DDDDDDnnDDDDDDDnDnDDDDDDaDDDDDDD S ° H ° H D p x^ <^ ''r. a o D a O UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS S LIBRARY D - a S D n ^ D SPECIAL COLLECTIONS n D a mamm S s ° p • D s ° 9 ° H ° S D 9 D S ° S ° S ° D D a D a a D D □ D DDDDnDDDaDDDDnDDDnaaDDDDDDnDDnaD LIBRARY U ■'""■" -^Y OF P,i^ "S AMr;E!i5T, IviASS. THE GENESEE FARMER: A MONTHLY JOURNAL DEVOTED TO AGRICULTURE & HORTICULTURE, DOMESTIC & RURAL ECONOMY. ILLUSTRATED WITH ENGRAVINGS OF FJRIU BVILDINGS, IIIPLEIIENTS, DOMESTIC Mim, FRUITS, FLOWERS, SHRUBS, &c. EDITED BY DANIEL LEE. JOSEPH FROST, CONDUCTOR OF THE HORTICULTURAL DEPARTMENT. VOLUME XVI, SECOND SERIES. - 1855. ROCHESTER, N. Y.: DANIEL LEE, PUBLISHER AND PROPRIETOR, AMERICAN BUILDING, BUFFALO-ST. 1855. INDEX TO VOLUME XVI. A. Acacia diffusa, 319 — marginata, 190 Agricultural Bureau, National, 47 — education, 191, 368 — fairs and cattleahows, 300 tents for, 258 — lectures, _ 114 — literature, progress ofi 34 — plants, study of, 172 — societies, __ 116 — Society, New York State, Transac- tions for 1854, 378 Youths* 376 — statistics, 25 — suggestions from travel, 257 Agriculture, geology as connected with, 121 — how shall we improve our,.. 206 — important fact in, 300 — relations of chemistry to, 238, 267 — study of, 97 Almonds, earth, or chufas, 228 Alum whey, .._ 96 American implements in France, 308 Analyses of milk, 78 Analysis of guano, 107 — human excrement, 107 — leaves, 23 -shell marl, 62 Animal foods, 226 Animals, domestic, improving, 177, 201, 233 265, 297, 329, 361 Apple grafts, keeping, 324 — Melon,. 291 — molasses and apple butter,., j _. 24 — tree bark-louse, remedy for, 99 — trees, new depredators on, 29 planting orchai'ds of, 125 Apples, culture of at the wes^ 28, 91 — for general cultivation, 58 — keeping,. 324 — new disease in,. , 90 varieties which promise well, 68 — ripening of, 282 — to prevent being wormy,.. 61 Apricots for general cultivation, 58 April, 129 Arbors, ^... 69 Aehe3 and plaster in the hill for corn,.. 341 Auriculas, culture of, 95 E Bark-louse, ravages of the, 152 — remedy for the, 99 Bariev, culture of, 144 — Salt Lake, 61 Barn, L. F. Allen's premium, 344 Bean poles, raising, 323 Bee culture, 12 — moth, remedy for, 369 Bees, habits and instincts of, 211 — hiving, 213 Beets, sugar, culture o^ 74 Berberis pallida, 319 Big head in horses, treatment of, 277 Bird islands, 220 Black-knot, 61 — remedies for, I...'. 188 Black-leg in calves, cause of, 67 Blight in the pear, , 314 BUnd. ot- wolf- teeth in horse's',! 117 Bloody murrain, preventive of,.. 196 Bones and their uses, 46,162, 229 -in the soil, I73 Books, notices of, Botanical gardens, 285 Bread, ropy, and yeast fungi, 64 Budding, Buff color en cotton, Bugs in peas, remedy for, 243 — to keep from vines, . Butter, effects of temperature on the yield of, .- Cabbage, culture of, 241 — worms, to destroy, 61 clubbing of the roots in, remedy for, 322 — hints on transplanting, 241 — to destroy the green insect on, 241 241 — to keep the fly from, — to prevent from growing to *'long shanks," 241 the ravages of the black grub on, 241 Cake, winter, 60 Calves, cause of black-leg or quarter in, 67 — rearing, 147 Canada thistles, law relating to, 323 — — to destroy, 243 Candles, making, 379 Carrots, culture of, 74 Caterpillars, to destroy, 209, 215 CatUe,.. 77 — American, for the Crimea, 194 — beef, price of, 176 — choked, to relieve, 276 — experiments in feeding, 98 — Galloway,.. 342 — Herd Book of, 62, 160 — hollow horn in, 162 — improving, 177 principles of, 201, 233, 265, 361 — in New Hampshire, 118 — lice on, to destroy, 80, 139 — native, improvement of, 41 — points of excellence in, 233 — rape cake for feeding, 19 — Red Durham,. 63 — science of wintering, , 9 — Short-horns, improved, 178 — to preserve from disease in winter,,. 372 — warta on, to cure, 53 Celery, culture of, 163 Cellars, manure, 115 — rat-proof, 36 Cement, broken china, to, 227 Cemeteries, rural, 221 Change not always improvement, 354 Chemical question for boys and girls,.. 64 Chemistry of soils, 11 — relations of, to agriculture, 238, 267 Cherries for general cultivation, 68 — new varieties which promise well,.. 68 Chickens, food for, 274 Chufas, or earth almonds, 228 Cider, to keep, 116 Cities, the feeding of, 73 Clearing new land, 242 Clover as a manuring crop, 340 — seed, gathering and cleaning, 161 Colts, breaking, 84 Commemorative trees, 352 Compost, leaves for, 22 Cooking, what meat loses by it, 219 Copperas as a deodorizer, 292 fertilizer, 196 Com and pork, 281 — ashes and plaster in the hill for, 341 — crops, good, _. _. 378 — sweet, Stowell, 357 Cottage, a symmetrical, 64 — building, warming, &c., 311 Cotton, consumption of in England, 25 Cows, milch, feeding with sainfoin, 148 how to feed, 21 — summer and winter food for, 21 — what breed would you recommend, . . 77 Crocus, 377 Crops and prices, 278 — and the country 196 season, 257 Crows, to keep from corn, 144 Cucumbers, great yield of, 117 CurcuUo, 188 — remedy for the, 60, 225 Currants for general cultivation, 58 D. Dairy business in New York, 246 — management of the, 146 — produce, effects of temperature on,.. 186 — stock, improvement of,. 361 Deep cultivation, importance of, ,. 214 — plowing a remedy for weeds, 196 in sandy soil, 132 Deterioration of the soil, 121 Dietetic buds and young shoots, 226 Distillery slops, 113 Dogs and sheep, important decision, 61 Domestic animals, improving, 177 principles of; 201, 233, 265, 297, 329 361 Drainage, 83 -effects of on fruity 250 — experience in, 218 Drain-level, 79 Dwarf fruit trees, 351 E. Economy in time and labor, 63 — in the kitchen,. 33 — of farming, 105 Education, rural, 191, 368 European farming, „ 364 F. Farm, athriving, 220 — house, design for a, 370 — life, make it attractive, 27^ — two acre, 290 Farmers' creed, 24 — lawns, 243 — life, 254, 288 Farming, changes ia, 303 — economy of; .. 105 — European, . 364 — in Belgium, 18 Chili, South America,. 142 Eastern Pennsylvania, 15 Essex Co., Mass, 49 Hungary, 364 Illinois and Wisconsin, 27 — Minnesota, _ 80 — Potter Co., Pa., 177 — Wisconsin, 290 tenant labor in, 44 — and farmers, 65 Farms, small, in Belgium, 18 Feeding cattle, experiments in, 98 — of cities, 73 INDEX TO YOLUME XVI. Feeding; of horses, . Fences and hedges, 1 — wire, 115, 1 Field seeds, quantity requu-ed per acre, 1 Filtering apparatus, 2 Flowers, 2 — culture of, 89, 1 — spring, 2 Flower seeds, saving, _ 2 Food consumed by an elephant, 2 — for chickens, 2 Foot-rot in sheep, remedy for, Forest treea, raising, _ Fowls, 1 Fruit, 5 — culture of, _ — eflfects of drainage on, 2 — growers, important to, — grow more, 5 Society of Western New York,... 3 — in Illinois and Wisconsha, — seeds, when to sow, 1 — trade, foreign, of New York, 1 Fruits, preservation of, 1 — recommended by tlie Am. Pom. Soc, Champlain Valley Hort. Soc'y, £ G. Galls from the harness or saddle, reme- Gardenin^, hints on, 1 Garden, liquid manure for the, — luxuries of the, 2 — memoranda, . . 1 — seats, 2 — seeds, quantity requu-ed to produce a certain number of plants, 1 Gardens, botanical, 2 Garget can be cured, — cured, ] . Geese, treatment of,... _, 2 Genesee Farmer for 1856, 2 Geoloizy as connected with, agriculture, 1 Geraniums, culture o^ 2 Goat, the Angora, 1 GoosebeiTies, mildew on, Gophers, how to catch, 1 — remedy for, 1 Graftmg, Grafta, apple, keeping,... 3 Grain and grass seed harvester, 1 Grape, Canadian Chief, ._ 1 — culture, American,... 1 — vines, bearing and pruning, Grapes for general cultivation in open under glass, Grasses of Oregon, 3 Grass, Fowl-meadow, 1 — Italian Rye — culture and advantages of. — .,:8i, — Meadow Fox-tail, 2 — Orchard, _ _. l — Rough-stalked Meadow, 3 — Round-panicled Cock's-foot, 3 — seeding of lands to, — Sweet-scented Vernal, _ 3 — wheat, &c., 1 Grasshoppers, turning to good account^ 3 Greenhouse plants, summer treatment of, 1 Guano, 1 — and barnyard manure, comparative . value of, 333, 3 — and its substitutes, _ 1 — as a preventive in yellow fever, 3 — frauds in, 2 — more, I. ".'.'." 3 Gutta percha, 2 Gypsum as a fertilizer, ."...'80, H. Hard times, Hawthorn, value of for ornament, &c., 2 Hay caps, __ i — fork, improved,... __ 1 — stacks, ventilating,.. 2 Health, audits preservation, 2 Hedges, _ 2 — and fences, ] — Osage orange, Hemp seed, importing from Europe,. .. Herd Book, 52, 1 Hessian fly and wheat-head Qy, 275 Hints for April, 131 — for housewives, 158, 226 — for November, 350 — on gardening, 151 — to purchasers of trees, seeds, &c.,... 221 Hogs, 259 Hollow horn in cattle, 162 Hominy, to cook, 64 Hops — cultivation, curing, and drying, 120 Hop trade in Wisconsin, 26 Horae, anatomy of the, 297, 329 — distemper, cause and treatment of,.. 21 — musculer system of the, 48 — points of excellence in the, 329 — provender, ._ 323 — shoes and shoeing, _ 349 Horses, big-head in, treatment of, 277 — feedmg, 83 — in Maine, _. 117 — old, 35 Horticultural discussions, 314 — quackery, 249 — Society, Genesee Valley, 93 ■ exhibition, 323 Horticulture in Illinois and Wisconsin, 27 — progress of, 373 Horticulturist, the, ^... 322 House plants, _ 255 Hjacinth, 377 I. Ice-houses, keeping ice, &c,, 341 Implements, American, in France, 308 Improvement of worn out land, 132 Inarching plum and pear trees, 163 Insects, to preserve meat from, 209 Italian Rye-grass — culture and advan- tages, 81, 98 Ivy as a parlor plant, 287 J. Jelly, cranberry and rice, 64 — currant 33 Johnston, Prof., death of, 355 K Kitchen, economy in the, 33 L Labor, economy in, 63 — tenant, 44 Lawes, J. B., vs. Liebig, 238, 267 Lawns, 243 Leather scrapings as manure, 380 Leaves, analysis o^ 23 — for compost, 22 Lectures, agricultural, 114 Lee, Prof., 177 Lemon syrup for a cough, 96 Letter from ChiH, South America, 142 — — Jay Co., Ind., _.. 52 Minnesota, 80 Oak HiU, 129 Oregon, 374 Pennsylvania,. 115 Virginia, 83 Lettuce, to keep, 140 Lice on cattle, to destroy, 80, 139 Liquidambar styraciflua, _. 253 Liquid manure, apphcation of, 137 converted into milk, _. 172 for the garden, _. 95 M. Magnolias, 317 Manure, barnyard, and guano, compara- tive value 0^ 333, 355 — bones as, 46 — cellars, 115 — for meadow land, 67 — leather scrapings a^, 380 — liquid, application of^ 137 converted into milk, 172 for the garden, 95 — saving and applying, 162 — true value of, 108 Manures, 152 — frauds in, _ 241 Maple sugar, making, 42 Marling 175 Meat, to preserve from insects, 209 — what it loses by cooking, 219 Mildew Milk sickness, .' 228 Millet, and its culture, Ill, 181' Minute pudding, _ 96 Mock duck,... 96 Mowing'machine, Russell's, 182 — machines at the Paris exhibition,... 308 Muck, value of, in composts, 209 Mysore hexacentre, 153 N. Narcissus, __ 377 Nature, a touch of, 227 Nectarines for general cultivation, 58 Notes by S. W., 303, 340, 367 — of travel, 289 Oil, olive vs. lard, 86 Onions, hints on raising, 2C8 Orchard culture, 31, 187 — where shall I plant my, 75 Orchards of apple trees, planting, 125 Osage Orange hedges, 89 P. Pansies in pots, 93 Parsnip, Guernsey,. 291 Pea bug, remedy for, 178, 243 — Japan, 47 — Southern field, culture and value of the, 169 Peas, sowing in circles, 186 Peaches for general cultivation, 53 Peach worm, remedy for, 94 Pear blight, 314 — Easter Beurre, 30 Pears, culture of, in Northern Indiana, 251 — for cultivation on quince stock, 58 general cultivation, 58 — new varieties which promise well,.. 58 — ripening of, _ 282 Plants and flowers, culture of, 155 — cells and circulation of, 138 — greenhouse, summer treatment of,,. 192 — house, 255 — study of, 172 Plaster of Paris as a fertilizer, 80, 85 — Vienna,.. 228 Plowing land __ 372 Plum trees, black knot on, 61 planting near water a remedy for the curculio, 60 Plums for general cultivation^ 58 — new varieties which promise well, . . 58 Pomological convention at Burlington, Iowa, 352 — Society of Western New York, 87 Pork and corn, 2S1 Potatoes, early, to raise in the garden,. 256 — large and small, for seed, 25, 114 — large yield of, — sweet, culture of, — to keep from rotting in pits and cel- lars, 274* Potato planter,.... lAai — rot, 30a Poultry Association, Northampton Co., Pi.,: 11! Premium barn, L. F. Allen's, 344 Preservation of fruits, 12J trees, __. 19' Prices of flour for twenty years, 29: Protection, treea for, & Provisions, prices of, 5i Pruning, _ 59, 9* Pudding, minute, 9' — real English plum, 6* Pulverization of soils, 2J Pumpkins, large yield of, a Quinces, to preserve, &| Rabbits, fancy, 32! Bain — evaporation and filtration,. 27 • Rape 371 — cake for feeding animals, . 1 Raspberries for general cultivation, 6 — new varieties which promise well,.. 5 1 Raspberry, the, ... 5 Rat-proof cellars, 3' INDEX TO VOLUME XVI. Katsand mice, to destroy, 173 — effectual method for destroying, 18 Reapiug machines, 259 -at the Paris exhibition,... 308 Recipe for cementing broken china, 227 cooking asparagus, __ 157 beets 157 butter beans, 157 cuourabers, 168 English peas, 158 hominy, 64 Irish potatoes, -..i.- 158 salsify or Tegetable oyster, 158 snap beans, 157 spinage, 158 squash, 158 curing foot rot in sheep, 61 gaUs in horses,-. '50 rheumatism, 220 ringbone, 61 warts on cattle, 53 — wa5p stings, 292 keeping cider sweel^ 116 making alum whey, 96 apple jam, 158 Bologna sausages, 158 bread from gromi wheat 324 cranberry and rice jelly, 64 currant jelly, 33 furniture polish, 15S grape wine, 96 lemon syrup for a cough, 56 minute pudding, .,_ 96 mock duck, 96 real English plum pudding,... 64 whiskey plums, 96 winter cake, 60 preserving quinces, 96 removing paint from a coat, 96 stains upon cotton or linen, . . . 227 foul smeUs 292 washing silver, 227 Ked root, _' 183 Rheumatism, cure for,.,.. 220 Ringbone, cure for, 61 Root crops, culture of,.._; .7"^ 275 Roses, collections o^ 151 — hardy, 150 Rub softly, 130 Rural cemeteries, 221 — education, 191 Rye grass, Italian, advantages o^ 81, 93 Sawdust, advantages o^ ■_ 132 Season, prospects, &c., '_ 159 — the, 228, 257 Seats for the garden, 256 Seed drill, " 143 — harvester, J 140 Seeding of lands to grass, 82 in autumn, 281 Seeds, fruit, when to sow, 133 — field, quantity required per acre, 119 — garden, quantity required to produce a certain number of plants, 119 — how to prove and prepare for plant- ing, 208 Seeds, saving, , Shade tree, a n _. 253 .. 88 — and dogs— important decision, 51 — blindness in, causes of and remedies for, 161 — foot-rot in, remedy for, 51 — French merino, superiority of, 16 — from Vermont to Virginia,.. 35 — husbandry, Canadian, 143 — iu Connecticut,,. 117 — raiding and wheat-gromng, compara- tive profits of, 14 — show, national, 160 Shell-marl, analysis of, 52 Shelter, trees for,... 56 Shoeing horses, 349 Silver, washing, 227 Smut in wheat, to prevent, 213 Societies, agricultural, 116 Soil, alarming deterioration of the, 121 Soils, chemistry of, _ 11 — power of dilTerent, to retain water,.. 35 — pulverization of, 25 — study of, 174 Stains upon cotton or linen, to remove, 227 Starch, 338 Statistics, agricultural, 25 Steam engine, new rotary, _ 98 Stock, experiments in feeding, 98 — improving, 177 principles of, 201, 233, 265, 297, 329, 361 — rape cake for feeding, _ 19 — sale of Kentucky, 26 — science of wintering,. 9 Strawberries, 125, 248 — far general cultivation, 58 — new varieties which promise well,,. 58 Strawberry culture, 154 Straw stacks, ventilating, 258 Stump puller, _ 281 Sugar, maple, making, 42 Sulphur, value of, 24 hou 283 Swamp muck, value of in composts,. Sweet corn, Stowell, 357 — gum tree, 253 — potatoes, culture of, 85 Tenant labor,... Tents for agricultural fairs, ; "The old woman," Theory and practice in wheat culture,.. '. The two farmer boys, _ ; Thistles and weeds, to destroy, : Thoughts and feelings, . Timber, cutting for fuel, — ■ preserving, . ; — raising, Tomatoes, early, , Tree planting, __32, 124, ; Trees, commemorative, ; — for protection, -plant, : — preservation of, : — seeds, &c., hints to purchaaera o^,.. ! Trees, shade, .,. 88 — treatment of, after planting,... 187 Turkeys, fattening, 25 Turnip culture, 207, 237 ofthe, 23 Vegetable physiology, 138, 283 Vegetables, .'_ 226 — and their cookery, 157 Ventilating hay and straw stacks, 258 Vines, to keep bugs from, 181 w. Wardian cases, 255 Warts on cattle, to cure, 53 Wasp stings, cure for,. 292 Water, hard andsoft, _. 53 — pipes, 290 — power of different soils to retain, 35 — pure— filtering apparatus, 244 Weather, not^a on the, 88, Weeds and thistles, to destroy, _, — injuridus to the wheat crop, _ — usefulnpss of mowing, Wells, freedom from danger in descend- What shall I study, What shall our boys study, ; Wheat, a semi-tropical plant, . : — culture, theory and practice in, ; — depth to sow,. ."_. : — grass, i:c.,... _. ; — growing, and sheep raising, compar- ative profits of, in Iowa, __. : in the southern part of Western New York, ; — grown— wet harvest, ; — head fly and Hessian fly, '. — to prevent smut in, ; Whiskey plums, Whitlavia grandiflora, [ ] Willow peeling machine, ; Willows, how to cut, ] Wind-mill, Halladay's, ,'„ ] — Vermont, J Wine, grape, . Winter, _ j — cake, Wintering live stock, Bcience o^.T I Wire fences, _ ng^ l Women, a few words to, Woodland, mismanagement ofj 2 — save your, Worms, apple, to destroy, — cabbage, to destroy, — peach, to destroy, Yeaat fungi and ropy bread, 64 Yuccas as hardy ornamental plants,... 284 INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS. DOMESTIC ANIMALS. Alderney or Jersey cow, 77 Fancy rabbits, __ 321 French merino sheep, ' \ 17 GaJloway cow, 343 — teifer, "*""!' 343 — ox,. 342 Short-horn cattle, I79 FARM AND OTHER BUILDINGS. Allen's premium barn : ^,. front perspective view, 344 rear " " 345 front elevation of plan, 346 ground plan, 347 Design for a small cottage, 313 farmhouse, 37O Ground plan of do., II!!"""' 371 Plan for a cheap cottage, _ 312 Symmetrical cottage, I!!.!!!!!!!! 54 Ground plan, do., !!_!. 65 fiecondfloor, do., I!!!!!!!!!!! 65 IMPLEMENTS AND MACHINES. Drain level, 79 Filtering apparatus, .'.244, 245 Grain and grass seed header and har- veater, J40 Improved hay fork, 341 Russell's mowing machine, 182 Stump puller, 281 PLANTS AND FLOWERS. Acacia diffuea, 319 — marginata, 190 Berberis pallida, 319 Cock's-foot grass, 306 Crocus, 377 Dwarf apple, 351 — cherry, 351 — pear,. 351 Flower, fruit, and stem of Percha tree,. 217 Giant ivy, 287 Hyacinth, _ 377 Liquidamber styraciflua, 253 Leaves and fruit of do., 353 Magnolia tripetala, 318 Flower and fruit of do., 318 Meadow fox-tail grass, 307 Pflysore hexaceutre, 153 Narcissus, 377 Oregon service berry, 374 Rough-stalked meadow grass, 307 Sweet scented vernal grass,.. 305 Whitlavia grandiflora, 190 Yucca gloriosa, 384 MISCELLANEOUS. Aborigines gathering gutta percha, Arbors, -- Bee-house and hive, , Breaking colts illustrated, Cutting willows illustrated, Flower stands, Garden seats, - Grains of an-ow-root starch, potato starch, _ sago " ._-. tapioca " Halliday's windmill, . Organs of lactation, , Pear, Easter Beurre, Plantation in quincunx, squares, , '. Points of the horse, -x , Pruning the grape illustrated,, 9 ' Skeleton of the horse, 298, 329, Stem of the sago tree, _ '< Summer houses, : Vermont windmill, '■ View from a road through a forest, ■ — after the forest had been enclosed,., ; — of Sugar Grove farm, ' Wardian cases, ' Wheat from the grain till it branches, . . Vol. XVI., Second Series. ROCHESTER, N. Y., JANUARY, 1865. THE GENESEE FARMER, A ilO.VTULT JOURNAL OP A.GRICULTURK & HORTICULTURE. Volume XVL, Second Series, 1855. D.VN1EI< I,EE AND W. D. ALMS, EDITORS. JOSEPH FROST, HORTICULTURAL EDITOR. EACH NTSfBER CONTAIXS 32 ROYAL OCTAVO PAGES. IN DOUBLE COLU.MXS, AND TWELVE NUMBERS FORJI A VOLUME OF 3S4 PAGES IN A YEAR. TeiiMS. Single Copy, 80.60 Five Copies, _ _ 2.00 Eight Copi pa, 3.00 And at the same rate for any larger number. D.VNrEI. r,EE, Publisher and Proprietor, Rochester, N. T. THE SCIENCE OF WINTERING LIVE STOCK. Four and a half years ago, when the la.st census was taken, the Live Stock of the nation wa,s estimated at $.143,822,711. Since that time domestic animals have srreatly increased in value, from an augmented demand for all their products. In a few localities. the injury sustained by the almost unprecedented drouth of the past summer and autumn, operated to depress the price of cattle, sheep and swine tempora- rily, from the scarcity of forage and other stock food. These exceptional cases do not, however, materially iffect the general truth of the statement, that live stock is now worth about twenty-five per cent, more, Dn a fair average, per head, than it was five years ago. In m-.uiy places good horses and mules have advanced 'ull fifty per cent, in price; while good cows for milk, ind superior breeding animals, have risen still higher n the best markets. Estimating the advance at .wenty-five per cent., and the present value of our ive stock, allowing for no increase of numbers, is S679.478,38D. The inhabitants of the United States -ncrea«e from two and a half to three per cent, per innum, and their domestic animals in a somewhat larger ratio. At threp per cent, a year, the aggre- gate increase in numbers is nearly fifteen per cent.,' but call it only twelve and a half per cent, and the live stock now in the country is worth the very large sura of $764,413,187. No other interest of half the importance has been so little studied in all its aspects; and in no other kind of property does the daily consumption of food pre.scnt so many points for tfee exercise of wise econ- omy, or for serious losses in consequence of bad man- agement. A moment's reflection will satisfy every reader that inasmuch as domestic animals are large consumers as well as liberal producers, under favora- ble circumstances, they naturally exaggerate and ex- tend both losses and profits, according to the skill or want of it with which they are propagated, reared and kept Most kinds of property may be wintered and summered with little or no expense; not so, how- ever, is the fact in reference to live stock. Hence, the Science of Wintering Domestic Animals involves questions of vast pecuniary importance; and it is a department of knowledge that peculiarly commends itself to the best attention of eveiy farmer. He .should carefully investigate the return which he is to realize for all the food consumed by each animal du- ring the six most expensive months of the year, in which it is fed mainly by the hand of man. Will the compensation in labor, in flesh, wool, or in milk equal the ouTlay? Is the gain in any of these, or in all, what it ought to be to render this Wnd of husbandry really profitable? In what way should animals be fed and housed to yield the best possible return to the stock-grower? It is easy to answer this question by saying that they should be well fed and tvell housed to attain this end. But such remarks fail en- tirely to point out what is good feeding and good shelter, in the proper acceptation of those terms among stock-breeders and keepers. Some believe that it will not pay to provide warm stables, or even 10 THE SCIENCE OF WINTERING LIVE STOCK. comfortable sheds for cattle; forgetful of the gi-eat physiological truth, that artificial warmth is the equivalent of costly food to a considerable extent, in the wintering of all domestic animals. In cold weath- er, the warm bodies of all animals radiate heat very rapidly, unless protected by fur, wool, or a covering of thick hair, like that found on deer, sheep and Po- lar bears. No fact in modem science is better estab- lished, than that all animal heat is the product of food consumed either a few hours before the heat is evolved, or some days or months previously, and con- verted into fat, which is stored up in the system to meet aay contingency of defective nourishment. An- imal fat is one of Nature's curious balance wheels to mamtain the even course of vital functions when the ordinary supply of food is withheld from any cause whatever, Although a fat animal in the beginning of winter may be taken through with a less consump- tion of food than would suffice if it were poor, yet, to burn up the fat in his body to maintain the neces- sary degree of animal heat, instead of feeding hay, straw, cornstalks, roots or grain, is to pay full six times more for such heat than one need to pay. If we can succeed in making this fact clear to the masses who keep stock, it is to be hoped that not so many animals will be allowed to become so much poorer in the spring than they were in the fall. It is not simply then- apparent surplus of fat which animals part with in cold weather when sparingly fed, but they lose also a part of their lean meat, by the daily absorption of their musclns. A lean animal has flattened, thin, impoverished muscles, as well as defi- ciency of fat, so that his skin and bones are nearly in close contact. It is, then, preeminently a practi- cal question — What is the economical value of a pound of fat and of a pound of lean meat, sacrificed in wmtering a cow or a steer, to sustain life, as com- pared with a pound of good hay, aa ordinarily con- sumed for a similar purpose? The elements in fat which are truly burnt up in the system of an animal to keep it warm, as it be- comes poor from a lack of suitable food, are carbon and hydrogen. Now, let the plain farmer bear in mind this fact — that a pound of carbon in the fat of a living animal, consumed in the process of respira- tioii which supplies the blood with vital air for that purpose, yields no more heat to warm the body of said animal, than a pound of carbon taken into the circulation from hay, cornstalks or straw. If it were true that a pound of carbon derived from forage would replace that amount of carbon in the form of fat in the cells of a poor animal, then an animal might subsist in part aa cheaply on its own fat as on hay and straw, grain or roots. But all experience, not less than the deductions of true science, proves that a pound of common cattle food does not, and cannot possibly form over one or two ounces of fat, under the most favorable circumstances. To extract an ounce of clear fat or tallow from a pound of good hay, is more than most farmers achieve. If this statement be true, (and successful contradiction is respectfully invited, if it can be furnished,) why should any economical man allow his stock to subsist in part on their own fat and flesh, which is worth from five to fifteen cents a pound? If common for- age is too expensive to give them all they really need, pray how much cheaper food for them is solid fat and lean meat? In the order of nature, life cannot be maintained without the expulsion of considerable carbon and hydrogen at every breath, derived either from food, or a part of the solids of the body. Ema- ciation has never been discussed, never studied aa thoroughly as it ought to be. Bightly understood, it would be avoided with ten fold more care and profit than is now generally witnessed. It is true that animals may regain their flesh after suffering much from want of food and exposure du- ring the winter, if they do not die in the spring; but the stunt and shock given to the healthy development of every part of the system, are not so easily over- come as some suppose. Why is it that Short-horned cattle sell at such apparently extravagant prices ? For no other substantial reason than the fact that this breed, by the superior keep and selections, ap- phed to many generations, comes very early to matu- rity. Animals only 24 months old, give as much good flesh in the best Short-horns, as is commonly obtained from inferior stock when three, four or five years of age. Such precocious development presents many important advantages to one who breeds and fattens cattle for beef This principle of never per- mitting stock to stop growing in winter no more than in summer, cannot be neglected without involving great loss. It is very much like drying ofl" a cow when her milk is largely and healthily secreted, and then attempting to bring her lactiferous system at once back to its former condition. Nature revolts against such treatment, and the vital currents long persist in running in new channels. Physiological science teaches the necessity of uniformity in feeding animals the year round. They may endure through the wonderful plasticity of their various organisms and vital functions, repeated and protracted short allowance joined with an uncomfortable degree o' CHEMISTRY OP SOILS. 11 cold and wetness, but such ill treatment is never wise nor profitable. Man himself has the physical power to sustain great privations. This fact does not, how- ever, justify the deliberate infliction of any sufferings upon him. During the storms of winter, poor brutes often suffer badly from cruel neglect ]Iunianity and self-interest co-operate in prompting us to take excellent care of all live stock in cold weather. They should be regularly fed, if fed at all; for regularity in the daily consumption of food ren- ders it twice as serviceable as it would be if con- sumed at very unequal intervals, and in unlike quan- tities. The colder the weather, or rather, the colder the atmosphere that surrounds animals, the more for- age they need, and the richer it should be in soluble carbon and hydrogen in an excess of the combined oxygen. For if carbon already has so much oxygen combined with it that it will not burn, or if hydro- gen be in a similar condition, then neither can add any warmth to the cooling body of a domestic animal. All such aliment is as worthless as a gallon of pure vinegai- poured into the stomach of a poor, freezing ox to warm him, and make healthy blood. Oil cake and corn meal are the true types of the kind of ali- ment needed by stock in winter. The reason why carbon and hydrogen in the form of oil in seeds, as in maize, flaxseed, &c., is worth nearly two and a half times more as aliment than carbon and hydrogen in the form of starch or sugar, is because one is fitted to evolve heat in the animal economy, and the other is not. Hence, it is a great improvement to cooked potatoes or rice to be eaten by persons, both of which are exceedingly rich in starch, to add an ounce of butter to eight of this farinaceous ali- ment Plants rich in sugar, like beets, and maize before its seeds are formed, and many other grasses, are highly nutritive and calorific, as winter feed for neat stock. To form healthy blood and a plenty of it in winter, the food of domestic animals should be at once sufficiently soluble in the organs of digestion, aad abound in both heat-generating and muscle-form- ing coustituenta Such food yields the best blood and the cheapest possible meat, milk and wool CHEMISTBY OF SOUS. The chemistry of soils is a subject of great im- portance to the practical agriculturist, and which more than almost any other at the present time, de- mands a careful and laborious investigation. Though there are may things in the phenomena of vegetation, the sources of the nutrition of plants. and the dependence of all upon unknown atmospheric influences, which, as yet, are beyond our knowledge and clear comprehension, yet enough has already been discovered by science to afford the intelligent farmer material aid in his labor, and stimulate him to observe with care and attention the various phe- nomena presented to his view. It has been ascer- tained that certain ingredients are present in every fertile soil, the absence of any one of which, or its isomeric equivalent, diminishes the yield of harvest. When we analyse the ash of different species of plants, we find various elements present in various proportions, and the same elements are constant in the same plant Without these elements the seed can- not be ripened or the plant attain its perfect develope- ment and growth. For example, we find in all cereal or grain crops that phosphorus or its compounds is present in the ash; and in every soil where these crops are grown in perfection, we also find that a compound of phosphorus is present How little of the elements of a fertile soiHs suffi- cient for the complete growth of the different organs of a plant, we do not know, and upon this point we need exact experiments. We know what ingredients are present in fertile soils — in what proportion they must be combined, we know not. Submitting the ashes of the most opposite kinds of plants to analysis, we present the followmg sub- stances: Acids. MttaUic Oiida. Carlionic Acid, Silicic Acid, (Silica), PboBphoric Acid, Sulphuric Acid, Nitric Acid. Magnesia, Alumina, Ses-qui oxide of iron, Oxide Manganese. Also, chloride of sodium or common salt, chloride of potassium; and in marine plants, iodide of sodium and iodide of magnesium. What office these various acids and oxides perform in the nutrition and growth of plants, we do not know, and perhaps may never know; but we do know that for any given crop, if the elements of its ashes are wanting in the soil, we need nst hope for seed in harvest With these ele- ments present every plant may be regarded as a laboratory or factory, engaged in the solution and suitable arrangement of materials from without. No one of these materials can be produced by the plant, consequently they come from without. If then these materials are not at hand, the plant withers and dies, precisely as a lamp goes out when the supjily of oil is exhausted. An interesting illustration is afibrded by the cultivation and growth of the sugar cane. From an analysis made by Dr. Stekdoose, and published 12 BEE CTLTUEE. in a supplementary number of the London, Edin. ^ Dub. Phil. Magazine, page 533, 1854, we find that in full grown canes there are present silica, phosphoric acid, sulphuric acid, lime, magnesia, potassa, soda, chloride of potassium and chloride of sodium. The sugar obtained from the juice is an organic substance, (i. e., a substance not composed of minerals, its formu- la being C. .24, H. .22, 0. .22 — gases always present in the air or water) ; consequently, to produce the sugar only, does not exhaust the soil — to produce the cane doea so exhaust the soil; tien, if the ashes or canes be returned to the soil, we see no rea- son why sugar lands, so called, may not be culti- vated indefinitely. Now, how does fact bear out these inferences? In many sections of the West Indies, owing to the scarcity of fuel, they are obliged to use the bagasse (dried refuse of stalks after the juce is pressed out) as fuel for evaporating the syrup. The silica and alkalies present are converted into a hard, insoluble glass, which, in this form, being useless, is thi-own away. In Louisiana, on the con- trary, hithertoo, wood has been used as fuel, and the crashed cane being returned to the field, the yield of sugar from their fields is but little, even after years of cultivation. As another illustration, to what cause can be attributed the almost magical guano and similar manures on soils which, before their ap- pUcation, are hopelessly sterile and barren? Simply because that in those manures are these elements which have been carried away by a succession of cereal or grain crops, and after the land has been robbed of all its fertility, it is turned out to rest — Similar, unfortunntely, is the practice of too many at the present day. Intent upon present gain, too wise to profit from the experience of others, and regard- less of their own permanent welfare, they pursue the same beaten track of exhaustion, and ultimate star- vation. But to return to our subject A few soils formed by the debris, or pulverization of volcanic rocks seem capable of the indefinite and successful cultiva- tion of grain crops, a year's rest, when it seems to Have become tired, so to speak, provides anew the elements of fertility. Such is not the case, however with the vest majority of American farms. Our cities are the devourers of the fertile elements of their soils, and in too many cases it is but a beggarly pittance that is given back by them. In every car- cass of an animal conveyed to the city shambles — in every pound of cheese, bushel of wheat, com, oats, &c., the same loss is occnring; and how few there are who seem aware of the necessity of returning to | generous Mother Earth, what her prodigal children so thoughtlessly waste. This restoration, or supply of fertile elements, must be made by every one who would preserve, unim- paired, the productive capacity of his land. How it can best be done, will be considered when we treat of manures and manuring. BEE CULTQEE. The great obstacle to successful bee culture, is the ravages of the bee moth. Wherever the bee can enter, the moth miller can do the same; and we be- lieve that in every hive, patented or unpatented, the havoc made by the lodgement of worms in the hive' stiU remains the most serious difficulty. The bee-masters and apiarians of European coun- tries do not speak so strongly, or so often allude to the insect in question, as ia done by those of the United States. There is no remedy, in fact, but a care and watch- fulness removing all hiding places for the miller from about the hive and bee-house, and a constant inspec- tion and cleansing of the bottom board of the hive. Such being the case, those hives which do not allow of this cleansing and removal of the dirt and excrements of bees, fail whoUy to answer the desh^d end. Considering the nature and character of the honey bee — the order and system in which the different operations are carried on in a hive, their internal government and economy, their indefatigable industry in collecting their luscious store, and the wonderous skill displayed in the construction of the comb and the shape of their cells — we do not wonder that the attention of eminent philosophers should have been directed to them ; and once engaged in the interest- ing work, a life time can be spent in the study and contemplation of their nature and mysteries. The editor of the American Agricvltvrist, who is an experienced apiarian, gives it as his opinion, that a plain box hive, of the very simplest construction, is equal to any of the patented hives now before the public ; and that the more simple the fixtures for a hive and apiary, the more likely to be successful in their culture. Mr. QuiMBT states in the Country Gentleman, that he has " an interest in about 400 hives, and has sold this season about two tons of honey." He also states, as a fact, " that in all extensive apiaries that he has visited, the patent hives are not used — they are found in apiaries that seldom exceed twenty BEE CULTURE. 13 hives — that he could mention a great many where ihey arc managed according to nature, that number from fifty to two hundred stocks." Convei-sing with an experienced apiarian, of a neijrhboriiig county, respecting the habits of the bee moth, he stated as his opinion, that wherever oppor- tunity was afforded, the moth miller svould certainly cuter — that they deposit their eggs in every crack and crevice they can find in and about the hive; and if facilities are not afforded by which, when hatched, the worm could be kept from crawling up to the comb. One might as well throw away his hive at once. Having on one occasion elevated tlie front edge about half an inch above the bottom board, he was very much surprised, in the early part of the spring, to find the back part, between the bottom and the upright sides of the hive, full of the larva; of the bee moth; and after that, daily or at least as often as three times a week, he carefully examined his hive and removed all the larvae as they were deposited. His reward in the fall was an abundance of honey, and a hive in which he could discover no signs of the moth. We give below an engraving of the hive and stand described by Mr. E. Stabler, in a communica- tion to the first annual Exhibition of the Maryland State Society, to whom was awarded the first pi"e- mium for the best lot of honey. The cut we copy from the American Farmer BEE HOUSE AND HIVE. " The engraving represents the end of the house, which is twelve feet long, affording ample room for eight hives. The house is a slight frame, resting on the siUs, six feet long; one al each end ol the house, six inches square, laid upon stones or bricks, six (or more) inches from the ground. "(A) The Sills. — Into each of these are morticed (B B) two posts, four inches square and three feet tour inches long, placed two feet apart, and standing upright. On the end of these is placed a plate (D), four inches square, ami four feet four inches long. Upon this is framed the roof (C), as may best suit the builder. [Mine is simply rested in notches cut in the ends of the plates, so that four men can at any time lift it off or on if necessary.] "The hive is fourteen inches square at the top, and ten inches square at the bottom, and three feet two inches long. The box on the top is twelve inches square in the clear. A glass window, covered with a sliding board. There are holes, one and a half inches in diameter, in the top of the hive, over which the box is placed. The bottom of the hive is fas- tened to the back part theieof, by a hinge. Upon the plates and near the middle are placed two pieces of scantling, three inches square and one foot apart, both let on cornerwise (so as to present the corners towards each other). The hive is suspended be- tween these runners, lea\'ing the bottom of it some two feet from the ground. " It will be perceived that the conical form of the hive, enables us to slip it down between the runners, which hold it steadily in its proper position, and as tlie liees fill it with honey, its form operates as a wedge, eflectually preventing the breaking off and falhng of the honey-comb. The bottom of the hive is sufiorcd to hang down, from early in the spring till late in the fall, permitting the wrens, sparrows, blue birds, i-c , to search for the moth or miller, and also affording the bees a fair opportunity of dislodging from the hive any insect that may enter it, " When the weather becomes cold, the bottom is raised by means of a cord, and made stationary at any height desired. " The hives are placed in the house empty, having first been cleaned, and rubbed with a mixture of salt and sugar (a tea-spoonful of each, moistened with water). " When a swarm of bees is to be hived, make a little scaffolding of boards under the hive; on this spread a clean cloth. Having cut off the bush or limb, on which the bees have settled, shake them off the bush, on to the cloth, and they will soon take possession of their new home. " At any time, (a few weeks having elapsed after the box is filled,) the box may be removed at night, and placed bottom upwards in the cellar, or some open outrhouse, and early the next morning every bee will leave it and return to the hive. Then take out the honey and replace the box the next evening. " If it be thought best not to disturb the young swarm during the summer, the bees, when the wea- ther becomes cool in the fall of the year, will all retire to the central part of the main hive, and the box of honey may be removed without disturbing them in the.least. " The box containing the honey, herewith exhibit- ed, was removed in this manner about ten days ago, and was filled by a swarm hived last spring, leaving the bees a large supply for ths winter." 14 COMPARATIVE PROFITS OP WHEAT-GROWING AND SHEEP-RAISING. OOMPAEATIVE PROFITS OF WHEAT-GKOWINQ AND SEEEP-EAKING. We find an interesting article, by E. W. Edger- TON, Summit, Waukesha co., in the JFis. Farmer for November, respecting the comparative profits of wheat-growing and sheep-raising, a portion of which we give below: — "As there seems to be a general lack of interest manifested by our farmers this fall in regard to wool growing and sheep husbandry, (owing in a great measure, undoubtedly, to the decline in the prices of wool, and the advance in the prices of breadstufls and coarse grains,) and as I have had seventeen years practical experience in grain raising in this State — connecting with it the three past years that of sheep husbandry — I claim the privilege through your coluiniig, of relating my experience to our brother farmers on these subjects. I shall take the occasion to compare the two branches of husbandry with each other; and, in doing so, shall refer to no better au- thority than my own experience, to make my argu- ments good in favor of the latter branch, hoping, sliould any one be convinced, that they will " cease to do evil," and learn to do that which is good for themselves. "In the month of May, 1837, I commenced farm- ing operations in this town, on my present location, on a tract of laud containing 830 acres, in the state of nature, and at that time thirteen miles from "any- where." "During a period of ten years (from 1837 to 1847,) I devoted my attention to grain raising, making win ter wheat the staple article, averaging during the period, about 100 acres of wheat per annum, with the general average of about twenty-two bushels per acre, which was sold at prices ranging from 44 cts. to $1,06 per bushel — the receipts being sufficient to pay all expenses, including the improvements made on the farm, which consisted in clearing and getting under cultivation, and fencing about 500 acres — with sufficient small change left to clothe myself and better half. "The unsuccessful part of this branch of farming I will relate in a few words. It commenced with the harvest of 1847, which averaged only about twelve bushels per acre, and of inferior quality. The har- vest of 1848, ten bushels per acre; that of 1849, eight bushels. I resolved, therefore, on making one more desperate efifort; and in the fall of 1849 I sowed 200 acres of wheat, in good season and in good con- dition — expecting, should 1 realize a good crop, to turn my attention to sheep husbandry the following year. But again I was doomed to disappointment — the harvest of 1850 averaging only ten bushels per acre, which sold in market at about 60 cts. per bushel — not sufficient to cover expenses. "The harvest of 1851 was more productive, but the ([uality inferior to previous years. I succeeded this year in borrowing ^1500, at 12 per cent, interest; and, in the month of October, 1851, invested $1059 50 cts. in 557 sheep, being at an average cost of $1.90 per head. The flock consisted of 306 ewes, 176 wethers, 55 lambs, and 20 bucks. The balance of the $150iO was used in patching up our extended credit and preparing winter quarters for our flocks. The following June, 546 reported themselves ready to be shorn — the records of mortality showing a loss of eleven during the winter and spring. "The receipts from the flock the season of 1852, were as follows: 1490'i tl>3 wool, sold Brown & Larliin, 355ic., $632.83 lOSfi tbB " " 32«c 34.28 259 sheep sold sundry persons, averaging $2.17 664.26 Add 210 lambs to the increase of 1862, at $2.17 466.70 Total $1587.08 "The average weight of fleece being 2 13-16 Bbs. " In estimating the expense of keeping sheep, I will put the prices (at what I believe most farmers will agree with me in,) to correspond with the price of wheat in market, at one dollar per bushel. 15 tons of wild hay, at $3 per ton (per 100 sheep,) $46.00 37>a bushels corn, being a peck per day for 5 months (per 100,) 18.76 1 Iibl. salt per year 2.60 Shearing, washing, sacliing, twine and marketing 8.75' 30 weeks pasturage, at one penny per head per week 30.00 Care of shepherd, being one man's time per 1000 sheep, 7 months 10.00 Mailing S1.15 per head, or per hundred $116.00 " Or, compare the cost of wheat, at 75 cts. per bushel in market, would make 86J cts. per head, which I believe to be about the actual cost of either item. I make no account of interest, for in making the comparison with wheat raising, I ofl'set the inter- est on capital invested in sheep against the expense and wear and tear of soil in raising wheat. Deduct the expense of keeping 557 sheep, at $1.15, which is $640.55 from $1587.06, the net receipts, and you have the net profit of $956.51, or, $1.60 per head, for the year 1852. "After deducting the number sold, and the losses, we have left, including our lambs, 497 sheep, to which we added by purchase in the fall, 470 more, at an average price of $2.42 per head, amounting to $1137.40; going into winter quarters for 1853, with 967, of which 400 were ewes, 286 wethers, 246 lambs, and 35 bucks. Of this number, only 866 were up aad dressed at shearing time in June, 1853 — having sold during the winter 18, and the records of mor- tality showing the demise of the alarming number of 83 during the winter and spring, by causes to us not vnknouti. " Thereby hangs a tale," as the saying ia, which, Mr. Editors, is too lengthy to relate in this nunilier; but as I desire to record my experience in book farming, you shall have it at some future time. "The receipts from the flock for 1853, were as follows: 18 sheep, sold during the winter (including 7 bucks.) .. $134.00 2'.)37 lbs. wool, sold Haskina, at 50 cts 1468.60 417 plieep sold sundry persons, averaging $2.55 1063.36 91 pells sold, including those of 1862, at $2.60 600.00 Amounting to the sum of $3361.85 " Deduct the expense of keeping 967 sheep, at $1.15 per head — $1112.05; leaving the net sum of $2.32 per head for 1853. The average weight of fleece this year was 3 lbs. OJ oz. "After deducting the number sold, the dead, and eleven missing during the summer, we have left, in- cluding lambs, 678; to which we added in (he fall, 442, at an a^'jrage price of $2.50 per head, amount- ing to $1105, going into winter quarters for the FARMING IN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 15 season of 1854, with 1120 sheep, 510 of which were ewes, 275 lambs, 268 wethers and 67 biielcs. "The receipts of this year show: 100 fed wethers, sold in March last to the batcher $507.00 8 pells 7.55 45 lambs sold B. R. H-, at 32.50 112.00 36Si lbs. wool sold Wheeler, at 3a 13S1 .50 153 grass wethers, sold butcher, including 3 bucks. 470.00 120 store sheep for sale, say $2 240.00 Add 403 lambs lambs, unsold increase of 1854, at $2.60. 1007.00 Amounting to the sum of S37J5.50 Deduct the expense of keeping on 1120 sheep, at $1.15 per head, and extra 550 for feeding wether..*, less S^O the expense of pasturage saved 1308.00 Showing a net, for 1854, of $2417.50 Or a net of $2.15 per head. "The average weight of fleece tliis year being 3 lbs. 10 oz. The net receipts for three years foot $5613.80 From which deduct capital invested $3301.90 And the amount credited for lambs 2062.79 5364.60 And it will leave us a balance of 249.20 And 1094 select sheep on hand, paid for, (better than cash at $3 per head,) amounting to 3282.00 [For the Genesee Parmer.] FAEKnfG IN EASTERN FENNSYIVANIA. Eastern Pennsylvania is perhaps richer in com- bined agricultural and mineral resources than any other section on the Atlantic Slope. The fertility of the southern portion has long been celebrated, while the coal and iron mines of the middle and northern portions are almost unequaled on the face of the giobe. Agriculture, however, in Eastern Pennsylva- nia, constitutes the most important interest, although the tourist would come to a dififerent conclusion from the man/ manufactories which he finds on every side as he passes through the country. In truth, nature Beems to have afforded such facilities for manufacto- ries as to cause the manufacturing interest sooner or later to transcend all others; but the fertility of the soil, and the more certain gains of agriculture, have thus far made the agricultural the predominating in- terest The soil is generally good, although varying in its adaptation to the raising of particular crops with its situation. The Blue Ridge, commencing near Belvi- dere, in New Jersey, and extending in a south-westerly direction, separates this section into two parts, whose geological features are quite different South of the Ridge we find the limestone formation which tra- verses a large section of South-eastern Pennsylvaniaj while north of it lies slate, marl and sandstone for- mations; hence it will be seen that the former is bet- ter adapted to wheat and cereal crops generally, while grass, potatoes, oats and the hardier grains seem better adapted to the other section. The soil ki both sections has been much improved by the per- severing labor of its owners; especially in the south- eastern section the country resembles a garden. Farms are generally not large, but they are thorough- ly tilled, and probably are as fruitful and profitable as any in the Union. Where there is access to large towns or cities, more attention is paid to the raising of poultry, vegetables, and floral and horticultural products; but in the interior the attention of farmers is principally turned to dairying — to the production of the ordinary grass and cereal crops. The vege- table and horticultural departments are too much neglected; one reason is, probably, that farmers are not generally aware that as much profit can be made from one as from the other. Let them learn this, and the cultivated tastes and scientific principles re- quired for their successful cultivation will soon fol- low. Their systems of rotation in crops vary with cir- cumstances. A common system is to fallow succes- sive crops of corn with oats, and after oats to seed wheat about the first of September. In February or March clover seed is sown, so that after the wheat is cut the field is seeded down; after this it is mown or pastured. Of course it is unimportant what system of rotatioii is adopted, provided the land is not ex- hausted by too frequent repetitions, or by working it too much without proper care in dressing and manu- ring. Fruit, as is too common in other States, is too much neglected. To be sure, there is scarcely a farm without its apple orchard, and a few cherry, poach and plum trees; but too little attention is given to selecting the best fruit and to grafting and thorough cultivation. Apples — natural, not grafted fruit — are most extensively cultivated, on account of their use in household aSairs : cider and apple butter are ne- cessaries of life, especially. Apple butter is made by boihng apples and cider together from 5 to 7 or 8 hours; in that time it begins to thicken, and when reduced to the required consistency is taken from the fire and placed in earthen pots for winter consump- tion. In former times, and perhaps now to some ex- tent, boiling apple butter is, like our old Yankee apple-paring and husking bees, made the occasion of family gatherings among the young people of both sexes in a community. Improved systems of farming are but lightly es- teemed by Pennsylvania farmers generally, especially by the German class. Manual labor is their reliance, with but little aid from science. This is partially the result of old prejudices against innovation and radi- calism of every sort, which ia the marked characte^ IG FRENCH MERINO SHEEP. istic of the Germans of Pennsylvania. They are slow and steady, honest conservators; and here let me say, that in this age of haste, bustle and excite- ment of fast men, fast traveling and bitter radicalism, they form a valuable component part of the body politic. Preferring to hold fast to the time-honored jjriaciples and examples of their ancestors, they plow, plant and reap as did their fathers before them. Year after year they follow the same unbroken round of duties, only striving that each year may leave them richer than it found them; and generally, by fi'ugality, industry and close application to their af- fairs, they secure a competence, which in due time is left for their children, who will follow in the same path. Improvements in agricultural tools are not known or regarded as much as they should be. However, tliere is certaiuly a vast improvement in this respect (luring the last ten years. The German population are slowly but surely advancing in the right di- rection. The English language is slowly gaining, and must eventually be the medium through which all business will be done. Railroads now in process of construc- tion to and through the mineral deposits, must quick- en exchanges, give saore energy and life to trade, raise the standard of education by calling out more mental labor in the transaction of increased business. Till within the past four years, the middle and northern sections of Eastern Pennsylvania have been mainly dependent upon the canals and rivers for ex- changes; in that time Ihey have been connected with New York and Philadelphia by the New York Cen- tral and the Belvidere, Delawai'o, Railroad. Three othera are now in process of construction, among which is the one which will be of the most permanent benefit to North-Eastern Pennsylvania, i. e., the Northern Pennsylvania Railroad. It commences at Philadelphia, passes through the coal mines, and ex- tends to Waverley, on the N. Y. and Erie Railroad; and not only to this section of Pennsylvania, but to all that part of New York lying west of the longi- tude of' Waverley; for it opens to them a new mar- ket, which is at least 30 miles nearer than New York city. An immense market ^•ill therefore be thrown open to Central New York; while if the reciprocity measures, now almost entered into between New- York and Canada, produce half the benefits which their advocates claim, the benefit to accrue both to New York and Eastern Pennsylvania must be great_ B. A. Easton, Pa. 1854. [For the Ocnesoe Farmer.] FRENCH MERINO SHEEP. Mr. Editok: — In connection with the plate of French Merino Sheep, accompanying this, I will (as you requested,) offer a few remarks. With regard to the fitness of this variety of Merino sheep for the general wants of the country at large, I think the great demand for them fully proves it. They have bean tried by some of our most experienced breeders, and many prefer them to the Spanish Merino, and many again prefer the latter. Indeed, it seems now to be generally conceded that for the double purpose of raising wool and mutton, the French and Spanish Merino sheep are unequaled. The two families have tlieir peculiar merits, and each their advocates. The Spanish Merino sheep are justly celebrated for their heavy fleeces, and their good constitution. In these respects I think they are equaled, if not surpassed, by the French. To me, one recommendation which the French sheep carry with them, is their size; and this seems to be a point which many sheep breeders greatly desire. I think the French sheep will supply this desideratum. I am well aware that many urge the greater amount of food required by the larger vaiiety of sheep, as an objection to them. This is a point on which I can speak from my own experience alone, and that leads me to the conclusion that I reap greater profits from the greater amonnt of food fed to a large sheep, than from the lesser amount fed to a smaller sheep. Another peculiarity of this variety is their prolificness. I have had five lambs in seven months from one ewe; and it is no uncommon cir- cumstance for my ewes to drop twins. As nurses, they are equal to any breed of sheep with which I am acquainted. I have now two ewes, imported by Mr. I). C. CoLLixs, in 1840, and selected from the flock of Rambouillet, which this year dropped four lambs. The lambs were strong and thrifty. This, I think, denotes a long-lived and prohfic race of sheep. They possess as good constitutions and were as huruy and thrifty as any breed of sheep I ever owned; I have not lost one per cent, by disease since I have been keeping them, which has been for some six years p ist. I raise about one hundred and fifty pe: cent, of lambs, and find the lambs when dropped much hardier and stronger than any other breed 1 have ever owned. They are easily raised, requiring but little attention. The habits of French sheep, too, are such as must tend to fatten easily. They are quiet and docile, rarely moving rapidly, or traveling far, but seem rather to prefer remaining pretty much in one place. Indeed, after an experience of some FRENCH MEniNO SHEEP. lli'H' >"^\1'' I 18 METHOD OF DESTROYING RATS — SMALL FARMS IN BELGIUM. years and of some extent as to numbers and kinds, I am compelled to give the Prencli sheep a preference to any other variety or breed with which I am acquainted. J. D. Patterson. Westfield, Chautauqua co., N. Y. [For the GeDeflee Fanner.] AN EFFECTUAL METHOD FOE DESTEOYING RATS. Mr. Editor : — In a late number of year excellent Magazine, I noticed a communication from a farmer, bewailing the state of his building, with regard to those destructive animals, the rats. Many years ago, the old mansion in which my fether lived, was so dreadfully infested with rats, that the basement of the building was quite undermined ; seventeen large rats were caught in one week in traps, in the wine cellar alone ; many died from poisoned bait, but still they increased. The servants believed the honse was haunted, and certainly if the spirit rappers had been in fashion in those days, we might have been justified in giving credence to such out- ward manifestations of the Powers of Darkness — for truly, such midnight racing, and knocking, and rap- ping, were enough to startle the least timid ; — but, though poor, dear, old Mr. Martin Ewen got all the credit for the nocturnal disturbance, it was rats, rats, rats, and nothing but rats, that haunted the old hall. The rat-catcher was fairly beaten out; he had lost several of his best ferrets, and declared his belief that the house was bewitched, and that some one had charmed all the rats into the premises, — for neither ferrets, nux vomica, nor any other rats-bane had the least effect upon them. One day a stranger came to the house to buy some barley, and hearing my father mention the difficulty he had in freeing the house of these disagreerble ten- ants, he said he could put him in the way of getting rid of them with very little trouble. His directions were simply these: mix a quantity of arsenic with any sort of grease, and plaster it pretty thick around all their holes. The rats, he said, if they did not eat the poison, would soil their coats in passing through the holes, and as, like all furred animals, they are very cleanly, and cannot endure any dirt upon their eoats, to remove the offensive matter they would lick their fur, and thus destroy themselves. This plan was immediately put in practice, and in a month's time not a rat was to be seen about the house or barn. Finely pounded glass mixed with grease has also acted efifectually as a poison, I have heard, but I can vouch for the efficacy of the first named. C. P. T. SMALL FABMS IN BELGHTM. The small farms of from five to ten acres which abound in many parts of. Belgium, closely resemble the small holdings in Ireland ; but the small Irish cultivator exists in a state of miserable privation of the common comforts and conveniences of civilized life, whilst the Belgian peasant farmer enjoys a large portion of those comforts. The houses of the small cultivators in Belgium ar« generally substantially built, and in good repair ; they have commonly a sleeping room in the attic, and closets for beds connected with the lower apartment, which is convenient in size ; a small cellar for the dairy, and a store for the grain, as well as an oven, and an out-house for the potatoes, with a cattle stall, piggery, and poultry loft. The house generally con- tains decent furniture, the bedding is sufficient in quantity, and although the scrupulous cleanliness of the Dutch may not be everywhere observable, an air of comfort and propriety pervades the whole estab- lishment. The cattle are supplied with straw for bedding ; the dung and urine are carefully collected in the tank ; the ditches are scoured to collect mate- rials for manure ; the dry leaves, potato tops, &c, are collected in a moist ditch to undergo the process of fermentation, and heaps of compost are in course of preparation. The premises are generally kept in neat and compact order, and a scrupulous attention to a most rigid economy is everyivhere apparent We observed that all the members of the family were decently clad, none of them were ragged or slovenly, even when their dress consists of the coars- est material. The men universally wear the blouse^ and wooden shoes are in common use by both sexes. The diet consists, to a large extent, of rye bread and milk. The dinner is usually composed of a mess of potatoes and onions, with the occasional addition of some pounded ham or slices of bacon. The quantity of wheaten bread consumed did not appear to be considerable. I need not point out the striking con- trast of the mode of living here described, with the state of the same class of persons in Ireland; and it is important to investigate the causes of this diflerence. In the greater part of the flat country of Belgium, the soil is light and sandy, and easily worked ; but its productive powers are certainly inferior to the general soil of Ireland, and the climate does not ap- pear to be superior. To the soil and the climate, therefore, the Belgian does not owe his superiority in comfort and position over the Irish cultivator. The difference is rather to be found in the system of culti- vation pursued by the small farmers of Belgium, and in the habits of industry, economy, and forethought of the people. The cultivation of the small Belgian farms differs from the Irish — first, in the quantity of stall fed stock which is kept, and by which a supply of manure is regularly secured ; second in the strict attention paid to the collecting of manure, which is most skillfully managed ; third, by the adojition of a system of rotation of five, six, or seven changes of crop, even on the smallest farms, which is in striking contrast with the plan of cropping and fallowing th« land prevalent in Ireland, and by which so large a portion of its produce and powers are every yeai wasted. RAPR CAKR FOR FEEDING. 19 In thu farms of six acres, we found no jilow, horse or cart; tlie only agriiMillui-ul iinploment, liesides the spade, fork and wheelbarrow, which we observed, was a lijjht wooden harrow, which might be dragged by hand. The farmer had no assistance, besides that of his wife and children, excepting sometimes in har- vest, when we found he occasionally obtained the aid of a neighbor, or hired a laborer at a franc per day. The whole of the land is dug with the spade, and trenched very deep ; but as the soil is light, the labor of digging is not great. The stock on the small farms which wo examined, consi-^ted of a couple of cows, a calf or two, one or two pig.^, sometimes a goat or two and some poultry. The cows are alto- gether stall-fed, on straw, turnips, clover, rye, vetches, carrots, potatoes, and a kind of soup made by boiling up potatoes, peas, beans, bran, cut hay, &c., into one mess, and which being given warm is said to be very wholesome, and to promote the secretion of milk. Iq some districts, the grains of the breweries and distilleries are used for the cattle, and the failure of the Belgian distilleries has been reckoned a calamity to the agriculture of the country, on account of the loss of the supply of manure which was produced by the cattle fed in the stalls of these establishments. The success of the Belgian farmer depends mainly upon the number of cattle which he can maintain by the produce of his laud, the general lightness of the Boil rendering the constant application of manure absolutely necessary to the production of a crop. The attention of the cultivator is always therefore especially directed to obtain a supply of manure. Some small farmers with this view, agree with the sheep dealer to tind stall room and straw for his sheep, to attend to them, and to furnish fodder at the market price, on condition of retaining the dung. The small farmer collects in hie stable, in a tank lined with brick, the dung and urine of his cattle. Ue buys sufficient lime to mingle with the scouring of his ditches, and with decayed leaves, potato tops, &c., which he is careful to collect, in order to enrich his compost, which is dug over two or three times in the course of the winter. No portion of the ground is allowed to lie fallow, but it is divided into six or seven small plots, on each of which a system of rotation is adopted ; and thus, with the aid of manure, the powers of the soil are maintained unex- hausted, in a state of constant activity. The order of succession in the crops is various ; but we observed on the six acre farms which we vis- ited, plots appropriated to potatoes, wheat, barley, clover, (which had been sown with the preceding year's barley), flax, rye, carrots, turnips, or parsnips, vetches, and rye, for immediate use as green food for the cattle. The flax grown is heckled and spun by the farmer's wife, chiefly during the winter, and we are told that three weeks' labor at the loom towards the spring, enabled them to weave into cloth all the thread thus prepared. The weavers are generally a distinct class from the small farmers, though the la- borers chiefly supported by the loom commonly oc- cupy about an acre of land, sometimes more, their labor upon the land alternating with their work at the loom. In some districts, we were informed, every gradation in the extent of occupancy, from a quarter or half an acre, to the six acre farm, is to be found ; and in such cases more work is done in the loom by the smaller occupiers. The labor of the field, the management of the cat- tle, the preparation of manure, the regulation of the crops, and the carrying a portion of the produce to market, call for the constant exercise of industry, skill and foresight among the Belgian peasant fir- mers ; and to these qualities they add economy, so- briety, and a contented spirit, which finds its chief gratification beneath the domestic roof, from which the father of the family rarely wanders in search of excitement abroad. It was most gratifying to ob- serve the comfort displayed in the whole economy of the households of these small cultivators, and the re- spectability in which they lived. As far as I could learn, there is no tendency to the subdivision of the small holdings. I lieard of none under five acres, held by the class of peasant farmers, and six, seven, or eight acres, is the more common size. The provi- dent habits of these small farmers, enable them to maintain a high standard of comfort, and they are therefore necessarily opposed to such subdivision. Their marriages are not contracted so early as in Ire- land, and the consequent struggle for subsistence among their offspring does not exist. The proprie- tors of the soil retain the free and unrestricted dispo- sal of their property, whether divided into smaller or larger holdings ; but we were assured, that an indus- trious tenant was rarely, if ever, disposessed. The common rent of land is about 20s. sterling, an acre, and the usual rate of wages for a day laborer is a franc (or lOd.) a day. — M. S. in Ulster Gazette. KAPE CAXE FOR FEEDING. Perhaps no agricultural subject has excited more attention and discussion than the qualities and value of materials for food. Boussingadlt and other cele- brated writers have published tables of the theoretical values of different materials derived solely from their proportion of nitrogen, giving the highest value to such as contain the greatest per centage of this ele- ment. Consideration will, however, teach that highly nitrogenous food has a greater value for special or particular than for general purposes. If you examine the composition of milk, taken as dry material, it has the highest proportion, nearly 40 per cent, of nitro- genous compounds; yet as food for building up the frames of young animals, neither experience nor science has been able to devise any substitute of equal eflicacy. I have shown, too, that food rich in albumen has a special value for the production of milk; it has likewise a special value in making good the deficiency of materials of food which do not con tain a due proportion. We find that Swede turnips which contain about 16 per cent, of albumen in theii dry material fatten satisfactorily; that the rich pas ture grasses, which have a very similar proportion, have the like effect. We find that meadow hay, with its 6 or 8 per cent., maintains, but does not fatten, while on straw, with IJ per cent, of albuminous mat- ter, cattle exist for a time but do not thrive. The deficiency in these can be supplied only by materials rich in albumen. In addition to my cattle, I main- tain about iiO lambing ewes, which I purchase ia October, and also shearlings. To the former, which 20 GARGET CAN BE CURED. drop their lambs in March, I likewise ^ve rape-cake. I coiniuence this practice during the winter, and con- tinue it throughout the season. At the commence- ment I supply it in small quantities, with a sprinkling of oats; now and then an ewe is seen to nibble by degrees, and after a lapse of some weeks they also get a^'customed to it, and eat to the extent of J to | of u pound per day each. As the composition of shee|)'s milk resembles that of the cow, I need not remark on its adaptation to the purpose. Being engaged in the business of keeping cows for dairy purposes, and likewise for fattening, of which latter I send out 50 to CO per year, the comparative effect of the two processes on the fertility of the land in my occupation has engaged much of my attention. On the rich feeding pastures of this district, cattle graze from year to year, and for a long series of years, without any perceptil)le diminution of their fertility. Tlie cattle for this purpose being well- grown animals, their increase will be to flesh and fat; and, reckoning the same rate of increase aa above noticed, each beast will carry off in flesh the nitrogen equal to what will be supplied by 3 cwt. of oil-cake or beans. This appears to be fully restored through the agency of the atmosphere. The effisct of dairy produce is known to be very different. In Cheshire and other cheese-making and diary districts it is found necessary, with a view of maintaining the fertility of the pastures, to apply a top-dressing of bones, rich in gelatine and phosphate of lime, every 6 or 7 years. It has been shown that, in a full yield of milk, more than three times the quantity of nitrogenous matter is contained than can be assimilated in the increase of beef; besides which, milk carries off a considerable quantity of phosphate of lime and other mineral matters. The amount of nitrogen removed by a cow giving 3 J gallons per day carries off the nitro- gen of 5.70 tbs., or for the half year 9 cwt. rape- cake; 2 gallons per day carries off the nitrogen of 3.25tbs., or for the half year 5 J cwt. rape-cake; while the nitrogen assimilated by a fattening beast requires only 1.76 lbs per day, or 3 cwt. per year to replace it. It is to be observed that a cow on rich pasture, giving only 4 quarts per day, will gain flesh likewise, and carry off nitrogen in addition. The analysis of rape-cake show about 4 per cent, of phosphate of lime and phosphoric acid. A full yield of milk will require 2lbs yer day, or 3 cwt. 36 lbs for the season, to restore this element of fertility. It will be re- marked that no part of this is supplied by the atmosphere. I have shown by the treatment of milch cows that 1 am alile with a full yield of milk to maintain their condition. I hold it equally desirable to keep up the fertility of my pastures. Since I began the use of rape-cake, I am effecting more than this — they are gaining from year to year in productiveness. In the woolen manufacture, shoddy or refuse wool, which was formerly sent to Kent as manure, is now sorted over and a great proportion of it is retained for again working up into new materials. In the cotton trade, what was formerly looked upon, and termed waste, is now cleaned from its filth and mauu- liictured into stout cloths for export, some of them probably to the very remote countries in which the cotton was produced. Agriculture i.s, in this respect, far in arrear; a great waste, not only of material of food but likewise of material to produce that food, is daily occuring. — Y., in the Lon. Jig. Gazette. GARGET. CAN BE CUBED. It has lieen ascertained that hydriodate of potash will cure the worst cases of this disea,se. Twelve grains, dissolved in a table-spoonful of water, may be given at a dose, and three doses given each day till the cure is perfected. Three or four weeks are usually sufficient for the purpose. If it is inconven- ient to give a dose at noon, let the morning and night doses contain eighteen grains each; though three of twelve grains each are probably better. The matter is very easily managed. Get at an apothecary's store an ounce and a half of the medi- cine; which at 440 grains to the ounce will contain 660 grains. This will make fifty-five doses of twelve grains each. Put the whole into a glass bottle of sufficient capacity, with fifty-five table-spoonsful of cold water. Shake briskly, and it will be thoroughly dissolved in a few moments; and every table-spoon- ful will contain the requisite quantify of twelve grains. Wet a little Indian meal or shorts with water enough to make a stiff paste, and stir in the dose. The above remedy was substantially communica- ted, not long since, to the JVew England Farmer, by the gentleman who discovered it, and who had tried it in repeated instances with uniform success. Hydriodate of potash is much used by physicians, and is well known to act directly upon the mammary This remedy, for the odious disease of garget, ought to be universally known, as it might be the means of saving, annually, many valuable animaJa. The best cows — those giving the richest milk, and the greatest quantity — are the ones oftenest attacked. The Kev. Daniel C. Weston, of this city, to whom we are permitted to rel'er, has recently tried this method of cure with entire success. He has a valu- alile cow that was badly attacked with garget soon after calving last spring. One of the hinder quarters of the bag was so caked and inflamed, that, though ordinarily perfectly gentle, she would kick at the lea.st motion to touch it. The milk was of a reddish color, and left in the pan a bloody sediment. No portion of the milk can be relied on, as the milk from those teats that gave no external marks of disease, left in the pan a bloody deposit. Every remedy, known to the wiseacres hereabouts, was faithfully tried without effect. Garget root, salt- petre, glauber salts, sulphur, given in the most ap- proved quantities, (to say nothing of various outward applications,) each and all absolutely failed to afford any relief. There was every probability that the cow was ruined, and Mr. Weston was strongly advised te give her up and fat her for the butcher. At this point a copy of the JVew England Far- mer, containing the above recipe, was put into his hands by a friend, and he immediately proceeded to test its qualities. When he began to give it, the bag was almost one solid cake. In three or four days the bag began to soften. In seven days there was a de- cided improvement. In two weeks there was no bloody sediment in the milk. In three weeks the FEEDING OP COWS— TREATMENT OP THE HORSE DISTEMPER. 21 cake had entirely left the hinder quarter, and in the forward quarter was about the size of a pullet's egg. In this quarter the disease made its final stand, and showed some obstinacy. But it was fairly cornered, and in a week or two more evacuated the premises altogether, after having held villainous and undispu- ted sway for more than three months. The cow, at this present writing, Nov. 1, is in fine order and con- cfltion, and gives eight quarts per day of very rich and pure milk. The quantity of medicine used by Mr. Weston in this case was two ounces and a half. — Maine Farmer. SUMMEK AND WINTER FOOD FOR COWS. TuE editor of the American Agriculturist has recently visited the farm of S. B. Haliday, near Pro- vidence, R. I. His farm contains 130 acres, part of which is used as a market garden. Of course, land cultivated in this way needs thorough manuring, and a large number of cows are kept constantly manu- facturing milk for the city, and fertilizece for the farm. The cows are soiled — in other words, fed with green food in the stables daring the summer months. The following method is adopted: Mr. U. feeds his cows, beginning in the spring with green rye till the stalks get quite hard, and even after this, if necessary, by cutting them up short. The rye is continued till clover is ready, which forms the next food. Clover is followed by green millet, which for this purpose, is sown as early as possible in the spring. Corn — sown in drills at intervals of 10 to 12 days — follows millet, and continues till frost, when millet is again resorted to, and used till the ground freezes up. The winter food of his cows consists of cut corn stalks, roots, oil meal and shorts. The daily food of each cow is 2 quarts of -oil meal, 4 quarts of shorts, half a bushel of turnips and carrots, and as much cut corn as she will eat. He says that from consider- able experience and observation, he is satisfied that no root contributes so much to the quantity of milk as the turnips, while carrots do not add much to the quantity, but greatly enrich the quality. He is quite certain that oil cake is the best milk yielding food. He says that in feeding turnips, long continued practice has proved, beyond a doubt, that a little dry hay, or any dry food, given to a cow just before milk- ing, will entirely prevent any turnip flavor from being communicated to the milk. HOW TO FEED MTT.lf COWa I SEE in the Farmer of the 7th October, an article on feediug milk cows, written by Mr. Bartlet of Munson, which I know to be correct so far as corn- st.alks and carrots are concerned. I have fed each of my cows night and morning, one peck of carrots, with hay, and get as much milk as I do on grass. — I take the cornstalks in the buudle as they come from the field, butts and all, and cut them up with a straw cutter. I put one bushel and a half into a tub, pour a pailful of boiling water over them, then take three quarts of bran and scatter over the top. To keep in the steam, I let them steam half an hour, then stir the bran and stalks up together, which scalds the bran. I then throw in a pailful of cold water, and let one cow have it to eat. This I do morning and night. The result is, I get as much milk and butter as if the cows had the best pasture in summer. I use Macomker's straw cutter, that I bought two years ago at the State Fair in Cleveland, patented in 1850. It has two flange wheels like a large auger pod, which turn together, draw in the straw aud crowd it against a straight stationary knife, and cut it off like shears. It splits the largest stalks, and so bruises them all that the most of them get eat up. I feed them to my young cattle and horses dry, and think I save one-half by cutting, that is, one bundle cut is as good as two not cut. Can you, Mr. Editor, or some of your readers, in- form me where Macombee's straw cutter can be had? as a number of my friends and neighbors wish to purchase. I think the man I bought of said they were got up in Lake county. We had a people's fair at Pitchville on the 2.5th and 26th, where I showed my straw cutter, aud it was pronounced by good judges the most perfect machine they ever saw for cutting straw, stalks and vegetables, as it is a self-sharpener, and has not been out ot repair the two years I have used it. N. B. — Please let me know at your earliest con- venience where those straw cutters may be had. — C. C. Crittenden, in the Ohio Farmer. TREATMENT OF THE HORSE DISTEMPER. Bt request, and in consequence of having hafl an unusual number of horses under treatment during the last few weeks, suffering from influences (commonly called distemper,) which I believe to be, to a certain extent, contagious, I ask the liberty of communicat- ing to gentlemen who own, or are interested in that noble animal, the horse, my opinion of what predis- poses and makes them more susceptible of being affected by it, also what ought to be done to prevent it. The conditions inducing it may exist alone, for some exciting cause may be required for their full developement; for instance, gunpowder wants a pre- disposition to dryness, and peculiar composition in order to take fire from a spark. The most prominent predisposing causes, are sudden and undue exposure to extremes of cold and heat, impure atmosphere in stables, arising from dampness, darkness and bad ven- tillation. The skin of a horse at ordinary work is raised in temperature in order to maintain organic and animal activity; there is an unusual rapid passage of blood through the lungs and the whole system, and pers- piration is excited; if, under such circumstances, he be suddenly exposed to the action of cold, by being put in a damp, cold stable, or any other way, this action of cold would greatly disturb the balance of circula- tion, particularly in spring, (when a horse changes his coat,) and produce a contracted state of the skin and its vessels, consequently blood collects round and within internal organs, by being repelled from the outward surface, which causes congestion of the in- ternal organs, a condition only one stage short of inflammatory action; for instance, suppose we perspire from exercise, then to cool off, sit in a draught; in a 22 LEAVES FOR COMPOST. short time we shall shudder without and chill within, and probably in less than twenty-four hours suffer from sore throat and chest caused by it. I believe that a cold, northeast wind, (which ought to be guarded against,) in which there seems something es- pecially irritating, blowing into a well-ventilated stable, would induce cold and cough, for which reason I should recommend gentlemen contemplating build ing stables, not to have doors or windows, or any other way exposed to the northeast. If the stable be warm and close, bronchitis and pneumonia will present themselves, and sometimes bad cases of in fluenza (if that disease be prevailing,) will follow the cold and cough contracted as above. A horse shuns offensiveness instinctively, because his lungs require such a quantity of good air; he avoids offensive smells probably more resolutely than any other animal. The heart of a man averaging about eight ounces at each pulsation, propels about two ounces of blood into the system, say one hundred and forty to fifty ounces a minute, and about as much more is sent into the lungs in the same period; his lungs during ordi- nary breathing, contain one hundred and seventy to eighty cubic inches of air for the support of life.— To maintain this at the proper purifying standard, he breathes out (expires) all hurtful products continual- ly collecting in the blood, and draws in (inspires) about twenty cubic inches of fresh air, some sixteen times every minute. The heart of a horse, at a low computation, is twelve times heavier than that of a man; it propels five times as much blood, viz: up- wards of forty pounds are sent into the system, and as much more into the lungs every minute. This amount, great as it seems, is increased when in exer- cise, and so ample and so perfect is the apparatus for respiration, that the lungs are continually supplying adequate means for the purification of this enormous vital tide. This is not pratically borne in mind, and those in immediate charge of horses (especially in this country,) are often most ignorant of the proper- ties of air and the requirements of blood. Consider for a moment the size of an ordinary room, with its windows for light, its fire and doors for ventilation, contrasted with many of the stables in this city, and you will find five, six and seven horses, (each requiring eight times as much air as a man,) are stabled in less space than this, with perhaps no window that admits light, no provision to remove dampness and gasses originating in the natural avac- uations. Why, may I ask, are so many stables almost dark, even in the day time? A kind Providence, as if to show man his duty to the lower animals, brings forth the choicest natural productions of organic life where there is the best light and the purest air. Where there is darkness in stables, there is almost always a dampness ; where darkness, dampness and a close atmosphere combine, each and all reeking with decomposing animal evacuations, (particularly where the manure is put under the stable floor, which is of too frequent occurrence,) there is the worst possible provision for sustaining life and health in a state of integrity. Small indeed is the spark here required to kindle a great amount of disease. When influenza or any other kind of epidemic disease jirevails, each is most severely felt in dark, damp stablea, the un- natural heat of which is caused by many horses bemg crowded into a small compass. It has also a very serious effect upon the eyes, the details of which time and space will not at present allow. Many horses bought by dealers of farmers in Con- necticut, Vermont and other States, are brought here, and two-thirds of the number are more or less attacked with distemper soon after their arrival. — The reason is asked why. An observant man would require an answer. Visit the farmer; there you will find the horse surrounded with pure, healthy atmos- phere; if in the spring, (when most are bought,) living upon grass, clover, ice, not overworked, pro- bably never driveu fast; if stabled, fed regularly, good wholesome water, &c. It may take four, five and sometimes eight or ten days, according to dis- tance, to arrive here. One man is generally employed, (who often knows as much about a horse as a horse knows about him,) to bring a string of half a dozen, more or less, as the ca.se may be; During the jour- ney, (which is generally made as quick as possible, that no time may lost, and more particularly to cur- tail expenses,) they are fed on cut feed, with probably a httle extra quantity of meal, (uo shorts,) and water- ed when conveniently met with. Upon arrival, they are at once ushered into the stable, (such an one as described above,) in some cases washed and showered all over with cold water, perspiring or not, imma- terial; put in a stall to be dried by heat of the body and atmosphere combined, without even a thought of rubbing a hair dry. Such treatment, with diet changed from grass to hay and meal, with perhaps a great degree of difference in the atmosphere to what he had been accustomed, and crowded in a dark, close, ill ventiliated stable, can any sensible man be surpri-sed at the horse being .sick? I should be much more so were he not, no matter what kind of a con- stitution he had previously. If, instead of the above treatment, he traveled say about twenty miles a day, fed and watered regularly, the former to consist of shorts, principally, instead of meal, and upon arrival, (same feed continued a few days,) well cleaned, a good bed of straw, in a dry, well ventilated stable, and such treatment followed up a few days, not one in ten would be attacked with disease, (unless previously contracted,) the owner save the expense of medicine and medical advice, and I probably lose the chance of having to present my bill for services rendered. If the public, individually or collectively, derive any benefit from any of the foregoing remarks, I shall consider myself well paid, from the fact that I have been able to prevent even one of God's noblest ani- mals (the horse) from sickness, and probably from a premature death. — S. Marlor, in the Providence Journal. LEAVES FOB COMPOST. Many farmers regard leaves as utterly worthless for purposes of fertilization. A moment's candid re- fiection, however, would convince them, we think, of the fallacy of this opinion. How, if leaves are not indued with alimentary powers, do our forests retain their health and vigor for so long a time? or in other words, why do our woodland.'!, upon which we be- stow no care whatever, continue to grow and flourish KXTENT AND RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES. 23 in increasing vigor, while arable soils, from which the crops produced by manuring and cultivation are an- nually removed, "run out," and in time fail to remu- nerate the husbandman for the labor and expense of "carrying them on?" Is it not because the alimentary matter returned to the soil in the foilage is adequate to the demand made upon the resources of the soil by the crop? The leaf is not merely a vegetable substance. It contains mineral matters, which are essential to the health of all plants; and these being derivable only froMi the earth, are returned to it, in part, by the de- cay of the foilage which rot upon the soil. Let us, for the sake of more fully illustrating the subject, present an analy.=;is of the leaves of a well known tree — the early harvest apple — the foliage of which was collected Sept. 30th — the tree bearing fruit. Silica 5.rV5 Earthy Phosphate*. Phosphate of peroxide of iron 4.875 Phosiihate of lime 1.416 Phosphate of nugnwaia _. trace. Silica 6.125 Phosphoric acid. _ 5.369 16.7?5 Lime 36.398 M.Hgnesia 0.075 Polash 13.179 Soda 11.616 Chloride of sodium 0.060 Sulphuric acid 0.127 Carlionicacid... 16.200 Organic matter 2.860 101.006 Proportions. Water 54.341 Dry 4.5.069 Ash 4.194 Calculated dry.. 9.163 The leaf when analyzed in a mature state, is found to contain a much larger quantity of mineral matter than it affords when young, or newly formed. This is accounted for by the well-known physiological fact that the food of ail vegetables — trees not excepted — is taken np in a state of solution. This food passes to the leave.", where it is e.tposed by aerifaction to the action of atmospheric phenomena, and its aque- ous parts evaporated, or given off, but not the sub- stances iMch it held in solution. These are, in part, disseminated through the entire system, a certain amount remaining in the vascular structure of the leaf itself. These, it has also been ascertained, con- tain a larger proportion of mineral matter than the wood of the trunk. The dried leaves of the elm — (Ulmus Americana.) — contain more than eleven per cent, of ashes, (earthy or mineral matter,) while the more perfectly lignified substance, or perfect wood, contains orfly two per cent.; those of the willow, more than eight per cent., while the wood has only 0.42; those of the beech, 6.69, the wood only 0.35; those of the European oak, 4.06, the wood only 0.21; those of the pitch puie, 3.14; the wood only 0.24 per cent. A late American writer, in an article illustrating the value of leaves as a manurial agent, says: — " It is very plain from these facts, that, in forests, the mineral ingredients of the soil perform a sort of circulation; entering the root, they are deposited in the leaf ; then, with its fall to the earth, and by its decay, they are restored to the soil, again to travel their circuit Forest soils, therefore, instead of being impoverished by the growth of trees, receive back annually the greatest proportion of those mineral elements necessary to the tree, and besides, much or- ganized matter received into the plant from the atmosphere; soils, therefore, are gaining instead of losing. If owners of parks or groves, for neatness' sake, or to obtain leaves for other purposes, gather the annual harvest of leaves, they will, in time, take away great quantities of mineral matter, by which the soil ultimately will be impoverished, unless it is restored by manure. Whenever leaves can be obtained in sufficient quantities, the farmer has within his reach the most ample resources for sustaining and increasing ad libi- tum, the productive energy of the soil he cultivates. By accumulating them in autum, depositing them in yards and other enclosures where they will be in a situation to become impregnated with the liquid voidings of his animals, and thus predisposed to fer- ment and decompose more rapidly when applied to his lands, he will secure an adjuvant, the beneficial and powerful effects of which will be obvious for years, both upon his soil and the crops it is required successively to sustain and perfect — JV. E. Farmer. OOKDENSED VEEW OF THE EXTENT AlfD RE- SOURCES OF THE UNITES STATES. The Boston Post has the following on the extent and productiveness of the United States and Terri- tories:— The thirty-one States, nine Territories, and Dis- trict of Columbia, comprising the United States of America, are situated within the parrallels of 10 deg. east longitudes and 40 min. west of the Meridian of Washington, and extending on the Atlantic coast from 25 deg., and on the Pacific coast from 32 deg-. to 40 deg. of north latitude, and contains a geographi- cal area of 3,306,865 square miles, being one-tenth less than the entire continent of Europe. They contain a population at the present time of 25,000",000, of whom 21,000,000 are whites. The extent of its sea coast, exclusive of islands and rivers to the head of the tide water, is 12,669 miles. The length of 10 of its principal rivers is 20,000 miles. The surface of its 5 great lakes is 90,000 square milea The number of miles of railway in operation within its limits is 20,000, constructed at a cost of $600,000,000. The length of its canals is 5,000 miles. It contains the longest railway upon the surface of the globe — the Illinois Central — which is 737 miles. The annual value of its agricultural productions is §2,000,000,000. Its most valuable product is In- dian corn, which yields annually $400,000,000; and in surveying the agricultural productions of our country, we are not only struck with their abundance but with their great variety. Our territory extends from the frigid region of the north to the genial cli- mate of the tropics, affording almost every variety of temperature, and every kind of grain and vegetables. Her productions range from the cold ice and hard granite of the North, the golden corn of the West to the cotton and sugar of the South; and nearly all in sufficient quantities to supply our domestic con- sumption and furnish largo supplies for exporta- 24 FARMERS' CREED — SULPHUE — APPLE MOLASSES AND APPLK BUTTER tion, thus furnishing nearly all the value as well as the bulk of our foreign commerce; suggesting there- by tlie irresistible conclusion that agi-iculture is the great transcen Jent interest of our country, and upon which all other interests depend. The amount of registered and enrolled tonnage is 4,407,010 tons. The amount of capital invested in mamilactures is $600,000,000. The amount of its foreign imports in 1853, was $267,798,947 ; and of exports .$230,975,157. The annual amount of its internal trade is $600,000,000. The annual value of the products of labor (other than agricultural,) is $1,500,000,000,000. The annual value of the in- comes of its inhabitants is $1,000,000,000. The value of its farms and live stock is $5,000,000,000. Its mines of gold, copper, lead and iron are among the richest in the world. The value of the gold produced is $100,000,000 per annum. The surface of its coal fields is 133,131 square miles. Its re- ceipts from customs, lands, &c., in 1853, was $61,- 327,274, and its expenditures $43,543,263. Its national domain consists of 2,174.188 square miles of land. Its national debt is but $50,000,000. The number of its banks at the present time is about 1,100, with a capital of $300,000,000. Within her borders are 81,000 schools, 6,060 academies, 230 col- leges, and 3,800 churches. Only 1 in 22 of its white inhaljitants is unable to read and write, and JO of its 21,000,000 of white inhabitants are native born. FABUERS' CBEED. I BELIEVE in small farms and thorough cultivation. I believe that the soil loves to eat, as well as its owner, and ought, therefore, to be manured. I believe in large crops, which leaves the land bet- ter than they found it, making both the farmer and the farm rich at once. I believe in going to the bottom of thmgs, and therefore, in deep plowing, and enough of it, all the better if with a subsoil plow. I believe that every farmer should own a good farm. I believe that the best fertilizer of any soil is a spirt of industry, enterprise and intelligence. With- out this, lime and gypsum, bones and green manure, marl and guano, will be of little use. I believe in good fences, good barns, good farm houses, good stock, good orchards, and children enough to gather the fruit. I believe in a clean kitchen, a neat wife in it, a spinning piano, a clean cupboard, a clean dairy and a clear conscience. I disbelieve in farmers that will not improve their farms, that grow poorer every year, starving cattle, farmers' boys turned into clerks aud merchants, and farmers' daughters unwilling to work; and in all, farmers that are ashamed of their vocation, or who drink whiskey till all honest men are ashamed of them. I will also add — I believe in supporting our Coun- ty and State Agricu tural Societies. I believe in having a well filled agricultural library. I believe in supporting the agricultural papers of our State, paying for them, reading them, and circu- lating them among my neighbors. — Ohio Cultivator. Tms mineral product is the key which opens the door to chemical manufaotulea. From it we make sulphuric acid (oil of vitrol), and without sulphuric acid many of the largest factories would eeu.-e tu exist. By its aid we are enabled to produce so iiiauy substances, that the bare nicntion of them would fill the whole paper. Bleaching, dyeing, soda-making, metal-refining, electro-plating, electro-telegraphing, &c., are primarly indebted to tiiis acid. Many of the most valued medicines could not be made without it — such as ether, calomel, &c. Sulphur being the chief ingredient in gunpowaer, modern warfare could not go on comfortably with it. A people that does not possess lucifer-matches, stands beyond the pale of civilization; yet matches cannot be made without sulphur — not because matches are dipped into melted brimstone before they are ' tipped' with the ]>ho9- phoric composition which ignites them, but because this very material could not be made without the in- direct use of sulphur. In England, we consume 60,000 tons of sulphur annually, which is imported to this country from the volcanic regions of Sicily. For political reasons, the king of Naples has recently prohibited the export of sulpher to any of the king- doms now at war. Reckoning the vudue of sulphur at £5 per ton, implies a loss of £300,000 — a pretty liberal "peace oflbriiig," from Hie king of the Sicilies! This lo.?s of sulphur will be very severely felt for a short time in England; but eventually it will be of great service, as we have as much brimstone in this country as commerce requires — a fact that will soon be made manifest by the demand for it; and when it is seen that our resources are sufficient, the king of Naples must never expect us to go to his shop any more. It was thus during the last wars that we prevented the French peojjle from eating Jamaica sugar; so they set too and made sugar from beet root, and we have lost so much trade ever since. — Chambers' Journal. APPLE MOLASSES AND APPLE BUTTER. The juice of the sweet apple, it is probably well known to most of our readers, makes an excellent molasses. The article, when properly made, is pure, possessing a vinous or rather brandied flavor, which renders it greatly superior for mince, apple, or tart pies, to the best West India molasses. If it is made from sour apples, a small quantity of imported mo- lasses may be added to modify the flavor. Beer made with it, possesses a brisk and highly "vapid flavor which common molasses does not impart. Four and a half barrels of good cider wiU make one barrel of molasses, costing in ordinary seasons, about $5,50. — One who has had considerable experience in manu- facturing this article, says: — "I make little cider; ray apples are worth more fed to my hogs, than for cider: but I make a practice of selecting my sweet apples, those that furnish the richest, heaviest liquor, and make a cheese from them, using the cider thus obtained for making apple or quince preserves, boiling down for molasses, and keeping two or three barrels for drink or ultimate conversion into vinegar. When new from the nre^^ LAKGB AND SMALL SEED POTATOES — FATTEN' I X<} TUIiKVY :5 and before feruientation commences, that which I in- tend for boiling is brought to the house, and boiled ill br;is3, to the proper consiistence; taking care not to burn it, as that gives the molasses a disagreeable flavor, and taking otf all the scum that rises during the process. The quantity to be boiled, or the num- ber of barrels required to make one of molasses, \\ ill depend greatly on the kind of apples used, and the richness of the new liquor. Pour or four and a half are generally sufiSdcnt, but when care is not used in making the selection of apples, five barrels may be necessary, but let it take more or less, enough must be used to make the molasses, when cold, as thick as the best West India. When boiled sufBciently, it should be turned into vessels to cool, and from thence to a new sweet bari'el, put into a cool cellar, where it will keep without trouble, and be ready at all times.'' But the making of molasses is not the only impor- tant use to which sweet apples may be applied as connected with cnhnary affairs. Apple butter, as it is made by the Germans in Pennsylvania, is a most excellent article. The 7Hodus opermidi pursued by those who are most expert in the manufacture of it, is the following: — Having selected six bushels of fine ripe fruit, and divested them of the rind, quarter and carefully core them. Boil down two barrels of sweet cider, to one, and deposit the apples in the boiled down cider. — Keep up a brisk fire under the kettles, and stir the contents continually to prevent burning. The boiling and stirring must continue uninterruptedly till the whole mass is reduced to a pap about the consistency of thick hasty-pudding. It is then allowed to cool, and may afterwards be deposited in jars for future use. When thoroughly made, it will be nearly as solid as first rate butter, and mil keep many years; indeed it improves by age. The Pennsylvauiaus make it only once in seven years. It is so much superior to the ordinary apple sauce, that no one who has fairly tested its value will afterwards, we are con- fident, willingly be without it. The flavor is superior, and there is a neatness and soUdity about it greatly superior to that of the ordinary apple sauce. Its price in the market is also higher. — liepub. Journal. The total consumption of cotton by England, for the vear 1853, was 3,042,000 bales. To this add 700,000 bales for the United States, which will make the total consumption for the 3,742,000 bales, being an increase of 14,283 bales over the previous year. The supply of 1853 wa^, stock in Great Britain 657.,520 bales, stock on the Continent 89,461 bales, stock in the United States ports 91,176 bales. Crop in the United States 3,262,882 bales. Imports from Brazil 132,443 bales. Imports from the West Indies 9,236 bales. Imports from Egypt 105,398 bales.— Imports from the East Indies 485,587 bales. Being a total supply for the year 1853 of 4.733,646 bales, being an increase of 534,208 bales over the previous year, more than half of which increase was in the crop of the United States. LABGE AMD SMALL SEED FOTATOES. By an experiment carefully cnnchu'ed at the North American Phalanx, the following results were ob- tained:— 1. Large whole seed, 29 ft 13 oz., produced 174 8). 2. Large potatoes cut in halves, 15 ib 15 oz.. pro- duced 124 ft. 3. Large potatoes cut in quarters, 7 ft., produced 98 ft. 4. Medium potatoes, whole, 19 ft 3 oz., produced 146 ft. 5. Medium potatoes cut in halves, 9 ft G oz., pro- duced 88J ft. 6. Medium potatoes cut in quarters, 4 ft., pro- duced 67 ft. 7. Small potatoes, whole, 9J ft., produced 117 ft. 8. Small potatoes cut in halves, 6 ft., produced 81ft. Repetitions of the experiment have all been in favor of large uncut potatoes for seed. — JY. Y. Trib. Fattening Turrets, &c. — Much has been pub- lished of late in our agricultural journals in relation to the ailmentary properties of charcoal. It has been repeatedly asserted, that domestic fowls may be fatted on it without any other food, and that too, in a shorter time than on the most nutritive grains. I have recently made an experiment, and must say the result surprised me, as I iad always been rather skeptical. Four turkies were confined in a pen, and fed on meal, boiled potatoes and oats. Four others of the same brood, were also at the same time con- fined in another pen, and fed daily on the same articles, but with one pint of very finely pulverized charcoal mixed with their meal and potatoes. They had also a plentiful supply of broken charcoal in their pen. The eight were kiUed on the same day, and there was a difference of one and a half pounds each in favor of the fowls which had been suppUed with the charcoal, they being much the fattest, and the meat greatly superior in point of tenderness and iiavor. — Germantuwn Telegraph. Without contentment there Ls no joy, of aught, there is no profit, no pleasure in anything. AoKiruLTURAi, Statistics. — We are indebted to F. R. Garden for the following interesting statistics: It is, I believe, authentic (coming from one of the oldest, best, and most respectable farmers in Dela- ware, and one whose word can be relied on,) that the fir.'^t timothy and clover seed sown in the United States, was sown in Delaware on the banks of the Brandywine, in the year 1790, and that in the year 1775, a field of some 20 acres was sown with gariic, for hay and pasture, the seed being imported from Germany and sold in this country for .?17 jier bushel, anil that all grass hay made (at that datc,).was from n natural blue or green grass, grown on the marshes, or on upland meadows, which were fertilized by irri- gation. Also, (to show the different value of land,) a lot of marsh was bought at that eariy date, for which .§150 was paid per acre, the same lot was, a short time ago, sold for $40 per acre. The butchers of that date would not buy a bullock that was not fc-d on the marshes, so great wa'^ the prejudices for urtiicial feeding. — Register ^' Examiner. 26 SALE OF KENTUCKY STOCK — MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES, &c. SALE OF KENTUCKY STOCK The recent importation of Short-horn cattle, hogs, horses and sheep, was sold on the 19th, at the farm of Charles In.nes, near Lexington, Ky. — The prices and names of the purchasers have been kindly sent to us by our friend Dr. Tarlton, but we are so crowded this week that we cannot publish them at length at present Thirteen cows sold at prices ranging from $205 to $650. Six bulla, from $167 to $3,500. Robert Alexan- der paid the latter price for "Sirius" calved Octo- ber lith, 1852. "Hopeful," a seven year old Cleveland Bay stallion, sold to Robert Ixnes, for $1050. Sis Cotswold, and one Lincolnshire buck sold at j)rice3 ranging from $50, to $287; while 46 ewes of the Cotswold breed, sold for from $35 to $70 each. Ten pure Liverpool white hogs, and seven improv- ed Yorkshires sold at $70, $50, $25 and so on down to $U. Kentucky breeders are determined not to let their reputation sufler, if liberal importations and prices ■*U1 prevent it — Ohio Farmer. THE HOP TEADE IH WISCONSIN. The cultivation of hops for home consumption and eastern market is becoming or rather has be- come an extensive and important branch of agricul- tural industry in this portion of the State. It is an article easily grown, exhausts the soil far less than many other crops, commands good prices and a ready sale. Last Thursday no fewer than fifty bales of closely packed hops passed through this city ou their way to Milwaukie, to be sent to New York city. — Joseph E. Spaulding raised 4,600 pounds of this quantity on two acres of ground, in the town of Oak Grove, Dodge county. Last year he inform.^ us he raised 1,849 pounds on one single acre. The re- mainder of the lot spoken of above, was raised by Messrs. Powers & Fletcher, of Maysville, in the same county. They had 3,000 pounds and took them all from an acre and a half of land. At the figures at which this lot of over four tons is sold, producing hops must be a very profitable business — holding out strong inducements to engage in their cultivation. They require comparatively but little time or labor, and will be found a safe, paying and reliable crop, as well as a valuable addition to our domestic exports. — Watertown Democrat. A SCHOOL INCIDENT. In my early years, I attended the public schools in Boxbury, Mass. Dr. Natha.viel Pre.ntice was our respected teacher; but bis jiatieuce, at times, would get nearly exhuusted by the infractions of the school- rules by the scholars. On one occasion, in rather a wrathy way, be threatened to punish, with six blows of a heavy ferule, the first boy detected in whisper- ing, and appointed some as detectors. Shortly after, one of these detectors shouted — "Master, Johh Zeiqler is a whispering." John was called up, and asked if it was a fact — (JoH.v, by the way, was a favorite, both of the tea- cher and his school-mates.) " Yes," answered John, " I was not aware what I was about I was intent in working out a sum, and requested the one who sat next, to reach me the arith- metic that contained the rule, which I wished to see." The doctor regretted his hasty threat, but told John he could not suffer him to escape the punish- ment, and continued — « I wish I could avoid it, but I can not, without a forfeiture of ray word, and the consequent loss of my authority. I will," continued he, "leave it to any three scholars you may choose, to say whether or not I omit the punishment" John said he was agreed to that, and immediately called out G. S., T. D., and D. P. D. The doctor told them to return a verdict, which they soon did, after consultation, as follows — "The master's word must be kept inviolate — John must receive the threatened punishment of six blows of the ferule; but it must be inflicted on volunteer proxies; and we, the arbitrators, will share the punish- ment by receiving two blows each." John, who had listened to the verdict, stepped up to the doctor, and, with out-stretched hand, exclaim- ed— " Master, here is my hand; they shan't be struck a blow; I will receive the punishment." The doctor, under pretence of wiping his face, shielded his eyes, and telling the boys to go to their seats, said he would think of it I believe he did think of it to his dying day, but the punishment wai never inflicted. — Cin. Times. A New Agricitltdbal Enterprise. — We learn that a most total failure of the hemp seed crop — a crop of exceeding importance to a considerable por- tiou of the richest lands of Kentucky and Missouri — has suggested the policy of importing hemp seed direct from Europe, thus supplying a want that would be most seriously felt, and at the same time doing a valuable service to the cause of agriculture by im- proving the quality of the article, and perhaps dis- pelling altogether the prejudice that so generally exists in favor of Russia over our Western hemp. A company of enterprising farmers and merchants, Mr. Michael Ryan, of this city, at the head of it, has been organized, with ample capital, for the ex- press purpose of importing European hemp seed. — Mr. Anthony KilooRE, of this county, who has the experience and knowledge to enable him to select a superior article of seed, and to take the most abund- ant care of it in packing and transportation, to insure its arrival in prime order, goes out this week, to make the purchase and attend in person to the shipment of the seed. Mr. Rvan is to be the sole agent of the company for the sale of the seed, and expects to have an ample supply by the 1st of January. — Maysville Eagle. The intellect was created not to receive passively a few words, dates and facts, but to be active for the acquisition of truth. Accordingly, education should labor to inspire a profound love of truth, and to teach the processes of investigation. ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN. M CONDUCTED BY JOSEPH FROST. nUHOIS AlfB ■WISCONSIN. DcRi.vo a short tour, in November last, through the most fertile of the flourishing States of Il'.inois and Wisconsin, we had an opportunity to make some notes, which may not be uninteresting to some of our readers. The last month of autumn could not be expected to display those vast fields of corn, wheat, oata, grass, etc., growing in the greatest luxuriance, for which these States are noted; but wc could witness the ex- tensive prairies, with their rolhng and gently-undulat- ing surface, embracing the richest and most produc- tive soil in the world. The garnered crops, with here and there extensive fields of unhnsked corn, showed that the season had been most propitious for the cultivators of the soiL Railroads, which have been built with wonderful rapidity, branching out from their common center, Chicago, are now extending their arms, furnishing a good market for all the productions of the farmer near home. Consequently he feels rich — very one that we met seemed to be well contented with his condition, and was surprised that more of our New England farmers, as well as those in the Middle States, did not try their fortunes at the West, where they will be so bountifully rewarded for their labors; particularly new beginners and others who have only a small or moderate capital. Considering the recent settlement of the country, whose farmers are considered old if they have been in it ten years, the increasing attention which is being given to the cultivation of fruit, and the anxiety to obtain none but choice kinds, are remarkable. It is very evident that all varieties of froit will thrive finely, excepting peaches and such like tender fruits, which will not succeed in the northern part of Illi- nois and Wisconsin, where the thermometer in the winter months will often indicate fifteen and twenty degrees below zero. In Southern Illinois, -however, they flourish with the greatest luxuriance. Fruit trees of all sorts grow with wonderful rapidi- ty, and we think that apple, pear, plum trees, ko., will make as much wood upon their generous soil in three years, as they will with us in four and five. We noticed many apple orchards that had been planted from four to eight years, and, duiing our ex- perience, we have never seen trees that were as handsome or as thrifty; the snionih and clean bark upon their trunks and branches Wiis jjarticulariy ob- served. All hardy ornamental trees, shrubs, rosea, itc, grow with equal comparative vigor. Owing to the ease and facility with which trees are produeed, and the gi-eat and increasing demand, large numbers of nurseries have sprung into existence within five years, conducted by farmers, law)-crs, doc- tors, ex-governors, and other distinguished individ- uals. Their stock is yet small, and the variety limited; but they purpose to extend as their means Md experience warrant. All kinds of fruit are very scarce, and none are to be had but apples, large quantities of which have been forwarded from the eastern interior and southern parts of Michigan, by railroad, for the Chicago mar- ket. On the plank road extending from Milwaukie north-west, we saw numbers of teams, loaded with barrels of apples, from Michigan, which were destined for places one hundred and fifty miles in the interior. This shows that they are compelled to import largely to supply the wants of home consumption; but we believe many years will not elapse when apples will be a large article of export. Dr. Pennington, a pioneer orchardist in the north- western part of Illinois, was awarded two prizes, at the New Tork State Fair, in October last, upon ap- ples. He was a competitor in the list of Foreign Fruit, being fruit contributed by parties living out of the State, and received a silver cup for the greatest number of good varieties and best speci- mens — three of each — and another prize of $10 for the best twenty varieties. We are fully convinced that in the more Western States, all kinds of fruit trees should be grown in the half-standard or pyramid form, with stems of not more than three feet — and two feet would be ample for most; — they would then withstand the strong winds which prevail upon the prairies, and the branches would protect and shade the ground and stem of the plant or tree from the hot sun during summer. Cherry trees budded upon the common Mazzard stock, do not seem to succeed, particulariy the Heart and Bigarreau varieties ; the Unite and Morrello cherries, however, succeed better. The difficulty seems to be that they make such strong growth in the autumn, the wood is but imperfectly ripi-'ued; then the sudden changes of temperature during the winter afiects the sap of the tree to such an extent that the body bursts the following spring; CULTURE OF APPLES AT THE WEST. the tree being diseased, lingers along two or three j-ears and dies. We were able in Central Michigan to compare cherry trees cultivated upon the Mazzard stock with those budded upon the Mahaleb stock, a variety of cherry which is imported from Europe, and on which cherries when budded or grafted, thrive well. There we saw cherry trees growing side by side for the last four yeare upon both kinds of stocks. Those budded on the JIazzard had so badly cracked that they were nearly dead and worthless, while those on the Maha- leb were in the finest possible health and vigor. The owner, a very inteUigent cultivator, said that he would not plant a cherry tree in his locality upon the Maz- zard stock, as he considered it utterly worthless; and the only stock fit to use was the Mahaleb — thus in- suring healthy, vigorous and productive trees. This soil was similar to the prairie soils of the West, be- ing rich, deep, and vei-y productive. This corres- ponds with our heretofore e.xpressed belief, that those who possess rich alluvial soils, which make a rapid, succulent growth in the fall, cannot grow cherries successfully on the common Mazzard, but could do it upon the Mahaleb stock. We would esteem it as a fiivor if any on • « ho may have experience with cher- ries upon both stocks at the West, would advise us of h'.s \ iews. In regard to sorts of the respective kinds of fruit, experience has yet to prove what kind will succeed best. Among apples, enough is already known to decide upon the merits of many of our leading varie- ties; some maintain their high eastern character, white others prove to be second, and some only third rate. It is also noticed that some which are quite inferior with us, promise to be among the most valu- able. [For the Genesee Farmer.] CULTTJEE OF APPLES AT THE WEST. Mr. Editor: To give the "modus operandi" of the culture of apples, and the varieties gi-own at the West, would require more time than I now have to devote to it, or you inclination to publish. Suffice it to say, that the proper mode of cultivation is very different from the one usually adopted in Western New York. Our climate is more varied and change- able. At times, during December and Februarj', the Jiercnry indicates 45° and 50°, and in six hours we are not surprised to find it below zero, very often proving fatal to young nursery trees, and frequently killing orchards that have been some years set out. Orchards where low heads have been formed, are found to be more hardy, less liable to injury, and bearing earlier and more uniform crops. Three- fourths of the orchards first set out in this region, were from trees worked as high up as a man could reach on seedling stocks. Most of these trees have been blown over by our strong south-west winds to an angle of 15 to 20 degrees, causing the sun to strike them, the effect of which is, that all such trees, with hardly an exception, are dead from the limbs to the ground. Low-topped trees are never aflected in this way, unless very upright growers, the limbs not forming a shade for the trunk. I believe there is no locality east or west where the culture of the apple can be made as profitable as on the St. Joseph Val- ley, extending from Lake Michigan back a distance of GO miles through Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan. Every year favors us with a bountiful supply of apples, so much so, that last year 4,500 baiTels were shipped from our place alone to the Chicago market, at prices ranging from 37J cents to $1 per bushel, and fine fruit they were — better can- not be grown — ^large, well colored, fine flavored, and better samples than we have ever seen in New York. Our apples (in fact, all fruits) grow larger and finer here than those gi'own east, but will not keep as well. The Rhode Island Greening is an autumn apple, here seldom seen later than December, and the Eso- pns Spitzrnburgh is now in prime eating order. We attribute this to the exceedingly hot sun during sum- mer, and the late, warm falls. Oui late or store ap- ples are the Rawles' Janet, Prior s Red, American Golden Russett, Cannon Pearmain, and others, (not grown ill Western New York,) of which I shall speak hereafter. The taste in horticulture is rapidly increasing. More trees have been planted within one year than for three years previously. Large orchards have been set out for the purpose of supplying the Chicago market, which, by the way, is second in this respect to no city in the Union of double its age. We last fall saw fine Virgalieu (White Doyenne) pears selling for one shilling each; also Brantford's Late Bach at the same price, and Fall Pippins at 3 to 5 cents each. There can be no question but an orchard of > a few thousand well selected apple trees would pay a better profit than any other investment. Our locality renders it an important fruit growing region. There are at the north of us, in the lumber and mining districts, large sections of country that are dependent on other localities for their fruits, vegetables, &c., and in all probability the next twenty yeara cannot half supply the market. IMPORTANT TO FRUIT GROWERS. 29 )ur variety of apples is very extensive, including )t of the eastern varieties and a host of southern lies, besides the varieties originated here, which somewhat extensive. The Rhode Island Green- , Swnai; Baldwin, Yellow BellJIoiver, and that ■1(> of apples is A Xo. 1 in all collections, hj A'ewtown Pippin is with us a valuable apple, im, poor grower, but finally makes a good orchard bears well, and the fruit is more generally fair n any we have seen grown in Western New York, act it is our most valuable long-keeper. It suc- Is best on openings — soil that is well supphed lime. 'wddi: — This truly valuable apple maintains its •inal eliaraoter, but as far as we have been able to n, succeeds lietter on clayey soils than on sandy nore porous and dry localities. Its season of mar ty is from January to March. irtli/. (li'kile Bdljioicer,) a large, oblong apple, sniooth, pale yellowish white, becoming fine j'el- at maturity, core large, flesh white, fine grained, k, iiiild, sub-aciiu a it would keep up a supply for the table for iths after the autumn pears are gone, even if it ■e not to keep till April or May, as it does here in KASTER BEUBRE PEAR. North. We must say, however, that according to r e.xperience, it is larger, of finer quality, and ri- ns better, when grown on the quince than on the ar stock; and this is the case in Europe, too. On 3 pear stock the fruits seem not to receive a suffi- ntly Uberal supply of nutriment to bring them up the most perfect state; they are comparatively all, with large, gritty core, and instead of ripen- r off freely, and becoming buttery and melting, iny of them shrivel and dry up, as pears do that ve been prematurely gathered. The Duchcssc Angouleme is similar, to some extent; it is, accord- g to our opinion, infinitely superior to the quince, ''e therefore recommend its culture on the quince ock, and that, whether for market or for private ie. The tree ia a good grower, moderate at first. but improving every year, and finally makes a large, vigorous tree on the quince; and if kept under high culture, it will produce annually very heavy crops. It has all the characteristics of a profitable variety. Fruit — very large, roundish-obovate, often inclining to oval. Stalk — rather short, stout, aud deeply inserted. Caly.x — closed, slightly sunk in an irregular, plaited cavity. Skin — greenish-yellow, becoming quite j'cllow in good specimens, with numerous brown dot.s, and a brownish red cheek when exposed freely to the sun. Flesh-melting, juicy, with a sprightly, vinous flavor. Tree — vigorous and erect, with bright reddish- brown shoots, sprinkled with russet dots. Leaves — large and folded. The wood of yearling shoots usually shows prominent buds or spurs on the lower part.s the first season, and have a forked appearance by making a second growth, as the Beurre d'Arenv- berg and some others do. — Horticulturist. ORCHARD CTLnmE, The following report by Prof. North, of Hariiilton College, on the management of or- chards, read before the Oneida County Agricul- tural Society, we copy from the Country Gen- tleman : — " The first premium of $15, they award to Jonathan Talcott, of Rome, whose orchard contains SS.*) thrifty trees, most of which have already fniited. The largest of them were planted in 1849, and will now measure sixteen inches in girth. "The land on which Mr. Talcott's orchard is, is mostly a sandy or gravelly loam with a clayey subsoil. Previous to planting, it was plowed in back furrows, and the holes were dug along the ridge.?, thirty feet apart, three feet in witith, and eighteen inches deep. In each hole was put a large wheel-barrow load of com- post, made of stable-manure, lime, ashes and muck, under cover the year before. In plant- ing the trees, surface soil was placed about the roots. The orchard ground has been cultivated to hoed crops. Once a year the trees have been pruned, and washed with strong soap-suds, a woolen cloth being used for this purpose. This washing has given the stems a clean, healthy look, and has tended to keep away the ini5ects<. At the approach of win- ter the soil has been heaped up about a foot around the trees. This has kept away the mice. "In Mr. Tat.cott's collection, the Ribston Pippin fruited the first year after planting. This tree is a prolific bearer, and promises to be equal to the Bald- win and the Swaar. Among the varieties that fruited the second or third year, were the Jonathan, Early Harvest, Rhode Island Greening, Fall Orange. Hawle;/, Golden Su-eet, Ladies' Sweeting, Peck's Pleasant, Yello7i< Belljlower. "The second premium of $10, is awarded to MoKnis Case, whose orchard stands in'ur Washing- ton Milb, in the town of New llavford. During 32 TREK PLANTING — OKANBERRIES. the winter the snow has been t»odden down about the trees to keep the mice from gnawing off the bark. When planted, the trees were three years from tlie graftiiij;'. Some of them fruited in 18.">2. Tlio Bnld- torn, Greening and Roxbury Rusfel, were amuug the first to bear. The JVurtheni Spy and ISjiitzen- btirgh have not yet fruited. " The third premium of $5 is awarded to Alfred L. Wei.i.s. whri?e orchard of 210 trees, planted in 1849, stands near the Clinton Cotton Mills. Li win- ter the snow has been trodden down about the roots. The varieties first in bearing were the Greening, Baldwin and Roxbury Russet. The Spilxcnburgh and JVorthern Spy have not yet fruited. "It is to be wondered ever that the land-owners of Oneida are not more zealous in planting orchards. — Nature has given them a soil and a climate most pro- pitious for the raising of superior apples; inviting markets are near at hand, or are easily reached. — Ample inducements are held out in the direction of profit, of pleasantness, and of sentiment, yet many are still slow to enter into the full possession of their peculiar advantages as owners of Oneida soil. Who plants an apple tree in the soil of Oneida, makes a permanent investment that may be e.xpected to in- crease from year to year, until its original value is hundred-folded. Who plants an apple tree makes a prudent provision against life's rainy day.?, against loss of health, misfortune in business, old age. Who plants a tree, extracts something of bitterness from the original curse — it was a part of Adam's punish- ment to be e.xpelled from the society of cultivated trees. To sm-round one's self with them is to take some steps towards regaining the Paradise that was lost to man by his first transgression. " The planted fruit tree will be a faithful minister to its owner's profit, improvement, health and hapjii- ness. It will stand sentinel over his dwelling through winters of adversity, when summer friends have fled. While its master is sleeping, the tree will be growing. While he is traveling, the tree will stay at home and keep on growing. It will be industrious for him through all seasons, converting air, and earrth, and water, into shadow for his footsteps, perfume for his parlor, food for his table, fuel for his hearth, timber for his use. It will serve hini contentedly through its life, and nrinister to his wants when its life is ended. A tree has moral and social uses. It is an orthodox, wholesome preacher. It will discourse daily homilies on faith, hope, patience and good will to men, with a gentle eloquence that steals into the heart, making it more roomy and open, and fiUing all its chambers with sunshine. A tree sets an example of self-deny- ing benevolence. It embroiders its foliage and ripens its fruit by tedious processes; then gives them all away, dropping its last leaf to keep warm the tender plant that has taken root in its shade." Save your fruit seeds; and let it bo known that you have them on hand. You can easily dispose of them. A BAD man has no more common way of keeping at peace with himself, than that of ascribing to others similar or even greater faults than his own. TREE PLANTING. We notice among the munificent beques' Elliot Ckesson, a legacy of $.5,000 to be empl in planting trees in Philadelphia. There is ; thing touching in this gift. It is fragrant of taste and friendly feeling. It seems to express ; tude for the comforting shade of some old tree i which the weary philanthropist had meditatei schemes of usefulness; and of considerate int for the health and pleasure of future genera who are to people the city of his birth. And ■ monuments of marble and of bronze shall crui the broad arms of the elm and the oak shall : out against the sky as the befitting memento o liberahty and the last of the tree-loving Phii phian. Every one should plant trees. No object is beautiful than a spreading elm, or a lively everg none more productive than the apple or the lus^ pear. Half the labor bestowed on a single en potatoes would originate an orchard, the proi of which in a few years would be equal in valu nually to the potato crop, jet with but little 1 beyond the harvesting. A fortnight's toil in spring or autumn in transplating choice fruit tre the road side, or tastefully grouping them oi lawn, will ultimately add more to the value o place than twice tlie time employed in buildii fencing. For their own comfort, for the sak their descendents, for the taste and improvemei the country, plant trees — let every body plant That bald, naked church, tasteless, treeless! will have compassion on the worshippers, am round it with trees? That district school house, and unsightly; who will interest the boys in pla and protecting slirubs and trees that it will mt an attractive and beautiful spot? Those verdui villages, with their houses thurst upon the stre- who will distribute honey-suckles, and Vir creepers and prarie roses, that they may be tu into civihzed habitations? There is a softening, humanizing influence in h culture and tree-planting, that we could wish more general. There is too much danger ol gross and sensual and selfish in our national ch; ter; and while our reliance must be on religious educational influences to correct this tendency believe that good and only good would come of love for trees and flowers, and the cultivatioi both. It may be blessed in leading the heart u the love of the Rose of Sharon and the garde; God. — Jlmericaii Messenger. Cranbhrkies. — The Minnesota papers ace. for the scarcity and high price of this fruit by absence of the Indians who usually pick thei Most of the tribe supplying St. Paul and that v ity have been removed, hence a falling off in I trade. One Indian, it is said, will pick more bei than half a dozen white men, and he will go int morass after them where it would be impossibl get a pale face. The current rate in this mark .'^12 per barrel, or $4 per bushel. — St. Louis I, ligencer. THOUGHTS AND PEELINGS — CURRANT JELLT, &o. the trials and perplexities incident to every vo- n in life, how much do we not owe to the in- ce of woman! Eden was not complete without as a companion to the head gardener, Adam, — as it has been, so it always will be. The care proper mental and moral training of children, if dared in its ultimate influence on community and world, is her noblest employment Napoleon, 1 Louis N.), when asked by Madame De Stael the children of France most needed, answered, lEKs. Often, as we have seen the little child sed by its mother, giving the kiss, " good night," meeling at his tiny couch to repeat the hallowed 3r — " Our Father who art in Heaven," how our , yearned for some token of remembrance of her left us to another's care in early youth! wanderings far away from the paternal home, 1 other scenes and customs have nearly effaced iipressious of childhood, yet a mother's love and a lor's yearning tenderness are not forgotten. How ! who have tasted of forbidden pleasures — who wandered far from the paths of rectitude and e — have felt a mother's parting blessing hovering nd them, and calling them with a still small voice pentance and peace! Seed planted by a moth- ove, and watered, it may be, by a mother's tears, gh buried long in dust, and hidden from the d, will one day yield its precious harvest. 'ithout entering upon the question of woman's ts— either for or against — we may say the mother es the man. Show us an intelligent, high-minded, cientious woman as a mother, and it is a reversal he universal law of cause and elTect, if the im- s of her teachings is not stamped deeply on the thful minds entrusted to her charge. Without lag ia the wrangles of the court room, or address- a congregation from the pulpit, it is her high ■ilege on matters of feeling and impulse to reach hiavt. She can persuade where reason fails to 0 obedience, even when the pride of youth spurns idea of woman's government. How important, II, to tit her for the taslc, and develop to the ut- st every faculty of the soul. l,AmKs,who have heretofore perused the columns the Farmer, we design to have a corner in your lecial charge. "Will you kindly occupy its pages arselvcs, in communicating the results of your ob- servations, practice and e.'cperience? Articles adapt- ed to the great object of fitting your daughters and yoiu^elves for the duties of life, will always be wel- come to our columns. [For the Genesee Farmer.] CURRANT JEIiY, AS MADE BY THE LONDON CONFEOTIONERS. As much waste of sugar is prevented by adopting the following method of preparing red or black cur- rant jelly, I think it may prove a valuable addition to the housewife's knowledge. The recipe was com- municated to me last summer by my sister, Mifs J. M. Strickland. She says: — Last year I made my currant and raspbeny jelly after a recipe furnished by a confectioner. I placed my currants, stripped from the stalk, in a stone jar, and placed the jar in a water bath till the fruit was soft. I then run off the juice through a hair seive. I made the juice boil for a few minutes. I rolled good loaf sugar very fine (allow- ing the usual quantity of a pound of sugar to a pint of juice). My sugar was then placed in the oven in a tin plate till it was hot but not melted — poured the currant juice boiling hot into a jug, stirred in the rolled and heated sugar, stirring carefully till it was thoroughly melted. I put the jelly, when cooled, in- to glasses and jars — thjck glass vessels are best for jelly — and when cooled, fastened down with oiled pa- per, ha^-ing first laid fair paper soaked in brandy or rum over the jelly, to prevent mold. In this process, the jellying commences slowly from the bottom, and continues till the whole mass is solidified. I succeeded so well, that in future I shall make all my preserves in the same way — only the jams will, I think, require longer boiling in the water bath. The color of the fruit is much superior to that boiled in the usual way. I recommend you to try my plan. Will any of the lady readers of the Genesee Far- mer try the above method of making currant jelly ? Oaklands, Rice Lake, C. W. C. P. T. Economy in the Kitchen. — Never waste any- thing, but have places and purposes for all articles in your keeping. Habits of economy are easily ac- quired, and the cookniaid would do well to consider how much more valuable she must be to her employ- ers, and how much more she will be respected, if she be careful, and make the most of the property that is intrusted to her charge, than if she uses it wastc- fuUy. ^__ With love, the heart becomes a fair and fertile o-ardon, glowing with sunshine and warm hues, and exhaling" swoi't odors; but without it, it is a bleak desert covered with ashea 34 EDITOR'S TABLE. To OUR Patrons ant> Rkadf.rs. — Our present number is before you. Of its contents you can judge by perusal. We have but few promises to make as to what we shall do in future numbers, but can only say that our most un- wearied exertions shall not be wanting to make the Gene- see Farmer an indispensable companion to every tiller of the soil, whether he cultivates much or little land. We have no agents except those whose interest in the diffusion of sound, practical knowledge prompts to exertions in our behalf ; and to them we tender our sincere thanks for past favors, and hope for a continuance of the same. M^e are promised the assistance of able correspondents on various topics connected with agriculture and its kindred branches, and shall strive to furnish our readers with matter which shall have a permanent and lasting value. Will each one of our friends show this to his neighbors and acquaintances, and aid as far as consistent in extending our circulation ? We shall try to give " value received " for every subscrip- tion, in tlie information presented in our columns ; and to all our friends, old and new, we cordially wish a Uapi'y New Year. The Progress of Aoricui.turai. Literature. — Many years since, the publication of the Genesee Farmer was commenced in this city by the present pro- prietor of the Albany Cultivator. At that time there were but three or four agricultural papers in the Union. Newspapers of the day paid no attention to the interests of the soil, and it was very rare to see any articles relating to agriculture in their columns. The great mass of the cultivators of the earth were not awake to their own best interests, and neglected to inform themselves on matters pertaining to their vocation. Now the case is widely dif- ferent. There is hardly a State but what has its periodi- cal devoted to agriculture; and with each accession to the number of agricultural journals, the number of readers increases in equal ratio. To show the interest at present manifested in agriculture and its kindred arts, we give a brief summary of the monthly journals now published in different sections of the Union and the Canadas, and also notice a few of the weekly publications. New England Farmer : Devoted to Agriculture and its Kindred Arts and Sciences. Simon Brown, Editor ; Fred- erick Holbrook and Henry F. French, Associates. Boston : Reynolds Si Nourse, Publishers. Monthly, 48 pp. $1. The Cultivator : A Monthly Journal of Agriculture, Horticulture and Domestic Economy. Luther Tucker, J. J. Thomas and Jos. Warren, Editors. Albany: Luther Tucker, Publisher. 32 pp. 50 cts. Working Farmer; Devoted to the Interests of Agricul- ture. Horticulture, Floriculture, Gardening, &c. Prof. J. J. Mapes, Editor. New York : F. McCready, Publisher. Monthly, 24 pp. $1. Wool Grower and Stock Register : Primarily devoted to the Interests engaged in Wool Growing and Stock Hus- bandry. T. C. Peters and Jos. Harris. Editors. Roches- ter, N. Y. : D. D. T. Moore, Publisher. Monthly, 32 pp. 60 cts. The American Farmer. Baltimore : Samuel Sands, Publisher. Monthly, 32 pp. $1. Gi Pennsylvania Farm Journal : Devoted to Agricul Horticulture and Rural Economv. J. L. Darlington A. M. Sjiangler, Editors. West Chester, Pa. : Bo Meredith jt Co., Publishers. Monthly, 32 pp. SI. The Southern Planter : Devoted to Agriculture ant Household Arts. Frank (1. Ruffin, Editor. Richni Va.: P. D. Bernhard. Montlily, 32 pp. $1. F.irmer's Journal. J. F. Tompkins. Editor. Rali N. C: W. D. Cooke & Co., Publishers. Monthl) pp. SI. Southern Cultivator : Devoted exclusively to the proveraent of Southern Agriculture. Daniel Lee, M and D. Redmond, Editors. Augusta, Ga. : Wm. S. J( Publisher. iMonthly, 32 pp. |1. Soil of the South : Devoted to Southern Agriculture Horticulture. James M. Chambers, Agricultural Edi Cliarles A. Peabody, Horticultural" Editor. Coluni Ga. : Lomax & Ellis, Publishers. Slonthly, .32 ]ip. < The Connecticut Valley Earmer : A Monthly Jou of Agriculture. Horticulture and Rural Economy. J Nash, Editor. Springfield, Mass. : S. Bowles & Co., I lishers. Monthly. 50 cts. The American Cotton Planter : A Monthly Journal voted to Improved Plantation Economy, Manufactu and tlie Mechanic Arts. N. B. Cloud, M. D., Edi Montgomery, Ala.: Address Editor, at Lockwood, i 32 pp. $1. Michigan Farmer. R. F. Johnstone, Editor ; Wat' Isham and S. B. Noble. Associates. Detroit, Mi( Johnstone & Duncklee, Publishers. Monthly, 32 pp. [On account of the death of Mr. Fox, the Farmer's C< panion will be united with the Michigan Farmer after date.] The Prairie Farmer : Devoted to Western Agricult Horticulture, Mechanics and Education. J. Ambi Wight and J. A. Kennicott, Proprietors. Monthly, pp. $1. Wisconsin Farmer : Devoted to North-western Agri< ture, iic. Mark Miller and S. P. Lathrop, Editors. Jai ville. Wis. : Miller & Lathrop, Publishers. Monthly, pp. $1. The Iowa Farmer and Horticulturist. Jas. W. Grii and J. F. Tallant, Editors. Burlington, Iowa : •' T( graph Printing Co.," Publishers. Monthly, 24 pp. $ The Valley Farmer: Adapted to the Wants of the J sissippi Valley. Ephraim Abbott, Editor. St. Lot Woodward & Abbott, Publishers. Monthly, 32 pp. j The Plow, the Loom, and the Anvil : Devoted to S entific and Practical Agriculture, Manufactures, Mechan New Inventions, a sound Protective Policy, &c. N York : Jlyron Finch, Publisher. Monthly, 04 pp. $3. The Canadian Agriculturist, and Journal of Tranw tions of the Board of Agriculture, &c. G. Bucklai Editor. Toronto : Wm. McDougall, Proprietor. Month 32 pp. $1. The Magazine of Horticulture, &c. C. M. Hovey, E' tor. Boston, Alass. : Hovey & Co., Publishers. Month 23 pp. $2. The Horticulturist. Patrick Barry, Editor. Rochest' N. Y.: James Vick, Jr.. Publisher and Proprietor. Month 48 pp. $2 ; Colored Edition, $5. Ohio Cultivator: Devoted to Agriculture, HorticuHo] and Domestic and Riu'al Economy. M. B. Bateham a, S. B. Harris, Editors. Columbus, O. : Bateham &, Harr Editors. Semi-monthly, 16 pp. $1. The Farm and Shop : Devoted to Agriculture, Hortict ture, Manufactures, General News, &c. O. F. Mayhe and J. B. Dillon. Editors. Indianapolis, Ind. : Mayhe & Fahnstock, Publishers. Semi-monthly, IG pp. $1. Indiana Farmer. D. P. Holloway. W. T. Dennis an R. T. Reed, Editors. Richmond, Ind.: Holloway & C< Publishers. Semi-monthly, 16 pp. $1. EDITOR'S TABLE. 85 tj, [aine Farmer: Devoted to AgT«cnlture, Mechanic Arta ; General Intelligence. Ezekiel Holmes, Editor. Au- J a, Ga. : Kussell Eaton, Publisher. AVeekly. $1.75. ranite Farmer and Visitor : Devoted to Agriculture, iculture. Manufactwea, the Mechanic Arts, Literature General Intelligence. C. E. Potter and Levi Bart- Editors. Manchester, N. II. : J. U. Potter & Co., prietors. "Weekly. $1.50. he Massachusetts Ploughman : For Farmers and Me- lios. Wm. Buckminster, Editor. Boston: W. & W. luokminster, Publishers. Weekly. |3. he Boston Cultivator. Jas. Pedder and Sanford How- Editors of the Agricultural Department. Boston, s.: O. Brewer, Publisher and Proprietor. Weekly. $3. he Practical Farmer: A Weekly Home Journal of tical Agriculture and Horticulture, Mechanic's Litera- News, &c. Wm. 8. King, Editor ; Prof. J. J. Mapes L. Bartlett, Associates. Boston : W^m. S. King & Co., Ushers. $3. iilturist and Gazette. Stephen Reed, A. M., Editor. field, Muss. : Reed, Hull &; Pieraoa, Publishers. kly. SI. ne Country Gentleman. J. J. Thomas and H. F. ren. Editors. Albany, N. Y, : Luther Tucker, Pub- r and Proprietop. Weekly. $2. oore's Rural New Yorker. Joseph Harris and Ed- 1 Webster. Editors. Rochester. N. Y. : D. D. T. re, Publisher and Proprietor. Weekly, $2. *e American Agriculturist: Designed to Improve the ner, the Planter and the Gardener. A. B. Allen and ige Judd, A. M., Editors. New York: Allen & Co., I Ifcshers. Weekly. $2. le Ohio Farmer and Mechanic's Assistant. Thomas ,vn. Editor. Cleveland, O. : Thomas Prown, Proprie- Weeldy. $2. ormantown Ttlegraph : A Family and an Agricultural cr. P. R. Freas, Editor. Philadelphia : P. R. Freas o., Publishers. Weekly. £3. HE Power of different Soils to retain Water. it n experiment which any one- may try for himself, will V much plainer than words the relative power pos- ed by different kinds of sails to retain water and ita :)lved contents. Put on a paper filter (strainer) half an :e of dry pulverized clay, and on another half an ounce and. Pour water over each, and weigh them as soon le filtration h-as ceased. The clay will weigh three- iths of an ounce, and the sand only one-eighth of an ce, more than before. With very coarse sand, the in- ise in weight will be still less. Clay is insoluble in er, but, Bponge-like, it can retain a large quantity of it. ice the importance of underdrainiog cold, wet soils, in er to render them warmer and dryer, .gain : expose an ounce of thoroughly dried clay to the for some weeks, when it will be found to have gained veight. This increase in weight results from the ab- ptton of water, carbonic acid and ammonia. The smell 1 convince you of the presence of ammonia. Or more ■sfactory still, mix it thoroughly with quick lime and a ' drops of water, when the smell of ammonia {or harts- ■n) will be distinctly perceived. By this experiment is n the utility of exposing clayey soils to the action of frosts of winter, by throwing it up in ridges and letting emain till spring; but the full benefit of that, or any er mode of tillage and pulverizalion, cannot be realized Lhout svstematic and efficient drainage. Pulverization of Soils. — A writer in the Lojidon Agricultural Gazette says that "you may talk to a boy by the hour on the advantage of stirring the soil and of deep cultivation, inasmuch as it admits the air more perfectly throughout the substance of the soil, and thereby facili- tates the chemical processes by which the soil and its con- tents are fitted as the food of plants ; but no quantity of verbal instruction will equal in its force, either upon the nnderatanding or memory, the lesson on that subject which that same boy would receive, if, after having dug a hole in the hardened ground, he were told to put into it again all the earth he had just taken out of it. The heap remaiinng over, which he could not return to its place, would repre- sent more distinctly to him the bulk of additional air thus introduced into the soil by its drsturbance, than any argu- ment unsupported by this simple experiment could do." Sheep from Vermont to Virginia. — The Frederick (Md.) Examiner states that a flock of 1800 sheep were driven past its ofiico on their way from Vermont to Fau- quier county, Va. From the fact that several other large flocks have recently been driven to Fauquier county, the conclusion is that the formers of that region are entering largely into the wool business. And we would add that in no other way can they improve their lands and reftlixe a fair profit, than by attention to sheep and wool-growing. Nearly one-third of the wool iLsed by our manufacturers is imix)rt,ed from foreign countries ; and the money thus paid out, if kept at home, would add largely to our own ability to purchase as well as consume. Old Horses. — At the New Hampshire State Fair, Gen. W. P. RiPDLE, of Manchester, entered the lists with a pair of white horses, one of which was twenty-six and the other twenty-eight years old. The way in which these old chaps came to the right about face at the end of the fur- rows without long rein or driver, evidently showed that they had been well drilled under the discipline of the General during the past quarter of a century, as they finished their task in nineteen minutes, with Doe's No. 6 plow, with a sharp-edged revolving cutter. The managers of the Salisbnry Iron Works say that from an experience of sixty years, they had ascertained tlie most profitable period for cutting timber for fuel was to cut once in about sixteen years, when every thing was removed of a proper size, and the wood left entirely to itself for renewed growth. A COMI'ANY of capitalists have purchased thirty thou- sand acres of land in Atlantic county. New Jersey, to bo divided into shares ef twenty acre farms. The land is situated upon the Camden and Atlantic Railroad. It is said that the prcyect has been received with so much favor that but a moiety of shares remained unsold. We can furnish bound copies of the Genesee Farmer for 1854 by the first of January, 1855. Those who wish them should send in their orders at once. 3S EDITORS TABLE. We hare bceij favored with a copy of an address de- livered before the Montgomery County Agricultural So- ciety, Md., at its annual exhibition, by Chauncey P. HoLCOMB, Esq. It is one of the best that has fallen under our notice, and abounds in useful hints and details of practice. OuB thanks are due Hon. Kenneth Rayner for a copy of his able and interesting address before the North Caro- lina State Agricultural Society, at their Second Annual Fair, extracts from which we have marked for future pub- lication. "We would refer applicants for orange watermelon seeds to Mr. Brigg's advertisement in the present number. From trial we know that its quahty and flavor can hardly be excelled. Correspondents are requested to be particular in writing plainly the name, post-office, county and state of subscribers. We are gratified to announce to our readers a Cathar- tic Pij;.L, (of which see advertisement in our colums,) from that justly celebrated Physioian and Chemist, Dr. J. C. Ayer. His Cherry Pectorial, everywhere known as the best remedy ever ofifered to the Public for Coughs, iStc, has prepared them to expect that any thing from his la- boratory would be worthy of attention. As no medicine IS more universally taken than a Physical Pill, the public will be glad to know of one from such a trustworthy source. We happen to know, and Can assure them that this article has intrinsic merits, fully equal to any com- pound that has ever issued from his Crucibles, and conse- quently is well worthy of a trial w henever such a medicine becomes necessary. — Rachie Com. Adv. Notitts o£ Ntio Books, ^triobitaU, ^c. Transactioxs of the Nrw Hampshire State Agkici'ltural So- ciety FOR TUE Year 1853. Compiled by Jas. Adams, Sec'y. The above document, for which we are indebted to the Secretary, is one of the most valuable compilations that has come under our notice during the past year. In size, form and general arrangement it is admirably got up. and is a credit to tlie Granite State. The EniNBURGU Review for Octotier, 1854. For sale by D. M. DewkTj No. 4 Arcade Hall, Rochester. This number contains a series of articles on various topics, a knowledge of which is very desirable to all who would keep pace with the times. We have often com- mended the above, and we find it to maintain its time- honored reputation. The above contains a very interesting statistical article, entitled " The Commissariat." From reliable data fur- nished from different sources, the amount of produce re- quired to supply the population of London for one year seems almost incredible, yet the data furnished challenge one's belief and credence. Rat Proof Cellars.— A.-: au answer to your correspondpD S.," of Pun-y," say to him and others whom it may mnrern it is not as necessary to remove the house as it is in the ca^i nuisance about a barn. His house wall probably is what is t- a "dry wall." If bo, chink it well with atone and morUr; (if the cellar bottom is hard and diy, though not too dry), s- a moi-tar composed of one busbt! of finely-ground water lim two bushels of coarse, graj clean sand, well mixed before we one inch thick and three feet in width, around and next t wall, and it will probably stop them ; if not, cover the who), torn, aod that will certain. If the cellar is too wet, it sliou drained. No one need be troubled with these vermin in if he will follow the above directions. Onoxdaca. ADVERTISEMENTS, To secure insertion in the Farmer, must be received a-s early ; 10th of the previoua month, and be of such a character as of interest to fermers. Terms — Two Dollars for every hui words, each insertion, paid ix apva-Xcb. ALLEirS FATENT MOWER. THE MOST PERFECT MACHINE YET INVENTED. THIS MACHINE was patented hi 1852, and has been used large number of intelligenl farmers for tn-o fleasons ; ai superior has it proved itself over all others, that it is now gr preferred wherever known. This superiority consists 1st. In perfectly cutting any Idnd of grass, whether fine or cc lodged or standing, and salt meadows as well as upland. 2d. Owing to the form of the knife and its rasp patent, it it clog even in the finest grass. 3d. The gearing being hung on horizontal shafts and justlj, anced, enables the mower to run peifectly true in a btraigl curved line, and with one-third less draught than any othe made. It also runs with much less noise, and with no Jerking tion, io consequence of the knife being operated by a wheel in' of a crank. The knife can be taken off or put on in a nior without the necessity of passing it through the arms of the dri wheel. This is a very great convenience, and obviates a se objection to Mowing Machines. 4th. The superior gearing enables the knife to play with suEB rapidity to do its work well, at a speed of not over two and a to three miles per hour. Most other Mowers require tlie tea- walk at the rate of four miles per hour, which is very distrei' to the horses. 5th. A smaller wheel Is attached to this Mower, by a spring whi:h runs parallel with the driving-wheel. ThLs enables the chine, when thrown out of gear, to be driven over the fiel along the road as readily as if hung on a pair of wagon-wheel 6th. A reaping-board can be attached when required, thus kinij it a Reaper or Mower, as desired. 7th. This Mower is made in the most peifoct manner, ar guaranteed to give satisfaction. R. L. ALLEN, 1S9 and 191 'Water st.. New Yor £^° Agents are Solicited to Sell the above Machine. „ January 1, 18.d5. — It HOME PEOTECnON.: TEMPEST INSURANCE COMPAN CAPITAL, $250,000. Organized December 24, 1S52— Chartered March 1, 1853. HOMES ONLY INSURED BY THIS COMPAI No one Risk taken for more than $300^ Home Office, Meridian, N. Y. Mr»iy distinguished persons have insured their homes to ADVERTISEMENTS. 37 geneSee valley nurseries. A. FROST & 00., ROOHESTBR, N. Y., SOLICIT the attention of amiitem-s. orchardists, nurserymen, and otheis about to pliint, to their extensive stock of well-grown Fruit ami Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Roses, &c. &c. The Xm-series are now very extensive, and embrace one of the largest and tinest collections in the country, and their stock is far superior to any that they have before olTered. It is partly com- priaed in the following : Standard lYuit Trees. — Apple trees, eighty varieties ; Pear trees, le hundred varieties; Cherry trees, sixty varieties; Plum trees, rty varieties; Peach trees, thirty varieties; Nectarine, six varie- ties"; Apricot, six varieties; and other kinds, comprising every sort of moiit. Dirarf and Pyramid Fruit Trees, of every description, for culti- itioD in orchards and gardens, have received particular attention. They embrace the following kinds, and comprise nearly the same nuiniicr of sorts as are grown for standards : Pears upon tlie best European Quince stocks. Applti upon Paradise and Doucain stocks. Cherries upon Cerasus Mahaleb stocks. Small Fruits, oa Currants, eighteen varieties ; Gooseherries, sixty uicties; Grapes, Native and Foreign, twenty-five varieties ; Rasp- berries, sis varieties; Strawberries, twenty varieties; and other lis-'ellnneous fiuits, as well as esculent roots, in variety. Deciduous and Erergreen Trees, for lawn.s, parks, streets, &c. Ercr^reen and Decuiuous Shnibs, in great vaiiety, including four humtifd sorts of Roses. Hedge P/a«/«— Buckthorn, Oaage Orange and Privet; and for ■reens and avenues, American Arbor Vitai (White Cedar), Nor- ay Spruce, &c. Herbaceous Plants.— \ very select and extensive assortment. Green-kousc and Bedding Plants, of every description. All articles are put up in the most superior manner, so that plants, &c., may be sent thousands of miles and reach their destination in perfect safety. Parties giving their orders may rely on receiving the best and lost prompt attention, bo that perfect satisfaction may be given the purchaser. The following descriy\tive Catalogues, containing prices, are pub- lished for gratuitous distribution, and will be mailed upon every application; but correspondents are expected to enclose a one cent postage 8t:>mp for each Catalogue wanted, as it is necessary that the postage should be prepaid : No. 1. Descriptive CataJogue of Fruits for 1854-5. No. 2. Descriptive Catalogue of Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Roses, &c. &c., for 1854-5. No. 3. Wholesale Catalogue or Trade List, just published for the fell of 1854 and spring of 1855, comprising Fruits, Evergreens, De- ciduous Trees, ^c. kc, which are offered in large quantities. October 1, 1854.— tf CATALOGUE OF RARE AKD VALUABLE SEEDS. RAISKD AND PUT UP BY I. W.. BRIGGS, MACEDON, WATNE COUNTY, N. Y. Orange Watermelon, from China, per paper, . 25 cents. Ice Cream, or White Sugar do., of Alabama, 25 Citron Nutmeg Muskmelon, '. 12K The Celebrated Japan Pea, 12^ California Muskmelon, _ 12|i Watermelons — Mountain Sprout, Mountain Sweet, Meii- Ciin and Sandwich Island, 2 varieties each, 06 Squa-shes — TVinter — Sweet Potato, Vegetable Marrow and Polk; Summer — Apple, Crookneck and Scallop, 06 ■Mammoth Red and Grape Tomatoes, each, 06 White Vegetable Egg — looks like an egg, 06 Double Sunflower— the "Floral King," _ 06 Victoria Rhubarb — the best pie plant, 06 Flat Dutch Cabbage— the best winter, 06 Pop Corn {3 varieties), Adams' Early {a 6eld corn), very early Sweet Corn, and late, large do., each, 06 Poland Oats, per bushel of 40 pounds, $1.00 Mexican Wild Potatoes, per bushel, 1.00 Ct^ Seeds sent by mail, free of postage. Oats and Potatoes Bhipped as directed by railroad or canal. Address, post-paid, with monev enclosed, I. W. BRIGG, Countv Line Farm, Dec. 1, 1854.— tf West Macedon, Wayne Co., N. T. CUTTER RIGHTS FOR SALE WE will test our Hay, Stalk and Straw Cutter, patented Novem- ber 8th, 1853, for speed, ease and durability, against any other in the United States. J. JONES & A. LYLE. ^^^ For further information, address JONES & LYLE, Roch- Bsier, N. Y. February 1, 1854.— tf MERINO SHEEP. '" THE subscriber will sell a few Spanish Merino Sheep — bucks and ewes — of undoubted purity of blood. He will also dispose of 1 part of his stock of imported French Merinos. Gentlemen purrhving from this flock can have the sheep for- j warded to the principal Western towns at my risk. Sept. 1, 1854— tf R. J. JONES, Cornwall Vt. THREE VALUABLE AND HIGHLY CULTIVATED EAR SIS FOR SALE. THE subscriber offerfl at private sale three most desira.e Farms, situate in the vicinity of Newark. Licking county, Ohio, to wit : 1st. His CHERRY VALLEY FARM, on the old Columbus road, two miles west of Newark, containing two hundred acres, one hun- dred and foity of which are cleared. On this farm are two large young orchard.s, two large new frame houses, a smoke-house, barn, new stable for fifty horses, sheds, chicken-houses, hog-pens, &c., a large garden handsomely fenced in, and indeed every convenience and even luxury that can be desirable on a farm. Tbis farn- is in the highest state of cultivation, no labor or expense having oeen spared to render it a model farm in this, as in all other particulaJ s. 2d. His RICHLAND FARM, also known as the Taylor or Ful- lerton Farm, situate on the road to Hebron and also on the Ohio Canal, two miles from Newark, and containing 139 acres (UiO nf which are cleared). There is a good log house and stable on this farm which is In a high state of cultivation, and cannot be sur- passed for fertility. 3d. His ENGLISH FARM, situated on Ramp Creek, on one of the roads to Hebron, four miles from Newark, and containing 133 acres, about 80 of which are cleared. On this farm are two .'^mall old frame liouses, a laige frame barn, a new saw-mill, and covu- cracker and crusher. This farm is also in a highly cultivated stale. Also, a number of OUT LOTS, of every size, for sale. Persons desirous of purchasing a good farm, in admirable order, will find it to their advantage to call on the subscriber at liis house in Newark, Ohio, where he can be seen at all times. Time will be given to the purchaser if desired, and posa<\ssion on the first dav of April, 1855. N. B. HOGG, January 1, 1855— 3t Newark, Ohio. AGRICULTURAL & HORTICULTORAL IMPLEMENTS. MORE than ONE HrNDRED dilTi^rent kinds of Plow-s Hud a large assortmen* of other Implenunts, for the Farm. I'lanti- tion and Garden. R. L. AI.LEN, January ], 1855.— It 1S9 and 191 Wate ■ st., Ntw York SEEDS FOR THE FARM AND GARDEN \ FULL assortment of all kinds cultivated in the United States, CX fresh and pure. ' R. L. ALLEN, January 1, 1855.— It 189 and 191 Water St., New York. FERTILIZERS. PERUVIAN GUANO, Superphosphate of Lime, Bone Dust, Pou- drette, Plaster of Paris, &c. :R. L. ALLEN, January 1, 1855.— It 189 and 191 Water at.. New York. THE SCIENCE OF NATURE. A NEW SCHOOL BOOK, ENTITLED FIRST LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY AND GEOLOGY, As Applied to Agriculture. BY J. EMERSON KENT, A. M., II. D. ANEW school book — the first American work ever issued rifl the first book, or "First Lessons in Chemistry and Geology, as applied to Agriculture," designed as the first step for the young, to be used in all our common schools, is now submitted to the educational public. Some indeed protest against the introduction of all modern improvements in making the earth productive ; still the great agricultural interests of our nation depend upon a rising generation of practical farmers, who will till the soil as much by a comprehensive knowledge of the laws of chemistry, as by the sweat of the brow. The subject of agricultural chemistry cannot but soon commend itself to the world as the most important of all studies, and, in fact, the wealth of thig country would be doubled within one year were all that saved which is now h st by stupid, bungling agriculture. A volume of recommendations could be given to the public, but it School Committees and Teachers will be furnished with a copy, gratia, for examination, by mail, post-paid, on application to iho undersigned. Price 25 cents. DAYTON & WENTWORTH, Publishers, 86 Washington street, Boston. Mass. Also, for sale in quantities at F. Cowperthwait & Co., Philadel phia; Cady & Burgess, New York; Phinnv & Co., Buffalo, N. Y.; Darrow >'^ Brother, Rochester, N. Y. ; William Wilson, Poughkeep- sie, N. Y.; H. M. Rulison, Cincinnati, 0.; and by all other book- sellers in the United States. N. B. — A few men of the right ability are wanted to travel through every State in the Union, and introduce this work into Bchoolfi. A liberal commission will be paid Gentlemen who travel for health or recreation will find this occupation a lucrative and agreeable employment. Address as above. Not. 1, 1854.— 6t 38 ADTERTISEMENT3. T PilOSPBCTUS FOR 1855. Tin: SATURDAY^EVENING POST, KsTAHLisiiitu Arni'sT 4Tir, 1S21. WRRKI.Y EDITION BETWEEN 80,000 AND 90,000. I?. l.'P" period of over thirty thrke ykars, during which t„.. ,<\Ti;i;r)AY EVENINC; tost hu« been establisheci, and ii. ii.iiii.Mise ciicul;ilinn, are guarantees to all who may V :i . .1 ili:H they wUJ rei-cive a full return for their money. Ill,: Hi f! Nil ;ilH ao tar fur the eoming year are such ae we trust » ■.:. ' .■ .:.■: i,,a worthy of ths high reputation of the Post. PU.'Sl- TIVK .VlLU.l.NCESIENTS already have been made for contribu- tion.* fioin the gifted pens of Mrs. SOUIHWORTH, GRACE GREENWOOD, JIrs, DENISON, llAKV IKVINO, Mrs. CARLEN, FANNY FERN, And A NEW CONTRIBUTOR (whose name by request is withheld). In the first paper of January next we design commencing the following Novelet: Six Weeks of CourtBbip. By Mrs. E.MII.IE F. CARLEN, Author of "One Year of Wed- lock," ice. A:c. We propose following this with an Original Novelet — designed to illuslratc, incidentally, the great EVILS OF INTEMPERANCE — entitled The Falls of the Wyalusing. Stj a New and Distinffuished Coniributor. We have also made arrangements [or TWO STORIES, to he en- titled The Oneida Sisters, The Nabob's Witt By GRACE GREENWOOD, Author of "Greenwood Leaves," " Haps and Mishaps,- &C. Also, Uie following additional coiittibutiong : New Series of Sketches, By FANNY FERN, Author of " Fern Leaves," tc Mark, the Sexton, A Novelet, by Mk9. DENLSON, Author of "The Step-Mother," • Home I'ictun ' &c. Nancy Selwyn, or the Cloud with a Silver Lining, A Novelet, by MARY IRVING. And last, hut by no means le.i.st— from the facinating and powor- r>il pen of the Post's own exclusive contributor — VIVIA, a Story of Life's Mystery. BjMks. EMMA D. E. N. SOUTH WORTH, Author of " Miriam," " The Lost Heiress," &c. &c. &c In addition to the above proud array of contributions, we shall endeavor to keep up our usual vanety of ORIGINAL SKETCHES AND LETTERS, PICTURES OF LIFE in our own and Foreign Lands CHOICE SELECTIONS from all sources, AGRICULTURAL ARTICLES, GENERAL NEWS, HUMOROUS ANECDOTES, View of the PRODUCE AND STOCK MARKETS, BANK NOTE LIST, EDITORIALS, &c. &c.,— our object being to give a Complete Re- cord, a.s far as our limits will admit, of the Great World. ENGRAVINGS.— In the way of Engravings we generally present at least two weekly — one of an instructive and the other of a hu- merous character. The Postage on the Post to any part of the United States, paid quarterly or yearly in advance, at the office wher« it ia received, is only 26 cents a year. TERMS. The terms of the POST are Two Dollars a year, payable in ad- vance. For Five Dollars, in advance^ one copy is sent three ye.ars. We continue the following low terms for Clubs, to be sent, in the city, to one address, and, in the country, to one Post Office : 4 Copies, - $5.00 per annum. 8 " and one to the getter up of the Club, 10.00 " 13 '■ and one to the getter up of the Club, 16.00 " 20 " and one to the getter up of the Club, 20.00 " The money for dubs alwavs must be sent in advance. Subscrip- tions may be sent at our risk. When the sum is large, a draft should be procured, if possible— the cost of which may he deducted from the amount. Address, alteaya post-paid, DEACON & PETERSON, No. 66 South Third Street, Philadelphia. B^" N. B.— Jny ptrion desirous of receirinff a copy of the POST, at a sample, can be accommodated by notifying tht puHieh- ora by tetter (post-paid). ty- TO EDITORS.— Editors who give the above one insertion, or condense the material portions of it (the notices of new con- tributions and our terms) for then- editorial columns, shall be en- tliled *B an exchange, by sending us a marked copy of the paper containing the advevtisement or notice. i^" Compliraentarv notices omitted for want of room. December 1, 1854.— 2t GODEY'S LADY'S BOOK FOR 1S55. The only Lady's Book aetnowledged by Uie L.adie8 of this count- as wortJiy of its mune. Principle Points of Attraction for 1855. It contains 100 pages of reading in every month's number- beginning with a large number of pages in January, and decrea/)il throughout the year. BEAUrmiL STEEL PLATES. LINE OR MEZZOTINT, in every number. GODEY'S RELIABLE STEEL FASHION FLATES (COLOREl In every number — the only Fashion Plates that arc considered authority. KNITTING, NETTING AND EMBROIDERING— printed in coIo E.tSY LESSONS IN DRAWING are given monthly. MUSIC— two pages monthly. GODEY'S INVALUABLE RECEIPTS, worth alone THREE Di lars a year— for Cooking, the Toilet, Sick Room, Nursery, ai Miscellaneous House- keeping Receipts. DIAGRAMS AND PLANS— with full du-ections for Ladies to c their own Dresses. PATTERNS FOR CHILDREN'S DRESSES— both Male and F EMBROIDERY ANT) BBOffiERIE ANGLAISE PATTERNS- every month — a great variety. THE NURSERY.— This Department is invaluable to every Mothi MODEL COTTAGES. Great attention paid to this Department. A TRE.WISE ON THE HAJR. A most excellent article for the preservation and beautifying of tl most valuable ornament to both sexes. Undoubted Receipts, Model Cottages, Model Cottage Furnitui Patterns for Window Curtains, Music, Crochet Work, Kmttit Netting, Patchwork, Crochet Flower Work, Hair Braidmg, Ribh Work, Chenille Woik, Lace Collar Work, Children's and lufan Clothes, Caps, Chemisettes, Bonnets, Cloaks, Evening Dress Fancy Articles, Head Dresses, Hair Dressing, Bridal Dresses, Ma tubus, Riding Habits, Horning and Evening Dresses, Cloaks, Talm: Robes du Chambre, Capes and Cloaks of fur in season — in fine, evei thing that can interest a Lady, will find its appropriate pUce in b own Book. REMEMBER that the Lady's Book h.as always given Steel E graviniis, and throughout the year, not publishing them in Jan ary and February numbers, and then omitting them. In the Lad; Book alone you receive what no other three Magazmes can furni you with. EVERYDAY ACTTJALTHES. This is another series of articles peculiar to this MagaziD. Every one of these articles is illustrated with at least eight or t» of the finest Wood Engravings. This Department is very interee ing, conveying information in an agreeable form, suitable for Ladi and Gentlemen, that cannot be obtained elsewhere. The expense of one number of the Lady's Book, including Stc Engravings and Literary Matter, paid for, not taken from Englh Magazines, far exceeds that of any other Magazine published this country. We make no exception, and are willing to have tl fact tested. „„„„„ TERMS. 1 Copy one year, *3.l 2 Copies one year, or 1 Copy two years, --.. S.( 5 Copies one year, and an extra Copy to the person sending the Club : J"' 8 Copies one year, do do do 15.1 11 Copies one year, do do do 20.( ff!^ Godey's Lady's Book and Arthur's Home Magazine wi botifbe sent one year for $3.60. To insure what you order bem certainly sent, address L. A. (.ODhY, Dec. 1, 1854.— 2t No. lis Chestnut street, Philadelphia. BUBSCKIBE FOR THE TIPPECANOE FARMER, A NEW Monthly Journal of AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTUR ^ and uiUAL AFFAIRS. Sixteen large octavo pages at ITFT CENTS A YE.YR, in advance. Published by ^ ^^^^^^^ December 1, 1854.— It* Lafayette, Indiana. 100,000 SEEDLING APPLE TREES, LARGE enough to graft, one year's growth. Also, 15,000 See< ling Cherry Trees. Address H. I'.UGN, November 1, 1864.— It* Lockport, N. Y. ADVERTISEMENTS. 39 AYER'S PILLS, FOK ALL THE PURPOSES OF A FAMILY PHYSIC. THESE Pills have been prepared with a view to aupply a more reliable, safer, and every way better aperient medicine than hAs hitherto been available to the American people. No cost or tnil has been spared in bringing them to the state of perfection, which now, after some years of laborioos investigation, is actually realized. Their every part and property has been carefully adjust- td by experiment to produce the beat effect which, in the present tate of the medical sciences, it is possible to produce on the ani- oal economy of man. When we consider that four-fifths of all the diseases incident to the human race actually require nothing ffectual purgative remedy to completely cure them in the t)€ginning, we shall appreciate the utility of this invention; and when we further knends more upon the depth of the incision than upon its external size — also that an aperture half an inch in diameter is almost equally as effective as one of double its size; but in the one case the wound readily heals over by the growth of the same season — in the other, the growth of several seasons will hardly close the wound, endangering the vigor and health of the tree. The experiment to which we refer was made under the direction of the Agricultural Club of Brattle- boro', Vt., and is in substance as follows: "In the spring of 1850, a committee consisting of three per- sons, was appointed to ascertain by actual experi- ment the proper size and depth of the bore in tap- ping tha sugar maple. They accordingly proceeded to test this question in the most thorough manner, using all sizes of bits, from half an inch to an inch and a half in diameter — each making his experiment independently of the other — and the result of all was, that no difference could be perceived — the half inch giving as mucli sap as any other. Each one also tapped several trees, setting two buckets to a tree, with a single spile to each, but bored to difTer- eut depths, from one to three and a half inches; and the results in this case were in e\'ery instance, when the weather was sufficiently warm to thaw the tree through, that the flow of sap was in proportion to the depth of bore; and to make the matter more certain, on deepening the shallow bores subsequently, they immediately overtook the others in quantity. These experiments were repeated in 1851 by a differ- ent committee, with the same general results." The sap of the sugar maple and a few other treej only, yields sugar when taken from the tree before the expansion of the buds and blossoms from their dor- mant state; — what precise change is induced by the expansion of the buds, whether of cause and effect, we know not. AVe also know that clear bright days alternating with frosty nights give the greatest flow of sap; and that if mild weather ensues and contin- ues for any length of time, we can only obtain an uncrystalizable syi'up as the product. Supposing your buckets are all in order and readi- ness— troughs made by the axe we would only use as a last resort, simply because they become such convenient receptacles of dead leaves, &c. — take your spiles or tubes of suitable diameter, with a hole through them of one- quarter of an inch in diame- ter, with an auger, bore aljout three inches into the body of the tree, let the tube enter the tree only so far as will be necessary to ensure its permanent at- tachment; attach your bucket to a nail or peg driven into the body of the tree a little above the spout, and you may feel secure that a casual thaw will not per- haps upset your trough and spill the sap. Below w-e give an account of the process adopted by Mr. Woodward, who obtained the premium from the State Agricultural Society, in 184G, for the best article of maple sugar. The statement says: " In the first place, I make my buckets, tubs and kettles all perfectly clean. I boil the sap in a potash kettle, set in an arch in such a manner that the edge of the kettle is defended all around from the fira This is continued through the day, taking care not to have anything in the kettle that will give color to the sap, and to keep it well skimmed. At night I leave fire enough under the kettle to boil the sap nearly or quite to syrup by the next morning. I then take it out of the kettle and strain it through a flannel cloth into a tub, if it is sweet enough; if not, I put it in a caldron kettle, which I have hung on a pole in such a manner that I can swing it on and oft the fire at pleasure, and finish boiling, then strain into the tub, and let it stand till the next morning. I then take this and the syrup in the kettle, and put it alto- gether in the caldron, and sugar it off. To clarify 100 lbs. of sugar, I use the whites of five or six eggs, well beaten, about one quart of new milk, and a spoonful of saleratus, all well mixed with syrup be- fore it is scalding hot. I keep a moderate fire direct- ly under the caldron until the scum is all raised; then skim it ofi" clean, taking care not to let it boil so as to rise in the kettle before I have done skimming it; when it is sugared off, leaving it so damp that it will drain a little. I let it remain in the kettle until it is well granulated; I then put it into boxes made small- est at the bottom, that will hold from fifty to seventy pounds, having a thin piece of board fitted in two or 44 TENANT LABOR. three inches above tlie bottom, which is bored full of snail holes to let the molasses drain through, which I keep drawn off by a tap through the bottom. 1 put on the top of the sugar in the box, two or three thicknesses of clean, damp cloth, and over that a board well fitted in, so as to exclude the air from the sugar. After it has nearly done draining, I dissolve it, and sugar it off again, going through the same process in clarifying and draining as before." TENANT LABOR In many sections of our country, and particularly m the long settled portions, there is a complaint of the scarcity of laborers to secure the harvest. In our love for large farms and the possession of much land, we apprehend, lies the true source of this want; and it can only be remedied when means are pro- vided by which this labor shall be retained in the country. A friend who is one of the most success- ful farmers in Western New York, having been for many years annoyed by the difficulty of securing good and efficient help in summer, has resorted to the plan of having what may be called " tenant labor.'' He has several small houses suitable for a laboring man and family, which he rents at a fair price per aonum, on the condition that he shall have the first refusal of service at a stipulated price per day or month, as the case may be. In this way he is free from the care and trouble of providing for a large number of hired men on his own homestead, and his better half is not worn down and wearied out by the labor of cooking and washing for them. Mr. 0. P. HoLCOMB, in his address before the Montgomery County (Md.) Agricultural Society, suggests the same practice, and we copy a portion of his address relating thereto : " Let me now address yo i on a topic second, per- haps, to no other in conneo 'ion with the occupation we follow — I mean labor "Among the rules of th; Royal Agricultural Soci- ety of Great Britain, settit { forth its object, is the following : "'To promote the coi.ilort and welfare of the laborers, and to encourage the improved manage- ment of their cottages and gardens.' " If I was called on to name or point out upon what agricultural success more depended than upon anything else, I should say, upon the labor of the farm — the farm hands, and the judicious direction of them. " Good tillage, working crops well, and in season, will not always insure great production on all land, but the husbandman may undoubtedly so thoroughly cultivate, by 'pulverizing, pulverizing, pulverizing,' as Jkthro Tui.l has it, as to obtain the last particle of the pho.sphates and alkalies the earth contains, while the perfect tilth of the surface thus exposed, will invite the rain and the dews in their descent to dress his fields with a suhsilitite for Peruvian guano. " What, then, is the best kind of labor for us ? Those who have them, and have them in sufficient numbers, may use their own domestic servants, which is undoubtedly good labor ; but they are generally quite inadequate to the supply of the labor neces- sary in the now improved condition of our farms — an addition of fifty to one hundred per cent, more labor being now required in carrying on the sys'tem of high cultivation that has 'been, and is being, gen- erally adopted, than before our agriculture was so improved. I speak particularly of the northern coun- ties of Maryland and of Delaware. " I believe that the English description of farm labor is the best we can have. I mean the labor of tenants — 'cottagers,' as they are called in England — living on the estate. What is the objection to our having this description of labor ? These Eng- lish cottagers come here; the German, the Swiss, and the French come. We have but to domiciliate them on our estates as they were domiciliated before they came. When first arrived, entertaining high expec- tations, it may be necessary to let them look about a while ; but in the end, if a comfortable cottage, with its ample garden and neat surroundings of shade and water invites them, they arc likely to settle down contented, and be satisfied with moderate wages, especially now since the price of produce is so advanced that the laboring man, even at city wages, or the price paid by manufacturers, finds it hard to feed his family out of city markets at retail prices, and will appreciate the advantages of a rural home, where the necessaries of lite may be had so much cheaper. This state of things will probably con- tinue, and the landed proprietor, who has so long been overbid by other interests, is likely to command an abundance of this description of labor. "But to get a selection of the best of these labor- ers — those trained from their youth up in all the details of a careful and neat husbandry — it might almost justify a trip to Devonshire, where farm labor is said to be cheaper than in any other part of England. But I would not, by any means, confine the choice to foreigners. Our own countrymen, either white or black, when they could be had, would often be preferable. We must take an interest in them, and make their homes comfortable. The English proprietor takes a great interest in his tenants — his ' cottagers,' as he calls them — and is proud to show you their neat, comfortable dwellings ; and will take care, at the same time, to let the gvde wife show you her neat, clean cottage, her ruddy children, and cupboards filled with crockery ware ; the latter — the crockery ware — in the opinion of the owner of both, seem- ing, however, to challenge the most admiration ! "Thistenantlabor is what we, in Delaware, a good deal depend upon at present, especially among the the larger cultivators. Twenty-five doUai-s a year is the price usually allowed the landlord for the rent of the house and garden ; and fifty cents a day, and board, is paid for labor, furnishing regular work, all fair days, for nine or ten months. Sometimes through harvest, harvest wages are paid ; or where the tenant is hired by the year, $130, $140, or $150 ; SA.-r, YODK WOODLANDS. 4f. or $ 1 11 or $12 a month is paid, as the parties may bai'nfain. " 'I'hose laborers, lodging themselves, are less in the way than young men. Then they are much ciwier p;ii(l ; it is felt less, as they are paid, to a con- siderable extent, off the farm — thus making a home market. Then they are reliable ; they are always there, for their families are there, and sometimes the wife, or the junior members of the family, may be of service, and can be called on in the hurry and press of harvest, or at other times, for light jobs or for domestic labor. To be surrounded by an indus- trious yeomanry of this kind, comfortably fed and lodged, should be gratifying to the proprietor, and will make him feel strong for executing business on the farm. The relation is patriarchal, and is an inter- esting one ; but the interest of the proprietor should not be confined to getting work out of his men, and even paying them fairly for it. He should interest himself to know that they spent their means wisely, inquire how they were getting on, how they were likely to make the ends of the year meet, be sure that the garden wa^ well cultivated, that garden seeds were piovided, and even propose, with all or any of his tenants, a generous competition for pro- ducing the best and earliest vegetables ; thus, by a little address, exciting their emulation, and insuring an abundance on their humble but neat spread boards. The tenant will soon realize that he is getting on well, and will be contented ; and the contented man is always best prepared to discharge his duties. Is this personal interest in his laborers and tenantry too great a tax on the proprietor ? On the contrary, he should find his happiness in it, for he would often realize that while thus promoting his own ends, he was discharging high Christian dutie.s, the duties of philanthropy and benevolence. There is a certain kind of society, too, to be found by the well-regu- lated mind, in intercourse with these unlettered sons of toil. The man who always preserves his own self- respect will never be in danger from any familiarity of not receiving the respect of others. Such perma- nent tenants get to take an interest in the farm and in the succe.ss of its operations, for they feel their own is identified with it. That these views may not seem to rest merely on theoi7, 1 may add that I have a half a dozen of these tenants on my own estate, who have been with me, most of them, for several years ; and I have found the relation, as I have des- cribed it, one of the best that can exist in the absence of other labor, between the proprietor and the hands on his farm." SAVE YOtTB WOODLAJTOS. The present demand for firewood, as fuel for our own use, and for the supply of the railroads thread- ng our country like network of iron bands, bids fair n a few years so to enhance the price, as to render ts use impossible, except io those with well filled pockets. Every country which does not in itself con- tain mines of coal, should pay strict attention to the preservation of its forests, and not leave the matter to the cupidity of private and individual interest The time has already come in many sections of oui country, when an acre of woodland is worth more as it stands than the land wdieneleared. We know of instan ces of woodland bought a few years since within tor miles of this city, the avails of the firewood cut upor which paid all the expenses of clearing, the cost pei acre, and left the land a clear gain to its ownec Such being the case, we think it the duty of every one who h;is woodland, to preserve the same botb for his own use and the use of his posterity. Many owners of farms, in their inconsiderate haste to realize a present gain, have so far cut down their woodlanc that the annual growth of timber is insufficient tc meet the yearly demand. From the short time, comparatively, that haf elapsed since the settlement of Western New York and the abundant forest growth which is a charac- teristic of our lands, we have but few data by which to compute the length of time that is requisite foi the second growth of trees to be of the most profit- able size to cut for firewood or timber. In the towE of Wheatland we have observed some fine second growth woodlands — mostly hickory and oak — and we presume that in fifty years from the time they were set apart for that purpose, the timber from those lands will net hundreds of dollare in value. We observed, too, that the timber had been cut off clean, and that no large trees had been left to rob the younger trees of their due proportion ; and from the accounts given by the keepers of the royal forests of England and France it is found to be the best plan to cut off all clean as you can, put up good fimces around your lot — by all means keep your stock from browsing on the young trees — and in a few yearc yon will have the pleasure of seeing a thriving grove. In the long settled portions of New England, con- siderable attention has been paid to this subject, and the above plan is found to be the best in practice. On the western prairies, where there is a scarcity of timber at the first settling of a country, it is found that where the fires are prevented, and the young growth is protected from the ravages of stock, in a few years there will be a miniature forest ; and those who in settling a new country sparsely timbered, have forethought to sow locust seeds, .hickoo', etc., will in a few years reap a rich reward for their foresight. We see it stated that the Hudson River Railroad consumes 36,000 cords of wood annually. From a brief estimate of the number of miles of railroad in our own State, we should estimate that over $1,500,- 000 are annually paid to supply the fire-horses of our BONES AND THEIR USES. State ■, — add to this, the amount used by every fam- ily, also for mechanical and manufacturing pur- poses, and the aggregate would swell the amount almost past credence. Things cannot go on m this manner, and those who are wise in time may profit thereby. BONIS AND IHETR USES. The introduction and general use of bones in their various degrees of fineness form an important epoch In the history of agriculture. Their use had long been confined to the mechanic arts, as handles for utensils of various kinds, as buttons for our clothes, (fee, and tons upon tons of the refuse of comb aud button factories and the horn piths of the tanner, were allowed to waste, without contributing to the fertility and amelioration of the soil. Even when experiment and trial had fully shown their utility as a fertilizer, prejudice and ignorance still prevented Uieir use. It was urged, and very plausibly, too, that they would breed worms in the soil, and thereby in- jure the growth of herbage — forgetting th?.t the animal or insect that lives on animal tiesh or sub- stances, is, by the very nature of its organization, unable to derive its support from vegetables; and also ignorant of the fact that every species of the nutritive grasses or grains contains bone-earth in a greater or less degree. The fact has been known for centuries, that animals fed on land that has long been used for pasturage, would oftentimes manifest an inor- dinate craving for bones, ashes, or earth, even. The fact that they craved such things, led to an examinar tion of their composition, and also, in connection with it, an analysis of the soils on which they had been pastured. Analysis at once revealed the fact that bone-earth, or phosphate of lime, was wanting in those soils; and as soon as the fields were sown with bone-dust, and time had been given for the herbage to be benefited by its application, the disease iu ques- tion disappeared. Mr. Levi Bartlett, in the Prac- tical Farmer, gives statements of similar series of facts occurring in his own e.xperience. Many accounts have been given in our agricultural journals, of fields which seemed to possess every ele- ment of fertility, the soil appearing to answer every oondition requisite to the growing of crops, but which Med to yield a remunerative harvest to the cultiva- tor. On analysis they were found to be deficient in phosphate of lime, or bone-earth. It is a singular fact that in the analysis of the re- mams of the bones of extinct animals of former geo- logical epochs, fluorine seems to be substituted in place of phosphorus, thus appearing to be isomer- phous in its relations to lime and its compounds. Traces of fluorine are found in many of our vegeta- ble productions as well as mineral; but such is the energy of its action on nearly every element which enters into the materials of a working laboratory, that it is e.vtremely difficult to isolate it and examine its properties in detail. We may judge somewhat as to its power of chemical affinity, from the fact, that a fraction of a grain of fluate of lime is capable of deeply etching a large surface of a plate of glass. Bones are composed of about one part of organio matter and two parts of inorganic or mineral mattei. By the gradual decay of their organic portions in the soil, ammonia is furnished to the growing plant, and also lime and phosphorous to the seed. Tliough so much has been said in former volumes of the Par.mer as to their utility and efficiency as a fertilizer, yet we apprehend that hardly one farmer in ten is careful to save what bones he finds on his own premises — much less purchase them in a state anits>- able for immediate use. The duration of their effects depends ujjon the size into which they are broken: if an immediate and palpable benefit is wanted, pulverize them as finely as possible, or still better, by dissolving them in sulphuric acid (oil of vitriol) convert the io- soluble phosphate of lime into the soluble bi-phosphata (superphosphate.) The Ibrm in which phosphorous and lime are con> bined naturally, is one equivalent of each, constituting an insoluble salt; and while in this state, it is only as the phosphoric acid is slowly replaced by the carbonis acid ever present in the atmosphere, that it is un- locked from its combination, and made available. In the form of what are called half-inch bones, their effects continue for many years, as is seen in the gradual supplanting of the coarser grasses by the finer and more nutritious kinds. For instance, white clover will not flourish if bone-earth be wanting in the soil. Prof. Shepard found by an analysis of the cotton pl.ant — seed and fibre — that 16J per c at. of the dried plant consisted of phosphoric acid; of the fibre, 18.8 per cent; of the seed, 473 P^r cent. Also thai potash, soda, lime and magnesia were present in large quantities. Hence, the process for restoring worn out cotton lands to fertilitjtis evident. The inorganic elements removed by continuous cropping must bo restored to mother earth before she can again yield her increase. A writer in the JVew England Farmer gives na BONER AND THEIR USES— JAPAN PEA. account of an experiment tried by Mr. Edward Wnxis, near Marsh field, Massachusetts. "Taking a quantity of Ijones, none of them linger, and most of them smaller than a man's two fists, he made a good layer of fresh horse manure, on which he placed a layer of bones, then a layer of manure, then another layer of bones, and so on, alternating to the top, covering the heap over well with the manure. It lay somewhat longer than he intended, and became somewhat fire-fanged. But the bones were utterly decomposed, disintegrated and dissolved, so that the whole heap had become a homogenous mas.s, and you could not detect any bones in it. Now, the bones were decomposed by the fermentation induced in their component parts by contact with a fermenting substance." ■\Ve give below an extract from Prof. Norton's Elements of Agriculture, showing the method of preparing bones for use by means of sulphuric acid. "To every 100 lbs. of bones, about 50 or 60 of acid are taken; if bone dust is used, from 2.') to 45 lbs. of acid is sufficient. The acid must be mixed with two or three times its bulk of water, becau.se if applied strong it would only burn and blacken the bones without dissolving them. "a. The bones are placed in a tub, and a portion of the previously diluted acid poured upon them. After standing a day, another portion of acid may be poured on ; and finally the last on the third day, if they are not already dissolved. The mass should be often stirred. "b. Another good way is to place the bones in a heap upon any convenient floor, and pour a portion of the acid upon them. After standing half a day, the heap should be thoroughly mixed, and a little more acid added; this to be continued so long as necessary. It is a method which I have known to prove very successful. " In either case the bones will ultimately soften and dissolve to a kind of paste; this may be mi.xed with twenty or thirty times its bulk of water, and applied to the land by means of an ordinary water cart. Used in this way, it produces a wonderful effect upon nearly all crops. " A more convenient method in most cases is to thoroughly mix the pasty mass of dissolved bones with a large quantity of ashes, peat earth, sawdust, or charcoal dust. It can then be sown by hand, or dropped from a drill machine. Two or three bushels of these dissolved bones, with half the usual quantity of yard manure, are sufficient for an acre. This is therefore an exceedingly powerful fertilizer. One reason for its remarkable effect is, that the bones are by dissoHing, brought into a state of such minute division, that they are easily and at once available for the plant. A peculiar phosphate of lime is formed, called by chemists a superphosphate, which is very soluble; and in addition to this, we have the sulphuric acid, of itself an excellent application to most soils. ' " I would particularly recommend farmers to ex- periment with bones dissolved in sulphuric acid. The dissolving of them is a simple business, and can be easily shown on a small scale, by the teacher to his class. He can do it, for instance, in a tea-cup or tum- bler, or on a plate or a flat stone. The cheapness of this manure is a great reconnnendation. Two bush- els of bones would not certainly cost more than $1 ; then say 50 lbs. of acid to dissolve them would cost by tiie carboy, $1,50, making only $'2,50 for a quan- tity quite sufficient for an acre, with half the usual dressing farm-yard manure. It would be worth al- most as much as this, to cart the common manure from the yard, to say nothing of its value. Ther« are few farms on which bones enough might not ba collected in the course of a year, to help out in this way the manuring of several acres." We will resume the subject in our next. JAPAN PEA. This new and rare article is found to be adapted to our soil and climate, and yields bountifully. 'l"he writer has counted on an average 300 pods to each plant — pods containing from two to three peas. They are small, round, of a cream color, and very hard. Should think they migkt be ground. They are very nutritious. The plant attains the height of about thirty inches; it is stiff and woody — unlike all other peas, it stands independent of all surrounding objects, and upright, like a shrub or smaU tree. Ex- perience will prove the best manner of cultivating and harvesting. They should be planted or sown about the usual time of planting corn, not earlier, as frost is fatal to the young planta J. W. Bricgs. West Macedon, Wayne Co., N. Y. The Ohio State Agricultural Convention at its recent meeting, passed the following resolutions, among others, showing that the spirit of progress ia abroad. We wish the members of every Agricul- tural Society would exert their influence to secure the establishment of a National Agricultural Bureau : Resolved, That this Convention recommend to the Boards of County Agricultural Societies to address the Representatives in Congress from their respective districts, requesting them to use their utmost endea- vors to secure a liberal appropriation by Congress for the establishment of a National Agricultural Bureau, to be placed upon a permanent basis, under such management as will disseminate practical agri- cultural knowledge throughout the entire Union, thereby promoting the general interest of the age. Resolved, That we recommend to the farmers of Ohio, the Osage Orange, a most valuable plant for hedging, superior in every respect to any other plant which has yet been introduced in Ohio for economi- cal and enduring fences. THE MUSCULAR SYSTEM OP Tlid HORSE. THE iniSCTJLAE SYSTEltt OF THE HOKSE. We copy tbe following from the Plough, Loom and Anvil : Fig^. ]. The forehead. Few things more clearly indicate the blood of the horse than the forehead. In the blood-horse the forehead is broad and an- ^lar, gradually tapering from this point to the muzzle ; while in the cart-horse the face is large, and the forehead narrow in comparison with that of the blood-horse. 20 2. 'J'he eye-pit By the depth of the eye-pit 22. we are enabled to form some idea of the age of the horse: at the posterior pa,rt of the eye a con- siderabie quantity of fatty substance is deposited, ■which enables it to revolve in its orbit with facility and freedom : in old age, and in diseases attended ■with general lo.ss of condition, much of this fatty substance disappears, the eye becomes sunken, and the pit above the eye deepens. To obviate this appear- ance, some of the lower class of horse-dealers punc- ture the skin, and, by means of a quill or tobacco- pipe, blow into the orifice, and thus fill up the de- pression. This operation is called " pufling the glims," and may be easily detected by the application of pressure. 3. The poll. i. The muzzle. The muzzle includes the lips, mouth, and nostrils. The darker the color of the muzzle, the more is the horse esteemed. The lips should be thin and firm; in old and slugglish horses they are usually loose and pendulous. 5. The withers. The speed and action of the horse is intimately connected with the length and height of the withers, and such a development is ab- solutely necessary in the hunter, the hackney, and the fanner's horse ; but in the heavy cart-horse this rule may be reversed, as the more Vjulky and weighty he is before, the more advantageously will his powers be apphed. 6. The croup. The croup, which extends from the loins to the setting on of the tail, should be long, and but slightly rounded. 9. The hock. 10. The sheath. 11. The flank. The space contained between the ribs and haunches is called the flank; when too ex- tensive, it is an indication of weakness. The flank is usually referred to as indicating the state of respira- tion; dnring fever and chronic disea.ses of the lHng.s, it rises and falls with a rapidity greater than under ordinary circumstances. 12. The girth or brisket. 13. The shoulder. A muscular and slanting shoulder is indispensable where action and speed are required; but an upright shoulder may be preferable for horses exclusively destined for the collar. 14. The elbow. Good judges prefer a deep elbow, as it is always connected with increased power of action. 15-1.5. The anus. It s universally agreed that the arms should be long, large, and muscular; if they are flat on the sides, and narrow in front as they approxi- mate the shoulders, and deficient in muscle, they are radically defective, and the horse should of course be leiectei 16. The knee. The knee should be broad, as offer- ing more space for the attachment of muscles; breadth in this part being an indication of strength. 17-29. The cannon, or shank. The cannon should appear wide when viewed laterally, and thin in front, as any addition besides bone and tendon, must arise from disease, or useless cellular matter. 18. Back sinews. The back sinews should be large, firm, and distinctly felt from the knee to Iho fetlock. If there be any thickness of cellular matter around them, it indicates previous injury, as a n:p ture of the ligamentous fibres ; and as this thickc ing may limit the motion of the tendon, and predu pose the part to a recurrence of lameness and infla..; mation, such a horse, although perfectly free from lameness at the time of examination, should be re- garded with suspicion, and rejected as unsound. 19-30. The fetlock joint. It is usual to apply the term fetlock to the joint itself ; and the space be- tween the fetlock and the foot, the pastern ; but, properly speaking, the fetlock, or ybo(iocA', is only the posterior part of the joint, from whence grows a lock or portion of hair. 20-31. The pasterns. The pasterns should neither be too long nor too short ; if too short, they are non-elastic, and such horses are uneasy goers, and un- safe to ride ; on the contrary, if they are too long, they are frequently too oblique, and although from their elasticity the motion of the horse may be plea- sant to the rider ; yet an increased length of limb is an indication of weakness. 21-32. The coffin joint 22-33. The hoof. 23. The hock. The hock is the most important and complicated joint of the whole animal ; like the knee, it should be hard and extended. An enlarged hock constitutes unsoundness. 24. The haunch. 25. The neck. A moderate and elegant curve of the neck adds greatly to the beauty of the horse. The neck is sometimes recurved and hollow ; a horse with such a conformation is called ewe-necked. 20. The back. The comparative advantage of a long or short back depends entirely on the use for which the horse is intended. For general purposes (says Touatt) a horse with a short carcase is veiy properly preferred. He will possess health and strength — for horses of this kind are proverbially strong. He will have sufficient ease not to fatigua FARMING IN ESSEX COUNTY. 49 the rider, and speed for every ordinary purpose. Length of baoli will always be desirali'e when there is more than usual substance, and particularly when the loins are wide, and the muscles of the loins large and swelling. The requisites, strength and speed, would then probably be united. The back should be depressed a little immediately behind the withers; and then continue in an almost straight line to the loins. This is the form most consistent with beauty and strength. Some horses have a considerable hollow behind the withers ; these are called saddle- backed ; a few have the curve outwards, and are called roached-back. This is a very serious defect, a together incompatible with beauty, and materially diminishing the usefulness of the animal. 27. The loins can scarcely be too broad and mus- cular ; the strength of the back and hinder extremi- ties hinges upon this point. At the union of the back with the loins, a slight depression is sometimes observable ; this must always be regarded as an indi' cation of weakness. 28. The hind quarter. 35. The inside of the thigh or stifle. 38. The point of the shoulder. FAEMIHG IN ESSEX COTJNTY, MASS. The following account of a New Hampshire farm and farmer, by the editor of the Connecticut Valley Farmer, can be perused to profit by those who are content to do only as their fathers have done. At the close of an enthusiastic two-days' cattle fair, held last month at Kxeter, Rockingham county, N. H., in which nearly a thousand dollars had been exhausted in premiums and necessary e.xpenses, we were introduced by one good farmer to another — by Allen W. Dodge, of Hamilton, Esses county, to Wm. F. Pobtek, of Bradford, in the same county. Our purpose was to have visited John W. Pkoctoe, Esq., of Danvers, with a view of seeing the onions and other root crops in the neighborhood. From this purpose we were turned aside by an assurance on the part of Mr. Pokter, that if we would go home with him, he would make himself at leisure the next day to show us his farming. "We did so; and, after spending a day with Mr. Porter, left a little wiser, we would fain hope, than when we went. The fault must have been our own if we were not It will be recollected by some of our readers, that Mr. Porter drew the Essex Society's premium for the best managed farm, in 1851. His statement on that occasion was the best we have seen. It was full of valuable suggestions, which we doubt not have been ere this the cause of similar improvements on other farms, to those which he describes in his own. In that statement Mr. Porter shows the year's expenses of his farm to have been $1,441 91, the receipts for the year to have been $3,369 70, and the net profits, $1,927 85. He shows also that the farm, stock and tools stood at $17,000, and that the year's profit amounted to about twelve per cent, on that invest- ment. An important consideration here presents itself : Mr. Porter has very extensive orchards of apples, pears and peaches, most of which are young, only eight or ten years from the seed. These, of course, have been hitherto only a bill of expense; they are now coming into bearing; and they cannot fail to produce more in proportion to the expense attending them hereafter than heretofore. If, then, such a farm would pay twelve per cent on $17,000 in 1851, it woidd pay the same per cent on a larger sum in 1854, the year being equally favor- able; and a still larger sum in 1857; that is, the farm that is managed as we see that Mr. Porter's is, must of necessity increase in value. There is, of course, a point beyond which this would not hold true, but we believe this point is much higher up the scale than most farmers think. We want to say a few things more about Mr. Porter's farming, even though we should do it at the expense of being thought long-winded, or more enthusiastic than is meet His barn, which is built wholly of new materials, and has taken the place of an old one since he has been on that farm, is 75 feet long. It is 45 feet wide, we believe. Two wings running southward from the south-west and south- east corners, and protecting the yard on the east and west sides, as the barn protects it on the north, are together nearly as large as the barn, the east one being used for a shed below, for a stable in the sec- ond story, and for a hay loft in the third; and that on the west side of the yard being for a shed below, and a granary above. Under the whole of the main building, 75 feet by 45, (if we are right in this last,) is a barn cellar. This is surrounded on the north side and two ends by a very heavy wall laid in mor- tar, and is so warm that it seldom freezes, and then never retains the frost more than a few hours. The business of composting, therefore, can be carried on all winter. Next above this cellar is a barn floor, into which loam, muck, &c., for composting, are drawn to be dropped as wanted through scuttles into the cellar below. Next above this is the regular bam floor, upon which the hay and grain are drawn, and on which the threshing is done. The business of composting the solid and liquid excrements is attend- ed to daily as they are dropped. One consequence of this is, that no unpleasant smell ever infects thig barn. The air in the barn cellar and through the long sheds, both of which are on a level with the yard, is almost as sweet as that over a new plowed field, and for the same reason — the upturned soil in one case, and the loam or muck applied in the other, absorb and lock up in their pores every offensive gas that may be floating above them. Mr. Porter keeps sixty head of cattle, and one hundred and fifty sheep. From these and his horses and pigs he makes 600 loads of compost, and he regards every load of it as decidedly better than the excrements of animals thrown out to take the wind and weather. He showed us two and a quarter acres of corn on which he put 12 loads of compost and 300 pounds of gua- no to the acre. This he thinks will give him a hun- dred bushels of shelled corn to the acre. We think he over-estimates — should not dare to expect much above eighty bushels. He showed us aiother field of nine acres, which received 12 or 14 loads of ma- nure, without guano, and which he estimates at from fifty to sixty bushels on an acre. We could not but so RAISING FOREST TREES. estimate it higher; and the difference between the guanoed and the ungiianoed, appeared to us not much more than would fairly balance the expense of the guano. Mr. Pokter thinks otherwise — that the guano this year will much more than pay for itself; and in order to decide whether the continued appli- cation of guano exhausts the soil, he is resolved to try it on the same field, (the two and a fourth acres,) year after year. IJe seems inclined to think that the continued use of guano on a well manured soil will pay, or a little more, at present prices. Our opinion is, that it will pay or a little less, and we should not think it strange if it should be considerably less; but we are willing to await the result of further trials ; and we will only say now, that if guano on fields richly dressed with barn manure should be found to increase the crop enough, in a succession of years, to pay for itself and leave a margin for profits, we shall be disappointed. Our present belief is that it will not pay, except on poor lauds so situated that heavy manure cannot be carried to them. If it shall prove otherwise, after more thorough trial, we will own that we were wrong. Sixty-one acres of Mr. Porter's farm constitutes an island in the Merrimack. This he cultivates sepa- rately from the rest, and calls it the Island farm. Of the sixty-one acres which it contains, thirty-six are under the plow; half of the rest is a natural meadow; and the other half is woodland. The plowed land k divided into four lots of nine acres each; and the rotation practiced is rye, corn, oats and clover. For the rye he plows in the second crop of the previous clover; for the corn crop ho applies about fifteen loads of barn manure to the acre; for the oats are applied one hundred bushels of leached ashes to an acre, which he procures for 6^ cents a busheL The land is naturally a light, sandy soil With the culti- vation before indicated, it yields from fifty to seventy bushels of corn, according to the season, and other crops in proportion. The corn, rye and oats are Dearly all carried from this Island farm instead of being expended upon it; and by it, Mr. Porter is of the opinion that the land is rather improving under this cultivation from year to year. Some of our readers are now ready to say, " If we had as much capital as Mr. Porter we would farm as he doea" Now, it was not our business to know how Mr. Porter came by his capital; but we think it quite as hkely as any way that he obtained it by farming; and we believe that any man who owns a tolerable farm, free or nearly free of debt, can com- mand capital to carry it on advantageously, if he will; and that if he does this for a few years, and manages with energy and perseverance, he will have capital of his own ere long. Galls from the Harness or Saddle. — Maj. Long, in his valuable account of his expedition to the Rocky Mountains, says, that his party found white lead moistened with milk to succeed better than any- thing else in preventing the bad effects of the galls on the horses' back, in their march over the plains that border the mountains. Its effect in smoothing or soothing the irritated and inflamed surface was ad- mirable.— American Farmer, BAKING FOEEST TEEE& Why will our laud-owners fail to do " themselves and the State " good service, in giving their practical attention to this sort of culture? No crop is surec, nor so sure, and many crops that cost much labor will not pay half as well. For example, a sugar ma- ple grows and flourishes with a vigor scarcely dimin- ished, though forced to yield to the sugar-maker many gallons of sap every spring. Probably a little more careful cultivation would restore all the loss it might otherwise sustain. Hence it furnishes a very profitable crop, always commanding cash iu the mar- ket, while it also produces as pleasant a fuel as can be found. We know of nothing, unless it be hicko- ry, which is more desirable for such use. For char- coal it is one of the best of trees, while its timber is useful for many purposes. Besides all this, it pos- sesses uncommon attractions as a shade-tree. Birch trees can be sown or transplanted with very little cost or trouble. The chesnut is also a desirable tree. It flourishes where many crops would starve. A dry, sandy loam, enriched only by its own product is its natural soil. Hence it would prove successful on land where little else would grow, and where no- thing else would render a very liberal return. The most important elements required by deciduous trees are alkaline. Nearly one-tenth part of the ash of such, and even of most trees, is of this character. Hence, when pines and other evergreens have been cut off, and the land has been burned, we find a sec- ond growth of deciduous trees. The land is changed iu its character, so that what had before but a scanty supply of these elements, is now better furnished with them, and under those improved circumstances the seeds of the deciduous trees, dispersed everywhere, by winds, snows, water-streams, birds, animals, etc., germinate and grow, to the exclusion of those for which the soil and other conditions are not now so well adapted. Trees of the fir tribe, we are told by Liebig, grow upon the sand-stone and lime-stone of the Carpathian mountains, and the Jura. The finest forests of deciduous trees cover the soils " of gneiss, mica, slate, and granite, in Bavaria; of clinkstone on the Rhone, of basalt in Vogelsburgh, and of clay- slate on the Rhine and Eifel, while they can not be produced on the sandy or calcareous soils on which pines thrive." The black-walnut and the butternut (quite worthy of culture for its capital nuts) need a deep gravelly loam, or a rich clay. A calcareous soil is best adapted to these. The hickory, oak, beech-tree, etc, will not succeed so well in sand, but either of these trees will grow in any good primitive soiL Oak grows well on any variety of good soil, if it be not too wet. The various nutrtrees should be sown before the nut is thoroughly dried. Follow nature. Those with a hard shell require the action of the frost, and should not be buried too deep. If not quite fresh when planted, all seeds should be soaked in water before they are sown, and with many, if gypsum or other fertilizer is partially dissolved in the water, and suffered to adhere to the seed, so much the better. Seeds, properly matured, are nature's only reliance; and hence, if we are wise in copying her ways, we can not fail to obtain the reward of our labor. Tha RAISING FOBEST TREES, &c. ol cedar growsKin any soil, from dry sand and gravel to rich loam. But something more than this general information is desirable; for in fact this is no more than any ob- serving man would be likely to discover for himself ; and therefore we pi-csent, in a concise manner, the principles adopted in countries where such culture is systematically entered upon. In some parts of Eu- rope, the growth of forests is as scientifically con- ducted as crops of wheat. The following method, which combines the culture of trees and of ordinary crops, is perhaps as judicious and as practicable, in this country, as any other plan, though by no means the only one by which a gi-owlh of trees may secure substantial benefit both to the land and to its owner. For new countries, where the original forest is still in existence, the first suggestion may be important, bat it would not, of course, be applicable to the older sections of our country; such farmtrrs are in- terested only in the subsequent suggestions, but all these are worthy of note eveiywhere. We proceed to set forth our method: 1. Choose a forest, the circumstances of which are appropriate to such a treatment, and divide it into a certain number of sections or cuttings, having regard to the condition and qualities of the soil, climate, and the kind of tree desired. 2. Each year one of these sections is cut down and cleared, and the soil is devoted to cereals, as an ordinary field. 3. A kind of tree adapted to the wants of the place is selected, and these are planted in rows, at a distance of fifty feet or ujiward, as one has a desire to increase the growth of wood, or of grass, or of grain. The stems of the trees forming these rows should be from two and a half to four feet distant. 4. Between the row.s of trees, grain or some other crop may be cultivated, so long as the trees will not injure them. 5. When the trees grow to such a size as to injure each other, part of them should be cut down. 6. The land should not be cultivated when the trees shall produce a shade injurious to the crop. Other trees should be cut from time to time, until a suitable number is left, regard being had to the use to which the trees are to be applied, whether for fuel, timber of large or small size, etc. 7. When the trees have reached a suitable age they should be cut down, the stumps removed, and other trees planted. But the trees should now be planted where the crops were cultivated before, and the crops sown where the former row of trees was grown. 8. The rows of trees should range north and south. Fruit trees or forest trees might be treated by this method with great benefit. On the selection of the place, regard shoiild be had to the exposure and position, as rt-ell aa to the soil. Grounds that are to be treated in this manner, should be well prepared and cultivated. To plant trees when the soil is not in a suitable condition, would be a waste of labor. Numerous comparisons have shown that a growth of sixty years, thus conducted, fully equals that of one hundred and twenty years in the native forest. More abundant crops are obtained by the altemato culture of different kinds of plants. If a soil, ex- hausted by successive crops, is planted with trees, ano it remains forty years in this state, cereals wili after- ward grow upon it with much more vigor than be- fore, and even for some years, without manure. But fruit trees and vines can not succeed each other on the same ground with advantage. In India, when the soil is exhausted by crops of indigo, trees are planted for the purpose of restoring its fruitfulness. In default of trees, the ground is covered with branches or brushwood, which are use- ful in restoring freshness and vigor to the soil. Eve- rything which covers the ground promotes its fertili- ty. A heap of stones at the foot of a tree promotes its growth. Among the advantages of this system, one impor- tant consideration is that by it no ground is wasted. The space required by the trees, in different stages of their growth is furnished, while the cultivation of other crops is not interfered with by the growth of the trees. When cereals can not be profitably raised, crops of grass may be obtained until the growth of the trees is such as to interfere with any other crop. When the trees have reached a certain growth, they will not be liable to injury if cattle are turned in to feed upon the grass, while trees that are planted in p.asture-lands are often destroyed. — Plough, Loom and Anvil. Sheep and Doos. — Important Decision. — Daniel Carter recently shot a dog in Cecil county, Md., belonging to Edwakd W. Mahanv, for killing hi* sheep. Mahant sued him before a magistrate aud got judgment for $25 damages, from which Cartkk appealed to the Circuit Court, The defence alluiiei: that to justify the shooting of the dog he iii-i,si '*t caught in the act of worrying or killing the .-h. ■!.;);. The Court (Judge Constable on the bench) ln-U' a different opinion, reversing the magistrate's dec:. :. er, Zepherin Gregoire. Plujis — For General Cultivation. — Bleeckc Gage, Coe's Golden Drop, Frost Gage, Green Ga Jefferson, Lawrence's Favorite, McLaughlin, Pur Gage, Purple Favorite, Reine Claude de Bav Smith's Orleans, Washington. JVew Varieties which promise icell. — Ive's Wa ington Seedling, Mnnrre Egg, Prince's Yellow Ga River's Favorite, St Martin's Quetche. CuERRiEs — For General Cultivation. — B Magnifique, Black Eagle, Black Tartarian, Down Late, Downton, Elton, Early Richmond (for cookii Graffon (or Bigarreau,) Knight's Early Black, 1 Duke. JVt'it) Varieties which promise well. — Ameri Amber, Belle d'Orleans, Bigarreau Monstreuse Bavay, Black Hawk, Coe's Transparent, Early P pie Guigne, Governor Wood, Great Bigarreau Downing, Hovcy, Kirtland's Mary, Ohio Bea Reine Hortense, Walsh's Seedling. Apricots— . For General Cultivation. — Br Large Early, Moorpark. Nectari.nes — For General Cultivation. — D( ton, Early Violet, Elruge. Peaches — Fir General Cultivation. — Bert Yellow, Cooledge's Favorite, Crawford's Late, E York, serrated, Early York, large, George Grosse Mignonne, Morris White, Old Mixon Pre Grapes (under glass) — For General Cultiva — Black Hamburg, Black Frontigan, Black Pr: Chasselas do Fontainebleau, Grizzley Prontig White Prontignau, White Muscat of Alexandri: (Open culture — For General Cultivation.— tawba, Diana, Isabella. JVtw variety which promises well. — Concord. Raspberries — For General Caltivation. — '. tolf, Franconia, Knevet's Giant, Red Antwerp, low Antwerp. JVeiv Varieties which promise welt. — French, ange, Walker. Strawberries — For General Cultivation Boston Pine, Hovey's Seedling, Large Early Sea JVew Variety which promises well. — AVall Seedling. Currants — For General Cultivation. — B Naples, May's Victoria, Red Dutch, White Di White Grape. ten ,»■ k 'mi 4 ARBORS — PRUNING. AilBOBS. Akbors, covered walks, ami shaded rest- ;-pliices, come within the limits of pictur- (ue ffroimds, if they are formed of liWug es or shrubs. On the continent, the vine Buch used for this purpose; and so it may, a certain extent, in the south of Eng- d; but beyond the midland counties, and Scotland, the Hop, Clematis, Ivy, Hon- uckle, and Climbing Roses, must be used lubstitutes. Fig. 1 displays tho taste of French and Germans in this matter, who ^neral place them against walls, and of- carry them by a flight of steps to a con- irable height, as in our figure, n Germany, arbors are fitted up among the nches of very large and old trees, and access got hem by means of a ladder. If study or privacy ice the visitor to ascend, the ladder can be drawn and so intrusion be prevented. AVe may here ark, that in general the terms arbor and bower e been considerel synonymous; it appears that oorly they are not Mr. Mallett, of l)ublin, fre- atly quoted in this work, says: "An aibor is a ;e covered and enclosed by the interweaving iches of trees, and reticulated stems of living .ts, intended to afford shade and retirement. The 3s arbor aud bower are properly very distinct : former alone being formed of the living branches stems of trees, whereas the bower, which is not ved from bough, or any analogous word, means )Iy any small chamber; yet they ai-e used indi.s- linately by the best writers. Fio. 2. iie term bower seems, as it were, the word of po- in which it is frequently made use of; whereas r seldom is, if ever. 'ith us, few natural arbor-i are to lie met with, least artificial are those formcil by slightly ar- ing the pendant branches of the Weeping Ash, imikr growing trees. .-V few props within, to lort a rod or hoop, to carry up the pendant ches, is all that is required; and if these have too Fio 1. much the appearance of art, the smaller branches of th^ tree may be trained down upon them, or ivy may be planted and trained over them, and allowed to in- termingle with the branches fonning the roof. The next kind of arbor for simplicity of form, is that formed of tall, straight, young trees, of beech, horabeam, mountain ash, willow, kc. These planted close together in a line, forming the back and sides of the proposed arbor, the front being in general left open, are bent over at the tops to form the roof, and tied together to keep them in their proper places. Sometimes the stems are crossed in trellis fashion, and after a time they unite by a species of natural engrafting, and become exceedingly strong, and will last for years. Fig. 2 represents a Gothic rustic arbor, or resting- place; the basement to be of stone, the superstruc- ture of unbarked timber, and the roof thatched with heath. The Hoor should be pitched with pebbles in Gothic pattern, and the seats be made of oak plank. PKUNING. Prunino, properly speaking, is tb3 judicious remo- val of encumbering and useless wood every year, so as to regulate the branches in every part of the tree, and thus give access to the sun and air to freely pen- etrate through the whole tree; this is necessary, for if the air and sun cannot get freely to the fruit and the leaves, they are imperfectly matured; the loaves cannot properly perform their functions, thus the sap is imperfectly elaborated, and both the wood and fruit is imperfectly ripened. As to the time to prune, there is a diversity ot opinions, whether it should be performed in the fall, after the leaves are off, or early in the spriug, before the buds break. This is immaterial; it is only a dis- agreement whether trees should be pruned at the beginning or end of their dormant state, but it amounts to nothing; pruning may be done any time during the dormant state of the tree; it should, how- ever, be performed before the sap begins to flow in the spring. In these remarks we allude to what is termed winter pruning — summer pruning is a difler- ent operation, of which we shall speak on a future occasion. In pruning it is necessary to be well acquainted with the nature of the tree to be pruned; without this, it is impossible to prune to advantage. All trees are not alike in their nature; some produce their fruit on the young wood of the previous year's growth, «« PRUNING— FRUIT, &(:. jthers on spurs which grow from the old wood, and others on the young wood of the present year's growth; these points require attention by the opera- tor, to enable him to perform the operation aright. Apple, pear, plum and cherry trees bear priuripally on spurs which grow or arise out of the wood of two or three years' growth. These branches with spurs continue to bear for several years. In pruning these trees, due regard should be paid to the production of these spur branches, by short- ening the young wood on the main branches; the main branches should be regulated as to distance from each other, so as to give the tree a uniform ap- pearance, and to keep it open for the admission of the sun and air. Peaches, nectarines, and apricots, produce Heir fruit on the young wood of the previous years' growth; in pruning them, care will be necessary to retain the strongest and clearest wood of the previ- ous year's growth, cutting out the weak shoots, and such as grow in a direction in which they are not needed, being careful to keep the tree open. Vines bear on the young shoots of the same sea- son. In pruning these, all weak shoots should be taken out, retaining only the strongest rods or canes; these should be shortened according to their strength; the object to be aimed at, is to retain only such a quantity of buds as will break strong. Care will be necessary so as not to retain more rods than the space occupied by the vine will allow of, and placing them in such positions as will allow free circulation of the air, and freely admit the rays of the sun. Gooseberry bushes bear on the young shoots of the previous season's gi-owth. In pruning them cut out all cross shoots, retaining only the strong, straight shoots of the previous year's growth: of these retain only the best and most ripened wood. Gooseberry bushes cannot be left too open; if you allow the branches to get crowded, you cannot e.xpoct fine fruit; air must be admitted freely among the branches to obtain good fruit The black currant also bears on the young wood, and should be pruned in a similar manner to the gooseberry. The red and white cur- rant produce their fruit on spurs of old wood; in pruning them care will be necessary to form an open bush, with the bearing branches, which should be stoped to induce them to sour, and all the other young wood should be cut back to two or three eyes, being careful to keep the bush open. In pruning, it is necessary to cut clean and smooth with a sharp knife, ami all young shoots that come where they are not needed, should be cut clean out close to the main stem, so as to leave no eyes to fill the tree with useless wood. In giving directions for pruning, it is impossible to ^ve directions which branch should be taken out, and which left in; only the principles of the system can be given in writing; the relative position of the branches can only be determined by actual observa- tion; the operator, if he understands the principles and nature of the tree, will be able to determine on this point. The above remarks will give him the re- quisite information on the principles that should guide dim in the operation. Fruit. — We have on our table apples from the ehards of Messrs. Wesley and Davis Shannon, the Howell Prairie, (in this county,) Oregon. The large Yelloiv Bovgh of Luelijng's select! "as big as two fists," is a splendid specimen of Ore| fruit culture ; also, the Golden Sweet, and the S: mer Qi/ctn, of the same selection, both ripe, an fine flavored apple. The Early Harvest, of Lad's selection, is a sp did eating apple. The orchards of the Messrs. Shannon comp three hundred trees each, and have mostly been pi ed three years. They have this year some fifti si.xty bushels of apples, grown in each orchard, it ing the first bearing year. However, some few ti bore last year, being but two years old. In twc three years the produce of these orchards will doubtedly be worth more than the full crops of tl farms beside. This is a great encouragement to fanners in ( gon to plant fruit trees. There is no country wl can equal Oregon in producing Apples, Pears, all cultivated fruits of the temperate climate, ^ the exception, perhaps, of peaches, which do seem to be as healthy and successful as other v£ ties. — Statesman. Villainy vs. Villainy. — The New York pa'. tell of a dodge to raise the wind in that city ■ does credit to the sharpers whose wits got it There are three gentlemen engaged in this enterp and we are told they have collected some thousi of dollars during the past few weeks. Their plai operation is : Two of them dressed as laborers a grocery store, buy a pound of some cheap art take it off to a corner and weigh it with a stan< scale which they carry with them. If it fulls s i of the full and correct weight, (which it does in cases out of ten,) they kick up a grand breeze ' the grocer, threaten prosecution, and finally, thro the intervention of a gentleman (the other parti who steps in just at the nick of time the troubl compnomised by the payment of an X or a V by grocer to settle the matter. In one instance, was paid to hush up one of these cases; the ar bought was sugar, and the pound only weighed 1 teen ounces. Plant your Plum trees near water and inclii so as to hang over the water, so that you can ga the plums in a boat. I have a hundred of tl growing on my farm in that way, around an artifi lake, and not a plum has dropped from them, curculio has here and there made its segment i circle on the skin, and then thought better of it, it left no egg in the incision, observing no doubt ■ when the plum fell it would be into the water, an drown the progeny. Our plums generally did on all soils south of the Highlands, twenty y ago. R. T. Underiiill, in Trans. Am. Ins., ISl A Winter Uake. — Take half a cup of bui two of sugar, three of flour, and one of thick, ( cream, (instead of eggs) get it ready for the ove the usual way, then sprinkle and stir in a teaspoo of soda, bake it slow. 10 PRliVENT APPLES FROM BEING WORMY, &c. 61 J PREVENT APPLES FKOM BEING WOKMY. HE Apple ^Vorm, which is so prevalent in this of the ooiinti-y, without doubt is produced by a h, or milier, whicli deposits its eggs in the calyx ' he apj)le wlieu it is very small. ( When I speali pple uornis, I do not mean those caterpillars ■h infest our apple trees almost every spring, do- ing the leaves and almost destroying the trees.) ic eggs soon become worms, and gnaw holes into apples, where they feast themselves all summer sometimes nearly all winter. I need not spend to describe these worms, for every man that has 1 wormy apples, knows very well what they are. ipose these worms turn to millers in the spring repart of summer, and deposit their eggs on tlie g apples the same as the previous year. The 3ge (lone to apples every year amounts to a great Many of the apples after they are punctured, rom the trees before they are half grown. Many le apples that remain on the trees till fall, will eep more than three weeks after they are pick- Every fruit culturist knows that apples will keep I short time after the skin is broken so as to let e air. aving been troubled with wormy apples for the ifteen years, I thought I would try an e.iperi- on one tree this season, to see if I could not these marauder in their wild career. I took half :en quart beer bottles, and filled each half full •eetened water; I then suspended them from the 3hes of the tree in the following manner : I tied er straps three-fourths of an inch wide around ranches to prevent them from being girdled; to leather straps I tied hemp strings, to which I bed the bottles, leaving them open to allow the Irs to enter, et the battles remain in this situation five or si.\ s, and on taking them down and emptying them, 1 the millers had entered in great numbers, and drowned in the liquid. In one bottle I counted n, in another forty, and so on. The tree thus 2d produced fourteen bushels of large fair ap- while the fruit on the trees not experimented as wormy. Whether the remedy produced all ifference or not, I will not pretend to say, but I some fruit culturist will be enterprising enough ? the experiment next summer, and report their ?ss to the editor of this or some other paper. :other method that I would recommend for des- ng these millers that produce the apple worms, take shavings or straw, and light fires in the or- 1 in the evening, in the month of June. As as the millers see the light they will fly towards d be consumed in the flames. Millions may be oyed every season in this way. -iHu Cross, Hoosick, Rens., co., N. Y. JRE FOB Ringbone. — I noticed in the Cultivator lay l.ith, an inquiry for the cure for a ringbone colt, and answer, take highwines of cider or bran- dd saltpeter as much as will dissolve, and wash ingbone two or three times a day. One of my ibors cured one of three or four years' standing, le application a few times. SA .T L.iKE Barley. — We received some time since ;rom Chay Harvey, Esq., of Delaware county, Pa., a small parcel of barley, which he thus describes: " The barley I sent you is a new variety in this section of country; the seed (i pint) was presented to me by a relative, Rouf.rt Pikiu.-k, Esq., who brought it five years since direct from the Great Salt Lake Valley. Mr. P. as.sured me that a yield of 60 bush- els to the acre, weighing GO pound to the bushel, was of common occurrence; that 70 bushels and over had frequently been raised for malting purjjoses; he says, it by far excels our eastern barley; the beer, &c., they manufacture from it entirely surpasses ours in point of flavor, its standard (California) weight is (30 pounds to one bushel, after five years' cultivation with it still retains its standard weight, weighing this spring (JO pounds fair measure; the straw is of a very superior quality, iis food for cattle, being heavily coated with leaves; its hull or husk, you will observe, veiy much resembles wheat, having no roughness of coating, as we are accustomed to see on our common variety; as food for stock it must be superior; in short, I think it is just what is much wanted for strong land," — American Farmer. Black Knot on Plum Trees. — ^Messrs. Editors: — Facts are everywhere admitted to be better than theories; and observation is the fruitful mother of the farmer, while speculative animus often creates the latter. Wm. Smith, Esq., of Ballston Centre, a gentleman of close observation and of much practical skill, in- forms me that a year ago all his plum trees were bad- ly affected with the black knot, except one, growing with the rest, and having the same general treatment. In looking about for a specific cause he found this ])articular difference; at the base of the unaffected tree was a large tomato vine. Making note of the fact, this year he removed all the diseased branches from his trees, and around a portion of them se*- out the tomato plant, leaving part uncared for. iVow mark the result. Those with the tomato at the roots, have no knot whatever, while those not treated in this way, were/i/Zi of black bunches, the same as last year. Mr. Smith offers no analytical explanation, but simply gives the public these facts. F. D. C.^ Charlton. Cabbage Worms. — ^The Charleston (S. C.) Mercu- ry tells us that John Parrar, one of the most prac- tical farmers in the State, says these destructive in- sects may be destroyed in the following easy and sim- ple way: — " Break off a large leaf from the bottom of the cabbage, and place it on top, upper side down. — Do this in the evening, and in the morning you will find near or quite all the worms on each cabbage have taken up their quarters on this leaf. Take off the leaf and kill them, or feed them to the chickens, and place the leaf back if there be any more to catch." Know that if you have a friend, you ought to visit him often. The road is grown over with grass, the bushes quickly spread over it if it be not constantly traveled. 62 A PEW WOBDS TO THE WOMEN OF CANADA. A FEW WOEDS TO THE WOMEN OF CANADA. Thoucu the following remarks are addressed to the women of Canada, we think that many things con- tained in the conimunication are equally applicable elsewhere, and commend them to our readers. " Her hu.sUand is known in the gates when he sitteth among the •UliTS of the hmii. " She loolteth well to the wavB of her householJ, and eateth not the bread of idlenes9."^jPro«. 31, xxUi.-xxvil. Thk education of the young females in a colony is a matter of great importance to its prosperity, more, too, perhaps, than it may at first appear to us; but on reflection, the thinking mind will perceive that the future greatness of the new country will be materi- ally affected by the character of those who are des- tined to be the wives and mothers of its colonists. If our daughters are brought up to follow a hfe of mere vanity and frivolity now, can they assist in bringing up energetic, industrious and virtuous sons? If the tree be weak, so also will be the branches, and the fruit that springs from them corrupt and in- sipid. It was one of the glories of the matrons of ancient Rome to be the mothers of great and good citizens. To merit this honor they also must have labored to train up their sons to be brave, useful and honorable men. Had the daughters of Rome given their minds «nly to idle vanity, where would have been the line of heros, lawgivers or statesmen who have astonished the world by their prowess, and enlightened barbar- ous nations by the blessings of useful knowledge be- stowed upon them in the arts and manufactures, left as a lasting legacy by the conquerors to the con- quered? Why should not the daughters of Canada emulate the matrons of old Rome? Have they not also the great and glorious privilege of being the nurses of a nation which may in the course of time, and that at not a distant period, equal or surpass any upon the face of the globe? Wives and mothers, and you, young daughters of Canada, the elements of a growing country's pros- perity are in your hands. Your examples, your teaching and moral training may make us a great, and good, and noble-minded people — the pride and glory of all lands. But will it be so? We have often heard strangers make the remark, that the young women brought up in Canada, with fxccllent natural talents, are, nevertheless, more friv- olous in mind and manner than those of Britain, or in the other States of America. The justice ol last part of the remark, I am incompetent to d( upon, my acquaintance with the young females o United States being very Umited. We hear continually young men who have em ted from the old country object to taking wives among the Canadians. They want cheerful sen partners, who are able and willing to take an a part in their houses, to guide and assist, if neces not as a slave and mere drudge, but as a mistre kindly, cheerfully and with that moral dignity w commands at once respect, and inspires afiection ■ji household. Mothers err greatly in imagining that to i their daughters accomplished (and this they thinl only be done by sending them to school in one c larger towns) they are making them ladies, and ing them in the scale of society. This is a , error: the superficial acquirement of a little n dancing, (as taught,) drawing, and the various of embroidery in wool or cotton, is not to be at plished. Still further off is the grace of mind manners, and feeling, which alone constitute £ gentlewoman. A sensible, graceful young wi will adorn any station in Ufe, even if she posses: one single accomplishment (commonly so ca Such an one, though she may be plain in persor be sought out as a companion for life, by men will choose her in preference to the giddy, vain, girl, whose only attraction consists in a pretty and a display of accompUshments imperfectb quired, and which, having been learned merely task, are discontinued in a few years, because i distasteful. There are natural gifts which should be cultiv and which are sources of pleasure to the posse as well as their friends. Among these may be rai first, the possession of a musical voice and co ear, which, even unassisted, will yet be a soun enjoyment; nor would we shut our young Cana( out from any rational and intellectual source amusement for which they have a natural taste, only object to those things being made the sole o pation of early life to the exclusion of higher do and all the necessary and useful employments w are essentially requisite in her future station of whether she be destined to play her part as the of the agriculturist, the mechanic, or the merch To fit our younger females for a life of usefuh it is highly essential that the early part of their cation should be devoted exclusively to acquiring plain elements of reading, writing, ciphermg ECONOMY IN TIME AND LABOR. 6S llework — let these be the foundation on which more ornanicutiil may be added, if situation, nnt- l talent and other circumstances concur to make I additions suitable and expedient — let useful seliold works be always encouraged and taught imilici The daughter should not be above her her, but strive with honest pride to follow her s ill household economy, improving where she she can do so to advantage, r'e too often have noticed when spending an ling with a country friend, the young ladies sed and enjoying themselves with dancing and ic and singing, while the mother has served and le the whole burden of the evening, unassisted uncared for. How hardly do the duties of a lehold fiJl upon those girls who, like mere butter- have only hovered over the flowers and basked le sunshine of life. These become mere drones he busy hive, and gather no honey to support iselves during the dark wintry day of age, sick- er advereity. 'WTiat a contrast to the bright, ■e, cheerful, contented matron, " whose children up and call her blessed!" Of such an one it may aid — "The heart of her husband doth safely in her, so that he shall have no need of the . She shall do him good and not evil all the of her life; strength and honor are her clothing, she shall rejoice in the time to come. She open- ler mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the Df kindness. Many daughters have done virtu- !, but thou excellest." jad the portrait of a virtuous woman by the wise ', Lemuel, most probably drawn from the charac- Df his own mother, a princess or noble lady in ice, who wa.s not ashamed to superintend tfee ling and household labors of her maidens — an ]ple not unworthy of imitation by our own ;hters. ''omen of Canada, " go and do thou likewise." K. ECONOMY IN TIME AND LABOR. UNT Uannah's advice to a young housekeeper, ■h we find in the Ohio Farmer, contains many 1 things, and practical common sense suggestion, ;h we copy for the benefit of housekeepers who not have Mother's tact for business. How in the world do you manage to get along I the work. Auntie ?" said Mary, one day, after had sufficiently recovered to lie upon the lounge, ch at her request, had been moved into the hen, that she might not keep Aunt Hannah from household duties, whils they chatted together. I never could get along so. What ii di.!er<'iu o there is in women. Mother always said that 1 had no tact for business — I wish I had yours." "It's all in taking advantage of your work,"' said the good lady, giving her dish cloth a vehement twist ; and shaking it out, she proceeded to wi))e oil' the table, whereon the morning dishes had been washed. "All in taking advantage. Now, I am never in a hurry, if you ever noticed it. I Uecj) ahead of my work. Sometimes, indeed, sickness, or some other circunistances, will throw one back ; but I always want to catch up again as soon as 1 can, and then keep up. I don't take near as many steps as you do, Mary ; but I make every step count, as father used to say. When I go out to shake the table cloth, I bring in an armful of wood ; I always calculate to make one journey answer two purposes, if possible ; for instance, when I am cooking pastry, I take my dish of shortening, salt, or something back into the pantry, and bring back the rolling-pin and kneading-board ; or, in crossing the room after some- thing for use, I stoop to pick up some misplaced article, a child's toy, or something of that sort ; then I know how much time I require for a certain amount of work — just how long it takes to cook every dish — just how long it takes to wash, to iron, to bake, to do everything ; and so, I can have any kind of work done at a given hour. I never let my fire get down, while I am using it ; and if you ever noticed it, I burn a great many chips, and always want wood chopped, instead of sawed ; one can't always Jiave it, but give me nice, dry chips, with a few sticks of wood to keep them up where the blaze can circulate through them, to make a humming fire. I always have my breakfast calculated over night, the cofi'ee ground, the potatoes dressed, the meat cut, and then I have only to clap on my tea-kettle and potatoes, the first thing in the morning — brush up the room, put the meat cooking, make the cofi'ee, set the table, and breakfast is ready. Then I always have the water on, for washing the dishes, before I sit down to the table. There is a great deal of time saved by this simple act. As soon as a meal is finished, you have only to clear up the dishes, wash them in the steaming-hot water, put them away, sweep, dust, and rub your stove over with the blacking brush used for the purpose, and your kitchen work is done. Then, unless you have bread, pastiy, cake, or some- thing of that sort to. make, you have only the cham- Ijer work, the sitting room to set in order, and a few little things to see to, and you are ready to sit down to your sewing. If the baby cries take it up and make it good natured if you can. Give it your shoe, the broom, a tin pan, or some other odd play- thing ; it will suit it much better than the toys made on purpose to please children. "Always wash on Monday, if you can. Have your regular days for everything — your washing day, your ironing and baking day — and never put away your clean ironed clothes till every rent in old gar- ments is made whole. Have a basket in which to put garments, stockings, &c., that want mending ; and never let that basket, stand neglected till Saturday uight. In so small a family as yours, you can gen- erally mend in the afternoon after ironing. If you manage in this way, your work will go on smoothly, €4 A CHEMICAL QUESTION FOR BOYS AND GIRLS, &c. l)ecause systematically ; you will never be obliged to eat hot bread because you will bake before your bread is all gone. "In the same way with your sewing ; always keep a good supply of garments on hand, and never let your stock run low before replenishing. Make your husband's shirts for the year in the winter season, they will then be comfortable both winter and sum- mer— new garments are too thick for summer wear. "There's another thing, Mary, in which you fail now that we' 73 got to talking about it, I'll mention it for your good. You can't xvork and talk too. Some folks can. Now / can sometimes get along just as well with my work and talk all the while — though as a general thing when I am about house- work I dou't want to talk much ; but if I had to, and had the natural faculty of working and talking together, why I'd let the talk go until I could sit down to it. Now when you are sewing, and go to say anything, you drop your work and never take another stitch, till you have said your say. Now if you'd try and think, you could learn to take part in a very entertaining conversation and at the same time keep your fingers flying all the more lively to a merry tune. Learn to take the advantage of your work, my dear, and by the time you are as old as I am, you will be a model house-keeper, I doubt not. I don't pretend to that title myself I am an old fashioned body, and don't know much about new fangled w-iys, but I rather pride myself oa my abili- ties in a good country farmer's kitchen, or as house- keeper for a plain mechanic, or even for Georgie, if he is going to be a merchant." A CHEmCM. QUESTION FOB BOYS A5I> GIBLS. E A Lcvp of sugar that sinks to the bottom of a tea- cup full of tea which is not stirred, will be two or three times longer in dissolving, that it will if held in a tea-spoon and not stirred in the tea, but retained near the surface. Query: Why does the tea dissolve the sugar faster at its surface than at the bottom of the cup ? The fact is curious, and has been observed by thousands who could not give a satisfactory expla- nation of the phenomenon. This is its rationale : sweetened water or tea is heavier than that which is not sweetened; and a lump of sugar held in the tea at its surface, parts with the sweetened fluid at once, for it sinks to the bottom of the cup, which causes tea that is not sweetened to flow in and around the sugar not yet dissolved. This tea becoming in turn heavier by dissolving, falls also ; and in this way a current is kept up until the sugar in the spoon is all dissolved. Sugar at the bottom of the cup soon surrounds itself with a saturated solution of this sweet, whose increased weight keeps the unsweetened tea or coffee above it To some this topic will ap- pear a small matter. Such should remember that the fall of an apple was to Newton a phenon of mighty astronomical import. If any little philosopher wishes to test the re solubility of lumps of sugar at the bottom a the top of water in a glass, he may proceed ir wise. Procure two lumps of equal size, and both with ink; put one into the bottom of a wine glass and gently fill it with water, and thi another glass of the same capacity with watei hold the lump in a tea-spoon under water, but its surface. The latter will dissolve in less thai the time occupied in the solution of the former Yeast Fungi and Ropy Bread. — Micros and chemical researches have satisfied their ex tors that yeast vessicles belong to the lowest of plants. In form they differ not materially the vessicles in mould that grows ahke in breai cheese; but yeast fungi are almost infinitely h volume. It is the small quantity of sugary n in flour formed into a sponge that most favor growth, aided by genial warmth, of yeast vess and if permitted to stand too long, an excess of fungi will render the bread ropy. Bread s never ferment too long, nor be baked too soon, flour, whose sugar is half soured, never forms lent bread ; but soda or saleratus is the be; rective. To Cook Hominy. — Wash the hominy i think you must — though we should as soon of washing flour before using it — and put it ii in three times as much water as you wish to C( hominy, and set it where it will become a little ' It should soak at least twelve hours. Boil it i same water in a porcelain lined kettle, until it i still leaving each grain quite whole. Be very ful to keep sufficient water in the kettle to pi the mass from sticking, or it will bum. Whep all the water will be absorbed. Never add S£ butter, or meat to the hominy while cooking, son it after it is done, or leave every one to ad( sugar, butter, or meat gravy to his liking. Real "English Plum Pudding." — One f each of flour, beef, suet, sugar, currants and ra four eggs, one pint of milk, spice to the taste ; a bag — alio w no room for swelling, and boil hours. This rule is from an English family. Cbanberey and Rice Jelly. — Boil and pre; fruit, strain the juice, and by degrees mix it wi much ground rice as will, when boiled, thicken jelly, boil it gently; stirring it, and sweeten to taste ; put it into a basin or form, and serve cream or milk. EDITOR'S TABLE. «ft BD Times. — Uard times h the key-note of many an e in OUT exchanges. That facilities for the borrowing y at legal rates are now withheld is very true. That lence among business men of each other's soundness .bility to meet obligations falling due, is also true, extravagance and recklessness among those who to be the leaders in society, have lowered the stan- of conventional morality among our citizens, is also Meantime, while thousands of operatives are thrown f employment in all oar large cities, while many of ttensive manufactories and machine-shops are dis- their laborers, or reducing the time of working, ^icuiturists, as a class, were never in a more stable in than at present. Everything that a farmer raises ry section of the country will command money, and hly remunerative prices. Mother earth is kind, and 1 she may not at all times honor drafts upon her ith profuse liberality, yet carefully cultivate her give OS well as take from her broad surface, and me and harvest will never fail. The reverses now experienced by many, will have a salutary effect, if md to induce more economy in the details of busi- id l^ousehold expenditure, in shutting down the gates reckless speculation, whether it be in land, stocks, cultural staples. It is a characteristic of our peo- go ahead. It is a good trait of national character, e condition is requisite to safe progress — "Be sure right, then go ahead." mes like these, when labor in some sections seems . drug upon the market, let those who have improve- to make, avail themselves of the supply, and cause wamps and marshes to be thoroughly drained and or cultivation. Many a family will be grateful for ince of employment given to the father, and many a • bread in the homes of the poor can be hushed, if lilanthropy will give employment to those willing T. We do not favor the idea of giving food with- rk. We see daily in onr streets those who are too I work at fair prices, but not too proud to ac- lief at the hands of our public officers. For such 'e no sympathy ; and we question whether the liberal on now made in nearly all our large cities for the re- destitute poor, does not in a measure increase the aims to avoid. Let not the word hard times induce who can give employment to laborers, to withhold portunity. a well-conducted agricultural journal ? Will each one show this number to a friend or neighbor, and solicit his subscription, and forward? "We shall try to give our read- ers some information on nearly every topic connected with agriculture, in the course of the year. Meanwliile we so- licit contributions and communications for our pages from all interested in practical agriculture. Facts, experiments with manures, depredations of insects, diseases of stock — whatever will increase the sum total of one's knowledge, will find a prominent place in our pages. We notice in an exchange the failure of two heavy Eastern houses, engaged in buying and sellirrg wool, for heavy amounts. Both are reported to have failed in con- sequence of outside operations, or those not connected with their regular business. We are disposed to think very ftivorably of wool-depots for the sorting, grading and sale of the different qualities of wool, provided the mana- gers keep clear of being involred by the risks of other business. Wool now bears a low price, and we see no prospect of any material advance while the present stringency in the money market continues ; but do not, on that account, con- clude that sheep-raising and wool-growing is not a certain and safe business. If proof were wanted, we would refer to an article in our last number, on the comparative profit of wheat-growing and sheep -raising. ■ Select the best in your flock from which to breed ; take first your own pick from the lambs, instead of letting the butcher do it for you ; bestow your care as it is needed daily; if tame wolves annoy you, feed them liberally with spare meat seasoned with strychnine, remembering that care and forethought in stock-raising avails much more than severe toil not properly directed. We see it stated by a correspondent of the Register ^ Examiner, writing from Iowa, that hedges of the Osage Orange, and also nearly all lands of shrubbery are much injured by the depredations of the Gopher — a species of ground mole, very numerous in some sections of the West. We would be much obliged if correspondents familiar with the habits of the animal would favor ns with a know- ledge of the best means of preventing their ravages, or of ridding one's grounds of them. We have a few Japan Peas from J. Read, Esq., Hun- tington, Pa., and I. W. Briggs, West Macedon, N. Y- Also of the Ground Cherry, from P. S. Beers, Southwell, Conn. They shall have a trial the ensuing season. Also from Mr. Bhiggs, seeds of the Citron Nutmeg Melon, and the Ice Cream Watermelon. In another part of our paper will be found a brief arti- cle on the Japan Pea, which will answer many enquiries respecting its habits of growth, yield of seed, &c. The Oregon Pea in the Northern States will not ripen. We would call the attention of stock-breeders to Mr L, F. Allen's circular, to be found in this number. EDITOR'S TABLE. A Fact worth Knowing. — Those who burn anthracite coal, if it be not of particularly good quality, are often annoyed by the formation of clinkers, or semi-vitrified masses of scoriae, which remain firmly attached to the fire- brick lining. Removing them forcibly oftentimes injures the stoves. Now, all this trouble and annoyance can be avoided by taking a handful of dry slaked lime in powder, and when your coal has become thoroughly ignited, sprin- kling the lime about the edges of the fire. The above jH^ctice repeated once a week will cause the clinkers to disappear of themselves, and keep the brick in good con- dition. So says one of our most extensive stove dealers. NotutJS of N{ your correspondents inform me if there is a remedy, and le best method for raising calves? A Scbsceibib.— iJiiioii, J>., Pa. 3 following extract from Doyle's Cyclopedic^ of Hus- y, explains tlie nature and causes of the complaint .bed bv our correspondent : he inHammatory fever, known by the familiar name • bla'-k-leg. or quarter, (whicli rarely attacks any but f cattle), is usually occasioned by over-feeding, and Idden transition, when they are in a lean state, from - rich and succulent pasture ; it occurs in spring or . is very frequently fatal, and may be known by the -ins; svmptoms : a hard, bounding pulse, quick, fever- ■athing. heavy, red, and listless eye, the neck extend- rniiig skin, the root of the horn hot, dry muzzle, ex- d nostril, parched tongue, staggering in the limbs, or jeotion of them from tlie body as if to prop it up allmg. great debility, lameness "in the hind quarters, in in the joints, and mortification ensues unless the e be conquered by timely and very copious bleeding he neck, even to faintness. If, after the first bleed- le pulse continues hard and throbbing, the bleeding I be repeated, and a draught of epsom salts, from pound to a pound, and an injection of oil in gruel I be administered, for it is essential to free the bow- -npletcly ; and the medicine must be repeated until elTecte'd. This terrible disease, if allowed to make •ogress, becomes quickly fatal. The first ™od symp- iU be an abatement of olTensiveness in the smell of cers, which then begin to heal quickly. When pu- has assumed a decided character, there is no hope, i in the dewlap are recommended as preventives." iROREENS — B. J., Houston, Alleghany Co., Pa. — The 1 which you send us, is the English yew. The tree ill attain eight or ten feet in height, and about three r feet in diameter. We are not acquainted with the can yew you mention. Tlie difference between the of your junipers is undoubtedly owing to natural ., if they are the same variety. Perhaps those of LCt form are growing in a stiff clay or gravelly sub- In order that your evergreens may assume a fine the leaders should be thinned out, leaving only one e the lead. We do not consider that rich soil or the of the house in the afternoon would be injurious to owth of evergreens. Editor ; — In the November number of the Faruee I no- n article signed H. G: Bulkley, in which he says he plowed e of ground nearly twenty inches deep, by throwing each ;ive furrow on the top of the la'^t, and did it with one pair 11 horses. Being convinced of the utility of subsoil plow- it supposing its practice required an extra plow and team, as . an extra hand to manage them, I am anxious to know how iLKLEY managed t^ do it with one plow and team. There- he will describe the whole process through the pages of the IB, he will confer a great Ckvor upon its readers. W. G. — iburgh. ilR. Editor :— Ple;i.i Holders of wheat are very firm — light arrivals — Uttle demand for export. Wheat, pood white Genesee, $ 2 60 @ 2 62 sales of prime white Michigan,.., 2 45 @ 0 00 Canadian, (in bond) 2 10® 2 22 " Southern 2 15® 2 30 ■• Ohio, 2 28® 2 35 Corn, perbush 104® 108 Barley. " 125® 135 Oas, " western, 68 @ 60 Rve, " northern 1 37 @ 1 40 NEW YORK CATTLE MARKET, Jan. 10. B-eves Ist,|u:ilitv per lb, 10 @ 10>i cts. 2a qualitv, 9@9M. OnliMary, 8 @ S*i eta. Swine— H'.»j^s for packing, 4?i @ 5c live weight ; large hogs com fed. dead weight, 6 ® 6Jic for very beet. CAMBRIDGE C.VTTLE MARKET.— Beef, extra, $8,60 pi Ist quality, $8 ; 2d quality, $7 @ 7,25 ; 3d quality, $6,76 ; ary, S5,50. Swine, 6 to 6Kcts. per lb. ADVERTISEMENTS, To secure insertion in the KAKMijR, must be received as earl-. 10th of the previous month, and be of such a character a of interest to farmers. Tekjus — Two Dollars for every hi words, each insertion, paii WM. R PKINCE & CO., FLUSHING, N. Y., WILL supply 250,000 stocka of the foUowing kinds: Pear, i'lum, Cherry, Mahaleb, Angers Quince, Douoi Paradise Apple. Norway Spiuco and other Evergreen. Also in quantity of Apple, Pear, Plum, Cherry, Anger-i Quin Apricot, Catawba Grape, yellow and honey Locust, Omige C Pines, Spruces, Magnolias, Larch, and other trees, of which a Catalogue will be sent '.o applicants. Orders must be imi or they cannot be reserved. A wholesale general Catalog,, Nurseries will be sent to applicants. Feb. 1 PEAR STOCKS. THE undersigned oifers the following : 400,000 one year seedling Pear Stocks very fine. 100,000 one year seedling Pear Stocks extra fine and go 100,000 two year seedling Pear Stocks very strong ana ( The quantity of these stocks in this country and Europe present time is very limited. Persons therefore requirii should make early application. The whole are remarkably vigorous and good stocks. Prices rea-^onable. Feb. 1— It JOHN SAUL, Washington City, ] TO NEW NURSERIES. Wif. R. PRINCE h CO., Flushing, N. Y., being no' in closing up their Nurseries gradually, will enter ii rangements with the proprietors of New Nurseries, to f every article required for their advancement on an economi< advatageous basis. It is an absurdity to expect to eatablif develope a respectable Nursery without a rea-sonable amo capital, but it can be done with far less than is usually exf if the arrangements are made by persons experienced in 1h ness ; and by proper management, some returns may soon ht coming to aid in the disbursements. Proposals staling the a of cash capital and other available means in a plain busines ner will receive attention. Feb. EVERGREEN TREES, &c. THE undersigned offers to hi:^ friends and the public, j sive collection of Evergreens, including the popular £ aa rare kinds, Gooseberries, Currant*, lix^pberries, ^c, all finest qualitv. Among which are the following: 600 African Cedars, (Ceiljus Afric.ana) 6 to 12 inches. 2,000 Deodaras (Cedrus dendara) 4 to 18 inches. 20,000 Scotch Fir, 3 to 6 inchep. 500,000 Silver Fir, (European) 4 to 7 inches. 1,000,000 Norway Spruce, 4 to 8 inches. 5,000 English Yews, 6 to 12 inches. 2,000 Irish Yews, 1 to 2 feet. 50,000 Larch (European) 4 to 6 inches. 20,000 Weeping Birch 4 to 6 inches. 40,000 Currants, Vii;toria. red, and white dutch, white aj- Grape, Black Naples, he. 50,000 Gooseberries, all the popular standard kinds a the new large show varieties. 20,000 Raspberries, FastoIfF, Magnum Bonum, red and Antwerp. 5.00O Strong Plums, leading varieties. Feb. 1— It JOHN SAUL, Washington City, I _ ^ CH^UCj; TO MAKE MONEY I Proi'ITAule akd IIoxoRAiiLE Ehplotmi^nt I I THE subscriber is desirous of having an agent in each ■ and town of the Union. A capital of from $5_to $10 or be required, and anything like an eOlcient, energetic man cai from three to five dollars per day ; indeed, some of the agent emoloved are realizing twice that sum. Every infnrmati'm ^ given by addressing, post^ige paid, WM. A. KINSLER, Feb. 1, 1856.— It* Box 601, Philadelphia Post Of THOROUGH-BRED MARES FOR SALE ON account of the owners leaving the country, two younf blooded mares are offered for sale low. They are of go» and form, and in all respects desirable animals for breeders of They can be seen by applicaiion to KICHAKD S. CHARLES, videl■^ Allegany Co., N. v., who can give all itf'i *'- '- " to pov Sgree, price, &e. " Feb. 1, 1854.- ADVERTISEMENTS. ialETCHinrS MOWER with REAPER ATTACHMENT, BY HOWARD k CO., Buffalo, N. Y. ETCHUAfS celebrated Mowing irachine has been improved by the addition of a Reaper Attachment, and we now otfer it as a rer, or as a Mower and Reaper combined, with full confidence it IS the most perfect and successful Machine now in use. The Qge from a Mower to a Reaper, (wWch means has been patent- ia effected by simply enlarging the mmn wheel, by circular ions, bolted to the rim of the wheel. Some of the advantages Lined by this arrangement are: First— Raising the cutters ciently high for cutting grain. Second — Lessening the motion he knives, without any change of gearing, which is very desir- in cutting grain, as much less motion is required. Third — ucing the draft ^ the Machine at least one-third. Fourth ling the cogs of tiie driving wheel, thereby preventing them be- (illed with dirt, as they otherwise would be, on sluble land, h — Attaining the above named objects rcitkout the Uast change ny part of the Mower. We shall build for the harvest of 1855 l^ombioed Machines, with wrought iron frames and fingtr bars. se manufactured expressly for Mowing will all have wrought finger bars, but a portion of them with wood frames, tach hine will have a good spring seat, ahd every part made in the t substantial manner, and warranted durable, with proper care, have reduced the weight of the Mower about one hundred and pounds, which we have found desirable, and have no doubt improve them, by lessening their draft. We shall take the ut- t pains to have our knives made of the beat of steel, and well e offer our Machines, and warrant them capable of cutting and ading from ten to fifteen acres of any kind of grass per day ; warrant them capable of cutting the same amount of grain per TGGLES, NouRSE, Mason & Co., Worcester, Mass., are manufac- ng, and have the exdusive right to sell in the N. E. States. r are also manufacturing a one horse Mower, which they have ht to sell in any of the United States, except the Western. iYMOUR, Morgan & Co., of Brockport, N. Y., manufacture the -ers for the States of Michigan, Illinois, and Iowa. ARDER, Brokaw & Child, of Springfield, Ohio, manufacture :he States of Kentucky, Missouri, Southern Indiana and Ohio, ■pt the Western Reserve, which will be furnished by James M. MPLi.v, Cleveland, Ohio. \e of Mower, with extras, is $110, Mower and Reaper 125, in Buffalo. Feb. i— 2t prices will be allowed to Clubs ordering four or more copies nf any one or more of the above works. Thus : Four copies of Blac^;, wood, or of one Review, will be sent to one a-ldress for $9 ; four copies of the four Reviews and Blackwood fir $30 ; and so on. PnSTAOK.— In all the priucipal Cities and Towns, these works will be delivered, through Agents, Free of Pontage. When sent by mail, the Postage to any part of the United Stjites will be but Twt:ATY-FouR CK.NT3 a year for •' Blackwood," and but Fourteen Cents a year for each of the Reviews. Remittances and comnumications should always be addresaecit post-paid, to »he Publisherp, LEONARD SCOTT k CO., 54 Gold Street, New York. N. B.— L. S. & CO , have recently published, and have now for sale, the '• FARMER'S GCIDE," by Henry Stephens, of Ediuburgh, and the late Prof, Norton, of Yale College, New Haven, complete in 2 vols., royal ojtivo, containing ICOO pages, 14 steel and 6U0 Avood engravinjjs. Pride, in muslin binding, $6. BT^This work is not the old '• Book of the Farm," lately r*^- citated and thrown upon the market. BRITISH PERIODICALS. EONARD SCOTT k CO., New York, continue to re-publish the following British Periodiails, viz.: tIE LONDON QUARTERLY (Conservative). THE EDIN- tGH REVIEW (Whig). THE NOftTH BRmSH REVIEW Church). THE WESTMINISTER REVIEW (Liberal). LCKWOUD'S EDINBURGH MAGAZINE (Tory). e present statz of European affairs will render these pubUca- unusually interesting duriijg the forthcoming year, rangemenis are now permanently made fctr the receipt of :y :?heet3 from the British Publishers, by which we are en- 1 to place ALL OUK Rbi'rints in the hands of subbcribers, t as 8oi>n as they can be furnished with the foreign copies. i-)ugh tliia inv(dves a very large outlay on our part, we shall nue to fumiph the Periodicals at the same low rates as here- r any one of the four Reviews, $3 per annum. For any two he four Reviews, $5. For any three of the four Reviews, $7. all f.mr of the Reviews. $S. For Blackwood's M:igHzine, $3. Blackwood and three Reviews, $9. For Blackwood and the DITCH DIGGERS, TILE AND BRICK MACHINES, Manufactured bt PRATT k DROS., Caxakdaigua, N. Y THE Ditch Digger flr.d Tile Machine were constructed to cheap- en and exter*' *jrainage. Diti;he8 must be made cheaper and faster, and T''.j must be made easily, and simply and extensively. The Farmer feels it and agriculture demands it : and we beg l^ave to siiy to all interested, Uiat these machines will accomplish the object. We warrant our Ditch Digger to be capable of cutting from fifty to 150 rods of Ditch in a day, by the use of one man and two horses, not less than 2^ feet deep , and that this implement ia made in a thorough and workmanlike manner. "^/e warrant our Tile Machine to be capable of making from tem- pfered clay, 10 to 15,000 Tile or Brick in a day, by the use of two horses — grinding the mud and making the Tile or Brick at the same time and by the same operation — using steam or water power with, equal facility. This Tile Machine enables Brick makers to make Tile rmd Tile makers to make Brick, changing from one to the other in less thao five minutes, and the cost of the Machine iw no iimre than those in ordinary use, it being the simplest arranj,i'ii!ent knnwn. The quali- ty of Brick made, ia but a little inferior to pieFsed Brick. Farmers, if you want Tile made chi^np and near you, see your- selves that it is done. See to it thatsfmie one gets a machine and makes them. Farmers, if you want Ditches made quickly and cheaply, buy a Ditch Digger, or find a man that will do it. Far- mers and others, if you want to see these machines at work, come when frost has disappeared and see tliem. We shall be ready, and take pleasure in showing them to you. Brick makers, do you want to change your business for the bet- ter ? Then make Tile and better Brick, and you will be the gainer and agriculture accommodated. We have a large number of Tile Dies from which to select. Dealers in Agricultural Iraplemenis, we will supply you on fa- vorable terms. Persons wanting exclusive Patent privileges, we will negociate with you. All, wanting any further information, will please address PRATT k BROS. Feb. l—ll* Canandaigua, N". Y. KOnCK THE Subscriber now offers for sale two very superior Stallionau One will be six years old next May, he has Uiken nine pre- miums; took the first in Toronto at the Provincial Show, 1852. The other will be four next June, he tooa the second premium in Hamilton, at the Provincial Show, 1853. They were both siied by, the far famed Old Clyde, and who far surpassed any horse that ever came against him. Their dam was a very superior Mare. For fur- ther particulars apply to the subscriber. Addn Feb. 1— 2t WM. WADDELL, Pickering, Claremont P. 0., C. W. BULKLEY'S STEAM DRY KILNS. GREEN LUMBER can be kiln-diied in 24 hours by Bulkley> patent plan by superheated steam. Cost of Kiln, $20 for small size. Also, 50 to 500 barrels of Hour or meal, or 100 to 5,000 bush- els of grain per day. Cost of kiln fmm $150 up, varying with size. War anted superior to any other mode. Single Riphts or Territo- ries sold low, and circul.-ira sent gratis on application ^to^lhe^pa tentee, at Kalamazoo, Michigan. " " "'" '" "^ H. G. BULKLEY. AGEICTTLTURAL & HORTICULTURAL HffiPLKMENTS. MORE than OXE HU^^DRED diiTerent kinds or_Pl large assortment of other Implementp, f nd Garden. January 1, 18j5. — It ALLE V. 189 and 191 Water at., Ne Vork. 70 ADVERTISEMENTS. GENESEE VALLEY NTJKSERIES. A. FROST & CO., KOCHESTER, N. T., SOLICIT the atteation of ainaU'uis, ordiardists, nurserymen, and otIitTS about to plant, to Uieir extensive stock of well-grown Krnit and Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Roses, &c. &c. 'I'he Nurseries are now very extensive, and embrace one of the liirjre-st and finest collections in the country, and their stock is far Bir,enor tM any that they have before oifered. It is partly com- prised iu the following: Standard Fruit Trees. — Apple trees, eighty varieties ; Pear trees, one hundred varieties; Cherry trees, sixty varieties; Plum tree?, foriy varieties; Peach trees, thirty varieties; Nectarine, six varie- ties; Apricot, six varieties; and other kinds, comprising every sort of merir. Vtcarf ajid Pyramid Fruit 7V«es, of every description, for culti- vation in orchards and gardens, have received particular attention. Ttiey embrace the following kinds, and comprise nearly the same rninber of sorts as are grown for standards : Fears upon the best European Quince stocks. Apples upon Paradise and Doucaio stocks. Cherries upon Cerasus Mahaleb stocks. Small Fruits, as Currants, eighteen varieties ; Gooseberries, sixty varieties; Grapes, Native and Foreign, twenty-five varieties; Rasp- berries, six varieties; Strawberries, twenty varieties; and other misitellaneous fruits, .is well as esculent roots, in variety. Deciduous and Evergreen Trees, for lawns, parks, streets. &c. Ecergreen and Deciduous Shrubs, in great variety, including four hundred sorts of Roses. Hedg^e jp/an/a— Buckthorn, Oaage Orange and Privet; and for screens and avenues, American Arbor Vitae (White Cedar), Nor- way Spruce, &c. Herbaceinis Plants.— X very select and extensive assortment. Green-fumse and Bedding Plants, of every description. All articles are put up in the most superior manfter, so that plants. &c., may be sent thousands of miles and reach their destination in peifect safety. Parties giving their ordei-s may rely on receiving the best and most prompt attention, so that perfect satisfactioa may be given the puichaser. The following descriptive Catalogues, contiining prices, are pub- lished for graluiiuus distribution, and will be mailed upon every application ; but correspondents are expected to enclose a one cent postage stamp for each Catalogue wanted, a^ it is necessary that Uie postage should be prepaid : No. I. Descriptive Catalogue of Fruits for 1854-5. No. "i. Descriptive Catalogue of Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Roses, &c. &c., for 1854-5. No. 3. Wholesale Catalogue or Trade List, just published for the fiiU of 185-t and spring of 1855, comprising Fruits, Evergreens, D-;- oiduoas Trees, kc. &c., which are offered in large iiuautiiies. October 1, 1854.— tf CATALOGUE OF BARE AIID VALUABLE SEEDS. KAJSED AND PUT UP BY I. W. BRIGCS, SIACEDON, WAYNE COUNTY, N. Y. O ange Watemielon, from China, per paper, 25 cents. Ice Cream, or White Sugar do., of Alabama, 25 Citron Nutmeg Muskmelon, 12>a The Celebrated Japan Pea, 12>i Cih'fornia Muskmelon, 12K Watermelons — Mountain Sprout, Mountain Sweet. Mexi- can and Sandwich Island, 2 varieties each, 06 _qnashes— Jfiw^er — Sweet Potato, Vegetable Marrow and Polk; Summer— Apple, Crookneck and Scallop, 06 Mammoth Red and Grape Tomatoes, each, 06 White Vegetable Egg—looks like an egg, 06 Double Sunflower— the "Floral King," 06 Victoria Rhubarb — the best pie plant, 06 Flat Dutch Cabbage— the best winter, 06 Pop Cora (3 varieties), Adams' Early (a field com), very earlv Sweet Corn, and late, large do., each, 06 Poland Oatfl, per bushel of 40 pounds, $1.00 Mexican Wild Potatoes, per bushel, 1.00 Z^^ Seeds sent by mail, free of postage. Oats and Potatoes shipped as directed by railroad or canal. Address, post-paid, with money enclosed, J. W. BRIGG, County Line Farm. Dec. 1, 1854.— tf West Macedon, Wayne Co., N. Y. CUTTEK EIGHTS FOR SALE WE will test our Hay, Stalk and Straw Cutter, patented Novem- ber 8th, 1853, for speed, ease and durabihty, against any other in the United States. J. JONES k A. LYLE. J^* For further information, address JONES & LYLE, Ro-^h- eeter. N. Y. February 1, 1854.— tf MERINO SHEEP. ^rpHE subscriber wilt sell a few Spanish Merino Sheep— bucks and X ewes — of undoubted purity of blood. He will also dispose of a part of his stock of imported French Merinng. Gentlemen purcha.sing from this flock can have the sheep for- warded to the priacipal Western towns at ray risk, c: ^^- MS54— tf R. J. JONES, CornwaU Tt. THREE VALUABLE AND HIGHLY CULTIYAThI ^ FARIIIS FOR SALE THE subscriber offers at private sale three most desirale Far situate in the vicinity of Newark, Licking county, Ohio, to 1st. His CHERRY VALLEY FARM, on the old Columbus r two miles west of Newark, containing two hundred acres, one 1 dred and forty of which are cleared. On this fann are two lai | young orchards, two large new frame houses, a smoke- house, ba new stable for fifty horses, sheds, chicken-houses, hog-pens, &e large garden handsomely fenced in, and indeed every conveme^ and even luxury that can be desirable on a farm. This farm if the highest state of cultivation, no labor or expense having b" spared to render it a model farm in this, as in all other particuL 2d. His RICHLAND FARM, also known as the Taylor or F» lerton Farm, situate on the roaa to Hebron and also on the 0 Canal, two miles from Newark, and containing 139 acres which are cleaied). There is a good log house and Rtible firm which is in a high state of cultivation, and cannot pa^ised for fertility. 3d. His ENGLISH FARM, situated on Hamp Creek, on ono lii the roads to Hebron, four miles from Newark, and containing acres, about 80 of which are cleared. On this farm are iv old frame houses, a large frame barn, a new paw- mill, and c*)1 li cracker and crusher. This farm is also in a highly cultivated stii i Also, a number of OUT LOTS, of every size, for sale. Persons desirous of purchasing a good farm, in admirable ort' will find it to their advantage to call on the subscriber at his he in Newark, Ohio, where he can be seen at all times. Time will be giren to the purchaser if desired, and possession! the first dav of April, 1855. N. B. HOGG, January 1, 1855— 3t Newark, Ohio) THE SCIENCE OF NATURE. A NEW SCHOOL BOOK, FIRST LESSONS IN- CH E M I S T E. Y AND GE0L0G1 ; As Applied to Agriculture. BY J. EMERSON KENT, A. M., M. D. ANEW school book— the first American work ever issued i first book, or "First Lessons in Chemistry and Geolot.. applied to Agriculture," designed as the first step for the you to be used in all crur common schools, is now submitted to educational public. Some indeed protest against the introduci of all modern improvements in m:Uiing the earth productive; . the great agricultural interest* of our nation depend upon a nt generation of practical farmers, who will till the soil as much 1 comprehensive knowledge of the laws of chemistry, as by sweat of the brow. The subject of agricultural chemistry cannot but soon comni itself to tire world as the most important of all studies, and, in i the wealth of this country would be doubled within one year tv all that saved which is nowl-.st by stupid, bungling agriculti A volume of recommendations could be given to the public, bu is not necessary. School Committees and Teachers will be furnished with a cc gratis, for examinalinn, by mail, post-paid, on application to undersigned. Price 25 cents. DAYTON & WENTWORTH, Publishers, 86 Washington street^ Boston, Mas.' Also, for sale in quantities at F. Cowperthwait k Co., Philai phia; Cady k Burgess, New York; Phinny & Co., BuflTalo, N. ' Darrow k Brother, Rochester, N. Y. ; William Wilson, Poughke sie, N. Y. ; H. M. Rulison, Cincinnati, 0. ; and by all other bo sellers in the United States. N. B.— A few men of the right abiHty are wanted to trn through every State in the Union, and introduce this work i i schools. A liberal commission will be paid. Gentlemen who tm i for health or recreation will find this occupation a lucrative r agreeable employment. Address as above. Nov. 1, 1854. — 5 SEEDS FOE THE FARM AKD GARDEN Arri.L a.ssortment of all kinds cuUi%-.ateJ in the rnitt-d Stat| fresh and pure. January 1, 1855.— It FEETniZEKS. PERUVIAN GUANO, Superphosphate of I.ime, Bone Dust, Pi drettc, Pla.ster of Paris, &c January 1, 1855. — It "FIHE STOCK." PBEMiFM AT OHIO AND iNDIAX.l STATE FAIES. PURELY bred FANCY FOWLS, fifteen varieties. Also, Lfl | EARED RABBITS, and SUFFOLK and ESSEX PIOS, bi from the beat importations. W. S. LUNT, Findliy, Himcook Co, Ohio ADTERTISEMENTS. AYER'S PILLS, FOR ALL THE PURPOSES OF A FAMILY PHYSIC. ^HE:^E Pills have been prepared with a view to supply a more reliable, sofer, and every way better aperient medicine than -; hiiherto been available to the American people. No cost or 1 has been spared in bringing: them to the state of perfection, ik-h now, after some years of laborious investi^tion, is actually J.ize-i. Their every part and property has been carefully adjust- by expeiiment to produce the best effect which, in the present te of the medical sciences, it is possible to produce on the ani- man. When we consider that four-fiftha of all ncident to the human race actually require nothing effectual purgative remedy to completely cure them in the finning, we shall appreciate the utility of this invention ; and en we further kTWW by experience the ease and rapidity with ich they may be arrested by these Pills, then, and not till then, 1 we estimate the magnitude of the benefits to be derived from fir use. They are not presented to the world for a temporary 1, but aa the skillful embodiment of such virtues as shall give •m a perennial popularity, and permanent place, among the great :artwledged remedies of this age. They will become the recourse which men turn in affliction, and not in vain. Hence the ex- •ise, time, and assiduous toil have not been misspent in pro- ttng their unrivaled excellence; for it is a world-old maxim, it all beautiful and useful inventions are the fruits of a thousand lors and difficulties. The subjoined communication is authenticated by some of the 't statesmen in America, as well as other distinguished persons high public position, who are known throughout the whole tntrv, and whose opinions command respect wherever they are Ifter numerous trials of Dr. Ayer's Cathartic Pills, both under own ob''ervation and under the immediate inspection of our inent physicians in the city of Washington, I am convinced that •y are an aperient medicine of unrivalled escellence. They have >"wn a remarkable control over the diseases for which they are ii'ned, and in numerous cases effected cures, which conclusively ive their superiority over every purgative within our knowledge. 1 extensive trial of their virtues has convinced me that they ,st be adopted into general use, as the safest and best medicine of ftir kind which the people can employ in the many cases where ':h a medicine is required. VAseiNGTON. D. C. Z. D. OILMAN. ^e the undersigned hereby certify that Dr. Z. D. Gilmau is well 5wn to us, and we concur in his opinion. HON. THOS. H. BENTON", MAJOK P. W. mARNES, U. S. Army. COL. D. R. McNAIR, 3ergeant-at-Arms U. S. Senate. HON. J, C. RIVES, Prop. "Globe," official organ of the American Congress. GEN'L ROBERT ARMSTRONG, Prop. "Union," and Printer to the House of Represent^ti'Ds. BEVERLY TUCKER, Printer elect of the U. S. Senate. JOHN W. MAURY, Mayor of the City of Washington. Afi A DisxER Pill, this is both agreeable and useful. No Pill 1 be made more pleasent to take, and certainly none has been ♦de more effectual to the purpose for which a dinner pill is em- lyed. Pereons of a bilious habit find great comfort from their. easional use, in small doses, after eating or drinking too freely, *ny ban vivants and clisting>::shed Individuals have acknowledged- ese benefits; but we have not yet received authenticated certifi- tes of this fact for publication, and hence must ask the public to te this on our own unsupported assertion, or else try them and ige for themselves. Being sugar wrapped, thoy are protected from detorioration, and, nsequently, are more reliable in their effects, as well as perfectly reeable to be taken. iRPARED BY JAME? C. AYER, PRACTICAL AND ANA- LYTICAL CHEMIST, LOWELL, MASS. ^r^ Price 25 cents per Box. Five Boxes for $1. AYER'S CHERRY PECTORAL, iT the rapia Care of Coughs, Colds, Hoarseness, Bronchi- tis, Whooping Cough, Croup, Asthma, & Consumption. ThJ« remedy ha3 won for itaelf such notoriety from Its cures of every variety of pulmonary disease, that it is entirely unnecessary to recount the evidences of its virtues in any community where it has been employed. So wide is tlie field of its usefulness, and 90 numerous the ca.ses of its cures, that almost every .section of the country abounds in persons publicly known, who have been restored from alarming and even desperate diseases of the lungs by its use. When once tried its superiority over every other medicine of its kind is too apparent to escape obser\-ation, and where ita virtues are known, the public no longer hesitate what antidote to employ for the distressing and dangerous affections of the pulmonary or- gans which are incident to our climate. And not only in formida- ble attacks upon the lungs, but for the milder varieties of C0LD8, Coughs, Hoarsenkss, &c.; and for Chilpken, it is the pleaaantest and safest medicine that can be obtained. As it has long been in constant use throughout this section, we need not do more than assure the people its quality is kept up to the best it ever has been, and that the genuine article is sold by LANE & PANE, and W. PITKIN & SON, Rochester; DEMA- REST k HOL^L\N, Buffalo ; and by aU Druggists every where. November 1, 1854.— 4t Contents ai t!)f5 Numttr. The improvement of Native Cattle, 41 Maple Sugar, _ _.42 Tenant Labor, ^ 44 Save your Woodlands, , 45 Bones and Their Uses, 46 Japan Pea, _ 47 Ohio State Agricultural Convention, 47 The Muscular System of the Horse, 48 Farming in Essex County, Mass _ 49 Galls from the Harness or Saddle, 50 Raising Forest Trees, , 50 Sheep and DogE,.__ .,51 Circular, 52 Correspondence, .,„„„__„„ ..„ 53-5S Winter Work, 53 Symmetrical Cottage, 54 Prices Now and Then, 55 Farms and Farmers, _,55 HORTICtTLTURAL DEPARTMENT. Plants for Protection, 55 The Raspberry, 57 Catalogue of Fruits, _ fiS Arbors, 59 Pruning, 59 Fruit, 60 Plant your Plum Troes, 60 Prevent Apples ft-om being Wormy, 61 Salt Lake Barley, 61 Black Nnot on Plum Trees, 81 Cabbage womij, - - 61 ladies' departmeht. A Few Words to the Women of Canada, 62 Economy in Time and Labor, 63 A Chemical Question for Boys and Girls, 64 Yeast Fungy and Ropy Bread, 64 To Cook Hominy, ^ EDITOR'S TABLK. Hard Times ^^ A Word to our Friends and Subscribers, 65 A Fact Worth Knowing, ^ ILLUBTRATIOIfS. Points of the Horse, * A Symmetrical Cottage, •> ** Ground Floor and Second Floor do, 56 Arbors, --- - ' "" BTBRBOTTPBD DT J. W. BROWN, RO0HK8TEB, H. T. ADVERTISEMENTS. THE tn presenting his Prospectus for Volume XVI., Second Series, of the GENESEE FARMER to its patrons 8: friends, tlie undersigned returns his sincere thanks for tiie cordial appreciation and generous support extended dur the p 1st and previous years. The price will remain unclianged. though all the expenses connected with the mechani department are much greater than in previous years ; and it is oniy by the voluntary aid of the friends of agricultu |>rogress that he is enabled to furnish so large an amount of reading matter in his monthly issues. He will be a.ssisted in the Editorial Dspartment by Mr. W. D. ALLIS, who has been a regular contributor to columns during the past year. Mr. JOSEPH FROST will confinne as Horticultural Editor. Increased efforts will be made to render the GENESEE FARMER worthy of support. Each subscriber respectfully solicited to renew his subscription, and present the claims of the FARMER to his friends ; and the suit will enable the proprietor more than eypr to advance the interests of its readers. To enlarge the usefuhiess by extending the circul.-ition of the GENESEE FARMER, the underBigned will pay 1 following PREMIUMS on subscriptions to Volume XVI., second series: FIFTY DOLLARS, IN CASH, to the person who shall procure the LARGEST NUMBER OF SUBSCRIBERS in any County or E< trict in the United States or Canadas, at the club prices. FORTY DOLLARS, IN CASH, to the one who shall procure the SECOND LARGEST LIST, as above. THIRTY DOLLARS, IN CASH, to the one procuring the THIRD LAKGEST LIST. TWENTY DOLLARS, IN CASH, to the one procuring the FOURTH LARGEST LIST. TEN DOLLARS, IN CASH, to the one procuring the FIFTH LARGEST LIST. In order to reward every one of the friends of the GENESEE FARMER for his exertions in its behalf, we w give to those not entitled to either of the above premiums, the following BOOKS, free of postage, or EXTRA PAFEB a s may be preferred : 1. To every person who sends SIXTEEN subscribers, at the club terms of thirtv-seven cents each, ONE EXTH COPY CF THE FARMER, or a COPY OF LIEBIG'S LETTERS ON CHEMISTY AND AGRICULTURj( CHEMISTY (pamphlet edition). 2. To everv person sendins; for TWENTY-FOUR copies, as above, any AGRICULTURAL BOOK valued FIFTY CENTS, or TWO feXTRA COPIES OF THE FARMER. 3. To every person ordering THIRTY-TWO copies, anv AGRICULTURAL BOOK worth SEVENTT-FIV I CENTS, or THREE EXTRA COPIES OF THE FARMER. 4. To every person ordering FORTY copies, any AGRICULTURAL BOOK valued at ONE DOLLAR, FOUR EXTRA COPIES OF THE FARMER. 5. To everv person ordering FORTY-EIGflT copies, any ARGRICULTURAL BOOK worth ONE DOLLA AND TWENTY-FIVE CENTS, or FIVE EXTRA COPIES OF THE FARMER. For larger numbers, books or papers given in the same proportion. To save cost to our fiiends, we pre-pay posta; on all books sent as premiums. Persons entitled will please state whether they wish books or extra papers, and mal their selection wMien they send orders, if they desire books ; or if they have not obtained as many suDscribers as th< intend to, we will delay sending until the club is fuU, if so requested. We do not require that all the papers of a cli should be sent to one post-office. If necessary for the convenience of subscribers, we a^-e willing to send to as mar different offices as there are members o the club. We write the names on each paper, when a number are sent to tl same office, if desired ; but when convenient. Postmasters would confer i fivor by having the whole number ordered their own office, sent to their own address. J^^ As all subscriptions commence anew with the year, places where the FARMER was never before taken wi Btand an equal chance in the competition for premiums. i^y- B.\CK VOLUME"? of the F,4RMER will be furnished, if desired, and counted the same as new subscriber We shall keep a correct ac „„Tit of the subscribers sent by each person, and in the JULY NUMBER WE SHAL. ANNOUNCE THE PREMIUMS. S3" Specimen numbers, show-bills, tie, sent to all post-paying applicants. All letters must be post-paid or fret Subscription money, if properly enclosed and registered, may be mailed at our risk. DANIEL LEE, Publisher and Proprietor. ^OL. XVI., Second Series. ROCHESTER, If. Y., MARCH, 1865. No. 8. THE GENESEE FARMER, JOURNAL OP lQRICULTURE & HORTIGULTUKE. Volnme XVI, Second Series, 1855 DANIELi L,EE AND W. D. ALUS, EDITORS. JOSEPH FROST, HORTICULTURAL EDITOR. ftCH NITJfBER CONTAINS 32 ROYAL OCTAVO PAGES, IN DOUBLE COLUJINS, AND TWELVE NUMBERS FORM A VOLUME OF 384 PAGES IN A YEAR. Term*. Mgle Copy, J0.50 Te Copies, 2.00 ght Copies, 3.00 And at the same rate for any larger number. DANIEL, USE, Publisher and Proprietor^ Rochester, N. Y, THE FEEDING OF CITIES. The city of New York contains some seven hun- ed thousand inhabitants, and it is estimated that •ey daily consume an average of half a pound of «at each, or three hundred and fifty thousand pounds day, the year round. The state of New York ntains many cities beside its great commercial me- jpolis, whose inhabitants live on the fruits of rural lustry ; and the feeding of our growing population villages and cities, ha already become a business immense magnitude and importance. It is not at probable, that any one will ever again see bread- iflfe and provisions as cheap in this country, as they ve been within the last ten years. Consumption •esses too closely upon production, coupled with the pidly increasing necessity of importing guano, or her costly manure, for any lasting low prices of aiu or meat. Our farming lands have parted with much of their elements of crops, and our cities ive wasted so many millions of tons of the raw ma- rial of human food and raiment, ths.t cheapness ■reafter, as compared with former prices, is out of e question. It may take ten, twenty, or perhaps irty years, for the denizens of cities, and the culti- vators of the soil, to learn the true state of the case. Popular neglect, or ignorance, can not alter the facts as to the constant and ever-increasing draft made upon the soil to support an urban population. The latter make no adequate restitution to the land that both feeds and clothes them ; and for this reason, if for no other, the market value of a bare subsistence in all American cities, will steadily advance from one decade to another. Farmers will not supply those that dwell in towns using the word town in the En- glish sense with food, without being paid well for all the manure, lime, ashes, seed, and labor bestowed on their annual crops. A few cultivators may blindly sell all the elements of grain and provisions which their farms contain within reach of the plow ; but so large is the number of consumers at home and abroad, that their folly will not, hereafter, greatly depreciate the market price of agricultural staples. Of course, we do not assume that the present uncommon prices are to continue, but simply that they will never again average for ten years together, as low as they have done for the last three or four decades. How, then, can American cities be fed to the beat advantage? Clearly, by combining tillage with stock husbandry, and fruit-culture, in a way to maintain in- tact all the natural resources of the soil, and augment the fertility of such lands as need fertilization. The most economical production of grain, vegetables, ap- ples, and other fruit, as well as provisions, for city consumption, requires great skill in the use of manure. Agricultural plants have to be fed in some way not less than all animals ; and how to feed them wisely and properly, is a question antecedent to that of feed- ing mankind in old communities. Unfortunately, the people who live in cities prefer to keep their local manure for breeding pestilence rather than prepare it for the economical use of farmers in the country, so that very little need be expected from that source. ROOTS AND THEIR CULTURE. To compensate for this loss of the cream of their farms, wasted in cities, farmers must soon charge two or three prices for their wlieat, corn, hay, potatoes, pork, beef, and mutton, or quit their occupation. In the interior of an Atlantic State where this ar- ticle is written, guano is selling at sixty dollars a ton, and sodit-ash is used for agricultural purposes at a cost of one hundred dollars a ton. At these prices for fertilizei-s, corn should sell at a dollar a bushel, and wheat at two dollars ; and to this complexion the agriculture of all the older States is fast tending. The price of commercial manure will ere long govern that of all the great staples of the country The one thing needful in farming is the raw material of crops; for the solid bones of domestic animals, and of menr can not be formed of simple water, nor of carbon, or moonshine. Bread and meat can never be cheaply produced on poor land until their elements are pro- perly understood, and husbanded by nearly all con- sumers. With cheap and rich manure at hand, most cultivators would undertake to grow grain and stock at very moderate prices. But good manure is high wherever arated land is unproductive, and it will be higher before it is lower, for it is wasted in all cities and most villages in the most reckless manner. It is also wasted on a large majority of farms to an extent equally injurious to the public. A general reform both in town and country must take place, before agriculture can rest on a safe, or an improving sys- tem. Necessity will ultimately compel Legislatures to pay more attention to the farming interest, and to the difl'usion of rural knowledge, than has yet been done. EOOTS AND THEIB CULTUKK Of the importance of a good supply of roots for the winter feed of cows and sheep, it is unnecessary at the present time to speak. All good farmers will take suitable measures to provide liberally for their stock, the different varieties of food which are most conducive to thrift, and pro- fit in feeding. At the prices hay and grain have borne the past season, fattening stock on them ex- clusively, has been, or would be, a losing business, so far as regards the matter of dollars and cents; but if the fattening of neat stock is mostly done by means of roots, and a little grain fed before the time of sell- ing for the shambles, then in most cases, the reverse is true, and the manure left by fattening animals is 80 much additional gain. It is necessary, also, to secure a variety of roots, as well as a sufficient quantity. The appetite of man and beast is cloyed with any one particular kind of aliment, and a change of food is indispensably neces sary to secure the greatest possible benefit. "What kinds of roots should a farmer cultivate ' Carrots, and sugar beets are an excellent food fo) milch cows ; mangel wurtzels and ruta bagaa fo stock feeding generally. Carrots require to be sowi in a light, deeply-tilled, loamy soil, and if it has beei well manured the previous year for a crop of Indiai corn, it is all the better. If manure is used to pre pare the giound, let it be as well decomposed as ma; be, and thoroughly incorporate it with the soil by th roller and light harrow. Be sure your seed is of the previous season's growtl) if you would have a good stand of plants. Tou wi want about two pounds per acre ; sow in drills 1 inches apart, at a dej)th of about half an inch. A carrots are usually a long time in appearing abov the surface, weeds have time to get the start if you ground and manure be not especially free from the seeds. To avoid this difficulty, the French transL tor of VoN Thaik's principles of agriculture, says "I am in the habit of spreading the seed after it In been rubbed between the hands, on a table in a war place, but protected from the direct rays of the su It is then constantly covered "with stable dr.aiuings (• eight or ten days, in order that it may germinate ; soon as put into the ground. To prevent the uppi portion of the seed thus spread out from dryixg tc quickly, and becoming deteriorated, instead of ii proved, I cover it with a small quantity of ashes, I which means the moisture is more completely retai ed. I also take care to keep the seed constant moistened up to the time when it is put into tl ground, and then quickly cover it up." We have ourselves at times been much annoya at the failure of seed to germinate; and the seedsma who will mix 40 per cent, of old carrot seed with nev is really doing the cause of agriculture a great injur What can be more provoking than after having take pains to prepare ground, sow the seed, and find yot< labor and pains all of no account, by reason of ba. seed? An excellent way to test seeds of all kinds to put them between the earth sides of two sod! moisten with water, and in the course of a few dajj you can easily determine their worth. As soon i they can be perceived above the grounds, commeiii weeding. A few days delay may add one hundrt per cent to the labor. When fairly up, thin to tl distance of four or six inches according to the variei used ; and if your ground is in proper tilth and cone tion, you will have but little more to do until tl time for gathering. WHERE SHALL I PLANT MY ORCHARD ? 75 For table nse, the French is preferred by many. Mr. Barry, of the Hortkultut-ist, says that it is generally prcfon-ed by the Parisian cuisiniers, or cooks. For stock feeding, the long orange, and Belgian, or white carrot, c^n be grown. We noticed a patch of white carrots iu the grounds of a neighbor last fall, at the time they were being gathered, and learned that from about two-fifths of an acre he had raised 32o bushels of the white variety ; very fine, large> well-shaped roots. The white variety grows much more above the ground than other kinds, and is hence much easier to gather, but they should be gathered ill time to avoid injury by frost Sugar beet, and mangel wurtzel seed should be soaked several days in luke-warm water, changed daily, nulil fitted for quick germination, and sown to a greater depth than is proper for carrots. They should be thinned so as to stand from six to nine inches apart in the rows, and the rows should be for I the wurtzels from twenty to twenty-four inches apart. Wurtzels are the hardier beet, and will do better on strong clay soil than most any others, but whatever I may be the soil, it should be deeply broken up and j made loose and friable. 1 WHEKE SHALL I PLANT MY ORCHAKD ? for that season. During the intense cold of a winter's day after a severe frost, when the thermometer has sunk in the neighborhood of zero or below it, it is an essential point that the early rays of the morning sun should not strike upon the frozen buds, but that they should have time to thaw gradually. We are satisfied that effects often times attributed to an east wind, are due to the rupture of the tender cells of the bud, consequent upon the action of the sun's rays upon them, when their vessels are congested by in- tense cold. The lowest grounds are not the most free from the effects of a frost A few months since we saw an account of some experiments on the temperature of different locahties, made by Lieut Maury, of the National Observatory. At the same time that^a thermometer placed on a hill showed a temperature of 33 ° or 1 ° above the freezing point, a thermometer which was in a valley beneath, showed a temperature of 28 ° or 4 ° be- low. Not satisfied with the observations, he changed the positions of the thermometers and the result was the same. There was a difference in the temperatures of the hill and valley of 5 ° , a difference at the time of the blossoming of fruit trees which would save or destroy the germs of the crop. In the spring of 1852, by a late spring frost, the buds and blossoms on many fruit trees in low grounds were destroyed, while trees on hill sides and hill tops almost wholly escaped. A bud, while protected by its natural envelope can en- dure a great degree of cold without its vitality be- ing impaired; but when influenced by the genial warmth of spring it has thrown off those protecting en- velopes, and closely folded tissues, its power of endur- ing cold is gone, and it remains for the intelligent cultivator to aid in the protection of his budding fruits. By the radiation of heat into the atmosphere, the strata of air next the ground become colder than the other portions. These cold air currenU following the laws of gravitation, descend to the lower portions of ground, and into the valleys, and then become in a manner stationary, while by currents moving brisk- ly over any surface, radiation is prevented, and sub- stances will remain at the temperature of the moving cuiTent. Arrest that current, and radiation will cause a greater degree of cold than is due merely to exter- nal temperature. So in these valleys and lower por- tions of ground, the temperature soonest becomes re- duced to the freezing point, and consequently plants then growing must suffer. Every cultivator knows that corn on his low grounds is soonest afl'ecttd liy autumnal frosts, and the reason is obvious from the explanation just given. 76 WHERE SHALL I PLANT MY ORCHARD ? The Hindoos, by availing themselves of the power of radiation, are able to collect flakes of ice in their tropical climate, when the temperature, as shown by a thermometer suspended but a few feet above the shallow ponds, has been all night long 4 ° above the freesMDg point. But as facts are of more avail than many words, we give the results of experience and observation, showing that low grounds and valleys are not the places where one should plant his orchard. An intelligent Scotchman, residing in this city, who has travelled much in Europe, informed the writer that he noticed that the best orchards, and those that seemed the most productive, were located on side hills, inclining towards the south and east. The sun has much more power in our climate during the sum- mer, than in fruit raising countries of Europe, and indeed, in the southern parts of the Union it is ne- cessary to protect the stems of our fruit trees from the sun. Many cultivators of the peach tree have found that if planted on a site fully exposed to the sun, it blossoms before the spring frosts are over, and endangers the crop. All are famiUar with the fact, that a late and cool spring is generally followed by an abundant crops of fruit; and on the contrary, that warm dry weather in April, continued for any length of time, is pretty sure to force the buds into too active growth, and the crop is generally a failure. Again it has been noticed that late blooming apple trees have set their fruit, when the blossom of earlier trees wholly failed of setting a single blossom. It aeems then most advisable to plant an orchard, not in the warmest and earliest soils, but in those locahties where, if possible, the period of blooming will be somewhat retarded ; side hills to be preferred, but on no account if any other location can be had to set them on low grounds. If compelled so to do, let the soil be thoroughly underdrained, and well manured with ashes and muck compost ; for cold wet soils al- most invariably induce canker and disease, from which a dry soil, and one properly supplied with the elements of a healthy growth, are almost wholly exempt Since the above was written we have met with the following, in the address of J. A. Matson, Esq., be- fore the Greencastle Horticultural Society, Indiana, which we append : " Another subject on fruit culture, which has al- ways been of great interest, and has become much more so within the last two years, is the destruction of fruits by hard freezing in winter, and by the late frosts of spring. Nearly all the orchards planted by the early settlers of the west, were located in the valleys, and wherever practicable near the margin of some river or stream of water. This was done under the impression that the effects of the frosts would be neutralized by the fogs arising from the water, and resting over the valleys during the morning ; and by the protection afforded by surrounding hills, from the cold winds. " Fruit growers in the west, after witnessing the re- peated destruction of their crops, in the valleys, while the trees located on the bleak tops of the surround- ing hills, were bending down with their luscious bur- dens, have now discarded the theory with which they set out. "During the last fall, I witnessed a more striking illustration of the comparative effects of frost, on low and high lands, than has ever before met my obser- vation. On the morning of the 6th of September, the temperature became lower in this region than is usual at that season of the year. A few days after- wards, in passing down the Bloominton road, I cross- ed a long and beautiful intervale, between the Na- tional road and Cloverdale. The fields along the road, were planted in corn ; and in the lowest part ol the valley, the frost had killed the blades, the top oJ the stocks, and the husks of the corn, which were di and rattling in the breeze, while upon the clevai land, on either side, the corn was green and growini the effect of the frost becoming less and less appi rent, as you ascended on either side. Believing tbi some of the high grounds around this valley, m be very secure from the effects of late spring frosi I have made intpiiries from some of the earliest re: dents of the county, and find that there are tw orchards in the neighborhood, where the peach tree; have borne fruit, nearly every year, since the settle ment of the county. I understand there were twi other locations in the county, where the frost ha been nearly as scarce, one in the neighborhood ol New Maysville, and the other near Pleasant Garden It is my purpose during the coming summer, to ex amine these locations particularly, as well as another still more elevated, in the adjoining county of Hen dricks- " Dr. KiRTLAND, of Ohio, a gentleman distinguish ed alike as a physician and as a horticulturist, somi time since applied the test of science to the subject Supposing that the severity of the frosts in the valleys compared with its effects on the high lands adjacent was caused by a current of warm air, rushing up Iron the low, to the high grounds, as the temperature de creased ; stationed himself with a iherniometer, Ian tern and watch, on a night, when a severe frost wa: expected, on a hill near Lake Erie, where the peacl crop had never been killed ; while his brother, wa* stationed with a thermometer, lantern and watch, ii, the valley below. Each made and recorded observi tions, evei7 half hour during the night, and the resuji was as follows : From sun down, until nine o'clocf each thermometer indicated the same degree of te; perature. At nine o'clock the mercury in the valli thermometer commenced sinking, while th.at on iH? hill, at the same time, began to rise ; and the Dr. ob served a perceptible current of warm air, flowing uj from the valley. At twelve o'clock, the themiomete in the valley indicated 12 degrees lower temjieratun than that on the hill, and about the same differenei was observed until daylight in the mornlDg." WUAT BEEED OP UOWS WOULD YOU EECOMMEND ? ALDEBNET OB JERSET COW. ■WHAT BREED OF COWS WOULD YOTJ EECOMMEND.? A QUESTION not so easily answered. A breed prof- itable in one locality may not be equally so when re- moved to another. Some of the best dairymen in this country give the preference to our native cows crossed with the Povon or Durham, according to the object sought in connection with the dairy. Good milkers can be selected from almost any breed, and by care and good keeping, you may get a good sup- ply of milk from any one of them. Some years since, the Massachusetts Agricultural Society imported some Ayrshire cattle and distributed them in difierent sections of the State, but they have not answered the expectations of their importers. For northern States the Devons seem to combine as many good qualities as any others, being of a uniform color, quiek, active, and hardy, and especially adapted for the yoke. In the south and west the Durhams are favorites, particularly for stock for the Eastern mar- ket. (The Alderneys or Jersey cows give the richest milk of any breed, though not so great in quantity.) Uol. Jacques, of MassachusetU!, by unwearied pains ind skill in breeding continued a series of years, was Inally able to obtain a stock remarkable for their iiilking qualities, which he called the cream-pot irecd. In 1842, he had a public sale of his stock, md the result was — so little at that time did the rahlic appreciate his labors in their behalf — that he liscontinued his efforts at improvement, and we know lot now where his stock may be found. From the iccoonts published of his success in raising stock for dairy purposes, we think the public have been great losers in that they did not encourage him to follow up his plan, by giving remunerative prices for the stock for sale. All persons conversant with dairy matters are aware that there is a very great difference in the quantity of cream which can be collected from the milk of different cows. Were we about to estab- lish a dairy, we should test the richness of the milk by an instrument designed for the purpose (Lactome- ter.) This instrument in its simplest form consists of a set of glass tubes 10 inches in length, and divided into one hundred equal parts. The tubes being filled with milk up to mark No. 1, and allowed to stand twenty-four hours, the per centage of cream in a hundred parts is read at a glance. To any one who wishes to buy a cow for dairy purposes, we think the cost of the instrument would be repaid in the pur- chase of a single animal. It is a fact well established that there is a consti- tutional susceptibility by which certain cows not only yield a largo quantity of milk, but also of superior quahty. This power to secrete more and better mUk being transmitted to offspring, those breeds are of the most value which possess these quahties in a su- perior degree. It vei-y frequently happens that an inferior milker will consume an equal quantity of feed with one which yields a much richer and larger quan- tity of milk. Professor Emmons in the natural his- tory of this State (part V. Agricultural) gives the results of several analyses, made by himself, of milk from difiTerent breeds of cows. Though the experi- 78 WHAT BREED OF COWS WOULD YOU RECOMMEND ? ments were not as extensive as could have been wished, yet they are important, as clearly illustrating the preceding remarks. "The composition of the milk of the common vari- ety of cows: Water... 88.19 Solid _ 11.10 ButWr 4.00 Casein _ 4.00 Sugar 2.75 Analysis of milk obtained from Mr. K., of Green- biisli, taken from the common tub containing a mix- ture from all the cows: Water 88.49 Dry Matter 11,45 Cn£ein 6.43 Butter 3.47 Sugar 2.55 "One thousand grains of milk gave 6.729 of ash. By churning, one pound of milk gave 375 grains of butter. The cows were fed on brewer's grains, wheat bran and screenings. The grains were old, having been of the previous autumn. " Another analysis of the milk of his own cow, of the Dutch breed, made the Ist of February, 18.51, gave the following results: Water 86.92 Dry 13.07 Casein 4.56 Butter 6 63 Sugar - 1.S7 "It seems from many analyses that certain animals give a milk rich in butter, while others give milk rich in cheese or casein. "Analysis of the milk of a Durham cow — the ani- mal was five years old, and gave fourteen quarts per day — fed on cut hay, stalks and grains, and was, moreover, thin in flesh: Specific Gravity 1030.4 Water 89.37 Dry 10.72 Casein 4.40 Butter 4.70 Sugar 4.72 Casein obtained by acid 4.08 The uniform composition of the milk in butter, sugar and cheese is worthy of remark. "The analysis of the milk of an Ayrshire cow, re- garded as one of the best specimens of the breed, was as follows: Specific Gravity 1932.90 Water 85.94 Dry 14.06 Casein 4.65 Butter 6.42 Sugar 3.98 One thousand grains gave 7.24 of ash. The creara was thick and yellow, and the butter amounted by choming to 516 grains to the pound of milk. At the temperature of 56°, the butter came in eight minutes. The time occupied in churning the milk of Mr. K.'s cows was thirty minutes, and the butter was white and granular. "In cheese making, the great object will be to secure cows which give the largest quantity of milk, for thereby we may e.vpect to obtain the most caaein> with sufficient butter to impart richness to the cheese. A cow of the Ayrshire breed would be less profitac ble than the Durham, though her milk is richer. "The milk of the Devonshire and some other varie- ties, not being obtained, was not analysed. The con- cluding analysis in his remarks was of the Aldemey or Jersey cow, furnished by Mr. J. Taintor, of Hart- ford, Ct. Specific Gravity J031.1 Water... 84-73 Pry Matter 16.27 Butter 8.S7 Gwein 6.02 Sugar 3.05 AsU 0.79 " It will be seen that the specific gravity is high- less water — large proportion of dry matter — quan- tity of butter remarkably great — while the casein is also above the standard of other, cows. The butter was obtained by ether in the first instance, and after- wards by churning at the temperature of 68° Faren- heit. The butter came in eight minutes from the commenoement, but as he lost three minutes, it may be set down at five. The butter was in hard lumps, free from grains, of a rich yellow color, comparatively dry, and free from casein and milk. One pound of milk gave 706.79 grains of butter, equivalent to 9.33 per cent. The cow was not five years old, had re- cently calved, was in poor condition, had been fed upon hay all winter with four quarts of grain daily, and gave from eleven to twelve quarts of milk a day. " According to the foregoing analysis, the railk ob- tained from the Jersey cows, would give 12.32 lbs. of butter weekly, as she yielded 154 lbs. of railk; while the Ayrshire would yield only 11 lbs. 11 oz. in six- teen days from 309 lbs. 11 oz. and 6 dr. of milk (ac- cording to a report of Prof. Tho.mpson, published by order of the British government.) During an equal period, Mr. Taintoe's cow would yield 352 lbs. of milk, or 28.16 lbs. of butter, which shows a balance of 18 lbs. in her favor. The Ayrshire from Mr. P. gave 516 grains of butter for 16 oz. of milk," The cut represents an imported Aldemey or Jer- sey cow, bred by Col Lb Contun, of the Island of Jersey, the property of Mr. Eoswell Colt, of Pat- terson, N. J. DRAIN LEN'BL. 79 SSAIN LEVEL. We have repeatedly urged the utility and impor- tance of drainage of farming and arable lands. By it (drainage) we warm the soil, remove surplus mois- ture, and what may seem paradoxical, we actually enable it to endure drouth better. A correspondent writes under date of Dec. 12, 1854: " I am just now much interested to see that from my underdrained muck land, the snow has nearly disappeared, while on the adjoining fields it i.s now lying to the depth of sLt or eight inches." To drain successfully, the work must be well done, and faithfully. The usefulness of the whole drain is measured by its weakest part ; hence, a little attention or neglect will cause much trouble and annoyance. AVe give below the follow- ing sketch of a drain level from the Ploxigh, Loom and Anvil, and also append the remarks of Mr. R. L. Pell, before the N. T. Farmers' Club, which will be found interesting as presenting the subject in a new light, from the fV estern Horticultural Review: and other buildings. I will now speak of it agricul- turally. You are all aware of the importance of oxygen in the germination of seed and growth of plants, and that it is necessary it should gain access to all parts of the soil, and to the roots of plants. The farmer facilitates the process by subsoil plowing, harrowing and working it. Still some soils absorb oxygen much more rapidly, and in greater quantities than others. Clay, for example, absorbs more than sand, and peats or vegetable mold far more than clay. This depends upon the porosity of different soils and their chemical constitutions. If the clay should happen to contain manganese or iron in the state of protoxides, it absorbs oxygen to combine with it, while the decaying vegetable matter takes in oxygen to aid its decomposition. Some soils like- wise absorb heat much more rapidly than others, the temperature of which often amounts to from 111° to 130°, while the air in the shade is at 80°; black soils are thus affected, and consequen'.ly be- come warm first, and promote vegetation more quickly than others. We possess the poner of coloring our soils, and thus gain this adv;intage where it does not naturally exist, by top dressing with roots, charcoal, or other daik subs unces, and at the same time render it capable of .sustain- ing heat by aproper admixture ofsand, and yet our hopes are sometimes disappointed. I had a piece of land of a sandy nature, situated on an emi- nence, which, notwithstanding all my endeavors to the contrary, refused to produce me anything more valua- ble than the detestable fire furze vine, and although there was no portion of my farm that apparently re- quired draining less, I cut a good substantial drain through it, in the fall, five and a half feet deep, and stoned it after the most approved manner, then plow- ed the ground well, and the following spring sowed oats: the yield was sixty-six bushels per acre. Upon a subsequent examination I found the land contained copperas, which, during the rains of the fall, perco- lated through the drain, and left the land in a proper state to produce a crop. "Sprengel says: 'A soil is often neither too heavy nor too light, neither to wet nor too dry, neither too " We present our readers with the following sketch of a Drain Level, which for efficacy and simplicity is worthy the attention of drainers gen- erally. The implement consists of an upright leg, a cross piece connected to the upright at its cen- tre, a screw-joint a vernier-scale, fixed to the cross piece and running in a slide on the upright, a sight attached to each extremity of and under the cross piece, and a plumb-line. "The inslrument should be stuck in the ground, ^f^Ss5- !^ide roots. The tubers may then be replaced for th. production of a second and even a third crop of ^i' 'iifs. Some prefer breaking them off in the LTound, but I have always found it safe to take the tul i;i's quite out of the ground for this purpose. This intthod of procuring plants is practiced even in the Southern States, since otherwise too many shoots would be produced. With us this mode becomes further indispensable as the only means of getting our plants sufficiently early. Mode of Culture in the Field. — Plow your ground, and throw it into ridges five or six feet apart. This IS needful — first, because your tubers, needing to spread sidewise, will form more readily than when penetrating deep into the soil ; and secondly, they will thus be less likely to form roots along the vine. Set the plants on the ridge, about fifteen inches apart, inserting them m the soil just as though they were tomato or cabbage plants. Should the wean ther be hot, cover the newly set plants with any large leaves, as of pie-plant, balm of Gilead, &c. Hoe frequently until the vines cover the soil, but without increasing the height of the ridge. In wet and hot weather, it might be useful slightly -to lift up the plants with a long, smooth pole, to prevent them from rooting. I have not observed that the Sweet Potato is lia- ble to disease, otherwise than, as a tropical plant, it fears cold and rainy alternations of weather. Digging, Yield, Mode of Preserving, &c. — Dig as soon as the vinos are killed by the frost. Spread the tubers thinly on a dry, cool floor, where they may often be preserved for gradual use until mid-winter. I am not prepared to speak very positively of the yield. Undoubtedly it will usually be less than that of ordinary potatoes. In the hot, moist season of 1851, however, the yield was very large, and the whole cost of production not more than that of or- dinary potatoes by the bushel. Quality. — Here, after all, is the failing point of this crop. In a dry, warm season, when grown in rather poor, sandy soil, they are often quite eatable, and aro very acceptable to those not accustomed to those produced at the South. Often, however, they are quite watery and stringy — so much so as to be utterly uneatable to all who have ever used a good article. For this reason I would not advise their culture as far north as Central New York ; not at least until you strike the shores of the western lakes, where the summer is from two to four weeks longer, and allows the plant a proportionally longer period to uiature its tubers. I have written the preceding directions, not to en- courage their culture, but to aid those who are de- termined to try that culture for themselves. Some of my directions will seem quite unnecessary to those fa- miUar with their cultm'e. — C. E. Goodrich, in Horti- culturist. GYPSUM OK PLASTEB OF PABIS. Levi Baktlett, in the Granite Farmer, says : Some fifteen years ago, we came into possession of the farm we now occupy; being short for manure, we made use of plaster on our corn, potatoes, and other crops, without perceiving any very marked effects from its use, and after two or three years tiials, with it, we came to the conclusion that the soil of our farm did not need gypsum and we gave up the use of it. But some five years ago we thought there might be some benefit derived from the use of plaster, when daily strewn over our hovel floors, during the winter season, and we procured a cask of finely ground plas- ter (500 lbs.), and placed it in one of our hovels in which were kept through the winter ten head of cat- tle. A few quarts of plaster were daily sprinkled over the floor of the hovel which was nearly water- tight. The same course we have pursued every win- ter since, from the belief that a portion of the vola- tile carbonate of ammonia, generated by the decom- position of the urine, manure, «fec., would he fired, or changed to sulphate of ammonia, which is not vola- tile. There seems to be a difference of opinion among agricultural writers, in respect to the action of gyp- sum, when mi.xed with guano, and other concentrated manures. Some contending that plaster will hberate the ammonia, while others say it will not. "Which GYPSUM OE PLASTER OP PARIS, &a party are light in this matter, we shall not here at- teoipt to decide, but will state one fact about which there is no controversy ; that is if liquid sulphuric acid and carbonate of ammonia, are brought in con- tact by mixture, decomposition will ensue, the car- bonic acid of the ammonia will be driven off; and the free ammonia will combine with the acid, resuhing in gypsum of ammonia. In 100 lbs. of gypsum there is about 46 lbs. of sulphuric acid, (oil of vitriol.) It requires 400 lbs. of water to dissolve one pound of gypsum. From this it seems that 400 lbs. of water would only put less than hilf a pound of the acid in a favorable con- dition to combine with ammonia, for it is a very gen- eral law of chemical affmity, that when two sub- stances combine chemically, one of them must be in a fluid state. But we think that urine, especially while warm, possesses greater solvent power over the gypsum, than water at the temperature of 60°. In the rear of our cattle, in one of our hovels, there is a tight trough or gutter, 24 feet long, 14 inches wide, and 2 inches deep, in which the droppings of the cattle are re- ceived. If we put plaster in the gutter, aiid make no use of muck, or litter for bedding, in the course of 12 or 15 hours after the cattle have been in the hovel, there will be an inch or more in depth of urine in the gutter, (the ends being closed to retain the liquid,) and the surface of the urine is covered with a thin ice-like pellicle of carbonate of lime. This proves that the gypsum has been freely decomposed, the acid set free to combine with the ammonia, and the lime in its affinity for carbonic acid, rises to the surface of the liquid, as there is much of this acid in the hovels every morning. But when we make no use of plaster, there is none of this icedike stratum of lime in the gutter. From the above facts, we are of the opinion, that we save in sulphate of ammonia, many times the cost of the gypsum, even if it has no other effect than the retention of the ammonia. But its value on some soils, and favorable effects upon the clover plant, jus- tifles ns in the belief, that it possesses other manurial qualities, aside from its power of combining with am- monia. But to go back to the " supposed resnlts" of our free use of plaster in our hovels and stables. We use our winter made manure, on land planted with com, potatoes, and roots; followed the next year with grain, and grass seed. The three past seasons have been remarkable for severe drouths in August and September, of each year, from which cause a large portion of the grass seeds sown by our farmers have been a dead loss in consequence of the young grass plants having been destroyed by the severity of the late summer drouths; but on our farm, the grass, especially the clover plants, have done as well as in wet seasons. We have stock- ed down to grass, dry hillocks and ridges of land, upon which the young grass plants have withstood the effects of the drouths, quite as well as those upon the moistest parts of our fields ; though not quite as luxuriant. We do not pretend to farm better — man- ure higher, nor plow deeper than our neighbors, but we have been vastly more successful, the past three years in getting fwhat is termed) a catch of grass and we can attribute it to no other cause than that of our free use of plaster in our hovels for the sever- al past winters. We have no doubt but guano, pure and unadulterated, is a most valuable manure for the wheat, and some others of our cullivated crops — pro- viding, we except the summer drouths; yet, we be- lieve most of our farmers had better expend money for plaster, to be used daily in their hovels and stables during winter and summer too, if they keep their cows in the barn at night, as every good or bad far- mer should, if he consults his interesta Hay, with us, in farming, is of vastly more consequence than the wheat crop. But if wo wish to grow wheat, we had better do it through the aid of plaster and clover than to at- tempt it, by the use of guano at sixty or more dollars per ton. Plaster, used as we have used it, carries to the land when mixed with the manure, lime, sulphur, and ammonia, these very essential constituents of plants. Some apparently good soils do not contain these sub- stances in sufficient quantities — neither does common farm-yard manure, for we know this to bo true, from the fact that we have time and again, seen the corn crop very much increased in value, (on good looking and well manured soils,) by the simple addition of a tea-spoonful of plaster to the hill, at the time the corn was planted. We went two miles last September, to look at a field of corn, planted on good soil, well manured, all plastered in the hill except occasionally two rows together had no plaster ; we judged the plastered would produce one-third more corn. But since the harvest, the eii)erimenter has informed us that the unplu-stered rows did not produce more than half as much as the same number of rows that re- ceived the plaster. rOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY — HINTS ON GRAFTING. 81 CONDL-CTKI) BY JOSEPH FROST. POMOLOGICAI SOCIETY OF WESTERN .NEW YOKK. TuK foriiuition of a Pomological Society in Wes- erii Now Yoik, to include tlaat portion of the State, vestwanl of Syracuse, lias been discussed. The bjects of this Society are to ascertain from practi- •al experience, the relative value of varieties of fruits n this part of the State, to find out and liring into lOtice many valual)le seedling sorts, which are now mknow'n. Also to obtain the peculiar characteristics )f each fruit, that they may be classified under diSijr- nt heads, viz.: Tho.sc worthy of general cultiva- don, for profitable orchard culture, and those best .dapted for an orchard garden, and others which may lot be embraced under such heads, to be discard- id as unworthy of further cultivation ; in fact, it s to ehcit the most reliable information upon all sub- ects intimately connected with pomology. We think highly of it, and almost wonder that a 'Society having this for its object was not formed be- ore. Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan, have thtirg. ind much benefit has already been received from .hem, although in their infancy. The reputation of Western New York for its fer- ;il)t3' of soil, its extensive orchards of the finest fruit, jxtends throughout the Union. It is admitted that ao section grows the various kinds of fruits with such iBCcess as here. No section presents such a fruitful aeld from which valuable information may be derived ds this, and it it believed that there are enough prac- tical and energetic men to effect it The preliminaries are yet to be arranged, but if it is conducted with liberality, and with an earnest re- gard and attention to the desired object by its most active members, it must succeed. Then the reputa- tion of Western New York for its superior fruits, will be maintained, and much desired information that will be of the greatest value to those interested in the cultivation of fruit will be obtained. HINTS ON GHAFTINO. Much is written in every horticultural journal upon grafting, and each treatise of fruits gives all the information desired, numerously illustrated with cuts. Yet a lamentable ignorance e.xists among far- mers and many fruit culturista upon the subject. It is not our intention to give the mode of the operation, but to say when it should be performed. and the stocks applicable to each kind. Any work on horticulture may inform sufficiently a novice who possesses an average amount of skill and care, so that he may be able to graft successfully. The first step to be taken is to obtain scions of those varieties which are desired; they can be cut from bearing trees, or from young plants, if genuine, between which there can be no choice, only that the shoots should be well ripened. They may be cut during March or April, or at any time the buds com- mence to swell, indicating the approach of spring. They may be kept till wanted in a moist cellar, partly imbedded in sand. There are only two forms practiced in ordinary grafting, viz.: Stock grafting, and whip or tongue grafting. The former is adopted for large trees, where the stock is more than three-fourths of an inch in diameter. The latter is applicable only to seedling stocks, and small trees. The stock and scion ought to be about the same size, that the cut may unite on both sides; but it is nearly as well if the point of union be only on one side, when a stock, two or even three times the diameter of the scion, may be work- ed in this manner. The season for grafting is during March and April and in some localities it may be deferred till May. As a general rule, however, it should be done as the buds begin to swell, and several days before they will expand. The cherry is one of the first trees that shows the approach of spring, and therefore should be grafted first — then plums, pears and apples. When scions are kept fresh and in good condition we have had considerable success resultisg from grafting trees when in leaf or in bloom. This may be accomplished sometimes with such easy growing sorts as apples and pears, and often with plums, but with cherries never. The composition for grafting is about equal parts of beeswax and tallow, and double the quantity of rosin, into which, when melted, dip narrow strips of cotton cloth or calico. As a general rule scions should be grafted upon their ownnkind, as apples upon apples, pears upon pears, except when some specific object is wished to be obtained. All experiments in grafting the pear upon apple trees, on the mountain ash, on the orange quince which grows so freely in our gardens, will fail, giving the cultivator no reward for his pains. The apricot upon the plum stock is an excep- tion, which however, can not be successfully grafteol, unless a piece of old wood, say three-fourths of ta inch, is attached to the scion. NOTES ON THE WBATHEK, &a — SHADE TREES. NOTES ON THE WEATHEE, ETC. The past year closing with the present month, has been a most peculiar and marked one throughout the Western, Middle, and New England States, and wiU be most distinctly remembered for many years. The drouth during last summer was undoubtedly the most serious that America ever witnessed. Wiscon- sin and the larger part of Michigan and Canada, alone escaped. The actual bona fide loss to farmers, from the drouth of 1854, is more than two hundred mil- lions of dollars. It is a fact that upon all subsoiled or very deeply plowed lands, the crops suffered least, and particularly upon grounds which were under- drained. We had as little rain perhaps as in most localities, but our grounds were well drained, subsoiled deeply, and its surface was constantly stirred with the hoe, plow and cultivator ; therefore our trees and plants grew with equal vigor and made as healthy a growth as in more favorable seasons. From two to three feet in depth of water, falls in rain and snow all over the surface of the earth, in the course of a year. It having been so dry during the summer and autumn, it might justly be supposed that a great body of snow must fall through the winter. In December the snow fell to the depth of two and three feet all over the country, which soon melted. January and February gave us a wonderful snow storm which extended from one part of the country to the other, being in many places several feet deep on a level. In Illinois, where a storm of snow is sel- dom seen, it was so terrific, and continued so long that the mails from Chicago for St. Louis, and Spring- field, were detained two weeks, as well as travelers. The accumulation of mail matter at that point alone exceeded one hundred tona Cars containing hun- dreds of passengers were blocked by immense drifts, and the inmates were starved for many days, and nearly frozen to death by the intense cold. The unusual severity of the weather extended at this time over the whole country, exhibiting a greater intensity of cold than at any former period. ' When the thermometer indicates the niercury at zero with ns, we consider the weather remarkably severe ; if a few degrees below, there is great dan- ger of the blossom buds of the peach trees be- ing wholly destroyed, thus losing our entire peach crop. iTo-day we have examined buds of the peach tree which were fully exposed to the changes of the weather, and we feel confident that they are not in- iured, although the mercury fell on the 6th of Feb., at 7 o'clock in the morning, to 18 degrees below zero, and at the same time on the 7th, 22 degrees below, and so continued through the day with but little moderation. We thiuk that apple, pear, cherry trees, etc., too, have not suffered. The escape of the fruit trees, is attributed to the want of sun throughout this extreme cold, which was wholly obscured by clouds for nearly three weeks. All trees were in better condition, too, to withstand any sudden or extreme changes of the climate, than usual. The exceedingly dry weather had matured most perfectly the wood of last season's growth, thus rendering them unusually hardy. The seeds sown last fall, as well as plants, will not be injured, as a great body of snow covered the ground, which effectually protected them from the severe cold. SHADE TREES. In the March number of the FAR>rER for 1854, we gave a brief notice of the failure of transplanted trees consisting of hard and soft maples, and white oaks. In the spring of 1854, soon as the frost was out of the ground, the dead trees were all taken up ; broad and moderately deep holes were dug, the subsoil re- moved, and a fine compost of virgin mold and well rotted manure applied to each tree. Three feet distant from the line of the tree, a ditch was dug, which gave thorough drainage, and conduct- ed all the surface water away from the trees. Hard and soft maples were then set out, and firmly braced, that the wind might not loosen the roots, and leave air spaces about them. All commenced an imme- diate growth, and continued to grow finely through- out the season, the drouth not even causing their leaves to drop. A runaway horse overthrew one of them about the middle of June; it was immediately replaced, but to no effect ; with that single exception all have done well, and promise ere long to be an or- nament and source of pleasure to the eye. It is as easy to transplant trees, and have them make a continuous and healthy growth— extraordin- aries excepted — as to half do the work, and be ob- liged to repeat the same two or three times. Mr. Baekt, of the Horticulturist, very truly ob- serves, that it would be a great benefit to community in general, and particularly to those who have plant- ed, or are about to plant fruit and forest trees, if re- peated lectures were given by a lecturer whose espe- cial duty it should be, to ring the changes upon, and show the folly of attempting to hurry the work of which we are speaking. Even after the trees are OULTIVATION OP FLOWERS — OSAUB ORANGE HEDGES, 89 jlauteii, it may be with care, a majority fold their irms, ami say by their actious, "Now let ua wait for he fruit," Jco. No greater folly than this caa be lone. What would be thought of him who having avested his nieaus iu a manufactory, should then shut lown the gate, and let the machinery lie still and ust lor want of use, and yet the comparison holds rue; what is a ti-ee or plant but a machine from au Umighty hand, endowed with power to select from he earth, or absorb from the restless winds, the ma- erials for its own support and growth? CnLTIVATION OF FLOWEK& What flowers pay best ? is a question often asked y the devotees of Flora. Enjoyment and outlay both onsidered, I for one will answer, annuals. You reap 11 the benefit from them the first year; they are con- enient for those who have not a permanent residence as they ought not to be planted in the open ground efore the 10th or 15th of May); the ground is clear f roots, ready to be worked and manured deeply ; aanges of form can be pm'chased to stock a yard for hat a few respectable shrubs would cost. They resent every variety of height and color. Some are warf, suitable for edgings, as Portulacca, sweet Al- rssum. Candytuft, Rocket Larkspur, Campanula Lo- liii, Viscaria, China Pinks, and the dwarf Asters, all f which will bloom until hard frost. Another class ir sowing in beds by themselves, as Phlox Drum- "londii, Pettmias, Verbenas, Pansy, Asters, Caccalia, fignonette, Godetia, Clarkia, Escholtzia, Bartonia, oreopsis. Hibiscus (trionum), Centranthus (macrisip- on), and Centaurea or Bachelor's Button, and many thers, and then there are the climbers, that can be ained in all the forms that fancy can suggest, or even ) simple strings, such as the large flowered Morning rlory. Sweet Peas, Thunbergia, Mansandia, Canary ird flower, and the scarlet flowering Beans. Besides, aere are others of all colors and heights to fill up ae odd corners and places, as the purple, white and ellow sweet Sultans, Tinnea, Scabiosa or Mourning Jride, Balsams, Stocks, Globe Amaranths in colors, inapdragon, Lupins, Lotus (jacobeaus), Crepis (bar- larta), Helychrisam, Gilia, High Mignonette, Lava- eras, pink and white, Ageratum, Ammobium, Rock- t Candytuft, and many others, with some double Sunflowers, Persicarias, and tall Mallow for a back- p"Ound, all of which, except the Balsams, will endure evere frost without injuring their bloom. But some vill say, they have to be planted over every year. We idmit that, but to me it is a pleasure to plant and ffatch the growth of new varieties, though many times have I been disappointed ^\hen tlie flowers came, to find when I had ordered one kind, another had been sent in its stead, sometimes finding the flow- er not worth a place in the darkest corners; but not so with any of these, they will always give satisfac- tion. I have named near fifty varieties which would cost very little. Even fifteen or twenty varieties well selected will make a good display, and can generally be obtained for $1 per package, or at least for si.x cents a paper. I conclude by saying to one and all, plant seeds. If you have not room for fifty varieties, plant twenty; if not room for that number, plant ten ; children love flowers, and who does not ? An Amateur. [We are much obliged for the above communica- tion, and should be pleased to have the fair author continue her favors. TuE Florist and Horticultural Journal, edited by H. C. Hanson, 63 Walnut-street, Philadelphia, com- menced with the January number, its fourth volume. It is got up in fine style, having in each number a colored plate of a new plant, or fruit, most of which are executed in Europe. It is a very valuable work, conducted with much ability, and we notice among its contributors many gentlemen who in this country have taken the lead in horticulture. Its price is very low, only $2 per year, in advance. OSAGE ORANGE HEDGES. " I have been cultivating the Osage Orange as a substitute for rail fence for three years — have sown a quart of seed each spring. The first quart was care- fully sown, after soaking a number of days in warm water, from which I obtained nearly 1200 plants, one- third not germinating until the next spring. The second quart similarly treated did not produce 100 plants. On the 30th of last April, I sowed the third quart of seed, which had been soaked in warm water five days, to which I added as much saleratus as I could take up in my thumb and finger, repeating the dose as often as necessary. As soon as sown, the rows of seed were covered with boards, which were not taken off until some of the plants had made their way up to them. I think every seed must have vege- tated, as it produced about 8,000 plants. I think 1 J inches about the right depth to sow the seed, and it is essential to have the soil deep, mellow, rich and moist. My plan of planting a hedge has been, to throw up land ten feet wide with the plow, going as deep as possible, strike a furrow in the centre, stretch a line over the centre, put m the plants 14 inches apart, carefully pressing the soil around them, and placing them where wanted. I cultivate a row of potatoes, or some other vegetable which will not shade them on each side the first and second season. 90 DISEASED APPLES. As to their capacity to stand transplanting, I will state that in 28 rods of two-year old plants put out last spring, not a single failure occurred, they were cut off at the surface of the ground when planted. They now stand nearly five feet in height. It is my impression that any clipping the first season retards their growth. Two-year old plants are best for transplanting, they re(|uire less attention, and make » fence quiclier. — Benjamin Sears, in Patent office Htport, 1850. We tried the experiment of clipping the most luxuriant shoots of an Osage Orange Hedge last sea. sou, and are satisfied that they must be let alone the first season of growth, though we have seen it stated by some writers that the plants would bear any amount of clipping or pruning. DISEASED APPLES. Mr. Editor: — In the July number of the Farmer, is an article copied from the Maine Farmer, headed "Singular Disease in an Orchard," that has given me considerable uneasiness, from the fact that so far as I am able to form an opinion from that article, I am fearful that the same disease is among my apple trees aud also in some other orchards in this vicinity. In 1849, I came into possession of the farm on which I reside; the following fall most of the fruit on a lai-ge apple tree near the centre of the orchard (contain, ing one hundred and twenty-eight treei) was nearly worthless, and has continued so up to this time, being about as badly diseased last fall as usual; there be- ing not more than one-fifth of the fruit on the tree free from the disease. The disease begins to show itself when the fruit is not larger than a nutmeg and continues to spread from one to another, unti| gatlwring time, or until the fruit is matured. For some time before the fruit is ripe, nil grades of the disease may be seen among them, from a light umber colored, irregularly radiated blotch, not larger than a pin head, up to a dark mahogany colored scab three fourths of an inch in diameter. Some of the oldest scabs have a deep crack across them, caused by the expansion of the fruit, while the skin on t.ic scab remains stationary. Where the disease begins on the side of an apple freely e.xposed to the sun, an apparently inflammatory process is set up around the place of attiick, presenting a handsome pink colored areola around it (as you will observe in No. 3 of the specimens); this redness gradually fades in the centre as the disease advances and widens upon the circum- ference. Some apples have but one scab on, while others are completely enveloped with them. It seems to be principally confined to the skin, destroying its vitality, and thereby preventing its expansion, while the healthy part of the skin performs its functions |: properly, thereby causing the diseased part to appear ji as if depressed. Where the whole surface, or nearly )i all of it is implicated, the apple falls prematurely. |( The later in the season the apple is attacked, the \ less it is injured, and after maturity it ceases to pro- It gress. The fruit on this tree has a yellow skin, am as they lay upon the ground, there is a striking re semblance to a tobacco spit upon a light surface The tree appears to be in good health, and bears a* abundantly as any in the orchard. The limbs on i are not crowded, neither is it unusually shaded b; foliage; the disease is worse on the under limbs, ani in the centre of the tree. There are some grafts O) the Baldwin in this tree, and the fruit on them sol fers in the same maimer as the rest I felt no uneasii ness about it until last fall, supposing it would no spread, and was of the opinion that it would Ieav< the tree first attacked before long, considering it temporary matter; but this last fall nearly all my trea having fruit showed more or less of it among then and a favorite winter fruit was badly diseased. M "' trees are principally seedlings, and apparently 1 1 healthy as my neighbors'. The orchard still remaii in blue grass as I found it I have inclosed for your inspection samples of tl disease, from which you can perhaps form a bett opinion than from a written description of it. All tl samjjles, except 4, 5, 6, were prepared in Septemb to forward to you then. Nos. 4, 5, 6, were cut off some apples this evening Jan. 5th. No. 1 presen the fiist stage of the disease. No. 2 a more advan ed stage, while No. 6 shows it in its maturity. Th uKiy appear to many as a small matter, bui it is U' so to me, and any information either you or yoi correspondents can give, that will enable me to r move it, will be thankfully recived. L. J. Trenton, Illinois, 1855. [Our correspondent has accurately described tl appearances of the various stages of the disease c fecting his fruit. We have consulted all of the te: books on pomology at our command, but do not fir any definite I'emedy proposed. As an e.xperiment, v would suggest that our correspondent break up tl soil underneath part of his trees, and apply lime ar leacheil a.shes freely about the roots. As the fruit most affected on the under limbs, and in the cent of the tree, it would seem that liberal pruning won aid in preventing the spread of the infection. Mai a mi.Kture of one part of dry slaked lime with tn parts of dry ashes, and put about a bushel of tl ii CULTURK OP APPLKS AT THR WKST. 91 mpound broadciist under and about each tree, and X it thoroughly by means of a cultivator or har- w. If any of our correspondents can suggest an clTec- il remedy, they will confer a favor, by forwarding publication.— Ed.] CULTUKE OF APPLES AT THE WEST. [Continued from the January number.] Domine. — A good grower, bears early and abun- nt crops of medium to large size, and often well ored specimens. This must become one of our it valuable maj-Uet fruits, not always of tlie firt^t ality, but being an abundant and regular bearer, i strong claims as a market apple; succeeds well on western soils. In use from December to February. fButter, [Sweet Belljlower.) — This is a well knowij d popular apple among our Southern customer.^. 1 is the first apple called for by them. It is used e.\ ■isively in manufactui'ing apple butter, which is rc- larily served up on most tables of the IJoosiers; t you New York folks know but little of the plea- es derived over a good dish of apple butter; henrp I name. Flat, often oblong, flattened at the base, aetimes flushed on one side with a yellow ground, ih yellowish, juicy, and slightly sub-acid, a medium »wer, is not an apple worthy of general cultivation ;ept for the purposes above specified. iPeck's Pleasant, large, often flattened in large loples, green, becoming yellow at maturity. A first S3 apple, bears abundantly, but not as early as ny varieties, succeeds well in our loose porous soil, )ject to the bitter rot when grown on the prairies, ould be jfl every Western collection. JVewtoivn Spitzenburg, (ox-eye,) of Ohio and In- ina, an upright good grower with numerous slender e shoots, wood profusely speckled with small light ,ored grayish dots, a moderate and regular bearer. dom bearing large crops. This is the fruit grown Western New Tork as Vandevere. We have seen rrels of them about Lockport under this name. Jannex. — F. R. Elliot's description : Fruit me- im, round, flattened yellow ground, mostly striped d splashed with red, which often has the appear- ce of a bloom; russet dots and lines; that near the lyx look like the crests of waves; stem long, slen- r, cavity narrow, deep, regular caly.x, small seg- ents erect, basin open regular, not deep; flesh yel- w, tender, slightly sweet, rich aroma; core small, ecember to February. Golden Sweet, a somewhat rapid, but sprawling grower; a productive and valiiuhle market fruit; in demand for baking; coming in immedialely after the Sweet Bovgh, and continuing sometime in use ; not as well adapted to the prairies as opening soils, re- quires a soil well supplied with lime to perfect good specimens. Talman's Sweet. — Not much cultivated at the West, because not generally known. I have seen it, however, in fine perfection; it is rapidly coming into public favor. HavU's Janet. — Medium to small (large at the South); round and regular; flat at the base; splashed and striped with pale red, becoming yellow at matu- rity, with a refreshing juicy and sprightly flavor ; al- ways retains its freshness, and keeps well until May and June, in fact almost the only apple m market af- ter April. The tree is an elegant, upright, good grower, more like the JVorthern Spy than any other fruit, but not quite as upright. I may safely say, that this fruit is the most valuable long keeper yet known; it comes out in bloom two weeks later than any other apple, which places it out of the way of late spring frosts, and enables the tree to bear lai-ge and regular crops. When most other varieties fail, we have a liberal supply of Raulc's Janet. Belmont, [Gate or Waxen,) retains its Eastern re- putation, and is truly a very desirable fruit, and should be represented in all Western collections where it can be grown on high opening soil, sometimes in- sipid when grown on low prairies, especially if defi- cient in lime; it is all that can be claimed in a rich sprightly and refreshing fruit; bears very large crops, each alternate year, and universally sought after by all of its numerous acquaintances; it is a stout heavy grower, and rather scrubby in growth, but finally makes a large fine orchard tree; very hardy, not sub- ject to blight. American Golden Russett, [Sheep-7iose, ^-c.) — Small, roundish, ovate, slightly russeted on a bright yellow surface, often with marks and splashes of red on the exposed side; flesh tender, melting and fine, in keeping until March and April, when it is a very desirable table fruit; a slow grower in the nursery, but a moderate and regular bearer. JVorthern Spy. — I am sony to say, this very popu- lar, and in New Tork, highly esteemed apple, does not (and there are doubts whether it ever will) main- tain the high reputation which it has gained as being the "ne plus ultra" of long keeping, and market fruits ; it is all that can be desired as a nursery tree, grows beautifully and sells well, but is very tardy in coming into bearing, and then only about one half the speci- 92 CULTURE OP APPLES AT THE WEST. mens are fair, it being inclined to grow knotty; to- gether with the fact that the apple worm relishes its rich fine flavor, causing the fruit to fall prematurely, and when we do get a good specimen, it ripens and is gone by the first of December. I doubt whether it will ever keep in perfection longer than January in this region. It is due to say, however, that all the samples which have been grown were on laid trees, grafted from five to seven years since. A few more years will determine its value as a Western fruit. One of our neighbors has 500 trees of this variety in one orchard. fFinesap. — Medium, conical, flattened at the base; bright red, clouded, and splashed with very dark red, almost black; flesh yellow, rich, tender, and crisp, juicy, rather vinous than otherwise, with the richness of the Esopus Spitzcnburgh, but more melting; one of our most popular and valuable table apples ; grows sprawling and slender, bears very early, and abundant; succeeds well on all dry soils. fVestJUId Seel;-ii9-furthey'.^M.c(!tiam to largG, dark bronze color when taken from the tree, with clouds aijd stripes of dull red, becoming a bright, rich, yel- lowish color at maturity; very rich, but rather diy when grown on prairie soil; succeeds best on a loose, porous, north hill side, when it is very fine; a moder- ate grower; in use from November to January. Large YHlow Bough. — Medium to large, white smooth, clear tkin, specked with numerous small ver- milion and carmine specks, becoming a rich golden yellow at maturity, which is about two weeks later than Sweet Bough, with white flesh, tender, juicy, sweet, and fine; keeps well for two and three weeks, ripening gradually; is valuable as a market fruit; was brought to this region from Virginia some twenty years since, and has become generally disseminated; bears regular, and very large crops; tree spreading and open. Fameuse, {Snow Apple or Pomme de JVeige.) — This exquisitely and beautiful desert fruit attains fine perfection in our heavy soils; is much grown in our neighboring county of La Porte, where it attains the greatest perfection; grows fair in the nursery, though not rapid; bears not large, but regular crops of fine samples; better ones I have never seen than have been on exhibition at their county Agricultural Society's meetings, where much attention is given to fruit growing; should be in every collection. Hubbardgton's JVonsxich. — Very large, bright red, and yellow ground, clouded with deep red ; one of the most beautiful apples grown, commanding the first price in the market ; universally admired and esteemed by all who know the fruit; a very rapid an fine grower ; bears large and uniform crops ; in goo; keeping until March, when it is all that can be desirei in point of flavor, being rich, aromatic, and fine, n taining its freshness a long time. Herfordshire Pearmain. — Medium, flattened, dan red with a ground work of russet and yellow; a vei rich? yellow fleshed, and wry desirable fruit; grov moderate and spreading ; regular bearer, and of tl first quality. November to January. Gabriel. — Fruit medium, roundish, conical, stripe and splashed with pale red ; a good bearer, apt ■ overbear and fruit become small; the tree is a mo erate grower, rather spreading. This fruit is of tl first quality, resembling the Famouse in flavor av sprightliness, but a richer fruit; flesh yellowish, juic a mild sub-acid flavor. November to December. Rambo. — This old and well known variety attai the greatest perfection here, and is much admu-ed I all, and especially by those who do not like very ta fruit; it 13 much grown as a market apple, and alwa, sells; it overbears every alternate year, and becom small; one of the best growers, forming a large ( chard tree; most too upright a habit, and the body often exposed to the sun, and decays on the soul west side of the tree. November to January. Limber Twig. — A popular fruit and much groi in Illinois, Indiana, and other Western States; is mu admired as a long keeper, being in perfection frc April to June, which together with its large fine appei ance, make this one of our first class fruits; a har tree; fruit large, roundish, sometimes conical, lig yellow with stripes of light red, and patches of rusE specks; flesh white, tender, sub-acid. Jersey Sweet. — Medium, roundish, tapfiring to t eye, yellow, nearly covered with stripes of pale re fine grained, juicy and sweet. October. This nearly the only good sweet apple in our market this season of the year; grows fair, and bears abu dant crops ; succeeds on most Western soils. Jonathan. — This resembles very nearly the qua ties of the Winesap, is a little larger, keeps longt and is darker colored, often nearly black, but not good a bearer, nor as juicy and rich as the former; hardy tree and extensively grown in this region. Cloth of Gold. — I^arge, roundish, flattened, brigl yellow, with small russet specks, often shaded ai striped with pale red on the exposed side; veiy val able as a market fruit from its large size and fine a pearance, alwaj's sells; bears but moderately; is goc second class; flesh yellowish white, sub-acid, tende GEXKSER VALLRT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY— PANSTES IN POT? 93 f, and good; is most esteemed for culinary pur- ls; is a strong heavy grower. 'sopiM Spitzenburgh. — This old and truly popu- ruit maiutains its old reputation, and is A No. 1 I collections; it is a better bearer hero than in Tork, sokloni fails of producing a good crop of most lu,scious fruits; it does not keep well longer December to January, but is not keeping as well season. raits grown West vary so much, and are so differ- in appearance, that their best friends in many in- ;es do not recognise them. Most fruits grown ur prairie soils are blotched all-over with dark ds of rust, or fungus, which makes them appear fferent from specimens of the same variety grown he openings, that one would hardly believe them ;the same; these spots are more common in sea- when we have frequent showers, immediately fol- d by a hot scorching sun, and are supposed by to be caused by the sun striking the fruit while s of rain are yet on them. I am not aware that pots above alluded to affect in any way the quali- ' the fruit, but it gives a very bad appearance. 3 varieties are more affected in this way than rs; the early fruits generally escape. Our pros- i now are very flattering for a good crop of fruit year; most of our bearing trees are literally red with blossom buda We among others are anxious to have a fruit season. There are about varieties of pears in our vicinity which will bear fear if favorable, and we have some curiosity to :hem by word of mouth. Tours truly, UTH Bend, Indiana. Wm. H. Loomis. BEaiESEE VALLEY HOHTICTTLTTJEAL SOCIETY. IE annual meeting of this Society was held at the Tvisors' Room in the Court House in this city, aturday, February 10th. There was a fair at- ance of members. The following officers for the ;nt year were elected : resident — Wm. A. Reynolds. ice Presidents — H. N. Langwortht, D. C. ENLEAF, N. Haywood, J.no. P. Bcsh, Jas. Upton, RowE. irresponding Secretary — H. E. Hookee. ecurding Secretary — Jas. Vick, Jr. 'reasurer — Jas. H. Watts. tie following committees were appointed : n Floivers. — Messrs. C. J. Rvan, J. A. Eastman, )onallan, J. Salter, Wm. Webster, C. F. Van rn, Jos. Frost. I'n Vegetables. — Messrs. Jas. Vick, Jr., J. P. Fogg, S'. Langworthy, and H. E. Hooker. On Botany. — Messrs. P. Cooney, P. Trentman. On Fruits. — il. J. Thomas, H. P. Norton, A. Fin- ney, P. Barry, Edwd. Frost, L. A. Ward, C. Powers, Geo. Ellwanger, II. E. Hooker, Selah Matthews. Executive Committee. — President, 1st. Vice Presi- dent, and the chairman of the several standing com- mittees. PANSIES m POTS. My cold frames are again becoming gay with these delightful spring flowers. Those who have never tried to cultivate the pansy in this way, have little idea what a profusion of really gay flowers is produc- ed by this plant during the whole of the early months; and with proper attention they will blossom in good character till the latter part of May. As regards cultivation, little need be said ; for the pansy is not difiBcult to manage. Plants for early flowering sliould be potted up from the open ground in October. If the weather is open in tlie last week in January, or the first week in February, begin to re-pot generally, using soil consisting of good decomposed turfy loam, rotten manure, a little leaf-mould, and coarse sand, the latter in proportion to the nature of the loam. The soil should not be pressed hard with the hand ; no water should be given for a day or two after pot- ting. Before, as well as after this operation, the plants must be kept well up to the glass. They should have from two to six shoots, or strong leaders; and to keep them to these chosen shoots, a number of small ones must from time to time be removed. These cuttings answer the double purpose of slrengtli- ening the main shoot?, and producing a stock of young plants which will supply the place of the old ones when worn out. Keep the frames in which they are placed open whenever the weather is favorable, pulling the lights back or tilting them up; maintain the plants in a growing state by watering them as of- ten as they require it, going over them for this pijr- pose every day. Plants that have several shoots should be tied into shape, placing the centre-branch upright in tlie middle, and the remainder at equal distances all round ; but the plant must be shaped according to the number of shoots : three leading branches are sufficient if cut l)loouis only are requir- ed. Another advantage is, that the same plants, from the succession of bloom they produce, will answer the double purpose of exhibiting in pots or stands of cut flowers. Aftei- the potting, iis above reconmien- ded, has taken place, take the earliest opportunity at which the ground is in a fit state, to plant out any stock not required to bloom under glass, or plants that have been wintered in stores, &c., which will bloom through May or June, and produce a stock of good healthy cuttings. By following the simple and inexpensive treatment just recommended, I am sure that those who take the little trouble that it entails will not fail to be gratified by a fine display of bloom, which, from its long continuance, will most certainly afford much gratification. — T., in Gardeners' Chrun. The horticulturists of Paris have succe(>dt,d by ar- tificial crossings in obtaining a natural ruse of blue color, which is the fourth color obtained by artificial means. -^ 94 PEACH WORM — BEARING AND PRUNING GRAPE VINES. PEACH WORM. In many of the papers at this season may be fount! remedies for the peach worm. They may be called standard remedies, because they appear periodically year after year. There is no harm in trying them, but the only remedy we believe in, and have found effectual, as well as simple, is to examine each tree, spring and fall, with a knife tapering to a sharp point, hunt up the intruder and destroy him. If he is about at all, there is no dilliculty in finding him immediate- ly under the surface of the ground, his presence be- ing indicated by the gum. Just below the surface the bark is tender, which makes it the poiut of attack. In the hard bark above the ground ho cannot make an entrance, and to guard against him below, we have pursued the plan each fall of exposing the trunk by drawing away the earth around it down to where the large roots begin to branch out, and leaving it exposed all win- ter. The bark thus becomes hard and impenetrable. In the spring it should be filled up again a little above the level, a peck of leached ashes being ap- plied alio around each tree, according to size. This application greatly promotes the thrift and growth of the peach. By attending to these recommendations, instead of being a short lived tree, having but two or three crops, and then dying off, as is the case with many orchards, we believe it can be made to live and bo productive and profitable from ten to fifteen years at least, and perhaps longer. We know of peach trees in this vicinity, apparently perfectly healthy and bear- ing well, twenty-five years old. To those who con- sider this plan too troublesome, we only say do with- out peaches and make no complaints. Fruit of the best quality cannot be grown without care and trouble, and if it could, would not be valu- ed so much as it is. The yellows in the peach is far more difficult to manage, and indeed no remedy has yet been found. Whenever it makes its appearance, the tree should be exterminated, root and branch. — PerM. Farm Jour. GBAPE VIHE8-BEAEING AHB PBUHING. The proper time for pruning is in the autumn, soon after the fall of the leaf, and in this operation very much depend.s, as to the success you may meet with. We give herewith, from Cole's Fruit Book, some of the different forms of training. The Cnne, or Renewal System. — ^The first season one branch is trained up; in the fall this is cut back to 3 or 4 eyes, and the next season another is trained up, and the first is extended; both are then laid down and trained horizontally, near the surface; and from each a cane is trained up, (a. a ) The next season these will bear fruit, and two more canes, (4, 6,) trained up to bear ^"^ "^-"^ '^'^™- fruit the next season, when a, a are cut out near the horizontal branch, leaving one eye, and new shoots trained, and so on. Dr. W. C. Chandler, of South Naticli, Mass., trains in this way, and he has sent us fine habellas an inch in diameter. Some train up the main vine perpendicularly on a building, to a c venient place, and then extend canes horizontally, i renew as above. The cane system gives excell fruit, as it is always on new wood ; but the yield generally larger by spur or fan training. The ca should be as much as two feet apart. If the vim strong, the horizontal branches may be extended, as to have 8 or 10 canes. The Spur System is the train- ing up of the main stem, and of spurs horizontally, cutting back the spurs, annually, to 2, 3, or 4 eyes of the new wood, accord- ing to the strength of the vine, and number of the spurs. When the spurs have extend- ed too far, cut out a part, year- ly, training up new ones, thus changing all the wood to new ; and as the vines become old and ^^^"^^ '^^A.^ unproductive, cut down part at S'^'ft^^^^ "^^^i a time, and train up new ones. •" -« — "' This will combine the cane and ^ ^' spur method, and is an excel- £> ^^^ lent system. The Fan or Tree System, or other convenient modes, are practiced in vineyards, and in common garden culture, or in training grapes in yards, by walls, trees, buildings, &c. In gardens or vineyards, a trellis may be formed by setting posts, or stakes, 6 or 8 feet 1 and nailing on narrow strips of boards, or st alone are sufficient, if set 15 or 20 inches apart vineyards, where the vines are about 3 or 4 feet a] sometimes only one stake is set to a vine, and lateral or oblique branches are trained to the m boring stakes. PUR STSTE. LIQUID MANURK FOR THE GARDEN— THE AURICULA, &c. 95 the fiuit, sliould he exposed to the sun. We urge point, :is thousands mistake, and grapes are gen Iv niisnuiuaged. .s pnmiug the vine young prevents the growth of roots, but little should be done for a year or two it is sot. In Nov., or early iu Dec., all vines in 1 culture should be pruned liberally. Jf pruned jring, bi'furo leaved out, they will bleed ; they bleed in spring if pruned in winter. In pruning -T teUiKr vines, leave more wood than is needed, )»ie may be killed, and finish pruning in spring ion as the leaves are nearly developed, when the if the vino may be seen. In summer allow a 1 gr(5wtli beyond the fruit, and about midsummer, h otf the ends of the branches, to check them, cut out feeble laterals, and branches on which J is no fruit; then there will be much foliage to rb the matter, and prepare nutriment; and by Mng the growth of wood, it will be appropriated ,'rfect the fruit. The two great errors are iu ue- Jug to cut oft" useless wood in fall, and in de- ng the plant of useful foliage by close pruning LIQUID MANTJEE FOR' THE GAKDEN. ERMIT me to offer a few remarks on the valuable ts that night soil, when reduced to a liquid state, ipon the various productions of the garden; and, )t a few of your readers will be aware, manures )f uo use to vegetation until they are dissolved ater. When, therefore, liquid macure is u-sed, cultivator has less trouble, and at the same time applying a substance iu the state iu which plants aest receive it and derive most good from it. )T some years past I have been in the habit of ; this description of manure to a considerable it, and have found the results to be very benefi- besides it prevents the necessity of applying for quantities of manure in a solid state. At the af the season I make it a rule when turning up nt pieces of ground to the action of frost, to lay I the exposed soil some rotten manure, adding a iderable portion of vegetable refuse reduced to id for such purposes. This mould is obtained aking all the refuse possible from the garden, iving it into a heap to rot, and turning it two or ! times during the summer. The decomposed table matter is admirably adapted for the growth lants for culinary purposea uring the winter I go over the ground intended he Brassica family, pouring on a large quantity lis liquid, in order to allow the winter rains an irtuuity of washing it down, so that the ground eally benefited. be above is also applicable to gooseberry and unt bushes. I have a large basin made round root of each, and about the end of November I y two large pans full of the liquid to each plant; ■ward I level in the earth that had been previous- d;en out for the purpose of forming the basin. bout the end of January, after the bushes have ■rgone their winter pruning, they again receive a lar supply before commencing to put the ground 2at order for the season. Raspberries and straw- ies are also greatly benefited by the use of this liquid. In applying it to raspberries the method re- commended for gooseberries is suitable, and where it is applied to strawberries it increases the crop two- fold. Mr. KivKKS strongly recommends it for roses, lie says: "I have found night-soil mixed with the drainings of the dunghill, or even with common ditch or pond-water so as to make a thick liquid, the best possiblij manure for roses, poured on the surface of the soil twice in winter, from one to two gallons at each time. December and January are the best months; the toil need not be stirred till spring, and then merely loosened two or three inches deep with the pron.gs of a fork, for poor soils, and on lawns, previously removing the turf. This method I have adopted for several years, and found it most effica- cious." When-night-soil is not to be got, I take as next best cow-dug made into a thick liquid of the consis- tency of porter, and apply it in larger quantities than when night-soil is employed. — John Fleming, in Agri- culturist. THE AUEICULA About the middle of March, if the weather is fine, the trusses will be getting sulficiently forward to se- lect those intended for exhibition. Seven pips are the lowest number allowed by our Metropolitan So- cieties; therefore select the most promising, contain- ing that number and upwards. Those with round buds, as nearly of a size as possible, the truss also round and compact, should be particularly selected, and if there are any monster pips among them with large oblong tubes or other deformities, remove them while young. At this stage of their growth, care must be taken iu watering that none be allowed to fall into the tubes or pipe, if it happen to be expos- ed, as is the case with some varieties ; for although the buds be so young, the meal of the eye may be formed, and if so the water will run the meal over the ground-color, and when the blossom is expanded it will be found dull and unfit for e.xhibition. The mealy-grass varieties require a little extra attention, for their beauty is milch increased by preserving the white powder on their foliage. To obtain this object without drawing the plants more than possible, I nail a strip of wood on each side the centre bar of the frame, of sufficient width to shelter them from rain, and place the plants beneath it. By this means they enjoy a free circulation of air and light till in a pro- per state of forwardness to remove under the hand- glasses, or on the stage. — t., in Gardners' Chron. Early Tomatoes. — Tomato plants, for early fruit- ing, may be raised very early by sowing a few seeds in a large flower pot, or small box, in good rich soil. Cover the seeds about half an inch, and keep the earth moist; they may be placed near a stove to keep the earth warm. After the plants are op the box may be set in the window, or in pleasant weath- er iu the open air. Give them plenty of water and air; keep them from frast; by the first of May they will be large enough to transplant into the garden. The plants should be thinned out to prevent them from growing too slender. — Exchange, ORIGINAL AND SELECTED RECIPES — "THE OLD WOMAN.' ORIGHTAL BECIPES. Mr. Editor: — ^The recipe for Currant Jelly in your January Farmer, has an air of truth about it not al- ways found in newspaper articles of that description, and next summer I intend to experiment upon it. Below are two or three recipes that I think valuable: To Preserve -Quinces. — Seven pounds of quinces, 8 tba of white sngar and 1 quart of apple juice. The apples sub-acid, pared and cored, and boiled in suffi- cient water to cover, and afterwards drained through a coarse cloth or hair seive. In the apple juice, sugar and water to dissolve it, cook the quinces until ten- der. Allow the syrup to boil a few minutes longei and pour over. The apple juice greatly improves the flavor and appearance of the sweetmeat. Whiskev Plums. — The fruit is best gathered when ripe, but not soft Place it in a barrel or jar, and fill till the fruit is covered with proof whiskey. In two or three days as it settles there will be room for more. The day before you wish to cook them, soak in cold water to banish the flavor of the spirits. Boil with water, and sugar enough to be pleasant, one hour. Plums preserved in this way are better than dried, or rich jams, and less expensive and trouble- some. Grape Wine. — Eleven gallons of juice, 44 lbs. of sugar, and water to fill a cask of 19 gallons. Mock Duck. — Take beefsteak, pound it, make stuf- fing as for duck, spread on the steak, roll it, sew it together, or skewer it fast, rub some of the stuffing over. Bake IJ hours. L. G. L. Amtm Whev. — Take of alum, two drachms; cow's milk, one point. Boil them together, until the curd be formed; then strain off the liquor, and add spirit of nutmeg, two ounces; syrup of cloves, one ounce. To take Fresh Paint out of a Coat. — Take im- mediately a piece of cloth, and rub the wrong side of it on the paint spot. If no other cloth is at hand, part of the inside of the coat-skirt will do. This simple application will generally remove the paint when quite fresh. Otherwise, rub some ether on the spot with your finger. Lemon Syrup, for a Cough. — To a pint and a half of water, add two large poppy-heads, and two large lemons. Boil them till they are soft, press the lemons into the water, strain the liquor, and add half a drachm of saffron, and half a pound of brown Sup;ar- candy, pounded. Boil all together till the sugar- candy is dissolved ; stir the whole till you perceive it will jelly; strain it a second time, and take the seeds from the poppies. "THE OLD WOMAN." It was thus, a few days since, we heard a stripli of sixteen designate the mother who bore him. coarse husbands we have heard wives so called oc sionally, though in the latter case the phrase is m( often used endearingly. At all times, as comnio spoken, it jars upon the ear and shocks the set An "old woma'n" should be an object of reverei above and beyond almost all other phases of hum: ty. Her very age should be her surest passport courteous consideration. The aged mother o grown-up family needs no certificate other of woi She is a monument of excellence, approved and m ranted. She has fought faithfully "the good fig' and come off conqueror. Upon her venerable t she bears the marks of the conflict in all its furroi lines. The most grievous of the ills of life have b hers; trials unfold and unknown only to her God herself, she has borne incessantly ; and now, in old age — her duty done ! patiently awaiting her pointed time — she stands more truly beautiful t ever in youth! more honorable and deserving that who has slain his thousands, or stood triumpl upon the proudest field of victory. Young man, speak kindly to your mother, and e courteously — tenderly of her. But a little time ye shall see her no more forever. Her eye is i her form is bent, and her shadow falls gravew Others may love you when she has passed awo kind-hearted sisters, perhaps, or she whom of all world you choose for a partner — she may love warmly, passionately; children may love you foi but never again, never, while time is yours, shall love of woman be to you as that of your old, ti bling, mother has been. In agony she bore you! through puling, hel] infancy, her throbbing breast was your safe prt tion and support ; in wayward, touchy boyhood bore patiently with your thoughtless rudeness, nursed you safe through a legion of ills and mala^ Her hand it was that bathed your burning brov moistened the parched hp ; her eye that lighted the darkness of wasting, nightly vigils, watching ways in your fitful sleep, sleepless by your sidi none but her could watch. Oh, speak not her n lightly, for you cannot live so many years as W( suffice to thank her fully. Through reckless and patient youth she is your counsellor and solace, to bright manhood she guides your improvident E nor even there forsakes, or forgets. Speak gei then, and reverently of your mother ; and when too shall be old, it shall in some degree lighten remorse which shall be yours for other sin.» — to ki that never wantonly have you outraged the res] due to the "old woman." — Harrishurg Telegrap Minute Pudding. — Put a pint and a half of r on the fire, mix five large spoonsful of flour \ half a pint of milk, a little salt and nutmeg. W the milk boils, stir in the mixed flour and milk, the whole boil for one minute, stirring it constat Take it from the fire, let it sit till lukewarm, then three beaten eggs. Let it bake on the Cre, and f it constantly until it thickens. Take it from the 6 as soon as it boils. To be eaten with nice sauce. EDITOR'S TABLE. 97 WuAT SHALL I STUDY ? — What is Decessarj for joa to ow when you become a man, was the reply given by an henian philosoplier to a query like the foregoing. Tried by this standard, many things now taught in our lools. are of but little value when estimated by their ul- aate utility. We have known pupils to spend years in the study of higher so-called arithmetical treaties. In order that they ght become the most expert reckoners and arithmeticians tlieir cl.iss and school; and yet when the parents of those is liave been ad\ised of a different course of study, the ply has often times been, "if my boy knows how to id. write, and cipher, he will get along well enough in > world." So he may. but will he get along as well as if >re varied knowledge of things and men had been ac- ired? Half a century since and the circle of the sciences, so to eak. was comparatively limited and circumscribed. A ur years' course would then suffice to give a general owledge of things then known. But how different is the se now. Take any one department of science you please, d a life time is not more than sufficient to acquire a owledge of it. How important then, that the time which e can devote to the study of those things which it is ex- cted he will know in after like, be devoted to those things lich they must know sooner or later, if known at all. We compassionate those who come from foreign lands, noiant it may be of the right and duties they owe to cir fellow men ; but how many thousands and tens of ousands of youth, now attending our public schools, will > forth into the world equally ignorant of their rights id duties as citizens, and also ignorant of the principles ■inciples of the sciences applicable to every day life? True, ey can read ; but knowledge is a means, not an end, and ) has the best education who can most successfully re- ice his knowledge to practice. Viewed in this light, we ould suggest that much more attention be paid to Natur- . Philosophy, Chemistry, Geology, Botany and Drawing, y our voung men, and misses too, than is the case at pre- Elementary text books on all of these subjects can ow be had in every part of the country, and it requires nt the will to find the way to a knowledge of them all. Regarding agriculture as a profession and a science, and lewing it in its various relations to other sciences, it will e seen that no one art or science requires the union of so lany things, both theoretical and practical, as the work jst given man by his Maker, viz : to cultivate and till the oil. It is a striking manifestation of His wisdom that the neans of one's liveUhood may be obtained by tilling the oil. with but very little knowledge of tiie principles upon vhich the process of cultivation is based, but a more strik- ng illustration of His wisdom in creating the mind of man, ivhen he turns a barren field into a fruitful garden, and sauses grass and grain to grow where sterility and barren- ness reigned before. as soils are usually derived from decomposed rocks, an ac- quaintance with the nature and chemical composition of those rocks cannot but jirove of great utility in pointing out the best method of cultivation. Fei tile soils contain a mixture of different earths in variable proportion; but as nature has bestowed all the elements on but comparative- ly few, it is the duty of the scientific agriculturist to sup- ply the deficient element or elements. Unite Botany with Geology, and knowing the natural growth of plants and trees on anv given soil, they will inform him as to what earths and elements compose the soil. A geological map of a country points out by a glance of the eye the charac- teristic strata and featnres of that country; and as he wishes to grow grains or stock, or any other article, will he select his locality. But the cultivator sees myriads upon myriads of insects, of every shape and description, covering his plants, and living upon their foliage, and deriving their own support from the then body of the plants, blighting his hopes of harvest. Entomology will teach him their habits, locality, and means of preventing their ravages. Meteorology will instruct him as to the influences exert- ed by atmospheric agents. As yet, though many facts are recorded, a general summary of them in accordance with a clear and satisfactory theory is a desideratum. For instance, the different parts of the surface of our globe are unequally exposed to the influence of the solar rays, and the intensity of this action depends op the latitude of the placei and changes which take place during the day and night, &c. The heat existing from day to day in that portion of the atmosphere next the earth, is not the simple product of the direct action of the rays of the sun on that portion ; were it so, then mountain tops should be warmer than the val- leys at their base, but we know the contrary to be the fact. We might mention other points in connection with the foregoing, but the above is sufficient to show that we need more certain knowledge of this science. Most important of all the sciences, a knowledge of which is necessary at the present time, is Chemistry. By its con- nection with Botany and Geology, he is informed as to the composition of plants, and soils, how the fertility of his fields can be preserved or increased, and how wondrous a connection exists between the lives of plants and animals, &c. But not to enlarge, we close this article by quoting the remarks in refei'ence to Drawing, which we find in the Horticulturist : " On all these accounts, therefore, and regarding archi- tecture as of great importance, not merely in an economi- cal point of view, but as calculated to exercise a great in- fluence on the aspect of the country, and on the taste and habits of the people, we desire to see it studied and taught in our common schools and academies. Drawing is w_oful- ly neglected in the course of ordinary education, and yet is one of the most useful and delightful acquirements ;-- useful in all pursuits that men engage in ; and delightful, as affording in all places an opportunity to take accurate notes of objects which we wish to preserve in our memory. If people generally possessed some knowledge of drawing, they would be vastly more competent to ex.amine and un- derstand architectural plans and designs, and they would also be more competent to design and superintend the Geology unfolds to him the structure of the earth; and erection of their own buUdings. There is scarcely an 98 EDITOR'S TABLE. hour in the day in which persons engafjed in rural or me- chanical pursuits do not feel the necessity of being able to sketch with the pencil. Buf T/hat proportion can do it? Not one in ten thousand I " Let us urge upon parents the propriety, yea, the neces- sity of looking to the matter. Let us al-o urge it on the attention of trustees and directors of schools, and school teachers too. We would particul;irly invite the attention of directors of the aijricultural schools wiftlch are now about being founded in various parts of the country. We look to them with the greatest hope. The study of draw- ing, both geometrical and perspective, in connexion with the study of the rudiments of architecture, must by all means be included in their We have received quite a number of communications respecting Italian rye grass — its cost per bushel — quanti- ty required per acre for seed, &c. Messrs. Rapalje & Co., of this city, will supply the seed at $3 per bushel, weigh- ing from 14 to 18 lbs. About a peck of seed is required per acre. We give below the opinion of a correspondent in Illinois, who esteems the grass as a desirable acquisi- tions to our forage plants, if experience shall prove it to be adapted to our soil and climate : "I am rejoiced to see that the Italian rye grass is be- ing introduced into this country. Having seen much of it grown in my younger days in England, I can easily credit its vast superiority to the grasses in use here, but I should have doubts respecting its capability of resisting the effects of our severe dry frosts in tliis region unprotected by snow. I had a small parcel of seed sent out from England some years ago, which I sowed in my garden, but the winter be- ing particularly severe, not a root escaped. It however was sown late, and though it made good growth, had pro- bably not matured sufficiently, or got good root hold. It would increase greatly the value and usefulness of your paper, as well as of others, could the prices of new seeds, plants, fowls, iSf*.* and the places where they may be pro- cured, be appended to the notices of them. Please excuse the suggestion, the importance of which has been often felt by those living far away in the West, where new varie- ties of grains, grasses, and other plants, do not come ex- cept through the efforts of some individual more wealthy, and more energetic than his neighbors." New Engine. — A New Rotary Steam Engine has been invented by Mr. Charles Rumley, of this city, the suc- cessful operation of which we have noticed with much in- terest and pleasure, for a few months past. The first engine constructed by Mr. Rumlet, one of eight horse power, has been in constant operation for eleven months, and though the first ever constructed of the kind, has worked admirably, and been subjected to the scrutirty of thousands, most, or all of whom, have pronounced it an extraordinary machine. Another of thirty horse power, has been in operation at the foundry and machine shop of Messrs. Cakpentkr & DuTTON. where its capacity has been fully tested. At times it ha"* performed the work of a common fifty horse engine. Still another has been placed in one of our city printing *jfiice>», and drives several large presses to the entire satis- faction of both builder and purchaser. We have thus noticed some of the peculiarities of this engine, and are convinced that as an engine ad-apte' farming purposes it is without a rival. The only fas ings by which the first engine is attached, are four U wood screws, sunk into the floor. There is no jar in operation, the motion being perfectly smooth, continU and uniform, by reason of the peculiar construction of steam valve, which render the whole machinery obed to the governor, which surmounts the engine like the s of a church, and detects tne slightest variation in its mot The motive power, we learn, probably will be affor ab at about seventy-five per cent, of the cost of ordinary ciprocating eng es. URI ExPEHiMENfs made by the Hon. John Bp.oors Princeton (Ma;-:.), show the following results : That one pound of Indian meal ia nearly equal to 1 pounds of good hay. That two pounds of oat straw is equal to one pound of hay. That hay, straw, and r, are improved by wetting them. That cut hay is be than uncut. That three pounds of Indian meal are e( to twelve pounds of English hay, or fifty pounds of turnips for millt. That thirty-three pounds of carrots not quite equal for milk, to fifty pounds of flat turnipt fifty-three pouuda of meal. On consuming 869 ft>8. of 1 the manure dropped weighed 2,122 B)S., giving 244 Ibi manure to a pound of hay. The manure weighed 50 per cubic foot. Our readers will notice an advertisement of Me* McGrew, Leas & Co., respecting the use of Osage ange as a hedge. We learn that they have a contract making 200 miles of fence on the line of the Illinois C tral Rail Road,and that they are prepared to furnish ph in any quantity that may be ordered. A cut illustrative of an Osage Orange hedge, plai by the above named, is necessarily deferred to our r issue. Our We have a remittance from Cowan*s Station. O. Directory does not tell us where it is. NotUtJEt of Ktfai 33ook5. ^triobuals, ^t. We are under obligations to the accomplished Secreti for the above, which contains much practical informati' and many interesting facts relative to agricultural scien- Maoazink foh January, 1855. New York : ] printed by Leonakd Scott & Co. For bale by D M. Dkw: Kocht'ster. This Magazine is on our table, and as usual, contains variety of interesting and instructive articles. The etc of the campaign gives a clear and reliable account of t operations in the Crimea. While the article revit Laverone's Rural Economy of England, Scotland a; Ireland, gives much valuable information respecting t soil, climate and productions of Great Britain and Irelan The Ff.malk Emioraxt's Guidf, and Hints on Canaiuan Ilors KKKpiNG, by Mm. C. P. Traill, Authoress of B;icl;wooU of the South we see it stated, that the grass in ques- >n is a native of Texas, and is there called the Te.\as oat. w known as the rescue grass. Some plan for saving and applying urine, adapted to small farms mited means, without rebuilding a great deal, would be very septable to some of your subscribers in this vicinity. There is a up, for collecting it by tubs or troughs, placed under the stables ; t how to preserve and apply it, rather troubles us. J. B.— Virgil- Our correspondent will observe in another column, the ethod adopted by Mr. Levi Babtlett, of New Hamp- ,ire, which contains many useful hints. "We have seen no '•fn van recommended, which answers every requisite. Each le must experiment carefoHj, in applying theory to -actice. Could you inform me whether currier's shavings with some ixture of hemlock bark, &c., that has lain from 15 to 20 years, ould be as good for litter as swamp muck, or whether the animal latter is destroyed for manure by the process of tanning? I will (ok for an answer in the next number. J. F. V.—Havana^ If, T, If your currier's shavings have become well decomposed, liey are suitable for the purpose proposed. If there is inch bark mixed with them, without being well rotted, ou can make a compost with alternate layers of lime and lark, and in a year*8 time it will become an excellent man- ire for fruit trees. Swamp muck is a good application to he roots of fruit trees, and if allowed to become well dried, 9 a good absorbent of the liquid portions of stable manure. |ro realize the greatest benefit from its use, your manure Ineap should be protected by a roof from the weather. HORTICULTURAL. Plcm, Ciiebrt, and Pear Seed. (A Subscriber.) When yon have any of the above seed on hand, advise through the Genesee Farmer, and you will soon have a purchaser. Osage Orange. (J. II., Downington, Pa.) We should prefer the Osage Orange to any plant for a hedge. The young plants should be transplanted from the seed bed. and not sow the seed where you intend the fence. For manner of planting, cultivation, etc., see page 90 in March number of Genesee Farmer, of last year. Please tell us if any of your nurserymen, or orchardisls, have any remedy for the bark louse, short of burning the tree ? J. W. B.—tr. O. Springi, Witcomin. We presume the insect referred to by onr correspondent is the apple tree bark louse, described by Prof. Harris, in his treatise on insects, &c. The following remedy is given in that work : " A wash made of two parts of soft soap and eight parts of water, with which is to be mixed lime enough to bring it to the consistency of thick whitewash." Apply with a brush early in June. Other washes have been recommended, viz : Two pounds of potash in seven gallons of water ; and another of a quart of common salt dissolved in two gallons of water. The first recipe given, we know to be effectual. Kollak in his work on 'Insects Injurious to Fruit Trees' says: If we carefully examine, late in the autumn, or early in tke spring, our plants and trees, we shall see the eggs lie ex- posed close together on shoots like grains of gunpowder. The shoots and bark shovld be carefully washed over with liquid loam, garden earth, or whitewash, so that they may be completely covered by it. By this means all the eggs will be certainly killed, if the wash is not swept away by MARKETS. tJEW YORK MAKKET, February 16, 1855. Flour, extra Genesee, $10 75 @ 12 00 " Canadian, (in bond) 8 8V @ 9 00 •' Genesee, (fancy) : 10 00 @ 10 37)i " Michigan and Indiana, extra, 9 37 @ 10 00 " Ohio, {fancy bbls) 9 25® 9 37 " Michigan, do 9 25 @ 9 31>i ■^heat, white Genesee, $ 2 48 @ 2 60 " Canadian, (in bond) 2 10 @ 2 20 " Ohio, 2 16 ® 2 28 " Michijan 2 37® 2 40 " Mixed Western 2 05® 2 15 Corn, southern and western 1 00 @ \ Oi Barley 1 12 @ 1 20 Oata, western, 67 ® 68>i " River and Canadian 6a^ @ 6c. Ohio, corn fed hogs for retailing, live weight, 5% @ 6c. CAMBRIDGE CATTLE MARKET.— Beef, extra, $8,50 per cwt.; 1st quality, $S ; 2d quality, $7 a 7.50 ; 3d qualitv, $6.50 a 6.75 ; ordinary, $6.25. Hides per cwt. $5.60 a $5 ; Tallow $8.50 a $9 ; Pelts $1 0 1.25; Calfskins 12c per tt>; Barrelling Cattle $6.75 ii tl.iO per 100 head ; Veal Calves $4 a $4.50, $5 o $6. About 60 in. Sheep and Lambs- 2,018 at market. Extra, $6 a 6.50 ail a $10. By lot, $2>^ a $!% a $3 a $4,'^. Remarks. — ^The market is largely attended by buyers. Sales are firm at quotations. "The market is not quick, as there is more stock in than was anticipated. There is a good demand for Sheep, there being more purchasers from a distance than usual. 100 ADVERTISEMENTS. ADVERTISEMENTS, To aecure insertion in the Farmer, must be received as eaxly as the 10th of the previous month, aod be of such a character as to be of interest to fiu-mers. Terms — Two Dollars for every hundred words, each insertion, paid in WM. H. LOOMIS, WnOLESALE and Retail dealer in Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Plants and Shrubs, of all the leading and most popular va- rieties. Standard and dwarf trees of Apples, Pears, Plums, Peach- es, Cherries, &c., all vigorous, atockey and well formed. Also, a general assortment of Gooseberries, Currants, Raspber- ries, &c. &c. Ornamental trees and shrubs of every variety ; Roses a large collection ; Green House plants can be furnished on the ehortest notice. Also a large quantity of Field and Garden Seeds on hand, and for sale at the lowest cash prices. Address (post- oaid) Agricultural Rooms, South Bend, lod. March, !855.-tf. WM. H. LOOMIS. BRAHMA POOTRA FOWLS FOR SALE. [HAVE on hand and for sale, 30 of the best pure blood Brahma Pootra fowls, to be found in the country. Terras made known .n application to W. ROADES March, 1855.— It 84 BoiTalo-st., Rochester, N. Y. "GET THE BEST.'* WEBSTER'S QUARTO DICTIONARY. WHAT more essential to every family, counting room, student, and indeed every one who would know the ri^lit use of lan- guage—the meaning, orthography, and pronunciation of words, than a good English DICTION'ARV ?— of daily necessity and per- manent value. "WEBSTER'S UNABRIDGED is now the recognized Standard, "constantly cited and relied on in our Courts of Justice, in our legislative bodies, and in public dis- cusaiona, as entirely conclusive," says Hon. John C. Spkncer. CAN' I MAKE A BETTER INVESTMLTS'T ? Published by G. k C. MERRIAM, Springdeld, Ma.ss.— sold by all Booksellers. Sold by D. M. DEWEY, March, 1855.— It Arcade Hall, Rochester, N. Y. GENEVA NURSERIES. FRUIT AND ORNAMENTAL TREES, &c.— The aubscrlbers of- fer for sale the coming spring a choice lot of the following Kinds of Trfes of large size: Horse Chesnut, Mountain Ash, Bal- sam Fir, large and fine shaped, A large lot of Apple Trees, 1 & 4 years old. 20,000 Plum Stocks; a few thousand French Quince; 60,000 Osage Orange, 1 and 2 years; 20,000 Arbor Vita, 2 years, bushy and fine ; 30,000 1 year transplanted. A large lot of B.isket Willow Cuttings, best kinds; 30 of the leading kinds of Strawber- ries, including McAvoy's superior, McAvoy's extra red, Walkei-^s eeedUng, Cresent eeedling, Monroe seedling, Monroe scarlet, I.izzie Randolph, Burr's New Pine, Boston Pine, Moyamensitig Pine, Black Prince, Large Early Scarlet. A large lot of Downing's Col- lossial Rhubarb. Prices moderate. March, 1855.— It W. T. & E. SMITH, Geneva, N. Y. SUGAR GROVE FARM, 7 Miles from Dayton, owned by Jas. McGrew. THE undersigned, successors of Jas. Sumpter & Co., mil con- tinue the business of said firm and fill all tbe contracts matje by it in Ohio and Illinois, and being thankful for piwt favors would now solicit future patronage. We design prosecuting our business with redoubled energy. We have no hesitancy in staling tliat we have the largest and best lot of Osage Orange plants ever grown on the continent, owing to the fact that the seed) was planted where tliey did not suffer from the severe drouth that has so generally prevailed throughout the country. We aUo import our own seed direct from Texas; it shall be fresh and of the best quality. All of which is warranted and will be sold at the lowest price3. Full directions for raising plants. Setting, Cultivating and Trim- ming in a manner that will secure success, will accompany each tot of Reed and plants sold. We continue to plant, cultivate, ti im and mature a complete fence at from 75 els. to $1,00 per rod, one-lhird to be paid when pl.intfd, aod tbe balance when completed. Hedges setand warrant- ed at from 30 to 40 cts. per rod. Hedges ^own, forwhat disinter- ested persons will sav they are worth, when matured. Hedges completely grown at $1,00 to $1.25 per rod, to be paid when a tlio- rough fence is matured. We wi^h a large number of business men, living in localities where hedging is needed, to take hold with us in the planting and growing of hedges, the sale nf plants, seed, &c. Those having th.' confidence of their neighbors, shall receive a liberal offer. Let us hfar from you gentlemen. The enterpri.se is not nnlv laudible, but will pay. McGREW, LEAS & CO. March, 1855.— 3t Dayton, Ohio. THOROUGH-BRED MARES FOR SALE. ON account of tbe owners leaving the country, two young blooded mares are oITered for side low. They are of good and form, and in all respects desirable animals for breeders of at They can be seen by application to RICHARD S. CHARLP:S, videre, Allegany Co., N. Y., who can give ail information in rei to pedigree, price, &c. Feb. 1, 1854. — i PERXrVUN GUANO NO. 1, TXflTH Importer's brand on each bag, $48 person, of 2,000 V\ Any quantity under one ton 2,'i cents ptr lb. IMPROVED SUPERPHOSPHATE OF LIME manufactured Deburgh, Paterson, or Goes, $45 per ton of 2,000 lbs. BONE DUST, three different varieties, $2, $2.26, $2.50 per Poudrette, Plaster of Paris, pulverised charcoal. For sale b' A. I.ONGETT, March, 1855.— 2t No. 34 Cliff St., near Fulton, New Yor FOR NATIVES AND FOREIGNERS. NATIVE AND ALIEN. THE NATURALIZATION LAWS OF THE UNIT STATES, AND STATE OF NEW YORK. TOGETHER with all the decisions, and other information cessary to a full understanding of the sul)ject. Also, all forms, &c. Neutral in character, and designed for all who are terested in this all-absorbing question. Compiled by a memhe' the Bar. And useful to Legislators, Lawyers, or tbe hiasse.i. P: single 25cta; by the dozen $2,00. On the receipt of the pric< mail, the work will be sent free of po.itage to any address N. B. Book agents canmake $2 a day clear iu seUing this March 1, 1855. Address, D. M. DEWEY, Arcade Hall, Roche.ster, N. ' HIGHLAND NURSERIES, NEWBURGH, N. Y. A SAUL & CO., in calling the attention of the puhl'iclot • establishment, deem a lenghtened notice unnecessary. 1 would merely state, that the slock of their nurseries which 1 offer for sale the coming spring, is full in every department an the best quality, including all the recently introduced PEARS, otherfruits, both rfwar/ and Standards, Also all the novelties ir Ornamental department, both deciduous and Evergreen, inclu' the new and rare Conifers, Weeping trees, Shrubs, &c., as well full stock of all the leading articles to be had in the trade. For particulars in detail they refer to their general Catalogu new edition of which is ready and will be forwarded to aX\poat-\ applications, on enclosing a P. O. Stamp to pre-pay the same. A large quantity of Hedge plants, Osage Orange, Buckthorn, Dealers, and planters of trees on a large scale, dealt with on most liberal terms. Newburgh, March 1, 1S55.— 2t. DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE PIPE MACmNK CHARXOCK'S PATENT. BY this Machine, Drainage and Sewerage Pipes of all des( tions, as well as perforated and other Bricks, P'looring T &C-, are molded with the greatest facility and precision. A man and three boys can turn out from 5,000 to 10,000 fee', pipes per day, according to sizes ; and if worked by horse, eU or water power, a proportionate increase will be obtained. This Machine is in extensive operation in England, where addition to the testimony of numerous Tile Makers, as well as t of some of the first Machinists of the day, the following Pr have been awarded to it : ADVERTISEMENTS. PREMIUM FOWLS.-D. P. iNE WELL'S LIST. ftemiums Awarded at New York State Poultry Show, at Albany, Feb., 1854, to D. P. Newell of EocheSter N. Y. )r the largest and best variety bred by exhibitor, Silver Oiip |'25 00 »r the best Brahma Pootias, 6 00 >r the best Dominique Shanghaes, , 5 00 a Ducts, \ 6 00 PreminmB Awarded at the New York State Fair, at Utioa, Sept, 1852, to D. P. Newell, of Rochester N. Y, est lot of pure bred Fowls, $10 00 'hite Surry Dorkings, (Imported) 3 00 langhaes, Chittagougs and Malays 3 00 ;reey Blues 2 00 Premiums Awarded at the New York State Fair, at Saratoga, Sept, 1863, to D. P. NeweH, of Kodiester N. Y lie First Premium on Brahmaa, Shanghaos, and Games, $15 00 Premiums Awarded at Monroe County Fair, to D. P. Newell, of Rochester, in Se t, 18E2 and 1858. est display of Poultry, Silver Medal, and on varieties, eighteen premiums, ^IC 00 I now have thirty -three different varieties of Fowls for sale. Also, Esgs of the same. « u ,c.. D. p. NEWELL, March, 1864, Rochester, Monroe Co.. N. Y. 102 ADVERTISEMENTS. GENESEE VALLEY NOESERIES. A. FROST & CO., ROCHESTER, N. T., SOLICIT the attention of amalours, orchardiits, nurserymen, and others about to plant, to their extensive stock of well-grown Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Koses, &c. kc. The Nurseries are now very extensive, and embrace one of the largest and finest collections in the country, and their stock is far Buperior to any that they have before offered. It is partly com- prised in the following ; . .. „ « Standard Fruit TreM.— Apple trees, eighty varieties ; Pe.ar trees, one hundred varieties; Chcixy trees, sixty varieties; Plum trees, forty varieties ; Peach trees, thirty varieties; Nectarine, six vaiie- ties ; Apricot, six varieties ; and other kinds, comprising every sort of merit. , . .. , ,*i Dtrarf and Pyramid FVuii Trea, of every description, for culti- vation in orchards and gardens, have received particular attention. They embrace the following kinds, and comprise nearly tJie same number of sorts aj9 are grown for standards : Pears upon the best European Quince stocks. Applts upon Paradise and Doucain stocks. Chrrrits upon Cerasus Mahaleb stocks. Small Fruits, as Currants, eighteen varieties ; Gooseberries, sixty varieties; Grapes, Native and Foreign, twenty-five varieties ; Rasp- berries, six varieties; Strawberries, twenty varieties; and other miscellaneous fruits, as well as esculent roots, in variety. Deciduous and Evergreen Trees, for lawns, parks, streets. So. Evergreen and Dedduaus Shrubs, in great variety, including four hundred sorts of Roses. , „ . . j * Osage Orange and Privet; and for n Arbor Vita: (White Cedar), Nor- Hedge PinnU— Buckthoi screens and avenues, Ame way Spruce, &c. Herbaeetms Plants.— X select and extensive assortment. dreenhuuse and Bedding Plants, of every description. All articles are put up in the most superior manner, so that plants, tc, may be sent thousands of perfect safety. liles and reach their destination Parties givinc their orders may rely on receiving the best and most prompt attention, so that perfect satisfaction may be given the purchaser. The following descriptive Catalogues, containing prices, are pub- lished for graluitous distribution, and will be mailed upon every application ; but correspondents are expected to enclose a one cent postage stamp for each Catalogue wanted, as it is necessary that the postage should be prepaid : No. 1. Descriptive Catalogue of Fruits for 1854-5. No. 2. Descriptive Catalogue of Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Rose.i, &c. fcc, for 1854-5. No. 3. Wholesale Catalogue or Trade List, just published for the fall of 1854 and spring of ISSS, comprising Fruits, Evergreens, De- ciduous Trees, &c. &o., which are offered in large quantities. October 1, 1864.— tf SATALOGUE OF RARE AND VALUABLE SEEDS. P.AISED AND PUT UP BV I. W. BRIGGS, MACEDON, WAYNE COUNTV, N. Y. O ange Watermelon, from Chin.a, per paper, 25 cents. Ice Cream, or White Sugar do., of Alabama, 25 Cit<-on Nutmeg Muskraelon, 12^ The Celebrated Japan Pea, 12K California Muskmelon, 12/4 Watermelons — Mountain Sprout, Mountain Sweet, Mexi- can and S.andwich Island, 2 v.aiietios each, 06 .quashes— Winder— Sweet Potato, Vegeiable Marrow and Polk ; Summfr— Apple, Crookneck and Scallop, 06 M.^ramoth Red and Grape Tomatoes, each, 06 White Vegetable Egg— looks like an egg, 08 Double Sunflower— the •■ Floral King," 06 Victoria Rhubarb — the be.st pie plant, - 06 Flat Dutch Cabbage— the best winter, 06 Pop Corn (3 varieties), Adams' Early (a field com), very early Sweet Corn, and late, large do., each, 06 Poland Oats, per bushel of 4(1 pounds, $1.00 Me.xiein Wild Potatoes, per bushel, - I.OO r*^ Seeds sent by mail, free of postage. Oats and Potatoes Bhipped as directed by railroad or cariaL Address, post-paid, with money enclosed, ' '" Dec. 1, 1864.— tf ''HHEE VALUABLE AITO HIGHLY CULTTVATEI FABUS FOR SALE THE subscriber offers at private sale three most desirale Fan situate in the vicinity of Newark Liciog county, Ohio, to w 1st. His CHERRY VALLEY FARM, on the old Columbus two miles west of Newark, containing two hundred acres, one dred and forty of which are cleared. On this farm are two la young orchards, two large new frame houses, a smoke-house, ba new suable for fifty horses, sheds, chicken-houses, hog-pe large garden handsomely fenced in, and indeed ev and even luxury that can be desirable on a farm, the highest state of cultivation, no labor or expense having bi spared to render it a model farm in this, as in all other particuU 2d. His RICHLAND FARM, also known as the Taylor or F lerton Farm, situate on the road to Hebron and also on the 0 Canal, two miles from Newark, and containing 139 acres (10(' which are cleared). There is a good log house and stable on farm which is in a high state of cultivation, and cannot be passed for fertility, 3d. His ENGLISH FARM, situated on Ramp Creek, on one the roads to Hebron, four miles from Newark, and containing acres, about 80 of which are cleared. On this farm are two Bm old frame houses, a large frame barn, a new saw-mill, and co ccraer and crusher. This farm is also in a highly cultivated stj Also, a number of OUT LOTS, of every size, for sale. Persons desirous of purchasing a good farm, in admirable ore will find it to their advantage to call on the subscriber at his ho in Newark, Ohio, where he can be seen at all times. Time will be given to the purchaser if desired, and possession the first day of April, 1865. N. B. HOGG, January 1, 1885— 3t Newark, Ohio THE SCTENCE OF NATURE. A NEW SCHOOL BOOK, K-VTITLED FIRST LESSONS IM CHEMISTEY AND GEOLOGY As Applied to Agriculture. BY' J. EMERSON KENT, A. M., M. D. ANEW school book— the first American work ever issued as firat book, or "First Lessons in Chemistry and Geolosy applied to Agriculture," designed as the first step for the you to be used in all our common schools, is now submitted to educational public. Some indeed protest against the introduci of all modern improvements in making the earth productive ; i the great agricultur.al interests of our nation depend upon a rif generation of practical farmer?, who will till the soil as much 1 comprehensive knowledge of the laws of chemistry, as by sweat of the brow. The subject of agricultural chemistry cannot but soon comm itself to the world .is the most important of all studies, and, in I the wealth of this country would be doubled within one year v all that saved which is now 1 st by stupid, bungling aRl icult X volume of recommendations could be given to the public, bi School Committees and Teachers will be furnished with a c: gratis, for examination, by mail, post-paid, on application to undersigned. Price 25 cents. DAYTON & WENTWORTH, Publishers, 88 Washington street, Boston. MaR- Also, for s.ale in quantities at F. Cowperthw.-iit .1- f"o.. Pliila^ phia; Cady & Burgess, New York; Phinny & Co., Bull.-ilo, N. Darrow & Brother, Rochester, N. Y.; William Wilson, roughk( sie, N. Y.; H. M. Rulison, Cincinnati, O.; and by all other bo sellers in the United States. N. B. — A few men of the right ability are wanted to ^ra through every State in the Union, and introduce this work i schools. A liberal commission will be paid. Gentlemen who Ira for health or recreation -will find this occupation a liicv.ative i agreeable employment. Address a'^ above. Nov. 1. lS.'i4.— £ CUTTER RIGHTS FOR SALE WE will test our Hav, Stalk and Straw Cutter, patented Novem- ber 8th, 1863, for speed, eoiie and durability, against any other in the United States. J. JONE.S k A. LYLE. t3^ For further information, address JO.NES & LYLE, Roch- ester, N. Y, February 1, 1854. — tf MERINO SHEEP. THE subscriber will sell a few Spanish Merino Sheep — bucks and ewes of undoubted purity of blood. He will also dispose of 3k part of his stock of im|iorted Frenoh Merinos. Ceotlenicn purchising from this Hock can have the sheep for- warded to ihe piincipal Western towns at my risk. .S»..l. I, 1854— tf R. J. JONES, Cornwall Vt NOTICE. THE Subscriber now offers for sale two very superior Stallir One will he six years old next Mav, he has taken nine ] miums; took the firat in Toronto at the Provincial Shew, ^( Tlie otlier will be four next June, he took the second iireioium Hamilton, at the Provincial Show, 1833. Theyr were botli si.ed the f.ir famed Old Clyde, and who far surpassed any horse that e came agaiost him. Their dam was a very superior Mai e. torf thor iiarticulaiB apply to the subs Feb. 1— 2t WM. WADDRI.L. Pickering, Claremont P. 0 , C. W "FINE STOCK PREMIfM AT OniO AND IXOIANA PURELY bred FANCY FOWLS, fifteer EARED RABBITS, and SUFFOLK i from the best importations. ies. Also, LC ., SEX rir.s, ■ W. S. LUNT, Findlay, Hancock Co., Ohio ADVERTISEMENTS. 103 1:1 KKTCHTjarS MOWER with REAPEE ATTACHMENT, Has ACTauED BT HOWARD & CO^ Bdpfalo, N. Y. KETCHUM'S celebrated Mowing Machine has been improved ty the adJilion of a Reaper MtachmejU, and we now offer it as a Mower, or as a Mower and Reaper combined, with full confidence that it is the most perfect and successful Machine now in use. The change from a Mower to a Reaper, (which means has been patent- ij ed,) is ejected by simply enlarging the main wheel, by circular sections, bolted to the lim of the wheel. Some of the advantages obtained by this arrangement are: First — Raising the cutters •ufBciently high for cutting grain. Second^Lesseningthe motion of the knives, without any change of gearing, which ia very desir- able in cutting grain, as much less motion is required. Third — Reducing the dmfl of the Machine at least one-third. Fourth- Raising the cogs of the driving wheel, thereby preventing them be- ing filled with dirt, as they otherwise would be, on stable land. Fifth — Attaining ihe above named objects without the least change of any part of the Mower. We shall build for the har\-est of 1865 li the Combined Machines, with wTOOght iron frames and finger bars. Ij Thofle manufactuied expressly for Mowing will all have wrought '1 iron finger bars, but a portion of them with wood frames, iach Machine will have a good spring seat, and every part made in the 4 mon substantial manner, and warranted durable, %vith proper care. We have reduced the weight of the Mower about one hundred and fifty pounds, which we have found desirable, and have no doubt will improve them, by lessening their draft. We shall take the ut- most pains to have our knives made of the best of steel, and well tempered. We otfer our Machines and warrant them capable of cutting and t epreading from ten to fifteen acres of any kind of grass per day; :-i also warrant them capable of cutting the same amount of grain per RroGLES, NorRSB, Masox k Co., Worcester, Mass., are manufac- turing, and have the «ic/imr« right to sell in the N. E. States. ; Thev are also manufacturing a one horse Mower, which they have aright to sell in any of th« United States, except the Western. Seymour, Morgax k Co., of Brockport, N. Y., manufacture the I Mowers for the States of Michigan, Illinois, and Iowa. Wari>f.r, Brokaw k Chilo, of Springfield, Ohio, manufacture for the States of Kentucky, Missouri, Southern Indiana and Ohio, n except tiheWestern Reserve, which will he furnished bv James M. CnAMPLiy, Cleveland, Ohio. Price of Mower, with extras, is $110, Mower and Reaper $125, in Buffalo. f^'' l-2t prices will be allowed to Clubs ordering four or more copies of any one or more of the above works. Thus : Four copieH of Blac^ wood, or of one Review, will be sent to one address for $9; four copies of the four Reviews and Blackwood for $30; and so on. PosTAGR.— In all the principal Cities and Towns, thefe worki will be delivered, through Agents, Free of Postage. When sent by- mail, the I'ostJige to any part of the United tjtates will be but Twenty-four Ckxtb a year for "Blackwood," and but Fot;KT£Ea Cents a year for each of the Reviews. Remittances and cnmmunicationg should always be addressed-, post-paid, to the Publishers, LEONARD SCOTT & CO., 64 Gold Street, New York. *N. B.— L. S. & CO , have recently published, and have mw for sale, the "FARMER'S GUIDE," by Benry Stephens, of Edinburgh, and the late Prof. Norton, of Yale College, New Haven, complete in 2 vols., ro^-al octavo, containing 3600 pages, 14 steel and 6*)fl wood engravings, pride, in muslin binding, $6. ffT^This work is not the old '* Book of the Farm," lately resua citated and thrown upon the market. BRITISH PERIODICALS. LEONARD SCOTT k CO., New Yoik, continue to re-publish the following British Penodicnls, viz.: THE LoVnoN QUARTERLY (Conservative). THE EDIN- BURUn REVIEW (Whig). THR NOftTH BRITISH REVIKW (Free Cburch). THE WESTMINISTER REVIEW (Liberal). BLACKWOUD-S EDINBURGH MAGAZI.VE (Tory). Th« present slate of European affairs will render these pubUca- tiona unusually inteie.sting durii g the forthcoming year. ArrangfUienlB are now permanently made for the receipt of Eauly Sii^ikts from the British PublLshers, by which we are en- iibl<-(| to pbice ALL OUK Uepri.xts in llie bands of subscribers, a' out !is smm an ihey c.in be furnished with tbe foreign copies. Allliongh this involves a very Urge outlay on our part, we sball c-uiiinue to furnish the Periodicals at the Bame low rates as here- ContinU o{ His Num^ir. The Feeding of Cities 73 Roots and their Culture 74 Where shall I plant my Orchard? 75 What breed of Cows would you recommend ? 77 Drain Level ^Q Plaster of Paris 80 Letter from Minnesota... ...80 Lice on Cattle 80 Italian Rye Grass; its culture and advantages 81 Seeding of lands to grass _ 82 Letter from Virginia _ S3 Feeding of Horeesu 83 Drainage _ go Breaking Colts _ 84 The Culture of Sweet Potatoes 85 Gypsum or Plaster of Paris _ 85 Olive versus Lard Oil 86 HORTICtaTURAL DEPARTMENT. Pomological Society of Western New York 87 Hints on Grafting 87 Notes on the Weather, etc 8S Shade Trees gg Cnltivation of Flowers , 89 Osage Orange Hedges... 89 Dbeased Apples _90 Culture of Apples al the West 91 Genesee Valley Horticultural Society ©3 Peach Worm 94 Grape Vines— Bearing and Pruning 94 Liquid Manure for the Garden 95 The Auricula 9? Early Tomatoes 05 LAOIES* DEPARTMENT. Original and selected Recipes ©6 "The Old Woman" 95 EDITOR'S TABLE. What shalll study? 97 Italian Rye Grass ..,93 New Rotary Engine P8 Experiments _ 98 ILLUflTRATIONS. Aldemey or Jeraej Cow 77 Drain I^vel 79 Method for Breaking Colts 84 Grape Vines— The Cane, Spur and Fan Sytema 04 STKEKOTYPBD BT . KR, N. V. 101 ADVERTISEMENTS. 3^0^=1. 1355. In presenting his Prospectus for Volume XVI., Second Sf.ries, of the GENESEE FARMEjl to its patrons a friends, the undersigned returns his sincere thanlis for tlie cordial appreciation and generous support extended duri the past and previous years. The price will remain unclianffed, though all the expenses connected with the mechanii department are much greater than in previous years ; and it is only by the voluntary aid of the friends of agricultuj progress that he is enabled to furnish so large an amount of reading matter in his monthly issues. He will be assisted in the Editorial Dapartment by Mr. W. P. ALLIS, who has been a regular contributor to columns during the past year. Mr. JOSEPH FROST will continne as Horticultural .Editor. Increased efforts will he made to render the GENESEE FARJIER worthy of support. Each subscriber respectfully solicited to renew his subscrijition, and present the claims of the FARMER to his friends; and the i suit will enable the proprietor more than ever to advance the interests of its readers. To enlarge the usefulness by extending the circulation of the GENESEE FARMER, the undersigned will pay t following PREMIUMS on subscriptious to Volume XVI., second series: FIFTY DOLLARS, IN CASH, to the person who shall procure the LARGEST NUMBER OF SUBSCRIBERS in any County or D trict in the United States or Canadas. at the club prices. FORTY DOLLARS, IN CASH, to the one who shall procure the SECOND LARGEST LIST, as above. THIRTY DOLLARS, IN CASH, to the one procuring the THIRD LARGEST LIST. TWENTY DOLLARS, IN CASH, to the one i.r.«-nrir.s th,;' FOURTH LARGEST LIST. TEN DOLLARS, IN CASH, to the one procuring the FIFTH LARGEST LIST. In order to reward every one of the friends of the GENESEE FAR JIER for his exertions in its behalf, we w give to those not entitled to either of the above premiums, the following BOOKS, free of postage, or EXTRA PAPER a s may be preferred : 1. To everv person who sends SIXTEEN subscribers, at the club terms of thirty-seven cents each, ONE EXTB COPY OF THE FARMER, or a COPY OF LIEBIG'S LETTERS ON CHEMISTY AND AGRICULTURi" CHEMISTY (pamphlet edition). 2. To everv person sending for TWRNTV-FOUR copies, as above, any AGRICULTURAL BOOK valued FIFTY CENTS, or TWO EXTRA COPIES OF THE FARMER. 3. To every person ordering THIRTY-TWO copies, any AGRICULTURAL BOOK worth SEVENTY-Fn CENTS, or THREE EXTRA COPIES OF THE FARMER. i. To everv person ordering FORTY copies, any AGRICULTURAL BOOK valued at ONE DOLLAR, FOUR EXTRA COPIES OF THE FARMER. 5. To everv person ordering FORTY-EIGHT copies, any ARGRICULTURAL BOOK worth ONE DOLLA AND TWENTY-FIVE CENTS, or FIVE EXTRA COPIES OF THE FARMER. For larger numbers, books or papers given in the same proportion. To save cost to our friends, we pre-pay posta; on all books sent as premiums. Persons entitled will please state whether they wish books or extra papers, and mal their selection when they send orders, if they desire books ; or if they have not obtained as many subscribers as th( intend to, we will delay sending until the club is full, if so requested. We do not require that all the papers of a cli should be sent to one post-office. If necessary for the convenience of subscribers, we are willing to send to as mai different offices as there are members o the club. We write the names on each paper, when a number are sent to tl same office, if desired ; but when convenient. Postmasters would confer a favor by having the whole number ordered i their own office, sent to their own address. 23~ As all subscriptions commence anew with the year, places where the FARiMER was never before taken wi stand an equal chance in the competition for premiums. .3^- BACK VOLUMES of the F.A.RMER will be furnished, if desired, and counted the same as new subscriber We shall keep a norrect account of the subscribers sent by each person, and in the JULY NUMBER WE SHAL. ANNOUNCE THE PREMIUMS. ^^ Specimen numbers, show-bills. &e., sent to all post-paying applicants. All letters must be post-paid or frei Subscription money, if properly enclosed and registered, may be mailed at our risk. DAMEIi LEE, Publisher and Proprietor. Vol. XVI., Second Series. EOCHESTEE, N. Y., APEIL, 1865. No. 4. THE GENESEE FARMER, A MONTHLY JOCRXAL OF AQBICULTURE & HORTIGULTUEE, Volume XVI, Second Series, 1855 DANIKL lee: and W. D. AL.LIS, EDITORS. JOSEPH FROST, HORTICULTURAL EDITOR. EACH NUMBER CONTAINS 32 ROYAL OCTAVO PAGES, IN rOUBLK COLUMNS, AND TWELVE NUMBERS FORJl A VOLUME OF 384 PAGES IN A YEAR. Terms. Single Copy, $0.60 FiTe Copies, 2.00 Eight Copies, 3.0O And at the same rate for any larger number. DANIEIi liEE, Publisher and Proprieti/r, Rochester, N. T. ECONOMY OF FAKIUHG. Wn.iT system of husljaudry will bring the greatest profit ia any given situation, can only be determined jy a close survey of the nature and capabilities of he soil and climate, the capital of the farmer, and he condition of the markets within his reach. On ome farms it is wise often to summer-fallow, in order 0 subdue or eradicate pestiferous weeds, and develop he latent elements of fertility which the earth may josscss. In all operations pertaining to rocks and :arths, time is an important element If the vital irinciple in the germ of an acorn required its growth ml full maturity in a single year, there is no land in lie world rich enough to yield the soluble potash and ther minerals found in the ash of a large oak tree ; lut slowly extending its absorption of the elements f vegetable nutrition from the soil, through several enturies, nature has time sufficient, and none to pare, to feed this giant of the forest, and make it all hat we see it in the pride of its strength and age. To produce large crops of annual plants, the land lust be either rich by nature, or made so by the usbandman. lie evinces his greatest skiU in the conomy with which he remedies defects In his arable elds, meadows, and pastures ; and he is a wise culti- vator if he understands all the secret and open sources of fruitfulness, and all the causes of barrenness in the soil under his control. This knowledge he needs to employ his labor and money to the best advantage. True economy in farming is true wisdom, and the fruit of much well-directed observation and study. In this way one learns what system of rotation of crops best suits his farm and circumstances, and what plants and animals yield him the highest profit. Leaving, as we do, all specialities to the good sense and expe- rience of each reader, who alone can rightly under- stand his local advantages and disadvantages, wc may yet render liiur some service by explaining the prm- ciples of scientific husbandry aud tillage. By the analysis of soils, and their vegetable and animal products, in connection with practical farming, the principle has been established that one may grow any crop indefinitely on the same surface by clean culture and judicious manuring. Prof. Burger says that he knows a butcher who has raised the richest crops of barley twenty years in succession on the same field by manuring it with sheep-dung ; but he questions the practicability of growing winter wheat in the same way. His remarks on this head are as follows : " Winter wheat we cannot sow after winter wheat in Northern Europe, for many reasons: because the period of time from the harvest in August, till the sowing-time at the end of September, is too short, and usually too moist to clear and pulverize the clayey soil by repeated plowing ; because the soil by too frequent plowiugs following one another too rap- idly causes too much work in a short time ; because a soil may easily become too loose, whereby the plants are winter-killed ; and because the crude sta- ble manure and late seeding occasion must and bhght. But in the South of Europe, one may sow winter wheat with good success many years in suc- cession in the same field." 106 ECONOMY OF FARMING. In three-fourths of the States in this republic, wheat matures early enough for the ground to be properly tilled before it is time to sow for another crop; and the injury arising from the use of crude manure may be avoided by rotting It either in com- post or otherwise, before its application to the soil. So long as winter wheat brings a high price it is a profitable crop to grow; and if need be, by the aid of Peruvian guano and without rotation. Land that is not too wet nor too porous, but rich, clear of all noxious weeds, and well plowed and harrowed, will rarely fail in good seasons to produce fair crops of winter wheat many years in succession. In Northern and Western Germany, winter rye is grown year after year indefinitely on the same field ; and generally on land too sandy and porous for eco- nomical wheat-culture. In the cotton-growing States, rye is cultivated for winter grazing. Economy in growing food for live-stock both sum- mer and winter deserves far more attention than it is now receiving in this countrj'. Our domestic animals are generally thin in flesh, ugly in form, and compar- atively worthless, on account of a deficient supply of grass in summer and hay in winter, or from a lack of other suitable nourishment. Defective nutrition makes not only lean kine and lean hogs, but lean manure, and leaner land. Now is a favorable time to collect and save manure to increase the fruitl'ul- ness of the earth the coming spring and summer ; and having in our own practice an eye to a future harvest of manure, we deem it wise economy to raise fodder-plants in abundance. Any one who has occa- Bion to purchase hay or other forage for his stock this spring, as the writer has, need not be told that it is a pretty expensive operation. In an average of the soils and climates of the United States, which are our best fodder-plants? Prof. Bueqer says : " The pod-bearing vegetables need generally less ma- nure than the plants of a grass kind; for in a given soil, and in a given time, they produce more organic matter than do the latter ; because they absorb a greater quantity of atmospheric and mineral sub- stances." The above suggestions are important; but we sus- pect the principle applies only to common grasses, and not to such cereal grasses as maize. Neither peas, nor beans, nor vetches, are equal to corn in our climate on good land to organize food for live-stock ; although either of these pod-bearing vegetables may be better than corn in Germany. In all our South- ern States, peas are cultivated extensively with corn for forage. At the North, peas and oats gown to- gether, often yield a liberal harvest ; but in skillful hands, nothing pays quite so well as our native, indi- genous Indian corn. No one knows how many tons of choice hay might be made on an acre of not too thickly-sown corn- plants. Put in drills thirty inches apart, on rich land properly tilled, one may grow forage enough on an acre to winter several cows in fine condition. Some prefer to sow corn broadcast for soiling purposes, al- though it generally yields a smaller burden than when cultivated in drills. Less seed will answer in the lat- ter case, while it requires some more labor to make a crop. In selling produce of any kind off a farm, whether vegetable or animal, one should add to the other costs of production, that of replacing in the soil all the mineral elements, including ammonia, removed in any manner during the time when the article sold was grown, and the land cultivated for its production. Thus, in producing corn, tobacco and cotton, the plowed and hoed soil loses more of the elements ol fertility than is sent to market in the staple sold. The land is leached and washed by falling rains, am thereby impoverished, in consequence of tillage American farmers commit a great mistake in goinj over so many acres with the plow to obtain the gen crally poor crops which they harvest. This practic is bad, very bad, economy. It needlessly wears ou teams, the implements of tillage, land, civilizatioi and everything but human folly. To keep fields i the same state of fruitfulness, there must be restore to them in manure a fair equivalent for every elemei taken out of the earth by the agency of the cultivs tor. But in order to return to fields manure in pn portion to their needs, it is necessary to know in whi proportion plants absorb their earthy constituents and also to understand that it is altogether impract cable to manure large farms with small resources fc manure, whether purchased or home-made. Sound economy demands that we plow deepe cultivate fewer acres, make, save, and use more mi nnre, have less extravagant notions about becomin rich by robbing our mother Earth, and fostering thi common disposition to run into debt, which is tl curse of our otherwise happy country. Like spen thrift heirs, we draw on the natural resources of tl soil, as an inexhaustible estate, regardless alike of tl wants and the rights of those who are to come aft us. Our farm economy is as different from that pra^ liced in Belgium and other well cultivated portioi of Europe, as it well can be. Good farming in E rope implies the full and adequate feeding of the li GUANO AND ITS SUBSlTrU'l'ES. lOr that feeds the luimaii family. AVith us, not one acre in twenty of onr so-calloil improved laud is ever pro- perly manured. Why tan not any given number of iuhabitunts in the United States make and use as much manure as is witnessed in Europe? We might do it, \f tve would. Our twenty-six millions of people auwually waste the elements of grain and clothing equal to ten dol- lars a head, or to two hundred and sixty million dol- lare a year. So long as public opinion tolerates this saeriBce, a large majority will be compelled to culti- vate poor laud for a living. How can it be other- wise, so long as American soil pdrts with twenty times more of the raw material of its annual crops than is restored to it again? Economy of farming is preeminently a national affair. If Congress and State Legislatures say that our public policy shall be to run into debt at home and abroad, and mortgage the elements of fertility to pay the same, how are these elemeuts of fertility to be retained on the land that really needs them? The rottenness of our po- litical economy corrupts our economy of farming, and makes us the greatest land-killers in the wide world. GUANO AND ITS SUBSTITUTES. Is it necessary that millions of dollars should an- nually be sent to a foreign land, in order that the elements of fertihty should be returned to an exhaust- ed soil? We think not, if as a nation and a people we were to husband every source of fertilizing mate- rial, and not despise the day of small things, in econ- omizing manures of every description. Though the almost magical powers of guano have been known for hundreds of years, it was not until recently that pubhc attention was so strongly directed to it as to insure its general use. A quarter of a century ago, the lamented Skinner called the atten- tion of farmers and planters to its power as a fertili- zer, but to httle purpose. Guano, as most of our readers -are well aware, is the dried excreta of sea- fowls, deposited on the islands off the coast of Peru. The supply is not inexhaustible, and at the present increasing rate of consumption, another quarter of a century will see but little left in its present locality. Wherein is its great virtue as a fertilizer, and wherein does it differ from common yard manure? A refer- ence to the component parts of eacli, will aid us in replying. Guano, as the average of analyses made by Bertels, Oellaciier, and Ure, as given in Sol- ly's Rural Chemistry, page 375, contains in 1,000 parts — Berlds. Oclla,-lM Urate of nmm( Ov.il.itc nf :,rai Oxahilo of lim Ph.isi.li.-ite <,f 1 I'liospliriti- nf rnnmouia Mv\ magiitsi.i -12 116 45 i'lh.-hh:!',- ,.r h,ii.. 100 202 2M Mill' ■'.-.•!■.».,.. iiln 65 li2 ao I'l--^. . .^i. 1 4 — l'ni;...:;;il, > I ,, ,, , ,:,.u,ia _ 8 10 L^uWl..ik' ul l.jiiu — 16 — Sulijhalo of [lotasli 42 40 60 Sulphate of soda _ U 49 — Sulphate of ammonia — — 20 Phospliate of soda 63 — — Humate of ammonia — 11 — Waxand resin 6 7 — Sand. Insoluljle residue 68 17 12 Alumina 1 — — ffater ( „,, (43 85 Organic matter J "'-' {93 186 1000 1000 1000 Let us notice the composition of the various kinds of auimal excreta as given on pages 370 and 371 of the work quoted above : " Fresh horse dung consists of 284 parts dry or- ganic matter, IS parts inorganic matter, and 608 parts water. Of the inorganic matter about one- ninth is carbonate and phosphate of lime, one-twelfth alkaline salts, and the remainder silica (Zierl). Horses' urine consists of 27 parts dry organic matter, 33 parts inorganic matter, aud 940 parts water. " Fresh pigs' dung, consisting of the excrement and urine together, contains 93 parts dry organic matter, 87 parts inorganic matter, aud 820 parts wa- ter. Figs' urine contains .56 parts dry organic mat- ter, 18 parts inorganic matter, and 926 parts water (Sprrxg'ei,). The inorganic matters consist chiefly of alkaline salts. '"Human excrement (according to Berzelius) con- tains 227 parts dry organic matter, 100 parts inor- ganic matter, and 733 parts water. Its constituents are — All.umen 9 EitracUve 27 Mucus, fat, resin 140 Bile 9 Vegetable remains ?0 Soluble salts 12 Water 733 100« "The inorganic matter contained in 1000 parts consequently weighs 150, and contains 100 parts earthy phosphates, 12 parts carbonate of soda, 8 parts sulphate and phosphate of soda, and sulphate of potash. "Human urine (according to Berzelius) consists of 40 parts dry organic matter, 7 parts salts of ammonia, 11 parts inorganic matter, and 933 parts water." Thus we see that in the urine and foeces of man and beast are contained nearly the same elements. The general practice has been to husband the latter, while the volatile parts of urine, which constitute its chief value as a manure, are allowed to escape with- out check or hindrance. We can well afford to imi- tate the Chinese in their practice of economising ma- nures. Rude as their implements of husbandly may appear to us, still the practice and means of fertiliza- tion which they use may teach us a useful lesson, if THE TRUE VALUE OF MANURE. example is made to follow precept. It is the concur- reut testimony of travelers, 'that uo substance of whatever description, capable of serving as food for plants, is allowed to be wasted. Pojces, made ino- dorous by mi.^ture with dried clay or charcoal, are daily sold in their markets; and to such an e.xtent is their economy carried that the hair clipped and shaved from their polls is carefully collected by the barbers for the same purpose. But few animals are kept, and the means which we possess of addmg to the fertility of our fields, are to them unavailable. • But some may say, this is but theory; show us the facts. To oblige such we quote the account of a correspondent of the London Agricultural Gazette: " It may appear to some that there is too much sameness in this annual report of my experiments, but that sameness is the test of truth; for if year after year the results are the same, a valuable truth has been more and more established beyond dispute. On the other hand, if they vary, it is interesting and instructive to investigate the causes of that variety; for that too tends to the establishment of truth, even though it may sometimes be a doubtful approxima- tion. In the first class I may reckon the full effect of ammouiacal manures upon grass. In seventeen ex- pei'iments of this description, a profit appeared, alter deducting the cost of the manure, more or less, in caih case, but altogether amounting to £13 ($65), and the only soUtary set-off against this was one sol- itttry experiment with guano, where the value of the increased produce of hay fell short by 8s. 2d. (iSLSS) of the ralue of the two cwt. bestowed upon the land. "There is a certain limit in all soils beyond which nature refuses to answer your deiiiands upon her, and so far from any profit being derived by an increase of manures applied to the soil, there is an inverse pro- portion observable, viz: the more manure the less the profit." (The point which we wish our readers particularly to notice is the use of peat charcoal mixed with night- soil.) " Not so, however, in the case of the Irish peat charcoal mixed with night-soil ; for of the latter in- gredient so small a quantity is present, compared with the bulk, that a large dose is required to produce any effect; and that sort which professes to contain none has been found utterly useless as a top-dressing; and in one instance two cwt. did not repay the expense, though that only amounted to 5s. ; but the addition of one-half cwt. made a difference of 12s. profit. In another instance three cwt. was a loss, but four cwt. gave a profit of Is. 6d. But when applied to the growth of corn (wheat), even a single cwt. of the sim- ple peat charcoal proved beneficial by adding one and one-fourth bushels to the corn, and 224 lbs. to the hay." Were further evidence required, many more facts might be given, but the above is sufficient. Therefore is it economy to pay out millions of dollai's for ferti- lizers before we have economized all our resources at home, to say nothing of the vast amount which might be rendered available by proper municipal regulations in all our large cities? We cannot forbear in further illustration of this subject, quoting from a prize re- port, before a Scotch Agricultural Society, respect- mg the quantity of fertihzing material now lost or wasted, which can be saved by care and economy: Cow9 and balls 21 Fattening bullocks 18 — Gallons. 39 at 3 gallons each .117 Qucys 10at2iJ " ?6 One year old cattle 20atl?a " ;jo Horses, old and young 16 at >a " 8 Swine 15 at >i " 5 185 Which for the whole year would be 67,626 But, as the horses will be employed in the fields at an average of eight hours daily, one-third of the urine they make must of course be do- Gals. ducted, which is 973 And the cows and young stock, exclusive of the p bullocks, may also be more or less in the fieltls, at an average of say four hours daily, one-si.xth of what the produce must also be deducted, which ia 7,178 8,151 This shows a produce, available for the whole year, of 59,374 gallons from the stock kept on such a farm as the reporter has assumed. But as it is proved that, in its original state, it is much too caustic and strong to be applied to grass lands with advantage and economy, it should be well diluted with water, and applied frequently in a weaker state ; these 59,- 374 gallons should, therefore, at least be doubled, by adding water, making — Gallons. 118,748 And to which must be added slop.s from the dwelling house being disli-wa,shings, aoap-suds, and contents from the water-closet, &c., at the low estimate of 10 gallons daily for 365 days, 3,650 Hero then is, in whole 122,398 gallons, which will irrigate thirty acres three several times, allowing 1,200 gallons per acre each time, and that after allowing waste by absorption, evaporation, or otherwise, and a considerable quantity for throw- ing daily over the dung, as pointed out. If, however, the cows and young stock should be kept a longer time in the house than the reporter has stated, then, of course, a greater quantity of urine will be made for the purpose of irrigation, and for saturatmg the dung. THE TKTTE VALUE OF MANTJEF. [Translated from the German of Professor Bubget for the Farmer ; with a Note by the Editor.] " The true value of manure is known by very few farmers; most of them have only obscure and con- fused notions on the subject, and so neglect the requisite production and gathering of the same. Nothing, therefore, would more raise to a proper footing the cultivation of fodder and the rearing of cattle, and by this means induce the profitalilo culti- vation of gi'aiu and plants for trade, than the ascer- taining the proportional value of manure to the THE TRUE VALUP; OP MANURE. staple products of the country, in given circumstances, by a course of experiments for many years; and no subject deserves more to be investigated on experi- mental farms than this; because it is too costly for others, on account of the loss which they suffer in the unmanured half of the field. How the product of the field increases with the mcrease of manure, and a proportional rotation of crops we have shown in vol. i., p. 180. But as the statements there made are drawn from universal experience and reason, they may be attacked until reference be had to the par- ticular experiments which lie at the ground of them. Every experiment which may be made respecting this neglected subject is, therefore, of the highest importance, and deserves to be carefully collected; and in this point of view I hold, as very deserving of notice, what Gosparin says, concerning the relative value of manure, in his Memoir on the Culture of the Olive in the South of France. ' The average product of seven years of a garden of olives of 1,600 young trees which were not manured was 651 lbs. of oil. (One tree gave only 0.40 lb.) A similar number of the same trees, which in three years had collectively 840 cwt. of manure, gave yearly 1,497 lbs. of oil. (For 0.93 lb.) One cwt. of manure, therefore, pro- duced three ib.q. of oil. The manure was horse dung. The product of the larger trees was raised by manure in the same proportion. Trees thirty years old not manured for a number of years gave 3^ lbs. of oil; while those which had yearly 168 lbs. of manure, on a mean average, bore 814 lbs. of oil. One hundred weight of manure increased the product of oil about 2.91 lbs. A person yearly manured his olives, and succeeded in obtaining, as the mean product of fifteen- year-old trees, 4J lbs. of oil Trees situated near the house, which had yearly two cwt. of manure, pro- duced ten pounds of oil each.' " NiooLAi, in his Pri/icip!es for the Administration of Estates, assumes, probably after Beckendokf, that there will be produced from one head of cattle, ten two-spanned loads of manure in a year. From one stall-fed horse, fifteen loads as above. From a grass- horse, 7 J loads. From 100 head of sheep, 100 loads. By careful littering, swine are reckoned at tmce as much as cattle. " According to Kaebe, sixty-five cows in summer on a pasture, being kept over night in stalls, will manure forty-four yokes (62 J acres). " According to Leopold, four cows kept in stables and properly littered, yield fifty loads of manure, of which six will answer for an acre. " In a very learned and able treatise, found in the Annals of JVetherla/id Agriculture, the proportion of manure of different animals is stated to be as follows : 1 head of cattle -. iso 1 " horse _ I 170 I " sheep _ _I.r_"r 10 "Veit says, vol. i. p. 365:— 'The value of stall manure is determined by the value of the production effected liy it. The quantity of production depends on — 1st, the natural capacity of the soil; 2d, on the choice, preparation and employment of the manure; 3d, on the choice of plants which are cultivated in one period of manuring; 4th, on the system of culture, especially the rotation of crops, and the treatment and use of the soil.' " Note by the Editor.— It is not the fault of the able German writers on agriculture that it is so diSi- cult to ascertain the true value of manure. The problem to be solved is exceedingly complex. In one series of experiments the same mixture of liquid and solid excrements differed five-fold in its effects when applied to clayey soil in good condition, and to dry, sandy soil in bad condition; and pulverized hu- man excrement, as well as all other materials of ma- nure m the form of powder, displayed a dissimilar greater effect if they cover the ground and are shaded by the plants manured, than when employed in a smaller mass and on an unshaded surface. In a word, the most trust-worthy experiments prove that one may lose two-thirds of the strength and virtue of his manure after it is hauled into the field, by solar evaporation, and partly, perhaps, by its salts being washed away over the surface of the ground. ScHWERTz remarks, "that it is incredible how the Belgians with so little manure can manure so much land." This success he attributes to their skiU in classifying the fertilizing power of different kinds of manure, and adjusting it to the exact condition of the land, and the precise wants of the plants to be grown. ScHWEKTZ adds, " such facts ought to make us ashamed, and wake us up to a zealous imitation." Belgium contains a denser population than any other nation in Europe; and yet, for the area under cultivation, no other country exports so much of the products of husbandry. These are striking facts, and indicate great advancement in agriculture. How to make the most of any given quantity of manure, is a matter of great interest to a thoughtful farmer. The Belgians calculate the urine of each cow as worth two pounds, or about ten dollars a year. At this rate, the six and a half million cows now in the United States, might yield liquid manure 110 FENCES. wortli sixty-five million dollars every twelve montlis. Is it not pretty evident that we have yet to learn the true value of the food of agricultural plants? Pub- lic opinion hardly tolerates the study of vegetable and animal physiology in our common schools, even in rural districts. Hence, neither the production of crops, nor the growth of domesticated animals, nor the wonderful adaptation of each to the other, is duly considered. If manure is so valuable as we have shown, to increase the oil of olives, how much more important is it to augment the growth of apples, pears, peaches, and other fruit? fifty yards will not answer. Strained tightly during the summer season, the cold of winter will operate with irresistible power to injure and destroy them. There remains the use of hedge plants; and of all that have come under our notice, the Osage orange bids fair to surpass all others. Objections are made by some to hedges of any description, as occupying too much ground, thus rendering unavailable for use large portions of a farm. We question whether any properly made hedge would occupy any more ground than the common worm fence; and there would be much less growth of weeds and worthless shrubs in The subject of- fences is one of great and increas- ing interest to farmers and landholders, and the annual expense of maintaining enclosures in good condition, to say nothing of the rapidly diminishing supply of fencing material from our forests, is a heavy percent- age on the profits of cultivation. In a very few years our choice will be confined to two materials — iron in its various forms and arrangements, and hedge plants. We see it stated in our eastern exchanges that a gentlemen of Lowell, Massachusetts, has invented a machine for weavmg wire into sections or panels, which, by reason of their peculiar construction, ob- viate one material objection to the use of iron for fences, viz , the liabhty to derangement from the effects of heat and cold. It can be furnished according to the purposes required, at from ?1.2;j to $1.75 per rod, and when once set will last, with proper care, for one's life-time. Unless very carefully constructed, and proper allowance made for expansion and con- traction, fences made of iron wire strained between VIEW OF SUG.^R GROVE FARM. and around a hedge fence than is customary in the corners of fences. We believe the Osage orange will be found equally as hardy as the Isabella grape, and endure about the same degree of exposure. Its sharp thorns springing out at the base of each leaf- stalk, its comparative exemption from the depreda- tions of insects, its rapid growth and endurance of close trimming and pruning, are weighty arguments in favor of its use. A hedge on the farm of Mr. James McGrew, in Montgomery county, Ohio, has been set about four years,"and is so compact and broad at the ground, that neither fowls nor pigs can pass it, and so high that the most unruly animal would not attempt to jump it. Professor Turner, of IlUnois, in au article on hedges, says : " On this place of 150 acres, requiring, as I have stated, four miles of fence to put it in perfect order, I calculate that I am saving, in cash, at least $200 per annum, in all coming time, by using hedges rath- er than rails, aside entirely from the additional com- fort, security and beauty of the hedge. As regards comfort, I can only say that I now posts at intervals of from fifty to one hundred and ' write with my eye resting upon a hedge about four CORRESPONDENCE. Ill years old, between my garden and front lot, and the most public street in this county, through which thousands of mules and wild Missouri steers, hogs, eheep, &c., are driven every year, and all the stock of this village, of all sorts, runs at large. (And Phara- ou of old knew what a starved cow was.) In this hedge is a small wicker gate, opening into the street, with an Osage crab over it to prevent climbing. AVheu necessary this gate is kept locked. In this lot, which is within the corporation limits, and con- tains some four acres, we have had through the sea- son the greatest abundance of strawberries, gooseber- ries, currants, peaches, pears of the finest varieties, grapes, raspberries, plums, cherries, blackberries, mel- ons, &c., and if any person has been inside of the lot without leave, it is certain they did not get over the hedge; or if any boy has taken a plum or berry we do not know it The accompanying cut is a representation of the hedge fence on Sugar Grove Farm owned by Mr. James McGrew, near Dayton, Ohio. MHiBT AND ITS CULITJEE. Me. Editor: — Of the millet there are three dis- tinct genera: the Polish millet, the Indian millet, and the common millet. Of the common millet there are three species: the German, the common or cultivated, and the Italian. The German millet grows with a read-like stalk, from two and a-half to three feet high, with a leaf at each joint about one and a-half feet long, and about one inch broad at the base, ending in a sharp point, rough to the touch, surrounding the stalk at the base, and turning down about half the length. The stalks terminate by compact spikes about three-fourths of an inch in diameter at the bottom, tapering to the top, six or eight inchs long, and closely set with small roundish grain. It is an annual, and soon per- ishes after it has ripened its seeds. Of this kind of millet there are three varieties, the white, yellow, sad purple grained. The Italian millet rises also with a reed-like stalk four feet high; the stalk is thicker and the leaf broader than the preceding; the spikes are from eight to twelve inches in length; they are not compact but are composed of several roundish clustered spikes. There are also two or three varieties of thii, distin- tinguished only by the color of the seeds. The above described species of the common mil- let being the only kinds cultivated in this section, I shall omit giving a description of the other kinds, and proceed at once to give my readers the benefit of my practical knowledge in reference to its culture. In consequence of my meadows being destroyed ■ yb the severity of the winter of 1854, I was of neces- sity compelled to substitute something for the hay crop, and finally decided upon millet. I found it very dif- ficult to procure seed, but much more difficult to pro- cure reliable information with regard to its culture; consequently, my first year's experience was in reality a year of experiment. The field upon which I sowed my millet was a wheat stubble. The soil sandy loam, the higher portions of the field being quite sandy, and in a medium state of cultivation; the surface undulating. During the lat- ter part of May it was plowed ten inches deep, with a Polly plow, No 2, which is one of the best stub- ble plows in use. The first week in June the ground was harrowed twice, lengthwise of the furrow, with a heavy double scratch harrow. The millet seed was sown immediately, at the rate of 12 quarts per acre, and followed with a light seed harrow and roller. I commenced cutting my millet the middle of August with a common grain cradle; let it lie in the swath one to two days, according to the temperature of the weather; bound in sheaves and shocked up the same as wheat. Judging from the number and size of the loads, the yield was two tons per acre. Had the season been favorable the produce would have been one-third more. From my limited experience I have come to the conclusion that millet is peculiarly adapted to light, warm soils, but will grow on almost any soil which is not too wet-; that the soil should be plowed deep and well pulverized; that the time to sow the seed, if intended for hay, is any time during the month of June — if intended to ripen, the last week in May; that the quantity of seed if intended for hay should vary from IC to 20 quarts — very rich soils requiring most seed to prevent the stalks from growing too rank — but, if intended to ripen, 8 to 10 quarts per acre will be quite sufficient; that the proper time to harvest, if for hay, is when the grain is just filled and the top of the head or spike is beginning to turn yellow, but if intended for seed it should fully ripen; that the best mode of harvesting is to cut with the cradle or reaper and bind into sheaves when sufficiently dry; and that the yield per acre on good soils well culti- vated, will be from 3 to 4 tons of hay or 30 to 40 bushels of seed. It leaves the soil in a loose, friable stale, consequently grass and clover seeds do well when sown with it. As to its nutritious qualities, it is a regular pana- cea for the craving of all hungry stomachs, whether of biped or quadruped- Horses will work hard and keep in fine condition by being fed on green millet, finely cut with a straw-cutter and mixed with four 112 CORRESPONDENCE. quarts of ground millet seed per day, to each horse. Fed in the same way to milch cows, it will keep them fat and sleek, and cause an unusual flow of goocf- rich milk. Colts, calves, and sheep fairly luxuriate in the green fodder. The seed fed to hens will make ever- lasting layers of them, whether Dorkings, Shangha;s, Poland, Spanish, or native, other necessaries being provided. D. W. Freeman. Windham, C. W. KOHTHAMPTON COTJNTY POUITBY ASSOCIAnON. Mr. Editor : — Thinking it would interest your readers, I send you a brief description of the first annual exhibition of the Northampton County Poul- try Association. For a few years past, an increased interest has been felt m this part of the state, in improved breeds of fowls. At the county fairs of the past two yearS; the number and beauty of the improved breeds of poultry excited the admiration and astonishment of all. The attention of our farmers was drawn towards poultry-raising, and men of taste and wealth among them, began at once to manifest more interest in this subject. The quality and variety of both foreign and native fowls has increased so rapidly tliat — taking the hint from Barnum, perhaps — those interested met and organized the above association, which held its first annua! exhibition in January last Had I entertained any doubt of the reality of the affair, that doubt was dispelled when I came near the entrance of the hall where the exhibition was held. But when the door was opened, my ears were greeted with such an out- pouring of salutatories and overtures, that I stopped on the threshold for some minutes in wondering amaze- ment. It seemed as if every cock was crowing defi- ance to his neighbor ; nor was there any monotony in the tones, or the key-note of this new tangled or- chestra;— for, by turns, the shrill, piping tenor of the bantam, the deep, guttural bass of the Shanghai, the chirp of the canary, and the voice of the mocking- bird, parrot or guinea-fowl could be distinguished ; but above all, at regular intervals, rang out the hoarse "cronk, cronk," of a large pair of Bremen geese. Passing along, I first noticed a number of coops of ShanghcBS, Brahma Pootras, Chittagongs, SiC. The Shanghaes were beautiful — though large they seemed better favored than any I had before seen — in all the specimens of this breed exhibited, there was a vast improvement upon the specimens which I first saw some years since. Then they were so tall, bony, gaunt, and ill-favored as to give point to the satirical remark of the negro, that " if you cut dera heads off, de legs would fall right apart." No other breed exhibited so marked an improvement, though there were many beautiful specimens of Dorkings, Black Spanish, Cochin Chinas, and other fowls of foreign origin too numerous to mention. My know- ledge of fowls is entirely too limited to allow me to speak critically of all that I saw; but I suspect that in one or two cases, at least, a foreign name was af- fixed to a coop containing our common fowl, some- what peculiarly marked; yet in one case — that of a noble pair of common black turkeys — I feel certain that if a high-sounding polysyllable had been affixed to the coop, nineteen out of every twenty would have left satisfied that they had seen a new variety of the genus turkey. The show of Bantams was good; there were half a dozen varieties, of which the diminutive Sea-brighta seemed to me the most beautiful. In fact, all the varieties which are commonly found in our poultry books, were more or less fully and well represented. Besides several varieties of ducks and geese, I found a large cage with nearly forty canaries, another with a dozen of quails, and others still with wild pigeons and pheasants, or partridges. Again, as if the man- agers had tried to make the exhibition an omnium gatherum, in another room I saw a crow, and a large white owl, and near them cages containing Scotch ten-ier puppies, Guinea pigs, three difierent varieties of rabbits, English, Madagascar, and common wild and gray squirrels. I should not omit to notice a most superb pair of silver pheasants. During the exhibition a large number of fowls changed owners, bringing from one to twenty dollars apiece. There was one, and but one, fault which 1 found. In two or three instances, the weight of largo fowls was marked from two to three pounds too high, and that of small ones, too low; thus, cocks of four- teen pounds and hens of twelve, were marked upon printed cards; and bantams of ten and eight ounces; when any one at all acquainted with poultry, could see the incorrectness of the statement at once. Al- together, the exhibition was one which reflects great credit upon this part of Pennsylvania. Yours, &c., E. Easton, Perm., 1855. A woman may as reasonably be proud of the lihes I of the field, or the tul-ps of the garden, as of the : beauty of her own face. CORRESPONDENCE. 113 DISTILLEEY SLOPS. Mr. Editor : — A distillery in this place is now giving away four hundred barrels of slop daily. Some farmers make four trips a day, including part of the night, carrying ofif nearly eight barrels at a time. During the day this slop is taken as fast as it is discharged from the still; but the vats becoming filled at night, the earliest customers have the im- providence to draw off and waste the slop down to within a foot of the bottom of the vat, taking a'Nvay only the thick sediment composed mostly of the bran of the corn and shells of the oats; just as though this carbonrxeous matter was more nutritive than the oil and protien compounds they have wasted with the more liquid parts of the slop. Is it any wonder that Buch farmers have short crops, and are now glad to come all distances under twelve miles, thus to avail themselves of a distiller's bounty? Such men are very likely to prefer the long-exposed carbonaceous mass of the farm-yard manure to its liquid or more strongly arotised constituents; hence, instead of ma- king and saving manure to induce a crop, they de- pend on the chances of a favorable season; and as a general thing, I find there are few good farmers among the great number who never fail to excuse their short crops by a gird at the season. S. W. Waterloo, N. T. HY BEIGHEOB'S CABBAGES. Mr. Editor: — Last season my own garden suffered very much from drouth ; and though my plants were watered often and thoroughly, still they were tough, stringy, and but half the usual size; while, on the contrary, my neighbor's plants were uncommonly thrifty, and vigorous in growth. There must be a reason for this difference, and I must study it out. The first two years of his sojourn in my vicinity, my neighbor (a genuine son of the Emerald Isle), not being over fastidious as to the looks of his yard and lot, kept a number of hogs, giv- ing them full range of his premises — and good use they made of their noses in rooting up the ground in all directions. To be sure, the premises were not particularly neat and cleanly, and now and then one's foot would give tangible and satisfactory evidence that the tenants of the yard were not particular in their habits! Finding that to buy feed for his porkers was money out of pocket, he concluded to put his lot to a dif- ferent use. The manure made in previous years was scat ered about the premises, and deeply spaded in. His plants were set out the 20th of Juno, and thoroughly cultivated. The result was, that while the gardens of many were parched from drouth, my neighbor's plants seemed to grow as if water was of no account to them. In the fall, scarce a plant but had a good solid head; while in a lot next adjoining, but about one-third of the plants headed at all, and those even were not marketable. Now, though I do not approve of keeping swine in city lots for the purpose of preparing grounds for cabbages, their are some points in their culture that one may notice. First, all plants of the cabbage tribe are gross feeders. The ground can hardly be made too rich, or spaded to deeply. As soon as the leaves have put forth, begin your hoeing, and be sure to hoe them once a week at least, and oftener if you have time. The cut-worm is a great annoyance on seme soils. The plants will be found eaten off by hundreds at the surface of the ground, and your work of transplant- ing must be done again. On page 206 of the Genesee Farmer for 1854, a correspondent states that after having lost all but five ou' of two hundred and forty sweet potato plants, he set out five hundred cabbage plants, and one thousand swoet potato plants, wiih a hickory leaf round each, and not a single plant had been des- troyed since. The leaf should be a half or three quarters of an inch below the top of the ground. GOPHEES. Mr. Er.iTOR : — Noticing in a late number of the Farmer a request that some of your correspondents would give you some information as to the means of preventing the ravages of these vermin, I would say that death, and nothing short of it, will do the busi- ness. This I have fully tested in the Sacramento Valley. The amount of dirt that a few gophers will bring to the surface of the ground is astonishing. They work early and late. I failed to poison them, but was gratified in finding that powder and shot would finish them. Level down their mounds and tread down their roads; they will at once commence rebuilding them. At the first approach of light in the morning, or at dusk in the evening, advance with groat caution — as a common walk, when you are some rods off, will cause them to stop labor — and as they discharge their loads of dirt, do the same with your powder and shot. Continue to level both mound and gopher, and the victory will be yours. Blackwoodtown, N. J. Ira Bradshaw. lU CORRESPONDENCE. LABOE AKO SMALL FOTATOIS. Me. Editor: — Seeing in one of the former num- bers of the Farmer a request for an experiment in regard to large and small potatoes for planting, and not seeing as yet any satisfactory answer, I will give your readers the result of an experiment tried in 1825, when I commenced farming for myself I selected a long square piece of ground, and pre- pared it by plowing and harrowing, and carrying on manure, which I put in heaps so as to be convenient for manuring six rows of potatoes — each load of manure reaching accross the piece. I then drew fur- rows with a plow lengthwise, and put in the two first rows large whole potatoes; in the second, two large potatoes, cut in three pieces and the three pieces put in a hill; in the third row, I put small whole pota toes; and thus alternately through the piece, putting the manure on the potatoes, and then covering with dirt. I was careful that each kind should have its share of attention through the season, doing the work myself. Now for the result. Of the first, I had forty-four baskets full, nearly all large and good potatoes; of the second, I had thirty-six baskets full, of middling size and quality; of the third, I had twenty baskets full, of inferior size and quality. I have practiced planting large whole potatoes since that time, taking care, also, that they are sound and healthy; and I have had but very few rotten potatoes, although some of my neighbors have lost nearly the whole of their crops during the prevalence of the rot George R. Palmer. Wii.LKTT, Cortland Co., N. Y. ORCHARD GRASS. Mr. Editor: — Your favor of the 12th is at hand, and in reply I would say that my father (Z. Cone, late deceased) has had in cultivation the orchard grass for at least fifty years; and always considered it the most profitable of any kind of grass where the soil was adapted for its growth, and superior to all others for the orchard, growing nearly as well in the shade as when exposed to the sun; and for pasture- land it stands pre-eminent, — starting earlier, holding out later, and affording a more nutritious growth than any other of all the different kinds of grass with which I am acquainted. It is also better to sow with clover than any of the other kinds, as it matures at the same time with clover in cutting for hay, and is fit to cut for seed from the 1st to the 5th of July in this latitude. I have seen the orchard grass growing finely in the upper portion of South Carolina, in Pennsylvania, in this State, and in Connecticut; and I have no doubt but that it can be cultivated and grown finely in the upper part of the States of Geor- gia, Alabama, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and all the Western States. The western part of this State, and the southern part of Michigan, is admirably adapted for its growth; and, in short, it can be grown on all lands that will produce corn or wheat. In traveling through Michigan and this State, I have often wondered why, on their wheat soils, they did not sow orchard grass with their clover. The time for sowing is in the spring with spring crops, or in the fall with wheat — say half a bushel of orchard grass seed, well mixed with from three to four quarts of clover, and harrowed in with the crop of grain sown. Herds grass is considered a better kind of hay by some for horses, but orchard grass is better adapted for all other kinds of stock than herds grass, when cut in season. Truly yours, Batavia, N. Y. N. K. Cone. AGRICULTURAL LECTURES. Mr. Editor: — H. \V. Vail, of Newark, N. J., commenced on Thursday evening, February 15th, a course of lectures on Agriculture and Horticulture, at Phillipsburg, N. J., nearly opposite Easton, Pa. His subjects are highly suggestive. Among them are "Fruits and Fruit Trees," "Use of Guano, Super- phosphate of Lime, and care of Manures," " Theory of Vegetable Growth," "High or thorough Farm- ing," and "Vegetable Garden." Mr. Vail's lectures are such as an enthusiastic lover of scientific practical farming delights to hear. He is evidently full of his subject, and has had expe- rience which enforces what he says upon practical men. He uses no high-flown or technical language, but handles his subject as though he was not afraid that his hearers should understand all he said. Still, as yet, we fear he is too much in advance of our far- mers to elicit that support which he so richly deserves. Book farming is only beginning to receive attention, but the prospects for the future are bright. Our Agricultural Society, though in its third year, is as large and vigorous as many who number their age by scores. The "Northampton County Poultry Association has not been organized a year, yet its first Annual Exibition, in January, was by far the best we have ever seen. K Easton, Pa. CORRESPONDENCE. 115 LETTEH FROM PENNSYLVANIA. Mr. Editor; — Our country is comparatively new — llie growth of timber thrifty, maldug heavy clear- ing; our hard wood being principally beach, maple, and red birch, in some parts oak, chestnut, cherry, and ash, with an occasional sprinkle of hickory; large bodies of hemlock may be seen over the whole coun- try— iu fact they are rarely ever out of sight. The soil is univei-sally good and deep, no hard-pan, and well watered, well calculated for growing purposes. Oats have been raised as a first crop after clearing, averaging 100 bushels and over to the acre. It appears to be, in fact, better calculated for dairy and stock farming than any other country adjoining the State line on either side; but seven-eights of our farmers are still heavily in debt to the land-owners for their farms, probably for the reason that they have not known how to clear to the best advantage, '^T so make the most from their crops on such new rands. Have not some of your subscribers the time and data at hand to show the higher value of such lands, considering its pro.\imity to a commercial mart, com- pared with the somewhat lighter first labors on western lands, to which so many of our best farmers are flocking, that must always be at a great distance from the seaboard, — with all the advantages for transportation that steam and internal improvements may afford? A subscriber to your journal would be glad to know the best and most economical method of clear- ing heavy timbered land, say hard wood or hemlock lands, and the best rotation of crops for a new begin- D6''- J. M. Hamilton. COTOE.ISPORT, Pa. WHEAT, GEASS, &c. Me. Editor: — In reply to your note of inquiry asking for the particulars of my practice of seeding down lands to grass, &c., I will say I have used clover exclusively when my only object was to benefit the soil; but for pasture or hay, a mixture of clover or timothy — say two parts clover to one of timothy— is preferable. In sowing grass seeds, we usually mix them together by ha»d, the last of March or first of April; although I think timothy should be sown in the fall— say the last of September. The two varieties of wheat that have succeeded best with me, are the Souk's and the Mediterranean The Souk's to be sown on the ridge land, and the Mediterranean on the flat portions. The Midiler- ranean is less affected by the weevil than any other variety — the fly we know but little about With us, the four-rowed barley gives the best yield. Since wheat has got to l:ie so uncertain a crop, we are in the habit of sowing wheat after barley. We plow our barley stubble once or twice, as cir- cumstances may require; but first of all, land should be in a high state of cultivation. This appears to be the cheapest way to raise wheat — ^I will not say it is the best The Spitzenburgh apple yields very well, and also the Fall Pippin; and both are very saleable. No one general rule or routine of practice can be given to suit all cases, for we have to vary our seed-time and harvest as the season seems to require. Tours truly, J. Kipp. Bbnton, n. y. WIRE FENCES-MANTJEE CELLAKS- Mr. Editor: — I have been much surprised by see- ing so frequent recommendations in our agricultural journals of Osage orange hedges, or of any hedges at all. Can a farmer whose land is worth one hun- dred dollars an acre, afford to lose a strip of fifteen feet for a fence? which is the least possible quantity of land a hedge can occupy. I am told they are going entirely out of use in England; and they should do so wherever land is of any value. It may be asked, what can we have? and to this the best an swer is, have an outside fence, and no other, but as this, in our present mode of farming, is impossible, I beheve a substitute may be found. Not, however, a fence made of piano ■nire, but a six-wire fence, made of No. 4 wire and iron posts, with stretchers at every hundred feet, which can be slackened in winter and drawn up in the spring. This fence can be made for $1.75 a rod, takes no room, and vrilllast a hfe-time. It will turn anything but a hog, and even those if of any respectable breed. It throws no shade, and is the easiest fence to keep in order that can be made. Have you ever seen a bam cellar for manure that did not give a most ammoniacal atmosphere for the cattle above it to breathe, or which did not have some of the manure in a very bad. dry state to be carted out in the spring ? The cellar, by constant labor can be kept in a good state; but did you ever see it done? Manure absorbents used in quantity in stables is a eheaper way, and then a manure shed and pit in the barn-yard saves expense and labor. i I have tried an experiment for making a warm eel- 116 CORRESPONDENCE. lar, wliich has been entirely successful. My cellar is on a side-hill, one side of the wall entirely out of the ground. The floor let in the cold, which could not be kept out. I ceiled the lower part of the beams tvith common boards, took up the floor, and filled the place between the beams with leaves. I have had no frost in the cellar for two winters. It is light, cheap, and easily made. A. B. FisHKiLL Landing, N. Y. AGEICTJITURAL SOCIETIES. Mr. Editor: — The writer of this article is a plain, home-.spun farmer, and better qualified to guide the plow than wield an implement of such mighty influ- ence as the pen. But although farmers are not proverbial as writers, they are sometimes out of courtesy allowed to think; and as we have of late years paid some attention to the practical working of Agricultural Societies, under the Act 16th Vict., Chap .\i., we have come to the conclusion that said Act might be amended (in so far as County and Township Societies are interested), greatly to facilitate the object for which such societies are organized. Perhaps we had better glance for a moment at the practical working of some of our Agricultural Soci- eties, in order that any improvements that we may suggest may appear the more plausible. According to the present Act, fifty persons, all in or near the county town, may organize a County Society by subscribing fifty dollars, elect their officers from among themselves, and, although they cannot exclude any person within the county from becoming a mem- of said Society, yet the advantages of being conven- ient to the county town gives them a local influence, together with two-fifths of the government grant, (by- tlie-by, Mr. Editor, we have heard of societies in the eastern part of Canada West, possessing only a local interest, claiming the whole government grant, and dealing out such pittances to township societies as they, in their wisdom, saw fit); and although the presidents of township societies are ex-oCficio direc- tors of county societies, their members are usually so few, and at such a distance from the county town, that their voice is seldom heard, certainly not suffi- cient to prevent the local interest of interested parties. It is not uncommon under the present act, to see town- ship societies possessing a more extensive influence and holding better shows than their so-called parent society. Now, sir, if the act might or could be so amended as to exclude all local interest, that incubus to gene- ral improvement, the object of our legislature might in some good degree be realized. As we have taken the liberty to find fault with the present act, the same presumption, that farmers have a right to think, prompts us to offer a few suggestions, which if acted upon by our legislature, we think would remedy the evil complained of, and county societies might be re- organized so as to become the centralization society to the several township societies, by doing away with the membership in county societies by subscription; then make it imperative on each township society to appropriate a certain percentage of its subscription funds, and that, together with a certain percentage of the government grant, to form the fund of the county society. Let each member of the general township so- cieties be a member of the county society by virtue of his subscription to the township society, and let certain oSiccrs of the township societies, say the presidents, secretaries, and treasurers, form the board of direc- tors for the county society ; such board to elect a president, vice presidents, secretary and treasurer from among their number, and transact all the busi- ness of the society. Societies thus organized would work in harmony, and each township society would feel that they had an interest in their respective county societies, and would also feel that the county society was their own. Each township society would be fully represented, and would rest satisfied that no private or local in- terest would clash with the general good. And to conclude, we would barely hint that as our government is becoming more wealthy, as our pub- lic improvements are becoming more extensive, as railroads are penetrating the heart of our country, thereby making the export of our produce more reasonable, as the mercantile and mechanical interest are identified with our own — in a word, as the inter- est of agriculture is the great interest of the Prov- ince, it would be well if government would increase its aid to our agricultural societies, that its resources might be the sooner developed. A Canadian Farmer. TO KEEP CrOEE. Mr. Editor : — Having been a subscriber to your paper for some years, and not having seen in it any receipt for preserving or keeping cider sweet, I will give you one : Scald the barrel out with a decoction of sassafras; then fill the barrel with cider, and into it put twelve and a half cents worth of isinglass or fish-glue, and half a pound of mustard seed — if ground the better — then bung and put away for future use. It will keep as sweet as when first made. S. D. New Bedford, Lawrence Co., Pa. CORHESPOXDEXCE— SELE'CTIONS FROM PATENT OFFICE REPORT. ll'i GREAT ■YIELD OF CUCTTMBEES. Mr. Editos: — For the benefit of your readers I give you the production of eislit liills of cucumbers, planted in my garden last spring. Tlae manner of' planting was taken from some of the agricultural jour- nals, Uaviug fully prepared a good garden soil by repeated spadings, I placed barrels at a distance each way of eight feet, and about si.x inches in the ground. The barrels were then filled with barn-yard manure, and seeds previously soaked for twenty-four hours and planted around, and about four inches from the barrels. After the plants made their appearance, and when there had been no rain during the day, two pails of water were put on the manure in each bar- rel every night, which found its way through holes bored in the lower head. About four plants were left to each of the eight barrels. The end of each vine was pinched off just before fruiting. Now for the result and number of each picking. li^t gathering 70 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th 17th Mth 19th 20th 214 Total 4355 Tours, Jfcc, Daniel Morse. LOCKPORT, N. T. BLDfD OK WOLF TEETH. Mr. Editor: — In answer to the inquiry of "J. M.," of Fairfax, Virginia, in the February number of the Gejtesee Farmer, I would say that there have been many strange stories told of the " bhnd or wolf' tooth," as he pleases to call it, in regard to giving pain, and even causing blindness in the horse. This wolf's tooth is one of the first set of the molar or grinding teeth. 'When at the ago of two years, the second set of molars begin to appear; they frequent- ly push the first and lower molar forward, and it re- mains ir. the gum until it is absorbed. It is supposed to have an injurious effect on the horse's eyes by many; but in my opinion, they have nothing to do with the eyes. I can not say what is the cause of- "J. M.'s" horse's blindness, but I can say that science is getting the advantage of ignorance in these days. , Chelsea. Bill Johnson. SELECrnONS FROM PATENT OFFICE REPORT. SuKEP.— Statement of T. L. Hart, of West Cornwall, Litchfield Co., Ct. — I bought my farm in 183.5, and stoclied it with sheep, and with fair pros- pects of success. My first clip of wool sold for G5 cents per pound, and the fleeces averaged over three pounds each. This, together with the price of the lambs, which was $il.75, afforded a fair remuneration. My sheep cost me $3 per head, and I spared no pains in improving my flock, by selling off the poorest and buying better, until I had added about 2.5 per cent, to their value. At that time, between this place and Foughkeepsie, a distance of forty miles, there were many more thousands of sheep than at present. Statement of Horatio JV. Andrits, of Brandy- wine, Pi ince Co., Md. — In 1847, I commenced driving Spanish Merinos, mostly from Vermont, to Virginia, between which and the fall of 185'2 I sold upwards of 13,000 for wool-growing purposes. Find- ing it a profitable business, I established a sheep farm, where I now reside, in the autumn of the fol- lowing year. I have now on my place 1,000 Span- ish Merinos, consisting of about 600 old ewes and 400 lambs, among which are about 20 bucks. The committee on sheep at the agricultural fair, in this county, last fall, awarded me their premiums on ewes. To show that sheep raising in this section of the Union is a profitable business, I wovdd state that my clip in Virginia of 18.50, from 200 ewes, brought, on an average, $1.60 each fleece. They also produced 200 lambs, which sold for S2.62J each. The cost of keeping, exclusive of superintendence, was about 25 cents a head, feeding each on a gill of corn a day, and this for only ninety days. The rest of the year they took care of themselves. Horses. — Statement of ffm. Upton, of Dixmont, Penobscot Co., Me. — The rearing of good horses has always been regarded by us, and no doubt truly so, as a profitable business. The various grades of the Messenger breed are here considered most valuable for the carriage. "Bush Messenger," owned by Hiram Reed, of Augusta, fifteen years old, light gray, took the third premium at the late National Horse Fair at Springfield, Massachusetts, Many of his colts are scattered through this State, and gener- ally bear the distinguishing traits of their sire. They are docile, good travelers, and seldom shy. The large Pennsylvania horses have been tried here for the purpose of heavy teaming, but have been found deficient in strength of muscle, powers of endurance, and their feet usually give out, apparently from the mere weight of their bodies. They are excelled by a low, heavy-limbed French horse, brought from Canada, and deservedly popular for heavy work, as they possess great powers of endu- rance and thrive under hard work and coarse fare. Farmers generally here, as elsewhere, are far from taking that pains to breed from the best animals which its importance demands. As the rearing of good blooded horses costs no more than those of indifferent kinds, not unfrequently hundreds of dollars reward a proper discrimination in this particular. The risk of rearing is such, from the various accidents to which they are peculiarly liable, that the apparent profit is considerably reduced. The cost of rearing tiU four years old, 118 SELECTIONS FROM PATENT OFFICE REPORT. under favorable circumstances, may be stated at $00. They are worth at that age Si 00, though speed or fancy carries them far above that price, while, on the other hand, some unlucky accident may render them entirely worthless. Cattle. — Statement of Levi Bartlett, of War- ner, Merrimack Co., JV. H. — Cattle and sheep are raised more largely here than other kinds of domes- tic animals. The great majority of the cattle is what is usually termed " native stock," comprising a great variety as to form, color, size, and difference in cash value at a given age. As an illustration of this, one farmer will sell a pair of two-year-old steers for $35, while, perhaps, upon the next farm, a yoke of the same age will readily sell for $60. These diHer- ences often arise from our hap-hazard manner of breeding and lack of care in rearing and feeding from the birth of the calf until it arrives at maturity. At our State and county fairs, there are always to be seen numerous yokes of oxen, of the "native breed," that will compare favorably with any of the imported kinds. So with many of our best milch cows ; but as they have no fixed blood in their veins, their progeny cannot be depended upon in sustaining the good qualities of the mother. Hence, it is a standing proverb, " That a good cow may bring a bad calf." A very few Durhams are to be found among us, the general belief being that they would require too high feeding to be profitably raised by the farm- ers in this northern clime. The North Devons find more favor. They are of medium size, well propor- tioned, and their beautiful deep-red color is a sure passport to the favor of most farmers. How they may prove here as milkers has not yet been ascer- tained, as it is Ijut four years since the first Devon bull, from thfi herd of Mr. Hulbert, of Connecticut, was introduced here. There are now numerous half- blood Devons among our farmers, of one, two, and three years of age, and so far they are highly prized. The Ayrshires have been somewhat disseminated through this county. But they have, from some cause or other, failed to sustain their reputation as good milkers; as they also have in Massachusetts, where some of the most choice bloods were imported a few years since by the Massachusetts Society for promoting Agriculture. The progeny of these were given in pairs to the county societies, but they failed to give satisfaction to the farmers of the old "Bay State." Reasoning from analogy, we should infer, from the similarity of the Scottish soil and climate to our own, that the change would not materially affect them. Bat from the disappointment experi- enced here in regard to their milking qualities, " it ■would seem that American air cannot compensate them for the Ayr they have left." Our beef-cattle and sheep are conveyed to Brigh- ton market (80 miles) by raUroad — o.xen at about $1 per head, when a full ear load is forwarded; dressed hogs, butter, cheese, and other farm products, at 25 cents for 100 pounds. In transporting live cattle and sheep from this to Brighton market per railroad, there is a great saving in shrinkage over the old method of " footing " it, and consequently a sav- ing to all parties concerned — the farmer, the drover, the butcher, and consumer. Gb.i.sses. — Statement of Archihuld Jones, oj Frankfort, fValdo Co., Mc, — Among our native grasses, I would call attention to the " fowl-meadow," which grew wild at Modawasiia belbre that place was settled by the American Fruurli. It flourishes best on " intervals," or meadows along rivers or streams, which in the spring are overflowed by backwater or eddies, and receive a rich deposit of earth or mud. It also grows well where there is an overflow from the rise of water in natural or artificial ponds, pro- vided the water runs oflT before the weather becomes too warm, and the land is well drained. If not, other water-grasses will prevail and force the fowl-meadow out. With an abundant spring overflow, with per- fect drainage when the waters of the ponds or streams subside, fowl-meadow will give a crop of more value than any other grass. Water lying upon it all winter will kill it; but an occasional overflow by winter freshets is beneficial. If this grass be cut three or four years before a portion of the seed scatters itself, it will disappear. A safe practice is, never to cut it for hay before the seed is ripe, which takes place before the stalks begin to turn. Where the seed naturally takes root in an open space, in two or three years it * tillers," or forms a bunch of numerous stalks, and is shortlived; but in cases where a meadow of this grass has been cut, two years in succession, earlier than the seed could scatter itself, by harrowing the surface and breaking the long fibrous roots, the plants will be multiplied from these roots. If the meadow be miry or soft, let it be harrowed when the frost is about half out. In feeding out the hay, it is a good practice to save the seed-chaff, and scatter it over " swales," or moist upland mowing-lots, and over well-drained low- land occasionally overflowed. In such situations it jjroduces seed in abundance, and will readily take root among other grasses. Sown liberally over moist old mowing-fields, it will keep out much foul vegeta- tion, which would otherwise be liable to work in. It is another good practice for the farmer to culti- vate a small patch of fowl-meadow, to ripen for seed to sow over such other mowing-lots as are mown too early to ripen the seed. It need not stand late, as, after reaping the tops for seed, the butts may be mown for hay. As fodder for cows and sheep, fowl-meadow makes an exceUent hay; but for horse-feed, with grain, it is too fine to keep the bowels of the animal properly distended for health. It here may be remarked that, however large the yield, this grass never is coarse. As the butts are eaten with relish, there is no waste in feeding out. If the burden be heavy, it does not fall flat on the ground by its own weight, but " crip- ples " with the lower part on or near the ground, with the tops erect. If a summer freshet beats down this grass Hat on the ground, new plants resembling " flo- rin" start up from the joints, and increase the yield without rot or decay. The butts, or stalks, of this grass, near the ground, being small, wiiy, and full of joints, containing very little moisture, are easily dried and converted into hay; and, as the upper portions of the plant are small and limber, it is very -little affected by rains when lying in the cock in the field. Hence it is very easily made into hay. GARDEN SEEDS. 119 GASDEN SEEDS. The following is an estimate of the quantities of different kinds of garden seeds required to produce a certain .umber of pLints, or to plant a certain quantity of giound: jh-ptiragun. — One ounce will produce about 1,000 piaiil-s and requires a seed bed of about twelve hqiuire feet. .isjiatii^iis Roots. — 1,000 roots will plant a bed four leet wide and from 200 to 250 feet long, accord- ing to the distance apart the plants arc placed on the row. Beans. — English Dwarf. — One quart of seed will p\aat from 100 to 150 feet of row, according as the sorts may be early or late. Beans. — French Dwarf. — One quart will be suffi- cient lor about 350 hills, and the same quantity will plant from 250 to 300 feet of row. Bcins.—Pole.—Ouii quart of Lima, White Dutch or Scarlet Kunners, will jilant about 100 hills; of the smaller sort, one quart will plant about 300 hills, or 250 feet of row. Beets. — \\'hen sown as gardeners generally sow it, it requires at the rate of ten pounds to an acre; one ounce will suffice for about 150 feet of row. Brocoli. — One ounce will produce from 2,500 to 3,000 plants, and require a seed bed of about forty square tlet. Brussels Sprouts. — The same as Brocoli. Calbaire. — Early sorts the same as Brocoli ; the late and bavoy sorts will require a seed bed of about bisty .'■■qnare feet Cauiifioiver. — The same as the later sorts of Cab- bage. Carrot. — Three to four pounds are required to an acre, and one ounce will sow about 200 feet of row. Celery. — One ounce of seed will produce about 7,000 or 8,000 plants, aad require a seed bed of about eighty square feet Cucumber. — One ounce of seed will be required for about 150 hills. Curled Cress. — One ounce of seed will sow a bed containing sixteen square feet Egg Plant. — One ounce, if properly managed in the seed bed, will produce from 2,500 to 3,500 plants. Kale. — The same as Brocoli. Endive.-Oue ounce will produce about 3,500 plants, and require a seed bed of about eighty square feet. Leek. — One ounce produces about 2,000 or 2,500 plants, and requires about 60 square feet of seed bed. Lettuce. — One ounce will require a seed bed of about 120 square feet, and will produce 6,000 or 7,000 plants. Melon. — One ounce will be sufficient for about 120 hills. JVasturtium. — One ovmce will sow 25 feet of row. Onion. — From four to five pounds are required for an acre, when raised for the bulbs; one otmce will sow about 200 feet of row. Okra. — One ounce will sow about 200 feet of row. Parslei/. — Six or seven pounds are required to the acre; one ounce will sow about 208 feet of row. Parsnip. — From five to six pounds are generally sown per acre; an ounce will sow about 250 feet of row Peppers. — One ounce will produce about 2,000 or 2,500 plants. Peas. — From one to two bushels are required to an acre; one quart of the smaller sorts will sow about 120 feet of row, and of the larger sorts one quart will sow about 200 feet of row. Pumpkin. — One quart of the couimon field sorts will plant from 500 to 600 hills, and, of the finer gar- den sorts, oni- ounce will plant about fifty hills. Radish. — From twelve to fourteen pounds of the the early spring sorts are required to the acre, if sown broadcast; but jialf that quantity is sufficient if sown in drills. Of the latter sorts five pounds to the acre, in drills, are sulficient One ounce will sow about one hundred square feet. Salsify. — From five to six pounds are generally allowed to an acre. One ounce will sow about 150 feet of row. Spinage. — Cultivated in drills, from seven or eight pounds to the acre are sufficient ; if sown broadcast double that quantity. One ounce will sow about 200 feet of row. Squash. — One ounce will plant from fifty to eighty hills, according to the sorts and size. Tomato. — One ounce will produce about 2,000 or 3,000 plants, and require a seed bed of about eighty square feet. Turnip. — From one to two pounds are generally allowed to an acre; one ounce will sow 2,000 square feet. Water Melon. — One ounce will plant from 40 to 50 hills. AGRICULTURAL SEEDS. Quantity varying according to the soil, and whether sown in drills or broadcast. Wheat, 5 to 8 pecks per acre. Rye, 6M to 6 " " Oata, 2 to 4 bush. " Barley, _ 1,'a to 3 " " MiUet, 5i to ISi " " Broom com, 1 to l>i " " Indian corn for BoUiDg, 3 to 4 " " Peas, broadcast, 2,^^ to 3>i " " " in drills, 1 to 2 " " Beans, broadcaat, 2 to 3 " " " in drills, 1 t» 2 " " Buckwheat, 1 t» 2 " " Timothy 12 to 20 quarts " " with 6 to 10 pounds clover, 8 .Red top 16 Blue grass, .10 to 10 to 24 to 15 to 10 to 18 to 30 to 16 Tall oat grass, 12 Orchard grass, 20 Red clover, — 8 White " 4 to a Lucerne, broadcast, 3 to 12 " in drills 12 to 18 " Saintfoin, broadcast 1 to 6 bush. " in drills, 2 to 3 " Potatoes, 15 to 20 " Turnips, IK to 3 lbs. Carrots, broadcast, ..4 to 5 " " in drills, ....2 to 3 " Parsnips, broadcast, 6 to 8 * " in drills, 4 to 6 " Beet", in drills, 4 to 5 " Kohl Babi JK to 2^ « Rape, in drills, 2 to S " " droadcast,.,. 4 to fl quarto Mustard for seed, 8 to 12 " " for plowing under 12 to 20 " Hemp, IK to2K bush. Flax for seed, 4 to « pecks "forBber, 8 to 10 " Teasels, 1 to 2 " Bice, 2 to 2;i bush HOPS. WEIGHTS Of sundry Jigrkultural Products, and other articles of use to the Farmer. Wheat, 60 pounds per bushel. Shelled corn, 66 do do Rye, 68 do do Oats, 32 do do Barley 47 do do Clover, 60 do do Timothy, 45 do do Flaxseed, _.56 do do Hemp, 41 do do Blue grass, 14 do do Buckwheat, 48 do do Peas, 64 do do Beans, 63 do do Gen. Riddle's method of cultivating, curing, and drying hops is as follows : Settiiig the Roots. — The spring of the year is the proper season for setting the roots. Prepare the ground by plowing and manuring in the same man- ner as for a grass crop. I'lant the hops in hills seven feet apart each way, putting three pieces of the root, each ahout four inches long, in a hill. The roots will not vine the firet year, consequently a crop of corn may be taken from the same ground by plapting in intermediate rows. In the succeeding fall put a shovel-full of manure upon each hill of the hop-yard, as protection of the roots against the frost. Setting the Poles. — Nothing further is neceasary for their welfare till May, the proper time for setting the poles. Hemlock is the best material for jjoles — eighteen feet long, shaved on four sides, in order that they may season well, thereby lasting the longer. Set two poles to a hill, about nine inches apart, and in ranges, leaning a little to the south, so that the branches of the vine may swing free. When the vines have grown to the right length, select two of the most thrifty, and tie them with woolen yarn to each pole. This is very important. And attention also should be given to keep the main vines always upon the pole. Cultivate the yard well so as to keep it free from grass and weeds, and prevent the branch vines from growing about the hilL The hop generally blossoms about the 2d of July, and is matured fit for picking by the 5th of Septem- ber. ^ AVheu the burr, beginning to open at the base, acquires a yellowish tinge, and the lupulia or flower has covered the tip of its stem, the hop is ripe and ready for harvest. Picking the Hops. — The method of securing the hop crop when ripe is very simple. The vines are cut at the hill, and the poles, pulled from the ground, are laid across a box, into which the hops are picked. This bos is usually about si.'c feet long, three feet wide, and three feet high. Four or more can work at the same bos. Females are generally the most expert in picking. A man or boy is necessary to tend the box and handle the poles. One person can pick from twenty-five to thirty pounds per day. They should be gathered as free from stems and leaves as possible. Curing thtm, and the kind of Kiln.— After pick- ing, the green hops are brought to the kib to be dried, which is the most important part of the hop- growing process. It requires no inconsiderable degree of skill to be successful in this department. A knowledge of the mechanism and nature of a kiln is also necessary. The most approved kiln is constructed after the following plan: A brick foundation wall is built seven or eight feet high, and ten by eleven feet in dimen- sion. It is well to have this wall plastered internally. In the center of the front wall, at the base, there is placed a large stone or brick furnace, suitable to receive fuel from without, and furnished with a fun- nel passing around within the foundation, above three feet from the top, and terminating in a chimney pro- vided for the purpose. At the base also of this front wall, and on each side of the stove or furnace, there are two small openings, one foot by three feet in diameter, to let in cold air at the bottom of the kiln. The top of this foundation is laid with lathing, one inch wide, the strips being one inch apart, and cov- ered with a thin fla.xcn cloth. Boards about ten inches wide are placed lengthwise around this cloth, leaving a narrow walk around the kiln. The super- structure is placed upon the foundation wall, as convenience may require, with a roof for shedding the raiu. The walls are about eight feet high, and pro- vided with slide or blind openings, suitable to admit the air for driving off the dampness which arises in the process of drying the hop. Such a kiln is capa- ble of curing one hundred and fifty poucds of hops in twelve hours, if property regulated. The green hops are placed in the kiln bo.x and spread upon the cloth about eight inches deep. Drying and Bagging. — A constant heat must be kept up until the dampness of the hops has passed off. Attention also should be paid to the regulation of the windows above spoken of. To ascertain when the process of curing is over, take a medium sized hop and snap it; if the leaves fall oS; and the stem breaks short off, it is sufficiently dry. The hops may then be removed to a room as free from light as pos- sible, but provided with windows to admit a free cir- culation of air. A room adjoining the kiln is the most convenient, where they should lay ten or twelve days before bagging. Hops are pressed into bales five feet long, one and one-half feet thick, contaming about two hundred pounds — much in the same man- ner in which cotton is packed. The cider press is commonly used for this purpose. Expense of growing Hops. — It requires one and one-fourth acres of land to grow lOOU pounds; good soil produces one to one and one-half pounds to the hill, if property cultivated. The cost of hemlock poles prepared for setting is two and one-half cents apiece. It requires six feet of hard wood to cure 1000 pounds of hops. The cost of a kiln, after the above plan, is $^0, or thereabouts. The whole cost of cultivating a field of hops, including picking, curing, and pressing, is about five cents per pound. — Transactions of JV. H. State Agricultural Society. Flattery is a sort of bad money to which our vanity gives currency. DETERIORATION OF THE SOIL— GEOLOGY. 121 ALAKMING DETERIOKATION OF THE SOIL. The constant deterioration of the soils in New ^, and, and throughout most of the agricultural st'ricts of the United States, is a fact of portentious id alarming significance, though it has not yet rested very extensively the notice of the public, robably there is no one fact in our agricultural onomy of more pregnant interest than this, in its arings upon our future prosperity. Some statistics, ustratiug this downward tendency in our ability to oduce the fruits of the earth will now be given, and ey will, I think, conclusively prove that a more u'dent, skillful, and scientifiic mode of cultivating soil is absolutely indispensable. Between 18-tO and 1850 three hundred thousand res of land were added to those previously under provement in Massachusetts. Ninety thousand •ea were added to our mowing lands, and yet re was a relative depreciation of the hay crop ring that decade of years of twelve per cent. Our age lands, during the same term were increased ty thousand acres, and yet there was an absolute ireciation in our grain crop of six thousand bushels. e pasturage lands were increased more than one idred thousand acres, with scarcely any increase neat cattle, and a reduction of one hundred and ty thousand sheep, and seventeen thousand swine. I'he same law of deterioration is also observable he richer regions of the South and West — show- , that, with our present unskillful modes of farming, are taking much more from the productive ability our soils than we are returning to them, and that agricultural prosperity is really and constantly on wane. This downward tendency is partially hid- from public observation by the vast products ch are raised upon the new and almost limitless ions which are every year put under cultivation at West ; but the fact itself is still indubitable. n the State of New York, between the years 1845 1850, 671,G92 acres were added to those previ- ly under improvement, and of course there ought lave been at least a corresponding increase in the (cultural products of the State. But what was fact? "he number of horses decreased is 58,141. lilch cows decreased, 63,066. )ther cattle the decrease was 127,525. 'heep, the decrease was 2,'J90,622. Iwiue, the decrease was 556,002. )f potatoes, the decrease was 7,255,066 bushels. )f peas and beans, therewas a decrease of 1,132,- bushels. ■lax, the decrease was 1,956,485 pounds. Vool, the decrease was 3,793,527 pounds. Vheat, the decrease was 270,724 bushels. Juckwheat, the decrease was 450,724 bushels, here was an increase in the amount of corn, rye, i, barley, hay, butter and cheese raised in that te, but no gi-eater than would have lieen expected a the increase of the population, which was 494,- during those five years. n Tennessee, the number of cattle raised was: In Kentucky, more than nino-ueuths of the entire area of the State are covered with farms. The num- ber of neat cattle raised was: In 1S40 789,093 head. In 1850 763,312 " Showing a decrease of. 15,781 Horses and mules raised in Kentucky: In 1840 395,953 head. In 1850 381,291 " Decrease, 14,562 It is estimated by intelligent farmers in Indiana that their river bottoms, which used to produce an average crop of sixty bushels of corn to the acre now produce only forty. In Wisconsin, which is younger still, it is estimated that only one-half the number of bushels of wheat are now raised on the acre which were raised twelve years ago. These estimates are based on the returns made to the Patent Office, and are as reliable as any now before tho public. AVhat, then, is the conclusion of the whole matter? It is this, that the soils of New England, after all the admonitions we have received upon the subject, are annually growing poorer, and that even the virgin lands of the Great West are rapidly becoming exhausted of their fertility. Other and better modes of cultivation must therefore be introduced and practiced, or our country — ^now the granary of the world — may at no very distant day become dependent on other lands for its daily bread. Within fifty years our population will undoubtedly reach the enormous number of one hundred millions; but the grave question is how are these myriads to be fed and clothed and educated, if our present impoverishing agricultural processes are to be con- tinued? We have territory enough, and it is natu- rally rich enough to support a population of one thousand millions — a number to which we may yet attain — but how can they be sustained, unless some method is devised to keep up the productive capa- bilities of our country, and to return to our liberally discounting soils as much at least as we abstract from them? This is a problem, which many thoughtful and far-seeing men are beginning to ponder, and which requires but little wisdom to solve. — JV. E. Fanner. Showing a decrease of.. GEOLOGY AS CONNECTED WITH AGEICTIITUaE Tub State of New York furnishes examples of all kinds of soUs ; those produced from every variety of formation, and of almost every shade of intermixture. The lower counties on the Hudson River, and the territory between Lake Champlain and the Black River, now mostly a wilderness, are examples of primitive formations to a great extent. The soil of the river counties, although formed in a great meas- ure of granite, gravel, and sand, has been so incorpo- rated with the drift from the transition series, that the mixture makes one of the most fertile soils, when properly manured and cultivated. The condition of our primitive dietricts proves in a great degree the correctness of these opinions. The agricultural settlements bordering on the great granitic formation north of Montgomery and Sara- 122 PROPER DEPTH TO SOW WIIKAT. toga couuties, and west of Champlain, have proved that their soils, evidently the result of the decompo- sition of granite or felspathic rocks, require nothing but the liming and manuring spoken of by Morton, to render them most fertile; and the high 'state of cultivation in some of the river counties is proof of what such soils are capable in the hands of skilful farnitrs. Soils of this class in all countries have been found very durable, a fact which Liedio explains from the abundance of potash contained in the fel- spar, and which is given out by decomposition. Soils from the gneiss rocks are usually of an inferior quality to the granitic ones, from the felspar being frequently in a less proportion, and consequently the clay and potash of that mineral being wanting. Where the gneiss contains abundance of felspar, the soil has no perceptible difference from the best gran- .ite ones, and when treated in the same manner will be equally productive. Some of the best root soils in the world are from this rock, for instance the cele- brated carrot and parsnip soils of Guernsey and Alderney; where the latter root is produced in greater perfection than any where else. The great transition formation of western New York furnishes e.xamples of all the soils which such rocks can produce, from the coarsest pebbles to the most compact clay; soils in which comminuted lime- stone forms a large proportion, and that \fhich is destitute of this element; soils varying from the lightest sands to the heaviest clays. On these the agriculturist finds soils adapted to every product, and capable of every modification and course of culture. There can be no question bnt that a natural difler- ence exists in the soils of this formation, and the line is vei7 distinctly marked in many respects by the water shed that separates the streams of the lakes from those of the Susquehannah and Ohio. It will be found that the soils on the northern or lake slope are much better adapted to the production of corn, wheat, clover, &c., than those on the southern one, or rather on that part watered by the streams that flow southwardly; and there can be no doubt that this difference is caused by the geological structure of the two sections. On the northern slope, in the cour.-, ,-^. PLANTATION IN (JDINCUNX. In the quincunx mode of planting, it will some- times happen that the distance between the rows running parallel to A D is determined; and some- times the distance of the trees in these rows, as A B, is fixed. It is necessary to know, from having one of these distances given, how to find exactly the other. We must repeat the word^-exactly; for, supposing the row should contain as many as 50 trees, and the distances A B, or C P, should be only half an inch wrong, some trees, or even rows, would be two feet - out of their right position The trees could easily be placed so as to line in one direction; but this be- ing done, it wou'd be seen that they were, in conse- quence, put quite as much out of line in another di- rection. Stake after stake may be altered, to an indefinite period, without forming corrert line-, if a wrong principle has been adopted at st-.iitinir. To prevent such confusion, to save time and expense, and to make sure of staking out the whole satisfactorily, the followmg will prove very useful: 126 FOREIGN FRUIT TRADE OP NEW YORK. 1. The distance 0 P between the lines ADC K, being given, to find the distance A B between the trees in the line A D. CP»=AB» — ^^), This reduced becomes 4CP* = 3AB». Hence the rule: multiply the square of the distance C P by 4 and divide the product by 3-; the quotient is the square of the distance A B. Or, to the square of C P add one-third thereof ; the sum is the square of AB. Fig. 2. o o--- Q o o --<)- ...6 6 >— -1 9-- \ 1 -'• — -<>— .!.-. ■9—7--^ / i ^v y- =-i-^'' V y^ j.-.L—A... ■f- -■9— —r- .0.— I- 1 / ^ 1 \ ! —o-.- A -0— 4— jj. <;►. -^ ^ i S i I I I I I I i > I j ! I 1 j ! ! ! I ^a«a 6 i 6- -6 PLANTATION IN SQUARES. _ 2. The distance of the trees in the line A D being f!;iven, to find the perpendicular distance 0 F between the lines ADC E— Multiply the square of A B by 3, and divide the product by 4; the quotient is the square of 0 F. Or, from the square of A B subtract one-fourth thereof; the remainder is the square of C. P. It will be readily observed from the annexed dia- gram, that in square planting, a tree neither is nor possibly can be at an equal distance from all those which surround it; and that when four trees grow till their branches cross each other on four opjiosite points, there is at the same time a large space left ■ elsewhere unoccupied between these trees. To mark out the holes, we take a piece of cord, at one end of which we make a loop which is put on a peg where a tree is to be planted, and then fasten- ing a pointed peg on the other end of the line, at the distance of the semi-diameter of the hole, we trace a circle with the pointed peg, which circle is the circumference of the hole. It is advantageous to make the liolus some time before planting, and to leave them open, so that the earth may benefit by the action of the air. This operation should always be performed in dry weather ; each kind of e; should be laid in a separate heap at the side of hole, and so as not to interfere with the lines of plantation ; that is to say, the earth should be in the four angles formed by the crossing of the principal lines, and nut in the direction of those li — London Gardeners' Chronicle. THE FOEEIGN FSUIT TRADE OF NEW YOE About thirty vessels are constantly engagec carrying fruit to this port from the West I Islands, whence the chief supplies of pine apj bananas, cocoa nuts, &c., are derived; but a ir larger trade in fruits is carried on with ports in Mediterranean, which supply annually something seventy or eighty cargoes — principally oranges, importations of last year are estimated by one of principal dealers as follows: Seventy-five thousand bunches of bananas f Baracoa, sold here at from $1.25 to $1.50 per bu Two millions Baracoa cocoa nuts, sold at 1 $25 to $30 per hundred. Twenty cargoes of pine apples, from Matanzas Havana, averaging 80,000 dozen per cargo, and at from $8 to $12 per one hundred. Twenty thousand dozen St. Barts pines, sol from $7.50 to $8 per hundred. Two hundred thousand dozen from the Bah Islands. The latter sold very low, on account 0 prevalence of the cholera. Ten cargoes of Havana oranges, averaging I 000 each, have been received thus far, the pr< season, the crop being more abundant than at time during the last fifteen years. Prices are red nearly one-half, compared with last year's pi Mediterranean oranges, which come in boxes, ani most extensively shipped to diflerent parts of tl: S., begin to be received in Januaiy, but not e: sively until April or May. The great bulk of description of fruit, which is less perishable other varieties, comes from that direction. ^ India oranges are preferred for their flavor. Ban and pine apples begin to arrive about the fir April, and are most plentiful during the sua ing three months. Cocoa nuts arrive all the round. Many cocoa nuts come here from San and the Spanish Main via Baltimore; merchan the latter city possess advantages which enable 1 to compete successfully with our own in this br of the trade. West India oranges arrive in C ber, and are most abundant in January and Ft ary. Just now, this fruit is going out of the ma to be soon superseded by Mediterranean orang It is only within a short time that Havana produced oranges as abundantly as in years pre to 1844 and 1845, on account of the destructi( the trees by hurricanes. During the year mentic such was the scarcity there, that Havana was plied with Sicily oranges, re-exported from York. The fruit trade of this city is consti growing more important as the demand for sumption is increased by a growing populatic JV. Y. Journal Commerce. An oak is not felled with one blow. now TO CUT WILLOWS. 127 HOW TO CUT WILLOWS. ^n.i.ow sets na commonly planted, would have uppiwrance of fij:. 1. It will be perceived that eye is above the jjround, and more frequently J arc two. At the end of the first summer's ,-th, it lias the appearance of fig. 2. These, we suppo.'e, are cut back, as shown at fig. .3.* It be seen that a " snag " is left on the old stem, ;h will increase at all subsequeut cuttings, leaving can answer for it; the contrast in the willow-beds will be still greater than on paper. Little explana- tion is necessary on this point. 'I'he rods given by a stool like fig. 4 have to draw all their nourishment through the stem, imd will, as a conpequenee, be weak in contrast with those given by a stool like fig. 9. Where the whole stool, to the very top, is in the ground, roots are emitted from every point, and the stools swell accordingly ; and when growth com- mences in .spring, shoots will be thrown up all around Fig. 1. F.g. 2. Iig. . ort stem of it, perhaps a few inches, between I and the surface of the ground. At the end of second year, we have a plant like fig. 4 ; and at end of the third year, like fig. 5. At this and 2quent ages, many of the " stools" will be getting iided, from the breaking off of "snags" by care- ess or accident; and when the stools stand close ther, many shoots will be weak and worthless, is a very bad system ol cutting, yet in England Fig. 4. Fig. S. the stool, from the under side of the headed-down branches. These shoots springing out of the soil, as soon as fairly growing, also emit roots in every direc- tion, from the point of junction with the previous year's wood. It will be clearly seen, under circum- stances such as these — a stool from which roots ram- ify in every direction, with the young rods rooting into the soil as well — the rods must, as a consequence, be of superior growth to the other system. From I I I Fig. C. Fig. 7. Fii Cilifornia Muskmelon, 12>i Watermelons — Mountain Sprout, Mountain Sweet, Mexi- can and Sandwich Island, 2 varieties each, 06 ^quashes — fVinter — Sweet Potato, Vegetable Marrow and Polk; Summer — Apple, Crookneck and Scallop, 06 Mammoth Red and Grape Tomatoes, each,... 06 White Vegetable Egg— looks like an egg, 06 Pop Corn (3 varieties), Adams' Early (a field com), very early Sweet Corn, and late, large do., each, 06 Poland Oats per bushel of 40 pounds,. $1.00 Mexican Wild Potatoes, per bushel, 1.00 5^^ Seeds sent by mail, free of postage. Oats and Potatoes shipped as directed by railroad or canal. Address, post-paid, with money enclosed, L W. BRIGG, County Line Farm, - Dec. 1, 1854.— tf West Macedon, Wayne Co., N. Y. CLOVER STREET SEMINARY. THE present term will close with the Annual Examination on the 12th and 13th of April. Patrons and fiiends;are invited ta attend. The next term will commence the 30th of April, and continue fourteen weeks, closing August 3d. Forty dollars, in advance, will pay the bill for board and tuition. Music^ "Languages, Drawing, Painting and Washing, extra. Circulars may be obtained of the undersigned, or at any of the Rochester bookstores. Mrs. C. A. BREWSTER, Principal , J. A. Cogswell, Secretary Board of Trustees. April 1— It HORTICULTURAL. pBArAOATlON OF EVERGREKNS — SEASON OF BuDDINO NOKTHEBS SpT ApPLE — SUBSOIL PLOW. (E. F. E., adison. Ohio). All kinds of hardy evergreens are pro- gated by seed, being the only mode in general practice, ple^, pears and cherries should be budded during the uimer season, as soon as the terminal bud on the shoots im which it is wished to take buds is formed, as the wood the scion is generally sufficiently matured at that time, le stock into which buds are desired to be inserted ought be niakiug such active growth that the bark will raise ely from the stock ; otherwise it can not be performed cesifully. The cherry is budded generally first, as it ises growing earlier than other sorts, then pears, and er apples. AVhen pears are worked on the quince ck, it may be deferred with safety much later, as the ince in good soil grows freely till frost. The Northern y apple fully maintains its reputation in Western New rk. with those who cultivate it properly. The tree is very upright Jiabit and vigorous ; therefore the head of tree requires thinning out very much, and fully expo- ; the fruit and branches to the sun and light. You may n dnpend upon an abundant supply of the finest fruit. )ne of the best subsoil plows is Ruggles, Novrse 4' soils Patent, which may be obtained through almost ■ house who have agricultural implements for sale. tERBERRT Seed. (J. D„ Ncw Bedford.) James M- ORNBURN & Co., seedsmen, New York, offer it for sale 5 cents per ounce. LEA3E inform me the mode and time of planting the sub- ial kinds of f^'uit seeds, such as apples, pears and cher- — especially the last named — as we seldom, if ever, get th*: I to sprout when brought from the States. — Geo. W. Hunt — limity, Marion Co.^ Oregon. eeds of the apple, if not sown in the fall, should be t through the winter mixed with clean, moist sand, or h fine peat or pulverized muck, and exposed to the it, which will tend to split the exterior horny covering, dng with soil or loam causes more difficulty in sowing. ; seeds may be sown in drills from one to two feet rt — better, if land can be afforded, three feet apart, t a cultivator may pass between, A sprinkling of fine Qure, or of a compost of three parts peat or muck and part of ashes, will assist in promoting the growth of yound plant. A writer in the Horticulturist gives the owing as an eminently successful mode of raising pear dlings : " Trench with a plow, and finish with a spade I depth of two feet — not less. Compost to fill the trench oade of half a peck of iron filings or blacksmith's cin- 3. half a peck of slaked lime, half a peck of wood es, and a peck each of swamp muck and barn-yard nure, thoroughly mixed with a bushel of soil into a com- t. The compost to be applied in the fall, and (the ds having been kept through the winter as directed for jles) sown in spring," Cherry stones must not be allowed become dry — to be mixed with clean moist sand. J. P. DMAS, in his Fruit Cultnrist, says : "The best way to ip them till spring is to bury them in shallow pits on a ■ spot of ground, covering th^m with Mat stones and a 134 ADVERTISEMENTS. FAKMEES, ATTENTION! WE have now oo han'J and tor sale at the lowest cash prices !W bushels Medium Clover seed, 400 do Timothy seed from Indiana and Illinois, 150 do Bed Top seed, 100 do Kentucky Blue Grass seed, UIO do Orchard Grass seed, 200 do I^arge Marrowfat Peas, 100 do Early June Peas, 200 do Early Kent Peas, 500 do Field Peas, best quality, 300 do Fife Wheat (bald,) 200 do Club do do 160 do Top Onions, 50 do English Potato Onions, 100 do Best Early Potatoes, And also a full assortment of the best and purest Agricultural an Garden seeds ever olfered iu this market. All orders promptly attended to at April 1— It "- " THE PROGRESSIVE FARMER. THE cheapest agricultural paper in tlie world. Eight pages royal iiuarlo, h.andsomelv illustrated. Price 25 cents per an- num. A. M. Rr.iyr.LEK, Editor. Offlce N. E. corner Seventh and litirket at., Philadelphi.i, Pa. April 1— 2t HENRY C. VAIL, CONSULTING AGEICTLTURIST, NEWARK, N. J. WILL visit farms and give suitable advice for their improve- ment, founded on an analysis of the soil and a statement of its mechanical condition. Letters of inquiry as to terms, &c , will insure a reply and satisfactory evidence a.s to ability. BErEiiKxciis.— Prof. J.v». J. Mapes, Newark, N. J.; R. L. Pell, Esq., of IVUrtm. UUter Co., N. Y.; J. J. ScotBeld, Esq., Morris- town, N. ■!. , H'ni. John Stanton Gould, Hudson, N. Y. April 1— If GENESEE VALLEY NTIKSERIES. A. FKOST & 00., ROCHESTER, N. Y., SOLICIT the attention of amateurs, orchardists, nurserymen, others about to plant, to their extensive stock of well-gr Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Roses, &c. &c. The Nurseries are now very extensive, and embrace one o largest and finest collections 'in the country, and their stock superior to any that they have before offered. It is partly o prised iu the liillowinc : Standard Irmi ■frr.i - Apple trees, eighty v.arieties; Pear ti one hun.lr^- i i ,. iry trees, sixty varieties; Plu !■ ■ . ■., thirty varieties; Nectarine, s Aprirni, Mv ; II,. ■,!.>; and other kinds, comprising e' forty ' ties of 1 FERTILIZERS. EST.iBI.lSHED NINE YEARS. KENTISH'S Prepared Gu.ano ; price $2.5 per ton. Superphos- ph.ate No. 1 — by the New York Manufacturing Company ; price $40 per ton. Both these articles can be had at the depot, No. 189 West street, city of New York. April— 3t NOTICE. PERUyi.*.N GUANO.— As there are various substances now of- fering for Peruvian Guano in the New York market, to .avoid imposition be particulai- to observe that every bag of the genuine Peruvian Guano has branded upon each — " Wanjinted No. 1 Peru- vian Guano, imported into the United Statei by F. Barreda, Bros., for the Peruvian Government." When taken iu quantities from 1 to 5 tons, $4S '• " « " 8 to 10 " 47 » " « " 10 to 15 " 46 A further discount in larger quantity. 2,000 lbs. to the ton. A. LONGETT, April 1— 2t 34 Cliff St., corner Fulton, New York. rf and Pi/ramid JVwif TVcM, of every description, for c vation in orchards and gardens, have received particular atteu" They embrace the fallowing kinds, and comprise nearly the i number of sorts as are grown for standards : Pears upon the best European Quince stocks. Apples upon Paradise and Doucain stocks. Cherries upon Cerasus Mahaleb stocks. Small Fruits, as Currants, eighteen varieties ; Gooseberries, i varieties ; Grapes, Native and Foreign, twenty-five varieties ; H berries, six varieties; Strawberries, twenty varieties; and o miscell.ineous fruits, aa well as esculent roots, in variety. Deciduous and Evergreen Trees, for lawns, parks, streets, &' Eccrgreen and Deciduous Shrubs, in great variety, including hundred sorts of Koses. HeiJge Plants — Buckthorn, Csage Orange and Privet; am avenues, American Arbor Vit^ (White Ced.ai), way Spruce, &c. Herbaceous Plaiits.^A very select and extensive assortment Green-house and Bedding 'Plants, of every description. All jirticles are put up in the most superior manner, so th.at pi &c., may be sent thousands of miles and reach their destinati* perfect safety. Parties giving their orders may rely on receiving the most prompt attention, so that perfect satisfaction may be | the purchaser. The following descriptive Catalogues, containing prices, li.slied for gratuitous distribution, and will be mailed up !i]ipli':\tit.iiii|i fi.r each Catalogue wanted, as it is necessary Uir ii,i.l,i./r ^hniild be .prepaid; Nil. 1. ill. .-I'jiplive Catalogue of Fruits for 1854-5. m,' .Nil. 2. IlfM.iii.tiveCatalogUBOf Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, P ~ be. &c., for 1S54-6. '' No. 3. Wholesale Catalogue or Trade List, just published fc fall of 1S54 and spring of 1655, comprising Fruits, Evergreen; ciduous Trees, &c. &c., which are offered in large quantities. October 1, 1854.— tf HEW CROP OF SEEDS. FOR the spring of 1855.— The old and well known ROCHESTER SEED STORE, for the last ten years managed by the subscri- ber, has been removed from 29 Buffalo street to 34 Exchange street, two doors above the Clinton Hotel. Claiming to know from experience, something of the value to the grower of good, fresh seeds, aa well aa the necessity of having such kinds aa will give the greatest and best return to labor, this branch of the seed business has received special attention, and purchasers may rely on coiTectuess, Our motto is '• never know- ingly to deceive a customer," It is cur intention to keep all the ^'arieties of seeds desirable to be grown in tlie Northern States. I shall have the large German Clover, grown by the German Society of Farmers in Erie county. I have sold this "large v ariety of Clover for several years, and it has never failed to give satisfaction. Fife's or Scotch Spring Wheat, grown in Canada; may be s as late as the middle of May. Good crops were grown from this variety last year in Monroe coiintv. Flower Seeds, Bird Cages, Bu-dSeed, &c. April— 3t JAMES P. FOGG. UERINO SHEEP. THE subscriber will sell a few Spanish Merino Sheep— buck- ewes— of undoubted purity of blood. He will also dispi a part of his stock of imported French Merinos. Gentlemen purchraing'from this flock can have the shee] warded to the principal Weatern towns at my risk. Sept. 1, 1354— tf " ' E. J. JONES, Cornwall READY ON THE TENTH OF MARCH. "HISTORY OF THE HEN FEVER." BY GEO. P. BURN'HAM. Twenty Illu.^trations. An original humorous account of the POULTRY MA.NIA, by one who has beenthere! Price $1.25 in cloth; $1.00 in pa[ier, frymai/. Every- body who loves to laugh, buys it. Address JASIES FRENXH & Co., PubUshers, April— St Boston, Mass. SUGAR GROVE FARM, 7 Miles from Bayton, owned by Jas. McGrew. THE undersignt-d, successors of J.as. Sumpter & Co., will tinuc the business of said firm and fill all the contracts by it in Ohio and Illinois, and being thankful for past favoi-s \ now solicit future patronage. We design prosecuting our bui w ith redoubled energy. We have no hesitancy in staling th: luive the largeat and best lot of Osage Orange plants evei grov the continent, owing to the fact that the seed was planttd ^ they did not suffer from the severe drouth that has so gem prevailed throughout the country. We.alno import our own direct from Texa,s it shall be fresh and of the best quality, j wliich is warranted and will be sold at the lowest prices. Full directions for raising plants. Setting, Cultivating and ' ming in a manner that will secure success, will accompany eat of seed and plants sold. We continue to plant, cultivate, trim and mature a con fence at from 75 cts. to $1,00 per rod, one-third to be paid planted, and the balance when completed. Hedges set and wai ed at from 30 to 40 cts. per rod. Hedges grown, for what dipl ested persons will E.ay they are worth, when matured. H completely grown at $1 ,00 to ©1.25 per rod, to be paid when a rough fence is matured. We wish a large number of business men, living in Iocs where hedging is needed, to take hold with us in the plantini growing of hedges, the sale of plants, seed, &c. Those havin confidence of their neighbors, shall receive a liberal ofTer. I hear from you gentlemen. The enterprise is not only laudibb will pay. McGREW, LEAS & CO JLorch, 1855.— 3t Dayton, 01 ADVERTISEMENTS. 135 DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE FIFE MACHINE. CHARN'OCK'S PATENT, lY this Machine, Drainage and Sewerage Pipes of all descrip U tiinis, as well as perfocated and other Bricks, Flooring Tiles c, are molded with the greatest fecility and precision. A nun and three boys can turn out from 6,00e to 10,000 feet of ipes per day, according to sizes ; and if worked by horse, ateara r water power, a proportionate increase will be obtained. This Machine is in extensive operation in England, where, in Edition to the testimony of numerous Tile Makers, as well as that ne of the first Machiniata of the day, the following Prizes ave been awarded to it : By the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, at its annual meeting, 1845, aa the first Tile Machine with a con- tinuous motion, jCS 0 0 Bv the same Society, the following year, aa the best *M;ichine of the day, 10 0 0 Bt the Lancashire Agricultural Society, at its annual 'meeting, 1845, Silver Medal. By the Highland Agricultural Society, at ita annual meeting m 1846, as the best Machine, 6 0 0 At the meeting of the New York State Agricultural Society, at iratogft (1853), a Working Model of this Machine was awarded .6 SILVER MEDAL AND DIPLOMA; and at the Fall Exhibi- 3ns the same year of Lower and Upper Canada, held respectively Montreal and Hamilton, the same Model was awarded a DIPLO- A FROM EACH SOCIETY. It was awarded the FIRST PRIZE ND DIPLOMA at the recent Exhibition in London, C. W. The price of the Machine is jE50 fhalf cash and remainder at six onths), with five Dies for Pipes. Brick and other Dies at a mod- «te charge. IJ^- THE PATENTEE GUARANTEES THE EFFECTIVE ORKING OF THE sIaCHINE. ..^3 tt^" All orders to be addressed to JOHN H. CHARNOCK, Drainage Engineer, Hamilton, C. W., the Patentee. January 1, 1855. — tf THOROUGH-BREI) MARES FOR SALK )N account of the owners leaving the country, two young full- bluoded mares are olTered for sale low. They are of good size d form, and in all respects desirable animals for breeders of stock. :an be seen by application to RICHARD S. CHARLES, Bel- , Allegany Co., N'. Y., who can give all information in regard pedigree, price, &c. Feb. 1, 1854.— 3t. FERUVIAN GUANO NO. 1, rtTITH Importer's brand on each bag, $48 per ton, of 2,000 Xbs. V Anv quantity under one ton 2>2 cents per \h. IMPRoVEU SUPERPHOSPHATE OF LIME manufactured by ■bur^h, Patereon, or Goes, $45 per ton of 2,000 tbs. BONE DUST, three different varieties, $2, S2.25, $2.50 per bbl. Poudrette, Plaster of Paris, pulverised charcoal. For sale by A. LONGETT, *Iarch, 1S55.— 2t No. 34 Cliflf St., near Fulton, New York. FOR NATIVES AND FOREIGNERS. NATIVE AND ALIEN. EE NATURALIZATION I^AWS OF THE UNITED STATES, AND STATE OF NEW YORK. "lOGETHEU with all tJie decisions, and other information ne- . cessary to a full iiudei-standing of the subject. Also, all llu" rms, kc. Neutral in character, and designed for all who are in- -estt-d in this all-absoibing question. Compiled by a mtmber of e Bar. And useful to Legislators, Lawyers, or the mas«cs. Frice, igle 25ct8; by the dozen 9i2,00. On the receipt of the price by iil, the work will be sent Iree of postage to any address. N. D. Book agents can make $2 a day clear in aellinsthis work. Addresa, D. M. DEWEY, March 1, 1855. Arcade Hall, Rochester, N. Y. HIGHLAND NURSERIES, NEWBURGH, N. Y. I SAUL & CO., in calling the attention of tlie public to their \.» establishment, deem a It-nghtened notice unnecessary. They niL-rely etite, that the s'.ock of Iheir nurseries which they r^r for sale the coming spring, is full in every department and of iifs; quality, including all the recently introduced PEARS, and r fiuitA, both dirarf and Standards. Also all the novelties in the luivQtil department, both deciduous and Evergreen, including new rtnd lare Conifers, Weeping trees, Shrubs, &c., as well as a U stuck of all the leading articles to be had in the trade. Fo. p;iilicul:ii-s in detJiil they refer to their general Ca'alngue, a .'w edititiQ of which is leady and will be forwarded \o 2\\ post-paid jjlic ilions, on enclosing a P. 0. Stamp to pre-pay the same. A !:ir'4e ^uanlity of H^dge plants, Osage Drange, Buckthorn, &c. Uealeis, and planters of trees on a large scale, dealt with on the lost liberal terms. Ncwburgh, March 1, 1855.-21. WM. H LOOMIS, WHOLESALE and Retiiil dealer in Fruit and Ornamental Trees* Plants and Shrubs, of all ihe leading and most popular va- rieties. Standard and dwarf trees of Apples, Pears, Plums, Peach- es, Cherries, &c., all vigorous, slockey and well formed. Also, a general a>*sortment of Gooseberries, Currants, Raspber- ries, &c. &c. Ornamental trees and shrubs of every variety ; Rosea a large collection ; (Jreen House plants can be furnished on ihe shortest notice. Also a large quantity of Field and Garden Seeds on hand, and for sale at the lowest cash prices. Address (post- paid) Agricultural Rooms, South Bend, Ind. March, 1855.— tf. WM. H. LOOAOS. CUTTER RIGHTS FOR SALE E will test our Hay, Stalk and Straw Cutter, patented Novem- ber 8th, 1853, for speed, ease and durabihty, against any other in the United States. J. JONES & A. LYLE. IIj^ For further information, address JONES & LYLE, Roch- ester, N. Y. February 1, 1854.— tf w a^ontinte of tits Numitr. Economy of Fanning 105 Guano and its Substitutes _.107 The Truo Value of Manure 108 Fences 110 Jnilet and its Culture Ill Northampton County Poultry Association 112 Distillery Slops 113 My Neighbor's Cabbages _ 113 Gophers 113 Large and Small Potatoes... 114 Orchard Grass ,. 114 Agricultural Lectures 114 Letter from Pennsylvania 115 Wheat, Grass, &c •.. 115 Wire Fences — Manure Cellars... 115 AgricxUtural Societies 116 To Keep CiJer 1)6 Oreat Yield of Cucumbers 117 Blind or TVolf Teeth IIT Selections from Patent Office Report 117 Garden Seeds 119 P'- .120 Alarming Deterioration of the Soil 121 Geology as connected with Agriculture ..121 On the proper depth to sow Wheat 122 HORTICULTtJKAL DKl'ARTMKST. Tree Planting Again 124 Canadian Chief Grape ...124 Strawberries * 125 Planting Orchards of Apple Trees... _.125 Tlie foreign Fiuit Tiade of New York.. 126 How to Cut Willows... .127 Preservation of Fruits 128 American Grape Culture... 128 LADIES' DKPABTUEAT. April 129 Letter from Oak Hill 129 Rub Softly 130 To prevent Juice iu Fruit Pies Boiling iver .130 KDITOK'a TAIILK. Hints for April 131 New Gate and Barn Door F^tener 131 Save your Sawdust 132 ILLUSTRATIONS. View of Sugar Grove Farm 110 Wheat from the Grain till it Branches _ 123 Plantation in Quincunx ..125 tMantation in Squarea , 126 10 FigurftiillusUating the manner of cutting WiUows 127 ADVERTISEMENTS. :f"o:fs. iqss. In presenting his Prospectus for Volume XVI., Second Sekies, of the GENESEE FARMER to its patrons friends, tlie undersigned returns his sincere thanlis for tlie cordial appreciation and generous support extended dui the past and previous years. The price will remain unchang-ed. though all the expenses connected with the median department are much greater than in previous years ; and it is oniy by the voluntary aid of the friends of agriculti progress that he is enabled to furnish so large an amount of reading matter in liis monthly issues. He will be assisted in the Editorial Department hj Mr. W. D. ALUS, who has been a regular contributor t< columns during the past year. Mr. JOSEPH FROST will continue as Horticultural Editor. Increased efforts will be made to render the GENESEE FARMER worthy of support. Each subscribe respectfully solicited to renew his subscription, and present the claims of the FARMER to his friends ; and tlie suit will enable the proprietor more than evpr to advance the interests of its readers. r*i^Ei3M:ixj3yi:®. To enlarge the usefulness by extending the circulation of the GENESEE FARMER, the undersigiied will pay following PREMIUMS on subscriptions to Volume XVI., second series: FIFTY DOLLARS. IN CASH, to the person who shaU procure the LARGEST NUJIBER OF SUBSCRIBERS in any County or : trict in the United States or Canadas, at the club prices. FORTY DOLLARS, IN CASH, to the one who shall procure the SECOND LARGEST LIST, as aboTe. THIRTY DOLLARS, IN CASH, to the one procuring the THIRD LAKGEST LIST. TWENTY DOLLARS, IN CASH, to the one procuring the FOURTH LARGEST LIST. TEN DOLLARS, IN CASH, to the one procuring the FIFTH LARGEST LIST. In order to reward every one of the friends of tlie GENESEE FARMER for his exertions in its behalf, we give to those not entitled to eitlier of the above premiums, the following BOOKS, free of postage, or EXTRA PAPE. a B may be preferred : 1. To everv person who sends SIXTEEN subscribers, at the club terms of thirtv-seven cents each, ONE EXT COPY OF THE FARMER, or a COPY OF LIEEIG'S LETTERS ON CHEMISTY AND AGRICULTUB CHEMISTY (pamphlet edition). 2. To every person sending for TWENTY- FOtfR copies, as above, any AGRICULTURAL BOOK value. FIFTY CENTS, or TWO feXTIlA COPIES OF THE FARMER. 3. To every person ordering TIIIRTY-TWO copies, anv AGRICULTURAL BOOK worth SEVENTY-FI CENTS, or THREE EXTRA COPIES OF THE FARMER. 4. To everv person ordering FORTY copies, any AGRICULTURAL BOOK valued at ONE DOLLAR FOUR EXTRA COPIES OF THE FARMER. 5. To everv person ordering FORTY-EIGHT copies, anv ARGRICULTURAL BOOK worth ONE DOLL AND TWENTY-FIVE CENTS, or FIVE EXTRA COPIES OF THE FARMER. For larger numbers, books or papers given in the same proportion. To save cost to our friends, we pre-pay post on all books sent as premiums. Persons entitled wil! please state whether they wish books or extra papers, and m their selection when they send orders, if they desire books ; or if they have not obtained as many subscribers as i intend to, we will delay sending until the club is full, if so requested. We do not require that all the papers of a < should be sent to one post-office. If necessary for the convenience of subscribers, we are willing to send to as m different offices as there are members o the club. We write the names on each paper, when a number are sent to same office, if desired ; but when convenient, Postmasters would confer i fxvor by having the whole number orderei their own office, sent to their own address. j!&' As all subscriptions commence anew with the year, places where the FARMER was never before taken ' stand an equal chance in the competition for premiums. J^^~ BACK VOLUME'S of the F.\RMER will be furnished, if desired, and counted the same as new subscrib We shall keep a correct ac ,rtt of the subscribers sent by each person, and in the JULY NUMBER WE SHA ANNOUNCE THE PREMIUMS. :^~ Sjiecimen numbers, show-bills, &e.. sent to all post-paying applicants. All letters must be post-paid or ft Subscription money, if properly enclosed and registered, may be mailed at our risk. DANIEL LEE, Publisher and Proprietor. 7oL. XVI., Second Series. ROCHESTER, N. T., MAY, 1855. No. 5. THE GENESEE FARMER, A MONTHLY JOUI^XAL OF AGRICULTURE & HORTICULTURE. Volume XVI, Second Series, 1855 DANIEL. I.BE3 AND W. D. AL.LIS, EDITORS. JOSEPH FROST, HORTICULTURAL EDITOR. ;ACH NUSIBKR CONTAINS 32 ROYAL OCTAVO PAGES, IN DOUBLE COLUMS.S AND TTTELVK NUMBERS FORM A VOLUME OF 334 PAGES IN A YEAR. Terms. ngle Copy, S0.60 ive Copies, - 2.00 ight Copies, 3.00 And at the same rate for any larger number. DANIEIi liEE, Publisher and Proprietor, Rt>cheiUr, N. T. DBTEEEANEAN APPLICATION OF LIQUID MANUEE. A Mr. Wilkins has patented in England an inge- ous plan for applying liquid manure directly to the jttom of the roots of plants, in the subsoil, instead '' " using it upon the surface of the ground in the ;ual way. There is but one serious objection to it, id that is its expensiveness, which is likely to pre- :nt its general adoption. The liquid manure is •nveyed under the surface soil and gromng crops in bes, not unlike draining tile, allowing a line of pipes jl each row of turnips, corn, potatoes, or other agri- Itural plant. To avoid the loss of manure by its Sltration into the subsoil and deep earth, the whole ea operated upon has the surface soil removed to e depth of twenty or more inches, and the denuded rface is covered with water-lime, cement, or jiouuded ly, to render it impervious to water, when the sur- 3e soil is restored to its former place. In all cases lere the subsoil is naturally retentive, it would ap- ar to be a needless expense to pave or cement it prevent the loss of manure, however liljerally it ly be used ; but on all pervious land, something auld be done to avoid the washing away of the uid food of agricultural plants, where one manures Mr. "WiLKiNS has pipes leading from liquid manure tanks that convey the fertilizer to the underground conduits through which it is brought into contact with the rootlets of every plant under cultivation. The manure rises up to the surface of the tilled soil by capillary attraction. Care, of course, is taken not to have the Uquid so strong as to injure any crop, and not to give the soil, which in truth lies in a tight basin, too much water for the healthy growth of plants. Mr. W. selected last season a piece of ground 100 feet square, which he had prepared on his pa- tent principle, and by the side of it he had 100 feet square of the same kind of soil, which was treat- ed on the old system. Both pieces were planted and sown alike, and he had advertised the day when the roots on both would be taken up, and invited the public to come and see and judge for themselves. The results were, as reported in the London Agricul- tural Gazette, that on the prepared land the mangel wurtzel grown was at the rate of 69 tons 2 quarters and 22 pounds to the acre; the Indian corn grown on it ripened and came to perfection, but not on the unprepared piece ; the potatoes were taken up in eleven weeks, and when weighed in the presence of several gentlemen, wore found to be more than double the weight of those grown on the unprepared land; the winter brockoli was taken up and eaten before winter came; and one of the cabbages weighed 16 pounds, although its stem remained in the ground, and had at the time of examination 1.5 young cab- bages upon it. Mr. Wilkins exhibited some lucerne, which he said was the third cut, and contrasted it with the first of some grown on the old system. Re- markably fine specimens of flax and hemp were ex- hibited, grown by this new process. Only four inches of liquid was allowed to stand at any time at the bottom ; and the soil above must be from twelve to eighteen inches. " "" "" 138 THE CELLS AND CIROULATION OP PLANTS. The leading idea is not to permit any element of fertility to escape, either by solar evaporation or leaching and washing; but compel growing plants to absorb and assimilate the maximum of their appro- priate food. As an e.xperiment, the plan ia worthy of close investigation; for, having the irrigating pipes made of well burnt clay, they will last under ground for ages; — and manure in some form has always to be applied to tilled land from which annual crops are taken. Whether there is any better way than to spread it by hand and plow it in, is the question now before the pnblic. By dissolving manure in water, it can be conveyed to the land that needs it, and evenly distributed either over the surface of the ground, or a foot or two under it by steam-power. Some years may elapse before either plan is brought so near per- fection as to force itself into general use; but the wise investment of capital in farming operations is a point too little studied by the present generation. Commerce, merchandise, railroads, and manufactures absorb much of the wealth drawn primarily from the soil. When farmers shall learn to keep iheir capital in their own business, as well as produce it, and fully understand the principles of their noble calling, they will have both the means and the confidence required to make tillage and husbandry vastly more produc- tive and less toilsom6 than they now are. Thousands now invest their surplus earnings in bank stocks, or otlier securities foreign to agriculture, because they lack confidence in the progress of their own profes- sion. They dare not study closely even its scientific elements, lest it should tempt them into some unpro- fitable experiment. People walking in the dark are always more timid than those walking in the full light of the sun. It is the darkness that surrounds the growth of agricultural plants which retards the much needed improvements in feeding them. Science will dispel this darkness so soon as public opinion tole- rates its general cultivation. Not only the science of feeding plants, but the art of tillage — never plow- ing less than is profitable nor more than is profitable — demands investigation Some use the hoe too much, particularly in the planting States, and some too lit- tle. Every process ought to be carefully considered, with a view to economise labor and increase its pro- ducts. How many worthless implements are now in general use in all parts of the United States, causing a serious loss of muscular toil and of crops? Good tools would add from ten to twenty per cent to the agricultural income of the nation — but good tools cost money. Look where we may, we discover the want of capital to augment the fruitfulness of Amer- ican soil, wherever it is cultivated. If we were lesi extravagant in our personal habits and notions, anc saved money, instead of speedily consuming it, anc grubbing along with old plows, harrows, wagons, anc other dilapidated " fixings," we might supply ourselvei with the best tools, machines, and implements in th( civilized world. It is bad economy not to have ever laborer work to the best advantage. This principli leads to the invention of all labor-saving machines THE CELLS AND CIRCULATION OF PLABTS. Vegetable physiology has long taught us to be lieve that wood in trees is formed corporeally frou above downwards; and the theory is suggested, an^ apparently proved, by the enlargement of the bod of a growing tree, or of one of its limbs when a stou ligature is tied round it, above the point where th ligature is placed. This preteraatural enlargemer has been ascribed to the accumulation of the pabi lum of woody fibre in the obstructed vessels and eel. lying in the inner bark of the tree, through whic passes the descending sap. Recent experiment however, go to show that the vascular circulation (■■ plants is restricted to the conveyance of organizabJ matter, and that it never distributes organized sul stances. This distinction is important to the rigl understanding of the relations that subsist betwec a graft or new bud which is made to grow on a diffe ent stock. Pomologists have hitherto supposed thw inasmuch as the wood of trees grows downwarcl the extending tissues of the graft would soon pa* down over the wood of the stock and under tU bark, perhaps quite to the extremities of the too* in the ground. This opinion is now abandoned t the best physiologists who have studied the growl and functions of different cells, alike in buds, fruil leaves, stems and roots of plants. Starch, sug8< oil, gum, wood, and coloring matter are all formed the cells where they are found ; and they are nevn transferred from one organ to another. Near tH beginning of September, 1853, Dr. Allen Macleaj of Colchester, England, an ingenious e.xperimeutalii and physiologist, grafted a young plant of the Sill sian white beet upon a root of red beet, and one i the latter upon a root of the former. At the tinl of the experiment the plants were each about n thick as a straw. A complete union wa.s olfcclec but there was a slight contraction at the line of juni tion. The white beet grafted on the red retained i- natural color down to the hue of junction, as did t! red beet up to that line. Had there been any mil gling of colors by vascular circulation, or otherwis' CORRESPONDENCE 139 these two kinds of roots would not have grown to maturity without the commingling of thtir cells and organized substances, as well as colors. As in the case of the misletoe, specimens of which, growing on pcVsinimon, chestnut, and oak, we have examined with a good microscope, nothing but juxtaposition is necessary between congenial cells for both to live and perform their appropriate functions. In budding and grafting, such cells are brought into contact — nothing more. When a parasitic plant fastens itself upon another and extracts its nutriment, like rust, smut, moss, and lichens, it simply places its own cells iu contact with those of the suffering plant ; and the process may be regarded as natural budding. The same law which made the white and red beets adhere closely together, in the experiment of Dr. Macle.a.n, causes the red fungus called " rust " to bdhere firmly to the stems of wheat plants as they approach matu- ity. The matter elaborated in the cells of parasitic olants diflPers widely from that formed in the adjoin- cells of the foster-mother. The fungus, called ' smut " in wheat, transforms the entire seed (starch, ;luten, and albumen) into a black, foeted mass of pores, every one of which may propagate its kind. Important as are the vital processes carried on in «ils, the distribution of the raw material wrought mto wood, sugar, starch, oil, gluten, and other nitro- ^nous compounds, by means of continuous tubes, is iqually indispensable in [all vegetable developments tbove the cryptogamic families. Vessels in plants tad animals appear to do nothing more than trans- «ort various substances from one part of the system to another; they do not assimilate nor decompound fee fluids or semi-fluids which they contain. If any hanges take place within them, they are chemical, •ot vital, like the formation of bile in the liver, or rastric juice in the stomach, or of sugar in the cells ■f the beet. Why a lachrymal cell secretes tears, or renal cell urine, no one knows. Fluids pass through the walls of cells during their ealtliy action, whether in animals or plants, but the mction of each appears to be entirely independent f all others. It may, however, be varied and modi- ed liy a change of circumstances; and wise culture I the case of plants consists in so changing the sur- ninding circumstances as to improve the growth ad quality of all natural fruits, seeds, roots, tubers, nd blossoms. To understand the vital and chemical ,ws by the operations of which all agricultural and orticultural plants attain a higher development, one lUst study their anatomy and physiology, and the roperties of the alimentary substances on which | they subsist Because we can not learn all the mys- teries of nature as displayed in the vegetable king- dom, it does not follow that we should attempt to learn nothing. Much is already known, and infinite- ly more is knowable to reward future observations and researches. Under the most auspicious influences, plants grow with wonderful rapidity, and yield great returns to the cultivator. Hence, every element which can influence the production of new cells and new vessels in plants, whether it is heat or cold, mois- ture or dryness, sunshine or shade, sand or clay, Ume or potash, demands careful investigation. No one wants poor, stunted crops, yet few are wilhng to learn all they can of the true causes of small and unprofit- able harvests. If farmers and their sons could look into the circulating tubes of maize, wheat, and oats, and see how innutritions and watery is the food drawn from a badly tilled soil, and then examine the condi- tion of their stables, sheds, barns, and yards, where rich manure is lost by the ton, the wholesome rebuke would lead to a speedy reform. Superficial observa- tion and downright carelessness are the two greatest evils in agriculture. The microscopic cells in the forming seeds of corn, wheat, rye, barley, oats, and potatoes would elaborate an incalculable amount of starch, oil, and gluten, with which to feed abundantly all mankind, if this great subject could only receive proper attention. As it is, many thousands suffer from the want of food in cities, and the land is every where made less productive as population increases. LICE OK CATTLK, Mr. Editor : — I have been very successful in re- moving lice from cattle by the use of sulphur, given in doses of from one to three teaspoonfuls, and from once to three times in two weeks, according to age and circumstances. The blood of the animal, upon which the vermin subsist, becomes impregnated with the sulphur, or some property contained in it, and the consequence is, I have seen legions of thgm clinging to the hair and dead, as you, no doubt, have seen gra-sshoppers sticking to a thistle, or some other ob- ject, after a severe frost in the fall. M. G.iRNSEY. MiddlEburgh, N. Y. [The above preventive is valuable by reason of its simplicity and ease of application. Facts like the above constitute the basis of inte^igent farming and keeping of stock. — Ed.] Yeomen in leather doublets may be of more worth than lords in velvet robes. 140 GRASS SEED HEADER AND HARVESTER— IMPROVED HAY FORK. STEADMAN S GRAIN AND GRASS SEED UEADER AND HARVESTER. GKAIN AND GRASS SEED HEADER AND HARVESTER. We herewith present our readers with an engra- ving descriptive of a new and improved clover, tim- othy, and other grass or grain seed header and har- vester, which for simplicity in construction, efficiency of action, and facility of management, we think can not easily be surpassed. As will be seen by the cut, it is drawn by one horse, which walks outside of the part of the field intended to be harvested. Turning continually to the right, it cuts equally as well when turning a corner, as when going straight ahead. The seed heads are gathered by the comb, cut off by the revolving knives, and by a self-raking apparatus at- tached, thrown to the rear end of the box. By de- taching the intermediate gearing wheel, it is imme- diately converted into a three-wheeled wagon, and can be driven wherever wished. By pressing down one or both of the levers shown on the rear end of the box, one or both sides of the comb and cutter may be lowered or elevated at pleasure. The pecu- liarity of the machine is that it cuts and saves only the heads of the grain or seed, and by an extra pair of wheels, it can be applied to the gathering and harvesting of any kind of grain or grass seed. It will cut from eight to twelve acres per day with ease. AH the bolts in the machine are in sight with but one exception, and any common blacksmith or mechanic can repair.it, if by accident it should get out of or- der. The above is the invention of Mr. T. S. Stead MAN, of Holley, Orleans county, N. Y., to whom com- munications as to the sale of rights and machines can be addressed. Price of machine, with extra set of gearing wheels and cutters, #50. To Keep Lettdce. — If the tops of lettuce be cut off when it is becoming too old for use it will grow up again fresh and tender, and may thus be kept good through the summer. IMPROVED HAY FORK Much is said about economy, and yet how mam there are who seem to think that economy consists li this : never buy an improved instrument or utensi while the old one will answer, though it may be cum brous and ill-adapted to the work on hand. Ever ounce of unnecessary weight in a hoe-handle, or ii the body of the hoe, continually lifted by the laborei as it is, amounts to many hundred weights in a day ;- every pound of useless iron in a plow or harrow, whe multiplied by the minute.^, and hours, and days it he been used, is so much muscular exertion lost; and ( all kinds of labor, the labor of a living machine the dearest. Why, then, do not our tillers of tl soil study to economise labor more than they dc and by the use of a little head-work abridge the s verity and degree of the hard work which must 1 done on the farm? The above thoughts were suggested to ug whi witnessing the ease and facility with which blocks ice three feet square and sixteen inches thick we hoisted to an elevation of sixteen or twenty feet, ai thence slid on properly adjusted slides to their i spective places. A rope and two pulleys furnishi all the machinery necessary for the application of a imal labor to lifting of the masses of ice. The du of the workman was not to lilt the ice, but merely attach the hooks and start the horse, which was t prime mover in this case; and when the requisite e vation had been attained, the word whoa gave oppi tunity for those above to detach the ice-book ; ai thus the process was repeated for hour after hour. : Now, the labor of mowing away hay in a hot sui mer afternoon, in the close and dusty space usual allotted for its safe keeping, is work of the hardt kind, and of that description, too, which tries t sinews of a man, and sometimes lays the foundati for serious diseases. The labors of the hay and h: vest fields are arduous and severe at the best ; a IMl'ROVFD HAY FORK. 141 how often it is that a little over-exertion incapacitates one for useful labor the remaiuder of the season! As an illustration of our views on this subject, we here- with present present our readers with a cut descrip- tive of an improved hay fork, which we copy from the .■linrrican Farmer. A cut of a somewhat simi- lar instrument has been given in a former vohime of this journal; but with the improvement of the sliding catch made by Mr. Stabler, we do not know how a more efficient instrument can be desiied. "Editor American Farmer: — In compliance with a request in the last number of the Farmer, I annex a diagram and description of the hay fork. We have had it in use several years, and, as now improved in IMPROVED HAY FORK. the mode of discharging the hay, I consider it not only a labor-saving, but also a time-saving machnie. " As originally made (for the ])lan of which I was indebted to a friend in New Jereey) the rope was fa.stened to the upper end of the handle; and although the hay was raised equally well, it was found tedious and laborious to work the trip cord; and very diffi- cult, if not impracticable, to discharge the hay when and where desired on the mow. In this way, its operation was not at all satisfactory. '•By attaching the rope to the handle, six or eight inches from the head piece, instead of the upper end, and passing it along the handle, under the trigger, at this point, a slight jerk of the trip cord, held by the man on t!ie wagon, instantly changes the fulcrum — of course the position of the fork — and the hay falls. The trip cord also serves to pull back the fork to the wagou. " I am thus particular in describing both fixtures, as many inquiries have been made, and perhaps by some who use the original plan. A mere trifle in cost will add the improvement, and, as I think, nearly double its value. " The ' tackle' is attached to the peak of the raft- ers, and directly over the center of the haymow; the fall rope passes under and near the rafter, to a guide pulley fastened to the upper end of the door post, down by the side of the post to within a foot of the floor, and through another guide pulley; to this end of the rope is attached a swingle-tree, or hook, as may be most convenient in working a horse, oryoiie of oxen. " If properly managed, the fork will readily raise from four to six hundred weight of hay at a time (wliile a hand fork is moving the tenth part of it, perhaps) ; and when high enough, the horse stops. A hand or two on the mow, with forks, sway it backwards and forwards, to give an impulse in the desired direction, when the trip cord, by the strength of a finger, throws it instantly in a compact layer, as taken from the wagon. Considerably more hay can thus be mowed in a given space, with comparatively little manual labor, fewer hands, and in a third or fourth of the time. Very respectfully, " Kdward Stabler. "Head of tough scantling 3 J by 4 inches, 3 feet 3 inches long, with bands at ends. "Handle 3| by 4 inches, 3 feet long, inserted at right angles, and braced with 3 iron plates J by IJ inches. "Steel prongs I inches square at shoulder, set angularly in the head, and tapsred to the point, 22 inches long clear of head, with screws and nuts at baclv end. "As the handle does not raise vertically, the prongs should curve upwards considerably, so as to resist the hay. " The trigger is very simple — an iron pin | inch diameter, bent at right angles, one end driven into the handle, projecting an inch, and ranging down the handle about 2J inches. A curved iron strap with an eye, and confined at the oppo.^iie side by a small staple, passes over the ro])e. uiiil the utlier end bent paraflel with the pin; a small ring attached to the trip cord slips over both; the tension of the rope while hoisting, efl'ectually fastens it, until the cord pulls off the ring. The independent horse-iake, by means of which a lad of twelve years, or one unable to do a stout la- borer's task, may rake up a dozen acres in a day, will pay for itself for neighborhood use in one season; — as also the revolving horse-rake, and the mowing ma- chine, or reaper. True, these improved implements cost money; but where one is unable to buy for him- self, let him unite with a neighbor or neighbors, and thus mutually contribute to each other's success. 142 CORRESPONDENCE. LETTER FBOM CHILL Mr. Editor : — It is difficult to give one a correct idea of Chili who has not seen the country itself It (the country) consists of a series of plains or table lands running from north to south, each plateau be- coming more elevated as you approach the Cordil- leras, and divided by ranges of hills running parallel with the coast, also increasing in height. The hills and mountains are cut up into large and deep ravines, called " quebradas," which again have their sides cut by similar quebradas, and so on ad injirdtuin. The southern part of Chili is tolerably well supplied with large trees, which as you go north gradu.ally diminish into shrubs, and near the northern boundary all veg etation disappears, and you find nothing but rocks and sand. Wherever there is water, there is more or less vegetation, but the proportion of streams is one to a million of " quebradas." The productions are wheat, barley, a little corn, apples of very poor quality, hardly fit for swine, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, and oranges; besides which there are good grapes, melons, strawberries and figs, which in some parts of the country are delicious. The farming is done in the most primitive manner imaginable. The plow is the old fashioned crooked stick, and the oxen are always yoked by the horns instead of the neck. When the wheat has been cut down and gathered to the threshing place, it is put into a circular yard, enclosed by a high fence, and from ten to fifty horses (according to the size of the " corral ") are turned in and driven about with yells and " carambas, " until straw, chafT, and grain are of about equal fineness. The grain is separated from the chaff by throwing it into the air, and letting the wind do the work of cleaning. Fruits, and all natu- ral productions are left to grow uncared for and un- touched by the owner's hands or implements, and the grain would be left in like manner, if it could be sold without threshing. Of the politics of the country I know but little, and care to know less; and as to the people, there must be some good about them, inasmuch as God made them, but I have found very little of it as yet. All the improvements that have been made, have been owiag to the influences of commerce, and the more enterprising spirit of English and American residents. The chief wealth of the country consists in its mines of gold, silver, copper, and coal. Gold is about equally distributed, silver is found principally in the northern parts of the country, copper iu the central portions, and coal at the south. Silver mines are discovered as much by chance as by regular mining operations, while the copper mines require a large capital in order to carry them on successfully. There are but two kinds of business here which promise successful returns, viz, mining and commerce. The former is proverbially uncertain, while the latter requires capital and an intimate acquaintance with the habits, customs, and prejudices of the inhabitants. If you have any friends who tliiuk of coming this way, tell them to stay at home, unless they are anx- ious to see the " elephant " and " feel his tusks." Yours, truly, M. A. J. Lota, Chili. HOW TO CATCH GOPHERS. Me. Editor: — Where gophers are at work and the hills recent, say made the previous night, open the hill and expose the burrow about a foot in length wide enough to let in a common steel rat trap; clean out the dirt nicely, and excavate a space at the bot- tom of the burrow deep enough to reeeive the trap, already finely set, so that the jaws and treadle will be slightly below the plane of the bottom of the burrow; cover the trap very lightly with finely pul- verized earth, so that the top of the earth over the trap and the bottom of the burrow be on the same plane; cover the hole with a board, broad and long enough to prevent any other dirt from falling on the tr.ap; haul fine dirt all around the edge of the board to exclude all light. Teach the boys how to do it right, and give them a dime for each gopher caught. I speak from experience, and this is the best way I know of. Other ways are, open the hole by the side of the hill, when the gopher will shortly bring dirt to stop it up — shoot him. AVhen the earth is full of water, they occupy chambers in their mounds — dig them out. Sink a jar glazed inside one foot deep in the bottom of the burrow, in lieu of a steel trap ; cover its mouth with cabbage leaf or its equivalent, and finish as directed for steel trap. They will fall : in, and can not get out without help. Dose apples, or potatoes, &c., with strychnine, lay them in theiir burrows, and exclude the light. Tnos. Siveter. Salem, Iowa. Mount Hood, in Oregon, has now been ascer- tained, by actual measurement, to be full eighteen thousand three hundred and sixty-one feet high. This is the highest peak on the American continent, and one of the highest in the world. From this peak, mountain tops five hundi'ed miles distant may be distinctly seen. The mountain is volcanic, smoke being seen to issue from its summit. CORRESPONDENCE. 143 CANADIAN SHEEP HUSBANDRY. Mr. Editor : — I wish, through the medium of your paper, to adJress a few liues to our Canadian farmers on the subject of sheep. We have several varieties of sheep in the country, including the Leices- ter, South Down, Merino, Canadian, and all the vari- ous crosses. Now, the question is, what is the best breed for our farmers to keep ? Here there is, and will be, a difference of opinion ; — some preferring the pure Leicester, others the South-Down, others a cross between these two. The latter, I believe, is really larger and more easily fattened than the Leicester and the wool is somewhat finer. The South-Down is an easily-kept sheep, and yields a fine fleece, but the carcass is small. The manufacturer of woo greatly disapproves of the cross between the Leices- ter and the South-Down, inasmuch as it does not improve the wool. The wool in this cross is harsh, lacking oil. The best stockfof sheep for Canada is a cross between the French Merino and the pure Leicester. By this mixture you have a hardy sheep, of good size, — one easily fattened, and the very best quality of wool, both for the Canadian and for the American market. The Leicester sheep is quite de- fective in the amount of oil in its fleece, while the Merino has a superabundance, by which means it is enabled to endure the cold storms of rain much bet- ter than the Leicester. From this cross you there- fore obtain a long, fine and soft wool, suitable for making up into Orleans cloth, and goods of that class, while it is just the thing for good Canadian 3loth. Now, in order to have such a stock of sheep as the above, it is needful that some parties should iontmue to raise and import the two kinds in their purity— that is, the French Merino and the Leices- A goodly number are to be found who have done good service to our country, and honor to them- selves, by importing and raising the pure Leicester ieep. A few persons have directed their attention ;o the French Merino sheep, and in getting them lave spared no trouble or money. Mr. Jacob Ry- »AL, Jr., of the township of Barton, is one of this ■lass. He has some of the pure French Merino heep, and I think has one or two for sale. Mr. Ry- rAL obtained a number of premiums for his sheep at ur last Provincial show. Many of our farmers would do well to direct their .ttention chiefly to sheep husbandry for two or three ears: in so doing they would rest and enrich their md, and, I doubt not, themselves also. I might here state the comparative value of wool Supposing the Leicester wool to be worth Is. per pound, then South-Down is worth Is. 3d; a cross be- tween the South-Down and the Merino, Is. Gd. ; also the cross between the Merino and Leicester would be worth Is. 6d., and the pure Merino at that standard would be worth from 2s. to 23. 3d. per pound. Wool growers should never allow their sheep to run where there are burrs, nor should they shear them without having first washed them clean; be- cause either of these defects deducts from the value of the wool from a quarter to one-third. A buck should never be allowed to run with the same flock more than two years, and it is better to change every year. The entire flock should be changed eveiy three or four years. S. Kma. POTATO PLANTER AND SEED DEILL Mr. Editor : — As I am confident that you are anxious to do all in your power for the purpose of introducing labor-saving machines among the agri- culturists of this Province, I have thought that it would be in some degree interesting to your readers to have a short description of an invention lately patented by Mr. William Nixion, of the township of Grimsby, in the county of Lincoln. ^Mr. Nixion's invention is for the purpose of cutting and planting potatoes, dropping corn, and sowing small seeds. The hopper, or box for containing the potatoes, rests upon the axle passing through two wheels, with shafts attached to the axle in the same way that a cart or gig is constructed. A horse is then put be- fore the planter, in like manner as a horse is placed before a cart, and the machine is drawn in the same way. 'J"he seed hopper rests upon the axle and wheels, as above described, being keyed together and fastened to a cog wheel which drives a horizontal cog wheel that is fastened to the underside of the cast-iron seed-wheels. When, therefore, the horse moves forward, the whole machinery is set in motion. There is a round bottom to the hopper that revolves correspondontly with the motion of the animal which draws the vehicle. In this bottom, or revolving platform, there are holes at given distances. For planting in hills you open two holes, and leave all the olhei's shut up; and in this case four or five sets are dropped in one place, at whatever distance you may think proper, the seed being cut by a sharp knife placed immediately nnder the revolving plat- form. Some might prefer to cut the sets by hand, and in this case the knife may be removed, or the potatoes may be dropped without being euL If drilla 144 CORRESPONDENCE. are considered preferable to hills, the two large holes are plugged up with leather sheeted with tin, and the plugs, made of the same material, taken out of the smaller holes. The seed is then poured into the hop- per, the horse moves, the sets are cut, and dropped at regular distances. For planting corn, there is an- other set of smaller holes, by means of which corn may be planted in hills or drills upon the same prin- ciple as the potatoes are planted. For fine seeds, such as onion, turnip, carrot seeds, etc., there are tin canisters with holes suitable for sowing such seeds. In connection with the other wheels, there is a seed- wheel by which the whole is regulated. Underneath the planter is a large tooth, like that of a cultivator. This tooth makes a suitable place for the seed to fall into, and is placed in front of a hollow sheet-iron tube, through which the seed falls to the ground, and behind the tube are two scrapers so constructed as to cover up corn or potatoes, and two small brooms are used for the purpose of cover ing up the smaller seeds which drop from the tin" canisters. To this part of the planter there is a set in the rear of the hopper, by means of which the drills can be made deep or shallow, as the farmer thinks proper. The whole machinery is simple, and I think will be very beneficial to the farmers of Canada. In a country like this, it is necessary that the far- mer should produce large crops with the least poss j ble expense. Laborers are scarce and wages high ; consequently all labor-saving machines should be used to the best advantage. And indeed, they oui'ht to be introduced at once; for, should the pres- ent war continue in Europe, it will be nearly impos- sible for farmers to procure men at any price to put in and take off their crops. If Mr. Nixion's seed drill proves as useful as it promises — and of this I think there can be no doubt several acres of corn or potatoes may be planted in one day with two men and a horse, especially where the land is properly prepared, and the soil is hght. Few articles now produced remunerate the cultivator better than corn, potatoes, turnips, and carrots. Wheat, certainly, is the great staple of the country, and should be cultivated in the best samples and the largest possible quantities for exportation ; but for home consumption, and for feeding cattle, sheep, and swine, our farmers should raise every bushel of corn, oats, peas, potatoes, beans, carrots, and turnips that it is possible for them to grow, as stock and produce of all descriptions will be likely to bring largely remunerative prices for several years to come. Mr. J. W. H. ScHNEiDBK, of this city, has bought out Mr. Nixion's right to the Province of Canada, and consequently the power to authorize parties to manufacture the seed drill, now rests with him. Hamilton, C. W. Thomas Webster. CULTIVATION OF BAKLEY. Mr. Editor : — The time has been when farmers in this county (Sehoharie) could raise barley almost be- yond measure, and with comparatively little labor. But from some cause or causes known to but few, the yield has gradually diminished from year to year, until the present time. Some who formerly grew it in large quantities, do not now sow it at all ; and many upon being asked to assign a reason why it will not yield as well as it once did, simply reply, " I do not know," or else attribute it to the seasons. The true cause will of course appear obvious to all who know that the productions of any soil are composed in part of the same ingredients as the soil upon which they grow. Hence the cause of the failure of the crop in question. The ingi-edients necessary for its production have been exhausted by too much crop- ping. The first thing necessary to be known in re- gard to a difficulty is its cause; the second is a rem- edy which will remove that cause. Now, will some one tell us through the Farmer what this remedy is, and the proper way to apply it ? And, as in this case nature is exhausted, the remedy must be sup- plied, in a measure at least, by artificial means. Therefore, when we know the ingredients composing, the grain, we know what is necessary to produce it: When we take into consideration the manner in whicb farming has been conducted in some sections of this country, it is to be wondered at that the natural fer- tility of the soil is not entirely exhausted. It has been plow, plow, plow, from four to six inches ia depth, and carry the produce to market; and- no r doubt this will be the case to a great extent until the soil does refuse to produce, or until farmers areri well enough acquainted with the chemical propertied! of soils and their productions to take a scientific view of the matter, and to see nature as it is. MlDDLEBUKGH, N. Y. M. GaRNSET. To Keep Ckows from Corn. — Take a quart oft train-oil.and as much turpentine and bruised gunpow- der; boil them together, and when hot, dip piece8l of rags in the mixture, and fix them on sticks in the field. About four are sufficient for an acre ofi corn. MANAGEMENT OP THE DAIRT.' 145 MANAGEMENT OF THE DAIRY. Statement of William S. Lixcolx to tlie Committee of the Wor- cester Agricultural Society, appoiuted to awanl the premiums for Dairies, offered by the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Ag- riculture. Gk.nts : — As a competitor for the premiuras at your disposal, I oITer for your examiaatiou, twelve animals coastitutiug my Jairy. One other cow has been kept with these during the summer, but as she has beou kept exclusively for the use of my family, she is not exhibited. Having determined, early in the season, to become a competitor for our own soci- ety's premiums for dairie.'?, it was necessary to divide my stock; and the milk of each, and the product of such milk, has been kept separate during the assigned period of five mouths. Informed by the circular issued by authority of the board of trustees, that the purpose was to " encour- age the better attention to the business of the dairj', and in return for its premiums, to secure the most varied and largest amount of information in its suc- cessful and faithful management," which purpose was best to be promoted by leaving each competitor to pursue his own course of management, at the peril that some other mode might " prove more productive under the conduct of some other competitor." I deemed it be.-^t, and likely to be more satisfactory, to keep along in my regular system, deviating in no de- gree from that course which is practiced by me every day of every season. Thus the committee will perceive that I render no account of the quantity of milk, either in weight or measure, yielded by any one or more of my cows, for any one or more days. For, though a statement that a cow has given a specified number of quarts or pounds of milk for a given number of days, might gratify the curious in statistics, the experience of no inconsiderable number of years has convinced me that such was of no value in testing the worth of an animal for butter. The return, then, which I submit, will be merely a statement of the mode imrsiied by me in the manage- ment and feeding of my stock, of the care of the milk, with the dairy utensils, and the amount of but- ter produced during the required period of trial. The trial began on the 2oth of April last, before turning to pasture. Management of stock while stalled. — In the man agement of my stock, the utmost gentleness is ob- served, and Ex.f^T regularity in the hours of feeding while confined to the stable, and of milking through out the year. The stock is fed regularly three times a day. In the morniug, as soon as the milking is over, each cow (having been previously fed and her liag cleaned hy washing, if necessary), is thorouglily cleaned and groomed, if the expression may be used, with a currycomb, from head to foot, and when cleaned, turned out to drink. 'J'lie stable is now cleaned out, the mangers swept and the floors sprin- kled with plaster, and as the cows return, which they do as soon as inclined, they are tied up and left un- disturbed until the next hour of feeding, which is at noon. The cattle at this time are again turned out to drink, and after being tied up on their return, again fed. Of course the stable is at this time asain thor- oughly cleaned. And so again at night, the same course is pursued. At this time a good bedding is spread for each cow, and after all are in, they are fed. At six o'clock the milking commences, and at its termination, after removing from the floor whatever manure may have been dropped, the stable is closed for the night. If carrots are fed, which is the only root allowed to my cows in milk, they are given at the time of the evening milking. Whatever material is taken for bedding (such as corn-stalks, husks, &c.) is passed through a cutting machine, and composes the noon feed — such portions as are not consumed by the cows being used for bed- ding. The additional labor of cutting up is amply compensated by the reduced amount of labor in working (loading) and plowing under the manure. While I consider it highly desirable that the cows, during the period they are stabled, should be kept warm and dry, 1 regard it as indispensable that they should be perfectly clean; and although the stock is stabled the whole time, care is taken that there is a j sufficient degree of ventilation. | Milking. — As before observed, this takes place ] throughout the year at six in the morning and six in i the evening. ' As a general rule each cow is milked separately, \ her milk strained and set separately. Witli heifers ; this is invariably done; as I believe there is no other ; reliable mode of determining the value of an animal \ for butter; and in this way, and a separate churning i also, is it determined whether to retain in my dairy or sell to some milk-man such heifers as I may raise. The same regularity is observed in the order in which the cows are milked as in the hours of milking. The milk as soon as drawn, is taken to be strained and carried into the milk-room. Here it stands from twenty-four to thirty-six hours, in some mouths of the year, forty-eight hours, at which time it is removed to an adjoining room to be skimmed. In this way the room is free from those odors which always fol- low the spattering of milk or cream upon the floor or shelves of the daily. We mean to skim sweet milk. The milk-room is upon the second floor of the house, and running its whole width, ventilated by windows at the north and south, and in the winter months warmed to a proper degree by a stove. Tin pans are used in which to keep the milk, -filled generally to a depth of two or two and a half inches. The cream as it is skimmed is poured into stone pots, which in warm weather are kept in a refrigera- tor, and during the winter stand in the milk-room. The times of churning depend upon the quantity of cream. During this summer there have been four churuings a week. The time usually occupied in churning is from fifty minutes upwards. This is deemed a matter of im- portance. 1 consider it much preferable to bring the cream to the degree of temperature necessary to the formation of butter by a steady, moderate agita- tion than to use artificial heat to take it to that point before commencing to churn. By such moderate, long-continued agitations, we think the butter has a firmer, more tca.ry consistence than it can have by more rapid churning. The churn used is " Gait's." Numerous trials have been made with many of the 146 MANAGEMENT OP THE DAIRY. other kinds of churn in comparison with this, and the result has been uniformly favorable to this pat- tern. When the butter has come, the buttermilk is drawn ofi; and the butler, after being thoroughly worked, is salted with from one-half to three-fourths of an ounce of salt to the pound. It is now set away for twenty- four hours, when it is again worked over thoroughly, and made into pound lumps with wooden "spatters." After standing another twenty-four hours it is sent into market. In " ivorking" butter we use a table over which a fluted roller is made to pass, rolling out butter into a thin sheet, and completely and entirely depriving it of buttermilk. From many years' experience, the observation is warranted that by no other process of manufacture can the buttermilk be so completely extracted. I am aware of the truth of the objection made that the shrinkage occasioned by its use is too great, yet there is, in fact a difference in the worth of the but- ter made upon it, over that manufactured in the ordi- nary way, quite equal to the loss in weight occasioned by it. As has been stated, my stock was divided at the beginning of the trial, into two lots of six each. The account of the product of butter is given according to this arrangement. The entries for the premiums at your disposal, as made by me on the 23d day of April last, were one dairy of six cows and heifers, six in number, and a dairy of eleven in number. Such a division of my stock was not deemed im- proper in view of their time of calving and their age. The dairy of cows consists of Flora McDonald, a fuU blood Ayrshire, from the slock of Mr. Kandall, of New Bedford, 6 years old. Wilcox, half Ayrshire, by McGregor, 5 years old. Shrewsbury, called native, believed to be Durham, 11 years old. Cherry, Devon, 6 years old. Lexington, Ayrshire, bred liy Mr. Phinney, of Lexington, 9 years Springfield, native, from Vermont, 10ye.irs old. Flora calved May 20th, and was served July 29. Wilcox " April I7th, " " June 6. Shrewsbury " Feb. 26th, " " July 2. Cherry | " May 2d, " " June 30. Lexington " .Ian. 28th, " " July 18. Springfleld " May 2d, " " June 10. It will be seen that the trial commenced with three pf the six cows giving milk. The periods of churn- ing, and the quantity of butter made at each time, is stated below: Churned. Ibg. oz. May 1 19 2 " 8 20 3 " 15 32 5 " 22 39 13 " 29 44 9 166 June 1 25 7 " S 66 " 12 32 W-i " 15 _. 24 9'i " 19... 29 9 " 22... 21 13 " 26 _ 28 7 " 29 21 8 240 4 July 3 27 15 " 7 18 11 " 10 24 2 " 13 _ 16 8 " 17 22 7 " 20 16 8 '• 24 18 5 " 27 _ 14 7 " 31 18 14'i 176 13>i Aug. 3 13 8 Aug. 7 17 " 10. ._ ._ 17 5 " 14 25 8 " 17 18 n " 21... 23 5 " 26 14 9 " 2S 17 9 Sept. 4 36 7 " 11 34 9 -134 2 8.i4 SJi It will be seen that thrpe of the cows have been milked 5 months, two 4 months and 17 days, and one 4 months and 2 days. In all there has been an aver- age period of milking of 4 months and 21 days, and an average daily amount of little over a pound of butter to each cow, for the whole period of entire milking. The greatest amount in any one week was 37 pounds, 8 ounce.- — or an average yield of 9 pounds, 9 J ounces per cow for the week. This upon pasture feed alone. The lot of young cows and heifers consists of Lexington, 5 years old, thorough-bred Ayrshire, bred by Mr. PiKN.VEV, of Lexington. Princess, 3 years old, with her first calf, a half-blood Ayrshire and half Devon. Cora, 5 years old, three- fourths Ayrshire, and one-fourlb Durham. Red-Bird, 4 years old, one-h.alf Devon and one- half Ayrshire. Flirt, 5 years old, one-half Ayrshire by McGregor. Beauty, 2 years old, three-fourlhs Ayrshire. Lexington calved Feb. 4, and was served March 15. Princess " March 25, " " June 10. Cora " May 2. " " June 5. Red Bird " June 19, " " Aug. 14. Flirt " June 26, " " July 18. Beauty " Aug. 2, " *' Sept. 1. In this case the trial commenced with but two an- imals giving milk. The periods of churning and the product of butter of each churning is given below. churned. lbs. oz. May 1.. 8 6 " 8 9 4'i " 15.... 12 12 " 22 18 13 " 29 ..2111 70 12>i June 6 ...26 13 " 12 19 15 " 15 9 11 " 19 13 1 " 22 12 4 " 26 16 3 " 29 13 12 11111 July 3 ..21 12M " 6 15 14 " 10| 19 7 « 13 14 1 " 17 -.18 n " 20 12 12 " 24 ..16 5 " 27 13 1 « 31 16 13 148 12K Aug. 3 12 8 " 7 ...18 " 10 16 10 "14 22 3 " 17 16 14 " 21 19 15 " 24 11 7 " 28 15 14 131 T Sept. 4 31 6 " 11 _ 27 8 " 18 27 11 « 23 28 7 114 15 677 12 Of this lot two animals have given milk the whole period; one 4 months and 17 days; one 3 months and 2 days; one 2 months and 26 days; and one 1 month and 17 days ; making an average period of 3 months and 20J days, and an average daily yield of 0 lbs. ,14 10-12 oz. butter to each cow for the above period. The greatest amount of butter in any HAY CAPS— REARING CALVES. 147 one week of the above period was 37 fts. lOJ oz., from five cows, or an average of 7 tbs. 8 oz. to each auimal. This was also upon pasture solely. Should the committee be of opinion that this di- vision of the dairy is not in compliance with the spirit of the oBer, the average period of time of be milkinn; the cows comprisinEt tlie whole dairy, will four months and a little more than twelve days, with a total yield, for said period, of 119 lbs. 8J oz. to each cow. • In addition to this product, 9 calves have been raised, and 3 sold to be fatted; !> shoats have been sold for SlO; 2 pigs at $10, and there are now on hand 5 late spring pigs, 3 old hogs and 4 sucking pigs. The swine were kept exclusively upon the wash of the dairy and house till the last of August; since that time a snndl qukutity of refuse apples have been added to their food. The pasturing wa.s good, early in the season, so far as quantity weat But although its quantity was sufficient, it was of poor quality for the purpose of the dairy. My pastures are upon the south slope of a hill, early to start, but e.isily affected by drouth. 'J'his year the feed has been unprecedently short, and for weeks my animals might almost be said to suffer. There was no green thing in the pastures, nor would the mowing-Belds afford a bite. I had no corn fod- der till about the fifth of August, and then so limited a supply that it was consumed in about three weeks. The season as a whole, has been a bad one, lielow the average, for the production of butter. Addition- al to this, my own dairy has suffered from a change of milkers. Men to work on a farm have been scarce, of actual help there has been none. Early in the spring I was incapacitated from milking, and contin- ued so for raonth.s. My cows were badly treated, and worse milked. As an instance, the week after I was compelled to give up milking, although one more cow was milked than before, the yield of butter was diminished eight pounds and a fraction. I ought also to state that from the first of August one milking of one of the cows has been taken from the dairy for family consumption, thus diminishing what would have been the actual yield of butter from the whole dairy. A sample of butter as ordi- narily made is submitted for the examination of the committee. Wm. S. Lincoln. CoMMOy^VEALTH OF Mass.vchuSetts. — "Worcester, September 25. 18-34, then .ippeared the above namfd William S. Li.vcoln, and made oath that the foregoing statement, bv him subscribed, is true. Before me, Jon.v A. Da.va, J. P. Omitting fractions, my dairy of si.x cows, had they been milked the full period of five months, at the rate of yield for the time of actual milking, would have given 920 lbs. 4J oz. of butter. It will be re- membered that that this was upon pasture feed alone. Different families in this city, and at Boston and Dorche.ster, have been supplied by me the past sea- son; and the average price of the butter has been two shillings" per pound, amounting to $396.75 ; or S61.58 per cow for the five months. W. S. L. There are more than fifty places of Protestant worship in the Turkish empire, protected by govern- ment, where the gospel is statedly preached. Most farmers are doulitless aware that on an av- erage one-fourth of the value of all hay gathered, is lost by its exposure to rain and heavy dews. This loss may be saved by simply being provided with a supply of hay caps. These are made of pieces of cotton sheeting, say a yard and a half square, with the torn edges hemmed, and a loop of tape or string sewed upon each corner. They would be rendered more effectual if slightly coated with oil; or by dip- ping in water made quite milky with chalk, or whi- ting, and after drying, dipping them into alum water. If prepared in the latter manner they will shed water quite freely. When grass is cut down and put up in small stacks of two to four hundred pounds each, it can then be protected by one of these cloth coverings, the cor- ners of the cap being fastened down bj- thrusting little wooden pins through the loops into the sides of the stacks. Protected in this way, hay can stand in the field unharmed through rain and dews till it is thoroughly cured. Let us estimate briefly the cost and profit of this process. If we allow one of these caps for 200 pounds of hay, ten will be required for a ton. As the cloth may be quite coarse, the expense of each will not exceed fifteen cents. The caps may be used two or three times in a season, and if taken care of they will last for five or six years, or longer, and then the paper makers will buy them at one-fifth of first cost; so that every two caps, costing twenty-five cents, will serve for curing at least a ton of hay. No one will deny but that hay thus cured will on an average be worth at least a dollar more on the ton, than if sub- jected to the usual damage of rain and dew. We advise every person raising hay to prepare a few dol- lars' worth of these caps during this leisure month, and have them laid away in readiness for the haying season. The same caps may be used to protect shocks of wheat and other grain. They will very often pay for themselves in a single season. If not quite satisfied as to their utility, prepare twenty or thirty of them and try them one season, and see if they do not pay. If they do not, the cloth will not be lost. There is no particular necessity for any pre- paration added to the cloth, as a piece of simple cot- ton thrown over a rounded hay-cock will generally conduct off the heaviest shower of rain. — Americam Jigricultvrist. EE4KING CALVES. The almost unprecedented prices of beef, have in- duced more attention to the rearing of cattle. The scarcity of beef is owing to various caases which have been operating for some time. A considerable portion of the countiy in which cattle have formerly been fattened to a great extent, has for two years or more suffered much from the effects of drouth. In consequence of this, the farmers have been under the necessity of selling their stock — often at large sacri- fices— the scarcity of hay permitting them to keep but a small portion of their usual herds. In the Western states, large numbers of cattle have been driven to California and Oregon, instead of being fattened and sent to the eastern markets. In some 148 HALLADAY'S WIND-MILL. instances, wool has taken the place of beef as a farm product, and in others the latter article has given way to butter and cheese. Beef is not an article which can be produced in a season. Pork can be brought into market in abun- dance in a year or so from the birth of the pig. Mutton of good quality can be obtained in two years, and is sometimes had in a year and a half. But good beef requires three or four years, although with breeds which early attain maturity, many animals are killed at two and a half years old. Such young beef however, has not the fine flavor, or so great an amount of nutriment, as that from more mature an- imals. The high range of prices for beef will tend to impress upon farmers the importance of obtaining animals which will fatten to the best advantage. This is a point which has not generally received the attention it deserves, but it is to be hoped that the force of circumstances will compel farmers to study the natural characteristics of cattle, and make them better acquainted than they have been with the prin- ciples to be observed in the successful management of live stock. The manner of rearing calves will, properly, vary in different districts. Where milk is of little value, it is common to allow cows to suckle their offspring for the first four or sLx months. Sometimes one cow is the foster mother of two calves. This is, perhaps, the best course under the circumstances, but it would not be economical in other situations. We prefer rearing them by hand, as it is called, where it is an object to use milk for other purposes, for the follow- ing reasons: 1. Food can be given with more ex- actness as to quantity. 2. In many instances it econ- omises food. 3. It is generally less trouble. 4. It saves injury to cows' teats and bags by the biting and butting of the calves. 5. The calves more read- ily learn to eat various kinds of food. 6. They are more tame and gentle as they grow up — if cows, they are less likely to bo troublesome in milking ; if oxen, more tractable and obedient. 7. From being early and thoroughly weaned from the cows, the calves can run with them, if necessary, through the season, and rarely occasion trouble by sucking. The calf should be taken from the mother the day it is born, unless it is advisable to have it suck for the purpose of relieving the udder from inflammation. It should have new milk the first three weeks — six to eight quarts a day, according to size. It may then be fed for three weeks on a mi.xture of new milk and skimmed milk, three quarts each, daily. The skimmed milk must not be sour. To the milk may be added gruel made by boiling a pound of oilcake in a gallon of water. The gruel should bo given in small quan- tities at first, till the calves get accustomed to the taste. They will soon become fond of it, and will eat a pound of cake each, daily, prepared in gruel well mixed with the milk. Give the food in equal parts, at six o'clock in the morning and six in the evening. In cool weather it should be warmed to the temperature of milk just from the cow. After the calf is six weeks old, the new milk may be dis- continued, substituting that which has been skinmied. The skimmed milk and gruel should be continued till the calf is about three months old, when it can Uve well on other food. For the last two or three weeds of the time, the gruel can be gradually in- creased, and the milk diminished. If oilcake cannot readily be procured, oat-meal, or meal from oats and peas ground together, may be used for the gruel. This is better than meal from Indian corn, contains more of the elements of muscle, is easier of diges- tion, and less likely to produce scours. — Boston Cul- tivator. HALLADATS WIND-MILL. This machine, of which the accompanying engra- ving will be found to give a very good representation, attracted general attention at the New York State Pair, held last fall. " The nature of the invention," in the words of the Sciotlijic American, " consists in having the wings or sails attached to movable or ro- tating spindles having levers or equivalent devices connected to them, said levers being also connected to a head with wings rotating on the same shaft. The head has a lever connected to it, which is opera- ted by a governor that slides the head upon the shaft, and causes the lever or their equivalents to turn the wings or sails, so as to present a proper resistuig sur- face to the wind, and thereby produce a uniform ve- locity of the sails, which are made to have a greater or less obliquity, according to the velocity of the wind." lu the engraving given, fig. 1 represenrs the per- spective view, and fig. 2 is a face view of the wing or sail ring, and parts of the governor. The same let- tere refer to like parts in both. The upward pressure of the water upon the piston P, is regulated by the amount which is allowed to pass the cock at U. As this quantity is lessened, the action on the lever at P is of course increased, and by the raising of this arm the sails are brought to present less obliquity to the wind, and thus to accommodate themselves to the amount of water wished. Hence, when the cock U is guaged to a given stream of water, any gust of wind acceloratmg the motion of the sails, will also increase the pressure at P, as it cannot enlarge the stream, and this increase of pressure will as before lessen the power of the wind upon the sails, by di- minishing their obliquity, anil thus every change in the wind will find the sails exactly adjusted to its force. A sudden gust may, it is true, make them re- volve once or twice with great rapidity, but it must partake more of the nature of a hurricane than of an ordinary storm, to damage the mill, before the governor, which we have described, can accommodate the inclination of the sails to its force. We were told by the inventor that it would stand any gust which the sujjport was able to resist. ^Vith these few words of explanation, we think our readers will find no difficulty in understanding the workings of the machine. It is certainly very inge- nious and promises well. — Country Gentleman. FEEniNQ MiLcn Cows with SAiNF0i>f. — The quan- tity of milk produced by cows fed with sainfoin is nearly double to that of any other food. The milk is also much richer, and will yield a larger quantity of cream. The butter will also be better colored and flavored than any other. HALLADAT'S WIND-MILL. 149 ^^ \ ,■•■■. \ ^ Kj.i HiLLADAT'g WIHD-IULL, 150 HARDY ROSES. CONDUCTED BY JOSEPH FROST. IHABDY BOSES. The rich, exquisite fragrance of the rose, its varied and perfect form, combining among the different va- rieties almost every conceivable color, makes it a fa- vorite with evei-ybody; its easy cultivation, too, thri- ving, as it does, in a degree under all sorts of mal- treatment, which makes this flower, of all, the most popular. Necessary as is this plant to ornament our grounds, yet comparatively little is known of the differ- ent species, and much less care is given its cultivation. In fact, there is no flowering plant, in proportion to the extent of its cultivation, that receives worse treatment. It is placed in hard, unprepared ground, with a retentive subsoil, and frequently in borders adjacent to the walls of buildings, containing earth thrown from cellar bottoms, freely intermixed with stones and lime, and fully exposed to the scorching rays of the sun in midsummer, where it is expected to flourish. ^j._Then its after culture produces the fin- ishing touch. Should the plant be able to produce any branches, they are allowed to crowd and choke each other, wholly excluding the light and air. If it were suggested to prune as a means to produce flue blooms, it would be considered an absurd idea. The result is that the flowers produced under such circum- stances, are very inferior in size and color, with but few blooms. Whatever nursery establishment receives orders for a garden conducted in such a manner, bears the entire censure, while the fault is wholly the ne- glect aud mismanagement of others, and entirely out of the control of the commercial florist. There are, however, many amateurs who know how to cultivate roses, and who take the pains to have them in the greatest perfection ; which amply rewards them for the care and attention that la given to their cultivation. Whatever treatment one may give roses after they are planted, all the results in cultivating them will be very unsatisfactory, unless the ground in which they are expected to flourish is properly prepared. Wher- ever it is intended to make a plantation of roses, the ground should be firstly well drained, (if not natu- rally a porous soil), and spaded or trenched to the depth of two or thi-ee feet. As no soil can be too rich for the rose, a quantity of well rotted compost or manure should be thoroughly mixed iu the earth before plantmg. Every autumn rich compost ought to be placed thickly about the stems of the roses, and upon the approach of spring spaded or forked into the ground. It is far more essential that roses should be pruned, to have a profusion of fine flowers, than to prune any variety of fruit trees that they may be more produc- tive. This should be done during the latter part of March or the beginning of April. All of the pre- ceding years' growth should be cut off, leaving only three or four eyes, which would throw out as many vigorous shoots, producing a quantity of fine blooms. Long established plants, having stunted or old wood,, should be cut out entirely, protecting only the young- and vigorous shoots. Hybrid Perpetual roses require to be pruned during the summer, which will insure a. succession of blooms during the summer and autamn. This may be done as follows : As soon as the flowers fade in June, the branches that sustained the blooms (the flowers of which are always produced at the ex- tremities of the shoots) should be cut back to two or four eyes, leaving them to push and form branches again. By pursuing this course the plants may be kept in a neat form, and produce flowers in the great- est profusion during the season. This class embraces the most beautiful and desirable roses. They com prise the different colors, from a dull white to abrigh' crimson or dark purple. They are all perfectly bar dy, too, and will endure our coldest winters unpro tected, — very vigorous, and blooming at interval; from June to November. Our stool ground of this class, containing hundredi of plants, has remained wholly unprotected durint this severe winter, aud they all appear to be unin jured. Moss roses are all very hardy, blooming but once excepting some three or four sorts, said to flower tw( or three times during the season. Under ordinar treatment, however, we have not been able to bloon but one sort more than once. This was Blanch Perpetual — producing a number of fine flowers du riag the end of last season. The Hybrid China, Provence and Hybrid Provence Hybrid Bourbon, French roses, Austrian or yellov roses, microphylla roses, &c., bloom only in June They are highly esteemed, being very hardy, generally very vigorous, some making such rapid growth as to be termed pillar roses. They are cultivated vei much, as they contain many varieties possessing quit( distinct colors and forms from any in the Hybrid Per petual class, — as the PoWan, yellow; Jlureti, darl velvety-purple; Madam Hardy, \i\xk white; stripeo roses, &c., &c. \ \ COLLECTIONS OF ROSES— HINTS ON GARDENING. 151 b\o '1'!k' Ayrshire, Michigan or Prairie roses, &c., are li- ■moil for their climbiug habits, growing frequently I'Mty feet in a season. They are admirably adapted r iovering arbor-s, walls of buildings, &i., present- u' .1 most beautiful sight when covered with perfect Ills of various colors. They flower only in June. None of the following are considered hardy roses, 13 they need protection more or less during winter: Bourbon, Tea, Chinese or Bengal, and Noisette roses. ?ome of the Bourbon will stand without much care, ft is one of the finest and most esteemed classes, and jlooms continually. The Tea roses mostly hare the ragranee of the tea — free growers and well adapted or pot culture. The Chinese are fine for bedding >ut in the spring, as they bloom incessantly in the ummer and autumn. The Noisette roses are quite imilar in character to the Tea rose, excepting fra- grance and their cluster blooming habit It will be seen that we have made a selection of lome of the best varieties in the various classes, taken 'om a collection of more than 300 sorts. COLLECTIONS OF KOSES. The following sorts, of roses of the respective Hasses will be found upon trial to be among the very test now in cultivation. HYBRID PERPETUAL. ingustie Mie, Mad. Laffay, Raronne Hallez de Clapa- Mad. Lamorciere, Mad. Preideaux, Marquis Broccella, Mistress Elliott, Olivier de Serre, Pius IX., Prince Albert, Souvenir de la Reine des Beiges, Sydonie, rede, Karon Prevost, ilanche, 'aroline de Sanaal, 'r. Marx, •uchesse de Nemours, ;iar,t of Battles, aeques Lafitte, •a Reine, Louis Bonaparte. lommon Moss, 'ristata, .uxombourg. Nuits d'Tonng, Princess Adelaide, Purpurea Rubra. HYBRID CHI.VA. ^ureti, La Fourterelle, erisette, Madam Hardy, leo. IV., Mad. Plantier. PROVENCE AND HYBRID PROVENCE. SlaDche Fleur, Unique Blanche, Boule de Neige. HYBRID BOURBON. iJharles Duval, Coupe d'Hebe. FRENCH MOSS. Boule de Nanteuil, Pearle de Panachesse, Tricolor de Flandre. AUSTRIAN OR YELLOW ROSES. Harrison's Yellow, Persian Yeljow. AYRSHIRE ROSES. Ayrshire Queen, Queen of the Belgians, Bennett's Seedling, Splendens. MICHIOAN OR PRAIRIE ROSES. Anna Maria, Miss Gunnell, Baltimore Belle, Queen of the Prairies, Virginian Lass. MISCELLANEOUS CLIMBING ROSES. Felicite Perpetuelle. ROURBON ROSES. Duchesse de Thuringe, Hermosa, Du Petit Thouars, Mrs. Bosanquet, Glorie de Rosamine, Queen, Souvenir. TEA ROSES. Bougere, Lutea, Danthanos, Safrano, Triomphe de Luxembourg. CHINESE OR BENGAL ROSES. Alice Walton, Clara Sylvain, Buret, Indica Alba, L'ady Hamilton. Aimee Vibert, Lamarque, NOISETTE ROSES. Chromatella, ( Cloth of Gold. IHINTS ON 6AEDENING. The garden, as a means of supply for the table, aside from its profit and utility, deserves much more care and attention than is usually given it. In the warm season of our climate, a free use of meat is apt to induce bihous diseases (so called): and nature herself in the succession of her fruits and vegetables gives us timely hints for our own conduct. But un- less its products are of good quality and properly grown, the palate will reject them, how much soever one may be convinced of their utility. In the first place, a garden soil, if not rich, must be made so by the application of suitable fertilizers. Next, the soil should, if possible, be a light rather than heavy loam. Sandy loams make earlier gardens than strong clay loams, though the produce of the latter in quantity may far excel the former. To have a good supply of garden vegetables does not require so much time as many suppose, but only a little work at the proper time. Have your beds so 152 RAVAGES OF THE BARK LOUSE. arranged that the hoe shall do most of your weeding, "We have found it a great couvenience in sowing seeds to take a piece of board from four to six inciiet wide, and about three feet in length, and bevel one edge to the shape of the letter V. Nail a handle of convenient length on the ceatre of the other edge, and then standing erect, you can mark out your rows in perfectly straight lines, by simply pressing the in- strument into the earth ; then sowing your seed, a light raking of the soil covers them effectually. If you have not an asparagus bed, let not the pres- ent season pass without sowing seed ; or, better still, transplanting roots two years from the seed into a suitable bed. Onion seed should be sown as early as possible; a few days' delay may materially affect the size of the bulbs. Why it is we know not, but early sown seed is more apt to make good bottoms than seed sown at the usual time of sowing. Select a warm spot, sheltered from north and east winds, and sow your early peas and lettuce. Last fall, about the 15th of October, we sowed some lettuce seed, designing to have it just in leaf as cold weather should come on. As soon as sharp frosts came, we threw over the bed our pea-brush, and over the brush, old tomato, squash and cucumber vines. As soon as the snow disappeared the present spring, the lettuce was ready to grow; and the frost seemed to have had no effect upon its vitality. But while we recommend early sowing of hardy vegetables, many of our common vegetables and flower seeds will come oa much more rapidly if not sown until the ground is thoroughly warmed, which in this vicinity is from the '20th of May to 1st of June. We quote from W. M. Plant & Go's Descriptive Catalogue the following remarks on manures : "There are many kinds of manui'es, and different modes of applying them. The manure from cows, and all animals that chew the cud, is considered cold, and suited to a light soil ; that of horses, hogs and poultry is hot, and best suited to a cold, heavy soil. All new and fresh manure engenders heat during fer- mentation, and has a tendency to lighten the soil ; while old, rotten manure is thought to render it more compact and firm. A thick coat of hog-pen or barn- yard dung, spread on a garden and turned in every spring, will enrich, warm and lighten the ground more and better than any application of any other manure. " Salt, at the rate of six bushels to the acre, sowed on in the spring, away from the salt water spray, near the sea-shore, not only promotes fertility, but is very useful in destroying worms and slugs. " Wood ashes, leached or unleached, may be used as a top dressing with decided benefit to most growing vegetables, especially onions and turnips. " Plaster of Paris, sown upon the growing crop, is good for turnips, beans, cucumbers, and all broad- leaved plants. " Lime facilitates the decay of vegetable substances, and is best suited to a sour, heavy soil. It ought never to be mixed with animal manure, as the one wiU destroy the efficacy of the other. " Guano is too powerful to be used alone with safety, and must not be allowed to come directly in contact with seeds or plants. It may be mixed with ten parts loam, or coal dust, and scattered very thinly around growing vegetables, and dug in just before a rain; or it may be steeped in the proportion of one pound to ten gallons of water, and the liquid applied once a week; but it should be remembered that it is almost sure destruction to anything newly trans- planted. Its effects are most favorable in moist sea- sons. " Poudrette is a very active manure to start early crops, but is not lasting. It is necessary to apply it the second time, and it should always be placed under the surface. " Liquid manure from the yard, or the drainage of the dung-hill, should be diluted with water before it is applied to growing plants, otherwise it will be apt to burn them. " Compost is a mixture of earths and animal man- ures, ashes, soot, charcoal dust, lime, salt, plaster, urine, straw, weeds, and various other fertilizing sub- stances in different combinations, thrown into a heap to remain till decomposed. It forms a very excellent manure for many kinds of garden vegetables. Cora- post heaps and all other manures ought to be kept under cover." RAVAGES OF THE BAEK LOUSE. Mk. Editor : — Being to some extent interested ii the nursery business, I have looked with anxiety foi some comments on that pest to our apple trees, tht bark louse. Its depredations are not confined to th( apple tree alone, for pear and ornamental trees, an( also currant bushes are affected. All efforts to de stroy them (and I beUeve that nearly every remedy suggested by writers on this subject has been tried have failed. Three years ago I planted two tree: that were affected by themselves, for the purpose o experimenting upon them, but to no effect. Las year a few tx'ees were killed by them, and this year ] think many more will be also. I have a fine younj orchard of 250 apple trees, most of them in bearing which I fully expect no human aid will be able t( keep alive, if the bark louse continues to increase ai fast as they have done for five years past. P. S. Half Day, Lake Co., 111. [P. S. need not fear the publication of the above for it is very important to know of some means o dislodging such a formidable foe from our orchards In a recent number we have given the remedy bi Prof. Hakeis, our highest authority at present, viz solution of whale oil soap. — Ed.] THE MYSORE HEXACENTRE. 153 THE MYSORE HEXACENTRE. (IIEXACK.VTRIS SI\?OnENSlS.) Tins chai-niing stone climber from India, is well worthy the attention of amateur or professional growers of new and rare plants. It was shown first in England, in May, 18.52, before the London Horti- cultural Society, and -was pronounced the inost at- tractive among all the new and fine plants e.fhibited. This is saving a jn'eat deal. We copy the following cut and description from Paxton''! Flower Garden ■ it is the best hot-house climber that has been intro- duced for many years. " We understand that the plant was sent kome by Francis Maltuy, I'sq., of the H. E. I. C. Civil Ser- vice. Our drawing, having been taken from an infe- rior specimen, by no means represents all the charac- ter and beauty of the species. One drawing, received from Mr. Maltist since this figure was made, repre- sents the bunches of flowers and buds from fifteen to eighteen inches long, and another with the upper or first flowers dropped, and a large cluster suspended at the end of a flower-stilii of about the same length. V I ( THE MYSORE HEXACENTRE. " Among all the fine plants exhibited in the gar- den of the Horticultural Society last May, none ex- cited such universal interest as that now represented. It formed a small umbrella-like creeper trained over trellis in the manner represented in the annexed vig- nette, the whole circumference of which was loaded with pendulous racemes of most beautiful large yel- low and crimson flowers. The plant was sent to Messrs. Vetich, of Exeter, from the Mysore country, which it inhabits, as its name indicates. No doubt It is added that, before the plant is ont of bloom the pendulous flower-stalks are from two to two and a half feet long. "Whatever may be thought of the so-called spe- cies, which Professor Nees von Esekbeck has sepa- rated from the original Hexacentris coccinea, Dr. Wai.lich's Tliunbergia coccinea, nobody will ques- tion the entire novelty of the plant before us, whose small not leafy bracts, large corollas and shaggy not smooth anthers, indicate a very different organization." STRAWBERRY CULTURE. STRAWBERRY CTTLTtJRE. The Strawberry is, and deserves to be, the most ex- tensively cultivated of all our small fruits. Produc- tive, easily cultivated, and equal to any fruit in flavor and general usefulness, it would be strange were it not familiar to every garden. Neither has it lacked notice in horticultural literature. Much valuable in- formation has of late years been disseminated relative to its history and management ; and although there are various opinions held, with reference to its bo- tanical distinctions, its treatment as a fruit-bearing plant is reduced to a matter of certainty. On the (ormer question it is not my present purpose to enter, but beg to offer a few remarks in regard to its gener- al treatment and culture. When we consider the habit of growth, season of ripening, and permanency of the strawberry plant, we are led to the conclusion that the soil intended for its growth should receive the most thorough pre- paration. Its dwarfj spreading growth is not favor- able for after improvement of the soil, farther than what can be derived from applications on the sur- face. Ripening at a period which, in nine seasons out of ten, is characterised by deficient moisture in the soil, and extreme atmospheric aridity, suggests the idea of allowing the roots a deep and rich medium where they can luxuriate uninfluenced by surlace temperature. And when we farther consider that a strawberry plantation should produce at least three crops before removal, we may safely aver that the preparation of the soil in the first instance is of the utmost importance. This leads us again to the foundation of all perma- !ient improvement, subsoil culture. Trench the soil at least 18 inches in depth, incorporatiug a heavy dressing of well-decomposed manure, and if the soil is clayey, or adhesive in its nature, an application of charcoal dust will be highly beneficial. As a cor- rective for clayey soils, charcoal cannot be too high- ly recommended. In a physical view, it renders the soil porous and permeable to gases, and chemically, its absorbing and disinfecting properties are equally valuable, the amount of ammonia and other gases which it is capable of absorbing, giving it value as a fertilizer. On a soil thus treated, there will be no danger of a defective, half ripened crop, or the plants burning out, as frequently happens on poor shallow soil, for although the strawberry is a jilant of small structure, I have traced the roots, in favorable soils, a distance of three feet from the surface. There are various methods of arranging the plants. They may be placed in rows thirty inches apart, the plants standing one foot from each other in the. row, or, planted in beds six feet wide, thus admitting of four rows, the plants fifteen inches apart. Some strong growing varieties require more space than the above to attain their greatest perfection, and such as Bos- ton Pine, Goliah, &c., do best in hills thirty inches or three feet apart. The best method for garden cul- ture is the first-mentioned, keeping between the rows clear of weeds and runners, unless the latter are re- quired for a new plantation, which, on the principle of rotative cropping, should be done every third or fourth year, as the plants seem to retain their vigor and fruitfulness. Young plantations may be set out at various sear sons ; either at midsummer, fall, or early spring. As early as young plants can be obtained, say about the last of July or beginning of August, is the time for midsummer planting. Choosing a cloudy day for the operation, the plants immediately on removal should have their roots preserved by dipping them in a pud- dle. This system of encasing roots with a coat of mud, is very useful and elBcient, and may be practised in the transplanting of all young plants in dry weath- er, as it obviates, in a great degree, subsequent atten- tion in watering. A thin covering of shortgrass, or litter of any description, should now be laid about the young plants. Planted thus early, a good growth will follow, the plants mature buds before winter, and produce an average crop the following season. Fall planting is frequently practiced, and if the plants are set out eariy, not later than the middle of September, they will root and get somewhat estab- lished before winter; but the alternate freezing and thawing of the soil during winter, throws them out of the ground, unless the soil is of a sandy nature and protected with a covering of litter. Instead of planting them out permanently in the fall, it is more advisable to place them a few inches apart in a shel- tered spot, where they can be preserved by a cover- ing of leaves all winter, and planted out early in spring. This practice not only affords time for a suitable and thorough preparation of the ground, but the plants being carefully lifted with small balls of earth to their roots, will produce a more uniform and vigorous plantation, than those permanently planted out in the fall. Mulching is a very material consideration in straw- berry culture, more particularly in spring and fall. Covering the ground between the plants with hay, leaves, Arc, in spring, preserves the fruit while ripen- ing, and retards the escape of moisture from the soiL Li'the fall a covering of short manure will .=ierve the double purpose of enriching the soil and sheltering the plants during winter. Tan bark has been much recommended for this purpose, and has been pro- nounced a special manure for the strawberry. I have used it largely for many years, but have not discover- ed its utility as a manure ; its protecting qualities cannot be questioned, and :nay be usefully employed as a substitute — but not equal to a mixture of partly decomposed leaves and stable-yard manure — for win- ter covering. The long list of named varieties, and the constant additions to the list, renders it diSicult to make a choice selection; some catalogues enumerate over 100 named sorts. Having tested at least half that number, I prefer and would recommend the three fol- lowing as combining all that has been attained in this fruit: 1. For flavor alone. Burr's Pine. 2. For size and flavor, Hovey's Seedling, and for size, M'Avoy's Su- perior. These, with a few plants of the Cushing, or Buist's Prize, as fertilizers, will leave little to be de- sired in the excellence of this valuable fruit. — Wil- liam Saunders, in Germantown Telegraph. PuNCTDALiTT begcts confidence, and is the sure path to honor and respect. CULTIVATION OP PLANTS AND FLOWERS. 155 JL^Sie^' ^cpi[\'i\Jic'(}i. CONDUCTED BY MRS. C. P. T., RICE LAKE, C. W CULTIVATION OF PLANTS AND FLOWEES. 0.\ the laying out of a garden, the soil and situa- tion must be considered as much as the nature of tlie ground will admit. Many soils which are harsh or arid, are susceptible of improvement by a little pains. Thus, a stiff clay, by digging well and leaving it to become pulverized by the action of the frost, and then mixing plenty of ashes with it, becomes a fine mold, which I have ever found most excellent for all flowers of the hardier kind. The black soil is the richest in itself, and requires no assistance beyond changing it about a foot in depth every three years, as a flower garden requires renewing, if a lady expects a succession of handsome flowers. The ground should be well dug the latter end of September or October, or even in November, and if the soil is not sufficiently fine, let it be dug over a second or third time, and neatly raked with a very fine-toothed rake. Stony ground requires riddling well, and great care must be taken to keep it neat by picking up the little stones which constantly force themselves to the sur- face after rains. Nothing is so unbecoming as weeds and stones in parterres, where the eye seeks flowers and neatness. Almost every plant loves sand ; and if that can be procured, it enriches and nourishes the soil, especially for bulbs, pinks, carnations, auriculas hyacinths, itc. Let it be mixed in the proportion of a third part to the whole. If the dead leaves are swept into a mound everj antumn, and the soap-suds, brine, &c., of tlie house be thrown upon it, the mass will quickly decompose, and become available the following year. It makes an admirable compost for auriculas, &c., mixed with garden or other mold. If the ground be a gravelly soil, the flower-garden should not slope, for stony ground requires all the moisture you can give it, while the sloping situation would increase the heat and dryness. A moist earth, on the contrary, would be improved by being sloped towards the east or west. The south is not so proper for flowers, as a glaring sun withers the tender flowers ; but the north must be carefully avoided, and shut out by a laurel hedge, a wall, or any rural fence garnished with hardy creep- ers, or monthly roses, which make a gay and agreea- ble defence. Monthly roses are invaluable as auxili- aries of all kinds. They will grow in any soil, and bloom through the winter months, always giving a delicate fragrance, and smiling even in the snow. Monthly roses will ever be the florist's delight : they are the hardiest, most delicate-looking, and greenest- leaved of garden productions; they give no trouble, and speedily form a beautiful screen against any of- fensive object. No flower garden should exist with- out abundance of monthly roses. It has often been a disputed point whether flower gardens should be intersected with gravel walks or with grass plots. This must be left entirely to the taste and means of the parly forming a garden. Lawn J8 as wet and melancholy in the winter, as it is beau- tiful and desirable in the summer; and it requires great care and attention in mowing and rolling, and trim- ming round the border. Gravel walks have this ad- vantage : the first trouble is the last. Many females are unequal to the fatigue of bend- ing down to flowers, and particularly object to the stooping posture. In this case, ingenuity alone is required to raise the flowers to a convenient height; and by so doing, to increase the beauty and pictur- esque appearance of the garden. Old barrels cut in half, tubs, pails, &c., neatly painted outside, or adorned with rural ornaments, and raised upon feet neatly carved, or mounds of earth, stand in lieu of richer materials, such as vases, parapet walls, and other expensive devices, which ornament the gardens of the wealthy. I have seen these humble materials shaped into forms as pleasing to the eye, and even more consonant to our damp climate, than marble vases. They never look green from time, and are renewed at a very trifling expense. A few pounds of nails, and the unbarked trimmings from fir planta- tions, are the sole requisites towards forming any de- vice which a tasteful fancy can dictate ; and a little green paint adds beauty and durability when the bark falls from the wood it protects. I have seen fir balls nailed on to these forms in tasteful patterns; and creepers being allowed to fall gracefully over the brims, give a remarkably pleasing and varied appear- ance to the parterre. Krery lady should be furnished with a gardening apron, conqxised of stout Holland, with ample pock- ets to contain her pruning knife, a small, stout ham- mer, a ball of string, and a few nails and snippings <;f cloth, ifave nothing to do with scissors ; they are excellent in the work room, but dangerous in a flower garden, as they wrench and wound the stems of flowers. The knife cuts slanting, which is the proper way of taking oS' slips; and the knife is suffi- cient for all the purposes of a flower garden, even for cutting string. There are many modes of adorning a small piece of ground, so as to contain gay flowers and plants, and appear double its real size. By covering every wall or palisade with monthly roses and creepers of every kind, no space is lost, and unsightly objects even contribute to the general eflect of a "plaisaunce." The larger flowers, such as hollyhocks, sunflowers, &o., look to the best advantage as a back ground, either planted in clumps, or arranged singly. Scarlet lychnis, campanula, or any second-sized flowers, may range themselves below, and so in graduated ordir, till the eye reposes upon a foreground of pansies, au- riculaa polyanthuses, and innumerable humbler beau- ties. Thus all are seen in their order, and present a mass of superb coloring to the observer, none inter- fering with the other. The hollyhock does not shroud the lowly pansy from displaying its bright tints of yellow and purple; neither can the sturdy and gaudy sunflower hide the modest double violet or smartly clad anemone from observation. Each flower is by this mode of planting distinctly seen, and each contriputes its beauty and its scent, by re- ceiving the beams of the sun in equal proportions. If the trunk of a tree stands tolerably free from deep, overshadowing branches, twine the creeping rose, the late honeysuckle, or the everlasting pea 156 CULTIVATION OF PLANTS AND FLOWERS. round its stem, that every inch of ground may be- come available. The tall, naked stem of the young ash looks well festooned with roses and honeysuckles. Wherever creeping flowering plants can live, let them adorn every nook and corner, stem, wall and post; they are elegant in appearance, and many of them, particularly clematis, are delicious in fragrant scent. If flowers are planted in round or square plots, the same rule applies in arranging them. The tallest must be placed in the center, but I reccomniend a lady to banish sunflowers and hollyhocks from her plots, and consign them to broad borders against a wall, or in clumps of three and three, as a screen again.st any unsightly object. Their large roots draw so much nourishment from the ground, tiat the lesser plants suffer, and the soil becomes quickly exhausted. Like gluttons, they sliould feed alone, or their com- panions will lauguish in starvation, and become im- poverished. The wren caimot feed with the vulture. Flowers are divided into three classes: — annuals, biennials, and perennials. Annuals are those flowers which are raised from seed alone, in the spring, and which die in the au- tumn. They are again divided into three classes : — the tender and more curious kinds, the less tender or hardier kiuds, and the hardiest and common kinds. Biennials are those flowers which are produced by seed, bloom the second year, and remain two years .in perfection, after which they gradually dwindle and die away. Some sorts, however, of the biennials, afford a con- tinuation of plants by offsets, slips and cuttings of the tops, and by layers and pipings, so. that, though the parent flower dies, the species are perpetuated, particuUuly to continue curious double-flowered kinds, as for instance, double rockets, by root 'offsetts, and cuttings of the youag flower stalks; double wallflow- ers by slips of the small top shoots ; double sweet- williams by layers and pipings, and carnations by layers. Perennials are those flowers which continue many years and are propagated by root offsets, suckers, parting roots, etc., as will be more fully particularized under the head of perennials. It has been a debated point among florists whether plots or baskets should be devoted each to a partic- ular variety of flower, or receive flowers of diffei-ent kinds, flowering at separate seasons. Thus, many ladies set apart one plot of grouad for anemones on- ly— another plot receives only pansies, and so on. There is much to be said on both sides of the ques- tion. Every flower may be supplied with its favorite soil with a little patience and observation. A light soil suits all descriptions very well ; and I never yet found disappointment in any description of earth which was thoroughly well dug, and dressed yearly from the mound of accumulated leaves and soap-suds, before alluded to. I particularly recommend a por- tion of sand mixed with the heap. All bulbs, car- nations, pinks, auriculas, ranunculuses, &c., love a mi.xture ot sand. I know no flowers of the hardy class which reject it. Mix sand well into your bor- ders and plots, and you will not fail to have hand- some flowers. Ants are very great enemies to flowers; but I know no method of attacking them except in their own strongholds, which I have always done with cruel in- trejjidity and success. My only plan was to lay open the little ant-hill, and pour boiling water upon the busy insects, which destroyed at once the common- wealth, and the eggs deposited within the mound. In some places ants are extremely large and abun- dant, and they quickly destroy the beauty of a flow- er by attacking its root and heart. The term deciduous, applied to shrubs, signifies that they shed their leaves every winter. Herbaceous plants, signify those plants whose roots are not woody, such as stocks, wallflowers, &e., &c. jPiirous-rooted plants, are those whose roots shoot out small fibres, such as polyanthuses, violets, &c. Tubereus-rooted plants, signify those roots which form and grow into httle tubes, such as anemones, ranunculuses, &c. Perennials are flowers of many years' duration ; and they multiply themselves most abundantly by suckers, ofl'sets, parting the roots, &c. They require little trouble beyond taking care to renew the soil every year or two by a somewhat plentiful supply from the compost heap; and by separating the offsets and parting the roots in autumn, to strengthen the mother plant. When the flowers are past and the stems have decayed, then the operation may take place. Choose a showery day for transplanting the roots, or give them a moderate watering to fix them in their fresh places. When you transplant a flower root, dig a hole with your trowel sufficiently large to give the fibers room to lie freely and evenly in the ground. I hare laid great stress upon possessing a heap of compost, ready to apply to roots and shrubs every spring and autumn. Wherever the soil is good, the flowers will bloom handsomely; and no lady will be disappointed of that pleasure, if a compost heap forms one essential, in a hidden corner of the flower garden. If you raise your perennials from seed, sow it when the ground has become thoroughly warmed, in a bed of light earth, in the open ground. Let the bed be in a genial, warm situation, and divide it into small compartments; a compartment for each sort of seed. Sow the seed thin, and rake or break the earth over them finely. Let the larger seed be sown half an inch deep, and the smaller seed a quarter of an inch. Water the beds in diy weather often, with a watering-pot, not a jug. The rose of the watering- pot distributes the water equally among the seed- lings; whereas, water dashed upon them from a jug falls in masses, and forms holes in the light earth, be- .sides prostrating the delicate seedling. About the end of May, the seedlings will be fit to remove into another nursery bed, to gain strength till October; or be planted at once where they are to remain. Put the plants six inches apart, and wa- ter them moderately, to settle the earth about their roots. But it is rarely required to sow seed for perennial plants; they multiply so vigorously and quickly of themselves, by offsets; and cuttings may be made of the flower stalks in May and June in profusion. The double scarlet lychnis, and those plants which rise with firm flower stems, make excellent cuttings, VEGETABLES AND THEIR COOKERY. 15T i grow freely when plnutcd in moist weather. Dou- rockets, lychnidea, and many others, succeed well. !!Jarnation and pink seedlings must be taken great e of. They will be ready to plant out about the Idle of June, and as innumerable varieties spring ai sowing seed, they should be planted carefully I bed by themselves sbt inches asunder^ and they flower the following year, when you can choose colors you most approve. Carnations properly k under the head of biennials; but pinks are strict- jerennial plants, and much has been written upon i hardy and beautiful flower. It comes originally n a temperate climate, therefore the pink loves de: the fervid sunbeams cause its flowers to lan- ih and droop. You may give them an eastern set. $e careful to watch pinks when they are budding, do not allow two buds to grow side by side, ch off the smaller bud, which would only weaken ;ompaniou. Keep the plants free from decayed •es, and gently stir the earth round them occasion- with your small trowel. This operation refreshes n. Stake them neatly, that they may not fall itrate after rain. f you wish to preserve any particular pink, let it .v in a pot, or upon a raised platform, that it may ilaced beyond the reach of hares, rabbits, or poul- and be more easily sheltered from long and severe t or rains in winter, and from the di-y heats in mer, either of which destroj-s the beauty of the er. The pots can be sunk in the ground in fine ther. Do not hide your piuks among larger flow- let them be distinctly seen. If you water pinks much, their roots become rotten; and if you suf .hem to be too dry, they become diseased. Be- 3 of extremes. The best rule is to keep them moist. A fine pink should not have sharp-pointed er-leaves; they should be round and even at their ;s, and the colors should be well-defined, not run- one into the other. The flower should be large; lould possess a great many leaves, and form a sort ome. Piping and slipping is the most expedi- 5 mode of propagating plants from any selected ansies, violets, &c., are very easily propagated by ing the roots when the flowers are past. Pan- are very beautiful flowers; and cuttings of their ig shoots will grow very freely if kept moist and led for some httle time. By refreshing the soil y year, you insure large flowers. Pansies and its bloom early in the spring, [epaticas must be parted like violets. They ap- ■ so very early in the year that no garden should t without these gay and modest flowers. The es appear after the flower has passed away, he polyanthus blooms among the early trilie. In iting this flower, be careful to insert the roots I in the soil, so that the leaves may rest upon it, the roots are produced high upon the stem, and 'e roots must be enabled to shoot into the soil. polyanthus, like almost every other flower, loves )od soil, with a mixture of sand. II dividing these filirous-rooted perennial plants, only the strong ofi'sets, with plenty of fibers at- led to them. 'olyanthuses, auriculas, double daisies, double cam- omile, Loudon pride, violets, hepaticas, thrift, prim- rose.s, gentianella, &c., succeed well, taken up and di- vided in September, for they will all have done flow- ering by that time. Indeed, all perennial fibrous- rooted plants may be taken up in October to have their roots parted, and the soil refreshed round them. Peonies, and all knob-rooted plants, should be ta- ken up in October, to part their roots and transplant them to their intended positions. The saxifrage has very small roots, which are apt to be lost in borders if not carefully looked after. Like the anemone, Arc, sift the earth well for them. Dahlias re(iuire a word or two upon their culture. They love sand, therefore allow them plenty of it, but do not put manure to their roots, which throws them into luxuriant leaf and stem, to the deterioration of the flower. Peat mold is good, if you can obtain it, to mis with the sand, as it assists the flower in devel- oping stripes and spots. Train each plant upright, upon one stem only, and give it a strong stake to support its weight, which soon succumbs under gusts of wind. Plant them in open and airy places. AVhen the stems become black, take them up, separate the roots, and plunge them into a box of ashes, barley ehafl', or sand, to protect them through the winter. Plant them out in May. — Ladies' Flower Gardener. VEGETABLES AND THEIB COOKERY. TuE following remarks upon vegetables and their cookery, in the Soil oj the South, are worthy an at- tentive perusal : The peculiar flavor of asparagus, green peas, green corn, tomatoes, squash, egg plant, and salsify, cannot be imitated by art, but is very easily spoiled by the cook. There are many vegetables that should be cooked so as to preserve the green color. Such as asparagus, spinach, green peas, snap beans, okra, etc., this can- not be done if cooked in iron. Brass, or vessels lined with porcelain, will preserve the green of nature. How often do we see okra as black as ink from being cooked in iron ffissels, and green peas that are black peas. It is not the looks alone, but the flavor is not as good as when the green is preserved. jlsparagus. — This delicious vegetable is not yet appreciated in the up-country of the South. Tie the stalks in small bundles, and drop them into boiling water, with a good portion of salt; ten or fifteen min- utes' boiling is enough. Place some slices of soft toast in a deep dish, and take the asparagus up on the toast; saturate the whole with sweet butter, and pepper to taste. Snap Beans. — Having taken off the strings, snap them, and drop into boiling water, with the addition of salt. Try with a fork, and when tender, take up, and serve with melted butter or good sweet cream. Many cooks snap with meat — but they are only greens cooked with meat. Butter Beans. — Having shelled them, drop them into cold water ; as the water boils, add salt. Try with a spoon, and when done, serve up with melted butter. Beets. — No knife should ever touch a beet previous to boiling; rub the leaves off by hand, for if there ia 158: ■HINTS FOR HOUSEWIVES. a wound made iu the beet, the best of its juices will be lost in boiling. Drop the beets into boiliiig water, with a handful of salt. Most cooks take beets from the boiling kettle and place them in cold water, for the ease with which the skin peels off. This should never be done, as they part with one-half their flavor. When taken from the pot, let them drain, then peel and slice them, butter, pepper and salt them, or pour good vinegar over them, which many prefer. Cucumbers. — Who ever heard of cooking a cu- cumber? we hear our readers e.xclaira ! Try it; and then tell your neighbors how well a poor man may live in this country. Take the cucumber just as it begins to turn yellow, peel and slice it into salt and water; drop it into cold water, and boil until tender. Season with salt and pepper — mix with batter and fry. Few can tell it from egg plant. English Peas. — Green peas to be good must be young, and of quick growth ; after shelling, drop them into boiling water, with a little salt; there should be but just enough water to cover the peas; twenty minutes boiling will cook them. Just before taking up, add a lump of sweet butter, with pepper and salt to taste; cook them in brass or porcelain. Squash. — The early bush and crookneck, are only fit to cook when very young. Cut the stem and flower.ends off, and drop into boiling water; when done, take up and drain through a colander, then with a wooden spatula mash until the mass is perfect jelly. Now add sweet butter, salt, and pepper, and serve up for the table. Marrow squashes should be split open, the seeds taken out, the skin taken oS', and dropped into boiling water. When done, take up and mash ; add sweet butter, salt and pepper ; break three or four eggs into the mass, stir it well ; place it in a shallow dish and bake it. Should the squash prove dry, a little sweet milk may be used to moisten it. Cooked in this way, it will prove what its name imports — marrow, indeed. Spinage. — This is one of the most delicious of the whole tribe of the greens family. Wash the leaves carefully, and drop them into boiling water, in which there has been a little salt put; ten or fifteen minutes will be enough to cook them.. When done, take up and drain through a colander. Now season with butter, pepper and salt, and lay over some slices of toasted bread, and serve up for the table. Salsify or T'egetable Oyster. — Wash the roots perfectly clean, and drop them into boiling water ; when done, take up and mash ; add sweet milk and flour sufficient to make a batter. Season with salt and pepper, and such other condiments as the oyster requires, and fry in butter. Another way in which they are very delicious is, to grate the root on as fine a grater as it will pass through; add sweet milk just enough to cover it, and boil; when done, add flour enougli to make a batter; season with salt and pep- per; break two or three eggs in, and stir the whole together; fry in butter or very sweet lard, and the resemblance to oysters is complete. Irish Potatoes — There are many ways to cook this vegetable to make it delieiou.s, and yet our hotels seldom have them fit to eat upon their tables. An Irish potatoe, to be good, must be mealy when boiled. To secure this, select good potatoes, wash them cleun, cut the skin from both ends, drop them into boiling water, with a handful of salt; tlie moment a fork will penetrate them freely, turn the water all off, and let them steam until dry. Take up hot and send tc the table. Those left over dinner, may be sliced anc fried. Salt them well and fry brown. Anothei method of cooking the potato is, to peel and slice id them raw; let them soak in cold water two houn before cooking, to extract the bitterness. Now boi in salt and water ; when nearly done, turn off thi water, substitute sweet milk, add a lump of butter with black pepper, and serve up for the table. An other way of cooking the potato, is to make it int( bread. Boil the potatoes, skin and mash them b; hand; add sweet milk, and one-half flour, stir it well season with salt and butter, turn into deep dishes am bake. Vegetable Seasoners. — Parsley, celery, thymb 3 sage, onions, garlic and other seasoners, should noi $ be put into soups or stews until the soup is nearli done; chop fine, and put in five minutes before tb soup is taken from the fire. HIHTS FOK HOUSEWIVES. Furniture Poi.i.sn. — An equal mi.xture of swe6' oil and vinegar. This must be used constantly, an. the furniture afterward.s well rubbed with a chamo: leather. This is an excellent puli.sh for mahogan; Furniture cream for polishing wood, is made with tw ounces of pearl-ash, one gallon of soft water, om pound of bees-wa-x, a quarter of a pound of soaji boil until dissolved, spread it with a painter's brusl and polish ofl' with a leather. To Iron Velvet. — Having ripped the velvf apart, damp each piece separately, and holding tightly in both hands, stretch it before the fire, tl wrong side of the velvet being towards the fire. Th will remove the creases, and give the surface of tl material a fresk and new appearance. Velvet cai not be ironed on a table, for, when spread out on hard substance, the iron will not go smoothly ov( the pile. Apple Jam. — Pare and core the best eating a] pies as for jelly. Put them in a pan with wat< enough to cover them, and boil over a clear and bris fire till they can be reduced to a mush. To ever pound of pared apple, weighed before boiling, adi after boiling, one pound fine, sifted sugar. Agital well while hot, and after adding the sugar, and whe reduced to a jam, place it in pots, and set away fc use. The better the apples are, the better will b the jam. Bologna Sausages. — The following is a Moni gomery County Housekeeper's Recipe for makin] Bologna Sausages. There is one satisfaction in usin, your own manufacture of this article — you knoi what kind of meat they are composed of Chop ten pounds of the round of beef very fine cut two pounds of the fat of fresh pork in the sann manner; add quarter ounce of cloves;, quarter ounc of mace, pounded very fine, two and a half ounce black pepper. Mix all well together and let it la; over night; then stuff it tight in heavy muslin bags and lay them four or five days in pickle; after whicl drain them, smoke them a week, and hang them uf where they wiU dry. — T., in the Germantoivn Tel. h EDITOR'S TABLE. 159 Prospects fob tue Season. — That good prices will obtained for agricultural products of every description, now apparent to all ; and were it not that we are the ost extravagant people on earth, there would be nothing prevent uur becttniing wealtliy and independent. We e rich in the elements of wealth, but wealth and the ans of wealth, however abundantly possessed by indi- luals or nations, will be of little avail to spendthrifts, as videnced by the records of the custom house, in the ex- iva^ance of foreign silk and gewgaws. "We must be Qtent, having earned our money, not to spend it for arti- s of luxury, or for those things which can equally as :U be made at home as abroad. But it seems in vain to show the right while fashion says standard shall be, not one's own comfort, but the ap- araace one can make in other people's eyes ; and in our n city, even, while money the past winter and spring has in worth from two and a half to three per cent, a month, ! butterflies of fashion have ornamented themselves as Mdily and in as costly a manner as though gold could be fl for the asking, and a thousand dollar bridal parapher- lia is not too extravagant, so that all rivals may be d. We do not anticipate that the quantity of wheat in the tes proper can be materially increased, except by means better and more careful cultivation. The skinning pro- s has been so long practiced, that years will be required restore many of our farms to their former fertility. e lands on which wheat can be grown with a certain >spect of an average crop, (the Canadas excepted,) have iriy all been put under cultivation. The war on the iropean continent, while it withdraws millions of able- flied men from the cultivation of the soil, thus turning iducers into consumers, enhances the price of grains. ;ause the fruits of war are waste in every form and in ry thing, and more particularly waste of labor, money, i life, the three essential elements of national wealth, able writer in the London Farmers^ Magazine, says : t is now evident that throughout "Western Europe, at ist, consumption has overtaken production. The two ases which have operated in England to increase the asuraption of food and to decrease its production are, «t, increase of population, which, as there is only a given antity of tillable land, causes the disproportion to be ,'ger every year ; second, with increase of population ;re has been a corresponding increase in the consump- animal food, as well as vegetable, requiring a larger pply of cattle, both for the butcher and the dairy, and Qsequently a larger breadth of grazing and arable land • the production of green crops to rear and feed them. ■' The same considerations," he further states, " apply to ance, with this addition : the large absorption of land the cultivation of the Silesian beet root, to supply the anufacturers of sugar. • The same causes are operating in Prussia, Austria, elgium, Holland, Bavaria, and most of the minor Ger- man St;ites. In only Holland and Belgium is agriculture flourishing, and even they are grazing more than agricul- tural countries, and are themselves large purchasers of grain from the Baltic ports." Such being the facts, there is every inducement then lield out to American farmers to devote every available field to the growth of some crop that will feed both man and beast ; but while doing that, remember the land must be fed, if it is to feed you, a proper rotation of crops must be practiced, and, above all, a rigid economy in the saving and application of manures. In many sections where winter wheat cannot be success- ully grown, we are confident that spring wheat will be found a very profitable crop ; and according to some an- alyses that we have seen, it is represented as being richer in the elements of nutrition than winter wheat, though much depends, we should think, upon the soil and the va- riety grown, and also the variety with which it is compared. Fair crops of spring wheat of the Scotch or Fife variety have been obtained in this vicinity, when sown as late as the 15th of May ; and a Canadian correspondent of the Country Gentleman (a periodical, by the way, tr*e to its name, and worthy a place by every fireside) states that good crops have been grown when sown as late as the 25th of May, and that a better yield was obtained when sowing was delayed until the ground had become warmed by the sun and air, than when sown as early as is customary. In former numbers we kave shown the value of root crops as a substitute for hay and grains in stock feeding, and we trust that no one of our readers will neglect their growth and cultivation. Of Indian corn, our truly native grain, we will say but little, only to urge its extensive cultivation ; and especially do we recommend the devoting of a portion of your tilla- ble land to its cultivation as a forage crop. Sown in drills nine inches apart, and cut when just about to ear, several tons of the very best of forage for stock, and especially for milch cows, may be had per acre at hut comparatively small expense. Try it and see if it is not so. For some years past, though the rot seems to be passing away, the yield of potatoes per acre has been gradually diminishing. Theory shows that it requires a soil rich in alkalies and phosphates, and practice tells as that on freshly tilled virgin soils, one rarely fails of having good, sound tubers, and a good yield. Guano has been found an excellent manure for them, increasing the yield per acre to a degree generally much exceeding its cost. A friend, who was induced to make the experiment of mixing lime, ashes and plaster, for the purpose, to use his own words, " of seeing if the papers did tell the truth or not," informs us, that whether it was owing to the use of such a com- pound or not, (about a small handful being applied to it in each hill at the time of planting.) his crop of potatoes last fall was better than he had had for many years pre- vious. Some four years since, having occasion to grade a lot, the soil was removed to the depth of about two and a half feet, and 100 bushels of ashes (being at the rate of 500 bushels to the acre) were then spread evenly over the sur- face, and plowed in as deeply as could he done wUh a stout 160 EDITOR'S TABLE. two-horse team. The lot was then planted with corn. The stalks were of but medium length, but the ears were uncommnuly large and well filled. The next two seasons their owner planted it with potatoes, and at a time when every other potato patch in its vicinity showed unmistaka- ble symptons of the rot, in decayed and decaying tops, tlie vines in the ashed lot were of a deep gre^, and grew with great rapidity in size and length. All may not derive benefit from such a practice, but in our own case and ex- perience, we have found the application before spoken of an excellent one for potatoes in tlie liill, and also when applied at the time of the first and second hoeings. C. M. Saxton & Co., 152 Fulton street. New York, pro- pose to reprint from the English edition, Davies' Devon Herd Sook. It contains the pedigrees of some thousands of Devon cattle, both of England and America. The ped- igrees of American herds contained in the English edition will be corrected and extended, where the editor has, from knowledge, the means, or where breaders and owners will furnish the means to do so. An appendix will be added, containing authentic pedigrees of American Devon cattle, not included in tlie English edition. To this end they re- quest the co-operation of breeders and owners, by for- warding their pedigrees immediately, postage paid, to C. M. Saxton & Co., New York. Those who will furnish cuts of portraits of their animals, and pay the cost of pa- per and printing, can have them inserted. This work is indispensable to every breeder of Devon cattle in America, and must be possessed by them if they would understandingly pursue their business. Breeders can afford to take a large number of copies to distribute to their customers and the public, as advertisements of their herds. The American edition will be edited by the Hon. Ambrose Stevens, editor of " Youatt and Martin on Cattle," " Youatt and Martin on the Hog," etc., etc. The following are but samples of many similar letters received by us every day. We can assure our frieneds it gives us much pleasure to think our efi^orts are apprecia- ted, and we shall continue to give a word in season in re- ference to the various operations of practical farming. Meanwhile, may we not ask our friends to show the Far- MEB to their neighbors and acquaintances, and act as agents in extending our list of subscribers ? " I have received your Farmer one year, and have sent my subscription for this year long ago. I hope you have received it, for I would not be without the Genesee Far- mer a year for five times the cost of it. I look upon it as being the best and cheapest work of the kind in the world ; and intend to do my best to get my brother farmers to subscribe for it. J. B. "South Yamhili., Polk Co., O. T." " Having but just begun my career as an agriculturist, I find the Genesee Farmer an almost invaluable com- panion. I find in it every month something that is direct- ly applicable to the work in hand, togetlier with a great many good ideas in relation to the rotjition of crops, &c. " Yours, N. C. \f. " Whitesbobo', N. Y." A National Sheei' Show. — The Wool-Growers' Ast elation of Western New York will hold a National She Show, at Bath, on the 29th, 30th and 31st days of M; 1855. The payment of one dollar enables any one to I come a member of the society. Officers for this year: — President — Wm. Baker, Urbai Corresponding Secretary — Wm. B. McKay, Bath ; /( cording Secretary — Robert B. Wilkes, Bath ; Tre( urer — Hon. Kehben Robie, Bath. There are also th teen Vice Presidents and several Corresponding Secretari PREMIUMS on fine WOOL SHEEP. First Class. — Sweepstakes Pen, best 10 fine wool ew $75. Best fine wool buck, over two years old, $50 ; do., $40 ; 3d do., $30 ; 4th do., $20 ; 5th do., $10. Atcarding Committee. — Wm. Wheeler, Wheeler, Sti ben Co.; Hector Hitchcock, Conesus, Livingston Co.; L. Monier, Naples, Ontario Co. Second Class. — Best five ewes with lambs, fine w< S30 ; 2d do., S20 ; 3d do., $10. Best five ewes two ye; old, $20 ; 2d do., $15 ; 3d do., $10. Committee. — Alex. Arnold, Avoca, Steuben Co.; W D. Dickinson, Victor, Ontario Co.; Chilson, Pavili Wyoming Co. Third Class. — Best five ewes one year old, fine wc $20 ; 2d do., $15 ; 3d do., SIO. Committee. — Solomon Hitchcock, Conesus; Cal Ward, Richmond, Ontario ; Galentine, Rush, Mom Fourth Class. — Best buck two years old, fine wi S30 ; 2d do., $20 ; 3d do., $10. Best buck one year i fine wool, $20 ; 2d do., $15 ; 3d do., $10. Committee. — Loomis Bunce, Milo, Yates ; C. D. Ch.ir Un, Urbana, Steuben ; Nathan Squires, Penn Yan, Ya No sheep will be allowed to compete for more than i premium, except in the fifth class. Fifth Class. — Best single ewe, fine wool, $10. I 3 ewes, fine wool, $15. Committee. — Daniel Gray, Wheeler ; Wm. A. Cc Lima, Livingston ; G. H. Wheeler, Wheeler. This class may be drawn from any of the foregoing pi We would invite the attention of our readers to tlie vertisement of Messrs. Rapalje & Co. They are n provided with a large and complete assortment of agric tural tools and implements, and they have paid partici attention to the selection of field and garden seeds. Fr theirlong experience in business, those wishing to purch may rely upon getting good and perfect implements ; The March number of tiie Farmer and Mechanic, pi lished at Paris, Kentucky, has an article copied from Farmer, without its proper credit. Exchanges are w come to our original articles, provided they give the usi credit. Several others have done the same, and we thi it is not doing as they would be done by. We have been at considerable trouble to reprint ba ' volumes of the Genesee Farmer, and can now sup] them, bound or unbound, from 184C to 1854, inclusi Bound, half .'^heep, postage prepaid, $1.00 per volun Bound and sent per express, 75 cents. Unbound, 50 cei per volume. EDITOR'S TABLE. ICl JnquirUs anir StnB&otrjff, Mr. KiMTOR : — Our prairie land, fresh broke, ia sure for a fair 3p of sprinj wheat of fair quality. After a few years* cropping K-(.'rt;un; somelimos uoing as well as fresh soii, sometimes rn arly failing, but rapidly deteriorating — i. e., growing more un- rtain. What clement of •wheat is probably first exhausted, and aat would supply it as a special manure ? Soil a deep, loose loam, uch nf it rather sandy. Is itibetter to plow in dry stubble than 1 it off? Suggestions on the above points would perhaps be Juble to other Iowa farmers. P. — Iowa, If clover can be successfully grown on j-our prairie land, has no superior as a preparative forwlieat. G. O. Tir- lNY, in the Transactions of the Wisconsin State Agri- ittiral Society for 18.52, recommends corn sown broad- ist and plowed under as a substitute for clover. We do )t know as the experiment has been tried. Lime is an dispensable element in a wheat soil. Suppose you apply few bushels to an equal number of perches of land, and >te the result, as compared with an equal quantity of ed sown on unlimed land. On sandy soils in some of our astern States, farmers are in the habit of applying ached ashes ; but in your locality they would, perhaps, ; too expensive. "We believe the tendency of cereal ops on the prairie lands is to straw rather than to seed, he straw of wheat contains a .large portion of silica — e seed but a very little. The straw has but little phos- loric acid in its texture, while it is an important portion the seed. On theoretical grounds, we would suggest at you make a trial of bone-dust, at the rate of ten bush- 's to the acre, or superphosphate of lime at the rate of ')0 fljs. to the acre, and compare results as directed be- re. Light, sandy land requires a free use of the roller t consolidate the soil. From what we can learn of prai- se land and soil, stock-husbandry promises a much surer :turn than raising cereal or grain crops. I WISH to make an inquiry through your valualile paper, how )ver seed is best gathered and cleaned. "What is the best machine [■ such uses ? and which is the best for seed, the first or second Dp? In "Western New York, the second growth of clover is "niversallj allowed to go to seed, and is gathered by ma- hines constructed for that purpose, wlien the dew is off. V^e have recently examined a model of a machine for eading and gathering clover, timothy, and other grass or rain seeds, invented by T. S. Steaj>man, of HoUey, N. Y. tis very simple in construction, easy to operate, and from ne peculiar action of the cutting knives, will not become logs^ed under any ordinary circumstances. It is drawn y one horse, and with it a man can gather the seed of rom eight to twelve acres per day. By removing a small ■earing wheel, it becomes a three-wheeled wagon box, nd can then be driven to the barn or wherever wished, t is also a self-raker, and with ordinary care we do not e how an ounce of seed need be lost. IMore information oay be obtained by addressing the patentee, T. S. Stead- lAN, of Holley, N. Y. Wecannot speak from experience to the merits of clover hullers, and should be glad to lear irom our correspondents as to the merits and demer- ts of the various machines now in use for that purpose. Havisg been a subscriber for the Gbxesbe Fakmer for the past seven years, I do not recollect of seeing any remedy for the blind- ness of sheep, or the cause of their becoming blind. My cei^bbor lias a line Uock of sheep, and some of them have become perfectly blind, that are young and licalty to all appearance. If you, or some of your correspondents will give some information and a remedy, you will oblige a subscriber. Jas. Nouthrup — Cameron. There are so many causes which may produce blindness, that the above question is somewhat difficult to answer- For instance, blindness may be caused by hard driving, be- ing chased by dogs, the intense glare of sunliglit on helds of snow, and some have thought the pollen of flowers will occasionally produce it — and sometimes it may be caused by infection or some epidemic influence. Blindness shows itself in different ways : in some the whole surface of the eye-ball has a light-blue color, while more commonly a white film gradually spreads over it till it has assumed a pearly whiteness. A writer on the subject states "that all kinds appear to be preceded or accompanied by inflamma- tion, and the principal remedy in all bad cases is bleeding from the vein under the inner angle of the eye on the side of the nose. After properly securing the animal, place the left hand on the vein, about two inches from the angle of the jaw and opposite the third grinder, and immediately upon the vein becoming full, puncture it in a spot about an inch from the eye." Respecting washes, he says almost the only wash whicli can be of service is either a drop or two of vinous ttnctnre of opium introduced into the eye. Blindness is frequently hereditary ; and it would be advi- sable to ascertain the condition and soundness of the par- ent stock. What ia the reason the southern part of Wt stern New York is not well adapted for raising wheat • Are there any well authenti- cated experiments with lime or plaster^ or any other mineral which produced beneficial effects? If there are, I should like to know the particulars. I should be pleased to know the best plan for ma- king charcoal. I should also nke to know the best way of using muck for manure. Would it not be a good plan to haul it out, say in August, into piles of five or six loads, and mix about abushel of Ume to a load, with a sprinkling of plaster near the top to prevent the waste ef ammonia by the action of the lime ? Answers to the above, from you or any of your correspondents, will be thankfully received. Thomas Plato — Marilla, Erie Co.; N. Y. Our correspondent will see in the April number of the Farmer an exti'act from an essay on geology as connected with agriculture, which will answer his inquiries in [lart. His plan for making muck compost is first rate ; but too many are unwilling to be at the trouble of increasing their means of fertilization by similar plans, though it is an in- dispensible requisite for productive farming. "Will you oblige an old subscriber and the farmers generally, by stating in your valuable paper what cider mill is considered the best among the fruit-growers of New York State? We have in this section of Pennsylvania Arowsc's Portable Cider Mill, and Ota- pin's — the last named is, however, but little known. Will you in- form us what its reputatiou is at home, and whether there is some- thing of the kind still better. D. D. '^slauumi.— Reading. W. E. Hickok's patent mill is preferred by purchasers as being the best, or among the best now in use. 162 EDITOR'S TABLE. Some plan for saving' and applying manure, adapted to Email farms with limited means, without rebuilding a great deal, would be very useful to some of us in this region. I have noticed in some of our papers a plan for catching It in tubs or troughs, placed un- der the stables ; but how to preserve and apply, rather troubles us. If you could furnish the requisite information, it would be thank- fully received. J. B.— Virgil. The following extract from a communication in the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Societt/, may perhaps answer the inquiries of our correspondent: " Knowing something of the value of urine, and the pro- fit to be derived from it, I am tlie more anxious to induce others to trj it, and will therefore take this opportunity of saying something about the mode I have adojjted to collect it, and the expense of the tanks to retain it, which may be U'^eful to those who have not yet set about so important an operation in agricultural pursuits. •' My land is clay, 250 feet deep ; in this soil only have I had experience, so for this only do I prescribe. Having well considered where the liquid is to be used, as well as where it is to be made, and resolved upon the most con- venient situation. I have a hole dug full seven feet in diam- eter and twelve feet deep, tlie bottom being shaped like a basin, and well rammed, with a little water, into a good puddle. The construction of the tank Is commenced by the bricklayer forming a circle with bricks (four inch work") round an opening of hve feet, leaving a space behind the brick work to be filled and rammed well in with clay-pud- dle by the laborers as the building is worked up, no mor- tar being used with the bricks, or anything else till the dome is to be formed ; mortar or cement is then required, the roof is then arched in, a man-hole left in the center of each tank, and covered with a three-inch yellow deal cover (two-inch oak would be better.) One of these tanks, con- taining 1000 gallons, costs £2 17s. 6d. [about $14] in the following items, calculating to farmers who have the horses and carts in possession : £ s. d. Two farm laborers, each M day.. 0 2 0 "1 Occupied in digging the Two laboring lads, each 1 day... 0 3 01 hole,cartingaw.ayclay. One man 1 day 0 2 Of preparing puddle, and Two others, 1 day.. 0 6 oj ramming. One bricklayer, 1 day 0 4 6 One ditto laborer, 1 day 0 2 6 Three hor.ses and carls drawing away M mile, for want of nearer shoot, )2 day 0 4 6 8 feet of 3-ioch deal for cover, at 5>jd. per foot -.0 3 8 Labor and nails 0 0 10 Lime and sand for man-hole 0 2 6 900 place bricks - 1 7 0 £2 17 6 Several of these tanks should be made adjoining each other ; they then form a most excellent filter to keep back any hay or straw that would prevent the egress of the li- quid fiom the water-cart, receiving it into the first from the stables, and pumping it out from any other one of them. It must be observed, also, the tanks being formed, the drainage into them is the nextfeature to be considered. I have adopted a mode economical and eflFectual, by lay- iii" down in the pavement what is called at the iron works an angle-iron gutter of very small size, and covering the surface of it with a flat iron bar. just to lay within the surface of the gutter, wherein all t!ie urine is received and conveyed away immediately, and all the straw, dung, and dirt is kept out. Tliis is highly advantageous, as the urine is conveyed away immediately, witliuut escape of ammo- nia, and the little gutter may be uncovered as often as you please, and swept out with a broom. There is no under- drain to get stopped ; all can he seen and kept in order by a commonly useful person, without the aitl of what is c lUed a tradesman. I should like to see three of these little gutters dowti a stall, whereby all the urine would be c:iu,i;ht ; three gallons per day from each moderately-sized h papers which give full reports of th market, at fromthret to three and a half cents per pound by the carboy. It ii somewhat higher in price now than in former years, owing, to the great demand for sulphur in the manufactuie o: powder. The acid commonly purchased and used bj druggists is the concentrated sulphuric acid, which must he largely diluted before it can be applied to the diiSalving of bones. EDITOR'S TABLE. 163 iTiSHiXQ to cultivate some celery plants the present season, will 11 please give some directions for so doing through, the columns the Farmer. J. B. U.— Linden, Ind. Celery requires a deep, rich soil, manured with well- Dtted dung, and broken bones put into the trench we have nmd to be very bene^/icial. The soil in which the seed is be sown must be very finely pulverized, as one ounce of ed will make many thousand plants. When about eight iches hij^h. they may be transplanted to the trench, after aving- their tops and roots trimmed. They require to be loroun^hly watered when transplanted, and shaded by oards from the sun, taking care to remove them at night- 11, and so on until the plants become well started in their localities. The trenches may be about a foot in width id from fifteen to eighteen inches deep. Place three or ur inches of well-rotted manure in the bottom of each ench. and also the same depth of good light loam, and ix thoroughly together. When the plants are about "'teen inches high, commence earthing up. This requires re and patience. Take the stems in your left hand, and aw np the earth with the other hand, taking particular ire not to let dirt fall into the crown of the plant, which jures its taste and growth. Having fifteen or twenty dollars to spare, I would Uke to lay it it to the best advantage in books on agriculture but do not know lat ones to gv't, I should like to have some on practical as well theoretical farming. "Will you have the kindness to name, in ur next issue of the Farmer, a Ust of agricultural books and uir cost that stand highest in your esteem? B. T. 'R.—Newhurgk, . Y. The above will be answered in our next. TTill you tell me what is the beat remedy against the bee-moth has destroyed nearly all our hives in this section of the country. W. Helm— Paris, Wisconsin. You will find your query answered on page 08 of the 4ABHER for 1851. vE a fine cow suffering from garget. I say garget, but )t quite sure that that is the disease. She looks well, eats well, ■ eyes are bright, as is also her hair, which lies smooth. Still, e milk is stringy, and last year it nearly failed. Will you or of your corresponpents be so kind as to inform me of a rem- ty for the disease, and whether it is actually garget or not ? A TBSCBIBEE — Gatcs, N. Y. HORTICULTURAL. Inarchikg Plum and Pear Trees. (G. M. B.) The lum and pear trees, two to three inches in diameter, being icient of roots, which you have, may be inarched by laming young trees of tlie respective kinds near them, nd after they liave grown one season, you may then, early spring before the sap commences to circulate, cut out ith a sharp knife from the old plant a portion of the bark id the wood, so that when brought to the young plant, correspondclig cut out of it will exactly unite and fit. 'he whole ought to be bound with str.'ps of cloth which ave been dipped into melted grafting wa.\-. As soon as ley have firmly united, the top of the young plant should e cut off, throwing all the top in the old plant. They lay grow, but it can not be recommended to practice. Notitte at NtSn BoolsB, ^trioiiitals, &c. The NATrRAMZATio.v Laws of thu U.vited States, an'] also a Synopsis of the Alien Laws of all the Statep, with forms for nat- uralization. Rochfstor, N. Y.: D. M. Dkwey, Pulilisher. This work has been laid on our table by the enterprising publisher ; and upon inspection we find it to contain much matter of general interest to all classes of citizens. It al- so contains a table of the nativities of the foreign born population of the United States, and many other topics, which ill these times of excitement respecting our natu- ralization laws, &c., render it necessary for all to have as a matter of study and reference. Price per copy, 25 cts. ScHE.vcK's Gardener's Text Book: Containing 'practical diiec- tions upon the Formation and Management of the Kitchen Gar- den, &c. By P. A. SCHE.VCK. Boston : Jou.v P. Jewett & Co. Cleveland, Ohio : Jewett, Pkoctor & WoktuingtO-V. The above fully explains the design of the work ; and after a careful inspection we cordially commend it to our readers as a useful and valuable handbook of gardening. Tue exds asd means of a LlBERAi. EDUCATION : An Inqugural Address delivered July llth, 1854, by M. B. A-NDEkson, Pri si- dent of the L'niversily of Rochester. Rochester, N. Y. : Wm. N. Sage, Publisher. "We are indebted to the publisher for a copy of the above, which is truly an able and eloquent production. The claims of a liberal education, and the means by which it may be acquired, are detailed with great force and origi- nality. The Flower Garden, or Breck's Book of Flowers : In which is described all the various hardy herbaceous perennials, annuals, shrubby Jilants, and evergreens desirable for ornamental pur- poses, with directions for their cultivation. Second thousand. By Joseph Bkeck. Boston : J. P. Jewbtt & Co., No. 17 and 19 CornhiU. The above is well explained by its title, and it is gener- ally recognized as a standard work. Simple and chaste in style — plain in its directions — there is no work of its kind, to our knowledge, which we should prefer as a text-book and flower-garden companion. The American Frcit Book : a book for everybody. Twentieth Thousand. By S. W. Cole. Boston : J. P. Jewett & Co. Cleve- land, 0. : Jewett, Pkoctor & Wokthinton. The above contains directions for raising, propagating, and managing fruit trees, shrubs and plants, with a de- scription of the best varieties of fruit, including new and valuable kinds. TnE Slave op the Lamp ; A posthumous Novel. Bv TVu. Nokth, author of "Anti-Coningsby." New York : H. Lo'va .3 o 10,00; common good Indiana and Michigan $10 a 10,25; fancy Michigan $10,25 10,37 >^ ; common to good Ohio $10,00 a 10,25; fancy Ohio $10, al0,37,''^; extra Ohio $10,50 a 12,00; extra Indiana and Michig, $10,50 a 11,00; fancy Genesee 10,25 a 10,62,^^; extra Genesee $11, a 13,00. Wheat— per bushel, $2,62 a 2,80. Corn, per bushel, $1,07 a i.t Oata, 70 a 76c. Barley, $1,25 a 1,30. Cattle Market— Best Beef, \l% fll2c.; good, lOK a lie.; c dinary, 9?a 1 10c. Sheep, arerage of Bales, $5,42 per head. ADVERTISEMENTS, To secure insertion in the Farmer, must be received as early as t 10th of the previous month, and be of such a character as to of interest to farmers. Terms — Two Dollare for every hundr words, each insertion, paid in advance. DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE PIPE MACHINE. CHAENOCK'S PATENT. BY this MacbJne, Drainage and Sewerage Pipes of all descri tions, a^ well as perforated and other Bricks, Flooring TiJ &c., are molded with the greatest facility and precision. « A man and three boys can turn out from 5,000 to 10,000 feetfl pipes per day, according to sizes; and if worked by horse, st» or water power, a proportionate increase will be obtained, T This Machine is in extensive operation in England, where, 1 addition to the testimony nf numerous Tile Makers, as well as tb of some of the first Machinists of the day, the fullowiog Friz have been awarded to it : By the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, at its annual meeting, 1845, as the first Tile Machine with a con- tinuous motion, _ £b 0 0 By the same Society, the following year, as the best Machine of the day, _ 10 0 0 By the Lancashire Agricultural Society, at its annual meeting, 1845. ._ Silver Medal. By the Highland Agricultural Society, at its annual meeting in 1846, as the best Machine, _ 5 o 0 At the meeting of the New York State Agricultural Societv ; Sai-atnga (1853), a Working Model of this Machine wa-s awardt the SILVER MEDAL AND DIPLOMA; and at the Fall Exbib tions the same year of Lower and Upper Canada, held respecHvel at Montreal and Hamilton, the same Model wa= av/arded a DIPLf MA FROM EACH SOCIETY. It ^as awarded the F/RST PRIZ AND DIPLOMA at the recent Exhibition in London, C. W. The price of the Machine is X50 (half cash and remainder at si months), with five Dies for Pipes. Brick and other Dies at a mot erate charge. tW THE PATENTEE GUARANTEES THE EFFECTH' WORKING OF THE MACHINE. ,^^ iT^ All orders to be addressed lo JOHN H. CHARNOCK, Drainage Engineer, Hamilton, C. W., the Patentee. January], 1855.— tf " THOROUGH-BRED MARES FORs SALK ON accnnnt of tlic .mvixts leaving the counlry, two young full 1.Iu (Icsirahle animals for breeders of stocl They ■■an U- -c, i, I,, a] | li. aion to RirHARD S. CHARLES, Bel vidtre, Allegany Tu., X. V., who can give all iutjprmation inregai', to pedigree, price, &c. Feb. 1, 1854.— 3t, I ADVERTISEMENTS. 165 FABMEKS, ATTENTION! WE have now on hnnd and for s,i)e at the lowest cash prices 100 bushels Jfediuni Clover seed, 400 do Timothy seed from Indiana and Illinois, 150 do Ked Top seed, 100 do Kentucliy Blue Grass seed, 100 do Orchard Grass seed, 200 do Large Marrowfat Peas, 100 do Early June Peas, 200 do Early Kent Peas, 600 do Field Peas, best quality, 300 do rife Wheat (hald,) 200 do Club do do loO do Tup Onions, 50 do English Potjito Onions, 100 do Best Early Potatoes, And also a full assortment of the best and purest A^cultural and Gai den seeds ever oQ'ered in this market. All orders promptly attended to at J. RAPALJE & Co., April 1— It No. 65 Buffalo St., Rochester, N. Y. THE PEOGKESSIVE FAEMEH. THE cheapest agricultural paper iu the world. Eight pagi royal quarto, handsomely illustrated. Price 25 cents per ai I. A. M. Sp.ixgi.er, Editor. OfBce N. E corner Seventh an Market st., Philadelphia, Pa. April 1— 2t HENRY C. VAIL, CONSULTING AOIilCTLTURlST, NEWARK, N. J. WILL visit farms and cive suitable advice for their improve- ment, founded on an analysis of the soil and a statement of its mechanical condition. Letters of inquiry as to term.s, &c , will tnsure a reply and sati.sfactory evidence as to ability. REFEBliXCES.— Prof. Jas. J. Mapes, Newark, N. J.; R. L. Pell, Esq., of Pelham, Ulster Co., N. Y. ; J. J. Scoffleld, Esq., Morris- *»WD, N. J. ; Hon. John Stanton Gould, Hudson, N. Y. April 1— tf FEETILIZERS. ESTABLISHED NLVE YEARS. phi-vte No. 1 — by the New York Manufacturing Company , i)rice $40 per ton. Both these articles can be had at the depot, Nol .59 West street, city of Now York. Apiil— 3t ^? NOTICE. ERUVIAN GUANO.— Aa there are various substauces now of- . fering for Peruvian Guano ia the New York market, tu avoid tnposition be particular to obaerve that every bag nf tlio genuine Peruvian Guano has branded upon each — " Warranted No, 1 I'eru- Han Guano, imported into the irnited States by F. Eurreda, Bros., the Peruvian Government." When taken in quantities from 1 to 5 tons, $4S " " " " 5 to 10 " 47 " " " « 10 to 15 « 46 L further discount in larger quantity. 2,000 lbs. to the ton. A. LOXGETT, April 1— 2t 34 Cliff st., corner Fulton, New York. NEW CROP OF SEEDS. 'OR the spring of 1S55.— The old and well known ROCHESTER ; SEED STOKE, for the last ten years managed by the suliscri- ^ has been removed rrom;^29 Buffalo street to 34 Exchange street, two doors above the Clinton Hotel. S Claiming to know from experience, something of the value to le grower of good, fresh seeds, as well as the neces-sity of having rach kinds as will give the greatest and best return to labor, this be rad „ „ _ ■ranch of the seed business ha.s eurchasers may rely on correctness. _ ., mgly to deceive a customer." ".t is our intention to keep all the varieties of seeds desirable to grown in the Northern States. I shall have the large German Dlover, grown by the German Society of Farmers in Erie county. have sold this large variety of Cloverifor several years, and it has lever filled to give satisfaction. Fife's or Scotch Spring Wheat, grown in Canada; may be sown 1 late a.s the middle of May. Good crops were grown from tl " ariety list year in Monroe county. Flower Seeds, Bird Cages, Bird Seed, &c. April— 3t JAMES P. FOGG. READY ON THE TENTH OF M^\i{CH. "HISTORY OF THE HEN FEVER." iY GEO. P. BURXHAM. Twenty Illustrations. An onV.ial lumorous account of the POULTRY MANIA, by one who has »een there! Price $1.25 in cloth; $1.00 in paper, frymai;. Every- jody who loves to laugh, buys it. Address JAMES FRENCH & Co., Publishers, April— 3t Boston, Mass. GENESEE VALLEY NITESERIES.: A. FROST & 00., ROOHESTER, N. Y., SOLICIT the attention of amateurs, orcbardists, nurserj-men, and others about to plant, to their extensive stock of weU-growc Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Roses, &c. &c. The Nurseries are now very extensive, and embrace one of the largest and finest collections in the country, and their stock is far superior to any that they have before offered. It is partly com- prised in the following : Standard Fruit Trees. — Apple trees, eighty varieties ; Pear tree?, one hundred varieties; Cherry trees, si.xty varieties ; Plum trees, forty varieties ; Peach trees, thirty varieties; Nectarine, six varie- ties ; Apricot, six varieties ; and other kinds, comprising every sort of merit. Dwarf and Pyramid Fniit Trees, of every description, for culti- vation in orchards and gardens, have received particular attention. They embrace the following kinds, and comprise nearly the same number of sorts aa are grown for standards : Pears upon the best European Quince stocks. Apples upon Paradise and Doucain stocks. C/terries upon Cerasus Mahaleb stocks. Small FruitSy aa Currants, eighteen varieties ; Gooseberries, sixty varieties; Grapes, Native and Foreign, twenty-five varieties ; Rasp- berries, sis varieties; Strawberries, twenty Varieties ; and other miscellaneous fruits, as well as esculent roots, in variety. Deciduous and Evergreen Trees, for lawns, parks, street*", &c. Evergreen and Deciduous SfiT^bs, in great variety, including four hundred sorts of Roses. Hedge Plants — Buckthorn, Oaage Orange and Privet; and for screens and avenues, American Arbor VitEe (White Cedar), Nor- way Spruce, &c. herbaceous Plants. — A very select and extensive assortment. Green-house and Bedding Plants, of every description. All articles are put up in the most superior manner, so that plants, &c., may be sent thousands of miles and reach their destination in perfect safety. Parties giving tlieir orders may rely on receiving the best and most prompt attention, so that perfect satisfaction may be given the purchaser. The following descriptive Catalogues, containing prices, are pub- li.'shed for gratuitous distribution, and will be mailed upon every application ; but correspondents are expected to enclose a one cent postage stamp for each Catalogue wanted, as it is necessary that the postage should be prepaid : No, 1. Descriptive Catalogue of Fruits for 1854-5. No. 2. Descriptive Catalogue of Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Rosea, &c. &c., for 1854-5. No. 3. Wholesale Catalogue or Trade List, just published for the fall of 1854 and spring of 1855, comprising Fruits, Evergreens, De- ciduous Trees, &c. &c., which are oliered in large quantities. October 1, 1854.— tf MERINO SHEEP. THE subscriber will sell a few Spanish Merino Sheep — bucks and ewes — of undoubted purity of blood. He will also dispose of a part of his stock of imported Fbexch Merinos. Gentlemen purchasing from this flock can have the sheep for- warded to the principal Westetn towns at my risk. Sept. 1, 1854— tf R. J, JONES, Cornwall Vt. SUGAR GROVE FARM, 7 Miles from Dayton, owned by Jas. McGrew. '-^ysj, THE undersigned, successors of Jas. Sumpter & Co., will con- tinue the business of said firm and fill all the contracts made by it in Ohio and Illinois, and being thankful for past favors would now solicit future patronage. We design prosecuting our busineFS with redoubled energj'. We have no hesitancy in stating that we have tlie largest and best lot of Osage Orange plants ever grown on the continent, owing to the fact that the seed was planted where they did r jt sufTer fiom the severe drouth that has so generally prevailed throughout the country. We also import our own seed direct from Texas; it shall be fresh and of the best quality. All of which is warranted and will be sold at the lowest prices. Full directions for raising plants. Setting, Cultivating and Trim- ming in a manner that will secure succefs, will accompany each lot of seed and plants sold. We continue to plant, cultivate, trim and mature a complete fence at from 75 eta. to $1,00 per rod, one-third to be paid when planted, and the balance when completed. Hedges set and warrant ed at from 30 to 40 cts. per rod. Hefiges grown, for what disinter- ested persons will say they are worth, when matured. Hedgp* completely grown at $1,00 to $1.25 per rod, to be paid when a thc- rough fence is matured. E~; ^y — ' We ^ish a large num,ber of business men, living in localiliw where hedging is needed, to take hold with us in the planting ana growing of hedges, the sale of plants, seed, &c. Those having the confidence of their neighbors, shall receive a liberal oiler. Let us hearfiom you gentlemen. The entei-prise is not only laudible, but will pay. McGKEW, LEAS & CO. March, 1855.— 3t _ L^Dayton, Ohio, ADVERTISEMENTS. k-A^ ^1/ tW rtLEk b, nOR E 10 F i D CC NEW YORK STATE AGRICULTUKAL WOEK'^, BY WHEELER, MBLIOK & CO., ALBANY, W. Y. ENCOURAGED by the preference which has been given to our machines wlierever they have been introduced, we take pleasure in announcing to the farmers and planters of the United States, and to Dealers in Agricultural Machines generally, that our ar- ranKenien*.-5 for the year 1855. are on a scale sufficiently extensive ncieasin:^ orders with promptness and de- iui>? Id adopt every alteration that experi- Mi_''i I. -t 1. 1 nvfs to be valuable. Ournian- to enable ns to fill our W. i, mid Kiiii^i npotent and * labor-sa v'lxx^ machinery an npletcne s-i, bv any simUar e laiirh — 1 rnn, Wood, Found itii'"ii i'< -np.iintcndence -■:; il)'. inspects m iMiip. ^v have no job 01- piecework di-)ni>. In i>ui- l>ni- ■■\\:--. \-'n<-Q, our de- termination to make each ai-licle the be^t '- ^ :i< are required to thresh and separate only with iitli>[ I ' III : ;nid although designed for so complicated work, il i ■ ; I ' i' I ' f simplicity and compactness. The entire run- ning I a i.^ ;u I. 'li iven by the main belt and one small band. AVe havti no doubl it \A tlie most perfect machine in U)^e for threshing and winnowing. Driven by two horses, they thrc'sh and clean from 150 to 200 bushels of wheat, or twice Ihat (piantily of natsperday. We give a notice of it from the Valleij Farmer, published at St. I.nuis, Mo., and also two letters from gentlemen, who have the ma- chines in use, showing the estimation in which they arc held, pre- mising that these two are about an average of many other similar letters, which we can show : \FD THRE nrr A^D wiwo^er, [From the A alley Farmer of Angu«t, 1853 ] Whfeier s CoMni\ED Thresher a>d Winnower —We take- pleasure m laymg before our readers the following extract from a» letter just received by us from a very respectable individual Cape Giiardeau County, Mo., to whom we sold one of these m; chines about a week ago, with the understanding that if it did not work to his satisfaction he could return it to St. Louis at our pensp. It will be recollected that the manufacturers warrant these machines to thresh and clean from 150 to 200 bushels of wheatper day, or twice that quantity of oats : ' Apple Creek, Mo., July 18, 1853. ' Mr. E. AnnoTT— Dear Sir :— I have tried my Thresher and Win- nower, and it has given entire satisfaction. I have moved the i chine one mile, set it up, and threshed two hundred and forty-two bushels of wheat in one day, and have threshed forty bushels i honr. It works finely, and is considered the beat maehine to thresh and save grain in South-E.ast Missouri. IT CANT GO BACK TO ST. LOUIS. I think I shall thresh from 8,000 to 10,000 bushels o; wheat this season. Yours, truly, James F. Colyer.' '" Another [gentleman to whom we sold our Double Power r Combined Tiiiesher and Winnower, writing to us from Orange Co.. N. Y., under date of December 9th, 1853, says : "I have received the machine and used it, and it gires the verji best of satisfaciion that could be expected. " Yours truly, Henry J. Howe.' Having sold between 300 and 400 of the Winnowers during th(^ past seasfm. we could, if space permitted, give many other testimo- nials to their utility, but the above must suffice. OVXRSHOT THRESHER WITH VIBRATING SEPA- RATOR. This machine is also our own invention, and has been in us( or 14 years, and its many advantages are appreciated by other n ufactnrers, as well as the farming public. Driven by our Double* Power, it threshes and separates from the straw from 150 to 200« bushels of wheat, or twice as much oats, per daj'. For the Single* or One Horse Power, we make a fmaller Thresher and Separate which threshes from 75 to 100 bushels of wheat per day. The- small machine is adapted to moderate-sized farms, and as the Sin- gle Power is suflicient for sawing wood, churning, cutting stalkp, straw, etc., and driving almost every kind of machine used by far- mers, anil is; r;ip:ililo, liy chiintrinq: horses and elevating the Powei prui-fi l\ . i'!' ih'. -ii"ii-i ;;v;< Il j'.i-i- [ ili/iM we Stated above, it is a v<-r\' [>'■■■ :i !■ !;■ ■■■ ii'r. .:i --n ■■ ' - . We would also call espe- ci;il ,v I , ,, , !i, , 'il.iWe Saw Mills, and Stalk ;ind Shi' I i.t. ]^, MiLri I I \ I I li . r ;i.]apted to both onr Double and Pir-gle Powers. All our machines are warranted to give entire salisfaction, or they may be returned at the expiration of a reasonabletime for trial. PRICES. For Double or Two Horse Power, Thresher and Separator, includinp beltp, wrendies, and oil-cans, complete — $1*30 Double Power alone, includiiiEr belt 120 " without belt 115 Double Thresher and Separator, alone 40 Single or One Horse Power, Thresher and Separator, including belts, oil-cans and wrenches, complete 128 Single Power, alone, including belt 90 " without belt 85 Single Thresher and Separator, alone 38 Clover HuUers a 32 ADVERTISEMENTS. 167 » imil StHlk Cultors, for hOHe power 32 Circular Sinv Mill, willii;4 inch Saw , 38 Oao Horse Power,.without band wheel 80 Churn Gearing 13 Band Wheel 6 Band for Po»er 6 Doable I'oiver, with Combined Thresher and Winnower, inclu- ding'belts, wrenches, etc 243 im.iiied Thresher and Winnower, alone 1^5 Orders are solicited and will be promptly filled. Address WHEELER, MELICK & CO., M.ly— It Albany, N. Y. BOOKS FOR THE FARMERS^ FURNISHED BY THE PROPRIETOR OF GENESEE FARMER. I The Cow, Djiry Husban.h-y, and CatUe Breeding. Price 25 cts. If. E.'ery Lady her own Flower Gardener. Price 25 cents. Ill, riie American Kitchen Gardener. Price 25 cents. 1\'. Tue American Rose Culturer. Price 26 cents. V. Prize Essay on Manures. By S. L. Dana. Price 25 cents. VI. Skinner's Elements of Agriculture. Price 25 cents. VII. The Pests of the Farm, with directions for extirpfition. Price 25 cents. VUI H.*rses — their Varieties, Breeding, Management, &c. Price 25 cents. IX. The Hive and Honey Bee — their Diseases and Remedies. Price 25 cents. X. The Hog— its Diseases and Manaiement. Price 25 cents. XI. The Americin Bird Fancier— Breeding, Raising, &c. 25 cts. XII. Domestic Fowls and Uiuamental Poultry. Price 25 cents. XUI. Chemistry marie Ea*y lor the Use of Farmers. Price 25 XIV'. The .\merican Poultry Yard. The cheapest and best book pnlilished. Price SI. XV. The American Field Book of Manures. Embracing all the Fertilizers known, with directions for use. By Browne. $1.25. XVI. Buisfs Kitchen Gardener. Price 75 cents. XVII. Stockhart's Chemical Field Lectures. Price SI. XVIII. Wilson on the Cultiration of Flax. Price 23 cents. XIX. The Farmer's Cvclopedia. Bv Blake. Price $l.-25. XX. Allen's Rural Aicbi lecture. Pri.-e S1.25. XXI. Puelps's Bee Keeper's Chart. Illustrated. Price 25 cents. XXII. Johnston's Lectures on Practical Agriculture. Paper, )riee 25 cents. XXIII. Johnston's Agricultural Chemistry. Pace $1.25. XXIV. Johnston's Elements of A gricultural Chemistry and Geol >gv. Price $1. XXV. ftindall's Sheep Husband! V. Price $1.25. XXVI. Miner's American liee-Keeper's Marual, Price $1. XXVII. Dadd's American Cattle Doctor. Complete. Price $1. XXV'III. Fesseuden's Complete I'armer and Gardener. 1 vol. "rice $1.23. XXIX. Allen's Treatise on the Culture of the Grape. Price $1. XXX. Youatt on the Breeds and Management of Sheep. Price 46 cents. XXXI. Yonatt on the Hog. Complete. Pi ice 60 cents. XXXII. Youatt and Martin on Cittle. By Stevens. Price $1.25. XXXIII. The Shepherd's own Book. Edited by Youatt, Skinner ■nd Emdall. Price $2. XXXI V. Stephens's Book of the Farm ; or Farmer's Guide. Ed- el by Skinner. Price $4. XXXV. Allen's American Farm Book. Price $1. X>;XVI. The American Florist's Guide. Price 75 cents. X.'v.XVU. The Cottage and Farm Bee-Keeper. Piice 51 cents. XX.WIII. Hoare on the Culture of the Grape. Price 60 cents. -XXXI.X. Country Dwelhnes; or the American Architect. Price $6 XL. Lindley's Guide to the Orchard. Price $1.'25. XI. 1. (innn's Domestic iledicine. A book for every married man n.I n ..man. Price $3. XLII. Nash's Progressive Farmer. A book for every boy in the 3intrv. Price 50 cents. .XIJII. Allen's Diseases of Domestic Animals. Price 75 cents. XI.IV. Saxton's Rural Hand-book.s. 2 vols. Price $2.60. XLV Mealiie's Southern Agriculture. PiiceSl. Xi.VI. .Smith's Landscape Gardening. Containing hints on ar- in.-ing Parks, Plea.^ure Grounds, &c. Edited by Lewis F. Allen rice $1.26. RECENTLY PUBLISHED. XI-VII. The Farmer's Land Measurer; or Pocket Companion ] c ."0 ernts Xl.Vill. Hoist's American Flower Garden Directory. PiiceSl.25. XI. IX. The Ameri.-an Fruit (irower's Guide in Orchard and Gir- ■n. l:eiog the mM.st complete book on the subject ever published. L. yuinby's Slysteries of Bee-Keeping explaned. Price $1. The a'love will be sent fiCe upon receipt of ptice annexed. > CUTTER RIGHTS FOR SALE A TV. will test our Hav, St.ilk and Straw Cutter, patented ^'ovem- ber 8,h, 1.933, for speed, ease and durability, against any ■ r III the t'nited Stitea. J. JONES & A. LYLE. t:sf° For further information, dddreas JONES & LYl.R, Roch- lei, N. Y. February 1, 1861.— tf I EAKE AND VALUABLE SEEDS, BY MAIL, FUKE OF POSTAGE. Orange Watermelon, 16aei;^ The Floral King, 12 seeds 12^ Mexican wild Potatoes at $1 per bushel, and Sweet Potato plants at $1 per hundred, or S4 for live hundred, or $7.50 per thousand, de- livered to American Express Company at Macedon depot, New York Central Railroad. Please send current funds or gold; if not convenient to make change, I will return the change in Postage Stamps. I. W. BKIGGS, May— tf West Macedon, Wayne Co., N. Y. WM. H. LOOMIS, WHOLESALE and Retail dealer in Fruit and Ornamental Trees , Plants and Shrubs, of all the leading and most popular va- rieties. Standard and dwarf trees of Apples, Pears, Plums, Peach- es, Cherries, &c., all vigorous, stockey and well formed. Also, a general assortment of Gooseberries, Currants, Raspber- ries, &c. &c. Ornamental trees and shrubs of every variety ; Roses a large collection ; Green House plants can be furnished on the shortest notice. Also a large quantity of Field and (Jarden Seeds on band, and for sale at the lowest cash prices. Address (post- paid) Agricultural Rooms, South Bend, Ind. March. lSo5.~tf. WM. H. LOOJHS. ^onUnU of tt)i5 Number. Subterranean appli:ation of Liquid Manure 137 The Cells and Circulation of Plants 138 Lice on Cattle ..139 Grass and Grain Seed Header and Harvester.. _ 140 Improved Hay Fork 140 Letter from Chili 142 How to catch Gophers 142 Canadian Sheep Husbandry 14 J Potato Planter and Seed Drill 143 Cultivation of Barley 144 To keep Crows from Corn 144 Management of the Dairy 145 Hay Caps 147 Rearing Calves ...147 Halladay's WindmiU 148 HORTICtTLTURAL DKPARTMEJTT. .150 Hardy Roses - Collections of Roses 151 Hints on Gardening 151 Ravages of the Ba-a Louse.. 152 The Mysore Hexacentre 153 Strawberry Culture ...154 LADIES' DEFARTMEHT. Cultivation of Planisand Flowers 155 Vegetables and their Cookery 157 Hints for Housewives 158 EDITOR'S TABLE. "*" Prospeci? for the Season 159 National Sheep Show 160 Inquiries and Answers 161 Notices of New Books, Periodicals, &c _ 163 ILLUSTRATIONS. Steadman'a Grain and Grass Seed Header and Harvester 140 Improved Hay Fork _ 141 Htlladay's Wind-mill 149 UyBore Hexacentre —-—.--,-...-*..-,-.. ■-....153 ADVERTISEMENTS. THE DF^OH. IQSS. In presenting his Prospectus for Volume XVI., Second Series, of the GENESEE FAKMEit to its patrons ana friends, tlie undersigned returns his sincere tlianlis for the cordial appreciation and generous support extended during the past and previous years. The price vyill remain unchanged, though all the expenses connected with the mechanical department are much greater than in previous years ; and it is only by the voluntary aid of the friends of agricultural progress that lie is enabled to furnish so large an amount of reading matter in his monthly issues. He will be assisted in the Editorial Dapartment by Mr. W. D. ALLIS, who has been a regular contributor to its columns during the past year. Mr. JOSEPH FKO'ST will continue as Horticultural Editor. Increased efforts will be made to render the GENESEE FARMER worthy of support. Each subscriber is respectfully solicited to renew his subscription, and present the claims of the FARJIER to his friends ; and the re- sult will enable the proprietor more than ever to advance the interests of its readers. To enlarge the usefulness by extending tlie circvilation of the GENESEE FARMER, the undersigned will pay the following PREMIUMS on subscriptions to Volume X^'I., second series : FIFTY DOLLARS, IN CASH, to the person who shall procure the LARGEST NUMBER OF SUBSCRIBERS in any County or Dis- trict in the United States or Canadas, at the club prices. FORTY DOLLARS, IN CASH, to the one who shall procure tlie SECOND LARGEST LIST, as above. THIRTY DOLLARS, IN CASH, to the one procuring tlie THIRD LARGEST LIST. TWENTY DOLLARS, IN CASH, to the one procurins tlie FOURTH LARGEST LIST. TEN DOLLARS, IN CASH, to the one procuring tlie FIFTH LARGEST LIST. In order to reward every one of the friends of the GENESEE FARMER for his exertions in its behalf, we willl give to those not entitled to either of the above premiums, the following BOOKS, free of postage, or EXTRA PAPERS' a s may be preferred : 1. To every person who sends SIXTEEN subscribers, at the club terms of thirtv-seven cents each. ONE EXTRA. COPY OF THE FARMER, or a COPY OF LIEEIG'S LETTERS ON CHEMISTY AND AGRICULTURAL. CHEMISTY (pamphlet edition). 2. To every person sending for TWENTY-FOFR copies, as above, any AGRICULTURAL BOOK valued ati FIFTY CENTS, or TWO EXTRA COPIES OF THE FARMER. X To every person ordering TIIIRTY-TWO cojiies, any AGRICULTURAL BOOK worth SEVENTY-FIVE. « CENTS, or THREE EXTRA COPIES OF THE FARMER. 4. To every person ordering FORTY copies, any AGRICULTURAL BOOK valued at ONE DOLLAR, or' FOUR EXTRA COPIES OF THE FARMER. 5. To every person ordering FORTT-KTGHT copies, .any ARGRICULTURAL BOOK worth ONE DOLLAR AND TWENTY-FIVE CENTS, or FIVE EXTRA COPIES OF THE FARMER. For larger numbers, books or papers given in the same proportion. To save cost to our friends, we pre-pay postage on all books sent as premiums. Persons entitled will please state v.hether they wish books or extra papers, and iiia£e< their selection when they send orders, if they desire books ; or if they have not obtained as many subscribers as theyi intend to, we will delay sending until the club is full, if so requested. " We do not require that all "the papers of a cluDi should be sent to one post-oifice. If necessary for the convenience of subscribers, we are willing to send to as manyi different offices as there are members o the club. We write tlie names on each paper, when a number are sent to the same office, if desired ; but when convenient. Postmasters would confer a favor by having the whole number ordered at their own office, sent to their own address. JSS- As all subscriptions commence anew with the year, places where the FARMER was never before taken willl stand an equal chance in the competition for premiums. jSg- B.A.CK VOLUMES of the FAR:MER will be furnished, if desired, and counted the same as new subscribers. We shall keep a correct account of the subscribers sent by each person, and in the JULY NUMBER WE SHALL ANNOUNCE THE PREMIUMS. •a^ Specimen numbers, show-bills, &e., sent to all post-paying applicants. All letters must be post-paid or free. Subscription money, if properly enclosed and registered, may be mailed at oiu- risk. DANIEL LEE, Publisher aud Proprietor. _^™'5^^. Vol. XVI., Second Serie3. ROCHESTER, N. Y., JUNE, 1855. No. 6 THE GENESEE FARMER, A MOXTULY JOUR-VAL OF AGRICULTURE & HORTICULTURE. Volume XVL, Second Series, 1855 iOAIiriE;i< L.EE AND \V. D. Al.L,IS, KDITOKS. JOSEPH FROST, HORTICULTURAL EDITOR. ingle Copy, __ .?0.50 %e Copies, 2.00 ■ght CopieB, - 3.00 And at the .some rate for any lai-ger number. DAMEI, LKE, Publisher and Propriet'tr, Rochester, iV. T. lU! SOUTHERN FIELD PEA. A Field Pea of great economical value for feed- ig live stock, fitttening swine, and improving the il, is extensively grown in the Southern States, thich is little known, and less cultivated in the orthern and North-western parts of this extended public. The plant belongs botanically to the same ibe of the northern field pea, (Pisum salivum,) but it to the same genus. Darby, in his " Botany of jlYI '6 Southern States," Torrey, and other authorities, ake it a genus by itself, called Vicia, from vincio to ■nd. This genus has but two known species, V. sroliniana, (Walter,) and V. AcutifoUa, (Elliott,) •which there are forty or more varieties. The :nus is thus described by Prof Darby : " Calyx tubular, five toothed, the two upper teeth e shortest. Style bent ; outside the style near the mmit, villous. Legume many seeded. Leaves mate. Leaflets in several pairs. Petioles extend- into tendrils." It is doubtless indigenous ; and from the circuni. .nee of its having been cultivated by the aborigi- i, it has long been known as the " Indian Pea," to tinguish it from the English garden pea, just as indigenous maize has' been denominated " Indian lolfe Corn,'' to distinguish it from the common cereals brought over from Europe by the first colonists. Under a wise system of farm economy, this American Legume is second only in value to maize, from its natural adaptation to the soil and climate of the United States ; and from the large amount of excel- lent forage and seeds that may, with little labor, be produced per acre. Peas, beans and other pulse belonging to this numerous family, have been cultivated for the con- sumption of man and his domesticated animals from the earliest ages of which history gives any account ; and modern chemical analysis has shown that the seeds of these plants are richer than wheat or corn in flesh forming constituents. The stems and leaves ol properly cured pea vines, whether belonging to the European or American genus, are three times as nutritious as the stems and leaves of wheat, rye, barley or oats, for feeding horses, cattle, or sheep. Indian corn contains more oil and starch than either peas or beans ; and therefore where the pro- duction of fat is the principal object, as in the last feeding of fatting hogs, corn is a httle better than peas. For all growing or working animals, for sheep and dairy husbandry, and for making rich manure, or turning in as a renovating crop, the Ficia has probably no equal among American agricultural plants. Like the long tap-root of the bean, of clover, lucerne, and' sainfoin, that of the cow-pea, (as the plant is called at the South) descends, in a permeable soil, to a great depth. This enables the plant to draw its mineral food from below the surface soil after the latter has been impoverished by shallow plowing, washing, and excessive cropping, without the appli- cation of manure. " Old field pines," so abundant at the South, flourish by the aid of that organization ■which imbibes aliment equally from the deep sub- soil and the atmosphere. The foliage of these trees recuperate exhausted land, by covering its naked- 170 SOUTHERN FIELD PEA. ness with vegetable mould, as they fall and decay fi-oni year to year. But neither the mould nor manure formed of pine leaves is half so valuable as mould or manure derived wholly from peas, or pea vines. The latter are truly as much better than pine straw to feed the hungry earth and strengthen it, as they are to feed «nd nourish a hungry horse or cow. Every one knows that a bushel of peas and a bushel of saw- dust are widely different in their value and alimentary properties ; while but few know on what elements and their conditions, this essential difference depends. Without going into a critical e.xamination of this legume in reference to its relative nutritive value, or soluble elements available to form healthy blood in animals, suffice it to say there is no other plant which taken as a whole, including seeds, stems, leaves and roots that e.xcels it. Whether this southern pea will flourish aa well in all the northern States as it does in its natural cli- mate, admits of doubt ; although the writer believes that it will grow and ripen its fruit at a lower temper- ature than maize, which is also a southern p'ant After wheat had been harvested in May, the land plowed, seeded, and a crop of indigenous grass grown and cut for hay in July, we have known the land to be plowed for the third crop, sown to cow-peas, and these come to maturitv in time to seed the ground again with wheat in autumn, in the vicinity ^of Augusta, Ga. As the plant requires less heat than corn, it is possible that it may ripen in a climate as cool as that of England, where maize can not be successfully cultivated. Experiment, however, can only settle the question of its geographical and climatic limits. It is already successfully cultivated as far north as New Jersey. Dr. Houghton of Philadelphia, has written two articles on this sub- ject recently, which appear in the January and Feb- ruary numbers of the Pa. Farm Journal, in which he states his experience and observations. lie says : " The field pea, as I have stated in a previous article, deli"hts in sandy soil, and will grow where clover will not, affording a vast amount of foliage, and shading the land completely, on even the poorest soil, without any other manure than a little charcoal, or well rotted muck or peat. Lime, as is well known is essential to the |)ea, as well as clover, and plaster of Pari-! is a very appropriate dressing where a crop of peas is desired." Having for the last eight years been editorially connected with the oldest agricultural journal pul)- lished in the cotton-growing States, where every variety of this southern plant is most cultivated, the writer is able to say that poor sandy soils, and also the red clay and molatto lands of the south which contain the minimum quantity of lime will grow a better crop of peas than of any other cultivated plant. If naturally sterile soils, and those iinpover- ihhed by unwise tillage and excessive cropping, would not pprout cow-peas, and bring them to matu- rity, this legume would be worthless to impart fer- tility to the " old fields" of the planting States. Like all other food-plants, it grows vastly better on rich laud than on poor ; but on a soil so barren that not more than from three to four bushels of corn can be matured per acre, from si.x to eight bushels of peaa may be grown. It is the usual practice to plant or sow the latter at the last plowing in June in stand- ing corn. Cultivated in this way, the pea-vines rarely make much growth until after the corn ripens, and cca.ses to draw on the earth for its organizablC' ingredients. As they approach maturity, corn plantai shade the peas less, and the vines bind themselve* like northern pole beans round the stalks of corn, and where the soil is rich hang off in clusters. No more peas are usually gathered than are wanted for seed the crop being either cut and cured for hay, or morf generally consumed by all kinds of farm stock in thi field. Dr. Houghton, writing from southern Virginist |( says : " As a broadcast crop after grain, in th* ^ South, to be turned under in the fall, or as a broac cast crop in Pennsylvania and New Jei-sey, to h- [^ turned under as a manure, or fed to stock in the fieli it is one of great value. The season is too shoi with you to get a good crop of vines after wheat ( oats, the same season. But in Virginia and farth( south, this is done with great advantage. I saw field near Richmond, a few days ago, on which whei had been raised with a large increase of grain, evei year for three years in succession, and now in whe for the fourth year with a fine show of blades ; at this was in some degree attributable to the fact th as soon as the wheat was removed, peas were sov broadcast, and produced the same season a rich ai heavy crop of vines, partly sefcuring the present season I have occasionally spent ome time in the outskirts of the town from which I ■■rite, and w-hich is a sample of many such places. 3ut although it has suffered severely in the manner Jluded to, it is not yet so unfortunate but that, if the evil be now checked, a considerable portion of its natural adornments will remain. The front of the town is already denuded of its trees, but elsewhere, iu the direction of its growth, and iu close proximity to its building, are still to be found forest trees in great variety. Magnificent oalis — the growth of centuries — have stationed themselves at little inter- vals in all directions about the city. These oaks, if properly appreciated, are invaluable; for they give us, ready grown, such grand old shade trees, as gene- rations must wait for from our own planting. A younger growth of oaks in great variety is also here to be°met with. The white, the red, the black, the white swamp, the scarlet-leaved, the chestnut, the willow-leaved, and perhaps other varieties that do not now occur to me, are here to be met with, and a selection of foreign trees could scarcely be made that would give greater beauty to a place than this family of oaks. These trees are young and thrifty, and have sprung up since the Indians were driven from their hunting-grounds hereabouts, before which time the young growth was kept down by an annual burn- ing over of the openings. Here also are to be occasionally found the sugar and the scarlet-flowering maple, and the graceful elm is scarcely e\-er out of sight. The Buckeye is also frequent; the honey locust throws out its long, thorny branches on all sides; the aspen is to be seen in the neighborhood of the stately ash, and now and then a mulbery, with the black walnut, the butternut, the plane, and the linden complete the picture. No! not complete it, for the hickories are all about us— rug- ged and sturdy, but full of unpolished beauty, and deserving all the better care iu their preservation where they have planted themselves, because of the impossibility of transplanting them. The button- wood, the tulip tree, and the willow, are also to be found in particular localities, and the glossj--leaved thorn, the dogwood, the cherry, the balm of Gilead, and the sassafras in others. The red cedar, that once grew along the banks of the Maumee, has un- fortunately been already exterminated, and the lovers ol rural beauty mourn its departure as that of a cherished friend. But the list already given is suffi- cient to show how profusely and variously the orna- ments of nature still adorn that neighborhood. A proper degree of care on the part of the citi- zens, and the protection by the city authorities of the trees standing along new streets, would give to a town thus naturally favored, a pleasant character and appearance that few places ever attain — and that, too, with little trouble and less expense. It is not neces- ssry to plant, but only to select and save. Evey cit-. izen may build his house under the shade of noblo forest trees, and every street may be lined with them in great variety, and of all sizes. Personal beauty is the gift of nature, but its pre- servation depends much on the care of its possessor. Beauty may also be cultivated and enhanced ; even plainness may be improved, and the. defects that sick- ness, accidents, and age impress on the human fea- tures and form, may be greatly remedied by simple means, and attention to a few important rules. A MiTTENED Cat was never a good mouser. TU EDITOR'S TABLE. JDiioir'3 I^bie. The Genesee Farmer — Its Mission. — Mr. Wrioht, the taleiided and independent editor of tlie Prairie I'ar- mtr, in an article justlj c»mmendatorj of Luther Tuck- EE, Esq., the oldest agricultural editor and publisher in the United States, says : " His old Genesee Farmkk, pub- lished at Ilochester, was a paper of note in its day, and it has been the real parent of the whole Northern brood of similar name and purposes." Mr. WmijiiT might hare added that this "real parent" of so minj valuable agricultural papers, gave to both Mr. J. J. Thomas and Mr. Joseph Harris, the associates of Mr. Tucker in conducting the Country Gentleman and Albany Cnllivalor, their first lesions and position before the public in the editorial profession. Journals of agri- culture and horticulture, without professionally instructed conductors, are generally worthless concerns ; while thor- oughly educated men always reflect credit on the institu- tions in which their intellects were primarily developed and cultivated. It is as an educational institution that the Genesee Farmer is entitled to great credit for turning out such men as the affluent and accomplished editor of the Horticulturist, and its enterprising and successful pub- lisher. Others might be named who made the Farmer office their agricultural school, and who have profited largely by the excellent tuition received of this " real pa- rent " of so much rural knowledge and literature. But we do not care to exhaust this feature of the Gen- esee Farmer, lest we be constrained to 'admit that its present humble proprietor, first known as an agricultural student through its pages, has been honored in a distant part of the Union with the only liberally endowed chair of agriculture in any American university. The Farmer has a national reputation, an historical character, which no extraneous influence can shake or im- pair. When it came into the hands of its present owner, in company with another, it contained but sixteen pages, and had a small circulation. AVithout increasing its price, it was first enlarged to twenty-four pages, and then to thirty-two, and finally, we now incur the additional ex- pense of stitching and trimming every number sent out of the office. The paper being about twice its original size, and costing more per pound, and other incidental expenses bein" greatly enhanced, its prime cost per volume is now some three times as large as it was ten yesrs ago ; while the work is still sold to clubs at tfiirty-seven and a half ceitts a volume. When the Farmer was first printed b\ steam power, wood was sold in tliis city at $2,00 per cord : now it costs $7.00. The writer remembers the time « hei. farmers in Western New York sold wheat at 37J cents n bushel i yesterday (May 9th,) a Ilochester miller told ns that he had just paid $i.C2J a bushel, for 10,000 bushels ol this grain. At this price, a single bushel will pay for seven volu?nes of the oldest agriculrural journal in the Stale. We have seen potatoes sold this spring at $3.00 a bufhe!, and have paid $1.25 for corn. A majority of farmers being consumers and purchasers 0 of agricultural staples at high prices, instead of seller the general scarcity is no benefit to them as a class ; bi it is a powerful stimulus for every man who cultivates tf ^j much as ten rods of land, to acquire all the information h can with a view to augment its fruitfulness. Every num ber of the Farmer contains rural knowledge worth to reader of common sagacity, more than a year's subscrif tion. It is the only paper of its size, and class, and price, i the world, but what is made up from the old matter < some other jiaper. Every line in the Genesee Farmer : set up expressly to subserve the best interests of its patron and for its pages alone. This never-varying singleness < purpose, looking to its intelligent readers exclusively fc sujiport, has contributed much to impart both charaetf and power to the work. It needs, however, more subscr bers ; and its proprietor, who regards it as having an in: ,, portant mission yet to fulfil, respectfully asks every readf. j|, of this article to send him one more name, with the pa; for volume sixteen, second series, of " the real Parent < the whole Northern brood of similar name." Reliable £ an authority, aud designed from the beginning for the mil lion, its conductor expects hereafter to travel much amon the best practical farmers on this continent, and in Europi and examine in person all useful improvements in tillagi husbandry, and domestic economy, with the view of com municating a knowledge of the same to the public. Th rural literature of this country, not less than its agricultti ral, needs reform ; and it is a pari of the mission of th cheap agricultural journal earnestly to advance the neec ed reformation. Too many are foolifhly attempting t teach a profession which they have never duly studied, an have yet to learn, and are thereby giving currency to erroi alike injurious in theory and in practice. jit «F M American Beef Cattle for the Crimea. — Th Washington correspondent of the Baltimore Sun says ; is known here that two or three companies at the Nort are under contract with the foreign governments for larg supplies of beef cattle for the Crimea. At the preses period of scarcity thus to reduce the stock of our ow country to famine prices, is a matter of importance whic demands attention, even if no redress can be had," As the Washington correspondent of the Sun is a well informed man, and can have no apparent motive to mis' represent the facts of which he writes, this foreign deman< for beef-cattle doubtless exists. In view of tlie great im portance of stock-growing in this country, the senior ed itor of tlie Genesee Farmer has taken unusual pain during the last twelve months to investigate the profes sional labors of the Englishmen, who in the last half o the eighteenth, and the first half of the nineteenih centu ry, have made the farmers of the whole civilized world paj willing tribute to their skill and success in the inipruvenien of diimesti'^nted animals. The principles developed, and re- sults of our researches in this department of rural literature ■we embodied in an essay of nearly 100 manuscript i ages which was written for another work than this journal, We have, however, coniduded to publish it first in the Fab- MER, and in the six last numbers of volume sixteen, second EDITOR'S TABLE. 195 sues of the present year. We should be glad to illus- ■ate, for the tirst time in agricultural science, the microsco- ic organs through which a quart of milk is separated from ]e blood of a first-rate cow, every hour of the day and lit, for months togetlier ; and to enable us to make such ustrations. and otliers needed to explain animal physiolo- y, we desire subsfriptions to the Farmer for six months, f no longer.) at tiventy-Jive cents each. For the sum amed, the subscriber will receive the Es^ay complete in e Farmeii, from July to December inclusive. \Thatever loney we may receive for extra copies, will be expended illustrate both the science and the art of improving the omesticated animals of the United States. Wire Fence. — At a recent meeting of the Farmers 'lub, in New York city, a conversation arose on the sub- ct of Wire Fence: Prof. JMates said he had tried wire Uly, and could not keep a fence in order unless there was )me plan tixed by the manufacturer to compensate for the hange in temperature of a single day. Paul Stillman related his experience to the same effect. Vickersiiam's fence, that was made to screw up tight as very handsome when first built, but it did not last. He iw much wire fence in California, but none of it lasted ood over a year. A common plan there, was to mend ire fences with raw hide ; that gave a little spring to junteract the contraction. Solon Kouinson gave a description of a wire fence uilt by Cul. CArRON, between Baltimore and Washing- n, 3,300 feet long, which was made fast to a well-braced kOSt at one end, and at the other to a bar and spiral springs, He bar being attached to a chain that passed over a drum, *ith a lever and weight so arranged that the wires were Kwajsatthe same degree of tension, no matter what was le state of the atmosphere. Mr. Cowley, agent of the Lowell Wire Fence Compa- f, exhibited specimens of their fence, which is made by a latent process to resemble netting of twine. This is sold •r $1.50 to 2.00 a rod, 3.J feet wide. The objection made » it by Prof. Mapes and several others is, that it has four oriaontal wires that will be liable to the trouble of con- raction and expansion. If that is not an objection, it is a neap, good fence. Gutta percha or India rubber must be combined with le tension of wires at every fastening, to obviate the ex- ansion and contraction, to an injurious degree, of length- ned iron rods. Next to the making of good books, there is nothing lore praiseworthy and deserving of encouragement than le effort to bring them within the means of all to pur- hase. In this view we could name several firms who have one much to benefit the agricultural interests by their ablications, and we notice particularly the publications f C. M. Saxton, of New York. Every kind and de- iription of works on Agriculture, Horticulture, and Flo- culture, can be hid upon application, at very reasonable rices. We had the pleasure recently of spending a little jne in his bookstore. No. 152 Fulton st., and were grati- fied to find that the prospective demand for agricultural works bid fair to become one of great importance. When Mr. S. announced his present vocation, years elapsed be- fore remunerating sales could be made. The demand for such works had to be created, before booksellers would take them on their shelves, and even now hardly one out of four of the tillers of the soil take the pains to read a good book on their profession ; but it is encouraging to know that there are ten readers now to one but a few years since* and by the influence of the agricultural press, we doubt not that ten years hence, hundreds will be readers and doers too, to one at the present time. The rei:d ng of any work is not the measure of its util- ity, unless the mind of the reader labors in unison with the mind of the author, either to examine the grounds of any given statement, or the consequences which follow from the adoption of any given theory. But one can hardly read a good author without deriving benefit thereby, and hence we say thanks are eminently due the makers and publish- ers of useful books, for whatever class they may be de- signed. AoRicuLTURAr, Boors and Schools. — Mr. C. G. F., of Newburgh, asks us in a letter to name agricultural books to the amount of $15 or $20, which may be bought and studied by him to the best advantage ; and he also de- sires to know where is the best school for him to attend to learn agricultural chemistry, geology, and botany. It is easier to name the books than the school which he needs. The works of Liebio. Johnston, Boussinqault, Fox, and other American authors, are the best known in this country from which to learn the principles of agricul- tural science ; and they may all be bought for some $15. On fruit culture, the works of Barrt, Thomas, and Down- ing, are perhaps the best in the English language. We know of no school that will suit tHfe notions of our youthful correspondent. The Reciprocity Treaty. — The following remarks of the Newark Advertiser, are copied approvingly, and are going the rounds of the American press in reference to the free importation of breadstufFs and provisions from Canada into the United States: *' The Reciprocity Treaty has had a fortunate beginning. A fairer field to test its qualities could not be desised. Canadian grain and provis:ons are all wanted, and few will be out of temper if both, especialiv at the present mo- ment, should arrive in abundance. NVe are in the midst of a short supply of almost all things edible. This has been the work of several years, till an absolute dearth is upon U3. * * * * " We need help in this emergency from somewhere, and the agricultural products of Canada come in opportunely just at this time. TRey are seasonable to save us not only from higher prices, but well-nigh from absolute uaiit. M"e have not land enough, it seems, on this side of the water to produce our own food, and so, till more can he annexed or sometliing can be done by our own countrymen to keep us from starvation, we shall be willing that other men may do it. If there is real danger of the continuance of the present exorbitance of prices, or any thing like it, even Cu- ba, if it only turned out cattle and flour, instead of sugar and tobacco, might be welcome to the Confe-^'eracy.^. Any port in a storm, and any market in a famine,"^ 196 EDITOR'S TABLE. 'iiiE Ciioi'S. — It giver US great pleasure to stale that the prospect of wheat and most other crops in "Western New York ia better than an average. The season is not forward, and wheat may yet sufTer from attacks by the wee- vil, so-called. Should it escape, the harvest the coming summer will richly reward our enterprising farmers. The Coontry and the Chops. — "We do not recollect a season for many years, when on the first day of May the country has looked so beautiful, or the growing crops of wheat, oats, and grass so thrifty, as they do now. Not- withstanding severe cold weather continued until the tirst week in April, and farmers were feaiful of being unable to get half the grain planted that they had been calcula- ting upon, the plowing and planting season ia greatly ad- vanced. The three or four weeks of deligluful weather, ending in April, were improved greatly, and probably one- third more land was plowed than ever before in Northern Illinois, during tlie same corresponding period of time- Spring wheat is all in and up so as to cover the ground with its beautiful green verdure. The amount sown is fully one-fourth larger than ever before, and the prospect could not look more favorable. Oats are also harrowed down, and in some cases above ground. The amount put in i.s not probably more than was put in last year. Corn has not been planted, but farmers are rapidly plowing for it. and. if the weather continues favorable, they will prob- ably close their planting by the 15th instant. How much more ground will be covered with corn this year than last, depends much upon the weather. The high price of the article gives the producer a confidence in the future, as a profitable crop, and no exertions will be wanting to increase the number of acres to be cultivated. The grass crops promise well. AVe never have seen clo- rer, timothy, and the wild grasses more advanced this early in the season. During the last few days, grass has grown as if by the power of magic, and if the weather prove as favorable during the next as it has during the past four weeks, the crop will be one-half heavier than last year. It is scarcely necessary to say that with such flattering prospects before them, the farmers are in the best of spirits. --KnoxvUie {lit.) Journal, May Vth. NotitfS of Ntto Books, ptrioliicals, $ct. Blackwood for Vay. For sale by D. M. Dewet, Rochester, N. y. This interesting Magazine is issued from the press of Scott & Co., and presents a table of contents more than usually attractive : The Length of Human Life — Zaidee, a Romance. Part vi. — Poetry of the "War, reviewed be- fore Sebastopol — The Campaigns of a French Hussar — Modern Novelists, Great and Small — Notes on Canada and tlie N. W. States of America — The Royal Scottish Acade- my The Cold Shade— The Story of the Campaign. InquixitB anb ^ns^ixs, J. W. BnuMBADon will find an account of bloody mur- rain, or red-water, on page 2(jS of the Farmer for 1854. It is a very fatal disease, and seldom curable. Our wri- ter states that he has seen large flukes taken out of the liver, 'resembling the common leedi, which abounds in many of our swampy lands. In Alleii's Domestic A/cimals. It is recommended to put equal portions of salt and slaked lime in one trough, salt and ashes in nnother, and salt and brimstone in a third ; and it is also added that farmers who had lost stock by the disease previously, have entirely es- caped its ravages by the above practice. It CoFPSRAS of any value as a ferUlixer, or only as a deodorizer r An answer through the Gesesee Fabuer will be thankfidly ceived. S. Fny^i—Terryville, Ct. On most soils, tJie application of copperas (sulphate iron,) would be followed by no benefit whatever. "Whe there is carbonate of lime, and a lack of sulphuric ac the sulphate of iron might be decomposed and form gy sum in the soil, which is a well known fertilizer ; but wh the cost was counted, it would be found that gypsum fori ed from co]>peras involved an outlay two or three tim larger than would have sufficed to purchase an eqt amount of gypsum in the market. In short, the iron in copperas is not needed in any of t soils of this country, with perhaps one or two rare exce tions, while the oil of vitriol is cheaper in the mineral ca ed sulphate of lime, (gypsum,) than is any other fori Copperas water is one of the best deodorizers known to used in the vaults of privies, in manure tanks, and on coi post heaps ; for the iron parts readily with its acid form an involatile aulphate of ammonia from its volat carbonate. [^I Ft EL obliged by your kind attention to my request with respi to the notice of the price of Italian rye grMS seed, and the pla where it may be obtained. I would now trespass on your lime a attention so far as to ask if you can give any information as to t origirrand treatnaent of a disease in horBea here called' (he big bei I have seen no mention of it in any of the farrier books whi have come under my notice. 1 wish I was able to give a more s; isfactory description of the progress of the disease. The seat of seems tj be in the nasal orgar, about midway between the eyes a nostrils, where iu the first stage a hard lump or swelling appea which gradually enlarges, accompanied with a Blight running the nostril. The lump is quite hard, as if an ossification were [ ing on. The horse has his appetite, and appears (so I am told, I have not seen this effect,) to become stiffened in all his lim The usual practice, I believe, is to blister, or rub with strong li ment, though a cure seema very uncertain. It seems to be cons cred not infectious, though I imust "confers I feel some doubV that point. An the disease progresses, the whole head becon greatly increased in size, and in the end death ensues, though 1 the animal may linger a long while. I should be glad to kn* what work on horses, cattle, &c., you would recommend as t most generally useful to one who like myself keeps a horse a two or Ihree cows. I think I have seen Raxdall's, Spooxe] Youatt'p, and Br. Dadd's favorably mentioned in your E0ti& neither of which i have seen. Perhaps the diaeafle I have nam- may be described in one or all of them. I would not have troubled you with this communication, hac known where to look for a notice of the disease which threate to destroy the usefulness and lives of many valuable animals, should remark, perhaps, that among our people generally an opi ion prevails that the frause of millet, as fodder, causes the diseoi and on that account the growth of millet has fallen into dism Joux BEtiSoy—Rosebank, Peoria. In the April number of the Faiimer, I saw an inquiry in respt to chickweed. The best remedy I know of is deep plowing. I wheat the present year occupies two fields; The fiist was put early in September, looks well, and is free of the weed. The •€ nnd, when we commenced stirring in the usual deep way, the la side came off the plow, and rather than stop the labor while 11 Urgi' plow was repairing, we to( k a small corn plow to stir wit ^vhich, owing to its lightness, could not he got to plow as deep . desired. The consequence is that where we jdowed shallow, thei is cliifkweecl. and where it wjir plowed deej', it is free. IToweve line thing is ce.tain, if there is no weed, deep jilowing, I think, much the best* H. R. Cotfikld— itferwr Co., Pa. ADVERTISEMENTS. 197 MARKETS. "XKW YO:?K StARKET, May 26, 1855. Floi'r— TlnTe wjisa little better feeling in the ra:irket to-day, ind prices slightly advanceJ. The improvement was piincipally on ■,he Inwer grades. We notice alao some disposition to purcliaMe for rd delivery, bat the transactions were checked bv the advan- ce! pretensions of holders. Siles 9,000 bbls. at $10.31 >i a 10.5tj>4 mmou to ch« i'ce Slate ; $10.25 a 10.ol'4 for common to good Ihio ; and $11.37'a a 13 for extra Genesee. Canadian, a slight ad- was realized on the medium grades — sales 2-100 bbls. at $10.50 t IT .37 '2 tor the range of common to fancy and extras. Graix— 1 1 view of the limited supply of wheat, and a fair mlU- Dg dt'in'iind, holders of parcels on the spot are enabled to realize a hade better prices. There is considerable arrivals, but milleis re- use to purcha-^e in anticipation of lower prices. Sales 3,000 bush- Is fair white Canadian, at $2.60, and 1,000 fair white Michigan at '2.65. Rye doing better; sales 3,8U0 bushels prime northern at ;l.6S. A considerable portion of Western Mixed Corn now arriv- ng is out of order, and shippers are afraid of It — this fact hiis a lepresaing effect upon the market, as distillers are not now pur- tha.sing to any extent. Sales reach 78,030 bushels at $1.04 « $1.11 ifcrior to prime western mixed, closing with free sellers of atter at S1.08 , and $1.12 a 1.13 for white do. and yellow. PROVISION'S— Pork market has been quite animated. In other inds of provisions the business was rather limited. Sales 2,S00 bis. at $16.5S'i a 16.75 fnr old mess— $17.75 for new do.; $16.8732 i 17.00 for thin me?s; $18 50 a 15.87J« for clear. Lard ea^^ier; Jales 400 bbls. at 10>.£ a 10?-;. Butter 19 a 24 for State. Cheese all. BUFFALO MARKET, May 26, 1855. Flour — There is less demand for flour to-day, but the market is rithout material change in price ; sales 400 bis. common Wiscon- ic at $9.37K O9.50; 200 do. common to extra at $9.37 >^ a 10.12,^^ ; . D do. choice Ohio at $10. Graix — Wheat in limited request, and market without animation, ■at prices steady; sales 3,000 bushels Milwaukee at $1.90, and t^^OOO red Wisconsin at $2.15. Corn quiet, without change ; sales 5,000 bushels at 95c. In Oats, we did not hear of any sales. BEES! BEES!! L. L. lang3hoths-s:movable comb hive. (Patented October, 1855.) IJ^ACH Comb in this hive is made bv the bees on a separate, mo- li vable frame, and in a few minutes by the use of a little smoke they may all be easilv taken out without cutting them or at all en- raging the bees. Tiie practical bee-keeper will see that a perfect control over all the combs must make an entire revolution in bee- keeping; as in this way weak stocks may be quickly strengthened by helping them to comb, honey, or hatching broods from stronger ones; queenless colonifs may be supplied with the means of rais- ing another queen ; the exact condition of the hive may at any time be ascertained, and the ravages of the bee-moth elfectually prevented. New colonies may be formed in less time than is usu- ally required to hive a natural swarm ; or the hive may be used aa a non-swarmer ; or managed on the common swarming plan. The right to use this invention is sold for live dollars, and entitles the purchaser to use and make for his own use in one location as many hives as he pleaeea. For ten dollars a nght and a beautiful hive, glass on four sides, will be sent carefully boxed, to any address. For seven dollars a right and a thoroughly made hive with glass on the back. Thiahive is made to stand in the open air without the expense of a bee-house. Proper directions for its management, toco'.her with a minute account of the habits of the bee are con- tained in the patentee's work on '-The Hive and the Honey-Hee," (3S4 pages octtwo,) which will be sent, postage paid, for one dollar and a quarter. For individual and territorial rights, address REV. L. L. LANGSHOTH, June Greentield, Mass. ADVERTISEMENTS, 'o secure insertion in the Farmer, must be received as early as the 0th of the previous month, and be of such a character as to be f interest to farmers. Terms — Two Dollars for every hundred 'ords, each insertion, paid in advance. PERTTVIAN GUANO. PERUVIAN GUANO No. 1, with Government upon each bag. Price $48 per ti No, 1, talc, cargo, alittle damp, with abo per ton of 2000 lbs. ht and brand of 2000 lbs. the lower part of the ship's brand upon each bag. Price $40 Improved Superphosphate of Lime— $45 per ton, of 2000 lbs. Bone Dust— flne, warnmted pure. Price $2.50 j.er bbl. A discount when taken in large quantities ''■ MOWERS, REAPERS, &c. ■" ■T'ETCHUXrS One Horse Mower cuts three feet swath; Ti H IV Horse do. cuts four feet eight inches; Allen's Improved Mow- ; Hussey & McCormick'a Reapers, Atkin's Reaper, with Self-lia- ir attached. Emery's, Taplin's, Bogardus', Trimble's, and other Horse Powers. A complete a^wortment of Agricultural and Horticultural Imple- oents of all kitiJs; Field and Garden Seeds. Guano, with Peruvian Government weight and brand marked on b aach bag ; Improved Superphosphate of Lime, &c June 1— 2t rand under shot, made in a superio nd cheapest Grain and Seed HORSE POWERS, THRESHERS, EAGLE FAN MILLS. A LLEN'S Improved Horse Power — it runs uocommonly easy, Xi. and does not require more than half the elevation at the for- Tward end, r.f other powers THRFSHERS— Both ovt manner. EAGLE FAN MILLS— 77i« best -^ ^Separator made. The superiority c First — In cleaning without a screen, by separating the impurities , -fuch as ches^, cockle, smut, &c., by the blast alone, consequently ' «aving the losa of rhe small sound kernels of wheat which must isaflSO through a screen. cond — An arrangement by which a part of the sound and per- fect grains are separated from the rest for seeding, leaving the bai- lee in a go'id marketable condition, so that the farmer need sow ily such grain as contains the germ of growth. Third — ^Smaller seed, inch as grass and clover eeed, are cleaned In the mo.=t perfect manner. Fourth— Fans built on this plan will clean grain, both in the first id 'lecond cleauing, faster and better than any others now in use. Fifth — The cheapness and durability of its construction. R. L. ALLEN, June 1— !]t 18P and 191 Water- st. New York. • Truth— Our Country, and the Slave OTJR WORLD. PAGES, 12 mo.. 10 lUustralions, Price $1.25 That thia Ov/O exciting story should j LIVELIEST INTEREST AND DEEPEST FEELING, is natural and obvious — it relates to THE GREAT QUESTION which so deeply engrosses the minds and hearta of all our people. Its characters, incidents, and scenes art all OUR OWN, AND OF OUR TIME. It is vividly and efTectively written ; and the Truth of History and the Cha:m3 of Romance render its pages at once CAPTIVATING AND CONVINCLNG. It shows the wrongs and cruelties inflicted upon THREE MILLION SLAVES! and the bondage in which the Slave-pow«r attempts to hold TWENTY MILLION FREEMEN' ! " Ah a literary work, it is superior to Uncle Tom's Cabin. It win excite, first attention, try, and tiike its pjacf — Buffalo Express. " We have never read a fictitious story which so completely en- losaed one's attention fiom commencement to end.'* — Boston Eye- ing Gazette. ^^ For sale by all Booksellers. •-Copies sent by mail. Postage Prepaid, on receipt of price. MlLLtR, OKTON & MULLIGAN, Publishers' 25 Park Row, New York, and 107 Genesee St., Auburn. June 1 — 2t. IMPORTANT TO FARMERS. MONNY^S PATENT COMBINED MOWER AND REAAER, The undeiNigned are now manuf.icturing the above M;ichine, which they have great ple.^sure in offering to tlie firmerp of Cana- da, and needs only be tried t • be appreciated. 'Piice, with two seti Knives $l:j). We are also manuf^cturinsr Kurrell's Reaper, $120: Utd Ketchuin's Mower, two setB Knives, $110. NewcaBUe, May, 1855— 2t H. A. MOSSEY k CO. HENRY C. VAIL, CONSULTING AGRICTLTURIST, NEWARK, N. J. WILI- vi.'sit farms and give suitable advice for their improve- nient, founded on an analysis of the soil and a statement of its mechanical condition. Letters of inquiry aa to ternw, &c , will insure a reply and satisfactorj evidence as to ability. Rkfbkrnces. — Prof. Jas. J. Mapes, Newark, N. J.; R. L. Pell, Esq of Pelh.im, Ulster Co., N. Y.; J. J. Scoffield, Esq., Morria- N. J. ; Hon. John Stanton G( Apiil 1— If uld, Hudson, N. Y. DURHAM BULL FOR SALE THE subscriber has a yearUng Durham Bull, pure bred, good pedigree, for sale. Nelson, May 9, 1855. P. FI3HKK. 19B ADVERTISEMENTS. SEND FOR ONE COPY. SIi\M;LE Cnpiesof '-SEAKS' GREAT WORK ON RUSSIA," the mnsi elegant :id-3 ust-ful volume of tlie year, consisting of 7tiO Urge octavo pages, embellished with about 2eiu- in Monroe county. Flower Seeds, Bird Cages, Bird Seed, &c. April— 3t JAMES P. FOGG. MERINO SHEEP. THE subscriber will sell a few Spanish Merino Sheep— bucks an( ert-ea— s. BONIS DUST, three different varieties, $2, J2.25, $2.60 per bbl. Poudrette, Plaster of Paris, pulverised charcoal. For sale by A. I.ONfiETT, March, 1865.— 2t No. 34 Cliff St., near Fulton, New York. ADVERTISEMENTS. 199 BOOKS FOa THE FARMERS! URN'lSiitl) BV TUK I'ltilFlUKTOR OF tih.NKSKK KAKMER. I The Coiv, Dairy Huabiin.irv, and Cattle Breeding. Price 25 cts. II. Everv Ijidv her own Flower Oifdenfr. Piiee 2) cents, m. TheAraeriatn Kitchen (Jardener. Piice 25 cents. IV. Tiie .\nierican Ko8e Oulturer. Price 25 cents. V. Prize Ksa.iv on Manurrs. By S. L. Dana. Price 25 cents. VI. .-ikinner's Elements of Agriculture. Price 25 cents. VII. Tlie Pcsta of the Farm, with directions for oitirpation. Vill Horses — their Varieties, Breeding, Management, &c. Price IX. The Hire and Honej Bee— their Diseases and Remedies, rice 25 cents. X. TtiB Hog— its Diseases and Management. Price 25 cents. XI. The Aiiiericin Bird Fancier— Breeding, Riisiu!;, &c. 25 ct». XII. llOEUfstic Fowls and Ornamental Poultry. Price 25 cents. XIII. Chemistry made Easy for the Use of Farmers. Price 25 XI \'. Tlie American Poultry Yard. The cheapest and best book il.lished. Price SI. XV. The American Field Book of Manures. Embracing all the ertilizers known, with directions for use. By Browne. $1.25. XVI. Buisfs Kitchen («ird. ner. Price 73 cents. XVII. Stockhart's Chemical Field Lectures. Price SI. XVHI. Wilson on the Cultitation of Fla\. Price 2-1 cents. XIX. The Farmer's Cyclopedia. Bv Blake. Price $1.26. XX. Allen's Rural Archi ecture. Price S1.25. XXI. Pnelps's Bee Keeper's Chart. Illu^t^ated. Price 25 cents. XXII. Jolinstoa's Lectures on Practical Agriculture. Paper, ■ice ".-'o cents. XXIII. Johnston's Agricultur.il Chemistry. Price $1.25. XXIV. Johnston's Elements of Agricultural Chemistry and Geol READY OS TIIE TENTH OF MARCH. "HISTORY OF THE HEN FEVER."'" BY QKO. P. BI:RS'HaM. Twenty Illustiations. An nrig'aal the POULiKY MAMA, hv one who hat thercl Price$l.'25 in cloth; $1,110 in |iaper,ftymiiiJ. Every- body who lov April-3t to laugb, buys it. Add<-( JAMES FKE.NCH & Co, Publishers, Boston, Mass. CUITEK RIGHTS FOR SALE will test our Hay, .Stjilk and Straw Cutter, patented f^ovem- er 8th, 1863, for speed, ease and durabiUty, against any >ther in the United States. J. JtlNES & A. l.VLE. O'" ''"o r further information, address JONES & LYLE, Roch- l-t«-r, N. y. Feuruary 1, 1864.- tf W Pii( XXV. Rtndall's Sheep Husbandry. Price $1.25. XXVI. Miner's American Bee-Keeper's Maiiual. Price $1. XXVn. D.idd's American Cattle Doctor. Complete. Price $1. XX\"II(. Fessenden's Complete Farmer and Gardener. 1 vol. $1.'25. XXIX. Allen's Treatise on the Culture of the Gr.ipe. Price .SI XXX. Youatt on the Breeds and Management of Sheep. Price XX.X:l. Youatt on the Hog. Complete. Price 60 cents. XXXII. Youiitt and Martin on C.ittle. By Stevens. Price $1.25. XXXIII. The Shepherd's own Book. Edited by Youatt, Skinner id Ritidall. Price $2. XXXI V. Stephens's Book of the Farm ; or Farmer's Guide. Ed- Bd hy Skinner. Price $4. XX.XV. Allen's American Farm Book. Price $1. XXX\'I. The American Florist's Guide. Price 75 cents. XXXVII. The Cottage and Farm Bee-Keeper. Piice 50 cents. XXXVIII. Hoare on the Culture of the Gripe. Price 50 cents. XXXIX. Country Dwellings ; ortheAmeiiain Architect. Price $6 XL. Lindley's Guide to the Orchard. Price $1.'J5. XLI. Gunn's Homeatic Medicine. A book for every married man nd woman. Price $3. XLII. Nasli's Progressive Farmer. A book for every boy in the '»untrv. Price 50 cents. XLlil. Allen's Diseases of Domestic Animals. Price 75 cents. XI.IV. Saxton's Rural H.md-books. 2 vols. Price $2.50. XLV. Beatlie's Southern Agriculture. Price SI. Xl.VI. Smith's Landscape Gardening. Cont;,ining hints en ar- in;;ing Parks, Pleabure Grounds, &c. Edited by Lewis F. Allen rice $1.25. RECENTLY PUB1.ISHFD. XLATI. The Farmer's Land Measurer; or Pocket Companion riee ."tO cents XLVni. Buist's American Flower Garden Directorv. P'ice.?1.26. XLIX. The American Fruit (Jroweis Guide in Orchard and Gfr- len. Being the most complete book on the subject ever pulilished. L. Quinby's ilysteries of Bee- Keeping explaned. Price $1. The above will be sent fre:' upon receipt of price annexed. BAKE AND VALUABLE SEEDS, BY MAIL, FREE OF POSTAGE. 'range Watermelon, 16 seeds 2i cents ;e Cream or White Sugar Melon. 16 seeds 25 le genuine Chinese Hoo-sung, IdO seeds '25 pglev's Seedling Cucumber, 12 seeds 25 ve-fi»ot Cucumber, 6 seeds, 25 'herry Pea — new and curious — warranted bug proof, 12 (JDonttnts af t))l« Numbtt. Southern Field Pea, 16D The Study of Agricultural Plants, _ 172 Liquid Manure converted into Milk, 172 B«nes in the Soil, 173 The Study of Soils, 174 Marling, 175 Tire Price of Beef Cattle, 176 Professor Lee 177 Inipi eying Stock, . , 177 Farming in Potter County ..177 Pea Bug, , 178 &ise of Garget Cured, 173 Improved Short Horns, 173 I'he Angora Goat, ISO Millet Culture, _ 181 Extract from Correspondence, _.181 To keep Bugs from Vines,.,. 181 Russell's Mowing Machine, 182 Weeds Injurious to the Wheat Crop, _ 183 Peruvian Guano , _ 184 Elfect of Temperatuie on Dairy Produce, 185 Sowing Peas in Circles, jgg HORTICnLTURAL DEPARTUBNT. Notes upon the Weather, ..187 Treatment of Trees after Planting, 137 .183 eds .25 luskmelon. 20 seeds celebrated Japan Pea, 20 seeds 12^ if'iniia .Muskmelon, 12 seeds 1^^ ■he Floral King, 12 seeds V2% ild Potatoes at $1 per bushel, and Sweet Pittato plants at .1 per hundred, or 54 for five hundred, or $7.60 per thtnisai.d. dc lean Express Company at Macedon depot. New fork Central Railroad. Please ».end current funds or gold; if not convenient to make ihange, I will return the changi in Postage stamits, I. W. r.RIGflS, May— tf West Mmcedon, Wayne Co., N. Y. Curculio, _ Remedies for the Black Knot and Curculio, 183 Garden Memoranda,... 133 Whitlavia GrancliSora, igo Acacia Marginata, 190 LADIES' DEPARTUF.VT. Rural Education, 191 A School Incident, 19J Summer Treatment of Green House Plants, 193 Preservation of Trees on Town iMats, 193 EDITOR'S TAKLK. The Genesee Farmer— its mission, 194 Ameiicau Beef Cattle for the Crimea, 194 Wire Fence, 19S .Agricultural Books and Schools, 195 The Reciprocity Treaty, 195 Tlie C >untry and the Ciops, .396 Notices of Books, Periodicals, &c., 196 Inquiries and Answers, 196 ILLUSTRATIONS. Improved Short Horns, -. 179 HusscU's Mowing Machine H2 WhillavlaGrandidora, 190 Acacia Marginata, ..100 ADVERTISEMENTS. DF'OIE^ 3.QSS. In presenting his Prospectus for Volume XVI., Second Seuies, of the GENESEE FARMExt to its patrons an< friends, tlie undersigned returns iiis sincere tlianlvS for the cordial appreciation and generous support extended during tile past and previous jears. The price will remain unclianged, though all the expenses connected with the niechanica department are much greater than in previous years ; and it is only by tlie voluntary aid of the friends of agricultura progress that he is enabled to furnish so large an amount of reading matter in his montlily issues. He will be assisted in the Editorial Department by Mr. W. D. ALLIS, who has been a regular contributor to it columns during the past year. Mr. JOSEPH FROST will continne as Horticultural Editor. Increased efforts will be made to render the GENESEE FARMER worthy of support. Each subscriber t respectfully solicited to renew his subscrijition, and present the claims of tlie FARMER to his friends ; and the re suit will enable the proprietor more than ever to advance the interests of its readers. To enlarge the usefulness by extending the circulation of the GENESEE FARMER, the undersigned will pay th. following PREMIUMS on subscriptions to Volume XVI., second series: PIFTY DOLLARS, IN CASH, to the person who shall procure the LARGEST NUMBER OF SUBSCRIBERS in any County or Dis trict in the United States or Canadas, at the club prices. FORTY DOLLARS, IN CASH, to the one who shall procure tlie SECOND LARGEST LIST, as above. THIRTY DOLLARS, IN CASH, to the one procuring the THIRD LARGEST LIST. TWENTY DOLLARS, IN CASH, to the one procuring the FOURTH LARGEST LIST. TEN DOLLARS, IN CASH, to the one procuring the FIFTH LARGEST LIST. In order to reward every one of the friends of the GENESEE FARJIER for his exertions in its belialf, we wil give to those not entitled to either of the above premiums, the following BOOKS, free of postage, or EXTRA PAPERS a 8 may be preferred : 1. To every person who sends SIXTEEN subscribers, at the club terms of thirty-seven cents each. ONE E.VTR/* COPY OF THE FARMER, or a COPY OF LIEBIG'S LETTERS ON CHEMISTY AND AGRICULTl'RAI CHEMISTY (pamphlet edition). 2. To every person sending for TWENTY-FOUR copies, as above, any AGRICULTURAL BOOK v.ilued a FIFTY CENTS, or TWO feXTRA COPIES OF THE iPARMER. a. To everv person ordering TIIIRTY-TWO copies, any AGRICULTURAL BOOK worth SEVENTY-FIVF CENTS, or THREE EXTRA COPIES OF THE FARMER. 4. To every person orderinc; FORTY copies, any AGRICULTURAL BOOK valued at ONE DOLLAR, oi FOUR EXTRA COPIES OF THE FARMER. 6. To everv person ordering FORTT-EIGFIT copies, anv ARGRICULTURAL BOOK worth ONE DOLLAR AND TWENTY-FIVE CENTS, or FIVE EXTRA COPIES OF THE FARMER. For larger numbers, books or papers given in the same proportion. To save cost to our friends, we pre-pay postage on all boolis sent as premiums. Persons entitled will please state whether they wish books or extra papers, and mai;c their selection when they send orders, if they desire books ; or if they have not obtained as many subscribers as tlicy intend to, we will del.ay sending until the club is full, if so requested. We do not require that all "the papers of a dull should be sent to one post-office. If necessary for the convenience of subscribers, we are wilhng to send to as many different offices as there are members o the club. We write the names on each paper, when a number are sent to the saino office, if desired ; but when convenient, Postmasters would confer a favor by having the whole number ordered at their own office, sent to their own address. J&T" As all subscriptions commence anew with the year, places where the FARMER was never before taken will stand an enual chance in the competition for premiums. J^~ BACK VOLUJIES of the FARMER will be furnished, if desired, and counted the same as new subscriberu. We shall Keep a correct account of the subscribers sent by each person, and in the JULY NUilBER WE SHALL ANNOUNCE THE PREMIUMS. ;2S~ Specimen numbers, show-hills. &c., sent to all post-p.aving applicants. All letters must be post-paid or tree. Bubscription money, if properly enclosed and registered, may be mailed at our risk. DANIEL LEE, Publisher and Proprietor. Vou XVI., Skcond Series. ROCHESTER, N. Y., JULY, 1855. No. 7 THE GENESEE FARMER, A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE & HORTICULTURE. Volume XVI, Second Series, 1855 DANIEI. LEE AND W. D. ALMS, EDITORS. JOSEPH FROST, HORTICULTURAL EDITOR. EACH NU>!BER CONTAINS 32 ROYAL OCTAVO PACES, IN DOUBLt; COLUMNS, AND TWELVE NUMBERS FORM A VOLUME OF 384 PARES IN A YEAR. Terms* Siasle Copy S0.50 ~ Copies, 2.00 Eight Copies, 3.00 And at the same rate for any larger number. DAMEI. r>EE. Fubtisher and Proprietifr, Ruchester, N. Y. PKIIfCIPLES OF mPEOVING DOMESTIC AUIMAIS. CHAPTER I. In applying the general principles of physiology to 'the improvement of animals for the use of man, we shall confine our remarks mainly to the practices of Breeding, Rearing, find Feeding. A volume might be written on breeds and breeding, without exhaust- ing the subject. Did time and space permit, it might be instructive to review the principles of Zoology, so far as to indicate the classes, orders, genera, and spe- cies of such animals as are domesticated in this coun- try, and point out the special advantages of each. But this kind of information is less important to far- mers (for whose perusal this essay is written) than a knowledge of the origin of breeds, and of the true principles of breeding. In the ox family, particularly in Great Britain, the improvement of breeds, and high breeding, ha\'e been carried farther than in any other nation. The Bovida divide themselves into three groups, namely: the Bisonline, the Buraline, and the Tiiurine. The bison is seidom domesticated in the United States; although one variety (the buffalo of the western plains,) might easily be propagated to any desirable extent. The Water-Ox, introduced re- cently into South Carolina, by Dr. Davis, is proba- bly the only specimen of the Bxiraline group in this country. The Bos Taurus is the common domesti- cated o.x, of which there are many varieties and dis- tinct breeds, and their crosses. Naturalists are not agreed as to the fact whether our domestic groups sprang originally from different species, or from one species, ascribing, on the latter supposition, all chan- ges in form and anatomical structure to the influence of changes of climate, of food, and to cross-breeding and breeding in line. Some difSculty e.xists in fixing the exact limits of species; what one would desig- nate as a variety only, another would characterize as of a different' speeies. This is a matter of some im- portance in breeding, for a hybrid formed by pairing animals belonging to different species, like the ass and the horse, h;is different constitutional powers and functions from either of its parents. Both in a phy- siological and economical point of view, hybridizing is a very different process from that of cross-breeding. The latter is a cross between varieties only; the for- mer is a cross between distinct species. Like the common mule, hybrids are rarely fertile. Cross- breeds are not less so than their parents. Hence it is not difficult to form a new breed of cattle, sheep, hogs, horses, or dogs; nor to account for the hun- dreds that already exist. The most common error in the propagation of ani- mals is that of attempting to increase their size, in- stead of trying to improve their form. Beasts of a preternatural growth are extremely prone to defor- mity, either in carcass, limbs, or head. If not mon- sters in fact, they approach monstrosity in develop- ment and predisposition. Nature begins to disown them for their departure from her most salutary laws; and their constitutions are too artificial to endure hardships with impunity. Animals of a medium size are the most perfect in their anatomical organization, and therefore the most vigorous and healthv. By 202 PRINCIPLES OF IMPROVING DOMESTIC ANIMALS. the improvement of a breed is to be understood the producing of such a change iu the shape and func- tions of an animal as shall render it better fitted to perform the labors of the yoke, saddle, or harness; better adapted for becoming fat; or for producing wool, milk, flesh, eggs, or feathers. The desired al- terations are sought by the wise selection of parents. In this consists skill in breeding; while the practice of the most successful breeders has mostly run into three well-defined channels. ^Ist. That of breeding froin individuals of the same parentage, called in-and-in breeding. 2d. That of breeding from offspring of different varieties, called cross-breeding. 3d. That of breeding from animals of different pa- rentage, but of the same variety, called breeding in the line, or the same race. Much has been written on each of these systems by their respective advocates; and under certain cir- cumstances, each doubtless has some advantages. In theory, in-and-in breeding appears very objectionable; but when reduced to practice, the most successful breeders in England have found it to answer their highest expectations. " To obtain the most perfect form, the two modes of breeding most resorted to," remarks Dr. Cline, "are crossing, and in-and-in. The latter may be the better when a particular vari- ety approaches perfection in form; especially for those who may not be acquainted with the principles ou which improvement depends. When the male is much larger than the female, the offspring is generally of an imperfect form. If the female be proportion- ably larger than the male, the offspring is of an im- proved form. For instance, if a well-formed large ram be put to ewes proportionally smaller, the lambs will not be so well shaped as their parents; but if a smaller ram be put to larger ewes, the lambs will be of an improved form. The proper method of im- proving the form of animals consists in selecting a well-formed female proportionably larger than the male. The improvement depends on this principle, that the power of the female to supply her offspring with nourishment is in proportion to her sine, and to the power of nourishing herself by the excellence of her constitution. The size of the foetus is generally in proportion of that of the male parent; and there- fore when the female parent is disproportionably small, the quantity of nourishment is deficient, and her 08- spring has all tho disproportions of a starveling. But when the female, from her size and good consti- tion, is more than adequate to the nourishment of a foetus of a male smaller than herself, the growth must be proportionably greater. The large female has al- so a larger quantity of milk, and her offspring is more abundantly supplied with nourishment after its birth." Conceding the correctness of the above statement that the offspring naturally takes its eize from the male parent, we can understand why the calves got- ten by the large Durham bulls, imported from Eng- land and crossed on our comparatively small native cows, have uniformly disappointed the e.xpectations of stock-growers. Many thousands of dollars have been thrown away in unscientific attempts of this character to improve the neat cattle of the United States. By importing large, well-formed cows of vigorous constitutions, at an early age, and pairing them with the best native bulls, a cross would be ob- tained through the infusion of foreign blood, superi- or for this country, with its peculiar climate, soil, pas- turage, and markets, to the highest bred families in Great Britain. For England, mammoth cattle may be the most profitable ; but for this country, they are not to be commended. Such is the plasticity of ani- mal vitality, that beasts soon adapt themselves in size to the peculiar circumstances that surround them. Shetland ponies are exceedingly small because their supply of food has for ages been scanty. It is not in nature that a starved pig should make a large hog. Generous feeding and nourishment from conception to full maturity tends at all times to the symmetrical development and perfection of the animal. On the contrary, nature abhors hunger, thirst, and ill-usage in every form. Feed a calt; colt, lamb, or pig on food which is defective in nutritive elements, but abundant in quantity, and you will soon produce a pot-bellied, and otherwise defective animal. Its sto- mach and intestines are necessarily preternaturally distended to contain food enough for its bare subsist- ence; and when it comes to the end of its unnatural! growth, the proportion of abdominal viscera and oth- er offal, as compared with the more valuable parts,, will be found in great excess. With bad keeping, it> is impossible to prevent rapid deterioration; and itisi mainly because the millions of husbandmen pay in- sufficient attention to the daily nourishment of their' live stock, that so little improvement is witnessed. Itl matters not whether one breeds in-and-in, cross-breeds, or breeds in the line, the principle of good keeping applies equally to every system. The maxim, that offspring resembles its parents, or that "like producesi like," is only true under like circumstauces. Aniniabi taken from one district or country into another, and subjected to new conditions, will obey all the laws 0^ these now conditions, and gradually disobey all thoad' PRINCIPLES OP IMPROVING DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 203 of the past. As this principle of adaptation is truly important, and not sufficiently studied, we shall ven- ture to designate it by the terms, the Law of Circum- stances. All living things being exposed to disease, and the subjects of death and dissolution, life itself is the creature of circumsfanceg. The farmer who will make tlie circumstances which surround his domestic animals most favorable to their natural wants, can hardly fiiil to develope their highest constitutional powers. A vitiated public taste, and the markets, may demand that slaughtered animals be excessively fat; but all experience goes to prove that unnatural fatness either in a male or female, impairs its value for breeding purposes. After consulting all the best authorities on the subject, we are constrained to say that the evils of breeding in-and-in, or with animals of nearer kin, have been greatly magnified. Mr. Low, late Professor of Agriculture, ia the University of Edinburgh, in his valuable treatise on the " Domes- ticated Animals of the British Islands," thus states the common belief on this subject: " The nearer animals are allied in blood, the more comes unable to nourish them, and if the expirinient be carried as far as the case wiU allow, the feeble and frequently monstrous offspring will be incapable of being reared up, and thus the miserable race will ut- terly perish." A fair interpretation of the words in-and-in breed- ing, does not require the perpetual pairing of broth- ers and sisters, nor of parents and ofl'spring. As fam- ilies extend, cousins of the first, second, and third de- gree of consanguinity are soon called into existence, with their peculiar constitutional developments and anatomical variations. Although descended from the same parentage, their blood becomes less and less identical with each generation through which it passes and thereby afTords every facility for gradually chang- ing the practice of in-and-in breeding to propagating in the line, without vitiating the purity of the blood. When one has a male and female more perfect in form than any other of the same species within his reach, the fact of their being either brother and sis- ter, or parent and offspring, does not justify the refu- sal to unite the good qualities of both by breeding quickly is the similarity of characters distinctive of them together. To refuse to do so, and couple each the breed acquired. In the practice of English breeders, it has not been uncommon to unite broth- ers with sisters?, and parents with their direct proge- ny, and to carry on this system for a long period. The physiological effect is remarkable, not only pro- ducing more quickly that community of characters which constitutes a breed, but affecting the tempera- ment and constitution of the animals. Undar this system, long continued, animals manifest symptoms of degeneracy, as if a violence had been done to their natural instincts. They become, as it were, sooner old; the males lose their virile aspect, and become at length incapable of propagating their race, and the females lose the power of secreting milk in suffi- cient quantity to nourish their young. These effects may not for a time be very observable, but by carry- ing on the system sufficiently far, they never fail to manifest themselves. Dogs continually reproduced from the same litter, exhibit, after a time, the aspect of feebleness and degeneracy. The hair becomes scanty, or falls off, the size diminishes, the limbs be come slender, the eyes sunk, and all the characters of early age present themselves. Hogs have been made the subjects of similar experiments. After a few generations, the victims manifest the change induced in the system. They become of diminished size, the bristles are changed into hair, the limbs become fee- ble and short, the litters diminish in frequency and in the number of the young produced, the mother be- with an animal decidedly inferior, would be breeding downward instead of upward. Bakewell's rule was to select at all times the parents that pleased him best, regardless of consanguinity; and no other im- prover of stock has had greater success. Cross-breeding, in the opinion of many, has been productive of more harm than good; because in a large majority of cases it has been unwisely practiced. Defects in all breeds seem to be brought out with peculiar intensity when any one is forced out of its natural line of descent, and made to mingle its blood with that of another. The greater the difference be- tween the two breeds, the more likely is the progeny to be deformed, or defective in some or many points. With few exceptions, the best results have been at- tained by keeping all breeds distinct, and skilfully se- lecting both males and females in each for the im- provement of the race. In this way, all confusion of breeds is happily avoided, while the excellencies of each have every possible chance for perfect develop- ment. In speaking of the Gallaway breed of cattle, so famous in Scotland, Prof. Low says: "Efforts have, from time to time, been made to cross the breed by the Dishly long-horns, the Ayrshire, and the mod- ern Short-Horns. These attempts, it is believed, have all been failures, in so far as they were intended to improve the general breed of the country; and mod- ern breeders, with better knowledge, have turned their attention to the improvement of the existing race." 204 HEALTH AND ITS PRESERVATION. Scotch graziers and farmers are second to those of no other country in intelligence and industry; and their abandonment of cross-breeding may be regard- ed as additional evidence of their good sense and skill as practical husbandmen. In localities adapted to the Short-Horns, the Hereford, the Devons, or the Ayrshire?, there can be no objection to the introduc- tion of either of these popular breeds, and to a lim- ited extent, crossing it with the native cattle of the district; but this course should never prevent the keeping of the new blood pure in the country. In this way, the imported ^tock may soon become per- fectly acclimated, and whatever merits it may have in form, in early maturity, or disposition to fatten will be preserved without deterioration, provided al- ways, it is properly kept. Perhaps the most valua- ble cow on the British Islands for milk is the Jersey breed. So early as 1789, the insular legislature pass- an act, which is still in force, " prohibiting the impor- tation into Jersey of any cow, heife^ calf, or bull, under the penalty of 200 livres, with forfeiture of the boat and tackle; and a further penalty of DO livres is imposed on any sailor on board who does not inform of the attempt. The animal itself is to be immedi- ately slaughtered, and its flesh siven to the poor." The breeding of dairy cows for exportation, has long been a profitable business for these islanders. A Jersey-man, it is said, will treat every animal on his farm with neglect e.\'cept his cow. She is penned on a narrow space, and shifted to fresh spots of herbage several limes in a day, and in the nights of winter she is warmly housed, and when about to calve, is nourished with cider. Throughout all the year these little pet cows are to be seen in their patches of mea- dow, often under the shade of apple trees, but so fas- tened that they cannot raise their heads to pull the fruit. With proper care and attention, and breeding in a direct line, it is not difficult to form a distinct breed of domestic animals, and one that possesses many valuable qualities. There are, in the United States, the nuclei of at least a score of breeds of neat cattle, which might be extended and cultivated with equal profit to the owners, and benefit to the community. Native cattle, having been reared iu the districts where they exist, and perfectly naturalized to their respective climates, soils, and means of subsistence, are very favorably situated for valuable improve- ment. To efiecl this, a knowledge of what are term- ed "points" of excellence in cattle, is indispensable. In the State of New York, where stock-growing and dairy husbandry have long been prosecuted on a some- what extensive scale, and with great success, much attention has been given to the investigation of this subject, under the auspices of its very flourishing State Agricultural Society; and we can hardly ren- der the husbandmen of the other States a better ser- vice than to copy at length from the thirteenth vol- ume of the Transactions of said society, the "points of excellence in cattle," established for the guidance of its committees, in awarding annual premiums. HEALTH AND ITS PRESEEVATIOH. MuoH has been said and written of late upon the subject of health, and but few of our readers, we presume, are ignorant of the necessity of a timely removal of all causes of disease, such as decaying and decayed substances, whether animal or vegetable, from their premises and the importance of cleanliness in person and apparel. Yet such is the indifference of many who know the right, and yet practice it not, that line upon line and precept upon precept are as necessary in their case as in the education of children of smaller growth. Ac- curate medical researches have conclusively shown that heat and moisture, with defective ventilation are prolific sources of disease among na But heat and moisture alone are not of themselves predisposing and effective causes, unless others act in conjunction with them. We were much interested a short time since in pe- rusing an account of an expedition of discovery up one of the branches of the Niger, into the heart of the African continent. Previous to the return of the expedition alluded to, we have no account of any previous expedition that has returned to the sea-coast without the loss of one-half, or nearly the whole of their number by diseases peculiar to the climate, yet of the sixty and more individuals comprising the ex- pedition, all returned in comparative health, after an absence of eight months. Such a remarkable exemption from disetse deserves more than a passing notice. The means resorted to as preventives, were as follows: 1st. Thorough cleanliness in persons and apparel. 2d. The decks and cabin floors were scrubbed and rubbed with hot dry sand, and in damp wet weather, fires were daily kindled in the hold, in order thorough- ly to di7 the vessel and ensure ventilation. 3d. Chlorides, both of lime and zinc, were freely used in all parts of the vessel, and the bilge water daily removed. 4th. The men were not allowed to expose them- selves to the morning au-, without having first taken HKALTH AND ITS PRESERVATION. 205 Vk cup of strong coffee or chocolate, as a preventive of the faintness and exhaustion often felt when first arising from one's bed, during the hot season, and the European members of the company took, every few days, a grain or so of quiuine as a preventive of ma. larial fevers. Now although it may not be necessary to observe the same care and precautions to avoid disease in most parts of our own favored country, yet how many are content to wear and sleep in the same cloth- ing, drenched with fiutid perspiration, and the excre. tions given off by the cutaneous surface, day after day, and we may say week after week. We know that in hot weather the skin is excited to an unwonted activity, and performs the offices in part which belong to other organs in colder seasons. Now while the skin is thus affected by the stimulus of heat, let there be a failure in its functions, and dis- ease at once follows. In fevers, how anxiously is the moisture of the surface looked for which shows that the skin is resuming its own peculiar functions. From our own experience, we believe that many cases of fever might be prevented or much relieved if thorough ablution in either hot or cold water, as may be most agreeable to the feelings of the patient, ■were freely practiced and resorted to whenever symp- toms should indicate. La.st season, in our own family, a child of two years of age was affected with whooping cough and infan- tile remittent fever. Medicines seemed to have but little effect on the chills and fever. The experiment was tried every morning of putting the feet in tepid or warm water, and freely sponging the surface of the body with the same until the tranquil repose of the little invalid showed its beneficial effect. We are not a believer in any palhy, or particular system of medication, to the exclusion of all others, but pure water has virtues of its own which many have yet to avail themselves of. In this connection we may advert to advice often given to invalids to arise early in the morning and take a walk before breakfast. Such advice may do well enough for indolence, but we are quite sure, it is not of general application. Nature, as illustrated by the instinctive acts of the brute creaiton, directs us to partake of food immediately upon arising, and the practice so generally adopted in all warm cli- mates of taking a cup of some refreshing beverage ag soon as up, has been found by careful experiment eminently conducive to health. We have seen many in their anxiety to secure in good condition the various products of tke harvest field, arise at early dawn, and boast of having done nearly half a day's work before breakfast; yet we have noticed in repeated instances that such untimely labor was followed by attacks of disease of protract- ed duration. We know that during the summer sea- son there is no respite from labor to the husband- man, but health is a greater blessing than wealth, and do not in the effort to secure the latter, irretrievably derange the former. It is known that the use of chlorine in the va- rious forms of chloride of lime, chloride of zinc, or of disinfecting solutions, is well tested as a means of removing noxious effluvia, but we apprehend that there are many, very many, who, knowing its value " and utility, do not provide themselves with it as an indispensible requisite in housekeeping. Such is the n affinity of chlorine for hydrogen, that prussic acid, i one of the most deadly and quickly fatal poisons ' known, is instantly decomposed and rendered harm- less, and sewers and sources of pestilential infections are immediately rendered comparatively innocuous; ' we say comparatively, because as long as the cause , of malarta exists, so long is there danger. A striking instance of its utility in preventing fe- vers was furnished by the fact, that all the operatives resident and near the factories of Belfast, where vast quantities of this gas are employed in the operation of bleaching, were exempt from the fevers that deso- lated Ireland from the year 1816 to 1820. In Johnson's Medical Review for 1828, is an ac- count of its use on board the Windsor Ca.stle, East Indiaman, at the mouth of the Ganges. During their stay, they regularly sprinkled the gun deck with solution of chloride of lime. The conse- quence was a comparative immunity from cholera, ' which was raging fearfully and fatally in other ships. In China, too, they escaped the dysentery, which pre- vailed on the river Tigris at the time. You may inoculate a person with matter from a virulent case of small pox, and binding a compress of linen or cotton cloth moistened with chlorine liquid, the morbific matter will certainly be destroyed. We might give instances at length of its efficacy in specific diseases, but the above are sufficient. In conclusion, we would suggest an experiment which will cost but little, and may prove of great value. In some portions of our country, dysentery and typhoid fevers are almost certainly prevalent to- wards the close of the warm season. In such locali- ties, we would use freely the chlorides, and so freely that at no time during the season should its peculiar smell be absent from our apartments, accompanied 206 now SHALL WR IMPROVE OUR AGRICULTURE? as its use must always be with free ventilation, and unless we greatly misapprehend its remedial virtues^ there will be found a striking illustration of its pow- er to protect from malarial exhalations. HOW SHALL WE IMPROVE OTJS AGEICTTLTirRE 1 Not a few of the soundest intellects of the age are engaged in the earnest consideration of the above question. It is indeed second to no other in general and vital importance. Anxious that our Northern friends and readers shall co-operate with those of the South, or at least keep pace with them in Agri- cultural progress, we publish in the Farmer the fol- lowing letter from Dr. Gordon, a distinguished Ten- nessee farmer, who, with other friends of Agriculture in that State, have caused the Legislature to estab- lish an Agricultural Bureau at the seat of Govern- ment, aud organize the whole commonwealth into districts for the collection and diffusion of rural knowledge. It will be seen by what follows that Dr. G. contemplates making the policy of " reform and improvement in Agriculture," including as it must to be effectual. Agricultural Education, a political ques- tion before the people. Ultimately, such an issue will be made, and from necessity, if not from choice. Six years ago, when the writer took charge of the Agricultural Department of the U. S. Patent Office, Congress appropriated only $3,500 ayear to meet all the ordiuaiy and extraordinary expense of said de- partment ; now it is constrained by public opinion to give some §40,000 a year for the same purposes, and to print 2.'i0,000 copies of its Annual Reports. We contend that this nation of farmers and mechanics greatly needs an Industrial University in the District of Columbia, for the more thorough cultivation of those sciences and arts which operate so powerfully to purify and elevate all that is noble in humanity. Many believe the liberal bequest of Smithson does not now attain the objects of the donor; and we trust that those of Maclure, elsewhere noticed in this pa- per, will be more successful. SUQARTREB FaRM, (nEAR RomE,) ) Smith Co., Tenn., May 25, 1855. ^ Dear Sir: — Permit me to return my thanks for your response in the Cultivator, to my letter in ref- erence to Geological Test Books. I now write for two objects, which will be briefly stated. I am solicitous to procure the Agricultural history of Europe — particularly its present state — the causes which have improved it — specific aids of government — how many schools of Agriculture exist in each do- minion— their character — how many are supported by government, and at what expense — what public agents and officers each employs in agriculture — their duties and salaries — all other government facilities afforded to agriculture, manufactures, and the mechan- ic arts. I wish to get such books as will give all this information. I have just read with pleasure and profit Coleman's travels in Europe, but his book gives none of the information in regard to government aid except in France. Just at this time we need such information in Tennessee, and I must request you to give me the titles of such books as contain it, and where they can be had. The other subject to which I hare alluded, is, how are we. to make tlie desired impression on the popular mind, in favor of agricultural reform mnd eleva- tion ? Measures will never be adopted to make this a great agricultural country, and all producers intel- ligent, till the people call for it at the ballot box. Private efforts can produce but partial results. For thirty years, men of talent have been exerting them- selves, and up to this time their influence has been felt only in their particular districts. They have not yet controlled a single entire State, so far as to make the fostering of Agriculture a leading object of pol- icy. Why is this so ? Their doctrines and positions have been correct, and of high national importance; their arguments have been forcibly set forth, but still they have made no popular impression calculated to do much general good. With regret I have seen the fact for years. On the other hand, behold the effect and excitement a politician can get up, by a single stump speech, or a letter published in a news- paper, couching not half the vitally important matter contained in a single article written by many of our agricultural writers. The friends of reform ought to sift this matter, and adopt such a course as will pro- duce general effect. I have thought that a part of the failure is be- cause we confine our publications to the agricultural journals, and that all appeals to the people ought to be made through the political newspapers. I think your articles, published some time since in the Na- tional Intelligencer, had more influence on the popu- lar mind than all your able editorials in agricultural journals for years. For the last six months, I have been writing upon agriculture for three of the politi- cal papers of Nashville, and can see that I have thus had more influence than I had produced in twenty years by occasional communications to agricultural papers. But there is another and perhaps greater reason TURNIP CULTURE. 207 Wby we have had so little popular influence; we have had no political platform. Agricultural reform must be made a political measure; we must have an agri- ailtural party; politicians must see that they can devate themselves by the study and advocacy of gov-, emment measures to foster agriculture. One single great orator, who would espouse the cause in good earnest, could do more with popular sentiment than all of us who write for agricultural journals, and such a course would place hiui in any public station he might desire. If we coald wake up and rouse some Henry Clay, or Da.niel Webster, to engage in earnest iu this matter, he alone could revolutionize popular sentiment in a short time. Cannot the friends of the cause find a suitable man, who is able to defend, and wiUing to stake his prospects on it ? Can we not, in all our agricultural meetings, call out politicians, and pass resolutions to sustain none but those who will support our positions; and can we not thus rally the farmers generally ? But what will be our platform ? I think the fol- lowing will embrace the positions of most of us: 1. A republican government holds out Equality, Liberty, and Justice, alike to all. This is its theory. 2. Our government ought to be in practice what it is in theory. If it has protected, stimulated, and added commerce with millions of dollars from the treasury, and to some extent done the same thing by duties, discriminating in favor of manufacturers, while nothing has been done for agriculture, this is a dis- tinction, an unjust inequality in practice, which ought not to be tolerated by the farmers. 3. A wise policy demands that the government ghall stimulate and aid each of the three great branch- es of production: 1st, in proportion to its national importance; 2d, in proportion to the number of pro- ducers employed in it; and 3d, in proportion to the aggregate capital invested iu its operations. 4. The agriculture of the Union employs ll-14ths of the national capital, and consequently furnishes ll-14ths of the revenue, while 4 Sths of our produc- tive population are farmers. In view of these facts, their receiving no aid from the treasury, which they mainly furnish, while the other classes, who pay but little, are so freely and liberally aided, the inequality and injustice of such practices are intolerable, be- cause it is double dealing. 5. In view of the rap-d decline of our soil, if a policy be not soon adopted to husband its productive powers, and educate the productive cl.sses, our nation as a mass, will relapse into poverty and ignorance: and two of the great elements of national strength and power will soon be gone, namely, the intelligence and wealth of the people; and however numerous our population may be, it will be weak, and therefore an easy prey to foreign ambition. 6. The most important duty of our great states- men is to develope and preserve the agricultural re- sources of the country, and offer such facilities as will educate and elevate all classes of producers. If we can get candidates for office to stand on this or some similar platform, popular sentiment will be speedily changed, our legislation will comport with our highest interests, and our nation will become the most prosperous and powerful on earth. I hope the Agricultural Convention, to meet in Washington city next Febiuary, in adopting a plat- form, will also resolve to support no politician who will not sustain its platform. Respectfully, F. H. GORDOK. D. Lee, M. D., Prof. Ag., Ga. University. P. S. I hope to hear from you soon on both of the subjects herein embraced. TUKNIP CULTUKE. The round turnip may be sown at any time prior to the 10th of August, broadcast. The land should be completely pulverised, and should be rolled after sowing. After the plants have come up, they should be thinned out to eight or twelve inches apart each way, according to the strength of the plants. M'Mahon aays: "The critical time of the first hoeing is when the plants, as they lie spread on the ground, are nearly the size of the palm of the hand. If, however, seed weeds be numerous and luxuriant, they ought to be checked before the turnip plant* arrive at that size; lest being drawn up tall and slen- der, they should acquire a weak, sickly habit. A second hoeing should be given when the leaves are grown to the height of eight or nine inches, in order to destroy weeds, loosen the earth, and finally to reg- ulate the plants; a third, if found necessary, may be given at any subsequent period." The fly often injures the turnip, and Loudon saya: "Arch. Garrib, a Scottish gardener of merit, tried steeping tlie seeds in sulphur, sowing soot, ashes and sea-sand along the drills, all without eBect. At last he tried dusting the rows, when the plants were in seed-leaf, with quick lime, and found that effectual in preventing the depredations of the fly. "A bushel of quick lime," he says, " is sufficient to dust over an acre of drilled turnips, and a boy may soon be taught to lay it on almost as fast as he could walk along the 208 USEFUL KECBIPTS. drills. If the seminal leaves are powdered in the slighest degree, it is sufficient; but should rain wash the lime off before the turnips are in the rough leaf, it may be necessary to repeat the operation if the fly begins to make its appearance." Upon this subject, Dr. Harris, of Cambridge, says: "I am disposed to rank the turnip as a root next in value to the potato. In many countries it forms a large part of the vegetable sustenance of man and of his domestic animals. It is stated that in England, soon after the turnip appears above ground, a host of little jumping beetles, called by the farmers the fly, attack and devour the seed-leaves, so that on account of this destruction, the land is often obliged to be re-sown, and frequently with no better success. The consequent loss sustained in the turnip crops of Devonshire, in the year 1780, is esti- mated, in Young's Annals of Jlgricnltnre, to amount, at least, to one hundred thousand pounds sterling. In the same country the caterpillar or the cabbage- butterfly attacks the turnip also in great numbers. Insects allied to these are found upon the turnip in this country. The leaves, in all stages of their growth, are eaten through and through with numer- ous holes by a smafl, black, jumping beetle, a species of Hatlica. Some of these insects infest several of our useful plants, such as the horse-radish, the mus- tard, the radish, the cucumber, etc. The same means for protecting these plants are to be used, because the habits of all the halticas are similar. It has been recomniLnided to sow a quantity of radish seed with the turnip seed; for the jumping beetles are found to be so much more fond of the radish than of the tur- nip leaf, that it will desert the latter for the former. Air-slaked lime, sifted or dusted over plants, in some instances preserves them; and sprinkling with strong alkaline solutions will kill the insects without injuring the plants. USEFUL RECIFES.3 How TO Prove and Prepare Seeds for Plant- ing.— Take a small piece of white rag, in which tie about half a thimble full of the seeds intended to be proved, of any kind, such as onions, beets, &c., and boil them twenty minutes. If they are good, they will sprout from one-sixteenth to one-eighth of an inch. Turnip, cabbage, carrot, or any other kind of good seed wiU swell and burst the skin, more or less, and sprout a little. The seed that will not stand this ordeal, should not be used. The farmer had better put in grain or other crop, than lose his labor by sowing such seed ; all seeds should be put in cold rain water over night, before sowing; it will soften the skin of the seed and hasten the growth of the crop by some two or three weeks, than if the seed had not been so prepared. Also, all spring grain should be put into cold rain-water, as before mentioned. In case of the spring proving dry, (as is not unfrequent- ly the case,) it would prove to be of the utmost ad- vantage to the farmer. On the importance of procuring good Seed, and Hints respecting Imported Seed. — Seeds, when im- ported from foreign countries, should be put into tin or other air-tight boxes, and hermetically sealed. Seed merchants here should be careful that this is done, as it would be of great benefit to the public. I have known instances where seeds have laid in large seed establishments, in England, for upwards of five years, and _then sent off to America. Care should be taken to procure good, new, bright seed, particu- larly when imported from abroad. Hotv to procure the best Seed of various kinds. — When you set off' your plants for seeding, such as cabbages, turnips, beets, &c., care should be taken to manure the ground well, with good, short, rotten ma- nure; set them out in a damp, shady place, if possi- ble, so that the sun will not have too much power on them. When they come in blossom, cut out the middle stalk low enough to leave five or six branches standing on the sides of the stalk below; the seed wiU be plump, full, and true. At the time when on- ions and leeks are in blossom, one third of the middle portion of the blossom should be cut out, and the same operation should be performed on all kinds of blossoming vegetables. This is the way to procure true heads of cabbage, and true bulbs to turnips. I would advise farmers and gardeners to take out a portion of the blossom of every kind of vegetation, when set off for seed. Hints on raising Onions. — Prepare your ground in the faU of the year, just before the frost sets in; sow at that time, at the rate of six or eight bushels of salt to the acre, such as has been used for curing meat or fish, will answer, but if pickle be used, do so at the rate of One quart to the square foot. It will kill hundreds of weeds, and other noxious roots. The manure should not be put on before spring; du- ring the winter your manure should be prepared; use such as hog-pen, chicken, horse, slaughter-house, hoof- shavings, woolen rags, malt screenings, and refuse hops from the brewery, or cow dung. Mix any or all of these together, and you will have excellent ma- CORRESPONDENCE— SWAMP MUCK. 209 nure. A little frost will not hurt black seed, so that you should sow as soon as the ground is open in spring. Put out your manure, and level it all over the ground about two inches thick ; then take a shovel and turn the manure under, with about one inch of soil on the top of it. Take a line and make a mark or furrow, from half an inch to an inch deep. All vegetables shoald be sowed in drills or rows. Sow the seed in the furrows and cover it lightly with the hand or back of the shovel. When lumber can be conveniently procured, it should be used, as great advantages result from keeping the ground moist, and retaining in the soil all the strength of the manure. In planting with the aid of lumber, the following in- structions should be observed: — The boards should be about twelve inches wide; lay them two inches apart, and make the mark or farrow between them, ■which can be done without the aid of the line, as be- fore mentioned; then sow your seed, and cover as be- fore; let the boards remain until the onions have grown .OS large as the stem of a tobacco pipe, then take off the lumber. By this means, all the manure will be preserved; neither will there be any weeds to prevent the growth of the onions, which will be now rapidly shooting up, and shade the ground. A child of eleven or twelve years of age can keep a quarter of an acre clean per day. If no lumber be used, at least sis times the amount of labor will be required to keep your onion patch free from weeds. The on- ions should be left from two to four in a bunch. Single onions frequently grow what are called " thick necks," in this country. If there should be a long continued drouth during the summer, causing your onions to fail and become yellow on the top, immedi- ately it comes on to rain, in the latter part of June, or in July, sprinkle or strew salt over the onions in the midst of the rain, at the rate of four bushels to the acre; but be careful not to sow salt too thick, lest you should thereby destroy the crop; for although salt is most excellent for this, and various other agricul- tural purposes, it not unfrequently does much harm' when injudiciously applied. By following this plan, I have succeeded admirably in raising onions, both in England and America; indeed, I have grown onions by the ton, while many others could not secure even a very moderate crop. Mr. EniTon: — Ffaving seen several. statements in the different papers of the day, respecting the pro- ceeds of a single acre, and being out of health and not able to attend to my farm, I will devote a few moments to inform you of my success in farming. Last year I planted one acre of black potatoes ; I have sold from that acre §80 worth of potatoes, and have about twenty bushels left for seed — worth here S15. I also planted one acre of long red potatoes, called by some merinoes; I have sold from that acre $101 worth of potatoes, have used them freely in my family through the winter, and have twelve bushels left for seed — worth here $8. You will remember the season was dry, and but a small crop rai=ed. I plowed deep and planted deep, and used about five cords of stable manure per acre. A. Subsckiber. BooxE Co., 111. To Destroy Caterpillars. — To kill caterpillars, take a small sponge, tie it to the end of a pole, dip it in spirits of turpentine, thrust into the middle of the nest, turning it well in the hand, so that the spir- its may touch each individual. — JVew England Far- To Preserve Meat from Insects. — Make a solu- tion of black pepper and molasses, and rub it well on the meat; then hang it up and smoke ag.ain. The bugs will not even crawl over it. A tea-cup full o pepper, finely ground, and thoroughly mixed with one gallon of molasses, will preserve over one thousand pounds of meat. M. SWAMP KTJCK. Among the many valuable papers to be found in the report of the Massachusetts Board of Agricul- ture, bearing date 1855, and from the pen of its in- dustrious and talented Secretary, C. L. Flint, Esq.> may be found the following instructive remarks on swamp muck: The term mxick is generally applied by New Eng- land farmers to the mass of vegetable matter usually found in peat swamps in a state of partial decompo- sition ; by English farmers, to rotting straw, &c.; and by the Scotch, to barn-yard manure. I use the word in its common signification in this country, and mean by it the dead vegetable substances described. These are the remains of trees and plants, some of which must have lived ages ago, more or less per- fectly decomposed, and sometimes extending to a depth of many feet. I'his substance is made up of different constituents in different localities, and its quality is therefore very variable. Hence we find a great variety of opinions as to the value of swamp muck as a manure. The various estimates of the value of swamp muck range from 33 cents to $3 per cord, and give an average of §1.27; and a.s there is no reason to suppose that the estimated value is not the real value in each locality, it follows that no gen- eral real value can be definitely fixed. This depends on its quality. Swamp muck is often cold and sour, and requires 210 SWAMP MUCK. the addition of lime or exposure to the atmosphere and to frosts before it can be advantageously applied as manure. There are different modes of preparing it for use. The most common is to dig it out, expose it to the frost through the winter, and then put it into the barn-yard to be composted with the stable ma- nure. The following statements are Irom e.^perienced practical men, and each gives the results of the ob- servation of its writer: A Middlesex farmer says: " I use swamp muck most successfully composted with stable manure, on different varieties of soils, but think it does best ou high land of a loamy soil. I notice it is used very extensively by farmers with satisfactory results when composted with other manures thorouglily." A far- mer of Worcester county says: "I use it extensively on my hard, clay soils; it works well on dry lands to keep them moist, and on clay soils to keep them light." Another writer from Dukes county follows : "It should be hauled out in the fall, and exposed to the frost during winter, and mixed with stable ma- nure in the proportion of two parts muck to one of manure; it should also be used in the hog-pen, barn- yard and barn-cellar. I have found it a good manure on loamy, gravelly, and sandy land, especially for top- dressing for grass, when composted as above." A Norfolk county farmer, who has met with great suc- cess, says: "The best way of using swamp muck is to dig it and expose it to the sun, air, and rains one year, and then, when in a dry state, place it in a barn cellar where it will take the droppings of the cattli.' above until it is thoroughly saturated; then mix it well, and it is ready for use. It is good for all high lands." He estimates it at about three dollars by the cord of one hundred and two bushels. A Mid- dlesex farmer of great experience states that " swamp muck is of diflerent qualities, and varies as much as wood when used for fuel. Peat mud, the older the better, consists principally of vegetable matter. It has most effect on high and dry ground. Wood ashes are the best article to correct its acidity." Similar accounts come from every section of the State. Fiom Hampshire county we have the follow- ing : "The best method of using swamp muck, judg- ing from experiments of my neighbors and my own, is to cart it out in the autumn, expose it to the frost and snows, then spread and plow it in in the spring on sandy, dry soils, or, in other words, on soils of an opposite nature to its own. I plowed in twenty-five loads on one-quarter of an acre last spring, and planted it to early potatoes, corn, pea.s, cucumbers, squashes, and melons. It was a great preventive against drouth. That ground has been sewn to rye, and it looks first rate." And from Plymouth county: "Swamp muck, as also upland soils, are valuable to mix witlj various kinds of manure to retain and ab- sorb the salts. For upwards of two years I have adopted a different course with my swamp land from any I know of. I entploy men with long-bitted hoes, sward hooks, etc., to dig up the hummocks and bushes, in bodies large and small, as is convenient, and pile them in bunches for a few days to dry; after which I select a central bunch, in which I form a cavity or hole near the bottom or surface of the ground. Then I set fire to some of the dryest and most combustible, and as it burns I replenish it from the other bunches, smothering in the coal-pit form, though more combustible, till it is burned down to a perfect body of ashes and sand. I have not carried the experiment into full effect as I designed to; but so far as I have used the ashes, they have given me entire satisfaction. Their nature is to improve ex- hausted lands; and my belief is that they may be spread upon the same land upon which the ashes were made, and increase the growth of English grass. Much has been said upon the subject of reclaiming wet, swampy lands; but after all that has been done, as I understand it, a coat of manure is required to produce a good crop of English grass. Now, if our worthless swamp lands possess the very article re- quired to produce such grass by the simple process as above named, I think it would be an improvement in one point of agriculture." A farmer of Barnstable county says : "The best compost manure is made in our barn and hog-yards, of swamp muck, seasveed, and animal manure. Swamp muck and seaweed are accessible to all who will take the trouble to procure them. My bam and hog-yards are so excavated and dug as to absorb the hquids passed into them. Every spring and sum- mer, after my barn-yard is emptied, I replenish it from time to time with swamp muck, peat, seaweed, and other materials from the farm, which, with the animal manure produced by yarding my cattle, fur- nish me in the autumn with 200 loads of good com- post, which I either stack in the yard, or cart on to the land I intend to plant in the spring. I again re- plenish the yard, giving me, with the proceeds of my hog-yard, from 100 to 150 loads more in the follow- ing spring. In addition, I have for two years past composted, in the field adjoining my peat bog, from 75 to lOU loads of peat (thrown from the pit in sum- mer or autumn) with sea and rockweed, or ashes and animal manure, which I esteem of equal value to barn-yard manure. I estimate the value of a cord, or four ox-cart loads of barn-yard manure composted as above, at from $4 to $5. AVe esteem the value of this for a corn crop and the improvement of land higher than pure animal manure." I give one more extract from a farmer of Berkshire county. He says: "I have used swamp muck for a nnmber of years past with good results, by mixing it with yard and stable manures in the proportion of one-third to one-half muck, and consider it worth $1 per load to use for agricultural purposes on soils that are a mixture of loam and gravel." The testimony is uniformly in favor of composting muck with other manures. Its power of absorbing valuable liquid and gaseous substances is very con- si.3 I August 70.63 But this very great difference in the average tem- perature of London and Boston would not be so re- markable, were it not that it is here accompanied by an almost cloudless sky, a blazing sun, and parching winds, causing evaporation at a fearful rapidity com- pared with that under the murky atmosphere of Great Britain. In the latter, there is a remarkable uniformity in the quantity of rain which falls, the ex- ception being an occasional drouth, as in 1844, when we visited London, and found the grass actually brown from the long continued diy weather; while with us there are constant extremes of drouth and rain, the exceptions being an occasional moist sunmier, as in 1850. Our farmers rarely, if ever, experience any loss in harvesting their crops, while the British husband- man is constantly sufi'ering from the dampness of that climate. These at least are two of the important differences between the climate of Great Britain and our own; and indicate, to our view, that we should not be en- tirely guided by English works in our system of cul- tivation, but relying upon all that accords with sound theory combined with practice, add thereto such knowledge as our experience may suggest. We must here counteract as far as possible the excessive dry- ness of our climate, and strive to supply a more uni- form moisture than our periodical rains afford. The details of this would occupy more room than we can now devote to it; but we shall refer to it in a future number. At present we cannot occupy the attention of our readers to more advantage than to give the following extract from an able essay on "deep tiflagc," which we find in the Transactions of the Essex Agricultu- Society for 1854, by Dr. E. G. Kki.ley, Evergreens, Newburyport. It will well repay a careful perusal, and afford evidence, additional, if any is wanting, of the importance of deep cultivation: It turns the drouth itself to good account, and renders mulching and irrigation comparatively useless, or, if used, more efficacious. During a dry spell and in trenched ground, roots strike deeper in search of food and moisture, become more extensively ramif e J, and sooner find the rich loam and manure intermin- gled deeply with the soil. The leaching process, as it is called, is reversed, and takes place upwards more than at any other time, or, in more scientific phrase, capillary attraction is increased. As each particle of moisture is evaporated from the surface, it is succeed- WHEAT A SEMI-TROPICAL PLANT. 215 ed by another, and the whole soil is tilled by an as- cending moisture and gases, which are appropriated by the niinierous rootlets as they have need. The wet seiison is also a blessing to the deep enl- tivator. The more rain, the more heat, ammonia, carbonic acid, and other organic elements are left in the soil as it descends. As each drop tillers through, it is succeeded by another, or by air, both essential to vegetation; and to dissolve, act on, or combine with, the inorganic elements of the soil. As the wa- ter drains otf, air is sure to follow, and this is the proper mode of its circulation. Kach is generally at a higher temperature than the undrained land, and the warmth of the under soil is therefore relatively increased. The farmer often olijects to this waste of water, and would retain it for a dry time. The trenched and porous soil holds water like a sponge, notwithstanding the drainage. It retains, or can command enough for the wants of vegetation. But let us see the operation on the undrained land. The farmer often speaks of his "cold wet land." No variety of soil, in any location, is, of itself, colder than another. The very water which trenching, draining, &c., allow to pass off after imparting its virtues to the soil, if retained on or near the surface by hard impervious sub-soil, becomes itself, by its changes, the source of the coldness complained of. Instead of running off, it evaporates, and by this pro- cess abstracts a great cjuantity of heat from the soil and surrounding atmosphere. The evaporation of a pound of water requires about 1000 degrees of heat; some authors stating it less and others more — or it reduces 100 pounds of air 45 ° . This is reversing the experiment of Prof Johnson, in Espy's "Book of Storms," where he says, " a pound of vapor " con- densed to water " would heat 100 pounds of avc about 45 ° . The ground to a considerable depth is warm- er, by many degrees where the rain is drained off, in- stead of being allowed to accumulate and evaporate. Hence this enormous loss of an invaluable stimulus to vegetation. This chilling and deadly process of evaporation is going on to excess from the time frost comes out of the ground in the spring, till freezing again occurs. At this period, the undrained land, having the most water to freeze, becomes the warmest, say in Decem- ber, when of no value to vegetation, but rather an in- jury. For once, forsooth, the undrained land is warmer than the drained ! But for this excess of heat in winter, this kind of land must pay dearly in early spring. How is all this? inquires the farmer. Sim- ply because water, in congesiling to either ice or snow, has its capacity for heat lessened about one-ninth, and this excess is given off to surrounding bodies; or, in other words, its latent heat is set free. On the other hand, ice, or frost as it is called, in the ground, in melting, demands back this same heat, at the rate of from one-eighth to one-ninth of 1000 ° , for every pound melted; and under the surface it does not ob- tain all this directly from the sun, but through the soil: therefore, the more water, the colder and longer cold will be the land in spring. Now let the agricul- rist go to work and make this " cold, wet, heavy land" of his, the very best he has for any product, trees, vegetables, grains, or grasses. — Magazine oj Horti- culture. WHEAT A SEMI-TEOPICAL PLANT. A LATK number of the Mark Lane Exprets, speak- ing of the injury done to growing wheat in England, has the following remarks: " We are too apt, perhaps, to forget that although the wheat plant is classed with the hardy corn crop, yet that there are limits to even its power of sustain- ing the rapid evaporation from its leaves by drying easterly winds, and a long-continued low temperature. We have made strange advances, indeed, in the cul- tivation of this crop; but we seldom reflect upon the fact that its cultivation in this conntry is extended to the xery verge of that mean temperature in which it refuses to ripen its seeds. From what country the wheat originally came is a matter of much doubt ; but yet no one "disputes the fact that it is indigenous in countries far warmer than our own. It is found wild in Persia, on the banks of the Euphrates, and in the warm soils of Mesopotamia. It has been con- tended that the valley of the Jordan, or the parts of I'alestine which border upon Arabia, may reasonably be assigned as the native country of the wheat plant. At any rate, all are agreed that this cereal has follow- ed the train of agriculture into gradually decreasing mean temperature, from the banks of the Nile to the valleys of Greece, and through the Italian peninsula to far more northerly soils. A portion of the surface of our globe has been sometimes divided by the nat- ural philosopher into certain cereal zones. It was when speaking of that adapted to the cultivation of wheat, that Mr. Whitley, in his essay on the climate of the British Islands in its effect upon cultivation, indirectly paid a well deserved compliment to the growers of British wheat, when he asked, ' In what part of this cereal zone are our Islands situated ? Certainly not in that best adapted for wheat, which is grown in greater perfection on the plains of Egypt, and in the dry hot summers of Spain. The summer temperature of the cultivated lands of the British Isles varies from 54 ° to 64 ° ; in the rich plains of Lombardy it is 73° ; and in Sicily, the granary of ancient Rome, 77 =■ .' There is, in fact, no portion of Europe where the wheat crop is pressed into so low a summer temperature as in our own islands, and that with a considerable degree of success ; and we may note that in our lands it is still advancing towards the north. "In 1727, a field of whfeat near Edinburgh, drew numerous admiring visitors to the phenomenon. Its cultivation had made little progress there even in 1770 ; but now it is raised in abundance on the low- lands, favorable hill districts are invaded, it has suc- cessfully been established on the shores of the Mur- ray Frith." To Preserve Flowers, Leaves, and Fruit from Caterpillars. — These depredators are destroyed by oils, which close the lateral pores by which they breathe. For this purpose it is advised, that on the approach of spring, a cloth dipped in train oil, be laid on such parts of the tree in which there is the least appearance of them. — jyew Hovsehold Receipt Book. GUTTA PEECHA. ABORIGINES GATHEBING GUTTA PEKCHA IN THE NATIVE FOKEST. GUTTA PEECHA* Among tte characteristics which excite our admi- ration and astonishment in this era, is the rapidity with which newly discovered products of nature are applied and fashioned into such various uses, that they, in a short time, become necessities, and we look back with surprise and wonder how we have got along without them. This statement is most emi- nently true in the matter of gutta percha, a material the virtues of which were wholly unknown to the civilized world only fifteen years ago, yet at the pres- ent day we find it alreadv taking its place in the front rank of substances that minister to the wants and appliances in the economy of the great human family. With gutta percha, or by its immediate aid, obstacles heretofore insurmountable have been over- come; with it, by magnetism, we are enabled instant- ly to send our thoughts and commands not only across rivers and bays, but even portions of old ocean itself, and thus are brought London and Paris within a few seconds of each other; with its aid we turned a branch of the Croton immediately through the brackish waters of the East river, to supply the city's institutions with that best of all beverages, pure and wholesome water. But, to our mind, the grand climax of all the uses to which has yet become • Pronounced pertsha nni perka. The word is purely a Malayan one, gutta meaning the gum or concrete juice of a plant, and J7«r- cha the particular tree from which thi3 ia procured. available, is its application to textile fabrics, by which means it is daily becoming known among all classes as one of the important features of our domestic economy, and highly subservient in thousands of ways to comfort, luxuiy, and general happiness. Gutta percha, like caoutchouc, is a carburet of hydrogen, and isomeric with that substance, and pos- sesses a great number of the properties which char- acterise Tndian-rubber, but exhibits certain special qualities which admit of its being applied to partic- ular uses, to which caoutchouc is not adapted ; in fact, in the principal incongruity above referred to, gutta percha has proven to have all the requirements that Indian-rubber needs, in the perfection of textile fabrics, rendered water-proof through its aid. While the plants which furnish caoutchouc abound in the whole of the territorial zone which extends between the tropics, the Isonandra gtitta belonging to the natural order Sapotacea, is the only tree which yields gutta percha. It grows abundantly in nearly every part of the Malayan archipelago, and to which it is believed to be indigenous. The tree (called by the native Malays JYiato) is from sixty to seventy feet high, and three or four feet in diameter. Its fo- liage is a pale green on the upper side, and covered with reddish-brown hairs beneath. The sap circu- lates between the bark and the wood, in vessels whose course is sufficiently well marked by black lon- gitudinal lines. The wood is of a soft, spongy na- GUTTA PERCHA. 21'! ture, ami of little commercial value. Heretofore it has lieeii exceedingly difficult to obtain specimens of the llower and fruit (representations of each will be observed in the eugruvinij). The latter contains a concrete edible oil, which is used by the natives with their food. The tree flomishes luxuriantly in alluvial tracts at the foot of hills, and forms iu many places the principal part of the jungle in such situations. It is most plentifully found iu Borneo, Java, Sumatra, and Penang. Ciutta percha was first brought to England in the days of Tradescaxt,* as a curious product, r the name of .Muzer-wood, and subse- quently it was frequently brought from China, anil other parts of the East, in the fcjrra of elastic whips, sticks, etc. In 1843, the atten- tion of the scientific and commercial world was attracted to it by various personages, among whom were Drs. D'Almf.id.i, and W. Mont- GO.MEKIE, and Mr. Thomas Lodb. Each of those individuals receive their quota of praise in the ditierent accounts, but as Dr. Mo.ntgom- ERiF. appears to have been the most efficient, and from the fact of his having received seve- ral honorary medals from scientific associations, as the first European discoverer, we choose to join the throng, and will give his recital of the incident. In the year 1842, Dr. Montgomerib was out in the woods at Singapore, when he observed in the hands of a parang, or native woodsman, a hatchet, the handle of which was composed of a strange substance. " I ques- ;ioned the workman in whose possession I found t," says the Doctor iu his account to the soci- 3ty of Arts; "I heard that the material from which it was formed, could be moulded in any lesired shape, by dipping it into hot water, .vhen it became as plastic as clay, and when ;old regained its original hardness and rigidity." 3f course the Doctor was not long in dissemi- lating his knowledge of so remarkable a sub- ;tanee. He speedily procured specimens of lie tree and its products, in various states of jreparation, and forwarded them to the Socie- y of Arts, in London, and subsequent inquiry ed to the facts which have since become preg- lant of its value. At first the natives were in the habit, when hey required a supply, of felling the trees; but sperience soon taught them that the milky uice might be collected by cutting notches lere and there in the trunk, and in this way ife of the tree might be saved for future .appings. The sap coagul'tes in a few min- ites after it is collected ; but before the crude ;am becomes quite hard, it is kneaded by hand nto compact oblong masses, from seven to ten nches in length, by four or five in thickness. This >art of the work is mostly performed by women, as een in the illustration. The blocks made up for e.x- jortation, however, are not ahvays of the same size md appearance, the fancy of the rude barbarians lometimes giving them strange forms — such as a )ird with red berries for eyes, images of ships, quad- JoHN Tradescast, the name of two Naturalists, father and on, who liTed in England daring the 17th century. rupeds, or the "human face divine." The gum is al- ways sold by weight, a fact which is taken advantage of by the crafty savage, who in humble imitation of more clever adulterators, sometimes introduces a stone, or other heavy substance, in the interior of the mass. As it would entail a serious loss of time on the merchant if he were to cut each block at the port of shipment, it often happens, on the substance reaching this country, it is found to conceal stones or rubbish ; and then woe to the purse and the cutting knives of the purchaser. Besides this, however, the FLOWER, FKCIT, AND STEM OF PERCHA TREE. block often contains a vast amount of unavailable material in the shape of bark, dirt, leaves, and so on, which becomes accidentally or designedly incorpora- ted with the gum. From the examination of the specimens sent over by Dr. Mo.ntgomerie, it became at once apparent that a large trade in the article would speedily take place; and in a few months the jungles of the Jo- hore archipelago, the scene of the first gatherings 218 EXPERIENCES IN LAND DRAINAGE. were explored by Englishmen, Chinese, and Malays, in search of the gum-exuding tree. Their efforts were ai;tively seconded by the natives; and in a short time it was discovered that the supply, of which some doubts were first entertained, was almost inex- haustible. An acute observer has remarked the sin- gular fact, that although the English, Portuguese, and Dutch, had, one or the other of them, retained possession of the islands on which the trees grew, for more than nine centuries and a half, still its valuable qualities were not discovered till 1842. The rise of this new trade gave a ereat impetus to the activity of the Oriental islanders; and the value of the gum becoming fully known, eager search was made from island to island, and among the forests of the Archi- I)elago; aiid large profits were made by the sarmin gongs, or chiefs, of the aboriginal tribes, who exacted from the gum hunters a revenue on all they found. Sufficient profits were left even after this deduction, to stimulate the cupidity of the natives, and the port of Singapore was speedily supplied with the article in great quantities. In its crude state, gutta percha is entirely dissimi- lar and different from Indian-rubber, having no re- semblance to the elastic gum whatever; nor are its cheinical or mechanical properties the same. It is a fibrous material, much resembling the inner coating of white oak bark, is extremely tenacious, and with- out ehtsticity, or much flexibility. It can be melted and cooled at will, without injury for future opera- tions. It is a non-conductor of heat, cold, and elec- tricity. It is not affected by coming in contact with oils, (.r other fatty substances, or with sulphuric, mu- rialic, or other acids. When exposed to the action of liuiling water, it contracts and becomes soft like dough or paste, and can be moulded in any desired shape, which form it will rigidly retain when cold. It has an exceedingly fine grain, and its oily prope: ties make it a perfect repellant of liquids. When first treated with water, alcohol, and ether, and then precipitated, it yields a substance consistent with iln own common properties. In nearly every one of the above mentioned qualities, it has the advantage of caoutchouc. 'I'he following is an analysis of the two substances, by William Allen Miller, M. 1)., F. R. S. : perseverance of Yankee ingenuity — by which it has been accomplished — ^yes, and even beyond the pre- dictions of the most sanguine of the scientific savans, who first examined the specimens forwarded in 1843. — U. 8. Magazine. Gutta percha, Rirbon, 83.71 Hjirogen, 12.36 Oxj-gen, 3.93 CaautdKmt, Carbon, 86.39 Hydrogen, 12 08 Oxygen, 1.53 The specific gravity of gutta percha is 975, that of water being 1,000. Various capabilities of gutta percha were tested, immediately on the reception of the samples for- warded by Dr. Mo.ntoomerie to London, and after a time, companies and individuals engaged in producing manufactures from it, for which there was, and still is, a constantly increasing demand. Some patents were granted, but the fact must be admitted, that although it was adapted to a large number of useful purposes, and made in various kinds of wares and chattels, still no process of vulcanization, or in any way changing the propertie.3 (further than cleansing) has been discovered or yet worked on the continent of Europe. The grand distinction of accomplishing this proud achievment was left for the unyielding EXPESEENCES IN LAND DRAINAGE. DuRiNO the last thirty years I have draineil many thousand acres. The result in all cases was highly satisfactory — the tenants being generally willing to pay six and a half or seven per cent, on the expense, and the advantage to them I am aware greatly ex- ceeds that interest. The drainage I have adopted is the parallel system. For some years I have allowed no drainage under 3J feet deep in hard land, and in moss or bog \\ or 5 feet. At one time (20 years ago) our drains were only 27 and IW inches, but ex- perience has shown us the great advantage of deeper drains. Our present drains are 3J feet deep at 24 feet distance. We have no lowland for permanent pasture, our drainage in moorlands for permanent pasture being only a small open cut for surface water, at an expense of about £3 per thousand rods, but of incalculable advantage in sheep walks. The diree- tiou of our minor drains is {(.'i'/fethe fall. We do not regard the furrows — the land in this district being sown out flat. I have used 2-inch and 2^-inch pipes for minor drains, and 4-inch to 6-inch tiles with soles for leaders. Collars or socket-pipes have not been used in this district, although I believe they ought to be. We have generally stones thrown out of drains, with which we fix the joints of pipes very firmly. I have not tried the practice of giving air at places to drains, and do not consider it at all necessary. The average number of acres to one outlet I cannot ac- curately say: perhaps eight, ten, or twelve acr&s ac- cording to circumstances. We have great variety ol soil ; peaty soil upon clay or till, or a good red earthy ?oil with more or less of clay upon rock, till, or clay. We have a great variety of geological formation, but chiefly a second class retentive soil upon the claj slate formation. We are from 10 to 400 feet above the level of the sea. The fall of rain here is, perhaps as great as any part of Britain. In conclusion, I believe there is no expenditure of capital more pro- fitable than that of drainage, and few mea.sures have done more good than the government grant for that purpose. 1 believe if the money so absurdly expen- ded in promoting emigration had been laid out in drainage it would have been immensly more benefi- cial, both in contributing to the comforts of the poorer classes and in promoting the prosperity and wealth of the community. In some cases a tract ol land not worth 50s. has been, by drainage, made worth £50 a year, and farms or estates have been even tripled in value by drainage, followed by a good .system of farming. G. Guthrie — Rephad, Stanraer. The greater part of Lord Yarborough's estate in this county that required draining has been drained by his tenants (his lordship providing the necessary tiles) during the last twenty-five years. Up to about four years ago the drains were put in from 16 to 24 inches from the surface, but during the last four years a great part of these have been taken up and put in not less than 3 feet. No difference is mad© WHAT MEAT LOSES BY COOKING. between arable and grass land. The soil generally is clay, with the subsoil of the same character; where the latter has sand veins, or is at all gravelly, a great- er depth is adopted — in some few cases they are 5, 6, and oven 8 feel deep, the object being to go wher- ever the water is. On the strong soils, 3 feet drain- ing is found so far to be eflectual; the system is to drain down caoii furrow, the lands being generally about 8 yards wide. Kgg-shaped pipes, 2| inches by IJ, without collars, have been partially used, but open tiles (with sides where necessary) have been more generally used, and are preferred. The average Jepth of rain-full in the neighborhood is a little over 20 inches. Stephen Gibbons, agent to the Earl of Yaiborough, Biocklesty Park. The result of our drainage operations on all de- icriptions of land has been most satisfactory. I be- ieve nothing pays better than draining land. The Iraiiiage adopted has been generally on the parallel ystem, but that must depend a good deal upon the lature of the ground and the fall. The prevailing lepth of the drains is about 3 feet. I have not laid Irains quite so near each other on grass land as on rable. The direction of the minor drains has been :enerally with the fall. I have found 2 inch pipes nswer best for the minor drains; I would not advise hat smaller should be used on any ground. I have ever used collars, as I think they would have a ten- eucy to displace the pipes and destroy the regularity f the channel. I have not sufficient experience to ay if there is any benefit by giving air at places to ither main or minor drains. The average number f acres discharging at the several outlets is about hree acres, sometimes more. What is the soil and absoil? Pebbly gravel, sometimes loamy, fur the jil; the subsoil generally a stiff clay. We are situ- ted here in what is called the London basin, which onsists of a great depth of stiff clay, overlying the halk which crops out at Ware and Hertford, but is t too great a depth to be worked in this vicinity, 'he valley of the Lea consists of a great depth (in )me places 8 or 10 feet) of loam (brick earth.) The des of the hills are covered in many places with eds of gravel, which dip under the loam, and lay nmediately over the clay. This is on the Hertford- aire side of the river. On the Essex side the clay ses again after passing under the river, and there is ttle or no gravel. The marshes close to the river, 3usist chiefly of black peat or decomposed vegeta- le matter, intermixed occasionally with beds of ravel, with clay underneath. The surface of these larshes is evidently higher than it was originally, and drained would contract like a sponge, and sink gain. I doubt much whether they can be drained ) advantage. The best mode of improving them ■ould be to dig up the clay and spread it on the top. » as to consolidate them. Great injury is done to le laud by heading up the water for the navigation ad the mills. ^Ve are about 100 feet above the ;a level. Hertford is 96 feet above the high-water lark at the Thames. I am quite convinced, from xperience, that nothing pays better than draining, well done, and the drains are not placed at too reat a distance. I have one field on my estate 'hich was utterly worthless until drained. It would 'Ot grow the poorest grass. It now produces good crops of corn and roots. But I strongly advise that whatever is done in draining should be well and effec- tually done, and that the pipes should never be less than 2 inches. I am of opinion, also, that although the water will find its way down to very deep drains,^ say 4 or 5 feet, this does not obviate the necessity of close draining. AVe are also less careful than we ought to be in forming the outlets. What is iiiuch wanted is a good practical work on drainage, similar to Leclkrc's Traile de Drainage, a French work. G: T. Bosanquet — Hoiidesdon. — London Agricidtvr ral Gazette. WHAT MEAT LOSES BY COOKIHG. " Professor Wallace, of Edinburgh, has given us the results of some experiments made to determine the loss which meat undergoes in cooking. It is to be regretted that it is not more in detail, and that the weight of the bone in each joint was not ascertain- ed; but still it is of great value. The results reduc- ed to 100 pounds of meat ars as follows: — Lbs. 100 lbs. of beef lostinboUing 26M 100 lbs. of beef lost in roaflling 32 X00 1b.s. of Ijeef lost in baking - ;--30 1»0 lbs. of legs of mutton, averaging about 9>a 11)S. each, lost inboiliog 21K 100 lbs. of shoulders of mutton, averaging lOlba. each, lost in roasting — 3tK 100 lbs. of loins of mutton, averaging 8 lbs. 12 m. each, lost in roasting 35 >2 100 lbs. of necks of mutton, averaging 10 lbs. eftch, lost in roasting - - 23 J2 Thus, the loss in boiling beef or mutton was less than in roasting. And it appears that meat loses by the cooking about one-fifth to one-third. A few years since, I undertook the superintendence of some experiments of the same tendeacy, with the view of inserting the results in this volume. These trials were made on several parts of the different animals, with as much attention to accuracy as the nature of the subject permitted. They were made on different qualities of the same kind of meat, at various sea- sons, both in England and Ireland. Such experi- ments are exceedingly troublesome, and occasion no small inconvenience; it is, therefore, the less surpris- ing that the subject has been so little investigated; and the following result-s, in the absence of any oth- ers so particularly detailed, will, perhaps, prove inter- esting. Allowance must be made for the nature of such processes, as the difficulty of fixing an average price of meat, fish, and poultry, owing to variations occasioned by the supply and the season, the want of uniformity in the prices of the city, and by the exor- bitant demands of some vendors of these articles. The degree of fatness was in all cases brought to a standard by cutting off all excess, and leaving the meat in a proper state for housekeepers' use. The meat was in all cases cooked as nearly as possible to the same degree, and the weights were determined with exactness; avoirdupois weight throughout is in- tended. The bones were entirely stripped of their meat previously to their being weighed. The only cost taken into account is that of meat, leaving out fuel, &c. " 1. A piece of beef, roasted. It consisted of four of the largest ribs, and was not remarkably fat: its weight was 11 1-16 lbs. During the process of roast- 220 BIRD ISLANDS— CURB FOR RHEUMATISM— THRIVINU FARM. ing it lost 2 lbs. G oz., of which 10 oz. were fat, and 28 oz. were water dissipated by evaporation. When the meat was dissected off with the utmost care, the bones weighed 16 oz. Hence, the weight of meat, properly roasted and fit for the table, was but 7 lbs. 11 oz., out of 11 lbs. 1 oz., originally submitted to experiment. This beef would cost in London 84d. per lb. The roasted beef cost, therefore, 12 l-.^d per lb. In another trial, a piece of beef of the same description, the tops of the ribs having been rejected with their meat, was submitted to the same mode of trial; the weight of bone in IflJ lbs. was 16 oz., and the fat 11 oz,, which agrees with the former estimate." Other parts of mutton, submitted to similar tests, gave the following results: " 17. A leg of mutton, weighing 9^ lbs., when boil- ed, gave 1 lb. of bone, shank included ; it lost in the boiling 1 lb. 2 oz.; the meat weighed 7 lbs. 2 oz. If the butcher's price was 8d. per lb., the meat cost about lOid. per lb. " 18. A similar leg, weighing 9 lbs. 6 oz., afforded 15 oz. of bone, and lost 12 oz. in the boiling; the meat weighed 7 lbs. 11 oz. At 8d. per lb., butcher's price, the boiled meat would cost SJd per Hi. " 19. A leg of small Scotch mutton, weighing 6 lbs., afforded lOj oz. of bone, lost 5J oz. in the boil- ing, and the meat weighed 5 lbs.: cost 9Jd. per lb., if butcher's prices be 8d." The following are miscellaneous: — " 28. A fore-quarter of lamb, weighing 9 lbs., af- forded, when roasted, 20 oz. of bone, and lost I5 II). in the roasting: the meat weighed 6 lbs. If the butcher's price be 8jd. per lb., the roasted lamb costs I'-'ld. per lb. " 31. A hand of salt pork weighing 4 lbs. 5 oz., lost in boiling 11 oz. The bone weighed 9 oz.: the meat was 8 lbs. 1 oz. If the first cost of the pork was 7 Jd per lb., the meat, when duly boiled, cost lOJd. per lb. "3-1. A knuckle of veal weighing 6 lbs., when du- ly boiled, lost half a pound. Its bones, perfectly cleared of meat, weighed 2 lbs. 6 oz.; the meat weighed 3 lbs. 2 oz. Hence, if the butcher's price was 5jd., the boiled meat cost lOJd. per lb. "35. A goose properly trussed, weighed 4| lbs.: in this state it was roasted, and when sufficiently done, was found to have lost 18 oz. The skeleton weighed 12 oz.: the meat weighed 3 lbs. This goose w^uld cost, in London, 4s. 6d. Hence the roasted meat amounted to Is. 8jd. per lb. " 41. A turkey, with its liver and gizzard, weighing 4 lbs. 14 oz., was boiled: it lost 12 oz. The skeleton weighed 13 J oz.; the meat 3 lbs. 4^ oz. If this tur- key cost 3s. 6d., the boiled meat amounted to Is. Id. per lb. " 43. A young duck, weighing 20 oz,, lost 53 oz. in roasting. Its bones weighed 2 1-16 oz.: the meat was 12 J oz. It cost 2s. Gd.: hence the flesh amount- ed to 3s. 3jd. per lb. "46. A fowl, with its liver and gizzard, weighing IJ lbs., was roasted. It lost 3 oz.: the skeleton weighed 4J oz., and the flesh 16 J oz. If such a fowl cost 2s. 6d., its meat, when roasted, would cost 2s. 43d. per lb. " 47. A chicken, weighing 1 lb. 4J oz., when roast- ed lost 3j oz. The bones weighed 3 oz., the flesh 13i oz. If the chicken cost 2s. 4d., the meat, roast ed, was worth 2s. 8d. per lb. " 56. A fine mackerel, when trimmed, and readj for boiling, weighed 23J oz. (including the weight 0 of the roe, 2 J oz.) It cost lOd. It lost I3 oz. ii the boiling. The skeleton, carefully collected, alon; with gills, fins and tail, weighed 4i oz. Hence, thi cost of the eatable parts of the boiled fi.sh was 9Jd per lb." — Farmer's and Planters Encydopadia. BIED ISLANDS. These islands, lying in the Caribbean Sea, in lati tude 15 deg. 39 min. N., longitude 63 deg. 38 min VV., have never been occupied till 1854, when the larg est of the group was settled by parties from Bostot and named Shelton Island. Habitations were bull and, as it was nothing but rock and guano, soil wa actually carried hence to create vegetation. Suitabl wharves were fitted up with facilities for carrying 0 the business of obtaining guano. This occupatio continued from the spring of 1854 to December, 185; and it is contended in the memorial of Philo S.Shei To.M to the State Department that the title to the i: land was thereby secured for the Americans, disco\ ery merely never having vested in any nation th right to new-found land. But Venezuelans, watchfi of the new colony, sent a war schooner to Shelto Island on the 13th of December, landed troops, an ordered the settlers off. They disobeyed the mai date, when in a few days afterwards, more soldiei were sent from Laguayra; the colonists were drive away, and their property confiscated to the Veuezui Ian Government. It i.s fur the redre.ss of this injui that the interrcrcnce of our Government is solicife by r, S. fnia.Tu.v, of Boston, and others. — J\'ulioni Intelligencer. The amount of guano in these islands is said to I large ; and analysis shows it to be rich in phosphor acid. Cure for RiiEUM.msM. — The New England Farr er recommends the following recipe as a simple aE invaluable remedy for rheumatism. Take a pint the spirits of turpentine, to which add half an ounc of camphor; let it stand till the camphor is dissol ed; then rul) it on the part affected, and it will nev( fail of removing the complaint. Flannel should 1: applied after the part is well fomented with turpei tine. Repeat the application morning and eveninj It is said to be equally available for burns, scald! 'I bruises and sprains, never failing of success. ill id A Thriving Far.m. — A gentleman connected wit< the Delevan House, has a farm on the Sand Hills ( Albany, on which, last year, he raised potatoes, cor» and cabbages enough to supply the tables of his ec establishment, and had this Spring 1200 bushels ( potatoes for sale. This season he has one hundrei acres under cultivation. He has planted one thour and bushels of potatoes, which, with an ordinary sBfi son, must produce ten thousand bushels at least. C corn, beans, peas, turnips, cabbages, squashes, radisi es, i'c, he expects to raise more than double th quantity of last year. HINTS TO PURCEIASBRS OF TREES, &c.— RURAL CEMETERIES. 221 CONDUCTED BY JOSEPH FROST. 'he Horticulttrist. — We regret to learn tliat Horticulturist, wliicli has been so ably conducted the past two years and a half in this city, by tEs Tick, Jr., as publisher, and P. Barky, editor, been purchased by a firm in Philadelphia ; and nunilier for this month is to be issued from that yherever the Horticulturist may go, it will have best wishes in the future, and we trust that it continue as the standard of Horticulture in this itry, reflecting abroad credit on America in this kindred pursuits, inculcate the principles of taste teach the pleasures of rural life. TS TO THE PUHCHASEfiS OF TEEES, SEEDS, Ac. XDEu this heading we lind an article in the Hor- turist, which so nearly expresses our views upon subject spoken of, that we are induced to insert Time and time again we have been solicited by e who have been cheated and victimized, to e.x to the public the tricks and trickeries of the ery and seed trade, but have deferred it, doubt- ,'ery much whether the public would avail them- !S of the information or not. It may, however, ;en by some who will be benefitted. Dur correspondent, 'M.,' of Maumee, Ohio, re- ■ in our last number some of the tricks of for- ad venturers in the West, and we have seen the same things done in this enlightened horticultu- ;ity of ours a few years ago. Large quantities le merest trash were sold at exorbitant prices to ons who were never known to patronize respec- nurserymen and florists at their own doors to imount of a dollar. A short time ago a gentle- from one of the Eastern States called on us, and ired for a person who he said had sold large itities of Apple trees in his neighborhood, repre- iUg himself to be the proprietor of one of the jt and most extensive nurseries in Western New k, and representing also that his tr-es wereprop- ed by some superior method which was known im only, and which gave them a decided superi- f over trees grown in the ordinary way. On in- y, we found ^this man did not own a single foot ot , had never been a nurseryman, nor had he any rest whatever in any nursery establishment, but ;ht such trees as he could make the largest profit He was a crafty rogue, howevei', — pretended to e than ordinary piety, and victimized the religious pie of New England handsomely. A few weeks a nurseryman of Rochester received intelligence , he was represented in some parts' of Ohio by irson who claimed to be his agent and soti, while he not only did not know such a persoji, but had nev- es seen him or heard of him before, and he was com- pelled to incur the trouble and expense of advertis- ing him as an impostor. Is not this a high-handed piece of deception to be attempted in such a busi- ness, and among an intelligent people ? The man who will do such a thing is not a particle better than he who counterfeits a bank bill or a silver dollar, or who will forge a signature to a bank check. We have it from perfectly reliable authority, that a com- pany of tree dealers, hailing from Ohio, purchased at a small nursery in Western New York a quantity of seedling unworked fruit trees, (Peaches and Cherries,) knowing them to be such — for the nurserj-man we believe to be a perfectly honest man, — and they took them up, tied them in parcels, and attached labels to them bearing the names of all the best fruits in the catalogues. We were informed that these spurious articles were to be carried to Tennessee. Here is a piece of viUainy for you! Such men richly deserve the penitentiary, and we can not understand how any honest man could conscientiously refrain from expos- ing them, and thus aid in bringing them to punish- ment. " In every part of the country people have been outrageously deceived by itinerant grafters. 'They traverse the country, and take orders to do grafting at so much apiece for all that live. When the season of grafting comes, a few workmen coijie along with a wagon-load of scions, containing every variety that could possibly be called for, all procured from the most responsible source; and as a proof of this, a a catalogue of some well-known nurseryman is exhib- ited, and, it may be, a forged bill or invoice ; while the scions were most likely cut from some of the orchards they had been grafting in. Thousands of orchards have been ruined in this way. We have now one in our possession which the previous owner had had grafted by one of these rogues, and instead of hav- ing three or four select sorts, as he ordered, he had a collection of vile rubbish, mostly natural fruit, and in some cases three or four difTerent sorts on a tree. " We might go on and cite cases of this sort which have come to our knowledge enough to fifl a dozen pages of this journal, but it would be a waste of tiine and paper. In this part of the country people are more cautious and careful than formerly, and few men now are willing to trust unknown irresponsible pei-sons with the important duty of grafting their fruit trees. Not so, however, in some parts of the West and South, where we are informed the specula- tion is in full blast. We hope this word of warning may find its way there, and prevent at least a few from aUowing themselves to be victimized." BTTR&I CEMETEEtES. It is, doubtess, a dictate of our common humanity, to cherish reverence and affection for the ashes of the dead. Even the savage, driven into the wilder- ness by the march of civilization, parts from the graves of his fathers as reluctantly as from his corn- fields and hunting-grounds. Some men, it is true, affect indifference concerning the place and manner of their sepulture. Like certain of the ancients, who gave orders that their bodies should be burned, and RURAL CEMBTBRIBS. the ashes thrown to the winds, — or others, who would have their remains exposed to the birds aud beasts of prey, — they deem it a weakness to I'eel any concern about the disposal of their bodies after death. Yet even such persons, with all their pro- fessed indifference concerning themselves, do not fail to show a tender respect for the dust of their de- ceased friends. Like other men, they wish to have their remains suitably composed for the grave, and the spot of their interment marked by some com- memorative memorial. But where shall our bodies rest? Not in the crowded city or town, amid the haunts of traffic, and pleasure, and vice, where gain will ere long disturb their repose and subject them to indignities; but in the country, under the open sky, and amid all the genial influences of nature. This has been the al- most universal desire of mankind. In the earliest records of our race, we read that Abraham bought a field and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in the field, for a permanent burial- place for himself and his descendants. The ancient Egyptians and Persians buried their dead in the country. The former had a public cemetery on the shores of the lake Acherusia. It was a large plain, surrounded by trees, and intersected by canals. The bodies of the dead were first embalmed, and then buried in the sand or in tombs cut out of the rocks. The custom of burning the remains of the dead, or- iginated with the Greeks, from whom it was copied by the Romans. After the ceremony of cremation, the ashes were gathered into an urn, and the whole was carried in procession and interred by the side of the public roads without the city. Many of the gardens around Jerusalem were used as family burial- places. The early Christians interred their dead in caverns, probaljly to conceal them from the malice of their persecutors. The ancient Germans were wont to Ijury in groves consecrated by their priests. The Turks bury their dead amid groves of cypress, which th»y style, very poetically, " cities of silence." The rural cemetery, however, as we now see it, is of comparitively modern origin, and is the offspring, in no small degree, of modern refinement and a Christian civilization. The connection of such burial-places with the pub- lic health, is a consideration not to be overlooked. When a multitude of bodies are interred side by side, and, as is sometimes the case, one above another, it is impossible but that the surrounding air should be tainted with a noxious effluvia. The atmosphere of a church can hardly be wholesome when the soil about it and beneath its floors is crowded with the decaying relics of the dead. It can not be healthful to visit such places often, nor to live in their imme- diate neighborhood. Much better is it to commit the remains of our dead to the fresh earth, where the pure winds blow, and amid flowers and verdure. Rural cemeteries also exert an important influence on the public taste. When properly laid out, they present to the eye a pleasing landscape adorned witli trees and shrubs and vines, with well kept roads and walks, and tasteful monuments. All classes in socie- ty can obtain easy access to them, and can learn by their own inspection how beautiful is nature — how beautiful in her own simplicity, and also when her charms are heightened by the hand of art. T snch places will be visited by large numbers, all perience shows. To say nothing of the multitu who throng PSre la Chaise, near Paris, and ot cemeteries in Europe, we are told that the princi grounds of the kind in our own country are resor to annually by thousands. Laurel Hill, near Ph delphia, was visited in one year (1848) by upwa of 30,000, and Greenwood and Mount Auburn b still greater number. Nor do these thousands ei the gates of our cemeteries to no good purpi They are moved, it may be insensibly, with pure, i tender, and lofty emotions, and they carry away w them finer tastes and higher conceptions. The wc of art here beheld, unlike those seen in some pul resorts, present nothing to inflame the passions corrupt the heart. And this suggests another advantage of rural C' eteries — their influence on the moral feelings. ( any good come from visiting the old-fashioned gn yards, barbarously kept as many of them are ? \^ laas not been shocked at seeing their rude hillo' crowded together in dreary rows, perhaps grass! or covered with rank weeds and briars, their h( stones tilted over at all angles, or broken and p trate ? Was any one ever made better by walk through a burying-ground used as a sheep-past or left open to the street by a broken fence, or all ed to stand treeless and shrubless, exposed to glaring sun and howling wind ? Such sights sad us, indeed; but they do not mend our hearts. T remind us that we must die; but they also mak( dread to die — dread to think that our bodies n be put into the same festering earth, and be trei with the same neglect. But why clothe death with such unnecessary rors? It is sad enough to turn away from lile ani we hold dear, without adding to the sadness by dering the grave an object of disgust and disr Rather, let us make our burial-grounds pleasant attractive ; places where we shall be inclined to olten, to muse upon life and its grandest conce and upon death and the glorious rewards awai the good after death, — to reflect upon the virtuei those whose dust sleeps around us, and to cons how we may imitate those virtues. The spirii Themistocles was fired by visiting the tombs of illustrious dead. "The Romans buried their n honored citizens along the Appian Way, that youth as they entered the city might be moved emulate their virtues and share their renown." ' early Christians worshipped near the graves of martyrs, that they might be filled with their sp And so, may not we, while walking among the toi of the good departed, catch something of their sp and be filled with aspirations after a better life ? There should be nothing in the place or manne their interment, to detract from our tender and spectful veneration for the dead. But this can hi ly be avoided, if their graves are dug in a dismal ; unsightly spot. How much belter to choose sc retired, sunny slope, the most beautiful in the reg around us, and make it sacred as a burial-place foi er. Here, let there bo trees with their grateful i soul-subduing shade; there, let us see the open la and cheerful sunshine; around us, on every hand, RURAL CEMETERIES. 223 rfielioKi the opeiiinn; bud and springing seed, types the reaurrection; and in the distance, let there be, 5 jossilile, glimpses of blue hills, suggestive of the 'll untains where the departed walk. ■:| 3ut leaving these points, let us turn to some more ■Tactical aspects of this subject. In choosing a site ■ i a rur.d cemetery, land moderately elevated and ti ' should be selected. If the soil is not naturally 'k , it should be made so by thorough under-drain- eii . It should be as near to the center of the pop- TK tion as it can be without exposing it to the liabil- ',! of ever being encroached upon. !«1 proper site having been obtained, the grounds 1) 'Uld be laid out by persons competent to the task. Ill e usual committee or trustees having the charge m founding a cemetery, can not do such a work, nor I an ordinary laud-surveyor, nor every " old coun- lt( gardener." Before a single stone is turned, an ( ist should be secwred, if possible, who can appre- ;n ;e all the capabilities of the place, and can use H m to the highest advantage. He should be in- 11(1 icted to prepare a plan suited alike to the nature 1 situation of the place he has to work upon, and ;he, wants and means of those whom he serves; ; then his plan should be faithfully carried out. t where a professional landscape gardener can not obtained, let the matter be entrusted to a commits possessing reliable taste and judgment. They ;ly will not commit the folly of mapping off the uad into squares, like a chequer-board, with straight ds and walks, and these bounded by stiff Balsam 3 at regular distances. (In the contrary, they will out certain main roads, leading by easy curves to parts of the cemetery, and from these, gravelled ks will lead to every grave. These roads will d, not for the mere .sake of winding, but because are will indicate here and there that they should so; as, for example, to avoid a tree, or hill, or i, or pool of water. Moreover, a portion of the iind should be reserved, where the poor can buy at small expense, and where the friendless and stranger can be suitably interred. ■| iLs to the trees suitable for such a cemetery, it is ious that some variety should be sought for. Kv- reens should form an important part; but were e others planted, a very sombre effect would be duced. Nor should the weeping varieties of de- aous trees predominate, as this would render the ce gloomy, and give it a very unnatural appear- e. There should be much of that variety which ure shows us on every hand, modified somewhat the peculiar character of the place, and the uses .vhich it is to be devoted. Trees planted in mass- Jccupy too much ground. Heavy, round-topped !s, ai-e less appropriate than those with conical, nted heads. Pendent, drooping trees, are suitable planting at intervals in all parts of the ground. ergreens of every name are appropriate, intrinsi- ly so, and because they have been associated from e immemorial with such places. For small lots cemeteries, none are so suitable, in these cold lati- les, as the Norway and Hemlock Spruce, the Si- ian Arbor Vit.-e, and Red Cedir. Where the nate will admit of planting them, the various Juni- s, Yews, and Arbor Vita;s aftbrd a wide selection.* See an editorial on this subject, in the Hort. for April, 1854. " The Cypress funeral ; Tlie Laurel, meed of mighty conquerours And poets sage ; the Fitn that weepeth still ; Ttie Willow worne of forloroe paramours; Tlie Eugh obedient to the bender's will." It seems to be generally conceded that flowers should have a place in the rural cemetery. They have a cheerful aspect, and are emblematical of our immortality. But a continual digging of the soil above the dead, suggests the unpleasant idea of mat treating their remains: it at least conflicts with the idea of complete repose. Is there not more real beauty and grandeur in simply well-kept trees and grass and monuments, lighteil up here and there with gleams of sunshine ? If flowers are introduced, it should not be for a gaudy horticultural display, but as an expression of affectionate remembrance ; and they should be few in number, and delicate in form, size, and color. A white Rose by the side of a tomb- stone, the Violet, and Daisey, and Myrtle, are always appropriate and pleasing. On the subject of monuments and their inscriptions, we will presume to offer only a few suggestions. A very common and unpleasant featHre of our ordinary grave-yards is that of monuments leaning over and falling to the ground. Tke only way to keep grave- stones erect, in our climate, is to imbed them in solid mason-work laid below frost; or, better still, on stone piers built up from the bottom of the grave. The most durable monuments are those composed of the fewest blocks of stone, thus exposing only a small number of joints to the action of the weather. Care should be taken, also, that the stones have no cracks or seams or visible defects of any kind. As to tho material best adapted for monumental purposes, the writer will not undertake to give an opinion. The best marbles of this cot^try are peri.shable; and even the finest of the Italian, which in Southern Europe stand unharmed for centuries, under our harsher skies soon corrode. Granite, sienite, and some other of the older and harder rocks, are very durable; and for plain, ma,ssive monuments, are quite appropriate. Experiments which have been tried with the red sandstone of New Jersey, seem to indicate that it will prove to be one of the best stones for monuments that can be used iu this country.f As to the character and style of monuments, it would be presumptuous to lay down any uaiversal and invariable rule. What would be suitable for a king, or an eminent statesman, or a great puljlic ben- efactor, would not, probably, be suitable for a private citizen, whether he were rich or poor. A huge mon- ument piled to the sky, and bedecked with ornaments, simply because the occupant of the grave beneath it, or his friends, had money enough to build it, is vulgar in the extreme. Monuments which are miniatures of certain ancient and famous structures, are also objec- tionable; for, what looked well on a foreign shore, and when built of lofty height and corresponding proportions, often appears ridiculous when reduced to a few feet, and imperfectly cut and balanced. When a work of this kind is attempted, it should be entrusted only to the most skilful hands. Objections may be urged against altars, and tablets placed hori- zontally, that their inscriptions are liable to become defaced, and that they soon lose their horizontal po- f See a paper on the subject of " Monumentfi^" published by tha Greenwood Cemetery Association. 224 THE HAWTHORN. sition, and that they seem to lie heavily on the lireast of the dead, and to confine and shut them away from us. This last, however, is a matter of more feeling and taste, and may not prevail with all minds. The broken column and the reversed torch deserve also a passing criticism. These certainly ai:e beautiful sym- bols, as might have been expected from the country of their origin, Greece. But are they appropriate for us ? trreece had no Bible, and knew almost noth- ing of the resurrection nor of the Christian's heaven, and might well represent death with such gloomy de- vices. But wdien a good man dies, we do not con- sider the column shattered, nor the lamp of life e.\- tinct. The column ends just where the All-wise Architect saw it most fitting to terminate it; and the lamp still burns, only with a brighter flame. It has been happily said that, "Those who will use the gloomy hieroglyphics of a perished creed, should at least place near them the cheering emblems of a re- ligious faith. If death be represented with downcast look and inverted flame, let Immortality, as in the fine group of Thorwaldsen, stand by his side with torch high blazing, and eyes upturned with love and rapture." But whatever style of monument be cho- sen,— obelisk, pyramid, urn, cross, column, slab, or any thing else, let it be charaHerized by simplicity. Os- tentation is nowhere morj disgusting than in a burial place. AVe walk past the huge sepulchral stone of the merely rich man, with the trifling exclamation "How much this cost! What vain man lies here ?'" But when we come to the little hillock which covers the remains of a child, though it have no headstone, our tenderest respect and sympathy are at once exci- ted. Nothing seems more beautiful than that lowly mound and the Violets upon it, watered, perhaps, by a mother's tears. In regard to this whole subject of monuments, the best general rule that we remember to have met with is this: " Jl monument should betray no desire to ex- hibit great costliness, and no endeavor to avoid a reasonable expense." It is perhaps impossible, now, to change the prev- alent custom of inclosing cemetery lots with hedges, chains, and fences; but obviously, they are not need- ed to protect monuments from injury by man or beast; tor, any one desirous of marring them, can do so, in spite of such inclosures, and cattle are never allowed to range in a well-ordered cemetery. AVhy not indicate the boundaries of lots by small granite posts at the corners, a few inches above the ground, or by a slight elevation of the sod above the sur- rounding soil ? Why not avoid whatever has the ap- pearance of exclusiveness and pride, in the place of graves, and let the prevailing spirit and expression of the spo" be that all who slumber there are brethren of one common family ? It is a pleasing sign of the times that so much at- tention is now being paid, in all parts of the country, to the founding of rural ce?neteries. It is an honor to the character and tastes of the people. We are not, then, wholly engrossed in the worship of Mam- mon, forgetful of the amenities and tender charities of life. Let us encourage, more and more, every movement which looks to the promotion of true social culture and happiness. Let us seek to make our homes more comely and attractive; and, since we are all appointed te ', die, let us smooth passage to the grave by the comforts of religion, tender respect for the dead, and by beautifying tl last resting-place." — j}. D. G., in Horticulturist. THE HAWTHOKN. Amsng all the variety of beautiful trees and shn which adorn the landscape, none can claim a m prominent place than the hawthorn, in its numer species and varieties. " Of all the genera of hai ligneous plants in cultivation in British gardens," s LouDO.N, " there is not one, which, taking it altoge i-r, can be compared with the genus Crataegus, the species may be trained either as small, handso exceedingly picturesque trees, or as beautiful and ) turesque shrubs, at the pleasure of the cultiva They have all a characteristic, neat, "orderly man of growth; neither so slow as to convey the idea the want of vigor, nor so rapid and robust as to considered coarse and rambling. Their leaves remarkably neatly cupped and finely tufted; tl flowers appear in masses, so abundant, in some s cies, as almost to cover the plant in the flowei season; and their fruit is produced in as great ab dance as their flowers. Tlie color of the flower; generally white, and they are mostly more or less grant; some of them, as the common hawthorn, ing particularly so; their color, though white at fi yet in some cases, as in that of the common dou flowered hawthorn, die ofl' of a very fine pink; i there are several pink-flowered varieties of the C' moa hawthorn which are strikingly ornamental, fruit varies in size, from that of C. spathulata, wl is not much larger than a mustard seed, to that o mexicana, which is about as large as a golden pij apple. The color of the fruit, as already mentioi is red, yellow, black or gi-een, and includes many rieties of shade. Finally," observes this autl " if a man were exiled to an estate without a su tree or shrub on it, with permission to choose ( one genus of ligneous plants to form all his pla) tions, shrubberies, orchards and flower gardens, wl would he find a genera that would afford him so m resources as that of the Cratn?gus." May is the common and well known name of English hawthorn in Great Britain, and its fiov have been identified with the floral games of M from time immeinorial. The Greeks and Rom gathered the flowers in honor of Flora, to whom plant was dedicated, and whose festival began May Day. Formerly, in decking the May pole w flowers, a bunch of the hawthorn was always upon the top. This, however, was in the olden ti previous to the alteration in the style, when May I occurred eleven days later than at present. It is c so rarely in bloom on May Day that the practicf abolished, except in the southern part of Engla Various legends are connected with particular in — one of the most remarkable of which is that of Glastonbury thorn; this is said to have sprung fr a staff stuck into the ground by Joseph of Arii thea, upon his visit to England, after the death Christ, which immediately shot forth leaves and bl soms. It was upon Christmas day; and the lege adds that the thorn is still in existence and annua, blossoms on thai day. REMEDY FOR CURCULIO— GERANIUMS. 225 'ew flowers have been more celebrated by the ets th;m the hawthora. Chaucer says: "MArke the fair blooming of the hauthorne tree Who tiotly cloathed in robe of wliite Fills full the wanton eje with JIay's Delight." t the hawthorn of the poets, around Which so many jciatious are clustered, is not the hawthorn of our ■ Dds and fields, growing in pastures and hedgerows, hillsides and mountain cliffs, from Maine to Flori- These, though many in number and various in wth and habit, euliveuiug the season far into May June by their snowy blossoms and tender green igc, and adding variety to the brilliancy of our nmn scenery by the abundance of their fruit, and ■e beautiful than the May, are wanting in one ig — the dehghtful odor of its blossoms, which, at early season of their opening, is reviving to the its. CuAUCER again says: "There sawe I growing eke the freshe hauthome In white motley, that so sote doeth ysmeU." ; many of our native species, sisters of the May, with the exception of its fragrant flowers, fairly m an equal rank for picturesque and ornamental uty. The varietj- exhibited in their foliage, — the ous colors of their large or smaller berries, — and numerous forms that the different species assume, ■ them a value surpassed by no other class of or- ental trees. he number of species and varieties enumerated X)UDO.\'s Arboretum is upwards of sixty, more twenty of w'hich are natives of America. Many he varieties as well as the species so much resent 3ach other that it is with difficulty some of the ;r are identified. Mr. Loudon devoted many pa- of his splendid work to detailed descriptions of 1, but the group is still in much confusion among erymea who cultivate a large number of kinds, ould occupy too much space to give a descrip- list of all the hardy species and varieties deserv- the attention of lovers_of fine trees: our oliject Bply to commend them to notice, with the hope now, while they are in full bloom, the variety beauty of their blossoms may attract attention, later in the year their diversified foliage and many- 1 berries be carefully studied. Nearly all the 3 are hardy: a few from the south of Europe and i from Mexico will not stand our winters at the th; but we have in cultivation some thirty or 1, which embrace the principal divisions of the p and many of the showiest and best species. Cockspur thorn, C. Crus Galli, is well known as of the most beautiful hedge plants, having an t! -e, deep, glossy foliage almost sub-evergreen. The moil Newcastle thorn is also much used for the 2 purpose, but is less ornamental. f the English hawthorn, there are three exquis- 'arieties, which should be found in every garden: e are the Double Red and Double White and the ;le Red; the latter, the most brilliant of the three n viewed as a mass; the number of its blossoms their deeper color having a marked contrast with r trees at its early season of blooming. The Py- nth thorn is a very fine variety, hardy and e.x- liugly beautiful. There is also one or two weep- thorns, of recent production, that form exquisite 1 trees. 'or planting in lawns of limited extent, the haw- thorn is one of the best trees; it does not grow large, and overtop and shadow other shrubs or pl»nts, but forms a low and fine head, loaded with flowers throughout the spring a»d garlanded with fruit even into winter. *' In pearls and rubies rich the hawthorns show. While through the ice the crimson berries glow." One word as to their culture. Though naturally springing up in thin and rather poor soils, they love a good rich mellow earth, naturally dry. They will not flourish in a wet situation: there they soon get mossy and stunted, and assume a decrepid habit. Planted in a good soil, well cultivated and liberally enriched, they soon form fine large branching heads, and display their flowers in a profusion more lavish than any other tree. — Hovcy's Mag. of Hort. REMEDY FOR THE CTJRCTILIO. Mr. M. Kelly stated at the Pomological meeting, that several fruit growers of the vicinity of Cincin- nati had tried the following recipe for preventing the destruction of plums by the curcuUo, with great suc- cess. It is also an effectual remedy for mildew on grapes. — Ohio Cultivator. Put half a pound of sulphur and one pound fresh lime into a tight barrel, then fill up with boiling wa- ter, and cover closely for 10 or 12 days, when it will Ijc fit for use. This forms hydro-sulphate of lime, and has an unpleasant odor which is offensive to in- sects, but the liquid is not injurious to vegetation. It is used by sprinkling the trees or vines with a garden engine or syringe, repeating the application every three or four days, or oftener, if showers occur to wash off the material. GERAnnras. The shrubby kinds are commonly increased by cuttings, which, if planted in June or July, and jdaced in the shade, will take root in five weeks. They are the most tender, and when placed out of doors, should be defended from strong winds, and be so placed as to enjoy the sun till eleven o'clock in the morning. As the shrubby kinds grow fast, so as to fill the pots with their roots and push them through the opening at the bottom, they should be moved every two or three weeks in summer, and the fresh roots cut off. They should also be newly potted twice in the summer: once about a month after they are placed abroad, and again towards the end of August. AVhen this is done, all the roots outside the earth should be pared off, and as much of the old earth removed as can be done without injuring the plants. They should then be planted in a larger pot; some fresh earth should first be laid at the bottom, and on that the plant should be placed, so that the old earth adhering to it may be about an inch below the rim of the pot; it should next be filled up, and the pot slightly shaken; the earth must then be gen- tly pressed down at the top, leaving a little space for water to be given without running over the rim; fi- nally, the plant should be liberally watered, and the stem fastened to a stake, to prevent the wind displa- cing the roots before they are newly fixed. — House- hold Receipt Book. 226 HINTS TO HOUSEWIVES— DIETETIC BUDS, &c.— ANIMAL FOODS. HINTS TO HOUSEWIVES. A CORRESPONDENT of the Lady's Book says that the best and most convenieut way to keep eggs is " to have always on hand a saucer of unsalted butter, and as the eggs come in, cover them immediately with a complete coating of this, so as to exclude the air entirely; and when packing, place the small end downwards." An excellent way to dry cherries, is to stone them carefully, save the jui^;e which naturally comes from them, and place them in a kettle, juice and all, and to a quart of cherries add a quarter of a pound of good brown sugar; scald and dry on plates in a warm but not hot oven. The choicer varieties will give a preserve preferable to raisins, and of delicious flavor. Currants, also, prepared in the same way, are useful in many ways in flavoring pies, puddings, etc. We herewith republish a recipe given in last year's volume, for making currant wine: "Carefully pick and stem your currants, bruise them thoroughly, and strain. To a quart of juice add two quarts of water and three pounds of good sugar. Fill your cask or vessel full, taking the precaution of having a little on hand to replace the loss by fermentation; bung loose- ly, and when the scum ceases to ri.se, close tight; and in a few months you will have a genuine native wine. In our January number we published a choice re- cipe for making currant jelly, to which we would refer our readers. The following recipe for preserving cherries has been kindly furnished us by a fair friend, and we can vouch for the quality of the preserves made accord- ing to the directions: Take equal quantities ot cher- ries and good coffee sugar. After boiling the fruit ten or fifteen minutes, skim it out, and then boil the liquor to a thick syrup, taking off the scum as it rises, and apply the syrup to the fruit in suitable jars for preservation. DIETETIC BUDS AND YOUNG SHOOTS. Thrsk comprehend the l>ulbous-rooted plants — the roots being iu reality subterranean .buds. Onions, leeks, garlic, chives, shallots, and the rosanibole of Denmark, are of this class. They are very pungent, owing to an acrid volatile oil, and to weak stomachs exceediiiirlv objectionable. We have, indeed, so many heit^'.r things to eat, that it were wfU if all per- BOIH woulil let them alone. None but torpid nerves, and hal l-pal.-iied oigans of taste ever desire such ac- rimonious alinjeiit^i. Asparagus, though agreeing botanically, is V( different dietetically,^ being one of the most whc some and nutritive f OR LiNEN GooDs. — Take one nd of chloride of lime (bleaching powder,) and it into a gallon of cold water, stir it well for a minutes, and allow it to settle. Pour off the r lifjuor, and keep it in tightly corked bottles, ined clothes — linen or cotton — after being washed to free them from grease, by dipping the stained parts in tills chloride fluid, will cause the stains to be re- moved quicker, safer, and with far less trouble than by any other known means. In the laundry, this fluid should be kept in a large stone-ware or glass vessel. It should be large enough to dip in the arti- cles so as to cover them entirely in the liquor, when no harm will result if they lie for some hours. A careful laundress should also have a vessel of very diluted sulphuric acid, to dip the articles of clothino- in after they are taken out of the chloride, and wash- ed. The clothes should be well rinsed, using three waters afterwards. This is a bleaching process, near- ly the same as that practiced in bleach works. A little of the salts of oxalic acid put on an iron stain, and a little hot water poured on it to dissolve it, will remove the stains very quickly without injury to the cloth. Our readers may place the utmost reliance on what we have said ; we are acquainted chemically with the whole process ; oxalic acid is a poison, and should be kept out of reach of children. It is very diUicult to remove stains from woolen goods. If the woolen cloth is white, some sulphuric acid in very hot water may remove it, if it is an iron stain. It may also remove it without injury from a cochineal shawl, but such jobs should be left to the dyer. We only recommend the above process of ours for white linens. By our advice, a number of friends employ- ed it in their families, and are delighted with it. Washinci Silver. — In the Telegraph of 31st January, I observed an article headed " Washing Dishes," &e., recommending a good suds for washing silver. Some thirty years since I was informed by a proprietor of one of the largest and oldest silver establishments in the city of Philadelphia, that "housekeepers ruined their silver by washing it in soap suds; it makes it look like pewter; never put a particle of soap aliout your silver, then it will retain its original lustre; when it wants polishing take a ' piece of soft leather and whiting, and rub it hard." I had formerly seen silver washed in water with the addition of a little soap, and rinsed in clear water. I adhered strictly to his advice, and found a great difference in the appearance of the.silver. — A House- keeper, in the Germanlown Telegraph. To Ceme.nt Broken China. — Mix some oyster- shell powder with the white of a fresh egg, to the thickness of white paint; lay it on thick at the two edges and join them as exact and quick as possible; thej put it before the fire till the china is quite hot, and it will cement in about two minutes. Pour boiling water into it directly, wipe it dry, scrape it clean on both sides with a penknife, and it will ap- pear only as a crack. Mix no more than you can use for one or two things at a time; for if the cement grows hard, it will be spoiled. The powder may be bought at the apothecaries'; but it is best prepared at home, which is done as follows: Choose a lar"-e, deep oyster-shell; put it in the middle of a clear fire till red hot; then take it out and scrape away the black parts; pound the rest in a mortar as fine as possible; sift and beat it a second time, till quite smooth and fine. 228 EDITOR'S TABLE. J5ifolr'3 I^bie. A Backward Season. — We have not known vegetation 8o backward as it has been for tlie last two or three months, since 1S17, in this State. This paragraph is written the 0th of June, and the weather seems more like a little ex- tra sunshine in winter, than like summer. Corn and other tender plants cannot grow and prosper until the tempera- ture of the soil and atmosphere is much higher than at present. If wheat escapes the fly, mis-called weevil, tiiere is a promise of a fair crop in Western New York. Some fields have suffered badly from spring freezing and tliaw- ing, and others have been badly injured by the Hessian fly ; but the area sown last autumn was unusually, if not un- precedentedly large, so partial failures will not reduce the average. The weather has been uncommonly cold in western, cen- tral, and southern Europe the past spring — so much so as to aifect the crops at the approaching harvest. So late as the 27th of April, the frost destroyed tomatoes and other tender plants near Naples, in Italy. Not only the fruit but the branches of olive trees were killed near Nismea. A low summer temperature in England, Scotland, and all east of Great Britain, on the Continent, affects injuri- ously the aggregate of cereals grown and matured under such adverse circumstances, for there is no surplus of solar beat in that latitude and climate. A reduction of heat tells at once on the harvest and the bread of Europe. The State Agricultural Exhibttion. — The fif- teenth annual exhibition of the New York State Agricul- tural Society, which will be held at Elmira, Chemung Co., next October, promises to be one of the best ever yet wit- nessed. Spacious grounds have been selected, and will be arranged in the most convenient manner for the satisfac- tory exhibition of stock and articles. We have seen a list of the premiums to be awarded, and remark that it has been very much enlarged. Persons intending to compete, must give notice to the Secretary without delay. Rhode Island Horticultural Society. — This So- ciety will hold its June exhibition in Providence, on the 19th and 20th inst. The former exhibitions have been val- uable and highly interesting. They invite those interested in this subject elsewhere to unite with them. Any com- munications or inquiries may be addressed to the Secreta- ry, Mr. J. F. DiiiscoLL, at Providence. Chufas, or Earth Almonds. — We learn from the Washington Union that there has been procured from the south of Spain by the Agricultural division of the Patent Office, a barrel of chufas for public distribution. This is a new esculent in this country, known to botanists under the name of Cyperius esculentus. It grows spontaneous- ly in the light humid soils of Spain, and is cultivated in Germany and the south of France. It grows to a height of about three feet, on a triangular stalk or rush, with a spreading liead, bearing yellow flowers, which are succee- ded by long ears. The roots are fibrous, of a reddish or, bearing small tubes about the size of a common b and are known by the Spaniards by the name of " chul If planted in iNIay or June, they are ready to be harve in October. They resemble in taste a delicious ches or cocoa-nut, and lilte them, may be eaten raw or coo They are chiefly employed in making an orgeat {ore. de chufas,) a delightful, refreshing drink, much use< Spain, Cuba, and other hot climates where it is knc When mashed to a flour, which is white, sweet, and agreeable to the taste, it imparts to water the color richness of milk. At Almacero and Alborayo consid ble attention is devoted to the cultivation of this p eight acres of land yielding a profit of $3,500 in months. Milk Sickness. — Dr. Hall, in his Journal of He states that milk sickness is unknown in places where < are well fed. Such cows, he asserts, never give mil/i: .■ 7iess. He has revelled in the ase of the most luscious for weeks in perfect fearlessness of this sickness, while eral died of it on the next farm. Some persons have attributed this disease to a vegel wliich the cows eat, but he tells our western farmers if they feed their cows well, they will never be trov with the milk sickness. Dr. Hall might as well ascribe the cow pox or ■ and fever to a want of food, as the malady called sickness. M'e have seen it on the Wabash bottom southern Indiana and Illinois, where the supply of j and other forage was most abundant. Vienna Plaster. — The reader's attention is calh the analyses of three different kinds of plaster, which be found in our advertising columns, made by Dr. C TON, of New York. It will be seen that Vienna p] contains about ten per cent, more sulphate of lime Onondaga plaster, and not far from forty more than ( ga plaster. This fertilizer differs from cotnmon lime mainly in the quantity of sulphuric acid, or oil of v lii which it contains ; and we have no doubt tliat in cases it is the soluble and available snlphur in gy; '' which renders it so useful to clover, peas, and other f If rich in sulphur. In all cases where lime answers as plaster, there is a lack of lime in the soil and no la available sulphur, or sulphuric acid. This acid is ^ rally developed more or less by tillage alone, as it de poses iron pvrites (sulphuret of iron) literally by bu the sulphur in condensed oxygen, (condensed in the si and porous soil,) forming an acid. If no lime nor alkaline substance be present, this acid unites with and alumina, forming the sulphate of iron and sulphi alumina. In all such cases liming is better than plastf Where one uses plaster at all it is wise to sow the be the market. Notu«jEf of Nth) BookH, ^trtobitals, ^£. TiiK Progressive Farmer. EyFrof. Nash. CM. Saxtok Publishers. We have already commended this publication t(' readers in a former number. It is a work of solid i and deserves all the popularity which it enjoys. ADVERTISEMENTS. 229 We have received from the publishera, D. Appleton & o., the second volume, or an '• Intermediate Geography," ein"^ part of a complete series of School Geographies, y S. S. Cornell. We have already had occasion to no- ce and commend both the plan and the execution of this chool Book. Common Place Book of Thoughts, Memories, and Fancies; Oii2:mal and Selected : by Mrs. Jameson : D. Appleton & Co., I'ubiishers. The reputation of Mrs. J. is alone sufficient to command tentioa to this very readable melange of Thoughts, Mem- ies, and Fancies, which she has given to the public. hoever buys the book will get the worth of his money. TDROPATHic CooK BooK. Bj R. T. Trall, M. D. New York ; Fowler & Wells, PuMiahera. There is a great deal of useful information relating to od, alimentary principles, and health in this book. It ould be in the hands of everybody, for all are interested what they eat and drink, and many poison themselves Dm sheer ignorance and carelessness. This is designed as a text book to be used in schools, ving questions at the bottom of each page to test the oroughness with which the pupil has studied his lesson. le work appears well adapted to the wants of beginners, far as we have examined it. This is really a valuable compilation, in which a large lount of professional information is methodically ar- 3ged and condensed. Every farmer needs a work of s kind, and when books are so cheap as they now are, will lose money not to purchase this manual on Land- aining. B Practical Fruit, Flower, axd Vegetable Gardeners' lOMPANiON, with a Calendar. By Patrick Neill, LL. D., F. R. . E., Secretary to the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society, dapted to the United States from the fourth edition. Revised Dd improved by the author. Edited by G. Emerson, M. D., fith notes and additions by R. G. Pardee, etc., etc. This book would be more attractive if its title were not e a dog with three long tails, each growing out of the gthened extremity of the other. Cut off two of these, '. Saxton, and c?/r-tail the other, and then a really val- ble work by a highly educated Scotchman will find 4nty of readers. Sitquirits anil %nBiotxs. N'oTiCES TO Correspondents. — Mr. W. M. Corbet, Corsica. Pa., asks : — 1st. " For what crops is bone-dust tst valuable ?" Ansjver. — In England, where it has been longest and »8t extensively in use, it is thought to benefit the turnip >p more than any other; it is, however, valuable for rn and other grain, for meadows and pastures, and all ler agricultural plants. 2d. "How does it compare with lime, in value, where lime can be easily and cheaply obtained ?" Artewer. — Tlie two do not admit of comparison ; for the reason that no amount of lime can ever serve as a substi- tute for the phosphoric acid in bones, in the economy of nature. 3d. '* How much is a dressing for an acre of land ?" Anstcer. — From five to fifteen bushels ; although some have used no more than three bushels per acre, and others twenty — differing as widely as men do in the application of other manure. 4th. *' What is the cost of mills, where can they be ob- tained, and what the process of manufacture ?" A/iswer.—A good bone-mill costs from $150 to $250 ; and but few are manufactured, for the demand is small. In most farming districts the supply of bones is small, and it prevents the purchase of mills. Did the manufacturers advertise them in the Genlsee Farmer, they would sell more ; but we cannot advertise them for nothing. Will you, or some one of your correspondent)?, through the medium of the Farmer, answer the following questions : Ist- What is the beat method of destroying the weed known here as the Canadian thistle ? 2d. What is the mode of cultivation, and what the use of the egg-plant ? An Inquirer. ADVEETISEMENTS, To secure insertion in the Farmer, must be received an early as the 10th of the previous month, and be of such a character a.s to be of interest to farmers. Terms — Two Dollars for every hundred words, each insertion, paid in advance. HORSE POWERS. THRESHERS, EAGLE FAN Mn.T.S ALLEN'S Improved Horse Tower— it. runs uncnmmonlv easy, and does not require more than half the elevation at the for- ward end, of other powers. THRESHERS— Both over and under shot, made in a superior EAGLE FAN MILLS— 7^e best and cheapest Grain and Seed Separator made. The superiority of this Fan Mill consists, First — In cleaning without a scn-en, by separating the impurities such as chess, cockle, smut, &c., by the blast alone, consequently saving the loss of 'he small sound kernels of wheat which must go through a screen. Second — An arrangement by which a part of the sound and per- fect grains are separated from the rest for seeding, leaving the bal- ance in a good marketable condition, so that the farmer need sow only snch grain as contains the germ of growth. Third — Smaller seed, such as grass and clover seed, are cleaned in the most perfect m;inner. Fourth— Fans built on this plan will clean grain, both in the Orst and second cleaning, faster and better than any others now in use. Fifth — The cheapness and durability of its constructitin. R. L. ALLRN", June 1— 2t 189 and 191 'Water-st., New York. MOWERS," REAPERS. &c. KETCHU\rS One Horse Mower cuts three feet swath; Two Horse do. cuts fuir feet eight inches; Allen's Improved >fow- er; Hussey & McCormick's Reapers, Atkin's Reaper, with Self-Ra- ker attached, Emery's, Taplin'a, Bogardus*, Trimble's, and other Horse Powers. A complete assortment of Agricultural and Horticultural Imple- ments of all kin-Is; Field and (Jarden Seeds. Guano, with Peruvian Government weight and brand marked on each bag; Improved Superphosphate of Lime, 4c. R. L. ALLEN, June 1— 2t 189 and 191 Water st., New York. IMPORTANT TO FARMERS. MONNY'S PATENT COMBIN'ED MOWER AND REAAER. The undeisigned are now manuficturing the abr.ve .Machine, which they have great jileasure in olTering to the farmers of Cana- da, and need.i only be tried t > be appreciated. Trice, I'ilh two seta Knives $130. We are also manufacturing Burrell's Reaper, $120- and Ketchum's Mower, two sets Knives, $110. ' Newcastle, May, 1856— 2t H. A. M033EY & CO. 230 ADVERTISEMENTS. KETCHUM'S PATiiiMT MOWING MACHINE FOR 1355. KETCHOM'S MOWER for 1855, with wrought iron fraraps and finger bars, improved guards, aod pitman, knives of superior quality, the adjustable boxing to keep the gearing in its; jiroper mash, a good, easy spring seat, and the Bubstantial manner in which every part of the machines are made, mfikeethem the most simple, durable, and perfect machine in the world. The weight of the machine has been lessened, which, with the improvements made on them, makes their draft very much less, bo that one spiin of horses can easily cut from ten to fifteen acres pfr day. We have a Reaper Attachment on an entire new principle which does not, in any manner afifect the perfection of the Mower, for which fifteen dollars extra will be charged, or, if so ordered, the machine will be sent so that the attachment can be had there- after. They|are sold and warrantef 2000 lbs. Improved Superphosphate of Lime — $45 per ton, of 2000 lbs. Bone Dust— ane, warnmt*d puie. Price $2.50 per bbl. A discount when taken in large quantities. A. LONGETT Jooe 1— 2t 34 CUff-st. comer of Fulton, New Yoik. NIW CROP OF SEEDS. FOR the spring of 1856.— The old and well known ROCHESTER SEED STURE, for the last ten years managed by the subscri- ber, has been removed from 29 Buffalo street to 34 Exchange street, two doois above the Clinton Hotel. Claiming to know from experience, something of the value to the grower of goodj fresh seeds, as well aj the necessity of having such kinds as will give the greatest and best return to labor, this branch of the seed business has received sj ecial attention, and purchasers may rely on correctness, Our motto is ''never know- ingly to deceive a customer." It is our intention to keep all tne varieties of seeds desirable t© be grown in the Northern States. I shall have the large Geiman Clover, grown by the German Society of Farmers in Erie county. I have Buld this large variety of Clovenfor several years, and ithaa never failed to give satisfaction. Fife's 01 Scotch Spring Wheat, grown in Canada-; may be sown as late as the middle of May. G«od crops were grown from this variety last year in Monroe county. Flower Seeds, Bird Cages, Bird Seed, &c. April— 3t JAMES P. FOGG. FARMERS, ATTENTION! WE have now on hand and for .sale at the lowest ca/»h prices 100 bushels M.-dium Clover seed, 400 do Timotliy seed from Indiana and Illinoia, 150 do Red Top seed, 100 do Kentucky Blue Graaaaced, 100 do Orchard G.aes seed, 200 do Large Marrowfat Peaa, ' ;; 100 do Early June Peas, 200 do Early Kent Peaa, ' 500 do Field Peas, best quality, 300 do Fife Wheat (balt^) % 200 do Club do do 150 do Tup Onions, 50 do English Potato Onions, 100 do Best Early Potatoes, And also a full a.^sorliiient of the best and puregt Agricultural and Garden seeds ever offered in this market. All orders promptly attended to at J. RAPALJE & Co., April 1— It No. 65 Buffalo st., Rochester, N. Y. WM. H. LOOMIS, WHOLESALE and Retail dealer in Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Planta and Shrubs, of all the leading and most popular va- rieties. Standard and dwarf trees of Apples, Pears, Plums, Peach- es, Cherries, &c., all vigorous, stockey and well formed. Also, a general assortment of Gooseberries, Currants,^aspber. ries, &c. &c. Ornamental trees and shrubs of every variety ; Rosea a large collection ; (ireen House plants can be furnished on ihe shortsst notice. Also a large quantity of Field and Garden Seeds on hand, and for sale at the lowest cash prices. Address (post- paid) Agricultural Rooms, South Bend, Ind. March, 1855.— tf. WM. H. LOOMIS. MERINO SHEEP. THE subscriber will sell a few Spanish Merino Sheep — bucks and ewes^f undoubted purity of blood. He will also dispose of a part of his stock of imported Fke.vcu Merinos. Gentlemen purch-iaing from this flock can have the sheep for- warded to the principal Western towns at my risk. Sept. 1, 1854— tf R. J. JONES, Cornwall Vt. READY ON THE TENTH OF MARCH. "HISTORY OF THE HEX FEVER" BY GEO. P. BURN'HAM. Twenty Illustrations. An origaal bumorous account of the POULIRY MAMA, by one who has been there! Price $1.25 in cloth ; $1.00 in paper, ftymai/. Every- body who lovea to Uugb, buys it. Addresa JAMES FRENCH & Co., Publishers, April— St Boston, Maas, PERUVIAN GUANO NO. 1» WITH Importer's brand on each bag, $48 per ton, of 2,000 Hm. Any quantity under one ton 2>j cents ptr lb. IMPROVED SUPERPHOSPHATE OF LIME manufactured by Deburjrb, Pat^rson, or Coes, $45 per ton of 2,000 tbs. BONE DUST, three different varieties, $2, $2.25, $2.60 per bbl. Poudrette, Plaster of Paiis, pulverised charcoal. For sale by A. LONGETT, March, 1855.— 2t No. 34 Cliff St., near Fulton, New York. FERTILIZEBS. ESTABLISHED NINE YEARS. KENTISH'S Prepared Guano; price $25 per ton. Superphos- phate No. 1 — Uy the New Vurk Manufacturing Company; price $40 per t()n. Both these articles can be had at the depot, j^q 150 West street, city of New York. April— at 232 ADVERTISEMENTS. BOOKS FOR THE FARMERS! FUKNISUED BY THE PROPRIETOR OF GENESEE FAEMER. I The CoH-, D:iiry Husbandry, and Cattle Breeding. Price 25 eta. II. Every Lady her own Flower Gardener. Price 25 cents. III. The American Kitchen Gardener. Price 25 cents. IV. The American Hose Culturer. Price 26 cents. V. Prize Es.*.y on Manures. By S. L. Dana. Price 25 cents. VI. Skinner's Elements of Agriculture. Price 25 cents. VII. The Pests of the Farm, with directions for extirpation. Price 25 cents. VIII Hiirses — their Varieties, Breeding, Management, &c. Price 25 cents. IX. The Hive and Honey Bee — their Diseases and Remedies. Price 25 cents. X. The Hog — its Dise-ises and Management. Price 25 cents. XI. The .imeric^m Bird Fancier— Breeding, Raising, &c. 25 ct«. XII. Domestic Fowls and Ornamental Poultry. Price 25 cent.s. XIII. Chemistry made Ea,sy for the Use of Farmers. Price 25 cents. XIV. The .American Poultry Yard. The cheapest and best book [mlilished. Price $1. XV. The American Field Book of Matures. Embracing all the Fertilisers known, with directions for use. By Browne. $1.25. XVI. Buist's Kitchen Gardener. Price 75 cenis. XVII. Stockhart's Chemical Field Lectures. Price SI. XVIII. Wilson on the Cultivation of Flax. Price 25 cents. XIX. The Farmer's Cyclopedia. By Blake. Price $1.26. XX. Allen's Rural Architecture. Price $1.25. XXI. Phelps's Bee Keeper's Chart. Illustrated. Price 25 cents. XXil. Johnston's Lectures on Practical Agriculture. Paper, price 25 cents. XXIIt. Johnston's Agricultural Chemistry. Price $1.25. XXIV. Jolinston's Elements of Agricultural Chemistry and Geol ogy Price $1. XXV. ftmdall's Sheep Husbandry. Price $1.25. XXVI. Miner's American Bee-Keeper's Manual. Price $1. XXVII. Dadd's American Cattle Doctor. Complete. Price $1. XXVIII. Fcssenden's Complete Farmer and Gardener. 1 vol. Price $1.25. XXIX. Allen's Treatise on the Culture of the Gr.ape. Price $1. XXX. Youatt on the Breeds and Management of Sheep. Price T5 cents. XXXI. Youatt on the Hog. Complete. Price 60 cents. XXXII. Youatt and Martin on Cattle. By Stevens. Price $1.25. XXSJII. The Shepherd's own Book. Edited by Youatt, SWinner and Rmdall. Price $2. XXXIV. Stephens's Book of the Farm ; or Farmer's Guide. Ed- ited bv Skinner. Price $4. XXXV. Allen's American Farm Book. Price $1. XXXVI. The American Florist's Guide. Price 75 cents. XXXVII. The Cottage and Farm Bee-Keeper. Price 50 cents. XXXVm. Hoare on the Culture of the Grape. Price 50 cents. XYXTY. Country Dwellings; orthe American Arctiitect. Price $6 XL. Lindley's Guide to the Orchard. Price $1.'26. XLI. Gunn'8 Domestic Medicine. A book for every married man and -woman. Price $3. XLII. N.Tsh's Progressive Farmer. A book for every boy in the eountry. Price 50 cents. XLiri. Allen's Diseases of Domestic Animals. Price 75 cents. XLIV. Saxton's Rural Hand-books. 2 vols. Price $2.50. XLV. Beattie's Southern Agriculture. Price »1. XLVI. Smith's Landscape Gardening. Containing hints en ar- ranging Parks, Pleasure Grounds, &c. Edited by Lewis F. Allen Price $1.25. RECENTLY PUBLISHED. XLvil. The Farmer's Land Measurer ; or Pocket Companion Price 50 cents. XL VIII. Buist's American Flower Garden Directory. Price $1.25. XLIX. The American Fruit Grower's Guide in Orchard and Gar- den. Being the most complete book on the subject ever published. L. Quinby's Mysteries of Bee-Keeping explaned. Price $1. The above will be sent free upon receipt of price annexed. SEND FOK OKE COPY. SL^GLE Copies of "SEARS' GREAT WORK ON RUSSIA," the most elegant and useful volume of the year, consisting of 700 large ocUivo pages, embelli.'jhed with about 200 Eograving.s, and maps of European and Asiatic Russia, elegantly and substantially bound, will tie cjirefully enveloped in stout paper, and forwarded, AT on: RISK AND EXPENSE, to any post-ofQcc, on the rcccipt of the establislied retail price— TeRKE Dollars. C;^. AGENTS WANTED in every part of the country to sell New and impular PiCTOBIAL WORits. Address, rtost-paid, ROBERT SEARS, Publisher, June I, 1855. 181 William St., New York. CUTTER EIGHTS FOR SALE WE will test our Ilav, Stalk and Straw Cutter, patented Novem- ber 8th, lt^53, for speed, ta^e and durability, against any oth. r in the United States. J. JONES & A. LYLE. trS' For further information, "address JONES & LYLE, Roch- setejf N. y. February 1, 1854.— tf HENRY C. VAIL, CONSULTING AGRICTLTURIST, NEWARK, N. J. WILL Ivisit fanos and give suitable advice for their improve- ment, founded on an analysis of the soil and a statement of its mechanical condition. Letters of inquiry as to terms, &c , will insure a reply and satisfactory evidence as to ability. Refekkxces.— Prof. Jas. J. Mapes, New.ark, N. J.; R. L. Pell, Estj., of Pelham, Ulnter Co., X. Y. ; J. J. ScolBeld, Esq., Morris- town, N. J. ; Hon. John Stanton Gould, Hudson, N. Y. — l, » April 1— tf DURHAM BULL FOR SALE. THE subscriber has a yearling Durham Bull, pure bred, good pedigree, for sale. —Nelson, May 9, 1855. P. FISHER. Conttnts of tliijg Numiitr. Principles of Improving Domestic Animals 20H Health and its Preservation How shall we Improve our Agriculture 206 Turnip Culture 207 Useful Recipes 208 To Destroy Caterpillars 20t Potatoes 20t Swamp Muck 20f "The Little Busy Bee" 211 Geese 211 How to prevent Smut in Wheat 21! Hiving Bees _. .- 21; The importance of Deep Cultivation 21^ Wheat a semi-tropical Plant 21J To preserve Flowers, Leaves, and Fruit from Caterpillars 211 Guttapercha 211 Experiments in Land Drainage 21! What Meat loses by Cooking 21! Bird Islands 2a Cure for Rheumatism 22' A Thriving Farm 22 HORTICDLTUBAL DEPAHTME.NT. The Horticulturist.... 22 Hints to Purchasers of Trees, Seeds, etc 22 Rural Cemeteries 22 The Hawthorn 22 Remedy for the Curculio 22 Geraniums _ 22- LADIES* DEFAJtTMEXT. Hints to Housewives 22r Dietetic Buds and Young Shoots 22(' Animal Foods - 22» A Touch of Nature 22^ Stains upon Cotton or LinenGooda 22' Washing Silver 22* To Cement Broken China 22'.' EDITOR'S TABLE.' A Backward Season 221' The State Agricultural Exhibition 221 Rhode Mind Horticultural Society 22! Chufas or E.arth Almonds 22t Milk Sidiness 22f Vienna Plaster Notices of New Books, Periodicals, etc 22t Answers to Inquiries ., 221 fLLUSTRATIOWa. Aborigines Gathering Gutta Percha 216 Flower, Fruit, and Stem of Percha Tree 21 J Vol. XVI., Second Seeies. ROCHESTER, N. T., AUGUST, 1855. No. 8 THE GENESEE FARMER, AGRICULTURE & HORTIOULTURE. Volume XVI, Second Series, 1855 DA\IEL LEE AXD JA3IES VICK, EDITORS. JOSEPH FRO.?T, nORTICrLTfE.VL EDITOR. EACH NTjrSER CONT.A.ryS 32 ROYAL OCTAVO PARES, IN DOUBLE COLUJINS, ANT) TWELVE NUMBERS FORM A VOLUME OF 3S4 PAGES IN A YEAR. upi&S . 2.00 t Copies, ..-. 3.00 And at tlie same rate for any larger number. JAMES VICK, Puhtisker and Proprietor, Rochester, N. T. POIKTS OF EXCELLENCE IN CATTLE. CHAPTER II. TriE E.wcutive Committee of the New York State - Agricultural Society feeling the importance of secu- riuL', as far as practicable, the most perfect animals, secured the advice and co-operation of gentlemen familiar with cattle; and the annexed points of ex- cellence, prepared by them, Tvere adopted by the New York State Agricultural Society, for the guid- iftuce of the judges at their annual Fairs. The numbers aEBxed to the points described, form the maximum that is to be allowed for each, and in proi)ortion as the animal undpr examination is defi- cient in any point, so will the judges decrease the number, even should nothing be allowed for that point. Points which are characteristic, and therefore com- mon to a breed, though very valuable in themselves, arc marked comparatively low, because they are ea- sily obtained and demand but little sldll or attention on the part of the breeder; nevertheless, an animal not possessing the characteristics of its own breed must of necessity be almost worthless. On the other hand, it will be observed that points of less value, perhaps, in themselves, but which are characteristio deficiences in the breed, or at any rate diflBcult to sustain at their masimum excellence, are marked numerically high, as they go far to complete or per- fect the natural excellence of the animal. Again,' for the above reasons, it will be found that the points in different breeds have different numerical values attached to them. Points op a Siiort-IIorx Cow. — Pedigree — Showing an unbroken descent on both sides from known animals, derived from English herds, as found in the English or American Herd Books; and with- out this, an animal can not compete in this clasi 3. The Head. — Small, lean, and bony, tapering to the muzzle. 2. The Faee — Somewhat long, the fleshy portion of the nose of .a light, delicate color. 2. The Eye — Is of great significance, and should be prominent, bright, and clear — "prominent" from an accumulation' of " adeps " in the back part of its socket, which indicates a tendency to lay on fat ; — "bright," as an evidence of a good disposition ;' — " clear," as a guarantee of the animal's health; where- as a dull, sluggish eye belongs to a slow feeder, and a wild, restless eye betrays an unquiet, fitful temper 1. The Horns — Light in substance and waxy in color, and symmetrically set on the head; the ear large, thin, and with considerable action. 2. The JVeck — Rather short than long, tapering to the head; clean in the throat, and full at its base, thus covering and filling out the points of the shoul- ders. 14. The Chest — Broad from point to point of the shoulders; deep from the anterior dorsal vertebra to the floor of the sternum, and both round and full just back of the elbows, sometimes designated by the phrase " thick through the heart." These are unquestionably the most important points in every animal, as constitution must depend on their perfect 234 POINTS OP EXCELLENCE IN CATTLE. development, and the ample room thus afforded for the free action of the heart and lungs. 5. The Brisket — However deep or projecting, must not be confounded with capacity of chest; for though a very attractive and selling point, it, in real- ity, adds nothing to the space within, however it may increase the girth without. It is, in fact, nothing more or less than a muscular, adipose substance, at- tached to the anterior portion of the sternum, or breast^bone, and thence extending itself back. This form, however, of the brisket, indicates a disposition to lay on fat generally throughout the frame, and in this point of view is valuable. 4. The Shoulder — where weight, as in the Short- Horn, is the object, should be somewhat upright and of a good width at the points, with the blade bone just sufficiently curved to blend its upper portion smoothly with the crops. 8. The Crops — must be full and level with the shoulders and back, and it is, perhaps, one of the most difficult points to breed right in the Short- Horn. 8. The Back, Loin, and Hips — should be broad and wide, forming a straight and even line from the nack to the setting ou of the tail ; the hips, or bucks, round and well covered. 5. The Rumps — laid up high, with plenty of flesh on their extremities. 2. The Pelvis — should be large, indicated by the width of the hips (as already mentioned) and the breadth of the twist 3. The Twist — should be well filled out in its " seam " as to form nearly an even and wide plain between the thighs. 5. The (Quarters — long, straight, and well devel- oped downwards. 4. The Carcass — round, the ribs nearly circular, and e.\tending well back. 3. The Flanks — deep, wide, and full in proportion to condition. 2. The Leg — short, straight, and standing square with the body. 3. The Plates — of the belly strong, and thus pre- serving nearly a straight under line. 2. The Tail — flat and broad at its root, but fine in its cord, and placed high up, and on a level with rumps. 2. The Carriage — of an animal gives style and beauty; the walk should be square and the step quick, the head up. 15. quality.— Oa this the thriftines?, the feeding properties, and the value of the animal depend, and upon the touch of this quality rests in a good meas ure the graziers' and the butchers' judgment. If th " touch " be good, some deficiency of form may bi excused; but if it be hard and stiff, nothing can con: pensate for so unpromising a feature. In raising th skin from the body between the thumb and finger, should have a soft, flexible, and substantial feel, an when beneath the outspread hand it should mov easily with it and under it, as though resting on soft, elastic, cellular substance; which, however, b' comes firmer as the animal " ripens." A thin, papei skin is objectionable, more especially in a cold cl mate. 2. The Coat — should be thick, short, and moss, with longer hair in winter; fine, soft, and glo.ssy summer. 3. The Udder — pliable and thin in its textui reaching well forward, roomy behind, and the tea standing wide apart, and of convenient size. Points of the Short-Horn Bull. — As regar the male animal, it is only necessary to remark th the points desirable in the female are generally so the male, but must, of course, be attended by th masculine character which is inseparable from strong, vigorous constitution. Even a certain degi of coarseness is admissible, but then it must be e.xclusively of a masculine description as never to discovered in the females of his get. In contra-distinction to the cow, the head of ' bull may be shorter, the frontal bone broader, £ the occipital flat and stronger, that it may rece and sustain the horn — and this latter may be excu; if a little heavy at the base, so its upward form, quality, and color be right. Neither is the looser of the skin attached to and depending from the un jaw to be deemed other than a feature of the i provided it is not extended beyond the bone, leaves the gullet and tb'oat clean and free from do lap. The upper portion of the neck should be full t muscular, for it is an indication of strength, pov and constitution. The spine should be strong, bones of the loin long and broad, and the wb muscular system wide and thoroughly developed o the entire frame. North Dkvo.ns. — Purity of blood, as traced b sitisfactorily to importations of both dam and from known English breeders, or as found in lately established Herd Book for North Devons; : without this, an animal cannot compete in this cl 4. The Head — should be small, lean, and be the forehead wide, flat, or from a fulness of the fi POINTS OP EXCELLENCE IN CATTLE. 235 tal boue over the eyes somewhat dishing; the face jtraiglit; the muzzle fine; the nostrils open; the lips thin and rather flat. •i. The yuse — of a light, delicate orange-color. 4. The Eye — should be bright, prominent, and ;lear, but mild and gentle in its expression, as indi- ;ative of that .spirited but tractable disposition so lecessary to cattle that must bear the yoke; a beau- iful orange-colored ring shoidd invariably surround ie eye. 2. The Ear — thin, of a rich orange-color within, if medium size, with a quick and ready movement, ixpressive of attention. 2. The Horns — light, tapering, of a waxy color .oward the extremity, and gaily as well as symmetri- ally placed on he head; the occipital bone narrow, hus bringing the base of the horns nearer together. 2. The JVeck — of medium length, somewhat light a substance, very clean and well set up on the houlder. li. The Chest — deep and round, carrying its full- ess Well back of the elbows, thus affording by the id of a springing rib abundant internal room for the clion of thoracic viscera, the heart and lungs, and jjjat, too, without an extreme width forward and be- iveen the paints of the shoulders, which might in- jrfere with the action of the animal. 4. The Brisket — it being assumed that it adds othing to the internal capacity of the chest, must ot overload tlie breast, but be sufficiently developed ) guarantee a feeding property, attended with a full ropjrtion of fatty secretion. 4. The Shoulder — is, in this breed, a very beauti- d and important point, and should, iu a degree, ap- ro.ximate in form to that of the horse. It should ike a more sloping position than is found in most ther breeds, with its points less projecting and an- ular, and the blade bone more curved, thus blending ith and forming a fine wither, rising a little above 16 level hue of the back. 3. The Crops — full and even, forming a true line ith the somewhat rising shoulder and level back, 'ithout either drop or hollow. 9. Back, Loin, and Hips — broad and wide, Tun- ing on a level with the setting on of the tail. 5. The Rumps — lying broad apart, high and well- overed. 2. The Pelvis— mde. 3. The Twist— Ml and broad. 6. The Q^narters — long and thoroughly filled up etween the hooks of hip bones and the rumps, with a good muscular development down the thigh to the hocks. 3. The Flank — moderately deep, full and mellow in proportion to condition. 5. The Legs — not too short, and standing as square and straight behind aa may be compatible with activity; the bone quite small below the hock and knee; the sinews large and clean, with the fore- arm well-developed. 2. The Carcass — round and straight, its posterior ribs almost circular, extending well back, and spring- ing nearly horizontally from the vertebra, giving, in fact, much greater capacity than would at first ap- pear. 1. The Tail — at its junction level with the back; long, very slender at its cord, and finishing with a tassel of white hair. 1. The Color — in its shades and degrees is more or less governed by fashion ; but in Devon is always red. Formerly a rich blood red was the favorite color, and a test of purity ; and now a somewhat lighter color is in vogue, approaching rather nearer to that of the South Devon, which is a larger, coarser, stronger animal. In all cases the color grows lighter round the muzzle, while a dark mahogany color, verging almost to a black, and growing yet darker about the head, always was a very questiona- ble color for a true North Devon ; more especially when accompanied by a dark nose. 1. The Hair — should be short, thitk, and fine; and if showing on its surface a fine curl or ripple, it looks richer in color, and is supposed to indicate a hardier and more thrifty animal. 1. The Udder — should be such as will afford the best promise of capacity and product. 3. Carriage. — The Devons having, from their ex- cellence in the yoke, another destiny besides that of the butcher's block, it is all-in.portant that the ani- mal's carriage should indicate as much; but to ob- tain this, something of the heavy, inert, squarely- moulded frame of the merely beefing animal must be relinquished for a lighter and more active frame. Herffords. — Purity of Blood — as traced back to the satisfaction of the committee to imported blood on both sides from some known English breed- er, or as found in Eyton's Hereford Herd Book. 3. The Head — moderately small, with a good width of forehead, tapering to the muzzle; the cheek bone rather deep, but clean in the jaw. 2. The JVose — light in its color, and the whole head free from fleshiness. 236 POINTS OP EXCELLENCE IN CATTLE. 2. The Eye—h\\\, mild, and cheerful in its ex- pression. 1. The Eiir — of medinm size. 2. The Horns — light and tapering, long and spreading, with an outward and upward turn, givin; a gay and lofty espressi(fn to the whole head. 2. The JYeck — of a medium length, full in its junction with the shoulders, spreading well over the shoulder points, and tapering finely to the head. 14. The C/ies«— broad, round, and deep, its floor running well back of the elbows, which with a .spring- ing fore-rib gives great interior capacity to this all- important portion of the body. 4 The Brisket — when in flesh largely developed, descending low between the legs, and deep, by cover- ing the anterior portion of the sternum, or breast bone, but never interfering with the action of the animal when in working condition. 3. The Shoiilder — lying snugly and closely in towards the top, and spreading towards the points; the blade sloping somewhat back and running pretty well tip into the withers, which by rising a very trifle above the level line of the back, gives to the ok a very up-standing and beautiful fore-end; the whole shoulder well clothed with muscle. 3. The Crojiis — filling all up evenly behind the shoulders, and blending them smoothly in with the muscles of the back. 8. The Baek, Loin, and Hips — should he broad, wide, and levfl. 4. The Rumps — should lie nearly or quite level with the back, and their covering should be abun- dant, mellow, loose, and freely moving under the hand, thus showing great aptitude to fatten. 3. The Pelvis — roomy — indicated by wide hips (as already mentioned) and the space between the rumps, which should stand well apart, giving a gen- eral breadth to the posterior portion of the animal. 5. The Twist — broad and full, extending well down on each side of the thigh, with coriespoiiding Tvidth — a broad twist is a good indication of a butch- er's animal. G. The Hind Quarters — large and thoroughly de- veloped in its upper and more valuable portions, as beef. The thigh gradually tapering to the hock, but muscular. 3. TJie Carcass — round throughout, full and ca- pacious, with the under line of the belly level, or nearly so. 3. The Flank— hiU and wide. 3. The L'-gs — straight, upright, firmly placed to support the superincumbent weight ; a strong back sinew, but by no means a large, coarse cannon bone 3. The Plates — of the belly strong, and thus pre serving nearly a straight nnder line. 2. The Tail — ^large and full at its point of attach- ment, but fine in its cord. 3. Tlie Carriage — prompt, resolute, and cheerful, and in the ox gay and lively. 3. The Hair — thick, close, and furry, and if accom- panied with a long growth and a disposition to curl moderately, is more in estimation; but that which has a harsh and wiry feel is objectionable. 2. The Udder — should be such as wUl afford the best promise of capacity and product. 1. Color. — ^Reds or rich browns, oftentimes vary dark with a white or " brockled " face, are now the colors and marking of the Herefords, though gray Ilerefords or cream-colored are not uncommon. AvRsniREs. — Purity of Blood — as traced back to importations of both dam and sire, under such evidence as will satisfy committees. 4. The Head — as in other breeds small ; the face long and narrow ; the muzzle and nose variable ir color. 2. The Ei/c — placid and not strikingly large. 4. The Ear — of full size and of an orange coloi within. 2. The Hoi'ns — smill, tapering, with an oittwaro and upward turn, and set on wide apart; the faci- somewhat dishing. 4. The JVcck — of medium length, clean in th« throat, very light throughout, and tapering to thi head. 6. TVie Shoulders — lying snugly to the body, thii at their top, small at their points, not long in thi blade, nor loaded with muscle. 12. T7ie Chest — must retain sufficient width an« roundness to ensure constitution; — the lightness o the fore quarter and the " wedge shape " of the anii mal from the hind quarter forward arising more froa a small, flat, and thin shoulder than from any undm narrowness of the chest 4. The Crops — easily blend in with so thin shoulder, and prevent all hollowness behind. 4. The Brisket — not overloading the fore end, bui light. 8. Tlic Back — should be straight and the loi lie, the hips rather high and well spread. ^( 4. The Pelvis — roomy, causing a good breadtl of what is termed the " thurl " or " round-bone," all( between the points of the rumps. 6. The Cluarlcrs — long, tolerably muscular, ani full in their upper portion, but moulding into thi * In kb CULTIVATION OP TURNIPS. 237 thighs below, which should have a degree of flatness, affording thus more space for a full udder; the flank well let down, but not heavy. 8. The Rihs — behind, springing out very round and full, affording space for a large udder, — which by Ayrshire breeders is considered very essential to se- cure the milking property; the ivholc carcass thus acquiring increased volume towards its posterior por- tion. 4. The Rumps — nearly level with the back; pro- jecting but little. 1. ITie Tail — thin in its cord, of full length, light in its hair, and set somewhat further into the back than would be admissible with some other breeds. 3. The Legs — delicate and fine in the bone, incli- ning to be short, and well knit together at the joints. 12. The Udder — in this breed is of more especial importance, as the Ayrshires have been bred almost exclusively with reference to their milking properties. The great feature of the udder should be capacity without being fleshy. It should be carried sf|aarely and broadly forward, and show itself largely behind; as it rises upwards it should not mingle too inmiodi- ately with the muscles of the thighs, but continue to preserve its own peculiar texture of skin — thin, deli- cate, and ample in its folds. The teats should stand wide apart, and be lengthy, but not large and coarse. G. The Handling — ^will show the skin to be of medium thickness only, moving freely under the hand, and evincing a readiness in the animal to take on flesh when a drain on the constitution is no longer ■made by the milk pail. 4. The Hair — soft and thick — in the phraseology of the country, woolly. 1. Color — varies — a dark red, a rich bi'own, a liver color, or mahogany, running into almost a black ; those very much broken and spotty at the edges on a white ground are the favorite colors at the present time. The light yellow is, however, a color some- times found on very good cows, but these pale colors are objected to from an impression that such belong to animals of less constitution. 1. Carriage — should be light, active, and even ay; this latter appearance is much promoted by the apward turn of the horn. How TO HATE NO Weeds TO PULL. — Stir the grouna often, and they will never get big enough to pull. A (cose top soil can be stirred up a half dozen times ith a hoe in the time required to go over it once in the pulling process. The growth of all plants wiU also be greatly prompted by sturing the soil often. CULTIVATION OF TURHIPS. The yearly increasing demand for fut cattle, and the enhanced price of meat and farm products of all kinds, call loudly on the agriculturist to use every means at his command to augment the fertility and productiveness of his land. It is alike his duty ana his interest to do so. The hardy tillers of the soil are proverbially short-sighted. Because a crop of wheat, of corn, of oats, or of barley affords more im- mediate profit than a crop of peas or of clover, it is considered good policy to grow as much of the for- mer and as little of the latter as possible. Because a ton of hay -nill net more money in the city than can be obtained from it by feeding out on the farm, how few stop to inquire what effect such a practice will have on the farm, and how long it can be con- tinued without a steady yearly 'decrease of the hay crop. The source of nearly aU errors in thought and practice is traceable to a one-sided view of facts, and an indiscreet conception of the relations one thing bears to another; and unfortunately we have fanatics in agriculture, as well as in politics and re- ligion. It is, however, gratifying to witness the increased attention which is now paid to the cultivation of those crops which, while not so profitable in them- selves as many others, are conducive to the produc- tion of the high-priced crops which follow them. Clover is a crop of this character, and the last decade has witnessed an astonishing extension of its cultiva- tion in the wheat-growing districts of this State and Canada, as well as in Ohio, Michigan, "Wisconsin, and other Western States. Turnips also Ijelong to the same class of fertilizing plants, and on this ac- count, though not so well adapted to our climate, are worthy of more attention than has yet been be- stowed upon them. It is certain that turnips are not only valualjle as a food for stock, but that their growth and consump- tion on the farm tend greatly to its Mu-ichment. They enable the farmer to keep more stock, to make more and better manure, and to gi'ow heavier crops of the high-priced grains. They can be grown, too, among corn, or after rye, barley, wheat, or early po- tatoes; and though the produce per acre in such cases be not large, yet what is obtained costs little, seeing that the land would otherwise be unproductive. The first or second week in July is the best time to sow turnips, though there are many varieties that can be obtained at any respectable seed store that yield a fan- crop when sown the first or second week 238 J. B. LA WES AND JUSTUS TON LIKBIG. in August Last year, near this city, we saw many good crops that were not sown till the last week in August. A clean, sandy, or even mucky soil is well sailed for turnips, and it cannot be made too fine and light by plowing, harrowing, etc. A pound of seed per acre, sown broadcast, will, in a fair season, aflford plants enough, even after the " fly " has decimated them. If too thick, a harrow can be run over the field to thin them, or, what is better, they can be eingled out a foot apart with the hoe. "We really can see no reason why every farmer can not in this way BOW several acres of turnips. It must- be an uncommonly poor season if a sufficient crop is not obtahicd to pay for the labor and e.xpeuse. We feel confident that such a practice will prove profitable, even though nothing more is done with the turnips thou to consume them on the land with sheep late in the fall, when grass begins to fail. J. B. LA WES AND JUSTUS VON UEBIG. LiEBia, on the point of editing a new edition of his " Uhemistry in its Application to Agriculture and Physiology," has had occasion, as he tells us, to ex- amine the agricultural journals, in order to acquaint himself with the results of practical experience that have been published since the appearance of the last edition of his book, in 1815. The result of this examination has led to the simultaneous publication Id G^rmiiny, England, and the United States of a pamphlet entitled "The Relations of Chemistry to Agriculture, and the Agricultural Experiments of Mr. J. B. Lawes." The object of the pamphlet we will allow LiEEiG to state in his own words: — "The ■experiments of Lawes, of Rothamsted, are distin- guished above all others by their extent and duration; and since the conclusions that their author has de- duced from them stand in contradiction to the prin- ciples which I have taught in the above work, I con- eider his so-called practical criticism of scientific views especially adapted to serve as an example to convince agriculturists how uecessaiy it is to select a correct method of cxpeiimenting, when, thereby, an opinion or doctrine is to be confirmed or refuted." "All the experiments of Lawes prove precisely the contrary of that which, in his opinion, they should prove. 1 consider them, indeed, as the firmest sup- port of the theory which they were originally in- tended to combat, and the facts which he has ascer- tained, teach so many important doctrines in refer- ence to the cultivation and manuring of the soil, that I hold them to be of very special value to the theory of agriculture." Lawes' experiments are " the firmest support " of the " principles taught " by Liebio, and are of " very special value to the theory of agriculture," and caW eulated to teach " many important doctrines in refer- ence to the cultivation and manuring of the soil." What, then, are the principles taught by Liebiu, aod what tre the results of Lawes' experiments? It Is by no means easy to answer the first (jnestion. An eminent German philosopher has said that Lib- big's writings "swarm with contradictions;" and Dr. iltjoo Mom, characterises his style as one " which leaves the reader, on almost every important topic, in perfect uncertainty what it really is that Liebio means." The principal point of difference between Lawes and Liebio is in regard to the so-called " mineral theory" whirli Mr. Lawes thought embodied in the following sfntence in Liebio's " Chemistiy in its Ap- plication to Agi-iculture and Physiology : " " The crops on a field diminish or increase in exact propor- tion to the diminution or increase of the mineral sub- stances conveyed to it in manure." Liebis says Mr. Lawes appears to be unacquainted with any other sentence in his book, " and this sentence he has en- tirely misunderstood.' Again he says, " It is impos- sible to believe that he (Mr. Lawes) had any know- ledge of this theory or was acquainted with my doc- trines, otherwise, how could he have declared my opinions to be inconsistent with his experimental re- sults?" Again, " It is not difficult to refute the views of another, if we attribute to him false assertions which he has not made." Again, " That the mineral theory of Liebio is a pure invention of Mr. Lawes' might be clear to every one." Again, " My remark * * cannot be considered incorrect because Mr. Lawes has misunderstood its sense." Leaving out of the question the work on " Chem- istry in its Application to Agriculture and Physiolo- gy," in which Liebig now declares he did not teach the " mineral manure theory," let us see what he has written elsewhere, and also what othens, besides Mr. Lawes, have taken to be his meaning. In a letter to the Revue Scicntifique et Industrielle, Liebio says: " In a short time I intend publishing a work which, I tru.st, will be interesting in the present state of ag- riculture. Tou are aware of the great importance which theoretical persons attach to the presence of ammonia in manures; so much so, that in France their value is estimated by the quantiiy of azote or ammonia they contain. For myself, for the last three years I have partaken of the common opinion, and regard the azote as not only useful Ijut also necessa- ry; but my last experiments, as well as careful obser- J. B. LAWRS AND JUSTUS VON LIEBIG. 239 vation, have lately compelkal me to alter my opinion." "It has been demonstrateil that ammonia is a con- stituent part of the atmosphere, anil that as such it is tlircctly accessible and absorbable by all plants. If, then, the other coniiitions necessary to the growth of the plants be satisfied — if the soil be suitable — if it contains a sudicient quantity of alkalies, phos- phates, and sulphates, nothing will be wanting; the plants will derive their ammonia from the atmos- phere, as they do carbonic acid. We know well that they are endowed with the faculty of assimila- ting those two aliments; and I really cannot see why we should search, for their presence in the manures U'e vse." "The question of the nece.sssity for ammonia in our manures resolves itself into the question of the neces- sity for animal manures, and upon the solution de- pends the entire future prospects of agriculture; for as soon as we can dispi'iise with bulky farm-yard ma- nure by the use of ariilii'ial preparations, the pro- ductive power of our fields is placed in our own hands." In an article " On the Principles of Artificial Ma- nuring," written at Geissen, in 1845, occur the follow- ing sentences : " It results from this with certainty, that liie min- eral substances which are furnished by the toil, and which are found again in the ashes of plants, are their true food; that they are the conditions of veg- etable life.'' "The fertilizing power of manure can be deter- mined by weight, as its effect is in direct ratie to its amount in the mineral elements of the food of plants." " If these elements (the ashes of plants) are pres- ent in sufficient quantity and in appropriate propor- tions, the soil contains the conditions which render the plant capable of absorbing carbonic acid and ammonia from the air, which is an inexhaustible storehouse for them, and renders]] their elements ca- pable of being assimilated by their organism." " If we do not restore to a meadow the elements withdrawn, its fertility decreases. But its fertility remains unimpaired, with a due supply of animal ex- crements, fluid and solid, and it not only remains the same, but may be increased by a supply of mineral substances alone, such as remain after the combus- tion of ligneous plants and other vegetables, namely, ashes. Ashes rep.-esent the whole nourishment which vegetables receive from the soil. By furnishing them in sufficient quantities to our meadows, we give to the plants growing on them the power of condensing and ab:^orbing carbon and nitrogen by their surface." Must not, we ask, the effect of the solid and fluid excrements, which are the ashes of plants and grains burned [the italics are Liebios] in the bodies of an- imals and of man, be dependent upon the same cause? Must not the fertility resulting from their application be, to a certain extent,* independent of the ammonia they contain? Would not the effect be precisely the same in promoting the fertility of cultivated plants, if we had evaporated the urine and dried and burned the solid excrements before adding them to the soil? Surely the cerealia and leguminous plants which we cultivate must derive their carbon and nitrogen from the tame source whence the graminea and legumin- ous plants of the meadow obtain them. No doubt can be entertained of their capability to do so." Letters on Chemistry, last London edition, page 514. " Nothing can be more certain than the fact that an exportation of nitrogenized products does not ex- haust the fertility of a country ; inasmuch as it is not the soil, but the atmosphere which furnishes its vegetation with nitrogen. It follows, consequently, that we cannot increase the fertility of our fields by a supply of nitrogenized products or hj salts of am- monia alone ;t but rather that their produce in- creases or diminishes in a direct ratio with the sup- ply of mineral elements capable of assimilation. * * * If we supply along with the ammonia all the conditions necessary for its assimihition, it minis- ters to the nourishment of the plants; but if this ar- tificial supply of ammonia is not given, they can de- rive all Ike required nitrogen from the atmosphere." —Ibid 517. These quotationa require no comments. Mr. Lawes is severely censured for supposing that Liebio taught that theory which ascribes the effect and val- ue of manures to the inorganic constituents of plants which they contain. Liebio thinks Mr. Lawes has read only one sentence of his book, and misunder- stood that one. Let us see, therefore, what otheis have understood Liebio to mean. Sullivan, in his Manures of the Farm, says : "The admixture of caustic Hme with night soil has been objected to on the ground of the chemical de- composition which would thereby ensue, and the con- sequent evolution and waste of ammoniacul gas; but we have the high authority of Liebio for staling that the efficacy of human focees as manuie does not depend on their ammonia or nitrogen. Ileuce, in depriving night soil of smell, we do not diminish its * We are now quoting from the last edititm cf LlEBlG's Famil, iar Letters on Chemistry, publif^hed in 1H5L subsequent to the publication of Mr. Lawes' results. TAtg qualifying dauaetttutujl in tltefiyrmtT editioTS, where the xtintfuce reads *'Soould not Uw fertility resulting from their application be altvgtther independent of the ammonia they contain r" ■f Here, again, this qualifying clause was not in the former edi- tions, which read— "We cannot increese Ihe feitilily of our BeMi by a tupply of nitrogenized manure, orhy salts of ammonia." The change of the word manure to product* U also significaut. 240 J. B. LAWES AND JUSTUS VON LIEBIG. ^.yalue as a fertilizer." In other words, drawing olf the ammonia of manure does not decrease its fertili- zing value. . Dr. Wessenisosx, writing from AV'eimar to the jj.Lpndon Farmers' Magazine, vol. 15, 373, says : , " Ilie great rule of Prof. Liebio's new system of manuring is the following: Let the fields not be ma- nured with stable dung, nor with any sort of dung ^.whatever that contains organic (vegetable or animal) ^.substances along with its inorganic (mineral) prinoi- __ pies. This mineral manure the farmer has to procure _^ pither by mcinorating all the vegetable substances , ^j that he has reaped, and which he cannot profitably ..J sell or consume on his farm, especially by burning ^ the straw; or by apitlying to a chemist with a view ,)iof hfx[ing both the soil to be manured and the ashes „tof plants to be cultivated duly analysed, and of get- •(fting prepared, conformably to the result of such an- .(j.alyses, an artificial manure (mineral manure — manure ^pi ashes) containing the very mineral food that the -.plant wants, and that is not already contained in the ^ground. * « * Xhe farmer saves (by the new j(, system of manuring) almost the whole of the expen- ^ diture for transporting manure to the fields, as the ^.weight of the mineral manure he wants is only 2.G ' .ft.per cent, of that of the stable dung hitherto used." •_,j , In one of his lectures, Mr. Kaekeck adverted " to the doctrine recently introduced by Prof Liebio, jphich under-estimated the influence of organic ma- pures in the soil and attached the more importance • to the inorganic constituents of plants, by keeping a vppply of which in the soil, he is of opinion that the prbon and nitrogen which are necessary for the growth of plants u'ill be supplied through the atmos- phere. This is a theory altogether opposed to the experiments which he (Mr. Kahkeck) had placed be- fore them that day, and it was also opposed to Lie- ' '"big's previous teaching." — Far., Mag, vol. xv. 2G0. Prof E. N. IIoKSFOED, while with Prof Liebig , at Geissan, will be considered good authority in re- gard to the views of Liebig on this point. In a let- ter to Prof. Webster, dated Geissen, May 1, 1S46, * he says: "You are aware that Boussinoault has ex- . pressed the opinion, after a variety of experiment?, , that the value of manure is ui near relation to its percentage of ammonia. Mclder has, you know, Jj;%ritten much in support of the view that ulmic and *»" humic acids, ulmates, humatcs, etc., in one form and J" another, minister largely to vegetation. * * Lie- big dilfers from them all. * * He takes the po- '^\ sition that the sources of carbon and nitrogen are •'"'carbonic acid and ammonia in the air. * * * " It is obvious (from analyses of soils and rain-wa- ter) that the ammonia spread on fields in the ordina- ry distribution of barn-yard products is of no mo- ment. The quantity with usual falls of rain greatly exeeeds, in the course of a season, any conceivable supply by human instrumentality. » * * "But if in the manure heap and the liquid accumu- lations of the barn-yard, transported to the fields, the ammonia be not the chief ingredient, or an im- portant one, to what are we to attribute the unques- tioned value of stable products and night soil? Prof. Liebig has shown that if plants be manured with the ashes of plants of the same species, as the grasses of our western country are when burned over in the fall, they are supplied with their natural food. * * Let us consic'cr what these ashes are, and what ma- nure is. Hirbivorous animals derive their nourish- ment fro;;i the vegetable kingdom exclusively, their food being grass, grain, roots, etc. These, with their orgauic and inorganic matters are eaten. A portion of them is assimilated, becoming bone, muscle, ten- don, fat, etc. Another portion is voided in the form of excrementitious matter. In process of time, the bones and tissue follow the same course. What to- day forms the eye, with its sulphur, and its phospho- rous, and carbon, etc., will have accomplished its office, and left the organism to mingle with the ex- crements, or escape as carbonic acid and water from the lungs. At length all the inorganic matters ivili re-appear in the voided products. * * The ani- mal organism has performed the office of a mill Grain was supplied. Instead of appearing as floui and bran and the intermediate meal, it appears aftei intervals of greater 'or less length, in soluble inor ganic salts in the liquid excrements, in insoluble in organic salts in the solid excrements, and in carbon ic acid and water. Now, after burning a plant, wha remains? It contained when growing carbon, nitro gen, hydrogen, and oxygen, as organic bodie.s, an( water. It contained also, in variable proportions common salt, potash, soda, magnesia, lime, iron, phos phorous, sulphur, and silica. The first four were ea pelled in the combustion. The remaining iugrodienta for the most part, remained unchanged. Had thil plant gone into the body of an animal, and in th) course of its evolutions through the organism lost iti carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, the remain ing ingredients would have been the same as before In one case the plant would have been burned in th organism; in the other, in a crucible. The ashB' and the excrements are substantially the same. * '■ Night soil and guano are the ashes of animal an< USEFUL RECIPES— FRAUDS IN MANURES. 241 vegetable organism burned iu animal bo.lies. They ai-e the ashes of plants — the essential food of plants. Hence their value as manures." AVe might multiply such quotations from our ag- ricultural literature of the past decade ad libitum, but the above are sufficient to show that Lawes and Wolff are not alone in ascribing the " pure mineral theory to Liebig. CULTURE OF CABBAGE. Method of Keepini^ Cabbage Plants from the Fly. — As soon as the frost has left the ground in the spring, sow your seed, having first manured the soil with hog-pen, cow-shed, or other cool, short manure; a damp and shady spot should be chosen if possible; when the plants make their appearace, take some ashes from the stove and mi.x it with some fine ground pungent black pepper, half and half, sprinkle some of this over the plants early in the morning, before the sun is up, and while the dew is on them. If it should commence to rain, or should the mixture be washed off by the heavy dews, the application should be repeated, and continued until the plants mike the rough leaf pretty large. It is also adrisable to sow a small portion of lettuce seed with the cabbage. I never knew the fly to touch lettuce plants. Should it prove to be a dry season, frequent watering should be resorted to, for some little pains must necessarily be taken to raise superior vegetables in hot dry cli- mates. Hints on Transplanting. — Care being taken to select a moist, cloudy day for transplanting, it will be found very beneficial to follow these instructions in setting out cabbage aud other plants. Take a pint and half fill it with water, put in a little fresh cow- dung, and mix it together pretty thick. Then dip the roots of cabbage or other plants into it for trans- planting. It is a cool, moist manure, which excites and encourages all kinds of plants to take root. Shade your plants with shingles, or other convenient things from the sun, until they have commenced grow- ing vigorously. To Destroy the Worm in Cabbage Plants. — It not unfrequently happens that when the cabltage is half grown, a little white worm or maggot takes pos- session of the stalk and destroys the plant. To kill them, shake the stalk carefully, but not so as to dis- turb the roots; then strew a little dry ashes from the stove around the stalk, which will destroy them. To Prevent the Ravages of the Black or Gray Grub. — The black or grey grub commit their depre- dations on the young cabbage plants during the night, and hide themselves beneath the soil in the day. Of various efforts to keep them off the only effectual means which I could ever discover, was to take sul- phur, brimstone, and shake a little of it on the ground for a few iuches around the stalk. , To Destroy the Green Insect on Cabbage Plants., — When about two-thirds grown, cabbages are fre- quently beset by small green insects, or lice, which rob the plants of their vigor. To destroy them, put half a pound of salt to two gallons of water; sprin- kle this mixture over the cabbages, and the insects will fall to the ground, while the salt water will nour- ish the plants. To Prevent Cabbages from Growing to " Long Shanks." — To secure true, solid heads of cabbage on those stalks which manifest a disposition to grow to what are commonly known as " long shanks," take a pen-knife and slab it through the stalk about the mid- dle; insert a small piece of wood to keep the incision open, which will check the growth. By doing this, good heads of cabbage may be secured on every stalk. FRAITDS IN GUANO AND OTHEK MANUEES. A DISCUSSION has been going on in the Agricul- tural press for some time in regard to the value ' of certain manufactured manures. These manures have been much lauded by those interested in their manu- facture and sale, who have published many certifi- cates of then- value, much after the fashion of ven- ders of patent medicine. We have "very little faith in these certificates ; they are so easily obtained — men are so apt to jump at conclusions. It is much easier than giving an article a full, fair, and patient trial. We would engage to get_/i;-si rate certificates as to the value of clean washed sand as a manure, if we could only conceal its real character, and have it properly distributed — that is, placed in the hands of the right kind of persons. Then it is so easy for the manufacturer in search of certificates to distribute a few parcels superior to the article as generally man- ufactured and sold. We fear the manufacturers of manures have a great many sins of this character to answer for. But the greatest fraud of the time is the prepara- tion of a compound which the manufacturers have named CliiliaH Guano — although the greater part of the compound was never nearer Chili than New York or Boston. This bold attempt to cheat the hard-working producing class by a shameless fraud. 242 CORRESPONDENCE. we should think would cuise these men as long as they live, and make their names a lasting reproach. The editor of the Country Gentleman, who has been instrumental in ferreting out this bold fraud, is entitled to the thanks of all. The agricultural press ia never more usefully employed than in watching the interests of farmers and guarding them against the frauds of dishonest speculators. Let the farmers see that their true friends are sustained. We once had a libel suit hanging over our head for expo.sing a fraud of this kind, although we were prepared by the evidence of a former partner in the Manure Company, to prove every word we had said in relation to its composition. The following from the Jlgricultural Gazette (Eng.,) is to the point: The shameless frauds practised by some dealers have been long known and exposed, but how are guch to be detected by practical farmers who are not chemists, and yet want a supply just at a time when a dealer is at hand and ready to sell? A case of this kind came under my knowledge some time fflnce, when the sale and terms of purchase had been settled between the parties. It was then understood that the money was to be paid on the day following:, (£10 per ton); I therefore bad little enough time to eflect even a slight quantitative analysis. The sam pie I received was about four ounces. Having been accustomed to experiment with several varieties, it occnrred to me that by a few simple processes, it would be possible to attain to a pretty correct idea of the moi-sture contained in a given weight (which ought not to exceed 10 to 12 per cent.) of the quan- tity of ammonia in the soluble salts, of the insoluble matters, the most valuable of which is the bone phosphate in its state of extremely minute division. 1 now, therefore, endeavor to recite, in the most sim- ple terms, the processes adopted by me, and which I DOW venture to recommend to those who have not at command a more refined analysis: .50 grains of the gample to be examined are dried in a paper placed upon the hob of a grate, and then weighed to ascer- tain the lo.sa of water, and rubbed in a small mortar to a flue powder; two-thirds of the quantity (say 36 grains of air-slaked lime are, in like manner, placed on the hob of a grate, and equally dried and weighed, and are then triturated together. The weight being accurately noted, they are transferred to a small bal- anced saucer, moistened with a dessert spoonful of rain water, and stirred with a pointed quill. Ammo- niacal gas is immediately developed, but in much greater volume when placed upon the warm grate till dry. The mixture is then to be treated with boiling water sufficient to bring it to a paste, stirred repeatedly and left in heat till dust dry, when the vol- atile ammonia will have been totally e.xpelled by the lime. The loss of weight will be found lo vary ac- cording to the quality of the guano. In one exper- iment made by me it was proved that a mixture of 50 grains of dry guano, and only 26 of lime — 76 grains so treated had lost 6J grains. This loss, if assigned to ammonia only, would indicate 13 grains in the 100 of the ammonia actually existing as a base to some or all of those acids which are found in the soluble ingredients of pure and sound guano. If by repeated experiments of the kind, with different sam- ples, certain definite quantities are left, and the loss of weight a.scertained, a pretty correct idea ot the actual quantity of potential ammonia will be attained, sufficient at all events to guide the judgment of a discerning practical agriculturist. Professors Ander- son and Wat concur in the opinion that " there are only two constituents which practically require to be considered in the estimate of the commercial value of the phosphates." This is admitted, for the phos- phates which exist in some of the salts soluble in water contain ammonia. Yet the one most available in turnip culture is the bone earth (phosphate of lime) which remains in the insoluble matters after water has taken up all that it can dissolve. These insoluble substances include more or less urate of ammonia — a valuable ingredient, but requiring time and accuracy for its development. Estimating it at 12 per cent., and the bone phosphate at 23 per cent; also other organic and saline matters at 16 per cent; with 2 or 3 per cent, of sand in all; 47 percent, may be taken (including from 6 to 10 parts of moisture) a.^ the mean average of all the ingredients soluble in rain or distilled water. — John Toivers. CXEAEING NEW LAND. Mr. EniTOR: — Having seen in the columns of the Pab.mbr a few words from a subscriber, desiring to know the best method, and cheapest withal, for clear- ing new land, I give the plan adopted by myself and others in my vicinity. All our industrious farmers calculate on clearing from 5 to 15 acres of fallow yearly; generally chop- ping during the winter months, and clearing for wheat in the fall. 8ome prefer slashing and falling the tops together into large heaps, or as much so as possible, which is a very good way, provided the timber can lay a couple of years and dry; otherwise there will be a great deal that will not burn up. In such a case there is a great sacrifice of time and labor in clearing up the land, and getting rid of the timber. An old and very common way is to underbrush in winrows, leaving a break in them if logs come in the way, as brush will not burn when piled on logs, or on the roots of fallen trees. Again, some adopt the plan of making small and numerous brush-heaps close together, and with them the great oljject is to get a good burn. ily opinion is, that the soil is left in the best con- dition when burnt as little as possible. The land where heaps of logs have been burned, after having been cleared a few years, can be distinctly discerned by looking over crops gi'owing on and around it. Hence, I would chop and fall my timber, and bum CORRESPONDENCE. 243 as little as possible until the hmd should bccoine sod- ded to j;ras-s which will prevent the fire from healing the earth so much as it otherwise would. Many cannot adopt this plan until some considera- ble improvement has been made; but then they will find it much to their benefit to adopt it. Jefferson Co., N. Y. W. N. C. BUGS IN PEAS. Mr. EnrroR: — A correspondent in the Farmer wished to know what would destroy bugs in pca.s. 1 can inform him that scalding the peas will do it. " Yes," say many voices, " and it will kill the peas too." Now, brother farmers, don't disbelieve every new idea nntil you have proved it. I first heard the plan rec- ommended more than twenty years ago, and the same objection was raised then that you make now. I re- collect my father had some fine early peas that were very buggy; he said he had as lief lose the peas as to propagate the bugs ; so he put them into scalding hot water, stirred them about well, then poured them out into a basket to drain, and sowed them. I think every pea came up, and in a much shorter time than those which were not introduced to a hot balk; and the next spring we had no buggy peas. If any are fearful, let them try it on a small scale. Aquila. three horses all the summer from two acres, have had II beautiful " door-yard," as my neighbors insiist upon calling it. It made a beautiful play-ground for my children, when I made a swing, by fastening a rope to the trunks of two maples; and here we have en- joyed many an evening's gambol. A few rough seats did not detract from the beauty of the place. Thia, Mr. Editor, is the result of my e.xperiment in lawn making, and I am satisfied with it. I. H. P. S. I should have observed that there were a few old trees and some shrubs on the place before. These I trimmed up and added a few new varieties. Some of my neighbors talk of making a " door-yard ' like mine next season. FASMERS' LATBUS. Mr. Editor: — Having been in England for the purpose of buying improved stock, I was much pleased with the appearance of English lawns. But I soon discovered they were expensive to keep in order, and our climate is not suited to their full beau- ty— our summers are too dry and hot. I so much loved their beauty, that on my return I thought I would try if I could not have a tolerably good-look- ing lawn around my house without a great outlay of labor or e.xpense. I plowed up and mellowed about two acres around my house, gave it a light dressing of old manure, and sowed red-top, Kentucky blue- grass, and white clover, quite thick. This I did the first of April, 1854. All came up quite well, and pretty well sprinkled with weeds. As soon as the weeds were high enough to mow, I took their heads off with the scythe. This checked them and gave the grass a chance. After this I mowed twice du- ring the season. This_ spring and summer I have had a beautiful grass. I commenced mowing in front of the house, as being most observed, when a few inches high, and kept cutting a little every day — just enongh to feed out green. In this way I have fed CANABA THISTLES. Mr. Editor: — As a correspondent of yours wishes to know how to kill (extirpate) Canada thistles, I will answer the question ; and I believe there are thousands of farmers in Western New York who ought to make the same inquiry. The first way, then, is to pull them up, and do it frequently the same season, say once every two or three weeks du- ring the months of June, July, and August, and the first part of September. The next best way is to cut them down close to the ground with a hoe or other convenient instrument. After th ^ second or third pulling or cutting, they diminish in numbers and size very rapidly. There is no mystery about the business, only keep them down. A patch recent- ly started may be destroyed by two or three puUings or cuttings. No pernicious weeds should be tolerated on any roads or other places contiguous to the farm. Two years ago last spring I planted potatoes on a " thistle patch " six or eight rods equara The thistles were " thick as hair on a dog." The pota- toes were hoed three times, and the thistles attended to from time to time with a hoe through the entire summer. Last season the same ground was planted with corn, when some eight or ten thistles were all that were seen in the course of the season. Thig year not a thistle has been seen on the ground. Daisies, or white daisies, johnswort, buttercups, yellow-dock, and some other weeds, as well as Cana- da thistles, are multiplying in our part of the State very rapidly, and almost without let or hindrance. A stitch in time would save more than nine. Wish- ing you much success in your efforts to diffuse useful information, I am yours, truly. C. H. Lancaster, Erie Co., N. T. 244 FILTERING APPARATUS. PUEE WATEE-FILTEEING APPARATUS. As the present is the season when cool, pure water is fully apprecu^ted, we give a chapter on this subject. It is from a hydropathic work recently published by Fowler Si Wells: Water constitutes about three-fourths of the en- tire bulk and weight of the human body. It forms a portion of all the tissues, and exists as a compo- nent part of every kind of vegetable. Only a very small quantity of water is necessary as a drink, pro- vided our dietetic and other voluntary habits are physiologically correct. The vast quantity usually taken into the stomach is called for by the feverish and inflammatory state of the system produced by concentrated food, flesh, salt, spices, etc. But it is indispensable to perfect health that all the water drank, and all that is employed in cooking, should be pure. All persons, however, do not know what pure wa-. ter really is. Many mistake transparency for purity; and othei-s think all water that is soft must necessa- rily be pure. Pure water is always soft ; but soft water is not always pure. Rain water is the purest known. Springs which are formed by rain water percolating throut>h beds of sand or a gravelly soil, are often almost perfectly pure. River water is generally soft, but contains more or less of vegetable and animal impuriiies. Well water is generally very hard, being imp^egnat^d with earthy salts, particularly sulphate of lime (plas- ter of Paris) and bicarbonate of lime. Marsh and lake water are usually very impure. Sea water con- tains an average of three and a half per cent, of sa^ line impurities. Mineral waters are famous for medi- cinal virtues precisely in proportion to the e.\tent of their impurities. Persons are often poisoned by the medicinal properties which water, beer, soda, porter, etc., have acqiured by standing in metallic vessels or leaden pipes. Water conveyed through metal tubes should always be allowed to run some time before any is drank. Filtration will remove all the impurities suspended in common water, but not those substances held in solution. A very cheap and efficient filter may be constructed in a few minutes, at tiie cost of only a few pence, in the following manner: Procure a clean flower-pot, of the common kind; close the opening in the bottom by apiece of sponge; then place in the inside a layer of small stones, pre- viously well cleaned by washing; this layer may be about two inches deep, the upper stones being veiT small. Nest procure some freshly burnt charcoal, which has not been kept in a damp or foul place, as it rapidly absorbs any strong smells, and so becomes tainted and unfit for such purpose; reduce this to powder, :md with it twice its bulk of clear, well- wa-shed, sharp sand; with this mixture fill the pot to within a short distance of the top, covering it with a layer of small stones; or, what is perhaps better, place a jjiece of thick flannel over it, large enough to tie round the rim of the pot outside, and to form a hollow inside, into which the water to be filtered is to be poured, and which will be found to flow out rapidly through the sponge in an excellent pure state. The flannel removes the grosser impurities floating in the water, but the latter absorbs much of the decay- ing animal and vegetable bodies actually dissolved in it; wdien it becomes charged with them, it loses this power; hence the necessity for a supply of fresh char- coal at intervals. Under different circumstances porous stone, sand, charcoal, sponge, flannel, and other cloths, and un- sized or bibulous paper are used for filtering water. As the subject is one of great importance, especially to invalids, I shall dwell on it somewhat lengthily. On a small scale, water which has not become at- tainted by the admixture of ott'ensive gasses, may be filtered by compressing a piece of sponge into the neck of a bottle or other vessel, and allowing the water to percolate through it. Filtering water by passing it through porous stone, hollowed out into the form of a basin, was an ancient method. Filtering through charcoal deprives the. water of coloring matter and offensive odors. Sand has been most generally used for filtering on a large scale. In the sand beds constructed by nature, the water is more perfectly filtered by an ascending mo- tion. In descending, some of the impurities might be forced through "the sand by their own gravity; but in ascending, the force of gravitutiou opposes their farther progreis. Cisterns are often con- structed in cellars, and divi- ded by a partition, reaching n"arly to the bottom, into uvo unequal parts (fig. 1). I'he largest division, b, is half filled with layers of sand, of various degrees of i"'S- 1- fineness, through which the water passes, and rises perfectly clear into the divi- sion c. A similar cistern with two partitions has been re- commended (fig. 2)- The partition a does not reach quite 10 the bottom, and the other, b, has an aper- ture. A piece of perfora- j^r^ ted riietal, stone, wood, or 3-y placing an- other cistern on a hiu-h- er leTcl, asd, to receive the v.ater fii'st, it will descend through the pipe c, enter the cask at i, and by the pres- sure of the water in d will ascend through the filter- ing materials to a, and tlius be doubly filtered and more completely purified. By placing a funnel at / water may be poured into and filtered through the cask, independent of any supply from the roof When the sand requires cleaning, it must be taken out and washed. DAIRY BUSINESS IN NEW YOSK. The State census, now ia progress in tliis State, will present data of great interest to the intelligent dairymen of New York, indicating the degree of im- provement made since the census of 1850 and that of la4.5. We will not attempt to anticipate the official figures by any guesses or predictions, but con- tent ourselves with copying and commending to the reader's attention the following remarks of one who has devoted much time and study to this branch of rural industry, as Secretary of the State Agricultural Society. Mr. Jooxston has our thanks for proof sheets of several articles to appear in the volume of Transactions of the State Society for 1855, not yet published: \[r. JoHNSox, Secretary of the State Agricultural Society, remarked — That the dau-y interest was one of very great importance in our State, and that in this department of Agriculture perhaps as marked improvement had been made as in any other. The Society had at an early day directed attention to this subject, as it was manifest that the quaUty both of butter and cheese was far lower than it should be — while the quantity from the dairies of the State was much less than could be realized under a proper sys- tem of management. By the state census of 184."i it appeared that there were 999,400 cows employed in the dairy; of which number it was estimated that 333,103 were devoted to the manufacture of cheese, giving 36,744,976 lbs., or about 110 B)s. each cow. The number employed in the InUter dairies was estimated at 606,237, yield- ing 79,501,733 lbs. per cow. It was apparent tliat this was far less than should be realized from well-managed dairies. Prom an ex- amination of the returns from the different counties, it was ascertained that in the county of Herkimer, then, as now, one of the first cheese districts in the United States, the average of cheese per cow was 226 Ifjs.; in Fairfield, in that county, 350 lbs. pcT cow; and one dairy, that of A. L. Fisn, Esq., I>itch- field, had given an average for three years of 680 lbs. This induced the society to make efforts to remedy this eT cow. In Oneida Co., some years since, a bull of the Hol- derness breed was introduced, and a large number of heifer calves were dropped, and when arrived at ma- turity, pi-ovi'd g.merally extraordinary good milkers. One of these cows, which gave from twenty-five to thirty-two quarts of milk per day, was kept with a small Cow of the Mohawk breed, so-called, which yielded only from twelve to feurteen quarts ; the milk was placed together and butter made, but the yield was not satisfactory; a separation took place, and the milk of the Mohawk cow produced the finest of butter, and very nearly equal in quantity to that of both combined, while from the milk of the IIoI- derness it was impracticable to obtain good butter. The latter was placed with cows used for the cheese dairy, and proved valuable. This led also to a care- ful examiiuition of other cows as to their individual qualities, and was productive of good. The Lactometer, a very simple arrangement of long glass tubes in a frame, which are graduated, will enable a dairyman very readily to test the quantity of cream each cow will give from a given amount of milk. These are frequently used for the purpose. By the returns of the census of 1850, it is found that the number of milch cows has diminished — be- ing only 930,967;— 58,433 less than in 1845. Still, the increase in cheese was 12,991,437 fts. — 160 lbs. to each cow; and the increase in butter was 204,361 lbs. — 128 lbs. to each cow; against 110 lbs. of cheese and 116 lbs. of butter in 1845. This increase alone was worth, at the market prices of butter and cheese in the dairy districts, ^1,202,580 27 ; and to this is to be added the value of the 58,433 cows and their keep, wliich has been saved to the dairymen of New York. It is believed that a very considerable poi- •tion.of this increase may be fairly traced to the ef- forts which the Society has made to advance this great interest of our country — a sum more than suf- ficient to endow an institution for all time to come for the education and elevation of the farmers of our State. That much more should be done is admitted; and we do not intend to relax our efforts until we can secui-e at least 200 lbs. of butter and 400 lbs. of ii'i DAIRY BUSINESS IN NEW TORE. cheese per cow. That this cau be secured, we have the evidence of what has already been done, and our best dairymen unite in saying it can be done, with well selected cows, and with proper care in their keep. It is believed that for dairy purposes a very large portion of our State is superior to any portion of the United States. The celebrity of " Goshen but- ter " is known the world over, and yet it is satisfacto- rily proved in our Trans., vol. 7, IH-IT, p. 570, that a very large portion of the butter that has this celeb- rity is made in other counties of our State. In the geological survey of our State, Professor Mather, in his report, p. 313, in speaking of the Catskill division, says, "This country is admirably adapted for grazing, both for cattle and sheep, and thejine, sweet grass and cold springs offer as great facilities for making excellent butter as the world affords. A large proportion of the butter sold un- der the name of ' Goshen butter' which is celebrated for its superior qualities, is made in the mountainous regions of Delaware, Sullivan, Ulster, and Greene counties.' And he might have added, butter of like superior quality is made in Broome, Chenango, Che- mung, Tioga, Cortland, Oneida, Lewis, Jefferson, Os- wego, St. Lawrence, etc. The lion. Mr. Eames, (of the Assembly,) to whom Mr. Johnson remarked that the society had awarded its premiums, said that he had been engaged in the cheese business for sixteen years, and had followed it up with all such experiments as he deemed would lead to the best practice during that period. There was a vast amount of information to be gained of profit to the dairyman in the selection and keeping of cows and the manufacture of cheese. Buyers had been blameable for abuses in manufacture. Strange as it may seem, it is true. The price for the season is generally fixed, and ranges through the whole course of dairies uniform; whereas there is a vast difference in the manufacture of the article, in the nicety of work, the cleanliness in all cases ob- served, the salt, the amount and quality, the pack- ages, the place of keeping; all this may operate very materially as to the quality. Buyers go in to buy a farmer's dairy of butter. The question is asked — What did you pay my neighbor ? and when the an- swer is given, the reply is, that mine is worth as much as his, and so the price is fixed. Thus a good dairy often sells a poor one. He knew it was so in cheese. Year after year prices are paid similar to that re- ceived for a good article for an article not fit to use, and which would be so decided by a competent judge. That prejudices tlie manufacturer of good cheese. It is often expressed in a dairy district that one gets the same price with the other, and hence it is a plea often used in respect to the preparation of the cheese, and in the curing and packing of it, thus influencing the character of the dairy, and leading to neglect in the manufacture. In reference to cows, one dairyman in his neigh- borhood, in Jefterson county, increased his product in cheese one half above his neighbors. Some thought it owing more to the feed he gave than to the quality of his cows, but it was in the selection of his stock with iare and much good judgment as to the feed, thai he was able to keep his stock in good condition during the winter as well as summer. Much loss is experienced by dairymen not raising their own cows — as it is the general belief that it costs less to buy than to raise; and so it may be at first, but not eo in the end. The dairies hud been kept in bad state from this cause, but imported stock had come in. Very valuable stock had been import- ed by Brodie and Hungerford, of Adams, which was of great ecvice. Mr. JouNsoN — Uew does the Ayrshire stock suc- ceed? Mr. Eames — It is spreading and does well. Mr. JonNS(3N — The Ayrshire stock is remarkable fine for milking; is it not? Mr. EAMts — Yes; and there are also Purhams. He had raised a mixture of Ayrshire and Durham, which promises well. Mr. Jou.NSON — How much cheese do you average to a cow? Mr. Eames — Not far from 300 lbs. The pasture last year, notwithstanding the drouth, was better than in the previous jear, as the grasshoppers did not af- fect the herbage. There had been a drouth foi about three years. The grasshoppers bad almost made a famine. Their dairies had been revived by the September rains. In relation lo the land foi pasturage, about three acres were sufficient, two o pasture and one of grass, especially if the animab were kept off it, as stock will tread down half as much as they eat. He thought it a great fault wit! dairymen that there was such a wastage of manures There was rising moderately a discrimination ii the purchase of cheese, the good bringing more thai the poor. Mr. Eames said, cheese to be kept well must bi thoroughly scalded, and worked dry; without this, sal would not keep it any length of time. When ther is whey left in the curd it creates a bad taste There may be too much whey, and cheese which un dergoes this change is unhealthy. The dairy business is increasing and extending The Black river valley, the southern tier of counties all hilly regions, are favorable. It is extending ii St. Lawrence, and in Lewis and Jefferson. The lam has not increased much in value, for there is a limi in the price of dairy land. There has been a great improvement in the build ings for the dairy. Milking barns have been intro duced, where the cows are tied up night and mornin; for milking, where the work can be done in all weath ers. Ten cows are easier milked in the barn tha] eight outside, and the milk is cleaner. The work cai be done there, when, in the winter mornings, in tb old way, it could not be done. The Welch inak excellent laborers in the dairy, for they have general! followed the business at home and are faithful. The good milking qualities of the cow descenc and when there is a good milker the calf may genei ally be relied on to become such. The cross of thi Durham and the native is better than the pure Dui ham. The cross of the Ayrshire and Duiham i equal for milk. The Durham is better for bee; VVhen near the large market of a city it is mucl more profitable to sell the milk than to make buttei About ten pounds of milk to one of cheese, the mill weighing about nine pounds to the gallon. FOOD CONSUMED BY AN ELEPHANT. 247, FOOD CONSUMTD BY AN ELEPHANT. Some time since we copied a short notice that was goiiii; tlie rounds" in reference to P. T. Banmm's arm-eleiihant, rerinesting Mr. B. to give us the par- icuhirs in regard to his weight, consumption of Cood, fee. Our excellent contemporary, the A'eiv England Farmer, copied the article, in whicli paper it met the ye of Mr. Barnum, who iiniuediately replied as fol- ows: Bridqeport, Ct., July 7, 1855. Editor of JVew England Fanner: — Sir, — In nn" rwer to your inquiry in regard to the diet and weight )f my working elephant, I would state that he eats )n nn average one bushel of oats and one hundred lounds of hay per day, Sundays and all ! His weight 47(10 pounds. He will accompHsh any kind of vork set before him, and uses ten times better judg- nent than three-fourths of the "help" which I am bliged to employ on my farm. Above all things he 3 not an ryf-servant. Once set him at work piling vood, picking up stones, or any thing else, and you an leave him without fear of his playing "old soldier" n your absence. Another capital negative quahty is, hat he don't pick up his duds and start for home e.x- «tly at six o'clock in the afternoon, as many other armers' "assistants" do. He is willing to labor till undown, and even later, if work is pressing. On the hole, he is a very honorable, industrious, intelligent, nd well-behaved farmer; nevertheless, I cannot con- cientiously recommend elephants as the cheapest rorkers on a farm. I'hey cannot work in cold weath- r, and of course would eat themselves up, trunk and II, iu a single winter. Truly yours, P. T. Barnum. P. S. — Do let me improve this opportunity to cau- ion my brother farmers against " believing all they sad in the papers." About planting time I read in rewspaper that a sure preventive of the potato rot ras to soak the seed potatoes in water with an ounce f sulphate of copper to the gallon. I tried it, and ; did prevent mine from rotting and from chitting! Lfter they had been two weeks in the ground my min ug them up, and found them sound inside, but as dry nd hard as a bone on the outside, with not the lightest prospect of their ever exhibiting any natu- aJ signs of life. They were perfectly " copper-fast- ned!" Luckily I only experimented on a small por- ion of my potatoes, and discovered the joke in time 0 remedy it by planting potatoes in their natural tate. P. T. B. The principal object of our inquiry was to ascer' ain what quantity of food the elephant consumed in roportion to his live weight, in order to see how it om[)ared with the quantity consumed by cattle, orscs, sheep, &c. It has been said that "a very »rge ox or cow, relatively to its weight, requires less 3od than an animal of smaller dimensions;" and it ;ould seem reasonable to suppose that such is the ase, seeing that there would probably be less vitality .nd involuntary functional activity, or, to use a phre- ological term, less mentality, in proportion to live ■)eight, than in the small animal. If there were any ruth iu the idea, one would think an elephant weigh- ag as much as 50 good sized sheep, or 5 heavy hors- a, would consume much less food in proportion to his weight than any other of our domestic animals. This does not appear to be the case in any marked degree, as the following facts will show. Iu Boussingault's experiments, the average daily consumption of 17 horses aud mares, aged from 5 to 12 years, and weighing on an average 1079 lbs., was 33' lbs. of hay each, per day, equal to 3.08 lb,'-, of hay per day to each 100 lbs of live weight. His milch cows, weighing on an average 1466 lbs., are also al- lowed 33 lbs. of hay per head, per day. This givea to each 100 lbs. of live weight 2.25 lbs. of hay per day. As might be expected, Boussingault found that 14 growing animals, from 5 to 20 months old, required more food, or 100 lbs. live weight required 3.08 lbs. of hay per day. Boussingault estimates from his experiments, that pigs consume an equivalent of hay per day equal to 3 per cent of their^live weight. Sheep, too, require about the same amount. In some experiments made in consequence of pre- miums offered by the Worcester County (Mass.) Ag- ricultural Society on the economy of cutting food for stock, a pair of working o.xeu belonging to A. H. Hawe.s and kept at moderate work, weighing 3134 lbs., consumed 75.2 lbs. of hay per day; or 100 lbs. live weight consumed 24 lbs of hay per day. A pair of steers, belonging to Harvey Dodge, weighing 2220 lbs., consumed 51.2 lbs of hay per day, equal to 2.84 per cent, live weight. Two dry cows belonging to U. B. Demond, and weighhing 1784 lbs., consumed 43.5 lbs. of hay per day, or 2.42 per cent of their live weight. Two milch cows, belonging to W. S. I incoln, weighing 1800 lbs., consumed 43.2 lbs. of hay per day, equal to 2.4 per cent, of live weight. Mr. Barnum's elephant, weighing 4700 lbs., con- sumes 100 lbs of hay and a bushel of oats per day; 100 lbs. live weight, therefore, consume 2 12 lbs. of hay. and 0.68 lbs of oats per day, or, estimating, as Boussingault doe.=, that 68 lbs. of oats are ei|ual to 100 lbs. of hay, the elephant consumes 3.12 lbs. of hay per day for each 100 lbs. live weight. To recapit- ulate, therefore, 100 lbs. live weight of animal requires of hay per day, in Worlting horeca , 3 08 WoAingoxen ".2.40 SlilclicowB, (Bouasingault'6) 2.25 Do. Do. (Lincoln's) 2.40 Young growing cattle 3.08 Steers 2.84 Dry C0W8 2.42 Pigs (estimated 3.00 Sheep .3.00 Elephant 3.12 There is considerable diflference in these figures, but certainly not as much as might be expected from such various animals. The elephant consumes the most, the working horses and young cattle the next highest amount, then the sheep and pigs, and what is surpris- ing, the large milch cows of Boussingault consume least of all. Working oxen would appear to consume less than horses. On the whole, these figures give lit- tle indication that large animals consume less in pro- portion to their weight than smaller ones. — Country Gentleman. Controversies are usually the result of misunder- standing facts. 248 STEAWBEREIES. CONDUCTED BT JOSEPH FEOST. i STRAWBEEEIES. The season just past has been an unusually favor- able one for tlie growing of strawberries. Moist, cool weather after the blossoming, which continued till the fruit perfected itself, produced berries of the largest size; and the quantity has been greater than in any former year. There has been a steady increase in the cultivation of this fine fruit to supply the de- mand; and we learn that considerable additions are to be made to plantations this year, as it has proved to be a profitable crop, and must continue to be so iu the vicinity of cities and large towns. The increased attention which is given the cultiva- tion of this fruit is evinced at our horticultural dis- plays, particularly during the past two years, where many fine specimens of the newer and best European kinds have been exhibited upon the tables, as well as American seedlings of considerable merit, which are being produced annually. AVe have fruited upwards of forty varieties this summer, though many of them are older sorts. To some of them we have attached the results ol our experience by frequent observation of our strawberry beds. Among the new sorts we would notice more particularly the following: McJlvoy's Superior, Gen- esee, and Bicton Pine. McJlvoy's Superior received the SlOO prize from the Ciuciunati Horticultural Society in 1851, as the best strawberry. With us the berries would avei'age larger in size than any other sort, not excepting Hovel/ s Seedling, — rather irregular in figure, fine flavor, and when fully ripe is of a dark red color. The plant Is very vigorous, unusually productive, and bears fine specimens throughout the entire strawberry season. We would recommend the cultivation of this sort as a profitable market variety. Genesee is a seedling produced by Ellwanger & Bap.ry, of this city. It is oae of the handsomest berries we are acquainted with. Its color is a bright crimson-scarlet; it is large, rounded, with a neck; — in fact, we have never seen a more beautiful dish than one of this fruit. The plant is very vigorous and is quite productive for a short time; but its good bearing qualities do not last long. Bicton Pine is an English variety, and is highly prized on account of its color, being white, with a reddish tinge where exposed to the sun. The fruit is very large, roundish, fragrant, and of the finest quality. This is quite difterent from another light- colored sort, as it has been very productive and in use a long time. McAvoy's JYo. 1 we can not say much about; but his Extra Red promises to be valuable, as the fruit is large, and the plants are very productive. Moyamensing is small and very unproductive, as well as Burrs Columbus, Scarlet Melting, Walker's Seedling, and If'illey, all of which are unfit for culti- vation. Schneick's Pistillate, of considerable reputation in Cincinnati, is a veiy strong grower, has but few ber- ries, and these vary much in size — so much so, that we think it worthless. Ohio Mammoth is very large, a great bearer, and is in fruit a long time. Black Prince is one of the most productive and handsome sorts, and is generally even in size, and large. Its quality is inferior and can be considered only second rate. It is cultivated much as a market fruit, but when fully ripe the flesh is so tender that it bruises badly in the picking and carriage, which injures its appearance veiy much. Cushing is a most productive berry ; very large, light orange-scarlet, with a bright, shiny appearance, and we think that it ought to be cultivated much more, as it is really one of the veiy best sorts. Burrs JYciv Pine is uniformly the highest and best flavored strawberry we have. Its color is simi- lar to the above, large size, and prolific. Its flesh is quite tender, and its light color is an objection as a market fruit, as its appearance is very much injured in its carriage to market. Large Early Scarlet seems to be the heSi single sort to grow for profit, as it ripens early, and is al- ways a great Ijearer, though the berries are only from medium to large size. Crimson Cone is also veiy valuable for market. It does not ripen early, but on the contrary has the largest crops of ripe fruit after others are gone. Some few members of the Fruit Growers Society of Western New Tork met in this city and examined the different varieties of strawberries, after which a vote was taken for the best single variety, the best three, and the best market sort. Out of eight votes for the best sort. Burr's JVew Pine received three ; Cushing, one; Jfalker's Seedling, one; Large Ear- ly Scarlet, two ; Genesee, one. For the three best, Burr's JVeip Pine had six votes; Walker's Seedling, five; Genesee, three; Large Early Scarlet, three ; Cushing, two; and Hoveys Seedling, Crimson Cone, HORTICULTURAL QUACKERY. 249 Mot/iimt'imins:, ami Mc.4vo!/'s .Vo. 1, each one. A vote IVom si.K members being afterwards taken for the three worst strawberries, Lizzie Randolph had three vote.? ; McAvoy's Extra Red, six ; Gush- ing, two ; Columbus, Burr's Seedling, Schneick's Pistillate, Bicton Pine, loica, British Queen, Stod- dard's Alpine, each one. Two members who have had considerable expe- rience in raising strawberries for marljet gave both their votes for Large Early Scarlet as best market variety. It will be seen from the above that McAvoy's Ex- tra Red received all the votes (six) as the worst strawberry, on account of its flavor. Gushing received two, as its flavor, being pecuhar, is disliked by some. HOSTICTTLTUEAL aTIACKEEY. In the American Farmer for July, among other di- rections undLT the head of " Jf'ork for the Month," we find the following directions : '• Examine your peach trees a few inches beneath the surface of the ground, and wherever you find a puncture, or the exudation of gum, thrust a knitting needle, or a piece of wire, or the point of a knife into the hole, work it about, and you will kill the worm; then fill up the hole with a mixture composed of two parts of soft soap, one part flour, sulphur, and one part salt, then paint the trunk of the tree from the point at which the earth had been dug out to the limbs, throw back the earth that had been dug out, and sow around the trunk of each tree a mixture com- posed of half a peck of lime, half a peck of ashes. 1 pint of salt, and J lb. of saltpetre, and each year thereafter slrew around the trunk of the tree at the ground, half a peck of lime." It is to the .sentence in italics to which we wish to call attention, as it involves the violation of an impor- tant physiological law. Very frequent cases are re- corded by our exchanges of the destruction of trees from practices similar to the one here noticed. In reference to this subject, we find the following in the Country Gentleman of the 19th ult.: "Some cultivators seem not to be aware of the ex- istence of evaporating pores in the bark of trees. We sea an evidence of this want of knowledge, in the fre- quent attempts that are made to prevent grafts from diwing, by merely closing the ends with wax, and other similar attempts. Improperapplicatious to the bark, by closing these pores, frequently causes the death of the trees: instances of which are often seen recorded in the papers. When we see oily substances recommended as remedies to prevent the attacks of insects, &c., we may confidently predict the destruc- tion of the trees. As examples, we chp the two fol- lowing statements from exchange papers, now on the table before us:" Sure Cure fob the CuRcn.io. — Mr. James Tay- lor of St. Catharines, Canada West,- having learned from the Tribune that a Mr. Joseph Mather, Goshen, 0. W., had found a mixture of sulphur, lard, and Scotch snutr rubbed freely upon the body and branch- es of a plum tree, an effectual remedy against the cur- culio, writes to that paper that he (Mr. Taylor) tried it upon some of his choicest trees, and had a splendid crop of plums. But mark the result: Every tree so treated, except one or two young ones, is notv dead! Sure remedy, that! — Amcr. Agriculturist. Tar and Oil for Trees. — The Ozaukee County Advertiser says: In the May number of the Chicago Prairie Farm- er, an article appears, contributed by A. U. Ilauford, Esq., of Waukesha, recommending the use of "tar and linseed oil, equal parts mixed,'' to be appUed while warm to fruit trees, to destroy the "bark louse." While in Waukesha, a few days sincf, we chanced to visit the orchard of Mr.'A. Grifliu, who with a sad- dened countenance pointed to his once thrifty and productive orchard, now totally destroyed by the a[i- plication of tar and linseed oil. It appears that he had heard of the success of the experiment as tried by O. S. Eathburu of Brookfield, and resolved to make the trial on his o^vn orchard, the result of which was the entire destruction of a beautiful and bearing orchard. The structure of woody jjlauts consists principally of woody tissue or fibre and cellular tissue. These two tissues exist in relation to each other' in diflerent plants in different proportions. Tiees and shrubs are mostly woody fibre, while soft, succulent herbs are al- most entirely composed of cellular tissue. " When the stem is first called into existence, it is merely a small portion of cellular tissue: an organic substance, possessing neither strength nor tenacity, and altogether unsuited to the purposes for which the stem is destined. If such matter formed exclusively its solid contents, the stem would have neither tough- ness nor strength, but would be brittle like a mush- room, or like those parts of plants of which cellular tissue is the exclusive component; such, for example, as the clul5-shaped spadix of an Arum, or the soft prickles of a young Rose branch. Nature, however, from the first moment that the rudiment of a leaf appears upon the growing point of a stem, occupies herself with the formation of woody matter, consist- ing of tough tubes of extreme fineness, which take their rise in the leaves, and which, thence passing downwards through the cellular tissue, are incorpora- ted with the latter, to which they give the neceessary degree of strength and flexibility. In trees and shrubs they combine intimately with each other, and so form what is properly called the wood and ijner bark; in herbaceous and annual plants, they consti- tute a lax fibrous matter. No woody matter appears till the first leaf, or the seed-leaves, have begun to act; it always arises from their^bases; it is abundant, on the contrary, in proportion to the strength, num- ber, and development of the leaves; and in their ab- sence is absent also. " When woody matter is first plunged into the cel- lular tissue of the nascant stem, it forms a circle a lit- 250 EFFECTS OF DRAINAGE ON FRUITS. tie within the circumference of the stem, whose inte- rior it thus separates into two parts; namely, the barii or the superfieial, and the pith or the central portion; or, in what are called Endogens, ioto a superficial coatiiiff analogous to bark, and a central confused mass of wood and pith intermingled. The effect of this, ia Exogeus, is, to divide the interior of a peren- nial stem into three parts, the pith, the wood, and the bark. " As the cellular tissue of the stem is not sensibly lengthened more in one direction than in another, and as it is the only kind of organic matter that in stems increases laterally, it is sometimes convenient to speak of it under the name of the horizontal system; and, for a similar reason, to designate the woody tubes which are plunged among it, and which only increase by addition of new tubes having the same direction as themselves, as the perpendicular system. " Wood property so called, and liber or inner bark, consist, in Exogens, of the perpendicular system, for the most part; while the pith and e.\ternal rind or bark are chiefly formed of the horizontal system. The two latter are connected by cellular tissue, which, when it is pressed into thin plates by the woody tubes that pass through it, acquires the name of medullary rays. It is important, for the due explanation of cer- tain phenomena connected with cultivation, to under- stand this point correctly; and to remember that, while the perpendicular system is distributed through the wood and bark, the horizontal system confists of pith, outer bark, and the medullary processes which connect these two in Endogens, and of irregular cellu- lar tissue analogous to medullary rays in Endogens. So that the stem of a plant is not inaptly compared to apiece of linen, the horizontal cellular system rep- resenting the woof, and the woody system the warp.' From the above explanation, we see that there is an extensive free communication between the atmos- phere and every internal portion of a plant, and num- berless fiicts similar to those we have presented, prove conclusively that this arrangement cannot be violated with impunity — but that if it is not always fatal to the life of the plant, it is injurious in a very serious EFFECTS OF DRAINAGE ON FKTJIT. Mr. EniTOR: — The effect of different soils and sit- uations upon the size and the productiveness of fruit frees, as well as upon the beauty and flavor of the fruit, hag often attracted my attention ; and with your leave, I will give you some thoughts upon the subject It is a well understood fact that fruit trees do not succeed well upon wet land; — but the particular na- ture of a soil so constituted as to produce the finest fruit in the greatest abundance, is seldom dwelt upon. The present season has been a wet one since the last day of May; during the ripening of strawberries and such varieties of cherries as have already matured, we have had constant shower.s — the effect of which h.ts been to destroy the flavor of some fine varieties, and to injure all ; showing plainly that super-abun- dance of moisture, although it may increase the size, really diminishes the value of the fruit When the quantity of water falling is not so great as to reach the roots in abundance, the quality is seldom affected, and the size, particularly of small fruits, like the ber- ries, is often materially increased. If examination is now made of fruits growing upon a cold or damp piece of land, they are found almost without fine fla- vor ; indeed, many varieties of note and justly es- teemed for their excellence, would be pronounced worthless, so insipid are they rendered by the heavy rains. The strawberrj', although a plant which is greedy of moisture, and one which will not give its glorious berries without a full supply, when over supplied, is as much offended as any other individual. If planted where the cool bottom and retentive sub-soil refuses to allow water to escape downwards through the soil, it never rewards well the cultivator; — the rampant vines delude and disappoint him. The same is true of the currant, the raspberry, and other small fruits. It is a common error to suppose that a loose and mellow soil where the water will drain off readily through surjace drains not far distant, and thus allow the cultivator to work his land soon after rains have ceased, is all that is necessary. This is not so. It is indi.'ipensible for the production of the finest fruit of all and any description that the soil shall be so loose or gravelly, or otherwise so constituted, that water will pass doion readily and rapidly to such a distance below the surface ihat the roots even of quite large trees shall never be afflicted by the presence of any but active moisture, that is, moisture either being drawn up by the heated surface above, whose loss by evaporation must be supplied, or by the rapidly es- caping rains which leave behind only tha fertilizing atoms which they contain, and that healthy amount of water which such soils will necessarily detain. Just in proportion to the depth and distance from the surface where this drainage ceases, and the per- fection of the mechanism, along with the natural ele- ments of which it consists, will its value for fruit cul- ture be. It would be interesting to enlarge here and show how color, perfection of form, and uniformity of size, as well as flavor, and productiveness, and vigor in the trees is increased by planting in such localities: the longevity of trees is also greatly extended. Some trees and vines from their constitution cannot go very CULTtVATION OP PEARS IN NORTHERN INDIANA. 251 deep for moisture and food ; but such as do never reach a large size, except in localities where they may do so without encountering a hard-pan or stagnant water. The most remarkable proof of what I have here stated is seen along the Ridge road from Sodus Bay to the Niagara river. Almost the whole distance between the two places the highway is lined with farms having more or less fruit trees next the road — that i?, along a gravelly ridge where water never lies' but almost drops through, so perfect is the drainage The over-lying soil is not what is called rich — but' when once a fi ait tree becomes established, its progress \i rapid and sure. The beauty, flavor, and uniform medium size of fruit from these trees is a matter o history; but the size of the trees and their unabated vigor is astonishing. The apple is found in a few years to need not less than forty feet space; the pear nearly as much, in spite of its preference for a clay; while the mazzard cherry becomes a forest tree of first-class magnitude; the peach lasts almost a life- time— and in fact, all the fruits which get a little care are produced in great perfection. I think it will not be denied that Ridge road soil is not particularly rich, in the common acceptation of the term ; but the fact that a tree may search among gravel and sand, as well as along the warm, porous surface, for moisture and the food carried away down by the rains, secures its most perfect con- dition for a greater number of years than upon any soil where similar conditions are not found. The natural preference of some fruit-bearing trees for clay over sand and rice versa, is not to be over- looked, but it is slill of less importance than the con- ditions above mentioned; as for instance, the plum and pear rejoice in a stiff clay soil, tut will not thrive if it be wet below. The cherry and peach love the sand — but not where down one or two feet below the surface you find a close, impervious clay. On the contrar)', if the clay be upon the top, and a loose, permeable soil is found below, they flourish surpri- singly. Want of attention to these considerations has been the cause of many failures in fruit-gowing; even experienced men after obsernng the surface and noticing the inclination of the field to the sun and perceiving that water will rapidly run off from their choice elevation, conclude that here fine fruit can of course be grown. Alas! beneath that mellow loam or sandy ridge a retentive clay of stony hardness may lie, and springs leak out of the hillsides, kept from parsing down by the close subsoil. After years of trial and much vexation the cultivator finds his or- chard yielding only inditfereut crops of dull colored and -mossy, misshapen specimens, which hardly pay for gathering. In the light of these facts how many failures in fruit-growing we can explain, and how important does the tile become. How caretul should the planter of trees be to examiue his orchard ground in the spring floods and in the open winter months when frost and water do their work-^ — how sure to select a site, if possible, where water never lies upon or near the surface for any length of time, and how prompt to tap with well-laid pipes every sour spot. It would be interesting to inquire how far we may remedy the natural disadvantages of the soil for fruit-growing by the use of drain tiles and the sub- soil plow; but rather than enter upon the subject, I shall wait another opportunity, and meantime hope to hear from somebody who has tried them. Yours, Sub-Soil. CULTTVATION OF PEAKS IN KOKTHEKN INDIANA Mr. Editor: — This important branch of horticul- ture may be said to have attracted as yet very little attention in Indiana, notwithstanding the fact that we have in many (I may say most) localities all thai can be desired in point of ^oil for the successful growing of this delicious fruit. The entire region of country lying on both sides of the Wabash valley, and indeed, all along the Wabash and Erie canal from Toledo to the Ohio river, and extending north to the counties bordering Michigan and the Lake Mich- igan, in many instances clay is abundant and natu- rally exists in the soil; and where this is not the case it can be obtained from the river banks and heavy- timbered regions, with no extra expense except draw- ing; and in all our travels we have never seen a soil better adapted to the growth of the penr than that on and lying adjacent to the Wabash river. In ma- ny instances, clay is abundant; the soil is loam, some- times sandy, but in most cases resting on a rocky and clay subsoil. The cultivation of the pear on the free stock could not fail to be a very lucrative investment. But a few days since we were much delighted to see pears by the bushel hanging in clusters; they were indeed beautiful to look upon. Tliey were on the grounds of Mr. H. McCuLLOcK, of this city. We think we are safe in estiinating his crop at 300 bushels (if no accident befal them) on about two dozen trees. I understand these trees have only been set eight or ten years. Among them we recognized the Bartlett, 252 CULTIVATION OF PEARS IN NORTHEKN INDIANA. ffliile Doyenne, Scckcl, Stevens' Genesee, and otheri Who could compute the value of an hundred acres of pear orchard, embracing a dozen or less varieties of the first quality for market. We are not subject to pear blight, at least it does not exist in the same form as in the Eastern States. True, we occasionally lose a tree, but the cause, in nine cases out of ten, arises from bad cultivation or none at all. Standard trees seldom die when proper judgment has been exercised in selecting soil, exposure, etc., while dwarf trees are continually dy- ing; and this to us is no wonder, when we know the fact that they receive no mulching, no cutting back, nor pinching, and in addition to this, are in many cases trained up to a mere whip with a small tuft of leaves at the top, as if to indicate that a tree instead of a stick had been planted. We are sure that if tho.M who plant a few dwarf pear trees, in some cor- ner of the garden, and without any care or attention expect them to thrive and bear fruit, would buy and read the Fruit Garden, by Mr. Barry, and inform themselves — learn the difference between a fence post and a finely-constructed tree, and treat them as they deserve and require to be treated, they would at least be satisfied with a few dozen well-grown dwarfs, and would conclude that their mode of cul- ture was a "humbug," rather than the true one re- ferred to. The varieties which have proved the best in nearly every locahty north of the National road and run- ning west to Illinois, are the Bartlett, White Doij- enne, Flemish Beavty (these three were recommend- ed as worthy of extensive cultivation by the N. W. F. G. Association at Chicago, Oct., 18.53. Voted very good, Louise Bonne de Jersey, Easter Beurre, Passe Cohnar, Winter JVelis, Sheldon, recommend- ed). All of the above give good satisfaction in this State, as succee'ding remarkably well. Our pear growers need more experience in ripen- ing this fruit, when, no doubt, many varieties will be- come very generally admired that are now but little thought of. Fairer specimens cannot be grown than we have seen in La Porte, St. Joseph, Elkhart, and other counties in the northern part of the State, as we have seen on exhibition at the several county fairs, embracing all of the above varieties, also the Seclcel, Tyson, Btijjftim, Belle Lucrative, Easter Beurre, Beurre Did, Onondaga, Stevens' Genesee, Diichesse iJhigouleme, Vicar of Jf'inkfield, Gray Doyenne, etc. The Sheldon promises to be a pear of which we may truly be prond. I have not Jearned of its having been fruited in but two localities, and there it promises to be an acquisition to the pear list. There exists very much confusion in our nom- enclature, not only in pears, but apples, and all the other fruits; but by the lively interest now manifest- ed in our county and State Agricultural Societies, these diSiculties will give way, as interest in horticul- ture advances. We have reason to be encouraged; for, as a new State, we have already made much progress in horti- culture. The fertility of our soil, and its adaptation to the growth, not only of grain or vegetables, but also of fruits, as soon as well-gi-own, thrilty trees are well set out, they seem to catch, at once, the motto of the Hoosier, which is " Onward," and in a brief space of time they are bending under a heavy bur- then of fruit. To show the importance of horticulture in our State, we take the following from the report of the Auditor of State for the year 1854. We give the figures of a few of the counties with which we are best acquainted: Value of oroh.-ird productfl n Elkhart cou nly.... ....$■20,386 " F'.iiiitaiti .... 19,483 " H.miltnn ' .... 13,821 " H.misou .... 20,724 " Marion .... awa " Kiish .... 34,106 " St. Jo.'^ejih .. 14,779 '■ 'J'![inecauoe 12,797 • Wa^ne .... 27,528 The amount fur La Porte county is not given, but it doubtless exceeds any of the foregoing, except, perhaps, Wayne county, which is the oldest and raobt wealthy in the State (we mean the most wealthy in an agricultural and horticultural point of view). We doubt very much whether the above figures show more than two-thirds the actual value of our orchard products. As the total value of orchard products in the StWe of Indiana is represented at only $770,- 580, while that of nine counties only amounts to If 175,449, (several counties in said report are left blank,) we presume the report only contains the amounts realized from the sale of fruits either out of or within this State; in this case a very small proportion, if any, of the home consumption comes under this head. This, for a new State, is doing remarkably well, when it is known that the probable number of fruit trees growing in orchards twenty years ago would not exceed 15,000. It may not be uninteresting to your New York readers to know that Indiana raised in 1853 (as per Auditor's report from returns made by the several township assessors, June 1, 1854,) 8,139,186 bushels of wheat, valued at $5,926,895 ; and 47,263,960 A NEW SHADE TEEE. 25 ushels of corn, valued at $20,076,508. Thus it will soon that fruit culture is in no way behind the thcr brauches of industry in comparison to the num- er of persons engaged in its cultivation. J W. H. Looms. Fort Way.ve, Ind. A NEW SHADE TREE A cELEURATEp Writer has lately issued a work to low who was, or who was not, the writer -of the orhl-laiued "Letters of Junius;" I wish some oue :iually an.\ious to display the acuttness of their leg- al powers would undertake to show us whether the icient Jon was, or was not, a gardener or arborcul- irist. In the absence of all positive proof to the jutrary, I venture to offer a presumptive one that he as not lie never could have sustained his patience ider the numerous tempting circumstances which owd on the gardener. Or, had he the heart of an borculturist, he could not have stood unmoved hen told "that his Elms were smitten with grulis id borers; his Lindens bore wreaths and festoons of sects, and were rotton at the ground; his Ailantus id become the pests of his country: and his Maples e food of drop worms and aphides." Job could not ive been a gardener, and it is well he was not, or he Duld have lost his character and the world its model; d we have gained him as a precedent in the inquiry, low to stop this plague:" for trees are essential to ir existence. If one kind ivu7it do, we must find a bstitute. I am going to propose that we introduce a new ade tree! Start t, good reader, 3 "vast and lof- ' Himalay's have t been ransack to present you th another "cu )us and rare " spe nen of abstract auty ; nor has lina or Japan ^ en made to lay ~^ fore you anothci - iject of a nine ys wonder. Oui ,. bject has got no lims of kindred ^ th either the ^*5 Tree of Heaven the "Deodar t is one "to the inor born," in h you , all, ei- er by birth or liquidamp-er styraciflua. option, claim an inheritance. But its country must t depreciate its value. It is American! It is ii- ^idamher styraciflua, Lin., better known as the yeet C4um. But the Sweet Gum I allude to is not Sweet Gum" as we find it in densely crowded oods, with its stem as slender and as straight as a id-sail boom; nor the "Sweet Gum" as we fre- lently see it in damp, half swampy places, with Dots as weak and and delicate as a card-basket osier; but the Sweet Oum'somotimos seen growing by itsolf unsurrounded by other trees, and with its roots free to extend themselves unchecked in a cool, deep, and rich loam. In such situations it has not, perhaps, the rural grandeur of the Oak, or the graceful ele- gance of a Weeping Willow — not, probably, the stiff majestic foliage of the Magnolias, or the lightness and case of the "gentle" liirch; but yet a claim to picturesque and sim- ple beauty which no other can eclipse, be- side combining many other traits of inter- est separate in other trees. It is a very rapid grower, will at- tain a height of eighty fcst, and a circumfe- rence of seven, under favorable circumstances, and has a widely spreading, roundish, conical head. The branches have a rigid, though much divaricating mode of growth, and are covered with that corky barked appearance so much sought after and admired in some varieties of Elms, Maples, and Nettle trees. The leaves and fruit re- semble the Buttonwood in all except size and hue, and there is, indeed, a sort of distant relationship be- tween the two families. The leaves are not one-third the size of the Buttonwood, deeply lobed — star-like, and produced in abundance. (See annexed figure.) The ujiper surface shines as if varnished; and as the foUage moves with the slightest summer breeze, gives the tree a playful and pleasing character in its fre- quent successions of light and shade. This pleasing character of the foliage is heightened at the approach of fall by its brilliant colors. It has no compeer in this character. The leaves change to every describa- ble shade of orange, yellow, and red. But beautiful as the tree really is, I would not rec- ommend it as a shade tree solely on that account. It abounds with a resinous princijile apparently obno.x- ious to insects. Extended observation has led me to believe that not a species attacks it. This property alone is worth a "plum" to the planter. Having stated its merits as a faithful historian, T must narrate its short-comings. I do not believe it is adapted to a great diversity of soil, or to a high northern latitude. In poor, dry soils, it is of slow growth and short duration; and it may not probalily do well in the dry and confined air of a densely built city; but what does well in such extremes? It is easily propagated. Seed should be sown as soon as ripe, orearly in the spring, in a loose, loamy soil, somewhat shaded. Plants w ill appear in a few weeks in the spring, and grow over a foot the first season. The seed vessels do not ripen till late in the fall, but should be gathered before the first severe frost, which is apt to split open the capsules and sutler the seed to escape. It is singular that so handsome and useful a tree should be so long neglected ; and the only explana- tion probably is, that it did not come to us with a reconmieudation from some one of "the ends of the earth." — Thomas Median, in HorticuUurisL 254 THK FARMER'S LIFE AND THE PARMER'S WIFE. THE FARMERS LIFE AND THE FARMER'S WIFE Mr. EniTOR : The followin"; very pretty piece of poetry has been going the rounds of the agricul- tnr.ll papers. The author must have had some young romantic farmer in her eye, and quite a dif- ferent specimen of the class than generally como under my ob ervation. A FARMER'S, WIFE I'LL BE. I am awiM and laughing girl, just turned of Bwcet sixteen, As full of fun and niiacliief as any you have seen ; If t r I marry in my life, a fan I grown, no city beaux for i wife I'll be. I love a country life, I love the joyous breeze, I love to hear the Ringing bi ds among the lofty trees; Tlie lowing herdd, the bleating flock.<), make music sweet for me. If e'er I marry in my life, a farmer's wife TU bo. I lovo to feed the chickens, and I love to feed the cow, I love to hear the farmer's boy, whistling at his plow ; And fields of corn and waving grain are pleasing sights to me, If e'er I marry La my life, a fartner's wife I'll be. I love to see the orchards, where the golden apples grow, I love to walk in meadows where the bright streamlets flow; And flowery bank.i and shady nooks have many charms for me. If e'er I marry in my life, a farmer's wife I'll be. Let other girls who love it best, enjoy the gloomy town, 'Mid dusky walks and dirty streets to ramble up and down ; But Qowery fields, and shady woods, and sunny sides for me, If e'er I marry in my life, a farmer's wife I'll be. Now, strange to say I have arrived at a very dif- ferent conclusion. What I have seen of the farmer's life causes me to regard it as a life of toil and pri- vation— voluntary, unnecessary toil — and his wife aa a passive drudge. There is farmer A. His neighbors say he is rich. He owns a farm of two hundred acres, worth $100 an acre. He has but two sons, and both left the parental roof on becoming of age, and I have no doubt left without regret, and purchased cheap land in one of the Western States. A. bought a part of his present farm when land was cheap, worked hard, practiced eci'nomy, paid for it, bought I he lot adjoining, and thus became the owner of his present valuable farm. He is not yet fifty years old, but looks much older. His hands are hardened and his body bent by toil ; his face red- dened and seered by exposure. He works early and late ; toils through heat and rains and cold. No poor " hire 1 man'' in the town works as hard or fares worsie. If he goes to the city with a load, he takes an early breakfast of frizzled pork, puts a crust of bread and a jjiece of skim-milk cheese in his pocket, and this suffices till night. He goes two or three miles out of his way to save a few cents plank-road toll. He has no library, and if he had, could fine no time to read. He is certainly laying up treasure: on earth. His wife milks, and churns, and cooks, and sweeps No smile ever lights up her countenance. The oh folks in the neighborhood say they remember he when she was a light-hearted handsome woman. He hard lot his destroyed all that was noble and beauti ful. She submits to her fate with the calmness am resignation of a martyr. She has had little joy this world ; may her future be more joyous. Then there is farmer B. He is a rich, hard-work ing farmer. He thinks hard labor and economy the road to wealth and happiness, and that a hill c potatoes is far preferable to the most beautiful flowe He has an interesting wife and daughters. H: family being a source of expense, is a constant ai noyance. They spend too much for dress, whic only gratifies an expensive pride. He has endeavore without success to teach them proper economy. Tl mother contrives all manner of ingenious plans 1 obtain money to dress her children respectably wit' out calling upon her hard-fisted husband. But wit all her ingenuity her calls on his purse are too fr quent for the comfort of the family. He is co stantly complaining. 'I'hcse children do not — thi cannot — love a father who has so little regard f their feelings and their wants. They know he lov gold more than wife and children. These cases are not rare. I see them everywhe among farmers. Are they not common enough : make the general rule ? I have observed more ha ,| piness in the families of comparatively poor ai intelligent mechanics than in the families of t wealthiest farmers ; and therefore, I for one, have ; particular desire at present to become a farmer's wi So don't ask me. Fanny Flowers. Fanny is certainly very good at taking daguerre types, and has given the other side of the subject a strong light. The characters given, however, 8 only the exceptions. The philosophy of the mat( is this — a young man and his wife, commences life a new farm without capital. Hard work and rig economy is absolutely necessary to pay for the fai and support the family. But this hard toil and rif economy, by force of habit, becomes second natu and is continued long after the necessity for it ea What was at first a virtue, and an honorable t6 porary sacrifice for future good| becomes meanne without end or aim. There are large-souled, nol men in every calling — and the opposite. — Ed. iixl tl lloi HOUSE PLANTS. 255 HOUSE PLA1IT& All ladies who love flowers have experienced dif- ulty in keeping plants in the house. The sitting oni, the dining room, the hall — all have been tried, d no place seemed just fitted for them. When st bought they were of a beautiful green — they Dked luxuriant, healthy and happy. Soon the ives began to change color and become dull ; and me turned yellow and fell off. You then redoubled ur attentions — watered more frequently and sought )re carefully for insects or anything that could erfere with the growth or health of the plants ; — t all to no purpose. The plants that were so autiful are sickly looking things, and instead of a source of pleasure are only an annoyance. )w there is a cause for this, and a remedy. The nosphere of our living rooms is too dry. The air the greenhouse, where the plants flourished is /ays charged with moisture. The plants are inkled and .syringed, the walks are wet, and a cou- nt evaporation is going on. Remove one of the ints thus treated to a dry sitting-room, and it soon ;ins to languish. When plants are kept in a dry aosphere they rapidly lose their water of vegeta- a ; the sides of the pots are robbed at the same le ; and it is impossible for plants to suck out of 1 thus partially dried the moisture demanded for : sustenance of their exhausted foliage. Such a te of things is inseparable from a sitting room- render the latter congenial to plants, it would be inhabitable by ourselves. The extent to which .nts are injured in a common sitting-room is strik- •ly illustrated by the condition of cut flowers, t two clusters of fresh-gathered flowers be intro- 3cd into a sitting-room : place the one into the nth of a narrow-necked jar of water, and arrange ! other upon a shallow pan of water. It will be md that the latter will be perfectly fresh after the mer have faded. The reason is, that in the nar- v-necked jar the flowers have no access to the ter except through the ends of their shoots, and ! surrounded with a very dry air ; while, in the flat h, they are able to absorb abundant water, a large rt of their surface being in contact with it, and !, moreover, surrounded by air incessantly moist- 3d by the vapor which continually rises from the illow dish. To remedy this evil, N". Ward, an amateur eulti- tor of London constructed portable green-houses, glazed cases, and by this means, in his drawing- om, was enabled to carry the cultivation of plants, even rare ones, and those of difficult growth, to an amazing state of perfection. These cases are called IFardiaii Cases, in compliment to the inventor, and are made of various styles according to taste or means. We give engravings of two stylea WARniAH CASE. The object of these cases is to secure a moist atmosphere for the plants, independent of the room. They are therefore tightly-glazed, so as to prevent the escape of moisture into the room, and thus, any any desirable amount of moisture is secured, and all dust excluded ORNAMENTAL WARDIAN CASE. We have known plants that have been kept in these cases for more than a year in good health and con- dition with but one supply of water. The heat of the room in which the case stands produces evapo- ration during the day time, and during night conden- sation takes place, and the moisture is returned to the soil. As the cases, however, are not entirely air-tight, a slow but constant loss of moisture occurs. 256 GAEDEN SEATS. Tlie present publisher, in taking possession of his old and favorite journal, found among a pile of accu- mulated papers, the following note or postscript at the bottom of a letter: "I want to ask you, Mr. Editor, why you don't put a Youth's Department in your paper, as you used to do; I always liked to read it. Father sometimes us- ed to complain that we soiled his papers that he wish- ed to keep; but mother said the children got fifty cents worth of good by reading them, so that if fa- ther had to take another copy to keep, there was nothing lost." George F . The father of the writer of this, sends us a good club every year; and at the bottom of the letter con- taining the list and money, the above note was made by the son, George. Now, in answer to the above, we have nothing to say, only that we suppose the for- mer managers of the Farmer thought they could fill the journal with matter of more general interest. Perhaps in tiiis they were not correct. Teaching Youth, even giving them a taste for readiiig, is a work of no small importance, though the matter they read, may not be as instructive as could be desired. On first taking charge of the Genesee Farmer, in January, 1850, we wrote as follows: "We shall en- deavor particularly to improve our Yourn's Depart- ment. We shall endeavor to interest, and while in- teresting, instruct the Youth. " Parents should teach their children to love and practice gardening. It will learn them system and order, patience and hope; it will give strength to the body and the mind; it will improve the head and the heart. It will teach them self-reliance — that success is the reward of industry and perseverance, w'hile fail- ure is the result of negligence. It will teach them to ' Look from Nature up to Nature's God.' What affords pleasure like visiting the scene of our childhood, and there beholding, growing ia majesty and pride, the trees we planted in our childish glee. What music so sweet as the shouting of the tempest in their lofty tops." What we then wrote of the importance of garden- ing for children, was true then, and is equally true now. So, unless we hear some dissenting voioes among the older members of the great Ge.nesee Far- mer CosiPAxyy, we shall commence and continue a Youth's Department. We shall not fill up this page with childish or wonderful stories, but shall give such information as will be at once instructive and enter- taining. As this matter was only called to our at tention by the above hint, a few hours before goinr to press, we ai'e unable to devote much time to th( Youth this month, and we will only give a hint tc boys, as to one way of shov/ing their ingenuity, am making themselves useful in the construction of GARDEN SEATS In cities, where people have no gardens, they ant the friends who may call on them to spend an hou sociably with them, have to spend their time in thi parlor or sitting-room, no matter how warm th( weather may be. In the country, at noon, or in th' evening, the farmer and his family are seen reclinin; under the shade of spreading trees. The parlor i deserted, and all enjoy the cool of the evening in th' open air. To be sure, some farmers would have di ficulty in finding shade around their houses, but thes are not the men you should imitate. Now there nothing prettier or more con- venient to sit in the garden, or on the grass around the house, than Rustic Garden Seats. They can be made by an ingenious boy out of sticks from the woods, with the bark on. By forming a plan of 'what you will need, you can select sticks of about the right form, saw them to fit, and nail them together. In . some cases, willow can be used for bmdmg the parti together. For the bottom, split sticks may be used laying the flat sides down, and if vou wish to mab the seat quite ornamental, every other stick may b: peeled of its bark. We give jjlaus of two seats, on formed by the side of a stump or tree — the tree forir ing the back, and the other in the form of a chaii We hope the boys will try their hands at this wort EDITORS TABLE. 257 To THE Patrons of the Genesee Farmer.— The undersigned lias sold the Genesee Farmer to Mr. James ViCK. Jr., late proprietor of the Horticulturist, and some s associated with the writer in conducting this journal. Mr. V. is an experienced and successful publisher, as well as a practical printer ; and while the undersigned will continue to write for its pages as heretofore, the patrons of this old reliable work will gain much by this accession of skill and strengtli, to be extended to every department and interest connected with rural affairs. DANIEL LEE. The above announcement will inform all the friends of the Farmer, old and new, that the subscriber has again returned to his old and well-loved work. From 184'J to 1S54, I had almost entire control of the Genesee Farmer, and under my management its circulation rapidly increas- ed, and it became the most popular agricultural journal in the country — numbering on its books 40,000 good paying subscribers. Since the Farmer has been controlled by others, the circulation has decreased. I now retm-n to the work, determined to make the Genesee Farmer second to no agricultural journal in the world, and expecting it to receive the support from the intelligent farmers of the country that it shall merit — namely, a circulation of 50,000. Let all the old friends of the Farmer now engage in the work in earnest. Send in communications — important and interesting facts. A good list of subscribers, enclosed in a letter, witli the n^onej, is quite an interesting matter. JAMES VICK, Jr. The Season and the Chops. — The year 1855 will long be remembered in many parts of the United States for its extraordinary frnitfulness. Since the summer of 5, when Governor Clinton broke ground in Ohio, for making its first State canal, we have had occasions fre- quently to travel through that large and excellent farming Commonwealth, and never before have we seen the crops, taken as a whole, so abundant as they now are. The Hessian fly and wheat fly have done some injury, but not, we apprehend, to any general and serious extent. In western Pennsylvania, and especially in Westmoreland county, where this article is written, wheat is remark- ably good ; some fields that are just cut, and the grain in shock are estimated at forty bushels per acre. All the farms of this character, visited by the writer, have a lime- stone soil. In some places, wheat, oats, and grass are so luxuriant in growth as to be badly down, flat upon the ground, or "lodged." In 18-15, the potatoe disease first began to be seriously felt in tliis country ; and from that year to the present we ha,ve never seen potato plants look so healthy and vigorous — abounding in blossoms, and every promise of sound tu- bers and vines, as well as an abundant yield. One can hardly imagine a greater blessing ia the food for the mil- lion, than the ability to raise a full supply of edible pota- toes in future at a cheap rate. The Corn crop is not forward, but the reverse ; it has however the right color, and the weather is everything that the corn-grower can ask to push this great staple forward to its ultimate maturity, and a glorious harvest. In some places streams have overflown their banks and damaged large fields of corn, planted on low bottoms. These mis- fortunes, though serious losses to a fe\v, will not affect the aggregate crop to an appreciable degree. Jlure corn and wheat, by many millions of bushels, will be gathered this year than ever before in this Kepublic. Nor have the producers of butter and cheese been less favored by timely rains and first-rate pasturage. A more perfect contrast, viewed in connection with the drouth and general lack of grass last year, can hardly be imagined. Then cows and other stock were nearly starved, and often lacked water as well as food. Now there is a plenty for all beasts, and there soon will be for the poor and rich alike, through the great mercy of Providence. Thankful- ness of heart well becomes a Christian people for whom Heaven has done so much by sending the early and the lat- ter rain. The market price of grain the coming fall and winter, will depend much upon the foreign demand for our surplus bread stuffs. If Europe wants any unusual quantity from us, prices in this country'will be most remunerative to the farmer. In any event, prices will not fall very low before another fall harvest, for there is no surplus in the country. Agriculture was never more prosperous than it now is, and long may it continue to bless both producer and coHsumer. Families that have been paying a dollar and a half a bushel for potatoes, may well rejoice to g^it a bushel at one-fourth the money ; and oats that have been selling at sixty cents, are now being contracted in the interior at twenty cents a bushel. Hay has fallen from twenty to five dollars a ton ; and wheat from two and a half dollars a bushel to half that sum. This vast surplus will secure a large increase of h*eight to all river, lake, canal, and rail- road companies, who, together, have so much capital in- vested in the carrying trade of the United States. Our inland commerce, immense as it is, depends mainly on till- age and husbandry for its support ; while our foreign commerce and the whole mercantile and manufacturhig interests look to the soil and its fruits for their wealth and power. Acriculture feeds all, clothes all, and otherwise sustains all. Agricultural Suggestions from Travel. — If a farmer can have his choice in the matter, he will find that the best country to live in which has lime enough in the soil and sub-soil to make hard spring and well-water, and at the same time sutHciently uneven in its surface for all surface water to run off, and never stagnate any where. In Pennsylvania, west of the mountains, there is a pretty large area of this character— a region that naturally pro- duces excellent wheat, clover, barley, oats, tiuiotby, and root crops ; where agues and fevers are much less frequent than in the Genesee Valley, and other lake districts of Western New York. Rich lands, good health, and good markets are rarely found together ; but in the coal region above Pittsburg, on the Monongahela and its tributaries 258 EDITOR'S TABLE. these advantages exist in an uncommon degree. The work- ■sng of coal and iron depoaita creates a reliable home mar- ■ket of equal certainty and value. This market is improv- ing from year to year, and adds largely to the value of farming lands. The farms and wild grazing lands in the mountain districts from the Hudson Iliver to the Mississippi. in Western Tennessee, have local advantages not yet duly ■appreciated wherever coal, iron, copper, lead, or gold is found in a workable state. The gold mines in Upper Georgia have been sufficiently rich to induce Congress to establish a U. S. Mint there fur coining the precious metal. Granite soils, or rocks rich in gold, are generally quite ste- rile for agricultural purposes ; yet as all laborers, and oth- ers in such places must eat, tliey create a first rate market for all that an industrious cultivator can prodnce. It is on this principle that farming in California has paid better than mining ; and our observations in Pennsylvania, Mary- land, Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, (all of which abound in coal,) lead us to believe that in each, skil- ful farming pays better than digging into the eartli for any mineral. In all these States, cheap grazing lands still abound ; and fortunes can be made by raising cattle, horses, mules, sheep and wool, hogs, and by making butter and cheese. Before railroads penetrated tlie Allegany Mountains, in almost every State through which they extend, there was some difficulty in getting produce to distant markets ; but now, where the home [market fails, any surplus is easily sent io any of the Atlantic cities. Mules sell high in all the planting States, from Delaware to Texas, and the breeding and rearing of them can be carried on in a moun- tainous region, where any dtsirable quantity of grass for pasturage and hay may be grown for less than a dollar an Acre. If " all flesh is grass," as it certainly is, then grass, ■where pure springs and rivulets abound, is certainly an im- portant element of rural wealth. There are many young men of energy and laudable ambition, who have not the means to purchase and pay for old or improved farms, and yet they would gladly make a few thousand dollars by rearing stock on cheap lands which they could buy for a song. Every part of the United States has its advantages and disadvantages. Poor men should not attempt to be- come landholders, except on a small scale, when land is dear ; but where it is very cheap, such is the rapid increase of population, and the extension of inland trade and com- merce, that any land that will make "flesh," will soon double and quadruple in value, in the possession of one who has either industry in his hands, or brains in his head. Wet Harvest — Grown Wheat. — The harvest this season is unusually late ; and up to the I9th of July, but 'Very little wheat was cut. Just as the farmers were about to put their whole strength into the harvest field, it com- menced raining, and rained powerfully and almost inces- santly for eight days — from the evening of the 19th, to the evening of the 26th of July. I>uring a good portion of this time it has been very warm, and the consequence is that much of the wheat has "grown." The amount of the injury cannot now be estimated. Many farmers think fully ^ne-half is badly grown. Wishing to satisfy ourselves somewhat on this point, we made an examination of twel fields on the last afternoon of the storm, all within sev miles of the city. In two of the twelve we could find i grown wheat. Of 20 ears taken promiscuously from eai of the other ten fields, from four to six were ** growr some very badly, and others Just started. IIow wid spread has been this storm, and how great the injury, ' cannot now say. Since the clearing up of the storm (yc terday,) farmers look more cheerful and talk more encou agingly. July 2Sth. — After one fair day, we are again visited wi heavy showers, and the worst fears of farmers may yet realized. There is much grass and clover cut, and lyii in the fields, blackened and rotting. Tents fob Agricultural Fairs. — We call the atte tion of officers of Agricultural Societies to the advertis ment of Tents, hy E. C Williams. Mr. W. has beam ful new Tents, which he will sell to Agricultural Societii or rent for their fall exhibitions. The officers of our Sta Society, and all who have dealt with Mr. Williams, ha been highly gratified with the manner in which he serv them. In fact he is one of those foolish kind of men wl would rather suffer wrong than do wrong, and consequer ly just the kind of a man to deal with. In cases whe County Societies have not permanent buildings for thf exhibitions, one of these tents should be secured by means. Ventilatino 5traw and Hay Stacks. — The editor the Country Gentleman says the British farmers have metliod of ventilating their barley, oat and hay stacks whi we may adopt this year with advantage ; and in stacki corn-stalks it would be always beneficial. They fill a lar bag, say 3.J feet high, and 20 inches in diameter, with stra and place it vertically in the centre of the stack, putti) the barley, or oats, or hay, whichever it may happen to I round it. As the stack rises, they lift the sack ; and so to the top. In this way there is a chimney formed in t centre of the rick or bay, into which the steam and gas generated, find their way and escape readily. To Raise Early Potatoes in the Garden. — Pla; as early as possible — just as soon as the ground can 1 worked. Plant in rows quite thick — say the rows one fo' apart, and the potatoes sown nine inches apart in the row As soon as the potatoes are fit for use, dig every alterna. row, and lay the tops between the rows that are left, co' ering the ground as well as possible. The potatoes le will give an excellent crop. The early June is a good p<« tato, but the gardners here have a kind they call the Man ly : it is small, but ripens earlier than the June. UuuAL Annual and Horticultural Directory.- By an advertisement in this number, it will be seen that y\ are about to publish a little book with this title for the bee efit of all tree planters and cultivators of fruit. It willb just the book that buyers and growers of fruit trees shoul have. Send in your orders. EDITOR'S TABLE. 259 State Faius for 1855. — The Agricultural Societies >f the different States will huld their annual Fairs at the ollowing places, on the days named : lont Rutluud Septemher 11 (• 13. Jew H.iQipsbii-u Septeinlter 12 to 14. lalifomia, S.icraraeDto Citj September. lanada Eiist ...Sherbrooke September 11 to 14. few Yoik Klmirn October 2 to 6. >hio Columbus. __ September IS to 31. :oDnectieut Hartford October 9 to 11. laod Baltimore October 30. 'aoaU;i West Cobur^ October 9 lo 12. ndiana , Indianapolis.. October 17 lo 19. FairBeld October 10. Ibode Island Providence September 11 to 15. :hode Island Horse and Cattle, Proridence, September 11 to 15. llinois Chicago ^...Octiber 9 to 12. few Jei-^ey Camden October 19 to 21. lentuckv.' Paris September 25 lo 28. forth Caioliaa Raleigh October 16 to 18. ■eorgia Atalanta September 80 lo IS. irginia Wheeling September 27,28. irginia Richmond [icbigan Detroit October 2, 3, 4, ^nd 5. labama Montgomery October 23 to 26. ast Tennessee London October 23, 24. 25. "ew Jeisey ..Cimden September 19,_20, 11. ennsylvania llarrisburgh September 2.5 to 28. ennessee Nashville... Fii-at week in October. issouri Boonville October 2,3, 4 and 5. merican In.i-titute Crystal Palace, N. Y., October 2. hiladetphia S iciety for the promotion of Agriculture — Philadel- phia, at Puwelton, September 12, 13, 14. The Rklatio.vs of Chemisthy to Agricultuhe — J. . Lawks and Justus Von Liebig. — The Genesee Far- EU first called the attention of 'American farmers to tlie iteresting and extensive experiments of i\lr. Lawes. he results of these experiments, in the opinion of Mr. L. id everybody else, were in direct opposition to the theo- es taught by Liebio. M. Liebio has written a small ork, in which, without at all calling in question the fuU- •esa and correctness of the experiments, says^" All the Kperiments of Lawes prove preci.-iely the contrary of nat which, in his opinion, they should prove." In this we link M. Lii;Bio mistaken. His opinions, however, are ititled to careful consideration, and we intend to give lem a thorough and careful review. Genesee Farmer Premiums. — The following are the remiunis awarded the friends of the Genesee Farmer »r their exertions in obtaining subscribers, as previously 3Fered. We are mucli indebted, not only to these fiiends. ut to all who have so generously aided us in extending the rculation and usefulness of our journal : 1st. For the greatest number of subscribers obtained by ne individual — to James Little, Seneca, C. W., for 205 ibscrilieTS, $.30. 2d. For the second largest list — to I. W. Buiaos, West lacedon, SH'. 3d. W. I. Sloan, Fredericksburg, $30. 4th. A. J. Cui BERTSON, North Pelham, $25. 5th. S. B. SxEDMAN, Grand Rapids, Michigan, $10. Hogs. — In selecting hogs, get short noses, small ears, lort Itg.i. a id tine, short, curly, white fur. Tht-y will fat- m easier; and when fattened, the pork is white, tender, nd good. 'Ihe Bytield, Berkshire, and China, and some thers, are good; and mixtures of them aie very good. 'he China fittens easy, but is too small-linih.'d for profit, lix this kii d with those of large frame, and they partake t the properties of both. — Ohio Farmer. Illinois Annual State Fair. — Tlie Third Annual State Fair, for the State of Illinois, is to be held at Chica- go, during the second week of October, 1855 — lixhibition days, Uth, lOih, 11th, and 12th — Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Frid»y. Hon. David J. Baker, of this city, has been selected as the orator on that occasion. The following are the general arrangements: Articles will lie received from the 1st to the flth of Octo- ber, inclusive, till 12 o'clock precisely. At that liour the Entry Office will be closed. Examination by the judges of articles exhibited, Octo- ber lOth and 11th. (ieneral exhibition for the public, October Hth, 10th, Uth and 12th. General sale day. Friday, October 12th. The adilress will be delivered on Thursday afternoon, the 11th of October, at 3 o'clock, precisely. Colby's Willow Peeling Machine. — George J. Col- by, of JonesviJle, Vermont, called on us a few days since, with a model of the machine which he has invented for peeling basket willow. It is a very ingeiiicnis ami simple affair — costs about $100, and will do the woi k of forty men and boys. Mr. C. has been on a tour in the West to find land on which to raise willows. He expects to locate on the Wisconsin river, near Portage city. We recommend his machine to the attention of the public. — Oliio farmer. Reaping Machines — We have been informed by a manufacturer of agricultural implements, one who is ex- cellent authority, that between fitteen and sixteen thousand reaping machines will be manufactured and sold this year in our country. The demand is so great that manufactur- ers cannot make them fast enoui^h for their orders. This affords evidence of agricultuml jirosperity. as the cost of tliese machines will amount to neatly two millions of dol- lars. Our farmers exhibit wisdom in using and patroniz- ing machinery. A reaping machine will save the price of itself in one season. — Scieiitijia An Trial of Mowers in New Jersey. — At the recent trial of Mowing Machines, under the auspices of the New Jersey State Agricultural Society, there were eight ma- chines entered for competition. " The machines," says the Monmontk Fanner, "all worked adiniralily, cutting beau- tiful swaths, and leveling the grass with suri rising rapidi- ty." The first premium was awarded to Manny's Reaper and Mower, the second to Allen's Improved Reaper and .Mower, and the third to Deitz and Dunham's Reaper and Mower. The Canadian Government, at the earnest solicitation of the ttiwnship and lower county members, has apjnopriated the sum of £.501.10 for the purchase of seed wheat to dis- tribute among the destitute settlements. Eff" An excelltntmtthod for keeping tomato vines from falling to the ground, is to place a thick layer of rye straw under them. Wood and Stone. — A. cord of wood is 123 solid feet. A perch of stone is 25 cubic feet, piled, or 22 in a wall. Land Measure. — Six hundred and forty acres is a mile ; a cubit is 3 feet ; a fathom 0 feet ; a palm 'i inches ; a span 11 inches. Soil — Ten inches depth of soil on an acre will weigh lOUO tons. The rpcent rains have inundated the flats on the Mo- hawk river, so as, in some places, to cover the railroad track. 260 ADVERTISEMENTS. Kotiics jof Nibs 33Doit5, ^niatiitnls, ^c. The Rabbit Fancier : A treatise on the Breeding, Rearinfr, Feed- ing, and General Management of Rabbifs ; by C. N. Bement, Author of the "American Poulterer's Companion, This is one of Saxiori's Rural Hand Books, just pub- lished. It is very neatly got up. We may mate an extract or two next month. Enquiru5 anU glnstocrir. Is the period of ripening of fruits affected by soil or location, independent of climate or temperature? A neighbor of mine pur- chased some few years since a variety of Dwarf Pear Trees, which have borne for two years, and the Easter JBenrre, which is said to be a long-keeping fruit, invariably ripens Boon after the Virgalieu, or late in autumn. The ti-ees were purchased in Rochester, and I presume were true to name, answering the description of that fruit fully, except the time of maturing. How will you account for it ? The blight has been very fatal to many pear trees in this region the present season. The Onondaga and Glout Morceau have been whoUy destroyed on my grounds, while other varieties standing near them, aro entirely unaffected as yet. Are they usually more subject to the disease than other varieties, or is the disease inherent in the pear, and it will ultimately destroy it ? The apple and quince are also much affected, but evidently from other causes, not internal like the pear, but I have no doubt from insects. Those trees which blossomed and are bearing fruit, have more than half their fruit spurs affected, while those trees which did not blossom are entirely free from it. Is it not therefore evi- dent that the flowers were attacked by some insect, and the fruit and limb poisoned?, 2. Will the varieties of the pea mix and change if planted near each other ? And is it necessary that those designed for seed should hang on the vines until dry, or may they be gathered green and dried in the pod? E. LTiFFiuavTELL— Aurora, Cayuga Co. 1. Soil and location will hasten or retard the ripening of fruit, but,] we can hardly think, would produce as much difference as you observe. 2. Varieties will mix. Peas, for seed, should be permit- ted to remain on the vines until nearly ripe. If a few are needed only for table use, select the best pods, and pick by hand. If for field culture, pull up the vines and let them dry in the sun. Then they may be stored in the liarn, or threshed at once. You will confer a favor upon many of your readers if you will tell them, as near as you can, the increase of sheep in the United States for the pa-st Gve years. Supposing the 30 per cent, duty on imported wool t» he repealed, what effect would it have upon the price of domestic fleece ? Can the farmers of the Eastern and West- ern State?, supposing wool to come in duly free, successfully com- pete with the wool-growers of Australia and Cape of G<>od Hope, where the land id Vi^orth but little for cultivation, with a warm cli- mate, and where sheep live upon grass all the year, attended by sheep herds? A Scbscriber — Ann Arbor, Michigan. There has been no increase of any account in the num- ber of sheep during the past five year?, owing to the short-sighted policy of many who kill off their flocks if their pelts will bring a good price in the fall. There is no competition now to fear from Australia. There might be an immense quantity of wool brought from Buenos Ayres, but the unsettled state of the country is an effectual bar to supplies of any amount from that quarter. In the last number of the GKyESEE Fabster I saw an engraving and recommendation of Sleadman's Grain and Qraes Seed Header and Harvester. I am much pleased with it on paper, and perhaiip would he more so in the field. / I wish to learn through your very useful paper, the general ave- rage of seed gathered from an acre of cloTer, timothy, and orchard grass. Your invaluable paper is attracting attention in this country, ant must be very beneficial to our agricultural interest and prosperity J. S. ScoBr.E— Cave Mill Retreat, Warren Co., Ey. Will some one familiar with the average yield of clover timothy, and orchard grass seed per acre, at this time, an- swer the above inquiry ?. I SAW some account last season of a Potato Digging Machine invented somewhere in New Hampshire, I believe. Can you givt me any information in regaid to it, — its operation, and where i" can he had ? W. — Greece, N. Y. We cannot. Perhaps some of our readers can give tht desired information. If you or any of your subscribers can inform me of the time o gathering and planting the seed of Fine and Hemlock, they wil confer a great favor. B. H. AaE.VBACir — Mt. Pleaaant, loita.^ ALVEETISEMENTS, To secure insertion in the Fariier, must be received as early as thi 10th of the previous 'montlf, and be of such a character as to b of interest to farmers. Terms — Two Dollars for every hundi'fr words, each insertion, paid in adva^.'CE. EOCHEStER COMMERCIAI^ NTOSEKIES. WE take pleasure in informing the public that we are still rais ing Fruit and Orna5[e.vtal Trees, Grape Vi.ves, Cue RANTS, Strawdkrries, &c. &c., in great quantities. We call especial attention to our Cqekry Stocks, for Nurserymen. Plitm " which won't have the knots. A:fGERS Quince, &c. &c., and to the NEW SEEDLING STRAWBERRY HOOKER. This splendid fruit combines all the requisites of a first clat- Strawberry in one variety, a thing not heretofore accomplished. Very large size ; Beautiful shining dark color; TJnequaled excellence of flavor ; Great productiveness and vigor; A perfect flower, requiring no fertilizing. Trice $1 60 per dozen ; $5 per 100. BISSELL & HOOKER. August 1, 1855. East Avenue, comer Goodman St, PERUVIAN GUANO. PERUYIAM GUANO No. 1, with Government weight and bran- upon each bag. Price ?53 per ton of 2,000 lbs. Peruvian Gcaso No. 1, taken from the lower part of the cargo a little damp, with above brand upon each bag. Price $43 y of 2,000 Ibp. As the latter article is sold by some retail dealers for the bes quality, be particular to observe that the damp Guano has the fig ure 2 under the weight mark. For sale by August 1 — Gt. Zi Cliff St., STRAWBERRY PLANTS. THE subscriber is prepared to famish any quantity of Straw beiiy ])Iant9 for this season's planting, and at the folUiwinf raios, packed and deUvered at the Express oflice, at Rochester, oi will send as may'be otherwise ordered. "Hi vey's Seedling, 6s per 1000. Burr's New Pine, Ga per 1000. Early Scarlet, 43 per 1000. Th9. season has been so fine for their growth that there can b© but little danger in transplanting. Address me at Penfield, Monroe county, N. Y., ■with funds in- closed. GEORGE D. SOUTHWORTH. August 1, 1855. , ^ ' ■ ADVERTISEMENTS. 261 UNITED STATES TENT AND FLAG MANUPACTOEY, R0CHi:3TER, X. Y. FOR SALE OR RENT. THE subscriber having been honored with orders for Tents and Flags from most of tho States of the Cnion, and also fr.iiii several point** in Canada West, would remind his old fi-iends and patrons that he haa materially extended his operations, and that he )w keeps constantly on hand a large assortment of Tents and Flags Of every description, adapted for AGRICULTURAL FAIRS, MILITARY ENCAMPMENTS, Camp Mcc/i'n^s, Conferences^ Excursions, Public or Private Pic- nic and JTishing Parties, Political Gatherings, Ezhibi- lions, Parties irn Tours of Survey or Engineer- ing, 4-a, 4"C., which he will rent on liberal terms. He has a large number of Tents suitable for CONFERENCES, AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES, fee. &c., Of each the following sizes :— 100 feet diameter; 80 feet do.; 70 feet do. ; 60 feet do. ; 50 feet do. ; and 80 feet by 110 ; 60 by 90 ; 50 by 80. Also for CAMP MEETING AND MILITARY TENTS— 24 ftet by 30; 16 bv 24 ; 12 by 17 ; 9 by 12. These tents are of his own raanuficture, of the very best mate- rial, and are every way desirable. When parties renting tents de it, a competent peraon will be sent to eiecl and take charge of tbem. The light and port'vblo, yet durable character of the Tents man- ifactured at this establishment, render them an article of unusual ;conomv and comfort in all cases where shelter or protection from .he elements may be desirable while temporarily sojourning for ueiness or pleasure. He has furnished Tents to the Agricultural Societies of New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, .da, and to many other Agricultural and other Associations, can therefore with confidence refer those who are about pur- ins or renting Tents, to any nf the officers of these Associa- ; as to the character of his work and fairness of his dealings. TENrS AND FLAGS OF EVERT DESCRIPTION MADE TO ORDER. Having on hand the largest assortment of Tents on the Continent, e fan fill orders for any uumber on short notice. t3^ All orders by Mail will meet with piompt attention. E. C. ^VILLIAMS, Rochester, N. Y. N. B. — A large assortment of Tent and Sail Duck constantly on hand ami for sale. Aug. 1. FAIRBANKS' SCALES. WAREHOUSE No. 189 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. HE?E celebrated Scales are still manufactured by the original Tp: nventoi-3. By the enlargement of their work, and the intro- duction of improved machinery, these Scales are now furnished at greatly reduced prices. We have recently added to our stock a full assortment oi fine Quid and Druggist' e Scales, Sprijig Balan- ces, Patent Beams, Weights, 6fC., and now offer at wholesale and retitil the most complete assortment of weighing apparatus to be found in the United Slates. We have a new and convenient article which we denominate the Family Scale, it being particularly adapted to the wants of farmers and all housekeepers. H;iy and Coal Scales set in any part of the conntry by experien- ced workmen. ( jOrders and letters of inquiry by mail, will receive prompt atten^ [g^Augustl, 1855— 3t. FAIRBANKS & CO., 189 Broadway, New York. DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE PIPE MACHINE. ^ CHARNUCK-S PATENT. BY this Machine, Drainage and Sewerage Pipes of all descrip tious, as well as perforated and other Bricks, Flooring Tllija ic, are molded with the greatest facilitv and precision. A man and tJivee boys can turn out from 5,000 to 10,000 feet of pipes per day, according to sizes; and if worked by horse, steam or watvr powtr. a proportionate increase wiU be obtained. This Machine is in extensive operation in England, where, in addiliun lo the testimony of numerous Tile Makers, as well as that of some of the first ilachinista of the day, the following Prizee have been awarded to it : By the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, at its annual meeting, 1845, as the first Tile Machine with a con- tinuoua motion, _ _. j£5 0 0 By the same Society, the following year, as the best Machine of the day, 10 0 0 By the Lancashire Agricultural Society, at its annual meeting, 1845, Silver Medal. By the Highland Agricultural Society, at its annual meeting in 1846, as the best Machine, 5 0 0 At the meeting of the New York Slate Agricultural Society, at Saiatoga (1353), a Working Model of this filachine was awarded the SILVER MEDAL AND DIPLOMA; and at the Fall Exhibi- tions the same year of Lower and Upper Canada, held respectively at Montreal and Hamilton, the same Model was awarded a DIPLO- MA FROM EACH SOCIETY. It wa^ awarded the FIRST PRIZS AND DIPLOMA at the recent Exhibition in London, C. W. The price of the Machine is XoO (half cash and remainder at six months), with five Dies for Pipes. Brick and other Dies at a mod- erate charge. ^CW THE PATENTEE GUARANTEES THE EFFECTIVE WO^KKTNG OF THE MACHINE. ^^^^ ^W° All orders to be addressed lo JOHN H. CHARNOCK, Drainage Engineer, Hamilton, C. W., the Patentee. January 1, 1855. — tf FRUIT AND ORNAMENTAL TREES. (AUTUMN OF 1855.) OUR new wholesale Catalogue or Trade List for the Autumn of 1855, is ready, and will be sent gratis to all who enclose a stamp. The stock now on the ground is of the finest description, and by far the largest that has ever been offered in this country. Nurserymen, Dealers, and Planters can be supplied on very ad- vantageous terms, and they will lind it to their interest to consult our list and examine stock before purchasing. Our arrangements for packing and shipping are so complete that we can forward packeges to the most remote parts of the United States and Canada with Fafety. Any of the following Catalogues will be sent to all who apply, and enclose a stamp for each : No. 1. A Descriptive Catalogue of Fruits. No. 2. A Descriptive Catalogue of Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Roses, Ac, &c. No. 3. A Catalogue of Dahlias, Verbenas, Petunias, and select new Green House and Bedding Phmt", published every spring. ) I No. 4. A Wholesale Priced Catalogue for Nurserymen and Dealers, No. 6. A Supplemental Catalogue of Fruit? — containing prices of Fruit Trees for 1854 and 1S55, and lists of New Varieties. EI.LWANGER & BARRY, August 1— 2t. Mount Hope Nui-peries, Rochester, N. ^. A CHANCE TO MAKE MONEY. PROFITABLE AND HONORABLE EMPLOYMENT. THE subscriber is desirous of having an agent to each county and town of the Union. A capital of from $5 to $10 only will be reriuired,,and anything like an efficient, energetic man can make from three to five dollars per day; — indeed, some of the Agents now employed aie realizing twice that sum. Every information will be given by addressing, (postage paid,) WM. A. KIN3LER, August 1. 1855. Box 1228, Philadelphia, Pa., Post Office. MANSFIEI^D'S IMPROVED PATENT CLOVEK HULLING AND CLEANING MACHINES, THESE Macliines obtained the first Premiums at three successive Ohio State Fairs;. also at the World's Fair, New York, and never failed to take the first premium wherever exhibited. It hulls and cleans from 25 to 50 bushels per day. Manufactured and for sale by Price $100. M. H. MANSFIELD. Ashland, Ohio, August 1, 1855— 3t. __^____ " PEACH TREES. ~ I HAVE on hand, ready for delivery the coming fall, 6,000 Peach Trees, extra sizes, of the [iiiricipal best varieties. For 'ale by the hundred, or in smaller quantities. Address the subscriber. CHARLES W. SEELYE, Ang. 1— 3t. Box 46.5, Rochester, N. y. 262 ADVERTISEMENTS. GENESEE VALLEY NURSERIES.: A. FROST & CO., ROCHESTER, N. T., CjOLIClT the attention of amateurs, orchardists, nuraerTmen, and O others about to plant, to their extensive stock of well-grown i-'ruit and Umamental Trees, Shrubs, Roses, &c. &c. The Nur.seiifS are now very extensive, and embrace one of tht laigest and finest collections in the country, and their stock is far superior to any that they have before offered. It is partly com- prised in tlie following : Stajidard Fruit Trees. — Apple trees, eighty varieties ; Pear trees, one hundred varieties; Cherry trees, sixty varieties; Plum trees, fiiriy varieties; Peach trees, thirty varieties; Nectarine, six varie- ties; Apricot, six varieties; and other kinds, comprising every sorl of merit. Dwarf and Pyraviid Fruit 7V«m, of every description, for culti vatiun in orchards and gardens, have received particular attention. Tliey embrace the following kinds, and comprine nearly the same number of sorts as are grown fur standards ; Peari upon the best European Quince stocks. Apples upon Paradise and Doucain stocks. Cherries u^nn Ceraaus Mahaleb stocks. Small Fruits, afi Currants, eighteen varieties ; Gooseberries, sixty varieties; (irajies, Native and Foreign, ti^'enty- five varieties; Kasp- beiries, six varieties; Stiuw berries, twenty varieties; and other miMiellaneous fiuits, as well as esculent roots, in variety. Dtdduifus and Evergreen Trees, for lawns, parks, streets, &c. Evergreen and Deciduous Shrubs, in great variety, including four hundred sortw uf Rosts. Hedge Plants — Buckthorn, Osage Orange and Privet ; and for screens and avenues, Americ^in Arbor Vitie (White Cedax), Nor- way Spruce, &c. Herbaceous Plants. — A very select and extensive assortment. Green-huusc and Bedding Plants, of every description. All articles are put up in the most superior manner, so that plants, &c., may be sent thousands of miles and reach their destination in perfect safety. Parties givine their orders may rely on receiving the best and most prompt attention, so that perfect satisfaction may be given the purch;iaer. The following descriptive Catalogues, containing prices, are pub- lished f<»r gratuitous distribution, and will be mailed upon every applicjitiim ; but correspondents are expected to enclose a one cent postige .st;unp for each Catalogue wanted, as it is necessiiiy that the postage should be prepaid ; No. 1. Descriptive Catalogue of Fruits for 1854r-5. No. 2. Pescrijitive Catalogue of Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Ros€B, kc. &c., for 18.^4-5. No. 3. Wholesale Catalogue or Trade List, just published for the fall of 1854 and spring of 1855, comprising Fruits, Evergreens, De- ciduous Trees *c. /zc, which are offered in large quantities. October 1. 1^54.— tf WM. a Looaiis, WnOLES ALE and Retail dealer in Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Plants and Shrubs, of all the leading and most popular va- rieties. Staudiird and dwarf trees of Apples, Pears, Plums, Peach- es, Cherries, &c., all vigorous, stockey and well formed. Also, a general a.ssortment of Gooseberries, Currants, Raspber- ries, &c. &c. Ornamental trees and shrubs of every variety ; Roses a large collection ; Green House plants can be furnished on ihe shortest notice. Also a large quantity of Field and Garden Seeds on hand, and for sale at the lowest cash prices. Address (post- paid) Agricultural Rooms, South Bend, Ind. March. 1S55.— tf. WM. H. LOOMIS. MERINO SHEEP. THE subscriber will sell a few Spanish Merino Sheep — bucks an(^ ewes — of undoubted purity of blood. He will also dispose o* a part of his stock of imported French Merinos. Gentlemen purchising from this flock can have the sheep for- warded to the principal Western towns at my risk. Sept. 1, 1854— tf R. J. JONES, Cornwall Vt. RARE AND VALUABLE SEEDS, BY MAIL, FREE OF POSTAGE. Orange Watei-melou, 16 seeds 25 cents Ice Ci-eai'n or White Sugar Melon, 16 seeds 26 The genuine Chinese Hoo-suug, 100 seeds 25 Negley's Seedling Cucumber, 12 seeds _.-25 Five-foot Cucumber, 6 seeds _.25 Cherry Pea — new and curious — warranted bug proof,'12 seeds. _ - 25 Citroa Nutmeg Muskmelon, 20 seeds 12>i The celt-biated Japan Pea, 20 seeds _ 12^ California Muskmelon, 12 seeds V2^ The Fioial King, 12 seeds 123^ Mexic'.n wild Potatoes at $1 per bushel, and Sweet Potato plants at SI per hundred^ or $1 for five hundred, or $7.50 per thousand, de- livered to American Express Company at Macedon depot, New York Central Railroad. Please send current funds or gold; if not convenient to make eliauge, I will return the chang*? in Postage Stamps. I. W. IMilGGS, May— tf West Macedon, Wayne Co., N. Y. VIENNA PLASTER THE BEST FOR LAND. IHAVK analyzed a specimen of " Vienna Plaster, or Otp- SUM," and also ppecinieDH of "Cayl'Ga" and "CtNO.NDAGA Plas- ter," and find tbem to yield reppeclively aa follows : VIENNA PLASTER. Sulphate of Lime, _ 7092 Cailionate of Lime, ,.445 Carljonate of Magnesia, 1 50 Alumina, 2.46 Silica, 1.84 Protoxide of Iron, 21 Water, 18.33 Loss, 29 100.00 New York, March 19, 1854. JAMES R. CniLTON, M. D., Chemist. ONONDAGA PLASTER. Sulphate of Lime, 63 20 Sulphuric of Lime, 1 01 Caibonate of Lime, 6,30 Carbonate of Magnwia, 1.60 Alumina, 2.80 SilicT, _ 2.46 Water, 22,10 100.00 CAYUGA PLASTER. Sulphate of Lime, 50.40 Sulphuret of Lime, 2.00 Carbonate of Lime •_ 18.00 Carbonate of MaguObia, 3 60 Alumina, 4 00 Silica, 4.40 Protoxide of Iron, 32 Water, - 16.50 Loss, - 48 100.00 New York, April 2, 1852. JAMES R. CHILTON, M. D., Chemist, It appears from the above analysis that the *' Vien.va Plaster" is sufierior for land to that of the Cayuga or Onondapa, inasmuch as it contains the largest percentage of the "Sulphate of Lime," which is the mo.st beneficial property in land Ptawter. This PUister can be found only at Vienna, Geneva, Caxandai- GUA, Victor, Fisher's, and Pittsford. Farmers should not fail to get the ViEN.vA Plaster. July 1— tf. uperior KETCHITM'S PATt-lMT MOWING MACHINE FOE 1855. KETCIIUM'S MOWER for 1S56, with wrought in finger bars, improved guards, and pitman, kni\ quality, the adjustable boxing to keep the gearing mash, a good, easy spiing seat, and the substantial m; every part of the machines are made, makesihem the most simple, durable, and perfect machine in the world. The weight of the machine has been lessened, which, with the improvements made on them, makes their draft very much le; that one spun of horses can easily cut from ten to fifieen acre day. We have a Reaper Attachment on an entiie new piiiici'ple which does not, in any manner affect the peifection of the Mower, fitr which lifieen dollars extra will be chaiged, or, if so ordered, the machine will be sent so that 'h? altachmnot can be had ihere- after. TheyVare sold and warranted In be well made and cafabie of cutting froiii ten to fifteen acres of any kind of giafs | er d«y, whether heavy or light, uet or dry, lodged or standing, and do it as well as can be done by scythe. They will also cut the same amount of grain per day. The above warranty will be strictly ad- hered to by us, if directions for use are followed. All letters of inquiry promptly answered, and orders filled same day i ved. frame (both D:^ Price of Mower, $110— either wood have iron finger bars ;ind all the other iraj.rc HOWARD & CO., Munufactuieisand I'lopiietora. July 1— 2t Buffalo, N. Y. ADVERTISEMENTS. 263 BOOKS FOR THE FAEMERS! FURXISHED BY THE PROPRIETOR OF UKNESiiE FARMER. I The Cow, Dairy Husbandry, ami Cattle Breeding. Price 25 ctfl. II. Every I-ady her own Flower Gardener. Price 25 cents. III. The American Kitchen Gardener. Price 25 c«nta. IV. Ttie American Hose Culturer. Price 25 centd. V. Prize Esaav nn Manures. By S. L. Dana, Price 25 centa. VI. Skinner's' Elemeota of Agriculture. Price 20 cents. VH. The Penta of the Farm, with directions for extirpation. Price 26 cents. Vtll Horses — their Varietiea, Breeding, Management, &c. Price 25 cents. IX. The Hire and Honey Bee— their Diseases and Romediea. Price 25 cents. X. Tlie Hug — its Diseases and Miinagement. Price 25 centa. XI. The Ameiicin Bird Fancier — Breeding, Raiaing, kc. 25 cti. XII. Domestic Fowls and Ornamental Poultry. Price 25 cents. XIU. Chemistry made Easy for the Use of Farmers. Price 25 XI V". The American Poultry Yard. The cheapest and best book puiilished. Price «;1. XV. The American Field Book of Manures. Embracing all the Fertilizers known, with directions for use. By Browne. $1.26. XVI. Buist's Kitchen Gardener. Price 75 cents. XVII. Stockhart'a Chemical Field Lectures. Price $1. XVItl. Wilson ou the CultiTation of Flax. Price 25 centa. XIX. The Faimer's Cvclopedia. Bv Blake. Price $1.25. XX. Allen's Rural Archi ecture. Price $1.25. XXI. Piielps's Bee Keeper's Chart. Illu'^trated. Priee 25 centa. XXII. Johnston's Lectures on Practical Agriculture. Paper, priee 25 cents. XXIII. Johnston's Agricultural Chemistry. Price Jl.25. XXIV^. Johnston's Elements of Agricultural Chemistry and Geol- ogv. Priee |1. XXV. Randall's Sheep Husbandry. Price $1.25. XXVI. Miner's American Bee-Keeper's Macual. Price $1. XXVII. Dadd's American Cattle Doctor. Complete. Price $1. XXVni. Fessenden's Complete Farmer and Gardener. 1 vol. XXIX.Vllen's Treati.se on the Culture of the Grape. Price $1. XXX. Youatt ou the Breeds and Management of Sheep. Price T6 cenis. XXXI. Youatt on the Hog. Complete. Price 60 cents. XXXII. Youatt and Martin on Cittle. By Stevens. Price $1.25. XXXUI. The Shepherd's own Book. Edited by Youatt, Skinner ani ftindall. Price $2. XXXIV. Stephens's Book of the Farm; or Farmer's Guide. Ed- ited bv Skinner. Price $4. XXXV. Alleu's American Farm Book. Price $1. XXXVI. The American Florisfs Guide. Price 7-^ rcntfi. XXXVU. The Cottage and Farm Bee-Keeper. Price 60 cents. XXXVm. Hoare on the Culture of the Grape. Price 50 centii. XXXIX. Country Dwellings : orthe American Architect. Price $6 XL. Lindley's Guide to the Orchard. Price $1.25. XLI. Gunu's Domestic Medicine. A book for every married man and woman. Price $3. XLII. Nash's Progressive Farmer. A book for every boy in the country. Price 50 cents. XLliT. Allen's Diseases of Domestic Animals. Price 75 centa. XUV. Saxton's Rural Hand-books. 2 vols. Price $2.50. XLV. Beattie'8 Southern Agriculture. Price $1. XLVI. Smith's Landscape Gardening. Containing hints on ar- ranging Parks, Pleasure Grounds, &c. Edited by Lewis F. Allen Price $1.26. RECENTLY PUBLISHED. XLATI. The Farmer's Land Measurer; or Pocket Companion Pri'-e Sn eents XLVm. Buiafs American Flower Garden Directorv. PriceSL25. XLIX. The American Fruit Grower's Guide in Orcbard and Gar- den. Being the moat complete bonk on the subject ever published. L. Quinby's Mysteries of Bee-Keeping explaned. Price $1. The above will be sent free upon receipt of price annexed. SEND FOR ONE COPY. SL^GLE Copies of "SEARS' GREAT WORK ON RDSSIA," the most eleg.iut and useful volume of the year, consisting of 700 large octavo pages, embellished with about 200 Engravings, and maps of European and Asiatic Ruasia, elegantly and substantially bound, will be carefully enveloped in stout paper, and forwarded, AT OUR RISK AND KXFEXSE to aoy post-office, en the receipt of the establishe^j-etail price— Three Dollars. |::^Ai:ENTS W.\NTED in every part of the country to «eU New and popular PiCTOki.*.L Works'. Address, nost-paid, ROBERT SEARS, Publisher, June 1, 1S55. 181 William st., New York. CUTIEB KIGHTS FOB SALE WE will test our Hay, Stalk and Straw Cutter, patented Hovem- ber 8th, 1853, for speed, tawe and durabihty, against any othe- in th« United States. J. JONES & A. LYLE. ^^ For further information, addreia JONES k LYLE, Roch- ■etei; N. Y. February 1. 18M.— tf BEES! BEES!! L. L. LANGSTR0TU3'3_MOVABLE COMB HIVE. (Patented October, 1855.) EACH Comb in this hive is made by the bees on a separate, mo- vable frame, and in a few minutes by the use of a little smoke they may all be easily taken out without cutting them or at all en- raging the bees. The practical bee-keeper will see that a perfect control over all the combs must make an entire revolution in bee- keeping ; as in thLs way weak stocks may be quickly Btrenglhened by helping them to comb, honey, or hatching brooda from stionger ones; queenless colonifs may be supplied with the means of rais- ing another queen; the exact condition of the hive may at aoy lime be ascertained, and the ravages gf the bee-motii effectually prevented. New colonies may be formed in less time than is usu ally required to hive a natural swaim ; or the hive may be used as a non-swarmer; or managed on the common swarming plan. The right to use this invention is sold for five dollars, and entitles th* purchaser to use and make for his own use in one location as many hives as he pleases. For ten dollars a right and a beautiful hive, glass on four sides, will be sent carefully boxed, to any address. For seven dollars a right and a thoroughly made hive with glass on the back. This hive is made to stand in the open air without the expense of a bee-house. Proper directions for its management, together with a minute account of the habits of the bee are con- tained in t'ae patentee's work on '■ The Hi^e and the Honey-Bee," (384 pages octavo,) which will be sent, postage paid, for one dollar und a quarter. For individual and territorial rights, address REV. L. L. LANGSTKOTH, June Greenfield, Masa. HENKY C. VAIL, CONSULTING AGRICTLTURIST, NEWARK, N. J. WILLJTisit farms and give suitable advice for their improve- ment, founded on an analysis of the soil and a statement of its mechanical condition. Lettera of inquiry as to tenns, &c , will insure a reply and satisfactory evidence as to ability. References.— Prof. Jas. J. Mapes, Newark, N. J.; R. L. Pell, Esq., of Pelham, Ulster Co., N. Y.; J. J. ScoffieM, Esq., Morris- town, N. J. ; Hon. John Stanton Gould, Hudson, N. Y. April 1— tf DURHAM BULL FOR SALE. THE subscriber has a yearling Durham Bull, pure bred, good pedigree, for sale. Nelson, May 9, 1S55. P, FISHER. Conttnts o{ tt)U Numbn. Points of Excellence in Cattle 23S Cultivation of Turnips, 237 J. B. Lawes and Justus Von Liebig 238 Useful Recipes 241 Frauds in Guano and other Manures ._ 241 Clearing New Land __ _ 242 Bugs in Peas 243 Farmers' Lawns 243 CanarlaThislles 243 Pure Water — Filtering Apparatus 244 Dairy Businessio New York 245 Food Consumed by an Elephant 247 BORTIODLTURAL DHPARTMEmP. Strawberries ,.248 Horticultural Quackery 249 Effects of Drainage on Fruit 250 Cultivation of Pears in Northern Indiana 251 A New Shade Tree 263 LADIES' DEPARTjrKITT, ThejFarmer'a Life and the Farmer's Wife 254 House Plants 255 YOUTH'S DEPARTMENT. Youth's Department 256 Garden Seat» 256 KDJTOR'S TABLE. To the Patrons of the Genesee Farmer.. 257 The Season and the Croi* . 257 Agricultural Suggestions from Travel 257 Wet Harvest— Grown Wheat 2S8 JLLrSTRATIOSS. Filtering Apparatus 244-245 Liquidaraber Styracifula 253 Wardian Case 255 Ornamental Wardian Case 255 Garden Seats 256 Adout the last of August next will be published a little work with the above title. It will contain nearly 150 pages of reading matter, on fine paper and ueat type, and will be very beautifully embellished with eugravingg. I'he publisher has long seen the need of a book of the kind — a hand book for the inexperienced planter — a guide to those about to commence "the formation of orchards or gardens — a work reliable, and so cheap as to be within reach of all. I have often been solicited by nurserymen and others to furnish them such a book, but until the present time have not found it convenient to do so. In fact, every nurserymen has felt the need of just such a book, and for the want of it many have puljlished brief directions in their Catalogues. This want is now to be supplied. CONTENTS OF THE BOOK. I. Full directions for the preparation of the ground for the Orchard and Garden. I [. Directions for Planting, Pruning, &c. III. Lists of Fruit recommended by the American Pomological Society, and by the State Societies. I V". Notices of Diseases and Insects injurious to fruit. Y. The Vegetable Garden. VI. The Flower Garden. VII. A list of all the Nurserymen in the United States and Canada, and the principal Nurserymen and Wholesale Seedsmen of Europe, with much other valuai)le matter. PEICE, The price of the book will be 25 Cents each, (postage pre-paid.) .'i?2 per dozen. $12 50 per liundred. $00 for 500. The wholesale price i,-: put very low, so that nurserymen may order in large cjuantities, and put them in the hands of their agents and customers. Nursery- men ordering 500 or more can have their name and residence on the cover. Cash must accompany the order. ADVEETISEMENTS Will be inserted in the back part of the book at .$20 per page. As I have already received orders for over 10,000 copies of this work, which will go into the hands of tree planters, so good and cheap an advertising medium for Nurserymen is not to be found elsewhere. The circulation will undoubtedly exceed 50,000. Those Nurserymen who advertise will have their names in CAPITALS in the Directory, with a note referring to advertisement. (See list.) Advertisemeuts should be sent in immediately. KTOSEEYMEN'S CATALOGUES IN THE EUEAL ANNUAL. As many nurserymen are ordering large numb^s ,for the purpose of supplying their cus- tomers, and in answer to several inquiries on this subject, I make the following projiosition. I will put the Catalogue of any Nurserymen m the copies of The Kubal An.nual he may order, upon the following terms : $5 per page for any number of pages not less than four, in 500 copies, and ST per page in 1000 copies. By this means Nurserymen can have the Rural Annual and Horticvllural Directory containing their own Descriptive Catalogues, and their names and place of business on the cover, thus connecting it intimately with their business, at a very moderate rate. Thus, 500 copies Rural Annual, - - .S60 4 pages of Catalogue in same, at $5, 20 1000 copies Rural Annual, - - $120 ■ 4 pages Catalogue, at $7, - - - 28 $148 Those proposing to advertise sliould remember that their advertisements will appear in all the copies printed, which will probably be not less than 50,000, but the Catalogues will only appear in the copies ordered by themselves. Orders should be sent in early, as they will be filled in the order in which they are received. JAME.S TICK, JR., Publisher, Rochester, Pf. Vol. XVI., Second Series. ROCHESTER, N. Y., SEPTEMBER, 1855. PRINCIPLES OF IMPROVING DOMESTIC ANIMALS. CHAPTER III. COLLATEKAL FACTS CONSIDERED. In the matter of improving domestic animals, there are several collateral facts not unworthy of consideration. 1. The high prices now paid, and which have been for fifty year.s fur really superior animals for propa- gating their like and their race. In illustration of the value of Improved Stock, attention is invited to a few facts copied from Eng- lish and American works of acknowledged authority on the suliject. Thomas Bates, Esq., of Kirkleav- ington, was one of the most successful breeders and improvers of neat cattle tliat England has ever pro- duced, lie commenced his operations in 1804 by purchasing at a high figure a cow of his famous Dutchess stock of Mr. Charles Colling. After six years' experience, so pleased was he with the results obtained by this Dutchess cow, that at Mr. Colling's public sale in 1810, he determined to have at any price a heifer, then two years old, called Dutchess, and grand daughter of the cow he first purchased. Mr. Bates' instructions to the auctioneer were, that whatever sum any one might offer for Dutchess, he was authorized to make a bid for him of fi\e guineas more; and ultimately, he obtained the prize for the sum of one hundred and eighty-three guineas. This investment of nearly a thousand dollars in a two year old heifer, made forty-four years ago, was one of the most profitable ever known in any country in the cattle line. How much money Mr. Bates obtained from his sales of the blood of this Dutchess family before his death, in 1849, we have no means of know- ing; but the reputation of his stock, of which this family was most esteemed, may be inferred from the fact that at a public sale after his death five thou- sand persons were present to compete for the prizes and witness the deep interest of the occasion. The Farmers' Magazine, for July 18.50, speaking of this sale, says : At the lowest estimate, there could not be less than five thousand persons, including nearly every breeder of short- horned cattle in the United Kingdom, as also breeders from the continent of Europe, and from the United States of America. " It may with confidence be maintained that on no similar occasion has so great an interest been excited amongst the breeders of this variety of the ox, so justly the pride of our country, as on that referred to above; and well indeed did the herd deserve the far- extended fame which attracted such a mighty gath- ering on the occasion of its dispersion to be the nuclei of new, or to enrich collections already in be- ing, in our sea-girt isles, in Europe, and in the great western quarter of our planet beyond the Atlantic." There were sixty-eight animals in this herd, which consisted of six families, namely: the Dutchess, the Oxford, the Waterloo, the Cambridge, the Rose, the Wild Eyes, and the Foggathorpe; — which are enu- merated in succession according to the prices that each realized at the sale. At the. show of the Royal Agricultural Society at Oxford, in 1839, Mr. Bates had the unparalleled triumph— in England— as a breed- er of Short^Horns, to win four of the principal prizes with the only four animals exhibited by him ; and he was offered, but refused, four hundred guineas each for his premium cows and heifers. Thirty pure Short-Ilorned cattle belonging to ' the Clark County Importing Company were recently sold in Ohio at the following rates : A bull two years old brought $4,000; one eighteen months old, .'fii2,.50O; another, §1,900; and others varying down to $300 eacA. One cow sold at $1,425; another at $1,300; another at $1,000; so down to $200 each, Grant that such prices are extravagant, and that no general rule can be deduced from extrenle cases; 266 PRINCIPLES OP IMPROVING DOMESTIC ANIMALS. yet the many facta demonstrating the high market value of superior stock — which facts might be cited to almost any extent — Jeserve the serious considera- tion of every man in any way interested in rural economy. These remarks will apply to the breeding of horses, mules, sheep, swine, and poultry, as well as to the propagation of neat cattle. 2. One general physiological law applies equally to the improvement of all domesticated animals. The better to understand this law, or rather sys- tem of vital laws, let us first study some of the most important facts developed by the really successful improvers of live stock. By common consent Mr. Bates stands in the front rank of those most distin- guished for their skill in cattle breeding; and the writer has taken due pains to learn the piinciples on which Mr. B. operated so profitably to himself and beneficially to the public during forty-sis years. lie united the improvement of a cold, heavy, worn out clay farm of 1,000 acres, 600 in tillage and 400 in grass laud, with the improvement of Short-IIorns; and it is in this double capacity of a grain grower ^nd grazier — the improver of land, of crops, and of domestic animals — that this model English farmer appears in his true character. The following state- ments are from his own pen, and deserve every at- tention, coming from one so practical and scientific iu all his processes: " I had not long been engaged in farming before I became thoroughly convinced that the atmosphere contained the gieat ingredients for the amelioration of the soil. This I discovered by seeing the good effects of the same surface being exposed to the at- mosphere as long a time as possible before turnip ^eed was sown; and the fineness and openness being increased without changing the surface, was the grand desideratum. A field plowed in October after oats, libbed across in February, and then only worked with .1 scuBer afterwards, never again plowed till drilled fur turnips, produced the heaviest crop per acre of white turnips I ever saw; and this was in the year IV.tS — the year Mr. George Cui.i.ey and Mr. Bailey made the survey of the county of Northumberland I'or the Board of Agriculture. "These two gentlemen examined that crop, and they said they had never before seen so large a crop of turnips. Nor have I since then; — ihey consider- ably exceeded fifty tons per acre when they had stood till February. They were sown in June. I meiition this fact to induce young men to attend to the opera- uiuns of nature. " I mentioned my views soon afterwards to an old farmer, and thirty years afttrw.irds he acknowleBged to me the benefit he received from my remarks, and Oiut he never failed of obtaining a good crop of tur- nips. " But till then he had kept working his land, and [ilowing and replowing it again and again, up to the time of sowing; and that the more he worked, the worse his crop; that my remarks had been many hundred pounds benefit to him," Mr. Bates' farm being an adhesive clay, too mucb stirring with the implements of tillage made it less pervious to the atmusiihere than it was before. The proportion of this kind of soil is less in this country than in England; although in some States "mortar land " is abundant. Before his death Mr. Batfs had drained 850 acres of his farm. In the use of lime in conjunction with peat, he gives the following experience: " I may also make a remark that may be nsefnl to those who have found peaty earth mixed with new- made dung highly beneficial, laying the same in lay- ers twelve inches thick of peat earth to six inches of dung as now made, turning the heap over a few weeks before applying the same to the soil. I had seen this done in Ayrshire. In 1805 I began the practice, on my return home, and was soon convinced of the benefit to be derived therefrom. In a distant part of the farm I had a very deep peat moss; and during the winter I mixed it in the same way with new-made dung, the whole as mixed was applied tc a turnip crop, and it was a complete faihre. " The barley sown after the turnijis was not hal the crop I had previously had on the same field; auc the clover and seeds that followed were the same. 1 then applied fifteen caldrons of lime per acre, am plowed it in for an oat crop. The crop was a ver great one, and the field afterwards continued ver productive; but not having then studied chemistry I could not account for the deterioration, and thei the after improvement. This induced me to go t' Eiliuburgh to study chemistry to account for tb change. " The first trial I made of peat moss it was fre from the oxyde of iron; the latter, that did the harn had a very large portion of that salt; this destroyed the dnng and rendeied it useless; but the applicatio of a large dos^e of lime (fifteen caldrons per acre removed the bad efliicts of the oxyde of iron, an converted it into a beneficial manure. This hiu' costly to me in the first instance, may, I hope, be e benefit to others, and as such I have here detailed i^ fally." This example of Mr. Bates fifty years ago, ia gc ing to Edinbugh to study chemistry to understan the nature and properties of " peat moss " and stabl manure is worthy of all commendation ; and it str kingly evinces that determination and talent whic made him a world-wide reputation in after life. Now, the organic acids, as well as the acid salts ( iron in peats, are better understood; nevertheless, w often see such vegetable matter applied to an injur ous extent on cultivated land without either lime ( ashes to counteract its acidity. Mr. Bates starte with the idea that he could double the product each acre, and then make the vegetable food coi sumed by each beast yield twice the return realize te m U stil 'iptl: ronlj fleet iffiioi J. B. LAWKS AND JUSTUS VON LIEBIG. 267 by otlier farmers in tlic vicinity. His mark was thus a gain of foHi^fold on (lie fm-m economy of bis time — a purpose vrhicli be fully accomplisbed. It took twelTC veers to complete one course of his system of rotatioa tjf crops; which, as the crops best adapted to the climate of England 'are inferior to others in this country, we will not detail. Turnips, wheat, oats, beans, clover, and Italian r\-e-grass, were the principal plants cultivated by bini. Among other eirticles of food for neat cattle ad- mirably calculated to make their flesh, hides, and hair appear to the best advantage, Mr. Bates was long in the habit of feeding boiled flax seed, or " lint seed'' as be calls it, Ue says: " I tried it in 1791, now fifty-seven years ago, and I fouud it excellent fthea turnips failed, I have repeatedly used it at raiious times since then, particularly in the springs Df 1S04, 1S18, 1819, and 1820; but my mostsuccess- 'ul trial of boiled lint seed was in 1836," We con- iease his statement by saying that he fed three year )ld steers a bu,shel a wjek each, which were so well "atteneu that he sold them to a butcher for £34 a lead, or 6170, The food given with the lint seed •vas chopped straw, of little value by itself; the im- irovement of the animals was great, and the cost of leep beside labor was trifling. A. return of 320 to 1, besides the straw and labor, to say nothing of the Jianare made. In this instance the profit was unu- ually large, because the lint seed was bought at IJ ♦ence per bushel, being a part of a cargo that had >eeu damaged by sea-water, 3. Beauty is a material element in fat cattle. If uch were not the fact, Mr. Bates would hardly have jund butchers willing to give him §170 a head for is Short-Horn steers, no matter what they weighed. The beauty of improved Devons and Short-Horns dds largely to the market value of these popular acos, when duly fattened for beef. A critical analy- 13 of beauty and price in all domestic animals would e instructive in many points of view; it would show hat the beautiful in these creatures oaly exists as heir organization becomes more perfect in form, less xpensive in the consumption of food, or more pow- rful in its muscular developments. In a word, it •ould prove that true beauty is a legitimate element f value, an eflfect of vital laws, and not, as many appose, a matter of mere fancy. Animals that poa- 3SS deep, broad, and capacious chests round bodies, nail heads, and straight limbs, are fovmd by expe- lence to take on flesh morj readily than those in hich a different organization exists. Hence the aperior condition of well-formed beasts assists in rendering them handsome, A good jadge, however discovers in a lean animal its capacity for assimilating food, and yielding a profitable return for the same. A sound, discriminating judgment in this matter can only be acquired by close observation, much experi- ence, and not a little study. The outward signs of strength of vital powers within are numerous, com- plex, and not very easily described in popular lan- guage, J, a LAWES AND JUSTUS VON LIEBIG. Concluded. "We have seen what Liebig's views were s^ipposed to if in reference to the value of manures. His pu- pils and followers, as well as those who differed with him, evidently understood Liemg as asserting that if the inorganic constituents or ashes of a given spe- cies of plants were supplied in sufficient quantity, and in proper condition, we should obtain a maximum yield; that the crops on a field increased or diminish- ed as these mineral elements were supplied or with- held; that the mineral manure patented by Prof. LiEDiG, was an embodiment of his views; and that " sooner or later, they (farmers) must see that in this so-called ' mineral theory,' in its developement and ultimate perfection, lie the whole future of agricul- ture." LiEBio, in his recent pamphlet, denies having ever entertained these views, and admits very reluctantly, however, that Mr. Lawes' experiments prove these views to be erroneous. He now saj-s: "I consider ammonia and its salts exceedingly useful, and indeed at present even, perfeeily indbpensahle as a means of increasing the produce of our fields beyond a cer- tain limit, without the use of stable manure." Surely there is some diSerence between this sentence and the following one which will be found in the first edition of Liebig'.s "Letters ou Chemistry," but which hcs been altered in the subsequent edition, published since the appearance of Mr. Lawe's papers. "It follows, consequently, that we cannot increase the fertility of our fields by a supply of nitrogenized manure, or by salts of ammonia; but rather that their produce in- creases or diminishes, in a direct ratio with the supply of mineral elements capable of assimilation." It is evident from these and other sentences which might be cited, that Liebio has changed his views in regard to the value of ammonia as a manure; but it is still very difficult to determine "what it really is that LiEBiG means." Perhaps be may accuse us, as he has Mr. Lawes, of having read but one sentence in his book, so we beg leave to state beforehand, that 268 J. B. LA.WBS AND JUSTUS VON LIEBIG. we have read it over carefully several times, and that we are still in doubt as to the real position of the learned author on the subject it is the special object of the work to elucidate. He has made some "agri- cultural experiments " on a ten acre Celc^ and in sum- ming up his conclusions from them, says: "My ex- periments, which occasioned me an outlay of 8,000 florins, ($3,200,) or $3.20 per acre, show indeed that to make a soil fertile, which is barren from want of active (soluble) ingredients, and not on account of unfavorable physical condition, requires an outlay greater than the purchase of the most fruitful soil; but in this I was in no way disappointed. What I wished to arrive at, was well worth the sacrifice. What I have arrived at, is, [now, surely, he will state his conclusions on the value of mineral manure; but, alas, no! what he has arrived at is only] the firm con- viction that the tine must come when agriculture will be carried on as an art, according to scientific prin- ciples, and not according to mere recipes." LiEBic. brings forward these experiments as practi- cal evidence of the correctness of his opinions, and they are, therefore, worthy of attention. He says : " In the years 1845 and 1847 I instituted a series of experiments on the action of individual mineral ma- nures. * * Former experiments which I had made in ray garden, in the city, gave no results; do and apply what I would, I teas not able to perceive any effect from a single one of my mixtures!'* The cause of this is ascribed to the richness of the gar- den soiL This led him to purchase a ten acre field, " distinguished from all other land in the vicinity by its almost perfect incapacity to support the ordinary cultivated plants; 1 do not believe that in an entire year, so much grass and fodder grew upon it as would sustain a single sheep.'' This was, unqueslionalily, a poor soil; and the mind recalls instances of similar soils having been rendered fertile by the ordinary processes of agriculture. The farms of the late Judge BuEL, and of D. D. T. Moore, of Waterveleit, N. Y., and many in the county of Norfolk, England, • Prof. HORSFORP, in one of liis lettei-a from Gei'lBen, {Cidticntur 184fi, paee 139) alludfS to llie^e fxpeiiments a.>-r'llo\vfi : "]n llir spring, (1844) iTecedine mv ariivMl in Gi-isSfn, tin- rrnf,-»M.i ?.l..nt- el some giape scions uo.ier the windows of XW 1 iiiratorv. Ili- fed them, if I may use such an expression, upon thi' a^hes (/ the ^rapt vine, or upon the proper inorganic f )od of the (xrupe, as kIiow ii l.y analysis of its a.shes. The trrowlh has been eiiiirnious, &e. I was ahown potH of wheat, in different stajies of thfir p^mwtlt, that ha' been fed varionslv — some npntitlie inorganic nutters tliey needed. according to the analysU vf their ashes — others had merely shared the triljuteor the general Boil. The results in numliers I don'tyet iinow. In appear.mce, no one could be at a loss to judue of wiiat might be expe-ted. • • The experiments of Piof. L , wtuch I have alluded to. are full of interest, not ^ilone as pustaiit- in? the views he h'w expnundo i [what views, if Dot tho ^e of the mineial theory :] but a-s also vbriwing that t)ie lM;isirres in the sha -e nf inorganic manures, heaped up in some qnarters of the globe, may be made to eiiualize the fi uits of labor iu other regions. ** were once blowing sands, but are now as remarkable for fertility as they once were for barrenness. This result has been attained principally through growing crops of clover and turnips, and plowing them in or consuming them on the farm, thus supplying organic matter and returning the manure, and especially am- monia, from the atmosphere. This, however, is sim- ply a deduction from certain theoretical considera- tions founded on Mr. Lawes' experiments: and we have frequently expressed the wish that experiments with ammonia, salts, organic matter, and mineral sub- stance, might be instituted on similar soils. By ap- plying ammonia on one plot, organic matter on an- other, the various mineral manures on others, and a mixture of these in different quantities and propor- tions on others, and reserving one plot without any manure at all, we might obtain decisive information on this interesting subject. Let us see what kind of experiments the great Geissen Professor instituted. jVo part of the field was left without any manure. A quantity of mineral manure was spread uniformly over the whole field, excepting a piece of vineyard of about 2000 vines, each of which received at the time of planting J lb. of the same mineral manure. " On separate divisions of the field were cultivated wheat, rye, barley, clover, potatoes, beets, maize, and Jeru- Sulem articokes." Would it not have been better, instead of having nine different crops and only one kind of mineral manure, to have had nine diflferent manures, and only one crop? If the ashes of plants represent the manure Ijest adapted for their growth, surely no one compound of mineral manures could be best suited to both wheat and clover, maize and beets. " Some patches received saw-dust, one nothing but stable-manure, another a mixture of the n)ineral ma- nure with an equal quantity of stable-dung. Beside this stable dung, no other animal substance, no am- raoniacal manure was used on the whole field. One small plot had added to it several wagon loads of soil from a forest; another received the same, mixed with the mineral manure." In other word.', the ichole field was dressed with the same mineral manure. Some plots had stable-dung, and some forest soil, with and without an additional quantity of the same mineral manure. No purely ainmoniacal matter was used. The poor impoverished soils of Maryland, Virginia &c., have been made to yield an excellent crop by the application of a small quantity of a strongly ammo- iiiacal guano. Who knows whether such would nol have been the case with "Liebig's Heights?" Snrelj in instituting scientific experiment.', there could havi been no harm in trying. J. B. LA WES AND JUSTCTS VON LIEBIQ. The crops the first jear "turned out so moderate, — so bad, ill fact," that no details are given. The yield of turnip?, clover, and potatoes did not suffice for keeping one cow. In every case, however, where organic manures containing ammonia were used, the crops " were heavier than elsewhere." The wheat manured with " stable-dung and minerals, was equal to any in the neighborhood." AVhy not have tried a plot with stable-dung, without any minerals? It must be evident to all that the first year's results of Lie- BKi's experiments are strongly in favor of organic or ammoniLical manures. We are told that in the sec- ond, third, and fourth years the soil increased in pro- ductiveness, though no details at all are given. In 1840, Liebig's gardener "purchased the whole field, and the industrious man who could not afford to buy manure, manages with profit the well-conditioned lit- tle farm, assisted during the summer mouths by a little business, in selling refreshments, he is able to. upport himself and family, keeping two cow?, and annually raising several head of cattle; and ho has icquired enough to enable him to enlarge his build- auildings, and all this without ammonia, or huniu.^ ind only by help of mineral manures." This is certainly a very gratifying result. After !xpending on ten acres of land $3,200 for mineral nanures, &c., an industrious Dutchman, by the aid of I little business, which probably his wife and children ■ngaged, in, was enabled to support himself; and all his without the aid of ammonia? Was it ever heard )efore that a man could get a living from 10 acres of and, in close prosimity to a large city? But let us lee whether this was accomplished without the aid of mmonia. The forest muck, saw-dust, and stable- tianure used the first year, all contained ammonia, ud the crops were much the best tchere they were sed. LiEiiic. says: " Since the present owner came nto possession, the stable-manure and all the animal screments produced on the premises, and especially he urine, liave been collected with the greatest care, nd of course have been incorporated with the soil.' n other words, great care has been used to save all he ammonia and incorporate it with the soil, and lir crops, after a period of eight years, have reward- d the care and skill of the cultivator. Who knows >ut this fame result might have been attained in one ear, by an application of ammonia? If the atmos- here is capable of supplying all the ammonia that ilants require, why, on this field, v.hicli had been so ivishly dressed with all the mineral elements of ■i ilanls, was it found necessary to save all the dung, •nd "especially the u/ine," and incorporate them with the soil. Surely, the gardener evidenced little faith in the teachings of his great master. If those exper- iments prove any thing, it is the very reverse of what LiEiiiG intended they should prove; and they are the only experiments brought forward to prove his posi- tion. After disparaging Mr. Lawes experiments, Liebig says: " The single problem worthy of scientific ag- riculture at the present time, is to establish in place of a change of crops, a change or succession of ma- nures, ,which shall enable the farmer to grow on each of his fields that crop, which, under the circum- stances, will be most profitable. How simple a form would the labors of the farm assume, could he con- tinuously cultivate the same plant on the same field." This is certainly a good idea, though an old one; but how shall we ascertain what manures are best adapt- ed for the same crops. Liebio himself took out a patent for " a preparation of compounds, based upon analysis of plants, which were estimated to provide a given species of plants with a nourishment it would need throughout a series of years." That these com- pounds utterly failed in Germany, England, and Amer- ica, is notorioua The idea was a splendid deduction, but, unfortunately for the farmer, so far from revolu- tionizing agriculture, as was predicted, it proved what might have been foreseen, that deduction is not a safe guide in scientific agriculture. We shall probably incur Liebig's displeasure by referring to this unfor- tunate manure speculation. He has brought forward a number of sentences from his various works to show that he did not teach the " pure mineral theo- ry;" but this patent mineral manure, which is a jjrac- tical embodiment of the theory, is not so easily dis- posed of, hence the bitternes manifested on the sub- ject. Liebig's patent mineral manures have failed to solve " the single problem worthy of scientific agriculture." We cannot, by their use, "continuously cultivate the same plant on the same field." Now, though Mr. Lawes does not think it desirable to cultivate the same crops on the same land, he has succeeded in doing so to an extent which one would suppose from the above sentence, should have secured the appro- bation of the great GJerraan chemist There is now growing on Broadback* the tuwlfth annual wheat crop, and the crop of last year was the largest yet harvested from it; the plot yielding 55 bushels of wheat per acre. So with the turnips on Barnfieldi • Froadback is the name of "Mr. I.AWTCS' experimental whpatfield. All the lieltlB in Kngland .-.re' named. Barvlield, Cerscroft, Hoot- field, are the oamefl of the exporimental turnip, bean, pea, tare, and 270 J. P. LA WES AND JUSTUS VON LIEBIG. the thirteenth annual crop is now g:rowing, and though the soil is rather too heavy to be well adapted for turnip culture, vet good crops are obtained, fully equal, as we know from our own observation, to those grown in the neighborhood, under the ordinary sys- tem of rotation. So in Gcescroft, twelve crops of beans have been grown in twelve years, and removed from the soil, and yet as good crops are obtaiaed as the farmers could desire. So of peas and tares. Clover is an exception ; no matter how lavishly and variously it is manured, clover will not flourish con- t'nually on the same land. But with other crops, Mr. Lawes has " solved the single problem worthy of scientific agriculture." At the j^resent price of wheat and ammonia, Mr. Lawes or any other intelligent agriculturist can not only grow wheat continuously on the same land, but can also grow it with a profit. If his land, without manure, will produce In bushels of wheat per acre, he can make it produce 30 bushels by an application of from S12 to $15 worth of manure. If wheat sells for 80 cents to $1 per bush- el, such a system will not pay; if it is worth from $2 to $3 per bushel, nothing can be more profitable. LiEBiG says: " So to explain the action, and recom- mend the use of ammonia salts ia the production of wheat, as Mr. Lawes has done, appears to be mock- ery of the present state of agriculture; for all the salts of ammonia now manufactured in Europe, are mot enough to supply the fields of the kingdom of iSaxony with the quantities used by Mr. Lawes." 'This appears to us a very lame argument. What if salts of ammonia are not now manufactured in sufH- cient quantities? If farmers can obtain what they want at present, shall they not use them? The am- monia salts used in agriculture or commerce, are made principally from the refuse liquor of the gas works; and in nearly every city in Europe the greater por- tion of this liquor runs to waste. lu this country, we know of but one establishment where ammonia salts are manufactared from gas liquor for agricultu- ral purposes — that of M. De BeEO, of New York. Shall we condemn the use of ammonic salts, because they are not at present extensively manufactured, while we have the means of increasing their produc- tion to an almost unlimited extent? ■But Mr. Lawes has not " recommended the use of ammonic salts in the production of wheat" Mr. Lawes tells u.?, indeed, that ammonia is specially (needed for the production of wheat; but he has nev- 'Cr advised farmers to use ammonia salts at their pres- iCnt price. He used them in his experiments because lihey enabled him, for a special object, to apply ammo- nia free from the organic and mineral matter united with it in barn-yard manure, guano, rape cake, y engineers that it takes ten yards of earth, measured in a cnt- tiug, to make nine yard; after it has settled in an em- bankment. Whoever has been engaged in the con- struction of po&-t fences has observed this tendency of earth to pack together when it is moved. It is connnonly said that a jjost csm be put in the hole, and then all the earth that was dug out of it can be put in too. Perhaps another reason that these soils when new are dry enough, and aflerwards require drainiiig, is that the cavities and water courses pro- duced by the roots of trees arc tiiliid up by cultiva- tion. THE CHOPS AND PEICES. Potatoes, — At Sjracuse, potatoes aie selling fbr 87 cents a bushel. We lit-ar that one of our bou^eholdefs has contracted for his potatoes tlie coming jear, at Jiftemi ctnits per Wsht;!. — iSyracHie ^taiiifard. And we are informed that a party in this tsity has con- tracted for several iluiosand t>iishels in Monroe couiitv, at ftniTteeu cents per bushel. The daj of hij^h prices of jiro- tisions is fast passing awaj. — Albuity Ex/fress. Such articles as the above meet us at every torn. We scarcely open a city paper, but we find that the editor has heard or been informed that flour will be cheaper than it has been for a century, and that po- tatoes will not be worth the digging. There appears to be a settled deterjniuation on the part of edilors to lurite down the price of j>rovisions. Perhaps they have entered into a conspiracy for this purpose. V^e need not inform our readers that all such reports as the purchase of potatoes in this couotry at fourteen cents a bushel, are false. We think the price of pro- visions must and should come down, but they will not decrease in value as fast, or become as low as many are led to suppose, from these false reports. We copy a very good article on this subject, from the Rvral ]Vew Yorker: "The neirspaj/ers, with their accustomed dillgeEoe in the pulilic service, sae hurrying up "good reports " of the present wheat crop. I have reason to remember that they did the sauio thing lust year. and as 1 was then some thirteen Imiar months young- er than I now am, 1 believed them! Editftrs, as a class, are celebrated for poverty and a sanguine tem- perament. Twelve dollars a barrel lor Hour does not comport well with the piivo of new.«papers. We ought not to think it strange that the men of the (juill have hoped themselves into the belief th-it "J!ovt must eome doiirn." But uitl it? That is the question. "Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee — the South aud \Vost generally, have bountiful harvests." " AH other sections the same," By a singular stretch d' MAKE FARM LITE ATTRACTIVE. chiirity, we are expected to bcliere that these tourists and newspaper " letter- writers,' who generally furnish the data, would knowa Jieid oftrhcat if they skouM see it. One thing is certain, — it requires a practiced eye to form eren a tolerable jiulgment of what the vield will be from a casual survey. In the spring, the inre grounnd obtrudes itself upon our attention — a little later, "copious showers ' make it all right, I on hij way from pasture under the fragrant shrubbe- ry, or peeps through the pickets at the mellow peaches and pears. I know perfectly how apt his sanguine blood, and his ignorance of the uiusty-odd failures in a city f'oi every single success, arc to put a fallacy into his plans and cheat his choice. But none the less it is true, what he goes to the city for is a chance, though but a chance, for certain means of refinement, hhe rality, and width in the whole style of life, such a^ scarcely a mere farmer about, in the old way of farm- ing, has displayed. Who ever knew a confident and chivalrous youth to doubt he should be one of th( five that su.;ceed, though five hundred fail ? And moreover, many young men at that aspiring perioi. of life, before the charm and glory of early ideal.' have faded oW, thirst honestly for more stimulus tu mental action, more enlarging ministries to thought, than they have found in rural places. This they dream of finding in the presence of crowds and tht sharp collisions of traflc. Perhaps they dream delu- sions; but this is the feeling. Depend upon it,if yov would hold yoar sons and brothers back from roan ■ JDg away into the perilous centres, you must steadily 280 FREEDOM FROM DANGER IN DESCENDING WELLS. make three attempt* — to abate the task-work of farming, to raise maximum crops and profits, and to surround your work with the exhilarations of intellec- tual progress. Tou must elevate the whole spirit of your vocation, for your vocation's sake, till no other can outstrip it in what most adorns and strengthens a civilized state." Appropriate to the subject, is a stoiy of our own, which we wrote some time since for another journal: "A farmer and his wife, in easy circumstances, not a thousand miles from this, had an only son, who much to the sorrow of his parents, had imbibed a desire " to go to sea.' He had read of the raging billows — of strange people in strange lands — of Or- ange groves — of lands where the Pine-apple grows — of exciting scenes in capturing the whale — and his whole heart seemed set on seeing foreign lands and living on the ocean wave. In vain his parents en- deavored to interest him in the operations of the farm. He worked, to be sure, but his heart was not in the work. It was a drudgery, and he longed for the time when he could bid farewell to parents and home, and see the world for himself At that time a Horticullueal Society was established in the county, and at the first exhibition fruits and flowers of the finest kinds were displayed, n)any of them brought from a distance, and such as had never been seen in the neighborhood before. The young man attended this exhibition, and looked at the dLsplay with won- der and surprise. Nothing astonished him more than the lively, joyous interest, those engaged took in the arrangement o^ their several collections. While he had looked upon every thing connected with the cul- tivation of the soil as a heartless drudgery, here even the ladies appeared to engage in it with a zeal and pleasure he could hardly account for. One class of flowers particularly attracted his notice; he procured a few plants — planted them, and nursed and watched them, and waited anxiously and impatiently for the coming bloom. In due time his plants blossomed, and their extraordinary beauty repaid him for his his toil. He carried off the prize at the next show. Elated at his success, and the pleasure it afforded him, he increased his collection — forgot all about the sea and strange lands — and became one of the most en- thusiastic and intelligent cultivators, and the most successful competitor for prizes at the shows of the Horticultural Society. He now takes hold of farm- ing in earnest — aims at the finest crops; and the pa- rents reap in the society, perhaps the salvation of their son, and in the better management of the farm, the happy influence of flowers upon the young mind, and the benefits of horticultural societies." prevents respiration; it extinguishes flame, and is generally found at the bottom of wells, it being of greater specific gravity than air. It is generated by vegetable decomposition, and also by combustion, and commonly finds its way into wells from seams in the strata of the earth, from adjacent places where chemical action is going on. Any well may be de- scended with perfect safety by the use of quick or fresh burned lime, recently slacked, or without being slacked. When there is choke damp in the well, it can easily be known by letting down a lamp or can- dle by a cord. If the light burns freely, it is a sign that no choke damp is there, and the well may be en- tered with safety; but if the candle burns dimly, or is extinguished, it is a sign of danger. To remove this gas so as to render it innoxious to the person entering the well, all that has to be done is simply to throw down some pieces of fresh burned lime into the water, and agitate it with the bucket on the rope, or with a pole. Another plan is to slack the lime in a small heap, mix it with water in a tub, and throw down three or four pailsful into the well. Or, if it is desired to enter the well and not disturb the water in it, take about half a pailful of slacked lime, mix it quickly ■ndth cold water in a small tub, and lower it down into the well by cords attached to the lugs, so as to rest on the surface of the water. The contents of this tub must be stirred up for ten minutes with a pole in the well, and then left suspended for an hour. When drawn up, any person may descend the well safety. The philosophy of this is, that moist lime has a great affinity for carbonic acid gas, and it there- fore absorbs it rapidly from the atmosphere. If we take some fresh slacked lime, and stir it up in a ves- sel containing cold water, and allow it to remain so for five or six hours, a hard .scale, like that of thin ice, will be found on the top of the water. This scale is carbonate of lime, formed by the absorption of car- bonic acid gas from the atmosphere (a very small ((uantity of carbonic acid is mixed with all the air we breathe) and the scale is a thin pellicle of stone — marble. The lime of good mortar becomes hard by returning to its former condition of limestone, by the absorption of carbonic acid gas from the atmosphere, and the formation of a thin scale of carbonate of lime on a lime vat, affords evidence of the manner in which sedimentary rocks were formed. No person need be afraid of descending into a well if he pursues the di- rections given. By letting down a candle into the well, after the lime has been allowed to play its part, its light will indicate when it is safe to descend. For the safety of life, we hope this information will be circulated far and near." FBEEDOM FKOM DANGER IN DESCENDING WEIXS In looking over our exchanges, we have been sur- prised at the number of accidents and deaths caused by imprudence in descending wells. We had pro- posed to write a short article on this subject, but the last number of the Scientijic American furnishes us a good article on the subject, which we copy: " The cause of death in such cases is carbonic acid gas, or as it is familiarly called, ' choke damp.' It Galls from the Harness or Saddle. — Major Long, in his valuable account of his expedition to the Rocky Mountains, says, that his party found white lead moistened with milk, to succeed better than anything else in preventing the bad effects of the galls on the horses' backs, in their march over the plains that border the mountains. Its effects in smoothing or soothing the irritated and inflamed sur- face was admirable. Hat. — A bale of hay is 300 lbs.; 100 cubic feet,, in a solid mow of hay, will weigh a ton. STUMP PULLER— SEEDING TO GRASS— CORN AND PORK. 281 STUMP PULLER. As soon as hayitifr is over, or at any rate before snow flies," some of our thrifty farmers will want to get into some of their fields auil claw out the stumps and old snags; the remains of the tormer forest, which have been so long in their way. In order to assist them in this work, we give them a cut and de- serijjtion of a very simple contrivance for pulling stumps, which any one who has two strong chains and a stout log, can get up in a short time. It is from the JVeiv Eneclmd Farmer: Here is a contrivance so simple that any farmer may make one before breakfast; and the cost is so trifling, that if it does not operate to his entire sat- isfaction, he will have no regrets at having given it a fair trial. "We find it sketched in the Wiscon- sin and loiva Farmer. "We noticed a very simple contrivance for pulling stumps, which Mr. Edgekton says works very ^^■ell indeed. It is so simple in its structure that we commend it to those wishing anything of the kind. It consists of a log of strong timber, from ten to twelve inches in diameter at the large end, and eight to ten at the smaller, and about si.\teen or twenty feet long. To the larger end is attached a very heavy chain about three feet long with a very large and strong hook at the free end while at the other there is a ring sufficiently large to slip over the larger end of the log or lever. To the small end of the lever a yoke of cattle is hitched. The manner of using it is as simple as the machine, and acts on the principle of some tooth-hooks of the dentist. The large hook is caught hold of some of the stronger roots, and the cattle are then driven round the stump so as to wind up the short, heavy chain, and then continue on in the even tenor of their way till the stump gives itself and surrenders its po- sition. Thus they are removed, easily and rapidly. A rough sketch of this ' cork screw,' as it was tech- nically called, we here give." should be lost after the hay is otT, in inverting the sward. If this is done during damp, warm weather, decomposition takes place immediately, which aids the growth of the new griiss. The ground, plowed under such circumstances, will probably retain water enough to support the young crop. The moisture will also promote the action of any manure which may be applied as a dressing for the gra.ss. What- ever fertilizing matter is used, it should be in such a condition that it can be readily incorporated with the soil, on the inverted furrows, as it will thus afford much more benefit to the grass — giving it a strength of root which will enable it to withstand the winter, and insuring its early and vigorous growth the fol- lowing season. As to the time of seeding, perhaps from the first to the middle of September, as a general rule, may be preferable, but we should not hesitate to sow a few days earlier or later, according to convenience. Herdsgrass {phleum pratense) and red-top (a^;-os- tis) are the kinds of grass usually sown in autunm. Red clover will do well on land wdiich is so dry that the roots are not liable to be thrown out by frost. Twelve quarts of herdsgrass and si.xieen quarts of clean red-top are not too much to sow in the acre, without oth^r seed. The large red-toj), which is considerably later in ripening than the small red-top, or " fine-top," is preferable, if a coasiderable bulk of the hay is to be herdsgrass, as the two are in a pro- per state for cutting nearly at the same time. — J3os- ton Cultivator. SEEDING TO GRASS IK AUTUMN. WiTERE it is desired to keep land uninterruptedly in grass, autumn seeding may be practiced with ad- vantage. Under favorable circumstances, there is by this mode no loss of the hay crop, even for one sea- son. But all seasons are not equally favorable for seeding at this time. Last year, for instance, the ground was so dry as to be difficult to plow, in some cases, and if the seed was sown, it either failed to germinate, or came up too scattering. At the present time, however, the moisture of the ground will render working it comparatively easy, and the seed will start vigorously at once. No time COBN AND FORK. A WRITER in the Ohio Report for 18.i2, makes a calculation as to the cost of pork fed on corn: An experiment by S. B. Andrew gives 1050 lbs. of gross increase from 100 bushels of corn. One hundred thrifty hogs were weighed and put up into a pen. They were fed for 100 days as much corn as they would eat. The average consumption was 100 bushels every six days. The average gross increase per hog for the 100 days'was 175 lbs.; or at the rate of 1| lbs. per day. According to this, a bushel of corn will produce IGJ lbs. Throwing off 1-5 to corn, at the net weight, gives 8 2-5 lbs. of pork as the pro- duct of one bushel of corn. If 8 2-5 lbs. of pork are made by 1 bushel, or 56 lbs. of corn, 1 lb. of pork is the product of 6J lbs. of corn. From an experiment made by Samuel Linn, of this county, witl^ 58 hogs, as reported in the Patent Office Report for 1849, 6J lbs. of corn produced 1 lb. of pork. Assuming that it requires 6| lbs. of corn to make 1 lb. of pork, the cost ol its production will be seen from the following table. The labor of feeding and taking care of the hogs is not included in the estimate. When corn costs 12jc. per bushel, pork costs lie. per lb.; at 17c. per bushel, 2c. per lb.; at 25c. per bushel, 3c. per lb. ; at 33c. per bushel, 4c. per lb.; at 42c. per bushel, 5e. per lb. The following table shows what the farmer realizes for his corn, when sold in the form of pork: When pork sells for 3o. per lb. it makes the price of corn 25c. a bushel; at 4c. per lb., 33c. a bushel; at 5c. per lb., 42c. a bushel; at 6c. per lb., 50c. a bushel. — Ptairie Farmer. 282 RIPENING OF APPLES AND TEARS. BIPEUING OF APPLES AHD PEAEa As many farmers and orchardists will be bnsy in gatlieriug their fruit crop for winter use during this and the coming month, we may be able to give some useful hints. To have sound and perfect apples through the winter months, it is absolutely necessary that much care should be given in gathering. This should be deferred with the winter fruit as late as practicable and avoid early severe frosts. The fruit should be picked from the tree by means of ladders, and placed in bas- kets, when it should be assorted and packed at once carefully in new tight barrels. These barrels, after heading, should be removed on sleds to a shed through which the air circulates freely, or they might be pro- tected easily from the dew and rain by placing boards over them. They may be allowed to remain in this situation a week or more, or until the cold is too se- Tere, when they should be transferred to a cool, dry cellar, and into wliich air may be admitted in mild weather. 'I'he barrels should then be placed in tiers upon their sides, numbering upon each head the qualify of the fruit contained in the barrel, and the name. The small imperfect but sound fruit is treat- ed in the same manner, and marked No. 2, indicating an inferior sort. Apples which are intended for mar- ket are frequently assorted into three diflerent classes, the best, good, and inferior — the former being all .se- lected fruit; the good containing sound fruit of me- dium or small specimens; the third being so poor that the fruit is wholly unfit for market, and suitable only for stock or immediate family use. All of this is easily doc.e, yet many whole orchards bring but an inferior price for want of this care. Too often we find that winter apples are left upon the tree very late in the autumn, frequently till they have been e.xposed to two or three severe frosts ; wheu convenient tbej are sh^en from the trees, the good and bad poured into barrels or open wagons, of perhaps half a dozen sorts. ' Afterwards they are emptied promiscuously into bins, barrels, or open bo.xes, where they are e.xpected to keep well through winter. This is a most ruinous method, yet it is practised by at least three-fourths of the farmers; or they adopt another course equally as wasteful in se- curing the fruit. Fully one-half is lost by this method of gather- ing, as the fruit ripens prematurely and decays rapid- ly by being bruised. The decay is \ery much hasten- ed where several sorts are mixed promiscuously to- gether, ripening at as many different seasons. Those kinds, too, which do not come to maturity till late in the winter or early in the spring, are turned and han- dled many times when assorting those which are in season during November and December. Light is found unfavorable to the keeping of fruit, and should be excluded: and it is often noticed that where fruit, particularly pears, is placed in a room above ground, and oftentimes in a very dry cellar, and left exposed to the air they shrivel. They should therefore be kept either in barrels or tight boxes. About the lime pears are needed for use they can be removed to a room of higher temperature and kept as closely as before in drawers or boxes, where they will ripen very speedily, and will possess much finer flavor than if allowed to ripen in a cooler place. By treating pears in this way, one variety can be made to last a long time. Summer pears ought to be gathered a week before ripe ; early autumn kinds about ten days or more ; late fall and winter varieties ought to be allowed to hung upon the trees as long as they may and escape frost. There is yet very much to learn in ripening winter pears well, more particularly the late sorts. But few orchardists are there who have been successful in ri- pening such sorts as Easter Bevrre, Josephine de Maliiies, Prince's St. Germain, and many other late winter kinds. In fact, it is found almost impossible with the fruit rooms, convenieucies, and cellars now in ordinary use. Some few enterprising persons in this country have expended considerable suras in buildings, etc., to ripen winter sorts, and in the main succeed well; but it is quite useless for farmers and many others to plant trees of such varieties of fruits that require so much care in ripening, unless they are prepared to embark into it extensively, erect the ne- cessary buildings, and give close attention to it; then it will pay and prove quite remunerative ; otherwise all trials or experiments will be quite unsatisfactory. SUMMER HOUSES— FRUIT— VEGETABLE FHTSIOLOGY. 283 6TTMMEE HOUSES. Perhaps on no subject connected Tvith horticul- ture is there more need of information than suitable decorations for the garden, or Garden Furniiure, if we may be allowed the expressive term, embracing arbors, seats trellises, and other structures of use and ornament in the <,-arJen. How often, when viewing gaidins ot the greatt»t prtttn ions are ne compelled to ^^a!k fiom one end to the other through beautiful LLa -z shadj walks and quiet uookp, without finding a rest- place — no rustic seat inviting us to enjoy to it fullest extent the quiet beauty of the scene. Among all garden ornaments the most useful and beautiful are summer houses. Every garden should have its little resort where th'e weary admirer of its beauties can find rest. These should be made as smiplo and natural as possible, without any attempt at costly display. "Insult Dfit Nature with absurd expenfp, Nor ppnil her simple chai-nis bv vain pretf'nae ; Weigh well the subject— be with caution bulU; Profuse of genius — not profuse of golj." AVe give two very pretty designs — the first from I ah English work, and the other from a drawing we took of a summer house built by the lartented A. J. DowNi.NG, on his owu grounds. Pleasant, yet mourn- ful, is the remembrance of the last moments we spent in this beautiful retreat in company with its great and good builder. There ia nothing so pretty for summer houses or garden seats as rustic work — the limbs of trees with the bark on — it is simple and appropriate. FEUIT. To compensate us somewhat for the loss of peaches in this section, we shall have abundance of plums and apples. The curcnlio seems to have almost ceased his destructive labors. Perhaps the severe cold of last winter was unfavorable to thejj. If so, with our great loss we have some gain. We never saw summer apples, especially the Red Jlstracan, as fine as at the present time. The cold, wet summer seems unfavorable to the growth of pears. They cannot attain much more than half their usual size. VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY- Mk. EniTOE: — I send you a short account of an operation of one of the laws that govern the vege- table kingdom, that came under my notice a few years since, — not as a lusus naturee, or ar.y thing new, but to call the attention of the naturalist to notice a law that probably has, and will govern every living tree that ever did, or will wave a living bough in its ambient atmosphere. Some years ago I noticed a very luxuriant apple tree in my orchard, about four- teen inches in diameter, then growing near the west bank of the Muskingum river, in Washington county, Ohio, began to show a blight of the extremities of some of its loftiest boughs on one side of the tree only, as if singed or scathed by fire, and of a reddish- yellow tinge, which gradually affected other boughs on the same side only, in succession from ten to twen- ty days. At length it occurred to my mind that some wrong might be in progress under the tree. On an examination among the tall grass, some two or three barrels of Kenawha salt was found on the ground about eight feet from the tree. The leak- ages from the barrels had corroded the grass and apple tree roots under them. The barrels were removed forthwith, and the blight soon ceased its progress. The above case seems to admonish us that the sap of the roots one side of a tree, has but little or nothing to do with or for the opposite side ; or, in other words, plants and trees have but a little or no general circulation of their liquids, as in general is assigned to living animal bodies. Probably the at- tention of others has been called to things similar. Br.iGHTOX, N. Y. E. Bowe.n, M. D. 284 THE YUCCAS AS HARDY ORNAMENTAL PLANTS. THE YUCCAS-AS HASDY ORNAMENTAL PLANTS. Thkrk are few plants so ornamental as several of the Yuccas, and j'et we seldom see thejn employed in any eonspifuous way, in any of our plea.'^ure grounds or flower gardens. Here and there, perhaps, in the gardens of our curious amateurs, one sees a solitary plant, but beds, groups, and masses, never. Yet there are no plants so altogether satisfactory in many re- spects, as two or three species of Yucca that we can name. The Yuccas are mostly southern plants — the name Yu<:ca being a vernacular application in St. Domingo. Some of the species, however, are natives of the Uni- ted States — from Virginia to Florida, and far from being tender, they are hardier than many really north- ern plants. Yucca flaccida, angustifolia and JUa- THE ADAMS NEEDLE, OR YUCOA GLORIOSA. meiitosa, bear a temperature of 10 ° or 15 ° below zero of Fahrenheit, and Y. gloriosa 6 ° below, with- out being at all injured. As they grow with great facility in any rich, light soil, and are easily propagated by division of the roots, there is no reason why they should not be cul- tivated in every flower garden. April, and the first half of May, are the best season for transplanting the roots. The Yuccas belong to the lilly tribe, in the natu- ral system of botany, and the tall stem, (branched like a tapering pyramid,) of superb liily-like flowers, of a creamy white color, that each plant throws up in mid-summer, forma one of the most remarkable embellish meats of the flower garden or shrubbery. But a great merit of the Yuccas, over most herbace- ous plants, is the constant beauty of the foliage, in fact of the whole plant, all the year round. The general appearance of the plant is not unlike that of the Agaves, or Century Aloes, (to which they are al- lied,) only the leaves are narrower — being only an inch or two broad. The.se leaves retain their deep green verdure summer and winter, and being system- atically arranged on the plant, and handsome in themselves, they are as strikingly ornamental among the snows of winter, as in mid-summer. A lointer garden, such as we have several times alluded to in these pages, would, beside evergreen trees, be most appropriately planted into beds or groups of Yuccas, to cheat the season out of its dreariness. We shall notice a few of the sorts most easily obtained at the nurseries, and most suitable for the gar- dens of the northern States. I. Yucca gloriosa, or Adam's JVeedle. — This is the largest and most striking of the hardy Yuccas. It is, in fact, an evergreen shrub, growing two to five feet high, with its woody stem or trunk clothed with leaves almost to the ground. The end of each leaf is terminated by a dark spine, which has given rise to the popular name of "Ad- am's Needle." The leaves are broad, stiff, and dark green, and have much of the pic- turesque effect of those of the Aloe. The flower stalk is generally about four feet high, branching out symmetrically on every side, (see fig. from Jlrb. Brit.,) but in strong plants is frequently much higher than a man's head. The blossoms, which op6n in July and August, are bell-shaped, pale white within, marked by a pale purple stripe on the outside of the petals. The Adams' Needle is a native of both North and South America, being found wild as far north as Virginia, and as far south as Carthagena. Though not grow- ing naturally, farther north than the form- er State, it is perfectly hardy as far north as Lake Erie — or wherever the peach ripens regularly. About Washington, we have noticed it in the fine pleasure grounds ol Wm. Stone, Esq., growing most lu,xuriantly, springing up and flowering along the sides of the garden walks, with little or no care. About New York it succeeds best in a perfectly dry subsoil — a deep sandy loam. Where it needs any protection, it is only that of a few branches of evergreens to keep off the sun. There is a variety of Y. gloriosa called superba — rather rarely seen, even in our best collections, which is still finer — being of taller and more free-like growth* and bearing a greater profusion of pure white tiowersi II. YdC(ia filamentosa, or Jidam's Thread. — This variety differs mainly from the former, in havino no spines at the ends of the leaves, but instead, the foliage is irregularly serrated, and edged with long threads, which hang down two or three inches long The same popular notion which coupled the idea ol Adam's N.eedle with the thorn at the end of the leaves of Y. Gloriosa, has found a corresponding thread on the leaves of this species. It is a native ol BOTANICAL GARDENS. 285 Virjjiuia; Jias stood many winters perfectly uninjured in the open borilers of our garden on the Hudson. Its growtli, however, seems slower, and it produces flowers more rart'ly than the Adam's Needle. Still, as both the foliage and flowers are quite ornamental, it is worthy of a place in every good garden. It flowers in September, the blossoms being whiter, and growing more closely to the stalk, than those of Y. gloriosa. III. Yucca Flaccida, or the free blooming Yuc- ca—This is one of the most popular and commonly cultivated sorts in our gardens — growing and bloom- ing with as much ease as a cabbage. It is a native of Georgia — but is hardy as an oak all over the northern states. The specific name, flaccida, is giv- en from the greater pliancy of the leaves, which, in- stead of being perfectly stiff, like some of the other species, are a little weak, and frequently bend in the middle. This species has no .stem or trunk, and the reader may get a good general idea of its appearance when in bloom, by imagining the foregoing figure of Y. gloriosa, with the foliage springing directly out of the ground — the leaves, however, being narrower, and more numerous, and the flower stem "about half the height. There are slender threads along the edges of the leaves. This Yucca blooms in our northern gardens as freely as the common white lilly — throwing up its beautiful pyramidal flower stalks, two or three feet high, about the end of June, and bearing a profusion of fine milk-white flowers, all the month of July. It is one of our favorite evergreen plants, beautiful at all seasons. lY. Yucca angustifoi.ia, the narrow leaved Yuc- c". — A fine hardy species, found by Ndttall on the banks of the Missouri — and grows and blooms in our gardens exceedingly well. The foliage is long and narrow, egded with threads, and quite stiff. The leaves spring out of the ground without a stem, like those of the last variety. The stalk is straight, and not branched, like the precediugsorts, the flower bells more oblong, and the flowers a pale greenish white. It blooms at mid-sunmier, and is a very distinct orna- mental species. Messrs. Hogg, of New York, have, we believe, cultivated it with success in the open bor- der, for many years. There are several other species of Yucca which are less known, but which would doubtless succeed in our gardens. Yitcca draconii — the Dragon Yucca a native of Carolina, growing eight or ten feet high, which is hardy in England, would no doubt be so here; but though it is to be found in many of our green-house collections, we do not hear of any one having made trial of it in the open air. There is a variety of Y. gloriosa with striped leaves, which is very ornamental. Y. stricta, and Y. glavcessens are an interesting species, natives of the southern states, that would well repay the labor of cultivation. We have said enough, however, to call attention to this really noble genus of evergreen plants — whose superb flowers and striking foliage, render them more valuable as ornaments to lawns, gardens, or rock work, than almost any others that we could name. As they are mostly natives of the sea shore, they are also especially valuable to decorate the grounds of the marine cottages and villas that are springing up at Newport, and other sea-side watering placea Most I of the sorts we have described may be had at very u.oderale prices, of our leading plant growers, and nothing but ignorance of their real merits, prevents their being much more generally cultivated. — A. J. Downing. BOTANICAL GARDENS. Botanical Gardens are on the Continent attached to all universities or collegiate establishments where the medical portion of the instruction imparted is considered as of any importance. For it is there universally admitted that botany, or the knowledge of plants from which the great majority of the most valuable medicaments are prepared, as well as chem- istry, which teaches the mode of extracting the me- dicinal principle to the best advantage, are two most essential branches of a medical and especially of a pharmaceutical education; and a botanical garden, when well conducted with reference to its special ob- ject, is found to be of essential service in such a course of botanical lectures as the student in medi- cine requires. It is also of great assistance to the professor who would give to his pupils such an inter- est in botany as should induce them more or less to pursue it beyond the lecture-room, either as an inde- pendent science, or as a branch of general knowledge, to be applied as occasion may point out in the vari- ous paths of life and business they may follow. Personal visits, in many cases several times repeat- ed during the la,st 20 or 30 years, to upwards of 60 of these continental botanic gardens from Barcelona and Palermo to Upsala and Petersburgh, from Paris and Brussels to Constantinople and Odessa, have led us to take much interest in the question of the real objects and practical working of these establishments. Watching such accounts of them as appear more especially in the German journals, official reports or extra-official complaints, we have been led to an ex- amination of the causes why, notwithstanding the recognized utility of many of them, there are yet others which appear far from answering the expecta- tions entertained respecting them as helps to useful instruction in medical or general botany. Leaving out of the question such large establish- ments as the Botanic Gardens of Paris, Berlin, Pe- tersburgh, Vienna, &c., where we every now anil then hear of splendid outlays (not even then always back- ed by corresponding annual expenditure,) the univer- sal complaint at all these gardens is want of funds. But is the best use always made of the funds which they have? Are not sometimes the main objects in- terfered with or entirely lost sight of in the vain at- tempt to supply commercially the deficient means? And is there not, generally speaking, a desire rather to do much than to do well ? — to crowd into the smallest space every variety of arrangement, scientific or practical, that has been thought of in the most magnificently appointed establishment, and above all to swell their lists with as large a number of names as possible, without caring for the reality or correct- ness of these names, or for the value or wortldcssness of the articles represented ? These are topics upon which it may be useful to enter into some further de- tails.— G. B. in Gardners' Chronicle. 286 THE LUXURIES OP THE GARDEN. THE LUXUBIES OF H'HE GAEDEN. r' — WnAT can be more delightful to the lover of good things than the fruits in ^ their season. First comes the strawberry, all smothered in cream; then early cherries, followed by raspberries, currants, , and gooseberries, and early apples, and peaches, and mel- ons. These fruits furnish a succession of delights, enough to satisfy the most determined epicure. Then there are the vegetables. First the lettuce, followed by radishes, all tender and crisp, when prop- erly grown; then pie plant, and cucumbers, and ^fos, and early potatoes, and sweet corn, and tomatoes. Only those who have these things growing in their own garden, where they can be obtained when need- ed, fresh feom the soil, know the luxury of good liv- ing-] No one can be truly said to live who has not a Garden. None but those who have enjoyed it can appreciate the satisfaction — the lu.xury — of sitting down to a table spread with the fruit of one's own planting and culture. A bunch of radishes — a few heads of lettuce — taken from the garden of a sum- mer's morning for breakfast; or a mess of green peas or sweet corn, is quite a different affair from the same articles brought in large quantities from market in a dying condition, to be put away in the cellar for use. And a plate of strawberries or raspberries lose none of their peculiar flavor by passing directly from the border to the cream without being jolted about in baskets until they have lost all form and comeliness. And yet, how many in the smaller cities and villages of our country, and possessing every facility for a good garden, either through indolence or ignorance, are deprived of this source of comfort? And how many farmers, with enough land lying waste to fur- nish them with most of the lu.^uries of life, are con- tent to plod on in the even tenor of their way, never raising their tastes above the "pork and beans " of their fathers. These remarks were called out by a commuuieation long .since received from a lady, who, after giving an account of the difficulty she had in inducing her hus- band to undertake the cultivation of a garden, writes as follows: "As soon as the frost was out of the ground, I went to work. When my husband saw I was in earnest, and ready to do the work ' single handed and alone,' if necessary, he was ready to help me. So we had the ground manured, took the ashes from my leaches, and spread them. Then it was well sptded up. I then had the strawberry bed thinned oat by digging about two thirds under, leaving them in rows, and placing manure and ashes between the rows. Next, I made a new bed of strawberries, and trim- med and staked the raspberry bushes, pruned and dug around the currants, trees, rhubarb, &c. After this, I sowed peas, beans, flowers, and so on. " Now for the result — the reward of all this labor< Last summer we had a good garden ; but I kept improving, and it is of the present (or rather past,) summer that I wish to speak, as it was not till this year that things came to perfection. In the first place, I had rhubarb large and fine, while before my rhuljarb stalks, from the very same roots, were so small and worthless, that I usually preferred buying to using my own. Then lettuce, and radishes, and early peas. A little later, the tall sugar peas, and other peas, as nmch finer than the marrowfat as the marrowfat is finer than the common field pea. Fol- lowing in ((uick succession, came cucumbers and sum- mer scjuashes, and beets, and sweet corn, and Lima beans. The excellence of these Lima beans I had no idea of before. I shall have quite a store of veg- etables to put in the cellar, for winter use, such as winter squashes, &o. All this, and a good deal more I have not mentioned in the vegetable line. "Now, a word for the fruits. The first fruit was the early strawberries. I had enough of this fruit during the whole season. Next followed white and red Antwerp raspberries, and then currants. The white Dutch were large and sweet — very different from the small sour things I have usually bought. I like the English black very much for cooking. Goose- berries I used for cooking, from the time they were about half grown until they ripened. Ths larger fruits have done well, with the exception of plums. I have had plenty of fine grapes from an old Isabella vine pruned as recommended in your interesting journal. " And now, having told my experience in garden- ing, I can say I am well paid for all my troulile. I now possess more knowledge of the prpper way of cultivating fruits, &c., than I ever expected to pos- sess; and though I did not learn it all from the Gen- esee Parmer, yet, as it was your paper that first set me at work in my garden — that first induced me to observe the nature of plants, and the practice of those who cultivate them the best — that first gave me a taste for reading on the subject, that opened to my view a new creation, and showed mo the wonders and mysteries, and beauties of the vegetable world, — I can THE ITT AS A PARLOR PLANT. 287 say tliat I woiilil not be deprived of the benefit I have gained from it, for the price of a hundred years' sub- scription. Emily." THE IVY AS A PAKLOR FUIHT. Ix our last we gave in this department some in- struction for the growth of parlor plants. We now introduce to the notice of the ladies the beautiful Ivr, the favorite of the poets, in an excellent article, by J. Jay Smith, of Germantown, Pennsylvania. Mr. Smith practices as he preaches, and his grounds are beautifully ornamented with this plant. Mr. S, informed us on a recent visit, that he raised several hundred young plants every year, which he distribu- ted among his neighbors, free, for the purpose of en- couraging their growth. AVe saw more of the ivy in Germantown than we have seen in all the county besides. "One of the most beautiful plants for a drawing- room, parlor, library, or dining-room, is the Giant Ivy. In Gonnany, and particularly at Berlin, it is treated as a window plant, where it serve for a curtain or screen. As it bears perfectly furnace or even stove heat, provided it is not exposed to the immediate ac- tion of the tire or flue; and as it is always of the deepest green, and grows rapidly during the winter; we consider it a valuable piece of information to im- part to our readers, that they may have at least one plant that will succeed in living rooms. It should have abundance of water, though never so much^that the roots will be regularly covered over with the li- quid. The box and mode of planting, it will be well to attend to. Our draw- ing represents one about SIX feet high by two and a h df feet broad, in the par- lor of , a friend, which is one dense mass of dark green foliage, except the p lints in growth; these are yS^ of a delicate pea color. I he whole appearance at a front window, either from an inside or outside view, IS rich and spring-like. I here is another advan- tage possessed by this plant as an in-door ornament, it the windows of the room happen to be raised by Mollv when she sweeps in frosty weather, the Ivy is so hardy a plant as not to be absolutely killed in a few moments, as would be the case with the wa.\- plant, and many others. In short, the ivy is the best house-plant we have ever seen. '• In the present instance, a box lined with tin, in which books were received from London, was used; four rollers being inserted at the corners, to make it easily movable. To prevent its having too great ■weight, blocks of charcoal, covered over with leaf mold, were placed in the bottom. This al.^o gave a suitable foundation, in which the roots delight. In one corner a small stiip was nailed, making a well, into which a stick could be thrust to ascertain how much water had accnmnlated; and rarely the box is turned on its side to discharge any surplus. This box externally is covered with strips of oak bark; a long- er piece being used in the middle of the ends and sides, to represent handles. This is all very simple and easy in practice, and once obtained will last for a long series of years, being moved into a shady spot in summer, and brought in-doors at early frost. Two or three winters nursing will bring the plant to the size we have mentioned; and if a little care is exercised to train it on one side of the trellis, it can be at any time cut from its strings, and a larger trel- lis supplied, as its size increases. The supports may be of oak, cut thin, interspersed with bamboo cross- pieces. ]n time it may require shifting to a larger ciise; and will then, if you do not choose to trim it to suit yous window or corner, form a large screen in a drawing-room, sufficiently dense to divide conversa- tion parties from each other; or several of them placed around the walls of a room used for dancing, &c., would form elegant ornaments. They would al- ways impart a warm and summerish hue, and should thus be trained for every conservatory, as a back- ground or terminating view. No person of taste ev- er sees our friend's fine specimen, without expressing a wish to possess just such another. The soil suited to this plant is a nii.xture of good garden mold and thoroughly decayed leaves. Prop- erly planted in this, the rapidity of the growth of the (iiant Ivy will be very satisfactory, whether in a par- lar box, or against a wall or tree. We should, how- ever, remark that it will be best to take a well root- ed plant from a pot; the ivy requiring a year at least to obtain a firm foundation in the earth, after which there is scarcely any limit to its progress. "The Giant ivy has not been generally introduced in Aoierica; but every one who has coached through Ireland will retain vivid recollections of its efiects on the eye. In our opinion it is one of the great points in the scenery, and helps materially to give that beau- tiful i.slaud its designation of "Green Isle of the Ocean." We should be glad to see it much more generally introduced around our mansions. Even in cities, a single ivy plant in a small garden, running over and clinging to an old tree or the walls, is a perpetual enjoyment. Where no old tree exists, you can easily bring to the spot most seen from the win- dow a stump ten or twenty feet high, and plant it (or the purpose ; or employ a trellis, taking care in the latter case to tie up the new growth regularly. The ivy succeeds best in the open air when planted on the north or northeast side of what it is intended to cover. If you have a coppice or piece of woods accessible to your country mansion, plant a few roots near the trees every spring. They will sometimes run among the leaves on the ground, making a su- perb appearance, and ever and anon will catch hold of the bark and run "high in air." when you can but remark with admiration the different size and appear- ance of the beautiful foliage ; that on the ground will be smaller and of a different hue from that which has got up into, and rejoices in, more light and air." 288 THE TWO FARMER BOYS. l(oqfi|'3 Sej)i(Hl(i)eif)f; THE TWO FARMEE BOYS. On oue of those sultry summer days in June, when all nature sfenis imploring the Great Disposer of events for wafer to relieve the earth of its thirst, ami prevent its becoming barren from drouth, two boys were at work in fields adjoining. They vvere farmer boys, and thus far through life had passed much ol their leisure time together. A scene of beauty, of surpassing beauty, surrounds them. It was a home scene — a scene which, go where they will in after life, will ever remain en- stamped upon the tablet of the memory. Broad a?,res of beautiful farming land, covered with lu.xuri- ant growing crops, was displayed in all their magni- ficent beauty before them. 'Twas such a scene as only farmers behold, and few besides farmers are fully capable of enjoying. Let us approach and make the acquaintance of these farmer boys, who we have said were at work. Martin Brown is the son of an affluent farmer; — Jkrry Freeman was the child of poor parents, but he is now an orphan. Martin has had superior ad- vantages; Jerry's opportunities for acquiring know- ledge have been meagre. But hear them that ye may judge; for they are now approaching the place where we stand by the fence, each at the same time. " A fine day," declares Jerry, leaning on the han- dles of his cultivator; raising his hat and wiping the sweat from his high forehead. " A plague ou such fine days — so hot — corn all drying up — I would like to know what there is par- ticularly tine about this day ?" replies Martin. " We ha\'e a beautiful place to work in here," — at the same time, with his eye, noticing the surrounding beauties of hill and valley — " and can see so much to enjoy," observed Jerry. " Well, I would like to know who could enjoy this, and be hard at work! I can see little to enjoy," responds Martin. " Why, we may enjoy the scene about us — the lovely view of wide spreading fields of grain, mead- ow and forest ; and yonder are the distant hills, look- ing so beautifully blue beyond the clouds." " Pshaw! Jerry," answered his companion, with a derisive laugh, " I can see nothing in the view you have pointed out, worthy a look or thought. We have nothing in Ms town worthy one's attention, and I am getting tired of the intolerable lonesome life I am leading." " I am contented," responded Jerry, " I find much time for reading, and subjects of wonder, inquiry, and admiration daily present themselves to my notice." A laugh followed this expression of content by Jer- ry, and the boys separated. We have heard enough of this conversation, as above, to learn (hat while at work different thoughts, feelings, and incentives to action possess them. Ob- serve closely and you will discover in the look, air, aud manner of the one evidences of contentment, and a desire to become acquainted with more of the world than what his own eyes rest upon — speaking plainer than words, that he is happy. The other wears no look of sunshine, his eye gives forth no light, and the manner in which he does his work, shows it to be prompted by any love save that of his calling. An hour later and we will discover the secret of this difference. The air which has hitherto been sultry, begins to move — the corn leaves, which were wilted, rolled, and dry, begin to rustle — and a roar of distant thunder breaks the stillness. Low down in the western horizon dark clouds begin to appear — they increase, and in dark masses roll on, covering the sky. The wind freshens — the leaves turn up — the swallow flies^ rapidly, darting here and there — the thunder roars more continuously — 'twill rain — it rains — much needed, welcome rain is falling. The boys, anticipating but a slight shower, retreat to a grove near by, where, sheltered by the leafy branches, they await its cessation. " How beautiful," remarked Jerry, as the rain came pouring down, and falling on the parched earth, raised clouds of misty vapor. " Beautiful," exclaimed his friend, with an accent not to be misunderstood. " ' Fog goes up skipping, rain will come down dripping.' Oome, Jerry, let us turn out our horses and go up to the corners; for I think it will rain all the remainder of the day." " No," rephes the other. " I have reading at home, and would rather read than pass my hours in such conversation as I would hear at the corners!" "Reading!" replies his friend, with another pecu- liar emphasis; " let your reading go till some other time; we will have fun up there, with the boys who always assemble there on rainy days." Jerby was firm, and Martin ceased to urge. Here is the se- cret revealed. Martin has lost all relish for thought or observation, and is only happy while in company with others of kindred habits. Reading he hates, and he goes up to the corners. Who has not witnessed the change that now came over Martin Brown. It was not a rapid change — great changes never are. It was a gradual, radical change. First it blinded him to the beauties of na- ture, and religion, and then to the enjoyments of home, until, finally, he saw beauty only in the achiev- ments of the clown, or in being the chief actor in a bar-room club, or some kindred amusement. * * Great was the change in taste, worth, and influence, in ten years. Arrived at manhood, and assuming its responsibility and duties, Mr. Freeman was a man of knowledge, talent, worth, and influence. Mart. Brown was yet a loafer — a loafer in language, habitT, and appearance, — his influence gone, his person ne- glected, his property squandered; he presented a sad spectacle of the result of spending his youthful leis- ure hours " at the corners." We are preparing a series of interesting and in- structive articles for this department, and shall com- mence their publication in the next number. Our space for this department is small, but we shall al- ways see that it is well filled; and in most of the numbers shall give the youth a fine and appropriate engraving. EDITOR'S TABLE. 289 JSifolr'^ I^bie. OiTRsrLves. — The publisher of the Farmer is very grateful to his friends for the very flattering reception he has received. Modesty only prevents him from publishing extracts from some of the flattering letters now before him. Old subscribers are returning to their " first love," and from present appearances, we shall not much longer be able to furnish our old friends with the complete volume for this year, as we are fast using up the sets. We shall not endeavor to speak our gratitude, but show it by good works— by makingthe Genesee Farmer more worthy the support and confidence of the intelligent farmers of this goodly land — and their wives, and sons, and daughters. To ALL WHO BUY Fruit Trees. — Fop several years the publisher of the Gen3See Farmer has been in the habit of attending to the wants of his friends in all parts of the country. He has supplied orders for Seeds, Implements. Books, Fruit Trees. &c., without charging one cent for time and labor employed in this work. The business has. however, some much increased on his hands, that he has of late spent days together in searching for and shipping articles desired by distant correspondents, and in some cases an increase in the price, or something of that kind, has compelled him to put his hand in his own pocket to make up the deficiency. These outJays, though too small in themselves to make any account of, have in the aggre- gate been large. He has now, however, made such ar- rangements as will enable him to serve his friends just as well, and better, and make a profit for his trouble. 'AH the readers of the Genesee Farmer, therefore, who are about to plant Trees or Shrubs, and intend to get their stock from this neighborhood, can send their orders to the publisher of the Genesee Farmer, who will see that tliey are filled properly and correctly, and with the very best trees the market affords. So send on your orders, and we will see that you are fairly dealt with. Notes of Travel. — During the past month we have made several excursions into the country. "We visited Orleans, Niagara, and Livingston counties. We found hay injured much, and of the wheat, as far as we could ascertain after a most diligent investigation, about seven- teen per cent, was grown. Immense quantities of corn on low ground, we found entirely destroyed. A farmer in Niagara county estimated that 1.000 acres in that county planted to corn was utterly worthless. Corn on high or well drained ground looked well. < Gov. Hunt is forming a delightful home near Lockport. His grounds, carriage house, grape house, and all things that make a complete country home, are in good taste, and in a few years this will be one of the finest places in the State. W. P. Townsenb, Esq., has a fine Nursery adjoining the grounds of Gov. Hunt. He is a great lover of pears, and a very successful cultivator. His trees, however, have suffered much from blight this season. We should give further notes of our observations in this direction, but being accompanied on our excursion by the Editor of the Country GtrJttUman, we prefer taking a notice of the trip from that Journal : About two years since we had the pleasure of spending a day with Ex-Governor Hunt, on his delightfully located farm, near Lockport. Mr. H. was then commencing, with the assistance of Mr. Jas. Vick, of the Genesee Farmer, a number of Improvements in the grounds around his resi- dence. Last week we paid Mr. Hunt another visit, and was agreeably surprised at the change that had taken place. The house is situated about five hundred feet from the road, on the summit of a gentle slope. The lower portion of the farm has been thoroughly underdrained, and what was once an eye-sore is now covered with beautiful green-s\vard, dotted over with young but thrifty trees. A hue gravelled carriage road winds through these up the slope to the house and farm buildings, and the newly form- ed but well kept lawn, studded over with fiower knots and choice ornamental trees and shrubs, contrasts pleasantly with an adjoining orchard of dwarf pear and other trees loaded with beautiful and delicious fruit. Wire fences with iron supporters, have taken the place of the lime- honored but not very ])ictutesque Virginia rails. This is a great improvement. The wire fences do not intercept the view, and the whole farm will in a few years have the ap- pearance of a beautiful English park, worthy the residence of one whom his political opponents could designate by no worse name than that of '■ The Country Gentleman." An osage orange hedge, planted in the spring of 154. looks exceedingly thrifty and handsome. It stood the last severe winter uninjured. In one hundred rods only sixty plants have died. Mr. Brancboft, of Medina, furnishes the plants, sets them and fills up vacancies should any of the plants die, for fifty cents per rod. Adjoining the farm ot Gov. Hunt, Dr. Townsend & Son have a fine farm and nursery of upwards of 2U0 acres. They have the finest collection uf dwarf pear trees that we have seen for some time; the pear blight, however, is making sad havoc on some of the varieties, especially the Glont Murceau. A row of trees of this variety growing by the side of a row of Louise bonne of Jersey was nearly all destroyed, while the latter was not injured. Here, as elsewhere, the Bartlett is apt to break off, at this season of the year, at the union of the pear with the quince stock. We counted no less than six fine trees, loaded with fruit, blown over in a few rods. There is little advantage in dwarfing the Bartlett. as it will come into bearing quite early enough without. Dr. Townseni> has had it bear in three years from the bud on the pear stock. The corn crop in this county has been seriously injured by the cold rains. Dr. T. says " there are thousands of acres that have never had a plow or cultivator in the fields since they were planted." We saw many such fields not only in this county, but everywhere we liave been. The weeds are in many places quite as high as the corn. Surely two sucli years as 1854 and 5, will teach farmers the value of underdraining. Last year the corn on properly drained and cultiNated land was but slightly injured by drouth, while that on land needing underdraining was not half a crop; this year the corn on drained land is rioting in al- most tropical luxuriance, while that on wet uudrained soil is a failure ; and what is true of corn is also true of other farm produce. It is impossible to estimate the immense loss tlie country has sustained the last two years, from the neglect of underdraining. Instead of urging farmers to " sow one acre more," we would advise them tounderdrain one field more, as the best means of raising cheap food for the million. Agricultural Orators. — At the New Hampshire State Fair, Prof, C. B. Hai>i>uck. of Hanover; at New York, Gov. AVright, of Indiana ; at New Jersey, Prof. J. A. Porter, of New Haven ; at Pennsylvania. Hon. F. Watts; at Illinois, Hon. D. J. Bakei: ; at Maine. Prof. J. A. Nash, of Amherst. This is quite an improvement on some previous years. All who speak on this subject should be competent to teach. 290 EDITOR'S TABLE. Agricultitral Books ani> Papers for Premiums. • — The Ohio State Agricultural Society have resolved to award several hundred copies of the Ohio Farmer and Ohio Cultivator as premiums at their next exhibition. Many of the county societies in the different States include considerable numbers of agricultural periodicals in their prize-s and the Clinton county (N. Y.) Society has adopted as a rule that one-half of all its premiums 'shall be paid in books or papers — the books and papers to be selected by the persons to whom the awards are made — that is, where a prize of $10 is awarded, $5 will be paid in cash, and $5 in agricultural, horticultural, or mechanical books. The Brooktield Agricultural Society, JIadison county, N. T., ofiFers copies ol the leading agricultural journals. The Putnam County (Indiana) Agricultural Society of- fers a very large number of agricultural journals as pre- miums; and an old friend there writes us — "The Gene- see Farmer has been well remembered by our agricultu- ral society. Water Pipes. — A correspondent wishes to know if any cheaper pipe than lead can now be had for conducting wa- ter from a spring to his house. We once saw an excellent earthen pipe, so made, that the ends were placed one inside of the other, and then cemented. It was made at Bloom- field, in this State. Who can give the desired information. Dansville. — We paid a visit to this beautiful rural vil- lage the past month. Corn and potatoes look very fine, and the oats never were better. Maxwell, Ramsden & Co., have just commenced a Nursery in this place, and their young stock looks exceedingly fine. Millet. — We see small patches of Millet growing in all sections of the country. On its value, information is needed. We hope some of our readers will give us their experience this fall. Ascertain how much you raise on an acre, and then its value as compared with other crops. Lunar Influnnce. — The New England Agricultural Journals are pretty generally discussing the influence of the moon on the growth of plants, tSsc. If they produce any more light on the subject, we will give our readers its benefit. TuE Enolish Skv-Lark. — Some ten years since, an English gentleman released a pair of sky-larks, on Long Island, and they appear to have survived our rigorous win- ters, as their notes are now occasionally heard on the island. Elijah Stark, Esq., of Versailles, Indiana, writes as follows, on the l6th of July : — " We have just passed through our wheat harvest, and tlie yield is fine for this country. Our prospects for good crops generally, are very flattering at this time." One pair of Pigs, according to Allmutt, will increase in six years to one hundred and nineteen thousand one hun- dred and sixty nine — taking the increase at fourteen times per annum. A pair of sheep in the same time would be but sixty-four. Farming in Wisconsin. — A gentleman in Walworth Co., Wisconsin, writes us as follows : The pages of the Farmer are interesting. They already begin to open up to me (a novice in Agriculture) the hid- den mysteries of "thriving by the plow." Having been engaged for nearly twenty years in a laborious and confin- ing practice of the legal profession, and tiring of its drain upon the physical energies, and its excess of mental efibrts, without a corresponding exercise of the body, I have left it, purchased a farm, and am trying to engage in the " more ennobling'* pursuit of a farmer ; therefore your publication is a welcome visitor. I have already seen many sugges- tions in it by which I design to profit. 1 am located in Walworth, Walworth Co., Wis., and it is probably one of the finest agricultural sections of the West- ern country. The soil is rich, yet I fear it is beginning to deteriorate from the truant system, or science, which many of our farmers evince in the management of their faimes. It seems to me that every farmer should look upon his farm as an indulgent friend, from which he may always liherally borrow, but must ever bear in mind the necessity of promptly restoring the principal in due time. It is the most natural thing in the world that our crops should an- nually decrease in quantity, when the life-giving principle is not annually returned to the soil. The Chinch bug is hurting our wheat in this section of the country very much. Corn, though rather backward hitherto, is now recuperat- ing, and promife? a good crop. Oats are abundant. Yours truly, H. AV. Clarke. Two Acre Farm. — The article recently in the Farmer giving an account of a "one acre farm," has led me to think I might possibly make a statement of facts that would be valuable, and I forward the same to you, hoping you will use itjust as it deserves. Nine years ago last spring I came into possession of a two acre farm, and at that time it was barely possible to get one ton of hay from the whole of it, such was the state of cultivation it was in. It was all in mowing at the time, except one-eighth of an acre that I sowed oats on, and they were so small that a good stout grasshopper could eat the heads off by standing on tiptoe. Circumstances prevented me from making much improvement on it until 1849 or '50, and now for the results of the past dry season; 2^i totiR hay, at $3 per ton $20 00 12 bashols corn, at 80 cents per bush _ 9 60 Corn fudder 1 00 21oads pumpkiDS 1 00 21 bush, potatoes, 30c _. 6 30 2 bush, beans, $1.50 3 00 38 bush, carrots, 30c 11 40 32 bush, turnips, 20c 6 40 10 bush, graft apples, 50o 5 00 Garden sauce 5 00 Growth of 140 standard apple, plain, cherry, and pear trees, inc. each _ 14 00 Growth 250 nursery trees, 2d year, 5c. each 12 50 " 1,100 « 1st year 3c. each 33 00 « 1,000 seedlings, >ic. each 5 00 Total l.$133 20 Perhaps some may think it is impossible to have so much on so small a surface. I would just say that my beans and carrots grew amongst the nursery trees, and the most of the turnips amongst the potatoes. On one small patch I raised a good crop of green peas, potatoes and turnips ; the peas were planted in the hiUs with the potatoes, and the turnips set both ways between the hills, getting three good crops on the same land in the same season, and nei- ther crop appeared to injure the other — at least they all did well. Now if this will stimulate another two-acre farmer to do the like out of nothing. I have my reward. — New Eng. Farmer. Peaches. — The peach crop in New Jersey, says the Newark Mercury, it is expected will be heavy in propor- tion to the number of trees ; the trees are, in fact, too full. Many trees, it is said, were killed last winter, and there are not, probably, one-half the peach trees in the State there were four or five years ago. [ EDITOR'S TABLE. 291 I II'nITED StATKS AORlCULTURAf. SoCIETT — CtBCUtAR. —A grand National Exhibition of Stock — Horses, Cattle, Sheep ami Sivine — open to competition to all the States of the Unii>n. an.l to tlie British Provinces, will be held by the United States A,ij:ricultnral Society, in the city of Bos- ton, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Octo- ber :.'3d, 2-Ith, -/oih and -'Gth. Twenty thousand dollars liave been guaranteed by patri^ otic gentlemen of Boston and its vicinity to defray the expenses ; the city of Boston ha-^ generously granted to the Society for present use. a fine public square of fifty acres ; and ten tliousand dollars will be otVered in rremiums, in the various departments. The previous Exliibitions of this Society — at Springfield, Mass., in lS-"'3. and at Springfield, Ohio, in 1851 — were eminently successful, and no efforts will be spared to make the present Show, combining as it does, the Four Great Departments of Farming Stuck, superior to its predeces- sors. The Premium List, with the Rules of the Exhibition will be forwarded to all who will address the President, or Sec- retary, at Boston, to that efiect. It is earnestly hoped that all Breeders, and owners of Fine Stock will feel it to be a duty, as it certainly Js for their interest, to contribute to the Show. The List of Entries, Exhibitors and Award of Premiums. and all the i>roceedingsof the Exhibition, will he published tlie Journal uf the Society, for 1855. Annual members of the Society, who desire to receive the Journal, should remember to renew their subscriptions. Marshall P. Wilder, President. "William S. King, Secretary. Boston, August, 1855. Melon Apple. — A late number of the Horticulturist has a beautiful cut of this apple, which is now obtaing so jreat celebrity in New York and the east. We have never seen but a single specimen of the apple. About nine years ago a friend returning from Central New York, brought us some specimens of different varieties of fruit, and among them some Northern Spys, over which he seem- ed to desire us to be much elated. After tasting these, we came upon a rich, red, good sized, symmetrical apple, and which seemed to us to excel any apple we had ever eaten. On enquiring the name of it, we were told it was a new variety called the " iSIelon " apple. AVe have never forgot- ten that fruit, and are not surprised at the celebrity it is now attaining. Judging by that specimen, it is as much supe- rior to the Northern Spy as the Spy is to a cucumber. True, a further acquaintance with it might modify our opinion of it somewhat ; but we are ready to say of it, as we have saM of single good speeches, that the man who could maleoae such ought to be able to make more. — Prairie Farmer. The editor of the Prairie Farmer, if only to show his good taste, should have been properly elated at tasting a good Northern Spy. But then, the " Melon"' is the king of apples. It is among apples what trout is among fishes. It has no supeiior. ^BuFF Color on Cotton. — Copperas and lime makes a very good buff color, and very cheap. The goods are generally run through the lime water at the commence- ment. About one pound of copperas, (sulphate of iron,) will dye ten pounds of cotton a deep buff. It is best to give tile goods a number of dips. A dark buff cannot be produced by giving the full strength of the iron at one dip. The color is an oxydeof iron. The goods are of a green color when they come out of the copperas liquor, but be- come yellowish as they absorb oxygen from the air. They have therefore to be aired well every dip. The lime and copperas impart a harshness to the goods, and they there- fore require to be run through strong soap suds, to soften their fibre. By adding about two ounces of sugar of lead to every pound of copperas, a color little inferior to that produced bj the nitrate of iron is the result, — Sciaitijic American. Horsemanship. — On Thursday it is proposed to have an amateur exhibition of horsemanship, open to all the world. For this purpose, the executive committee have placed the great driving ring at the disjtosal of this editor, who invites a general participation in this delightfnl exer- cise. The Board offer no premiums in this class, bat we hope to make such arrangements as will be satisfactory to every man. We hope to see at least a hundred side-sad- dles on that occasion, besides the "Pony Brigade," mado up of Young America in blue roundabouts. Particulars will be announced hereafter. The Ohio Cultivator gives the above as a part of the programme at the State Fair. We must say that it looks like running the thing into the ground. If the object is to ridicule State Fairs, it is all very well. " Guernsey Parsnip. — The parsnip is a biennial plant ; the root is very long and conical ; a delicious and sweet food when boiled for the table. A superior food for cattle. Cows fed on parsnips yield milk in abundance, and of ex- tra quality. l"he Guernsey is an improved variety. — jE,c- change Paper. Thousands of hogs are fattened every year on the island of Guernsey, on the parsnip alone. We saw scores of ship- loads of hogs brought to England, and on ship-board, and after their arrival until sold to the butchers, they were fed on the parsnip alone. This root should be more generally cultivated. PRICES OF FLOUR FOR TWENTY ; JjN TOE aio-vxes of January, fshrcart, ma January. February. 1836, 7 '25 7 60 1837, 10 \2}i 10 00 1«:;S,,... 8 75 8 25 1839. 8 S7M 8 95?< 18iO, - 5 87.'^ 6 37!^ 1841 4 93?i 4 87'^ 1842, 5 87K 7 43X 1843, 4 £6*4 4 57?^ 1844, 4 62J^ 4 82'^ 184.% 4 mji 4 84?^ 1846, 4 66 4 56 1847, - 5 12 7 00 184S, 7 87 6 25 1849,. ._ 9 00 5 87 185fl, -- 4 50 5 50 ISiil _ 5 00 B 00 1852. 4 66 4 63 I8fi3, 5 56 5 50 1854, 7 87 9 60 iy56, 12 00 12 50 WEIGHTS OF SrXDRY AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS, XSD OTHER ARTICLES OF USS TO TUK FARMER. Wheat, 60 pounils per bubhel. Shelkdcurn, 56 do do Kye, 58 do do Oats, - 32 do do BarWy, 47 do do rinver, 60 do do Timothy, 45 do do Kl.'tx seed, 56 do do Hemp, -.44 do do Blue prass 44 do do ' Buckwheat, 48 do do Peas, 64 do do Beans, - -..63 do do RCn, AND APRIL. March. April. 7 3I'i 7 60 11 26 10 75 8 00 8 25 9 00 8 60 6 75 5 62K 4 75 4 92,'i 6 12 ."i 6 25 4 75 6 12^ 4 93'.< 4 70Ji 4 iVA 4 75 , 4 76 4 62 7 12'i 7 62 1 6 12K 6 75 6 (10 6 60 6 66 6 60 4 75 5 00 4 62 4 31 5 00 4 56 Hedges. — A few dajs since we examined a hedge at the Nursery of William Reid, of Elizabethtown. N. J., which seemed to be impassible to both men and animals. The plant used is the American Lncust, and the hedge five years old. It had been regularly shortened in each year. Unlike the Osage Orange, the roots do not extend to a great distance, and it is both hardy and lasting. — Workiyig farmer. 292 ADVERTISEMENTS. "Worth Knowing. — One pound of green copperas (cost seven cents) dissolved in one quart of water and pour- ed down a privy, will effectually concentrate and dhatroy the foulest smells. For water-closets on board ships and steamboats, about hotels and other places, there is nothing 80 nice to cleanse and purity those places, as simple green copperas, dissolved ; and for sick rooms, it may be placed under the bed in any thing which will hold water, and thus render a hospital or other places for the sick, free from un- pleasant smells. For butchers' stalls, fish markets, slaugh- ter houses, sinks, and wherever there are putrid and offen- sive gases, dissolve copperas and sprinkle it about, and in a few days the " bad smell" will pass away. If a cat, rat or mouse dies about the house and sends forth an offensive gas, place some dissolved copperas in a cup or jar, any- where within "smelling distance," and the cure is sure. I have known a stock of dry goods which were nearly spoil- ed by a " skunk *' under a store, to be cleaned and restored simply by sprinkling dissolved copperas about the floor. — Sjlem Gazette. Cure for Wasp Stings,— Some unfortunate, last year, while picking peaches, was stung in the finger by a yellow wasp. The wound caused effusion of blood, and inflamed the arm to the shoulder. Saleratus, made into a paste with water, was soon applied as a poultice, and in half an hour had so neutralized the acid poison, that the swelling had entirely gone down, and nothing remained but the soreness occasioned by the puncture. This application has proved better than liquid ammonia, so far as a limited trial has proved, and is probably the best remedy for stings gener- ally. It is important that the nearest alkaline substance at hand should be applied till a better can be found, wheth- er it be ammonia, or even paste of fresh ashes. In the ab- sence of all these, a mud poultice is an excellent remedy. — Btiffalo Democracy. Warts. — The oil from the outside shell of walnuts or butternuts will cure warts by a few applications. ABVERTISEMENTS, To secure insertioD iu the Farmer, must be received a.s early as the 10th of the previou.s month, and be of such a character as to be of interest to farmers. Terms — Two Dollars for every hundred words, each insertion, paid in advanch- A CHANCE TO MAKE MONEY. PROFITABLK AND HONORABLE EMPLOYMENT. THE subscriber 13 denirouB of having an agent to each county and town of tLe Union. A capital of from $5 to $10 only will be required, and anything like an efficient, energetic man can make from three to five dollars per day ;~some of the Agents are re- alizing twice thatsum. Every in formation will be given by address- ing, with a stamp to pay return letter, WM. A. KINSLER, Sept. 1, 1855. Box 1228, Philadelphia, Pa., Post Office. DTJEHAM CATTLE AND OTHER STOCK AT PRIVATE SALE. THE subscriber will sell twenty fine bead of Short Hnrn both eexp-s and various ages. Amnug them are several Bull Calves from my premium Bull, Hubback. The Cows and Heife: •have also been served by him. Also, a superior lot of JacU.s and Jennets, and a choice selectio of South Down Sheep. Animals purchased previous to Sept. 2oth can be delivered at Cleveland, Detroit or Chicago at the time of the Mich, and Illinoi State Fairs. I may be found at home except fiom the 9th to the 22d of Sept and the lat to the 16th of Oct. SKTH A. BUSHNELL, Sept. It* Hartford, Trumbull Co., Oliio, Aug. 19, 1855. PREMIUM STRAWBERRIES WILLIAM IX. PRINCE & CO., FLUSHING, N. Y., WILL now supply all their splendid vaiieties of Strawberries including tho.'ie which have rivalled Hovey's Seedling, anc every other kind exhibited. A Dcscriulive C£.lalcgue, with prices will hf pent to applicantp. N. B. — A new Cntalogne of Bulbous" l'lowerfl,3and of all^new Plants, now ready for applicants.-"^ Sept. 1.— 2t. TO FARMERS AND ALL OTHERS INTERESEED IN AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, &c WILL riE nniLi.siiiii), ix octouer, 1855. THE YEAR BOOK OF AGRICULTURE; The Annual of AgricidtuToZ Progress and Discovery^ For 1855. Exhibiting the most important discoveries and improvementa in Agricultural Mechanics. Agricultural and Horticultural Botany. Agricultural and Economic Geology. Agricultural Zoology, Metercology, etc. Together with Statistics of American Growth and Production. A List of Recent Agricultural Publicationf. Agricultural Patents, with Notes by the Editor, on the Progress of American and Foreign Agriculture, for the Year 1855. BY DAVm A. WELLS, A. M. Member of the Boston Society of Natural History, formerly Chemist to the Ohio State Board of Agriculture ; Editor of the Annual of Scientific Discovery, Familiar Science, &c., &e. It is eviuent that a publication of this character, givining acom* plete and condensed view of the Progress of every Department of Agricultural Science, free from technical and unnecessarily scien- tific descriptions, and systematically orranged so as to present at one view all recent Agricultural Facts, Discoveries, Theories and Applications, must be a most acceptable volume to every one inter- ested in the Cultivation of the Soil, or the Ditfusion of Useful Knowledge. THE "YEAR BOOK OF AGRICULTURE" will be published in a handsome octavo volume, compiising upwards of 300 pages, and will contain an elegant Steel I'ui trait of a Dis- tinguished Agriculturist, together with Fine Illustrations of kew AGKicui.TURAL MACHINES, STOOK, FRCIT, &c., together With a Series of BEAUTIFULLY COLORED ENGRAVINGS. Although the publication of this work will be attended with very heavy expenses, it will be issued at tke low price of $1,50, thereby enabling every farmer and planter to posses a copy: Oq receipt of the published price it will be sent fiee per mail, to any part of the United States. As the sales will le very large, all orders should be sent immediately. A LIHERAL REIlPCTION TO CLVBS. Addresp, CHILDS h PETERSON, 124 Arch St., Philadelphia. £[t^Agents wanted to sell the above valuable work. Seplember 1. __^^_____„^ W. T. & E SMITH, GENEVA NURSERY, GENENA, N. Y. To Nurserymen and Dealers m Fruit 4* Nrnamenl Trees, Seedlings, ^-c. WE offer for sale a fine lot ol well grown Trees and Seedling Plants : 100,000 Apple, one year old, fine growth, of all the best leading varieties, $ 25 00 per 1,000. 100,000 Apple Trees for orchard planting, three to five years growth, 100 00 " " 25,000 Cherry Trees, two veara growth,. .$110 to 130 00 *' ** 10,C00 " « oneyearol.i, 80 00 " " 20,000 Dwaif Pears, 250 00 " " 10,100 Horse Chesnut, five to nine feet, 10,000 European M. Ash, ._.„ 10,000 Hybrid Perpetual Roses, baWtd on the best Maneth Stock, SEEDLINGS. 200,000 Cherry, one year old, extra large, ten to twenty-four inches, $t to 5 00 '< *' 100,0(10 Apple, two years' growth 5 00 " " 50,0(10 " one " " 3 50 " " 20,000 Horse Plum, one year's growth 32 OU " •* 50,000 Am. Arbovilia, - $20 to 30 00 " " 50,000 Osage Orange, two to three years, $5 to 6 00 *' " Orders received to furnish Apple Seedlings, grafted in root, best leading varieties, for spring of 1856, at $10 per l.noo. Orders solicited as early as possible. A whoUsale or reta 1 Cata- logue ft r one cent postage. Sept. 1. W. T. & E. SMITH. FRUIT TBTES. WE offer this fall a fine lot of well grown Trees, embracing all the kinds of aoknowledped merit. Our sloch conwistfl in part. of Apples, Cherries, Peaches, Pears, PluraK, &c., together with a very line lot of Mazzard Cherry Stocka, one year old, and we pro- pose to sell at a great bargain. The attention of Western Nurse- rvmen. and those who deal in Trees elsewhere, is invited to our stock of Trees. Mazzaid Cherry Pitta by the quart or bushel. Catalogue No. 1— Wholesale Circular for the trade. Catalogue Na. 2— Descripliye of kinds. J. fi. CONKLIN, Sept. 1.— It.'J r.ocke, Cayuga Co., N. Y. ADVERTISEMENTS. 253 TO ALL AGUE SUFFESEBS. !W principleI no poisokII RHODES' FEVER AND AGUE CURE ; OR, ANTIDOTE TO MALARIA. FOR the prevention and cure of Intcrniittent and Remittent Fevers, Fever and Ague, Chills and Fever, Dumb Ague, Gen- ei-al Debility, Night Sweats and all othorr forms of dise.ise whiih have a common origin in malaria or miasma. Tiiia is a NATURAL ANTIDOTE which will entirely protect apy resident or traveler even in the most sickly or swampy localities, from any Ague or BilHous diseare whatever, or any injury from constantly inhaling Malaria or Miasma. It will instantly check the Ague in persons who have suffered for iny k-ngtli of time, from one day to twenty years, so that they need lever hiive another chill by continuing its use according to direc- tions. The patient at once begins to recover appetite ar d strength, continues until a permanent and radical cure is effected, ne or two bottles will answer for ordinary cases ; some may re- re more. Directions pnn ed in German, French, and Spanish, impnny each bottle. Price One Dollar. Liberal discounts to the trade. JAS. A. RHODES, Proprietor, Providence, R. I. PROOF OF SAFETY. New York, June 11, 1S55. I have made a chemical examination of "Rhodes' Fever and Ague Cure." or "Antidote to Malaria," and have tested it for Arsenic, '' iry, Quinine, and Strychnine, but have not found a particle uf either in it, nor have I found any substance in its coropositioo that would prove injurious to the constitution. - JAMES R. CHILTON, M. D., Chemist. EVIDENCE OF MERIT. Extract of a letter from Prof. Fletcher, who was cured while engaged at Broitn University^ Providence, R. I. IxDiAyApOLi.s, Ind., March 1, 1855. James A. Rhodes, Esq.— Dear Sir: Yours of the 15th ult. has Deen received, and I am glad to hear that a medicine so efficacious to be introduced into this aguish country. I have the greatest intidence in its success, and can re-a&sure you of its happy effect ipon me in entirely breaking up the chills and leaving me strong id healthy. your wrappers that you will let the med jerits ; and standing thus, I am mostsan- I expect to travel over a large portion of our State this Spring, Old I shall have abundant opportunity to recommend it verbally. iVherever I go I shall take great pleasure in thus testifying to its nerits, and if you will iostruiit your Agent to let me iiave a few lottlea, I will carry them with me to distribute for ^nur benefit. In baste, I remain, truly yours, MILES J. FLETCHER. Lewisbfr*;. Union Co., Pa., May 2, 1S55. Mr. J. A. Rhodes — De.ar Sir.- The box of raedicine you sent me ras duly received on the lllh of April. I have solii about one-half if it, and so far the people who have used it, are satisfied that it has ured them. It has certainly ttopped the Ague in eAery one who las used it, and six of the cases were of long standing. My sister, fho has had it for five or six years back, and could never get it topped, except by Quinine, and that only as long as she could take ty is now, 1 think, entirely cured by your remedy. Lewisburg, Union Co., Pa., July 27, 1855. Mr. J. A- RnonES— /> PkOvjdence, June 29, 1855. :ig been informed of the illness of a poor but worthy woman, IS not be-u free fiom Fever and Ague a month at a time for he 1 L^t twelve yt-ars, I supplied her gratuitously with Rhodes' Fe- and Ague Cute. Siie look in all f.mr bottles, which completely testofpd her to lunilth and stiengih, and as four months has row *' ilap.^'-'d, there is no reason to doui>i the permanency of the cure. i of many other cases in which it has been used, MoDNT Clemexs, Michigan, July 21, 1855. Mr. J. A. Rhodes — Dear Sir: Send me half gross of your Fever and Ague Cure as S( on as po.s8ible. I have neglected to order until I sold tbe last botUe. Yours, H. R. BABCOCK. Pine Run. Michigan, July 31, 1855. Db. J. A. Rhodes— Dear Sir: Your Cure for the Feverand Ague has thus far performed wonders. It has not failed in one instance to perform a quick and perm ment cure. Some that have been troubled with the distressing disease have been entirely cured by using only one bottle of Cure. Please send ua four dozen, ao we have but three bottles remaining. Truly yours, LAtHROP& McLEAN.-- CAUTION TO AGUE SUFFERERS. Take no more Asenic, Mercury, Quinine, Strychnine, or Anti- Periodics, or medicines of any bind, the virtue of which is owing to sui::h poisonous drugs. The most they Gin do is to "break the chills " for a short time, while they are sure to cause constitutional maladies that cease only with life. Remf-mber that the only Fever and Ague remedy that is harmless as well as sure, is RHODES' FEVER AND AGUE CURE. For sale by ISAAC POST, Rochester, and Druggists generally throughout the United States and Canadas. Sept. I. _^^__^ Ddhu, ifAl. C. A. P. MASON, Apothecary. M'o^rs. Barr L Goulden, Aurora, HI., July 3, 1855, advise that •The Oire is selling very well. fVe have nut lost a case, and con- ii asure thing; also recommend it in preference to any thing '■ When Mr. B:irr was reque:ited to take the agency, he sa d should hate nothing to do with it, unle^is he found it better ihan tlie ntber Ague remedies already in the maiket." \ M^>;^rs. Craignpad & Browning, Indianapolis, Ind., July 9, 1855 j»y thitt -'.all we fiave sold has given f;ill SLitisfaction, and we have mo doubt of selling a large quantity as sjon as tlie Ague season sets C. M. SAXTON & CO., 16^ FULl'OiN oTKEET NkW YORK." publish the following BOOKS FOR THE COtmTRy, SENT FREE OV POSTAGE TO AXY PART OF THE UMTED STATE.^. 1. Browne's American Field-Book of Manures, $1,25. 2. Browne's American Poultry Yard, twenty-six .h thousand, $i- 3. Browne's American Bird Fancier, cloth, '25ct8. 4. Dadd'B American Cattle-doctor, cloth, $1. 5. Dana's Muck Manual, cloth, $1. 6. Dana's Prize Essay on Manures, 25cts, 7. Stockhardt's Chemical Field Lectures, $1. 8. Blake's Farmer at Home, $1,25. 9. Buist's American Flower Garden Directory, $1,25. 10. Buist's Family Kitchen Gardener, 75ct8. 11. Norton's Elements of Scientific and Pmctical Agriculture, COcts. 12. Johnston's Catechism of Agricultural Chemistry, for schools, 25 cents. 13. Johnston's Elements of Agricultu'l Chemistry and Geology, $1 . 14. Johnston's Lectures on Agricu'l Chemistry and Geology,$l,25. 15. Downing's Landscape Gardening, $3,50. 16. Fessenden's Complete Farmer and Gardener, 551,25. 17. Fessenden's American Kitchen Ga?dener, 25ct'', cloth, -SOcts. 18. Nash's Progressive Farmer, 60cts. 19. Richardson's Domestic Fowls, 25cts. 20. Richardson on tlie Horse; Varieties, Breeding, &c., 2.')ctp. 21. Richardson on the Diseases and Management of the Hog,25ctfi. 22. Richardson on the Destruction of the Pests of the Farm, 25cta. 23. Richardson on the Hive and Honey-bee, 25cts. 24. Milburn and Stevens on the Cow and Dairy Hushandrv, 2.5cts. 25. Skinner's Elements of Agriculture, 25cts. 26. Topbam's Chemistry made easy ft)r the Use of Farmers, 25cts. 27. Allen's Treatise on the Culture of the Grape, $1. 28. Allen on the Diseases of Domestic Animals, 75ct-(. 29. Allen's American Farm Book, $1. 30. Allen's Rural Architecture, $1,25. 31. Pardee on the Cultivation of the Strawberry, &c., 50cts. Si. Pedder's Farmer's Land Measurer, £Octs. 33. Phelps' Bee-keeper's Chart, 25ctB. .'^.4. Gutnon's Treatise on Milch Cows, illustrated, 38ctJ«- 35. Gunn's Domestic Medicine, a book for every married man and woman, $Z. 36. Randall's Sheep Husbandry, $1,25. 37. Youtt, Randall, and Skinner's Shepherd's own Book, $2. 38. Youtt on the Breeds and Management of Sheep, 75ct8. 39. Youatt on the Horse, $1,25. 40. Youatt, Martin, and Stevens on Cattle, $1,35. 41. Youatt and Martin on the Breeds and Management of the Hog, 75cta. 42. Munn'a Practical Land Drainer, 50cts. 43. Stephen's Book of the Farm, complete, 450 i II u titrations, ?4. 44. The Architect; or. Plans for Country Dwellings, $6. 45. Thaer, Shaw, and John<'on's Principles of Agriculture, $2. 46. Smith's Landscape Gardening, Parka, and Pleasure Grounds $1,25. 47. Weeks on the Honey Bee, SOds. 48. Wilson on the Cultivation of Flax, 25 els. 49. Miner's American Bee-keeper's Manual, $1. 50. Quinby'a Mi steries of Bee-keeping, $1. 61. Cottage and Farm Bee-keeper, 50cts. 52. Elliott's American Fruit-grower's Guide, $1,25, .^3. The American Florist's Guide, 75cts. 54. Every Lady her own Flower Gaj-dener, 25ct8., cl Hh. 50;lfl. .55. The American Rose Culturist, paper, 25ctR., ^loth, 50.'t3. .5^1. Honre on the Cultivation of tue Vine, SOcls. 57- CUnritnn C'dd Grapery, from direct American Practice SOcta 58. S ixTon's Rural H^nd BookR. 2 vols., $2,50. 59. BemeitN Rabbit Fancier, 50<-iF. .0. R.--Mn.Un'8 Vint^-dreBSfr'fl Manual, fOcts. 61. Xi ill's Pniiti Flower and Vegetable Gardener's Compaoioa $1 Sept. 2t 29-4 ADVERTISEMENTS. VIENNA PLASTEE THE BEST FOB, MND. I HAVE analyzed a spocimen of " Vienna Plaster, or Gyf- aou," and also specimens of "CAvrGA" and "Onondaga Plas- rtvR," and find them to yield respectirely as foilo^'s : VIENNA PLASTER. StTLPHATE OF Lime, 7092 Carbonate of Lime, - 4.45 Carbonate of Magnesia, _ _ 1.50 Alumina, ^-^..-. 2.46 SUica, - 1.84 Protoxida oC Iron, 21 Water, _ 18 33 Loss, 29 100.00 [ Kew Yotk. March 19, 1854. JAMES R. CHILTON, M. D^ Chemiat ONONDAGA PLASTER. Fcu'SATE OF Lime, 63 20 Sulphuric of Lime,. 101 Carbooate of Lime, 6.30 Curbonate of Magnesia, _ 1.60 Alumina, 2,80 Silica, 2.46 Water, 2-J.lO Lose, 24 100.00 ■ CAYUGA PLASTER, Sl^LPHATR OF Lime, 50.40 Sulphuiet of Lime, t 2.00 Carbonate of Lime, 18.00 Carbonate of Magnesia, 3 80 Alumina, -.- 4 00 Silica, - 4.40 Protoxide of Iron, 32 "Water, 16.50 Loss, 48 100.00 New York, April 2, lSo2. JAMES R. CniLTON, M. D., Chemist, It appears from the above analysis that the " Viknna Plaster ' is suiieiior for land to that of the Cayui^a or Onondapa, inasmucl OS it contaioH the l.irgest percentage of the "Sclphatb of Lime,* whiih in the most benehwal property in land Piaster. ThiP Plaster caa be found only at'ViKXXA, Geneva, Canandai- Gr.v, ViCTOi;, FisuBu's, and PiTXsroitD. Farmers should not fail to get the ViKNXA Plaster. July 1— tf. FRUiT AND ORNAMENTAL TKEE-S, SHEUBS, KOSES^ VIN1S3, &c., &a TITE subRcril)ers would respectfully call the attention of persons commencing the Nursery business, dealers in Trees and Or- chardistt', to their thrifty stock cf Nursery t,tutf, which comprises almost every desirable tested variety of Kruitand Ornamental tree, &<■.. ^c. J^ Their Depot and Green Houses are on State street, within a ghorl distance of the Railrrad ataiion. Pei-sons visiting Rochester to purchase Nursery stock would do well to give them a call, as purrha-ses can be made on very advantagenuB terras. The N«i-series aie located very conveniently for shipping to oil parts of the Sta'es and Canada^. Orders by mail punctually attended to if addi-esaed to the sub- Rochester and Charlotte Plank Road Nursene.s Rochester, N.Y. Sept., 1855-2t. C. J. RYAN & CO. OLD ROCHESTER NURSEEIES. TnK proprietor of these ext. nsive Nurseries ofTers for sale for the coming autumn, a choice culleetiou of Fruit and Ornamen- tal Trees and Shrubs, cousiating in i.art of 50,000 Dwarf and Standard Apple Trees. Also, 10,000 very fine Northern Spy do., fiom 7 to 9 feet high. ; 150,000 Dwarf and Standard Peais. 20,000 Cherries. I 10,000 Plums. . 10,000 Peach. Also, Apricots, Nectarines, Quinces, Currents, Gooseberries, Grapes, Ra.spberries, A:c^ &c. . , , ^ . rr The ornamental department is very varied and extensive. He would particularly call attention to his stock of Norway Spruce, Scotch and Austrian Pine, and other evergreens. Dealers or plant- ers will do well to sne mv inventory b^^fore purchasing elsewhere, which will be mailed free on pre-paid application enclosing a one cent stamp. Packing done in the most approved manner. SAMUEL MOULSON, OfBce 36 Front Street, Sept. 1 It. Rochester, N. Y. :genesee valley ITORSERIES.' a. frost & co., roohestep, n» y., SOLICIT the attention of amateurs, orchardista, nurserymen, and others about to plant, to their extensive stock of well-grown Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Roses, &c. &c. The Nui-serics are now very e.vtensive, and embrace one of the largest and finest collections in tjie country, and their stock is far superior to any that they have befoio offered. It is partly com- prised in the following: Standard Fruit TrzM.— Apple trees, eighty varieties ; Pear trees one hundi-ed varieties; Cherry trees, sixty varieties; Plum trees, forty varieties; Peach trees, thirty varieties ; Nectarine, six varie- ties; Apricot, six varieties; and other kinds, comprising every sort Dtcarf and Pyramid Fruit TVeea, of every description, for culti- vation in orchards and gardens, have received particular attention. They embrace the following kinds, and conipritje nearly the s»ane number of sorts as are grown for standards : peart upon the best European Quince stocks. Appltt upon Paradise and Doucaia stocks. Cfurrics upon Cerasus Mahaleb stocks. Small FruUs^ as Currants, eighteen varietieB; Gooseberries, sixty- varieties; Grapes, Native and Foieign, twenty-five varieties; Rasp- berries, si.^ varieties; Strawberries, twenty varieties; and other miscellaneous fruity as well aa esculent roots, in variety. Deciduous and Evergreen Trees, for lawns, parks, street?", &c. Evergreen and Deciduous ShrubSt in great vaiiety, including four hundred sorts of Koses. Hedge Plants — Buckthorn, Osage Orange and Privet; and for screens and avenues, American Arbor Vitxe (White Cedar), Nor- way SA-uce, &c. Herhacemts Plants. — A very select and extensive assortment. Green-kouse and Bedding- Plants, of every description. All itrticles are put up in the most superior manner, so that planta, kc, may be sent thousands of miles and reach their destination in perfect safety. Parties giving their orders may rely on receiving the best and most prompt attention, so that perfect satisfaction may be given the purchaser. The following descriptive Catalogues, containing prices, are pub- lished for gratuitous distribution, and will he mailed upon every application ; but correspondents are expected to enclose a one cent postage stamp for each Catalogue wanted, as it is necessary that the postage should be prepaid : No. 1. Descriptive Catalogue of Fruits (or 1854-5. No. 2. Descriptive Catalogue of Ornamental Trees, Shi-ubs, Rosi^a, tc. &c., for 1854-5. No. 3. Wholesale Catalogue or Trade List, just published for the fall of 1854 and spring of 1855, comprising Fruits, Evergreens, De- siduous Trees, Ac. &c., which are olfered in large quantities. October 1, 1854.— tf A. FROST & CO. GENESEE VALLEY NITISERIES, ROCHESTER, N. Y. THE stock of Fruit, Ornamental Trees, &c., ofTered by us this sea- son is very large, and much the finest that we have ever had for sale. Our Nursery grounds at the present momentoccupy one hundred and fifty acres of fine land, completely covered with very thrifty and well grown plants, which enables us to furnish the entire or- ders from customei-R, and give the most perfect satisfaction. Pack- ing of trees and plants is done in the most superior manner, by men of- long experience in the business, so that plants may go thou- sands of miles in perfect safely. Our wholesale catalogue (No. 4) for the Autumn of 1?55 and Spring of 1856, has just been published for gratuitous distribution, containing the prices ofTrees, &c., in large quantities. Nurserymen are particularly directed to notice our choice young Nursery stock, described in above catalogue, such as fruit trees l year old, from bud or graft ; fruit tree stocks i.f every description, evergreens of small size, &c. The following catalogues, containing prices, will be sent gratis by mail to those who enclose a one cent postage stamp for each : No. 1 Descriptive Catalogue of Fruits. jjo. 2 '* " '* Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Roses, ^c. No. 3 Descriptive Catalogue of Dahlias, Verbenas, Green House plants, &c." No. 4. Wholesale Catalogue or Trade List, (just published.) Sept. 1-lt. WMl H. LOOMIS, WHOLESALE and Retail de;iler in Fruit and Ornamental Treefl, Plants and Shrub-s of all the leading and most popular va- rieties. Standard and dwarf trees of Apples, Pear.i, Plums, Peach- es, Cherries, &c., all vigorous, stockey and well formed. Also, a general a^ssortment of Gooseberries, Currants, Raspber- ries, &c. &c. Ornamental trees and shrubs of every variety ; Roses a large collection ; Green House plants can be furnished on the shortest notice. Also a large quantity of Field and Garden Seeds on hand, and for sale at the lowest cash prices. Address (posl- oaid) Agricultural Rooms, South Bend. Ind. March, 1855.— If. . .. WM. H. LOOMIS. ADVERTISEMENTS. 295 UNITED STATES TENT AND FIAG MANUFACTORY, KOCIIESTER, N. Y. FOR SALE OR RENT. THE subscriber having been honored with orders for Tenta and Fhigs from mnst of thf» States of the Union, and also from several points in Canada West, would remind his old friends and patrons that he has materially extended his operations, and that he now keeps constantly on hand a large assortment of Tents and Flags of every deaciiption, adapted for AGRICULTURAL FAIRS, MILITARY ENCAMPMENTS, Camp "Meetings, Conferences, ExcuTsioiis, Public or Privale Pic- nic and Fishing Parties, Pulitinrl Gatherings, Ezhibi- tions. Parlies on Tours of Suriey or En/fineer- inffj ^-4, ^c, tchick he loili rent on liberal terms. He has ji large number of Tents Ruitable for CONFERENCES, AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES, &c. &c., Of each the following slzei :— 100 feet diameter; 80 feet do.; TO feet do.; 60 feet do.; 50 feet do.; and 80 feet by 110; 60 by 90; 50 by 80. Also lor CAMP MEETING AND MILITARY TENTS— 24 feet by 30; 16 by 24 ; 12 by 17 ; 9 by 12. These tents are of his own manufacture, of the very best mate- riil, and are every way desirable. When parties renting tents de Bire it, a competent person will be sent to erect and take charge of tliem. Tue light and portable, yet durable character of the Tents man- ufdClured at this establishmeDt, render them an article of unusual eijonomy and comfort in all cases where shelter or protection from the elements may be desirable while temporarily sojourning for ba iness or pleisure. He has famished Tents to the Agricultural Societies of New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Canada, and to many other Agricultural and other Associations, and can therefore with confidence refer those who are about pur- ehasiag or renting Tents, to any of the officers of these Aasocia- lions as to the character of his work and fairness of his dealings. TENTS AND FLAG3 OF EVEKY DESCRIPTION MADE TO ORUER. Having on hand the largest assortment of Tents on the Continent, he can fill orders for any uumbcr on short notice. Cjg^ All orders by Mail will meet with prompt attention. E. C. ■WILLIAMS, Rochester, N. Y. N. B. — A large assortment of Tent and Sail Duck const^intly on hand and for sale. Aug. 1. FAIRBANKS* SCALES. WAREHOUSE No. 189 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. THE?E celebrated Scales are still manufactured by the original inventors. By the enlargement of their work, and the iritio- ductinn of improved machinery, these Scales are now furnished at greatly reduced prices. We have recently added to our stock a full a-ssortment of ^ne Quid and Drugg-isi's Scales, Spring Balan- ces, Patent Beams, Weights^ (fC, and now offer at wholesale and retail the most complete assortment of weighing apparatus to be found in the United States. We have a new and convenient article which we denominate the Family Scale, it being particularly adapted to the wants of farmers and all housekeepers. ;. U:iy and Coal Scales set in any part of the country by experien- ced workmen. t Orders and letters of inquiry by mail, will receive prompt atten- tion. FAIRBANKS k CO August 1, 1855 — 3t 169 Broadway, New York. rEurr and ornamental trees. (AUTUMN OF 1?55.) OUR new wholesale C;italogiie or Trade List for the Antnmn of 1855, is ready, and will be sent gratis to all who enclose a stamp. The stock now on the ground is of the 6nest description, and by far the largest tliat has ever been offered in this country. Nurserymen, Dealers, and Planters can be supplied on very ad- vantageous terms, and they will 6nd it to their interest to cousuU our list and examine stock before purchasing. Our arrangements for packing and shipping are so complete that we can. forward packeges to the most remote parts uf the United States and Canada with safety. Any of the following Catalogues will be sent to all who apply, and enclose a stamp for each : No. 1. A Descriptive Catalogue of Fruits. No. 2. A Descriptive Catalogue of Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Roses, &c., &c. No. 3. A Catalogue of Dahlias, Verbenas, Petunias, and select new Grt-en IIouHe and Bedding Plants, published every spring. No. 4. A Wholesale Priced CatiUogue for Nurser\mtn and Dealers. No. 5. A Supplemental Catalogue of Fruits — containing pricea of Fruit Trees for 1854 and 1855, and lists of New Varieties. ELLWANGER & BARRY, August 1 — 2l. Mount Hope Nurseries, Rochester, N. Y. MANSFIELDS IMPROVED PATENT CLOVER HULLING AND CLEANING MACHINES. THESE Machines obtained the first Premiums at three successive Ohio State Fairs; also at the World's Fair, New York, and never failed to take the first premium wherever exhibited. It hulls and cleans from 25 to 50 bushels per day. Manufactured and for sale by P; ice $100. M. H. MANSFIELD. Ashland. Ohio. August 1, 1855— 3t. .^__ PEACH TREES. I HAVE on hand, ready for dtlivery the coming fall, 6,000 Peach Tiee:^, extra siz>\t, of the principal best varieties. For sale by the hundred, or iu sm;iller quantities. Address the subscriber. CHARLES W. SEELYE, Aug. l-3t. Box 455, Rochester. N. Y. PERUVIAN GUANO. PERUVIAM GUANO No. 1, with Government weight and brand upon each bag. Price $53 per ton of 2,000 lbs. gjPEKUViAS Guano No. 1, taken from the lower part c f the cargo, a little damp, with above brand upon each bag. Price $43 per tun of 2,000 Ibp. ~As the latter article is sold by some retail dealers for the best quality, be particular to observe that the damp Guano has the fig- ure 2 "under the weight mark. For sale by ANTOINE LONGETT, August 1— 3t. 34 Cliff St., corner of Fulton, New York. CUTTER RIGHTS FOR SALE WE will test our Hay, Stalk and Straw Cutter, patented Novem- ber 8th, 1853, for speed, eai* and durability, against any other iu the United States. J. JONES & A. LYLE. C^ For further information, address JONES * LYLE, Rocb- Rfttw, N. Y. Februarv 1. lfi.'T4.— tf ~ RARE AND VALUABLE SEEDS, ' BY MAIL, FREE OF POSTAGE. Orange Watermelon, 16 seeds 25 centa Ice Cream or White Sugar Melon, 16 seeds 25 The genuine Chinese Hoo-sung, 100 seeds 25 Negley's Seedling Cucumber, 12 seeds . ..23 Five-foot Cucumber, 6 seeds 25 Cherry Pea — new and curious — warranted bug proof, 12 seeds... . , 25 Citron Nutmeg Muskmelon. 20 seeds 12^ The celebrated Japan Pea, 20 seeds Ti'-i California Muskmelon, 128eed8 Vl% The Floral Kinp, 12 seeds 12i$ Mesi&xn wild Potatoes at $1 per bushel, and Sweet Potato plants at $1 per hundred, or S4 for five hundred, or $7.50 per thousand, de- livered to American Express Company at Macedon dej)ot. New York Central Railroad. Please send current funds or gold ; if net convenient to make ehange, I will return the change in Postage Stamps. I. W. DRIGGS, May— tf West Macedon, Wayne Co., N. Y. MERINO SHEEP. THE subscriber will sell a few Spanish Merino-fiheep — -bucks and ewes — of undoubted purity of blood. He will also dispose of ft part of his stock of imported French Merinos. Gentlemen purchasing from this flock can have the sheep for- warded to the principal Western towns at my risk. Sept. 1, 1854— tf R. J. JONES, Cornwall Vt. 296 ADVERTISEDENTS. BOOKS FOd THE FARMERS.! FUBNTSHED BY THE PROPRIETOR OP GENESEE FARMER. I The Cow, Dairy Husbandry, ami Cattie Breeding. Price 25 ct3. II. Every Lady her own Flowet Gardener. Price 25 centa. III. Tlie American Kitclien Gardener. Price 25 cunts. IV. Tlie American Rose Culturer. Price 26 cent,-!. V. Prize Essay on Manures. By S. L. Dana. Price 25 cents. V(. SItinner's Elements of Agriculture. Price 25 cents. VII. Tlie Pesta of the Farm, with directions for extirpation. Pri.-e 25 cents. vm Horses— their Varieties, Breeding, Management, &c. Price 25 cents. IX. The Hive and Honey Bee— their Diseases and Remedies. Price 25 cents. X. The Hog— its Di.seases and Management. Price 25 cents. XI. The American Bird Fancier— Breeding, Raising, &c. 26 cti. XII. Domestic Fowls and Ornamental Poultry. Price 25 cents. XIII. Chemistry made Easy for the Use of Farmers. Price 25 centa. XIV. The American Poultry Yard. The cheapest and best book pulilished. Price SI. XV. The American Field Book of Manures. Embracing all the Fertilizers known, with directions for uxe. Bv Browne. $1.26. XVI. Buisfs Kitchen Gardener. Piii-c 75 cents. XVir. Stnckhart's Chemical Fi.'U Lectures. Price $1. XVIII. Wilson on the Cultivation of Fhix. Price 25 centa. XIX. The Farmer's Cyclopedia. Bv Blake. Price $1.25. XX. Allen's Rural Architecture. Price 81.25. XXI. Plielps'a Bee Keeper's Chart. Illustrated. Price 25 cents. XXII. Johnston's Lectures on Practical Agriculture. Paper, price 25 cents. XXIII. Johnston's Agricultural Chemistry. Piice $1.'25. XXIV. Johnston's Elements of Agricultural Chemistry and Geol "XXV. RmdalTs Sheep Husbandry. Price $1.25. XXVI. Miner's American Bee-Keeper's Manual. Price $1. XXVII. Dadd's American Cattle Doctor. Complete. Price ?1. XXVni. Fessenden's Complete Farmer and Gardener. 1 vol. Price $1.25. XXIX. Allen's Treatise on the Culture of the Grape. Price SI- XXX. Youatt on the Breeds and Management of Sheep. Price 75 centa. XXXI. Vouatt on the Hog. Complete. Price 60 cents. XXXII. Youatt and Martin on Cattle. By Stevens. Price *1. 25. XXXIII. The Shepherd's own Book. Edited by Youatt, SHtiner and Randall. Price $2. XXXIV. Stephens's Book of the Farm; or Farmer's Guide. Ed- ited by Skinner. Price $4. XXXV. Allen's American Farm Book. Price $1. XXXVL The American Florist's Guide. Price 75 cents. XXXVn. The Cottage and Farm Bee-Keeper. Price 60 cents. XXXVin. Hoare on the Culture of the Grape. Price 60 cents. XXXIX. Country Dwellings ; ortlie American Architect. Price $6 XL. Linillev'a Guide to the Orchard. Price $1.25. XLI. Gunn's Domestic Medicine. A book for every married man and wom.an. Price $3. XLII. Nash's Progressive Farmer. A book for every boy in the country. Price 50 cents. XLlil. Allen's Diseases of Domestic Animals. Price 75 cents. XLIV. Saxton'a Rural Hand-books. 2 vols. Price $2.60. XLV. Beattie's Southern Agriculture. Price $1. XI^VI. Smith's Landscape Gardening. Containing hints ,cn ar- rancing Parks, Pleasure Grounds, &c. Edited by Lewis F. Allen Price $1.25. RECENTLY PUBLISHED. , XLVII. The Farmer's Land Measurer; or Pocket Companion Pri.-e 60 cents Xl.Vni. Buist'fl American Flower Garden Directory. Price$1.26. XLIX. The American Fruit Grower's Guide in Orchard and Gar- den. Being the most complete book on the subject ever published. L. Quiuby'a Mysteries of Bee-Keeping explaned. Price $1. The above will be sent free upon receipt of price annexed. KOCHESTEB COMMEECIAL MUKSEEIES. WE take pleasure in infjrming the i)ublicthat we are still 'ais- ing FimiT and Ok.vamentai. Trees, Grape Vines, Cok- HAXTS, STRAWliKliHiKS, &c. &c., In great quantities. We call especial attention to our Cheury Stocks, for Nurserymen. Apple ^ " " " Pi.uM " which won't have the knots. Angers Quince, kr. &c., and t^ the NEW SEEDLING STRAWBERRY HOOKER. This splendid fruit combines alt the requi>ites of a first class Strawberry in one variety, a thing not heretofore accomplished. Very large size ; Beautiful shining dark color; Unequaled excellence of flavor; Great productijeness and vigor; A perfect dower, requiring no fertilizing. Price $1 60 per dozen ; $5 per 100 DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE PIPE MACHINE. CHAR.NOLK'.S PATENT. BY this Machine, Drainage and Sewerage Pipes of all descrip tion.s, as well as perforated and other Bricks, Flooring Tiles &c., are molded with the greatest facility and precision. A man and three boys can turn out from 5,000 to 10,000 feet of pipes per day, according to sizes ; and if worked by horse, steam or water povver, a proportionate increase will be obtained. This Machine is in e.Uensive operation in England, where, in addition to the teatimonv of numerous Tile Makers, as well as that of some of the first Machinists of the day, the following Prizes have been awarded to it : By the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, at its annual meeting, 1845, as the Hrst Tile Machine with a con- tinuous motion, - -- i^5 0 0 By the same Society, the following year, as the best Machine of the day, - 10 0 0 By the Lancashire Agricultural Society, at its annual meeting, 1845 - SUver Medal. Bv the Highland Agricultural Society, at its annual 'meeting in 1846, as the best Machine, 5 0 0 At the meeting of the New York State Agricultural Society, at Sanatopa (1H53), a Working Model of this Machine was awarded the SILVER MEDAL AND DIPLOMA; and at the Fall Exhibi- tions the same vear of Lower and Upper Canada, held respectively at Montreal and Hamilton, the same Model was awarded a DIPLO- MA FROM EACH SOCIETY. It was awarded the FIRST PRIZE AND DIPLOMA Ht the recent Exhibition in London, C. W. The price of the Machine is £50 (half cash and remainder at six months), with live Dies for Pipes. Brick and other Dies at a mod- erate charge. „,„„ ti^ THE PATENTEE GUARANTEES THE EFFECTIVE WOKKING OF THE MACHINE. „£^ fTS^ All orders to be addressed to JOHN H. CHARNOCK, Drainage Engineer, Hamilton, C. W., the Patentee. January 1, 1856. — tf August 1, 1856. BISSELL & HOOKE*. Eai>t Avenue, corner Goodman St. THE GENESEE FARMER, A Mn\TULV JOURNAL OF A-GBICULTURK & HORTICULTURE. Volume XVI, Seooni Series, 1855 DANIEL I.KE AND JAMES VICK, EDITORS. JOSEPH FROST, HORTICULTUUAL EDITOR. EACH NUIOJER CONTAINS 32 ROYAL OCTAVO PAGES, IN DOUBLE COLUMNS, AND TWELVE NUMBERS FORM A VOLUME OF 384 PAGES IN A YEAR. Tttnus* Single Copy, S0.50 Five Copies, --J^ Eight Copies, 3.0C And at the same rate for any larger number. JAMES VICK. Ptihlisher and Prnprinirr. Roc.he.tttr. N. Y. ([Donttnte of rtts Numttr. Principles of Improving Domestic Animals 26! J. B. Lawesand Justus Von Liebig 26; Useful Hints •■ 2^; Root Crops— The He'sian Fly and the Wheat-Head Fly 2(.' To Relieve Choked Cattle 2'; Big Head— Evaporation and Filtration,. 2i, The Crops and*the Prices 27! Make Farm Life Attractive 2(i Freedom from Danger in Descending Wella ..-.28( Stump Puller— Seeding to Grass in Autumn— Corn and Pork.. 281 HORTICnLTDRAL DEPART.MENT, Ripening of Apples and Fears 28; Summer Houses— Fruit— Vegetable Physiology 28, The Yuccas as Hardy Ornamental Plants 28' Botanical Gardens 2S< LADIES* DKPARTMEKT. The Luxuries of the'Garden 28| The Ivy asa Parlor Plant ^ "*"" " TOCTH'S DEPARTMENT. The Two Farmer Boys -^'• KDITOK'a TABLE. Editor's Table ^S! ILLUSTRATIONS. Stump Puller - 28 Summer Houses - ;?' Adam's Needle, or Yucca Gloriosa - ^j; Giant Ivy '"' Vol. XVI., Second Series. ROCHESTER, N. Y., OCTOBER, 1855. No. 10. PEDTCIPLES OF IMPROVING DOMESTIC ANIMALS. CHAPTER IV. THE HOUSE. Op the domesticated animals whose form and pro- perties have escited the greatest observation and in tcrest, the horse is said to occupy the highest raiili. His powers of speed, of bearing burdens, and haul- ing loads are well known ; and perhaps no other quad- raped diflcrs more in size, or the shape of its bones, according as it has been bred and kept for particular purposes. If one wishes to have horses possessing the faculty of speed, he unites in blood those that possess the form and properties which he seeks to re- produce in the progeny; if he desires horses having strength as ivell as action, fitting them for sertice on the road, he will select females and males whose ex- ternal form indicates their adaptation to the use re- quired; and if he wishes horses adapted to heavy work on the farm, or in carts and drays in commer- cial towns, he will breed only from such animals as have great weight of carcass, and the most powerful muscular developments. For family use as saddle horses, ponies, and animals that approximate them in character have many advantages. They are easily kept, generally hardy, and able to perform a good deal of labor without extra food, or liability to disease. In the horse, as in all mammiferous animals, there is a long chain of distinct bones termed vertelra, which, bound together by joints, cartilage, and liga- ments, constitute the spinal column. Each bone has a perforation through it, so that when the whole vetebra: are connected together, there is a continued canal pa.ssing along the interior. Besides the perfora- tion forming this canal, each bone in the spinal column has two lateral projections, called transverse piocesses; one upwards, termed the spinous process the latter forming the sharp elevation of bones which commences with the withers, and extends along the back. The bones of the head, called cranium, are at the anterior termination of the spinal column. The bones of the face are in two divisions; the first, the lower jaw, is in one large piece; the second, the upper maxillary bones, and various other pieces, unit- ed together. In the sockets of the bones of both jaws arc inserted the teeth. These consist of six in- cisor teeth in each jaw, that is twelve incisors, (cut- ters) commonly called nippers; of two canine teeth in each jaw, one on each side of the incisors, and four canine teeth or tusks in all; and nest to these, and at some distance from them, are six molar, or grinding teeth on both sides of each jaw, that is, twenty four grinders in all. By adding the above numbers together, it will be seen that the horse has forty teeth for the proper mastication of his food. In the head, there are fen distinct bones; namely, two frontal bones, which form the forehead, two tem- poral bones, in which lodge the internal orgars of hearing, and others that need to be seen to be under- stood. Within the cranium, and filling it, is tho brain, the substance of which extends along the whole length of the back bone to the tail, and ia called the .spinal cord. From this cord and the brain proper, proceed fine cords, termed nerves, which are distributed to every sensible part of the body. Nest to the bones of the head are those of the neck, called cervical vertebra?, which are seven in number; next to these are the bones of the back eighteen in number, called dorsal verfebrfe ; next are lumbar vertebrerfect level, and will be in- closed by a tight board fence ten feet high. Within this inclosure a one-half mile track for the trial of horses will be carefully prepared. Its curves are such, as our engineer assures us, that a locomotive can describe them at top of speed ; consequently, locomotive quadrupeds can, with ease, put out their full powers without ^hrenlcing ?/^<,' as on many courses too often happei;s, to the damage of the horses' reputation for speed, the annoyance of dri- vers, and the disappointment of tlie 'crowd.' "On the nurtb, east, and south sides of the grounds, tdjoining the fence, will be erected stables for stock, extending in length over three thousand feet, with inner lines of stalls, at either end of the track. "In the accommodations for animals, we have adopted laany of the best features of the Englisli shows, which I, at least, have never seen copied in this country. The eli'ect to the observer will he fine, and the occnpants in no whit losers by the change. "The Coehitnate water, of which Bostonians boast, will be introduced and plentifully distributed through every part of the inclosure, for the better convenience of the exhibitors and the exhibited. " Seats for five thbusand spectators will be built on the west side of the track, on the home stretch, so that occupants may oversee the two most impor- tant parts of the " trial of speed," viz., the start and tiie coming in ; while their elevation will ena- ble them to witness all the exciting and tantalizing occurrences incident to a trot — the baulk — the break — the widening gap — the favorite's nose nearing the distance post when his competitors' tail has jiassed the goal! This improvement has, I am pleased to see, been adopted at most of our large shows. "All the buildings upon the grounds will be erected under the superintendence of Mr. John R. Hall, architect to the Society, whose professional taste and skill have secured to him an enviable rep- utation. These erections are beautifully designed, and with a proper distribution of the large and smaller tents over the vast area, can not fail to produce a fine effect. " ' An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,' and we shall accordingly take every precau- tion against the occurrence of accidents ; but as ' accidents will happen in the best regulated fami- lies,' our old friend. Dr. Geo. H. Dadd, who is onr veterinary surgeon, will be in constant attendance, to render his professional services in cases of need. " Of course, no one can now speak with any cer- tainty as to the number or character of the entries which will be made ; but we shall be sadly disap- pointed if in quality and quantity of stock it does not excel all our previous exhibitions; and, as you know, we had no reason to be a.shamed of either of them. We calculate witli considerable confidence on entries from your State, as well as from most of the other States. But do not judge of our Massa- chusetts animals by the Durham buU shown at Springfield, Ohio. If your breeders conclude to come on, do not allow thera to draw on us, hefore they have home, for their premiums as being a sure thing. "The Horse Department will be very certain to delight every lover of that noble (juadrnped. Al- ready we have been advised of the intended exhibi- tion of some of the finest imported animals in the country ; and our horses of home manufacture will be in mass convention, you may rely on it. The first trotters in America will try their speed on this national course for the championship, and the most famous stallions will be here to uphold their repu- tation. Come and see them, and bring all your frifuds. "The show of Sheep and Swine will undoubtedly be great and excellent, for their home is but a few hours' ride hence. " Our premium list has been sent to you, by which yon will see that we ofl'er in the aggregate about ten thousand dollars. Our expenses may be estimated as near ten thousand dollars more. Our admission fee is but twenty-five cents. So please give us your good wishes for onehundi-ed thousand visitors. We hope for more ! " On the afternoon of Friday, tlie last day of the show, a Grand Agricultural Banquet will be held under a large tent on the grounds. Seats for three thousand jiersons will be provided ; and when yon know that our excellent President, Makshali. P. 302 POTATO EOT. Wilder, will preside, and that Everett, Choate, WiNTHROP, witli other eminent gentlemen from other States, are expected to address tlie assem- blage, you will with reason anticipate an unusual treat for the physical and mental man. " I am on the point of departing for the Vermont and New Ilarapshiro State Shows, and this fact will account for the insufficiency of my reply to your querie3, and for the haste with which I sub- scribe myeelf. Yours, truly, William S. King." The New Yorh State Fair is to be held at Elmira, on the 2d, 3d, 4th, and 5th, of October. The citi- zens of Elmira are making vigorous preparations, and we confidently anticipate that this will be one of the most saccessful exhibitions ever held. The following are the State Fairs yet to be held : Hichigajl Detroit October 2 — 5. Missouri Brownville " 2 — 5. Tenneseee Nashville " 2 — 6. Wisconsiji Milwaukie... " 3 — .5. niinoia Chicago Connecticut Hartford Canada West Cobourg Iowa Fairfield North Carolina-, Ralicgh Indiana lodiaoapolLs Alabama Montgomery Maryland Baltimore 9—11. " 9—11. ' 9—12. ' 10—12. ' 16—18. ' 17—19 '■ 23—26. ' 30-NOV.2. THE POTATO EOT. The fact is not to be disguised, that in this sec- tion of the Country we are again visited with the Potato Rot — not in a mild and modified form, but in all its former .strength and destructiveness. In the latter part of July, in digging early potatoes, we noticed what we considered unmistakable signs of this disease. We had then heard no complaints on the subject. During August, we examined tlie potato fields in all this section, and saw, we thought, evidences of the onward march of the destroyer. About the 20th of tliis month, we wrote a short note on the subject, which appeared in the September number of the Farmer. It was gimply this : " Unless we very much mistake the signs, we are again to ie troxibled with the Potato Hot:' The subject soon attracted the attention of the newspapers, and, as a consequence, the price went up in the New York market. The city editors, however, assured their readers that it was all a hnmbug got up by speculators ; and prices again declined. We have no interest in raising or lower- ing the price of potatoes, but we say, advisedly, not two-thirds of a crop will be saved in this section of the country, and we should not be surprized if the loss was far more serious. Potatoes here are now about thirty cents per bushel. Farmers are digging those most affected, and are rushing them into market. Those who have sound potatoes had better keep them a time, until they see the effects of the disease. The following article by W. S. Pctrdy, of Brad- ford, Steuben Co., N. Y., we find in the Rural JYetv Yorker of September 22d : "The potato rot is making fearful ravages in this locality. At least one-fourth of the crop is already destroyed. As a preventive, I am decidedly of the opinion that your correspondent, Amert Wilson, of Marcelhis, is correct in recommending early digging and thorough drying in the sun. The first experi- ence I had with tlie disease was in the fall of 1844. It commenced in about the same manner as tliis year. I dug my potatoes the middle of September. Thej' were about one-fourth rotten in the hill. I let them dry in the sun, and drew them to the barn and spread them upon the floor 18 to 20 inches deep ; opened the lai'ge doors every morning and closed tliem every evening, and every day or two gave them a thoroiii;]! stirring. The result was, not a potato comraciicod rotting after digging. They were kept in the barn until the cold weather com- pelled me to remove them to the cellar. I then put them in bins, elevated about six Indies from the bottom of tlio cellar, and I never had finer potatoes, or had them kept better. My barn faced to the south, and the sun shone in upon them four or five hours every clear day. A great many of them be- came green, and consequently I supposed they were strong and unfit for eating, but to my surprise after they had been in the cellar a few days, the green ones were as sweet and palatable as the others, and some who used them thought them more so. "My neighbor, whose field of potatoes was only separated from mine by the road, allowed his to re- main in the ground for nearly four weeks after mine were dug. He then dug his and put them immedi- ately in the cellar, and buried tliem. The result was that by the first of January, his potatoes were all rotten, and he had to depend upon me for pota- toes for table use and for seeding in the spring. " I have pursued a similar course to that above described whenever I have observed the rot among my potatoes, and with the like result. I called on a friend yes'terday in the town of Orange, the next town east of this in Schuyler county, and found him digging his potatoes. His common or mixed variety were about one-fourth rotten. He had two rows of a new variety called the Bermuda potato, intro- duced in this region by the Hon. A. B. Dickinson. There were about one in twenty rotten. He had two rows of a variety that were projiagated from the ball or seed six years ago by Rufus Dow, of the same town. They yield about one-thjrd more than either of the others, and are very fine looking potatoes — not a rotten one among them." To MARK Sheep, wirnonT injcry to the Wool. — To thirty spoonfuls of linseed oil, add two ounces of litharge and one ounce of lamp-black : unite them together by boiling, and mark the sheep therewith. THOUGHTS FOB FARMERS— NOTES BY S. "W. 303 CHAKGES IN FARMING -THOUGHTS FOE FABMEES. The general advance in the price of agricultural products, the facilities afl'urded for sliipping pro- duce to market by railroads in almost every corner of our country, make important changes necessary in the character of our fiirraing. With wheat at five or six shillings a bushel, and twenty miles to draw it over a bad road to market, the farmer can not afford to buy guano to increase his crops ; nor can he afford to employ much expensive labor, even though he thereby secures a large yield. He can, however, afford to keep his land in good condition by a proper rotation of crops, and a judicious and inexpensive system of manuring; for when produce is so cheap, raising cattle is generally profitable. When corn, oats, and potatoes, range from one to two shillings per bushel, and hay three or four dollars a ton, it will not pay to expend much labor in hoeing root crops, or in purchasing superphos- phate for the turnip. But when wheat is worth from twelve to twenty shillings, farming becomes an entirely different matter. The great object tlien is to increase the crop, and it will pay to do so. It will pay to hoe and weed, and to manure with guano, if a cheaper home-made manure can not be obtained in quanti- ties sutHcient to insure a full crop. Then, with corn, and potatoes, and oats, ranging from four to eight shilliugs a bushel, and hay at from ten to twenty dollars a ton, it will not only pay the farmer well to exert himself to raise largely of these crops, but it will pay him to raise other crops for liis own consumption, and thus be enabled to dispose of those that bring a high price. An acre of car- rots for horses, parsnips for the pigs, some beets, and turnips, and miUet, all of wliich can be raised in immense quantities on a small piece of land, will enable the farmer to dispose of most of hi.-; corn, oats, and hay, and yet leave his stock in full as good condition. We designed in this article only to give a few hints to the thinking farmer, who will thus, we lope, be enabled to see the neces.sity of keeping ip with the times, and making such changes and mprovemeuts as changing circumstances may iemand. How TO Preserve Masure. — Put it in heaps, and fover it with earth one foot deep. Never leave ma- inre in the barnyard; put it all, year by year, on four land. NOTES BY S. W. It is refreshing to see that old pioneer in agricul- tural progress, the Genksee Farmer, now under new direction, in the field in all the panoply and renewed experience of the veteran soldier. A review of the theories and experiments of J. B. La WES and Jl'stus Vo.n Liebio, contained in the Au- gust and September numbers of the Farmer, is one of the best discriminating, analytical, and masterly criticisms, perhaps, that has yet appeared on this side the Atlantic in our agricultural .literature. It is the more valuable to the practical farmer, as it recites and explains, in part, the results of seven years' farm experiments, made by Mr. Lawes at Bothamsted, Bng. ; experiments conducted in the most thorough manner, by the aid of varied manuring and perfect culture; and what is better, with the sole object of ascertaining the truth as taught in nature's economy, rather than to confirm a cherished theory, precon- ceived in that pride of science which is too often the besetting weakness of the learned, and as often " fool- ishness" to the farmer, and a "stumbling block" to the neophyte in the study of agi'icultural chemistry. I feel that no man who loves truth for its own sake, can rise from a careful perusul of this criticism, with- out feeling that the great master of organic chem- istry, Baron Liebio, in his late effort to appropriate the results of the Rothamsted experiments to sanc- tion his own long cherished " mineral theory," has strangely garbled the spirit and argument of Mr. Lawes' published report of his long continued farm experiments. As the reviewer justly remarks, "Mr. Lawes' experiments point to no revolution in our present system of culture — and on this account will be leas acceptable to all ultra reformers — but it explains the rationale of the most approved systems of the rotation of crops, and general farm management, — confirms what practical farmers have previously but indisfiuctly perceived, and urges them to carry out still further, and by more economical methods, a sys- tem of improved culture they have already com- menced." I confess that the " mineral theory " as first present- ed in Liebig's most animated and truly rhetoricsJ style, once carried with it to my mind much plausi- bility; but all subsequent observation and experi- ment have more and more confirmed me in the belief that a soil is much more productive when treated with a carbonaceous manure, rich in nitrogen; first, for the ammonia it is to afford, then not less for its me- chanical amendment to the soil, by which it may 304 GRASSES. both collect and retaiu atmospheric plant food; than lOr the ashes or mineral constituents it leaves in the soil in its final decomposition. 'Tis true that when a soil is completely exhausted by continual cropping, without any return of vegeta- ble refuse to replace the ashes of plants in it, the application of pure ammonia salts would be nugatory, hence why leached wood ashes is such a desideratum on such thoroughly exhausted soils. But I take it that no farmer in Western New York has yet per- mitted his soil to run so near the starvation point by continued plowing, without a manuring crop of clover turned under by the plow, or its equivalent substi- tutes, the vegetable refuse of the farm composted v/ith the manure of his stables. And when this is done, we have the authority of the Rothamsted ex- periments for astcrling that nitrogen is the most im- portant ingredient in manures ; and that vegetable (carbonaceous) manure enough to supply the neces- sary ammonia (organized nitrogen) for the maximum vegetable growth, will also contain in its debris all the minerals necessary to form the ashes of the plants thus grown, and that the deficiency of carbonic acid necessary to complete the carbon of the vegetable structure, will be supplied by the atmosphere. Be- cause so much less nitrogen is found in the organism of plants than carbon, is no argument against its im- portance in aiding vegetable structure, as Liebio himself no longer gives the palm to potash, as the exclusive solvent of silica, for he readily admits, in his " Relations of Chemistry to- Agriculture," that ammonia is a solvi-nt of the phosphates and silicates in the soil, into available plant food; and that this view of the office of ammonia is true, the importance of that highly nitro^eiiized substance Peruvian guano, deficient as it is in potash, most clearly pr»ves. The experiments of Mr. Lawes have effectually exploded the theory that plants should be fed with suchmanuies as contain the most of those elements found in the analysis of the same plants; so far from this, wheat, which contains much phosphoric acid, is little benefited by the application of the phosphate of lime, while turnips, beans, pea.?, &c., which contain little phosphoric acid, are not only benefited, but the crop of turnips may be nearly doubled by its applica- tion. Ammonia salts, as contained in stable manure, is the best manure for wheat and the other cereals, and phosphate of lime or bone earth for turnips, &c. As the latter, by their broad leaves and extended foliage, collect their ammonia from the atmosphere, hence their importance as a manurial crop. But however valuable the Rothamsted experiments are to the English .farmer, they can only ba followed in these United States by making due allowance for the difference in climate, and varying the crop ac- cordingly. In the cool, moist climate of England, turnips have proved a great boon to English agricul- ture, correspondent only to the benefit derived from the red clover plant in the hot and dry climate of the United States. While our climate is uusuited to turnip culture on an extended scale, as it is in England, on the other hand, Mr, Lawes tells us that red clover becomes sick, and cannot be kept up as a continuous crop in England, even under the most generous treatment. In my next I will give the history of the first accli- mation of the red clover plant-in the United States, and the discovery of the manurial office of gypsum,, as applied to the g'a?sc3 generally, and clover in particular. s. w. Waterloo, Sp] ',. 21, 1855. GRASSES. We endeavor to answer all questions as promptly as possible. Some of the inquiries made are of suchJ a nature "that we can not answer them in the proper^ department, but have to give a regular article on the* subject. In some numbers of the Farmer almost! every article is given in answer to letters of inquiry, The present article on grasses will' satisfactorily am* swer several of our friends who have asked informa- tion on the subject. SWEET-SCENTED VERNAL GRASS— Anthoxakthcm ODORA' TDM. (Fig. 1.) Bontankal or specific character of distinction. — Panicle, spiked, ovate oblong, flowers longer that their awns, on short, partial stalks. The blossom of this grass is double, the outer onu is entu'ely diflerent from that of any other of thH grasses; its outside is covered nearly to the top witU stiff brown hairs, lying flat. Stem with two or threw short hairs and shining joints. Native of Britain, Dissections. — 1. Calyx or husks; 2. Stamens an(< anthers, or male parts of the flower or corolla, witll the awn and feathered stigma; 3. Feathered stignui on the germ of the seed; 4. Corolla husk.s, the uatOJi ral size. On a brown sandy loam, the produce of this graaa in the beginning of April, is — tbs. per acrei Green footl, or grass Nutritive matter At^the season of flowering the piortuce of grains is Wlien made into hay the produce wc-iglts At the lime the seed is ripe t)ie produce is — green food 6,jK Or, when made into hay, weiglis __, The weight of nutritive matter afforded by this crop is,.. The weight of nutritive matter which is lost, then fore, by taking the crop when the grass is in floweil exceeds one-half of its value, or 188 lbs. per acre. Tom GRASSES. The proportional value which the gras?, at the time the seed is ripe bears to that of the time of flow ering, is as U to 4 The projwrtioiial v1i]ua.j,",'m "'^'■t^'" being also, that the crop at the period of flo\\ft'r..observe(J, succulent, and consequently more grateful to stock than the former, which circumstance counterbalances the value of the extra quantity of nutritive matter, and decides in favor of the period of flowering as the most proper to take the crop for hay. The fact of nutritive matter being abundant in the seed crop will not be lost sight of in disposing of the culm, by those who save the seed of the cock's foot. Fio. 2. The produce of lattermath is — ' lbs. per .acre. Herbage 11,910 Jfutritiye mittbr in ditto 28) The proportional value wbWK lattermath of cock's foot grass bears to that at the time or fl^v^-ering va- ries from five to three, and seven to two, act>.,iJt;«(5 to the circumrtances of soil and season. This is one of the most valuable of the grasses. It springs very quickly alter being cropped, and con- tinues productive, with little interruption, throughout pasture- ^^as^lstit Wiff fidl*'vfflefi*'sf)Vn'Y)y'ftsM'Vorin a close sward, but becomes tufty. When sown in certain proportions according to the soil, in combi- nation with others, it is a very profitable plant. It requires to be depastured closely, under every cir- cumstance, to reap the full advantage of its great merits. In the pastures niost celebrated for fattening and keeping the largest quantity of stock in De- vonshire, Lincolnshire, and in Aylesbury, England, which we minutely and carefully examined, we found cock's-foot in every instance to constitute a portion of the herbage. In the most skillfully managed of these pastures, the foliage or herbage of the cock's- foot was to be distinguished only by an expeiienced eye from that of the Mopecitrns pratensis, Poapra- tensis, Poa trivialis, Lolium Perenne, Cyno$urvs crisiatus and other fine-leaved grasses; a fact which proves the futility of the objections that have been raised without due consideration against cock's-foot, as to its being a coarse grass. It wants only to be combined with others in due proportion to the nature of the soil, and judiciously depastured, to render it er[ual if not superior in value to any of the superior or essential pasture grasses. The cock's-foot flowers from June till August, ri- pens its seed in July, or, if the herbage of spring is eaten down to a late period, the seed does not ripen until Augmt, or even the beginning of September. The late Mr. Rogers Parker, of Munden, Herts, was the first who collected the seed in any consider- ble bulk for farm practice, which was afterwards ex- tended and brought into more general notice by Mr. Coke, of Norfolk, Eng. ME.4D0W FOXTAIL GRASS— ALOPECtJRUS PRATCTSIS. (Fij. 3.) Specific character of distinction. — Stem erect, smooth; spike somewhat panicled ; husks or glumes of the calyx acute; hairy and connected at the base; shorter than the awn of the corolla. A native of Britain. Dissections. — Fig. 1. Calyx and floret magnified; 2. Anthers; 3. Style and germen magnified; 4 and 5. Style and germen natural size. The produce of this grass, about the middle of April, from a clayey loam free from stagnant mois- ture, is — • ibs. per acre. Green food ,. -"- 9,52S Atferding nutritive matter. .- -- 483 At the time of flowering— herbage.. 20,4IS Dried, or bay, ditto .- - 6,125 Affording nutritive raatter 478 At the time the seed is ripe— lierbage 12,931 Dried, or made into bay - 5,819 Affording nutritive matter 454 The. ^^,lmo of tko meadow foxtail grass continue succulent long after the seed is ripe; hence it is thai the culms of the flowering crop contain proportionally more water and less soliii nutritive matter than the grass or herbage at the time the seed is ripe; a wise provision of bountiful Providence in the natural economy of the essential permanent pasture grasses, by which the herbage of this and other early flower- ing grasses increases in nutritive properties until the seecr \^ ,;„g^ j^^^j ^^ y^g y^jg jjjg general summer GRASSES. 307 grasses are in flower, (the period of growth at which these are most uutritive), the whole or all the essen- tial species approximate to a state of perfection as to their value for hay, containing at this period less water and proportionally more solid nutritive mat- ter. Did tliese early flowering grasses afford more nutritive food at their period of inflorescence, (as is a general property ol the summer, or commonly, but erroneously, called hay grasses), then in that case their value would be greatly reduced, inasmuch as the seeds ripen at an early season; and were the Pig. 3. culms to be reduced to nutritive properties by the ripening of the seeds, all that portion of the hay composed of these early grasses would be of an in- ferior quality, but which in fact is just the reverse. The seeds of these more valuable early flowering es- sential perennial grasses are light and oten defective; a circumstance which detracts from their otherwise great value, because of the less facility afforded to their cultivation in the increased expense of saving or collecting their seeds. For soils of an intermediate quality as to moisture and dryness, the meadow foxtail is one of the most valuable grasses for early growth, produce, and nu- tritive properties. In all the pastures most celebra- ted for fattening in England, this grass constitutes a large proportion, and is found to be closely cropped by the stock. There the foxtail flowers in April, May, and in the beginning of June, and ripens the seed in June or July, according to the season of flow- ering, which depends on the nature of the soil, the weather, and the site of»the pasture. ROUGH-STAI.KED MEADOW GRASS— POA TniviALig. (Fig. 4.1 Fig. 4. Specific character of distinction.—'Pamde rather spreading; spikelets three-flowered; floret lanceolate, five-ribbed, connected by a web; stipula oblong; stem and leaves roughish; root fibrous. JVote. — The sliarp-pointed sheath-scale of this spe- cies of Poa distinguishes it with the greatest certain- ty from the Poa pratensis, with which it is often confounded. Dissections. — 1. Spikelet of three flowers ; 2 Ca- lyx magnified; 3. Corolla; 4 Germen and feathered stigma. 308 GREAT TRIUMPH OP AMERICAN IMPLEMENTS. When cultivated on a brown loam with manure, the produce of grass or green food is — ii>3. per acre. About tbe middle or latter end of June when the gruss is in lloiver 7,486 Dried into hay - 2,2*8 Natritive matter in ditto 233 When the seed is ripe the produce is — grass or green food. . 7,827 Made into hay.. -. 3,62:i Nutritive matter in ditto 3C6 The lattermath produce is — grass. 4,764 Nutritive matter in ditto ^ 223 The superior produce of this meadow grass, its highly nutritive properties, the peculiar seasons in which it arrives at perfection, and the marked par- tiality which o.xen, horses, and sheep have for it in pastures, are merits which distinguish it as one of the richest -grasses for depasturing, on soils of a rich, moist mil m .■. On soils, however, of light, sandy, and dry pru|Kiiie8, it is of no value; the leaves became shi ivclcd up, the produce is not touched by the stock, and unless the culms happen to perfect seed, the roots perish under such circumstances. It has, in the course of these remarks, been already mentioned that all the essential permanent pasture grasses grow more lu.Kuriautly and continue longer in the soil as individual plants, when they are combined with other species of the valualile grasses. It is the case with the present grass. Tliere are no pastures in England celebrated for fattening properties or dairy produce, but contain a portion of this grass. The nature of the soil, as to whether it be inclined to moisture or to dryness, will determine the quantity of seed to be sown per acre in combination with others. This is a most valuable ingredient for water meadows. It is one of the grasses so highly spoken of in regard to the large produce of the Orcheston meadow in AVilt- shire. Worlkidge, who wrote in 1681, observes, "that at Maddington, in Wiltshire, about nine miles from Salisbury, grows a grass, Poa trivialis, ei Agrostis stolonifera, vm . IdtifoUa, ' whicn grass in some years grows to a prodigious length, sometimes tweuty,-four feet long.' The seed is ripe about the middle of Julv." AMEKICAN IMPLEMENTS IN FRANCK TRIAL OF REAPING AND THRASHING MACHINES AT THE WORLD'S FAIR IN PARIS. A FEW weeks since we received from Paris, by mail, a very good looking sheet, printed in English called " The American" It is dated August 4th, Vol. 1, No! 36. It appears to be devoted to Ameri- can interests at the great Exhibition. We notice a list of Americans in Paris, from which it appears there are thirty-five American gentlemen and seven ladies in Paris. The great contest, as it was called, between English and American Reapers, took place on Thursday, August tbe 20lh. The struggle, how-- ever, after all, was between the difierent American Reapers, as the Eiiglish machines appeared to be entirely distanced. The following account of the trial we cut from " The American :" The great battle is fought : Brother Jonathan has beaten John Bull. The question between Eng- land and Ameiica, which has the best Reaper, is finally settled : America has gained the laurels. Thursday, August 2d, the International Jury of the Universal E.xhibifion, undertook the trial of the various Reapers e.xhibiled. Eight machines entered the field of battle. A piece of oats was laid out in lots of eighteen to twenty-two ares, which were assigned to the difierent combatants. Three machines were tried at one time, so as to give the Jurors suffi- cient leasure to examine the work, and to ascertain the speed of each. A little one horse Reaper; a Bell machine, con- structed in France, and Mi. Wright's au'tomaton or self raking machine, started at the beat of the drum. The American soon ran ahead of the others, did good work, and cut 17.33 ares in twenty-three minutes. " The machine was worked only with one hand, and the antomaton. did the raking beautifully. The mechanical arrangemcutof this antomaton, independ- ent of its other merits, entitles it to the high consid- eration of the Jury. " Bell's Reaper required the most time, even the little Frenchman with a horse, not cutting more than a yard at a time, beat the great English grain har- vester. Two men were engaged besides the di-iver to steer, and yet the work was not what a farmer would call good and clean. ' "Afier the Jurors had noted their verdict, the next three machines made ready, and at the given signal started ; a curious little French one horse Reaper, .Manney's Mower and Reaper, and Croskill's Bell machine. " Manney did not loose a second's time; he started beautifully, and down came the oats in sihowens. The machine not being well balanced, cut crooked rows, and the discharge board forming an inclined plane, made the delivery difiicult and less regular than binders would like. The machine worked heavily, and the two large Normandy horses did their utmost to cut the allotted piece of 19.00 ares in twenty minutes. The work, compared with its competitors, was declared superior, and Manney would have carried the day, as to time, if the old racer of the New World had not been in the field. "Incredulous farmers began to be convinced that the Americans understand something about taking off a crop in short order; yet they wanted a still more regular cut, a clean field, less loss of grain, and nicer fi.xed sheaves. They critici.?ed Manney's reel deservingly, beating the grain too hard, and causing _ considerable loss. " The third machine was Bell's, of English con- struction (Croskill.) It was exactly like the other one made in France, and was looked upon with some misgivings. A stout pair of French horses, equal to Liverpool's best Brewers beasts, started the machine with all their powei-, and drove the formidable engine into the slender oats like an ancient war car into the ranks of the enemy. It only made one round, when something gave way, and there stopped the trial of the second Bell's machine. "This was the first time that we ever saw a Bell's Reaper in operation. It has two principal objec- tions : in the first place, the horses are placed behind GiREAT TRIUMPH OF AMERICAN iMPLEMENtS. 303 the machine, requiriug an extra man to guiiic the unwieldy contrivance, (at one time three men were engaged steering the niaeliine.) and tifrLir./ FRUrr GROWERS' SOCIETY OF WESTERN N. YORK. This body held its first meeting since its organiza- tion, in tlie Council Chamber at Buffalo, on the 13th and 14th of September. Below we give an accouut of its proceedings. About seventy-five members were present, all of whom manifested much interest in the proceedings of the Society. There were many and large contributions of fruit by amateurs, fruit growers and nurserymen, from dif- ferent parts of this portion of the State, as follows: Contributors. Ellwanger & Barry, Rochester Hooker, Farley & Co. do. A. Fio.st&Co. do. J. H. Watts, do. H. E. Hooker, do. J. J. Thomas, Macedoo, Wayne C H. P. Norton, Brockport W. R. Cnppock, Buffalo 1... R. Bullymore, do L.F.Allen, do. M. Cadwallader, do. Manley& Mason, do. L.Eaton. do .T. .S. Miller, do B. Timmcrman, do. ... G. Zimmerman, do Dr. Pratt, do A. Huydekoper, Meadville, Pa W. P. Townsend, Lockport . Penfleld & Burrill, do C. L. Hoag, do. A. Pinnev, Clarkson, Monroe Co. Loomis ^ Whitman, Byron R. B. Warren, Alabama, N. Y A. Hampton, Ellicott Number of Varietie.q, The exhibition of fruit was better than we have seen collected together for many a day. The speci- mens were generally well grown, and correctly named. We were e.xtremely gratified at the display of fruit, and we must say that this first meeting guaranteed much for the future success of the enterprise, which is for the promotion of horticulture throughout West- ern New York. ^ The discussions were very interesting. Much was said upon the stereotyped subject — " the cause of the fire blight upon the pear." There were about aa many different opinions as to the cause as there were speakers. It was a tough subject, and no progress was made. ■ When a tree was attacked, it was generally thought best to amputate the diseased branch some distance below the point where it had extended. Different persons named sorts of pears which, from their observation, were most subject to blight. We cannot see in what manner this is to be of much bene- fit. All of the kinds which are there mentioned as being subject to blight are those that are cultivated' extensively, while those sorts of which but few are grown are not noticed; yet they may be just as sub- ject to this disease, and in many cases far more so. What kind of a list shall we now make out to plant of pears ? Would it be those which are not enume- rated ? Of those not enumerated, there are not pro- bably ten grown, while of those which are stated as liable to blight there are hundreds. If an orchardist had an orchard of one hundred pear trees, say of the Bartlett, White Doyenne, Made- leine, Vicar of Winkjield, and Louise Bonne de Jer- sey, out of which ten should blight; adjoining these there were ten more trees of another sort which en- tirely escaped, still this does not show that the Bart- lett, Wliite Doyenne, etc., are more subject to blight than the kind of ten trees of which none were at- tacked. To ascertain what sorts of pears are most subject to blight, other means must be adopted. As a general rule, however, we believe that those sorts of pears are more subject to disease whose habits of growth are very luxuriant, as the woody matter of which they are composed is less compact and firm. On ripening of pears something was said concern- ing which much is yet to be learned. To save plums from the ravages of the curculio, allow pigs and poultry to have access to the ground under the trees, as they will destroy the decayed fruit when it drops, and with it the insects that would continue its destruction the following season. The following are the notes we took at the time: At 12 o'clock, Jonif J. Thomas, the President of the Societ}', called the meeting to order. The following business committee were appoint- ed : BAnEY, of Koohester ; Allen and Coppook, of Buffalo; BnKRiLL, of Lockport; and Pinney, of Brockport. Tlie Convention then atljourned. At 3 o'clock the Convention re-assembled, and Mr. Baeby, from the Committee on Business, re- FRUIT GROWERS' SOCIETY OP WESTERN NEW YORK. 31-' ported tliat the Jiseases of fruit trees should be dis- cussed in tlie following order : 1st, Fire blight in Pear, Applp, aud Quince trees. 2d, Leaf blight in same trees. 3d, Cracking of the fruit. 4tli, Black knot on Pluuis. 5th, Mildew on early Grapes. Iiiiccfs. — 1st, Curculio. 2d, Apple borer. 3d, Apple and Tear insects. 4th, Peach borer. The di.scufsion to be continued till half past five o'clock, and on Friday from half past eight tUl one. The subject of Fire Blight was then discussed, in which Messrs. Allen, of Black Rock ; Thomas, of Macedon ; Townsend and IIoag, of Lockport ; OoppocK and Manly of Buffalo; Baert and HooKKE, of Rochester; and others, participated. Mr. Allen did not know much about it. Has an orchard of one thousand pear trees, dwarfs and standards, but has not seen any blight among them till this summer. A number of his trees had been attacked, some killed outright, several of them .being Stevens' Genesee. He fou«d the disease to increase much more rapidly, and was far more dis- astrous, during moist hot weather. Then the at- mosphere is more or less charged ■with electricity ; hence concluded that the disease was the result of electricity. He showed a blighted limb of pear tree, containing sever.al very fair specimens of fruit nearly ripe, and said that the fruit upon this branch about three weeks ago, when attacked with the blight, was not larger than marbles; and he felt confident, from the dry, withered appearance of the branch, looking as if it had been placed in the fire and burnt, that not the least particle of sap had passed the diseased part since that time, and pre- sumed that the fruit received sustenance from the atmosphere only. Thought by stating this fact, it .might prove to be of value. Mr. Thomas remarked that his trees had been badly affected. Could not account for the disease, but believed it contagious; and whenever he dis- covered any symptoms of blight, he invariably am- putated the diseased portion, and burnt or buried the parts cut off. Concerning electricity, he liad never heard of it being injurious to plants, and knew evil results arising from it only when it was escaping. He thought that the theory of the sap bursting the vessels, which had been assigned as the cause of the blight, and also of the rust in wheat, was hardly plausible. He had made exam- inations with a most powerful microscope, and from such observations was forced to believe that the rust is occasioned by the growth of fungi. Thought that no pressure of sap would burst the vessels. He wondered that they did not liave the blight in many sections heretofore ; the atmosphere nndoubtedly was equally as destructive then as now. He has noticed in hot moist weather, the blight extend, and much more during sudden changes of the atmosphere, particularly from cold to warm. Mr. Townsend was sorry to say that he had had considerable experience with the blight, and accord- ing to his belief thought it to be a rupture of the inner vessels of the stalk of the tree, caused by a sur- charge of sap acted upon by a moist atmosphere, and excessive heat, when the plants were making a rapid growth. The disease was the same as rust in wheat. He could hardly consider the disease infectious, as he had thoroughly tested the matter this season, and was fully convinced there was no reason to give any credence to such an opinion. He had a row of pears, Gtoi(t Morceau and Belle Lvcrative, planted alter- nately. A Glout Morceau planted at the end was attacked fiist, in ten days after the next Glout Mor- ceau, and so continued till finally all the Glout Mor- ccau's were killed, while the Belle Liicrathcs were untouched. Had a number of trees attacked on the 10th of August last, and Inst ninety Glout Morceau. Adjoining the row of Glout Morceau there were rows of Beurre Diet, Beurre d'Amulis, some Passe Col- mars, and lost none; following there are five rows of Louise Bonne de Jersey, \Wth a few Oswego Beurre, and lost only three Louise Bonne. With the Louise Bonne the blight always attacked the body. Has standard White Doyenne blighted. The disease at- tacked the body of the tree, forming a circle around it about four inches in diameter, while both above and below this point the trunk and branches were apparently uninjured. Blight was greater during hot moist weather, and had noticed at such stages of the atmosphere that rust in wheat exteuded itself con- siderably. His ground is good, and previous to plant- ing was occupied by hoed crops. Soil deep, sandy clay loam, with a sandy clay subsoil. Mr. CoppocK has a row of Bartlelt, Louise Bonne de Jersey, Vicar of JVinkJield, White Doyenne, and Glout Morceau; six plants of which are blighted, but the Glout Morceau has escaped. The disease was so active in these cases, that on one day they were perfectly healthy and twenty-four hours after entirely destroyed. Mr. Hooker thought the disease contagious, as he bad seen sorts entirely destroyed one after the other. AYhenever the bhght makes its appearance upon his 316 FRUIT GROWERS' SOCIETY OF WESTERN NEW YORK. trees, he cuts off the limb affected and destroys it at once. Has noticed the disease extend itself at dif- ferent times during the growing season, but during the mouth of August it was most fatal. Passe Col- mar has blighted more than any other sort with him. Some Tlcar of ffinkjidd and a few Glout Morccau. Thinks that the disease is so intricate, and so far be- yond our comprehension, that it is useless to try to ascertain the cause; and believes that fire blight docs not destroy more than one to two per cent. Mr. Tow.NSKNn, in reply to an inquiry, stated that he had had in his grounds instances of the frozen sap blight mentioned by Downing. Mr. B.4RRY had no theory for the disease. A few years ago they suffered very much from it. Thought it was not a general disease, but, like the yellow fever, confined to certain localities, and was the result of atmo.spheric action, and could not be accounted for any more than the cholera. The disease seemed to be quite migratory in its habits. He remembered very well when there was not a case in Lockport, in fact did not know what it was; now they have it badly. In Buffalo it is just commencing, while in Rochester none is seen comparatively. Mr. Prince thought that the cells were gorged with sap. Mr. P. thought ten years ago that it was an insect, but has given it up, and believes now that it is caused by the atmosphere, owing to the peculiar state of the sap and the atmosphere at the same time. Thinks that some sorts are more subject to blight than others, and says that such sorts blight worse that possess large sap vessels — say the strong grow- ing varieties. Mr. HoAG noticed that trees blighted worse while under high cultivation, and during change of the at- mosphere from cool to hot moist weather. Mr. PiNNET purchased one hundred pear trees, equal quantities of Swan's Orange, Flemish Bcanty, Tyson, Madeleine, and Glout Morceau; lost all of the Swan's Orange and some Glout Morceau. Mr. Manly thoughC that Glout Morceau was more affected by blight than any other sort. Mr. TuoJiAs suggested, as a means of arriving defi- nitely at the varieties of pears most affected by the blight, that each member should in the morning bi-ing in a list of jiears most liable to Might, with a descrip- tion of the soil in which the trees were grown, and the mode of culture. ' The meeting then adjourned till 8 J o'clock Friday morning. The members met at the appointed hour; Mr. L. F. Allen in the chair; who read a list of pears most susceptible to blight in the opinion of several of the mcmbei's. J. J. Thomas, Macedon. — Madeleine, Passe Col- mar, Bartlett, Stevens' Genesee, Vicar of IFinkJield, Glout Morceau. Most liable to blight in the order named. Least subject to blight S«ctei. Soil clayey; sandy and loamy soil; subsoil, clay. J. Frost, Rochester. — Have had only single speci- mens killed of any variety, they being Vicar of fVink- feld, Bartlett, and Glout Morceau. Soil, strong sandy loam; clay subsoil. A. LooMis, Byron. — Van Mons, Vicar oj fVink- feld, Madeleine, Bartlett. Soil, sandy loam; grav- elly subsoil. Jno. B. Eaton, Buffalo. — Colmar d'Jlremberg, Gloul Morceau, Passe Colmar, Seckel, Stevens' Genesee, Bartlett, Duchessed'Angouleme. Soil, sandy loam; gravelly subsoil. A. PiNNET, Clarkson. — Swan's Oi-ange, Made- leine, Glout Morceau, Stevens' Genesee. Strong sandy loam; clay Shbsoil. C. M. Hooker, Rochester. — Glout Morceau, Passe Colmar, Stvan's Orange, Madeleine. P. Barry, Rochester. — In the nursery, Glout Mor- ceau nnd Vicar of fVinkfield; specimen ground, Glout Morceau — only four trees out of tbrty. Light sandy loam; clay subsoil. C. D. Hoao, Lockport. — Bartlett, Stevens' Gene- see, Madeleine, Julienne, Dix, Dvnmore, SecJ^el, IVhile Doyenne. Sandy loam; subsoil, clay. H. E. Hooker, Rochester. — Madeleine, Passe Col- mar, Slimmer Bell, Glout Morceau, Stvan's Orange, Vicar of fVinkfield, Bartlett, Stevens' Genesee, Belh Lucrative, Louise BonAe, Beurre Diel, Easter Beurre, Winter HVelis, Sheldon, White Doyenne, and Seckel. Strong sandy loam. T. 0. Maxwell, Geneva. — Gloxit Morceau and ■ Vicar of Winkfield, in nursery; Madeleine, in. orch- ard. Clay and gravelly loam: clay subsoil. W. R. CoppocK, Buffalo. — Bartlett, White Doy- enne, Louise Bonne, Vicar of Winkfield, Bufpum. Cli.y loam, resting on limestone. E. C. Frost, Catharine, N. Y., has seen no blight in his grounds. Mr. Barry said that Glout Morceau and Vicar of Winkfield, which are very extensively cultivated, would naturally be more susceptible to blight than those which are cultivated in small quantities; there- fore these lists were not much criterion to be guided by. The subject of the cultivation of or-:hard trees was introduced by Mr. Thomas, and discussed by Messrs. Barry, Townsend, Thomas, Hooker, and Coppock, THE MAGNOLIAS. 317 . who eayh gave their views of planting, etc.; also, their reasons for trees not living when removed. RiPE.NiNG OF Pe.irs. — Some prefatory remarks^ were made by Mr. CorpocK. Mr. PiNNKY exhibited some very high colored Barllelts, picked on the 1st of September, and at- tributes their being so well ripened to the fact that they were excluded wholly from the light, in bo.xes; and thought that all autumn and summer pears should be picked from a week to ten days before uiatiirity. Mr. B.^RRv's views coincided with Mr. Plnney's remarks; and said that if pears are left upon the tree till they commence to color, that much of their flavor is already gone; and has noticed that out of .one hun- dred pei-sons who gather pears, not more than one picks them early enough. As a general rule would say that summer pears ought to be picked ten or twelve days before ripening; other sorts when full grown. Still it was very difficult to give special rules when they ought to be picked, which could only be determined with much experience with the several 50rts. Thinks that the temperature ought to be moderate — say fifty or sixty degrees. The winter sorts will ripen best, or continue in season longer, if ant in small boxes, say one-half a bu.-hel, and allowed to remain in a rather moist temperature just above the"freezing point. There was something said about the plum, in con- nection with the curculio. Nothing new was offered, however, to prevent this insect from destroying the fruit. Could recommend nothing better than to de- stroy the decayed fruit as fast as it fell upon the ^ound. Invitations were read from the Genesee Valley and Gincionati Horticultural Societies, also one from the Ohio Pomulogical Society. The subject of the time and place of holding the next meeting of the Society was discussed with considerable animation by Messrs. Tho.mas, CorpocK, B.4rry, Woodes, Townsend and M.vso.n; and, upon motion of the latter gentleman, Rochester was named as the most fitting place. Mr. TuoMAS proposed that an evening meeting of the Society be held at Elmira during the time of the State Fair. Mr. j'kost remarked, that arrangements had al- ready been made by the State Society for Pomologi- cal meetings on that occasion, and no further action was tuken in the matter. On motion of Mr. Hooker, a vote of thanks was tendered to the Common Council of Buffalo for their kindness in giving them the use of their chamber. Remarks were made highly complimentary to the exhibition and to the Buffalo members, when the Convention adjourned. THE MAGNOLIAS. It is our intention to use the p.-iges of the Farmer to call the attention of tree planters to the beautiful and too much neglected American trees and plants. In our last we gave the beautiful Yucca, and now we would ask the attention of our 1-eaders to the Mag- nolia. Among the multitude of trees which are suitaljle for the embellishment of lawns, the Magnolias are justly entitled to the highest rank. In P^urope, whether we look in tlie little plot of the cottage or the broad parks and pleasure grounds of the nobili- ty, we find them among the rarest, most costly, and most cherished ornaments. Even where the climate will not allow their culture on the lawn, they are still indispensable, and are grown under glass, as we grow camellias. Fortunately the finest of them are natives of our own soil,' and several species and- varieties, making in all a handsome collection, are so hardy as to flourish in almost every part of the United States. The nurseries of this country, and especially those of Flushing, have for many years propagated imd sold vast numbers of the more hardy species, and yet the specimens that we find around the country are few and far between. One great reason is they are ex- ceedingly difficult to transplant. We think we are safe in saying, that for every one hunrlred that have been planted, not more than ten are in existence. They are difficult to propagate, also. Seeds are al- ways scarce and dear, and it takes several years to make a respectable sized tree. Planters aie in the habit of committing a great error in regard to this, as well as many other trees. They are not satisfied to plant young specimens that would involve little risk; they must have them large — large enough to figure at once on the lawn with other trees — and therefore they fail with their magnolias much more frequently than they succeed ; and th:it, too, after they have paid the nurseryman a good round price. We must say candidly, to those who wisli to p'.ant successfully, that they must come to this. They must either take small plants, say one or two year trans- planted seedlings, of such as are raised from seed, or pay the nurserymen for raising good specimens in pots. From what experience we have, tliis would be our course. The spirit of impatience must abate be- fore we really set on the right course in regard to planting. The cry has been to a great extent, and is so at present, " we want large trees — trees that will grow up rapidly ami produce an innnediate effect !" This spirit has filled the country with the coarsest and most unsuitable trees that could po.~sibly be se- lected for the purpose of embellishment. It has scat- tered broad-cast abeles and ailanthus, and whatever else promised the greatest amount of shade in the shortest given time. The mistake begins to be felt, and thousands of vain regrets are daily uttered. All manner of hard things are said about the rapid grow- ing trees, and they are threatened with nothing less 318 THE MAGNOLIAS. than extermination. It should be remembered that they have been mere- ly misapplied. There are situations and circumstan- ces in which the judicious planter may use such trees to advantage. There are bleak exposed situations, where the very first object of the planter is to provide. shelter, because this is no less indispensable to that comfort which every wise man seeks in his residence, than to the success of his cultivation. In such cases the most rapid growing trees are needed, and it would only be absurd to plant others. But such a plantation would be made on the outskirts of the grounds, and on the prin- ciple of utility, — not on the lawn or in the door yard, or wherever it may be de- sirable and necessary to display taste and beauty. Among our hardy American deciduous species of magnolia, .the acvminata (cucumber tree,) is much the largest; specimens from sixty to eighty feet in ' MAGNOLIA TRII'ETALA. height may yet be found in the scattering remains of the forests of New York, and especially southward toward the Alleganies. Michaux says:* "Itabounds • Worth American Sj-lva. FRUIT AND FLOWERS OF THE MAGNOLIA TUIPETALA. along the whole mountainous tract of the Alleganic to their termination in Georgia, over a distance ( nine hundred miles. The situations particular! adapted to its growth are the declivities of moui tains, narrow vallies, and the banks of torrents, whei the air is constantly moist, and the soil deep and fe tile." When this tree is transplanted at an early ag to the lawn, where it has abundant space on all sid( to assume its natural habits of growth, it throws o\ side branches near the ground, takes a pyramid: form, and tapers upwards with striking regularity an symmetry. In this way only is its real magnificcnc developed. Its leaves are large, — and especiall where the trees are young and growing in a ricl deep soil, — varying from six to ten inches long an four to six wide. The flowers, which appear in Ma or June, are three to four inches in diameter, of bluish purple color on a dull white ground. Thi tree is usually propagated from seed. The nursery men who propagate it extensively, sow the seeds ii beds of light mellow soil in the open ground. Tho& who propagate it on a less extensive scale, will fin( it quite as convenient to sow the seed in a shallov box of light earth. At one year's growth the seed lings may be transplanted into nursery rows. Thei re-root slowly, and it is not until two years' growtl after transplanting that they make a rapid, vigorou; growth. The Magnolia iripetala, (three-petaled magnolia or umbrella tree,) is much smaller than the preceding and better adapted to planting on a small lawn oi limited grounds. Michaux regards it as a " connect- ing link between the larger shrubs and trees of the third order, rarely attaining thirty or thirty-five feet in height, and five or six inches in diameter." The leaves are very large — twelve to twenty inches long, and six to eight broad. The flowers are produced on the points of the branches — very large, some six ACACIA DIFFUSA — BERBERIS PALLIDA. 319 to eight inches in diameter, and composed of three large, loose petals. The chief beauty of this species consists in its magnificent foliage, the most tropical ^\e, excepting the M. macrophytla, of all our hardy trees. There is also a certain beauty in its large flonprs, and m the fruit, which is in the tbrm of a pine cone n\c or si.x inches long, and two or three in di- ameter. The li^.., however, in its form has little ele- gance, often m-chnmg tu one side and throwing up a succession of vigorous show, fro--.i the lower part, A specimen nine or ten years plairt«<]_ jq our grounds, has divided near the ground into thretmain branches. These divide again further up. The mam Viranches are about three to four inches in diameter, and the whole ten feet high. It has blossomed for several years. It blossoms young, seeds freely, and is usa- ally propagated and managed as described for the acumitiata. The Magnolia macrophylla, or liroad-leaved, is a very striking and beautiful ti-ee, ane held on the grounds on Friday afttrnoon, at which the premiums will be announced, and eloijuent addresses may be expected from distirlguished gentlemen. The ladit^rt are expected to participate in the festivities. Ttie various railroads in New England will return stock free of charge, and arrangements to the same end with other roada are in progress. Premium Lists, &c., will be forwarded on application to the Secretary. JLUtSHALL P. WILDER, President. Wm. S. King, Secretary. Boston, September, 1855. Oct.— It. FRUIT & ORNAMENTAL TREES, SHRUBS, ROSES, &c., FOR SALE BY JAMES VICK & CO. THE subscribers will be prepared fiom and after the first of No- vember to receive and execute all orders forFiuit and Orna- mental Trees, to be delivered the ensuing spring. We are well aware of the impositions that have been practised herfetofore by tree agents, but as we intend devoting our entire attention to the business of selecting, packing, and shipping Trees, &;c., ant', not being connected with any nursery, we aretletermined to hold no other oliject in view but that of supplying our patrons in every instance witli the best articles. We will purchase Tiees, &c., only from the most reliable nur- series, attending personally to the selections. If our customers ieav*^ (he selection to us, we will furnish the varieties best suited to their respeciive localiiies. As we are well acquainted with aU the nurseries in this State, and know exactly where to find the suitable stock, it is a siill further guarantee to our customers that their wants will be supplied in the best manner. Our Mr. Vice has been connected with the horticultural commu- nity for many years as the proprietor and publisher of the Genesee Farmer and 'HurticuliuTist , and for many years past persons from all parts of the country have urged upon him the necessity of forming arrangements that would meet the wants of the public by attending to the selection of orders, seeing the articles packed and shipped, thus afifording a guarantee that the requisite attention would be paid to all orders sent forward. In order to meet their views he has formed a copartnership with Mr. Geo. Marshall, who has been connected with tlie nursery business for the past five years, and he begs to assure the public every attention will be paid in every respect to all who may favor them with their orders. As a still further assurance that we will execute to the letter every wish of our patrons, and our ability to meet our engagements, we beg to refer to the following gentlemen : Hon. Washington Hunt, Ex-Governor of New York. Hon. H. Stilwell, Ex-^ayor Rochester. A. Karnks, Esq., Banker. J. C. Campbell, U. S. Collector. H. Sargeaxt, Dep. " Lee, Mann & Co., Prop. Rochester Daily American. Curtis & Butts, '• ** " Union. A.Strono & C"-, " " " Democrat. D. D. T. Moore, of Moore's Rural New Yorker. All letters addressed to us at Rochester, N. Y., will meet prompt attention. Persnna sending orders must enclose the cash, a draft, or satis- factory note for amount of order. Catalogiics will be supplied upon appl'catic Oct. 1. W. R. PRINCE & CO., FLUSHING, N. Y., WILL forward the foUoning Catalogues of their UNRIVALED COLLECTION to purchH.sers of trees, and to others who enclose stamps. The prices will be found greatly reduced, and the Trees and Plants are the finest ever olTered : No. 1. Fruit and Oi^pamental Trees, Shrubs, and Plants; and No. 2. Roses, Dahli-ts, Bulbous and Herbaceous Flowering Plants, &c., both 40th edition. No 3. Extra large Fruit Trees, Evergreens, and other Ornamtntal Trees and Shrubs. No. 4, Wholesale Cata- logue for Nurseries and other Venders. No. 5. Catalogue of Gar- den, Agricultural, Flower, Fruit, and Ornamental Tree and Shrub Seeds. No. 6. Descriptive Catalogue of Strawberries. No. 7. Catalon-ue of rare Ameiican Trees, Plants, and Seeds, suitable for sendin° to Europe. No. 8. Catalogue of P*ruit and other Tree Seeds,°and of Stocks of all kinds, for ingrafting Fruit Trees, &c. No. 9. A Supplement Catalogue of Bulbous Flowers, New Dahliaa, PEEoniea, Crysanthemums, Phlox, Carnations, and other Flowering . Plants. No. 10. Wholesale Catalogue of Bulbous and Tuberous [1 lowers. N. B. 50,000 Piemium Strawberry Plants, including those that surpassed Huvey's Seedling and every other kind exhibited. 1,(K)0 Diascurrra Japonira, or Japan Putato ; 10,000 Liquorice Plants. Oct.— It* _^ _^ FRUIT AND ORNAMENTAL TREES, &c., &c. THE subscribeis nffer for sale this fall in lots to suit purchasers, 60,000 Apple Trees, 5 to 9 feet high ; also a large quantity of ■standard and dwarf Pears, Penchea, Plums, and Cherries; Grape Vinfs, Currants, Gooseberries, Raspberrie.s, Strawberries, ( irnamen- tal Trees, Shrubs, Roses, Green House Plants, &c., &c. Also, 200,- 000 splendid two year old Apple Stocks. Nurserymen, Dealers, &c., will do well to give us a call, as our prices will be extremely low Oct.— It* JOHN DONNELLAN & NEPHEWS. Rochester and Hanfords Landing HutBerj, ^26 ADVERTISEMENTS. A, FKOST & CO. GENESEE VALLEY NURSERIES, ROCHESTER, N. Y. THE stock of Fruit, OrDamental Trees, &c., offered by us this son is very large, aud much the finest that we have ever had for sale. Our Nursery grounds at the present moment occupy one hundred and fifty acrea nf fine land, completely covered with very thrifty find well grown plants, which enables us to furnish the entire or- ders from customers, and give the most perfect satisfaction. P;vck- ing of trees and plants is done in the most superior manner, by men of long experience in the business, so that plants may go thou- sands of miles in perfect safely. Our wholesale cat^ilogue (No. 4) for the Autumn of 1S55 and Spring of 1856, has just been published for gratuitous distributiun, containing the prices ofTrees, &c., in large quantities. Nurserymen are particularly directed to notice our choice young Nursery stock, described in above catalogue, such as fruit trees 1 year old, from bud or graft; fruit tree stocks of every description, evergreens of small size, &c. The following catalogues, containing prices, will be sent gratis by mail to those who enclose a one cent postage stamp for each : No. 1 Descriptive Catalogue of Fruits. No. 2 " " « Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Rosea, ^c. No. 3 Descriptive Catalogue of Dahlias, Verbenas, Green House plants, &c. No. 4. Wholesale Catalogue or Trade List, (just published.) Sept. 1-lt. ANDEE LEROY NUBSEEIES, ANGERS, FRANCE. THE undersigned begs leave to inform his numerous friends and customers that lie is now ready to execute all orders for Fruit, Forest, and Ornamental Trees, Evergreen Shrubs, Stocks, &c., &c. His collection is particularly fine this year for all kinds of Trees except Quince Stocks, the crop of which has again failed. The Catalogue for 1855 is now ready for distributioo, and all those who wish to procure a copy can obtain one free of charge by addressing our agent in New York, Mr. F. A. Bruguiere, 138 Pearl street, successor to our former agent and friend, Mr. E. Bossange, who has retired from business. Orders should be sent at once to secure a complete assortment. All required information to import Tiees, kc, will be found on the first page of our Catalogue. ANDRE LEROY, Angers. F. A. BRUGUIERE, Sole Agent, 138 Peari st., N. York. Oct. LAWrON BLACKBERRY. HAVING the present season had additional opportunity to sat isfy ourselves of the superiority of the LAWTON BLACK- BERRY, we have accepted the agency therefor from Mr. William Lawton. We can confidently assure the public that this extraordinary fruit fully sustiins its reputation, being of mammoth size, with a fine melting pulp, and rich flavor. It is perfectly hardy and re- quires no extra care in its cultivation. We are now prepared to receive orders, which will be filled direct from the grounds of Mr. Lawton on and after the 15th of October. The plants will be carefully and securely packed without extra charge, and forwarded from New York at the following reduced prices ;— Half a dozen, $3; one doxen, $5; fifty plants, $15; one hundred plants, $25. The money must in every case accompany the order. C. M. SAXTON k CO., Agricultural Cook Publishers, Oct— 3t 152 Fulton street. New York. CHOICE FRUIT TREES THE subscriber offers for sale at hi.s Nurseries, Pinehill, Buffalo, N. Y., 25,000 FRUIT TREE^— Apples, Pears, (standard and dwarr,) Cherries, Plums, and Peaches of the best leading varieties, wrought on the mnst vigorous stocks. Prices very moderate. Cat- alogues furnished nn receipt of a postage stamp. Orders addressed to H. C. White. BuH'alo Seed and Agricultural Warehouse, 196 Main street, Buffalo, N. Y„ will receive prompt attention. G. ZIMMERMANN, Oct^lt Four Mile Creek P. O., Erie Co , N. Y. PREMIUM STRAWBERRIES WILLIAM R. PRINCE & CO., FLUSHING, N. Y., WILL now supply all their splendid varieties of Strawberries, including those which have rivalled Hovey's Seedling, and every other kind exhibited. A Descriptive Cf.talogue, with prices, will be sent to applicants. N. B. — A new Catalogue of Bulbous'.Flowers, '.and of alLnew Plants, cow ready for applicants. Sept. 1.— 2t. 50 TO l^JRSERYMEN- BUSHELS Canada Plum Stones ffanagement of Sheep, 76cts. 39. Youatt on the Horse, $1,25. 40. Youatt, Mariin, and Stevens on Cattle, $1,35. 41. Youatt and Martin on the Breeds aud Management of th* Hog, 75cts. 42. Munn'a Practical Land Drainer, SOcfa. 43. Stephen's Book of the Farm, complete, 450 illustrations, $4. 4i. The Architect; or. Flans for Country Dwellings, $6. 45. Thaer, Shaw, and Johnson's Principles of Agriculture, $2. 46. Smith's Landscape Gardening, Parks, and Pleasure Grounds, $1,25. 47. Weeba on the Honey Bee, SOcts. 48. Wilson on the Cultivation of Flax, 25 ctfl. 49. Miner's American Bee-keeper's Manual, $1. 50. Quinbv's M Bleries of Bee-keeping, $1. 51. Cottage and Farm Bee-keeper, 50ctp. 5 J. Elliott's American Fruit-grower'a Guide, $1,25. .i3. The American Florist's Guide. 75cts. 5t. Every Lady her own Flower Gardener, 25cta., cl tth, SOcts. 55. The American Rose CultuiTst, paper, 25(;ts., cloth, 50cta. oi. Hoare on ^he C-iitivation of the Vine. SOcls. 57- Chorlton Cold Gmperv, from direct American Practice, frDcta. 58. Saxton's Rural Hand Books. 2 vols., $2,50. 59. Rem.'nt's Rahhit Fancier, 50ot8. '^0. Reemelin's Vine-dresser's Manual, €0cts. 61. Neill's Fruit, Flower aad Vegetable Gardeoer'B Companion, $1. Sept. ZL 328 ADVERTISEDENTS. TO FARMERS AND ALL OTHERS INTERESEED IN AGRICULTTJRE, HORTICULTURE, &c. WILL Bli I'LULISHKD, IN OCTOBEK, 1855. THE YEAR BOOK OF AGRICULTURE; OR, The Annual of JgriailtuTol Progress and Discover}/, For 1855. Exhibiting the most important discoveries and improvements in AgriL-uliQnil MechaiUL-s. Agricultural and Horticultural Botany. Agriculturjil and Economic Geology. Agricultural Zoology, Metercology, etc. Together with Statistics of American Growth and Production. A hi-st of Recent Agricultural Publicationp. Agri^Uural Patents, with Notes by the Jiditor, on the Progress of American and Foreign Agriculture, for the Year 1855. BY DAVID A. WELLS, A. M. Member of the Boston Society of Natural History, formerly Chemist to the Ohio State Board of Agriculture; Editor of the Annuul of Scientitic Discovery, Familiar Science, &c., &c. it is eviuent that a puljUcation of this character, givining a com- plete and condensed view of the Progress of every Department of Agricultural Science, fiee from technical and unnecessarily scien- titic descriptions, and B>stematic:flly arranged so as to i^resent at one view all recent Agricultural Facts, Discoveries, Theories and Applications, must he a most acceptable volume to every one inter- ested in the Cultivation of the Soil, or the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. THE "YEAR BOOK OF AGRICULTURE" will be published in a handsome octavo volume, comprising upwards of 300 pages, and will contain au elegant Steel Portrait of a Dis- tinguished AgricuUuiist, together willi Fine Illustrations of wew fiRicuLTL'iiAL MACHINES, STOCK, FutnT, &c., together wlth aseries of BEAUTIFULLY COLORED ENGRAVINGS. Although the publication of this work will be attended with very heavy expenses, it will be issued at tke low price of $1,50, thereby enabhng every farmer and planter to posses a copy: On receipt of the pubiiahed price it will be sent fiee per mail, to any part of the .United States. As the sales will be very large, all orders should be sent immediately. A LIBKKAL REDUCTIOX TO CLURS. Addres?, CHILDS & PETERSON, 124 Arch St., Philadelphia. £[3^ -Agents wanted to sell the above valuable work. September 1. ^ROCHESTER COMMERCIAL NURSERIES. WE take pleasure in informing the public that we are still rais- ing Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Grape Vines, Cur- rants, Stkaw]ikhhies, &c. &c., in -great quantities. ^We call especial attention to our Chekky Stocks, for Nurserymen. Apple " " " Plum " which won't have the knots. Angers Quince, &e. &c., -and to the NEW SEEDLING STRAWBERRY HOOKER. This splendid fruit combines all the requisites of a first class Strawberry in one variety, a thing not heretofore accomplished. Beautiful .shining dark color; Unequaled excellence of flavor ; Great producti7eneseand vigor; A perfect flower, requiring no fertilizing. Price $1 50 per dozen ; $5 per 100. BISSELL & HOOKER. East Avenue, corner Goodman St. wm. H. Looans, WHOLESA I,E and R..-tail df ;ilPr in Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Plani.<:iini ^hiMKs "I' :dl th- |.:-Mp'/ ;ind most populnr va- rieties. ,''"t.a..'! ;: li ,ir.i .1 ,MLi I' ;:.■.■■-, i" ', ;;.-;, I'ears, Plums, Peach- es, Chenic.-, .\r,. ■;:! -. , ,-,...,,-, sun L.y ;,,.,i v-.L'U foi-med. Also, a gvni-.-.d .1. .■.uUn.^i.t vi (,uu.ch..,Ties Currants, Raspber- ries, &c. &c. Ojuamental trtes and shrubs of every variety ; Roses a large collection; (Jreen House planj* can be furnished on ihe shortest notice. Also a large quantity of Field and Garden Seeds on hand, and fnr.sale at the lowest cash prices. Address (post- paid) ■ Agricultural Rooms, South Bend, Ind. March, 1855.— tf. WM. H. LOOMIS. MERINO SHEEP. THE subscriber will sell a few Spanish Merino Sheep — bucks anc ewes— of undoubted purity of blood. He will also dispose o* a part of his stock of imported FRKN(fH Merinos. Gentlemen imrrhising from this flock can have tKe sheep for warded to the principal Western towns at my risk, Sept. 1, 1854— tf R. J. JONES, CornwaU Vt. FRUIT AND ORNAMENTAL TBEES, SHRUBS, ROSES VINES, &c., &c. THE subscribers would lespectfuUy call the attention of pei coioraeuciog the i\ursery bii.-iness, dealers in Trees and Or- chardists, to their thrifty stock tif Nurseiy stuff, which comprise? almost every desirable tested variety of Fruit and Ornamental tree &c, &c. Et^ Their Depot and Green Houses are on State street, within r short distance ot the Railroa*! station. Persons visiting Rocheste' to pmcha.se Nursery stock would do well to give them a call, a: purchases can be made on very advantageous terms. The Nurseries are located very conveniently for shipping to i parts of the Stales and Canadas. * Orders by mail punctually attended to if addicssed to the sub scribi ra. " Rocliester and Charlotte Plank Road Nurseries, Rochester, N.Y Sept., lS65-2t. C. J. RYAN & CO. BULKLEY3 PATENT DRY KILNS, BY superiieated steam will dry Grain, Flour, and Meal withoui scorching, at a cost of two cents per bbl. Also green inchlun ber in twelve to thirty hours. Circulars sent free on application n. G. BULKlEY, Oct— 3t* Kalamazoo, Mich THE GENESEE FARMER, AGRICULTURE & HORTICULTURE Volume XVI, Second Series, 1855 DAWlElj LKE AND JAMES ViCK, EDITORS. JOSEPH FROST, HORTICULTURAL EDITOR. SACn NTJSfBER CONT.\IKS 32 ROYAL OCTAVO PAGES, 12 DOUBLK COLUMNS, AND TWFLVE NUMBERS FORM A VOLUME OF 384 PA(;ES IN A YEAR, - Tei-ms. Single Copy, ^ ' SO.E Five Copies, _ 2.0 eight Copies, 3.C And at the same rate for any larger number. JAMES VICK, Publisher arid Proprietor, Rochester, N. T. S^ontfntfi of i\i8 Numttr. Prmciples of Improving Domestic Animals 2£ The Mismanagement of Woodland.. 25 Important Fact in Agriculture... __ o( Agricultural Fairs and Cattle Shows 3i The Potato Rot 3^ 1 Fari] rby S. "W.. Grasses American Implements in France _ 3' Coltiige Building, Warming, Saving Flower Seeds youth's department. EDITOR'S TABLE. 9?^ ILLD ST RATIONS. Skeleton of the Horse _ Sweet-scented Vernal Grass _ Cock'8-foot Glass Meadow Foxtail Grass _ Rcmgh-Stalked Meadow Grass Plan fir a Cheap Cottage _ _.. D.'sign f.ira Small Cottage... Magnolia Tripeiala „ _ Fruit and Flowers of the Magnolia Tiipetala _, Acaria Diffusa _ 3Ii Berheris Pallida... ZV> Half Lop-eared Rahbit 321 Lop-eared Rabbit , 3Z) Vou XVI., Second Series. ROCUESTER, N. Y., NOVEMBER, 1855. No. 11 h PRINCIPLES OF IMPROVING DOMESTIC ANIMALS. CHAPTER IT. THE HORSE. Continued. The last of the stries of bones of the limbs are those of the pastern and foot. The uppermost of these, the upper pastern, is jointed to the lower part of the cannon bone. Inferiorly it is jointed to the lower pastern or coronet bone, and the coronet bone again is articulated with the coffin bone, which is of a soft and spongy nature, and enclosed within the horny covering of the hoof These several bones of the limb are more distinctly repre- sented in the accompanying figure, where s is the lower part of the shoulder blade, h the humerus, working, by its rounded head, into the socket of the scapula; _/^ the fore-arm; e the elbow; r, the carpus or knee; o, the cannon-bone or ghank, with its splint-bones be- hind, I; p, the upper pastern; 5, the lower pastern or coro- net-bone; r, the coffin-bone; i, the hoof. Besides the bones enumera- ted, there are small bones, g, V, placed behind the others, and acting somewhat in the manner of pulleys, namely, (1) the sesamoid bones, ^, behind ^'°' the joint commonly termed the fetlock; and (2) the navicular bone, v, placed behind the common joint of the coronet and coffin bones. Over these small bones pa^s from the cannon bone a ligament and ten- / dons, which being connected with the bones of the foot, give surpassing elasticity combined with strength to these parts. In the annexed section of the foot, L is the ligament, T the tendons, and N the navicu- lar bone. The hoof, by which the foot is covered, ig of a substance tough ■~,l.-ii and elastic in an emi- nent degree. Directing attention to the hinder vertebral column, fig. 1, there is the pelvis, p, formed by two large bones, one on each side of the spine, and firmly united to it. The up- per part of each pel- vic bone, termed ili- um, forms the haunch bone or hip-bone; and into a cavity in the lower part of the same bone is inserted the round head of the first of the bones of the posterior limbs, namely, the femur, q, or great bone of the thigh. The femur is not vertical, like the thigh bone in man, but it has an oblique di- rection from behind forward. It corresponds with the thigh-bone in man, but being covered in the horse with the thick muscles employed in moving it, it appears to be a part of the trunk. The size of this bone is connected in an important degree with the power of progression of the animal ; for being extended backwards by the action of the nmscles, while the foot remains fixed, it forces the body forward. In front of the lower extremity of the femur is the patella, or stilie-bone, r, which corresponds with' the pan of the knee in man. It is one of the class of bones termed sesamoid, and is designed for the at- 330 PRINCIPLES OP IMPROVING DOMESTIC ANIMALS. tachment, and passing over it of tendons of muscles. Jointed to tlie lower part of the femur is the tibia or great bone of the leg, connected with which, by ligamentous matter, is the small bone termed the fib- ula. These two bones form properly the leg of the horse; but they are, in popular language, termed the thigh, although they correspond not with the bone of the thigh in the human species, but with the leg. Next to these bones are those of the hock, which correspond with the bones of the ankle or instep in man; and on one of them the tibia works by means of a hinge joint. They are six in number, and one of them, corresponding with the great bone of the heel in man, projects backwards and has powerful muscles for extending the limb inserted into its ex- tremity, so that it acts as a strong lever in aiding the forward motion of the animal, and as in the fore ex- tremities, we look to the size of the elbow as a point to be regarded, so in the posterior limbs we look to the size of the bone of the heel. The posterior extremities differ much from the an- terior, not only in their superior strength, and in the different lengths and directions of the parts, but also in some degree, in their use. The femur, or thigh-bone, (3, 4,) is the largest of the body, its vast inden- tations and risings, al- most peculiar to it, show the great strength of the muscles inserted into it. It articulates with the acetabulum, or hip joint, by a strong head called the whirl-bone. In this situation it is held not on- ly by a powerful capsular ligament and still more powerful muscles, but by an admirable contrivance resulting from a ligamen- tous rope, which springs immediately from the middle of its head, and is firmly fixed within the socket of th3 joint. In its natural situation it is not perpendicular as the human femur, but inclines to an angle of about forty-five degrees. This bone pre- sents large protuberances for the attachment of very powerful muscles called trochanters. Throughout it exhibits a mechanism uniting the combined qualities of celerity and strength unknown to other animals. The inferior end of this bone is received by its con- dyles into depressions of the tibia, while the patella, or knee-pan, slides over the anterior portions of both bones. The patella, (5), which is by farriers called the stifle, is nearly angular, and serves for the insertioD of some of the strongest muscles of the thigh, which are then continued down to the leg. It thus appears to act as a pulley. The tibia, or leg bone, (C, 6), is usually, in horse- men's language, called the thigh. It is a bone form- ed of a large epiphysis, with a small attached part called the fibula, (7), a long body, and an irregular inferior end, adapted to the peculiarities in shape of the principle bones of the back with which it artic- ulates. The obliquity in the situation of this bone corresponds with that of the ftmur, being as oblique backwards as the former is forwards. The length of the tibia is a prominent character in all animals of quick progression ; in this respect it corresponds with the fore- arm, and the remarks made on that apply with even more force, to this— that length is advantageous to the celerity, but less so to the ease, of the motion. The fibula (7, 7,) forms a prominent instance, in common with the splint bones, of what was remarked in the outset of our osteological detail of the extrem- ities— that many parts, whose uses were not apparent, would be found to be organs of harmony, placed in the body to prevent interruption to the completing the general plan of animal organization. In this way the fibula appears but a process springing from the posterior part of the tibia, forming but the rudimente of the human bone of that name. In the ox it is wanting ; in the dog and cat, as requiring numerous motions in their limbs, it is, on the contrary, perfect. The tarsus, or hock, of the horse (10, 10), is a strik- ing instance of the perfect mechanism displayed in the bony structure of this admired animal. It is formed by an assemblage of six bones, and sometimes of seven ; while in the ox, sheep, and deer, there are seldom more than five. Between these bones there is little motion, yet there is sufficient to give a spring to the parts, and to preserve the joints from the effects of shocks, &c. As the human anatomy is generally received as the standard of comparison, we must, in order to a proper consideration of the hock, consider it as the instep and heel ; and all parts beyond it as the foot The human tarsus, and that of some beasts, as the monkey, and some varieties of the bear, makes a right angle with the tibia in standing or walking ; but, in the horse, the hock makes an open angle with the tibia, and is far removed from the ground. In him, and the greater number of quadrupeds, all the bones, from the hock downwards, are much elongated^ and form a part of Ike upright pillar of the limb. In PRINCIPLES OP IMI'KOVma DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 331 the horse, therefore, the point of the hock is the ti i e point of the heel, and, as m the human figure, the great twisted tendons ol the gastrocnemii musclfs are inserted into it ; but the appelhitiou of tendo Achil- les would be too forced here. A broad hock, as al- ready observed in the exterior conformation, may be now still more plainly seen to be very important to strength and speed ; for the longer the calcaneum or heel bone of the hock, the longer must be the lever that the muscles of the thigh act by •, and a very slight increase or diminution in its length must make a very great difference in the power of the joint It is by this tendon acting on this mechanism, that, when the animal has inclined the angle between the canon and the tibia, or, in other words, when the extremities are bent under him in the gallop or trot, he is enabled to open it again. The bones of the hock, like those of the knee, are united together by strong ligamentous fibres ; and it is to an inflamation of those uniting the calcaneum and cuboid bones, that the disease called curb is to be attributed ; and to a similar inflamma- tory affection of the ligaments in the front of the hocks, that spavins of the first stage are owing : in the latter stages the periosteum and bones themselves become affected. The remainder of the bones below do not differ so essentially from the corresponding bones in the fore extremities as to need an individual description. It may, however, be remarked, that the hinder canon, or shank bone, is longer than the fore, and that the pastern is also the same, but is less ob- hque in its situation ; by which wise provision the horse is enabled to elevate and sustain his body en- tirely on his hinder parts without danger ; which would not have been the case if the obliquity of those parts had been considerable. This chain of bones being extended, performs the functions of a lever in moving forward the body, the foot, fixed to the ground, being the fulcrum. In like manner the other movements of the animal are per- formed by the flexure and extension of the bones. — It is by means of the muscular forces that all the I flexure of the bones, and movements of the other parts, are performed. The muscles constitute the greater part of all the solid matter of the body, form- ing the flesh of the animal, and entering into the com- position of vessels, ducts, and sacks, within the body. They are possessed of the property of contracting under the influence of the will, and often independ- ent of it, and, by this contraction, of producing mo- tion in the parts with which they are connected ; and all the movements of animals, from the smallest inflex- ion of the voice to the most extended motions of the limbs, are produced by the contractile power of these organs. When they are to give motion to bones, the fleshy part terminates in tendons, which are attached like ropes or cords to the parts to be moved. The muscles of the horse, as of other animals, may be divided into classes, according to the functions which they have to perform, or the parts of the body to which they pertain. Both the external and internal muscles are numer- ous, and any intelligent description of each would ex- tend this paper to a greater length than is desirable. It is only by proper exercise and feeding that these primarj sources of power can be fully developed. — Colts should be sparingly fed on corn, if it be given them at all, for it is not so favorable to the growth of muscle as oats, peas, or good clover hay. But no excellence in muscular development will compensate for serious defects in the skeleton. A small, narrow chest, in which the lungs and heart have to perform their important functions, renders the animal feeble in wind and action, no matter what his weight or flesh. The chest should be broad, as well as deep, the breadth being indicated by the fore legs standing some dis- tance apart where they join the body; great width of chest, as compared with its depth, is to be avoided, for it tends to impair the speed of the animal. The ribs rising from the vertebra; of the back, in- crease in length until the ninth, and in curvature to the last, so that the body gradually passes from the eliptical form and becomes nearly circular. The ribs should possess the proper degree of curvature, so that the sides shall not be flat and the body narrow. A flatrsided, narrow-backed horse rarely possesses endu- rance or good action. The head of the horse should be symmetrical and small, rather than large, for a large head adds nothing to the muscular power of the animal, while its weight encumbers him and demands daily nourishment equal to its weight. A certain breadth and height of forehead are valuable indica- tions of high breeding, and may be presumed to show sagacity and spirit. The ears should be free from coarseness, as a critical observer will readily detect a want of spirit, and a dull, sluggish temperament, by the presence of large, thick, hanging ears. Pointed and erect ears are favorable indications. The nostrils should be expansive, not thick and narrow. The horse breathes exclusively, or nearly so, through the nostrils, and the power of enlarging these passages is the measure of his power of filhng the lungs with air, and consequently of his strength of "wind." All horses that possess the power of rapid motion have expanded nostrils, and a defect in this 332 PRINCIPLES OP IMPROVING DOMESTIC ANIMALS. particular should be avoided by those who seek to improve this useful animal by skillful breeding. The lips should be thin, and the mouth, externally, of some depth, characters which render the horse sensi- ble to the guidance of the rein. Thick, short, and «oarse lips indicate dullness of feeling in those parts- and low breeding. The muscles of the face should be distinctly marked, and not loaded with fat or in- teguments. The superficial blood ves.^els should be distinct and somewhat prominent, and the counte- nance should be e.\pressive of energy and intelligence. The windpipe should be large and prominent. The neck should be somewhat arched or convex — a char- acter depending partly on the obhquity of the shoul- ders ; but when speed alone is sought, the neck may be straight, or even a little concave above. The lat- ter conformation forms what is termed the 'ewe neck.' Many excellent race horses have exhibited this con- formation, and it is found in deer and other swift- footed ruminants. The back consists of the dorsal and lumbar verte- bra;, and the powerful muscles covering the parts. It commences at the elevated ridge formed by the spi- nous processes of the first dorsal vertebra;, called withers, and familiarly known as the part between the pommel of the saddle and the termination of the mane. Elevation of the withers is connected with the vigorous movement of the fore legs, and is there- fore indicative of action. When the withers are low, the saddle is apt to bear too much on the shoulder and the rider is less secure in his seat. Much has been said and written on the proper length of the back. A short back, like a short rod, is stronger than one of the same substance which is extended in length A short back in a horse Is indicative of strength and ability to carry his rider. It also indicates hardiness of constitution and power of supporting fatigue. But too short a back shortens the paces, and is incompat- ible with great speed. The back may be nearly straight, or convex, or concave ; in the former case the horse is said to be "roached-ljacked" ; in the latr ter, " hollow-backed.'' The straight spine is to be prefeiTcd. The lumbar, or loin portion, of the back should be broad, which results from the extension of the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebra;. This conformation indicates, in all cases, strength, and is not inconsistent with speed, but conducive to it, and, therefore, is desirable in horses of every kind. By working a narrow-loined horse with one that has broad loins, both of equal weight, it will be seen that the latter performs his task with less fatigue than the former. Hia muscles have the advantage in leverage. With the sacrum commences that part of the horse called the haunch or quarter, which extends from the sacrum to the taiS and downward as far as the larger muscles extend. — The upper line of the haunch formed by the sacrum, and part of the caudal vertebrrc, is usually termed the croup. The croup has a natural convexity, forming a kind of arch. In some horses the croup is much elevated, which is a defect that usually attends a hol- low back, and is indicative of weakness. In other cases, in place of elevation, the croup suddenly declines to the tail. This conformation is ungraceful, and in- jures a breeding mare by lessening the size of the pelvis, and it is unfavorable to progression. In the highly bred horse, the curve in the croup is so slight that it appears nearly straight ; and this is the form which may be regarded as the most symmetrical and perfect. As in all swift-footed quadrupeds, the main indica- tions of the power of rapid progression in the horse are afforded by the hind extremitiea These contain bones whose extension backward, when the foot is placed on the grouud, sets and forces the animal for- ward. The expansion and development of the haunch or quarter, determines, in a good degree, the charac- ter of a horse. To give the large muscles attached to the haunch bone, or upper-iliac portion of the pel- vis, a powerful leverage, this bone should be relatively large, and the pelvis broad at this point. A horse whose haunches are so projecting as to appear "rag- ged in the hips," should not be hastily condemned on that account. Let the anatomy and mechanical func- tions of these parts be closely studied, and it will be found that the length of the haunch bone indicates the length of the femur or thigh bone, and if the an- gle of the two be filled, as they should be, with strong muscles, the power of progression in the animal will be increased. In the English race horse, a large quarter is further developed than in any known race of horses, and the superiority of speed and endurance in the English thorough -bred racehorse, is well known. In the greyhound, which is the fleetest of all dogs, the haunch is large and high, as compared with the shoulder. The same feature is seen in the ante- 'ope, and in the deer ; and yet more in the hare, whose swiftnes-s far surpasses the horse, greyhound, or antelope, when the relative size of the animals is taken into account The conformation of the limbs of a horse, and their connection with the body, are important points. The first bone in the fore leg, called humerus, works in a shallow cavity in the scapula, and moving forward oa AGRICULTURAL DISCUSSION. 333 this point as a pivot, it describes the arc ol a circle, fo that the limb is above the ground. That this ac- tion may be performed with facility, the scapula, or shoulder-blade, should have considerable obliquity, rendering the shoulder what is termed oblique. The humerus should be relatively short, because its func- tion being to move in a circle, the same arc will be described by a smaller radius as by a larger, and this with less displacement of the parts. When the first bone of the leg is too long, the breast is too far in front of the fore legs, and thus the horse is rendered heavy before. Attached to the humerus are the bones of the fore arm, (so called), which should be relatively long, that the powerful muscles connected therewith may have full play, which should be well developed down to the knee. The elbow, or ulna part, of the fore arm should be long, so as to be adapted to its function of moving the arm, which it does in the manner of a lever. The bones of the knee, or carpus, should be sufficiently large for the attachment of muscles, so that the knee appears broad when seen in front When viewed from the side, the canon bone should appear broad, indicating the size of the sesamoid bones behind, and full space for the tendons and ligaments connected with the pastern and foot The pastern, formed of the upper and lower pastern bones, should be more oblique and long in proportion as the animal is des- tined for more rapid movements. In race horses they are peculiarly oblique and long, giving more spring or elasticity to the animal when at speed. When the pastern is too short and upright, the animal becomes unsafe for the saddle and unsuited for active exercise, and should be employed in slow labor. The hoof should be symmetrical in form, and of medium size. Its color will depend on that of the in- teguments, but a dark color is better than a light one. It is not difficult to load a horse with too much fat for good service, and it is still easier to have him too poor for sound economy and the highest usefulness. Horses are injured in a great variety of ways, and perhaps more by neglect than any other cause. Prop- erly treated, a horse will labor many years in the en- joyment of sound health, but when subjected to ill usage, no property is more perishable. Ground oslU corn, and other grain, and cut hay and straw, are bet- ter than to feed these articles without such comminu- tion. It favors digestion, and saves time in mastica- tion. As compared with its inhabitants, no other nation has more than half the number of horses and mules reared and used in the United States. At this time the number approximates five million. Good horses and mules sell high, and there is no better business in the farming line than the breeding and rearing of these useful animals. More care and pains are needed ia the selection of l)rood mares with a view to improve this kind of live stock, as the character of the ofl'spring depends somewhat more on the blood of the matern J parent than on that of the male parent Every ani- mal of either sex that possesses valuable qualities for elevating the race, should be set apart for that special purpose. TussEE, who wrote about three centuries ago, speaks of "gelding fjllies" as common in his time, in England. The spaying of mares, however, is sel- dom, if ever, practiced in this countiy. Mules being more hardy, less liable to disease, and longer lived, than horses, sell at better prices, and, ia skillful hands, their production is exceedingly profita- ble. Brood mares of rather more than medium size, and large jacks, give the best progeny. AGBICULTUEAL DISCUSSION AT THE STATE FAIR During the late State Fair at Elmira, some little excitement was caused by Solon Robinson, of the JVeto York Trihine, asserting that on Wednesday evening he would prove that no farmer could afford to draw manure a mile, even could he obtain it for nothing. At the appointed hour the room was filled and the speaker essayed to fulfil his promise. The President of the Society not being pmsent Mr. RoiiiNSON proposed that Judge Osborn, of Albar ny, take the chair. To this Mr. Osborn objected, as on the previous evening he had snuounced himself as the champion of barn-yard manure, in opposition to Mr. Robinson. Mr. Geddes then took the chait; and Mr. R. proceeded : On a prairie soil, he said, it would not pay to draw manure any distance, because the soil contains too much humus. He had himself preferred to remove the barn instead of the manure. But he did not refer to these soils. He would instance the poorest soils of Long Isknd, or the sand hills of Albany, where farmers were in the habit of taking their straw ta New York, selling it for a trifle over the cost of drawing,* and taking back a load of colored straw, • If the farmera in the neighborhood of New York sell straw fo» a trijle over th* co$t of drtncing, they must tw ft more liberal eet of men than the farmers in our neighborhood. Here straw is sold by the bundle, and we have invariablj found, on wdigbtog these bundles, that stnw wu selling higher than li&j. 334 AGRICULTURAL DISCUSSION. called manure. It was on these poor soils that farm- ers could not afford to draw manure one mile. But he should be asked, "What will you do with the manure? — throw it away?" Not at all. Apply it to the land near the house, and, on the more distant fields, use some concentrated fertilizer, in the fore ranks of which he placed Peruvian guano! He had seen 200 lbs. of Peruvian guano per acre increase the wheat crop from four to seventeen bushels per acre. Could any such results be obtained from barn- yard manure? Could any farmer afford to draw it a mile when he could get Peruvian guano at its pres- ent price? Then there is salt. " Salt is worth more as a manure than it sells for for other purposes. Farmers can make money by going to Syracuse and purchasing salt at market prices, and sowing it on their land." One farmer had told him to-day, that he hauled wet leached ashes 16 miles, and he consid- ered the benefit sufficient to pay the expense. He, Mr. R., asked him why he hauled ashes so far. He replied, "For the good they do the land." Mr. R. supposed the benefit was from the potash they con- tained. Now, could not the potash be obtained in a more concentrated form? Boats are now being load- ed at Rochester, with leached ashes for the use of Long Island farmers. The potash they contain could be obtained in the market at a much cheaper rate. The time is coming when the farmer will know what to put on his land to produce wheat or any other crop, as certainly as the housewife knows what to put into the trough to make bread. It is just as easy for liim to know. Judge Osborne would concede the question. The fox for once had caught the trapper. The Judge proceeded for some ten or fifteen minutes, and said little. We could not perceive that Mr. Robinson had touched the question — the comparative value of guano and barn-yard manure. The question was whether manure would piy for simply hauling a mile, wnen guano could be bought at about $50 per ton. At this stage of the meeting we began to think we were to be favored with an edition of the small talk and nonsense served up every week by the JVew York Farmers' Club ; but matters soon took a favorable turn. Sanpord Howard, of the Boston Cultivator, thought the benefit derived from leached ashes was not from the potash they contained alone. He did not know what gave leached ashes their peculiar value. No matter if we do not, so long as experi- ence proves their value. We know, however, that they contain some phosphates; and it is probable that old leached ashes, that have been exposed to the atmosphere, contain nitrogen, and would be val- uable on that account. He had seen guano used without any visible effect. He mentioned several instances where salt had been applied to land with- out any benefit. One gentleman who manufactured salt, and had tried it on his land repeatedly, informed him that he found the less salt he got on his soil, the better. L. Wetherell stated that a farmer in Hampshire county, Mass., informed him that " no farmer could afford to move his manure at all, as long as he could obtain guano at present prices." Another farmer told him, that on poor land, where he could obtain nothing — not even " poverty grass," by the use of 300 tbs. of guano per acre he succeeded in raising 30 bushels of wheat. Another gentleman had used guano as a top-dressing on grass, and obtained good results, but ever afterwards nothing would grow on the land. Hon. Geo. Geddes, of Syracuse, had long time ago given up the idea that agriculture is an exact science. He had tried salt to his satisfactioa He had staked out a rod of land in each of three differ- ent fields, and carefully dressed them with salt, and sowed them with barley, oats, and wheat ; and he never could see the difference between them and where no salt was applied. The President of the Onondaga County Society called on him to visit a field of wheat, where salt had been applied on a por- tion of it, and where, he said, the exact line of de- markation could be distinctly perceived; but his [Mr. Geddes'] eyes were not sharp enough to dis- tinguish it. Hugh T. Brooks, of Wyoming, thought a good deal of barn-yard manure. When we speak of barn- yard manure, we use an indefinite term. It may mean something of great value, or a comparatively worthless compound. He put a good dressing of manure on his corn fields, and the census man stated that it was the best corn he had seen. He [Mr. B.] thought that farmers should husband their manures, and return all animal and vegetable refuse to the earth from whence it came. Sanford Howard said there was a gentleman present who had had much experience in the use of guano and other concentrated fertilizers, and who had been for some years connected with an extensive series of experiments in England, and he would like to hear his opinion in regard to the subjects under AGRICULTURAL DISCUSSION". 335 discussion. He referred to Joseph Harris, of the Country Gentleman. Mr. lI.«Ris agreed with Mr. Robinson that Peru- vian guano is the cheapest and best concentrated fer- tilizer at present in the market, for wheat, corn, and other cereals. Mr. R. had not attempted to prove that "no farmer could aflord to draw manure oue mile." He had simply endeavored to show that Peruvian guano, salt, feet above the floor. For the purpose of further security, every rafter should be spiked at its foot to the stable plate, and at its head into the girt on which it rests, be- tiveen the main posts of the barn, that there may be no spreading apart. The beams over the stables are floored to receive hay, straw, corn-stalks, or litter, for the cattle, of which the lofts will hold a large amount, and hay doors should s be made in every sec- § ond bent, under the ^ roof, outside, to re- " ceive it from the carts < or wagons. h The floor plan of § the stables, by refer- ^ ence to the drawings, "^ will be readily under- ^ stood. A passage ^ way extends the whole "^ length next to the g barn, 4 feet in width. ^ A short flight of steps ^ accommodates the de- ^ scent from the pass- g ages at the ends of the barn to those ia ^ , the stables. This is ^ tightly floored over, S and receives the hay § from the adjoining § bays and loft. Next '^ to this is the line of ^ mangei-s 2 feet wide, g into which, from the fc passage beside them, m is thrown the hay. The space beyond is divided into double stalls, from 6 to 7 feet wide, and of course will contain more or less of them according to their width, which : -^'\/ will be determined somewhat by the size and kind of cattle kept in them. In the middle of every bent in the stables, which will of course be 12 J feet apart, excejit in that bent where is a door, is in- serted a dung window, 18 inches long and 15 inches high, closed by a sliding shutter inside. These stables have each two doors, one at the front end and one as above named, in the center bent on the sides. These doors are 4 feet wide and run up 7 J feet to the level of the girt supporting the floor above. The stalls are partitioned from the passage or al- ley-way before described back 7 feet, with two-inch plank or inch boards, if double, and 5 feet high, to prevent the cattle interfering with each other. These staUs are framed by laying two light sticks of timber, say six inches square, parallel, the whole length of the stables, upon the beams connecting the stables and bam posts together. One of these parallel sticks is exactly over the side of the manger next the alley; the other 7 feet from it, into the stable. Either pin or spike these pieces strongly to the beams ; then frame small posts, say 3 by 6 inches (the thin sides in the partitions) from the floor, perpendicularly, into them ; and to these posts nail the partition planks. These posts and planks should be sound, strong wood, as the heaving and rubbing and wrenching upon them by the cattle will be severe. The bottom of the mangers should be about 18 inches above the floor, for cattle, and 2 J feet for horses. They may be either perpendicular in the sides or flaring towards the top next the animal; this last is the better way. Bottom supports and side elects should be well spiked to the sides of the partition planks to hold them. Planks 18 inches high in front and 2 feet next the alley, will be high enough to enclose the forage for the cattle. On the alley side a continuous line of one inch boards, nailed to the partition posts for the stalls will enclose that side of the man- gers, and be stout enough, while 1^ or 2 inch planks should be used next the cattle. A partition between thie mangers should be made, so that each should have its own separate allowance, where the cattle stand together. This should be of stout plank also, and as high as the front plank. The partitions of the stalls of course keep the other sides of the man- gers separate. The center of the plank of the man- ger next the cattle should be slightly cut out, like a new moon, to let the neck of the animal down while feeding. On each side of the stall, next the manger, a staple and ring should be inserted, into which to secure the rope or chain which holds the animal. By this course, the two cattle standing in the same stall are kept as much apart, so far as interfering with each other's food and goring is concerned, as if in separate stalls, while they occupy less room, are more comfortable and warmer in winter than if each had a stall by itself If upright stanchions, which shut in on each side of the neck are used, this will vary the manger arrangement altogether; but as I disap- prove that plan, I shall not further allude to it. Now, to prevent the cattle climbing their feet into the mangers, which they are very apt to do, spike a piece of scantling or a flatted pole over the top of the partitions, lengthwise, and perpendicularly over the front of the manger, and the mangers are complete. A passage of three feet at each end of the stable, for access from the like passage in the barn is neces- sary, and the outside of the outer stall should be set that distance within. The comfort and cleanliness of the cattle will be enhanced by sinking the floor 2 inches, 7 feet back from the mangers, so as to allow the stale to pass off, and the dung to drop below the floor they occupy; and this accomphshed, the stable is finished. The adjoining sheds, attached by a section to the rear of the barn, will be readily understood. A PREMIUM BARN. 347 lean-to, like the stables just described, and on the same floor-level, is attached to the rear end ot the barn, and extends indefinitely, according to the wants of the proprietor. I have made these extensions, on the ground plan submitted, 64 feet between the barn stables and the outer corner section. This lean-to, next the barn, has a passage 14 feet wide, (rom the main floor through it, declining 3 feet in the Hi feet width — a § sharp inclination to be sure, but down § which an empty cart or wagon can be § managed with an ordinary horse or ox- .- team, by cleeting the floor with strips of > plank. A double door, corresponding :'■ with the main doors at the other end ^ of the barn, is hung at the outer side. g On each side of this floor-way is a ^ room 34 by 16 feet. It may be divided 5 into separate rooms, or mangered off into » stables, as required, and the passages g at the ends of the bays of the main b barn and stables will accommodate the 3 passage of their food to the animals S within them. One of these rooms | may be used as a calf-house, always a ° necessary appendage to a stock barn ; » the other may be fitted up as a hospital, g. another important adjunct. A cow "^ about to calve, or a sick animal, can al- " ways be accommodated in this; and for o such purposes, a room apart from other » cattle is really necessary, and pays well » §■ for its construction. On a line with this 3 a lean-to extend, each side, a shed of the | S game dimensions in height, and width 64 £, "Z feet; thence turning at right angles, ex- g tends 116 feet, to the front line of the 5 barn. This is put up in six bents of 16 Z feet each, and two of 10 feet each, form- 3 mg the stables at the front ends. The &■ sides next the barn are open lor 8 feet ° above the ground; the remaining 12 feet » being boarded, and enclosing hay or straw lofts, with hay doors iu every other c bent. A room, 16 feet square, is made g. in each corner, (two of them), which can | be used for housing weak ewes, lambs, § a bull stable, or any purpose required. §■ The stables at each end will be conven- ^ ient for teams of horses or oxen, or, they f may be used for wagon houses, tool hou- 3 ses, or other objects. Racks or mangers >§ may be fitted up in these open sheds for 2, feeding sheep or young cattle, and yards S- may be built adjoining, on the rear, six g or eight in number, into which they may I run and be kept separate. Indeed, I can B not devise any better mode of keeping "^ sheep than this. They may all come in- to the sheds to eat. Barred partitions may separate the different flocks. Bars may also enclose the ope«- ing in front, or they may, by tight boarding, be shut in altogether. Eave troughs and conductors should take the water from the roofs into cisterns, for the cattle. By underground pipes these cisterns can all be con- nected, if necessary, and the water of them all drawn from one alone, by a power pump. By thus col- lecting the water from the roofs, the yards will be kept dry, and a large quantity of water be constantly stored for the stock in all weathers. It may be ob- jected that shed, or one-sided ro(ifs are given to the outer sheds attached to the bam instead of the com- mon double-sided roof, which may be a trifle less ex- pensive. The object of the one-sided roof is to throw the water falling upon them outside, instead of inside the yards, thus keeping them drier and cleaner. Observations. — Now, with the continued experi- ence of twenty years, and a large stock of cattle, 348 PREMIUM BARN. horses, and sheep, for the greater share of that time under my own immediate charge, and with a Ivnow- ledge of the every day wants of a mixed stoclf, I can not conceive of a plan affording more conveniences at so cheap a cost. For a stocli-breeding farm, a milli, butter, or cheese dairy, for stall-feeding cattle this a.Tangemeut is equally convenient. Cows should be tied up to milk? these stables are just fitted for it. They want e.xtra and separate feeding ? these mangers will accommodate it. Bullocks are to be stall fed? here are stalls, and ample preparation, and storage for all manner of food required. Is a sheep barn wanted? here is abundant storage for their fod- der, and the sheds, which may be extended indefinite- ly, are at hand to house and protect them perfectly. If grain be an object of the farmer, and little stock is kept, the main barn is the thing for it, and the sheds can be left ofi". A great merit I consider this plan to have over others is that it contains a fixed principle of con- struction for a barn of any size, larger or smaller. It may be built on a small scale, or it may be much larger than the one submitted. I can see no impor- tant objection to so extensive a range of buildine in connection, except that of fire. In case any part of it should burn, the whole would probably be destroy- ed. Few clusters of farm buildings, indeed, are oth- erwise, and I know of no way to remedy this objec- tion, but to insure; and no man not able to lose his buildings without inconvenience, should neglect in- surance. Besides this, the saving in labor and forage, with such a barn as this, will twice pay the insurance every year. The economy of labor in feeding stock in this barn will be seen in the immediate proximity of the forage to the mangers. The long passage down the two sides and at the end, between the main barn and the stables, is used to throw the hay into from the bays, and then it can be forked over at once into the man- gers. Girts are to be framed into the barn posts next the alley to keep the hay in place as it is mowed in from the felds. When the bays are full up to the eaves, a well-hole is to be cut with the hay knife from the top, outside, next to the stables, and longi- tudinally near the center of the bay, far enough down to p-ish the hay into the alley for feeding. This hole is of course to be enlarged as the hay is fed out, and in a little time the whole side will be open. For cutting feed, the area adjoining the main floor, where the cutting-box stands, is convenient to the bays on either side. The granary, over the horse- power, will hold all the ground feed for mixing with the cut forage. The lofts over the sheds will hold a large quantity of forage for the cattle or sheep, which may be fed and sheltered there; and as forage of every kind is enough better when sheltered from the weather to pay for such shelter, it should always be stored; and then, in all weathers, the cattle or sheep, dry and comfortable, can eat at their leisure. Step-ladders can be built at convenient places under the sheds to ascend into the lofts. It may be objected to putting the stables on the side of the barn, when so frequent a plan is to have them in the body of it, under the bays. The objec- tion to this latter mode is that the stale of the cat> tie soon rots the sills, and exposes the whole structure to infirmity, whereas, if the stable sills decay, they may be readily replaced at less expense than the others. Besides this, the convenience of low storage in the bays is great, in the saving of labor, over that of pitching everything so high over head. To this may be added, the whole concern is much warmer, contradicting, in this case at least, the old adage, "as cold as a barn;" and still, perfect ventilation is given through the long ranges of alley all round, and the stable windows. PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION OF MANURE. — Be- lieving that the best application of harn-yard manure on the farm is to get it upon the fields where it is required with the least possible delay after dropped from the cattle, I should require but little shelter for it at the yard. But as both theory and practice dif- fer in this regard, I can suggest no more economical method of protection to it from the weather, than to run sections of the stable roof back sufficiently far to protect, as they are thrown from the windows, the dung heaps from the storms. This may be cheaply done by rafters, say 6 to 10 feet long, according to the extent of protection required, running out just above the dung windows of the stables, and support- ed by braces from the sills, or posts set in the ground at their outer extremities and covered with boards or shingles. Such expense, however, is hardly worth while, if the dung is to be applied in its raw state to the land, as strict economy demands that it be taken unferniented to the ground, where its gasses and ammonia may at once be appropriated to the grow- ing crop; and if composting it he the object, a cov- ered stercorary in the yard, or under the sheds, where it would be already sheltered, is the better plan. In this very place, the theory of composting manures may, in the manner in which it is usually done, in the economy of its preparation and in the efficacy of its benefits, be seriously questioned. Composts are, as the name implies, compositions of various ferlilzing matter, nii.xed in mass, and each acting upon the other by the aid of water and atmospheric air, assist- ed by turning up and mixing, by hand labor, at sun- dry times. They thus decompose and amalgamate their various materials, each into the other, so as to become assimilated into one uniform quality of sub- stance. Now, if the same material in quality and quantity were thrown broadcast upon the soil and plowed or harrowed in, according to the requirement of the crop in hand, where the elements would dis- lodge its ammonia and gasses, while the soil and th« growing crop appropriated them as they passed of^ instead of permitting all this fertilizing matter to es- cape into the atmosphere, as is the case in the work- ings of the compost heap, and leaving a mass of ef- fete matter, by gardeners preeminently called rotted manure, the Ijenefits of such process, to my mind, can admit of little question. The destruction of noxious seeds I conceive to be its chief merit, as that is the first virtue claimed for it by its advocates. But as this is only incidental to the subject of pro- tecting manures, in connection with the plan of barn and stabUng before you, and partly explanatory of this branch of the accommodation required in a complete barn establishment, I will not pursue the discussion. It will be seen that abundant con- HORSE SHOES AND SHOEING. 349 nienoes exist for the housing and protection of aiiures. To sura up the various merits claimed for a barn comprehensive as this in its accommodation, and stif)- the expenses of its construction, larircr or laller, as tlie circumstances of the farm may require, ore is scarcely necessary than to say that all kinds forasje and farm products should be stored under elter for economical preservation and use. All nds of stock, within the climate of the State of ew York, should be sheltered. These are quite as portant as to cultivate and grow the crops, either market or which the stock are to consume, in the St manner, or to produce and care for the life of e stock at the first. The saving in expenditure of s crops, and the greatest possible benefit to the )ck in feeding them, together with due provision their warmth and comfort, is a part of the system good husbandry, and without these the system is perfect. To effect this, a full and complete barn ablishmcnt is necessary — as nmch so as good fences, an fields, a fertile soil, and a thorough understaud- : of his vocation, is to the prosperity of the farmer nself. Construction. — This barn and attachments are lit of wood. The sills are of white oak, that be- the most durable timber in this region. Chest- ;, black walnut, pine, or locust will do as well. 3 other frame timbers may be of any kind of wood, being dry they are not liable to decay. The sills y stand upon blocks of durable timber, set end- .e in the ground two feet below the surface, and outside planked up to keep out the cold; or they y be underpinned wiih stone, laid dry or in mortar he last plan altogether the best, but the first will for several years, and the stone work laid afler- rds. The sides are covered with pine boards, laid vertically; the seams, or joints, battened with ps 3 inches wide, and the doora and windows Iff and fastened in a substantial manner. Thus whole building is dry, warm, convenient, and nfortable, to man and to beast. jOst. — The cost of this structure, on the plan sub- ted, it is difficult to state, depending much on the ;e of lumber, which varies to the extent of fifty cent. — even more in different sections of the mtry ; and as hewn timber, scantling, planks, irds, and shingles are the bulk of the material, the lense must vary accordingly as these articles are ap or dear. Labor, iron-work, and nails differ le in prices all over the country. If stone under- ning be laid, it will add .S500 to the cost over oden blocks. With the latter, in a lumber coun- , the whole establishment may be built for 62,000. will be cheap at that. With stone underpinning, I boards at 312 to S15 per 1,000 feet, and other iber in proportion, it may cost §3,000 to ijfS.SOO, )ending somewhat on the fini.sh given to it, which y be either increased or curtailed at pleasure. In essentials, however, no part of the construction luld be neglected. ifter so fully describing the various parts of the icture and their different accommodation to the nerous purposes demanded, it may appear super- jus to make a formal array of claims to its supe- riority over other structures of the kind. These may, however, be condensed into — compactness of arrangement and storage; accommodation to all the varieties of crop on the farm; economy in feeding out the forage; saving of labor in that department by the convenient and compact lodgment of the stock, in connection with the food which they are to consume; the convenience and cheapness in the ar- rangement of the machinery, driven by either hand or horse power; exceeding convenience of the yards to all kinds of farm stock. In all these a great amount of manual labor is saved, a most important item with the farmer. And last of all, in the ap- pearance of this group of buildings there is a com- fort, a fitness, and a corresponding character with the farm itself, which should commend itself to the consideration of every husbandman requiring build- ings of the kind. Lewis F. Ali.en. HOESE SHOES AND SHOEING. We gave a long and excellent article on the text above, in a late number, from a good little London book by WiLi.i.vM Miles, entitled "The Horses' Foot, and How to Keep it Sound," which every horse-fhoer and horseman ought to have. Among the earliest memories of our boyhood is the recollection with what interast we watched our Yankee father, who was famous for his skill in horse- shoeing, while he carefully plated out the iron, shared the hoof just right, and then nailed on the shoe with as much precision as a gallant son of Crispin would fit a lady's gaiter. In the first place no man is fit to shoe a horse, who, in addition to being a good work- man, does not love and respect a horse; and we have comparatively few good horse-shoers in this country. After closely examining thousands of specimens of shoes, we do not wonder at the many hoof bound and otherwise damaged feet which our roadsters pre- sent. But what we set out to say, was to call the atten- tion of Agricultural Societies to the improvement of this department of mechanics, which so intimately aflects their interests. Premiums would be well be- stowed in exciting competition for the best specimens of horse-shoes and shod horses. We ha^e seen this at some fairs. In Licking, we remember especially, were some fine specimens of shoeing, and pretty fair specimens of shoes; but the best lot of shoes we have seen in Ohio, were at the Hamilton County Fair, at Carthage, last year, made by a Cincinnati man, whose name we would be glad to give if we knew who he was. In the mechanical department of some other fairs, we have seen shoes which were only worthy of being cursed for their mischievous and ill-shaped forms. — Ohio Cultivator. The above article is well worthy the attention of Agricultural Societies. We saw some well made, beautiful shoes at the late Canada Fair. And while you are about it, gentlemen, can't you do something for the ox-yoke. 350 HINTS FOR NOVEMBER.— DWARF TREES. HINTS FOR NOVEMBER The Season. — The autumn, like the past summer, thus far has been wet and cold. We have thus far (Oct. 23d) had no frost to injure vegetation material- ly. During the few fine days the woods have been beautifully brilliant. Care of Autumn-planted Trees. — Trees planted recently should be carefully staked, if likely, from size or exposure, to be blown around by the winds ; and all should be carefully mulched. Common rough ma- nure from the barn-yard, is as good as anything. — Staking and mulching are the great preservatives of newly planted trees, either in summer or autumn. Trees planted last spring, even, would be greatly ben- efitted by a mulching, and especially where they have not grown freely and taken deep root in the ground. Soft-wooded trees, such as the Pawlonia, some Mag- nolias, &c., which, though perfectly hardy after one or two seasons' growth, are likely to be winter-killed, if quite exposed, should have a thin sheathing of straw for the first winter ; and that, even if planted last spring. This remark applies to both deciduous and evergreen trees. Rare evergreens, even perfectly hardy ones, should invariably have a slight protection the first winter. Raspberries, to ensure a certain crop next season, should be protected. The practice of the great mar- ket-growers near New Tork, is to lay down the canes and cover very lightly with earth. Straw or boughs of trees will answer ; but there is a standing objection to all such things, and that is, they attract vermin. Straivberry beds, and particularly those recently planted, should be protected to prevent being drawn out, as they certainly will be if left exposed, unless the ground should be covered with snow all winter, which can not be expected, in many places. Half hardy plants, such as monthly roses, carna- tions, &c., may be wintered well by planting them compactly in a bed, and enclosing them with a fr like that for a hot-bed, and covering it with boa These can be removed at mild intervals during wii and air be given, to prevent mold, &c. Dahlia roots are frequently lost by being put a in a cellar, gi cen and wet. The roots should be dried in the sun, until there is no apparent mois aljout them, and then be placed on dry shelves o put away in sand, where they will not freeze. V this precaution, the roots are as easily wintere( potatoes. Gladiolus, Tiger Flower, Tuberose, and o tender bulbs, must be taken up, dried, and put a in boxes of dry sand, or on dry shelves, in a cellai the winter. Cut off all flower stems and deca; parts. Hyacinths, Tulips, JVarcisstts, Crocus, Croiim perials. Hardy Lillies, and all hardy bulbs, ma planted as long as the ground remains open, soil should be deep, dry, rich, and finely pulverizei them all ; and when planting is done, cover leaves six inches deep. This covering can be r: off early in spring, as soon as frost is out. Peach and Plvm stones may either be sown fall before the ground freezes, or laid in thin h and covered lightly with earth to freeze and thav ring winter. If kept dry they wUl not germinate season. Seeds of all hardy trees may also be sown bi winter sets in, if the ground be quite dry. Field Mice are often very destructive to ore and garden trees. One of the greatest preventiv to clear up thoroughly all brush and rubbish that have accumulated during summer, remove all g weeds, &c., that the mice might burrow and work der during winter. DWARF TREES. DWARF JTBEES. 351 hth of an acre lot, n have a beautiful riety cif fruit. lu va- ty they can equal the mer with his twenty re orcharii. Anoth- advantage is, that ese trees bear very You may cou- ently expect your es to produce fruit scooiui year after lilinting-. These dwarf are remarkably autiful ; nothing in flower garden or on lawn can excel thera his resjiect. Imag- amiuiature tree, say feet high, in the I all covered with ssoms, and in the umn the branches /?' , ded to the ground /^IJ>v, h fruit. Sometimes apples on these ;s are four times the umference of the in trunk. Trees are dwarfed being budded or en- fted on the root of le small variety. The pearls dwarfed working on the Fi ice root. We this !• gathered fifty Rostiezer pears from a tree only years from the bud, and the second year after iting out. Trees of the Ji'kite Doyenne have pro- ed upwards of twenty large specimens the third • from the bud. In the spring of 1853 we bought Tirte Doyenne pear tree four yeiirs from the bud, planted it the first of May. The same season it i sixty-three pears, fine, large, and beautifully col- " Fig. 1 is a portrait of a tree taken this summer. It is about six years old, and has been well pruned and made to assume the pyramidal form. It is about eight feet high, and five feet wide at the base. " The applg is dwarf- ed by engrafting on the Doucuiti. By working on the Paradise stock it is still more dwarfed, making but a small bush, as in Fig. 2. " Fig. 3 is the por- trait of a dwarf Flor- ence cherry tree, given by Mr. Rivers, of Eng- land, in his Miniature Fruit Garden, only two years old, and bear- ing fruit. Except as ornaments, we do not admire the dwarf cher- ry. The cherry on a free stock comes to ma- turity early enough,and many of the varieties are quite beautiul as shade trees, and are of moderate size." 1. 1 Great interest is now felt in the subject of Dwarf Trees, as well there may be. To plant trees one year, and eat the fruit the same or succeeding year, seems /(is< enough to suit this /as< age and country. I. They were exhibited at the fall show of the Then they require so little room that scarcely a city li ifisee Valley Horticultural Society the same season, residence but has " yard" enough for half a dozen. 352 POMOLOGICAL CONVENTION— COMMEMORATIVE TREES. POMOLOGICIAL CONVENTION AT BURLINGTON. In compliance with the notice of the North-West- ern Fruit Growers' Association, the meeting assem- bled at Burlington, Iowa, on the 25th of September, and continued the 2Glh and 27th. The attendance was large, comprising all persons interested in Fruit culture, amateurs, fruit, growers, and nurserymen, from various parts of the United States ; and as fur the ex- hibition of fruit, it was undoubtedly the finest ever made in this country, and proliably in the world. Contributions of fruit were made from all sections, some very large from "Western New York, and all well grown for their ri.=pective localities. Most of those present from the Eastern States were greatly astonished at the size and beauty of all the varieties of apples and pears grown in the Missis- sippi Valley, comprising mostly the' States of Illinois and Iowa ; and some of our western friends took par- ticular delight in comparing the eastern fruits with the same kinds grown west. The fruits from this section could hardly claim any relationship with the same sorts produced by the deep, rich, alluvial soils of the west ; in fact there was hard- ly any comparison, as all the western iruits were from fifty to one hundred per cent, larger than the same kinds grown in this section. In many cases, the dis- tinctive characteristics of many varieties were entirely obliterated, so that it was very difficult, and, some- times utterly impossible, to recognise the same spe- cies when grown, as they were, in such difierent local- ities. Mr. A. Fkost brought with him, from Burlington, specimens of apples and pears which were displayed in the Arcade in this city; Truly we never had such apples and pears here before. Yellow Bellflower, Greening, Rambo, JVewtoun Pippin, and Maiden's Blush apples, and some sorts of pears, were almost marvellous. An able address was delivered by Mr. Bakey, be- fore the Society, which was well received. The Society adjourned to hold its next annual meeting in this city, next autumn, in connection with the United States Pomological and Horticultural Society of the Valley of the Genesee. COMMEMORATIVE TREES. In England there yet exists trees that point back to the manners of our ancestors — such as the Gospel Oaks, under whose shade oui forefathers were accus- tomed to assemble to hear sermons; in the same man- ner as at a later date our markets and other crosses were the cites selected for religious instruction to the assembled crowd. It was at Paul's Cross that ( of the brightest ornaments of our church had nea lost his life by the exposure to rain end wind, having recovered from his illness, in the gratitude his heart offered to do anything which his care nurte and landlady demanded of him, in return her unwearied attention. She said " marry my dau; ter," and the divine obeyed the mandate. This ecdote is merely introduced to show at how recen date preaching in the open air was common in E land, and as we may suppose that in country pla the practice of preaching under trees might have c tinued long after it had been discontinued in tow there seems every probability that those venera remains, joying in the distinction of Gospel Oa were in the hwty vigor ot their manhood, so to spe the identical trees selected, and thus traditionf confirming a curious phase of our history. Hen Oak, that thousands as well as myself have mad pilgrimage to see, as is well known, is not the ver ble ( n3 (it is a pity to know itj, but the one that i uprooted in George lll.'s time in all probability ^ that tree of some ghostly legend in the time of ' Shakespeare, and which, owing to the merry w-i' conceit, had preserved its identity almost to our o time.0. Nor can we forget the Mulberry planted the bard's own hands; and it takes a vast efibrt forgive its ruthless destroyer. How much pure gr fication has he deprived not f^nglishmen alone of, the cultivated and refined of all nations. The cumstances alluded to are of national interest; how many thousand commemorative trees exist t are of family notoriety only? and to such most dee « interesting. A knoll upon an estate, where I h recently been employed, is called "Bunker's H and upon comparing the age of the Elm trees, v the date of the engagement, I find a very near proach to years and annual layers of woody accu! lation. I will give one more instance of a family ture that I was connected with ; a friend of mine been married to his wife fifty years ; there wa gathering of soift and daughters and grandchild and each one assisted to plant an Oak in such a ir ner that the whole should ultimately form a strik group in after years. Each of these trees were knc to persons on the estate by the names of the pers who assisted to plant them. It has occurred to that persons having gardens might make them deeper interest by the power of association, and, way of illustration, I will relate what has occurrec myself. Some years ago I was conversing with late Sir WiLLLiii Garrow upon the delight I leii possessing any plant that was mentioned by Virc he said he could add to my collection by giving a plant of Bay that was taken from his tomb. I p sess the plant yet, and it slightly differs from thai common cultivation. Napoleon Willows will come in fashion again if the President maintains friendly relations with England; for everything lating to his uncle is with a large party in France m present in high estimation. The late poet Laurbj i Wordsworth, the author of that noble poem, " 1 Excursion," and the "Prelude," not enough knowr the author of the lyrical ballads — sent me a Lau ir, from Eydal Mount, which I need not say I cherish, William Masters, in London Gardener's Chron . K\ leti FLOWERS. 358 FLOWERS. " Ladies universally love flowers." This is a re- ark we meet with iu our readiug a score of times . a week, and we meet with nothing more truthful. ,t the late NewTork State Fair, Mrs. Van Namee, " r Kcnsselaer county, exhibited some 300 varieties of ^1 Dwers, and Mrs. Newcomb, of the same county, about Da 30 varieties, and many of them rare and fine. When is remembered that these ladies reside about 300 liles from the place of exhibition, all will be ready ) say that they showed at once their love of flowers id their public spirit. Men who refuse to go Bfty r a hundred miles to attend their State Fair may ;ad and learn a useful lesson. The season of flowers is almost over for the year, st we may do a little to prolong their stay. Hyacinths, grown in water, are very pretty, and ive the room a fresh spring-like appearance. Glasses, ith a hollow cup at the top, to hold the bulb, are 3ed. It is not good to begin too soon wiih glsisses. 'ecember is early enough. After being kept for a w days in slightly damped sand, they should be laced in their glasses. At first the water should aly just touch the base of the bulbs, and the gla.sses loulj be kept in a dark closet until the roots have ttained the length of an inch. Two drops of the Dirit of hartshorn may be added to the water in ach glais, when the bulbs are growing, and when- ver the water is changed. Dark-colored glass is al- 'ays to be preferred, as the absence of light is natu- al to all roots. By keeping the glasses in a dark loset, until the roots are full an inch long, the Hya- inths will not get top-heavy, but the roots being in dvance of the leaves, will preserve the p^aut balanced rect. 'J he bloom will also be finer, as the roots will '6 in a state to nourish the leaves before these are irematurely advanced. A piece of charcoal put into ach glass feeds the plant, and prevents putridity in lie water. Pot Plants, when they can be kept in health and 'igor, are much admired, and nothing can be more )eauliful. In the August nuniber we gave some in- ormatiou about Wardian cases, and now we give a ew designs for ornamental stands. Fig 1 is a flower-basket of wiren jrk painted green; n, still better, the basket-work part may be made of 3raiswire, and left of its natural color. It is mount- sd upon a mahogany or oak clawed pedestal set on castors. A shallow zinc tray is placed within, to prevent the water that may piiss through the pots from falling on the carpet. This tray should have a small waste-pipe attached to the lower part of its bottom, and regulated by a brass cock, so placed, and of such a size, as not to be seen from any part of the room. This is intended for withdrawing the water that may accumulate in them, and so preventing its overflowing, as it may not be convenient at all times to remove the whole of the plants out of the table. The plants are to be packed in moss, kept perfectly green and fresh on the surface. Fig. 2 exhibits a very elegant flower-stand in cast iron. The very high state of perfection to which casting in iron has arrived is taken ad- vantage of for ornar- mental purposes. The present flower-stand is worthy of notice, and will not be very expen- sive. There are four movable baskets, a aa a, which move round on the rod b, and may be placed any height and any figure that may please the possessor, to suit the situation in which it is to be placed. The rod 4 moves up and down in the pillar c, till the branch rests at the top of the pillar at d. The branch e is mova- ble, and may be taken ofi the rod, so that the Fig. 2. brackets may be slipped off at the top, leaving only one or two, according to the number of plants in- tended to be placed thereon. The bottom/ is made of different kinds of ornaments, to suit the taste of the purchaser. The pots g g ai'e merely placed to show that they rest on the leaves fixed at the ends of the brackets. 354 CHANGE NOT ALWAYS IMPROVEMENT. served a part of the road where the scenery was pa. ticularly interesting. It consisted of large spreadin trees, intermi.xed with thorns: on one side, a vie' into Lord • -'s parli was admitted, by the pal a«i being smili; and a ladder-stile, placed near an age' beech, tempted me to explore its beauties. On tb opposite side, a bench, and an umbrageous part c an adjoining forest, invited me to pause, and make sketch of the spot. After a lapse of ten years, I wa ,', surprised to see the change which had been madt I no longer knew, or recollected, the same place, til an old laborer explained, that, on the death of th- late lord, the estate had been sold to a very rich man "•• who had improved it; for, by cutting down the timi '' CHANGE NOT ALWAYS IMPROVEISIENT. In the September number of the Farmer we stated that we were preparing a series of interesting and in- structive articles for this department. We thought it rather better not to commence the series until the January number, as we expect then to more than double the jiumber of our young readeiu The arti- cles we propose to give is a series, say twelve in num- ber, on Gardening for Youth. They will be finely illustrated, and will con- tain all the important and valuable information on the subject, given in the simplest and plainest language, and will be well worthy the attention of the old as well as the young. But we had almost forgotten our heading. Change not always Improvement. Our attention was particularly called to this subject by perusing an English work on Landscape Gardening, by that old and celebrated Landscape Gardener, Repton. The old man de- plored the great rage for improvement in England, which had destroyed so many beautiful walks and jjleasant groves, that had always been open to the poor, and states their eflk^it to be only " Adding to riches an increased store, And making poorer those already poor." The first engraving shows the forest in its original atate, with all its wild beauty, where the poor and their children could enjoy the lovely forest and its pure health-giving at- mosphere; and the second, the same place improved, with no resting place for the way-farer, and worse than all, that forbidding looking board sign which stares you in the face at every mile in your travels through England, informing you in no very delicate terms, that "spring gnns and man- traps are set in these grounds,'' or that " all persons found trespassing xvill view after the forfst wastf had been enclosed and the geounb he prosecuted according to law." We subjected to agricultural improvement. view from a public koad which passes through a forest. ber, and getting an act to enclose the common, hi had doubled all the rents. The old mossy and ivy covered pale was replaced by a new and lofty closn paling; not to confine the deer, but to exclude man kind, and to protect a miserable narrow belt of fin and Lombardy poplars: the bench was gone, the ladder-stile was changed to a caution against man- traps and spring-guns, and a notice that the foot-path was stopped by order of the commissioners. As 1 will fill this page by allowing Mr. Repton to tell his own story. We certainly i eed the hint in this coun- try, as in our improvements we pay altogether too little regard to the beautiful. In passing through a distant county, I had ob- read the board, the old man said, — " It is very tme^ and I am forced to walk a mile further round, eveiy night, after a hard day's work." There are too many who have no idea of improve- ment, except by increasing the quantity, the quality, or the value of an estate. EDITOR'S TABLE. 355 TATE Fairs. — As a general thing, the State Fairs the sent year have heen very successful. AVe have attend- as many as possible, but our limits will not permit of ended notices. We ma}- refer to some particular points uture. !'he Xfw York State Fair, at Elmira, was all its friends Id desire. If it was deficient in any respect, it was, haps, in horses. In fruit, tiowers, implements, cattle, , it was very good — and the people were there to see learn. 'he New Jersey State Fair, held at Camden, was the . ever held in the State. It was entirely successful, ♦r. Kenmcott, the Secretary of the Illinois State Ag- Itural society, writes us that their fair was all the most lusiastic could desire. he Pennsylvania StAte Fair, we regret to learn from papers of that State, was considered almost a failure, believe there was some feeling in regard to the loca- , of an unpleasant nature. The farmers of this great prosperous State must take hold of the matter them- es. If there are evils existing, correct them, but sus- the society. " In some articles, however, the exhibi- was quite creditable and abundant. In poultry it has Uy been surpassed, and in rich quilts and needle work ould vie with any before it. In agricultural machinery implements the exhibition was most gratifying. And ome of the fruits, pickles, preserves, flowers, &c., it ample, creditable and gratifying." Ihe Maine State Fair (the first ever held) is reported to been very successful. he ^Michigan State Fair, at Detroit, a correspondent es us, was a good and successful fair, t the Provincial Fair, held at Cobourg, was an excel- show of cattle, and working horses we never saw lied on this continent. "We should encourage this class orses more in this country. Good working horses are t we need. The long-wooled sheep, which they called testers, were exceedingly fine, and too large for pure esters. The exhibition of field vegetables could not •excelled in old England. Such ruta bagas, mangel tzels, &c., we have not seen equaled in many a day. w fine apples were shown, but the exhibition of fruit not very creditable. he "Wisconsin Fair, we see by the papers, was highly lessful, and the display in many departments very supe- EATH OF Prof. Johnston. — Late advices from Eng- i state that Prof. Johnston, the eminent agricultural mist and author, died at Durliam on the 18th of Sept., d fifty-nine years. He visited America a few years- I, and upon his return to England, published bis otes on North America," which have been republished lis country, and have found numerous readers. He was author of several scientific works, the most celebrated vhich were "Lectures on Agricultural Chemistry and logy," and " The Chemistry of Common Life." He endowed with rare talents, and his loss will be deeply lored by the scientific portion of the community. The Third National Exhiuition of the United States Agricultural Society, at Boston, commenced on Tuesday, the 23d of October, and continued during the three following days. The opening on Tuesday was all that could be desired by the officers and the friends of the exhibition generally. On M'€d7iesdai/ the rain, which has so generally interfered with the State Fairs this season, cast a gloom over all concerned in this 'great national ex- hibition. It rained on "Wednesday all day, but ceased du- ring the night. On Thursday, although it was not pleas- ant, it did not rain, and this was the great gala day. Stores and schools were closed, and the banks suspended. The crowd on the ground this day was immense — estimated at sixty thousand. As we delay the press to make this an- nouncement, we have only time and space to say that the arrangements were made with ability and good taste, and the greatest credit is due to the President, Marshall P. "Wilder, and the other officers of the Society. James "Vick. of the Genesee Farmer, made a few hu- morous remarks on the subjects under discussion, alluding to the discrepancy between the statement of Solon Rob- inson that 200 D>s. of guano would give an increase of 13 bushels of wheat per acre, and that of Joseph Harris, that 336 ffis. were required in England to produce an in- crease of 10 bushels over the unguanoed portion of the field. — Coinitry Gentleman. The above alludes to remarks we made at the agricul- tural discussion held during the State Fair, at Elmira, N. y. Now, although we made no particular effort to be humorous, yet certain statements made about the wonder- ful eftects of guano, were enough to affect the risibilities of even the most seriously disposed. "We have tried gua- no at various times and under almost all circumstances ; and while we are willing to admit all that can be reasona- bly said in its favor, we know it will not accomplish im- possibilities. "With potatoes at 37A cents per bushel, and wheat at $1.50, it will not pay to use guano. The increase in the crop will not pay the cost and trouble, but with po- tatoes at 75 cents per bushel, and wheat in proportion, we would use it liberally, and expect a good crop in return. Guano was tried this season, under our advice and inspec- tion, on potatoes, The ground was light. In the spring of 1854: clover was turned under and corn planted, which yielded well. Last spring it was plowed well, and planted to potatoes the last of April. Every alternate four rows of an acre was treated to guano, one ounce to a hill, ma- king 153 5)s. to the half acre that received the guano. Blue Mercers was the kind planted. They were dug and carefully measured about the I5th of October, and the half acre that had received no guano yielded G9 bushels, and the guanoed half acre yielded 85 bushels, making 16 bushels to be credited to the guano. These IG bushels, at 44 cents, the present price of potatoes here, would bring S7.04. The guano, including transportation, cost $4.59. The guano was put in the hill and lightly covered before the potatoes weie planted. We tried this season to see how many potatoes we could raise to the acre by the use of an extraordinary quantity of well rotted barn-yard manure and ben dung, and on the thirteenth of an acre we raised of Blue Mercers at the rate of 470 bushels ; and on another piece, the tenth 356 EDITOR'S TABLE. of an acre, planted with Mountain Junes, we raised at the rate of 500 bushels. This ground waa planted with pota- toes last year, and yielded a poor crop. The ground was carefully measured, and the potatoes weighed, at 57 lbs. to the bushel. MoBG Guano. — A company has been formed in New York, called the American Guano Company, for the pur- pose of purchasinfj and working an island in tlie Pacific, which is represented as belonging to no nation. The pro- spectus intimates that the company expect to sell, the first year, four hundred thousand tons, at thirty dollars per ton, which would give them a clear profit of two million four thousand dollars ! "We hope this company has tested the guano, and know it to be a good article ; otherwise it may not be worth the cost of importing. Isabella Guafes. — We are indebted to E. A. McKay, of Naples, Ontario county, for a lot of beautiful Isabella Grapes. Aqbiculture and Horticulture in Kanzas. — We see by a letter to the editor of the Democrat in this city, Au extract from which we give below, that the great inter- ests of agriculture and horticulture are not forgotten in Kanzas : A Horticultural exhibition was held at Lawrence on the 7th inst., which brought a great many people into the city. The exhibition of vegetable products was very fair, but ot course not equal to what it is in Rochester — the great hor- ticultural and flouring city of the Union. A squash meas- uring 5 feet y inches in circumference, and weighing 105 pounds, was raised on the sod in L. The worm has injured the crops a great deal, but the crop is a large one. In a year or two Kanzas will raise all the food it consumes. Corn meal now costs $1.25 per bushel, because there are now no mills here to grind corn ready for the hopper. Wind-mills, if they can be built strong enough to with- stand our spring gales, will be the things for this country. Guano as a Preventive in Yellow Fever. — Com- modore CooRE, of the U. S. ship St. Louis, has published a card recommending the use of guano, as a prophylactic against yellow fever. He states that having had a bag of ^uano on the berth deck for several months, he visited Kib, where the fever prevailed, in company with the frigate Brandywine. After remaining in port sufficiently long to water and pi ovision the ships, they proceeded to sea, where the disease soon made its appearance on board the Bran- dy wine, carrying off several of the officers and a number of the crew. The St. Louis escaped entirely. Some months afterwards, being obliged to visit the port again, where the fever was still raging, he distiibuted the guano more equally, and after remaining in port several days, put to sea, the ship remaining entirely free from malignant diseases. It is not stated what was the h^ genie condition of the St. Louis as compared with that of the Brandy wine. — Aled. and Surg. Journal. Lost NuiyiERS. — We try to be very careful in mailing the Farmer — still it would be very strange if some should not be lost in passing through the mail. We will supply any person with lost numbers without charge on applica- tion. Every subscriber to the Farmer should preserve his numbers, and if not convenient to get them bound. stitch the twelve numbers together yourself. In this way thej are worth twice their original cost for reference. The Rural Annual and Horticultural Direct RY. — This is a neat little work we have just publish* containing 120 pages closely printed, on fine paper, a illustrated with over sixty fine engravings. It is design* as stated in the preface, to "furnish a hand-boor for t inexperienced — a guide to those about to commence t formation of orchards and gardens — a work at once kei able, and so cheap as to be within the reach of all." T contents of the book are as follows : Th€ Fruit Garden and Orchard— Introduction.—E planation of terms used to describe the forms of tre leaves, fruit, and all horticultural operations. Prepai tion of the Ground — Directions for Planting, Pruning, &' — Diseases Injurious to Fruit and Trees — Animals do. Dwarf Trees for the Garden — List of Fruits Recommen ed by State Societies — List of Fruits Recommended American Pomological society. The Vineyard — Cultivation of the Grape. — Soil a Position — Preparation of the Soil — Planting — Training Treatment — Pruning and Pinching. The Lawn and Flowir Garf/en. — Preparing the S' and laying out the Garden — Forming the Lawn — Planti the Lawn and Garden — Deciduous Trees — Evergre Trees — Shrubs — Roses — Bedding Plants. List of Nurserymen in the United States and Canada Some of the principal Nurserymen and Seedsmen of F rope — Calendar for 1S5G. Published by James Vick, Rochester, N. T. Price, cents each (postage pre-paid) ; $2 per dozen ; $12.50 j hundred ; and five hundred for $G0. To those who form Clubs for 1856. — We do : ask that all the members of a club should receive tb papers at one office. We are willing to send to as mi Post Offices as there are members of the club, if neces: ry for the convenience of subscribers. But where r practicable. Post Masters would accommodate us byket ing a list of the subscribers at their office, and alluwi us to send the whole number to their own address. T saves us the trouble of writing on all the papers. Ma have done this the present year. Agricultural Boors and Libraries. — We refer to our offer of Agricultural Books. We know of no bi ter way in which a young man could obtain a few go Agricultural Books than by obtaining subscribers to 1 Genesee Farmer. The fall and winter months affo leisure, and the price of the Farmer is so low and merits so well appreciated, that few will refuse to subscri if solicited. We will send specimen numbers and sho* bills to all who apply. Premiums for 1855. — Any person entitled to Gevet Farmer Premiums for the present year, and not having i ceived them, will please notify us at once, as we are ao ious to close up the year's business and take a fair start i another year. To our Canadian Friends. — We shall continue furnish the Farmer to our Canadian subscribers free American postage. EDITOR'S TABLE. 357 NunsEKT Catalogue. — We have constant application for Nursery Catalogues — lists of Nursery Trees, with their prices, &c. "With this number we give all our subscribers a Catalogue. The prices are the same as charged at most of the respectable nurseries, Orders received will be carefuUj and promptly tilled. Noticts of Nclo Boohs, ^trioiitals, &:. We have received the following books the present month : LtslDK Vlmv OF Sl.*vekt: or, a Tnur among -the Planters. By C. G. P.4RSO.NS, M. D.; with an inlroaiicUon by H. B. StoWE. Boston : JOUN P. Jewett & Co. j.p. 3*20. Thb Phvsiologt OK Marriaoe. By an old Physician. Boston: ' JH.x P. Jewbtt k Co. pp. 250. JlJlio Clifford. A Tale by a Lady. New York : D. Appietox b Co.. 346 and 34S Broadway. Price, $1. This is an eiciting story. The above works are for sale by D. M. Dewky, of this city. A MrcK Mantai. fob Fahheks : a Treatise on the Physical and Chemical properties of Soils ; the Chemistry of Manures ; inclu- din? also the subjects of Composts, Artificial Manures, and Irri- gatien. By SAMt'tl, L. Daka. Fourth Edition, with a new chap- ter on Bones and Superpliospbates. N»w York : C. M. SAiTos &Go. pp.300. Pi ice, $1. This is an interesting and valuable book, containing "the pith of eight lectures on the chemistry of soil and manure," delivered before the citizens of Lowell, at their request, by the author. MORTIXER'S COLLBGS LiFE. By E. J. MAT, author of "Louis' School Days," etc. With iUustrations. New York : D. Applf.- T0.-< & Co., 346 and 3iS Broadway. 1856. 350 pages. Price, $1. This is a reprint of an English work, beautifully printed and illustrated, and well calculated, we think, from a hasty glance, to inculcate good moral and religious principles in youth. It will be an excellent gift book for the holidays. The Horse's Foot anp now lo keep it Soniro, with illustra- tions. By Wiu.lAM Miles, Esq. New York: C. M. Saito.-* h Co. pp. to. Price, 25 centa. This, also, is a reprint of a valuable English work. Ev- ery man who owns a horse, and particularly every man vho undertakes to shoe one, should read this little book. We are constantly annoyed at the ignorance of black- smiths on this subject. Every man who can drive a nail or blow a bellows thinks he knows how to shoe a hor.se ; ■and the consequence is the poor beast hobbles and stum- bles and suffers. If you have an intelligent horse-shoer within twenty miles of yon, patronise him, and let the ig- norant pretender learn bia business or engage in some other. This is a good looking book of over 400 pages. The aathor says this work is a " record of facts, simply, from the experience of one who has been an eye and ear wit- ness ; and if its perusal shall influence a single individual to labor more zealously and more fervently toward remo- ving from our legal and social system the dark blots that now unfortunately stain them, I shall not have put forth inj hand in vain." We have not bad time to read this Ibeok, but it haa a good look. TnK VI.\E-I>RKSSBU3' MANUAL, an illustrated treatise on Vineyards and Wine-miiking. By Charles Keemelin, of Oliio. New York : C. II. Saxto.v & Co. pp. 100. Price, M cents. The author of this little work is a practical vintner, and to use his own language, " owns vineyards, has woiked and does work in them." The pruning and training of the vine is plainly and neatly illustrated, and we have no hesitation in pronouncing it a valuable work on a subject in reference to which information is now eagerly sought. The Stable Book; being a treatise on the management of Horses, &c., Sc. New York : C. M. Saxto.i & Co. pp. 376. Price, $1. This is the celebrated English book by JouN Stewart, with notes and additions adapting it to American food and climate, by A. B. Allen. JnquitUs anb fUnsiotTe. Sweet Corn. — Is the Stowell Evergreen Corn really evergreen f that is, will it keep all the winter a» represented ? What is the best green corn, if this is not? J. N. The Stowell corn is late, and drys for seed with difficulty here, as unless it is hung up in a room with a fire it will mildew. We have not succeeded in making it of much account in winter. The Boston folks praise the Old Col' any sweet corn. We have never eaten anything better in this line than the pure old fashioned sweet corn. Itreallj seems good enough for the most inveterate epicure. ADVERTISEMENTS, To secure insertion in the Fakmek, must be received as early ajg the 10th of the previoua month, and be of such a character as to be of interfcat to farmers. Terus — Two Dollars for every hundred words, each insertion, paid in advanob. PLEASAirr AND PROFITABLE EMPLOYMENT. IN every town and village, for any number of young men, to sell Valuable Books, and to canvaes for our Popular and ScienliGc Journals. Alt who engage vnih us will be secured from the possibU' ity of loss. ProGta very liberal. Please address FOWLER AND WELLS, Nov.— 3t. 308 Broadway, New York. ICHABOE GUANO. JUST received by the brig Wave Spirit, direct from the Ichaboo islands, a cargo of this superior Guano (which is the first cargo arrived Since that brought by the ship Shakspeare, in 1845). This Guaoo is now landed in excellent order, and will be sold in lot" to suit purchasers. Samples and analyses will be sent by uddieasiog the agent. As the quantity is smull, early application will be ne- cessiiry. Farmers wbc cannot remove what they desire, may have it remain on storage until April Isl, at 18^ cents per ton per month, which includea insurance. Piice, $40 per ton of 2,000 ftfl. A. LONGETT, Agent. Nov— tr 34 Cliff Bt, corner of Fulton, New York. LAWTON BLACKBERRjr. HAVIVG the present season had additional opportunity to sat- isfy ourselves of the superiority of the LAWTON BliACK- BERKY, we have accepted the agency therefor from Mr. William Lawto.v. We can confidently assure the public that thia extraordinary fruit fully susUiins ita reputation, being of mammoth size, with a fine melting pulp, and rich flavor. It is perfectly haidy and re-' quires no (^-xtra care in ita culiivaiion. We are now piHpired to receive orders, which will be filled direct from the grounds of Mr. Lawto.v oq and after the 15th uf October. The planlB will be carefully and securely packed without extra charge, and forwarded fiom New York at the following' reduced prices:— Half a dozen, $3; one dozen, $5; fifty plants, $15; one hundred plants, $25. The money must in every case accompany the order. C. M.SAXTON &C0., ■ Agricultuml Hook PublistieraL 162 FultoD street, New York. 358 ADVRRTISEMENTS. Genesee Farmer for 1856. One more number completes the present volume. The uext volume will be priuted on new type, good paper, and contain one-third more reading than at present. The illustrations will also be more useful as well as more beautiful and costly than any before given. Our friends will please form clubs early. PREMIUMS_FOR 1856! We ask the attention of our friends everywhere to the Premiums we olTer for the coming year. There is no better way to procure good agricultural reading than by obtaining Bubscribers for the Genesee Farmer. 1. To every person who sends us a club of eight subscribers at our regular terms, (Ihree shillings cock) we will give one copy of the Rural Aimual for his trouble. 2. To every person who sends us Sixteen subscribers at our club terms of three shilling! each, one extra copy of the Farmer and one copy of the Rural Annual. 3 To every person sending us TwESTT-FOnR subscribers, as above, two copies of the Rural Annual, and one extra copy of the Farmer, or any agricultural work valued at 60 cents, postage paid. 4. to any person ordering Thirty-two copies of the Farmer, three copies of the Rural Annual and one extra copy of the Far- mer, or, any agricultural book valued at 76 cents, postage paid. 6. For Forty, four copies of the Rural Annual and one extra copy of the Farmer, or, any agricultural book valued at %\, postage paid, or, four extra copies of the Farmer. 6. For FoRTY-EiCrHT, five copies of the Rural Annual and one extra copy of the Farmer, or, any agricultural book valued at .iPl.25, postage paid, or, five extra copies of the Farmer. For larger numbers, books or papers given in the same propor- tion. „ ir^ To save expense to our friends, we pay the postage on all these works, and persons entitled will stale what they wish sent, and make their selections when they send orders; or if their list is not complete, if wished, we will delay sending untU the club is full. Premiums for the Greatest Wumber of S*scriber8. In order to excite a little competition among our friends every- where as well as to reward them for their voluntary labors in be- half of our journal, we make the following hberal otVer. Those who do not get the premiums offered below are sure of the above, so that we have no blanks. 1 FI 'TY DOLLARS, in Agricultural Books, to the person who shall send us the largest number of subscribers, at the club prices, before the 15th day of April next, so that we may announce the successful competitors in the May number. 2. THIRTY DOLLARS, in Agricultural Books, to the person who shall send us the second highest list, as above. 3. TEN DOLLARS, in Agricultural Books, to the person who shall send us the third highest list, aa above. Our object in offering books is to increase their circulation throughout the country. Those who prefer nursery trees, plants, &c., can be accouimoSated ; and if any prefer the money, we will make arrangements accordingly. Cluhs are cot required to be at one post office or sent to one ad- dress. We send wherever the members ot the club may desire. The Edkal Anndal and Horticultural Directory.— We have just published a veiy neat little book of 120 pages with the above title. It is devoted to the Orchard, the Vineyard, and the Fluirer Garden and Laum : and we shall only express the opinion of all who have seen it, when we say that it is the best little work yet published on the subjects of which it so plainly and carefully treats. Anxious to make the circulation of this useful little work as general as possible, we make the following proposition, to those who form clubs for the Genesee Farmer: For FOUR dollars we will send ei"ht copies of the Genesee Farmer and eight copies of the Rural Annual.. For eight dollars we will send sixteen copies of the Genesee Farmer and sixteen copies of the Rural Annual, and one extra copy of each for the person who gets up the club. Any peison sending us $3 for a club of eight of the Genesee Farmer shall receive one copy of the Rural Annual for his trouble. The Practical and Scientijtc Farmers Own Paper. THE GENE. SEE FARMER, A MONTHLY JOURNAL OP AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE, illustrated with numerous engravings of Farm Bmldings, Animals, Implements, Fruits, &o. VOLUME XVII. FOR 1856. IN issuing a prospectus for the .Seventeenth Volume of the Gen- esee Parmer, the publisher hatters himself that it is too widely known, too extensively circulated, and too well read, to render it necessary to state at length the design of the work. Those who read the Farmer are the best judges ot its value, and those unac- quainted with it are requested to examine its pages. He wi.l only Kiy that for ihe year 185ti he will furnish a paper that for size, beauty, and ability, will not be excelled in this country. The new volume will commence on the first of January, and wiU be printed on NEW TYPE and superior paper, and each number will contain .ibout one-tbird more reading than at present. Each monthly number wiU consist of thirty-two large pages, making a volume of 384 pages, with several hundred engravings, (with title page, index. Sic, suitable for binding), at the close of theyear. No one would sell the volume at the end of the year for its cost. Our Illustrations are numerous, appropriate, and expensive, consisting of Farm Buildings, Improved Implements, Domestic Animals Choice Fruits, Flowers, Shrubs, &c., &c. We number among our Contributors hundreds of the best prac- tical Farmers in the country, and our readers have through our pages, the benefit of their wisdom and experience. No thinking man can read any number we issue, without receiving some useful hint in regard to the management of Crops, Stock, or the Orchard, of more value than the price of the volume. Our large circulation enables us to furnish a paper for three or four shillings equal, at least, to the best in the country for value and beauty. An earnest advocate of improvement of both the Mind and the Soil the Farmer seeks to advance the jural interests of the coun- try, and elevate the profession of Agriculture to its proper position. To accomplish this, it ha.s labored long and raithfully,and not with- out some success. It is one of the oldest, and its position as the CHEAPEST and at least one of the best' agricultural journals in the country is fully established, and we confidently ask for it that support which it merits from the Farmers, Gardeners and Fruit Culturists of the United States. We invite all who feel the importance of sustaining this work, and extending its usefulness, not only to subscribe themselves, but to introduce it to the patron- age of their friends. Fifty Cents a Tear, In Advance. Five Copies for $2 ; Eight Copies for $3 ; and any larger number at the same rate. J^ All subscriptions to commence w.th the year, and the en- tire volume supplied to all subscribers. trw^ Post-Masters, Farmers, and all friends of improvement are resneclfuUy solicited to obtain and forward subscriptions. Subscription money, if properly enclosed, may be sent (post-paid or free) at the risk of the Pubhshcr. Address ' JAIHBS VICK, November, 1855. Rochester, New York. EASPBEEEY AKD STRAWBEKRY PLANTS, GSAfE VINES, CTJEKANTS, AND KHUBAEB, AT VERY LOW PRICES TO NURSERYMEN AND FOB FIELD PLANTING. on (\f\f\ Hudson River Antwerp, 20,000 Fastolf, 10.000 Fran- OU.UUU conia, 10,000 Rivers' Large Monthly, 10,000 Kne- vett's';i;uit. and a general a.ssortment of all valuable varieties, in- cluding Briiikle's Orange, the most beautiful and best of all Rasp- beriies GRAPE VINES— Isabella, Catawba, Diana, Herbemont, Clinton, Bband F.lsingburg, and Brinkle. CURRANTS— an assortment including, Large Black English, Black Naples, Wvatt's Victoria, and Large Bed and White Dutch. RHUBARB— Victoria, Downiug's Colossal, Linneus, Gaboon, and a great variety of seedlings. ^ STRAWBERRIES - Boston Pine, Early Scarlet, Hovey s Seedling, and McAvov's Superior. . ^ ,_ , OSIER CUTTINGS — triandra, purpurea and Foi-byana; also, Newburg, Orange Co., N. Y. C. W. GRANT. No -3t. 50 TO NUBSERYMEN. BUSHELS Canada Plum Stones for sale. Just coUcctfid and warranted true. Price $12 per bushel. C. KELLY & CO., Oct.— 2t* Hamilton Nurseries, C. W. ADVERTISEMENTS. 359 TO FARMERS AND ALL OTHERS INTERESEED IN AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, &c WILL BE rrHLISHED, IN OCTOBER, 1855. THE YEAR BOOK OF AGRICULTURE; OR, 1\e Annual qf JgrictUtural Progress and Discovery, For 1855. Exhibiting the most important difcoreriea and improT^ments in Agricultural Mechanics. Agricultural and Horticultural Botany. Agricultural and Economic Geology. Agricultural Zoology, Metercology, etc Together with Statistics of American Growth and Production. A List of Recent Agricultural Publications. Agricultural Patents, with Notes by the Editor, on the Progress of American and Foreign Agriculture, for the Year 1855. BY DAVID A. WELLS, A. M. ' Member of the Boston Society of Natural History, formerly Chemist to the Ohio Stiite Board of Agriculture ; Editor of the Annual of Scientific Discovery, Familiar Science, &c., &c. It is eviuent that a publication of this character, givining a com- plete and condensed view of the Progress of every Department of Agricultural Science, free from technical and unnecessarily scien- tific descriptions, and systematically arranged so as to present at one view all recent Agricultural Facta, Discoveries, Theories and Applications, must be a most acceptable volume to every one inter- ested in the Cultivation of the Soil, or the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. THE "YEAR BOOK OF AGRICULTURE" will be publifihed in a handsome octavo volume, comprising upwards of 300 pages, and will contain an elegant Steel Portrait of a Dis- tinguished Agriculturist, together with Fine Illustrations of hew AGRICULTURAL MACHINES, STOCK, FRUIT, &c., together with asciies of BEAUTIFULLY COLORED ENGRAVINGS. Although the publication of this work will be attended with very heavy expenses, it will be issued at tke low price of $1,50, thereby ■ iing every farmer and planter to posses a copy: I receipt of the published price it will be sent free per mail, to any part of the United States. As the sales will be very large, all orders should be sent immediately. a liberal reduction to CLUB8. Addres?, CHILDS & PETERSON, 124 Arch St., Philadelphia. t^° Agents wanted to sell the above valuable work. September 1. *'A MOST INTENSELY EXCITING BOOK." OR, BOUND AND FREE, A TALE just published by ua is winning golden opinions. After alluding to " The Lamplighter," and other of the most aaccessful books of the present century, the New York Saturday Evening Courier sa\3 of the " Rag Picker :" '' The latest novel of this class, and we may add, the most origi- 1 in its concepti' n, the widest in its scope, the most interesting its narrative, and the best in its execution, is the handsome du- odecimo under review." From tke Boston Liberator. "We have read this work, which claims to be *a record of the facta' by an eye and ear witncB, with thrilling interest at a single "tting. It deserves to be placed in the same category with ' Uucle om's Cabin,' though not ao escUifiively devoted to delineations of the slave system at the South. What higher panegyric can we be- ow upon it ?" From the Boston Transcript. **The story is a most exciting one, well and powerfully written. • • It is a rem^irkable story. From the Puritan Recorder. This is a most sMrring and pathetic story. • • The au- lor assuies ua that his statements are throughout nothing but sober verity ; and that many of the persons whose character and experienc ' are here described, are still living in various parts of the United States. If ihia be really so, (and we have no right to dispute the author's word), we can only say, that they form the most remarkable group of personages which have ever come within our knowledge. It is a most intensely exciting book. Price, $1,25. Will be published soon, GERRIT SMITH IN CONGRESS. A collection of Hot'. Gerritt Smith's Congressional Speeches, with portrait on steel. Price, $1.25. WAGFR OF BATTLE: A tale of Saxon slnvery in Sherwood Forest. By Henry W. Her- bert, Esq. Price, $1. Published by MASON BROTHERS, Not.— It. New York. A BOOK FOR BOTH SEXK3. THE PHYSIOLOGY OF MARRIAGE. By a Married Man and Distinguished Physician. IT is one of the most remarkable hooka which has been published in any country. In language simple, decorous, and rtspeclful, and in terms of fatherly kindness it reveals to the your g of both sexes a fund of inlormation hitherto chiefly inaccessible in any reliable form, and for want of which many have been prompted to resort to sources either questionable or of immoral tendency. The work is written by one of our jldest and most experienced medical men, who has devoted a long life to the study of Physiology. The work was examined in manuscript by competent judges, and pro- nounced to he as unexceptionable as any work which has appeared in the English language. It breathes, moreover, a truly Christian spirit. The following, brieily, are its contents : Chapter 1. The True Relation of the Sexes. " 2. Premature Marriage and its Consequences. " 3. Enors of Education. " 4. Errors of Courtship. " 5. Individual Transgression and ita Penalties. " 6. Social Errors and their Punishment, '• 7. Physical Laws of Marriage. " 8. A Fundamental Error. *' 9. The Laws of Pregnancy. " 10. Crime without a Name. " 11. The Laws of Lactation. " 12. A crime that ought not to be Named. " 13. Directions to Parents and Guardians. " 14. General Directions. Just pubUshed by JOHN P. JEWETT & CO., NEW VOLUMES! SUBSCRIBERS MAY BEGIN NOW. LIFE ILLUSTRATED. A FIRST CLASS WEEKLY NEWSPAPER, devoted to News, Literature, Science, and the Arts ; to Entertainment, Improve- ment, and Progress. One of the best Family Newspapers in the world. Only Two Dollars a year, THE WATER-CURE JOURNAL: Devoted to Hydropathy, its Philosophy and practice ; to Physiolo- gv and Anatomy, with numerous Illustrations; and those Laws which govern Life and Health. Illustrated. $1 a year. THE PHRENOLOGICAL JOURNAL: Devoted t> all those Progressive Measures for the Elevation and Improvement of Mankind. Amply Illustrated. $1 a year. For Three Dollars a copy of each of these three Journals will be Bent one year. Agents wanted. Saftiples gratis. AddreSs FOWLER AND WELLS, Nov.— 2t. No. 308 Broadwav, New York. NEW AKRIVAL OF FALL STYLE WALL PAPERS. THE largest assortment of Paper Hangings and Borders ever seen in this city, are now on sale at E. T. Miller's, in the Ar- cade. These papers are very fine, both in pattern and finish, and comprise gold, velvet, satin, and some rich decorations. The remaining stock of spring styles I am selling at greatly re- duced prices ; and I now ofler great inducements to purchasers, as they can buy goods from this stock ten percent, cheaper than else- where. A choice lot of Marble Paper, suitable for Halls, Churches, &c., 20 varieties. Oak and Granite Ceiling Paper, Ceiling Centres, Moulding and Borders. Paper Hanging and Decorating done promptly. None but first class workmen are employed, and the subscriber, being a practical Decorator, superintending all the work, can guarantee satisfaction to all patrons. Gilt and Oil Shades, of every variety, on hand and made to order. Cord, Tasaellfl, Rollers, and Brass Work for Shades on stock. E. T. MILLER, Nov.— 2t. 29 West Gallery, Arcrde. ANDRE LEROY NURSERIES, ANGERS, FRANCE. THE undersigned begs leave to inform his numeroud friends and customers that he is now ready to execute all orders for Kruit, Forest, and Ornamental Trees, Evergreen Shrubs, Stocks, kc, &c. His collection is particularly fine this year for all kinds of Trees except Quince Stocks, the crop of which has again failed. The Catalogue for 1855 is now ready for distribution, and all those who wish to procure a copy can obtain one fre^ of charge by addresaing our agent in New York, Mr. F. A. Bkuguierk, 138 Pearl street, successor to our former agent and friend, Mr. E. Bo-ssangb, who has retired from bu'finesa. Orders should he sent at once to secure a complete assortment. All required information to import Tiees, &c., will be found on the first page of our Catalogue. ANORK LKROY, Angers. F. A. BRUGUIERE, Sole Agent, 138 Peaxt st., N. York. Oct, 360 ADVERTISEDENTS. BOOKS FOR THE FARMERS! FURNISEIED BY THE PROPRIETOR OF GENESEE FAR>rER. I The Cow, Dairy Husbandry, and Caltle Breeding. Price 25 cts. If. Every Lady her own Flower Gardtn-r. Price 25 cents, m. The American Kitciien Gardener. Price 25 cents. IV. The American Rose Culturer. Price 26 cent^. V. Prize Eaaay on Manures. By S. L. Dana. Price 25 cents. VI. Sltinner's Elements of Agriculture. Price 26 cents. VII. The Pesta of the Farm, with directions for extirpation. Price 25 cents. VllI Hursea — their Varieties, Breeding, Management, &c. Price 25 cents. iX. The Hive and Honey Bee— their Diseases and Remedies. Price 25 cents. X. The Hog— its Diseases and Management. Price 25 cents. XI. The Ameriem Bird Fancier — Breeding, R;iirfin?, &c. 25 cts. XII. Domestic Fowls and UrnamentaV Poultry. Price 25 cent.s. XIII. Chemistry made Easy for the Use of Farmers. Price 25 cents. XIV. The American Poultry Yard. The cheapest and best book published. Price 5^1. XV. The American Field Book of Manures. Embracing all the Fertilizers known, with directions for use. By Browne. $1.25. XVI. Buist's Kitchen Gardtner. Piice 75 cents. XVII. Stnckhart's Chemical Fi^ld Lectures. Price $1. XVIII. Wilson on the Cultivation of Flax. Price 25 cents. XIX. The Faimer's Cyclopedia. Bv Blake. Price $1.25. XX. Allen's Runil Archi ecture. Price $1.25. XXI. Phelps's Bee Keeper's Chart. Illustrated. Price 25 cents. XXII. Johnston's Lectures on Practical Agriculture. Paper, price 25 cents. XXIII. Johnston's Agricultural Chemistry. Price $1.25. XXIV. Johnston's Elementsof Agricultural Chemistry and Geol «gy. Pi ice $1. XXV. Randall's Sheep Husbandry. Price $1.25. XXVI. Miner's American Bee-Keeper's Matual. Price $1. XXVII. Dadd's American Cattle Doctor. Complete. Price $1. XXVni. Fessenden's Complete Farmer and Gardener. 1 vol. Price $1.'25. XXfX. Allen's Treatise on the Culture of the Grape. Price $1. XXX. Youatt on the Breeds and Management of Sheep. Price 75 cents. XXXI. Youatt on the Hog. Complete. Price 60 cents. XXXII. Youatt and Martin on Cattle. By Stevens. Price £1.25. XXXIII. The Shepherd's own Book. Edited by Youatt, Sltmner and It.ndall. Price $2. XXXIV. Stephens's Book of the Farm; or Farmer's Guide. Ed- ited bv Skinner, Price $4. XXXV. Allen's American Farm Book. Price $1. XXXVI. The American Florist's Guide. Price 75 cents. XXX VH. The Cottage and Farm Bee- Keeper. Price 50 cents. XXXVin. Hoare on the f ulture of the Grape. Price 50 cents. XXilX. Country Dwellings; or the American Architect. Price $6 XL. Lindley's Guide to the Orchaid. Price $1.'J5. XLI. (iunn's Domestic Medicine. A book for every married man XLIL Nash's Progressive Farmer. A book for every boy in the country. Price 50 cents. XLlil. Allen's Diseases of Domestic Animals. Price 75 cents. XLIV. Saxton's Rural Hand-books. 2 vols. Price $2.50. XLV. Beattie's Southern Agriculture. Price $1. XLVI. Smith's Landscape Gardening. Contiiining bints on ar- rangintr Parks, Pleasure Grounds, &c. Edited by Lewis F. Allen Price $1.25. RECENTLY PUBLISHED. ' XLVn. The Farmer's Land Measurer; or Pocket Companion Prire 6n cents XLVIII. Buist'p American Flower Garden Directory. Price $1.25. XLIX. The American Fruit Grower's Guule in Orchard and G ir- den. Heirig the m „„ „ „, , Fixed Salts 6.1 6.8 6.8 J "'-"^ "'-^ As the parts are given in thousandths, it will be seen that the ruminants, cow, goat, and sheep give milk rich in butter, while the milk of the mare contains only a trace, and that of the ass but 12.10 parts in 1000. The milk of the latter is also poor in casein, or cheese as compared with that of the cow, but rich in sugar. The milk of the mare and ass contains less water than that of the ruminants named, and therefore yields more sohd nutriment. The improvement of dairy stock depends in some degree on the treatment of calves during the first twelve months of their existence. Too many fail to get their just share of the milk which nature kindly provides for them, and are forced into the condition of starvelings by a mistaken economy. Unless it can be proved that little, meanly-looking runts of ani- mals, made up mainly of skin and bone, are better and more profitable than those which are the oppo- site in character and appearance, we can discover no good reason for breeding downwards, or for a man's keeping more stock than he can maintain in a thri- ving condition. This principle applies not only to the rearing of calves, but to pigs, sheep, horses, mules, and poultry. Instead of allowing domesticated an- imals to multiply till a moiety or more die of starva- tion, the owner should keep down their numbers by sales or otherwise, to the measure of a growing and fattening subsistence at his command. As the im- proved land (so-caUed) of the country is impoverished by improper cultivation, as it is in every State in the Union, it becomes less capable of supporting live- stock, and in one way or another the number must be diminished. From the State census of 1845 to the U. S. census of 1858, the number of sheep kept ia the State of New York was reduced some two and a half millions; and the number of horses, cattle, and swine was also considerably reduced, although there was an increased namber of acres under im- provement It is a common mistake to suppose that the number of acres in tillage, meadows, and pas- tures indicates practically the capacity of a State to support live stock. With more acres under cultiva- tion in 1850 than they had in 1840, both Tennessee and Kentucky had less stock at the last than at the former census. This diminished capacity to keep stock arises partly from the almost universal habit of wasting manure, and partly from the injury done to land by injudicious cultivation. The manure annu- ally wasted by farmers in the United States exceeds one hundred milhon dollars in value, and is to that extent a needless drain on the fertility of the soil. This constant impoverishment of the so-called im- proved land of the country operates directly to dete- riorate the blood of nine-tenths of the cows in the Union by lessening the average standard of their keep. It tends also to diminish their size, for calves and young stock can not grow to a fair size on short allowance. Two little cows weighing each five hun- dred pounds can pick up a subsistence where one large cow, weighing one thousand pounds would starve. The two small animals could travel over twice as much surface to find their indispensable food as the large animal ; while the nourishment of each small carcass would be attained with about half the quantity. It is this principle in animal nutrition that produces so many millions of small hogs, small sheep, and small cattle in this country. They subsist to a large degree in many States on the natural re- sources of the vegetable kingdom, which are gradu- ally diminishing by the advancement of a semi-civi- lization. Our resources in the soil, in the vegetable and animal kingdoms, need a wiser system of hus- bandry before our live stock can be generally im- proved. All the manure, both liquid and solid, pro- duced from the vegetables consumed by domestica- ted animals must be turned to some useful account before either land or stock can be generally raised to a higher state of excellence. Advancement is attainable in one way only, and that is by wisely feeding the land that feeds man and the animals which he has domesticated and made his dependent creatures. SEMABES ON EITEOFEAN FASUINO. The last Journal of the Royal Agricultural Soci- ety of England contains an interesting article upon " Continental Farming," from Peter Love, an Eng- lish practical farmer, who went out to visit and in- spect the estate of Gleneral Hatnau, in Hungary. EUROPEAN FARMING. He left Ostend, by railway, for Cologne, on the 19th of May, 1853. The greater part of this district, he says, is in grass, upon which are pastured thin-fleshed cattle, and sheep, if possible, worse in feeding qualities. The land is well tilled, but needs draining. The crops of beans, peas, and rape seed, are all drilled about a foot apart, as also a considerable part of the rye, wheat, oats, bere, and barley. About a sLxth of the plowed land is in clover, which is a fair crop. After leaving Cologne, on the way to Dusseldorf, he passed over a pretty district, of light red sandy soil, with some good-sized farmsteads on it, all in til- lage, except some water-meadows, which are well managed. The crops were very clean, but light. After passing through a poor, hungry soil, adjoin- ing a barren heath, where the farming was clean but the crops very light, he came into a better district, where the farms were generally large, to many of which were attached large distilleries. Although the facilities appeared good for produ- cing heavy crops, yet they were hght. The whole of these districts are open field, which, along with the severity of the winter, prevent sheep from being brought into use for the development of the powers of this light dry soil. The crops grown are rye, as tlie staple crop; wheat and rye mixed; barley, oats, peas, beans, rape-seed, tares, clover, turnips, beets, potatoes. About one-third seemed to be pulse and green crops, and two-thirds white crops, which were ail light. The whole of the country between Dusseldorf and Duisberg is open field, and light, dry, sandy soil, ex- cept a few patches that could be easily drained. "I have no doubt," says Mr. Love, "that if these lands were inclosed, and large flocks of sheep kept upon green crops, the produce of grain would be more than doubled, although half of the land will grow in green crops, producing wool and mutton." Mr. Love thinks the best farm district he saw, was between Brunswick and Magdeburg. It is not in- cJosed. Large flocks of sheep are kept and folded upon green crops; also, large herds of cattle range the marshes, which extend to about a tenth of the district. " The homesteads are large and substantial, and with their steam engines and tall chimneys, are ae imposing sight to the lovers of agricultural im- provement." (We suppose these steam engines are used in the manufacture of beet sugar.) Nearly the whole of the crops are drilled and horse-hoed, and a weed or a square yard of waste land is uot to be seen. The farmers are wealthy, as such men ought to be. Mr. Love says: " I was struck with the mode of yoking cattle here, namely, a board about six inches wide and two and a half feet long, tapering to both ends, where there are hooks similar to those used on the ends of our swingletrees. Thi.5 board has padding under it, and is hung to the horns by two straps, which suspend it across the forehead just below the horns. The traces are attached to the hooks at each end of the pushing- board. Thus the animal has the line of pressure caused by the draught, or tractions, passing straight along the back bone, pressing its joints more closely together. " After looking minutely into the working of this system, and ubserving the eare with which the cattle drew their loads, chewing their cuds as they walked along, I became convinced that it was the proper mode of yoking o.xen. " I was surprised at the ease with which two small cows drew the plow, working at least six inches deep; but the soil is very light and free. Their plows are probably the models from which the Americans took theirs, being very short and light." [Of course it is impossible that the Americans could originate or in- vent anything!] "The shortness of the mold-board makes them easy in draught, while it completely breaks the furrow-slice into pieces in the act of turn- iog it; so that the implements required to pulverize and prepare the land for turnips after tares and other soiling green crops, are few and simple." Mr. L. says, in another place : "Indeed, if thorough pulverization of the soil is the object of cultivation, the Continental " [or Amer- ican] " plow is superior to the British." Near Brunn, Mr. S. saw a field preparing for sugar beets and turnips, the extent of which was upwards of three thousand acres. It was upwards of three miles long, and the beets and turnips were drilled from end to end. There were upwards of one hun- dred teams at work. The whole was an imposing sight. From Vienna to Presburg is a fine district of light dry soil, but the farming is generally bad, a system of over cropping being the rule. It is all open field; weeds are the universal companions of every crop; even the vineyards are not free from them. After passing Presburg, he traveled over about eighty miles of fine sandy loam soil. Nearly the whole of the dry land is in tillage, but the farming bad. 'There appears nothing like system in the country, unless it be growing of grain as long as the land will bear it If fhis and the former district were inclosed, half the land devoted to green crops to be consumed by cattle and sheep, and the land well cul- tirated, there is no donbt but the produce would be 3661 EUROPEAN FARMING. doubled." No doubt about it. The same means, too, would double the produce of the soil ia many paits of this country. It is in drainiug the laud, and ill growing more roots and leguminous plants, and keeping more stock, that are to be the principal means of improving American as well as European agriculture. Of the Hungarian peasantry, Mr. L. says: " They are a fine, active, stj-ong, well-made race of men. They have just been emancipated from serf- dom by the present Emperor of Austria; ;iud being now in a transition state, will no doubt soon raise themselves in the moral scale, as far as the circum- stances of their country will permit. They are in a shocking state of poverty — working bare-footed and bare-legged, with only coarse caavass shirts and trowsers (if they are worthy of the name). They are just a wide petticoat cut up the middle, and each side sewed up to form legs. The n'aistband is the same as that of a petticoat. Their coats are .< feet, hghted by a double, plain window, at the ends, and a single two-sash window in front. Be- tween the entrance door and stove, are in each room a small pantry or closet for dishes, or otherwise, as may be required. The chinmey stands in the center of the house, with a separate flue for each front room, into which a thimble is inserted to receive stove-pipes by which they are warmed; and from the inner side of these rooms each has a door passing to the kitchen, or chief living room. Tliis last apartment is 22 by l.T feet, with a broad fireplace containing a crane, hooks, and trammel, if required, and a spacious family oven — affording those homely and primitive comforts still so dear to many of us who are not ready to con- cede that all the \irtues of the present day are com- bined in a "perfection" cooking stove, and a "patent" heater; altliough there is a chance tor these last, if they should bo adopted into the peacefid atmosphere of this kitchen. '• On one side of the kitchen, in rear of the stairs, is a bedroom, 9 by 8 feet, with a window in one cor- ner. Adjoining that, is a buttery, dairy-room, or closet, 9 by 6 feet, also having a window. At the inner end of the stairway is the cellar passage; at the outer end is the chamber passage, landing above, in the highest part of the roof story. Opposite the chamber stairs is a door leading to the wash-room. Between the two. windows, on the rear side of the kitchen, is a sink, with a waste pipe passing out through the wall. At the further corner a door FARM HOUSE. 371 opens into a sung bedroom 9 by 8 feet, lighted by a window in rear ; and adjoining this is a side entry leading from the end door, 9 by 0 leet in area; thus making every room in the house accessible at once from the kitchen, and giving the greatest possible convenience in both living and house-work. "The roof story is partiticiied into convenient-sized bedrooms; the ceiling running down the pitch of the roof to within two feet of the floor, unless they are cut short by inner partitions, as they are in the GKOnND PLAN. largest chamber, to give closets. The open ai-oa in the center, at the head of the stairs, is lighted by a small gable window inserted in the roof, at the rear, and serves as a lumber room; or, if necessary, a, bed may occupy a part of it. " In rear of the main dwelling is a building 44 by 16 feet, occupied as a wash-room and wood-house. The wash-room floor is let down eight inches below the kitchen, and is 16 by 14 feet, in area, lighted by a window on each side, with a chimney, in which is set a boiler, and fireplace, if desired, and a sink in the corner adjoining. This room is 7 J feet in height A door passes i'roiu this wa.4i-room into the wood- house, which is 30 by 16 feet, open in front, with a water-closet in the further corner. "The cellar is 7 J feet in height — and is the whole size of the house, laid with good stone wall, in lime mortar, with a flight of steps leading outside, in rear of the kitchen, and two or more sash-light windows at the ends. If not in a loose, gravelly, or sandy soil, the cellar should be kept dry by a drain leading out to the lower ground. "The building beyond, and adjoining the wood- house, contains a swill-house 16 by 12 feet, with a window in one end; a chimney and boiler in one cor- ner, with storage for swill barrels, grain, meal, pota- toes, &c., for feeding the pigs, which are in the ad- joining pen of same size, with feeding trough, place for sleeping, &c., and having a window in one end and a door in the rear, leading to a yard. " Adjoining these, in front, is a workshop and tool- house, 16 by 10 feet, with a window at the end, and an entrance door near the wood-house. In this is a a joiner's work-bench, a chest of working tools, such as saw, hammer, auger.s, itc, &c., necessary for repair- ing implements, doing little rough jobs, or other wood work, &c., which every farmer ought to do for himself; and also storing his hoes, a.xes, shovels, ham- mers, and other small farm implements. In this room he will find abundant rainy-day employment in repairing his utensils of various kinds, making his beehives, hencoops, wholly unconnected with an agricultural department, which have held exhibitions this season. The Boston Horticultural Society held an exhibition in Music Hall, which was filled by visitors every day and eve- ning for one week; one in New York has recently revived under the most flattering auspices ; one in Brooklyn, recently organized, gives abundant evi- nenee of success ; the Genesee Valley Horticultural Society; one at Philadelphia; one at Cincinnati; one at Louisville; and one at Milwaukie. The North Western Fruit Growers' Association held a session at Burlington, Iowa, which was visited by persons inter- ested in horticulture from all parts of the United States. Besides these, there are many others which are exerting a most beneficial influence through all of our States. Then there is the horticultural de- partment which is attached to each of our State, County, and Town Agricultural Societies. These must produce much good, and exert a most powerful influence in disseminating practical horticultural knowledge among the people, the want of which is so much felt. Already we see the practical work- ings of the desire for better fruit, flowers, &c. It asks for the commencement and enlargement of nur- series throughout the United States. The demand already made upon those that are now in operation, from the north, south, east, and west, for plants suit- able for transplanting, largely exceeds the supply in many cases. It is only a matter of surprise that this was not brought about before, from the character of our soil, the different climates, situation, etc., comprised with- in the United States, part of which being well adapted for cultivating, most successfully, almost every variety of fruit, which, when grown with care, and proper attention given, always yields the most profitable returns to the good cultivator. Not only in horticulture are there visible signs of advancement, but in floriculture; and we see better 374 LETTER FROM OREGON. taste in the layiag out and arrangement of grounds — better taste in the construction of buildings, having in view not only comfort and utility, but beauty. Not alone is this perceived in the suburbs and vicin- ity of our large cities, but everywhere throughout the country. We have in our mind at the present mo- ment many places of exceeding beauty, executed in a superior manner, and kept in the most perfect order, well arranged, and producing, almost solely with artificial means, the most beautiful effect. We know that good taste is increasing rapidly among the American people, and with our fondness for display, it will not be many years before we can boast of more beautiful and pleasant private resi- dences than any country in the world. LETTER FROM OREGON. Mr. Editor : — Tou will doubtless appreciate the importance of the present communication, in point of reciprocity, without one word from me on that poinl- Though our interchange may be but small, yet we both may derive a mutual advantage which will per- haps far overbalance the small expense to us both. I have numberless friends scattered throughout the States, from whom I could well expect such favors, and who doubtless would be glad of an apportunity to do me a favor of this kind; but I know of no one on whom I could rely so well as you, for I think that your knowledge in the vegetable kingdom exceeds that which I could reasonably expect from any other quarter. I have long contemplated something of this kind, but have neglected it so long that I now have perhaps nothing that you will be interested in except some raspberry seed. However, in answer to this, you may suggest several things that I would like to have. I am not sufficiently acquainted with this raspberry to tell you wherein it differs from that cultivated with you — your experience must teach that; but the following are some of its peculiarities. The bush is a strong grower, branching largely the first year. The berries are large, and it bears abundantly. The blossom is very small and feeble in appearance, and a careless observer would not notice it when in full bloom. Meek & Lewelling, and other nurserymen, say that it is far better than any cultivated variety they have. My bushes furnished fruit nearly two months, and in my estimation it is more delicious than any of the varieties grown in the States. My plants are now two years old. They are planted on clay soil, without manure, or extra cultivation, yet many of the canes have grown ten feet this year During the first seven weeks, their growth averageo about one foot per week. Their growth has long been suspended, and they are well matured, strong, aud erect. The color of the canes is generally green, but some are very dark red. I can recommend them to you as well worthy of trial. I also took pains to save some Service seed for you, but I have mislaid them. They would doubt- less be interesting to you, as the berries are large, nearly black when ripe, and in taste about like those in the States, but in the flower and time of flowering and in the form of the clusters, they are totally differ- ent. The bunches of flowers are in tassel-form Neither the bunches nor the single flowers are so wide spread or so showy as those in the States. The flowers appear after the tree is in leaf, which makes them late, and places them out of all danger of frost. I have seen some of the ber- ries, wild in the woods, of the size and shape of * '"' *' fig. 1. The clusters are like fig. 2. I have commenced culti- vating them. I also saved some wild strawberry seed, of which we have some fifty varieties. Indeed, this is the greatest natural strawberiy nursery in the world. I have gathered a bushel in two hours, some specimens of which were an inch and one-fourth in diameter ; but as they have such a strong propensity to form runners, I will not send till I hear from you. Then there is the yew, or tew, of this country, a fruit-bearing tree; but because of squirrels preying upon them, it is almost impossible to get seed. This fruit, in form and color, resembles a red plum. It is about three-fourths of an r\ N inch in diameter, and shaped like fig. 3. V^., j At the aoex there is a small, uniform cavity, which reaches to the stone, and ^ '"' "' lays about half of it bare. The stone, in size and appearance, resembles that of a cherry, except that it is flatter. , We have also an ornamental tree, the red fir, which can hardly be excelled; it is much handsomer in form and foliage than the balsam fir. We have too, ihe cedar, or red wood. We have a small fruit growing here, called savans. It resembles the whortleberry, and is a more proUfic, but inferior to it. We have had excellent crops of wheat, oats, &c LAWTON BLACKBERRY — PLANT TREES. ' •375 Wheat soils at a lower figure than ever before, since the gold miues were discovered, it ranges irom .50 to 81 per bushel. I send you two samples of wheat, one the big white wheat of Oregon, and the other a red spring wheat, both without beard. I sowed some the middle of last March, and of both I got about twentj--five bushels to the acre. The white is our sreatest wheat; but I thiuk the red would grow free IVoni rust anywhere, as the straw is very stifi'. I have never seen this kind in the States. Grasshoppers are becoming rather numerous, and have done some damage ; and I fear we shall be over- run with them, as they have been increasing for sev- eral years, and in the southern part of the territory they have nearly ruined everything, and are gradu- ally moving north. If you know of any remedy, let us have it in the Farmer. In apple culture we are doing finely. Trees bear youiig and alnmdantly, and the apples are large. I have over fifty varieties in cultivation, some of them of the most approved kinds with you, if they prove to be true. I am pretty certain that I have the Baldwin, Esopiis Spilzcnburg, Roxbury Rvsset, JYorlhern Spy, Bough, Early Harvest, Red Astra- can, Jenneting, Yellow JVeivtotvn Pippin, Rambo' Yellow Bellfloicer (and perhaps the White), Porter Gravenstein, Sieaar, English Russet, Golden Rus- set, and Vandervere ; but the Rhode Island Green- ing and the Green JVewtown Pippin still remain in doubt. The Green JVewtown Pippin differs essen- tially here, in leaf and wood, from the Yellow JYeir. toicn Pippin. The bark is greener, the leaf is smaller and rounder, the twigs are shorter-jointed, and the tree has a more compact and upright head, or else we have not got it. Wm. Huele. Cincinnati, Oregon Territory. The Lawton Blackberry. — At a recent meeting of the New York Farmers' Club, Mr. Field said he had been experimenting with the common bramble, to see whether the improvements effected in the blackberry by Seoore, and carried into extensive operation by Lawton, were the result of change in the soil and cultivation, or whether it could be traced to a peculiar variety of the bramble. He took a plant from the woods, where it had grown in fine soil, and planted it in poor soil, and yet it produced berries as large as Lawton's, although only a small crop. Several berries measured four inches each in circumference. From his experiments he was con- vinced that there were distinct varieties ot the bram- ble, some of which were more favorable than others to produce the fine fruit now grown by Lawton, and that it is to the variety, rather than to either the soil or the cultivation, that the superiority is to be attrib- uted.— Year Book of Agriculture. PLANT TREES. The following eloquent extract from a report on orchard culture ))y a committee of the Oneida Coun- ty (N. Y.) Agricultural Society, should be read by all. The remarks are as true of every town in the country as of Oneida county, N. Y.: It is to be wondered over, that the land owners of Oneida are not more zealous in planting orchards. Nature has given them a soil and a climate most propitious for the raising of superior apples; inviting markets arc near at hand, or are easily reached; am- ple inducements are held out in the direction of profit, of pleasantness, and of sentiment; yet many are still slow to enter into the full possession of their peculiar advantages as owners of Oneida soil. Who plants an apple tree in the soil of Oneida, makes a perma- nent investment, that may be expected to increase from year to year, until its original value is hundred- folded. Who plants an apple tree, makes a prudent provision against life's rainy days, against loss of health, misfortune in business, old age. 'Who plants a tree, extracts something of bitterness from the or- iginal curse. It was a part of Adam's punishment to be expelled from the society of cultivated trees ; to surround one's self with them, is to take some steps towards regaining the Paradise that was lost to man by his first transgression. The planted fruit tree will be a faithful minister to its owner's profit, improvement, health, and happiness. It will stand sentinel over his dwelling through winters o!' adver- sity, when summer friends have fled. While its mas- ter is sleeping, the tree will be growing. While he is traveling, the tree will stay at home and keep on growing. It will be industrious for him through all seasons, converting air, and earth, and water into shadow for his footsteps, perfume for his parlor, food for his table, fuel for his hearth, timber for his use. It will serve him contentedly through life, and min- ister to his wants when its life is ended. A tree has moral and social uses. It is an orthodox, wholesome preacher. It will discourse daily homilies on faith, hope, patience, and good will to men, with a gentle eloquence that steals into the heart, making it more roomy and open, and filling all its chambers with sun- shine. A tree sets an example of self-denying bene- volence. It embroiders its foliage, and ripens its fruit by tedious processes; then gives them all away, dropping its hist leaf to keep warm the tender plant that has taken root in its shade. The poet Virgil discovers a close relation between generous character and generous fruit trees; his native land he celebrates as a " mighty parent of fruit, mighty parent of heroes." Children should have a double share of native de- pravity not to be made better by the kindly influences that distill about them when they are brought up in the companionship of grand and chivalrous trees. Would a man rear a monument to his memory more to be coveted than one of costliest marble, let him plant trees; they will sing his praise in measures sweeter than a poet's, when no envious lips are there to detract. Now, before winter .sets in, protect all half-hardy plants from the rigors of the approaching season. 376 FRUIT FOR GENERAL CULTIVATION— YOUTHS' AG. SOCIETY. FRUITS KECOMMENBED FOB GENFEAL CULTIVA- TION BY THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY HOKT. SOC'Y. APPLES. Early Harvest, Danver's Winter S^veet, Large Yellow Bough, Jonathan, Red Astrachan, Rhode Island Greening, Porter, Esopus Spitzeuberg, Gravenstein, Talman Sweeting, Northern Sweet, Swaar, Fameuse, Baldwin, Fall Pippin, Northern Spy, Hubbardston Nonsuch, Roxbury Russet. PEARS. Madeleine, Seckel, Dearborn's Seedling, White Doyenne, Bartlett, Beurre Diel, Fondante d'Automne, Vicar of Winkfield, Beurre Bosc, Winter Nehs, Flemish Beauty, Glout Morceau, Louise Bonne de Jer,>ey, Beurre d'Aremberg. PLUMS. Jefferson, Washington, Lombard, Green Gage, Imperial Gage, Lawrence's Favorite, Bleecker's Gage. CHERRIES. Mayduke, Black Tartarian, Elton, Downton, Black Eagle, Late Duke. GRAPES. McNeil, Lyman, Isabella (for warm soils and sheltered situations in the vicinity of the lake. GOOSEBERRIES. Whitesmith, Crown Bob, Green Laurel, Green Gage, Green Walnut, Red Warrington, Early Sulphur. CURRANTS. Red Dutch, White Dutch. RASPBERRIES. Red Antwerp, Knevett's Giant, Yellow Antwerp, Fastolff. Franconia, STRAWBERRIES. Large Early Scarlet, Ross' Phcenix, Hovey's Seedling, Swainstone Seedling. Jenney's Seedling, Grow more Fruit. — " Consider," says a commit- tee's report, " even here at home in Livingston coun- ty, how numerous is that class who are greater stran- gers to a Seckel or Bartlett pear, than they are to the lemons and oranges of Cuba; and how many are longing for that which is beyond their reach, while at their very doors the soil is lying idle for them to plant and cultivate a better variety of fruits than ever the tropics produced; and with the help of a good cellar, not a day in the year need the farmer be without a choice variety of fruit.' ' YOUTHS' AGEICULTUEAL SOCIETY. Few letters we have received of late have given us more pleasure than the following from a young friend in Ohio. We would that many others would do like- wise, and that youths' agricultural societies were found all over our land. There may be other socie- ties of a similar character in other States, and if so, we shall be pleased to hear from them. " Noticing, in the Farmer for October, that you wished your subscribers to send any information or hints on our noble calling, I send you the following history of an agricultural society which has been in existence since 1850, and is conducted by young men, or rather, juveniles under 21 years of age (none over that age being allowed luU membership). Their annual exhibition took place last month, in the vil- lage of Cheviot, and notwithstanding the inclement weather, they made an exhibition that they may well be proud of Both fruits and vegetables were ea- ceedingly fine, and the handiwork of the ladies was especially admired. But to return to my subject The Greene Town- ship Agricultural Society was organized in the autumn of 1850, by five boys. They held their first exhibition in a small cottage, and the total number of members was 15. The nest year they built a booth for their increasing wants, 40 by 18 feet. This year (1852) they had G5 members. Finding that their booth was not large enough to accommodate them, they built for their next exhibition a booth in the shape of a cross, 100 by 80. They stiU use the same tent, putting it up and taking it down them- selves every year. This year their member list shows 125 names, and they are now starting a library for the use of the society. Now, Mr. Editor, can you show another such soci- ety in your editorial realm. The Greene Township Agricultural Society is an honor to the members and community. Conducted by young men, as that soci- ety is, I think it can not but improve and make them better able to take the places of their fathers; for it is to young men that this country must look to see carried out the more enhghtened principles of agri- culture. I would advise young men in other places to form such societies; and, my word for it, they will never be sorry for so doing. A. ROSSILLT. Cheviot, Hamilton Co., Ohio, Oct., 1855." SPRING FLOWERS. 377 SPKING 'FLOWEKS. A LADY, who expresses much pleasure at the notice we gave of the Hyacinth, &c., in the last number, re- quests us to notice more particularly spring flowers, which we take pleasure in doing. First, then, we give the Htacinth. — This is one of the most beautiful of the bulbous plants. It bears highly fragrant flowers on a spiliC, as botanists call it, forming a pyramid or NARCISSUS. column of bloom, which is composed of as many as twenty or thirty, or more, individual flowers, each on a separate foolstallv. The best sorts have so many flowers that they touch each other all the way up, and the column of bloom grows smaller and smaller until at top there is only a single flower, though at the bottom there may be six or eight round the stem. The colors are all the shades of red, blue, buff; yel- low, and pure white; and many kinds are variously marked with pink or blue eyes on a white ground ; some flowers are double and very large, and of these there are fewer on a stem. The bulbs should be placed three inches un- der ground, and when they appear above ground they should be preserved against the effects of severe frost by a covering of litter or an inverted flower- pot; but they are by no means tender. The Narcissus. — Of this pretty spring flow- er there are many vari- eties; those which bear a number of flowers on a single stem are known by the general name of Polyanthus NarcisMS, and are best suited to gardens, being fragrant and showy. One of those which we have given has bright yellow flowers, the other white with yellow cups. They are large bulbs, and r to be planted so that the top may be three under ground. The Ckocus. — This is the gayest of all the flowers, affording a great variety of brilliant colors, such as pale gold, deep orange, dark and light purple, pure white, and many that are curiously striped. They are annu- ally imported in large numbers from Holland. They are usually planted three inches deep in the ground, and come up very early in the spring. Each bulb throws up several flowers shaped somewhat like a tulip, but smaller, and destitute of a stem; that which ap- pears to be a stem is the tube of a very long co- rolla. Every root pro- duces two or three new ones in a season, and therefore you soon get a good stock. equire inches prmg 378 'EDITOR'S TABLE. J5ifoir'3 I^bie. The Genesee Farmer for 1856. — With the present number closes the volume for 1855. The present publisher, who controlled the Farmer from 1849 to 185i, and under whose administration its circulation rapidly increased until it became not onl^' the most valuable, but the most popular agricultural journal in the country — numbering on its books 40,000 subscribers — in announcing a new volume for 1850, would assure his readers and friends that he lias made the most satisfactory arrangements for the coming year. He ia determined that nothing shall be lacking on his part to make the Genesee Farmer all that its friends could desire. The best talent and the most extensive experience the country affords are engaged for its pages. In addition to other changes for the benefit of our read- ers, we have succeeded in securing the editorial services of Mr. Joseph Harris, who was connected with the Genesee Farmer in 1852 and 1853, and who since then has become favorably known to the agricultural public as one of the principal editors of the Rural Neio Yorker, and during the past year of the Country Gentleman and Albany Culiivator. Although a chemist by profession, Mr. H. has had considerable experience as a practical far- mer, and we have no hesitation in saying that he is the best agricultural writer of the day, uniting practice with science, and never losing sight of the teachings of experi- ence or the well-digested opinions of practical men. It was the present publisher of the Genesee Farmer who had the honor of first introducing Mr. H. to the reading agricultural public, and had the Farmer continued under his control, Mr. H. would never have left it. He will now return to Ilochestej" and the Genesee Farmer, and with this addition to our editorial strength we say again that we are fully prepared to furnish our readers the best agri- cultural journal in the country. The NEXT volume (for 1866) will commence on the Jirst of January, but we shall have the first number ready for delivery a week or ten days previous. This volume will be much improved. The pages will be larger and so arranged as to contain about one-third more reading than at present, and we are confident that we shall furnish the readers of the Farmer next year the neatest and for the price the largest and best monthly agricultural jownal in this or any other country. To meet the increased responsibility we assume we de- pend upon the voluntary exertions of our friends every- where. We have no paid agents and intend to have none. Instead of paying agents a commission, as is common, we prefer to give our paper to the farmer at the very lowest price *, and but for our exceedingly large circulation, each Tolume would cost us more than the club price. The in- creased size of our journal will enable us to add interest to every department. We call upon our friends, therefore, to prepare themselves for a general and zealous effort to increase our already large list of subscribers. The Far- mer will be continued at the same low price, and it will be worthy the confidence and support of the farmers of the country. During the last three months we have added | largely to our subscription list, and our shelves are almost cleared of back numbers. For this result we are indebted to the disinterested labors of our friends. They have our best thanks. Let all now take hold of this work in earnest, and form clubs early. Transactions of the New York State Agricul- tural SociEY. — We are indebted to Secretary Johnson for the Transactions for 1854. It is a volume of some 1,000 pages, and although it contains much matter of little interest and such as would not be published except by " authority" — such as is of no use except to swell the huge bill of the State printer — yet, on the whole, it is one of the best volumes published of late years by the society. The report of Dr. Asa Fitch, the entomologist of the society, on "The Noxious, Beneficial, and other Insects cf the State of New York," is one of the most valuable papers yet published on this interesting subject. The essay on rain, evaporation, etc., by Hon. Geo. Geddes, we have before alluded to and given an abstract in the September number. It received the society's gold medal. Some may be disposed to question whether it deserves such distinc- tion, for though it abounds with useful facts, they are near- ly all such as have been for many years patent to commu- nity. The essay on "Practical Husbandry" by the Hon. W. C. Watson, received the $100 which has for many years been offered by the society for such a work. It is a plain, practical, unpretending work on general farm prac- tices, containing much useful information. Nevertheless, were we disposed to be critical, which we are not, we might say it was behind the age. A good book on the principles and practices of American agriculture is yet to be written. The " Discussions at the Legislative Agricul- tural Meetings" in Albany last winter ; re r.-adable, but contain notliing new. The reports fj om the v irious coun- ty societies, on the management of the premium farms, on butter and cheese making, etc., are as usual quite interest- ing, but if we could have had them six months ago, they would have been much more so. Good Corn Crops. — In the TVa/^^ac^ow^of our State Agricultural Society, W. E. Vail, of Otta, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., states that he raised on four acres of bottom land 400 bushels of shelled corn. The field had been in meadow ten or fifteen years, and the " hay had generally been fed on the land." It was manured and broke up in May about four inches deep, with a lapped furrow. It was harrowed thoroughly and planted about the last week in May — rows four feet by three feet. Mr. Allen Sturrino, of Horseheads, Chemung county, raised 217 bushels of ears per acre, without manure, ex- cept a compost of ashes, plaster and lime. Soil a black vegetable mold, plowed and hoed once. Lamps, it is said, have a less disagreeable smell if the wick is dipped in hot vinegar and dried before being used. Try it. To our Canadian Friends. — AVe shall continue to fur.iish the Faemeb to our Crnidian subscribers free of American postage. EDITOR'S TABLE. 379 Tiir KuBAi. Anndal and Hohticuj.tuhal Dihecto- RY. — This is a neat little work we have just published, containing 120 passes closely printed, on fine paper, and lluatrated witli over sixty fine engravings. It is designed, as stated in tlie preface, to "furnish a hand-book for tlie xperienced — a guide to those about to commence the formation of orcliards and gardens — a work at once keli- AnLE, and so cheap as to be within the reach of all." The contents of tlie book are as follows : The Fruit Garden and Orchard — Introduction. — Ex- planation of terms used to describe the forms of trees, leaves, fruit, and all horticultural operations. Prepara- )n of the t^round — Directions for Planting, Pruning, &c. ■Diseases Injurious to Fruit and Trees — Animals do. — Dwarf Trees for the Garden — List of Fruits Recommend- ed by State Societies — List of Fruits Recommended by American Pomological Society. The Vineyard — Cultiration of the Grape. — Soil and Position — Preparation of the Soil — Planting — Training — Treatment — Pruning and Pinching. 77ie Laicn and Flower Gart/en. — Preparing the Soil ■inJ laying out the Garden — Forming the Lawn — Planting :he Lawn and Garden — Deciduous Trees — Evergreen Trees — Shrubs — Roses — Bedding Plants. List of Nurserymen in the United States and Canada — Some of the principal Nurserymen and Seedsmen of Eu- rope— Calendar for 185G. Published by James Vick, Rochester, N. Y. Price, 25 cents each (postage pre-paid) ; $2 per dozen ; $12.50 per hundred ; and five hundred for SGO. To THOSE WHO FORM Clubs fok 1856. — We do not ask that all the members of a club should receive their papers at one office. We are willing to send to as many Post Offices as there are members of the club, if necessa- ry for the convenience of subscribers. But where it is practicable, Post Masters would accommodate us by keep- ing a list of the subscribers at their office, and allowing us to send the whole number to their own address. This «aves us the trouble of writing on all the papers. Many have done this the present year. SAgkicultural Books and Libraries. — We refer all >ur offer of Agricultural Books. We know of no bet- ter way in which a young man conld obtain a few good Agricultural Books than by obtaining subscribers to the Genesee Farmer. The fall and winter months afford leisure, and the price of the Farmer is so low and its merits so well appreciated, that few will refuse to subscribe if solicited. We will send specimen numbers and show- bills to all who apply. Lost NnuBEKS. — We try to be very careful in mailing the Farmer — still it would be very strange if some should not be lost in passing through the mail. We will supply any person with lost numbers without charge on applica- tion. Every subscriber to the Farmer should preserve his numbers, and if not convenient to get them bound, •titch the twelve numbers together yourself. In this way they are worth twice their original cost for reference. Premiums for 1855. — Any person entitled to Genesee Farmer Preminms for the present year, and not having re- ceived them, will ple.ase notify us at once, as we are anx- ious to close up the year's business and take a fair start for another year. Notitts o{ KtSn Books, pttiobucals, &c. nife. We have perused the above with much interest and pleasure. Simple in style, truthful in sentiment, the moral inculcated by the talented authoress is worthy of praise, and we think some nniiappy homes could be made happy by a perusal of the above. Richard THE Fearlkss : or the Little Duke. By the author of "The Heirof Redchlfo," '■ ICings of England." With illustra- tions. New Yoik ; D. Arri-ETON & Co. 1S56. 200 pages. This is an interesting story of the early life of the Nor- man Duke, " Richard the Fearless." It teaches good les- sons in self government — Richard feared only to do wrong. The author should give us another book on the later and more active life of the good Norman Duke. Crotchets axd QrAVEBS : or, Revelations of an Opera Manager in America. By Max Meketzek. New York: S. French, 121 Na-ssau street. *]S55. 350 pages. The author has been the director of the Italian Opera in New York for several years, and in this book, we should judge by a glance, gives his experience — the ups and downs, joys and sorrows of a manager's life. The Refugie : or, the N.arrative8 of Fugitive Slaves in Canada. Related by themselves; with an account of the history and con- dition of the colored population of Upper Canada. By Benja- min Drew. Boston : John P. Jewett & Co. 1866. S90 pages. JEitiiuirits aitli anjsintrs. IfAEixo Candles.— Editors are supposed to know everything, and as I have found out lately that I do not know how to make good Kindles, I thought I would apply to you for a few hints ou the subject. Jane Wilson — Pleasant VaUey. Clean tallow and good wicks are pre-requisites. If the wicks are steeped in a saturated solution of lime water to which is added a little saltpetre, and dried before dipping, the flame will be clearer and brighter, and they will need much less snuffing. Editors do not know everything, and we should be glad if some of our domestic readers would answer the above. Rape.— f am an English farmer, recently removed to this coun- try. I have been in the habit of raising more or less rape every year for sheep, but find that it is not grown here. Can you tell me whether the climate is suitable to it ? John Henshaw— Cai- houn Co.y Mich. Quite a number of persons have been trying rape the past year, and we should be glad if they would give us the benefit of their experience. C. Gilbert Fowler. We know of no school or insti- tute in this country where scientific and practical farming is taught. 380 ADVERTISEMENTS. Leather Scrapings. — ^There is in this neighborhood quite a quantity of leather scrapings which I could get at a cheap rate. Are they of much value as manure ? If so, how should they be applied? K. Williams. Dry leather scrapings contain as much nitrogen as the best Peruvian guano, and could the_y be decomposed and render- ed readily assimilable without loss, they would be nearly as valuable. As it is, like woolen rags, horn shavings, hair, fish, etc., they are among the most valuable natural fertilizers known. The best method of using leather scrapings is to form them into a compost with soil enough to prevent the escape of ammonia. Or they may be applied directly to the soil in a fresh state. Three or four tons to the acre in their natural state would be a heavy dressing. After be- ing decomposed in a compost heap, a less quantity must be used : tialf a ton to a ton per acre of the leather in this state would be sufficient. ADVERTISEMENTS, To secure insertion in the Farmek, must be received as eai-ly as the 10th of the previous "month, and be of such a character aa to be •f interest to farmers. Terms — Two Dollars for every hundred words, each insertion, paid in advance. NEW ESTABLISHMENT! AGRICULTURAL DEPOT And Produce Conunission Warehouse. No. 100 MURRAY ST., NEAR NORTH RIVER, NEW YORK. THE subscriber having opened an establishment in such close vicinity to numerous lines of Steamboats, Barges, and Rail- roads, as to afford every conveoieDce of transportation to any por- tion of the country for whatever may be purchased or ordered of him, trusts that by furnisbing articles of first quality, made by manufacturers of undoubted reputation, that it will be an induce- riient for farmers and others to deal with hira. Included in the stock will be found Genuine *' Eagle" Plows, of several styles. Cultivators — Horse Hoes — Harrows. Fan Mills— Corn Sheilers. Hand Grain or Coffee Mills. Hay, Straw, and Corn Stalk Cutters. Shovels— Scoops — Spades. Hoes — Bakes — Forks. Grind Stone Fixtures— Cattle ties. Barrows, for Canal and other uses. Patent Churns — Apple Parers. Meat Cutters — Sausage Stuffers, etc., etc. Also first quality of TIMOTHY and CLOVER, together with an Wiortment of FIELD and GARDEN SEEDS. Also PERUVIAN GUANO, PHOSPHATE OF LIME, and other portable Manures — all of which will be sold on the most reasona- ble tarms, and be carefully packed and forwarded to any part of the couotry. The subscriber will also attend to the sale of Grain or other Produce on Comniiasion. His charges will be moderate, and prompt returns will be made in such form as his correspon- dents may direct. HENRY F. DIBBLEE. REFERENCES. H. F. Vail, Esq., Cashier Bank of Commerce in New York. Robert Strong, Esq., Cashier City Bank. Jas.T. Souter, Esq., Pres't. Bank of the Republic, William S. T. Sdale, Esq. Messrs. Henry Shelden, Lawson & Co. Vandusen & Jagger. H. E. Dibblee & Co. Dibblee, Work & Moore. G. B. Lamar, Esq. Dec— It. MANGANESE FARM, ■."TjlOP" sale in Augusta county, Virginia, seven miles from Waynes- J? borough, containing 112 acres, all first rate bottom, well im- proved and well watered. The Manganese is of the best quality, and easy of access. Call soon aa the farm will not be offered lon- ger than the Ist of April, 1856. Address DANIEL HISERMAN, Dec. — It* ^herando, Augusta Co., Virginia. STILL GREATEE ATTRACTIONS! ftODEY'S liADY'S BOOK FOR 1856. FIFTY-SECOND VOLUME ! — PIONEER MAGAZINE! Especially devoted to the wants of the Ladies of America. WIIEUE this Magazine is taken in a house, no other is wanted, as it comprises all that could be obtained by taking three other Magazines. NEW FEATURES FOR 1856. A new and very interesting story will be commenced in January, by Marian Hariand, author of "Alone," and "Hidden Path," two novels that have created an immense sensation in the literary woild. Also— Miss Virginia F. Townsend will commence in the February num- ber a uouvellette, which we know will strongly interest the read- ers of the "Book." Stories by an English Authoress. How to make Wax Flowers and Fruits — with engravings. The Nurse and the Nursery. How to make a Bonnet. Troubles of an English Housekeeper. The Art of Sketching Flowers from Nature — with engravings to be copied by the learner on paper to be colored. Maternal counsels to a daughter; — designed to aid her in the care of her health, the improvement of her mind, and tlie cultiva- tion of her heart. New style of Illuminating Window and Lamp Shades, with en- gravings. Poetry and History of Finger Rings, illustrated; Shells for the Ladies, and where they come from, with engravings. This is only giving an idea of our intentions for 1856. New de- signs of interest to the ladies are springing up every day ; we shall avail ourselves of everything that can interest them. In fact, "Godey's Lady's Book" will possess the interest of any other three Magazines. In addition to the above will be continued in each number — Godey's splendid Steel engravings. One hundred pages of reading. Gndey's challenge Fashion Plates. In this as in every other de- partment, we defy rivalry or imitation. Embroidery patterns. Any quantity of them are given monthly. ilodel Cottages. Dress Making, with diagrams 'o cut by. Dress patterns, Infants' and Children's Dresses, All kinds of Cro- chet and Netting work, Cloaks, Mantelets, Talmas, Collars, Chem- isettes, Under Sleeves, Bonnets, Window Curtains, Broderie An- glaise Slippers, Caps, Cloaks, Evening Dresses, Fancy articles, Head Dresses, Hair Dressing, Robes for Night and Morning, Carriage Dresses, Bridal Dresses, Wreaths, Mantillas, Walking Dresses, Ri- ding Habits, Bojs' Clothing, Capes and Cloaks of P'ur in season. Crochet and Netting work printed in colors. DRAWING LESSONS for Youth- 1000 designs. Music— three dollars worth is given every year; the Nurse and the Nursery, with full instructions ; Godey's invaluable Recipes upon every sub- ject. We would advise all who intend to subscribe to send in their or- ders soon, for if we do not make duplicate stereotype plates, it will be difficult to supply tlie demand. We expect our list for 1856 will reach 100,000 copies. The best plan of subscribing is to send your money direct to the publisher. Those who send large amounts had better send drafts, but notes wUl answer if drafts cannot be procured. Letters had better be registered —it only costs five cents extra, and their safe reception is insured. TERMS, CASH IN ADVANCE. One cflpy one year, $3. Two copies one year, $5. Three copies one year, $*). Five copies one year, and an extra copy to the per- son sending the club, making six copies, $!0. Eight copies one year, and an extra copy to the person sending the club, making nine copies, $15. Eleven copies one year, and an extra copy to the person sending the club, making twelve copies, $10. 1^" The above terms cannot be deviated from, no matter how m;iny are ordered. Godey's Lady's Book and Harper's Magazine both one year Ihr $4.50. Godey's Lady's Book and Arthur's Home Magazine both one year for S3.50. The money must be all sent at one time for any of the clubs. f^W^ Additions of one or more to clubs are received at club nt direct to any post- prices. JfT^" A specimen or specimens w master milking tlie request. 33^ We can always supply back numbers for the year, as the work is stereotyped. SUBSCRIBERS IN THE BRITISH PROVINCES Who send for clubs must send 36 cents extra nn every subscriber, to pay the American postage to the hnes. AJdress L. A. GODEY, Dec— It No. 113 Chestnut at., Philadelphia. ADVERTISEMENTS. THE SATURDAY EVENING POST. ESTABLISHED AUGUST 4, 1821. WEEKLY EDITION BETWEEN 80,000 AND 90,000. In issuiiijEj their prosptctus for ISoG, the proprietors of the Post take it for granted that the public are already tolerably well acquainted with tlie character of a paper that has grown strong during the storms and sunshine of THIRTY-FOUR YEARS. Their object always has been, as it remains to be, to pubhsh a weekly paper for the family circle, which sliall not only amuse, but also instruct and improve those who may read it. To accomplish this object, the best articles are selected or condensed from foreign and domestic periodicals, and original articles of an instructive character procured, when possible. Letters from Foreign Lands ; the most interesting portion of the Weekly News of the World ; Sketches of Life, Adventure, and Character; Selected and Original articles upon Agriculture; Account of the Produce and Stock Markets, and a Bank Note List are included among the solid information to be constantly found in the Post. But the mind requires a wider range — it has faculties which delight in'the humorous and lively, the imaginative and poetical. These faculties also must have their appropriate food, else they become enfeebled, and, as a consequence, tlie intellect becomes narrow and one-sided, and is not able to take an enlarged and generous view of human nature and its destiny. To satisfy these heaven-implanted cravings of our mental being, we devote a fair proportion of the Post to FICTION. POETRY, and HUMOR. Among our contributors in the first two of the above departments, are several of the most gifted writers in the land. We also draw freely for Fiction and Poetry upon the best periodicals in this country and Great Britain. We design commencing a new story by Mrs. Soutuworth, author of " The Deserted wife," " Miriam," &c., in our first paper of January next. ENGRAVINGS, illustrative of important places and actions, of Agricultural and other new Inventions, with others of a humorous, though refined character, are also freely given. The postage on the Post to any part of the United States, paid quarterly or yearly in advance, at the office where it is received, is 2G cents a year. TERMS— CASH IN ADVANCE. Single copy, - - - - - . $2.00 a year. I 13 copies, (and one to getter-up of club,) $15.00 a year. 4 copies, - - - - - - 5 00 *' 20 " (and one to getter-up of club,) 20.00 '• 8 •• 10.00 " I Address always post-paid, DEACON & PETERSON, No. 66 South Third si, Philadelphia. ,£^ SAMPLE NUMBERS SENT GRATIS TO ANY ONE, WHEN REQUESTED. ^@^ We annex a few notices of the Post from its Exehanffcs ; This IS one of the few Urge pajjers tilled with life and thought, iofltead of lumbeiiDg trash. Its management is marked bj liberal- ity, courtesy, ability and tact. It employs the best literary talent, and tpares no pains or expense. As a family paper, one of literary end general intelligence, we cordially commend it. — Cayuga Chief, Auburn, N. Y. In another column is an advertisement of the Saturday Evening Post. Our readers may rely upon it, that Deacon & Peterson will be as good as their word. So far as we can judge by years of ob- BervatioD, tbtsif pubLi.'-bers do rather more than they promise; and their paper is edited «ith very marked ability. It ia singularly free froiQ silly sentimentiilism and bluster, but it is of a healthy tone on all subjects, always moderate in language, but always mildly ftdvocating the right. We find it one of the moat generally attrac- tive papers in our exchange. — Saturday f''isitor, PilUburg; Pa. We have heretofore spoken in high terms of the merits of the Post, as one of the best papers on oar exchange list, and we regard it as one of the best literary papers to be found anywhere. Its ed- itorials are writtt-n with ability, and taKe a liben^il, independent, Mid comprehensive view of men and things. — Slar and Adc.y WrighistUU, Pa. The editorial department is conducted with ability and skill, and the news department, for a weekly paper, is exceedingly full and complete. All things considered, the Post is not excelled, for fam- ily reading, by any paper that we know of. — Gazette, Fulton, N. Y. This is one of the oldest weekly papers in Philadelphia. It has lived on through all weathers — adversity has tossed it, and pros- perity filled its sails — and yet it is the same staunch, strong barque. — Spectator, Oguairka, HI. Thia is one of the best family paper? upon our exchange list, Its original and well selected mniter is of the tirst order. — JSortK fFestem Democrat, Minneapolis, Minn, Ter, It is emphatically one of the best literary newspapers in the whole country, and deserves the unparalleled success with which it baa met under its present enlightened and liberal proprietorship. The greater its circulation in this State, the less, probably, is our gain pecuniarily ; yet we must pronounce it a most excellent jour- nal, and worthy of the patronage of everybody. The contributors to the Post are among the finest writers in America, and the edi- tor's articles are always characterized by truth and taste. — Jersey Blue, Camden, N. J. We regard it as the best of the Philadelphia literary papers. Its editorials are written with ability, and take a comprehensive view of whatever is discussed. — Echo, Johnstown, Pa. The long period during which this sterling paper has been estab- lished, and its recent immense circulation (being between 80,000 and 90,000) are ample guarantees to all who desire an excellent paper that they will get the ■worth of their money by subscribing fur the Post.— C/aritm, Lockhart, Texas, [t ia a paper of the largest size, and is edited with ability. It is highly spoken of by its readers, some of whom have clung to it for the last quarter of a century. It is too well and favorably known to need lengthy commendation. It tells its own story each week, and if you send for it once, you will be very sure to do so again. — }' alley Times, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It is deservedly one of the most popular public journals in the United States, combining, as it does, in a literary point of view, all the interest of the best magazines with a vast amount of general intelligence. — Republican, Litchjicld, Conn. We are in weekly receipt of this invaluable family journal, and should feel very much at a loss without it, as we consider it the best literary paper now published in the United States, without any exception. — Democrat, Cambridge, Md. ^^ TO EDITORS. — Editors who glre the above one insertion, or condense the material portions of it (incla- ding our terms) for their editorial columns, shall be entitled to an exchange, by sending us a marked copy of the paper oontaining the adTertiaement or notice. 382 ADVEETISBDENTS. A BOOK FOR BOTH SEXES. THE PHYSIOLOGY OF MAREIAGE. By a ilarried Man and Distinguished Physician. IT is one of the most remarkable books which has been published in any country. In language simple, decorous, and respectful, and in terms of fatherly kindness it reveals to the yourg of both sexes a fund of information hitherto chiefly inaccessible in any reliable form, and for want of which many have been prompted to resort to sources either questionable or of immoral tendency. The work is written by one of our oldest and most experienced medical men, who has devoted a long life to the study of Physiology. The work was examined in manuscript by competent judges, and pro- nounced to be as unexceptionable as any work which has appeared in the English language. It breathes, moreover, a truly Christian spirit. The following, briell^'', are its contents : Chapter 1. The True Relation of the Sexes. *' 2. Premature Marriage and its Consequences- " 3. Errors of Education. " 4. Errors of Courtship. " 6. Individual Transgression and its Penalties. " 6. Social Errors ana their Punishment, '• 7. Physical Laws of Marriage. " 8. A P'undamental Error. " 9. The Laws of Pregnancy. 1 " 10. Crime without a Name. " H. The Laws of Lactation. " 12. A crime that ought not to be Xamed/ " 13. Directions to Parents and Guardians. ' " 14. General Directions. Just published by JOHN P. JEWETT_& CO., Boston JEWETT, PROCTOR k "^^ORTHINGTON, Cleveland, Ohio. r.— 4t. NEW VOLUMES! SUBSCRIBEES MAY BEGIN NOW. LIFE ULTJSTEATED. A FIRST CLASS WEEKLY NEArSPAPl^.R, devoted to News, Literature, Science, and the Arts ; to Entertainment, Improve- ment, and Progress. One of the best Family Newspapers in the world. Only Two Dollars a year. THE WATER-CURE JOURNAL: Devoted to Hydropathy, its Philosophy and practice ; to Physiolo- gy and Anatomy, witli numerous Illustrations; and those Laws which govern Life and Health. Dlustrated. $1 a year. THE PHRENOLOGICAL JOURNAL: Devoted to all those Progressive Measures for the Elevation and Improvement of Mankind. Amply Dlustrated. $1 a year. For Three Dollars a copy of each of these three Journals will be sent one year. Agents wanted. Samples gratis. Address FOWLER AND WELLS, Nov.— 2t. No. 308 Broadway, New York. NEW ARRIVAL OF FALL STYLE WALL PAPERS. THE largest assortment of Paper Hangings and Borders ever seen in this city, are now on sale at E. T. Miller's, in the Ar- cade. These papers are very fine, both in pattern and finish, and comprise gold, velvet, satin, and some rich decorations. The remaining stock of spring styles I am selling at greatly re- duced prices; and I now offer great inducements to purchasers, as they can buy goods from this stock ten per cent, cheaper than else- where. A choice lot of Marble Paper, suitable for Halls, Churches, &c., 20 varieties. Oak and Granite Ceiling Paper, Ceiling Centres, Moulding and Borders. Paper Hanging and Decorating done promptly. None but first class workmen are employed, and the subscriber, being a practical Decorator, superintending all the work, can guarantee satisfhction to all patrons. Gilt and Oil Shades, of every varietv, on hand and made to order. Cord, Tossells, Rollers, and Brass Work for Shades on stock. E. T. MILLER, Nov.— 2t. 29 West Gallery, Arcr.de. ANDRE LEROY NURSERIES, ANGERS, FRANCE. THE undersigned begs leave to inform his numerous friends and customers that he is now ready to execute all orders for Fruit, Forest, and Ornamental Trees, Evergreen Shrubs, Stocks, &c., &c. His collection is particularly fine this year for all kinds of Trees except Quince Stocks, the crop of which has again failed. The Catalogue for 1855 is now ready for distribution, and all those who wish, to procure a copy can obtain one free of charge by addressing our agent in New York, Mr. F. A. Bkugciere, 138 Pearl street, successor to our former agent and friend, Mr. E. Bossange, who has retired from business. Orders should be sent at once to secure a complete assortment. AU required information to import Trees, &c., vnil be found on the first page of our Catalogue. ANDRE LEROY, Angers. F. A, BRUGUIERE, Sole Agent, 138 Pearl st., N. York. Oct. BOOKS FOR THE FARMERS! FURNISHED BY THE PROPRIETOR OF GENESEE FARMER. I. The Cow, Dairy Husbandry, and Cattle Breeding, Price 25 cts. II. Every Lady her own Flower Gardener. Price 25 cents, m. The American Kitchen Gardener. Price 25 cents. IV. The American Rose Culturer. Price 25 cent-?. V. Prize Essay on Manures. By S. L. Dana. Price 25 cents. VI. Skinner's Elements of Agiiculture. Price 25 cents. VII. The Pests of the Farm, with directions for extirpation. Price 25 cents. VIII Horses — their Varieties, Breeding, Management, &c. Price 25 cents. IX. The Hive and Honey Bee — their Diseases and Remedies. Price 25 cents. X. The Hog-— its Diseases and Management. Price 25 cents. XI. The American Bird Fancier — BreetJing, Raising, &c. 25 cts. XH. Domestic Fowls and Ornamental Poultry. Price 25 cent=. XHI. Chemistry made Easy for the Use of Farmers. Price 25 51 V. The American Poultry Yard. The cheapest and best book published. Price $1. XV. The American Field Book of Manures. Embracing all the Fertilizers known, with directions for use. By Browne. $1.25. XVI. Buiat's Kitchen Gardener. Price 75 cents. XVII. Stocfchart's Chemical Field Lectures. Price 31. f XVIII. Wilson on the Cultivation of Flax. Price 25 centa.^; XIX. The Farmer's Cyclopedia. By Blake. Price $1.25. ^ XX. Allen's Rural Architecture. Price $1.25. XXI. Phelps's Bee Keeper's Chart. Dlustrated. Price 25 cents. XXII. Johnston's Lectures on ^Practical Agriculture-l J Paper, price 25 cents. XXTIL Johnston's Agricultural Chemistry. Piice $1.25. |? XXIV. Johnston's Elements of Agiicultural Chemistry and Geol- ogy. Price $1. XXV. Ramlall's Sheep Husbandry. Price $1.25. XXVI. Minei-'s American Bee-Keeper's Manual. Price $1. XXVII. Dadd's American Cattle Doctor. Complete. Price $1. XXVUL Fessenden's Complete Farmer and Gardener. 1 vol- Price $1.25. XXIX. Allen's Treatise on the Culture of the Grape. Price SI. XXX. Youatt on the Breeds and Management of Sheep. Price 75 cents. XXXI. Youatt on Ihe Hog. Complete. Price 60 cents. XXXII. Youatt and Jlartin on Cattle. By Stevens. Piice $1.25. XXXIII. The Sheplierd's own Book. Edited by Youatt, Skmner and Raudall. Price $2. XXXIV. Stephens's Book of the Farm ; or Farmer's Guide. Ed- ited bv Skiuner. Price $4. XXXV. Allen's American Farm Book. Price $1. XXXVI. The American Florist's Guide. Price 75 cents. XXXVH. The Cottage and Farm Bee-Keeper. Price 50 cents. XXXVin. Hoare on the Culture of the Grape. Price 50 cents. XXXIX. Country Dwellings; orthe American Architect. Price $6 XL. Lindley's Guide to the Orchard. Price $1.25. XLI. Gunn'a Domestic Medicine. A book for every married man and woman. Price $3. XLH. Nash's Progressive Fanner. A book for every boy in the country. Price 50 cents. XLHI. Allen's Diseases of Domestic Animals. Price 75 cents.l XLIV. Saxton's Rural Hand-books. 2 vols. Price $2.50. XLV. Beattie's Southern Agriculture. Price $1. XLVI. Smith's Landscape Gardening. Containing hints on ar- ranging Parks, Pleasure Grounds, &c. Edited by Lewis F. AUeo Price $1.25. RECENTLY PUBLISHED. XLVTI. The Farmer's Land Measurer; or Pocket CompanioB Price 50 eents, XLVIIL Buisfs American Flower Garden Directory. Price $1.25. XLIX. The American Fruit Grower's Guide in Orchard and Gar- den. Being the most complete book on the subject ever published . L. Quinby'8 Mysteries of Bee-Koeping explaned. Price $1. The above -n-ill be sent fre^ upon receipt of price annexed. THE BEST CHANGE TO MAKE MONEY, AND to do good at the same time may be had by young men in . every county, by engaging in the sale of our new, useful, popular and ready-sdUng Books. For particulars address FOWLER AND WELLS, Nov.— 2t. 308 Broadway, New York. PLEASANT AND PROFITABLE EMPLOYMENT. TN every town and village, for Meu and Women, to sell our neat, h cheap, and quick-selling Books, and to canvass for our Populaf Scientific Journals. All who engage with us will be secured from ihepotnUUty of loss. Profits, very liberal. Please address FOWLER & WELLS, Oct.— 4t 308 Broadway, New York. ADVERTISEMENTS. 383 BOOK AGENTS WANTED PIONEEH HEROES OF THE NEW WORLD COMPIUSING the lives of the most famous Discoverers, Explo- rers, ami Conqueroi-s of North and South America.; an ac- count of the foundation of Colonies, and the Settlement of States and Provinces; the history of the sufferings and privations of the early settlers, and their wars yrHh the niitive inhabitants; a de- scription of the most important Expeditions of Survey ; and a view of the gradual extension of Discovery and Civilization in the West- ern Hemisphere. Our hearts are closely linked to the stirring deeds of our pio- neer fathers, and in this volume is found the most reliable and graphic account of their unexampled achievments and thrilling adventures ever written. This work is magnjlicently embellished with colored illustrations. The superb character of these engravings, which are colored by machinery, gives a lai'ge superiority over other historical works, and enhances the prestige of success to the agent. A beautiful map accompanies each volume gratis. Address the publi8hei"S, Dec— 2t FOR THE CHIIiDKENi raiCE REDUCED. THE LITSLiE P1L€^RI.T1: A\ ILLUSTRATED MONTHLY, EDITED BY GRACE GREENWOOD. ANEW VOLUME will comraence with January, 1856. Terms— 50 cents a year for single copies; five copies for $2; fourteen copies, and one to getter up of club, for $5 ; twent^'-four copies and one to getter up of club, for $8 ; and fifty copies FOR $15. Specimen copUs sent free of charge to all who request them. Address, post-paid, LEANDER K. LIPPIKCOTT, Dec— It G6 South 3d street, Diiladclphia. PLEASANT AND PROFITABLE EETPLOYMENT. IN every town and village, for any number of young men, to sell Valuable Bnoka, and to canvass for our Popular and Scientific Journals. AH icko engage Kith vs icill he seatredfrom the possibil- ity of loss. Profits very liberal. Please address FOWLER AND WELLS, Nov.— 3t. SOS Broadway, New York. LAWrON BLACKBEREY. HAVING the present season had additional opportunity to sat- isfy ourselves of the superiority of the LAWTON BLACK- BERRY, we have accepted the agency therefor from Mr. William Lawtox. We can confidently a-ssure the public that this extraordinary fruit fullv sustains its reputation, being of mammoth size, with a fine raeU'ing pulp, and rich tlavor. It is perfectly hardy and re- quires no extra care in its cultivation. We are now prepared to receive orders, which will oe filled direct from the grounds of Mr. Lawtos on and after the 15th of October. The plants will becarefullv and securely packed without extra charge, and forwarded from' New York at the following reduced prices:— Half a dozen, $3; one dozen, $5; fifty plants, $15; one hundred plants, $25. The money must in every case accompany the order. C. M.SAXTON&CO., Agricultui-al Book Publishers, Oct— 3t 152 Fultou street. New York. STrRVEYING. TVLAPPING, &c THE undersigned will be happy to attend to farmers' calh in the way of surveying, tiking levels for drainage, drawing maps of farms, &c., sketching from nature, and everything in that Une. Also, instruction given in the above. He will engage to give saliafaction as to terms, dispatch, ino accuracy, in all work ei tmsted to him. liOLTON W. O'GRADY, Civil Engineei -Surveyor and Draughtsma Dec. Ofii^..' 17 Bp'IhIo St., Rochester, N. Y. BTTLKLEY'S PATENT DRY KILNS, BY superheated steam will dry Orain, Flour, and Meal without scorching, at a cost of two cents per bbl. Also green inch lum- ber in twelve to thirty hours. Circulars sent free on appliration. H. G. BULKLEV, Oct— 3t* Kalamazoo, Mich. NEW HORSE-POWKR FOR F.A.RMERS AND MECHANICS. THE VERMONT WIND-MILL *Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks; rage, blow."— A'in^- Lear. WIND is at once powerful, inexpressive, and blows everywhere. Just the thing for farmers and mechimics; just the thing for a thousand uses; to grind grain, paints, apples; to turnlathea, grindstones, scour, polish, cut, saw, in the high lofts of buildings, over city and country, on mountains, in villages, and on prairies. To work on marble, cut slate, straw, thresh grain, and pump water for railroad stations, for stock, for household use, founUiins, pondg, etc., to drain land, and to do the work of millions of muscles eve- rywhere. The VERMONT WIND MILL will do all this and more. It will adjust its own sails to the wind, is simple, strong, cheap, and durable, beautiful in theory, certain in action. Manufactured by the Inventor's Manufacturing Company. Agents Wanted for the sale of this new motive power. Town, County, and State Rights for sale. Address FOWLER ANT) WELLS, Dec— 2t 808 Broadway, New York. ICHABOE GUANO, JUST received by the brig AVave Spirit, direct from the Ichaboe islands, a cargo of this superior Guano (which is the first cargo arrived since that brought by the ship Shakspeare, in 18i5}. Thig Guano is now landed in excellent order, and will be sold in lots to suit purchasers. Samples and analyses will be sent by addressing the agent. As the quantity is small, early application will be ne- cessary. Farmers who cannot remove what they desire, may have it remain on storage until April 1st, at IHU cents per ton per month, which includes insurance. Price, $40 per ton of 2,000 fta. A- LONGETT, Agent. Nov.— tf. 34 Cliff St., corner of Fulton, New York. WM. H. LOOMIS, WHOLESALE and Retail dealer in Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Plants and Shrubs, of all the leading and roost populai- va- rieties. Standard and dwarf trees of Apples, Pears, Plums, Peach- es, Cherries, &c., all vigorous, stockey and well formed. Also, a general assortment of Gooseberries, Currants, Raspber- ries, &c. &c. Ornamental trees and shrubs of every variety ; Rosbb a large collection ; Green House plants can be furnished on the shortest notice. Also a large quantity of Field and Garden Seeds on hand, and for sale at the lowest cash prices. Address (post- paid) Agricultural Rooms, South Bend, Ind. March, 1855.— tf. WM. H. LOOMIS. ConttntB of His Numin. Principles of Improving Domestic Animals 361 Remarks on European Farming.. 364 The Vermont Wind-Mill 367 Notes by S.W - 367 What shall our Boys Study 'r 368 The Bee Moth - 369 Preserving Timber 369 Farm House 370 Flowing Land _ 372 To Preser%'e Cattle from Disease in Winter 372 HORTICULTURAL DEPAKTMENT. Progress of Horticulture, &c 373 Letter from Oregon... 374 Plant Trees 375 Fruits Recommended for General Cultivation by the Champlain Valley Horticultural Society... 376 Grow more Fruit 37fi youth's department. Youth's Agricultural Society 376 LADIES' DEFARTMEITT. Spring Flowers 377 editor's table. The Genesee Farmer for 1856 378 Notices of New Books, Periodicals, &c 379 Inquiries and Answers _ 379 ILLUSTBATIOIVS. Organs of Lactation 363 Vermont Wind-MUl 367 Farm House 370 »' Ground Plan 371 Hyacinth— NarciEBUS— Crocus 377 ADVERTISEMENTS. :s a club of eight subscribers at each) we will give one copy of i Sixteen subscribers at our club ,e extni copy of the Farmer and Genesee Farmer for 1856. This number completes the present volume. Tlie next volume will be printed on new type, good paper, and contain one-third more reading than at present. The illustrations will also be more useful as well as more beautiful and costly than any before given. Our friends will please form clubs early. PREMIUMS_FOR 1856! We ask the attention of our friends everywhere to the Premiums we offer for the coming year. There is no better way to procure good agricultural reading than by obtaining subscribers tor the Qenesee Farmer. 1. To every person who sends i our regular terms, (three shillinsTi the Rural Annual for his trouble, 2. To every person who sends u terms of three shillings each, 01 one copy of the Rural Annual. 3 To every person sending us Twentt-FOCR subscribers, as above, two copies of the Rural Annual, and one extra copy of the Farmer, or any agricultural worls valued at 60 cents, postage paid. 4 To any person ordering Thirty-two copies of the Farmer, three copies of the Rural Annual and one extra copy of the Far- mer or any agricultural booli valued at 75 cents, postage paid. 6* For Forty, four copies of the Rural Annual and one extra copy of the Farmer, or, any agricultural boolt valued at i\,postage paid, or, four extra copies of the Farmer. 6. For Forty-eight, five copies of the Rural Annual and one extra copy of the Farmer, or, any agricultural book valued at $1.25, postage paid, or, five extra copies of the Farmer. For larger numbers, books or papers given in the same propor- trS' To save expense to our friends, we pay the postage on all these works, and persons entitled will state what they wish sent, and make their selections when they send orders; or if their list is not complete, if wished, we will delay sending until the club is full. Premiums for the Greatest Number of Subscribers. In order to excite a little competition among our friends every- where, as well as to reward them for their voluntary labors in be- half of our journiil, we make the following liberal offer. Those who do not get the premiums offered below are sure of the above, so that we have no blanks. 1. FlfTY DOLLARS, in Agricultur.al Books, to the person who shall send us the largest number of subscribers, at the club prices, before the 15th day of April next, so that we may announce the successful competitors in the May number. 2. THIRTY DOLLARS, in Agricultural Books, to the person who shall send us the second highest list, as above. 3. TF,N DOLLARS, in Agricultural Books, to the person who shall send us the third highest list, as above. Our object in offering books is to increase their circulation thiou»hoat the country. Those who prefer nursery trees, plants, fcc, can be accommodated ; and if any prefer the money, we will make arrangements accordingly. Clulis are not required to be at one post office or sent to one ad- dress. We send wherever the members of the club may desire. The Rural Anspal Ai-D HoETicrLTDRAiDiRECTOF.Y.— Wehave just published a veiy neat little book of 120 pages with the above title. It is devoted to the Orchard, the Vineijard, and the Flower Garden and Laicn : and we shall only express the opinion of all who have seen it, when we say that it is the best MtOe work yet puUished on the sulijects of which it so plainly and carefully treats. Anxious to make the circulation of this useful little work as general as possible, we make the following proposition, to those who form clubs for the Genesee Farmer : For FOOR DOLLARS we will seud eight copies of the Genesee Farmer and eight copies of the Rural Annual. For EIGHT DOLLARS we will send sixteen copies of the Genesee Farmer and sixteen copies of the Rural Annual, and one extra copy of each for the peiBon who gets up the club. Any person sending us $3 for a club of eight of the Genesee Farmer shall receive one copy of the Rural Annual for his trouble. The Practical and Scientific Farmer's Own Paper. THE GENESEE FA MER, A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF AGEICULTUEE AND HORTICULTURE, ILLUSTRATED WITH NUMEROUS ENGRAVINGS OP Farm Buildings, Animals, Implements, Fruits, &c. VOLUME XVIL FOR 1856. IN issuing a prospectus for the Seventeenth Volume of the Gen- esee Parmer, the publisher (l,atters himself that it is too widely known, too extensively circulated, and too weU read, to render it necessary to state at length the design of the work. Those who read the Fanner are the best judges of its value, and those unac- quainted with it are requested to examine its pages. He will only say that for the year 1856 he will furnish a paper that for size, beauty, and ability, will not be excelled in this country. The new volume will commence on the Brst of January, and will be printed on NEW TYPE and superior paper, and each number will contain about one-third more reading than at present. Each monthly number will consist of thirty-two large pages, making a volume of 384 pages, with several hundred engravings, (with title page, index, &c., suitable for binding), at the close of the year. No one would sell the volume at the end of the year for its cost. Our Illustrations are NUMEEOcs, appropriate, and expensive, consisting of Farm Buildings, Improved Implements, Domestic Animals, Choice Fruits, Flowers, Slirubs, &c., &c. Wc number among our Contributors hundreds of the best prac- tical Fanners in the country, and our readers have through our pages the benefit of their wisdom and experience. No thinking I man can read any number we issue, without receiving some useful hint in regard to the management of Crops, Stock, or the Orchard, of more value than the price of the volume. Our large circulation enables us to furnish a paper for three or four shillings equal, at least, to the best in the country for value and beauty. An earnest advocate of improvement of both the MIND and the Soil, the Farmer seeks to advance the rural interests of the conn- try and elevate the profession of Agriculture to its proper position. To accomplish this, it has Labored long and faithfully, and not with- out some success. It is one of the oldest, and its position as the CHEAPEST, and at least one of the best agricultural journals in the country is fully established, and we confidently ask for it that support which it' merits from the Farmers, Gardeners, and Fruit Culturists of the United States. We invite all who feel the importance of sustaining this work, and extending its usefulness, not only to subscribe themselves, but to introduce it to the patron- age of their friends. Fifty Cents a Year, In Advance. Five Copies for $2 ; Eight Copies for $3 ; and any larger number at the same rate. g;*^ All subscriptions to commence w.th the year, and the en- tire volume supplied to all subscribers. jrF" Post-Masters, Farmers, and all friends of improvement arc respectfully solicited to obtain and forward subscriptions. Subscription monev, if properly enclosed, may be sent (post-paid or free) at the risk of the Publisher. Address JAMES VICK, Rochester, New York. November, 1855. RASPBEEKY AND STRAWBERRY PLANTS, GRAPE VINES, CTTERANTS, AND RHUBARB, AT VERY LOW PRICES TO NDRSERT5IEN AND FOR FIELD PLANTING. OA AAA HudsonRiver Antwerp, 20,000 Fastolf, 10,000 Fran- OU.UUU conia, 10,000 Rivers' Large Monthly, 10,000 Kne- velfs Uiant, and a general assortment of all valuable varieties, in- cluding Brickie's Orange, the most beautiful and best of all Rasp- berries. „ . i ^T X GRAPE VINES— Isabella, Catawba, Diana, Herbemont, Clinton, Bland, Elsingburg, and Bi inkle. „, , r. ,■ v CURRANTS- an assortment including. Large BUck English, Black Naples, Wvatt's Victoria, and Large Red and White Dutch. RHUB ARB-,-Victoria, Downmg's Colossal, Linneus, Gaboon, and a great variety of seedlings. , , „ , c j,. STRAWRERRIES-Boston Pine, Early Scarlet, Hovey s Seedlmg, and McAvov's Superior. OSIER CUTTINGS— triandra, purpurea and Forbya: ^'^-■"'^'^P- c.W.GR. Newburg, Orange Co., N. Y. Nov. also. TO NTIRSERYBEEN K A BUSHELS Canada Plum Stones for 0\J and warranted true. Price $12 per bushel sale. Just collected I OCT 1S68 •/KSBY