just come from some neighboring garden. The berries were largo and line, put up in quart pasteboard boxes iu drawers two boxes deep. They were by far the finest in market and were selling at thirty-seven and a half cents a quart, while the best of the Cincinnati berries put up iu dratvers sold at twenty-five cents. The first arrivals of these berries sold at fifty cents a quart. Allowing three hours for picking, and we have them in market in eighteen hours, while the Cincinnati, berries are forty hours in reaching that market from the picking, thus putting the south part of our State some twenty hours ahead of the Cincinnati- ans. The soil and climate aboub South Pass is earlier and more natural to this fruit, the berries are larger and of course more marketable, they go into market perfectly fresh, and consequently must pay a better profit. When we add to this, that land about Cincinnati is worth from one to two hundred dollars per acre and at South Pass from twenty to thirty, we have a realizing sense of the difierence. The Illinois Central llailroad Company have large tracts of valuable land at that point, which they ofi'er at lower rates and on long time ; and to those who wish to grow the small fruits or large, there is no place equal to the sout^ THE ILLINOIS F^Ii:iSIEIl. Ill part of our State. For strawberry culture, it is the place of places. Almost any loca- tion south of the Big Muddy river to Cairo is the place to locate the great strawberry fields that are yet to supply the north with this most delicious fruit. We cannot too strongly urge upon all who have not as yet located themselves for Iruit growing to visit that part of the State. We know of no business that will pay better than strawberry culture, when entered upon with zeal, prudence, economy and capital, in that Italy of the west, the romantic hillsides of pomonal Egypt. Messrs. Newhall & Clark, G. H. Baker, Col. Bainbridge, H. C. Free- man, Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Vaneil and others, have fine plantations of fruit at South Pass, and will take pleasure in showing visitors their grounds at any time. A visit there, at this time, to see the immense crop of black- berries and other early fruits, will well repay the trip. Take a look at Egypt good friends who intend to make fruitgrowing a business. Amount of Rain for '§^, January 2,.33S6. February 2,9845. March 2,lU03. April 3,8991. May 5,7125. June 5,3378. July 2,.^740. August 4,42'22. September .5,1737. October 3,1956. November 1,6621. December .2,3129. Inches 41,7(533. Average of the Seasons 43,0000. Deficit — inches 3,2317. Amount for '58. The rainy season 50,1323. Excess 12,132:}. Difference in the two seasons — inches .16,3040. By relereiice to page ten of the January number, the amount of raiu for '5S will he seen. The difference of the two scasouo wa3 not so much la the amount of rain, ai in the lower temperature preventing evaporation. The Value of Deep Plowing for Corn. Mr. J. W. Prose, of Tuscola, Doug- las county, informs us that last year he raised one hundred and ninety bushels of corn from three acres of ground, ■nhile his neighbors that had eight and ten acres, did not get more. He plowed his ground ten inches deep, laid it off about three feet, and planted the same distance apart in the row, two ker- nels in each hill. The ground -was prairie, plowed for the second time. — The seed used was common ^vhite corn. This shows rhat can be done by deep plowing and thorough culture. "We can point out any number of farmers who had thirty and forty acres of corn last year, who did not get more than thirty bushels to the acre, when if they had planted only one half as much, and had tahen care of it would have had the same amount of corn and not had to run over a large field to get a poor re- turn for a poor investment. IE \fe had thirty acres of corn planted, and found that we could only cultivate twenty acres and do it well, we would let the ten acres go or plow it up, and seed down with timothy and clover, -•• -^^'.:'\ ^From the Homestead, Hartford, Conn. The Cattle Disease. FALSE ALARM. Certain timorous souls have, it would seem, heen frightened out of all propri- ety, by exaggerated rumors that this dis- ease had come, or was gradually advanc- ing over the State, and there have been a class of people, perhaps from superior wisdom, or from constitutional conserv- atism, who have scouted the idea, and have clearly perceived, even as it has now proved, that there was no danger at all, or next to none ; "there is every reason,'' say they, "to suppose that it will die out before long ;'' that if now it is virulent, soon it will be found to yield to remedies, like small pox, etc. Others say, it arises from close stables, and is catching if animals have been kept in unventilated stalls, but not otherwise; others, that have known the disease for years, and 'doctored' it with success, and that this slaughtering of well animals, or those slightly diseased, is perfectly barbarous. Well, so these wise ones talk; and they act, too. In the Legislature they pull wires, and work to convince those W'ho are anxious for the security of the millions of neat cattle in the State, that the danger is confined to few; that it will not come near them; and they ridi- cule the idea of a whole county going distracted over a sick cow, etc., etc. :;// ANOTHER SIDE. : : But let us not be too hasty, and now that our legislators have really acted, and we have a law, let us deliberately consider the facts, and we can judge whether the action of the commissioners is judicious or not, — for their powers are such that the court they most fear will be that of public opinion, and they will depend in no small measure upon an enlightened public sentiment for the ability to efficiently carry out the meas- ures which they decide upon. In whatever way we approach the consideration of this disease, we are met with the fact that it is new in this coun- try, and well known in many parts of Europe. Cattle maladies defying medi- cinal treatment, in many cases, and spreading either as epidemics or by con- tagion or infection are very unusual in this country. The catarrhal murrain, or murrain proper, is not known in this country, so far as we are aware; typhus fever is sometimes very deadly and ap- parently infectious, many cattle in the same or associated herds dying of it ; lung fever is not unfre'][uently epidemic in England and we have no doubt it may be so here. Then, too, som« bowel complaints are more or less epidemic, or supposed to be so; and diseases of the «kin we all know are apt to run through a herd when affected animals are not isolated. But these are all well known diseases, treated, to be sure, in various ways, and under almost every variety of names by the "cow doctors." This disease is something new. We have be- fore specified the symptoms at length, and now would only recall a few promi- nent points. Usually the animal has the disease upon it at least eight weeks before it becomes so unwell as to excite special attention; and it may be months after this that it gets along very comforta- bly, the appetite good, and nothing un- usual observable, except, perhaps, oc- casionally being "out of sorts.'* It has a cough whieli is peculiar — not a husky, olowing cough, but one quick and deep- seated, caught suddenly, and as if the animal had no wind to spare; as the disease increases the peculiarity of this cough does likewise. It has even been noticed that animals laboring under this disease improve in flesh, and we can easily' see how this may be the case, as the disease is not a painful one, but gradually diminishes the capacity of the lungs, and narrow-chested, small- lunged animals are, it is well known, most apt to take on fat. When they finally fall, it is as evidently very sick animals, and they die finally of the gradual filling up of the lungs, causing suffocation, combined with inflamation, or fever of the lungs, sometimes the lungs becoming even partially decom- posed. . ".: : ■^■. : '•■,-■■■ The thickening of the enveloping membrane of the lungs, and the adhe- sion more or less to the walls of the cavity of the chest; the filled-up, in a measure solidified, state of the lungs; the thickened edges of the lobes of the lungs, and often portions of the lung of a liver-like character; considerable watery fluid in the cavity of the chest, and the soft, flabby condition of the heart; are unmistakeable symptoms of this disease, seen upon the dissection of the animals, and which no butcher who is a careful observer will claim he is familiar with in combination, as pre- sented in this disease. It is then, a foreign disease, beyond all question; and moreover, it has only recently been known in England, unless the disease which raged there lUO years ago (1756) was the same disease, as it probably was. r v 112 THE ILLIISrOTS FA.II]V1Ii:R. TakeYi before symptoms of fever are noticed, it is supposed to be curable, at least 60 it is claimed, and there are some cases now known in this county which having had the disease, were much better, and when killed in a way to recover; and others are now living which may gain a state of fair health, though doubtless at the expense of a part of their lungs. We have not seen the least evidence that it is not as contagious as at first claimed. Animals, in all conditions, take it, calves, heifers and old catile, cows in pregnancy, cattle in good flesh and in poor ilcsh, weathered and "toughened'' to the last extent, and those housed and well cared for. The Massachusetts Commissioners say that they " have not failed to find this dis- ease whenever there has been exposure." Under these circumstances is it the part of wisdom for us or for the com- missioners to wait till the disease shows itself by the animals dying by scores in limited districts, or should they take such measures as are possible to keep our cattle away from this contagion, by preventing their associating with others as far as possible, and of course it will be the first duty of the commissioners to secure the same non-intercourse between all those cattle which by any possibility may have become contaminated, and others now free, no matter at what in- convenience to those concerned; and we doubt not they will have in this the hearty co-operation of every well-in- formed man. The history of the disease is one of death and almost annihilation of the neat cattlo. TVherc it has been ncAvly intro- duced it has made a clean sweep as in Africa; where it has existed before or when the climatic influences and general care bestowed on the health of animals has modified it, its fatalitv has been re- duced to 25 or 30 per cent of the stock exposed. It is here upon our borders, aye, in our midst, to a certain extent. Shall we think that every aninial that coughs has probably got a cold ? — that cattle may run in the road without dan- ger ? — that drovers and butchers may buy their cattle where they will, and drive them where they list ? Shall the cattle fleeing before the pestilence be taken to feed upon our pastures or those of our mercenary neighbors when none can tell certainly whether they have been exposed, and they may even now be sowing broadcast the seeds of death? Let these questions come homo to every man, and let hira beware, while a calamity like this certainly is impend- ing over us, how he trifles with or sneers at the natural and well grounded fears of any persons. Suppose it is controlled, and that timely measures check it, as we devoutly pray they may — sneer then, and call us fools for being scared, if you will; and take credit to yourselves, 0 "conserva- tives," for being very brave in the pre- sence of such facts, and for having al- ways told us so — that it would never come here — but, now, for humanity's sake, do nothing^ to interfere with effi- cient measures to check the spread of the malady, or to allay the alarm which makes people careful of their slock. We present the act which became a law of this State on Wednesday last. We consider it vciy faulty in several particulars, but believe that it is the best law that could have been " got throuch " at present, and hope that its faults may not render it inoperative in any important cases. It is highly important that the com- missioners should be able to ascertain accurately and immediately whether an animal has the disease or not. This can be done in case it dies, or some- times, perhaps usually, in case they arc accompanied by an experienced veterin- ary surgeon, wlicn the animal is living, but sick; but in the case of an animal, diseased and able to communicate the contagion, yet not apparently very un- well, unless they kill it and examine the lungs, there no way of ascertaining the truth with certainty. In many in- stances tliey may be able to bargain for and buy the animal at the expense of the State; but often a contrary, cross- grained owner would not part with his beast except at an extravjigant and un- warrantable price. So the hands of the commissioners will be tied, and they cannot act with a full knowledge of the case. The ^-25,000 limitation, considering nil the other checks upon extravagance imposed by the bill, looks narrow, and may cause embarrassment, though ^ve presume it may bo sufficient to meet all necessary demands, especially if the Selectmen in the various towns act promptly. The provision in the Sth section which provides that owners and keepers shall inform the Selectmen when their cattle are attacked by cr exposed to the dis- ease, throws* the responsibility of recog- nizing the discnse upon the owner, and not upon the Selectmen, and conse- qnentiy, UTiless a man is fully awake to the necessity of knowing wliethor or not his cattle are affected, his hopes will get the better of his doubts, and he will be confident that his animals have only a little cold or "horn-ail," when the dis- ease may be upon them. The provision should have been that all cases of serious disease of every kind, and all lung disease, coughs aiid colds, should be re- ported to the Selectmen, and that such animals should be treated as if they had the pulmonary murrain, unless the evi<'- ence to the contrary is clear. For the Illinoia Farmer. STRAWS. Having just completed the assessing of the town of "Marion," in the county of Ogle, which is considerably larger than a congressional townships, having nearly one half of the town of "Byron" added, I have made the followin*: obser- vations, and I will only premise that our town is thickly populated, and has within its borders few untilled acres and wood lands. One farmer has a dozen four year old steers, outside of which there are four or five single ones, and three yoke of oxen. We have within our town limits less than one hundred sheep in two or three small flocks. Only four farmers have twenty hogs or more, and only one over fifty. Three- fourths ^f the inhabitants will not make more than their own supply of pork and the majority of the other fourth ivill sell less than ten hoys each. We have within this town, perhaps as many horses as any one town in the State ; one farmer having listed thirty-two and quite a number over twelve each, I may give the exact number perhaps in my next. Rye, of which there are many acres, will be ready for the reaper by the fourth of July. AH crops look well. Wheat will be heavy if it fills well — as yet no ravages of chinch bugs. I never saw corn land cleaner from weeds and better tilled than in our town, as a whole. — Farmers are working hard, and the pros- pect is that their toil and labof will meet with its just reward. Grass is thin, and in most cases one ton of timothy hay per acre, will be considered a good yield this year. I am trying a few experiments with potatoes, to determine (to niy own satis- faction) whether it is best to plant whole or cut potatoes, or even eyes, and arrive at some conclusion about the quantity of peed. One thing I have found al- ready, and have also good authority to back up my conclusion, viz : To cut out the eyes or plant the parings only, will retard the appearance of potatoes above ground nearly ten days, or in other words, whole potatoes planted will show their tops ten or twelve days sooner than parings, small pieces, or 'seed will; but they (the eyes) are pretty sure to come evon if dried enough to ring, I raised some very good potatoes, and a good yield also from parings last year. I shall also be able to find out something about deep and shallow planting. It is not good policy to plant all your crop of pota- toes at the same time. In 1858 I had, late in the season some old potatoes more than were needed for the family supply — having a suitable piece of land, I planted them on the sixth day of July, THE ILLINOIS FA.Il]MEIl. 113 and these yielded my best potatoes, wLile the eaily planted were little more than a failure. The seasons are not always alike, and therefor we should in such matters try both early and late planting. I hero "wish to make a suggestion which I hope you will submit to your numerous readers, namely this : Let every farmer, who has tiny hope of at- tending our next State Fair, reduce to writing any of his observation during the season for discussion in our evening meetings, for I hope these will be con- tinued as long as we have a State Fair, and I also suggest that some suitable provisions will be made for a place to hold these meetings. Yours, &c.. Old Fikken. Agricultural Department to the Normal Univer- sity. BLOOMiNQTOJf, Jund 27, 1860. The joint comuiittees of the Boards of the State Agricultural and Horticultural Socie- ties met this morning at the Nicholls House and after a general comparison of views, but without any definite action, adjourned to meet with the convention which had been called to meet with them, for a further con- sideration of the subject. 2 o'clock, p.m. The convention called for the purpose of considering the above subject, met in Phoe- nix Hall, and was called to order by electing Capt. J. N. Brown, President, Wm. H. Van Epps of Lee, Benjamin A^ansel of Union, and S. B. Chandler of St. Clair, Vice Pres- idents, and J. P. lleynolds of Marion, 0. B. Galusha of Kendall, and Samuel Edwards of Bureau, were elected Secretaries. Capt. Brown, upon taking the chair, addressed the convention as follows : Gentlemen of the Convention : — I scarcely know how to return you my sincere thanks, for the honor that you have confer- red upon me, in calling me to preside over you during your deliberations on so impor- tant an occasion as that before you, the proper training and educating of your chil- dren, so that they may fill with honor their places in the great industrial chisses. We have met for the purpose of interchanging views, and to recommend measures and to carry out and perfect a system of education that shall be of value to the laborer. I hoped that at this convention a ball would be put in motion that shall roll on until an ed- ucation shall be obtained by all. You have, by action of your Legislature, a Normal Uni- versity, and we hope to live, and do not de- spair to see, teachers enough sent out from its halls to teach every child throughout our land. I promise you my co-operation to ad- vance this cause, as that not only our chil- dren, but our children's children shall feel its beuefit. Mr, Spencer, moved that the names of delegates be enrolled. Mr. Davis said that the members had been taken to task for not making an elaborate re- port, and a programme for the details of the convention, but we have called together the people, that they can take the matter in hand and decide for themselves. Mr. C. T. Chase, who had, at the request of the members of the committee, visited several of the schools at the East devoted to an Agricultural education, was called out, and read a most able and practical report. — The report itself — too long for our space — but frem all the information he could obtain the whole race of Agricultural Colleges, Schools and Farms, had little of agriculture about them— the colleges and schools were good literary institutions, but taught nothing in 'the line of practical agriculture. The farms were mere reformatory institutions, where wayward youths were put to labor, and taugnt common school branches — that the work cost all it came to. On his return, Mr. C. called at the great Agricultural Col- lege of Michigan, and found it at Lansing, forty miles from a railroad, carved out of the forest by the students, which may be called mastering the first elements of an agricultu- ral educatian — the A B C of the art. The forest walls that girt the institution, are no doubt looked up to as something sublime, and which melts away, as blow by blow the delicate boy, taking his first lesson, cuts down the denizens of the forest in rather a mod- erate manner. At Bollsburgh, Pa., the boys in the school done all their own work, cooking, washing, etc. llather practical, on the whole, we should think, and decidedly boyish. Here we cast our eye over the audience, and our attention was called to the serene looks of Prof. Capen, the clerk of the weath- er, who, we should judge, had got the weather fixed to his liking for the next two weeks. Dr. McChesney said, that in presenting briefly what he had to say, he did not deem it important to discuss the great need of ele- vating the standard of education. The la- borer should receive more and better oppor- tunities of education, and that an agricultu- ral education should be of a grade equal to any other pursuit ; not that the dead lan- guages were necessary; not that all branches should be mastered, but that all those branch- es pertaining to his calling, in as through a manner as those of any other profession. In the vicinity of Chicago, there is now already an institution with a charter for a school, and an experimental farm of two hundred acres, which he understood, will be offered for the uses and purposes of this convention. In the University of Chicago, they have a Professorship of Law, of the Modern Languages, and intend to allow stu- dents in agriculture to drop at once, if they choose, into the regular classes ; but if not, to attend the lectures on farming, and to take practical lessons in culture, not only of grains and fruits, but the whole routine of prairie farming. Prof. Turner said he was not prepared to make a speech, but he could see an omen of progress. Some years ago, but one farmer could be pursuaded to atteud a meeting of this kind, after all sorts of drumming, and by newspapers and otherwise — but the world moves. At one time he wanted to agitate ; no matter how much he kicked a man, if he but stirred at the kicks. But now is the time for calm consideration and action. All of the industrial colleges have been a fail- ure. The college at College Hill, Ohio, had once been a flourishing institution, but«it is now in the hands of a clergyman, and he has made it a clergyman's college, and it is now a failure as an agricultural institution. The Professor's speech was rich and practic- al, and carried the audience withj perfect storm. B. Gr. Roots said, that he had listened with much pleasure to the information given by Dr. McChesney, (here some explanations and conversation tood place between the two.) He would speak for Egypt, and took pleasure in saying that Marion, Mount Ver- non, Carbondale and Tamaroa had obtained charters for agricultural schools, and made many good resolves. Rev. Mr. Minier made some happy re- marks in relation to the object of the con- vention— it was useless to get up a school without a live, practical man to be at the head of it. At one time he asked a lady what became of all the pins. She retorted by asking what became of all the students from the colleges — they disappeared from our schools as mysteriously as the pins, and we hear no more from them. He had no doubt that if the large farmers would give away half of their land, and put the remain- der in crops, they would be better ofl^. In conclusion, he would say, that the Boards of the State Agricultural and Horticultural Societies should have the appointment of the officers of the proposed institution. Mr, Van Epps was no speaker, yet he took a deep interest in the cause. He was for action — for progress. We wanted no great appropriation, but we wanted some- thing practical ; something for the time. — He would ask aid for our common schools ; give them a higher tone. He would pro- pose that the admission fees at the State Fair be fifty cents instead of twenty-five cents, provided that twenty-five per cent, of the gross proceeds be used for the purpose of this enterprize. He offered a resolution to that effect. Professor Turner moved the appointment of a committee af five on resolutions, and the President appointed J. B. Turner C. B. Denio, C. R. Overman, C. T. Chase and B. G. Roots. :■■■■.■,;:.',%;•-.-■. Mr. Ellsworth would ask to present a let- ter from parties interested. Resolution by Mr. James Davis referred to committee. Resolutian of A, Gowe of Dixon, took the same course. Hon, J. A. Davis then addaeseed the au- dience in favor of the enterprize. His coun- ty had always sent men to the Legislature who vote the necessary appropriation to car- ry out the great industrial scheme that had been presented by Prof. Turner. He was followed by C. B. Denio, who made one of his most characteristic speech- es. When in the Legislature, some years since, at the suggestion of Prof. Turner, he presented resolutions asking a donation of half a million acres of land for the purpose of just such an institution. The East now i claimed the honor of Morril's Land Bill ; I but such is not the case, and to Prof. Turner is due the first starting of that ball. He I would elevate labor — he would make it hon- 114 THE ILLI:N^0IS F-A.II]S1ER. orable. He paid the common school a fitting tribute ; hn would encourage thorn ; in thym ">e would have all these industrial pursuits; taught and the idea of sending for some learn- ed professor at p]ast, to teach us how to plow corn, was simply ridiculous. Mr. Pavis of Macon, would coincide in what had been said. His speech, if he had any, had already been spoke out two or three times. Formerly men were educated to de fend themselros ; now we have another set of enemies — the great insect tribes — we have yet to learn to defend ourselves from their attacks; and for this purpose we need and require better facilities of education in this department, or at least the same as those extended to the other professions. Adjourned to 8 o'clock, p.m. EDITOR'S TABLE. Here amid the heats of July, the houseing of the smaller grain and the tasselling of the corn, we again meet at tlie fire- side of the farmer. At our first meeting, in Jaiuinry, the prospects of the farmer had for a long time been shrouded in gloom, and the tone was one of despondency ; 'but brighter skies have brought teeming fields, and the hopes of all, so much before depressed, have become bouyant ; and now every where we meet with cheerful smilesand cordial greeting. The whole country is again on the high road to prosperity, and with a fair share of produce we may bid defiance to hard times. And now, wlien the evening sliade draws on, and the drapery of evening is around us, we will sit down and hold social converse together, give praise to Him who has given us a return of the teeming harve.st, that now gladden the great prairie slopes of the north-west. SoMMER Pruning of the Grape. — The art of grape culture is being better and better understood. The most important fact is that but one crop is ever bore on the same wood. The fruit of this year ii upon last years wood, hence an annual renewing of wood is essential to success. The old wood must be cut out as useless, or it will never produce a sound crop. Leave plenty of new shoots, tha*. is, just enough for next year's crop, and rub off all surplus buds. It is no matter whether the vine is trained long or sliort, high or lower, pro- vided that an abundance of well ripened wood, of this year's growth, is provided for the next year's crop. If the vines have not been thinned out at the proper time, do it now, and cut away with a fearltss hand. Land Rollers. — When we commenced using the McQuiston roller wo had some misgiving as to the size, only two feet in diameter, hut we find that it does most excellent work, pul- verizing the clods most effectually ; being in short sections, it runs very easy. It is the cheapest cast roller that we have seeu. By the use of a roller in corn jdanting, the labor of rolling is more than saved in the after culture, to say nothing of its value in insuring better germination of the seed, the immunity from vermin and the better growth. All of these directly appeal to the pride of the farm who is pleased with a good stand of corn; to his pocket, in the saving of labor and larger yield. The roller must take its place among the farm Implements in the corn growing portions of the State. Amalgam Bblls — When at Cincinnati we saw one of these bells oast, for which five tons of metal was melted. The casting was done at the Niles Works, for Messrs. Hedges, Free & Co. The bell goes to New Jersey, to be used in one of the churches. The cheapness of these bells (12 cents a pound,) has made a demand for them, and ff they prove as valuable as at present indicated, they will make a revolution in the bell trade. They are cast of all sizes, from fifty pounds and up- wards. For farms they will be particularly valuable. One of a couple of hundred pounds, put upon the farm house, can be arranged with signals for each member of the household, who can be called in at any time without much effort by giving for each a certain number of taps. This will save a deal of trouble in looking up any person wanted. We shall hear further from these bells within a short time. Prairie BREAKino. — Onr Yankee, neighbor, of whom we made mention last month iu this connection, lias received his new sixteen inch prairie breaker, and is breaking two acres a day with his two horses. He claimed that it was better than ours, and that he coulil do more work ; but our second boy, who by the way is our farmer, filed his prote!?t to this, and on measuring, found that he had averaged a trille over two acres a day with the old plow. Some persons have an idea tliat a plow that will cut a foot Is the right width, to all such, we would sny that we have never seen a twelve inch plow breaker worth the freight ; with the sixt 'en inch plow you can cut a foot of you chosen. As the season ay corninittee-men, therefore : J'csolred, That we offer no premiums on thorough bred horses as such, but let every horse stand upon its own merit independent of a paper pedigree." Good. Let every tub stand on its own bottom, and every horse on its merits. "No entry fees are required, citizens of the State of Illi- nois (except such articles as are enumerated for Macon county only) can enter as much stock and as many other articles as they desire without expense. It is hoped that this new plan will induce every farmer and mechanic and ev«ry lady In the county to become exhibitors." Hit 'em again. It was those same entry fees that killed " Cock Robin." Charge your visitors good Macon county, but encourage the exhibitors and you will succeed. " The diploma is considered the highest honorary award, and in no case to be given except for superior mcrii." Well, that is a set back ; but we are glad to seo that the Doctors don't believe it themselves, for when they wi«h to make the diploma positively efficatious, they add the dollars as per sampe : Sweepstakes.— Best stallion of any age or breed, <,-10 and I diploma; best marc of any age or breed, -tl ' an pork raisers think highly of a field of rye in which to turn their hogs. One of our neigh- bors, J. R. Scott, has seventy acres, and he thinks that no crop pays better. A small lot near his house, containing eight acres, was feed down last full, having been sown about the middle of August, and we should judge that it would yield at least thirty bushels to the acre. His breading sows and pigs run in this lot and are fed on CBrn,they had not com- menced feeding on the rye, though now in the dough state, but they will doubtless discover its value in a few days. Revolying Horsr Rake — Maro Bradley, of Dundee, Kane count}-, sent us hist season one of his Premium Revolving Horse llakes, with which we put up some eighty loads of hay, beside.* accommodating several of our iieighl»ors with its use. For raking uj) tlie prairie hay, we have seen nothing that is equal to it. The conimon revolving rake is nowhere beside it. The work is done with ease and celerity. A boy capable of riding a horse can use it. A small cord is attached to the rake and by giving it a slight jurk the rake revolves, lets out the windrow and is ready for more hay. Two boys, one of six and the other of ten, d»'ne up the raking last season; one riding the horse and the other carryinpit around at the ends, and to see where and how large to make the windrows. It was more like play than work for the little fellows, at the same time what had before been no small task was done without much effort; thanks to the ingenuity of Mr. Bradley and his kind forethought for us. All know that the wooden revolving rake will not work at all on the upland prairie ; the teeth will slip on the fine hay ; not bo with these wire teeth, they take it up clean, aswccan attest; all of our cutting last season being of the upland. Those having prairie hay to cut, will find this a valuable implement. Mr. B. has both rakes and county rights for sale at reasonable rates. , Chase's Hakd Books. — We are In receipt of No. 2, of thii valualile seriesof booklets. This number treats of the " use- ful and the ornamental." Chapter 1st, the Hedge — material and culture; chapter 2d, the Home. No. 3, Forest Tree Planting; No. 4, Hardy and Valuable Trees; No. 5, Ever- greens; No. 6, Flowers. Messrs. S. C. Griggs k Co., pub- lishers, Chicago. Price 25 cenis ; mailed at 30 cents. We presume that all our country bookstores will order a supply. It should be in the hands of every larmer and every tree planter. It is a plain, practical work, divested of all t-ech- necalities, just what has bten wanted by those who would add the beautiful and the useful in their home surroundings. Bee Hives. — Mr. H. B. Gifford, of Danby, DuPage county, the owner of the Phelps' Sectional Frame, and Movable Comb Hives, sent us two hives of each kind. The movable comb hive is a single apartment of some two thousand cubic incheg, with a chamber at ove for two small draws, which will contain about ten pounds of pure honey each. The movable frames have two coiapartments each, and are so placed that they can be taken out at pleasure. This we think the most simple and valuable of any hive that we have seen. The other hive has two compartments or chambers for the bees, of some fifteen hundred cubic inches each, with an apparatus to con- fine the bees to either one at pleasure; above is a chamber similar to the other. This hive i.s more expensive and in gen- eral keeping with patent hives ; its ventilation is very perfect, but we think it of less value than the other, from the want of the movable frame ; but astne proof of th^ value of any new thing is the trial, we have put a swarm in one of these to-day (June 23,) and will thus have a good opportunity to test its value. We have seen a large number of bee keepers who prefer this double hive, and others who have tried them and have thrown them out ; but in one case, a neighbor of ours, the hives were so badly made that the fault is in that, and not in the principla. We have ordered a supply of the movable frames. Apples In Centr\l Illinois. — The fruit on all of the young orchards was killed by frost, but the old trees, many of them are loaded, and after all we shall have at least half a crop of this fruit — much more than last year. The fruit is now of good size and promises well. j Tub Corn Crop bids fair to be the largest known in the State Their has never been so much planted before in this ! part of the State, the stand is good and coming forward in the ' most vigorous manner. Beef and pork will be abundant and I of the very best quality the coming autumn. Some people | fear that the price will go down to nothing under such a supply, but we have no fears, the west has always found a market for her surplus and will now. Somebody will want it. Don't get alarmed. Work it at least five times before you lay it by, and roll up the best yield you can. The Weather, Crops, &c. — Withinthepast two weeks an abundance of rain has failed, and its effects upon the crops have been indeed miraculous. There is a prospect now for a much larger crop of wheat than the farii ers generally ac- knowledge. The straw is short, which will make harvesting more laborious ; but the grain is very plump, and the heads well filled. We never knew corn to grow so rapidly as it has in this section during the last fortnight. With occasional rains from this out, the corn crop will be the largest ever raised in this section. Grass will not be worth cutting gener- ally. Clover fields look tolerably well, but timothy grass amounts to just nothing. A great many farmers have pastur- ed their meadows this summer. Potatoes are in a fine con- dition throughout the country. Farmers in this section have every reason to be thankful for the bright prospects before them. — jFutton JJemoc) at. Tub Late ToasAno.— It Is ascertained that one hundred and two lives were lost in Iowa by the tornado, besides a large number more or less injured. The amount of property is estimated at si.x hundred thousand dollars. East of the river it was less destructive of life and property. On the whole it has proved the severest visitation of the kind known to the north-west. Thb Cattle Disease continues to attract attention at the east, and the worst fears are entertained of the result. It ap- pears to be steadily spreading, and we fear, that before we are aware it will be among us. Our farmers should be careful how they allow any new comers among their herds. Should the diseese continue at the east, and the west keep free from it, our cattle farmers will reap a rich harvest ; they have therefor every incentive to WHtchfuIness, iis their future profits will in a great degree depend upon koeping this dis- ease out of the country. A Smart Boy. — One of our well to do farmers was conver- sing with his daughter in the city, in the presence of her little four j-ear old, aud remarked that he could not get that tornado out of bis head. After his grandfather had left he remarked to his mother that, that tornado was an awfull thing, and it must hurt grandpa very bad to keep it in his head all the time, and hoped that he \yould get it out afore long. Post-Office Change. — The name of the post-office at West Url)ana has been changed to Champaign; will our ex- changes, contributors, and others, please govern themselves accordingly. The Orchard. — Now is the time to attend to your orchards- With a stout knife, a small gou):e and a wire, go at the borer- Exterminate them ; they will destroy your entire orchard In a few years. Scrape the rough bark off from the trees and then give them a good scrubbing with a mixture of lye, soft soap and soot or sulphur. This will destroy the eggs or larvae that have been deposited by the insect that breeds the borer. An old broom, cut off stubby, is the best to apply the mixture with. — Quincy Whig. Railroad Fares. — The Chicago Jourval takes exception to our remarks in relation to high local fares and official steal- ing. Without answering the points made, the gin is laid to bad indigestion, refusal of a pass or loss of baggage. No, friend Taylor, it is none of these. We had an excellent dinner, good digestion, did not ask for a pass, nor lose any baggage ; but we are a farmer, write as a farmer, and advo- cate the interest of the farmer. That the Conductors of the G. & C. road are all you say, we can easily believe; but to say the same of all their predeces-sors we need not do, nor would the officers ask us to do it. We need a little reform in regard to local fares, but so long as the management of our roads are really in New York and Boston, we must expect te be snubbed. What can a Superintendent do when tied up by a board of old foggy Directors? A railroad pass shall never shut our eyes to the interest of the fiirnxer; the purchase is too cheap altogether. The road mentioned has always been liberal to the press, and to ourself in particular, always giving us a pass when requested. When they put up the rates lart January we warned them of the result — empty trains, — and now they have put them down only in part, the travel has in- creased, but a further reduction must be made to restore the old patronage. More Native Wine. — The report reaches us from Bremen that crowds of industrious German vine growers and farmer* are leaving that port, all headed for Missouri. Some three hundred have already reached St. Louis. They are regarded as the very best immigrants that could enter a State, and the branch of agriculture which they pursue is a deeply import- ant one for the country. 116 THE ILLINOIS FA.IIMEII. Political.— Mr. Usrey, of the Decatur Chronicle, hag gent us a caae luadu Trom one of the black walnut rails Bplit by " Uonest Old Abe," and Mr. llank^, some thirty years since. We highly prize the relic for several reasons: Firxt, that showing the reckles.9 dtttruction of our moat valuable timber by the early settlers. Sfcondlij, that in the dry con- tinental climate of Central Illinois, it proves that timber not exposed to the dampnesii of the soil, is exceedingly durable, for it is well known that his variety of timber will not stand moiiture so well as oak, and is less valuable for fence posts. Thirdly, that It points a moral, and shows that by jiersever- ance and economy, the poorest farmer's son may carve out a respectable name, and an enviable position among his com- peers, and that high positions in all tiie walks of life, are within the grasp of ability and perseverence, and labor is a* much a part of oui education as study. By it the body is made strong, the muscles are developed, and the vascular lystem put in order to carry out the plans that a healthy and vigorous mind may see fit to direct. A highly cultivated mind in a sickly and etfeminate body is]incapable of placing its possessor high in the ranks of great men ; it is but anoth- er proof of the value of rural occupations, to lay the founda- tion of real greatness, for the lessons of nature are truthful, and make deep impressions that remain in after life ; it does not prove that every rail splitter will become a President, or that rail splitting is one of tho essentials to greatness, but it provss that labor is necessary to the development of tho body, to enable it to endure the hard tasks imposed upon it by the mind. Fourthly, that it will stamp labor with dignity, and make it honorable as well as uHeful, and point it out as one of the roads by wliich the successful professional man must travel, and brace himself for the great battle of life ; for he who writes his name in the history of his country, must do it with an arm hardened and strengthened by honest toil. As a farmer, we are proud to see one who has poured out his sweat in the forest fallow, one who has held the plow for the prairie furrow, thus honored, for it dignifies our chosen President ; but in our joy we should not forget that the mechanical arts are no less valuable, 'as a school, to fit the body for the work of a giant mind ; and if we pay respect to the arm that wields the a.\e, to cut down the towering black walnut, we must pay a like regard, to the arm that moulded the timber into household use. How TO Sell Land. — Yesterday (2Sth) we met a gentle- man at Decatur, who residing in Pennsylvania, owns several tracts of land near that place. Anxious to sell these lands' and having full faith in the ability of judicious farmers to pay for them, he offered to sell for the first crop delivered at the Depot. After considerable persuasion three of his old neigh- bors concluded to try their fortune on the prairie,they therefore came on with their teams and took forty acre.s each, broke it up and put it into wheat. The land w^as olfered them at nine dollars per acre or the crop as above stated, but they choose the latter. The crop is harvested, and Is estimated at about tw»nty-five bushels per acre. The owner put it at twenty and is well satisfied with the sale. Ue offers the remaining tracts on the same terms, and one old farm under good cul- ture for the first crop of corn. To any man who has a team and means to carry him through eighteen months this a cheap way to obtain a good farm. We have no doubt but thousands of acres can be had on the same terms. He intends to devote the October number to the doings of the Fair, and will endeavor to make it valuable as an exponent of that great industical occasiou. Thb Great Tobnado — A Dbsolatino Swebp or Four Hl'sdrsu Miles. — The great tornado, the fearful effects of which we gave in our last, was a much more wide-spread calamity than wc then supposed. From tlie best information now at hand, it appears to have commenced In Hardin county, Iowa, some ninety miles west of the point where It was first supposed to have originated — whence it swept through Eastern Iowa, across Illinois and Lake Michigan, and over the north- ern townships of Ottowa county, Michigan, leaving every- where desolation and ruin in its track. The entire sweep of the destroyer was fully four hundred miles, over a belt of country varying In width from forty rods to halfamile. It is safe to say that neither this nor any other country was ever visited by a like calamity that, in sweeping force and destruc- tion of life and property, bears any comparison to that whose devastions we have now to deplore. The only lake disaster us yet known was the wreck of the schooner Hannah Seltma, which was found a few miles north of Ohicago, keel upward. Eight persons were known to have been on board: Daniel Trench, the cai)tain ami owner of the craft, his wife and child, two sailors and two passengers. Not one of them could have escaped. The only traces of them found as yet are a lady's gold watch, a portion of a head dress, and along tress of hair twisted tightly around a piece of rope. — Henry County IHal. Thb State Fair. — We had intended to have made a visit to Jacksonville to see the Fair grounds, but the meetings at Bloomington have prevented; but we learn that they are making the most satisfactory progress. From the excitement among our cattle men, we fear a small show in that line, yet on the other hand, the information In regard to the farm i)ro- ducts and mechanics is of the most cheering kind, and from present indications, these will more than make up for any deficiences. The entries of farm and nurseries are large, and the committee will huveno small task before them. Premium lists can be had of J. P. lUynolds, the Corresv)onding Secre- tary, Springfield, and of tho Vice Presidents, and Secretaries of County Societies. The Advebtisbments.— AVe would call the attention of the readers of the Farmer to the large number and variety of ar- ticles offered them. It Is an evidence that better times have been inaugurated, when the demand calls forth so much of mechanical assistance. Dealers tell us that their sales have been much beyond their expectation, and ^hat is more im- portant still is the cash sales. Farmers should never pur- chase on long time, they had In most cases better do without, or hire the machinery of their neighbors than to run In debt. They should remember it was the abuse of the credit system that brought on the hard times. Uuy what you want, but pay as you go. From the large increase of our subscriliers in all parts of the State, the Farmer is becoming one of the best mediums through which to reach the farmers in the S'ate. The Farmer on the Fair Ghoijjds.— The publishers In- tend to fit up a tent on the State Fair Grounds, at Jackson- ville, and a clerk will tie in constant attendance to receive old dues and new subscriptions. The Editor will make it his head quarters, also, when he will be happy to see his friends. Dlackberries. — Our Egyptian friends arc delectatlng the north with this valuable fruits. Until laJt year they let this fruit rot by thousands of bushels, but thank.'i to the Illinois Centrnl Kailroad tliey can now turn it to good arcouut. By the middle of June this fruit is sent from Union county, and gradually the summer marches north, ripening this fruit on its way, until September closes up the season on the shores of Lake Superior. Cass County Fair Is set for September 4th to 7th. The premium list is a liberal one. James M. Hill, President, and Jlenry S. Savage, Secretary. Pike County Fair— October 2d, 3d and 4th, at Pittsfleld. A liberal premium list, published In that live paper, the Pike County Democrat, from which we take the following : " More corn will be raised In Pike county this season than the people will know what to do with. Since the last rains, one can almost see it grow, and there are immense quantities of it planted. Oats look very well ; the straw being short, so as not to be easily blown down, and tho head heavy. Con- siderable spring wheat was planted, which promises tolerably fair recommendation. In the fruit line ; apples will be icaree, peaches and cherries abundant, though the former are injured in many localities." Swarming of Bees. — Bees upon the prairie will not swarm as soon as those having the advantage of tlie woodland range and white clover. Our first swarm came off the 16th ult., and have filled their hive nearly full of comb. The swarm came off during our absence, and the boys having them in charge had never seen a swarm hived, but by the use of Longstraght's work on bees and one of Phelps' excellent hires, they were put up all right. By the way, we would call the attention of bee keepers to Phelps' sectional frame hives. It is one of the most simple hives that we kuowu of. It combines all the reic; yellow and mixed white 52c; white 55@5Cc. Oats— 61c. THE WOOL TRADE. Market active and receipts liberal. We continue to quote sales at 25 to 40 cents ^ pound according to quality. Several lots of extra fine wool have been sold in Springfield the past week at 43 cents. There is a healt hy competition among buy- ers which will Insure sellers getting a fair price for all the wool brought to this market. The Cleveland (Ohio) Herald say a: AVool — Market brisk with upward tendency. Rates have advanced 2 cents since last week. AVe quote fancy 57c ; full blood 52c ; % blood 44c ; X blood 40c ; ^ blood 37c ; com- mon 34c, The New York Evening Post says : AVool — Our market is rather quiet, but very firm ; a good business is doing in the interior at very full prices. Some parcels of fine full blood fleeces have come to market and pass- ed into the hands of de lalne producers at 47@48c. In for- eign, sales of 50 bales of Rio Grande, and 877 do Donskoi, have been made on private terms. [By Telegi-apfi.] NEW YORK MAIUfET-JuLT 7. Flour market a shade firmer; sales 13,500 bbls; 15 20@5 30 super state; $5 45®5 55 extra state; |5 20@5 25 super western; f 5 85@5 50 common to medium extra western; $5 75®5 85 inferior to good shipjiing brands extra R.H.O. Canadian flour quiet and unchanged; sales 450 bbls; $5 46@ 7 60 extra. Rye Hour steady; |3 &0@4 20. AVheat market without striking change; the advance on freights checks the export demand; sales 50,000 bu; f 1 26 Chicago spring; $1 29 @1 31 Milwaukie club; fl 8S@139 winter red western. Rye quiet 80@.82c. Barley dull and nominal. Corn market without striking change; sales small parcels; 65®ti6c mixed western; eo.Vc white do. Oats dull; 37®40c western and Canada; 4(»@41c state. Pork quiet and firm; f 18 12 old mess; $19 00 new do; |14 00 old prime; $12 60 new do. Beef dull and unchangad; sales 125 bbls. Cut meats, 8>^@9c shoulders; lOj^c liams. Lard firmer; sales 820 bbls 12k^ 12;ic. ^ CHICAGO MARKET— July 5. Flour— No demand and stock light. AA'heat declined Ic; sales 1000 bu No. 1 spring $1 07; (iOO bu No. 2 do at |1 06; 1500 bu do $1 05; 1000 bu rejected 26c; 700 bu do 89c. Corn opened quiet and steady, closing with better enquiry; sales 5000 bu No. 2 canal past river at 47c afloat; 1,500 bu do 47c afloat; 20,000 bu No. 1 at 46Kc in store; 5,000 bu do at 47c F. O. B.; 10,0 jO bu do 47>sC in store; 25,000 bu do at 4Cc; 10,000 No. 2 at 45c. Oats fair enquiry at 20®26>;c, but holders firm; 1,OjO bu No. 1 at 29c delivered; 1,000 bu do at 26c. ST. LOUIS HORSE AND MULE MARKET.— June 30. The horse dealers have passed through another dull week. Not many animals have coiuc in, and at the close the market is bare of good horses, with a scarceity of good mules. The purchases have been mostly for Lome use, although two or THE ILLIlsrOIS F_A.RMER. 11'? three soufhcrn ])U3-ers of mnles and good horses have been present. Towards the last of the week the 'tendency of the market was to greater activity and better prices for desir- able animals. The business of the week at P. Wiles' Fifth street Bazaar Stable has been as follows : At auction, Saturday, V8d, Tuesday, 2Cth, and Thursday, 2Sth, 40 head were sold, including 1 buggy horse at «120, 1 good work do at f 120, 20 fair and good do horses at ?;7.'-@100, and IS common and inferior horses and small mules at $2o@|7o. Private sales embraced 1 fine saddle horse at f 200, 1 do at $183, 1 do at f 100, 2 buggy horses at $150 each, 1 good work horse at $115, 1 inferior do at $45, 1 span work horses at $220, 1 span do at $235, 1 common mule at $75, 1 good do at $120, 2 do at $150 each, 1 pair small mules at $220, 1 pair do at $250, 1 pair at $275, and 1 pair at $350. ST. LOUIS LIVE STOCK MARKET— June 80. Beef Cattle— Market bare of good beef cattle, and demand active at 6?i@6Xc ^ B) net. Inferior and common plenty, and sales at 2 to 3c gross. Shipped south 120 head; none east. Hogs— Demand for shipping lots good, with only a moder- ate supply. Prices range from 5^ to 63^c ^ fl) net, in lots. Shippers pay b)^ to 6c. Shipped south 400 head. Sheep— Scarce, and in good demand for the better quality at $2 .')(i(g»$3; common $1 50@$2 \i head. Lambs— In fair supply and demand at $1@2 ^ head. Cows and Calves — No good cows in market. Demand ac- tive at $30®40. Common are plenty and dull at $15®20 ^ head. [Abridged from the New York World.! NEW YORK CATTLE MARKET— July 3. The supply to-day falls short of last week, over 1,000 head; the average quality and weight being also below the stock of last Tuesday end Wednesday. The real quantity in hands on sale is not as large as our figures seem to indicate. The reduced receipts, however, have failed to stir up buyers, and there is really very little difference in the tone of the mar- ket, and certainly not much improvement in prices. On the better grades, perhaps an advauce of }ic ^ B has been paid, and some few good sales were made at say half a cent ^ D) advance. Yet, the average of the market was very little over S@3Xc. The rates this time last year were 2i^@3c better. Extra stock sold at 12>^c against 9>rf to-day : and the average of the entire market was 10>^c against S@6ii' to-day. As usual during the days immediately preceding and following the 4th of July, the demand has beeh suddenly checked, as a large number of our citizens lerve ths city for country recreation and enjoyment. At the opening of the day's business prices looked better, and drovers and speculators Indulged the hope that once more they would be able to make a respectable pro- fit. As the day waned, however, butchers began to drop off, the heat became intense, and it soon became apparent that sellers would have to be not only polite but hospitable. Ice lemonades, coblers, smashers, etc., were soon palatable, and, in many cases bad a charming effect in closingup accounts and helping negociations. At the close of Tuesday, prices were not as good as at the opening, and a small quantity were aft over. Perhaps they will be taken on Thursday or Friday next. The prospects of higher prices are not fluttering, yet some contend that next week the supply will be again short, and better prices result. A. M. Allerton & Co., proprietors of the Washington Drove Yords, Forty-fourty street, report the catte in market from the following States : Ohio 259 Illinois 1,423 Wisconsin 47 Iowa 488 New York 27 Indiana 149 Kentucky 101 A'irginia 36 Missouri 251 PRICES OF BEEF CATTLE AT 44tH STREET. T/iis Week, last We^k. Premium None . None . Extra ^X@ — ^U®^X First quality 8?i^@ 9 8?i® 9 Second quality SJj® Sj^ 8>4:@ 8^ Third quality 1)i@. 8 7j^@ 8 Inferior 5 ®7 6 @7 Average of all sales, about 8>4 @ — 8 @ — Tbe following droves from Illinois were in market this week : J. Dall)ey 87 Geo. W. Martin 33 Wm. Smith 128 J. C. Bone 70 S. D. Harvey & Co 107 John A. Merrit 102 J. Gutewood 48 S. Uealey & Co 45 Dotv& Miller 78 E. Stevens 91 W. H. Benchard 80 Schuster & Co 63 Phelps & Hollingsworth. . . 34 Gillett & Toffey 66 Masterson J. Budley 36 Fry 4 Smith 60 Geo. W. Read C5 T. 11. Hume 17 J. P. Alexander 204 Levi Miller 36 Bursh & Bros 29 Swine — The hog trade has not improved during the week, and for a day or two prices have declined, owing to a more liberal supply. We quote a.tb'^g,@^6^ic for common to prime distillery fed and corn fed. T» E SUFFOLK HOGS XKORX: FORK AXfD I.Z:SS CORX7. At the Summit Station, upon the Chicago, Alton and St. Louis Railroad, twelve miles from Chicago, are kept twenty sows and three boars of different strainsof Suffolk Hogs, from which pigs are bred and kept for sale. Those feeling ac in- terest in a class of hogs that make the most and the best pork from the least feed, can obtain a descriptive circular, or pur- chase, by calling at the premises, or address the subscriber, care of Hon. John Wentwortb, Chicago, Ills. Hundreds have been sent by railroad, without accident, to different and dis- tant parts of the United States. CHARLES D. REED, july-f2t Chicago. I E S T E K L Y ' S P A T E N T COMBIND TWO-HORSE. SELF-BAKING REAPER AND MOWER Improved for 1860. The only Machine cutting five and a half feet wide, that a pair of ordinary horses can work with ease all day. The cut- ting draft of the Esterly's Reaper, is 275 pounds, cutting five feet nine inches wide — Kirby's 3; 0 pounds, cutting four feet eight inches wide. All other Reapers are of heavier draft. The Rake, improved for 1S60, works to the entire satisfaction of every one. The castings are heavier than those of last year, and a new divider has been added; also, a new mode of raising, lowering, and leveling the sickle sill, and many other imprevements which we warrant to be on every macUne we sell. . T. 31. EASTERLY, Agent, For Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Southern Illinois, Office and Warehouse — No. 87 Locust street, between Third and Fourth streets, St. Louis. w&flt XT E N 11 Y F 0 L S 0 M & CO. Southwest Comer Washington Ave. & Piflh-st., AOESTS FOR THB " West Castleton and Hydeville Slate Co's. WHOLESALE SEALERS IN ASIERICAN SLATE STONE, ROOFING SLATE, GRATES AND MANTELS, FLOOR TILE, HEARTHS, kc. State Roofs laid in any part of tbe country at as low rates as by any other responsible party. MARBELIZED SLATE MANTELS, In imitation of the most costly colored marbles, such as Black and Gold, Egyptian, Spanish Brawn, Brooatelle, Porphyry, Verd Antiqui, Red Antique, Sienna, w V» P > — • ST. LOUIS QOLLEaE, SPEXCERIAN WRITING DEPARTMENT, AND Stewarfs Mathematical Listitute. Located in St. Louis, 5Io. Comer Fourth, Vine and St. Charles streets, over Ubsdell, Plerson & Co.'s Dry Goods House. THE OTHER COLLEGES COMPOSING THE chain are located in New York, Philadelphia, Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit and Chicago. '{^^^ Scholar xhips good in the Eight Colleges. BOARD OF REFERENCE : D. A. January, Esq., Hon. O. D. FiJIey, Maj. Uriel Wright, Hon. Samuel Breckinridge, Hon. F. P. Blair, Prof. Richard Edwards, Prof. E. D. Sanborn, B. Gratz Brown, Esq., H. D. Bacon, Esq., Pres. E. C. Wines, Rev. Wm. G. Elliot, Rob't. A. Barnes, Esq., Henry Ames, Esq., Hon. J. R. Barrett, Hon. Washington King, Prof. J. G. Hoyt, Ira DivoU, Esq., Stephen D. Barlow, Esq., S. H. Bailey, Esq., R. M. Funk- houser, Esq., Rev. T. -M. Post, Wm. Holmes, Esq., Rev. Jas. H. Brookes, W. L. Ewing, Esq., Geo. R. Taylor, Esq., Joseph Baker, Esq., Stephen Hoyt, Esq., James Duncan, Esq., Jas. H. Lightner, Esq., Adolphus Meier, Esq. Prof. N. L. Tracy, State Lecturer on Popular Education. The course of study and plan of instruction is at once com- prehensive and thorough, combining theory and practice in every department, perfectly. The famous Spencerian System of Penmanship, the best known to the world, is our standard. Charles Stewart, the celebr!itLC^ when making up theu- list. It will staiidanv rllniftte T> OHRER'S COMMERCIAL COLLEGE, . Comer Fourth and Poplar Streets, ST. LOUIS, 310. A full course of instruction in this institution embraces D0UBLE:ENTRY BOOK-KEEPING, . ■ Commercial Law, Arithmetic and Penmanship ; also, Mathe- matics in all its branches. Drawing, Modern and Classic Languages, and DETECTING COUNTERFEIT MONEY. Gentlemen can enter for the course separately, and at any time, as instruction is pven individually and not In classes each department being independent of the other, and under the control of a Professor educated for the especial depart- ment in which he is employed. For particulars call at the College, or address junel-ly LOUIS ROHRER. PIANOS AND MELODEONS. A. REED, 49 North Fifth Street, St. Louis, Mo., Wholesale and Retail Dealer in A. W. Ladd k Co.'s World's FMr Prize Medal Full Iron Frame Grand andSquare Piano Fortes ; Hallet, Davis t Co.'s Celebrated Patent Suspension Bridge New Curved Scale and Re- peating Grand Action Piano, with entire Iron Frames. Every Instrument fully warranted. Also, Mason &. Hamlin's un- rivalled Melodeons and Harmoniums for Parlors, Churches, Seminaries and Lodges ; all of which have received upwards of sixty gold and silver medals for their superb instruments. A liberal discount to Clergymen, Seminaries, Vestries, Churches and Lodges. Orders by letter or otherwise prompt- ly attended to. Pianos tuned and repaired in the best man- ner^ ^ mayldawfim WORD TO THE DISCOURAGED.— In another coluinn you will find my card relating to the cure of Dyspepsia, and in this place I will just add, it is well known that thousands of Dyspeptic patients, and thou- sands more who have not known what was the matter, have been trying many kinds of patent medicine, known as Cure Allx, and the skill of the profession (all the Schools) without having realized satisfactory results; all of which have in a great measure, been owing to overlooking the Electrical state of the Stomach, ts rotary motion in the process of digestion, and the further fact, that the gastric juice, when in a healthy con- dition, is a neutral, and as soon as there is present too much acid or alkali, this condition is changed, and instead of diges- tion, we have a fermentation of the food. The fact is in or- der to extract the dynamic or cohesive forces of the food, reducing it to pulp, which is easily converted into chyme and chyle,lit is absolutelv necessary that the gastric juice SHOULD BE NEUTRAL. SPECIFIC REMKDIES TO EVERY DISEASED CONDITION. Plea-se read my card. Office and consultation rooms, 94 Pine street, between C-th and 7th. Bo.v 6.59, St. Louis. |^~A11 letters with stamps answered. •' C3^**Consaltation free. «pr23-d4f CLARK WHITTIER, M.D. 118 THE ILLINOIS F^I^MER. w HEELER & WILSON ITo. 133 J^orth Fourth Street, St. Louis, Mo. The elegance, speed, nolselessness and iiimi)licity of the machine; the benuty and strength of the stitch ; heiiig alike owftoo chain or ridffe oil t/ie inider aide; the economy of tliread and adjipla- bility to the thickest or tliinneat fabrics, have rendered tliis the THB MOST SCCCESSFCI. AN0 POPULAR Family Sewing Machine N ovr Made. At my oflace, I sell at New York prices, aod glre INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE, to enable purchasers to sew ordinary seams, hem, fell, quilt, gather, bind and tuck, all ou the same machine, and warrant for three years. The following commendations are selected Irnm a mass of similar documents, with whicha volume might easily be UUed. We feci Bratified to know that many otlier persona of tlie highest literary, political and social hianding in tliis country, have volunteered their warm approval of our Family Sewing Machine : " We are having a great many inquiries for sewing machines from various parts of the country, and as we can not conveniently reply to them by mail, we have thought it proper to state our opinion in regard to them in this public manner. Tliere are a number of very excellent machines now in the market which are deservedly successful. AVe have, however, never used but one, namely, Wilson's patent, manufactured by the Wheeler & Wilson luanufacturing com- pany, and we can say in regard to it that it is without a rival. No other inucbine exceeds it in its adaptation tn a 1 the pur- poses of domestic use. It is simple, not easily put out of order when in proper hands, and in point of efl'ectiveness and finish, no other machine stands ahead of it. We state this nmch in regard to the excellent machine upon our own responsibilitv, and without the slightest intention to disjiarage other machines well known to the public ; and we hope there- by to save ourselves considerabie time and postage in answer- ing letters which frequently come to us witli inquiries touch- ing this subject. " — Scientijio Amefican, April 'J4, 1S68. " We prefer the Wheeler & Wilson sewing machines for family use. They will force the industry of woman into a thousand new channels, and emancipate her from the cramp- ed posture and slow starvation of needle work. "— .A'«o York Tribune. " Wheeler & Wilson's machines are the favoritica for fam- ilies, being especially adapted to that pur]>0!ie. They work more rapidly, with less Iriction, and with a greater economy of thread than most, if not all others. " — Xeic Yoik 7'iines. " The Wheeler & Wilson is the machine par excellence fcjr family use, and we recommend it most emphatically. " — Ad- zocate atid Journal. " There is not an invention of this inventive age which honors j*merican genius more than the sewing machine. No family ought to be deprived of its benefits. " — Independfut. " A sewing machine is among the most useful and economi- cal articles housekeepers can juircbase. In looking out for the best, it won d be well to see machines of AVheeler k Wil- son before purcha^ng elsewhere. " — Jia-aniiner. " Wheeler & Wilson's machine are the best ever offered to public jiatronage. They are simple and durable ; easily kept in repair; work without noise; sew with great rapidity; make an even and firm stitch on both sides, that will not rip ; economize thread, and are applicable to every purpose anci material common to the art in question. " — Chri''tian.Jng. "Wheeler & Wilson's machines combine everything that can be required in the manufacture of garments. Our friends abroad may be as.=ured that they will give entire satisfaction, and that to purchase one of them is a safe investment. " — Observer. ^p-Send or call for circular, containing full particulars, prices, testimonials. s per 100; three years old, ?15 per 100; Peaches, .$1S per lUO. De.scriptit attention. Packages delivered at the railroad free of drayage. JONATHAN HUOGIXS. Woodburn, Macoupin county, Illinois. febl-far-tf DUNLAP'S NURSERY. 40 Acres in Trees and Plants. I^MBRAC'FNG THE USUAL NURSERY _J stock, all of which will be sold low for cash. Orders for Spring planting should be l)e sent in early. 5,000 two year old SILVER MAPLES 'or timber belts, can be had at $5 per 100. J. B. Whitney, of Chatham, Sangamon county, is the agent for Sangamon and neigliboring counties. Catalogues had on application. Address M. L. DUM.AP, febl West Urbana, Champaign county. 111. B. B. LLOYD. DEISTT 1ST , (office OS NOKTII FIFTH STREET, OVER J. BATBURS'S. Springfield, III. A DENTAL PRACTICE OP FIFTEEN years warrants him in saying that all operations shall be carefully and neatly performed. He is in possession of sever- al premiutns and diplomas awarded by the best institutes for the promotion of science and arts in the country. Teeth inserted, from one tootli to full sets, as substantial and handsomo as can be had in any city of the United States or Europe. Artificial palate plates inserted, supplying the want or loss of the palate, volum and would, so as to restore articulation. Refer to Prof. David Gilbert, Pennsylvania College of Med- icine, Philadelphia; Hon. J. S. Black, Washington Cit*; Rev. Dr. Harkey, Illinois University; Drs. Helm, Ryan and Wal- lace; Messrs Jacob Loose, J. S. Condell, J. H. Gray, Fossel- man, Owen, Corneau & Diller. June7-lSo!) FAIRBANKS' PATENT • SCALES OF ALL KINDS. Fairbanks & Greenleaf, 35 Lake Street, Cliicago, Sold in Springffeld by mayl-ly E. B. PEASE. PUBLIC NOTICE. IN COMBINATION WTIH A CORN planting machine that is constantly moved over the ground (when planting,) and drops the grain intermittently, the so combining of two slides, one of which is at or near the seed hopper, and the other at or near the ground, or their equivalents, with a lever, as that the operator or attendent on the machine can open said slides at the proper time to deposit the seed, anil prepare a new charge, by the double droping here in specified Rkmarkm. — It makes no difference how the mode of opera- ation, as the patent is on tlie double drop, to compensate for tlic forward motion of the machine. All those making, selling or using will be made to pay for Such infringement. Yours respectfuUy, JARVIS CASE. April 1, 1^G0. SWEET POTATOES FOR SEED. THE NANSEMOXD SWEET POTATOE IS THE ONLY YAR- lETY that has given entire satisfaction in the Northwest. My stock now on hand is large and of the best quality. I want fifty agents to sprout on shares in such parts of the West not .vet supplied. All such applicants will be required to give good rellerences. Directions for sprouting will be sent to all customers. I regret to learn that some have sent out late maturing varieties, resembling the Nansemoml in color, much to the damage of this productive and early maturing variety. Prices low; no charge for delivery at Terra Haute Railroad Depot. Address, J. W. TENBROOK, febl Rockville, Indiana y( ESTERN LAND OFFICE. T.S.MATHER. FOR THE PURCHASE AND SALE OF CITY PROPERTY, FARMS AND UM.MPOVED L.\NDS, PAYMENT OF TAXES, COLLECTION OF CLAIMS. GoTernment Lands Entered with Warrants or Cash in any land district in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota or Nebraska. LAND WARRANTS BOUGHT AND coOLD. ^^OBice over N. II. Kidgely's Bank, west side public square, Springfield, Ills. FXtXSMZVMS. To State and County Agricultural Societies. I TAKE THE LIBERTY OF CALLING your attention to my very large stock of SILVER WARE, suitable for Premiums for State and County Agricultural Societies. Having furnished the State, and many Counties, for the last six years, I do not hesitate in saying that my long experi- ence and facilities enables me to furnish Premiums on as favor- able terms as an.v house in the United ^tates. Every article of my manufacture is stamped with my name — and every article so stamped is warranted pure as old .\merican coin. A DEDUCTION MADE TO SOCIETIES. The full amount called for by the Premium List will be furnished — 'he ^ocxtiy reUirving \i\\At they do not award. Soliciting a share of your patronage, I shall endeavor to merit the same by a prompt and careful execution of your orders. Yours, most respectfully, (iEO. W. CHATTERTON. Springfield, 111., June 1, lS00-3m THE ILLI]SrOIS FARMER. 119 COX & KOBEUTJ^' PATEJIT THKE8HEK AND CLEAi^EK. These Machines thresh and clean the Grain ready for market, without waste, in a manner superior to any other machine now in use. They have been thoroughly tested for a number of years past, several hundred having been made and sold by us, giving the most entire satisfaction. They are the most simple and easily managed machine now in use, and dcrable in their con- struction, requiring less power and thresh faster than any other Thrasher and Cleaner in the United States. At a trial of Machines at the Fair of the St. Louis Agricultural and Mechani- cal Association in 1S58, our Machine with/our hornex, threshed and cleaned moie wheat, in better style, in a given time, than any four or tighthorne macMne on the ground, and receiv- ed the FIRST premium, and a the late great Fair of the St. Louis Agricultural and Mechanical Association, in 1859, our Machines received the fihst premium for best four horse and best eight horse Thresher and Cleaner. The Grand Gold Medal of Honor was awarded to our Lever Cabin Power at the same Fair, both In 1S58 andlS59; they are an improvement on any now in use, being very portable and durable. Having largely increased our facilities for manufacturing these machines to meet the increased demand, and with improvements that hare been added from year to year, as experience stig- gests, we are determined the workmanship and materials shall not be excelled by any establishjnent in tke Union. The Machine with four or six horse Lever Cabin Power is the leading machine for general use, being more extensively used than any other; they can be ordered on wheels or without as de- sired. _ The eight horse does a larger business, and is always sold on wheels, with Elevator and Straw Carrier attached. The macliine with two horse Lever Cabin Power is intended for farmers who wish a small and less expensive machine to thresh and clean for themselves; it is a splendid Thresher, and does its work as well as the large ones. Orders respectfully solicited. All further information desired cheerfully given. Manufactured and sold by KINGSLANDS & FERGUSON, corner of Second and Cherry Streets, St. Louis, Mo. - ' .; ' ' ' ■ '' " [may1-Sm 4<> SECURITY. ^^ liYON'S PATENT LIGHfNTN^G''RODS Ilavo been extensively used for five years in the states of New Lnglaiid, New York, Pennsylvania, Lhio, Michigan, Jndiana, Illinois, 'Wisconsin. Minnesota and Iowa, and have always given the most perfect satisfaction- for every- thing that science or experienca has shown to be essen- tial to form PERFECT LIGHTNING RODS, has been adopted in their construction, Copper Rods have from jJr« to seven times as much conducting power as new Iron Jtods. Copper Hods do not rust but will retain their con- ducting power for voars. Copper Rods need no paint E. Meriam, of Brooklyn, says, paint destroys the con- ducting power of an v Rod. IfEAD OUR CIRCL'LAKS and see what the most scientific and practical uim in tbe country say of tUcm. \Vo havo reports from almost every one vlio has investi- gated the science and principles of Llcctricity, and all arein favor of ourCOPPi:R HODS. [Circulars sent, free,] Rods of various styles of Spiral, Xubu.ar and Flat, furnished in any quantities. I'nblic Buildings furnished with neat and compact Rods, having irom six to fifteen inches surface. Single Rods sent by Express to any part of the country. CAUTION. ^^^ , . ^ « Lyon's Patent" bears date July 11th, 1854, and is for the • Melalic Surface," Lightning Jiod. made m any and every form where sheet Copper is used. And any other Lightning Rod made of Slieet Copper, (whether patented or not.) is an infri. gemeiit upon our Right, and nil persons who buy, sell or use, arc liab'e to prosecution and damages, ami will be dealt with according to law. V e are owners BY DEED of this Patent, for the States of IlUnr.is, Iowa; Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ken- titcl-v and Tennessee, and do hereby notify alljpersons irour Territory, to purchase such rods only of us or our au- thorized Agents. Orders or Communications addressed to E P. MARSH & CO. Tost Office Box. 3174, Office, 150 South "VTater Street, Cliicagn, Illinois. THE MQUISTON SHELLER AND HO BSE POWER. MANUFACTURED BY J. C. CARR. For particulars address ISAAC P. ATWATER, Morris, Grundy County, Illinois. The most perfect, substantial and economical Farmer's Sheller ever built. ■ .- Bloominqtos, April 17th, 1860. 3fr. fssnc P. Atwater : Sir : — In answer to your questions, I will state that since 10th November last, I have shelled with the McQUISTON TWO HORSE POWER ELEVATOR SHELLER, over 45,000 bushels of Corn, with less than f 5 expense for repairs, andmy machine is still in good running order and will probably shell as much more. I have shelled, cleaned perfectly and sacked 80 bushels in one hour, and can do it any day with good corn. Would not sell my machine at any price, if I could not get another just like it. Two light horses have done all this shelling and kept fat. I shell and cariny own corn at an expense of one and a half cents per bushel. Yours respectfully, WM. VREELAND, Com Buyer, at C. A. & St. L. Depot. Mr. JOSEPH LUDINGTON, Corn Buyer, etc., at Depot of Illinois Central Railroad, Bloomington, says : I have shelled about 40,000 bushels since 20th November last, with about f 5 expense for repairs, running every day now. Have timed it one hour and shelled To bushels. Common average of every day is 50 bushels per hour. It is the most substantial, durable and economical Corn Sheller I have ever seen. Don't think it can be equalled. Messrs. AUGLE & ALLER, of Bushnell, C, B. & Q. R. R., have shelled about 40.000 bushels since November last. Machine Still in pood order and ^hl'lling every day. Repairs have been trifling. Sheller and Power considered unequalled. ; Shells from 4oU to 600 bushels per day, depending upon the quantity of corn got to it. Have never seen it fed as fast as it I would shell. I Messrs. WYCKOFP & SHREVES, Bushnell, have shelled since November about 50,000 bushels ; expenses for repairs not j to exceed ^5; is in tip top order now and shelling from 500 to 600 bushels per day. For economy and perfection of work, I have no idea it can be equalled. Have sold a number of machines in the neighborhood and never known one to be in any ! way imperfect or incapable of giving the fullest satisfaction to the purchaser. Slessrs. COLE & WEST, also of Bushnell, have shelled with theirmachine 60.000 bushels since last November, and it is now i running every day, and from appearances, will shell as much more without any but triiling expense for repairs. Never think I of having to stop' for any break down or repairs whatever. Can shell, clean and bag just any quantity of corn the men will ; put into it. i Mr. TAYLOR, of Kewanee, has shelled 35,000 bushels since November. Don't think he has had any expense for repairs. j Has run a great many Corn Shellers, small and large, has never seen one before that he considered perfect in every respect. 1 Has never seen two men feed it to its capacity. Thinks it capable of shelling from 500 to 7uO bushels per day, if rightly I managed. ■ • u And I might go on multiplying reports similar to the above, until it would cost me about as much to get you to print it as the ' profits on the 100 odd machines sold since last October would amount too. It will be understood that the above references are \ to single machines, that is, one Sheller and its Two Horse Power has done the work named. I If there is any Corn Sheller in the State of Illinois, of any capacity, capaljle of doing as economical and perfect work, or ' any Sheller of "its capacity able to do as much work, with as little expense for repairs, I would like to hear of it. The parties above named are all responsiljle gentlemen, who have freely made these statements and volunteered their names as references. Morris, GBUNDyCoiNTV, Ills., April 1860. ISAAC P. ATWATER. Cast Iron Land Rollers, 24 inch diameter in 13 inch sections. 6 Sections ^45 — 7 Sertims $50 — 8 Sections §55 — All hung narly for the Jie!d. TERMS. — Cash on delivery at Railroad. Purchaser pay freights. apl-y* MELODEONS. CHATTERTON, PRINCE'S IMPROVED 37UR SALE BY GEO. ^V _ Agent for Springfield. A large variety of Jewelry and Silver-ware always on hand, Call andsee. West side of the Square. febl-far-tf i^LGENE L. GROSS, Attorxev-at-Law, Springfield, III. Correspondence Solicited. Refers to — Col. M. Brayman, Springfield, Hon. Julius Manning, Peoria. decl-ly 120 THE ILLINOIS F^TOVEEH. PHEMCE & CO.'S IMPROVED PATE ON. Wholesale Depot, 87 Fulton Street, New York, and 110 Lake Street, CMcagOi 111. *■ * 4 Combining all of their Recent Itnprovements-'-Tlie MPivided Swell, Organ, Jflelodeon^ Htc. THE DIVIDED SWELL CAN ONLY BE OBTAINED IN MELODEONS OP OUR MANUFACTURE. -• — ♦ — •- The Oldest Establishment in the United States, Employing Two Hundred Men, and Finishing Eighty Instruments Per Week. All Melodeons of our manufacture, either sold by us or dealers in any part of the United States or Canadas, are warranted to be perfect In every respect; and should any repairs be necessary before the expiration of tne year from date of sale, we hold ourselves ready and willing to make the same free of charge, provided the iiyury Is not caused by accident or design,- GEO. A. PRINCE & CO., no liA-KE STREET, OECICA-Ca^O. lUXiirsTOIS. Agents for the sale of our Melodeons, may be found in all the principal cities and towns of the United States and Canadas. WEED'S PATENT UNRIVALED SEWING MACHINES. A FIRST CLASS ARTICLE. WEED'S UNRIVALED FAMILY SEWING MACHINES! SEWINGMACHINES!! SEWING MACHINES!! A FIRST CLASS ARTICLE. Lock Stitch alike on both sides. Simple and reliable — without complication. Warranted in every respect. Price $50 to $100. WEEHS PLANTATION SEWING MACHINES! SEWING MACHINES!! SEWING MACHINES!!! Price $100. WEED'S MANUFACTURE OF SEWING MACHINES! SEWING MACHINES!! SEWING MACHINES!!! WESTERN AGENCY, T4 Fourth Street, [directly opposite Everett House, ] ST. LOUIS. J. W. LITTLEFIELD & CO., Agents. Also Agents for SLOAT'S ELLIPTICAL, WILLCOX )^ cents each, and one to person getting up club. CASH BATES OF ADVBBTI8IN0 : One dollar per square of ten lines, each insertion. SPECIAL NOTICE. All baslnvsi letters should be directed to the FtibUthera, ftt Springfield; and all communicattons for the eje of the Editor, and the exchanges, sh«uld be directed— Illinois Fakiur, Champaign, HI. (Th« uanti^t the post offic« at West Ur. bana has been changed as aboT«.) CONTENTS. August ...;... ... . .121 The Cattle Disease 122 Ornamental Gardening .123 Crops in Adams County 128 LeUer from "Egypt" 128 Letter from Tamaroa 124 The Bishop HiU Colony 126 Report of Wisconsin Fruit Growers Association 12$ Illinois Natural Hiistory Society 126 Rats ...126 The Culture of Broom-Corn 126 Fairbanks' Scales 126 Amount of Rain for 1859 127 Please Observe This 127 Bpaulding'g Prepared Glue 127 The Cattle Disease 127 Our. Canadian Visitors 128 The Season 180 Horse Taming 180 History of the Steel Plow 181 Strawberries 132 Rust and Smut in Wheat 133 Linen and Flax 184 Agricultural Lecture 184 EDITOR'S TABLE. Introductory ^ 184 Peach Trees and Silver Maples 134 Drilling Wheat .134 Peddlers Trees 135 Bees on the Prairie 135 Adams County Fair 135 School and Family Readers , 135 Ogle County Fair 185 Fawke's Steam Plows v ' 185 The Best Tomato Pickles 185 To Clean Knives 135 Letter from Tennessee 1.35 Kxhibition of the United States Agricultural Society. .185 Hancock County Fair 136 The Next Great Fair 185 The Cattle Disease 185 Curing Hay 187 Sugar from Chinese Sugar Cane 185 The State;Fdr 135 From North-WeBtern Missouri 186 The Farmer's Zeitung 186 Bees 136 Strawberries 186 The State Fair Grounds 186 An Important Invention 186 Our Exchanges 186 MARKETS 186 Angnst. The last month of summer is at hand, crowned with the golden sheaf, the rip- ening corn, the apple and the peach. — Nearly allof the small fruits have passed away and given place to the larger and longer keepers. The great corn fields are standing out in the August sun, and ripening up the huge ears under its ar- dent gaze. The sweet potatoe is coming in use, adding another to our creature comforts; melons abound,' and yield up their lucious sweets, much to the gratifi- cation of all. August is laboring with herculean strength to perfect the gifts of summer, ready to pour them into the lap of autumn. The sound of the reaper and of the thrasher a the^masie cf the morning, and all through the sultry day; the sun-browned . brow of toil is moist with dewy sweat, as the*golden sheaves bend to the sharp sickle, or are sent through fast revolving cylinders to rob them of the yellow grain. The banners of the season float out on the gentle breath of August withj|deeper foilage, all mature and ready for the change that is so near at hand ; the reapers will soon close their labors for the year, and all the golden glories of luxurient summer will soon pass to the garner of Autumn. The season has been one of deep inter- est and of stirring activity, as its genial smiles gave promise of abundant^crops, 60 long withheld, it nerved the arm of labor and made glad the brow of care. The roseate flush of heath mantles the cheek of toil, and the summer zephyrs . that kissed the waving grain, has left its impress of robust health on the cheek of youth and beauty. The graneries of the Northwest will be stored with ample harvest, and her farmers, her mechanics and her merchants shall sing a jubilant harvest home, and bow down in thank- fulness to the great Giver for the abun- dance that the August sun is now finish- ing up for their use. With^all the re- turning blessings that abundant crops always bring in its train, if we are pru- dent, if we are industrious we may bid hard times defiance, and look a bad sea- son in the face with comparative impuni- ty. But if in good season we live up to our means, no_,wonder that a bad season crushes but our hopes. And now when success flushes upon us when the August sun is pouring down its blessings, and every thing is joyous, let us resolve that in the future we will live like rational beings; let us resolve to live for our- selves and for our families, let us cease Xhe worship of broad acres that^we can- not use; let nis oeor^e -tntt lioineBteads . that shall glow with contentment and ' abundance ; let us enjoy the substance while the shadow is passing ; let our homes be shrines for the household to which in after life the young members may look back with feelings of pleasure. To do this we have but to cultivate less acres, but to^ cultivate them better, to plant trees and flowers,ffor now when the sun is pouring down his heats is the best time to enforce the value of shade, and the necessity of planting, trees now when the evening calls to repose, when the toil of the day is over and the dra- pery of flowers would be most agreeable, but that the spring time called for too much labor and they were not planted. It is a good time to cast back and see when we gave the bond that has bound us to all toil; it was of our own free will, but was it not unfortunate ? Had we not have better stipulated for time to plant a few flowers, to plant a good gar- den, to plant an abundance of small fruits, whose sharp acid is so agreeable in the heats of summer, and to plant the larger fruits that are so desirable in win- ter? Now when the golden^harvest is so *t ' .A-t^Masii ^'Skiiii tmAT ^^^. (' 1 L fI 1 OEO. -A.. I>I?,IISTCE r Caii;iS' E W I N G 31 A C II I X E .S' / S E AV I N G M A C II I X E S : ! S E W I X G M A C III X E S ! ! A FIRST CLASS ARTICLE. Lock Stitch alike on both sides. Simple and reliable — witliout coniiilioation. Warranted in every respect. Price 850 to $100. WEED'S PLANTATION SEWING 21 A CHINES ! S E W I X G M A C III X E S ! ! S E AV I X C; M A C II I X E S : ! ! Price 8100. WEED'S MANUFACTURE OF SEWING MACHINES: S E NY I N G M A CHINES!! S E W IX G .M AC IIIX ES ! ! ! WESTERN AGENCY, 74 Fourth Street, [directly oi.posite Everett House. ] ST. LOUIS. J. W. LITTLEFIELD ^^^ CO., Agents. Also Agents for SLOAT'S ELLIPTICAL, AVILLCOX .V: (ilP.l'.S', AND IJUDIJAPDS .V E W I N O J/ A (' II I X E S . ORDERS PROMP'I'LY FILLED. Agents Appointed. May My. pi 11 O Y E E SEV7Z£TG IMI/SlCHZITZ: FOR FA-MILY AND PLAMATION SEWING. From the very (latterin;:; manner in which our Machines have been leccivcd by the )iub.ic, resulting in (he sale of upwards of 60,000, AVe are led to l)elii>ve that our endeavors to manufacture A Ui;i,l.\l!I,K. M.VCIU.M; liav.- becniippn eiatrd. Wetake tlds opportiniity to reiuark that the policy will remain uuchunged, and that EVERY MACHINE SOLD BY US We shall not hesitate to warrant in every respect. GROVER & BAKER SEWIXG JIACIIIXE has one advanta^re which is worthy of especial attention, in addition to tlie pfculiai-eliarnctir of the stitch, and that isits adaj'iatioM to (ilher li;.ht or nudiuiii heavy work. The Machine which at one niiiiit-nt is uji il on The Most Delicate Fabric, in a few moments after can be broufcht to bear with eqiijil facility on cottonades and towels of the coarsest description. Its ada]>tatiou fur F A M I L Y W O n K , is thus remarkable, and irivis it a superiority over every other style of inaebioi.- in tlji* i;iarkct. ruo.M THE svn:xTiFic amfhicax of Nov. f), l-.V.', which w( think is fully entitled to i)e conclu- h\\i\ ficioi tbi_' liij:b rliar.'ictcr of that |ia|Mr, which i.s coii- sidiTid till- lust autbiaity on all such .^ulijects as that under con.-iileralion. Tbr iiiaebini-s m.MoifactMn d by this conijiany are too well known by ihe puliHcat lar^'e to need any recomniendationsat our liaiids. aod »•(■ will >iiiiply aiM that we have- bad one of them inline in our family lur some time past, audit is con- sidrrtd l!ie most Mselul .article In the bouse ne.xt to the cratlle. mill no |. s> indi>)nn-sable than tliat. In No. i of the llre^ent vobmn' ( l»,V.l) of the Scii iif/fic Ann i icitii, we publislnd an ilhi>tratiiin >hoHinj.' the mi ebanic.il jirimiples of the drover A liaker machine, lly refcrenee to tiiat illustration, the form of thf stitch willbesien, and its si eurity from rlpjiinfr, as Will .as its supi rior ela>ti(ity, will be readily understood." Till rr are constant li kipt on esliibitiun machines of the ilillrrrnt pattrms and .-Ivlis of finisli, fur the convenience of piirehi\sers. \'iiunu' ladiis, e.vi.iTiriiCrd in thrir use and eoiirliiMis in Ihiir m.iinii rs, are always vii band to receive lail> visitors or pure^la^ers. SEXU FOR Cllif IL.\RS. SALES It 0 0 M ? , 12 1 North Fourth (Street, myl-ly \'er(i)iil- Mattoon, July 16, 1850. Editor Illinois Farmer: Why cannot you devote more space to market and ornaiJiental gardening? Tell us how to lay out our grounds and to embelish them. We villagers want your assistance in the thousand little mattsrs of fixing up about our dwelling houses, where, what and when to plant. We want better vegetables from the market gai^ener, and we look to you to give such lessons as will enable the:a to serve us with better articles. Do, Mr. Editor, come to our help. The farmers all know how to grow corn, wheat and oats, and they almost scout the idea of being further taught in regard to stock in general. Do let them take care of themselves for a time, and give us a little of your aid. MRS. T. H. B. Answer. — Ornamental and market gar- dening are branches that interest bat a small number of our readers, and would require all of our space from month to month to do it full justice. To all such persons we would commend the ^^Horticulturist," published by C. M. Saxton, Barker & Co., New York, at §2, which deals largely in ornamental gar- dening, and is an almost indispensible requsite to all those fitting up suburbon residences. The '^Gardener's Monthli/,'^ ed- itedbyThos. Meehan, one of the most scien- tific and practical gardeners in this country, is published in Philadelphia at ^1. It haa no equal in the several departments that it oc- cupies. In the ornamental and market garden it is invaluable, and we would especially commend it to those who have small lots that they wish to make both useful and beautiful. The great mass of our readers are farmers, and many of them new beginners on our prairies. It is a mistake to think that our farmers have nothing more to learn. We have always ^been learning, and expect to continue to learn should we live a thousand years. In fact, our farmers are just begin- ning to learn the true nature of our prairio soils ; the effect of sudden changes and of mcwre thorough culture. That they excell in in corn growing, we must admit, but they have yet much to learn. We cannot, there- fore, devote much space to those subjects in w^iich only a small portion of our readers are interested ; yet, we do not intend to overlook these subjects entirely, but give them such space as we can spare from the more pressing duties of the farm, the orchard and the home garden, and we shall be pleased to receive communications in re- gard to them. The samejprinciples that we lay down in farm and garden culture will apply to the house grounds, and the village reader, we hope, will not read the Farmer in vain. It is not possible in a journal of the size of the Farmer to do^ justice to all the various matter within its scope. Only a portion of our time can« be devoted to it, and we therefore, withojit attempting to be perfect, take in hand those subjects more immediately pressing upon us. No one writer is capableof doing justice to all the varied branches of rural economy, and to at- tempt it is simply rediculous, and^we think that our agricultural journals would find it to their interest to attempt less. The list of departments in some of them are really im- posing, and if properly treated, would soon do away with all other species of newspapers. It may be proper to state at this time, that it is the intention of the Publishers to en- large this paper,'" and iu case ^the' Editor cannot give the work more of his time, the propose to procure such assistance as shall make it one of thejmost valuable of agricul- tural journals. It is not their intention to invade the particular province of others, but to continue on in the present course, in mak- ing the Farmer a journal of progressive agriculture, and leave to the newspaper the broad field of news, whether agricultural, religious, political, scientific or literary. Within the past few years there hasgro wn up a species of agricultural literature which, through the influence of the Rural New Yorker and other kindred papers, have be- come not only useful, but popular. These have done, and continue to do much to pop- ularize rural pursuits, and we bid them God speed; but the line marked out for the Farmer lies within the field of practical agriculture, and to such its pages are ever open. ■ — ■•» ■■ — Crops in Adami County. QuiHoy, July 12, 18C0. M. L. Dunlap, Esq. — Dear Sir: Our farmers are now in the midst of the har- vest. Winter wheat is light and but lit- tle, except on the bluff farms, where there is occasionally a good field, much of the land sown to winter wheat last fall, was this spring sown with spring wheat, and the crop is fair as to quantity and superior in quality. I^have seen some specimens which for ^size and plumpness of grain, I have never seen equalled in spring wheat. Oats are do- ing well, and we shall have a good crop. Timothy is light, probably not more than one- half the usual crop will be cut in our county, and to supply the defi- ciency, Hungarian grass seed has been sown, and the crop promises well. Corn is doing well, and never have we had the promise of so splendid a crop. The growth for the last month has been as- tonishing, and if no accidents occur we shall have much the largest crop ever raised in this county, which has always been famous for good corn. If our far- mers could get about twenty thousand stock hogs to put their corn into this fall, they could make it pay well. Take it altogether, the promise is for more productive and better crops than we have had since 1856. . , ; Truly yours, ': \ ■'■: ; JI. D. Woodruff. -*•* [For the Illinois Farmer.] CoBDB.v, June 80, 1S60. M. L. Dunlap — Dear Sir: — After leaving you at Decatur, we had (that is Uncle Ben Vance and myself,) a pleasant time on our way home. The trains do not make close connections at Centralia and we took advantage of the delay to look about. The Company have large repair shops at this place. We entered the stable of the iron horse, through the kind attentions of the officers in charge; we needed no store clothes to introduce us, and though in our linsey, we were as kindly shown through the shops as though we were simply gentlemen and not sovereigns tilling the soil. Uncle Ben was hugely pleased, for it was the first time that he had been in the stable when the monster was groomed, whose bones are iron, sinews steel, and whose lungs beat re- sponsive to Steam. Uncle Ben looked up to them with awe — a dozen of them in the stalls. The shop, or more properly, the iron horse infirmary, requires a hundred workmen to keep up the running gears of those iron an- imals— more wonderful than the "Big Bull" of Indian tradition, who shook off the thunder bolts of Jehovah, leaped the great lakes and dove deep into the western wilds, beyond the ken of man. A stroll into those shops, while waiting for the train, will enable one to pass the time pleasantly, worth half a dozen visits to the circus. The gardens were next in order, and we made our first call at that of conductor C. Montross. Charley is one of the most pop- ular oonductora on the road, and has one of the best arranged and most valuable of all the village gardens in Egypt. His fine Newfoundland dog met us at the gate and wagged a friendly welcome; the owner and his good wife are now on a visit east, and we could only look through the grounds and wonder how one man. from hia few spare 124 THE ILLINOIS F^HMER. hours, could accomplish so much. In the yard we made the acquaintance of a pure bred rat tarrier, a very fine and useful an- imal in these parts whore rats do abound. The Dwarf Pears were all fine, we particu- larly noticed some twenty trees set last fall, loaded with fruit. We could not of course decide where those trees were grown, but certainly they are the best grown trees that we have seen. (Well, they ought to be, for Charley selected them himself out of our nursery — Ed.) The grapes in the sun were fine, but in the shade slightly mildew- ed. The ground is kept loose under the trees by the use of a many pronged fork. A large apricot against the woodshed was load- ed with fruit, now ripe, (28th June.) The garden of Mr. Pease is another fine specimen of what may be done in this Italia of the west, as you, Mr. Editor, call it, but we glory in the name of Egypt. This gar- den has been planted three years, and now produces good cropsofCherrieis, Plums, Ap- ricots, Peaches, Dwarf Apples, the early Harvest, now ripe, aLso, several of the Pears, such as Madaline. etc. Uncle Ben now put on his spectacles, and after giving the fruit a critical examination, declared that they were as fine as any grown in Lower Egypt. Mr. Pease said he would show us a contrast to his fruit in another garden, and truly there was a vast difierence I "What can make this?" asked Uncle Ben. ^^Under- draining,'' said Mr. P. and the scales fell from our eyes "and we saw clearly." Egypt! thou land of Pomona; the hand of man must finish thee, and in sweat surely qhall ho eat fruit. Mr. Hawley, of the Centralia Hou8e,took us to their farm a mile distant to the west. At this farm, three years ago, they kept two hundred breeding sows, but tliey found the number too large, and now keep less and give them better attention. They have at this time some forty, of various breeds, including Berkshires, Cumberlands, Irish Grazier, Byfield, Suffolk and Essex. The finest lot is that of the Suffolk and Essex. His Cum- berland boar cost him S70. The food, much of it is steamed, and the corn when fed whole is shelled. The pens have good plank floors; with good pasture near by. Messrs. Hutchinson & Hawley are doing a good thing, not only for themselves but the farmers, in improving the breeds of hogs in this part of the State. To this farm is added a large vegetable garden, from which they draw the supplies for their hotel. We re- gretted when we heard the coming train, for we should have been pleased to have spent a few more hours among the new fruit gardens, just outside of the city. Egypt. 1». Tamobva, Periy county, 111., July 12, 1860. Editor Illinois Farmer: Your June number is before me. Speaking of the Southern Illinois Horticultural Society, you say : "Last year when the fair was at Jonesboro, Superintendent Arthur took an active part. He issued over one hundred and fifty free passes to per- sons attending the fair, not half of which were used on that occasion, but most of them afterwards, and with all this lib- erality on the part of the Illinois Cen- tral Railway,[thG Fair was but a partial success.'' I know something about that Jonesboro Fair, The officers of the So- ciety applied to such officers of the Illi- nois Central Railroad Company, as they had access to asking for half fare tick- ets for persons attending the fair. No definite answerjwas received until during the second day of the fair. I then re- ceived a package of nine (9) return passes filled out with the names of the members of the Executive Committee. About half of these were used by mem- bers of the committee in returning from the fair. Some of them were never used. This is the whole amount of free passes that were issued /or the benefit of the Society on that occasion. If that fair was but o, partial success j our State Fairs for six years past have been but very partial successes. The citizens of Jonesbero liberally furnished for the use of the society, the largest hall in their town, which was well arranged to receive articles on exhibition. Every foot of space upon the tables was filled — was crowded. The visitors were so numerous that I was obliged to say to them from time to time, th^|; they would much ob- lige the Society if they would examine the articles as much as thev wished and pass out as soon as they had done so, be- cause others were wishing to come in. President Overmann of the State Hor- ticultural Society, declared that he was both astonished and delighted by the number and the excellence of the arti- cles on exhibition — that the fair was a complete success, far 8urpassing|what could have been anticipated. Dr. War- der of Cincinnati, and many other Hor- ticulturalists expressed similar feelings. Pecuniarily it more than met the ex- pectation of the officers. It paid its own expenses. And its beneficial effects are still felt throughout Egypt. B. G Roots. Remarks. — Our information in rela- tion to the free passes, was derived from Mr. Arthur himself, i and we think we have correctly represented what he said in relation to it, but we may be in error as to the number of them. Mr. Arthur did not state that these passes were han- ded to officers of the Societ}^ but on the contrary we have the impression that he gave them out through individuals. We have good reason to know that Mr. Ar- thur did take an active part in that Fair and it is probable that our friend. Presi- dent Roots, may not have been cognizant of all his doings. Now if the Jonesboro Fair was a success, with only nine return passes, is it fair to charge the present failure to the Railroad Company, De- cause they would not issue half fare tickets ? Most certainly not. We are not disposed to wrangle over the matter. If our statement was an error, w« cheerfully give room for the correction. We did not attend the Jonesboro Fair, and we are glad to know that it was more of a success ^than we had supposed from what we had heard at the time. In the case of Fairs and ex- cursions, we have no doubt that the rail- roads would consult their interest to en- courage them by granting return passes free, but the extra expense of issueing tickets and orders to conductors, has been a serious annoyance, and^ unless some more convenient system can be de- vised, we shall not blame them for re- fusing on ordinary occasions to enter into the arrangement. We have a plan that we think will an- swer the purpose. First and foremost is the free carriage of articles of exhibi- tion. We look upon this as of the most value. In the place of half fare tickets use the common ticket, and supply the conductors with blank tickets printed: ExocBSiON from — to 1860. — OONDCCTOB. These tickets the conductor will filljup at all times when requested by the pas- senger, in accordance wkh his ticket. — The tickets to be of no further value than to show that the person did pay and pass over certain portions of the road, and in case free return passes are granted, would be the evidence upon which they would be issued. The re- turn passes could be signed in^blank by the general ticket agent or Superinten- dent; and left in the hands of some re- sponsible officer to deliver, he taking up at the same time the conductor's ticket as above. In this way no fraud could be committed upon the road, for in the conductor's ticket they would have the evidence that the person has paid one way, and as the officer of the Society could only give return passes correspon- ding to them; a strict compliance would be secured. In this case no instruction to the ticket agents or conductors would bo required, and a large amount of la- bor in making returns, would be saved. No special ticket would-be needed, as a general ticket would answer for all occa- sions, and of courso no loss for extra printing. These same tickets could be used for State Fairs as well, and no doubt save a large expense for printing. We hope that our Egyptian friends THE ILLINOIS F^RIMER. 125 •will soon be up and doing, and we doubt not that thej can settle the question of a Horticultural Fair in the aflGirmative. — Ed. -r . .»- — The Bishop Hill Colony— Farming on a Grand Seale. , We were very agreeably surprised, on our recent visit to Bishop Hill, at the signs of thrift and prosperity visible on every hand. First, it is a beautiful place handsomely elevated, and adorned with a grove on the northwest. The build- ings are substantial and comfortable, and one, originally designed for a hotel, is a fine specimen of architecture. A large clock occupies the cupolo, and from that point a fine view of the surrounding country can be obtained, including a eight of Altona and Cambridge. The utmost neatness is observable in and around the dwellings of the people. It is hardly necessary to add that the peo- ple themselves are models of neatness and thrift. -' The Colony, we learned, now numbers about seven thousand persons. Some months ago it was divided, the seceding portion taking the name of the "Bishop Hill Company," and receiving their share of the property, though all live upon the domain as before. We were told that a general division of the prop- erty is in contemplation, to take effect next fall or winter, so as to give every man and woman his or her share, and thus do away with the community fea- ture of the Colony. The domain o£ the Colony embraces 12,000 acres, about 9,000 of which are under cultivation. To one accustomed to farming on a small scale, their oper- ations seem to be immense, as in fact they are. Broomcorn is a speciality with them, and they have now about 3,000 acres under cultivation. The crop ave- rages about a ton to four acres, and the price about ^100 per ton ; upon which estimate this year's crop will be worth $75,000. The colonists usually manu- facture about 5,000 dozen brooms annu- ally, and the ballance of the crop is sold at the East. Of other crops, they have now on the ground about 2,000 acres of wheat ,•• 2,000 of corn ; say 2,000 of va- rious other crops, such as sugar cane, potatoes, etc., and 1,000 acres of grass, Hungarian and timothy. The whole estate is admirable condition, showing unwearied care and excellent judgment on the part of the managers. The stock of tho domain is large, and the barns and sheds for cattle and broom-corn are of mammoth proportions. -, "Want of time and space compels us ta omit many interesting particulars. — Bishop Hill Colony is worth going a hundred miles to see, and we hope to make it another visit at no distant day. Remarks. — We are indebted to the Henry county Dial for the above. The editor visited the Colony on the 4th inst, in company^with some 5,000 from Kewa- nee, Gralva, Cambridge, Altona. Gales- burg, Quincy, , Toulon, Lafayette, and other towns, who had been invited by their Swedish friends to assis in the due celebration of our national birth day. — If these foreigners, without a proper knowledge of our soil, climate and modes of culture, can so well succeed, surely those to the manor born ought to show better results than they often do. But we suspect that they purchased few use- less implements, and that they have no interest account to pay to merchants for expensive dry goods. When they divide up this vast domain into a hundred farms we shall expect to see the same thrift continued. — Ed. fieport of Viseonsln Frnit Growers Associa- sion. Through the kind attention of the Secretary, A. G. Handford, Esq., we are in receipt of this valuable document, containing ninety-five pages. Considerable difference of opinion prevailed as to the value of protection, and no definate conclusion arrived at. So long as planters confound clearing in timber land with timber belts through which the wind will sift, we shall see this difference of opinion ceiatiflue. Small trees preferred for planting. Most speakers recommended mulching, so did we formerly, but further experience has suggested that frequent stirring the surfaee around newly set trees, with the hoe or steel rake is much better, when this cannot be done, mulching will an- swer. ■■ ':.:■■■. "- -■■'- ■;■•■-■'"; -^ : PLANTING OF EVBRGEENS, ;, The Secretary recommended early planting and stirring the surfacejafter. The President, Mr. Brayton, would plant in July and mulch ; that may all do for Wisconsin, but we have found the Secretary right, so far as our climate is concerned. The bark louse came in for a share of talk, good culture, thorough drain- age washes of lye, sal soda and tobacco juice recommended; also in early Spring before buds start, of tar and oil, equal parts; linseed oil and common tar[mixed by stirring while heating; when cool, ap- ply with a paint brush a thin coat to all parts of the tree, except the growth made after June, on which there will bo no lice. The green aphis is destroyed by dip- ping the infected twiggs in quassia water, made of one pound quassia chips, and eight gallons of water, boil an hour. . ■-■'<■'■■■ ?''[:/, '■_'. .! •'■■'. -■ < -.;• •'k;.:^ ■■■ FRUITS. ;• .::;■;; •■; .: Early Harvest, Red June, Red As- trachan, and Sops of Wine, recom- mended for Summer; Dutchess of Olden- burgh, Maiden's Blush, Fall Orange, for Autumn; Dumelow's Seedling, Little Romanite, and others were more or less approved for Winter. The report con- tains a large amount of pomological in- formation. With all the draw backs to fruit culture, that our Wisconsin friends have meet with, they show a noble perseverance in the cause and are deserving of success. In the way of a report, they are a long way ahead of our own State Society, but at our next meet- ing we hope they will not keep so far be- hind their more enthusiastic, though less fortunate neighbors. Illinois Natural History Society. This Society met in Phenlx Hall 27th June &t 9 a. u. Prof. Turner the President in the chair. The first biudness In order, was amending the Constitution. The office of General Su- perdant was abolished, and the duties hereafter is to devoWe on the Secretary, to which is added the office of liibrarian. The aasessmeat was changed from two to one dollar. ADDRESS OF MB. WALSH. .■-■....; It has never been our good fortune to listen to a more earnest and jpfted speaker, en the subject of insects nor one better versed in the mysteries of their wonderful transformation and power of procreation, than Mr. W., of Kock Island. Knowing that we had little space to devote to the subject we took but few notes, and shall not attempt a synopsis of his very able and interesting remarks. He com- menced by saying that were a foreign army of men to In- Tade our shores, our law givesr would vie with each other In large expenditure and preparations to oppose the invaders. No one would object, nor think of showing the white feather, but when an army of insects that has the power to lay waste our fields, and to despoil the forest of its foilage, have in- vaded our shores, no tocsin is sounded, no preparations are made to meet and destroy them, though devastation mark their way, more fearful than the invader armed with imple- ments of war. At this time the wheat crop amounts to one hundred and twenty millions of bushels. Now the insect enemies of the wheat plant, the Hessian Fly, the Midge, the Chintz Bug, etc., annually destroy at least one fourth of the entire crop, or one-flfth of wheat we should harvest, or of the value of twenty-two millions of dollars, at the same time all other crops are damaged in about the same ratio, and we would be safe in estimating the entire damage at one hundred million of dollars, a sum greater than the annual expenses of our gov- ernment, and yet in the United States, this little army almost unseen, is annually on the increase. Twenty years since the apple tree bark louse was almost unknown at the west, five years ago they were a novelty in Michigan, but now they had reached the Mississippi, as predicted some years since by Dr. Harris ; they were still speading west and south, they haid nearly destroyed the orchards of Wisconsin and Northern Uiinois, and their march was still In triomph. He would ask where is the army, and the officers to defend us against the ravages of these contemptable in size, but not in number of Insect enemies that are devastating our fields, our orchards, and our gardens. Congress does little, our State^Legislature have done little; while the great army of insects are pressing on; and now an array of ^rasshopers are marching down from the north-west. They have overrun Minnesota, and have reached the north-western part of Illinois, while our law givers are discussing obstractions. Some years ago Con- gress sent a Mr. Glover, at that time an eminent entomolgist to examine and report on the inseets injurious to the great staples of the South, what lie was paid is l>eyond my know- ledge, but this Is all that Congress has done of any value from the revolution down to the present time. The State of Massachusetts made a beggarly appropriation to Dr. Harris, but his work is now out of print. New Jersey employed Dr, Jack, and so did the State of Michigan at a subsequent date. New York has for some years employed Dr. Fitch at a salary of a thousand dollars, about suflicient to pay his booksellers bill. Now taking all these sums by the General and State Governments together since the revolution, they would not all exceed |20,000, or an average of $250 per annum. (We think this an tinder estimate, taking the expense of printing 126 THE ILLINOIS FiS^I^MEH. Into the account. — Ed.) A.nd this against an annual distruc- tion of crops by Insects of over a million of dollars. Would our people be content to oppose an invading army by voting to Oeneral Scott a salary of f lOti, to two of his aids seventy- five each, and to the soldiers nothing? They manage these things better in Europe. In Germany and other Continental States Entomology in its rudiments is made a portion of common school education. In the Agri- cultural Schools a regular Professor of Entomology has a place, and this branch is made his own, with no other ^oloff teg added. When one considers that the Insect world numbers over 400,000 species, it would leem to be a aufficient theme and bran«h for one man. In France, this Is made a special matter of Government attention. For instance, no sooner do caterpUlers appear In any one of the Cantons than orders are issued to the pea- Bants to " uncaterpilier " their trees, and it is done. The same Government, to protect the country against the ravages of locusts, pays a bounty of so much per bushel for the bodies and eggs of these insects. This shows that Emperors and Kings do not think it be- neath them to protect their people from these little minute enemies. But perhaps some skeptical persons may question if anything can be done. Let us take the single instance of Sweden, where onco the royal dockyards were being ravaged by borers— the larva of the Lymexylon Kivale—vih\c\\ de- stroyed a large amount of the timber, rendering It unfit for naval purposes, causing an annual loss of millions of dollars. The King called on the great Linnaeus to examine into the matter, and devise a remedy. He did so, and gave it much study. He found the fly whose larva did such damage, laid Its eggs in the timber, In June; and the remedy proposed was to Immerse timber In water; and this was found to be effectual. He would agree with Dr. Fitch of New York that there Is no noxious insect, that may not be opposed and counter-worked, and for this, task, study, and a lung series of experiment is needed. There are, according to Dr. Fitch, sixty noxious insects, the enemy of the apple tree alone. In New York. How can a few laborers and students in sciences cope with such an army? The speaker would deprecate the Inference that the Insect world were useless, and that they should all be Indiscrimina'.e- ly destroyed. He referred to numerous familiar instances where insects added indirectly to the comforts and luxuries of life, as the bee, the silkworm, and others, lie thought, Indeed, that the direct benefitt were less than the direct injuries. They did much, however, to keep down one another. He referred In detail to the beneficial labors of the socalled can- nibal species of iasects, which constitute, it Is estimated, one-fourth of the whole number. Much may be done in keep- ing down the noxious Insects by protecting and encouraging the propagation of the cannibal species. Cards of Invitation for a lady to a ball, were written with Ink made of nutgalls, the fruit of the oak punctured by an insect. The wax that sealed the envelope was made of shelly the work also of an Insect. The silk of which her dress is made, is the product of the silkworm, and dyed with cochi- neal, which is used to the amount of a hundred million of pounds, and if in going from the ball to her home, she should take cold, the Doctor applies a blister of Spanish files, to perfect her cure; thus half a dozen insects minister to a ladles toilet, to prepare her for a single social ball. If it was not for those insects that live on Insects, or If they were swept away, this green earth of ours would be brown and barren In summer, and the green vegetables all swept away. The next paper was read by Dr. Everett, of Diion, on the "Geology of a section of Hock lUver, extending from Oregon in Ogle county, to Sterling, In Whiteside county." The Doc- tor illustrated his subject with a large box of specimens. — These are from the Trenton and Hudson river limestone. The large specimens of fossil marble, attracted no small at- tention. The paper and specimens were both highly inter- esting, but we have not the space for a description. Dr. Roe, of Bloomington, followed in a paper "Some fea- tures of the Drift Formation In Illinois." The remainder of the morning session was occupied In a discussion and comparison of observations on recent torna- does. It was participated In by Mr. Shaw, Prof. Turner, Prof. Adams, Prof. McChesney, Dr. Roe, and oUiers. No defliilte theory wsis advanced however. Spbimqfield, 111., June 19, 1860. Editor Illinois farmer, Dear Sir : I notice in one of your late numbers, that Rats annoy you, and that you have to some extent subdued them by terriers, etc. They annoy us so much that Ave cannot rest at night, and keep a light all night. Please assist me. If you have a terrier you can sell or lend, bring me one when you come over, or tell me how and where I can get one. Please let me know what you can'do for me, oblige, &c. Very respectfully, Silas W. Robbins. We know of no one who has a rat terrier for sale, any one having them can signify the same in the Farmer. Three years since we were as much af- flicted with the rats as Mr. Robbins, but thanks to our industrious terrier and their migratory disposition but few re- main. As soon as a new burrow is made, the fact is duly noticed by "Ned,'' who attends to them in person, or which is often the case, is assisted with a spade and the new family laid out. Farm buildings should be set up from the ground bo that they cannot burrow under them. Our barn is set up two and a half feet, and in every case when a rat has made his home under it, he has been disposed of, had it been the usual bight, they would have had a fastness under the stone abutments, where noth- ing but the spade could dislodge them. Corn cribs should be set up at least two and a half feet from the ground. Corn will keep all the better for it. A nice place for rats is to have the house set about a foot from the ground, a hole dug under it for vegetables, the sides and banking will aflFord them a dry place, in which to burrow, and as they can live on the vegetables they will flourish amazingly. — Ed. -«»- The Culture of Broom Corn. To-day wc visited the farm of Messrs. Johnson & Bogardus, about one and a half miles west of the depot, at the city of Cham- paign, (late West Urbana) and found them busy with their fine field of broom corn. — Early in April they purchased a half sec- tion, paying twenty-five dollars peracre cash. A part of the land had been broken three years since, and sown to winter wheat, and last year grew up to weeds j the balance was broken late last summer. Altogether, it looked like an unpromising task to put this three hundred and twenty acres into a crop that requires such nice culture as broom corn. The ground is somewhat rolling, with a few smallponds and narrow fsloughs, lead- ing through the grounds, at their junction widening out into swampy places, too wet for the plow. Through these they put a mole drain, of over two and a half miles, all ter- minating in an open drain. These are all discharging water at this time, pure as the springs from any hill-side. On the ninth day of April they commen- ced plowing, and on the first day of May put the first seed into the'^ground, and the last of it the sixteenth of June. The first plant- ing is two and a half feet high, and the last is just showing above ground. Some twen- ty acres of the slough was found too wet and too full of wild grass to plant, but with the thorough draining it can now bo subdued, and next spring will be ready to plant. The seed is planted in drills, the rows being two feet and nine inches apart, making a contin- uous row of three miles to the acre ; conse- quently the boy who did the planting trav- eled four hundred and fifty miles to accom- plish the work. The first process ^in its culture is what is called scraping. A one horse implement, called a scraper, runs between the rows, and the shares are so constructed that they scrape the earth from the drills and leave a slight ridge in the center between the rows. To do this, nine hundred miles of travel with man and horse is required. In the next place, comes the hand hoe, and finishes up what the scraper had left, taking out all remaining weeds. One hand does one and a half acres per day, and as he works one side of the row at a time, travels nine miles along the rows, taking out the weeds ; that is, passes twice along the same row. The next operation ie to" work it with a Broom Corn Cultivator. These are made with adjustable mould boards of a peculiar construction, one on each side, with a com- mon shovel plow in the center. These are placod in a frame and can be arranged to throw the earth to or from the drills. — We should have said that shafts sre attached to the former, so that they work more truer than a common cultivator, and the hint, we think, a good one for corn culture. Two more workings with this cultivator, and the crop will be laid hy, when the corn will have so completely shaded the ground that no weeds can grow. Hero we have, from the planting to laying by, about six thousand miles of travel, and this in addi- tion to plowing, harrowing and rolling — (twice). But this is only the beginning of the end, as the largest amount of labor will be in the breaking down of the heads, cut- ting by hand, scraping off the seed, curing and baling. It must all be cured under sheds, which of course will require no small outlay. Half a mile of post and board fence, and one and a half miles of wire fence, have been put up, and a house to board the hands — stables and wells are among the improve- ments made since the ninth day of April. — The land is in the best possible order that it could be under the condition of things ; the growth is healthy and vigorous, and with favorable weather, a good yield may be ex- pected. The crop is contracted to go to Philadelphia, where it is to be worked up into genuine Shaker brooms. We need not say to our readers that these gentlemen farmers are practical men, and men of energy, and that the word fail is not in their vocabulary. Soon as the fixtures and machinery are ready for the harvest, we will again recur to the subject. ><••- Fairbanks' Scales. It is with some business firms as it is with some individuals, that thdjjr stand alone in the walk or department of trade to which they direct their attention. It becomes a specialty with them, and by making it such, they carry it to the highest perfection of which it is capa- ble. This 13 the case with Messrs. Fairbanks, the celebrated Scale Makers. They have devoted themselves so entire- ly, and with such thorough science and and skill, to the manufacture of weigh ing instruments, that they seem to have left nothing to be done by others. — N. Y, Evening Post. It is by thus attending to every de- mand in the wide world that this house has become the great national scale THE ILLIISrOIS FA-HMEH. 127 manufacturing establishment of the Un- ited State. From Maine to Texas, and from Florida to Washington Territory, their scales have become the establislied standard weighing balances of the age. — 'New Orlean Picayune. Among the large number"of the high- est premiums awarded to these scales during the last thirty years, by the most eminent scientific associations in the country, and by National, State and County Fairs, are thirteen by the Illi- nois, Wisconsin and Iowa State Fairs of 1859, and the National Fair held at the same time in Chicago, and ^hat, too, after sharp competion and the most riged tests. But what is of more im- portapce to practical men, as showing not only the great strength and accur- acy, but durability, of these Scales, is the award of superiority in these re- spects by the vast numbers who have used them for many years, all over the world, almost, in all branches of busi- ness, and under all circumstaires. The skill and enterprise of the Messrs. Fairbanks, and their large experience and unequalled facilities, enable them to adapt their Scales to all required uses, and at moderate prices; and so long as they keep them up to their present point of exeellence, and pursue their present honorable mode of dealing, the public will wisely continue to use their Scales, which have been tried and approved^ rather than experiment with others. — Chicago Press and Tribune. tm» Amount of Bain for '69. Januiu-y 2,8S86. February 2,9845. March 2,1003. April 8,8991. May 5,7125. June 6,3378. July 2,5740. August 4,4222. September 5,1787. October 8,1966. November 1,6621. December 2,3129. Inches 41,7653. Average of the Seatpns 45,0000. Dettclt— Inches 8,2817. Amodsjt fob '58. The rainy season 66,1323. Excess 12,1323. Difference In the^two geasont— Inches 16,3640. By reference to page ten of the January number, the amount of rain for '59 will be seen. The dlflference of the two seasons was not so much In the amount of rain, as In the lower temperature praventlng evaporation. <•> Please Observe This.— Doctor Whittier, the celebrated chronic di.sease doctor, 94 Pine street, St. Louis, will send his theory and exposition of chronic diseases, free of all charge, to any one sending address and six cents to prepay post- age. It treats of all chronic diseases and the delineations are so concise as to enable any one of common ability to decide the nature of their ailment. Address, Clark Whittier, box 659, St. Louis. ^ Spalding's P^^i^^ lion togother with, that Van Amburgh g^^^d his non „ is doing wonders ^^^^^H^^^ .Vo/g A. up," glued his P^^y ^^f " i'tf ,0 well, that the wagon and the glue did its duty so wei , ^^^ had to be broken again before it COUlQ u right. THE CATTLE DISEASE. REPORT OF DR. McFARLAI^D, COMMISSIONER, TO THE QOVERNOB OF ILLINOIS. In pursuance of the instructions of Governor "Wood, Andrew McFarland, M.D., as commis- sioner of the State of Illinois, has issued a re- port upon the Cattle Disease, which has been making such sad havoc among the cattle of the Eastern States. The report is embodied in a pamphlet of thirty-two pages, and discusses the history, the manifestations and the remedy of the distemper. His investigations were made upon the spot, he having visited the section of country where the disease exists, in company with other scientific men of the East. "We have before us a copy of his report, which we have read with much interest, and we doubt not it will be received by the people of Illinois, — who are so especially concerned in the matter — with general satisfaction. We make some extracts from the pamphlet : HISTORY OF THE DISEASE. The disease, somewhat unfortunately called Pleubo-Pneumonia, is not new. Scattering cases, closely resembling the same disease in the human subject, have long been known to veterinary surgeons. In the cases hitherto known, it consists in a simple inflammation of the substance of the lungs and their enveloping membranes, sometimes terminating fatally by mere excess of inflammation, but more common- ly having no more serious consequences than the throwing out of a quantity of serum, or thin watery matter in the cavities in which the lungs repose, producing some diflSculty in breathing for a season, and then gradually passing off with no further trouble. Cases of this kind are, without doubt, occurring in all considerable herds of cattle, especially in the spring season, and attract little attention, having in them no elements of malignity or contagiousness. But, you are aware that it is a law attending many forms of disease common to the human family, that what we are accustomed to regard as a simple malady as it ordinarily appears to us, sometimes assumes the form of a devastating scourge, sweeping out of existence multitudes of human beings, and then disappearing as mys- teriously as it came. The Massachusetts cattle disease has no more resemblance to the ordinary pleuro-pneumonia than Asiatic cholera ha.s to an ordinary cholera morbus, or than the fatal influenza of 1842-3 bore to influenzas as they ordinarily appear. •'The natural home of this di.sease, where it first began to attract the attention of the world, is in the mountainous districts of South-Eastern Franco, Switzerland, Piedmont, and the con- tiguous countries. Sequestered and isolated val- leys, in the immediate 'vicinity of lofty moun- tain ranges, appear, for a long period, to have been the only districts where this disease espe- cially exhibited its fatal nature. In the general break-up of boundaries and customs lines inci- dent on the French Revolution of 1789, and in the transportation of army supplies for the war of twenty years following, the disease broke through its natural boundaries, and began to make its appearance in countries where it had hitherto been unknown, and showing, according to authority which appears beyond a qviestion, almost precisely the same features which we re- cognize in the disease now prevailing in Massa- chusetts. It appears to me to be one of the best proofs of its contagious nature, that in its pro- gress, it goes step by %tep, and not with the fly- ing sweep that marks an epidemic which is not dependent on contagion alone. * * The disease had reached England in 1841, where it has since existed with greater or less inveteracy, according to the activity and success of the means resorted to for its suppression. During the last winter, (1859-60) it appeared with great virulence among the herds of the London dairymen, especially on the south side of the Tliames. According to the newspaper accounts, the disease is unquestionably the ma- lignant Pleuro-Pneumonia, and has caused the alarming mortality of 95 per cent, of the herds infected — almost their entire extinction. * * INTBODCCTION OF THE DISEASE INTO THE UKIT£D STATES. With these preliminary observations on the history of this disease, and the experience of other countries in its visitations, we come to its introduction into our own. Winthrop W. Chenery, Esq., a cattle import- er of Belmont, Mass., received on the 23d of May, 1859, through his agent in Holland, throe cows and a heifer. They had been landed in Boston, after a voyage of forty-seven days from Rotterdam. Although purchased in a healthy district, the disease is known to exist at the place of embarkation, whcre^they had remained several days waiting shipment. They suffered severely on the voyage — one of them being un- able to stand for twenty days before arrival, and another also being much mutilated. One of these cows died a week after arrival, and the other two days subsequently. The other two were then thought to be healthy, and no suspicion had attached to the death of the two first — it being attributed to the effects of the voyage. On the 20th day of June, two weeks after the death of the second cow — the third cow was found to be sick. She was confined in a stabie-pen about fifty feet square, with some twenty or thirty other head of cattle. She died after nine days' sickness, on the 29th of June. In August, another valua- ble cow, imported from Holland seven years previously, sickened and died in a fortnight. — From that time they sickened and died rapidly, until his loss amounted to thirty head. It is not needful to state that all these cattle were above the average value, and therefore may be supposed to have had all the care their value would warrant. We now leave Mr. Chenery's herd, to follow the disease elsewhere. On the 29th of June — the same day on which the third cow died — Mr. Chenery sold three calves to go to the farm of Mr. Curtis Stoddard, of North Brookfield, in the adjoining county of Worcester. They went by rail, and on the way from the depot to Mr. Stoddard's farm, one of the calves was observed to falter. The animal being found sick, was taken to the farm of the father of the purchaser, Mr. Leonard Stoddard, where it remained several days, but was finally brought back by Curtis Stoddard, at whose farm it died on the 23d of August. While at Leonard Stoddard's, the calf had come in con- tact with several cattle in the same stable. In about three weeks after the arrival of the calf at Leonard Stoddard's— say, about the 20th of August — two oxen and a cow were taken with the same disease and died in ten days. The disease continued its ravages in his herd till he lost fourteen oxen and cows before the visit of the Commissioners, and eighteen others were condemneb dy them as diseased. "About the first of November, Curtis Stod- dard— with a wisdom which we will not stop to question — sold off his stock at auction, reserv- ing to himself nine of the most valuable. It is said, that up to the time of the auction, he had actually lost only the Chenery calf, and he placed the remaining animals among his relatives — thus showing, as some contend, his innocence of the mischief he was doing. From this auction sales of eleven animals, the infection was scat- tered in every direction. Says one of the Com- missioners : "Without a single failure the dis- ease has followed those cattle, — in one case more than two hundred cattle having been in. fected by one which was sold at Curtis Stod] ( '-'-^ 128 THE ILLINOIS F^HMEH. (lard's auction." It has been rcinarkcd before that C. Stoddard reserved nine cattle for himself after the auction — probably the most valuable. Yet, when the Commissioners came to visit his herd in the Spring, they were all condemned as diseased, and, in the last one of the oxen killed, was found a cyst as large as a man's fist — both lungs being alike affected. A portion of one of the iuncs is in my possession, with its cyst and contents and will be alluded to again in another connection. The spread of the disease from Leonard Stod- dard's was, if possible, more tragical still. lie kept six or eight oxen which he employed in teaming. He was drawing some lumber, and stopped over night at Mr. Needham's. Need- ham lost his whole herd. Eight or ten died, seven or eight more condemned by the Commis- sioners, and all finally destroyed, in consequence of that one night's stay in his barn of the death- bearing team of Stoddard. To quote from the testimony of Amasa Walker, Esq., one of the Commissioners, in regard to the further spread of the disease: "Mr. Stoddard sold an animal to Mr. Woodis. lie had twenty-three fine cows. It ruined his herd utterly. Seven or eight ani- mals died before the Commissioners got there. Mr. L. Stoddard sold a yoke of rattle to Mr. Olmstcad, one of his neighbors, who had a very good herd of cattle. They stayed only five days in his hands, when they were pa.ssed over ,to Mr. Doane. In those five days they had so infected his herd that it was one of the most se- vere instances of the disease that we have had. The cattle that were passed through Mr. 01m- stead to Doane, were lent to go to the moving of a building from Oakham to North Brookfield. They were put in with twenty-two yoke of cattle and employed a day and a half. It has proved since, that every one of these cattlo took tho contagion. They belonged to eleven different herds, and each one of these has formed a new focus for the spread of the disease." * * * "Fortunately this flying pestilence alighted on the spot in tho Union best prepared to stamp it under foot and bury it out of sight. I leave it to imagination to suggest the consequences, if this disease, instead of being set down among the small and enclosed farms in Ma.ssachusetts, had broke out among the vast and ever moving herds that cloud the broad prairies of our Strawns and Dunlaps, our Browns and Alexanders ! NATURE OF TUB DISEASE. My belief in regard to the essential nature of tho disease may be summed up as follows : 1. That it is a general fever, of peculiarly subacute nature (asthenic), with a usual tenden- cy to localization in tho lungs, by tho same law of disease under which other general fevers lo- calize themselves as the disease progresses. 2. That it is propagated — according to tlm lest present light we have — by a contagion as distinct as that of small pox, measles, or scarlet fever; with its regular laws of propagation and incubation, and that it would have its own sclf- lirait, like the above diseases, but for its pul- monic complications. 3. That distasc of the lungs, although so com- monly found as to constitute the rule, is not necessarily present, but that cases may occur of a fatal character before the stage of the disease is reached in which the lungs begin to suffer, as many cases of scarlatina or small-pox are, under tho same circumstances. THE SYMPTOMS. The symptoms of the disease called Pleuro- pneumonia, are as follows : If the animal is at pasture it will be found getting apart from the rest of tho herd ; there will be a disinclination on the j)art of the ani- mal to stand on its feet, or if compelled to be on its feet, stands in a leaning attitude, with an arched back and stiffened appearance. When urged to move, it will do so for short distances only, and walks with a staggering gait. Dur- ing the middle of tho day the animal appears in better condition, eats more frecl}', and moves about veith greater ease. At this period tho pulse is oppressed, and with less than its usual frequency. The appetite is commonly, but not invariably, poor ; rumination is suspended ; the bowels become costive, and, during tho earlier days of tho disease, tho surface appears cold ; and the skin shrinks and becomes tight over the ribs, and if pressure is made on the spine the animal flinches, as if in pain. In a more ad- vanced stage of the disease, the pulse increases in freciuency and volume, the heat of the body is irregularly distributed, the breathing becomes labored, and, in milch cows, tho secretion of milk is diminished or suspended. At a stage yet more advanced the cough makes its appear- ance, the animal drools at the mouth, protrudes its head forward, as if to draw its breath easier, the eye loses its lustre, and exudes from the lids a viscous matter, which quickly dries into a crust. If, at this time, the ear is applied to the sides of the chest, there will usually be found, on one side or tho other, an absence of the soft breezy murmur that healthy respiration gives to tho car. There will sometimes bo heard a hard blowing sound, occasionally an unusual rattle, and sometimes no sound whatever. — These several sounds indicate that either the air passages are narrowed by disease, or that the air gurgles through deposits of corrupted matter, or else the lung has solidified and of course become wholly useless. In a case thus far advanced, there is probably no remedy, and death is the only result. :(: * * ITS TREATMENT. With regard to the treatment of tho disease, when it has once made its appearance, it may ho summed in brief .space. The isolation of tM diseascdfroin thesoutul sh&iild he instant and com- plele. No fact is more universally conceded among all scientific men than that the intensity of any contagious emanation is in direct ratio to the multiplication of numbers from which it pro- ceeds ; or, to reduce the idea to illustration, if a herd of cattle should bo invaded, and the infect- ed removed at once, the prospect for saving two- thirds is better than the pro.spect of saving one- third would be if allowed to associate together without restriction. If kept together, the con- tagious matter becomes intensified, and is ren- dered so strong as to break over the constitu- tional power of resistance even in the most ro- bust animals. Should the disease ever invade the cattle herds of Illinois, (which Heaven avert !) every considerable farm, or every neighborhood should have its isolating enclosure, in some unfrequen- ted situation, to which diseased animals should bo removed on the very first symptoms of dis- ease. Even in those thus diseased and isolated, I am satisfied, from all the testimony, that the mortality could bo so materially reduced as to convert, what has been in some other countries a wasting scourge, into an ordinary disease, sub- missive to easy remedy. * * * The principles of medical treatment that have been adopted are closely similar to those used in the treatment of what is supposed a kindred disease — the pneumonia of the human subject. Bleeding, mild cathartics, and counter-irritation, by means of large mustard seed applications to the chest, are most especially alluded to adopted in such cases as have been subjected to any treatment. ****** Notwithstanding tho necessity for all proper restrictive measures, it is still to be hoped that the proposal to exclude cattle from our ensuing State and County Fairs will meet with no favor. The danger is yet a remote one, and not likely to be increased by such gatherings; at least not to a degree to warrant us in robbing thein of their chief element of interest. OUR CANADIAN VISITORS. THEIR EXOURSION TITROUajT THE NORTS- WEST. A large delegation of our Canadian neigh- bors have spent a few days among us, of which we propose to give some account, having trav- eled with them for some days in sight seeing. Our readers will recollect that during the very unfavorable season of 1858, the Hon. J. Caird, of Edinburgh, spent some weeks in our State, and on his return wrote a series of letters in relation to the country, more especially as to the value of the lands of the Illinois Central R. R. Company, which were at that time attracting no small attention among British and Canadian farmers. This book met with a most bitter and untruthful review by a prominent Canadian, and has been the means of preventing a large emigration to our State. This review was ably answered in several of tho Canadian papers, but its malignity was not bo easily wiped out. To counteract this poison, and to show that the statements of Mr. Caird were truthful, tho Illinois Central and other western roads issued cards of invitation to prominent men, those whoso judgment and discretion would be able to see things as they are, and in whom the great mass of the people would place the most implicit reliance. These gentlemen arrived in Chicago on Tuesday evening, the 24th of July, and at 6:30 a.m., of Wednesday left on the reg- ular train, over the Chicago Branch of I. C. R. R. to Loda,a thriving young town, some 80 miles south of Chicago. Here they wero taken by teams, volunteered by tho citizens, to the coun- try, and shown tho capacity of the land for cropping. On their return they were served with a splendid dinner, gotten up by the ladies of Lodi. They then proceeded south to"" Champaign, (late West Urbanna,) and three and a half miles south of that point, whistled down the brakes, and we stepped on board and met a warm wel- come. It was then near sunset, and another train due, which prevented, as had been con- templated, A general examination of our farm and nursery grounds. Lewis Ellsworth, Presi- dent of our State Agricultural Society, Hon. H. C. John, Ex-President, and II. Van Epps, Vice President, had come from Jacksonville on the G. W. R. R., to meet them at Loda, but tho train not connecting they had spent the day with us, and went on board of the train at the same time. The details of the arrangement and the comforts of the guests were in charge of J. B. Austin, of the Land Department, and most faithfully and ably did he meet all the require- ments on him, of which we shall speak here- after. The names of the party now on board, and which constituted the company are as follows : Geo. W. Snyder, Editor IngersoU Chronicle, 0. W. Wm. Elliott, Barrister, London, and Solicitor to Bank of British North America, C. W. T. W. Lawford, Barrister, formerly an extensive land own- er in England, C. W. Wm. Boulton, Agriculturist, Toronto, 0. W. N. Coones, London, Q. W. W. W. Dean, Barrister, Bellevillft, 0. W. Wm. Dlvinry, Commission Merchant, London, 0. W. Geo. II. Dennison, Merchant, London, 0. W. Chaa. Hunt, London, 0. W., Corn Merchant. John Bell, London, C. W., Merchant. Alex. Graham, London, C. W., Engineer. Jas. Barbour, Justice of the Peace, and an extensive Agri- culturist. H. B. Bostwlck, Toronto, C. W., correspondent of London Prototype and Quebec Chronicle. N. Jarrett, Delaware, 0. W., extensive agriculturist. John Lowe, Editor Montreal Gazette. Wm. Anderson, London, C. W., extensive Agriculturist. W. K. Blxon, London, Produce Merchant. Col. Dennlson, Toronto, Treasurer Board of Agriculture. J. B. Strathy, Collector Customs, London. Sheriff Corbett & Son, of Kingston. Sheriff Glass, of London. Sheriff Smith, of CoUingwood. ■^'J •-•• *■■ ■ r.- THE ILLINOIS F^HIMER. 1-29 Henry Taylor, Barrister, and EdJtor of Oxford Htrald. S. J. Jones, Editor London Liberator. Jas. Ferguson, Esq., Register Middlesex county. Hon. Geo. Alexander, member Upper House, and member Board of Agriculture, Woodstock, Dean Tillany, Delaware, C. W extensive Agriculturist. Norman Holt, London, Mercfiant. Elijah Leonard, Ex Mayor, London. Kobt. Kobson, Agriculturist, London. nobt. WauK'b, " Thos. Carling, father member of Parliament, from London. Wm. Carling, London. Wm. Bissell, merchant, London. Joseph S. Splttigen, London, Merchant. Edmund Beltz, London, Merchant. J. Perroult, Montreal, Editor Lower G&TaAa, Agriculturist. Cliarles J. llynes. Editor Prescott Messenger. W. S. McMurry, Paris, C. W. W. Gillespie, Editor Spectator, Hamilton, C. W. Thos. J. Angel, U. S. Consul, Kingston, 0. VV. James Somerville, True Banner, Dundas, C. W. James Cummings, WhrlesiUe Merchant, Hamilton. M. D. L. Tisdale, J. Peace, Aneaster, C. W. E. Pevaiit«e, Secretary board of Agriculture, Montreal. Thos. Piper, Grain Merchant Hamilton. Thos Sandford, Dundas, Merchant. S. Morrill, London, Tanner, and large land owner, and founder of Moerille Lodge of Good Templars. Robert McLain, Guelph, C. W. James Gowe, " " Win. Bross, Press and Tribune, Chicago. C. D. Bragdon, Prairie Farmer, Chicago. D. S. Craudall, C/iamjtaign Gowity Union., Champaign, Xil. « .M. L. Dunlap, lUineis Farmer, Champaign, 111. Lewis Ellsworth, Pres't HI. State Ag. Society. Hon. H. C. Johns, Ex-Pres't " " W. II. Van Epps, Vice Pres't " " J. B. Austin, Esq., of I. 0. Land Dep't. ^N'e do not vouch for full accuracy of the names, but there are few errors. At Mattoon the party spent some hours, much of the time in listening to debates between the Douglas Democrats and the Republicans, in which they became somewhat posted in the manner of Western stumping and in Western politics. They were greatl}^ amused. Speech- es were made bj' a gentlemen from Douglas county, whose name we have forgotten, D. S. Crandall, Dumas Van Doren, and others. The corn fields with their wondrous development, was the great point of attraction, nor did the slovenly manner in which some farms presented themselves, escape attention. The great prairie slopes were passed, and now came the winding among the hills of Pomonal Egypt, as they pass up the narrow valley of the Drury, hedged in by massy walls of .sand stone, whose ramparts have been cut into guliies, or whose ragged shelves overhang the minii<3 stream. This was once the outlet of tho great lake whose bed now presents the greyish lime soil, that gives to I'lpper Egypt its value for wheat, but a deeper and broader channel was forced through this sand stone chain, and through which the Upper Mississippi now pours her immense volume of water. They regretted the want of time to spend a day among the great peach orchards that are to make these old sand stone hills famous in after time. On swept the train down the valley of tho Cache from Jonesboro, presenting along the southern slope a rapid descent of three hundred feet to the bottom lands of the Ohio, and soon the Ohio and the Missis.sippi presented them- selves, ready for the wedlock of waters, that have flowed on in harmony, carrying immense quantities of soil from the upper country, held in solution to make another State that is yet to be built up in the waters of the Gulf. After dining at the St. Charles, the excursion was taken in charge by Mayor Taylor, of Cairo, and landed at Bird's Point, at the terminus of the Cairo and Fulton Railroad, where a special train was in waiting to convey them to Charles- ton, a distance of thirteen miles. The road runs through heavy timber land nearly level, and in some places swampy. We noted fine specimens of cypress, real giants of the woods. There are a few plantations along the road, but as long as prairie can be had, our western fanners have lit- tle desire to carve down the forest for agricul- tural purposes. Charleston is located on a beau- tiful prairie, rather level, with a soil inclining to be sandy. It is flanked by immense com fields, tilled partly with slave labor. The village is neat and thrifty, and contains some six hundred inhabitants. About half a mile to the nortl '^ the plantation of Col. Moore, and here undei .de shade of a weeping willow of twelve feet in cir- cumference, and whose graceful branches spread their broad arms in a radii of thirty-five feet, the excursionists came to a halt. This tree was a simple cutting twenty-seven years since, and now stands like a great sentinel on the lawn in front of the homestead. Its top is fifty feet high, and its outermost branches measure from tip to tip a distance of ninety feet, while the average diameter of its top is seventy feet. In a short time the young negroes came in with an ample supply of well ripened water melons, which afforded a rare treat. The climate of Canada does not give to this fruit that richness that it here receives, and instead of their being cholera bombshells, here it is full of health, and were partaken of accordingly. Dr. Moore welcomed the excursion in a neat speech, and was replied to by the Hon. George Alexander. He had been pleased with his journey here. The rich prairies afford great fa- cilities for culture ; and the country but lacked time to make it one of the most dcsirafcle in the ' world. He would like to see the reciprocity now existing between the Canadas and the States extended to aJl ; not only to products of the soil but to manufactures. The water pow- er of Canada will take care of itself without protection, and he would like a free interchange of the products of its power and the rich soils of the West. He would extend reciprocity by educating the people and in the extending of commercial facilities. On the part of his Cana- dian friends, he had to thank the Illinois Cen- tral Railroad Compan}'- for their kindness, and Mr. Austin in particular, for the manner in which the favor had been given ; for without that great highway how could we have been here to enjoy this invaluable treat, away here on the hither shore of the Mississippi. lie was followed by Wm. Bross, who made one of his best efforts. Mr. Bross was followed by Wm. Elliott, who paid some high compliments to the last ; in closing he said that he who visits the West without seeing the prairies has seen little. Niagara is one of the wonders of the new world. The vast improvements and cities of the East are wonders, but the prairies are the most won- derful of them all. Several other speeches were made by residents and excursionists, all of whom united in not only preserving the Union but in allowing the Union to be annexed to Canada. We all bade good by to our new-made friends at Charleston and were soon driving through the dense forest that walls in the gieit river. — At Bird's Point we were again under charge of Mayor Taylor, on board of one of the Cairo steamers, which was headed up the Mississippi for some miles, returning we were landed on the Kentucky shore just as the " Stars shone out with their .silvery light And the moon was just filling her horn." So in a glass of Scotch ale, the company drank a health to Mayor Taylor and to the three great States that are here divided l)y the belt of water now shining like silver under the rays of the crescent moon. All went on the Kentucky shore, and sent up three hearty cheers for old Knintuck. Another half hour, and we were doing yeoman service at the St. Charles, where a most magnificent dinner was served up. At two o'clock the guests were on board a large barge to take a moonlight ride on the Ohio, to Mound City, which closed the proceedings of the day. On Friday morning at four o'clock, the excursionists were on their way North, took breakfast at Centralia, and at Odin found a c ach in waiting to take them over the Ohio and Mississippi road to St. Louis. Col. Hinkley, the Superintendent, had charge in person. The immense corn fields now within a few weeks of ripeness, and the wonderful growth of vegetation that can only be made in this soil and climate, and especially on the American Bottom, was a theme of admiration. At St. Louis, the Planter's House was laid under contribution, and an excellent dinner at 2 P.M. put the excursionists in condition to see the citjr. The members of the Press, and many prwninent citizens called on them, and the par- ty was soon dispersed about the citv in sight see-ng. In company with Mr. Bragdon, of the Prairie Farmer, we drove out five miles to the residence of N. J. Coleman, editor of the Valley Farmer^ and unfortunately found him confined to his bed, with a severe cold and symptoms of remit- tent fever. Mr. Coleman is a practical cultiva- tor, and knows whereof he writes. He has some sixty ^icres in nursery and market garden, the whole of which is under charge of M. San- ders, and now in the most admirable order, in fact we have never seen every part of so exten- sive groundis in such complete order. The Ilooghton gooseberry receives a large share of attention, and large plantations are be- , ing made for market purposes. The Catawissa RHspberry fs now loaded with its autumn crop of'frilft, the most forward of which is beginning to ripen. The fruit is in all stages of growth, from the blossom to the ripened berry. We can but think that this fruit will prove valuable on the prairie. Currants do but indifferently in the climate of St. Louis. Here tho gooseberry and raspberry become great favorites. The Will- sons Albany strawberry is largely grown and quite a favorite with Mr. Sanders, wbo think it the want of a vigorous sun to ripen up this fruit is the real cause of complaint with our Boston friends. At twelve p. m., superintendent Hinkely was in waiting at Illinoistown, with a special train for Sandoval, where on arriving we found our special cars ready for the main line of the Illinois Central, bound for Dubuque. At Oco- nee, ten miles south of Pana, is a large peach orchard, one year set, looking very fine. At Decatur, the parly took breakfast, and spent an hour in visiting the fine residence of Hon. H. C. Johns, one of our party. From the top of the house, which of itself stands on a high mound, they could see far over the great stretches of prairie studded with groves and the long sinu- ous belt that skirts the Sangamon, and which is spread over with great fields of corn or unculti- vated plains, on which vast herds of lazy cattle are feeding on the luxuriant pasturage. At the the depot we bid our friends good bye, and took the G. W. train for Springfield, to send the August number of the Farmer to its thousands of readers. We could have extended this arti- cle to more than double its length, but our space would only permit this hasty sketch of our excursion, the beneficial effects of which we shall see at no distant day, in the influx of well- to-do Canadian farmers, just such men as we shall be most happy to welcome to the great corn zone of the west. EorroB Illinois Farmeb. — The Fall was a step downwards from inno- cence, but also it' was a step onwards — a giant step in human progress. It made goodness possible, for to know the evil, and to conquer it and choose the good, is far nobler than a state which only consists in our ignorance of both. — Remember that love is dependent upon forms — courtesy of etiquette, guards and pro- tects courtesy of heart. How many hearts have been lost irrecoverably, and how many averted eyes and cold looks have been gained from what seemed perhaps but a trifling negli- gence of forms. — There is a wisdom that looks grave, and sneers at merriment; and again a deeper wisdom, that stoops to be gay as often as occasion serves, and oftenest avails itself of shallow and trifling grounds of mirth, because if we wait for more substantial ones, we seldom can be gay at all. Y"^^ • 130 THE ILLINOIS FA.R]VEER. ®lie ^llim^ |avma SPRINGFIEtD, AUGUST 1, I860. BA ILEACHE & BAKER, L. DUNLAP, .Publishers. M . Editor. The season continues favorable, abun- dant rains have fallen since our last issue and the "wheat and oats have been mainlj harvested. The yield of both is satisfactory, and as the price is high, the margin of profit is all that could be de- sired. Threshing is fairly commenced, and we shall soon hear of large ship- ments. Nothing has occurred to mar the fine prospect of the corn crop which must in any event be enormous. The potatoe crop in the north part of the State is said to be good, in the central it will be fair, tubers large, but too few in a hill. Of buckwheat not the usual breadth hasHbeen sown, nor will it be needed, as with such an abundance of fine vegetables, less will be used. Far- mers have sown more or less turnips, as this crop is becoming more of a favorite from year to year. The hay crop in many 'parts of the State appears light, especially is it the case with prairie hay in the Central and South part of the State. Many have sown Hungarian grass, and thanks to the forbearance of the chinch bug, the crop is good, but with the abundance of corn fodder, we think little inconveni- ence need result from the shortness of the hay crop. We^have some fears for the fall pasturage, on account of the grass- hoppers, which have traveled down from the North upon us and appear in suffi- cient numbers to create alarm. A cold storm would check them, but with dry warm weather they would increase very' rapidly and prove troublesome custom- ers. It is but a few days since they made their appearance here, yet the grass is swarming with the young brood which in a few days will be Jnot only quadrupled but quintupled. In the North part of the State, on many farms the apple crop is good, the same may be said of the Central, while at the South apples, pears, peaches, and plums are said to be abundant, to prove this, we shall make our Egyptian friends a visit this week, and may have some- thing to say "of it in||this number,]should we return in time. Of the small fruits, our farmers are beginning to appreciate their value. — Among strawberries the Early Scarlet with us maintains its high reputation; LoNGWoRTii's Prolific promises to be valuable; McAvoy's for home use is ex« cellent for its size and pleasant flavor; Hudson is still among the most valued; Willson's has not been thoroughly test- ed, as the demand for plants has not given the opportunity, and we have only fruited those set in the spring; that it is hardy and a most abundant bearer all concede, but as to its other merits it has no small number of bitter opponents who decry its value. Hovey in the July number of the Magazine of Horticul- ture condemns it in no stinted terms. "We have some fifteen other varieties on trial on which we hope to report favora- ble next season. Of Currants, the Red Dutch stands at the head of the list, notwithstanding the efforts of nurserymen to introduce new kinds. This variety is'now'disem- inated everywhere, and the plants are so cheap that the nurserymen can make but a small profit, but if he could get up a demand for some new variety of course every body must have them, and hence his profits, to say nothing of his disin- terested zeal. The White Grape and White Dutch, are similar in fruit, but differ in foilage. Of Raspberries. The Black Cap should find a place in every garden. The plants can be had for the digging and hauling. In transplanting raspber- ries care should bo taken to cut thorn back to within two or three eyes of the ground; in this way'youj'get little or no fruit the first season, but you will have a strong growth of canes for the next. The Barnct (?) a red raspberry is a most abundant bearer and in Central Illinois needs no protection, while more to the North it does. Purple Cane, promises to he the great raspberry of the prairies, it is every where hardy, a strong grow- er and most abundant bearer, no garden however small, should be without it. The Allen, or English Red Cane, is late in the season, and we think will prove valuable. We have a ^few plants from Lake Superior, butjthe^fruit|is not more than half grown at this writing, in its native habitat itjs said to be very productive, and large quantities of the fruit is sent to market both dryed and caned. The small fruits are almost always re- liable, are easily and cheaply grown, are early and late, and by drying can be had the year around. Had Ave to choose between the small and the large fruits, we should rather depend on the former more especially in the North part of the State. *9»- Ilorsf Taming. Within a few years, great improve- ments have been madp in the training of the horse. Nostrums and nonsense have been thrown aside, and the disposition and capacity of the horse have studied and substituted in their stead. The re- sult has been a decided progress in sub- duing and controlling him. It is use- less to go into a history of the past, and we prefer to deal with the active pre- sent. To those who fancy the Rary sys- tem of horse taming a humbug, we would say that they know nothing of it, or have been imposed upon by some travel- ing quack, with more brass than horse knowledge. This race of men will live and thrive so long as our farmers fail to keep posted up in the progress of the age, so long as a part of our farmers can- not distinguish truth from error, ignor- ance is always the ready victim of hum' bug, and the first to swallow the fiction. To break an active wide awake colt to the bit, to be rode and to work, was no small task with the best of horsemen, worth in labor at the usual rate, about five dollars, and then the horseman was not always successful, while the less ex- perienced would often fail or succeed, but indiferantly; but now the training of a horse is reduced to a science, and can be counted on to a certainty, by any or- dinary individual, and the farmer boy of fifteen with willing hand and steady nerve, can subdue and train the most stubborn four year old to his will, make him the most docile and tractable with but a few hours training. The unhalter- ed colt is driven into the barn floor or stable, and in less than half an hour is made to submit to the halter, and in an hour is completely halter broke, he is then put in training for the bit,'orVhat i3 better tie him in the stable and wait until the next day, when an hour's train- ing will have him perfectly bitted, and this without the aid of any other person to assist. We do not recollect to have seen this style of halter-breaking and bit THE ILLIIN^OIS F^HIVIER. 131 ting taught by Prof. Rarv, but on the other hand Prof. Belew, of St. Louis, claims it as original. Without discussing the merits of the claim, we are free to say these two points are the most valu able of the whole list of improvements, and far ahead of Rary's plan of throwing the horse, though that is a valuable one for certain purposes. When the colt is perfectly halter-broke and bitted, he can be rode, and here we come back to the Rary system by first compelling him to lie down and be handled, but this can be omitted. We would say that in bitting, a few feet of a cotton clothes line is used, doing away with the old expensive bit- ting rig, and the risk of his throwing himself, for with this new mode he can- not possibly injure himself. He is then accustomed to the umbrella, the buffalo robe and the harness. He can be han- dled in any way, and be accustomed to the line under his heels or the buggy to be run against him, in fact he will be as docile as you' can wish. Our family nag was an unbroken five year old colt, a couple of months since; we have given him but a moderate schooling with hal- ter and bitting cord, yet we now trust him most implicity, knowing that he is under full control at all times. We took lessons of Mr. Belew in January last, as stated in the February number of the Farmer. We learn that it is the intention of Mr. B. to have a tent on the Fair Grounds at Jacksonville, where he will give lessons at very low rates. He also intends to have the aid of a lady equestrian and horse tamer to assist him in giving the ladies lessons. We think this will be a decided improvement on monkey shows, and the general rat- tle-traps at the Fair. As he will have large classes he can afford to teach for a small sum each, mu-ch less than when getting up classes in the county towns. We might give the system of training, but to do it would require a large num- ber of engravings and^then it would not be so well understood as by a teacher. We might as well give a'^boy his arith- metic and tell him to learn himself, as to learn horse-taming from the book,not that it would not prove useful, nor that a large number would not master the art, but to make good progress a teacher is essential. We have seen this demon- strated time 'and again, by those v^ho having read Rary's horse tamer, and who remain in blissful ignorance of its real value; one of these gentry we saw a few days since mauling a kicking horse around in a dray, but the more he maul- ed the more the horse kicked, and was at last given up; but upon the applica- tion of the true system, which was sim- ply the attaching of a cord to each side of the bit — run up through the gag irons, the hame rings, and through a single ring on the back near the hips, thence through a ring in each shaft of the buggy, then to the driver, to be jerked up, upon any intimation of kicking, proved most effectual, and the vicious animal is now as tractable as need be. When a horse kicks, he lays back his ears with head down, hence the philosophy of bringing his head back to place, before he can put his heels up; one end up at a time is horse practice, and if you can compel him to keep the proper end up, it is all right. We advise all those who have the care of horses to take lessons of competant teachers, but Jo religious- ly eschew quacks. History of the Steel Plow. It has been our purpose for a long time to preserve from the rust of time something of the history of the steel clipper plow, that simple yet powerful implement that has done so much toward the rapid development of the rich prai- ries of the West ; and without which the great fields of cereals would not wave their gentle undulations to the prai- rie zephyrs, that now kiss their leaflets. Were we to build a monument to the progress of the West, we would lay the foundation with iron rails, mount them with a locomotive loaded with the vari- ous patterns of steel plows, and sur- mounted with a score of reapers and mowers ; but the noblest of them all — the steel clipper — the offspring of the prairies — we would honor with our^State coat of arms, painted in the gorgeous hues of a prairie sunset. When we commenced prairie farming in 1839, only twenty-one years since the plows were made at the blacksmith shops throughout the country, the share was of German or American steel, a small part of the mold board of iron, forged for the purpose, the same as for the old "bull plow," the remainder of the board was made of strap iron, about one and three- fourth inches wide, the forward ends of these straps were riv- eted to the forward part of the mold board and bolted through the right hand handle. The spaces between the straps were a little less in width than the straps. Of course these plows never scoured, and unless the plowman was constant in his attentions to cleaning off the sticky soil with a sort of shovel, they did mis- erable work, and became very heavy for the team. In fact, any thing like good plowing was out of the question ; the soil was rooted up into small ridges ; the stubble was not covered up, and the labor was of the most laborious and unpleas- ant kind. No wonder then, that a plow that would scour should be hailed with no small rejoicing. The cast iron plow, so admirably adapted to sandy and grav- elly soils, had proved almost useless, the wooden mold board with iron share be- ing its superior. Notwithstanding the great beauty of our vast stretches of rich prairie, that lay so invitingly open to the emigrant from the stony fields of the East, yet in the very nature of the soil, lay an embargo that seemed almost insurmountable. On page 39 of the 1st volume of the Prairie Farmer for 1841, we have a glance at what had been done, and the first record of a scouring ["plow. Yet none of these plows would scour in com- mon prairie soils, but the idea was there and the fact, that at no] distant day we should have a genuine scouring'plow was shadowed forth: *' The PLouaH. — There seems to be more difficulty in procuring a plow suit- able to our prairies, than any other agri- cultural implement. Many kinds have been tried ; and observing farmers would render a most essential service to the West if they would publish their exper- iments. Could the Prairie Farmer be made instrumental in introducing a plow of the right kind to prairie farmers, that alone should be a sufficient benefit to pay them for sustaining It.'* '< *A Clodhopper' in the BacTcwoods- marij Green county, highly recommends the 'Diamond Plow,' and 'Cincinnattus' in a subsequent number of the same pa- per, recommends as its superior, the 'Diamond Gary.' The Gary was inven- ted by Mr. Jewett of Sangamon coun- ty." v;'-^ ■■ /v.. ■/..;■,:.- :■..., ..■-- "Mr. Gifford of Kane county, writes us that the Jewett Plow is just the thing for the prairies, and that it scours well." At this time the Wisconsin Plow of Mr. Whitney was attracting some atten tion. ....f'^vJ?'^-'*^? ■ '■•rr.v»T^^^ 132 THE ILLINOIS F^Il]MEIl. It would appear, that in 1840 several minds were busy in solving the problem of a scouring plow. The first process was to widen the straps ; next to use boiler iron for an entire mold board. — These last were more or less perfect, and under favorable conditions would scour. The Fair of the Union Agricultu- ral Society at Ottawa, in the autumn of 1810, gave the great impetus, and was the lever that conspired to move the dormant energies of invention, and to place before the farmers of the prairies the Steel Clipper. In July, 1841, Lewis Ellsworth offer- ed a special premium on his own behalf^ for a scouring plow, and at the October Fair, held at Naperville, his wish was only partially gratified, with the follow- ing result: ''The plows tried were, one brought from Michigan City, by F. Ames, of cast iron polished ; two from Lockport,of steel with strap mold boards, one open and one closed ; one of a lot of four made by J. T. Gifford of Elgin, being an improvement on the *Cary' plow ; and another called the 'shovel plow.' The preference was given to the Lockport plows, 'as scouring the best — some preferring the open and some the closed mold boards.' " It will thus be seen, that no Steel Clipper had yet been given to the world, though a vast stride had been made in the adaptation of the plow to the prairie. It would also appear that the favora- ble opinion held by Mr. Gifford of Jew- ett's plow had not been maintained, as he commenced at an early day to im- prove it. We wore out one of Mr. Gifford's Elgin plows a few years after- wards, and found it an excellent plow ; closely following the 'Gary' in form of mold board, but superior in several re- spects, being an excellent pulverizer of the soil, but with rather a heavy draft. rrom the Prairie Farmer, October, 1S42. "Jewett's Gary Plow. — We are hap- py to inform our readers that a quantity of these plows have been sent to Messrs. Bottsford & Beers of Chicago, for sale. They are spoken highly of by those who have used them, and it is said they are very superior for turning under stubble. They will also scour in most prairie soils, and some say they will scour in the real black muck.'* At the Fair held at Aurora, 1842, Mr. Jewett was present with a large number of these plows for sale, but our northern plow makers had quite as good an article, none of which were reliable in all cases, though they would some- times scour, the fault being to a great extent in the material used, which was boiler iron. At this Fair, Scoville & Gates of Chicago, B. F. Jewett of Springfield, John Lane of Lockport, Amos Harvey of Putnam, J. T. Gifford of Elgin, G. W. Renwick do , Daniel Guptal do., and A. S. Jones of DuPage were the exhibitors. At the trial the soil was dry, and all scoured ; but as a thorough trial could not be had, it was postponed until spring, when the same plows were to be thoroughly tested. — These plows were again present at Joliet at a special trial, June 7th, 1843, and A. S. Jones was awarded the 1st premi- um of $25, Daniel Guptal of Kane, 2nd of $10, Scoville & Gates of Chicago, 3d of S5. From this time onward steel was used in all of our plows, and the Steel Clipper was presented to the world. Its paternity is due to no one man, but by a gradual improvement among all. — Messrs. Scoville & Gates gave their plows the name, and being large makers the Chicago Clippers of this firm held a high rank and became justly popular. Messrs. Scoville & Gates. — We now give some personal recollections of the efforts of these gentlemen, in this connection. Our personal acquaintance with them commenced in 1837, at the "Sag,'' now Athens, in Cook county. — Mr. Gates had a smith shop at the Sag, doing work for farmers and canal con- tractors. He gained a popularity with the farmers for his expertness in^making and repairing plows and other farming tools, and in 1840 removed to Chicago, where he started a small shop on West Randolph street. In the autumn of that year he made several plows with sheet iron mold boards, but not being polished they would not scour ; the form of the mold board was rather convex. In 1841 the firm of Scoville & Gates was formed for general furnace and foundry busi- ness, and they made several cast iron plows and ground and polished them up. Several of these we took home to our farm, 16 miles from the city ; in fact we were the committee of reference, and many days we spent with these crude ef- forts at a scouring'plow. In the fall of 1842 we done all of our fall plowing with a sheet iron mold board polished, it scoured and done good work. This we think the first real successful scouring plow made by thein, and was the pioneer pattern used for several year. In the spring of '43, we had their Steel Clip- per perfect as a German steel can be, which we used for several years until it was worn out. In the summer of 1842, they tried all sorts of combinations of metal castings, but without success. — These were ground and polished but would not hold a land polish. There is no question that the Union Agricultural Society stimulated the in- vention of a scouring plow at least ten years before it would otherwise have been brought forward. In 1843, the form of the Steel Clip- per may have been considered perfect, and nearly all efforts made since have been to give it durability and strength, the thickness of the wearing parts have been doubled, and cast steel used in place of German and Pittsburgh steel ; in fact so great has been the demand of cast steel for mold boards that larjxe es- tablishments have been erected at Pitts- burgh for the making of cast steel blanks for mold boards. The several plow ma- kers sending their patterns and ordering thousands at a time, some of them as high as 20,000 per year. No country blacksmith now thinks of making plows, as the demand is so large that new machinery has had to be in- vented for the purpose. strawberries. The question is often asked us how many bushels of strawberries can be grown on an acre. As we have never measured an acre to ascertain the num- ber «f bushels produced, we form no estimate. We see it stated that from as high as three hundred bushels per acre have been gathered; but we must confess that this looks rather large. We give a few instances: "Great Yield of Strawberries. — At the meeting of the Fruit GroAvers' Society, of Western New York, Mr. Glen stated that from one- tenth of an acre of Crimson Cone strawberry plants, he had gathered eleven hundred quarts of berries. This would be at the rate of nearly three hundred bushels to the acre. "At your request, made through the Ohio Farmer, I, for one, have kept ac- count of the produce of my strawberry patch. The variety is a mixture of ■rWT'Jr-^^W'SiS •'■^^^ *^PT^'^'^- ^. oS-'v. ;?'«- ^;'*?f'??^|K-fJkJfl»^''^Sf1S^ttsJWf?!f- ■ THE ILLIlSrOIS F^R]S£ER. 13B Burr's Seedling and AVilley. The quan- tity of ground is a little over three- fourteenths of an acre, or in other words, it is seventy- one feet one way, by eighty- three feet the other. My record of gathing is as 'folloAvs: May 28th, 2 quarts; 29th, 2; 30th, 2; June Ist, 29; 2d, 6; 4th, 75; 5th, 6; 6th, 62; 7th, 4; 8th, 74; 9th, 14; 10th, 6; 11th, 110; 12th, 44; 13th, 62; 14th, 52; I5th, 66; 16th, 2; 17th, 69; 18th, 42; 19th, 2; 20th, 21; 21st, 6; 22d, 2; 23d, 2— making in all, 763 quarts. Now for their market value. Had I chosen, I could have contracted the pro- ducts of the bed at ten cents a quart, which would give $76 30 for^three-four- teenths of an acre, or about $356 to an acre. I hope you will receive records from others more fortunate in having beds that have been cultivated regularly, as this does not give a fair average of product obtainable from strawberry plan- tations.— F. 11. E. — Ohio Farmer. Ninety-nine bushels to the acre. This does very well and probably near the right estimate; but as a general thing, we should think this too large. When we consider that t^ree hundred bushels of potatoes, or five hundred bushel of turnips are a very^large yield for an acre, and take into consideration the space thoy occupy, as compared with the strawberry, we must confess that.we can- not believe all that is said'of the straw- berry. Now if among our many reader^ we have any that have by actual m surement, ascertained how many berries he has taken from one acre, let speak. We want no estimates from one square rod, but from a full acre. We intend to pursue this subject until we can learn something more definite than can be obtained by mere estimates. 4t Rust and Smnt in Wheat. M. L. DuNLAP — Bear Sir: It is well known that the wheat crop of Illinois, and of some other StateSj have at times been much injured and cut ofi" by the Husi. For the benefit of our farmers, and to secure the protection of so im- portant a crop, I send you a few lines on the subject. The Parasite Fungi, often individu- ally invisible, taking root on, or in the plants, and feeding upon their juices. — The fungi are leafless plants of very simple structure, growing from little creeping fibres called mycelium or spawn. They are of various sizes and forms, and are propagated by extremely minute seeds called spores, or seeds — either naked or in cases, called sporidiu or gods. The mushroom, toad-stool,and puff'-ball, may serve as examples of the larger forms, and the fine dust with which the latter is filled, may give an idea of the minuteness and difFusibility of the seeds of such plants. The moulds that grow on stale bread, cheese, and other decaying matters, are examples of the smaller kinds, and when we consider that some of these produce seeds even smaller than those of the pufi'-ball, we need not wonder that they appear so readily whenever the conditions are af- forded for their growth. Such are rust, mildew, smut, etc., etc' Some of these attack the straw, leaves, chaff; others the flower and the grain ; but all are alike minute fungi, spreading their spawn through the tissues of the plants, and producing quantities of minute spores to continue the plague. Rv^t or Mildew, is a redish, rusty or dark colored substance which appears in the stem and leaves of wheat, speedily arresting its growth, and bringing on premature decay. When examined by the microscope, it is found to consist of innumerable minute fungi, that have burst through the skin and are growing in dense patches and absorbing the sap of the plant, >. . How do these species of fungi enter the plant? It may be in two ways : by the minute pores or mouths of the leaves which serve for the respiration of the plant, or by the roots from the soil. — Possibly different species may enter by these different paths. We cannot pre- vent the entrance of these seeds. At- tacks of "rust are favored, 1st, by damp and cold weather following warm weath- er, at the time when the straw is still soft and juicy — hence late wheat is very liable to rust. 2nd, a deficiency of the plant. These unhealthy conditions may proceed from poverty and want of alka- lies in the soil, from the presence of too much crude vegetable matter, as sod or raw manure, or a wet and undrained land. 3d, it is probable that when the grain of rusty wheat is sown, or sound wheat in land where wheat rusted in pre- vious years, the seeds of the fungus ex- ist in the soil. The best preventives are, 1st. Healthy seed. 2nd. Early sowing. 3d. Draining. 4th. Do not sow wheat in pastures or bogs. 5th. Let the soil be rich, but not filled with crude vegetable matter. SmuX is a parasitic fungus growing within the grain, converting its sub- stance into a dark colored fetid mass of spores or mould balls, which under the microscope look like rough berries, and are filled with the minute dust-like seeds of the smut. Its mode of propagation is pretty well understood and guarded against. When smutty grain is threshed, the infected seeds are broken, and the smut being of an adhesive nature; attaches itself to the sound grains, and these when planted, give a smutty crop. — Good wheat put into bags or boxes, or that threshed on the floor where smutty wheat has been, will be smutty. Seed wheat should always be well washed be- fore sowing. The adhesive nature of the smut will be converted into soap, by alkali, and so washes off. Ley, there- fore, should be used in washing the seed. Lime is not so good, for by too much slaking often loses its power. It is a well ascertained fact, ^that wheat that is sown in drills, is much less liable to rust or mildew than that sown broadcast. The reason for this is ap- parent, as the drilled wheat, standing in distinct rows, offers a much better chance for a more free circulation of the sun and air among the grain, and thus the straw sooner dries and becomes hard af- ter wet weather, H. D. W. Quincy, July, 1860. / Eemabes. — We cannot at all times guard against rust, but we know that in most cases the early wheat is the least liable to its ravages; hence the "May," or "Alabama" is so popular among the varieties of winter wheat- The Canada club holds the same relation to varieties of spring wheat. This early wheat al- so escapes another enemy — the chinch bug. Rust sometimes occur during sev- eral days of clear hot weather, when scarcely a cloud is seen to float through the heated air, which is in a condition opposite to that of damp sultry weather. ^Chus we have the evidence that appar- outer silicious coat on the stalk, or an^^ently opposite causes produce the same unnaturally soft and watery state of the result. Now it is well known that wheat sown early is not always early wheat, for the simple reason that the soil is too dry to allow it to germinate; but we think this can mainly be guarded against. If the land is cloddv, we would first pass the roller over it to crush them ; next harrow it smooth and put it in fine tilth, when it is ready to be seeded, and this should be done with a drill to ensure the deposite of the seed at such depth that the moisture would germinate it without waiting for a rain, which, as all know, at seeding time is a very uncer- tain commodity. When wheat is sown broadcast and harrowed in, it frequent- ly lays in the dry soil for weeks before it can sprout, and many times not until the setting in of winter, when the plant is too weak to stand even moderate free- zing, of course all such wheat is at the mercy of the drying winds of March ^ 134 THE ILLINOIS FARMER. should it be fortunate enough to reach that month in safety; drill your wheat by all means. For sowing on prairie sod, use the rolling cutter drill, or at- tach rolling cutters to thePennock drill; this will save harrowing, and ensure germination of the seed by certainty of having it well covered. linen and Flax. We notice in an exchange, that a per- fectly successful method has been adop- ted for the preparation of flax fibre for the spindle, in the form of "flax cotton.'' A vast amount of thought and labor with in the last ten or fifteen years has been expended in experimenting on this ma- terial with a view to adapt it to cotton manufacturing machinery ; and although several inventors claim to have been suc- cessful in this, no extensive manufacture has been established. That this process will yet be successfully accomplished, and flax fifbrc to a great extent take the place of cotton, which now has such a world-wide demand, we entertain not the shadow of a doubt. The demand for cotton is constantly increasing, and un- less a substitute is found for it in some degree, the cotton growing regions of the United States will not be able to meet the demand. In view of these facts we know of no subject that pre- sents a more encouraging field for study and invention than that of some econom- ical mode of preparing flax fibre for the mill. Dr. 0. S. Leavitt has devoted several years of labor, and has epended a large amount of money in endeavoring to aci complish this desirable result, in which he claims to have been successful. But the doctor has been unfortunate in his efforts to secure men and means to aid him in carrying in his inventions into extensive practical operation. With the view to secure this end, and that the world may have the benefit of so impor- tant a discovery. Dr. Leavitt has written a letter to the editors of the Scientific American, in which he proposes to sur- render his process and patented inven- tions to the public. The letter is as fol- lows : " Several years ago I invented various machines and processes by which linens can be made as cheap as cotton goods, at the average cost of cotton, by the use of unrotted flax, thousands ot tons of which are thrown away as worthless throughout this country, it being grown only for the seed. I have four patents, but other valuable inventions have not been patented, and have been used only for tests in a private way. A full and satisfactory demonstration was made a few years ago, in your State, by a com- pany w^hich was broken up by the expo- sure of an attempted wrong (the details of which it is not necessary now to give) when the patents reverted to me. Since that time all my efforts to secure capital to bring out my inventions on a large scale have been unavailing ; and knowing their great value to the world I design to surrender them to the public. With this view I have in course of prepara- tion a work on the manufacture of hemp and flax, in which the various machines and processes, which have proved suc- cessful, will be described and illustrated with sufficient clearness to enable all mechanists and manufacturers to build and use them. *'I also propose to lecture on the 'Commercial Causes Affecting Social In- stitutions," throughout the country, wherever my services may be required ; proving (as I can prove to all persons of candor and intelligence) that linens can be made rs cheap as cotton goods. My greatest regret in connection with this matter is that it is out of my power to lecture gratuitously. 0. S. Leavitt." Hichmond, Ind. «•• Those Agricultural Lectures on TuE New Haven Plan. — During last winter a course of lectures were given under the ausjj^ces of the faculty of Yale College. These lectures undoubt- edly did good, but that they entirely failed to meet the popular wants of the great mass of farmers, from their in- tensely and Bcientifie and professional character and we can safely say axe- grinding proclivities is very evident to our mind. We like to see business men advertise liberally and well, and to get all the customers they can, but when they thrust my heed on 7mrsery or green-house, or grapery before the public, under the guise of philanthropy, wo cry Bah ! Bah ! Bah ! again. If we arc to have a course of lectures, let them be by plain, practical farmers, upon farm sub- jects, and not men selected mainly for their blarneying qualifications. Let the professors stand back and some of those hard-fisted yeomanry we hear these buncomb chaps talk so much about, give us somo good plain common sense talk after they are done, then let the scien- tifics go in on their muscle, and mystify us all they can. But we beg of you, gentlemen, especially of that tremenje- ous enlightened and liberal body (?) the State Horticultural Society that you give us sense before nonsense, as applied to practical farm life. If there is to be a series of such lec- tures in Illinois the coming winter, as proposed in a resolution of the late Ag- ricultural Convention we offer the above for their consideration. — Quiney Whig. We have an abiding iaith, that the officers having this matter in charge will do their duty. We understand that the plan embraces practical farmers in the list of speakers, as it certainly did at New Haven last winter, but our friend Jones will recollect that we have very few among all of our best practical far- mers who are accustomed to public speaking or writing, and it will there- fore be difficult to fill up the time wholly with this class. We hope to see both classes represented. — Ed. EDITOR'S TABLE). Now when the air is all aglow with solar heat, iiow pleas- ant, as tlie eveniog shades cool down bis ardent gaze, to gather with the former's family onder the canopy of some beauteous tree, or under the porch made pleasant by creeping vines, and hold our monthly converse with the tillers of tho soil. We even hear with pleasure the critlciimg on our edi- torial short comings and take heed for the future. Lilce the story tellers of the east, we have for the past month been gathering up material for this our monthly greeting, and most successful have we been [as to the amount of material gleaned, but of the manner of presentation we will not speak; suffice it to say that all have been busy since we last met, and vast pyramids of golden sheaves dot the landscape as evi- dence thereof. Pbioh Tbbbb and Silver Maples.— We take pleasure In calling the attention of planters]'^to 'the card.of Mr. Pullen. We have dealt more or less with him for the past ten years, and have always found him a gentleman of'the strictest integrity, nig long experience in peach culture is of no small value and those intending to send east for their pea«h trees, will do well to give him their orders. His trees are always remarkably well grown, and his selection of market varieties cannot fall to please. The silver maples arc of the highest value for tim- ber belts on account of their rapid growth. We expect to take the f 10, offered for "the best acre of tranKplonted forest, trse of not loss than six feet growth," on a lot of two year old trees, that is of trees grown from seed matured in season of 1S58. The trees arc set In rows four feet apart, and four feet in the row, making 2,720 to the acre, certainly not very ex- pensive at the rate Mr. Pullen sells his seedlings, send for his catalogue. NL'UDEB OF TREES ON AN AORE, AT| VARIOUS DISTANCES. At 4 feet ai)art, each way. 2,720 •• 1,743 " 1,200 " 680 " 489 •• 825 200 135 «' 110 " 70 " 60 The above tabic will be found convenient. Currants, goose- berries, raspberries, blackberries, and grapes should be planted In rows six feet, bo that they can be easily worked with a horse, the grapes can be set four feet apart In the rows, and the others three to four feet,',when planted three by s x feet, it will require 2,400 plants, and at fonr feet 2,0U0. Eight feet Is a good distance for dwarf pears and apples; sixteen feet for the May cherry, peach, almond, and nectarine, and twenty-four to twenty-five is a good distance for the apple orchard, ours are set the former distance. Dbillino Wheat.— Winter wheat sown on old land should In all cases be drilled. We would not think of sowing It broadcast. If we expected a good crop. With the use of a good drill, the grain is all planted at^a uniform depth, Is more flure of germinating In our prairie soli, so liable to contlnuaj dry weather at the sowing season — the March winds are not liable to blow the earth from tho roots, and which causes so mnch loss — a saving of seed and oj labor. Pennocks grain drill is among drills, what Woodworth'g patent* is among planers, or pure coffee to the thousand imitations, it Is the successful implement, around which has grown up a spurious progeny. By reference to our advertising columns, It will be seen that a few of these Invaluable drills can be had at a greatly reduced price to close up a coucern. Mr. Woodruff has retired from tlie shop to the farm, and therefore offers the remainder of his stock. Our farmers can reiy^upon a good article from him. 5 C 8 10 12 15 18 20 25 80 THE ILLINOIS F^RIMEII. 135 Peddlerb Trees. — To show how peddlers get their trees, we Insert the postscript of an eastern nursery firm. Should you desire trees of the same firm, by sending them your or- der, we have no doubt that you will get good well grown trees. In fact this is almost guarantied by selling all the refuse trees to peddlers. Now it is well known that large numbers of poor varieties are worked, these grow freely and make fine showy trees. Of course these go into the 'peddlers bundles. We again advise airthose who purchase trees either at the East or West, to send to the nursery or order through a well authorized agent. Never give your order to a peddler, one who has his order filled at the nursery, at wholesale, or who purchasesjtc/tera he cpn do t?ie best. The most of our dwarf pears for sometime to come, must '.be' drawn^from the East, but we need not pay freight on all.the refuse trash that they have, and to this end make up your lists, and give directions to send such as ordered and none others. i.Uere^is the "Postscript. It is usually the case that we have a con- siderable number of fruit trees, which, (either because they are not strictly first class,[chiefly through some fault of form, or because they occupy ground which It is necessary for us to clear off,) we would sell at a very material reduction from our regular prices. We have at present, under these circum- stances, a quantity 7of standard and dwarf pear trees, two and three years old, equal to the best in health and vigor, and certain to prove as satisfactory to the planter in the end as those now more aymraetrical in shape, to which we invite the attention of nurserymen and tree dealers. They may rely upon obtaining these trees at a much greater per cent, dis- count from tlie regular stock prices, than actually exists be- tween the real value of the trees of the two classes. The varieties are mostly^ well known, popular and desirable. Bbbs om^the'Priirib. — If is often stated, that bees will not do well on the prairie; but there is no good reason for this state- ment for the very thing which is needed to make a good farm- orchards and timber belts will make the proper condition to in- sure success. We started in the spring with four swarms, and have now July 14th, six new swarms and expect Imoro,'and alj doing well. The first planting [of trees on our farm was the spring of 1857.° There is but little wiiitejcloveryithin two miles but we give them plenty of buckwheat. We have sown six pounds of white clover, and intend to sow more of it along the roadside and in other places. We ^use^both Thelps and Langstroth's movable comb hives. Adams Cocntt Fair wiil^be held at'Qulncy, October 2d to 6th. The premium list is liberal and well arranged; there is a live set of men in Adams county, and no one^need be at the expense of breath to predict a failure, for ^no such thing is laid down in their programme. We take pleasure In'acknow- ledging a complimentary through the kind attention of Secre- tary Woodruff ; we shall make it [our good pleasure to visit as many county fair as possible, and shallj^hope, to spend a day with our friends In Adams. School asd Family Readers. — Through the kindness of Mr. 0. T. Chase, author of Chase's band books, we are in receipt of a series of five readers by Marclus Willson, and published by the Harpers, New 'Vork. The Primer (Introductory) contains over one hundred beau- tiful illustrations, both attractive and useful to the young beginner. No series of readers that we have seen, combines so much of the useful as these. While learning to read, the mind of the pupil .is being stored ;with useful (knowledge In the natural sciences, the whole made attractive, and the les- son so uniformly progressive that the young mind instead of conning a task is at all times pleasantly entertained. The Illustrations are numerous and Interesting. Much credit is due Mr. Willson, for the care in the compilation as well as to the publishers, who have so liberally embellshed the work! the paper and printing is of the very best, no other set of readers can compare with them in this respect, and then the price is low. We hope an effort will be made to introduce them Into oar fauilies and schools, they are worth the money as text book of science. OoLB CouHTT Fair.— The Eight Annaul Fair of the Ogle County Agricultural Society will be held near Oregon, on the 25th, 26th, 2Tth and 2Sth days of September. Nearly f 1,000 are offered In cash premiums. Fawke'8 Stiam Plows.— The Steam Plow, recently built in Cincinnati for this State is thus described in the Commer- cial : The Cinclnnatus has been built as a model for those re- quired by Mr. SulUvant on his broad estates in Illinois, Whither it was shipped last evening. The engine is of forty horse power, weights nine and a half tons, and draws eight large prairie "breaking plows," each one of which is quite equal for performance to one of the ordinary Illinois fashion drawn by six or eight oxen and accomplishing its acre per dieir. The boiler is, of course, vertical, to enable the loco- motive to ascend hill-sides, and has a tender carrying ten barrels of water, that being about one-fourth the amount re- quired for a day's steaming. The machine is so arranged as to be entirely under the control of the driver or Engineer, whose "cab" or standing room is admirably plaeed for over- looking all parts of the "Plow," as well as the Prairie Sea, whose fertile face he ti to "vex with his iron heels." We shall await the report of the first practical performance of "Oin- cinnatus" In a field every way worthy of this grand concep- tion. Rather a funny fellow that who pened the above paragraph. He must know a deal about prairie plows to say, "to one of the ordinary Illinois fashion drawn by six or eight oxen and accomplishing its acre per day." Why bless your dear soul Mr. Commercial, them are ploica was made in Illinoy by Messrs. Deere & Co., and are two horse breaking plows, and with which a good team can break two acres a day, mak' ing the cost of breaidug about one dollar and a quarter per Thb Best Tomato Pickles. — Take one peck of green to- matoes, sliced, one dozen onions, sliced also, sprinkle them with salt, and let them stand until the next day, when drain them. Then use the ^following as spices; One box of mus- tard, one and a half ounces of black pepper, one ounce of whole cloves, one ounce of yellow mustard seed, one ounce of allspice. Put in the kettle a layer of spices and one of toma- toes and onions alternately. Cover them with vinegar, wet the mustard before putting it in; let the whole boil fifteen or twenty minutes, and you will have pickles so good that you will be pestered by all your friends and neighbors asking you for a taste of them and a receipt. — In Ohio Cultivator. G. W. aoBLB. A Small, clean potato, with the end cut ofi", is a very con- venient medium of applying brick-dust to knives, keeping it about the right moisture, while the juice of the potato assists in removing stains from the surface. A better polish can be obtained by this method than by any other we have tried, ahd with less labor. .. Tekntsssbe, AIcDonough Co., July 12, 1860. Editor Illinois Farmer : I see In the Farmer for July a noticejof a'sale of land for the first crop, and that other tracts could be purchased on the same terms; should you he&r of any good lands offered on the same terms, please inform me, for if I can get a like chance to get a piece of good land, I will try to do my part faithfully, for the sake of getting a home. Yours truly, J. K. Remarks. — We met the gentleman alluded to at Decatur in the State Chronicle office, but have [forgotten his>ddress. He is quite a large holder of prairie lands. There may he others willing to sell lands on the same terms, if so they would do well to make it manifest in the Farmer. Exhibition of the United States Agrioultpral Soci- ■TT. — The telegraph announces the fact that It has been posi- tively determined that the next fair of the United States Ag- ricultural Society will be held in this city from September 12th to the 20th. The coming exhibition, next September, will be held at the Cincinnati Trotting Parli, about four miles distant from the city. This is a most beautiful and judiciously selected loca- tion, and Is capable at a moderate expense of being admira- bly fitted up for this occasion. It is very accessible by rail, omnibus and carriage, embraces over fifty acres, and is in- Closed with a board fence eleven feet high, having a graded track of fifty feet in width and a mile in length (said to be the finest in the United States) around its outer verge. By the liberality of citizens toward further improvements, we are safe in sajing this will be a finer fair ground than any upon which the Society has held its former exhibition; and it is the purpose of the managers to make upon it the grandest exhibition ever held in the United States. By the smiles of a good Providence, from present indications, we shall have the riches of Pomona and Ceres in large measures, and of fine quality. Cincinnati mechanical industry is proverbial, and its exhibition will be there made conspicious and attractive. The stock of Kentucky and surrounding States will challenge competition throughout the world. Indeed, it is confidently expected that all our industrial interests will be fully and favorably represented. To this end it is proposed to offer a schedule of premiums, which. In the aggregate, shall amount to $20,000. There will probably be a number of liberal premiums offered by the citi- zens. A premium of $1,600 will be paid by the Society for the best horse. It is impossible here to give details, but no labor or expense will be spared to make this exhibition an at- traction sufficient to summon the attendance of North and South, East and West. — Cin. Enquirer. We hope the Society will bo better managed [than'at Chi- cago, as every thing jwas mosl completely, at loose ends.— At best it is but a traveling Agricultural -Menagerie, travel- ing about the country eating out the supplies of the State Societies, none of whom bid It welcome, but come It will- The Oincinnatians should get up a Fair ^of their own on the plan adopted at St. Louis. They are now at the whole ex- pense while this old fogy institution reaps the benefit. Hancock CotrNTV Fair will be held at Carthage, Septem ber 19th, 20th, and 21st. M. Couchman, President, Geo. W. Batchelder, Secretary. The Next &rbat Fair. — It is now adnfitted by all, that the greatest fairs in the United States are held at St. Louis. No other society offers such a list of Premiums. No other so- ciety has made such splendid arrangements — no other society has erected suce magnificent buildings. The next Great Fair will commence on the 24th of September, and continue six days. Over twenty -two thousand dollars are offered In pre- miums ! I No other society in the word has offered anything like It. The able, energetic and efiicient President, Captain A. Harper, is devoting all his time and energies to the inter- ests of the Association, and will make the next Fair by far the most successful one that has yet been held in all Its vari- ous departments. Captain Harper is a gentleman of large experince, ripe judgment, and having been a Director for several years, and being a practical agriculturist and stock- breeder, and, withal, a most enterprising gentleman — yet keeping within the bound of reason — he is well fitted for the position of President of this Society, and our friends every- where can rely that everything relating to the Fair will be conducted in the most honorable and satisfactory manner. We expect to see such a crowd in attendance as we have never before witnessed. — Vall-ei/ Farmer. We hope to be there to see whether these things are so or not. — Ed. Thb Oattlb Disease.- By the report of Dr. McFarland, extracts of which we have given, it will appear that the dan- ger to our prturie herds is remote and {not alarming. The disease being contagious and not epidemic, requires only iso- lation to cut it off. It can only reach us by importation, and we think no sane western farmer will allow an arrival from the East, to mingle with his herd. We heard that the disease had broken out at several places spontaneously, but however fatal those cases might have been,"they could jnot be the Pleura Pneumonia ExodoUne. We therefore hope our farmers will prepare their animals for the [State and County Fairs, in the well grounded assurance that if the danger is not past, it is too remote to create alarm. CCRINO Hat. — ^Most farmers cure their hay too much. Hurd's grass cut in the fore part of the day should be put In cock the same day towards evening, and next day bauled to the barn or stack. In Central and Southern Illinois, when the weather is very hot, it is even desirable to stack It the same day. One of our neighbors who has a large field of Hurd's grass, and which he intends sending 'South, cuts until ten o'clock, he then commences raking and at two o'clock commences hauling to the stack; a small quantity of salt is sprinkled over a few of the first loads in the stack, this pre- vents moulding when going through the sweating process. Thus the hay is but little exposed to the scorching rays of the sun. Every old lady who dries her herbs knows better than to dry them in the sun. She would retain all of their aroma and the active principles of the plant, and to do so, dries them In the shade. Every farmer ought to know that hay is more valuable when so cured, that it will retain its aroma, and to do this, it must not be exposed for a long time to the noonday sun. Hay cured in the cock or stack is cer- tainly better than cured by exposure to sun and dews. Sdgar from the CSINE6B ScOAB Cane. — McssTS. Bly- myers, Bates k Day, of Mansfield, O., send us a sample of sugar made by 0. N. Brainard, of Marion, Iowa, on one of Cook's Evaporators. It is sugar and no mistake, none of your glucose, but genuine veritable sugar, equal to a good article of New Orleans; the grains are large, sharp and well defined. The sample is dry and would at once command the respect and attention of any good housewife. Itjis by| far the best sample of sorgho sugar that we have seen. Cook's Evaporator has won its way to popular applause and If It continues as we doubt not it will, it must work a small revolu- tion In our sugar making. We know that it makes most ex- cellent sirup by having the gum in the upper part of the pan. Those having sorgho to work up, will do well to consult their advertisement. »^ The State Fair.— The people of JacksonvHIe are making most excellent progress with the improvements on the grounds. They are fitting them up for permanent use, and therefore spare no pains or expense. Nearly all of the buildings are made larger than the requirements of the State Society. We shall hope to see the largest turnout ever before had at a State ^tit . The people of Jacksonville will make every person com- fortable. The Great Western Railroad can carry everybody and his wife, so come on and attend this great holiday of the industrial classes, you shall have plenty to eat and a place to sleep: come from the North and the South, the East and the West, and see the great com zone of the State, with Its wealth of agricultural products. Remember farmers that the pre- mium are to be paid in cash, no leather medals, pewter gew- gaws or pasteboard fiction, but the real cash, together with a certificate of the premium, in a neat card suitable for a farmer, which you cvi hang up Id your house or shop. An- other thing you can put your name on the article exhibited, 80 that the world may know who is the owner, in fact the oQicers are determined to make the exhibition useful to all. What will be done with editors we cannot say, but no fears that they will suffer for want of food and other comforts. We have set down in our programme for the month to visit Jacksonville, and see what is actually doing. We are going on the ground with our own tent and camp bed, but we shall need some cold vitUea during our stay, for which we «*"tii be grateful, . .' From Nobth-Wbstern Missouri. — "The county is suffer- ing for rain; farmers are almost disheartened. Wheat was nearly a failure. An old fanner remarks, that the fields that were considered worth cutting, would average about four bushels per acre. Grass has been an entire failure; hemp that is conadered worth having is very thin; corn — the only dependence — ^after having been replanted, is very spotted— ■2,i3J..4;l/i,-ft..i'^--->*L\i.-.t-.i:^....*;*' 136 THE ILIl.i:NrOIS F^niVIER. unless It rains In a few days will prove nearly a failure. The chintz bug is busy trying to destroy the crops that are left— the army worm ia making Its avpearaDce. Bt. Joseph, July 27, 1860." The Farmers Zeituno.— This is a new Oermon Agricul- tural Journal, published by Robert Widmar, St. Louis, Mo.; $1 a year, monthly. Our German friends will do well to patronize it. BiKS— 10 Dbstbot Millebs or Bkb Moths. — A corres- pondent of the New York "Evening Post" gave last year an account of his success with a plan which he has adopted for the destruction of millers or bee moths, as follows : When the season arrived, I put out a white plate, containing a mix- ture of molasses and vinegar well stirred up together. This I continued through all the warm nights of latter part of July and forepart of August, setting the plate at night on a level with the bottom of a hive and near to it, and removing It In the morning. My success was complete. I counted each morninit the number of miilera caught during the nigiit in the llqald on the plate, and In three or four weeks I trapped and killed one thousand. They do not fly much except in very warm nights, and seem to discontinue their operations about the middle of August. I mention these facts for the benefit of those who keep bees, and I have strong hopes, that l>y adopting and making a thorough trial of this trapping system, the depredations of the millers may be arrested, and that they may be finally banished from the apiary. [From the Cultivator and Country Oentleman.] Strawberries at Chicago. — At last Chicago has begun to grow her own small fruits with a will, and the "Wilson" has the honor of being conspicuous among the number of kinds grown. For the first time here has this berry come into bear- ing in sufficient quantities to leave its mark, and it has done so, distancing by long odds ail other kinds. AVe have seen good "Hovey" here from Cleveland, and Early Scarlet, the hitherto recognized great berry ofthe West — the latter in large quantities, along with other kinds usually grown. But if you want to gee the finest berries, or those commanding the greatent price — the important point to market men — Uie "Wilson's Albany" is that berry. The wholesale rate of the picked berries of this fmit has been from 14 to f 7, and even $8 per bushel, retailing at from fifteen to thirty cents the quart. Immense quantities of ordinary berries have been sold at a dime a quart, and in some cases even less. We know of one man who had 80,000 Wilsons here this spring, and he an old Albanian — another who has had about an acre in full bearing, has got a large breadth for another year, and is pre- paring for an eighteen acre patch; this, too, having tlie ad- vantage of hydrant water to an unlimited extent, by which the size of the berries can be maintained to the last. This last person has trenched bis land and manured immensely, and certainly it looks as though this heavy outlay will pay. He too, has had the Early Scarlet in bearing, and has planted a large patch of the same this spring, but tells the writer he shall plow them under, even though they would next year be Id their prime. I suggested the getting off next year's crop, but his answer was — "7 cannot sell thon when my Wilson's are in. He, too, has the "Hooker." In flavor it is certainly fine, but does not begin to equal the Wilson in productive- ness, or carriage to a distant market without injury. £doar Sanders. Chicago, Illinois. The Statb Fair Grocnds. — We learn from a gentleman who has just returned from the fair grounds at Jacksonviiio, that they are in on unusual state of forwardness. They are situated a mile and a half from the railroad station, directly west. A permanent enclosure surrounds an area of thirty acres of dry land. It includes many beautiful shade trees, whose grateful shade will be appreciated by the concourse there to assemble on the 10th of September next. The usual Halls for exhibition are ail built and neatly fitted up, in a neat and permanent style. Ample arrangements arc made for stock of all kinds, fowls, etc. The driving ring is next within the enclosure and surrounds the entire track — it is ja half a mile in length. In the centre is a small ring for the show of fancy animals, and those competing for the prizes. Within this is a neat pagoda three stories high. Three quarters of this ring is encircled by the amphitheatre, said to afford seats for ten thousand people. It is proposed to charge occupants a dime a seat. A balcony of twelve feet wide is to extend around the'|rear of the amphitheatre, and be protected by a canopy over bead. The eating saloons will be underneath, and Id rear of the amphitheatre. Four large weiis are to be relied on for a supply of water. There is a great deficiency in the premises lor admitting day light into the hails, where the articles are on exhibition. Day light is cheap — do let It In. Without it you will have a queer set of spectators. Jacksonville has three hotels, these and other parties are making accommodations to provide for tlie thousands, with gome further improvements, which we trust will be made, the appointments will be the best our State Society ever had furu- islied them. At the return of the annual rural carnival, all tlie railroads of the State carry passengers at half fare for tlie week. Under this arrangement and the great attractions there to be presented, a large and delighted gathering may be anti- cipated. The annual election of officers for the State Agricultural Society comes off at that time, a matter the County Societies ghould be prepared for with three delegates each. An Important Invention bt am Illinois FARUBtt.— We understand that our well-known fellow citizen J. B. Turner, of Jacksonville, has after the ten years of experimenting on improved modes of cultivation, succeeded in producing a most vaiuaoie corn cultivator, differing essentially In nearly all its parts from anything in use. It has, during the past sea- son, been used under a great variety of circumstances, and in corn from the smallest to the largest. Those who are familiar with its workings, say that by it, one row is perfectly cultiva- ted as fast as a team can walk. The machine requires two horses and one man to work it, and it easily cultivates from eight to ten acres per day. In those fields where it was used, the difference was marked all through the the season over others patents of the same field cultivated in the usual man- ner. If this is BO it will be a great saving to the fanners of Illiuois. Our Exohakobs. — Some of our exchanges continue to be sent to Springfield. Wc hope our friends will see to it and hereafter direct them Farmer, Champaign, Ill.,iotherwi8e we do not get them. COlVtMEIiCIAL. SPRINGFIELD MARKET— Jcly 81. WHEAT— II fJ bu; FLOL'U— «n (I0@7 50^ bbl; COUN— 2r.(rx>80c ^ bu; CORN MEAL— fiOc ^ bu; OATS— 26c ^ bu; BEANS— $1@1 25 ^ bu; BRAN— 10c W bu; SHOnTS— 15c ^ bu; TIMOTHY S'D— $2@2 2C; HUNGARIAN S'd— 60@76c; MILLET— >1 ^ bu; CLOVER- f 4 50 ^ bu; POTATOES— New, 26®40c; HAY— »7@9 ^ton; TALLOW— 8 l-2@»c ^ 1»; SOAP— Bar, 4@trc ^ tt; CANDLES— 12 l-2c ^ box; PICKLED P'k— *lS(SM0^ 100; BACON— Hams 12@14t.) lb CHICKENS— ijl 25 ^3 dos; BROOM CORN— $120^ ton; BACON— Sides, 10c ^ ft; SQ03— 6®7cipd0E; 1 LARD— lUc ^ lb; SUGARr-9@10c » lb; COFFEE— 18@15c W ft; MOLASSES— 45@65o ^ gal; SALT— f 2 ^Sttck; SAt,T— *2 |} bbl; MACKEREL— 12@13Nol: CODFISH— $6 50 f9 100; APPLES— Dried, $'i 00 ipbu; WOOD— $2 50@8^cord; COAL— 10c ^ bu: WHISKY— ]8@26c ^ gal; VINEGAR— 10c ^ gal; BROOMS— $2 00@2 SO^dor; BUTTER— 10@13c ^ ft; HIDES— Dry, best, 18c; HIDES— Green, 6@GKc; APPLES— Green, none; FEATHERS— 85@40c ^ ft; [By Telegraph.] CHICAGO MARKET— Jult 80. Flour — quiet. Grain markets moderately active. Sales of wheat include 4,200 bu No. 1 spring, in parcels at 92>i@93c ; chiefly at the latter ; 4,0i;0 bu No. 2 spring, in parcels, at 90c; 8 cars do at 90Xc; 2 do 89c, considered inside; 3 cars re- jected, at 71c; 2 do 72c; 6,000 bu No. 1 red. In small parcels, at 100c; 3,000 bu do li O^c; numerous small parcels of No. 2, red, at 94®95c, chiefly at tiie latter. The above sales are all in store. Corn — declined >^c ; sales 28,000 bu No. 1, In Ota and parcels, 42)^®42?.ic, and 11,000, No. 2, at 41>^@ 1 J4C, with 2,000 bu do at 42c. Oats— scarce and firm. fBy Telegraph.] NEW YORK MARKET— AcccsT 1. Flour market 5c better; sales 13000 bbis *5 05@$5 10 su- per State; $5 20@*5 80 extra State; |6@|5 10 super West- ern; $5 li @$5 30 common to medium extra Western; J5 20 ®$5 85 inferior tOi good shipping brands extra RHO. Can- ada more active; sales 700 bbis $.'i@|5 10 super; |5 15@|7 50 extra. Rye Flour steady, $3 60@*4 20. Wheat market l@2c better for old, and shade better for new; sales 58000 bus *1 22@*1 23 Mil club; $1 24@fl 27 Amber Iowa and Wis; *1 25 new red Ohio; $1 83 new white Ind; fl 30 new red Southern. Rje quiet, 81c. Barley dull. Corn market firm- er, with only moderate business; sales 32000 bus 62@63c good to prime mixed Western, closing heavy. Oats a little more active, 37®40c Western and Canada; .0@40>^c Stat«. Pork firm and more active; sales 10500 bbIs|l«.S5 old mess; $19 12 ®|19 25 new mess; $12 50 old prime; |14 25 new. Beef steady; sales 700 bbis. Cut Meats firm and unchanged, with trifling sales. WEEKLY REVIEW OP THE ST. LOUIS MARKET— Jdlt 28. P.M. The changes that have taken place In prices this week have been few and unimportant, excepting the article of Rio coffee, which shows a decided advance over our last quotations. — Tobacco has been in good demand, especially for the finer qualities, which meeta with a ready sale at veey full prices. Hemp— The receipts were (luite moderate tliis week, which caused a firmer feeling, but no change has taken place in prices. The highest grades are in active demand, but com- mon qualities are quiet, at previous quotations. Prime is quoted at f 116, and choice at $120 to 122. Flour— this arti- cle is without special change. Transactions have been small, and the mai-ket ia dull at our quotations. Round lots city su- perfine, in store, are very dull, and it would be very difficult to sell at $4 75. Fresh ground is selling in small lots at $5 25. Country super dull at $4 75®5. Do extra |G 75®8, accord- ing to brand. Wheat— the continued dullness in flour has in- duced buyers to hold off, and the market has been dull, and prices of fall declined about 5 cents for the week, closing quiet at 80®96 for spring and club, 1@1 15 for common to choice fail. Cork— opened dull, but towards the latter part of the week there was an increased demand at steady prices. Oais— advanced l@2c for new the first two days of the week, and the market ruled steady up to yesterday, when tho re- ceipts were large, causing an easier market. To-day prices were steady, but sales were quiet moderate. Whisky— un- changed 18c. Provisions are firm and prices of bacon shoulders and sides rule >^ higher than at the date of our last review. Shoulders OiSXc Rib sides ny.o. Clear do 12^40. Plain hams can- vassed llj^c. Sugar cured do 12;^ to 12Jic. Mess pork un- changed at $19 50 to $2'i. Choice lard is held at 13c per pound. Groceries— ihe light stock of Rio coffee in the United States, and advance in prices at New Orleans and other points, caused a finer market, and holders are now asking 16 ®17c for good fair to prime. Small lots of the latter are sold atl6>ic. Sugar has ruled firm, with a moderate business, and price, have a tendency npward. There is very little Louisiana sugar here that can be had at less than 8c, and we quote the range at $8@8%c. Molasses continues very dull and nominal. Rcboiied 80@80c ; prime plantation 86@3Sc. Southern freight steady. Flour 40c, pork 65c, corn 26c ft bag, hemp and hay $85®.40c, lead 20c, other weight 25c ft 100 fts. Coastwise freight about 5c higher. ST. LOUIS LIVE STOCK MARICET— Jcly 28. Beef Cattle — The supply has been large, and a further de- cline has taken place; the best beeves have been sold at 2^ @3c I? ft gross; common at 13i'@23^o<' and yards full, at the close, of all descrij>tions.« The demand is fair at the prices, and more cattle have been taken for shipment during the week than is usual at this sea.son of the year. Over 300 head ship- ped south; 140 shipped east. Hogs — In light supply and good demand, with prices at 6® 6>f c ^ ft net. Shipped south 260 head. [Abridged from the New York Times, 26th.] NEW YORK CATTLE MARKET— July 25. Just OS we expected, and cautioned people against, cattle dealers, and owners also, were excited over the advance in the price of beef secured by the forestalling operations of the New York dealers during the two weeks past. The result Is, we have had nearly five thousand head of beef cattle forced into this week's market, when less than four thousand head were really needed. More than forty per cent, of these came from Illinois, and nearly seventy per cent, of the whole camo from beyond the Ohio, so that they must have been started from home before the result of last week's market was known. They were therefore forwarded on the strength of the slight upward turn of the prices two weeks ago. Of course the mar- ket broke down to-day, or rather yesterday, wlien every effort was made by the brokers to get off their consignments at from $G to $S ^ head less than was obtained for the same grades last week. But the buyers, who felt themselves victim- ized by the' brokers last week, were disposed to have their turn, and they bought provokingly slow and sparingly. The sales dragged heavy all day, but the cattle were nearly all worked off at nightfall, many of the butchers having taken In nearly a double supply, preferring this course to running the risk of any chance advance at the following market. Forward- ers will do well to keep in mind that there is now on hand a considerable surplus. Of the 4,115 bullocks yarded at Forty-fourth street this week, so far as we could ascertain their origin from owners and salesmen, and from the yard-books, 507 head came from New York, 182 from Indiana, 1,764 from Illinois, 199 from Iowa, 202 from Kentucky, 974 from Ohio, 97 from Pennsylva- nia, 43 from Virginia, 76 from Canada, and 11 from New Jer- sey. Tuesday's prices were generally from j^c@J^c ^ ft lower than one week ago, and about half the cattle were sold on that day. A further reduction of some $3 ^ head had to be made on Wednesday, before buyers would take hold, and even then business was very dull, and the yards were barely emptied at nightfall, most of the sales of this day being at a decline fully Ic upon the prevailing rates of last Wednesday. Taking the average of the entire transactions of this week's market, and setting down those of last week for comparison, we have the following : TJiis Week. La«t Week. Premium None. None. First quality 9>4® 9X »%@10)i Medium quality 8>^@ 8?^ 9 @ O^jJ' Poor quality ... 7X® 8 8X® 9 Poorest quality 6?;^® 7;^: 7?^@ 8^ General selling prices 73^® 9 8>i@in Averageof all sales, about 8X@ 8^ 9 @ 9M For very few of the choice fat steers 9ii@9>4 c was obtained, but there were plenty of fine beeves at 9c, and very passable ones at 8^c. P'^^ ENiNOCK'S PATENT WHEAT DRILL. I have on hand a few of this well known and celebrated Wheat Drill made at the Quincy Agricultural Works, which I wish to close out this season, and will sell them at Fifty Dollars Cash at Quincy, this offers a chance for a few far- mers to buy a good drill at much less than tliey have been sold at heretofore, the price has always been $80 until last season. Address, H. D. WOODRUFF, augl-f2m Quincy, Adams Co., 111. 100,000 PEACH TR EES. HIGHTSTOWN, (N. J.) NURSERIES, ESTABLISHED 1826. Isaac Pnllen, Proprietor. FRUIT AND ORNAMENTAL TREES of thrifty growth and fine assortment of varieties for sale in the fall of 1860 and spring of 1861. Persons desirous of purchasing are invited to write for description catalogues, which will be ready for distribution by the first of August. In addition to his usual large stock of Fruit and Ornamen- tal Trees, the proprietor has the pleasure of offering for fall and spring sales, the largest and finest stock of PEJLCH TREES which he has ever grown. The late severe winter proved bo disastrous to peach nurseries In sections of the country, both North and South, has In no manner injured his. Those who intend to plant lagely are especially Invited to visit the nur- series and examine the stock for themselves. A long experi- ence, extending through a period of over thirty years enables the proprietor to raise such varieties as succeed well for mark- et purposes. During this period he has sent trees to all sec- tions of the country, and knows from an extensive correspon- dence with his customers how each kind succeeds, and which have proved profitable in particular localities. With this ex- perience, he can confidently recommend his stock, and can assure those who leave the selection af kinds to him, that they shall receive only such as will prove remunerative. During the months of August and September the fruit of the principle varieties of Peach, Pear and Apple may be seen; at which time those intending to plant are invited to call. All orders, communications, etc., to be addressed to, ISAAC PULLEN, Higlitstown, Mercer Co., New Jersey. N. B.— 100,000 Silver Maple Seedlings, one year old. aug l-4m THE ILLINOIS FAKMER. 131^ HANON'S MOLE PLOW.— Righti for the manufacture and use of Hanon'a Pa- tent Mole Plow, can be had on application to the subscriber or his traveling agents. This plow was patented in March, 1860. It is now running in Christian county and gives the best satisfaction. Cuts a curve ditch when necessary, guages in depth from two to four feet, and will cut from two to three hundred rods per day. For full particulars address, JESSE HANON, Jr. jy31-wf4m TaylorvlUe, Christian Co., 111. BBRhe evil in its bud.— dr. whit- BtIEB, an experienced physician, has for many years made private diseases, and diseases arising froni self-abuse, his study and business, with unexampled success. Confidential consultation free; cures guaranteed; charges moderate Office 94 Pine street, between Sixth and Seventh streets,] St. Louis, Box 669. Office hours, from 8 a. m. to 8 p. M. jy28 dtf R. BAAKEE TREATS ALL DISEASES. D Special attention given to all Chronic Diseases — Coughs, Croup, Consumption, Influenza, Asthma, Bronchitis — all diseases of the nose, mouth, throat and lungs; «!! skin diseases of every description successfully treated — Lumbago, Lumbar Abscesses, Scrofula, Rheumatism, Gout, Neuralgia, Paralysis, Epilepsy or Convulsions, Dyspepria, Dysentery, Diarrhocea. — The very worst cases of Piles cured in a short time; also dis- eases of the stomach, liver and bowels. There are many dis- eases incidental to women and children, which are treated with distinguished success. AU particulars will be ^ven by letter. Dr. Baakee can produce one thousand certificates of his perfect succcs in curing Cancers, old Sores or Ulcers, Hip Diseases, Fistula of every description. Scald Heads, Wens, Polypus of the Nose, or in any otlier part of the body. Tumors and Swellings, of every description, and without the use of the knife or any surgical instrument. Dr. Baakee has made anew discovery of a "Fluid" that will produce absorption of the Cataract, and restore perma- nent vision to the EYE, without resort to the knife. All diseases of thy EYES and EARS are successfully treated with- out the use of the knife or the needle. Dr. Baakee has con- stantly on hand at his office a very extensive assortsnent of beautiful Artificial Eyes and Tympanums or Ear Drums, which are suitable for either sex and all ages — inserted in five minutes. Ear Trumpets of every description, also every variety of artificial article known in the world. Doctor Baakee is one of the most celebrated and skillful physicians and surgeons now living. His fame is known per- sonally in every principal city of the world. All letters addressed to Dr. Baakee must contain ten cents to pay postage. AU Chronic diseases can be treated by cor- respondence. Office at No. 61 North Fifth street, near the corner of Lo- cust, St. Louis Mo. Office hours from 9 a.m., to 4 p.m. DOCTOR BAAKEE. julyl8-dtriw-w4fly ILLINOIS MDTCAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY. CAPITAL J UNLIMITED AXD COMSTAJfTLT INCREASING. PRESENT FUND for the paymcDt of LOSSES BY FIRE 91,000,000 00 kRINCIPAL OFFICE AT ALTON, ILL. XT This company was chartered in 1889, and insures, at a moderate cost, almost every species of property in Illinois against Loss or Damage by Fire. The rates of risk arg so ar- ranged that each class of property insured will support its own loss. Every one insured becomes a member — the Company be- ing an association of customers — each of whom is concerned in insuring his neighbor. The capital augments in exact ratio with the increase of risks; the security for which remains in the liands of the insured; therefore, every member is the trea- surer of his own money until the same is required for the pur- pose of paying losses. BOARD OF DIRECTORS : Timo. Turner, Lyman Ti-umbull, H, W. Billings, Benj. F. Long Samuel Wade, M. G, Atwood, John James, L. Kellenberger, Robert Smith, Henry Lea, Elias Hibbard, Alfred Dow, P. i.. Hoffman, B. K. Hart, John Atwood. B. F. LONG, Preadent. . Eellbnberger, Treas. M. G. Atwood, Sec'y. John Atwood, Ass't. Sec'y- John Blaisdbll, Gen'l Agent. ^^Application for insurance may be made to the Local Agents, one or more of whom may be found in every county n this State. JAMES L. HILL, Agent. janl0-d8m-wly COOK'S PORTABLE SUGAR EVAPOR- ATOR, for making Sorghum Sugar. THE MOST BAPID EVAPORATOB I^ THB WOBLD. Very simple and beautiful In its operation. Is a self-dtfe- cator, and entirely dispenses with all chemicals for clarifying. It maJcesa beautifully clear and honey like syrup, and is the only Evaperator which has yet made Sorghum Sugar success- fully. It is portable; always in order: economizes fuel and never fails to give perfect satisfaction. PRICES, 4c. OF EVAPORATOR. No. 2, Pan 46 by 72 in. galv. Iron, |45; same size, copper, $i55. " 3, " 45 by 90 " 65; " " 75. " 4, " 45 by 108 " 66; " " 86. Weight, without Capacity for Boiling good Brick. Cane Juice. No. 2, 245 ftl. No. 2, about 2 bbls. ^ hour. " 8, 380 " '* 8, " 8 " " «' 4, 830 " •• 4, " 4 •« " T:o 0 USE D LAS T YS AX . TESTIMONIALS FBOM THB PBESS. "Operates admirably." — American Agriculturist, "Entire success." — Cleveland Plaindealer. " Makes actual veni table sugar." — N. Y. Tribune. "Very valuable Invention." — Scienttjic American. " The most successful." — Ohio Cultivator. " Working wonders.^' — MiUcaiikie Democrat. ^ . FBOM THE PEOPLE. The following are the names of a few of the many farmers who have made sugar equal to the best New Orleans, from the crop of 1859. 0. N. Brainard, Marion, Iowa; Isaac Earsuer, Florida, 0.; J. Q. Beattle, Defiance, 0.; John Richards, Tecumseh, Slich.; John Reed, Mansfield, O.; H. Mansfield, Lexington, O.; E. Jones, New Philadelphia, O.; E. 3. Baker, Locust Corner, 0.; N. Caruthers, Lexington, 0.; G. Aberl, Richland, 0. ^^ Send for circular. BLYMYERB, BATES k DAY, Enocb Paine, Agent, Mansfield, O. Springfield, His. tf RON AMALGAM BELLS .— We take pleasure in directing the attention of those in- terested to the annexed PRICE LIST of our cheap and su- perior Church, School, Steamboat and Farm Bella, which. It will be observed, are offered at about one-third as much as is charged for those of like weights of brass composition, and less than half the price of steel. These Bells are manufactured from an Amalgam, cont^n- ing a liberal proportion of iron, and which, while it is much cheaper than the compositions heretofore employed for the same purpose, yet seems to possess strength, durability, and immunity from fracture during frosty weather, equal, if not superior to the latter. Having had our sets of patterns renewed, and entirely re- constructed after approved models, we feel assured of afford- ing satisfaction in all cases where parties are pleased to favor us with their orders. FARMS, SCHOOL, HOTEL AND SHOP BELLS, Fitted with Yoke, Standards and Crank, complete for use. Ko. Diameter. Wt. of BeU and IJanginga . Price. 0 13 inches 50 Bs $ 5 00 1 16 " 66" 6 00 2 18 " 96-" 9 00 3 20 " 123" 12 00 4 23 " 209" 2000 CHURCH, ACADEMY, FIRE-ALARM AND STEAMBOAT BELLS. Rigged with Yoke, Standards, Toling-Hammer and Wheel. U'o. Diameter. Wi. of Bell and Hangings. Price. ..2S inches 800 fts | 85 00 .478 " 55 00 ..650 " 76 00 ..725 " 85 00 ..625 " 100 00 .1050 " 125 00 .1250 " 150 OU 6 32 7 84 8.... ...36 9 38 10 40 12 45 15 52 ALL BELLS ARE WARRANTED (a new one given in case of breaking by ordinary ringing,) FOR TWELVE MONTHS from the date of purchase. ^^" Orders, accompanied with the cash, or satisfactory city reference, will have prompt attention, and be delivered to transportation company free of charge for drayage. WATKIN, FREE & CO., (Successors to Sedges, Fr6e OHRER'S COMMERCIAL COLLEGE; Cormr Fourth, and Poplar Streets, ST. LOTUS, MO. A full course of instruction in this institution embraces double;entry book-keeping. Commercial Law, Arithmetic and Penmanship ; also, Mathe- matics in all its branches. Drawing, Modern and Classic Languages, and DETECTING COUNTERFEIT MONEY. Gentlemen can enter for the course separately, and at any time, as instruction is given individually and not in classes, eacli department being independent of the other, and under the control of a Professor educated for the especial depart- ment in which he is employed. For particulars call at the College, or address junel-ly LOUIS ROHRER. PIANOS AND MELODEONS. A. REED, 49 North Fifth Street, St. Louis, Mo., Wholesale and Retail Dealer in A. W. Ladd & Co.'s World's fair Prize Medal Full Iron Frame Grand andSquare Piano Fortes ; Haliet, Davis 4 Co.'s Celebrated Patent Suspension Bridge New Curved Scale and Re- peating Grand Action Piano, with entire Iron Frames. Every Instrument fully warranted. Also, Mason & Hamlin's un- rivalled Melodeons and Harmoniums for Parlors, Churches, Semiiuiries and Lodges; ail. of which have received upwards of sixty gold and silver medals for their superb instruments. A liberal discount to Clergymen, Seminaries, Vestries, Churches and LodKes. Orders by letter or otherwise prompt- ly attended to. Pianos tuned and repaired in the best man- „gy_ maldawGm fS^?!^^^"'- .V ;>Trr^:SV'T7?'«p?;!!E5?»5??«3°ff^T7*'^^^^^^^ THE li^LINOIS FARMER. 189 w HEELER & WILSON S E W I Zr G M A 0 H I XT E S . ^0. 133 North Fourth Street, St. Louis, Mo. Theclegftnce, speed, nolselessness and simplicity of the machine ; the beauty and strength of the stitch ; being alike on both sides, impossible to ravel, and leaving no chain or ridge on the under Bide ; the economy of thread and adapta- bility to the thickest or thinnest fabrics, have rendered this the , THK MOST SUCCESSFCL AND POPULAR Family Sewing Machine N ow M a d e . At my office, I sell at New Yorlc prices, and give INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE, to enable purchasers to sew ordinary seams, hem, fell, quilt, gather, bind and tuck, all on the same machine, and warrant for three years. The following commendations are selected from a mass of similar documents, with which a volume might easily be filled. We feel gratified to know that many other persons of the highest literary, political and social standing in this country, have volunteered their warm approval of our Family Sewing Machine : " We are having a great many inquiries for sewing machinesfrom various parts of the covmtry, and as we can not conveniently reply to tliem by mail, we have thought it proper to state our opinion in regard to them in this public manner. There are a number of very excellent machines now in the market which are deservedly successful. We have, however, never used but one, namely, AVilson's patent, manufactured by the Wheeler k Wilson manufacturing com- pany, and we can say in regard to it that it is without a rival. No other machine exceeds it in its adaptation to all the pur- poses of domestic use. It is simple, not easily put out of order when in proper hands, and in point of effectiveness and finish, no other machine stands ahead of it. We state this much in regard to tlie excellent machine upon our own rcsponsibilitv, and without the slightest intention to disparage other machines well known to the public ; and we hope there- by to save ourselves considerable time and postage in answer- ing letters which frequently come to us with inquiries touch- ing this subject. "—Hcientijic American, April 24, 1868. " We prefer the 'nTieeler k Wilson sewing machines for family use. They will force the industry of woman into a thousand new channels, and emancipate her from the cramp- ed postur» and slow starvation of needle work. "—iVeio York Tribune. " Wheeler & Wilson's machines are the favorities for fam- ilies, being especially adapted to that purpose. They work more rapidly, with less friction, and with a greater economy of thread than most, if not ail others. " — New York Times. " The Wheeler & Wilson is the machine par excellence for family use, and we recommend it most emphatically. " — Ad- vocate and Journal. " There is not an invention of this Inventive age which honors h merican genius more than the sewing machine. No family ought to be deprived of its benefits. " — lnde/pend«nt. " A sewing machine is among the most useful and economi- cal articles housekeepers can purchase. In looking out for the best, it would be well to see machines of Wheeler k Wil- son bsfore purchasing elsewhere. " — Examiner. " Wheeler k Wilson's machine are the best ever offered to public patronage. They are simple and durable ; easily kept in repair; work without noise; sew with great rapidity; make an even and firm stitch on both sides, that will not rip ; economize tlu-ead, and are applicable to every purpose and material common to the art in question. ^'— Christian Inq. " Wheeler & Wilson's machines combine everything that can be required in the manufacture of garments. Our friends abroad may be assured that they will give entire satisfaction, and that to purchase one of them is a safe investment. " — Obsei-ver. ^^-Send or call for circular, containing full particulars, prices, testimonials. Ac. Junel-ly * A. SUMNER. TO Architects) Builder 9^ CARPENTERS, MACHINISTS, AHD . DBCOBATORS. NOW PUBLISHING WEHKLT, TEE •Mrchitects^ and Jtiechanics^ JOURNAL, The only Illustrated Weekly publication of Its kind In this country, and indispensable to all engaged in Building and Mechanical Operations. , EDITED BY PRACTICAL MEN. Who are well known as among the ablest men in this country. Every week, Illustrations appear of great practical utility, such as EngraTings of New Bnildings Already erected, now going up, or intended for erection, in different parts of the country. Desigm and Woi'Mng Details Connected with Building operations, of great value to Archi- tects, Builders and Carpenters. The Mechanical Department Is enriched by Engravings connected with new Inventions, as well as a complete sjTiopsis of everything which is going for- ward in the Mechanical World. Subscription, f 2 per aimum, in advance. ^^Send 25 cents for five weekly numbers, as samples. The Scientific American, of October 29^ in noticing the Architects' and Mechanics' Journal, says it is "Edited with evident abUity Altogether, the best work of the kind ever published in onr oity." — [New York.] Published by Alexander Harthill, 128 Fiilton street, New York. The Trade supplied by any wholesale House in New York. febl-tf BliOOMINGTON NURSERY, BLOOMINGTOK, ILLIXOIS. icres FiQit and Ornamental Trees. NAMED SORTS TULIPS, ALSO Hyacinths, Crocus, and a general assort- ment of Bulbs and Flower Roots for FaU. and Spring planting. Nursery stock. Evergreens, Greenhouse' and garden plants — all at wholesale and retail at lowest cash rates. ^^"For particulars see Catalogues or address subscrib. F. K. PH(ENIX, Bloomington, HI., Aug. 1, 1859. - Eighty 200 WOODBURN NURSERY. THE PROPRIETOR OF THIS ESTABLISH- MENT offers for sale over 100,000 Trees and Plants, more or less, of which evary one needs who has the smallest piece of ground for cultivotion. Our list of Apples contains the best SUMMEB, FALL AND WINTER VARIETIES, both for market and family use. Also, Pears, Plums, Cherry, Apricot, Quince, Currant, Gooseberry, Blackberry, Raspberry, Strawberries, Grapes, may here be found of the best varieties; besides Evergreens, Shade and -' % Ornamental Trees , /. and Shrubs, ■ Hoses, Dahlias, Phloxes, Chrysanthemums, kc., &c. We have a large stock of the SILVER-LEAVED MAPLE, wlUch is very valuable, either for its fast growth or beautiful foliage. This nursery is gaining a lugh reputation for the accuracy and thorough manner in which everything is done, and the proprietor is determined to make it worthy the confi- dence and patronage of all persons. Our Trees, Plants and prices, we are sure, will compare favorably with those of any growth in the State, and all interested are cordially invited to visit our grounds and see for themselves. Apple trees, two years old, $12^ per 100; three years old, $15 per 100; Peaches, $18 per 100. Description and priced catalogue sent on application. Letters of inquiry receive prompt attention. Packages drfivered at the railroad free of drayage. JONATHAN HUGGINS. AVoodburn, Macoupin county, Hlinois. febl-far-tf DUNLAP'S NURSERY. 40 Acres in Trees and Plants. EMBRACING THE USUAL NURSERY stock, all of which will be sold low for cash. Orders for Spring planting should be be sent in early. 5,000 two year old SILVER MAPLES for timber belts, can be had at $5 per 100. J. B. Whitney, of Chatham, Sangamon county, is the agent for Sangamon and neighboring counties. Catalogues had on application. Address M. L. DUNLAP, fef)! West Urbana, Champaign county, 111. B. B. LLOYD, DEISTTIST, (office on korth fifth stbeet, ovkk t. ratburr's. Springfield, III. ADENT'AL PRACTICE OF FIFTEEN years warrants him in saying that all operations shall be carefully and neatly performed. He is in possession of sever- al premiums and diplomas awarded by the best institutes for the promotion of science and arts in the country. Teeth inserted, from one tooth to full sets, as substantial and handsomo as can be had in any city of the United Statea or Europe. Artificial palate plates inserted, supplying the want or loss of the palate, volum and would, so as to restore articulation. Kefcr to Prof. David Gilbert, Pennsylvania College of Med- icine, Philadelphia; Hon. J. S. Black, Washington City; Rev. Dr. Harkey, Illinois Unlveraty; Drs. Helm, Ryan and Wal- lace; Messrs Jacob Loose, J. g. Condell, J. H. Gray, Fossel- man, Owen, Comeau & Diller. JuneT-1869 FAIRBANiLS* PATEKT S C A L E S OF AIX. EIKDS. Fairbanks & Greenleaf, 85 Lake Street, Chicago, Sold in Springffeld by mayl-ly E. B. PEASE. PUBMC NOTICE. IN COMBINATION WTIH A CORN planting machine that is constantly moved over the ground (when planting,) and drops the grain intermittently, the 80 combining of two slides, one of which is at or near the seed hopper, and the other at or near the ground, or their equivalents, with a lever, as that the operator or attendent on the machine can open stud slides at the proper time to deposit the seed, and prepare a new charge, by the double droping herein specified. REIU.BKS. — It makes no difference how the mode of opera- ation, as the patent is on the double drop, to compensate for the forward motion of the machine. All those making, selling or using will be made to pay for such infringement. Yours respectfully, JAKVIS CASE. April 1, 1S60. SWEET POTATOES FOR SEED, ; TEE NANSEMOND SWEET POTATOE IS THE ONLY YAR- lETY that has given entire satisfaction in the Northwest. My stock now on hand is large and of the best quality. I want fifty agents to sprout on shares in such parts of the West not yet supplied. All such applicants will be required to give good refferences. Directions for sprouting will be sent to all customers. I regret to learn that some have sent out late maturing varieties, resembling the Nansemond in color, much to the damage of this productive and early maturing variety. Prices low; no charge for delivery at Terra Haute Railroad Depot. Address, J. W. TENBROOK, febl RockviUe, Indiana TTTE STERN LAND OFFICE. T.S.MATHER. ,. FOE THB PURCHASE AND SALE OF CITY PROPERTY, FARMS AND UNIMPOVED LANDS, PAYMENT OF TAXES, COLLECTION OF CLAIMS. Government I^ands • = Entered with Warrants or Cash in any land district in Ulinois, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota or Nebraska. LAND WARRANTS BOUGHT AND the land at the time of planting ^i^ ^® filled with weeds, and befo^'e the corn is ready for worV^-g it is no small matter to clean the crop ; but when planted in fresh plowed ^ Ian''? "'^^^ P^^- verized and rolled, *^^ corn is up in a short t}w> **°d th® smoothness of the ourtace admits of ready working before the weeds can gain any headway. Thus the young plants have a certain and vigorous start of the weeds, which are ersily subdued. With straight rows the cultivator can work close to the rows, and therefore no need of cross working. THE CULTIVATOR. There are several new cultivators, one of which by Prof. Turner, we men- tioned in the August Farmer. These are to be worked by two horses, the cul- tivator to be attached to a frame placed on wheels so that the driver can ride and guide his implement ; he will complete a row at each passing through, that is, he will do two half rows at a time, which will be equivalent to tight acres a day, which now we usually pass twice through the rows at four acres a day. We thus gain the time of one man and do the work much better. The com- mon shovel plow will soon go out of date for corn oulture, but its value in the potato field has xxot yet been fully ap- preciated. One man with two horses can work sixty acres, as he can work it four times, from the fifteenth of May to the middle of July, when it should be laid by. With the new cul- tivator the crop can only be worked when the corn is small and not up to the 144 THE ILLINOIS F^HMER. axle of the machine, and the subsequent working can be done with a single horse with a fine tooth cultivator, the teeth made like small shovel plows, so that they will scour. We teel warranted in saying that by planting in drills while the ground is newly plowed, that one working will be saved ; that the rolling will insure a good stand, however unfavorable the weather, with good seed, subject only to severe frost, as neither wet or dry weather can seriously efi"ect it. In rolling, the seed is planted shallow and the soil so firmly pressed on ic,that it is sure to gdrminate. ^vperience has not fully demonstrated laow c^xose to plant the corn in the drills, but If, ■yf[i\ \yQ gjj^fg ^o p^^t jn plenty of seed, ai4 jf too thick the surplus stalks can be eaSily out out with a hoe, as one person can go over iii^oo o^rps in a day or even more. I'he i;\x««i{- pQ^ planters can easily be changed so as to p\*mt in drills, and the new ones, thousands of wiuoVi -will be wanted, can be made for drilling; whettt drills can be so altered that they can be used for this purpose, and thus by a com- bination be made to answer two important purposes. At our coming State and county fairs we hope to see this subject fully discussed, so that makers of planters and cultivators will be better posted up in the wants of the farm. Our corn crop is the most important, and any improvement that will lessen the cost of its production, insure its certainty and improve its quality, will be hailed by our farmers with delight. For ourself, we have decided to adopt the foregoing and give it a thorough trial, and we have no misgiving in relation to the results. «•» For the Illinois Farmer. A Talk with the Editor. Mr. Editor Dunlap: — From thou- sands of your gratified readers, the most sincere and heartfelt thanks are certain- ly elicited, for the bountiful, the rich and varied supply of good things you monthly spread upon your Editorial Ta- ble, for their entertainment. But something more perhaps, than bare thanks, is jour due. I think so at least, and it strikes me that it is the du' ty of some of us to contribute something, now and then, which, if rot exactly fit for the "Table" among the more deli- cious viands of the main feast, might serve as a "ten o'clock piece," or a ."four o'clock lunch.'' From my use of these terms, you will infer that a farmer is now endeavoring to hold a talk with you. Well, it is so; and while I am rather proud of the title and rejoice in the calling, yet I am almost ashamed to say that like most of my bony handed, cramp fingered brethren, I would rather read a thousand and one of your instruct- ive paragraphs, than to deface a sheet of white paper with one sentence of my penmanship. Farmers, however, who would wish to give you their experience, ought to be encouraged to do so by the fact, that the transforming hands of your excellent printers will give to their thoughts, just as neat a dress, as to the most fine and clerk-like manuscript im- aginable. This is a great consolation to those of us who prefer the hoe to the quill. But, Mr. Editor, my preface is long enough, and it is time I was saying some- thing. Well then, as I have some facts to state and some questions to ask, and wish to embrace all in a very short chap- ter, I will begin at once. APPLES. I have just CAten, with great relish, a most luscious apple which, with others, I pulled from a tree in Ociobci laot,. — But this is nothing rare in my family, for, during the last five years, we have not been a day without ripe apples. — And often in June and July we have had apples of the past and present years upon the table. On the lith of July 1858 I sold to a fruiterer in town at $2 and $3 per bushel, apples of that and the proceeding year. The apple in question was about 9 inches in circumference, fresh, juicy, crisp, and high flavored, al- together better than the Early Harvest or Red June, both of which I have. — But, say you, "let's have its name, and your method of keeping?" The com- mittees at our Fairs call it the "Willow Twig,'' and I took the liberty of giving it this name, when at the St.^Louis Fair last Fall, as a member of the Fruit Committee. The intrinsic merits cof this apple have been overlooked. My cellar is large, deep, cold and damp. No door entrance from the outside, but win- dows in the east and west ends. One doorway with a door at the foot and one at the head of the stairs, entering from the dining room; the cellar floor is of ce- ment. The choice apples for keeping till July, I place upon a broad hanging shelf, putting newspapers under and over them; that's all. Gophers. Some two years ago I complained, throujih the Farmer, of these invisible depredators. One of its correspondents very kindly suggested a compounded nostrum for their extinction; but, not- withstanding my firm belief in the dead- ly efficacy of "doctor stuff"," I failed to use it. Last Spring I began to study the habits, and inquire into the opera- tions of these underground pests, and was soon convinced that those number- less hillocks they throw up over our meadows, were for more than one pur- pose. These little mounds of loose earth are evidently the places beneath which the little rascals can securely in- dulge in a nap in the heat of the day, and they are so constructed that no rain can find its way into their subteraneous retreat. It then occurred to me that if their hills be displaced frequently, Mr. Gopher's instinct would warn him of danger at hand^ and that he would soon decamp. I soon began a leveling pro- cess with my hoe and rake, and was sujc- prised to find that a general stampede from my grounds to those of my neigh- bors' seemed to have occured, and now I seldom see a Gopher hill within my en- closure. PL/»JrrAlN. My experimp'-its with this detestable weed, and other vegetable nuisances, must hf deferred, as I have already reaci^'^d my limits. Good-bye for the present, Mr. Editor. J. R. Woods. Woodwild, (near Alton,) July 21, '60. Remarks. — We have taken the liberty to pit the full name to the above, for the limple reason that a man of such close observation and success can be found vhen wanted by others besides ourself. We_have long known that the Willow T/ig was a most valuable ,fruit in the neiglberhood of Alton; north of that point ifs less valuable. This' lev- eling of the gopher hills is a new idea, and may prove valuable in driving^this animal from the ledge rows, from timber belts, and beyond ;he verge of the roots of fruit trees. We shall be pleased to hear from our Alton friend at all times, and here tender him cur thanks for his good opinion and kind wishes.— [Ed. — «•• [From the United TStatei Economist.] Business Prupects. There is but one feeling prevalent among commercial men as to the pros- pects of trade during thg fall season. There seems to be so little in the aspect of commercial affairs that is threatening, and so much that is hopeful, that all with one consent have began to antici- pate large trade for the balance of the year. For ourselves, we cannot but in- dorse this common sentiment; though it is to be feared that its very universality will prove a serious drawback on the profitableness of business operations, for it is one of the commonest facts in exper- ience that the anticipation of a large de- mand for merchandise induces a supply so excessive as to render exchanges un- profitable. It is not possible to point •(• > ■■ -^ ""V^yi -^p^.^^vBT^iV"/ •:^;^/-7-' THE ILLINOIS FA.I11MER. 145 to any section of the country where de- px'ession prevails ; on the contrary, in nearly every part of the Union, business was never so extensive, so sound, or so generally remunerative. Of course the Western States must be regarded as standing more or less in exception to this remark. The extent to which the resources of that section have been dim- inished may be inferred from the large decrease in the exports of provisions and breadstufiFs which has occurred dur- ing the two last fiscal year: EXPOKTS OP FBCVISIONS AND BBEAOSTUFFS FBOM 1854 TO 1859. 1854 165,941,323 1855 83,895,848 1856 7T,187,30l 1857 ■ 74,667,852 1858 60,678,285 1859 88,305,991 The exports from July 1st, 1857, to June 30, 1859, amounted in round num- bers to $89,000,000, whilst for the two preceding years they reached the sum of $151,800,000. When it is considered what a large proportion of the exports of breadstuffs and provisions is supplied by the West, it is not difficult to compre- hend how such an immense decrease in 1858 and 1859 should be followed by the financial difficulties and the trading stagnation which have prevailed there during that time. In addition to the failure of the produce supplies, the West has been in the trying position of having its money capital withdrawn as much as possible by Eastern creditors, who have been anxious to withdraw from what they nerviously deemed unsafe in- vestments. Under such circumstances, the wonder is not that the Western States have been so much depressed, but that they have not been vastly more damaged, and that they are recovering 80 rapidly. It is gratifying to observe a strong upward tendency in the receipts of breadstufis at the Western centers. The receipts of wheat at Chicago since the first of August last are nearly double those for the same period of the preced- ing year ; in flour, also, a similar in- crease is observable ; whilst the receipts of corn are four times the amount to those of the years 1858-9. The receipts of cattle and hogs at the same point since January 1st are also nearly twice the amount of those for the same time of last year. These facts will serve as an indication of the recovery which has been vigorously initiated in the W^est, and it is reassuring to find that there is every improvement being well sustained by the present crops, which are uniform- ly represented as covering a larger acre- age than ever before, and having a healthy and promising aspect. We have therefore no further cause for uneasiness about the inabilities of our Western neighbors ; and we may henceforth hope for much from them. The South it is thought has so far overstocked herself during her late pros- perity as to make it certain that she will need to curtail her fall purchases of the North. This impression can of course rest on nothing more than vague and ill- supported rumors, which would appear to have but little probability to support them in face of the fact that the pur- chases of the South during the last two or three seasons have not increased more largely than has the produce of that section, and that the fall will close up a year of cotton receipts 25 per cent, larger than that of any pervious period. Certain it is that this section has never during its history accumulated wealth so rapidly as during the two last years, and that fact cannot but tell largely upon the demand for goods. It is quite possi- ble that in some few exceptional cases, second or third rate traders may have been induced to buy beyond their means by those of our city jobbers who have endeavored to make up from the South the deficiences of their Western sales ; but the proportion of that rank of buy- ers is so small that such cases can have no appreciable effect upon the aggregate of our sales to the Southern States. The condition of the Middle and Eastern States is sufficiently healthy to warrant anticipations of a good demand for merchandise from those quarters. The cotton and woolen mills of the East are making unprecedented profits and their operatives all employed on re- munerative wages. The strike in the shoe trade has subsided, and the hands are again employed, mostly on improv- ed earnings. In short every section of the country and, almost without excep- tion, every industrial or trading inter- est is in a sound and hopeful condi- tion. Money is superabundant, and notwithstanding the remarkably low rates at which it is offered, there is no rash speculation to take it up — ^a most satisfactory and assuring sign of the times. Upon the whole, therefore, there would appear to be a season of unequalled activity in trade : whether sales will prove as profitable as they are large must depend entirely upon whether traders, through being over sanguine, aremduced to overstock them- selves. Remarks. — After three years of de- pression it is gratifying to know that the prospect of a return of the usual prosperity is at hand. With good crops, good prices and good health, the farmers of our state may dismiss the fear of hard times. With prudence and economy we may regain all that we have lost in the past thi'ee years, and if we enter On no speculations or extravagant notions of living, we shall be able to put our farms in fine order. We need more and better barns, more and better fences, better culture ; but we want less land. Too many of us are land poor, and no pros- perous times wall make us better off in this respect. The excess of land not needed for culture is only wwth what it will Bell for, and we would advise its sale to the first man who will make a good neighbor. -^ -^ : ■ ■-.;■'' Ed. Hybrid Perpetual or Monthly Roses. As these roses are becoming common in many parts of the country, perhaps a few words in relation to their culture will not be out of place. Many people fail to keep them in bloom all the time, and thus often think that they have been cheated, and this is no doubt very often too true, where trees are bought of itinerant tree peddlers ; but the fault generally lies in their culture, and not in the plant. A friend of ours complained that the rose he purchased was not a monthly. We asked him what he had done to it to make it bloom. " Why, nothing," said he, *'I set it out along with the currant bushes, but it did not bloom but once!" He expected & delicate rose to keep up a constant show of flowers, and with no other care than that bestowed upon a currant bush, and that none of the best. After a rose begins to fade take your knife and cut it off below the seed ball, then, if the plant is a very vigorous grower, head it in or layer the longer shoots, make a basin around it and pour on soap suds, (grapes and trees like soap suds too,) and you will have no difficulty about flowers. We have seen just as good a show of flowers when treated this way, in September as in June. Roses need pruning as much as an apple tree, and a judicious application of the knife alone will keep them in bloom. There are several hundred varieties of hardy per- petuals, most of them need a little covering in winter, in fact, any rose will do better to be covered. We cover them with earth, cut them back to within a few inches of the ground, and then with a spade make a email mound of earth over them. After danger from frost is past in the spring this earth is removed. As roses bloom on the new wood, we will soon have a show of flowers, and this cutting back gives us a stro^er growth and of course better booms. ^.•? 146 THE ILLINOIS F-A.Il]MER. The Honey Bee. . Were it not for the dangers and un- certainties which besot the Apiarian, bee-keeping would be one of the most pleasant and profitable of rural occupa- tions, and has been styled *' the poetry of rural economy.'' But this imagina- tive poetry has been with many bee- keepers real sorry prose. It has been the experience of most of those who have commenced the business with high hopes, that their bees have succeeded well for one or two years, then com- menced running down, in many cases without any apparent reason ; in others with a reason plainly enough seen, but with no knowledge on the part of the owner of a remedy, or at best, no means of applying the remedy if known. There was no way of getting at them, they were as safely garrisoned in their strong hives with each a vencmed spear for offensive or defensive warfare, as the like number of valiant soldiers be- hind a wall of bristling bayonets. Their counsel was all their own. No spy had been in their camp and re- ported their weak points to the enemy. But all is changed. Constant observa- tion has divulged their weak points. The most irascible stock of these insects can be perfectly tamed in a few minutes, and be handled as familiarly as ever Rarey handled a conquered steed. We have seen within a few days, — on our own premises, — hives to which we have been forced to give a wide berth when passing, taken from the stand, split to pieces with axe and chisel ; the comb taken out piece by piece, and examined ; all that was worthless to the bees cut off and thrown away; a portion of the honey taken ; the brood comb and bees put into a new hive,^etback upon their stand, and in less than half an hour seen them as busily at work as though nothing had happened, and evidently highly pleased with their new quarters. All this took place in the presence of several specta- tors, who were so mueh interested that they surrounded the operator, assisting in the work and partaking of the honey with a seeming forgetfulness of "a sting behind,'' which the enjoyment of all unsanctifipd sweets is said to leave. We have kept bees for over twenty years. Sometimes with indifferent suc- cess, at others with none at all. Our stock has ranged from one to twenty hives, and from that to zero, with a short sojourn on every point between, and hardly honey enough for our family use. Had we known]|in the outset, what we now know, with the use of a proper hive, we might have realized hundreds of dollars from our bees. But thanks to men who study. We have apw a hive which gives the Apiarian the com- plete control of these busy workers. Those who will read, can know as much of their habits and the management necessary to secure success, as of any domestic animal kept by the farmer. — School Viiitor. The above contains may important truths, which our readers should profit by. It is but the history of thousands of farmers who have attempted bee- keeping. Now, with a good bee dress, which costs but a few shillings, one can handle bees without danger of being stung ; while a free use of sweetened water from a fine rose on a watering pot will make them perfectly quiet. Our oldest son now manages the bees. A sting effects him seriously, by swelling up and becoming very painful ; without a bee dress he would almost as soon enter a den of rattle snakes as to meddle with a swarm of bees, but armed with the dress he manipulates them at his ease. A few days since he discovered one of the swarms without a queen, and of course doing nothing ; he had to over- haul another bive for a queen or a brood comb with queen cells ; to do this the whole swarm was taken out of the hive. We shall now have no difiSculty in doubling our weak swarms if we have any at the close of the honey season, and the millers can be taken out at all times. We have ^ the movable frame hives, of both Langstroth's and Phelps'. The double hive of Phelps' patent pleases us better the more we -become accustomed to its use, and for the class of timed bee-keepers it is valuable; we would call the attention of all such to the letter of H. B. G. on the subject. The more we examine into the subject of bee culture, the more are we convinced that every farmer can, with very little cost, have an abundant supply of the most delicious honey, if he is disposed to make the trial. The exhibition of swarms of bees at our State Fair, for the past three years, has been of great value in calling the attention of farmers to the facts demonstrated, that these warlike insects can be managed with perfect ease and safety. Ed. -«•»- Where are the Ploavboys of the West ? — The state society offers five premiums — $20, $15, $10, $5, and a volume of transactions, respectively, for the best plowing to be competed for by boys under eighteen years of age; the lists are open to the world. Will our sucker boys allow these premiums to be taken out of the State ? and what county in the State witl furnish the champion plowboys ; We give here what will be required of each boy, so that those who are inclined to prepare for competition may do so intelligently. The name of the plowman must be given, as well as the kind of plow to be used, at the time of making the entry. The quantity of ground allotted to each team will be one- fourth of an acre; time allowed to do the work two hours ; width of furrow, eleven inches ; depth, not less than six inches; the furrow slice, in all cases to be lapped ; the teams to etart at one time, and each plowboy to do his work without driver, or other assistant. Each plowboy to strike his own land, and plow entirely independ- ent of the adjoining land. Within the fourth of an acre plowed, each plowman will be required to strike two back fur- rowed lands, and finish with the dead furrow in the middle. — Prairie Farmer. MoLiNE, 111., July 25th, 1860. M. L. DuNLAP, Esq., Champaign. Dear Sir. — Having seen the en- closed paragraph, we thought you might have a boy who would like to compete for the prize, or if not having one of your own, might know some likely lad who can handle a good plow in a work- manlike and ikillful manner. If so, we will furnish one of our best 12 in. plows, or make a 11 in. plow if you think nec- essary to fulfill the conditions of the so- ciety, for such boy to use, and if he takes either of the two highest premiums we will present him with the plow. Awaiting your reply, we remain Yours, very truly, Deere & Co. Remarks. — Here is another addition- al incentive for the plowboy, and we hope the now double priie will be warm- ly contested for. It is too far to send our teams, but may be "our farmer" may try his hand if he can hire a team at the fair. But we think the farm boys of Morgan who can come with their own teams are the lads to do it. The plow, Messrs. Deere, should be twelve inches to cut the eleven inch furrow. Ed. Artificial Swarming of Bees. About the 15th of July we made two artificial swarms; and they are now do- ing as well as any of the natural swarms; indeed, better than some of them. The process was new to us, but by carefully studying Langstroth & Quimby's work on the honey bee, we succeeded. We took three sheets of comb out of the Phelps hive with the bees adhering to them, and put them into a new clean hive, and set them a few rods from the other hives, and fastened them in until the evening of the second day. Both swarms now '.^iUP:^ m^- i.y^'« • -T /.^t'^ ^^^ -Ti5??T!?i?^i=T'5'^^ THE ILLINOIS FARMER. 147 have queens which thej did not have when they separated, and have nearly as many hees as any of the first swarms that came out in June. We did not get suflScient into one hive as wo afterwards found, but took out about a quart subse- quently and fastened them up until the evening of the second day, when none of them returned to the old hive, seeming to have lost all knowledge of it. In some cases, perhaps, the bees might fail to raise a queen until the working brood in the combs are all hatched, when of course the colony would be ruined if not cared for. As soon as the young bees in the comb are all out, it should be examined, and if no queen is found, they should have more comb given them from an old stock that has a queen, when they will go at work again. When the prop- er season returns we intend to give the modus operandi more minutely, also the cause of failure, &c., as by this way of raising new colonies we are in no danger of losing them hy running away, and al- so save a great deal of time in watching them. * ■•» For tho Illinois Farmer. Different Hives Adapted to different Bee Keep- ers nnder E. W. Phelps' Patents 1851 and'58. The Section Hive is in two depart- ments with a shutter between, opening or closing a slat 3-4 by 7 inches, thro' which the bees can pass. The sections are set in a case, the top, back and bottom hung on hinges, (and here let me say no bottom should be fast on a hive.) When bees are to be put in, the bottom is let down, and closed after they get in. These hives are adapted to all such as dare not go and take their bees, comb and all, for fear of being stung, (and at least one half that keep bees are of that stamp.) Under these sec- tions is pi aced ^the moth trap on the bottom of the hive, which is a groove one sixteenth of an inch deep, one fourth of an inch wide, and twelve inches long, both sides making two parts for them to hide in. This can be removed from the outside without disturbing the bees, or being disturbed by them. In the back of these sections is a glass six by eight inches, which enables you to see all the workings of the hive. On the top of these are small honey boxes, two or more according to size. The Dees work in both sections, and breed their young. — Should the moth trap be neglected and moths get in, the bees can be removed from one to the other without touching a bee, or resorting to smoking. On the front of the case is an alighting board, through which the bees enter the case into both sections. You place a stick in this alighting board slanting so that it stops the bees entering the aection you wish to remove, and the bees pass into the other side. Then move the shutter between the sections inside the hive that cuts off the communication between them. The consequence is that on one side the bees are working out and in freely, on the other they cannot get out at a'll. Under each of these sections is hung a tin ventilator. By putting your hand under and turning a wire it falls; this opens a three inch hole. The bees come out of this, and when returning to the hive again, enter the alighting board and are conducted to the opposite side. In twenty four hours or less all the bees will be out, and you can remove it and anything you choose in it. Place it back again, reverse the stick in the alighting board, close one ventilator and open the other, and the bees are changed into the opposite section; all accom- plished without the least exposure to the bees, or enraging them at all, and not one minute is required to make the changes, and no excuse is left on ac- count of fear for not keeping bees, or ne- glecting them, for if this trap is attend- ed to, the moth will not trouble the bees. THE BOX HIVE. The next is the box hive with the sectional frame, patented in 1858, which is two or more frames attached to gath- er either with blind staples or encircled by a large frame. The advantage these frames have over others are : the hives can be made tall, and the comb will not break in handling, (and I agree with most writers that hives should not be less than twelve inches high — I would sooner add three inches than diminish one.) The brood frame is two frames one above the other, the upper one is stored with honey, the lower with honey bee bread and young bees. If the bees have not eaten the honey out of the up- per one during winter, it can be removed in good order for family use or market, but if needed it can be placed at the bot- tom and the lower one placed at the top, where the heat rises, thus facilitating the raising of the young. The outside frames are made in joints, as young bees and polen are seldom found in them. They can be removed and are in the most suitable form for market, weigh- ing from -one to two pounds. It is many times the case that bees have not empty comb enough to raise their young, and honey remaining in the hive more than is needed is a detriment to the bees. In this frame the choicest pieces can be se- lected and their places supplied with empty comb or a frame to build new in, and I am becoming more and more sat- isfied that more surplus honey can be found in this way than in working thro' into boxes. The different reasons space will not admit of this time. If the bee moth should take possession of part of the sheet that portion can be removed without cutting or maiming the rest. I have practiced artificial swarming alto- gether this season. By combining the two patents we get five other styles, and by cutting the box hive in two in the middle the part containing the frames one hall can be removed and an empty half added, making two swarms in less time than they could be hived if left to swarm naturally. Should either half not be supplied with queens, the same course can be resorted to, taken by all using frames. H. B. Gr. REirAE,Kjg. — From what we see and hear of the double hives first described, we have[not been as favorably impressed with it, as by dividing the bees they oft- en freeze out in winter, but this we think need not occur as they can easily be put into one hive. That they work well in this double hive we well know, and when better understood it may prove valua- ble. It has great advantages in di- viding bees as they will all pass out themselves, and into an empty hive if you wish, without any trouble/ and to that class of bee keepers who do not like to handle bees it is certainly an excellent hive. And as we said be- fore, the objection to it is the loss of bees in winter. Now by having a dry, dark, cool cellar, not below the freez- ing point at any time, they will win- ter very finely, as they can be put into one of tlie boxes, and when they have eaten out the honey, can, on a warm day, be transferred to the other hive.- "■-'"'■- ;■' ■■' ■■■ -■■■■■•■ ^-^ ■■■•/'■■•■■ We have one swarm in this kind of hive, and intend to give it a thorough trial. The "box hive'* with the move- able frame we have thought highly of. These movable frames have been in use over twenty years in the west, and of course there can be no patent that would stand a moment's investigation. Mr. Phelps bases hia on an improvement, that is, by putting frames inside of the long movable frames, or what he calls sections, whether these are of any ad- ; vantage we cannot say. We know this : that bee keepers pay thousands of dollars every year to these patent bee men, when we think they have no more legal claim in them than the man in the moon. That the double hive and moth trap of Phelps are patentable we have no doubt. The moth trap is valu- able, and when the objection ofwinter- i ing the bees in the double hive is over- icome, either by a change in the hive jor by a better understanding of its ^^5st>-r 148 THE ILLINOIS F^HJMEH. principles it will prove valuable to the great mass of bee keepers. "We eschew humbug in all its forms; and do not intend knowingly to per- mit our readers to be swindled by these patent right men. At the same time any person having a valuable genuine patent, will always find in us a fast friend, and one whose pen will ever protect his interest. When we look back upon the history of patent churns, patent bee hives, and patent washing machines, it has been almost one series of swindles perpetrated on the industrial classes, bat the time has oome when a more general diffusion of knowledge will drive these gentry to seek other employment. There is no branch of farming so little understood as the management of bees, nor is there one in which every farmer and every owner of a village lot should take a deeper interest. It furnishes one of the greatest luxuries of the table at a com- parative slight cost. We hope to be in- strumental in awaking an interest in this branch of rural economy, by strip- ping it of its mysteries and of the leech- es that have stood in the way of its pro- gress.— Ed. ■» The Grain Trade of Chicago. It may be interesting to the readers of the Farmer to be somewhat posted in regard to thejgrain trade of Chicago, and especially at this time, where an im- mense crop is pressing upon the market. We copy the tables from that most valu- able and reliable commercial paper, WelW Commercial Expresa, published at Chicago, at the low price of $1,00 a year. Office Commercial Express, ") Wednesday, Aug. 8, 1860. | The grain trade of Chicago is beyond all comparison, the most important branch of business carried on in the city, and may be said to lay the foundation nearly if not entirely, for the other and more varied enterprises and interests centering here. In years of general depression, and of diminished crops, the aggregate cf grain receipts has fallen below twenty millions, while in good years, it has ranged twenty-five to thirty millions. With the continued develop- ment of the country, and, more than all, in consequence of the abundant reward with which the present propitious season has crowned the labors of the husband- man, we assume that the aggregate grain receipts for the year commencing Aug. 1st, are as follows : Taking the deliveries of wheat alone at this point by railroads and canal for three successive years from the first of August, wo have the following results: Week 1S5T-8 185S-9 1859-60 I Total. 13,936,848 6,087,896 8,942,561 The manufacture of flour is so largely increased in two years in the wheat- growing sections, that it must be inclu- ded in reckoning the crop movement. — Beginning with the first of August as above, and we have the following re- sult: 185T-S 1858-9 1858-60 Reduce to Wheat 2,272,370 2,207,225 8,556,510 Add " ...13,985,840 6,089,896 8,942,461 16,208,810 7,295,121 12,498,971 Excess over 1868 5,203,860 Decrease from 1867 8,709,889 The receipts of Corn from the last crop began to be considerable as soon as it had matured, and continued unusually large all winter, whereas in previous years, receipts have generally been trif- ling until navigation opened in the spring. The receipts of Corn have never been so large all the season through at this point as they have from the last crop, though we had large deliveries for a short time in 1855 and 1856. We commence to reckon the corn movement from Novem- ber Ist because the old crop is then nealy exhausted, and the new crop first begins to reach the market. The following are the receipts of corn from November 1st in three years : 1S57-8 1868-9 1859-60 Total 4,883,314 3,672,861 12,611,007 Excess over crop of 185S 9,1.38,146 Excess over crop of 1857 8,127,193 The oat crop is believed to be heavy and of excellent quality. Receipts are already running much larger than in any one of several years previous. The following are the receipts since August 1, 1857 : 1857-8 1868-9 1869-60 Total 2,282,017 682,002 1,588,294 The total equivalent of receipts of flour and grain from all sources except teams, from the first of January for three years stand thus : 1868 1869 Total 22,114,643 19,199,904 Total decrease 2,914,688 Aug. 1st. The total receipts of flour and grain since January 1st, now reach 15,889,471 bush, or 9,584,606 bush, greater than at the same time last year, and 2,995,887 bush, greater than to the same time in 1858. The following table shows the differ- ence in receipts of principal articles in the two years from January 1st to the present time : 1869 1860 Flour, bbls 228,688 221,000 dec. 7,688 Wheat, bu 1,629,914 2,627,972 inc. 998,053 Corn, bu 8,128,711 ll,845,9!i2 do 8,217,211 Oats, bu 895,268 686,268 do 19a,447 The shipments were again very large last week, and continue heavy, running in good proportion to the receipts, so that the markets are healthy as well as animated. The aggregate receipts of flour and grain last week were only a trifle under a million bushels, and though corn must soon begin to diminish in quantity, flour, wheat and oats, will all show a rapid increase, and carry the aggregate over a million for many weeks if not quite to the close of navigation. There were only three weeks in 1858 when the aggregate receipts exceeded a million, two of which were at the height of the corn season, and the third at the first rush of the new wheat crop. TOTAL BKCEIPTS OF FLOUE AND GBAIN. Tor the week ending August 4th, 1860. ^ » ^S Bo c'n c^M Eat E^ ttr a=i aS- s" » a." • v) .5. : .V) Lake 800 80 Canal 6,927 147,216 1,617 1,222 66 Galena R.R 896 16,794 14,084 2,601 192 .... Rock Island B.R. 1,499 96,600 59,850 4,000 2,100 .... I. 0. R. R 1,140 1X6,982 7ii,170 12,170 2,813 .... C. B. & Q. R. R.. 1,140 86,604 126,286 8,997 467 290 C. St. P. 4 F.... 1,065 .... 850 1,836 A. A St. L. R. B. 325 45,442 44,268 2,928 1,850 .... Eastern Roads. . . 879 8,810 2,600 Total 6,426 878,109 465,738 29,504 186 836 Same week, 1859. 8,486 45,963 81,998 11,940 1,849 1,993 All grain arriving by railroad is in- spected. A few parties receiving by canal, refusing to pay inspection fees, deeming the inspection unnecessary, sell without inspection, but their boats are *' posted" at the Board of Trade, and the grain cannot be admitted at the prin- cipal elevators. The markets for country produce du- ring the past week have generally been active and prices satisfactory. Flour after settling down until the views of buyers were reached became active, and recovered 5al0c almost at once. Wheat meets a good demand, and so far from the break- down in prices which is usu" ally experienced at liberal receipts from a new crop, there has been an actual improvement of 4a5c on both spring and red winter; present prices are not ex- pected to be maintained with the large arrivals of two or three weeks hence, and yet nothing can be more uncertain where so many contingencies may arise. The quality of the crops is excellent be- yond doubt, and if there is a foreign as well as a home demand, good prices will rule. Corn keeps along with most remarkable steadiness, but there is a firmness about the feelinsc in the last few days that indi- cates a slight improvement if receipts fall off. Oats took a sudden tumble as soon as receipts of the new crop began to be large, the decline in one day being 4c, but at that reduction the market be- came active. Barley being in small sup- ply, the demand is again more active and prices are 3a5c higher. Rye is be- coming quite plenty and rather dull at a slight decline. A very good enquiry exists for timothv seed, but the market is unsettled. Fruits are active but veg- etables are dull. Beef and tallow dull. Pork products rather quiet but firm and steady. Whitefish still lower and THE ILLINOIS FA^HJNIER. 149 quiet but trout steady. Butter active. Cheese in better request. Wool without animation. Hides dull but without quot- able chanfie. Iliohwines rather irregu- lar, but closing a shade firmer at the previous decline. Chicago Club — The grain inspec- tion of ChicafTQ has a grade of " Club" wheat, established with reference to the best description of northern spring wheat, and which makes a just discrim- ination in favor of those growers who produce it, and those who handle it. — This season has given to some portions of Illinois, and nearly the whole of Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota, the finest spring wheat ever raised in those States, and the producers mny congratulate themselves upon the fact that its merits will receive due acknowledgment in this market. But in order to enter this grade, wheat must be plump and heavy, (averaging 6) lb or over) and entirely free from admixture with dirt, chaff, chess, smut, or any description of grain other than spring wheat. This week, our inspect- ors just begin to find wheat arriving fit to rank as "Chicago Club," and a sam- ple was shown on 'Change to-day, ex- citing'universal admiration. Nothing L'ke it has ever been seen on the line of tiie lakes before. The inspection here is in most capabh^ hands, and no tampering with or mixing of grades is allowed if attempted at the elevators. The best grade of spring wheat to be found in the year to come will be " Chicago Club," in fact, and it would have been so long ago in name, were it not that a phrase has become stereotyped, which was adopted for northern spring wheat when it Avent to market only in wagons, and so took its name from the northern ports of ship- ment. But now, that is all chanrred. Chicago is the only place where Club wheat can be found pure, and kept pure The second grade of spring wheat, wiiich we call here "No. 1,*' is as good as any Club we have ever seen from any other large collecting point. The coming year Avill probably see over 25,000,000 bush, wheat marketed here. The grain crop is light in all of the States south and south-west of us, and we shall therefore have a fair demand from that direction. On the whole, the prospect of fair prices is most encour- aging. As a general rule we would ad- vise farmers to sell when their crops are ready, this holding of crops for high prices most generally ends in disap- pointment. There are times when for local reasons prices are depressed below fair rates, but otherwise our motto is to sell when we are ready to ship. Shiftless Farming — Rye jiuil fhess. " O wad some power the giftie gie us, To see ourselves as others see us." If we could see the beam in our own eyes before attempting to pull the mote out of our own neighbors, it would be a valuable gift, but this is har'Ily in the nature of things, and as Mrs. Widow Bedoit savs, "Natur will be natur anyhow." So we must be con- tent to see the mote in our neighbors eyes and do what we can to get them out. '■■:^-\'' '■^■'■,-.r- Wishing to sow stubble land with rye, where we had grown spring wheat, for the purpose of fall pasture for our cows, we sent to a neighbor for a dozen bushels of rye. On receiving it, w-e were at a loss to know what to do with the mixture sent us. Rye appeared to predominate and we concluded to call it rye with a large mixture of chess and other seeds. Having one of Goodrich's $45 fanning mills, we concluded to try its discriminating virtues. The result was nearly nine bushels of rye, three of Well-developed chess, and nearly a peck of seeds of weeds. This was satisfactory, the mill had dor.e its duty, fully realizing our high expectations of its capacity to separate grains and seeds of different sizes and weights. We had the rve clean and pare, for seed and the chess and seeds could go to the pig-pen or the poultry- yard. Chess will grow as every farmer ought to know, but for fall pasturage it is a very poor article. Should the weather prove dry at the time of sowing, it will not germinate on account of the hard husk which envelopes the grain, and at tha best makes but a feeble growth in autumn. Therefore, it is not suited to the purpose for which we wanted the rye, hence,we object when we send for rye to have it one-fourth chess, subjecting us to the trouble of clearing up a small lot of seed, and that too Avhen the team is harnessed for the harrowing. We will suppose that we had sown this seed as sent us, we would have had the whole field seeded with chess, which would re- main in the land for years and the crop itself next season would have been at least half chess, for the smallness of the seed would have made up in numbers nearly or quite equal to that of the rye, and persons passing would have been liable to quarrel over the crop, some calling it rye and others averring that it was chess. Certainly there is no profit in growing chess, it is of no value for feed and even when ground, as it some- times is, it is mainly for the small grains of wheat that cannot be separated from it. The flour itself is nearly all composed of a hard husk enclosing the smallest possible amount of grain and when ground by itself would be of no value. We are surprised that our farmers do not take more pains to keep it out of the winter grains when it can be done so easily with a good mill. -«•»■ Growing of Winter Wheat. It is an undisputed fact that for the past three years the growing of this grain has in the main proved unprofita- ble, though we tnay partially except the present year. But this is no good rea- son why wheat in a judicious rotation cannot be made to pay. One great loss is bv the severe winds of the northwest in March, drying out the roots and leav- ing them d-ead. This could be remedied by phinting belts of timber to break the force of the wind, and the use of a roller to pack the earth- For the next few years we may expect but the usual amount of rain, and wheat will become a paying if not a popular crop. We have undoubtedly again entered upon the cycle of wheat seasons that will restore some of the old fame of the country. — With this immense crop of corn people will pause and enquire what we shall plant for a change. We answer, both spring and winter wheat. Good judges estimate the surplus crop of wheat for Wisconsin at 12,OO0.0j0 bush, and that twice that amount will be received at Chicago. W^ith good prices as IS now apparent, every available acre will be sown to wheat. South of Bloom- ington but little Spring wheat is sown, and in Egypt we might say none. We may now look forward to an increased amount sown this fall: So soon as we have a change of season, that is, rainy season, of lower temperature, we mu-t be prepared to under drain, as that will be the only true panacea that will save the crop. At present no subject is fast- er sinking out of sight than that of un- der draining, but one rainy season will bring it back with redoubled interest. Our prairie soils contain an abundance of lime, which is so essential to the growth of wheat, and what we want is a sward land to sow on, or if old land put in with a drill, and to have the crop shel- tered from the severe drying winds. We hope those who sow winter wheat will use good clean seed, sow no chess or cockle, run a plow through all low pla- ces to ensure surface drainage. 150 THE ILLIjSTOIS FARMER. BAILHACHE & BAKER, PubUshers. M. L. DUNLAP, Editor. SPRINGFIELD, SEPTEMBER 1, 18G0. Wlion shall we Break Prairie? ^Ye answer, at any time when the frost IS out of the ground. "Ah ! but tliat won't do." Well it will do every time if you will use the right kind of a plow, in the right way. From the time that the grass makes a vigorous growth and while it continues to grow, prairie can be the most cheap- ly broken up with a good sixteen inch prairie breaker, but should not be cut more than three inches deep. At other seasons, or when the grass is in a state of rest use a double Michigan plow ; set the top plow so that it will cut an inch deep and the bottom plow two or two and a half inches deeper. We have before stated that we sowed spring wheat on seven acres oF prairie broken up the last of February and first of March in the spring of 1859 with the double Michigan and replowed in the Fall and sowed last March. "We now have the result : twenty-three bushels of first quality Canada Club to the acre. Our second son (Oscar) who is our farmer, had never sowed any grain be- fore, and in sowing the first four acres put on less than a bushel to the acre, and in the other three we had him sow one and a half bushels to the acre. It was all sown beautifully even, and came up well, having been thoroughly put in and rolled. On the three acres it was esti- mated that it turned out over thirty bushels to the acre. It should be borne in mind that on new land, spring wheat requires thick seeding, as it will not tiller out so much as on old land, hence the thinness of the crop on the four acres, which must have been less than twenty bushels per acre. Fawkcs broke up four acres with his steam plow in November with common breaking plows. Three acres of this we Bowed at the same time, putting on near- ly two bushels of seed to the acre, and giving it a most thorough harrowing. — The result was a spindling growth, not worth cutting, in fact, too thin and light to cut at all. One acre we sowed to the Black Tartarian Oats, a most vig- orous grower, and the result of that was ten bushels of oats. We have now plowed up all of this stubble land, and find that of the March breaking is in fine order, well rotted and friable, that done with the common breaking plow is but little rotted, full of grass and weeds, and required a break- ing plow to turn it over, whereas the other was replowed the first time with a common plow without the use of a coulter. And tlie difference is easily explained: when the grass is growing by turning it over, the turf or roots are wilted, not so when in astute of rest, but in plowing with the double Michigan plow, the turf is cut thin and rolled up like a scroll so that the frost and winds of winter and of spring will dry out and kill the roots, but when turned over with a common plow as in the caseof the steam plow, the turf rests on the ground, aud keeps the reversed turf from dying out and the roots are preserved in all their vitality, and ready to grow on the approach of warm weather. From our experience we would rather have prairie broken with the double Michigan plow in November or March, than with the common plow in June. — And we are now prepared to recommend Fall and Spring breaking; but we want it distinctly understood that in no case is the breaking to be over three or four deep inches at most. Because the Double Michigan plow Avas intended for a deep tiller, it does not follow that it cannot be used as we have described for a very difi'erent purpose than its inventor intend- ad. AVe hope our readers understand the modus operandly at this time, for in our former remarks on this subject many persons appeared to have the impression that the value of early breaking was in deep plowing, which is the very reverse. As a deep tiller we have no exalted opinion of it, and never u.se it for that purpose, prefering to use two plows and two seperate teams. The No. 1 plow of Messrs. Dreer & Co. is too heavy for our purpose, and we prefer the No. 2, which is much lighter, and sufficiently strong for breaking. At the season for early and late breaking the land is usu- ally wet and the work is done much ea- sier for the team. We care not how wet even if the water follows in the new cut furrow — the subsequent fiost will make it all right. We have been asked if this early breaking will answer for the small grain sown in spring soon after breaking. If done in November we think a fine crop of oats could be grown, but the chances for spring wheat would be rather uncertain. The great advan- tage of this new order of breaking is to do it at a season of comparative leisure, and when the weather is cool and the team capable of doing a large day's worl--, certainly better than in the heat of July under a glowing sun. We hope our readers will give the subject their earnest attention, and prove its truth or falsity. Tlic Black Cap Raspbtrry. It is our intention to persevere in calling the attention of the readers of the Farmer to the subject of the small fruits, until they shall appreciate their value, whether it requires two months or two years. With the material at hand, and at most costing but a trifle, any farmer can grow an abundant supply of these invaluable prypholactics of health. Among the small fruits the raspberry claims no mean place, but it has to a great extent been neglected, and our farmers have been content with the few Black Caps that the birds have left along the fence ami forest borders. Whenever these Black Caps have been transferred to the garden they have im- proved in quantity and quality of fruit, and nurserymen are now selling them as the improved Black Cap, but allow us to assure you that just as good plants can be found in every patch of woodland from Cairo to the Lakes. THEIR CULTURE. The ground should be trench plowed, and subijoiled if possible, and laid off iu squares five feit each way, this will re- quire 1,742 plants to the acre. Now it will be seen that to prepare and set an acre of the pl.ints is no very great task, but the second year these plants will re- quire 1,743 stakes five fei-t long, made of good burr oak and sharpened so that they can be driven into the hills, to which the plants are to be tied. In set- ting out cut the plants back to within six inches of the g;ound, of course you are to have no fruit the first year. W^ork the ground well both ways and keep down all weeds. Should you Avish to glow any plants for new plantations or sale, you will go through wich a small plow in September and throw the earth on the tops of the shoots that will at this time be trailing on the ground and they will take root ; ior, be it remem- bered, that this plant is propagated by the tops taking roots and not from suckers, which, by the way is a valuable trait in its character. We have now done with them for the first season and they go into winter quarters without any protection. In March the stakes are driven fi/nily into the hills, all of the side shoots are pruned off and the tops cut back even with the tops of the stakes ; leave but four canes to a hill and cut out all others ; tie them to the stakes in three places with bass matting or wil- low bands ; cultivate the land Both ways. The canes will send out fruit spurs a foot to eighteen inches, forming a circle, whose diameter will be two to three feet and loaded with fruit; abundant space will be left to cultivate the ground with Jv. TI-IE ILLINOIS F^KMER. 151 Red Astrachan. — A fruit of extraor .Unary beauty, first imported into England with the White Astraehan, from Svreden, In 1816. It b3ars abundantly with us, aiid its sini!;ular richness of color is heightened by an exquisite blooai ou the surface of the fruit, like that of a pluiu. It is one of the handsomest dessert fruits, and its quality is good, but if not taken from the tree as soon as ripe, it is liable to become nieally. llipfins froin the last of July to the middle of August. Fruit pretty large, rather above t!ie middle size, and very smooth and fair, roundish, a little narrowed towards the eye. Skin almost entirely covered with deep crimson, with sometimes a little greenish yellow in tlie shade, and occasionally a little russot near the stalk, and covered with a pale white bloom. Stalk ralhtr short and deeply inserted. Calyx set in a slight basin, which is sometimes a little irregular. Flesh quite white, crisp, moderately juicy, with an agreeable, rich, acid flavor. — Doicnimj. [Remarks. — For a market fruit, this apple probably has no superior of its season; its senson is not over two weeks with us. In the north part of the State it commences to ripen abjut the 5th of Augnst; at the south, the 1st of July or last of June. — Ed.] Fallawater. — This is a native of Pennsylvania, and was first brought into notice by Mr. Grarber, of Columbia, Pa. It is a very good and productive apple, with a rich flavor. Fruit rather large, regularly formed, ovate or slightly conical. Skin smooth, green, with a brown blush, dotted with large gray spots. Stalk slender, set in a narrow, round cavity. Calyx smalil, closed, and placed in a smooth, narrow basin. Flesh greenish, juicy, with a rich, agreeable, sub-acid flavor. November to February. — Downing. [Remarks. — This frjit has been more or less grown in Iowa, Central and Southern Illinois, and has given universal satisfaction. — The tree is a very fine grower, and proluctive, which are two good points; large size, a good keeper, and give both tree and fruit no mean attractions. The engraver has us3d an 0 insjead of an A in the name. — Ed.] a horse and they will bo very convenient for picking, which \i\\\ only cost from one to two cents a quart, allow three to four new canes to grow in each hill. After the fruit is off, cut down all the canes and leave the ground to the new ones, which will require the same treat raent as before. We ask, is there any mystery about all this, any part which cannot be mastered by any farmer's boy of a dozen years old ? We think you ail say there \a not. It is desirable that a belt of forest or peach trees be planted about the small fruit grounds to break off tlie severe winds and to protect the birds, for birds are very useful in the small fruits to take off the worms, though they do take a little toll now and then. We appeal to our female friends to set this ball in motion, and see to it that the ground is prepared and more or less plants set out the coming spring. We shall have more to say in regard to t'.ie value of other varieties of the rasp- berry. -••»- Premium Corn. In company with Prof. Turner we visited the farm of Mr. Litton, a mile south of the Fair grounds, nt Jacksonville, to examine the fields of corn, entered for the premium for the best five acres of corn. Mr. L. has two pieces, ono of which he intends shall take the first, and the other the second premiums, thus by a coup d'etat, he intenas to carry the whole thing Looking at the immense growth of the stalk, the myriads of huge ears, it looks as though he would carry all before him. The rows are about three feet wide, and in hills half that distance, each hill with two to three stalks, and each stalk contain ing two to three ears, seldom one each. We have never seen a large fichl like this such a perfect cane brake — such an immense crop. We will make no attempt at guess- ing, as it i; to be accurately measured. We hope our friends who visit the Fair and and have friends with them from the east, will take a look at this corn field, for it will then be standing nearly ready for the har- vest. This field was worked with a hull tongue cultivator, and one of Prof. Turner's cultivators — the bull tongue going a foot deep. The State and County Fairs arc doing much to bring out the system of culture by excitins: a laudable emulation. of use, Fairbanks' have gone steadily forward, increasing in public favor year after year, and are now much more generally used than all others, not only in this country, but wherever American commerce has been carried. This could not be so if they were not all that is claimed for thera in respect to their durability, as well as convenience and accuracy. — Chicugo Fress and Tribune. daf-lt Fairbanks' Scales. — It is a significant fact which the public will appreciate, that whenever new scales are put upon ths market, as large numbers have been from time to time, during the last thirty j'cars, it seems to be the first and chief aim of the makers to show that they are the same as Fairbanks', or like them, or arc im- provements upon them, or have taken premiums over them, thus recognizing the latter as the standard for excellence, and showing the strong hold they have upon the public confidence. It is a well-known fact that while most of the scales have, after more or less trial, passed mainly out . The Fair Groands. Jacksonville, August 21, 1S60. With a view of making personal inspec- tion of the Fair grounds, we arrived in this city at five o'clock this morning, and after partaking of an excellent breakfast at the Dunlap House, (which, by the way, is one of the largest and best kept houses in the State, and selected as the head-quarters of the Executive Committee of the State Soci- ety,) we called on Prof. J. B. Turner, and after spending several hours with him on his own grounds, of which wc shall speak in another place, he accompanied us to the Fair grounds. The city of Jacksonville is one of the most delightful of rural towns ; I with wide, well graded streets, good side walks, lined with an abundance of shade trees, ample yards, filled with trees, shrubs and plants. It has an attractive, a vigorous rural beauty, that is most gratifying to the visitor. The American White Elm is the principal shade tree, with a sprinkling of 150 THE ILLINOIS FARMER. BAILHACHE & BAKER, PubUshers. M. L. DUNIiAP, Editor. SPRINGFIEL.D, SEPTE3IBER 1, 18C0. When shall we Break Prairie? We answer, at any time when the frost IS out of the ground. "Ah ! but that won't do." Well it will do every time if you will use the right kind of a plow, in the right way. From the time that the grass makes a vigorous growth and while it continues to grow, prairie can be the most cheap- ly broken up with a good sixteen inch prairie breaker, but should not be cut more than three inches deep. At other seasons, or when the grass is in a state of rest use a double Michigan plow ; set the top plow so that it will cut an inch deep and the bottom plow two or two and a half inches deeper. We have before stated that we sowed spring wheat on seven acres oF prairie broken up the last of February and first of March in the spring of 1859 with the double Michigan and replowed in the Fall and sowed last March. W^e now have the result : twenty-three bushels of first quality Canada Club to the acre. Our second son (Oscar) who is our farmer, had never sowed any grain be- fore, and in sowing the first four acres put on less than a bushel to the acre, and in the other three we had him sow one and a half bushels to the acre. It was all sov.-n beautifully oven, and came up well, having been thoroughly put in and rolled. On the three acres it was esti- mated that it turned out over thirty bushels to the acre. It should be borne in mind that on new land, spring wheat requires thick seeding, as it will not tiller out so much as on old land, hence the thinness of the crop on the four acres, which must have been less than twenty bushels per acre. Fawkts broke up four acres with his steam plow in November with common breaking plows. Three acres of this Ave sowed at the same time, putting on near- ly two bushels of seed to the acre, and giving it a most thorough harrowing. — The result was a spindling growth, not worth cutting, in fact, too thin and light to cut at all. One acre we sowed to the Black Tartarian Oats, a most vig- orous grower, and the result of that was ten bushels of oats. We have now plowed up all of this stubble land, and find that of the March breaking is in fine order, well rotted and friable, that done with the common breaking plow is but little rotted, full of grass and weeds, and required a break- ing plow to turn it over, whereas the other was replowed the first time with a common plow without the use of a coulter. And tlie difference is easily explained: when the grass is growing by turning it over, the tin-f or roots are wilted, not so when in a state of rest, but in plowing Avith the double Michigan plow, the turf is cut thin and rolled up like a scroll so that the frost and winds of winter and of spring will dry out and kill the roots, but when turned over with a common plow as in the caseof the steam plow,the turf rests on the ground, aud keeps the reversed turf from dying out and the roots are preserved in all their vitality, and ready to grow on the approach of warm weather. From our experience we would rather have prairie broken with the double Michigan plow in November or March, than with the common plow in June. — And we are now prepared to recommend Fall and Spring breaking; but we want it distinctly understood that in no case is the breaking to he over three or four deep inches at most. Because the Double Michigan plow was intended for a deep tiller, it docs not follow that it cannot be Ui^od as wo have described for a very difi'ercnt purpose than its inventor intend- ad. AVo hope our readers understand the modus operandi^ at this time, for in our former remarks on this subject many persons appeared to have the impression that the value of early breaking was in deep plowing, which is tho very reverse. As a deep tiller we have no exalted opinion of it, and never u.^e it for that purpose, preferin^ to use two plows and two seperate teams. The No. 1 plow of Messrs. Dreer & Co. is too heavy for our purpose, and we prefer the No. 2, which is much lighter, aud sufficiently strong for breaking. At the season for early and late breaking tho land is usu- ally wet and the work is done much ea- sier for the team. We care not how wet even if the water follows in the new cut furrow — the subsequent fiost will make it all right. We have been asked if this early breaking will answer for the small grain sown in spring soon after breaking. If done in November we think a fine crop of oats could bo grown, but the chances for spring wheat would be rather uncertain. The great advan- tage of this new order of breakinnj is to do it at a season of comparative leisure, and when the weather is cool and the team capable of doing a large day's Avorl", certainly better than in tho heat of July under a glowing sun. We hope our readers will give the subject their earnest attention, and prove its truth or falsity. The Black I'ap Ra.siikrry. It is our intention to persevere in calling the attention of the readers of the Farmer to the subject of the small fruits, until they shall appreciate their value, whether it requires two months or two years. With the material at hand, and at most costing but a trifle, any farmer can grow an abundant supply of these invaluable prypholactics of health. Among the small fruits the raspberry claims no mean place, but it has to a great extent been neglected, and our farmers have been content with the few Black Caps that the birds have left along the fence and forest borders. Whenever these Black Caps have been transferred to the garden they have im- proved in quantity and quality of fruit, and nurserymen are now selling them as the improved Black Cap, but alloAv us to assure you that just as good plants can be found in every patch of Avoodland from Cairo to the Lakes. THEIR CULTURE. The ground should be trench plowed, and sub.->oiled if po.ssiblo, and laid off in squares five feet each way, this will re- quire 1,742 plants to the acre. Now it Avill be seen that to prepare and set an acre of the plants is no very great task, but the second year these plants Avill re- quire 1,7-1:2 stakes five feet long, made of good burr oak and sharpened so that they can be driven into the hills, to which the plants are to be tied. In set- ting out cut the plants back to Avifhin six inches of the g;ound, of course you are to have no fruit the first year. AVork the ground Avell both Avays and keep down all Aveeds. Should you Avisli to grow any plants for new plantations or sale, you Avill go through Avich a small ploAV in September and thrOAv the earth on the tops of the shoots that Avill at this time be trailing on the ground and they will take root; ior, be it remem- bered, that this plant is propagated by the tops taking roots and not from suckers, Avhich, by the way is a valuable trait in its character. We have noAv dune Avith them for the first season and they go into Avinter quarters Avithout any protection. In March the stakes are driven fi/mly into the hills, all of the side shoots are pruned off" and the tops cut back even Aviih the tops of the stakes ; leave but four canes to a hill and cut out all others ; tie them to the stakes in three places Avith bass matting or Avil- loAv bands ; cultivate the land both ways. The canes will send out fruit spurs a foot to eighteen inches, forming a circle, whose diameter will be two to three feet and loaded with fruit ; abundant space will be left to cultivate the ground with THE ILLINOIS F^KJVIER. 151 Red Astrachan. — A fruit of extraor.Hn.iry beaafcy, first importecl into England with tlie White Astrachan, from Sw^eden, in 1816. It b^ars abundantly with us, and its sini,'ular richness of color is heightened by an exquisite bloom on the surface of the fruit, like that of a plum. It is one of the handsomest dessert fruits, and its quality is good, but if not taken from the tree as soon as ripft, it is liable to become nieally. Ilipens from the last of July to the middle of August. Fruit pretty large, rather above the middle size, and very smooth and fair, roundish, a little narrowed towards the eye. Skin almost entirely covered with deep crimson, with sometimes a little greenish yellow in the shade, and oscasionally a little russet near the stalk, and covered with a pale white bloom. Stalk rather short and deeply inserted. Calyx set in a slight basin, which is sometimes a little irregular. Flesh quite white, crisp, moderately juicy, witli an agreeable, rich, acid flavor. — Downimj. [Remarks. — For a market fruit, this apple probably has no superior of its season ; its senson is not over two weeks with us. la the north part of the vStiite it commences to ripen abjut the 5th of xVugnst; at the south, the 1st of July or last of June. — Ed.] Fallawater. — This is a native of Pennsylvania, and was first brought into notice by Mr. Garber, of Columbia, Pa. It is a very good and productive apple, with a rich flavor. Fruit rather large, regularly formed, ovate or slightly conical. Skin smooth, green, with a brown blush, dotted with large gray spot^. Stalk slender, set in a narrow, round cavity. Calyx smalll, closed, and placed in a smooth, narrow basin. Flesh greenish, juicy, with a rich, agreeable, sub-acid flavor. November to February. — Downing . [Remarks. — This friit has been more or los-i grown in Iowa, Central and Southern Illinois, and has given universal satisfaction. — The tree is a very fine grower, and productive, which are two good points ; large size, a good keeper, and give both tree and fruit no mean attractions. The engraver has used an 0 instead of au A in the name. — Ed.] a horse and they will be very convenient for picking, which will only cost from one to two cents a quart, allow three to four new canes to grow in each hill. After the fruit is off, cut down all the canes and leave the ground to the new ones, which will require the same treat raent as before. We ask, is there any mystery about all this, any part which cannot be mastered by any farmer's boy of a dozen years old? AYe think you all say there i^ not. It is desirable that a belt of forest or pea^L uces be planted about the small fruit grounds to break off the severe winds and to protect the birds, for birds are very useful in the small fruits to take off the worms, though they do take a little toll now and then. ■ We appeal to our female friends to set this ball in motion, and see to it that the ground is prepared and more or less plants set out the coming spring. We shall have more to say in regard to t^.ie value of other varieties of the rasp- berry. Preminm Corn. In company with Prof. Turner we visited the farm of Mr. Litton, a mile south of the Fair grounds, rt Jacksonville, to examine the fields of corn, entered for the premium for the best five acres of corn. Mr. L. has two pieces, ono of which he intends shall take the first, and the other the second premiums, thus by a coup cVctat, he intenJs to carry the whole thing Looking at the immense growth of the stalk, the myriads of huge ears, it looks as though he would carry all before him. The rows are about three feet wide, and in hills half that distance, each hill with two to three stalks, and each stalk contain inff two to three ears, seldom one each. We have never seen a large field like this such a perfect cane brake — such an immense crop. We will make no attempt at guess- ing, as it i? to be accurately measured. We hope our friends who vi.sit the Fair and and have friend.s with them from the east, will take a look at this corn field, for it will then be standing nearly ready for the har- vest. This field was worked with a hull tongue cultivator, and one of Prof. Turner's cultivators — the bull tongue going a foot deep. The State and County Fairs are doing much to bring out the system of culture by exciting a laudable emulation. of use. Fairbank.s' have gone steadily forward, increa.sing in public favor year after year, and are now much more generally used than all others, not only in this country, but wherever American commerce has been carried. This could not be so if they were not all that is claimed for them in respect to their durability, as well as convenience and accuracy. — Cliicugo Fress and Tribune. daf-lt ——■ Fairbanks' Scales. — Tt is a significant fact which the public will appreciate, that whenever new scales are put upon the market, as large numbers have been from time to time, during the last thirty years, it seems to be the first and chief aim of the makers to show that they are the .same as Fairbanks', or like them, or are im- provements upon them, or have taken premiums over them, thus recognizing the latter as the standard for excellence, and showing the strong hold they have upon the public confidence. It is a well-known fact that while most of the scales have, after more or less trial, passed mainly out The Fair Grounds. Jacssosville, August 21, I860. With a view of making personal inspec- tion of the Fait grounds, we arrived in this j city at five o'clock this morning, and afler f partaking of an excellent breakfast at the j Dunlap House, (which, by the way, is one i of the largest and best kept houses in the State, and selected as the head-quarters of the Executive Committee of the Stat€ Soci- ety,) we called on Prof J. B. Turner, and ! after spending several hours with him on his own grounds, of which wc shall speak I in another place, he accompanied us to the Fair grounds. The city of Jacksonville is I one of the most delightful of rural towns ; with wide, well graded streets, good side walks, lined with an abundance of shade trees, ample yards, filled with trees, shrubs and plants. It has an attractive, a vigorous rural beauty, that is most gratifying to the visitor. The American White Elm is the principal shade tree, with a sprinkling of 15 i^O Tiin: illi:n"ois fa^i^]sii±:i^. Black Maplo, (^Aeer NnjuniJo,') Locust, Ca- talpa, Ash, etc. The Kluis are about a foot ill diameter, and show that at souie particu- lir tiuie, the uianiu for tree phmtiiig took poKsession of the people, and they submitted to its potent sway, and strait f.rth went to tiie skirts of the woods and took thence thous- ands of Elms and a few hundred of ether trees, and now they are richly repaid in syl- vvn beauty, and the boughs of the graceful Kim screens them from the heat of the Au- gust sun. We could duly appreciate this in our walk to the Fair ground.s, a distance of one and a half miles. The Fair gronnds arc most beautiful, just sufficiently undulating for draimige. The surface is closely carpeted with tliat most valuable of all our pa.'^ture grasses, the IJlue Clrass. At an early day the lorest that cov- ered the ground was thinned out, so as to leave the wliole a most beautiful park, with jii>:t enough of shade to make it pleasant, and not too much to check the lu.Kuriant growth of the blue grass. The outside fence is high and well made, and encloses about thirty acres, nearly in a s<|aaio form. On entering the gate you have u panoramic view of the grounds and build ings, with the great Amphitheatre in tho center. To the right of the entrance is the ticket office. The stalls lead off both to the right and left, a.jd nearly encircle the wholi- grounds. Those intended for cattle and horses number five hundred and lifty, for sheep and hogs three hundred ; these are all well made, have tight board roofs, good mangers, and in every respect better than tho average ot those used on our farms, lo which fact we would call the esj.ecial atten tion of a large number of our farmers, wlm take little heed where they tie up their horses. Between the stalls and tiic trotting ring, are hundreds of oak stumps ; these, we suggested should be sawed off" to make seats, iiLstead of being dug out to disfigure the grass that so closely carpets their b;ise. The trotting ring is liffy feet wide, and half a mile iu circuit; it is very nearly graded.— - As we pass over the ring, the first building t J the right is the President's ofiice. twenty- six by thirty feet, with bu.-^iness offices a lit- tle further to the right; this building is thirty-eight by one hundred feet, and at the east end contains the sleeping apartment of the officers. 'J'o tho south of this is one of the boarding houses, forty by ninety teet, with all the ap^dianccs (jf cooking in the rear, to which is addod an extensive ice house. The other boarding house is on the e ist side of the amphitheatre, and is forty by one hundred feet. The hall for Textile Fabrics is a little to the west, and is forty by one hundred feet. Tliis was gotten up under the supervision of Mr. Van Enps, the Superintendent ot that department, and iy arranged in a very superior manner, and we may expect to see this hall arran<;ed in the most attractive styla; we regret that the premium list is so parsimonious in this de- partment We next come to the Floral IJall, which is made iu the form of a Circek Cross, each wing being forty by one hund- red and six feet; in the center is to be a small Fountain. The tables instead of being flat, are made in the form of a turtle shell, and will thus add much to facilitate the ex- amiration of fri.i';. On the east side of the amj)hitheatre is the Natural History Hall, twenty-eight by eighty foot; two glass show cases run the length of the building, with ample shelving on the sides, and at the end an upright show case of eight by twenty feet. This will be the first great exhibition of Natural History in the State, and 'inder the superintendence of Prof C. \). Will)ui, it cannot fail of proving highly attractive; we UKiy safely call this a new feature in our Stale Fairs. The Farm Products Hall is forty by one hundred feet. Tiie Fine Arts Hall, thirty by ninety feet. Mechanic's Hall is same size and shape of the Floral ILdl ; of course it is a monster building — in the aggregate 41-4 feet long. Power Hall is thirty-four by seventy feet. Editor's Room is yet to be built, but we have no fears but that it will bo all the craft could expect. The amphitheatre and buildings are being white-washed with an excellent whitc-Wiish, which for durability, color and cheapness, is unrivalled. We wtmld es- pccinlly call the attention of those of our readers, to its value, who visit the Fair, the recipe for which we intend to place iu our Table next month. The Amphitheatre is tho great feature oi of the hhow. On tlic inside of the railin:: it is three hundred feet in diameter ; in the center is an Octagon Pagoda, eighteen teet, three stories high; a show ring, forty-six feet wide, and the sixtecntli of a mille in cir quit. Twelve seats rise one above another, and on the outside is a promenade twelve feet wide; the promenade and seats are well protected from the weather; they are reached i y six flights of stairs. Under the prome iiadc and wcuts arc furty-two booths, eigh teen by twelve feet, which will disjiense tin creature comforts to the people. The Am phitlieatre contains a goodly show of shade trees, which gives it a Sylvan beauty, nor olten met with. The boarding houses are both under charge of W. W. Watson & Son, of Spring ueld, well known confectioners of that city The public need look for no leather pie> from them, nor other such villainous com- pounds as were served up last year. From the well known ability and integrity of these gentlemen, all may expect not only the worth of their money, but to be civily treat- ed in the bargain. Six wells on the ground, with good chain pumps, together with the waste water from the Fountains, ought to be enough. ^\'ateI will be forced through an inch pipe with a stear engine, for the Fountains, which wdl keep them in active duty. The pipe for this purpose comes from one of the Public Institutions To Mr. C. Galtry, the super- intendent of the improvements, much is due. f )r his sound practical views, and his ability to carry them out. He is one of the men for the occasion, and the Local Committoc ought to consider themselves fortunate in the selection, and Jacksonville that their h m is in such good keeping. We met Mr. ilockwell, the acting member of the Com- leittee, on the grounds, busy with the details that is to give the citizens of Jack- sonville so much credit for their energy and good taste. So far, then, as the grounds and buildings are concerned, they are in ad- v.ince of anything that has been had at our State Fairs. The agreeable shade that these old oaks will give to the September sun, will be most acceptable. Tlie abundance of water, tiic most superb camping grounds, and the deep interest taken iu the success of the Fair by every citizen, all conspire to point to this as a most pleasant and profitable gathering of the great industrial army, which, if the weather should continue favor- able, bids fair to eclipse all former efforts of the kind. All of the public buildings are to he thrown open fur lodging, and the hirge hulls and reception rooms of these institu- tions will afford no small amount of accom- modation in this line. The conimodious Dunlap House, and other hotels and private residences are making large preparations for lodg( rs. With such abundant crops, we may con- fidently look forward to a most magnificent .show of farm product.'^ A\'e would eani'jst- ly advi.-^e every render of the Farmer to carefully look over the premium list and see if tliere is iiot somethiiig that he can exhibit with a rea.«onab!e pnispect of success. Let no line say that he has better at home ; by doing this the value of the exhibition will be enhanced, and many premiums taken heme that had been before considered out of their reach. ^Ve learn that all of the railroads carry articles for exhibition free, and passengeis at half fare. The Great Western Railroad will run an extra train from Decatnr in the morning, connecting with tho morning train (•n the HIinois Central, returning in the eve- ning. This will give parties wishing to vis- it Springfield an opportunity to do so. A Ft'ff Hours in Social Clrit with Prof. J. B. Turiitr at Ills Home. All know Prof. Turner, either personally or by reputation. Py some he is con.^idered too progressive, by others impracticable, and by very many of his friends who know him best, as a truly scientific and practical man. But however people may differ, all allow him sincerity, and induiuitable perseverance, and an abundance of the milk of human kind- ness; to sum up, they place him on the list of useful men, after deducting all of his sup- posed or real defects. We have for a long time been anxious to make him a visit, and not until to-day (21st( has that wish been gratified. IITS HOME CROUDS Contain sixteen acres adjoining the Deaf and Dumb A.sylum^ in the city of Jackson- ville. These acres are enclosed on the street by an O.sage hedge, so perfect that nothing but village boys ever get through, and they are not often tresspassers on his grounds. — Three cross fences divide the grounds into four small fields, one of which is devot- ed to the house-ground.s, the garden and orchard ; one to the pig, poultry and and barn-yard; two others to the culture of the Osage hedge plant; these latter are four and six acres, and the hedge between them THE ILLIIS^OIS FA-HIS^ER. 158 is only intended for a screen. Of course the Professor is a great advocate of shelter from the prairie winds, and he says that he can get more crop from the remainder after he has taken a rod of land for the hedge than without it, besides it gives him almost two weeks the advance of the open prairie culture. The hedge plants are the largest that we have seen at this season by at least one-half the size, and yet he uses no manure in their culture. Near his house are two apple trees of the much abused Baldwin, ten inches in diameter, healthy and loaded with fruit, but they are closely walled in on the south and west by forest trees that tower far above, shielding them from the sudden changes; and these forest trees were set out by his own hand to give him shade on his early homestead of eighty feet front. His orchard is closely planted, and among the fruit trees mingle magnificent specimens of the Conifera, which in winter must give them a pleasant look. One-half of a large peach tree, on the east side, is loaded with fruit, at its base on that side is a plantation of Juniper. May not this have some- thing to do with the fruiting of that tree? His pear trees that were fast disappearing, are again robust, full of health and fruit, a peck of old plaster at the base, drenched with a pail full of urine, has been the medicament j this or the more fa- vorable season has wrought the change ; who shall decide ? ^A NUT FOR THE NATURALISTS TO CRACK. Here stands a ring-leaved willow thirty feet high, and nearly a foot in diameter ; a year or two since, the top was killed down six or eight feet, and now one of the branches just below the dead portion is, in all respects, a weeping willow, with the narrow, smooth leaf, drooping habit, and graceful form of the weeping willow, surrounded by the ring- leaved branches of the parrent tree ; will some of our Savans solve the mystery ? If they do not, we propose to let the advocates of the transmutation of wheat to chess loose upon them; for if the killing of the top of the ring-leaved willow has the eflPect to change the habit and leaf of the adjacent branch, may not the freezing of the wheat plant so change it that it produces chess ? We pause for a reply. ; ' His grape experiments have not resulted in anything practical, and though expensive and interesting we have neither the space or time to devote to it, and will refer our read- ers to what we said on page 114. In the grounds are several seedling peach trees, of rather an indifferent quality of fruit, but with the redeeming virtue that they pro- duce good crops nearly every year; no other peach trees in the grounds have borne this season except the one before noted. Prof. Turner has been one of the great practical pioneers of the Osage hedge, and has done much to make it a success. If any doubt this, let them visit Morgan coun- ty, and they will see hundrees of miles of it in successful use. After spending a cou- ple of hours in examing his grounds and ad- miring the neatness of culture, the thrifty growth and system of management, we took a look into the tool-house, and among the implements, both crude and perfect that are yet to make their mark, and give to our friend a name that shall go down to the gen- erations of toiling humanity, among the most prominent ia a gang plow, (two eleven inch plows,) a roller, seed sower, planter and cultivator, combined, so arranged that it will plow, sow and roll the small grains at one operation ; or it will plow, plant, cover and roll the ground; or it will cultivate a row of corn in the most thorough manner, and crush the clods at the same time, thus killing the weeds, stirring up the soil a foot deep, if you choose, and pulverising it at the same time. His Osage Orange seed is planted in drills, some eight inches apart, in beds of four rows; these are sown with a drill of his own construction; the same ma- chine with the addition of knives and pul- verisers, cultivates these rows in the cheap- est possible manner. The corn cultivator mentioned in our last issue, is one of the most valuable implements we have seen, and cannot fail to give to the great corn zones increased value ; we saw where it had been at work, and know that it cannot fail to give an increased yield over any other process; at the same time it is a great labor-savmg implement, and we are safe in saying that at least one-third of the usual cost of culture will be saved in its use. We hope that manufacturers of Agricultural Implements attending the Fair will take a look at it, as well as the great mass of farmers more im- mediately interested. Here is a cultivator and drill, or sower, to sow or drill wheat among standing corn — an ingenious imple- ment. Without going further into details, which time and space will not at present admit, we will close by saying that Mr. T. is not only a villager, but a farmer, having a farm of eight hundred acres, three hund- red of which is in corn, one hundred in small grains, one hundred in meadow, and the remainder in woodland, and pasture. — He loads and unloads his hay with horse- power, of which we intend to give drawings hereafter. ■«•>■ [From the New York Times, Aug. 9, 1859.] Spaulding's Prepared Glue. — A very meful and convenient article for house keepers and others, is "Spaulding's Prepar- ed Glue." It is one of those inventions small in themselves, which, nevertheless, go far in the economies of household manage- ment, and are an ever-present aid in saving time, expense and trouble. The number of small repairs to furniture, picture frames, crockery, children's toys, leather, shell and other fancy work, with the almost innumer- able uses to which in every houeehold a really good and ever-ready article of this kind may be applied, will at once suggest themselves to the ladies. Damaged book- covers, loosened leaves, dilapidated maps herbariums, will remind the book-worm of its value. This glue is compounded with chemicals which hold it permanently in so- lution until it is applied, without affecting its strength, and which serve to give the adhe- sive matter a firmer hold on the surfaces to be united, after which they quickly evapo- rate, leaving the glue to harden with rapidi- ty and tenacity. It is estimated that there are at least five millions of households in the United States, and that an outlay of from one to ten dollars is annually required to make small repairs to furniture alone, apart from the numerous neglects and make- shifts that are necessBrily resorted to. ; • — ♦ — » Correspondence. Illihois Statk AaBicT7i.TnBAL Societt's Rooks, ) Spbingfibld, August 28, 1860. f Editor Illinois Farmer : — I have the pleasure to hand you, and request the publi- cation of the Report of James N. Brown, Esq., the Commissioner of this Society, on the subject of the Pleuro-Pneumonia. 1 bespeak for it a careful perusal by your readers, and am quite sure it will go far to relieve the fears and quiet the apprehensions of the farmers and stock-breeders who may desire to bring their cattle to our coming State Fair at Jacksonville. Papers through- out the State please copy. .. Yours, respectfully, John P. Reynolds, Cor. Sec^y. Gbovb Pabk, August 8d, 1860. J. P. Retkolds, Esq., Cor. jS«c'3/ JUiTiois State AgricuUurctl Society: — Dear Sir : — The Executive Committee at Bloomington, on the 27th of June last, passed the following resolution : "Resolved, That Jas. N. Brown be ap- pointed a Commissioner, with full discretion to take such steps as he may deem necessary to investigate the character of the disease known as Pleuro-Pneumonia^ prevailing among cattle in the eastern States and Cana- das; that he be requested to observe with great vigilance the progress of the disease, and that he recommend from time to time to this Committee, through the Corresponding Secretary, such action as in his judgment . may be required." : .. •. " • -^ vi,* ^ In pursuance of the above resolution,' I proceed to communicate to the committee, through you, as follows : Pleuro-Pneumonia has long prevailed on the Continent of Europe, and has once or twice extended to Great Britain. When in England in 1857 ,Jas one of the agents of the Illinois Stock Importing Company, it was prevailing, to an alarming extent, in some of the German States, yet there was no fear on the part of stock growers of England that it would appear amongst their herds, unless introduced by stock from the infected dis- tricts. Such were the police and sanative regulations of the kingdom, that they look- ed upon the reappearance of this dreadful scourge as not likely to occur. That the disease is contagious, and not epidemic, I never heard seriously doubted, until the unfortunate introduction of the disease into Massachusetts, by four head of cattle imported by Mr. Chenery of Belmont, from Holland, in June 1869. From this importation the disease spread, and back to it every case that has appeared in Massa- chusetts, is traceable, showing satisfactorily that it is contagious and not epidemic. The report of the State Commissioner, Dr. A. McFarland, to the Governor, sustains the view that the disease is contagious, and I recommend its careful perusal to every stock 154 THE ILLINOIS FA-HMiER. grower in the State. 1 do not believe that a single case of Pleuro-Pneumonia as known in Europe, has made its appearance outside of Massachusetts, and I hope that the prompt measures taken by the Legislature of that State, and those acting under her authority, aided by the cheerful and ready acquies- cence on the part of the citizens of the whole State, to aid said axithorities, to ex- terminate this fatal disorder from her bor- ders will soon prove entirely successful. I feel well assured that the disease will spread no further, unless stock be taken from the infected districts into those not infected, and patriotism and selfishness alike demand that this is not done. As non-communication with a case of small-pox is the only mode by which a person not vaccinated can escape the foul disease, so non-communication with stock from the infected districts, is the on- ly safe-guard against this terrible cattle scourge. It will be remembered that some two months since it was said that Pleuro-Pneu- monia had made its appearance in New Jer- sey and the Canadas, and more recently that it had broken out at Shabbona's Grove, in De Kalb county, in the northern part of this State — and a letter from Mr. M, L. Curtis, of Elk Grove, Cook, county, to you, says he thinks the disease has appeared in that neighborhood. Further — the report of T. Cooper Walton,. of Bunker Hill, Macou- pin county, to you, asserts that Pleuro- pneumonia prevailed in his county last win- ter. These reports were doubtless believed to ' be true; yet that the Massachusetts cattle scourge was found to exist in any of the lo- calities above referred to, I do not credit. No evidence wsis givon, nor was any claim- ed to exist, tending to show that the intro- duction of the disease, to any one of the States or localities above referred to, was from Massachusetts, where the Pleuro- pneumonia was then prevailing. The wri- ter who claimed that the disease had made its appearance in New Jersey says that it was carried there from Brooklyn, New York, and was the same disorder that had, according to Leslie's account, killed a vast number of cattle, and added fearfully to the mortality of the inhabitants of New York and Brooklyn, consequent upon the use of milk from the diseased cows. The disease that is referred to in Shabbonas and Elk Groves, has not as yet spread so as to cause any alarm outside of those localities, and I apprehend it will be found that the cattle in those Groves died of Murrain or Pneumonia, to which in many sections of the west and south, cattle are more or less subject. The first symptoms of Pleuro-Pneumonia, ac- cording to Dr. McF&rland's report, and oth- ers, are as follows : " The animal will sep- arate from the '.herd, and be disinclined to stand on its feet, and if standing on its feet, stands with an arched back and stiffened appearance; when urged to move, it will do SO for a short distance only, and walks with a staggering (or unsteady) gait; seems to be more or less fatigued; the eye loses its lus- tre, and exudes from the lids a viscous mat- ter, which dries into a crust.'' I have been engaged in breeding, growing and feeding cattle for thirty-five years, and never had a sick animal that did not exhibit, to a great- er or less extent, some or all of the above symptoms, in proportion to the violence of the attack. Hence, many may be easily misled by the first symptoms of Pleuro- pneumonia, some of which also indicate the presence of other diseases. In the com- munication of Mr. Walton, he confidently asserts that a disease identical with Pleuro- Pneuminia prevailed to an alarming extent in that county, in 1858-9, and he estimates the loss at 3000 head. He further states that the Texas fever, which prevailed in Missouri in 1858 was introduced into Ma- coupin county, in that year by Texas cattle driven through that county, fuid expresses the belief that the so called Texas fever, as it prevailed in Missouri in 1858 was Pleuro- pneumonia. There was in the winter of 1858-9 a fearful mortality among the cattle of Macoupin county; and I understood that the stock of that county died for the want of food, owing to the unprecedented short crops of that year, and never, until I saw the com- munication of Mr. Walton, did I dream that a disease similar to the Pleuro-Pneumonia had prevailed in that county or any other portion of the west. In regard to this so called Texas fever, there are various opin- ions in Missouri and Illinois. In my opinion it is nothing more or less than the murrain, in an aggravated form. It is endemic, or in other words, it is peculiar to some portions of the west and<^net for early November deliv- ery, and now we hear of 8,000 taken for latter November de- livery at $6.00, and also understand that smaller engagements have been made, to enable the drovers to get the hogs secured. This all looks as If pork was to bring a good price this fall, at least in the early part of the season.— Com. Express, Ohi- COffO. Bkbribs and Hbaltb. — A correspondent of Xi/e ZUustra- ted says of berries : I have been trying them for several years, and find that when I can get plenty of them I enjoy better health than at any other time. They keep the bowels open, and relieve the system of all waste matter, and I believe that if they were used freely by all our citizens, we would hear less talk of "bowel complaints," and other summer diseases, and the thousands of humbug preparations for the cure of cositiveness, bowel complaints, &c., would lie on the shelves of the drug stores uncalled for. I prepared them for use by puttlng'the berries into an ear- then ware boiler, covering them with water, and then boiling them for half an hour ; and if there is anylliiug better than berries cooked in this way, I have never yet found it. Crops In Michigan. — The Michigan Farmer estimates the wheat crop of that State this year at 9,000,000 bushels.- Another authority estimates that of Ulinoii at 26,000,009 bushels ; Ohio, 8 >,000,000 ; and Pennsylvania 10,000,000. Smut in Sbbd Whbat.— All those who are proposing to sow winter wheat should bear in mind that smutty wheat is not desirable, neither is chess. Both of these are cheaply got rid of. Wash the seed in strong brine and skim off the chess — ^the wheat will sink ; drain off asd add a small amount of slacked lime, and the smut is done for. Some use blue vit- riol ; that is good for the smut. The other is equally so, and at the same time you kill two birds with one stone, but do not let it lay in a pile as it will soon heat and the seed will not grow. If you prefer to try the vitriol (salphete of copper) two pounds will do for ten bushels, dissolved in water and pour in your wheat ; dr«n it off in a basket, and it will soon be dry enough to sow. 156 THE ILLINOIS F^RMIER. OnicAGO Bank Notk List.— Among our exchanges Is this valuable paper, posting ua up seml-montlily in the changes of the Banking institutions of the day, and giving ub warning of new counterfeits. Farmers handling but little money will lind it useful. Our farmers are the great losers by bad money, which is palmed oCfonthem. Businessmen cannot afford to do without such publications, and we suggest that farmers would ffnd it to their advantage to invest in the same line. — An ounce of preventive is said to be worth a pound of cure. STOva Coal fob Swinb. — For several years we have been In the babit of giving stone coal dust or screenings to our hogs, and find tliem fond of it, and theyjseem to enjoy themselves In grinding up the small lumps. Sulphur Is very healthy for them, and It is probably to this that It owhs Its value. We give half a dozen hogi a shovel full a week, and keep them In a small yard without grass, yet they are fine and healthy. Bark Licb. — Mr. Brayton, Horticultural editor of the Northwestern Farmer, says that these pests have disappeared from hii trees, and that with the most careful inspection, he hat act been able to find on of them. He says that in exam- ining the old scales,the under part appear to have dried up. We hope this is true of other places, for we have feared that these pests of the orchard that have ruined thousands of trees in Wisconsin and Northern lillnois, were gradually extending west and south. Can any of our readers give us similar news from the prairie orchards. In our orchard at Leydcn which was badly infested, we have kept them in check and material- ly lessened their numbers. By washing with soda and lime in June, they con be held In check, as we know from experience. Concord Graphs. — By consulting the card of Messrs. Smith & Son, It will be seen that they offer a large lot of tlic vines of this valuable grape, and at such rates that people wishing to plant can put them in by the hundred. They are usually sold at a dollar each and this is the first time that wc have seen them offered within the reach of common pockets. The Messrs. Smith are entirely reliable and will do just aa they say. We have been personally acquainted with them for years. The Potatob Crop and a Market. — We have letters and enquiries from tlie north part of the State enquiring what they should d* with the large crop of potatoes now growing. We answer that they will all be wanted at reasonably fair prices. In the South the crop of Irish and sweet potatoes are mined, and the same is nearly the case all south of the Terre Haute & Alton Riiilroad. The crop in the central part of the State Is only moderate and will afford but a small supply, and then the large crop North will be wanted South to supply the deficit made by the severe drouth. We hope our farmers will be pa- tient under the blessing of this Immense crop. It is all very likely to be wanted at fair prices, but do not hold on for fam- ine prices, for these will not rnme at your bidding. BcU -wUcu you can get a fair price. Pdbple Cone Raspberbt. — This raspberry continues to fruit with us, (ISth.) The plants were set last spring, and cut back to within eight inches. They threw out vigorous side shoots, which have produced a good crop of fruit, and on sev- eral plants there is yet a good crop of half grown berries. The cutting back of raspberries we have found to be a decided ad- vantage. Scotch nrsRio Rhubarb we look upon as worthless, wlien we can get plants of Myatts, Victoria, or Linneus. It is pos- sible with the aid of slaughter house offal to make It produc- tive, but common garden culture, such as farmers give It, it Is certainly of little valne, being a week later in the Spring, and small sized stalks. Wisconsin Fruit Grower's Association. — Through the kind attention of A. G. Hand ford we are In receipt of the premium list for the Fair, which will be held in connection with the State Society; at Madison, 24th;to 29th of Sept. Our Wisconsin friends are determined to make fruit growing one of the institutions of the State, and are wide awake on the subject. The list is a liberal one, and must draw out a good show of fruit, wines, flowers and plants. Since writing the above we have received a complimentary ticket from the Secretary, O. S. Wllley, for which kind atten- t ion he will please accept our thanks. Drouth in Eqtpt. — We learn that in all Kgypt, and es- pecially the prairie portion, that the drouth Is doing much damage to the corn, potatoes and finit. Peaches especially are small, j Crops in Wisconsin.— We take the following extract from a private letter from Waukesha, Wis., written by A. G. Handford :— "This has been a very fruitful season, and Wis- consin never before had so great abreadth sown to wheat, and never so large a yield per acre. The quality Is fine. Corn Is now promising, indeed everything in the hands of the farmer has seemed to prosper. Our fruit crop will also be good." Mrs. Eirkland's Memoirs op Washington— D. Appleton & Co.. New York. — Our younger members of the family of readers of the Faiimkb, have a wish to look into history, and to see who have been the pattern men of the past, so as to form a model for themselves ; with this view we commend to their attention the above work, not only for its historic value, Its high mural sentiment, but the clear, vigorous and pleasant style in which it is presented. It is happy for the develop, ment of a good, clear Saxon-Engltsb style among all classes of our country, that the Lives of Washington most popular, have been by authors noted for the simplicity and purity of their diction, the absenceof inversion and distortion in the construction of sentences, and the great preponderance at the sliort, terse Saxon words, over their longer and weaker slnonymes of Latin and French origin. An observant literary man once said to us " You may read page after page of Irving, and scarcely find a parenthesis or parenthetical clause in any sentence," and this is a true remark, and the fact herein stated gives the clue to one of the great secrets of Irving's immense popularity as a writer. To read his short, simple paragraphs fstiot a labor for the mind, nor does It require an effort of the attention to remember at the end of a sentence what he was driving at when it began. In this simplicity, Mr. Irving, and most other truly great masters in literature, present a marked contrast to the mass of writers for public amusement, especi- ally the young beginners in authorship, and more particularly well-read and college-bred men, who have drawn their mater- ials from European and Ancient languages, or from English writers of the last century, such as Johnson. The English of the present day are apt to run to the o])posite extreme in their Idolatry to the Saxon as opposed to the Norman element in our noble tongue — witness Carlyle's vagaries and absurdities as exhibited in his last book, the Life of Frederick the Great. There is probably no American writer who would claim to be nearer to Mr. Irving in the matter of style than Mrs. Kirk- land. Her " Memoirs of Washington," as well as her many previous works, are a " well of English undeflled." Irving's Life of Washington is directed and adapted to the reading public generally, and is an admirable picture of the whole life, public and private of the Father of his country, with a great deal of Interesting matter on all the atfairs which occurred in this country during Washington's life time. The whole forms a handsome duodecimo work in several volumes, one, at least, of which is not yet published. Mrs. Klrkland's " Memoirs on tlio other hand are prepaied expressly for the young, and aa shs says in the dedication, are an " attempt to introduce AVashiiigton to their more intimate knowledge and tenderer regard, and so to make hts goodness and patriot- ism Irresistibly inspiring to them." To this end the "Memoirs" treat more especially the private, or imitable side of Washington's character, and fol- low him, from his cradle to his grave, as closely and person- ally as the most careful research into alibis ])rlvate journals and letters now in existence (and they are many) will enable any one now tu do. His school copy books and studies in arithmetic, bis field-books as a civil engineer and surveyor and his journals kept while out on surveying expeditions, the journals and memoranda of which he was a methodical and voluminous author all through life — all are preserved in the State Department at Washington, (having been bought by Government from his heirs for $;}0,( 00,) aud into all these, and also into all the local traditions connected with him among persons now alive. Mrs. Kirkland has made careful research, and the resulf is a charming story cf the home aspect of a great man ; a story as fascinating to many minds as a novel, for a grey-headed lawyer assured the writer hereof that he sat up the great part of a night to finish it. When he bad got near the end that he could not bear to leave off ! We recommend this book in its cheap form as now before us, to the school authorities. The Ohio school libraries are all jirovided with it, and au effort is being made to extend its use to schools further west. May it be successful as far as Illinois Is concempd, nay w»» Vow tho moral Itisoon -wliicH it> -will teach tho young will never be lost, but remain through long years. Maryland AoBici;LTUBiL College. — The second circular of thiscollege is before us. It contains all the laws passed in relation to it, with catalogue of officers and students. The Trustees set forth the objects as follows : " Their scheme, then, isflrst, an educational institution In Its most comprehensive sense. Its definition of education is, tliat It Is the united symmetrical development and Instruction of the religious, the Intellectual, and the phj'slcal qualities of the man. It recognizes the whole man, in ail the departments of his being, as the object of Its care. Its aim is not to In- struct merely, not to impart knowledge merely, but to awaken, to develop, to train and discipline all the latent in- born powers and faculties of the man, that he may command them for the high and noble uses of which they may bo capa- ble, or for which they were designed. " It is not to be supposed, ttien, that what we designate an agricultural college, aims merely at professional instruction in agriculture. The plan undoubtedly embraces such instruc- tion, but it is far more comprehensive. It claims for the farmer or mechanic, or for whomsoever Its care may be Bought, first his development as a man, trained and fitted, to the full extent of his capacity, for all the duties cf a man and acitizen. To this end it offers him the advantage of the most approved systems of moral and intellectual culture, and superadds to these, for his physical training, moderate and systematic exercises in the field and in the workshop, as the best means of laying the foundation of future heaitli and en- ergy, in a well-developed, robust, physical constitution." This may all be well enough for a literary institution, but we can see nothing of particular value to the farmer. All such farmer colleges are of Itttle or no account, there are many so named to rope In students from the rural population. A neat advertising dodge. Moth Tbap. — We have given bee culture considerable promlnance the postseason, for the reason that so little atten- tion has been paid to It for the last few years. We have tried the moth trap of E. W. Phelps, and find it all that It Is recom- mend to be, simple, cheap and efficient. We examine ours every evening and find from one to five worms ready to go into the comb, but by this trap we have them so they can do no harm. For a further description we refer our readers to the communication of H. B. G. In the present number. Our bees (August 18.) have began to kill off the drones In some hives. See that your bees have plenty of surplus boxes, as soon as one is filled take it off and put on another. Remove the box with tlie bees to the cellar or some dark place and they will leave it iu twenty-four hours or less, without any smoking. ♦ 400,000 bushels. The receipts for the same day amounts to 288,000 bushels. This is the largest day's work ever done in that or any otlier Western city. ., Sanoamon Countt Fair will be held at Springfield from the ITth to 2l3t September. A. B. McConnell, President, and John Cook, Secretary. This society la one of the oldest and best managed In the State. The grounds are very fine and easy of access, as all know who have attended the great political gatherings of late. The society are now expending four thousand dollars for new and additional building's which will add much to their usefulness. A hall for textile fabrics, twenty-five by fifty feet ; farm products, the same size ; ag- ricultural implements, same size; tliesc are to have shingle roofs ; a new amphitheatre four hundred feet, being half the circle ; a new pagoda, three stories high ; a dressing room for the ladies with enclosed grounds. All of these buildings to have shingle roofs and to be finished in first rate style. This society has broken away from old fogyism and is going ahead on its own hook. Success to it. We clip aa we go : " At the annual March meeting of the society, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted : nResolved, That the Sangamon County Agricultural and Mechanical Association pay its premiums in gold. Resolved, That in Class " B." Horses, owners shall not be restricted tu entries in one ring, and the award of premiums in any one class shall be no bar to the receipt of premiums upon the same animal in other classes where the animal is deemed worthy. Renolved, That ail animals having received first premiums at preceding exliibitions are hereby entitled to right of entry and the receipt of premiums if deemed worthy. Jieaolved, That we invite the citizens of the whole State, and especially of the counties of Morgan, Menard, Scott, Macon, Montgomery, Christian and Logan, to unite with our citizens as competitors at our next Fair. The citizens of Sangamon county will most gladly meet the citizens of the counties named, and others, at their county Fair, in comi)etition for the liberal premiums offered by the Sangamon Ooimty Society." PLEnRO-PNEUM(piA.— We would call the especial attention of our readers to the very able report of Capt. Brown on this subject. It not only gives the true history of the disease, but treats of several other alarming diseases that have ap- peared from time to time. The Captain assures us that in his exi)erience of twenty-five years he has lost but two animals of his own breeding from disease; at the same time, from among the great number of purchased animals that he has fed, he has lost from two to twenty per cent. We shall hope to see our usual show of anima's at the State and County Fairs. They are the great feature, and one that we view with pride. Bring them on and take down the premiums. Amalgim Oast Ibon Bells. — Since our last issue we have received one of these bells from the Foundery of Messrs. Wat- kins, Free & Co., Cincfnnati, (see their advertisement) and thus far It fully meets our expectations. It weighs two hund- red pounds, and is heard In a circle of two miles. Its tones are clear, and Its message for dinner is always musical. By arranging a certain number of strokes for each individual, there is but little trouble in calling them to the house sepa- rately if required. These bells are bound to havo a great run, for they are great labor saving institutions, real farm tele- graphs, to carry a message to the most distant part of the farm. Their cheapness and utility will soon place them on al- most every farm house in the country, while for churches and schools they are already in large demand. Orkknb Countt Fair.- This Fair is to be held at Carroll- ton, October 16th, 17 and ISth. Fifteen hundred dollars are offered in premiums. Joseph S. Ballinger, President, andC. Armstrong, Secretary. The Handbook, or Annual Record of Agricultural and Horticultural Statistics, by Wm. P. Sheppard, New York, price |1, has been received from the author. It is a valuable work for nurserymen, gardeners and farmers, in fact they cannot well do without it. It contains a large amotint of val- uable matter. Chesncts. — At Jacksonville we saw two very thrifty ches- nut trees, in a yard a little west of the Dunlap House, one of them was loaded with fruit. These were well sheltered by other trees. It would appear, from what we know of this tree, that it would grow well in our State. It is a difficult tree to transplant, but we think its value sufficient to warrant the planting of it where it is to grow, or perhaps root pruning in the nursery rows would answer the same purpose. Immense Movement op Grain. — The shipments of grain from Chicago last Saturday (ISth) footed up an aggregate of Personal and Peachfcl. — Being at the station yesterday, (nth) the Exjiress Agent handed ua a box of red-cheeked, lug- clous looking peaches. They were marked to our addrers, with the Initials E. N. C, Cobden, In small letters in one cor- ner. We deciphered this to be E.N. Clark, of the firm of Newhall k Clark, Cobden. Those gentlemen have a large fruit farm a mile north-west of the station, where they are growing apples, peaches, pears, strawberries and raspberries. Mr. Newhall Is a large fruit dealer In the city of Chicago ; fif- teen years aeo he was the pclncipal dealer in the city.and was the pioneer to make the sale of fruits an exclusive business. He has been very successful In building up a large trade. Mr. Clark is the active fruit man at the great fruit farm, which Ii already becoming known at the North for the careful manner In which his fruits are selected and put up for market. In be- half of our assembled family and a few friends, all of whom pronounced the peaches delicious, we take pleasure in return- ing Mr. Clark our thanks for his timely and agreeable remem- brance. A Deep Tiller.— The best deep tiller that we have tried was made by Bosworth, Andrews & Co., of Grand De Tour, Ogle County. THE ILLINOIS FARMER. >157 state Fairs for 1860. National Horse Show, Springfield, Mass Sept. 4— 7. Illinois, Jacksonville " 10 — 14. A'erinont, Burlington " 11 — 14. Poraological Society, Philadelphia " 11 — 14. Kentucky, Bowling Green " 18—22. Nebraska, Omaha " 19—21. Pennsylvania, Wyoming " 22 — 25. St. Louis, St. Louis " 24—29. Wisconsin, Madison " 24 — 27. Maine, " 25—26. Ohio, Dayton " 25—28. United States, Cincinnati " Upper Canada, Hamilton " Iowa, Iowa City Oct New York, Elmira. ' " Oregon, Indiana, Indianapolis. Georgia, Augusta Alabama, COUNTY PAIRS. 1— 2— " 9— ..... " 15—20. ..... " 22—27. Oct. 29 to Not. 2. ILLINOIS. Wabash Valley Fair, Paris Sept. 4—8. Henry, Cambridge - Oct. 8 — 5. Schuyler, Rushville " 8—5. Ogle, Oregon Sept. 25—28. De Kalb, Sycamore Oct. 4 — 6. Cass, Virginia. Sept. 4 — 7. Carroll, Mt. Carroll " 17—19. Champaign, Urbana " 20-21. DuPage, Wheaton " 26—28. Hancock, Carthage " 19—21. Lee, Dixon Oct. 1 — 5. Lake, Llbertyville " 2—3. La Salle, Ottawa Sept. 25—23. Monroe, Waterloo Oct. 16—18. Macoupin, Carlinville " 2 — 5. Macon, Decatur " 1 — 5. Pike, Pittsfleld " 2—4. Rock Island, Rock Island Sept. 19—21. Scott, Winchester Oct. 2 — 4. Tazewell, Tremout Sept. 26—28. Kno.x, Knoxville " 25—28. Adams, Quincy Oct. 2— 7. Bureau, Princeton Sept. 25—28. Marshall, Henry T " 18—20. Menard, Petersburg " 18—20. Livingston, Pontiac " 18 — 20. Fulton, Oct. 3 — 5- Jo Daviess, Galena Sept. 10 — 13. Fayette, Vandalia " 25—27. Kane, Geneva " 25-;-27. Agricultural Institute, Sandwich Oct. 16—17. Will, Joliet " 8—5. Logan, Lincoln " 8 — 5. Coles, Charleston Aug. 29 — Sept. 1. Winnebago, Rockford Sept. 18—21. Whiteside, Morrison «• 19—21. Sangamon, Springfield " 17 — 21. Woodford, Metamora " 19—21. McHcnry, Woodstock " 17-21. Stei>henson, Freeport. Vermillion, Catlin Oct. Greene, Buel Institute, Hennepin. Shelby, Shelbyville Bond, • 26—28. 9—12. " 16—18. . " 2—6. . " 2—6. .Aug. 28—31. St. Clair, Belleville Sept. 5—7. Greene, Carrollton " 17—18. Union Fair, Mattoon " 4 — 7. Mercer, Millersburg ♦' 25—27. Jasper, Newton " 27—29. Jefferson, Mt. Vernon Union Fair, Warren Sept, 25—28. Hancock, Carthage " 19—21. Warsaw, Warsaw " 26 — 29. COMMERCIAL. SPRINGFIELD MARKET— Aco. 21. WHEAT- Winter 85@95c ; spring 65@75c ; FLOUR— $5 00@6 00^ bbl; CORN— 25c ^ bu; CORN MEAL— 50c ^ bu; OATS— 16c f bu; BEANS— $1@1 25 ^bu; BRAN— 10c ^ bu; SHORTS— 15c ^ bu; POTATOES— New, 25®30c; HAY— $7@9 ^ ton; TALLOW— 6c ^ ft; SOAP— Bar, 3@6c ^ ft; CANDLES— 12 l-2c ^ box; BACON— Hams 12@14^ ft CHICKENS— $1 25 ^ doz; BROOM CORN— 1120^ ton; BACON— Sides, 10c ^ ft; SGGS— 6@7c^doz; 1 LARD— 10c ^ ft; I SUGAR-9@10>ic ^ ft; I COFFEE— 16@lSc ^ ft; M0LASSES-45®66c ^ gal; SALT— $ I 75 ^sack; SALT— 12 10 ^ bbl; MACKEREL— 12@18 No 1; CODFISH— $6 ^ 100; APPLES— Dried, ?l 50 ^ bu; WOOD— $2 50@3^cord; COAL— 9c ^ bu; WHISKY— 18(3i25c ^ gal; VINEGAR— 10c f gal; BROOMS— $1 75@2 00^doz; BUTTER— 12@15c ^ ft; HIDES— Dry, best, 10®llc; HIDES— Green, 5Xc; APPLES— Green, 40@60c; FEATHERS— 35®40c ^ ft; WEEKjutt review OP THE ST. LOUIS MARKET— Ano. 25, P.M. We have had another uuii .^ggjj j^ the produce market, un- marked by changes of any very ii..,o,^„t character. There isplenty of grainin the country, and u. ^ rondition to be moved forward to market, but the low state of tiiv, ..;vgrg ^nd consequent full prices for freights have not been favoraU<, »^ any movement of moment to this point. Wheat — Deliveries to-day amount to 14,000 bags, which is two or three times larger than the previous daily average. Wheat advanced here during the week, but at the close it set- tled back to former quotations, say 85@|1 20 ^ bushel for spring to prime fall red. Corn, Oats, Barley and Rye have each been well sustained throughout the week, and close at full prices. For oats there has been rather less demand for local uses, but more for [shipment. Rye is, we be- lieve, something lower than it was a week ago, and Barley has gained a trifle, common spring grade Is the only kind arriving or selling. The busi- ness in Flour has been little if any better. Lots in sacks con- tinue to be in some request, but the demand for barrels is as small at possible. Hemp has further advanced, and arrivals have gone off quickly, and Whisky, on account of limited supplies, has advanced so persistently that we quote at the close 20>^c per gallon. In Tobacco, prices have become stiff- er, and a few buyers have been here from Kentucky and Ten- nessee market, making purchases at a handsome advance from second-hand holders, who bought two or three weeks ago. Lead and Hides, Hay, and most smaller articles, have either not ch^ged at all or they have altered so little that they need no special description. The same may be said of Groceries, in which transactions have been small, as the fall business has not yet commenced. Provisions, too, are in statu quo. Stocks small and held very firmly at high prices. Hogs quote at $6 ®6 25 net for November and December delivery, and besides other ssiles of the week, some 3,400 head were engaged to-day at the inner figure — the weight to be 200 fts. The market is opening in an excited way, and every one is looking to an ac- tive season and high prices. — Bulletin. ST. LOUIS HORSE AND MULE MARKET.— Ado. 25. The market has been dull since our last weekly report. — Southern buyers having left the city the demand has been lim- ited and strictly local, and sales have consisted mostly of com- mon work horses. A number of mules from Illinois have been bought to feed by Missourians. This morning there were 77 horses and mules unsold. The business of the week has been as follows : At Private Sale. — 1 pair mules at $225; 2 mares at $90 to 9250; ldoat$"5; Ido at $10750; Idoat$115; 1 nice buggy mare at $150 ; 3 draught horses at $120 each ; 3 com- mon work horses at $40 to 50 ; 3 do at $60 to 63 ; 2 do at $80 to 90 ; 5 large mules at $900 the lot ; 2 do at $350 for the two and 13 at $135 each. ST. LOUIS LIVE STOCK MARKET— Auo. 25. Beef Cattle — The arrivals have consisted mostly of common cattle, of which the supply is ample. Good and prime have been in light supply, with sales at 2Ji@Bc ^ ft gross. Infe- rior and common have sold at l>^@2>4'@ 7% 7>^@ 7/4 Poorest quality. • 6>^@ 6>^ 6 & ^H General selling prices 7 ©8% 7 @9 Average of all sales, about 7%®, — 7%@ 8 The following droves from Illinois were In the market : McMahon & Mills 14 Fowler & Quinn 94 Henry Myers 88 Gillott A Toffey 92 Reed Marquett ». .. 66 JoelDalby ^ ..^.100 Tom Gallis; 74 M. Rhinemon 98 W. W. Harris «8 G. W. Reed 87 PatEagan ...... ...... 40 Tucker A Page 64 W. D. Blackburn 60 J. H. Williams 89 Alexander k. Fitch 100 E. Kate 25 John T. Alexander 833 J. H. Cheeny 72 G.Gregory .... 58 H Hurd 124 H. Eckstein 67 yankeeSmith 78 a. Sheuster A Co 129 N. T. Andrews 76 W. H. Morton 146 20,000 CONCORD GRAPE VINES, At Greatly Reduced Prices. $3 FEB DOZEN - -1-.$16 PSA 100. THE VINES ARE REMARKABLY strong and well grown. We have fruited this Grape for four years at this point. The most severe winter has not damaged it in the least, nor has it been effected by the rot. The fniit at this date is coloring finely on the vines. It is the great Grape of the pr^rie region. Plants will be securely packed for transportation. JAMES SMITH & SON, Des Moines, lows. August 13, 1860. sepl 8m D R. BAAKEE TREATS ALL DISEASES. Special attention given to all Chronic Diseases— Coughs, Cronp, Consumption, Influenza, Asthma, Bronchitis — all diseases of the nose, mouth, throat and lungs; all skin diseases of every description successfully treated — Lumbago, Lumbar Abscesses, Scrofula, Rheumatism, Gout, Neuralgia, Paralysis, Epilepsy or Convulsions, Dyspepsia, Dysentery, Diarrhocea. — The very worst cases of Piles cured in a short time; also dis- eases of the stomach, liverand bowels. There are many dis- eases incidental to women and children, which are treated with distinguished success. All particulars will be given by letter. Dr. Baakee can produce one thousand certificates of his perfect succes in curing Cancers, old Sores or Ulcers, Hip Diocssos, nstnla. nt wery deRCription, Scald Heads, Wens, Polypus of the Nose, or in any other part of the body. Tumors and Swellings, of every description, and without the use of the knife or any surgical instrument. Dr. Baakee has made a new discovery of a "Fluid" that will produce absorption of the Cataract, and restore perma- nent vision to the EYE, without resort to the knife. All diseases of thy EYES and EARS are successfully treated with- out the use of the knife or the needle. Dr. Baakee has con- stantly on hand at his office a very extensive assortment of beautiful Artificial Eyes and Tympanums or Ear Drums, which are suitable for either sex and all ages — inserted in five minutes. Ear Trumpets of every description, also every variety of artificial article known in the world. Doctor Baakee is one of the most celebrated and skillful physicians and surgeons now living. His fame is known per- sonally in every principal cii y of the world. All letters addressed to Dr. Baakee must contain ten cents to pay postage. All Chronic diseases can be treated by cor- respondence. Office at No. 61 North Fifth street, near the comer of Lo- cust, St. Louis Mo. ■■ . Office hours from 9 A.M., to 4 p.K. DOOTOR BAAKEE. julylS-dtriw-wAfly EUGENE t. GROSS, Attorney-at-Law, Springfield, III. Correspondence Solicited. Refters o— Col. M. Brayman, Springfield, Hon. Julias Manning, Peoria. decl-ly HANON'S MOLE PLOW.— Rights for the manufacture and use of Hanon's Pa- tent Mole Plow, can be had on application to the subscriber or his traveling agents. This plow was patented in March, 1860. It is now running in Christian county and gives the best satisfaction. Cuts a curve ditch when necessary, guages in depth from two to four feet, aad will cut from two to three hundred rods per day. For full particulars address, JESSE HANON, Jr. jy31-wf4m Taylorville, Christian Co., 111. COOK'S PORTABLE SUGAR EVAPOR- ATOR, for making Sorghum Sugar. THB MOST RAPID EVAPORATOE IN THB WOKLD. Very simple and beautiful inits operation. Is a self-defe- cator, and entirely dispenses with all chemicals for clarifying. It makes a beautifully clear and honey like syrup, and is the only Evaperator which has yet made Sorghum Sugar success- fully. It 's portable; always in order: economizes fuel and never fails to give perfect satisfaction. PRICES, 4c. OP EVAPORATOR. ^°- ^' ^?.° '^^ *'y ^^ ^- ^^^- ^'^°^' *^; **°ie 'i^e. copper, $65. " 4| '• «hvi08 " 65*; " " S; 158 THE ILLIlSrOIS F^HMEH. ^ SECDEITY. ^^ liYON'S PATENT O O I* ^ E I^ LIGHTNING RODS Have been extensively used for five years in the states of New England, New York, Pennsylvania, thio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin. Minnesota and Iowa, and Tiave alwayt ffiven the most perfect satis/action' for every- thing that science or experience has shown to bo essen- tial to form PERFECT UQHTNING RODS, has been adopted in their construction, Copper Rods have from^«« to sevtn times as much conducting power as new Iron Rods. Copper Rods do not rust but will retain their con- ducting power for years. Copper Rods need no paint £. Meriam, of Brooklyn, says, paint destroys the con- ducting power of any Rod. nEAD OUR CIRCULARS and see what the most scientific and practical men in tbe country Bay of them. We have reports from almost every ono who has investi- gated the science and principles of Electricity, and all are in favor of our COPPKR RODS. [Circulars sent frcf..\ Rods of various styles of Spiral, Tubular and Flat, famished in any quantities. Public Buildings furnished with neat and compact Bods, having from six to fifteen inches surface. Single Rodi9 sent by Express to any part of the country. _ , CAUTION. " Lyon's Patent" bears date .Inly 11th, 1RM, and J. for the '• Melalic Surface," Lightning Rod. mutU in any and tvery form where sheet Copper is used. And any other Lightning Rod made of Sheet Copper, (whether patented or not.) is an infringement upon our Right, and all persons who buy, sell or use, are liable to prosecution and damages, and will bo dealt with according to law. We are owners BY DEED of this Patent, for the States of lUinnis, Iowa; TFi.«;(Wi«n, Minnesota, Ken- tuclcy and Tennessee, and do hereby notify allipcrsons ir our Territory, to purchase such rods only of us or our au- thorized Agents. Orders or Communications addressed to E P. MARSH & CO. Post Office Box 8174, Office, IBO South Water Street, Chicago, Rhnois. T> OHRER'S COMMERCIAL COLLEGE; ^Corner Fourth and Poplar Streets, ST. LOUIS, MO. A full course of instruction in this Institution embraces double;e.vtry book-keeping, Commercial Law, Arithmetic and Penmanship ; also. Mathe- matics in all its branches, Drawing, Modern and Classic Languages, and DETECTING COTJNTERFEIT MONEY. Gentlemen can enter for the course separately, and at any time, as instruction is given individually and not in classes, each department being independent of the other, and under the control of a Professor educated for the especial depart- ment in which he is employed. For particulars call at the College, or address junel-ly LOUIS ROHRER. PIANOS AND MELODEONS. A. REED, 49 North Fifth Street, St. Louis, Mo., Wholesale and Retail Dealer in A. W. Ladd * Co.'s World's >'air Prize Medal Full Iron Frame Grand andSquare Piano Fortes ; Hallet, Davis & Co.'s Celebrated Patent Suspension Bridge New Curved Scale and Re- peating Grand Action Piano, with entire Iron Frames. Every Instrument fully warranted. Also, Mason t Hamlin's un- rivalled .Melodeons and Harmoniums for Parlor«, Churches, Seminaries and Lodges; all of which have receivea upwards of sixty gold and silver medals for their superb Instrun.ants. A liberal discount to Clergymen, Seminaries, Vestries, Churches and Lodges. Orders by letter or otherwise prompt- ly attended to. Pianos tuned and repaired in the best man- ner, rnwj i-fom THE IfQUISTON SHELLER AND HORSE POWER. MANUFACTURED BY J. C. CARR. For particulars address ISAAC P. ATWATER, Morris, Grundj County, Illinois. The most perfect, substantial and economical Farmer's Sheller ever built. Bloominoton, April 17th, 1860. 3fr. Isaac P. Atwater : Sir :— In answer to your questions, I will' state that since 10th November last, I have shelled with the McQUISTON TWO nORSE POWER ELEVATOR SlIELLER, over 45,000 bushels of Corn, with less than f 5 expense for repairs, and my machine Is still in good running order and will probably shell as much more. I have shelled, cleaned perfectly and sacked 80 bushels In one hour, and can do it any day with pood com. Would not sell my machine at any price. If I could not get anotherjust like it. Two light horses have done all this slielUng and kept fat. I shell and car my own corn at an expense of one and a half cents per bushel. Yours respectfully, WM. VREELAND, Com Buyer, at 0. A. & St. L. Depot. Mr. JOSEPH LUDINGTON, Corn Buyer, etc., at Depot of Illinois Central Rallroadj Bloomington, says : I have shelled about 40,000 bushels since 20th November last, with about $8 expense for repairs, running every day now. Have timed it one hour and shelled 7^ bushels. Common average of every day is 50 bushels per hour. It is the most substantial, durable and economical Corn Sheller I have ever seen. Don't think it can be equalled. Messrs. AUGLE & ALLER, of Bushnell, C, B. & Q. R. R., have shelled about 40.000 bushels since November last. Machine still in good order and fhelling every day. Repairs have been trifling. Sheller and Power considered unequalled. Shells from 450 to 600 bushels per day, depending upon the quantity of com got to it. Have never seen it fed as fast as It would shell. Messrs. WYCKOFF A 8HREVES, Bushnell, have shelled since November about 60,000 bushels ; expenses for repairs not to exceed f 5 ; is in tip top order now and shelling from 500 t-o 600 bushels per day. For economy and perfection of work, have no idea it can be equalled. Have sold a number of machines in the neighborhood and never known one to be in any way imperfect or incapable of giving the fullest satisfaction to thrf purchaser. Messrs. COLE & WEST, also of Bushnell, have shelled with their machine CO. 000 bushels since last November, and it is now running every day, and from appearances, will shell as much more without any but trifling expense for repairs. Never think of having to stop for any break down or repairs whatever. Can shell, clean and bag just any quantity of corn the men will put into it. Mr. TAYLOR, of Kewanee. has shelled 35,000 bushels since November. Don't think he has had any expense for repairs. Has run a great many Corn Shellers, small and large, has never seen one before that he considered perfect in every respect. Has never seen two men feed It to its capacity. Thinks it capable of shelling from 500 to 700 bushels per day, if rightly managed. And I mieht eo on miiltlitlytne reports similar to the above, nnttl It would cost me about as much to get you to print it as the profits on the IfiO odd machines sold since last October would amount too. It will be understood that the above references are to single machines, that is, one Sheller and its Two Horse Power has.done the work named. If there is any Corn Sheller in the State of Illinois, of any capacity, capable of doing as economical and perfect work, or any Sheller of its capacity able to do as much work, with as little expense for repairs, I would like to hear of it. The parties above named are all responsible gentlemen, who have freely made these statements and volunteered their names as references. MoRBis, Grcndy CouKTT, ILLS., April 1860. ISAAC P. ATWATER. Cast Iron Land Rollers, 24 inch diameter in 13 inch sections. 6 Sections $45 — 7 Sections $50 — 8 Sectionn $55 — All huiig ready for the fli.'d. TERMS. — Cash on delivery at Railroad. I>urcha8cr pay freights. apl-y* IRON AMALGAM BELLS.— We take pleasure In directing the attention of those In- terested to the annexed PRICE LIST of our cheap and su- perior Church, School, Steamboat and Farm Bells, which, it will be observed, are offered at about one-third as much as Is charged for those of like weights of brass composition, and le.ss than half the price of steel. These Bells are manufactured from an Amalgam, contain- ing a liberal proportion of iron, and which, while it is much cheaper than the compositions heretofore employed for the same purpose, yet seems to possess strength, durability, and immunity from fracture during frosty weather, equal, if not superior to the latter. Having had our sets of patterns renewed, and entirely re- constructed after approved models, we feel assured of afford- ing satisfaction In all cases where parties are pleased to favor us with their orders. FARMS, SCHOOL, HOTEL AND SHOP BELLS, "^ Fitted with Yoke, Standards and Crank, complete for use. Ko. J>iameter. Wt. of Belland Ilanginga. Price. 0 18 Inches 60 lbs | 6 00 1 16 " 65" 6 00 2 18 " 95" 9 00 8 20 " 123" 12 00 4 28 " 209" 20 00 CHORCII, ACADEMY, FIRE-ALARM AND STEAMBOAT BELLS. Rigged with Yoke, Standards, Toling-Hammer and Wheel. No. Diameter. Wt.of Belland Uanyingg. Price. 6. " • • 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 12. 15. .28 Inches 800 lbs $ 85 00 FAIRBANKS' s s C A L E OF ALL KINDS. Fairbanks & Greenleaf, 85 Lake Street, Chicago, Sold In Springffeld by mayl-ly E. B. PEASE. PUBLIC NOTICE. IN COMBINATION WTIH A CORN planting machine that Is constantly moved over the ground (when planting,) and drops the grain intermittently, the so combining of two slides, one of which is at or near the seed hopper, and the other at or near the ground, or their equivalents, with a lever, as that the operator or attendent on the machine can open said slides at the proper time to deposit the seed, and prepare a new charge, by the double droping here In specified. Remarks. — It makes no difference how the mode of opera- ation, as the patent is on the double drop, to compensate for the forward motion of the machine. All those making, selling or using will be made to pay for such infringement. Yours respectfully, JARVIS CASE. April 1, 1860. .32 .84 .86 .88 .40 .45 .52 .475 ..660 ..T25 ..825 .1050 .1250 " 65 00 " 76 00 " Ki 00 " 100 00 " 125 00 " 150 00 ALL BELLS ARE WARRANTED (a new one glvp- '•; c^e of breaking by ordinary ringing,) FOR TW»-'^^ •■' MONTHS from the date of purchase. . . ..,,.. ^r- Orders, accompanied W" the cash, or sat sfactory cltylreference, will h»V." ...ompt attention and be delivered to transportatl- -mpany XkTkIIT^I^IvT^"', (Succ^sorit to Uedget, Pree <& Co. ,) No. 6 Main St., between Front and Columbia, augl-4in» Cincinnati, 0. w ESTERN LAND orrlCE T . S . M -»^ A H E R . FOR THE z-oilCHASE AND SALE OF CITY PROPERTY, FARMS AND UNIMPOVED LANDS, PAYMENT OF TAXES, COLLECTION OF CLAIMS. Govemment Lands Entered with Warrants or Cash in any land district in Illinois Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota or Nebraska. . ' LAND WARRANTS BOUGHT AND a>OLD. ^^Office over N. H. Bidgely's Bank, west side public square, Springfield, Ills. THE ILLINOIS F^RIMER. 159 w HEELER & WILSON SE-WZXTG MAOHXXTES. M. 133 2!forth Fourth Street, St. Louis, Mo. The elegance, speed, noiselessness and simplicity of the machine ; the beauty and strengtli of the stitch ; being alike on both sides, impossible to ravel, and leaving no cfmin or ridge 071 the under side; the economy of thread and adapta- bility to the thickest or thinnest fabrics, have rendered this the THB MOST SUCCESSFUL AND FOPULAS Family Sewing Machine If o w M a d e . At my oflSce, I sell at New York prices, and give ■ INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE, to enable purchasers to sew ordinary seams, hem, fell, qullt^ gather, bind and tuclc, all on the same machine, and warrant for three years. The following commendations are selected from a niAss of rimilar documents, with which a volume might easily be filed. We feel gratified to know that many other persons of the highest literary, political and social standing in this country, have volunteered their warm approval of our Family Sewing Machine : " We are having a great many inquiries for sewing machines from various parts of the country, and as we can not conveniently reply to them by mail, we have thought it proper to state our opinion in regard to them in this public manner. There are a number of very excellent machines now in the market which are deservedly successful. We have, however, never used but one, namely, Wilson's patent, manufactured b.y the Wheeler & Wilson manufacturing com- pany, and we can say in regard to it that it is without a rival. No other machine exceeds it in its adaptation to all the pur- poses of domestic use. It iS simple, not easily put out of order when in proper hands, and m point of effectiveness and finish, no other machine stands ahead of it. We state this niucli in regard to the excellent machine upon our own responsibilitv, and without the slightest intention to disparage other machines well known to the public ; and we hope there- by to save oursslves considerable time and postage in answer- ing letters which frequently come to us with inquiries touch- jng this subject. " — IScientiJic American, April 24, 1858. "We prefer the Wheeler & Wilson sewing machines for family use. They will force the industry of woman into a tliousand new channels, and emancipate her from the cramp- ed posture and slow starvation of needle work. " — Nefio York Tribune. " Wheeler k Wilson's machines are the favorities for fam- ilies, being eH)ecially adapted to that purpose. They work more rapidly, with less friction, and with a gi-eater economy of thread than most, if not all others. " — New York Times. " The Wheeler & Wilson is the machine par excellence for family use, and we recommend it most emphatically. " — Ad- vocate and Journal. "There is not an invention of this inventive age which honors ti merican genius more than the sewing machine. No family ought to be deprived of its benefits. " — Indepeiulenf. " A sewing machine is among the most useful and economi- cal articles housekeepers can purchase. In looking out for the best, it would be well to see machines of Wheeler & Wil- son before purchasing elsewhere. " — Examiner. " Wheeler & Wilson's machine are the best ever offered to public patronage. They are simple and durable ; easily kept in repair ; work without noise ; sew with great rapidity ; make an even and firm stitch on both sides, that will not rip ; economize thread, and are applicable to every purpose and material common to tlie art in question. " — Christian Inq. "Wheeler k Wilson's machines combine everything that can be required in the manufacture of garments. Our friends abroad may be assured that they will give entire satisfaction, and that to purchase one of them is a safe investment. " — Observer. ^^6end or call for circular, containing full particulars, prices, testimonials. 4c. Junel-ly A. SUMNER. .-.S Architects f Builders, CARPENTERS, MACHINISTS, AKD DECORATORS. ■ JirO W PUBLISHING WEEKLY, THE •irchtiects^ and Jfiechanics^ JOURNAL, The only Illustrated Weekly pnblicaUon~6f its kind in this country, and indispensable to all engaged in Bcdlding and Mechanical Operations. EDITED BY PRACTICAL MEN. Who are well known as among the ablest men in this country. Every week. Illustrations appear of great practical utility, such as EngraTings of New Buildings Already erected, now going up, or intended for erection, in different parts of the country. Designs and WorTdng Details Connected with Building operations, of great value to Archi- tects, Builders and Carpenters. The Mechanical Department Is enriched by Engravings connected with new Inventions, aa well as a complete synopsis of everything which is going for- ward in the Mechanical World. Subscription, $2 per annum, in advance. ^^■Send 25 cents for five weekly numbers, as samples. The Scientific American, of October 29, in noticing the Architects' and Mechanics' Journal, says it is "Edited with evident ability Altogether, the best work of the kind ever published in onr oity." — [New York.] Published by Alexander Harthill, 128 Fulton street. New York. The Trade supplied by any wholesale House in New York. febl-tf BLOOMINGTON NURSERY, BLOOMINQTON, ILLINOIS. Eighty Acres Fruit and Ornamental Trees. Onn NAMED SORTS TULIPS, ALSO ^\y\J Hyacinths, Crocus, and a general assort- ment of Bulbs and Flower Roots for Fall and Spring^ planting. Nursery stock. Evergreens, Greenhouse" and garden plants — all at wholesale and retail at lowest cash rates. ^^For particulars see Catalogues or address subscrib. F. K. PHCENIX. Bloomington, 111., Aug. 1, 1S59. WOODBURN NURSERY. THE PROPRIETOR OF THIS ESTABLISH- MENT offers for sale over 100,000 Trees and Plants, more or less, of which evsry one needs who has the smallest piece of ground for cultivotion. Our list of Apples contains the best SUMMER, FALL AND WINTER VARIETIES, both for market and family use. Also, Pears, Plums, Cherry, Apricot, Quince, Currant, G-ooseberry, Blackberry, Raspberry, Strawberries, Grapes, may here be found of the best varieties; besides Evergreens, Shade and Ornamental Trees and Shrubs, Roses, Dahlias, Phloxes, Chrysanthemums, 4c., ic. We have a large stock of the SILVER^LEAVED MAPLE, which is very valuable, either for its fast growth or beautiful foliage. This nursery is gaining a high reputation for the accuracy and thorough manner in which everything is done, and the proprietor is determined to make it worthy the confi- dence and patronage of all persons. Our Trees, Plants and prices, we are sure, will compare favorably with those of any growth in the State, and all interested are cordially invited to visit our grounds and see for themselves. Apple trees, two years old, %\i}i per 100; three years old, f 15 per 100; Peaches, $18 per 100. Description and priced catalogue sent on application. Letters of inquiry receive prompt attention. Packages delivered at the railroad fr;;e of drayage. JONATHAN HUGGINS. Woodbum, Macoupin county, Illinois. febl-far-tf DUNI.AP»S NURSERY. 40 Acres in Trees and Plants. EMBRACING THE USUAL NURSERY stock, all of which will be sold low for cash. Orders for Spring planting should be be sent in early. 6,000 two year old SILVER MAPLES for timber belts, can be had at $5 per 100. J. B. Whitney, of Chatham, Sangamon county, is the agent for Sangamon and neighboring counties. Catalogues had on application. Address M. L. DUNLAP, febl AVest Urbana, Champaign county, 111. B. B. LLOYD. DEN"TIST, (office on KOETH fifth 8TRBKT, OVER J. EATBUKN'S. Springfield, 111. A DENTAL PRACTICE OP FIFTEEN years warrants him in saying that all operations shall be carefully and neatly performed. He is in possession of sever- al premiums and diplomas awarded by the best institutes for the promotion of science and arts in the country. Teeth inserted, from one tooth to fiill sets, as substantial and handsomo as can be had in any city of the United States or Europe. Artificial palate plates inserted, supplying the want or loss of the palate, volum and would, so as to restore articulation. Refer to Prof. David Gilbert, Pennsylvania College of Med- icine, Philadelphia; Hon. J. S. Black, Washington City; Rev. Dr. Harkey, Illinois University; Drs. Helm, Ryan and Wal- lace; Messrs Jacob Loose, J. S. Condell, J. H. Gray, Fossel- man, Owen, Corneau k Diller. June7-1859 'leces At aeeident* teill happen, even in well regulated famUiet. it i$ rery desirable to have some cheap and conveaient way for repalrlcg rumiture. Toys. Crockery, Ac. SPALDING'S PREPARED GLUE meets all such emergencies, and no household can afford to b* with- out it. It is always ready and up to the sticking point. There is no longer a necessity for limping chalr^ splintered ven?ers, headle« trolls and broken cradles. It is just the article fdr cone, ibeil and other oitiamental work, sc popular with ladies of refinement and taste. This admirable preparation Is used cold, being chemically held In anlutlon. and possessing all the valuable qualities of the best cabinet makers' glue. It may be used In the place of ordinary mudlage, being vastly m('re adheave. " USEFUL IN EVERY HOUSE." N.B.— A brush accompanies each bottle. Fbics, 36 oants. Wholesale Depot,* 48 Cedar-st., New York. ftddre» HENRY C. SPALDING & CO, Box ITa 3600 New York. PntupfordeSTersin cases containing four, eight and twelve doz en— a beautiful lithographic show card accompanying each lockage. m- A shigle bottle of SPALDING'S PREPARED GLUE will save ten times Its cost annually to every hou9ehol(1...,gj Sold by all prominent Stationers,' Druggists, Hardware and Fur- niture dealers. Grocers and Fanev Stores. Country Merchants should make a note of SPALDING'S PRE- PAIiEJ; CLUfc. when making up their list. It will gtandarv filmate. PENNOCK'S PATENT WHEAT DRILL. I have on hand a few of this well known and celebrated Wheat Drill made at the Quincy Agricultural Works, which I wish to close out this season, and will sell them at Fifty Dollars Cash at Qiiincy, this offers a chance for a few far- mers to buy a good drill at much less than they have been sold at heretofore, the price has always been $80 until last season. Address, H.D.WOODRUFF, augl-f2m Quincy, Adams Co., 111. 100,000 PEACH TREJES";^ HIGHTSTOWN, (N. J.) NURSERIES, ESTABLISHED 1825. Isaac Pnllen, Proprietor. FRUIT AND ORNAMENTAL TREES of thrifty growth and fine assortment of varieties for sale in the fall of 1S60 and spring of 1861. Persons desirous of purchasng are invited to write for description catalogues which will be ready for distribution by the first of August. ' In addition to his usual large stock of Fruit and Ornamen- tal Trees, the proprietor has the pleasure of offering for fall and spring sales, the largest and finest stock of Pi:.a.CB: trses which he has ever grown. The late severe winter proved go disastrous to peach nurseries in sections of the country, both North and South, has in no manner injured his. Those who intend to plant lagely are especially invited to visit the nur- series and examine the stock for themselves. A long experi- ence, extending through a period of over thirty years enables the proprietor to raise such varieties as succeed well for mark- et purposes. During this period he has sent trees to all sec- tions of the country, and knows from an extensive correspon- dence with his customers how each kind succeeds, and which have proved profitable in particular localities. With this ex- perience, he can confidently recommend his stock, and caa assure those who leave the selection ©f kinds to him, that they shall receive only such as will prove remunerative. During the menths of August and September the fruit of the principle varieties of Peach, Pear and Apple may be seen; at which time those intending to plant are invited to call. 'a11 orders, communications, etc., to be addressed to, ISAAC PULLEN, Hightstown, Mercer Co., New Jersey. N. B-— 100,000 Silver Maple Seedlings, one year old. aug l-4m 160 THE ILLINOIS FA-EIMEK. PRINCE & CO.'S IMPROVED PATENT MELODEON O-EO. -A.- FI^IISrCE Sc CO., IwI-A.lSrTJF^A-CTTTK.EItS, BTJFE-A-IjO. IST.Tir. Wholesale Depot, 87 Fulton Street, New York, and 110 Lake Street, CMcagOi lU. ' j ^ Cotnbining: all of their Recent MmprovementS'^The MHvided Swell, Organ, Jflelodeon, 4*c. THE DIVIDED SWELL CAN ONLY BE OBTAINED IN MEL0DE0N8 OF OUR MANUFACTURE. The Oldest Establishment in the United States, Employing Two Hundred Men, and Finishing Eighty Instruments Per Week. All Melodeons of our mftnuf&eture, either sold hy us or dealers In any part of the United States or Canadas, are warranted to be perfect In every respect ; and should any repairs be necessary before the expiration of one year from date of sale, we hold ourselves ready and willing to make the same free of charge, provided the li^jury Is not caused by accident or design; GEO. A. PRINCE & CO., no li-A-KZE STREET, 01110-^.00. II^IjIKrOIS. Agents for the sale of our Melodeons, may be found in all the principal cities and towns of the United States and Canadas. WEED' S PATENT ITJ^B IVAL ED SU WlJSr G MA CHINES. A FIRST CLASS ARTICLE. WEED'S UNRIVALED F A M I L Y SEWING MACHINES! SEWING MACHINES!! S E W I N G M A C H I N E S ! ! A FIRST CLASS ARTICLE. Lock Stitch alike on both sides. Simple and reliable — without complication. Warranted In every respect. Price $50 to f 100. piROVER & BAKER WEED'S PLANTATION SEWING MACHINES! SEWING MACHINES!! SEWINGMACHINES!!! Price $100. WEED'S MANUFACTURE OF SEWING MACHINES! SEWING MACHINES!! SEWING MACHINES!!! WESTERN AGENCY, 74 Fourth Street, [directly opposite Everett House, ] ST. LOUIS. J. W. LITTLEFIELD & CO., Agents. Also Agents for SLOAT'S ELLIPTICAL, WILLCOX & GIBBS', AND HUBBARD'S SEWING MACHINES, ORDERS PROMPTLY FILLED. Agents Appointed* May 1-ly. FOB FAMILY AND PLANTATION SEWING. From the very flattering manner in which oar Machines have been received by the public, resulting in the sale of upwards of 60,000, We are led to believe that our endeavors to manufacture A RELIABLE MACHINE have been appreciated. We take this opportunity to remark that the policy wilt remain unchanged, an(|tbat EVERY MACraNB SOLD BY US We shall not hedtate to warrant in every respect. nn GROVER & BAKER SEWING MACHINE has one advantage which is worthy of especial attention, in addition to the peculiar character of the stitch, and that is its adaptation to either light or medium heavy work. The Machine which at one moment is used on The Most Delicate Fabric, in a few moments after can be brought to bear with equal facility on cottonades and towels of the coarsest description. Its adaptation for FAMILY WORK, is thus remarkable, and gives it a superiority over every other style of machine in the market. FROM THE SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN of Nov. S, 1859, which we think is fully entitled to be conclu- sive, from the high character of that paper, which is con- sidered the l>est authority on all such subjects as that under consideration . The machines manufactured by this company are too well known by the public at large to need any recommendations at our hands, and we will simply add that we have had one of them in use in our family for some time past, and it is con- sidered the most useful article In the house next to the cradle, and no less indispensable than that. In No. 2 of the present volume (1869) of the Sdentijic American, we published an illustration showing the mechanical principles of the Grover k Baker machine. By reference to that illustration, the form of the stitch will be seen, and its security from ripping, as well as its superior elasticity, will be reacUly understood." There are constantly kept on exhibition machines of the different patterns and styles of finish, for the convenience of purchasers. Young ladles, experienced in their use and courteous in their manners, are always on hand to receive lady vlritorB or purchasers. BEND FOB CIRCULABS. SALES ROOMS, 124 North Fourth Street, myl-ly Verandah Bow, St. Louia. VOLUME V. SPRINGFIELD, ILL., 0CTG15EK, 1860. NUMBER 10. THE ILLINOIS FARMER. PUBLISHED MOXTHLY, BY BAILHACHE & BAKER, Journal Office, Spkingkield, Illinois. M. L. DUNLAF, Editor. TERMS OP SUBSCRIPTION. One copy, one year, in advance .' $1 00 Five cojiics, " " ...; 3 75 Ten " anil one to tlie person gi.tting nj) cliili 7 50 Fifteen copies and over, &2)^ cents eacli, and one to jierson getting up cliil). CASn RATES OF AnVEnTTPIXS : One dollar per Kquare of ten lines, each insertion. >«. SPECIAL NOTICE. All business letters should be directed to the Publishers, at Sprinjrfield; and all communications for the eye of the Editor, and the exchanges, should be directed — Illinois Farmer, Champaign, 111. (The name of the post office at West Ur. bana has )o not forget the district school. 160 THE ILLinsrOIS F^RMiBR. PRINCE & CO.'S IMPROVED PATENT MELODEON. O-EO. -Au- I*I^I2SrCE Sc CO., IvI-A.lNrXJF-A.CTXJI^EI?,S, BTJFF.A.1LO. IST-'^r. Wholesale Depot, 87 Fulton Street, New York, and 110 Lake Street, Chicago, 111. Combining all of their Recent IntprovementH-^The Divided Swell, Organ, Jflelodeon, ^c. THE DIVIDED SWELL CAN ONLY BE OBTAINED IN MELODEONS OF OUR MANUFACTURE. ♦ » > The Oldest Establishment in the United States, Employing Two Hundred Men, and Finishing Eighty Instrnments Per Week. All Melodeons of our manufacture, either sold by us or dealers in any part of tlie United States or Canadas, arc warranted to be perfect in every respect; and should any repairs be neceeaary before the expiration of one year from date of sale, we hold ourselves ready and willing to make the same free of charge, provided the itgury Is not caused by accident or design; GEO. A. PRINCE & CO., no LA-IiE STREET, CmC^A-OO. I3L.31.I3SrOIS. Agents for the sale of our Melodeons, may be found in all the principal cities and towns of the United States and Canadas. WEED'S PATENT UNRIVALED SE WING MA CHINES. A FIRST CLASS ARTICLE. WEED'S UNRIVALED F A M I L Y S E WIN G M A CHINE S ! SEWING MACHINES!! SEWING MACHINES!! A FIRST CLASS ARTICLE. Lock Stitch alike on both sides. Simple and reliable — without complication. Warranted in every respect. Price §50 to 9100. WEEHS PLANTATION SEWING MACHINES! SEWING MACHINES!! SEWING MACHINES!!! Price SIOO. WEED'S MANUFACTURE OF SEWING MACHINES! SEWING MACHINES!! SEWING MACHINES!!! WESTERN AGENCY, 74 Fourth Street, [directly opposite Everett House, ] ST. LOUIS. J. W. LITTLEFIELD & CO., Agents. Also Agents for SLOAT'S ELLIPTICAL, AVILLCOX & GIBBS', AND HUBBARD'S S E WING M A C H I N E S . ORDERS PROMPTLY FILLED. Agents Appointed. May 1-ly. G ROVER & BAKER SEWzzra xsacbixtzi FOB FAMILY AND PLANTATION SEWING. From the very flattering manner in which our Machines have been received by the public, resulting in the sale of upwards of 50,000, We are led to believe that our endeavors to manufacture A RELIABLE MACHINE have been appreciated. Wetalte this opportunity to remark that the policy will remaia unchanged, and that EVERY MACHINE SOLD BY US We shall not hesitate to warrant in every respect. TBI GROVER & BAKER SEWING MACHINE has one advantage whicli is worthy of especial attention, In addition to the peculiar character of the stitch, and that is its adaptation to either light or medium heavy work. The Machine which at one moment is used on The Most Delicate Fabric, In a few moments after can be brought to bear with equal facility on cottonades and towels of the coarsest description. Its adaptation for FAMILY AVORK, Is thus remarkable, and gives it a superiority over every other style of machine in the market. FROM THE SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN of Nov. 6, 1S59, which we think is fully entitled to be conclu- sive, from the high character of that paper, which is con- sidered the best authority on all such subjects as that under consider.ition. The machines manufactured by this company are too well known by the public at large to need any recommendations at our hands, and we will simply add that we have had one of them in use in our family for some time past, and it is con- sidered the most useful article in the house next to the cradle, and no less indispensable than that. In No. 2 of the present volume (1S59) of the Soientific American, we published an illustration showing the mechanical principles of the Grover 4 Baker machine. By reference to that illustration, the form of the stitch will be seen, and its security from ripping, as well as its superior elasticity, will l)e readily understood." There are constantly kept on exhibition machines of the dilTerent patterns and styles of finish, for the convenience of purchasers. Young ladies, experienced in their use and courteous in their manners, are always on hand to receive lady visitors or purchasers. BEND FOR CIRCI;l1RS. SALES ROOMS, 124 North Fourth Street, myl-ly Verandah Bow, St. Louis. YOIJJMI-: V. srRTxr,FT]:Li), ill., octouer, isgo. NUMBER 10. THE ILLINOIS FAilMER. rVIiLLSlIin) MOXTIIT.Y, i-.v BAIL ir A C H E & BAKER, JoiitvAi, Ofiick, f^riuxfibiKLi), Illinois. ]SI. L. 3:>i:]S^I^AI\ Editor. TKinis OK sri;.-ciui'Tiox. Onp roj)y, niK' year, in iiilv:i!K-e :?1 HO l'i\ o Copu.-:, " " o 75 T'-ii " :ili'l nil" I" ilh' ii'T.-i'ii !;■ t:ili.' I'.ji cl'i'ii 7 ."iil Fift'-iii i-npii's ami nvL-r, li-i^';, Cl.■!lt^ oacli, ami unc tu iicrsoii trtlli:i^' uji c-Iiil.. CA.>;ii r. \Ti:.< III' .mivkiitisin^'. : Omj (Inlhir jur hiiiuiiv mC ten liii'S, r.w'a iM-rrVum. SrEClAli XOTIJJE. A!! lmsino«s KttLr> >li'>i-lil lit- (lirictid to tlie PiiMijhcrs, at P|>rin,L'nolil; jiml all c>>iniiniiiic.itioi:> for tlif cyi' of tlu' I"aitr>r, anil till' oxriianp's, sliould he dircctLd — U.liM'!s I'.M'.mkr, Clianii.ai.L'n, 111. (TIil- n:iine of the jio^t ullice at AVu:-! Vr. liana lias l.crn clian'.'id a- ali(p\o.) CONTENTS. Octt ),<>r Procprdinfcs of the Ulinois Sf^te Apricultnral Fair, held at .KiL'I-.s.>nvil]t-, gii)tcml.erlUt!i, lltli, IJlh, VMh and 14tl), 1^(10 List of award.- made at tho lllinuis State Fair ;.< Jackson- ville Mefting (if Dole:,'ati.'3 fur tlie Elootiiui of Ornctrs of tlio llllnnis State Agricultural Suoitty FaJrlianU's 9cale.^ Pl>aul'li hit's Prepared (i luo EDITOR'S TAliLF. The (iruve Nursery What can lie iiiadi' of acuunty fair Itarrnv's Colored Fruit:, Fall I'lowin- rimoin Ciirn !•< Deans Oct olicr " The Seminary ]!, 11." I'reiniiiiii List Tree and Slirub Seeds State Fair Cook's Nur-i ly Waterint'loiiS Flower Pots Haniinond Ditcliiiicr ^lachines liryant i Stratton's Chain of National Commercial Colle.re.i MAltKF.TS. 101 ir,2 in ITC. 17'; 170 170 170 170 177 1T7 177 177 177 177 177 177 177 177 177 177 177 117 Ottolicr. " l!ut .sec the many fadiiiL' color'd woods, Sliade dcfcji'ninjr over fchai\f large impor- tuuec, 'svlieu winter sweeps over the lanJ- sca])e and cuts sb.ort the privilege of retro- spect of time lost. The farm, the orchard, and the house need a careful looking after, tools sliould be put up that arc no longer wanted ; thousands of dollars are wasted every year in the loss of tools by exposure t:i the weather.- We will not attempt a cata- I ij;uo of all that will roL» not forg;.t the disiriet school. 162 THE ILLINOIS EA-RIMER. EiaHTH ANNUAL FAIR OF THB IL.I.INOIS STATE AGRICULTURAL SO- CIETY. Held at Jacksonville^ Sept. 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, 1860. There la no institution in the State that has exerted so much influence for good, 80 much for the advancement of agriculture as the Illinos State Agricul- tural Society. The Society was chartered as far back as 1838. Several attempts were made to bring it forward, but the want of good roads, and especially railroads, precluded all attempts of the kind, and not until 1853, nearly fifteen years after its first organization did the Society suc- ceep in holding a Fair. The show was at Springfield, and was weak mat- matter after all, Sangamon and a few adjoining counties participating. The next year it was also held at Springfield and we attended it. The show was not large ; indeed, without any assistance, we had little difficulty in reporting near- ly every object on exhibition to the Pres»y (now JPress and Tribune,) of Chicago. The Missouri Democrat and Press were the only newspapers that gave it any extended report. Since then the Fairs have rapidly grown into im- portance, scarcely second to any in the United States. With all its usefulness, we are aware of many imperfections, some of wluch have been corrected, yet many remain to mar its usefulness. Most of the offi- cers have been capable men, and have devoted themselves to its interest with commendable zeal. We propose to devote a large share of this number of the Farmer to the late Fair, and to give our readers a pretty clear view of its most important features. In doing this we ofier no fur- ther apology than a desire to preserve some part of its history for future use. This Fair has inaugurated a new sys- tem of corn culture which will change the implements now mostly in use for planting and cultivating this great sta- ple. It has demonstrated the practica- bility of sugar making from the Sor- ghum. It has made one of the most successful exhibitions of Durham and Devon cattle, of horses, of sheep, and of ewino ever before presented in the Val- ley of the Mississippi. It has made the most extensive display of objects of Natural History, ever before attempted in any State Society. It, too, has had its faults. In its premium list several important interests were too much overlooked. We may mention among them the Fine Arts, Farm Products, Textile Fabrics, and articles made up by sewing machines, which have now become one of the most important household implements, almost superceding the common needle. This new condition of things should call forth new premiums to bring forward a healthy rivalry in this new department of domestic economy. Another great draw back to the en- tire Press of the State, has been in the continued suppression of the names of exhibitors, thereby preventing that no- tice of the objects on exhibition, that otherwise would have been of advantage in encouraging and advertising the most prominent features of the Fair. — We are happy to state that this is the last time that this is to occur, and that hereafter the name of exhibitors will be placed upon their cards. This suppression of names lias been one of the most foolish things that sensible men could be guilty of. It was one of the mysteries attending the first Fair here, and in most places has been aban- doned years ago. Next year we hope to see good ac- commodations for the members of the Press, in order that they may be ena- bled to get up better reports than they have heretofore — especially the country Press. Without further preliminary, we shall commence our notice of the Fair. SATURDAY BEFORE THE FAIR. We have been familiar with all the State Fairs held in the State, having made careful notes of their most valua- ble features, but never at so early a day have we seen so fine a turnout as is now within the enclosure of the grounds. — We have given a minute account of the grounds and buildings in the September number and deem it but a waste of time to repeat them. Suffice it to say, that in point of aspect and shade, they have no superior in the State. The buildings, with the exception of the Editor's Hall, arc of the most ample size,, and by Monday noon we hope to see this important interest well attend- ed to. The citizens of Jacksonville have done themselves great credit in the fit- ting up of the grounds. When we com- pare the buildings with those of the United States Fair at Chicago, we feel proud of the enterprise of Central Illi- nois. Stock of all kinds is constantly pour- ing in, and before Monday night the stalls will all be more than filled. Such a^ show of stock has never been seen this side of the Atlantic. The great prairie slopes have again proved them- selves beyond competition in fine beef, superior horses, unrivaled pork and fine wool. NATURAL HISTORY. Mr. Worthen, the State Geologist, is busy with the unwritten history of the past as dotted down in letters that his industry has gathered from the prairie slopes, the hill sides and carboniferous deposits of the time long gone. This is a new feature, and one of deep interest. The officers are mostly on the ground, and are working with a will. President Ellsworth is showing himself a most ca- pable and efficient officer. [We omit much that has now losts its interest and only retain that portion which is of value for future reference.] FIRST DAY— SEPT. 10. Every thing is in an active condition this morning, and at this early hour there is a continual stream of men, ani- mals and goods pouring in at the gate. The weather is cool and clear; the dust has been laid by seasonable rains; the roads are in excellent condition, and every thing gives bright promise of a most pleasant time. • The officers of the Society appear to have every thing in place, and never before in the history of our Fair have the arrangements been so complete as at this time. The sound of the saw and hammer has ceased except upon th'^ Ed- itorial Sanctum, which is the last finish- ing stroke to the arrangements. The whitewashed buildings make a fine contrast to the deep summer foliage of the sylvan wood that gives, just enough of shade to please the eye and give us a taste of rural beauty. This will be a proud week for the great indus- trial army of our State, it is one of the modern schools that will rub the rust from the dormant genius of our ru- ral population, and give to them new ideas of the progress of the age. Our notes must be of necessity bro- ken and rambling, as we stumble on the various objects of interest that come in our pathway. PROGRESS AGAINST FOGYDOM. With all of our progress we still re- tain some old fogy ideas in regard to the working gears of our Fair. In the first place we charged a percentage on the premiums competed for, and then we paid these premiums in pewter med- als, paste-board diplomas, and a species of white ware supposed to be composed of silver. To insure honesty in the awarding committees the names of the owners were carefully preserved in mys- tery and a set of cabalistic characters, of Arabic origin, put upon the goods. — Thus the awarding committees, like dame Justice, were so completely blindfolded that they held the scales with an even poise, and the wonderful truthfulness of their decisions have grown into a prov- erb, and their indorsements have often startled the wondering crowd. And now, after having proven themselves so correct when blindfolded, it is but right that they receive a little more "light,"' THE ILLINOIS FA.RM:EK. 163 and be trusted with an important secret, to-wit : the names of the owners of the goods submitted to their ripe judgment. To this end several of the Superintend- ents have directed the entrv clerks to place upon the exhibition cards the own- ers' names, that etlitors and others may know at once from whom and whence the goods come. We do not say that this is general, for old fogydom only yields up in broken doses. It is a great pity that plain common sense has to wage such a warfare with the mysti- cal proclivities of the age, but such ap- pears to be the case. We have no time to discuss this absurdity at length, but we may at some future time give it the benefit of an airing. NATURAL HISTORY. . This department will bo one of the great points of attraction, partly on ac- count of the paucity of display hereto- fore, and partly on account of the fine display at this time. K^o visitor should pass by this department. Mr. M. S. Bebb, of Marion county, exhibits over one thousand species of plants, illustrat- ing the botany of the State, having been collected from Winnebago (the former residence of Mr. Bebb,) to Cairo. The specimens are in excellent condition, and show great taste and knowledge in the botany of our woodlands and prairies. A few more hundred specimens, and the botany of this State will be com- plete. BIRDS. R. H. Holder, of Bloomington, has a most magnificent coUectien of our wes- tern birds, embracing over two hundred specimens, among them one hundred and thirty -five belonging to our State; five varieties of grouse, three of which be- long to our prairies and woodland. — Twenty species of warblers prove that were we to foster the growth of timber about our homes, that something more musical than the shrill clarion notes of the rough- throated shanghai, will greet us when the sun first sends his greetings to call us from our morning slumbers. FOSSILS. Mr. A. II. Worthen, our industrious StatjB Geologist, has a fine collection of fossils; of these the collection of crinoids is very large. FLORAL HALL Is a most magnificent building in the shape of a Greek Cross, each wing being one hundred and six feet by forty feet, or equal to a single building forty feet wide and four hundred and twenty-four feet long; an immense amount of ever- green boughs are used in the festoons, all of which were f urnislied by the active President of the State Horticultural So- ciety, S. Edwards, from his grounds at Lamoille, in Bureau county, now so well known as the * 'Evergreens,'' The show of fruits will be large ; of flowers we cannot speak confidently. Mr. Doyle, of Springfield, is the only exhibitor who has signified his intention to be present. Preserved fruit will be in abundance, but of native wines we fear the show will fall below that of last year. The nur- serymen are largely represented, and are very busy in decorating the Floral Hall. THE STEAM PLOW. Fawkes' steam plow has arrived, but we can hear nothing definite in regard to the Detroit steam plow of Mr. Wat- ers. It has been at work at Minooka, and required some little repairing. STOCK. ; The stalls are already filled, and workmen are busy in putting up a lar j, number more. All the teams in the v lage are in requisition, and are not ad- equate to the demands upon them. SWINE. The show of hogs is the best we have seen. Sufi"olks and Berkshires are par- ticularly well represented, though there are fine specimens of the various cross- es. We are glad to see this interest fostered, as during the past two years it has been rather neglected; there is no interest of more importance to our farm- ers than that of growing pork. The superintendent of this department has taken a deep interest in this branch of rural economy, and to his efibrts are due the more liberal premiums that have drawn out such a fine show of porkers. 6HEEP. The show of sheep is large, the Messrs. McOonnel, of Sangamon coun- ty, leading oif. Thirteen hundred dollars have been received for tickets, and 1,800 entries made. The 850 stalls are already filled and over a hundred more are are in pro- cess of construction, and these will not suffice. :■ - ^.: ■:::■: - ,:• ■■ , A large number of visitors are on the ground this afternoon, and the Fair is fast assuming form and interest. caTTie. The show of cattle is not only large but superior to any former State Fair in this State. They are the great point of attraction. We have only time to give a few of the entries : . Jas. M. Hill of Cass county, eleven head of Durhams. J. 0. Bone, of Sangamon county, fourteen head of Dur- hams. John Prunty, of Cass county, one yoke of oxen three years old; one three years old fat bullockjj^ne three year old steer; two 2 year old do; eight head Dni^nns. Thomas Simpkle, of Pike county, foui" bead Durhams and two head grade cattle. Ralph Anderson, of Pike county, one Durham bull, and one grade heifer. S. & J. George, Boone county, one Durham bull. W. lies, of Sangamon county, one bull, one heifer. W. Cr. Justin, Morgan county, one three year old heifer, one sucking calf. Robert Pollock, of Morgan county, (not him of the "Course of Time,") a fine herd of Durhams, numbering twenty-two head. E B. Hitt, of Scott county, eighteen bead of Durhams. J. H. Henderson, of Morgan connty, six head of Durh.iras. J. D. Smitli, of Sangamon cotmty, nineteen head of Dur- hams. J. H. Spears, of Menard cnjnty. fourteen head of Durhams. James I'urlcapile, o' Menard cunty, four hoad of Ourliaiiis. J. N. Brown, of fangamon county, twenty -four head of Durhams. Jas. Kerr, of Marlon, one bull . Col. li. Oapron, of Peoria county, twenty-eight^head of Devons. C. D. Bent, of Iowa City, nine head of Devons. Steiihen Green, of Morgan, two head of native and cross. J. B. Hibleton, of Clay county, one steer. "Miles llolliday, one heifer. W. H. OuUardson, of Edgar county, Durham one. Dr. English, of Morgan county, two Durhams. J. W. Goodwin, of Vermillion county, two bulls. D. P. Parts, of Brown county, one bull. Josiah Williams, of Scott county, two yoke of Durham oxen. Jesse Cloyd, Champaign county, two head of Durhams. W. Marshall, of Morgan county, two head of Durhams. J. Ingalls, of Sangamon county, two bead of natives and cross. Robert Denton, of Morgan, one bull. Fawkes' steam plow has just come in- to the ground, by the aid of water wrung from a summer cloud, and the carboniferous deposits dug from the bo- som of the prairie. The crowd greeted the iron monster, as life-like he moved to the music of revolving wheels, under the guidance of the inventor. Over six hundred stalls have been put up on the outside of the grounds for the use of visitors and the extra stock that cannot be accommodated in the stalls in- side of the grounds. The camping grounds are fast filling up with tents and teams. On the entrance side is more than the usual number of shows, to accommo- date rural adolescence. The steam plow is to be tried on Thursday. The plowing match will come off on the the same day. On Wed- nesday, the sugar mills and sugar evap- orators are *".o operate. Cook and Mil- ler are the competitors, and they prom- ise to tur^n out the real sugar by the pail full. % . ,. ' V : SECOND DAY— SEPT. 11. The morning is cool and pleasant, with wind from the west, just with an autumn tinge that braces up both man and beast, and nerves them for both work and enjoyment. During the past night thirty car loads of stock arrived, and a large train of goods and machinery for the Fair. It has always been a wonder to us why railroad men did not hurry up the freight ; if they would give return pas- ses to all exhibitors, the matter would be settled, but these are withheld until the first day of the Fair, the exhibitors .4clay starting, and the result is a per- fectljrowd, when by a little more fore- sight, this would have been avoided. Fair tickets should be sold the whole previous week, and as they are not stamp- ed before the second day, no advantage could be taken of them. It is desira- ble to have everything on the ground if possible before the opening of the Fair to the public. Our experience has led us to these conclusions, and we would call especial attention to them. Driving in both rings is already ac- tive, and yet the sun has not reached the top of the trees. In the Floral Hall the ollicers have worked nearly all night, and this morning the canopy of oak 164 THE ILLINOIS FARMER. leaves and rich festoons of flowers and evergreens, make a most beautiful dis- play. THE editor's hall Turns out to be one of the most primi- tive structures possible, just one step towards civilization. The earth beneath — pine boards .above and around, with wide open spaces for light — a rough board desk and chairs for scats, thanks to the turners' art. We have written many an editorial in a more humble place ; at the same time this rural struc- ture reflects no great credit on those having in charge the comforts of the corps editorial. The Local Committee,'^we learn, are not to blame in this matter, as a build- ing intended for this purpose has been otherwise appropriated. And it was supposed that a room in the village nearly two miles distant, would answer every purpose ; but such is not the case; the editor's room if anywhere, must be ou the fair grounds, and when this fact became apparent, it was too late to rem- edy the defect. The room has been erected adjoining our sanctum, making a regular two-story structure — on the ground. Other State Societies make liberal provision for the editors, of not only their own State, but those who visit from a distance. It is time that some little courtesy be extended the Press of the State in return for all the gratuitous advertising done in behalf of the Socie- ty. We charge no one with any evil intent; but a neglect of an important interest. For ourself, we can write any- where, whether on a log, a stump, or a hatccrown. AGKICULTUKAL IAPLEMENTS. — PLOWS. Pariin & Orindoff, of Canton, 111., show four plows of fine form and high finish, all cast steel molds with German steel shares. They attract no small at- tention. An iron plow made by C. II- Dawson, would recommend it to amatur farmers fresh from the city, it would give them ample exercise of muscle to develop motion. Battell ct Boyd, of Quincy, have eight plows on the ground, they are strong and well finished, and for the soils along the Mississippi must answer a good purpose. Two corn plows of their make are valuable, made strong, also adjustable by a new arrangement, the best we have seen. Eldridge & Co., of Perry Co., have five plows, two double shovel plows and one single shovel. CORN HARVESTER exhibited by IL Miller & Co, It prom- ises to cut and harvest ten to twelve acres a day. It cuts sixteen hills and deposites them ready for shocking We have no great faith in it, but on trial it may answer better than hand cutting. Farmers should look before they leap too far, after all implements of doubt- ful utility ; better wait until their value has been demonstrated and then, if good, purchase, if bad, avoid. These invent- ors are the most sanguine set of men possible, and they fancy their bantling is to win in all cases, reasoning with them is of little use ; they will persist in going on to ruin and {not only use up their own means but those of their con- fiding friends. PATENT FENCE. A vast amount of ingenuity has been expended in making a fence out of noth- ing. Some years since we recommended moral suasion to be applied to all vicious animals. This would save a large amount of labor and trouble, providing the ani- mals accepted the proposition; but as some of these new-fangled fences come so near to nothing, it is hardly worth while to spend so nmch time over them. On all portable fences of any value, the cost is equal to that of a permanent one, and then it is more liable to get out of order. On the grounds are several of these patents with the usual amount of cla]vtraps. The only "gudgeons" to be caught are the deluded inventors. turner's ILLINOIS CULTIVATOR. At eleven o'clock, several gentlemen accompanied Prof. Turner to a field some half a mile distant, to make a trial of the "Illinois Cultivator," in a field of corn about two feet high. The culti- vator teeth arc not of the right form and would not scour; yet the work Avas well done and gave the most unbounded sat- isfaction. All that is necessary is to change the teeth for those which will scour. This working corn with two horses, at the rate of ten acres a day is a new feature, when Ave take into ac- count that any person who can ride and drive a team can do the work, let him be boy, cripple or invalid. There are seven similar cultivators on the ground, but all of them with more or less de- fects. FLORAL HALL Is in fine regalia and mostly filled with fruits, preserves and wines. Wincii are in moderate quantity, while the preserves and jellies are in the great- est abundance,'tnd of the most supe- rior quality. Among the competitors is Mrs. Luyd ShaAV, who has fifteen packages. Fruit and ornamental trees and evergreens by S. Edwards, of Ijcinioille, two entries. liest culk'ction of apples, seven entries. Best fifteen vurietiea of appleg for Southern Illinois, five entries. t^anje for Northern lUino s, four entries. Best lot of Siberian crah apples, by S. Or. Mlnlclcr, one entry. Be^t collection of fall and winter apples, exhibited by fariuera and amateurs, one entry. Best collection of peur.f and poaches, three entries. The samples are very tine. Those of Itobcrt Mowson, are par tic ularly nice and large. Pears, the product of this State, two entries. Autumn pears, four entries. Winter pears, two entries. Seedling pears, one entry. Best and greatest variety of peaches, two entries. Best six varieties of peaches, one entry. Best twelve peaches, one variety, four entries. Best seedling pesj-s, five entries. Best collection of plums, one entry. These are from the grounds of Ellwanger & Barry, N. Y. Best three varieties of plums from the same, one entry. Best twelve plums, three entries. No quinces on exhibition. Native grapes, four entries. Foreign grapes, under glass, by C. H. Rosenstcil, of Free- port, one entry. Small fruit, nine entries. THE AMPHITHEATRE. The vast amphitheatre was filled at an early hour. During the forenoon the seats became crowded almost inconven- iently, and presented a very animated appearance. CATTLE. At nine o'clock this morning the most of the fine cattle present, Avere introduced into the ring, *' just to let people see them." There Avas a very fine collec- tion. Among the most prominent lots we noticed the following : James M. Hill, Cass county, six head— the bull "Cham- pion," and five cows. Thomas Simpkio, Pike county, the bull, " Marshal Pelis- sier," and Ave cows. Robert Pollock, Morgan county, "Admiral," and five cows. II. Spears, Menard county, "Master Lowndes," and_^flve cows. K. B. Uitt, Scott county, cow "Isabel," and thirteen others. James N. Brown, Sangamon county, "Alfred," " Bachel" and "Tulip." Those are all Durhams. Only those lots Avhich contain the most noted ani- mals, so far as learned, have been enu- merated. The show of stock present is very fine, particularly that from San- gamon and Morgan counties. Brown's "Alfred" and Pollock's "Admiral" Avould be hard to beat, if the attempt should be made. On Wednesday, pre- miums on cattle will be be aAvarded. Our agricultural Solons Avill probably find it difiicult to decide, among so many superior specimens of the bovine race. HORSES. After the cattle had retired to the pri- vacy of their stalls (vide rural poems) the ring Avas thrown open to horses. Fir.^t, there were three entries for a race between pacers. The first premi- um ($15)for the best span of pacers, was awarded to Thomas Smith, of San- gamon county ; second best, (10) Geo. Day, Sangamon county. The first premium for single pacers was borne off by John Cook's gallant little "Smoker Boy," of Springfield ; the second, by James Young, Spring- field. In the afternoon, the blooded horses on the ground were brought into the ring, and walked around to shoAV their muscle. The show Avas an imposing one, though some of the famous animals in our State had been kept aAvay. The cavalcade comprised 110 horses, mules and colts ; some of the latter give prom- ise of becoming splendid animals. After these came a contest between trotters. The first premium ($15) for THE ILLIlSrOIS F^HMEH. 165 the best span of trotters was taken by John Cook, Springfield , second best, ($10) by Fanning, of Morgan county. The first premium for single pacers, was awarded to a horse owned by Slayton, of "Williamsville, Sangamon county ; second premium to Wm. Jenkins, Springfield. THE STEA3I FLOW. Immediately after the conclusion of the racing, Fawkes' steam plow was in- troduced, a portion of the fence having been cut down for The purpose. The monster, which is a sort of cross betAVeen a locomotive and a saw-mill, went steam- ing slowly around the ring, greeted at every point by the cheers of the immense multitude- STOCK FOR ST. LOUIS. Some of the exhibitors intend taking their stock to the St. Louis Fair : among them we may mention Col. A. Capron, who has 28 head of fine Devons, and D. Bent, of Iowa City, Iowa, who has here a fine lot of cattle, hogs, sheep and poultry. This has been a proud day for the great industrial army of our State. The success of our State Fair has always been in proportion to the success of the season's products. The morning trains brought a large addition of implements, machines, fruits and fancy goods, and now the several buildings are well filled, and almost in complete order, and^ to-morrow will put on the finish. TEXTILE FABRICS. The Textile Fabric department pre- sents a fine appearance, and the large building used for this purpose is now nearly full — there being over 400 en- tries up to this time. The display of needle, shell and wax work surpasses any thing at our State Fair before, the entries in this lot alone being about 300. SEAVING MACHINES. The entire north side of this spacious building is used for the exhibition of Sewing Machines, and the following well known machines are represented : Wheeler & Wilson's, Young's, Wilson's new patent, Finkle & Lyon, Grover & Baker and Singer's ; in all over twenty machines. Another wrinkle has been taken from the brow of the sewing girl by these almost life-like machines. NATURAL HISTORY HALL Has been croAvded to repletion all day. The building, large as it is, is found too small for the large and unexpected col- lections made by the devotees to science. C. D. Wilbur is one of those .ucn that never tire in a good cause. We hope no one will pass by this very interest- ing part of the exhibition. It should be the first point to visit. FARM PRODUCTS Are coming in beyond expectation. THE AMrniTHEATRE. The excitement in the amphitheatre has been at the highest point through- out the day, and over 5,000 persons were admitted to the seats. RECEIJ'TS OF THE FAIR. $2,500 was taken at the gate to- day. Making in all over $4,000. THE STEAM PLOW. Fawkes' steam plow continues to draw crowds. Mr. Greenwood, of Cincin- nati,"the maker, is on the ground, and a trial will be for the $1000 on Thurs- day. THE BIG TENT. The ofiicers were too busy to get up the big tent to-day, but promise to- morrow. PROGRAMME FOR WEDNESDAY. The next three days will be the great days of the Fair. To-morrow, A. M., thorough-bred cattle will be exhibited, and in the P. M. thorough-bred horses. ■ ELECTION OF OFFICERS. But a great feature of the day, to a large number, will be the election of ofiicers at 2 p. M. The canvass is gain- ins interest as the time of final action O draws nigh. To-night the several par- ties are in caucus. Buckmaster, Dun- lap, of Morgan, Dnnlap, of Peoria, Van Epps, and Dr. Kile, are in the field for President, but it is probable that ar- rangements Avill be made to double teams, and thus, until the wire-workers make up the programme, we outsiders are in blissful ignorance. Reynolds will walk over the track for Correspond- ing Secretary, but we may look for a little contest between and Cook and Galusha, for Recording Secretary. » Over twenty acres of camping ground is covered with tents and teanrs, and the arrivals are still adding to the numbers. The number of Editors is thus far re- markably limited, but they are all work- ers.' NUMBER OF ENTRIES. To-morrow the entries close. Those of cattle now foot up 283; of horses nearly 700 ; of sheep 227. In the other departments, the clerk has been too busy to make up the amount. FOOD AND LODGINGS FOR ALL. Watson's great dining saloon con- tinues to maintain its high reputation for good fare. The Deaf _and Dumb Asylum is becoming of importance as a lodging place, thanks to its efiicient and attentive Principal. LOWER EGYPT HEARD FROM. Mr. Carpenter, from Union county, has a full car load of sundries, to repre- sent the product of the hill-sides of po- monlal Egypt. Carpenter and his ex- tensive collection will be the centre of attraction tomorrow. COUNTERFEITERS AND PICKPOCKETS. Three persons were arrested for pass- ing counterfeit money. Pickpockets are around. One of them was compelled to disgorge a portmonie containing $24. To-morrow will be a great day, as the weather is of the most promising order. EVENING SESSION. The subject of drainage was first taken up. No new light was thrown upon it, as few of the speakers knew anything further than a vague theory in relation to it. The truth is, aside from the use of the mole drainers our farmers know little of draining or its benefits. Several persons spoke highly of the mole drainers, especially ou stifif clay. On the whole, the discussion was rather rambling, and after a short hour the meeting took up the subject of . ... PLOWS AND PLOWmG. The amphitheatre was not well lighted up for taking notes, and we, of course, cannot be expected to attempt a very extended report. Mr. Pollock, of Mor- gan county, was in the practice of trench plowing for every crop. Stubble land was trench plowed for corn and after the corn is cut up in the fall, it is again trench plowed and sown to winter wheat. The stubble can be turned under and soAvn to winter wheat. This is followed Avith corn, but at every succeeding ploAving the trench plow is used. Mr. McGraw, of Knox county, advo- cated the old Diamond plow, or what is knoAvn as the Cary Patent. He insisted that it more completely pulverized the soil, than any of the later style of clip- pers. There is force in this suggestion, and by reference to our best plows, it will be seen that to a certain extent, this point has been adhered to. He Avas a great advocate of " rooling and gave several statements in favor of its value in one case of ten acres of wheat hav- ing been sown and simply rolled, and the product was ten bushels per acre more than that sown and harroAved. Another gentleman would plow deep, sow early and cover deep with a shovel plow, in this way he had guarded against the Hessian Fly. Mr. Carpenter, of Union county, related several instances of the renovation of worn-out lands in Egypt, simply by deep plowing. Mr. Overman spoke of a slice plow cutting three or four inches wide and sixteen to twenty inches deep, he thought it might work well as a deep tiller and pul- verizer, and would call attention to it. Mr. Murdtfelt followed in remarks in regard to the same plant and was favora- bly impressed with it. On the whole, the meeting was an in- teresting one, and we only regret that we have not time to do it justice. : ■ :CCLTIVA1ING CORN, r >. :> .' To-day another trial was had with the Illinois Cultivator of Prof. J. B. Tur- ner. When the Cultivator teeth scour the Avork is most perfect, but otherAvise, 166 THE ILLINOIS F^HMER. it is of the usual style. There is no dif- ficulty in putting on the right kind of teeth, when the machine will be all that the most ambitious corn grower could desire. The draught is easy for a light team, and as the diver rides on a spring seat, he has an easy time, and if he dis- likes the sun on him it is easy to put up a shade over his head. This is the first step in " farming made easy" — a great stride in the field of progress in corn cul- ture. The rolling of the ground to pul- verize small lumps, is of no small im- portance. To this machine can be added a corn drill, at a small cost, and the farmer has his planter, roller and culti- vator combined, and at a less expense than in separate machines. There are seven other machines on the ground intended for the same pur- pose. They are all more or less valua- ble, and either of them are in advance of the common double shovel plow, but they will need large improvements to come up to the requirements of the age. THIRD DAY— SEPT. 12. REAPERS AND MOWERS. The John H. Manny machine is on the grounds — the one that is to be awarded by the Society for the best twenty acres of wheat. These macliines are made by Emerson & Co., of llock- ford, who only manufacture for this State. This machine continues to main- tain its high reputation, as it has been improved and simplified from time to time to meet the wants of the age. The most important improvement during the last year is the lever to raise and lower the cutter box at pleasure, and instan- taneously change it from high to low. This, in lodged grain, is a most impor- tant feature, and deservedly attracts no small attention. The mower is now simplified and cheapened that it is sold at the low price of eighty dollars. It is compact, strong, well-made and dura- ble, and reflects great credit on the im^ proveraents made by Mr. Emerson, the principal of the firm. m'cormick's reaper. This comes on the ground with new improvements, among which we note a castor-wheel under the platform. The sickles run in a groove. To raise and lower, you have to stop, and with a wrench in hand, change its height. These are all the reapers and mowers as yet on the ground, both of them having con- tended for the palm of victory on foreign soil, and the fiags of England and France have been waved over them, in the pow- erful rivalry that has given them to fame. Long may they continue to lay low the ripened grain. Mr. John S. Taylor, of Jjamoille, 'Bureau county, n.as on exhibition a pat- ent SL-lf-adjubt J g v.'.vis, a valuable m- plement. THE AMPHITHEATRE. The seats today were much more densely ])aekcd than yesterday. In fact, the " grand rush" may be said to be just commencing. To-morrow, if the weather should be pleasant, we may ex- pect to see the largest crowd that has ever ])een in attendance at any of our State Fairs. CATTLE. The forenoon was devoted to the ex- hibition of thorough-bred cattle. The superintendent of this department is Stephen Dunlap, of Morgan county, and a man who knows just how to manage such business. The first trial waa among bulls four years old and over. The contest for the flrsit )>rciniuiu was very Rpirited, and the comriiiltoe delilicrnted for a long time over the award. Some of tiie finest animals in this or any other State competed for the ijrizi', and the committee found it impossible to render a decision hastily. They finally settled the quesltbn, however, by placing the liliie riblHin upon James N. Brown's magnifi- cent bull, " King Alfred ;" and the hearty approval of the inmiense concourse of spectator.s indicated unmistakably that the first proniinm of $40 had been worthily bestowed. It was a well-merited honor to Snngnmon county. Tlie second pre- mium (f 2.')) and the red ribbon wore awarded to J. S. Bimp- kins, of I'ilie county, for his splendid bull, " Marshall I'elis- sier." Tlie third premium (115) and the wliite rilil)on were given to "Berlin," a fine animal owned by D. Parks, of Brown county. There were six entries for the premiums on three year olds. The $40 and the blue ribbon were awarded to the " Duke of Orleans," owned by Wm. Miirshall, of Morgan county. Sec- ond premium (-12.')) to " Gov. .loiies," iR-longing to E. B. Jlitt, of gcott county. The third (|15) to "Alfred 2d," owned by Jas. Buckles, of Logan county. The first premium ()f 3l») on two year olds was awarded to Capt. Jas. N. Jtmwn's " Dinmond ;" the second (#2''> to " drnnipion," by Jas. M. Hill, of Cass; and the third (tlO) to " Oaril)al(li," by U. Anderson, of I'ike. Tlie first i>reniiuni on yearlings was given to "Deceiver," by Jolin B. (Joodwin, of DeWitt ; the second to Mr. Good- win's Thames ; and the third to "Financier," by J. D. Smith, of Sangamon. The first premium for the best bull calf was taken by "Young Klhakim," owned by Jas. M. liill, of Cass county; the second by "Tani O'Shnnter," J. D. Smith, of Sangamon. A largi> number of very fine thorougli-l)recd8 were present. Among the most prominent we may mention Pollock's "Ad- miral," "Kinman's "J. C. Fremont, Spear's "Master Lown- des," Kerr's "Consternation," Culberlson'.s "Mint," and oth- ers which would seem to be unsurpassable. It was high noon when the cattle had all been disposed of, and the proceed- inirs were adiounicd till after dinner. HOUSES. At two o'clock P. ]\[., a large number of splendid thoroagh-brod horses were led into the ring. Dr. II. C. Johns, of Decatur, Ex-Prcsident of the Society, superintends this department. It would be absurd for an outsider to attempt to render a decision, when pro- fessional judges were so seriously per- plexed. We will therefore content our- selves with giving briefly a list of the premiums awarded : The first premium ($40) for the best thorough-bred stallion four years old and o/er, wus awardeil to "IJig Boston," a very fine horse owned 1)V W. 11. Ilartlev, of Morgan county; second ($25) to "Abe Lincoln," by A."M. C. Uawcs, of Ver- million. The first premium ($40) for three year olds, was taken by "Tormentor," owned by James Schofield, of Morgon county; the second ($20) by "Lexington," AVm. Leachman, of Adams. On two year olds, the first premium (■$ 30) was awarded to "Captain Allen," W. W. Morton, Morgan county; second, A. M. 0. Ilawes, Veimillion. The first premiuiu (^80) for one year olds was given to "Priam," I'lill. Warren; gar.gamou county — there being but one entry under this head. MATCnBD HORSES. The first premium '$30) for the best pair 'of matched gcld- lnj.'s or maros in liarness, was awarded to (leorge Day, of Sangamon county: eecond best ($lo) to Colonel Dunlup, of Morgan. MARES. The first premium (-f 40) for brood mare? four yca.s old and over, wus awarded to "^-ue Hartley," owned by J. W. Gal- braitli, of .Morgan; second ($2ii) to "Cleoj)itlra," J. C. Crow- der, of Siin;-'ainon. For brood iiiares three years old and under four, the first premium ($oO; was given to "Ida May," A. M, C. Ilawes, Vermillion; second to "SwifHure," W. W. Morton, of Mor- gan. For Alleys over two years old, the first premium ($30) was taken by "Lee Ann," owned by Peter Roberts, of Morgan; second, ($15) to "Miss Farrington," J. W. Galbraith, of Mor- gan. Mare colts over one and under two years old, first premium ($80) was given to "Puss Morton, owned by W. W. Jlorton, of Morgan; second ($15) to "Kate Rob," owned by Joseph Morton, Morgan. For sucking colts, the first premium ($20) was given to "Jim Allen." R. Pollock, of Morgan; second ($10) to "Brown Kaglc," W. E. Davis, of Piutt. About a dozen stallion ponies were now Introduced, and after a very animated trial, and considerable deliberation on the part of the committee, the first premium of $80 was awarded to Ed. Simms, of Adami county, for bis fine pony, "Uonest Frank." EVENING MEETING— SEPT. 13. 77(6 Relative Value of Winternnd Sj^ring Wheat, with the Mode of Culture B. Gr. Eoots, of Tamaroa, in the Chair. Mr. Eastman, of Pike county, raised spring wheat twenty years ago, and thinks little of it. It will be a long time before you will convince the farm- ers of Pike county of the value of spring wheat. The Hessian fly and the chinch buij make sad havoe at times with the wheat crop. Lists his land — lost a crop of wheat sown before the 20th Septem her. Would not recommend sowing be- fore that time, as the early sowing is in danger from the insects named. In sowing winter wheat if it is killed out we loose the seed only, the culture is of value to the soil. Lays off the land four teen steps wide which leaves good drain- age. In sowing spring wheat, if the crop fails we lose the seed, labor and the rent. Has known the Hessian lly for twenty-six years. Mr. Strickler, of Iroquois, sows spring wheat; sows in March; must plow in the fall and sows early; grows 20 to 25 bushels, sells at eighty cents; winter at ninety cents a bushel. Thinks the spring wheat most profitable. Mr. Yan Orman, of Kane, would say to his friends at the south, that they of the north must grow spring wheat; raised 35 bushels to the acre this year; often sows on corn stulDblc; would recommend light plowing in the spring on corn stubble ; chinch bug is our great enemy at the north. Canada- elub has a soft straw and is a fine wheat, and when free from oats often sells for winter wheat; is rather tender; recom- mend the Scotch club as the most hardy. Never drills wheat; has a neighbor who' drilled on land cropped twenty-six years, no better. Land rollers of great value. C. W. Murdtfelt, of Ogle county, said : Scotch club is the Fife, is coarse, and makes poor flour; a farmer in Win- nebago has kept an account for sixteen years; has had good crops, making six- teen bushels on an average. In Ogle county, a Mr. Zimmerman grew on four acres fifty bushels and ten lbs,per acre of Australian wheat; thinks it not profitable to grow spring wheat in Egypt, or winter wheat at tlie north. His tenant plowed up a herds grass and clover meadow; it was plowed in the spring; put in poorl, and a poor crop. THE ILLINOIS FA.IIMEII. Mr. Yan Derin, of Sangamon, would recommend both winter and spring; al- ways has a crop of spring wheat; thinks it quite a sure crop; have sown on corn stubble, and plowed it in in the spring, and find that course to be the best; have burned off stubble land and plowed it with good success; likes spring plowing; grows some fifteen bushel to the acre on an average; sows five pecks of seed to the acre; sows spring wheat on winter wheat ground when the crop has been winter killed; sows winter wheat on oat or spring wheat stubble. Mr. Rosenstiel, of Freeport, believes in rotation; has not failed in a crop of wheat for the last eighteen years; of late years we grow spring wheat; clay soil or barren lands are the best; deep plowing and rotation of crop is my mot- to; have sheep, and they keep down the weeds; plow in the fall; sow early and roll; every farmer should have a roller; put wheat after corn; plows after the corn is off, in the fall ; never in the spring; likes Canada club; sows broad- cast; no remedy for chinch bug. K. K. Jones, of Adams. — Wheat has not been a paying crop in the last twen- ty years ; would say that if you trench plow and turn up the subsoil, sow ealry, turn under a clover layer, and I will in- sure you a good crop. Mr. Rosensteil said that Mr. Jones must be mistaken, for wheat is a profita- ble crop, and has paid for his land, fenc- ing and all expenses, and had a good profit over. Mr. Talcott, of Winnebago, insisted that wheat growing is profitable; that good farmers had for twenty years, proved it so ; the crops haa averaged not less than twenty bushels to the acre, Mr. Rosensteil puts the average cost of spring wheat at forty cents per bush- el. Mr. Mills, of Salem, Marion Co.— No spring wheat grown in Egypt; winter wheat is as sure a crop as corn ; suc- ceeds best when we put it in best ; he drills, sows in August, and gets from ten to forty bushels to the acre; where he manures, puts ten loads of manure to the acre ; likes clover ; calls twenty bushels to the acre a good crop. Mr. Beebe, of Ogle county. — Turns under timothy ; crops good ; plows un- der late in the fall. 0. T. Chfeise, of Chicago. — A farmer from Carlinville put in two hundred acres, and had a good crop ; the next two years were failures ; his neighbors had good success; drilled and rolled with a corrugated rolled, and had a fine crop, Mr. Rosensteil changes seed ; changes from prairie to timbered land, and vice versa ; changes all his seed ; does not change varieties. Mr. Gore, of Macoupin, always suc- ceeded in getting twenty bushels winter wheat ; this year had eight bushels ; sows May wheat; harrows thoroughly and rolls ; lost his crop with late soW'. ing ; sowed last of September. Mr. Palmer, of DuPage county. — Turned under clover after mowing; I had a good crop of spring wheat ; had twenty-six bushels this season; think clover of great benefit; sows early ; al- ways gets a good crop^i - Mr. Bragdon, of Prairie Farmer.— Have traveled much o£ late, and have seen many good farmers and these sow clover with every crop of small grain. There is one fact, if you persist in sow- ing clover and wheat, you will fail , you must plant corn also. The Chairman says that with him clo- ver is a difficult and uncertain crop. Mr. Bragdon would recommend plas- ter with clover. Mr. Manlove, of Schuyler county, has grown clover for the last twenty years, and only failed last spring; sows on snow. Being complimented with a call, we gave some account of the progress of spring wheat culture and the prejudice against it at an early day ; but that now it was the great staple of the north em counties having usurped the place of winter whaat, and that it is fast, be- coming popular in Central Illinois ; and predicted that it would soon be in high favor with all. The time of plowing and of seeding was at the season when the farmer could do it the cheapest ; on the other hand the winter, wheat crop was seeded and harvested at the most busy part of the season, the hottest, and when man and beast are the least able to do a had day's work. Predicted that Egypt will yet grow spring wheat, by fall plowing and sowing in January it will mature before the heat of sum- mer sets in. The great fault in spring wheat culture is spring plowing, sowing on corn stubble and late sowing. The question for to-morrow evening is the rotation of crops. ("The election of officers we give in another column.] FOURTH DAY— SEPT. 14. This morning, as we predicted is all that could be wished, and the crowds are pouring in from all quarters, and the grouuds will be a perfect jam be- fore night. The Springfield Zouave Grays, Capt. Cook, have just arrived on the grounds, and make a. noble display of citizen sol- diers. This will add much to the inter- est of the occasion, with their superior band of music. PLOWlNa MATCH. This morning we attended the plow- ing match halt a mile from the Fair Grounds. The lands staked was wheat stubble, clean of weeds, — ^in this respect all that the plowman could ask. The lands were too short (only seventeen rods long,) requiring no small amount of turning at the ends. There were seventeen entries — but seven of whom were ready for the trial. The Commit- tee like all other Committees have noth- ing ready, and when the time arrived for the trial, the ground is yet to stake off, and this, too, with a large crowd in the way. Why could they not have done this yesterday, or early m the morn- ing ? Each plowman is to strike out his own land and plow one fourth of an acre in two hours. The Committee contend that it was not their duty to put up the stakes, but that of the Superintendant. We hope that at some plowing match during the present century, that the Su- perintendant of this department will at- tend to his duty, and see that every- thing is ready at least one day before the trial is to take place, for it is hardly fair to keep a crowd of five hundred persons and the impatient plowman and horses in waiting to see these men go through the slow process of staking off the ground. S. H. Miller, of Peoria, with Toby ft Anderson's Peoria old ground plow, with chain attached, did very good work. The chain is of little account, and after a round or two, they put on a rolling cutter which added to the cleanness of the furrow. Mr. Barworth, of Urand de Tour, had entered, but his plows was delayed, and he could not get it in order in time to come into the ring. Several of the plowmen have trouble with their plows not scouring freely In this loose stubble, this is especially the case with the plow of Eldridge & Co., which was not so well prepared for the trial. Deere'splow has a rolling custer, and consequently cuts a clean furrow and turns under the stubble much better than a chain. The chain should be thrown aside for the rolling cutt«r and the "weed hook." Keemer & Hall's plow, Jacksonville, runs hard, scours well, does not turn under the stubble or sufficiently pulverize the soil. The "Quincy B." plow is used with a rolling chain and cutter. The plow Is too heavy for prairie, but well adapted to the more heavy and clayey soil and timber lands of the river counties, it is strong and well made -, stubble not well tm-ned. Bloomington clipper, made by Hamilton & Wotton, does not pulverize the soU or turn under the stubble clean. Bunn & Ellsworth plow does very good work — leaves some stubble ; the plowman understands his business ; uses a roll- ing cutter. iSirrows very straight. Toby &, Anderson, plowman Mr. B. Cole, does good work ; pulverizes the soil ; leaves some babble. We see no improvement in the form over the plows of ten years since. The tendency has been to lengthen the mold, but it is at the expense of pulverization and inversion of the stubble. Out of the eight competitors, the Toby & Anderson, and the Deere plows do the best work. Most of the plows are too heavy for our prairie, compelling the team to drag about a useless amount of material. We subjoin the names of the plow- men : . B. Cole, Peoria, Peoria old gronnd plow; Eldred McDon- ald, Brown & Ellsworth's plow; Christopher Quinn, Bloom- ington, Clipper; Edward Grable, of Adamscounty, "Qnlncy B," Barte'll & Boyd, makers; Henry Tomlinson, Morgan county, Keropar & Hall's plow, Jacksonville; Wm. Clay- brough, of Morgan county, Moline plow of Messrs. Deere A Co., a twelve inch Clibper; S. H. Miller, Toby & Ander- son's Peoria Plow. Two hours was allowed each plowman to do his half acre. They all went to work in good style, without any hurry. In fact all were good plowmen; struck their furrows straight, and cut an even 168 THE ILLIjSTOTS FA.Il]MEIl. slice. The time Avas as follows : Clay- brough, the winner oftlie first premium, $'lOj one hour and twelve minutes; Gra- ble, second premium, $15, fifty-nine minutes; Colo, one hour and thirty min- utes. To our luind, tliis plowman did most excellent work; tiie soil was well pulverized, and evenly laid; the plow was a most excellent one, and run easy, and had a wheel cutter been attached, it would have been dilHcult to have decided between him and the winner of the first prize Wo cannot, in this connection, - omit to urge the more free use of the rolling cutter on our old ground plows. It adds very much to the beauty of the furrow. To return to the plownjcn : McDonough, one hour and twenty min- minutes; Quinn, fifty-nine minutes; Toin- linson, one hour and ten minutes; Mii- ler, one hour and tuur minutes. was the winner of the third jirize oI'^lO, and of the fourth, of ^5. On the whole the trial was an excitinj; one, not only among the large number ol: spectators, but also the plow makers. — We oculd not be present at the boy's plowing match, in the afternoon; but learn Jthat it was not so well attended. The names of the Avinners will be found in the premium list. FLORAL HALL. This is the great centre of attraction to-day, and the fine show of fruits are deservedly admired. On looking throu;]jh we will commence with that of Adams county : First in onler, Is the coliection of K. K. Jones, oftlie Pines, near Quinoy, fifty-seven i)lat(.'a of uiagnifictut apples. They are grticed with one hlue rihbdn. Olark Chatten, of I'aysun, Adams county, has forty varie- ties of peaches in Jars — most niai,'nificent specimens. They are all preserved In brine. Tliis is a valimblc! niddc of pre- serving specimens; the color is retaiueil by this |)rocess, while those i)Ut up in alcohol lose the line tints with wliicli tlio sun has painted them in beauty, fifty varieties more are boxed u]) for want i.'f space and time to get tliem up. Tliirty varieties of peaches on plates; twentp-five varieties of peais; one hundred and lifty varieties of apples. Mr. 0. lias his col- lection decorated with four blue and two reii ribbons. He has forty acres of apple orchard, containing eight Imiidieil bearing trees; fourteen acres of i)eaelies, containing fourteen hundred bearing trees; six acres of i)ears, divided between standard and dwarfs. The apjile orcliard li;ia been set eighteen years in part, and produces from 1,50 j to 0,(iUO bushels of fruit i>er annutu. We would ask those who have good orchanl ground. If they can find any branch of fanning to pay as well as fruit ? Uere are sixty acres of orchard turning oll'.*y,0(M) to !*t'i,()IM) |)er an- num, with less labor than a half section farm re(iuires. We hope none will be deterred from the old wolt cry, "fruits will be so i)lenty that they will be worth nothing."' We l]av(; heard this cry for the last forty years, and instead of the price going down, it has steadily advanceil. Tw< nty years ago raspberries picls, of Logan county, has forty varieties; among them are three specimens of a variety resemliling in some respects, and supposed by many to be tlie Ciloria .Muiidi, weighingthirty-six and a half ounces, aiiefore and no atten- tion paid to it; but this did not move the committee, who made np the award acconliie.'ly . In point of show it is useless for northern fruit growers to compete with those of Atlam.s countv ; but when cul- ture and a corrcctnsss of names are apart of the programme, they may stand an equal chance. One or two exhibitors took strong ground against the decision of the committee iind decl;irod their in- tention not to siiow again; but We think, on relleotion, they will come to a more rational conclusion. If they have the best fruit it is certainly little trouble to make up their colleetion in accordance with the rules of the Society, which we think are valuable ones. It is true that their show Avill be less attractive than when composed of overgroAvn specimens, but at the same time it Avill be more use- ful, and really a better exponent of our orchard ])roducts. F. K. Phenix, of liloomlngton, has a good collection of plants. It is not large, but select. Among them eighty nam- ed varieties of dahlias; ten of phloxes; and forty ot verbenas: also lipeeiuiens of nursery tri.'es, of ime, two, threo niid four years old, (piite in contrast with the whips sent out to the pedlars from the east. J. T. 1-ittlo, of Dixon, has a fine show of dahlias, over fif- ty varieties, graced with two blue ribbons. .M. Doyle, of Si)ringHeld, has a fine show of roses, In pots of over a hundred varieties, llauKed with the same uuiiiber of varieties of dahlias, and a line collection of ))lants. .Mr. Doyle has a most valuable collection of plants in his green housi; and g.ir.iens, from which the lovers of ibe beautiful in Central Illinois may draw at sight. Nathan Overman, of Canton, Fulton county, shows si.xty- four varieties of apples, and several of jiears. .Mr. Carpenter, the "Kgypt" of our agricultural journals, luis a magnilicent collection of apples, ]>ears and iieaehis. — Among the apples are several seedlings of good promise. He jiresents samples oftlie growth of young fruit trees of surpris- ; iiig growth. Among .Mr. Carpenter's collection of aiij)les are I several plates of tin Newtown Pippin, grown by It. L. Wiley, j of .Makanil.i, on young trees of li\e years, set on bis farm, a I mile from tlie station. Our eastern fruit growers contend that this fruit Is only found jierfect ou strong limestone soils; but here are large and fine .siiecimeiis grown on a sandstone soil, where tlie water gushes from the hillsides soft as that from the clouds. The orchard is yet too young to pUice too luuch conlideiice in its thrift on tills sandstone formation; bnt Mr. \V. has the most unbounded confidence in it. We sincerely hope he may not be disappointed. Very Aldrich, of Itiireau county, has a fine show of ajipIes — all well grown, and correctly labelled, embracing upwards ef fifty varieties. Near by is a specimen of the cotton plant, some two feet I high, sown the first of May by Edward T. Eno, of Jackson- I ville. I Another lot of apjiles without the owner's name. J. A. Pettiii'.'ill, of P.unker Hill, shows a seedling grapo I from the sei d of tl'e Catawba. It is not a very good grupti, ■ and called .Mead's seedling. I A fine lot of Catawbas by some unknown person. I .Tohn llubacli, of Princeton, Illinois, makes a fine show of grapes, aoion^' theiiyi inaguifieeitt speoiineu of Concord. Tliis, wetliiiiU, will soon be the grape for the iirairies; to which may be added the Isabella, Catawba, Cape and Clinton to \ make uji tlie list. ! Charles II. Uojcnsteil, of Kreeport, has a fine collection of grajics. His Catawbas are very fine, eipial to any in the Hall. 1 This speak'j Well for Mr. K.'s good culture of thi< linefruft' I with which he was so familiar in his fader land ; not the Ca- I tawba, but others enually good, lie has also the Clinton, I small .Museodel, Orilwa.v's seedling, Isabella, etc. Of Ord- way's seedling we liad iiearU wonderful stories; hut if tlio siieclmeiis here exhibited area i.iie representation it is no better tlian tlie eoiunion native grape of Coniieeticiit, and even inlenor to many s|ieeimens that we have teen. It may I) ■ hardy atKrniiort and valuab e for arbors; but its main value iiiuhan, Tulip, Uacliel, Lady Camp- bell, Jas. N. Urown, of Sangamon county ; Poiiigranite, Thos. Simpkins, of Pike eimnty ; Ruby, Fleda, Sd, J. D. Smith, Sangamon county ; Kmjiress, Caroline, Lucy, Renick 2d, Jas, M. Uill, Cass county ; Kmerald, J. C. Bone, Sanga- mon county ; Kate, Lady Harriot, Heilachino, A'ictoriii '^li, J. II. Sjiears, .Menard county ; Ueauty, .Mayllower, James Purkapile, .Menard county ; Hannah, Miss Urown, AV. F. Short, Sangamon county ; Suowdrop, Lady Uoselle, J. P. Henderson, Morgan county. The above twenty-six splendid ani- mals formed a collection Avhich could probably not be surpassed anywhere. Capt. Brown's five cows, from Sanga- mon county, Avere consjiicuous both for their number and their uniformly line appearance. In fact, the decided supe- riority of Sangamon county stock Avas never more manifest than to-day. After a long and periilexing consultation among the mem- bers of the Committee, the blue ribbon and premium of :f40 were finally bestowed upon the magnificent cow Kuierald, owned by J. C. Hone, of Sangamon county. Kmerald is a remarkably beautiful animal, fou years of age. Siie was imported from Kngland in l>i")t, for the Illinois Mock Import- ing .Vssoi'iation, and was purchased of the Association by Mr. Bone for the sum of $2,02o. The second premium of $20, was taken by another Sangamon county cow, Jas. N. Brown's Tulip. The third premiinn ^15, was taken by Beauty, owned by Jas. Purkapile, of .Menard. For the best cow three years old and under four, the first premium of f-W was given to Lady Francis, J. -M. Hill, of Cass county; the second $'J0 to Florentine Duchess, J. 0. Bone, of Sang.-imon county ; the third ijilo to Kose of Summer, J. N. Urown, of Sangamon county. For the best hei/er two years old and under three, the first premium was awarded to Strawl)erry, J. C. Hone, of San gamon county ; third, Viola, Jas. Purkajiile, .Menard. For the best lieifer one year old and under two, the first premium was awarded to Queen of the We.-.t, Miles Holliday, jlorgan county; second to .Minnehaha, E. B. Hitt, Soott couuty, third, Minna, U. Pollock, Morgan county. . HOUSES. At 2 o'clock p. M., the competition betAvecn horses began, and Avas con- tinued all the afternoon. We give the aAvardd made up to the tirae of writing tiiis letter: Fir.st premium for tho best roadster stallion, four years old and over, was awarded to Propln t, owned by D. J. Weather- by, of Whiteside county ; second, Grapeshot, Wm. VVatkins, Sangamon county. First premium for best roadster, three years and under four. Young St. Lawreuce, II. O. Thomas, Greene county; second, Lexington, Wm. Leachman, Adams. Over two and under three, first premium to Benecia Boy, Elou Eldred, Greene county; second to Young Consterna- tion, Silas Eldred, Greene county. First jiremium for roadsters over one year and under two, was given to CImmpion, D. J. Cole, Cass county; second to Dan Tucker, B. F. Baldwin, Greene county. INCIDENKAL. The amphitheatre, to-daj', Avas very densely crowded — it being estimated that the scats and the promenade con- tained fully 12,U0O people. The grounds outside probably contained half as many more. The attendance, in fact, Avas large — about a dozen car loads having come down from Springfield in one train. The Springfield Grays under the com- mand of their gallant Captain, John Cook, arrived this morning at nine o'clock. The Grays looked remarkably AvcU. They drilled aAvhile in the ring, and Averc greeted by the spectators with great ap])lause. -^™" ■•'^^.^''^r^^r^^^r!^^^^^^^ THE ILLINOIS F-A^MER. 1 169 riNB ARTS. This Hall is not bo well filled as we could wish, but the specimens are mostly very choice. * As yott enter from the east door the first picture to the riRht that will attract your attention is a paintinp of " Honest Old Abe" mauling rails in 183it. c-tripped to the shirt and pants, he stands a picture of the rural laborer over whom waves the umbrageous drapery of i.ur western woods. In the suppression of names the clever artist is lost Just above, is another portrait of Mr. l^incoln. Uoth well done. A case of dentist's instruments and tetth is close at hand, among which we note a new material for making the roofing and gum of arfificial teeth. The vulcanized India Rubber by Drs. Bennett & Chaffe, of St. Louis. Busts of Messrs. Lincoln and Douglas very finely gotten up. Specimens of engraving by W. D. Baker, of Chicago, all most beauiifully cut. This is the artist who does up the work for the Illinois Fakmek. "Sparking" is a picture worth going a hundred miles to •ee. A large number of paintings and engravings on the right si'le of the Hall, but without names of artist or subject, which makts them lose half their interest. Wiil not the owners post up tiieir names for the benefit of us beniglued editors at least? On the left side of the Hall Is a fine painting of Venus and Cui)id. The drapery that is so gracefully thrown around her is ol the most gossamer fabric, and must have tested the paint- er's art. Specimens of Spenceriao penmanship are of the highest order. Specimens of card writing by Mr. Silover, are most excel- lent. A piece of statuary, " The Struggle for the Heart," is well worthy a long pdgrimage. It was drawn by Charles Coffin, from the Cosmopolitan Art Association, of New York. The first importation from Japan, 10 specimens of lacquered ware. A case of birds by R. H. Holder, of Bloomington, attract no small attention. This side of the Hall is well filled with fruit pieces and small paintings, but we regret that the list of premiums was so meagre and we trust that next year the premiums will be much enlarged. At the entrance is a tombstone containing a vast amount of gingerbread work. (reo. W. Chatterton, of Springfield, has a fine case of pre- mium silver ware from whi.;h lucky exhibitors may select. On leaving the Hall we met the Su- perintendent, Hon. C- B. Denio, in com- pany with Miss Anna B. Millikin, of Decatur, the clever artist of the " Rail Splitter.'' Another landscape painting of no small merit. A scene on Rock river, near Grand Detour, by A. 11. Payne, of Ogle county. The sugar makers are busy making syrup and have demonstrated that it can be done. Cook's evaporators was the centre of attraction to a large num- ber of farmers interested in the culture of the sorghum. The sewing machines have kept up a steady motion, and the crowd around them was packed to an uncomfortable extent. One old lady from near Wood Creek, said : " They would ruin all the gals now, for it was nothing but buy and buy store clothes, and Sally Gillett had done nothing but make petticoats the last six months, so that neow shfe was as big as a hogshead. It was tu bad, and them fellers who was tu work like an old woman with little wheels had best get shut of the things and go at some- thing else." This conversation was partly directed to Butler, who had charge of the Wheeler & Wilson machine, which had just been honored with the blue ribbon. B. undertook to argue with the old lady, but she would not be so easily molified. At last a happy thought oc- curred to Butler, and he stepped across the area and purchased a bottle of Gar- vin's crinicultural for the hair, to pre- sent to her daughter Bessey, who, the old lady said, " was a nice gal, but plague take it, she was bound to have one of them tarn 1 iron sewin' m:ichines.'' The steam plow was in the field, but some part of the machinery was not in order, and on the whole, the trial was not STJtisfactory. A large number of persons were out to the trial and much intetest was manifested in its success. It is a proud idea to steam down the prairie slopes and turn up the hidden elements of vegetabb nutrition, but we fear it will be some time before suceess that will satisfy the man of dollars and cents shall be attained. The excitement in the ring has been unabated throughout the day. 9,000 tickets have been sold for admission to the amphitheatre, and the amount re- ceived up to this time is ^2,500, and at the gate to this time, $9,000. FIFTH DAY— SEPT. 14. NATURAL HISTOIIY. Benjamin D. Walsh, of Rock Island, the well known entomologist, has a large and interesting collection of insects. It would seem hardly possible that so many varieties of bugs, beetles, etc., could be found in the btate , but here we have the proof in this vast collection, num- bering 2,500 species. With the excep- tion of about seventy-five species, they were all collected within four miles of Rock Island. In addition to this, he has five hundred more specimens at home, which owing to ill health, he was pre- vented from arranging. Gentle reader, do not be alarmed for tVie good people of Rock Island, who are infested with such a startling array of bugs, for around your own home they swarm in the same profusion. If you have any doubt, set a candle or lamp in a plate of oil on any pleasant evening, and you will have occular demonstration of the fact upon a small scale. Soon after the Presiden- tial election, which now absorbs all other considerations, it is the intention of Mr. W. to exhibit his entire collection at the principal points in the State, and deliver a course of popular lectuies on Entom- ology, to illustrate this interesting de- partment of Natural History, and to point out to the farmer, the orchardist, and the gardener, who among this great horde of the insect world are his friends, and who his enemies, in order that he may foster the one and guard against the other. This collection of Mr. W.'s comprises twenty cases most tastefully and truth- fully arranged. BOTANY. The large collection of Botanical specimens presented for the gratification of the public by Mr. M. S. Bebb, occupy almost the whole of one of the long cases, and yet the plants lay in piles of twenty deep. He has over 1,500 speci- mens, representing a thousand different species, nearly all of which are indigen- ous, and the remainder introduced and acclimated. Mr. B. is an enthusiastic student of nature, and deserves well of his country. He is a son of Ex-Gov. Bebb, of Ohio, who was for a long time a resident of Winnebago county; but now hails from Knoxville, Tenn. Young Mr. Bebb makes his home in Marion county, a most interesting region in which to pursue his studies in the great field of nature. Mr. Bebb took the first premium. We next note the collection of botani- cal specimens collected by Miss Rhodes, of Bloomington, which were obtained in and near that city. The collection is well gotten up and reflects no small credit on the good taste and persever- ance of Miss R. She takes the second premium. There are two other small collections of plants, but from the want of names, we could learn no particulars. COLLECTION OF SHELLS. Mr. J. W. Powell, of Wheaton, Du- Page county, has a large collection of nativ^e shells, which our rivers and small streams have yielded to his industry They number about eight thousand specimens, representing some two hun- dred and fifty species. In addition to this large collection, Mr. P. has over four hundred species of marine shells, from the shores of old Ocean. BIRDS. ■■■' We have before noticed the extensive collection of birds by Mr. R, H. Holder, of Bloomington; they have continued to attract visitors throughout the Fair, not only for their numbers but the ex- cellent manner in which they have been preserved. Mr. H. deserves no small amount of credit for his exhibition in behalf of the Natural History of our State. When we take into considera- tion the large amount of time required to collect and preserve these specimens we may wonder how a private citizen en- gaged in active and extensive trade can accomplish so much during his hours of relaxation from business. Mr. H. has we are happy to say, been elected one of the Yice Presidents of the State Ag- ricultural Society ; and we are assured that the Natural History department will continue to receive the fostering care of the State Society. INDIAN WEAPONS. A large collection of Indian relics and geological specimens from Schuyler coun- ty, are exhibited by Mr. Scripp, the ed- itor of the Schuyler Citizen. They are very interestiug. Among them are huge battle axes, of porphyritic granite, every variety and description of flint arrow- heads, hatchet and spear heads. These last are from the bluffs in the town of Frederic where they are found in quan- '^■'tWy^^rPnl^^,-^* * ?' J^W™ -T^'-' ^"fS W?r^. 170 THE ILLIIN^OIS F-^HIVIER. tics, packed in regular tiers by the wagon load, where doubtless the Indians bad their armory of offensive and de- fensive weapons. In this collection are several speci- mens of minerals; among thera zinc and iron ores. The latier is supposed to be in sufficient quantity to warrant work- ing. Schuyler county turned out well at this Fair. On the camping ground are over seventy teams; among the stock, horse, agricultural implements and fruit they are well represented. Fossils. Prof. A. II. Worthen, the State Geolog'St, has a large collection of fos- sils, the most prominent of which are a fine show of crinoids, erabracinfj about two hundred species; alriiigfit;ld. Jas. T. Kly, I'lenxaud T)Uiuiie, Cliiciigo. 0. T. Chase, 'I imex aiiti Herald, CliicaK". K. K. Joins, Quiiicy ifliig m and. Tribune, Chicago. J. F. Meginness, CarlinviUe S/iectr??i^^?Ff^f^''^^Bff?'^f?^^ . THE ILLINOIS P^RJVIER. 171 noticed by the Boston Cultivator when the present owner purchased him, as be- in^ probably the best animal of his breed in America, and his calves here sustain his reputation. Adeline comes next. — The perfection of a cow in every res- pect, and one of the best of her breed. Then follow several other aged cows, three of which have calves by tiieir sides, which attract the attention of every one. one. Then we come to heirVrs of va- rious ages, down to heifer cers of the acting Awarding Comniittees, as well as the post-office address of each successful exhibiter, with a view of making the list of practical value to the public for reference hereafter. Very respectfully, JOHN P. REYNOLDS, Cor. Sec., I'C. CLASS A.— CATTLE. Lot\. — Shorthorns. Best Bull orcr 4 years old — "King Alfred," |40 On ; owned by Jan e ; N. Brown, Berlin, Sangamon county. "2d best — ".MiTshall I'ellisier, ^25 00; owned by Thomas Sinipkins Griggsville, Pike county. 8rd best— ''Berlin," $15 00; owned by Daniel Parks Coop- ertown. Brown county. Best Bull over 3 years old and under 4 — "Duke of Orleans," f4t) 00; owned by Wm. Marshall Jacksonyille, Morgan county. 2d best— "Gov. Jones," $25 00; owned by E. B. Hitt Exeter, Scott county. .Sd best — "Alfred," 415 00; owned by James Buckles, Illi- opolis, Logan county. Best Bull over 2 years and under 3 years old — "Diamond," 130 Oj; owned by James N. Brown Berlin, Sangamon coun- ty. 2d best — "Grampion," |20 00; owned by James M. Hill Jersey Prairie, Cass county. Sril best — "Garibaldi," ^10 00; owned by Ralph Anderson Griggsville, Pike county. Best Bull 1 year old and under 2— "Deceiver," f30 00; owned by J. W . Goodwine Uigginsville, Vermilion county. 2d best— "Thames," ?20 0(i; owned by J. W. Goodwine Hiirginsville, Vermilion county. 3rd best— "Kmperor," »10 00; owned by J. H. Spears Petersburg, Menard county. Best Bull Calf under 1 year old— "Young El Hakim," f30 00; owned by James M. Hill Jersey Prairie, Cass coun- ty. 2d best— "Tam O'Shinter," $20 00; owned by J. D. Smith Berlin, Sangamon county. 8rd best— 'Master Butterfly," $10 00; owned by J. 0. Bone, Pleasant Plains, Sangamon county. ■, Coicg and Heifers. Best Cow over 4 years old — "Emerald," $40 00 ; owned by J. 0. Bone IMeai»ant Plains, Sangamon county. 2d best^ — "Tulip," $20 t»0; owned by James N. Brown Berlin, Sangamon county. 3rd b°st — "Beauty," 15 00; owned by J.-H. Spears Peters- burg, Menard county. Best Cow 8 years and under 4 — "Lady Francis," $40 00; owned by J. M. Hill Jersey Prairie, Cass county. 2d best— "Florentine Dutchess," $20 00; owned by J. C. Bone Pleasant Plains, Ssngamon county. 3rd best — "Rose of Summer," $15 00; owned by James N. Brown Berlin, Sangamon county. Be.st Heifer over 2 and under 3 years old — "Strawberry," $.30 (to ; owned by J. C. Bone Pleasant Plains, Sangamon county, 'id best— "Fashion," $15 00; owned by E. L. Gillham, Ex- eter, Scoft county. 3r(I best— "Viola, "$10 00; owned by James Purkapile Pe- tersburg, Menard county. Best Heifer over 1 year old and under 2 — "Queen of the West," $3 1 00 ; owned by ililes HoUiday Jacksonville, Mor- gan county. 2d best— "Minnehaha," $15 CO; owned by E. B. Hitt Ex- eter, Scott county. 3rd best— "Minna," $11 00; owned by R. Pollock Jack- Bonville, Morgan county. Best Heifer Calf under 1 year old— "Princess." $30 00; owned by J. C. Bone Pleasant Plains, Sangamon county. 2d best- "Dimple," $15 00 ; owned by J. D. Smith Berlin, Sangamon county. 3rd best^"Robertine," $10 00; owned by E. B. Hitt Ex- eter, Scott county. Awarding Cotnmittee—lsn&c Funk, McLean county; Jacob Johnson Henry, county; John B. Briscoe, Marshall county ; Philip Kimmel, Jackson county. : Lot i— Devon Bill U. Best Bull over 4 years old— "Magunticook," $40 00; own- ed hj C. D. Bent, Iowa City, Iowa. 2d best — "May Boy," $25 00; owned by H. Capron Jubi- lee, Peoria county. Best Bull over 1 year old and under 2— "Forrester," $30 00 ; owned by 0. D. Bent Iowa City, Iowa. Best Bull Calf under 1 year old— "Glaucus," |33 00; own- ed by H. Capron Jubilee. Peoria county. 2d best— "Prince of Wales," $20 00; owned H. Capron Jubilee, Peoria county. 8rd l>est — "Hercules," $10 00; owned by H. Capron Ju- bilee, Peoria county. 172 THE iLLiisrois fa^tim:ek. AwiiiiHng CornmitUr — Charles Riiford, Chnlrman, Rock Tsliiiiil county; Jiimt'S (ittiiey, StephfiisDn county ; Samuel Hhii woll, I,;i Siillc county ; Ceiiliits *tt)p«, Knox county; T. J Ilothwell, Clay county ; H. B. Kinney, Marion county; Uamel Worihen, Jackson county . Lot 2. — Devon Coict Rest cow over 4 years old " Victoria," >40; owned by II. Cajiron, Jul)ili'e, Peoria county. •Jil lK:>»t cow 3 years olil and under 4, "Grace," $40; Owned by If. Capron, Jul)ilee, Peoria county. Best h.ifer 2 years old and under three, " Relle of the West," ji30 ; ownep, Lee countj' ; Fielding L. Scott, Champaign James Worthington, Schuyler ; Thompson Chandler, CLASS B. — HORSES, JACKS AND MULES. Lot 8 -Thoroiiff/ibred Horses. Best stallion 4 years old and over, "Big Bo.ston," $40; owned by W. II. Hartley k Co., Jacksonville, Morgan county. 2d best—" Abe Lincoln," $25 ; owned by A. M. 0. Hawes, Georgetown, Vermilion county. Best stallion colt 3 years old and under 4, "Tormentor" $30; owned by Joseph Schofleld, Jacksonville, Morgan county. 2d best— " Lexington," $20; owned by W. Leachman, Ursa, Adams county. Best Stallion colt" '2 years old and under 3, " Capt. Allen," ?30; owned by W. W. Morton, Jacksonville, Morgan county. '2d best—" Kit Carson," $15; owned by A. M. C. Ilawcs, Georgetown, Vtnnillon county. Best sialliim colt 1 year obi and under 2, " Priam," $30 ; ovned by Phil Warren. Springfield, Sangamon county. Airdrdiuft Committee— Je^ne W. Baldwin, Ch'u ; F. B. Brayden, Klliott Combs, I. J. Irish. Lot S — Brood Maren, ( Thoroughhredx.) Best brood mare 4 years old and over, " Sue Hartley," $40 ; owned by J. W. Galbraltb, Jacksonville, Morgan coun- ty. •2d be^t — "Cleopatra," $■2.^; owned by J. C. Crowdor, Sjiringlield, Sangamon county. Best brood mare 3 years old and under 4, " Ida May," $30; owned by A. M. C. Ilawes, Georgetown, Vermilion county •2d best — " .•^wiftsure," $'20; owned by W. W. Morton, Jacksonville, Morgan county. Best filly over -l years old and under 3, " Ann Belle," $30; owned liy Peter Roberts, Franklin, Morgan county. '2(1 best—" .Miss Farrington," $'20; owned by G. W. Gal- braltb. Jacksonville, Morgan county. Best mare c(dt over 1 year (dd under 2, "Puss Morton," $30; owned by W. VV' Morton, Jacksonville, Morgan coun- ty- 2d best— " Kate Rob," $15; owned by Joseph Morton, Jacksonville, Morgan county. Best sucking colt, mare or stallion, "Jim Allen," $20; owned by K. Pollock, .lacksonville, Morgan county. '2d Inst — " Brown Eagle," $10; owned by W. E. DavU, Bement Piatt county. A icurdiiig Committee — s.ime as for thoroughbred stallions. Lot 0 — Rofiflstem. Best stallion 4 years old and over, ' Prophet,' $40 ; owned by n. J. Weatherby, Sterling Wliitt side county. 2d best — ' Grapeshot,' $25; owned by Bell Watkins, Spring- field, Sangamon county. Best stallion 3 years (dd and under 4, ' Young St. Lawrence' J;30 ; owned by 11. 1>. Tliomas, Carrolton, Greene county. 2d best — 'Lexington,' $'20; owned by \Vm. Leuclmian, Ursa, Adams County. Best stallion 2 years old and under 3, ' Bt ni -la Boy,' $30 ; owned by Kii>ha Kldved, Carrolton, Green county. 2d best — ' Voiing Consternation,' $15; owned by Silas Eldred, Carr(dt(m Greene county. Best •stallion colt 1 year old and imder 2, ' Champion,' $30; owned by 1). J. Cole, Beard.stown Cass county. 2d best— ' Dan Tucker,' $15; owned by "B. F. Baldwin, ■Wliitehall (ireene county, Awdidiiig Committee — M. Z. Landon, S. Doyle, G. W. Hardy, A. Bosworlh, Joseph Drury. lioddnter J/dren. Best m.Tre 4 years old and over ' Chance,' $40; owned by II. C Johns, Deealur Macon county. 2d besl--^ Black Hawk Maid,' ^2o; owned byR. H. Smith, Pontiac Livingston county. Best mare :l years old and under 4 ' Kate Princess,' $40; owned by R. KolT, Winchester Scott county. 2(1 best— ' Vetress,' $'25; owned by II. C. Johns, Decatur Macon county. Be-t mare '2 years (dd and under 3 ' Huntress,' $30 ; owned by Win Leacbmaii, I'rsa Adams county. '2(1 best.—' Flirt,' iW ; owned by David E. Beafy, Jersey- ville .Jersey county. Best mare 1 year old and under 2 ' Lady L'ghtfoot,' $30 ; owned by Klon KIdred, Carrolton Greene county. 2(1 best — 'Prunella,' $15; owned by P. C. Vandoren, Springfield Sangamon county. Best sucking C(dt stallion or mare, ' Nero,' $20 ; owned by J. * 11. Sinilli, Urieans Morgan county. 2d best— ' Young Nero,' $10; owned by D. B. Graves, Franklin Morgan county. Au'drdiiig i'onimittec — same as for stallions. Lot 10 — liUink llaicka and Morgatii. B(st stallion 4 years old and over ' Prophet,' $40; owned by 1). J. Weatliorby, Sterling Whiteside county. 2d best— ' F.tlian Alien •2d,'$^25; owned byR. H. Smith, Pontiac Livingston county. Best stallion 3 years old and under 4 ' L. H. Clifford,' $30 ; owned by L. A II. Cluipin, Bethel .Morgan county. 2d best—' Star of the West,' $2U; owned by Hansom Stone, Perry Pike county. Best stallion C(dt 2 years old and uniU-r 3 ' Joe Lane,' $30 ; owned by O. W. Bridges, Carrolton Greene county. '2d best— ' Billy Slieiinan,' $16; owned by Evvd Fozzard, Arenzville Cass county. Best stallion coll 1 year old and under 2 'Champion Ac- ton,' $30; owned by A. Pott, Whitehall Greene county. 2d best — ' Champion,' $15; owned by D. J. Cole, Beards- town Ca3< county. Awarding Committee— 1. W. Cockerell, H. C. Childs, Dr. Hopkins, Win. Crawford, Amos Bosworlh, Benj. Crane, E. Combs, J. V. Brown, E. B. Stiles, I. B. Frisbie. Mdre.t. Best m.tro 4 years old and over 'Nelly Bly,' {40; o^^ned by T. Manning. Warrenville DuPage county. 2d best—' Kate,' *25 ; owned by David Hurley, Jackson- ville, Morgan county. Best mare 8 years old and under 4 'Fanny Fern,' $80; owned by Marcus Stow, Quincy Adams counfv. 2d tiest— ' Bell Cloud,' ^20 ; owned by Jacob Bowman, Carrolton Greene county. Best mare 2 years old and under 3 ' Mary.' jSO ; owned by John Reedman, Santa Anna, McLean county. '2(1 best— ' Kate Singleton,' ^^20; owned by J. Patterson, Rushville Schuyler county. Best mare 1 year old and under 2 ' Lady Singleton,' i30'; owned by Win. Leachman, Ursa Adams county. 2d best—' Fanny,' ^16 ; owned by Josiah Williams, LinvUle Morgan county. Be.st sucking colt, sta lion or mare 'Young Eagle,' $20 ; owned by A. M. Foster, Greenfield Greene county. 2d best—' Billy,' (f^lO ; owned by O. Barnard, Bloomington McLean county. Atcarding Oommitlee — same as for stallions. Lot n—f/orseo of all Work. Best Stallion 4 years (dd and over — 'Yo ing Cannon Whip,' $4" • owned by A. W. Scogin Bloomington, McLean county. 2d best— 'Columbus.' $^25; owned by A. J. Milstead Haley, Cass county. Best Stallion Colt 8 years old and nnder 4— 'Hamilton,' $30 ; owned by David E. Beaty & Bros. Jerseyville, Jersey county. 2,1 hest^ — 'Star Highlander,' $20; owned by G. Bates Areo- la. DougluB county. Be^l Stdlion Colt 2 years old and under 8— 'Kthoola,' $30; owned by SlielUm Bacon Jacksimville, .Morgan county. 2d best — 'Mike,' $15; owned by Henry Lash Bloomington, MclA'an county. Best Stallion Colt 1 year old and under 2 — 'Barnton,' $3'; owned by Cyrus W. Van Deriu i«pringfleld, Sangamon coun- ty- 2d best— 'Sky Rocket,' $15; owned by Wm. Johnson Car- rollton, Greene county. Aicardiiiff Committee — E. W. Weldon, Chairman; E. Baker, B. iltinlap, II. C. Tlvmias, Joieph Frisbie, David Gore, U. Mills, Jacob Rogers, W. H. Bourn. Best Brood Mare 4 years old and over — 'Isabel,' $40; own- ed by .Toseph Morion Jacksonville, Morgan county. 2(1 beat — 'Fancy,' $'25; , owned by John Prunty Ashland, Cass county. Best Filly 3 years old aud under 4 — 'Julia,' $30 ; owned by Henry S. Ross Jerseyville, Jersey county. 2(1 best— 'Lady Oak,' $20; owned by Thomas Coultas Win- chester, Scott county Best Filly 2 years old and under 3 — 'Duff,' $.30; owned by Robert Danley Stout's Grove, McLean county. 2d be.st— 'Lady Lincoln,' $'20; owned by C. W. Price Ber- lin, Sangamon county. Bnst filly 1 year old and under 2— 'Kitty Butler,' $80 ; own- ed by J(din S. Beaty Jerseyville, Jersey county. 2d best — 'Lucy Clay,' $15; owned Wilson M. Hawks Win- chester. Scolt county. Beit suckling c(dt hor«e or mare — 'Tom Sayers,' $20; own- ed by Isaac Smith Kplin, Morgan county. 2(1 best — ' ' $10 ; owned by Francis M. Morton Jack- gonville, Morgan county. Awarding Committee same as for stallions of all work. Lot 12 — /Jra/t Ilorxes. Best stallion 4 years old and over — Highland Chief,' $40; owned by Sam Morrison Livingston county. 2d best — 'Frederick Norman,' j25; owned by Joseph Scho- Celd Jacksonville, Morgan county. Be^t stallion 3 years old and under 4 — 'Godophin Arabia,' ■ 20 ; owned bj John B. A. Reid Jacksonville, Morgan coun- ty- 2(1 best — "Louis Napoleon,' $10 ; owned by A. P. Cushman Wayneville, Uewitt county. Best stallion "2 years old and under 3 — 'Little Giant,' J20 ; owned by A. V. Cushman Wayneville, Dewitt county. Bd'sl stallion 1 year old and under 2 — 'Young Messenger,' J'20; owned by Win. Rink Dixon, Lee county. 2d best^ — 'Stephen A. Douglas,' 4 10; owned by T. Elmore, Lancaster Cass county. Best gelding 3 years old and over — 'Tiger,' t20 ; owned by Wm. Brown, Berlin Sangamon cojnty. 2d best — 'Charley,' i^lO ; owned by James Owen, Ashland Cass county. Best brood mire for draft 4year8 old and over — 'Bet,' jl5; owned by J(din Prunty, Ashland Cass county. 2(1 best — 'Fan,' jlo; owned by Josejih Lighter, Arcadia Cass county. Best mare 3 years old and under 4 — 'Bloomer,' $15 ; owned by John Prunty, Ashland Cass county. Best filly 2 years old and under 3— 'Lucy,' $15; owned by John Prunty, Ashland Cass county. 2d best — 'Jenny,' 10 dols ; owned by Austin Richards, Downsville Du Page county. Best mare colt 1 year old and under 2 — 'Peg,' 15dol ; own- ed by Jami'S Owen, .\shland Cass county. 2d best — 'Jenny Lind,' 10 dol ; owned by James Owen, Ash- land Cass county. Best suckling colt mare or horse — 'Abe Lincoln,' 10 dol; owned by A. P. Cu.-'hnian, Wayneville Dewitt county. 2d best — 'Salem,' 5 dol ; owned by Joseph Vau Eaton, Jer- sey Prairie Cass county. Best pair draft horses for farm — 'Bill and Charley,' 20 dol ; owned by T. J. Carr, Bloomington McLean county. Aictirding Committee — Amos Bosworlh, Win. Knox, J. D. Fall, Samuel Dudd, Abram Eyenian, W. II. Brown, G. L, Ditch, B. Dunlap. Lot \S. — Cdi-fiage,and Saddle Horses and Mares. Best pair matched geldings or mare — 'pair black mares,' $30 ; owned l>y George Day Springfield, Sangamon county. 2d best — ' Sam and George,' $15; owned by Col. J. Dunlap Jacksonville .Morgan county. Best gelding 3 years old and ortr (light harness) — ' Frank,' $30; owned by Ed. Simms, .Mendon A(Ji;ms county. 2d best — 'Sir Richard' $15; owned by J. 11. Harris, Table Grove Fulton county. Best mare 4 years old and over — •Eliza Sanford,' $30; owned by T. R. King, Springfield Sangamon conniy. 2d best — 'Lady Higbie,' $15; owned by Ed. Higbie, Mendon Adams county. Best mare 3 years old an! under 4 — 'Betty Day, '$00; owned by George Day, Springfield Sangamon county. Saddle Horses. Best gelding 4 years old and over— 'Red Fox,;' $30; owned by Wm. Nicholson, Decatur Macon county. Horses in Single Harness. Best stallion 4 years old and over — ' Morgan Messenger,' $30; owned by Charles Rockwell, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best stallion 8 years old and under 4 — ' Nat Logan,' $30- owned by Ed. SimiiiS Mendon Adams county. 2(1 best— ' Heart of Oak,' $20; owned by Silas Eldred, Car- rolton Green county. Horses for Saddle. Best stallion 5 years old and over— 'Tom Hal,' $30; owned by J. D. Smith, Berlin Sangamon county. 2dbest— 'T(un Hal,' i'20; owned by"w. Sims, Loaml San- gamon county. Best stallion pony in harness— 'Smoker Boy,' $30; owned by Capt. John Cook, Springfield Sangamon county. 2d best— 'Grape Shot,' |15; owned by Bell W'atkins, Spring- field Sangamon county. ■}''r--r:-7SX= irr.'_ y^^^^^fr^rrriV! ■.t^^^^^^^^,l^i(|^g^5H^!^U^,^^ THE ILLINOIS F^RIVIER. 173 Best pelding or mare pony — 'Ben Gray,' -20; owned by Cai>t. John Cook, Siirinpfiild Sanpiinon county. 2fi best — 'Puss,' -'lO; owned by Charles Rockwell, Jacksor- ville Morjran ci'unty. Airnrding Committee — L. ITodges, Weldon, H. C. Tlioma?, G. L. Ditch, David Gore, Gov. Bebb, Capt. Henry, M. Neal, Jonatlmn I'atttrson, John I'runty. Lot Xi.—FuHt Hornet. Best pair of mares or geldings for the road — 'Kitty Mohawk' and 'Flora Temple,' $511; owned by Thomas Smith Spring- field, Sangamon county. Best and fastest trotting stallion — 'Ethan Allen 2nd,' $50 ; owned by Robert H. Smith I'ontiac, Livintrston county. Best and fastest trotting luare, 'Naucy,' $50; owned by E. B. Stiles Dixon, Lee county. Atrar(li'»{/ Cuiniiiittee — IC. B. Stiles, E. Combs, I. n. Mil- ler, Jesse P. Wilson, L. Hodges Bosworth. Lot 15. — SiceepHtokea. Best lot of colt3 not less than 5 in number nor older than 3 ye irs, sired by any one horse and shown with sire, ^bO; awarded to W. L. Bosworth Bloomingtoii, McLean county. •2a best— f; 15; awarded toBrickard, Brace & Co. White Hall, Greene county. Best stallion and 5 brood mares from any one county, $30; awarder to W. 11. Hartley k Co. Jacksonville, Morgan county. 2d best — ?15; awarded to W. L. Bosworth Bloomington, McLean county. Best stallion, 'Big Boston,' gold medal or $.00; owned by W. 11. Hartley & Co. Jacksonville, Morgan county. Best mare, 'Miss Fancy,' gold medal or $50; owned by John Prunty Ashland, Cass county. Awardhiii Committee — Captain Henry, W. Lintner, Thomas Taylor, J. M. Letton, Dunlap, D. Uunkic, Chairman. Lot 16. — Jacks, Jejinetfi and Jfvle^. Best jack 4 years old aiul over — "Compromise, "$40, owned by Jacob Leonard, Weymouth, Sangamon county. 2d l.)est — 'John,' $25 ; owned by h\ Keal, Clinton, Dewitt county. Best jack 3 years old and under 4 — 'Gen. Walker,' $30; owned l>y Washington lies, Springfield, Sangamon county. 2d best — 'Telegraph,' $15; owned by J. D. Smith, Berlin, Sangamon county. Best jack 2 years old and under 3 — 'Black Sampson,' $30; owned by F. Neal, Clinton, Uewiit county. '2d Ix'st — 'Ciistilian,' $15; owned by J. E. Salyere, Orleans, Morgan county. Best jack 1 year old and under 2 — 'Compromise,' $20 ; owned liy J. II. Spears, Petersburg, Menard county. Best .lennet 4 years old and over— 'Jlohawl<,' $80; otrned by Skilliiian Allen, Harristown, Macon county. 2d best — 'Jenny,' $15; owned by John Salyers, Orleans, Morgan county. Best jennet 3 years old and under 4 — 'Queen Victoria,' $30; owmed by William Shumate, Springfield, Sangamon county. Best jennet 2 years old and under S — 'Kate,' $2tJ ; owned by Washington lies, Springfield Sangamon county. Best pair mules for draught or farm — $'20 ; owned by Ben- jamin Vail, Macomb McDonough county. 2d best — 'Jule' and 'Li/.e,' $10 ; owned by James Baker, Jacksonville, Morgan county. Best single mule 3 years old and over — 'Bet,' $10; owned by Stephen Green, Jacksonville, Morgan coiuity. 2d best — 'Giant,' ^5; owned byS. S. Massey, Jacksonville, Morgan county. Best single mule 2 years old and under 3 — 'Mickey Gray,' $10 ; owued by Jacob Foster, Richland, Sangamon county. 2d best — 'Black Jenny,' $5 ; owued by Jacob Foster, Rich- land, Sangamon county. Best single mule 1 year old and under 2 — 'Kit,' $10 ; owned by Stephen Green, Jacksonville, Morgan county. 2d best — 'Fairy,' $5 ; owned by K. Pollock, Jacksonville, Morgan county. Best mule colt — 'Susan,' $10 ; owned by William Y. Mc- Cord, Santa Anna, Dewilt county. 2(i best — 'Jenny Liud,' $5 ; owned by Benjamin Hitt, Exe- ter, SA)tt couuty. Best 10 mules from any one county — $30; awarded to Abel Brown, Jacksonville, Morgan county. Jtcardiii'j Cammlttec—J. Kennedy; R. Pollock, chair- man; — Itedman; Klliot Combs; J. L. Becraft; W.U. Bourn; J. W. Sutton. CLASS C— SHEEP. Lot \l—Long Woohd. Best buck 2 years old and over, 'Major,' $15; owned by Samuel Toms, Klyria, Ohio. 2d best, 'Emperor,' ^,10; owned by E. P. lies, Springfield, Sangamon county. Best buck 1 year old and under 2, 'Captain,' $15; owned by Samuel Toms, Elyrla, Ohio. 2d best, $10; owned by James Ranson, Linnville, Morgan county. Best pen 3 ewes over 2 years old, *15; awarded to Wm. Gill, Bunker Hill. 2d best, jlO; awarded to W. F. lies, Springfield, Sangamon county. Best pen 3 ewes 1 year old and under 2, $15; awarded to E. F. lies, Springfield, Sangamon county. 2d best, :rl"; awarded to Wm Gill, Bunker Hill. Best pen 3 ewe lambs under 1 year old, ^15; awarded to E. F. lies, Springfield, Sangamon county. 2d best, $10; awarded to James Ransom, Linnville, Morgan county. Auardin^ CommUtee — E. Suly, Joel Acre, J. W. Baldwin, J. U. Oakwood, chairman. Lot IS — Middle Wooled. Best buck 2 years old and over, 'Bailuw,' $15; owned by P. S. Spencer, DiUiville, Vermilion county. 2d best, 'Abe Lincoln,' <10; owued by Samuel Toms, Elyria, Ohio. Best buck 1 year old and under 2, jl5; awardedto JamesN. Bro>.n, Berlin, Sangamon couuty. 2d best, 'Joe,' jlO; owned by P. S. Spancer, Danville, Ver- milion county. j Best buck lamb under 1 year old, 'Black Hawk,' $15; owned \ by Samuel Toms, Elyria, Uhio. ; 2d best, 'Yater,' ^10; owued by S. W. Woodward, Jollet, | Will couuty. . I Best pen 3 ewes 2 years old and over, $15; awarded to Sam- uel Toms, Elyria, Ohio. 2d best, $Ui; awardedto JamesN. Brown, Berlin, Sanga- mon county. Best pen 3 ewes 1 year old and nnder 2, ^JS; awarded to Samuel Toms, Elyria, Ohio. 2d best, .^10; awardedto JamesN. Brown, Berlin, Sangamon county. Best pen 3 ewe lambs under 1 year old, $15; awarded to S. W. Woodward, Joliet, Will county. .2d best, .<10; awarded to Saiimei Toms, Elyria, OUOi Awarding committee same as for lot 17. Lot 19 — Frenc7t, J/erinoe^, Best buck 2 years old and over, $15; awarded to John Mc- Oonnel Springfield, Sangamon county. "-:2d. best— $10; awarded to J. W. Gregory Whitehall, Greene county. Best buck 1 year old and under 2, $15 ; awarded to A. B. McXionnel Springfield, Sangjimon county. 2d best, $10; awarded to John McConnel Springfield, San- gamon county. Best buck lamb under 1 year old, $15 ; awarded to John McConnel, Springfield, Sangamon county. 2d best— $10; awarded to J. W. Gregory TMiitehall, Greene county. Best ]>en 3ewes 2 yearsold and over, $15 ; awardedto John McConnel Springfield, Sangamon county. 2d best — $10 ; awardedto John McConnel Springfield, San- gamon county. Best pen 3 ewes 1 year old and under 2, $15; awardedto John McConnel Si)rinfffield, Sangamon county. 2d best— $10 ; awarded to John McConnel Springfield, San- gamon county. Best pen 3 ewe lambs under 1 year old, $15; awarded to A. B. McConnel Springfield, Sanjramon county. 2d best — $10; awardedto John McConnel Springfield, San- gamon coiinty. A^cardi7i(/ Committee — E; G. Miner, Chairman, Thomas HobsoL, Henderson Kinkaid. Lot '20. — SjMnisJi Merinoea. Best buck 2 years old and over, $15; awarded to C. T. Hoiipin Morgan county. 2d best— $ 10 ; awarded to A. B. McConnel Springfield, San- gamon couuty. Best buck 1 year old and under 2, $15; awarded to C. T. no]i])in Morgan county. 2d best— $10; awarded to Kelly & Barnes Wlieaton, Du Page County. Best buck Iamb under 1 year old, fl5; awarded to 0. T. Hoppin Morgan county. 2d best— $10 ; awarded to C. W, Price, Berlin, Sangamon county. Best pen 3 ewes 2 years old and over, f 15; awarded to P. S. Soencer Danville, Vermilion county. 2d best — $10; awarded to Kelly & Hammond Weeaton, Du Page county. Best pen 3 ewei 1 year old and undei- 2, $15 ; awarded to Kelly & Barnes Wheaton, Du Page county.- 2d best — $10 ; awarded to P. S. Spencer Danville, Vermil- ion county. Best i)en 3 ewe Iambs under 1 year old, $15; awarded to Kelly iSr Barnes Wheaton, Du Page county. 2d best — $10 ; awarded to A. B. McConnel Springfield, San- gamon county, Aicarding Committee — D. J. Pinckney, Elliott Combs, Benjamin Chadsey, George Baker, James W. Gregor^.' Lot. 21. — Grouses of aU Breeds. Best buck 2 years old and over — 'General,' $15; owned by Samuel Toms, Elyria Oliio. 2d best— 'Baton, 'jlO; owned by P. S. Spencer, Danville Vermilion coiuity. Best buck 1 year old and utder 2 — 'Ed,' jl5; owned by Washington lies, Springfield Satigamon county. 2d best— $10; awarded to A. B. McConnell, Springfield San- gamon county. Best buck lamb under 1 year old — $15; awarded to A. B. McConnell, Si>ringfleld Saugamon county. 2d best— $10; awarded to Samuel Toms, Elyria Ohio. Best pen 3 ewes 2 years old and over — ^15; awarded to Jno. McConnell, Springfield Sangamon county. 2d best— $1 ; awarded to John McConnell, Springfield San- gamon county. Best pen 3 ewes 1 year old and under 2 — ^$15; awarded to John McCoiuiell, Springfield Sangamon county. 2d best — $10; awarded to Samuel Toms, Elyria Ohio. Best pen 3 ewe lambs under 1 year old-^$15; awarded to P. S. Spencer, Danville Vermillion county. 2d best— $10; aWardcdto John .MeCounell, Springfield San- gamon county. Aicarding Committee — Basil Met<;alf, Xorman Hawks, John W. Hitt. ^Lot 11— Fat Sheep. Best 3 fat sheep 2 years old and over — -15; awarded to G. W. Becraft, Jacksonville Morgan county. '2d best — $10; awarded to James Ransom, Linville Morgan county. Best 3 fat sheep 1 year old and under 2 — $15; awarded to James X. lirown, Berlin Sangamon count.v. 2d best— $1(1; awarded to G. W. Becraft, Jacksonville, Morgan county. Awarding Committee — Same as for lot 21. Lot •2i}4— Sweepstakes for all Fine Wooled Sheep. Best lot of sheep of any age, not less than 1 buck and 9 ewes — $20; awarded to Jolm McConnell, Springfield, Sanframon county. 2d best— $10; awarded to KeUy & Barnes, AVheaton, Du- page county. Awarding Co7nmitiee—E(lvraxi Bebb; Cfaas. H. Rosen steil; C. L. Pate. Lot2Z — Sweepstakes Frenclt Metiiioes. Best lot of sheep of any agaign county. 2d best — $10; awarded to P. B. Fletcher, Auburn Sanga- mon county. Rett sow under 1 year old *10 ; awarded to J. C. Crowder, Springfield Sangamon county. 2d best — .J5 ; awarded to J. W. Priest, Springfield Sanga mon county. 2d best sQjj and litter of pigs under 4 months — JIO ; award- to John Mahard, Carter Shngamon county. Aicardin{j Committee — Charles Wells, W. W. Riggs, R. Rutherford, S. N. Redmont. Lot 27 — Subditivlon 2 — Cuniberland, Yorkshire, Cliea- tet W/iite, Wobvm and Irish. Best boar 1 year o Id and under 2 $20 ; awarded to Jas. M. Reed, Berlin Sangamon county. Best boar under 1 year old jlO ; awarded to Smith & Co. Orleans Morgan county. 2d best— $5 ; awarded to 8. I. Morey, Clayton Adams county. Best sow 2 years old and over $20 ; awarded to Jo£iah Will- iams, Lynville Morgan county. 2d best — $10; awarded to Smith & C»., Orleans morgan county . Best sow under 1 year old $10; awarded to Smith & Co., Orleans Morgan county. 2d best — 5 dols ; awarded to S. I. Morey, Clayton Adams county. Best sow with Utter of pigs under 4 months 20 dols ; award- ed to E. Eldred, Carrolton Greene county. Aicardiiig Committee — Charles Wells, W. W. Riggs, R. Rutherford, J. Myers. Lot ifi—Siiif-diviston 3 — Suffolk, China, Essex, and ot?ier Small Breeds. Best boar 2 years old and over, $20; awarded to Simeon Ruble, Beloit, Wisconsin. 2d best, $10; awarded to J. M. Jillett, Hadley, Will county. Best boar 1 year old and under 2, $20; awarded to Simeon Ruble, Beloit, Wisconsin. 2d best, $10; awarded to Horace Miller, Rockf^d, Winne- bago county. * Best boar under 1 year old, $10; awarded to Horace Miller, Rockford, Winnebago cimnty. 2d best, $5; awarded to J. M. Jillet, Hadley, Will county. Best sow 2 years old and over, jf20; awarded to Simeon Ruble, Beloit, Wisconsin. Best sow 1 year old and under 2, $20; awarded to Austin Richards, Downer's Grove, DuPage county. 24 best, $10; awardedto Horace Miller, Rockford, Winne- bago county. Best sow under 1 year old, $10; awardedto Austin Richards, Downer's Grove DuPage county. 2d best, $5; awarded to Horace Miller, Rockford Winne- bago county. Best sow and litter of pigs under 4 months, $20; awarded to Horace Miller, Rockford Winnebago county. 2(1 best, $10; awarded to Simeon Ruble, Beloit Wisconsin. Awarding Committee ~0. B. Nichols, chairman, T. Myers, Johu Clabough, John M. Fisk. Xo< 27 — Svh-diviMmmittee—C\\a.r\e% Rosenstcil; Jacob Kodg- ers; H. A. Conkeyt Skillman Allen; W. L. Beebe; B. G. Roots. LotSO.— Cultivatora, Hollers, etc. Best clod crusher and roller combined— 10 dols; awarded to S. W. Hampshire, Decatur, Macon county. Best horse rake- 10 dols; awarded to Gillham & Gapen, Rushville, Schuyler county. Best corn cultivator— 5 dols; awarded to John Bumaun, Princeville Peoria county. ^Awarding Committee same as for Lot 29. Lot i1.— Drills, Com Planters, etc. Best guaged grain drill, 5 dol ; awarded to J. B. Turner Jacksonville, Morgan county. IJcst corn planter for horse power, 5 dol ; awurded to J. D. Smith Peoria, Peoria county. Best broadcast sowing inacliine, 1 dol ; awarded to Uobt. D. Foster Lodu, Iroquois county. Best tiuiuthy and clover seed planter,! dol; awarded to James Selby Peoria, Peoria county. Best hand corn planter, 1 dol ; awarded to Wm, F. Piankin, Cottonwood Grove Bond county. Lot 33. — Other Implements. Best horse power for general j)urpojes, 10 dol ; awarded to Moses Jerome, Dixon Lee county. Best Corn and cob mill, 10 dol • awarded to Robert Shields, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best fanning mill, 10 dol; awarded to Frederick H. Manny, Rockford Winnebago county. Best i)ortable hay press, 10 dol ; awarded to Barnes & Lint- ner, Decatur Macon county. Best hay pitching machine, 10 dol ; awarded to Wm. Dixon, Chicago Cook county. Beat horse power com ehellcr, 2 dol ; awarded to James Vaughn, Magnolia Putnam county. Best straw and hay cutter, 2 dol ; awarded to J. 11. Hers- man, Versailles Brown county. Lot Zi.— Household Implements. Best dozen corn brooms, 1 dol ; awarded to N. F. Burton, Plymouth Hancock county. Best churn, 1 dol ; awarded to W. M. Jarrell, Liberty Union county. Best clothes washing machine, 1 dol ; awarded to G. M. Berkley, Sublette Lee county. Best clothes horso (occupying the smallest space), $1 ; awarded to Raymond k Clark; Mt. Sterling Brown county. Awarding Committee— Samni M. Thomas, James Twigg, G. Edmonds, Charles Denton, Wm. Evans. LotS5~£ngines, Machinery, etc. Best undcrdraining machine — 25 dols; awarded to James Adair, Mendota, LaSalle county. Best pump for well or farm use — 1 dol; awarded to P. J. Cooley, Mendota La Salle county. Best pump for cistern — 1 dol; awarded to P. J. Cooley, Men- dota La Salle county. Best brick making machine— 10 dols; awarded to D. D. Dan- iels & Co., Mt. Pleasant Iowa. Best sewing machine — 2 dols; awarded to Geo. R. Chitten- den, Chicago Cook county. Awarding Committer — A. J. Mattson, chairman; Graham Lee; P. Hinkley; Jacob Withey. Zo^ 80 — Apjxiratus of Fine Worl'manship. Best display of philosophical and mathematical instruments — 5 dols; awarded to M. T. Hutchinson, Chemung McUenry county. Best set of surgical instruments — 5 dole; awarded to A. M. Lesley, St. Louis Mo. Best dental instruments — 2 dols; awarded to A. M. Lesley, St. Louis Mo. Best Theodlite — 1 dol; awarded to F. Arnold, Chicago Cook county. Best level— 1 dol; awarded to F. Arnold, Chicago Cook county. Best surveyor's compass — 1 dol; awarded to F. Arnold, Chi- cago Cook county. Best electro telegraph apparatus — 1 dol; awarded to J. D. Caton, Ottawa La Salle county. Best galvanic battery ap|)aratu^ — 1 dol; awarded to J, D. Caton, Ottawa, La Salle county. Lot 87 — Fi?ie Worked Metals of American Manufacture. Best clock (8 day) — 1 dol; awarded to G. W. Chatterton, Springfield Sangamon county. Best plated ware — 1 dol; awarded to O. W. Chatterton, Springfield Sangamon county. Best silver plate — 1 dol; awarded to G. W. Chatterton, Springfield Sangamon county. Lot ^—Stoves, Castings, Brass and Bell Fomider^s Ware. Best and greatest display of stoves — 10 dols; awarded to Comstock & Co., Quincy Adams county. Best cooking stove for wood fire — 1 dol; awarded to Steve- son & Tompkins, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best cooking stove for coal — 1 dol; awarded to Comstock & Co., Quincy Adams county. Best parlor stove — 1 dol; awarded to Comstock & Co., Quin- cy Adams county. Best apparatus for cooking range — 1 dol; awarded toB. A. Watson, Springfield Sangamon county. Awarding Committee— til. S. Bebb; T. R. Seal; H. L. S. Haskell; Charles Rich- W. Talcott. Lot 39. — Vehicles. Best display of buggies, not less than three, 10 dol; award- ed 'o W. Mcndsen, Chicago Cook county. Best carriage for one or two horses. 0 dol ; awarded to W. Mendsen, ChicaKO Cook county. Best top buggy, 6 dol ; awarded to J. P. Bell, Jerse^ville Jersey county. Best open buggy, 5 dol ; awarded to W. Mendsen, Chicago Cook county. Best barouche, 5 dol ; awarded to T. Smith, Pekln Taze- well county. Best t-Mia wagon for all purposes, 10 dol ; awarded to Wm. Richardson, Lynville Morgan county. Lot 40 — Cabinet Ware. Best set of cottage furniture, 2 dol ; awarded to A. D. Sea- man, Milwaukee, W'js. Best bedroom furniture, 2 dol; awarded to A. D. Seaman, Milw«ukee Wis. Lot 41 . — Cooper^ Carpenterif and Basketmakers'' Ware. Best barrels for liquids and meats, 2 dol; awarded to Wm. Slaines, Decatur Macon county. Best Uuur barrels, 1 dol; awarded to Henry Sanders, Car- bondale Jackson county. Loti'i. — Farriers^ Cvrriers' Trvnkmakers'' Saddlers' and Shoemakers' Products. Best carriage harness, 5 dol ; awarded to W. C. Dawson' Petersburg Menard county. Best upper leather (calf skin), 1 dol; awarded to W. W. Switzer, Jacksonville Morgan county. Bestui)per leather, other kinds, 1 dol; awarded to R. M. Bigg-, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best morocco leather, 1 dol ; awarded to R. M. Bigfa, Jack- sonville, Morgan county. Best riding saddle (spring seat), 2 dol; awarded to W. C. Dawson, Petersburg Menard county. Best riding saddle (lady's), 2 dol; awarded to W. 0. Daw- eon, Petersburg Menard county. Best riding saddle (Pi>ringseaf , lady's), 2 dol; awarded to W. 0. Dawton. Petersburg Jlenard county. Best harness horse collar $10; awarded to W. 0. Dawson, Petersburg, Menard county. Awarding Committee— E. E. Bridges, Chairman, N. W. Hubbard, J. 11. Lawte.n, R. Palmer. Lot 4i. — Worked Metals and ITardtcare. Best target rifle, 1 dol; awarded to J. F. Redwine, Lyn- ville Morgan county. Best horse shoes, 2 dol ; awarded to Alexander Stump, Bloondngton McLean county. Best bar iron. Idol; awarded to Topping Bros., Alton Ma- dison county. AwardiPg committee same as for lot 85. CLASS G. — FARM PRODUCTS. Lot 45. — Grain and Vegetables. Best sample of white winter wheat, not less than 1 bushel — 6 dols; awarded to James Ransom, Lynville Morgan county. Best sample red winter wheat, not less than 1 bushel— 5 dols; awarded to Henry Scott, Lynville Morgan county. Best samjile spring wheat— 5 dols; awarded to John Mahard; Carter Sang county. Best sample rye— 3 dols; awarded to S. S. Massey, Jack- sonville Morgan county. Best sample oats— 3 dols; awarded to A. Bulkley, Jackson- ville Morgan county. 2d best — Wheat plant; awarded to Thos. Bradbury, Grlggs- yllle Pike county, j Best sample different varieties of Indian corn In the ear — I 5 dols; awarded to Veron Daniels, Jacksonville Morgan I county. 2d best— Wheat plant; awarded to J. V. D. Stout, Jackson- ville Morgan county. Best sample of Indian corn, 1 bushel in ear — 5 dols; award ed to Caleb Letton, Jacksonville Morgan county. 2d best — Wheat plant; awarded to Workman Culley, Jack- sonville Morgan county. Best sample of Indian corn on the stalks, 6 or more stalks — 3 dols; awarded to H. Reeves, Jacksonville Morgan county. 2d best — Wheat plant; awarded to H. Reeves, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best sample potatoes — 3 dols; awarded to S. H. Rees, Jack- sonville Morgan county. 2d best — Wheat plant; awarded to J. Dickinson, Lynville, Morgan county. Best sample sweet potatoes, not less than 1 bushel— 8 dols; awarded to Clark h Newhall, Oobden Union county. 2d best— Wheat plant; awarded to Joseph Campbell, Win- ; Chester, Scott county. i Best lot of onions, not less than 1 peck — 2 dols; awarded to Henry Boschen, Jacksonville Morgan county. 2d best — Agricultural periodical; awarded to Geo. Sturdy, Lvnville Morgan county. Best beets for table use, not less than 1 bushel — 2 dols; awarded to T. Dudley, Jacksonville Morgan county. 2d best— Agricultural periodical; awarded to S. Wilber, Momence Kankakee connty. Best lot salsify, not less than 8 bunches — 2 dols; awarded to A. M. McDonald, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best lot celery, not less than 12 stalks —2 dols; awarded to Geo. Sturdy, Lynville Morgan county. Best cabbage, not less than G heads — 2 dol«; awarded to Geo. Sturdy, Lynville Morgan county. Best tomatoes, not less than 1 peck — ^2 dols; awarded to VI- ron Daniels, Jacksonville Morgan county. 2d best — Agricultural periodical; awarded to H. 0. Johns, Decatur Macon county. Best egg plants, not less than C — 2 dols; awarded to L. R. King, Jacksonville, Morgan county. 2d best — Agricultural periodical; awarded to W. M. Ken- ton, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best peppers, not less than 1 peck — 2 dols; awarded to Thos. Bradbury, GriggsviUe Pike county. Best Lima beans, not less than 1 peck^2 dols; awarded to Seth Wetherby, Jacksonville Morgan county. 2d best — Agricultural periodical; awarded to J. T. Little, Dixon Lee county. Best pole beans, not less than 1 peck — 2 dols; awarded to Thos. Bradbury, GriggsviUe Pike county. Best bunch beans not less than 1 peck — 2 dol ; awarded to Thomas Bradbury, GriggsviUe Pike county. Best and greatest variety of garden peas — 2 dol: awarded to S. Wilber, Momence Kankakee county. Best lot of pumpkins — 2 dol ; awarded to A. Lighter, Jack- sonville Morgan county. 2d best — agricultural periodical ; awarded to Henry Bos- chen, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best lot of squashes — 2 dol ; awarded to M. S. Lewis, Em erald Point Morgan county. 2d best — agricultural periodical ; awarded to Charles Coffin, Meredosla Morgan county. Best lot of watermelons — 2 dol ; awarded to Ira Mapes, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best lot of other melons— agricultural periodical ; awarded to Wm. M. Kenton, Jacksonville Morgan county. 2d best— agricultural periodical ; awarded to Workman Cul- ley, Jacksonvile Morgan county. Best sample carrots not less than 1 bushel — 2 dol ; awarded to Henry Boschen, Jacksonville Morgan county. 2d best — agricultural periodical; awarded to Henry Bos- chen, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best and greatest variety of grain and vegetables exhibited by 1 person — 10 dol ; awarded to Thomas Bradbury, Griggs- viUe Pike county. Best and greatest variety of garden seeds — 5 dol ; awarded to S. Wilber, Momence Kankakee county. Lot i(y— Flour, Starch and Madder. Best sample of flour, to be exhibited by the maker, with statement of the variety and quality of wheat used to make it —5 dol; awarded to Henry Sanders, Carbondale Jackson county. Best starch of Indian corn not less than 10 lbs — 8 dol ; awarded to J. 0 Harris, Ottawa La Salle county. Best sample 1 peck hominy — 2 dol ; awarded to Caleb Let- ton, Jacksonville Morgan county. Aicarding Committee — 0. B. Nichols, Samuel Waters, Samuel B. Turner, Daniel Frost, C. H. Rosenstell. Lot 47 — Butter and Cheese. Best butter in tub or firkin not less than 25 B)b made at any time during the year, 5 dols, awarded to Munroe Bailey, Argo Carroll county . 2d best^ — 8 dols; awarded to Mrs. Chas. Murtfeldt, Oregon Ogle county. Best butter made in May or June, not less than 20 2)8 15 dols; awarded to Munroe Bailey, Argo Carroll county. 2d best — 5 dols ; awarded to Chas. lUch, Metamora Wood- ford county. Best fresh butter in rolls not less than 10 B)s 3 dols ; award- ed to 0. H. Vaneaton, Jersey Prairie Cass county. 2d best — Ag. Periodical; awarded to Mrs. Lyman Chaptn, Bethel Morgan county. Best cheese one year old and over 5 dols ; awarded to J. J. Eldred, Carrolton Greene county. 2d best— 8 dols; awarded to J. J. Eldred, Carrolton Greene county. Best cheese under one year old 8 dols ; awarded to J. J. Eldred, Carrolton Greene county. 2(1 best — 2 dolls ; awarded to Ohas. Rich, Metamora Wood- ford county. Lot 4S—IIoney, Sugar, Bread and Cereal Food. Best honey not leiss than 10 fits with written statement of hive and treatment of bees, 5 Aols; awarded to 0. W. Price, Berlin Sangamon county. 2d best — 2 dols ; awarded to J. A. Wilson, Paris Edgar county. Beet 10 lbs maple sugar 5 dols ; awarded to Samuel Hea- ton, Lynvlllo Morgan county. THE ILLIiSTOIS FA-I^IVTER. 175 Best 2 loaves wheat bread made with hop yeast $3; awarded to John D. lenkins, Jacksonville Morgan county, 2d best, $1; awarded to Hamilton & Jones, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best 2 loaves wheat bread made with milk rising, 3 dol; awarded to Ellen E. Chambers, Jacksonville Morgan county. 2d best, f 1; awarded to Mrs. Emily Wiley, Makanda Union county. Best 2 loaves of bread from unbolted flour, 8 dol; awarded to Miss Julia Reed, Jacksonville Morgan county. 2d best, $1 ; awarded to Mrs. A. N. McDonald, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best 2 loaves rye bread, 6 dol; awarded to M. 0. Henry, Jacksonville Morgan county. 2d best, 2 dol; awarded to Mrs. Lyman Chapin, Bethel Morgan county. Best sponge cake, 2 dol; awarded to Eveline Dawson, Jack- sonville Morgan county. 2d best, 1 dol; awarded to Mrs. A. N. McDonald, Jackson- ville Morgan county. Best pound cake, 2 dol; awarded to Mrs. J. M. Better, Jacksonville Morgan county. 2d best, t dol; awarded to Miss Joanna Stacy, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best jelly cake, 2 dol; awarded to Mrs. A. N. McDonald, Jacksonville Morgan county. 2d best, 1 dol; awarded to Mrs. 0. H. Simms, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best sour pickled cucumbers, 1 dol; awarded to Mrs. Mary Alexander, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best sweet pickled cucumbers, 1 dol; awarded to W. M. Kenton, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best pickled peaches, 1 dol; awarded to Mrs. N. Dewes, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best tomato catsup, 1 dol; awarded to Mrs. Emeline Law- son, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best cucumber catsup, 1 dol; awarded to Mrs. N. Dewes, Jacksonville Morgan county. Awarding Coinmittee — H. Saunders, Reuben Rutherford, Charles Rich, C. W. Price, James Tait. CLASS 11. — nOllTICULTURAL PRODUCTS. Lot 49— Trees and Fruits. Best display ol fruit and ornamental trees from nursery — 20 dols; awarded to ;S. G. Minkler, Specie Grove, E-endall county. Best display of hardy evergreen trees from nursery — 20 dols; awarded to Samuel Edwards, Lamoille Bureau county. Best collection of apples — 20 dols; awarded to S. G. Mink- ler, Specie Grove Kendall county. 2d best — 10 dols; awarded to Clark Chatten, Quincy Adams county. Best 15 varieties of apples for cultivation in southern Illi- nois, including summer, autumn and winter — 10 dols; award- ed to Clark Chatten, Quincy Adams county. 2d best — 5 dols; awarded to S. G. Minkler, Specie Grove Kendall county. Best and greatest variety Siberian crab apples — 3 dols; awarded to S. G. Minkler, Specie Grove Kendall county. Best collection of fall and winter apples exhibited by farm- ers and amateurs — 10 dols; awarded to K. K. Jones, Quincy Adams county. 2d best — 5 dols; awarded to J. D. Manlove, Rushville Schuy- ler county. 2d best peaches exhibited by fanner's and amateurs — 3 dols; awarded to Robert Mawson, Lynnville Morgan countj . Best pears, the product of this state — 10 dols; awarded to Benjamin L. Yates, Tamaroa Perry county. Best autumn pears — 8 dols; awarded to EUwanger & Barry, Rochester New York. 2d best — 3 dols; awarded to Clark Chatten, Quincy Adams ~ county. Best collection winter pears — 5 dols; awarded to EUwanger & Barry, Rochester New York. Best and greatest variety of peaches — 10 dols; awarded to Clark Chatten, Quincy Adams county. Best six varieties of peaches — 5 dols; awarded to Clark Chatten, Quincy Adams county. Best 12 peaches one variety — 3 dols; awarded to Clark Chatten, Quincy Adams county. 2d best — 1 dol; awarded to Silas Massey, Jacksonville, Mor- gan county. Best collection of plums — 10 dols; awarded to EUwanger & Barrj', Rochester New York. Best 3 varieties of plums — 3 dols; awarded to EUwanger & Barry, Rochester New I'ork. Best 12 plums one variety — 2 dols; awarded to Frederick Exter, Sliiloh St. Clair county. 2d best — 1 dol; awarded to T. Chamberlain, Jacksonville Morgan county. Greatest variety of native cultivated grapes — ^10 dols; awarded to Chas. H. Rosensteil, Freeport Stephenson county. 2d best — 5 dols; awarded to John G. Bubach, Princeton Bu- reau county. Best 15 varieties of apples for cultivation in Northern Illi- nois, including summer, autumn and winter, 10 dol; award- ed to Nathan Overman, Canton Fulton county. 2d best, 10 dol ; awarded to S. G. Minkler, Specie Grove, Kendall county. Auardhiff Committee — A. R. 'Whitney, chairman; Jona Huggins; N. R. Thatcher; F. K. Phuenix. E. F. Babcock. Zot 50. — Preserved .Ft nits and Jellies. Best pickles in cans or glass, 6 dol ; awarded to V. B. Bee- craft, Jacksonville, Morgan county. 2d best— 2 dol ; awarded to Fred'k Exter, Shiloh St. Clair county. Best plums in cans ^y glass, 8 dol; awarded to Mrs. N. Dewes, Jacksonville Morgan county. 2d best— 2 dol; awarded to Elvira Green, JacksonvUle Morgan county. Best cherries in cans or glass, 8 dol ; awarded to Mrs. Eng- lish, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best currants in cans or glass, 3 dol ; awarded to Miss J. Ritter, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best gooseberries in cans or glass, 8 dol ; awarded to Lloyd Shaw, Tremont Tazewell county. 2d best— 2 dol ; awarded to Miss 0. A. Murtfeldt, Oregon Ogle county. Best preserved peaches in sugar, 2 dol; awarded to Annie E. Chambers, Jacksonville Slorgan county. 2d Ijest — Idol; awarded to Mrs. N. Dewes, Jacksonville Blorgan county. Best preserved plums In sugar, 2 dol ; awarded to Mrs. N. Dewes, Jacksonville Morgan county. 2d best — 1 dol ; awarded to L. R. McCormack, Jackson- ville, Morgan county. Best Siberian crab apples in sugar, 2 dol ; awnrded to O. B. Galusha, Lisbon Kendal county. 2d best — 1 dol; awarded to Mrs. Charles Rich, Metamora Woodford county . Best preserved pears in sugar, 2 dol; awarded to V. B. Becraft, Jacksonville Sforgan county. 2d best — 1 dol; awarded to Mrs. N. Dewes, Jacksonville Morgan county . Best preserved cherries In sugar 2 dols ; awarded to Mrs. N Deewes, Jacksonville Morgan countj. Best preserved srrawberrieB in sugar 2 dols ; awarded to Mrs. Charles Rich, Metamora Woodford county. 2d best — Idol;; awarded to 0. B. Galusha, Lisbon Ken- dall county. Best crab apple jelly 2 dols; awarded to Mrs. E Little, Amboy Lee county. Best plum jelly 2 dols ; awarded to John Marshall, Jack- sonville Morgan county. Best currant jelly 2 dols ; awarded to Lloyd Shaw, Tremont Tazwell county. Best apple butter not less than 1 gallon 2 dols ; awarded to Mrs. H. C. Johns, Decatur Macon county. Best peach butter 2 dols ; awarded to F. Exter, Shiloh, St. Clair county. 2d best — 1 dols; awarded to Mrs. J. T. Alexander Jack- flonviUe Morgan county. Lot 51 — Wines, Vinegar and Cider. ^ ~ Best 8 bottles of wine from any grape the product of this Stae,t 10 dols; awarded to 0. H. Rosensteil, Freeport Ste- phenson county. Best 3 bottles currant wine 10 dols; awarded to 0. H. Ros- ensteil, Freeport Stephenson county. Best 6 bottles cider 3 dols ; awarded to H. 0. Johns, Deca- tur Macon county. According Cotnviittee — ^Dr. J. A. Kennicott, Ch'n; 0. W. Murtfeldt, A. Rockwell. Lot 51 — Flowers and Floral Designs. ' Best and greatest variety of dahlias 5 dols; awarded to J. T. Little, Dixon Lee county. 2d best — 3 dols ; awarded to M. Doyle, Springfield Sanga- mon county. Best 12 dissimilar blooms of dahlias 5 dols; awarded to J. T. Little, Dixon Lee county. 2d best — 3 dols; awarded to F. K. Phoenix, Bloomington McLean county. Best and greatest rariety of named roses 10 dols ; awarded to M. Doyle, Springfield Sangamon county. Best roses 12 varieties named 5 dols ; awarded to M. Doyle, Springfield Sangamon county. Verbenas — best show this years' seedlings 2 dols; awarded to S. Galbraith, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best and greatest variety of asters Floral Book ; awarded to 8. Galbraith, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best collection green house plants, 20 dol, awarded to Mrs N Dewes, Jacksonville Morgan county. 2d best — ^10 dol, awarded to mrs Sarah Stacy, Morgan co. Best and most tastefully arranged cut flowers, floral book, awarded to David Galbraith, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best pair Hat bouquets, floral book, awarded to Effie W Smith, Jacksonville Morgan county. 2d best, periodical, awarded to miss H A Dickson, Jackson- ville Morgan county. Awarding committee — Edgar Sanders, chairman; K K Jones; W II Ilacker. CLASS L FINE ARTS. , Zot 53 — Musical Insttmments. Best Flute— 2 dols ; awarded to G. W. Chatterton, Spring- field Sangamon county. Best clarionet— 2 dols; awarded to G. W. Chatterton, Springfield Sangamon county. Lot 54. Best animal painting in oil— 2 dols; awarded to Wood & Hillman, Springfield Sangamon county. 2d best— 1 dol ; awarded to J. R. Page, Sennet New York. Best fruit painting— 1 dol ; awarded to Mrs. E. L. Reed, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best flower painting— 1 dol; awarded to Miss H. Reed, Jacksonville Slorgan county. V Best monocromes — Idol; awarded to Miss II. Reed, Jack- sonville Morgan county. Best Illinois landscape in oU — 5 dols; awarded to J. E. Pryaut, Princeton Bureau county. 2d best— 2 dols ; awarded to If. II. Paine, Grand Detour Ogle county. Best wood cut — 2 dols; awarded W. D. Baker, Chicago Cook county. Best lithography— 2 dols ; awarded to W. H. Duff, Pitts- burg Pa. Best pencil drawing— 2 dols ; awarded to Miss II. Reed, Jacksonville Morgan county. 2d best — 1 dol ; awarded to Miss Eflic Smith, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best crayon drawing— 2 dols; awarded to miss Riley, Law- renceville Lawrence county. 2d best — 1 dol ; awarded to miss Riley, Lawrenceville Law- rence county. Best specimen penmanship — 2 dols ; awarded to Bryant & Stratton, Chicago 111. 2d best— 1 dol; awarded to Bryant k Stratton. Cliicago 111. Best specimen sculpture— 5 dols; awarded to C. Cross, Jacksonville Jlorgan county. Best specimen fancy painting in oil— 2 dols; awarded to miss Riley, Lawrenceville Lawrence county. 2d best — 1 dol ; awarded to mrs. E. D. Dickerman, Jackson- ville Morgan county. Awarding committee — Gov. Wm. Bebb, J. T. Little, Dr. K. R. Hopkins, W. M. Ankeuny, Miss Delia Ingalls, Mr. Robinson. CLASS K. — TEXTILE FABRICS. Lot 55 — Mill Fairies, dto. Best 10 yards cassimere, 2 dol; awarded to H. Bail, Peters- burg Menard county. Best 10 yards kersey, 2 dol; awarded to J. Capps k Son, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best pair woolen blankets. 2 dol; awarded to Mrs, 0. 8. Van Tuyle, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best 10 yards flannel, 2 dol; awarded to J. Capps & Sob, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best double carpet coverlet, 2 dol ; awarded to mra. C. 8. Van Tuyle, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best half pound sewing silk, 8 dol; awarded to J. Martin, Barstow Macoupin county. Best one pound woolen yarn, 2 dol; awarded to J. Capps k Son, Jacksonville Morgan cotinty. Lot 56 — Eouseliold Fabrics. Best 25 yards rag carpet, 5 dol; awarded to B. A. Torry, Pittsfield Pike county. Best carpet coverlet double, 5 dol ; awarded to mrs. John D. Wallace, Paris Edgar county. Best carpet coverlet angle, 5 dol ; awarded to Alfred Slilla, Exeter Scott county. Best 10 yards jeans, 8 dol; awarded to Wm. Earnest, Springfitid Sangamon county. Best woolen blankets, 3 dols; awarded to Wm. Earnest, Springfield Sangamon county, and Alfred Mills, Exeter Scott county. Best pair woolen knit stockings, 2 dol ; awarded to mrs. W. B. Peck, Petersburg Menard county. Best one pair linen knit stockings, 2 dol; awarded to R. M. Elliot, Paris, Edgar county. Best pair woolen fringe mittens, 2 dol; awarded to mrs. M. _A.. Bright, Petersburg Menard county. Best woolen shawl, 2 dol; awarded to miss M. E. Henry, Jacksonville Morgan county. Awarding Committee — A. J. Mattson, chairman, Geo, Ehninger, S. McGuire, mrs. H. C. Johns, mrs. A. G. Link, miss S. Donlap, mrs. J. A. Sfevens, mrs. A. B. Millikin, miss Allen, . ._ :.. Lot 51— N'eedle, Shell and Wax Work. Best evidence of taste and skill in plain needle-work — 5 dols; awarded to Mrs. P. Hinkley, Charleston Coles county. 2d best — 1 dols; awarded to Mrs. E. L. GilUiam, Exeter Scott county. Best evidence of taste and skill in plain needle-work by a girl — 5 dols; awarded to Ida Sawyer, Jacksonville Morgan county. 2d best — 2 dols; awarded to M. N. Glover, Jacksonville Moi-gan county. Best pair fancy hose for child — 2 dols; awarded to miss Hetty Isreal, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best domestic counterpane— -3 dols; awarded to J. H. Ban- croft Jacksonville 5Iorgan county. 2d best — 2 dols; awarded to the 111. Inst, for Blind, Jack- sonville Morgan county. Best white quilt — 3 dols; awarded to John Ingles, Spring- field Sangamon county. Best patch work quilt — 3 dols; awarded to Mrs. M. A. Bright, Petersburg, Menard county. 2(1 best — 1 dols; awarded to Miss Joanna Stacy, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best silk quilt — 5 dols; awarded to Mrs. Dora C. Job, Jack- sonville Morgan county. 2d best — 3 dols; awarded to Miss Sarah M. Stacy, Jackson- ville Morgan county. Bert embroidered toilet cushion — 3 dols; awarded to Miss M. Gillett, Jacksonville Morgan county, 2d best — 1 dols; awarded to Mrs. A. J. Link, Jacksonville Morgan county. Best plain toilet cushion — S dols; awarded to Miss Mary 3. Wallace, Springfield Sangamon county. 2d best — 2 dols; awarded to Miss M. J. Rhoades, Jackson- ville Morgan county. Best taste and skill in ornamental needle work, 8 dol ; awarded to Mrs. J. B. Morris, Jacksonville Morgan, county, 2d best — 2 dol ; awarded to Miss Murdock, JacksonvUle Morgan county. Best ornamental needle work by girl under 14 years, 8 dol ; awarded to Miss Helen C. McClemaad, Springfield, Sanga- mon county. Best worked collar, 3 dol; awarded to Mrs. A. 0. Willis, Winchester Scott county. 2d best— 2 dol; awarded to Mrs. T. B. Lee, Springfield Sangamon county. Best needle work handkerchief, 8 dol ; awarded to Miss Helen Moal, Alton madifon county. 2d best — 2 dol ; awarded to Mrs. A Chapin, Bethel Morgan county. Best needle worked infant's dress, 3 dol ; awarded to miss J. B. Morris, Jacksonville Morgan county. 2d best — 2 dol ; awarded to mrs. M. A. Glover, Jackson- ville Morgan county. Best neei— Botany. Best collection Illustratln!? the Botany of Illinois 20 dols ; awarded to M. S. Bel)b, Salem Marion county. 2d best — 10 dols; awarded to A. 8. Rhodes, Jacksonville Morgan county. Lot 60. Best collection illustratins; the Zoology of Illinois .'iOdoU; awarded to U. H. Holilor, Itloomington McLean coimty. 2d best — 25 dols; awarded to J. W. Powell, Wheaton Du- Page county. Best collection of Insects 25 dols ; awarded to B. D. Walsh, Rock Island, Rock Island cmmty. 2d best— 10 dols ; awarded to" T. A. Worthen, Springflcld Sangamon county. Airarding committee — J. A. Stevens, Julian E. Bryant, Isaac J. Marsh. Lot BO — Geology. Best collection illustrating the Geology of Illinois 50 dols ; awarded to A. II. AVorthen, SpiingGeld Sangamon county. 2d best — 25 dols ; awarded to 0. I). 'Wilber, Bloomington McLean county. Best collection of useful Minerals 20 dols; awarded to 0. D. AVilber, Bloomington McLean county. 2d be.st — 10 dols; awarded to 0. D. Wilber, Bloomington McLean county. Avnvdlng committee — Milton S. Ellsworth, Jas. G. Mc- Oreery, D. S. Morse, S. J. Wallace, G. W. Scripps. I^t Gl — C7iemicalx, etc. Best blacking — 1 dol; awarded to V. Binner, Quincy Adams county Lot62—6?(i>t», Stone Wore, lirickx and Tt'fes. Best specimen ground glass — 2 dols; awarded to Wood & Iliilman, SpriniJlii'ld Sangamon county. Best Tiles — 2 dols; awarded to D. V. Kinney; Rock Island Rock Island county. LotGS — Wood and Stone. Best turned articles — 2 dols; awarded to S. Iloram, St. Lou- Is, Mo. Airarding committee — J. A. Ptei)hcn3, chairman; J. AV. Drury; II. A. Pierce; U. L. Dletch. CLASS M. lot CI — Ploirinff Jratch, First premium, 20 dol; awarded to William Claybaugh, Jacksonville, using Deere & Co.'s moline plow. Second premium, ^.^ dol; awarded to Edward Grubb, Lib- erty Adams county Illinois, using Quincy II. plow. Third premium, 10 dol; awarded to B. Cole, Jacksonville, using Peoria plow. Fourth premium, 5 dol; awarded to S. II. Jlillcr, Peoria, using Tobey & Anderson's old Prairie plow. Fifth premium— Transactions; awarded to Edward McDo- nald, Bloomington, using B;inn & Kllsworth'splow. Plowing match for hoyn under IS years of age. Firit premium — 20 dols; awarded to Samuel Eells, Adams Adams count}', using Battell & Boyd's Quincy B. Plow. Second premium — if) dol.s; awarded to Jolin Black, Jersey Prairie, Coles county, u.-sing Diamond Carey plow. 8<1 premium — Ul dols ; awarded to James L. Mahard Car- ter Sangamon county Illinois, u.«ing Peru plow. 4lh premium — 5 dols ; awarded to George Claybaugh, Jack- sonville, using moline plow. Awarding com »i(7^c— Charles 11. Roscntiel, Jacob Bog. ers, H. A. Conkey, W. L. Beebf, B. G. Roots, Ethan Allen. Lot C5 — Spading JIatch. No trial. MTSCItLLASBOrS. The recommendations of the Awarding committees, refer- ring to articles entered in tlie various classes as Mi.scKi.i..tNK- OPS, will receive the attention of the Executive committee during their regular meeting in .January IMll. At the same meeting the awards will be wade on Field Crops, Essays and Book-keeping, and the Reports of the committees on Farms, Nurseries, Orchards, (iroves, Conu-jon Schools and Draining will be received and acted ui>on. Checks for the cash pre- miums awarded during the Fair, have either been delivered In person or forwarded by mail to successful exhibiters IN AC- COROASCK WITH THE K.NTHIf:S Of AWARILS IN COMMITTEKS' BOOKS. The Books and Agricultural Periodicals awarded will be «ent to the address of each person entitled to them, ou application to rae at Sprinirfleld. JOHN P. REYNOLDS, Corresponding Secretary, Illinois State Ajjrlcultural Society. Meeting of Delegates for the Elcellon of fll'ficers. Jacksonville, Sepl. 11, ISOO. At 2 r. M., the delegates from the County Agricultural Societies was called to order by the President of the Society, Lewis Ells- worth, Esq., and Edward 11. Lcebe, from Jo Daviess county, were appointed Secreta- ries, j)ro tern. The meeting tlien proceeded to the elec- tion of officers, when the following gentle- men having received a majority of all the votes, were declared duly elected, to serve for two years, from the second Monday in January, ISGl. PRESIDENT. W. IL Van Epps, of Dixon, Lee county. VICE PRESIDENTS. Ist District — 0. B. Denio, Jo Daviess county. 2d " A. J. Matteson, Whiteside county. 8d " R. n. Holder, .McLean county. 4th " R. 11. Whiting, Knox county. 5th " J. W. Singleton, Adams county, tith " A. B. :\lcConnell, Sangamon county. 7th " Wm. Kyle, Edgar county. 8th " W. S. Wait, Bond county. 9th " H. S. Ozburne, Perry county. Treasurer, — J. W. Bunn, of Sangamon county. Kecordino Secretary. — John Cook, of Sangamon county. Correspondix(j Secretary. — J. P. Reynolds, of Marion county. Dr. H. C. Johns, Chairman of a commit- tee to revise the Constitution, made a Keport which, on motion of Mr. Bridges, was ac- cepted. The meeting then proceeded to consider the Picport, section by section, which were adopted with a few unimportant alterations, with the exception of the 5th and Gth sec- tions, these were replaced by amendments, and then the amended Report, as a whole, was submitted to the meeting and unani- mously adopted. [The Constitution is unavoidably crowded out of this number,] ••* [From the Chicago Democrat.] F.viuBANKs' Sc.vi.ES. — A vcw .scalc for weigh- ing stock before loading in oais, has lately bcon j)ut up, wo notice, at the cattle yards of the Pitt burg and Fort Wayne llailroad in ihiscit}', with platform some thirty feet or more in length, and of a width suflicient for weighing a full car load at once. This must be a very con- venient and economical arrangement where liirgc quantities of stock, as here, are to be weighed for shipping. The scale l)ears the name of " Fairbank.'?," which has long been familiar wherever scales arc used, and is alwa\'s the highest guaranty for excellence. It seems to be so constructed in all its parts as to combine the greatest possible strength, accuracy and durability, ;:nd has a shallow pit, as have various other niodilications of Fairbanks' large scales, many of these requir- ing only twelve iiu-hes of extreme depth, which adapts them to Itoations where greater depth would be an objectioiL s2;!jaf It kcr, "but garments with patches will wear tJirice as long as with rents or holes." What would have Poor Richard or Benjamin Franklin have said \^ Spaulding'' s Prcjwred Glue had been in existence during their time? It is certainly the greatest economizer ever introduced to the public, and its remarkable tenacity makes it a reliaVjle method of saving. If you have a broken looking-glass, bedstead, table, chair, bas- ket, moulding, or in fact any article of ornament or ofu.se that glue would adhere to ut all, this new preparation will rejoin the broken parts firmly, forever. It is contained in neat little bottles, free from smell, and always ready for immediate use. Among all the thousands of families who take the Pictorial, there is not a single one who does not at this moment stand in need of a bot- tle of Spaxlding^i Preitarcd Glue, scp2(j-d&w