ImtirrHttg of PtttHburglj "Darlington Memorial Library (EiaBH Sm^ 18 u 0k -JLJ^S. /86d YaIZS 060 219 577 ■M ^ J // imgu rViiraljer rovirteeii — l*i'ioe :JO Ceiitn. " The Best of all tlie American Newspapers Devoted to Matters of Enral Economy/'— .S:vV//>// Farmer, Ediiihur^h. THE CULTIVATOR COUNTRY GENTLEMAN. Combined Pai-ers: ) i»¥T«¥ ¥«¥¥i?ii av^'-k-itw ■%' (Country Gentleman i TiMRTv-EiGHTii Yeak. | *'1>KI'ISHED A* I'.EKI.\ . I Vol. 3x-i6//f Year. A NEW VOLUME of this Journal comnieiiccs with Jauuaiy ist, i868. "Standing at ■^^ tlie Head of tke Agricnltaral Press of the Country," as the Maine Farmer says,— It contains Departments, in every Vohune, and In nearly everj' Number, for The Practical Farmer and Stock Breeder, The Wool Grower, Dairyman and Poultry Keeper, The Fruit Grower, Gardener and Apiarist, Rural Architecture, and Entomology, The Housekeeper, Fireside, Naturalist, &c. Tbe Cultivator «!: Country Gentlemansupplies 832 large Quarto Pages in the course of the j^ear. Its corps of Contributors is very large — embracing Correspondents in every State of the Union : and, in the language of the Gardener's MontJiIy, it is " conducted with a degree of talent equal to any European Journal, and su« perlor to most of them/' For Practical Value to evei7 man Interested In Rural Aflalrs, It Is believed to be unsurpassed by any contemporary', while the comprehensive nature of Its design adapts it equal- ly to all latitudes and localities In which Improved Farming Is appreciated and sought for. Illustrations are freely employed wherever necessarj'. SUBSCRIPTION KATES FOR 1868. TERMS PER YEAR. WITH ANNUAL REGISTER. One Copy, $2.50 Oxt Copy, $2.80 Four Copies, 9.00 Fo!.k Copies, 10.00 Eight Copies, 16.00 Eight Copies 18.00 Fifteen Copies, and one free to the Fifteen Copies, and one of Each sender of tke List, 30.00 free to the sender of the List 33.00 Suhscrihers not Paying Strictly in Advance will In all cases be charged Three Dollars per year. Subscriptions tor less than one year will be taken at 25 cents per month. Canad.\ Subscribers will add to the above terms 25 cents per copy per year for American postage, when the subscription is paid in .American currencj'. Sample Copies sent without charge to any address, and Single Numbers may general- ly be procured of Newsdealers. Suijscriptions should be enclosed by mall to LUTHER TUCKER & SON, Editors & Publishers, Albany, N. Y. i THE ^ ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER OF RURAL AFFAIRS AND CULTIVATOR ALMANAC For the Year 1868, CONTAINING PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS FOR THE FARMER AND HORTICULTURIST. "With IVearly 130 Engj^ravingrs. :BY J. J. THOMAS, AUTHOR OF THE 'AMERICAN FRUIT CULTURIST,' AND 'FARM IMPLEMENTS, Associate Editor of the 'Cultivator & Country Gentleman.' ALBANY, N. LUTHER TUCKER & SON, 1868. Y.' 395 BROADWAY. • ;: I I i - * ^ i % • • > 4 PUBLISHERS' ADVERTISEMENT. -^=«S f THE ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER OF RURAL AFFAIRS has now reached the Fourteenth Year of publication, and the present number is the second of a Fifth Triennial Volume. The leading article it contains is on a subject of great practical importance to every farmer, the Rotation of Crops. It is followed by an interest- ing description of the methods of Small Fruit Culture adopted on the Hudson, largely il- lustrated. A chapter succeeds devoted to Shrubs and Shrubberies, with hints on Ornamen- tal Planting, and drawings and descriptions of all the most desirable varieties for general introduction. The large number of Contrivances in Rural Economy, for which directions are given in the next paper, will be found as ser\'iceable as they are simple and unpretend- ing. Dr. Fitch continues the instructive essay on Garden Insects of which a portion was given in the Annu.\l Register for 1867. Aside from the foregoing articles there are many others of almost equal value, and the number of Engravings is unusually large. The Register of Rural Affairs is designed to supply, in connection with the Cal- endar pages of an Almanac, an Annual of Agriculture and Horticulture, incidentally il- lustrating the progress we are making from year to year in these important Arts, as well as condensing within a small compass the largest possible amount of information for the larmer and fruit grower, and indeed on all points connected with the out-door or in-door labors of those whose homes are in the Country. While the previous numbers will consequently be found to contain more or less on every branch of practical cultivation, they are also es- pecially rich in Designs for Farm and Country Houses and Working Men's Cottages — on Ornamental Planting and the care of Gardens and Grounds, — and on related topics, such as fences and gates, architecture generally, vegetable physiology', entomology, farm and horticultural implements, the care of domestic animals, hints for housekeepers, underdrain- ing, butter and cheese making, poultry and bee-keeping, &c., &c. — thus constituting in fact a LiBR.\RY in themselves. An edition on larger and finer paper, omitting Calendar and Advertising pages, is issued in Triennial Volumes, handsomely bound for preservation and reference. Four of these Volumes are now ready, embracing, under the simple and comprehensive title of Rural Affairs the whole series of the Annual Register, (previous to 1867) complete — sold separately or together at $1.50 each. These Four volumes comprise about Thirteen Hun- dred Pages, and no less than Seventeen Hundred Illustratio7iT. In the two following pages we present a brief outline of their respective Contents, to which the reader is re- ferred. The Publishers have also the Numbers in paper covers, as they originally appeared, (with the exception of those for 1855 and 1857,) either of which may at any time be obtain- ed by remitting Thirty Cents, or any four of them for One Dollar, enclosed by mail to Luther Tucker & Son, Albatty, N. V., who will also send the bound volumes post- paid at the price above named, except to those districts only reached by the Overland Mail. The Number for 1867 is worth double its price for the essay on the Culture of the Grape alone, or for its article on Milk Farming, from the practiced pen of Donald G. Mitchell, Esq., author of " My Farm of Edgewood." V\.^ ff KURAL AFFAIRS— Contents of the Four Yolmnes. ►-♦-• . Vol. One— 4-iO Illustrations. Conntry Dwellings.— Fifteen De- signs.accompanied with Plans. in many instances of several floors — also estL- • mates of Cost— together with General Rules for Building, and Remarks on the Art of Planning a Honse. liayiiig Out Grounds.— Four Ar- ticles on Laying Out Farms— two on Grounds around Houses and Flower- Gardens- eight on Modes of Plant- ing and various Trees and Shrubs. \%'liat Fruits to Clioose.— Sixtt- one Varieties of Apples ; Fifty-four of Pears; Twenty-eight of Peaches; Ten of Nectarines and Apricots ; Thir- ty-four of Plums ; Twenty-eight of Cherries; Thirteen of Strawberries, and a Dozen of Native and Foreign Grapes are described— Avith Approved Lists and Select Assortments. Dontestic Animals. — Improved Breeds illustrated by portraits. A valu- 1 able article on Doctoring Sick Animals, with Simple Rules and Remedies, em- bracing the most common Diseases of Horses, Cattle, Sheep and Swine. Fruit Culture.- Twenty-two Ar- ticles— Treatment of Orchards, Large and Small Fruits, with a large number of brief Notes, presenting many valu- able Hints and Suggestions. Farm Buildings,— Bams, Carriage Houses, Stables, the Piggery, Smoke- House, Poultry House— Cisterns, Erect- ing Lightning Rods, «S:c. Farm Implements. — Twenyt- three Articles, amply ilhistrated, embracing nearly all the principal Im- plements in which the farmer is con- cerned— Wind Mills, Steam Engine,&c. Butter and C'lieese Making. — The best modes and means treated at considerable length, accompanied by Designs for Dairy Houses. Rural Economy.— Many Articles and Notes, the fruits of the Author's long experience and observation, on Farm Management, Rotation, Packing Trees and Plants, Satisfactory Farm- ing, «fec., &c. Rustic Seats and Structures.— Illustrated designs for Summer Houses, Flower Stands, Rock Work, and other similar Rural Ornaments. School Houses.— A Chapter embra- cing several neat and tasteful Designs. Weigbts and Measures.— Tables for Reference, including Length, Dis- tances, Specific Gravities, &c. Domestic Economy. — Numerous valuable and well tested Recipes for Household use. Vol. Ttvo— 4^0 Illustrations. ACompletc Country Residence. —The Dwelling, Ornamental Grounds, Orchard, Gardens, Ont-Houses, de- scribed and Illustrated — concluding with an article on the Apiary, em- bracing the Management of Bees. Country Houses.— Twenty-seven Designs, including some of great merit for Workingmen's Cottages, and an illustrated Chapter on Ventilation. Fruits and Fruit Culture.- Far- ther Notes and Lists— a full Article on Pear Culture— Hardy Fruits at the West— Apples and Apple Orchards- Grafting and Grafting Knives, with upwards of Fifty Illustrations. Floiver and Kitchen Garden.- Annual Flowers— Vegetable Manage- ment—the Vinery and Green-House— the Verbena— also, a full Article on Hedging and Hedges, with Directions for their Cultivation. Farm Buildings.— Eight Designs of Barns and Stables ; Stalls for Horses and Cattle— Cattle and Sheep Racks— also a full Chapter on Iron for Furni- ture and Rural Structures. Farm Management.— Mr.TnoMAS^ Prize Essay, with new Illustrations— also, a Chapter on Under-Draining, pronounced by all, the most concise and complete of its kind. Farm Fences and Gates.— Ch^ap Fences— a full Article on Wire Fences — Modes of Construction — Hurdles — useful Hints about Gates, Avith Fif- teen Engravings on the latter subject Domestic Animals. -Feeding — Steaming Food— Veterinary Receipts — Wintering and Stabling — Wool, &c. Nursery Lists.— A Descriptive and Illustrated List of the Principal Nurse- ries in the United States— Supplement to tl* above— Nurseries in Europe. Ornamental Planting.— Beautify- ing Country Houses— Modes of Group- ing—Lawns, Walks and Rustic Objects —with Nine Plans of Grounds and nearly Forty Engravings. Implements of Tillage.— Tillage —the Gang Plow— Improvements in Plows and Harrows — Plowing^ and Subsoiling— Ditching Plows— Imple- ments for Surface Tillage. Otlier New Implements, Ac- Farm Workshops— a Horse-Power— Hay Fork— Mill— Stalk Cutter— Potato Digger— Painting Tools— with numer- ous hints. Rural and Domestic Economy. — Root Crops— Good and Bad Manage- ment — Dairy Economy — Rules for 'Business — Early Melons — Cleaning - Seed Wheat— Packing Trees. W Work ■^ Vol. Three— 440 Illustrations. ^, IForking Men's Cottages.— Six V Designs und Seventeen Engravings— I the Cottages costing from S-250 to $800. Grounds and Green-Houses — The Arrangement of small and large Garoene— Structures for Green-HoUse Plants, including the Cold Pit, Ward Cases, &c. Farm Buildings.— General Consid- erations involved in their Construction —Four Designs for Barns— Thirty En- gravings. Arcliitecture.— Complete Directions for One, Two or Three Story Buildings, on the Balloon Fkame System— 24 Engravings—Directions as to Carpen- ter and Mason's Specifications, and a Glossary of Architectural Terms— 48 Engravings. Farm Husbandry.— How to Ren- der Farming Profitable, is treated in one or more Chapters, and a very great variety of Hints and Suggestions are given in Practical Matters and General Rural Economy. Weeds and Grasses.— The chief va- rieties of Annual and Perennial Weeds, and of Useful Grasses, are described very fully, the former accompanied with 21 Engravings, and the latter with 13. Practical Entomology.— uoctor Fi-^ch's Chapter on Insects Injurious to Fruit Trees, Grain Crops and Gardens, with 34 Engravings,and full Definitions and Descriptions. Fruits and Fruit Culture.— The Newer Plums — Strawberries — Dwarf Pears— Management of the Grape- Summer Pears— Training Pyramids- Dwarf, and other Apples- Cherries and Goosenerries— A Cheap Grapery, &c., &c.— more than 50 Engravings. Flowers. — Pruning and Training Roses— Notes on New and Desirable Flowering Plants— 20 Engravings. Vegetable Pliysiology.— Tracing Growth ot the Plant from the Embryo throughout— the Principles of Grafting and Budding, &c.— 61 Engravings. Domestic Animals.— A large vari- ety of Hints as to Breeds and Manage- ment—The Apiary; different Hives, and the Mode of Caring Properly for Bees. The Dairy.- A full Chapter on Butter a:id Cheese Making, and Management of Cows, with numerous Hints. The Poultry Yard.— A Complete Chapter, by C. N, Bement, with 33 Engravings of Fowls Poultry Houses, &c., &c. Also — Filters and Filtertno Cis- terns, five Engravings — Lightning Rons, 1:3— Useful Tables of Weights and Measures, &c. — Maple Sugar Making. To these and many other subjects more or less space is devo- ted. "Vol. Four — 3 SO Illustrations. Farm Work.— A calendar of Sugges- tions for each mouth in the Year, with FiFTT-six Engravings — including Ice- Houses and storing ice— making Stone Wall, and many other incidental points often omitted— a very valuable article. Orchard and Nursery W^ork.— Calendar for the Year, with many use- ful hints and T wentt-two Enrmvings. Kitchen and Flower Garden and Green-House.— The Labors of each successive month reviewed, with notes on varieties of different Vegetables, &c., &c., and Fifty En- gravings. Road OTaUing.— With numerous H- lustrations and complete directions. Cheese Dairying.— A description of the Cheese Factories and System of Manufacture— also Design for private Dairy-House, and Miscellaneous Hints for Dairv Farmers. , Entomology.— A full Chaptef oh Col- lecting and Preserving Insects, particu- larly Interesting to beginners in this important science Country Homes.- An article with Eight Designs, accompanied by ground plans, &c. Pruning.— The principles and prac- tice fully described, Avith over Thirty illustrations. Poultry.— Treatise on the Turkey- Poultry Houses and their Arrangement with Designs. Fruits and Flowers.— Training Grapes — the Leading new Pears — New and Desirable Flowers— with a very large number of condensed hints, and select lists according to the latest au- thorities—fully illustrated. D^me^tic Economy.— Full Direc- tions fo^ Canning Fruits and Vegeta- bles—a large number of useful recipes, &c., &c. Domestic Animals.— A full article on Mutton Sheep— The Management of Swine— also hints for the Bee-Keep- er, &c., &c. Implements and Inventions,— Mechanical Contrivances for various purposes— the Implements of Horti- culture—new Machines— largely illus- trated. Woodlands.- Planting Timber for Screens— the care and Culture of th« Timber Crop. INDEX OF No. 14, FOR 1868. Page. Angle Worms, To Keep from Wells,. . 196 Animals, Shelter for, 222 Ants, Remedy for, 195 April, Hints for, 12 August, Hints for, 16 Bag Holders, 171 Barn Doors, Fastening Open, . 175 Bed Bugs, to Exterminate, 195 Beef from a Pound of Me^ 196 Beeswax, to Prepare, 228 Berry Culture, Profits of, 144 Bin for Coal, 176 Blackberries, Culture of, 143 Transplanting, 188 Buckwheat Cakes, 227 Butter Making in Winter 218 Calendar Pages, ix— xx Cattle, Hay Consumed by, 186 Hooking 223 Cauliflower, How to Cook, 2 28 How to Pickle, 228 Cement, Valuable, 312 Cherries, Culture of, 144 Cisterns, to keep Clear of Worms, 227 Clocks, How to Clean 228 Clothes Line Reel, 185 Clover Seed, Raising 223 Cockroaches, To Destroy, 196 Cork, Withdrawing, 175 Corn- House, Plan of, 190 Corn Markers, 181 Cornstalks, Steaming, 219 Contrivances in Rural Economy, 171 Cows, Squashes for, 224 Crops, Rotation of, 123 Cucumbers, Melons, &c.. To Protect, . 219 Currants, Culture of, 143 Currant Worm, 143 Cycles and Church Days, vii December, Hints for, 20 Dinner Plates, to Clean, 228 Domestic Economy, Items in, 227 Door Fastenings, 177 Doors, Sagging, 180 Drawing Out Old Posts, 180 Drill Marks, Advantages of, 223 Eclipses for 1868, vii Evergreens, Transplanting, 221 Fastening Open Barn Doors, 173 Fastenings for Ox Bows, 172 February, Hints for, n Filter, Cheap 227 Fire in Chimneys, To Arrest, 227 Flower Beds, Position of, 190 Page. Foot Rot, Cure for, 224 Four Seasons, vii Fruit Di-ving House, 220 FRUITS— Culture of Small, 132 Baskets, Boxes & Chests for Packing 134 Culture of the Blackberry, 143 Currant, 143 Grape, . . . • 146 Raspberry, 141 Strawberry, 138 Implements for CuJtnre of, 133 Packing for Market, 133 Packing House, Utensils, &c., 133 Profits of, 144 Sales of, in New-York, 133 Scales and Picking Stand, 138 Sending to Market, 132 Furs and Woolens, Moths in, 195 Gardens, Drawing Sand for, 226 Grain, Feeding Value of, 193 Grape, Cultitre of, 146 Grass Seed, Testing 223 Hair Brushes, To Clean, 227 Hay Barracks, Construction of, 189 Hay consumed by Cattle, 186 Hay, Steamed, 196 Hints for the Months, ix— xx Horse Cleaner, 178 Horses, Cutting Fodder for, 217 Horses Drawing on the Halter, 179 Houseflies, To Destroy, 194 Hot-Air Furnaces, 225 Indian Com, Cultivating, 223 Pork from a Bushel, 221 Insects, Garden, 197 Asparagus Beetle, 204 Blistering-flies on Potato Vines, &c., 209 Cabbage Aphis, 198 Cucumber Beetle, 199 Kerosene for, 196 on Cucumber and Melon Leaves, . 204 Potato Beetles, 207 Squash Bug, 203 Squash Coccinella, 202 Striped Flea-Beetle, 197 Tobacco Worm, 207 Tomato Worm, 205 Wire Worms, 310 Iron Furniture for Farms, . . 182 Iron Gate Latch, 174. Jackscrew, Cast Iron 186 January, Hints for 9 July, Hints for 15 June, Hints for, 14 0 Sc:^=- Page. | Kerosene for Insects, . 196 Kitchen Odors, Remedy for 227 Knives, How to Clean, 227 Lamp Explosions, Cause of, 227 March, Hints for, " May, Hints for, 13 Moles, Remedy for, 196 Moming and Evening Stars, vn Moths in Furs and Woolens, 195 November, Hints for, 19 October, Hints for, 18 Order and System, 19 « Planets, Movements of, viii Plans of Grounds, 213 for a Square Acre Lot, 213 for a Three Acre Lot, 215 Pork from a Bushel of Corn, 221 Posts, Drawing Out Old, 180 Propping Stacks, 179 Pumps of Various Kinds, 182 Rain Gauges, 216 Rancid Butter, To Purify, 227 Raspberries, Culture of, 141 Transplanting, 1S8 Winter Protection of, 142 Rats and Mice, To Destroy, 193 Remedies for Household Pests, 193 Roads, Stone and Gravel, 187 Roof, Leaks in, 227 R.OTATION OF CROPS, 123 L Preservation of Fertility, 124 IL Checkingthe Spread of Weeds 126 in. Distribution of Labor, 127 Rural Affairs, v Sagging Doors, 180 Self-Shutting Gate, 173 September, Hints for, .* 17 Page. Sharp Feet for Ladders, 177 \ Shoes, Pegged, 228 Shovel for Coal, 177 SHRUBS AND SHRUBBERIES,. 148 Climbing Shrubs or Creepers, 166 Evergreen Shrubs, 170 Form of Beds, 152 Grouping, 152 Planting, 149 Pruning, 151 Shrubs of Small Size, 153 Medium Size, 154 Large Size .... 160 Simple Farm Gate, 176 Skunks, How to Catch, 194 Slop Sink, i8s Snow 'Plow, 172 Sore Throat, Remedy for, 228 Spoon, Self- Holder for, 228 Squashes for Cows, 224 Stacks, Propping, J79 Stair Carpets, 225 Strawberries, Culture of, .... 138 in Beds and Hills, ... 138 Machine foi^Cutting Runners of, . . 139 Packing Plants of, 140 Strawberry Plantations, Renewing, 220 Thistle Digger, 178 Throat Diseases, Remedy for, 226 Transplanting Evergreens, 221 Raspberries, 188 Vegetables, Packing for Winter, 224 Wall Paper, to Clean, 227 Watch, to Wind, 227 Weeding Hoe, 174 Withdrawing a Cork, 17S Wood Carrier, 180 ILLUSTRATIONS. No. Figures. Animals, Shelter for i Baskets and Boxes for Fruit, ... 11 Blackberry Culture, 2 Chests for Fruit Boxes, 4 Clothes Line Reel, i Contrivances in Rural Economy, 28 Com House, 2 Cutting Strawberry Runners, . . i Degeneration of Corn, 5 Evergreens, Transplanting, 2 Fruit Drying House, I Fruit Packing House, i Fruit Scales, &c., 3 Garden Trowels, 2 Gas Pipe Well i Grape Culture, 2 Hay Barracks, i Page. . .. 222 ••• 135 ... 143 ... 134 ... 185 ••• 175 . . . 190 ... 139 . .. 124 • 132 . 138 .. 141 ,. 184 . . 146 , 189 No. Figures. Hot-Air Furnace, 2 Insects, 22 Iron Jackscrew, i Packing Strawberry Plants 1 Plans of Grounds, i Protecting Melon Vines, &c., . . 3 Pumps 6 Rain Gauge, 2 Raspberry Culture, 3 Rat Traps, &c., 4 Renewing Strawberry Planta- tions, I Roads, 6 Shrubs add Shrubberies, 28 Slop Sinks, 3 Strawberry Culture, 5 Vignette, • 1 Pack. ... 19/s ... 186 . . . 140 .. 213 . .. 219 ... 182 ... 216 ...142 ... 193 . . . 220 ... 187 ... 149 ... 185 ... 138 .. 123 =^0^ THE CULTIVATOR ALMANAC, FOR 1868. ASTRONOMICAL CALCULATIONS IN EQUAL OR CLOCK TIME. ECLIPSES FOR THE YEAR 1868. THERE WILL BE ONLY TWO ECLIPSES this year, both of the Sun, and neitlier of them visible in the United States. I. An Annular Eclipse of the Sun, February 23d. Visible in South America, Africa and Southern Europe. II. A Total Eclipse of the Sun, August i8th. Visible in Eastern Africa, Southern Asia and in Australia. A Transit of Mercury over the Sun's disc, vi'ill occur November 5th. Invisible in the United States. Winter begins Spring do. Summer do. Autumn do. Winter do. THE FOUR SEASONS. D. H. M. D. 1867, December 22 — i 31 mo., and lasts 89 1868, March 20 — 2 27 mo., do. 92 1868, June 20 — 10 54 eve., do. 93 186S, September 22 — i 25 eve., do 89 1868, December 21 — 7 20 mo., Trop.year,365 H M. 0 56 20 27 14 31 17 55 5 49 CYCLES OF TIME AND CHURCH DAYS. Dominical Letters, E D I Septuagesima Sund. . Feb. 9 Epact, 6 I Sexagesima, do. do. 16 Golden Number, 7 | Quinquagesimado. do. 23 Solar Cycle, i Ash Wednesday, do. 26 Roman Indiction, . ... 11 Quadragesima Sund. Mar. i Jewish Lunar Cycle, . . 4 Mid-Lent Sunday,., do. 22 Dionysian Period, 197 Palm Sunday, April 5 Julian Period, 6581 Good Friday, do. 10 MORNING AND EVENING STARS. Mornimg Stars. — Venus after July 16. Mars from January 2 to No- vember 13. Jupiter from March 10 to July 4. Saturn until February 24, and after November 29. Evening Stars — Venus until July 16. Mars until January 2, and after November 13. Jupiter until March 10, and after July 4. Saturn from February 24 to November 29. Easter Sunday, April 12 Low Sunday, . . . . do. 19 Rogation Sunday, . . May 17 Ascension Day, do. 21 Pentecost Sunday,, do. 31 Trinity Sunday, .. . June 7 Middle ofthe Year, .July Advent Sunday, . . . Nov. 29 ^ ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER THE PLANETS. Mercury will be at the most favorable stations for visibility, February 17, June 13, and October 9, being then Evening Star, and appearing in the west just after sunset ; also April 7, August 5, and November 24, being then Morning Star, and appearing in the east just before sunrise. Venus will be in the constellation Capricornus until January 20, then in Aquarius until February 15, being directly south of the Urn January 23. It passes the equinoctial February 15 rising exactly on the east point of the horizon, and setting squarely in the west.- It will be in Pisces from this time to March 12, then in Aries until April 6. On the 4th of April it will be 2"^ south of the brightest star in the Pleiades. April 14 it will be 8*^ north of Aldebaran, and on the 25th it will be 2° 22' south of BetaTauri. It passes the solstitial colure May 4, and will be farthest north May 6. May 7 it reaches its greatest eastern elongation from the sun, 45^^ 31'. On the 26th it will be 7*^ south of Castor, and on the 30th it will be 4^ south of Pollux. June 9 it will be the brighest ; after which it approaches the Sun and daily loses its splendor. June 23 it becomes stationary, having been moving direct, or eastward since its last superior conjunction, but now it begins to retrograde, and is situated a little southwest of the nebulae in Cancer. It passes Pollux again July iSth, 12^ 28' to south of it ; but this will not be visible, as Venus will be in inferior conjunction with the Sun on the i6th, and itself invisible. It now moves off from the sun westward apparently, and increasesin beauty as a morning star. On the 7th of Au- gust it becomes stationary again, and begins to pass the stars eastward, and reaches its greatest splendor again on the 21st. On the 25th of Sep- tember it reaches its greatest western elongation, 46° 9'. October 6th it will be i^ south of Regulus. November 7 it crosses the Equator southward ; November 21st, 4^ north of Spica; December 10, enters Libra's Square ; and on the 15th is near the middle of it ; December 29th, 6° 12' north of Antares. Mars will come to the meridian during the daylight for the first nine months of the year. It has no opposition this year, and will' not be ah ob- ect of much interest until near the close of the year. November 27 it will e 2*^ north of Regulus in the handle of the Sickle. It will be near the Sickle during November and December. Jupiter has been travelling northward since May 8th, 1865, and on the first of May it crosses the Equator, and rises exactly in the east at3h. 32m. morn. It will be southeast of the Urn in the first part of the year, but di- rectly east of it May i. October i it will be the brightest and in opposi- tion to the Sun, rising at sunset and setting at sunrise. On the 8th of April it will be very close to Mars. Saturn will be in opposition May 23, and brightest, rising as the Sun sets, and setting as the sun rises. It will be in the region 10° or 12® north of Antares all of the year. Occult ATioNS. — The Moon will occult or eclipse the bright star a Tauri, or Aldebaran, January 7, at ih. 17m. morn., at Washington, the star re- appearing at 2h. 2om. The same star will also be occulted again Novem- / ber 29, at 5h. 54m. eve., at Washington, and reappear at 6h. 51m. eve. M. These occultations are interesting to witness. Q I @c^=> =^=>^ 1st MONTH. JANUARY, 1868. 31 DAYS. MOON'S PHASES. Boston. New-York. Washingt'n Sun on Merid. First Quarter, Full Moon, . . . Third Quarter New Moon, . . . D. 2 9 i6 24 H. M. II 18 ev. 6 9 ev. 0 20 ev. 2 34 ev. H. M. II 6 ev. 5 57 ev. 0 8ev. 2 22 ev. H. M. ID 54 ev. 5 45 ev. 1 1 56 mo. 2 10 ev. 1 D. 9 17 1 25 H. M. S. 12 3 43 12 7 17 12 10 17 12 12 33 I 2 3 4 I 7 8 9 10 II 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 W T F S M T W T F S M T W T F S E M T W T F S E M T W T F CALENDAR For Boston, New- England, New- York State, Michi- gan, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Oregon. SUN i SUN MOON H. W. RISES SETS. SETS. BOST'n M H 304 304 304 304 304 294 29|4 29,4 29;4 29:4 29i4 284 28I4 28:4 27,4 27|4 26|4 26:4 25 k 244 24,5 235 22 j 5 22;5 21 i5 20 5 18,5 16:5 ^55 M; H M 3811 13 39! morn 5 40 rises. M 28 13 5 58 59 I 4 4 4 6 8:11 56 7 20 ev. 48 » 31 9 40 10 40 53JII 51 54 morn o 54 55 56 58 59 o 3 4 5 3^ 9 9 10 10 I2'll sets. 6 12 7 40 29 18 7 o 56 53 48 843 9 33 10 20 11 4 II 44 9 7 5 4 5 13 'morn. CALENDAR For New- York City, Phila- delphia, Connecticut, N. Jersey, Penn., Oliio, In- diana and Illinois. RISES SETS. SETS, MOON H. W. N. Y. H M H 7 25:4 M H M H M 25i4 25j4 254 25:4 254 24'4 244 24i4 24:4 234 23 14 23 14 22 4 22 21 21 21 20 19 43 II 13 44 mom 45I o 13 I 13 2 16 3 23 4 30 536 rises. 6 12 7 23 8 40 9 34 8 33I10 25 9 41J11 12 10 48; ev. 3 '!ii 17 17 16 i6|5 155 145 135 125 I2J5 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57]ii 50 59 morn. 0 52 1 51 2 49 3 44 4 37 6 13 sets. 6 15 CALENDAR For Washington, Maryl'd, Virginia, Kent'ky, Miss'ri, and California. SUN I SUN MOON RISES 'sets. SETS. H MH M H M I5iII 16 morn 10 23 11 o II 41 morn. o 26 194 49 II 14 19 4 5o^morn. I9!4 511 o 12 19 4 52 I9i4 52 194 53 19 4 54 194 55 19 4 56 19,4 57 19 4 58 18 4 59 185 1815 185 175 175 16:5 i6;5 i5'5 S 155 9 14J5 10 i4;5 II i3[5 12 12 5 13 i2!5 15 II 5 16 iO|5 171 915 i8i 1 II 2 14 3 20 4 26 8 32 rises. 6 16 7 26 91 8 35 o 9 42 1 1 10 48 2:11 49 3 morn. 5j o 50 6 I 48 7 2 45 8; 3 40 4 33 5 6 23 9 sets. 9 10 5 19111 5 20 morn T ET SAVING be the watchword now ; Watch animals and supply all wants; JL/ Save the flesh of animals by attending 1 to their comfort ; f\ Keep them warm, sheltered and clean : (^ Feed and water tiiem regularly ; y< Give wholesome food and pure water ; J Keep stables clean and ventilated ; Save Fodder, by good feeding racks Feed often and in small quantities ; Shelter them from winds and storms ; Protect trees from mice by treading snow about them ; Subscribe for Agricultural Papers. © @c»=- 2d MONTH. FEBRUARY, 1868. 29 DAYS, ^j^^ MOON'S PHASES. Boston. New-York. Washingt'n ISUN ON Merid. D. H. M. H. M. H. M. D. H. M. S. First Quarter, I I 32 ev. I 20 ev. I 8ev. I 12 13 41 Full Moon, . . . 8 4 51 mo. 4 39 mo. 4 27 mo. 9 12 14 28 Third Quarter 15 4 33 mo. 4 2 1 mo. 4 9 mo. 17 12 14 16 New Moon, . . . 23 9 36 mo. 9 24 mo. 9 12 mo. 25 12 13 20 K M H U 2 ? ? (I. 0 0 >■ > < < Q Q J s 2 E 3 M 4 '!• s W 6 T 7 F 8 S 9 E 10 M II T 12 W 13 T 14 F IS S 16 E 17 M 18 T 19 W 20 T 21 F 22 S 23 E 24 M 2S T 26 W 27 T 28 V 29 S CALENDAR For Boston, New- England, New- York State, Michi- gan, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Oregon. SUN I SUN MOON RISES I SETS. SETS. BOST'N MlH 145 135 125 II 5 105 95 85 65 5 4 2 I o 59 57 56 54 53|5 52|5 505 485 44 5 42 H M H M 5 22 rises. 6 7 8 26 9 35 10 40 11 43 morn 0 43 1 41 4 30 5 25 6 28 7 37 845 9 48 10 48 41 1 1 40 17 ev. 28 1 16 2 4 2 48 3 35 4 25 5 6 7 sets. 6 59 8 59 10 o 11 I morn. II 17 II 55 morn. 0 32 1 10 1 49 2 30 3 14 CALENDAR For New- York City, Phila- delphia, Connecticut, N. Jersey, Penn., Ohio, In- diana and Illinois. SUN SUN MOON H. W. rises! SETS. SETS. N. Y. H M H 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 II 5 105 95 7,5 615 55 45 3j5 $ 05 58!5 57l5 56,5 555 53|5 52;5 51 5 4915 485 4615 45I5 6 44 5 6 42I5 41 5 2 12 3 16 rises. 6 7 7 18 827 9 35 10 39 11 41 morn 0 40 1 38 2 31 3 23 4 9 4 53 5 33 6 9 sets. 7 o 7 58 8 58 9 58 10 59 morn. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ID 46 II 32 ev. 21 I 12 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 7 8 9 9 10 33 11 13 II 59 morn. CALENDAR For Washington, Maryl'd, Virginia, Kent'ky, Miss'ri, and California. SUN SUN MOON RISES SETS. SETS. H M 7 7 7 6 7 5 7 4 7 3 7 2 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 015 59 5 585 575 555 54I5 5315 52 51 49 . 485 47J5 465 445 4315 42|5 40' 5 38|5 365 34 5 345 H O I 2 3 4 5 rises. 6 9 7 20 8 27 9 34 10 38 11 39 morn. 0 37 1 34 27 19 5 49 30 6 2 3 4 4 5 6 sets. 7 I 7 58 8 58 9 57 10 56 11 59 CONTINUE the labors of winter and and prepare for the coming season ; Continue the care of domestic amimals ; Diligence only can be successful ; 1 Neglect will certainly end in loss ; A\ See constantly to their comfort; /m Keep them well sheltered ; (j Avoid the discomfort of dirt ; Avoid the waste from bad food ; Avoid the loss from bad watei- ; Save by chopping up fodder ; Save by grinding fed grain ; Save by mixing with roots ; Fill ice-houses with ice ; Encase in a foot of sawdust ; Provide ventilation above. MARCH, 1868. 31 DAYS. 0 MOON'S PHASES. Boston. New-York. VVashingt'n Sun ON Merid. D. H. M. H. M. H. M. D. H. M. S. First Quarter, I 0 5 mo. II 53 ev. II 41 ev. I 12 12 25 12 10 32 Full Moon, . . . 8 3 38 ev. 3 26 ev. 3 14 ev. 9 Third Quarter 15 10 45 ev. 10 33 ev. 10 21 ev. 17 12 818 New Moon, . . . 24 2 15 mo. 2 3 mo. I 51 mo. 2S 12 5 53 First Quarter, 31 7 41 mo. 7 29 mo. 7 17 mo. X ^ CALENDAR CALENDAR CALENDAR z, a For Boston, New-England, For New- York City, Phila- For Washington, Maryl'd, Virginia, Kent'ky, Miss'ri, and California. i u. New- York State, Michi- gan, Wisconsin, Iowa, delphia, Connecticut, N. Jersey, Penn., Ohio, In- 0 > < and Oregon. diana and Illinois. 2 SUN SUN MOON H. W. SUN ' SUN I MOON H. W. SUN SUN MOON RISES SETS. SETS. bost'n rises! SETS. 1 SETS. N. Y. RISES SETS. SETS. H M H M H M H M H m'h M H M H M H M H M H M I JL> 6 36 5 51 0 5 4 4 6 35i5 53 0 2 0 51 ^23 5 54^ morn. 2 M <>35 5 52 I 8 5 4 6 34 5 53 I 5 I 50 6 32J5 55 I I 3 r <^33 5 53 2 II 6 9 6 32 5 54 2 7 2 55 6 30 5 56 2 3 4 w J 3' 5 54! 3 10 7 20 6 30 5 55 3 8 4 5 6 29!5 57 3 2 5 r 6 30!5 55 4 5 8 29 6 29 5 56 4 I 5 14 6 27 5 57 3 57 6 h' 6 28:5 56 4 55 9 33 6 27 5 57 4 52 6 19 6 26,5 58 4 48 7 s 6 26;5 57 5 39|io 29 1 6 25 5 58| 5 37 7 14 6 24 5 59 5 34 8 XJ 6 25|5 58 rises. II 21 6 24 5 591 rises. 8 2 6 2316 Oj rises. 9 M 6 23 5 59 7 II ev. 6 6 22 6 0 7 II 8 51 6 21 6 I 7 II 10 T 9 21I6 0 8 19 0 49 6 206 I 8 18 9 36 6 20 6 2 8 18 II W 6 2o!6 2 9 27 I 34 6 19^6 2 9 25iio 19I 6 18 6 3 9 23 12 r 6 186 3 10 29 2 0 6 176 3iio 26111 2 6 17 6 4 10 24 13 F 6 166 4! 1 1 30 3 3 6 166 4 II 26;ii 48 6 I5i6 5 ..4 14 s 6 14 6 5 morn 3 51 6 146 5 'morn. ev;37 6 13:6 6 mom. IS JL> 6 13 6 6 027 4 43 6 12I6 6 0 24 I 30 6 I2!6 7 0 19 16 M 6 II 6 7 I 20 5 40 6 II 6 8 I 16 2 26 6 io'6 8 I 12 17 T 6 9i6 9 2 9 6 37 6 96 9 2 5 3 23 6 9;6 9 2 I 18 W 6 716 10 2 54 7 35 6 7J6 10 2 50 4 20 6 7 6 10 2 45 3 28 19 T 6 6:6 II 3 35 8 29 6 6:6 II 3 31 5 14 6 66 II 20 ¥ 6 46 12 4 II 9 18 6 4*612 4 8 6 4 6 46 12 4 5 21 S 6 2j6 13 4 45 10 3 6 2!6 13 4 42 6 49 6 36 13 4 40 22 JL> 6 06 14 5 17 10 47 6 16 14 5 15 7 31 6 i|6 14 5 13 23 M 5 5916 15 5 47 II 25 5 59 6 15 5 46 8 8 5 59,6 15 S 45 24 '1' 5 57i6 17 sets. morn. 5 58,6 16 sets. 8 48 5 58*6 16 sets. 2.S W 5 55 6 18 7 52 0 3 5 56,6 17 7 51 9 28 5 56,6 17 7 49 26 r 5 53 6 19 8 56 0 42 5 54j6 18 8. 54 10 II 5 54 6 18 8 51 27 b' 5 52 6 20 9 39 I 25 5 52 6 19 9 56 10 50 5 53 6 19 9 53 28 s 5 50 6 21 II 3 2 8 5 51,6 20 10 59 II 39 5 5i;6 19 10 55 29 1> 5 48 6 22 morn. 2 55 5 49 6 21 morn. morn. 5 506 20 II 56 30 M 5 46 6 23 0 5 3 4« 5 47 6 22 0 I 0 34 5 48 6 21 morn. 31 •i" 5 45 6 24 I .5 4 49 5 46i6 23 I I I 36 5 47;6 22 0 56 INISH the jobs of winter, and prepare jL for spring labor in earnest ; Procure rails for repairing fences ; Finish cutting fuel for summer ; Clean grain for spring crops ; Clean grass seed for spring seeding ; ^c:^= Repair hinges in zagging gates ; Repair defects in stone walls ; See that tools are ready for work ; Paint and grease carts and wagons ; Examine and replace harrow teeth ; Put rakes, forks and scythes in order, <=^ — , 4th MONTH. APRIL, 1868. 30 DAYS. ACTIVE field labors now commence, and should be vigorously pursued ; Clear, pick, roll and plaster meadows ; P'inish repairing and staking fences ; Nail board fences, and lay up walls : Draw out manure for spring crops ; Harrow it fine before plowing in ; Sow barley and oats early ; Pull red root and cockle ft-om wheat ; Enrich the soil well for root crops ; Mix it thoroughly and pulvervize fine ; Avoid hasty and superificial work ; Destroy weeds early, when easily done Graft plums, apples and pears ; Set out young orchards in time ; Cut back the shoots to induce growth Keep the earth mellow and cultivated Cut back budded trees of last year. ©c^- \y 5th MONTH MAY, 1868. MOON'S PHASES. • Boston. New-York. Washingt'ij Sun ON Merid. D. H. M. H. M. H. M. D. H. -M. S. Full Moon, . . . 6 I 53 ev. I 41 ev. I 29 ev. I II 5654 Third Quarter 14 031 ev. 0 19 ev. 0 7 ev. 9 II 56 14 New Moon, . . . 22 I 52 mo. I 40 mo. I 28 mo. 17 II 56 II First Quarter, 28 6 58 ev. 6 46 ev. 6 34 ev. 25 II 5644 i « CALENDAR CALENDAR CALENDAR 2 For Boston, New-England, For New- York City, Phila- For Washington, 0 ? New- York State, Michi- delphia, Connecticut, N. Maryl'd, Virginia, s, h. gan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Jersey, Penn., Ohio, In- Kent'ky, Miss'ri, and California. 0 > < 0 < and Oregon. diana and Illinois. SUN [ SUN MOON 1 H. W. SUN 1 SUN MOON H. W. SUN SUN MOON Q rises! SETS. SETS. !B0ST'n 1 RISES SETS. SETS. N. Y. RISES SETS. SETS. H M H M H M ! H M H M H m' H M H M H M H M H M I F 4 567 0 2 15 651 4 59.'6 56 2 13 3 37 5 2 652 2 10 2 S 4 54 7 I 2 52 7 54 "^ 5«,6 57 2 50 4 30 5 I 653 2 49 3 r> 4 53 7 2 3 26 8 52 4 56 6 58 326 5 37 5 Oi6 54 3 25 4 M 4 527 3 4 0 9 44 4 55 6 59 4 0 6 30 4 59;6 55 4 0 5 T 4 5i|7 4 4 32 10 32 4 54 7 0 4 33 7 17 4 58,6 56 4 35 6 W 4 49;7 5 rises. II 17 4 53 7 I rises. 8 0 4 57;6 57 rises. 7 T 4 48 7 6 8 Ojii 57 4 52 7 2 I 57 842 4 55j6 58 7 53 8 F 4 4717 7 8 59,ev.40 4 5i!7 3 8 55 9 26 4 54 6 59 851 9 s 4 46:7 8 9 541 I 24 4 4917 4 9 50 10 ID 4 53 7 0 9 45 10 i:> 4 44 7 9 10 44 2 7 448I7 5 10 39 10 50 4 527 I 10 35 II M 4 43:7 10 II 28 2 51 4 47[7 6 II 24 II 35 4 51 7 2 II 19 12 T 4 42|7 II morn 3 37 4 46 7 7 morn ev. 23 4 50 7 2 morn. 13 W 4 41 7 12 0 9 4 26 4 45 7 8 0 5 I 13 4 49 7 3 0 2 14 T 4 40 7 13 0 44 5 16 4 44 7 9 0 41 2 2 4 497 4 0 38 15 F 4 39 7 14 I 16 6 10 4 43i7 10 I 14 2 40 4 487 5 I II 16 S 4387 15 I 47 7 4 4 42)7 II I 46 3 49 4 477 6 I 44 17 T> 4 37i7 16 2 16 Z5^ 4 41 7 12 2 16 4 41 4 467 7 2 15 i8 M 4 36 7 17 2 46 8 48 4 40; 7 13 246 5 33 4 45 7 8 246 19 T 4 35 7 18 3 17 9 37 4 397 14 3 18 6 23 4 447 9 3 19 20 W 4 34 7 19 3 52 10 26 4 39|7 15 3 54 7 II 4 43 7 10 3 56 21 T |4 33 7 20 4 32 7 21 4 29 II 13 4 387 16 4 32 7 55 4 43 7 10 4 35 22 F sets. II 58 4 37 7 17 sets. 8 43 4 42 7 II sets. 23 S 4 317 22 8 50 morn 4 36 7 18 8 46 9 34 4 41 7 12 8 41 24 r> 4 3i|7 23 9 50 0 48 4 36i7 19 9 46 10 25 4 41 7 13 9 42 25 M 4 30 7 24 10 45 I 39 4 3517 20 10 41 II 15 14 407 14 10 37 26 T 4 29 7 25 II 33 2 33 4 347 20 II 30 mom. i4 39 7 14 II 26 27 W 4 29 7 26 morn. 3 27 4 34 7 21 morn. 0 13 |4 39 7 15 morn. 28 T 4 28 7 27 0 17 4 26 4 33 7 22 0 15 I 13 4 387 i6j 0 12 29 F 4 2717 28 0 55 5 27 4 32 7 23 0 53 2 12 4 387 17 0 51 30 S 4 277 28 I 30 6 28 j4 32|7 23 I 30 3 14 4 37 7 171 I 29 31 T> 4 267 29 2 2 7 30 [4 31 !7 24 2 2 4 14 4 37 7 i8| 2 2 TH E PROMINENT labors of this month are planting, and completion of sowing. Prepare ground thoroughly for com ; Plant in straight even rows ; Secure seed corn from crows by tar : Half a pint to a peck is enough If the seed is scalded and then tarred ; Do every job in the very best manner Plant early kinds for fall feeding ; It will be nearly as good as old com ; Fresh, unripe ears, are worth little ; Replant with early sorts only ; Make compost of coarse long manure. 6th MONTH. JUNE, 1868. 30 DAYS. MOON'S PHASES. Boston. New-York. Washingt'nII Sun on Merid. D. H. M. H. M. H. M. 1 D. H. M. S. Full Moon, . . . 5 2 II mo. I 59 mo. I 47 mo. I II 57 38 Third Quarter 13 5 29 mo. 5 17 mo. 5 5 mo. 9 II 59 2 New Moon, . . . 20 10 I mo. 9 49 mo. 9 37 mo. 17 12 042 First Quarter, 27 I 6 mo. 0 54 mo. 0 42 mo. 25 12 2 26 a i New-York State, Michi- delphia, Connecticut, N. Maryl'd, Virginia, Kent'ky, Miss'ri, g tt. gan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Jersey, Penn., Ohio, In- § 0 > < and Oregon. diana and Illinois. and California. 2 SUN SUN MOON H. W. SUN 1 SL'N ! MOON H. W. SUN 1 SUN moon Q RISES SETS. SETS. bost'n RISES SETS. SETS. N. Y. rises! SETS. SETS. H M H M H M H M H M H M H M H M H M H M H M I M 4 25 7 30 2 34 8 26 4 31 7 24 236 5 II 436 7 19 2 37 2 T 4 25 7 30 3 7 9 17 4 30 7 25 3 9 6 3 4 36 7 19 3 II 3 W 4 25 7 31 3 42 10 6 4 30 7 26 3 45 652 4 36 7 20 3 47 4 T 4 24 7 32 rises. 10 54 4 30 7 26 rises. 738 4 35 7 21 rises. 5 F 4 24 7 32 7 46 II 35 4 29 7 27 7 42 8 17 4 35 7 21 738 6 S 4 24 7 33 8 37 ev. 17 4 297 28 8 33 9 3 4 35 7 22 8 29 7 r> 4 23J7 33 9 24 I 0 4 29j7 28 9 19 946 4 34 7 23 9 15 9 58 8 M 4 23 7 34 10 7 I 41 4 287 29 10 3 10 27 4 34 7 23 9 T 4 23 7 35|io 44 2 23 4 28 7 30 10 41 II 6 4 34 7 24 10 27 10 W 4 23 7 36 II 18 3 5 4 287 30 II 15 II 50 4 341 7 24 II 12 II T 4 22 736 II 50 3 49 4 28 7 31J11 48 ev. 35 4 34 7 25 II 46 12 F 4 22 7 37 morn 4 36 4 28 7 31, morn I 23 4 34 7 25 morn. 13 S 4 22 7 37 0 18 5 25 4 287 32 •0 17 2 12 4 341 7 26 0 16 14 I> 4 22[7 38 0 46 6 19 4 28 7 32 0 46 3 4 4 34 7 26 0 46 15 M 4 22!7 38 I 16 7 14 4 287 32 I 17 358 4 34|7 26 I 17 16 T 4 22 7 38! I 47 8 9 4 28 7 33 I 48 4 55 4 3417 27 ^ 50 17 W 4 22|7 39| 2 23 9 5 4 2817 33| 2 25 5 50 4 34; 7 27 2 28 18 T 4 22|7 39I 3 3 9 58 4 28 7 33, 3 6 6 44 4 34! 7 28 3 9 19 F 4 2217 39| 3 49'io 55 4 28 7 34, 3 53 I 39 4 34 7 28 3 57 20 S 4 237 40 sets. In 46 4 29 7 34 sets. 8 28 4 34' 7 28 sets. 21 r> 4 23 7 40I 8 35 morn. 4 29 7 34 8 31 9 21 4 34|7 28 8 26 22 M 4 237 40 9 28 0 36 4 297 34 9 24 10 14 4 35 7 28 9 20 23 T 4 23 7 40 10 16 I 29 4 29 7 34|io 13 II 4 4 357 29 10 10 24 W 4 23 7 40 ID 57 2 21 4 29 7 35;io 54I11 58 4 3517 29 10 52 25 T 4 247 4iiii 32 3 13 4 30,7 35iii 31 morn. 4 35 7 29 II 30 26 F 4 24 7 4i|morn 4 5 4 30 7 35 f"orn. 0 52 4 36 7 29 morn. 27 S 4 24J7 41 0 6 5 I 4 30 7 35 0 6 I 48 4 36 7 29 0 6 28 I> 4 25|7 40 0 39 5 59 4 29 7 35 0 39 246 4 37 7 29 0 40 29 M 4 257 40J I 10 6 59 4 29J7 35 I 12 3 44 4 37 7 29 I 14 30 T 4 267 40 I 45 _L_56 4 297 35 I 47 _4J-1 4 3717 29 I SO STIRRING the soil and destroying weeds will be the chief labors of this month ; Weeds will now appear by myriads ; Take them in hand early and easily ; If delayed, the labor will be great; In growing from an inch to a foot, a weed increases a thousand fold ; One weed will sow seed for a thousand ; Then never allow them to ripen ; Stir the soil often among crops ; Let the horse cultivator pass often ; Depend less on hoeing by hand ; Hoes will work best ifground sharp ; Sow corn in thick drills for fodder ; It may occupy any vacant ground ; Sow rata bagas early in the month. , 7th MONTH. JU LY, 1868. 31 DAYS. MOON'S PHASES. Boston. New-York. Washingt' M Sun on Merid. 1 D. H. M. H. M. H. M. D. H. M. S. Full Moon, . . . | 4 3 55 ev. 3 43 ev. 3 31 ev I 12 338 Third Quarter 12 7 56 ev. 7 44ev. 7 32 ev 9 12 4 58 New Moon, . . . ^9 5 12 ev. 5 0 ev. 4 48 ev. 17 12 5 53 Fi RST Quarter,! 26 ! 7 9 mo. 8 55 mo. 8 43 mc ,. 25 12 6 14 ai ii CALENDAR CALENDAR CALENDAR 2 a For Boston, New-England, For New- York City, Phila- For Washington, Maryl'd, Virginia, Kent'kv, Miss'ri, o ? New- York State, Michi- delphia, Connecticut, N. X gan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Jersey, Penn., Ohio. In- § 0 < and Oregon. s diana and Illinois. and California. < Q SUN SUN MOON H. W. UN SUN MOON H. W. sun [ sun MOON RISES SETS. SETS. bost'n RISES SETS. SETS. N. Y. rises sets. sets. H MH M H M H M H M H M H M H M H M H M H M I w 4 26 7 40 2 21 851 4 32 7 35 2 24 536 4 387 29 2 27 2 T 4 2617 40 3 0 9 42 4 32 7 35 3 3 6 28 4 387 29 3 8 3 F 4 27 7 40 rises. 10 29 4 33 7 34 rises. 7 14 4 397 29 rises. 4 S 4 287 40 7 21 II 14 4 33 7 34 7 17 7 56 4 397 28 7 13 5 r> 4 29^7 39 ? ^i" 55 4 34 7 34 8 I 839 4 407 28 7 56 6 M 4 29 7 39 8 44'ev.36 4 35 7 34 8 40 9 22 4 417 28 836 7 T 4 30(7 39 9 19 I 14 4 35 7 33 9 i6|io 0 4 417 28 9 13 8 W 4 307 38 9 51 I 54 4 36:7 33 9 49:10 36 4 42 7 27 9 46 9 T 4 317 38110 20 2 33 4 377 33\^° I9JII I5l 4 42 7 27 10 17 ID F 4 327 38iio 49 3 14 4 37i7 32iio 48 II 59 4 43 7 27 10 47 II s 4 33^7 37I11 17 3 56 4 387 32111 17 ev.42 4 447 26 II 17 12 r> 4 33 7 3711 47 4 43 4 39 7 31 II 48 I 29 4 44 7 26 II 49 13 M 4 34 7 36 morn 5 34 4 39 7 31 morn. 2 20 4 45 7 26 morn. 14 T 4 35 7 36 0 20 631 4 40 7 30 0 22 3 19 4 467 25 0 24 15 W 4 3^7 35 0 55i 7 34 4 41 7 301 0 58 4 19 4 46 7 24 I I i6 T 4 37!7 34 I 371 8 38 4 42 7 29 I 41 5 22 4 47 7 24 I 44 17 F 4 37 7 34 2 26 9 38 4 43 7 29' 2 30 6 24 4 48 7 23 2 35 i8 S 4 387 33 1 3 21 10 36 4 44 7 28 3 25 7 21 4 497 23 3 29 19 T> 4 39:7 32 sets. II 30 4 45 7 27 sets. 8 13 4 50 7 22 sets. 20 M 4 40 7 31 8 5 morn 1 4 45 7 26 8 2 9 8 4 517 21 7 58 21 T 4 4i|7 30 8 51 0 21 4 46 7 26 8 48,10 0 4 52 7 21 845 22 W 4 427 30 9 31 I 13 4 47 7 25 9 30110 47 4 52 7 20 9 28 23 T 4 43 7 2910 6 2 5 4 487 2410 5|ii 35 4 53 7 19 10 5 24 F 4 44 7 28 10 41 2 51 4 48 7 23 10 4iimorn. 4 54 7 18 10 42 25 S 4 45 7 27,11 12 3 41 4 49 7 23 II 16 0 27 4 55 7 18 II 17 26 r> 4 46 7 26 II 47 4 33 4 507 22 II 49 I 20 4 56 7 17 II 51 27 M 4 477 25 morn. 1 5 29 4 51 7 21 mom 2 15 4 57 7 16 morn. 28 T 4 48 7 24 0 22 6 27 4 52 7 20 0 25 3 13 4 58 7 15 0 28 29 W 4 49 7 23 I 0 7 25 4 53 7 19 I 4 4 10 458 7 14 I 7 30 T 4 50 7 22 I 41 1 8 24 4 54 7 i8| I 45 5 9 4 59 7 13 I 49 31 F 4 51 7 21 2 27I 9 16 4 55 7 i7i 2 31 6 2 4 59 7 12 235 \^ rested by the labors of haying and har- vesting ; Continue the war against weeds ; " A stitch in time will save" thousands; Cut hay at the medium season ; If too early it will lack substance ; If too late it will be hard and woody ; Cut wheat a week before dead ripe ; The grain will weigh more and be better ; The straw will be brighter and riclier ; Cut timber by the middle of summer. -=^='® 8th MONTH. AUGUST, 1868. 31 DAYS. MOON'S PHASES. Boston. New-York. Washingt'n ^SUN ON MeRID. D. H. M. H. M. H. M. D. H. M. S. Full Moon, . . . 3 7 8 mo. 6 56 mb. 6 44 mo. I 12 6 I Third Quarter II 7 44 mo. 7 32 mo. 7 20 mo. 9 12 5 10 New Moon, . . . 18 0 27 mo. 0 15 mo. 0 3 mo. 17 12 3 43 First Quarter, 24 8 3 ev. 7 51 ev. 7 39 ev. 25 1 12 I 45 X >^' CALENDAR CALENDAR CALENDAR h H For Boston, New- England, New- York State, Michi- For New- York City, Phila- For Washington, 1 1 delphia, Connecticut, N. Maryl'd, Virginia, g gan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Jersey, Penn., Ohio, In- Kent'ky, Miss'ri, and California. 0 0 >• •< and Oregon. diana and Illinois. > < SUN SUN MOON H. W. SUN SUN MOON H. W. SUN j SUN MOON Q Q RISES SETS. SETS. bost'n RISES SETS. SETS. N. Y. RISES] SETS. 1 SETS. ^~" H M H M H M H M H M H M H M H M H m'h M H M I s 4 52 7 20 3 17 10 5 4 56 7 16 3 21 ^^l 5 07 II 326 2 r> 4 53 7 18 rises. 10 52 4 57 7 14 rises. 736 5 I 7 10 rises. 3 M 4 54 7 17 7 20 II 30 4 58 7 13 7 17 8 12 5 2 7 9 7 14 4 T 4 55|7 16 7 54 ev. 10 4 59|7 12 I 5^ 8 54 5 3 7 8 748 5 W 4 5617 15 8 23 0 47 5 07 II ?^^ 9 33 5 4i7 7 8 20 6 T 4 57 7 14 853 I 25 5 117 10 8 52I10 II 5 517 6 851 7 F 4 58i7 12 9 21 2 3 5 27 9 9 2i|io 45 5 617 5 9 21 8 S 4 59I7 II 9 50 2 41 5 3i7 7 9 5i|ii 23 5 6j7 4 9 51 9 r> 5 oj 10 10 19 3 22 5 4i7 6 10 20iev. 7 5 7I7 2 10 22 10 M 5178 10 54 4 6 5 5 7 5 10 56 0 53 5 8;7 I 10 58 II T 5 217 7 II 30 4 59 5 67 41" 33 I 46 5 9!7 0 II 37 12 W 5 3i7 6 morn 5 59 5 7 7 2 morn 2 46 5 10; 6 59 morn. 13 T 5 4j7 4 0 14 I 5 5 8 7 I 0 18 3 50 5 iij6 58 0 22 14 F 5 517 3 I 5 8 14 5 97 0 I 9 4 58 5 i2;6 56 I 14 S 5 6|7 I 2 4 9 19 5 ioi6 58 2 8 6 5 5 13 6 54 2 12 16 T> 5 7i7 0 3 10 10 21 5 II 6 57 3 14 7 7 5 14 6 53 3 19 17 M 5 8 6 58 sets. II 17 5 12 6 55 sets. 7 59 5 15 6 52 sets. 18 T 5 10 6 57 7 22 morn 5 13 6 54! 7 20 8 51 5 166 51 7 'I 19 W 5 iii^ 55 8 0 0 6 5 14 6 53 7 59 9 39 5 176 50 I 5? 20 T 5 126 54 8 36 0 53 5 I5i6 51 8 36;io 25 5 17 6 48 8 36 21 F 5 1316 52 9 II I 40 5 166 50 9 12 II 10 5 18 6 47; 9 14 22 S 5 14^6 51 9 47 2 27 5 17:6 481 9 49 II 59 5 196 45 9 51 23 r> 5 15 6 49 10 21 3 14 5 1 7 16 47 10 24 morn. 5 206 44 ID 27 24 M 5 16 ,648 II 0 4 3 5 186 45 II 3 0 50 5 216 43 II 7 25 T 5 17 6 46 n 40 4 57 5 19 6 44 1 1 44 I 44 5 22I6 41 II 48 26 W 5 18 6 44!morn. 5 56 5 20 6 42 morn 2 42 5 23 6 40 morn. 27 T 5 19 ■643 0 25 6 57 5 21 6 41 0 29 3 42 5 246 38 0 34 28 F 5 20,6 41 I 13 7 54 5 22 6 39 I 17 4 39 5 256 37 I 21 29 S 5 21,6 39 2 4 849 5 23 637 2 8 5 34 5 26 6 35 2 12 30 r> 5 22 6 38 2 58 9 38 5 24 ,6 36 ! 3 I 624 5 266 34 3 5 31 M 5 23 6 36 3 54' 10 23 _5_?5 6 34 1 3 57 7 9 5 276 32; 4 0 FINISH up haying and harvesting ; Cut oats before the straw is full yellow ; It will waste less and be better fodder ; . Secure the gleanings by a horse rake ; ^ Drag stubble while wet to start weeds ; Carefully house all harvest tools ; Carefully secure the best seed wheat ; Thoroughly winnow out the foul seeds ; Never sow any chess ; Allow no weeds to go to seed ; Cut up briars to destroy them ; Keep roots thoroughly clear of weeds ; Cut uiulerdrnins through wet lands ; Drain muck swamps for the manure. — ^3§g ©' 9th MONTH. SEPTEMBER, 1868. =^=:^ 30 DAYS. MOON'S PHASES. Boston. New-York. Washingt'n Sun on Merid. D. H. M. H. M. H. M. D. H. M. S. Full Moon, . . . I II 13 ev. II I ev. 10 49 ev. I " 59 39 Third Quarter 9 5 20 ev. 5 8ev. 4 56 ev. Q II 57 0 New Moon, . . . 16 8 35 mo. 8 23 mo. 811 mo. 17 II 54 12 First Quarter, 23 ID 38 mo. 10 26 mo. 10 14 mo. 25 II 51 25 I J^v CALENDAR CALENDAR CALENDAR t- u For Boston, New- England, For New- York City, Phila- For Washington, 0 New- York State, Michi- gan, Wisconsin, Iowa, delphia, Connecticut, N. Jersey, Penn., Ohio, In- Maryl'd, Virginia, Kent'ky, Miss'ri, and California. 0 0 > < and Oregon. diana and Illinois. < SUN SUN moon h. w. SUN i SUN 1 MOON H. W. SUN 1 SUN MOON RISES SETS. RISES. BOST'n RISES SETS. Irises. N. Y. RISES SETS. RISES. H M H M 1 H M 1 H M H M.H Mj H M HM H MjH M H M I T 5 24|6 35 rises. 11 4 5 26,6 33 rises. 7 47 5 28|6 31 rises. 2 W 5 26; 6 33 6 56111 42 5 27 6 31I 6 54 8 24 5 29 6 29 653 3 T 5 27|6 31 7 24!ev. 17 5 28,6 29j 7 24 9 3 5 30,6 28 7 23 4 F 5 2816 29 7 52 0 54 5 29 6 28! 7 53 9 40 5 31 6 26 7 54 S S 5 29'6 28 8 22 I 32 5 30.6 26 8 23110 17 5 32i6 25 825 .6 JL> 5 3o;6 26 854 2 II 5 31 6 25 8 57jio 53 5 336 23 8 59 7 M 5 3116 24 9 30 2 53 5 32 6 23 9 33 II 37 5 34:6 22 9 3^ 8 T 5 32(6 22!lO 10 3 40 5 33 6 21110 i4jev. 26| 5 35|6 21 10 18 9 W 5 33;6 2i!io 55 4 35 5 346 20 II 0 I 22 5 35i6 20 II 4 10 T 5 34 6 19 II 50 5 37 5 35 6 i8|ii 54 2 23 5 36 6 18 II 58 II F 5 35 6 17 morn. 6 45 5 366 i6;morn 3 31 5 376 17 morn. 12 S 5 36 6 15 0 51 7 56 ^ H\^. '5 0 54 4 41 5 386 15 0 59 n JL> 5 37i6 14 I 59 9 4 5 38 6 13 2 2 5 49 5 39 6 14 2 6 14 M 5 38 6 12 3 8;io 2 5 396 II 3 II 6 48 5 4o]6 12 3 14 IS T 5 39:6 10 4 23 10 57 5 406 9 4 25 7 40 5 4i!6 10 4 27 J6 W 5 4o!6 8 sets. II 45 5 41 6 8] sets. 8 27 5 4216 9 sets. 17 T 5 4i!6 7 7 6 morn. 5 42 6 6 7 6 9 16 5 43 6 7 7 7 18 F 5 43 6 5 7 41 0 29 5 4316 4 7 42 9 59 5 446 6 7 44 19 S 5 446 3 8 18 I 15 5 446 3 8 20 10 43 5 44 6 4 8 22 20 13 5 45;6 I 8 S4 2 I 5 45i6 I 857 II 29 ^4l ^ 5 46 6 I 9 I 21 M 5 46;6 0 9 35 2 46 5 46j5 59 9 39 mom. 1 9 43 22 T 5 47i5 SSjio 21 3 34 5 47 5 58 10 25 0 20 5 47 5 59 10 29 23 W 5 48j5 56,11 7 5 49 5 54 II 57 4 27 5485 56 II II I 14 5 48 5 58 II 15 24 ■1" 5 23 5 49 5 54 morn. 2 8 5 49 5 56 morn. 2,S F 5 50,5 53 morn. 6 22 5 505 53 0 I 3 8 5 505 54 0 6 26 S 5 51 5 51 0 51 7 20 5 51 5 52 0 55 4 5 5 51 5 53 I 0 27 JL> 5 52I5 49 I 45 8 14 5 52 5 50 I 48 4 58 5 52 5 51 I 52 28 x\l 5 53'5 47 2 43 9 5 5 53 5 48 2 46 5 50 5 53 5 5? 2 49 29 r 5 54 5 46 3 40 9 50 5 54i5 46 3 42 636 5 54 5 48 3 44 30 w 5 565 44! 4 37'io 31I 5 54'5 44 4 38 7 lb 5 55'5 46 4 39 PUT LAND in the best order for wheat ; Let it be well enriched and made mellow ; Let the seed be sown with a drill ; Destroy smut by brining the seed ; Feed all fattening animals regularly ; ^ Let the apartments of swine be kept clean ; Never keep them waiting for food ; Never let them squeal off their flesh ; Grub up bushes and briars ; Cut up straggling thistles in pastures ; Pull up scattered mulleins by roadsides ; Carefully select the best seed corn ; Sow timothy for next season's crop ; Drain bogs if the weather is dry ; Harvest buckwheat as soon as it ripens ; Soil and feed cows if pastures are short. ■=^='® lOth MONTH. OCTOBER, I 868. 31 DAYS. MOON'S PHASES. Boston. New-York. Washingt'n i Sun on Mehid. D. H. M. H. M. H. M. D. H. M. S. Full Moon, . . . I 3 14 ev. 3 2ev. 2 50 mo. I II 49 27 Third Quarter 19 I 30 mo. I 18 mo. I 6 mo. 9 II 47 7 New Moon, . . . IS 6 17 ev. 6 5ev. 5 53 n^o. 17 II 45 17 First Quarter, 2.3 4 58 mo. 4 46 mo. 4 34mo.i i 2'' II 44 6 Full Moon, . . . 31 6 21 mo. 6 9 mo. 5 57 nio. i CALENDAR CALENDAR 1 H u For Boston, New- England, For New- York City, Phila- 0 ? New- York State, Michi- delphia, Connecticut, N. i; h gan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Jersey, Penn., Ohio, In- 0 0 < and Oregon. diana and Ilhnois. < SUN SUN I MOON ; H. W. SUN • SUN MOON 1 H. W. RISES SETS. 1 RISES. BOST'n RISES SETS. RISES, j N. Y. H M H Ml H M H M H M H M H M H M I T S 57 5 42 rises, n 11 5 56 5 43 "ses. 7 53 2 F 5 5« 5 40; 6 25 11 48 5 57|5 411 6 26 831 3 S 5 59 5 39: 6 57ev. 24| 5 58:5 39 6 59 9 II 1 4 x> 6 0 S.37! 7 30 I 5 5 59 5 3« 7 33 9 51 S M 6 I S 351 8 9 I 47 6 0 5 36 8 13 10 31 6 T 6 2 5 33! H 53 2 32 6 15 35i 8 57 II 15 W 6 3 5 32 9 44 3 22 6 25 33| 9 48 ev. 7 8 T 6 4 s 30 10 41 4 19 6 3 5 31,10 45 I 6 9 F 6 b S 28 II 43 5 23 6 45 30 II 46 2 8 10 S 6 7 s 27 morn 6 30 6 55 28 morn 3 17 II r> 6 8 s 25 0 50 7 40 6 7 5 27 0 53 4 25 12 M 6 9 s 23 2 I 845 6 8 5 25 2 3 5 30 n T 6 10 c 22 3 12 9 42 6 9 5 23 3 14 6 28 14 W 6 iii5 20 423 10 33 6 10 5 22 4 24 7 18 IS T 6 i3!5 19 sets. II 22 6 II 5 20| sets. 8 3 16 F 6 14 5 17 6 10 morn 6 12 5 19I 6 II 849 17 S 6 155 15 6 4« 0 4 6 1315 17 6 50 9 34 18 ly 6 165 14 7 26 0 48 6 14 5 16: 7 30 10 19 19 M 6 i7!s 12 8 10 I 34 6 I5i5 14 8 14 II 3 20 T 6 18 S " « 57 2 21 6 16 5 13 9 I II 51 21 W 6 20 S 9 9 4« 3 <> 6 i8|5 12 9 52 morn 22 T 6 21 s « 10 41 3 5^ 6 19I5 10 10 45 0 42 2S F |6 22 s ^ II 36 4 49 6 20 5 9 II 40 I 37 24 S '6 23 S 5 morn. 5 45 6 2i|5 7 morn 2 31 2S r> 16 24 S 3 0 29 6 40 6 22!5 6 0 32 32b 26 M 6 25 S 2 I 29 7 34 6 235 4 I 32 4 19 27 T 6 27 S I 2 27 «2S 6 245 3 2 28 5 10 28 W 6 28 4 59 3 25 9 II 6 26 5 2 3 25 5 57 29 T 6 29 4 57 425 9 56 6 275 I 4 25 b 42 T,0 F 6 31 :4 57 rises. 10 39 16 28,4 59 rises. 7 23 31 S 632 4 55 5 30 II 21 !6 29*4 58 S 33 8 2 CALENDAR For Washington, Maryl'd, Virginia, Kent'ky, Miss'ri, and California. SUN RISES SUN , MOON SETS. Irises. 5 56|5 42I 57 5 401 H M H Ml H M 5 55 i 5 43 j rises. 6 27 7 I 58.5 39! 7 36 59'5 37 05 35 I 5 34 25 32 10 49 3!5 3i'ii 51 4 5 29 morn. 5(5 28I o 57 65 26! 7 S 251 8 5 23 9 5 22: 2l| \t 16; 14 105 "15 125 135 145 165 8 16 9 I 9 52 2 6 3 15 4 24 sets. 6 14 6 18 5 6 195 6 20 5 2li5 22:5 235 245 55 9 9 13 10 49 II II 44 10 morn. 9 o 35 8; I 34 6, 2 30 5 3 26 4[ 4 24 2: rises. I 16 265 li 5 35 FINISH harvesting autumn crops ; Let potatoes be always put away dry They will be less affected by rot ; Keep them ventilated and cool ; Ventilate all roots buried in heaps ; Carefully hand-pick winter apples ; Handle them about as carefully as eggs Avoid bruising the trees by ladders ; Give care to fattening animals ; Feed regularly, and just enough ; Avoid waste, dirt and surfeit ; Paint buildings and out-houses. ggc:^- NOVEMBER, 1868. 30 DAYS. MOON'S PHASES. Boston. New-York. Washingt'n Sun ON Merid. D. H. M. H. M. H. M. D. H. M. S. Third Quarter 7 9 3 "10. 8 51 mo. 8 39 mo. I II 4341 New Moon, . . . 14 6 II mo. 5 59 mo. 5 47 mo. 9 II 44 I First Quarter, 22 2 2 mo. I 50 mo. I 38 mo. 17 II 45 16 II 47 23 Full Moon, . . . 29 8 16 ev. 8 4ev. 7 52 ev. 25 X t^ CALENDAR CALENDAR CALENDAR H w For Boston, New- England, For New- York City, Phila- For Washington, b ? New-York State, Michi- delphia, Connecticut, N. Maryl'd, Virginia, Kent'ky, Miss'ri, and California. gan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Jersey, Penn., Ohio, In- 0 0 > < and Oregon. diana and. Illinois. < SUN SUN MOON H. W. 1 SUN SUN MOON H. W. SUN SUN MOON RISES SETS. RISES. bost'n RISES SETS. RISES. N. Y. RISES SETS. RISES. H M H M H M H M H M H M H M H M H M H M H M I r> 6 33 4 54 6 8 II 59 6 30 4 57 6 10 844 6 27 S 0 6 14 2 M 6 34'4 53 6 50 ev.43 631 4 5^ 6 54 9 28 6 28 4 59 6 s8 3 T 6 36:4 51 7 40 I 30 632 4 54 7 44 10 17 6 29 458 7 48 4 W 6 37)4 50 ii35 2 20 t> 34 4 53 839 II 2 631 4 57 844 S T 6 38,4 49 9 3^ 3 II ^35 4 52 9 40 II 56 6 32 4 56 9 44 6 F 6 39'4 48 10 40 4 7 6 364 51 10 44 ev. 54 633 4 55 10 47 7 S 6 4ii4 47 II 49 5 10 6 37 4 50 II 52 I 56 6 34 4 54 II 55 8 ly 6 42^4 45 morn. 6 17 6 38 4 49 morn 3 2 635 4 53 morn. 9 M 6 43 4 44 0 57 7 20 6 40 4 48 0 59 4 5 b 36 4 52 I I 10 T 6 44 4 43 2 7 8 21 6 41 4 47 2 7 5 4 637 4 51 2 9 II W 6 46;4 42 3 15 9 16 6 42 4 46 3 15 6 2 6 38 4 50 3 15 12 T 6 47j4 41 4 25 10 8 6 4314 45 4 24 6 S4 6 39 4 49 4 23 13 F 6 48 4 40 5 34 10 56 6 4414 44 5 32 7 39 6 4o!4 48 5 30 14 S 6 49 4 39 sets. II 41 6 46 4 43 sets. 823 6 41 4 47 sets. IS JL> 6 514 39 6 0 morn. 6 47 4 42 6 4 9 10 6 43 4 47 6 8 16 M 652 4 3« 6 47 0 23 6 48|4 41 651 9 56 6 444 46 655 17 T 6 S3 4 37 7 37 I 10 6 49 4 40 7 41 10 40 6 45I4 45 746 18 W 6 54 4 3^ 8 29 I s6 6 50 4 39 .833 II 22 6 46,4 44 837 19 T 6 s6 4 35 9 24 2 40 6 51 4 39 9 28, morn. | 6 47 4 44 9 32 20 F 657 4 34! 10 21 3 26 6 53 4 38 10 24 0 II 6 48:4 43 10 28 21 S 6 584 3411 18 4 13 6 544 38.11 20 0 59 6 49'4 43 II 23 22 -U 6 59 4 33 morn. 5 2 6 55 4 37 morn. I 49 6 50 4 42 morn. 23 M 7 OA 32 0 15 5 54 6 56 4 36 0 17 2 40 6 51 4 42 0 19 24 T 7 2 4 32 I 13 6 40 6 57 4 36 I 14 3 32 6 52I4 41 I IS 2S W 7 3 4 31 2 II 7 39 6 58 4 35 2 II 4 24 6 53,4 40 2 II 26 T 7 44 31 3 10 8 29 6 59 4 35 3 9 5 14 6 55'4 40 3 9 27 F 7 5'4 30 4 II 9 18 7 0 4 35 4 ID 6 4 6 56 4 40 4 8 28 S 7 6 4 30 5 14! 10 5 7 2|4 34I 5 12 651 6 57 4 40 5 9 29 JL> 7 7 4 30 rises. 10 54 7 34 34 rises. 738 6 584 39 rises. 30 M 7 84 291 5 32I11 39l 7 4 4 34! 5 36 8 21 6 59 4 39 5 41 THIS MONTH closes up the Autumn work, and prepares for the winter. Hurry up with harvesting roots ; Speedily secure ruta bagas and beets ; Carrots should follow closely after ; Transplant hardy fruit trees ; Stake them up against the wind ; Shelter them if in windy positions ; Trees removed may be safely healed in ; Bury the roots and most of the tops ; Pack the earth solid among the roots ; Bank smoothly a foot about young trees; It will securely protect them from mice ; Lay down raspberries and grajjes ; Cover with two inches of earth ; The crop will be certain and better. * g^c:^ =«^@i [2th MONTH. DECEMBER, 1868. 31 DAYS. MOON'S PHASES. Third Quarter New Moon, . . . First Quarter, Full Moon, . . . Boston. H. M. 4 50 ev. 8 49 ev. 1 1 44 ev. 9 3 mo. New- York. Washingt'n Sun on Mhrid, H. M. 4 38 ev. 8 37 ev. II 32 ev. 8 51 mo. H. M. 4 26 ev. 8 25 ev. 1 1 20 ev. 8 39 mo, H. M. s. II 49 29 II 52 52 11 56 42 12 o 41 X W CALENDAR CALENDAR CALENDAR h s For Boston, Nev/- England, For New- York City, Phila- For Washington, 0 ^ New-York State, Michi- delphia, Connecticut, N. VI aryl'd, Virginia, fCent'ky, Miss'ri, s gan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Jersey, Penn., Ohio, In- 0 0 > < and Oregon. diana and Illinois. and California. > < SUN SUN MOON H. W. sun SUN MOON H. W. SUN SUN MOON Q a RISES SETS. RISES. bost'n rises SETS. RISES. N. Y. RISES SETS. RISES. ~~ H MjH M H M H M H M H M H M H M H M H M H M I T 7 10 4 29 627 ev. 26 7 5 4 34 631 9 13 0 4 39 636 2 W 7 II 4 29 7 27 I 17 7 6 4 33 7 32 10 2 I 4 39 7 36 3 T 7 12 4 28 832 2 9 7 7 4 33 8 36 10 50 2 438 8 40 4 F 7 I3|4 28 9 41 3 0 7 8 4 33 9 44 II 45 2 438 9 48 S 7 144 28 10 49 3 55 7 9 4 32 10 51 ev. 41 3 4 3810 53 6 13 7 15:4 28 II 57 4 53 7 I0|4 32 II 58 I 40 414 3«!ii 59 7 M 7 1614 28 morn 5 53 7 11,4 32 morn 2 39 514 38 morn. 8 T 7 17 4 28 I 7 657 7 12 4 32 I 7 3 41 6 4 3» I 7 9 W 7 17 4 28 2 13 7 54 7 13 432 2 12 4 39 7;4 3« 2 II ID T 7 18 4 28 3 21 851 7 14 4 32 3 19 5 36 8 4 3« 3 17 II F 7 19 4 28 4 27 9 54 7 15 4 32 4 24 6 30 9 438 4 21 12 S 7 2014 28 5 32 10 43 7 15 4 32 5 29 2 '^ 9 4 39 5 25 13 r> 7 21 428 sets. II 20 7 i6l4 33 sets. 8 2 10 4 39 sets. 14 M 7 22 428 5 16 II 55 7 i6|4 33 5 20 838 II 4 39 5 25 15 T 7 22 4 29 6 18 morn. 7 17 4 33 6 22 9 32 12 4 39 6 27 16 W 7 23 4 29 7 12 0 46 7 18 4 33 7 16 10 15 12 4 40 7 20 17 T 7 24 4 29 8 8 I 29 7 18 4 33 8 12 10 54 13 4 40 8 IS 18 F 7 24 4 29 9 5 2 J2 7 1914 34 9 8 II 37 14 4 40 9 II 19 S 7 2514 30 10 2 2 53 7 20 4 34 10 5 morn. 14 4 41 ID 7 20 r> 7 26:4 30 10 59 3 35 7 20 4 35 II 0 0 21 1514 41 II 2 21 M 7 264 31 u 58 4 20 7 21 4 35 II 58 I 7 I5l4 42 II 59 22 T 7 26 4 31 morn. 5 8 7 21 436 morn. I 53 i6|4 42 morn. 23 W 7 274 32 0 55 5 57 7 22 4 37 0 55 2 43 i6|4 43 0 54 24 T 7 27 4 32 I 54 6 52 7 22 4 37 I 53 3 37 17 4 43 I 52 25 F 7 28 4 33 2 55 7 44 7 23 4 38 2 53 4 29 17 4 44 2 51 26 S 7 28 4 33 3 59 8 42 7 23 4 39 3 56 5 27 17 4 44 3 53 27 r> 7 28 4 34 5 3 9 35 7 23 4 39 4 59 6 21 18 4 45 4 56 28 M 7 29 4 35 rises. 10 29 7 23 4 40 rises. 7 14 18 4 46 rises. 29 T 7 29 4 36 5 10 II 20 7 24 4 40 5 15 8 4 i8!4 47 5 19 30 W 7 29 4 37 6 16 ev. II 7 24 4 41 6 20 8 57 1914 47 6 24 31 T 7 304 37 7 26! I 3 7 24'4 42 7 29,' 9 49 19I4 48 7 33 PREPARE ample shelter for animals ; Protect them against beating winds ; Keep them dry and well littered ; Avoid the exposure of wet ; Avoid the discomfort of dirt ; See that the hay is not wasted under foot ; Let stock be regularly salted ; Give sheep good shelter, hay and roots ; Balance accounts for the season ; Calculate the amount of fodder needed ; Arrange the farm for regular rotation ; Arrange a plan of systematic labor; Study the success of other Farmers, By taking the best Agricultural Papers. THE ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER RURAL AFFAIRS. ROTATION OF CROPS. THE ROTATION OF CROPS has one great advantage over all other agencies in conducting farm operations. It accomplishes by thought alone, that which in other directions requires heavy expenditures or hard labor. Manuring is the great prime mover ; rotation the guide of this moving force. The former may be compared to the engine which propels the vessel ; the latter the rudder which directs all the exerted Rower t« a beneficial end. With a few exceptions, the most successful husbandry is that which in- cludes a mixture or combination of the different departments. Domestic animals assist in the manufacture of manure. Hay and grass, grain and roots furnish their food. The straw serves as a sponge to hold the other- wise wasting manure, yielded by these animals. Thus the one becomes a means of increasing the other ; animals enrich the soil and increase the crops ; this increase of crops again supports an increased number of animals, and a mutual augmentation takes place. The continued cultivation of the same land with the same or similar crops, is attended with a constant exhaustion or running down of the soil. A crop of wheat, ©r of oats, or of corn, raised year after year on the same piece of ground, yields less each successive year, till little or noth- No. 14—1868. 124 -^=>gs ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER ing is finally produced. (Fig 2.) The soil deteriorates in every part, meadows run out, and moss and weeds come in. Tillage grounds wear away in fertility, till they fail to produce materials for making manure. The exceptions are where enriching or non-exhausting crops are raised, i860. 1861. 1862. 1863. 1864. Fig. 2. — Successive divtitiution of Corn, grown continuously on the satne Ground. or where heavy manuring is constantly resorted to ; as in the case of per- manent pastures in dairy regions, which are regularly top-dressed ; or the market gardens near cities, kept enriched by heavy manuring. There are several advantages in adopting a rotation. One is the pre- servation of the fertility of the soil ; a second is, checking the spread of weeds ; and a third, is an even distribution of labor throughout the season. I. Preservation of Fertility. Farmers are sometimes driven as they suppose, in cases of necessity, to crop hard to raise money to pay their debts. But in thus endeavoring to get a little increased interest on their capital, they are making a most formidable draft on the principal. An additional amount of information and planning and proper arrangement, — would preserve the fertihty of the land, and the crops would soon be increased more than by hundreds of dollars worth of labor without. Where experiments have been made with different courses of crops — some of them bringing wheat often into the course and other cash-producing but soil-exhausting crops ; and others with such crops at greater intervals — the increased richness of the land in the latter cases has been attended with the greatest profit at the end. A crop of forty bushels of wheat from an acre, once in four years, is far better than twenty bushels once in two years, for then, three years of intervening crops in the former, instead of two only in the latter case, are afforded for other crops, which may be much heavier besides. Hence those of the same kind, occurring at remote intervals, prove most profi- table, even though for some of the intervening crops there may be little demand in market. Take as example, the results of a bad and of a good course, which on many soils would not be far different from the following : I, A hard-cropping course — one acre : ^^ n OF RURAL AFFAIRS. ^"5 0 ist year — Wheat, 20 bushels, ;f40..oo ^ 2d do — do 10 do .... 20-00 3d do — Oats, 25 do 12..S0 4th do —Wheat, 8 do 16..00 J88..50 The land diminished in value. II. A better rotation — one acre : ist year — Wheat, 20 bushels, $4o..oo 2d do — Clover and grass, iX tons, 18..00 3d do— do do i><^ do 18.00 4th do — Com, 40 bushels, 30..00 $io6..oo A difference of $17.50. The land not diminished in value. « 1. An important principle is — al/ plants during grcnoth, exhaust the soil more or less. They derive while growing, a part of their support through the roots, and a part from the atmosphere through the leaves. Hence by removing the plants, a part of the constituents of the soil is removed ; but if suffered to remain by plowing under or by returning from the barn- yard in the shape of manure, they serve to enrich the land. 2. Another principle is, that plants at different periods of their groTvth^ exhaust the soil unequally. As a general rule, they impoverish the soil but little during early growth or while in a green state, but they make a heavy draft upon it, while ripening their seeds. Hence, pasture which is con- sumed while young and green, injures the soil less than hay, especially if the latter is cut after the seeds are ripe ; corn sown for fodder, exhausts but little, but the exhaustion is greater when it furnishes a crop of ripened grain ; flax, though usually a severe crop, is far less so if removed while in a green and growing state. 3. Different plants do not exhaust in the sa?ne manner fior in an equal degree. Some plants take more of certain ingredients from the soil than others. Different plants also feed from different depths. The roots of some of the grasses for example, extend downward but a few inches ; while red clover often reaches a depth of two or three feet. While, there- fore, one obtains nourishment from near the surface, another finds its supply down in the subsoil. This consideration, however, is of minor importance in arranging a rotation, as most plants throw down roots as far as good cultivation extends. Broad-leaved plants generally derive more from the air and less from the soil than those wath narrow leaves ; hence, when buried as manure, they restore most largely to the soil. 4. Sojne plants admit of a heavier application of manure than others. Such are generally broad-leaved succulent plants, as beets, turnips and corn ; and, indeed, most plants whose value depends mainly on the quan- tity of green growth, as grasses for meadow and pasture. But the smaller grain crops, as wheat, oats and barley, may be so heavily manured as to promote too luxuriant a growth of leaf and stalk, at the expense of the seed. Hence, in a rotation, the manure should be given to such as are ' most immediately benefitted by a heavy application. The delay in time 126 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER [) and subsequent intermixture by tillage, gradually lit it for the more deli- ] cate crops. The manure should be always applied as soon as possible after breaking up from grass, that thorough admixture may take place before seeding down. This intermixture is of much more consequence than most are aware of; for by leaving fresh manure in lumps, unpul- verized and unmixed, plants not only derive little comparative benefit from it, but by aiding in drying the soil in times of drouth, it has actually les- sened, instead of increased, the products of the land. Many other rules growing out of the preceding principles, will suggest themselves to the reflecting cultivator. From these principles, it will be perceived that Farming is a continued system of exhaustion and retui'u, where properly managed ; and not a continued system of exhaustion only, as when badly conducted ; or, rather, exhaustion without any system whatever. The best way of making most eflfectually this return, should in all cases whatever, be considered the great leading object in all rotations, and the immediate profit from sales, the second great object. And, hence, in all good husbandry, the crop which gives the greatest immediate return in money, is not always the most profitable ; but the one which puts the soil in the best condition, and helps to make the most permanently en- riching manure, must be properly appreciated. The one may draw the treasure out of the soil, but the other accumulates it ; the one expends the wealth of the land, the other collects it. If, for instance, a crop of green herbage be turned beneath the soil, though yielding of itself no re- turn whatever, yet if it increases the following crop of corn from thirty to fifty bushels the acre, and a subsequent crop of wheat from fifteen to twenty-five bushels, it becomes, in reality, equal in nett value to twenty bushels of corn and ten of wheat. II. Checking the Spread of Weeds, As a general rule, naked fallows are the most efficient means of des- troying weeds. Canada thistles and other plants which spread by the roots, may be killed in a single season on a clean fallow, where they are kept constantly turned under. Hoed crops if closely attended to and kept clean throughout the season, answer the same purpose with some other weeds. Other crops, as buckwheat, corn sown in thick drills for fodder, and a heavy growth of clover, serve as smothering crops, and greatly lessen the amount, if they do not wholly destroy weeds. Some plants favor the groivth of certain 7ueeds more than others. Cockle and chess flourish with wheat, alyssum with flax, and most sown crops are attended with an in- crease of grasses. These weeds multiply greatly where a single crop is raised on the same lands for many years successively ; but rotation pre- vents this evil and thwarts their increase. The same remarks will apply, in some degree, to certain destructive insects, as for instance, the grub and the wire-worm. OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 127 0 If III. Distribution of Labor. The farmer who obtains labor at low wages does not always obtain it most cheaply. By a bad management of his succession of crops, he may be excessively crowded at one time and have little to do at another. An equal distribution throughout the season, therefore, becomes an important object, — enabling him to do everything in season^ to do it well, and keep his farni hands at all times fully engaged. A rotation proper for one dis- trict of countrv, may be unfitted to another possessing a different soil, climate and market ; and discretion must be employed by each land owner, to secure the best system. He should therefore, observe the leading ob- jects : 1. To avoid exhausting the soil. 2. To return as much manure as possil^le. 3. To prepare for future crops. 4. To prevent the growth of weeds. 5. To distribute the labor equally. 6. To modify his rotation to existing circumstances ; as, where labor is scarce and land plenty, to stock heavily with cattle ; or where land is scarce, and labor and manure abundant, to make the raising of crops the principal business. -To assist further in planning a rotation, cultivated plants have been classified under separate heads ; as for example : 1. Enriching crops, including all such as are plowed under for manure. 2. Non-exhausting, as pasture, peas, beans, and all grains cut before ripe, such as corn sown for fodder and green oats, 3. Exhausting, as ripened grain, turnips and potatoes. 4. Very exhausting, as flax, tobacco and hops. The more frequently the first named enter the rotation, the better will the fertility of the soil be kept up. A similar result will be secured where returning manure to the soil is a prominent object, and hence the raising of grain and roots may be made renovating instead of exhausting crops. Having laid down the leading principles, it remains for us to give a few examples of practice. All farming may be regarded as some kind of ro- tation ; either regular or irregular, however imperfect it may be, unless there is a perpetual succession of tlie same crop. There are all grades from the worst and rudest to the complete well-digested system. Among bad examples, prevailing to a greater or less extent in many parts of the country, the following were given many years ago in the Farmers' Regis- ter. Specimens of the two-course system were : I St year — Corn. 2d year — Wheat, or oats if on land too poor or light for wheat. After harvest, the stubble grazed closely until next spring, when plowed again \ for corn. TV When too poor to bear any small grain crops, that part of the course 'j^y ^=© 128 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER | '( ^ ■ ^ is omitted on such poorer spots of the field, and afterwards on all ; thus changing the relation to, I St year — Corn. 2d year— Natural growth of weeds, grazed. When not grazed the second year, as was sometimes the case, for want of separate fencing or some other cause, this rotation made a nearer ap- proach to alternate and improving husbandry. It was then, ist year — Corn. 2d year — Weeds not grazed, forming a very poor manuring crop. An improvement was made on this by the adoption of the three-course system : 1st year — Corn. 2d year— Wheat, and afterwards .the spontaneous growth of grass and weeds, grazed. 3d year — Pasture, closely grazed. This was supposed to be a great march in agricultural improvement, and by some regarded as the summit of perfection, to which two-course and no-course cultivators aspired as the height of their ambition. The exhaustion of the second year was moderated on the poorer parts, by the wheat being then omitted, for the simple and very obvious reason that it would not grow there. On those parts there were, of course, two years of rest from tillage, in the three. Col. Taylor introduced a four-course system, which was as follows : ist year — Corn. 2d year — Wheat and clover sown — or if too poor for wheat, left at rest and not grazed. 3d year — Clover, (and weeds,) not mown nor grazed. 4th year — Clover, not mown nor grazed. This course possessed the advantage of giving two and a half years, out of four, for vegetables to grow which were to die and decay on the soil, and finally to be plowed in. It was a great improvement on the others. But it was materially opposed to the principles of good husbandry in several respects. It furnished vegetable manure only. A large portion of the value of this was lost, by dissipation into the air during its deoay. The returns from the land were necessarily small, as only two years out of four produced crops for har- vesting. And it greatly increased the labors of tillage, by the increase of noxious weeds. It happens in the preceding specimens, that the longer courses are better than the short ones, but the mistake must not be made of supposing that the number in any course is the index of its excellence. A good two-course system may be devised which shall be better than a bad eight-course system. For example, an alternation of wheat and clover with the application of manure, 'and especially if the clover continue two 1^ years to be plowed in, would be far better than another course, consisting of wheat, corn, barley, oats, wheat, oats, without manure or seeding, ^<=^ OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 1 29 * which would be eminently exhausting, all these belonging to the class of exhausting crops already mentioned. We now proceed to give a few examples of good rotations, which may be adopted or varied according to circumstances. An excellent farmer in a wheat growing region pursued the following for twenty years, the chief part of his farm being regularly laid out in ten acre lots for this purpose : ist year — Wheat after clover. 2d do. — Corn, potatoes and ruta bagas, with all the manure. 3d do. — Barley. 4th do. — Wheat, sown with clover. 5th do. — Clover, pastured. A portion of the farm consisting of low wet ground, was kept in permanent meadow, being occasionally top- dressed and rarely broken up and reseeded. Another part, too rough to be brought into the regular course, was subjected to summer fallow, and occupied with wheat, clover and grass for pasture. This farm invariably ailorded heavy crops, and so clear had the soil become, that the amount of hard labor required for dressing the hoed crops, was not one-third that usually expended. The only objection to this course, is the frequent oc- currence of the wheat croj), which would be removed by suffering the clover and grass to remain two or more years,* instead of one. This change would likewise admit a greater number of domestic animals, and a consequent increase of manure — the whole occupying seven instead o^ five fields. The following course is adapted to eight fields : 1st year — W' heat with clover seed. 2d do. — Pasture. 3d do. — Meadow. 4th do. — Fallow. 5th do.— Wheat. 6th do. — Oats and barley with clover seed, 7th do. — Pasture. 8th do. — Corn and roots with manure. Thus if each field contained ten acres, there would be each year twenty acres of wheat, twenty in pasture, ten in meadow, ten in summer fallow, ten in oats and barlej^ and ten in corn and roots. The chief objection is, that as there are only ten acres of meadow, there would be hardly enough dry fodder for the domestic animals supported by the twenty acres of pas- ture, besides stubble and summer fallow ; more especially in our long winters, where for nearly six months green food cannot be had. A large quantity of roots would of course lessen the difficulty ; and a permanent wet meadow, or a crop of corn sown as fodder, would obviate it. W' ith a more southern region the objection would not exist. A fine example of the benefit of rotation was furnished some years ago by an old, practical, hard-working farmer in Pennsylvania. He com- menced business as a day laborer, and v»'hen thirty years of age, by the avails of his industry added to a small legacy, was enabled to purchase 130 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER Q and to pay for in part, a farm of 130 acres, 100 being under cultivation, but in a very low condition. When he commenced farming he adopted a a particular system of rotation, to which he has adhered for forty years, and his success was the best comment on the value of his experiment, he being then worth at least $100,000, notwithstanding several pecuniary losses he has at various times sustained. The following simple three and four course system.s may be adopted in grain growing districts : Three-course system : 1st year — Corn and roots, well manured. 2d year — Wheat. 3d year — Clover one or more years, according to fertility and amount of manure at hand. Early corn should be planted to admit of early re- moval for sowing the wheat. Four-course system : 1st year — Corn and roots with all the manure. 2d year — Barley, or peas, or both. 3d year — Wheat. 4th year — Clover, one or mxore years. Oats is a severe cro}5 any where in a rotation ; but may be admitted on strong soils, the 2d year, if followed with fine manure. An experienced farmer who adopts the preceding three-course system, never permits oats to grow on land fit for wheat, but confines the crop exclusively to the more moist parts of his farm, otherwise devoted to meadow and pasture. The following course occupies nine fields : 1st year — Corn and roots with all the manure. 2d year — Barley. 3d year — Wheat seeded with clover. 4th year — Pasture. 5th year — Meadow. 6th year — Fallow. 7th year — Wheat. 8th year — Oats or barley with clover. 9th year — Pasture or meadow. A rotation used by some good farmers in Maryland, is this : 1st year — Corn with manure. 2d year — Oats with 150 pounds of guanoy and buckwheat turned under as manure. 3d year — Wheat, clover and timothy. 4th year — Meadow. 5th year — Pasture. 6th year — Buckwheat, root crops and peas. The rotation below is well adapted to stony soils when the dairy is a prominent business : 1st year — After fall plowing, sow in spring to oats. OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 131 2d year — After fall plowing, plant corn in spring, applying a compost of muck, manure and ashes, and top-dressing with plaster. 3d year — After fall plowing sow early in spring to wheat, barley, or a thinly seeded crop of oats, seeding down to clover and timothy, and top- dressing with one bushel of plaster to the acre. * 4th — Let the land lie in grass as long as it produces well, with the help of plaster and a triennial dressing in autumn. The following course is used where little else than the dairy is depended on for profit, the wheat or flour being purchased : 1st year — Corn or sward with manure from barn-yard, (applied and spread in autumn or during w^inter,) and one bushel of plaster to the acre, putting the old or compqsted manure and plaster in the hills. 2d year — Sow barley, spring wheat or a thinly seeded crop of oats, with timothy and clover. 3d — Pasture or mow five or six years, and top-dress with manure in au- tumn. The grass seed should be sown at the rate of about half a bushel per acre, that the pasture may be fine and rich like old fields. ^ The following diagram exhibits to such as may not be familiar with the subject, the manner of laying out a farm with fields, each being alloted to its regular course, with the following rotation in each field for the six years : Wheat, corn and roots, barley, wheat, clover, grass : No. I. 1865— Wheat. 1866 — Corn and roots. 1867— Barley. 1868— Wheat. 1 869 — Clover. 1870 — Grass. No. 2. 1865 — Corn and roots. 1866— Barley. 1867— Wheat. 1868— Clover. 1869 — Grass. 1870— Wheat. No. 3. 865— Barley. 866— Wheat. 867— Clover. 868— Grass. 869— Wheat. 870 — Com and roots. LANE WITH GATE TO EACH FIELD :>■ No. 6. 1865- Grass. ^ 1866— Wheat. 1867 — Corn and roots. 1868— Barley. 1869— Wheat. 1870 — Clover. No. 5. 1865— Clover. 1866 — Grass. 1867— Wheat. 1868— sCorn and roots. 1869 — Barley. 1870— Wheat. No. 4. 1865— Wheat. i866— Clover. 1867 — Grass. 1868— Wheat. 1S69 — Corn and roots. 1870— Barley. 132 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER CULTURE OF SMALL FRUITS ON THE HUDSON- By Prof. T. H. Burgess, of Highland, Ulster Co. TO A PASSENGER on one of the evening boats that ply on the Hudson in June, the taking aboard of numerous peculiar boxes, often several hundred at some of the landings, is a note-worthy item. True, the ease of the sofa, and the politics of the saloon, or the twilight glory of the river scenery, may be sufficient excuse for not prying into the mys- tery of these boxes piled on deck ; indeed the boxes themselves seem to forbid such " prying," each being secured by a small padlock, one key of which is in the vest pocket of the owner on shore, (or perchance standing at your elbow ;) the other is in the desk of the consignee in the city. " Cap- tain," you may inquire, " what are those boxes ?" " Those are berries," would probably be the reply. Leaving them to pass on to the great city, to be distributed about four or five o'clock next morning, by the cartmen to the commission agents, and find their way to the corner groceries, and before the day is done, to be " smothered in cream," and refresh the inner man of thousands — get ashore, if you feel inclined, recognize an old friend, and spend a day among the " berry men.'^ Mount on top of a load of empty boxes, which has been selected from the heterogeneous pile thrown off with no especial care by the boatmen, and you will soon reach a comfortable home, hidden away among the hills and the trees, and will be awakened by the robins next morning, which also are interested in fruit, although they may not listen to a talk on the 7?iodus operandi of fruit culture. Half an hour before the arrival of the boat, the " berry men" drive (J A ©0^= Q OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 1 33 f : ' down to the river, each with a spring wagon load of boxes or chests, which hold from fifty to one hundred baskets of fruit, (or from a half bushel to one bushel,) apiece. A bill of each day's shipment is handed to the agent for the boat, and a duplicate is sent in one of the fruit chests, (marked "bill," on the cover) to the consignee, who pays freight and cartage, and can tell whether all consigned has reached him, by means of these bills. On the outside of the chests, as well as inside of the covers, the number of baskets, cups or pints, is marked, to save further counting, and when the grocery-men or consumers bring back the empty chests, they are returned as promptly as possible to the owners. There is, however, much complaint among the berry men, on account of the loss of chests frequently occurring ; sometimes the cartmen get them on the wrong boat ; sometimes the boatmen make mistakes and leave at one landing chests belonging both sides of the river from Cornwall to Tivoli ; sometimes they are not returned by the consumers to the com- jiiission agent. Generally the owners charge the amount of lost chests to the commission agent, and we have known some who did charge, them again with taking the amount out of next years' consignments. By careful account keeping with the chests, having them all numbered, and by comparison with the books of the agent, it may be ascertained who is the responsible party. Losses in this way sometimes have amounted to 30, 50 and even 80 dollars, in a single season. Those agents who take care to return chests promptly, and contrive to keep their customers posted on each day's sales, either by mail or by a card sent in the empty chests, soon find their business improving. Berry men will prefer those agents who get the best prices, and keep them posted. At the close of the season the account is settled ; ten per cent, commission is charged on gross sales ; freight and cartage usually amounts to about five per cent, more ; the remainder is the share of the grower. This tithe of the commission dealers seems an unnecessary burden on the consumers, who ought to have the fruit a penny a basket cheaper, but there appears no better way practicable to either grower or consumer ; indeed, it may be the very best plan for both, to have the produce thus pass through the hands of wholesale dealers, securing the best market for the one, and better and more certain supply to the other. The necessary fixtures for growing small fruits, are good plows, a sub- soil plow, cultivator, horse hoe, spading forks, narrow steel hoes, trowels for transplanting, and pruning shears, &c. A Packing House must be provided — either a room in some other building, a cheap shed in the field provided with shelves for holding the cups of fruit brought in by the pickers, and room for storing chests, &c. ; but it is usual to have a sub- stantial building, sometimes arranged also for grape packing and storage, and with a cellar for packing plants, and preserving vines and cuttings.* The engraving at the head of this article represents the packinghouse of O. J. Till- SON, of Highland, a skillful cultivator and marketer of small fruits at that place. f ^34 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER 0 f To each acre of strawberries if well cultivated, 5,000 cups or baskets will be required, with chests to pack them in, and often an extra supply will be needed, in case a warm day follows a shower, ripening the berries with unusual rapidity. The cost of these articles is approximately as follows : Utensils more than for usual farming, . , $25.00 Packing House, from 15 to 500 dollars, say, 250.00 Cups or baskets, for each acre, 100. 00 Chests 70 . 00 Currant and cherry boxes, 15. 00 But these are permanent investments and will answer for cultivating and marketing every variety of small fruit. Chests can be made cheaply dur- ing winter. Sometimes heavy lath are used for the sides, fastening the covers with screws or keys ; some make them of slats planed and painted, and bound with iron, and put the covers on with hinges ; others prefer tight chests, painted and marked with num- ber, name and residence. The hinges are put on the outside, so that opening and throwing back the covers, will not break them. Fig. 5. Most growers affirm that the fruit keeps better when ventilated, (fig. 6,) Fig. 5. — Method 0/ putting on hinges. Fig. 6. — Chest allowing Ventilation. especially when it remains unsold over the Sabbath ; some think ventila- tion makes little difference, and that the Antwerp raspberry, especially, l\ keeps best in close chests. / \ Packing houses should be cool and well ventilated, and the packing ' OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 135 J delayed as late in the day as possible, and when packed the chests should be set in a cool place. The neatest packages of first class fruit, sell readiest. In most of the western cities, these fruits are sold by measure ; but to prevent bruising, the fruit is not generally changed in New- York, from the basket it is picked in, until it reaches the consumer. Along the Hudson river and some other places, baskets and boxes, three of which hold a quart, are favorites for both Antwerps and strawberries. Pint and quart cups are coming into general use elsewhere, especially for larger sized fruit. The practice of having different sized baskets, hold- ^ Fig. 7. — Close Chest. ing a half pint to a pint, and selling by the "basket," must give place to more definite and exact measure. This subject has been before the Legis- lature of New-York, and has been discussed by the Farmers' Club of the American Institute, New York. But the interests and investments in va- rious sized baskets, and the machinery for making them, as yet have pre- vented any action. We suggest the following as fair all around ; market berries shall be sold by measure, and pint and quart cups are recommended, but where other sizes are used they should be of uniform capacity, and the exact quantity they hold must be marked on the chest or crate. Fig. 8. — Mode of f'acking round boxes. Fig. 9. — Section of chest for carrying earth- en bo7vls of fruit — sho'wi?ig botird luitk holes to receive them. Fruit-growers will do well to visit the market frequently and study the =^=^^ 136 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER tastes and preferences of consumers. If cups or baskets of certain forms or sizes are preferred, it will pay to humor them. Sometimes care in ar- ranging the fruit on the tops of the cups, pays for the labor, although it is not recommended, farther than for neatness, with such berries as the Wil- son, where the " hull," or calyx, adheres to the fruit. It will also pay to discard stained baskets or cups, and buy new, oftener than it is done. Some berry-men, aware of this fact, use white earthen bowls, (fig. 9,) so packed as to carry safely, and claim that they get back the price of the bowls every year, in the higher price of the fruit, and suffer little loss from breakage. Fig. lo. — Mode of packing baskets of Strawberries. Fig. ii. — Round Box. Baskets. — The old fashioned splint baskets hold from half a pint to a pint — cost $15 to $20 per thousand, (fig. 10.) The Milton Round box, (fig. II,) made of elm, steamed and bent round a pine bottom, holds one- third of a quart, is a light, durable and neat box, the best we have used of that size. Price $25 per thousand. The common square box (fig. 12,) made of a single thin piece of basswood, whitewood or pine, cut partly through so as to bend at the corners, (fig. 13,) and tacked around a square bottom, is advantageous in economy of space, requiring chests little more than half as large for 100 square boxes as for the same numbe*- of Fig. 1 2.— Square baskets. I \ 1 r- ox — bottom „ , , , set ut> "— The "Veneer" basket y " ' Ms a pint, and is a very neat and up' sides of one ic. . . \ piece, bent at (^g; .^4,) corners. a very strong basket, manufactured at WestvillC; Fig. 13. — Strip of thin wood to form square Bex. Ct. I Fig. 14. — Veneer Fruit Basket. Fig. 15. — American Basket. \ The "-American " basket, (fig. 15,) quarts and pints, is a very neat, light » m^ and fancy basket, made at New Britain, Ct. M Q Various plans for cheap " gift boxes," to go with the fruit, have been (J OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 137 gotten up — to cost from $8 to $10 per thousand. The octagonal box is made of two pieces of veneering — that for the sides being cvit partly through at the corners, so as to bend around the bottom and fasten with slips of tin- The Burlington free fruit box is represented in fig. 16. The advan- tage of these is that they are always fresh and clean, and not having to be returned, may bring enough more to pay for the box. Especially when sent to a distant market, this is very desirable. But when near, it is cheapest at present to buy good strong cups, use them three or four years, throwing aside those much stained ; in this way the same cups may be used six or eight Gift Box. — Bench on Castors for Fig. 18. — Box for Currants, Cher- ries and Grapes,-with higher ends to protect tJie fruit when set in ''packing Chests on. tiers. A bench one and half feet high on rollers, {fig. 17,) will be found very convenient to place the chests upon when packing. For marketing currants, cherries and grapes, boxes (fig. 18,) made of thin stuff the right size to fit the berry chests, and to hold from 5 to 15 lbs. are used. Some have the end pieces wider than the sides, to prevent the upper boxes touching the fruit in those below, and allow of ventilation, A grape box made of veneer, (fig. 19,) very light and cheap, to be sold with the fruit, and so arranged that the box can be packed with the top down, and when full the bottom fastened with a few tacks, is one of the neatest we have seen. When Fig. -K).— Grape Box. the covers are removed the box is level full, and the fruit appears in fine order, the bloom of the grapes not much injured. Picking baskets should be made five or six inches deep, with the sides perpendicular — or a box with a handle, like a basket, and also fur- nished with legs, (fig. 21,) is cheap and handy. The most profitable pickers are women and girls, about ten of whom are required to pick an acre. They usually board themselves and pick for 2 to 3 cents a quart, each picking from 100 to 200 baskets daily, or 1 from 30 to 60 quarts. Pickers are hired for the season — they must be in- | ||^ structed to fill the cups a little more than level, arranging the last on the cup neatly, so that no further handling will be necessary, for r,.'crv touch ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER injures the ripe berries. Each one has a shelf assigned for the cups she picks ; thus the work of each can be inspected and counted. Sometimes a Fig. 20. — Fruit Scale. Fig. 21. — Picking^ Stand. small premium is awarded for the neatest and most evenly filled cups, and, sometimes, not only the cups of some must be filled up properly, using a few of the picker's own cupfuls,but the vines must also be examined to see that they are picked clean. It has worked well with us, to give each picker a certain number of rows to pick and be responsible for, the season through. Culture of the Strawberry. The most approved method of culture is in rows about 3 feet apart, 14 inches in the row, and clip the runners every two weeks, (6 or 8 times,) the first season ; they will not require it so frequently the next season. They should be well tilled with plow and cultivator, and hoed several times. Plants treated this way, form large "stools," (fig. 22,) and look more like rows of field beans than strawberry beds. We have >4^ counted frequently 30, and _ ^rf'^ sometimes 40 fruit stems, ~ 7ig7^^//7«W«^.l/-^W. '^hIiIs. averaging 10 berries each, springing from a single plant. We cannot too strongly recommend this sys- tem of "hill culture," as it is called. Cutting off the runners, (for which we use sheepshears) effects the same that pruning does on young trees, only in a greater degree. A— Beds. Fig. 23. -Q— Hills. ■ The " common system," is really no system at all. Set the plants in rows three or four feet apart, and "let them run," forming beds of small plants. (A. fig. 23.) A narrow path is kept plowed between the rows, and a great dea] of weeding and backache is rcquhed to keep them clean. It is so easy to ^-•c:^> OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 139 let the plantation take care of itself, that many will not believe they are losing by it ; indeed, the argument is often heard, that by this new me- thod, instead of fifty plants you have only one — one, indeed, but a big one, one that can be managed, and is worth for fruiting purposes a hun- dred puny ones. From careful observation we can affirm that " hill culture" admits of easier and better cultivation. The plants do not require mulching so much. If not eaten by the grub, they will last for years, and the grub does not injure them so much as it does the small plants. The fruit is much larger and the product greater on an acre, and it is all easily found by pickers. And when plants are desired, a few rows may be allowed to " run," or after picking the fruit the first or second time, the " hills " may be allowed to send out runners, especially if it is intended to renew the plantation. Although by this culture the same plants will bear for years, it is usual that the first crop is the best. And some cultivators plow them up after first crop, and plant some other crop after strawber- ries, before renewing on the same ground. We are trying another plan, planting 2^ feet apart each way, and cultivate and plow both ways. Cut- ting the runners by a strong knife or revolving wheel with sharp edges attached to the side of a light narrow horse hoe or cultivator, (fig. 24.) Fig. 24. — Cultivator with sharp wheel for Cutting Ritnners. This plan of a cultivator we believe was first invented by Rev. M. F. Liehman, of Highland, New-York. The sides of the cultivator are pa- rallel, and the middle piece is arranged so that the implement can be made wider or narrow^er at pleasure. The wheel is of cast iron, with segments cut from an old saw riveted on ; the teeth may be merely harrow^ or culti- vator teeth, or a set of knives made of an old carriage spring and bent at right angles, the bent part sharpened ; these work admirably for cutting the weeds beneath the surface. By attaching thills the cultivator is held more steadily ; doubtless these should be solidly attached to the imple- ment, as in Alden's horse-hoe, to make it easier turning at the ends of the rows, &c. 11 Strawberries grow best on warm soils ; strong soils are said to be bene- j*^ fited by a top-dressing of sand, and light soils by composts of muck. The A ground should be undcrdrained, but not such as is apt to suffer from drouth. ■ ^o^ 140 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER [Mt should be as free from weeds as possible ; for instance, new ground, or a clover sod, plowed the autumn before planting. The sod of other grasses should have a crop of corn or potatoes taken off before planting. But if the " white grub" be found plenty, better try another field ; they fre- quently eat up whole plantations. A little care in examining the soil to ascertain their presence, may prove valuable — another field may not con- tain many. Ashes and such composts of muck or leaf mold as are pretty free from weed seed, are the best manures. Barn-yard manures are better for raspberries and other vines. For winter protection, in some soils,* little more is needed than a furrow thrown up to the rows in autumn ; on others, the action of the frost is very destructive if the vines are not mulched. For this, use rye straw, (cut short if convenient,) or shavings, sawdust or tan — a handful on each plant is sufificient. It will answer also to place beneath the plants the next spring to keep the fruit out of the dirt. Spring is the best time for planting for field culture. Fall planting may be resorted to, to secure garden fruit the next season, in case it has been neglected in spring — in which case, the earlier planted, for instance after a July shower, the better. In gardens they may be planted thus, in the shade of ti-ees, Indian corn, or other crop. Only a small quantity of fruit, can be expected the next season, but it is large and early. Strawberries can be produced for from 3 to 5 cents per quart. Picking and packing costs 3 cents, and marketing about 3 cents. All received over ID cents per quart, is the grower's profit. The average net price for the two past years was 20 cents per quart. The average yield per acre, for 1865, was 3,200 quarts, and for 1866, 2,000 quarts per acre, field culture. The profits were nearly equal on account of the higher prices of 1866. The estimate from which these averages have been derived, range from 1,000 to 6,000 quarts per acre, and the gross receipts from $200 to $1,000 per acre. The sale of plants is often profitable, when there is a demand for them — 100,000 or more may be raised on an acre, after fruiting. These may be sent safely to almost any distance, when put up in bunches of 25 to 50 — (the vines attached are strong enough to tie with.) These bunches should be packed with the tops each way, roots together, in alternate layers with dry moss. They should be placed so that air and light may get to the tops while the roots are embedded in the moss, (fig. 25.) If sent to a considerable distance, too much care in drying the moss cannot be taken, as it rapidly absorbs moisture ; and narrow boxes should be used, not made tight, which hold one tier of ■Bunch of 25 Strawberry bunches, unless the different tiers are held Fig. 25 Plants, for Packing hi Moss to send to a Distafice. and prevent heating. apart by slats, so as to admit air and light. {Ras/'lu-rry roots and Grafrc'ines are usually packed OF RURAL AFFAIRS. I4I in damp or wet moss.) When moss cannot be had, strawberry plants may be safely sent with the roots coated with mud. Fig. 26. — Garden Trowels. For transplanting we use a small garden trowel, (fig. 26,)and set as deep as the roots allow, spreading them as much as possible, and pressing the dirt closely. Plants may be kept weeks in a aamp place, but the roots should not be allowed to dry before setting. The evening is the best time for setting, and if the ground be very dry, water immediately. We set out on level ground, either by a line or mark the rows by some simple method. If however, the ground or any part of it, be not suffi- ciently drained, plant on low ridges, made by two furrows thrown together. We do not hoe after the fruit sets. If the ground be placed in good order early in spring, nothing except mulching to keep the fruit out of the dirt, is required till after fruiting. All blossoms, especially on late set plants, should be removed the first season. Mowing off the tops after fruiting, has been tried by some and recommended. We tried it but once, on a bed, but thought the advantage was owing to checking the weeds. If it prevent the plants from multiplying, it may be worth experiment on plants in beds. In gardens a plant can be grown on every square foot of ground, and be tilled with hoe and spading fork. If properly mulched, and the runners kept off, they will bear from a pint to a quart each, for -several years. A small spot thus cultivated last year, produced at the rate of 14,400 quarts per acre, and sold at the rate of $4,000 per acre. This is mentioned to show how mechanics, poor women, or any body possessed of a garden, may find it profitable. The above was the result of the garden culture given by two small boys. Culture of the Raspberry. The Hudson River Antwerp was brought from England, and first pro- pagated by a gentleman in Poughkeepsie, and introduced into Ulster county, by Edward H. Young, of Marlborough. The "Antwerp region " appears to be limited to the warmest soils and somewhat sheltered situa- tions, between the Highlands and Catskills. In some towns every farmer almost has his " patch " of Antwerps, of from one quarter acre to five acres and upward. Generally, however, one acre well manured and cared for, pays the farmer better than a larger plantation, unless he relieves him- self of most of his farm work. After the second year each hill must be tied up to a stake (figs. 27 and 28,) about five feet high, which may be prepared in winter, at a cost of $10 to $15 per 1,000, and will last ten years. 142 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER After fruiting, the old canes are to be cut out, the ground plowed and hoed, the stakes removed to shelter or stacked in the field ; and late in the autumn the young plants in the hills, are removed, and the canes left are bent down, (fig. 29,) and slightly covered with earth for winter protec- tion. They are usually planted three or four canes in a hill, '^^j//vrriLj four or five feet apart each ivhe7i first tied ^^ay ; cut back to a few inches Fig. 28. — Aniwerps, tied to stake. to stake --,.,, , , spring. high when planted to prevent bearing, and secure a good growth the first year. They do not usually produce a full crop until the third year, and they continue to bear for many years ; some fields have been planted fifteen years, and are yet doing well. Fig, 29. — Antwerp Raspberries Bent Down atid held by a Shovel 0/ Earth, till covered with Plow for Winter Protection. The white grub works on their roots almost as disastrously as on the strawberry. Some growers think the present stock degenerating, and efforts have been made to import a fresh stock of the same kind. Others attribute the apparent weakness to local causes, and some do not admit it at all. Antwerps do best when slightly shaded, and are frequently cultivated in young orchards, or among grown trees, so that both are benefitted. Products vary different years, much depending on securing a good growth of canes, and on good showers just previous to, and during the picking sea- son, which commences about July 5th, and lasts five or six weeks. The yield is from 1,000 to 4,000 quarts per acre, to which may be added the value of the young plants, which often amounts to 5,000 per acre ; worth from $3 to $40 per thousand. The best soils are shaley and gravelly loams, such as are peculiar to those sections which the Hudson river slates and shales underlie. The " Black Cap " and " Philadelphia " are in course of trial, with pro- A mise of success. They are hardy, require no staking, and consequently m^ may be produced at much less cost. The fruit of each bears transporta- Q tion well, but is not so highly prized as the Antwerp. -^c^ '=^=''^ OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 143 Culture of Blackberries, Currants, &c Blackberries compete with other fruits, especially with peaches, and sometimes are not sure of a ready market. They are often grown at little expense, on rough ground, useless formany other crops, and may be pruned Fig. 30. — End view of roiv of Pruned Fig. 31. — End vieiv of Unpruned Black- and Flo-wed Blackberries. berry row. with hedge shears and bush scythe. Some growers realize from them more in proportion to the labor than other fruits, while others soon discard them. Currants are growing in favor. The Red Dutch and Cherry are pre- ferred. La Versailles is being introduced, and Black Naples sells well in market. Currants are planted five feet apart each way, and treated to clean culture. The finest quality, though not greatest quantity, is claimed for the tree form, which is obtained by removing all buds from the scion below the ground when planted. The shrub form is more hardy, and generally reproduces itself from the root in case of breaking the top. The currant worm has not appeared to do great damage in most parts of East- ern New-York.* * In Western New- York the Currant Worm is easily and completely destroyed, and the crop and bushes saved, by sprinkling the leaves with White Hellebore, by means of a dredging box, which has fme holes, so as to give a thin coating of the powder. A few repetitions of the operation through the season, as needed, will exterminate these insects, but it is necessary to watch the bushes, and to apply the remedy at their first appearance. Those who complain of the failure of this remedy wait till the destruction is half com- pleted before they begin. The White Hellebore may be had at the drug shops. Care must be taken not to inhale it. The first rain* washes it from the fruit, and no hann re- sults. For safety, the fruit should be washed before using, and previous to stemming. The Rose Bug so destructive to the blossoms of the grape, must be watched for about the last of June. Husman speaks of carrying torches at night through the vineyard, as destruc- tive to insects. If it prove so to the Rose Bug it is worth attention. Fires lighted around the vineyard, burning the apple tree and other brush prepared for the purjiose, especially if done by several farmers or vineyardists on adjoining lots, has been suggested for trial. Plowing the ground late in autmnn has also been recommended to destroy the larvjE — a small white worm. The White Grub, so destructive to strawberries and other fruits, as well as potatoes and other crops, is said to remain in the gi-ound in the larva state tliree years, when it chanj^es to the insect form, producing what is termed the " June Bug " or '' May Beetle." Every possible means of destroying or avoiding these grubs should be resorted to. Chickens will sometimes pick them up after the plow. Boys and girls paid for every hundred picked up and dug out from beneath strawberry plants that look like withering, and for the Rose Bugs picked from the grapevines, are tlie best remedies we ' have found. A mixture of sulphur and plaster, dusted over the vines, has been recom- mended as a remedy for the Rose liug. ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER Cherries are profitable and cheaply produced. We have noticed the birds prefer the early sorts to strawberries, which may be worth planting to save the strawberries. Some trees of good varieties of Heart and Bigarreau, produced the past season lO, i8, 24 and 48 dollars worth. One neighbor sold $90 worth from five trees, mostly the product of three of them. Being both orna- mental and useful, the farmer cannot err in planting too many. Profits of Berry Culture. The profits of farming vary with the condition of the land and the brains that drive the business ; but it will not be far from the truth to assert that in many parts of the country, convenient to market, common farming has ceased to be remunerative. After deducting expenses for utensils, wear of buildings, cost of manures and labor, little or nothing is "laid by" at the end of ten years. The farmer is obliged to use his money as fast as he makes it. In fact, with many, debt is tlieir normal condition, and pay- ing interest a part of their creed. Another class, less fortunate, are con- tent to rent farms and migrate yearly. " Cropping " the farms of others is the business of their lives, never knowing what it is to feel on one's own ground — " I am monarch of all I survey." It may be true that there is no such thing as a " worn-out farm," but many are terribly thread-bare ; yet these may be well suited to fruit culture. Small quantities of manure may be afforded to each tree and plant every year, till the productiveness of the soil becomes such as to pay a generous income. Strawberries may be cultivated among grapes, and raspberries in the orchard. Many farmers have already proved that an acre or two, devoted to fruits, bring in just about harvest more ready money than the whole of their surplus products from the farm — not much heavy labor — no dusty threshing required. Poor women and children are eager to pick the fruit, and all the year look forward to " berry time " as the season of their most profitable employment. The weeds may all be pulled by the same cheap laborers. An acquaintance who used to farm about 100 acres and employed two men all the year, averaged gross sales of $1,400 a year. He now has about five acres in small fruits, the net income of which was $2,650 last year. Putting most of his farm in grass gnd keeping several cows, he manages to have a surplus of four to five hundred dollars a year from the farm, and a supply of manure for his vines. The following estimate is the cost of a two acre vineyard with straw- berries cultivated in it — also the first three year's income : Cost. 700 Grapevines, gioo.oo 700 StaVces, 1 5 . 00 12,000 Strawberry planls, 60 00 Grape trellis, 225.00 Labor, 3 years, : 300 00 Rents, 60.00 Manure used 50.00 Wear of tools, 25 00 ^1835. 00 Income. Grapevines and Cuttings, $150.00 Sale of Strawberry plants, 700 .00 Strawberries 1,150.00 Grapes, 500 . 00 2,500.00 I 835.00 \ Profit, 1,665.00 /f^ ^ OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 145 In the following estimates the average is taken from the actual products of many farmers and fruit growers of New-York and New-Jersey. — Thorough culture can seldom be given when the farmer has grain crops also to be attended to, and for this reason the averages will not satisfy those who make fruit-growing a specialty — who spare no pains or expense in studying out and supplying the wants of their plants. Such persons will often doable and quadruple the results of common field culture, and then, probably, not develop the full capacity of generous gratitude these fruits return for special attention. The following are the highest results we have information of: Strawberries, 1865. — Half an acre of Wilson's Albany, "hill culture," at the rate of 6,ioo quarts per acre — one and a quarter acres, hills, 6,000 quarts per acre. An eighth of an acre, Triomphe de Gand, at the rate of 3,600 quarts per acre — 1866 : Two and a half acres, "field culture," 4,280 quarts per acre. Raspberries are reported as having produced from 5,000 to 7,000 quarts per acre. Blackberries — 2,000 to 3,000 quarts per acre. Currants — Six tons per acre, worth ^1,000. The following table shows about the average cost and profits of small fruits, as usually raised by farmers, except the profits from sale of plants : ^-?.. T^'- ^- J:.,*^ smaller size (fig, 38,) may contain from three to half a dozen plants. The larger ones may be occupied with a considerable cluster or mass, in which case the taller kinds should be at the centre, de- creasing gradually toward the ouside, (fig. 39.) It may also be observed that generally the best F,g. -^z.— Small Bed or Group of ShrubsT' effect will be produced by plant- ing the centre with those which have dark and heavy foliage ; and the ex- terior with such as are more light and feathery in form. Again— in plant- ing those which are conspicuous for their brilliant berries, it will be found best to occupy the centre with some dark evergreens, against which, these shrubs, planted around them, shall form a fine and brilliant contrast in color. An important advantage in adopting the circular form, is the facility with which the outline is mark- ed on the ground ; and even after the shrubs have attained some height, the boundary may be accurately renewed by driv- ing an upright stake a. (fig. 40,) in the middle for a pivot, on which an arm b. may revolve, having a rod c. at right angles, pointing downwards, for form- ing a circular scratch on the surface of the ground. A per- fect ellipse is easily m.ide by Fig. 39.—^ Group of Large Shrubs. driving two Small sticks a. a. (fig. 41,) into the ground, placing a cord b.b. in the form of a loop upon them, and then stretching this loop with a marking stick c. and scratching the surface of the ground through the whole circumference. 0 OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 153 Those who are about to form a shrubbery and who are not very famih'ar with the different species will find a great advantage in adopting the fol- lowing practice. Make a general collection of all the shrubs intended for the plantation, either from nurseries or ^ ^^, p otherwise, as early as possible, and plant ./ .,/ Fig. 40- Fig. 41. them in rich soil in nursery rows where they can receive high cultivation. They will here increase in size, and may be trained in the proper form ; and when ready for final removal, the whole mass of the roots may be taken up and set out again with little difficulty, with almost no check in growth. From one to three years might be thus occupied in the nursery row, during which time the owner will find it a most interesting occupa- tion to study their modes of growth, character of foliage, time of llower- ing, and whatever else may enable him to group them handsomely to- gether. In the meantime, he may underdrain, trench, enrich, and other- wise prepare the ground that is finally to receive them, in the best man- ner, as well as fully to digest and mature his plan. Another advantage in first planting them in a nursery, is that he will be enabled to increase them in number in many instances, by dividing the roots. In furnishing the following list of hardy and desirable shrubs, such as arc adapted to general cultivation, it will be most convenient to the planter to divide them according to their size or height, so that they may be placed together. No very accurate sub-division, however, of this kind can be made, as they vary considerably with soil, climate and treatment ; and some, usually regarded as quite small, will after the lapse of half a century or more, reach a height of several feet. If any are found to be too tall for their compeers, they are easily cut back or removed. Shrubs of Small Size. Ceanotiius, {Ceanothus Amevicamts.) A small shrub of neat appearance bearing numerous bunches of small white flowers ; and if well cultivated and trained in form is quite ornamental. It is hardy and frequently grows wild throughout this country. It is sometimes known as the New-Jersey Tea. Tree P/Eony, {Pieofiia Moutan.) Although a low shrub this plant when full grown and in bloom presents a magnificent appearance. The variety known as the Banksia, has bluish colored flowers usually about six inches in diameter and very double — single plants often showing fifty or sixty at time. Several years are required for them to attain this size. The pop_ S>^c:^- * =«=^ ©c:^= ^ . =^3^ 154 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER py-flowered variety is single, white with a purple spot at the base of each petal. The variety rosea is semi-double with rose-colored flowers. This shrub is quite hardy, but is difficult to propagate. The easiest mode, which is. hov/ever, quite slow, is by dividing the roots. For this purpose the plant should be placed in rich soil so as to increase rapidly in growth and taken up in autumn, and the stems and roots separated by means of a fine saw — every separated portion should have some roots remaining upon it. It is also propagated by layers, using the previous season's wood, tonguing and burying at least three inches deep in earth kept moist. If the growth is vigorous, roots will commence the first season, but the layers should not be removed until after the second summer. Skillful propaga- tors increase the tree paeony by grafting into the common herbaceous species. Deiitzia gracilis, under the head of Deutzia scabra in the next division ; Persian lilac, under the head of Lilacs in the third division ; Kalmia an- gustifolia, under Kalmia in second division ; and perhaps Mezereon, Cle- thra and some others in next division, might be placed under this head of small shrubs. Hypericum Kalniiamwi is a small shrub two or three feet high, bear- ing a profusion of yellow flowers about midsummer. It is a native and perfectly hardy, and is usually raised from seeds. Mahonia, {Mahonia Aquifoliiim.) This fine shrub which is a little tender at the north, is properly an evergreen ; but as its chief beauty is exhibited during the summer season, it is placed under this division. It has pinnate leaves, usually four pairs and an odd one, the leaflets being spring-toothed on the edges. It exhibits handsome clusters of yellow flowers late in spring, succeeded by blue berries. It grows three or four feet high, and needs the protection of straw or evergreen boughs in winter. It is progagated slowly by layers. Shrubs of Medium Size. The Spir^as. — There are several species which possess much beauty. The Button spiraea or double plum-leaved, {S. prnnifolia,) blossoms quite early in spring, bearing a profusion of double white flowers, and is perhaps the most ornamental of the shrubby species. The Hypericum leaved, (-5". hypericifolia,) bears a profusion of quite small white flowers along its branches, and has a pretty and neat appearance, but is not showy. S. opu- lifolia and S. laiiceolata bear their white flowers in bunches a little before mid-summer. S. tomentosa grows wild in many parts of the country and is distinguished by the reddish down on the under surface bf its leaves, and by the handsome, compact panicles of reddish'pink flowers. S. bella is a native of Nepal, and produces beautiful rose-colored flowers in corymbs. There are several other species, but the preceding comprise some of the most desirable. All may be propagated by layers or suckers. /jj^ Clethra, {Clcthra alnifolia.) A native shrub growing three or four / j OF RURAL AFFAIRS. feet high and bearing spiked racemes of white flowers which appear about midsummer. It belongs to the same natural order as the Erica and Rho- dodendron, and has a fine aromatic odor and is easily cultivated. The Fi.owering Currants. — The Missouri currant, {Ri/>es aureiim,) bears a profusion of golden yellow flowers ; and although not quite so ornamental as some other shrubs, the fragrance of the blossoms renders it a general favorite. It is quite hardy, and is easily propagated by cut- tings and layers. A great improvement in its appearance may be effected by pruning it into a compact, symmetrical form. The Crimson-flowering currant, (Ribes sangiiineum^) bears handsome pendent racemes of deep-red flowers, which appear early in spring. It is not perfectly hardy, and grows and blooms best if slightly protected in winter. A double variety has been raised, which is larger, hardier, later in blooming, but scarcely as or- namental as the parent or as easily raised by cuttings. Mezereon, {Daphrie Mezerczim.) This is one of the earliest and most beautiful shrubs of spring. The handsome pink flowers come out before the leaves, and nearly or entirely cover the small shoots along their whole length. The young shrubs begin to flower profusely before they are a foot high, but in the course of years they attain a height of five or six feet. There is but one objection to the cultivation of this beautiful shrub — the whole plant is poisonous to human be- ings, and the handsome scarlet berries have been eaten by young children — the best remedies for which are oil, fresh butter or milk. The mezereon is very easily propagated from seeds ; which if suffered to become dry before sowing will remain two years in the soil ; but if sown in autumn imme- diately after gathering, they will usual- i ly come up the following spring. This shrub is a native of the woods of northern Europe. There is a variety which has white flowers and yellow fruit ; and another, quite distinct, which blooms in autumn ; but these are rare. Double Dwarf Almond, {Atnyg- dalus nana,) widely and well-known, is one of the handsomest of early flow- ering spring shrubs, its shoots present- ing dense wreaths of double pink blos- soms. (Fig. 42.) It is quite hardy « Fig. 42. — Double White Flowering Al- 7nond. ers or dividing the roots. and is commonly propagated by suck- The larger double almonds are propagated by 156 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER budding on peach, plum or almond stocks ; and if kept trimmed in a compact shape are very ornamental early in spring. There are red, pink, and white varieties. These are not so double as the dwarf, some of the stamens being usually visible. The Kalmias are beautiful flowering evergreen shrubs, growing vari- ously from one to ten feet high. They are often difficult to cultivate in gardens, especially if the ground be rich and in limestone regions. When they have failed to grow in such soils, they have been cultivated with en- tire success by carting a few hundred pounds of the sterile earth from their native locality. H. W. Sargent, of Fishkill, New- York, widely known for his skill in the management of evergreens, says that he has found it less expensive to import plants Fig. 43. — Rhododendron Cataivhiense. from England, raised from seed, than to transplant from their na- tive habitat on the mountains. They always grow best in the shade, as on the north side of a building or board fence. The broad-leaved or Kabnia latifo- lia, grows three or four feet high, but sometimes reaches ten feet. The glaucus and the narrow- leaved {K. glauca and K. angiis- tifolia^) grow from one to three feet high. Rhododendron Catawbi- ENSE. — A shrub with evergreen leaves, bearing large, rich clus- ters of flowers with various shades of red, purple and pink. (Fig. 43.) It is most cheaply obtained by importations from the English nur- serymen, and is supplied by American dealers. It is quite hardy and grows and flowers best in the shade. We have seen this shrub planted or interspersed through a natural growth of trees with excellent efiect. Oak-leaved Hydrangea, [Hydra^igea qnercifoUa.) A native of Florida, but tolerably hardy at the north, where it continues flowering for several weeks during summer. (Fig. 44.) Its large panicled corymbs of white flowers give it a handsome and showy appearance. When full grown it is four or five feet high. It succeeds best in sheltered and rather moist situations. It is propagated by dividing the roots. The Green-house Hydrangea, {Hydrangea Jwrtevsis,) is one of the most magnificent of flowering shrubs, bearing large clusters of rose-colored blossoms. (Fig. 45.) It is easily propagated by cuttings and is managed without difficulty if kept well-watered. In rare instances it has grown to a height of five feet with a diameter of eight or ten feet, and with from five OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 157 hundred to a thousand dusters of flowers in a season. A correspondent of the Horticulturist stated in one of the early volumes, that it might be cultivated in open air about New- York, with a very slight protection — being naturally a swamp plant, if placed by the side of a pond in a shelter of thick evergreens, it would en- dure the winters and bloom superbly. In common garden soil its stem should be thin- ned out, bent down, and covered with sandy soil on the approach of winter. " In this way," the above WTiter adds, " I have known a single plant to attain a circumference of twenty feet, and produce more than a hun- dred bunches of blossoms in a season." Deutzia scabra (or Rough Deutzia,) bears a profusion of white flowers in the early part of summer and is one of the most Fig. \\.— Oak-leaved Hydrangea. Ornamental shrubs. It may be propagated by cuttings or layers. Deutzia gracilis is much smaller and equally orna- mental, and is increased easily by dividing the roots. Indigo Shrub, {Amorpha fruticosa.) A shrub of medium size valued for the rich, purple spikes of its flowers ; it needs pruning or pinching in, to give it a more compact form, and to prevent the straggling growth to which it is liable. Although less showy than 5ome shrubs, it deserves a place in large collec- tions. Burning Bush, {Euouymus.) There are se- ^ veral species of this genus, most of which are remarkable for their brilliant scarlet fruit or berries, which continue through autumn, and give to the plant the name of Burning bush. The flnest species is E. latifolius or broad- leaved burning bush, which sometimes grows ten feet high. Its broad shining leaves, and large red pendulous fruits and showy, orange-colored seeds after the capsules open, render it a fine orna- ment for the lawn. There are two American species, E. atropurpureiis which has dark purple flowers, and E. Aincricanus, the flowers of which are yellow tinged with red, which are also quite ornamental in the same way, and the latter of which is of much smaller growth. FORSYTHIA, {F. viridissima.) The Forsythia has dark green stems and branches as well as leaves. It has somewhat the character of an ever- green, the leaves remaining unchanged into the early part of winter ; but its chief beauty consists in its brilliant yellow flowers, which appear early Fig. 45. — Hydrangea kor- tensis. ^c:^- -^^^ ^^^ ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER in spring before the leaves have expanded, and render it one of the most desirable of early bloomers. It often tends to grow rather loose and ir- regular unless the longer shoots are pinched or pruned in, giving it a more compact and better form. Fig. 46. — IVeigela arnabilis. Weigela, ( IV. rosea.) A shrub allied to the bush honeysuckle, intro- duced within a few years, and one of the finest ornaments of the garden. The blossoms are light-red or pink, and cover nearly the whole plant with a mass of bloom late in spring or early in summer. W. amabilis, (fig. 46,) continues much longer in bloom, but is not so showy as W. rosea. Both are easily propagated by layers. Japan Quince, {Cydonta Japonica.) The scarlet variety is one of the most showy and brilliant of all our hardy shrubs. It seldoms grows more than seven or eight feet high, and requires many years to attain this size ; in England it has been trained on walls as high as fifteen feet. It is some- what irregular and thorny in growth, but may be trained into a handsome symmetrical shape, either in a rounded or ovate mass, by allowing nume- rous stems to spring up from the ground ; or it may be trimmed to a single stem in a half-standard shape, when its pendent branches will give it a rich and striking appearance. It also forms beautiful small hedges or screens. The flowers are brilliant-scarlet and appear in spring before the leaves are fully expanded. They are an inch and a half to two inches in diameter, and cover the whole shrub with a brilliant display. It is readily propagated by layers and suckers, and also under good management by cuttings of the roots. It is usually quite hardy in the northern states, but occasionally the tips of the shoots are injured by severe winters. The white or pink variety is similar to the preceding except in color ; and while less brilliant is remarkable for the soft delicacy of its blush. It may be proper to add that if left to take its own course, the Japan quince will be apt to assume a straggling form without much beauty except when g§c:^= =^3^ OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 159 * in bloom, and care should therefore be taken to prune the exterior into proper shape. Japan Globe Flower, {Kcrria Japonica, formerly called Corchorus.) A shrub of moderate size and rather slender and not branching growth, bearing handsome double yellow flowers during the latter part of spring and early in summer. It is rather tender at the extreme north. Shrubby Hibiscus, {Ilibisais syriaais.) Known also by the name Alt/uva, and Alt/ma frutex. A well known and desirable shrub growing about six feet high in a rather erect form, the numerous branches assuming a somewhat fastigiate form. (Fig. 47.) The flowers appear about mid-summer and continue several weeks, when most other shrubs have done blooming, which adds to the value of this plant. They are of various shades from white to purple. The different varieties are mostly hardy in the northern States, although sometimes the tips of the shoots are win- ter killed ; the double-white is more tender. It does best in a deep, rich, light and not wet soil, and should be placed in an open airy situation where its Fig. j^T.—Hdnscus a ^^^ • t^u • 1 n , syriacus. wood Will npen. The smgle-flowered varieties are raised from seed which come true to their respective colors ; the double sorts are propagated by layers and by grafting on the single ones. They may be propagated also by cuttings under a bell-glass, planted in autumn and remaining during winter. Sweet Scented Shrub, {CalycantJms Jloridus zw^l C. laevigaius.) These are shrubs of moderate size, possessing no special beauty, but generally es- teemed for the high pine-apple or strawberry scent of the flowers, which are a dark purple. They bloom early in summer ; but it is stated that a succession may be obtained through the season by the removal of the ter- minal leaf-bud of a shoot, causing the production of two new ilower-buds to each. They are propagated by layers and the division of the roots. Dwarf Horse-chestnut, {Paria rnacrostachya.) Although this is rather a loose-growing shrub, it is one of the most ornamental in the whole list, if pains are taken to keep it in compact form. It has long loose racemes of white flowers, with long projecting stamens, which give a feathery light- ness to its fine fringed appearance. It blooms about mid-summer, after the flowers on most other shrubs have disappeared, and continues for se- veral weeks, especially if growing in a rich moist soil. It is propagated by layers and suckers. Azalea. — The common native species, [Azalea nudijiora,) which grows wild in swamps in many places, is, when in bloom, one of the handsomest of all our native shrubs. The flowers appear in spring before the expan- sion of the leaves, and are disposed in clustered racemes. They are of va- rious shades from flesh-color to pink and purple. Many varieties and hy- brids have been obtained from this species by cultivation and crossing. i6o ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER The azalea will not grow well in common soil, but requires rich moist peat, and it succeeds best in the shade. When the plants are removed from their native localities, which should be done in spring, the stems should be cut off near the ground, when, if in suitable soil, they will throw up nu- merous shoots and become healthy and vigorous. The most showy varie- ties have been obtained by cultivation. There are several distinct native species, all possessing a considerable degree of beauty. Roses constitute a large and beautiful class of shrubs ; but an extended article would be required alone to do them justice or to give even a par- tial description of the varieties. We can only state in general times that they need more cultivation and pruning than most other shrubs. With the exception of a few of the strongest growers, they must be constantly and well cultivated, keeping the soil deep and mellow, and well manured ; and cutting back early in spring so as to maintain a good supply of young and thrifty wood. In addition to all this care, a large number of the va- rieties require replacing every few years with young plants. Under the neglect which is too often seen, the flowers are small, meager and imper- fect ; but with the attention just described, they are more than doubled in size, becoming rich, full and magnificent. Shrubs of Large Size, sometimes passing to Small Trees. Chinese White Magnolia, {MapioUa conspicua.) (Fig. 48.) When grafted on the Magnolia aawiiuata or American Cucumber tree, the Chinese Magnolia grows to a small tree, (fig. 49) ; when worked on the dwarf species {M. purpurea,) it is reduced to a shrub; on its own roots, it is intermediate between the two, or a large shrub. In either case it is one of the finest of all the spring bloomers. The large size of its rich white flowers, which are about like those of the white lily, and which appear in great profusion on the branches before the leaves have expanded, renders it one of the finest and most striking objects in a shrub- bery in spring. A variety of this spe- cies known as the Soulangeana or Soulange's Purple, was obtained by hybridization with M. purpurea. In the growth and appearance of the tree it closely resembles the Chinese White, but is distinguished in its flowers by their purple exterior. It is also a few days later and is equally hardy. Purple Dwarf Magnolia, [M. purpurea,) is a small shrub, never Fig. 48. -Magnolia conspicua. OF RURAL AFFAIRS. i6i growing but a few feet high. (Fig. 50.) The flowers are quite large, are softly shaded with purple, and present a conspicuous and unique appear- ance in spring, although the shrub itself does not possess a great deal of Fig. 49, — Cfiinese Magnolia Tree. beauty. It is usually propagated by layers or from stools, about two years being required for the young plants to become well rooted. It has in rare instances been obtained from seed. If grafted on our native Magnolia or the Cucumber tree, it would probably become more vigorous and present a fmer appearance. It is not quite so hardy as the others, the tips of the shoots being occasionally injured by severe winters. As these Magnolias bloom early or before the leaves expand, the flowers will present a more conspicuous appearance if planted in front of dark ever- green trees, the foliage of which will contrast finely with the flowers. Barberry — Although not very showy, a desirable, ornamental shrub growing naturally in a handsome, symmetrical form, throwing out numer- ous racemes of rich yellow flowers early in summer, succeeded by bright l62 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER ^ crimson berries which continue through autumn into winter. The purple, leaved variety has dark purple foliage, and is singular as well as beautiful- The barberry is increased by suckers and rapidly by seeds. (Fig. 51.) Philadelphus. — There are two well known species, one of w^hich, the P. co- ronarhis or Mock Orange, without pos- sessing much beauty, is esteemed for the fragrance of its flowers, which appear early in summer. The large-flowered, P. gr audi flor lis, is much more showy, having larger and clear white flowers, which appear two or three weeks later without possessing the fragrance of the other. A common but improper name applied to this genus is Syringa, the generic name of the lilac. The Lilacs. — The common lilac, {Syrifiga vulgaris,) is one of the finest and most ornamental shrubs, but its hardiness and rapid self-propagation by Fig. so-—Pnrple Dwarf Magnolia, suckers have rendered it so common that its merits are hardly appreciated. English and French cultivators have raised many new varieties ; but they are rather variations than im- provements on the common white and purple sorts. The Persian lilac, [S. persica,) is smaller and more graceful in form, and the panicles are longer and looser. There is a white variety, and another with finely cut leaves. The Siberian or Rouen lilac (fig. 52,) is a hybrid between the common and Persian, and is undoubtedly the finest of all, being larger and richer in appear- ance than the Persian, and more graceful in growth, and presenting larger masses of flowers than the common sort. Tartarian Honeysuckle, {Xylosteum tar- tariami.) This is one of the most desirable of Fig. SI.— Barberry. all shrubs, forming handsome compact bushes, with smooth or glossy leaves. When in bloom they are beautiful and showy objects, the red, pink or white flowers being numerously sprinkled among the dark green leaves. There are several varieties, passing in shade from pure white to light pink and red. The variety with striped flowers is one of the finest. Rose Acacia, [Robijiia hispida.) An old and well known large shrub, with racemes of rich deep pink pea-like blossoms, appearing about the OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 163 first of summer. (Fig. 53.) It increases rapidly by suckers, and the plants thus obtained having one-sided roots, tend to throw the stems in Fig. ^2.— Siberian Lilac. Fig 53. — Rose Acacia. an oblique position, which should be guarded against by root pruning and by staking until established. The beauty of this fine shrub depends much on preserving symmetry of form in its outline by timely pinching or pruning. Dogwood, {Conms Jlorida,) is a large shrub becoming a small tree, re- markable for its large white flowers, (so called) which come out in spring about the time that the leaves expand. The flowers themselves are in small inconspicuous bunches, the broad white involucres which surround them and give to this shrub its showy appearance, being usually mistaken for the petals of the flowers. Being rather disposed to grow loose and spread- ing, the dogwood should be pinched into a more compact form, which will render it more suitable for the shrubbery. It is propagated by seeds. The Red-stem Dogwood, (C alba,) grows from four to six feet high, is distinguished by its white wax-like berries in autumn, and its bright crim- son stems in winter. It is the latter which give it its ornamental character and add to the gay appearance of the grounds during the winter season. It is commonly found growing wild in swamps and wet places, and conse- quently flourishes best in deep moist soil. Hawihorn, Crataegus oxyca7ttha.) The English hawthorn has pro- duced many varieties, three of which, the double-white, the double-pink and single red, are ornamental in a high degree, blooming late in spring. They are propagated by budding and grafting on the common hawthorn. It is a large shrub finally becoming a small tree. Buffalo Berry. {Shepherdia argeiitea.) The flowers of this large shrub are not conspicuous and present little beauty ; but the profusion of light red berries which cover the branches in autumn, renders it quite or- 164 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER namental. It is rather irregular and straggling in growth, but if pruned, may be brought into proper shape. It is diaecious, or with stamens and pistils on separate plants, and the two must be planted near together in order to produce crops of the berries. These berries are pleasant to the taste and are valuable for culinary purposes. The plants are easily pro- pagated by seed. The Hop Tree, {Ptelea trifo- liata.) (Fig. 54.) A large shrub of handsome growth, bearing greenish flowers in summer, which have but little beauty but which are followed by a profusion of broad-winged seeds, which give it a curious and pleasing appear- ance. It is a native of this coun- try, is hardy and is easily propa- gated by seeds. SiLVERBELL Tree, {Ilalesia te- Fig. Si,.— Hop Tree. traptera.) This is a handsome delicate shrub, finally becoming a small tree. (Fig. 55,) The flowers are white, drooping and in form quite similar to those of the snow drop. They are produced in great abun- F'g- SS-Siiverbell Tree. dance along the shoots, and give the whole tree a highly ornamen- tal appearance. It is propagated from seed which having a hard or horny covering, should be mixed with moist sand or earth as soon as ripe and not allowed to become dry. They often remain above a year in the ground before germi- nating. H. diptera is regarded as the finest species, but is much rarer and flowers more sparingly when young. Cornelian Cherry, [Conms mascula.) A handsome symme- trical large shrub, which bears a profusion of fine yellow flowers early in spring before the expan- sion of the leaves. Later in the season the shining deep crimson fruit which is of an oblong shape, renders it an object of considera- The name, cornelian cherry, is derived from the beautiful OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 65 color of this fruit, which resembles that of the cornelian. When fully ripe and just before dropping, this fruit is pleasant to many palates. It is readily propagated by seed, which should be divested of the pulp and planted or mixed with damp earth before they become dry. White Fringe Tree, Ckioiumt/iusvirginica.) This is a large shrub not very showy, but much admired for its snow-white flowers, which re- semble fringes cut from tissue paper, and contrast strongly with its broad, dark-green shining leaves. To succeed well, it should receive good culti- vation in a deep moist soil. It blooms early in summer. It may be pro- pagated slowly by layers but more readily from seeds. Sloe, {Primus spinosa.) This is the English wild plum or Sloe, also called Blackthorn from the color of its bark. It forms a large shrub and when trained to a single stem ultimately becomes a small tree. The dou- ble-white variety is the only one worthy of cultivation for ornament — its numerous double snow-white flowers giving it an exceedingly pretty ap- pearance in spring. Being rather coarse and stiff in growth and liable to sucker, it should not be introduced into small shrubberies. Snowball, {Viburnum optdus.) A very common and well known large shrub, bearing large balls or rounded masses of white flowers, pre- senting a showy and brilliant appearance early in summer. It is often al- lowed to grow in a straggling form, but is greatly improved by training to a single short stem at the bottom, or in the form of a small tree ; or else by pruning into a rounded mass, resting on the surface of the ground. It is propagated with great ease by layering the young shoots in spring, from which a profusion of roots will be thrown out by autumn, when the newly rooted plants are separated by means of the knife, and set out so as to as- sume a regular shape and upright position. It is a native of Europe and Asia, and is cultivated everywhere The snow-ball is often known by the improper name of guelder rose. There are three American species worthy' of introduction into large collections. Vibiinium lantatioides, has large showy leaves and handsome clusters of white flowers. V. prunifoLium has smaller glossy leaves and less showy flowers, but the whole plant if well trained has a neat ornamental appearance. V. oxycoccus, or bush cranberry, is desirable for its clusters of crimson berries, continuing through autumn and winter. It should have a rich and rather mucky soil, and the shrub made to assume a dense compact form, with a single stem below, giving it great superiority in appearance over the meager and strag- gling bushes growing wild in swamps. Purple Fringe, (Rhus cotinus.) This handsome and curious shrub is known by a number of names, such as smoke bush, fuzz tree, Venetian sumach, &c. The purple fringes or airy plumes which give to this shrub its name, are composed of the slender hairy pedicles which remain and in- crease in length after flowering, at first of a greenish color, but afterwards ^ becoming brownish-purple, and remaining from the latter part of summer into autumn. The shrub is often allowed to grow into an irregular form, i66 -«=^^ ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER which may be easily prevented by pinching in when young, or pruning af- terwards. It is easily propagated by layers. Laburnum or Golden Chain, {Cytistt* Laburnum.) A large graceful shrub bearing long pendent racemes of golden-yellow flowers. It is some- what tender at the extreme north. The Alpine or Scotch laburnum, (C. /-^^-^^^ >»^^ .^ a/^/««j,) (fig. 56,) is larger and ^4^'X''\ \/>^3>^^''2y^^^J' stronger in growth and rather har- dier. The laburnums are propagat- ed easily from seed. Judas Tree or Red-bud, {Cercis Fig. 56. — Scotch Laburnum. Fig. 57. — Judas Tree or Red-bud. canadensis.) (Fig. 57.) A small tree which can hardly be called a shrub, but which if pinched or pruned back as it should be to give it denseness of form and beauty of appearance, will be rendered very suitable for occupy- ing the exterior portions of large shrubberies. Its beautiful purplish-pink blossoms appear in great profusion early in spring before the leaves, and render it one of the finest ornaments of early spring. It is easily propa- gated from seed. Service-berry or Shad-bush, {AmelaricMor botryapium.) A small tree frequently growing wild, and presenting a very ornamental appear- ance in spring, from its masses of white flowers which appear quite early or before the leaves expand — usually a few days before those of the apple and peach. It is well worthy a place in large shrubberies. Climbing Shrubs or Creepers. Virginia Creeper, {Ampelopsis quinquefoUa,) called also Five-finger and American Ivy. The hardiness, rapidity of growth and richness of foliage of this plant, render it one of the most desirable among climbers. It grows wild throughout the country, and covers rocky cliffs and the trunks of large trees, often ascending to the height of sixty or seventy feet. Each leaf is composed of five leaflets, giving it a digitate or birds-foot form ; whence the name five-finger. The form of the leaf serves to distin- ' guish it at once from the Rhus radicans or Poison sumach with which \\ k ^c^ OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 167 it is sometimes confounded by careless observers, as both plants often cover the trees in a similar manner. The Virginia creeper is not poi- sonous, being nearly allied to the grape and included under the same generic head by the older botanists. The leaves turn to a rich crim- son in autumn. The tendrils fix themselves to the objects which support the stem by dilated sucker-like discs at their tips. Like the grape it is easily increased by layers and cuttings. On account of its hardiness it be- comes an excellent substitute for the ivy, which is too tender to endure the winters in the more northern states. Pipe-Vine or Dutchman's Pipe, {Aristolochia j/M^and A. to?nentosa.) these two species much resemble each other, and form handsome, delicate climbing shrubs with broad, nearly round leaves. They are remarkable for the singular form of their flowers, which are tubular, crooked, and somewhat resemble a smoking pipe. They are propagated by layers. Trumpet Creeper, {Tecoma radicans — Bignonia of older botanists.) This is a strong-growing climber, well known to ornamental planters in the northern states. (Fig. 58.} It is a native in Pennsylvania and further south. Its running stems are furnished with small rootlets by which it readily attaches itself to the bark of trees and brick walls. The flowers are trumpet- shaped, about three inches long and of a deep rich brownish crim- son. It is quite hardy in the northern states, unless it be in the most severe winters ; and is well adapted to covering walls and the sides of buildings, its dark-green foliage contrasting finely with the large rich-colored flowers. Fig. s^— Trumpet Creeper. LaRGE-FlOWERED TeCOMA, {T. grattdiflora.) (Fig. 59.) This is one of the most showy and magnifi- cent of allour climbers, and like the common trumpet creeper, it has the habit of attaching itself to walls. While it is not quite so strong a grower and is less luxuriant in foliage, the flowers far exceed the former in brilliancy and splendor ; they are usually about three inches in diameter, and a large number are often seen fully expanded on the same raceme. We have fre- quently seen these clusters a foot in length. An additional value is its lateness in flowering, commencing about midsummer and frequently con- , tinuing several weeks. The color is a rich-orange or orange-scarlet, 1^ marked inside with brighter streaks. It has but one drawback — it is not ^j^ perfectly hardy in the more northern states. We have generally found it ( j ^c:^= : '■ ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER advisable to detach it from its support on the approach of winter, and lay it on the ground where it may receive a light covering of leaves or ever- green boughs ; or in places where much snow falls no covering will be necessary. Where the winters are not quite so severe, a covering of evergreens without lay- ing down may be suflicient. We have known the plants to grow and flower without any protection, as far north as 43° of latitude, but they were lessened in luxuriance and beauty by the cold. The figures of both these species represent them about one-fourth the na- tural diameter. They are veiy easily propagated by layers. Periploca. — A very Fig. s^— Large Flowered Tecoma. hardy climber of Strong growth, desirable for its dark rich foliage, rather than for its flowers, which are brown or purple. It is easily propagated by layers, and will rapidly cover any surface on which it is trained, or form festoons on supports or trees. The Cltmblng Honeysuckles are among the finest ornaments of this class. The Scarlet Trumpet Honeysuckle, {Lonicera scmpervireiis,) is per- haps the most showy of all — its scarlet tubular flowers contrasting finely with its dark-green shining leaves, and continuing in bloom throughout the summer into autumn. When grown with the Yellow Trumpet Honey- suckle, [L. JJiwa,) which much resembles it, except in its yellow flowers and lighter foliage, the two form a beautiful intermixture of colors. The Woodbine (Z. periclywenui)i^) has pale-yellow flowers, which appear early in summer ; remarkable for their fragrance. There are several varieties, one of which blooms all summer and another blossoms early in spring. Bittersweet, {Celastrus scandens,) is a well known native climber, valued chiefly as a winter ornament — the orange-colored seed vessels burst- ing open and displaying brilliant crimson seeds. The flowers are white in panicled clusters and not remarkable for their show. The Prairie Roses are unexcelled by any other climber in the magni- ficence of their display when in bloom. There are many varieties, among the more commonly known of which, the Queen of the Prairies and Bal- timore Belle, stand preeminent. When growing together and covering pil- ■=^=@ OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 169 lars or other supports, the intermixture of white and red flowers forms a most brilliant display. The varieties known as Superba, Pallida and Per- petual Pink, as well as several others, are beautiful ornaments. The Ayr- shire roses are luxuriant growers and great ramblers, but are not always perfectly hard)'. Some of the Boursalts should not be omitted, for although not strictly climbers, they are vigorous growers, and may be trained to a considerable height on proper supports. Like the Prairie roses they form handsome pillars. The common purple Boursalt, which is so strong a grower and so hardy under all circumstances as to have become very widely known, is one of the finest of the whole class. We have counted more than two thousand blossoms on a single bush at a time. Chinese Wistaria,* {Wistaria chinensis.) (Fig. 60.) Loudon says that this plant may be truly con- sidered the most magnificent of all our hardy deciduous climbers. It is a native of China, and is sufficiently hardy to endure win- ters except in the extreme north. As far south as New- York city it flourishes finely. Its flowers, which are light purple, are borne on long drooping racemes, hun- dreds of which often grow on a single plant. It blooms during the first days of summer ; but a second crop of blossoms may be freely obtained a month or two later, by taking off the leaves im- mediately after the first blooming and cutting back the shoots with- in a few inches of the old stem. New shoots are thrown out which produce the second bloom- ing. The process may be again repeated and a third crop obtain- Fig. 60.— Chinese Wistaria. ed early in autumn. This pro- cess is successfully performed only on well established plants ; and if often repeated would probably injure their vigor. The Wistaria is easily pro- pagated by layers or cuttings of the root. The American Wistaria (fig. 6r,) is less showy than the Chinese, and is distinguished from it by the darker purple of the flowers, and by the horizontal instead of drooping position of the racemes. It also flowers a month or two later. A new variety called the Magnifica, has been pro- * Named from Dr. Wistar, but often misspelled Wisteria. lyo ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER Fig. 6i. — Large American Wistaria, duced in Fiance, which flowers more profusely, and which is represented in the above engraving at one-half the natural diameter. Evergreen Shrubs. Most of the desirable evergreens cultivated in this country are trees and not shrubs. Many of them, however, may be easily kept in a small or compact shape by pinching or pruning back, not shearing. Among the evergreens that are strictly shrubs, one of the finest is the tree box, which, although growing quite slowly, or only a few inches annually, will ulti- mately attain a height of lo or 12 feet. The trunk grows to a diameter of six or eight inches, and the wood is commonly used for wood engraving. It is mostly brought for this purpose from the east, and sells from twenty- five to seventy dollars a ton. The tree box has been much used for shear- ing into stiff and fantastic shapes. When allowed to assume its natural growth, it has less formality than most evergreens, and may be made into beautiful screens. The common box edging is a small variety of the same species. Both are propagated by cuttings and layers. Dwarf Pine, {Pimis piunilio or P. ?no?itana.) A European species, perfectly hardy in this country, and although growing with much vigor when young, never attains a height of more than ten or twelve feet, although spreading and forming a broad rounded mass of dense deep-green foliage. The Common Juniper, (y. communis,) grows four or five feet high, and if properly shaped when young, may be made to form a free handsome evergreen shrub. The Savin, (y. sahitta,) as commonly seen is four or five feet high, with a straggling or spreading growth, but by training will grow higher and assume a better shape. The Kalmias and Rhododendrons are strictly evergreen shrubs ; but as ■ ^=>^ OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 171 they are cultivated for their brilliant display of flowers and not for their foliage, they have been placed under the head of other flowering shrubs. CONTRIVANCES IN RURAL ECONOMY. Bag-Holders. FARMERS WHO HANDLE much grain and who cart off many hundred bushels annually, would hnd it a matter both of convenience and economy, to provide a simple stand to hold each bag while it is filled with the scoop shovel — instead of the more frequent practice of taking the time of a man or boy to do this work. These bag-holders are made in various ways. One mode is to drive a few sharp nails into the top of a light barrel open at both ends ; hitch the top of the bag on these nails while it hangs within the barrel resting on the floor with its mouth open ready for filling. When filled, it is tied and the barrel lifted off. A better way is to provide a board about a foot wide and eighteen inches j j- long, (fig. 62,) which serves as a base, and on which Fig. 62. — Bag-holder of Fig. 63. — Forked-stick Fi forked Boards. Bag-holder. the bag stands. Uprights or standards with sharp points at the top hold the bag open until it is filled. These uprights are variously constructed, One mode is to take a piece of two inch plank for the bottom, and bore two holes or one at each corner on the same side, and insert upright or forked sticks firmly into these holes as shown in fig. 63. Another mode is to nail thin boards on the opposite sides of the plank base, sawing a fork in the top of each, so as to form sharp points for holding the mouth of the bag. If these boards are so nailed on to the base that they shall spread a little towards the top, and being thin enough to have some spring 1 172 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER to them, they may be slightly bent inward when the bag is attached, and springing out again will hold it the more firmly. One of the best, firmest and most convenient supports, admitting the ready removal of the filled bag, is represented in fig. 64. It has a board bottom, on two corners of v.hich, upright boards are nailed as shown in the cut, connected and braced by a horizontal board at the top. Through this board are driven nails, projecting upwards and to which the bag is attached. This support is light and the uprights being braced, are not easily broken off. By first measuring the height of a full bag, the right dimensions may be obtained. (The cut is defective in not showing the top board cut away enough to let in the bag sufficiently.) Snow-Plow. The deep snow throughout the country the past winter, made a great deal of hard labor in shoveling by hand. A simple snow-plow may be made by any farmer in an hour or two, and will open paths by means of a single horse, with ease and rapidity. The height of a plow may vary with the depth of the snow, which being very uncertain, it should be suf- ficient. A foot will answer for nearly all cases. Take two pieces of plank or thick board a foot wide and about five feet long, more or less, dress off one end of each in a wedge form on one side, so that when these two dressed faces are placed together, the two ^'S^^ '^""'^''^5^^^^^ pieces will diverge like a letter > (fig.' 65.) A vvidth of three feet behind will be usually sufficient, and a board may be placed within, extending across so as to form a brace by nailing. Sometimes a Fig. Gs.—Snoiv-Plow. joint is made at the forward end and cross pieces of different lengths keyed in to make the plow wider or narrower as may be desired. A hook is attached to the forward end for the whiflle- tree, and a box seat placed on the top for the driver. By increasing or di- minishing the distance between the hook and whiflletree, the forward end will run high or low as the nature of the snow may require. The driver has only to keep the horse in the right place, slightly guliding the plow by throwing his weight left or right. This plow may be used around the house, to front gate, to barns and other out buildings; along village streets and elsewhere. A finishing touch may be given to these paths by hand when desirable. Fastenings for Ox-Bows. Every one who has yoked a pair of oxen has experienced the difficulty of holding up one end of a heavy yoke while inserting the bow and key- ing it in. The labor is much lessened by attaching a spring snap or catch to the bow, so that when simply thrust through the hole in the yoke, (fig. 66,) it fastens itself without any other attention. This is effected by inserting a large unannealed wire, so that it shall act on each side in a manner similar to the catch of an umbrella. A small iron plate with a OF RURAL AFFAIRS. hole in it as large as the bow, should be secured to the top of the yoke for these springs to rest upon. Another mode of fastening the bow without employing a spring, is shown in fig. 67. A common butt or small door hinge is used for this purpose and is screwed on to the top of the yoke, so that its mova- ble part may cover about one- fourth or one-fifth of the hole. A notch is cut into the bow to correspond with this projecting edge of the hinge. On inserting the bow, this half of the hinge ^ , , is thrust upwards, but drops Fig. 66. — Catch *^ . ' ^. for Ox-Bow. and secures it as soon as it reaches the notch. Fig. dj.— Latch/or Ox-Bow. Fig. (3%.— Spring for Shutting Gate.. Fig. bg.— The Same, enlarged. where a represents a spring which is screwed on to the gate in a horizon- tal position as is shown in fig. 68, having a small wheel at its outer end, in which the bent lever b, moves in opening and shutting. In the outer end of this lever a small chain is hooked, connecting with the gate. When opened, the spring is bent as shown by the dotted line. In constructing ^ this contrivance, the great point is to form the curve in the lever, in such Q a manner that there shall be a continued and uniform pressure upon the g^c:^^ — Self-Shutting Gate. Various contrivances have been resorted to, for causing gates to shut of their own accord. When they are large and heavy, this may be accom- plished by hanging them, according to the mode described on page 278 of the second volume of Rural Affairs. In windy places, it is some- times necessary to give additional force by means of a weight suspended to a cord, which runs over a wheel or pulley. For small or light gates we have never found anything equal to the spring represented in the accom- panying figure. (Fig. 68.) One, which has been in use over ten years, appears to be as good as on the day it was put on. The different parts are shown more distinctly in fig. 69, .174 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER spring, at whatever distance the gate is opened. The form represented will nearly accomplish this purpose, its length being about equal to the distance between the post and small wheel on the end of the spring. This contri- vance was patented many years ago and retailed at $1.50, the spring and lever being simply made of steel rod. The patent has probably long since expired. Iron Gate Latch. Fig. 70. — Iron Gate Latch. A correspondent in Talbot count}^ Md., sends the follow- ing description of an iron gate latch, (fig. 70,) which he has found cannot be opened by mischievous mules or horses. The straight portion is made by bending a rod double and welding the ends to a sharp point, which is driven into the gate post D. The latch C, is of iron and plays in the space between the sides of this straight piece. The cross-pin at B. prevents the latch from flying entirely out, when the gate is shut forcibly. The gate is held shut by the pressure of the latch against cross-bar A, which may be a projec- tion of the horizontal part of the gate, or a bar of oak, nailed or screwed to the stile. Weeding Hoe. A correspondent of the Country Gentleman, gives the following description of an efficient implement for cleaning crops of carrots, onions, &c. (Fig. 71.) Take about eighteen inches of pretty good old scythe, cut the back off, and five inches from each end, bend the blade up to a little more than a right-angle. Punch a couple of holes in each end and nail in a narrow head, six inches long. Put an old rake-stale in for a handle. The blade should stand about two inches outside of a right-angle from the handle. To use it — reach out about three feet and draw it towards you, letting it run about an inch deep. It will cut Fig. -jx.— Weeding Hoe. every thing clean and run close to the row. There is nothing like it for killing small weeds, and it will accomplish more than double the work of an ordinary hoe. If you have an old scythe, a ^e^— -=^=>S» OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 175 chisel and a punch, you can make one in an hour, and next summer when your onions, &c., get weedy you will not be sorry. Withdrawing a Cork. The common operation of extracting by means of a corkscrew, the cork which has been firmly driven into the mouth of a bottle, is well known. Not unfrequently, however, they are driven entirely within the bottle, from which they are sometimes withdrawn by throwing the loop of a cord or thread around them. This, however, requires a good deal of dexterity as well as patience, and is not always successful. „. „..,, , . ^ , , A much easier and better way, is to take t-ig. 72. — 11- ithdrawtng- Cork from . . ■' Bottle by doubled Wire. a piece of quite small annealed wire, which should not be larger than the thirtieth of an inch in diameter — smaller would be better — make a loop just wide enough to hold the cork, and thrust this into the bottle and over the cork, which is then easily drawn out. (Fig. 72.) The spring of the wire will be sufficient to allow it to enter the mouth and yet take in the cork. Fastening Open Barn-Doors. Good barns are always supplied with fastenings to hold the doors while shut ; but very few owners ever think of securing them while open, and as a consequence, strong winds often blow them about, slamming them against the walls or other obstructions, injuring or splitting them, and sometimes breaking them down from their hinges. Different modes are adopted for securing them while open. Doors which are merely fastened by a hook and staple, are easily fastened open by inserting another staple at the place where the edge of the door strikes, to receive the hook and hold it fast. Another mode, (described in the American Agriculturist,) is to prop the door open by means of a stick pro- vided for the purpose an inch or more in diameter and three or four feet long, (fig. 73,) which is fastened to the outer edge of the door by an eye and staple, the other end resting horizontally in a hook when not in use. This end has a sharp iron point, to pre- vent it from slipping on the ground or ice. When the door % 'm 11— Propping Bar 71 Door. open°' " ,'~" .,""". , 1 f^'g- 74- — Fastening is opened the stick is placed pen Bam Door. in the position of a prop by a single movement of the hand ; and when k 176 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER again shut, it is lifted and laid in the hook. A third mode, which may be adopted Avhere a common latch is used on the door, is to place a second catch at the outer edge of the door, which may receive and hold the latch while the door is open. This is better or easier to manage than either of the others, the latch being self-fastening in both positions. Simple Farm Gate. A correspondent of the Country Gentleman, sends a description of a simple farm gate which we have represented in figs. 75 and 76. It has no hinges, but operates like a :22£ JJL np^ IE Fig- 75- set of bars, with the excep- tion that the bars are all fas- tened together as in one piece, made light enough to handle readily and to be re- moved at a single opera- Fig. 76. tion. Such a gate never gets open by swinging, nor out of order by sag- ging. Each end of the fence at the opening is finished as in fig. 75, the extra post being placed at one side from the other at a distance of a little more than the thickness of the boards — each end being on opposite sides of the post. The short cross-pieces hold up the ends of the gate. The gate is first placed where it is wanted and these cross-pieces are then nailed under the projecting ends o the boards. To open the gate, push it back a little and swing it around as far as at right-angles, if desired, or remove it alto- gether. Bin eor Coal. House cellars, which have smooth floors of hydraulic cement, as all such cellars should have, are often disfigured by the loose coal, which is thrown in a heap upon them, and often scattered about loosely, in a general way. Neat housekeepers use large boxes or bins for the coal, (fig. 77,) which is shoveled out with considerable in- convenience, at the top. A better way is to place the coal in a large box or bin, having an opening at the bottoni, ten inches or a foot wide and several inches high, varying Fig. 77.— Coal Bin. with the size of the coal, which at this place rests upon the floor. It is thus easily shoveled up into the scuttle, or into the hot-air furnace in the same apartment. As fast as the coal is thus removed a fresh supply falls down from above until the bin is M\ exhausted. I -=^3^ OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 177 » Fig, 78. — Coal Shovel. t Shovel for Coal. A good shovel for filling coal scuttles or fur- naces, (fig. 78,) is made by taking a common iron or steel scoop shovel to a blacksmith, who will bend up the sides at right-angles to the bot- tom, of such a width as will be suitable for filling the scuttle or passing the furnace door. Door-Fastening. Travellers who stop at third-rate hotels often find their lodging rooms destitute of locks. The following simple fastening may be carried in their travelling bags, and will secure them from intrusion during the night. Take a piece of large wire about four or five inches long, bend it in a loop like the letter U, but narrower, then heat- ing the points red-hot, bend them at right-angles, and flatten the points like sharp wedges — the whole being simi- alar to the form represented in fig. 79. In fastening the door, place the sharpened points of this loop against the door-post or frame, and then by slam- ming the door slightly against it, the points will be Fig. 79. driven in and hold it fast. It should be so placed ■"■S^^f" that the loop may project about half an inch into the ^. ^^'f- , , , . c • , , Fig. 80. — Door- e7iins. room ; then take a short piece of iron and thrust Fastening. it through the loop as shown in fig. 80. This iron will extend across both door-frame and door, and prevent the latter from being opened while it remains in the loop. There is usually space enough between any door and the door-post for the wire loop. A small bar of strong wood will an- swer as well as iron, if the loop is large enough. Instead of wire, a piece of thick sheet iron, or still better, a thin plate of steel, may be bent as shown in fig. 79, with a hole through the end for receiving the bolt — which may be a large nail, if nothing else is at hand. Sharp Feet for Ladders. Ladders are nearly always made with blunt, round- ed, or square ends ; and as a consequence, when placed upon a smooth surface, especially if frozen or icy; there is danger of their slipping or falling. The lower ends should always be sharp or wedge form, (fig. 81.) If much used, they should be shod with iron — the simplest mode of doing which, is to take an iron strap, bend it, by heating in the fire or forge, to a sharp angle in the middle, so as to fit the wedge form of the feet, and then nail it on through holes punched for the purpose. Fig. %\.— Sharp Feet Ladder. ^c^ g^c^=- 178 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER Thistle Digger. X. A. Willard describes in the Country Gentleman, a useful imple- ment much used in England, for extirpating thistles and similar weeds from grass lands. It is easily made, cheap and last- ing. A. (fig. 82.) is the handle ; B. the claws, between which the thistle is received ; the curv- ed iron C, is the fulcrum by means of which a purchase is obtained for extracting the root. D. is an iron rod or bar, upon which the foot is placed to thrust the claws into the ground. In case the root of the thistle breaks, while en- deavoring to extract it, the implement is invert- ed and the curved blade E, which has a chisel- like end, is thrust into the ground in order to cut off" the root some inches from the surface, and thus prevent it from vegetating. When the ground is a little moist or loose, this imple- ment, in the hands of an active man, will take out a large number of plants. It makes sure work, and when the land is not overrun with the weed, it is the cheapest way to get rid of it. Fig. %2.— Thistle Digger. Boys like the sport of prying up the plants, and the implement should be made light and handy, so as to give them a play at '* the thistle business," whenever they feel inclined. A Horse Cleaner. In muddy weather, the legs and bodies of horses frequently become covered and encrusted with the hardened mud, which, for the comfort of the animal as well as decent appearance, should be scraped off and the hair brushed clean, dry and smooth, A currycomb is too harsh a tool for scraping off the mud, especially around the angular parts of the legs. A much better thing is a very cheap and simple scraper, made for the purpose, either of wood or sheet iron, and which has been in use many years. Fig. 83 represents a wood '^Horsl-deatur. en one, which niay be made of a thin piece o hard board or the stave of a barrel. One end is rounded so as to be held comfortably in the hand, and the other sloped to an edge. Fig. 84 is a sheet-iron scraper,- which is quickly made by any tinker. It is similar in form to the other, but a portion is rolled up at one end to form a handle. In addition to scraping off mud, this sheet-iron blade is useful in hot weather for removing perspiration from the horse's back and sides. (J ■ — — :«3@! Fig. 84.- Sheet-iron Horse-clean- Ai 0 OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 179 Horses Drawing on the Halter. Various contrivances have been made to prevent horses from pulling at the post; some of which by producing pain and subsequent soreness on the top of the head, effect permanent in- jury to the animal. A better way is to use the following contrivance, (fig. 85,) which by pinching the jaw and pressing the mouth closely to- gether, is very apt to cause the animal instantly to desist. Instead of con- necting the two side rings of a com- mon halter, by a third strap to which the long strap is fastened, let these side rings be connected by a strong flexible cord, as shown in the ac- companying figure, and fasten the hitching strap to the outer part. Whenever the horse pulls at his hal- ter, the inner part of the cord is Fig. %s— Halter for PuUmg-hones. drawn forcibly against his jaw, and the powerful tourniquet movement is rather more severe than the animal is willing, voluntarily, to endure. A strap is sometimes used instead of a cord, but it is less decisive and efficient. Propping Stacks. A well and evenly built stack of hay, straw or cornstalks, will keep its place and stand perfectly erect. But bunglers often build stacks which settle to one side — a result which is al- most sure to occur if the load is always driven on the same side in building ; or if the builder is not careful to place regular tiers of forkfulls, while he ascends, like the tiers of brick in building an edifice. Stacks made in this way in a short time begin to nod, and make obeisance in some particu- to thrust rails, in the form of props, against the lower side, to prevent further settling or upsetting. The points of these punch into the stack and very little good is done. A better way, well-known to some of our readers, is first to place a plank, slab or broad rail, against the side of the stack, against which the prop may be set, (fig. 86.) A slight notch may be cut, to prevent sliding. One prop thus in- serted, is worth half a dozen placed in the common way. Fip. "^b.— Propping Badly-built Stack. lar direction ; and the next step is ©c:^^=— =^=:^^ fl8o ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER Wood Carrier. A correspondent sends us a description of a frame or barrow for con- veying wood by hand from the wood-house to the fire. It obviates the necessity of piling the sticks on the arm, one by one, and then carrying them into the house, the wood being placed at once upon the frame where it is not lifted until the frame is filled, (fig. 87.) When wood has been dusted or covered with snow, it is easily knocked off by striking two sticks together be- Fig. Sj.— lVood Carrier, fore placing upon the frame. It is made in a manner quite similar to the common saw-buck, the sides being not quite so wide apart and longer above the round that holds them together. It consists of four strips of hard wood, one inch thick, four inches wide, and four feet long — crossed eighteen inches from the lovver ends, nailed and clenched with wrought nails. An auger-hole, an inch and a fourth in diameter, is bored through at the crossings and a round connecting rod, fifteen inches long, inserted. Drawing out Old Posts. When an old fence or gate-way is to be removed, it is often quite a task to draw the old posts from the ground. The common way is to dig away the earth for a foot or two downward, and then pass a chain around the post and around a stout rail or a large lever, which is used for drawing out the post. In some instances the insertion of the point of a crowbar into the side of a post is sufficient for lift- ing it. Both these modes are slow ; a more easy and rapid one, using ox Fig. %Z.— Drawing Posts. power instead of human strength, which has loHg been in use in some places, is to attach a sufficient amount of chain to the oxen at one end and to the post at the other, place a stout prop between with its top inclining towards the post, and then let the ani- mals draw — (fig. 88.) Sagging Doors. When a new house is built, the doors commonly work well for a time, or in the words of the owner, " they shut beautifully." As time elapses, one of them begins to strike the sill at the outer corner; another "gets stuck " against the lintel ; a third strikes the side piece, and a fourth can- not be shut at all. The various slammings, pullings, jerkings, and vain or difficult efforts to open or shut the door, twist, crack or injure it, derang- ing the knob or lock, and rattle down the adjacent plastering. The car- penter is called in, and by sawing or planing off the painted edge, suc- ceeds in effecting a remedy for the present time. In nearly all such in- stances, either the building has settled out of shape, or the hinges have ©c^=> =^3^ OF RURAL AFFAIRS. l8l become worn or loosened. When the latter is the case, some times a slight replacement or even screwing up of the hinge will answer the pur- pose. If the iron on which the hinge turns has been worn small, a remedy may be applied in the form of a small washer, which may be a tube of tin or thin sheet-iron slipped over it. If the building has settled, (and a very slight settling will derange all the doors,) the use of a jack-screw with thin hard wood wedges, may be made to remove all the difficulty. When a door sticks against the base or lintel, the difficulty of opening and shutting may be removed temporarily, by pressing firmly on the door knob in the direction from the adhering part. For instance if the door sticks at the top, press downwards — if at the bottom, lift upwards, — and it may be readily opened or as readily shut. Corn-Markers. The Prairie Farmer describes a corn-marker which appears to have much to recommend it, to the description of which we add the accompa- nying cut. (Fig. 89.) It is made by putting a short axle in the forward wheels of a wagon, and a long one in the hind ones ; couple them together by a six feet stick pinned on to the center of each axle, with two braces pin- ned on the hind axle, and running to "'="™="-" the center of the coupling ; the wag- on tongue can be put on the front axle by two small iron Fig.°89 —Corn-Marker. bolts put through the ends of the hounds and axle ; the axles can be made of poles. Put the front wheels four feet apart, and the others twelve feet, though the length of the axle can be made to suit. Sixty acres in a day can be marked with it. It runs light, and makes a good mark, and one that will show after a rain as good as a sled mark. *S^ f- r^ • — L Hand Glass. — A cheap hand glass is made by taking strips of board three inches wide, run the match plane, that makes the groove, near one edge, saw to such lengths as when nailed together in the form of a paralle- logram, it will just admit a pane of glass to slide in the grooves. One end should be lowered to admit the glass to slide over it. When not in use the glass can be taken out and put away. By their use the plants may be easily ventilated by sliding the glass, more or less, according to the tem- perature. The glass should be at least 8 by 10 inches ; larger would be better. — Rural N. Yorker. 6^c:^— 182 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER IRON FURNITURE FOR FARMS. THE IMPROVEMENT which has been made in various kinds of farm fixtures and furniture of late years, is one of the distinct marks of modern progress. A cast-iron pig-trough, or iron manger, for example, will outlast a dozen made of wood, never need repairs, and are not liable to be gnawed and spoiled by animals. On this account they may be regarded as the most economical. Cast-iron cistern and well pumps work more easily and satisfactorily than the old heavy wooden ones, and are made and sold at low prices. There are several extensive manufactories of this iron furniture in different parts of the country — among which Cowing & Co., and Downs & Co., of Seneca Falls, N. Y., and J. D. West & Co., New- York city, are conspicuous. Cowing & Co. have kindly furnished us with the several cuts for this article. As frequent inquiries are made, we shall doubtless render an acceptable service to our readers, by making them better acquainted with some of these iron articles, and inducing them to procure those superior to what they may have in some instances before possessed. Pumps. — These are made of various forms, and for a large number of different purposes. Fig. 90 is an iron cistern-pump, showing the mode of bolting it to the floor or platform, and representing also their neat and compact form, occupying but little space at one side or in the corner of a kitchen over the cistern. Fig. 91 exhibits a new pump, of ®c^- OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 183 much simplicity and convenience, as we have proved by a full trial. The base is strongly braced, and yet is so short under the spout, that the water is delivered in the center of the pail, and dripping or slopping over the edge of the pail entirely prevented.. The ease and rapidity with which it lifts and throws water, we have never found excelled. It is furnished with a contrivance for letting off the water from the tube at pleasure, to pre- vent freezing. rig. 92. Fig- 94- Although all the working parts of these pumps are made of iron, yet experience has proved that the cheapest, best and most satis- factory material for the tube, is wood. The Tulip tree or "White-wood," is found well adapted to this purpose, and is used by Cow- ing & Co. When on a visit at their establish- ment, we found a lathe in operation of their Fig. 95. own invention, which rendered three inch square scantling round and smooth, at the rate of eight feet in length per minute, the only attendance required being to lay the wood on the machine, and remove it when finished. It was then placed on another machine which bored these round sticks with accuracy and finish, at the rate of nine feet per minute — the chips fiy- ing out of the end, like chaff from the fanning mill. These wooden tubes are connected bv means of iron couplings, which are shown in figs. 92 and '- r> =^:2^ =^o^ 184 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER 93. Fig. 94 shows a cast-iron fool valve, with strainer. Fig. 95 repre- sents a cistern or well pump, so constructed that the working parts are about 20 inches below the platform or base of the pump, and are therefore well adapted for out-door work. If the well or cistern is kept covered tight, the pump will not freeze below the platform. They will succeed in any well not over twenty feet deep, and by means of their various coup- lings may be made to draw water in a horizontal or inclined position, pro- vided the whole height is not much over twenty feet. Another form, is the engine well pump, adapted to deep wells and is made by combining the principles of atmospheric pressure, or suction, with the force pump, and having an air-chamber connected, will throw a constant stream. It is adapted to not only the ordinary uses of a well pump, but also to the washing of windows, buildings and vehicles, and the extinguishing of fires. With three feet of hose and a discharge-pipe, wa- ter can be easily thrown over a two-story building, or with sufficient hose, carried over the entire premises. Fig. 96 represents the new mode of making wells by simply driving into the earth common iron gas-pipe, pointed at the lower end, and perforated at the sides near the lower ex- tremity for the ingress of water — thus obviat- ing entirely the cost and labor of digging wells. If driven through a subterranean spring, stratum of water, or a wet layer of sand or gravel, it is obvious that the water will immediately flow through the perforations into the pipe ; and by attaching a good pump to the pipe, and pumping for a time, all the particles of sand and fine gravel will be drawn out, and the cavity thus formed around the perforations will remain filled with pure wa- ter. These tubes and pumps are admirably adapted to localities where large beds of wet gravel exist fifteen or twenty-five feet below ; and in fact to all soils where large stones are not abundant. Where these occur, the pipe must be withdrawn and tried in a new place, imtil success is attained. An excellent deep well pump is represent- ed by fig. 97 — the working part being placed at the bottom of the well, is adapted to any depth of water, the rod working safely within the cylinder. The lower part of the cylinder jJa is furnished with a strainer which is plugged at the bottom to prevent the TV Fig. 96. ©c^- OF RURAL AFFAIRS. ingress of sand and mud. The connecting pipe between the cylinder at the bottom and the standard at the top, is wrought or galvanized iron. The pump of course needs bracing to pre- vent swinging when worked. Other Iron Articles. — A clothes-line reel is shown in fig, 98, the arms being made of wood and inserted after the cast-iron or central part has reached its destina- tion. The tight square cap, immediately below the reel, fits upon the top of a post set out of doors, conveniently accessible to the wash-room. Fig. 99. Fig. 97. _ M, Fig. 99 is a slop-sink which needs very little explanation. It will hold ^J i86 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER I Fig. loo. Fig. loi. a common sized tub of water, and is furnished with a strainer and cess- pool, forming a safety-valve to the drain when set upon it. Figs. loo and lor represent the bell-traps alluded to, which prevent the entrance of impure gases or nausious affluvia into dwellings from sewers or drains. Fig. loi is a section showing the structure of different parts. The invert- ed bell A. comes below the top of the tube C. into the water B. and thus entirely confines the gas in the top of the inverted bell A. The arrows show the course of the water through the trap into the sewer or drain. Cast-iron jack-screws, shown in fig. 102, are useful for many purposes, such as raising the corners or sides of buildings which have settled out of place, in renewing the under-pinning, Sec. The nuts to these screws are made so as to let into a v/ooden block or timber. Quantity of Hay consumed by Cattle. — The following careful estimate, by a correspondent of the Country Gentleman, which nearly accords with other experiments, will enable farmers to determine Fig, 102. before hand, the amount of hay their stock will con- sume during a winter : On the 3d of Jan. last, I drew a stack of timothy, blue or June grass, and white clover hay. The top of the stack, 500 lbs., was put in racks in the cattle-yard, and 7,990 lbs. into the loft of the cow-stable. This hay was given to the cattle for the first time at 4 P. M. on the 3d, and the last of it was fed at 7 A. M. on the 14th of Jan. That in the racks was gone by the loth of Jan. The stock was 22 cows and heifers, and 11 year- lings. The esimated weight of the stock was 26.000 lbs. The 33 head con- sumed per day, 772 lbs., equal to 23 4-ioths lbs. each. Each 100 lbs. of live weight consumed 32 65-iooth lbs, during the 11 days, equal to 2.96 lbs. per day. Two of the cows were in milk, and were fed two quarts of grain each, in addition. The cows average 1,000 lbs. ; consequently they consumed nearly 30 )s. of hay each per day. The heifers are two and three years old, and weigh 800 lbs. each. They consumed 23 68-iooth lbs. each per day. /j The yearlings 600 lbs. each, and consumed 17 76-icoth lbs. each per day. OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 1 87 STONE AND GRAVEL ROADS. WE HAVE URGED on former occasions,the importance of construct- ing roads of uniformly hard materials, instead of soft earth or muck. The former, if well made, will furnish a fine, smooth, hard track, in all wea- ther ; the latter will be cut into mud-holes and ruts from six inches to two feet deep ; and sometimes prove nearly impassable. When hard and soft materials are crudely mixed together, as we sometimes witness where large stones are thrown into heaps of muck, the mixture becomes intolerable. Could we see the immense assemblage of broken and worn-out wagons, mud splashed, injured and broken harness, and sprained and lame horses, (enough to fill any ten acre lot,) which the bad roads throughout the coun- try annually occasion, a strong impetus would certainly be given towards improvement. Where a uniform, solid hard-pan is found a few inches below the surface, or even at the depth of a foot or so, the cheapest way to make a good road is to scrape or cart the soft top soil to manure the adjacent fields, and then make the denuded surface into a smooth track. But where this cannot be done, an artificial road, made of broken stone or gravel, is usually resorted to. A very common practice is to draw the loose and scattered stones from the fields to form a bed of proper width, and then cover this with gravel ; or if gravel cannot be had, with earth. A section of a portion of such road is shown in fig. 103. The stone are heaped up and spread Fig. io^.-Badly made Stone o^'^i" the Surface irregularly, and then a sufficient a7id Gravel Road. depth of gravel or earth is placed upon them, to make a uniform surface. This seems to promise well for a time, until the hard corners of the stones, gradually working through the soil or gravel, make it uneven. The jolting of the wheels then begins to loosen the stones more rapidly — many of them work upwards and become partly „ , . ^ uncovered : the gravel falls below, and in the course Fig. \oi,.— Result in after ^u j 1 • ^ u Years. of years the road becomes excessively rough, as shown in fig. 104. Some years ago a road was carefully constructed at great expense, by first making the foundation of block stone or very thick flagging. On this a coating of gravel was placed, giving it a hand- some finish ; (fig. 105.) For a time it promised ^^^^"^-"^ everything that was desired. But three corn- Fig. \os.— Block Road. bined causes soon began to operate to injure it. ,\ When the earth below became soaked with water, it was too soft to sus- ^ tain the superstructure. The action of frost increased the difficulty, and A^ l\ the tumbling of heavy wheels above gradually jolted the blocks from their (j i88 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER Fig. 107. — Portion of Telford places. In the course of years the soHd bed of block stone became entirely broken up, and some of them were turned on edge, as shown in fig. 106. Now the question will at once arise, how are these formidable evils to be remedied ? There are two ways — one is ex- ^i pensive, the other comparatively cheap. ^^' The first is the McAdam road — formed of a Fig. xob.-Final Result. deep bed of small broken and angular stones which, by the rolling of wheels, becomes compacted and cemented together, and forms a solid immovable mass. This road requires a large expenditure of money to construct properly. Many poor ones are made, which do not deserve the name. The other road is the Telford. By using the larger portion of the stones unbroken, much expense is saved. By ar- ranging them as shown in fig, 107, they are held to their places, and do not work to the Jl^jM^iWs^l^'^.i^sM^ ■ surface as exhibited in fig. 103. All the round- ,ed and loose stone which are found scattered Road. over farms, (which are better for their removal,) may be used for constructing Telford roads. As none of them are abso- lutely spherical, and nearly all have a thin and a thick end, being some- what wedge-shaped, the larger end is placed downward, and the smaller upward, as represented. By selecting them according to their size, the larger ones may be placed in the center of the road, and the smaller ones, by gradual diminution, towards the sides. Coarse gravel, or what is still better, small broken stone, is then rammed between them. The whole ^ e--^ -- - -- . ----^^ ^ surface is then co vered with similar but finer material, and the road is Fig. xo%.—Section of Telford Road. finished, aS shown in fig. 108. When loaded vehicles are driven over this road, every succes- sive wheel crowds the broken stone more firmly between the stone wedges, and the whole becomes a solid and immovable mass. It is impossible for the stones to work to the surface, the larger ends being down. If those who emplo}' stone for making road beds, would take the addi- tional care to select and place the stones in this way, instead of throwing them into a careless and promiscuous heap, it would ultimately result in great economy. •-♦-• TRAXSPLANTrNG Raspt?erries AND BLACKBERRIES. — For the past two years, says the Horticulturist, we have annually planted out Raspberry and Blackberry plants in July. We prepare our ground, and then go to the rows from which to remove the plants, having a tub or pail with a little muddy water in it, dig our plants, they being the half grown ones of this , year, pinch off the ends about 2 inches, set the roots into our pail of muddy ^[!>^ water, and from that to their permanent jiosition. We do not often lose J\ a plant, and the next season we get a fair crop of fruit. i; -^=^S^ ^c^=- OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 189 CONSTRUCTION OF HAY BARRACKS. THE OLD FASHIONED BARRACK, as it is called, is built twenty feet square. Four posts of durable timber, twenty-two feet long, four feet to be inserted in the ground. The stick should be suf- ficiently large to square eight inches — the corners hewn off, making it partly octagon in shape — one and a half inch holes should be bored through the corners of each of these posts, one foot apart, for the bolts that support the roof. They should be made of one and a half inch Fig. ii^j^yy(^j^ /^ that the beetles begin to appear around J^^)VJlJ|1|^ l»l^|r~| 1// .. New- York early in June, feeding upon ^^^^y-~'^^=*'*2l^^^^^^iUyi ^ yi^ the squash leaves and depositing their Fig. xo.-Front view of the larva, ^ggs in irregular groups on the under magnified. side of these leaves. The larva is armed with branching thorn-like spines, symmetrically placed in rows. A side view of this larvae, its natural size, is given in fig. 9, and a magni- fied representation of its appearance when seen in front, and showing the formidable spines with which it is protected, is presented in fig. 10. f (y Fig. II. — a. a. Circular marks cut on leaves by the Squash Coccinella and its larva. 2 04 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER It eats voraciously and grows rapidly. Both the larva and the perfect insect have the curious habit of first nibbling a curved line upon the sur- face of the. leaf, marking out a circle or semi-circle, sometimes of great regularity, inclosing the portion of the leaf on which it is about to feed, as represented in the preceding cut, fig. 1 1. The larva, after attain- ing its growth, crawls to some sheltered place upon the under side of the leaf or upon the stem, where it securely fastens itself, and changes to a pupa inclosed in the dried and thorny skin of the larva. It remains dor- mant in its pupa state somewhat over a week, when the beetle in its perfect form crawls out from the thorny case. It is now of a hemispherical form, as shown in the cut, fig. 12, and of a dull yellow color, with five black spots in a transverse row on the fore part of its closed wing-covers, five more spots ^. r. , A in another row across the middle, and two larger spots back Coccin€lla. of these, near the tip. The only efticacious remedy yet found for these insects, is hand-picking, or brushing them from the leaves into a cup partly filled with strong brine, which should be done when they first apoear in June, before they have commenced laying their eggs. The little black Flea-beetles which infest the cucumber and melon leaves, perforating them with numerous small holes, are mostly the PUNCTULATED Flea-beetle, Psylliodes pifictulata. They are closely like the kind which occurs upon potato leaves, hereafter to be noticed, but when carefully examined with a magnifying glass their differences are sufficiently evident. Those which occur upon the cucumber leaves arc brassy-black, with the surface of their bodies finely punctured, and their shanks, feet, and the first joints of their antennae pale obscure yellowish. The remedies already mentioned for the Striped Flea-beetle are equally efficacious for this and the several other species of flea-beetles. The Asparagus in this country has been remarkably exempt from injury by insects, until some eight or nine years ago, when the Asparagus- beetle, Crioceris Asparagi, long noted in Europe as being most perni- cious to this plant, began to be met with by insect collectors in the vicinity of New-York, it having then in some manner found its way across the ocean ; and in 1862 it had become so excessively multiplied and was over- running the asparagus in such countless millions as to threaten to kill the plants and put an end to their cultivation in the market gardens in the neighborhood of that city, where this was a crop of such very great value. These beetles and their larvae feed upon the asparagus through the whole summer season. The following cut, fig. 13, gives a view of this insect in its different stages. The beetle is seen its in natural size and shape at a. It is of a deep green-blue color, very bright and shining, and prettily orna- mented with yellow spots. It places its eggs on the leaves of the plant as seen represented at b, the magnified eggs being seen at c. From these hatch a larva of a dull olive or ash gray color, which is represented young at d, full grown at e, and magnified at / Its pupa state is passed under _ —=^3 ©o^ OF RURAL AFFAIRS. ^ 205 -Asparagtis-beetle-, its eggs and larva. the ground. In a visit made to Long- Island in the autumn of 1862, to examine this insect, in company with D. K. Young, Esq., of Matinnecock, who had furhished information for an interesting notice of it in the Coun- try Gentleman, vol. XX, p. 81, we discovered these beetles in their win- ter retreats, every crevice under the loose scales of bark upon the trees, in the cracks in fence rails and under the clapboards of buildings, being crowded with them ; and we found that fowls ate these insects with such avidity that we could confidently recommend the keeping of them upon the asparagus grounds as the best mode of subduing this enemy. The beetles came out from their winter quarters in full force, towards the middle of May the following year ; but some atmospheric or other change unfavorable to them, arrested their career, and they became greatly diminished in numbers before the close of that season, and have so'continued since, whereby they have ceased to be objects of such deep anxiety as they temporarily were at that time. The Tomato in all our gardens is infested with a very large thick bodied green worm, with oblique white streaks along its sides, and a curved thorn- like horn at the end of its back, as represented in the accompanying cut, fig. 14, which shows the appear- ance of this worm when it is grown to about half its full size. Between thirty and forty years ago, when the tomato was first beginning to be ex- Fig. \i,.—Tomato-ivorm. tensively cultivated in our country, this worm appearing upon it was an object of much terror, it being cur- rently regarded as poisonous and imparting a poisonous quality to the fruit if it should chance to crawl upon it. Now that we have become famil- iarized with it these fears have all vanished, and we have become quite indifferent towards this creature, knowing it to be merely an ugly-looking worm which eats some of the leaves of the tomato, and which is chiefly interesting to us in consequence of its being about the only insect enemy belonging to this plant. As the worm, however, is so common and well known, every one feels curious to know also its history and the insect which produces it. We therefore here present a short account of it, with figures illustrating its appearance in the different stages of its growth. It is currently supposed that these worms belong exclusively to the tomato. They, however, occur upon the vines of the potato also. And in those neighborhoods where the tobacco is cultivated, they invade that plant likewise, causing much injury by the holes they eat in the leaves. 206 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER t whence they are the worst enemy with which the tobacco grower has to contend. Thus it is one and the same insect which is popularly named the Tomato-worm, the Potato-worm and the Tobacco-worm, as it occurs upon one or the other of these plants. The annexed cut, fig. 15, repre- sents the moth or miller which is the parent of these worms, diminish- ed to half its natural size. It is of a gray color, with numerous irregular and obscure black marks upon its wings, and a row of five round ochre-yellow spots along each side of its hind body, from which it has receiv- ed its scientific name, Fig. IS. — Tomato-worm Moth. Sphinx qidnque-maai- Iata,ox the Five-Spotted Hawk-moth as it is termed in books. These moths come abroad one after another through the whole summer and autumn, but are most numerous in July. During the day time they re- main at rest, hid from view, and come out in the evening to feed and lay their eggs. Their sole food is the honey of flowers, for obtaining which they are furnished with a remarkably long slender tongue, which, when not in use, is coiled up like a watch-spring and concealed between the palpi or feelers at its base. When hovering around flowers and extracting the honey from them the moth resembles a humming-bird in its motions and also in the sound made by its wings. The tongue is fully extended at such times, and being five or six inches in length, the moth is poised on its wings at a distance of some inches from the flower from which it is sucking the honey. The eggs are probably placed on the under side of the leaves of the plants on which the worms occur. The worms are voracious feeders, consuming a large quantity of foliage and growing rapidly. When they have attained their full size they leave the plants on which they have fed and root downwards into the ground to the depth of some inches, and there become quiescent, and casting off the larva skin, they appear intheir pupa form, represented in fig. 16, diminished one-half in size. The pupa is covered with a hard crustaceous shell of a glossy bright Fig. 16.- r^«,a^c7-«/^r;« chestnut color, and is particularly curious from Fiipa. having its forward end prolonged on one side into a long slender limb, which is bent backwards, reaching to the middle of the I ; body, where its end touches, and is firmly soldered to the surface, thus /ks forming a kind of loop, resembling the handle of a pitcher — this being the (J sheath in which the tongue is enclosed, which becomes developed to such OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 207 Q i a remarkable length in the perfect insect, as we have above observed. The j insect remaining in this pupa form through the winter and spring, its inter- | i nal parts growing and becoming developed, until the shell at length cracks open and the moth withdraws itself from it, crowds upwards through the ground, and comes forth in its perfect form. To the south of us a worm occurs which is almost identical with this in every respect, and feeding upon the same plants. This Southern Tobac- co-worm, or, as it is termed in its perfect state, the Carolina Hawk- moth, Sphinx Carolina, may be distinguished by the markings of its hind wings. . In the moth of our Northern worm will be seen four black bands crossing the hind wrings, whereof the two middle ones are very angular and zig-zag, often much more so than is indicated in the cut, fig. 15. But in the moth of the Southern worm, instead of these two angular bands we see a single broad band, which is smooth along its edges. And the same measure is resorted to for subduing both these worms. The leaves of the tomato and potato being of no economical value, we disregard the small injury they do those plants. But the whole value of the tobacco rests in its leaves ; hence every meal which one of these worms makes upon that plant is an important injury. Consequently "worming" of the tobacco fields, as it is termed, is an indispensable measure, forming a regular part of the tobacco culture. Notwithstanding the closest scrutiny some of the worms will elude notice at each search which is made ; and new moths are coming out and depositing their eggs, night after night, whereby a succession of these enemies are appearing. Thus it becomes necessary to repeat the search daily, in order to secure the destruction of^ every worm while it is yet young and small. The Potato usually is the least molested by insects of any important vegetable we cultivate. Recently, however, an enemy to it has appeared which threatens to annihilate our growing of this esculent. This is the Ten-Lined Potato-beetle, Doryphora lo-lineata, a figure of which is presented in the accompanying cut. This beetle is of a regular oval form, very convex above and flat beneath, of a hard crustaceous texture, smooth and shining, of a bright straw yellow color, with ten black stripes upon the back of its closed wing covers. It is upwards of 40 Fiff 17 —Ten-linedy^^'^^ ^g° ^^^^ *^'^ insect was first noticed, upon the up- Potato-beetle. per Missouri and Arkansas Rivers, some hundreds of miles west of the Mississippi. It has no doubt always existed in that region, living upon some wild plant growing there, very probably the stra- monium, and it was never known to attack the potato until the year 1861, when, in different places in Kansas and Western Iowa, it suddenly fell upon this crop, in such immense numbers as to literally cover the vines, \ eating from them every vestige of their leaves, and leaving the stalks per- \ Vk fectly bare. It also consumed the leaves of the tomato with equal avidity. ^ ( ) The next year it re-appeared early in the season, soon after the potatoes Q ©0^= 5; =^^(^ 2o8 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER were sprouted from the ground, and in a short time commenced scattering its eggs everywhere upon the leaves and stalks, the young filthy worms from which also fed upon the leaves in company with the parent beetles, keeping them so eaten down that no tubers, or at least none of sufficient size to be of any value, were formed upon the roots. And it has since continued to appear, multiplying and extending itself each year, advan- cing eastward at the rate of seventy or eighty miles annually. It has already crossed the States of Iowa and Illinois, and has probably penetrated a considerable distance into Indiana. It has thus traveled some five hun- dred miles from its original haunts, and has traversed nearly half the dis- tance from thence to us. Should it continue to progress at the same rate it has hitherto done, six or seven years will bring it to us here in Eastern New-York. We cannot but hope that before that time elapses some at- mospheric change or other influence will occur to arrest its advance, like that which we have noticed in the case of the Asparagus-beetle, or that some easy mode for effectually destroying it will be discovered. In reply to the numerous letters of inquiry for a remedy for this beetle which have been sent me, I have only been able to say that hand-picking or brushing and shaking the insects inta a pan or basin of water held under the vines, was the only measure I could confidently recommend, and this " bugging the potatoes," as it has come to be termed, is much resorted to upon a small scale in the gardens, with a fair degree of success, it being only by perseveringly gathering these beetles from the vines and destroying them that any potatoes are grown in those places where this insect is present in full force. The Three-lined Potato-beetle, Crioceris trilineata, is an insect re- lated to the preceding, which has always been common upon the potato vines, feeding on the leaves both in its larva and its perfect state. The accompanying cut will give the reader a correct idea of its form and general appearance. It has a considerable resem- blance to the yellow striped cucumber-beetle which we have already noticed, being of a bright lemon-yellow color with three black stripes upon its closed wing-covers, but it is larger than the cucumber-beetle, and easily distinguished from that insect by having a yellow instead of a black head. Probably not a year occurs that this Three-lined Potato- ^necTpolato- beetle is not to be found on the potato vines in every neigh- beetle. borhood throughout our country ; but it is much more abundant some years, and when unusually numerous, fears are frequently excited by it. It is also common upon the stramonium, which is probably the plant upon which this insect chiefly sustained itself before the potato began to be cultivated here. This latter now furnishes it such extensive feeding grounas that its numbers are no doubt much greater now than uL they could have been originally ; and in the course of time it may become fj \\ so increased as to be a serious evil. OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 209 1 These beetles pass the winter in any dry and sheltered situation which they find, under boards, masses of fallen leaves, &c. They begin to be seen abroad the latter part of May. They are shy and timorous, taking wing as you come near them, and flying a few yards away. When annoy- ed or in distress they make a creaking cry by rubbing the tip of the body up and down against the hind end of the wing-covers. When the potatoes are well up they gather upon them, eating large irregular holes in the leaves, and ere long commence depositing their bright yellow eggs, gluing them to the leaves in clusters of from six to ten in number. They hatch in a fort- night, and the larvae from them continue together in a flock upon the un- dersides of the leaves. They are wet, slimy, slug-like worms of a most filthy and disgusting appearance, coating themselves over with their excre- ments, probably to protect them from being devoured by birds. When they have attained their growth they descend into the ground to pass their pupa state. Should these insects anywhere become so multiplied as to do any severe injury to the potato crop, the readiest mode to diminish their numbers I think will be to search out the little flocks of the larvae by pass- ing along the rows of the potato vines, and break off the leaves on which they occur, dropping them upon the ground and trampling upon them. The Striped Blistering-fly, already noticed as feeding on the leaves of the beet, at times appears in immense multitudes in one district of the country and another, eating the potato vines bare of their leaves. Other kinds of these blistering-flies also feed upon the potato leaves, and are liable to be quite numerous at times. They are similar in size and form to the striped species, being cylindrical and about half an inch in length, but are readily distinguished by their colors. Much the most common kind here at the north is the Black Blistering-fly, Cantharis Pennsyl- ■vanica, which is of a deep black color throughout, and without spots. We occasionally meet with the Ash-edged Blistering-fly, Cantharis ctuerea, also, this being black like the preceding, but having its wing-covers edged with ash-gray from fine short hairs of this color. Another species is the Ash Blistering-fly, Cantharis Fabricii, which is wholly coated over with short, ash-gray hairs. Each of these insects becomes more common to the south of us, where still other kinds of these flies are associated with them, whereby the potato crop there suffers more frequently from them than it ever does with us. The large green Tomato- worm. Sphinx qiiinqne- maculata, as already stated, is somewhat common upon the potato also, eat- ing its leaves. The potato leaves are also much infested with little black flea-beetles, perforating them with small holes, frequently in such immense numbers that they cannot but be a detriment to the crop. The species which is most common upon this plant is the Hairy Flea-beetle, Hal- tica piibcscens. This is slightly inferior in size to the Striped Flea-beetle already spoken of, and is not at all glossy. It is IJlack and thinly coated with short whitish hairs, its antenna; and legs being dull yellow. It is abundant in the garden from early in May till the frosts of autumn drive it into its winter retreats. It attacks several plants in addition to the >c:^=- -=^3i k 2IO ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER f potato. To the petunia it is the most injurious of any insect in my ex- \ perience, the young seedling plants becoming thronged and ruined by it unless they are closely watched. It is also apt to be a serious evil to the young tomato plants, which are weakened and retarded in their growth from the numerous wounds they sometimes receive from these insects be- fore their presence is observed. The remedies for this are the same as already mentioned for the Striped Flea-beetle. Among the worst pests to our garden crops and to our field crops also, are the Wireworms, so-called from their having some similarity in their form, their smoothness and hardness, to a piece of wire. They are re- markably long, slender, cylindrical worms, of a whitish or tawny yellow color, with a very tough, smooth and glossy skin. They are the larvae of the Elater group of beetles, which are known to every one from their curious manner of recovering their upright posture when they chance to fall upon their backs. Their legs being too short to enable them to turn over, they have the faculty of giving a sudden snap or spring, whereby they bound upward several inches, and in falling usually alight right side up, or if they fail of doing so, they repeat this spring again and again, until they succeed, with each spring making a loud cliv'k, similar in sound to the ticking of a clock. They have hence come to be designated in this country by the name of " Snapping-bugs," although they are beetles and not bugs in the correct sense of those terms. These Elaters or Snapping- beetles are an extensive group of insects and there are consequently nume- rous kinds of wireworms. They live underground and feed on the roots of grass and other vegetation, and on planted seeds which are beginning to germinate. They are known to attack potatoes, tumips, cabbages, beets, carrots, onions and lettuces in our gardens, and also strawberries, pinks, carnations, dahlias, lobelias and numerous other flowers, but the greatest losses are from their destruction of the field crops, Indian corn, wheat, rye, barley and oats. They bore everywhere around through the bulbous and other thick roots of some plants, and cut off the slender thread-like roots of others. And it is not till the plants be- gin to wither and turn yellow that their presence is suspected, when the plants are usually so badly injured as to be beyond recovery. It has not been known hitherto which were the particular species of Snapping-beetles which produced the wireworms which in this country injure our crops. As one of our species bears a very close resemblance to the European beetle which has been most noted for the destructiveness of its larva, it has been con- _. -^ - ^ y c' /jectured that the wireworm which this species Fig. \(i.— Truncated Snap ■> . . . pin^-beetle. produced would be one of our most injurious kinds. This is the Trunxated Snapping-beetle, Ag}-ates tnincatus^ erroneously named obestis in Dr. Harris' Treatise. Among the insects of =^=5^ OF RURAL AFFAIRS. this group this is a species which is remarkably short and thick, as repre- sented in the preceding cut, fig. 19, the smaller one on the right hand side showing its natural dimensions. It is of a dark brown color, with the wing covers a shade paler than the fore part of the body. And a side view of the wireworm which my observations indicate to be the larva of this beetle, is given in the accompanying cut, r ) I , - - ) -, . ^, ^ fig. 20, the line underneath showing the JUui^fflp^ full length to which it grows. This worm I 1 has no impressed line along the middle r- ,.,. r ,T T J .of its back, and the last joint of its body Fig. 20. — IVireivonn of the Truncated ^ -' •' Snapping-bcetle. is nearly twice as long as broad, ending in a somewhat acute angular point, and having on its upper side towards the base two conspicuous dots, resembling breathing pores. As this beetle and worm have occurred to me only in situations where the land is never plowed, but remains permanently in grass, it is not probable that this is a species which attacks our cultivated crops. The Elater, which is most frequently found in our gardens is the Crfitojtychtis communis, or the Common Snapping-beetle, which is rep- resented in the annexed cut, fig. 21, the out- line figure on the right being its natural size. It is of a dark chestnut color, covered over with short, fine, prostrate ash-gray hairs, its wing- covers having rows of punctures resembling the stitches in a garment, and its forebody showing an impressed line in the middle. This species is well entitled to the name it has received, it occurs so plentiful iy in such a variety of situations in all parts of the United States. During the months of April, May and June it is most abundant. Its numbers then diminish, and it nearly or quite disappears in August, but is again met with in September and till the close of the season. A corner of my garden having been unoccupied a few years, became overgrown with quack grass, and in April a perfect swarm of these beetles were there gathered, basking in the warm sunshine, having hatched from wireworms, I suppose, which had fed upon the roots of this grass. They occur quite frequently also in strawberry beds, and similar places where the dense foliage furnishes a hiding place for them. The wireworms which I meet with in the garden are nearly all of one par- ticular kind, and I hence have little doubt they are ' ^ the progeny of these bee- Fig. 22. — Coiftmon Wireworm. ties. A magnified view of the back of these wire worms is given in the cut, fig. 22, the straight line ^=^ Snapping- -vrj ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER below showing the length to which they grow. This garden wireworm has a strongly impressed line along the middle of its back, and is particularly distinguished from other wireworms by having three obtuse teeth-like projections at the end of its body, the middle one being much larger and more conspicuous than the lateral ones. It is to be regretted that no cer- tain and efficacious remedy for the wireworm has yet been discovered. Every worm of this kind which is turned up to view in cultivating the gardfen should be destroyed. The small young worms, less than a fourth of an inch in length, which occur the most common in autumn, it is especially important to kill. As the wireworms are particularly fond of the potato, it was long ago recommended to employ slices of this tuber as a trap with which to capture them. Several of the contributors to the London Gar- dener's Chronicle concur in this as being the best mode of freeing the garden, at least, from these troublesome visitors. Mr. Adan says it is his practice to place near any infested plants, half a potato, with the eyes cut out to prevent its growing, running a pointed stick through it and pegging it into the ground, coveting it over with about an inch of loam, and in a day or two, he states, he has pulled out from fifteen to twenty wireworms, bored into one of these slices of potato. Turnip, carrot, beet, apple, &c., are reported to answer the purpose equally well as the potato. This reme- dy was proposed so long ago that I am surprised it has not come into more general use, if it is as successful as the accounts of it represent it to be. These worms are also reported to be so fond of rape-cake that if this be applied to the ground as a manure, they will forsake everything else to feed upon it. If this be the fact, this substance is worthy of more atten- tion* than it is receiving. Having now completed a review of our most common and important in- sects which infest garden vegetables, I propose, in a future number of the Register, to present an account of those which injure the small fruits which are cultivated in our gardens — the strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, currant and gooseberry. Those who wish for more full information upon any of these insects than is here given, will find most of them treated of at length in my latest Reports on Noxious Insects, published in the recent volumes of Transactions of the N. Y. State Agricultural Society. Valuable Cement. — Professor Edmund Davy lately read a paper to the Royal Dublin Society on a cement which he obtains by melting to- gether, in an iron vessel, two parts by weight of common pitch with one part of gutta percha. It forms a homogeneous fluid, which is much more manageable for many useful purposes than gutta percha alone, and which, after being poured into cold water, may be easily wiped dry and kept for use. The cement adheres with the greatest tenacity to wood, stone, porce- lain, ivory, leather, parchment, paper, hair, feathers, silk, woolen, cotton, linen fabrics, &c. It is well adapted for aquariums. a €^c:^=- OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 213 PLANS OF GROUNDS. AS I HAVE spent a large part of my life in the improvement of coun- try and suburban homes, I flatter myself that these plans will be found practical, as I have always not only designed, but also executed, my plans in facto. According to my experience, it is of no great benefit to give very special instruction as to the kind of ornamental trees and shrubs to be planted, as the selection has generally to be made from what may be found in local nurseries, or the local forest growth. The latter has always been my main source of supply. The same difficulty I found in naming any special kind of Apples, Pears, etc., to be planted; each section of country has its favorites. In the planning of garden and cultivated lots, I mostly kept home-consumption in view, with a few hints where it should be de- sirable to raise fruits, etc., for marketing. PLAN I. — A Square A.cre Lot. — A, the dwelling-house, with sur- rounding plots of ground ; a good shade tree in front, (Sugar or Norway Maple,) one ditto to the west, (Maple or Sweet Gum Liquidambar,) farther on in the centre of the walk an Oak, with rustic seat. To the east and north plant small clumps of Magnolia glauca ; an Oak to the north in the centre of the roads. At the southeast there is a circular flower bed, wiih an evergreen shrub or a Magnolia purpurea for centre, as also a few choice shrubs, as Weigela, Philadelphus, Pyrus japonica, &c., as single specimens. Plan I.— One Acre Lot B. Along the southwest boundary there is an irregular belt of forest trees and shrubs, as Euorf^'mus, Fringe, Sourwood, Andromeda, Black Hawthorn, Viburnum, Wild Plum, Sassafras, Spice Bush, Crataegus, etc. The space at the west corner of the lawn may be occupied by a dozen standard Pear and Cherry trees of handsome growth. To the front of j these a few evergreen and large growing flower shrubs towards the garden A walk ; there is also a larger bed for smaller flower shrubs and roses, and jfk a small circle for Petunias, etc., with a Magnolia or other choice tree as Q centre. The shade tree to the front of the house, a fine Sugar Maple ; for 214 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER planting along the public road, European Larch, Winged Elm, Scotch Elm, Hornbeam, Purple Fringe, Red-bud, &c. C. There is a stable road along the northeast boundary, screened by an irregular plantation of forest trees with shrubs as undergrowth ; at the angle of the stable roads plant a sturdy Oak, an Ash-tree and evergreens, to break the north winds. East of the house there is another bed for choice shrubs and larger flowering perennials ; and east of that a choice Weeping tree ; to the front of the house a fine Sugar Maple ; in the bend of the road a Tulip tree and two deciduous Magnolias. D. A space occupied by out-houses, gardener's cottage and cistern, with shade trees, evergreens, &c., as shelter against the northwest winds. Back of the cistern, between the out-houses, plant two Lombardy Poplars, with two Elms or Maples in front, which will make a spirited background for the residence. E. The garden, with currants and gooseberries in the southeast and south- west borders ; grapevines along the northwest border, with a neat, cosy grape arbor at the terminus of the middle garden walk ; hot-beds in north corner. There are twenty-two dwarf Pears planted at considerable dis- tances through the garden, so as to interfere but little with the raising of vegetables. The northeast square is mostly occupied by strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and two asparagus beds ; in front of hot-beds, two large borders for salading, seed beds, sweet herbs, &c. F. Stable yard with cistern near garden gate, and a few Elms and Oaks for shelter ; well protected against the stock while young. PLAN IL — A Three Acre Lot. — This is designed for a place whose owner is a lover of flowers and shrubbery, as well as of choice forest and shade trees. The flower garden south of the house is stocked with choice, low- growing roses, bedding plants and annuals, with a vase or statue in the centre ; two neat-growing specimen shrubs, (Tree-box, Weigelas, Spireas ;) the ad- joining shrubbery bed to be filled with evergreen shrubs, (Mahonia or Py- racantha.) The bed in the angle of the walks to the garden, plant with Spireas ; the one to the south of the garden walk with Roses, Calycan- thus and purple Magnolia, with a few Snowballs, Lilacs and Philadelphus scattered on the lawn as single specimens. The large irregular half circular bed in the rear of the house plant close- ly with a variety of low flowering trees, such as double-flowering Cherries, Peaches, Thorns, Viburnums, Laburnums, Euonymus, Dogwood, Redbud. with Spireas, Privet, Lonicera, Cornus sanguinea. The bed on the northwest of the house plant with roses and larger pe- rennial flowers, with a few purple Magnolias or Calycanthus in the centre to produce a heavier foliage, with Pyrus japonica, Barberry, Lonicera, double flowering Altheas, etc., as specimens scattered along the roads in front, 1 and. among the forest trees. One or two Copper Beeches, or the Purple ^^ Filbert, or Purple Barberry often produce a fine effect. The larger bed in front might be planted with Magnolia glauca, and a few Sassafras. The * OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 215 boundaries of the lawn south and north are concealed by irregular planta- tions of forest trees, with a heavy undergrowth. For this purpose I would particularly recommend the Dogwood, Redbud and Blackhaw, which is always beautiful in flower and leaf, particu- larly so in its splendid autumn coloring ; then also the Hazel, the Ser- vice, (June-berry,) Moun- tain Ash, Wild Plum, Euonymus, Hornbeam, Winterberry, etc. These will, with now and then a few evergreens and the sheltering, larger shade trees, form a fine scene of landscape in spring, sum- mer and autumn. Protect the house to the northwest by a plantation of Pines and Firs, with Oaks and Elms. The space on either side of the walk to the garden might be planted with twelve to fourteen standard Pear and Cherry trees of good growth. Along the gar- den fence there might be trained flowering vines, Three Acre Lot. or, if preferred, grapes. At the west end of the garden there is a small tool-room, with vine covered seat in front. The west border is planted with choice grapes, as Delaware, Concord, Hartford Prolific, etc. One half of the vegetable garden is devoted to the cultivation of small fruits, and one or two Asparagus beds. On the other half are planted two dozen dwarf Pear trees ; the ample space between them is devoted to vegetables. The orchard is to the west of the stable-yard, and planted mainly with Apple trees, the row next the garden to be standard Pear or Cherry trees. Between the Apple trees might be planted Peach trees, or, if preferred, dwarf Pears ; or the space between the Apple trees might for a number of years be cultivated to raise root crops. — [S. Schuler, Loitisinlle, Ky. Plan II.- & 2l6 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER f RAIN GAUGE. THE SIMPLEST RAIN GAUGE is a square or cylindrical vessel, open at top, with a scale marked inside to show the depth of the water as the rain falls. The depth of rains may be nearly measured by simply placing out, on an open piece of ground, a tin pail with parallel sides, and then measuring the depth with a small, thin rule. It is more common, as well as convenient and accurate, however, to make the top of the gauge somewhat in the form of a hopper, throwing the rain together down a graduated tube. The depth being thus multiplied, the amount fallen can be more perfectly measured. If, for example, the tube is one- tenth the area of the hopper, a fall of one inch will show ten inches in depth ; or if the tube is a hundred times smaller than the hopper, a tenth of an inch of rain will give a ten inch column. In all gauges of this kind, which multiply the depth, it is safest to have a small cylindrical vessel attached to the side of the instrument to show the fall in case of a great storm, which might more than fill the narrow tube. There are vari- ous modifications of rain gauges — one is made by using a funnel placed in the mouth of a jug or bottle, into which all the water immediately runs. It is then poured into a graduated tube and accurately measured. If the quantity will more than fill the tube, it may be measured by successive por- tions. The most convenient way of placing this gauge, is first to sink a small barrel into the ground, cover it with a wooden board so made as to throw the rain from the centre, where a hole is made just large enough to receive the funnel. The bottle or jug for holding the water is placed in the barrel below the fun- nel. In the ac- companying fig- ure,^ represents the barrel, b the board cover, c the funnel, ^ the bottle, and e the graduated glass tube, which may be kept when not in use within the barrel. Fig. 2 lepresents a 7nodification of the gauge already spoken of, having the lube, a, attached to the funnel, b, both of which may be made of brass or tin plate. A convenient mode for setting this guage is to set a short wooden post into the ground, projecting a few inches above it, and then Fig. I. Q OF RURAL AFFAIRS. ^^7 0 bore a hole in the top of the post the size of the funnel, an inch or two y downward to receive it, and then another hole, a little smaller, deep enough i to receive the tube. The depth of the water in the tube is accurately measured with a thin whalebone scale. This should be divided by experi- ment, by placing equal and successive quantities of water in the tube, which will correct any inequalities in the bore. If a heavy rain should more than fill the tube, the excess should be poured off and afterwards measured. In placing the rain gauge, an open piece of ground should be selected, where buildings or trees will not affect the quantity when blown by side winds, and it should be within a few inches of the surface of the ground, where the fall is less affected by currents. CUTTING FODDER FOR HORSES. OBSERVING RECENTLY the fine condition of the working horses belonging to E. W. Herendeen of Macedon, N. Y., who employs a number in his extensive nursery, we inquired his mode of feeding, in compliance with which he furnishes the following statement. It is the more valuable from being the result of accurate weighing and measuring, and not, as nearly always happens in such cases, founded on mere guessing and vague opinion : I have tried cutting feed, by using a cylinder rawhide machine, cutting the straw about an inch long. I kept a team on the oat straw, (which was ^a fair crop,) which grew on less than three acres of land, from the last of August to first of April, without using a pound of hay. It was mixed with about three quarts of corn meal and bran, in equal proportions, by weight, to each horse three times per day, feeding about a bushel of cut feed at night, and a little over half a bushel in the morning and at noon. I find that 2,500 pounds of corn meal and bran, mixed in equal quanti- ties by weight, will last a pair of hard-working horses, and keep them in first rate condition, for three months. The hay or oats are cut rainy days and stored in a bin, and enough is always thus kept on hand to have an abunaant supply. The meal is kept in tight bins and locked, so that each teamster knows that no one but himself is using the feed, and a regular entry is made of the amount each teamster uses. I am fully satisfied, from a careful record of the amount fed teams, that the expense of feeding a team of working horses on cut feed and corn meal and bran, mixed as before mentioned, is less than two-thirds of the expense of keeping them on dry hay and whole grain. Corn rtieal alone, especially for summer use, is not as good for the I. health of horses as when mixed with bran, and, better still, with ground Ik oats. Horses subject to the heaves, are either very much relieved, or en- (j tirely cured, while using the cut feed. 2l8 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER The power of digestion seems to be greatly increased by the straw or hay being cut and mixed with meal before feeding, as every part is then acted upon by the stomach ; not so when thrown into that organ in a con- centrated mass, which, before being half digested, is passed out. No doubt one of the reasons why oats are so valuable as whole grain, to feed, is that the husk which surrounds the seed itself acts as a distender, so to speak, and keeps the particles of meal separated so that they are better acted upon by the gastric juices of the digestive organs. A horse working hard, uses about thirteen pounds of meal and bran per day. MAKING BUTTER IN WINTER. THE FOLLOWING EXCELLENT MODE is described by E. C. K. of Capfc Vincent, N. Y. In adopting it we would recommend caution in using a large amount of pea-meal as a quite moderate feeding often succeeds best : I have seen and read much in your papers about butter-making in win- ter, but think I have a better way than any I have yet seen. I make as much butter in winter, and of as rich color, as in the best butter times of summer. I stable my cows all cold and stormy days, (of course nights ;) have plenty of water in the yard ; feed them three times a day and grain once, which is done in the morning after they have eaten their fodder. I feed ground black-eye marrowfat peas, scalded with hot water and stand three or four hours before feeding. I feed about two quarts at a time, mixed with hot water about as thick as thick gruel, and after standing three, or our hours it will be as thick as corn meal pudding, and measure four quarts. Peas fed this way, especially marrowfats, are worth double the amount of any other grain you can feed, and will make cows give more milk. Well, I have told you the feeding and care of the gentlemen's de- partment, and will now say a little about the care and management of the cream and milk in the ladies' department, which is quite as essential as any. Strain your milk, and not fill your pans more than half full, for if filled it takes too long to get sour. Then set them on a stove with a slow fire and heat them w6ll through ; the cream will rise and the pans will be fit to skim two days sooner than though they were set away cold. The cream will rise quick and sweet ; therefore you will have rich and sweet butter. Generally the cream rises quick, and is not sour enough to churn, but will sour enough in your cream pail by churning time. Before you churn set your pail by the stove and heat it well through, and the butter will come half an hour sooner than though it was churned cold ; and be- fore churning scald your churn with hot water. I have tried this way of I making butter until I am confident there is no better way. i OF RURAL AFFAIRS. ^ 219 PROTECTING CUCUMBERS, MELONS, d-c. AFTER TRYING VARIOUS modes for protecting melons and cu- cumbers from the striped bug and other insects, we find the follow- ing superior to any other. Two small twigs of osier or other slender wood, about a foot and a half or two feet long, are bent over the hill of young plants Fig. I. and the ends thrust in the ground, as represented by fig. i. A newspaper is then placed upon these curved sticks covering the whole, and the edges are fastened down all around by a covering of earth as shown in fig. 2. This constitutes the whole contrivance, and affords complete protection from all in- _ sects; the paper being thin and Fig. 2. porous, admits a sufficient supply of air and light, at the same time sheltering from cold winds. Plants thus protected have grown twice as fast as those fully exposed. Another ad- vantage of this mode is the protection it afibrds from night frosts, render- ing it admirably adapted to plants which have been early removed from the hot-bed. Lastly and not least, is its cheapness. A gardener will apply it to a dozen hills in as many minutes by the v/atch, the material costing nothing to any one who takes a political newspaper. Unless the paper is very thin and fragile, heavy rains will not break it. Strong plants sometimes burst through; but a better way, when they become large, is to tear a hole _ _____ in the top, as shown in fig. 3, the Fig. 3. remaining paper at the sides still af- fording some protection, although plants of this size are usually safe from injury. We obtained the suggestion from some paper, but improved upon it as above described. Steaming Cornstalks. — A correspondent of the Country Gentle- man steams his cornstalks in a cheap manner, by first cutting them up in a machine, and then placing them in a bin which holds 300 bushel baskets. Over every three baskets he throws ten quarts of cold water, and then ^ covers up the whole for twelve hours. Fermentation begins in six hours, and the food steams itself. =^:=:>^ ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER FRUIT DRYING HOUSE. SEVERAL PORTABLE fruit-drying houses have been patented and constructed, one of which is represented in the annexed figure. The others are made on the same princi- ples, and are similar in form. They are about three feet square and four feet high, but may vary according to convenience. The fruit, when the fire is m-ade, is covered with sheet-iron, to • prevent danger from taking fire. The fruit is placed on shelves, and is tho- roughly and completely dried in a few hours, whether the weather be rainy or not. The cost of these houses is some $30 or $40. They are easily moved to any part of the orchard. Any one can make a portable house for this purpose, by making a small, light board house, furnished with sliding sieves as shelves, a ventilator at the top, a small stove with pipe passing around near the bottom, and double doors for access. RENEWING STRAWBERRY PLANTATIONS. * FIRST DECIDE on the year you wish to remove the old plants. As soon as the runners have attained a length of a foot or more, select the strongest from each hill, place the end of it in the centre of the square formed by four hills, of which the hill to which the runner in question is attached forms one of the corners. As shown in the annexed cut, A is the old hill, B the new. When the end of the runner is placed in position, sprinkle a little dirt on it, so that it will be more certain to take root. Four weeks from this time the runner will have formed a new plant, with from six to eight leaves, and a myriad of strong, healthy roots. It is best now to sever the runner, as the new plant has sufficient roots to keep it in a growing condition. Late in the fall pull up the old plants, and place them over the new ones, with a small handful of dirt on each one, to keep the elements from re- moving them during the winter. — L. D, Snook. ^c^- OF RURAL AFFAIRS. TRANSPLANTING EVERGREENS. WHEN YOUNG EVERGREENS have their branches spreading out, down to the surface of the ground, as all evergreens should to look well, -it is often quite difficult to dig them up for transplanting, these spreading prostrate branches impeding the work of the spade. v,i./- Again, when they are set out, the same difficulty occurs in placing them properly in the hole, and filling in the earth. Having recently had occasion to set out a large number from the nursery rows, we found the work could not only be much better done, but in about one-half the time, by drawing the lower branches upwards, pressing them against the tree, and securing them in this position by passing around and tying a cord, as shown in fig. 2, the common appearance of the tree being represented by Fig. I — Tree before r- t-i -..v l- u ..u ^ Fie. 2. — Tree digging. %• I- The ease with which the operator *^,^^ ,^^ could now work was remarkable. Nurserymen, who have many such trees to dig, would find it to their advantage to provide a number of small straps to buckle around the trees during the operation of removal. AMOUNT OF PORK FROM A BUSHEL OF CORN. OUR READERS may have observed the published statement of the experiments of J. B. Lawes, who obtained 100 pounds of pork from seven bushels of corn, or one pound of pork from \\ pounds of corn. The grain was ground and moistened with water before feeding. This is re- garded as successful management. At the rate of five cents per pound, the corn would be worth 71 cents per bushel for fattening pork. This es- timate is based upon the supposition that the manure pays for the grind- ing and feeding. The experiments of Nathan G. Morgax of Union Springs, published in the Annual Register for 1864, present much more favorable results. As a mistake occurred in one part of that published statement, we here re- peat his mode and its results in a corrected form. He always commences fattening in spring, at which time a bushel of com is more valuable in its results than in autumn, and continues a regular course of feeding through- out the season. The corn is ground and 90 pounds of hot water poured on every 16 pounds of meal, and after standing 12 to 18 hours, the whole mass becomes thick feed. He finds by measured experiment that the ©0^=- 22 2 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER value of the corn is fully doubled bj' this process, as compared with corn fed in the ear, and fifty per cent, better than meal merely mixed with cold water. One bushel of corn thus prepared, after deducting ten per cent, toll for grinding, and leaving only 54 pounds for the bushel, will give 20 pounds of pork — or at the rate of 2 2-8 pounds of corn for each pound of pork. When pork is five cents per pound he obtains at the rate of $1 per bushel for his corn. A coincidence will be observed between these experiments and those of Lawes as above stated. While Morgan obtains, by scalding the meal, one pound of pork from 2|- pounds of corn — he gets 50 per cent. less, or at the rate of one pound of pork to 3f pounds of meal, when mixed mere- ly with cold water, which is within less than half a pound of the quantity of meal required in Lawes' experiments, when the same kind of feed was used. Breeds and management will of course vary the results ; in the many trials made by N. G, Morgan, he had every advantage of good sound corn, comfortable quarters, cleanliness, regularity of feeding, and quality of breed. It may be well to state that he has found the best sound corn double the value of a great deal that is used when badly grown or imperfectly ripen- ed or more or less mouldy. SHELTER FOR ANIMALS. « EVERGREEN SCREENS, (fig. i,) if planted in time, form excellent shelter for animals. Nothing is better than Norway Spruce, and if the trees are planted as near as two or three feet apart, on good soil kept mellow, will make a screen twelve or fifteen feet high in five years. As the trees become older, cut off the lower branches on the side from the wind, up to a height of six or seven feet, and allow the branches above to extend outward in the- form of a shed roof. By tying them down when young, they may be made to assume a droop* ing position, and throw off rain handsomely, like a sloping roof. Living sheds made in this way will continue a long time, but some pro- tection may be needed at the bottom, both for the trunks and for the foli- j age on the opposite side. OF RURAL AFFAIRS. -^3( 223 MISCELLANEOUS FARM NOTES. Cultivating Corn. — Young corn should be cultivated as early as pos- sible both to push on the crop and to kill the young weeds when they are small and feeble, and have not injured the young plants. An excellent mode of performing this work is to take a Shares' harrow, fix handles to it like those of a cultivator, and take out the middle tooth. Two horses will draw it, working two rows at a time, pulverizing the soil perfectly and running close to the plants without throwing the earth upon them. This is especially adapted to corn on inverted sod, which Shares' harrow pul- verizes in the best manner, without tearing up the turf, as it operates like the roller and harrow combined. Advantages of Drill Marks. — The lines made by drilling in wheat, if straight and carefully and regularly made, will be useful in marking out the spaces for sowing grass seed, as well as in picking stone, sowing plas- ter or applying top-dressing, as they remain visible a long time afterwards. Every farmer should therefore place the drill in the hands of a driver who knows how to lay a straight furrow. Testing Grass Seed. — It is of great importance in seeding down to grass, to cover the whole ground with a dense coating of herbage, with no bare spots. To do this the seed must be good. It may have been injur- ed by age or mouldiness, or have been imperfectly ripened. Hundreds of dollars may be lost by not knowing good from bad seed. To test it, count a given number of seeds, and sow them regularly in a pot or box of fine earth, covering them a fourth or half an inch deep, according to size, by sprinkling on fine earth. Keep them moist and warm and count the num- ber that grow, or they may be sprouted between folds of moist cotton. Raising Clover Seed. — W. Strong gives in substance in the Coun- try Gentleman the following method for raising clover seed. Top-dress with manure in the autumn previously, and plaster in spring, as ripening seed draws hard on the soil. The early or first crop must be taken as soon as in blossom ; the second, for seed, should become nearly all ripe. Cut with a mowing machine with a platform, graduated to a proper height, raking oflfthe bunches opposite to each other at every passing, so that they can be taken in a row when loading on the wagon. If rain threatens, draw in immediately, as the ripe straw will not hurt the seed, and this will pre- vent the loss resulting from turning over for drying afterwards in the field. This is found to be much better and to be attended with far less waste than cutting by hand or raking into heaps, or using a pitcher. Thresh in cold, frosty weather in winter. Hooking Cattle. — A correspondent of the Country Gentleman prevents the injurious results of cattle hooking each other, by sawing off, \ with a fine sharp saw, an inch or two of their horns, and says this is as good A as brass knobs, and much cheaper. (J 2 24 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER Feeding Squashes to Cows, — A correspondent of the Country Gentleman found that his cows gave four quarts of milk more per day, with the seeds taken out, than when left in — three pecks being daily fed to two cows. Another cow fattened more rapidly on three pecks of squashes cut into small pieces, than on six quarts of scalded cob-meal. The squashes made more milk and butter when the seeds were taken out than carrots ; and about the same when the seeds were left in. The variety was the Boston Marrow, with some Hubbard, both very rich kinds. The cross was thought to be better for the purpose, and to keep longer than the Mar- row alone. Cure for Foot Rot. — ^J. W. C. says, in the Country Gentleman, that the best and simplest remedy that he has tried consists in washing the feet perfectly clean, paring off the bad parts, and then dipping the foot for a few seconds into a small vessel of gas tar — a tin cup four inches deep, and three or four wide, will answer. Packing Vegetables for Winter. — There are two ways in which farmers usually deposit their vegetables in the cellar for winter, one of which, we are sorry to say is too common, is to take them up without much care, and with what earth happens to be adhering to them, and to throw them into a pile in one corner or other part of the cellar, where they remain till wanted for family use. We here allude to such vegetables as beets, carrots, parsnips, turnips, &c. If the cellar happens to be damp, many of them decay or lose their flavor ; if it chances to be a dry one, a portion of them become shrivelled and too dry for use. The heaps are overhauled repeatedly to find such as are good enough for the table, and these confused and scattered heaps present anything but a tidy appearance, while the decaying ones produce an unhealthy air. We have adopted another way, which we like much better. A few bushels of fine clean moss is obtained from dense woods or from swamps. Clean barrels or smooth-planed boxes, are taken to the garden, (a dry day being selected for the occasion,) and the vegetables being taken up, well cleaned, topped and trimmed, are placed in the barrels or boxes, with alternating layers of soft, damp moss. When filled, the handcart or wheelbarrow conveys them to the cellan The moss keeps them clean and sufficiently moist, preventing the accumulation of water on the one hand, and the drying and shrivelling of the foots on the other. They are always fresh and ready for use, and are taken out from under the moss without the least difficulty. As the barrel is successively emptied, a portion of the moss is taken off and placed in another one for future use. There are very few places where good moss cannot be obtained from the woods, within a reasonable distance ; but if beyond reach, clean, moist sand may be substituted for the purpose of retaining the moisture. It is, however, heavier and more difficult to handle, and the vegetables do not come from it so clean and fresh as from the moss. OF RURAL AFFAIRS. HOT-AIR FURNACES. HOT-AIR FURNACES FOR BURNING WOOD have been used to some extent by country residents ; but formidable objections have existed in the amount of labor and attention required to feed and regulate them, and in their liability to become choked by the accumulations of soot. When this soot has accidentally caught fire, it has endangered the building, unless special precaution has been taken to remove every combusti- ble substance from the pipes and flues, in its erection. The use of anthra- cite coal is not attended with these objections ; the ashes and dust are confined to the furnace room in the basement. The combustion is steady and long continued, and is thus easily regulated, and no soot being formed, the furnace is easily cleaned, and is not attended with danger by taking fire. Where it is desired to occupy several apartments of the house, it is decidedly more comfortable, as well as economical, to use a hot-air furnace for burning coal. In order that such of our readers as may desire to erect furnaces, or to know how to manage them, may understand their mode of operation, we give the accompanying sketch of the section of one of the best for burning coal now in use. The place for the fire is shown at a, fig. I, and is easily filled with coal through the door immediately above, while the ashes are taken out through the door of the ash-pit below. The smoke passes through the pipe b, into the chimney — the -a,/urnace ; b, smoke pifie ; ^^^^j^ ^^j^^g ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ Fig. I. — Hot-air Furnace- c, c, c, hot-air pipes ; d, cold-air tube ; /, /, cellar fioor; g, cellar walls-. iron, except the pipe. This heating apparatus is enclosed ih a brick air-chamber made with double walls, and from it the hOt-alr pipes, c, c, c, pass into the different rooms above, the supply of heat to each room being regulated by registers placed on a level with the floor, or sometimes in the side walls. A space four or five inches wide, between the double walls, admits the cold air to the lower part of the furnace. This air enters through an opening or window in the cellar wall, passes through the large wooden tube, d, into the upper part of the air space in the walls of the air-chamber, and immediately descends by its weight, as already stated. A brick floor or shelf surrounds the lower part of the furnace, and approaches within a few inches of it, so as to throw the cold air more immediately into contact with the heated iron. This shelf is supported by bricks standing on end, as shown by the upright ^^^ 226 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER dotted lines. Projecting brick shelves about half way up again throw the ascending air against the sides of the furnace. The man-hole door for en- tering the air-chamber in case of necessity, and for filling the water pan, (employed to render the air more humid,) is placed on the rear side. It is made of sheet-iron, lined within with sheet-tin, with an enclosed air space about two inches thick, to render it a non-conductor. Fig. 2 represents a portion of the cold-air tube with a sliding board, a^ to cut off the admission of air from the out- Pa I 5 ^^^^ ^^ *^"^^ °^ ^^S^^ wind, or to prevent the hot air from being driven outward through Fig. 2.— Cold-air tube on a larger jt when Strong winds prevail on the oppo- scale—a, slide /or ctiittng off or . ., . i j ^1. j r admittitig air from without; b, Site Side. When thus closed, the door, b, door for admitting air from cellar ^^^Q^X^y^Q opened for the entrance of air to/urnace, on windy days, when ^ , ^ , ~,, necessary. from the furnace room or basement. The cold-air pipe should always be placed on the side toward the prevailing winds ; and when these winds are strong, it will be necessary to partly close the tube by the sliding board a. It will also be desirable to close this tube in part, when in mild weather the fire is moderate or small. As a furnace must necessarily be placed in a basement, attention should be given to make it easily accessible from above, unless in charge of an at- tendant occupying the same floor. DRAWING SAND FOR GARDENS. A LARGE PORTION OF THE SOILS devoted to gardens in this country, would be improved and rendered lighter by an admixture of sand. In all those regions where clayey soils prevail, gardens tlyis treated would be rendered more readily friable, and could be worked earlier in spring. A coating of two or three inches, spread over the surface and gradually intermixed by cultivation, would, in many instances, effect a great improvement, A great advantage which this mode of treatment possesses, is the permanent character of the improvement. When a soil is merely enriched with manure, it gradually loses its richness as the manure disap- pears, but the sand, applied artificially, does not disappear, but remains for centuries. The best garden soil we have ever cultivated, was made by drawing sand on a strong or heavy loam. Soils that are naturally light, sandy or gravelly, frequently do not possess sufficient strength to retain long the manure applied to them. A proper admixture of the two ingre- dients is always the best. At the present season of the year — or in the depth of winter, when teams would otherwise be standing idle, — this work may be done to advantage. In clay regions, beds of sand may be generally found within a reasonable I distance. After breaking through the frozen crust, the sand may be easily A shovelled out for drawing. A few bundles of straw, thrust in at the mouth m^ of the open pit, on the approach of severe nights, will prevent severe Q freezing until the next day. OF RURAL AFFAIRS. ITEMS IN DOMESTIC ECONOMY. Leaks In Roofs— May be stopped by a cement or paste made of white lead paint thickened with fine clean sand. If not ex- posed to the sun, larger cracks may be stop- ped by a mixture of gas tar and sand. Cisterns.— A couple of live fish thrown into cisterns will clean them of worms and dirt. Filter. — A cheap temporary one may be made by taking a large sized flower-pot, or any other earthen vessel which has a hole in the bottom. First place in the bottom a Ikyer of pebbles, another of smaller ones, and then one of coarse sand, and lastly a layer of charcoal, broken into fine grains, but not powder. A piece of clean flannel extending up the sides of the pot, should cover the charcoal. More complete and permanent filters are figured and described on page io6 of Rural Affairs, vol. iii. liamp Explosions.— Many of these may be prevented by trimming the wick daily. When burned fo» several evenings without trimming, the wick becomes blacked, clog- ged, and incapable of supplying the oil clear- ly and uniformly, and the chimneys are some- times filled with flame and smoke, to the embarrassment and alarm of those present. Some explosions would be prevented by never blowing out the lamp down the chim- ney— for if the wick happens to be too small, the flame may be driven down into the oil. The best way is to turn it down with the button until extinguished. To TFiud a Watch— Turn the hole downward, and let the point of the key point upward. This will allow any little particles of metal or dust to drop out, and the watch will not need cleaning so often. Buckwlieat Cakes, as every one knows, are best when taken hot and fresh ; but sometimes they remain, become cold, and are thrown away. These cold cakes may be rendered excellent by taking a suitable quantity of milk, and adding to it say one- twentieth part of its bulk in butter, and heat- ing the two together over the fire till hot, but not scalding ; and then laying in the cakes and turning them over. Fire In Cblmneys may be arrest- ed in a great measure by throwing salt on the fire below, which partly extinguishes the flames ; stopping the chimney at the top arrests the current and contributes to the same result. It should be constantly im- pressed on the mind of every person that whenever a dwelling takes fire, every door should be kept closed to prevent the flames from spreading. Stair Carpets may be preserved a much longer time by placing strips of paper nearly as wide as the carpet and five or six inches broad, over the edge of each stair, which prevents the wearing at that place. Cleaning Knives.— A correspon- dent of the Country Gentleman says : A small, clean potato, with the end cut oflf, is a very convenient medium of applying brick dust to knives, keeping it at about the right moisture, while the juice of the potato assists In removing stains from the surface. We can get a better polish by this method than by any other we have tried, and with less labor. Hair Braskes are best cleaned by washing them in saleratus or soda water, which removes all the oily coating. Kltckcn Odors.— Meat which has been slightly tainted may be restored to per- fect sweetness, and the odor arising from it while boiling entirely prevented by throwing into the pot a few pieces of charcoal contain- ed in a small bag. The odor of vegetables slightly affected, may be prevented in the same way. Red pepper, and even black pepper, produces a similar but less perfect result. Rancid Butter, boiled in water with a portion of charcoal, (say a tenth part,) will be entirely divested of its rancidity and may be used for cooking purposes, although its fine flavor will not be restored for the table. Wall Paper may be readily cleaned by rubbing it with dry Indian meal on a cloth. Pieces of bread are commonly used for this purpose, but the Indian meal is ob- > viously cheaper and easier. 228 ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER PegKcd Shoes, made of light or thin I material, often have the soles crack off at the concave part before the shoes are half worn out. This is owing to the pegs becoming dry and shrinking. To prevent it, avoid thi usting them against stoves, or standing on hot-air registers ; at the same time keep them somewhat moist, by occasionally walk- ing on wet ground. If this is not a sufficient remedy, drive a few copper tacks at the place ofthe pegs and clinch them inside. They may be bought at hardware stores, and kept for this use— a half dozen wiU do for each shoe. A Self-Holder for a Spoon, when temporarily filled wth any liquid, or for dropping medicine, may be made in the simplest manner possible, by thrusting the handle between the leaves of a shut book lying on the table. If not high enough, one book may be piled upon another. Both hands may then be used in dropping from a bottle or making any desired mixture. Cleaning Dinner Plates. — Every dish-washer is familiar with the pro- cess of scraping adhered portions of gravy, etc., from the surface ofthe plates prepara- tory to washing. The rounded edge of a common table knife does the work imper- fectly. Skillful housekeepers inform us that long, straight, flexible blades, like the spatula of druggists, perform this work more' rapidly and perfectly. A task which has to be done three times a day, or more than a thousand times annually, should have every appliance for rendering it easy and perfect. A Valuable Remedy.— Dissolve chlorate of potash, at the rate of a teaspoon- ful in a tumbler of water. It is an admira- ble remedy for any kind of sore throat, par- ticularly ulcerated sore throat, if taken as a gargle. Will speedily cure chapped hands, or other skin disease. A few grains taken into the mouth and dissolved slowly, answers about as well as a gargle. To Clean a Clock. — When the clock stops, don't take it to the repair shop till you have tried as follows : Take off the pointers and the face ; take off the pendulum and its wire. Remove the ratchet from the tick wheel and the clock will run down with great velocity. Let it go. The increased speed wears away the gum and dust from the pinions — the clock cleans itself. If you have any pure sperm oil, put the least bit on the axles. Put the machine together, and nine times in ten it will nm just as well as if it had been taken to the shop. In fact this is the way that most shopmen clean clocks. If, instead of a pendulum, the clock has a watch escapement this latter can be taken out in an instant without taking the works apart, and the result is the same. It takes about twen- ty minutes to so clean a brass clock and saves a dollar. — N., in the Country Gentle- man. To Prepare Bees' W^ax.— To ob- tain wax, boil the combs in a strong muslin bag, in a saucepan, with water enough to keep it from burning ; and whilst boiling, continue to press the bag with a wooden slice or spoon, to extract the whole, as you skim off the wax. Drop the wax into cold water, where it will swim on the surface. The wax thus obtained will still want refining, to effect which place it in a clean sauce-pan, and melt it over a slow fire. Then pour oflf the clean wax into proper vessels, and let it cool. To whiten it, make it in thin cakes, and expose it to the sun. — N. V. Coachinakers' Maga- zine. Cooking tlie Cauliflower.— Put a good sized cauliflower in just enough boil- i?tg- water to cover it, with a large teaspoon- ful of coarse salt, and a piece of carbonate of soda the size of a moderate green pea, and boil for twenty-five minutes ; then dish and drain out all the water, and put two ounces of butter on top ofthe cauliflower, and cover close. Pickling: the Caulifloiver.— A correspondent of the Country Gentleman says : Have a kettle of boiling water, and put in one at a time, with top down, unless the kettle is large enough for more, and boil it until tender. Have ready a jar of cold vinegar, with cloves and mace ; drain the cauliflower well and put into the vinegar while hot. Cover tightly, and it will be ready for use in a week or ten days. Another correspondent gives the follow- ing directions : Take those that are very tender ; break in pieces the size desired (not cut ;) sprinkle with salt on an earthen dish, and in four hours remove to jars of strong, cold, spiced vinegar, previously pre- pared. @ WITH SOD.jiTD SUBSOIL ATTACHMENT. CLIPPER MOWING MACHINES, FOR ONE AND TWO HORSES. LAWN MOWING MACHINES, FOR HAND OR HORSE POWER. •-♦-• >^ITVI> ]VIILLS, FXJ^IFS, AND EVERY VARIETY OF AGRICULTURAL & HORTICULTURAL IMPLEMiEDtTTS, MACHINERY AND HARDWARE, SEEDS AND FERTILIZERS. ■ •^♦-« A handsomely ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE of over 200 pages, which is the most complete for its kind ever published, will be sent upon receipt of $1. This amount, however, will be deducted from the first order that may be sent to us, as our object in charging for our book is only to se- cure its being called for by those desiring to purchase our goods. R. H. ALLEN & CO., 189 a' 191 WATER-STREET, NEW- YORK. ALBANY AGRICULTURAL WURKS, HAMILTON-STREET, COMER LIBERTY & UNION STREETS, ALBAISTY, ISr. Y., HORACE L. EMERY & SON, PROPRIETORS AND MANAGERS. These works were originally projected and established by the present Senior proprietor, in 1847, '48 and '49, and have, almost without interruption, since then been conducted by him— and for seven years (1855 to 1S62) under the firm name of Emery Brothers, with his two junior brothers, Wm. B. and Geo. W., (the latter recently deceased.) In 1864 the present film became the sole proprietors and managers of these extensive works and business, together with the large and ample assortment of patterns and working machinery, the accumulations of nearly 20 years, and have continued the same, in all its branches, for their own account and interest. They have also made and added several new and valuable improvements and articles to the previous extensive assortment of labor-saving Machines, for the Plantation, Farm and Work Shop, and have largely increased their fa- cilities for manufacturing with greater rapidity and saving in cost, thus enabling them to afford better terms to purchasers than heretofore. The Senior member of the firm was the pioneer of this business in this city, and has been the designer and patentee of all the leading and successful machines which have given these ALBAKV AGRICULTURAL WORKS and their Manufactures their well-earned and deserved world-wide reputation and demand. As other parties in this city have recently commenced the manufacture of Agricultural Machines (and secured the services of the junior brother, Wtn. B. Emery, upon a salary as an employee, amdfor the use of the iiajne,) and are using similar illustrations, descriptions, representations, rnd in other ways are endeavoring to lead the public to su{>- pose that these Albany A g-ri( ultural IVorks have ceased to exist, or have been reorgan- ized under a new name and management, the attention of the public is respectfully called to facts herein stated ; and a continuance of that patronage heretofore so long and liberal- ly enjoyed by these Works, is solicited by the Proprietors. Descriptive, Illustrated and Price Catalogues and Circulars furnished gratis by mail, or otherwise, on application. Selling Agents wanted in all sections of the country, where none are already established, to whom liberal commissions will be allowed. Address, with special care, to avoid delays, &c., ■La. TfjiwiEinr sc soisr, ALBANY AGRICULTURAL WORKS, liock Drawer 193, Albany, N. Y. HOIi-A-CE i^RL3|MER5«PS^ * ALBANY AGKlCl'lTURAl WORKS, HORAGS Li. emery & SOZffp PROPRIETORS AM) MANAGERS, AND EXCLUSIVE MANUFACTURERS OF THE CELEBRATED UNIVERSAI GflTTON GIN & GONOENSER. These Cotton Gins and Condensers are adapted to Ginning and Cleaning ALL KINDS and CONDITIONS OF COTTON, AND FITTED FOR STEAM, WATER, HORSE, WIND, OR MANUAL POWER. •-•-« These Machines have never failed to receive the highest honors and awards wherever they have been tried ; and they have been tested in competition with nearly allother kinds in use. The COTTON SUPPLY ASSOCIATION, of Manchester, England, awarded it the highest honors, over all other saw gins, and declared the samples ginned by it entirely unin- jured— a compliment never before or since given to any other saw gin by that Association. The Georgia State Ag. Society gave it their highest award, beside the best gins in use at the South, after several daj-s constant and thorough trial, in competition with their best gins. The Maryland Institute, at Bahimore, awarded it their Highest Prize Medal two years in succession, 1865 and '66, after weeks constant operation at their fairs, and by committees of cotton brokers and mechanics. The New- York State Agricultural Society also awarded it their Highest Prize Medal three years in succession, 1864, '65 and '66, after several days constant operation, and by competent committees. These Gins and Condensers were not exhibited at St. Louis Fair in 1866. They were exhibited in operation at New-Orleans in Nov., 1866, during the whole Fair, ginning in the open field, without shelter of any kind, and with universal approbation and satisfaction of the thousands of visitors. There were no arrangements made by the officers for a trial, to test the merits of the great number of gins exhibited there ; and when the competitors were asked by them to join in an application and programme for a trial, they all readily joined in the request, excepting only the managers of the machine to which the honors were sub- sequently awarded. The positive refusal of said managers to join in the application deleat- ed any trial, as well as the appointment of any jury of experts, and consequently nearly all of the exhibitors refused to operate their machines during said Fair. The United St.\tes Commissioners for the Paris Exposition, in December last, selected and sent out Oie UNIVERSAL COTTON GIN & CONDENSER of Horace L. Emery & Son, as the best sample from among the large number offered by different makers, and after a most careful and thorough investigation of the credentials and merits claimed by the applicants, among the latter of whom were the successful exhibitors AT THE NEW-ORLEANS FAIR IN NOVEMBER, 1866. ^3^ ©c^ BUY THE BEST NZSmr-YORK STATB IGRICOLTURAL WORKS, WHEELER, MELIGE & CO., PATENTEES AND MANCFACTTRERS OF RAILWAY CHAIN & LEVER HORSE POWERS, COMBINED THRESHERS & CLEANERS, THRESHERS & SEPARA- TORS, CLOVER HULLERS, FEED CTTTERS* SAW MILLS, HORSE RAKES, HORSE PITCHFORKS, SHINGLE MA- CHINES, &c., &c., &c. ALSO THE ATLANTIC COTTON GIN. Our Machines having been before the public for the last 20 years, are too well known to need description. Having been much improved re- cently, we have no hesitation in recommending them as the best in market. For simplicity, durability and efficiency, they cannot be excelled, if equalled, and we will put them in competition with the "Best in America," or in the World. They were awarded the (first premium at New- York State Fair in 1865, and at the Penn- sylvania State Fair, and at ever)' Fair where exhibited in 1866. At the trial at Auburn, N. Y., in July 1866, but one machine was present, (we finding it impossible to attend at that season of the year,) and it is evident that any machine, even if much inferior, would receive a premium, having no competition. Illustrated Circulars Sent on A pplicatioti. Address 1VH£E:L.ER, MEL.1CK 6c CO., Albany, N. T. PATENT mPROVEDJORSE PITCH-FORK. This implement stands unrivalled among the various kinds of Horse Forks. Having been put in use the past seasotf by nearly 15,000 practical Farmers, who speak of it in the highest terms of praise, it is unnecessary for us to speak of its merits. For Sim- plicity of Construction, Lightness and Easy Management it can- not be excelled. !i ©c^- \ =^3© Two Goto MEDAts AWAR DED ONE MACHINE. HERDER'S PREMIUM RAILWAY HORSE POWER AND COMBINED THRESHER AND CLEANER, At the GREAT NATIONAL TRIAL, AUBURN, July, 1866. For "Slow and easy tnovemeiit of horses — 15 rods less than i/4 guiles a7i hour ; tuechanical construc- tion of the very best kind, deserving of hig-h commen- dation ; thorough and con- scientious luorkmanship and material in every place ; nothings slighted, excellent -work, 6^c.," as shown by the Official Report of the Judges, from which trial the oldest competitors of this machine withdrew,after the commence- mentof the same, virtually rt^- viitting their inability to compete successfully with it at the most thorough trial that has ever taken place in this country ; yti pretending willingness to compete, notwithstanding the records to the contrary. Threshers, Separators, Fanning MillSj Wood Saws, Seed Sowers & P1anters,&e., all of which are the best in market. Circulars with price, full information, and Judges' Report of Auburn Trial sent free. Address R. 6c M. HARDER, COBLESKILL, SCHOHARIE Co., N- Y. THE CHAMPION. HICKOK'S Patent Portable Keystone HR AND Wll MILL. Over 14,000 in Use and Ap- proved. This admirable machine is now ready for the fruit harvest of 1868, is made in the most perfect manner with either one or two tubs, and is well worthy the attention of all per- sons wanting such ^ machine. It has no superior in the 'market, and is the only mill that will properly grind grapes. Far Sale by all Respectable Dealers. I also make two sizes of superior PRESSES FOR BERftlES, &c., &c. If your merchant does not keep them, tell him to send for one for you, or write for one %V. O. HICKOK, Harkisburg, Pa. yourself. Address the manufacfurer, ©c:^ f FRUIT AND ORNAMENTAL TREES. EIiIiDITAnrGER « BARRY INVITE THE ATTENTION OF PLANTERS, NURSERYMEN & DEALERS IN TREES, To their Extefisive Stock Now Offered in the Departments of II.A^T13D-Y FI^TJIT TItEES, C3"H,A.I?E'VI]tTES, all the poqular varieties of BOTH NATIVE AND FOREIGN, ORNAMENTAL TREES, FLOWERING SHRUBS AND PLANTS, ROSES, &c. In all these the collections are the most extensive and complete in the United States. Prices moderate. Prompt and careful attention given to all ORDERS, and PACKING done in the most skillful and thorough manner. Full particulars will be found in the following Catalogues, which will be sent prepaid to applicants who who enclose stamps ; Nos* 1 and 2 — Ten cents each. No. 3 — Five cents. No, 4 — Three cents. No. 1 — A Descriptive and Illustrated Catalogue of Fruits. No, 2 — A Descriptive and Illustrated Catalogue ofOrnamental Trees, Shrubs, Roses,&c. No. 3— A Catalogue of Dahlias, Verbenas, Petunias, and select new Greenhouse and Bedding Plants, published every Spring. No. 4— A Wholesale Catalogue or Trade List. EL.LTV ANGER &, BARRY, MOUNT HOPE NURSERIES, ROCHESTER, N. Y. NURSERYMEN, DEALERS AND PLANTERS WILL FIND AT THE (Established 1855) A VERY LARGE AND COMPLETE ASSORTMENT OF FRUIT AND ORNAMENTAL TREES, EVERGREENS, ROSES, SHRUBS, Fine Grapes^ Small Fruits^ &c., &c., of FINE QUALITY, well adapted to Southern and Western Planting, and embracing, of NEW and OLD, all that has been found worthy of cultivation. Packing well done to carry safely any distance. Facilities for shipping unsurpassed. Call and examine stock, or Send Stamps for Catalog-ues. ^ R. «. ha:^fori>, Columbus, Ohio. S* FIBLD & GARDZSIff SESDS. MAUPAY, HACKER & CO., IMPORTERS ill DMliRS X HNT S :E3 DES X>. Nos. 803 & 805 MARKET-STREETp PHILADELPHIA, PENN. The best varieties of IMPORTED SEED WHEAT and OATS on hand during the season. GOODRICH and other SEEDLING POTATOES. Stinger's Seedling Strawberry Plants. A FIRST PREMIUM AND SUPERIOR MARKET VARIETY. CIBCrLARS ON APPLICATIOIV. COUNTRY MERCBANTS AND DEALERS SUPPLIED AT TBE LOWEST RATES. PERUVIAN GUANO SUBSTITUTE! m BOHEloPtRPHmT! or IIMI. Sole Proprietors aud Mannfac-tnrers, Delaware River Chemical Works, Phila- delphia, and Calamet Works, Chicago* For WHEAT, RYE, and all CROPS and PLANTS, and adapted to all soils requiring an active and permanent Fertilizer. BAUCH BROTHERS & CO., GENERAL WHOLESALE AGENTS, li^^ Price Circular on application. Send for Pamphlet gratis. Sold by Dealers in all parts of the United States and the Dominion of Canada. * -=«=>^ ^ Manual of Grape and Small Fruit Culture y A neat little book of 24 pages of matter, on the different modes of cultivating the Small ' Fruits, with descriptions of varieties. Bound with it is our Price List of stock, and mat- ter descriptive of" South Jersey," sent to all applicants enclosing stamp. 1,000,000 Strawberry PJantM, of 42 kinds, for sale. A fine Stock of Wilson EarJy and Kittatinity Blackberries, the two best — the former for market, and the latter for family use. We offer plants at low figures, lower than those in our Price List. Send us a list of what you want, and we will put our lowest prices on it and return it, if it is accompanied with a stamp. Last spring we planted to Strawberries 12 acres; Raspberries, 6 acres ; Blackberries, Grapes and Currants, 6 acres. We expect to add this fall 6 acres in Raspberries, Doolittle mainly, although we have great faith in the Philadelphia ; we planted 4 acres of it last spring. In the spring we shall add 6 acres of Blackberries (mainly Wilson Early, as we grow for market,) and 12 acres in Strawberries. These plantations are at all times subject to inspection. During the summer persons who wish to purchase for fall planting are urged to come and see our plants. We shall endeavor to offer in the fall of 1868 iOO,000 Blackberry Plants, mainly Wilson Early and Kittatinny. Our prices are made to suit the times, and will be found low for quality of stock offered. Address J. H. FOSTER, Jr., M'hite Horse P. O., Camden Co., N. J. (Our former place was at West Newton, Pa.) Persons corresponding will please mention where advertisement was seen. ALDERNEY CATTLE AND CASHMERE COATS. WHITE SPROUTS, EIVRLY GOODRICH AND MONITOR I» O ■J? .A. "T O E3 ® . All of the above mentioned breeds are from selected stock, and will be kept from degen- erating by purchases from tmie to time of the best bred stock in the country. ^VII^LIS A. OARREXX, Street Road, Chester Co., Penn. The Kittatinny^ introduced by the subscriber, is everN'where acknowledged the the verj' BEST Blackberry extant. Having the original stock, we are enabled to furnish Nurserymen, Planters and Amateurs s;cin(ine plants in large or small quantities, at low rates. We also have the TVILSOrSr BLACKBERRY AND A GOOD STOCK OF THE Best Raspberries, Strawberries, Currants and Grapes. Our plants are all grown in the open ground, and for health, vigor, quality and purity are admirably adapted to the wants of all who wish satisfactory results. E. & J. C. WILiLIAinS, MONTCLAIR, N. J. k =^3^^ HENRY A. DREER, Seedsman and Florist, 714 CHESTNUT-ST., PHILADELPHIA, PEN A. • • • A FULL ASSORTMENT OF FRESH AND GENUINE VEGETABLE&FLOWER SEEDS, BULBOUS ROOTS, PLANTS, &c., &c. Also GRASS SEEDS, GARDEN IMPLEMENTS and BOOKS. DREER'S GARDEN CALENDAR, designed to furnish briefdirections for the CULTIVATION and MANAGEMENT of the ESCULENT and FLOWER GARDEN, published annually, and will be mailed to all applicants. AMERICAN FRUIT CULTURIST, CONTAINING PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS FOR THE PROPAGATION AND CULTURE OF FRUIT TREES, IN THE NURSERY, ORCHARD AND GARDEN With Descriptions of the Principal American and Foreign Varieties Culti- Yated in the United States. JBY jrOHIV~5\ THOIMC-A^S, ASSOCIATE EDITOR OF THE CULTIVATOR & COUNTRY GENTLEMAN. In one handsome post octavo volume of over 500 pages, illustrated by 480 accurate en- gravings. Price $3 by Mail, Free of Postage. This is the most thorough and complete work on the subject published in this country. It covers the whole ground of Fruit Culture, explaining in a clear, practical and systematic manner, the simplest details, as well as the more difficult methods of cultivation. It seems as if nothing had escaped the attention of its experienced author. The criticisms of the Press are, ivithoiit exception, of the most flattering and favorable character. A few will show the opinion expressed by all : " Possesses sterling value." — N. Y. Daily Tribune. " The work is a practical one." — Philadelphia Ledger. " The book is one of great value." — Neiv-Haven Register. " A book of great value." — Far^n and Fireside, Philadelphia, Pa. " A reliable assistant to the fruit grower." — Lafayette Daily Journal. " Superior to any Fruit book yet published." — ///. Journal, Springfield. ** We cordially commend Mr. Thomas' book." — New- Albany Daily Ledger. '• Mr. Thomas is master of the matter of which he writes so well." — Boston Traveller. " A safe and reliable guide on the various subjects of which it treats." — Worcester Gaz. " The most complete and practical work on the subject published. 'i — Rochester Daily Democrat. " We commend it both to experienced practitioners and to new beginners, with entire confidence.'' — Cultivator &r' Country Gentleman. " The best and most comprehensive horticultural treatise for general use it has ever been our fortune to read." — N^eiu- Bedford Jilercury. "It has ati honest look about it ; we advise all who feel an interest in Fruit culture to put themselves in possession of it at once." — Moore's Rjiral Neiv-Yorker. " We have no hesitation in pronouncing it the most comprehensive and valuable work which has yet been published on the above subjects. — Practical Farmer, Phila. For sale by L.UTHE11 TUCKER AT SON, Albany, N. Y. , AND BY BOOKSELLERS EVERYWHERE. ( .0 GRAPEVINES & SMALL FRUITS, f NIHSERY ESTABLISHED IN 185T. Delaware, Martha, Salem, lona, Israella, Miles, Ives' and Rentz' Seedlings, Adirondac, Allen's White Hybrid, Rogers' New Hybrids, Concord, Hartford, Diana, Creveling, Maxa- tawuey, Rebecca, Lydia, Mottled, Logan, Lenoir, Norton's Virginia, Dracut Amber, Northern Muscadine, Perkins, To-Kalon, Union Village, Underbill's Seedling, Catawba, Isabella, and many others, one and two year plants, best quality, at low prices, Kittatinny and Wilson's Early Blackberries. Clarke, Kirtland, Doolittle, Philadelphia and Catawissa Raspberries. Dewning's and Houghton Gooseberries. Cherry, Versailles, White Transparent, White Grape and Black Naples Currants. Gloede's New Perpetual Pine, Jucunda, Agriculturist, Russell's Prolific and other Strawberries. Send stamp for Descriptive Catalogue and Prices, to GC:0. W. CAMPBEE.1., DELAWARE, OHIO. R. BUIST, Nurseryman, 67th St. & Darby Road, Philadelphia, Pa., Calls Special Attention to his Collection of NEW HARDY EVERGREENS, SEW GREENHOUSE AND HOTHOUSE PLANTS, A'EW HARDT SHRUBS, \£W ROSES, FOREIGN GRAPEVIKES, With Every Descriptioti of FRUIT TREES AND FRUITING PLANTS. C^T All. OG^ TIES SXJPI»LIini>. ]S100REST0AV^]S3" Small Fruit and Plant Farm. Having an Extensive Assortment of \mmm\\m\m\x\m\\mx\mi\ ORAPEVIKES & ASPARAGUS ROOTS, It is needless for me to attempt to give prices in this advertisement, and only add they will be found as low as are offered for plants of same quality. Send Stamp for New Descrip- tive Catalogtie and Testimonials, issued about December ist. It is to your advantage. THOS. C. AIVWRKWS, Moorestown, N. J. CHOICE GRAPEVINES, ROSES, &c. Practical Crape and Rose Grower, Has always on hand a choice assortment of GRAPEVINES, ROSES, SMALL FRUITS, FLOWERING SHRUBS, &c., &c., ALL PLANTS WARRANTED TRUE TO NAME. « A good collection of Geraniums, Verbenas, Heliotropes, Basket and Border Plants, in itt the spring of the year. * n^ JOHN CHARLTON, Box 674, Rochester, N. Y. \J 0^= .^^ vO/ Seed^! S©@dss!! S^cds!!! No. 5 North Pearl-St., Albany, N. Y., Dealer in Field, Garden and Flower Seeds of all kinds, Trees, Vines, Shrubbery', Green- house, Hothouse and Bedding Plants, Bulbs, Roots, S:c. ; Boquets, Fancy Baskets and Floral designs of all kinds ; Rustic and Iron Garden Seats, Stands and Vases, Rustic and Wire Flower Stands, Hanging Baskets, Birds and Bird Cages. Agricultukal and Horticultural Implements, Fertilizers, &c. Also an ele- gant assortment of fine Horticultural Goods and requisites for the Parlor and Conservatory. Seeds sent by mail to all parts of the country, on receipt of Catalogue Prices. Catalogues furnished on application. agent for the sale of ANDREW COE^S CELflBKATED SIPER-PHOSPHATE OF LIME. IT DON'T SCRATCH YOU! OR TEAR YOUR CLOTHES! DAVISON'S is the BEST, as it is hardy, productive, early and sweet, and it is a pleasure to cultivate it. For origin, description, prices, testimonials, &c., send for Circular to JOSEPH SINTON, ANGOLA, Erie Co., IST. Y. HARTFORD PROLIFIC, PERFEGRY HARflY. HEAITHY&REUABIL The Crape for the Million ! The fruit has net us, in a single season, over Orie Thousand Dollars per acre. Has not failed of a crop in our giounds in nine successive years ; is bearing this season at least Five Tons per acre. Strong vines of Hartford Prolific, lona, Israella, Adirondac, Delaware, Diana, Allen's Hybrid, Rogers' Hybrids, Creveling, Union Village, Salem, &c., &c., for sale at prices that cannot fail to suit. Price lists fi-ee to all applicants. C. t. HOAG A: CO., Lochf>ort Grape Nurseries, Lock port, N. Y. \m\ ONE AND TWO YEARS OLD. AN EXTRA FINE STOCK OF DELAWARE, CONCORD, IVES' SEEDLING, CREVELING HARTFORD, DIANA, ION A, ISRA- ELLA, CLINTON, CATAIVBA, and many other good varieties, at \tOW Rates by the Dozen, Hundred or Thousand. Also a good stock of FRUIT and ORNAMENTAL TREES, EVERGREENS, SMALL FRUIT, SHRUBS, ROSES, &c., &c., OSAGE ORANGE PLANTS, two years, at $5 per 1,000. ^ LENK & CO., Humboldt Nurseries, TOLEDO, OHIO. ■=^^® m.i^ 1 3sr oisr E3- COPYRIGHT SECURED. _ »-•-• If you want to buy Trees cheapest, READ WHITLOCR'S HORTICULTURAL ADVERTISER. If you want to know how to Plant, READ WHITLOCR'S HORTICULTURAL ADVERTISER. If you want to know the prices of Trees in 300 Nurseries, READ WHITLOCR'S HORTICULTURAL ADVERTISER. Ifyouwanta Grapevine for Nothing, send FIFTY CENTS for WHITLOCR'S HORTICULTURAL ADVERTISER ONE YEAR. If you want to sell Trees, Vines, etc., send TEN CENTS for specimen number of WHITLOCR'S HORTICULTURAL ADVERTISER. If you want a beautiful assortment of Flower Seed for Nothing, get up a CLUB for WHITLOCR'S HORTICULTURAL ADVERTISER. If you want to know why " All Nurseries in One " can sell trees cheapest, READ WHITLOCR'S HORTICULTURAL ADVERTISER. If you want to see a Premium List of beautiful Pictures, Papers, Magazines, Trees, Vines and Flowers, send for WHITLOCR'S HORTICULTURAL ADVERTISER. If you want a handsome journal of 100 pages for 50 cents, subscribe for WHITLOCR'S HORTICULTURAL ADVERTISER. 5 No. 37 PARK ROW, NEW-YORK ©c:^=- A large and choice stock of all the best and most desirable varieties constantly on hand, both stock of my own raising, and imported. Having already made the cvirrent year, and expecting to make as many more, it can easily be seen that my stock will be the LARGEST as well as the FINEST 07i this Continent. Of the latter, there can be no doubt, as a portion of it is selected by the subscriber's brother, now in Europe, (Oct. ist,) and the balance by one of the best judges and most prominent dealers in France. My importations are setni-yenrly, thus ensuring the utmost purity of stock. Orders received for imported stock and their progeny, and filled in rota- tion. Address A. ]?I. HAL-SVED, 68 Pearl-St., New-York, (or RYE, N. Y.) SHORT-flORSS FOR SALE, OF THE BEST AND MOST FASHIONABLE STRAINS OF BLOOD. ALSO SOUTH DOWN SHEEP AND BERKSHIRE PICS. Catalogues Furnished upon Application. I>. McMIIiliAN, XENIA, OHIO. WILLIAM PARKY, CINNAMINSON, N. J., Having grown Small Fruits for Market 29 years, now has 130 acres, largely of PniLADELPHIA AND CLARKE RASPBERRIES, WILSON'S EARLY & RITTATINNT BLACKBERRIES. STRAWBERRIES, CURRANTS AND GRAPES. Subject to the inspection of visitors. Se7id stamp for Catalogues. PURIi: BRED AyiMEY OR JERSEY COWS, BULLS, HEIFERS AND CALVES, WITH TRUE PEDIGREES. Inferior to none in appearance or at the Churn. Some direct from cows that have made eighteen pounds of butter per week. A. D. NEWELL,, M. D., NEIVBRUNSIVICK, N. J. SMALL FRUIT MAMAL, GIVES THE EXPERIENCE OF Fifteen Years Practical Knowledge, IN GROWING STRAWBERRIES, RASPBERRIES, BLACKBERRIES, CURRANTS, &c., &c.. Sent to all Applicants on receipt of Ten ce7tts. Address A. M. PURBY, SOUTH BEND, IND. SMALL FKUITS, PLANTS OF THE LEADING VARI- ETIES OF STRAWBERRIES, RASPBERRIES, GRAPEVINES, &c. PRICE LIST SENT TO ALL AP- PLICANTS. Highla7id Viyievards, HIGHLAND. ULSTe'r CO., N. Y. BURROUGHS' WALTHAM, ADDISON CO., VT., SOLON BUEROUGHS,Proprietor. Bost-OMce. Addressi, Verycnnes, Vt. Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Grapevines, Slirubs. Evergreens, &c.. Hybrid, Perpetual and Climbing Roses, Currant, Blackberry and Raspberry Bushes, Rhubarb, Strawberry Plants, &c., Sec. Also for Sale in their sea- son. Apples, Pears, Plums and Grapes, and other fruits. U^^ All orders promptly fill- ed. Send one stamp for Grape Catalogue, or two stamps for Catalogue containing Directions for Setting Fruit Trees, <5r-V. DR. GEOGHEGAN'S C03II»0IL"\I> EXTRACT OF HYDROFIPiSR, OR. VEGETABLE ALTERATIVE, TONIC & PURIFIER, Pre-eminently the Best Remedy ever Discovered for the Cure of SCROFULA, WHITE SWELLING, NEGRO CONSUMP- TION, SCURVY, DYSPEPSIA, CHRONIC RHEUMATISM, GOUT, NEURALGIA, SORES, ULCERS, AND ALL SKIN DISEASES, KIDNEY AFFECTIONS, FE- MALE IRREGULARITIES AND OB- STRUCTIONS, MERCURIAL DISEASES, SEC- ONDARY SYPHILIS, GENERAL DEBILITY, AND AI^I. l>ISORE>ORS ARISir\0 FROIVI • • * A CARD TO PHYSICIANS. Dr. GEOGHEGAN would cordially invite the medical fraternity generally to give his remedy a fair and thorough trial ; particularly in such inveterate cases as usually resist the ordinarj' mode of treatment ; for he believes he hazards nothing in promising that it will accomplish more in all such than any other known remedies. The extract of Hydro- piper is no nostrum or compound of secret remedies — on the contrary, this Extract and its formula have been submitted to many distinguished medical gentlemen in various portions of the country, and have invariably won their unqualified commendation. He claims to have no secret remedy, nor to have discovered any new medical substance, whose proper- ties and uses are unknown to the intelligent and scientific physician. The peculiar excellence of his remedy is derived from the mode of extracting, separating arid combining, in due and just equivalent proportions, in their purity and perfection, the isolated active principles of the following medicinal substances : Rj. Hydropiper, Juglans, Cinerea, Podopyllin, Ascleplas, Tuberosa, Xanthroxylum Cortex. — See Eberle's Materia Medica, Wood S' Bache's Dispensatory. J. B. WILDER & CO., AVHOJLESALE DRUaaiSTS, LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, Are Dr. Geoghegan's General Agents, to whom all orders should be addressed. ©c^^ DOCTOR M'LANE'S -^^® CELEBRA TED AMKRICAN WORM SPECIFIC OR vebm:ifxjge. No diseases to which the human body is liable, are better entitled to the attention of the philanthropist, than tbose consequent on the irritation produced by worms in th^ stomach and boivels. When the sufferer is an adult, the cause is A'ery frequently overlooked ; and, consequently, the proper remedy is not applied. But when the pa- tient is an infant, if the disease is not entirely neglected, it is still too frequently as- cribed, in whole or part, to some other cause. It ought here to be particularly re- marked, that although but few worms may exist in a child, and howsoever quiescent they may have been previously, no sooner is the constitution invaded by any of the nxttner-ous train of diseases to which infancy is exposed, than it \^ fearfully augument- ed by their irritation. Hence it too frequently happens that a disease otherwise easily managed by proper remedies, when aggravated by that cause, bids defiance to treatment judicious in other respects, but which entirely fails in consequence of worms being overlooked. And even in cases of greater violence, if a potent and prompt remedy were possessed, so that they could be expelled without loss of time, which is so precious in such cases, the disease might be attacked by proper remedies, even handed and with success. Syinptouis vvliich cannot be mifttaken.— The countenance ie pale and leaden-colored, with occasional flushes, or a circumscribed spot on one or both cheeks : the eyes become dull ; the pupils dilate ; an azure semi-circle runs along the lower eyelid; the nose is irritated, swells, and sometimes bleeds; a swelling of the upper lip ; occasional headache, with hiimming or throbbing of the ears : an unusual secretion of saliva: slimy or furred tongue; breath verj' foul, particularly in the morning; appetite variable, sometimes voracious, with a gnawing sensation of the stomach, at others entirely gone; fleeting pains in the stomach; occasional nausea and vomiting; violent pains throughout the abdomen; bowels irregular, at times costive; stools slimy, not unfrequently tinged with blood; belly swollen and hard; urine turbid: respiration occasionafly difficult, and accompanied by hiccough; cough sometimes dry and convulsive ; uneasy and disturbed sleep, with grinding of the teeth ; temper variable, but generally initable, etc. Whenever the above symptoms are found to exist, DK. MLANES VERMIFUGE MAY BE DEPENDED ON TO EFFECT A CURE. The universal success which has attended the administration of this Preparation has been .such as to warrant us in pledging ourselves to the public to EETITRiS' the MONEY in every instance where it should prove inefTectual : " Providing the symp- toms attending the sickness of the child or adult should warrant the supposition of worms being the cause." In all cases the medicine to be given in strict accordance with the directions. We pledge ourselves to the public, that Dr. JttZane's Vermifuge DOES NOT CON- TAIN MERCURY in any form; and that it is an innocent preparation, 7io< capaftic of doing the slightest injury to the most tender infant. DIRECTIONS.— Give a child from two to ten years old, a teaepoonful in as much sweetened water every morning, fasting; if it purges through the day, well but if not, repeat it again in the evening. Over ten, give a little more ; under two, give less. To a full grown person, give two teaspoonluls. Reware of Counterfeits and Articles pnrportlnia: to be Dr. M' Lane's.— The great popularity of Dr. M'LANE'S GENUINE PREPARA- TIONS, has induced unprincipled persons to attempt palming upon the public coun- terfeit and inferior articles. In consequence of which the proprietors have been forced to adopt every possible guard against fraud. Purchasers will please pay at- tention to the following marks of genuineness: 1st. The external wrapper is a fine Steel p:ngraving, with the signatures of C. M'LANE and FLEMING BROS. 2d. The Directions are printed on fine paper, with a water-mark as follows: " Dr. M'- Lane's Celebratfd Vermifuge and Liver Pills, Fleming Bros., I^roprielors." This water- mark can be seen bj- holding up the paper to the light. The LIVER PILLS have the name stamped on the lid of the box in red wax. PREPARED ONLY BY Fl^Eifll^iO BROTHKRJii, PlXXSItURCJII, PEIV^f., Sole Proprietors of Dr. McLane^s Liver Pills and Vermifuge. I SOIiD B¥ DEALERS EVERYWHERE. \[ The Proprietors will forward per mail, to any part of the United States, one box of H Liver Pills, or one vial of Vermifuge, on receipt of 40 cents in Government Stamps. I ^=i^ DOCTOK M'LAlSrE'S CELEBRATED LIVER PILLS, FOR THE CURE OF HEPATITIS OR LIVER COMPLAINT, DYSPEPSIA AND SICK HEADACHE. • ♦ « In offering to the public Dr. M'Lane's Celebrated Livek Pill, as a remedy for Liver and Bilious Complaints, we presume no apology will be needed. The Rreat prevalence of Liver Complaint and Bilioxis Diseases of ail kinds, throughout the United States, and particularly in the West and South, where, in the majority of cases, the patient is not within the reach of a regular ph}'sician,require that some remedy should be provided that would not in the least impair the constitution, and yet be safe and effec- tual. That such is the true character of Db. M'I/ANe's Liver Pills, there can be no doubt. The great success which has inxtariably attended their use, will, we think, be suflflcient to convince the most incredulous. It has been our sincere wish that these inlls should be fairly and fully tested, and stand or fall by the eflfects produced. That they have been so tested, and that the result has been in every respect favor- able, we call thousands to ivitness who have experienced their beneficial effects. - . Dr. M'LiANe's Liver Pills are not held forth or recommended (like most of the popularmedicinesof theday)as universal cure-alls, but simply for ^ii.'er Oojyiplaints, and those symptoms connected with a deranged state of that organ. DISEASES OF THE LIVER. The Liver is much more frequently the seat of disease than is generally supposed. The function it is designed to perform, and on the regular execution of which depends not only the general health of the bodv, but the powers of the stomach, boivels, brain, and the whole nervous svstem, shows its vast and vital importance to human health. When the liver is seriously diseased, it in fact not only deranges the vital functions of the body, but exercises a powerful influence over the mind and its operations, which cannot easily be described. It has so close a connection with other diseases, and mani- fests itself by so great a variety of symptoms, of a most doubtful character, that it misleads more physicians, even of great eminence, than any other vital organ. The intimate connection which exists between the liver and the brain, and the great do- minion which I am persuaded it exercises over the passioiis of mankind, convince me that many unfortunate beings have committed acts of deep and criminal atroci- ty, or become what fools term hypochondriacs, from the simple fact of a diseased state of the liver. I have long been convinced that more than one-half of the com- plaints which occur in this country are considered as having their seat in a diseased state of the liver. I will enumerate some of them : Indigestion, stoppage of the menses, deranged state of the bowels, irritable and vindictive feelings and passions, from trifling and inadequate causes, of which we afterwards feel ashamed ; last, though not least, more than three-fourths of the diseases enumerated under the head of Coxbumption have their seat in a diseased liver. This is truly a frightful catalogue. Symptoms of a Diseased Iiiver.— Pain in the right side, under the edge of the ribs, increasing on pressure ; sometimes the pain is in the left side ; the patient is rarely able to lie on the left side ; sometimes the pain is felt under the shoulder- blade, and it frequently extends to the top of the shoulder, and is sometimes mistaken for a rheumatism in the arm. The stomach is affected with loss of appetite and sickness, the bowels in general are costive, sometimes alternative with lax; the head is troubled with pain, accompanied with a dull,heavy sensation in the back part. There is generally a considerable loss of memory, accompanied with a painful sensa- tion of having left undone something which ought to have been done. A slight, dry cough is sometimes an attendant. The patient complains of weariness and debilitj'; he is easily startled ; his feet are cold or burning, and he complains of a prickly sen- sation of the skin ; his spirits are low ; and although he is satisfied that exercise would be beneficial to him, yet he can scarcelj' summon up fortitude enough to trj' it. In fact, he distrusts every remedy. Several of the above symptoms attend the disease, but cases have occurred when few of them existed, yet examination of the body, after death, has sliown the liver to have been extensivelj' deranged. Ague and Fever.— 7>r. M' Lane's Liver Fills, in cases of Agve and Fever, when taken with Quinine, is productive of the most happy results. No better cathar- tic can be used, preparatory to, or after taking Quinine. We would advise all who are afflicted with this disease to give them a fair trial. DIKECTIONS.— Take two or three Pills on going to bed every eecond or third night. It they do not purge two or three times by next morning, take one or two more ; but a slight breakfast should invariably follow their use. The Liver Lillsraay he used where purging simply is necessary. As an anti-bilious puTga-tWe, they are in- fo ior to none, and in doses of two or three, they give astonishing relief in Sick Head- ache, also in slight derangements of the stomach. Prepared only btj FK^EIVIII^^O KROS., PitUburgh, nnn., SOLE PROPRIETORS OF DR. McLANE'S LIVER PILLS & VERMIFUGE. SOLD BY DEALERS EVERYWHERE. The Proprietors will forward per mail, to any part of the United States, one box of ' Liver Pills or one vial of Vermifuge, on receipt of 40 cents in Government Stamps. ^ Wra. McGAMMON & GO., MANUFACTURERS OF THE no: :e3 f^ X y will be sent /or each ten. THE NEW-VORK SEMt-WESKLV TRIBUNE ry TUESDAY and FRIDAY, and contains all that appear ;EKLY tribune also gives in the course ofa year THREE BEST AND LATEST POPULAK NOVELS. is published everj' TUESDAY and FRIDAY, and contains all that appears in the Weekly. I'he SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE also gives in the course ofa year THREE or FOUR of the » by living authors, carefully selected from the ENGLISH MAGAZINES. Nowhere else can so much current intelligence and permanent literarv matter be had at so cheap a rate as in THE SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE. One Copy, one year— -104 numbers, II4.00 Two, one year, 7.00 Five or over, for each copy, ' ' . * 3.00 Persons remitting for 10 copies' S30, will receive an extra copy six months. Persons remitting for 15 copies $45, will receive an extra copy one vear. For jf 100 we will send Thirty-Four Copies and T/ie Daily Tribune. THE NEW-YORKDAILY TRIBUNE i^ published every morning, (Sundaj-s excepted,) at :fiio per year ; #5 for six months. PORTRAIT OF HORACE GREELEY To any one who sends us $2 for the Weeki.v. #4 for the Sp:\n-WERivLV, or $10 for the D.\ily Tribune, for one year, we will send a copy of Ritchie's fine Steel Engraved Portrait of Horace Greeley, if asked for when the subscription'issent. The size of the picture is 14 bv iS inches. TO ADVERTISERS, All whw want to sell Lands, Farms. Live Stock, Machiner\', Inventions, Trees, Plants, Seeds, iools, Books, or anything tliat contributes to the happinessj comfort or enjovment of the great Agricultural and Manufacturing Public, from Maine to California, will riowell'to advertise in the NEW-YORK TRIBUNE. TERMS OF ADVERTISING. Daily Tribune 25 cents a line. Semi-Weekly Tribune 2^ cents a lii;i-. Weekly Tribune #1 . <;o a line. Address THK TRIBriVE, New-York. iTTENTIOX ! 'M, iUllE MS FRUIT I.ANDS. WATER POWER FOR MANUFACTURING BRICKSBURG LANDS IN MONMOUTH AND|€EAN COUNTIES, NEW-JERSEY, OX THE RARITAN AND DELAWARE BAY RAILROAD, BETWEEX \EW- YORR AND PHILADELPHIA, A\D OXLY FORTY-FOrR MILES FROM XEW-YORR (ITY. 25,000 ACRES For sale tq ACTUAL SETTLERS only, at Sj^ and upwards per acre, and on favorable terms, The village commenced a little over one year ago, now contains a population of about 800 in. habitants, has two Churches, eight Stores, two fine Hotels, Young Ladies' Seminary and Day School, one large Iron Works, Saw ^Llls, Sash and Blind Factory, Lumber Yards, &c. The Lake at Bricksburg is the finest in this section of country, and makes the village highly attrac- tive. There is not a more healthy and genial climate jrt the United States. Fever and Ague and Malrtrious Diseases are unknown here. WATER PURE AND SOFT. The soil is from clay to Ssuidy, loam, and the country beautifully rolling. With rharl it is susceptible of a high degree of cultivation. This valuable Fertilizer is sold low at the Station, its valuer is to be found in the fact that it contain^ nearly all the substances necessaryto make up the Ash of our common cultivated plants. If you wish to change your location, do not fail to visit Bricksburg before deciding. PAPER AND MAPS SENT FREE. APDRKSS ROBEIRT GAiy[PBi:i:.L, Oi-, A'. S. HOr.X, Aeon*. Bricksburg, Ocean County, New-Jersey. /O.. r^