Title: The Pennsylvania farm journal, v. 6 Place of Publication: Lancaster, Pa. Copyright Date: 1856 Master Negative Storage Number: MNS# PSt SNPaAg087.3 THE FARM JOURNAL AND J /', '>^ DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF C^e Jfamer, \\i iarhncr, i\t Jfrnit-^rotoei; AND • • • « ■■ • << • • • •• " » THE BREEDER • ft '••^ DAYID A. WELLS, A. M. & A. M. SPANGLEB, Editors. -••^ VOLUME VI. PHILADELPHIA : SAMUEL EMLEN & CO. 1856. m^ ^m 4 i i ^r r J r i-^^»*k • • * • • • -• • • • • • • • .: • ' ••• . • * * T M GENERAL INDEX FOR 1855. -♦■^•^ >». ti u it it u It a 22 26 7 21 128, 2'j6, 64, 32 33 57 35 71 70 120 117 168 154 157 219 253 235 257 288 811 Agricultural Botany, Address of Hon. Edward Everett, Apples— Bucks County Seedlings, Agricultural Club— Plan of, Inventions, Meteorology, Statistics of the United States, Appeal to New Jersy Farmers, Address before the Hampshire (Massachusetts,) Agri cultural Society, October 11th, 1855, Anthracite Ashes, Agricultural Meeting, Exhibitions, Ode, Publishers, College, Agriculture in Massachusetts, Agricultural Statistics of Massachusetts, " Pursuits, A«,.i 'w. ^°f^''"<^*»on--necessity of a School for, A^ple Wine— To make pure, Agricultural Societies and Journals, Alderney Cattle, Address of Mr. Barry, Angus Breed of Cattle, Apples— Wormy, Address by Dr. G. Emerson, Apple Trees— Mulching young, ** Scale Insect, Agriculture— the Year Book of, Aoclimation-French Zoological Society of, Apple Tree Borer, Academia, Animals— Temperament in. Bones- Composition of, Buff4lo-the greatest Corn Market in the World, Bots m Horses, ' Board Fencing, Beautify your Home, Book Notices, Blood Manures, Bam Yards— Water in. Bones— save the, Beans-most profitable Varieties, ^irds-preservation and use of. Bones and Acid-their Preparation, Cranberry-Cultivation of the, ^alosoma Scrutator, Chedde Cheese, Conj-Farmers grinding their own. Cattle-grain feeding, Ca^otef '^'"'"'"'' '^ Cultivation, Corn^-Varieties of, C*tUe-fine beef producing, C. M. (communication,) Cider, Curing Clover, Charcoal — Comparative value of^ Chemical principles, Clover as a Fertilizer, " heavy, Canada Thistle, Compoats, Corn and Potatoes, " King Philip, Charlatanism, Corn Mills— Large and Small, Currant bushes — Soap Suds for, Crops — Rotation of. Cabbages — heading. Calves, Dwarf Fruit Trees, Draining Land, Dairy Cattle — Management of. Drills and Drill Seeding, Drilling Vs. Hilling, 317 319 304 101 81 121 109 108 156 203 449 316 213 287, 210 156 184 124 93 54 221 185 350 362 318 I Dwarf Pears in Chester County, tt U a i( 345 282 304 261 308 312 349 313 327 328 160 326 313 224 301 180 305 310 827 320 265 255 7 84, 23 328, 287, 249, 190, 127, 94, 62, 29 193 828 829 352 355 301 815 268 246 ni^t Dhoora or Indian Millet, Editors* Table, Experiments, Exhibition— Camden and Gloster County, New Jersey State, Horse Racing at Agricultural, United Slates, Pennsylvania State, Fruits for winter use, Fruit Trees— Remedy for Girdled, " Fertilizers for. Flowers— Effect of in the Air of Rooms, Farm School — Pennsylvania, Fruit Trees— barked by Mice, " " Planting for others. Ferret, Fertilize— Save aud use everything that will. Food— Ground and Un-Oround for Animals, Farming— Unprofitable, First Report, Farm Hands and New Implements, Farmers— Imposition on. Fodder— Remarks on Composition of, 91, 15 Fertilizers— Experiments with, 24 ; Fruit Culture, Fencing in Rail Road, Farm Experiments, Implements— Carelessness in the nse of. Flaxseed— Importation of, ^^^' ]l\ I Flies-Annoyance to Animals from-How to proyeiit, 135 Fallows, ^ 146 Fowls— The deterioration of, 19, 822 Grape— The Muscadine, A \ 46 88 37 103 149, 203, 234, 245 217 182 211 175 152 189 Wt 128 88 67 244,36 19 22 325 215 45 88 197 6 89 GENERAL INDEX. Guano — Its CompoBition Ac, Green Manuring, Grape Vines— Trimming, Guano for Potatoes, Girdled Trees, Guano Convention, Gardening — the Literature of, Guano— Best Mode of Applying, Give me Great Thoughts, Guano — Home made, •« Phosphatic, « Use of. Gardeners, Garden — a Profitable, Garden Seeds, Grass Lands — Improvement of. Grape Crops, Green Crops — Effects of. Garden Crops — Rotation of. Grafting Seedling Fruits, Guano— Where and how Obtained, Hay Stacks — Ventilating, Hoo-Sung, Heaves in Horses, Hay Covers, Hay— Equivalents of various Plants, Hens— Setting, Hedging— Osage Orange, Horse — Hints for Amateurs, Hogs — Large, Horses- What Pennsylvania Farmers pay their, Have a place for Everything, Horse, Mental Condition of. Hennery, Hot- Houses, Ammonia in, Human Excreta, Application of, Hair on Grass, Effects of, Horses, Shoeing those that Overreach, " Linseed Tea for Sick, Hens, Best for Laying, Horses, Bots in. Husbandry Practical, Inquiry, Information Wanted, Japan Pea, Irrigation, Implements, Standing Committee on. Land, general principles of Reclaiming, Lime, Discovery of Nitrate, London the Greatest City, Locust, Cultivation of. Lands of Northern Pennsylvania, Lowe, J. Payne, Lands, Management of Mowing, Manures in Winter, Manure, disinfection Ac, of Nitrogenized, Milk, Preservation of. Manures, Experiments with, , ^ Treatment and Application of, *' What constitutes Value in. Melons, Manure, Simple and Economical method of Urine into a Solid, Portable, Millet, Mowers and Reapers, Male, Influence of. Manures, Worth of Liquid, 129, 65 111 124 140 184 214 211 198 235 _ 248 ~ 229 301 310 179 322 327 208 149 79 331 350 304 228 219 200 214 213 139 106 116 Annually for 106 37 217 218 105 108 114 87 88 340 348 344 7 61 118, 123 186 28 49 39 86 78,82 159 254 254 46 40 67 102 113 133 185 Converting 182 288, 208 258 321 324 Mock, Economy, Manures, Preservation of. Monthly Comments, Olive, Cultivation of, Orchard, How to Treat, Oregon Pea, Onion Fly, Premium Lists, Errori in; Potato Oat, Plowing by Steam, it T> . . — Pear Tree Blight, Plow, Honor to the, Potatoes, raising under Straw, Plow, Time to, Potatoes, Culture of Sweet, Pruning, Potatoe Planting, •• Culture of the, ** Large or Small, Plowing Table, Premium System, Permanent Pastures, Plowing, tlfTocls of bad. Pear Culture, Neglect of, Prize Essay, Putatoe Digger, Premium, List of, Plow, Frye's New, Reaping Machines, Raspberry, Brinckle's Orange. Root Crops in Great Britain and United States. " " Turnip, Root Crops, Rye Grass, Rats, Cleaning a House of, Reasons why every Farmer should Pursue hii Boainess as a Science, 4T Reading Room, 18 Read. 381 Society, Origin of the United States Agricultural, 398 •* Fourth Annual Exhibition, *• 237 Penn. State Ag., 157,221, 246, 151, 117. 91,53,160,269 Bucks County, *• 204 New York State, " 219 Indiana County Agricultural, '* 158 Lancaster County. ** 1,J8 '* American Pomological, 114 ** Montgomery County Agricultural, 13, 88 ** United States Agricultural. 221, 7, 56, 84 '* Mercer County Agricultural, 56 " Schuylkill County, 348 Short Horn, what Constitutes a True Bred, 140 Stables, Clean, 21 Soiling Cattle, 342 Seed Corn, how to be Selected, 337 Swerage Mtiure, ]6 Snrir^ Wheal and Dairy Farming in Susquehanna Co., 80 Su er- Phosphate of Lime, 145.175,45 S -ed Potatoes, 3o2, 108, 156, 36 79 834 341 213 209 108 121 302 302 329 9Aa 288 224 2ia 180 179 182 134 110,150 157 158 11« 93 82 1 9 366 340 323 310 212 176 140 158 35 \rite for, Improved Hay Rake, Hereditary Influence, Hints on the Management of Farm Slock, Dioscorea Batatas, An (mpjrtitil Movement, Temperature of the Stable, Mulching, Manuring, Book Notices, Monthly Comments, Farmers' High School, Com Fodder and Fodder Cutter*, The Beef we Cook, Bones as a Manure, <■ • I ( s. CONTENTS OF DECEMBER NUMBER, 1856 Volume, close of, Seed, True Economy in, Thistles, Canada, Caustic Lime. Does it Eflect Farm Yard Manure, Right Names, Calling of, Trees, Dwarf Pear, Fertilizer, Blood as a. Bones and Gtmnos, Poullry, Profits on Goals, Cashmere, Sower. Broadcast, Sugar Cane, Chinese, Mice, what shall be done with. Syrup from the Chinese Sugar Millet, Time up, J The Oflicial Returns, Advantages of the Educated Farmer. ^ Country is Safe, Rape, OOO 363 334 365 365 366 366, 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 376 375 375 375 376 376 I r> DUiter ivluMii^, The Carter Potato, Potato. Black Mercer, Journal, Write for, Improved Hay Rake, Hereditary Influence, Hints on the Managemwil of Farm Slock, Dioscorea Batatas, An Impjrlfiiil Movement, Temperature of the Stable, Mulching, Manuring, Book Notices, Monthly Comments, Farmers' High School, Corn Fodder and Fodder Cuttert, The Beef we Cook, Bones, as a Manure, 'i INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE \ CONTENTS — No. 1. PAGB 9 10 22 26 7 13 15 21 24 7 Andrews' Broadcast Seed Sower, - - - - Artifieial Bgg Hatching, - - - - - Agricultural Botany, ------ Address of Hon. Edward Everett, . . - Bucks County Seedling Apples, - . . - Clay Ball Draining, ...... Cultivation of the Cranberry, - - - - - Clean Stables. — Shelter better than Fodder, Calosoma Scrutator. — Fabr. - - - - - Dwarf Pears in Chester county, - - - - Durham Cow Strawberry, « - - - - Editor's Table, ' • - Fruit Culture, --.---- Fencing in a Railroad, ..-..- Horse Muzzles, --.--.. Inquiry, -- Improved Butter Worker, - - - - - Improvement in the Construction of Hog-Pens, Montgomery County Agricultural Society, On the Deterioration of our Domestic Fowls by the intro duction of Foreign Species, - - - - Prize Essay, .--..--- Potato Digger, -.--... Plan of an Agricultural Club, Philadelphia Society's Reading Room, Recent Agricultural Inventions, - - - - Standing Committee on Implements, ... Sewage Manure — Can it be made Available, Spring Wheat and Dairy Farming in Susquehanna co., Thompson's Circular Self Acting Gate, ... United States Agricultural Society, - - - Wool, 25 29 19 23 11 7 10 12 13 1 21 25 32 28 16 20 8 7 14 STAR AGRICULTURAL WORKS, THE Subscribers are now entenslvely engaged In the iDaDnfactiD| and sale of Improved li AGEICULTLTEAL IMPLEMENTS ANi MACHINERY, of every description, and respectfully Invite the attentlortof Farmer and Dealers to the fact. Our Manufactory 1» located In t?>e very hear of the Coal. Iron and r.unjber regloM— our n)iichlnery of the latest an most approved kinds, and our work men competent in every pnrtlcular, and our determination Is to otter lo rooiIh to cUHtonien* which we cannot conrtdently recommend. Amongst iheartlcles we manufocture and sell are MAGIC CORN AND COB MILL. PATENTED SEPTEMBER 18, 1855, BY R. D.GRAINGER IT has been the object of the Patentee to combine all the valuable parts of other Mills heretofore made, to reme io IrnAwn ^ Thfl fens of England are principally composed of this deposit. It is more easily decomposed than any of the other va- rieties of moss, and when properly improved becomes very productive land. On the outskirts of extensive peat-bogs there are generally stripes, of them open for a few months to take off the water, but very frequently the drains may be covered the second summer. The way in which this work should be undertaken is easily described. Where the moss is of a very te- nacious nature, 60 feet between the drains may be rather much, but generally it will serve to give thor- ough drainage. There is often considerable danger, as previously remarked, of rendering some kinds of peat soils too dry; and certainly if the drains are fully 6 feet in depth, they will ** draw " a great dis- tance. Suppose the 4 feet open drains have been re- duced to a depth of 3 feet, and that, after the covered drains are put in, a further subsidence of about 8 inches may be calculated upon, it follows, that to have the drains at no time less than 6 feet deep, it will be necessary to cut out 3 feet 8 inches below the bottom of the open drains. As nearly all mosses are \ flat, and liable to have sluggish currents, it is impera- tive that the greatest care should be taken of the lev- els in draining. In numerous instances it is impossible to go through the peat in forming the drains ; but even with a very soft bottom there is little difficulty in keeping the levels properly, if due care is taken on the part of the workmen. Wherever the bottom is so very soft as to run together when the deep drains are being formed, there is rarely any other alternative, as already men- tioned, than open draining for another summer till the excess water is drawn off and the moss becomes tol- erably firm. If the sides of the drains will stand cutting, it will be advisable to lay the tiles immedi- ately behind the workmen, taking particular care, hovever, in stopping work, to have a piece of slate or stone placed accurately on the vein of the last laid pipe, to prevent the ingress of mud. It has generally been thought indispensable, in draining soft- bottomed land, to use tile-and-sole in preference to circular pipes. From an experiment made in the spring of 1850, 1 found it altogether a mistake to suppose that circular pipes would sink in wet moss. In a peat-bog 12 to 14 feet in depth, I had several drains formed about 5 feet deep. The bottoms of the drains were so soft, and the currents of water so much obstructed by flocculent matter floating about, that it was v^ith difficulty the pipes could be got laid without being at ground are properly covered. The matter on which once put completely out of sight. With a little care they rest will undoubtedly have a tendency, when in the laying, they were put in ultimately in a tolera- pressure is applied, to spue up on both sides ; but if bly satisfactory manner ; and though some mud did the covering is well pressed down, this liability will get inside, it was found that the constant run of water be completely overcome, and the tiles will lie as se- soon cleared them completely. The diameters of the curely as if placed on the most solid subsoil, pipes were respectively 3 and 2 inches, laid without | The tendency of circular pipes to sink being got collars. On being put into the drain, a covering of over, it will be obvious to every one that in other re- brqjien peat was packed carefully on the top of the spects they are altogether superior to tiles and soles, pipes, and pretty firmly pressed down with the foot, With the contracted channel the current of water is fko f^maind«»r "f thf* «»x^avati»d material beine nut in *so much strengthened that any sediment which mav with the spade in layers of 8 or 10 inches, and left obtain a resting-place is carried off whenever a wet with as few interstices as possible. To ascertain day occurs. Flat-bottomed tiles, in some kinds of whether the pipes would sink in this moss, one of the mossy ground, are very liable to grow up in a few wettest parts was selected, and a straight-edge, having years, as any one having experience of them knows, a vertical staff fixed at each end, being laid on the , In cases where wooden soles have been used, I have top of the tiles, the material above was filled in simi- 1 seen drains nearly choked up in two or three years lar to the other drains. The straight-edge was about by parasitic plants getting attached to the wood. By 10 feet long, and the tops of the vertical staves were their alternate growth and decay a miniature peat-bog placed in line with those of two sight or level posts, I was formed in the interior of the tile, and, as an in- fixed at short distances, in such a way as to render . editable result, the drains were soon gorged up. It is the sinking of the former, even the sixteenth of an i only on some kinds of wet mosses that this peculiarity inch, quite perceptible. After a period of four and a exists, and wood may therefore be used with perfect ha^ years, it has been found that the tiles have not i safety where there is no such liability. After an ex- sunk any thingj and now both 2 and 3 inch pipes are perience of many years, Mr. Hall Maxwell finds no running more beautifully than in the day in which ! tendency of this kind in the mosses he has improved, they were put in. This test was, no doubt, only cal- j and therefore, with open tiles, he very justly considers culated to prove the sinkage of the tiles over an extent \ wood superior to all other material for bottoming, of 10 feet, if there had been any ; but bj^ examination With pipe-tiles there is no instance in which they can in various places, it has been found that not even in grow up, if properly laid, and in one respect the the case of single pipes has there been the slightest smaller the pipes are the better, if they are of suffi- sinking in any part of the drains. The workmen, in , cient size to carry off the water. In general, 2 inch laying the drains, were of course careful in seeing that pipes with collars will be found perfectly sufficient, each tile had as solid a bed as those adjoining it, and except in very long drains, where, from the quantity hence, if there did happen to be any subsidence, all j of water at the lower ends, it may be necessary to the pipes would go down nearly an equal distance, use 3 inch pipes. When the pipes are being laid, it is and no damage would be done to the general efficiency not only indispensably requisite that the ends should of the drain. When the natural laws which come into be as closely jointed as possible, but wherever a hollow operation before a properly covered pipe can sink are er uneven bottom occurs, a little dried peat should be taken into consideration, it will be easily seen that put in to fill up the voids, and give an even resting- there is no mystery about it. It is certain that if two place for the pipe. layers of compact peat be placed one over the other, The cw/fureo/moss. —Suppose, then, that in reclaim- no portion of the .under layer can take the position of ing deep mosses the system of open draining recom- any portion of the upper without a displacement oc- mended in a previous page has been adopted, and that curring. A cubic inch of matter of any kind cannot the cuttings of the open drains to a depth of fully 6 be made to occupy the space sufficient merely for half feet and laying them with tiles has also been followed, a cubic inch, unless extraordinary pressure be applied. I the subsequent cultivation will require to be taken Now, in filling drains in wet mosses, it is of the great- into consideration. As a good deal of excavated peat est importance to keep this theory in view, for if the covering next the tiles is closely and carefully packed, it is obvious that the matter underneath them cannot be displaced. Even in the very softest bottomed bogs this theory will hold good, as may be illustrated at any time by a little experiment with a dishful of mud. If a wooden plug be made to fit the mouth of the dish 80 closely as to prevent the escape of the contents, no amount of pressure will make the plug sink, the elasticity of the compressed water being sufficient to throw it back to its original position. This must al- will have been thoroughly dried, it is of great impor- tance to keep as much of it on the surface as possible, and hence, in filling the drains, it will often be advi- sable to take sufficient material off the sides, to close up the whole to within 8 or 10 inches of the general surface-level. The dried peat, being well broken down and spread over the surface, may either be trenched or dug in as may seem advisable. If lime is to be used — and there are indeed very few instances, in reclaiming moss, in which its use can well be dispensed with— the dried peat on the ways be the case also when the pipes in soft-bottomed , surface should be collected together in heaps of one or I THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Januart 1866.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. two carts, to be ready for mixing with it. When the otherwise be. The more powdery it is when applied surface is very soft, carts will not be available for the better, and the sooner it is dug in, also after being taking the lime over it ; but by means of barrows spread, the greater good it is likely to do. Though runnine on lines of movable planking, the conveyance the digging does not require much skill on the part of the workmen, except in keeping the red surface as runnmg on imes oi movauie planking of the lime is a simple and not very expensive matter. To fit the peat for being mixed with the fresh lime, it level as possible, yet they must be very carefully should be well broken down, and contain, if possible, looked after when at work. If the surface is covered no more moisture than will be sufficient to slack the | with other coarse plants, it will be indispensable to lime. On a few barrow loads of lime being laid down, | have a good wide burying furrow always ready for the a little moist peat should be thrown amongst it, and roughest spits to be pitched into it ; and in every case the surface must then be immediately covered over | care must be taken to burn the herbage completely, with twice as much of the dry moss as there is of, which, if very rank, may require cutting to facilitate lime. The lime, which may amount to 6 or even 10 the labor. The deeper it can be dug the better, and tons per acre, according to the nature of the peat as in no case should the depth be less than from 8 to 10 well as the quality of the lime, will speedily absorb inches. In the digging operation, the lime, with water, and produce steam and warmth, which will so proper care, will be well mixed with the upturned raise the temperature of the surrounding peat as to j material, and that which finds its way into the bottom give it more even than a blood-heat. After lying a of the furrow will easily be brought up by a future week or two in this state, the heaps should be turned and the moss uniformly mixed with the lime. The outer surface of the heaps should then be covered deep ploughing. Where the inequalities of surface are great, it is assumed that, to prevent the loss of lime, some labor with a few inches of peat, well pressed down, and in , in levelling will be undertaken before applying the this state the compound may lie till used several weeks ' compost, otherwise the waste must be considerable, after. Lime has often been used in this way with ' If the sward is very tough, it will sometimes be f(5und extraordinary results, and theory bears out the as- ' of advantage to use a turfing spade before beginning sumption that it must be a good system for preparing to dig. The pared turf can easily be buried in the the dried moss to act as a manure, by promoting its bottom of the spade furrow : and in most cases it will rapid fermentation, and liberating its fertilising ingre- be advisable to lay the turf with the rough side up, dients. A compound of this kind, when applied to as it both rots better in this position, and Is more damp peaty soils, warms them, and changes their available as manure, than when dug down in the re- nature physically as well as chemically. If the cov- verse way. As one piece is being dug another can be ered drains have been completed by the month of spread with the lime; and in this manner, if men are June or July, and the lime applied, say by the begin- j easily obtained, a large extent of surfacfc may be dug ning of August, no time should be lost in getting the j before the termination of summer weather. It is al- surface turned over so as to have as much of the sum- , ways of importance that the workmen shovel out the raer weather to act upon it as possible. The drier loose matter in the bottom of the spade furrow, and this operation is performed the better, especially with throw it upon the top, as this affords an excellent a view to promote the efficient action of the newly- covering for the seed in the following spring. After applied lime. There are various ways of breaking up ' the digging operation has been completed, nothing the surface, but in most cases where the plough can- more car be done till next seed-time, when an oat not be used, digging will prove the cheapest and most crop may be sown. As early in the spring as the satisfactory course to adopt. By trenching in the \ weather will by any possibility permit, the sowing the lime and dried peat lying on the surface, they are ' should be begun. In most cases, from 2i to 3 hun- too deeply buried to serve any useful purpose the first dredweights of Peruvian guano per imperial acre can year, while, by digging, the reverse is the case. As- \ be profitably harrowed in with the seed. The frost sunting the lime compound to be ready for spreading of the previous winter having acted with advantage over the surface, and digging the mode of cultivation on the surface, there will be no difficulty in obtaining to be followed, the operations should proceed as under- a sufficient tilth to cover the seed ; but care should mentioned. i^ taken not to use harrows with too rank teeth, in Care having been taken to prevent the lime being case of tearing up the buried turf. Unless in very drowned in wet weather, it may be applied at one ' early districts, and on superior mosses, it is a mistake time to whatever extent of surface it will be possible ' to sow any thing but the earlier and lighter kinds of to dig over within a day or two. It is often a great oats. Common early seed are perhaps the most suit- disadvantage to allow the lime compound to lie ex- able kinds to sow, and it will generally be found ne- posed on the surface for any lengthened period. In cessary to give from 4 to 5 bushels of seed per acre, wet seasons it is v. ashed in such a way as to com- The crop of the first year will rarely be a heavy one, pletely destroy its causticity and principal value in and without guano it will generally be worth very peaty soils ; and in any case its exposure to the atmos- little. After the first crop has been removed from phere converts it into a carbonate, and thereby ren- the ground, a favorable opportunity will be presented ders It less valuable for the time being than it would to apply a coating of earth, clay, or gravel, if these can be conveniently obtained. In cases where an ap- plication of this nature can be made before the rough surface is broken up by the digging operations, it is likely to have a beneficial etiect on the first crop ; but till the land has been levelled by cultivation, and con- solidated by the combined effects of the drainage, it is only at an enormous expense that any considerable quantity of earthy matter can be laid on the surface. If the weather is not dry enough, immediately after the removal of the first crop from the ground, to ad- mit of loaded carts going upon it, the frosts of the following winter will generally afford the requisite facilities for doing so. The quantity o consolidating material to be applied to the surface must depend on the facilities which exist for obtaining it ; but, by a beneficent provision in nature, mosses are rarely with- out a supply of suitable earthy substances for im- proving them, near at hand. On the strongest peat- mosses 50 carts per acre will do much good ; but for the weakest and least valuable kinds several hundred carts will often fail to give sufficient tenacity to the surface. In ordinary cases, however, 100 to 150 carts will pay, but much beyond this it will not be remu- nerative, unless the ingredients applied are very supe- rior in their nature. Of course, where it is scarcely practicable to get substances suitable for laying on the moss except at a great outlay, they must be dis- pensed with ; and if proper care has been taken to promote fermentation of the peaty matter, this will frequently be less disadvantageous, at least for green crops, than one is liable to suppose. After the earth has been applied, or whether it has been used or not, during the winter following the first crop, no time should be lost in getting the plough set to work. The nature of this ploughing must depend on the crop which is to be grown the second year. If a green crop is wished, the ground should be turned over by a large fallow-plough, and get a strong furrow. With sufficient horse power at command it will be possible not only to bring up the turf dug down eighteen months previously, but to lay 2 or 3 inches of fresh matter on the top of it. Where the turf has been excessively tough, it is generally advisable to take a second oat crop before stirring it. With a similar dressing of guano to that of the previous year, and the decomposing influence of the lime formerly ap- plied, the second year's crop is frequently in such cases much better than the first, and the ground can quite easily stand this course of cropping without any material disadvantage. In case of such a mode of cropping being determined on, it will be necessary only to give a very light furrow, as early in the win- ter after the earth has been applied as possible. Four to six inches deep in this case is sufficient, and in that way the old turf continues to lie undisturbed for another year. The third year the land should be under green crop, principally turnips of the yellow or white sorts. To prepare for this crop, deep winten- ploughing is indispensable ; and in the spring there will be a great deal to do for the grubbers and other turf- tormentors. Both farmyard and portable ma- nures should be liberally applied in the drills, and in this case a fair crop may be justly expected. The succeeding crop will be oats nourished with guano, and the land may then be sown out to grass. While the success of the land under grass depends, to a con- siderable extent, on the quantity of manures applied with the fallow crop, still the kinds of grass seeds which have been used in sowing it down have a xery important influence on the pasturage. It adds, no doubt, to the expense, to give 30 or 40 tons of farm- yard manure, to the acre of turnips, besides auxiliary fertilisers ; but certainly, on poor peat, liberal treat- ment always pays better in the end than a niggardly course of management. With the view of giving a close sweet sward of grass, the following mixture of seeds may be used per acre: — lb. 12 4 1 2 1 H 1 U H 1 2 Common rye grass (Lolium perenne), Italian rye grass {Lolium Italtcum), Yorkshire fog (Holcug lanatus), Rough-stalked meadow grass {Poa triv%ali»\ Fox-tail grass {Alopecunis prateusit), Hard fescue grass (Featnca duritiscula), Meadow fescue grass (Festuca pratenna), Fiorin {Agro»tis Stoloni/era), Timothy grass (Phleum Pratenae), Water grass (Pea Jluitans), Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus major). Yellow clover.or black meaick(Medtcago iupulina),2 Cow grass (Tre/oliuni prate tiae perenne) f IJ White clover ( Tre/olium repena), 6 . — 41 It will rarely be advisable to take a hay crop off land of this nature ; the sooner it is thrown into per- manent sheep-pasture, so much the better. By means of suitable top-dressings it can afterwards be kept in any state of fertility which is thought advisable, and under good management it may certainly be made very fine pasture. To have produced such effects from so bad a subject to begin with as a cold wet moss, will always be a source of satisfaction to the improving owner. The pecuniary view of the im- provements cannot be expected to be very promising for a few years at the first, for the scanty crops must bear a very low proportion to the heavy outlay in- curred ; but regarding the expense as the mere pur- chase price of the improved land, the result will often be highly satisfactory. Taking the course of crop- ping, in the reclaiming operations, as suggested in a previous page — namely, first, oats ; second, oats ; third, turnips: fourth, oats; and fifth, permanent pasture — the entire expenditures for draining, &c., and the entire income from crops, will, according to Mr. Martin's calculations, have fully balanced each other at the end of the fourth year, leaving the ground well prepared and adapted for pasturage. Having treated so fully of the cultivation of peaty deposits, I will now proceed to the second primary section of this paper. [concluded in next number.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [January OH THE DETERIOEATION OF OUR DOMESTIC FOWLS are prolific, the progeny is frail, diseased, short-lived. BY THE INTRODUCTION OF FOREIGN SPECIES. rare'y arriving at robust manhood or matunty. ax liij:. inixvui/u Physicians need not be told of the comparatively Thb small amount of poultry contributed at nearly | ^^^^.^^^^^ amount of scrofulous and deteriorated con- all the agricultural exhibitions during the past season , g^j^^^-^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^5^ hybrids. satisfactorily proves, that the strange mania which of late years has manifested itself for unnatural crosses in our domestic fowls, and which has been so appro- priately designated as the *' Hen Fever," has at last run out. Its effects, however, we fear, are destined to remain for some time in a deterioration of our native stock, and the introduction of a hybrid, or cross breed, inferior in every respect to their progenitors. This subject has recently been brought before the Boston Society of Natural History by Dr. Kneeland, well-known as a naturalist and physiologist. He states that it is at the present time a general source of complaint all over the Eastern States, (and the same is doubtless true elsewhere,) on the part of the farmers, who in times past had plenty of eggs and to spare from a small number of common fowls, that since the general introduction of the foreign breeds, they have found themselves with their " improved stock " unable to procure any thing like their usual supply of eggs from the same number of birds ; and that they have not only raised the birds at the ex- pense of several dollars a pound, but have been obliged to buy eggs for family use. This has become such a source of annoyance and pecuniary loss, that it de- serves to be considered. It is a natural consequence of forcing birds from different countries and of differ- ent origins to propagate a hybrid offspring, for this very reason prone to degeneration, which is increased by the impossibility of crossing the hybrids by the supposed pure originals. The size of the bird seems to be obtained in this case at the expense of the repro- ductive powers. The admixture of different original species, and breeding *» in and in," have been carried beyond the limits fixed by nature, and deterioration is the result. Such a conclusion was indeed to have been expected, since it is a principle which may be considered as well established in natural history, that different The Colonization Journal furnishes some statistics with regard to the colored population of New York City, which must prove painfully interesting to all reflecting people. The late census showed that, while other classes of our noDulation in all parts of the coun- try were increasing in an enormous ratio, the colored were decreasing. In the State of New York, in 1840, there were fifty thousand ; in 1850, only forty-seven thousand. In New York City, in 1840, there were eighteen thousand ; in 1850, seventeen thousand. According to the New York City Inspector's report for the four months ending with October, 1853 — 1. The whites present marriages, 2,230 " colored " " 16 2. The whites " births, 6,780 " colored " " 70 3. The whites " deaths about 6,000 (exclusive of 2,152 among 116,000 newly arrived emigrants and others unacli- mated,) colored exhibit deathf>, 160 tt giving a ratio of deaths among acclimated whites to colored persons of thirty-seven to one ; while the births are ninety-seven whites to one colored. The ratio of whites to colored is as follows : — Marriages, 140 to 1 ; births, 97 to 1 ; deaths, 37 to 1. According to the ratio of the population, the mar- riages among the whites, during this time, are three times greater than among the colored ; the number of births among whites is twice as great. In deaths, the colored exceed the whites not only according to ratio of population, but show one hundred and sixty- five deaths to seventy-six births, or seven deaths to three births — more than two to one. The same is true of Boston, so far as the census returns will ena- ble us to judge. In Shattuck's census of 1845, it appears that in that year there were one hundred and forty-six less colored persons in Boston than in 1840, the total number being 1842. From the same work, species will not produce fertile offspring. The proof! the deaths are given for a period of fifty years, from of this, says Dr. Knbbland, may be found " in any 1725 to 1775, showing the mortality among the blacks part of the animal scale, from a barnyard monster to | to have been twice that among the whites. Of late a mulatto ; they cannot hold their own ; they must | years, Boston, probably, does not differ from itself in and do return to one or the other of the primitive former times, nor from New York at present. In the stocks, or must die out, unless crossed by the pure originating blood." Dr. Kneeland further illustrates this tendency to sterility by the crossing of distinct species, by refer- ence to the present condition of the mulattoes of the free States. He says : " The mulatto is often triumphantly appealed to as a proof that hybrid races are prolific without end. Every physician who has seen much practice among Compendium of the United States Census for 1850, p. 64, it is said that the ** declining ratio of the increase of the free colored in every section is notable. In New England, the increase is now almost nothing ;'* in the Southwest and the Southern States, the increase is much reduced ; it is only in the Northwest that there is any increase, ** indicating a large emigration to that quarter. What must become of the black population at this the mulattoes knows that, in the first place, they are 1 rate in a few years ? What are the causes of this far less prolific than the blacks or whites ; the statis- 1 decay ? They do not disregard the laws of social and tics of New York State and City confirm this fact of physical well-being any more than, if they do as daily observation ; and in the second place, when they much as, the whites. It seems to me one of the ne- THB faum journal and progressive farmer. 1866.] -,^=z^z^:__ ^==--"- ^„ . aHpmnt« tn mix races ' the! The other apple is called the Vnch John, is a deep STaX rpromTrrale ZslZ^.L ' red color, g J'size. but not being quite ripe we were 2lno .t must Jther keep black unmixed, or be- not able to decide so satisfactorily on Us merUs. Mr. rmeoxUnct Nobody doubis that a mixed offspring Ott has been endeavoring for ten years past to collect ITy be produced by intermarriage of different races specimens of Bucks county seedlings, and considers the Griquas. the Papuas, the Cafusos of Brazil, so these two the best he has yet found, datrat ly enumerated by Prichard. sufficiently prove , He offers to send grafts to any one who w.U enclose Is The question is. whether they would be per- a few post office stamps. Address CnABLKS B. Oxr. petuated if strictly confined to intermarriages among ' Pleasant Valley P. 0., Bucks county, Pa. themselves : from the facts in the case ."f »'"»»"°f • dWABT PEARS Ih' CHESTER COUNTY. -_ pc*;««-i.i,r «nf Thp (mnw is true, as tar I iiwixjvx .^.^.a^w ::::^:Zo:::Z^^^^^^ r^i^e of the wmte and : At a recent exhibition of the Chester County Hor- red races, in Mexico, Central and South America, ticultural Society some very superior pears were ex- The Sknown infrc^uency of mixed offspring be- hibited by Dr. Gboegk Thomas, of the Valley, of his Leeo the European and Australian races, led the own growth from dwarf trees. One of the Beurre cllonial government to official inquiries, and to the j Diel variety, which was handed us, and which we e tr hat, in thirty-one districts, numbering fifteen | found on tasting did full credit to Us outside appear- housand inhabitants, the half-breeds did not exceed ] ance, measured ten and three-quarter inches in cir- two hundred, though the connection of the two races cumference and weighed ten and a half ounces. The two nunui u, 6 ^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^.^ considerable attention to pear culture, and his collection embraces some of our best varieties. There is no more delicious fruit than the pear, and none with which the Philadelphia market is so poorly supplied. We are glad that increasing attention is was very intimate." To return to the subject of our domestic fowls. That a great deterioration has taken place wherever the foreign breeds have been extensively introduced, we think every intelligent observer will sustain us in asserting. The next question then is, what is the being paid to pear culture, as we are satisfied it wiU remedy ? In the space of time nature will again re- be amply remunerating, place matters in their former order,— the hybrids without a constant foreign importation will die out in time, and the native stock in its purity again be in <«•• XmiTED STATES AOEICULTirRAL SOCIETY. ^ ^ The Fourth Annual Meeting of the United States thT^cendant. But we can do something "to hasten ' Agricultural Society will be held at Washington, D. matters. As this is the season when every farmer ' C, on Wednesday, January 9, 1856. naturally expects to thin out his poultry-yard in some 1 Business of importance will come before the meet- degree, we would advise that every representative of ing. Reports from its officers will be submitted, and the East Indian fowls be extirpated, root and branch, ' a new election be made, in which it is desirable that so far as possible, and a return b^ then made to our j every State and Territory should be represented, native stock, yellow and blue-legged hens, whose good | Lecturesand interesting discussions are expected qualities have been abundantly proved and never found wanting. That these may be still further im- proved by a judicious breeding among themselves hardly admits of a doubt, and opens a fair and pro- fitable field for the amateur. •••- BUCKS COUNTT SEEDLING APPLES. We have received from Chaules B. Ott, of Bucks county, a box containing some beautiful specimens of welfare of American Agriculture, who would promote on subjects pertaining to the objects of the Association by distinguished scientific and practical Agriculturists. The Transactions of 1855, containing a full account of the late Exhibition at Boston, will be distributed to such members as are present. The various Agricultural Societies of the country are respectfully requested to send delegates to this meeting ; and all gentlemen who are interested in the two seedling apples, which seem well worthy of at- a more cordial spirit of intercourse between the differ- tention. One of them is styled the *' Water Apple," ent sections of our land, and who would elevate this from its coming up close to a spring of water on a farm owned by George Mills, Esq., of Durham town- ship, Bucks county. It is of full medium size, of lightish green color, interspersed with brown spots, and a bright crimson blush on one side. It is very pleasant flavor, abounding in sprightly juice, and is well worthy of cultivation. Mr. Ott tells us it was classed some time since by the Piiiladelphia Horticul- tural Society as *' very good," and has also been no- most important pursuit to a position of greater useful- ness and honor, are also invited to be present on this occasion. Marshall P. Wilder, Pres't. W. S. King, Secretary. _ 40^ « — INQUIEY. Will some one who knows, inform a young farmer through the columns of your valuable journal a rem- ^„^.^vj ^ ,w^ c) » - — ^^y ^^^ cough in cows. The coUgh is attended with ticed in the Patent Office reports. It is in fine eating dryness and roughness of hair, which in the spring order in December, and will keep till March. Its comes off in spots, leaving the skin bare. Also the smooth and fine appearance will always make it a same disease in swine, unattended, however, by the valuable apple. | falling off of the hair. J. h. 8 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [January ^- THOMPSON'S CIBCULAB SELF-ACTIKO GATE. The accompaDying engraving is a perspective view of an improved peculiarly self-acting gate, recently invented and patented by William Thompson, of Nashville, Tenn. The invention relates to gates for farms, parks and enclosures of any kind, and consists in constructino- the gate A of a circular form like a wheel, as shown, and allowing it to rest, when closed, on a vibrating rail D» which is operated by a person, wagon, or carriage on the track, to make the gate roll to the one side and open when approaching it, and then roll back when the carriage or wagon has passed through to close it. A A is the gate ; B is a post formed in two separate pieces to leave a channel d between them from the bottom to the cap-piece. F is a double fence at one side, to allow wheel A to roll through the channel of the post B to the left-hand side, as shown by the dotted lines A when the gate is open. 0 is the right-hand post, with a channel in it, but not through it, to re- ceive a part of one side of gate A, and retain it when the gate is closed. The gate rests on a vibratory lever D, sunk a little below the roadway at the middle of the track, but elevated at the one side. This lever railway is hung upon a pivot, with its long end towards the opening of the gate, so as by its weight at that end to tilt down the gate into its place, self acting, when the lighter end is relieved from the weight or pressure of a carriage, &c., on the roadway, after it has passed through. E is the platform ; it is secured to the short end of the rail D at the left-hand side, and extends both in front and back of the gate. Supposing a person or carriage to be approaching the gate, his weight or that of the carriage on the platform will depress the now elevated end of the lever D at the left, and the gate will roll into the position shown in dotted lines A, until the person or carriage ha* passed off the platform E on the other side ; the lever D will then rise to the position as shown in the figure, and and tilt the gate into its place and close it. The vibrating rail D may be so hung that its long end will be to the left of the pivot or vibrating point, as by a weight on the platform it can be so adjusted to open and close the gate independent of the point at which it is hung on its pivot. Different methods of securing the platform to the til ting-rail may be employed. The platform, also, may be provided with any suitable fastening, such as a spring switch with a vertical lever at one side, which will set free a catch on the platform, and allow it to act so as to prevent animals opening the gate by merely getting on the platform. The inside comers of the posts at the ground may be extended as close to the gate as possible, so as to fill up the space between the gate and the posts, to prevent hogs, &c. from thus passing through. The filling up of these spaces may be executed neatly, to accord with the general contour of the gate. There is claimed for this gate great simplicity ol construction; and when its cheapness, utility, and beauty (if desired) shall be remembered, and it is like- wise borne in mind what little skill is required to make it, and how little its liability to get out of repair, it is believed that it will be regarded as preferable to the common gate swinging on hinges ; and may possibly be esteemed superior to any form of gate among the various inventions of more modern date. 1866.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. POTATO The accompanying engravings represent an im- provement in machines for digging potatoes, recently patented by Galusha A. Bundy, of Lyndon, Yt,— fig, 1 being a top view, and fig. 2 a traverse section, of the mould-board. The same letters of reference indi- cate like parts on both figures. This agricultural implement is in many respects like a common plow ; it has a beam A and handles B B, united to an inclined bar C, to which the scoop or plowshare D is attached. The scoop is fonmed with two angular mould-boards a a, forming an angle. The improvement consists in providing these mould-boards with slots ddd^ arranged in vertical directions, or nearly so ; that is, standing upwards rather than horizontally. The planes of these slots are disposed parallel to each other and to the plane of the beam, apd they are each made to extend from near the bottom of each mould- board to near the top of the same. Through these slots the dirt passes while the machine is used in plowing through or digging into a potato-field, the potatoes being thrown upon each side of the furrow and left in full sight. This mould-board v/orks through the earth I DIGGER. or soil, acting like a seive, raising and separating the potatoes from the earth, and leaving most of the earth or soil in its place. There can be no question about the simplicity of this potato-digging plow : it raises the potatoes and leaves them only to be gathered up, which labor can be performed by boys. The claim is for the construc- tion of the potato plow, with slots standing vertically or nearly so, and having their respective planes parallel to a vertical plane passing through the draught-beam. Digging potatoes is a severe and tedious operation; any machinery to obviate the manual labor in this department of agriculture should be welcomed by all those engaged in farming. We have been assured by Mr. Bundy that it will turn out several acres of potatoes in a day, and that it can be handled with as much facility as a common plow. — Scientific American. This machine obviates the necessity of pulling up the tops, as they do not obstruct the operation of the digger, which may also be used as a cultivator for ordinary purposes. ■«•• A mechanical contrivance for imitating the hand in »wing has been recently invented by John Andrews, 01 VVmchester, Massachusetts. This machine differs AKBREWS BROADCAST SEED-SOWER. in some respects from any of the other sowers recently invented. In most of the machines heretofore con- trived, the grain has been delivered from a vibrating 1% THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [January tail-board, from which it was suffered to drop upon the land as the machine advanced. With these machines a very narrow strip only was sowed at a time, and their operation was consequently slow and defective. To obviate this inconvenience, and to produce a machine that shall imitate, as far as possible the motion of the hand in sowing grain, is the object of this invention, which consists in delivering grain in the requisite quantity to a hollow trough or scatterer, which is caused to swing back and fourth round a fixed centre, by which means the grain is thrown to a considerable distance upon each side of the path travelled over, and the sowing is performed much more rapidly than the machines heretofore contrived have been capable of. Our engraving represents the sower in section eleva- tion, and with a separate detail of the scroll drum for swinging the distributor. The machine is carried upon a pair of wheels A, and it is drawn by shafts to the right. The grain- hopper is at B, near the seat 0 of the driver. From this hopper the seed drops down through a tube opening at its lower end into the ex- panding trough- distributer D, having a sieve at its extreme end for the seed to fall through. The dis- tributor is carried upon a fixed stud centre F as a swinging joint. The extreme forward end of the distributor carries a vertical pin, which enters a zigzag scroll groove cut in the periphery of the drum G on the main axle. Thus, as the drum revolves, the zigzag action upon the forward end of the troii^h produces a widely-swinging traverse of the discharging end, where the grain falls to the earth ; a rapid vertical shake is also given to the distributor by an undulating piece H fast to the frame, and having a stud pulley of the distributor bearing upon it. -«•• IMPEOVED BUTTER-WOEKEE. The accompanying engraving represents a section of an improved butter-worker, recently invented and patented by Ezekiel Gore, of Bennington, Vermont. The nature of this invention consists in the employ- ment of an endless revolving sack or bag for containing and confining the butter, and conveying it to and between two fluted or working rollers, and through the water in the tub or box as fast as the rollers operate upon it, until it is thoroughly worked, washed and seasoned. A represents the box or tub which contains the water for washing the butter, and also supports the bearings of the rollers BCD. The box A is made in two sections, so that its upper part may be removed, and also the rollers and sack, when it is desired to cleanse the lower part. The roller B is made perfectly smooth, and has its bearings at the back end of the machine, and the roller C is fluted, as shown, and has its bearings near the front end of the machine. On and around these rollers the sack F is arranged as represented. The roller D is fluted similar to C, and operates in concert with it, but is prevented from touching it by the sack, which is placed and revolves between it, as represented. The sack carries the butter between the fluted rollers, said rollers, as the butter passes between them, effectually operating upon it, and working it to the state desired. E is a hopper arranged above the fluted rollers, as represented ; through this hopper the salt is introduced between said rollers, which work it into the butter as the sack feeds it between them. The sack F has two openings d d for the insertion and removal of the butter ; the butter cannot escape out of said openings while the working and washing is being performed, as the cloth forming the bag is made to over and underlap at the places where the openings are formed. There is cog-gearing for turning the fluted rollers in opposite directions, and a crank for turning the same. This invention has certainly the merit of novelty, and, we understand, gives good satisfaction when used practically. — Editor, «*»^ ARTIFICIAL EGG-HATCHING, The system of hatching eggs artificially has recently received a new impulse from the exertions of Signor Minasi, of London, who has labored to dispel the notion that top contact, as with the natural hen- mother, was absolutely essential for successful hatch- ing by artificial agents. It is this view which has so long retarded the progress of this curious art, as great complication of mechanical details was necessary under such a system, in addition to the constant attend- ance of a watcher, to keep the temperature to the right point. With this top contact, too, the eggs must be all of the same size ; but by Signor Minasi 's plan, the eggs of ducks and pigeons may be hatched along- side each other. The heat he uses is derived from a 1S56.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. n simple spirit-lamp, by which he obtains the necessary uniform temperature. Our perspect- ive sketch represents the hatcher complete. It consists of a water-tight platform or tray of metal, with a corrugated bottom, and filled with warm water, at such a heat as will keep a layer of sand thereon up to a temperature of 104° F. This sand-layer holds the eggs, which are screened by a glass-cover. The sand, which is of the *' silver" kind, is a quarter of an inch deep, and the eggs, when deposited in it, are coviered with a blanket, another blanket being employed to envelope the whole of the glass- frame. Under the tray is placed a mass of chopped hay, mixed with sand, this being changed daily. The heating lamp, which is itself on a novel principle, is placed with its flame about three inches from the bottom of the boiler or water- holder. When the proper heat has been obtained, the eggs, with their opposite sides numbered, are placed in the sand, and left for twenty- four hours, after which time they are reversed, to expose the other side. At the end of the sixth day that the eggs have been in the machine, it may be ascertained if the chicken is formed or not, by darken- ing the room, and holding them against a hole the size of a shilling, cut in the shutter for the purpose, when, if the egg be gently turned, the germ will be seen to float to the top. If no germ appears, the egg may be considered a bad one for hatching purposes A bit of soft leather should be placed round the hole, against which the egg may be held without the fear of breaking. If the shell be a dark one, it will not be until the seventh or eight day that this can be known. It requires a little practice before the eye becomes sufficiently experienced to detect this. The great advantage which science has over nature is here apparent, for if by the sixth day no chicken is visible, the e^g may be at once removed as containing no germ, and its place filled by another. In eggs with lighter shell, such as Spanish, Poland and Sultan fowls, the chicken is seen clearly after the fourth day. If, at the end of tw^enty-one days, any doubt should exist as to the vitality of the chickens then due, fill a basin nearly full of water, heated to about 104° or 106°, and place some eggs gently in it. When the water is quite still, the eggs that contain live chickens will be seen to move about, and should be immediately replaced in the machine, and allowed another day or two more. When buying eggs for hatching, they must be placed in water, to find if they will lie flat at the bottom. If they do so, they are good for hatch- ing ; but if one end rises higher than the other, they will not answer the purpose ; and should they float to the surface, or near it, they are rotten. Another method of telling new-laid eggs from stale ones is by examining them at the hole in the shutter. If there appears at the thick end a vacuum about the size of a fourpenny piece only, the egg may be considered new- jaid, or only two or three days old ; but if the vacuum be greater, the egg is a stale one. When the chicken commences to start the shell, it is better to remove it to a glass- box at the end, with a little flannel laid lightly underneath, and the same to cover over it, as, if allowed to remain in the sand, they sometimes injure their eyes. The chickens may be allowed to remain in the glass-box without food for the first twenty-four hours of their existence. They should then be removed to the artificial mother, where they will shift for themseWes, and should remain for about five or six weeks. If a chicken appears weakly for the first two or three days, it is perhaps as well to put it in the glass- box, away from its more robust com- panions under the artificial mother, giving them, of course, a little food. In his experiments, Signor Minasi has been remarkably successful ; and, having hatched several eggs of rare birds furnished him from the Zoological Gardens, is about to experiment on the eggs of the ostrich. Arrangement for Holding Eggs.— -A patent, for an improved arrangement for holding and conveying eggs, has been granted to Francis Arnold, of Haddam, I Conn. It consists in having a suitable box, with a number of vertical curved springs attached by their lower ends to the bottom of the case. The eggs are slipped in between the springs, which hold them firm yet gently, preventing them from coming in contact or being broken by any ordinary concussion. *•• ■ — HORSE MUZZLES. The attention of Mr. Clowes, of England, has been directed to the removal of an unpleasant habit which some horses have of biting or sucking their crib or manger. This he professes to effect by means of a muzzle, which is represented in elevation in fig, 1 of our engravings, and in vertical section in fig. 2. The body of the muzzle A is composed of leather, or any other suitable material, and is formed with apertures in it, in order not to impede respiration. A light metal frame B is fitted into the lower portion of the muzzle, and across this frame is fixed longitudi- nally the perforated bar C. Immediately beneath this fixed bar is placed a second bar D, which is movable in a vertical direction, and is fitted with a 13 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [January number of prickers or sharp points E. This movable bar is connected to the fixed bar by the two screws F, which allow of a slight vertical play between the two bars. Two blade springs G, secured to the under side of the first bar, are for the purpose of pushing down the bar D, and shielding the prickers in the perforations of the fixed bar, when the movable bar is not acted upon by pressure from below. Two small projecting beyond the bar D, serve to pre- vent this bar being acted upon when the horse is eat- ing off a flat or hollow surface of a greater width than the distance between the projections. But if the animal attempts to bite or suck his crib, or presses his mouth downwards upon any hard thing which is not wider than the distances between the projections H, the prickers will be forced upwards through the perforations in the bar C, and as these pricking points will thereby be brought into contact with the animal's mouth, the objectionable habit will be ettectually checked. The muzzle being open at the bottom will not prevent the animal from feeding ; but when it is desirable to stop him from feeding, a perforated plate may be inserted into the frame of the muzzle, being Fig. 1 . Fig. 2. fastened therein temporarily by a fixed pin on one side and a small bolt on the other, so that it can be re- moved with the greatest facility. Another set of prickers are fitted into the back of the muzzle, and act upon the under jaw of the animal when attempting to suck his crib. The sharp points are fitted to the fixed curved bar L, which is secured to the inside of the muzzle, and they are shielded or protected by the slotted or perforated bar M, which is connected to the bar L by screws at N, working in slots in the bar M, thus allowing it to be pressed downwards by the under jaw of the horse when sucking its crib, and thereby causing the prickers to protrude. -••»- IMPROVEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOG-PENS. The accompanying figures represent in perspective and in section, an im- provement in the construction and ar- rangement of hog-pens, recently invent- ed and patented by R. M. Abbe, of Thompsonville, Connecticut: — The improvement relates to the con- struction of the trough guards. A pen is first built of the requisite size for a certain number of hogs, and on the front part of it the improvement is placed. The arrangements will be clearly under- stood by reference to the engravings. A B are swinging fronts intended to swing inwards on F F when cleaning out the troughs or feeding-, (as shown with front A at E,) and thus prevent the hogs interfering with any of these two opera- tions. When the feed is placed in the trough, the swinging front is brought into place and made fast by a bar or button, (as shown by B,) thus allowing the hogs free access to the troughs C C. These troughs are made of cast iron — oval-formed basins— and firmly secured in a frame G. D D D are iron guards, one for each trough ; these prevent the hogs from in» terfering with one another while feeding. They are fixed on the swinging-frame inside the pen, and being secured with screw.-bolts, they can be raised or low- ered to suit the size of the hogs. They are placed so as to allow each bog to pass his head in, but not his «r »- Pio. 1. feet, and feed freely. The latter is a bad habit with hogs in common pens, by which they waste and foul their food. By this method of constructing hog-pens, the troughs can be easily cleaned out, and thus kept in proper condition. The health and growth of hogs are both 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 13 greatly promoted by keeping their troughs clean, for it is certainly injurious to them if fresh food is mixed with any surplus that has been left from a previous meal and suffered to ferment and become offensive. This method of constructing hog-pens also saves food by preventing waste, as the hog by this arrangement cannot get his feet into or root out his food from the trough. The proprietor states that he guarantees a saving of thirty-seven per cent, in fattening hogs by the use of this pen. Another useful point is, that the front of the pen swinging on the bar F F may be used as a door for ingress or egress, thus doing away with the custom of tearing a pen to pieces whenever the occupants have to be removed. The person also in feeding does not come in contact with the filth that • naturally accumulates in the pen, and the trough can be filled or emptied without getting into or reaching over the side of the pen. -<•• CLAT-BALL DRAINING. A plan for draining, entitled '* Clay-Ball Draining," has been recently patented in England by Capt. Nor- ton, R. A., which con.sists in using hard spherical balls of clay as the draining medium. The clay of which the balls are made is moulded by any conve- nient machinery, preserving the spherical form as accurately as possible. When dried, the balls are burned to a crystalline hardness, so that when de- posited in the earth they will literally endure for ages. The size or diameter of these drainage balls must be varied to suit different circumstances ; but a diameter of four or five inches is the average size pre- ferred. Such balls, when laid in drain cuts in the soil, allow the surface water to descend and pass freely through or between them, and thus get clear off the land. Spherical stones would obviously perform just as effectively as the clay balls, but the latter are preferred, for the reason that in them absolute spheri- city may be secured, while that would be impossible even with the use of the smoothest and roundest pebbles. Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a portion of a field drain of this kind, and jig, 2 is a corresponding filling up the entire width of the drain cut. In this condition of the work, a bottom row or layer of sphe- rical clay balls D is laid into the drain, the two diameters of each traverse pair of balls being in the same transverse line of the drain as indicated in fig, 2. This drain is supposed to be eight inches in width, so that two clay balls, each four inches in diameter, suffice to fill it. When the entire base of the drain is thus filled in, a second layer of balls E is set above the lower layer, the diametrical lines of balls coinci- ding vcrticaiiy in the manner shown in jig, 2. This completes the draining medium, and the two layers of balls are then covered over with a cover layer of slates F, to carry the earth thrown in above in level- ling and making fair the field. It is preferred that the sod-side of the superincumbent earth should be downwards. This relation of the balls gives a clear thoroughfare for the drainage water through the cen-. tral space enclosed by each set of four balls, as in fig, 2 ; at the same time there are three half prssages or thoroughfares for the water at the bottom and top of the ball layer, and one half passage on each side. Hence there is always a free passage for the water to drain down, and percolate through the enclosed spaces due to the contour of the balls, getting clear away along the slate base of the drain channel to the main outfall. Captain Norton illustrates his contrivance under several forms, the balls being variously disposed in the drain cuts, while, in one instance, three several sizes of balls are used in combination. Drains made in this way always present a full, free passage for the descent of the water, as the spaces between the balls can never be diminished except by the introduction of other solid bodies : and the roundness of the balls is itself a point in favor of»the avoidance of such for- eign deposits ; like the links of a chain the balls will always conform to the actual surface of the ground, and no sinking can affect any serious dislocation, or prevent the drainage from being full and free. '*%f Fig. 1. Fig. 2. traverse section. A rectangular cut A is first made in the soil B in any convenient manner ; and when a sufficient depth has been attained, the bottom of the recess is levelled off, and made hard and substantial as a base, by laying thereon lengths of slate or other conveniently and economically available material 0, MONTGOMERY COUNTY AGEICTJLTURAL SOCIETY. On the 1 2th ult. , the Montgomery County Agricul- tural Society met and made the following nominations for offices for the ensuing year : Presifient — Edwin Moore. Vice President— S&mue] Roberts. Treasurer— J), C. Getby. Corresponding Secretaries— Alltin W. Corson, Wm. H. Holstein. Recording Secretary— George F. Roberts. Executive Committee — Charles Johnson, George A. Kreible, Samuel L. Styer, Geo. Geatrill, W. Mich'ener, Charles L. Wampole, H. Leibert, George Barnes, An- drew Hart, Chas. Hurst, Col. Thos. P. Knox, Hiram C. Hoover, Benjamin Baker, Benjamin B. Hughes, E. F. Roberts, W. A. Styer, Samuel Miller, W. P. Ellis, S. P. Childs, John Wood, Henry Lysinger, P. C. Evans, Jones Detwiller, W. Wentz, Sam'l C. Shearer, Alexander Bickings. u THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [January 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 15 For the Farm Journal. WOOL. Among the articles exhibited at the Agricultural Exhibitions of Pennsylvania and other States, the ar- ticle of wool does not appear to have attracted much attention. This is a sad oversight or neglect. It is not a little extraordinary that our immense grass and prairie lands are so little applied to the growth of sheep and wool— an article so necessary to our comfort and national independence. In some of the most densely populated countries of Europe, where the products of grain are not sufficient for the wants of the people, a large surplus of wool is grown for exportation, either in a manufactured or raw state, and is indirectly exchanged for articles of which they have not a sufficiency. We export a large sur- plus of the staff of life, and exchange much of it for brandy, wine, gin, fine cloth, silk, and other gewgaws : and baubles, and do not grow wool enough to supply our own wants, when the price of fine wool is upon an average from forty to seventy-five cents per lb. | At the commencement of the last war between this country and England, the price of wool was in this j country from one dollar to two dollars and fifty cents per lb., according to quality, and there was not enough in the United States to make a blanket for each of our soldiers who were defending the country , upon our cold northern frontier. At that time we , were principally supplied in woolen goods by the na- ■ tion with whom we were at war, and from that time to the present we continue dependant upon her and other nations of Europe for so large an amount of our clothing and other foreign merchandise, as to require the exportation of so large an amount of gold as to produce a great demand for money, to the great dis- advantage of our manufacturers, farmers and mechan- ics. The principal cause of this disordered state of things, I believe, is because our foreign commerce is not properly regulated by Congress. I have had some little experience myself in growing fine wooled sheep. T(jiirty years back I owned a flock of about one thousand head, which were grown under my own eye, and am induced to state some of my ob- , servations and experience in relation to the subject, though but little accustomed to writing communica- tions upon any subject. In selecting from a fine wooled flock sheep for breeders, the first object should be health ; the next size and shape, for the mutton of fine wooled /sheep is invariably the best, the fat and lean being better mix- i ed and more delicate than some of the breeds imported from England, the mutton of which is gross, and has too large a proportion of fat, and appears to be better suited for burning than eating ; the head should be j short and thick ; the eye large and prominent ; the neck round and without a dewlap or loose skin about it ; wrinkles round the neck and other parts of the body are not only troublesome in shearing but are sure signs of weakness and delicate health, and fine wooled sheep are subject to them ; the spine should be nearly straight ; the chest and body round and lengthy ; the legs short and straight ; the hoofs large, round, and wide apart, otherwise the animal will be subject to have what is called the foul claw, the feet ulcerate between the hoofs. This disease is frequent in warm weather, both with cattle and sheep, and is thought to be infectious more or less. The best bucks should be selected annually out of the flock by a person qualified to make the selection, and one of the first considerfttions should be the qual- ;*-r» ««^ y^,-,nwy,hi*-rr nf fVlO floAPO WrVjlpVl chnillrl \\Q tYliolg and fine, and should cover the whole animal, except the comfits and extremities. It should have no hairy coarseness about the skirts or hind parts, for coarse wool is not worth more than from eight to sixteen cents per lb., when fine is worth from forty to eighty cents ; the price is always according to the fineness and cleanness of the wool. A fine wool sheep will always produce more wool than a coarse wooled one of the same age and size. I bought some bucks in the year 1824 that were imported from Saxony, whose fleeces would weigh upon an average twelve pound* each, and the four quarters of mutton eighty pounds. If judgment and care is taken to select the best for breeding for a few years, a flock may be brought to a high degree of perfection, particularly if breeding in and in, as it is called, is avoided, by procuring bucks from other good flocks to crop the breed with. The bucks should be removed from the flock in the latter part of the month of November, and well kept until the month of October following ; they may feed on the pastures with cattle, with whom they will soon become reconciled. The ewes go encient about one hundred and fifty days, and the bucks should be put into the flock so that the lambs may come about the middle of the next April, and before the month is out all the ewes should yean,^ and then as the grass in- creases, the milk of the ewes will increase, and as they seldom have more than one lamb each, the lambs will grow and fatten rapidly. Their tails should be taken off about two inches from the root, and the bucks castrated before they are one week old : and after the best bucks have been selected and marked, when the weather becomes warm in June following, and the flics trouble the flock which have been shear- ed, they run into crowds, and the lambs having a light fleece suffer more with the heat than the old sheep, and will fall off unless they should be removed from the fiock ; they ought to be removed out of the hearing of the bleating of the ewes, and put upon good grass, and the small and scrubby may be killed by the breeder. As soon as the weather becomes cool the ewes will thrive, and will winter well upon corn * April, 1823, a flock of ewes of about one hundred, ninety-four of which yeaned in the course of forty-eight hours, and each ewe nursed and owned her own lamb. The weather being fine, they were out on a grass lot If they had been confined in a flock house and yard, many of the ewes would not have known or owned their lambs, but would have claimed lambs not their own, and thereby thoir lamba would have perished j but it happened that all lived and did well. fodder or other cheap food ; and if well provided for, before any thing can be done to advantage. I will will shear without being washed six pounds of wool repeat the caution given by old producers : ** By no upon an average if the flock should be a good one. means plant in the spring ; if you do, your work will Fine wool should never be washed upon the back of have to be done over again, or you may conclude that the sheep, which are always more or less injured by your soil is not adapted for the growth of cranberries, being immersed in cold water, and the wool by being when the error does not lie there but in the time of stored in the yelk or grease may be kept for years in setting out." store without injury. 2. The most eligible parts of land for the cranberry I know by experience that raising fine wooled sheep claims our notice. It is probable that many farmers is one of the most lucrative employments a farmer have desired to own a small patch of vines, but not can be engaged in, and think that if they possessed a knowing where and how they grow, have decided that little more national pride and independence, it would it would be useless to attempt any thing in this direc- not be amiss. Chester, Delaware co., Pa. G. Churchman. tion, when, at the same time, nature has provided for them all they need, with the exception of making and planting a yard. Are there no swamps or miniature valleys on your lands ? Swamps which in the summer are dried up CTOTIVATION OF THE CRANBERET. Cape Cod, Wednesday, Oct. 24, 1855. Now that the cranberry crop is harvested, those by the heat and the absence of rain ; little valleys who have land adapted to the growth of this remune- which in the winter are covered with water. These rative fruit, are preparing it for the reception of the are the very places you require ; the best possible po- young vine. And as there may be readers of the sitions for the planting of vines you can have. Why, Tribune who contemplate making a trial in the culti- then, are not these hitherto useless, spongy places vation of this excellent vine, but yet lack some items turned to profitable account? There is scarcely a of information which may retard the speedy consu- farm to be found, of any importance and extent, but mation of such an undertaking, I will state for their what has situated on some part of it places of the guidance that process of cultivation which has been above description which the astute farmer will not pursued with marked success on Cape Cod. | overlook. 1. In the management of the cranberry, respect' I assume, that the reader has all the natural facili- must be had to a particular part of the year in which ties for the cultivation of cranberries, he ought rea- the vines ought to be removed from their beds, and sonably to wish, and that he has decided upon making planted in the yards. Some, whose experience is not a trial. Ho may properly ask, ** but how am I to go extensive, are of opinion that the vine ought to be set to work?" I will, in the plainest language at my out in the spring. This has been tried by novices in command, endeavor to answer that question, the art of cranberry cultivation, but generally these First, clear off the thick wood, and straggling J)lants have failed, because they have been unable to bushes, if there are any : decide upon an elevation in withstand the severity of the sun's heat, and the con- your swamp, which is high and dry from May to Oc- sequent dryness of the soil. Practical experiment tober, so that if there should be exca*;sive rains your has, therefore, decided that the spring of the year is vines may not be under water too much. Take off an unfavorable time for laying out, and planting a ' the sod, and throw it into the low and hollow places yard. which are to be raised, and prepare for ** filling in >> The fall is the most suitable part of the year for and bringing the swamp as near to a level as you can. transplanting, and the time on Cape Cod that is con- In " filling in," it is of the first importance to care- sidered the best for this work is from the middle of fully select the kind of soil which is best adapted to October to the latter part of November. A gentleman promote the growth of the vine. If this work is done who owns a four acre yard informs me that this has in a careless or negligent manner, the plants will been his method for the last twenty-five years, and suffer, and perhaps die. that he has never had a vine fail or die, and what his | The cranberry growers in Dennis generally make experience is m this respect is supported by that of use of coarse sand, but the preference is given to fine others who do not cultivate on so large a scale as ' beach sand; and all who can, fill in with the latter, nimself. The reason why the fall is the most season- j because experience has taught the most practical and able time for the work is, that the young plant is sub- 1 successful producers that it is the best. Thev find merged during the winter ; the roots descend into the that the young vines thrive better, and can withstand new soil and before the following spring is past it is the drouth with much less danger of their beine killed prepared to sustain itself by the moisture the leaves than those which are set out in a clayey soil The Srfr?°'.K '''"'°«P'>7 •''"<» th« outspreading clay is apt to cake, and it is not an unfrequent thing cTntlll^ ? .t ^^^^Vf''^^" ^^o h'^ve ^ to see young roots shriveled up and destroyed by the contemplated tummg their attention practically to action of the summer's heat upon such soil The sand the growth of cranberries do it at rJT Z "'■'"'^'•"^^ 'l" " »' once, for this is the is light and porous, and is therefore adapted to take m wSlT ;'P°''"f ^; " ^"" "'^'^'" '* »<"^' >■" 'he moisture of the atmosphere. I have H some J0« will have to wait for the return of another fall few vines which have been set out in bedsTn^! beds of peat ; Id THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Jaktary 1866.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 17 they have floarished and done well ; but still the pre- immense waste occurring in large cities and towns ference is given to beach sand for the purpose of through their system of sewage. In this manner large *' filling in " for another reason— it more effectually quantities of excrementitious matters, consisting of destroys the long wiry grass which is indigenous to the refuse of dwellings and manufactories, diluted swamps, a consideration which by no means must be with the waste water of such cities and towns, arc lost sight of by the farmer. If this enemy to the poured out into some stream or river, and thus lost to cranberry is not provided against, by covering over i the public forever. or pulling it up, it will greatly retard the process of i It is estimated that in the city and suburbs of New ** matting." Where the vine is planted upon fine York, an amount of fertilizing matter is thus wasted, beach sand which is free from the grass, the runners which, if applied to the soil, would possess a money «rr;ii q»>«>A«/l rv>i^rA r«»^»'l''^ o»»'^ now h\Ua will sanrino" nn valiip f\f ffilfi 000 n.0n0 per annum. from them where they take root. Having nothing to | This is at the low estimate of two cents per day for contend against, a yard set off in this way will be each of the 750,000 persons who make up the popula- *< matted " in about one-fourth the time that it takes tion of New York and its suburbs, without consider- others where these precautions are neglected, and thus ing the immense number of animals also fed in these the farmer will have not only satisfaction but his pe- ' cities. The subject is one which frequently comes up cuniary interests promoted by going the right way to for discussion in agricultural journals ; it forms an work ; for it is in this case as in all others, where ex- 1 item in eYery annual address, and as there are few pense and trouble are involved, '* that the work well certain data, the opinions expressed, are, for the most done once needs no mending," and it saves both anxie- ty and money in the future. part crude and valueless. By some writers it is fre- quently made a matter of reproach to our scientific Before closing this letter, I will state a fact, which men, particularly the chemists, that they have not should encourage those who possess low, swampy taken the matter in hand, while others, in view of ground to turn it to account by cultivating cranber- some new patent for utilizing sewage refuse, will con- ries. A gentleman in Dennis owns about three rods I gratulate the public that the good time is speedily of cranberry vines. These vines have obtained the ; coming when all this valuable material is to be saved, mastery over the long grass and weeds, and they are and made applicable to agricultural purposes, so well matted that they appear like a little forrest of The question for solution is this : — young boxwood. The yield is immense, and if he had Can the liquid manure of sewers be deprived by any one acre of land covered as these three rods are, he I means of the vast quantity of water with which it is would realize an income from this source (as cranber- diluted, its solid contents thrown down and so ren- ries have sold this year) of some two thousand dollars. | dered easy of transportation, at a price which shall I might swell this letter to an unreasonable length by j render it remunerative, providing at the same time citing individuals who some years ago wished their that its preparation shall not become a nuisance, and that the effluvia necessarily arising from large masses swamps were in the sea, but have lived to rejoice that they were not taken at their word, for those very swamps are the most lucrative portions of their farms. In my next letter, I shall state which is the most marketable cranberry, and the best method of setting out the vine. Septimus. — New York Tribune. , -<•*- of decayino: matter shall not be rendered deleterious to the inhabitants? Our own opinion is most decided- ly that it cannot, and in this belief we agree with a majority of those who have given careful attention to this subject in England and on the Continent. The plan which readily suggests itself for treating sewage manure is that of deoderizing and precipitating the solid contents by means of some chemical sub- stances. A patent process which excited some attention in England a few years since, proposed to effect this by SEWAGE MANURE.— CAN IT BE MADE AVAILABLE ? The fact has been evident for a long time to every one at all conversant with the agricultural resources of this country, that unless some check can be placed j means of charcoafand sulphate of alumina (one of the I to annual waste of fertilizing material drained from j principal ingredients of alum). The plan worked ^' our soils, that American agricultural productions must admirably in tumblers and flannel bags, and learned rapidly depreciate. A careful estimate of the aggre- agriculturists gave evidence that the action was effec- gate loss of fertilizing material in the United States tual, the operation speedy, and the product excellent. during the year 1854. incurred through negligence, necessity, or by the exportation of cereals, the pro The bubble, however, was punctured by the calcu- lated expense of its application to the entire sewage ducts of the consumption of which could not in any of London-thus :-The amount of water which degree return, places the amount as equivalent to the constituents of 1,500,000 bushels of corn. In the attempts which are constantly made to sup ply this deficiency of fertilizing agents, (which defi ciency by its annual increase must continually aug daily flows into the sewers of London is about sixty millions of gallons, exclusive of rain-water. (The individual daily allowance in London is thirty-six gallons, in New York it is upwards of ninety gallons.) By the new process ten grains of sulphate of alumina ment the demands of agriculturists for manures,) j were required to be mixed with one pint of sewage, attention has lor a long time been directed to the ' This gives four scruples to the gallon, or three and a half pounds weight to each ton of sewage, and as 240,000 tons are delivered daily from the London sewers into the Thames, v^ithout the addition of rain, it would require tho enormous weight of 146,000 tons of the sulphate o alumina per annum to eff*ect the object proposed, the cost of which, at the rate of seven dollars and a half per ton, (less than the present market price,) would be $2,555,000 per annum. This, without any allowance for charcoal used, or the expense of machinery or manufacture. As there is no reason to expect that anv more abun- dant and effectual re-agents for treating sewage can be obtained than charcoal and sulphate of alumina, the case as stated is as favorable as can be presented for this method of treatment. Another plan for treating sewage, which has found favor with many, is that of filtering the liquid through beds of pulverized charcoal. This substance, in virtue of its absorbing powers, retains a considerable quan- tity of the sewage fertilizing material, and is rendered valuable. The practical application of the system would be as follows : Taking a population of 5000, and assuming the water supply to equal 36 gallons per head per diem, or 5,776 cubic feet, we have a daily supply of 180,000 gallons. Suppose three-fourths of this to be supplied in 12 hours of the day, it would equal 135,000 gallons, or 137i gallons per minute. Now for the perfect filtration of ordinary rain-water, two square yards of filtering surface are required to clear one gallon per minute, but for extraordinary water, deeply discolored with vegetable matter, five and a half square yards are required to render the same amount of water in the same time colorless. Assuming two square yards of filtering surface suffi- cient for sewage purposes, it would require a filtering bed of 375 square yards, or rather less than one-twelfth of an acre, to clear the above quantity of water. To apply the same system to the sewage of New York would require an area of forty or fifty acres filtering surface. It must also be remembered, that the char- coal to continue operative must oflen be renewed, which, on a large scale, would prove impracticable. A third plan proposed, has been to deoderize in part the water, collect it in ponds, or other receptacles, and allow its solid contents to precipitate themselves i to the bottom, from which thev are afterwards to be I coUected. The objections to this scheme, which are ' almost insuperable, are, that for any considerable' operation, reservoirs of great area would be required, ! and when the supernatural water is drawn off*, and the deposits at the bottom removed, as they must be periodically, such removal would be not only attended with great expense from the difficulty of handling the the material, but would create a nuisance not to be endured m any populated district. From the extent ot surface that must necessarily be exposed from such temporary drainage, it is difficult to see how this last ^ect could well be avoided, and it must also be re- membered that the exhalation of those very gases and sapors, which would create the nuisance, would re- duce pro tanto the value of the deposite as a fertilizer. It is, therefore, evident that such reservoirs, if con- structed, must be located at a considerable distance from the habitable portion of those districts from whence the sewage is derived. In many places the drainage levels are so arranged that artificial means for transporting the liquid would be required. Any plan of this character for treating sewage materials necessarily presupposes deodorization as the first step. Sanitary considerations, indeed, would imperatively vaCmanvft vois, anu no sciieme could expect to disarm popular prejudice which did not essentially effect it. But the most extensive, and perhaps the best plan for treating sewage manures which has hitherto been proposed, and in any degree practically carried out, is that of Mr. Wioksteed, of England, a somewhat eminent engineer. This gentlemi^n in 1851 obtained! a patent for treating sewage by means of lime and certain mechanical arrangements, and in 1852 an act of Parliament was obtained incorporating the ** Patent Sewage Manure Company," with a capital of $500,000, a considerable portion of which was subscribed and paid in. This company has since established tempo- rary works at Leicester of a capacity sufficient to treat the sewage afforded by a town of 5,000 inhabi- tants. At the last accounts upwards of $100,000 had been expended on these temporary works, which were not then completed. The method pursued at these works is as follows : The water is pumped up from the sewer, and into the pipe conveying it to the reservoir, a smaller pipe is introduced, connected with a pump supplying lime- water, which works stroke for stroke with the sewer- water pump. This lime-water is claimed to effect the deodorization of the sewage. The discharge takes place into the first part of the reservoir, which is divided into three compartments, in each of which there is an agitator worked by a steam engine. A thorough mixture of the lime and sewage having been thus effected, it is suffered to flow onward into the other compartments, and an extension of the reservoir, with a velocity of about one-fourth of an inch per second. About two hours are consumed by the water I in passing from the sewer to the discharging end of the reservoir, during which time a large proportion of the solid contents are precipitated to the bottom. Seven-eighths of the solid matter, it is claimed, are deposited at the bottom of the reservoir within the first forty minutes. The operation of removing the precipitate from the bottom of the reservoir, so as not to interfere with the contmuous flow of the water into the same, is per- formed by means of an Archimedes screw, which re- moves the precipitated matter into an adjoining well or shaft, without greatly disturbing the process of precipitation, which is carried on above it. The next operation is to raise the deposit on hand from the well or shaft by means of an arrangement somewhat similar to a dredging machine, except that Its position is vertical, and its construction much 18 THE FAKM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [January slighter. The mud thus raised in a semi-fluid state though I have arrived at an estimate which will be into a tank, flows through a pipe into a revolving cyl- sufficiently large, to settle the commercial question, I inder pierced with holes, — a centrifugal machine. | can only consider this amount as a portion of what This machine is caused to rotate with a velocity of the ultimate cost might be in carrying out a scheme, one thousand revolutions per minute, a velocity which I which, after an examination of the following state- drives off a considerable portion of the water mixed meut, you will probably agree with me in terming with sewage deposit, and reduces its original bulk ! purely chimerical. two-thirds. As the material still contains sixty per " The quantity of sewage water, which will proba- cent, of water, it is next moulded into bricks and ex- bly be afibrded by the city of London in 1860, will posed to the drying action of the air for a greater or amount to at least 102,048,588 gallons per day, or less length of time. It is intended to reduce the 166,719,190 tons per annum. amount of moisture ultimately to a point as low as " According to the analyses of the eminent chem- twenty per cent. ists. Prof. Brands and Cooper, 150 tons of London During the past year we have heard nothing further ^ sewer-water contains l-500th part, or 6 cwt., of solid of the success of this experiment, and from the silence matter, which may be considered a sufficient average maintained, are led to infer that the plan has been quantity for an acre of ground per annum ; the solid abandoned. The enterprise, indeed, may perhaps matter contained in 166,719,190 tons of sewer-water 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. n I I have received a death blow from the investigations of Prof. Wat, who has proved that while the lime is will therefore be equal to 6,668,760 cwt., which at 6 cwt. per acre will supply an area of 1,111,460 acres. effectual as a deodorizer, the value to agriculture of. The extent of district to consume will be rather more the organic matter precipitated by it is very smaU, than double, or 3,500 square miles, equal to a circle and is more than counterbalanced by the addition of from forty to sixty per cent, of a totally useless mat- ter— carbonate of lime. Prof. Way has also shown, in his valuable papers published in the Journal of the Royal Agricultural 664 miles in diameter. The main pipage required will be equal to 1,236 miles, varying in diameter from 38 inches to 12 inches. The steam power required will be equal to 16,152 horses, working under a pres- sure equal to a column of water of 500 feet. The Society, on '* Town Sewage," that the principal parts capital required will amount to nearly 12,000,000 of the substances important to vegetation, the ammo- pounds (60,000,000 dollars). The quantity of coals ma, the phosphoric acid, and the alkaline salts, are required per annum will be about 170,000 tons. The washed out of the solid sewage by the water in which , annual cost of coals, labor, stores, repairs for en- it is held in suspension. He also states that an ex amination of the soHd sewage obtained from the mouth of one of the principal sewers of London, showed that it contained less than jour per cent, of ammonia. The latest plan for utilizing sewage manures, and which we consider the most extravagant of any yet proposed, is that lately brought forward by Mr. Mbohi, the well-known English agriculturist. This gentleman, " having given up all hopes of ob- taining town sewage In a solid form," proposes to pump the entire sewage into elevated reservoirs, from whence it is to be distributed in large main pipes, and conveyed to each proprietor's farm in suitable smaller conduits. The elevation from which the liquid is to flow gines, buildings, &c., will amount to 240,000 pounds (1,200,000 dollars). " Supposing ten per cent, upon the capital to be sufficient to cover all disbursements, including five or six per cent, interest upon capital, this will amount to 1,200,000 pounds (6,000,000 dollars), which, for 333,438 tons of solid matter, will give a cost of about 18 dollars per ton. ** The foregoing calculation will perhaps be sufficient to convince the Commissioners that the liquid scheme, even if it should be carried out as herein proposed, is not a feasible one ; but when, in addition to what has been stated, it is borne in mind that the basis upon which the calculation rests is upon the assumption, first, that the whole of the sewage water could be so ause sufficient pressure to effect thedischarge of coUe'cted into oneTentr; s trreXd"; L TeWe the same at the respective farms by means of a jet. 38 inch radial pipes could be laid in s raieht^Sls «lh.s plan having been sanctioned by a number of f..,m this centr^ point : thirdly thl" a drdeof 06* highly practical men, the London Commissioners of miles in diameter around LoS s a flat Tain and Sewers recently subm tted the whole subject to an the great number of actuaSdo not ex st our A^ o:sr;ercrrZiS,r'rri!!- - '- -- ^„ — . — ^r of .zz^:^. opinion respecting its feasibility. From this official report we make the following extract : could be found within the proposed limit to use so large a quantity of one kind of manure ; and as the "To Pnahip mp f.^ /».^«. i ^ • ., ^ H'^nuiiiy vi one Kma 01 manure ; and particular plan must a Zt Lend unolT. "[""^ ^'"'' ^"^ '^eir lands to hold the supply during such capable of producing commtcfalvf benefit ^i'"f r"°IWtM 26 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [January ADDRESS OF HON. EDWARD EVERETT BEFORE THE TJ. S. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY AT BOSTON. Mr. President, and Ladibs and Gentlemen :— My most excellent friend, who has just taken his seat, was good enough to remark that he was waiting with impatience for me to speak. Far different was my feeling while he was speaking. I listened not only with patience, but with satisfac- tion and delight, as I am sure you all did. If he spoke of the embarrassment under which he rose to ftddress such an assembly— an embarrassment which all, however accustomed to public speaking, cannot but feel— how much greater must be my embarrass- ment. He had to contend only with the difficulties natural to the occasion, and with having to follow the most eloquent gentleman from Philadelphia. I have to contend with all that difficulty, and with that of following not only that gentleman, who delighted us all so much, but my most eloquent friend who has just taken his seat. And where two such gentlemen have passed over the ground, the one with his wide sweeping reaper, and the other with his keen trenchant scythe, what is there left for a poor gleaner like myself, that comes after them ? With respect to the kind manner, sir, in which you have been so good as to introduce my name to this company, it is plain that I have nothing to respond, but to imitate the example of the worthy clergyman upon the Connecticut river, who, when some inquisi- tive friend, from a distant part of the country, asked him somewhat indiscreetly, whether there was much true piety among his flock, he said, ** Nothing to boast of." If this were a geological instead of an agricultural society, and it were your province not to dig the sur- face but to bore into the depths of the earth, it would not be surprising if, in some of your excavations, you should strike upon such a fossil as myself. But when I look around upon your exhibition — the straining course — the crowded bustling ring — the motion, the life, the fire — the immense crowds of ardent youth and emulous manhood, assembled from almost every part of the country, actors or spectators of the scene — I feel that it is hardly the place for quiet old-fashioned folks, accustomed to quiet old-fashioned ways. I feel somewhat like the Doge of Genoa, whom the imperious mandate of Louis XIV. had compelled to come to Ver- sailles, and who, after surveying and admiring its marvels, exclaimed, that he wondered at every thing he saw, and most of all at finding himself there. Since, however, sir, with that delicate consideration towards your *' elder brethren," which I so lately had occasion to acknowledge at Dorchester, you are willing to trust yourself by the side of such a specimen of paleonthology as myself, I have much pleasure in as- suring that I have witnessed, with the highest satis- faction, the proof afforded by this grand exhibition, that the agriculture of our country, with all the in- terests connected with it, is in a state of active im- provement. In all things, sir, though I approve a judicious conservatism, it is not merely for itself, but as the basis of a safe progress. I own, sir, there are some old things, both in nature and art, and society, that I like for themselves. I all but worship the grand old hills, the old rivers that roll between them, the fine old trees bending with the weight of centuries. I reverence an old homestead, an old burying ground, the good men of olden times. I love old friends, good old books, and I don't absolutely dislike a drop of crood oiQ Wine ior tuc otuinav«ii s oa>n.v, piv>jv»v.v* »^ ts taken from the original package. But these tastes and sentiments are all consistent with, nay, in my judgment, they are favorable to a genial growth, pro- gression, and improvement, such as is rapidly taking place in the agriculture of the country. In a word I have always been, and am now, for both stability and progress ; learning from a rather antiquated, but not yet wholly discredited authority, *' to prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good." I know, sir, that the modern rule is, " try all things, and hold fast to nothing.'' I believe I shall adhere to the old read- ing a little longer. But, sir, to come to more practical, and you will probably think more appropriate topics, I will endea- vor to show you that I am no enemy to new discove- ries in agriculture, or any thing else. So far from it. I am going to communicate to you a new discovery of my own, which, if I do not greatly overrate its im- portance, is as novel as brilliant, and as auspicious of great results as the celebrated discovery of Dr. Frank- lin ; not the identity of the electric fluid and light- ning, I don't refer to that, but his other famous dis- 'covery: that, in the latitude of Paris, the sun rises several hours before noon ; that he begins to shine as soon as he rises ; and that the solar ray is a cheaper light for the inhabitants of large cities than the can- dles and oil which they are in the habit of preferring to it. I say, sir, my discovery is somewhat of the same kind ; and I really think full as important. I have been upon the track of it for several years : ever since the ghtter of a few metallic particles in the gravel washed out of Capt. Sutter's mill-race first led to the discovery of the gold diggings of California ; which for some time past have been pouring into the country fifty or sixty millions of dollars annually. My discovery, sir, is nothing short of this, that we have no need to go or send to California for gold ; in- asmuch as we have gold diggings on this side of the continent, much more productive, and consequently much more valuable than theirs. I do not, of course, refer to the mines of North Carolina or Georgia, which have been worked with some success for several years, but which compared with California are of no great moment. I refer to a much broader vein of auriferous earth, which runs wholly through the States on this side of the Rocky Mountains, which we have been working unconsciously for many years, without re- cognizing its transcendant importance ; and which it is actually estimated will yield the present year ten 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. m or fifteen times as much as the California diggings ; taking their produce at sixty millions of dollars Then, sir, this gold of ours not only exceeds the California in the annual yield of the diggings, but in several other respects. It certainly requires labor, but not nearly as much labor, to get it out. Our dig- gings may be depended on with far greater confidence for the average yield on a given superficies. A cer- tain quantity of moisture is no doubt necessary with us, as with them, but you are not required, as you are in tne jtiacers oi loaiiiuniia, lu siauu up tw jruUi middle all day, rocking a cradle filled with gravel and gold dust. The cradles we rock are filled with some- thing better. Another signal advantage of our gold over the California gold is, that after being pulverized and moistened, and subjected to the action of moderate reproduction, and that when that crop was to be put in. Chaos must have broken up the soil. How difier- ent the grains of our Atlantic gold, sown by the pru- dent hand of man, in the kindly alternations of seed- time and harvest ; each curiously, mysteriously or- ganized ; hard, horny, seeming lifeless on the outside, but wrapping up in the interior a seminal germ, a living principle. Drop a grain of California gold into the ground, and there it will lie unc langed to the end of time, the clods on which it falls not more cold and i;rAiAac Tifrkr* A orrain of nnr o-nld f^f <^ur Wps«pd gold, into the ground, and lo ! a mystery. In a few days it softens, it swells, it shoots upward, it is a living thing. It is yellow itself, but it sends up a delicate spire, which comes peeping, emerald green, through the soil ; it expands to a vigorous stalk, revels in the air and sunshine, it arrays itself more glorious heat, it becomes a grateful and nutritious article of food; whereas no man— not the long eared King ofj than Solomon in its broad, fluttering, leafy robes, Phrygia himself— could masticate a thimblcfull of the whose sound, as the west wind whispers through California dust, cold or hot, to save him from starva- tion. Then, sir, we get our Atlantic gold on good deal more favorable terms than we get the California. them, falls as pleasantly on the husbandman's ear as the rustle of his sweeeheart's garment ; still towers aloft, spins its verdant skeins of vegetable floss, dis- It is probable, nay it is certain, that for every million plays its dancing tassels, surcharged with fertilizing of dollars' worth of dust that we receive from San dust, and at last ripens into two or three magnificent Francisco, we send out a full million's worth in pro- 1 batons like this, [an ear of Indian corn,] each of which duce, in manufactures, in notions generally, and in ; is studded with hundreds of grains of gold, every one freight : but the gold which is raised from the dig- 1 possessing the same wonderful properties as the parent gings this side yields, with good management, a vast grain, every one instinct with the same marvellous increase on the outlay— some thirty fold, some sixty, ; reproductive powers. There are seven hundred and some a hundred. But besides all this, there are two twenty grains on the ear which I hold in my hand, discriminating circumstances of a most peculiar ! And now I say, sir, of this transcendant gold of ours, character, in which our gold differs from that of Cali- 1 the yield this year will be at least ten or fifteen times fomia, greatly to the advantage of ours. The first that of California. is this : But it will be urged perhaps, sir. in behalf of the On the Sacramento and Feather rivers, throughout California gold by some miserly old fogy, who thinks the placersy in all the wet diggings and the dry dig- ; there is no music in the world equal to the clink of gings, and in all the deposits of auriferous quartz, you his guineas, that though one crop of gold can be gath- can get but one solitary exhaustive crop from one lo- ered from the same spot, yet once gathered it lasts to cality ; and in getting th&t you spoil it for any further ^ the end of time ; while (he will maintain) our vegeta- use. The soil is dug over, worked over, washed over, ble gold is produced only to be consumed, and when ground over, sifted over— in short turned into an consumed is gone forever. But this, Mr. President, abomination of. desolation, which all the guano of the would be a most egregious error both ways. It is Chincha Islands would not restore to fertility. You true that California gold will last forever unchanged, can never get from it a second yield of gold, nor any if its owner chooses ; but while it so lasts, it is of no thing else, unless probably a crop of mullen or stra- 1 use, no not as much as its value in pig-iron which makes the best of ballast : whereas gold, while it is monium. The Atlantic diggings, on the contrary, with good management, will yield a fresh crop of the gold every four years, and remain in the interval in condition for a succession of several other good things of nearly equal value. The other discriminating circumstance is of a still more astonishing nature. The grains of the California gold are dead, inorganic masses. How they got into the gravel : between what mountain mill-stones, whirled by elemental storm winds on the bosom of oceanic torrents, the auriferous ledges were ground to powder ; by what Titanic hands the coveted grains Were sown broad cast in the placersj human science can but faintly conjecture. We only know that those grains have within them no principle of growth or gold, is good for little or nothing. You can neither eat it, nor drink it, nor smoke it. You can neither wear it, nor bum it as fuel, nor build a house with it ; it is really useless till you exchange it for consumable perishable goods : and the more plentiful it is, the less its exchangeable value. Far different the case with our Atlantic gold : it does not perish when consumed, but by a nobler alchymy than that of Paracelsus, is transmuted in consumption to a higher life. " Perish in consumption," did the old miser say. Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened except it die. The burning pen of inspiration, ranging heaven and earth for a similitude to convey to our poor minds some not inadequate idea of the mighty doctrine of the 28 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Januart 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. Resurrection, can find no symbol so expressive as «*bare grain, it may chance of wheat or some other grain.'* To-day a senseless plant, to-morrow it is human bone and muscle, vein and artery, sinew and nerve: beating pulse, heaving lungs, toiling, ah! sometimes overtoiling, brain. Last June it sucked from the cold breast of the earth the watery nourish- ment of its distending sap-vessels ; aud now it clothes the manly form with warm cordial flesh, quivers and thrills with the five-fold mystery of sense, purveys and ministers to the higher mysteries of thought. Heaped up in your granaries this week, the next it will strike in the stalwart arm, and glow in the blush- ing cheek, and flash in the beaming eye ;— till we learn at last to realize that the slender stalk which we have seen bending in the corn-field under the yel- low burden of harvest, is indeed the ** staff of life," which, since the world began, has supported the toil- ing and struggling myriads of humanity on the mighty pilgrimage of being. Yes, sir, to drop the allegory, and speak without a figure, it is this noble agriculture, for the promotion of which this great company is assembled from so many parts of the Union, which feeds the human race and all the humbler orders of animated nature depen- dent on man. With the exception of what is yielded by the fisheries and the chase, (a limited though cer- tainly not an insignificant source of supply,) Agricul- ture is the steward which spreads the daily table of mankind. Twenty-seven millions of human beings, by accurate computation, awoke this very morning in the United States, all requiring their "daily bread," whether they had the grace to pray for it or not, and under Providence all looking to the agriculture of the country for that daily bread, and the food of the do- mestic animals depending on them ; a demand perhaps as great as their own. Mr. President, it is the daily duty of you farmers to satisfy this gigantic appetite ; to fill the mouths of these hungry millions — of these starving millions I might say, for if by any catas- trophe, the supply were cut off for a few days, the life of the country^-human and brute — would be extinct. How nobly this great duty is performed by the agriculture of the country, I need not say at this board. The wheat crop of the United States, the present year, is variously estimated at from one hun- dred and fifty to one hundred and seventy-five millions of bushels ; the oat crop at four hundred millions of bushels ; the Indian com, our precious vegetable gold, at one thousand millions of bushels ! Of the other cereal and of the leguminous crops I have seen no es- timate. Even the humble article of hay,— this poor timothy, herds' grass and red top, which, not rising to the dignity of the food of man, serves only for the subsistence of the mute partners of his toil— the hay crop of the United States is probably but little, if any, inferior in value to the whole crop of cotton, which the glowing imagination of the South sometimes re- gards as the great bond which binds the civilized na- tions of the earth together. I meant to have said a few words, sir, on the nature of this institution, and its relations to our common country as a bond of Union. (Cries of '* go on, go on " I have lost my voice and strength, and my good friend who has treated that topic never yet left any thing to be said by those who come after him. I will only, in sitting down, take occasion to express the interest I feel in the operations of this institution. I see that it is doing, and I have no doubt that it will yet do infinite good. Deg, m laKing my seat, biF, %>o tcuuci j-v** **jy most fervent wishes and hopes for its increased and permanent prosperity and usefulness. For the Farm Journal. STANDING COMMITTEE ON IMPLEMEOTS. Mr. Editor : — I observe that a proposition for the appointment of a standing Committee on Agricultural Implements has been made by the Philadelphia So- ciety for the Promotion of Agriculture, a movement which can scarcely fail to challenge the approbation of every one who desires to see our agricultural ex- hibitions released from the stigma which has so long rested upon them, in consequence of the cursory examinations which committees are compelled to make of implements entered for premiums. It must be apparent to every one who has given the subject a moment's consideration, that as heretofore conducted, agricultural exhibitions, at least so far as the awards on implements have been concerned, have been little more than farces. How this standing committee is to be appointed, and what is to be the precise method ot its operations, I have not learned, though the pre- sumption is that it will be in session during the entire year. If subh is the idea, will those who advanced it, inform the readers of the Journal where its sessions are to be held — how implements are to be brought to their notice — what system of trial is to be adopted, and whether competitors for the awards are to have the privilege of attending the trials ? Allow me, in conclusion, to say, that while the ap- pointment of such a committee were highly desirable, and could be productive only of good, there appears to me to be difficulties in the way which are insur- mountable. What three or five persons are willing to give the time to the examinations and trials neces- sary to accomplish the purposes of their appointment ? They would be difficult to find I presume. The only feasible plan 1 can think of, is to make the School Farm in Centre county the place of trial, and the officers and employees, the Committee. Philadelphia, Dec. 20, 1855. Cultivator. -•► Improvements in Electrotyping. — The Washing- ton (D. C.) National Intelligencer says, that some very important improvements and discoveries have recently been made at the Coast Survey Office in the art of electrotyping. The production or multiplication of charts, which was once the work of years, is now ac- complished in a few days. PHILADELPHIA, JANUARY, 1866. " EDITOR'S TABLE. FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. OTTSL PROSPECTUS FOR 1856. With the present number, the Farm Journal com- mences its sixth volume under new and most favorable auspices. An entire change having been made both in the editorial control and proprietorship, an adherence to established custom demands that we should show the course we intend to pursue, the principles we adopt, and the ends we hope to accomplish. In the first place, we intend to make the Farm Journal & Progressive Farmer a national journal, — devoted to ALL the interests of American agriculture, and recog- nising no sectional or local feelings to the neglect of others more remote. "We have no prejudices to over- come or smother, no*private enterprises, or business ar- rangements to encourage. We believe that the time has come when the public is prepared to support an agricultural journal of an elevated national character, which shall promptly report all the progress in agricultural improvement, whenever and wherever indicated, — paying for contributions when ne- cessary, illustrating all new mechanical improvements pertaining to agriculture or rural economy, not assuming the position of a teacher of elementary chemistry or kindred sciences, which can be better taught in books, and not becoming a medium for the publication of chil- drens' conundrums, Joe Miller anecdotes, or sentimental poetry. To our subscribers, present and future, there- fore, we say, that we propose to furnish them with an agricultural news journal, designed to promote the inter- est of but one profession. In every department of agriculture, with the exception of the mechanical, England and a portion of Continental Europe are unquestionably far in advance of the United States both in theory and practice. We deem it most important for American agriculture, that this foreign progress, so far as it is not local in character, should be reported more fully and promptly than has been done heretofore. We have therefore made arrangements for securing every important European agricultural publi- cation as soon as issued, together with abstracts of such agricultural papers as are communicated to the French Academy. Regarding also the yearly prize essays published by the Royal Agricultural Society of England, and the Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland, as among the most valuable communications now being made to agri- cultural literature, we propose to reprint all of these essays which are of general interest. This reprint will form a constant feature of each number of the Journal. No progressive farmer can afford to neglect them, and in this single particular, the Farm Journal offers un- equalled inducements for subscriptions and support. We commence the present number with the able essay of Mr. Martin, of Scotland, on the " Reclamation of Waste Land," for which the gold medal of the Highland Society of Scotland was awarded in 1855. Whatever differences of opinion may be entertained respecting the chemical theories of Messrs. Lawbs and Gilbert, of England, no one can doubt that their exper- iments and reported practice have been in the highest degree instructive and practical. As no connected ac- count of these experiments has as yet been published in the United States, we propose in the course of the pres- ent year to commence the publication in the Farm Jour- nal of a full and connected abstract of the experiments and results which these eminent agriculturists have from time to time communicated to the public, through the various scientific and agricultural j.ournals of Great Britain. In respect to home matters, our reports will be full, prompt and accurate. The various new agricultural inventions, patented in the United States and England, will be reported expressly for the Farm Journal, accompanied to a great extent with illustrations and familiar explanations. In this department we believe our facilities and arrangements will prove superior to those of any agricultural journal. Our corps of regular contributor* embraces a large number of the most prominent agricultural writers, practical farmers, stock growers and horticulturists, as well as some of the most eminent chemists and scientific men in the United States. In availing ourselves of these resources, we shall take especial care that our columns shall be freed from technicalities, unusual scientific terms, or abstruse statements. Without sacrificing truth or conciseness, it will be our aim to render all our arti- cles clear, simple and perspicuous. In the collection and prompt publication of agricultu- ral statistics, and in the criticism and review of agricul- tural books, especial attention will be given. Hereafter the Progressive Farmer will be discontinued and united with the Farm Journal. As an advertising medium the Farm Journal presents superior advantages. Its circulation is already exten- sive, and in some portions of the Middle States is greater than that of any other journal. It is therefore a most superior medium for the cards and announcements of dealers in agricultural implements and machinery, fer- tilisers, seeds, &c., nurserymen and florists, patentees and manufacturers, book publishers, educational insti- tutions, &c. Considering the quantity and quality of the informa- tion furnished, the mechanical execution and superior illustrations, the terms of the Farm Journal, One Dollar per annum, are lower than that of any other serial agri- cultural publication. For all subscriptions, cash pay- ment is required in advance,— a measure highly advan- tageous to both subscribers and publishers. A liberal discount will always be afforded to clubs. Philadelphia, Jan. 1st, 1856. The Austrian Government has requested the directors of the railways in the Empire to plant young trees, of a description indicated, at convenient distances along the lines, intending them eventually to replace the posts upon which telegraphic wires are at present affixed. If this plan should be adopted in the United States, a grace- ful tree would take the place and perform the service of the unsightly poles which are to be seen along our rail- ways and public roads. 30 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. [Janttahy 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 31 Chilian Guano Fraud.— In the comments which have been very freely expressed by the agricultural press during the past summer upon the manufacture of the so-called ** Chilian Guano," frequent allusion has been made to Dr. A. A. Hayes, of Boston, as a partici- pator, or adviser, in the matter. We are authorized to state, that the participation of Dr. Hayes was simply confined to the examination and analysis of the sample of guano sent to him for this purpose. It was forward- ed under a specific designation, analyzed correctly, and returned without comment under the same designation as received. If the parties choose to call a specific mix- ture designed for agricultural purposes by a specific name, it is no part of the business of a professional chemist to enquire by what right such designation was employed. His duty begins and ends with the analysis of the sample sent, and to this extent only, was Dr. Hayes concerned in the transaction. Our sole object in alluding to this matter is simply to defend the character of a gentleman, who, by general consent, stands at the head of American chemistry, from the attacks which have unjustly been made upon it. Messrs. C. M. Saxton & Co., of New York, who arc doiDg a good work for American agricultural progress by making a speciality of the publishment and circula- tion of standard agricultural literature, have recently removed their establishment to 140 Fulton street. New York. Messrs. Saxton & Co. have also fitted up in connection with their store a reading room, which will be supplied with every American and foreign publication relating to agriculture, and freely opened to the public. All interested in agricultural pursuits will find this room a place of agreeable and pleasant resort whenever they may visit the city. M. DuMON, of Paris, has recently constructed by the order of government, a map exhibiting the nature and character of the subsoil for the whole of France. It is designed to be used with, and to accompany, another map descriptive of the geographical and geological fea- tures of the surface. The one map exhibits with the greatest accuracy all information pertaining to the sur- face, while the other reveals what lies immediately below the surface, thus affording indications of great value to the agriculturist and to those engaged in searching for minerals or building materials. The Society for encouraging National Industry in France, which had instituted a prize of 3,000 francs for the introduction of the most useful plants into the mother country or the colonies, has decided that the above sum shall be this year divided equally between M. Diard, who has introduced a new kind of sugar cane into the island of Reunion, and M. Fery, who has established extensive rice plantations near La Teste, in the lands of Bordeaux. Reaping Machines are getting into very general use in the United States, owing to the scarcity of laborers in harvest time. One establishment for their manufac- ture employs 700 hands, and calculates to turn out next year 4000 machines. Bayard Taylor, in his recent work on China and Japan, gives the following account of a Chinese Floral Exhibition which he attended : ♦* One day I attended a native horticultural exhibition, which was held in old temple within the walls. The open courts of the building were filled with rows of flowering plants, in earthen pots and vases, which were also arranged in circles around some weak fountains in the centre. There were some fine specimens of the mau- tan, or peony, white, pink and crimson, and with an odor very Bimiiar to viiat ui vuo ruse , uut> mo uiuDt a.u- mired flower seemed to be the lan-whei, a bulbous water plant, with a blossom resembling that of the orchids in form, yet of a dirty yellowish-green hue. The great aim of the Chinese florist is to produce something as much unlike nature as possible, and thus this blossom, which for aught I know may be pure white, or yellow, in its native state, is changed into a sickly, mongrel color, as if it were afflicted with a vegetable jaundice or leprosy. There was a crowd of enthusiastic admirers around each of the ugliest specimens, and I was told that one plant, which was absolutely loathsome and repulsive in its ap- pearance, was valued at three hundred dollars. The only taste which the Chinese exhibit to any degree is a love of the monstrous. That sentiment of harmony which throbbed like a musical rhythm through the life of the Greeks, never looked out of their oblique eyes. Their music is a dreadful discord ; their language is composed of nasals and consonants ; they admire what- ever is distorted or unnatural, and the wider its diver- gence from its original beauty or symmetry the greater is their delight. At the late meeting of the British Association, some interesting facts relative to the assistance which agricul- ture has received from chemistry and geology were stated. It was to the British Association in 1840 that Liebiq first communicated his work on the Application of Chemistry to Vegetable Physiology. The philosophi- cal explanation there given of the principles of manuring and cropping gave an immediate impulse to agriculture, and directed attention to the manures which are valua- ble for their ammonia and mineral ingredients ; and especially to guano, of which in 1840 only a few speci- mens had appeared in that country. The consequence was that in the next year, 1841, no less than 2,881 tons were imported ; and during the succeeding years the total quantity imported into Great Britain has exceeded the enormous amount of 1,600,000 tons. Nor has this been all : Chemistry has come in with her aid to do the work of Nature, and as the supply of guano becomes exhausted, limited as its production must be to a few rainless regions of the world, the importance of artificial mineral manures will increase. Already considerable capital is invested in the manufacture of superphosphates of lime, formed by the solution of bones in sulphuric acid, the use of which was first recommended at the British Association. Of these artificial manures not less than 60,000 tons are annually sold in England alone ; and it is a curious example of the endless interchange of services between the various sciences, that Geology has contributed her quota to the same important end ; and the exuviae and bones of extinct animals, found in a fos- sil state, arc now, to the extent of from 12,000 to 15,000 tons, used to supply annually the same fertilizing mate- rials to the soil. Sheep in France and Great Britain. — The number of sheep in France and in the United Kingdom is each estimated at 35,000,000 ; but, while the English sheep are supported upon 77,000,000 acres, those of France live upon 132,000,000. Scotland maintains only 5,000,- 000 sheep, and Ireland only 2,000,000 upon 200,000,000 of acres. The value of the British flocks is estimated Average worth of 36,000,000 sheep. Wool, 4 pounds each, at lOd. per pound. £43,750,000 6,833,333 £49,683,333 The average return of an English sheep farm is fully six times greater than that of an French one. About one-fourth of the French sheep now consist of merinoes and half-merinoes. England has, proportionally, three times more sheep than France. In France wool is look- ed to as the principal produce, and meat the accessory. In England it is directly the reverse. About 10,000,000 head of sheep are slaughtered annually in the British Isles, of which 8,000,000, belonging to England alone, yield an average weight of 80 lbs. of neat meat. In France there are about 8,000,000 slaughtered annually, which yield, on the average, 40 lbs. of neat meat; so that, whUe the 85,000,000 of French sheep yield about the same weight of wool as the same number of English, they produce only half the quantity of food.— Ledger. Indirect Mode of Determining the Presence of Phosphoric Acid in Bocks. — At the last meeting of the British Association, Dr. Daubeny gave an account \of a new method adopted by him for indirectly determining the presence of phosphoric acid in rocks, and of obtain- ing proofs of its existence in the Silurean rocks. The manner in which he made his examination was by taking certain portions of eleven different species of rock, hav- ing the soil which covered it entirely removed. The rock was then bruised till it had the appearance of com- mon soiL He had introduced above 22 cwt. into his garden, and raised a crop of autumn grain upon it, and he was thus able to advance a general theory with regard to the presence of phosphoric acid in the rock. Mr. Gilbert said that the rock would be of little use for manufacturing ahd agricultural purposes unless it con- tained at least 6<;> per cent, of phosphate of lime. / The packet ship Helvetia from Havre, which arrived in New York in November last, brought out a large number of superior French Merinoes for John D. Pat- terson, Esq., of Westficld, Chautauquo county, N. Y. Amongst others was the ram that received the highest prize, four hundred and fifty francs, about $80, at the Great Industrial Exhibition at Paris. The artificial propogation of fish in France, under the direction of Government, is now followed to a very great extent The principal government establishment is lo- cated at Huningue, Haut-Rhin, which is also a school for the instruction of pupils in the methods of manipu- lation. Vast numbers of eggs of salmon have been sent from this place during the past year to foreign countrie?. The establishments in Great Britain, one at Long Corrib, Ireland, and the other upon the Tay, England, supplied from Huningue in 1864, now contain respectively 250,000 and 350,000 young salmon. Farinaceoc* Aliment Obtained from Straw. — The attention of agriculturists in France has been recently directed to thQ discovery of a method of converting straw into a /kind of bran. This discovery has been claimed by tf^o individuals. The first is a miller near Dijon, who, ft is said, on trying the mill-stone of a new mill, discovered the possibility of converting straw into a nourishi^Jg food. The second, M. Jos. Maitre, of Vilotte, ncAr Chatillon. This distinguished agriculturist, known for the purity and perfef3tion of his breeds of sheep, conceived the idea of conver/ting into farina not only the straw of wheat and other grains, but of hay, trefoil, lucem, sanfoin, etc. His effo/rts are said to have been perfectly successful, and his' discovery arrived at, not by chance, but by long exper^^ent and research. The aliment which he has proc|^uc<»d is said to be a complete substitute for bran. It i/s given to sheep and lambs, who consume it with avi/lity, and may be given to all other graminivorous animals as a grateful and substantial food. We know this country that the mere chopping of straw adds greatly to its powers by facilitating mastication and di- estion. We may believe that a more perfect comminu- ion of its parts will produce a corresponding effect, and extend very widely the uses of straw and other fodder as a means of feeding our domestic animals. — Quarterly Journal of Af/riculture, An attempt is about being made to establish a German colony in the vicinity of Pilatka, East Florida, for the purpose of cultivating the lisal hemp, cur-grass, and other tropical fibres, which, through the efforts of the late Dr. Pervinb, have become indigenous to this sec- tion of country. By a recent decree of the French Government, 100,000 francs, about $20,000, are devoted to encourage the manufacture of draining tiles for agricultural purposes m the provinces. Resistance of Insects to Influence of Cold. Dr. Wyman, at a recent meeting of the Boston Society of Natural History, stated that he had examined chrysalids of the common mud wasp, a species of Pelopceus, and found that they were not frozen during the coldest weather. On the morning of February 7th, when the thermometer had been -18° F. and had risen to about -8° F., they were still unfrozen, and when removed from their pupa cases, made obvious muscular motions The pupa preserved its usual transparency and flexibility ; when crushed upon the surface upon which they rested the fluids of the body instantly became opaque and were congealed. The question naturally presents itself, as to the source of the heat which enables them to preserve their temperature, when exposed to so low a degree of cold. The non-conductors by which they are surround- ed, consist of a casting of mud, and within this a tightly MUTILATED TEXT 82 THE FAKM JOURNA.AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [January woven, but thin, silky cocoon. It would seem < bo | Ijtprovement in Plows.— -An improvoment in plows, small a body, exposed to cold so intense, must 1^ an I patented by Harrison Norton, of Farmington, Maine, con- internal source of heat. He had also examined thggs of the moth of the cankerworm, and found their co^its unfrozen. New Variety of Fowls.— Sinc« the war with R^a a new kind of domestic fowl has been introduced o England from the Black Sea, and is likely to prov^ formidable rival to the Shanghai and Cochin China, t is quite as large as the barn-door fowl, is crested a has feathered legs ; its color is generally all white black — when the latter, of a raven hue, and gloss' This bird is pugnacious, and its movements are ver sists in a novel means of regulating the depth of the furrow. The plow point is hinged, and there is a rod extending down to it from the plow beam. By raising or depressing this rod, the plow point will, in like manner, be moved up or down, and the plow will accordingly cut a shallow or a deep furrow, as may be desired. The rod is operated by means of a lever which runs along the beam to tho rear part of the plow, within convenient reach of the plowman. In the tilling of rough and rocky soils, where it is requisite to have BUtUO moans Oi lUaWVUHjr aiicim^ nuo uvpbu v» v.*- .u..-...., this improvement will be found valuable. _ _ -- .__, Gale's Combined MowTftR and Reaper. — In this machine lively. Its most distinguishing peculiwity is, howeverthe driver and counter wheels are both of tho same size, so in the arrangement of the tail feathers:. These are verythat there is no side draft. The frame of the machine is few, and do not project as in other birds, but drop down^^-^o narrower than usual, being only three and a half feet, and lie close to the body, so that the creature appears '"* *^® width of the swath cut is five feet. There is a con- tailless, and when its head is erect it scarcely has the appearance of a bird. Clubs. — Our friends will please bear ii mind the fact that the time has arrived for the renewa of Club Sub- scriptions. May we not hope that those Tho in former years have proven themselves the staunch riends of the Journal, will, under its new auspices, c«ntinue their efforts. The arrangements for the coming volume are such as we are led to believe will rendei it entirely satisfactory to all. Already club lists are flowing in upon us, but there is room for more. Give usyour help, friends, and we will endeavor at least to gi 3 you an equivalent. ivance in front called the track clearer, which pushes the •ass one side, so that the wheels run on the stubble and »t on the cut grass. On the rear of the frame there is a "tadle, by which the cutters may be instantly raised to pass toes or other obstructions. Spur gearing is used through- 0, which makes easy running. To THE Reader. — In order that our old suocribers may have an opportunity of examining the Farm Jurnal & Progressive Farmer under the new arrangemei^^, we shall send to each of them a copy of the January um- ber, believing that its character and apvearancewiU induce them to renew their subscriptions. Our tens it will be remembered, are strictly cash, and as we i^iii send no more numbers unless upon receipt of subsci> tions, we earnestly hope that those who intend subsc. 'bing will forward their names at the earliest possib, moment. Bright & Bean's Grain Separator. — This separator, inmted by Messrs. Wright A Bean, of Hudson, Michigan, is imposed of a revolving screen having a flat screen of the comon kind extending through its interior, from end to enc The grain and chafi* to be separated are fed on tho flat scrtn, which is inclined and made rapidly to vibrate ; this vibition causes tho straw to pass through, out of the ma- chin, while the grain and finer chafi* fall through on to the reroring screen. A blast of air from a fan is sent along throigh the machine, beneath the flat screen, and the light dust,as fast as it drops, is swept away. The grain rolls on the nvolving screen long enough to sift out any remaining impurties, and finally pours out, at one end of the machine, in a chan pile by itself. Webster Agitator Churn. — Mr. H. Webster, of Og- densburg. New York, is the inventor of a churn which agi- tates and mixes air with the cream in the most approved manner, and by a continuous rotary motion. An upright wheel with four wings is compelled to rotate rapidly in the midst of the lactic fluid, and continually and violently throws the same outward by its centrifugal force, while a BECEWT AGRICULTTTRAL INVENTIONS. ^«^^ge circular passage in the centre of the wheel allows it " (the wheel being cc^pletely immersed) to flow steadily down Improved Corn Sheller.— A good improvement on an old form of corn sheller has recently been patented by Charles Bishop, of Norwalk, Ohio, viz : openthal form, in which a bevel toothed shelling wheel is employed, having a yielding movement on it, bearings, or a spring, to accommo- date difi-erent sized cobs. In these shellers there is generally only one opening for the reception of the com. When a small ear is put in followed immediately by a larger one, the latter is apt to force back the wheel or spring, and cause the first ear to drop down without being perfectly shelled. nixed with air, escaping near the bottom to be again *' agi- Tted" by the wings. This churn seems to be very nearly A that can be desired in theory, and is represented o^ very *»^cessful in practice. UBSOiL Plow.— This improved agricultural implement, ii»vnted by Mr. Wilson, of England, consists of an ordinary earl .fork to which is attached a long handle, bent to about ten jches to the foot out of the straight line, in the plan of the fi'k's prongs. Mr. Bishop obviates this difficulty, andVso 7nc7easer7h« 2^"'^' T"^'* . transverse handle is attached to capacity of the .heller, by a slight alteratiowhTch an! o' n thT". ' '•' ''"V'' "^"'^ '"^'^ ^' ^ ^^^'^ '^°'^^' can make. He provides several openings TZ sheller I .1 '^^ ^l'^^''^'' '' '^'' '^ ''^''^ '^' '""^^ ^'^'' '' ^"• each opening furnished with a spring ba'ck, wMeh pre t' tte 0';^ "^^ Th'"'''^'^ ''^ "T '" f'' t'"" ^"^^^"^^'^^ ^"*^ ite ear up against the shelling wheel. This enables h m to IrleftL f^' are straight so that either the right present, simultaneously, against the surface of LIT 1 ^ ^'^ 7^^[^* °^ay be used. When the prongs have been sunk as many ears as there a^ openings and aU of th ! 7 '" ?^'"'^^ ^°^^ '^' «"^«^^^' '^' '^'^'^^ «°^ of the main be stripped of their grain with the Utmost cerJnty" l tlelu.'*'' "''" *' '"°^ " "'^'''"^ "''"« ^^'^^^^^ "^^^ «*GET THE BEST." "CET THE BEST WEBSTER UNitBRlDGED, Le|fl!rt»tcnre, A NATIONAL^STANDARD. WEBSTEE'S aUARTO DICTIONARY, The entire work Unabridged, 1456 pages, Crown Quarto, Six Dollars- Published by O. & C. MERKIAM, Springfield, Mass. Webster's Dictionary, University Edition. Webster's Acarlenilc Dictionary. Webster's High School Dlcf1on*iry. Webster's Primary School Dictionary. Fubiished by MASON BROTHERS, New York. Forming a complete Series, anon(ilng othcer, where such a one exists, has rcconi- niended ^^etKsler's Dictionary in the strongest terms. Among these are those or Maine, New llHn.p^lllre, Vemiont, Massachusetts. la.o.le Island, Connecticut, New York, New .Jersey, Pennsylvania. Oh o Ken tucky, Indiuua, III nols, Missouri, Michigan, Iowa, Wlsconslr" Minne- sota and Canada eighteen In all. President White of Wab«i'tge. I Ihink W ebster'8 worthy to supersede every other English Diction- t'SJ-AllegTmlile^*''' ""* ^^"^'* ^' "''^ *'"^^'*^ universally {KdeSf rCI^^^^^iif !^. ""anj"»>ty of opinion that m. Webster's Is the best D^nmff Dictionary In the English languaKe."-//.>rare Mann "It Is constantly cited and relied on in our courts of lustlce in our !&Sn cT'fc^S- '" *'"''"'' discussions as entirely cunclus'lve.''- Thk Works of Noah WEBSTf.R.'»-It Is supposed that with the px ceptJon of the Bible, the lexicographic works of Noulfu^ .ter have' the largest circ^ilailon of Ht.y books in the English Umguage NearK twelve hundred thousun.l copies of Web.ster's Spelling Book were fnH by one tlnn in this city last ye»r, and It is estinmte La rm,re than tc n Uuies as many are sold ot Webster's Dictionaries as of an v other seru" lu this country. Four tilths of all the school books pubLhed in ti^ United States are said to own Webster as their stan.lanl Tl e S 2te oi" New York has placed lO.OOU cople.s of VV cbsicr's Unubri.lged n a« fimifv of her public schools. Massachusetts has. In like manner -nmnJ-^ 3248 of her schools; and Wlscor.sln and nTw Jeree? h^ve DmvMdPd fni all their schools.-iV^. 1'. Qmimercuil Advertiser P'oMded for Webster's Quarto Dictionary seems destined to become a Unmi Book every where, wlib liiost- who desire the Uiost reliable Sd In um/lr standuig all other books.- Jtmiepeudent Anusrican. "^®'^* The School Master of olh KKPiBuc.-When our remihiir r«c^ Noah WeiMter became Its schoolmaster. There had never L-n**L' great nation with a universal language without dlafects The V^?ri,* shlremun cannot now ta k with a man from Cornwall The nj^nt UK^. l^iKu-rlan Appenlnes, drives his goats home at eve nin^ .^-r hliutuatiook down on six provinces, none of wl ost dialects L-®."^ spealc. Hire, tlve thousand miles change not ih^sounfotawL'^ Around every ureMde, anVvb8ter. He bus ilone for us more than Alfred dM fnr v i 'f ^'^ CaUmusforOreece. His books have ecSStedt free gj^^^^^^^ are forever multiplying his Innumerable army ot" fm .Ss i^l, J iranMuit bis name Irom age to ngv.-fJluncSattZ Metr^ig^^''' ^'" The Committee on Education of the Massachusetts speak ot the work In the following terms :— "Webster's Dictionary is widely and favorably known to the du bite not only in this conntry, but in all others where the English Laniniaffo is used. Ai a dellning Dictionary, its superiority over all othere 1» universally admitted. It is. Indeed, a most learned and valuable work reflecting high honor upon the literary character of our country ami cost the author the labor and research, more or less contiguSi s of sixty years of h s life. It has received the highest comijiendatfonft frotn persons of the greatest consideration in this countrTandTt? England, in the latter it lias been re published, and It Is, at the present tlnie the avowed basis of an 'Imperial Dictionary,' in the course S< publfcat on In Great Britain. It may be Justly regk^ed not onlv as a most re iable and exact defining Dlctloniry, but a complete encvcli pedla of the technical terms of science and the arts " encycio- Ml''^rnZ\i:LlV'''' ^^ ^'••^^^^^^^ Stowe. late of Ohio, now of ;; I am . iecidedly In favor of Webster, for the following reasons to wit • 1. Webster Is the most uniformly analogical and BelfSSnliHt^t ' 2. Ills system falls in most, completely with the tendenHp-^J%h^ ni'ff'ir ' .^"'^ *^*:J *:?y ^^»"« ^^^ ^""^^ beyond presem SSie It i-?n tSl right ^j^/j'ctlon^and the usage will soon overtake him ' other one. „ In Bo.itf>ii : authority th,„-»Hy olfcer^raVdir^nuT.uillySmg "" ^ """^ ca;Sot'briuXedfSuto"tK'/^^l[j:'tr "•"' •<'oP''«^eb.ter.for he d. He has present possession of the ground mor*» thon ««« ,.» In the United States T.c Is the auU.oritT^yl'vy whe?e excSSfln -Mrh«.HV,;;v.-'.r'..'"r'.':v^':'"'* •"•' •'"""■ *^- *" isngiand he hi THE SCIENTIFIC 1:^; ICAN. (he lisht "fpctlcalVclencel8c;d:uT».5"oa, v"'„ci' '"""'^"" """'^'' Its xeneral coutcTits imbrace notfc.w of the late^l »iirt K... o i ... ' ?±":!:?'LS!i::i-J .^"i*8rt.o.'""raY VsitVlfiSJlSt J8^^^^^^^^ Aij young persons should have a ^tandard DICTION AKV of ♦k . comments explaining their aBpncation' i^o?ices of .i^w I? *^*"torlHl Hi! hraiiche.^of nianufurtures; Klca"Kl?U8 o^fmLM^ Processes Jn tion as to Steam, and all proceJse; to wl, »Ht sTnn^'"^»7' 'V'^^"""" ning, MiIlwrlghtlng,DveiiVg,ar d ani^rt^ inI<.iviM^ **^o M|- Kngineerliig. At-chltVcturerCnprehensi r ceedlngs of Scientific Bodies: aXuntL of Exhibitions r'^'""^'*' ^'■'*- "Tn^";' '";S';"r^'?2 "»*'•" ^h«* of which Is beyond pecuniary esrimnte. *"'''^'«o*fe, the experience The Scleniliic American "is published onrp « iirooir . «. contalus eight large quarto paies fbrmlnu' unml^nt^' ^'^''^' numb^-r splendid voluine.lllu.strated Wh sever™ hun^rS^ '^"'^ VW Specimen copies sent gratis: °""''red orlglmil engravings. *J"TERMS.-Slngle sutiscrlptions, ^ a vear or t^ f^r -1* -« .,. Five copies for six months, $4; for a year $8 *'^ months. For further Club rates and tor sUitemeiit of thn fhii..*^^^ • ptizes oflered by the publishers see ScTentl^fl^^^^ large cash Southern, W e tern and Canada money or PoafOm^ro* at par for subscriptions. "*"* money, or Fost Office SUmpa, token THE PROGRESSIVE FARMER'S OWN BOOIf" States, during the year 1855 K embrflrp!«ii iL^^*'?.®'' ^^® United in Mechanical Agriculture plows cifltivlf?:^'^^"^'"^ granaries, horse furniture, ike A^.^iS'^ reapers, threshers. '• Every body knows abont Webster's Dlctlonarv an.\ «« woman, and child, ought to have access to It ItTiif t-n^*^*^ "'*"' ProductsofU^eUiSst^lll^liVt!;^ J'rU^L^^h^lTrlplllc^fnV';^^^^^ o'^'"tt*'tS*,-»i»^ Steel, Illustrating new inventions. niantJ?!*;.!"^?.^'^ flb^es^Ac.? I™"" No Tiventor, without thl» III ;^'* ^'•''""M'apiiic anu wooa J!.ngravln(fM n Illustrating new inventions, plants, vjge 2^6 S nbres Ac a American Agriculturist, Amateur (iardener Mechanic or Vn who has a regard for bis own interest, carl'ittb'Jd'?^"^^' ^'itiJ, ■s er ability, hIii. THE YEAR BOOK OF AGRICULTURET" FOR SALE BV PASCHALL MOURIS & CO J«". im. Corner or ....v..„t„ an^^Sl^rt^jl^jr.'.'.'lX.^^^ L-. MUTILATED TEXT i THE BOOK OF PROGRESS. WILL be puUHshtHl In Jnnuary. THE ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY , or The Year Book of Facts In Science am? Art for 1856, by DAVID A. WELLS, Autliorof the Year Book of Agrlcalture, etc. The object of thU work Ih to furnish a popular and comprehensive report of everv new ami ini|)ortant Invention, discovery or theory. In every tlng and practlcallv useful to every person engaged in the mechanic arts, In agriculture, or sclentlttc pursuits, and for the general reader it tu: nishes a fund of Information not to be obtained in any other ptibll A full set of this work, seven volumes, from 1850 to 1856 Inclusive. c«)n.stltutes the most unlcpie and perfect Eticyclopedla of Modern Sci- eiitUlc Discover^ and Invention ever published. Each volume, how- ever, of 400 pages, is complete In Itself. Price $1 25 <-).. »hi» ra/.<>int nf thp .ihovp fiiim. the. A' riual ot Scientific Discovery for 1856 wllfbe^foVwHrded by mail' free of postage. 'I he set of seven voinujes will also be furnished in uniform binding, free of freight, tor 'a Uberal discount to clubs. Agents wanted foi; the Sjile of this work. DAVID A. WELLS & CO., 124 Arch Street, Phiadelphla. GOULD & LI^COLN, .Tannary. 1856. ^^ Washington Street, Boston. ~nORRIS ^ CO. NURSERIES, WEST CHESTER, PA J. L. DABLINGTON & CO., | proprietors. (Late P. Moms & Co.) J ' THE Proprietors of this old established Nursery having recentl.v added forty additional acres to their already extensive grounds, art nrenared to ofter Increa.-^ed Inducements to their customers and the iibllc jrenerally to examine their large and splendid stock oi FRUIT ORNAMENTAL TKE1%S. n\ev would particularly solicit the attention of Amateurs, Orchard- istsand others about to plant, to their extensive assortmetit ot Ap nles Cherries. Flum.s. Pears (standard and dwarf), IVaches, Apricots. Nectarines —also smaller Fruits, such as Currants. Gooseberries, tuv- tl ve aud foreign Grapes. Raspberries, Strawberries, Asparagus Roots. A^large stock oVl»eci»lnou8 and Evergreen Trees for Lawns, Pai kii. Decld^uous and^ Evergreen Shrubs in great variety. Including a title collection of Roses, bardy Herbaceous, bedding out, aud Green ^*8?Wer*Map1'e seedlings by the hum red or thousand. Orders from a dlstajice should be accompained with the cash, or a resDonsible reference In Philadelphia. ^ ^ . Our trees are taken up with great care, packed in the best manner. At a moderate exoense, and so as to c.irry safely to any distance. PRtAloKues furnished to applicants. Cauioguesiuiu FF J ^ DARLINGTON & CO. Paschall Morris & Co., N* E. Corner of 7th and Market sts., PhllmleK (Dhla are our agents for that city, and will give prompt attention to all orders left at their vV arehouse. April. 1855. 0SA6E ORANGE HEDGE. PREMIUM AWARDED AT THE PENN'A AGRICULTURAL FAIR The undersigned, duly thankful for past favors, would respectfully «ollcit future patronage. Having ma«ie arrangements with the well known Hedging Company (McGrew, Lease & Co., Dayton Ohio, and Kankakee, Illinois,) and with other extensive facilities, he is preparwl 40 do any amount of HEDGING on the most reasonablw terms, in any part of Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Vlrghvia. I do not deem it iiecessary at this time to present any argvv luents in favor of the Osage Orange as a hedge plant, its success v^lth proper management being now beyond doubt, and those who oppose its general Introduction are decidedly behind the age. Of it a living fence can be made, at less cost than a wooden fence, that will last for treneratious with but little attention. This being the fact, who would not preler it to a dead, dull, wooden fence, costing more to construct, and Tasting but lifteen or twenty years at most, when the same exped give operation must be repeated. The Osage Orange Is beautiful, orna mental and protective, proof against stock, high winds, back water, Ac. I will furnl.sh plants, plant, trim, and warrant a complete fence at from $1 to 1 25 per rod, one third to be paid when planted, and the bal unce when a thorough fence is matured. Those getting the hedging ■..r^.%.<^»^.. r^r *h.. T^tirnni auni)nent JffHcidtuHstT eii\(l'prhci\^^^^^ making It at the same time, a primary object to keep the Jonrnsl clear from all collateral Interests,, and to render It in all respects a reliable paper. *' It Is a great fallacv to suppose that when an individual becomes the Editor of an Agricultural paper, he necessarily constitutes hlmseli » dictator of oplnlt.n and practice tobls readers." "Without the encouragement of j\ffriculture,hT\y country, however blessed by nature, must cotitinue poor." We send specbnen nunibers to all applicants, gratis— and will answer promptly all letters of Inquiry, Ac, relating to matters contained in the Journal— not ondtting even those that have a postage sUmp en- closed to pay for the reply. , ... . ^^ v ^ n Our Terms qf Suljscription place the Journal within the reach qj all. Single Copy, $ 1 00 per annum. Five Copies, 4 00 Ten Copies, 7 50 " Twenty Copies, 14 00 CASH. INVARIABLY IN ADVA^CE. A limited amount of advertising (which must be paid for before in- sertion) will be admitted at the following rates. Six lines, or under for each insertion, $ 1 00 From six to twelve lines " 2 00 Haifa column, 4 00 One column, 7 00 One page, 14 00 All subscriptions must begin with the 1st or 7th number of the vol- ume which commences with the year; atid in every case the Journal will be stopped at the expiration of the time paid for, unless the sub scription is previously renewed. SAML. EMLKN & CO.,Publl.e. formerly belonging to P, Morris & Co.. West Chester, he is ready to offer a verv large and su- perior assortment of every thing needed by the FARMER AND GARDENER, in Its proper seasoji. Among them are several patterns of CORN SHELLERS. both for hand and horse power, nine varieties of Improv- ed HAY CUTTERS. Sausage Cutters and Stuffers, Improved Farmers' Rollers, Grain Fans, Chler Mills, Dickey's Butter Workers, Spain's Atmospheric Barrel Churn, the best in the market; Ok Yokes, Hay Knives, Axes, Wowl Saws, Ac. Also, FLOWS AND FLOW CASTIHGS, OF ALL SIZES. DAVIS W. ENTRIKEN, January, 1855. Successor to P. Morris & Co., West Chester. P. S.— The subscriber would say he will spare no pains in obtaining any thing the fanner nmy want, and all may rest assured that his Seen. It wasoperated in the presence of a nuniherof Kentlemen. whose opinions cyrrespond wHh those we have expressed. Entirely simple In Its con- struction and mode of operation, and crnshlnK the Com alone, or the Corn and Cob together, to a y required deu'ree of fineness; we cannot bat regard It a« a in(»st complete and deblrable implement, and one which every \soo{\ fanner shonld have. This form of Mill Is peculiarly portable, and weighing as It does, from three to live hundred pounds. a(c«»rkV AND o.Vh. I. / ' ^^- ■*• ^?^}^^ '"^i^ "'ne months, and It performs to jnr e tire satisfaction. In feeding thirty horses I save at least onThundJSd busiieis of Corn per month. 1 conslcer it decidedly the beS: kiSd of u^nl fll^^l^' ^?^ i^B' ^r^ *^ I ^^o*^^ ^t "Place mine, I wouW not sell JanSlrv iSi'^ '^°"*"'- Pw. - ♦ .^k^'.^- ^^ATTHEWS January, 1806 Proprietor of the Augusta Omnibuses. 6ERMA1VT0WN NURSERIES. THOMAS MEEHAN, ITOKSERYMAN AND LANDSCAPE (Opposite G. W. Carpenter's,) Germantown PhiladelpJiia. At ^ilf?.n»^''"?"^f"^' 7^^^^ '^"'' ^^^^^^"^ '" «''««t variety. Gardens, &ses 0?riH«l '^''"^V'^-. ^^^^'^ ""^ ^""''^y T'-'-'^s and Shrubs. Green uouses.uraperies, 4c., designed or erected. A MAP OF THE VARIOUS PATHS OF I.IFE, DE- N. E. corner of 7th and Market streets. Ph I la da nKANBtlRRY VINES.-Of the Early Bell vnrietv v-/ the best for cultivation. They can be raised on po<»r swaniuv land Where nothing else will grow, and yield from 160 to 2fiO buS ner' acre. Also, New Rochelle Blackberry Vines at greathM^duced nriSI from last year. Circulars relating to culture. Sice, Ac wHl be f?ir nlshed to applicants by F TROWTiHTnnw Oct 1855 Dealer in Trees, Plarits, A?.; N?SulV^en^g^^^^^^ s m i 1 i i i ^w '%'^'i^ i^ "^^^^ J)|-*lO, n i— - V?r^q, I L. 7 "^ ANP Sj Journal of ^ural Jirt anb glural Castt :\ COMMENCKD BY A J DOWNING, ientng," '' De^ygnn for Cottage Jt''stdenceM," '• • C'ountrt/ IJouttea' etc Edited by J. JAY SMITH, Editor of the North American Sylva. Author qf" lAtudncapeQardentng," '' Dexygnn for Cottage Jtrndenctui," 'Fruit and Fruit TVssx "/ Amm • C'ountrt/ IJouttea' etc . \ M .«» >^ II. III. IV ^1 '^1^^' i^ ). This popular publication, which is prndunlly extending its influence throughout the counh and ia becoming indiispensable to the tasteful (Jnrdcner, the Fruit Culturist. and the KJ (ulturist, will be continued under the editorship of J Jay Smith, whose ability and ta«tii matters of country life are highly appreciated through tho country. . The cultivation of the beautiful, both m Nature oi.d Art, i.s justly esteemed an impoi element in education, and recommends itself to the attention of all who wi.«h to make dwelling and grounds attractive, and to surround themselves with those luxuries and nients that spring from the fruitful bosom of the enrth when cultivated by the practical The typographical execution of the IFoRTici'LTriirsT is do.«igned to be an index to its com — neat, chaste, and elegant. It embraces within its scope I. The DKPcriPTioN and Cultivation cf FrriT and Fnmr TnEr? — asubject of vast importance, as^ which "we are already more mtercsfed thnn any r(h;r pcopin Toe Description anu Cultivation of Flcwi rs and Floukrino Plants and Shrubs, from tba delicate nnd tender to the ninpt hardy and robust To the DEacRiimoN and Cultivation op all Edible Plants, which are, or should be, grown in i gardens To Gardening as aw Art or Taftf— ivlth Depicms for Om.impntal oi Landvcnpe Ol.irdprlnr V To Rural Auchitectubf— rmtrarmj; Ingigns for Ilurai Cottages 8nd Villas, Farm Houses, M Gates, Yineries, Jc<» IIouws. etc itc TT. To Arborioulturf — or the Planting and Culturo rf Forest and Ornamental Trees, VII. To Botany .and Knt' Bf logy— »!o tar as these biaufhes arc connected with the general suljjecti which the work is specially devoted The extended and valuable correspondence of Tre IIonTicrLTURisr presents the cxperia of the most intelligent cultivators in America ; tho Fupori( r illustrations, and the instruct and agreeable articles from the pens ot the editor and contributors, make it eagerly sooj after by even the general reader interested in country life To all persons alive to tbei provement of their gardens, orchards, or country-.«eat!^ — to scientific and practical cultivati of the soil — to nuraeri/inen and covimercinl gardeucrft, this J hundred pf^ beautifully illustrated with over 100 engravings, many of them drawings of fruit and flow from nature. Those volumes, if taken for a number of years, will make a valuable Encjfcl podia of Horticultural Literature. TEEMS— Two Dollars a year. An edition is puhli»hed tcith plates colored in the hrst sfi/h of the art — Price, $5. j^^^Subscriptions must bo addressed to the Agents, Or to Four Copies for Six Dollars. For the Country Gentleman, and Ilartlculturiht three dolhrs. ROBERT PEARSALL SMITH, 17 and 19 Minor Street, Philadelphii. 4 iM\&m[^i KoaKKg m ESTABLISHED AUGUST 4, 1821. Weekly Edition between 80 and 90,000. «•»- »tol In issuing th«ir Prospectus for 1856, the proprietors of the Post take it for granted, that the public are filroadj lerably well acquainted with the character of a paper that has grown strong during the storms and sunshine of I'HIRTY-FOUil YEARS. Their object always has been, as it remains to be, to publish a weekly paper for the family circle, which shall not only amuse, but also instruct and improve, those who may read it. To accomplish this object, the best articles are selected or condensed, and original articles of an instructive character procured, when possible. Letters from Foreign Lands ; the most interesting portions of the Weekly News of the World ; Sketches of Life, Adventure and Character ; Selected and Original Articles upon Agriculture ; Account of Produce and Stock Mar- kets ; and a Bank Note List are included among the solid information to be constantly found in the Post. But the mind requires a wider range— it has faculties which delight in the humorous and lively, the imaginative and poetical. These faculties also must have their appropriate food, else they become enfeebled, and, as a const^- que»ce, the intellect becomes narrow and one-sided, and is not able to take an enlarged and generous view of hunwtn nature and its destiny. To satisfy these heaven-implanted cravings of our mental being, we devote a fair proportion of the Post to FICTION, POETRY^ and HUMOR. Among our contributors in the first two of the above Departments, are several of the most gifted writers in the land. We also draw freely for Fiction and Poetry^pon the best periodicals in this country and Great Britain. We design commencing a New Story by Mrs. Southworth, author of " The Deserted Wife," ♦' Miriam,*' &c., in the first paper of Jauuary next. ENGRAVINGS, illustrative of important places and actions, of Agricultural and other new Inventions, with others of a Humorous, though refined character, are also freely given The Postage on the Post to any part of the United States, paid quarterly or yearly in advance, at the office Wthere it is received, is 26 cents a year. TERMS— CASH IN ADVANCE. Single copy,^ $2.00 a year. 4 copies, 5.00 '* < " (And one to getter up of Club,) 10.00 ♦* Address, always post-paid. 13 copies, (And one to getter up of Club,) $15.00 a year. 20 " (And one to getter up of Club,) 20.00 " DEACON & PETERSON, o . .^or r, i^rrr^.r r^^c ^o. 66 SoutL Tlilrd Street, Philadelphia.. SsAMFLE NUMBERS sent gratia to any one, when requested. ■«••- We annex a few Notices of the POST from its Exchanges : — This ic one of the few large papers filled with life and thought, instead of lumbering trash. Its management is marked by liberality, courtesy, ability, and tact It employs the best literary talent, and spares no pains or expense. As a family paper, one of literary and general intelligence, we cordially recommend it, — Caytiga Chief, Auburn, N. Y. In another column is an advertisement of the Saturday Evening Post. Our readers may rely upon it, that Deacon and Peterson will be as good as their word. So far as we can judge by years of observation, these publishers do rather more than they promise; and their paper is edited with very marked ability. It is singularly free from silly senti- nientalism and blunter, but is of a healthy tone on all subjects, alwap moderate in language, but always mildly advocating the right We find it one of the most generally attractive papers in our exchange.— -S'afurrfay Visiter, Pittsburg, Pa. We have heretofore spoken in high terms of the merits of the Po«t, as on« of the best papers on our exchange list and we regard it as one of the best literary papers to be found anywhere Its editorials are written with ability, and take It is emphatically one of the very best literary newspapers; in the whole country, and deserves the unparalleled succesc- with which it has met under its present enlightened and liberal proprietorship. The greater its circulation in thi» State, the less, probably, is our gain pecuniarily ; yet we must pronounce it a most excellent journal, and worthy of the patronage of erery body. The contributors to the Post are among the finest writers in America, and the editor'* articles are always characterized by truth and taste. — Jersey Blue, Camden, N. J. We regard it as the begt of the Philadelphia literary papers. Its editorials are written with ability, and take a comprehensive view of whatever is discussed.— l^cAo^ Johns- town, Pa. This is one of the best family papers upon oui exchange list. Its original and well selected matter is of the first order. — North Western Democrat, Minneopolis, Mtn. Ter. The editorial department is conducted with ability and skill, and the news department, for a weekly paper, is ex- ceedingly full and complete. All things considered, the Post H liberal, independent, and comprehensive view of men and I is not excelled, for family reading, by any paper that we things.— «ytor and Advocate, Wrightsville, Pa. It is a paper of the largest size, and is edited with ability. It is highly sp<»ken of by its readers, some of whom have clung to it for the last quarter of a century. It is too well and ^vorably known to need lengthy commendation. It tells its own st<»ry each week, and if you send for it once, you will be very sure to do so again.— Valley Times, Cedar dfapidt, Iowa. The long period during which this sterling paper has been established, and its recent immense circulation, (being between 80,000 and 90,000,) are ample guarantees to all who ^ ^^*^^^^ ^^ ^"^ exchange, by sending us a marked copy ot the Hper contrtinmg the advertisement or notice. ^^ M M « TEXT CUT OFF TIGHT BINDING 'v/^ i.tA THE FARM JOURNAL PROGRESSIVE FARMER NO. I.~VOLUME VI. PREMmMS TO THOSE AGTmG AS AGENTS, In order to reward all who may feel disposed 'to lend us their ,aid in extending the circulation of the FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER, we ofter the following ^Emin To the individual or Society who shall furnish us with the largest list of subscribers (according to our published Club Rates) on or before the first day of the Fifth month, (May,) 1856, A Library of Agricultural Works of their own Choosing, worth, - - - - 2nd largest list as above, a Library, Ac. worth, ------- 3rd «« ♦« « »« <«..•••••. 4th «« express, in parcels of $5 to $10, or for remittances made now. they wilt be retained and sent in Arlarch, either dry or growing in small pots. Valuable Farm at Private Sale. Jtt^ THE subscriber offers at Private Bale his valuable FARM ^^■kin East Qoshen Township, Chester Co., about two miles from I^P%West Chester [formerly owned by Paschall Morris], and con- ^Jif^y^ talning about 130 acres. The Land has been highly improved, both bT llmft and manure, and Is in excellent condition. It contains about 25 Acres of Peach Trees, now in their prime ; also^over 300 Pear Trees, an Apple Orchard in full bearing, and other fruit trees. The Buildings, which have been thoroughly repaired, consist of a good S-atory stone house, stone barn with shedding, spring house, large wagon house, corn crib, poultry houses, wood shed, kc. The West Chester Railroad runs through the property. Apply to JEREMIAH HACKER, xT. k Comer 7tlx and Market sis., or 144. South 4th st^ Phila; or BmI Estate Office, West Chester, JPaJ D. APPLETON & COMPANY, 846 & 348 BROADWAY, Have Just published VILLAGE and FARM COTTAGES, the require- ments of American Village Homes considered and rward to be regarded as one of the great tained authority to say to ship-owners and masters, here is the form of observations which are wanted to enhance the value of these charts ; if you will take it to sea with you, make the observations required as you go, and when you return, transmit these observa- granaries of the world. Immigration to the country has been checked ; and agriculture will feel the check. The internal improvements of the country, through the stimulus which manufacture, and mining, and tions to the hydrographical office, you shall in turn i commerce have imparted to these and other industrial receive therefor a copy of the charts which your ob- servations may help to make. The result has been that we see not only vast fleets of American ships, but navies — commercial and mili- tary— of all the nations that use the sea, co-operating with him as volunteers, and assisting him to push his investigations by catechizing the air and the water in all seas for their secrets. It was stated at the British Association that the pursuits, not of the field, are making heavy demands upon producers for more breadstuffs. The force that is employed in this country in the construction and management of railways alone, con- stitutes an army greater than that of the allies — here at home, demanding their supplies from the farmer. The recent census that has been taken in the sev- eral States shows that the great increase of population that has taken place within the last five years results already obtained have led, by the shortening i especially in the old States— has been in the city, not of voyages, to the saving annually, of millions of dollars to the commerce of the world. And whatever enables commerce to fetch and carry cheaper, benefits the far- mer as well as the merchant. The proposition now is to benefit the farmers still further, by inviting them to make observations in all parts of the country according to a prescribed form, which will enable them to investigate those meteoro- 33 in the agricultural population. This increase consti- tutes another host for the farmer to feed. The census of the United States shows the further fact that the ratio of increase due the agricultural population of the country is smaller than that of any other branch among those of its great industrial pur- suits. Hence we are led to the conclusion that means must be devised for enabling the farmer to increase i i.m -te MM 34 THE FARM JOURNAL ANL i^RoJRESSIVE FARMER. [February 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMBRi 35 I I his cropfl without increasing his laboring force ; else come from the West, he will speak through the wires, some one or other of these great branches of industry and the farmers of the East will have time to prepare ; must be checked, or the progress of the nation in | if from the South, then those of the North will have developing its resources, power and greatness, raus'-t knowledge of it be stopped for a re-adjustment, a re-arrangement, of the laboring force of the country. Otherwise iihe farmers of the United States, like those of Engiand and France, will be likely to find that they will have more to feed than they can supply with bread. Science, it is true, has of late years done much for Suppose that the practical value of all this should be nothing more than to enable the farmers to know a day or two beforehand the advent of but a single spell of weather. During the year the practical value of that would be great for science, though it should be worth on the average but a dollar to the farm i It the husbandman ; but science has only began to do would amount in the aggregate, to a sum that would its work here, and as great as its achievements have exceed many times over the amount that would en- been for the farmer, there is room for more and greater. Every middle-aged farmer is not so old but he can recollect when he could carry on his shoulder to the able him to carry on this beautiful, benignant and economical system of research. Peering into the plans and arrangements of this office — as we hope and have no doubt it will be — we field every agricultural implement that was known in j will see, in the form of a meteorological journal, which his youth, except, perhaps, the harrow, the cart and the observers will be invited to keep, a request, ask- the wheat-fan. Now, science and the ingenuity of the mechanic, guided by the principles of science, ing each co-operator to state in his monthly record ,the prospects and condition of the crops in his county have furnished the farmer with patent sowers and or neighborhood. A summary of the same will be reapers, tools and implements, that seem to work made up regularly at the office and published for the with the intelligence of man, and take the place of benefit of the public. many hands — they eat nothing, and they enable the farmer with the same force to reap harvests much What would such information be worth ? Let all who can bring to mind the uncert^ties and spccu- more abundant from the same field than he could for- lations of last autumn alonev-^hSTt were agitating the merly do. So, too, with manures and the aids of j public mind and harrassing the farmers, tell, if their agricultural chemistry, he finds that somehow his crops grow better, and that he makes more from an acre than he formerly did. The husbandman is by nature a meteorologist : and the proposition now is not only to consult the weather- memories are good enough to make the calculation now. Nor is this all. Some of the most distinguished meteorologists of Europe— the great Humboldt himself among them — have, we understand, intimated to Lieut. Maurt that wise, but to go to more infallible sources of informa- j if this country would take the lead in this matter, tion — accurate meteorological instruments— and by | theirs were ready to follow, and so cover the earth, as systematic co-operation bring all this knowledge and the sea has been, with amateur and volunteer ob- experience and the lights of actual observation to- gether, and see what they have to say concerning climates and the weather. We are no prophet, and we cannot draw a picture of the results to be obtained by such a regular mode of proceeding: neither can we foretell their impor- servers. The officers in those countries requiring from their observers monthly returns of like import as to crops, would also publish official and monthly statements, and interchange these regularly with ours. And thus this information being circulated gratuitously, the tance, nor weigh their value. But every one can see farmer would be elevated to the position which he that the field is a wide one, and that prudence herself ought to occupy, and placed intellectually on an emi- may reasonably conjecture that it contains many rich nence from which he might enjoy a panorama of the harvests. | crops of the whole world. It is reasonable to say that every storm that blights j It is no small advantage, nor is it idle curiosity— a crop, and that every settled rain which interrupts on the contrary it is profitable knowledge for the far- the out-door laborer, begins somewhere, marches mers of the Western and Middle States to know in through its course at some place that may be meas- ! July and August, what are the chances of the wheat ured, and ends somewhere. A net-work of telegraphic crop on the other side of the Atlantic. Equally pro- wires is spread over this broad land ; and we can | fitable is it for the rice planter in Carolina to know imagine this new office at Washington, which Lieut, j how rice is looking in the country of the Ganges ; and MAURr's proposition calls for, to be in daily receipt of for the sugar planter of Louisiana to know what cheer telegraphic reports as to the state of the weather upon those engaged in a like cultivation have in other parts the outskirts of the West, upon the Lake frontier, ' of the world. upon the Sea board and away down along the Gulf | We are happy to say that the farmers and planters coast ; so that no storm shall enter the country with- ! throughout the country have had the sagacity to per- out his knowledge. Patient discussion will soon en- 1 ceive and comprehend the importance of Lieut, able him to tell their tracks, and thus give warning Maury's suggestions upon this subject, and that those to the husbandman of their approach. If the invasion in many States have given him a hearty support, and we hope that all throughout the country will take that lively interest which will induce them to urge the matter upon their representatives in Congress for consideration and bid them give it that degree of encouragement which its importance deserves. NOVEL METHOD FOB CLEARING A HOUSE OF BATS. A chemical friend of ours has recently detailed to us the following account of a novel, amusing, and at the same iiQie efiTectual, plan adopted by him for free- ing his house from these most unwelcome visitors — the rats. The house he occupied in Boston was one of a block, and when first tenanted was comparatively free from the intruders in question. After a time, however, for some unknown reason, they appeared at once in great numbers. They occupied every room and closet, marauded in the cellar, gallopaded in the garret, and danced jigs nightly over every sleeping apartment, or rolled nuts for their amusement, a la ten ^ns. Every expedient thought of was adopted for lessening their numbers, but without effect. Traps availed nothing, — the rats were old and wise, — poison had no temptations, cats were defied. At last our friend bethought himself of summoning the powers of chemistry to his aid, which he did as follows : — Raising a small board in the garret floor, he opened a communication between the floor and ceiling beneath, which interior communicated with the spaces between the side walls and the laths and plaster over the whole house. Into this opening he placed a dish containing finely pulverized black oxide of manganese, and pour- ed over it a suitable quantity of strong hydrochloric (muriatic) acid. The floor-board was then replaced. The effect of the chemical mixture of black oxide of manganese and hydrochloric acid is to disengage slowly in the cold that most powerful, deodorizing, fumigating gas, chlorine. In common with all gases, it {radually diff"uses itself through the air, but having a greater weight than atmospheric air, it accumulates at the lowest levels. The tendency of the gas liberated, therefore, was to penetrate every vacant space between the walls and ceilings, and at last found exit in the cellar. It may be here stated that the quantity of gas so liberated can exert no injurious effect upon the house or its inmates— indeed the result is rather beneficial than otherwise upon the general health. In the case in question, the odor was not noticed to any extent in the body of the house, but after a while was very perceptible in the cellars. In a concentrated condi- tion, chlorine, it is well-known, is most offensive, ir- respirable and destructive of animal life. It, at the same time, neutralizes and destroys all other odors and infectious matters. To return, however, to the rats. The chemical ar- rangement described had not been long in operation, when it became evident that something unusual was occurring in ratdom. Meetings were apparently being held in hot haste, and messengers were despatched to and fro. " All night long, it would seem," says the narrator, " as if ^Bedlam had broken loose Ibetween the partitions of my house. The inhabitants were not only decamping, but were carrying their plunder and household goods along with them." Towards morning, however, all had became quiet — the rats had vamosed, big and little, and for a period of nearly three months not one was heard or seen on the premi- ses. Now they are gradually returning, but as soon as they become troublesome, another invitation to leave will be extended. -f*- AN APPEAL TO NEW JEBSET FABMEBS. The Executive Board of the New Jersey State Agricultural Society, through their efficient Secretary, J. H. Feazke, of Somerville, present the claims of the Society upon the attention and patronage of the farm- ers of the State. After a brief review of what has already been done by the Board, in the way of sta- tistical facts, the distribution of seeds, documents, &c., and the excellent results following the State Fair at Camden, the address proceeds : — *' Thus much has been accomplished, but it is desired still farther to increase the benefits of the Society. It is intended to establish correspondence and exchanges with the Societies of other States and counties, and to glean from them the fullest possible information which shall tend to the advancement of agricultural interests ; the same to be freely and widely disseminated. County organizations and farmers' clubs should be established, and those means be employed which shall best promote the interchange of ideas, and the circulation of practical and profitable knowledge. ** In this work, the influence and cooperation of all is requested. The payment of cme dollar constitutes one a member for the current year, entitling a person to all its advantages admission to Fair, &c. Will not the reader become a member, or if already such, endeavor to excite an interest in his vicinity in behalt of this useful Society. Jersey men must respect such a cause!" And we have no doubt Jersey men will respect such a cause, and extend to their State Society the patron- age necessary to place its ultimate success and useful- ness beyond the contingency of a doubt. Our word for it, the permanent establishment of a State Agri- cultural Society will do more to promote the agricul- tural prosperity of New Jersey, than any other organi- zation possibly can, and we hope to see our friends across the river take the work in hand, with a hearty good will, and push it to complete success. -•••- LONDON THE GBEATEST CITY. According to Gibbon, the population of ancient Rome in the height of its magnificence was 1,200,000; Nineveh is estimated to have had 600,000 ; and Dr. Medhurst supposes that the population of Pekin is about 2,000,000. The population of London, accord- ing to recent statistics, amounts to 2,500,000, 414.722 having been added to it during the last ten years. PPHi 36 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [February 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 37 « COMMTTNIGATIOKS. For the Farm Journal. SEED POTATOES. On page 188 of the last volume of the Farm Jour- nal is a communication signed by Howard William- son, in which he refers to a statement made by C. T. Alvrrd, in which he says, " that he had been in the habit of planting large potatoes for seed, but one year he ran short of large ones, and was compelled to finish planting with small ones, the largest of which were not larger than a common plum, and that he raised equally as good potatoes from the small as from the large seeds." H. Williamson then queries, " if such be the case, why is it that when farmers go to select their seed corn, they pick the longest, the thickest, the best grown, the largest grained, and the ripest ears in the crib ? Why not lay their refuse corn aside to plant," if they can raise as good a crop from it. It seems to me that there would be a very good rea- son for it if they could, and that it is, that refuse com is worth less for other purposes than good corn. But again, " Why is it that they go to their wheat fields, and select the best lot of wheat in the field, and put it away in the barns, where they can get it for seed ? Why not take the smallest in the field ?" Now, I would like to know what has this to do with the potatoe question ; it seems to me like making " confusion worse confounded." Corn and wheat are produced from the seed ; potatoes are chiefly grown from the root, and there is not the least similarity in their modes of growth. But let us follow his reasoning, " The degeneration in one year might be so trifling as not to be observed, but add twenty such degenerations together, and see what they will amount to. In my opinion, potatoes have sustained more damage by planting small, indif- ferent, half-ripe seed, and by planting the potatoes for ages without intermission, than it has by all other causes combined." Now, in opposition to the above opinioUy I offer the following facts. On a certain farm in Delaware county, potatoes have been planted for about thirty years without change of seed, small potatoes have always been used for planting, and the potatoes have not only not " sustained no damage," but are said to have really improved in quality, and are sought after both for table use and for planting. Again, " I firmly believe that planting potatoes for guccessive ages, without renewing and planting half grown and half ripe seed, are the main causes of the potatoe rot and failure in the crop." Now, it does not follow as a consequence, that if potatoes are small they are either half grown or half ripe ; small potatoes may be as ripe as large ones. I believe there is one way in which the quality of potatoes may be injured by planting small seed. We will suppose for instance that a farmer procures some potatoes for planting, and that they are chiefly Mer- cers, but that there are a few pink-eyes, or some other inferior kind, which produces a larger number of small ones in proportion to the crop than the Mercers do; then if he continues planting small ones, and does not reject all except the pure seed, in a few years his potatoes will nearly all be of an inferior quality, and therefore we have complaints about potatoes degene- rating, whereas if none but good seed were planted, potatoes would be about as good as they used to be. This question can only be settled by careful and long continued experiments, and to offer opinions without facts to support them is useless. It has ueen urged that large potatoes act as a manure to support the plants, but I think that guano at $45 per ton is much cheaper for manure than potatoes at from fifty cents to $2 per bushel. «t> For the Farm Journal. EXPERIMENTS WITH DIFFERENT KINDS OF FERTILIZERS. In September last, I commenced experiments with seven different kinds of fertilizers, on seven different patches of wheat, side by side of each other, and with precisely the same treatment in every respect, for the purpose of testing their merits. The first was bone dust— the bones being first car- bonized and ground in a plaster mill ; the second, Mexican guano ; the third, Mexican and Peruvian guano mixed in equal proportions ; 4th — Peruvian guano ; 5th, Allen & Needles' Super Phosphate of Lime ; Gth, Mapes' Super Phosphate of Lime ; 7th, Super Phosphate of my own manufacture. At the close of fall no perceptible difference could be noticed, except that where the Peruvian guano was applied, the grain was taller and of a darker green color, which would establish the superority of that article up to this period : but before a correct conclu- sion can be arrived at, I will follow it up till it is threshed next summer, when I will report the result, for your valuable periodical, for the benefit of its numerous readers. J. S. Ket.ler. Orwigsburg, Schuylkill Co., January 7, 1856. *^ Mr. Simmons, the well-known English statistical writer, in a recent lecture before the London Societv of Arts, states the following fact : ** In view of the great value of leaches in the Ma- teria Medica, some enterprising Frenchmen have re- cently been leaching marshes in Ireland, and sowing them broadcast with leaches, in the hopes of deriving large profits therefrom. Seven or eight millions of leaches are imported annually by three or four firms in London, and the annual value of those used in France is estimated at from $1,000,000 to $1,500,- 000. The trade in no article, however small and tri- vial, should be lightly estimated when we consider what fortunes have been made by enterprising men out of the most unpromising and seemingly unimpor- tant articles. The human hair harvest of France, the flowing locks parted with reluctantly by females, amounts to one hundred tons a year, of which quan- tity England imports about fifty tons for the use of the hair-makers for artificial tresses, braids, wigs. &c." For the Farm Journal. « HAVE A PLACE FOR EVERY THING, AND EVERY THING IN ITS PLACE." For want of this, much valuable time is lost, and by observing it much perplexity is avoided. Let no one say this is as stale as A, B, C ; for A, B, C, must be taught and taught again, and it is by repetition that primary lessons at school are mostly impressed. A farmer who commenced his career in the obser- vance of this rule, after a time sufiered his vigilance to abate, and before he was thirty, both his hired men and his boys would very often leave his tools where they were last used, and many of the most important moments of their -time were spent in searching and enquiring for the missing implements ; and as those who had last used them were not always to be found, he was, at times, obliged to send some distance to a neighbor, to borrow. His children becoming addicted to the same easy habits, they were thus entailed upon children and gandchildren^ and must have had an important influence in stamping upon them that characteristic want of system and thrift for which they are now remarked. A clerk who had occasion to use his scissors many times a day, would lay them at one time on his desk, at another in his window, sometimes among his papers, and not unfrequently in his drawer. The consequence was, that when there was the most occasion for despatch, then there was the most confusion and delay — all which might have been avoided by proper care in this and similar cases. A youth whose habits had not been sufficiently watched by his mother, (though a most aftectionate one she was,) when he retired to bed, had no particu mother's fingers." When this youth would undress himself at night, you might see his shoes and stockings at the foot of the bed post near the head of the bed, with a garter in each shoe, his pants hung upon the top of the bed post, and his coat and vest upon the back of a chair near by, so that he knew at all times where to lay his hand upon any article of dress he needed. The same kind of order and system was to be seen throughout the family, and in every drawer and closet of the house, so that the daujrhters of these parents were not less thorough than the son, and in after life honored their mother's care, and transmitted the same orderly habits to after generations. E. Chester County. *•► ^ GRAIN FEEDING CATTLE. Editor of the Farm Journal : — As the season is near when many farmers will feed a part of their corn to stock ; and as much has been said and written on the subject of grinding cobs with corn as food for cattle, I would like to lay before your readers the result of a single experiment, fairly tried by my father, Eli Harvey, who was, I believe, acknowledged by all who knew him, to be one of the most successful feeders of cattle in Delaware County. Being about to grain feed 20 head of cattle, he divided them into two lots of ten each, as nearly equal in feeding qualities as he could select them. To one lot he gave pure dry corn -meal ; to the other he gave the same amount of corn-meal, and with it the ground cobs on which it grew ; each having at all times a full allowance of good hay, and being treated precisely alike in all other respects. When fattened they were sold to the Messrs. Drum lar place for his clothes, but would mostly throw them I & Shuster, well known victualers in Philadelphia, about upon the floor, the bed, or the chair, without They were told that there had been a ditt*erence in the caring which, so that whatever was the emergency, feeding, but not told which lot had eaten the cobs when he had occasion to dress in the night, each ' with their meal, and were requested to notice the particular garment was to be Jelt after, and adjusted difterence, if any, in fatness, &c. They reported before he could be dressed. Even the calamities he so often read about occurring from fires and robbery, the disturbance at times occurring among his father's cattle, or sheep, or fowls— all were not sufficient to impress upon him the importance of having a place for each article of his clothing, and each one at all times in its place ; and so never acquiring these habits himself, his children grew up with the same defect, and it might be said that the parent's want of system in this respect was transmitted from children to grandchildren. A child who had been very carefully trained by his mother, when he was sent to boarding school, reflected real honor upon his home instruction, by the remark- able neatness and system with which his books and other matters were always adjusted in his desk ; and his clothing in his trunk and his cupboard were so carefully placed, that he was never at a loss to find any article he needed, even in the darkest night. A person well acquainted with his mother, remarked, on opening his trunk, ** Ah ! I see in this the print of his that the lot fed on the meal without the cobs were decidedly better fed than those which had the same amount of meal with the cobs in addition. This result may astonish most of your readers who have had the advantages of cob-meal feeding rung in their ears for years past, but the experiment was fairly tried, and the result carefully noted. I am disposed to believe that very much of what has been written in favor of cob- meal was based on the mere suppositionihsit the little sugar and starch it contained must be nutritious to the extent of its amount. I am not aware that many experiments have ever been tried with it, although much of it has been fed to stock all over the country. I will not attempt to explain why the lot of cattle fed on cob-meal were not better than the others, nor why they were not so good. Perhaps it was because they ate less hay ; perhaps because their digestion was impaired by the cobs; perhaps because the meal could not be ground so finely with the cobs. Let each conjecture for himself. The experiment was tried more than twenty years ago, i '4 m iil i 38 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [February but has lost none of its value by age. Other observa tions convinced him that cut hay or even cut straw, or the chaflf from wheat or oats mixed with the meal, was entirely preferable to meal alone. My own observations, though never so accuaately made, agree with the above. Having had some experience in scalding meal for stock, I have no hesitation in recom- mending it to feeders ; but when animals are so fed, they should, I believe, have their food changed a few Weeks before going to ufrnFiiet, Of their xicSii Wui b€ soft, and the fat oily. C Harvkt. Chaddsford, Delaware Co., Pa. -••»- For the Farm Journal. AimOYANCE TO ANIMALS FROM FLIES.— HOW TO PEEYENT. In order to prevent the very great annoyance, whieh all of our most valuable domestic animals are subjected to in warm weather from the attacks of the various species of flies and other winged insects, sev- eral very efficacious remedies may be made available. If such preventives exist, every feeling of humanity, as well as the more selfish consideration of our own oomfo. t, require that we should use them. As the result of our own experience, we would re- commend the following recipes, which are simple and certain in their action : 1st. By washing or sprinkling the horses, oxen, or cows, with a decoction of wormwood (Artemcsia Absinthium), they will not be attacked by flies or other insects. 2d. By washing or sprinkling the animals with a decoction made of six pounds of the leaves of the walnut {Juglans regia), and five pounds of the super- fluous leaves of the Virginia tobacco plant {Nicotiana labacum), with twenty-four quarts of boiling water. This liquii may be used either warm or cold, and when the animals have been washed with it, allowed to dry, and afterwards rubbed down (horses, especial- ly, with fresh walnut leaves), they will be protected lor a period of fourteen days. 3d. The rubbing down of horses and cattle occa- sionally with the fresh leaves of the common pumpkin Cucurbita pepo) will also be found an excelUnt protec- tion against the attacks of flies. &c. V. T. W. Philadelphia, 1856. «•> For the Farm Journal. HORSE-RACING AL AOBICULTUBAL FAIRS. Mr. EniTOR :— Almost from their very inception, I have been a warm friend and supporter of agricultural exhibitions. For more than forty years I have been more or less intimately connected with one or more agricultural societies, believing them, when properly managed, a means of decided usefulness to the farming community. But, within the last four or five years, new features have usurped the dominion of the old ones which ruled in our earlier exhibitions. ** Young America" has taken the reins, and is, I fear, driving ahead so heedlessly, that a break-down will certainly ensue, unless the brakes are put on, and tightly drawn. The fact Is, Mr. Editor, it has become a rather difficult matter to detenniue the true character of the agricultural fairs of the preseni day. We have, it is true, the name, but that is the best part of it. Ostensibly, these exhibitions are intended for the benefit of agriculture, but really, the objects accom- plished appear to be very wide of the mark. For instance, the horse-ring, (which, by the way, is one of the modern features,) has become the grand centre of aitrauiiuu. Iriaris ui spccu, uy i&dt alcu, tiavc become so attractive, that, as long as driving is per- mitted, these trials monoplise the almost exclusive attention of the visitors. If all within the enclosure do not congregate around the *' horse-ring," the only reason is, that all cannot obtain a sight of the per- formances. Men, women and children, manifest equal eagerness to get a good* position, regardless alike of comfort or danger. Now, Mr. Editor, I am by no means disposed to turn moralist, or betray a sickly feeling in regard to the morality of such proceedings, for I admire them as well as thousands of others who crowd around them so eagerly, but, I like to see them in their proper place. If we are to have horse- racing, why, amen ! say I, but let us have it as it should be, and where it ought to be, on the race-course. If we, as good citizens, respecting the character of our wives and families, would be ashamed to be seen with them upon a public or even private race-course, I would like to know wherein consists the difference between one which is under the control of sporting men, and one which is sanctione«l by the respectable gentlemen who compose our agricultural societies. ** A rose by any other name would smell as sweet/' and a race-course is a race-course, whether sustained by ** fast men," or the friends of agriculture. I hope you will pardon the liberty I have taken, in addressing you upon this subject. To many of your readers it will doubtless appear like straining a point, in order to find fault; but the fact is, the rapid inroads which these horse exhibitions have made upon the affections of those who attend fairs where they are tolerated, are producing a pernicious effect. They are calculated to divert the minds of those in attendance from the examination of objects of interest and value ; and, what is worse, from their exciting character, they very naturally create in the minds of the younger portion of the spectators, especially young farmers, a desire to excel in this direction, and such a desire once thoroughly implanted, it is not difficult to predict the final result. In four cases out of five, it is ruin. Yours, TffOMAS Oldstyle. -<••— For the Fanu Journal. FARMERS ORIKDING THEIR OWN GRAIN. Mr. Editor :— Would it not be better policy on the part of farmers who are conveniently situated with regard to mills, to have their grain turned into flour, instead of selling it to grain dealers, and by so doing, ma' e whatever profit there is in the operation them- selves, instead of throwing it away, as is now done. 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 39 If it will pay millers in the cities to buy grain for cash, at an advance upon the producer's price, and lay out of their money for months, it certainly ought to be a profitable operat on for the farmer to take his grain to the mill and have it ground for himself Moreover, if there is any profit going, it ought to go to the farmer's pile. Again, this would have a tendency to increase the number of mills through the country ; and every one Knows luat » lUm to UUV uUtJ « |^ivnv v»v/U¥v.i»»v»«i%.C, k/mv that it enhances the value of farms in its vicinity — so it is the farmer's best policy to encourage ♦* home manufacture," in this branch of business, as well as every other. • Moreover, a mill is a home market, if managed by men of enterprise and means ; and if a farmer wishes to sell his grain, the mill is the proper place for it to go to. Let the intelligent readers of the Farm Journal make an estimate of the comparative advantages of this plan, (including the feed they thus secure,) and see if it is not the right plan. T. Y. «•« For the Fanu JuurnaL THE MUSCADINE GRAPE. Respected Friend : — Having observed in the report of the proceedings of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society of the 16th of October, an emphatic reproba- tion of the merits of the ** Northern Muscadine" Grape, we feel it a duty we owe to the public to make some reply, as we have been acquainted with the grape for twenty years, and have cultivated over thirty kinds of grapes, foreign and domestic, including the Isabella, Catawba, and other choice varieties. We make no doubt but the Horticultural Society have been honest in their report, and do not know that they were prepossessed with prejudices relative to the Muscadine Grape. The specimens presented to the Society were delayed on the road, and not in a suita- ble condition to present ; had they been in fine condi- tion, we feel assured their report would have been exactly the reverse of what it now is. We acknow- ledge the ** Northern Muscadine" grape has one fault, and only one, and that is, it is extremely delicate. Like many of our summer pears, and other fine sum- mer fruits, it will not bear close confinement or long keeping, and in unfavorable seasons and soils, drops from the vino quite soon after it is fully ripe, and loses its exceedingly delicate and delicious flavor. But in good soils, and good seasons, when the vine is properly and closely pruned, it will hang weeks on the vine, in good condition ; but it does not bear seclu- sion from the fresh air for any length of time. We have the testimony of thousands who have eaten the grape fresh from the vine, in our neighboring cities, that it is decidedly the best grape ever tasted, and never, in a single instance, have heaid com- plaints from those who have purchased vines and eaten fruit therefrom ; but the testimony of such hts invariably been in favor of the grape, and we could , lumber your columns with testimony to that effect from hundreds, which we have in possession. Not- withstanding two reports from Horticultural Societies, (including the one we now refer to,) bearing testi- mony against its merits, its good character still lives and grows, most rapidly, and we have reason to believe the only cause why any Horticultural Society condemns the grape is, that the grapes were presented in a ruined condition. It is universally known that **>fi.**t' *^^ o»i«» oK/>i<»<»of onrr»rr»Ar rvoavo on/1 «ir»rvl<»0 T>of CiT lose their flavor very soon after being plucked from the tree, but what Scientific Horticultural Society ever condemned our choice summer fruits as unfii for culture because of this fault ? Not one. Why then, should they the ** Muscadine" of the North? We challenge investigation and scrutiny relative to the merits of the " Northern Muscadine" grape when in good condition, from the vine or within two or three days after being plucked. Professor Mapes, of New Jersey, than whom, per- haps, a better agriculturist and horticulturist may not be found in our country, was in our garden this fall, and ate the fruit of this Muscadine grape and pronounced it a far superior grape to the Isabella — not so much of a fox flavor attached to it, and far more worthy of cultivation, either as a table or wine grape, for this Northern latitude. We feel certain the hono- rable committee have entirely mistaken, in their report, the real character of the celebrated Northern grape, which, unlike the " Charter Oak," " Sage," and other native varieties which have perished by common con- sent, is destined to outlive all mis-interpretations, or slander and reproach, and become more popular the more widely it is disseminated through our northern country. Those at the North who have proved this grape, are the very men who have made and still are making large purchases this fall, paying from three to five dollars per root ; and these men are considered as good judges of fruit as any in the country, and have cultivated and are still cultivating the Isabella, and other choice varieties. « Were this Muscadine grape of the character justly attributable to many varieties which have been lately brought before the public, and highly lauded, but soon proved to be valueless, we should feel we were doing the public an immense injury by our present course of culture and dissemination, together with our efl()rts at advertising the same ; but as the truth must stand when all other reports must fail, we feel confidence in persisting in our course, assured that the good character of this grape is destined to tri- umph over all opposition, and become one of the most popular grapes ever offered to the Northern portion of our Union. D. P. Hawkins, P. Stewart, New Lebanon, Shaker Village, N. Y. 1**^ Discovert op Nitrate of Lime. — There has been discovered on the farm of Mr. James Peage, near Staunton, Va., an apparently inexhaustible supply of nitrate of lime, containing large portions of saltpetre. ;i wi. I 40 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [February WINTER MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP. Mr. George Campbell, of Vermont, the well-known sheep grower, furnishes to the Patent Office Report for 1854, the following article on the '* Winter Man- agement of Sheep:'' *' Much of the success of the wool- grower depends upon the winter management of his flock. Sheep are animals which pay their owners better for good care and keeping than any other stock usually kept on a farm ; but if fed with a stingy hand, or neglect- ed, if suitable conveniences are wanting, they pay perhaps as poorly as any. The annual loss to the United States, resulting from a want of suitable sheds and other conveniences for the winter accommodation of sheep, is immense. The promptings of self-interest would seem sufficient to induce our farmers to adopt a better system of raanagsment. No intelligent far- mer of this day will attempt to deny the principle that warm enclosures are equivalent, to a certain ex- tent, for food ; a variety of well-conducted experiments have conclusively demonstrated the fact. A large proportion of food consumed in winter is required for keeping up the animal heat, and consequently, in pro- portion as the apartments are warm, within certain limits, the less amount of food will be required. The other extreme, too close apartments, would be objec- tionable from the impurity of the air, and should be avoided. Sheep have very little reason to fear injury from this cause. The majority of those in our State suffer for the want of shelter and a suitable quantity and variety in their winter food. Many flocks are brought to their winter quarters in fair condition, but are fed so sparingly that the growth of their wool is almost wholly arrested during the winter season, the fodder given them being only sufficient to sustain the vital functions. Under such circumstances the food consumed by them is in fact nearly lost. The owner has received no return in the increase of wool nor in bodily weight ; and he will suffer further from a large per cent, of actual deaths before the time of shearing. With such a course of management the profits of wool-growing will necessarily be small. If neither self-interest nor the feelings of humanity will induce the farmer to provide properly for his dependent flock, he will find it for his advantage to keep some other domestic animal, and I know of nothing more suitable for such men than a hardy goat. While I protest against the starving system, it would seem hardly necessary to caution farmers against the opposite ex- treme, too high feeding, which is also detrimental to the health and long life of the animal. While pre- paring sheep for the butcher, high feeding is necessary and proper, but for store sheep and breeding ewes, an over amount of fat, produced by high feeding, is de- cidedly injurious ; and, aside from the attending ex- pense to produce this state of things, it has a tendency to shorten the lives of the sheep and enfeeble the off- spring. The forcing system of feeding brings ani- mals to maturity early, but is productive of prema- ture death. The proper and the most profitable mode of feeding, for breeding and store sheep, is that which will de- velope in them the highest degree of bodily vigor. Sheep fed in this manner would endure the fatigue of a long journey, while those high fed would fail, from excess of fat, and the scantily fed, from muscu- lar debility. Every wool-grower will find it for his interest to provide warm, capacious, and well venti- lated sheds for his flocks, with a convenient access to pure water. The feeding facks should be made with good tight bottoms, in order that the chaff and seed, the most valuable part of the hay, may not be lost. Such racks will also answer for feeding out roots and grain, and will avoid the necessity of having an extra lot of troughs for that purpose. The different ages and classes of sheep should be properly assorted. This classification, however, must be left to the judgment of the breeder. The size of his flock, and his conveniences for keeping, will deter- mine the extent of the classification. It will be ne- cessary, in all flocks of considerable size, to place the strong and feeble in separate flocks. The breeding ewes should constitute another division, and so on with the lambs, keeping each class, and age by them- selves. In regard to the question, how often should sheep be fed ? a difference of opinion among good managers exists. While one believes that twice a day is suffi- cient, another thinks it desirable to feed three or four times ; but the most important point, I apprehend, is to feed regularly, whether twice, three or four times a day. The writer feeds, at present, hay twice, one day ; the next, hay in the morning and straw at night, and so on, giving hay and straw alternately, instead of hay ; and beside, a feed of roots and grain is al- lowed at mid day, allowing a half bushel of corn and cob, or oatmeal, mixed with two bushels of roots, to the one hundred head. As sheep are fond of a variety of food, it is desirable to make as many changes as practicable. If allowed constant access to pine or hemlock boughs through the winter, it will be condu- cive to their health. Salt is equally as essential in winter as in summer, and should be kept constantly by them. Rock-salt, which is imported in large lumps, weighing from twenty to fifty poands each, is the cheapest and best. Sheep are not liable to eat it in sufficient quantities as to ever injure them, as they can only get it by licking." ^9* ON THE DISINFECTION AND PRESERVATION OF NI- TR06ENIZED MANURE. The following paper, read before the National Insti- tute, W^ashington, December 5th, 1855, by Dr. Daniel Breed, U. S. Patent Office, has been communicated to the Farm Journal. Intelligent persons are aware that the poisonous effluvia emanating from gutters, sewers, and yard vaults would soon generate a terrible pestilence in any city or town but for the constant etl'usion of the poi- son. But it may not be so generally known that 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. 41 some of these hot-beds of disease can be easily ren- dered comparatively harmless and inoffensive. Our affected refinement shrinks from the mention of a dis- gusting evil which from habit we have come to regard as necessary. Is it not, however, a false delicacy which makes us content to inhale with every breath such pestilential exhalations, and yet forbids a discus- sion of their properties, origin, or effects, even with a view of reform ? Shall we not be more refined when one single square of some American city is purified from the stench of night-soil, made tenfold more into- lerable by the ignorance of the scavengers w^ho infest every neighborhood, administering slow poison to us in our sleep, not unfrequently falling victims thereto themselves ? In privy vaults there is a process of putrefaction constantly going forward, and a consequent incessant escape of poisonous gases into the atmosphere. More- over, the fluid portions of the night soil percolate the earth under-lying all our cities. These matters, washed forward by the rains, diffuse the products of putrefaction everywhere ; then the heat of summer, by evaporation at the surface, may bring poisonous effluvia up from the whole area of the city. The waters of our wells, as is known, are impregnated with these products. Not long since an intelligent citizen requested me to make a chemical examination of the water of a well which was formerly very good, but was now strongly flavored, and by several per- sons it was thought to have the taste of chalybeate water. Upon testing, the water was found to have imbibed rather freely from the privy products of the neighborhood ? Such wells are common. Not only does public health demand that this grie- vous nuisance should at once be abated, especially a& gases, converting them into constituents of fixed com- pounds. But it often happens that a reagent that will fix one gas will expel another. Lime is in com- mon use, because at first it mostly destroys the odor by decomposing the sulphuretted hydrogen, and form- ing sulphide of calcium and water. But the sulphide of calcium thus formed is liable to be decomposed by carbonic acid, which is always present in the mass. The lime also fixes the carbonic acid, though the former expels ammonia. Moreover, lime may hasten the oxydation of the nitrogen, forming nitric acid, which latter may either fix ammonia or expel carbonic acid. Thus lime alone cannot be an efficient disin- fectant. Again, sulphate of lime, (plaster,) either calcined or simply pulverulent, is in use. In this case the sulphuric acid unites with the ammonia of the night- soil, and the lime with the carbonic acid. The lime also, as before, will decompose the sulphuretted hydro- gen, but the resulting sulphide of calcium is still liable to decomposition. Calcined plaster itself may evolve sulphydric acid by the simple addition of water, owing to the presence of some sulphide of calcium. There- fore plaster, though better than lime, can never be an effectual deodorizer. In the play of chemical affinities, when either lime or plaster is used, some of the sul- phur must alternately unite with hydrogen and with calcium until it escapes in sulphuretted hydrogen at the suaface. The employment of bleaching salt (so- called chloride of lime,) is very objectionable on account of the rhkViue thus evolved, and the consequent impFcgn&ticd of the air with* acpoison often more dele- terious than :tke -cffliOrSa whicli it is intended to destooy^, '.*-;'•' If, -iDSs-tead of lime Qtits salts, we employ a small the requisite means are simple and well knowii,»but jwrtion of the.sal^ Of V heavy metal, as sulphate of agriculture seconds this demand, inasmuch as. ntght- soil is valuable as manure, particularly when treated so as to retain all the nitrogen, most of which is liable to escape in the ammonia which is generated during the process of putrefaction. Indeed it contains all the elements derived from the soil by vegetation, and hence is an excellent fertilizer. One general criticism may be applied to the means commonly recommended for disinfecting and deodori- zing privies, sewers, and gutters. The methods pro- posed do not meet all the chemical conditions ; they attempt too much with a single re-agent. In night- soil many elements occur, forming various compounds, organic and inorganic, some acid, some alkaline or l^asic, some united as fixed salts, others becoming gaseous, and tending to escape into the atmosphere. Among the gaseous products are sulphuretted hydro- gen, or sulphydric acid, carbonic acid, ammonia, or carbonate of ammonia, together with various exhala- tions not yet investigated. But the quantity of some of these is so inconsiderable as to require little atten- tion. Now, in order to completely deodorize and dis- infect night-soil, it is necessary to add such different chemical reagents as will unite with each of these ^ac, iron, Q O *^ f^ S © O Jt «8 H ® ^^ . M t^ Oi ,c: . , ec .<> P .2 ©" c © 5 4> hJ5 «^^ © o * '»' C S -O es 5 ft P XM. . e- g © ..H ^ © *- a d oo © © _ © J3 .^ .-o p 3 P? -3 5 o* . ^ i- ^ w c & ^ . .2 « ^ w*-i"SS'^.a * ©I, o ©> fci W - ^ fl- PRIZE ESSAY. GEKERAL PRINCIPLES OF RECLAIMING LAND. BT JOHN L. MORTON, CIVIL AND AGRICULTURAL ENGI- NEER, EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND. [Concltuled from page 5.] II. Waste land partially useful — Under this sec- tion all the various kinds of land may bo treated of, which, either from being on pasture, or from their yielding a small return for some other purpose, are worth but little. In laying down rules for improving this class of soils, it will be obvious that, though sound as general principles, they cannot be regarded as applicable in every case. The variations of soil and climate are so numerous, that certain mollifica- tions, according to circumstances, must be adopted. Without dividing the various kinds of soils into fur- ther geological sections, I will only speak of soils which can be reclaimed without trenching, — but which may with advantage be trenched — such as are found on lime rock, red sand stone, and various other geological formations ; and of those which in general require to be trenched — such as are found on the granite, the gneiss, and other geological measures, having equally stony surfaces. The herbage of all these soils is generally of a very scanty and innutritions nature, consisting principally of stunted and carex grasses. That such lands may in very many instances be improved with advantage, cannot for a moment be doubted by any one who has given attention to the subject of land improvement in all its bearings. Suppose an extensive sheet of waste land to be presented before the imagination ; the sur- face is slightly undulating, but not very stony, and being covered with a close brown coat of dwarf grasses, it has rather a warm and clad appearance than the reverse. If the proprietor thinks he would prefer a crop of yellow waving corn to brown dang- ling grasses, certain grave questions must be settled before an onward movement is made in the desired direction : Is the climate tolerably good ? What is the altitude ? What sort of soil and subsoil has it got ? All these questions should be satisfactorily an- swered before operations are commenced. If every thing appears favorable, the order in which the works should begin may be stated as follows ; Drainage, — The first improving operation must of necessity be in most cases thorough drainage, and if practicable it ought to be undertaken rather in the summer than the winter time. The depth and dis- tance apart of the drains will depend on the porosity of the subsoil. With ordinarily tenacious soils, 4 feet deep and from 24 to 30 feet apart will be good drain- age; but where there are gravel beds and under springs, or if the soil is much hoven with moisture, the depths must, and the distances apart may, be a great deal more than here stated. In some cases it IS practicable to use a large drain-plough with advan- tage in beginning the drains, but where there is no such implement at hand, recourse must be had to the spade. If there are any old furrows in the ground running in the same direction as the Grains, no atten- tion should be paid to them unless it happens that, in laying off the drains at the regular distances fixed upon, they occasionally come accidentally into the furrow. Where there are gulleys or deep furrows to be filled, some of the clay taken from the drains should be thrown into them, and the good surface- soil will thus be saved. The drains should be laid off as straight as possible, and after they are completed, an accurate plan ought to be made of them, ^ that in the event of any drain giving way, it may be hit upon at once by simply taking a measurement from some point shown in the plan. If the soil is solid, there is no need for collars being used with the pipes, which in almost all cases are better without them. Collars make the pipes lie unevenly, and hence they are more liable to be broken or displaced than if they were resting solidly on the bottom, while they admit mud as easily between the collar and the pipes as the pipes without collars do at the ends. At the upper ends of the drains, H inch pipes will do for 80 or 100 yards, but below that, 2 inch pipes will be necessary. The drains should never be cut wider than the pipes, and after the latter are laid they ought to be carefully covered vdth a slice of clay taken off each side of the drain just above the tile. When these slices are neatly folded over each other, and slightly pressed with the foot, an excellent roof is formed above the pipe, which in this way lies much cleaner than it could do if covered with turf or soil. In many in- stances, particularly where the surface-soil is soft and ** deaf" in its nature, it is of importance to keep as much of the clay dug out of the drains on the sur- face as possible, to mix with the soil. Of course, the drains in that case must be filled with soil, or they may be levelled with the surface by a spade being used to dig down the sides left standing above the paring of clay next the pipes. After the drains are completed, and the discharging outfalls each finished with a built stone mouth, further operations will re- quire to be gone into without delay. If the drainage has been completed by midsummer, it is of the great- est advantage that the soil should be turned up before the best of the weather is over for the season. Some have recommended paring and burning on all rough land, it is only in some cases that this system can be undertaken with advantage. Whether trenching or ploughing is to be the mode of cultivation now adopt- ed must depend on several circumstances. If the surface is very uneven, and cannot be levelled by deep ploughing, and if workmen are numerous in the district, and wages not very high, then trenching is to be preferred to ploughing. But if the reverse is the case, and there is sufl5cient horse-power at com- mand, then ploughing must be had recourse to. There is no doubt that trenching affords the most direct and ready means for getting the land brought speedily into a profitable state, and in many instances 1; ; ill M '1 3 ih K lin M THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. [Pkbritart 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. n it will be found to pay better than mere ordinary ploughing, which, however, is not nearly so good as trench-ploughing. Mode of trenching. — If trenching has been resolved upon, the best course to adopt is to plough the land first with a very ebb furrow — so ebb and narrow, in- deed, as merely to be laid completely over on its back. For this purpose it is necessary to have the wing ("feather") of the ploughshare ("sock") pretty broad, sharp on the edges, and perfectly flat. Before over the surface growth, that it may be conveniently buried. On the ploughing being performed up and down the ridges, the trenching should be commenced across, from furrow to furrow. Should the land be in ridges, each workman takes the whole breadth of a ridge before him ; or in absence of furrows, the ground can be laid off in breaks for the purpose, and, cutting out a trench transversely to the plough fur- rows about 2 feet wide and 14 inches deep, he com- mences work. He then sets his line so as to take in 2 feet of new ground the entire breadth of the ridge ; and having cut through the plough furrows crosswise, he lifts with his hands the pieces cut off, and lays them closely together with the heather side uppermost in the bottom of the trench previously formed. A spading as deep as can be drawn is next dug out from the new trench, and put on the top of the turf placed indhe bottom of the previous trench. After this the bottom of the trench is shovelled out, and the mould thrown on the surface of the wrought ground, to level it and fill up the interstices. The depth of the trenching must depend on the nature of the soil and subsoil, but in most cases 44 or 15 inches, measuring the solid depth, will be suflBcient. If the natural in- equalities of surface are great, they should be helped by shifting the clay in the bottom of the trench from the higher to the lower parts, rather than by burying a large quantity of soil to secure a fair surface-level. After the trenching has been completed, there are various ways in which the land may be put under crop. If suitable for raising wheat, the surface might be well wrought and sown with this crop in the autumn of the year in which the trenching has been performed. In most cases, however, land originally of so little value is ill adapted for the growth of wheat, and hence, in general, it is better to follow a course of cropping, better suited to its condition than this could possibly be. One great advantage of trenching is, the facilities it affords for putting the land at once under a green crop ; and assuming that this opportu- nity is to be embriiced, the system on which the land may be managed will be stated in order. If the trenching has been completed before the approach of winter, it will be all the better for the soil. The more it is exposed, :erst to drought and then to frost, the easier will it be to work afterwards ; and consid- ering that in most csises a good deal of clay will have been brought to the surface, it wiU be obvious that Atmosj)heric action fs indispensable in reducing the tenacity of the new soil. During winter nothing can be done to the ground previously trenched, but ma- nure-heaps may be prepared ; and on dry spring weather having fully set in, the grubber should be put in motion with the view of preparing for a crop of turnips. Only one light ploughing will be neces- sary, and that more for the purpose of thoroughly mixing the new soil than for increasing the amount of available mould. On such ground it is often practi- cable to get the turnips sown at a very early period of the year, »ud hetice the crop is of much value in many instances from being available for autumn house- feeding of stock. With comparatively little spring culture, the land may be drilled and sown with globe and yellow turnip-seed. The application of manures need not be very heavy — say, even on very poor land, from 16 to 20 tons of farmyard dung ; and of auxili- aries, 2i cwt. of Peruvian guano, and li bushels of dissolved bones per acre. Care should be taken to prevent the drills being made too high, as in that event the roots of the plants fail to reach the decaying turf as soon as they ought to do. In most cases the turf may be made to act as an excellent manure to a turnip crop ; but with oats instead of turnips the case is different, as the roots are scarcely able to go down through an 8 inch bed of poor soil to reach the turfc On the turnip crop being all removed from the land, except the tops, which must be scattered over the surface, the plough should be set in motion to prepare for the oat crop of the second year. The furrow ought to be of sufficient depth to Hft all the soil oflf the turf, but not to disturb it. With the oats sown in the following spring 2 to 3 cwt. of guano should be applied, or li cwt. of guano and 80 or 90 lb. of nitrate of soda will give a good crop. As soon after the oats have been reaped as possible, a large fallow- plough, drawn by three strong horses yoked abreast, should be set in motion, and a furrow must be given sufficiently deep to go to the bottom of the trenches formed two years previously. From the subsidence a depth of 12 inches will accomplish this, and the rotted turf now brought to the surface, and laid with the heathery side down, will be well prepared in the fol- lowing spring for being torn to pieces and mixed with the soil. The crop of the third year may be potatoes, carrots, cabbages, or mangold- wurzel. Preparatory to the seed sowing, the grubbers, brakes, and har- rows will have some work to tear the turf to pieces, but this may easily be accomplished if attempted only when the ground is dry. Another light application of farmyard manures may be given along with a hundred weight or two of guano and bone-dust ; and with proper care in the culture, superior crops may be relied on, unless the soil is very inferior. If the soil be of such a nature as to justify the use of lime, it may be applied in a powdery state at the rate of about 8 tons per acre. With green crops, say man- gold or turnips, it can be given just after they are thinned, and before they are hoed. Should the lime be applied at an earlier period of the rotation, it would be likely to be altogether buried ; but if given now, it will be brought into direct contact with the reduced turf, and greatly improve the pasturage in following years. To prepare for the fourth crop of the rotation— which, with the view of leaving some- thing to balance against the heavy outlay incurred, may be wheat, if the soil and climate are suitable, and oats if not— an ordinary furrow, such as is usually given in the ploughing up of potato land, will be sufficient. With the white crop, the land should be sown out to o^rass^ and such a mixture of natural and artificial grasses will require to be given as the nature of the soil and climate may render necessary to insure a close and nutritious herbage. The crop of oats will, on ordinary soils, be a very heavy and valuable one, and help considerably to reduce the improving outlay. It will rarely be judicious on such land to take a hay crop. The apparent profit which the hay will give, may seem to imply that this opinion is unsound ; but when it is remembered that the hay crop is obtained at the expense of the soirs fertility, and that the pas- ture and after crops must be injured in consequence, it will appear prudent to dispense with a cutting of hay. With such a course of cropping as has just been suggested, the land on which the reclaiming operations have been set afoot, will soon be brought into a high state of fertility, and being laid down to grass without that which has been put into the soil being hastily taken out again, the pasture is likely to be of superior quality, if judicious care has been taken in the selection of proper seeds. Plough culture. — The next department of the sub- ject to come under consideration is, the reclaiming of land which happens to be tolerably free from stones, by ploughing in contrast to tremching. Upon such land, the following is the course of cropping, which can be followed with the greatest likelihood of suc- cess. If the ground is covered with vegetation too rank to be buried under a strong plough-furrow, it should be cut down with a stout garden-scythe. The ploughing operations should begin in early winter — indeed, as soon after harvest as practicable ; and in most cases the furrows ought to run up and down the ridges, or, in absence of ridges, in the direction of the greatest natural fall. It is needless to think of ploughing rough land effectually without a plough made specially for the purpose, large and strong m every part, having abundance of coulter " redd," and great width and power in the wrest. Such a plough must be drawn by three powerful horses abreast, yoked either with equalising iron trees, or with a wooden tree having a short and long end, along with the ordinary swingle- trees. The latter mode of yoking is simpler than the other, and in many cases is even preferable. For a short time strange horses do not work well together yoked abreast ; but if they are equally matched, and not too harshly used, they soon get accustomed to this kind of yoke ; and while much stronger and steadier than two horses behind and one before, they rarely require a driver in addition to the ploughman. Assuming that the plough and its fit- tings are all ready at the close of harvest, the work should be started without delay. Beginning at the furrow, the ridges or breaks should be split out with a furrow at least 10 inches or a foot broad, and from 8 to 10 inches deep. The more completely the furrow is laid flat on its back the better ; and with a good plougman and plenty of horse strength, the work is easily done. Of course, the " feather" of the " sock" should be flat and broad, and there ought to be no ** cut " on the plough irons^ In t^rminftting the break, the "hinting" furrow is better not to be " ripped." It is preferable to go over these furrows after the completion of the field with a plough with- out the wrest, or a good drill-grubber, so as to loosen up the soil, and thus secure a crop in the furrow as well as on the rest of the ridge. Some have argued that, in ploughing rough ground, it is better to give a shallow furrow, and thereby keep the decaying sward near the roots of the wheat crop. I have seen both systems of ploughing tried very extensively ; and in one case, two fields, tenanted by different par- ties, were ploughed at the same time on the contrasted principles. There was very little difference of the land, and the crop was sown in the one case with the same advantage as in the other. At harvest the deeply-ploughed ground had a heavy excellent crop, while the other field of oats was so poor as to be scarcely worth the reaping. There is. so much danger of the crop being injured by drought when rough land has been ploughed with a shallow furrow, and withal so little mould to cover the seed, that it cer- tainly is not a system to be advised in such cases. On the other hand, when a deep furrow has been given, there is abundance of loose soil to cover the seed, and the drought has very little effect on the crop. Another and very important advantage obtained by deep ploughing is the facility it affords for allowing the turf to lie untouched with sufficient workable soil above it, till it is well rotted, and ready for being mixed with it. In the seed-time following the first ploughing, as early as the weather will permit, a crop of oats, with from 2 to 3 cwt. of guano, or some ni- trate of soda as a substitute, should be sown. As the soil will be well frosted, there will be no difficulty experienced in covering the seed ; and it may even be necessary to prevent a too deep covering by giving a single " tine " of harrowing before committing the seed to the ground. The first crop on soils of ordi- nary quality is likely to be tolerably good, though inferior to the second one. To give the turf time to decompose, it is usually advisable to take a second oat crop ; and in ploughing the land for it, a shallow fur- row is best. By ploughing only a few inches deep, and, as it were, splitting the deep furrow of the pre- vious year, the tough sward remains buried, and yet sufficient new soil is brought up to raise an excellent crop, if guano is applied as with the first crop. In almost every case the second oat crop is the best oq this class of land ; and any little drawback which 52 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. [Pebruart may be entailed by two white crops being grown in succession, is far more than compensated for by the facilities which the practice affords to thoroughly rot the untouched sward. The third year the land should be under green crop — either potatoes or turnips — and to prepare it properly a very deep cross-ploughing will require to be given as soon after harvest as possi- ble. In most cases it will be quite easy not only to turn up the old surface-furrow, but to lay an inch or two of fresh earth or clay on the top of it. By the dPAM fiirrnwo Kpinor nto/lp in T«nr» tkf*f/\aa iha rlfairta fKp action of the latter is greatly improved, this system of ploughing, in absence of more expensive subsoiling, being an excellent substitute for it. The following spring will bring round the operations of grubbing and fallow-pulverising, and tke green crop may be got early in with a good dressing of farmyard and other manures. It is often a mistake to give a stinted application of cowyard and stable manures to poor new land. In most cases 30 tons an acre pays better than 20, and I have seen instances in which 40 tons had a very excellent and profitable effect With 20 to 30 tons, however, and a liberal supply of portable manures, very fine crops may be grown. As a neces- sary consequence, the decomposed rough sward acts in a very effective manner as a manure, and greatly increases the soil's productiveness. Lime should now be applied in a similar manner to that already recom- mended, where trenching is supposed to be adopted instead of ploughing. Of the mode of working the green crop, it is unnecessary to say any thing, the common rules being applicable in such a case with but very little variation. After roots comes a crop of oats, sown with guano as before, and the land is then laid down to pasture with a mixture of artificial and natural grasses. Effects of climates on improvements,— It will be ob- vious that the profitableness of agricultural improve- ments must depend, to a very considerable extent, on chmatic influences. There are farms which, though situated at a very high altitude, are yet, from being surrounded at no great distance by warm cultivated plains, and partly from being under the influence of sea-breezes, earlier, and have a much better climate, than ground of the same height lying farther inland! and more in contact with vapors of cold undrained tracts. Whatever the cause may be, proprietors may rest assured, that if the climate is so bad that grain, even on dry sheltered spots, very rarely ripens in any year, it will be a mistake to reclaim by culture any great extent of their waste ground. Draining and good cultivation improve a climate, but they can never make one. But waste land ckn be greatly improved without being cultivated. By putting in either catchwork surface drains, or, in conjunction with these, here and there, in spouty places, a deep cover- ed dram, the pasturage may be very much benefitted. Where the soil does not naturally contain lime, a coating of this mineral on the surface, applied as caustic as possible, wiU sweeten the pasture and in- crease the value of the ground. Even on rough land that may subsequently be broken up, a liberal dres- sing of unslacked lime does a great amount of good, both to the pasturage, and to the crops grown after it has been ploughed. The use of lime. — A few short general rules on the subject of lime application may here be stated. Isty Lime is a decomposing, and therefore a scourg- ing agent. In soils containing inert vegetable matter it acts very effectively> by decomposing and rendering vuv&jLA x^^ix/iuhxiio f uui> 111 ittiiVA n 1111^11 iino i^JU^ utscu under the plough, and consequently containing little vegetable matter, it is a scourge of the worst kind, unless accompanied with farmyard or other manures. 2dy Lime, to do the greatest amount of good of which it is capable, should be applied to waste land in a dry state, and be brought into contact with the vegetable matter which may be present in the soil. For this purpose it is always used with the greatest advantage on pulverised ground which happens to be tolerably dry at the time of its application. And, 3(/, Lime used in well-managed composts will gen- erally go a greater effective length than when applied in any other manner ; and as an agent for converting dried peat into a valuable manure, it cannot be equalled by any other decomposing agent. The general conclusion deducible from these rules is, that in all rough unremunerative land, lime is a most important and indispensable application in suc- cessfully improving them. Paring and burning,^Th\s system of improving land has now very justly fallen out of repute ; still there are individuals who continue to recommend it, and some farmers are so wasteful as to adopt a some- what similar practice in destroying the rack gathered from their fallow fields. The theory of paring and burning is very easily explained. By the turf being burned an ash is pro- duced very similar to wood ashes ; and as some of the earthy matter becomes calcined, the effect of the burning on the soil is both chemical and mechanical. But it exhausts the land ; and though two or three very good crops may follow the practice, ultimately it does more to injure the ground than is generally supposed. ConsideHng the large amount of carbon sent into the atmosphere in the form of smoke during the burning operations, the loss the farmer sustains must be immense. It is a quick way of improving, but a very injudicious one, and should rarely be adopt- ed. It has been tried with the view of destroying wire and grub worms ; but it is an expensive cure, if it can be depended on as one, and it cannot be so ex- cept for little more than a single year. Lining the sward, and allowing it to lie for a few years till a sweet pasture is produced, is better calculated as a permanent means of destroying these pests. It is rarely the case, however, that land, ploughed as deeply as turfy ground ought to be when first broken up, is troubled with wire or grub worm, and hence paring and burning are of no use for this 'pur- pose on land such as these pages refer to. 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. 63 FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PENNSYLVANU STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. Harrisburg, Tuesday, Jan. 15th, 1856. The members of the Pennsylvania State Agricultu- ral Society met this day in the Hall of the House of Representatives, and the President of the Society, James Gowen, not being present, on motion of Thos. P. Knox, the lion. George W. Woodward was elected Chairman. ritifoo f\f iVtp loaf mooiinrt tsrfifQ TtHkA mr%A :he approved. The Hon. A. 0. Hiester, Chairman of the Commit- tee on Field Crops, made the following report, which was adopted. The Committee on Field Crops report, that there is but one applicant for premium, and that he had con- formed in every particular with the requirements of the Society. To Mr. Joseph McGu!re, of Cumberland county, who produced, as per accompanying state- ments (affidavits duly attested), ninety bushels of shelled corn of the yellow Oregon variety to the acre, the Committee award a premium of twenty dollars. A. O. HiESTER, J. S. Haldeman, John Strohm. Mode op Cultivation. — The field was clover and timothy sod one year old, was plowed in the month of December from eight to ten inches deep, was har- rowed once during the early part of April, and sub- sequently cultivated with a heavy two horse cultiva- tor. About the first of May, the ground was struck out into squares three feet three inches apart, shallow — from three to four grains were dropped by hand, and covered with hand hoe. The corn was planted as soon as all appeared above ground ; cultivated once with five-tooth cultivator, twice with shovel plow, and last with double mould board plow one way. Joseph McGuirb. George II. Bucher, Treasurer of the Society, then made his report, which having been audited and ap- proved by the Executive Committee, needed no action thereon. The Secretary of the Society made the following report, which was adopted : To the Members of the Pennsylvania State Agricul- tural Society : — The meetings of the Executive Com- mittee during the year just passed, have been charac- terized with their usual amount of labor and attention to those duties of the Society which are necessary and Important to its management. There appears to have been an earnest desire on the part of each mem- ber to do all he could individually in his district and in committee towards facilitating the objects of the association. At their meeting on the 17th of April, 1855, a Committee was appointed to fix the place for the an- nual exhibition, and instructed to locate it at Harris- burg upon certain specified conditions. Whereupon, the notice of the Chairman of said Committee that the conditions had been complied with, it was decided to hold the fifth annual exhibition at Harrisburg, at the time previously agreed upon, namely, the 25th, 26th, 27th and 28th days of September last. Accordingly a ** Committee of Arrangements,'' consisting of gen- tlemen residents of Harrisburg and vicinity, in con- nection with the Secretary of the Society, was ap- pointed to make preparations for the Fair. Impressed with the increasing strength and growth of the Society, which had been steady and rapid since years as to the extent of preparations that would be necessary to accommodate the exhibitors and visitors to an exhibition that was confidently expected to be like its predecessors, still larger than the last : and with the goodly prouMse of the growing crops and abundant harvests, whose comparative yield to the products of the dry season of the year before, which might then have been set down at an increase of one hundred per cent., and, with that spirit of liberality, which a great association like the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society demanded should be shown, *s well for the dignity and honor of the Society itself as to liberally conduce to the convenience and advantage of the exhibitor and visitor, the Committee went to work, and after more than two months of anxious, industrious labor, they completed the preparations for the fifth annual fair. The grounds enclosed embraced something less than twenty-five acres, and were fitted up with all the conveniences necessary upon such occasions, the whole being appropriately furnished with large buildings, tents, cattle and horse stalls, with sheds for sheep, swine and poultry, together with a large and elegant track for the trial of horses, and steam power for the driving of machinery, &c. The grounds were abundantly supplied with a stream of running water, brought within the enclosure by means of iron pipe from a fresh and never- failing spring. In a word, the Committee did their utmost to add to the exhibition that necessary requisite — a well got up fair ground. The exhibition in some de- partments was better than any preceding one — in others not so good ; but as it were, the interests of agriculture were subserved to an extent not attainable by an ordinary means. The visitors and exhibitors who composed the greater portion of those who were assembled upon this occasion, were of the practical farmers of the interior, and if their representation was not in sufficient numbers to put money in the treasury of the Society, they gave that attention to the evidences of improved agricultural husbandry, which will be of more real benefit to the cause than if the Society's coffers had been tilled by the admission fees of the thousands of mere sight seers, who consti- tute so great a proportion of those who generally at- tend exhibitions near large cities. It is, therefore, a just cause of congratulation to those who had in charge the management of the fair, that the deficiency of funds is not attributable to any fault of the Society, but to the want of attendance on the part of the people. JBtW 54 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [February 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 55 The premium list for the late exhibition had been amended in many particulars, and larger premiums and more of them oflTered than at any former fair, thus showing a regular increase in these inducements to exhibitors. Some hundred and forty silver and bronze medals were awarded, together with a large amount of silver plate, they being considered of more value and interest to exhibitors generally than would be a similar amount in money. A new and interest- by the Executive Committee, that of having a winter exhibition of fat cattle, dressed meats and poultry, and accordingly offered a very liberal list of premiums, and decided to hold the exhibition on the third Tues- day of January, the day of our annual meeting. The time has since been postponed until the third Tues- day of March, with a view of avoiding cold weather, and to afford exhibitors a longer period to stall feed their cattle. The annual address was delivered upon the grounds by the Hon. Frederick Watts, late President of the Society. During the evenings of the fair in the Hall of the House of Representatives, by invitation of the Society, addresses were delivered by James Gowen, President of the Society, Peter A. Browne, Esq., and Professor Haldeman. The second volume of Transactions of the Society has been published under the superintendence of the Secretary by order of the Legislature, which author- ized the printing of two thousand copies. It is a work of near four hundred pages, and embraces a great deal of useful information, and completes an- other link in the history of the State and County Societies. The life members of the Society have been increased within the year more than one hundred per cent., and now number one hundred and seventy-six, while the annual members exceed two thousand. The County Agricultural Societies over the State have been notified to make report of their proceedings during the year, in accordance with the Act of Assembly, and although there is one in almost every county, not more than half that number have been reported in time to be embraced in the second volume of transactions. On the 17th of July last, the Executive Committee appropriated ten thousand dollars to the establishment of the Farmers' High School. It has been communi- cated to this Society, that the Trustees of said Insti- tution have accepted the land in Centre county pro- posed to be donated by General Irvin, and have appointed a building committee, who have agreed upon a plan for buildings and barns, and have ap- pointed a gentlemen of Centre county, William G. Waring, Esq., of distinguished abilities in his calling, to superintend the Horticultural department of the School, and to lay out the farm, plant trees, &o. With the ten thousand dollars appropriated by this Society, and the ten thousand dollars subscribed and guaranteed by the citizens of Centre county, and the -•••- WATER IN BABN-TABDS. Such is the solvent power of water, that if admitted in large quantities into barn-yards, it will dissolve into the earth, or into streams and ponds, a large share of fertilizing salts of manure. The manure of stalls should if possible be housed. It should be kept moist with the urine of animals, and sufficient litter should be used to absorb the whole of this, unless it be preserved in a tank to be used as liquid manure, the policy of which is perhaps doubtful in this coun- ti;y, where labor is high, though it may be well in Europe, where labor is plenty. The true proceeding for barn-yard manure is to keep it as far as possible moist, but not to suffer it to be drenched. If dry and hot, it gives its nutritious gasses to the winds ; if drenched, it loses its most fertilizing salts ; when neither scorched nor drenched, it is decomposed more gradually, and it retains in itself a larger portion of its enriching properties. —TAc Farmer (Amherst^ Mass), five thousand dollars bequeathed by the late Elliott Cresson, of Philadelphia, the Trustees will be enabled to begin the work with the sura of twenty-five thou- sand dollars. Which is respectfully submitted, Robert 0. Walker, Secretary. The election of officers for the ensuing year being next in order, A. M. Spangler and Robert M. Carlisle were appointed tellers, and on motion of George H. half past four P. M. After which time the tellers reported that they had duly recorded and counted the votes, and that the following persons were duly elected : President — James Gowen. Vice Presidents — 1. Isaac B. Baxter; 2. A. T Newbold ; 3. Charles K. Engle ; 4. James Ma gee ; 5 Thomas P. Knox ; 6. Abraham R. M'llvaine ; 7. Adrian Cornell ; 8. Geo. M. Keim ; 9. John Strohm ; 10. John P.Rutherford; 11. Amos Kapp ; 12. Geo. W. Woodward ; 13. Augustus Lukenbaugh ; 14- William Jessup ; 15. H. N. M'Allister ; 16. Jacob S. 1 Haldeman: 17. William Heyser; 18. John S. Isett; • 19. John M'Farland ; 20. John H. Ewing ; 21. John Murdock, Jr. ; 22. William Martin, Sr. ; 23. William Waugh ; 24. William Bigler ; 25. James Miles. Additional Members op tbb Executive Commit- tee—Frederick Watts, John Evans, A. 0. Hiester, Isaac G. M'Kinley, Simon Cameron. Corresponding Secretary — A. Boyd Hamilton. Chemist and Geologist— S. S. Haldeman. Librarian— Henry Gilbert. On motion of Thomas P. Knox, it was resolved, that the thanks of the Society be tendered to George W. Woodward for his able and courteous manner in discharging the duties of Chairman of this meeting. On motion, the Society adjourned. RoBT. C. Walker, Secy. WEBEB'8 PATENT FABM GATES. Fio. 1 of the accompanying engraving is a perspec- tive view, and fig' 2 is a plan view of a method of operating gates for farms, for which a patent was recently granted to John K. Weber, of Senecca Falls, N. Y. The nature of the invention consists in the peculiar mode of opening and closing gates, which are so hung as to be opened and shut both ways, and a person riding in a vehicle or on horseback can, without dismounting open the gate, and close it after he has passed through. The gate A, is hung upon pivot or swivel hinges, so as to swing freely both ways, and is fastened by the spring bolt B . On ei ther side of the gate there is a set of levers and cords so arranged and connected with the gate and spring bolt as to open the gate in a direction from and in front of the person passing through. The two sets are aUke in arrangement and operation, and a description of one will answer for both. The lever a\ is worked by the hand lever, a, as shown in fig. 1. The oord, a2, is attached by one end to the top of the lever a\ and by the other end at c, fig. 2, to the semi- cylindrical segment, d, which is firmly fixed to the gate. The cord a3, is attached by one end to the lower part of lever a\ and after passing over guide pulley e, fig. 2, and around the periphery of the seg- ment, is attached by its other end to the segment at c\ fig. 2- It will now be seen that if the lever a is pushed forward by a person riding in the direction of the arrow, the upper end of a, is carried forward, and its lower end backward, and that the action of the cord, a3, will be to open the gate in the direction of the arrow, and that the reverse motion of the lever, a, would shut the gate by means of the cord, a2. The cords, 62 63, from the upper and lower ends of lever h\ are arranged and operate similarly to cords, a2 a3, except that they operate to open and shut the gate in a different direction. The cords, aZ 63, pass through a loop to keep them in place on the pulleys e e\ It will be readily seen that a gate of this description must be fastened when closed, or it could be opened Fy.S I ^1 > ? !i m m i §6 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROaRBSSIVE FARMER. [February 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 57 by the wind or by cattle in either direction, and in order to fasten the gate and control the fastening by means of the levers, a and 6, the cords, a3 and bZ, pass through a loop on one end of the spring bolt, B, and as these cords alternately slacken and are drawn tight by the alternating motions of the levers, the spring bolt will be withdrawn and allowed to return to its place. The gate is shown with a fence on one side ; and it will be understood that when it is opened as described, by a person advancing in the direction of the arrow and putting up the lever, that it remains open until he passes through and closes it in the same way on the other side. The claim is for the arrangement of the levers, a a\ b b\ cords a2 a3, 62 63, in combination with the spring bolt, B, for opening and closing the gates both ways, in the manner set forth* -^Scientific American, UNITED STATES AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. The fourth annual meeting of the United States Agricultural Society was held in Washington, D. C, commencing Wednesday, January 9th, in the rooms of the Smithsonian Institute. The attendance was respectable, but not as large as it would have been had the weather been less severe, and the travelling facilities been unimpeded. Hon. Marshall P. Wil- der, the President, took the chair, and delivered the annual address. The Treasurer's report showed a balance in hand of upwards of $4000. The invitation extended to the Society from the city of Philadelphia to hold its next annual exhibition in that place was accepted. The President read a series of resolutions adopted by the Legislature of Illinois, asking Congress to do- nate to each State an amount of land, of not less than $500,000 in value, for the establishment of Industrial Universities. The subject was referred to a Commit- tee, consisting of Prof. Henry, of the Smithsonian, Mr. De Bow, of the Census Bureau, and Mr. L. H. Byngton, of Conn. In the selection of officers for the ensuing year, Hon. M. P. Wilder was unanimously elected Presi- dent, with one Vice-President from each State and Territory. The following gentlemen were appointed as Executive Committee ; John A. King, of New York ; A. L. Elwyn, of Pennsylvania ; D. J. Browne, of the District of Columbia : John Jones, of Delaware ; N. W. Dean, of Wisconsin ; Richard P. Waters, of Massachusetts ; W. S. King, Secretary, and B. B. French, Treasurer. At the meeting on Thursday, several objects were discussed, and the Executive Committee was author- ized to take such steps for the domestication of Rocky Mountain sheep as might be deemed expedient. A resolution providing for the importation of seed wheat was adopted. It was also resolved to memorialize Congress in behalf of the establishment of a system of metereological observations for agricultural purposes, according to the plan developed by Lieut. Maury. On Friday, an important paper on ** Power and Vi- tality" was read by Prof. Henry, of the Smithsonian. Prof. H., in the course of this communication, touch- ed upon the subject of the potato rot. He gave as his reason of the " rot," that the plant had deteriorated, or passed to a state capable of developing a higher order of being. He noticed the ideas advanced by some that as fungii had been found during the pro- gress of the ** rot," that fungii was the cause of the sidered them as the cause of the failure of the potato to mature ; but the fungii and the insects, said the professor, are the eftects and not the cause, and it yet remains for science to discover a means to prevent the farther decay of the potato. He noticed the properties of light and their effect upon vegetation, and urged upon the farmer the importance of studying the subject thoroughly, and acting upon the suggestions developed by thought. Experiments, he said, were questions put to nature ; but it was only by close cross^ques- tioning that the most satisfactory answers could be obtained. Several other papers of interest were read, and the Society, after listening to an address by G. W. P. Custis, adjourned sine die. '<••> MEECER COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. Messrs. Editors of the Farm Journal, the following is a list of the names of the officers of the Mercer County Agricultural Society for the present year : President— William Miller (of Cool spring".) Vice Predidents— William Maxwell, Mercer; James Denniston, E. Lackawannock ; E. W. Wood. Clarksville: James McEwen, Coolspring ; Thomas McCleary, Jr., Delaware: Samuel McFarland, Fair- view; Mark Graham, Findley ; Levi F. Jackson, Frenchcreek; William Campbell, Greene; William Achre, Greenville ; J. W. Ormsby, Hickory ; A. J. Zahniser, Jackson ; T. G. Moerts, Jamestown ; Robert Kile, Jefferson : Alexander Thompson, W. Lackawan- nock : James R. McCormick, Lake. Recordixg Secretart— J. W. Robinson, Mercer. Corresponding Secretary— R. W. Watson, East Lackawannock. Treasurer— William L. Fleming, Mercer. Librarian— James M. Braden; Mercer. Auditors— James A. Nelson, Springfield ; Lewis Weaver, Mercer ; Samuel Henderson, Mercer : Edward Denniston, Liberty; James A. Leech, Mill Creek; Benjamin Robinson, Perry ; Daniel Uber, Pine ; John Lightner, Pymatuning ; Thomas Leech, Salem ; Albert G. Brown, Sandy Lake ; Elliott Byers, Sandy Creek ; Dr. John M. Irvine, Sharon ; A. T. Eberhart, She- nango ; Miles Joy, West Salem ; Charles Cox, Wil- mington; Robert Patterson, Wolf Creek; Calvin Mathews, Worth. Receipts for the year 1865, $837,28 ; expenditures, $802,40. Yours respectfully, James A. Nelson-. 'mP^'"' AOEICITLTUKAL STATISTICS OF THE UNITED STATES. The following paper on the agricultural statistics of the United States, as shown by the returns of the last census, has been presented to the American Geo- graphical and Statistical Society of New York, by Geo. E. Waring, Jr. Esq. as the best connected and condensed exhibit of the agricultural resources and products of the United States, which has ever been published, we think it will prove to our readers most interesting for the present reading, and most valuable for future reference. " In gleaning from the Census its agricultural fea- tures, one has cause to regret the want of accuracy and completeness with which it is characterized. This deficiency is more evident in matters appertaining to agriculture than in other branches of industry. Many causes conspire to render this, under our present ma- nagement, almost inevitable. Farmers lack system and order in the control of their aft'airs, and but few of them can tell the exact number of acres planted with any particular crop. Neither do they know the precise amount of that crop when harvested, nor of the seed required for its pro- duction. The same is true with regard to nearly every branch of farm economy. The results obtained by the Marshal must be the opinion of the farmer, rather than his certain convic- tion, based on the undeniable evidence of weights and measures, and hence we may find many who over- estimate the productions of their farms or the value of their stock ; while others, from excess of prudence, fail to attain a standard sufficiently high. Another difficulty arises in the fact that the persons employed in collecting statistics frequently lack the energy and faithfulness necessary to the proper discharge of their duties ; and, indeed, in many instances, their remu- neration is not sufficient to insure the greatest thor- oughness. For instance, the cost of collecting the statistics of Indiana in the year 1853, was but $4,000, being but about 2^c. for each dwelling, or less than Ic. for each ten acres of improved land within the State, and but a small part of the schedule refers to agriculture. Supposing the census returns to be sufficiently ac- curate for practical purposes, we find them to contain much that is interesting and instructive. relative importance op aqriculturb. The first fact which attracts the attention of the re- viewer of the census, is the importance of agriculture as compared with other industrial arts. 1. The amount of capital actually invested in agricul- ture, according to the census of 1850, was as follows: Cash value of Farms $3,271,575,426 Cash value of Live Stock 544,180,516 Cash value of Implements 151,587,638 Total $3,966,986,375 The census gives no estimate of the manures. The amount of capital invested in manufactures, mining, the mechanic arts and fisheries, was 527,299,- 193, or less than one-seventh of that employed in agri- culture. The amount of the commerce, trade, &c., of the United States, during the same year, is estimated at 1,500,000,000, or about one-^Air^f more than the value of the agricultural products. This estimate, however, is of doubtful accuracy. 2. The number of free males over 15 years of age employed in agricultural labor in 1850, was 2,400,583, or nearly as many in all other occupations. The rural population of the country is estimated at 17,393,907, or three-fourths of the whole, living al- most without exception by the direct productiveness of the land. The town and village population is estimated at 5,797,969. At the same time three-fourths of the commerce and trade consist in exchanges of agricultural products ; consequently three-fourths of those employed in these branches of industry are directly dependent on agri- culture for their earnings. Mr. De Bow, (Superintendent of the Census) esti- mates the capital now represented by agriculture in the United States at five billion dollars, and that re- presented by all other branches of industry at less than one billion — giving to agriculture more than five- sixths of the whole. In making the foregoing estimate, the writer has entirely suppressed his own opinions, and has relied only on the returns of the census, feeling at the same time that these returns often err, and that the errors are not in favor of agriculture. Let us now examine the items of our statistics. FIRST — LAND AND FARMS. The supposed area of the territory of the United Acres. States in 1850, was 1,466,455,680 The area in use, was 293,560,614 Of this amount, there were of improved land.. 116,032,614 Unimproved 180,528,000 The proportion of land in use was as follows ; Improved, per cent 7.71 Unimproved, percent 11.31 The proportion of land in use, is greatest in the Middle States. The occupied land is divided into 1,449,075 farms and plantations. The average size of farms is, acres 203 The average value of farms is $2,258 The average value of occupied land per acre, in various localities, is as followjj : In New England.. $20 27 In the Middle States 28 07 In the Southern States 5 34 In the South-Western States 6 26 In the North-Western States 11 3' In California and the organized Territories 6 26 In Texas 1 89 In the whole country 11 14 The proportion of improved land to the whole area in these various localities is as follows : In New England 27,79 per cent. In the Middle States 35,72 per cent. i lit THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Februart In the Southern States 16,07 per cent. In the South-Western States lo 17 per cent. In the North -Western States 12 90 per cent. In California and the organized Territories... 06 per cent. The average size of farms in the same districts is as follows : In New England 109.55 acres. In the Middle States 121.O8 acres. In the Southern States 399.00 acres. In the South-Western States 273.57 acres. In the North- Western States 155.41 acres. -.a v^ahfornia and the ofgabi^ed Territories 6»3.23 acres. I'^T^^^s 942.47 acres. Of the improved land in the United States, there are: In Pasture... 20,000,000 acres. | In Hay.... 13,000,000 acres.* SECOND — LIVE STOCK. The value of the Live Stock owned in the United States, in 1850, was estimated at $544,180,516 The number of animals was as follows : Neat Cattle 18,378,907 I Sheep 21 723 220 go'-ses 4,336,719 Swine .*.*;;.* 30;254!213 Mules and Asses.. 559,331 | The value of our Poultry was estimated by Dr. ^®^°^*at $20,000,000 There is in the States a large number of Goats and other animals not enumerated in the census. Neat Cattle— The first importation of Neat Cattle into the country, was made by Columbus, in 1493. CatUe were brought to Virginia before 1607. The first importation into Massachusetts was in 1624. ^ The Neat Cattle enumerated in the census were di- vided as follows : 51"t^T ^'385,094 Working Oxen j^^^^^^^^ Calves, Steers, Fat Cattle, Ac 10 293 069 New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Vir- ginia had each over one million head of cattle. Since 1840, New York and Pennsylvania have slightly decreased in their number of cattle, while the other States named have increased. The total increase in the ten years was 3,407 321 head. ' * In the fiscal year 1850-1, there were but 1,350 head of cattle exported, being a less number than at any time since 1827-8, and the exports of 1852-3, were still less. It is estimated (see Pat. Office Rep., 1854, part 2, p. 4) that there are now in the country about 20,000 000 head of cattle, which, at $20 per head, would be worth $400,000,000. It is the opinion of the writer after an examination of the census returns for various periods, that this estimate, as regards both increase and valuation is too large. Horses-BoTses were first brought into the United Mori" TW '^ "^''"^ '^ ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^d in Florida. This importation was soon lost. De Soto landed horses in Florida in 1539, and they were sub- sequently imported to various parts of the continent. Columbus brought horses to San Domingo in 1493. * This statement is derived from computation and esfimof «* and not from returns by the Marshals.^ uZXerlZti M only an approximation to the truth. regarded Supposing the horses returned in the last census to be worth $60 each, their total valuation would be $260,203,140. In the fiscal year 1836-7 there were exported 5,022 horses, being the largest number in any one year. In 1850-1 there were exported but 1,364 horses. The increase of horses from 1840 to 1850 was probably about 500,000. Mules and ^sses— Previous to the year 1783 there were but four mules in the country. These had been brought from the West Indl^. Sonn a^^'^- ^>»«^ ♦: Gen. Washington became convinced of their value, and made known his views on the subject. He re- ceived as presents from the King of Spain and from Gen. La Fayette a few jacks and jennies, and became a successful rearer of mules. Some of his stock were very fine, and at the sale of his eflects a team of four sold for $800. The number of mules returned for 1850 was 559,331, of which number 500,000 were probably mules worth $100 each, or 50,000.000. The value of jacks varies from $25 to 2,500 each. 5'Acep— Sheep were imported into Virginia in 1609, by the *' London Company. " Their exportation being prohibited, their number had increased in 1648 to 3,000 There is some uncertainty concerning the importa- tion of the improved breeds of sheep, and there are no means of ascertaining the number of our Merinoes, Saxons, Leicesters, Cottswolds and other pure breeds! They are disseminated through all parts of the Union. The number of sheep exported in 1850 was 4,357, valued at $18,895, or $4 35 each. The number of sheep in the country in 1850, exclusive of lambs, was 21,723,220, worth about $45,000,000. Swine— The hog seems to have been introduced into the present territory of the United States about as follows : Into Florida in 1538, by Ferdinand De Soto. Into Virginia in 1609, by the London Company. Into Massachusetts Bay in 1605. Into New York 1629, by the Dutch W. I Company. There were exported, 1850-1, 1,030 Hogs. The in- crease from 1840 to 1850 was about 4.000,000. The total value of this stock in 1850 was estimated at $150,000,000. Poti//r3/-Since 1840, there has been no official estimate of our poultry. At that time the value was fixed at more than $12,000,000 ; and, owing to the enhancement of price in remote districts, and the im- portation of improved breeds, they are now estimated at $20,000,000. THIRD— VEGETABLE PRODUCTS. Com— The Corn Crop is the most important of our vegetable products. The number of bushels of this grain returned in the Census of 1850 was 592,071,104, worth, at the export prices of that year, $296 ,03 5, 552.' The value of Corn and Meal exported in 1849-50 was $4,652,804. The average cropper acre in 1850 was about twen- ty-five bushels. i| r 1866.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 69 /fay— The Hay Crop stands second in moneyed value, and, in 1850, amounted to 13,838,642 tons, which, at $12 per ton, equals $166,063,704. The average crop per acre, as given in our last Census, was li tons. IVheat— The crop of Wheat given in the Census of 1850 amounted to 100,486,915 bush., worth at least $100 per bushel, rendering it the third crop in pecu- niary importance. The €X'H)rt of Wheat, Acr in 1850-61 was as fol- lows : 1,026,725 bush. Wheat, valued at $1 ; 2,202,335 barrels of Flour, valued at $5 per barrel ; 106,399 barrelsofShip bread ; 34,815 kegs of Ship bread. The total valuation of these exports was $11,804,349. Cotton— Cotton is the fourth crop in importance in the United States ; the product reported in the census of 1850 being 987,637,200 ft, which, at the average price between the years 1845 and 1850 (7.3c.) equalled $72,099,508. ^ n^^. Oa^s— According to the last census, the iifth crop in monetary importance was Oats, being 146,584,179 bush., worth, at the low estimate of 30c. per bushel, $43,975,253. Among the foregoing five most important crops, we may make the following comparison, taking the estimated value of the Oat crop as the standard, or unit: The Com crop compares with the Oat crop as 6.73 to 1 The Hay crop compares Tfith the Oat crop as 3.77 to 1 The Wheat crop compares with the Oat crop as 2.28 to 1 The Cotton crop compares with the Oat crop as 1.64 to 1 Pofa/oc5— This crop consisted of 104,066,044 bush., including 38,208,148 bush., of Sweet Potatoes, amounting at 30. per bush., to $31,219,813. Sugar and Molasses.— These items comprise 247,577,000 ft of Cane Sugar, 34,253,436 lb Maple Sugar, and 12,700,991 gallons Molasses, worth, in all, $20,720,143, estimating the Sugar at 6c. per lb. and the Molasses at 30c. per gallon. Tobacco — The eighth crop in value was Tobacco, being 199,752,655 ; worth, at 10 cents per pound, $19,975,265. Rye — Rye is next in order, the crop of 1850 being 14,188,813 bushels ; worth, at 75 cents, $10,641,610. Hempf Flax and Flax Seed — These articles consti- tuted the eleventh item in value, according to the Census being as follows : Hemp, tons 34,871 at $100 00 $3,487,100 Flax, lbs 7,709,676 at 0 10 770,968 Flax Seed, bush 662,312 at 1 25 702,890 Total $4,960,958 Many tons of Flax, raised for the seed alone, were wasted on account of the expense of pulling. The recent improvements in flax machinery may, in time, render available the straw which is now thus wasted. Barley — The Barley crop, as returned in 1850, was 5,167,015 bushels ; worth, at 75 cents per bushel, $3,876,762. Buckwheat — The amount of this grain raised was 8,956,912 bushels ; worth, at 35 cents, $3,134,919. Various other crops were returned in the Census ot 1850, their amount being as follows : Peas and Beans, bush 9,219,901 Market Garden products, valued at $5,280,030 Orchard products, valued at $7,723,186 Clover Seed, bush 468,978 Grass Seed, bush 416,831 Wine, gals 221,249 FOUBTH — ANIMAL PRODUCTS. The animals slaughtered during the year, for which i-l»*«. Inof /»nr»eiio wroo tolron •ar^ro valnorl flt ^1 1 1 70/1.1 42 Milk sold No estimate. Butter sold, lbs 313,345,306 Cheese sold, lbs 105,535,893 Beeswax and honey sold, lbs 14,853,790 Wool sold, lbs 52,516,959 Silk Cocoons sold, lbs 10,843 Eggs may be estimated at dozen.200,000,000 In addition to these we may name, as articles largely produced, tallow, pork, bacon, hams, and hides. The same may be said of broom corn, osier willow, millet, rape, pumpkins, onions, indigo, etc. ; all of which are raised in considerable quantities. We will now name, in the order of their importance, the five States possessing and producing the largest amounts of various products : Of neat Cattle: Penna. had head.l, 153,946 New York hadhead.1,877,639 Georgia had. ..head.1,097,528 Ohio had head.1,358,947 Virginia had...head.l,076,269 Of Horses, Mules and Asses Kentucky had 381,291 New York had 447,977 Ohio had 466,820 Of sheep : Ohio had 3,942,929 New York had 3,453,241 Of Swine : Tennessee had 3,104,800 Kentucky had 2,891,163 The value of Live Stock in: New York was. ..$73,570,499 Virginia was 33,656,659 Of Indian Com (produced) Ohio, bushels 59,078,695 Kentucky, bush...58,672,591 Of Hay (produced) : New York, tons 3,728,797 Pennsylvania tons.. 1,842,970 Pennsylvania had 352,657 Indiana had 320,898 Pennsylvania had.... 1,822,357 Virginia had 1.310,004 Indiana had 1,122,493 Indiana had 2,263,776 Georgia had 1,964,770 Ohio had 1,168,617 Tennessee was. ...$29,978,016 Kentucky was 29,661,436 Georgia was 25,728,416 Illinois, bushels. ...57,649,984 Indiana, bushels.. ..52,964,369 Tennessee bush 52,276,223 Ohio, tons 1022,047 Vermont, tons 836,739 Maine, tons 691,358 Of Wheat (produced :) J New York, bu8h....l3,121,498 Pennsylv'a bush... 15,367,691 Ohio, bush 14,498,351 Of Cotton (in 1840 produced) Mississippi, lbs. ..193, 411, 577 Georgia, lbs 163,392,396 Of Oats (in 1850, produced :) New York, bush. ..26,552,814 Pennsylv'a, bush..21,538,156 Virginia, bush 11,212,616 Illinois, bush 9,414,575 Louisiana, lbs 152,555,368 Alabama, lbs 117,138,823 So. Carolina, lbs... 61,710,274 Ohio, bush 13,472,742 Virginia, bush 10,179,144 Illinois, bush 10,087,241 The writer sincerely regrets that the limits of this report are not sufficiently extended to enable him to consider at length that branch of agricultural statis- tics which is emphatically of the greatest national importance, but which has never yet found its way into the census returns — that is : The amount of in- hercnt fertilizing matter removed from the soil by the production and ordinary use of crops. No soil is inexhaustible. The fertility of the earth's surface depends on the presence in the soil of certain materials which are employed in the growth or form- * i'. 'I r . I Ji !: ri •' :;l m Rv '" r ^ H «0 THE FARM JOURNAL AND t atm Of plante. These materials do not act cxternal- y. They enter the structure of the plant, and become incorporated with its parts, thus forever to rlZl nnt.1 liberated by the decomposition of its tissues. The.r subsequent destination must, of course, de- pend on the circumstances under which they are set free. For instance, if the constituents of a tree or ^n"th fi .''Ir^"''"* ^y natural decay on the sol, they find the>r way into the atmosphere and mto the earth-theformerreceiving those pa'rts which t>^r.^: ' j.^ " ^5"vvu, anu ihe latter also receiving the amount which had been supplied from Its integrants : but if this tree be decomposed by fli* m the Cty, and if the ashes be disposed of as is usual m such cases, the atmosphere is still compensated for Its previous supply, but the soil, cheated of its dues loses permanently its quota of mineral constituents.' The same IS true in all ordinary consumption of vege- table products by fire, de cay, or digestion. In order that we may more clearly understand this subject let us consider the amount of the various kinds of mineral matter abstracted from the soil bv different crops. ^ Ten bushels of com contain 9 lbs. of mineral mat- ter, among which we find 2-78 lbs. of potash, and 4-52 lbs. of phosphoric acid. Ten bushels of wheat contain 12 lbs. of mineral matter consisting in part of 2-86 lbs. of potash, and b-01 lbs. of phosphoric acid. All crops contain nine or ten kinds of mineral mat- ter, m ditlerent proportions. For purposes of illustration we will estimate the amounts of potash and phosphoric acid contained in the com and wheat crops of 1850. They are as fol- ^""^ '"'heat 28,7.39,880 lbs. Corn 162, 595,766 lbs. „. , . , Total 191,335,046 lbs. /'AoipAoric Aad...Wheat 60,392,055 lbs Corn 267,615,807 lbs! „ .. ^. Tota' 323,007,862 lbs. Estimating the potash at six cents per lb. and the phosphoric acid at three cents per lb. (by no means too much,) we find the value of these ingredien s of the corn and wheat crops of 1850 to be «19,520,328. Let It be remembered that these are but two ingre- dients of the ashes of but two crops, and that the «timates are made at low figures. How large a por! tion of this mineral matter is returned to the soil Uis impossible to say. ' '* The wastes of fertilizing matter in all of our cities and towns are enormous. The population of New York and Its suburbs is probably not less than 750,000 Could the fertilizing matter wasted, in various ways by this number of persons, be applied to the s^fu would be worth at least $15,066, per diem, or $5,475 000 per annum. This is at the low estimate of 2c per diem for each person, without considering the iZ men^enumber of horses and other animals fed in hc^e ^ROQRESSIVE FARMER. [FBasriBT The amount of animal matter contained in the fo^ of human beings, may be considered as entirely lost to the soil— but a comparatively small portion of it ever finding its way back to the field. In the Agricultural Report of the Patent-Office, for 1849- '50. Dr. Lee (who is excellent authority on such subjects) says • "Several gentlemen at the South have stated, that to " supply slaves, on plantations, with bread, including " old and young, requires from twelve to thirteen " bushels each year." Taking thirt«.n hn.ho's - *>-- average consumption by the 22,000,000 people in the United States, of breadstuffs. and the aggregate ig 286,000,000 bu.shels per annum. Without deemineit necessary to go into an explanation to prove why it IS so. the fact may safely be assumed that the elements of fertility contained in all the meat. milk, butter, cheese, potatoes, fruit and garden vegetables con. sumed by the American people, exceed by ten per ce,t. the amount which exists in the grain consum^. It IS sufficient for my purpose, however, to place the estimate below 10 per cent., and call the fmilL ng elements, contained in these articles of human food e^ual to 314.000,000 bushels of com. By adZ 600,000.000 bushels of com, in effect taken from tZ'Z^ " '' '' "'"'' ""^^^ "> -- - -- According to the estimate of the same gentleman the aggregate annual loss of fertilizing matter 3s' This estimate is made without considering our lar«. exportations of breadstuffs, and the sale of ashes, n further al ows two-thirds of the manures of all domel tic animals to be retumed to the soil. In 1850 tht ralueofammals slaughtered was «111.703 140 thil would equal 3,723.438 steers at $30 p; h«d ' ibe bones alone of these animals would bilorrh for ma nurial purposes about $5,500,000. In the opinion of the writer it would be improper to 1.500,000.000 Els of In™""' """'"^"'^ "' To suppose that this state of things can continue culous. We have as yet much virgin soil, and it win -n^solve the proS i: StmiaSrant' What with our earth butchery and prodigality we .Te each year losmg the intrinsic essence of our vLT.tr 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. 61 robbing the earth of its capital stock of fertilizing matter is worse than labor thrown away. In the lat- ter case it is a loss to the present generation — in the former it becomes an inheritance of poverty for our successors. Man is but a tenant of the soil, and he is guilty of a crime when he reduces its value for other tenants who are to come after him. The first step towards improvement is through the medium of Agricultural Statistics. Let the next census state the amount and value of mineral matter removed from the soil, and the nronortinn of th** omrxa that is retained for consumption on the farm or plant- ation, fairly assuming that the remainder leaves the soil, and is essentailly lost. Let this amount, in dollars and cents, be placed before the eyes of every voter in the land, and we may then hope for earnest and ef- ficient action, such as is required in the much needed amendment of our system. This course will not be I attended with great difficulty. By the assistance of analytical tables, already prepared, the labor may be done in the Census Office as easily as any other -•••- SECOND LORD BARRINGTON. (A. H. B., 966.) Red and white ; the propertj of T. P. Remington, Red Leaf, near PhUadelphia, Pa. ; calved Oct. 24, 1852 ; got by imp. fonii \i J^ I^^^yBarrington 12th, by 4th Duke of York (10.167); Lady Harrington 8th, by 2d Duke of Oxford t!!i ;.i,n.V'*T ^^' * ^^^ Barrington 5th, by 4th Duke of Northumberland (3649) ,• Lady Barrington 3d, by Cleveland aI/ a, III ' ul Barrington, by a son of Mr. Mason's Herdsman (304) ; Young Alicia, by Wonderful (700) ; AUcia, by Alfred (23) ; by Young Favorite (6994). OK THE CULTIVATION OF THE SWEET POTATO. The old method of planting sweet potatoes in hills and ridges, in this dry climate, and on our hard, upper country lands, is all wrong. Potatoes must have rmsture and soft earth to do well. But they lack both in the common culture. Hills and ridges are the driest forms in which you can put the soil. Flat cul- ture is the only right kind for potatoes, or any thing else, in our burning climate, and on our clay uplands. Potatoes should be planted as/a^ and may in that way be planted as easily as corn. First, break up the land well ; then lay off rows four feet wide with shovel plow ; run deep in the same track with a rooter, and then, if you want it perfect, deeper still in the same furrow with a common new- ground coulter. Next, list upon both sides of this in the same way ; that is, with shovel, rooter and coulter --one right in the track of the other. This makes deep work, and the deeper the better. It is soon aone Your ground is now ready^-deep, loose, and moist, and will keep so all summer. <••*- Now for planting and culture. With a rooter draw a shallow furrow on the top of the list, just over the first shovel track, to guide you in dropping. In this drop the seed, cut roots, sprouts, or vine cuttings, 12 or 15 inches apart, and cover lightly. Plow them a few times, just like com, running close to the potatoes with a rooter, and finish off each working with a cultivator, or some other plow, to keep the middles flat. This mode of culture is not one-fourth as trouble- some as hills; the crop is wonderful. This is not theory, but is my constant practice. By this mode the vines never turn yellow ; the crop comes forward early in August, and the owner has no chance to com- plain of "small potatoes."— Sow^^crn Cultivator. ••• . INFORMATION WANTED. A correspondent wishes some information as to the best plan of sowing locust seed, and management after sprouted. ■ vH 63 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [1866. 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 68 PHILADELPHIA, FEBRUARY, 1866. EDITOB'S TABLE. An Agricultural Department of the National Government.— The following remarks by Prof. Mapes, in the January number of the Working Farmer, accord exactly with our ideas and notions respecting the rela- tion and position which agriculture ought to sustain to the General Government. The agricultural department of the Patent Office, as it is now conducted, is a mere farce— a convenient way of spending a considerable amount of money for an apparently good, but in reality useless purpose. As for the reports, they consist of an Undigested mass of trash prepared as follows ; A re- ceives a printed circular from the Patent Office asking for information. He forthwith writes a long rumbling letter, made up in the main of opinions which he has never verified, and of "facts" which only exist in the author's imagination. B seeing his neighbor's name in print is determined to do likewise ; and C, always ready to turn a penny, sends an advertisement of a new grass seed, which, in the form of a letter, is printed and cir- culated without cost to the dealer. At the end of the year, the Commissioner, or his assistant, pastes the whole together, and thus forms a report. Some good things are undoubtedly communicated through the Pa- tent Office Reports, but to winnow them out, would be like separating two grains of wheat from ten bushels of chaff. "We are," says the Working Farmer, "the only na- tion whose government is without a department devoted to agriculture. The farmers have a right to, and should claim, the appointment of a Secretary of Agriculture, bearing even rank with the Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, &c., who should be a Cabinet officer, and whose department should be so organized as to ren- der every new truth discovered in agriculture, the com- mon property of all. We should be no longer put off With a clerk subordinate to a Bureau officer, and located in an obscure corner of the Patent Office. *'The purchase of a few seeds from some of the large seed-dealers, and then distributed through members of Congress, is as ridiculous a manifestation on the part of the Government to the farmers, as would be the distri- bution of sugar plums among the senior class of a well organized college by its faculty. If these seeds were of new and superior kinds, collated by our Consuls and foreign agents, it would be well-or any seed of special character, raised at home, and known to be superior to others of its class, might be distributed with propriety • but when we find well-known sorts, common to every part of the country, put up in small packages and dis- tributed as if they were of superior quality, it becomes a mere display of quantity, and is an insult to the in- telligence of the day. We blame no individual for this Quixotic display of Government liberality, for the con- temptible appropriations of Congress devoted to this use will admit of no better action on the part of those having Its disbursement in charge. All this may be remedied by prompt action on the part of farmers themselves " The fashionable plea of politicians, that our askings must at first be small, and then they may be gradually | increased, arises but from their forgetfulness that they are the servants of the people, and should not dictate to us what we are to ask. They should remember that the farmers form a large majority of their constituents, and that they have a right to demand, that, at least, one per cent, of the enormous amount they pay for the Govern- ment support, should be devoted to the direct advance- ment of their art. We shall never succeed until ^e demand precisely what is required, and the whole sub- ject shall meet a full and fair discussion in our legisla- tive halls. The next election succeeding such a discus- RlOn "Will olo/»f 011/»V» Q f*r\rtmuxo€3 no •wJll ...... ^ 4. _-l- „ * _^ =-> ..*-.-. ■^^•^■^■^ ^^y^t^ M, x/\/uj^x%/oo ctio TT m aciaiit Wuab We require; for whenever the subject is fairly before the body politic, all other subjects will be rendered subordi- nate, until the great interest of the country — Agriculture —shall have received the exercise of the best talent of the land in its favor. We repudiate all low cunning in obtaining what we want. It should be demanded in the most high-minded manner ; and the demand should be adhered to until satisfied." • The Farm Journal as a Medium for Adtertisino. —We would particularly invite the attention of agricul- turists, inventors, nurserymen, and publishers, to the advantages offered by the Farm Journal as a medium for advertising. Its present general circulation will compare favorably with that of any other agricultural paper, while for the district of country comprised by the States of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and some por- tions of Maryland and Delaware, the Farm Journal cir- culates more extensively among farmers than any other agricultural paper. All communications relative to advertising should be addressed to Samuel Emlkn & Co., Farm Journal Office, Philadelphia. Webster's Dictionary.— Next to the bible, the book which is probably destined to have the largest circula- tion in the United States is Webster's Dictionary. We regard it as an indispensable adjunct of every well regulated household. It is a book that will never grow old or out of date, that is used and required by every one, and the unabridged edition may be profitably read in course, so full and copious are its definitions and ex- planations of derivative words. Indeed, we know that the President of one of the leading New England colleges is in the habit of recommending to his students the prac- f tice of reading Webster's Unabridged Dictionary contin- uously, as the best exercise for acquiring a full knowledge of the English language, and a command of the right words always at the right time. We observe that efforts are being made to introduce other dictionaries in various parts of the country. We trust that it may not be successful. We need and want but one standard, and that, Noah Webster has given us, and every author of distinction in the United States has adopted and sanctioned it. Anonymous Communications— No notice can be taken of anonymous communications sent to che Farm Journal. No person ought to be unwilling to communicate his name privately to the editors, who desires to address the public under their auspices. Among the recent agricultural publications worthy of notice are ** The Transactions of the Royal Hawaiian Agricultural Society," of the Sandwich Islands, a volume of 170 pages, well printed, and neatly bound; — the publication of a nation which, scarcely thirty years ago, were sunk in barbarism. As might be expected, the volume is principally devoted to explaining and elucida- ting the principles and practices employed in raising the various products of the Hawaiian and the adjacent islands, and embraces in addition descriptions of domes- tic animals connected with the agriculture of the islands, imnlpm^ntfl. statistics, laborftra. finannp iht^ mpphomV arts, the construction of roads, the improvement and extension of domestic manufactures, and all the cognate aubjects connected with the advancement of their agri- culture. The past year is represented to have been one of comparative agricultural prosperity, and the reports show that praiseworthy efforts are making to render the cultivation of the soil a more safe and profitable calling. The produce of sugar on these islands amounted the last year to $100,000, and the crop for the coming year promises to be twice as large. year, McCormick's, manufactured by Burgess & Key. These yearly changes may probably be attributed mainly to new improvements introduced into machines which failed on previous ividlB.— Scientific American. By a table published in the New York Tribune, it ap- pears that during the past year (1856), the butchers of New York city have slaughtered of beeves, sheep, lambs, veals and swine, the enormous number of one million one hundred and forty-seven thousand five hundred and nine ; averaging 22,067 per week. This is 1,708 more than The Rock County Agricultural Society and Mechan- ics' Institute, Wis., is about publishing a volume of 300 pages, containing its transactions from its first organiza- tion, a brief history of the county, and each town in the county, its early settlement, interesting historical inci- dents, quantities of stock, grain, fruits, &c., raised, and many other items are enumerated in the prospectus, which promises fair to make it an interesting and valua- ble work ; and we hope it will meet with that hearty support, which it bo eminently deserves. J. lie iroiAi lasi year was 1,058,690. There is another curious fact in this table— the num- ber of beeves from Ohio sold at the great New York Wednesday market exceeds the number from the Stato of New York by 6,505. Ohio is the only State beside New York that has furnished a supply every week. Nearly four times as many cattle were sold in the New York market from Texas than were received from the adjoining State of New Jersey. The number of swine brought into New York by the Erie Railroad for the year 1865 amounted to 224,8 [9, or an average of 4,325 per week. The following act of liberality on the part of the Legislature of North Carolina is worthy of all praise. During the past year, a State Agricultural Society was formed in North Carolina, and, at the meeting of the Legislature in December last, an application was made asking for an appropriation of $3000 per annum. When the bill was offered in the Senate, in accordance with the request of the Society, $8000 was stricken out, by a vote of that body, and $6000 substituted therefor, in which form it passed, and was sent to the lower house. The report of the trial of Reaping Machines, which took place in England on the 29th of August last, before the Royal Agricultural Society, has recently been pub- lished. The Judges awarded two prizes, the first to Burgess & Key's improvement of McCormick's reaper ; the second to Palmer's improvement of Forbush's reaper. Hussey's reaper, as improved by William Dray & Co., of London, was highly commended, but did not have any prize awarded. The trial is said to have been a severe and impartial one. One of the most remarkable circum- stances about such trials is, that during the five years in which the English Royal Agricultural Society has offered premiums for the best machines, in each year a different machine has been pronounced the one superior to all others. In the first year McCormick's was classed first ; in the second year Hussey's ; in the third year BeU's, manufactured by Crosskill ; in the fourth year Hussey's, manufactured by Dray & Co.; in the fifth, the present ' How TO Use Guano.— The London Mark Lan« Ex- press gives the following directions respecting the use of guano : ^ir«^.— Never mix it with any thing; all lime, com- post, ashes, and similar ingredients, too oft(Ti contain enough caustic alkali to drive off the ammoniacal parts before the soil can surround and absorb them. A vast amount of mischief and loss often follows this sad mis- take. If applied alone, the soil will best adapt it for plants. Second.— Miz. as much as possible with the seed, not too deeply, but plow it in after sowing it broadcast, un- less it be for beans or drilled and ridged crops, when it may be sown on the surface before the ridges are made. Third.— If applied as a top dressing, always apply it, if possible, before rain, or when snow is on the ground ; and if on arable land, harrow, hoe, or scufl!e, if possible,* immediately after the operation. /bwrM.- The best mode to apply it is by water. A slight solution of it is by far the most powerful and speedy application. Fifth.— It sowed with drilled grain, or indeed any seed whatever, it should never come in contact. It is not a bad plan to sow broadcast, after the corn-drill, and then harrow, as it is kept in the nearest proximity to the seed, without coming in contact with it. Lastly.— Be sure to get, if possible, the genuine article; cheap guano there is none. The quantity of genuine guano per acre used is from two to three hundred pounds. The latter quantity when the land is deficient and requires speedy renovation. In the vicinity of Edinburgh, Scotland, sewage manure has been employed somewhat extensively for the irriga- tion of cow-pastures. Mr. Stevenson, in a communi- cation published in the <* Journal of the Royal Agricul- tural Society," states that the ravages of pleuro-pneumonia among the cows fed on the sewage grass exceeds all be- .'.Mi m V 1 11' ) k'M w^ 64 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Februabt lief. During the past year or two, the veterinary sur- geon was called in ; but as cures were seldom effected, the butcher has taken his place. The losses have been 80 great that many cow-keepers have been ruined. De. T. W. Harris. — It is with deep regret that we are called upon to announce the death of Dr. T. W. Harris, the eminent entomologist and naturalist of Cambridge, Mass. Dr. H. died of the dropsy in the stomach, after a long and severe illness. To the agriculturists of the country he is best known by his able report on '• Insects injuri- ous to Vegetation," and by his frequent contributions on subjects connected with entomology and fruit-growing to the agricultural press. In the death of Dr. Harris, the readers of the Farm Journal have sustained a per- sonal loss, as he had engaged to contribute more or less regularly to its pages, on the restoration of his health. Dr. Harris was a man of high literary and scientific attainments, and for many years has filled the office of librarian to Harvard University . In the particular de- partment of Science to which his attention was given, he had no superiors in the United States or Europe. Emigration Statistics. — The emigration from Great Britain and Ireland to the United States, during the year 1855, by vessels registered and inspected by gov- ernment, was 48,772 Irish; 19,624 English; 10,620 Scotch; 6,141 principally German; 650 cabin passen- gers ; total, 84,607. The Liverpool Albion says : "A much greater exodus may be expected in 1856, extensive preparation having been made to facilitate emigration from Germany on a larger scale than has yet been attempted, the great bulk of which will pass through Liverpool." EECENT INVENTIONS PERTAINING TO AGRICULTURE AND RURAL ECONOMY. Compiled from the Scientific American and other eources. Corn and Cob Mills. — One of the greatest diflBcultiea ex- perienced in the construction of cast-iron grinding mills, is to get the grinding plates true. In the operation of easting they warp more or less out of the proper level, owing to the shrinkage of the metal in cooling. The slightest irregu- larity of the plates prevents them from doing good work ; this is one of the chief objections to their use. A method de- vised and patented by Thomas B. Stout, of Keyport, N. J., obviates the difficulty by connecting the plates as follows : after casting, they are placed in an oven and again heat- ed; they are then placed between heavy metallic disks and firmly clamped, the whole being then immersed in water. The disks are perforated with holes, through which the water has access to the plates. The clamping renders them perfectly true, while the water imparts the necessary hardness. Hand-Seed Planter.— A Hand-Seed Planter, recently invented by D. W. Hughes, of New London, Conn., consista of two parts, pivoted together like a pair of tongs. The planting is done by thrusting the bottom parts, closed, into the ground, and then opening them by the handles at the top. The opening is done with the fingers, while the im- plement is in the ground ; by this action the hole is enlarged and the right quantity of kernels deposited therein ; the feeding of the grain is done by a slide which opens and shuts, in accordance with the opening and closing of the legs of the apparatus. Machine for Stuffing Horse Collars. — Horse collar blocks are 8tufi"ed much after the same fashion that sausage skins are filled. The leather for the collar is sewed up in tubular form, and placed lengthwise before a sort of cylin- der and plumger. The old plan is to take a small bundle of the straw, which is cut into lengths of sixteen or eighteen inches, double the same in the middle by hand, and place it before the plunger; the latter sends the straw down into the leather, and packs it solidly, nest in nest. A machine invented by S. B. McCorkle, of Greenville, Tenn., consists in a contrivance which feeds the straw up in proper quanti- ties, when the plunger comes forward, doubles the straw and rams it down into the leather. The hand operations before mentioned, are in this way avoided, and the work is better done. The invension eflfects an important saving of time. New Grain Cleawer. — In a new Grain Cleaner, invented by J. L. Booth, of Cuyhoga Falls, Ohio, there is a shell hav- ing within it a revolving cylinder armed with scouring pro- jections. The grain passes between the cylinder and shell, and is thus scoured. A blast of air from a fan above is also introduced between the shell and cylinder, passing down under the bottom, up through the interior of the cylinder, sucking up the dirt and impurities, while the clean grain falls out through an opening in the bottom of the sheU. Improved Blind Fastener. — Daniel E. True, of Lake Village, N. H. has recently invented an ingenious and ex- cellent arrangement of levers for opening and closing window blind shutters from the inside of the apartment, without raising the window. There is a lever connected with each blind, which passes through the bottom window-sill into the apartment, where it terminates in an ornamental knob. The blind is operated by simply pulling and pushing the knob. Attaching Hubs to Axles. — The common "patent axle* so extensively used in carriages, consists in securing the hub to the axle by means of three or more screw bolts. On the axle there is a collar, behind which is a round plate of iron. The bolts pass the whole length of the hub through this plate, where they are secured by small nuts. There are several objections to this mode of securing wheels to axles ; the removal of the wheels for lubrication is very inconve- nient, the collar wears away, Ac. A plan devised by Mr. B. S. Scripture, of Greenpoint, N. Y., consists in hinging the circular plate and making it wider, in the form of a clasp, so that when closed it grasps the collar, and thus dispenses with the screw bolts. A hempen gasket moisted with oil is placed against the back of the collar and covered by the olasp plate — this insures perfect lubrication for a long time. To remove the wheel, it is only necessary to open the claJip plate. Improved Seeding Machine. — An improved Seeding Machine, patented by Reuben Burd, of Spring Hill, Illinois, has the following peculiarities of construction : An endless belt, provided with small cups, somewhat like a flour mill elevator, is employed to convey the grain from the seed box to the top of the pipes or channels down which it falls into the ground. There is a peculiar arrangement of parts for throwing the belt out of gear, regulating the speed, Ac. Thf machine sows in continuous drills or hills, as desired. SCOTT'S LITTLE 6L&NT CORN AND COB MILL, PATENTED MAY 16TH, 1854. The Littlb Giant, though but recently introduced from the West, now stands pre-eminent as the most Simplb, KrrfCiENT, and popular Farm Mill of the age. Our Manufactories are probably the only ones in the World — exclusively devoted to mutking Metallic Mills, there- fore possess superior advantages in preparing such an admixture of metals, a8 best adapted to making a strong and durable article. The Little Giant has been awarded the First Premium at the prinoiprl Fairt of the Nation, as the most complete and convenient Mill now in use. These Mills are not only guaranteed superior to all others in their construction and quality of material, but in the amount and quality of work they perform with any given power; and warranted in all oases to suit, or the purchase- money refunded on return of the mill. They are offered to Farmers and the trade complete^ at 128, $32 and $86, for No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3, and $2 extra for sweeps. Warranted to grind from 8 to 15 bushels per afOcerding to sixe. SCOTT'S NIMBLE GIANT GRAIN MILLS, (CAVEATED MAY, 1855.) This Mill is a most complete and important article for Planters, Farmers and others, having horse-power or other conveniences for running a belt. They can be worked advantageously with one, two or more horses, wherever a speed of from three to five hundred revolutions per minute can be obtained upon a 14-inoh pulley, with a three-inch belt. These Mills are adapted to any kind of work, grinding coarse feed from corn, oats, Ac, or fine com, wheat or rye ; and that in the most satisfactory manner. The first premium wa« awarded these Mills at the late Fairs of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Industrial Exhibition at Boston. The Nimble Giant weighs about 300 pounds, occupying a space of 30 inches square. It is peculiarly simple, strong, and durable ; requiring no skill to run it, or to keep it in order. They are offered complete, ready for attaching the belt, at $55 ; with cast steel cob attachments, $65. Warranted te give perfect satisfaction. Please call at the Little Giant Works, and witnesi their operation. MANUFACTURED BY ROSS SCOTT (fc CO., COR. 17TH & COATES STS., PHILA. WITH THE 1st MONTH (JAN.) NUMBER. (185C) WILL COMMENCE THE blXTU VOLUME OF THE FARM JOURNAL "^a^^^lP^N^ P^Briodiocd qf Thirt]f-Two Octavo FttQei, devoted exdusiveJv » w«< interests qf the Ihrmer, Vu Gardener, the lYuitGrotvtr ana Stock-Breeder. A few hack Volumes handsomely hound $1 50 each. Among the subjects treated In the Journal will be comprehended the foliowluK— The Cultivation of the Soil; Manures and their Application; De- •crlptlonsof all New and Improved Implements of Husbandry, de- Mped to faclliute and abrldKe the labor of the Farm ; Descriptions Of all new Fruits, Flowers, and Trees; Pruning and Graft Ing: Expert ments of Farmers; Rural Architecture; Market Reports; Plowing, oowlng and Harvesting; Draining; Grains and Grasses; Esculent ttoote as food for Cattle ; Gardening; Live Stock of every description, r*^ u' roodesof fattening. 4c.; The Dairy; Reviews of Agricultural *na Horticultural Books; Rural Habits, Maaners and Customs, and Wtter subjects which are calculated to Interest and Inform the class for iV n??.5!^^^ laboring. The Editorial Department will then be assumed J^/gOF.D A.WELLS, and A. M. SPANGLER, the original Editor *nQ Proprietor of the Journal, assisted by u number of eminent ^vncuuurists and practical Furmers, making It at the same time, a pnmary object to keep the Journal clear from all collateral Interests, aoa to render It In all respects a reliable paper. Ifcnt a great fallacy to suppose that when an mdlvldual becomes the di;l„/ ^^/" Agricultural paper, he necessarily constitutes himself a ■'P.'S^f'' of opinion and practice to his readers." hUnl^i 1.^'^'*' ^^^ encouragement of Agriculture, any country, however oiessed by nature, must continue poor." nrrvm^fi" fPectraon numbers to all applicants, gratis— and will answer th« 1^^ . letters of inquiry, Ac, relating to matters contained In PlaQoH * "'^'~r*^'^ omitting even those that have a postage stemp en ftS^^i"* P*y C^'" the reply. ^'•r lermsqf Subscription place the Journal within the reach qf aU. SngleCopy, $ 1 00 per annum. Five Copies, 4 00 " Ten Copies, 7 fiO Twenty Coplea, 14 00 '* CASH. INVARIABLY IN ADVAKCE. A limited amount of advertising (which must be paid for beft>re la* sertiou) will be admitted at the following ratesk Six lines, or under for each insertion, $ 1 00 From six to twelve lines ** 2 00- Haifa column, 4 00* One column, 7 00 One page, 14 00- All subscriptions must begin with the Ist or 7th number of the vol- ume which commences with the year; and In every case the .Toumal will be stopped at the expiration of the time paid lor, unless the 9ub* scriptlou Is previously renewed. SAML. EMLEN & CO.. Publishers, N. E. cof . Seventh and Market Sts., Philada. To whom all communications, whether editorial or business, should be addressed. A MAP OF THE VARIOUS PATHS OF I^TFE, DE^- signed prtnclpally to Interest and Instruct children. Price, hand- somely mounted on rollers, $1; without rollers. 60 cents or 17 postage stamps. They will be wrapped so as to carry any distance without luJury. Address SAMUEL EMLEN, N. E. corner of 7th and Market streets, Phllada. G£RMANTOWN NURSERUS. THOMAS MEEHAN, NUBSERYMAN AlfD LANDSCAPE GABDEHER, {Opposite G. W. Chrpenter's,) Germantown Philadelphia. Fruit and Ornamental Trees and Shrubs In great variety. Gardens. Ac, laid out and planted. Seeds of hardy Trees and Shrubs. Green houaes, Qraperies, Ac... designed or erected. Mn INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE THE FARM JOURNAL, PROGRESSIYE FARMER. NO. I.-VOLUME VI. AGENTS In order to reward all who may feel disposed to lend us their aid in extending the circulation of tin FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER, we offer the following ft I tt (I a tt it (( t< ti $100 00 75 00 50 00 25 00 1 50 To the individual or Society who shall furnish us with the largest list of subscribers (according to ov published Club Rates) on or before the first day of the Fifth month, (May,) 1856 A Library of Agricultural W^orks of their own Choosing, worth, 2nd largest list as above, a Library, &c. worth, 3rd 4th And to all who shall send us 20 names as above, The Year Book of Agriculture, - And as we have purchased from the Proprietors of the Progressive Farmer the back numbers of that valu«kk little paper, we will furnish one complete volume handsomely covered, to every one sending us five names till the supply is exhausted. Those competing for any of the above prizes, must inform us, that we may keep them properly credited* with the names forwarded. It will also be remembered that 70 cents is the lowest Club^rate. OUR TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION PLACE THE JOURNAL WITHIN THE REACH OF ALU Single Copy^ Five Copies^ Ten Copies^ Twenty Copies^ $1 00 per Annum. 4 00 '' '' 7 50 " " 14 00 " All ^subscriptions must begin with the 1st or 7th number of the volume which commences with the y&x\ and in every case the Journal will be stopped at the expiration of the time paid for, unless the subscription n previously renewed. . » ^ SAMUEL EMLEN & QO., Publishers, Northeast Comer 7th and Market Streets, Philadelphia. To whom all communications, whether editorial or business, should be addressed. 1R *f TIGHT BINDING IE CONTENTS — No. 3. Addresi before the Hampshire (Maaa.) Agricultural ciety, October 11th, 1856, Anthracite Ashea, ------- Blood Manurea, Characters ond Effects of Bad Ploughing, - Cultivation of the Locust, Cultivation of Cranberries, . . - - Editor'a Table, Epochs of Cold and Warm Seasons, . . - Fulti'a Horse Power, Guano— ita Composition, Varieties, and its Present Ulterior Effects upon the Soil^ - • - • Hereditary Diseases of Sheep and Pigs, How to raise Locust Trees, - - - - - Improvement in Cotton Gins, . - - - Impositions upcn Farmers, - • - - - Improvement in Horse Shoes, - . - - Lady Barrington 5th, ------ Linseed^ea for Sick Horses, - - - - Mulching Young Apple Trees, . . - - Mook-Economy, - - - - . - Montgomery County Agricultural Society, Morgan's Patent Potatoe Planter, - - - Mildew on the Vine, ..---- New Mode of Transplanting Large Trees, - Ne Plus Ultra Wheat, Neglect of Pear Culture, On Shoeing Horses that Over-reach, - - - Preservation of Milk, ----•* Perfection, - • - - - -• Patent Self-Regulating Windmill, - - - Remarks on the Co ai position of Fodder, RoUtion of Garden Crops, Steam vs. Horse Power— A Request, - - - The Dhoora or Indian Millet, - - • - The State Agiicultural Society, - . ' ." - Uuited States Agricultural Society, * riot- So- 71 70 93 03 82 01 04 76 00 ATKINS' ' * SELF-RAKING REAPER AND MOWER. anu 65 76 78 68 83 88 80 88 81 70 88 87 86 86 81 82 87 67 80 80 67 70 •1 84 01 84 FARMERS' ANB PLANTERS' ENCYCLOPEDIA- THK new and Improved edition of thU v;iliial»le work 1g In O' e Volume, Octavo, hund.omely bound In husbla 'catlier. It co'iu ns about TWKLVE HDXDRfcD CL08ELT PRINTBD PAGES, HUd U iMUBtrated With numerous plates of aninial«, ulants. Iruplemenrs, etc. _ .^ . .^ ^ Tbe Hon Marshall P. Wilder. I'resldent of the United States Agrlculturtti Society, In a letter to- the American EdUor, G. LMiCRSON, of Philadelphia, ^ays :- ^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ " After an attentive examination qf your '• Farmtrs' and/'lanUrs; Encvclopediar 1 tale pleasure in reamimendwg xt at a ttundard agrt^ euUaralwork, abounding in practicaj. and scientijk itiformatwn adaptr Id to the comprehension of imscientijic readert. A cpy shojJdbe mtfte handt of ew-u fanner, or pers'm at all inUrest^ xn rural (iff^^rs- It i« veculiarly wdt suited to the purposes of a premium book far distribution by Aaricidtural SiKieties. and in this way may be placed in the po8sesxv>n of inanu that it would not otherwise be likely to reach In the. publication of this work, you have contributed greatlu to promote the dij^usion among our countrymen of Vie best aaricuUural information, arranged tn the most cmvenuut form for ready inf'rrmatton. y. .* ^ o* . r. To be had at the principal Book Stores in the United States. On r^cflDtof $4 by FASCHALL MOKUIS k CO.. corner of Market and Boventh sfree^H. or D^ LANDKETH ft CO., No. 21 Spuj*» Sixth Street, a copy will be forwarded i& any part of tht United Sutea, Dosioxs or carriage paid. . _ , ^. j «, w ^ i.. A liberal discount made to Agricultural Socletlei and Clubs taking a Bumbor of copies. march. 1866. cranbeert"plants. Upland and Low Varieties, Bell or Egg-shaped Variety, ARH the best to cu.tivate on damp, wet, or poor low and swampy Land, where noihlug else will grow, often producing trom 200 to 300 ^'"uPLA^i^D "cranberry are more prolific, but smaller and superior fhut; they grow on coUl unproductive land and barrea hill uldes. Plants of this variety will he for sale last of May. A180 NEW ROCHKLLE BLACK BKRRY PLANTS. Circulars relating to culture, soil, piictt, Ac. of the above Plants will W forwarded to appl^ftuts hy «"*^*J'*'5,i^^3^f|)^^J^P' ^*^^ '**^® ^^' 9eal«r ta Tvm Plantv, ftc. FARMERS TAKE NOTICE! THE flrst premium awarded at the Slate Fair, held at Harrlsburf in 1856, alHo first premium at th« County Fairs of Notthumber- land, Cumberland, Franklin. Yorlt. Lycoming, Centre, Westmoreland, Washington, Berks. Schuylkill. Montgomery, Delaware and Chester, in competition with from eight to ten different readers and mowers. The Atkin's self raking reaper and mower, will be tor sale at the Factory at Harrisburg, alpo at PAS€HA9.L. S\f}OBRIS & CO., N. E. CUR. 7th AND MARKET STB., PHILA. Farmers wishing thc.-e Celebrated Reapers and Mowers for the next harvest *must send in their orders foon. Price of Reaper alone %\th Cash —Reaper and Mower Cash $190 with freight a^iJwi from Dayton, Ohio All reapers warranted togif* entire sa^i^»nients made to- order. Dealer In Ini|)orted au'l Anierican Field and Garden fc»eeds. Ic, ki\ Inventor and .Manufacturer of the Cast Steel Kxiendlng i^olnt Surface and ..»ub>oll Flouuhs. march. 18Sd-St EVERGREEN TREES. WILLIAM MUNN.of Bangor, Maine. Whole^ale Dealer in Native Evergreen and Detiduoib* Tree.'', can fumlhh In quantities Arl»or Vltusy Balsam Fir, • pruce, Hemlock. Pine and Larch, «*lx inches to blx feel high, and packen In crates, Iwxes or bun-lies, and nent to any part ©f the Uuited Stales with dispatch and economy. They are selected from the best locallth'S, and talten up so as to Insure the greatest sticceMU l*rlc d Catalogues furnished to applicants, and correspondence noticed, or when more convenient apply to C. B. Rookrs. Seed Dealer, Phllada. jjarAlso the different varletlea of the Maule, Ash, Beech High Cranberry. Ac. march, 1866-lt EARLY GARDEN SEEDS. EARLY York Cabbage, Extra Early Beet, Extra Early Peat, Eariy Radishes, Tomato Et'g Plant, Early Kidney and Oxford Potatoes, Ac,, at -'OHN (.EUNEY'S March, 1866-lt Seedware House, 60 Chetnut St., Philada. POUDRETTE. The Lodi Manufacturing Company have appointed the subscriber their W holesale Agent for the sale of Poudreite, Th Feu, Ac. Dealers are requested to send lu their orders as early as i>ossible. C. B. ROGERS, March, I8S6-3t No. 20 Marliet Street. TO FARMERS. WOODBURY'S Premium Horse Power, Threshers and Cleanert, price $300. manufactured by C. B. ROGERS, Marcl), 1><66-3L No. 20 .Market Streets FISH GUANO. The Naiagan PAOB- Addresi before the Hampshire (Mass.) Agricultural So- ciety, October 11th, 1865, ^1 Antbraciie Ashes, - -- - • - • ^0 Blood Manures, .-.---•w Characters ond Effecte^ of Bad Ploughing, - - ^3 Cultivation of the Locust, .... - 82 Cultivation of Cranberries, ... - 91 Editor's Table, •"* Epochs of Cold and Warm Seaaoni, , - - 76 Fultj's Horse Power, - • • • _ - ' ,^^ Guano—its Composition, Varieties, and its rreseni and Ulterior Bfifecta upon the Soilr - - - - ^^ Hereditary Diseases of Sheep and Pigs, - - '^^ How to raise Locust Trees, - - . • ► - 78 Improvement in Cotton Gins, . - - - fi8 Impositions upon Farmers, . » - - - 83 Improvement in Horse Shoes, ... - 88 Lady Barrington 6th, *^ Linseed^ea for Sick Horses, ... - 88 Mulching Young Apple Trees, ... - 81 Mook-Economy, ----.--- 79 Montgomery County Agricultural Society, • - 88 Morgan's Patent Potatoe Planter, - - - 87 Mildew on the Vine, .----- 88 New Mode of Transplanting Large Trees, - - 86 Ne Plus Ultra Wheat, 81 Neglect of Pear Culture, 82 On Shoeing Horses that Over-reach, . . • 87 Preservation of Milk, -.--.* ^7 Perfection, 8^ Patent Self-Regulating Windmill, - - - W Remarks on the Cojipoaition of Fodder, . . 67 Rotation of Garden Crops, 79 Steam vs. Horse Power — A Request, - - - 81 The Dhoora or Indian Millet, . - • - 84 The State Agiicultural Society, - - ' ." . 91 Uuited States Agricultural Society, 84 FARMERS' AND PLANTERS' ENCYCLOPEDIA. THI Cash.— Reaper and Mower Cash $l» with freight added from Dayton, Ohio All reapers warranted tegiTe entire satisfaction, or the money refunded. All ordera left with PASCIIALL SiORRlS k CO., as alove, or addressed by letter to J.AMK8 PATTKN, General Agent for Pennsylrania, at llarrlsbnrg, will meet with prompt attention. March 4t a B. ROGERS' Seed and Agricultural Warehousei 1^0. 29 M AEXET STBEET, PHILADELPHIA. Manufacturer of Woodbury's Fremlnm Horse Power Thresher aod Cleaner, MowIur and Heaping Machines. Aniroonlated Snperphoi^phate of Lime. Chemical Fertilizer, lione Dust. Dealer In Unanu, Ac AH the most approved Aartcultural and Horticultural Imphnicnts made Ur order. Dealer In Imported au'l Anjerican Field ami Garden fc»eeds. Ac, Ac. Invfiitor and ."^laimtacturer of tbe Cast 8te«l Extending 1*0101 Surface and sfubsoll Ploughs. march. 1856-St ' 1^ EVERGREEN TREES. WILLIAM MUNN.of Bangor, Maine. Wholesale Dealer in Native Evergreen and Det Idnouj* Tree-s can furnljih In quantities Arhor Vitus, Balsauj Fir, pruce. Hemlock. l»lne and Larch, hlx Inches to six feet hlKh. and packeo In crater, boxes or bunHeH. and sent to any part «f the Uuited States with dispatch and economy. They are selected fh>ia the best localltl»>s, and taken up so as to Insure the greatest lucceiw, Prlc d Cutalognes furnlsheh Guuno. which Is equal te the he«t Peruvian, and much more lasilui^ Price, $45 per ton. March. Ib66-3t REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES- THE subscriber is now ready to All all orders for Reaping and MofT* Ing Machines, from his manufactory— warranted locut grain and grass better than can be done with scythe and cradle. 0. B. BOOERS. Mar*, »IN~tl Kt. 91 Mai%el Street. , * THE VOL. VI. PHILADELPHIA, MARCH, 1856. NO. 3. GUAJTO. ITS COMPOSITION — VARIETIES— ITS PRESENT AND UL- TERIOR EPECTS UPON THE SOIL. Guano may be defined to be a product resulting, principally, from the dung of various species of birds feeding upon fi.sh, mixed with animal remains of seals, fish, the birds themselves, their eggs and feathers. The Guanoes of commerce are susceptible of two, and perhaps three great divisions, — namely, the products of the rainless climates, th€ products of the rainy and moist latitudes, and perhaps an intermediate variety derived from countries where it rains occasionally. The Guano which we will first con.sider, is that best known, derived from the rainless regions, the Chincha Islands off the coast of P€ru, Ichaboe on the coast of Africa, and other localities. This variety of Guano is generally understood to have been brought to the notice of Europeans by Humboldt in 1 804. It was first brought to England as an article of commerce in 1839, and no tittle diffi- culty was experienced in finding a market for the first shipment. It had, however, been used from time immemorial by the ancient Peruvians as a fertilizing agent. The Chincha Islands when first visited were ! foirad to have been the resort for ages, of a vast num- ber of birds of several di.stinct varieties, while the adjacent seas were literally filled with fish and seals, . attracted thither by the food created for them. To a ' very great extent also, the same state of things pre- vails at the present day at the Guano Inlands of the Pacific. An observation related to us during the past year by an American captain strikingly illus- trates the conditions of animal life which prevails at j these islands, when unfrequented by man. The ob- server visited a small islet on the west coast of South | America, for the purpose of gamine?. On reaching the island, he found the surface literally covered with birds, eggs, and seals, the latter engaged in devouring both birds and eggs indiscriminately. So numerous were the birds, and so indifferent to the approach of roan, that in some places it was actually necessary to kick them aside to form a path, while the adjacent water, to use the expression of the relator, "was so filled with fish, that they obstructed the passage of the boat." Reaching the highest point of the islet, d5 the scene presented to view was most singular — more than two- thirds of the mass of the objects taken in by the eye were alive and in motion, while the sur- face of the island itself was. made up of decomposing animal matter in all stages of fermentation, — the re- mains of fish, collected and not eaten by the fowls, forming the largest portion of the mass, mingled with the exuviae of the birds, and the bodies and bones of seals. These latter, when injured, or about to die, invariably quit the water, and seek refuge upon the shore. The result of all this collection of animal life, in a narrow and limited space, is to form, under a rainless sky, the Guano of the Chincha, or Peruvian Islands — a product of a peculiar fermentation, in which amnw- niacal salts and nitrogenous products are formed from a variety of animal matter. Not only the dung, bodies, and eggs of several varieties of birds, but a large amount of flesh and bones of seals, make up the substance of the decomposing mass. In Patagonia, where it rains occasionally, a modified form of guano occurs, holding an intermediate plac« between the Guano of the Chincha Islands and that derived from rainy latitudes. The constituents of all the Guanos, in tbe first instance, are the same, but in Patagonia, the effects of the occasional rains is to wash out the ammonia from the Guano, and form beds of carbonate of ammonia, intercuUated between beds of Guano. The fact that a large part of the mass of the Guano brought from the Pacific coast of South America is derived from other sources than the mere droppings of fowls is new, and explains what has heretofore been a difficult point with chemists in the analyses of Guano, namely, the presence of so large an amount of humus in the excrement of carniverous birds. It also ex- plains to chemists the peculiar state in which the bone-phosphate of lime and other components of Peru- vian Guano are found, — a state which could not arise from the decomposition of the excrements of any kind of birds. The numerous analyses maile of Peruvian Guano all show a large amount of ammoniacal com- pounds, chiefly in the state of salts, formed by the union of ammonia with hydrated organic acids arising from the decomposition of animal matter, viz., the crenate, appocrenate, urate and lilhate of ammonia. I '.«i v.: '"A I •if INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE M THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Fbbruaey 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 67 w Besides these compounds are also salts of ammonia formed by the union of ammonia with acids derived from the decomposition of animal oils and fats, and from sulphur, existing originally in the feathers. Remarkable as it may seem, these acid derivations of the oils are among the most permanent chemical com- pounds known. They are found in the most ancient Guano deposits, in the oil jars of Herculaneum and Pompeii, and in almost all soils. It has bem sup- posed and often asserted, that the bulk of the ammo- nia contained in Peruvian Guano is associated and combined with carbonic acid, forming simple carbonate of ammonia. To a minute extent this is often the case, especially in specimens that have been exposed to the influence of the air and weather ; but the bulk of the ammonia present in Peruvian Guano is not the simple carbonate, or a sequi-carbonate, but the bi- carbonate. This point is one of great importance in an agricultural view, since the excess of carbonic acid thus retained by the ammonia of the Guano exerts an increased solvent action on the organic matters of the soil to which it is applied. As the ammonia in the Guano is combined with, and neutralized by acids, it can exert no solvent action upon the organic compounds of the soil, which we may designate as humus, or humates. The ammoniacal constituents of the Guano enter into the soil as sub- stances fitted to aid the growth of plants, by forming part of the food consumed by growing healthy vege- tation ; but they do not act in such a way as to dis- solve or render soluble and assimilable the insoluble organic matters of the soil. But there is also in the Guano another constituent of great importance, namely, a fermentative principle, ready to act in all cases where moisture and sufficient warmth are supplied. To illustrate this point more clearly, let us suppose the addition to a mixture of flour and water, forming a paste, of a small quantity of ordinary yeast. This substance is, as is known to every one, a ferment, capable of exciting in nitrogenous bodies, with which it is placed in contact, an analogous action, which we call fermentation. By mixture with the paste of flour and water, we induce fermentation in the paste, and this in time, is able to communicate the same action to a larger mass of flour and water, causing the new quantity to ferment and decompose. In the juice of apples and other fruits, recently expressed, a fermen- tative principle also exists, so small in quantity that the nicest balance will hardly indicate its weight, but yet possessing sufficient power to convert all the sugar present into alcohol and other bodies. So with Guano; a certain fermentative principle present in it, acts upon the organic constituents of soils, provided there be present a sufficient supply of peat and moisture to cause a fermentative motion, or action, in the same way that the yeast acts upon the mixture of flour and water. In all arable soils a cer- tain portion which we designate as organic matter the remains of the last crop in the form of woody fibre and the broken down textures of plants and rootlets —humus, that is vegetable matter far advanced in decay, ulmic acid, a kind of carbonaceous residuum, and a gum-like body, which may be detected in all soils. We have also in all soils that have been cul- tivated for years, in all old meadow and pasture lands, a large but variable quantity of ammonia, locked up in an insoluble state, by combination with various organic acids, and thus of no 'Wilue agriculturally. to be applied as a fertilizer, some of the elements which exist in the Guano itself, and other compounds, which need only the presence of a body in a state of fermentation to cause them to enter into the same condition, become soluble, and thus available for vegetable nutrition. Now Guano, as has been before stated, contains that element which is capable of producing such a fermen- tative change, and thus leaveriy as it were, the whole organic matter of the soil to which it is applied. Experiment has not only proved this, but has also shown that in that universal manure derived from the barnyard, the same fermentative principle exists, con- stituting its most valuable constituent. The water, or draini*gs from well-preserved manure heaps, and the water in which Peruvian Guano has been infused, have the same kind of action, differing only in degree. The ammonia<;al salts in both cases aid this peculiar action, by the readiness with which they change at ordinary temperatures, and themselves combine and re- combine into many different compounds. Nascent ammonia also aids the less solvent organic matters of the soil, and thus brings it into a state in which it is fitted to play its part in aiding the nutrition and growth of plants. The presence of such a fermentative principle in certain manures, furnishes a ready explanation to various phenomena observed by all, but the cause of which has remained obscure. For instance, the ra- pidity with w^hich vegetation is started by the use of highly nitrogenous or. liquid manures, and the phe- nomena observed every summer after a protracted drought, succeeded by the falling of a gentle rain. During the drought, the organic and nitrogenized matter in the soil has been arrested in its changes for want of the necessary supplies of moisture ; at the same time the air contains an abundance of floating organic forms, which are also ready to change as soon as moisture is supplied. When a slight rain occurs, there is carried down into the soil not only the mois- ture for the want of which the organic matter con- tained in the soil is dead and inert, but also the pecu- liar ferment which is most active in producing the change. We speak of the influence of this gentle rain under such circumstances as almost miraculous, and wonder that we fail to produce any similar effect by artificial watering ; but the agency which produces this result can be traced to the cause of which we have spoken. Observation also shows us that at such times the temperature in the earth of the growing vegetation, an inch or two below the surface, rises in spite of the cooling influence of evaporation ; and this is a certain evidence of the active chemical changes taking place. We obtain in this way a source of heat in the soil at the very time and place when it is most needed to assist vegetation in assimilating nutritious matter. Again, it is a well-known fact, that guano succeeds best when applied either in a fluid state, as in solu- tion, or to moderately moist soils, or during the con- tinuance of rains. In such cases the fermentative principle is eliminated from the mass, and made avail- able most speedily and effectually. The next important constituents of the Peruvian Guanos are the phosphates. They are present in a state of extreme minuteness of division. The great activity and power of the chemical action which takes place in the mass of the materials comprising the Guano heaps, has had the effect to break down the granules of the phosphate lime, as voided by the birds, into an impalpable powder, in which state it is ready to be assimilated by a growing crop. On refer- ing to any analysis of Peruvian Guano, it will be seen that more than twenty per cent, of its weight consists of this indispensable constituent of all cereal plants. The application of guano to soils which have been drained of their phosphates by successive wheat and corn crops, proves, therefore, of present and permanent value. Finally, — the last result of Peruvian Guano acting in the soil, is to eliminate enormous quantities of carbonic acid from matters rendered soluble through its agency — all of which tends to nourish and support the crop. The anamonia of the Guano, as such, does not probably enter the plant, but the nitrogen liber- ated from it, and from the other constituents of the Guano, and from the organic matters of the soil, through the agency of the Guano, finds its place as a constituent of the plant. [to be CONTINUED.] 2d. Process op M. Bekaert. — This method diffi&rs from M. Mabbru, in the addition of a few drops of solution of carbonate of soda to the milk before it is subjected to the boiling temperature. In this process the milk may be kept in glass bottles, which must be carefully corked. After the weak alkaline solution has been added, the whole is heated in water gradu- ally raised to the temperature of 212° F., and after- wards slowly cooled. A bottle of milk thus prepared was perfectly sweet and fresh after having been kept ten weeks. Zd. Moore's Process. — Mr. Moore removes from the milk its constituent water, retaining its component elements. The condition in which butter, caseine. &c.,are preserved, is such, that when the paste comes to be again united with water, the milk re-assumes its original appearance and flavor. 4th. SoLiDiPiBD Milk. — By the successive applica- tions of carefully regulated heat, and by the addition of a substance which he has discovered, M. Fadenilke has succeeded in removing from the milk those of its constituents which, as he believes, cause it to decom- pose, and are also injurious to health. Sugar and a small quantity of gum tragacanth are then added to the residue, which is ultimately solidified by the pro- longed action of a constantly varied temperature. This preparation does not require to be excluded from the air. •«► PRESERVATION OF MILK. Four different processes for the preservation of milk have been described in the London Chemist. They are as follows ; 1st. The Process of M. Mabbru.— This process preserves the milk without addition of any substance whatever. It consists essentially in the exposure of metallic bottles, each containing about a quart of milk, | to steam raised to the temperature of 212° F. These bottles were filled with leaden tubes, by means of which they were vertically suspended in the steam from a chest filled with milk, so that there was con- stantly a layer of milk above the extremities of the leaden tubes. After having received sufficient heat, the bottles and their contents were suffered to cool, and when cooled, the leaden tubes were carefully closed under the surface of the milk, to prevent the admission of air. A bottle of milk thus prepared, i ^nich had been kept fourteen months, was found un- ' altered when opened. I REMARKS ON THE COMPOSniON OP FODDER. M. Isidore Pierre, jof France, has recently in the Comptes Readus, called the attention of agriculturists to the value of certain plants for fodder, especially for cows, which are generally regarded as of little account. These are the mistletoe of fruit trees, the varieties of the nettle, and common thistles. Young thistles, M. Pierre considers equal to the best of green fodder. They should not, however, be offered to animals in the fresh state, but after exposure to the air or sun for some hours, so as to cause them to fade or wilt. The thorns in this way lose a portion of tkeir rigidity, and the plant becomes a favorite food with animals. Nettles given in the same way furnish an excellent food for milch cows. As dried fodder, M. Pierre pronounces them to be richer in nitrogen than any other kind of fodder. In this condition they contain about twenty per cent, of water ; in the green state at the time of flowering about eighty per cent. -*•»- tIT* In a letter received from our friend Wm. C. Hoffman, of Frederick county, Md , he says : ''While writing, I will take the liberty of giving my opinion of the use of lime on such land as mine (clay based on yellow slate, or, as here called, chestnut land). I cannot perceive any immediate benefit to the wheat crop from its use ; but corn and clover are greatly improved by it. Last spring I limed a part of a field of corn, and the superiority of the limed part was so manifest, as to attract the attention of the hands in gathering." M THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Februabt 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 69 IMPROVEMENT IN COTTON GINS. The accompanying figures represent an improye- ment in Cotton Gins recently patented by H. H. Fqltz, of Lexington, Holmes county, Mississippi. The nature of the improyement consists in giving the cotton to be ginned a spiral motion in the feed box, over the saws, so that it (the cotton) is made to pass from one end of the feed box to the other, to present a fresh surface of it to the action of the saws as it passes along ; also to prevent the staples from being cut by the saws ; while at the same time the cotton is cleaned in a superior manner. Fig. 1 is a front view of the improved gin, with the seed board removed, and fig 2 is a transverse vertical section of it. The same letters refer to like parts. A represents the shaft on which the saws, B, are secured. The saws rotate between the ribs, a, of the breast, C D is the seed board, secured between side pieces, a' a\ of the frame, E, to which the breast, C, is attached (these parts are of the usual construction). The frame, E, of the breast is secured by hinges, h 6, tu the frame, F, of the gin, so that the breast may be raised or lowered, to allow the saws to project the requisite distance between the ribs, a a. To the upper part of the frame, and between the ribs, a, of the breast, the lower ends of oblique plates, c, are fitted. These are of a curved form as represented in fig. 2 ; their back edges are made to correspond in form to the upper curved cross piece of the frame. The upper ends of these oblique plates, c, ar« fitted in _ 1 n i.1,^ ^^Ae, ^f wrViinVi orp cS ft cvlindrical form. St uar, vjr, tuo cucio v>* i^k*»t^** »•- — — ~j --" — > and pass through the side pieces, a* a\ This bar, G, has a regulating screw, d rf, on each end, by which any degree of obliquity can be given to the plates, c. The feed box is formed by the seed board, D, side pieces, a' a\ and breast, C The cotton to be ginned is placed in at one end of this box— at H, fig. 1. By the action of the saws, B, the cotton is turned within the feed box and the oblique plates, c, move it from the end, H, towards the opposite end, as indicated by the arrows. By this means, a fresh surface of cotton is presented to the action of the saws, as it is moved spirally along the whole length of the feed box, and the cleaning and separating of it must be accomplished in a superior manner to that of the common gin. It will be observed that by giving the cotton a spiral feed motion to the saw, the staple will not be cut by them, as in common gins, by long direct action upon one part. The long staple is therefore separated near the feed end, H, and is subjected to the action of the saws for only a short period ; the medium staple is taken out about the middle of the gin, and the short staple at the extreme end opposite H. At this end of the box the saws are placed close together, and the seed is stripped off the short fibre, as shown in fig. 1. The seed and hulls also pass out underneath the seed board at the end of the box, a suitable opening being made in it for this purpose. In the common cotton gin, the staple is liable to be cut by the saws, because the cotton as placed in the feed box, merely rotates by the action of the saws, consequently, in order t© separate the seeds perfectly, it is subjected for a long time to the direct action of the saws, which thereby cuts the longer staples, dis- charging all of about an equal length. In this machine the cotton is separated into three qualities— long, me- dium, and short staple, and each quality receives an f;j,2 action commensurate to clean it — the longer staples are not acted upon more than may be required, while the shorter staple is acted upon as long as is necessary. The Scientific American states, that the experiments with the gin have given three important results. ** First, an increased quantity of cotton ginned by it ; second, an improvement in the quality of the cotton over that ginned by the old method — its value being increased from one to two cents per pound, as decided by the cotton brokers of New Orleans ; thirdly, all the hulls are discharged with the seed, without being cut with the saws." In connection with this important improvement in the cotton gin, it may not be uninteresting to our readers to recall the various facts connected with the iBrst invention of this machine, which has wrought so wonderful a change in the ajTicultural industry of a large section of our country. The invention of the Cotton Gin, so far as mechan- ical ingenuity is concerned, is due to Eli Whitney, a native of Westborough, Massachusetts, where he was born Dec. 8, 1765 : but like a great many other things that have tended to revolutionize the world, the credit of originating the idea is due to woman. To Mrs. Greene, widow of Gen. Greene, of Revolutionary memory, must be given a share of the glory of this invention. It was owing to her influence that Whit- ney first attempted to construct a machine to separate the lint fi'om the cotton-seed. This was in the winter of 1792-3, when he was a guest in her house near Savannah. The principle of the first model of his machine was the same as that now employed in the most improved gins of the present day. Teeth made of wire were fixed in wooden rollers, which, as they revolved, passed these teeth between wires, hooking the cotton through the interstices, leaving the seed on the opposite side. As the cotton came round it was brushed off by a revolving brush and blown away from the machine. An exact copy of the original model deposited by Whitney in the Patent Office is now in the Crystal Palace, where it can be compared with the most perfect improvements which the active ingenuity of an inventive nation have been able to contrive in half a century, to show that no one has been able successfully to depart from the original idea of the great mind which first conceived the plan of separating the lint from the cotton-seed by machinery. This invention, as soon as it became known, excited the most intense interest throughout the South, par- ticularly in the State of Georgia, where the treatment that the inventor subsequently received is a lasting disgrace to the people of a State whom he had bene- fitted millions of dollars, by giving them the means of growing a crop without which they could not now exist. In May, 1792, Mr. Whitney entered into partnership with Phineas Miller, formerly of Connec- ticut, but then of Georgia, and husoand of Mrs. Gen. Greene, after the General's decease. In this partner- ship they agreed to share all the profits and advan- tages to be derived from patenting and manufacturing, vending or working the new machines for cleaning cotton. On June 20, 1792, Mr. Whitney presented bis petition to Mr. Jefferson, then Secretary of State, at Philadelphia, the seat of the Federal Government, for a patent. In a letter to Mr. Jefferson, who took a deep interest in the invention, foreseeing its great ad- vantage to the South, Mr. Whitney said : " Within about ten days after my first conception of the plan, I made a small though imperfect model." Encouraged by successful experiments, he deter- mined to enlarge the machine. To do this he left Georgia, and quitted the study of the law, in which he was engaged, while incited to this great effort by his patroness, Mrs. Geeene, and established a manu- factory of cotton-gins at New Haven, Connecticut. This enlarged machine was much smaller than those now in use. The cylinder was only two feet two inches in length and six inches in diameter. This was turned by hand, and required the strength of one man to keep it in constant motion. " It is the stated task," says Mr. Whitney, '* of one negro to clean fifty weight of ginned cotton from the green seed kind in a day." At the close of 1793 Whitney was to return with his gins to Georgia, where the planting of cotton had been largely increased in anticipation of separa- ting fifty pounds a day from the seed by one of these new Yankee contrivances. Previously all the cotton had been separated from the seed by the fingers, the task for a negro woman being one pound a day, and this of the black seed variety, to which lint does not adhere, as it does to the green seed, which is the kind known as upland or short staple cotton, while the black seed variety is called Sea Island, and is not so productive as the other awav from the sea coast. An old gentleman of the name of Burden, on Edisto Island, S. C, related to us a few years ago a great I deal of the early history of cotton-growing in that State. Mr. Burden states that the first bale of cotton shipped from Charleston was in 1740. In 1794 he assisted his father to raise a crop of Sea Island cotton, which sold for twenty-five cents a pound. There was then but one cotton buyer in that great cotton mart of the present day. At that time it was the regular practice for all the family every night to devote themselves laboriously to picking and separating it from the seed. He remem- bered well what an excitement was created by the news of the invention of Whitney's cotton gin. For- tunes were predicted for the inventor and those who assisted him to perfect and introduce his new ma- chine, which they would undoubtedly have acquired, but for the injustice done by the people of Georgia. A lawless mob of persons at Savannah broke in and carried off the model, and thus having obtained the secret of its construction, persons set about the manu- facture of machines in defiance of Whitney's patent, and Georgia Courts decided that they had a right to do so, principally from the fact that the pirates made use of iron plates instead of wires to form the hooks, as in the original model, and that Whitney only used saws after he filed his petition and model for a patent, before which some of the Georgians had done the I. 1 1: n THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [February 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 71 same thing. The decision, however, was mainly sup- ported upon the ground that as the introduction of gins would open up boundless resources of wealth to ' the planters, it was too great a power to allow any one man a monopoly of the right to furnish them with machines by which alone they could make the pro- duction of cotton profitable. Thus was the inventor defrauded out of all the advantages of his invention in that State. South Carolina did a little better. In 1801 the State agreed to give him fifty thousand dol- lars for the right to make gins in that State. "This," Mr. Whitney wrote, "■ is selling our right for a song, but it will enable Miller & Whitney to pay all their debts and divide something between them." The introdmction of the gin raised the value of cotton lands from 60 to 100 per cent, in all the cotton-growing States. In December, 1802, Mr. Whitney sold the right to make gins to the State of North Carolina for an annual tax levied by the Legislature upon every saw employed in ginning cotton, for five years, of two and six-pence (25 cents)| Common sized gins had forty saws. This Mr. Whitney considered a liberal recompense, and the money was faithfully collected by the sheriffs and paid over to him. In 1803 the Legislature of Tennessee passed an act to pay a simi- lar patent fee in that State, for four years, of thirty- seven and a half cents a saw. In the meantime the Legislature of South Carolina repudiated their con- tract, leaving thirty thousand dollars unpaid, and suing Miller & Whitney for the twenty thousand already paid, upon the ground of invalidity in the right ; owing to the constant exertions made by the Georgians to discredit Whitney as the original inven- tor, and particularly as he was not entitled to the improvement of saws over wire teeth, notwithstanding lie proved that that was one of his original ideas. But it was claimed: and perhaps with truth, that one Hodgin Holmes made the first saw gin. It was on these grounds that the Governor of Georgia, in his message to the Legislature in 1803, repudiated the idea of granting any thing to Whitney for the inven- tion of the cotton-gin. A committee reported in the same vein, and endeavored to show that the saw-gin had been in use forty years in Switzerland to pick rags, and that one Edward Lyon had a miniature machine in his possession in Georgia before Whitney made his model. They also talked about the '* op- pression to the South " of such a patent monopoly, and Congress to repeal or modify the law, or else pay Whitney for his patent, and throw it open for the benefit of the cotton -growing States. Popular prejudice was now excited by the sordid motive of making money by growing cotton, against paying any thing for the privilege of using Whitney's patent, and Tennessee followed the example of South Carolina in repealing the law. In the session of 1804 the sober second thought of South Carolina came back to her, and the legislature restored the inventor of the cotton gin to his right. The committee reported their full belief that Whitney was the original inven- tor, and he furnished two models of his saw gin, of such perfect construction that a forty-saw gin could be turned with the hopper full of cotton, as easy as a common grindstone. Mr. Miller died December, 1803, leaving Whitney to contend alone with the manifold difficulties which had constantly beset him since his first effort to pro- duce a machine which has done so much to improve . — lA and civilize tue worivi In 1807 he obtained a decree in the United States Court, in Georgia, fully confirming him as the original inventor of the gin. Upon this point the evidence was conclusive, but it did not stop the pirates upon his right, and at the next session of the Court he had two more suits, recovering in both of them. But now, when justice had been obtained, after instituting sixty suits previously, his term of patent had nearly expired. The expense and vexations of these nume- rous suits and disappointments would have discour- aged any man but one who had a mind capable of conceiving the idea, and with his own hands, almost without tools, within ten days, producing a model of a machine which has stood as the model of all the cotton gins built in sixty-five years, to clean the many millions of bales which have been since pro- duced in this country. Since the time of Whitney, the cotton gin has been a prolific source of revenue to the Patent Office, both as a whole machine, and in all its parts. Upon nearly all the plantations, gins are driven by horse, or mule power. A very few are driven by water, and perhaps as many as there are States grow- ing cotton, by steam. The machinery of the horse power is generally of the very roughest description. An upright shaft, with four levers for the horses, sup- ports a wooden cog wheel eight or ten feet across, the cogs of which drive a spur wheel, upon which is & drum for the gin band. This is placed in the lower story — the gin in the second, directly over the horse gearing. The lower story is generally open on three sides, the fourth one being the lint room. The cotton is stored in the upper room, to a large extent, where it is convenient to pass it into the gin. The seed, which is as 9 to 4 of the weight, is thrown out at a window, making enormous piles, and the cotton blown from the gin into the lint room, is taken from there to the great sweep-press outside, in baskets. •••o ANTHRACITE ASHES. It is now generally well known that anthracite, or hard coal ashes — long deemed as worthless to vegeta- tion, and as an actual injury to the soil — are endured with properties which render them valuable when applied as manure. Persons residing in the vicinity of cities and sea-port towns, would do well to bear this fact in mind, and to collect as large quantities as practicable for the benefit of their crops. We have plenty of evidence of their excellent effect on gardens. New England Farmer. ADDRESS BEFORE THE HAMPSHIRE (MASS.) AOBI- CULTUBAL SOCIETY, OCTOBER 11th, 1865. BY CHARLES L. FLINT, SECRETART OP THE MASSACHU- SETTS STATE BOAJID OF AGRICULTURE. One of the most interesting and able of the various agricultural addresses which have come under our notice during the past year, was delivered before the Hampshire Agricultural Society of Massachusetts, in A/»fnVuir hv r!FiART.F.s Is. Fl Ova ilOirKw ainn*^r% -r 1 ui uvrac power for these purposes can easily solve, how the cost of the one compares with the other. Every far- mer with whom I have conversed (who has used steam) gives it the decided preference, though none have gone sufficiently into detail to satisfy my mind as to the propriety of substituting it for my horse power, I therefore do most earnestly request some one of those who have tested the matter satisfactorily, to commu- nicate the results of their experience, in order that all who will may be benefitted by it. H. P. Del. CO., Pa. [As a reply in part to the inquiries of our corres- pondent, we give below an extract from a letter from Mr. Jos. A. Humphreys, of Versailles, Ky., who says : " I have recently provided myself with one of A. N. Wood & Co. 's portable steam engines (of eight horse power), and have it now in successful operation on my farm. It is a most admirable machine, works beautifully, and I am fully satisfied it will prove espe- cially valuable as a motive power for the machinery in general use on all large stock farms. It is my in- tention to thresh all my grain with it the coming in the case of the former plantings, when all his trees died. ^ My own experience corresponds with that of my neighbor's, and there is little doubt that were mulch- ing more generally practised, there would be fewer failures of young orchards. Where it is found inconvenient to apply long barn- yard manure, plain straw, leaves, or even corn stalks, will answer an excellent purpose. E. Lukens. Gloucester co. , N. J. -••»- NE PLUS ULTRA WHEAT. A little more than a year since, the attention of the agricultural world was specially directed to the Ne Plus Ultra Wheat, grown by a Mr. Harradinb, of Needingworth, England. Its exceedingly prolific habits, as well as its superior quality, were the theme of many a well written article, and the worid was led to expect a complete revolution in wheat growing. Subsequent events have proven that this superlatively excellent wheat has shared the fate of thousands of other varieties, the praise of which has been sung so loudly by interested parties. A correspondent of the Saturday Evening Post tells the tale so fluently, that we transfer his communication to our columns with pleasure, at the same time referring the reader to an article in another part of the Journal, *' Impositions upon Farmers:!* ** In the last Post I saw a piece written respecting this wheat, and I thought I would communicate to you what I know about it, and you can make what ^ ^ , „ use you please of it. My native place is about four season. I have already tried it in threshing some miles from Needingworth, and the name of Mr Ilar- rye, and find it admirably adapted to such work ; the radine is familiar to me, though I do not know him • exhaust steam passing up the smoke pipe extinguishes | but seeing the first piece, about a year ago, I felt some all sparks, and effectually precludes the possibility of interest about it, being a farmer myself. I immedi damage from fire." We shall be pleased to have further correspondence with Mr. Humphreys on this subject, and hope he will, so far as is practicable, answer the queries of our correspondent H. P.— Ed.] For the Farm Journal. MITLCHING YOUNG APPLE TREES. Messrs. Editors :— «* Many a little makes a mickle," and perhaps the mite of information I have to com- municate will help a little towards swelling the ag- gregate of the Farm Journal's usefulness. A neighbor of mine, who for several years had been unsuccessful in his plantings of apple trees, was in- duced, at my suggestion, to try mulching. His trees were planted early in the spring, and almost imme- aiately after planting, were mulched to a depth of three or four inches with long barnyard manure. The manure was applied to a somewhat greater dis- tance around the tree than the roots were likely to extend themselves, and the result was what I antici- pated ; the trees, without a single exception, grew ^nely, although the method of planting and treatment (mulching excepted) were precisely the same as used ately wrote to a nephew of mine, who lives in a vil- lage very near, to inquire about it. I also cut out the piece from the Post, and enclosed it in the letter, and requested him to send me a few grains, if he could procure them. In March last he wrote me an answer to it, with one ear of the said wheat enclosed. It contained just forty grains, I think. I dibbled twenty grains in the garden in the spring ; as the piece said it would do to sow in the spring, I thought I would try it. Sixteen grew, and seemed to do well for a while, but did not come out in head, and died away in the fall. I have the other twenty grains in the ground ; I think eighteen grew. The grains looked like very fair wheat. Now I will tell you what my nephew writes me respecting it; *' Respecting the wheat, there is no one growing it with us, not even himself, (meaning Mr. Harradine,) I think, this year, they don't like it at all here. It comes in late, is bad to thrash, and is only fit for pigs when ground. Millers won't have it. Concerning the yield, we have had as much this year from the common kind, as men- tioned in this piece. This has been an extraordinary year— the best I ever remember." H. H. Copetown, Canada West. , ::l' THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [MlRCB 1866.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARME1. 83 For the Farm Journal. CULTIVATION OF THE LOCUST. Messrs. Editors :— We are almost daily reminded of the growing scarcity of timber, and especially of that kmd adapted to fencing. One of the most onerous taxes the farmer (even with a comparatively plentiful supply of timber,) is called to meet, is that of fencing. At least ten per cent, of the expenses of his farming operations are absorbed in this direction, and if the price of posts and rails is to increase in the same ratio as other timber, the day is not far distant when this per centage will be doubled. Now, this is a sul^ject of serious importance, and unless it is the determina- tion of the farmer to adopt the European system of soiling his cattle in summer, and dispense with fencing altogether, it is high time that some general move were made towards repairing the inroads made upon our timber lands. What shall this move be ? For a while it was fondly hoped that wire or iron fencing would furnish a cheap and durable substitute for wood, and in all probability Yankee ingenuity will yet devise some effectual plan. But thus far, iron or wire fencing for general purposes has been to all in- tents a failure. We must look to some other source, and I know of none likely to prove so valuable as wood. Where posts are wanted, it is a well known fact that the locust is always preferred. In point of strength and durability, it holds the first rank amongst all our timber for this purpose, and what is equally important, no one of our hard wood trees SO soon reaches the size and maturity necessary to fit it for fence posts. It grows well in almost any climate or locality, though I have always found it flourishing best in good soils. But its growth is sufficiently rapid and vigorous in medium soils to render its cul- tivation a matter not only of expediency, but of profit to the farmer. Under fair circumstances, and with but trifling attention, an acre of locust will, in fifteen years, be worth from $900 to $1200, and in some localities more. I never was more surprised or de- lighted, than on visiting the farm on which my early life had been spent, to find the locust sprouts which I had planted, less than twenty years ago, grown up into magnificent trees, which if it had been deemed necessary or expedient to cut down, would have fur- nished each, a large number of posts of the first quality. In view of these facts, I would ask how many farms there are upon which sufficient space could not be spared for the cultivation of sufficient quantity of locust trees to keep it supplied with fence posts, at least, to say nothing of the fire- wood, which the branches would furnish? How many farms are there, the appearance as well as value of which would not be materially enhanced by the cultivation of locust trees along the roads or some of the fence-rows ; but at all events in the vicinity of the dwelling ? And what tree is more desirable, either as ornamental or useful. I am led to hope that these few remarks will lead some of your readers, cultivation and succeeded, their experience, as well as attempt to cultivate them. Should this article prove next say a word in regard chesnut tree for rails. who have attempted iti to give us the benefit of induce others to make the acceptable, I will in your to the cultivation of the Respectfully, Amos Johnston. ■«••■ For the F»rtn Journal. KEOLECT OF PEAK CULTURE. Messrs. Editors :— It is frequently asked why good pears are so scarce in our markets, though a satisfactory response to/the inquiry I have never heard. Regarded as a matter of profit, or of pleasure and convenience only, pear culture has equally strong claims upon the attention of the horticulturist. Viewed in the light of profit, we have the strongest inducements presented. A familiar acquaintance with the condition of the fruit market of Philadelphia, for many years past, enables me to state with confidence, that there has never been a season within my recol* lection in which the supply of good pears was nearly equal to the demand, or in which prices did not range so high as to place this delightful fruit altogether beyond the reach of any but the wealthy. I have seen, it is true, abundance of miserable, knotty, half- ripened Seckel pears, and occasionally a supply of other very inferior kinds, but never, at one time, u many choice varieties as would serve to supply the wants of twenty families. The truth is, that first quality pears have always been so scarce that they are rarely ever found for sale in any other locality than the windows of fashionable confectioners, where they find ready customers at from twelve and a half to fifty cents each. Whether these prices are remune- rative or not, I leave your readers to decide. To my mind, however, it appears that one-fourth the rates quoted, would pay well. A a matter of pleasure or of family convenience, pear cultivation is equally entitled to consideration, for, admitting that success is the result of care and attention only, I contend that the extra pains bestowed upon this delightful fruit is amply repaid, first in the return of fruit itself, and secondly, in the pleasure which always follows the successful prosecution of any praiseworthy undertaking. Now, to my mind, no satisfactory reason for this culpable neglect of the pear can be assigned, nor any reason why good pears should not be as abundant and as cheap as good apples. Even at the prices which good apples always command in the most plentiful seasons, they would be a paying crop. Allow me to present in conclusion a few facts, which may possibly serve to stimulate the energies of some of our farmers, who appear to have forgotten that such fruits as pears can be successfully cultivated in Pennsylvania : "Forty Dollar Pear Trbb.— Mr. C. A. Nbalet, formerly a resident of this town, but now a farmer of :A Eddington, in Penobscot county, hauled into the vil- lage last Tuesday morning forty bushels of pears, and in one hour retailed all of them from his wagon at two dollars a bushel. The pears were of a superior qual- ity, and bought expressly for making preserves. Mr. N. informed us that he gathered twenty bushels of this lot from one tree. We should think that the farmers in this region might take the hint — it costs but a triflle to grow the trees." — Ellsworth {Maine) American. This is pretty well for Maine, but it is not ahead of Western New York, as witness the following: — In the Albany Cultivator for 1852, page 373, it is said that ** Wm. S. Lapham, of Macedon, New York, has a pear tree standing in the corner of his house yard, which is probably over twenty-five years old, and which yielded the present year fifteen bushels of fine, smooth pears, which sold on the ground at two and a quarter dollars per bushel, or about $34 for the crop." In the same neighborhood, the Cultivator addsy Israel Delano "gathered from two trees of the Virgcdieuy forty-two bushels of pears, all of which were sold at two and a quarter dollars per bushel, or $94 for the two." At one of the pomological meetings held during the New York State Fair, in 1853, mention was made of *' an old tree in Western Yew York, which had annu- ally yielded from $20 to $30 worth of pears, at two and a half dollars per boshel." * For the Farm Journal. IMPOSITIONS UPON FAEMEBS. Messrs. Editors :— An examination of the published volumes of our differemt agricultural periodicals for the last eight or ten years would demonstrate with uumistakeable clearness, a leading characteristic of a very large number of our farmers, viz : an earnest seeking after the new— the progressive. This spirit of inquiry is commendable, and if it were possible to have it always directed in the proper channel, far more desirable results would long since have been at- tained. But. unfortunately, in this mad chase after novelties— this spirit of speculation, for such is per- haps the most appropriate title for it— how many have lost not merely their cash investments and their time, but their confidence not only in that which is of doubtful utility, but in those things which sound judgment and ample experience have demonstrated to he valuable and important. There are in every class in society many speculators --Bamums— men who do a thriving business with little or no other capital than the credulity of those upon whom their impositions are practiced, and it is to be regretted that farmers are not exempt from the tricks of these impostors. Compared with these cheats, Bamum sinks into comparative insignificance. He realized perhaps more from his exhibition of the "Woolly Horse," " Joyce Heath," &c., than they gen- erally do from their worthless wares, but their victims suffer to an incalculably greate r extent. Twenty-five cents enabled any one to gratify his curiosity in regard to the ** Woolly Horse," but an hundred times that amount is insufficient to remunerate the farmer, who invests time, labor and money in yery many of these agricultural speculations, only to find in the end that he has been miserably duped Who does not remember the Morus Multicaulis speculation, and the ruin it entailed upon thousands of honest, well-mean- ing men. The Rohan Potatoe was an imposition of the same character ; and almost every day startling announcements are made of the discovery of some new variety of wheat, or corn, or grass, or fruit, which, in point of productiveness, easiness of cultivation, peculiar adaptation to almost any soil or climate, has never been equalled. Of course the prices asked for these rare commodities are commensurate with their advertised value. For instance, one nurseryman an- nounces the Dioscorea Batata at one dollar per single tuber. Another, with a more reasonable conscience, asks only the fourth of that sum. Iverson*s Rescue Grass can be procured, I understand, for $5 per peck. The Wyandot Corn, the value of which remains yet to be tested, finds large purchasers at the modest rate of a penny per grain, or about eight hundred dol- lars per bushel. I might multiply these instances indefinitely ; but enough has been said to convince every reasonable reader that the glaring representa- tions usually given of these novelties in the agricul- tural world should be received cum grano salis. In agricultural implements the same mania prevails, though perhaps to a less extent. The spirit of inven- tion stalks erect through the land, and new implements for the use of the farmer are patented every day. Shrewd men are engaged to sell territorial rights, and fortunes are frequently realized on inventions as worth- less, so far as practical utility is concerned, as it is possible to conceive the wood and iron of which they are composed to be. It is only a few months since territorial rights for a corn sheller were sold in the vicinity of Pittsburg to the amount of $60,000. Large sums of money were invested in its manufac- ture, and visions of profits at the rate of hundred's per cent, indulged in. Alas, for the vanity of human expectations ! Three or four months have sufficed to explode the bubble; and those who invested their money in it, whether as purchasers of rights or of machines, will now have an opportunity of reflecting upon their folly, and of profiting by their dear bought experience. And this is only one instance out of a hundred I could name. Do not things of this kind demand serious consid- eration on the part of those who really desire the advancement of our agricultural interests ? It will be difficult, I admit, to devise a plan by which the credulous and unwary may be protected from these impositions ; but it appears to me that much might be done by the editors of our agricultural journals to- wards so desirable an end. If they would come to the fi^ed deter joinati on to recommend no seed or fruit or impleh.«nt, unless convinced by the most unimpeaob i ■j m n *l 1 1l TIGHT BINDING u THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Marcb 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 85 able testimony that it was really meritorious, very few of these impostors would succeed in filching from farmers so much of their hard earnings. February, 1856. W- ^- ^• THE DHOOEA OR INDIAN MILLET. As several articles have been going the rounds of the papers highly extolling the merits of a so-called : new Chinese sugar cane, also the Dhoora or Indian Millet, and recommending them to our farmers for | cultivation, we have been permitted to copy the following letter from Dr. William Darlington, the eminent Botanist, of West Chester, addressed to Paschall Morris, of this city. It will be a matter of general interest to have these fashionable novelties of the present day, and which have been known to Botanists for a hundred years, placed where they belong : Rbspbotbd Friend :— Thy note on the subject of the " Dhoora," or Durra, is just received. The plant referred to is the common ''Indian Millet,'' which thee will find briefly described in the last edition of Floj-a cestrica, page 389. Like some other modern ** novelties," it has been known for a century or two ; and I have noticed it, occasionally, in the gardens of this couMtry— cultivated as a curiosity— ever since I paid attention to such things. It is a native of the East Indies, and has borne a number of names in the books. Linnaeus described it under the name of Hoi- cus Sorghum, Miez called it Holcus Dora; Forskaol, Holcus Durra; and Gaertner, Holcus rubens. Persoon named it Sorghum vulgare, which is now the generally received name among the Botanists. *' Dhoora " (or Durra) J and ''SorgW (or Sorghum), are the names used by the natives of India ; and from them the bo- tanical names above given were derived. Roth, Rox- burgh, and Kunth, referred all the species to the genus Andropogon (which embraces our Indian Grasses); and called the Indian Millet by the name of Andropo- gon Sorghum, The foregoing will enable thee to un- derstand the Synonyma, or various names, the plant has borne. They all mean the same thing, viz : the common '^Indian Millet. I doubt whether it will ever be worth cultivating — either for the seeds, or herbage— in a country where the ** Indian Com " (Zea Mays) comes to such perfection as it does in the United States. I have very little confidence in the exaggerated statements of not' c/^i/-mongers. The ** Chinese Sugar Cane,'' which has been recently trumpeted through the newspapers, is very nearly related to the Indian Millet. The most striking differ- ence is its black, or dark purple chaff. Several eminent Botanists regard it as nothing more than a variety of the Sorghum vidgarc ; while others allow it the rank of a species, under the name of Sorghum bicolor. 1 will here give a list of the species of Sorghum, which have been cultivated in this country (merely as garden curiosities, however,) ever since I can re- member ; with their common names annexed, as far as they areknown to me, viz : 1. Sorghum vulgare, Persoon. Indian Millet, Dhoora, or Durra. , . ^ 2. Sorghum bicolor, Willdenow. Chocolate Com, ** Chinese Sugar Cane." 3. Sorghum Cernuum, Willdenow. Guinea Com. 4. Sorghum saccharatum, Persoon. Broom Com. Whatever may be alleged in other parts of the world concerning the merits, or importance, of these Asiatic grasses, either as yielding grcdn, sugar, or fodder, mj own observation inclines me to the opinion, that, in this region, at least, the culture of the common Broom Corn, for the manufacture of broom whisks, and brushes, will be found more profitable than for any other purpose; and will pay better than the other three species, all put together. Trusting this rather long (and I fear tedious,^ account of the old novelties may prove satisfactory, I remain, very respectfully, Wm. Darlington. West Chester, Jan. 28, 1856. <«•>- UNITED STATES AGRICULTURAL SOCIETy. In addition to our report of the proceedings of this Society given in the February number, we add the following particulars of interest : A portion of the funds of the Society, amounting to $2,149, was on deposit at Washington with Selden, Withers & Co., at the time of their failure. This sum was only partially secured, and as yet no dividend has been paid upon it. The following paper *' On the Improvement of the Horse in the United States," was read by D. J. Browne, of the Patent OfiBce : The " Atlas Statistique de la Production des Che- vaux " gives some interesting details respecting the method of the *♦ Administration " for obtaining the most correct information with regard to the number and quality of the various races of horses to be found in France. The Society or Administration for breed- ing this animal has divided that country into twenty- seven districts, which comprise two breeding estab- lishments, twenty-four depots for stallions, and one for army horses. In order to arrive at an exact esti- mate of the equine population, persons especially chosen for the purpose were employed in 1850 to visit every stable, village, and canton in each arrondise* ment and department. The result of this census of horses demonstrates with suflBcient clearness the pro- gress and utility of these establishments. The ad- vantages they afford in improving the breeds gener- ally, as well as in giving increased value to the ani- mals in a commercial point of view, are already appreciated by the French, and naturally lead to the suggestion of adopting a similar system in the United States for the improvement of the horses in our army as well as for other purposes. If a depot for stallions of approved breeds were established by Government in each State and Territory in the Union for public use, free of charge, incalculable benefit would douut* less accrue to the country, and in less than ten yeart the improvement and increased value of the horse would be immense. The question arises, how shall this change be brought about ? Where are the horses to be obtained ? At whose expense ? And by whom shall it be accom- plished ? It has been suggested that it would very properly come under the direction of the War Depart- ment, with the view of providing for the future wants of the army, and that an adequate appropriation should be made by Congress for that purpose. With equal propriety it has been asserted that it could be done by the States themselves through their Agricul- tural Societies, Boards of Agriculture, &c. The breeding horses of one or both sexes could be imported in suflBcient numbers and varieties from various parts of Europe, Northern Africa, and South America. In the selection of breeds, as to their adaptation to the economy, uses, and climate of the diflTerent sections of our country, it would require much investigation, practical knowledge, science, and discrimination. Whether such an enterprise can ever be brought about remains only for the public to decide. Capt. Van Vleit, U. S. Army, read a paper upon the Rocky Mountain sheep. Prof. Baird, of the Smithsonian Institute, exhibited specimens of the horns, hoofs, head, and hair of the Rocky Mountain sheep, and urged several reasons why the animal should be domesticated, stating that, wild and diflBcult of access as they are, an appropriation of from $100 to $200 would induce some hunters about Fcrt Laramie to persevere in their eflforts until several pairs of these animals could be obtained, which would be suflBcient to warrant an attempt at their domestication. Mr. D. Jay Browne spoke of the attempt to domes- ticate the buflfalo and cross the breed with that of the • tame cattle, and went into some details showing the doubtful success of the attempt. He moved to refer the whole subject to the Executive Committee. Mr. B. P. Poore gave a description of an attempt his father made to domesticate imported sheep of a fine breed among the hills of Georgia. The result of the experiment was, that most of the sheep died, and the shepherds who had been brought over to take care of them insisted that the reason of their death was that the country was too wild for them. Mr. Poore thought that if this country was too wild for ine European sheep, it must be the very place in which the experiment of domesticating the mountain sheep would meet with the greatest success. The project of the domestication of the Rocky Mountam sheep was referred to the Executive Com- mittee. D. Jay Browne, Esq., gave an account of a plan submitted to the Commissioner of Patents by a ^en- iTnr/'''^ ^^^' ^' ^"^P"^^ ^'' distribution, large quantities of a superior kind of Mediterranean wheat, ^nis proposition could not be entertained, as the an- Propnation of Congress for that purpose had been | exhausted. Mr. Browne therefore laid it before the ' Society, with the hope that some plan might be origi- nated whereby wheat might be imported by the So- ciety and distributed all over the country in small quantities, with a request that it should be tried and a report of the results forwarded to the Society. A. Kimmel, Esq., thought that no subject was more important at this time than improvement in the qual- ity of seed wheat and the selection of that kind that would yield the largest supply. He asked if Mr. Browne had no plan to suggest ; whereupon heoflfered the following resolutions ; Whereas, it has been represented that the wheat seed, procured from the shores of the Mediterranean and Black Seas, when cultivated in various sections of the United States, matures several days eariier than the ordinary varieties in use, and that said wheat not only proves to be more prolific in its yield, for the first few years at least, but possesses other valuable pro- perties ; Therefore, be it Resolved, That the Executive Committee be em- powered to import such quantities and varieties of said wheat as they may deem expedient, to be placed in proper hands for experiment, at least one bushel in a place, in every State and Territory, making it obli- gatory on the part of each experimenter, to duly re- port to this Society the result. Resolved, That said Committee be empowered, if thought expedient, to issue proposals for the importa- tion of a cargo of wheat seed for the use of agricultu- ral societies or individuals, on such terms or condi- tions as they may see fit to prescribe. Mr Kimmel enumerated the diflTerent kinds of for- eign wheat of fine quality, and the ports at which they could be obtained with the greatest care and of the best quality. For a factor to travel to all these places would involve too much expense ; and yet the different kinds of wheat could not be obtained at any other place. Therefore he suggested that efforts be made to obtain these different kinds through the American Consuls residing in the countries in which those various kinds grow. In the course of his re- marks he spoke of an attempt he had made to domes- ticate a kind brought from a part of Europe ten de- grees further north than the place in America where It was planted. The result was that in the course of a few years it had the same appearance as native wheat. Prof Henry gave an account of the plans adopted by the Smithsonian Institute for the promotion of meteorological knowledge by a general system of oh- servations. To carry out this idea the Regents had given at- tention to a number of objects. Among others, they had established a system of meteorological observa- vations, on which they had already expended about $15,000. They had collected a large amount of val- uable meteorological observations, which they had not the means of publishing to the worid. The pri- mary object of the system was to solve the problem of American storms, and for this purpose they had :i TIGHT BINDING 86 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [March 1866.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 87 1 adopted the plan first suggested by Prof. Mitchell, of the University of North Carolina, and successfully carried out in particular cases by Prof. Loomis. This consisted in establishing a series of observers through the whole country, and in mapping from their obser- vations the phases of the sky at different hours, and, from a series of maps of this kind, determining the nature, origin, and termination of the great agitations of our atmosphere. The materials, as he had said before, had been collected for this purpose, and the Institution had a large amount of matter which would undoubtedly yield interesting results if the means could be furnished for their reduction and publication. Indeed, he would pledge himself that, if an appropri- ation was made by Congress to defray the expense, one of the most interesting volumes on the subject of storms could be produced which has ever been pub- lished in this or any other country. He believed that the Institution had the materials to settle the question as to the character of these storms, whether rotary and onward, according to Redfield ; whether upward and onward, according to Espy ; and to throw light on their motive force, whether it is the condensation of vapor or the action of electricity. The original plan has been extended and ordinary meteorological results arrived at. For this purpose the Institution has imported standard instruments from London and Paris ; it has instructed an instru- ment-maker to copy and improve them ; and had thus done good service to the cause of meteorology by in- troducing into the country reliable instruments, and inducing intelligent observers to co-operate in carry- ing on the system. Several of the States of the Union had joined the Smithsonian Institution and placed their meteorological results at its disposal. In order to increase the means of usefulness the In- stitution had lately entered, as it were, into a co- partnership with the Patent OflBce, and a grant had been obtained for the purchase of a number of instru- ments ; one hundred rain guages had been procured for distribution to the most important points of the Union, and the returns would hereafter be regularly published in connection with the Patent Office Report. Mr. Browne, of the Patent Office, read a paper on guano, in which he stated that a recent discovery had been made of vast deposites of guano on an island in the Pacific of a quality believed to be equal to the best ammoniated Peruvian guano. The island is under the control of our citizens, it having been discovered by the captain of an American whaling ship. The Government has deemed this a subject of sufficient importance to justify an order to the commander of the Pacific squadron to detach one of his vessels to examine and survey the island and its product of guano, and to protect the owners in their territorial rights. A company has been formed in the city of New York to manage this enterprise, and an expedition has already been sent out, the return of which will be looked for with no little anxiety by all who feel an interest in the question of agriculture. Should the expectations of this company as to the quantity and quality of this guano deposite be realized, they pro- pose to sell it to the American farmer at the rate of from $30 to $40 per ton, or at about two-thirds the present price of Peruvian guano. MORGAN'S PATENT -«••- NEW MODE OF TRANSPLANTING LARGE TREES. A machine recently invented in England by Mr. Uarrow, and which is highly commended by English authorities, resembles the common tumbrels for the conveyance of large pieces of timber, with the excep- tion that the load is carried in a perpendicular posi- tion, and while in motion oscillates in the same man- ner as the suspended candlesticks in the cabin of & ship, instead of hanging horizontally between the wheels. Four wheels of large diameter support an oblong stage formed of beams of timber strongly knitted together. Two sets of these beams run lengthwise, parallel with each other, there being an interval of about two feet six inches in width between each set. These are firmly bound together at each extremity by another system of beams resting on the axletree of each pair of wheels, so that an opening of a rectangular parallelogram shape is formed in the centre of the stage. When it is proposed to remove a tree, this framework is wheeled up to it, and the transverse bars in front having been temporarily de- tached, the trunk of the tree is placed within the parallelogram. A square trench, or rather four trenches of equal length, and at right angles to each other, are then dug, beyond the limit of the roots, and of a depth corresponding to their width. When this is accomplished, the tree is by degrees under- mined, and strong planks of deal are, during the pro- gress of that operation, driven from trench to trench, underneath the mass of clay which they enclose. The heads of these planks have chains attached to them, and these again are connected with powerful jacks — screws acting on the same principle of combi- nation as the common patent corkscrew — placed on the stage of the framework, and by the agency of these, the whole mass is raised above the level of the earth's surface, when the void occasioned by its re- moval is filled up, and a way made firm for the pas- sage of the hinder wheels across the chasm. A team of horses is next yoked to the machine, and these transport the tree to the site prepared for its recep- tion, into which it is slowly lowered, and thus the operation is completed. 4#» Mildew on the Vine. — A scientific gardener d^ dares, in the Cottage Gardener j that wherever he has seen the mildew prevail most in hothouses, it has been where great numbers of plants were grown in the same house. The moisture arising from the ne- cessary waterings caused the mildew to spread rapidly* Few plants in the vinery, and a free circulation of »ir — especially in the morning — to carry off* the damp* are highly important. vibrating motion to the lever J, and a horizontal, reci- procating motion to Mlq rod L, causing the fork on the wA of latter to be moved in and out of the hopper H. Simultaneously with this movement, ^e plunger S, is It will be seen that the distance apart, which the pieces of potatoes are dropped, will be regulated by the diameter of the pinion, E, compared with that of the wheel, D; so that by removing the pinion, E, and re- POTATOE PLANTEB. The accompanying engravings represent a new and improved Potatoe Planter, for which a patent was granted on the 12th day of last month, and which we doubt not will prove a valuable acquisition to the farmers stock of labor and time-saving machinery. Its construction can be readily understood from the sectional drawing orivftn helow Thfl hf»T>T^pr K heintr filled with sections of potatoes, the operator takes the handle, a, and wheeling the machine along the furrow, causes the large wheel, and with it the toothed wheel D, to revolve ; this communicates motion to the pinion E, and through the rou x, a caused to be raised up and down in the bottom of the hopper by the rod V, connected to the lever J, and levers, P and Q. The backward movement of the rod, L, draws the prongs, m, of the fork through the cross bar N, until the piece of potatoe coming in contact with the latter is released from the point of the fork, and drops down the tube 0, into the bottom of the furrow. The slat at the end of the rod V, is so regulated that the latter, and consequently the plunger S, remain stationary until the potatoe at the end of the fork is nearly clear of the opening of the hopper, when the plunger, S, is suddenly raised, stirring up the potatoes to prevent them from choking. At the same time, the curved projection also rises, covering the opening of the hopper, and preventing the potatoes from dropping therefrom, placing it by a larger or smaller one, the potatoes may be dropped into the furrow at any distance apart re- quired. For further particulars address this office. ON SHOEING HORSES THAT OVEE-KEACH. Mb. Editor :— I was bred from my youth a blacksmith and farmer, and whether a natural mechanic or not, I was always anxious to know the whys and wherefores of things, or more properly speaking, the casualities and preventives. I was also fond of trying experiments upon such things as appeared favorable to improvements. I was generally in the shop with my father evenings, rainy days, and such other times as I could be spared from the farm and school. By being in the shop so "iuch, I obtained the views of the farmers generally, ftnd by that was enabled to make many improvements on the farm. I learned also, that many farmers entertain very erroneous views about blacksmithing (and I might add blacksmiths too) ; still they were bound to dictate according to their prejudices ; as, for instance, one says : ''This horse over-reaches, I want you to put the forward shoes as far forward as possible, and set the hind shoes as far back, or he will tear them off." I would some- times try to reason the case by saying the way to pre- vent a horse from over-reaching, is to augment the speed of the forward fQ^t^ and retard the motion of the hind ones ; but in order to accomplish that, I shall have to reverse your directions. Some who had little or no me- chanical genius, would cut short all argument, and say, ** follow my directions, or else not shoe the horse." Of course, a mechanic must obey orders, if he breaks own- ers ; so the horse would go out of the shop, nicely fet- tered, with his shoes clinking at every step ; while, per- haps, the man of inquiry would desire a full explanation. My way is, to make the toe-corks very low, and standing a little under, and the shoes set as far back as convenient on the forward feet, with high heel caulks, so as to let them roll over as soon as possible. On the hind feet, I have the heel-caulk low, and the toe^aulk high, and projecting forward, thus keeping back the hind foot, while coming up over a high toe-caulk, giving time for the forward foot to come out of the way. If thus shod, the horse will travel clean, without a click, and his speed will be increased on a trot, fifteen or twenty seconds in a mile. If acceptable, I may say something about shoe- ing foundered horses hereafter. — N, E. Farmer. Dux. «•* Flyinq Childkrs. — Childers, considered the swiftest horse ever known, performed 4 miles and 380 yards, in seven minutes and a half. TIGHT BINDING < S8 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Marc^ 186«.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 89 ^mi IMPBOVEMENT IN HORSE SHOES. The annexed engravings represent a highly important improvement in horse shoes, patented by W. H. Towers, of Philadelphia, and de- signed to prevent injuries to that noble and useful animal the horse, from the sudden shocks to the limbs heretofore experienced in the use of the ordinary shoe, and to enable the farmer or other person to "rough" his horse without the aid of a blacksmith. Figure 1 is a view of the under part of a shoe with the improvement attached. Figure 2 is a view of the back part of the same, and Figure 3 is a side view. The objects of this highly desirable invention for farmers and others are successfully accomplished by simply attaching to the heels of the shoe by a dove-tail and screw, as represented in the drawing, or by Bwedging, or by any approved and convenient process, steel springs, A, having corks on their flexible ends, or not, as occasion may require, and so secured and arranged in relation to the heel of the shoe as to enable them to yield to the force of the blows occasioned by the sud- den and violent planting of the horse's feet upon the ground, and •consequently to release the feet and limbs from the sudden shock that would otherwise occur, and thereby prevent the formation of corns on the feet and other injurious effects, which happen the animal in many cases from the want of an elastic bearing point upon the sensitive portion of the heel. The toe pieces are attached in the same manner •and being first secured by a screw can, like the spring heel cork, A be attached in case of wear, or from other cause, and replaced with others to suit the character of the ground over which it is designed to employ the animal, without the aid of a blacksmith, and in a minute of time, by simply unscrewing the screws, detailing the toes and corks, and inserting others of the desired roughness or smoothness. This labor is but slight, and its performance does not require more expertness or skill than is possessed by an ordinary hand ; and taking the advantage derived from Fia,2 W. Saffoed & Co., at their Factory, Willow street, between Broad ind if ;« «^ . *• -^u XI- .1. . . « i ^^^«enth Streets. Further information can be had bj It m connection with the others ansmg from the elasti- | addressing as above Box 2058, PhUadelphia P. 0. city given to the heel by the employment of the springs, we should think that not only will ''the merciful man who is merciful to his beast," adopt it through humane notions, but also those of a more utilitarian caste. The manufacture of these improved horse shoes is ex- tensively carried on in this city by H. LINSEED TEA FOB SICE HORSES. Linseed tea is not only a valuable restorative for sick horses, but it is exceedingly useful in cases of inflamma- tion of the membranes peculiar to the organs of respira- tion and digestion ; it shields and lubricates the same ; tranquilizes the irritable state of the parts, and favors healthy action. We have prescribed linseed tea, in large •quantities, during the past month for horses laboring under the prevailing influenza, they seemed to derive much benefit from it, and generally drank it with avidity. Aside from the benefit we derived from the action of mucilage and oil, which the seed contains, its nutritive elements are of some account, especially when given to animals laboring under soreness in the organs of deglu- tition, which incapacitates them from swallowing more solid food. In the event of an animal becoming pros- trated by inability to masticate or swallow more food linseed tea may be resorted to, and in cases of irritable cough, the addition of a little honey makes it still more useful. In the latter form, it may be given to animals laboring under acute or chronic disease of the urinary apparatus, more especially of the kidneys. To prepare linseed tea.— ?iit a couple of handfulls of the seed into a bucket, and pour a gallon and a half of boiling water upon it. Cover it up a short time ; then add a couple of quarts of cold water, when it will be fit for use. — Amer. Veterinary Journal. MONTGOMERY COUNTY AGICULTURAL SOCIETY. Editoe of Faem Jouenal :—Sie :— Enclosed please find a list of the officers of the Montgomery County Agricultural Society for the year 1856: PeIisident— Edwin Moore. Vice Pbesident — Samuel Roberts. Teeasueee— D. C. Getty. CoEEESPONDiNo Seceetaet— Wm. H. Holstein. Recoedino Seceetaet— George F. Roberts. Executive CoMMiTTEE—Charles Johnson, George Gaetrell, W. P. Ellis, E. F. Roberts, H. C. Hoover, C. L. Wampole, Wm. Michener, Charles Hurst. Yours truly, Geo. F. Robeets, Rec. Sec. Society's Hall, Springtown, Feb. 12th, 1856. — « «#i Me. Mechi, the distinguished agriculturist, affirms that every farmer who cultivates two or three hundred acres, without a steam engine, has a great lesson to learn, since an efficient engine of four horse power will tire any sixteen real horses, the comparative cost being <£150- against £600, besides eating nothing when not at work, and economising an immense amount in various ways, in casualities, disease, attendance and food. Punch thinks that carriage-drivers would make the best soldiers in the world, as no troops could stand their eharget. PATENT SELF-REOVLATING WINDMILL. jecting pins on a short crank, /, upon the lower edge of the wings. K is a wind lever, having its fulcrum at axis P. It is supported on an arc, t\ M is its wings, «nd^ a balance weight on its lower end. L is a bar, carrying upon its extremity a vane, by which the'cap, h, IS turned, and the wings, G, brought to face the wind, w 18 a rod connecting the sliding collar, I, with the wind lever, K, when the wind suddenly strikes the sail, M, it depresses it, drawing the rods and sliding collar on the Shift, B, which in turn draw the rods, e «?, and thus t>nng the edge of the wings, G, if the force of the wind 18 extreme, to the eye of the wind, and necessarily ar- The accompanying en- gravings are views of a 8elf-Regulating Wind- mill, for which a patent "was recently granted to Benjamin Frantz. ^ Fig. 1 is a perspective view, and fig. 2 is a top linear view of the wind- mill, with a sail arm disconnected. Similar letters refer to like parts on both figures. The nature of the im- provement consists in the change of the posi- tion of the wings or sails by the direct agency of the wind, produced by a balance lever with a vertical vane on it, which when the wind is too violent or comes in gusts will be depressed and draw back a sliding head, to which the wind sails are connected, and turn them to an angle proportioned to the strength of the wind, and thus enable them to to present the exact amount or sail surface to the wind, however strong, weak or varia- ble it may be. A represents a fra- ming, having upon the top thereof a circular ring, a, upon which the main shaft changes position in bringing the wings to the wind. B is a horizontal shaft furnished with suitable bearings on a cap plate, i, lying upon the ring, a. Upon the outer op projecting end of B, is secured a head, E, from which project arms P F, on which the wings op sails, G, G, swivel op turn. I is a sliding col- lar on shaft B, having radial arms, d rf, pro- jecting therefrom ; e e are strap rods, having one end attached to d dj and the other to pro- rests the rapidity of the mill by presenting less surface to its violence. On the axis, P, of the wind lever, K, is a balance weight, jt?, hung on the end of an arm, opposite to which is another arm on the same axis, the two arms forming an obtuse angle. The weight, p, always brings back the wind lever, K, with its vertical vane, M, to position, when the wind has lulled so as to present the sails, G, properly to the wind on all occasions. A cord or chain is attached to the arm opposite p, and extends down to the lower part of the building, where it is at- tached to another balance lever. By pulling on this chain or chord by the lower lever (not shown), the ' ■i'M ri TIGHT BINDING m 90 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Marob *i weight, p, will be elevated, which will operate the axis, P, of lever, K, throwing back the top of vane M, and drawing back the sliding collar, thus turning the sails, G, G, sharp to the wind, and stopping the mill. A hol- low shaft, extending from below with a bevel wheel on its top, receives motion from a bevel pinion on shaft, B, to drive the machinery below. If this windmill is to be employed to pump water, its shaft, B, may be formed with a central crank on it attached direct with a joint to the upright rod of the Dump's piston. It will readily be perceived that according to the amount of the wind's pressure on the vertical vane, M of lever K, so will the angle of the sails, G G, be regu. la ted to the wind, and consequently the wind surface proportioned to the angle which they describe with the direction of the wind. In a moderate wind their entire surface is presented ; in a high wind their edges are presented to it. The parts of this windmill are few and the means of self-adjusting the sails are simple and ingenious. This windmill can be used for various pur- posesj such aa pumping, grinding, turning lathes dri- ving saws, &c., &c. -••»" FULTZ'S HOESE POWER. The annexed figure is a petspective view of an improvement in horse powers for which a patent was granted to H. H. Fulta, of Lexing- ton, Holmes County, Mississippi, on the 3rd of last July. The na- ture of the improvement consists in placing a driving wheel on the outer end of a bar, the inner end of which turns on a pivot shaft. The horse is attached as shown in the figure, at d, and the driving wheel gives motion to a vertical shaft through gearing, and a horizon- tal shaft. The Scientific American gives the fol- lowing description : — A is a bar, the inner end of which is strap- ped to and turns on a pivot in the socket, G. On the outer end of A, the large broad wheel, H, is secured, and ro- tates on a journal of the shaft, A. It rests and rolls upon the ground. It has cogs, c, on its inner peri- phery, and these gear with a small pinion, C, on the outer end of the small shaft, B, which is supported and rotates in bearings on uprights secured to bar A. D is a bevel wheel on the inner end of shaft, B, and E is a bevel pinion on a stout vertical shaft supported in the pivot post that sustains the bar, A. F is a pulley 'on said shaft from' which the power is taken by a band to drive other machinery, such as cotton gins, presses, thrashing machines, &c. The horse being attached as represented, the driving wheel, H, rotates, and the shaft, B, drives pinion D, which takes into the pinion, E, giving a rapid motion to its vertical shaft, thus operating th^ driving pulley, F, from which power is taken to drive other machinery by a belt. This horse power is very simple to make and run at a good high speed. It can also be constructed very cheaply. One of these has been used for a considerable time by the patentee for driving a cotton saw gin of fifty saws, and it works admirably. Any mechanic of ordinary ability may construct such a horse power if he can obtain the castings for the wheels ; if not, these may be made of wood boiled in oil. The figure tells the whole story, and requires no further description to render it any clearer to the reader. For Southern and Western localities, where cheapness of construction, simplicity of management, and effective- ness of operation is wanted, this power will come into extensive use. It is one of the latest novelties in its class. More information may be obtained by letter addressed to Mr. Fultz, at his residence above named. -•••' LoNGEviTY.—Alex. Me Crackon, a Scotchman by birth, who came to this country with Gen. Burgoyno during the Revolutionary War, and was taken prisoner with his army, died at Colchester, Connecticut, on the 23rd August, 1855, aged 104 years.— Elijah Denny, now living in Pulaski Co., Kentucky, was 118 years old last September. He still works daily on a farm. He served for several years during the Revolution, was wounded at the siege of Charleston, was at the battles of Camden, Eutaw Springs, King's Moun- tain, and Monk's Corner, and the siege of Savannah. 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. fl Cultivation of Cranberries. At the New Hampshire State Fair, 1866, Richard Hall of Auburn, exhibited some cultivated Cranberries raised in a run not very wet, but bordering upon the high land. His process of cultivation he stated to be this : to remove the surface of the ground some three inches in depth, which in this case was carted to the pig-sty ; he then took sand from the shore of a pond, and spread it plentifully upon ♦Ktt irrftund. and set his vines two feet apart ; the second year after this he had a plentiful crop. This was done three years ago, and the vines now cover the ground completely, no grass or weeds being present. He has done nothing to the vines since, and says that the average yield will be, the present year, two bushels of Cranberries to every ten feet square. He esteems this the most profitable crop he can cultivate. He has five acres of this land which he intends to appropriate to this use. When it is considered that fruit is now sold at not less than two dollars a bushel in our markets, this may be considered as farming to some purpose and profit. IBS STATE AOEICTTLTUEAL SDCIETT. Its Present Condition, and Future Prospects. The present condition and future prospects of o\\t State Agricultural Society are subjects deseryng the closest attention of those who feel interested in the agricultural welfare of Pennsylvania. We say its pre- sent condition, because rumors of a painful character are afloat — rumors well calculated to cause a feeling of anxious apprehension, and which, if well founded, de- mand prompt and immediate action on the part of those who have control of its affairs. It is well known that the expenses of the last exhibition so largely exceeded the receipts, that the balance in the treasury of the society is very trifling compared with what it was a twelve-month since. In fact, it has been so materidlly reduced ai> to make it a question whether there is a balance at all in its favor. Now if such be the case (we do not assert that it is), the inquiry naturally presented is. What has caused this depletion of the treasury, and how is it to be guarded against in future ? The causes assigned are various, but as they are too vague to admit of particular specification, we pass them by, leaving the task of elucidating them to those more fami- har with the subject than ourselves. From an examination of the Report of the Treasurer, Mr. Buoher (which is herewith submitted), it will be seen that the balance now in the treasury is less than $1,500. In addition to this, we observe that Mr. Riddle, of Washington County, has made a move in the Legisla- ture, the intention of which is a repeal of the clause of the society's act of incorporation appropriating $2,000 annually to it. We cannot think for a moment that this Bill will be passed ; but the mere fact of its having been brought before the notice of the Legislature is sufl&cient to awaken a feeling of anxiety on the part of the friends of the society. We have thus in a general way attempted to convey an idea of the present condition of the society, in order that a prompt and effectual effort to relieve it from its critical situation may at once be made. If our state- ment is incorrect (which may possibly be the case), it will afford us sincere pleasure to present a more detailed and correct one, and hope such an one will bo furnished in time for our next issue. It is sad to contemplate even the prospective downfall of au ilistiiuiiou bO uobi6 iu object, aad hu uecidedly beneficial in its results upon the agriculture of our State. Our best wishes and endeavours have been with it since the hour of its organization, and they are still with it. We have watched its upward progress with feelings of honest pride. We have noticed with pleasure the wide- spread influence it has exerted upon our State hus- bandry, and looked forward to the day when that in- fluence would have extended itself to every farm-house in the Commonwealth. To find these pleasant hopes and anticipations thus unexpectedly iu danger of being blasted, is painful even to think of. We, therefore, with a spirit which has for its object the welfare of the society only, ask for such a statement of its affairs as will enable the people to know precisely in what position it now stands. If its condition is better than has been represented, none will rejoice more than ourselves ; and if, on the other hand, the truth has been told, it will afford us pleasure to lend our mite of aid and influence towards restoring it to its former pros- perous condition. In the meantime, in the name and behalf of the leading interest of our State, we most earnestly call upon those who have ever been the friends and supporters of the society to rally to its support now. We are aware that there has not been for some time past that harmony of feeling in its councils which is so essential to the successful prosecution of any great undertaking ; but we are led to trust that those who have laid the foundation of this noble structure will not abandon it at a period when their influence is so vitally necessary to its completion — that mere individual differences will not be permitted to intervene between them and an enter- prise which has already done so much good, and pro- mises, with the aid of concentrated effort to do so much more. After its unexampled successes, the prostration of the society would be for ever a reproach upon the farmers of Pennsylvania. The fact that its situation is one of peril, is the best possible reason why there should be a perfect unity of feeling and action in its behalf; such action as will serve to place it in its former proud position. If there has been extravagance, let retrench- ment be the word — if there have been heartburnings, let peace and good feeling now prevail ; and if there has been any remissness of duty, let every one go to work, feeling as if the success of the whole affair depends upon his individual efforts. It is clearly apparent that the hour for action has arrived. The delay of a single month may be fatal. Let us be up and doing — " hand to hand, and shoulder to shoulder." If our State So- ciety must fall, let it not be said that it fell, while those who could have sustained it were indifferent spectators of tlie humiliating spectacle. We invite the careful attention of the reader to the subjoined Report of Mr. Bucher : — if 92 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. [Mar, CB Dr. George H. Bucher, Treasurer, m Account with the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society. 1865. To balance in Treasury as per Account, settled Jan. 15 13 Q.r. .. Jan. 16. " Life Membership Fees of Wm. Stavely and Samuel Pennock ' gO OA "Yearly " " of various persons....^ v^ ] g, . March 7. " Life " " of George Thomas, M. D., and Richard Thatcher „" 20 00 Aprilir. " " " " of Isaac W. Vanleor and E. V. Dickey 20 00 " Yearly " " of John Strohm '...!......!!!.' i oo 26. " Lumber Bill of John Clark, settled through Doctor Elwin -. .'[**'* 37 on " Balance in hands of Doctor Elwyn, Philadelphia subscription go 0* ^^.%,.««wv »w* V luuuuug %ju. viij auu v/uujiuii jDuuua , S499 50 1^» " ** ** on Hazleton Coal Company Bonds qq qq 559 50 Sept. 29. " Receipts during the Fair from Members and Single Tickets 5 599 94 " Life Membership Fee of Samuel Carmalt ' ' jq «. " Deposit of $2,000 used in payment of Bills, and 7 months interest at 4 per cent 2 046 67 Oct. 5. " State Appropriation for 1855 .....!!!.!...*!!* 2000 00 19. " Life Membership Fee of A. B. Davis 1"!»3."."!!!!*.!...!!!.".'.!!!™^^^^ ' 10 00 " Premium of Joseph Like, Lancaster, appropriated to Society ^ c aa Nov. 20. " 36 Life Memberships obtained by James Gowen, President of Society, and amount paid .""',[ 360 00 " Life Membership Fee paid by Jacob M. Haldeman "* 20 00 Dec. 17. " Subscription of Henry Sibort, through Doctor Elwyn 10 00 " Amount of Harrisburg Subscription paid *** -j ^oq 75 " " received proceeds Sale of Lumber g'^oo gOi ' " Manure sold at Philadelphia, settled by Barrack, $18 50, and Lumber to Dugan, $8 *75**.*. ' 27 25 " Interest due on Investments to Jan. 1, 1856 * erg " Sale $6,000 Philadelphia City Bonds— at $90 jg 4OO Brokerage oflf. 15 1856. Jan. 3. 7. " 49 Life Memberships, paid by James Gowen, President of Society \gQ 5,385 00 00 $25,774 46 CONTRA. Cr. By Payments as per Vouchers— Field Crops awarded * to»; " Amount paid for $2,000 Philadelphia City Bonds and Expenses !.!»Z'.'.*.*'.Z." i «?? Rent of Office $75, and postages $71 61 .• 7]^ Paid U. S. Mint for Medals $465, and A. B. Hamiiton .30o'copies"t^any.'sod^^^^ ion Paid salary of Secretary $1000, and Treasurer's salary $350 , ,?n Paid for Printing and Advertising f',^" Paid Clerks, Executive Committee, Stationery, ic.*!]!."' 'lil Paid for Seal Press $21, Table $2, Ropes $65 17, Painting Signs" $i3randFiags*$93*\\\\\':;;;;;;;;; Jo? Paid for Tents $450, Steam Engines $100, and National Band $240 lU p^ld t'?"iZ,1r^^^^^^^^ ''' ^^^^ ^' ^^' ^"^ Ploughing Ground; $225-:::::::::::: III Paid for Hay and Straw ^'^^2 Paid Watchmen and Private Police i/.-i' *.'!'.*.".*.**.*. *.'.".'.' ^^^ Paid W. S. Stirs, carpenter, and hands employed!'. !l '.'.!!!.*."///.'.!."/..*.".*..'.*'/. *.* « ?o2 Paid J. R. Barrick and hands employed ** '^^^ Paid H. Rudabaugh, Chief of Police, and persons employed ...'.'.'".'.*.'.'.*.' .V.'.W.V. *.'*'.".'.";;; «?? a. Paid Joe Hinckley, General Superintendent, and persons employed hauling, Ac oj? !2 Paid PhihpEnsminger, crying sale of Lumber....;. ^^l ^^ Paid for 50 Postage Stamps furnished by Treasurer !.*.*!'. , Paid Cash Premiums, award «f1 n.f thfl TTQ,.»;aK„ — t?_:_ loce ' 1 3,243 u if u u it it it it ft ft ft ft ft ft ft it tt ft it n 00 00 61 00 00 48 54 17 00 90 11 00 29 50 45 S2i 94 Premiums, awarded at the Harrisburg Fah-, 1855 00 50 00 Balance in Treasury 24,351 23i 1,423 22J Note :- $25,774 46 -The Investments of the Society are, viz. ; $6,000 Harrisburg and Lancaster Railroad Bonds 4,000 Carlisle Borough Bonds. 2,000 Hazleton Coal Company Bonds. 1,000 Philadelphia City Bonds. $13,000 StaTeV^icu^^^^^^^^^^^^ *; -^'^ th« Account of the Treasurer of the Pennsylvania 6 ouczeiy, naving examined the Vouchers and compared them with this Report, find it correct. Thomas P. Knox. ffarrttburg, Jan, 15, 1855. ' Isaac G. Mc Kinlet. David Mumma, Jr. 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 93 CHARACTERS AND EFFECTS OF BAD PLOUGHING. Curvature or unequal breadth of ridge renders good ploughing impossible, and is a disgrace to a farm. A curved or a crooked ridge measures more along the plough's path, and occasions correspondingly more labor of tillage, than if it were straight ; and it, at the same time hinders the plough from working with uniform exactness, and considerably impedes it in much of its operations. Every farmer who has had such ridges knows or ought to know how awkwardly the plough moves in them, and how much loss of time and labor is occasioned in finishing them. One fault committed by some ploughmen in ploughing straight ridges is to make a furrow-slice of variable thickness, or not perfectly uniform from end to end ; and this causes it to present an irregular horizontal line. Another is to make a furrow-slice of variable breadth ; and this causes it to present an irregularly vertical line. A third is to make diflferent furrow- slices of diflferent thicknesses and different breadths ; and this causes the parts of the ridge where the unequal furrow-slices occur to have either an unduly raised or unduly depressed sur- face. A fourth is to lay the furrow-slices at diflferent angles, some more upright and others less so than the medium ; and this causes unequal elevation, unequal solidity, unequal pulverization, and unequal lodgment and depth for the seed. A fifth is to lay the crown-slices comparatively erect and high, and the flank or inter- farrow-ward slices comparatively flat and low, with the intention of producing that curvature of the ridge which ought to be due only to the gathering method of plough- ing followed by the action of the harrows ; and this in- volves a greater depth of tillage, and a deeper pabulum for the crop, in some parts of the ridge than in others. A sixth is to miscalculate the width of the slices toward the flanks of the ridges, and in consequence to make the slices of the inter- furrow brows either broader or nar- rower than those of the other parts of the ridge ; and this both imposes upon the inter-furrow brows the bad eflfects of unequal slicing, and entails a risk of making the inter-furrows ill-proportioned, and of exposing the soil along their sides to undue dispersion by the harrows. These errors, as well as some others, are very common ; and some one or two or More of them produce appear- ances which readily attract the notice of a practised eye, and which are technically known by such names as high-crowned ridges, lean flanks, and proud furrow- brows. Now all errors and faults in ploughing more or less affect the fertility of the land, the germination of the seed, and the growth and produce and even quality of the crop. An unduly broad furrow-slice, for example, causes too much seed to lodge, and prevents sufficient aeration and oxygenizement, and makes the crop grow up in a choking and lanky manner, and occasions the produce to be strawy and chaflTy ; an unduly narrow furrow-slice causes the seed to slip down between the two slices, and to become buried at far too great a depth beneath the surface, and occasions great risk and diffi- culty in germination, and renders such plants as can struggle through the soil comparatively late in sprouting and in ripening ;' and a furrow-slice or series of furrow- slices of diff'erent breadths at the bottom and the top, formed by leaning the plough to the side during the pro- cess of cutting them, possess an active soil of different quantities and diflferent degrees of power, and cause all the chemical processes of their crop, and all the results of their development, to be most injuriously diversified. ''Those seeds which have been buried too deep will be the last to flower, and consequently the last to ripen; so that if the farmer waits till the whole crop appears ready for the sickle, all the early seeds will be too ripe by the time that the late ones are sufficiently dry to cut, so that by an error in ploughing, there is a direct loss by the production of less flour from the early seeds, while the farmer is waiting for the late ones to ripen ; thus show- ing that an error committed before seed time has had its influence during the whole period of the growth of the crop, and has shown itself at last in a considerable loss to the farmer by his not being able to harvest his grain at the most profitable time." What seriously aggravates the evil is, that the diversified state of the ground re- mains, in some degree, through subsequent years till it be completely reduced by the prolonged and operose processes of a summer fallow ; so that, while mainly aflfecting the crop immediately after the bad ploughing, it also appreciably aflfects all the following crops of the rotation. BLOOD MANTIBES. The English Agricultural Gazette thus describes the operations of the " Cyanic Manure Comi)any," of Lon- don, in utilizing animal blood for fertilizing mixtures. The manner in which it is used is as follows : "Bone dust and crushed coprolites (fossil manure) are placed in a long tub, along the central axis of which is the shaft of a revolving agitator — so many casks full of blood are poured in over the bones and well mixed by the arms upon the working shaft. Sulphuric acid is added to the mixture, which boils and eflfervesces under the action of the vitriol on the bones and blood, and after thorough commixture for about ten minutes the liquid mass is allowed to escape through the opened end of the vessel, and it runs in a heap upon the earthen floor, where, as it cools, it hardens and dries. Some 16 or 18 large vessels full of this mixture are thus poured out in the course of the day, forming at the end of it a large mass of probably 40 or 66 tons of manure. It soon hardens, and in a day or two is turned over with the spade and broken small, and is found already dry enough for drilling. This is the turnip manure of the company. In their wheat manure the same materials are used in diflferent proportions, and a larger quantity of blood being used, artificial heat is needed to dry the resulting compound. The turnip manure contains about 2 or 3 per cent, of nitrogen along with 16 per cent, of soluble phosphate of lime ; the wheat manure contains about 7 per cent, of nitrogen and the phosphate is re- duced to 10 per cent. Several thousand gallons of blood are used daily in these works." Horse Show.— There is to be a grand Horse Show at Louisville, Kentucky, next spring, under the auspices of the South Western Agricultural and Mechanical Asso- ciation. The exhibition commences on Tuesday, May 13th, 1866, and will continue three days. 1 ii ■■. 94 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. [March PHILADELPHIA, MARCH, 1856. EDITOR'S TABLE. The Farm Journal instead op thb Dollar Premium. —As the period is approaching when the different County Agricultural Societies will be called upon to prepare their premium lists for the fall exhibitions, we are led to indulge the hope that the Dollar Premium will be abolished, and some good agricultural work substi- tuted for it. Among the many publications of this class, it will certainly be no difficult matter to select some one which would be acceptable to the successful exhibitor. But should there be any difficulty on this point, we beg to suggest the Farm Journal^ as suitable in every particular. Its contents are of a sound and reliable character ; its typographical appearance is cer- tainly superior to that of any other agricultural journal in the country ; its form is admirably adapted to bind- ing, and taken as a whole, we venture the assertion that nine competitors out of every ten would prefer it to the dollar premium. Will not schedule committees take these facts into consideration ? If agricultural periodi- cals do exert a beneficial influence upon our farming in- terests, no stronger argument is needed in behalf of their general introduction into premium lists. Besides this, we are ready to make such arrangements with societies as will enable them to effect a considerable saving by the adoption of the plan we have suggested. We trust, therefore, that all of our County Societies will discard the small money premiums, and adopt the better and cheaper ones of good agricultural papers. If they can- not adopt the Farm Journal, why not adopt some other. We shall always be gratified to hear that our own publi- cation has been preferred, but where such a step is deemed inadvisable, we shall not complain, provided a better or as good a one is selected in its stead. In the meantime, let there be a unity of effort in this direction, and we urge upon the various societies the importance of availing themselves of the admirable opportunity the adoption of the Journal premium offers for the distribu- tion of the information so much needed, and so essential to our success as an agricultural paper. Origin of the Wheat Plant. — Much interest hag been excited of late among the Botanists of Europe, by the statements of M. Fabre and Dunal, that they have succeeded in producing the cultivuted wheat (TVitieuiA sativum) from a variety of grass known in the south of Europe as the jE^ilops orata. This grass under cultiva- tion is said to assume the form called uEgilopa triticiidei and finally to become wheat. M. Fabre says that the complete change was produced in twelve years by con- stant cultivation. If this view is correct, then Botanisti are wrong in supposing wheat to be a Triticumy and it must be regarded merely as a variety of jEgilopa^ kept up entirely by the act of the agriculturist. We do not see common wheat in a wild state, but we meet with the grass whence it is derived. Wheat would seem to be a variety rendered permanent by cultivation. The opin- ions of Fabre have been supported by strong evidence. Of late, however, M. Qodbon has published a paper in the Annales des Sciences Naturelles, in which he maintains that jEffilops tritidides is not a mere variety of JEgilopt orata, but that it is a hybrid between the cultivated wheat and the latter plant. This statement seems, at all events, to confirm the idea that wheat and the ^g\. lops are nearly allied plants, for hybrids are not easily produced, except between plants which resemble each other closely. This would be the first known instance of a hybrid among grasses. There can be no doubt that the wheat and JEgilops orata are congeners, and that they exhibit evident marks of resemblance. There appears, therefore, to be much plausibility in the statement of Fabre ; and the hybridization spoken of by M. Godeok may be merely such as would occur between varieties of the species. The matter is, therefore, by no means set- tled, and further experiments are required. Wb would particularly call the attention of our readers to the able article on Guano by Dr. A. A. Hayes, of Massachusetts, which we commence in the present num- ber of the Journal. There are some points in regard to the action of guano which have never been satisfactorily explained, especially the ulterior effects which this fer- tilizer has on soils. These points we think will be made clear in the commnnication referred to. Ohio State Fair.— We learn from the Ohio Cultivator that the next fair of the Ohio State Society will be held at Cleveland, the citizens of that thriving city having guaranteed a subscription of $3000, and agreed to fur- nish the grounds free of charge. Neighbor Brown of the Ohio Farmer, asserts that it will be the best exhibi- tion ever held by the Society, and as he is standard authority, we have no doubt that such will be the case. Agricultural Statistics.— In England, the subject of obtaining yearly a complete return of agricultural statistics, has recently received the attention of Govern- ment. A large committee of Parliament have the sub- ject before them at the present time, and it is expected that a plan embracing the whole of Great Britain, which shall afford minute, complete and accurate information on all statistical matter pertaining to the agricultural industry of the country will soon be put in operation. In this matter the Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland have taken a great interest, and have already in operation plans of their own, of a local character. Bucks County Apple— We have been favored with a specimen of a new seedling apple, which was found growing by the side of a fence in Middletown township, Bucks county, on land belonging to Jane Richardson. The specimen was forwarded to us by Benj. Borden, of Attleborough. It is called the Jane Apple, and although not large, being rather under medium size, is remarkable for long keeping. It is striped with red, interspersed with numerous spots, and has a fair and smooth outside appearance, with a pleasant flavor. It belongs to one of two classes of apples which our present lists are most deficient in, viz ; those which fruit early and that keep long. As one of the latter, which promises to keep from fall till apples are again in bearing, we welcome it as worthy of cultivation. 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. We desire, as far as possible, to adhere to our rule of making all subscriptions commence either with the first or seventh number of the volume ; and are prepared to furnish the back numbers of the present volume to all future subscribers, and shall invariably send them, un- less otherwise directed. This, we consider, is to the interest of our readers, as the value of the work is very much enhanced by having it complete from the beginning of the volume. The Peach Crop. — We learn from our various agri- cultural exchanges, that the peach crop is likely to prove a general failure. The fruit buds, it is said, were all destroyed by the intensely cold weather of the past win- ter. Although such may be the case, we are inclined to doubt the correctness of these reports, and prefer wait- ing for something more satisfactory than any examina- tion which it is possible to make of the buds at this season. Statistics of French and English Agriculture. — In England, out of 60,000,000 acres cultivated, 10,000,- 000 are sown to wheat or other cereal crops, while in France 60,000,000 were cultivated for that purpose. The average growth of wheat per acre in England is 4 quarters, and in France only 13-6 quarters ; while the produce of English land is about £3 4s per acre, and that of French <£1 128 per acre. The number of sheep grown in each country is about 35,000,000, and the wool produced about 60,000 tons ; but, owing to the differ- ence in the acreage, there is something less than 1 1-2 eheep per acre in England, and only about one-third of a sheep per acre in France. In France there are annu- ally slaughtered 4,000,000 of cattle, the average weight of each being 2 cwl. ; while in England there is not half the number slaughtered, bat the average weight is 6 cwi — London Times, Production of Wool. — The clip of wool in the United States amounted in 1860 to 64,616,659 lbs., that of Australia to 70,000,000 lbs., while the wool crop of England in the same year was upwards of 120,000,000 lbs. The result of the last census of the United States shows, that with a population of twenty-nine million, and an extent of territory of more than three million square miles, there are only three hundred and forty- four wool dealers, one thousand and seven woolen man- ufacturers, and but three thousand two hundred and sixty-combers. It is also a fact, by no means creditable, that the value of the sweet potatoes raised in our coun- try annually exceeds that of the wool crop, the former being $19,134,075, and the latter but $15,765,087. The experiments made during the last few years of rearing fine breeds of sheep for wool in the upper part of South Carolina, promises to be completely successful. Several gentlemen who have been engaged in the trial have come to the conclusion that sheep flourish remarkably well throughout the State ; that they can be raised at a tri- fling cost compared with that of the wool growing regions of the North, and that the quality of the wool of the choice European breeds does not degenerate. The accompanying engra- ving represents Felton' s pa- tent portable grain mill, a new and very effective machine for grinding com and cob, com and oats, or corn meal for family use, which it is said to perform quite equal to the common burr mills. It is adapted to the ordinary horse powers, and is capable PATSNT of grinding from three to PORTABLE ORAnr inLL. eight bushels per hour, ac- TROT,if.T. cording to the amount of power used. A peculiar and very desirable feature of this mill is, that those parts subjected to the greatest wear can be readily replaced at a small expense ; and being self-sharpening, it requires but little skill to keep it in repair. Potatoes Geown from Peels. — Mr. C. B. Newen- HAM, of Cork, Ireland, has recently published a book, the object of which is to demonstrate the practicability of successfully growing potatoes from the peels. The Editor of the Glasgow Practical Mechanics' Journal states that he is convinced that it can be done with economy and success, as he has eaten potatoes so pro- duced of a most excellent quality. Under the direction of the Highland Agricultural So- eiety of Scotland, the following agricultural museum is now preparing by the Messrs. Lawson, of Edinburgh : 1st. Plants cultivated for their Seeds and Straw. — To be illustrated by a small sheaf and specimen of grain, together with the manufactured products, as flour, bran, &c. The leguminous plants of this section to be illus- trated by wax models. 2d. Plants cultivated for their Herbage and Forage. — To be illustrated by dried specimens and seeds, with a series of botanical preparations and drawings. 3d. Plants cultivated for their Roots. — To be illustra- ted by wax models of each species and variety ; and, where necessary, drawings or specimens of the plants themselves — the products to be added from time to time as they can be prepared. 4th. Plants cultivated for their Uses in the Arts and Manufactures. — To be illustrated by dried specimens, models, or drawings, of the plants, seeds, and manufac- tured products. 6th. Plants cultivated for their Timber , Bark, ^c. — To be illustrated by specimens of the trees, seeds, and sections of the wood. The Basket Willow. — Mr. M. D. Everest, of Mace- donia Depot, writes the Ohio Farmer^ under date Sep- tember 16, as follows: " Last April I bought of George J. Colby, of Vermont, fifty thousand willow cuttings. We got through sticking them the 16th of May, and now many of the sprouts are six feet long, and all will average about four feet. They will pay well this year, if there should be sale for the cuttings. My ground was only plowed, for the wet weather commenced before I knew that I should obtain I- I wm 96 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Marcb any cuttings ; but we were particular to put the cuttings clear through the sod, into the soil below, and only a few of them failed to grow. The best time to prepare the ground is in the fall, for most of the land that is suitable for the willow is too wet to till in the spring, early enough. It takes about three days' work to stick an acre with the cuttings ; it should be done early in the spring, before other work commences, so that it can be done well without costing too much per acre. "From what I know of the wy,low trade, and the cul- tiyation of the willow, there is no doubt in my mind, that farmers will find it very lucrative to grow them. Most every farmer has some land on which nothing but trash grows, which is just the land for the willow." [Will some of our readers inform us where the willow cuttings can be procured in this vicinity, and at what price. — Ed.] Milk ok Puerperal Fever in Cows. — Cows that are great milkers, and those that have been overfed and kept on stimulating or highly carbonaceous food, are very liable to puerperal fever. The best means, there- fore, of preventing a disease which destroys, in the course of a year, a great number of valuable cows, ia to feed them light during the last stages of pregnancy. At the annual meeting of the State Poultry Society of Pennsylvania, held in Philadelphia, Jan. 11th, 1856, the following gentlemen were elected Managers for the year 1856 : Craig Biddle, Jesse M. Williams, Edw. T. Hyatt, Leonard Shallcross, Jos. Waterman, Peter Rose, Henry Slifer ; and at a meeting of the Managers held on Fri- day, January 18th, the following gentlemen were elected officers : President, William W. Ball ; Vice Presidents, Morton McMichael, Jas. L. Claghorn, Edward M. Hop- kins, Samuel F. Altemus, Matthew W. Baldwin, William H. Stewart; Treasurer, Albert R. Trooving; Corres- ponding Secretary, Samuel Emlen ; Recording Secretary, Samuel B. Hoppin, M. D. ; Executive Committee, Jesse M. Williams, Joseph Waterman, Edward T. Hyatt To Destroy Insects on Plants.— The London Gar- deners' Chronicle published the following description of a plan pursued by a correspondent for eflfectually and easily destroying insects on low-growing plants : " He has four slight wooden boxes without bottoms, about twenty inches deep, made to fit just within the edging of the divisions of his parterre, all the divisions being precisely of the same size and pattern, so as to admit of a box fitting either one. He places a box upon each, presses down the edge, and through a hole in the end introduces the spout of his fumigator, and having filled one box with smoke, plugs up the hole and pro- ceeds to another. He uses dried snuff, with a mixture of tobacco, and fills four boxes with each charge of his fumigator. The smoke being injected cool, he is able to remove the box after four or five hours, taking care to admit the air gradually ; and he contrives to smoke three times, or twelve divisions in the twenty-four hours, without causing the bloom to droop, as it would do, and does, in fact, when he uses tobacco paper, or ignites within." Japan Cotton and Hemp. — Samples of the cotton and hemp raised in Japan have recently been received in the United States. The cotton, examined under a glass ig not as fine as the average of American, and the fiber U shorter and more easily broken. It has a fine color however, and the fiber has a greater number of barbs so that it will draw, with proper handling, into a very fine thread. It has apparently a great many natural crooks in each fiber (this appearance may be given to it in dressing), which renders it easier to spin and makes a bat of it very elastic. From this cause and a natural harshness owing to the number of barbs in the fiber, it feels to the touch very much like wood. The hemp Is entirely destitute of any flinty appearance, and possesses a long woody fiber about five feet in length. The whole resembles the thin bark of a tree until separated into fibers, and is quite stiff, with a resinuous sap. Both articles, the cotton especially, could be made available, and, if to be had in large quantities, would furnish the basis for a valuable commerce with the Japanese. To Produce Large Fruit.— A correspondent of the Gardeners' Gazette says, that by a very simple and easy process, fruits of all kinds may be raised one-third larger than is usually the case, and of greatly improved quality. The secret consists in suupporting the fruits, so that they shall not be allowed to hang their whole weight upon the stalk, or to twist about in the wind. The Gazette states that when the fruit is allowed to hang naturally upon the stalk, the increasing weight strains the stem, or twig, and thus lessens the quantity of nutritious food flowing to the fruit. The fruit may be supported either by tying it to a branch with a piece of matting, or by enclosing it in a small net. Flowers, such as dahlias or peonies, may also be rendered larger by the adoption of this system. Seventy-First Anniversary op the Philadelphia Agricultural Society.-Wc regret that the crowded state of our columns this month precludes the possibility of more than this brief reference to the interesting pro- ceedings of the anniversary festival of this Society. We hope to find %pace for them in our next. Spring Pigs.— Mr. Charles Shoemaker, of Manto* township, N. J., slaughtered on Monday, the 2l8t inst, nine March pigs, which weighed as follows : No. 1, 272 pounds ; No. 2, 366 ; No. 3, 352 ; No. 4, 344 ; No. 5, 325 ; No. 6, 322 ; No. 7, 311 ; No. 8, 288 ; No. 9, 278; Total, 2,958 pounds. It will be remembered that the Camden and Gloucester County Agricultural Society awarded Mr. S. a premium for his fine stock of hotts in 1853. * Mr. George Craft slaughtered a pen of 14 hogs, aver- aging 417 pounds. Eight of the heaviest averaged 466 pounds. We ask the attention of our readers to the advertise- ment of Emery Bros., of Albany, New York, and A. Harshbaroer, of McVeytown, in this State. D. APPLETON & COMPANY, 846 & 348 BROADWAY, Have Just pabllnhed VILLAGE and FARM COTTAGES, the require- ments o( American Village Homes considered and dUTeseted with Designs for such Houses of moderate cost, by Henry W. Cleveland, William Bacus ami Samuel D. Racus. 1 vol.Svo. Illustrated with 100 DeslKns. Price. $2— From l/ieN. Y. Etening Post. The work l« professedly intended for that numerous class who can- not afford to build expensively. The deskna is well carried out. We have here Honie two dozen cottages and farm houses, of various size, accommodation and style, ranging. In estimated cost, from S600 to $3,000. These humble elevations are, for the most part, simple and graceful; tai-tefuliy set otT with accompaniments of shniband tree, and show how beautlfu' rural cottages may and ought to become. The floor plans and sections show that the attention given to the 4nfprn«l iirran move the elements at fertility from his soil. The Compound leaves it in better condition after the most luxuriant crops of grain and grasM. Contrary to usual custom, I mixed a similar Compouad with my Timothy seed, and spread it as a top dressing on my wheat, last September, after the wheat was harrowed in, and this sur&ce applica- tion although followed i>y very dry weather, has resulted in so fine a crop ot both W heat and Timothy that I intend mixing not only the timothy, but also the wheat with the compound this autumn, and save theco«tofmy Guano Spreader in the equal distribution of all with half the labor and time expended in one sowing of the field — The Peruvian Ouano canuot be equally distributed even with the aid of a apreader, unless the hopper is frequently and completely clearedof the small lumps that accumulate at its bottom, but Mr. Trego has obviated thin difficulty by passing the whole compound through a mill producing a uniform powder, which I pronounce • good article, put up in good order and at a reasonable price. Hereafter with regard to Guano and its compounds, each barrel represented in the sample analysed by me will be endorsed with my autograph by my agent who takes the sample. -^ D.STEWART, M.D., ^'' Chemist of the Maryland SUte Agricultural Society, ESSEX PIGS. HIRE BRED<4ud fine quality, for sale by GF.O. F. CURWEN. "^ " — — '. — ' .T«n. 1 \K^ WILLIAM SAUNDERS, Oe^aK^PhlSXhia^*""'^'''®*'"^'"'^^ ^*"^^" ^"^^'^^^ WM. E. PRINCE & COMPANY, FLUSHING, N. YORK, •hed at as early a period in the year 1866. as a suftlclent number of PUhscrlbers f^l.il^i^ ;*'"*1*^ *^ warrant the Issue. Terms-each patron Is expected to take at least one copy, the price of which will be one dollar, and fliu?y\'^l tweniy-tive cents for the registry of each anlmal-refflstry fee to be paid In advance. All animals to be eligible for Insertion ^^t i^ K^ll'^.i™*^® ^^®*'' descent from unquestionable >orth Devon BvocK on Dotn sides. im«j!ll,**^.!'.*^*'"5*^t5**-^*^** **'«'« **" already been oubllshpd an ttrj^?'^K*"^^'5'*>"^^'*^®fl''8^a"^8^<'0"<^ volumes or the ftevon Herd r«?^U ?".°^ together, with a frontispiece of the QnarifriyTeHtlnionlal ThlSi!'^* ""ll*^** handsome IlIu.stratlons of EuKllsh prize Devins.^ V^u^I, "" L^*l®*^ *^** volumes will In future be two dollars. They wiu be forwarded as may be directed ou the rece3>tion of the above sum. . _. „ SAN FOU D HOW A HD, ^ Office of the Boston Cultlvtro?.'^^ Kdltorof the Devon Herd-Book. Boston, Maw., March Ist. IU9. \ 4t. ^^— n 96 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Marcb any cuttings ; but we were particular to put the cuttings clear through the sod, into the soil below, and only a few of them failed to grow. The best time to prepare the ground is in the fall, for most of the land that is suitable for the willow is too wet to till in the spring, early enough. It takes about three days* work to stick an acre with the cuttings ; it should be done early in the spring, before other work commences, so that it can be done well without costing too much per acre. **From what I know of the w^low trade, and the cul- tiyation of the willow, there is no doubt in my mind, that farmers will find it very lucrative to grow them. Most every farmer has some land on which nothing but trash grows, which is just the land for the willow." [Will some of our readers inform us where the willow cuttings can be procured in this vicinity, and at what price. — Ed.] Milk or Puerperal Fever in Cows. — Cows that ai-e great milkers, and those that have been overfed and kept on stimulating or highly carbonaceous food, are very liable to puerperal fever. The best means, there- fore, of preventing a disease which destroys, in the course of a year, a great number of valuable cows, is to feed them light during the last stages of pregnancy. At the annual meeting of the State Poultry Society of Pennsylvania, held in Philadelphia, Jan. 11th, 1856, the following gentlemen were elected Managers for the year 1856 : Craig Biddle, Jesse M. Williams, Edw. T. Hyatt, Leonard Shallcross, Jos. Waterman, Peter Rose, Henry Slifer ; and at a meeting of the Managers held on Fri- day, January 18th, the following gentlemen were elected officers : President, William W. Ball ; Vice Presidents, Morton McMichael, Jas. L. Claghorn, Edward M. Hop- kins, Samuel F. Altemus, Matthew W. Baldwin, William H. Stewart ; Treasurer, Albert R. Trooving ; Corres- ponding Secretary, Samuel Emlen ; Recording Secretary, Samuel B. Hoppin, M. D. ; Executive Committee, Jesse M. Williams, Joseph Waterman, Edward T. Hyatt. Japan Cotton and Hemp.— Samples of the cotton and hemp raised in Japan have recently been received in the United States. The cotton, examined under a glass ig not as fine as the average of American, and the fiber is shorter and more easily broken. It has a fine color however, and the fiber has a greater number of barbs 80 that it will draw, with proper handling, into a very fine thread. It has apparently a great many natural crooks in each fiber (this appearance may be given to it in dressing), which renders it easier to spin and makes a bat of it very elastic. From this cause and a natural harshness owing to the number of barbs in the fiber, it feels to the touch very much like wood. The hemp is entirely destitute of any flinty appearance, and possesses a long woody fiber about five feet in length. The whole resembles the thin bark of a tree until separated into fibers, and is quite stifi", with a resinuous sap. Both articles, the cotton especially, could be made available, and, if to be had in large quantities, would furnish the basis for a valuable commerce with the Japanese. To Destroy Insects on PLANTS.—The London Gar- deners' Chronicle published the following description of a plan pursued by a correspondent for effectually and easily destroying insects on low-growing plants : "He has four slight wooden boxes without bottoms, about twenty inches deep, made to fit just within the edging of the divisions of his parterre, all the divisions being precisely of the same size and pattern, so as to admit of a box fitting either one. He places a box upon each, presses down the edge, and through a hole in the end introduces the spout of his fumigator, and having filled one box with smoke, plugs up the hole and pro- ceeds to another. He uses dried snuff, with a mixture of tobacco, and fills four boxes with each charge of his fumigator. The smoke being injected cool, he is able to remove the box after four or five hours, taking care to admit the air gradually ; and he contrives to smoke three times, or twelve divisions in the twenty-four hours, without causing the bloom to droop, as it would do, and does, in fact, when he uses tobacco paper, or ignites within." To Produce Large Fruit.— A correspondent of the Gardeners' Gazette says, that by a very simple and easy process, fruits of all kinds may be raised one- third larger than is usually the case, and of greatly improved quality. The secret consists in suupporting the fruits, so that they shall not be allowed to hang their whole weight upon the stalk, or to twist about in the wind. The Gazette states that when the fruit is allowed to hang naturally upon the stalk, the increasing weight strains the stem, or twig, and thus lessens the quantity of nutritious food flowing to the fruit. The fruit may be supported either by tying it to a branch with a piece of matting, or by enclosing it in a small net. Flowers, such as dahlias or peonies, may also be rendered larger by the adoption of this system. Seventy-First Anniversary of the Philadelphia Agricultural Society.-Wc regret that the crowded state of our columns this month precludes the possibility of more than this brief reference to the interesting pro- ceedmgs of the anniversary festival of this Society. We hope to find ^pace for them in our next. Spring Pigs.— Mr. Charles Shoemaker, of Mantua township, N. J., slaughtered on Monday, the 21st inst., nine March pigs, which weighed as follows : No. 1, 272 pounds ; No. 2, 366 ; No. 3, 352 ; No. 4, 344 ; No. 5, 325 ; No. 6, 322 ; No. 7, 311 ; No. 8, 288 ; No. 9, 278; Total, 2,958 pounds. It will be remembered that the Camden and Gloucester County Agricultural Society awarded Mr. S. a premium for his fine stock of hoM in 1853. * Mr. George Craft slaughtered a pen of 14 hogs, aver- aging 417 pounds. Eight of the heaviest averaged 456 pounds. We ask the attention of our readers to the advertise- ment of Emery Bros., of Albany, New York, and A. Harshbaboer, of McVeytown, in this State. D. APPLETON & COMPANY, 346 & 348 BROADWAY, Have Just pabllRhed VILLAGE and FARM COTTAGES, the require- ments of American Village Homes considered and sueeseted with Designs for such Houses of moderate cost, by Henry W. Cleveland, William Bacus and Samuel D. Bacus. 1 vol. 8vo. Illustrated with 100 DeslKHS. Price. $2.— Prom the N. Y. Evening Post. The work l« professedly Intended for that numerous class who can- not afford to build e.xpen.slvelv. The deslj^ns Is well carried out. We have here Home two dozen cottages and farm houses, of various slae, accommodailon and style, rnnglnff. In estimated cost, from $600 to $3,000. These humble elevations are, for the most part, simple and graceful; ta.-tefullyset otf with accompaniments of shniband tree, gnd show how beauttfu' rural cotuisres may and ought to become. The floor plans and sections show that the attention jrlven to the infprnftl itrrMMiremcnts have beer) most rarpfnl nnH JiuHclona Try inake communication easy between thf rooms and yet to In u re pri- vacy and seclusion, to facilitate the work of *^V^''?^v.J'"^'*y of »» honorable emulation netween Friends an«l Neighbors. our PahhUtinn^ Pleai.nre In f^ind^hlmr to sppMcants a Catalogue of IKturi K^^^^^ we consider most appropriate for the use of be ei?in '^^'^'•"es for Premiums, on which a Mhera> discount will oe given. . ^ ,^ ,„ .« ^- W. SAXTON k C-T. Agricultural Book Publishers. 140 Fulton St., N.York THIS ynequalled fertilizing compound as prepared by the manu facturer, by combining iu proportions freah honea dissolved In Sulpuriu Acid, with the Salts of Ammonia, Potash, Soda. Magnefla, Ac., and the best Peruvian Guano, is now offered to farmers and others an article greatly superior to Peruvian Guano alone, and poa- Besses many advantages over the Super Phosphate of Lime made in the usual way. In addition to the Peruvian Guano, the dissolved Bones contain more soluble Phosphates than the average ol Mineral Phosphates or Mexican Guano, and also all the Gelatine resulting from the solution of ft-esh bones in Sulphuric Acid, adding greatly to its value, am the Gelatine (thirty three per cent.) forms Ammonia after it is applied to the soil. Being very soluble and not volatile, the compound may be u."ed as a top dressing for grass, grain or vegetables or iucorporated with the soil in putting in or cultivating any crop. Put up in bags or barrels and delivered at the wharf or at any of the railroad depots in Philadelphia, for forty five dollara per ton CASH. A libera] discount allowed to agents and dealers. MAULK k DIXON, Agents for the Manufacturer. No. 22 South Wharves 3rd door above Chesnut St, Phila. M. k D. have also for Sale G uano, Laud Plaster, Super Phospbat* of Lime, Ac. EC>- Nascent and soluble Phosphates of Pota.««h. Ammonia, 8oi» Lire and Magnesia, with Peruvian Guano and Soluble Silica, also 8ulj)hat«« and othersalts that are removed by cropping, manufactured by William Trego, under the name of '-Soluble Alk&liue Phosphates." The elements of this compound are the fame that I combined by a formula published in the '• American Farmer" several years slneo. The poor clay knoll upon which it was applied has frequently excited the curiosity of passers on the public road, on account of its tertilltj in grass, after the grain crop, and my attention has since been called to the fact, that the cattle prefer this grass to any other part of the field, (although a luxuriant growth is generally neglected.) Peru- vian Guano alone enables the larmer to crop severely and thus re- move the elements of fertility from his soil. The Compound leaves it in better condition after the most luxuriant crops of grain and grass. Contrary to usual cu.vtom, I mixed a similar Compound with my Timothy seed, and spread it as a top dressing on my wheat, last St-ptember. after the wheat was harrowed in, and this surface applica- tion althouj^b foll.>wed by very dry weather, has resulted in so fine a crop of both W heat and Timothy that I intend mixing not only the timothy, but also the wheat with the compound this autumn, and save the cost of my Guano Spreader in the equal distribution of all with half the labor and time expended in one sowing of the field — The Peruvian Guano cannot be equally distributed even with the aid of a apreader, unless the hopper is frequently and completely clearedof the small lumps that accumulate at its bottom, but Mr. Trego has obviated this difficulty by passing the whole compound tbrf.u;j:h a mill prfxkicing a uniform powder, which I pronounce a good article, put up in good order and at a reasonable price. Hereafter with regard to Guano and its compounds, each barrel represented in the sample analysed by me will be endorsed with my autograph by my agent who takes the sample. D.STEWART, M.D., 35- Chemist of the Maryland State Agricultural Society. ESSEX PIGS. PURE BRED ond flue quality, for sale by ^ GEO. F. CT7RWEV, AnnM/,.ti>. .^ Walnut Hill, Montironifrv Co rth5nl!M"?!;p'r5r.^*. "'*'** *" hlladelphla to P. MORRIS A CO • ' *• .T»»n. 1 WM. R. PRINCE & COMPANY, FLUSHING, N. YORK, •erlehd'?mll[jl,f/ji®5 Catalogues of any departments of their Nur- «f TreSZi &V'^^v''"*'''T*' stamps. A new Wholesale Catalogue Chlnegp Ita^^ i?'Ti.""**'''?JS''* published, and very extensive. «W)wn win i?a ll '♦ ?' ^■'^.I^'orod Batatas, genuine sound American •«PreM^n » ^ '^'^P' Irninedlately In sealed tin cases, which go safely by »>* rSld 'Scl ^^ ^-M" *i"' ""' ^*''' v-^nilttances riade now, they will "uinod and sent In March, either dry or growltij In small pots. WEST CHESTER AGRICULTURAL WORKS. pared to do most kinds of Casting and Flttlngui) lo order. Among our stock may be found Cooper's Inn)roved Lime and Guano Spreaders. Plows, Ilarrow-s Drills, Horse Rakes, Corn Shidlers (tor hand and horse power), Endless Chain Powers, Threshers and Separators, Cultl- ''*i?«%fc ^''' _DAMON & SPfeAKMAN, J*"- ><^ West Chester. Chester C«., iV THE D£VON HEED-BOOK, V«l. Ill, i„'^?®»*»^.^'5^^^^'' '* now ready to receive lists of animals for Insertion Inthethlrd volume of the Devon Herd-Book, to be pnbll>hed at as early a period In the year 1868. as a sufficient number of KUhscrlbers ♦^V«i.t°%'*'"^.^ *® warrant the Issue. Terms-each patron Is expected to take at least one copy, the price of which will be one dollar, and ?I^°, ,V*^ twenty -ttve cents for the registry of each anhnal -registry fee to be paid In advance. All animals to be eligible for Insertion stock on botVsld""**^^ ^^^^'^ descent from unquestionable North I>evim 4m«TJil,^^.rf*^®"^^L®**^**^*^ ^l*®'® ^" already been pubilsh^'d an American edition of the first and second volumes of the Devon Herd Book, bound together, with a frontispiece of the Qnarteriy Testimonial Thl n^H ^* ""11*^" handsome Illustrations of English prlxeDevon":^ im i?w*^ "" !^^^*' ^^° volumes will in future be two dollars. They will he forwarded as may be directed ou the reception of the above sum. SANFOKD UOWAllD. nmn^^fiu « * ^ ., Ant erican Editor of the Devon Herd-Book. Office of the Boston Cultivator, I Boiton, Mass., March Ist. IS56. 4t. *^ ii INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE M SS9 ( SCOTT'S LITTLE GIANT CORN AND COB MILL, PATENTED MAY 16TH, 1854. The Little Giant, though but recently introduced from th» West, now stands pre-eminent as the most Simple, Bfpicient, and popular Farm Mill of the age. Our Manufactories are probably the only ones in the ITor/rfy-exclusively devoted to making Metallic Mills, there- fore possess superior advantages in preparing such an admixture of metals, as best adapted to making a strong and durable article. The Little Giant has been awarded the Ftr$t Premium at the principrl Fairs of the Nation, as the most complete and convenient Mill now in use. These Mills are not only guaranteed superior to all others in their construction and quality of material, but in the amount and quality of work they perform with any given power ; and warranted in all cases to suit, or the purchase- money refunded on return of the mill. They are offered to Farmers and the trade complete, at $28, $32 and $36, for No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3, and $2 extra for sweeps. Warranted to grind from 8 to 15 bushels per aeoording to sise* fl MANUFAC SCOTT'S NIMBLE OIANT GRAIN MILLS, (CAVEATED MAY, 1855.) This Mill is a most complete and important article for Planters, Farmers and others, having horse-power or other conveniences for running a belt. They can be work«l advantageously with one, two or more horses, wherever a speed of from three to five hundred revolutions per miDali can be obtained upon a 14-inch pulley, with a three-inch belt These Mills are adapted to any kind of work, grinding coarse feed from corn, oats, Ac, or fine corn, wheat or rje; and that in the most satisfactory manner. The first premium was awarded these Mills at the kit Fairs of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Induitritl Exhibition at Boston. The Nimble Giant weighs about 300 pounds, occupyinf i space of 30 inches square. It is peorliarly simple, strong and durable ; requiring no skill to run it, or to keep it in order. They are offered complete, ready for attaching the belt,tt $55 ; with cast steel cob attachments, $65. Warranted te give perfect satisfaction. Please call at the Little Giant Works, and witness their operation. TURED BY ROSS SGOTT & CO., COR. 17TH & COATES STS., PHILA. WITH THE 1st MONTH (JAN.) NUMBER. (1856 ) WILL COMME^CE THE SIXTH VOLUME OP THE FARM JOURNAL AMrtrUhJu PtnodfoylqfThirt'/Tioo Octavo Page*, dfvoffd exclusively to thejest interests qf the Farnter, the Gardener, Vie FruitGrowtr ana ^D TAFEU. Poudrette Is composed of two thirds night soil and one-third decom* posed vegetable fli^re. Tafen is composed of three-iourths night ioll and one-fourth No. 1 Peruvian Guano. These Manures are cheaper and better adapted for raising Com. Garden Vegetiibles and Orass, than any other In market. Can be put In conUct with the seed without Injurv. an, Plant and Trim until the Hedge will turn all kinds of farm stock, at from $1 to $1.25 per rod. onethird to be paid when planted, and the balance when It is declared a i/ood fence by dUlQteretted persons. Tliose getting the Hedging done, are required to prepare the ground by deep ploughing, and cultivate the hedge row M directed. 4B^Hedges set and plants furnished at f om 50 to 60 cents per rod, payment to be made when the Hedge Is set. Plants at Wholesale and Retail, delivered at the Railroad Station at this place, securely boxed, as, follows : When 50.000 are ordered In one order, $4,50 per thousand for No. 1— $4 00 for No. 2, When 6 000 are ordered In one order, $5,00 per thousand for No. 1— $4 50 for No. 2. Less than 5,000, $6,00 per thousand for No. 1— $5,00 for No. 2: Seed, fresh and of the best quality, at Wholesale and RetAlI. at market prices. * The value of the Osage Orange for Heditlng Is now settled. Itssnccew with proper management. Is beyond doubt. Nature will do her work In making It an Impervious Hedge, If man will do bis In Ito culture. REFERENCES: Hon. James Go wen. President Pennsylvania State AgrlcnlturaL Society; Hon. Wm. Blgler, President Sun bury and Erie Railroad: Oen. Geo. M.Kelra. Reading, Pa.; Gen John Ross, McVeytown. Pa-; Gen R. C. Hale, Phlla. Pa.; Gen. Wm. Bell. Patterson. Pa.; Samuel Wagner, Cashier York Bank, Pa.; Wm. A.Stokes, Esq. Orcensburg, Pa. Address, A. HARSHBARGER, McVeytown, Mifflin County Pennsylvania. MORRIS ^ CO. NURSERIES WEST CHESTEB, PA I L DAELIHGTON ft CO., ) p^,„„.«f«v. (Late P. Morrii ft Co.) \ Propnetors. THE Proprietors of this old established Nursery having recently added forty additional acres to their already extensive grounds are P''«P*red to ofter Increased Inducements to their customers and the PoRrfAMEN''? A^ TREES^ ^*^**'" ^*'"*^^ *"^ splendid stock of FRUIT I '*^*'«y ^o«W particularly solicit the attention of Aniateurs.Orchard- Sutsand others about to plant, to their extensive assortment of An- tes, Chmles, Plums, Pears (standard and dwarf), P.-achcs, Apricots, ecurlnes.— also smaller Fruits, such as Currants, Gooseberries, n&- »K?K w t^*^!? OTT/ITT TI1>1?T\ 'nWAvr n »'rH*Ti:x « iiw\ tueie^-wiitr ■nrf^rm FOR SALE. The Subscriber offers for sale some superior young Bulls and Heifers, also heifers In calf, bred oy himself, entirely from animals of tW own Importations. These have been made direct from the herds ^fthe first Devon breeders In England; and embrace several Prlit -Winners there, including the Bull, *'Omkr Pacha," to which the ttrst prize as yearling, was awarded at the last show of the Royal Society of England. His farm is easily accessible by the Hudson R. R. where he will ^i all times be happy to see those who fake an Interest In De on Cattle. Also constantly on hand Essxz Pios from the best Imported stock C. S. WAIN RIGHT, Rhinebeck, Dutchess Co., New York. HAVING completed our arrangements for the Spring Trade, we are now prepared to offer to the agricultural community a Stock of AGRICULTURAL and HORTICULTURAL TOOLS, IMPLEMENTS, & MACHINERY, unsurpassed by any other In the United States. It has been selected with special reference to the quality of every article, and those who Xavour us with a call may rest assured that every thing sold by us will be equal to representation. PLOWS! PLOWS! PLOWS! fifhlmoBt every desirable variety, comprising among others Eagle Self-sharpeners, all sizex. Slar Se2f sharpeners, *' Prouty and Wears' celebrated, all sizes. Blaker*8 Plows, wrought shears, three sizef. SUr Plows, wrought Shears, four sizes. ppuble Michigan Plows, right and left hand. Hape's cast steel Subsoil Plows. casMron ditto. Roger's extendlng-polnt ditto. Prouty's Improved. Aide Hill Plows of all sizes. Ridging and Shovel Plows. HARROWS, CULTIVATORS. HORSE HOES. A most complete assortment, made in the best manner, and of the best material. We ask special attention to these articles, because we relieve them unsurpassed THE FARM JOURNAL m unsurpassed. FIELD AND GARDEN ROLLERS of all sizes, and at the lowest prices, GARDSN TOOLS. Tf£?«l'*S.^' ""^'1l Kaucs Spades Forks, Shovels, Trowels, Spades, REAPERS AND MOWERS. We are Agents for Ketchuuj'n celebrated Reapers and Mowers. Atkln's Self Raker and Reaper. Manny's Improved Reaper and Mower. Allen's do. do, Hussey's do. do. Burral's do. do. Any or all of which are warranted. AGENTS FOR THE ABOVE MACHINES WANTED. Wheelbarrows, Trucks, Ox Yokes, &c. of our own manufacture, very superior, SPAIN'S PATENT CHURNS, JTAH® «)® A*^'/ ^**® ^V^ "»«' together with a most complete assort- SJrA wal^y^^'Vi*"™' Implements and Machines, for description of I?Ji.rnY-hI*/*''* ^S® '■^*'^^'' ^"^ * "«^ Illustrated catalogue, which will De furnished gratis on application. Guano and Super-Phosphate of Lime. quYntlf;!arG^*Sm'2n;7rKs''°- '' ^^^^VIAN qUANO, in any MAPE'S SUPER-PHOSPHATE OF LIME, rrVhTh^Jl^^^^^^^^ ^r .ears of trial, aid Allen and JVeedle's Super- Phosphate of Lime, th?r**Sifh?lIfn«''^"^'*'*"'^'^«««'"^'"'« the attention of Farmers tow- feu. pJiiter. IS! '^^^^tment of FerUlIzers. such as PoSette, It Corn Planters, Seed Planters, &c. It* In large variety, and of th« most approved kinds. V * r. h MORRIS ft CO., N. E. Comer 7th and Market Streets. A large assortment of the choicest varieties of Garden Sesds, by WholpKftlp ami RetAll. Twenty diiferent kinds of PEAS, embracing the New and Dwsrf Snap, Short and Pole BEANS, select Cabbage Seed, also Beet, Carrot, Parsnip, Cauliflower, Brocoll, Kohl Rabl. Mushroom Spuun. Celery Kgg Plant, Swiss Chi«rd, Endive, Lettuce, Okra Kadbh, Tomato, Spinach, Ac, Ac. The above neatly put up In papers for retailing, and furnished to the trade, at a liberal discount, In assorted boxes. New and desirable varieties supplied, so soon as fully tested. Agricultural and Horticultural Works, All the standanl Agricultural and Horticultural Works, suitable for the FARMER'S LIBRARY, and embracing Information of every a^ partmeut of rural economy, for sale at Booksellers' prices. FLOWER SEEDS. A large assortmeet of the finest European and American Flower Seeds. TW ENTY VARIETIES put up in Fancy Boxes for $1, with dhrectloni for culture. Fine Stock Glily's Seed. " Pansy ditto. " Lady Slippers ditto, " China Aster ditto. " Cineraria ditto. *' Calceolaria, &c. to. JAPAN PEAS. This superior d very productive Pea for field culture has been fblly tested the past season, and promises to be a valuable acquUitioo to (^ farming interests. A limited supply on hand. GRASS SEEDS. Fresh Clover, Timothy, Orchard. Herd Grass, Alslke Clover, WhIU or Dutch Clover, Sweet Scented Vernal Grass. Italian and PereDnii|| Rye Grass, Lucerne, Kentucky, Blue or Green Grass. Millet Seed. 4c. Crimson Clover. The above Fresh and Genuine for sale. Wbolesalssnd Retail. Fine La-wn Grass Seed. Superior English Lawn Grass Seed, comprising the best selection of English Grasses : also a fine article of our own mixture, adapted for Lawns and Pleasure Grounds. CANARY AND OTHER BIRDS SEEDS. Canary. liemp, MlUett, Rape, Maw, Lettuce, Ac, for sale Wheksali and Retail. FIELD PEAS. Southern Field Peas, adapted for the poorest kind of soil, fbr sale If the^ushel. PASHALL MORRIS I Co.. Africultural Warehouse and Seed StW, N. E. Comer 7ih and .Market Strest^ PhlUdelphia. »- — — . — '- STTPER-FHOSFHATE OF LIME. DIPLOMAS have been awarded to the Sabscribers for the abovi article, by the JPmnsylvanta State AgricuUural Society. New Jersey State ** »• Bucks County Schuylkill County T?1?QQTVT? p A D\TT?D I NO. I-VOLUME VI. AGENTS t • Iw order to reward all who nay feel disposed to lend as their aid in eitendine the cirouktion of th» FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER, we ofiTerthe following . lliffi $100 00 75 00 50 00 25 00 1 50^ M Berkt Cmnty New QisUe iJnunty, Del. M The quality and hijfh character of our preparation is well known, ft is considered the Best and nio-t Reliable Manure for CORN. OATS. WHEAT, POTA'IX)KS AND GRASS, Not only producing larjre crops, but permanently Improving the soil, PRICE $40 per 2.000 Uit., (2 cents per lb ) CAUTioN.-pbserve that every Barrel of our Article has our Name and that of Potts A Klett stamped on the head. Pamphlets describing Its qualities and mode of uslmr cnn be had at our btore, or by Mail, when desired A liberal deduction made to __ ^ „ AGENTS WANTED. We have for Sale one Cargo of the celebrated PACIFIC OCEAN (iUANO, (imported per ,Sr/(ip Harriet Hnxie) similar to that sold by us Isst season, and which gave such great satisfaction. It is fully equal to Peruvian Guano at a Lower Price CANCERINE. OR FISH MANURE. A full supply of this new and valuable article, to which we call ths attention ot Farmers. NO. 1 OOVERHMEWT PERUVIAN GUANO co'iStantly on hand and for sale at the lowest rates. ALLEV & NEEDLB8, No. 23 S. Wharves and S5 S. Water Street, -««. « .^^ , ^Irst Store above Chestnut Street, PhlladelphJ* Wf Fartnen can load at the Water Street fi-ont, and avoid tbs **"*• crowded wharf. ^r^! JT^^ u o ' ''' ^'''^^ ^^"^ '^*" ^""^^'^ "' ^^^ ^^^ ^*^g^«t ^'«* 0^ subscribers (accordiDir to our poblished Club Rates) on or before the first day of the Fifth month. (Maj,) 1856, A Library of Agricultural V^orks of their own Choosing, worth, - - ' . 2nd largest list as above, a Library, &c. worth. 3rd ** *« " »« «« 4th *« «* •* M (« And to all who shall send us 20 names as above. The Year Book of AgricuTture. - . . ^cv htte^rr r P"f ^^/^^"^ '^' P;^?"^^-"^ «f the Progressive Farmer the back numbers of that valuabfe SlZ^^^^^^^^ ""^^"" '-'''-' ^-^^^-^^^ --^^' ^ -^ one ending us five imil: Those competing for any of the above prizes, must inform us, that we may keep them nroDerlT credifA with the names forwarded. It will also be remembered that 70 cents is the 1 Jest^lub rl^^^^^ OUR TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION PLACE THE JOURNAL WITHIN THE REACH OF ALLr SmgU Copy^ . . . . Five Copies^ . . Ten Copies^ Twenty Copies^ SAMUEL EMLEN & CO., PubUsfiers, To whom .11 . . Northeast Comer 7th and Market Street, Philadelphia'. whom .U oommumoatioM, whtther editorial or business, should be .dd«ssed. *'*'""^^- I' m $1 00 per Annicm. 4 00 •* " 7 50 M u 14 00 « " m TIGHT BINDING H\ ALBANY AGRICULTURAL WORKS. ON HAMILTON, LIBERTY AND UNION STREETS, ' WAREHOUSE, SEED STORE AND SALE ROOMS, NO. 52 STATE STREET, ALBANY, NEW YOEK. tmtm enoTHERS, '7 ? ^^^^' P'^OPRIF.TORS AND MANUFACTUR^•RS OF Emery^s Patent Bmlroad Horse Powers and Overshot Threshing Machines and Separators, Also Manufacturers of and Wholesale Dealers in Agricultural Machines and Implements, of the Latest and most [mproved Kinds extant. I>ealers In Grain, Field, Grass, Garden and Flower Seedi, and Fertilizen. TIIE Horse Powers, together with the preat variety of Labor-Saviug , the chain, and the name ''Emery;' in some manner, and all In nM ^nn?rTHV^^h*!f P'"«P^"«^ thereby be ng the leading articles manu- letters, b cast upon home or all the Iron parts of all their mJcSnJ faciured by the proprietors, the attention of the nubile y a strict attention to business, they hope to nf-'t and i double that amount of oats, bar ey or buckwheat oer dav ofoiS enjoy a continuance of the patronage heretofore sJoHi *• Emery's \ I^atent, are apon all the small wheels, " Emery;' upon the links of < be sides the wood work being also stencilled. In a conspl« nous nmimji with the names of the propiietors and their place of buslnesa.^^ IVarranty, Capacity, Bconomj, 4te« The Two Horse Power and Thresher, ah represented by clrcalMi,b capable, with three or four men. of thrpshing from 175 to 225 bnsheb " of wheat or rye, and the One Horse Power from 75 to 125 batitieii«( wheat or rye: or both kinds of powers. &c., are capable of thmUv These Power Threshers. Ac, are warranted to be of the belt ««r rials and workmanship, and to operate as represented by this dreoiii; to the satisfaction of the purchasers, together with a full right of «(■ them In any territory of the United States subject to be rrtwS within three montha, and home transportation and full money refunded If not found acceptable to the purcbaaen. TIGHT BINDING V CONTENTS — No. 4. Ammonia in Hot Houses, - - - - - Agricultural Meeting, An Enquiry.— The Japan Pea, - . - - Application of Human Excrete to Agric'l Purposes, Agricultural Exhibitions, - - - - - Book Notices, ------- Curious Effect of Hair on Grass, - - - - Comparative Produce of Different Kinds of Wheat, Extracts from an Address by Dr. G. Emerson, Experiments with Manures, Plowing, Ac, « on the Cultivation of Indian Com, - Evan's Patent Plow, - - - • Editor's Table, - First Report, - - - - French Zoological Society of Acclimation,. - Farm Hands and New Implements, - - • Green Manuring, ----••* Hereditary Diseases of Sheep and Pigs, Hints for Amateurs in the Selection of a Horse, Japan Peas, »-----• Large Hogs, ------- Lancaster County Agricultural Society, Oregon Pea, ------- Permanent Pastures, ------ Pure Water, ------- Pratt's Patent Horse Rake, - - - - - Royal Duke, - * Recent Inventions, •--•-- Seed Potatoes, ------- Small or Large Potatoes, - - - - - The Year Book of Agriculture, . - - • Treatment, and Application of Manures, The American Pomological Society, - - - The State Agricultural Society, - - - - The Law of Slopes, ------ The Onion Fly, ------- The Scale Insect of the Apple, - - - - Trimming Grape Vines, . - - - - The Vinegar Plant, ------ WUdAir, " " What Penna. Farmers pay annually for their Horses, Wyandot Com, .------ Webb's Self-Regulating Wind Power, Willow Cuttings, PAQB- 105 120, 123 108 117 124 114 115 101 102 1U3 119 127 107 108 123 111 97 106 118 116 118 108 116 120 121 104 128 108 110 109 113 114 117 120 121 121 124 126 105 106 126 122 118 THE AGRICULTURAL PUBLICATIONS OF €• ML. Saxton & Co., New York, FOR SALE BY E. C. & J. BIDDLE, No. 8 MINOR ST., between MARKET and CHESTNUT, west of FIFTH Street, PHILADELPHIA. April. 1856-U BLOOD RED JAPAN HEAD LETTUCE. S££D3 of thla celebrated new variety of Lettuce will be mailed to anv person sending twenty-five cenU, with a thr^ cent postage stamp enclosed. . ^. „ ,. * o* i vfi' **, Seed Warehouse, Nos. 322 and 324 Market St., above M Inth. April. 1866-2t THOROUGH BRED DEVON BULL CALF FOR SALE. Apply at this office. April, 1856-lt THE LAWTON BLACKBERRY. Mr. Charles Downing the well known fruit grower and nor' seryraan, offered the following insolicited tesJimony in the co* lums of the Agriculturists under the Editorial care of p' Bowery Esq. — in the summer of 1854. *' Having heard a good deal said about the Lawton Blackberry,' for the past year or two, and knowing that many of the new fruits were overpraised, I made a special visit to Mr. Lawtons a few days since, to see for myself, and I can assure you I waa well paicl for my trouble. There is no humbug about it ; and the only wonder is, that it has not been more generally intro. duced and propagated before. The fruit is large and sweet. It is an enormous bearer indeed, the quantity (considering the large size of the fruit) surprised me, and the berrries were perfect. Mr. Lawton informed me that they Qonlinu* in bearing five or oir weeks, and in f'nvnmhie seasons much longer. He hafi «>!s« two or three acres, and will have plants to dispose of in the fail and spring. The latter, however, is the most preferable time for transplanting. Plant as early as the ground is in good working order." In the American Institute Farmer's Club, not long since. Judge Van Wyck proposed the following resolution, which was unam. mously adopte<1; " Resolved, That the Farmer's Club of the American Institute highly approves of the efforts made by William Lawton Esq, of j\ew Rochelle, to cultivate, improve and spread that most valua- ble Blackberry spoken of to day, and that he has presented to this Club at different periods both this season and the last, most liberal specimens of this blackberry, so that every member (and they were sometimes fifty in number nearly) could not only gratify his sight but his palate, with eating as many as he pleaseo, and thus be qualified to judge in every stage and season of their growth, their superior qualities as regards size, flavor and succuv fency, and also their constant improvement each year under his management; and that we do ^hereby earnestly and decidadiy recommend the LAWTON BLACKBERRY, AS THE CLlfi HAS CORRECTLY NAMED IT, to public notice and palion- age. For descriptive circulars and directions for planting and other particulam address. WM. LAWTON, New Rochelle. N. Y. or No. 54 Wall St, New York. OUR CATALOGUE OF AGRICULTURAL BOOKS, COMPRISING SEVENTY-FIVE DIFFERENT BOOKS ON AGRICULTURE, will be sent postage free to all who will favor us with their name and address. Among the books recently published by us are : CHORLTON'S GRAPEGROWER'S GUIDE. 60c REEMELIN'S VINEDRESSER'S MANUAL. 60c. STRAWBERRY CULTURE. 60c. ELLIOT'S AMERICAN FRUIT-GROWERS GUIDE. $125. THE STABLE BOOK. $1. BOUSSINGAULT'S RURAL ECONOMY, fl 25. THOMPSON ON FOOD OF ANIMALS. 75c. PRACTICAL LAND-DRAINER. 50c. For sale by all Booksellers, or sent by us free of postage on receipt of price. . C. M. SAXTON & Co., Agricultural Book Publishem, No. 140 Fulton st, N. Y. KEDZIE'S RAIN WATER FILTERS- These celebrated Filters are receiving the highest commendations from hundreds of familiw who have used them for years in almost every State in the Union, They filter about one hundred gallon* m twenty-four hours, furnishing a full supply wf all domestic uses. The most impure Rain, Rivtft or Lake water, by this means becomes pure.cw as crystal, without taste color or smell, in iw» condition only is water fit for all culinary and drinking pof* poses, as a means of promoting the general health. , They are portable, durable, and cheap, and are not excelleu by any other filter known, for sale by, MURPHY & YARNALL, 262 Chesnul st., Phila^ OSAGE ORAnfGE SEED ^iWD PliAlVTS FOR SALE. HEDGES PLANTED AND WARRANTED. For Circulars address A. HARSHBARGER, April, 1855. McVeylown, Mifflin co., r». VOL. VI. PHILADELPHIA, APRIL, 1856. NO EESEDITABY DISEASES OF SHEEP ANB PIGS. [continued prom page 78.] But each parent impresses on the foetus not only its own habitual, material, and dynamic state, but also those more temporary and more accidental qualities which it may possess at the time of sexual congress. Children begotten by parents while in a state of drunkenness frequently become idiotic or insane. Burton, in his * Anatomy of Melancholy,' says, ** if a drunken man get a child, it will never likely have a good brain ;" and Diogenes is said to have remarked to a crack-brained, half-witted stripling, *' Surely thy father begot thee when he was drunken." A child, begotten shortly after the father has had a severe in- jury of the head, has sometimes turned out of weak intellect ; and an apt illustration of this is recorded by George Combe. " A man's first child was of sound mind; afterwards he had a fall from his horse, by which his head was much injured: his next two children proved to be both idiots. After this he was trepanned, and had other children, and they turned out to be of sound mind." The Arabs and other Asiatic nations appear well aware that those qualities which are most prominent in the parents at the time of sexual intercourse are reproduced in the offspring ; and, accordingly, in the breeding of horses, they give the stallion and mare a smart gallop before they bring them together. The endurance, strength, and spirit of both animals are thus more highly developed, and are believed to be transmitted to the offspring in this mtensified state. The excitement of the gallop doubt- less alters in some degree the conditions of the semen and ovum, and when the latter is fertilised the altered conditions still remain, and go on growing and strengthening throughout foetal life. The male off- spring also have usually a special resemblance to the father, and the female to the mother : and the resem- blance is not confined to external form or mental at- tributes, but extends to defects and predispositions to disease. This is admirably illustrated by the propa- gation m the human subject of consumption and in- samty which, in the majority of males, is inherited rom the father, and in the majority of females from tfte mother. The proportions are exhibited in the lollowmg tables ; 91 106 Consumptive Males, Consumptive Fathers, {gg^/p^erct Consumptive Mothers, {^gf j^i- ct Insane Males, Insane Fathers, Insane Mothers, 117 64 or 154.6 per ct 63 or i.3 per ct S 63or <45.5 Consumptive Females, Consumptive Fathers, 108 f 47 or 434Sperct Consumptive Mothers, (g^SfpS-ct Insane Females, Insane Fathers, Insane Mothers, 147 67 or 45.1pfrct 80 or 54.4 per ct Among the lower animals the statistics of disease are as yet very meagre and imperfect, but we have sufficient evidence to prove that in them, as well as in the human subject, diseases are especially prone to descend from sire to son, and from dam to daughter. This may possibly be so far explained by the fact that the male offspring, as above remarked, usually resem- ble the sire, and the female the dam ; and whenever an animal especially resembles one of its parents in external and healthy characters, it is almost certain also to resemble it in those which are internal and morbid. In order to prevent or remove hereditary defects and diseases, great care must of course be exercised in the selection of both parents, so as to obtain them with as many good qualities as possible, with a strong and vigorous constitution, and freedom from those faults which are likely to interfere with usefulness and health. Care must be especially taken to avoid, for breeding purposes, all animals affected with any constitutional diseases, or blood-diseases ^ as (hey are sometimes called— such as scrofula, consumption, or rheumatism ; as also all those affected by any disease depending upon structural change of any part or tis- sue. Accidental and acquired diseases or deformities are less apt to be propagated than those which are congenital or inherent ; but, like external peculiarities, they do sometimes become permanently hereditary, and hence it is usally safer and wiser also to discard animals so affected. When it is desired to breed from any animal which, though recommending itself by superior general qual- ities, has nevertheless some slight defect of symmetry, or some faint tendency to disease (for which, however,' scarcely any good qualities can, we think, sufficiently compensate), it should be mated with an animal which is super-excellent in every respect in which it is de- ficient. On no account should an animal of doubtful perfection, or suspected soundness, be allowed to breed I TIGHT BINDING N CONTENTS — No. 4. AmmonU in Hot Houses, - - - - - Agricultural Meeting, - - - - • An Enquiry.— The Japan Pea, . - . - Application of Human ExcreU to Agric'l Purposes, Agricultural Exhibitions, ""'',' Book Notices, ------- Curious Eflfeot of Hair on Grass, . - - - Comparative Produce of Different Kinds of Wheat, Extracts from an Address by Dr. G. Emerson, Eznerimenti with Manures, Plowing, Ac., • - " on the Cultivation of Indian Com, • Evan's Patent Plow, - - - • Editor's Table, - ' First Report, - - - - French Zoological Society of Acclimation,, - Farm Hands and New Implements, - - - Green Manuring, -•--•"• Hereditary Diseases of Sheep and Pigs, HinU for Amateurs in the Selection of a Horse, Japan Peas, „-----• Large Hogs, - - - Lancaster County Agricultural Society, Oregon Pea, .------ Permanent Pastures, - - - - - Pure Water, - - - - - - Pratt's Patent Horse Rake, - - - - - Royal Duke, ---•--• Recent Inventions, ------ Seed Potatoes, ------- Small or Large Potatoes, . - - - - The Year Book of Agriculture, - - - • Treatment, and Application of Manures, The American Pomological Society, - - - The State Agiicultural Society, - - - - The Law of Slopes, .--•-• The Onion Fly, --.--•• The Scale Insect of the Apple, - - - - Trimming Grape Vines, . - - - • The Vinegar Plant, ------ Wild Air, " " What Penna. Farmers pay annually for their Horsef, Wyandot Com, _------ Webb's Self-Regulating Wind Power, Willow Cuttings, FAQI- 105 120 113 108 117 124 114 115 101 102 103 119 127 107 108 123 111 97 106 118 11« 118 108 116 120 121 104 128 108 110 109 113 114 117 120 121 121 124 126 105 106 126 122 118 THE AGRICULTURAL PUBLICATIONS OF €. ffl. Saxtou & CO., New York, FOR SALE BY E. C. & J BIDDLE, No. 8 MINOR ST.. between MARKET and CHESTNUT, west of FIFTH Street, PHILADELPHIA. April, 1856-U BLOOD RED JAPAN HEAD LETTUCE. SEEDS of this celebrated new variety of Lettuce will be mailed to anv person sending twenty- five cents, with a thr^ ^nt postage stamp enclosed. . «^. „ .. ^ a^ V ^ ^.' ax. Seed Warehouse, Nos. 822 and 824 Market St., above M Inth. April, 186&-2t THOROUGH BRED DEVON BULL CALF FOR SALE. Apply at this office. April, 1856-11 THE LAWTON BLACKBERRY. Mr. Charles Downing the well known fruit grower and nur* seryroan, offiered the following insolicited tesiiraony in theco* lums of the Agriculturists under the Editorial care of p* Bowery Esq.— in the summer of 1854. ** Having heard a good deal said about the Lawton Blackberrv,' for the past year or two, and knowing that many of the new fruits were overpraised, I made a special visit to Mr. Lawton i a few days since, to see for myself, and I can assure you I wag well paid for ray trouble. There is no humbug about it ; and the only wonder is, that it has not been more generally intro. duced and propagated before. The fruit is large and sweet. It is an enormous bearer indeed, the quantity (considering the large size of the fruit) surprised me, and the berrries were perfect. Mr. Lawton informed me that they pontinu* in bearing five or Ha Kioo wwmo two or three acres, and will have plants to dispose of in the fall and spring. The latter, however, is the most preferable time for transplanting. Plant as early as the ground is m good working order." In the American Institute Farmer's Club, not long since. Judge Van Wyck proposed the following resolution, which was unaoi. mously adopteti; " Resolved, That the Farmer's Club of the American Institute highly approves of the efforts made by William Lawton Esq, or J\ew Rochelle, to cultivate, improve and spread that most valua- ble Blackberry spoken of to day, and that he has presented to this Club at different periods both this season and tne last, most liberal specimens of this blackberry, so that every member (and they were sometimes fifly in number nearly) could not only gratify his sight but his palate, with eating as many as he pleaisd, and thus be qualified to judge in every stage and season of their f[rowlh, their superior qualities as regards size, flavor and succu- ency, and also their constant improvement each year under hii management ; and that we do ^hereby earnestly and decidsdiy recommend the LAWTON BLACKBERRY, AS THE CLlfi HAS CORRECTLY NAMED IT, to public notice and patioQ. age. For descriptive circulars and directions for planting and other particulars address, WM. LAWTON. New Rochelle N. Y. or No. 54 Wall St, New York. OUR CATALOGUE OF AGRICULTURAL BOOKS, CX)MPRISING SEVENTY-FIVE DIFFERENT BOOKS ON AGRICULTURE, will be sent postage free to all who will favor us with their name and add rets. Among the hooks recently published by us are : CHORLTON'S GRAPE-GROWER'S GUIDE. 60c. REEMELIN'S VINEDRESSER'S MANUAL. 60e. STRAWBERRY CULTURE. 60c. ELUOT'S AMERICAN FRUIT-GROWERS GUIDE. $125. THE STABLE BOOK. $1. BOUSSINGAULT'S RURAL ECONOMY, fl 85. THOMPSON ON FOOD OF ANIMAUS. 75c. PRACTICAL LAND-DRAINER. 50c. For sale by all Booksellers, or sent by us free of postage oo receipt of price. • C. M. SAXTON Sl Co., Agricultural Book Publishers, No. 140 Fulton st, N. T. libziE'S RAIN WATER FILTERS- These celebrated Filters are receiving the highest commendations from hundreds of familin who have used them for years in almost eveiy State in the Union, They filter about one hundred gallons « twenty-four hours, furnishing a full supply * all domestic uses. The most impure Ralo, Rivett or Lake water, by this means becomes pure.cletf as crystal, without taste color or smell, in a* condition only is water fit for all culinaiy and drinking ^ poses, as a means of promoting the general health. , They are portable, durable, and cheap, and are not excellw by any other filter known, ibr sale by, MURPHY A YARNALL. 262 Chesnul st, Philip OSAGE ORAN«E SEED AN* PliAIVTS FOR SALE. HEDGES PLANTED AND WARRANTED. For Circulars address A. HARSHBARGER. April, 1856. McVeytown, Mifflin co., 1* VOL. VI. PHILADELPHIA, APRIL, 1856. NO. 4 EESSDITABT DISEASES OF SHEEP AND PIGS. [CONTINUBD PEOM PAGE 78.] But each parent impresses on the foetus not only its own habitual, material, and dynamic state, but also those more temporary and more accidental qualities which it may possess at the time of sexual congress. Children begotten by parents while in a state of drunkenness frequently become idiotic or insane. Burton, in his * Anatomy of Melancholy,* says, " if a drunken man get a child, it will never likely have a good brain ;" and Diogenes is said to have remarked to a crack-brained, half-witted stripling, ** Surely thy father begot thee when he was drunken." A child, begotten shortly after the father has had a severe in- jury of the head, has sometimes turned out of weak intellect ; and an apt illustration of this is recorded by George Combe. " A man's first child was of sound mind; afterwards he had a fall from his horse, by which his head was much injured: his next two children proved to be both idiots. After this he was trepanned, and had other children, and they turned out to be of sound mind." The Arabs and other Asiatic nations appear well aware that those qualities which are most prominent in the parents at the time of sexual intercourse are reproduced in the offspring ; and, accordingly, in the breeding of horses, they give the stallion and mare a smart gallop before they bring them together. The endurance, strength, and spirit of both animals are thus more highly developed, and are believed to be transmitted to the offspring in this intensified state. The excitement of the gallop doubt- less alters in some degree the conditions of the semen and ovum, and when the latter is fertilised the altered conditions still remain, and go on growing and strengthening throughout foetal life. The male off- spring also have usually a special resemblance to the father, and the female to the mother : and the resem- blance is not confined to external form or mental at- tnbutes, but extends to defects and predispositions to tlisease. This is admirably illustrated by the propa- gation m the human subject of consumption and in- fiity which, in the majority of males, is inherited n^om the father, and in the majority of females from ; ,' '^?^^^^' The proportions are exhibited in the followmg tables ; Consumptive Males, 106 Consumptive Fathers, {gg^fp^erct Consumptive Mothers, {^g^^^r ct Insane Males, Il7 Insane Fathers, Insane U others, \ f 64or 154.6 per ct 63 or 45.3 per ct Consumptive Females, Consumptive Fathers, {^^^^^ ConromptlTe Mothers, {^gjf p^/^ ^, 108 7 or 43J5percf Insane Females, Insane Fathers, Insane Mothers, 147 67 or 45.4 pp ret 80 or 54.4 per ct Among the lower animals the statistics of disease are as yet very meagre and imperfect, but we have sufficient evidence to prove that in them, as well as in the human subject, diseases are especially prone to descend from sire to son. and from dam to daughter. This may possibly be so far explained by the fact that the male offspring, as above remarked, usually resem- ble the sire, and the female the dam ; and whenever an animal especially resembles one of its parents in external and healthy characters, it is almost certain also to resemble it in those which are internal and morbid. In order to prevent or remove hereditary defects and diseases, great care must of course be exercised in the selection of both parents, so as to obtain them with as many good qualities as possible, with a strong and vigorous constitution, and freedom from those faults which are likely to interfere with usefulness and health. Care must be especially taken to avoid, for breeding purposes, all animals affected with any constitutional diseases, or blood-diseases, as they are sometimes called— such as scrofula, consumption, or rheumatism ; as also all those affected by any disease depending upon structural change of any part or tis- sue. Accidental and acquired diseases or deformities are less apt to be propagated than those which are congenital or inherent ; but, like external peculiarities, they do sometimes become permanently hereditary, and hence it is usally safer and wiser also to discard animals so affected. When it is desired to breed from any animal which, though recommending itself by superior general qual- ities, has nevertheless some slight defect of symmetry, or some faint tendency to disease (for which, however,' scarcely any good qualities can, we think, sufl5ciently compensate), it should be mated with an animal which is super-excellent in every respect in which it is de- ficient. On no account should an animal of doubtful perfection, or suspected soundness, be allowed to breed TIGHT BINDING INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE 98 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Apbil with one near of kin to it ; for in the great majority of such cases both parents will have similar imperfec- tions and faults, which will appear in the offspring in a far more prominent and aggravated form than they existed in either parent. The rearing and general management of animals having a hereditary tendency to disease also requires unusual care ; for such animals are very apt to suffer from all influences inimical to health. In them ordi- nary causes of disease operate speedily and power- fully : common and simple disorders are apt to urge on the hereditary predisposition to actual disease, and afterwards to become themselves absorbed into the malady they have produced ; while remedial measures act only imperfectly and palliatively, for they cannot of course remove the morbific tendency — the fons et origo of the malady. Such tendencies can only be effectually eradicated by crossing not only the animal itself, but also its offspring for several generations with perfect and healthy stock. Nor must the breeder be misled by the disappearance of any defect or disease during a single generation, for a tendency to disease often remains latent for one or even two generations, and then reappears with all its pristine force. This is often illustrated by consumption, epilepsy, and in- deed by all hereditary diseases, and also by hereditary peculiarities of shape, or color, which, like diseases, often skip over one or two generations, and then re- appear. This phenomenon is technically called stadisniy and the offspring are said, in the language of many breeders, to call hack to their grand parents or other more remote ancestors. In order to maintain stock, whether horses, cattle, sheep, or pigs, in perfect symmetry and free from all defects and diseases, it is absolutely necessary to pre- vent the females from bring put to any male having qualities that are to be avoided, for the immediate produce of such a cross is not only defective itself, but all the future progeny of the same female is apt to be defective likewise, and to partake of the charac- teristics of the faulty male, especially if he be the one with which she has first had fruitful intercourse. Numerous examples, both among the human species and among the lower animals, might be given to illus- trate this curious fact. Women married for the sec- ond time frequently have children which bear a stri- king resemblance to the first husband, both in physical and mental development, as well as in defects and diseases ; for, as has been already remarked, resem- blance in anatomical and physiological characters is ever accompanied by resemblance in pathological characters. Every one is familiar with the well- known case of Lord Morton's chestnut mare of pure Arab breed, which had a foal by a quagga, or wild ass, and whose subsequent foals by Arabian and thor- ough-bred horses still resembled the quagga foal in the peculiar stripes along the head and back and in the stiff, straight, upright mane. Delabere Blaine mentions several illustrative cases occurring among dogs, and also a case of a black and white sow, which had pigs to a wild boar of a deep chestnut color, and had afterwards, by different boars of the Essex breed, several litters which resembled the progeny of the wild boar in color and general appearance. These facts have been variously accounted for. 1st. A per- manent influence is believed to be exercised on all the ova of the female by the semen of the first male— an opinion entertained by Haller and several other emi- nent physiologists. 2d. The first foetus, possessing of course the prominent characters of the first male, is believed to produce a kind of inoculation of the female. The blood of the fcetus passes by the placen- tal circulation into the blood of the mother, and there produces changes of a more or less permanent kind> which are propagated, along with her own proper characters, to each subsequent progeny, whether by the same or by different males. This view has re- cently been ably propounded by Dr. Alexander Har- vey, and appears to afford very satisfactory explanation of the cases above mentioned. 3d. The resemblance which the offspring of the same mother by different males often has to the offspring of the male with which she first had fruitful intercourse has been supposed to depend on the imagination of the female, and her con- tinued recollection of her first mate and her first off- spring. This, though a very pretty poetic fancy, is inadequate to explain satisfactorily such cases as the above. It must not, however, be inferred from this remark that the imagination has no power in affecting foetal development. On the contrary, it can be easily shown that mere sensuous impressions acting on the female at the time of impregnation, or even during pregnancy, are sometimes capable of affecting the off- spring. Mares and bitches frequently produce off- spring differing from the sire, but resembling in color and appearance those animals with which the mother has been kept, or of which she has been fond. George Combe mentions a case in which two horses were got with pretty markings of a very uncommon kind, by leading a horse having such markings before two mares just prior to their being covered. The parents in each case were different, but the young horses were so similar in color that they could scarcely be dis- tinguished from each other, and both had the same markings as the horse that was led before the mares at the time they were impregnated. Similar illustra- tions of the influence of the imagination are common among dogs ; and Mr. Milne has recorded, in the Transactions of the Linnsean Society, the case of » pregnant cat, which got a severe injury of the tail from a thread, and gave birth shortly after to five kittens, which were perfect in all respects except that «* the tail was distorted near the end and enlarged into a cartilaginous knob. '* In the human subject, idiotcy. peculiarities of physical development, and physical deformities have been traced to mental impressions made on the pregnant mother. It is evident, how- ever, that, among the lower animals, the imagination is less powerful and excitable, and less capable of extended action, than in the human subject ; and we 185«.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. may therefore believe that it does not, in the majority of cases, affect foetal development, except by occa- sionally causing but slight alteration in color or ex- ternal form. n. Hereditary Defects and Diseases of Sheep,— The hereditary diseases of sbeep have as yet been but little studied, probably on account of these animals being usually considered scarcely worthy of medical treat- ment, and of their being slaughtered at a comnara- tively early age, and before much time has been al- lowed for the development of many diseases. But from what little information we have on this subject, there is no doubt that when any of the diseases, which are hereditary among men or the lower animals, occur in sheep, they will in them likewise- prove hereditary. Diseases of this nature are often engrafted on previous- ly healthy stock by neglect and mismanagement ; for although at first accidental and acquired, they are almost certain to become after a few generations fixed and permanent and almost incapable of being eradi- cated. In noticing the more important hereditary diseases of sheep, we shall endeavor to indicate, as fully as our limited space will permit, the nature and symptoms of these diseases, and also, so far as is known, the external and visible signs which indicate a predisposition to them. Such signs should espe- cially be noted by breeders, as enablino^ them to de- tect defects and predispositions to disease which oth- erwise could be discovered only by a knowledge of the animal's pedigree. In discussing this head we shall adopt the following arrangement .-—Diseases of the brain and nervous system ; diseases of the thoracic and abdominal vis- cera; rheumatic and scrofulous affections ; and gen- eral faults and vices of external form. There are several diseases of the brain and nervous system which are decidedly hereditary in all animals. Amongst the more highly improved breeds of sheep, many individuals, usually distinguished by their square and compact forms and soft pliant skins, are able to manufacture in a short time large quantities of blood. In favorable circumstances they carry on this process more rapidly than the wants of the sys- tem require, and thus get speedily into high condition. But this valuable tendency to assimilate food readily, and to grow and fatten with rapidity, often becomes a predisposing cause of disease. So long as the various processes of secretion an J excretion go on regularly, all is well ; but if any of these be materially deranged -if, for example, constipation occur— an abnormally large amount of highly stimulating blood will remain circulatmg in the body without adequate ways or means of removal, and will be driven in a full and l^pid current to every part, producing inflammation m any organ which may be predisposed to it by na- tural or acquired causes. Should no such predisposi- tion obstruct its onward flow, the vessels in some part ^ay give way. Thus arise various kinds of hczmor- l^age and in no organ are these more common or °iore to be dreaded than in the brain, where the blood- vessels are large, numerous, delicate, and but feebly supported by the soft cerebral mass in which they he. From rupture or excessive distension these vessels sometimes allow of the pouring out of blood, or of the serum of the blood, constituting the usual form of the disease generally known as apoplexy. The most com- mon ^mptoms of this affection are sudden loss of perception and power of motion, and gradually in- r*rpn.jBino' onma i«T)-»if»Vi /4A<9f«*/>v-ci Mf^ »>»««> ^« i^-.- ^..j denly. In predisposed subjects such apoplectic at tacks are often induced by sudden changes from poor to rich pastures, by long and fatiguing journeys daring hot weather, or by any causes which give rise to con- stipation. When a decided tendency to apoplexy shows itself, means should be taken to prevent the manufacture of an undue amount of blood, by giving unstimulating and not over-nutritive food in moderate quantity. The constant activity of secretion and ex- cretion should also be secured by free ventilation and cleanliness; by affording the animal access to good pure water, and if necessary by the occasional exhi- bition of pure laxatives. Such measures will be much safer and more effectual than the copious blood-lettings and purgings which are often recommended in such cases, and which, though they may prevent the dis- ease for the time, frequently do more harm than good, since without due attention to diet thoy increase the disposition to the excessive manufacture of blood. Epilepsy or Jits, as it is often significantly termed, occasionally occurs among sheep. The animal attacked becomes suddenly stupid, gazes vacantly about him, and falls down struggling and senseless. His muscles are thrown into violent and general spasms, his eyes start from their sockets and are often distorted, his jaws are forcibly closed, his tongue is protruded, and his faeces and urine are passed involuntarily from the violent spasmodic action. His respiration is irregular and gasping, and his circulation usually much dis- turbed by venous congestions. The convulsions vary much in seventy and duration, usually .lasting only a I few minutes, but recurring repeatedly at very short [ intervals. Epilepsy occurs most commonly in young sheep in good condition, but also occasionally in Iambs about weaning time. It may attack any kin4 of sheep, but is especially frequent among those that are delicately bred and of a scrofulous constitution. It is sometimes very violent, and occurs frequently with- out proving fatal ; but its prognosis depends entirely upon its nature and cause. Thus, when depending on any local irritation of the intestines, or, in other words, if it is merely sympathetic or eccentric, it is usually tolerably easy of cure, is not likely to return after its cause has been removed, and is not usually hereditary ; but when it depends on some morbid condition of the brain or nervous system, and occurs in animals of a scrofulous disposition, it is almost in- curable ; is apt to occur again and again, until death puts a period to its attacks, and is almost always hereditary. It is distinguished from apoplexy by the absence of coma, and from tetanus by the intermis- TIGHT BINDING F too THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER, [April Rions of the spasms, and by the fact that it usually attacks one side or one half of the body more seriously than the other. The precise nature of the disease is not well known : the functions of the brain appear to be disturbed or altogether held in abeyance, and the rest of the nervous system — thus released from the regulating and controlling influence of its central di- rector— acts in an irregular, and often violent, manner ; but the nature of those changes, which doubtless occur within the cranium, still remains unexplained, and in this instance 'post mortem examinations do not help us much. There is usually more or less softening of the brain ; but sometimes neither the brain nor any part of the nervous system presents any thing abnor- mal. The vascularity of the brain, and its engorge- ment with dark-colored blood, so much spoken of by some authors, depend chiefly on the blood being driven in undue amount to the deep-seated organs by the violent contractions of the external muscles. But apart from the nervous system, there are often found derangements of other organs, which seem frequently connected with the production of the disease. Thus, among both sheep and cattle, the third stomach is usually filled with hard, dry, and partially-digested food ; in dogs, the small intestines are frequently filled with worn^^ ; and in these and other animals the lungs and other parts are sometimes studded with tubercles. But we know little, if any thing, of the manner in which these conditions produce epilepsy, nor indeed of the modus operandi of plethora, derange- ments of the digestive organs, exposure to cold, or any of the other causes of the disease. These appear sometimes adequate to produce the disease among stock of untainted pedigree, but always act most cer- tainly and powerfully among those inheriting a pre- disposition to the disease. The existence in certain individuals of an inherent predisposition to epilepsy, and the transmission of such a predisposition from parent to offspring, appear undoubted. The disease is always especially frequent and formidable in the progeny of those sheep that have themselves been subject to it. One extensive agriculturist informs us that he at one time had it frequently among his flock ; that it descended for '* several " generations ; but that since he sold off* the faulty race, and drained and otherwise improved his farm, he has seen none of it. Most breeders and shepherds, though they speak most decidedly of the hereditary nature of the complaint, are unable to give much statistical information re- garding it. The hereditary nature of epilepsy when it affects the human species, is now well ascertained. MM. Bouchet and Casavielh found that of 110 cases of epilepsy, 31 were hereditary ; and Esquirol found that of 321 persons aflflicted with epileptic insanity, 105 were descended from insane and epileptic parents. A hereditary tendency to epilepsy cannot, among sheep, be distinguished by any external appearances. Those prone to it are said to have large, unshapely, unsymmetrical heads, with one-half unlike the other ; but such characters, though indicating a tendency to epilepsy in man, are of less value among sheep, for in the case of the latter animals they are sometimes present where there is no tendency to the disease, and sometimes absent when the tendency is un- doubted. Sturdy^ turnsicky or hydatids in the brain, used to be very prevalent in this country, but is now chiefly confined to localities as yet unreached by modern im- provements in agriculture and reforms in the manage- ment of stock. It is rarely met with where the land is dry, and the flocks well tended and fed. Youatt and other writers seem to view it as directly heredi- tary ; but this is very improbable, and is not borne out by careful observation. Sheep affected by the disease do not produce lambs exhibiting any unusual proclivity to it ; but as it most frequently affects ani- mals of a weak and depraved state of body, and as such states of body are notoriously hereditary, the disease may rather be considered as hereditary from indirect causes. Chronic diseases of the respiratory organs are gener- ally accompanied by some alteration of structure which has assumed a hereditary character. This is often the case with the irritable condition of the bron- chial mucous membrane, which gives rise to chronic cough. This affection is of frequent occuiTence among sheep, is attended with so much irritation as some- times to prevent the animal from thriving, and occa- sionally leads to inflammation of the lungs. It is always much aggravated during wet or changeable weather. Sheep with narrow throats and chests, and of a consumptive constitution, are most commonly predisposed to chronic cough. We might here con- sider pulmonary consumption as one of the hereditary diseases of the respiratory organs, but shall postpone its notice until we come to speak of scrofulous coni' plaints. Some of the diseases of the digestive organs of sheep are apt to owe their production in part to the action of hereditary causes. This is particularly the case with diarrhoea and dysentery, which are especially frequent and severe among animals of a spare, lank form, with flat ribs, much space between the promi- nence of the haunch-bone and the last rib, angular quarters, and badly set-on tail ; dark, scurfy-looking skins, and soft, flabby, muscular systems. In such sheep the intestines are weak, and apt to suffer even from the slightest disturbing causes. Exposure to wet or cold, or sudden alterations of food, speedily determine a troublesome diarrhaa. This is especially apt to occur during spring and autumn, particularly in lambs, amongst which it frequently causes consid- erable mortality. We are apt to entertain very vague ideas concerning this common and simple complaint: it is usually produced by some irritant matter either introduced into the blood from without, as in the food, or accumulated there from the imperfect action of such organs as the skin or kidneys. Nature separates these irritant matters from the blood by the intestinal mucous membrane with its glandular apparatus, 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 101 which becomes stimulated to increased activity and augmented secretion by the local action of the irritant. The complaint is sometimes caused by the lodgment in the intestines of acrid, indigestible food, which in- duces a local irritant action, and a consequent increase in the movements and secretions of the canal. It is also occasionally caused or kept up by an undue amount of fluid being poured into the canal from the relaxed intestinal vessels. DiarrhoDa in healthy stock, and when early attended to, may usually be speedily arrested by a change of pasture, dry food, and suflS- cient shelter; but when it occurs in animals with weak intestines or a vitiated constitution, and espe- cially if it have been allowed to go on neglected, it is very apt to be the precursor of dysentery. This last disease sometimes continues for many months, some- times only for a few weeks. The animal first falls off" in condition ; he appears ** to do no good,^' to use a familiar but expressive phrase. His thirst is exces- sive, his appetite irregular and capricious, and his rumination imperfect. The wool is dry and hard, and the skin covered with a dingy yellow scurf: the f89ces are evacuated forcibly, with straining and pain, and contain imperfectly-digested portions of the food, with dark- colored mucus and blood : the back is arched and the belly tucked up ; the pulse is weak, soft, and compressible, and seldom above seventy. Respiration is somewhat accelerated, and a cough is generally induced by tubercles in the lungs or liver. The sheep occasionally kicks at its belly as if suffer- ing pain ; serous effusions appear underneath the jaws, at the brisket, and in the limbs, and other dependent parts— sure indications of impoverished and vitiated blood ; the breath and all the secretions become f.jetid, the strength fails, and the animal, worn to a skeleton, dies from utter exhaustion. With such decided symptoms as these, indicating in the most striking manner the nature of the disease, it is strange that any one would gravely propose to treat it by blood- letting : yet Mr. Youatt and others have recommended bleeding and several doses of physic, for the purpose (say they) of overcoming the inflammation and fever. But the inflammation of dysentery is of a sub-acute and vitiated kind, and is hence greatly aggravated by the abstractions of blood ; and the fever is of a low typhoid type, requiring tonics and stimulants rather than antiphlogistics. We merely advert to this error as indicating the essential importance of understand- ing the pathology of a disease before undertaking its treatment. On dissecting the body of an animal that has had an attack of dysentery, the stomachs are usually found quite sound and healthy except the fourth, which is of a light color, and exhibits extra- vasation of blood between its coats. The small intes- tmes have a similar appearance, but are not generally ulcerated ; the coats of the large intestines are puck- ered from chronic inflammation, and contain ulcers of various sizes. In some parts the mucous membrane is entirely destroyed, and its place occupied by proud flesh. These changes appear to depend not so much on inflammation as on an impoverished condition of blood and an imperfect nutrition of its parts. As the mucous membranes require for their healthy nutrition a great amount of blood, they suffer from the impov- erishment or vitiation sooner than most of the other tissues. This is illustrated in glanders in the horse, as well as in the disease under notice. The liver, lungs, and mesenteric glands, contain tubercles, and occasionally pus, and this is one of the many evi- dences of the close relation betwixt dysentery and pulmonary consumption. This relation is further borne out by the fact that both occur in the same kind of stock, are substituted the one for the other in different individuals of the same family, often occur at different times in the same individual, and fre- quently merge into each other. They are also both hereditary, and originate from similar causes, and from none more oftener than breeding in-and-in, that is, breeding from animals near of kin. This system, when judiciously practised, causes early maturity and a disposition to grow and fatten speedily ; but when followed injudiciously and persisted in for several gen- erations, it invariably does much injury, diminishing the size and vigor of the flock, rendering the male animals weak and incapable of procreating their kind, and the females barren or unusually liable to abortion, engendering a disposition to dysentery, scrofula, and other malignant diseases, and greatly aggravating any previous hereditary tendencies. -«•► EXTRACTS FEOM AN ADDRESS BY DB. G. EMEBSON. The following remarks, extracted from Dr. G. Em- erson's Address before the Chester County Agricul- tural Society, Sept. 17th, 1853, so fully accord with our views on the subject that we cannot resist the temptation to place them before our readers, hoping they may be induced to spend more liberally in this way than they have ever done before. And that the officers of Agricultural Societies, in making out their premium lists for the current year, may keep the sub- ject before them; and award to the competitors a fc exhibitions valuable agriculturar books and periodi- cals, instead of the small amount of money, which is so humiliating to the recipient: ** Among the many useful objects that may be effected by agricultural societies is that of aiding in the diffusion of knowledge pertaining to rural affairs by distributing good books as premiums. This is done by many of our country and state societies, but generally to much less extent than would be most profitable. It is alleged in favor of money appropri- ations, that dollars are the most effectual stimulants to competitors. Where these cannot read, now hap- pily a very rare case, or have no children or young persons about them for whose intellectual improve- ment they feel an interest, the dollars may answer. But the value of the pittance allowed in premiums, in the majority of cases, is not for a moment to be com- pared to that of the possession of a good standard book, which remains a storehouse of useful knowledge, TIGHT BINDING 102 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [ApRa 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 108 ready at all times to furnish its ample resources. In | form separate sub-societies or clubs in each township no other pursuit, calling, or profession, can progress j where the members may meet often at a central point be mad© without the aid of books, and the very best for the interchange of opinions, and have at hand a books are always sure to be demanded. How comes few of the best standard agricultural books and pe- it, therefore, that in some sections of our country, riodicals to help them onward in the search for the farmers seem to have come to the conclusion that they best information upon rural affairs of every kind. A can get along without the instruction to be gained small contribution from each member would enable from books ? and that it is a real stretch of liberality many to have recourse to works which they might in promoting the cause of agriculture, when they con- deem expedient to purchase individually." sent to have their names placed on the list of subscri- 4#. bers to some periodical issued at perhaps fifty cents per annum ? The British farmers, of whose superior- ity I have said so much, have passed the age for prim- ers, and take care to have good standard books at hand. I have one of these on my shelves, consisting of only three octavo volumes, w»hich cost to import it $28. TVith the low estimate now generally placed upon books by our farmers, a work issued at that price would be a poor speculation for an American publisher. A significant motto for an ardent young farmer would be : Good implements for the fields and good books for leisure hours. " Gentlemen, it is needless for me to remind you that farmers are entitled to pride themselves upon the special importance attached to their calling, furnish- ing, as this does, to man and the beast that serves him, the immediate and indispensable means of sub- sistence. But our rural brethren must not rest their their claims to high social position solely upon such considerations. If they possess the laudable desire to participate in the honors and distinctions open to competitors of all callings and professions, and espe- cially if they wish to increase their capacities for the EXPERIMENTS WITH MANURES, PLOWING, &o, Mr. G. W. Coffin, of Armenia, Dutchess county, N. Y., who received the second premium from the New York State Agricultural Society for farm man- agement, reports the following experiments with ma* nurps : On grass lands, soil tenacious limestone loam, old sod of red top, June grass, and white clover. The results were as follows : lbs. hay per acre. Without manure of any kind, 2,000 400 lbs. of Peruvian guano, costing $10, 4,080 800 lbs. plaster, costing $2,60, 2 480 400 lbs. superphosphate of lime, casting $10, 3,040 Unleaehed ashes, 26i bushels, costing $3,31, 3,840 An experiment was made on potatoes with the fol- lowing result : Ten hills without any manure gave, with handful of fresh ashes, with handful of compost hen manure, with handful of plaster. The manures were applied in the hill at the time of planting ; the ashes proving too strong, but each of rational enjoyment of the rich gifts so liberally spread the others increased the yield at the rate of about 50 around us by a beneficent Creator, they must attend bushels per acre. u 13 lbs. 19J" 19J" to the culture of their minds. Men of science and acute observation are now continually throwing out through a teeming press the most valuable knowledge upon Qverj subject ; and let me tell you that the hands may labor, and the body put forth its utmost strength, but it is only when physical power is directed by the best intelligence that it accomplishes its happiest re- sults. It was once said by a noted southern states- man (McDuffie) that, in order to secure a laborious An experiment in suckering com showed that it did neither good nor harm. Afler six years' careful experimenting, Mr. C. is ** compelled against all former notions" to believe that corn for seed should always be taken from the small end of the ear; that from the large end, how- ever, he finds better than that from the middle. Mr. Coffin reports his experience in regard to the use of the subsoil plow as follows : He used the sub- population, the laborers nfust be kept in a state of soil plow on a portion of several fields of different soils Ignorance. In those sections of our country where and for different kinds of grain ; but except in one the free-school system has been longest maintained, and intelligence is most diffused among the people, the condition of things proves the fallacy of such a doc- trine. Although in many parts of this great common- wealth the march of mental improvement has been shamefully slow, still, we believe that better times are coming. In this favored neighborhood, the signs of high intelligence and cultivation are conspicuous on every side. A strong proof of this is furnished by the fine displays of stock, farming implements, &c., and by the crowds which have attended this exhibi- tion, all eager to see what is to be seen, and learn instance, although several years have since elapsed, there was*' no perceptible difference in the yield or growth at any time." The exceptional case was ; '* In a field on another part of the farm, less loam and more clay in the soil ; used the subsoil plow to about the same depth (18 inches) on one land only: sowed the whole lot to oats, and could see soon after they came up that on the land subsoiled they looked yellow and sickly for the first two weeks, but then began to improve, keeping on until they presented the same appearance as the rest of the lot, no one being able to perceive any difference up to the time of bar- whafpvpr moTr Ko i^«^««^ T^ ^ . -. --^^- *v.». x* "-^^^ «<" pci v.civc »uy amerencc up to tnc time ot uar- the general orgamzatioa of th.s county society, but that one could have almost told with his eyes shut as soon as he came to this land. Although there was about the same growth of straw as on other portions, yet the bundles were much heavier and heads better filled The amount produced by subsoiling must have been as much as eight bushels to the acre more than where the common plow was used only. No percep- tible difference in the grass this last summer." •♦•- EXPEBIMENTS OK CULTIYATION OF INDIAN CORN. The following account of a series of experiments on the culture of Indian corn under the influence of various artificial manures, originally communicated to the Homestead by Isaao Backus, of Canterbury, Conn., has been condensed and the results tabulated by the N. Y. Country Gentleman : The soil on which the experiments were made was a gravelly loam sward, and plowed about the 20th of May, 1854, ** in strips one rod wide, and planted, four rows to each breadth, with medium sized yellow com." The manures used were superphosphate of lime, guano, (we presume Peruvian, but it is not stated,) bones dissolved in sulphuric acid, stable ma- nure, (taken from a heap outside the bam, made from good hay fed to neat cattle, nearly free from litter, spread on the land before plowing,) leached ashes, and hog manure, (made by corn fed hogs in a covered pen, with a light plank floor, and soils from the fields used as an absorbent). These manures were applied in 1854, and the yield of corn on the several plots ascer- tained. In 1855 the plots were again planted to com, dl of them being left without manure of any kind. The following table exhibits the results : The plot without any manure the first year gives 28 bushels of shelled corn per acre, the second year shows, too, that guano is much more lasting in its action on com than has generally been supposed. 16 loads of stable manuae give 74 bushels increase per acre the first year and 94 bushels the second year. 32 loads give 14} bushels increase the first year and 201 bushels the second. In both these cases the in- crease is considerably greater the second than the first year. 16 loads of stable manure and 200 bushels of leached ashes, give 16 bushels increase the first year and 24 bushels the second year. This uniformly greater in- crease from stable manure the second year after its application is somewhat remarkable, though perhaps it is in part attributable to the dry season of 1854. By comparing plot 7 with plot 9, it will be seen that 200 bushels of leached ashes increase the yield 84 bushels per acre the first year and 14 j bushels the second year. The hog manure as compared with the stable ma- nure, gives a higher increase the first year, and an increase nearly identical the second year. It is worthy of observation that the hog manure, (mixed with soil and probably thoroughly decomposed,) gave considerably more increase the first than the second year, a result the reverse of that obtained with the stable manure. The cost of producing an extra bushel of com by the aid of these manures is shown in the last column of the table. Superphosphate of lime heads the list ; the cost of producing a bushel of corn with this ma- nure being 40 cents ; with guano and superphosphate mixed, 46 cents ; with guano alone, 53 cents ; with hog manure, 65 cents ; with stable manure, 90 and 95 cents. The 200 bushels of leached ashes cost o •0 o 1 2 3 i A 6 7 8 9 10 n 12 Quantity and kind of Fertili2er8 used per acre in 1854. No manure, 600 lbs. of superphosphate of lime, 690 lbs. of Kuano, 300 lb?, of superphosphate and 640 lbs. guano, 320 lbs. Kuano aiul 640 lbs. of dissolved bones, 1040 lbs. Kuano ami 400 lbs. of superphosphate, 16 loads of stable manure, 32 do do 16 do and 200 bushels of leached ashes, 16 do and 640 lbs. superphosphate, 32 do and 320 lbs. Kuano and 320 lbs. of superphosphate. Hog manure from 108 bushels of corn, 5" K 8 3 28 46 68 61 74^ 35>i 425i 44 mi 60 43 E » n 3 16 28^ 29>4 32 62 25>^ 36^ 40H 88>i 25^ a© < p 18 22)^ 30 23 465i 16 21>i 82 16 si 132 22^ 16 36 9M 20^2 24 22i4 27' 9; Qy 30X 62'^ 39 82^ 16g 36K 40 44 69>i 24^ B SB a $12 60 19.00 25.10 18.40 38 60 16.00 32.00 28.00 32.00 48.00 16.20 o fB a <5 ^ rt a i? 3-cPD. JC a 1 c^2,B JB O c* fB $0.40 0.63 0.47 0.47 0.46 0.95 0.90 0.70 0.72 0.81 066 only 16 bushels. This is a great falling off, arising Mr. B. says, **from the exhaustion of the soil, and partly from the unfavorable season. Such a short, cold summer as the last (1855) does not make good ears of corn." 500 lbs. of superphosphate of lime give 18 bushels per acre more than the plot without manure, and the next year 12i bushels. This shows that the benefit derived from superphosphate on corn is two- thirds as great the second year as the first. 690 lbs. of guano give 22i bushels increase the first year, and the second year 134 bushels. This $12, and gave an increase of 23i bushels; thus making the cost of producing a bushel of corn with leached ashes about 50 cents. It must be remem- bered, however, that the ashes and the stable manure gave a greater yield the second than the first year, and we are warranted in presuming that should the field be planted in corn the next year, these manures will give considerably more increase than the guano and superphosphate of lime ; and it is not improbable that in the end the stable manure, instead of being the most expensive, will prove to be the cheapest fer- tilizer. i j=afc-!.i'*fc ^-' ■^'^ IH THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. [Ap«a I I 00 c .S 1 9 ■^ ^ r? •C C ua ^ 5 a ^ ft -^ QO d • a! O (3 O 4 o Da o O go o o o CO o a o « ft »a d .. o fe S ft ■i en « ^ ;^ O 5 b 9 ^. o ^ bj o ^o s ft o o s 2» c • B a ft kl o 5 ^ % 5 ^5 73 « 2 3 u 9 M O ki .3 o a 0 P ai o e o ao a ^ a "^ ^' i5 - • o d S d « w ■"* ^ o ft = '^ ta b^ ft .A >% g ft d O 9 a a> P * i ^ ft o o o • • ki ki kl k) 3 a OQ ft 1856J THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 105 WILD AIB. Sire, Old Black-Hawk-CoIof, Black. Kept at Fislierville-Bj J. S. Durgin. -••»" AMMONIA IN HOTHOUSES. When it was discovered that ammonia is derived from the atmosphere, and that it descends in rain, a new h'ght was thrown upon the refreshing and invigo- ratiDg effect of heavy showers, which act not merely by their water, as once was thought, but also by the carbonate of ammonia which they bring down. So far as agriculture is concerned, this is, however a truth devoid of possible application, because the volatile carbonate cannot be advantageously used artificially through the agency of the atmosphere. But it is other- wise with gardeners, who have to create an artificial atmosphere in a confined space. It is not a little re- niarkable, then, that so simple an agent, so easily pro- cured, and applicable with so little trouble, should scarcely ever have been employed in hothouses in the proper manner. Where it has been used, it has been almost mvariably when dissolved in water and applied ^ith a syringe. Professor Lindley at length gives the proper mode of application ; doubtless many have ^nought of it. but the present will, we believe be the rst correct instructions on the subject in this country. Jr/^"^"^*^ "^ ammonia of the atmosphere is sus- I^nded, dissolved in invisible vapor. In this state it ^ncessantly in contact with every part of the foliage, nen ram falls, the ammonia disappear for the mo- jnt passmg down in the rain drops to the ground, inence arriving at the roots of plants. But if it is in gardens first dissolved in water, and then thrown upon plants with a syringe, natural conditions are by no means imitated. It reaches no part except that on which the water falls, half the upper surface and nearly all the under surface of the foliage is miss^, and it is scarcely detained even upon the parts which the water actually touches. The proper course is to throw it into the air in the form of gas ; this is easily eflected in the following manner : — When a greenhouse or hothouse is shut up, warm and damp, rub upon the heated pipes, the flues, or a hot piece of metal, a small piece of carbonate of ammo- nia with some water (not dry) : the peculiar smell of smelling salts will be instantly perceived, and, if this is done at the two ends of a house, as well as in the middle, the air will rapidly receive a sufficient charge of the substance. After it has been allowed to remain about the plants for a short time, some gardeners would syringe their houses freely ; but it is doubtful whether that is the best plan, provided the air of the house is naturally damp. The effect of this simple application IS very remarkable, quickly producing a visible change for the better in the appearance of the plants. But caution must be used in the application. A piece of carbonate of ammonia as large as a quarter of a dollar is sufficient for a charge in a stove 40 feet long ; and it is indispensable that it should be volatilized by rubbing it in water, otherwise its causticity is too great, and leaves are burnt.—^orficw/rurM^ 105 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [APBa 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. lor HINTS FOE AMATEURS IN THE SELECTION OF A HORSE. As some of our readers who are possessed of the almost universally prevalent desire to become owners of good, as well as fast, horses, may perhaps not be as familiar with some of the points which are impor- tant to be observed in making a purchase, as they should be, the following hints may prove valuable ; "To become the possessor of the object of our WiSucS requires tii6 eXerCiSe Oi a COusiderable aiiiOutii of judgment as well as caution. You enter a dealer's stables, and, on expressing your wishes, are shown, of course, the very animal you want — one that can walk five miles an hour and trot fifteen, and is, with- out exception, the very best that ever came into the dealer's possession. Of course you will pay but little attention to these high encomiums, but consider them as part of the seller's stock in trade, and will proceed to judge for yourself. It will be better to see the animal quietly in the stable first, before he is brought out. You will thus ascertain whether he is gentle to approach, and, whilst ascertaining this, you can quietly take notice of the position and appearance of his fore legs, observing attentively whether he points or favors either of his feet, or shakes or knuckles at his knees or fettocks, or stands with his le^s too much under his body. Either of these peculiarities will constitute a strong reason for rejecting the animal. On turning him round, or before he is led from the stable, you should, if you are a suflScient judge of the matter, (or wish to be thought so,) examine the eyes of the horse, and also his teeth, for the purpose of ascertaining his age. If the former are very small, or sunken, or cloudy, or contain large specks, you may reject the animal ; but do not be too confident, for the eye may have none of these faults, and yet the horse may be stone blind— the optic nerve may be paralyzed, though the eyes are clear and transparent. So too with the teeth ; you may find as you suppose the marks of six years old, and yet the horse may be sixteen. If, however, the teeth be very long, or pro- ject horizontally from the lower jaw, or have three cornered faces, you may safely consider the animal as being too old ; and, on the other hand, if some of the teeth are smaller and whiter than the others, he may be too young. The horse is led from the stable, and you should take care that he is walked and trotted gently, and without being excited either by fear or emulation; you will thus ascertain his natural action, and also whether he stumbles or goes lame. Having looked over the horse and satisfied yourself as to his length, strength and general appearance, you will of course mount him yourself, by doing which alone you will be enabled to ascertain whether he will suit you or not. Take care to ride or drive him gently at first, and you will thus find out whether he walks fast and safe, and also whether he shies, or is in any way restive. You may then increase his pace, and find out if you can, whether the horse is a slug, or too hot ; and by giving him a gallop, whether he is a roarer, or unsound in the wind. But after all this, you will do well not to rely too exclusively upon your own judgment, but obtain, where it is possible, the professional assistance of a veterinary surgeon." «•» For the Farm Journal. WHAT PENNSYLVANIA FARMERS PAY ANNUALLY FOR THEIR HORSES. Messrs. Editors:— I note with much satisfaction that some of your correspondents have commenced a discussion in regard to the availability of steam for agricultural purposes ; and trust it will be continued as good only can result from its agitation. Of itg availability for all the in-door operations of the farm, such as grinding and shelling corn, cutting fodder, sawing timber, threshing, &c , we have abundant evidence of the most convincing character ; and it is only a few months since the agricultural world was startled by the announcement that Mr. Obed Hussey, of Baltimore, (the inventor of the first successful reaping machine,) had made an eflfectual application of it to plowing. How the cost of Mr. H's experiment compares with the same amount of labor performed by horses or oxen, we have not been informed, but the mere fact of such an experiment having been made, and having succeeded, at once demands an investigation on this important point — an investigation which it is to be hoped some of your correspondents or yourselves will proceed to make. In the meantime allow me to present some hasty estimates of the amount which Pennsylvania pays annually for the support of her horse flesh. From some recently published statistics, I learn that there are in Pennsylvania 352,657 horses and mules. Of this number, perhaps 52,658 are employed in cities and towns for other than agricultural pur* poses, leaving 300,000 for the use of the farmer. Af the present price of horse provender, the average daily cost of feeding a working horse would be fully 33J cents. Assuming this to be correct, the daily expen- diture for horse feed in Pennsylvania is ^100,000, or $36,500,000 per annum. The average lifetime of tho horse is about ntne years, and the average cost of his keeping for that time $1094,94. Shoeing, medical attendance, groom- ing. &c., not included. The average first cost of the 3##.000 horses used in Pennsylvania for agricultural purposes is not less than $50 each, making an aggregate of $15,000,000, divi- ding which by nine, (the average term of horse life,) and we have $l,666,6G6f, principal and interest, as the annual outlay for horse flesh in our State, the whole of which is to be charged to the expense ac- count of our agricultural operations. Let us now re- capitulate : Cost of feeding 300,000 horses one year, $36,500,000 Average annual purchases, 1,666,666 Average annual cost of shoeing, grooming, med- icine, Ac, $20 each, 6,000,000 Making an aggregate of $44,166,666 i I I as the sum total of the amount which the people of this Commonwealth pay annually for horse flesh alone. At even the present high rates of produce, it is equal to more than the entire value of the wheat and oats of the State. From the above statements, we find that more than 33,000 horses die annually, the average weight of which may be set down at 800 pounds each, or 26,- 400,000 pounds of flesh, bones, &c., abounding in nitrogen, the phosphates, &c. It is asserted upon good authority, that the body of a dead horse, cut to pieces, and mixed with ten loads of muck, becomes, in a single season, compost of the most valuable char- acter. If this be correct, and I believe it is, we ought to have from the carcases of the 33,000 dead horses, 330,000 loads of compost, or sufficient to manure 30,000 acres annually. Now, if the carcases of all the horses that die were taken care of as above suggested, what a vast addition to the fertilizing material of the State would they afford. Enough manure would be produced by them to add 600,000 bushels to the wheat yield of the State —an item certainly worth looking after. But it is more than probable, that> not one carcase out of a hundred is ever cut up and mixed with muck, or even buried. Generally, they are dragged to some out of the way place to furnish a banquet for the com- thieving crows, or more than worthless dogs. These estimates are not presented as being accu- rately correct, but they are sufficiently so to render the enquiry whether steam or horse power is most economical, peculiariy interesting. As apropos to my subject, allow mo to add the following extract from an English Agricultural periodical : "Steam has muscle enough to grapple with the clods of the field : only, as with Hercules at the spinning-wheel and Samson in the corn-mill, we must first beguile him into submission to the yoke. As for spinning and grinding, to be sure, our modern an- itypeof all the strong-limbed demi-gods of yore has long been broken to the work ; but the most honorable of all labor-that of delving and tilling-has still to upbraid him for his stubbornness. He is very ready at an such miU-work as threshing, winnowing, or crushing corn, cutting and cooking cattle food, sawing mber, hftmg drain waters off* low lands, or throwing irngation.floods over thirsty meadows. Some enter Pnsing agriculturists have reduced him to the drudgery ot conveying manure to their prolific acres, by the Wus of pumps, hose-pipes, and hydrants so drain t, u"''"^ underground drains and lay in ^•^m-tiles m the most perfect manner. Why then turned « K i ^ '"'^'"^ "^ ""^ ^^^™«' ^^P^^e an up- n^es r '"'^'^ '^' ^^''^"'«i°g atmospheric influ- ^^ces, cleanse ,t from parasitic and encumbering weeds, and prepare it to receive and nourish the ten- der roots of crops ? Twenty acres are to be prepared as a seed bed 6 inches deep ; that is, 12,000 tons of hard ground have to be sliced, inverted, and crumbled into fine mould, but " the panting giant " can do it- do it conveniently in two days if you only show him how. And the true reason why he does not accom- plish the feat must be, that nobody has j^et watched the turning of a furrow as Newcomer gazed at his palpitating teakettle ; we are simply waiting for a genius and his " invention.'* Fame and fortune await the Yankee genius who harnesses the " panting giant " to the plow. MoBE Anon. -«•>- FTBST REPOET On the Noxious, Beneficial and other Insects of the State of New York, made to the State Agricultural Society, pursuant to an Approprialion for this purpose from the Legislature of the State, by Asa Fitch, M. D. New York, following in the footsteps of Massachu- setts, has recently made liberal appropriations for the purpose of disseminating correct and practical infor- mation relative to the insects of that State which affect vegetation injuriously or beneficially. The task was assigned to Dr. Asa Fitch, and his first report, just published, is evidence that the author not only understands his subject, but what is also of great im- portance, understands how to make his scientific truths and observations intelligible and interesting to those who especially require information on these sub- jects, viz: the unscientific men. And this he has effected without any departure from that rigid exact- ness which scientific investigations demand. The plan according to which the work is arranged espe- cially meets our approbation. Instead of classifying the insects by their scientific divisions, Dr. Fitch first considers the insects which infest fruit trees, com- mencing with those which occur upon the apple, and noticing in succession the varieties which affect the root, the trunk, the twigs, the leaves and the fruit. In the same order insects which occur upon the pear, the plum, the peach, cherry, &c., are successively taken up. From fruit trees, a transition is made to the species of insects infesting forest trees, field crops and garden vegetables. This method of arrangement of the several topics is perfectly intelligible to every reader, and with the assistance of a brief heading which precedes the ac- count of each species, he is enabled to turn at once to any insect which he wishes to find, and which is described in the report. This report is included in the transactions of the New York State Agricultural Society, but is also printed separately. In some respects we consider it in advance of Dr. Harris' work on insects, which is awarding it no slight measure of commendation. i I TIGHT BINDING 108 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Apm For the Farm Journal SEED POTATOES. On page 36 of the present volume of this Journal, an anonymous article on seed potatoes appears, the writer of which I consider a man of correct observations. His theory corresponds with my practice. I have on one occasion, when I first commenced farming, taken the largest potatoes for seed, and had as poor a crop as from the small planted that season, the soil and cultivation uviug aiitt.c. ruutrLuva ui a size tuat li wm w,hM irom ten to sixteen to a pound will be found to be the most advantageous for seed ; they will answer fully as well, if not better, than larger ones. Potatoes of that size cannot be sold in market for family use, while large ones can. My experience in the potatoe culture has fully convinced me of the incorrectness of the large seed theory ; for why is it that large potatoes are cut into small pieces and planted ? It is both a saving of labor and money to sell the large, and plant such as recom- mended above. Potatoes of that size are just as ripe as those weighing a pound apiece, if planted and taken up at the same time. I am willing to pay the chemist for his trouble, if a potatoe of an ounce is not similar in every respect to one of a pound in proportion, but then I claim the right to furnish the potatoes for the experi- ment. J. S. Kelleb. Orwigsburg, Schuylkill co., Feb. 5, 1866. «•» For the Farm JonmaL OREGON PEA. Last spring, I received from Alston B. Estes, of New York, a small parcel of Oregon Peas. They were care- fully cultivated according to the directions given by Mr. A. B. Rozell, in the Patent OflSce Report on Agriculture for 1853. They were planted about the 16th of May, made a vigorous growth, and produced a great quantity of pods, but none of the seed matured before the frost set in. If the seed was sown as early as the season Would permit, on light warm land, there is no doubt but that it would have ample time to come to perfection. But the fact of its requiring the whole of a favorable season to mature is a peculiarity, in my opinion, which will ever militate against its general introduction and usefulness in this latitude. There is not much doubt but it will prove a valuable acquisition in the Southern States, and, in a great measure, supersede the use of clover as a fertilizer, and make excellent feed for cattle, sheep and hogs. Jbsse Gorsuoh. Huntingdon, January 26th, 1856. «•» ON THE APPLICATIOBT OF HUMAN EXCRETA TO AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES. It is perhaps useless to say any thing concerning the importance of mixed human excreta as a manure ; its value must be known to every farmer. All scientific agriculturists admit that when properly applied to land, it gives fertility to all kinds of crops ; but the use of it alone is so objectionable, that a vast amount of it is only turned to a pernicious account in running water. To destroy its most offensive odor, and make it a superior manure to finely pulverized dried peat, it is only neces- sary to add this substance in sufficient quantity to the excreta ; to mix the whole well together until the maa becomes comparatively a dry solid, which may be either stored under cover, spread out and further dried, if tin weather permit, or it may at once be used on the farii. In this excreta-peat manure, the peat from its compogi. tion adds useful matters to the excreta, enlarges its stuw face and thus economizes it, absorbs its moisture, maklQ* it less susceptible of decomposition in the air, while it ij sufficiently porous while in the soil to be easily accessible to the fibres of plants. No reasonable doubts f»an k. entertained of the efficacy of this manure. A compan. tive trial of this manure with the best Peruvian guano on Swedish turnips, in the same field, gave results in every respect equal. No doubt can be entertained, that if properly made it will always be found equal to guanoe of good quality, while it would afford to the manufactu- rer a fair profit if sold at one-fifth the price of Peruyian guano. Valuable additions of this manure may be made in common privies by covering their bottoms with a layer of about three inches of peat-powder, and adding from time to time, as occasion requires, a fresh surface of peat to the excreta. The manure thus made, when re- moved, would require to be mixed with additional peat; but the common nuisance of cleaning out such recepta- cles, without the aid of peat„ would be greatly abated or entirely removed. Peat, dried and pulverized, may also be used to advantage in stables and cow-houses, to make manure and economize straw, destroy offensive odors, promote cleanliness, absorb drippings and ammonia, and keep the animal's feet cool.— Z>r. Davy^ London ChmitL ^ FRENCH ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OP ACCLIMATIOIT. The French Zoological Society of Acclimation, founded a year or two since, continues its labors with important results. It has recently entered into a system of ex- change with a Russian Society, the object of which is to make a collection of all raw products raised and used in the country, and of specimens illustrating the series of transformations they undergo in the processes of the acts. Such a collection has been already made in St Petersburgh. It includes all kinds of wheat, from the grain to the flour, bran, starch, &c., as well as models of machines employed in cultivation, from the plow to the windmill and the implements of baking. So also there is wool of various kinds, and the raw material and the tissues coarse and fine, with a multitude of other objects pertaining to the three kingdoms of nature. The French Zoological Society, not wishing to confine itself to the productions of France alone, has resolved to re- serve the objecti it may obtain by exchange for a prw- tical and comparative museum of natural history, to contain the products of all countries, so as to exhibit the difference between them. At the present time the Society is trying to decide whether the Angora goat can be acclimated. At their request Abd-el-Kader, the celebrated Arab chieftain, has sent to France a flock of fifteen from Angora. These have been sent to the mountains of the south, centre, and east of France. The orientals doubt the success of the experiment, and say that the texture of the wool changes even for short distances in the same zone wwi j the same region. The region occupied by the Angora goat comprises* ( 186«.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 109 of o nart of central Galatia and a southwest portion o Paphlagonia, between the parallels of 39° 20-^ and 41 j^Q/ and the meridians of 33° 20-^ and 36° east from Paris, the surface of which is about 2860 square metric leagues. Xbe goat avoids the highest mountains, and also keeps out of the lowest valleys, where the heat is high in sum- mer. The village of Angora is the place where the goat is raised with the most success and in the greatest num- ber!; its climate is subject to great extremes of temper- "tars. One of the most striking characteristics of the ADgora is its strong attachment to its native soil, a re- moval, however slight, causing some change in the char- acter of its wool. All attempts to transfer it to Con- stantinople, Smyrna, and other parts of Asia Minor, have been without permanent success, the wool in the second generation beginning to deteriorate. We may, however, hope, from the success experienced in acclimating other animals, that Asia Minor is not the only place where the Angora may be made to live and flourish. The Egyptian goose was brought to France from Egypt in 1799, and has finally been acclimated. Since these trials with the Angora were begun, the Director of the Museum of Madrid has stated that a flock of one hundred of these goats was introduced into Spam in 1860, and there are now two hundred of them m the mountains of the Escurial, and another still larger flock in the mountainous region of Huelva. has here put into the hands of the farmer a map, which shows almost at a glance the progress of his art during the year past, and the course it is now taking. A mul- titude of questions relating to this progress and that course are here answered. To the farmer these answers are invaluable. The questions continually rise up before the thoughtful cultivator of the soil, in the midst of his toil, and he would gladly discuss them by the wayside or fireside with some intelligent friend devoted to his call- TV»io VvrvrkV ia 4-V»«>f ^mov.'^l a »»•..« >.^.„_ ; — j -»•► THE TEAR BOOK OF AORICTJLTTJRE. We have received from Dr. Samuel L. Dana, the author of the Muck Manual, the following review of the Agri- cultural Year Book : The Ybar Book op Agriculture, or the Annual of AgH- adtural Progress and Discovery for 1855 and 1856. Ex- hibiting the most important discoveries and improvements in agricultural mechanics, agricultural chemistry, agricul- tnral and horticultural botany, agricultural and economic geology, agricultural Eoology, meteorology, t8 organic elements, from the soil. If, therefore, the plant be plowed into the soil on which it grew, as none of the mineral elements are lost during its growth, not only are all of them returned to the soil, but a great part of the organic constituents derived from the atmosphere. When nature is working the plant is allowed to reach maturity, die, and be decomposed where it grew. It is evident that there is here a great loss; for during decom- position, from the stem and leaves of the plant being ex- posed, the principal part of its organic matter is again given off to the air in the form of carbonic acid and am- moma. But there is also considerable loss from allowing wie plant to become quite ripe, for it is not then so rich "» orgamc matter, no small portion of it being exhaled oy the leaves and flowers, as is abundantly evident from «|e fragrance of a full-blown flower, which is caused by ^e exhalation of ammonia. It is important, then, for a warmer wishing to practice green-manuring, to plow down the plant at that stage of its growth when it is found to be richest in organic matter, which is just before the blossom has been fully expanded. But there is another advantage in making use of the plant at this stage of ita growth. Water is especially necessary for the decompo- sition of organic matters. A stack of grain or hay heats mainly because decomposition has commenced, from the moisture not being sufficiently expelled before the grain or hay was stacked. At no stage of the growth of the niant is there mnrn xirnfp'r rkvooAnf 4/> ^«k/«;i:4.«4.A *.u^ j position, and thus render the plant available as manure for a crop, than at the period of flowering. We have thus seen that the soil must be considerably enriched in organic matcers by green-manuring. And though there is no increase in the mineral elements in the soil and sub-soil, still they are searched out in the sub-soil by the roots of the plant grown for manure, and presented in the soil in a form more available as food for the crop to be raised. The great object of pulverizing the soil and exposing it to the atmosphere, is to bring its mineral elements to this state? so that the roots of the green-manure plants silently effect what the plows, har- rows, and grubbers are employed to produce. On this subject Professor Way has some very pertinent remarks. "If," says he, "instead of leaving the land exposed only to the action of the atmosphere, we crop it with a plant whose roots run in every direction for food ; and if, when this plant has arrived at considerable growth, we turn it into the surface-soil, we have not only enriched the latter by the latter by the elements derived from the air, but also by matters both mineral and vegetable fetched up from the sub-soil. The plant thus acts the part of col- lecting the nourishment for a future crop, in a way that no mechanical sub-soiling or trenching could effect." It will be obvious, from what is written above, that the plants best adapted for green manuring, are those whose roots penetrate deepest and ramify most, and whose leaves, from their size, draw most nourishment from the atmosphere. As green-manuring should be practiced only after the land has been cleansed, it is necessary that the plants selected for the purpose be of rapid growth, so that sufficient time be allowed for them to reach the proper stage of their growth to be plowed down, and to be in some measure decomposed before the crop is sown. It is also of importance that the plant employed should cover the ground well, for reasons which we will give presently. The plants used for this purpose are tares, clover, rape; and, on the Continent, white lupins spurry,' rye, and buckwheat in addition. In the south of England the white mustard and turnip are also not unfrequently employed. In Scotland the turnip tops are never removed in the best-farmed districts, their manurial value being reckoned equal to that of 3 cwt. of Peruvian guano to the acre ; and we have several times seen the second crop of clover plowed down, have the most wonderful effect on the succeeding crop of wheat or oats. Indeed, it is well known among farmers that a better crop of oats will be got immediately after a crop of clover, even when cut twice, than if it were allowed to lie another year for pasture, and no foreign substance be ap|>lied to it, or eaten on by sheep.— This arises from the mass of vegetable mat- ter which is left by the roots of the clover as food for the oat crop. Yea, in some fields we have seen it where it was TIGHT BINDING 112 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Apmu I more for the benefit of the tenant and the farm, in these days of light manures, to cut the hay and turn it up at once, than pasture it for two years. We think that there is no part of our Scottish leases that requires more re- vision than those clauses relating to hay and pasture. We have only as yet spoken of those plants used as green-manure for the soil on which they grew ; but the practice can be profitably carried out, particularly in Scotland, by transporting vegetables from where they grew to special fields. Of this kind the most important is manuring with sea-weed, the advantages of which are so well known as not to require us to dwell longer upon them here. A source of annoyance to most farmers is the growth of many weeds on waste ground, the sides of ditches, and of roads not much frequented, and the bot- toms of fences. — These, instaad of being an eyesore and a nursery for weeds in the fields, as they are in too many cases, mi^t be turned to profitable account by cutting them down and gathering them into a heap, where a compost can be formed with them and any other waste matter on the farm, or a little dung; and from the mass of green vegetable matter collected, fermenta- tion is soon produced, and the heap will be ready for putting on the stubbles immediately after the removal of the crop. And all this will be done at a time when the servants on the farm have comparatively little else to do. A question of vital importance to the practical man requires to be answered here — Whether is it more profit- able for him to consume these plants with animals, or use 'them as green manure ? There is no doubt, we think, that there is more returned to the soil by plowing in the green plants, than by consuming them with animals, and selling off the beef, mutton and, milk, or whatever else may be produced. Numerous experiments detailed in both English and foreign works on agriculture prove this; and in a recent number of the Journal d^ Agriculture Pratique^ in an article written by M. Risler, wo observe the following experiments showing the advantage of green-manuring over fallow, and also the consumption of the plants by animals; — "In the neighbourhood of Frankfort-on- the-Main, a farmer who had lost all his cattle by inflamma- tion of the lungs, and did not wish to replace his stock immediately, plowed down all his vetches and clover; the wheat which succeeded the green manure was much better than that beside it, which had been preceded by a fallow manured. "Two English farmers, Messrs. Love and Hawkins, estimated, the crop of oats which they obtained after turnips that were plowed in, the one at one-seventh more, other at about 24s. per acre more than that which they got after turnips in the same field consumed by sheep. " M Schubart, in Mecklenberg, made the following ex- periments on plots of 65 square metres (alwut 78 square yards.) These plots were manured after Christmas, 1853, as follows:— 52.05 54.25 53.45 21.75 67.75 50.00 48.00 1st plot, with the dung produced by a bull and calf i% 4 days, during which thoy consumed in food and litter 30 kilogrammes of oat straw, 22 kils. of barley straw, 44 kils. of hay, 15 kils. Wheat Straw, kils. kiU. of wheat straw, and 15 kils. of rye straw : in all, equal to 12C kils. The produce of the plot was. 19.05 2d. With the same substances, without being consumed by the animals, 126 kilogrammes. 20.35 3. With 126 kils. of rye straw plowed in 18.40 4th. With 126 kils. of wheat straw plowed in 5th. With 126 kils. of rye straw after being allowed to lie on the surface of the plot till the end of May. 20.50 6th. with 126 kilo's, of wheat straw, treated in the same manner. 23.50 A kilogramme is equal to 2Ibs. 8 oz. 4 drachms avoi^ dupois. These experiments fully prove that the soil will produce a larger crop from having the plants grown upon it plowed in, than if they were consumed by animals and their manure applied to it. But still the question as to which practice is more profitable to the farmer is not yet andwered, for the increased value of the stock con- suming the food must be taken into account. This question will be answered by every farmer according to the situation of his farm, the nature of the soil, the sys- tem practiced on it, and the skill of the farmer in the management and the buying and selling of stock. Green- manuring, we conceive, will be found to be of more ad- vantage in England and on the Continent, where vegeta- tion is more rapid than in Scotland ; and from the great heat, there is a necessity of having the soil well covered during the summer. More benefit is often derived from having the soil covered than is generally imagined. The soil may be regarded as a vast laboratory in which chem- ical action is unceasingly going on, now in decomposition, then in the formation of new compounds. Two of the most important results of this action are carbonic acid and ammonia, which, exposed to the air and heat, pa^ ticularly in a loose soil, are soon carried ofif, if there ia nothing in the soil, to fix the ammonia. On this subject M. Risler has the following remarks : — ** Another advan- tage which green-manuring has over fallow, consists in the physicial action of the plants on the soil. During vegetation they retain — and the thicker they are the more effectually they do it — the moisture in the earth, and on the surface the carbonic acid which is disengaged. A paper in the Agricultural Journal^ of Dr. Hamm, pub* lished some years ago, brings out this protective influence of green- manuring. Of two pieces of land of similar description, and of equal size which had been similarlj cultivated for some years previously, the one was sown with lupins, and the other was fallowed. When the lu* pins were in flower, they were cut, carried to the fallow, and plowed in ; then rye was sown on the two pieces. The part that was fallowed gave a less produce than the other. . " Cuthbert Johnston states a fact corroborative of this influence. An english farmer inadvertently left for some months a door in his fallow field; for several years after, the crops were particularly luxuriant where the door had been lying, so much so that one would have said that some rich manure had been applied to that spot." Every practical man is aware that the l)etter a field in pasture is covered, the larger will be the crop when it is turned 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 118 up. Now, this arises not merely from the pasture itself being better, and thus keeping more stock, but from none of the products of the chemical action in the soil being allowed to escape. Pasturing is just a kind of green- manuring. From the decay of the grasses and their blades when plowed down, a mass of vegetable matter is collected, ready to minister to the growth of the succeed- ing crop; and during its decomposition, the organic ele- ments are prevented from escaping, during the warm months of summer, by a thick covering of grass. A good farmer, then who is also a skilful grazier, always studies to let his grass well up before stocking it full, as he knows that, by so doing, it will both keep more stock now, and give him a larger crop afterward. Green-manuring will be found more beneficial on light soils than on clayey ones, for the reasons given above. One of the greatest advocates for the system is Mr. Hannam, of Kirk Deighton, Yorkshire. He writes, in Morton's Cyclopedia of Agriculture: In a strong clay, warmth and porosity are given; and upon a light and friable soil, where the furrow is properly pressed, tena- city and firmness are imparted by the fibrous roots. Without a previous crop of this kind, many lands are much too light to grow wheat. Upon the writer's own farm are many fields of magnesian lime-stone, that will not grow a good crop of wheat in any other course than after seeds or clover. However highly a fallow or stubble may be manured, it will not produce a field of wheat equal to that grown after seeds or clover. Notwithstanding, we do not think that green-manuring can be recommended as a profitable practice in Scotland ; for the crops which are usually cultivated for it are those which are much valued as green food at particular times during the summer for instance, the vetch and the after- math are both valuable to the farmer, from being ready to cutfor his horses and cattle when his pastures have be- gun to fail ; and the rape comes in as most nutritious food for sheep when the grasses have become hard in dry warm weather, besides the advantage which it possesses to the low country breeder of sheep, in exciting in the ewes a desire for the ram much sooner than would otherwise have been the case. There are some cases, however, where it may be thought advisable to resort to green-manuring even in Scotland, as in light sandy soils deficient of or- ganic matter, and situated in a locality where that could not be readily applied to it. In such a case this object ^U be accomplished more easily and cheaply by growing some of the crops recommended for this purpose and then plowing them in at the V^o^^r t\me.---Journal of Agrtcuh ture. -••^ Translated for the Oountry Gentleman by Samuel Johmon, PROM THE GERMAN OP PROF. WOLPP. TBEATMENT, AND APPLICATION OF MANXTRES. Treatment of manure in the yard or dung-pit,— Three points must be attended to in a rational treat- inentofyard manure. 1- The original virtue of the manure must be almost perfectly retained. 2. The whole mass should be made js far as possible of uniform quality throughout. 3. A he process of decay or fermentation should proceed neither too rapidly nor too far ; nor should the manure shrink too much in bulk. The importance of both the first mentioned qualities is self-evident, and in reference to the third point, it need only be remarked, that while the nature of the soil and climate are often to be con- sidered in determining how far manure should be rot- ted ; yet generally, a medium between the two extremes is to be recommended. The manure must be spread evenly as soon as re- moved from the stable. If it be left with an irregular surface, with heaps here and there, the drying and fer- mentation will not proceed uniformly, and the quality will be different in different places. Care should be taken that all loose material, be well stamped down, as in such places the rotting goes on with great rapidi- ty and loss may ensue. Also under certain circum- stances in cavities and unpacked litter, mouldiness ap- pears which extends to the neighbouring manure, and it becomes lumpy and balls together. In these por- tions of the heap further decay is thus checked, and the uniformity of quality is spoiled. Experience has also proved that such mouldy manure acts injuriously when applied to fields just before sowing. In cases where dung has become quite mouldy, it is often necessary to overhaul it, and pack it down anew in layers, each of which should be drenched with the liquor of the cistern. Between them layers of muck may be interposed, or the whole may be mixed up as a compost. It is to be recommended that the different kinds of manure be well mixed together ; so that for example, horse-dung which heats so readily, be inter- posed in thin layers between the cattle dung, and not left to accumulate in one place. Especially important is it that the yard manure be thoroughly trodden down. By this means the access of air, and consequently the too rapid fermentation of the mass, as well as loss of volatile ammonical matters is hindered. To accom- plish the proper packing of the manure, nothing is better than to allow the cattle to spend some hours daily upon it. The heap must in this case not be kept too wet, and it is well to spread a little straw upon it, in order to attract them to it, and induce them to lie down upon it. This is especially to be recommended when the manure is transferred from the stable only at intervals of 14 days or thereabouts. In continued dry and hot summer weather, the surface of the ma nure loses its moisture, and air finds access ; so that shortly too rapid fermentation sets in, ammonia escapes, as indicated by the smell. Bailby found that manure from the stall which contained but 56 pr. ct. of mois- ture, evolved as much gaseous ammonia upon drying at the temp, of boiling water, (212°) as would be equal to I of a lb. for a load of 1600 lbs. of fresh manure. In the same amount of horse-dung, he observed a loss by drying of more than U lbs. This loss is much greater when a powerful manure in an advanced stage of decomposition, is allowed to dry in free air. I found for example that sheep-dung which had been collecting in the stable during three summer months, and con- tained 71 pr. ct. of moisture, lost J of a pr. ct. of its weight of ammonia in being dried at 212°. This cal- y TIGHT BINDING t lU THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Arnn culated on a load of 1600 lbs. is nearly 6 lbs. having (in Germany) a value as manure of 75 cts. In the dry dung remained § pr. ct. of ammonia, so that by drying, it lost h of its nitrogen in the form of ammonia. The loss by drying is of course prevented by main- taining a certain degree of moisture in the manure. To accomplish this the contents of the cistern formerly ■• •! ,3 -•„*.— 4«^ f/x c«>«rirA TKia linnid ghould uescnutxi an? luicuucv* iw o^*»\/. i»*».* ..^^._ s-s-.-w. - be pumped up— and by means of movable ti-oughs distributed over the whole surface of the heap, and in- deed so often and in such quantity, as the heat and drouth make necessary. The whole art of preparing a good yard manure, consists in great part in a careful regulation of its amount of moisture, for this must be neither too great nor too small. Where too much moisture is present, it is liable to become cold, and sour; and humus-like bodies are formed which act unfavourably upon vegetation : while in absence of suf- ficient moisture the ammonia escapes into the surround- ing atmosphere. By maintaining the manure mode- rately moist throughout its entire mass, a fertilizer will be produced, preserving almost entirely the origi- nal virtue of the manure, and in a form well adapted to promote the growth of crops ; and this without em- ploying chemical fixing-agcnts, as plaster, sulphuric acid, &c., whose application on the large scale is often too costly and troublesome. Swamp-muck, peat, brown-coal powder or any earth rich in vegetable matter, may often be economically employed to assist in retaining ammonia. Whichever material be used, it should be strewed as a thin coating over the surface of the manure, from time to time, during the summer ; and be kept moderately moist by occasional drenchings with the contents of the cistern. «•» THE AMERICAN FOMOLOOICAL SOCIETT. SIXTH SESSION. In conformity with a resolution passed at the last meeting of this National Association, the Sixth Session will be held in Corinthian Hall, in the city of Ro- CHBSTER, New York, commencing on Wednesday, the twenty-fourth day of September next, at 10 o^clock A. M., and will continue for several days. Among the objects of this meeting are the following : To bring together the most distinguished Pomologists of our land, and by a free interchange of experience, to collect and diffuse such researches and discoveries as have been recently made in the science of Pomology — to hear the Reports of the various State Committees and other district associations — to revise and enlarge the Society's catalogue of Fruits — to assist in deter- mining the synonyms by which the same fruit is known in America or Europe — to ascertain the relative value in different parts of our country — what are suitable for particular localities — what new sorts give promise of being worthy of dissemination — and, especially, what are adapted to general cultivation. The remarkable and gratifying progress which has heen attained, of late years, in this branch of rural industry, is, in so fimall 4egree, attributable to the establishment and salutary influences of Horticultural and Pomological Societies. It is, therefore, desii-able that every state and territory of the Union should be represented in this convention, so that the advantages resulting from this meeting may be generally and widely diffused. Held, as it will be, at a convenient point between the Eastern States and the Western, easilv accessible from the South, and also from the Canadas. it is anticipated that the attendance will be larger than on any former occasion, and the beneficial results to the American farmer and gardener proportion- ably increased. All Pomological, Horticultural. Agricultural, and other kindred associations of the United States, and of the British Provinces, are requested to send such number of delegates as they may deem expedient ; and nurseryman, and all other persons interested in the cul- tivation of fruit, are invited to be present, and to par- ticipate in the deliberations of the convention. In order to increase as much as possible the utility of the occasion, and to facilitate business, members and delegates are requested to forward specimens of fruits grown in their respective districts, and esteemed worthy of notice; also papers descriptive of their mode of cultivation— of diseases and insects injurious to vege- tation— of remedies for the same, and also to commu- nicate whatever may aid in promoting the objects of the meeting. Each contributor is requested to make out a complete list of his specimens, and present the same with its fruits, that a report of all the varieties entered may be submitted to the meeting as soon as practicable after its organization. Packages of fruits and communications may be ad- dressed as follows : ** For the American Pomological Society, care of W. A. Reynolds, Esq., Chairman Com, of Arrangements, Rochester, N. Y." Delegations will please forward certificates of their appointment, either to the above, or to the undersigned at Boston. Gentleman desirous of becoming members of the Society, and of receiving its Transactions, may do so by remitting to the Treasurer, Thomas P. James, Esq.. Philadelphia, Penn., the admission fee of two dollars, for biennial or twenty dollars for life membership. Marshall P. Wildbr, President, H. W. S. Cleveland, Secretary. Boston, Mass., March 15, 1856. «•» CTTRIOTTS EFFECT OF HAIR ON GRASS. A few years ago the purchasers of hog-hair at Terre Haute, Ind., carried it out upon the prairie and spread it on the grass to dry. This was in the fall and winter. After being washed with the rains, it was raked up« leaving a portion sticking in the grass. In the spring this was the earliest green spot and continued to be the sweetest, as was proved by the cattle resorting there to feed. By and by one of them died, then another and another, though apparently fat and healthy. In the stomachs of the animals opened after deftth» great numbers of hair-balls were found, in some casefl numbering two or three dozen. 1866.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 115 COMPARATIVE PRODUCE OF DIFFERENT KINDS OF WHEAT. A correspondent of the London Farmers' Magazine furnishes the following comparative statement of the produce of ten quarters (eighty bushels) of different kinds of wheat : SXSOaiPTION. w. 1 Korfolk red. spronted, *"" i White DanUlc. flue, S. RevettB, t White vi^hlttlngton, 7. IiMX aod Suffolk, mixed, g! Petersburgh, hard, 9. Ditto soO, 10. TalaTera, fine, 11. White Norfolk. 12. Spalden's ditto IS. SuHnlsh hard, 14. Old Re'l Norfolk, 15. Cape of Good Hope, white, Weight per bushel. 07 eo 60 61>| 63 61^ 66>^ 66 Whites. ■t. lbs. 217 2 250 0 233 6 2(ifi 0 277 2 House- holds. St. lbs. 147 4 244 6 200 10 248 8 48 2 IS 11 272 10 225 10 247 2 39 15 M3 115 2H0 7 4 0 2 0 35 10 Seconds. ■t. lbs. 17 2 13 21 2 1. 1ft 10 10 10 03 2 11 11 Middlings. St. ^%. 70 2 83 2 27 0 2 2 20 0 86 10 64 4 229 10 20 7 10 0 Offltl. St. lbs. 81 3 08 10 66 6 64 12 69 2 08 1 09 10 47 2 47 2 69 3 63 0 64 8 24 8 09 1 51 6 Waste. St. lbs. 1 4 4 S 2 6 4 12 7 6 Included. Ditto. Ditto. 2 2 6 0 7 12 0 8 5 0 2 12 I shall now proceed to make a few observations upon these specimens, taking them seriatim as they stand in the schedule, according to their weight per bushel. No. 1. I have introduced this sample into the table in order to illustrate the difference in produce between a wet and dry harvest. It was grown in the memora- ble year 1800, when there was not a sound sample of wheat harvested in the whole of Great Britain. It WIS of the same species as No. 14. with a difference of 13 lbs. per bushel in weight — the consequence of being sprouted.— This, however does not represent, by far, the difference in product of flour, as the following state- ment will show : — No. 1. No. 14. st lbs. 0t. lbs. U 10 29 3 7 0 2 1 6 2 0 0 Floor, per quarter Middling, do. - Offal, do Thus the sound dry wheat produced just double the quantity of flour of the sprouted, the middlings from the latter being so inferior as not to be worth grinding into seconds ; whilst those from the former produced good seconds, and the residue were still available for coarse biscuit. Thus a wet harvest not only produces a damaged and inferior quantity of wheat, but lessens almost incalculably the quantity of produce by exhaus- ting the substance of the grain. To such an extent was this the case in 1800, (as the above specimen will prove) that the people were driven to the necessity of substituting barley, oats, peas, &c., in the making of oread ; and all the quality of the bread thus made was so loose in texture as to be eaten with a spoon instead of being cut in slices with a knife. No. 2. The weight of this fine Dantzic is only 57 lbs. per bushel, and the produce about 25i stones per qr.; whilst the offal is nearly equal to that of No. 14, being 5 St. 12 lbs. per quarter. It is evident that this ^heat, which always bears a high price, is not a pro- fitable article to grind alone ; but it is exceedingly yseful for mixing with other wheats in small proportion, imparting both strength and color to the flour. This wheat is chiefly brought down the Vistula from Prus- sian Poland. No. 3. This coarse wheat is chiefly used m the making of flour for the London market, where the bakers use it in dusting their kneading-boards. For breadstuff is seldom purchased, except in yery dear seasons, when the working -classes want a cheaper article of flour. The millers, however, do not fecruple to mix a small proportion of it in their households. No. 4. Rostock, like the Dantzic wheat, chiefly used for mixing ; but the quality is very inferior to it, and the price proportionate. No. 5. The Whittington wheat was formerly grown extensively in Norfolk and Suffolk England, where it was a great favorite, and deservedly so, with the mil- lers ; but not being a profitable wheat to the farmers, they have discontinued its growth. The quality of this species was very superior, as will be seen by the large proportion of whites and households it produced. Indeed, the quantity of flour it yielded in proportion to its weight was greater than any of the others, except No. 15, and the quality appears to have been equal to that. No. 6. This is well known as a profitable wheat to the miller, and it always commands high price every particle containing flour being available. No. 7. This mixed sample is of the same weight as the last, the produce in flour rather greater which pro- bably arose from its being converted into households instead of whites. It is a profitable wheat and the quality excellent. No. 8. This hard wheat is too steely to be profitable to the miller, unless at a low price, and for a coarse description of flour. The quantity of the middlings proves this ; but the strength of the flour makes it useful for mixing with weaker qualities, and for this purpose it is generally used. No. 9. This is a much better description of com, producing about twenty stones more flour to the ten quarters, and an equal quantity less middlings, the offal and waste exactly the same. This wheat is chiefly grown in the Russo-Polish provinces. No. 10. The Talavera wheat is now almost extinct, being quite out of repute and favor with the farmer on account of its liability to sprout when ripe in the field. It is also less productive than many other kinds under \\ m i 11« THE FARM JOUENAi AND PROGBKSSIVE FABMBR. [Apbil similar culture, and therefore less profitable. These facts are much to be regretted, for certainly there is no other species of wheat that can compare with it m quality of flour, or profit to the miller and consumer ; as it will yield a large amount of the finest flour per quar- ter, and the largest amount of bread per sack of any kind of wheat I know of, with the exception of No. 15, of Wtlicn out lUlie una vym Dec^ .»«j^>.. No 11. This can scarcely be called Norfolk wheat, as the constant changing of the seed of white wheat by the Norfolk farmers render it difficult to trace the origin of a particular sample. It was, however, grown in that county, and whether of Suffolk or Essex ongin was of excellent quality, yielding a very large propor- tion of the finest whites, with but a small proportion of offal. . No. 12. This appears to have been a good yielding grain that worked up into flour very closely, the pro- portion of offal being small. No. 13. This hard Spanish wheat docs not appear to have met with proper treatment from the miller, otherwise the middlings and the flour would have ex- changed figures. I have known this description of wheat yield a greater weight of flour than that of the grain before the process, whilst the weight of off'al was in- credibly small. As it is probable that we may have some quantity of hard Spanish wheat this year, it would be well for the millers to make themselves acquainted with the best modes of manufacturing it, being pecu- liarly adapted to coarse flour. No. 14. The old Norfolk red, which may be consi- dered the very original stock introduced by Romans at the time of their occupation of Britain, will never be excelled for profitableness to the farmer or miller. It is peculiarly adapted to the dry light soils of Norfolk, but does not lose its character when transported to other soils. In the latter case however, it requires to be occasionally renewed, otherwise it is liable to be inocu- lated with the fallen from the fields, which would deteriorate its quality, or, at least, change its character. In Norfolk it has maintained that character for ages, and will probably continue to be a favorite with the farmers of that country, on account of its adaptation to the soil. No. 15. This is a species of which we obtain but a small quantity. The weight was very great, and the produce of flour in proportion. The enormous quantity of the best whites shows the fine quality of the wheat, whilst the very small proportion of offal illustrates the advantage of heavy over light wheat. There is, in fact, no comparison ; and whilst heavy wheat cannot be purchased (in reason) too high, a light quality almost always fetches more than it is worth. For the Farm Journal. PEEMANENT PASTUKES. Messrs. Editors :— Is there not something wrong in our system of keeping up our pasture lands ? or why is it that we have so few permanent pastures- pastures which do not require renewing every four or fiye years, or if permitted to remain in grass for & longer time become almost worthless ? The permanent pastures of England are one of the most important features in the agriculture of that country. By many it is contended that their superiority is attribuUble to the moistures of the climate, which keeps them fresh and green during a large part of the year. That this does exercise an important influence may not be denied, but that it does not constitute the whole is equally true. Every one is familiar with the meagre number of grasses cultivated to any extent by Amer- ican farmers. Clover and timothy are the leading ones, and in very many of our best farming districts, the only grasses cultivated. In some sections orchard and herd grass are grown to a partial extent, but in very many others they have not only never been intro- duced, but the farmers appear to be entire strangers to their qualities. Again, in certain parts of the country, as in Kentucky and parts of Tennessee and Pennsylvania, blue grass, so admirably adapted to grazing, flourishes naturally. It is very rarely that mixtures of these grasses are made, except where tim- othy and clover are sown together, and where any thing like permanent pastures are desired, timothy alone constitutes the only kind of seed sown. How is it with the English farmers ? For very many years the subject of grasses has occupied their cloaest attention. Experiments of the most expensive and careful character have been made from year to year— the nutritious and lasting qualities of the various grasses accurately tested, and the admixtures of the different kinds best adapted to produce permanent pastures correctly ascertained. As a consequence, the subject of laying down lands to grass is perfectly understood, and to this fact, as much as to the humid- ity of the climate, is attributed the superiority of their pastures. Take for example one of these mixtures for permanent pastures on soils of medium texture : -••»- For the Farm Journal. LARGE HOGS. Messrs. Editors : — Mr. Butler Hamlin, of Hamlin- ton, Wayne county. Pa., slaughtered in December last, two pigs, eight months and ten days old, weigh- ing respectively 339 and 314 pounds. J. M. N. Hamlinton, Pa., March, 1856. Alopocurus pratensis, Meadow Foxtail GraaSf Dactylis glomerata, Cock'a Foot Festaca duriuscula, Hard Fescue *' clatior, Tall Meadow Fetcxm " pratensis, True Meadow Feicue *' Lolium Italicum, Italian Rye " " perenno, Perennial Phleum pretense, Timothy Vo&nemoralis sempervireuH, Wood Meadow ** " trivialis, Rough Stalked " " Medicago lupulina, Superfine Trifolium pratense, Red Clover ** perenne, Purple Clover u u it it it it (t it a ropens, White Dutch Clover ti lbs. 3 6 % 2 e 8 3 2 8 1 1 8 0 46 The above is considered a proper quantity of seed 186«.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 117 for an acre of land of medium texture^ or fertility, and has been found to answer well. .They have also their mixtures of seeds for permanent lawn pastures y for fine lawns, for lands in preparation for irrigation, for pat- tures and hay in orchards, 4*c-. for improved deep mossy pounds, for dry gravelly situations, &c. Ought not the success which has followed these experiments to encourage us to undertake similar ooes ? Adiuitiitig that our climate is not so favorable, it is the duty, as it is the interest, of the American farmer to overcome this difficulty. If the grasses we at present cultivate are not adapted to permanent pastures, then let us seek for such as are. That they may be found, there is little doubt ; and that if found they will prove of the greatest possible value, no one will dispute. In many sections of country, and especially in the vicinity of large cities, grass is the most important crop of the farm. Hay is always in demand, and generally at highly remunerative prices. Many of oiir farmers are giving it the lion*s share of their attention, hut still it must be confessed that their experiments have not taken a wide enough range to be either satis- factory or conclusive. The system generally pursued is the system of grass culture which prevailed forty years ago. We appear to have fallen into a beaten track, from which we appear to be unwilling to de- viate a single step. Will some of your readers, or yourself, inform me whether any attempt has yet been made to produce permanent pastures in the United States upon the English plan, and with what success ? A reply through the columns of the Journal would be highly satisfactory to most of your readers as well as to your humble servant, . P. A. R. Montgomery co., Pa. miles to attend the annual meeting of the Society for the election of officers, when certain wire pullers can control the hundreds of votes of Dauphin county, and thereby influence the affairs of the institution and per- petuate the present mismanagement. At the election for President, one year ago last Jan- uary, scores of votes were polled for the present occu- pttiit LUC piCOIULCittlOil viiaii , Wiacu jb Waa lUiiy For the Farm Jooraal. THE STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. Messrs. Editors :— I was pained by the perusal of the article upon the subject of the State Agricultural Society in your last number. From several sources I learned that the li nances had suffered such depiction as to create alarm for the future prosperity of the Society ; but I was not prepared for such a develop- Daent as you made. I think it does not require the knowledge of a prophet to define some of the causes which have led to the present depressed condition of our State Society. The means resorted to a year since to secure the elec- tion of the present presiding officer of the Society, and the continuance of his friend and co-Iaborer as oecretary, are among the causes of the troubles. In- a^ it is surprising to my mind, that gentlemen of independent minds, with a knowledge of proscription */» certain quarters, are willing to hold office in the oociety. Another radical defect in the organization of this nee noble Society, is the preponderance given to Har- sburg and Dauphin county in the election of officers. IS perfectly idle for members to travel hundreds of demonstrated at the time that scarcely thirty persons were constitutiotially entitled to vote upon the occasion. There was thus an illegal organizationy and no vote of the Society subsequently could legalize the doings of the same. The matter at the time was finally ac- quiesced in with the hope that the Society would still continue to flourish. If a contrary movement had been continued at the time, and the subject brought before the Supreme Court, the whole proceedings would have been quashed. If the large balance in the treasury a year since has been reduced, as you state, to some $1,500, and that to gratify certain aspirants after official dignity, it is time to pause, and by some honest course, strive to save the few dimes still left in the treasury. As at present organized, matters, I fear, will get no better. I perceive that a movement has been made in our Legislature to cut off the annual appropriation of $2000. This is probably well for the present. Our State wants the money, and it would do well to keep it. It would do about as much good if cast into the majestic stream that flows by the capital of our State as to appropriate it as heretofore, unless the sum may be considered as needed to help make up the deficiency of another annual exhibition. I was one of the first to assist in the organization of our State Society, and sincerely hope that some plan could be devised to save it from the ruin that seems to await it. I care not who are its officers, if it can be made to prosper. At present it does appear to me that the Society, as now illegally constituted, had better pass to the things that were, and a new Society be organized upon its ruins, with a better constitution for its government. A Life Member. -••^ For the Farm Journal. AGBICULTURAL EXHIBITIONS. The effort made by some gentlemen to give agricul- ture that impulse and place it in that proper position it so highly deserves, though they may be sincere in their endeavors, they have misunderstood the means. Their main object appeared to be agricultural exhibi- tions. Agricultural exhibitions originated in Europe, principally in England, where the farmers are the humble tenants at will of the wealthy nobility, who are the owners of the soil, living upon the industry of their tenants. It is their policy, to maintain their popularity, to give their tenants a yearly entertain- ment, condescending to be for a few days their equal. The tenants feel themselves highly honored to sit at the banqueting table with their lordships who bear the expenses ; also making speeches, parading their i 118 THE PARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [ApRa pet bull, cows, and swine, with a pedigree of noble ancestry equal to their own. Such an imitation of empty show don't suit the American farmer, who is lord of his soil, knowing no superior but that of merit. As a new thing it has been frequented by farmers, but the excitement will die away. I ask where is the tangible benefit the farmer has received from the thousands of dollars granted by the Legislature to the Slate Agricultural Society ? Are the thousands of dollars expended by the officers of the Society for trifling services organi- zing such fairs ? Give something to the farmer that directly may benefit him, to wit : a veterinary college where young farmers may learn how to treat their horses and do- mestic animals when sick. A model institution for raising and managing sheep like at Bambulien in France. Also, to have studs located in different parts of the State, not only for improving the breeding of horses, but also for the improvement of breeding cat- tle, sheep and swine, on the plan of the Haras (studs) in France. Gentlemen now complaining of the farmer's indif- ference of understanding, undervalue the good sense of the Pennsylvania farmer, who stands paramount in his profession proverbial throughout the United States. They will find the farmer will support agri- cultural societies, if the above named institutions are properly organized and managed. Bethel, March, 1856. H. Shubabt. For the Farm Journal. WILLOW CirrTINOS. Messrs. Editors : — In the last number of the Farm Journal, you express a wish to be informed where the cuttings of the willow may be procured. I have im- ported three varieties, viz : Silax Coerulia, S. Forbiana and S. Vimanalis. The two first I am cultivating, and have cuttings and rooted plants for sale. Cut- tings of the S. Forbiana at ten dollars per thousand ; r(X)ted plants, two years old, of the S. Coerulia at fifteen dollars per thousand (one thousand or upwards). Respectfully your friend, Leiperville, 3d mo. 12, 1856. Jacob Hewes. «•> LANCASTER COUNTY AGRICTTLTURAL SOCIETY. At the annual meeting of the Lancaster County Agricultural Society, the following gentlemen were elected officers of said society for the ensuing year : President— John Strohm, New Providence. Vice Presidents— Jacob Garber, Columbia ; John Miller, Oregon. Corresponding Secretary— Hon. Alex. S. Hayes, Lancaster. Reo. Secretary— David G. Eshleman, Lancaster. Treasurer— C. H. Lefevre. Librarian— Jacob Myers. Managers- Benjamin Herr. Esq., Dillerville ; Benj. Eshleman, Greenland Mills ; Levi S. Reist, Oregon ; Jacob Frantz, Paradise ; Abraham Peters, Millerville. WHY DO NOT FARMERS WRITE M0RE1 The world is full of theorists; and theoretical writers upon almost every conceivabfe subject are as plentiful as blackberries. There is also an abundance of practical men, but a downright dearth of practical writers. This is especially the case in agriculture. Thousands and tens of thousands of sensible, practical men are engaged in tilling the soil, almost every day's experience in which furnishes them with some fact, which, if communicated to an agricultural paper, would not only enhance its value, but would prove of material service to the farmer communicating it. Now why is it that we have to beg for these practical observations? Is it because those who made them desire to keep them secret, or is it because they think they are of no value ? The latter reason we suspect is the true one. Farmers are too apt to underrate the importance of the practical information they pos- sess, and consequently deem it scarcely worth their while to make a note of them for publication. An- other excuse offered is, that they are not finished writers— have never written anything for publication, and are therefore unwilling to have their plainly written articles placed side by side with those of naore experienced correspondents. Good friends, this is all a mistake. Never mind the style, only give us the /acfs— reliable facts — facts which have the sanction of your own observation and experience. Let us be the judge of your style. If it needs dressing, we will endeavor to put it in a garb of which you need not be ashamed. A word to every farmer whose eye will meet this paragraph. When you have done reading it, sit down and try the experiment of writing an article for the Farm Journal. Go to work with a determination to do your best, and our word for it, you will be sur- prised to find how much easier the task is than you had supposed it would be. The next one will be easier still, until eventually what was formerly re- garded as an irksome task will become a pleasant and protitable recreation. Make one trial if no more. *•» For the Farm JoumaL JAPAN PEAS. As there has been a good deal of enquiry about the Japan pea and its profitableness as a staple article of cultivation on our farms, I may state that last spring I purchased of Paschall Morris & Co., Philadelphia, a small quantity — about one quart. Owing to plant- ing them too close, and the same as other peas, the yield was not large— only about ten quarts. I was, however, satisfied, that if they had been planted in rows three feet apart, and a single pea, one foot in the row, I should have had as many bushels. The growth is enormous. Several plants which I transplanted had from seventy-five to one hundred pods each. T^^ Japan pea weighs from sixty to sixty -four pounds to the bushel. I have found them for the table the richest vegetable I have ever eaten. Gloucester co., N. J. II. P. Warnbb- 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 119 EVAN'S PATENT PLOW. The accompaning figures illustrate the improvements in plows for which a patent was granted to L. G. Evans, cf Spring Hill, Ala., recently. Although the plow is among the oldest of agricultural implements, and al- though numerous and valuable iroprovements have been made on it during the present century, it is believed to be still capable of improvement. The nature of the improvement embraced in this patent plow consists in rendering both the mold board and land Bide of the plow adjustable at pleasure by means of con- venient screws ; also to elevate and lower the beam by slider wedge, or other similar device. Figure 1 is a shaded perspective view of the plow, and fig. 2 a linear perspective. a is the beam, b b are the handles or stilts; d is the mold board; c is the coulte; ei are adjusting screws. / is the upper part of the land-side, g is an adjusting screw; A' is a nut, and h is the standard; kk' is a nut and screw, and A; is a strap. Hs a set screw, and oo' are adjusting screws, or they may be wedges; p p are pivot nuts; and m is the lower part of the land-side. The coulter, c, and lower part of the land-side, wi, are cast in one piece, as shown, and are fastened to the beam, a, by means of the standard, h. The upper part of the coul- ter, c, is flattened a little, and drilled in order to admit the standard. The lower part of the land-side, m, has a staple, in order to admit the f-tandard. The lower por- tion, of the standard, A, is furnished with a spring, so that in putting the plow together when the standard has heen drawn through the staple on the land-side far enough, the spring flies out and rests upon the upper edge of m, and acts as a support. The standard, k, and ^ith it the coulter, c, and land- side, m, are fastened to the beam, a, by means of the nut, h\ The after part of the land-side,/, is made of a separate piece of metal. Jt 18 attached to m by means of a nut and screw at Ar,. This method of fastening the parts is simple, and at the same time so strong that a new laud-side can be attached ^ith expedition when desirable. The upper end of/ is bent to a right angle and slotted, 18 secured to the beam, a, by means of the adjusting ^'^^®^) g\ or it may be made solid, and secured with a clamp, to permit it, together with the lower part, m, and the coulter, c, to be adjusted as desired. By loosening the nuts, h and ^, the position of all the parts below the beam may be altered and atyusted, raised high or low, either to make the plow run shallow or deep, or to give it more or less land, as desired. The mold-board, rf, is made adjustable by means of the adjusting screws, e e\ having pivot nuts, p p\ These nuts are attached to the upper part of the land-side, /, while the adjusting screws, e e\ are attached to the mold board, d. The other end of the mold board is secured to the standard. A, by means of the set screw, /, which passes through a hole in the upper end of the mold board. In this manner the mold board is secured to the standard, and is wholly independent of the coulter, c. This mode of fastening the mold board also permits it to swing at its juncture with the standard, so that when the plowman wishes to alter the width of the furrow, or diminish the draft of the plow, he has merely to turn the adjusting nuts, p py and the mold board will be accordingly thrown in or out. The forward edge of the mold board, rf, under- laps the after edge of the oculter, c, so that a smooth TIGHT BINDING 120 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [ApRit surface is always presented to the earth through which the plow passes. Plows have been before made having their mold boards adjustable by means of one adjusting screw at the after part of the mold board. But the for- ward end of the mold board of such plows is attached by means of screws to the coulter, and have but one move- ment. Bv makinir this mold board independent of the coulter, and attaching its upper forward end to this standard, in the manner described, and by having two adjusting screws, the lower side of the mold board can be thrown in or out, as desired, and the position of the upper side can also be regulated. By attaching the mold board to the standard, according to this improvement, all that is necessary in adjusting the mold board, is to turn the adjusting screws, e e,* . — «•» AGRICTTLTirRAL MEETING. The Annual Meeting of the Lehigh County Agricul- tural Society was held on Tuesday the 5th day of February last, at the public house of John Y. Bechtel, in AUentown. Hiram /. Schantz, was elected as President. Vice Presidents — North Ward, Charles Scagreaves : South Ward, Jesse M. Line: Lehigh Ward, John Schimpf; Catasauqua, Sol Biery : Hanover, Robert Oberly ; Saucon, Isaac Hartman ; Lower Milford, An- thony Mechling ; Upper Milford, Henry Diefenderfer ; Lower Macungy , Peter Romich ; Upper Macungy, John Bortz ; Weisenburg, Sam Grim : Lynn, Joseph Mosser ; Washington, John Treichler ; North Whitehall, Paul Balliet ; South Whitehall, John Schitz ; Salisburg, John Gross, Northampton County— Allen Township, Tilghman Biery ; Bethlehem Township, George Jones. Joshua Stahlert Secretary. A, 6r, ReningeTy Treasurer. Corresponding Secretary — Dr. D. 0. Mosser. Librarian — E. D. Leisenring. Chemist — Lewis Klumpf. Geologist — Edward Kohler. ••» . PURE WATER. The importance of using pure water for all domestic purposes, as affecting the general health is a question upon which the public are becoming more interested, especially in lime stone sections of country, or where the water from other causes becomes vitiated. It is surprising so little has heretofore been said or written on the necessity of pure soft water, an element entering so largely into the circulation and having a direct sanitary effect on the general health, particularly in diseases of the stomach, bowels, and kidneys — while on the importance of pure air, proper food, exercise, ventilation Srxi. the public have been fully advised, when in fact pure water, probably ranks next in importance to pure air. As it is a chemical fact, that the human system is composed of some three-fourths water» a person weighing 154 lbs, one hundred and sixteen parts are water and only 38 lbs solid matter, significant suggestion in favor of using pure water, by whatever means procured. On this subject physiologists and medical men fully agree ; and also concur in favor of the use of rain water, when properly purified. In sections of country where it is difficult to procure water by digging, or in cities and large villages where they are so many local causes to render well water impure, the plan of making large Cisterns and using properly constructed Filters, thus superceeding the necessity of digging wells, is bein*'' extensively adopted. Many construct filters inside of the cistern, but the idea is finding favor, rather to use a portable filter, and cleanse only that which is necessary for every day use, instead of filter- ing it in such large quantities, that it becomes less pure by standing inactive in large bodies. And as we know /there are many in the country, who would gladly avail themselves of the means they possess of collecting and retaining rain water, for household purposes, in case they could afterwards pu- rify it, we take pleasure in recommending Kedzie's Patent Water Filter, as manufactured by J. E. Cheyney & Co. of Rochester, New York, as a simple and most effectual contrivance by which the most impure Rain, River or Lake water is rendered pure, and clear, and without taste color or smell. The tubs are made of oak, iron bound, with stone-ware reservoirs inside, from which the filtered water is drawn. There are five sizes ranging in price from six to fifteen dollars. — ,^t^^ Thb Law of Slopes ! — The following is worthy of being stored in the memory : In France, the high roads must not exceed 4° 46^ by law ; in England 4°, or one foot rise in thirty-five. A slope of 15° is extremely steep, and one down which one cannot descend in a carriage. A slope of 37^ is almost inaccessible on foot, if the bottom be a naked rock or a turf too thick to form steps. The body falls backwards when the tibia makes a smaller angle than 43° with the sole of the foot — 42° being the steepest slope that can be climbed on foot in a ground that is sandy. When the slope is 44°, it is almost impossible to scale it, though the ground permits the forming of steps by thrusting in the feet. A slope of 55° to man is quite inaccessible. <•• Trees, &c. for the Banks of Railroads.— A gentleman who has passed much time in America, communicates to the London Gardiner^ s Chronicle some remarks on the maclura aurantiaca as a hedge plant, and recommends it strongly for the defence of railroads, and as useful to keep up the banks by means of its powerful roots. He says that in the Southern States the wood is preferred in ship-building to that of the live-oak {quercus virens). In addition, the wood of the maclura is used in various articles of cabinet work, such as tables, bureaus, bedsteads, &c., and the chips serve as dyestufi', affording a yellow color which can be extracted by ebullition. His remarks on its use for railroads are these : ** It recommends itself particularly to railroad companies as a means of defence of the roads, and particularly for preserving the slope of the banks ; for its long, fibrous roots, extending horizontally, ^ a powerful barrier to the slides occasioned by rains, or other atmospheric agents." — Hcyrticulturist, 1856.3 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRBSSIVK PARMER. 131 PRATTS PATEHT HORSE RAKE. The above engraving rcpre.sents a new and useful improvement in Horse Rakes, for which a patent was granted on the 8th of last January to Randall Pratt & Ezra Smedley of Thorndale, Chester Co. Pa., who are DOW extensively engaged in their manufacture. The improvement consists in the combination of the teeth which act independently of each other, with a set of cleaners which are acted upon simultaneously with the teeth, by a short lever being pressed upon by the drivers foot whenever it becomes necessary to unload the rake. The teeth are made in the form represented, of steel wire about f of an inch thick, and are kept to their places on the ground, when in motion, by the weight of the driver on the platform. We are disposed to think these rakes will become deservedly popular, both on account of their simplicity, and entire ease of management — as any boy that can drive a horse, can control its operation — they can be furnished either with or without the wheels— and as the manufacturers are themselves practical farmers, they know full well what is so much needed in all farm Implements — viz simplicity, effectiveness, strength and durability. -*•* THE ONION FLY. A correspondent of the Maine Farmer adopts the fol- lowing method of destroying the onion maggot ; "I sow in trenches, with a good supply of seed soaked in warm water, (stirring in plaster to dry the seed, also making it far better for sowing.) As soon as I see the first wither, from the maggot working at the root of the plant, I heat water in proportion to the size of the bed, throwing in while boiling a quantity of tansy. While hot, pour the liquid from a sprinkle (without the rows) or a large coffee pot, around the roots, but care should be taken not to pour it on the stock. I think clear water may answer the purpose. The maggot being tender is easily killed by the heat. " I have gathered large sized onions with a hole be- tween the roots (caused by the tormentor while small) as large as a filbert, which were saved by one applica- tion only of the above remedy." '^e have seen it frequently stated that hot water ^ul destroy the maggots without injuring the onions, ye have used, with partial success, a solution of corro- 8ive sublimate and muriatic acid to destroy these pests, oay, one quarter ounce of each dissolved in a quart of ^ater, and a teaspoonfuU of this added to a large ^atering can full of water If the beds are very dry "ley should first be well moistened down to the worms. THE SCALE INSECT OF THE APPLE. Nearly every person who grows an apple tree, has observed that the branches of the older, and stems of the younger trees, are frequently covered with a minute scale, showing in general no appearance of life, and resembling nothing so much as a miniature oyster shell. This little scale is, however, an insect, and one of the many enemies of the apple, belonging to a family that contains more anomalous forms than any other. It is the Ilomoptera of Maclay. All this family are supplied with a suctorial mouth arising so far back on the under side of the head as apparently to come from the breast in some species. The present insect is included in the genus Coccus, and has for its near relations some that have been useful to man from the time of the ancients, producing valuable dyes, the cochineal being one of them ; and it is calculated that in one pound of this dye there are 70,000 of these in- sects. It feeds upon the cactus. Our Apple Scale has, however, no qualities to render it useful ; a short account of its life and habits will be all that is necessary. When first hatched from the egg it possesses considerable ambulatory powers, and can crawl all over a tree and select a situation. It then inserts its rostrum into the tender bark and draws the sap, and such a constant drain, by the countless num- 122 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Aph] 111. bers found upon a tree, must be yery injurious. The insect remains in this position until death in the female, undergoing its transformations, which, instead of pro- ducing a higher state of developement, as in most other forms, has a contrary effect, it becoming in fact, a mere inert, fleshy mass, in some allied species losing even the rudiments of limbs and all appearance of articulation. The male, on the contrary, however, who is much smaller, in casting off his pupa skin, obtains pretty large wings, and well developed limbs, armed with a single claw, and his mouth becomes ob- solete ; he then sallies forth in search of his partner, of which he sec*s nothing but the pupa envelope. The female afterwards becomes distended with eggs. She then gradually dries up leaving the shell of her body for a covering to the newly hatched young, of whicii they are two broods in a year. Preventive.— Harris, in his ** Treatise on Insects injurious to Vegetation," recommends the following ag water, and mix as much lime with it as will make a stiff white wash, and apply with a brush to the trunk and branches of the infected trees in the month of June when the young insects are newly hatched. — Ohio Farmer. •«•»- WEBB'S SELF REGULATING WIKD POWER. We are glad to find so many inventors turning their attention to the subjugation of the wind for domestic purposes; the above engraving represents a Wind- Power for which is claimed, that it will grind com, pump water, turn the Grind Stone or Churn night and day without any attention. It is self-regulating, and by • cord on the inside of the building can be stopped anS started by a child in one minute. It stands on timbers projecting from the roof of the building; and is regulated by weights allowing the fans to open and close as the pressure varies; and when stopped the fans all turn their edges to the wind presenting but little obstruction to a gale. They are manufactured by Webb & Son at the S. E. corner of Front and Queen Streets, this City, where one can be seen in operation at any time. 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 138 certainly **go in'' for adopting many of these new inventions, which may truly be termed " labor-saving implements," but when you have to depend on hired labor, better keep on in the ♦* good old way," do as our fathers did before us. Respectfully, a friend to progress, Columbia, Pa., Jan. 30th, 1856. J. B. G. [The communication of our friend J. B. G., who by the way is one of the most enterprising farmers in the State, explains one of the reasons why we so fre- quently hear of the failure of some of our best agri- cultural implements. It is to be regretted that cir- cumstances compel farmers to entrust the trial of new implements to laborers, who either desire their failure, or are so little interested in their success, that they would as soon toss them into the nearest fence corner as use them. Amongst this class, an unfortunate and unfounded prejudice too often exists against all im- proved implements. They have an idea that labor- For the F*rm Journal. FARM HANDS AND NEW IMPLEMENTS. Messrs. Editors:— The double Michigan, or soil and subsoil plow, I procured last fall, I had in use over a ten acre field, and I can assure you it did the work to my full satisfaction. We used it on a field that has been in my possession only a few years, and .« . aUa sr^nrsnA ftmo ihni urp nlnivpfl it in th** 11118 was lue ov\^v>»*v» ««.A.>^ ...R« .. — ^.. .. — -- — -LI- course of a seven years rotation. The first time of plowing we could not go deeper than five or six inches, the subsoil being a hard slaty clay, and the ground dry and hard at the time. This time we put three horses to the plow, and brought up the subsoil at least ten inches deep. The field now looks (or did before the snow fell) like clay turned by the brick- makers. Now. sir, I do not pretend to be a prophet, ** nor the son of a prophet," yet I will venture to pre- dict, that should we have a season suflSciently warm, and blest with ** the early and later rains," that this field will not fail to produce a crop of com that any : g^^j^^ implements are the laborer's greatest enemy. farmer might be proud of. ^^^ consequently leave no means untried that will I always find great difficulty in getting my hands ^^^^^ ^^ j^^^^^ ^^^.^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^y^^ estimation of their to use properly any new agricultural implement, ^n^pi^yers. This is not always the case, and it is They seem to set their heads against any innovation ^^^fy^^^ to note that this feeling of opposition is not upon their usual habits. Even this plow my man ^^ ^j^j^^^ ^^^ ^^ .^ ^^^ ^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^.^^^ rpj^^^^ j^^ thought he could do nothing with, and only for my ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^f ^^ ^^ill to do mischief, and aid in re- determined perseverance would have tumbled it into , ^^^^-^^^j^^ j^^^^^^^^^j^^ ^j. ^^^^^j^^^^^^^ j^pj^^^^^^ the fence corner after the first round. He thought he ^^^j^^^^ ^^ j^^^^ ^,^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^ could plow only half as much as with a common plow, . j^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ^ ^^^^ ^j^ ^.^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ^ did not like to use three horses, it would nt work well, .^^^^^ personally the trial of every new implement he thought the plow would not turn the furrows &c., | .^ases. If objections are made to it by his men. yet with coaxing persuading, and scolding, I kept , ^^^ y^^ . .^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ objections. If, him at it, until the whole held was turned over at examination, they are well founded, his course least ten inches deep. So much for perseverance. is clear ; but if, as is too frequently the case, they are Last spring I had a corn planter on trial, and the , ^^J ^j^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ prejudices or ignorance of those best in n.y opinion that has yet been made for the ^^^^ ^^ ^^ employed to use them, it becomes his purpose of planting corn (Mr. Snyder s. of Perry co.) ^^^ ^^ ^^^^^^ ^hose prejudices and enlighten their I got ,..y man to try it. wh.ch unfortunately happened ; ^^^^^g. ^ ,4^,^ perseverance on his part will to be in a licld that had corn in the previous year- | ^^^ ^„, ^^^ ^^^ reputation of the implement, but here the ol.f corn stalks interfered with the cutter. , ^^^ ^^ ^^^ f^^^^ difficulties of a similar charac and it would not work well. The next field was full of stones and stumps, and we did not use it. Then I bad it brought on my home farm, which I have leased, aud got my tenant to try it. The first field happened again to be full of corn stalks ; in one round he had one of the tubes choked with extra large grains of ter. — Ed] -*••' For the Farm Journal. AN ENQUIBT.-~THE JAPAN PEA. I desire to receive advice from the editors or some corn ; said it would not work. The next field was a \ of the qualified correspondents of your Journal, as to clover ley, and in as fine a tilth as a garden ; I could not induce him to use it until the field was nearly planted. After much persuasion however, and putv ting the machine in complete working order, I got him to give it another trial. Well, after making three rounds, I found it stuck up against the fence, and the old plow in operation. When I asked him why he did not finish the field with it, his excuse was, it did not run steady, his plow and two horses for furrowing out would stand idle, three boys for dropping the corn ditto, man and horse to cover the corn do. So I gave it up. which is the best crop for plowing in as green ma- nure, to be sown in the spring after corn. If the season is such as to admit of seeding early, might not some two crops be advantageously grown and plowed under in time for fall seeding ? My idea is that the above course would be particu- larly judicious where fields are infested with carrots, daisies, or other tenacious weeds. That, as they get but little chance to grow among the corn, they might by frequent plowing the subsequent season be nearly subdued, while the farmer might be compensated, in part at least, for the loss of his usual crop of oats by Were I young and able to lead off myself, I would the increase in his corn crop, which would result from 124 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [APRIl putting upon it the manure which is usually reseryed for the wheat. I think that a reply to the above would oblige many who desire to rid their grounds of troublesome weeds. I do not know that I can at present communicate in- formation which will pay for that which I request, but I can correct a mis-statement which has been pub- the Japan pea, as it is called improperly. The seed of this plant when soaked changes its form to that of a bean, and may be boiled tender as easily as any other bean. Some who have eaten them prefer them to Lima beans. In taste they resemble the Spanish chesnut. A Subscribbb. Chester co., 2d mo., 1856. «•» BOOK NOTICES. A Complete Manual for the Cultivation op the Cranberry, with a description of the best varieties. ^ By B. Eastwood, " Septimus " of the N. Y. Tribune. New York, 140 Fulton street, C. M. Saxton & Co. The subject of cranberry culture is one which of late years has attracted much attention among Amer- ican agriculturists, especially in New England. Stim- ulated, indeed, by the high prices which this favorite fruit has commanded in the market, and by the suc- cessful and highly profitable results which have at- tended its culture upon Cape Cod and other favorite localities, the interest awakened has in some quarters become almost a mania. A manual, therefore, such as Mr. Eastwood has prepared, is not only seasonable, but most valuable and acceptable considered merely as an addition to our agricultural literature. The author, Mr. Eastwood, is the well-known cor- respondent of the New York Tribune (Septimus) on this subject, and the articles heretofore published in that paper are embodied in the new treatise. The work contains several handsome lithographic illustra- tions of the Bell, Bugle and Cherry Cranberry, the Henethy Vine, Sod Planting, Cutting Planting, Dis- eases, &c., &c. The American Grape Grower's Guide ; intended especially for the American climate, being a practical treatise on the cultivation of the grape vine in each department of hot house, cold grapery, retarding house, and out door culture, with plans for the con- struction of the requisite buildings, and directions for heating the same. With numerous illustrations. By William Chorlton, author of the " Cold Grapery." New York, C. M, Saxton & Co., agricultural book publishers, 140 Fulton street. Another good book, just published by Messrs. Sax- ton & Co., by Mr. Choriton, the well-known writer on grape culture. The methods and directions given are founded upon the practice of the last quarter of a century, and have been followed with great success hitherto. The object aimed at has been to give a common sense view of the whole routine— to embody every idea required in each department--care being also taken to make the detail concise and yet plain. TRIMMINO GRAPE VINES. The following article intended for our last issue was unavoidably crowded out. We publish it now, although late in the season for trimming. The lateness of the spring will perhaps enable some of our readers to apply the directions given. The extract and illustrations are from a recent work entitled **The Vine- Dresser^ t Manual^*} bv Charles Reemelin, published bv our enternriaincr friends C. M. Saxt«n & Co., of New York. From the casual examination we have been enabled to give this little volume, we are led to t£ink it in every way entitled to the attention of grape culturists. An idea of its merits will be formed from the extract and illustrations which follow. We shall in our next present another article on "Summer Trimming:" — This important labor, whether for young cr old vines, should be done early — if possible before the first of March — at any rate before the sap begins to flow ; be- cause through late trimmings much sap is lost, and in consequence thereof the vine is apt to become sickly, and to decay even. It would be well if our vintners would use all the pleasant days through the winter for this purpose ; but trimming too early is not to be recom- mended. We have, in the United States, very warm days during autumn, in which the sap is apt to rise in the vines, enough to swell some of the best buds. Such buds, if the vines were trimmed in the fall, would be sure to be frosted during winter. The outermost buds are also liable to dry out ; and hence, I would designate February as the best time for trimming grape vines. Before trimming, it is proper to remove the earth from around the head, so as to expose for three or four inches the "stem." This is necessary, so that the ''trimmer'' may, by examining the thickness of the **«^em," have a safe guide as to the quantity of bearing wood to be left to the vine. This the German vintners call "loading the vine heavy or light," **viel oder wenig aufladen.'* The " surface roots" growing annually out of the head, are now cut away, so as to leave the head nice and clean of weeds, sprouts and roots. But I must here remark, that I doubt the propriety of going down to the third joint on the "stem," below the "head," and there cutting off the "roots." Many vintners do this, for the purpose of furthering the growth of the " foot-roots." I incline to the opinion that the practice was adopted, because it accidentally proved successful from some local cause ; and I can well imagine peculiar circumstances under which the practice maybe right; but, as a general rule, I would warn against it. I have taken up many grape vines, from five to ten years old, and I can say, from practical experience, that those vines were thriftiest upon whose "stem" not only the "foot-roots," but also the "side-roots," were in good condition ; and this is almost certain to be the case if the ground has been spaded up and turned over deep enough. In " trimming'' grape vines, due regard must be had to the species of the grape vine— the soil— tlio exposure —the age— the strength— the fertility of the soil— and last, though not least, the possible injuries likely to happen to a vine, from storms or accidental mistakes of the vintner himself. In this labor Franklin's motto should be ever present : " What is fit to be done at all, 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 149 is fit to be well done." Great care and nice judgment are requisite, and no bungler has any business in a fineyard. The object of trimming is to remove all superfluous vood, and thereby strengthen the vine, so as to render it long-lived, and capable of bearing and ►ripening the proper quantity of grapes. Vines which have a tendency to generate much wood, .. .11 AtnonVan vinfts have, should be "loaded" heavy : that is, more bearing wood should be left. The better, or rather heavier the soil, the greater the load the vines ^11 bear. In light, warm soils, vines should be loaded very lightly. Young vines, up to the sixth year, should be trimmed close, it being true of grape vines, as of our youth, " that early curbing is a guaranty of a healthy, mature age." Old vines* should be dealt with very gently. Then they may give little, but good, wholesome wine. Frosted vines, or such as have been injured by hail, or other accidents, must be trimmed back, so as to provide for " new growth " in every iiyured part. Fig. 1. The preceding cut, Fig. 1, represents a grape vine as it is late in the fall, when a good vintner has attended to it during the preceding summer. The reader will see, that the vine has two vineyard stakes, say about two feet apart, ahd that the vine has two " Thighs," which is as much as any vine should be asked to keep up. At the end of the "Thighs" are the "Bows," which were the "chief bearing wood" of the season previous. At the first joint above the "Thigh," Bearing Wood No. 1 is perceived. This was left, by the good vintner, to be trimmed down to six or eight joints, or buds, and to form from it the Bow, or Chief Bearing "ood, for the ensuing summer. The reader will also see Bearing Wood No. 2, which grew out a "Spur," left upon each thigh the spring previous. This Bearing Wood, No. 2, is trimmed down to two joints, and will form the chief spur for this season. Out of this spur it is intended to train the Bearing Wood No. 1, for the succeeding year, say in 1866 for 1856, of which more hereafter. The reader will also perceive a shoot marked "Wood for Spur," which should be trimmed down to one joint, or bud, so as to have an extra spur ready if accidentally it should be needed, for renovating the vine with new Bearing Wood. The reader will also perceive two " Ground Shoots*" One of these must be cut away, while one of them had better be trimmed down to three or four joints, so as to have it ready, in nftflp Aithftr OTt» of the thighs nhonld h« broken ftflP. Siinh a ground shoot should also be trained, wherever sound judgment prognosticates the probable future unfitness of existing thighs. The chief spurs will each bear a few grapes, often the best. We will now give a cut as the vine should look if trimmed right, believing that this will furnish nearly as correct information as if the instruction were given be- fore the vine itself. Fig. 2. Fig. 2 represents a grape vine, over six years old, having a stem two inches or more thick, and healthy throughout ; and bearing this in mind, one may add to, or lighten the " /oarf," as good sense will dictate. Few vintners succeed in having all their vines in just such perfection. The vines will vary more or less ; but the cut will give the general idea. If the reader will now compare the trimmed vine with the previous cut, he will easily see what must be cut away: namely, the old bow, and all other superfluous wood. I need not add, that every vine bears small shoots, not marked down on the first cut ; because, to put them there would* have perplexed the reader. All such must be trimmed away. Should the grape vine to be trimmed be a neglected one, and it is intended to start it right anew, then the above cut will, with the explanations, give a general idea how to bring this about. Never put a " Spur" above the " Bearing Wood," or .# 1 M 126 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Apmi «* Bow," or, as the European vintners have it, " Never put the apprentice above the master," a saying in which lies the whole idea of so trimming as to have the proper number of apprentices ready below, to become subse- quent masters. The thighs should never be shorter than eight or ten inches, nor longer than four feet; nor should the bows have more than ten to twelve buds, nor the spurs more than two or three buds. No vine should have more than three thighs — two is enough ; nor any one thigh more than one bow, and two spurs (one will generally be enough). Should it be intended to get **Xay- ers," it is best to train ground shoots for the purpose. «••. THE VINEGAR PLANT. For some time past, the vinegar plant has been used abroad as a substitute for cider vinegar, to advantage. Frequent applications have been made to us to know what it is, and whether introduced here. We cannot discover that it has been. It is exhibited in a living state in the Kew Garden museum, and is called Mother of Vinegar, It floats upon a liquid mixture of sugar and water, and is a minute fungus, allied to the mucorSy or moulds, Pencillium glaucum, of which the mycelium, or spawn, forms a tough leathery web. A bit of this thrown into the above liquid rapidly increases, induces acetous fermentation, and changes the sugar and water into good vinegar. The yeast plant, or ** mother of yeast o"— a substance not so easily preserved— is also considered a Pencillium, and to its action is due the formation of yeast. It is a well-known fact, that much of the vinegar which is sold in the shops, is either malt vinegar reduced with water, and strengthened with sulphuric acid, or acetic acid, also diluted, neither of which is very ac- ceptable or wholesome. Under these circumstances, it will be a comfort to know that one can make his own vinegar as well as yeast, and know what is in it. Take one gallon of water, half a pound of molasses, and boil them together for twenty minutes ; when cool, add a quarter of an ounce of German yeast ; put the whole into a jar, and lay the vinegar plant on the sur- face of the liquor. Cover the jar with paper, keeping it in a warm place, and it will produce very good and wholesome vinegar in about six weeks. As it appears to be popular and useful in England, we have sent out to endeavour to procure it. — Horticulturist. ••» WYANDOT CORN. We have said little or nothing about two of the most prominent of the vegetable novelties that have recently been brought to the notice of the public — such as the Wyandot corn and Dioscorea batatas or Chinese potato. While we desire numerous experiments to be made to test their value — and in fact have every reason to believe that such will be the icase— it would be im- proper to recommend their culture in the sanguine terms employed by some of our contemporaries, unless we had a personal knowledge of their merits. On the other hand, it would be equally unjust to condemn them on insufficient evidence, and merely because they are novelties. No person within our acquaintance has made any experiment with the Dioscorea, but several were tried last year in lower Virginia, with the Wyandot corn. In answer to some enquiries on this subject we were referred to Wade Mosby,Esq. of Norfolk, a gentleman well known to many of our readers ; and we take ple». sure in laying before them the interesting information with which he favoured us in response to our applict- tion.— The Southern Farmer. Norfolk, February, 1856. " Your letter of the 20th ult., did not reach me until a few days ago, having been misdirected. I proceed to answer your enquiries as to the Wyandot com. I made no experiment myself, having ceased to be a farmer ; but feeling more interest in agricultural pur- suits than on any other, I procured some seed of the Wyandot com, and distributed them among my friends, (five parcels.) One planted in his garden and neglected it, and was unable to give me any account of it. Another planted in a place too much shaded, and crow- ded it too much, and ignorantly had some of the shoots taken from the parent stem; yet the product was largely over the average product of the like number of hills of the common corn of the country. A third planted on a rich mountain slope, and the product was more than double the number of ears which the same number of hills of the common corn would have yielded. A fourth planted twelve grains upon rich James River bottom ; eleven grains came up and produced 72 ears, all except one of the parent stocks having five branches, the other four. The result of the fifth parcel alluded to above, I have not heard. You ask me whether I think i t adapted to our climate. Experience has not taught me — I can therefore but express an opinion. Except upon rich alluvial lands, or upon highly improved highlands, and a moist summer, I should not rely on it as a sure crop. — Our climate and soil do not admit of thick planting of native corn, and it always fires in drought ; hence I infer the prodigious draft on the soil by the Wyandot corn would cause it to share the same fate. You ask my opinion of its value. You may infer it by what I have said in an- swering your two first queries. The few experiments made last summer, ought not, in my opinion (success- ful though they were,) to be relied on as a test of its adaptation to our soil and climate. The season, you know, was such as to make our old fields bear nubbins of more than ordinary dimensions. One swallow does not make a summer. Upon the whole, I think the Wyandot com well worth a further trial, and would advise all who do cultivate it to give not less than 5i feet each way, and to cultivate the land to as level » surface as possible — in other words not to cultivate on ridges or beds. I am sorry that my experience in the matter does not enable me to give you satisfactory in* formation — I have only to add that in anything tending to promote the farming interest, the little stock of in* formation I possess, is at the service of all my friends and the public — I am, dear sir, yery respectfully yoar8» W. MOSBY." 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 127 PHILADELPHIA, APRIL, 1866. EDITOR'S TABLE The Fruit Ceop. — A very interesting query at this moment is, are we likely to have any fruit ? From the tone of our exchanges in almost every direction, the prospect is not very flattering, but we are far from fthftrinjr in their despondency. We look forward to an immensely heavy apple crop. The experience of the "oldest inhabitant" favors the opinion. The severest winters are generally followed by an abundance of apples, and although the unexampled cold of the one just past may cauie an exception to this rule, we hazard the pre- diction that we shall have apples in plentiful abundance. What shall we say of the peaches ? One of our most distinguished pomologists expressed to us his belief a few days since, that with a favorable spring, he had no doubt the peach crop would be, not the largcaty but the finut we have had for many years in this vicinity. Just enough of the buds have been destroyed to insure the perfection of those that remain. We trust he may be correct, for a scarcity of this delicious fruit would be a cause of sincere regret. And what of pears ? We have accounts from Virginia that not merely the buds, but the trees have suflered heavily. On the other hand, the pear culturists of New England anticipate an unusually fine crop. So far as our own vicinity is concerned, we have contradictory statements. We incline to the belief that the pear buds have not been seriously injured, though we have had few opportunities of making examinations. Peruvian Guano. — We observe that energetic meas- ures have been taken in various sections of the country in regard to a reduction in the price of guano. Several agricultural societies in New York, Delaware, and other States, have held meetings and passed resolutions con- demnatory of the present high prices, and agreeing not to purchase it unless a reduction in the price is made. We heartily sympathise with these movements, and hope they may result in the accomplishment of the desired object; but from information received from very reliable sources are led to fear that the effort will be unsuccess- ful. The consumption of Peruvirm guano in the United States last year was 140,000 tons, and had the prices continued the same, it is very probable that this amount would have been doubled the present season. But the fact is, there is not at present, nor is there likely to be, a supply equal to the demand. The stock of guano now in the hands of the Agents of the Peruvian government does not exceed 60,000 tons, leaving a deficiency of »W0 tons between the stock of this and last year. ihe scarcity of vessels and the high rates of freight have led to this reduction of stock, and the high prices now asked for it, and it is scarcely probable that with so limited a supply the desired reduction in price will take place this year. From a circular before us, we learn that the American ^uano Company of New York are awaiting the arrival illT'^^ 'f'^'''' '^ ^"''"^ ^^^"^ *^« ""^^^y discovered eoret \". ' ^*'^^'- ^''' ^"^^^'^^ '' '^^ g"-"0 i« represented as being fully equal to the Peruvian, as the island is in nearly the same latitude as those which be- long to Peru. If such is the fact, and the company are able and willing to supply it at the rates quoted in the circular, (thirty-five dollars per ton,) the price of Peru- vian guano must come down, or the sale of it be discon- tinued. The quantity of guano on the island of the American Company is estimated at five millions of tons, which, at double the rate of last year's consumption, would supply the United States for nearly twenty years to come. We shall know more about this important matter when the expected cargoes arrive. The quantity of guano on the islands belonging to the Peruvian government is estimated at eleven millions of tons, which they offer to sell at thirty dollars per ton, or three hundred and thirty millions of dollars for the whole, and cash at that. A nice little investment. Who's disposed to take hold ? Jones' Pba Plantee.— One of the most diflBcult as well as wearisome tasks of those who cultivate peas largely is the planting of them. Regularity in the dis- tribution is very important, and this it is almost impos- sible to accomplish where the planting is done by hand. When large crops are put in, especially of the earlier kinds, time is an important consideration. To obviate these difficulties, a most admirable machine for planting peas has been invented by Joseph Jones, formerly of Camden, N. J., and now of Reading, Pa. It is in the form of a barrow, and the distributing parts are so arranged that peas of all sizes may be planted in any desired quantity, and with the utmost regularity and despatch. With this machine one acre of peas can readily be planted in an hour, and with comparatively little labor. Those who are desirous of examining one of these ingenious and effective implements can have an opportunity of doing so by calling at our office. At the annual convention of the Association of Fruit Growers of Western New York, held at Rochester, it was the almost unanimous opinion that the product of apples is more remunerative than any other crop raised in this section. Several testified to the realization of from $100 to $160 per acre for apples. A gentleman from Oswego said that it was the estimate of the fruit com- raittee in that county, that one acre devoted to fruit was equal to twelve with any other crop. The Hortioultubist describes a shrub found in Ma- con county, North Carolina, said to be a nameless and undescribed variety of Rhododendron, the flower of which is second only in magnificence to the Magnolia Grandi- flora. It grows to the height of four or five feet, and is easily transplanted and cultivated. It is stated that no American flower exceeds this in beauty ; its color is a bright crimson, approaching scarlet, and the ponicles are composed of twenty or thirty flowers, forming a conical mass nearly as large as a man's head. The leaves are evergreen, of a deep color. The spot where found is on the top of almost inaccessible mountains. The prize crop of Indian Com in the State of Ohio for 1855, was one hundred and sixty-two bushels per acre. TIGHT BINDING I* 128 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Apku How TO Dress Poultry.— Mr. George P. White, of Chatauque county, New York, who is extensively engaged in shipping poultry for the New York City market, gives the following directions as to the method followed by him in dressing his turkeys, &c. : ** I tie their legs and hang them by the heels, and stick them to bleed to death. By the time they are entirely dead, I have them plucked of the principal part of their feathers. They are then dippea m noi waier auu uhioucu. xu*o *%.c.yc« the skin whole, smooth and yellow, and the body plump. If to be sent directly to market, poultry should not be frozen— only cooled." Mr. White further adds, that it is more important to feed poultry upon good and proper food than it is to feed pigs for good pork. We are glad to inform our stock raisers in this section of country, that B. W. Cooper, Esq., of Camden, N. J., has just received from the celebrated herd of Mr. Geo. Patterson, of Maryland, a thorough bred Devon bull. He is two years old, and was selected with the greatest care as the finest in the flock! Mr. Cooper promises to give our readers a portrait of him before long. Effects of the Excessive Cold. — Among the many evidences of the intense cold of the past winter, is the almost total destruction of onion setts. Thousands of bushels have been destroyed in the vicinity of Philadel- phia, the consequences of which have been not merely a heavy loss to the truckmen, but a great scarcity and large increase in price. BECENT INVENTIONS PERTAINING TO AGRICULTURE AND RURAL ECONOMT. Compiled fr&n the Scientific American and other toureet. . Improved Coal Ash Sifter. — Mr. Gerald Sickles, of Brooklyn, N. Y., has recently devised a cylindrical appara- tus, neatly cased in sheet iron, and designed to save all the fragments of coal now wasted in the ashes, without exposing the person or the clothing of the operator to any dust or other annoyance. The sifter is designed to operate equally on wet or dry ashes, and its action is, or may be, continuous, there being no necessity for suspending the operation to re- move the coal. The whole exterior being of sheet iron ren- ders it safe to leave the ashes for any period in the bottom ; and a close-fitting cover prevents the rising of any dust. No sieve, in the ordinary sense of the term, is employed. The crude material is poured in at the top, and rests upon an inclined plane. A few inches below this is a fine grating of iron, slightly inclined in the opposite direction, every al- ternate bar of which is movable. A handle outside slides the movable bars backward and forward, and communicates a slight motion to the inclined platform above. The ash is thus slowly poured from the reservoir upon the grating, and gradually travels across its surface, shaking the fine ashes through to the bottom, and allowing the coarser coals to continue across to the lower edge, whence they are led into the scuttfe, previously placed in position outside. Cotton Picker. — An arrangement intended to facilitate the picking of cotton has recently been patented by Mr. G. A. Trowe, of Cleveland, Ohio. The mechanism consists essentially of a tube, provided within with a gearing and an endless revolving chain, the whole weighing less than six pounds. It is suspended from the right side of the person by a strap passing over the shoulder, and is kept in motion by means of a lever or crank operated by the hand or fingers. By presenting the tubular point to the cotton ball, it is im. mediately seized by the chain and conveyed to the opposite end, where it is freed by means of a stripper, and deposited in a bag suspended at the bottom. The bag is rapidly filled and emptied. This improvement enables one field hand to pick more cotton than five to eight hands by the old method. Mowing Machines. — In an improvement in mowing machines, patented by Henry Pease, of Brockport, New lork tno connecuou uciwoou vuu Diua.iv ms* »»*\* v^v ^^nkia consists of a spring rod fixed immovably at one end to the cutter bar, and at the other end by the usual kind of conp. ling to the crank. The elasticity of the spring permits the necessary change of position to accommodate the working of the crank. The advantage of the spring is that by hay. ing a fixed attachment to the cutter bar, the latter may be made thinner and lighter than could otherwise be allowed were the common pivoted rod employed. The draught tongue in Mr. Pease's machine is placed in the centre in- stead of the side, which renders the movement quite eaay for the horses. Harvester Raking Apparatus. — In a new harvester raking apparatus, invented by G. A. Clarke, of Philadelphia, the cutters are operated by means of a wheel placed in an angular position upon the driving shaft, so that when the wheel revolves it has a wabbling motion and vibrates the cutter bar back and forth. There is a clutch arrangement so connected with the cutter bar and the wabbling wheel that when the cutters become clogged up from any cause, the wabbler and cutter bar are at once disconnected, and the machine ceases to work, thus preventing breakage. These parts are self-acting in their operation. Anti-Rattling Shaft Fastener. — Mr. W. T. Chapman, of Cincinnati, has recently devised a simple but valuable contrivance, which he colls an Anti-Rattling Shaft Fastener. It consists in the application of a block of galvanized India rubber to the shackle-bolt or joint by which the shaft is connected with the axle-tree, and effectually prevents the perpetual and very annoying rattling of these parts wh«i they become worn. And it does more than this ; it guards against the danger, to which this connection is always liable, of becoming separated, in consequence of the running off of the nut and the slipping out of the bolt. It holds the bolt perfectly tight, and renders it even safe to dispense with a nut. It obviates all friction, and there is of course little or no wear to the parts. Apparatus for Dipping Sheep. — In a new English contrivance for this purpose, a galvanized-iron cradle is first put over the sheep's back, and a couple of straps buttoned underneath him ; a crane then lifts him up, and lowers him into the dipping tub, keeping his head uppermost Being then hoisted up to drain, he is lowered on the ground and set at liberty. The object of this apparatus is to save men the unhealthy labor of dipping the animals, and at the same time preventing any tearing of the sheep's wool. Warren's Expanding Plow.— In this recent English in- vention the plow body, instead of being immovably fastened to the beam, is hung to it by a joint, and can be vertically adjusted by a lever movement, so as to set it at a greater or less angle with the beam. This is instead of altering the dip of the share alone, and we learn that this ready m^^^ of adjustment to set the share and entire plow more or less into the ground is found to lighten the draught for the horses, and to ease the labor of the plowman. TO FJiRJnERS. -••»- SOLUBLE ALKALINE PHOSPHATES, WITH PERUVIAN aVANO. mHTS unequftlled fertilizing compound as prepared by the manu* JL !•!>**** V* I fc/^ ^ *^T^««*«^ •••••- ^ **• ^* li^jr-w^* w**^**** ^t wf» i^vrvx'O vaaoov^A r «7va au Solpuric Acid, with the Salta of Ammonia, Potash, Soda, Magnesia Ac, and the best Penivian Ouano, is now offered to farmers and others an article greatly superior to Peruvian Ouano alone, and poa- geiaei nuny advantages over the Super Phosphate of Lime made in the usual way. In addition to the Peruvian Guano, the dissolved Bones contain more soluble Phosphates than the average of Mineral PhospbateM or Mexican Guano, and also all the Gelatine resulting from the solution of Aresh bones in Sulphuric Acid, adding greatlj to its yalue, as the Gelatine (thirty-three per cent) forms Ammonia after it is applied to the soil. Being very soluble and not volatile, the compound may be used as a top-dressing for grass, grain or vegetables or incorporated with the soil in putting in or cultivating any crop. Put up in bags or b«rrel8 and delivered at the wharf or at any Of the railroad depots in Philadelphia, for forty-five dollart per ton CASH. A libera] discount allowed to agents and dealers. MAULE k DIXOy, Agents for the Manufacturer. No. 22 South VTharves 3rd door aboTe Cheenut St. Phila. M. k D. have also for Sale GuftnO| Land Piaatar, Super Plioiphate of Lima, Ac NASCENT AND SOLUBLE PHOSPHATES OF POTASH, ■ AMMONIA, SODA, LIME & MAGNESIA, "WITH PERUVIAN GUANO AND SOL- UBLE SILICA, ALSO SULPHATES AND OTHER SALTS THAT ARE REMOVED BY CROPPING, Mannfactured by William Tre^o, UNDER THE NAME OF "SOLUBLE ALKALINE PHOSPHATES." TO FARMERS Sc MECHANICS. COOPER'S IMPROVED LiniE THESE Machines atand unsurpaaaed and without parallel as machines for the purpose intended, viz: apreading Lime, Ashes, •<*. on account of its lertUitf to5jT2;.t rh.tTl^'*'"..*'''''*'' ^^^"^ ^y attention has since been called field (a^hou^h.^^^^^^^ ^^'^ K"" ^ any other part of the ^i»S(^uat5Snelnahfi''"/K*^^^''"' ^' generally neglectJd.) Peru aoTethrelmfinf.nff'^nf^^J*^^^^^ ^ ""^P ^^''^^^y and thus re- it in better rndufnnir"*iT ^^'^ ^* '^"- The Compound leares Kraas nnn^ V ° ^^^^ ^'^'^ °»««' luxuriant crops of erain and SJ^lrnXS'^sr^n^ M?*' ' r^^ asimilar'compSind wi?h 8«piember^afS?;h« wh^7*^ ^*u" * ^«P dressing on my wheat, last tion althou/h ftJin JJ^*""' """ harrowed in, and this surface appllca- ««'vethe«itof^.vu^*'"l'''^^,*^^ compound this autumnf and ^ithl.a?f^e laWanH^^'''^'''^/^ ^"«^ distribution of all The P«ruvi7n «,?? ^ **"** expended in one sowing of the field — •'Wofa%':°d?r*Snl^'n'^' '^"'*"/ distributed Sven wi?h the ?«^red of the sm^in imn. I? V^^*^' *". ^^^l^^ntly and completely J>hasobviaT(^\M?Pf:i^*^,f^"°*"'»^»* "s bottom, bit Mr. through a mill D^i,\HnJ^'^^'".l^y ^^ Pa**''"^ the whole compound good article? uuti^^n^V"''"''*" P«^^"' "^^^^^ I pronounce a Hereafter whh ^i ^'?^ °"*^'' *°d ^^ a reasonable price, '•presented in the ITmnL I ^|"»°^»nd its compounds, each barrel •"tographbymvaSwh"r'r^*.*'y "* will b« endorsed with my J uiy agent who takes the sample. ^. nu , , I>. STEWART. M D Ch.mi*tof the Maryland State Ag,icult«ilS^ety. THE LAWTON BLACKBERRY. HAVING accepted from Mr. Lawton the aRencv for this remarkable Fruit, we are prepared to furnish plants tit the following rates: Half a dozen plants, - ' - • - • $3 One dozen plants, ..... 5 Flflj' plants, 15 One hundred plants, - - . . 25 Carefliliy packed and shipped from New York withoat extra charge The money should accompany the onler. 0. M. SAXTON A CO., A .. Agricultural Book Publishers, UO Fulton Street, New York. AiNTil, 1866-1 1 THE D£VON HERD-BOOK V*l. III. THe subscriber Is now ready to receive lists of animals for Insertion m the third volume of the Devon Henl-Book, to be published at h« early a period In the year 1856, as a surticlent number of subscriber* can be obtained to warrant the Issue. Terms—each patron Is expected to take at least one copy, the price of which will be one dollar, and also to pay twenty five cents for the registry of each anln)al— registry fee to be paid In advance. All animals to be eligible for Insertion, mufct be able to trace their descent tVom unquestionable North Devon stock on both sides. It will be recollected that there has already been published an American edition of the first and second volumen of the Devon Herd- Book, bound together, with a frontispiece of the Quarterly TestlnuMilal and containing two handsome Illustrations of English prize Devonw.— .M JP^l*^*^'^'"^**®'*®*^® ^'^'""*«8 will In future be two dollars. Ther wiu be forwarded as may b« directed on the reception of the above suni. fclAN*X)KD HOWARD, n««««/*u T» . _, ,^ATrerIcAn Editor of the D« von Hwd-Booli. Offlct of the Boston CuU I vator, T Boston, Mass., March 1st. 1*J«, | 4t„ WEST CHESTER AGRICULTURAL WORKS. STRlft'Kn^Pn'^^W.^^i^J.W' J?5»^*^** »^ *»»« Co™**- «f UNION «J5A f'S*"^ '''f,^*i^^ KAILKOAD; where the subscribers are pre- F»Lw i. ''° '"»?' "^'"^^ of Casting and Fitting-np to order. Among our ui?.^. 1/ ^*^ ^^""^ Cooper's Improved Lime and Ouano Spreaders, hir^.'."*'"'*.^^''',^'''"''' "'^''«« ^'^^^"^ Corn Shcllers (for hand and «r!^L* P^^'i' ^^"^^^ ^^'^^ rowers, Threshers niid StM.anitor.^. Cuttl- i-» V^'**^' DAMON k 8PEAKMAN, ***"'• *** West l;hei,ter. Chestw Co., Pa. TIGHT BINDING 1 128 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Aprh How TO Drkss Poultry.— Mr. George P. White, of Chatauque county, New York, wlio is extensively engaged in shipping poultry for the New York City market, gives the following directions as to the method followed by him in dressing his turkeys, &c. : *' I tie their legs and hang them by the heels, and stick them to bleed to death. By the time they are entirely dead, I have them plucked of the principal part of their feathers. They are then dipped in hot water and finished. This leaves the skin whole, smooth and yellow, and the body plump. If to be sent directly to market, poultry should not be frozen— only cooled." Mr. White further adds, that it is more important to feed poultry upon good and proper food than it is to feed pigs for good pork. We are glad to inform our stock raisers in this section of country, that B. W. Cooper, Esq., of Camden, N. J., has just received from the celebrated herd of Mr. Geo. Patterson, of Maryland, a thorough bred Devon bull. He is two years old, and was selected with the greatest care as the finest in the flock! Mr. Cooper promises to give our readers a portrait of him before long. By presenting the tubular point to the cotton ball, it is im- mediately seized by the chain and conveyed to the opposite end, where it is freed by means of a stripper, and deposited in a bag suspended at the bottom. The bag is rapidly filled and emptied. This improvement enables one field hand to pick more cotton than five to eight hands by the old method. Mowing Machines.— In an improvement in mowing machines, patented by Henry Pease, of Brockport, New York tno conneciiou ueiWcwu luu Dicn.it> «»» c*mv» vuo visqs consists of a spring rod fixed immovably at one end to the cutter bar, and at the other end by the usual kind of coup, ling to the crank. The elasticity of the spring permits the necessary change of position to accommodate the working of the crank. The advantage of the spring is that by hav- ing a fixed attachment to the cutter bar, the latter maybe made thinner and lighter than could otherwise be allowed were the common pivoted rod employed. The draught tongue in Mr. Pease's machine is placed in the centre in- stead of the side, which renders the movement quite easy for the horses. Harvester Raking Apparatus. — In a new harverter raking apparatus, invented by G. A. Clarke, of Philadelphia, the cutters are operated by means of a wheel placed in an angular position upon the driving shaft, so that when the Effects OF the Excessive Cold.— Among the many ^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ _^ ^ __^ ^ ^^ evidences of the intense cold of the past winter, is the , ^^ieel revolves it has a wabbling motion and vibrates the almost total destruction of onion setts. Thousands of - " '"^ - ' ^----^ * bushels have been destroyed in the vicinity of Philadel- phia, the consequences of which have been not merely a heavy loss to the truckmen, but a great scarcity and large increase in price. EECENT INVENTIONS PERTAINING TO AGRICULTURE AND RURAL ECONOMY. Compiled fr&ni the Scientific American and other eourceg, . Improved Coal Ash Sifter. — Mr. Gerald Sickles, of Brooklyn, N. Y., has recently devised a cylindrical appara- tus, neatly eased in sheet iron, and designed to save all the fragments of coal now wasted in the ashes, without exposing the person or the clothing of the operator to any dust or other annoyance. The sifter is designed to operate equally on wet or dry ashes, and its action is, or may be, continuous, there being no necessity for suspending the operation to re- move the coal. The whole exterior being of sheet iron ren- ders it safe to leave the ashes for any period in the bottom ; and a close-fitting cover prevents the rising of any dust. No sieve, in the ordinary sense of the term, is employed. The crude material is poured in at the top, and rests upon an inclined plane. A few inches below this is a fine grating of iron, slightly inclined in the opposite direction, every al temate bar of which is movable. cutter bar back and forth. There is a clutch arrangement so connected with the cutter bar and the wabbling wheel that when the cutters become clogged up from any cause, the wabbler and cutter bar are at onco disconnected, and the machine ceases to work, thus preventing breakage. These parts are self-acting in their operation. Anti-Rattling Shaft Fastener.— Mr. W. T. Chapman, of Cincinnati, has recently devised a simple but valuable contrivance, which he colls an Anti-Rattling Shaft Fastener. It consists in the application of a block of galvanized India rubber to the shackle-bolt or joint by which the shaft is connected with the axle-tree, and effectually prevents the perpetual and very annoying rattling of these part* when they become worn. And it does more than this ; it guards against the danger, to which this connection is always liable, of becoming separated, in consequence of the running off of the nut and the slipping out of the bolt. It holds the bolt perfectly tight, and renders it even safe to dispense with a nut. It obviates all friction, and there is of course little or no wear to the parts. the movable bars backward and forward, and communicates a slight motion to the inclined platform above. The ash is thus slowly poured from the reservoir upon the grating, and gradually travels across its surface, shaking the fine ashes through to the bottom, and allowing the coarser coals to continue across to the lower edge, whence they are led into the scuttfe, previously placed in position outside. Cotton Picker. — An arrangement intended to facilitate the picking of cotton has recently been patented by Mr. G. A. Trowe, of Cleveland, Ohio. The mechanism consists essentially of a tube, provided within with a gearing and an endless revolving chain, the whole weighing less than six pounds. It is suspended from the right side of the person underneath him; a crane then lifts him up, and lowers him into the dipping tub, keeping his head uppermost. Being then hoisted up to drain, he is lowered on the ground and set at liberty. The object of this apparatus is to save men the unhealthy labor of dipping the animals, and at the same time preventing any tearing of the sheep's wool. Apparatus for Dipping Sheep. — In a new Bngli«h contrivance for this purpose, a galvanized-iron cradle is first A handle outside slides | put over the sheep's back, and a couple of straps buttoned "Warren's Expanding Plow. — In this recent English in- vention the plow body, instead of being immovably fastened to the beam, is hung to it by a joint, and can be vertically adjusted by a lever movement, so as to set it at a greater or less angle with the beam. This is instead of altering the dip of the share alone, and we learn that this ready mode ^ ^. o ^ _ of adjustment to set the share and entire plow more orles* by a strap passing over the shoulder, and is kept in motion into the ground is found to lighten the draught for th« by means of a lever or crank operated by the hand or fingers, horses, and to ease the labor of the plowman. TO FnMRJIMERS -••»- SOLUBLE ALKALINE PHOSPHATES, WITH PERUVIAN GUANO. rpHlS unequalled fertilizing compound as prepared by the mnnu< Sulpuriu Acid, with the Salts of Ammonia, Potash, Soda, Magnesia Ac, and the best Peruvian Guano, is now offered to farmers and others an article greatiy superior to Peruvian Ouano aloue, and poi- aeiisee many advantages over the Super Phosphate of Lime made in the usual way. In addition to the Peruvian Guano, the dissolved Bones contain more soluble Phosphates than the average of Mineral Phosphates or Mexican Guano, and also all the Gelatine resulting from the solution of fresh bones in Sulphuric Acid, adding greatly to its value, as the Gelatine (thirty-three per cent.) forms Ammonia after it is applied to the soil. Being very soluble and not volatile, the compound may be used as a top-dressing for grass, grain or vegetablea or incorporated with the soil in putting in or cultivating any crop. Put up in bags or barrels and delivered at the wharf or at any Of the railroad depots in Philadelphia, for forty five dollar* per ion GASH. A liberal discount allowed to agents and dealers. MAULE & DIXOy, Agents for the Manufacturer. No. 22 South Wharves 3rd door above Chesnut St. Phila. M. ft D. have also fur Sale Guano, Land Plaster, Super Phosphat« of Lima, &c. NASCENT AND SOLUBLE PHOSPHATES OP POTASH^ AMMONIA, SODA, LIME & MAGNESIA, WITH PERUVIAN GUANO AND SOL- UBLE SILICA, ALSO SULPHATES AND OTHER SALTS THAT ARE REMOVED BY CROPPING, manuKictiireil by William Trego, UNDER THE NAME OF "SOLUBLE ALKALINE PHOSPHATES." *tounrhH.h*?''^^ "« ^^^ "»"« ^^^^ I combined by tE; 2v i n^ '"^ ^^'^ V American Farmer" wveral year, since. ifeSu/ofS.iL"'''''' T^'^ tr'"' •^Prl'^dh'^" frequently excited irgJiSl aSr if " ""^ '^^ P"^'^*^ '^*^' '•» »<'«°"nt «f its fertility tothMi^rrhHt rhf ^'^r*"^'' .^""^ ?^ attention has since been called fit'irfauLuA i . '*"^,^ *^^^^^^ ^^'* K^^'^ ^« any other part of the tianGuanoi^i * '"^lY^""^ >>'^^^t»» i« generally neglectJd.) Peru nJomrelmeM.'"^^ "«P '^''*>'^^y and thus re- itinbe tertTdufoni^^^^^^ ^'"""^ H^ ^"- '^^^ Compound leavea grass StTllV **^/ ^''" '"^''' luxuriant crops of grain and ^^imoT:Z\lT^ '""'IT' ^ °^*^*^ * similar Compound wi?S s/pteXr a?S?;h?l'^?*^ ^V*" * ^°P ^'•«^^^"« '^° my wheat, laat tion altth tllow^T^*'^ "^^ harrowed in, and this surface applies- timothy, but Hl«n fK u T^^*^? ^^^^ ^ ^°^«°d mixing not only tbo 8«vethea>/tofmv"''^'"l''''^,*^° compound this autumnf and ^'ithha^fThe lawlT*"^*'"*''^"'' ^" ^^^ «^"«1 distribution of all 1'he t>eruviR„ «. ""^ *'"''* expended in one sowing of the field — ^^of^plZTZZTu^'t "^""".^ distributed fven wi?h the cleared of^hTZainirnVr l'"'''^*'' *" ^'^^^^^h and completely ^•'rough a mill produo L'^L^''"l^^ ^^ P'*^^'"» ^^^ ^^ole compound K^^darticle/nurimV^^'',""!'"''"' powder, which I pronounce a Hereafter wkh r« T*;^ ''^^*^^ *°^ »^ » reasonable price, '•presented in the samnil ^J"*n« and its compounds, each barrel -'ograph by ^)\"s':cti7A^Lz;j:!' '^ -^--^ -^'^ -^ "• fn. , . I>- MEWART. M D ChomUtof the Marjland StaU, Ag.kulUiil .V-clety. TO FARHIERS &, ItlECHAnriCS. COOPER'S IMPROVED lim AND GUANO SFREADER! THESE Machines atand unsurpassed and without parallel as machines for the purpose intended, viz: spreading Lime, Ashes, &c , and sowing Guano, Superphosphate oi Lime, Pias- ter or any such Fertilizer. They are simple, strong, durable, and adjustable to sow any desired quantity to the acre that larmers may desire. Any common hand can operate Ihom. They are of vory easy draft for horses or oxen, for which they are adapted. One or two hands and team can with ease do four times as much with the use of the machine as they could in any way without i% and in a manner for evenness wholly unimitable. No. 1 Lime and Guano Spreader combined, 5^ feet wide. P/ice at shop, $75. No. 2 Lime Spreader (not combined) is larger and stronger, 6 feel wide. $73. Guano Spreader, one horse, 5 feet wide. $40. ** *• two horse, 8k leet wide. $60. AGENTS.— PASCH ALL MORRIS & CO., Philadelphia R SINCLAIR. Jr., & CO , Baltimore. Reference leslimonial can be had by addressing the following gentlemen who have machines in use: Maris Hoopes, Lancaster, Pa.; Simmons Coates, Gap, Lan- caster CO., Pa ; Andrew Slewarti, Penningtonville. Chester co.. Pa; S. C. Williamstm, Cain, Chester co., Pa.; Wm. C. Hoffman and Lewis G. Kemp, Frederick City, Md.; Henry Tell, Texas. Baltimore co, Md. ^ All orders or communications addressed to LEWIS COOPER, Christiana P. O., Lancaster Co., Pa., will meet with prompt attention. {>Cr PATENT RIGHTS FOR SALE. April, 1856. The lawton blackberry. HA\ INO accepted from Mr. Lawton tlje agencv for this remarlutbla Fruit, we are prepared to furnish plants at the following rates: Half a dozen plants, - ' - • • $3 One dozen plants, ..... 5 Fifty plants, 15 One hundred plants, - - . . 25 Careftilly pocketl and shipped from New York without extra charge The money should Hccoaipuny the order. , . 0. M. SAXTOX A CO.. Aericultural Book Publishers, 140 Fulton Street, New York. April, 1856-1 1 THE D£VOX HERD-BOOK. Vol. 111. THe subscriber Is now ready to receive lists of anlntals for tnsertlon m the third volume of the Devon Ilord-Bouk, to be published al as early a period In the year 1856, as a suftlclent number of subscriber* can be ol>talned to warrant the Issue. Terms—each putron Is expected to take at least one copy, the price of which will be one dollar, and also to pay twentytlve cents for the rejflstry of each animal— rejflstrr fee to be paid In advance. All animals to be eligible for Insertlou. must be able to trace their descent from unquestionable North Devon stock on both sides. It win be recollected that there has already been published an American edition of the first and second volumes of the Devon Herd- Book, bound together, with a frontispiece of tho Quarterly TesUmoiiial and conta'.nlmr two handsome Illustrations of EnKlish prize Devons.— m JP .-^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ *^^ volumes will In future be two dollars. They wiu be forwarded as may be directed on the reception of the above suni. SANI'HJKD HOWARD, nffi«- «/♦!,«* o ... ^"^ erlcAn Editor of tho Dtjvoa U«rdBo©k. Office of the Boston CuUI vatwr, T Boston, Mass., March 1st. 1856. 4t WEST CHESTER AGRICULTURAL WORKS. ^Af^KT^.f^n'^^W.^y^^^,^;'^' J?5*^*^'^ «^ ♦he Corner of UNION SuriVf .*"'*^''5,^yi^^ KAILKUAD; where the subscribers are pre- r» wft l!\'^,'"'V''' '''V'^^ of Castluff and Flttlng-up to onler. Among our ui?.«^a iV *^ ^^""^ Cooper's Improved Ume and Gaano Sprea.lers, Hiv^.\."'*'"?Y.'*','^'"'"-^' ''♦^'■"^ ^'^'^P'*. Corn Shcllers (for hand and ^2\fr} xT^I' *^»^^*«««^ ^ti*i" i'owers, Threshers and Spparator.M, Cuai- Jn 'il^' *c. DAMON * SPKAKMAN, ''*"• *®^ Weil theBtei, Chestw Co., ^a. TIGHT BINDING INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE ( SCOTT'S LITTLE GIANT CORN AND COB MILL, PATENTED MAY 16TH, 1854. The LiTTLB Giant, though but recently introduced from the West, now stands pre-eminent as the most Simple, Efficient, and popular Farm Mill of the age. ^ Our Manufactories are probably the only ones m the World— exclusively devoted to making Metallic Mills, there- fore possess superior advantages in preparing such an admixture of metals, as best adapted to making a strong and durable article. The Little Giant has been awarded the Ftrgt Premum at the principrl Fairs of the Nation, as the most complete lind convenient Mill now in use. These Mills are not only guaranteed superior to all others tn their construction and quality of material, but in the •mount and quality of work they perform with any given power ; and warranted in all cases to suit, or the purchase- money refunded on return of the mill. They are offered to Farmers and the trade complete, at |28, $32 and $36, for No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3, and $2 extra ftjr sweeps. Warranted to grind from 8 to 15 bushels per ftoCording t6 sis^. MANUFACTURED BY SCOTT'S NIMBLE GIANT GRAIN MILLS, (CAVEATED MAY, 1855.) This Mill is a most complete and important article for Planters, Farmers and others, having horse-power or other conveniences for running a belt. They can be worked advantageously with one, two or more horses, wherever • speed of from three to five hundred revolutions per minute can be obtained upon a 14-inch pulley, with a three-mch belt These Mills are adapted to any kind of work, grinding coarse feed from corn, oats, Ac, or fine corn, wheat or rye; and that in the most satisfactory manner. , ,, , , The first premium was awarded these Mills at the lato Fairs of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Industrial Exhibition at Boston. , „«^ , ^ The Nimble Giant weighs about 300 pounds, occupying! «»pace of 30 inches square. It is pecpliarly simple, strong, and durable ; requiring no skill to run it, or to keep it in order. They are offered complete, ready for attachmi? the belM* $55; with cast steel cob attachments, $65. Warranted to give perfect satisfaction. Please call at the Little Giant Works, and witnesi their operation. ROSS SCOTT & CO., COR. 17TH & COATES STS., PHlLi rt* «■■ WITH 'THE 1st MONTH (JAN.) NUMBER, (1856 ) WILL COMMENCE THE SIXTH VOLUME OF THE FARM JOURNAL A MonWIif P^riodidal of ThiriyTxoo Odavo Pages, devoted exclvfivdy |b '•'" addition to his own ex- wi h hI ^ h'^''*"'."- Twenty choice vailKles neatly put up in Imxes, rHOTPfc' £vl?5lli^\ ':'^I?]U^'"^ *^^ anjount they wish 8enr forSLlT^Hnu^^*^^*'.*'^* KOSES.-Verbena., and other plants mens Shn.hi J"r''\^,"'"'*^"£.'*'^'l"" extensive collection of Ever- po7 : *""'^f ' Orape \ Ines Fruit Trees, Ac. varletl iAIPLEMEiNTS of the best quality in irreat H _^ ApHI, 18.^6. FARMERS' AND PLANTERS' ENCYCLOPEDIA^ Volume"o?avn'^&''''^'^.^'[•"*'V^^^''* valuable work is in One •bout TWFLvrmmiJ^n'.*?!!!*''^' ^'""""^ '" ""'^"'^ '^*^»"*''- It contains numeronJ nif t""^?^'^fJ'^«'^''T pRI^T'^d p^okm, and is Illustrated with CATAWISSA RASPBERRY, CULTIVATED AND FOR SALE AT THE NURSERY OF JOSHUil FEIRGE, AT Tl^ASHIIVttTOIV, D. €. A NEW AND EVER-BEAJITNG VARIETY, PRODUCINO ABUNDANT CROPS OF FINE FRUIT DURING TUJB FALL MONTHS* . The Catawissa Raspberry is offered to the fruit-growers as a grand desideratum which should be in possession of every one who has the means of cultivating even half a dozen plants. It is not expected that it will compete with many other sorts, at a general crop at the ordinarv season of raspberries; its time of ripening and its great productiveness are the qualities for which it is particularly recommended ; prrNJucing its fruit on the young growth of each j^ear, it is in its fall crop entirely exempt from the effects of spring frost, so often destructive to many of our fall fruits, in which apse it ofiers a valuable substitute for such as may fail, both as a desert at hand for present use, and various economical uses as a preserve for winter. PKICK OF PLANTS FOR SPRIIMG AND SUMMER OF 1866. Good strong plants grown in pots last year, with ball and roots entire, at $2 per plant. Good strong plants grown in pots last year, with ball and roots entire, at $20 per dozen. Small plants for spring of 18.56 $1 each. Small plants for spring of 1856 $10 per dozen. GROWING PLANTS IN POTS, FIT FOR TRANSPORTA- TION DURING SUMMER MONTHS; Single plant and boxing, $2. Do. without boxing, $1. One dozen, boxing idcluded, $12. Subscription will be received for plants to be delivered in the fall of 1856 or spring of 1857, a^ $6 per dozen, or at $40 per hundred. Plants of the above can be packed and forwarded with safety at any time durirjg the summer months to any part of the United Stales, if accessible by Adams's Express in 8 or 10 days, at a snnall expense, so that no uneasiness need be felt about the time of planting. Orders enclosing cash will be promptly attended to. lume 6c*avn hT«T'^^'^.^''"*'V\^^''* valuable work is in O. )ut TWFLvrmiNlpr^'*'""'*''^' ^'""""'^ '" ""'^'"« leather. It co.italns numerouJ nutp« «?^'^ closkly printed paokm, and l8 lllusi The Horf Mf„°^ «nlmal8. nIantH. Implements, etc. ARZututii SoH.tvT ^\ r'^'^'^^^ President of the United States of Pmffiphia' siyi :1* *•"*''''' ^^^ American Editor, G. Kmerson, **Jffj^nm «« J- BosTow, April 7th. 185S ^cychLdia"nJ,]l\^''^^^ Q/'yMir '■'Farmers' ami Planters' ^turafwr^- JJf ^^'''".*"''^ '^ mammending Has n standard aari- f^ to ^ Sji;.teir/" practical, and .cientijic information a^dpt- ^^ /S^/itS?^^'''^''''';'^^, V'^^^rs A cm, shorn f>e in the P«^^wr/j/ ,J3^^-^S /;. M^''*'^' "' a// iwterc.9ted in rural affairs. It is S'^^^i^^t^rJs^^^ "^ " Vremvumbookf^rr distributUm "if this w^ri/TTri^"' otherwise U lihely Uj rmch In the puhlicatifm '^'^<^vZuMf>^,%^^^^^ arranged in the To be hari «* ;1 *^r ^^"*^'y information." geventh StrPPt. rJ^nVir,»i'*4 MORRIS & CO.. corner of Market and ^e«t.a?opy^4ill'hp\^i^ LANDRETII A CO., No. 21 South Sixth ASr'*"^^^^^^^^ to any part of the United Btates, »araCof Jopiei'^^ "^'"^^ ^® Agricultural Socictlei and Clnbs takim? a march, lS6t>. MORRIS ^ CD. NURSERIES WEST CHESTER, PA. J. I. DARLINGTON & CO., ) ^ .. . . (Late P. Morris ft Co.) J ^^opnetors. THE Proprietors of this old esUbllshed Nursery having recently added forty additional acres to their already extensive prounds,are prepared to of^er Increased inducements to their cuntomers and the public Kenerally to examine their large and splendid stock of FRUIT A tUvNAMKNTAL TKEES. They would particularly solicit the attention of Aniatenr8,0rchard- Istsand others about to plant, to their extensive assortment of Ap- ples, Cherries, lUutns, Pears (standard and dwarf). Peaches, Apricots, Nectarines,— also smaller Fruits, such as Currants, Gooseberries, na- tive and forelKn Grapes, Raspberries, Strawberries, Asparagus Roota. Rhubarb. Ac, Ac , Ac. A larKe stock of Decidnous and Evergreen Trees for Lawns, Parks. Cemeteries, Streets. Ac. Deciduous and Evergreen Shmbs In great varety. Including a tine collection of Roses, hardy Uerbaceous, bedding out, and Qreea IIou.se plants. Silver Maple seedlings by the hundred or thousand. Orders from a distance should be accompalned v/ith the cash, or a responsible reference In Philadelphia. Our trees are taken up with great care, packed in the best manner, at a moderate exuense, and so as to carry safely to any distance. Catalogues furnished to applicants. i> K n »* . ^ ^ ^T « « ^•^- DARLINGTON A CO. PaschaU Morris A Co., N- E. Comer of 7th and Market sts., Philadel- phia, are our agents for that city, and will give prompt attention to all orders left at their Warehouse. GERMANTOWN NURSERIES. THOMAS MEEHAN, NURSERYMAN AND LANDSCAPE GABDEI^EB, T?«,./^^;?^ ^' ^ Carpcnt4>rs,) Germantown PhOadelphia. Fruit and Ornamental Trees and Shrubs In great variety Gardens *r.,^ald .,utand planted. Seeds of hardy Trees audsSbsGre^' houi#s, Graperies, Ac, designed or erected. cjuraw. ureen TIGHT BINDING FARM, GARDEN, FLOWER, FIELD, GRASS AND BIRD SEED. AT mv warehouse will be found the lamest and best assortment of all the above Seeds to be found In the United States. I would also call the attention of Gardeners, Truck Farmers, and others, to my new Jaoan Blood Red Head Lettuce, one of the best varieties ever intro^ duced for standing the intense heat of summer, mailing good heads, and of supi-rior quality. My assortmeut of Flower Seeds is unrivalled, and embraces many new and pure sorts never before offered in this country. Dealers supplied on liberal terms. Catalogues mailed to all who enclose a postage stamp. ,, . „.^\^'^^ xi,' *i. Seed Warehouse Nos. 322 and 324 Market St., above Ninth. April, 1856-2t "" FARMERS' AND MECHANICS' SELF-REGULATING WIND POWER WILL Grind Com, Saw Wood, Pumjp-Water, Ac. Ac, night and day, without any attention whatever. Can bo stopped and started by a child In one minute. It is supported on timbers projected from the roof of the building. When going it is regulated by weights, when stopped the fans all turn their edges to the wind, the whole presenting h.t little obstruction to a gale. They are substantially built of wrought and cast-iron, the arms and fans of wood. One of them has been In successful operation since 1865 on the S^ore of Messrs. Webb 4 Son, Grocers, Front and Queen Streets. Philadelphia, where it can be seen. Orders to the care of Webb and Son will receive attention. Prices of the Power at the Factory. No. 1, 20 feet diameter, 8 fans. $175. No. 2, 26 feet diameter, 8 fans, $226. No. 3, 30 feet diameter. 10 fans, $275. HAVING completed our arrangements lor the Spring Trade, we are now prepared to oHer to the agricultural community a Stock of AGRICULTURAL and HORTICULTURAL TOOLS, IMPLEMENTS, & MACHINERY, unsurpassed by any other in the United States. It has been selected with special reference to the quality of every article, and those who favour us with a call may rest assured that every thing sold by us will be equal to representation. PLOWS! PLOWS! PLOWS! of almost every desirable variety, comprising among others Eagle Solf-slmrpeners, all size*. Slar Self sharpeners, " Prouty and Mears* celebrated, all slz«g. Blaker's Plows, wrought shears, three sizes. Star Plows, wrought Shears, four sizes. Double Michigan Plows, right and left hand. Mape's cast-steel Subsoil Plows. " cast-Iron ditto. Roger's extendlng-polnt ditto. Prouty's Improved. Side Hill Plows of all sizes. Ridging and Shovel Plows. _ _ „^«« HARROWS, CULTITATORS, HORSE HOES. A most complete assortmeut, made In the best manner, and of the best material. We ask special attention to these articles, because we believe them unsurpassed. FIELD AND 6ABDEN BOLLEBS of ah sizes, and at the lowest prices, GARDEN TOOLS. Cast-steel Uoos, Rakes, Spades, Forks, Shovels, Trowels, Spades. Hedge, Pole and Pruning Shears, Scuffle Iloes, Edging Irons, Grafting and Pruning Chisels and Saws. Budding and Pruning Knives, REAPERS AND MOWERS. We are Agents tor Ketchuia's celebrated Reapers and Mowers. Atkln's Self Raker and Reaper. Manny's Improved Reaper and Mower. Allen's do. do. Hussey's do. do. Burral's do. do. Any or all of which are warranted. AGENTS FOR THE ABOVE MACHINES WANTED. Wheelbarrows, Trucks, Ox Yokes, &o. of our own manufacture, very superior, SPAIN'S PATENT CHURNS, nnquestlonably the best in use, together with a most complete "Bsort- njHut of Agricultural Implements and Machines, for description of which we refor the reader to a new illustrated catalogue, whlub will be furnished gratis on application. Guano and Super- Phosphate of Lime. We are prepared to supply No. 1, PERUVIAN GUANO 1 i any quantity, at Government prices?. MAPE'S SUPER.PHOSPHATE OF LIME, The reputation of which has been established by years of trial, and for which we are Sole Agents In Philadelphia. Allen and N'eedle'e Super- Phosphate of Limey a most excellent article, .nd deserving the attention of Farmers, toge- ther with a general asbortment of Pertilizers, such as Poudrette, Ta- feu. Plaster, &c. Corn Planters, Seed Planters, &c., A large assortment of the choicest varieties of Garden Sesds, by ^Twentf diffferent'^klnds of PEAS, embracing the New and Dw^ varieties. ^ ._jt»»i- T»xi«Ava a<>i«>ot CAhhairp $^e«d. also Beet. CArmi PaTsiil'p°Caai'S)Ver; BrocTn,~k'om Mushroom Spaun. Celery": Kgg P?antrSwlsrciu.rd, Endive, Lettuce, Okra Radish, Tomatol ^^hfa*bove neatly put up in papers for retailing, and furnished to Ul» trade at a liberal discount, In assorted boxes. New aiid desirable varieties supplied, so soon as tnWy tested. Agricultural and Horticultural Works. All the standard Agricultural and Horticultural Works, suitable for the FARMER'S LIBRARY, and embracing information of every do. partment of rural economy, for sale at Booksellers' prices. FLOWER SEEDS. A large assortmeet of the ttnest European and American Flow«r ^^TWENTY VARIETIES put up In Fancy Boxes for $1, with dlrectloni for culture. . „ ^ Fine Stock Gilly's Seed. " Pansy ditto. " Lady Slippers ditto. ♦* China Aster ditto. ^ ♦* Cineraria ditto. ** Calceolaria, Ac. Ac. JAPAN PEAS. / This superior d very productive Pea for field culture has been ftilly tested the past season, and promises to be a valuabl* acquisition to ilu farming interests. A limited supply on hand. GRASS SEEDS. Fresh Clover, Timothy, Orchard. Herd Grass, Alslke Cl«ver, Wblt« or Dutch Clover, Sweet Scented Vernal Grass. Italian and Perennlil Rve Grass, Lucerne, Kentuckv, Blue or Green Grass. Millet Seeil. ic Crimson Clover. The *b ove Fresh and Genuine lor sale, W holesaleand Retail. ^ _, _ Fine Lawn Grass Seed. Superior English Lawn Grass Seed, comprising the best selection rf English Grasses : also a line article of our own mixture, adaptedfor Lawns and Pleasure Grounds. ^ _ ^_ CANARY AND 0Th6r BIRDS SEEDS. Canary, Hemp, MlUett, Rape, Maw, Lettuce, ^c, for sale WholMilt and Retail. _ FIELD PEAS. Southern Field Peas, adapted for the poorest kind of soil, for salebf the^ushel. PASHALL MORRIS * Co.. Airricnltural Warehouse and Heed 8tor«, N. E. Comer 7th and Market Strrtti, Phlladelpbi*. It* In large variety, and of the most approved kinds. p. M(jrkj:is A CO., N. E. Corner 7th and Blurket Streetg. STJPER-PHOSPHATE OF LIME. DIPLOMAS have been awarded to the Subscribers for the sbofl Psnnsylvania State Agricultural Society. New Jerxey StuU ** Bucks Cnvnty ** " SchuyUnll thunty " ** Berks County " ** New Castle County, Del. " " . The quality and high character of our preparation Is well known, » Is consUiered the Bf st and most Rehable Manure for _ ^_ CORN, OATS, WHKAT. POTA'i'OKS AND GRASS, Not only producing large crops, but permanently improving the •(»'• PRICK $40 per 2.000 lbs., (2 cents per lb ) Caution.— Observe that every Barrel of our Article has our N«0« and that of Potts A Klett stamped on the head. . . Pamphlets describing its qualities and mode of using can be DM" our Store, or by Mall, when desired A liberal deduction mw«»» Dealers. AfiENTS WANTED, We have for Sale one Cargo of the celebrateSharpeners, Mapes' Cast and Steel Subsoil, Hillside, Ridging, Swivel, and all other kinds. PASCHALL MORRIS & CO., N. E. comer Seventh and Market Sts., Phila. HARROWS, CULTIVATORS, HORSE HOES. THE MOST complete assortment of Square Expanding. Giddes', and Scotch Harrows, iu the City. Cultivators of the RHWtapproved kinds. Knox's celebrated Horse Hoes. Whole- sale aod retail. Our own manufacture. PASCHALL MORRIS & CO.. N. E. corner Seventh and Market Sts., Phila. Upl CEAIfBE&BY PLANTS. land and Lew Varieties, Bell or Egg-shaped Variety, w^^^'v^**** ^ cultivate on damp, wet. or poor low and swampy busheta ^<*'^^ else wUl grow, often producing from 200 to MO friSf^'i^^ CRANBERRY are more prolific, but smaller and superior Pun*.^®.^.^^^ on cold unproductive land and barren hillsides. A?i^ M "^^Jjrie^K ^»» t>e for sale last of May. ff„pW ROCHELLE BLACKBERRY PLANTS. b« E?.^ relating to culture, soil, price, Ac. of the above Plants will '"'^wMuea to applicanu by enclosing a postage stamp. For sale by F. TROWBRIDGE, Dealer in Trees. Plants, Ac. Newhaven, Ct. *^bl85«. WILLIAM SAUNDERS, ATEINS' SELF-RAKING REAPER AND MOWER. FARMERS TAKE NOTICE! THE first premium awarded at the State Fair, held at Harrisburg in 1855, also first premium at the County Fairs of Northumber- land, Cumberland, Franklin, York, Lycoming, Centre, Westmoreland, Washington, Berks, Schuylkill, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester, in competition with fTom eight to ten different reapers and mowers. The Atkln's self raking reaper and mower, will be for sale at the Factory at Harrisburg, also at PASCHALI. MORRIS & CO., N. E. COR. 7th AND MARKET STS., FHIL.A. Farmers wishing these Celebrated Reapers and Mowers for the next 'harvest must send in their orders soon. Price of Reaper alone $165 Cash.— Reaper and Mower Cash $190 with freight added from Dayton, Ohio All reapers warranted to give entire satisfaction, or the money refunded. All orders left with PASCHALL MORRIS A CO., as above, or addressed by letter to JAMES PATTEN, General Agent for Pennsylvania, at Harrisburg, will meet with prompt attention. March 4t O. B. ROGERS' Seed and Agricultural Warehouse, NO. 29 KARKET STREET, PHILADELPHIA. Manufacturer of Woodbury's Premium Horse Power Thresher and Cleaner, Mowing and Reaping Machines, Animonlated Superphosphate of Lime, Chemical Fertilizer, Bone Dust, Dealer in Gnanu, Ac All the most approved Agricultural and Horticultural Impienients made to order. Dealer in Imported and American Field and Garden Seeds, Ac, 4c. Inventor and Manufacturer of the Cast Steel Exten^^?^^r7**^^*^***?.^ ^.*l^* ^V/ ^««*' Extra Early Peas, Early Radishes, Tomato Egg Plant, Early Kidney and Oxford Potatoes, Ac.. *^vr K ,o«i, 1* o . ^ ^^^^^ UERNEY'S March, 18gd-lt Seedware House, 69 Chesnut St., Philada. POUDRETTE. ' .J^\Jl^} Manufacturing Company have appointed the subscriber their Wholesale Agent for the sale of Poudrett^Ta Feu, Ac DealeJI are requested to send lu their ortiers as early as possible. ^^«»"« M.roh uwii-w ^ C. B.' ROGERS, March, 18fi6nSt No. 29 Market Street. TO FARMERS. WOOMURY'S Premium Horse Power, Threshers and Cleaners ^ Mar^iSftSf ^^^""^ ^^ 1. C- B- ROGERs" * March, 18a6-at No. 29 Market Street. FISH GUANO. The Naraganset Guano Conipany has appointed 0. B. ROGERS thHr p!;^?i.f«'" ""^ sale of their Flnh Guano, which Is eqwi to the blit Peruvian and much more lasting. Price, $45 per ton. Aiarcn, iooo~St REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES- better than can be dous with scythe and cradle. ^ MAreh livuu--»-^^^/'/^ rf/ffes uea- ALBANY AGRICULTURAL WORKS, ON HAMILTON, LIBEBTT AND UNION STREETS, WAREHOUSE, SEED STORE AND SALE ROOMS, NO. 62 STATE STREET, ALBANY, NEW YOKE. ERAERY SROTHERS, 80LK PROPRIETORS Ain) MANUFACTUBmS OF Emery^s Patent 'Railroad Horse Powers and Overshot Threshing Machines and Separators* Also Manufacturers of and Wholesale Dealers in Agricultural Machines and Implements, of th^ LatMt and most Improved Kinds extant. Dealers In Grain, Field, Grass, Garden and Flower Seeds, and Fertilizers. THE Horse Powers, together with the great variety of Labor-Saving Machines, to be propelled thereby, being the leading articles manu- factured by the proprietors, the attention of the public la especially called to them. Full DESCRIPTIVE ILLUSTRAITD CATALOGUES containing directions, prices and terms of sale, warranty and payment, Bent by mall, gratis, to all post paid applications. Upwards of Twelve Hundred sets of the above celebrated Machines have been made and sold in this city alone during the last twelve months, and without supplying the demand. The public may rest assured the reputation heretofore earned for their manufactures shall be fully bustalued, by using none but the best material and workman cibip; and by a strict attention to business, they hope to merit and enjoy a continuance of the patronage heretofore so liberally bestowed. As large numbers of Powers and other machines are being oflered in various sections of the country, resembling those of the above manu- facturers In almost every particular, it becomes necessary to caution the public against the deception, and to enable their own to be dis- tinguished from all others, they would say, the words *^ Emery^s i'almt^^ are upon all the small wheels, " Emery^" upon the links of the chain, and the name " Emery,'' in some manner, and all in nW letters. Is cast u|*on some or all the iron parts of all their madlM^ besides the wood work being also stencilled, in a conspicuooil with the names of the propiletors and their place of buslDeti. IVarramtj'y Gapaeltj-f Beoaonsyt Ae« The Two Horse Power and Thresher, as represented by cire^vO capable, with three or four men. of thrashing from 175 to 22S bsM of wheat or rye, and the One Horse Power from 7fi to 125 bnshebel wheat or rye; or both kinds of powers, &c., are capable of thr««hh( double that amount of oats, baney or buckwheat per day, of onUnsj fair yield. These Power Threshers, Ac, are warranted to be of the belt Bis rials and workmanship, and to operate as representwl by this dfoajTi to the satisfaction of the purchasers, together with a full right of WS them in any territory or the United States, sulject to be retuniM within three months, and home transportation and full paiciM money refunded If not found acceptable to the purchasers. TIGHT BINDING ,\r' (•rt("»* »*■'»» *<«»t»M*»':'-«» CONTENTS— No. 5. Agricultural Publishers, Board Fencing, -----"•' Carrots, "'"""'"". Cure for Garget in Cows, ------ Donna Maria 3d, ---""' ' Donna Maria 4th, ------- Eflfeots of Green Crops, Fine Sheep, ---•-'-" Grey Sherman, -----"" Ground and Unground Food for Animals, - - - Guano.— Its Composition— v ane mob— x« x *vov Ulterior Bffects upon the Soil, - - " " Guano for Potatoes, ---•-"* Hereditary Diseases of Sheep and Hogs, - Indiana County Agricultural Society, - - - Interesting Experiments on the Cultivation of the Potatoe, -*"*"'"' King Philip Corn, Management of Hard-Pan Soils, - - - r New Method of Feeding Grain, New York Agricultural College, New York Horticultural Review, - - - - Osage Orange-Hedging, Patent Self-Regulating Windmill, - - Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society, - Plowing Table, Reformation in our Premium System, Reply to the article on Seed Potatoes, Root Crops, - -•■ Rye Grass, Small or Large Potatoes, Special Manures, --.-"'*' State Shows, 1856, ------- Steam vs. Horse Power, The Apple Tree Borer, The Farmer*' High School of Pennsylvania, - The State Agricultural Society, - - - - - The State Society, .------ The Unimproved Lands of Noi:^hem Pennsylvania, - Varieties of Corn, ------- What Constitutes a True-Bred Short-Horn, What Constitutes Value in Manure, . - - - William B. Coate's Improved Patent Oblique Method of Cutting all Kinds of Stalks, - • - PAGE- 164 156 136 136 153 153 149 160 136 152 . 129 . 140 . 141 . 152 134 160 156 154 157 159 139 137 137. 157 158 156 140 158 150 138 1&7 147 156 149 151 160 159 146 140 133 THE LAWTON BLACKBERRY. Mr. Charles Downing the well known fruit grower and nur. servraan, oflered the lollowing insolicited tescimony in the co lums of the Agriculturists under the Editorial care of F Bowery Esq.— in the summer of 1854. „, ^^ •• Having heard a good deal said about the Lawton Blackhcrry, for the past year or two, and knowing that many of ihe new fruits were overpraised, 1 made a special visit to Mr. Lawton i a few days since, to see for myself, and I can assure you 1 wii well paid for my trouble. There is no humbug about it ; and the only wonder is, that it has not been more generally intro. duced and propagated before. The fruit is large and sweet. J^ is an enormous bearer indeed, the quantity (considering the laifi size of the fruit) surprised roe, and the berrries were perfect Mr. Lawton informed me that they continue in bearing five of six weeks, and in liavorable seasons much longer. He has soini .- .U-' — ..^Mui onW will havA nljantfl to dianose of in the fall and spring. The latter, however, is the most preierable tiin# for transplanting. Plant as early as the ground is in good working In the American Institute Farmer's Club, not long since, Jud|| Van Wyck proposed the following resolution, which was unoni. mously adopted; . ^. t /• » * i . • " Resolved, That the Farraer*sClub of the Amencan Instituti highly approves of the efforts made by William Lawton Esq , of New Rochelle, to cultivate, improve and spread that most vatui^ ble Blackberry spoken of to day, and that he has presented to this Club at different periods both this stason and the last, ntoit liberal specimens of this blackberry, so that every meml)er (and they were sometimes fifty in number nearly) could not onl? gratify his sight but his palate, with eating as many as he pleased, and thus be qualified to judge in every Htage an«l season of their growth, their superior qualities as regards size, flavor and succth lency, aod also their constant improvement each year under hii manasement: and that we do hereby earnestly and decidedly recommend the LAWTON BLACKBERRY, AS THE CLlB HAS CORRECTLY NAMED IT, to public notice and patron- age." For descriptive circulars and directions for planting and othor particulars address. „ . „ ^y ^, WM. LAWTON. New Rochelle N. Y. or Na 64 Wall St., New York. PVRPLE CHILI POTATOES}. 200 Bushel of Pure Fine largg Seed, price $2,60 per bushel, at theteid and Agricultural Store,6th street ***"*^^'^^' Jj-^gg EARDROP. HAY ELEVATORS ! HAY ELKVATORS ! WE are now manufacturing a large number of SELF-ADJUSTDW HAY ELEVATORS, trreatly Improved over those of lant aeason, sod deciaecly superior In btrength, woritmanship, and durability to anyii the market. Also ROPES and BLOCKS. Dealers supplied on Ub«m PASOHALL MORRIS A Co., N. E. Comer 7th and Market Streets, PhlUdelphto. 155 BLOOD BED JAPAN HEAD LETTUCE. Bvyno nf thlR celebrated new variety of Lettuce will be mailed to .nf ^«on "nd?S^ '""-'y fl" <=*■"»• '^"' » ""'^ iTlsr •tunp «°|'»^''^»rehouse. No.. 328 uwl 3U Market St., ibove Mllith. April, 18t6-2l FARIHERS IiOOK HERE. All of whlce are made In the best manner, and warranted to work as any others In market; several Importaiit Improvements having been made In the Mowers and Reapers and Uorse ^^wers^ OSAGE ORANGE SEED AIVD PLANTS FOR SALE. HEDGES PLANTED AND WARRANTED, For Circulars address April* 1856. A. HARSHBARGER. McVeytown, Mifflin co., Pa. terms. KEOZIE'S RAIN WATER FILTERS- These celebrated Fillers are receiving the hiffhesicomrafeadations IJrom hundreds of famiu*i who have used them for years in almost every Slate in the Union, They filler about one hundred gallons w twenly.four hours, furnishing a full supply wr all domestic uses. The most impure Rain, Riw, or Lake water, by this means becomes pure, clew as crystal, without taste color or srnell, in inii condition only is water fit for all culinarv and drinking pu^ poses, as a means of promoting the general heatih. They are portable, durable, and cheap, and are not exceiieu by any other filter known, for sale by, « .t . i r ^ ^ MURPHV & VARNAU. 862 Cheanul St., PhiUn HOW TO USE MANURES ! IN order to know the best Fertilizers for each crop, and how to JIJ In the most economical manner all manures, the Farmer win u"" following Books Invaluable:— ^, ^ Browne's Field Book of Manures, - - - " Jt m Johnston's Agricultural Cneniistry, - - • " f r oo Dana's Muck Manual, - -- ' ' ' ' Vi gn Norton's Sclentltic Agriculture, r: gX Nash's Progressive Farmer, %f\2S Chemistry made Easy, ^ - 'z:n^dCaft Sent hr mall, postage paid, or receipt of price. Catalogues o» ^ Agricultural Books furnished gratis. ^ ^ gAXTON A CO., Agricultural Book Pu^'ls?^'!^ It MO Fulton Street, New \oxi> THE VOL. PHILADELPHIA, MAY, 1856. NO. 5. OUANO. ITS COMPOSITION— VARIRTIE3— ITS PRESENT AND tTL- TERIOB BPFECTS UPON THB SOIL. [Continued from March No.] In the former part of this article, we have taken occasion to point out the error which nearly every writer on Guano has fallen into, namely, that the vast deposits of this fertilizer, (which, upon the Chincha islands, are in some places seventy feet in thickness.) have been mainly derived from the excrements of birds. We are again led to refer to this subject by noticing an article recently published in the London Farmers' Magazine, and copied into the January number of Hunt's Merchants' Magazine, and subsequently in other journals. We append the principal part of this article for the purpose of showing how pretty and fanciful a fabric of fine writing and theorizing may be built up on an erroneous supposition. The writer says: — " The guano fields are generally considered to be the excrement of aquatic fowls, which live and nestle in great numbers around the islands. They seem designed by nature to rescue, at least in part, that untold amount of fertilising material which every river and brooklet is rolling into the sea. The wash of alluvial soils, the floating refuse of the field and forest, and, above all, the wasted materials of great cities, are constantly being carried by the tidal cur- rents out to sea. These, to a certain extent at least, go 0 nourish, directly or indirectly, submarine vege- table and animal life, which in turn goes to feed the t)ird8, which at our day are brought away by the shipload from the Chincha Islands. "The bird is a beautifully arranged chemical la- ^ratory fitted up to perform a single operation, viz: *otake the fish as food, burn out the carbon by means in Ik '''P''*^^'*y functions, and deposit the remainder 'n ifte shape of an incomparable fertilizer. But how rhlY'^'l^*"' ^^'"^ depositions of seventy feet in thickness been accumulating? of 'ih?r/'^ ^* ^^^ P'*^'^''^ ^*y countless numbers accordir^' T'""^ "P^^ *^' ^'^^"^« ^* °^gh^' but, btds f?.i' *'"" Humboldt, the excrements of the OS for the space of three centuries would not form «ratum over one-third of an inch in thickness. By an easy mathematical calculation, it will be seen that at this rate of deposition, it would take seven thousand five hundred and sixty centuries, or seven hundred and fifty-six thousand years, to form the deepest guano bed ! ** Such a calculation carries us back well on to a former geological period, and proves one, and perhaps both, of two things— first, that in past ages an infin- itely greater number of these birds hovered over the islands ; and secondly, that the material worid existed at a period long anterior to its fitness as the abode of man. The length of mairs existence is infinitesimal, compared with such a cycle of years ; and the facts recorded on every leaf of the material universe ought, if it does not, to teach us humility. That a little bird, whose individual existence is as nothing, should in its united action produce the means of bringing back to an active fertility whole provinces of waste and barren lands, is one of a thousand facts to show how apparently insignicant agencies in the economy of nature produce momentous results." Now the facts of the case are, as has been before stated, that the dung of the birds constitutes but a comparatively small portion of the guano, and that the bulk is made up of the products of the decomposi- tion of the bodies of the birds themselves, their eggs and feathers, the bones and remains of fish, and also of seals— many of which latter animals attain to aa immense size. To return, however, to our subject. The Guanos next in order to those derived from deposits made in the rainless latitudes, are those which are found in regions which experience a sue- cession of very dry and wet seasons. This variety of guano may be considered as holding an intermediate place and value between the Guanos derived from the Chincha Islands and the Guanos taken from islands in the North Atlantic Ocean. The best known variety of this kind of Guano is the Patagonian, or Chillian On the coasts of Chili and Northern Patagonia the temperature is sufficiently high, and the dry season^s are sufficiently long, to induce the same ammoniacal fermentation which takes place at the Peruvian Islands, and by means of which the compound matter is taken up and made a consistent whole. But the rains which succeed the dry seasons on the coasts of Chili and TIGHT BINDING 130 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [MlT :m *^ji Patagonia, wash out in great part all the soluble salts formed, from the guano. These salts are not unfre- quently deposited by the action of the water in con- tiguous beds a little below the surface of the exterior soil, or guano, and in some instances considerable quantities of nearly pure bi-carbonate of ammonia are thus formed and arranged in layers. Hence the value of all the Guanos obtained in the extreme southern limits of the tropical latitudes is variable, depending on the location of the deposit, and the posiilon of the bed from whence the sample was derived. The mean of many analyses of this variety of Guano obtained in Africa and South America gives the following results. Of ammonia, the Guanos of Saldanha Bay contain 1.68 per cent., of Patagonia 2.55 per cent., and from the vicinity of the Cape of Good Hope 2.00 per cent. On the other hand, in phosphates, which is the next most important element to ammonia in Guano, these varieties were very rich. Thus the mean amount of phosphate of lime in the Guano of Saldanha Bay was 58.40 per cent., of Patagonia 44.00 per cent., of the Cape of Good Hope 20.00 per cent. In order that we may contrast the composition of these intermediate Guanos with the Peruvian, we give the mean of sev- eral hundred analyses of Guano derived from the Chincha Islands : Organic matter and salts of am- monia, 29 to 35 per cent.; phosphates 26 to 38 per cent. As a general law, it may be stated that in pro- portion as Guanos are richer in phosphates, they are poorer in ammonia. Crossing now to the Atlantic side of South America, to the non-tropical latitudes, we find a variable, rainy climate, in which the conditions governing the pro- duction of Guano in the Pacific are strikingly changed, as are also the results of the fermentative action. On many of the islands in the Mexican Gulf and off the northern coast of South America, we find the same elements at work which produce the Peruvian guano, but the product is different. Its color is light, yel- lowish brown, becoming, when air-dried, nearly white. It has no ammoniacal odor, but smells strongly of freshly disturbed earth. It is never so finely divided as the Peruvian, its particles being sometimes as coarse as mustard- seed, resembling closely the sand from oohte limestone. There is, however, always some finely divided organic matter, in the state of humus, either between the particles or making part of the substance of them. An average composition is the following : Moisture after being air-dried, 4.40 Organic matter, crenates, humates, oleates and Btearates, magnesia and lime, 6.40 Bone phosphate of lime, 46.60 Carbonate of lime, 39.80 Phosphate magnesia^ 1.20 Sulphate lime, .80 Sand, .21 Traces of chloride and sulphate of soda, — 99.41 The carbonate of lime here given is an essential part of each particle of the bone remains, and does not exist, except occasionally as mixture to the amount of one or two per cents., independently. The humic acid is often in union with ammonia and magnesia, the whole per centage of ammonia, or rather nitrogen, not exceeding in the ancient deposits more than two per cent. A more solid aggregate of grains afforded— Moisture from air-dried state, 6.40 Organic matter, humates, humus, — Cilaattka anfl iit.«>aratAs. S.40 Bone phosphate limOi 64.80 Carbonate of lime, 16.20 Sulphate, 2.80 Phosphate magnesia, 1.60 Sand, ** 90.6C The grains adhered slightly ; the dry mass was of a pale, nankin color, and exhibited the first step in a change which results in a consolidation of the arena- ceous remains into a solid rock. It will be observed that, if we admit the moisture and organic matter, there are seventy-five parts of bone phosphate of lime in one hundred of the dry guano, constituting a source of this prime requisite in the constitution of soils highly important. From the nature of the decomposition, this bone phosphate is soluble to some extent in water, and thus adapted to application when the immediate effects are desired. Another variety of this Guano appears as a solid compact rock, banded in lines of dark brown colors. For economical purposes, it is necessary to grind the masses to a fine powder ; it then dissolves slowly in water. This compound generally forms a covering of ten to twenty-four inches thick over the guano on those islands not frequented by birds. Some rough masses are found in the mass of the arenaceous guano ; but they appear to have been once a surface-covering. Dr. Hayes explains the singular composition of this aggregate and the guanos more rich in bone phosphate than the bones of birds by referring to the kind of fermentation which organic animal matter undergoes in presence of excess of humidity. Briefly, it is the reverse of that which produces ammonia salts in the Peruvian Guano, acids being the result here. The whole series of acids, the products of humus decom- position, carbonic acid, and probably acetic acid, being generated in the mass, have dissolved the car- bonate of lime of the deposit, while the resulting salts have been washed away by the rains, leaving the phosphate of lime in excess. Where daily depositions are taking place, this effect does not follow, as the first decomposition produces ammonia ; but, under other conditions, the carbonate of lime of the bony structure is removed, and the phosphate is left in excess. Some of the Guano islands of the Atlantic present smooth though irregular surfaces of hard, firm rock, from four to twenty-four inches in thickness, all com- posed of this peculiar variety of Guano. Specimen^ 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 131 itf mftv be obtained superior in hardness to the hardest niarble, and with the grain and appearance of lime- stone. The suggestion has been made from the ex- amination ofGuano specimens obtained off the northern coast of South America, that many islands may con- tain deposits of Guano where it has not been suspected —the immediate external surface appearing as lime rock, concealing beneath the less altered and sandy- looking Guano duced into the markets of the United States and Europe from a small island, known as the " Aves Island," situated a short distance from the Danish Island of St. Thomas, and sold under the title of "Mexican," or ** Columbian " Guano. Pr. Stewart, of Baltimore, Chemist to the Maryland State Agricultural Society, has recently published an analysis of a so-called "Columbian Guano," which contains 77.49 per cent, of phosphate of lime, and 6.23 phosphoric acid. A Guano of this character would prove by far the richest source of phosphoric acid for the farmer yet known, containing one-third more than ground bones. It is also stated to contain less than one-fourth of the water always present in Peruvian, and 20 to 30 per cent, less than any other Guano. Consequently, it can be packed in bags, at a diminution of one-fourth the freight and packageg, besides the convenience of handling and subsequent value of bags. Besides the difference in composition pointed out between these Atlantic Guanoes and the Peruvian, the action on the soil of the former is, as might be expected, essentially different from the latter. It does not contain in the first place to the same degree, if at all, the fermentative principle found in the Peru- vian Guanoes. Secondly, it does not contain any con- siderable amount of ammoniacal salts, therefore it cannot render soluble the organic matters of the soil, or supply nitrogen to the growing crop, without some additional element. But it does contain in the most available form large quantities of phosphoric acid united to lime and magnesia. The best method of using this Guano is to mix it with other manures, which will not only supply the fermentative principle wanting, but will act advan- tageously on the finely dividied phosphates, rendering them easily assimilable by the organs of plants. H may also be treated with advantage with sul- phuric acid, in quantity not quite sufficient to neu- /ahzeall the lime present as carbonate, converting it into sulphate of lime, or gypsum, and setting free a portion of phosphoric acid. Thus prepared, the com- pound 18 the best known mixture of phosphate and uiphate of lime, and at the same time the cheapest. " this rock Guano is mixed with stable manure simT^/^^ ^^^^®* ^^ fermentation, its composition is ^n^uarly altered and its efficiency increased. And ^^_ would here observe, that in calling attention to mro^^T^t.^^ ^"*°^' *^ *" important and available ce Of phosphates, we wish distinctly to be under- stood as making a broad distinction between that phosphate of lime which has been elaborated, first, as the bony structures of fish, and afterwards as the food of birds, and those strong masses, which, under the name of mineral and crystalized phosphate of lime, or fossilized animal matter, it has been proposed to use as manures. It must be apparent to every one who has observed the changes by which one form of organic matter paio&«/o iiibv/ tauvrbxivF, i«tic«>v uc:*igu lis JlIlurvaBCU UUUIl tllQ act of preparation by which matter becomes fitted for the various offices it is called upon to fulfil. Thus mineral matters, as they exist crystalized and aggre- gated in the earth, are in no ways fitted for the imme- diate food of plants. But the bony structures of ani- mals are built up under different laws, and when broken down by decay, the mineral matters composing them are at once ready for assimilation as the food of plants. In animals we have an aggregation taking place under the laws of crystalization ; the similar particles are closely and firmly united, and where such a compound is broken up by artificial means, the particles are still crystalized, and require the agency of additional forces to bring them into the condition of organized matter. Without such agency, they are minerals still. It will be therefore evident, that tho kind of Guano which we have been describing has had the agency of organization acting upon it. and preparing it for reception into the organisms of plants. Notwithstanding we would recommend in this, and in every other case of the application, salts for manure, they should be first composted, or fermented in a mass with organic manures, as a preliminary step. Dr. Stewart, of Baltimore, in commenting on the particular uses of the rock, or Columbian Guanoes, remarks as follows : — " For spring crops, or as a top-dressing for wheat, or grass, there is no comparison between the value of phosphatic and Peruvian Guano ; especially in view of the risks that must always attend the use of the latter as a spring application,— but apart from this the superiority of the phosphatic Guanoes in corn has been frequently demonstrated by the very best au- thority. During the past three years, a mixture of the Peruvian with the latter, produces better results than the Peruvian alone,— but on some lands the pure phosphatic Guano excels both the mixture and Peru- vian, and as the new modes of soil analysis enable the merelt tyro to detect 25 pounds of phosphoric acid in an acre of soil, the fanner need risk nothing in the purchase of phosphates. If, however, the usual em- pirical system is adopted, then I should prefer a mix- ture of 500 lbs. of Columbia Guano and a cart-load of leached ashes to a ton of the average of all other phosphatic Guanoes that I have ever seen, (as a cer- tain manure,) believing, as I do, that nascent sub- phosphates are the most valuable manures, and that phosphoric acid always must necessarily be thus con- verted before it can be absorbed by the rootlet of any plant. Under these circumstances, each ton (2000 ■ I iljIN I ^1 ii 132 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Mat lbs.) of Columbian Guano would produce 215 lbs. of nascent soluble sub- phosphates, beside 1550 lbs. of the common bone phosphates of other phosphatic Guanoes. " It is the opinion of those best conversant with the subject, both chemists and practical farmers, that Peruvian Guano, before being applied to a crop, should always be mixed with some fixer of ammonia, such as gypsum, common salt, or charcoal dust. Guano exposed to the air rapidly parts with its ammonia. Experiments made by M. Barral, of France, showed that a given weight of Peruvian Guano will lose in an exposure of fifteen days to the atmosphere one-tenth part of its nitrogen. This shows the necessity of farmers husbanding as much as possible this impor- tant ingredient of these manures. Instead of leaving their Guano in exposed situations, as is often done, it should be carefully covered up and mixed, imme- diately on their receiving it, with some preserver of its ammonia- We shall now allude to a part of our subject re- specting the use of Peruvian Guano, which seems to have been overlooked, or lightly regarded by most writers. Is Peruvian Guano a universal fertilizer? Among its constituents, which in the foregoing re- marks have not been enumerated, are several salts of the alkaline bases. These when added to the soil, as ingredients of the Guano, become constituents of it, and it may be assumed as a general fact, that saline matter added to most soils remains in nearly its origi- nal condition, and retains nearly its original weight for a considerable number of years. A striking in- stance of this fact has recently been brought to our attention,— of a field in Massachusetts which some years ago was treated with the refuse salts of a pow- der manufactory, consisting principally of common salts, some chloride potassium and magnesia, and a very small per centage of saltpetre (nitrate of* potash). Some years after the application was made, the field being kept under constant cultivation, the nitrate of potash was changed and altered in so slight a degree, that it would effervesce (shoot up into crystals) on the clods after a period of moisture and rapid evapo- ration. And yet nitrate of potash (saltpetre) is a mineral compound by no means difficult to break up in composition. Keeping this fact and statement in mind, it is ob- vious that the yearly addition of Peruvian Guano as a manure in cultivation, adds also a proportion of saline matter, which accumulates from year to year. This saline matter exists in Guano in variable quan- tities from 11 to 30 per cent. It is further self evident that these peculiar substances must from the com- mencement exercise a peculiar influence, and when the quantities present exceed a certain amount, ster- ility is the immediate result. Dr. Hayes, of Boston, who has given this subject much attention, also states that all barren wastes considered as deserts, owe their condition to one of two causes, either to the presence of drifting sand, or to the over saturation of the soil with saline matters. It may now, perhaps, be asked, has the continued use of Guano in Peru produced the effect of sterility, since it is well known that this substance was applied as a fertilizer long previous to the conquest of the country by the Spaniards. In reply, it may be stated that this after-eff*ect does not generally occur in Peru, but a permanency of good effect has been noticed and recorded, without at the same time observing the peculiarity of conditions under which cultivation is carried on in that country. Cultivation in Peru is confined nearly to bottom lands, and to the dry beds of water courses, both of which are subject to an annual irrigation with fresh water. The irrigation dissolves and removes saline matters, and this pre- vents an annual accumulation. The delta of the Nile offers another illustration. So much of the country as is subject to an annual overflow of fresh water, (i. e., a washing out,) is pre- served in a fertile state, while the contiguous sands not washed by the river remain a desert, simply from an undue accumulation of saline matter. Conduct the waters of the Nile into and through these sands, and fertility is restored. Destroy a system of irriga- tion and the desert returns,— and as evidence of this, we find that the tracts of country, which in ancient Egypt were the most celebrated for fertility, are now barren and desolate. In the United States, no such conditions exist over a wide extended surface, and our soils for the roost part evaporate as much or more moisture than they receive as rain. Hence in such soils there is a con- stant tendency in saline matter, if present, to accu- mulate. Any addition, therefore, may soon carry the proportion to excess. Hence we may understand in part the cause of the diminished fertility which will invariably attend the constant use of Guano on Amer- ican soils, if no attempt is made to prevent the accu- mulation of saline matter. The most efficient remedy against such accumula- tion is to alternate with the cereals those crops which tend to absorb and exhaust the saline ingredients of the soil. Such crops are clover, lucerne, asparagus, &c. On certain estates of Louisiana, it has been found that where the sugar cane has been cultivated suc- cessively for years on the same land without certain precautions, that the product of the cane after a time becomes molasses and not sugar. The explanation of this is found in the undue accumulation of saline matters in the soil, owing to an improper system of manuring and the want of a suitable rotation of crops. These alkaline bodies absorbed by the plant, and liberated with the juice in the crushing of the canes, converted the cane, or crystallizable sugar, into mo- lasses, or uncrystallizable sugar. Finally, the best effiects which have been known to result from the use of Guano, have followed its appli- cation in the form of a solution, or infusion, and to insure a certainty of effect in this way, it seems to be only necessary that the soil should contain a larg^ amount of organic matter. I 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. 133 WHAT CONSTITUTES VALUE IN MANURE. We derive the following article from a paper recently read before the London Society of Arts by Mr. J. B. Lawks, the well known English agriculturist : «« The term manure includes a great variety of sub- stances, from the disgusting mass of corruption, the very odor of which is almost sickening, to the purest and most delicate crystal ized salts. It is not one of the liast of the many beautiful and economical ar- rangements which we see around us, whereby the Almighty has endowed the same particles with the property of entering into a variety of forms, at one time the most offensive and at another the most at- tractive. In this ever changing circle nothing is without its value— nothing is lost. Whilst, therefore, matters in one sense waste, and refuse have their absolute value when considered in a scientific point of view, they have at the same time another and in- dependent value as articles of commerce ; and to assign to each its proper money equivalent is a most impor- tant office of scientific and economic agriculture. *' The crops grown by the farmer are found to be composed of a number of different elements ; and if the soil were only a medium of support to the roots of the plants, and neither it, nor the atmosphere, fur- nished any of these elements, the art of manuring would be simple enough— it would be confined to re- placing the elements contained in the crop exactly in the same proportion in which they were removed from the land. It happens, however, that a certain portion of each of the elements, which the plants produced contain, are furnished either by the normal soil, or by the atmosphere, but some of them not in sufficient quantity for agricultural purposes. True economy in manuring consists, then, in adding those substances to the land of which the supplies from the soil and the atmosphere will be deficient. In order to ascer- tain experimentally, which of the various constituents of our agricultural plants it is most important to sup- ply by manure, it is necessary to grow each particular crop for a series of years with different manurial mix- tures, in some cases supplying the various constituents separately, in others with two or more of them com- bined together. By following this course, and care- m\y weighing the product obtained, a knowledge is by degrees acquired of the relative value and impor- tance m a manner of the different ingredients. "In illustration of the usefulness of this kind of en- quiry, I propose to refer you to a few experiments of ^ne kind in question, which have been conducted by ^yself on the wheat crop. The results I have selected or this purpose are those of the seasons 1844 and ^»H. Between those periods there is an interval of "'ne years, durmg which the same kind of experi- ^ lentmg has been going on upon the same plots of J^j out as these intermediate results are of the ^n^e chara.3ter as those of the year 1854, 1 shall omit lion Ir'"''^ ^"^ ^^^"^ *^ unnecessary for the expl lion of my subject. ^ TABLE. Selection from Experiments in which Wheat has been grown upon the same land for eleven years in succession. Bughels of No. of Plot. 2 7 8 10 Manures. 14 tons farmyard manure every year. Mineral manunjs in 1844^ mineral ma nures and ammonia in 1864, do do do do do commencing only in 1854. Mineral manures with 14 pounds of amnionia lo the acre m 1844, Kltb 180 pounds in 1864. clean wheat per acre. 1844. 1854 22 41 1476 16H 46>i 1172 163 47Ji 34^4 1160 1112 21^ 00 1480 Straw per acre in lbs. 1844. 1864. 4643 3603 6134 3697 6634 Una ♦* An inspection of this table will show that Nos. 7 and 8, when in 1844 they were manured with mineral substances only (alkalies and phosphate of lime) pro- duced between 16 and 17 bushels of wheat per acre. In 1854, with the employment of similar minerals with salts of ammonia also, the produce of wheat is nearly three fold, namely, in the one case 45 bushels, and in the other 47. There is moreover about five times as much straw as in the former season. " The plot No. 10, which yielded nearly 17 bushels of wheat in 1844 with mineral manures, produced twice as much grain in 1854, and about three times as much straw. The remarkable fact connected with this experiment. No. 10, is, that since the use of min- eral manures on that plot in 1844, ten successive crops of wheat have been taken from the land by the aid of salts of ammonia alone. Thus during this period, a gross produce of about 20 tons has been obtained by no other addition than about 800 pounds of ammonia. "The plot No. 16 produced in 1844, 21 bushels of wheat, that is four or five bushels more than the plot with mineral manures alone; it having received in addition to the minerals, the small amount of 14 lbs. of ammonia. In fact, this was one of the few plots manured with ammonia at all in that year. In 1854 No. 16 received besides minerals 180 lbs. of ammonia to the acre. This is the highest proportion of ammo- nia that has ever been used in the course of these experiments, and with the favorable season of 1854 it also yielded the largest crop, namely, 50 bushels of wheat, and 6,634 lbs. of straw, or nearly three tons. " Plot No. 2 has been manured every season for the last eleven years at the rate of 14 tons farmyard ma- nure per acre, amounting in all to 154 tons. The produce in this plot is increased from 22 bushels in 1844 to 41 bushels in 1854; but even this latter amount is much below that yielded by the plots 7, 8 and 16. This experiment affords a striking illustra- tion of the fact, that bulk of manure does not consti- tute value. Thus, in the 154 tons of farmyard ma- nure, there has been placed upon the land a laro-er amount of all the ultimate constituents of wheat imd straw than the crops removed contained. On the other hand, if we were to apply the same sort of cal- culation to the crops grown by means of minerals and ammonia, or ammonia alone, we should find that a very few per cent, of the produce had been actually supplied in the manure. In the case of No. 10, in fact where ammonia salts have been used for many years, not more than li per cent, of the increased :.'/■ |l m un TIGHT BINDING > >t o a OQ CQ a 03 A S d 03 60 u o .a 2 .£1 CO Xi -^ ^ ^ 73 9 .a cS 1^ •2 CQ Hi H QOi P CQ *^ a to K d d «ft3 5 :a d 02 '3 .^ -fl V4 o OQ d s7 d ?^ fco 1^ « •d '-iS s? - P © as H P-l ■< H n a W o eS QQ d it d eS bO o bO o 09 73 ;s ^ d ^ OQ d •5b •c O 73 n .3 05 rt CQ oe ft o 8*^080 bO lu «< ^ ^;^ 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 137 Fig.& FRANK Q. JOHNSON'S PATENT SELF-REGULATINa WINDMILL^ Brooklyn. N. Y. The accompanying engravings illustrate an improve- ment in Windmills, for which a patent was granted to Dr. Frank G. Johnson, No. 196 Bridge st, Brooklyn, N. Y., on the 16th of Jan. 1856. The invention consists in providing the wings of the machine with weights and springs, which are so arranged as to control the position of the wings, causing them, whenever their velocity is too great, to be more or less turned edgewise to the wind, and vice versa. Also in providing the wind wheel with a stop wheel, arranged in such a manner that a slight pressure on the stop-wheel has the same effect on the wings as an increased velocity of the "wind, thus enabling the wings to be turned edge- wise to the wind, and the mill to be thereby stopped at pleasure. In the engraving fig. 1 is a perspective, and figs, 2, 8, 4, sectional views of the improvements. Similar letters refer to the same parts. The sliding weights G, figs. 1 and 8, connecting rods, ^ and spiral springs, Y, constitute the governor or regula- ting apparatus. When the wheel revolves at Its maximum velocity, the weights, by centrifugal force are thrown out from the center, and the extremities of the rods, r, drawn closer together, which causes the wings to turn edgewise to the wind. The tendency of the mill now is to revolve slower and slower, until the tension of the springs shall overcome the centrifugal force of the weights, which will slip or draw them in towards the center again, and thus turn the wings flat to receive the wind, and give the mill, whenever the. wind is sufficiently strong, a uniform ve- locity, irrespective of the variation of wind and resistance presented to it. One weight controls three wings, by connecting one to another. To give the mill greater or less velocity it is only necessary to diminish or increase the tension of the springs, Y, which is done by turning the nuts, n, out from or in towards the center. To pro- vide against very strong and sudden gusts of wind, the wings are made wider on the back than on the front side of their bearings, so that they will turn back and crowd the weights out from the center, before the velocity necessary to do the same could be acquired. The stop-wheel, C, and the rods, Z, connecting it and the weights, constitute the stopping apparatus which, operates as follows :— Thus, suppose brake I (fig. 2) to be pressing upon the stop-wheel, and thus stopping, or rather holding back, said wheel ; while the main wheel turns on, then the point, 0, would rise to 0, or as far above the wind-shaft as now it is below it, and thus throw m i\ 138 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Mat. out the weights from G to ^, and turn all the wings edge- wise to the wind, causing ihem to stand still until the brake is released ; the brake is made to operate by means of a weight hung upon cord h. This governor and stopp- ing apparatus, it will be seen, revolve with and constitute a part of the wind wheel, and are independent of every other part of the mill, thus making the wind-whell alone self-regulating, and almost self-stopping, in spite of the gale. By means of the brace, M, and collar, S, together with the iron bar, R, the strain of the mill, in its tendency to be blown over, is brought on the bottom of the post or standard as well as on the top. If the mill were sus- tained by a continuation of the spindle, P, a distance down into the post, the whole mill, by the peculiar action of the wind, would acquire a rocking motion, placing the spindle and post in danger of being broken off, which liability is wholly prevented by the above arrangement. Rotary motion is transmitted from the wind-wheel to pulley V, by gearing, in the usual manner. We have from time to time published so many engra- vings of improved windmills that our readers are, no doubt, quite familar with their general construction, and it is, therefore, unnecessary for us to enter in a further detail of the present machine. It is sujQBcient for us to say that its parts are simple ; they are nearly all made of strong iron, so as to be very durable. Many of the parts are provided with adjusting screws, wherby a pro- per degree of tension may be secured ; the machine may also be taken down, removed, and put up again very easily. These mills are sold at prices ranging from $60 to $800, according to size. For the lowest sum a machine is furnished having about the power, during a pleasant breeze, of one man. The inventor is the author of an interesting treatise entitled **The Wind as a Motive Power." -••*- SPECIAL MANURES. The past Spring I procured several barrels of pou- drette, for the purpose of testing its utility for top- dressing, purchasing at the same time several other articles held in high repute for the same purpose. In order to give the several substances a fair trial, I selected a piece of poor soil which had been cropped in grass for eight years, and which, the previous season, had produced less than nine hundred pounds of hay per acre. From this land I removed all the stones and other impediments that could possibly obstruct the operation of the scythe, and then rolled it with a loaded roller, to make it as even as possible before applying the dressing. The experiment patch was one acre which was accurately divided into eights. On the first division, I spread in April, six loads, of thirty bushels each of stable manure, perfectly decomposed. After spreading, the roller was again applied. Nothing more was done till the crop was harvested. On the second division, I put the same quantity of compost, formed of swamp muck, wood ashes, quick-lime, gyp. sum, and chip-manure, the relative proportions of the several ingredients not being ascertained, and applied the roller as in the previous case. The third was dressed with half a cwt. of poudrette, broad-casted evenly by hand ; the fourth, with half a bushel of gypsum ; the fifth with guano, thirty pounds ; the sixth with superphosphate, thirty pounds : the seventh with five bushels of hydrate of lime (slacked lime) and the eighth with night-soil, which had been deodo^ rised by the admixture of quick-lime and sulphuric acid, — the quantity used being as nearly as I could ascertain, twenty bushels to the acre. The grass on all these took an early start, and came forward vigorously, with a most luxuriant development of foliage, which was sustained till the grass was cut. From the very first appearance of the blades, however, until the introduction of the scythe, the divisions manured with the stable dung and the compost, took and maintained the lead. The former was the best; the grass being finer and far more dense ; but there was an obvious superiority in length, in favor of the latter. It was also of a deeper green. The division manured with poudrette, presented a very fine appear- ance till the grass shot out for heads, when its vigor suddenly diminished. The gypsum acted, as it always does, with energy, producing a fine, thick carpet of verdure, sprinkled throughout with trefoil, although that excellent grass had not been noticed on the land, or in the immediate vicinity for years. The fifth sec- tion, dressed with thirty pounds of guano, being some- what less even than the others, did not present 80 uniform an aspect, probably in consequence of the guano having been washed from the more elevated points, to those more depressed, where the luxuriance of the grass was astonishingly great, much of it lodging before flowering, and suflering in consequence, to an extent probably of from ten to twenty per cent. On the part where the superphosphate (De Burg's) hid been applied, the quantity thirty pounds, there was an early start and vigorous and well«sustained growth until the blossoms began to issue from the bud, when it suddenly ceased growing its subsequent growth being small. The hydrate of lime acted with energy, as the soil was of that peculiar character which renders the application of this mineral always beneficial, being an ti- calcareous, and consequently deficient in those important and valuable mineral constituents which lime is known to supply. But on this piece, the vegetation was less luxuriant than on other parts of the field* and the grass was more wiry and less succulent when made. The night-soil vindicated its claim to the title of a most valuable fertilizer, and sent up a rich mass of foliage, w^hich made excellent hay ; but it was not equal to that on the portion manured with stable dung, and somewhat inferior to that produced on the compost department both in quantity and quality. The crop was cut and made on the same day, and when tho- roughly dry, it was weighed with care by a person wholly disinterested, and on scales officially sealed the day before they were used. The weight of the several parcels was as follows, viz. : — The form of the deposit is moulded by the interstices 1866.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 139 No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, No. 6, No. 6, No. 7, No. 8, it i< SOU lbs. 254i 216 2004 * 240i " 250 *• 20Ii ** 219! it This experiment I shall repeat next year on on acre of similar soil, and with the same scrupulous accuracy as to the results that was observed in this case. C. — Germantown Telegraph. OSAGE ORANGE-HEDGING. The following article was prepared at our request by Mr. John M. Liggett, a cultivator of hedges residing in Fairfield, Iowa, and contains in as brief a space as possi- ble all that is essentially necessary to know in regard to growing the Osage Orange. — Iowa Farmer. THE SOWING. First, it will be necessary to get good seed, but as the buyer cannot know much about it in advance, he will have to take his risk with the use of such sagacity as he is supplied with ; but new seed is always preferable.— Sow as early as the weather is settled and the ground warm. Soak the seed in tepid water a long while, say some three or four days ; pouring off then the water but allowing the seed to be wet, keeping it in a warm room for two weeks, unless it begins to crack and sprout, in which case sow immediately. Sow the seed in a bed completely prepared, as for lettuce or peas, in drills about as thickly as peas, or perhaps a trifle thicker. Let them stand one year, ^hen they will be ready for the hedge row. TBANSPLAMTING. The place where the hedge is to be planted must be cultivated. That is, a strip of land of say four or five furrows wide, should be broken in season, and got ready as for corn. — Hedge plants will no more grow in the sod than any cultivated crop. The last plowing of it should be done a few days before the setting, so that it may settle, otherwise it will do so after the hedge is put in, and leave the necks of the plants naked, and this will prove fatal to multitudes of them. Take the precaution also that no water stand on any part of it. After the plants are taken up, assort them ; that is, put such together as resembles each other in size and thriftiness, and throw out the poorest. Then trim the plants, by cutting the roots to a length of six or eight inches, and the tops to an inch or so. The plants should be set from 4 to 6 inches in single row. Next take the directions of Mr. C. R. Ovennan : — "Prepare a " grout" or mortar, by mixing equal parts of cow dung and clay, well beaten together, make it thin enough to admit the roots, dip the roots into the puddle (a handful at a time,) see that all parts of the roots are coated with it — keep each class separate. — Next dig a sloping trench in the ground, lay the plants in straight, ^ith the roots even, the top above the surface, sift fine dirt amongst the roots, and cover with dirt two inches deeper than the top of the roots, tread the ground firm about them, and if the weather be dry and wmdy, sprinkle twice a week. In this condition let them remain a few weeks, and when vegetation commences, they will bf ready to set out in the hedge row. Plants and trees thus trenched will start much earlier than when planted at once. When ready to plant, or when the buds have expanded, and the leaves are half an inch long, we consider the plants in the best condition to set. We have practiced several modes of transplanting, and will recommend the one we think the most expeditious, AMv. and certain. — The implements used are a hedge line, a transplanting trowel, and a rake with iron teeth ; any light strong cord will answer for a line, but something like a strong chalk line is best ; it may be stretched tight, and spots made on it with red paint, the distance apart you wish to set the plants. It should be at least ten rods long for convenience. The ends are to be tied to stiff stakes, three or four feet long. The trowel is a steel blade, about ten inches long, and three inches wide, taper- ing towards the end in an oval shape. It should be a fourth of an inch thick in the middle, and tapering to an edge at the sides; and in order to scour and work well, it must be ground and well polished, a curved shank is attached to the upper end, on which a wooden handle is placed horizontal to the trowel, and in a line with the edges. «* A time when the ground is moist, and the weather cloudy is preferable for the planting. When all is ready for the work, reset the stakes, (if they have not been left standing,) where they first stood at the ends, by these, set as many intervening stakes, as may be necessary, exactly in range; do not forget that the beauty of the hedge depends greatly upon the straightness of the line. Rake the ridge down level with the surface, taking out the coarser clods, &c.; for about the distance the hedge line will extend, stretch the line tight, and set it exactly in range of the row of stakes, three inches from the ground ; three or four sticks, yr'iih hitches cut in them, and stuck down at intervals along the line, will serve to keep it steady. As it is easier to work on your knees, you will therefore require thick pads on them. Take the trowel in one hand, place it opposite a spot, and thrust it down its whole length, press it to one side with a twist, and with the other hand insert the plant, two inches deeper than it stood in the nursery. Raise the trowel and put it down an inch from the plant, as deep as before, give it a twist towards the plant, which will fasten it at the bottom; and in this way proceed to the end of your line, when another section may be raked, and the line removed. Finish by treading firmly each side of the plants, and your hedge will be planted on * scientific principles.* " The remainder of the work will consist principally in cutting, though the weeds should be kept down by culture till the hedge is out of the way. The cutting should be commenced as soon as the plants are vigorously under way. The Osage may be cut at any time, and will im- mediately shoot out and grow as if nothing had happened. Listen to no talk about plashing or bending down, but cut. The first season, perhaps one cutting, say about the first of August, would do ; but the second, the hedge should be cut back three times at least ; once in the spring before it starts, once in June, and once in August. This cutting is what makes the hedge; it will cause it to I M nKl 140 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Mat. m i4 thicken up at the bottom, till it is as impervious as a stone wall. The first cutting should be to within two or three inches of the ground; the next to within six inches of the first ; and so on, leaving it about six inches higher each time. The cutting may be done with a scythe, a sickle, or a splashing instrument sold at the Agricultural Hardware stores. It is accomplished with great rapidity ; a man will cut miles of it in a day. Those who allow their hedges after setting, to take care of themselves, and to spindle up into brush must not complain that the Osage Orange will not make a hedge, any more than those who sow wheat in the prarie grass, that wheat will not grow on the praries. — 4«» ROOT CROPS. To secure, in the most economical and appropriate way, a regular supply of roots for a whole winter several kinds, should be raised. The common white turnip cannot be kept in good condition much beyond the end of December or beginning of January. A calculation should therefore be made as to the amount likely to be needed until about the first of January, at the rate of from a peck to half a bushel each per day for cows and cattle, and a propor- tionately less quantity for sheep ; and enough of land be sown with some variety of the common white turnip to secure a supply for the period just named. As an aver- age crop of white turnips ranges from 600 to 1,000 bushels per acre, a calculation can be made on this basis, the yield being likely to correspond in quantity to the condition of the soil and the amount of care and labor which can be spared for the cultivation of the crop. For the supply of roots for the remainder of the winter, ruta bagas alone will answer, or what would be better still, there may be ruta bagas, mangolds, carrots, parsnips, sugar beets, in almost any proportion. Any of these, if well stored, will keep in good condition as long as roots may be wanted. Were nutritiveness alone regarded, ruta bagas or some other of the roots last named, might be used during the whole of the winter season. But, though white turnips contain less nutritive matter, this is counter- balanced by their requiring less manure or a less rich soil, or, in other words, by their leaving the soil with a greater supply of ammonia for the wheat or other crop, requiring ammoniacal supplies, which may follow on the same land. Another advantage of the white turnip crop is that it requires a shorter season to bring it to maturity than any of the other roots. It may be sown as late as August, or after wheat, peas, early potatoes or other early crops have been removed from the land upon which it is to be raised. And still further, as a recommenda- tion of this crop, it may be raised in a sufiicient quantity for the supply of stock on the majority of farms by sow- ing the seed, when the weather is showery or the soil is not suflfering from drouth, between the rows of Indian com. The com, we believe, will suflfer no injury ; and if more turnips are thus raised than are likely to be needed until January, they may be left unharvested, and sheep turned in on them late in the fall. — Country Gentleman. i.»«^ ;* ofrJtintrlv und decidcdlv hereditary. [TO Bl CONTINUED,] . -ff -^ VARIETIES OF CGRIT. The following description and enumeration of the va- rieties of corn is taken from the transactions of the New York State Agricultural Society. The principal varieties of Indian Corn cultivated in the United States are distinguished by the number of rows or grains in the cob, and the color, shape and size of the kernels. They may be classified as follows : TELLOW COEN. The colors of the varieties coming under this head are dependent mainly on the shades of the oil as seen through the epidermis or hull. 1. Golden Sioux, or Northern Flint Com.— Derived from the Sioux Indians, in Canada ; having a large cob, rather short as to length, with twelve rows of moderate sized grains, abounding in oil, and is regarded as one of the best varieties for fattening animals, or for human food. By skilful tillage, 130 bushels have been raised to the acre, weighing 9,216 lbs. in the ear ; when dry, 76 lbs. of ears gave a bushel when shelled. Several valuable hybrid varieties have been produced between the Sioux and King Phillip, the Gourd- seed and the Sioux. 2. King Philip^ or Eight-rowed Yellow Corn. — So called after the celebrated Indian chief of the Wampa- noags of that name, from which tribe the seed was ob- tained. The ears which contained only eight rows are longer than those of the Golden Sioux, and it will yield about the same quantity of oil. It is a hardy plant, which belongs to a high latitude, grows to about nine feet in height, stalks small, ears from ten to fourteen inches in length, much esteemed in New England as a substantial article of food, where it has been cultivated from times anterior to the landing of the pilgrims. 3. Canada Corn, or Eighteen-rowed Yellow, — This com, which is smaller, earlier, and more solid than any of the preceding, contains more oil than any other variety, ex- cept the rice corn, and the pop-corn, properly so called. It is highly valuable for fattening poultry, swine, &c., and is grown by many in gardens for early boiling or roasting when grown. Notwithstanding it is very pro- lific in ears, it is seldom planted in fields, except in re- gions where the larger kinds will not thrive. 4. Button Corn. — A variety first brought into notice in 1818, by Mr. Samuel Dutton, of the State of Vermont. The ears of corn from which it was originally selected, on an average were from eight to twelve inches long, and contained from twelve to eighteen rows. The cob is larger, and sometimes grows to the length of fourteen or fifteen inches, but the grain is so compact upon it that two bushels of small ears have yielded five pecks of shelled corn, weighing 62 lbs. to the bushel. With proper management, an acre of ground will yield 100 to 120 bushels. As it abounds in oil, gives a good yield, and ripens early, it has always been a favorite variety for culture in the Northern States. 6. Southern Big Yellow Corn. — The cob of this corn ia thick and long, the grain much wider than deep, and the rows unite with each other ; their sides fall oflf almost to a point ; this gives the outside ends of the grain a circular lorm, Wmvn imii^o.»5« .~ v~.- — — -rr-"- *»>v« somewhat resembling a fluted column. The grain con- tains less oil and more starch than the Northern flint kinds, yet its outward texture is somewhat flinty, solid and firm. It comes rather late into maturity, afl'ords an abundant yield, and is much used for fattening animals; mixed with either the white gourd varieties, the yellow gourd seed is produced which is often mistaken for an original form. 6. Southern Small Yellow Com.— The ears of this sort are more slender, as well as shorter, than the last named variety ; the grains are smaller, though of the same form; of a deep yellow, more firm and flinty, and contain an abundance of oil, which renders it more valuable for the purpose of shipping or for feeding to poultry or swine. Although it is less productive than the big yellow, it ripens earlier, and consequently is sooner out of the reach of the autumn frosts, WHITE CORN. The varieties which constitute this division are ex- ceedingly variable, both as regards their composition and size, as well as in their yield and times of coming to maturity. 1. Rhode Island White Flint Corn.— The grains of this variety are about the size and shape of those of the Tus- carora corn, but diff'er from them in containing an abun- dance of a transparent and colorless oil, which may be easily seen through their clear pellucid hulls. The far- inaceous parts of the grains are white, and, as the quan- tity of oil which they contain is large, the flour or meal is more substantial as an article of food, and less liable to ferment and become sour. In Rhode Island, where it produces an abundant yield, it is a favorite gram and stands in high repute for human food. 2. Southern White Flint Corn.— The kernels of this variety are considerably smaller than those of the pre- ceding, and much resemble them in shape ; but they are more firm and solid, contain more oil, and consequently more valuable for feeding poultry and swine, and for human food. Although the cob is smaller in proportion to the size of the ears, the yield per acre is less abun- dant, and consequently it is but very little grown. 3. Dutton White Flint Com.— A variety not differing materially from the Yellow Dutton corn, except in the color of its soil. • 4. Early Canadian White Flint Com.— CultiTftted principally for early boiling or roasting while green. 6. Tu8carora Com.— A. variety obtained from the Tus- carora Indians in the State of New York. The ears contain from twelve to sixteen rows of grains, which tf* nearly as deep as they are broad, of a dead whitish co o on the extreme end, composed entirely within of P^ 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. U1 lehite dextrine and starch, except the germs. As it con- tains neither gluten nor oil, it may be profitably em- ployed in the manufacture of starch. It is much softer and better food for horses than the flinty kinds, and, if used before it becomes sour, it may be converted into an excellent bread. It is also an excellent variety for boil- jog, when green, or in the milky state. 6. White Flint Com. — The ears of this variety contain twelve rows of rather white, roundish, thick grains, which are filled with a snowy white flour, composed principally of starch, but does not contain either gluten or oil. It is much used in gome parts of the country, particularly New Jersey, for grinding up with buck- wheat, mixed in proportions of four or five to one of corn, in order to improve the color and other qualities of the buckwheat flour. As it possesses similar properties as the preceding variety, it may be profitably employed for the same purpose. It is also an excellent variety for boiling, when green. 7. Virginia White Seed Com. — The ears of this com which are not very long, neither is the cob so long as those of the big white or yellow flint, contains from twenty-four to thirty-six rows of very long, narrow grains, so soft and open in texture that they will not bear transportation by sea, unless they are previously kiln dried, or completely excluded from the moist air. These grains, at their extreme ends, are almost flat, and grow so closely together, from the cob to the surface, they produce a greater yield tlian any other variety, in proportion to the size of the ears. They contain more starch and less gluten and oil than those of the flint kinds, and from their softness, they serve as better food for horses, but are less nourishing to poultry and swine. The color of this variety is almost white, unless it has been crossed with other kinds, which may be invariably known by a small indenture in the ends of the grain, when perfectly dried. The oily and glutinous parts of the Virginia gourd seed always occur on the sides of the elongated grains, while the starch projects quite through to their summits, and by contraction in drying, produces the pits or depressions peculiar to their ends. This va- riety is later ripe, though more productive than any other kind. 8. Early Sweet Com— This variety was introduced into Massachusetts in 1779, by Capt. Richard Baguall, of Plymouth, from the country bordering on the Susque- hannah, on his return from the expedition against the tribes of the six nations, under the command of Gen SuUiyan. There are two kinds of this corn : one with the cob red, and the other white. The ears are short and usually contain eight rows, the grains of which When mature, are of a light color and become shrivelled and appear as if they were unripe. It contains an un- usually large proportion of the phosphates, and a con- laerable quantity of sugar and gum, though but little arch It 18 extensively cultivated in the vicinity of "es for culinary purposes, and serves as a delicious re : " "T^'^ «'"''*• ^*^«*^ quantities of this com raK ^^ ^'^""« *°^ «^*^^^"«' ^^^'^ ^««°. Bepa- ShakL L'''''. ^""""^ *^' '^^' ^°^ kiln-drying, by the 8tate in ; ''^' '"'"• ^^ '' *^«° Vr^^^ry^ in its gre^n ^^ ^ tin cans, hermeUcally sealed. Preserved in this manner, you have apparently a fresh dish of corn at any season of the year. 9. Rice Com. — A small variety with small conical ears, the kernels terminating in sharp points, which give it the appearance of a burr ; the kernels of the siae and shape something like rice. It contains more oil and less starch than any other kind, and when ground, its meal cannot be made into bread alone, but is dry like sand. From its oily nature and peculiar size, this corn is pecu- liarly adapted for feeding poultry. 10. Pearl Corn. — Commnnlv callA/) n'^v\-<'A«>T« f«.^m «t.a fact of its being used for popping or parching ; large quantities of which are sold at the railroad stations, to the passengers, throughout the country. The ears of this variety are small ; the grains are round, of various shades of color, the white of a pearlish appearance, and contain, with the rice corn, more oil and less starch than any other variety. Its flavor is pleasant, when parched, for which purpose it is generally used, and it forms an excellent dish when hulled and boiled. 11. Chinese Tree Corn, — This variety was first brought into notice by Grant Thomburn, of Astoria, near New York, some twelve or fifteen years since. The origin of this com, it is said, was a kernel found in a chest of tea, and from that single one was propagated. It is a pure white variety ; a very handsome ear about ten inches long ; ten rows ; grain very closely set ; long and wedge form, well filled out to the end of the cob ; some of the grains slightly indented. One peculiarity of this com is, the ears grow on the end of the branches, hence its name, " tree com." It is said to yield from one-fourth to one- third more than the common varieties. When ground into meal it is handsomer and better flavored than the common varieties of white corn. It is also an excellent variety for making hominy, samp, &o. There are gen- erally two ears on a stalk, and often three ; sometimes there have been found four ears on a stalk, although the last mentioned number is rare. There are many other varities of com, but the fore- going embrace pretty much all the varieties worthy of cultivation. ••► For the Farm Journal. STEAM vs. HORSE POWEE. Versailles, Ky., March 24, 1856. Messrs. Editors:— My attention has just been ar- rested by the communication of your correspondent "H. P.," on the subject of " Steam against Horse Power," with the request from yourself that I would as far as practicable answer his queries. I shall take much plea- sure in doing so, and hope the interest I feel in the mat- ter, and the vast importance of the subject to our great agricultural interest, will be sufficient apology for the length of this article. Soon after putting my engine to work, I furnished the Editor of the "Valley Farmer" with a communication on the subject which may find its way to the public. Since then I have given steam a more thorough test and made the most satisfactory additions to my then stock of experience. I herewith enclose one of the Messrs. Woods' circulars, from which you may learn all concerning size, weight, cost, &c., &c., of the portable engines they make. i\ 'PI n 1 ■ 1 I ■"■ I '■ \m TIGHT BINDING if 148 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Mat. IT I .. I > 1; For eight years past there has been no doubt in my own mind of the immense advantage of steam over horse power for agricultural purposes. The only question with me was, can the substitute be made with economy ? Now I think it can, and feel perfectly assured that steam will very soon be regarded as the farmers best and most reliable help ; and that the time is not far distant when horse power for driving the machines now in general use on our farms, will be considered obsolete by every intelli- gent farmer — numbered, among the things that are past, and only to be heard of in the hands of a few incorrigi- ble •' old fogies," — croakers, whose feelings and preju- dices, in spite of reason, and the evidences of their senses, incline them constantly to regard progress and improvement as uncalled for innovations, wild experi- ments, a sort of extravagance which results from a de- siie to get rich too fast, and which must have a ruinous effect. There is scarcely an innovation, I find, of which our so-called plain common sense practical farmers have so perfect a mortal dread as a steam engine for farm purposes. They look upon it as a thing full of death and destruction. Fire and water, and the dreadful ex- plosive effects of steam, are terrors to which they are not easily reconciled, to say nothing of the enormous cost of the machine, its liability to break and get out of order, the expense of running it, and the very short time they imagine it will last. These objections, in my judgment, are purely imaginary — they have in reality no force, in fact, do not exist. There are several manufacturers, who are making different styles of portable engines. I much prefer the one I have, made by A. N. Wood & Co., to any other with which I am acquainted. It is strictly portable, stands on an iron truck, which, however, I do not consider of sufl&cient advantage to justify the additional cost, and, unless the wheels are very firmly blocked, they will be considerable vibratory motion when the engine is at work. I shall not attempt to give you a description of the plan and arrangement of the engine, the circular I send you will furnish some information with regard to that, and should any one wish to know more, I will cheerfully furnish a minute description. I will only say that it is admirable for its simplicity, its perfect workmanship, and the strength, durability, and completeness of the whole. There is but little room, it seems to me, for improvement in it. I only regret that all of your readers who feel an interest in the matter, could not satisfy themselves of its great simplicity, and the ease with which it can be managed — even by the most inexperienced hand — by seeing for themselves, rather than from any written description. My engineer is a negro boy, who had never even seen an engine before ; he was no mechanic, nor a genius of any sort whatever, yet in three days he learned to run it perfectly well, and now I consider my engine as safe in his hands as would be any other piece of machinery on my farm. He can keep it clean and all the working parts well oiled, and in this respect the wants of an en- gine do not differ from those of an}' other machine. The water must be kept up to a certain point in the boiler — he knows there is danger in neglecting this ; and when the water guage shows a sufficient quantity, it matters not how hot the fire is, nor how rapidly the steam ij generated, all is safe— just as much so, I feel, as though the engine were a tea-kettle, for you allow the safety valve to retain in the boiler only so much steam as you know it will safely bear, the rest blows off and is harm, less. True, accidents may happen— so they may with any other machine — all I mean to contend for is, that with proper care, and the same attention^ accidents need not be any more common, or more serious in their resultj with an enpine, than any other machine, or at least with many others, against the use of which danger is an ob« jection not generally urged. Now for the labor of running it — for this only om hand is required ; he can run the engine, keep up the fire, oil the' parts, and do all that is necessary about it, with the greatest ease. Should there be no pond, spring or cistern, just where it is most convenient to place the engine for working, a small boy can, with a barrel on i slide or pair of wheels, supply it with water even from a distance of a quarter of a mile, in a few hours. I have run my eight horse engine all day, and consumed but four barrels of water and one-fourth of a cord of wood. If pushed to its utmost capacity from daylight until dark, it will consume a little more. My engine has been in use since the middle of January last — not a screw loon yet. It works with as much regularity and precision, and as smoothly, as a patent lever watch. My principal work has been preparing food with corn crushers and straw cutters for one hundred head of mules and about one hundred head of cattle and horses. With one of Sinclair's cylindrical screw propeller cutters, 1 1 have cut up a four-horse wagon load of oats in twenty- two minutes^ and one hundred and seventy-seven large bundles in fourteen minutes, not using more than one- third of the power of my engine. I consider Sinclair's straw cutter one of the most efficient now before the public. I use a com or cob crusher, made by John A. Pitt?, of Buffalo. I have tried and seen tried many others, but none of them are at all comparable to it, in my judg- ment, either as regards efficiency, durability, or conve- nience. The one I have has been in use for four years, and when the steel plates or knives are worn out, a net set can be put in at a trifling cost. Driven by my little engineer, it easily crushes thirty bushels of corn in the ear per hour, making finer meal than I have ever seen made by any other crusher. I am now making my own meal with one of Isaac Straub's corn mills, the '* Queen of the South." These mills are too well known to need any commendation from me. The size I have is a twen- ty-two inch burr, for which my engine proves to be in admirable power. For threshing it is unequalled. I have Just given it a most satisfactory trial with one oi Moffitt's patent eight horse separators, manufactured by- Messrs. Owens, Lane & Dyers, of Hamilton, Ohio. Tw machine was put in operation under the direction of Mr. Owens, who came over from Ohio especially for tb« purpose. He expressed his decided opinion, that the eiigine was far superior to any horse power he has eT« seen applied to one of his machines. Mr. Straub, of Cincinnati, has contracted to fumi^k me with one of his portable saw mills— "the King of the Woods " — which, driven by my engine, he guarantee* 1868.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. 149 irill cut fifteen thousand feet of plank per day, in our hard wood — maple, ash, oak, elm, &c. I feel perfectly assured that there is not a machine in use on our farms, to which power of any sort can be applied, which this portable engine will not drive, and prove the most effi- cient and also the most economical power. I shall apply it to shelling corn with Reading's patent corn sheller and cleaner, Emery's cider mill, and other machinery. I must not fail to call attention also to the great util- ity of the engine in steaming food for stock. A steam gate and pipe leading from the dome to the steaming box or trough is all that is necessary. After the work of crushing or cutting is done, the amount of steam re- maining in the boiler is sufficient to cook a large quan- tity of food. I have for nine years used horse power for all purposes to which I have lately applied steam, and my experience so far satisfies me that steam has greatly the advantage in point of economy, and I now offer all my horse powers for sale at gi-eatly reduced prices. You will see from the circular I send you, that the price of these engines varies from $226 to $836 for from 2} to 18 horse power, consequently they are within reach of the smallest as well as the largest farmers. I may add that these engines with proper care, ought to last from two to twenty years, at very trifling expense for repairs. Say my engine cost me, on the ground ready for work, $800 — one hand, $1 per day — one-quar- ter cord of wood, 30 cts. — 4 barrels water, 25 cts.— - smaU quantity of sperm oil, 26 cts.— in all, $1,80. These are the only expenses chargeable to the steam power. On the other hand for an eight horse power, the figures would stand thus in this vicinity : 8 No. 1 horses with gears $150 each, $1200— sweep power from $126 to $160— one hand to drive them, $1— expense for oil, 25 cts.— food for eight horses, $2 per day. According to my figures, the comparison will stand thus : Investment for horse power, $1350.00 Expense per day, 3 25 Investment for engine, $800.00 Expense per day, j gQ An ordinary horse threshing power run ten days every year, would perhaps last with great care ten years-it IS not often they reach that with us. I have never had a horse threshing power that did not cost me more for repairs in one year than I expect my engine will in two : ^y engine, I am satisfied, if run three hundred days in fie year, with unimportant repairs, would last for ten }ear8-that is, the ordinary sweep horse power will wear urn running one hundred days, the engine will easily a«t three thousand. Horses are liable to all sorts of deuts. They may die and away goes the capit^il. >e engine even when worn out is worth a considerable power tW """''' ^' "'"^ ^" "'^"^^ ^'^ '^'^^ 0^ l^orse P er that every farmer has of necessity to keep so ^i^r:T.^' ''^^^ '" ^'^ p^'-^^^^ '' -^^i-ting fur^ ; ''"' '^'^' ^^"^^ ^''''' «^« «"ffic.ient to Ico i ?r' '"" '"""« "" "^^ machinery. That ^ill keen 1 "" f'"' '"^'^^^'- ^' ^^^^omical farmer ^^^\ZTl- ^''''' '^^^ are absolutely necessary course of 1 ''\ ^^^^« "^*^ ^^^^^ ^e times in Z K Bix «/''y7^'^ '^' farmer could spare one, two, ' «^^. or eight horses, from his carts, wagons o^ plows, for a few days, but even then would it not be better and more economical to suffer those horses to enjoy a little license, to recruit their flesh and strength, and would they not amply repay the owner for their holiday by the greater amount of work they would be able to do in the wagon or plow? But, for the sake of argument, let the answer be no, still, I contend, they could only be a partial substitute for the engine. We want a power for cutting straw, crushing, grinding, shelling com, sawing wood, «c., avaiiabie every day in the year, and ready for use just when such work needs to be done, and ought not to be compelled to wait till the plow horses are idle. My communication is already too long, and I must stop. I shall take pleasure in furnishing any other in- formation in my power, concerning the engine and its operations. I will only add that it receives the commen- dation of every one here who sees it. I am, yours respectfully, Jos. A. HrMPHREYS. Sumner's Forest, near Versailles, Woodford co., Kj. *%* EFFECTS OF GREEN CHOPS. The proportion which green crops bear to each other with respect to weight of produce, and also in respect of exhausting the soil, if it be drawn from the weight of vegetables that is raised from the land : Mangel wurzel, 25 Cabbages, 25 White turnips, 15 Potatoes, J 5 Kohl rabi, j.j^ Swedish turnips, 13 Carrots, jj This mode of judging is quite opposite to the com- monly received opinion. By taking the weight of nutritive matter which is produced from a given space of ground, as the standard from which to judge, the re- sults are very diflferent, and will be found to agree with daily experience, or at least the common opinion ; Potatoes, g3 Cabbages, 25 Mangel wuriel, 28 Carrots, 24 Kohl rabi, jy Swedish turnips, jg Common turnips, 14 — Farmer's Magazine. <•> For the Farm Journal. THE FARMEBS' HIGH SCHOOL OF PENNSYLVAIHA. The eyes of our whole people seem to be all at once opened to the advantages of a specific course of instruc- tion and practice for agriculturists. The sisterhood of States lying between the latitudes of Kentucky and Minnesota are with one accord establishing agricultural "schools," "departments," and " colleges," mostly on experimental farms, and their acknowledgments to Penn- sylvania for setting the example are quite flattering. How insignificant are all other and secondary offices to the great primary one derived immediately from the Ruler of the World, who places man naked on this thorny n TIGHT BINDING Ui Ji THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Mat earth, wholly helpless if untaught, but capable of ac- quiring and applying knowledge and skill to an infinite extent, and, through it, of subduing all the difficulties with which he is tried, and of making the earth produce, instead of thorns, all things " pleasant to the eye and good for food !" Men everywhere, and in all ages,, after winning and possessing all the honors of station, of office, or of em- pire, express longings to return to the culture of their paternal acres, and acknowledge themselves most happy, when, disencumbered of all their trappings of servitude to man, they stand in the open air and sunshine of their own fields, God only above them recompensing exertion and bestowing or withholding favor, themselves his im- mediate agents and dispensers of his bounty to the flocks around them and to all classes of their fellow creatures. How can a man be too intelligent, or too liberally or generally enlightened for such a position ? Why should he grovel as if a slave, so that toil is to him— trouble, and pleasure — pain ? Better days are dawning upon the world than it has ever known since Adam was expelled from Paradise ; and among their ameliorating influences are the lifting up of the unjustly despised and down trodden. It is seen that the firmer has been held in this class, and that the whole world would be gainers by acknowledging his true standing, and honoring and elevating that labor^ upon the wise and thorough application of which de- pends the supply and the quality of the daily bread of mankind. The position of Pennsylvania, as first to found and establish an institution for the express purpose of accu- mulating full means and opportunities of giving thorough and practical instruction to youth in all that pertains to the most successful culture of the earth, is worthy of her surpassing resources. Hitherto, she has relied, like many a farmer, on the natural fertility or mineral wealth of her estate. It is well to see her now reaching for additional and higher good. The ground, selected in Centre county, for the practi- cal and experimental farm, on which the buildings are now located and work commenced, is admired by all who have seen it. Those who have heard disparaging re- marks from quarters where disappointment has fallen, are among the first to acknowledge its complete and handsome adaptation. It is equally convenient of access from all parts of the State, being midway between the river and railroads of the West Branch and the Juniata, and also between, and quite near to, the two projected railroads crossing from river to river through Bald Eagle and Penn's Valleys. It is on an elevated limestone table in the middle of one of the richest and most extensive vallies in the State, and commands a wide and cheerful view. It is in a neigh- borhood unexcelled for orderly habits and moral conduct, and secluded from the haunts of the idle and depraved. The soil varies somewhat over the four hundred acres, but is wholly loam, of limestone clay and sand in vary- ing proportions ; jnost of it has been cleared but a very few years, and a large extent is virgin soil once cropped ; it is of prime quality for the growth of fruit and grain in perfection and abundance. The quality of the air is of more importance to the students than even that of the soil. And in this respect a more eligible situation certainly could not be found. While so elevated, it is protected from the violence of northwest winds by the inclination of its surface to the southeast, by a thick grove of pines, white oak, &«., immediately sheltering the gardens, orchards, and build- ings, and by the main ridge of the Allegheny, which lifts its pine-covered crest at a distance of about twehe miles, whence blow pure, bracing, baim-iaden breeieg, cool and refreshing in summer, broken and moderated in force in winter. Many a youth, enfeebled by the impure air of confined rooms, crowded cities, or miasmatic lowlands, may find his body strengthened, as much as his mind improved, by the moderate out-door exercise in actual labor, which the trustees of the institution propose to require from all who will be admitted. Very respectfully and truly, Boalsburg, Pa., March 20, '66. Wm. G. Waring. ••• SMALL OR LARGE POTATOES. [continued trom page 110.] We have then in the potatoe an article, improved no doubt by cultivation, increase in size, with flavor and qualites given to it, that fit it and make it usefnl, and always necessary for the food of man ; yet at the same time it is m.ade, by the processes that render it so im- portant, more delicate, more liable to disease. It is important that this should be remembered and duly con- sidered, as its being kept in mind or its neglect, strength- ens or weakens every practical eff'ort. So far the pota- toe has been regarded as an extremely hardy plant, re- quiring and deserving very little attention from the cultivator. As it grew with little care in all soils and under all circumstances, from the equator to almost the extreme north, producing abundantly even under care- less hands, it very naturally was little considered, its general returns being always regarded as certain, and anticipated as matters of course. It was, however, at the same time regarded by the observing as precarious and variable in its yield ; but as there was no scarcity in its quantity, and the markets were fully supplied, neither the producer or the consumer were dissatisfied. Now this state of things has much changed— a rise in the vegetable's value has made men feel its worth. The capacity for producing has not kept pace with the capa- cily for consuming ; discontent has followed, and this has set the mind of the speculator and the hand of the producer hard at work. The one is looking to causes; the other is bringing about results. The one is doing his best to give a reason ; the other all he can to coa- tend with a reality. The one is investigating a power; the other is managing a fact. Both seem gradually coming to the same conclusion, that they have up to the present time known very little ; that they have moved along so far, neither directed by good reason or guid«<» by science. It is true that nothing is more difficult than to follow or endeavor to trace the operations of nature, silence and mystery of her movements baffle the hes minds and their utmost scrutiny. The action of climate and the influence of soil are nearly completely unknoin» 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 151 to us. By what process of reasoning could any mind have come to the decision that a vegetable, whose native home was in a warm and dry climate, would come to the highest perfection, and yield its largest crop, in one comparatively cold and damp, yet it is a fact, we believe, that better potatoes and heavier yields are grown in Ireland than in any other country. There, under a cultivation by no means the nicest, and managed by a people by no means the most industrious, the potato has , t.,r.nA iinaiipnaactpd in niialitv. and in Quantities almost fabulous. It grew in reclaimed and drained bogs, on high and exposed situations, near the storms and damps and chills of the sea. It became the staple and the staflF of life to her people, gave an inordinate stimulus to the growth of her population, its failure brought famine, and thousands, who on an extremely small piece of land, with very little effort and as little skill, had kept life within their veins, were swept from the earth. The world drew its conclusions from this misfortune. The political economist explained to men that it was more than absurb to rely on a single article of food ; and the agriculturist became alive to the fact, that nature sometimes withheld her resources, and was not always disposed to repair the ill- treatment, the in- juries or the stupidity of men. <» For the Farm Jonnal. THE STATE AORICITLTUBAL 80CIETT. [The present condition and future prospects of our State AgriculturaJ Society are subjects deserving the closest at- tention of thotie who feel interested in the agricultural wel- fare of Pennsylvania. We say its present condition, because rumors of a painful character are afloat— rumors well calcu- lated to cause a feeling of anxious apprehension, and which, if well founded, deiunnd prompt and immediate action on the part of those who have the control of its affairs. It is well known that the expenses of the last exhibition so Urgely exceeded the receipts, that the balance in the trea- sury of the Society is very trifling compared with what it wa? a twelve month since. In fact it has been so materially reduced as to make it a question whether there is a balance at all in its favor.] The above extract is the commencement and pith of an editorial article, preceding the treasurer's (Mr. (Bucher's) annual statement, in the March number of the Farm Journal, which, if left uncorrected, is calcu- lated to do great injury to the State Agricultural Society, as well as injustice to its officers. Doubly so indeed, from its appearing in the Journal adopted by the Society aa ite official organ. How the editors, with the treasu- rer's sUtement before them, could so entirely miscon- ceive its meaning, it is difficult to comprehend, unless, iu the hurry of business, they overiooked the note ap- pended to the statement containing the investments of the Society. It was expected so palpable an error would be promptly corrected in the succeeding number, but, instead of this, a communication was inserted, calculated to confirm the erroneous impression made by the article in question. It therefore seems necessary now to make this correction. If the reader will turn to page 92 of the March num- ber, he will find the treasurer's statement of the account ot the fiscal transactions of the society for the year «ndmg on the third Tuesday of January last, or more properly of - George H. Bucher in account with the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society." In this state- ment Mr. Bucher charges himself with all the money received during the yeart amounting to - $25,774 46 And credits himself with the payments, *« per vouchers," 24,351 22^ Leaving a balance of money in the Treasury of 1,423 23 J He adds in a note the investments of the Society, viz. : Harrisburg and Lancaster Railroad Bonds - $6,000 00 VyaniBie l>uroujjju x^uuvtS, - - - Hazelton Coal Company Bonds, Philadelphia City Bonds, - • - A AAA AA - 2,000 00 - 1,000 00 Amount of Society's Funds Invested, - Add Balance in Treasurer's Hands, - Total Funds of the Society, - $13,000 00 - 1,423 23J $14,423 2^ Thus it will be seen that, instead of its being question- able " whether there is a balance at all" in the Society's favor, or, as is stated in another part of the editorial under consideration, "less than fifteen hundred dollars in its treasury," it has nearly ten times the amount there stated. It is quite probable the account is not stated as it would be by a Philadelphia book-keeper ; it is, however, none the less accurate, and is perhaps as easily under- stood by plain farmers as if it had been more methodi- cally arranged. Even professional book-keepers differ in their manner of keeping and stating accounts, and Mr. Bucher should be allowed the privilege of keeping his in his own way. The principal departure in his statement from the usual form, is not placing in the body of the account the investments of the Society. It may be observed in explanation of this, that these funds were invested as directed from time to time by the Ex- Committee^ and although holding the bonds therefor, he cannot use them or convert them into money without the order of the Ex-Committee. Hence, in his statement of the year's financial operations, he only includes as ** bal- ance in the treasury," the unfunded cash in his hands — in other words, the amount for which he is personally and directly responsible. That the expenses of the last exhibition somewhat exceeded the receipts is true, ^his result is to be re- gretted. It was produced by a combination of causes beyond the control of the *' Committee of Arrangement" or of the Society. The exhibition of the New Jersey Agricultural Society at Camden, of the New York Agri- cultural Society at Elmira, held at the time of the open- ing of the railroad connections for the coal fields of Pennsylvania, with the New York and Erie Railroad at that place, when a free passage was given to all who chose to go, took off large numbers, while the excessive rain on the latter days of the exhibition was an effectual damper on the desires of spectators in and around Har- risburg. To these potent causes may be added the fact, that the novelty of State Agricultural Fairs is beginning to wear away. The Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society, unless possessed of elements of success superior to that of any similar organization, must not expect every exhibition to be profitable (pecuniarily speaking) to itself. The TIGHT BINDING 152 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. m { [Mat history of senior State Agricultural Societies proves this ' fact. Even the New York Agricultural Exhibition held ; two years ago in the city of New York was ». financial, failure. The Society is not a monied corporation. It was not instituted for the purpose of amassing wealth. It boasts a nobler object, and I submit that its having a few thousand dollars more or less in its treasury, is no criterion by which to judge of its usefulness or pros- perity. 1 WttB eurijr tji6 euiturD tciu uuustrniueu iar» »v^»^ jiu <* a*..x< OAt^W. IftUQ T 4'kn»> 845 «4 443 when dried at 212° I weighed them again to find what each had lost. I found that — Soluble. Insoluble. Grains. Grains. 1000 grains of uncrushed seed, boiled one hour, gave •-- -...*- 185 1000 grains of crtished and boUed, gave - - 475 845gral>i3, crushed and boiled again one hour, gave --- 851 625 grains, recrushed and boiled, gave - - 83 This and other experiments of the same kind, from which I obtained similar results, made it quite clear that the unbroken seed was able to resist, to some extent, the action of boiling water ; but it was still possible that the nutritive matter contained in the seed might be ex- tracted during digestion. I accordingly had a certain quantity of seed boiled two hours, and given whole to our young beasts. The herdsman was then directed to wash a portion of the dung and examine it closely. A certain portion of the seed was in this way found to have passed through the animal whole, and after being well washed and dried, was compared with a portion of the seed which had been boiled, but had not passed through the animal. 500 seeds digested, afler boiling two hours, weighed 27 and a half graliB. 500 seeds boiled two hours, weighed 27 and three tenths grains. 500 seeds fresh, weighed 38 and a half grains. To make it still more certain that the seed which had undergone the process of digestion was still of value, Mr. Thompson had a portion of it from the dung of a horse crushed and boiled, when 100 grains gave 81 soluble and 19 insoluble. In this experiment it was found that a considerable quantity of the seed had been crused by the teeth of the horse, as there were numerous skins of seeds mixed with those that were still whole, and in all cases where the skin was broken^ the whole of the kernel was gone, thus showing that the gastric juice hM the power of fully dissolving the kernel, whenever the seed is crushed, however roughly. INDIANA COUNTY AORICULTXTRAL SOCIETY. Messrs. Editors : — The following is a list of the names of the officers of the Indiana County Agricultural Society for the year 1 855, the first fair. President — Hon. Thomas White, Indiana. Vice-Presidents: — William H. Coleman, Jacob Gamble, Samuel S. Marshal, Hugh M. Speedy, Moses T. Wark, William Evans, Adam Johnston. Corresponding Secretary — Jonathan Row, Indiana. Recording Sec. and Treasurer — George Shryock, Indiana. Librarian — .7. H. Litchlebugn, Indiana. Ajiditors — Daniel Stanard, Esq., Isaac Watt, Esq., John Sutton, Esq. Receipts for the year 1855, - - $1,160 81} Expenditures «* «« - - $1,106 95t Your*8 truly, Indiana, Feb. 20th, 1856. Geo. Shbyock. 1866.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. 153 ,^ DONKA MABIA 8d. Red and white : bred by and the property of T. P. Remington, Philadelphia ; calved August 10, 1850 ; got by Belvedere (A. H. B., 244) ; out of Donna Maria 2d, by imp. Yorkshireman A. H. B., 189) ; imp. Donna Maria, by Buckingham (E. H« B., 1755); Lucky, by Corinthian Tom (921) ; Lady, by Young Dimple (971) ; Lady, by Young Comet (905); Cherry, by Favorite; Old Cherry, by Goldfinder (1075). <•»• DOKXA MARIA 4th. tof r A '^v^ ^^^^^ ' ^'^^ ^^ ^^^ *^® property of T. P. Remington, Philadelphia ; calved May 9, 1854. Got by Lord Barring- Do -m' ^*' ^^^^ ' ^"* ^^ I^ouna. Maria 3d. by Belvedere (A. H. B., 244) ; Donna Maria 2d, by Yorkshireman (189;) imp, onna Maria, by Buckingham (E. H. B., 1755) ; Lucky, by Corinthian, Tom (921) ; Lady, by Young Dimple (971); Ladj, / ioung Comet (905); Cherry, by Favorite; Old Cherry, by Goldfinder (1075), mi\ lU THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER [Mat IMPROVEMENT IN GRAIN MILLS. Jl- . NEW METHOD OP FEEDING GRAIN. The common method of feeding mill stones consists in simply dropping the grain through the eye of the upper or running stone, and allowing it to fall of its own gravity upon the lower stone. Thence it finds its way in between the two stones and is ground. This plan is objectionable owing to the fact that the grain is likely to fall against the sides of the eye of the upper stone, and in consequence of the centrifugal force of the stone, to remain here, accumulate, and at last clog up the aperture. This is more particularly the case when the grain is a little damp. The object of the present improvement is to avoid the diflSculty named. This is done by conveying the grain down to the lower or stationary stone by means of tubes which pass through the eye of the upper stone. Referring to the engraving, A is the upper or rotating mill stone, and J the lower or stationary stone. C is a hopper, from whence the grain drops down through the stationary tube, F, into the tube H, and thence on ta the lower stone. All contact of the grain with the eye of the upper stone is thus avoided. The tube, H, revolves with a wabbling motion, being connected at its upper end with tube F, by a universal joint, and its lower end passing, through a strap connected with the bail. I, of the upper stone. The lower end of tube H is thus caused to sweep around in a regular circle, and deposits the grain evenly upon the lower stone. Small burr stones, with increased number of revolu- tions, are gradually taking the place of the large and slower moving stones. But one of the objections here- tofore attendant upon the use of small stones, is the adherence of the grain to the upper stone, by reason of the centrifugal force. The apparatus we have de- scribed works with the same effectiveness, whether the speed be slow or fast. Indeed, it will feed the grain with regularity under all circumstances, and is particularly useful where the motion is irregular, in consequence of the presence of ice upon the water wheel, &c. The above appears to be an excellent improvement. It will commend itself, by its simplicity and utility, to the attention of millers, and no doubt find a very extensive adoption. It can be applied, for a trifling sum, to the mills in common use. It is the invention of Messrs. M. & C. Painter, of Owing's Mills, Md., -••^ AGBICULTITRAL FUBLISHBRS. It is an item worthy of note that New York con- tains the only publishing house in the United States, indeed in the world, which devotes itself exclusively to the publication of agricultural works. This house is that of C. M. Saxton & Co., which was not long since moved into commodious rooms at No. 140 Fulton street, near Broadway. Here they keep a complete assortment of agricultural works, and a reading room supplied with all the agricultural and horticultural journals of Europe and America. Their list of publi- cations comprise nearly one hundred different works embracing the whole range of farming, gardeningt planting, &c., &c. Mr. Saxton founded the house some nine years since, and for seven years has confined himself directly to the speciality we have referred to. It argues well for the intelligence of the agriculturists of this country that they require so large an establish- ment to supply them with publications bearing upon the diversified interests of their occupation. 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. 195 WILLIAM ». COATES, IMPROVED PATENT OBLIQUE METHOD OF CUTTING ALL KINDS OF STALKS. The above engraving illustrates the " Oblique mode of cutting, for hemp, com, sugar-cane and cotton stalks, invented by Wm. B. Coates of this City. The Machine is intended to run between, or around the outside of the rows, and to lay the stalks, in bundles, at stated distances. When it is desired to clear the ground early the machine can be used to cary off a load of stalks at a time and thus obviate the necessity of laying in bundles. A, A. Is the main frame. B, B, are two driving wheels supporting the back of frame. 0, is the outrigger, this can be raised or lowered no as to allow the stalks to be cut high or low. D, is the drivers seat. e,e, are two small wheels, supporting the front of main frame and playing under it. /, is a lever for throwing the machine in or out of gear. H, is a crank to move the arm M. K, K, Are two spur wheels connecting with two pinions (not seen). C, is a double motioned connecting rod. M, is an upright arm to move the shaft N, right or left. N, is a lateral and semi-rotary moving shaft, the peculiar movement being derived from the action of a screw cam on its right end (not seen). P, Is a curved tooth, or finger, with a cutting edge inside, and can be shifted, along with W, to the right or left, to suit the width of rows. This part plays in a slot in C— Q, Q, are two boxes (one seen) for shaft N, to play through— K, is an iron sliding rod on which the upper part of the stalks rest, after falling in the frame X, X. S, is a seat for the operator, or one man can drive and operate— f, is a spring for throwing back the catching rod R, w, is a lever for throwing the catching rod to the right, W, 18 a curved spring, to allow a certain number of stalks to be cut at one blow of the chopper. It can be moved laterally to permit two or more stalks to enter between It and the inside edge of P. The two curved arms of /)^» and P, also allows for any irregularity in planting. ^» X, are two sides of the catching frame. L, L, are two long eyes on the bottom and back parts of ' ^' ^^^ ^^e rod R, to play in. The two pieces, com- posing the back part of X, X, are raised up some two feet from the ground, at the part where the rod R, is placed, so as to make room between the rod and the ground, for the bundle of stalks to drop and let the rod close again. Y, is a pair of shafts or a tongue, n, Is a chopper on shaft N, made to slide along so as to be easily adjusted to suit P. The cut shows the corn stalks about entering between the two curved arms W and P. The chopper n, has a lateral and rotary motion of nine inches, and strikes quick and powerfully, cutting at an angle of 22 degrees and then abears along the inner side or cutting edge of P. The stalks are prevented from slipping off of P by a shoe, and being between the sides of frame X, X, they slide down the inclined sides and the tops rest on the sliding rod R, while the butt ends fall on a roller, back of the chopper (not shown in out.) The weight of stalks on the ground, when the rod R, is drawn back, draws the butt ends of the roller and the bundle falls to the earth. The present arrangement, of one chopper, will answer for corn, sugar-cane and cotton, but, when hemp is cut, or any broadcast crops, several straight teeth will be required, cast in one piece, to slide on outrigger C, aud several choppers to suit. It was intended to make this mode of cutting applicable to all crops with a view to have it the farmers* friend ; but believing it to be very near perfection for such heavy crops, it is now offered to the world as a simple and effective cutting medium. For further information address William B. Coates & Co., No. 152 North Front Street. «•* Board Fencing. — A correspondent of the Prarie Farmer, asserts the superiority of board fencing, over any other kind, on the following grounds. First, its uniformity, preventing any attempt of the cattle to jump over it, or break it by getting their head through it &c., Second^ the small amount and lightness of material makes it desirable where timber is scarce. Tkirdt the decidedly handsomer appearance which it presents than the unsightly rail fencing. r m m 15< THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. (Mai For the Farm Journal. In reply to the article on seed potatoes, page 110, by Dr. A. L. Elwyn, my experience has been such as to convince me that large ones are decidedly the most advantageous for planting. The larger the potatoe the larger the piece may be cut that contains the eye, and it follows that the stronger the tuber will grow. I once tried the experi- ment of planting one row with pieces that contained onlv one eve eanh. THp rAAnIf rma on *«iw «««<. over those cut the usual way, though planted at the same time and manured alike ; and I think that any observing farmer will admit that where he finds the strongest tubers he finds the largest potatoes. I admit that the midling sized potatoe will raise a midling crop, if it is a good year ; but if a dry season, he who plants small ones will be sure to reap the same that he planted ; but in three out of four seasons if planted with large ones you will get a good crop or I am mistaken, but as some farmers have different soils on their farms and by changing from one to the other they may succeed for a while ; but my word for it if continued, the planting of small ones for 3 years you will meet with a failure ; such at any rate is my ex- perience for the last thirty years. J. E. 0. Ashland Farm, Schuylkill Co., lith. Month 12.] Since pursuing the above course, I have not logt one tree that was not too far gone to recover, and no new deposits under the covering have come to my notice. — Horticulturist' -0f MANAGEMENT OF HARD-PAN SOILS. •••> THE APPLE TREE BORER. I have suffered from the effects of the ** Apple Borer," having lost some seventy beautiful trees duriog the space of three years. I made use of all the preven- titives suggested by others that I could get hold of, but all to no purpose. I came to the conclusion four years since that the tree must be protected by a cover- ing, in order to prevent the little animals from making a deposit. My process was this, and so far successful to the extent of the covering. Early in May, which is the proper time for this region, I examined every tree, and if nits or grubs were there, I followed them with a knife and removed them. I lifted the earth from the collar or base of the tree to the depth of two or three inches, and made use of worn wool bags, of little value, for wrappers, which, when cut into strips, are very convenient. I commenced two inches below the surface, and wound to the extent of two feet, giving the tree two thicknesses of sacking, and securing the same with slender twine. I then replaced the earth, and the work was done for the season. It is necessary to loosen the sacking or covering early in May every succeeding year, and wrap the tree again as above stated. If the animal is prevented from piercing between ** wind and water," its favorite haunt, it examines for some available point, but his depreda- tions with me, have been exceedingly rare, and when committed, easily detected. Should it be necessary, it is an easy matter to wrap the tree to and around the forks, as there is nothing effectual short of a com- plete protection. I see in the 8th November number page 301, of the Country Gentleman, an inquiry relative to hard-pan. In mv humhlP' nT^inion thTf* is nn heHe»* wa^'^ '*'>»• *'«- to derive great advantages from agricultural papers, than to ask and answer questions, and that frequently and freely ; but our friend from Harwington, Conn, wants you or some " scientific corespondent'* to an- swer. There appears to be some difiiculty here; however well many others might, with myself answer practically, we cannot do it scientifically. Perhaps we have never seen a crucible. We know nothing of chemistry connected with agriculture. However, as I have introduced the subject, I will try to answer it — not what the hard- pan spoken of is composed of, but the best method to decompose it, and make it per- vious to air and water. If the gentleman means that the hard-pan is one and one-half to two feet below the surface soil, as is the case in many places, he cannot do much with it, nor will it do much harm : but if he means that the first one and one-half to two feet is hard-pan, like frozen ground, then it is a hard job, and such as I have never seen any attempt made to till. I have seen and improved land, having helow the top soil of four, five, six or seven inches, as many or more inches of hard-pan. Wherever the plow will reach the hard-pan, the deeper it is broken up the better ; and the only proper time to do it is late in the fall, after the earth has become well satura- ted with the fall rains. Although I am opposed to wet plowing in the summer, I dont care how wet, late in the fall, when not to be worked or sowed in the fall. I have found that five good horses — three in one plow and two in the other — the first turning a furrow of 17 inches wide and 10 to 11 deep— with the second plow, either a subsoil or narrow two-horse, go as deep as possible. I have used in preference, the two horse plow, for the reason it exposes more of the subsoil to the action of the frost. What thousands and thousands of dollars would Jack Frost be worth to many farmers, if they could only give him something to do. He works cheap— he asks nothing. All the men in the world, cannot make such a machine. Just let him look at this hard stiff subsoil and hard-pan. Throw it down on the surface, and he wmII tear and mollify it, and make it pervious to water and air. It will then become friendly, and mix up with the adjoining, and so deepen the soil and improve it. I don't know of one farm in Frederick County, but would pay three or four times what it would cost to subsoil it properly. It not only gives a greater range for the supply of food for plants, but in case of great rains it will sink down, and not lay on the surface to scald the grain and bake and harden the earth. It is surely well known to 1866.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 167 every ma" of observation and experience that to raise larjre crops there must be a deep rich soil, and where ever there is a tenacious stiff clay near the surface, that cant be done. Much depends on the nature of the soil, whether the deep fall plowing will benefit so much or not. If the land is composed of a large pro- portion of sand and alluvial clay, being pervious to water, it may be plowed deep at any time. But where there is a large proportion of stiff clay, and above all if there be hard-pan, by all means turn it to Jack Frost very deep, any time from the first of November to new- years. Wm. Todd. Utica Mills y Md,— Co, Gentleman, -~t9^ NEW YORE AGRICTJLTURAL COLLEGE. The Legislature of New York has passed a bill, to loan to the New York State Agricultural Society $40,000 without interest, for the purpose of aiding in the purchase of a farm, and the erection of buildings for a College. The citizens of Ovid, Seneca County, have raised $40,000 additional towards the object, and, there is no longer a doubt in regard to the establish- ment of an Agricultural College, and model farm in the Empire State. The State of New York, has also erected for the use of the Agricultural Society, and the State Collection of Natural History, a spacious new building. It is represented as an imposing edifice 81 by 50 feet, with a wing 68 by 40 feet, the whole four stories high. One-half of the principal floor of the main building is devoted to the Office and Library of the Agricultural Society. The lower floor of the wing is a Lecture Room and room for meetings of the Society, and the hall above — consisting of three stories, with two galle- ries on all sides — is for the Society^s Museum or Agri- cultural Collection. It is lighted in part from the roof, and is a spacious, convenient, and even elegant apart- ment. No such provision in behalf of agriculture has been made in any other part of this country, as New- York has here made, and persons who are well ac- quainted in Europe, state that nothing equal to it exists there. STATE SHOWS, American Pomological Society, at Rochester, Canada East, at Three Rivers, Canada AVesf, at Kingston, Illinois, Indiana, at Indianapolis, Maine, Michigan, at Detroit, New-Hampshire, New-York, at Watertown, North Carolina, at Raleigh, ^^'^% at Cleveland, United Sates Agricultural Society, at Philadelphia, 1856. Sept. Sept Sept. Sept. Oct Oct Sep. Oct, Sept Oct Sept 24 16, 17, 18 23, 24, 25, 26 30, A Oct 1, 2, 3 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26 28, 29, 30, 31 30, A Oct 1, 2, 3 8, 9, 10 30, A Oct 1 2, 3 14, 15, 16, 17 23, 24, 25, 26 Cot 7, 8, 9, 10 PENNSYLVANIA STATE AGRICULTXTRAL SOCIEIT. The Quarterly Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society was held at the office of the Society in Harrisburg, on Tuesday, tho 15th instant. Members present— Messrs. James Gowen, Professor S. S. Haldeman, John Murdoch, Jr., John McFarlaud, William Heister, Isaac G. McKinley, Thomas P. Knox, James Miles, John Strohm, George M. Keim, Abram R. Mcllvaine, H. N. McAllister, John S. Isett, Henry Gil- bert Amos E. Kapp. John P. Rutherford. Jacob S. Hal- deman, A. 0. Heister, Simon Cameron, George H. Bu- cher, A. Boyd Hamilton, and Robt. C. Walker. James Gowen, President of the Society, was called to the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and ap- proved. The resolution passed on the 17th July last, appro- priating ten thousand dollars to the Farmers' High School, was so amended as to authorize the President of the Society to draw his warrant on the Treasurer for the whole amount of the appropriation at one time, and was then passed finally. It being the time for the election of Treasurer and Recording Secretary, George H. Bucher was elected Treasurer, and Robert C. Walker Secretary, for the en- suing year. A Committee consisting of Robt. C. Walker, George H. Bucher, John S. Isett, John P. Rutherford, and A. Boyd Hamilton, was appointed to receive proposals for holding the next Annual Exhibition. James Gowen, John Strohm, H N. McAllister, Thos. P. Knox and A. Boyd Hamilton, each made a report of their success in growing potatoes from tubers received C. E. Goodrich, New York, which were ordered to be printed in the next volume of transactions. After transacting some matters of business, the Com- mittee adjourned. Harrisburg, April 16th, 1856. <•» . PLOWING TABLE. Messrs. Editors : — The following table of the dis- tance travelled by a plow team in plowing an acre of land, and the quantity of land worked in a day, at the rate of sixteen or eighteen miles per day of nine hours, was prepared by John Morton, a distinguished friend of agriculture, and may not prove uninteresting to your readers :— Breadth of Furrow Slice. Inchei. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Space travelled In Plowing an Acre. Miles 14 l-8th 12 1.4th 11 9 9-10th8 9 8 1.4th 7 1-2 7 6 1-2 6 ]-6th Extent Plowed per Day at tbe rate of ]8 Miles. Acres. 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 l-4th 1-2 3-4th8 4-6ths l-5th l-3rd 1-2 3 -4 th 8 9-lOths 16 Milc«. Acres. 1 l-8th 1 4th 1-2 3-5th8 1 1 1 1 3-4th8 1 2 2 2 2 9-lOths MOth l-4th 2-5th» .3-5ths Your plowing readers will now be enabled to know precisely how many miles they travel in each day's plowing. T. P. P. ill 1(S THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. / [May PHILADELPHIA, MAY, 1866. SDITOB'8 TABLE Ryb Grass It is to be regretted that the Talue of Rye or Ray Grass is not more generally understood by farmers. That our climate is eminently adapted to its growth, has been practically demonstrated in more in- stances than one, and sufficient evidence of its value is found in the fact, that English agriculturists regard it as decidedly the most valuable of all grasses, whether for pasturage or forage. As an illustration of the estima- tion in which it is held by English and Scotch farmers, and the rapidity with which it became an established fsivorite, we learn that in 1831 the Messrs. Lawsons, of Edinburgh, first imported 160 bushels of seed from Hamburg. The year following their importation was 320 bushels ; in 1836, 1,000 bushels. From that period until 1840 they imported 5,000 bushels annually; and in 1850 their imports exceeded 25,000 bushels. It will be remembered that the Messrs. Lawsons had no mono- poly of the article ; almost every other seedsman in the country imparting larger or smaller quantities. From these facts some idea of the agricultural im- portance of rye grass may be obtained. The character- istic prudence of English farmers in the permanent adoption of any variety of the grasses, is prominently shown here ; and the very general cultivation of rye grass in almost every section of their country, is one of the most striking evidences of its value. If, then, rye grass holds so important a place in the estimation of those who have tested its merits so fully, why should its cultivation not be as general with us as with English farmers ? There is but a single objection which could with any show of plausibility be urged against its earlier introduction into extensive use — non- adaptation of climate. But, fortunately, practical ex- periment has demonstrated that this obstacle is no ob- stacle at all ; that our climate is eminently adapted to itg growth, and that all that is necessary to render it as popular and valuable in the United States as in England, is a thorough understanding of its merits. Early maturity is one of the most striking qualities of this grass. It is asserted on good authority, that by sowing it in early spring two good seed crops have been obtained the first season. This appears scarcely credi- ble, and yet we have no right to doubt the veracity of the writers upon whose authority the assertion is made. But giving it credit for only half that is asserted in its favor in this particular, and it becomes a more valuable grass than any now in cultivation with us. Rapid reproduction is another of its good qualities. As many as seven good crops have been obtained in a single season. This wonderful reproductiveness was of course the result of judicious applications of liquid and actively stimulating manures ; but it is a well ascer- tained fact, that with ordinary cultivation from two to three crops per season may be relied upon. An English writer says of it: — ** Its adaptation for the food of domestic animals is shown by the partiality they manifest for it, either alone or when mixed with other grasses ; whether when used as green food for soiling, as hay, or as pasturage, in which latter stnte its stems are never allowed to ripen and wither like those of other grasses; and its favorable influence on the dairy produce is becoming duly appreciated in Britain, as it has long been in its native districts of Northern Italy. Its hardiness or capability of withstanding ex- tremes of temperature is obvious to the British culti- vator, from its retention of verdant freshness throughout the winter, as well as in violent summer droughts, which on dry sandy and gravelly soils, occasionally burn up and wither the ordinary gramineous vegetation ; but it is only in continental countries, where the winters are severely cold, and the summers excessively warm, that it can be appreciated to the fullest extent. And its en- durance of heat and drought has rendered its intro- duction one of the greatest vegetable benefits lately conferred on the Australian and other tropical and sub- tropical colonies." As a grass for dairy purposes it ranks deservedly high. In the districts of Lodi, where the far-famed Parmesan cheese is manufactured, Italian rye grass forms almost the only food of the dairy cows. In the United States, and particularly in Delaware, those who have cultivated it to any extent give it a decided pre- ference over any other grass. A Delaware farmer, who has had it in cultivation for several years past, has put in nearly one hundred acres of rye grass this spring, and as a commentary upon its character in that State, we note the fact that some of the finest cattle and sheep that have ever been brought to the Philadelphia market were pastured upon rye grass. The Messrs. Reybolds, whose eminent success as cattle and sheep raisers is familiar to most of our readers, have given rye grass a fair trial, and one of the brothers assured us a few days since that they preferred it to all other grasses. The quantity sown to the acre is from half a bushel to three pecks, and the time of sowing either spring or fall, preference being generally given to the former period. We have, however, known it to be sown in June, with perfect success. Believing it to be a grass admirably suited to our pasture as well as hay districts, we hope that trials will be made during the present season, and results communicated for the Journal. Reformation in our Premium System. — We find in the Mark Lane Express a memorial presented to the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society by the princi- pal Agricultural Implement Manufacturers of England. This memorial corresponds so closely with our own, as well as the views of several of our correspondents, that we cannot forbear making an extract, which contains the gist of the whole. " We desire to submit to your consideration our view* on the present system of oftering individual money prizes for competition among the makers. We object to this system on the gr.ound that it operates as an undue stimulus to competition, tending less to the production of useful and practical machines, than to the developement of ingenious peculiarities, by which, with the aid of highly skilled manipulation, the prizes may be won ; but more especially is our objection taken on the ground of unfairness of its operation, having the 1866.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. IM effect of marking in a manner altogether disproportion- ate to the circumstances the appreciation of on«, to the depreciation of all other competitors, although, as fre- quently occurs, the merits of several may be fairly con- gidered to the equal. We are desirous to express our entire satisfaction with the resolution of the Council, at its meeting in Decem- ber for dividing the trials of implements into three sections, so as that each section may be tested trien- nially. This will greatly relieve the labors of the ex- • .. •»-_- «M^ «♦ 4ltA aavna ♦Iw'io olW>|»^ rkrkrK»*»*n»»i#w ^/>i» more deliberate judgment. We have no desire to lessen the severity of the tests by the instruments of your engineer, or by the close observation of competent judges ; but we are desirous that the reports of the judges, in such form as may express their approval, either entire or qualified (as the case may be), should be placed in the hands of the exhibitors before the general exhibition day, in substitution of the individual money prizes, as heretofore offered on the Society's prize sheets." We cannot but think that premium list committees will find some suggestions in the above extracts which might be turned to valuable practical account. The want of a reformation in our premium system has long been felt and acknowledged, and in some cases, efforts to bring about the needed reform have been made, but with only partial success. If the suggestions in the memorial in regard to the reports of the judges were carried into effect, very much of the ill feeling which usually follows exhibitions would be avoided, and the objects of the Society more effectually secured. The Unimprovkd Lands op Northern Pennsylva- nia.—It is a matter of great suprise that while the most energetic and persevering efforts have been, and are still being made to direct the attention of farmers and others to the agricultural value of the unimproved lands of the Western States, so little has ever been said or done in behalf of the millions of acres in Penn- sylvania which have not only never been turned by the plowshare, but of the very existence of which a large proportion of our people appear to be wholly ignorant. It is impossible to conceive that any thing like a correct idea of the character of the vast body of uncultivated lands lyingin the Northern tier of Counties in Pennsylvania, can be possessed by the community in general, or certainly, the sound of the axe, the wng of the plowman and the busy hum of industry would long since have been heard, when now the silence of the wilderness reigns. Year after year we Witness the departure from our midst of thousands of our most industrious and energetic farmers, men and women, whose enterprising spirit leads them to abandon the homes of their fathers to seek in the far west the ample reward which is almost certain to follow their well directed efforts. It is to these men and women that the western states owe their greatness. They 'iave ftlled the forests, subdued the praries, built and populated towns and cities, and constructed railroads and canals, until what was less there forty years ago, an immense wilderness is now one of the most flourish- ing sections of our country, or of the world. The eye of the enterprising and resolute young man is almost instinctively turned to this great region, and when a new home is sought, the west with its thousand in- ducements rarely fails to win a new inhabitant. The toils and hardships incident to western life have no terrors for him. With a confident and cheerful spirit he enters upon his labors ; and as if obstacles were only a fresh incentive to exertion, struggles onward until he is rewarded with the success he so richly deserves. But while it is pleasant to contemplate this triumph of men over difficulties which but a few years since seemed almost insurmountable, and while we should congratulate our western friends upon the unparallelled growth of their country in population, refinement and wealth, it becomes a question how far we are justifiable in permitting so large a number of our farmers to leave the state, carrying with them their wealth and energy, without a single endeavour on our part to direct their attention to lands equally cheap and fertile — as easily cultivated and certainly more convenient to the best markets which are now lying useless within our own borders. The Counties of Bradford, Susquehanna, Sullivan, Tioga, Potter, Lycoming, Warren, Elk Mo' Kean, Forrest, Clinton and several others abound in immense tracts of unimproved lands, which, if the agricultural value had been properly understood twenty years ago, would now be settled with a portion at least of the men whose labor and wealth have contributed so largely to the growth of the west. Had the agricultu- ral and mineral wealth of these lends been clearly de- monstrated, it is not reasonable to suppose that men would travel one or two thousand miles in search of a home, when their object could have been as fully accom- plished, and at no greater expenditure of toil and money, within less than one-tenth that distance. " With the hope of awakening a feeling of interest in behalf of this long neglected portion of our State, and with the additional hope that the effect will be supported by those who have influence, we propose presenting a few facts to substantiate the position assumed, viz, that there are millions of acres of unimproved lands in Pennsylvania which can be purchased as cheaply, and brought into cultivation as profitably, as any of the lands in the Western States." In furtherance of this object, we will be much pleased to receive from persons residing in any of the Counties named, or from thsoe familiar with their character any facts which will serve to throw light upon the agricultural, mineral or lumbering value of these lands. Nbw York Horticultural Retiew.— This publica- tion after a brief existence of six months has been dis- continued, and its subscription list transferred to the Horticulturist of Philadelphia. This latter excellent Journal is, we are pleased to learn in a highiy pros- perous condition under its present able editor and publisher. Il 160 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Mat. ii THE STATE SOCIETY. It seems that the article in relation to the ** Present Condition and Future Prospects of the State Society," which appeared in the March number of the Journal, has been entirely misconstrued, and our motives im- pugned in certain quarters. That article was prepared after a consultation with some of the warmest and best friends of the Society, and we are fully satisfied that no unprejudiced mind can construe a single line or senti- ment contained in it into any thing like hostility to the Society, or to any persons connected with it. Its tone is conciliatory from beginning to end, and its object, instead of discord or dissension, the promotion of good feeling and concentrated effort. We presume it is unnecessary for us at this day to disclaim every intention of injuring the Society. Let our course in regard to it, since its first hour of organi- zation, speak for us. We have ever been, and still are, its consistent friends, and will stop at no honorable means to promote its welfare. If we misconstrued the treasurer's report, it appears that we were not alone. By a reference to the annexed letter from Mr. Bucher himself, it will be seen that the error into which we fell, in regard to the actual amount in the treasury, funded and unfunded^ was a very natural one. And now a word in reply to the article over the signa- ture of *'A Member," in the present number. The writer is wrong both in his premises and conclusions. We never designed for a moment to either criticise Mr. Bucher's book-keeping or to question his integrity. In regard to the first, not the slightest allusion was made, while as to the second, we have only to say that the man who would attempt to impeach Geo. H. Bucher's cha- racter for integrity, knows hira less intimately than we do. We mean no flnttery when we assert, that there is no man in the Commonwealth whose uprightness of character stands on a fairer basis than his. *• A Mem- ber " should recollect that Mr. Bucher is merely the disbursing ngent of the Society, and pays bills only when properly authorized ; therefore, he is accountable only for the amount of monies received, not for their ex- penditure, when ordered by the Executive Committee. His vouchers are his witnesses, and they have always been satisfactory in the highest degree. A word more and we have done. " A Member " thinks our expression, "that painful rumors are afloat," ** the unkindest cut of all." We confess we are at a loss to understand the terrible import of those words. It must have cost the writer some little trouble to torture them into the meaning he has attached to them. We meant by them nothing more nor less than precisely what the words plainly express in the connection in which they stand. Rumors of all kinds were afloat. The condition of the Society was a subject of frequent comment, and we, in order to arrive at the truth of the whole matter, adverted to those " rumors." Not the slightest joersonaZ allusion was made. It was said that the treasury was nearly exhausted. To ascertain how far this was correct was our object, and that object has been accomplished. The friends of the Society will now understand its actual position, and we are very sure, rejoice with us, that it is in so much better con- dition than was supposed. Harrisburg, April 16th, 1856. Gentlemen : — Although I confess I was astonished at your introductory remarks preceding the publication of my account as Treasurer of the Penn State Agricultural Society, in the March number of the Farm Journal. Still I flattered myself, the statement I furnished you would not be misunderstood, as the certificate of the committee who had examined and approved it was appended, which stated the bftlancft in hands of Treasurer as $1,433 22i. a!§o that the investments were as stated $13,000. But since I received the April number of the Farm Journal I find a Life Member of the society has been alarmed by yonr remarks and as he was pained by the perusal of your article to which I refer, permit me if possible at this late day, to relieve him, by stating that the investments are precisely now as published in the statement furnished you. In my note accompanying the statement, I may have said the balance is not now quite so large, meaning the balance in Treasury, $1,423 22J as some bills had been paid out of it. If you understood it as applicable to the investments I regret the remark. Yours, Geo. H. Buchir. Since the above was in type, we have received the following additional : — Bucher's Mills, near Hogestown, April 21, 1856. Gentlemen : — My communication of 16th instant had been prepared some days prior, and though at the date, and even to this time, it embraced the truth with regard to the investments of the Pennsylvania State Agri- cultural Society, still, upon reflection, it strikes me I should have stated the Executive Committee (which had just been in session) directed me as Treasurer, to pay the Treaburer of the Farmers' High School Tea Thousand dollars, also an additional payment of about one thousand dollars, all of which must be made out of the present investments of the society. This explanation is due to those who are interested in the affairs of the Agricultural Society. Your Friend, Geo. H. Bucheb. «•» Fine Sheep.— Mr. George Hartshornb, of Locust Grove, New Jersey, has recently imported some very fine Southdown and Cotswold Sheep; four lambs were dropped by the Southdown Ewes on the voyage. He has also imported, five yearling Cotswolds, as an addi- tion to his long-wooled Sheep. Mr. IL, is an enter- prising breeder, and is entitled to much credit for the spirit he has manifested in this direction, and we have no doubt that his laudable efforts will be met with the success they so richly deserve. King Philip Corn. — This much boasted variety of corn, has its foes as well as friends. Some contending for its superiority over all other kinds, others declaring it wholly unworthy of cultivation. Our friend Dft« Becker of Schuylkill County has grown it with great success, and considers it admirably adapted to coW upland regions, where the seasons are short, and corn of the ordinary varieties, subject to injury from early frosts. TO FJlRJfiE RS. ••► SOLUBLE ALKALINE PHOSPHATES, WTTH FERITVIAN GUANO. THIS unequalled Ibrtllistng oompoand aa prepared by the manu* flusturer, by oombiohig in proportions freak hones dissolved in Bnipunc Aciu, wiw" •"«» K^— ••» »~ «««-.-«.^~— , -" 1 .u^.,— ^ .^..Q^v^M.^ Ac. and the best Peruvian Ouano, is now offered to ftrmers and others an article greatly superior to Peruvian Guano alone, and pos- geises many advantages over tbe Super Phosphate of Lime made in the usual way. In addition to the Peruvian Quano, the dissolved Bones contain more soluble Phosphates than the average of Mineral Pbospbates of Mexican Guano, and also all the Gelatine resulting from tbe solution of fresh bones in Bulpbnrfo Acid, adding greatly to its value, as the Gelatine (thirty-three per cent.) forms Ammonia after it is applied to the soil. Being very soluble and not volatile, the compoand may be used as a top-dressing for grass, grain or vegetables or iDCorporated with the soil in putting in or cultivating any crop. Put up in bags or barrels and delivered at the wharf or at any Of tbe railroad depots in Philadelphia, for forty-five doUart per ion OAU. A liberal discount allowed to agents and dealers. MAULE & DIXON, Agrnitn fbr the Manufacturer. No. 22 South Wliarves 3rd door above Chemut St. Fhila. HAD. have also for Sale Quano, Land Plastar, Super Phospl^te ofLim«,ftc TO FARRIERS A MECHANICS. COOPER'S IMPROVED NASCENT AND SOLUBLE PHOSPHATES OF POTASH^ AMMONIA, SODA, LIME & MAGNESIA, WITH PERUTIAN GUANO AND SOL- UBLE SILICA, ALSO SULPHATES AND OTHER SALTS THAT ARE REMOVED BY CROPPING, nanafactured by William Treg^o, UNDER THE NAME OF "SOLUBLE ALKALINE PHOSPHATES." The elements of thie oomponnd are tbe mine that I combined by arormula Dubliihed in the " American Farmer" aeverml years dnce. thiT2!^l*^ *°®^ "P®** ^^^^ *^ ''" »PPlieP' *^<1 ™y attenUon.hai since been caUed £iwSf^ u *K* °**"* P**'*' **»*■ K«» *o any other part of the WW, (although a luxuriant growth is generally neglected.) Peru- ^Uuauo done enables the farmer to crop severely and thus re- Itlniit?'"™®.^*? "'^^^"^y'^n* ^i" «>"• The Compound leaves "moetter condition after the most luxuriant crops of grain and mTTim«?K '•^ ^ ^^^ custom, I mixed a simUar Compound with SectemW ^^f^V*'^'* *P"»~* it M a top dressing on my wheat, last KE I '^ n^^® ^^^^ ^" harrowed in, and this sur&ce applica- c^p of n JK^''7**i*-^^*'y ^^^ weather, has resulted in so fne a tlmothv w ,^^.t*°**.'^^™®'*»y ^*^** ^ *°^^^ ™*^»°8 «»ot only the laTet&Zt'^'^^''^***^*^ **»« compound this autumn, and ▼ithhftif?h °/?^®^*°°SP««^«' *» **»* «l«*l distribution of all TheP«„,ii. n^^ *°^ *^°*« expended in one sowing of the field.— •idofl^n! ^^"*°®'*^"°^*^ equally distributed even with the cleared of fr^®'' »?^®" ^^ ^<>PP«' *« frequently and completely Treimh»;nKtT*,"*.".™P»**»**~^«°»^'»*« ** **« bottom, but Mr. th^ehamn r^^y" difficulty by passing the whole compound «ood aitiL ti?"^V*^°« * uniform powder, which I pronounce a Her^ftl * ?^L^P ^^ i ^* •'^P^® analysed by me wiU be endorsed with mj *^vapn Dy my agent who takes the sample. at m. ^. ^' STEWART, M, D., Chemist of the MtxyUad State AgrionltiuSl floofety. THESE Machines stand unaurpassed and without parallel as machinea lor the purpose intended, viz: spreading Lime Ashes, &c , and sowing Guano, Superphosphate of Lime, Plas- ter, or any such Fertilizer. They are simple, strong, durable, and adjustable to sow any desired quantity to the acre that larmers may desire. Any common hand am operate them. They are of very easy draft fbr horses or oxen, for which they are adapted. One or two hands and team can with ease do four times as much with the use of the machine as they could in any way without it, and in a manner for evenness wholly unimitable. No. 1 Lime and Guano Spreader combined, 5| feet wide Price at shop, t7ft. No. 2 Lime Spreader (not combined) is larger and stronger, 6 feet wide, $75. Guano Spreader, one horse, 5 feet wide, $40. '* *• two horse, 8i feet wide, $60. AGENTS.—PASCHALL MORRIS & CO., Philadelphia R SINCLAIR. Jr., & CO., Baltimore. Reference testimonial can be had by addreamng the following gentlemen who have machines in use : Maris Hoopes, Lancaster, Pa.; Simmons Coatea, Gap, Lan caster co., Pa ; Andrew Steward, Penning ton ville, Chester co.. Pa.; S. C. Williamson, Cain, Chester co., Pa.; Wm. C. Hoffman and Lewis G. Kemp, Frederick City, Md.; Henry Tell, Texas Baltimore co , Md. All orders or communications addressed to LEWIS COOPER Christiana P. O., Lancastejl Co., Pa., will meet with promp attention. 9y PATENT RIGHTS FOR SALE, April, 1856. THE LAWTON BLACKBERRY. HAVING accepted from Mr. Lawton the agency for this remarkable Fruit, we are prepared to ftimlsh plants at the following nOes: Half a dozen plants, - - • - • fS One dozen plants, . • . . • 0 Tlfty plants, IS One hundred plants, .... js Oareftilly packed and shipped from New Tork without extra chxu'ge The money should accompany the order. C. M. SAXTON ft CO., AgrlcQltaral Book Publishers, 140 Fulton Street, New York. Aprtl, lafe-lt THE DEVON HERD-BOOK V«l. III. THs sabscrlber is now ready to receive lists of animals for Insertion in the third volume of the Devon Herd-Book, to be published at as early a period in the year 1866, as a suAclent number of subscribers can t>e obtained to warrant tbe Issue. Terms— each patron is expected to take at least one copy, the price of which will be one dollar, and also to pay twenty-flve cents for the registry of each animal— registry tee to be paid in advance. All animals to be eligible for insertion, must be able to trace their descent from unquestionable North Devon stock on both sides. It will be recollected that there has already been published an American edition of the first and second volumes of the Devon* Herd« Book, bound together, with a frontispiece of the Quarterly Testlmonla ] and containing two handsome Dlustrations of English prize Devons.— The price for these two volumes will in future be two dollars. They will be forwarded as may be directed on the reception of the above sum 8ANF0RD HOWARD, American Editor of the Deron Herd-Book. Office of the Boston Cultivator, | Boston, Mass., March 1st. 18M. | 4C. WEST CHESTER AGRICULTURAL WORKS. A NEW ESTABLISHMENT, located at the Comer of UNION STREET and the NEW RAILROAD; where tbe subscribers are pre- pared to do most kinds of Casting and Fltting-up to order. Among our stock may be found Cooper's Improved Lime and Guano Spreaders Plows, Harrows, DriUs. Horse Rakes, Corn Shellers (for hand and horse power}, Sndl«M Chain PowexB, Threshers and Separators, Cultl^ Tators. Ac., Ac. _DAMON A SPSAKMAN, Jan. 18S6 WMt OheitM-, Chester Co.. Pa. 160 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Mat. THE STATE SOCIETY. It seems that the article in relation to the ** Present Condition and Future Prospects of the State Society," which appeared in the March number of the Journal, has been entirely misconstrued, and our motives im- pugned in certain quarters. That article was prepared after a consultation with some of the warmest and best friends of the Society, and we are fully satisfied that no unprejudiced mind can construe a single line or senti- ment contained in it into any thing like hostility to the Society, or to any persons connected with it. Its tone is conciliatory from beginning to end, and its object, instead of discord or dissension, the promotion of good feeling and concentrated effort. We presume it is unnecessary for us at this day to disclaim every intention of injuring the Society. Let our course in regard to it, since its first hour of organi- zation, speak for us. AVe have ever been, and still are, its consistent friends, and will stop at no honorable means to promote its welfare. If we misconstrued the treasurer's report, it appears that we were not alone. By a reference to the annexed letter from Mr. Bucher himself, it will be seen that the error into which we fell, in regard to the actual amount in the treasury, funded and unfunded, was a very natural one. And now a word in reply to the article over the signa- ture of " A Member," in the present number. The writer is wrong both in his premises and conclusions. We never designed for a moment to either criticise Mr. Bucher's book-keeping or to question his integrity. In regard to the first, not the slightest allusion was made, while as to the second, we have only to say that the man who would attempt to impeach Geo. II. Bucher's cha- racter for integrity, knows him less intimately than we do. We mean no flnttery when we assert, that there is no man in the Commonwealth whose uprightness of character stands on a fairer basis than his. '• A Mem- ber " should recollect that Mr. Bucher is merely the disbursing agent of the Society, and pays bills only when properly authorized ; therefore, he is accountable only for the amount of monies received, not for their ex- penditure, when ordered by the Executive Committee. His vouchors are his witnesses, and they have always been satisfactory in the highest degree. A word more and we have done. ** A Member " thinks our expression, "• that painful rumors are afloat," *'the unkindest cut of all." We confess we are at a loss to understand the terrible import of those words. It must have cost the writer some little trouble to torture them into the meaning he has attached to them. We meant by them nothing more nor less than precisely what the words plainly express in the connection in which they stand. Rumors of all kinds were afloat. The condition of the Society was a subject of frequent comment, and we, in order to arrive at the truth of the whole matter, adverted to those •* rumors." Not the slightest jwersonaZ allusion was made. It was said that the treasury was nearly exhausted. To ascertain how far this was correct was our object, and that object has been accomplished. The friends of the Society will now understand its actual position, and we are very sure, rejoice with us, that it is in so much better con- dition than was supposed. Harrisburg, April 16th, 1856. Gentlemen : — Although I confess I was astonished at your introductory remarks preceding the publication of my account as Treasurer of the Penn State Agricultural Society, in the March number of the Farm Journal. Still I flattered myself, the statement I furnished you would not be misunderstood, as the certificate of the committee who had examined and approved it was appended, which stated ♦Ko Kolnnoo in Viando "f TrfiiRurer RR ^1.4.^.^ 991 olo« that the investments were as stated $13,000. But since I received the April number of the Farm Journal I find a Life Member of the society has been alarmed by your remarks and as he was pained by the perusal of your article to which I refer, permit me if possible at this late day, to relieve him, by stating that the investments are precisely now as published in the statement furnished you. In my note accompanying the statement, I may have said the balance is not now quite so large, meaning the balance in Treasury, $1,423 22^ as some bills had been paid out of it. If you understood it as applicable to the investments I regret the remark. Yours, Geo. H. Buchee. Since the above was in type, we have received the following additional : — Bucher's Mills, near Hogestown, April 21, 1866. Gentlemen : — My communication of 16th instant had been prepared some days prior, and though at the date, and even to this time, it embraced the truth with regard to the investments of the Pennsylvania State Agri- cultural Society, still, upon reflection, it strikes me I should have stated the Executive Committee (which had just been in session) directed me as Treasurer, to pay the Treasurer of the Farmers' High School Ten Thousand dollars, also an additional payment of about one thousand dollars, all of which must be made out of the present investments of the society. This explanation is due to those who are interested in the affairs of the Agricultural Society. Your Friend, Geo. H. Bucher. «•• Fine Shbep. — Mr. George IIartshorne, of Locust Grove, New Jersey, has recently imported some very fine Southdown and Cotswold Sheep; four lambs were dropped by the Southdown Ewes on the voyage. He has also imported, five yearling Cotswolds, as an addi- tion to his long-wooled Sheep. Mr. IL, is an enter- prising breeder, and is entitled to much credit for the spirit he has manifested in this direction, and we have no doubt that his laudable efforts will be met with the success they so richly deserve. King Philip Corn. — This much boasted variety of corn, has its foes as well as friends. Some contending for its superiority over all other kinds, others declaring it wholly unworthy of cultivation. Our friend Db« Becker of Schuylkill County has grown it with great success, and considers it admirably adapted to cold upland regions, where the seasons are short, and com of the ordinary varieties, subject to injury from early frosts. TO FARMERS, -•••- SOLUBLE ALKALINE PHOSPHATESj WITH PERUVIAN GUANO. THIS unequalled fertilizing compound as prepared by the manu* lecturer, by combining in proportions freah hones dissoivad in o l. _ - * * J- T^-i.. _». SulDUric ACld, WllO tue c&iba ui AuiuiOuia, rviBou, oiKia, Magueaia Ac. and the best Peruyian Ouano, is now offered to farmers and others an article greatly superior to PeruTian Ouano alone, and poe* gessM many adrantages over the Super Phosphate of Lime made in the usual way. In addition to the Perarian Quano, the dissolved Bones contain more soluble Phosphates than the average of Mineral Fbospbates o^ Mexican Guano, and also all the Gelatine resulting from the fiolution of flresh bones in Sulphuric Acid, adding greatly to its value, as the Gelatine (thirty-three per cent.) forms Ammonia after it is applied to the soil. Being very soluble and not volatile, the compound may be used as a topdreosing for grass, grain or vegetables or iooorporated with the soil in putting in or cultivating any crop. Put up in bags or barrels and delivered at the wharf or at any Of the railroad depots in Philadelphia, for forty-five dollars per ton CASH. A liberal discount allowed to agents and dealers. MAULE k DIXON, Agents for the Manufacturer. No. 22 South ^^arves 3rd door above Chesnut St. Phila. M. ft D. have also for Sale Guano, Land Plaster, Super Phofpl^ite ofLim«,fto. NASCENT AND SOLUBLE FHOSPHATES OF POTASH^ AMMONIA, SODA, LIME & MAGNESIA, WITH PERUYIAN GUANO AND SOL- UBLE SILICA, ALSO SULPHATES AND OTHER SALTS THAT ARE REMOVED BY CROPPING, IHanuractured by l^illiam Tregro, UNDER THE NAME OF "SOLUBLE ALKALINE PHOSPHATES." The elements of this compound are the same that T combined by srormulaDublishedin the "American Farmer" several years since. th«/^L^i*^ ^^^^ "P®° ^^'^^^ ** ^" applied has frequenUy excited we cunoslty of passers on the public road, on account of its fertility SS?? * ^J rf, 8^'° ^™P' *"<* ™y attention. has since been called Sid /Sfi' ^l* *^® ^'"* P'«'®' **»*■ K»" *o »ny other part of the nwa, (although a luxuriant growth is generally neglected.) Peru- "»n uuauo alone enables the farmer to crop severely and thus r^ it?n>i»?®^*°*®J?^°^*^«^"**y<«>™ ^» »"• The Compound leaves "WDetteroondiUon after the most luxuriant crops of grain and mrrim^i 'y.^ "^^"^ custom, I mixed a slmUar CJompound with Sentimlr^ f '^' *"** ^P""®**! it a« a top dressing on my wheat, last CuS I ^^ n^^® ''*'^*^ ^^ harrowed in, and this surface applica- cZ of & Ju^'^r^ ^y ^^^ ^""y weather, has resulted in so fine a timothv K . ,^®** *°<* Timothy that 1 intend mixing not only the teyethJ^'li^l''*'*'^^^*"^*^^^^ *be compound this autumn, and wlthwTiJ , V ^^"*°° Spreader in the equal distribution of all TheplrnvS® labor and time expended in one sowing of the field.— aldofl^Ii ^^^^^^''^^^o^^e equally distributed even with the cleared of f^*'' iVV^®^" ^^^ ^^^PP^"^ *« frequently and completely thrSehJiTn *^^.^^ « (lifflculty by passing the whole compound goSTrtiSfl n«?'^'?^^°« * uniform powder, which I pronounce % HereX * ^^!J^P *^ «**<^ order and at a reasonable price, '•present^i ,ri?^ "^"^ ^ ®"»>io »od its compounds, each barrel »ttt<^h »i i * ■*°'P^® analysed by me wiU be endorsed with mj "'S^Pa by my agent who takes the sample. ^ 8t /n. . X ^' STEWART, M, D., Chemist of tiie MaiylA&d Stata Agrioultuiia Boolety. TO FARHIERS Sc mECHAlVICS. COOPER'S IMPROVED THESE Machines stand unsurpassed and without parallel as machines for the purpose intended, viz: spreading Lime Ashes, &c , and sowing Guano, Superphosphate ol Lime, Plas- ter, or any such Fertilizer. They are simple, strong, durable, and adjustable to sow any desired quantity to the acre that liEtrmera may desire. Any common hand can operate them. They are of very easy draft for horses or oxen, for which they are adapted. One or two hands and team can with ease do four limes as much with the use of the machine as they could in any way without if, and in a manner for evennesa wholly unimitable. No. 1 Lime and Guano Spreader combined, 5^ feet wide Price at shop, 97&. No. 2 Lime Spreader (not combined) is larger and stronger, 6 feet wide, $75. Guano Spreader, one horse, 5 feet wide, $40. *• •• two horse, 8i feet wide, $60. AGENTS.— PASCHALL MORRIS & CO., Philadelphia R SINCLAIR, Jr.. & CO., Baltimore. Reference testimonial can be kad by addressing the following gentlemen who have machines in use : Maris Hoopes, Lancaster, Pa.; Simmons Coates, Gap, Lan caster co.. Pa ; Andrew Steward. PenningtonviUe, Chester co.. Pa.; S. C. Williamson, Cain, Chester co., Pa.; Wm. C. Hoffman and Lewis G. Kemp, Frederick City, Md.; Henry Tell, Texas Baltimore co , Md. All orders or communications addressed to LEWIS COOPER Christiana P. O., Lancaster Co., Pa., will meet with promp attention. Vr PATENT RIGHTS FOR SALE, April, 1856; THE LAWTON BLACKBERRY. HAVING accepted fh)m Mr. Lawton the agency for this remarlcable Fruit, we are prepared to ftimish plants at the foUowing rates: Half a dozen plants, $3 One dozen plants, - - - - . 5 Fifty plants, 15 One hundred plants, .... 35 Oareftill 7 packed and shipped from New York without extra charge The money should accompany the order. C. M. SAXTON A CO., Agricultural Book Publishers, 140 Fulton Street, New York. April, 18M-lt THE DEVON HESD-BOOK ■ia« V«l. III. THs 8nbscril>er Is now ready to receive lists ofanlraals for insertion In the third volume of the Devon Herd-Book, to be published at as early a period In the year 1856, as a sufficient number of subscribers can be obtained to warrant the Issue. Terms— each patron is expected to take at least one copy, the price of which will be one dollar, and also to pay twenty -five cents for the registry of each animal— registry tee to be paid in advance. All animals to be eligible for insertion, must be able to trace their descent flrom unquestionable North Devon stock on both sides. It will be recollected that there has already been published an American edition of the first and second volumes of the Devon' Herd- Book, bound together, with a frontispiece of the Quarterly Testlmonla 1 and containing two handsome Illustrations of £nKlish prize Devons.— The price for these two volumes will in future be two dollars. They will be forwarded as may be directed on the reception of the above sum SAN FORD HOWARD, American Editor of th« Deron Herd-Book. Office of the Boston Cultivator, | Boston, Mass., March 1st. 1806. I 4C WEST CHESTER AGRICULTURAL WORKS. A NEW ESTABLISHMENT, located at the Comer of UNION STREET and the NEW RAILROAD; where the subscribers are pre- pared to do most kinds of Casting and Fitting-up to order. Among our stock may be found Cooper's Improved Lime and Guano Spreaders Plows, Harrows, Drills, Horse Rakes. Corn Shelters (for hand and horse power), Sadlsis Chain Powers, Threshers and Separators, Caltl> ▼ators, Ac, Ac. DAMON A SPjfiAKMAN, Jan. 1806 West Chester, Chsat«r Co., Pa. tm INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE m SCOTT'S LITTLE GIANT COBN AND COB MILL, PATENTED MAY 16TH, 1854. V The Little Giant, though but recently introduced from the West, now stands pre-eminent as the most Simple, Btficient, and popular Farm Mill of the age. Our Manufactories are probably the only ones in the World — exclusively devoted to making Metallic Mills, there- fore possess superior advantages in preparing such an admixture of metals, as best adapted to making a strong and durable article. The Little Giant has been awarded the Fir»t Premium at the principrl Fairs of the Nation, as the most complete and convenient Mill now in use. These Mills are not only guaranteed superior to all others in their construction and quality of material, but in the amount and quality of work they perform with any given power ', and warranted in all cases to suit, or the purchase- money refunded on tetum of the mill. They are offered to Farmers and the trade complete, at $28, $32 and $30, for No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3, and $2 extra for sweeps. Warranted to grind from 8 to 15 bushels per according to si^O. SCOTT'S NIMBLE GIANT GRAIN MILLS, (CAVEATED MAY, 1855.) This Mill is a most complete and important article for Planters, Farmers and others, having horse-power or other conveniences for running a belt They can be worked advantageously with one, two or more horses, wherever a speed of from three to five hundred revolutions per minute can be obtained upon a 14-inch pulley, with a three-inch belt These Mills are adapted to any kind of work, grinding coarse feed from com, oats, Ac, or fine coiHi wheat or rye; and that in the most satisfactory manner. The first premium was awarded these Mills at the laU Fairs of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Industrial Exhibition at Boston. The Nimble Giant weighs about 300 pounds, occupying a space of 30 inches square. It is peculiarly simple, strong, and durable ; requiring no skill to run it, or to keep it in order. They are offered complete, ready for attaching the belt, at $55; with cast steel cob attachments, $65. Warranted to give perfect satisfaction. Please call at the Little Giant Works, and witnesa their operation. MANUFACTURED BY ROSS SCOTT & CO., COR. 17TH & COATES STS., PHM WITH THE 1st MONTH (JAN.) NUMBER. (1856 ) WILJi COMMENCE THE SIXTH VOLUME OF THE FARM JOURNAL. A MrmthiUi Piriodiml cf Thirty- Two Octavo Pages, devoted exdunvdy t» live oett interests qf the lurtner, the Gardener^ the FruU-Grower and Stock-Breeder. A few hack Volumes handsomely bound $1 00 each. Among the sutiJects treated In the Journal will be comprehended the IWlowing— The Cultivation of the Soli ; Manures and their Application ; De- scriptions of all New and Improved Implements of Husbandry, de- signed to facilitate and abridge tht labor of the Farm ; Descriptions of all new Fruits, Flowers, and Trees; Pruning and Grafting: Experi- ments of Farmers; Rural Architecture; Market Reports; Plowing, Sowing and Harvesting; Draining; Grains and Grasses; Esculent Roots as food for Cattle; Gardening; Live Stock of every description, trreeds, modes of fattening, Ac. ; The Dairy; Reviews of Agricultural and Horticultural Books; Rural Habits, Manners and Customs, and other subjects which are calculated to Interest and inform the class for 5'hom we are laboring. The Editorial Department will then be assumed y PROF. D. A. WELLS, and A. M. SPANOLER, the original Editor and Proprietor of the JoumiU'. assisted by a number of eminent AffricsiUurii^ and practical lurm^s, making it at the same time, a primary object to keep the Journal clear from all collateral Interests, and to render It in all respects a reliable paper. " It Is a great feillacy to suppose that when an individual becomes the Bditor of an Agricultural paper, he necessarily constitutes h^nself a dictator of opinion and practice to his readers." "Without the encouragement of AgriouUure, any country, however l>le8sed by nature, must continue poor." We send specimen numbers to all applicants, gratis— and will answer pron^tly all letters of inquiry, &c., relating to matters contained in Xh* Journal— not omitting even those that have a postage stamp en • cipsed to pay for the reply. Ow Drnns of Subscriptum plaos tk$ Journal toithin the reach qfaU. Single Copy, $ 1 00 per annum. Five Coptoi, 4 00 TWent:^^lei, 14 W t< CAtH. INVARIABLY IN ADVAKCB. A limited amount of adrertising (which must be paid for before in- sertion) will be admitted at the followlHg rAtes. Six lines, or under for each insertion, $ 1 00 From six to twelve lines " 2 00 • Haifa column, 4 00 One column, 7 00 One page, 14 00 All subscriptions must begin with the 1st or 7th number of the rol- nme which commences with the year; and In eveiy case the Joumsl win be stopped at the expiration of the time paid for, unless theioft' scrlptlon La previously renewed. . . 8AML. EMLEN A CO., Publishers ^ N. E. cor. Seventh and Market Sts., Phtiais. To whom all communications, whether editorial or buslnees, BhonM be addressed. _ To Farmers and Q-ardeners. YOUR attention Is called to the Manures manufactured, by **»• ^ Manufacturing Company ft-om the contents of the Sinks and Pnn» of New York City, and free from oflTenslve odor, called FOUDRETTE AND AFEU. Poudrette Is composed of two-thirds night soil and one-third dwojj posed vegetable fibre. Tafen is composed of three-fourths nlgw *» and one-rourth No. 1 Peruvian Guano. - These Manures are cheaper and better adapted for raising ^!^' Garden Vegetables and Grass, than any other In market. Can oe pu* In contact with the seed without injury, and causes Com an i"<"«. «»''«> 4K7!?„-?! i?.'c'^^pt;rh^l?: ^ "'" '^'""' ^™"' »«"«»• Tnm!!Jn®^D ^ desirable varletv dr Beet. Carrot, Cucumber, Erk Plant eiJbSd£^Rn?iSPP~'^»® ".*'■* extensive collection in the country, FBKn Fnlunn"*'^®^^ *°** ?9f «^ varieties obtainable from the flrit Sytcol&an^'TlTiZ''l^ «^*^*t*«" t« tils own ex- with fiir^H?v„ r • Twenty choice varieties neatly put up in boxes wnreoSh^'i*'';,'=I?'^*^»^'^»'^orOne Dollar. Persbns at a dlsUnce CIIoTpf &PDBT^^^U^*°?.^^e amount they wish sent "'*'*°^® for S.TCS!i^JJ,7?^^^^ *"^ «'»^^ plants "T^!^^^^^^^^^^^ collection of^ver- HORTfpTTr thWt®**,^,^ ^JC enclosing a postage stamp, variety ^^^^^^^^I' IMPLEMjfiNTS of the'^best quam/in Rreat April, 1856. FARMERS' AND PLANTERS' ENCYCLOPEDIA. numerJSfputeJS arSm^TS ''V^T'^" fAOis, and is Illustrated wth The Hon Mf»^„ *™J?^^v£'*"^S' Implements, etc. Aplcuffiis^clet^'iia^i-.t^^^^^ «^x,'^« ^"»t«d SUtes «f PhlUdelphla,sij8:i ^'^^^^^ ^**« American Editor, G. EMmsoic, J^^l''%fr r^^ination c^ your ^^Zrfa^^'pi^e «jtt«raSfc' olS,?^-*^''" '**. T^^^^^riding it as a si^<£^^ ^. Qf ev^faf^J'Z^'^.^'!W?r '^l^'^'.- . ^ c^W Bhatdd he in the ;>.*fK.'?l^i'*f^«^?« ^ l-'h^y ^ reach. In theAic^ i dyffhision among arranged in the CATAWISSA RASPBERRY, CULTIVATED AND FOR SALE AT THE NURSERY OF JOSHUA PEIRBE, AT irASHir¥«TO]V, D. C. A KEWANDEVER.BEARINO VARIETT, PRODCCINO ABUNDANT CROPS OF FINE FRUIT DURING THB FAIjIi MONXHS* The Catawissa Raspberry is offered to the frui^growers as a grand desideratum which should be in possession of eyery one who has the means of cultivating even half a dozen plants. It 18 not ekoected that it will rninnAtA with momt mu^i,. 0Bt^X,u»8. 322 and 324 Market St.fabove Ninth. April, 1856-2t FARMERS' AND MECHANICS' _J"D SELP-REGUIi ATING w iND POWB PATENTED JUNE mb, 1856, WILL Grind Com, Saw Wood, Pump Water, *c- *fM njgbt and day, roof of the building. When going it Is regulated by wel«hl^,w^^^^ AGBICULTUBAL and HOBTICULTUBAL TOOLS, IMPLEMENTS, & MACHINBBY, be equal to representation. ^.-—^ • PLOWS! PLOWS! PLOWS! Of almost every desirable variety, comprising among otheni Eagle Self-sharpenera, all size*. Star Self sharpeners, ' Prouty and Mears* celebrated, all slz«8. Blaker's Plows, wrought shears^ three sines. Star Plows, wrought Shears, four sizes. Double Michigan Plows, right and left hand. Mape's cast-steel Subsoil Plows. ^ cast-iron ditto. Roger's extending-point ditto. Proutv's Improved. Side Hill Plows of all sizes. Ridging ami Shove^Plows^^^ HORSE HOOT. A most complete luwortment, made in the best ""52? 'bSauSl wl best material. We ask special attention to these articles, because we believe them unsurpassed. _^_-.— «^-r »•««>« FIEU) AHB OABDEN BOLLESB of all sizes, and at the lowest prices, GARDEN TOOLS. ^dPninlng Chisels and Saws. Buddlnt! and Pnining Knives, BEAPEBS AND MOWERS. We are Agents for ^ . . __ Ketchum's celebrated Reapers and Mowers. \ Atkln's Self Raker and Reaper. Manny's Improved Reaper and Mower. Allen's do. do. Hussey's do. do* Burrars do. do. Any or all of which are warranted. AGENTS FOR THE ABOVE MACHINES WANTED. Wheelbarrows, Trucks, Ox Yokes, &o. of our own manufacture, very superior, SPAIN'S PATENT CHURNS, unqnestionably the best in use, together with a most complete ».88or^^ ment of Agricultural Implements and Machines, for descrip on of whfch we re^r the reader to a new Illustrated catalogue, whloh will be furnished gratis on application. Guano and Super-Phosphate of Lime. We are prepared to supply No. 1, PERUVIAN GUANO. In any quantity, at Government prices. MAPE'S SUPER-PHOSPHATE OF LIME, The reputation of which has been established by years of trial, and for which we are Sole Agents in Philadelphia. j» -r » Allen and Needle's Super- Phosphate of Lime, a most excellent article, and deserving the attention o^^a^e\"*» *^,8f ther with a general assortment of Fertilizers, such as Poudrett^, Ta- fen. Plaster, &c. Corn Planters, Seed Planters, &o., In Urge variety, and^of the most *|P^^^^i{|^|^- qq N. B. Comer rth and Market flWeete. A large assortmer •♦vue choicest varieties of Garden Sesds, by Wh?lll^^f,!^l?^!*l\:»d. of PEAS, embracing the New and Dwsrf *?JS''=1i.t--,.f.'Vi, Mt no In Mpers for retailing, mi ftimUhed to Uu ACTioultural and Horticultural Works. '^t^^^ffJJ-^n^^l'Ae at Bookseller, prices. FLOWER SEEDS. A large assortmeet of the finest European and American Flower ^TWENTY VARIETIES put up in Fancy Boxes for $1, with direction! for culture. ^.„ , ^^ . Fine Stock Gllly's Seed. " Pansy ditto. •* Lady Slippers ditto. ** China Aster ditto. ** Cineraria ditto. ** Calceolaria. Ac. *c. JAPAN PEAS. -.«.. A «««r nr/winrit ve Pca for field culture has been rally S^niinS^^* A Umlted .upply on baud. GRASS SEEDS. rrert, Clover, Tln.othy, Orch.rd^Henl Oj^^ .*Sn SJTpJZw or Dutch Clover, S*?'???!"'!,,^'" Ore^&r«» "'"«« ^'^- '^ ^?,^^Tdo^'">k^^oT^^«^miQ:^llne for «... Wb..«-.-d *"*"■ Pine Lawn Grass Seed. '*'"cirA"RY\TD%THER BIRDS SMDa^ Canary, Hemp. MlUett, Rape, Maw, Lettuce, Ac^ for sale Wboleiiis •""^^" FIELD PEAS. southern Field Peas, adapted for the poorest kind of soil, for isM V the^ushel. PASHALL MORRIS^A Co.. AgricuHural Warehouse and Seed Stw^^ "^ N.K Corner 7th and Majket^S^tnejIi. -PHOSPHATE OF LME. DIPLOMAS have been awarded to the Sabscribers for the abow article, by ^^^^^^^^f^^ia StaU AgricuUtiral Soddy. I^ew Jersey StaU " ^ Jhicki County „ {khuyUeiU Onunty " ^, Berks Qmntv ^ _ , ., „ iVew CdgOe Qninty, Dd. " .. w«oirn,lt The anallty and high character of our preparation Is well Mowo, CAtmoif .-Observe that every Barrel of our Article has our s* and that of Potts & Klett sUmped on the head. h« hid it PaiSphlets describing Its qualities and "^^de of usjnj can bej ^ our Store, or by Mail, when desired. A liberal deduction u*- Dealers. AGENTS WAlfTED. We have for Sale one Cargo of the celebrated PACIFfC OCEAN GUANO. ^ (imported per Ship Harriet Hoxie) ■in|»Vn,{J„^*^fJ iTSuy e^ttilW ieason, and which gave such ^reat satisfiaction. It is luuy ^ Peruvian Guano at a Lower Prxce. ^__,_ - . . ktttuP ^* CANCERINE, OR FISH MANURE. ^ A full supply of this new and valuable article, to which w. attention of Farmers. «• «rTA«A HO. 1 GOVEENMENT PEBTJVIAH GuAHU coTiiUntly on hand and for sale at the lo^^st^ates. ^ nbEBUBV No. 23 8. Wharves and |5 8. W^^S^^jipfcl*. First Slore above Chestnut 8treetjPblj4^|S Farmeri can Ibad at the Wat«f Street front, •aA a jm. crowded wharf. PBATTSPATENT HORSE BAKE. i ^' when U is damp a. well as dry ; it will leave it lay up '^'y Tn^l^v oriiwi/packitcloseibrpitchingatthe pleaanre ^"fl J2lZ ' it will rake up hay over two tons per arfre ; td'^i^^nexlehef^ gleaner, galhering without dirt or r^mg '"w^ Ihe undersiiied, have seen the above rake in 6p#ition. J^a;eofopiDirXtit is better constructed for the,i>urpo8e fnlended than any we have seen - I Nathan Pratt, Delaware CO Samuel Caieys, Jr., do Thos. C. Palmer, Lewis Palmer, Abram Pratt. Nathan Lewii, ru.'io R Pratt. Address the 4)1 James McCIellan, Chester co. do do d6 ib do S B. Wurih. John Fisher, Aaron Lukens, Israel Lamborn, 0*f do do do do PRAI'I' « OOTBiDL.C.1, Newtown Square, Delaware co., April. 1856. or Thorndale Iron Works. Chester co . Pa. A most complete assortment of Gardening Tools, embracing .11 the latest improvements, and of the lirstquality. Purchaser* may depend on gettnig the best tools in the market at our ware- house, wholesale or retail ^^^^^^^ MORRIS & CO., N. E. corner 7th and Market Sis., Philada. PERENNIAL. RYE ©RA8S. THREE HUNDRKD Bushels prime PERENNIAL RYE GRASS SEED, just imported. This invaluable Grass is now eomraanding the attention it justly deserves. Send orders ^T ^ PASCHALL MORRIS & CO.. N E. corner Seventh and Market Sts., Phila. ITALIAN RYE GRASS. A FEW bushels of Prime SEED just received. PASCHALL MORRIS & CO-, N. E. corner Seventh and Market Sts , Phila. «AROEIV SEEDS. ONE of the moei complete and extensive assortments in the country, wholesale and retail. Seed Catalogues with directions for cuitivaliou gratis. PASCHALL MORRIS & CO., N. R. corner Seventh and Market Sts , Phila. PLOWS. DOUBLE MICHIGAN. Eagle Self Sharpener. Blaker's Bar Share, Star Self-Sharpeners. Mapes' Cast and Steel Subsoil, Hillaide, Ridgmg, Swivel, and all other kinds. PASCHALL MORRIS & CO., N. E. comer Seventh and Market Sts , Philn. HARROWS, CULTIVATORS, HORSE HOES. THE MOST complete assortment of Square Expanding, Giddes', and Scotch Harrov\8, iu the City. Cultivators of the iDostapproved kinds. Knox's celebrated Horse Hoes. Whole« •ale and retail. Our own manufacture. PASCHALL MORRIS & CO.. N. E. corner Seventh and Market Sts., Phila. CBANBEBBY PLANTS. Upli land and JaO^sfr Varieties, Bell or Egg-shaped Variety, ^RB the best to cultivate on damp, wet, or poor low and swampy A^na, where noihlng else will grow, often producing from 200 to S(X) mm(i]s per ucre. UPLAND CRANBERRY are more prollflc, but smaller and superior ffjiit; they f?row on cold unproductive land and barren hill sides. *?'* of this variety will be for sale last of May. AluoNEW Rf>OHbLI.E BLACKBERRY PLANTS. Urculars relating to culture, soil, price, Ac. of the above Plants will oe lorwarded to applicants by enclosing a postage Btamp. For sale by F. TROWBRIDGE, 1, ^ Dealer la Trees, Plants, Ac, March 185g. Newhaven, Ct. WILLIAM SAUNDERS, oSSin^' Horticulturist, Landscape Gardener, and Garden Architect wenaantown. Philadelphia. ATKINS' SELF-RAKING REAPER AND MOWER. FARMEBS TAKE NOTICE! THE SrBt premium awarded at the State Fair, held at Ilarrisburg in 1855, also first premium at the County Fairs of Noi thumber- land. Cumberland, FniTiklin, York. Lycoming, Centre, Westmoreland, WaahlnKt/)n, Berks. Schuylkill, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester, in competition with from eight to ten different ropers and mowers. The Atkiu's selfrHklng reaper and mower, will ha lor sale at the Factory at ilarrisburg, also at PASCHAtl. MORRIS & CO., N. E. COR. Tth AND MARKET STS., PHILA. Farmers wishing these Celebrated Reapers and Mow«rs for the next harvest must send in their orders soon. Price of Reaper alone $165 Cash. — Reaper and Mower Cash $190 with freight added from Dayton, Ohio All reapers warranted to give entire satisfaction, or the money refunded. All orders left with PASCHALL MORRIS & CO., as aboye, or addressed by letter to JAMES PATTEN, General Agent for Pennsylvania, at Harrisburg, will meet with prompt attention. March 4t a B. ROGERS' ~ Seed and Agricultural Warehouse, NO. 29 MARKET STREET, PHILADELPHIA. Manufacturer of Woodbury's Premium Horse Power Thresher and Cleaner, Mowing and Reaping Machines, Animoniated Saperphosphate of Lime. Chemical Fertilizer, Bone Dust, Dealer In Guano, &c. All the most approved Agricultural and Horticultural Inipk-nu'nts made to order. Dealer in Imported and American Field ami Garden Seeds, Ac, Ac. Inventor and Manufacturer of the Cast Steel Extending Point Surface and Subsoil Ploughs. march, 1856-3t EVERGREEN TREES. WILLIAM MUNN. of Bangor. Maine, Wholesale Dealer in Native Evergreen and Deciduous Trees, can furninh In quantities Arbor Vitus, Balsam Fir, .Spruce, Hemlock, Pine and Larch, six Inches to six feet high, and packed In crates, Iwxes or buner their Wholesale Agent for the sale of Poudrette, Ta Feu, Ac. Dealers are requested to send lu their orders as early as possible. C. B. ROGERS, March, 1856-3t No. 29 Market Street. TO FARMERS. WOODBURY'S Premium Horse Power, Threshers and Cleaners, price $300. manufactured by C.B.ROGERS, March, liwe-St No. 29 Market Street. FISH GUANO. The Naraganset Guano Company has appointed C. B. ROGERS their Agent lor the sale of their FlsU Guano, which is equal to the best Peruvian, and much more lasting. Price, %4A per ton. March. 185C-3t REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES- THE subscriber Is now ready to fill all orders for Reaping and Mow- ing Machines, from his manufactory— warranted to out grain and grass better than can be done with scythe and cradle. C. B. ROGERS, March, 1866-3t No. 29 Market Street. ^^ I I TIGHT BINDING 1 IHM' NEW YORK AGllICULTDRAL WORKS. BY HTHEEIiER, i. & CO. Double Power, and Combined Thresher and Winnower, in operation. We are Manufacturers of Endless Chain Railway Horse Powers, and Farmers and Planters' Machinery for H«i Power use, and are owners of the Patents on, and principal makers of the following valuable Machines : ■ l¥heeler's Patent Single Horse Power, AND OTERSHOOT THRESHER i;¥lTH TIBRATIIVG SEPARATOB. This is a One Horse Machine, adapted to the wants of medium and small grain growt rg. It separates grain and eUl from the straw, and threshes about 100 bushels of wheat or twice as many oats per day, without changing hone^-lf a change nearly double the quantity may bo threshed. — Price $128, l¥heeler's Patent Double Horse Power, AND OTERSHOOT THRESHER 1¥1TH TIBRATIflG SEPARATOR. This Machine is like the preceding, but larger, and for two horses. It does double the work of the Single Machineiid |s adapted to the wants of large and medium grain growers, and persons who make a business of threshing. — Price llM Wheeler's Patent Double Horse Power, AND COMBIiHED THRESHER APVD WHVIVOTFER. (SHOWN IN THE CUT.] This is also a Two Horse Machine ; it threshes, separates the grain from the straw, and winnows it at one opentit at the average rate of 1 50 bushels of wheat and 300 bushels of oats per day. In out door work, and for persons ffb make a business of threshing, it is an unequalled Machine. — Price $245. ALSO CLOVER HULLEK8, FEED CUTTERS AIVD SOWIIVCi ITIACHIKES. Our Horse Powers are adapted in all respects to driving every kind of Agricuhural and other Machines, ihatadmiti' being driven by Horse Power, and our Threshers may be driven by any of the ordinary kinds of Hurse Powers io* — either are sold separately. 11^ To persons wishing more information and applying by mail, we will forward a circular containing such dM as purchasers mostly want — and can refer to gentlemen having our machines, in every State and Territory. Our firm have been engaged in manufacturing this class of Agricultural Machinery, 22^ears, and have hadlaftg*' larger and more extended and successful experience than any other house. All our Machines are warranted to give entire satisfaction or may be returned at the expiration of a reasonable ti* for trial. fl®" Orders from any part of the United States and Territories, or Canada, accompanied with satisfactory referenc* will be filled with promptness and fidelity. And Machines securely packed, will be forwarded according to instrudio* or by cheapest and best routes. WHEELER, MELICK & CO., TIGHT BINDING m essae lii I CONTENTS — No. 6. Agricultural Ode, .----- A Profitable Garden, ------ Beautify Your Home, - • - - • - Black Hawk Trotting StaUion, " Kossuth," Culture of Sweet Potatoes, - - Diana Gwynne, Slgar'a Patent Compensating Wind Wheel, Bxperiments with Super-Phosphte of Lime, Experiments in Potato Planting, - - - Editors Table, Girdled Trees. - - - - - " ^ Hughe's Com Planter, - - - ▼ - Heading Cabbages, - - - -^ ' " Hints on Prunning for the Season, - - - Irrigation,- - - -) " " ^ Keep the Best Stock, ------ Melons, ------"'" Machine for Paring and Slicing Apples, - Natural Supply of Ammonia in Soils, On a Simple and Economical Method of Converting into a Solid Portable Manure, - Protection of Seed Corn, - - - - - Planting Fruit Trees for Others, Root Crops-Turnip, ------ Btelative Progress of Vegetable Food, Receipt for Making Currant Wine, - - r Save and Use Everything that will FertiU^e^ - Stoddard's Patent Hand Planter, - - - Scientific Agriculture, - - - - r The Most Profitable Varieties of Beans, - r Wire Worms, Unprofitable Farming, . - - - - Yankee Industry, . - - - • PAQE- - 168 - 179 - 184 - 183 - 180 - 187 . 175 - 175 - 182 - 190 - 184 - 177 - 180 - 179 . 186 - 180 - 185 - 188 - 181 Urine - 182 . 185 - 182 - 176 - 177 - 186 - 175 - 17*4 - 184 - 185 - 183 - 189 - 189 BLOOD RED JAPAN HEAD LETTUCE. ftimp e^l^^^ea Wftrebouse, Nos. 322 and 324 Market St.. above Ninth. April. 185^2t FARIIIfIRS I.OOK HERE. E POTTS A CO.. of BBIDGEPORT Montgomery Co., Penna.. have conitintlyon hand for sale, MOWKRS and REAPERS, separute and JnnfhinWi • one and two HORSE POWER and TH RES IIINU Machines, ov^tno^iE^oV^EKcamiislooRii stalk cutters, corn IHELLBR8. &c., Ac, ^ , ^ ,4«^«,ir„o All of whlce are made In the best manner, and warranted to worK as any others In market; several Important Improvements having been m«de In^he Mowers and Reapers and Horse ^^^^Ij^^pQ^rrpg ^ qq OSAOe ORANGE SEED AIVD PLANTS FOR SALE. EEDOES PLANTED AND WARRANTED. For Circulars address April. 1856. A. HARSHBARGER, McVeytown, Mifflin co.. Pa. kAT ELEVATORS 1 HAY ELKVATORS ! WB are now nianufactnrlnK a large number of SELF-ADJUSTING HAY ELEVATORS, greatly improve.l over those of lu«t seat^on, and decJdecly Huperior In strength, workmanship, and durability to any In toe market. Also HOPES and 13L0CKS. Dealers supplied on liberal "'"**'• PASCHALL MORRIS A Co.. N. B. Corner 7th and Market Streets, Phl'adelphia KEDZIE'S RAIN WATER FILTERS- These celebrated Filters are receiving t^ highest commendations from hundreds of fumlj,. who have used them for years in almost tyZ State in the Union, They filter about _ _ twenty-four hours, furnishing a full suppU all domestic uses. The most impure Rftin, Rj "t. ut one hundred galloQi | , furnishing a full supply j The most impure R^n, RjT|. I or Lake >yater, by this means becomes pure.dij [{ - as crystal, without taste color or smell, in i)^ condition^y is water fit for all culinarv and drinking p8^ poses, as a means of proniotmg the general health, ^hiy are portable, durable, and cheap, and are not exoillii by any other filter known, for «jle^b^^^ ^ ^^^^^^ WEST CHESTER AGRICULTURAL WORKS. A NKW K8TABLT8IIMRNT, located at the Corner of UNION gTREKTandthel^KW RAILROAD: where the subscribers are pre- Dftred to do most kinds of Casting and Flttlng-up to order. Anion? our Stock may be found CoMn*.r'» Improved Lime and Ouano Spreaders lfi6>ys, Harrows, Drills IIoi-hp Rukes, Corn ShellerH (for hand and hor«e powor), Eudjws Chain Powers, 'threshers ami Separators Cultl varors &c kc DAMON & SPEAKMAN, jHZx^ Wc»t Chester. Chester Co.. l^a. TO FARMERS ^ MECHAMICg, COOPEE'S IMPROVED LIME AND GUANO SFREAM THESE Machines stand unsurpassed and without psnlM aq machines for the purpose intended, viz: sprwdin| \m Ashes, &c . and sowing Guano, Superphosphate oi LiHt,n^ tec. or any such Fertilizer. . ,. ui ^ They are simple, strong, durable, and adjustable to iowfl| desired quantity to the acre that farmers may desirs. A^ common hand can operiate them. They are of very easy draft for horses or oxen, for wuiei they are adapted. One or two hands and team can wilheis do four times as much with the use of the machine ss tfaj could in any way without i», and in a manner lor evm^ wholly uniraiiable. w ^ ri c^» •»(• No. 1 Lime and Guano Spreader combinwl, 5| feet widi Price at shop, $75. ... j . «,t No. 2 Lime Spreader (not combined) is larger and itron|e;,i feet wide. 8^5. Guano Spreader, one horse. 5 feet wide. fW. .k •• two horse, 84 feet wide, foO. AGENTS.-PASCHALL MORRIS & CO.. Philadslphii R SINCLAIR. Jr., & CO, Baltimore. . ,K.fnlln»ls Reference testimonial can be had by addressing the louown gentlemen who have machines in use: r r.^M Maris Hoope«, Lancaster, Pa.; Simmons Coetes. Osp,u« caster CO., Pa; Andrew Steward, Penningtonv: le. Chw^ Pa; S.C William8on,Caln,Chesterco. Pa^; Wm.t.HonBj and Lewis G. Kemp, Frederick City. Md.; Henry Tell, iw Baltimore CO, Md, r i-t«ricrrYlPFi All orders or communicaUons addreised to LLWIS Lwr Christiana P. Q., Lancaster Co., Pa., will meet Willi pi»^ attention. „ . , „ »Cr PATENT RIGHTS FOR SALE, April, 1856. THE DEVON HERD-BOOK. T«l. III. THE subscriber is now ready to recelye^llsts of ajjw*^. WJ?! m the tl.Ird volume of the Devon Herd-Book. toJ^P^J"-SKcrlM» early a period In the year 1856, as a suflflclent n"»n^/,^'nffSS(S< can be ol)t;;ined to warrant the l^sue. Term«^|VCh PatronUejP^ to take at least one copy, the pilce of which will l>e o^^^LwirW also to pay twenty-five centH for the remstry of each *nim»« •^ fee to be paid In advance. All auln.als to be ellRlhle for m^ must be able to trace theh: descent from unquestionawe ««"« stock on both sides. ^ , .„ . .^_ nnbltfb^^ It will be recollected that there has ft'^'eady ^^«*" KrH«*, American edition of the first and second volun)e^ oftn^ i^ ^^i Book, bound tocether, with a frontispiece of the QnarterijXy^. and contulnlntr two handsome Illustrations of l^"^!;''^ PVolW W The prire lor these two volumes will In future ^i^''^5;h^;boff <• wlU be forwarded as may be directed on "»« ^<§|Pj}J,'; hoWABDj^ American BdUor of the Dsvoo H«»*»*^ Offlce of the Bosto vator, I ^ Boiiion, Ma;^^., March 1 ' VOL. VI. PHILADELPHIA, JUNE, 1856. NO. 6. THE AXMOSPHEBE A8 A 801TB0E OF NITBOOEN TO PLANTS ; BEING AN ACC0X7NT OF BECENT BESEABCHES ON THIS SUBJECT. This paper is published in the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, for 1855, by Peofessor Way, Chemist to the Society. No reasoning on any law of nature is philosophical, or can lead us to the truth, unless it embraces a con- sideration of all existing conditions. A plant lives as it were in two elements : it has its roots in the earth, 'it throws out branches and leaves to the air. How imperfect a notion should we form of the philosophy of vegetaiion, if we omitted from our consideration either the one or the other of these necessary conditions of vegetable life ! Leaving apart, however, for the present, the first of these, we find, that from the earliest period of the developement of true chemical philosophy, the composition of the atmosphere, in its relation to the processes of vegetable nutrition, has been a subject of repeated study. It is no part of my intention to enter further into the general question, than is necessary to direct the attention of the reader to the bearing of the particular branch of it which I have undertaken to discuss— that is to say, the atmos- pheric supply of nitrogen to plants. It will, however, be necessary to consider very shortly the composition of plants themselves, in order to see what the consti- tuents are which they must by one means or another obtain. That the air does in some way materially affect the growth of plants, must have occurred to every mind that has been directed to these subjects. In the clefts of a rock, or on the ruin of a tower, the seed of a plant IS driven by the wind, or dropped by a bird. By and hy moisture and warmth, the principal conditions of germination, cause the seed to grow into a plant, which has a more or less perfect existence, produces seed, withers and dies. In the succeeding years a further growth of the same kind occurs under similar out improved conditions ; by degrees an accumulation Of vegetable matter takes place, from the yearly in- crease in the number of plants, until, a true vegetable mould being formed, the bed becomes fitted for other Classes of vegetation, and, in the lapse of time, the barren rock or the ruined tower becomes covered with luxuriant growth. So in the great forests of the western states of America, gigantic trees flourishing for centuries and shedding periodically their leaves and smaller branches, have formed a bed of vegetable mould, which fifty years of the most scourging crops hardly serve to ex- haust. Again, covering hundreds of square miles, and of varying but great depth, we have enormous deposits of vegetable matter compressed into coal. No doubt exists of these beds having been formed by the growth and decay of successive vegetations, precisely in the same way that grass and turf give rise to vegetable mould in our present experience. Now it can hardly fail to have occurred to thinkfng men to inquire whence was derived the vegetable matter, which, on the barren rock or the ruined tower, in the great forest or the extensive coal bed, has year by year, and beginning from almost nothing, gradually accumulated ;— that the soil does not furnish it is evident, and that the air must do so is equally plain. A further consideration of the natural composition of plants will show what it is which is thus supplied to them. Apart from the mineral matters of plants, which they may be supposed to derive from the earth, we have four different elements built up into every vegetable structure. It is as impossible for a plant to exist without these, or for a part of a plant to be formed and matured without the full proportion of any one of them, as it is for an infant to live and grow without food. These elementary substances are, as is well known to most readers, four in number, namely, carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen. It may be stated generally that there are no plants, and no organs of plants, in which the whole of these four elementary substances are not found: they are, however, grouped into two very different classes of substances ; the one, as woody fibre or starch, containing the three first ; the other, of which the gluten of wheat may be taken as the tye, containing in addition the fourth element —nitrogen. We have here little to do with these distinctions, the important point being to bear in mind that the existence of any plant is impossible without 191 TIGHT BINDING 162 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Jwi in the necessary supply of every one of the constituents of its frame. The discoyeries of Bergman, Priestly, Lavoisier, and others, have shown that the air consists of two gases oxygen and nitrogen, in the relation of one part of the former to four parts of the latter ; these gases not being in chemical combination, but merely in mechani- cal mixture. Further, it is believed that the chief function of the nitrogen of the air is of a negative character, that is to say, it dilutes the oxygen and prevents the violent action which it would exert in nature if it were not so diluted. Black investigated the nature of carbonic acid, or ** fixed air" as it was first called, demonstrating its production by combustion and the respiration of animals ; and subsequent observers proved the exist- ence of this gas in very definite and uniform quantity in the air at all elevations.* Priestley and Saussure, by the most ingenious and interesting experiments, determined the action of plants in decomposing carbonic acid and appropriating its carbon. Cavendish made us acquainted with the nature of water, resolving it into its elements, hydrogen and oxygen. He was also the author of a very singular experiment to which we shall have to allude presently. In air and water, then, we have apparently all the organic elements necessary for the growth of plants ; in air, oxygen and nitrogen in abundant quantity; and in lesser but still adequate proportion, carbon in the form of carbonic acid. In water— hydrogen, and a further supply of oxygen. Of the decomposition of carbonic acid and water by vegetation, and the con- vertibility of their elements into the proximate princi- ples of plants, we have not here to speak ; abundant evidence exists of such decomposition and conversion, and it is taken for granted that in this way provision is made for three out of the four organic elements necessary to vegetable growth. If the power of a plant to appropriate the atmospheric nitrogen were equally clear and incontestable, we should have no occasion to go further — the great abundance of this gas as an ingredient, and the chief ingredient of the air, render it superfluous to look for any other source of its supply. The evidence on this point, however, is far from proving the capacity of nitrogen, as one of the constituents of the bulk of the air, to furnish the nitrogen, which, in the form of gluten, vegetable albu- * It may be remarked in parsing, that the proportion of carbonic acid in air has been found to vary from 37 to 62 parts in every 100,000 parts of air. This quantity, small as it may at first sight appear, is, in reference to the whole bulk of the atmosphere, very great. It has been computed by Professor Liebig that it would be adequate to supply the carbon contained in all the deposits of coal on the crust of the globe, and that it is abundantly sufficient for all the purposes of a natural vegetation. Without entering upon the question of the supply of carbon to plants in the sense of their artificial cultivation — a question of the highest in- terest, and upon which much difference of opinion exists — we may, for our present purpose, admit the sufficiency of this supply for the chief function of plants, namely, the pre- servation of their species. men, vegetable casein, &c., constitutes so very impor- tant a class of all organized structures— a clwg absolutely indispensable to the existence on the earth of animal life. The object of these pages is to review as fully, and yet as succinctly as possible, in the first place, the various investigations which have be«fn made, with the view of detennining this poinjjf and secondly, to call attention to the progress whi^Jjjpas, more especially of late, been m«de in discoveriSI and estimating at their real value other atmospheric sources of nitrogen, in lieu of the great uatural supply, supposing it to be found inadequate to the necessities of the case. It would, however, be found very inconveni^Nrto follow these subjects separately, and I shall therefi)re take them very much in the order of time as tlie experi- ments were recorded by their different observers. Upon the discovery of the composition of the air, it became natural that attention should be drawn to the circumstances under which plants vegetate in it. Priestley, to whose researches upon the chemistry of the gases so much of our earlier knowledge was doe, believed that he had found that when plants growing; in water were placed in a confined portion of air, they had the effect after a time of reducing the bulk of it very considerably. He considered that i^ these cirt cumstances the dimunition of volume was doe to an absorption by the plant of the atmospheric nitrogen; and other chemists (Ingenhouz, Sennebier, &c.,) by whom his experiments were repeated, came tc the same conclusion. These views, however, were opposed by Saussure, whose experiments on the chemistry of vegetation are far more trustworthy than those of his predecessors. After repeated attempts with the methods adopted by Priestly, he failed to observe any absorption of atmospheric nitrogen by plants. Saus- sure came to the conclusion that the nitrogen of plants could only bo derived from the vegetable and animal matters diffused through the soil, or existing in the form of ammonical vapours in the air and brought down by rain. That such ammonical vapours do exist in the air Saussure considered to be proved by the change occurring to sulphate of alumnia. which, when left exposed to the air, becomes by degrees converted into double sulphate of alumnia nnd ammonia. To Saussure therefore belongs the credit of having first, although in a very general way, suggested ammonia in the air as the probable source of the nitro' gen of plants. We shall presently see how far such an explanation is sufficient to account for the observed phenomena. The earlier experimenters upon these interesting subjects of vegetable nutrition laboured, however, under many disadvantages which are un- known to their successors, and wanted many facilities for investigation which these latter enjoy, and we must turn to a later period for any very important inquiry upon the question in hand. In the year 1825 Professor Liebig demonstrated tb« presence of nitric acid in rain water, but only in th»t which had fallen during storms. Of 77 samples, 1' 1858.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 16S - — ' ^- III- - ■ ■ I , - 1,11 , , I . , ■ fc were the produce of storms, and all of these contained natural source of the supply of nitrogen to plants. He nitric acid in greater or less quantity, combined with lime of ammonia. In the remaining 60 he did not succeed in detecting any nitric acid* Professor Liebig seems to have attached very little importance to this source of nitrogen for vegetation, believing as he' says, that the quantity present in rain water was very ^all, and would only occur at all during thunder storms, of which there are perhaps not more than ten n»«^ . 4.1. . general conclusion of their experiments on this head was that more nitrogen occurred in the form of nitric acid in rain-water than in the form of ammonia, which also, u we have seen, was the case in M. Barral's experiments. Lawes and Gilbert are still engaged upon these important and interesting experiments. This brief and somewhat imperfect account of the ex- periments made upon this most interesting subject, brings me to consider what conclusions, valuable for agricultural theory, and bearing upon agricultural practice, may be fairly deduced from them. That plants do absorb nitrogen in some form from the air seems evident. I have already mentioned natural occurrences, which would seem to convince us of this fact. At the same time, if this were all the ground for coming to such a conclusion, we might well hesitate. Recent examinations of the ammonia contained in soils, some of them taken at considerable depths, and long out of the reach of cultivation, have shown a large quantity of this substance to exist in them. Whence was this ammonia derived ? Not from manure nor from rain, for in one case I examined a clay of the plastic-clay forma- tion, dug 20 feet from the surface ; it was physically impossible, one would think that either air or water could, in any quantity at least, get access to this depth in so close and tenacious a material, yet I found more than 1 part of ammonia in 1000 parts of this clay, and I ascribed its origin then, as it still appears to me it should be ascribed, to the waters of the seas or lakes from which the clay was first deposited, and from which, by its absorbtive powers for ammonia, it had remoTod this alkali in an insoluble form. The existence of ammo- nia in a soil seems an inherent and inseparable result of the presence of clay in the soil, and we may well question whether all ordinary soils in a state of nature do not contain within reach of the roots of plants, espe- cially of large trees, sufficient ammonia to account for any accumulation of vegetation. It is, however, plain both from M. Ville's and M. Boussingault's experiments, that in the absence of all ammonia in the soil, plants grown in the open air increases in their contents of nitro- gen. This point, therefore, is conceded: whence then comes this nitrogen ? Ville says — from the nitrogen forming the bulk of the air ; Boussingault believes that it does not proceed from that source, but from ammonia, nitric acid, and possibly other compounds of nitrogen distributed through the air. It does not seem to me at all clear on which side the truth lies, at least as regards * Mr. Lawes's farm is situated at a distance of ot least twenty miles in a direct line from London. He informed me, however, that when the wind came to him from the direction of the metropolis, the rain water collected in the gauge was always slightly coloured by sooty particles. 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 167 the experiments brought forward for the purpose ; for as to the general probability, there can be no manner of doubt that it would be that plants do not absorb atmospheric nitrogen. Why, if they did so, is a natural vegetation in a poor soil so small and stunted f if plants have this power, why is the limit to it so easily reached ? and why again does ammonia so wonderfully promote vegetation, whether the alkali is added to the soil, or, as in Ville's last experiments, to the air in which the plant grows ? The evidence is certainly on the general question strongly against the assimilation of atmospheric nitrogen. Boussingault objects to Ville's experiments the great difficulty of entirely freeing air from ammonia by passing it through acid liquids, which is quite true. Ville on the other hand objects to M. Boussingault's experiments, the unnatural conditions under which plants are placed when growing in air not renewed, to which M. Boussingault replies that if the plants live, appear to do well, produce leaves, and provide, by the formation of seeds, for a con- tinuation of their species, they cannot be said to be afected materially in their usual functions. This argu- ,meut, however, does not seem to me sound. Take an example in the animal creation: — a man engaged in an unhealthy trade. He eats, drinks, sleeps, possesses, locomotion, and begets children like other men, but you surely would not argue from all this that his trade is not unhealthy. He performs all his functions in spite of the disadvantages under which he labours ; how much better and more healthily he might have done so under other circumstances we can only guess. The plants in M. Boussingault's glass cases may have wanted the vitality to make use of a source of nitrogen, of which in more healthy conditions they might have availed themselves. It seems to me then that the question is not definitely settled by these experiments, valuable and interesting as they are. It is of the less importance for our purpose that this decision should have been come to, inasmuch as it is admitted on all sides that ammonia is a most important ingredient in the air and has the most impor- tant eflfect upon vegetation — Ville himself having added it to the atmosphere of plants with signal success. We turn therefore to this head. From all the experiments that have been quoted, we learn that a considerable but as yet uncertain quantity of ammonia and nitric acid exist in the air, and is brought down by rain — that it is larger in cities than in the country — in the water of fogs and dews than in rain, and in the first showers than in those that fall subsequently— that as a consequence of the existence of ammonia in rain-water, it is found also in the water of streams and rivers, and further on still, in the great ocean ; but that the quantity in these cases is much smaller than in rain, owing to causes already alluded to. Now whence come these ingredients of the air? In the first place ammonia is given oflfin the decomposition of all animal matters, and of vegetable matters containing nitrogen, and in animal perspiration. Mr. Lawes has also found a great loss of ammonia from the soil in the growth of wheat and other cere»l crops: that is to say, he finds that for 1 pound of nitrogen fixed in the com- position of the plant, about 4 pounds are taken from the resources of the soil. Now as this does not occur with other plants, at all events to the same extent, it is obvious that this loss is not from evaporation from tho soil direct, but through the agency of the plant. Pro- fessor Draper's experiments would lead us to believe that ammonia is under some circumstances decomposed, and its nitrogen exhaled by plants. It will be remembered that on the other hand from certain peculiarities of silicate of ammonia, I have suggested that the loss of the alkali observed by Mr. Lawes may be due to the ammonia acting as a carrier to silica, and that it is hence only seen in plants having a silicious character. Boussingault appears to think that ammonia in some way escapes from the soil, and in this way accounts for snow which has lain on the ground being rich in this alkali. It is gene- rally thought by farmers, that in very hot, dry weather, guano and similar manures are, even when to a certain extent mixed with the soil, liable to loss; but this is only in the absence of rain to bring them well into con- tact with the soil, and on the other hand it is very generally believed that in the coldest weather manures may be laid on the surface without loss. Whereas M. Boussingault's experiment leading to the inference of the evaporation of ammonia from the soil was of course made in cold weather. The conclusion under circumstances of perfect mixture with the soil ammoniacal compounds are evaporated from it, seems to me utterly opposed to the fact which I have demonstrated, that when air charged with the ammoniacal vapours is passed over a soil con- tained in a tube, the ammonia is entirely removed. Without, however, being over anxious as to how ammonia^ comes to be present in the air, or what was its first origin, we may be satisfied that air does always contain it in notable quantity. The same is also de- monstrated with regard to nitric acid. Cavendish made on this subject an experiment, which has already been alluded to. He passed a series of electric sparks through air confined over an alkaline liquid, and found that a quantity of alkaline nitrate was produced, evidently de- rived from the union of nitrogen and oxygen. His experiment was repeated by Dr. Daubeny. Since these experiments it has been usual to believe that electricity, developed in the higher regions of the air, is continually giving rise to nitric acid, and, as it appears that electrical action nnd interchange is always going on, although without the evidence of its existence which thunder- storms give, there may bo a constant production of nitric acid from this source. But admitting this to be the case, we are surely placed in the dilemma of account- ing for the absence of any apparent increase in the luxuriance of the vegetation of the globe which should follow a constant production of nitric acid, unless some equalizing cause be in existence, such as the decomposi- tion of ammonia and exhalation of nitrogen observed in Professor Draper's experiments. The mutual con- vertibility of nitric acid and ammonia, as shown by Euhlman to occur under the influence, in the one case, of the oxidating influence of the air, and in the other, of the de-oxidating influence of vegetable matter in the soil, would seem to place these two forms of nitrogen ^!i ♦ Mulder believes that ammonia may be formed from tho nitrogen of the air uniting with the hydrogen of decomposing vegetable matters in the soil. 168 THE FABM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [JiH» III compounds on a level as a source of nitrogenous supply, provided the necessary conditions exist for these changes. And the experience of our agriculturists as to the value of nitrate of soda very sufficiently attests the truth of M. Kuhlman*8 experiments and conclusions. We have seen then that in the form of ammonia or nitric acid the soil receives annually a very large dose of nitrogen in a state to be made use of by plants. That the data yet obtained are not very precise ought not to surprise us, considering the difficulty of the subject. I think, too, that one point has been overlooked in all these inquiries: one experimenter devotes his attention to the ammonia in rain, another to that in air — both indepen- dently, at different times, and without concert. But in the meanwhile a cause, and, as I believe, a most active cause of abstraction of ammonia from the calculations of each of them, is at work; — I mean the absorption of aKimnnia and nitric acid from the air by the soil. Between each shower of rain this cause is continually — to an unknown, but perhaps a large extent — robbing the air of these compounds ; so that the rain when col- lected really represents that which this agency has not removed. On the other hand, the quantity at any time present in the air must merely have relation to the dis- tance of time at which it was last swept from it by rain, and takes no account of that which the soil has in the meanwhile appropriated. To be perfect, these experi- ments should be made simultaneously on the ammonia in the air and in the rain, and that absorbed by a given extent of surface-soil. This is a labour that we can hardly expect from any one experimenter ; and consider- ing the great varieties of soil, the result would even then be but an approximation to the truth. For the present we must be content with this fact, that a quantity of ammonia and nitric acid, equal perhaps on an acre to at least the manuring power of a cwt. of guano, is annually brought down to the soil by rain for the benefit of vegetation- Let not, however, the cultivator deceive himself, and suppose that his duty of manuring his soils is lessened ft-om this circumstance. This fall of manure — so to speak — is out of his power to control ; and to it, no doubt, is attributable, at least in part, the natural fertility of any given soil: his art lies in increasing this natural produce to a point at which the crops will repay the cost of their production. But he may profit by these newly discovered bounty of nature if ho will take full advantage of the atmospheric manure by means of drain- age, which promotes the equal flow of water through instead of over his soil ; by deep cultivation and thorough pulverization of the land, which brings every part of it into contact with the air. The atmosphere is to the farmer like the sea to the fisherman — ho who spreads his nets the widest will catch the most. The history of inventions is in nothing njore remarka- ble than in the coincidence of time with which many bearing upon each other are made. The invention of the electric telegraph would have been incomplete but for the almost simultaneous discovery of gutta percha, without which submarine communication would probably have been unattainable. So, it is to be hoped, the know- ledf^ now gained of atmospheric sources of manure will soon be followed by a success in adapting that mighty power, steam, to the cultivation of the soil ; for nothing is plainer to my mind than that abundant cultivation of the soil, if economically practicable, is an equivalent to the direct application of manure. We draw from our recently-obtained information, inducements to fresh offortg in this direction, and are led to suggestions for improve- ments on other points of agricultural practice, such as green manuring, rotation of crops, and especially irriga- tion. These facts point to most important conclusiong; but at the present moment we must forbear from entering upon them. At some future time, when these investiga- tions have led, as they surely will to conclusions of rtill greater importance, we may perhaps be allowed to retum to the subject. Note. Ammonia tn One MiUion partt qf Air, 1850.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. 169 Fresenlos Vine Interior of Paris Environs of Paris /By day - I By night Clx)west - ■< IliKhetft • ( Mean {Lowest - inchest Mean - BoQsslngault Barral Oratm •OI«B| •OOMO - 0-0177 • 00X17 -0-0237 • ODIiJ • 0.(«7I -0-U3M Bousslnganit Barral Ammonia in an Imperial OalUm of Rain- Water, /Paris 02108 \ Llebf^anenberpr O.OMJ Paris, mean of Ave months, August to December O'Stf Ammonia in Snow, Grains per Rallon. r Collected on the earth 0*4(4 „ on a torracft .-.--. otW In water of the Seine • VflM Tn *ea water at Dieppe OOI'J* la water of Dew at Llebfhtuenberg, from • 0*0714 to - O-iMO In wateroffogatLlebflraaent>erg ... oitm „ nt Purls ^-m Nitric add In rain water .... rajo Ammonia and Nitric Add, psr acre, in Wt., in Rain- Water at I\in*. „„^„, /Ammonia 960lbi Barral - • JNHric add - f»ll Tliu^c iiuuutities would yield nitrogen, In the ammonia 790 Its, In the nitric acid - • • - 1690 Total nitrogen per acre •••• 24 80 AGRICULTURAL ODE. BT WM. G. BY RANT. Far back in ages The plow with wreaths was crowned, The hands of kings and sages Entwined the chapel round. Till men of spoil Disdained tho toil By which the world was nourished, And blood and pillage were the soil In which thoir laurels flourished; Now the world her fault despairs — The guilt that stains her story ; And weeps her crimes amid the cares That formed her earliest glory. Tho throne shall crumble, The diadom shall wane, The tribes of earth shall humble The prido of those who reign. And wnr shall lay His pomp away ; The fame that heroes cherish The glory earned in deadly fray*- Shall fade, decay and perish. Honor waits o'er all the earth. Through endless generations — The art that calls tho harvest forth And feeds the expectant nations. A, THE FHASIS OF MATTER. ti The progress of Chemistry during the last half century has been amazing, and the beneficial effects that this science has had, and promises even more to have, upon human comfort are very great. One of the discoveries that stands prominent in this respect was began about the close of the last century \>y Saussure. He ascertained that vegetables essentially contained a quantity of different kinds of nrineral matter, which must, of course, have been obtained from the soil. This discovery of Saussure was not, however, attended to. About thirty years ago, Mr. Grisenthwaite announced that vegetables essentially contained in their structures mineral matters, varying in kind and amount in the different species of plants. He, too, failed in exciting attention. Then Liebig perceived this truth ; and owing partly to his fame fts a chemist, partly to the energy of his character, and partly owing to his happy knack of creating enthusiastic pupils and followers, it was at once re- ceived by the scientific world, and the doctrine of the Phasis of Matter, from earth to plant, fiom plant to animal, from animal to earth, and so on continually, is DOW an unquestioned one. "Some, indeed, of the elements contained in the crust of the globe, do not form constituent parts of animal and vegetable structure ; but they, too, tend to change their relations and combinations with one another. " Ihus the word chemistry, as the science has progressed, has gradually enlarged its meaning. At first it simply meant the little knowledge that was possessed regarding gold, silver, &c. And when other metals were better known, the main aim of chemistry or alchemy was to attempt to transmute the inferior metals into gold, and to discover an ima- ginary powder of life. Even a few years ago, it« province was confined to determining the elements and discovering the laws of combination and the compounds that they formed in the inorganic world. But since the publication of Liebig's doctrines, che- mistry likewise describes the combination that the elements form in living structures, and the various and rapidly succeeding changes that take place in them. Indeed, the existence of what is now under- stood by chemistry, depends upon the ajF^ertained fact, that the bodies composing this world consist of a variety of elements, which, by continually changing their combination, constitute all the substances cog- nisable to our senses, living or dead. Properly speaking, to this new science a new name should be given; for the laws of combination that prevail amongst the elements in the inorganic world (t. e. the laws of the old chemistry), cease the moment these same elements enter a living structure, and other ones take their place. But if this distinction he carefully remembered, and always be clearly kept *< Animal putrefaction essentially consists in tho nitrogen of the albuminous proximate principles leaving its alliances and combining with hydrogen to form ammonia ; in carbon and hydrogen uniting to form carburetted hydrogen ; and sulphur and hydro- gen to form sulphuretted hydrogen. It is the last- mentioned substance that communicates the greater part of the offensive smell of putrefying bodies. A rv/%r»4't/>T» f\f fno Biilr>V»fir Qn«4 T\Vi/\artVt/ivita %fmr\t- ^iriAm^ftA before now, becomes sulphuric and phosphoric acids, and form, with the lime, potassa, &c., salts. Lastly, the water, that constitutes so large a bulk of animal textures, trickles away ; and what with the loss of it, and of the gases that have passed off into the air, the bulk of that which is left behind, when tho pro- cess of putrefaction has ceased, bears a very small proportion to the original bulk of the body before putrefaction began ; and this, notwithstanding that during the changes a considerable quantity of oxygen is taken from the air to take its share in the compo- sition of the new compounds that are forming. *• Beside the thorough departure of life, certain conditions are indispensable to the process of putre- faction ; water must be present in order to give the necessary mobility. Thus, if an animal substance be accidentally or artificially deprived of its water, no putrefaction takes place. For instance, the bodies of those who have perished in the Arabian desert are found, years after, very dry, but quite fresh. In the same manner, if meat be deprived of its water, either by very rapid drying, or by extracting the water from it by means of salt, the process of putre- faction is averted. If we freeze flesh also, by ren- dering the water solid, we avert putrefaction. Then, oxygen must be present, and meat can be kept fresh an indefinite time if hermetically sealed in tin oases from which the air has been expelled. •* Just as putrefaction is beginning, and before any feted gas is exhaled, a something, the chemical nature of which is quite unknown, is occasionally generated, which possesses very poisonous properties. ** When the conditions favorable to putrefaction are fully present, the process goes on very rapidly, and the body of even a large animal speedily loses all its appearances and structures, and the elements that composed it retum to that world of inorganic che- mistry from whence they originally came, destined probably very soon to form another living being. ** So it is, that as we all sprang either from putre- faction, or from dead matter that has never before been vitalized, so, in like manner, must all our frames return through the ordeal of putrefaction to the dead world. The muscle of the strong man, the bloom of Ijeauty, the brain of the philosopher, must once more rot, as doubtless they have often rotted before, and are destined, in the continual phasis and circulation of matter to rot again. The hand that writes this in view, no inconvenience arises from including under sentence, nay, the very brain that conceives the chemistry what more correctly belongs to physiology, thought that the hand is marking down, was onoe M m •■>! r'i\ iro THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [J^n 1i earth such as that we all trample on, and soon will be earth again, and, perhaps, ere even the writer*s name has ceased to be mentioned by those with whom be holds familiar intercourse, will be transformed into the cypress of the cemetery, or the daisies of the country churchyard. Nay, also the matter of that eye that reads this saying, and of that brain that re- ceives that saying, and is perhaps startled at it, a little while ago was allied to the elements of inor- ganic matter ; and the time cannot be very distant ere some have to mourn over those terrible words read over it, of * dust to dust and ashes to ashes.' The very tear of affection was once water and a little rock-salt, and after a little time it will be water and rock- salt once more. The ' Phasis of Matter ' is no idle dream : nor are its operations, although they take in even the minutest of things on a small scale. On the contrary, its truth is unquestionable, and its magnitude almost incomprehensible. ** But there is nothing terrible in the doctrine, but the reverse. What is it to us as individuals what the matter of our frames was ten years ago, or may be ten years hence ? Matter is the organ of thought, but it is not thought ; it is medium of uniting our temporary physical identities with our souls, but it is not our souls. Ten years ago the hand that pens this sentence did not contain a single atom of matter that it now contains, and yet ten years ago it was ray hand. Ten years ago my brain knew and believed those leading principles that are so feebly expounded in this volume ; but in that interval the matter of the brain has changed. Not a fibre that vibrated in it then vibrates now, and yet my mind is filled with the same conceptions and the same conclusions. Why a thinking and a spiritual being like man is temporarily mixed up with matter we know not, any more than we can understand the connection ; but we know even with more certainty than that there is matter, that there is mind ; and we farther know that by culture mind may be refined, that knowledge may be accumulated, and that out of increased know- ledge comes increased hope.*' BAD EFTECT OF GRASS ON COLTS. When horses are turned out to grass in the spring of the year, the succulent nature of the food causes them to purge, often to a great extent ; this is con- sidered by many persons a most desirable event — a great misconception. The herbage is overcharged with sap and moisture, of a crude, acrimonious nature, to such an extent that all cannot be taken up by the organs destined for the secretion of urine, or by the absorbant vessels of the body ; the superfluous fluid therefore passes off through the intestines with the indigestible particles of food, and thus the watery faeces are thrown off. Flatulent colic or gripes is a frequent attendant. The system is deranged : but the mischief does not terminate here. If the purging is contmued, a constitutional relaxation of the bowels is established, very debilitating to the animal, and often difficult to control. I am so decidedly opposed to unrestricted allowance of luxuriant grass to honei at any age, that nothing could induce me to gire }| to them. After the second year, hay should form t considerable portion of the daily food in summer to every animal intended for hunting or riding. If a horse is supported entirely upon the gna which he collects in a rich pasture field, or upon tbn which may be cut and carried to him in his paddock. he must consume a much greater bulk than of hay v an equivalent time, to afford nourishment to the syg. tern. Grass being very full of sap and moisture, it 1| Yerj rapidly digested, consequently the horse mo^ be continually eating it. This distends the stomach and the bowels, and the faculty of digestion is ioi* paired, for the digestive powers require rest as well as other organs of the body, if they are to be pre- served in perfect condition. By the custom of grazing, the muscular system is enfeebled, and fat is substi* tuted. This may escape the notice of superficiil observers, who do not mark the distinction betweea the appearance of a fat and a muscular animal, who conceive, so that the bones are covered, and the points are rounded, all that is requisite has been attained. But that is a very fallacious impression. Let anj person who is sceptical on this point ride a horse in the summer who has just been taken out of a grass, along with another kept on hay and corn, at the moderate rate of seven or eight miles in the hour ; the grass- fed horse will sweat profusely, while the other will be perfectly dry. This proves that the system of the one eating grass over abounds with fat and those portions of the blood which are destined to form that deposit. Those who will advocate grazing will no doubt ex- claim, '* Oh this is a test of condition, which is nol required in young and growing animals." I beg to state that it is highly important, if the acme of con* dition is to be attained by animals of mature age, that the growth and gradual development of their frames should be composed of those healthy and vig» rous elements upon which the structure of future condition can be raised. Animal substances are toi very great eitent subservient to the nature and quil* ity of the food with which the individuals arc nott* rished. I believe farmers would find it much to their advantage if they were to consider this subject with reference to feeding cattle and sheep, so that they might select those kinds of food which abound with properties more conducive to the production of flo» than fat. There is no kind of food which the hor« consumes which has not a tendency to deposit (^ It is a substance which must exist to a certain extent; but as it is muscular power, not a predisposition to» dispose rotundity, which enhances the value of the animal, the reasons are obvious what guide should W taken in the selection of food. I have on a former occasion hinted the propric^ 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. m of bruising the oats, and I will now state my reasons for doing so. The first I will mention is economy. Three bushels of oats which have undergone that process are equivalent to four which have not, and the animals which consume them derive greater benefit. Various schemes are adopted to induce horses to mas- ticate their corn, all of which are ineffectual. Scat- tering' them thinly over the surface of a spacious luanger, mixing a handful of cut hay or straw with each feed, and such like devices, will not cajole the animal to the performance of mastication. A horse that is disposed to bolt his oorn, however carefully it may be spread along his manger, will soon learn to drive it into a heap with his nose, and collect as much with his lips as he thinks fit before he begins to masticate. Whatever food enters tho stomach of any stomach of any animal, and passes away in an undigested form, may be considered as so much dross or extraneous matter, which, not having afforded nutriment, is prejudicial to the creature which con- sumed it. A mistaken notion of economy is often the incentive to turning horses out in summer, to be entirely dependent upon grass for their support. A few remarks will surely dispel that error. Twenty- two bushels of oats— allowing one bushel per week from the 15th of May to the 16th of October— may be as the produce of half an acre of land, and half a I ton of hay that of another half-acre, although a ton and a half per acre is not more than an average crop. It requires at least an acre of grass land to support a horse during the period above named. — Mark Lane Express, «»» SlIALL OB LABOE POTATOES. [CONTINUBD PROM PAOB 150.] We have designed in the preceding remarks to show how little we really know as to this vegetable. After having multiplied species till the same doubt may be produced, as exists in a higher department and a nobler article of natural history, whether they can all have been derived from the first single pair after having been familiar with its cultivation in almost every known climate, having seen it on our tables and in our fields for years, still we concede that our know- ledge is not fixed, and that circumstances have again Rharpened our curiosity, and put in motion our specu- lations. We have no hope, and certainly shall not pretend to gratify the one, or condense and make permanent the other. One of our chief purposes in taking the pen in our hand is to show our agricultural brothers that they have still a great deal to learn, and that a rude unreflecting practise, put in action on no principle, and guided by nothing but mere ^abit, will neither extend our knowledge or make it more perfect. In the cultivation of all plants there are points to be considered which require thought and a long experience to be fully understood ; but it surely is very strange that in the long and extensive cultivation of the potatoe, no one has undertaken to fix for it either the climate or soil best suited for its growth, and it is only within a few years that any well managed experiments have been made to settle the point, whether whole potatoes or cuttings should be planted. We have mentioned that the largest crops and the best potatoes, or if this expres- sion may be invidious in a national and patriotic view, we will qualify it by saying that large crops of very fine potatoes have been produced in Ireland and in England. Lancashire, we believe, raises the best known to that island. Now, neither of these portions of her Majesty's dominions resemble even remotely the native home of the potatoe ; and no human mind could ever have imagined or reasoned itself into a belief, that a damp and exposed position, in a north- ern latitude, should prove more genial for its growth and extension, than its warm, dry, native soil, in a southern. Still such is the fact, and such a fact shows the difiSculties with which we have to contend, and is a clear evidence that we must not draw con- clusions from unqualified statements, or a few un- connected experiments. IIow much may depend on climate and soil, may be inferred, not only from the number of varieties of this vegetable, but from the qualities. There are as numerous as the varieties. There are the good, the very good— the bad, the very bad— the indifferent, and the good for nothing — the waxy, the watery, the dry, the mealy, with a host of intermediate degrees of excellence and worlhlessness that perplex all palates, and confound all philosophy. All these peculiarities are the result of climate, soil and cultivation, of whose action we know very little, with whose agency we are disposed to trifle or neg- lect, and whose mysteries, though deep and almost impenetrable, form some of the most interesting ob- jects of thought and subjects of investigation. A sound and sagacious cultivator considers all these points. He regards something more than the mere tuber presented to him. Its taste, color and nutri- tive qualities may recommend it, but he asks, as to the soil, where it was produced, as to the manner of producing it ; and, according to the assertion of a celebrated English agriculturist, even the haulm and leaves must be scrutinized, as he says that he lias never known a good variety with smooth leaves. Each particular soil, no doubt, produces its variety, but it requires much time to establish a species, and to know to what degree of excellence a particular soil is likely to carry it. There is, therefore, to avoid loss, or the introduction or the continuing to culti- vate bad varieties, an absolute necessity of knowing all the points to which we have alluded. When this is done, and the cultivator is satisfied that his soil and his climate are fitted for the variety he proposes to cultivate, the next matter to be settled is the man- ner in which this is to be done. As this involves points of practise, which each one will establish for himself, there is no occasion for advice or instruction. TIGHT BINDING X} IHI« III 172 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Jtnn For the Farm Journal. THE JAPAN PEA, T^Iessrs. Editors:— Having cultivated the Japan pea for the two past seasons, I can say something about its habits and its value. In the first place it requires the whole in this (40 degrees) latitude to mature. It should be planted about the 8th of May ; not earlier, or it may be cut oif by the frost in May ; nnf U^pr Ar \t mav he iniiired bv frost in September. Plant in rows three feet apart, and one foot in the row. One pea in a place is sufficient, more than one would be injurious. It is a strong, branching, tree-form plant, occupy- ing considerable space, and requiring no poles like the common pea. It is very prolitic, one pea has been known to produce nearly a pint. Unlike the common pea, it is never infested with bugs. For fall and winter use it is considered by most persons who have tasted it fully equal to the Lima bean, for which on account of its easy cultivation it will be found a profitable substitute. It cooks tender and has some- thing of the taste and smell of boiled chicken ; it should be soaked over night in warm water, and boiled two and a half or three hours. Like most plants it grows best in strong soil ; but can be grown profitably on any soil suitable for corn. As an article of food for winter use it promises to be of great value. Those who try it once, will not willingly be without it. It will recommend itself. Chester County. J. VV. Thornb. «•> For the Fami Journal. State Hill, New York, May 6th, 1856. Messes. Editors :— I take and read a majority of the agricultural papers published in the United States, and deem the expense, money well spent. I was very much interested with an article in the May Number of your Journal, by Jos. A. Humphreys, Esq., of Kentucky, on the subject of Steam Power on Farms. I design the approaching autumn to substitute steam for horse power on my farm, and have been looking with a good deal of interest to see what could be said on the subject. The article alluded to is very valuable and timely, and for one I thank the author for it. There are other topics, however, which I wish to see discussed. Whenever I sit down to make my plan for my buildings, I am surrounded by numerous difficulties. I design erecting a building for my engine, and in connection therewith desire to construct also a corn house, granery, root cellar, &c. &c., and how to locate them all with reference to the barn where my cattle are kept, I am at a loss to determine. Of course the steam power will be used for thrashing and grinding grain for feed, shelling corn and cutting hay stalks, and steaming the same for feeding the cattle. I have never seen an establishmtnt of this kind, and desire to avail myself of the experience of others. Is there not great danger from fire, and what precautions are to be taken to avoid it ? Is the ouilding for the engine to be located at any considerable distance from the other buildings, or is a high chimney to be erected for the purpose of safety ? I suppose, considering the various uses to which I mean to use thf power, that I must have a stationary engine, for I de- sign cooking the food with the escape steam, and mmt therefore have my boiler always the same distance from the steam boxes. If any of your readers can furuiah a plan for the erection of such buildings, they will confer a great favor to many who desire to use steam power. If I knew where I could see a complete apparatus at wnrlr T would trladlv make a visit to see it. I ought to state that my farm consists of about three hundred acres, and I expect to keep and feed one hun- dred milch cows, besides the necessary working teami for the farm. Very truly your's, Peter Mills. For the Farm Journal. Honey brook, April 18th, 1866. Messrs. Editobs :— I see in the April Number of the Farm Journal a wish for farmers to write for you, giTing their experience about matters and things concerning their occupation. Now I would say first, that some of the farmers of Honeybrook are getting into a lazy way of sowing their oats ; they put it in without plowing the ground, just sow the oats on the corn stalks, and harrow it in. It is a disgiace to the neighborhood to see such farming: it is what I call half doing it. I have been engaged in farming for twenty-five years, and I always found what was worth doing at all, was worth doing well. I will give you my plan of raising corn in which 1 have been the most successful. I generally plow the ground in the fall from six to ten inches in depth, and then in the spring thoroughly pulverize it with spike harrow and cultivator, mark it off four feet by four, dropping four grains in each hill, plant about the Ist of May, and not later than the 8th or 10th in this latitude. I never lost anything by planting early. If you h»Te to replant any it makes it late, and the birds are always harder on the late corn. As soon as I see it coming through the ground, I give it a coat of one part plaster, and two parts ashes, and then commence working it The more the ground is stirred the better. I like to go over it from five to eight times, till it gets knee high, and then leave it, for it is very injurious to work it, when it is too large, it hurts the roots, and you are apt to break it I will let you hear from me again if you desire it A SUBSCEIBEB. Michigan State Agricultural School.— We learn that the State Society of Michigan is engaged in putting up the buildings for their State AgricuUuril School, and it is expected that the school will be in working order by next mouth. It is gratifying to note the progress which is making in the vanou States in regard to the establishment of Agriculturtl Colleges and School Farms. We will have to keep* sharp look out, or our neighbours will get ahead us yett 1866.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER, 173 M tl lil| ■'I EIGAR'8 PATENT COMPENSATING WIND WHEEL. The annexed figure is a view of the compensating wind wheel of J. Elgar, of Baltimore, Md., for which a patent was granted on the 10th of July, 1856. The wheel is made entirely of iron. A is the cast iron hub, in which are inserted the arms, B, of wrought iron, G is the rim, made of flat wrought iron, and in this the outer ends of the arms are fastened. C C are two wings on each arm, B ; they are made of sheet iron ; for a ten foot wheel they arc four feet long, and two feet wide at the cater end. They are hung by hinges of strap iron to the arms, and rest on shoulders at their inner ends, »nd against the collets, E, at their outer extremities. D D are two spiral springs made of steel wire, and se- cured as shown, to each arm. One spring is made much stronger than the other each is coiled loosely around the arm, about four inches in length, and has a tail about seven inches long pressing against the back of the wings. H H are stops on the rim of the wheel — one for each wing. The collets, E, to which the weak springs are fastened, are movable round the arms, so as to strengthen or weaken the force of the springs, to suit the work, and are held by a set-screw. The object of this wheel is to afford a means of self- regulation or government in the wheel iiael/f by the com- bined and reciprocal action of the wind and springs upon the wings. It will be observed that there are two wings hung by hinges on their edge to each arm, C, and that 4 TIGHT BINDING ill i>il> Vtl 174 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. [JUJH they are thus independent of each other. They can reyolve within certain limits, and are kept up against the stops, H H, in their proper angle to the wind, in plane with each other by the coiled springs pressing on their backs. Those wings which, in the rotation of the wheel, are aft of the arms, are held up to their work by the inner springs, D, which are so strong that they yield only in cases of high winds, to relieve the wheel from too great pressure. In common winds they are stationary, and jfuraish the means of a constant power to propel the wheel. Those wings forward of the arms in the revolu- tion of the wheel, are held up to their stops in light winds by the weaker outer springs, D, which yield easily when the wind grows stronger. Every degree of move- ment of these wings back, brings them nearer into the plane of the wheel., and thus lessens the power of the wind to produce rotation ; and when they are forced into the plane of the wheel, their effective power is neutr*. lized. [This result is only produced by a force of win4 sufficient to propel the wheel at a proper speed by the stationary wings alone.] As the strength of the wind increases, these wings are forced back beyond the plane of the wheel, and then become a retarding power. And though the wheel would atopf when the wings fold back during a 9torm^ — by making the q/lfer-wings a few inches wider than the forward wings, the wheel will go on. When the wind falls or lulls, the wings are restored by the springs to their former positions. This wind wheel revolves with nearly a uniform velocity, even when thtf wind is very fickle. It is now applied to pumping, to satisfaction. More information respecting it may be obtained bj t letter addressed to the patentee BTODDABD'S PATENT HAND PLANTER. r\ The accompanying engravings represent the improve- ments in hand Corn Planters, for which a patent was granted to Oren Stoddard, of Busti, Chatauque Co., N. Y., on the 26th of June, 1856. The two figures are vertical sections (taken at right angles to one another) of the implement, and the same letters refer to like parts on both. A represents a rectangular case of a suitable size, having within it a smaller case, B. Within the smaller case, B, there is fitted a follower, C, to which a handl* or rod, D, is attached, and passing up through the top or cover of the case, A. The smaller case B, in on« direction is equal to the breadth of the case. A, as shown in fig. 2 ; but it is narrower in the other direction, as shown in fig. 1, so as to leave a space, a, at each side between them. To the upper part of the smaller case, B, there are attached two springs, b by at opposite sides. The lower ends of these springs are attached to bars, cc, 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. 175 to which bars perforated plates or dropping slides are attached, and working through apertures in the lower sides of the case, B, and over the bottoms of the spaces, ^ The ends of the follower, C, has recesses or notches, e made in it, in which the springs, b 6, fit. To the under surface of the follower, "C, there are attached a series of rods /,* any proper number may be used, (probably six would be sufficient — three at each side of the follower,) and through the bottom of the case, A, there are made a rrPsnondiniT number of holes, over which short tubes, An g are secured. To each side of the smaller case, B, there is attached by a pivot. A, a lever D*. The lower ends of each of these levers has a cross bar, t, attached to it, and vertical rods,y, are attached to the lower sur- faces of the cross bars. The upper ends of the two levers, D' D', are connected by a cross rod, Ar, which passes through a slot, Z, in the handle or rod, D, of the follower, C. The upper part of the slot, /, is straight, and the lower part of zig-zag form, as shown in fig. 2. The top or cover of the case, A, has an aperture, m, made through it, as shown in fig. 1. The implement is operated as follows : The case. A, is filled with corn, and the rod or handle, D, is drawn up- ward, as shown in the full lines. The tubes, ^, ere then forced into the ground, and the handle or rod, D, pressed downward. As the follower, C descends, the springs, b 6, are contracted, and the plates or distributing slides, dy are drawn within the smaller case, B. The apertures in the slides are then brought directly underneath the rods,/, attached to the follower, and the zig-zag portion of the, ly operates the levers, D' D', while the rods, y, attached to the cross bars, t, of the level's are vibrated, and cause the corn to enter the apertures in the plates or slides, d, previously to their being drawn within the case, B. As the follower, C, descends the rods, /, force the corn from the apertures in the plates, dy down within the tubes, y, and leaves each kernel the requisite distance in the ground, (represented by dotted lines.) As the follower is drawn upward, the springs, b by are allowed to expand, and the plates of slides, d, return to their original position. The nature of this invention consists in the arrange- ment of the follower, C, the side plates, (f, and the levers, I** D', provided with the cross arms, », and rods/, opera- ting as has been described. One of these implements with six tubes places six grains in a hill, and these at equal distances apart and at an equal depth throughout the field. It is used by a person planting the same as if he were walking through the field with a walking cane, it making the holes when set down, and covering the seed when raised. The first premium for hand planters was awarded to it at the late New York State Fair, held at Elmira. More information respecting it may be obtained by addressing Mr. Stoddard at Busti. EXPERIMEKTS WITH SUPER-PHOSPHATE OP LIME. Mr. Walker of North Brookfield Mass., gives the following results of some experiments with snper-phcs- Phate of lime as a fertilizer. The first was 160 pounds sowed the 21st of April on square rods of natural mowing. The land was of good quality, but much exhausted by long cropping, situated on a side hill, with a clay subsoil. By the Ist of June the eff*ects were visible at a considerable distance, and many persons visited the spot to observe the change it produced. The clover, on the whole sixty rods, came up much thicker than upon the adjoining land, and at haying time it produced 33 per cent more than where the phosphate was not applied. But this was not the best part of the experiment, for the second crop was still more remarkable than the first. It was fed down in the fall, and therefore could not be accurately measured, but no one who saw it doubted that there was an increase of at least 100 per cent in the second crop. This experiment showed conclusively the power of this fertilizer on grass land, and the crop was increased in proportion to the quantity applied. I then tried the same article on com land. It was a dry knoll of poor exhausted pasture land, plowed in the fall, and in the spring 20 loads of stable manure spread and plowed in. The seed was the King Philip corn. Where the phosphate was applied in the hill at the rate of 400 pounds to the acre, the crop was doubled exactly, over that where nothing was put in the hill. The result on corn-fodder, though not so striking, was very satis- factory, the increase being about 60 per cent. I tried' the same on potatoes. Those called the Jenny Lind were increased about 26 per cent. Other kinds nearly as much. The advantages of the phosphate are that it can be easily obtained, conveniently transported and readily ap- plied. It enables farmers to extend their planting beyond the extent of their ordinary manures. It is particularly convenient for small cultivators, who often have some land, but no manure. To such the phosphate is the very desideratum. It is applied as easily as ashes, and is so effective as to answer every purpose. SAVE AND USE EVERYTHING THAT WILL FERTILIZE. We commend the following article from the Country Gentlemany to the careful attention of our readers. There are thousands of dollars wasted annually bj the neglect of farmers to take care of the different manures which might be accumulated upon every farm in the country. Many seem slow in learning this lesson, and there- fore it may be repeated a great many times without any fear of its inutility or inapplicability. This may probably come under the eye of many — of some few at least — who never attempt to make the best possible use of several sources of fertility around them. Are there not a good many who, for example, never save or use their hen manure ? Are there not a great many who leave their yard and stable manure to be injured more than one-half, by being left exposed to the incesant theft scommitted by the suns, rains and winds ? Why does this negligence so extremely prevail ? In some, probably, from a fear of trouble, from a lazy disinclination to do anything that can be let alone. In most, perhaps, from some vague idea that it will not pay, or from the want of a firm and clear impression TIGHT BINDING ITS THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [J«nn % of the actual value of what they are allowing to go to waste. Every cultivator of the soil knows that the markets of the world, and the wants of the inhabitants of the world, are scarcely ever supplied to the full, and that he may add to these supplies and to the com- fort of many, as well as to his own pecuniary income, by almost every addition to his crops which he can procure by means of manuring and extra cultivation of all kinds. With such inducements before him— adding to the great heap from which all draw t»ieir supplies, helping to save some from sufifering and want, and increasing the comforts of others, and at the same time augmenting his own pecuniary resources— it seems that cultivators of the soil can be negligent only from not having given their attention to these matters. Let us take at present the case of hen manure. Bushels and barrels of it are allowed to go to waste every year. Now we may take for granted that this manure is not far behind guano in real value. If then guano and other fertilizers are freely bought at prices which make each pound of guano, or of an equivalent, cost about three cents in cash, why should not every pound of hen manure be estimated at least two cents ? And then again, if guano when judiciously used, pro- duces an ample return, often from IQO to 700 per cent — and if there is good reason as there is, to expect as good returns from hen manure at the price at which we have put it, how blind to all considerations which usually stir men to action, must that man be, who allows dollars and dollars' worth of domestic guano to go to waste, when if used it would bring him in more by tens and hundreds of times, than the value in money if put at interest. The same train of reasoning would lead to similar results in regard to other neglected sources of fertili- ty. We leave those interested to make their own aplication. Meanwhile, we would draw to a conclusion this appeal to those who have hitherto been thoughtless or neglectful, by reminding them that they may even yet do something to make up for past negligence. For example, the hen manure, which their more careful and thrifty neighbours have swept up every week and put into boxes and barrels, with a sprinkling or layer of charcoal on the top of every fresh sweeping, they may yet save, though in a less valuable condition, and use for garden or the more remote fields with great advantage to the crops of the season now at hand. A barrel would manure half an acre of com. It should be mixed with muck or some other divisor, as undilu- ted it would bum the seed as guano does. . 4«*- BOOT CROPS-TURNIPS. There are many varieties of turnips cultivated by our agriculturists, of which, two species, the Swedish or ruta-baga and English or flat, receive the most attention. Of their utility as provendor for stock, it is not our purpose to speak, but rather to give a few practical hints relative to culture, &c. In the selection of seed for this crop, certain quei, tions arise which should have the careful consideratioi of the farmer. Which variety will give the largest yield, and at the same time furnish the great propor. tion of nutriment for the amount of soil under cultiv». tion? Which for the uses intended, will be vam economical ? The Swedish turnip is thft most valuable to the stock raiser for late feeding, and has this great advantage /%«.««. «ll ofYtfira — etter, and a garden soil two feet in depth, pays bet- HUJi. ihis, of course, cannot be made at once, '^ithout a good deal of expense, but it should be the aim of every good gardener. The sub-soil should be w^ugbt up every year until he has a rich dark mold, 0 feet or more in depth, in ey^ry part of his gar- den. It should be stirred to that depth eyery spring, before the seeds are put into the soil. The beet tools to do this work with are the common surface spade and the trenching spade. These leave the soil in a much lighter and finer condition than the plow, and give a freer range to the small roots of plants. Of course, the labor of preparing a seed-bed with the spade is much greater than with the plow ; but the results are also much better, both in the yield of veg- etables, and in the amelioration of the seil. Liberal manuring is another item of economy in the garden. This should be in proportion to the depths of the soil. A heavy dressing upon a soil, stirred only two or three inches deep, would be likely to bum up the crops, while if it were thoroughly and deeply mixed with the soil, it would greatly add to their luxuriance. Guano, night-soil, and strong stable manure, often destroy the roots of plants, be- cause they are not sufficiently incorporated With the soil. The more perfectly you carry out this process of intermingling, the more largely will the soil ap- propriate fertilizers, and give a good account of them in harvest. When one has thus prepared his garden in spring time, he will need little exhortation to till it through the summer. He has already invested enough in it to call for his constant oversight, and to make it share his attention with his fields. Every crop will have timely tillage, the weeds will be kept scarified so as to give free circulation to air. heat, and moisture. A garden thus prepared and tilled, will be profitable to its owner. He will be astonished at results in his own garden, which he had supposed were to be real- ized only under the skillful cultivation of the ama- teur.—i\r. y. Observer, HINTS ON PEUNING FOB THE SEASON. We have often given our ideas of pruning, and can- not do more than to give noerely an outline now. Never cut a limb of more than half an inch in diam- ter in the months of March, April or May : but cut in June, October or November, and always cover the wound, even of small limbs, with gum shellac dis- solved in alcohol. Cut out where hmbs cross, or where they incline too many of them to the inside of the tree. Do not cut off* the young side shoots and leaves in the growing season, as they are placed there to elaborate sap, and will increase the growth of the tree. As a general thing, too much pruning is done to young trees. If started judiciously, they need but little, very little trimming, annually, so that if the owner of a young orchard has an uncontrollable de- sire to use his knife, he had better supply his pockets with several pieces of soft pine wood, before he takes a stroll through his orchard. Prevention is better than cure. — New England Farmer, «•» . The Sunfloweb is now much cultivated for its oil. and as food for cattle and poultry. One acre will produce 50 gallons of oil and 1500 pounds of oilcake The stalks, when burnt for alkali, give 10 cwt of pot- ash. HHii '"I TIGHT BINDIN 180 THE FARM JOURNAL AND l>ROaRBSSIVE FARMER. [JUMl KEEP THE BEST STOCK. A correspondent of the Waltham Sentinel commu- nicates the following valuable statements in relation to the profits of milk raising : " Is this business, at the present price of food for animals, a remunerative one ? What does it cost to "keep the cow, and how much milk will she yiel^ in THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Jtrii ■ !>;! ON A SIMPLE AND ECONOICICAL METHOD Of CozLTertixig Urint into a Solid Portable Mamiro. BT DB, J. DATY, Prot AgriouUural Chemistrj, Dublin. Urine is the most abundant and probably the most important of all liquid manures. From time immemo- rial it has been known and used as a yaluable addition to the soil ; and its importance to the farmer is uniyer- sally admitted. It contains all the elements necessary to giye fertility to the common crops, and especially to such as are rich in nitrogen ; yet it is a matter of aston- ishment and regret that almost everywhere it is suffered to run to waste. Thousands of tons are carried daily by our rivers to the sea ; and besides this vast loss our rivers are polluted, while by defective drainage and sewerage the salubrity of the atmosphere is also im- paired. The object of this communication is to point out a simple and economical method of converting urine, and especially human, into a solid, portable manure, so as to make it generally available for the purposes of agriculture. The chief objections to the use of urine are Well known to be the large amount of water it contains ; the difficulty or expense of its removal, and the offensive odor arising from its decomposition, when kept in its common state for some time. These objections may all,' however, be obviated by very simple means. Mix the urine, either fresh or stale, or a mixture of both, with peat and turf mold, in rather coarse powder, (in the or- dinary state of dryness it acquires by simple exposure to the atmosphere) into a soft solid, which is spread out so as to occupy a large surface in the open air ; or under cover, if necessary, where there is a free commu- nication with the air. In a short time its water is removed (without the aid of artificial heat) merely by spontaneous evaporation, which takes place at all tem- peratures, and with a rapidity increasing with the warmth, dryness, motion of the air, &c.; then when the soft solid is become dry, a fresh quantity of urine is mixed with it, and the previous process of drying re- peated. In this way there can be obtained dry mea- sures in powder, containing one part by weight of peat mold, and the solid matter of from one to sixteen parts by weight of urine, without any offensive odor. In some cases, I have mixed two parts by weight of the peat mold powder with about three purts by weight of urine, and dried the mixture by exposure to the air. At other times, under favorable circumstances, I have mixed at once about five times, or even ten times, the weight of urine, to one of peat mold powder ; but in these cases the surface on which the mixture was dried, did not absorb any of the fluid. The best mode of making this manure so as to meet the wants of agriculturists, must obviously depend on their peculiar circumstances, and is a mere matter of mechanical arrangement and detail. The simple means here proposed, appear to be well adapted to effect the important object stated. Feat or turf mold^ from its properties, composition and abundance, is admirably adapted as a medium for taking up a large amount of urine, yielding its water to the atmosphere and retain- ing its solid matter in a state fitted to supply nutriment (( <« (I to plants. Thus, when dry it is light and spongy, be- ing only about one-third of the density of our common soils. It also contains, more or less, earthy and alka- line salts ; often much gypsum, and likewise a variable quantity of ammonia, derived from organic matter, or the atmosphere. It has also similar deodorizing and disinfecting properties as charcoal, so that it readily neutralizes or destroys the most foeted odors. It seems calculated to infuse the texture and modify the absorb. «»nf ir\nwo«4 of th« ori>inerfi.litv of noils, and is evervwhiiwi abundant. The application of peat mold to save waste urine docs not supersede its still more important use as a means of deodorizing mixed excreta, both solid and fluid, and converting it into manure, not inferior to the guanos imported from foreign countries. — London Chm. : 4«» FJKPERIMENTS IN POTATO PLANTING. Mr. Brown of Long Island has recently publir,hed an interesting experiment touching the planting of the butt-ends and seed-ends of potatoes. Last spring, he planted four rows of equal length, of two varieties of potatoes. In one row, with each variety, he planted only the "seed-ends" of the potato; in the other, the opposite, or "butt- ends." These were the pink-eyes and the peach-blows. We quote the results from the concluding portion of his statement : ** I'he yield of these four rows was a follows : Pink-eyes, butt-ends, - - - 217 pounds. «* seed-ends, • • -170 Peach-blows, butt-ends, - - 225 " seed-ends, - - -179 The potatoes raised from the butt-ends were much larger than those from the seed-ends, and appeared to be from a week to ten days earlier. Had the whole field been planted with butt-ends, the yield would have been more than 600 bushels to the acre. I also planted two rows next to the above, in one of which I put only large potatoes, half a tuber in each hill, cut lengthwise so as to divide the eyes equally, and in the other row I dropped only small potatoes, one in each hill. From the former I dug 181 pounds, and from the latter 184 pounds. I should add that the average yield of the field was about 130 pounds to the row; and that large (not the very largest) potatoes were used for seed cut lengthwise with a half of a tuber in each hill." Planting Fruit Tkkis fob Othim.— The Spaniards have a maxim that a man is ungrateful to the past gen- eration that planted the trees from which he eats fruit, and deals unjustly toward the next generation, unless he plants the seed, that it may furnish food for those who come after him. Thus, whenever a son of Spain eats a peach or pear by the road-side, wherever be is, he digs a hole in the ground with his foot and covers the seed. Consequently, all over Spain, by the road- sides and elsewhere, fruit in great abundance, tempts the taste, and is ever free. Let this practice be imitat- ed in our country, and the weary wanderer will be blest, and will bless the hand that ministered to his comfort and joy. We are bound to leave the world as good, or better than we found it, and he is a selfish churl, who basks under the shadow and eats the fruit of trees which other hands have planted, if he will not also plant trees which shall yield fruit to coming genera- tions.— Home CircU. 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. tss &«JEII£TTOU VVftOSERTSSC BLACK HAWK TROTTING 8TALLI0W, "KOSSUTH," Owned by L. L. Chu»ch & Co., West Fairlee, Vt. ' «» WntE WORKS. To a subscriber who appeals to us for information respecting the Wire- worm, we would commend the following article from the Western Agricultursilist. The remedies which have been proposed for the destruction of the wire-worm are numerous but none of them have proved universal in their benefits. Ex- periments have been made with various chemical substances, but what was found to destroy them, generally injured the plants. Quick-lime is recom- mended to be applied, but experiment has proved that an immersion of twenty-four hours in a quick-lime bath will not injure them. They will live for half an hour in aquafortis, which eats the mouth, but does not affect the body. A crop of buckwheat for two seasons on the same land, is said to destroy them. It 18 affirmed by some that late fall ploughing will destroy them, by exposing them to the frosts of winter, but It has not proved always efifectual. Hog manure is recommended as proving too strong for them; this remedy should be tried cflfectually, for unlike many others, even though it do not afiect the worm, is a first rate manure, especially for com. Some say that guano will kill them, but experiments prove otherwise. Soda has been used at times with success. Salt has its advocates, but it is not a universal panacea. Flooding has been tried, but it cannot be drowned. Kolling is recommended to destroy them in grass lands. the act itself is beneficial, even though the wire- worm should still live. For preserving the corn-crop, it is recommended that the seed be steeped in strong copperas water, and rolled in plaster before planting. This may protect the grain, but we doubt its effect will not extend to the young plants. It is also announced that pounded corn cobs mixed in the hills or sowed broadcast over the field and ploughed in, will attract them from corn, and lead them to feed on the pith of the cobb ; but we would not trust to this remedy. It is remarked that certain plants have the power to expel the wire-worm. These are woad and white mustard ; an experiment in England has proved that of a crop of either of thesd plants be taken from a field infested with the wire- worm, it will be completely expelled. Considering its hardness of structure and tenacity of life, we have but little faith in the application of any preparation to the soil, to destroy it. that will not injure the crops. After a careful examination and consultation of the authorities, we have but one remedy to suggest, which will destroy it, and that is fire. We allude to the principal of paring and burning practised extensively in England for the purpose of improving the soil. In executing this process, the surface, generally to the depth of three inches, is ploughed or pared up, (there are instruments made on purpose for it,) and tod we are inclined to recommend this remedy because I allowed to dry. It is then harrowed and made fine ; TIGHT BINDING m I I ii 184 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. Juw. and brushwood laid in rows through the field, and the pared soil heaped on the brush, and all set on fire. It effectually destroys the roots and seeds of weeds, and all insects, their larvae and eggs. The burning is supposed to improve the land more than its cost, so that those who feel disposed to try this plan have a certainty that the remedy will not cost as much as the injury received from the worms. ««^ BEATTTITY YOUR HOME. Every man should do his best to own a home. The first money he can spare ought to be invested in a dwelling where his family can live permanently. Viewed as a matter of economy, this is important, not only because ho can ordinarily build more cheaply than he can rent, but because of the expense caused by frequent change of residence. A man who early in life builds a home for himself and family, will save some thousands of dollars in the course of twenty years, besides avoiding the inconvenience and trouble of removals. Apart from this, there is something agreeable to our better nature in having a home that we can call our own. It is a form of property that is more than property. It speaks to the heart, enlists the sentiments, and enables the possessor. The asso- ciations that spring up around it, as the birthplace of children ~as the scene of life's holiest emotions — as the sanctuary where the spirit cherishes its purest thoughts, are such as all value ; and whenever their influence is exerted, the moral sensibilities are improved and exalted. The greater part of our happiness in this world is found at home ; but how few recollect that the happiness of to day is increased by the place where we were happy on yesterday, and that, insensi- bly, scenes and circumstances gather up a store of blessedness for the weary hour of the future ! On this account we should do all in our power to make home attractive. Not only should we cultivate such tempers as serve to render its intercourse amiable and affectionate but we should strive to adorn it with those charms which good sense and refinement so easily impart to it. We say easily, for there are those persons who think that a home cannot be beautiful without a considerable outlay of money. Such people are in error. It costs little to have a neat flower garden, and to surround your dwelling with those simple beauties which delight the eye far more than expensive objects. If you will let the sunshine and the dew adorn your yard, they will do more for you than any artist. Nature delights in beauty. She loves to brighten the landscape and make it agreeable to the eye. She hangs the ivy around the ruin, and over the stump of a withered tree twines the graceful vine. A thousand arts she practices to animate the senses and please the mind. Follow her example and do for yourself what she is always laboring to do for you. Beauty is a divine instrumentality. It is one of God's chosen forms of power. We never see creative energy without something beyond mere existence, and hence the whole universe is a teacher and inspirer of beauty. Every man was born to be an artist, so far as the appreciation and enjoyment of beauty are concerned, and he robs himself of one of the precious gifts of his being if he fails to fulfill this beneficial purpose of his creation. — Southern Times, SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURE. There was a time when this phrase was a by -word of scorn, otaiu oiu i&iiuers mIu tucy wanted no such new-fangled notions, but were content to sow and reap as their fathers had done before them. But, fortunate- ly for mankind, this prejudice is passing away. Liebig has demonstrated, that for every grain of wheat which is grown, a certain quantity of potash is taken up from the soil, and that, until this lost ingredient is restored, either by manuring or by letting the ground lie fallow, the capacity of that particular field to raise wheat is so far forth diminished. He has shown also that what is true of wheat, is also true of rye, oats, Indian corn, grasses, and all other vegetable products, the ingredient taken up only being altered. What the great agri- cultural chemist has thus demonstrated in the labora- tory, enterprising farmers in Scotland and England have proved practically in the field. The laws which govern the growth of plants have been analyzed and exemplified as successfully as those which control the circulation of the blood, the uses of respiration or the constitution of air. To be successful in raising a good crop is now almost as much a matter of known cause and effect as the driving of a locomotive or the lighting of a city. Yet, in spite of this, scientifio agriculture is still greatly neglected. Even one of its first laws, that no more land should be farmed than can be thoroughly cultivated, is constantly neglected. Three agricultu- rists out of every four, in this State of Pennsylvania alone, where generally cultivation is so thorough and remunerative, undertake far more land than they can properly manage. An agricultural contemporary, in view of this fact, estimates that an improved economy in this matter would add to the net receipts of each farm, annually, an increase of one sixteenth over the present yield of grains, or enough to pay all the taxei now collected yearly off the land, which amount, as is well known, to the round sum of two millions of dollars. To each particular farmer, it seems but a small leak ; yet how vast is the aggregate ! The difference between what might be done and what is done, merely in this one matter, would, in thirty years, make any fanner rich. It is a difference that, in ft year of drought, would avert a scarcity. It is ft dii" fercnce that, at all times, would materially contribute towards giving us the agricultural market of the world, by giving us an enormous surplues to the soil.— PAiM* Ledger, 1^ — GIRDLED TREES. There is much complaint this spring in regard to girdling of fruit trees by mice and meadow moles. The winter was so very severe that these little gentry 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. leere forced to live on bark or starve to death, and in many cases they had not a choice of bark, but seized the nearest shoots, and lived in the most penurious manner, on the sprouts of maple trees. We think when such trees are small it is best to cut them off near the ground and let new shoots come up. When these shoots come from the scion or grafted part of the trunk the new tree will be of the right kind. But when the mice have eaten all the bark above the point where the scion was inserted, a new scion may be put in the old stock. Some orchardists recommend the insertion of scions long enough to connect the two parts of the bark that were seperated by the mice, and when the tree is six inches in diameter this is the only way to save it. The scions or twigs should be long enough to reach wholly across the part which was gnawed, and should be so sharpened at each end as to fit into the wood above and below the naked sap wood. A tree may be saved in this way in case a good number of of scions are used — but whether in common cases, we shall be repaid for our trouble there is a question. Trees saved in this way are not often thrif- ty.—il/ass. Ploughman, i#» THE MOST PROFITABLE VARIETIES OF BEAHS. A correspondent of the Country Gentlemen furnishes the following information respecting the best and most profitable kinds of beans. Almost every variety will answer the purpose for which beans are used : yet an experienced cultivator has a choice in varieties for different uses. Of bush or dwarf beans, may be selected : For an early kitchen garden, either the China, Early Mowhawk, Yellow Six Weeks, Robroy, or Quaker Dwarfs. For snaps or string beans, to be used green in the summer or for pickling, either for summer or winter use, St. Valentines, Refugee, or Red bush Cranberry. For shell beans in the summer, the Royal Dwarf. For bean soup, the Turtle Soup bean, on account of its rich flavor. For baking with pork, the small Pea bean, Chenango, or Boston AJ arrow. For perpetual bearers through the season, the Lady Kachel, or Early Warrington. For stock, to be ground with com and oats, and fed to sheep, milch cows, working oxen and fattening beef, the large Red-eyes of Ohio, or Half-moons of New York, or large Mowhawks, on account of their productive- ness. For fertilizers to be plowed under to enrich the soil, the Kentucky Pea, which is a bean of much foliage. Of the pole varieties, he may select : ^or a shell bean, the Lima, White Dutch Case ^nife, Zebra case knife. Horticultural, or white dutch Runners. For snaps and pickling, the Butter, Schermerhorn, ^nme Yellow, Red Cranberry, White Cranberry, Ben- *"ngton, Quail Heads, or London Horticultural. For ornament as well as use, the White Dutch Run- ner and Scarlet Dutch Runner, on account of their showy blossoms. -«•*- PROTECTION OF SEED CORN. A knowing one says : Fearing that some farmers may loose their seed, by soaking, tarring, plastering, or otherwise injuring their seed, I will offer some of my experience. After trying experitnenis of every description ihat I could read, or think of, in preparing seed to forward the growth, prevent the destruction, or increase the quantity of corn, for eight years, in which I have cultivated from twenty to fifty acres of com per year — I have come to the conclusion that the most sure way to have the seed ** come up^*^ and do well, is first to manure and prepare the ground well — plant good seed, clean as it came from the cob. This never fails with me ; all variations from this have failed under different circumstances. To prevent the seed from being destroyed by hens, — The pig, with a full belly, will never root around; the hen, with a full crop, will not scratch the ground. Therefore— when my hens are disposed to scratch, I otU them up to the bam, and give them as much com a& they will eat, for which they always sing to me a merry tune, and lay a whole hat full of eggs. To prevent crows from pulling com, — I scatter com in the field broad-cast, which they feed upon and leikve the seed. If I have too much company by my liberality, I soak the com in strychnia and hot water. Last spring, after scattering half a bushel of corn soaked in this way, I picked up forty-two dead crows, and how many more went off* feeling " kindo* sick," I am not able to state. Wire and gi ub worms are more difficult customers to deal with — for any poison used for their destruction, is always absorbed by the soil, which is a sure pro- tection to them. I have never found a sure remedy for these pests ; and can only secure my seed by planting enough for their wants and mine too, and if they get more than their share, I plant new hills a few inches from the old ones thus destroyed, and " thin out," at second hoeing. — Granite Farmer, ■-•i MELOKS. Melons of all kinds require a light, warm and rich soil. That which seems best adapted to their growth, is a light sandy loam, with a pervious subsoil, and a texture susceptible of easy disintegration and fine tilth. Pasture land of this character usually produce abun- dantly, if limed or dressed with house ashes. They should be broken the previous year, say in August, and if practicable, on a wet day, and allowed to lie failow. The next Spring they should receive a good dressing of well decomposed manure, which should be worked in and incorporated thoroughly with the soil, and the seed planted in hills not less than six feet apart. Some recommend eight feet as the proper dis- tance between the hills, but this we consider as useless fi' ^1 ^1 4«> IBRAGATION. We seldom see in this country, well conducted irrigation, and it is not saying too much to assert that even our best farmers do not as a class at all adequately appreciate the practice. Regarding it only as a means of distributing manures, its benefits are great. The practice with us is common, and should be universal, of conducting the water running from highways over the adjoining land. In addition to the other manures flowing from the road, the conveyance of particles of the soil thus minutely divided over the surface of the meadow is a frequent and excellent top dressing, suffi- cient often to keep the land in good case without other manure. Meadows that are subject to annual overflow receive a fertilizing deposit laid on lightly and evenly, and consisting of the comminuted fragments of rocks and soils which the stream washes off in its course, — and we all know its value. To derive advantage from irrigation there must be good drainage, for water must not stand upon the land. There are multitudes of meadows situated upon gentle slopes down which flow brooks, or along the upper part of which rise springs, which by a little art may be conducted over the meadows. Why will not somebody who has natural advantages for making the trial, do it, and report the result. A piece of grass land may be irrigated from a channel from which the water flows off' upon each side, or from a single side ; the latter is most convenient generally, the former is best upon nearly level ground. Th* arrangement should be so that the water may flow evenly over the whole piece at once, and the slope of the ground should be slight so that the water will not flow rapidly and cut channels ; one foot in twenty or twenty-four is enough. Water should never stand upon such a plat, but may at any time be allowed to flow over it for a few hourg, Manure of any kind may be mixed with the water i& the main channel so as to be distributed with it. Top dressings of gypsum or of ashes may be applied directly upon the grass before the water is let on ; the application of guano or stable manure is best made in solution in the water. There will be no danger of coarse swamp grasses coming in if the drainage is good. the usual time for letting on the water is in early spring ; and if the weather is dry, two or three timet before the first cutting ; then as soon as the first crop is cut, and again, now and then, if needed, before the second, and so on. This is the most energetic forcing process that land can be subjected to, and of course the product is not of so nutritious a character as that raised in the common meadow, neither is the meadow grass so nu- tritious as that of the mountain pasture. Yet more, vastly more of excellent food is produced per acre than can be raised in any other way. The weight of grass growing on such a spot il astonishing. We have seen spots upon which six to eight tons to the acre were cut annually with but cm dressing of manure. We have not statistics at hand, but doubt not this product may be greatly exceeded. When green fodder is used during the summer, a few clips of clover or other grass may be daily mixed with the corn fodder with great advantage, or a small plat of this kind may be made to yield green fodder enough during the entire summer for several anioials. The oftencr it id cut the greater and the better will be Uie product. — Conn. Homestead, -••• Me. John Wbstpall's( Lyons) Receipt fob Making CuEBANT Wink.— Mr. Westfall exhibited, at Winter Meeting, some very excellent wine, for which premium was awarded, and a statement of its preparation solicited : *♦ In the first place, the currants were picked as soon as fully ripe, and the juice pressed out and strained through a thick linen cloth, and to three-fourths of currant juice add one-fourth water and three and » half pounds of brown sugar ; strain again as before, into stone jars, to ferment, which occupies from one to two days ; then put it into clean oak kegs and coiit closely — fit for use in three months." :'d\ 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. tff V|f| I 'i IF I I ■ ;r s TIGHT BINDING ^$^ THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Jwi XACHI5E FOB PABIHO The accompanying engraving represents an ingenious machine for paring and slicing apples and other fruit, a patent for the parer having been granted to S N. Maxam, April 10th, 1856, and measures have been taken to secure a patent for the slicer, that being of recent invention. The machine is small, nearly all its parts being of cast-iron, the whole weighing only 2 pounds 10 ounces. The contrivance is secured to the table by means of the clamp. A, and to this is attached the standard, B, by means of the strong joint at B', which permits the careening of the machine both right and left E is the driving wheel, motion being given by means of the crank to all the parts. Upon the faco of the driving wheel, E, is an inclined scroll, F, upon which one end of the rkck bar, O, slides ; this rack connects with, and gives motion to, the loop gear, H, which supports and guides the Bprmg rod, I, upon which is affixed the paring knife, J. The machine being careened, as shown in the cut,' an ftpple IS placed upon the fork, K, when by rotation of the crank the driving wheel, E, gives motion to the pinion, E , and thence to the fork and apple, while the scroll F acting through the rack bar, G, upon the loop gear ' h' the paring knife, J, is thereby passed, during the rotation of the apple, from its base around to its outer end, and effectually i.ar« the apple, when-^the outer circuit of] AND SUCDTO AFPLE8. the scroll, F, having passed the end of the rack bar, 0, — the coiled spring attached to the other or lower end of the rack bar, contracts, and returns the rack bar, loop gear, spring rod, and paring knife to their original poa* tions, in readiness to repeat the operation of paring. Without removing the apple from the fork the macbioe is now careened in an opposite direction, when the pin, L, which secures the loop gear H, within its socket, comes in contact with the tripping post, M, causing the partial revolution of the loop gear, and thereby with- drawing the end of the rack bar, G, from the scroll, F, thus permitting the backward rotation of the crank and driving wheel, together with the fork end apple. The slicing arm, N, which is hinged to the standard, B, and sustains the slicing knife, O, is now swung by the left hand and pressed lightly against the apple, which i« thereby cut into one continuous slice or ribbon, leafing only the core, in cylindrical form upon the fork. This is a novel contrivance ; and that it works well we know from actual experiment. More information mtj be obtained of the proprietors, Maxam & Smith, Shelbume Falls, Mass. LiPB IN THB CouNTEY.— The couutry is both the Philosopher's Garden and Library, in which he re»di and contemplates the power, wisdom and goodnese of God. — Penn* 1958.] THE FARM JOtRITAL AKD PROGRESSIVE F'AltMER. 189 UNPROFITABLE FARMING. The following extract from an address by Mr. Greely, before the Erie Co., Agricultural Society at Buffalo, contains some useful hints. u The truth which I am most anxious to impress is, that no poor man can aftord to be a poor farmer. When I have recommended agricultural improvements, I have often been told this expensive farming will do vrell enough for rich people, but we who are in mode- rate circumstances can't afford it.' Now, it is not ornamental farming that I recommend, but profitable fanning. It is true, that the amount of a man^s capital must fix the limit of his business ; in agriculture as in ererything else. But, however poor you may be, Tou can afford to cultivate land well, if you afford to cultivate it at all. It may be out of your power to keep a large farm in a high state of cultivation, but you should sell a part of it, and cultivate a small one. If vou are a poor man, you cannot afford to raise small crups : you cannot afford to accept half a crop from land capable of yielding a whole one. If you are a poor man, you cannot afford to fence two acres to secure the crop you ought to grow on one ; you cannot afford to pay or lose the interest on the cost of 100 acres of land, to get the crops that will grow on 50 acres. No man can afford to raise 20 bushels of corn per acre, not even if the land were given him, for 20 bushels per acre will not pay the cost of the miserable cultiva- tion that produces it. "No poor man can afford to cultivate his land in such a manner as will cause it to deteriorate in value. Good farming improves the value of land — and the farmer who manages his farm so as to get the largest crop it is capable of yielding, increases its value every year. "No fanner can afford to produce weeds. —They grow, to be sure, without cultivation : they spring up spontaneously on all land, and especially rich land ; but though they cost no toil, a farmer can*t afford to raise them : the same elements that feed them, would, with proper cultivation, nourish a crop, and no farmer can afford to expend on weeds the natural wealth which was bestowed by Providence to fill his granaries. I am accustomed, my friends, to estimate the Chris- tianity of the localities through which I pass, by the absence of weeds on or about the farms. When I see one covered with a gigantic growth of weeds, I take It for granted that the owner is a heathen, a heretic, or an infidel ; a Christian he cannot be, or he would not allow the heritiigc which God gave him to dress and keep, to be so deformed and profaned. And to ^ake an application of the above remark, I must say, there is much missionary ground between New York »nd Buffalo. Nature has been bountiful to you but th *^ ^^*** "^^^ ^^ ^'^®'* c"^^^^*^*^'*- To prevent |be growth of weeds, is equivalent to enriching your '«nd with manure ; for to retain in it the elements of ^mh crops are formed, is as profitable as to bring hem there. It is better that weeds should not grow all : but when they exist, and you undertake to destroy them, it is economy to gather them up and carry them to your barn-yards, and convert them into manure. You will in this manner restore to your farms the fertility of which the weeds had drained it. *• Farmers cannot afford to grow a crop on a soil that does not contain the natural elements that enter into its composition. When you burn a vegetable, a lai^e part of its bulk passes away during the process of combustion into the air. — But there is always a residue of mineral matter, consisting of lime, potash, and other ingredients, that entered into its composition. Now the plant drew these materials out of the earth, and if you attempt to grow that in a soil that is defi- cient in these ingredients, you are driving an unsuc- cessful business. Nature does not make vegetables out of nothing, and you cannot expect to take crop after crop off from a field that does not contain the elements of which it is formed. If you wish to main- tain the fertility of your farms, you must constantly restore to them the materials which are withdrawn in cropping. No farmer can afford to sell his ashes. You annually export from Western New York a large amount of potash. Depend upon it, there is no-body in the world to whom it is worth so much as it is to yourselves. You can't afford to sell it, but a farmer can well afford to buy ashes at a higher price than i» paid by any body that does not wish to u.se them as a fertilizer of the soil. Situated as the farmers of this country are, in the neighbourhood of a city that burns large quantities of wood for fuel, you should make it a part of your system of farming to secure the ashes it produces. When your teams go into town with loads of wood, it would cost comparatively little to bring back loads of ashes and other fertilizers, that would improve the productiveness of your farms. '* No poor farmer can afibrd to keep poor fruit trees that do not bear good fruit. GJood fruit is always valuable, and should be raised by the farmer, not only for market, but for large consumption in his own family. As nwre enlightened views of diet prevail, fruit i.«f destined to supplant the excessive quantities of animal food that are consumed in this country. This change will produce better he.ilth, greater vfgor of body, activity of mind and elasticity of spirits, and I cannot doubt that the time will come when farmers, instead of putting down the larger quantities of meat they do at present, will give their attention in autumn to the preservation of large quantities of excellent fruit, for consumption as a regular article of diet, the early part of the following summer. Fruit will not then appear on the table as it does now, only as a desert after dinner, but will come with eTery meal, and be beckoned a substantial aliment.'' Yankee Industbt. — The annual industrial product ofMassachdsetts is estimated at three hundred millions of dollars. Manufacturers of cotton are put down at thirty one millions ; wollen at twelve millions ; shoe business about thirty eight millions. These branches of industry have more than doubled iu ten years. ! TIGHT BINDING 190 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. w PHILADELPHIA, JUNE, 1866. EBITOB'S TABLE. The abseuce for several weeks past of one of the Editors must be our apology for the scarcity of Editor- ial matter. Hope our readers wiU bear with us. In our next we hope to present some interesting facts in regard to the farming operations of the West and par- ticularly of the rich territory surrounding Lexington. «•> Correction. — In "Steam vs. Horse Power" by Mr. JossPH A. Humphreys, which appeared in our last number, there occured two errors — on the first line of the first column page 149, " fifteen thousand feet " should read fifteen hundred feet — and on the 22nd line line of the same column, *« 2J to 18 Horse Power " should read, 2^ to 10 Horse Power. — : — <>> We presume there are few who are willing to aduiit this latter position, but it will be remembered that onion seeds, which have always been supposed capable of resisting the action of frost, were nearly all destroYfti last winter. We shall be pleased to hear from our cor respondents upon this subject. THE fARM JOURNAL AND PROaRBSSIVB FARMER. 191 We desire to call the attention of our readers to the advertisenent of Mr. L. G. Morris, of Mount Fordham, N. Y.y who intends selling on the 24th and 25th instant, to the highest and best bidder, his entire stock of Devon Cattle, Southdown Sheep, and Berkshire and Essex Swine without a single reservation. This will afford a grand opportunity for our farmers to supply themselves with as pure a breed of Cattle as can be found in the Country. We understand that Mr. Morris, intends con- tinuing as a Short-Horn Breeder only, at Herdsdale. ■•i FAILUBE OF CORK TO OEBMIEATE. There is an almost universal complaint in regard to the non-germination of the com planted this spring. — This failure is not confined to any particular locality, but extends in every direction through the country. In Kentucky and the parts of Ohio through which we passed a week or two since, more than four fifths of the com would require replanting. There is connected with this failure a very interesting question, and one to which various answers have been given. By some it is attributed to the cold, cloudy weather which succeeded the planting. By others it is charged to excessive cold weather of last winter, which it is said injured the grain and thus destroyed the ger- minating power of the grain. We are not prepared to 8ay how far either of these objections are correct. The first is met by the fact that some plantings have suc- ceeded as well as in former years, and upon inquiry we have found that where this has been the case, the seed corn was thoroughly dried, and well secured dur- ing the winter from the intense cold. It will be remem- bered that the unusual size of the com of last season and the consequently greater amount of cob rendered the thorough drying of com on the ear, much more dif- ficult than usual. This was especially the case where the com was cribbed, and not well ventilated. Those who think that the seed was injured by the cold of the winter, assert that the large ears which are usually selected for seed, having a larger cob, and the greater amount of moisture, were not perfectly dry before the intense cold weather set in, and that the result was the destruction of the grain. If such proves to be the case the importance of placing com intended for seed in some warm well ventilated place, becomes apparent. THE FRUIT CROP, In all the Western and North-western States, not onlj the peach buds, but the peach trees have been dAsti>A«^ Such is not the case in this vicinity. There will not bt a great abundance of peaches, but the probabilities tri that we shall have fine fruit. The apple crop was never more promising. A recent trip through the apple growing regions of Ohio, Indiani Illinois, Kentucky and Pennsylvania, satisfy us that wi shall have apples in profusion. Everywhere the tmi looked well, and were covered with blossoms. The loTeri of the apple may therefore expect their usual supply. Cider-mills will be in demand again, and with good cider and apples, we shall be able to get along, even if deprived of the luscious peach. Pears promise well, but plums and apricots have suf- fered in some directions. Strawberries never looked better, particularly in tbe vicinity of Cincinnati, where there is a perfect Straw, berry mania. The prospect for a good crop in our on vicinity is very fiattering. THE HAT CBOP. The prospect ahead for an extraordinarily large crop of hay in Pennsylvania, was never finer. During tbe Uit few weeks we have travelled over a large portion of our best grass growing districts, and certainly, never beheld the grass giving such promise of heavy crops. Thi« season will afford the finest opportunity we have had for years of testing the qualities of mowing machines. We hope our farmer friends are preparing to give them a fair and satisfactory trial. So many new competitors for public favor have spmng up recently, that many are at a loss to decide which to purchase. Our advice to those who are in doubt, is, buy such as have been proved good both in work and workmanship, by several seasons trial. By pursuing this course, they will be very certain to get a machine that will meet their expectations, and certainly prove a source of great saving. *» OH THE T&AnmrG OF VIHEfl. In tbe March number of Hovey's Magazine of Horti* culture, we find a communication from C. A. BrackUi Esq., of Winchester, Mass., giving an account of his " little vineyard," and his mode of managing his vinei We are are persuaded we cannot do our grape cultifat* ing friends better service than by giving the following extract from his letter : ** My little vineyard," says he, *' is situated on a side hill facing the west, protected on the north by a belt of pine woods. I should have preferred a more northera or eastern aspect. The soil is by no means what would be called a strong one ; it consists of from four to iix inches of turf mold, with a reddish subsoil about two feet deep, resting upon a bed of blue gravel. In V^ paring for the vines, the ground was trenched two fe«t A ep and the top soil put at the bottom. Stakes eight t long were then set at the distance of seven feet art each way, one vine was planted to each stage, and immediately cut down to two eyes (or buds.) And here let me say a word as to the time of setting the vines, My experience is greatly in favor of fall planting. A ■ e set in Autumn (and it should be done as soon as tho leaf fails*) ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ years be as strong and capable of bearing a crop of fruit as one of the five years old ♦« The training of my vines is at once simple and orn- amental. The first year two shoots are allowed to grow, and as they elongate are carried spirally, both in the game direction, about five inches apart around the stake, and this is continued tmtil they reach the top. The lat- erals are allowed to grow at random. In the fall they ihould be pmned back to within eighteen inches of the ground, and the laterals to one eye. ** Second year, continue the two cones Arom the two uppermost eyes, as directed in the first year. The lat- terals will require Summer pruning. In the Fall, cut hack the canes to within eighteen inches of last year's wood. Continue this course until the vine is established the whole length of the post, whatever surmounts it to he oat back. The fruit is grown upon the side shoots, and the pruning is on the short spur system. The form 9f the vine may be shaped to the taste of the cultivator ; that of the pyramid is decidedly best. Those who understand the nature of the vine will readily perceive the advantage this system offers. The Tine is thus kept at home. The light and air circulate freely through it. The buds break easily, there is no tendency in one part to rob the other of its due propor- tion of sap, and when once established requires less care than any other mode of training. Some of my vines, the first y«ar after planting, were watered with sink drain water, and being satisfied that it injured them, I have discontinued the practice, and hare since root pruned them, in order to check too free a growth of wood. Many of my neighbors injured their Tines by giving them large quantities of stimulating manures, such as f^sh stable manures, dead horses, and other animal manures, thereby exciting them to make an increased growth of long-jointed wood. I grow my Tines for the fruit, and am satisfied if they make a few feet of short-Jointed wood, and the only manure (if manure it may be called) which I now use, is a top dressing of Anthracite coal ashes." Mr. Bracket speaks highly of the Diana Grape, as be- ing hardy, early, and tho grape holding on well even if suffered to hang out late. We think his hints and ex- periments worth attending to. HECENT IHVENTI0N8 PEBTAIHIHO TO AGEICraTUBE AKD SX7HAL ECOHOICT, Improved Implement for DiaaiNO Turnips. — An invention, patented by Wm. Lister of England, for facil- itating the operation of removing turnips and other bulbous roots from the ground, in which they are grow- ing, is constructed as follows : — The patentee mounts in suitable frame (which runs on wheels and is drawn by animal power) a^ustable blades, which will enter the ground and make a borixontal out therein, somewhat be- low the bulb of the turnips, thereby removing the tails of the turnips, and loosening their hold in the ground. In operating with this implement, the blades are caused to enter the ground at a depth that will just clear the bulb of the turnip ; and this level is retained as nearly as possible during the operation of tailing. The action of the implement will be not only to cut off the tails, but also to raise the bulb slightly out of the ground, and render it unnecessary for the laborer to use any great muscular exertion in gathering up the turnips. It will be understood that this implement may be applied to facilitate the gathering up of mangold-wurzel and other root9, if thought desirable. New JSixD Sower. — A new Seed-sower, recently in-> vented in Boston, is conshrueted as follows : — It consists of a hopper of any size you choose, at the lower extrem- ity of which is a longtitudinal opening, outside of which lies, in the same direction, a pair of elastic surfaced rolls or regulators. These regulators have their surfaces so near to each other as to prevent the escape of seeds between thencL On one of the ends of the lower roll is fastened a eonej around which runs a belt, passing round a similar cone on the inside end of the hub of one of the wheels. This cone is so made as to allow of sundry changes of speed in order to seed light, medium, or heavy. The seed as it lies in the hopper presents itself directly to the opening between the rolls, and giving the rolls the slightest motion outward, you draw a mouthful between them the entire length of the rolls, no one ker- nel of seed riding another. Turn again slightly in the same direction and the first mouthful is discharged into a distributor, and other seeds fill the entire opening as before, and so on until the hopper is exhausted. The distributor into which the seed falls as it comes from the regulators is no more nor less than a seed -board with a series of radiating tubes, down which the seed courses until it reaches a point some two inches from the lower edge, where the tubes cease, and the seed is allowed to again mingle and fall over the edge of the distributor in one continuous sheet in immediate vicinity of the ground, if the farmer is sowing in windy wea- ther. If not windy, the distributor, being hinged^ can be raised to any given height found practicable. The principle involved in this machine is this : The discovery of the successful method of taking all kinds of seeds firom a hopper with flexible rollers without injuring the seed, and doing it without the aid of valves, geers, or any other objectionable motion or appliance formerly used. The principle of these flexible rollers can be carried to any extent, so as to sow two rods wide if ne- cessary, and so certain is the movement of them that the farmer can lay his seed upon the ground with mathe- matical accuracy and in quantity to the acre his soil may require. With the use of a horse — a boy driving — thirty to forty acres is a day's work, and with two horses, sowing with a machine distributing twenty-five to thirty feet wide, sixty to a hundred acres can be cov- ered every ten hours ! For drill sowing the drills are so constructed as to ad- mit of changing the lines of drilling from wide to nar- row as the operator chooses, depositing the seed at any TIGHT BINDING m 1156.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 191 desired depth and covering at the same time. The same width of land can be drilled at one and the same time, that can be sown broadcast, there being only the neces- sity of a change of seed-board. Any quantity of grain can be carried in the machine, and when the boy disco- rers that his hopper is nearly exhausted, all he has to do, is to cut the string of one of the bags carried under his feet and turn the grain into the hopper as the ma- chine mores on. SiLF-LOAi>iNQ Hat-oaet.— This inyention, by D. H. Thompson, of Fitchburg, Mass., consists in the employ- ment of rakes applied to a cart or wagon, in connection with an inclined frame^ operating in such a way that the hay will be raked up and loaded into the cart or wagon by merely drawing the vehicle over the meadow. HoYT AND German's Seed Sower. — An invention, by German & Hoyt, of Oriskung Falls, N. J., consists in the peculiar manner of arranging the elbow lever, by which the slide is operated, so that said slide may be operated faster or slower, according to the space or dis- tance required between the seed, or the slide instantly thrown out of operation. The machine sows the seed in hills or drills, as desired, the various adjustments be- ing made with great convenience. Hovey's Harvester. — The cutting teeth m mowers are usually rivetted fast to the sickle bar. When they become broken or damaged itT requires time to replace them. It is vexatious, when cutting grass in the middle of a ten acre lot, to have to knock o£f and drag the ma- chine to a blacksmith's shop. The object of an invention by W. H. Hovey, of Springfield, Mass., is to afford a simple, quick, but strong means of putting on and taking off the teeth. This is done by means of pins which pass through the sickle bar and the ends of the teeth. A clamp bar or eover rests on the heads of the pins and keeps them in place. Remove the bar, and any of the teeth can be removed, new ones substituted, &c. Attaching Horses to Vehicles. — A patent has been recently granted to James H. Wilson, of Nashville, Tenn., the object of which is to prevent accidents from vicious horses. The inventor dispenses with the use of tugs in the harness, and makes a connection, for draw- ing the vehicle, at the forward ends of the shafts. This connection is of such a nature that it may be discharged by the mere pull of a cord ; when, therefore, the horse becomes vicious, and begins to run, the driver pulls the cord, whereby the vehicle becomes instantly separated from the animal and stops. 0^ SOMETHING FOB ALL. So various is the appetite of animals, that there is Bcarcely any plant which is not chosen by some and left untouched by others. The horse gives up the water- hemlock to the goat ; the cow gives up the long-leaved water-hemlock to the sheep; the goat gives up the monk's-hood to the horse, &c.; for that which certain animals grow fat upon, others abhor as poison. Hence DO plant is absolutely poisonous, but only respectively. Thus the spurge, that is so noxious to man, is a most wholesome nourishment to the caterpiller. Thatani, mals may not destroy themselves for the want of know- ing this law, each of them is guarded by such a delicac; of taste and smell, that they can easily distinguish wh»t is pernicious from what is wholesome ; and when it hap. pens that different animals live upon the same plants still one kind always leaves something for the othtr, as the mouths of all are not equally adapted to lay hold of the grass : by which means there is sufficient foa<) for all. To this may be referred an economical experi- ment well known to the Dutch, that when eight oowg have been in a pasture, and can no longer get nourish- ment, two horses will do very well there for some days, and when nothing is left for the horses, four sheep will live upon it «» — MIGNONEITE. In its native country this is a shrub, and not an an- nual as with us. It should be sown in a light sandjrsoil, as when it is grown in a stiff soil it looses its fragrance. When it is wished to obtain the tree mignonette, a vigo^ ous plant of the common kind should bo chosen frov seedlings sown in April, and put into a pot by itself; all the Summer, the blossom-buds should be taken off ai fast as they appear ; and, in the Autumn, the lower* side-shoots should be taken off, so as to form a misia^ ture tree. It should afterwards be transplanted into a larger pot, with fresh soil, formed of turf broken into small pieces, and sand. The plant should be kept in a green house or warm room all Winter, and regularij watered every day, and in the Spring the stem will ap< pear woody. The second Summer, the same treatmeal should be observed, and the following Spring it will ban bark on its trunk, and be completely a shrub. It maj now be suffered to flower, and its blossoms, which will be delightfully fragrant, will continue to be produeti every summer for many years. — The Horticulturist. ••»- Sowing Turnips. — Do not forget that about the last of July or forepart of August is a good time to sow » patch of common turnips. The soil for turnips should be moist, rich and mellow. Ground where com bai failed, or stands too thin will answer, if clear of wcedi and well stired. Or a piece of clean wheat stubble mij be ploughed for the purpose ; also patches in the garda where peas or early potatoes have been harvestw. Turnip -seed is plenty and cheap in most stores whert seeds are sold. It is best to buy enough at once to re- sow with in case dry weather or the fly should destroy the first sowing. The seed, if fresh, will keep good for three or four years. «» Prbparino Osage Orangb Seed.— Isaac L Stanley. of Rensselaer, Indiana, says, to prepare this seed for planting. •* Tie it up in a bag and sink in running water three or four weeks ; if you have no running water, deposit in any vessel filled with cold watcTi taking care to change the water every day, to preven fermentation." He thinks this is not generally knovni. and imparts it as having been proven to be a good plft0» by two years experience. — Prarie Farmer* KETCHUM'S Zmproved Combined Harvester. Warranted to cut from 10 to 15 Acres of Grain or Grass, per diy u well as it can be cut with the Scythe or Cradle. Nearly 10,000 of theM Machioes have been made and sold during the post fiveyean,4U)d with the most complete satisfaction to purchas- er!. RfciTCHUiVl'S MACHINK IS no longer an experiment. Five yean of the most thorough trial has established their en* tilt superiority. In light grass (hey are equal io any Mower in me. In natural grass, anii grass that is heavy, tangled aud iiUien, tl>ey siaiid unrivalled. It is in this latter p.'.rticuiar that t|ie)r«re comfnenJed to the special attention of' fisirmers this •eeion. MSB OF THE ADVANTAGES. first— Placing the knives on a hoe with the shaft or tread of the wheel, allowing it to follow the unevenness of the ground, al^lti not to be afiected by the up and down motion of the pOfc. Smn^. Pfacrng the knife bar lower thnn the frame, at a ■uilable distance Irom the plane or hne of the whtel, leaving unmoleeied that space between the two, sufficient to ailo^ the mechine to pass over the cut grass lying between the fteel of the knife bar and the wheel- Tkird. The open cutting blade to prevent clogging, which afieclually does so, in any kind of gruit. Fcurth In leaving itie grass evenly spread, requiring no turning, or shaking out to cure properly. Fif^. The arrangement of the track board, b\ which the cm grass is thoroughly cleared out of the way of the machine, ind therefore, requiring but a iingle person in mowing — the driver. Sixth. Wrought iron finger guards — wrought iron cufteriars —wrought ironjrame, thus rendering the wlioie niuchine, more Moiptct and durable than any other. THE REAPER AND IMPROVEMENTS. The change from a Mower to a Keaper, (which means has been patented.) is effected simply enlarging the main wheel, by circular sections, holied to the rim of nhe wheel. JSome of itie Muntages obtained by this arrangement are — First: Raising the cutlers sufficiently high for cutting grain. Second: Lessening we inotion of the knives, which is very desirable in cutting j'ein. as much less motion is required. Third: Reducing the flraft of the machine at least one quarter. Fourth : Raising inc 9op of the driving wheel, thereby preventing their being filleii W'th dirt, as they otherwise would be. on stubble land. Fifth : Attaining t!ie above named objects vnlhout the (east change oi any Pwt of the Mower. We shall build for the harvest of 1836 both jwd end inm frame mowers, but all with wrought iron finger ewri. Each machine will have a good spring fctni, and every ' "itde in the most substantial manner, and warranted dura- •. With pmper care. We have reduced the weight of the founri*? ^^^^ ""* hundred and fifty pounds, which we have ^^ .®*'™^'e.and have no doubt will improve them hy lesmn- «Jf lAeir dra/i. We shall lake the utmost pains to have our W !?1i ^^^^^ ^* of steel, and well tempered. irain P ^*^® Keapers for either side or re.ir delivery of the •her I" ^ *'****''^''cing machines will please specify which kind 8l^j|J**®*^E THAN 150 FIRST PREMIUllS ! "•an awarded this Machine. As an evidence of iti capa- city, we mention the fact that at the great trial in Massachu** ells last year, one orKetchiinrs Mowera, entered fbr the prem- ium cut -^13 ACRES OF GRASS in a kverage time uf 38 MINUTES AND 12 SECONDS TO THE ACRE. What Machine has ever accomplished us much ? SEND IN YOUR ORDERS EARLY, as the demand HP already equal to the supply, and rapidly increasing. A HJLL WARKANTEE given with each Machine. Price of Mower $1 15 cash. Combinetl Machine with all the improvement.^ $135. Combined Mnrhine wiih last vonr'ts platfornj $1H0. RESPONSIBLE ACiENTS WANTED We ore sole Agents for the States of New Jersey, Pennaylva* nia, Delaware and Maryland. PASCHALL MORRIS & CO Seed tmd Atrricnltural Warehouse, N. E. Corner Seventh mid Market Sis. Philadelphia. L G. MORRIS' AUCTION SALE^ OF FIRST CLASS IMPROVED BREEDS OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS, TO TAKE PLACE AT MOUNT FORDHAM, ON THE 34th and 25th Days of June, 1856. The Seventh Annual Cntalogne, Illustraled with CELE- BRATED AND PRIZE ANIMALS, and fully descriptive of each I >t to be sold, as to ages, pedi^irees, &r. will be ready for delivery on or about »he 25ih of May, and will then be for- warded- to all my present Siock correspondents, and as many othera as may desire iu _ ^,^ ' L. G. MORRIS. Mount Fordham, ) West Chester Co., N. Y. S Mny 24. It. PREMIUJH IMPROYED Super-Phosphate of Lime. SILVER MEDAL AWARDED B7 THB PENNA. STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, 1855. THIS superior article is now offered to Farmers and Dealera. It is of the most approved quality, producing all the efiecta of the best * PERUVIAN GUANO AT A MUCH LESS PRICE, with the advantage of being much MORE LASTING \H THE SOIL and liSjPROVING IT in a greater degree. ALSO, PREPARED CHEMICAL FERTILIZER FOR TOP-DRESSING GRASS, CORN. POTATOES. &&. For sale in barrels weighing two hundred pounds each by JOHN L. POMEROY. No. 10 South Wharves, below Market Street A.prii, I856-3t Philadelphia. 6EBMART0WN NURSERIES. THOMAS MEEHAN, ' mrBSERTMAN AND LANDSCAFIT 6AB0Eli£R, {Opposite O. W. Carpenter's,) Germantovm, PhUaddpkia. Fnilt and Urnanientul Tries and Shrubs In great variety. Oardtnr &c., laid out and planted. Seeds of hardy Trees and Shrubs. OrMn- houses. Graperies, Ac, designed or erected WILLIAM SAUNDERS, Practical ITorttcnitiiri5t. Landscape QardeQer,aad Garden ArchUMt GsrniautowD, Pbiladslphia. ^ TIGHT BINDING I l« THE SULLIVAN COUNTY FARM AND IMPROVEMENT COMPANY. HAVING recentlypurchasedatract of 50,000 ACRES, of excellent land, well adapted to Farming purposes respectfully inrite the attention of those who are desirous of purchn>ing desirablw lands at low rates are located immediately around the town of Laporte, thw flou^i^'hlng county wut of Sullivan County, abont two hundred miles and only twelve hours ride from Philadelphia, by the KeadiS and Cfctawicsa Hailroad, to Muncy, and thence by Hank and County roads. These lands abound in Coal, Iron and Limestone, and are' covered with timber of the finest quHlity. FOUKTlilKM THOUSAND ACRES, have been set apart for immediate distribution and improvement, so that per-paying Stock- holders, can make their srlection, an<1 pet immcdJMtf possession, under a title guaranteed perfectly unexceptionable. • ._.-.. ,ro. „ « t ,«. 1 rp «W- Ki' IV T -f ^ ir I ri M TP \C*.ft t^«i /v*"T-.»»,l ttOltO .%«xro»OoJn ivooklv inatm\maw%ta nf t^MV rk<\» » « m riivc ui ounicn, vtuiuu ttrpicocui i. lr» ju-*^ * A-i-.»-»^»i» •^■..,-.«^^ ^^ ^^n^x^, sp^"^ '• i^— ^•*-»- --- •• j .—•—■»».— >,. -^ »■» m^ "^"JSJ&n,* KACH. 4K#*iVrKou8 desiiing further intbrmRti'»u are requeseed to call at the office No. 90 Walnut Street, below 4th, Philadelphia.- Pumphlots contaii.ing a Map of the lauds, with tull description can be had by addressing the Secretary, K. PERRY, as above. Tl»e Timber abave is worih the whole price asked for the land, either lor lumber, or for the bark, which is rapidly becoming valuable (or lanneing purposes. The lands are not subject lo the cost of surveying or of cutting roads. The roads are all cut at the expense of the person irom whom the lands were purchased and the limber removed from them without coat to Stockholdera. This is a leature peculiar to this company alone. In addition to the strong inducements offered in the price, quality, and locality of these lands, a large number of extensive and highly valuable improvements, as well as Hne lots in the town ot Laporte, valued at $50,000 are placed at the disposal o( Stockholders, to be distributed by them in such a manner as they may direct. They are as Ibllows: First. One Large Steam Saw Mill, in complete running order, with two Tmning Lathes, one Shingle Machine, one Lath Machine, one Crosscut Circular Satv, one" large Circular i!iaw for logs, one Edging iSaw, and a Matey Saw. The engine and boilers in this mill, as well as all the machinery and buildings, are entirely new and in perfect order. It it within the limitii of the town of Laporte. Second. One Steam Tannery, the principal building of which is two hundred feet in length by forty in width. All the out. buildings are on a correspondingly extensive scale. A per/ecily new and sufficiently powerlul engine is to be placid in it im- mediately, and the entire estabiishment to be put in lhoroim;h working order at once. Twenty acres of land go with the tannery. It is located within one fourth of a mile of Laporte. Third. One Water Saw Mill. This mill adjoins the tannery, and is in complete repair. It is located on a never failiiig^ •tream of sufficient power lo drive it at all seasons ol the year. Seven acres of \Rn\ belong lo the mill. Fourth Six Handsome Dwelling Houses in the town of Laporte. These dwellings are not only new. and in complete repair, out they are large and convenient, are all papered and painted, and neatly and tastefully finished. A lot of ground is atta<>hed to each dwelling. Fifth. A number of other improvements in the town of Laporte, such as a large two story Carpenter Shop, Blacksmith Shop, Board Kiln, Barns, Sheds, n «!« m i liii 'i I V SCOTr^ LITTLE GLANT CORN AUTD COB MILL, PATENTED MAY 16TH, 1854. The Little Giant, though but recendy introduced from the West, now stands pre eminent as ibe most Sihpls, Bpficient, and popular Fnnn Mill of the ; ge. Our Manufactories are probably the oi ly onei in the World — exclusively devoted to making Metallic Mills, there- fore possess superior advantages in preparing such an Admixture of metals, as best adapted to making a strong and durable article. The Little Giant has been awarded the First Premium at the principrl Fairs of the Nation, as the most complete ftnd convenient Mill now in use. These Mills are not only guaranteed superior to all others in their construction and quality of material, but in the amount and quality of work they perform with any given power; and warranted in all cases to suit, or the purchase- Boney refunded on return of the mill. They are offered to Farmers and the trade complete, at $28, $32 and $ {6, for No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3, and $2 extra far sweeps. Warranted to grind from 8 to 15 bushels per ateording to site. SCOTT'S NIMBLE GIANT GRAIN MILLS, (CAVEATED MAY, 1855.) This Mill is a most complete and important article tot Planters, Farmers and others, having horse-power or other conveniences for running a belt They can be worked advantageously with one, two or more horbea, wherever a -peeU uj u«>m three to live hundred revolutions per minute can be obtained upon a 14-inch pulley, with a three-inch belt These Mills are adapted to any kind of work, grinding coarse feed from corn, oits, Ac, or fine corn, wheat or rye; and that in the most satisfactory manner. The first premium was awarded these Mills at the late Fairs of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Industrial Exhibition at Boston. The Nimble Giant weighs about 300 pounds, occupying a space of 30 inches square. It is pecvliarly simple, stroag^ and durable ; requiring no skill to run it, or to keep it in order. / They are offered complete, ready for attaching the belt, at $55; with cast steel cob attachments, $65. Warrant«4 to give perfect satisfaction. Please call at the Little Giant Works, and witnesi thtir operation. MANUFACTURED BY ROSS SCOTT & CO., COR. 17TH & COATES STS., PHILi WITH THE 1st MONTH (JAN.) NUMBER. (1856 ) WILL COMMENCE THE SIXTH VOLUME OF THE FARM JOURNAL A MorUJdy Periodic d of Thirti/- Tiuo Octavo Pages, devoted exclusively to Uie best inte.reMs 0 per annum. ^ Five Copies, 4 00 " T«r Copies 7 gn « 7#vntj C^«», 14 QQ •» CASH. INVARIABLY IN ADVANCE. A limited amount of ndverthtng (which must be paid for btfortta* sertion) will be admitted at the following rates. Six lines, or under for each Insertion, $ 1 00 From six to twelve ll^es " 2 00 Haifa column, 4 00 One column, 7 00 One page, 14 00 All subscriptions must begin with the Ist or 7th number of thtrrt* unie which commences with the year; and In every case the Joorval will be stopped at the expiration of the time paid lor, unless thesuk* scrlptlou Is previously renewed. SAML. EMLEN A CO., Publishers, N. E. cor. Seventh and Market Sts., Pblladfc To whom all communications, whether editorial or business, shouH be addressed. * ■• • To Farmers and Gardeners. YOUR attention Is called to the Manures manufactured by the JUj* Manufacturing Company from the contents of the Sinks and PrtTMi of New York City, and free from offensive odor, called POUDRETTE A!>D AFEU. Pondrette Is composed of two thirds night soli and one-third uuii. Celery, Egg Plant, Swiss Churd, Endive, Spinach, Ac, Ac. I^ettuce, Okra Radish, Tonmto, The above neatly put up In papers for retailing, and furnished to the trade, at a liberal discount, in assorted l)oxe8. New and desirable varieties supplied, so soon as fully tested. Agricultural and Horticultural Works. All the standard Agricultural and Horticultural Works, suitable for the FARMER'S LIBKAKY, and embracing inrormatiou of every de- partment of rural economy, for sale at Booksellers' prices. FLOWER SEEDS. of the finest European avd American Flower M M H A large assortmeet Seeds. • TWENTY VARIETIES put up in Fancy Boxes for $1, with directions /or culture. Fine Stock Ollly's Seed. " Pansy ditto. Lady Slippers ditto. China Aster ditto. Cineraria ditto. Calceolaria, Ac. Ac. JAPAN PEAS. This superior d very productive Pea for field culture ha.s been fully jksted the iMst season, and promises to be a valuable acquisition to the ^armlDg Iptei^ests. A limited supply on hand. GRASS SEEDS. Presh Clover, Timothy, Orchard, Herd Grass, Alslke Clover, White Sr Dutch Clover, Sweet Scented Vernal Grass. Italian and Perennial ^e Grass, Lucerne, Kentucky, Blue or Green Grass, Millet Seed. Ac. jCrimson Clover. The ab ove Fresh and Genuine for sale. Wholesale and Betall. Fine Lavrn Grass Seed. Saperlor English Lawn Grass Seed, comprising the best selection of English Grasses : also a fine article of our own mtxture, adapted for ^wnf and Pleasure Grounds. CANARY AND OTHER BIRDS SEEDS. ^2*7'..^®°*P' M"lett, Rape, Maw, Lettuce, Ac, for sale Wholesale fai Retail. FIELD PEAS. Sonthern field Peas, adapted for the poorest kind of soil, for sale by uie^ushel. PASHALL MORRIS A Co., Agricultural Warehouse and Seed Store, N.E. Comer 7th and Market Streets, Philadelphia. PLOWS. DOUBLE MICHIGAN, Eagle SelfSharpener. Blaker's Bar jnare j>tar Self-Shnrpeners, Mapes* Cast and Steel Subsoil, ttiilside, Ridging, Swivel, and all other kinds. FASCHALL MORRIS i-, alto at PAS€HAil. mOMm$ & €0.. N. E. COR. Tlh AWD MARKET STS., FHILA. Farmers wishing tlie.«e Celebrated Reapers and blowers for the next Oarvoat must send in their orders soon. -,M^r .°f l^eaper alone $106 Canh.— Reaper and Mower Cash $190 vnth freight added from Dayton, Ohio All reapers warranted tojire uiintfi'r*''^'*'^* °°' ^' ^^ ^°^^y refunded. All orders ielt with im l^T}^^^ Cleneral Agent for Pennsylvania, at Harrii^burg, will meet with prompt attention. March 4t ^ OARDJEiV TOOLS. A most complete assortment of Gardening Tools, embracing- ail the latest improvements, and of the first quality. Purchaser! may depend on getting tlie best- tools in the market at our ware- house, wiiok'sale or retail. PASCMALL MORRIS & CO., N. E. corner 7th and Market Sts., Philada. PliREJ^.MAI. RYE GRAS^. r^.TflS,'^^..^^^^^*^^ ^"^^^^'^ ?»■•"»« PERENNIAL RYE UKA^fetsELi;, just imported. This invaluable Grass is now commanding the attention it justly deserves. Send orden ^""^^y- PASCHALL MORRIS & CO., N. K. corner Seventh and Market Sis., Phila. 11 ALIAI¥ RYE GRASS^ A FEW bushels of Prime SEED just received. PASCHALL MORRl« &. CO*, N. E. corner Seventh and Market Sts , Phila. HARROWS, CULTIVATORS, HORSE HOES. r:T?^. ^9^^" complete assortment of Square Expandine, m!-:!!:""'* ?^**^*'!» Harrows, iu the Cily. Cultivators of the OARDEJV ONE of the most complete and extensive assortment* in the country, wholasale and retail. Seed Catalogues with directioiw lor CJltivation gratis. PASCHALL MORRIS & CO., N.E. corner Seventh and Market Sts , Phila. Whole- ra«tapproved kinds. Knox's celebrated Horse Hoes, wie and retail. Our own manufacture. PASCHALL MORRIS & CO.. N. E. corner Sevenih and Market Sts . Phila. FARM, GARDEN, FLOWER, FIELD, GRASS AND BIRD SEED. «'nheattenfiSn*'i'n^^.V5J?""a,'"\^. United '^fat^s. 1 would ; t of also /»antS!^''np;?,"'?^'V'^r'^*"'> V"^ sorts never before (.m.re.i I'lio enciosM-^" J*"PI>''«^<1 Qn liberal terms ' G. B. ROGERS' Seed and Agricultural Warehouse, NO. 29 MARKET STREET, PHILADELPHIA. Miiriufactunr of Woodbury's I'remliinj Horse Power Thresher and Ueauer. AJowin- and Keapiug Machities, Animoidate ful, the apples are irresistibly retained against the revolving teeth till they are torn into a fine pulp. In other portable rpachinei they are often cut into small pieces, which of course will not so readily part w'}t\\ the juice when subjected to preasure. Tht press attached to the machine is capable of performing a pressure equal to ten tons. TBB AR&ANOXSmSBJTS FOB. P&BSSZSrO Have been greatly improved 'and strengthened. As will be seen by a refierence to the illustration nbove, the necessity for hand, ling the pumice is entirely obviated. The tubs beneath the grinding apparatus receive the pulp as it falls f .m ine null. 'Ihm tuba are then shoved beneath the press, thus saving not only the loss of lime, but the w?»sle of labor. Inrpoint of novelty, simplicity, durability, effectiveness and cheapness. Krauser's mill »ta un \ oiled. IT IS ADAPTED TO HAND OR HORSE POVJER, la made in a style of workmanship, and of a quality of material, altogether superior to any mill ever offered the public. It •• warranted to work well. We therefore confidently ask the attention of farmers and others to this mill, believing that it is just the article for the timet and decidedly the best and cheapest in the market. ' ALSO A COMPLETE ASSORTMENT OF • ACiRICIJLTIJRAL inPLEItlEfVTS, FIELD AI\'D CfARDEN SEEDS, CiVAIVO, SUPER-PIIOSPHATi: OF LIME, POUDUETTE, AC, Dealen supplied with every article in our line of business.pn the meet liberal term.. Orders for Cider Milli.or inyolh" cZl~flS'i"7pS^^ *"•• '«"?««"■"% «"i^'l -""i promptly attended to. Illustrated Seed .nd tmpl.».rt 'PA8CHALL nORRIS & < O . Manufacturers and Eealcrji in Agricultural an<] Horticulturul Implements, Seeds, Ac. JN. £. Corner 7th and Market 8treeti., Plul*i . (Il lfi|4 !' CONTENTS — No. 7, A few Remarks on late Grape Crops, A Great French Hennery, - - . . . Agriculture in Massachusetts, - . . A New Academia, - - - - _ . A Visit to the Farm of George Vanarsdale, of Bucks Bucks County Agricultural Society, - - . Buffalo the Greatest Corn Market in the World, Bots in Horse's, ----... Cookincr without Fi'r#». - _ . «^ / — — » Cultivation of Tomatoes, - - - . . Carelessness in the Using of Farm Implements, Dry and Wet Lime, - Equivalents of Various Plants to Hay, - Fine Cattle, Guano Convention, •----.. Hay Covers, -----... Husking Thimble, -----.. How to Treat an Old Orchard, - - . . Heaves in Horses, ----... Honor to the Plow, ----.. Lime Houses, •----... Millet, " Microscopic Discoveries of the Nature of Blight in Wheat, ---...__ Matched Messenger and Black Horse Mares, - Mental Condition of the Horse, - . . . New York State Agricultural Society, - Ou Fallows, -•----.. Progress at the Farmers* School Ground, Protection Against the Apple Worm, - . _ Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society, Plant Fruit and Shade Trees, - - . . . Raising Potatoes under Straw, - - - . Root Crops in Great Britain and the United States, Report on Experiments, --...' Restoring Fruit Trees Barked by Mice, - . ' Stable Vices, ---... Softening Hard Water, - . . . " Soiling— is it Practicable in the United States, Sotting Hens, • - . ... ' Soil, its Nature and its Offices, - - . * Soap Suds for Currant Bushes, - _ . ^ Save the Bones, ..... The Weevil— an Experiment, - . . . " The Ferret, - The Literature of Gardening, - - . . ^ The Cultivation of the Olive in the United States Time to Plow, , 1 . . , _ ' ' The Best Method of Applying Guano, - '. [ United States Agricultural Society, Why is this so? - . ' ' *" * • • Wheat and some of its Insect Enemies, - Woodruff's New Self Acting Gate, ■ . . KEDZIE'S RAIN Vl'ATER FILTERS- These celehrafed Filters nre receivinff th. highest nmnieiKJutions irum hundredsof fnmi !! who have u«t.d thfrn lor years in almost e ^ ota»e Ml the Union, '^v They filler alK)ul one hundred gallona in twenty-lour hours, rurn.shing a full sMpply fo" all domestic uses. The mo^i impure Rain. Rive, or Lake waltr, by this means becomes wire cl^l as crystal, without taste color or smell in Z condmon only is water fit lor ail culinary and drmkin? nT poses, as a means ol promoting ihe general health They are ponabie, (iurabie, and cheap, and are not exp*.IU by any other filter known, for sale hy. *"**' MUKPHV & VARNALL. 262 Chesnul si , Phila.. 212 220 217 219 197 203 109 221 206 199 212 193 217 201 217 215 213 222 224 221 223 211 211 213 210 198 221 205 223 207 OSAGE ORANGE SEED AWD Pr-tlVTS FOR .^AI.E. ^^I>GES PLANTED AND WARRANTED For Circulars address ^ A. HARSHBARGER.' McVeytowii, Mifflin co., Pa. THE DEVON HERD-BOOK April. 1856, HAT Ei-tvIi5SiT-7iJ7^^i;j^^jj— -- WE are now manufartnHn^ „ i *•» taiuk* I V«l. III. ^■^■^^'^'^(^^^'^li^.'iS^S^^,,,, in^S»»H?}lf^V*''*®"P^*"®'*^y^<* receive lists of anlmjils for Insertion i!lri« a I^ "^f X^.'"!?!*" °^ ^^® ^«von Henl-Book, to be published at «» ^n hf i*K/'?'' 'r.^^^ y^*"" ^^' «8 a sumclent number of subscriber; f«^al^ » f i^ ^^ warrant the Issue. Terms— each patron 1h expected ;?ar.Tf,fL***'*^"."®f^Py- ^^^ ^^ce of which will be one dollar, and fe^fi >P- L'J*)"'^:?^® ^®"^» ^9'' ^^^ registry of each anlmai-refflKtry iVa?^^ ?1?'^* '"* advance. All animals to be eligible for Insertion, IV««i; I^« t°ll^**. ^'■a^® '^«*'" descent from unquestionable North Devo^ .stocK on t)otn sides. Aif«j4l^®..r.^*^^"^^'*'^ *^*t there has already been published a« nJ^t^v^? edition of the first and second volume« of the Devon Herd- !l^oV.l!? 4" . to«:ether, with a frontispiece ofthe Quarterly Testimonial ana contaming two handsome Illustratlon.s of Enullsh prize Devoni.- £vn£r/^tl'^'"!/**^**t^°^'<>'"'"«8 will In future beltwo dollars. Thef wui oe forwarded as may be directed on the reception of the above sum 8ANF0RD HOWARD, ^ OfBce of ihe Bosto AZor'^T ^'*'^''' ""^ "^ ^''*'" HerdBartu Boston, Mass., Mar** ' I U. TO FARIUERS & lUECHAIVICS. COOPER'S IMPROVED LIME AND GUANO SPREADER. THESE Machiiies stand unsurpassed and wit».out p«mj|*r as machines for the purpoiie inter.ded. viz: spreading Lime Ashes. &c , and sowing Gnano. Superphosphate ol Lime, Plas. ter. orany such Periilizer. r r k , na.. Thev are simple. sln»ng, durable, and adjustable to kow nnv desired quaniiiy lo the acre that larraers n.ay desire. Any common hand can opcrote fhem. They are (.f yry easy dralt (or lior-ps or oxen, fiir which they are adapied. One or tuo hands and team can with ease do our times as much wiili the use of ihe machine as ihey CQuld in any vyay without ir, and in a manner for evennei wholly unimitable. No. 1 Lime and Guano Spr*»ader combined, 5 A feet wide P.-ice at shot), $75. No. 2 Lime Spreader (not combined) is larger and stronger, 6 leei wiQe. ip/A. Guano Spreader, one horse, 5 feet wide, $40. '* '■ two horse, 8i feet wide, JI60. u^^^n7f\'^^!'^'^^^^ MORRIS & CO., Philadelphia R SINCLAIR. Jr., & CO, Baliimore. Reference testimonial can be had by oddressing the following gentlemen who have mnchinen in use: Maris Hoopes. Lancaster, Fa ; Simmons Coates. Gnp. Lan ^istercc, Pa; Andrew Steward. Pennington ville. Chester co., Pa; S C. WilliHmson. Cain, Chester CO.. Pa; Wm. C. Hoffman and Lewis G. Kemp, Frederick City, Md.; Henry Tell, TexM Baltimore CO, Md All orders or communications addressed to LEWIS COOPKR Christiana P. O , Lancaster Vo , Pa., will meet wiih prorop attention. »" P.ATENT RIGHTS FOR SALE. April, la^. THE VOL. VI. PHILADELPHIA, JULY, 1856. NO. 7. Condensed for the Farm Journal. EEPOET ON EXPERIMENTS. CONDUCTED BT MR. KEARY OF ENGLAND ON THE GROWTH OP WHEAT UPON THE SAME LAND FOR FOUR SUCCBSSIYB TEARS. BT J. B. LA WES, F. R. S., It has been proved by careful experiments that wheat can be grown for several years in succession upon " heavy land, and that by means of a proper supply of certain chemical substances, an average or full agricultural crop according to the season can be obtained with certainty, but it is believed that there have been no experiments of the same kind carried on with accuracy on a large scale, upon soils other than those of a comparatively heavy character. It is indeed, not many years since the practice of receiving from any land more than one com crop in succession, was condemned as bad in principle ; and when we consider what was the amount of produce generally obtained in the second year, it must be admitted that, under the circumstances then existing, the practice could not be easily justified. The increased sources, how- ever, of artificial manures which have of late years been opened up, and more especially the comparatively large and cheap supplies of that valuable agent am- monia, have furnished the agriculturist of the present day with a means of increasing, and in many cases of repeating, his corn crops, which was not possessed by his predecessor. The limit, however, up to which the growth of corn by means of artificial manures may safely be extended on different descriptions of soil, has yet to be fixed by the aij either of practical experience, or of more direct experiment. Leaving out of the question for the moment the im- Portant influence of the subsoil in modifying the character and fertility of different descriptions of land, 1 may be said that, whilst in the " heavy'' soil certain elements of fertility are comparatively more inexhaus- iWe, though capable of liberation in but small quan- jties each year,~in the " lighf' soil, on the other hand, nere is generally a less store of the elements of fertility, ^ough they will yield up more rapidly those which re added to them in the form of manure. There is, ^^ever, an almost infinite variety in the characters of our soils ; in some districts we have those of the most opposite description within a short distance of each other ; and there are some which so combine the qualities of *^ light" and *' heavy" land, as to render it difficult on which side to classify them. There are others, again, which are decidedly light in character so far as the surface soil is concerned, but which possess in their subsoil a vast storehouse of some of the native elements of fertility ; and hence whilst they are amenable to the same mechanical and other general management of the So-called light soils, they are more neariy allied to the heavy soils so far as the native resource of fertility is concerned. Whilst, then, a broad distinction must always exist between soils which can without injury be trodden by sheep in the wettest weather and those which under the same cir- cumstances will scarcely bear a foot to be put upon them— and it may be convenient to apply to them the current designations of** light'' or ** heavy" accordingly —it must at the same time be remembered that these terms, as applied to a surface-soil, afford a very imper- fect indication of the probable native resources, and consequently of the capabilities of growth without deterioration of the respective soils. The soil upon which the experiments now to be re- corded were made, is described by Mr. Keary as a ** light, thin, and rather shallow brown sand loam," «' resting upon an excellent mari which contains 'a large quantity of calcareous matter." And he adds that he has invariably found these light sand loams with the above subsoil ♦^to be most productive and grateful for Aig^ farmimg." In such a surface-soil, then, there will be combined the easily working qualities and the power of rapidly yielding up manurial matter of the so-called "light" soils; whilst in its subsoil, we have much of the native resource of con- stituents and probably the power of absorption or retention of manurial matter also, of the so-called heavy soils. Still it is of the greatest interest, both in a scientific and in a practical point of view, to ascertain by actual experiment how far those chemical sub- stances which are employed with success for the in- creased growth of wheat upon heavy soils, can be used with advantage upon those of different descriptions; and these experiments are therefore of considerable 193 li^M 194 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. July. Itib!' value towards filling up one gap in our knowledge on this subject. Here it may be suggested, that one very great desideratum at the present time is a few carefully conducted experiments, not on too small a scale, to ascertain the result of the successive growth of wheat, on different descriptions of land, both unmanured and with a few well -selected artificial manures. How comparatively trifling would be the cost and trouble if one person only in each agriculiufsl district iu the country would devote three acres of land in half-acre plots to the continuous growth of wheat for a series of years ; one portion being always unmanured, one manured with farmyard dung, one with mineral ma- nures only, one with ammoniacal salts only, one with both the minerals and the ammoniacal salts, and another with rape-cake ? Yet such a simple series as this, carefully performed and accurately recorded, would in a few years furnish us with results which would be invaluable both in elucidating agricultural practices as they art, and in affording a sound basis for deduction, with a view to improvement according to the variations of soil and climate. It should be further remarked with regard to the land upon which these experiments were made, that previous to the introduction of the four-course system it had been considered too light for the growth of wheat. It has now for some years been farmed under that system ; it was clayed about 12 years prior to these experiments, and the crop immediately preceding them was white turnips, manured with farm- yard dung and guano, both tops and bulbs being drawn off the land. The experimental plots were half an acre each : the manures were as follows, and were ali sown in the autumn, except No. 4, which was sown in epring : — No. 1. Always unmanured ; No. 2. Mineral manures alone ; No. 3. Ammonia-salts alone, sown in the au- tumn ; No. 4. Ammonia-salts alone, sown in the spring ; No. 5. Both the minenal manure and ammonia- salts ; No. 6. Rape-cake ; No. 7. Farmyard duno*. The unmanured plot, when once exhausted of the accumulations derived from the more recent previous manuring, will, of course, show the productive capa- bility of the soil in a comparatively normal state, in conjunction with that of the annual climatic yield of the atmospheric elements of growth ; and the results will provide a standard with which to compare the produce of the different manures. The mixture of both the minerals and the ammoniacal salts shows, when the results are compared with those of each of these manures used separately— 1st, whether or not the annually available native mineral supply of the soil, taken together with that in the manure, was not competent to a much greater amount of growth than the annual atmospheric supply of nitrogen was sufficient to produce ?— and 2ndly, whether the amount of nitrogen supplied to the soil, when such a quantity of ammoniacal salts was used alone, was not in excess in proportion to the annually available supply of mine- rals from the soil itself? Rape-cake contains a large proportion of carbonaceous and nitrogenous organic substances, and some mineral matter ; and the nitrogen which was supplied in the quantity of it used was nearly identically the same or perhaps rather greater in amount, than that in the ammoniacal salts of the other experiments. The farm-yard dung employed, was the product of yards in which bullocks were fed on turnips, with a moderate quantity of oil cake. In this farm-yard uuug, tuefc vvuuiu uv auueu vu iiie sou every year % larger supply of every constituent than was contained in the increased wheat crop grown. The first point of striking interest derived from the tabulatory, the results of the four years, is that upon each manured plot a larger produce, by 14 or 20 bushels of wheat or corn more, was obtained by the same manure the first season than the average ! of the following years. This result speaks well for the previous ** condition" of the land, and is also very . instructive, as showing how useless for the purposes of any general conclusions, are experiments with manures continued for a single season only. It is, in fact, not until some of the elements of fertility, the due proportion of which to the others is comprehended in the term ♦* condition," have been received from the soil by the crop, that any safe deduction can bo formed from the result of experiments with manures. We now proceed lo a study of the results of the individual manures ; and in the course of it will be rendered pretty obvious what was the nature of the unexhausted matters of previous manuring, which gave this greater produce in the first year of the experiment. Plot 1, which was unmanured, gave 39fi bushels of clean wheat the first year, 15 i the second, 2U the third, and 161 the fourth ; the average of the four years being 23 i bushels, and that, of the last three years nearly 18 bushels ; which latter amount is nearly 22 bushels less than was obtained on the same plot in the first year. Plot 2, which was manured with salts of potash, soda, and magnesia, and super-phosphate of lime, gave Mi bushels of clean wheat in the first year, rather more than 19 in the second, 19f in the third, and M in the fourth. It is seen, therefore, that there is only a variation of about 1 bushel during the last three years ; and that the average of these last three years is about 15 bushels less than was obtained in the first year. It is obvious that whatever were the elements of fertility present in the soil which were the source of the larger crop of the first year, they were in no way restored by the mineral substances supplied in the experimental manure. Again, comparing the pro- duce of this mineral mixture with that of the unma- nured plot, we find that taking the four years together there was actually rather more wheat obtained without manure than by the minerals ; the tendency of the latter being to increase the growth of straw, of which, taking the last three years together, there was about half a ton more obtained by means of the minerals. It is obvious therefore that mineral manures alone did THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 195 little to remedy the characteristic exhaustion induced by the growth of the first crop of wheat, and that the annual mineral supplies of the soil were at any rate equal to the natural annual supply of nitrogen available for the growth of the crop. In the next experiments (Nos. 3 and 4), the manure employed in each case consisted of 200 lbs. of sulphate of ammonia and 200 lbs. of muriate of ammonia per acre ; but on Plot 3 they were sown in the autumn ■t njc oaiuv uiiiiv/ ffto viic uinuureH ui ail the oiner ex- periments, and on Plot 4 they were top-dressed in the spring. Taking the four years together, there is a difference of less than 2 bushels between the produce of the two plots, it being however rather in favour of the autumn-sown manure. The autumn-sown manure also gives on the average a rather better weight per bushel. The produce of straw, taking together the three last years (it not being weighed in the first), is nearly identical in the two cases, there being a differ- ence only of 8 lbs. in favour of the sping-sown manure. Upon the whole, then, the results are in favour of sowing these soluble manures in the autumn even in so light a soil. Comparing the produce of the different years by ammoniacal salts alone, we find that there is here again a fall in the produce of 18 bushels in the ! one case, and of 14^ in the other, from the first year ' to the averaoe of the three last years ; and that there ' is afterwards something like a gradual reduction from year to year. It is obvious, therefore, that the amount of nitrogen supplied in this large dose of ammoniacal salts is in excess over the annually available minerals of the soil, which it, would appear are becoming gradually reduced. That these however, are never- theless considerably in excess over those required by the natural supplies of nitrogen, is obvious from the fact, that whilst by mineral manures alone we got no increase of corn whatever, and only a total increase of straw in the last three years taken together of about half a ton, the ammoniacal salts alone have given in the four years a total increase of 31 to 32 bushels of com, and in the three last years of 2830 lbs. of straw. By the comparison, then, of the results of the mineral manures alone by the side of those of the ammoniacal salts alone, we have beautifully illustrated not only the nature of the characteristic exhaustion induced by the growth of the corn, but we are also able to form able to form a pretty clear idea of the actual degree or extent of that exhaustion, much more so at any rate than we should be by any analysis of the soil. In Experiment 5, we have in the manure both the mmerals of Plot 2, which gave no increase of com and but little increase of straw, and the ammoniacal salts of the Plots 3 or 4, which gave a considerable, ttiough annually decreasing, amount of increase. The result of this mixture of both minerals and ammoniacal salts was to give, taking the 4 years together, from to 54 bushels of corn and a large quantity of straw jnore than is yielded by the minerals alone. This, ^'len, was an annual average of 13 to 14 bushels of orn and an equivalent of straw due to the ammoniacal salts. And since there was in the 4 years about 20 bushels more increase by the mixture of both minerals and ammonia salts than by the ammonia salts alone, it is obvious that the minerals of matter is of itself of no practical utility as a manure for wheat. It may be mentioned that this is a result precisely similar in character to that which has been obtained in previous experiments, The next and last Experiment is No. 7, in which 14 tons of farm-yard manure were applied per acre I annually. It has already been stated that this amount of farm-yard dung would supply more of every con- stituent than would be contained in the increase of crop due to its employment. It would contain, in fact, from 3 to 4 tons of carbonaceous organic substance, whilst the annual increase of produce did not contain 1 ton of such matter. The minerals in the dung would also very far exceed those in the increased pro- duce yielded, and its nitrogen would be greater in amount than that supplied in the ammoniacal salts of Experiments 3, 4, and 5, or in the rape-cake of Experi- ment 6. There would, however, be this difference as regards the nitrogen— namely, that whilst that which was supplied in the ammoniacal salts would be the most readily dissolved in the soil, that in the rape- cake would be so in a less degree, though much more rapidly in a light soil than in a heavy one. Part of the nitrogen of the dung too would also be rendered easily available, but that portion which entered into the composition of the straw would probably require some years before the whole was liberated and appli- cable for the growth of the crop. The result of the experiment with the dung is, that we get an average annual increase by it of about 10^ bushels of com and 1300 lbs. of straw, which is less by nearly 3 bushels of corn and about 150 lbs. of straw than was obtained by the rape-cake. The weight per bushel of the corn grown by the dung was, however, on the average about f lb. heavier than that by the rape-cake, which will account for part of the deficiency. Now, as we have seen by the other experiments, that neither minerals alone, nor carbonaceous organic matter, had any influence in the increase of the crop, but that wherever there was a supply of nitrogen in the manure there was always a very considerable increase, we have every reason to conclude that it was the amount of nitrogen liberated from the dung in a form applicable by the plants which fixed the limit to the increase of produce obtained by its use. And in confirmation of this conclusion, it may be recalled to mind how very small would be the amount, both of the carbonaceous organic matter and of mineral matter, in the increase of produce obtained in proportion to the amount of either of them supplied by the farm-yard manure. It is true, that neither is the amount of nitrogen contained in the increased produce of wheat ever equal to that supplied in the manure which yielded that increase ; but it must be remembered that, besides any liability to loss by drainage, to which all might be subject, the nitrogen, in several of its forms of combination, is also n 196 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Jolt. volatile, and raay be exhaled into the atmosphere and lost, but this is not the case with the mineral consti- tuents of manure. Upon the whole, then, a careful study of the various experiments has proved. — That the soil, even with the most unusual and very exhausting process of carrying off the land the total grain and straw of several successive corn-crops, after a root-crop which had also been drawn from the land, Sllli iof /»»./\rx TKa idea is not new to us. As long ago as 1824, we saw this method practiced in Vermont, and it was reported highly successful, but for some reason it has not come into general use. The experiments we saw tried were by selecting a short pasture field, dropping the seed at suitable distances over the ground, and then covering the whole with a coat of straw to the depth of a foot or more. In the fall, the straw was raked ofif and the potatoes picked up, all dry. In wet season this plan was thought to be very effective. The editor of the Pike county (111.) Free Press has been presented with potatoes raised the last season by a Mr. Shipman of that vicinity, and details as follows : Mr. Shipman informed us that he planted them in the usual manner, then covered them to the depth of about six inches with straw: after this no further cultivation was required — the straw kept down the weeds, and the j»otatoes were not disturbed until they were dug. Not only has this method produced him a very superior potatoe, but it has this year brought him an extraordinary yield — 4 bushels to the square rod, or at the rate of 640 bushels to the acre. He has tried this mode of culture for three years past, and has in every instance found it to bring results superior to the common method. This year he has planted at three different times, with the following results : • Early in April he planted Neshanocks in both ways, and pinkeyes under the straw ; all were in the same kind of ground. The Neshanocks cultivated yielded two bushels and one peck to the square rod ; those covered with straw, four bushels and one peck ; and the pinkeyes covered, four bushels. Pinkeyes planted on the 24th of May, covered with straw, yielded two and a half bushels and four quarts to the square rod. They were the smallest potatoes. Pinkeyes planted about the last of June, covered, brought two bushels and one quart to the square rod. These, although the smallest yield, were the largest potatoes, and of the best quality. — Worcester Palladium, <•► Next Annual Exhibition of the State Society. — We learn that the next exhibition of the State Society will be held at Pittsburg. A meeting of the merchants of that city has been called to arrange preliminaries. We have no doubt that a fine exhibition and a large attendance will be secured should Pittsburg be fixed upon as the place. 200 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. [July, 1^, iii ! HAT COVERS. A good set of hay covers will save twice their cost every season, and with due care will last a dozen years. Buy a piece of stout, coarse, brown cotton sheeting, yard wide or more, and tack it upon the sunny side of a board fence, or broadside of the barn, and paint it With the following composition : Linseed oil, one gallon ; beeswax, two pounds — boiled together, to which add a quart of Japan varnish. Dry two days and cut the stone of six or eight ounces weight, sewed in a bai fastened to the cloth by a string a few inches long ij! such a manner that the weights can be easily taken offfA. convenience in packing away the covers when out of u^e One of these thrown over a cock of hay hastily tumbled together, will keep it quite dry in case of a sudden shower. A large cover for a wagon-load or unfinished stack of hay or grain will be found one of the most use- ful implements on the farm. It is surprising that eyerr man who hauls hay to market does not keep such a usi- ful thing. -••»- DRY AND WET LIME. It is a well established fact, that lime applied to the soil as a fertilizer, should be dry, and in a floury con- dition in order to be of the most value to the farmer ; and that one bushel in this condition is worth two or more bushels of water soaked, stickey , or mortary lime. In fact in this condition it does not properly come under the denomination of lime, but. mortar ; and if the lime be pure, and free from sand, and once suffered to get into this condition it is very doubtful whether it ever can be brought back to a proper state, to benefit the farmer, adequate to the expense of getting the lime to his fields and spreading it, &c. Many farmers console themselves by saying, and perhaps believing " that the lime is there and it will come out some time"-it may, but by no means profitably in the lifetime of those who thus console themselves; one thing is certain that the action of neither sun, frost, nor rain will moulder or decompose It m any moderate number of years. If the lime be pure, and made wet and mortar-like the act of spreading it, in this condition, necessarily stirs and mixes it together more compactly; when dry It ,s hard almost as stone, and nearly as insolu- ble In this condition, it will lie for a greaf many years, either on top, or under the surface, or alternately up and down by plowing and other culture'of the soil, but still it remains the same : take a piece that has laid for years, and scrape the sand and dirt off the outside, and apply the tongue to it, you will find it is about as sharp to the taste, as it was when first dried, and consequently has imparted little, or no fertiliziDf virtue. This then would prove pretty conclusively that one bushel of dry, air slacked lime, or lime slacked with just sufficient water, to change it into a dry dust, and no more, is worth several bushels of " mortar" to till the soil. Then why not protect the lime from drenching rains. It costs both money and considerable labor to procure even 500 bushels of lime, and when once procured, why let it waste to be worth only 200, or 300 bushels of dry lime for want of but a little additional cost and labor. Suppose instead of pro- curing 500 bushels of lime you only get 400 bushels, or in that proportion, take part of the money that would buy the other 100 bushels, and the labor, and buy or procure a few boards and to cover the linae with— $8 or $9 will buy 600 feet of boards, which will readily cover 400 or even 600 bushels of lime and keep it dry. LIME HOUSES. About the cheapest mode of building a portable and efficient Lime-IIouse is represented in the following engravings. 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. 201 In the end view A is the Box, made of Boards about 16 feet long by 14 to 16 inches wide, which may be kept to their places with stakes, B, is an upright post with a fork at the top for receiving the scantling C, should be about 4 by 6 inches, E E are the boards of the roof, which should be narrow so as to prevent warping; and on one end of them, nail pieces of shingling lath, for hooking on to one another, and to the scantling C as shown in the engraving. And to prevent the wind from blowing the roof off, lay on the top covering a piece of timber D of sufficient weight, of course the house should have a floor and the lime not be allowed to rest on the ground to burn it. It will be readily seen that after the material for such a Lime House is once obtained and fitted together, it can be set up in a very few minutes and without the use of a single nail — and can be as readily taken down and removed from place to place. It is inex- cusable in our farmers to treat their lime and land in the manner they do, by depositing huge heaps in the open fields to be injured of its fertilizing properties, and to kill hundreds of square feet of ground perhaps for years. -•••- STABLE VICES. We are indebted to that excellent work ** The Stable Book" published by C. M. Saxton & Co., for the follow- ing extracts on some of the vices practiced by horses while in the stable. Biting.— There are horses who delight in biting. Some are so much addicted to it that it is not possible to enter their stall without obtaining substantial evidence of their prowess in this respect. An expe- rienced biter gives no warning. He knows the extent of his reach, and abstains from all demonstration of noStility until the man comes up to the proper place ; then, quick as lightning, he darts at the intruder, and generally succeeds in tearing off some part of his clothing. Many are content with this triumph, and crouch into a corner of the stall, trembling and expect- ing the accustomed punishment. Others are not so easily satisfied. A single snatch is not suflBcient A ferocious horse makes repeated efforts to seize the man, and he is not content with a tug at the clothes, even when he can carry off half a yard of fustian. He takes * deeper and firmer hold : he will struggle to seize his ^^^7 ; he will shake him, lift him off the ground, '^nd perhaps throw him down, and then attack him ^r^ the forefeet, striking and trampling upon him. here are several instances of men having been killed '° this way, generally by stallions. I have seen biters punished till they trembled in every joint, and were ready to drop ; but have never, in any case, known thera cured by this treatment, nor by any other. The lash is forgotten in an hour, and the horse is as ready and determined to repeat the offence as before. He appears unable to resist the temptation. In its worst forms biting is a kind of insanity. There are various degrees of the complaint. Constant and laborious work often converts a ferocious into a very tame biter. So far as I know, there are no means of effecting a complete cure; but, by careful management, mischief may be prevented, even in the worst cases. When not very resolute, the horse may be overawed by a bold groom. He may warn the horse by speaking to him ; and he may enter the stall with a rod, held in view of the horse, and ready to fall should he attempt to bite. After getting hold of the head the man is safe. He may then apply a muzzle, or tie the horse's head to the hay-rack, if there be anything to do about him, such as dressing or harnessing. When grain or water is to be delivered, muzzling or tying up is not necessary. The man has only to be upon his guard till he get hold of the head, and retain his hold till he get clear of the horse. That he can easily manage by pushing the horse back till he can clear the stall, by one step, after he lets go the head. S02 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [July. :' Stall fob a Biteb. When the rod is not sufficient to intimidate the horse, a long rope must be fastened to his halter. This must run through a ring in the head of the stall, or in the head-post on the left side, and proceed back- ward to the heel-post, where it is secured. This enables the man to draw the head close up to the ring, and to keep it there, till grain or water is delivered, till the horse can be bridled, muzzled, harnessed, or dressed. Of course the head is to be released, after the man leaves the stall; but the rope remains, in place, attached to the halter, and ready for use. A muzzle alone is often sufficient to deter some horses from biting ; or attemptning to bite. These do not require to be tied up when under stable opera- tions. But some, though muzzled, will strike a man to the ground ; for these there is no remedy but tying up. Kicking.— This vice is not so common as that of biting; but it is much more dangerous, and the mischief is not so easily avoided. Some strike only at horses, and never attempt to injure persons. These have little chance of doing harm when placed in the end stall of a single-headed stable, where other horses will never have occasion to stand or pass behind them. Those that kick at the groom, or persons going about them, are almost dangerous to strangers. A great many can be intimidated by threatning them with the whip. Previous to entering the stall, the man warns the horse by speaking roughly to him; ar^I by placing him on one side, he may be approached on the other. A drunken, or awkard groom, however, is almost sure to receive injury from a confirmed kicker ; and a timid man is never safe. Vicious, and perhaps all kinds of horses, discover timidity very quickly ; those that are so inclined soon take advan- 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER 203 Stall fob a Kicker. tage of the discovery. Many kickers give warning. They whisk the tail, present the quarters, and hang the leg a moment before they throw it out. Others have more cunning, and give no notice. They often let a man enter the stall, when they turn suddenly round and strike out, either with one foot or with both. Some strike only as the man is leaving the stall with his back to the horse ; some are slow, and some so quick that the motion is scarcely seen till the blow is struck. Some strike with the fore-feet but these m easily avoided when the vice is known. Timid grooms are always too close, or too far awty from a kicker. When the man must come within reach of the heels, he should stand as close to them as possible. A blow thus becomes a push, seldom injurious. When the horse is a ferocious kicker, so malicious and determined that it is very hazardous to approach him even with a rod — which in such case, however, oftener irritates than intimidates — he must be placed out of the way in a remote stall, the partitions of which should be high and long. A long rope must be attached to the head, nearly the same as for i savage biter ; but this, instead of drawing the horse's head up to a ring at top of the stall, draws him back- ward so far that the head can be seized before entering the stall. As long as the man keeps well forward with his hand on the head, he is safe from the heels. This rope is not attached at the stall-head ; it is supported in front by a ring placed in the travis near its top» and about three feet from the head-post. In some cases, a small door in the partition is requisite, through which the horse is fed and watered. When the door is large enough to admit a man, and the horse not a biter as well as a kicker, it renders a side-line un* necessary. of the plantings. As many of the interior fences are re- moved there is quite an expanse of verdure ; the red leaves of sprouts in many portions show how newly the land has been divested of its native growth of wood. The indefatigable energy and wise policy of the act- ing committee of the board of trustees, ensures the suc- cessful establishment of the institution; their efforts, as they become known and appreciated, will command ap- proval and assistance. W. P. S. I shall here mention that in preparing the rows for planting, a steel-soled, double-lifting subsoiler was used, the same implement, I tnink, which you used at the trial of plows at Harrisburg in September last. It reached the ground amid doubt and ridicule. It now rests from labor for awhile in complete triumph. The diggers, who didn't want it in their way, soon joined fast "friends when their shovels proved the loosened soil. And farmers around, seeing it go through portions of freshly cleared laud with the greatest ease, heaving and dragging out grubs and roots, and loosening up beds of surface stone as compact as pavement, owned it to be * bully.* «•» For the Fann Jouraal. A NEW ACADEMIA. Many a student, soul-sick over the infinitesimals of his *' Propria quae maribus" or the *'crementa syllabarum," or Doric dialects and other endless and useless lumber of provincialisms and caprices of languages dead a thousand years ago ; finds in the course of his reading, that the scholars of the sweet-tongued Plato, listened to and pondered his lore while pacing silently and gravely the stately groves of the Academia Vetus, and sighs out a wish that he too could have for his weary desk a leafy tree, and his chair in its grassy shade. In the High School instituted by the Agricultural So- ciety, an Academia Nova is now founded — let students learn it to their joy, and a better, and even pleasanter than their imaginings of the Vetus. For it will unite the benefits of studies at the desk, and diagrams on the board, and manipulations in the shop and laboratory and the field, with the living lecture and out door exercise of the old Academia, having this essential difference that instead of vain speculations upon the distant and unfath- omable, the student will have the ever-open and sur- rounding book of nature for his study. The life giving air that fans his brow when glowing with healthy exer- cise— the passing seasons and their appropriate labors and duties — the insect world humming and swarming around — plants — trees — animals — and the soil he walks over with its wondrous capabilities — these will be sub- jects of his investigations. The machinery too, that man's art has contrived to aid him in this task and duty appointed him at his creation, of tilling and subduing the earth, that it may bring forth abundantly of all things pleasant to the sight and good for food — the rules of art and of science which devoted and too long despised * practical genius ' has developed — the collections of use- ful, injurious and interesting objects will claim part of his attention. And thus employed, he will delight in his pursuits be- For the Farm Journal. FB06BESS AT THE FABMEBS' SCHOOL OEOTJND. Messrs. Editoes: — The planting season being now over I sit down to give you some account, as promised, of the progress of affairs on the grounds of the Farmer's High School. Every one who has been engaged in the culture of the soil knows well how the lateness and wetness of the epring impeded labor. April was well advanced before it became at all practicable either to excavate for build- ings, or to lay out orchards or gardens. About the 10th of the month however, the farm, which during winter, had been sheeted over with unbroken snow, became populous with workers. In the middle of the broad slope of the mid-length of the farm, the site of a barn and the appurtenant sheds was marked out, and heaps of red earth and gray rock were fast increas- ing. Over the'grounds reflections from the white sleeves of quick-striking arms caught the eye in various direc- tions ; and behind these active laborers, fences, trees, and sprouts disappeared from the yet newly cleared land, and in their stead were rising long ranges of stakes marking the extensive orchard grounds and their hedge enclosures. The planters, — so often and vexatiously stopped by frequent rains, and obliged now to work in soil quite unfit to be stirred in order to save plants; and now awaiting the slow arrival of trees from equally har- assed nursery men — have at length closed their labors for the season. A very extensive and complete collec- tion of fruits is now (May 20) in good growth on the grounds, and surrounded by a long thread of plants, the germ of a hedge, chiefly of Osage, but including speci- mens of all other plants successfully employed for the purpose, includiiig shelters of evergreen. The avenues are not planted in consequenc of the trees having failed to arrive. The preparation of the garden grounds and the campus will be commenced in July or August. It is intended that about 6 acres of the campus shall be planted with a full arboretal collection of trees and shrubs arranged in the order of their Botanical classifi- cation. Many contributions to this useful and interesting feature of'the grounds have been received, and planted couYeniently for setting permanently after the whole ar- rangement can be determined. Among donations of plants cuttings and seeds already received and many of them precursors of others prom- ised in autumn — which of course will be gladly accepted and appropriately labelled — are a collection of rare and valuable species of trees and shrubs from T. Meehan, Germantown; scions from Jacob Cocklin, York Co.; Jno. Murdock, Pittsburg; S. Miller, Lebanon; F. Davis, Staunton, Va.; A. S. Hauford, Waukesha; and Charles Downing, Newburg; trees from R. Waring, Tyrone ; do. German Prunes from F. Pfeiffer, Indiana Co.; Concord Grapes from George Bucher, Alexandria ; and J. S. Cut- tlee, Clearfield : rare varieties of peach and native plants from R. Foster, York Co.; seeds from J. B. Garber, Columbia; Dr. B. J. Berry, Centre Co.; and S. T. Shu- gert, Washington, D. C. The grounds already exhibit evidence of improvement. Tlie surface is carpeted with a luxuriant growth of un- cropped clover and other grasses, broken only by the cause they are normal to his nature, always yielding a eda and material around the buildings and the red lines satisfaction and a consciousness of right to all occupied II 204 THE FARM JOURNAL AND P R 0 G RE S S I V E FARMER. [Joit fi'il 'lEll i iW mI with them, and plainly increasing the capacity for future usefulness. And whoever doubts whether the refine- ments and amenities of literature mny not be attained among the appliances of culture and in the breezy fields, should look over the lists of eminent men and note how many have drawn their strength from dictionaries, and how many from the active scenes of life. Or compare the freshness and common sense of writers on industrial subjects with the tedious and pointless verbiage of some Bo-called * masters of longuage.* or the daily lives of those who till the soil, or are habituated to field pursuits in any branch of natural science, with those of men who condemn or neglect them. It is safe to decide that on which ever side enjoyment and length and blamelessness of life preponderate, and usefulness to mankind at large ; there is the safest path on which to place the feet of youth. ir. -«•► For the Farm Journal. A VISIT TO THE FARM OF GEORGE VANARSDALE OF BUCKS COUNTY. Messrs Editors;— There are many farmers who are extremely indifferent to the natural advantages of their farms, and seldom attempt the improvement of their stock, or strive in the most remote degree to procure an improved implement, but proceed in the old blind la- bor system, handed down from generation to generation. These views were forcibly impressed upon my mind by a visit to the farm of George Vanarsdale, Esq., of Bucks Co., where every natural advantage and resource is turned to a profitable purpose. The land is roUing and somewhat light but it is well adapted to the raising of all farm products in abundance. The dwelling and main out buildings are quite ancient, I should suppose near a century old, nevertheless they are comfortable and con- venient, the barn with the addition of two or three bar- racks is ample to contain all the products of the farm, and house all the cattle. The stock kept are a mixture of the Short horn, Aldemey, and native ; these animals prove very productive. The Spring house is at a conve- nient distance from the house and barn, and contains a never failing spring of water, and is plastered on the in- terior and exterior walls and paved with white flag stones. In front are two pools having a constant stream of water flowing in and out of them, the one is intended for cleaning the dairy fixtures, the other contains gold fish. The improvements in proximity to the dwelling, which have recently been constructed, consist of the fol- lowing, a commodious poultry house, ample to accommo- date two or three hundred fowls, and a spacious yard at- tached; a stone hot house for forcing early vegetable plants, cne similarly built thirty feet by six, for growing water cresses the year round for family use, there is a stream of water passing through this house continually which is essential to their growth. Mr. V. pays consid- erable attention to the production of vegetables in their variety and intends to enlarge his already judiciously, managed garden, containing about half an acre, to at least an acre more this spring. There is a choice variety offruitonthis farm, and three years ago there were some one hundred scions inserted in the tops of many large trees which were headed down, all of which are vigorously, with the exception of ten or a dozen. But some very important features on this farm, should^ ceive a better description than my feeble pen ^ give them. The first is the water power which threshu the grain, churns the butter, turns the grind stone, t^ a turning lathe, and shortly a circular saw is to be drivn by it for sawing fire wood. Near the eastern extremitj of the farm on the margin of a luxuriant meadow 2 several acres, is situated an almost inexhaustible lijn stone quarry, which is worked successfully, the ston, being expeditiously prepared and conveved to a u^ lime kiln, which has lately been constructed, pUcjj therein and shortly converted into superior lime, whicfc is disposed of to the farmers of the surrounding countpj for agricultural and building purposes at remunerating prices. There has also lately been built adjacent to the kiln, a substantial stone magazine for the safety of tlx powder and tools. Beyond the quarry some fifty pacei and at the termination of the above mentioned meadow is a magnificent water cress plantation, extending sodm hundred yards in length by three in breadth, watered by a stream flowing through a fissure of a huge lime stone rock in the quarry. The cresses are cut and neatly bound into bunches, taken to the city and readily dig. posed of at a great profit, yielding several hundred dol- lars per annum. Mr. V. informed me that he intendsto introduce a variety of fish into an enclosed portion of his useful stream for breeding purposes, by this means he anticipates enjoying the luxury of enjoying a dish of fresh fish at all seasons. I will merely add that Mr. V. contemplates supplying his cattle with water from i spring situated about a hundred yards from the barn, on an elevated position, the water will be conducted through pipes to a large trough in the barn yard, the overflow will pass oflf down a short declivity into the creek. Near Bustleton. £. THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. -«••- For the Fami Journal. • BUCKS COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. The Thirteenth Annual Meeting of the Society WM held at Pineville on the 17th of April. The number in attendance, and the spirit manifested, shows an increM- ing interest in the cause as well as the prosperous con- dition of the Society. Gen. Rogers from the Committee on Fruit made an interesting report of their visits to the Horticultural Societies, of Philadelphia and Chester Co.; and also, of the result of inquiries into the subject of seedling fruits in Bucks Co., noting the fact that we have many valuable fruits of that sort but little known to most of our farmers. The Committee to visit the Philadelphia Agricultural Society reported their last Ex- hibition the best ever held by that Society, and qnitt equal to those of the State Society. A Committee wM appointedjto procure from the next legislature an act of incorporation for the Bucks Co. Agricultural Society. Notice was given of proposed amendments of the Consti- tution, increasing the price of membership, and making them transferable. The Treasurer's report showed » balance due him of $172.16, on which the Societjre- solved to allow him interest. Committees were ap- pointed to visit the Exhibition of the Agricultural So- cieties of Burlington Co., Montgomery Co., and the United States. The Committee of Arrangements were authorized to fix the dav for the Annual Exhibition »* jlewtown. The following officers were elected for the current year: President, Wm. Stavely; Vice Presidents, Jolly Longshore, David Cornell, Jacob H Rogers, and Hector C. Ivins; Treasurer, Jacob Eastburn; Cor. Sec- ratary, Thomas warner; Recording Secratary, Jno. S. Brown. The list of Premiums offered by the Society is proba- bly more extensive than that of any other in the State, and is open to the competition of everybody without ■- «•» 1 For the Farm Journal. WHY IS THIS SO ? Messrs Editors: — Although but a poor writer myself, and with but limited experience in husbandry, I have for many years been an attentive reader of your leading Agricultural papers, and have, I am led to hope, been profited by their perusal. In the course of my reading liowever, I have forcibly been struck with the fact that Northern, Eastern, Western and Southern farmers, mani- fest a much more earnest disposition to contribute their mite of information to the columns of their respective Journals, than the farmers of Pennsylvania. Why this should be so, is to me somewhat incomprehensible, are our farmers less intelligent — less able to contribute the results of their experience, than their neighbors around them ? Assuredly not. I venture tlje assertion that as many vigorous writers can be found amongst the farmers of our good old commonwealth, as in any other territory of the same extent in the Union. Is it because they have nothing of special interest to communicate ? Surely no intelligent farmer could consistently urge this as a reason for not writing for his Agricultural paper. Every day (I was going to say every hour) is fruitful of expe- rience, and should be, of observation and reflection. He is but a poor observer who does not from almost every days experience glean something that would prove of in- terest to your readers, and very much that would be of the greatest value to them. The man who observes closely, and puts to paper the result of his observations, cannot fail to familiarize himself with facts of the utmost importance to his daily pursuits. It is one thing to ob- serve, and another to benefit by those observations. If particular and valuable results are noticed for a moment and in a moment forgotten, their value is a mere nothing, and the farmer who does not treasure these carefully in the store house of his memory, is as unwise as he that plants a valuable crop and refuses to gather it Their silence, therefore, cannot properly be attributed to any want of material out of which to prepare a good article for publication. If then they cannot plead either igno- rance or want of material on which to work, I ask the question plainly ; "why is it that so few Pennsylvania farmers write for their Agricultural papers?" The almost irresistable conclusion is, that they are indifferent— i\iQy aonot feel sufficient interest in the prosperity and suc- cess of their calling to spend even an hour or two in each »ionth in writing out some interesting fact, or proposing ome valuable theory for the benefit of their friends. Can »8 be so ? It is difficult to conceive that such a feeling can prevail in farmers. Why should it? Have they not jery thing to encourage the liveliest feeling of interest to thai relates to Agriculture ? Mankind are mutually 205 dependant. We live and succeed, not by the results of our own individual efforts, but by the combined force of the whole. The man who communicates his experience through the colunns of an Agricultural paper, encour- ages his neighbor to do likewise. The experience of both becomes common property, and their example imitated by others, serves to develope a means of infor- mation, which redounds to the good of all. Why then withhold this experience ? Are they not possessed of the same feeliufts oi State pride which characterize the far- mers of other states? Have they nothing to boast of? Where in this Union can be found so vast an extent of well-cultivated territory, as within the limits of our own state ? Where are finer crops grown ? Where is im- proved machinery more generally used? Where will you find better stock? and where will you find so much to think and speak well of! It was mentioned to me a few days since, by a very intelligent gentleman of Ten- nessee, "that of all the States in the Union, none posses- sed advantages, both natural and artificial, that could in any degree compare with Pennsylvania, and yet her citi- zens, especially the farmers appeared to regard the fact with cool indifference." Should this be so? Never! Our farmers have the intelligence, and the skill, which enables them to compete in every particular with their brother farmers in other states. Why not compete with them with the pen as well ? Where is one good reason why they should not? and I am led to hope that some of our ready writers, whose eyes may chance to fall upon these lines, will at once repudiate the charge of indiffer- ence to Pennsylvania's Agricultural interests, by furnish- ing the results of their experienc and observations for the benefit of their fellow farmers. Let them try the experiment, in older that your readers may have the opportunity of judging between their abilities and the abilities of their neighbors in other states. Let them take hold with a hearty good will, and make one well di- ected effort place Pennsylvanias Agriculture where it properly belongs, foremost in the ranks. p. W. Chester Co., June 6th, 1856. -••»- For the Fami Journal. PLAHTT FEUrr AND SHADE TREES. Messrs Editors:— How much might be added to the appearace of many, indeed of most of our farms and coutry residences, if proper attention were paid to the planting shade and fruit trees in their appropriate places. Nothing contributes so much to the pleasantness of a place as the presence of fine trees, and surely no luxury of half the value can be procured for the same price. The cost of procuring and planting either a fruit or a shade tree is so trifling, that on this score at least, there is no excuse for the frequent omissions of duty in this respect. I say duty, because the planting of trees, and particularly of fiuit trees, is obligatory upon every one who has enjoyed the labors of his predecessors in the same direction. Every generation is to a great extent dependant upon the one which precedes it, for its sup- ply of fruit and shade. The obligation therefore, is one which we are proud to owe our fathers, and which is to be discharged by us toward our own children. But there i.s another light in which the planting of fruit and shade trees may be regarded as a duty. The decrease of iusec- P\ TIGHT BINDING 20(1 THB FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. '«» i«l ii tiverous birds, and the consequent alarming increase of destructive insects, is in a great measure attributable to the fact that one by one, the trees which offered them a refuge have been cut away, and these useful little fel- lows, properly indignant not only at this decided want of taste, but total disregard of their comfort, have taken up their abodes in other sections, never to return until their favorite haunts — trees — are returned to them. Handsome fruit and ornamental trees judiciously plftoted not only advance the beauty, but add greatly to the value of the farm. Take two farms of equal size and quality, let one have a thriving orchard of fruit and a reasonable share of well located shade and ornamental ^ ^ trees, while the other is shorn of all these glories. Pm them up at a public sale, and my word for it, the one wit| the orchard and ornamental trees, will command an ad. vance of more than five times the cost of plantine and attending to the trees. Go ahead then good farmen. plant trees, plant trees! Do it at once, or at least during the first proper season. Do not delay it from year to year, make a resolve and carry but the resolution into effect, that two trees at least shall be planted every year — " — " - t^ *«** *"> c*«.jv4 1.1 vuu EtQQ Avri V/t^V/iA ilicjHiAA rt v#&Aaca«&Ay x/a. vi,«,a.i.\a vtaa v4ji one for, every horse, cow and pig you possess, the num. ber will not be too great. Yours Truly, Arboretum. COOKING WITHOTTT FIRE. A patent has been recently granted to Mr. W. Albro of Buryhamplain, N. J., for a culinary contrivance for cooking without fire. The required caloric is generated by the employment of lime and water. Between these two substances there is a strong chemical affinity, and when they are brought in contact, in the proper propor- tions, they unite with such rapidity and energy as to de- velope an intense heat. No decompositiion takes place, and therefore no gas escapes ; thus heat is produced without combustion. The inventor turns this phenom- enon to a highly nseful purpose in the present improve- ment. Our engraving represents a cooking apparatus intended for family use. A is a tin vessel in which sits another dish, A^ not quite as large, the space between being filled with coffee or tea: B is a faucet for drawing off the liquid. A thin layer of quick-lime is deposited on the bottom of A^ and if potatoes or abples are to be roasted, they are placedron top of the lime. A shallow dish or tray, C, fits the top of A^; in this tray the beef 8teak}and other articles to be cooked are placed, and cover- ed with double covers, D, E. Attached to the bottom of tray C is a perforated pipe, G, which connects with tube G'. The water is poured through the funnel into the perforated pipe, and falls in a shower upon the lime. Heat begins to generate immeadiateiy, and in a few min- utes all the various commodities are seething away, the same as if they had a hot fire beneath them. The hett continues for half an hour or an hour, according to the quantity of lime used. During an experiment made in our office, the oth« day, with one of these contrivances, we cooked a sliceof ham, stewed a dish of apples, baked some other appIeSi and boiled a quantity of water, all at once, at a consump- tion of perhaps of quarter of a cent's worth of lime. The inventor makes several different sizes; the largest does not exceed a ladies band box ; among them is the dinner pail pattern, so arranged that the mechanic, when noon time arrives, has only to pour a half pin* ^'^ so of water into his pail, in order to cook a warm din- ner. The lime and edibles are, of course, arranged »' home. THE FARM JOUNRALAND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 2or WOODRUFF'S NEW SFLF-ACTINO OATE. The above engraving represents the Gate closed. The above engraving represents the Gate when open. Mr. Woodruff, of Elizabeth City, N. J., sometime since obtained a patent for an improvement in farm »nd ornamental gates, and a full-sized working gate '^fs on exhibition at the late fair of the American Institute New York. Those who witnessed the opera- tion of that gate expressed themselves highly pleased ^ith its operation ; but experience has demonstrated that self-acting swing-gates are objectionable, from their liability to damage by heavy gusts of wind and gales. To remedy this and other defects Mr. W. has 'nvented the gate represented by the annexed engra- vings: This gate does not swing horizontally, but it js composed of two separate parts, one being attached 0 each post by two hinges operating vertically. It IS so jointed as to close up something after the »ianner of a lady's fan, yet in a very firm and sub- stantial manner. As each half of the gate is but four or five feet long, it can easily be made strong and durable. This gate is balanced upon its hinges by counter weights beyond the posts, and is operated by the wheels of the carriage or runners of a sleigh, which moves the rod over which it passes. This rod operates the side-bars or chains, which are attached to the cranks outside the posts, and which move the gate as desired, opening it on approach and closing it on leaving. We are informed that the inventor is prepared to deliver the gate represented in the engravings, boxed for shipment, with directions for putting it up, so plain that any ordinary mechanic can understand them — without the main posts which can be constructed to suit the taste of the applicant — for $35. TIGHT BINDING 208 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVB EARMER. Jn.T. A FEW REMARKS ON LATE OBAPE CROPS. Br WILLIAM CnORLTON, STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK. It will, no doubt, be well remembered by many, that on the 4th Nov., 1854, there was a severe frost, which entirely destroyed the leaves of the grape-vines in most of the late graperies in this part of the country ; and also after the following severe winter, when the plants ought to have burst with usual vigor, that the buds broke weak from excessive bleeding, which pro- ceeded from longitude strips along the canes, and this to such an extent that, in some instances, heading back had to be resorted to in order to again get healthy wood, the collective consequences of which were that some crops were below medium, and others partially injured. So sudden and unexpected was this frost, that it is doubtful if one in ten would have applied fire heat if they had the means ; notwithstanding there was an opportunity for assailing the principle of growing the exotic grape under glass without artificial heat. Now,while we admit that a temporary heating apparatus is of service occasionally, there is no reason in condemning in totOy as is often done, either this or any other equally economical qualification, when a little foresight and understanding will remedy the ex- pected contingency ; and perhaps there could not be a better example than the one now before us to prove the necessity for a gardener to possess some knowledge of the anatomy of plants. To make this appear plain — supposing a man, in whom is combined physiological and practical experience, on seeing the wholesale slaughter of the leaves, those sources of assimilation and evaporation upon which, only the day before, he cast such a cheerful look, he would thus soliloquize to himself: These leaves are destroyed too soon, before they have done their destined duty ; they have not evaporated so much of the moisture as they would have done provided they had not been cut so prema- turely ; consequently, it will be best to prune imme- diately, that the light and air may act upon the surface of the bark more readily, by which the drying process will be somewhat assisted : they must also remain exposed so long as the weather will permit, but with all that can be done, there will be an excess of fluid in the canes, rendering the cells more than usually subject to distension and rupture during severe frosts. Some extra covering will also be necessary, and this placed loosely, so that a free circulation of air may pass amongst the vines. So far as can be, cold must be excluded, and sudden changes of temperature avoided. After such severe winters as the last and the pre- vious, he would again reason : With all the care taken into account, it is likely that some laceration of the cells, which are formed longitudinally amongst the vascular tissue, may have occurred in consequence of the expansion by frost of the over- abundant liquid matter contained, and which ought to have been dissipated in the fall, and, to prevent further mischief, it will be advisable to endeavor to obtain an even action over the whole structure ; this may, in part, be accomplished by keeping the vines covered from the invigorating action of the sun's rays until a few more of the cold ** snaps" have passed over, and when the buds can no longer be kept back, instead of tyinr down the tops as usual, which has a tendency to retard the upward progress of the rising fluid, or rather to compel it to take a lateral course, thereby forcing it, while still in a watery state, to ooze out through the sides of the injured cells. The better plm will be to tie the vines up at once, which will assist in enabling it to flow more freely upwards, and OTer every part aUke, the probability being that it will the more surely combine with the stored-up and more solid material which is intended by nature, at this period, to furnish the substance for fresh cellular matter, and so fill up all interstices in the form of i mucilage, that will harden after a time, and repair the mischief in the same way as the healing of a wound in the animal body. In this particular peculiaritj there is no occasion to be so exact about the lower buds, for if the injury that is to be apprehended bis been done, there will be a sufficient stoppage to the upper permeation this season, without any extra cu^ tailment of the plant's natural action, which, when once obtained, will repay all former injury. This simple reasoning may be thought '* small talk" by some of your readers ; but I can answer for it that one crop of grapes, at least, was received in fine con- dition last year where it was put into practice, while some others in difierent places showed the lack of it, and it is purposely sent at the present time to prevent, if possible, a repetition of similar casualities, which are likely to occur from the intense cold of the late winter. I would add, in conclusion, that many of the chenieis and a few other kinds of trees here are being split from the bark to the centre, the whole length of the trunks, by the action of the frost and dry, cold winter winds. {Query. — Is not this the cause of "gum- ming ?") — Horticulturist. 1856.] ^HE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. •«••- MILLET. Within the last few years, the cultivation of Millet has grown into great favor with many of our fftrniers. Every years trial adds to its popularity, and there is lit- tle doubt that it will soon become one of our leading summer crops. Millet is a native of tropical climatai, and is therefore rather impatient of cold. Its name Millet is derived from milky a thousand , in allusion to the im- mense number of seeds produced by it. There^ are sev- eral varieties, but that most cultivated is the ^^Fanicun miliaciumy'' or true Millet. **It*8 root is an annual, it« culm has a heighth of three or four feet; it's leaves are long, broad, and slightly hanging ; it's pinnacle is large, loose, light green, and nodding ; it's glume is three valved, containing two florets, it's valves or loose chaff are unequal and sharp pointed ; it's two paleae are equal concave and beardless ; and it's ripe seed is almost an eighth of an inch in length, smooth, shining greenwli yellow ovate, and slighthly pointed at the ends. The proper time for sowing millet is from the middle of Jud* to the 1st of July. From twelve to sixteen quarts per acre should be sown. It delights in a deep thoroughly pulverized soil, which when practicable, should be plowed in early spring, and replowed about the first of June. The seed can be put in broad-cast, or what would be better, with a drill followed by the roller, in order that the surface mny be brought into proper condition for running. Con- siderable care is required in the curing of it, in order to prevent heating. We have known it to be cradled and bound in sheaves, like grain, but this h only adding trouble and expense to the crop. Where it is grown for seed, perhaps it would be preferable, but where intended for hay, or where it is desired to save a large portion of the seed, the method adopted of curing it as timothy hay is u.-ually cured, has been found to answer best. When desired for hay only, it should be cut before the seed is fully ripe, as it parts with its seed so readily, that if permitted to mature completely, not only much of the seed is lost, but the hay loses much of its nutrious charac- ter, and is less palatable to cattle. From many sources we have testimonials in its favor. A "writer in Michigan says; ''Millet has been a favorite crop with me for sev- eral years. There is no kind of hay that my stock of all kind prefer to millet." Another says; -it is a rich, nutrious food, in consequence of the abundance of seed,' which all kinds of stock are fond of." By many it is esteemed fully equal in quality to timothy hay. while the yield per acre is much heavier. It is especially val- uable for soiling, and when grown for this purpose, the quantity of seed sown per acre should be largely in- creased. From twenty to twenty-four quarts will not be too much, and in some cases a bushel has been used with success. Millet is regarded as fully equal in value U> corn for feeding purposes. As a summer crop, there- fore it is one of the most valuable. Fi^m the heavy yield of seed, it is beyond doubt an exhausting crop es- pecially where the seed is permitted to ripen fully It 18 therefore not advisable to sow it on land intended for wheat. 209 much cows, It IS however, readily eaten by horses and cattle, when fed in an unground state. Where the hav has not been threshed, the seed which remains in the Head 13 greatly relished by stock, and as it forms one of he most valuable portions of the crop, care should be taken to prevent its loss. For this purpose millet hay hould either be cut and fed in troughs, or if fed uncut, he troughs should be so constructed as to catch the seeds which are shaken from the hay while the animals are drawing it from the rack. Seventeen years since, I purchased a lot in this vil- lage, one mile from, and two hundred and fifty feet above the lake, having a western slope. When I tell you the owner was a sea-captain, that he had not seen it for fif- teen years, during which time it had been rented to, gen- erally, yearly tenants.you can imagine its condition bet- ter than I can describe it. On this place was one and a quarter acres of what had once been an orchard of apple trees only; more than half thi^ nrlo-inol ♦>.A»a U^ j a?. , *. -J- -i-o-..«. „e£s ^^u.^ ^jj^jy Qj starvation, or been cut down and burned by various tenants; about thirty trees remained; one third of them grafted when young, the others natural fruit. These were in such condition that all my friends advised me to cut down most of them, and plant young trees—but, like most Yankees, being stubborn and self-willed, I determined first to try experiments. I made two drains through the lot, 20 inches deep carefully completed after the usual mode of blind drains! In the spring, after wet seasons, water runs freely from them, two to four weeks ; after the dry season, they are dry during the spring; summer rains never affect them In April, I purchased and applied 60 loads of coarse manure, at an expense of one dollar a load. This was spread evenly, the land carefully plowed and levelled with a hoe. I tlien applied eight loads of twenty-five bushels each of refuse lime, perhaps equal to half the quantity of fresh slaked lime; this was spread on the surface. The next operation was to have a gardener from the - ould counthriee," (brouglit up as most foreign gardeners are at the end of a spade-handle) dig with a spade about each tree, twelve to eighteen inches deep and as far as the roots extended ; to complete two trees was his regular day's work. In the summer following I employed two active young carpenters to prune it of course, as I directed. Large quantities of dead and 'de- caying limbs were removed ; on many trees nothing but sprouts were left : some half a dozen trees were so de- cayed that as soon as they commenced growing, the dead portions were loosened so as to drop out, and the trees The method of preparing the seed for fcedine is to „„,,;„ P>na it,i„«hich form it is particularly desirable for P^^'-T/*--* '<>»»«"0<1 «<> »« to drop out. and the trees "»lch cows, it is however, readily eaten by horses and .^"Y """'^ *° '"''"'" *''*'" • "^''''j' "'H <>f 'hem -<•»• From the New EriKland Farmer. HOW TO TEEAT AN OLD ORCHAED. dentrlfr'"''-'^^''^'"" directions to your correspon- ent relative to cultivating old orchards on poor land, • I Per^n . ]' ^'" ^'' ^^'^^'^""« ^^^ '^ ^^ ^" things rd ^"'^* ^ ^'^^ ""^"'^ '"^ experience in this matter, ^hich you are at liberty to use as you think proper were either hollow or decaying at the heart. The next season I commenced grafting; the trees being in active, growing condition, large tops were soon formed. I have since yearly applied a heavy top dress- ing of -long stable manure," mostly straw or swamp hay used for bedding horses and cows, and as often as once in three or four years, refuse lime or ashes and peat or swamp muck. The ground has not been cultivated, —nor has it been necessary— the yearly top-dressing keeping it very light and porous. The grass has been cut often every season. The practical result of this treatment has been that an orchard considered worthless, has, in proportion to the number of trees, produced more and better fruit than any other in this country, more uniformly productive and IS still in a healthy condition. The vacant places when purchased were filled with young trees now in full bearing. But one tree has died in seventeen years and and that in the winter of 1854-6, after the drougLt of the preceeding summer which was very destructive to trees of every description. 7 ;. f:. it- ft TIGHT BINDING 210 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [JULT. 1856.] This may look like too much work, but if any farmer will try the experiment, call his land and old trees $1 000 per acre — charge his manure and all labor to ex- pense account— sell all the products, and after fifteen year's experience he will find a balance of profit equal to any other part of his farm, and probably much greater. C. Goodrich. Burlington^ Vt., March, . 1856. TIME TO PLOW. It is often difficult to know when to plow. If ground is moved when wet, it often remains in very hard and compact lumps. If we wait until the ground is dry, so much work is brought together that it cannot be done in time. A few common sense thoughts may aid in this matter. 1. Sward ground may be plowed when much wetter than any other, without causing it to be hard on drying. 2. Sandy and gravelly land is much less injured by handling when w6t, than clay or clay loam. 3. The plow is not half so bad for wet ground as the harrow for several reasons. In plowing, the team tread on the broken ground far less than in harrowing. The action of the plow is different. The one raises up and turns over, the other drajis down and presses together. So true is this, that ground thus harrowed will soon be- come a mass of brick-bats, and remain so for years. Ground may be plowed when pretty wet if you will let it remain untouched afterwards, till dry and warm, and by this treatment it will be fit for sowing sooner than if not plowed. The same principles will apply to spading and raking. Ground may be spaded when considerably wet, if you lay down each spadeful carefully, and be sure not to touch it with the spade or with a rake until it is thoroughly dry. But if each spadeful is knocked down with the f pade, and as soon as the surface crumbles, is raked until it is beautifully smooth, the air will be to a considerable extent excluded, and the whole ground be hard and dif- ficult to till during the whole season. Plowed or spaded, the ground, if wet, should be left as loose as it can be left, that it may dry rapidly and crumble easily, and the case must be a very urgent one which will justify putting the harrow or the rake upon it till it is dry. Then it will break down easily and remain light and easily tilled through the entire season. — Dr. Reed, Pittsfidd, *•• From the Boston Cultivator. BOTS IN HORSES. Messrs Editors: — I have no idea, that the bots can be ejected from the stomach of a horse by any means less forcible than those that would be found destructive of the animal himself, but am confident that they may be prevented by a constant and unlimited supply of salt, of which the creature would be the best judge in the ap- plication. Bots are not the cause of disease, they are only the consequence: a foul stomach forming the nidus I for the reception of the eggs of the gad-fly (oestrus Equi) when conveyed thither by the tongue of the animal in licking himself; where they are hatched and immedi- ately attach themselves, in a manner that bids defiance to removal but by the most objectionable means. When the stomach it in perfect health, a horse may swallow a peck of the eggs of the gad-fly, but there being no mu- cous matter to stop their progress, they are carried oa and out to the vent leaving not one to tell ; and to keep the stomach in this natural state, it is only to allow the animal a constant supply of the neutralizer, salt ; after which I am sanguine enough to entertain the belief that a continuation of the use of salt would be found a cure of the bot-disease as well as a preventive. In Bordley's agricultural work^, he advocates the free use of salt to every animal on the farm, leaving them to take it when they will, and in any quantity ; citing many instances of the good results of such management, and in particular, one of immediate interest, namely, that when he resided on a certain farm, his horses were always poor, weak, and with rough, staring coats, and sadly afflicted with the bots ; but when he removed to another farm, where the stock were compelled to drink at a tide-river, where the water was brackish, the sym- toms vanished like magic, and it did not cost one half the expense to keep smooth coats on both horses and cat- tie, with double the strength of the former and an agili- ty in the performance of their labor truly astonishing; the proceeeds of the dairy partaking in a remarkable manner of the beneficial change. Now, I am aware that other writers have condemned the use of i>alt for animals as troublesome and expensive, without the least good arising from the useless custom of administering it in any shape ; pointing to the fact, as evidence, that wild animals have it not, nor do thej need it. This is so, but they have the means of resort- ing to physical herbs, guided by the hand of the Great Physician, in which they find a substitute for salt, but from which the animals in servitude aud confinement are restricted. And one of these opponents is John Lorain, who, in his book, " Nature and Reason harmon- ized by the practice of Husbandry," says: '*Salt ap- pears to be necessary to domestic animals if their stom- achs have been long habituated to it, much like whiskey or brandy is to us, or opium to a Turk. I do not allow salt to be given to any of my live-stock except to those which have been long used to it, or as medicine, or to promote an appetite on particular occasions. It is urged, that animals are so fond of salt, that they will en- counter great risk to obtain it, therefore, it must be use- ful to them; it should, however, be recollected, that an Indian, and too many white men, also, will do the same thing to obtain whiskey, although it does them more harm than good. If I am correctly informed, British farmers have not been long in the practice of salting cattle or sheep, yet that country has been a great while celebrated for rearing fine cattle and sheep. Men will, of course, do what they consider best, but I would ad- vise them not to use salt for their cattle, except in cases where it is evidently useful. The free use of salt is » serious expense, especially when land-carriage enhances the price of it and the cultivator is poor." But evea Lorain admits its use as a medicine, to render palatable the coarsest food, and to promote an appetite when that is lost ; and some will be apt to inquire what more tf needed to cause it to be looked upon in rather a more favorable light than the use of spirits to the humaa being, and to ask, whether any animal was ever knoWft to take it to excess ? It has been ascertained, that whe» THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 211 left io their own guidance, there are days, and when feeding on some particular food, when horses will not eat more than a modicum of what they deem necessary on other days and on other food ; a discrimination, I guess, aiforded them by Him, who knows what is the in- ternal structure of a horse, about as well as that of a man, and has given to the horse the moral courage to say no. DELOS. HUSKING THIMBLE. PATENTED BY J. H. GOULD, OF DEERFIELD, OniO. In the operation of husking corn it is common to take the ear in one hand, and with a finger nail of the other, to slit the husk lengthwise, so that it may be more easily torn off. This method wears away the nail and excoriates the end of the finger, rendering it so painful that the operator is obliged ere long to quit work. sional operations. The terriers, keen for the sport, were posted about the buildings; then the ferrets, lean, lank, and hungry, were let slip into the holes and runaways of the rats. Now commenced such scampering, squeaking, racing, bustle and confusion, as was truly exciting. If the rata remained in their holes, death was certain for the ferrets could with ease follow through any opening a rat could pass; and if they attempted to escape by flight their fate was equally sure, for the littte active dogs, willing allies of the ferrets were ready to seize them the moment they made their apperance. Thus a war of extermination was carried on with bloody success.— PratWe Farmer. The present improvement consist of a thimble. A, the bottom part of which is furnished with a small cutter, B. The thimble is worn upon the finger and used in place of the nail. It is an effectual remedy for the evil above mentioned. THE FERRET. The ferret is a native of Africa ; whence it was im- ported into Spain for the purpose of destroying the rab- it, with which at one period that country wasinjurious- y overrun. From Spain it has spread over the rest of urope as a domesticated animal. From the earliest imes it was used in the capture of rabbits, by being t^ned muzzled, into their.burrows. It is now used, not y by the warrener, but also extensively by the rat catchers. - ome ten years since there was living near Huron, ^ ^^0, a professed rat catcher, an Englishman, who with cageof ten or fifteen ferrets, and accompanied by several jj "^^ ^rriers, visited the farms and villages through delir ^^'*".*^' ^®**^^» ^<^^ «• ^ee ^^ five dollars to carry itin f^^ ^^srnay into the colony of rats and mice inher- g the premises. I was witness to one of these profes- THE LITEEATTTBE OF GAEDENING. A correspondent of the Magazine of Horticulture, (Wilson Flagg,) in commenting on Whateley's Observa- tion on Modern Gardening says : " Water— IhQ author after treating particularly of the formation and arrangement of clumps, arrives to the con- sideration of water, which, he remarks, though not abso- lutely necessary to a beautiful composition, yet is so cap- ital a feature, that it is always regretted, when wanting. Itaccommod.tes itself to every situation; is the most in- teresting object in a landscape, and the happiest circum- stance in a retired recess ; captivates the eye at a dis- ance, invites approach, and is delightful when near. It refreshens an open exposure; it animates a shade; cheers the dreariness of a waste, and enriches the most crowded view. It may spread in a calm expanse to sooth the tranquility of a peaceful scene, or hurrying along a devious course, add splendor to a gay, and extravagance to a romantic situation. A gently murmuring rill, clear and shallow, just gurgling and dimpling, suits with sol- itude and leads to meditation ; a brisker current, that wantons in little eddies over a bright sandy bottom, or bubbles among pebbles, spreads cheerfulness all around; but the roar and rage of a torrent, its force, its violence! its impetuosity, tend to inspire terror, which is nearly allied to sublimity. All water is either running or stagnated; when stag- nated, it forms a lake or pool, which differs only in ex- tent; and a pool and a pond are the same. Running waters are either a rivulet, a river, or a rill ; and these differ only in breadth. The characteristic property of running water is progress ; that of stagnated, is circuity; the one stretches into length— the other spreads over space. A river is never more beautiful than when it is lost in a wood, or retires behind a hill from the view. Space is essential to a lake ; it may spread to any extent — and the mind, always pleased to expand itself, delights even in its vastness. A lake cannot be too large as a subject of description, or of contemplation; but the eye receives but little satisfaction when it has not a form on which to rest; the ocean itself hardly atones, by all its grandeur, for its infinity; and a prospect of it, therefore is always most agreeable when in some part, at no great distaace, a reach of shore, a promontory, or an island, reduces the immensity into shape. After a variety of observations on the different appear- ances of water, as seen in nature, the author concludet by giving directions for the management \f artificial water in parks and pleasure grounds. As they are very nearly the same as may be found repeated after him in » \ \ TIGHT BINDING 212 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [JULT. almost every treatise on gardening, it is needless to give any extracts from them. It may be simply remarked that, by no other author, is the subject of water, as an ingredient in landscape improvements, more fully or agreeably treated. Of /2ocA:j— Rills, rivulets, and cascades abound among rocks; they are natural to the scene; and such scenes commonly require every accompaniment which can be procured for them. Mere rocks, unless they are pecu- liarly adapted to certain impressions, may surprise, but can hardly please; they are too far removed from com- mon life, too barren and inhospitable, rather desolate than solitary, and more horrid than terrible. Rocks, therefore, must be accompanied by water or by vegeta- tion to render them interesting. Their most distinguish- ing characters are dignity, terror, and fancy ; the ex- presibions of all are constantly wild ; and sometimes a rocky scene is only wild, without pretensions to any par- ticular character. The author proceeds to describe certain places in which the rocks are characterized by dignity, as in Mat- lock, Bath ; by terror, as at scene at the New Weir, on the Wye; and of rocks characterized by fancy, as at Dovedale. Speaking of such accompaniments as give in- timations of danger, he remarks, that a house placed at the edge of a piecipice, any building on the pinnacle of a crag, makes that situation seem formidable, which might otherwise have been unnoticed ; a steep, in itj-elf not very remarkable, becomes alarming when a path is carried aslant up the side ; a rail on the brow of a per- pendicular fall shows that the height is unfrequented and dangerous ; and a common foot bridge thrown over a cleft between rocks has a still stronger eifect. In all these instances the imagination immeadiately transports the spectator to the spot, and suggests the idea of look- ing down such a depth ; in the last that depth is a chasm, and the situation is directly over it. Of Buildings — Buildings were probably first introduced into gardens merely for convenience to afford refuge from a sudden shower, and shelter against the wind ; or, at most, to be srats for a party, or for retirement. They have since been converted into objects ; and now the original use is too often forgotten, in the greater pur- poses to which they are applied ; they are considered as objects only ; the inside is totally neglected, and a pom- pous edifice frequently wants a room barely comfortable. But, in a garden, building«» ought to be considered both as beautiful objects, they are designed either to distin- guish, or to break, or to adorn the scenes to which they are applied. The author proceeds to mention the kinds of architectural ornaments which are proper in different situations, and condemns a too great ostentation of build- ings, either in number, or size and costliness. He does not recommend artificial ruins, but treats of the manner in which the best use may be made of those which are genuine. 4«» MICEOSCOPIC DISCOVERIES OF THE NATUHE OF BLIGHT IN WHEAT. Wheat is subject to a disease which in rainy sacsons is very prevj^lent in certain districts ; it is known under the name of blight. This disease is caused by microsco- pic animalcules, similar to that of the cylindric worms which live as parasites in the vorticello and in man. These wheat-worms have the remarkable capability of remaining in a dry and horney state for years, and then regaining life on being moistened, and this process cau be repeated eight or ten times. On examining a grain of blighted wheat, it is found to consist of a hard shell filled with a white powder. This powder contains no trace of starch ; it consists entirely of microscopic threads, which are dry, stiff worms. When the wheat is new they soon make manifold and considerable move- ments which are unmistakable signs of life. When the grain is old it requires several hours, or sometimes even days, before they resume motion and life. In a single grain of affected whe>it there are generally several thou- sands of those worms. Before a blight comes on there are found from two to twelve larger worms in each ker- nal which is about to be affected, and the females of these larger worms have been observed to lay eggs. If bligiited wheat is sown with sound, the worms after afew weeks, and when the sound wheat is germinated, are awakened into life by the moisture of the earth, break through the thin shell which has confined them, and fol- low the dictates of individual enterprise. The great mass of them die, bnt a few reach the germinated wheat and effect a lodgement in the stalk under the forming leaves. They are carried up by the growth of the plant, and in wet weather by their own exertions. As they are dried up most of the time, they suffer no considerable change untill they enter into the forming kernels and lay their eggs. By the time the sound corn is ripe the pa- rents are dead, their remains are dried into almost noth- ing, the egg shells are absorbed, and the grain is appa- rentl}^ filled with nothing bnt white powder. This is, as before stated, the dry Ilelminthes. «•» BOOT CROPS IN GREAT BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES. It appears by official statements that turnips and other root crops are cultivated to a much greater extent in Great Britain than in the United States. Of the extent to which the various root crops are cultivated, and of the proportion between these and the va'ious grain crops, any one may inform hinuself accurately by a comparison of the following statistics, which we select from the returns made to parliament for the year 1854. Of 37,324,915 acres in the several coun- ties of England and Wales, 12,441,776 acres were under tillage, and 15,212 203 under grass. Of the 12,441,776 acres under tillage, there were in — Aces. Acre?. Turnips 2,267,200 Mangolds 177,15j Carrots 12.6'^^ Potatoes 1«2,28I V^etches 218,561 Wheat 3,807,846 Barley 2,667.776 Oats 1,.302,782 Hyo 72,721 Beans and peat; 773,18}: According to the United States census of 1850, there were of improved lands, 113,032,014 acres; of which there were in — Acres. Acres. Wheat [11,000,000 Irish potatoes M^*^'J!! 0at8 7,500,000 Cotton 6,000,000 Rye 1,200,000 Barley, 300,000 Sweet potatoes.... 750,000 Peas and beans... 1;0"<^'5?! Buckwheat ««M; Indian corn 31,000,000 1856.] I THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. 213 As no other root crops are reported in the United States census, except potatoes, it seems a fair inference from the fact, not that there are none else cultivated, but that the number of acres under turnips and other roots was so small as not to be worth reporting, or that no place was provided in the schedules used by the enumerators, on account of the small extent of land generally supposed to be devoted to these crops. -••• olive, but does not think that it is sufficiently remu- nerative to be prosecuted as yet, and so confines himself to pickling the fruit. His pickled olives are pronounced by competent judges superior to those im- ported from France. He adds that very few imported pickled olives can now be sold in that sectiou of tho country. BIFFFALO THE GREATEST CORN MARKET IN THE WORLD. Some months since we transferred to our pages the statement of a Chicago contemporary, to the effect that Chicago was the most extensive grain market in the world. Mr. John J. Henderson, Secretary of the Buffalo Board of Trade,, has presented to that body the following summary of the grain receipts at Buffalo, by lake and railroad, for i855 : Tofal receipts of ^mIm. Flour reduced to wheat. bush. 20,002 647 6,019 5;J0 ''°''^' bush. 25,022^ Upon his statement that sixteen millions of bushels of wheat, corn, oats, barley, and rye changed hands in Buffalo, in 1855, the Secretary claims that that city is the greatest grain market in the world. That it is the greatest grain port in the world, the following table of receipts shows : — Odewa ^'k7A)|;';?^* ^^'•"•»^"«^- Oats. rye. barley. Tofal bush te/"^-'^'IS '^'-•-' * •• f- --Si aPetersbuViih ' '^ ' * aP klnd<, ' ^ ^^'^ ^ t*'"^^^ Arch«n.ei. "'^ ' ' * * ' ' S''- '^ \ \ ' ^ "''''"' Buttalo. KS5.5 13,120 616 8,72-J616 .' .' 3 ,T*H 9,-28 00) 4,iK>0.000 16 6^1.811 25,022,177 It is only eighteen years ago that the first cargo of wheat was landed upon the wharves of Buffalo. Giles Williams is said to have brought there, to be sold, in 1838, the initiatory shipment of grain in a commerce which, in 1855, amounted to more than twenty-five milHons of bushels of breadstuffs. BETTING HENS. On this subject a correspondent of the Germantown Telegraph writes as follows. "Never allow your hens more than a dozen eggs to incubnte. A larger number is not desirable under any circumstances. When more are accorded, the hen unless of very large size, will be unable to incubate them effec- tually, and loss will follow as a necessary and unavoidable result. Furnish a warm nest, and be sure to provide liberal feed, with a sufficiency of pure water from the well or spring. The apartment in which the incubation is performed, should be dark and silent, and so secured from the intrusion of all other fowls, and of vermin, as to prevent interruption or annoyance from any source. A nest of fine straw, well dried, or of woodland moss is perhaps the best; it is elastic and warm, and retains heat without becoming humid. A spoonful of ashes sprinkled occasionally over the nest, or a few drcps of oil applied to the neck and back of the hen, will tend to keep off vermin, particularly those with which the hen, during the tedious and painful process of incubation, is most conimonlv infested. "Eggs mtiy be preserved for a longtime perfectly fresh and sweet, simply by excluding them from the air, and reversing their position daily. They may also be pre- served by immersing them in a solution of salt in water, or by packing them in pulverized charcoal. But when packed in dry substances, they should be turned over every day, and kept perfectly dry and free from moisture." THE CULTIVATION OF THE OLIVE IN THE UNITED STATES. Mr. Robert Chisholm. of Beaufort, South Carolina, m answer to his inquiries of the Commissioner of the Patent Office, gives a highly interesting account of his experience in the cultivation of the olive. Mr C. obtained his trees from the neigbourhood of Florence early in 1833. They were of two kinds— the small, round olive, esteemed the best for oil, and a much larger and more oval variety, upon which the first-named '^as grafted. The winter of 1835, he states, was an exceedingly cold one, and killed to the roots all of the orange trees in the Southern States, but did not in the ^east injure these olive trees. The trees at first did not improve rapidly, for want of cultivation. In order to remedy this, and at the same time pay expenses, 8weet potatoes and field cow-peas were planted among them. This was found to succeed admirably; the trees grew rapidly, and soon began to bear fruit, which they have continued to do every year. Mr. C. can now boast that he has made oil from the -**••- CULTIVATION OF TOMATOES. Messrs. Editors: — I wish to tell you my mode of growing tomatoes. I do not know that there is anything new about it, but it is not very common, and deserves to be much more general, since u dish of good early tomatoes is such a general favorite. My plants are always for- warded in a hot-bed, or in the greenhouse, and grown in pots until they are about a foot or a foot and a half high and are hardened off so as to bear turning out about the second week in May, I plant them about three feet apart in rows ; when planted I drive down a few stakes six or eight feet apart, leaving them about four feet high the whole length of the rows, and nail a strip of wood all along on the top, and tie two or more pieces lower down the stakes, about a foot apart, so as to make a trellis something like a grape vine trellis. Before planting I always dig the ground deep and make it rich with manure. At the time of planting I mix in the soil immediately about the roots, about a table-spoon- ful of Peruvian guano to each plant, which gives them an early start. When they have grown suflSciently long to tic to the trellis, I select two or three of the strongest shoots and tie them loosely to the trellis, cutting away TIGHT BINDING I ill 2U THB FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [JwiT. all other small laterals which may grow on the main branches. I let these main branches grow until they have come in flower and set the first bunch of fruit; then I pinch out the top, one joint above the fruit, leaving the leaf entire. I then aMow it to go on again until it has flowered, and set another bunch of fruit, when the top is pinched out one leaf above the bunch, the same as the first, and so on, of all the rest, taking care to cut out all the laterals which may grow on the main branches down to the axels of tliO leaves, as oflcu as tueysre pro- duced, but leaving the leaves entire. If any one will take this little extra trouble, he will be amply repaid and absolutely astonished at the immense clusters of fine large tomatoes he will have. If planted in a favorable situation, they will ripen at least as early as those grown any other way out of doors, and frequently three days or a week earlier. When ripe they will hang longer on the vines without decaying. The situation can hardly be too sunny. Deep, light, loamy soil suits them best. I always save my own seed. I began by saving a few of the roundest and smoothest tomatoes I could find for seed ,• now I have them, not flat or wrinkled all up, but as round as an orange, and as smooth and large as the largest Northern Spy apple. — Cor. of Oenesee Farmer. «•» 53 60 68 62 69 105 109 167 167 it it it ft it it it it ti BeauR. Horse-chestnuts. Acorns. Sun-flower seed. Linseed oake. Wheat bran. Rye bran. Wheat and oat chalBF. Rye and barley chaff. An ox requires two per cent of his live weight in haj per day ; if he works, two and a half per cent. A milch cow, three per cent. A fattening ox, five per cent, at first, and four per cent, when half- fattened, and after* wards. Sheep, when grown, three and a half per cent, of their live weight in hay per day." I have found this table of great value while feeding difterent animals on divers kinds of food, as well in my stall-feeding and fallowing operations. — Germantown Telegraph. «•• EQUIVALENTS OF VARIOUS PLANTS TO HAY Mr. Editor: Farmers are often at a loss to know how much of one kind of ordinary fodder is equal in nu- trimental value to an equal amount, in weight or measure, of another kind. For instance, if I find my horse is kept in good working condition on eight quarts of oats and ten pounds of hay every twenty-four hours, how much corn must I give him in the same time with the eight pounds of hay to produce the same results as the eight quarts of oats ? In Berger's Economy of Farming, trans- lated by Smith, there is a *♦ Table of Equivalents," which will be found useful to those having the management of 8tock. The following is an extract: — 100 pounds of hay are equal to — 90 pounds clover hay made when fully blosnoraed. 98 n made before it blossoms. 98 it second crop of do. 98 it Lucerne hay. 89 it Sainfoin. 410 it Green clover. 467 it Vetches and tares, green. 275 it Green Indian corn. 374 it Wheat straw. 244 it Rye straw. 164 it Oat straw. 153 it Pea straw. 201 it Raw Potatoes. < 175 it Boiled potatoes. 339 ,t Maagel wurtzel. 504 it English turnips. 276 it Carrots. 308 ti Ruta baga. 54 ti Rye (grain.) 46 it Wheat 59 .t Oats. 64 it Buckwheat. 67 it Indian corn. 45 It Peas. GUANO CONVENTION. A convention representing the States of New York, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina, was held in Washington for the purpose of considering the present high prices of Peruvian Guano, and devising some means whereby the price might be reduced. There was considerable debate, and the policy of Peru in maintain- ing a monopoly apparently so unjust, severely critisised. A committee of five was appointed to wait on the President for the purpose of soliciting a continuance of the negotia- tions between our government and Peru, with the hope that the result would be favorable to the purposes for which the convention had been called. We understand that the President expressed the liveliest interest in the proceedings of the delegates and expressed not only his approbation of the movement, but his entire willingness to do all in his power to procure an abatement of pre- sent high prices. In the course of the debate several very interesting facts were developed which served to show that the high prices of Guano depended not upon the prices charged for it by the Peruvian Government at the islands, bnt upon the rates of freight charged by our own commercial marine. A few years since guano was sold in this market at $45 per ton, now, it commands $57. Why this discrepancy ? Most persons are disposed to attribute it to an advance in the rates of the Peruvian government, but the true cjiuse of the advance has been the increase in the rates of freight. Then guano was delivered here at $10 per ton, now $23 per ton is charged. From a circular bfaring the signatures of the Peruvian Minister, we are led to tiilnk that there is a very meagre chance of obtaining the proposed reduction. A strong point made by this officer is, that while American Farmers consume less than one fourth of the guano exported from Peru, it would scarcely be reasonable to expect that government to make this proposed reduction while the purchasers of the remaining three-fourths are wilhng to pay the price asked for it. The convention before adjourning recommended fw- mers to use a mixture of Peruvian nnd Columbian Guanos, as a substitute for the pure Peruvian. As the latter has been highly commended by some of our most distinguished chemists, the suggestion is worthy of con- i 1866.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 215 8ideration and a trial. Should it be found to answer a your work will be better done, and done in better season, good purpose, the meeting of the convention will not then been without some good results. -••»■ For tlie Farm Jonrnal. CARELESSNESS IN THE USE OF FARM IMPLEMENTS. Messrs. Eoitors: — lam sometimes led to think that if there is any one error into which wo farmers fall, which is more hurtful to our profits than any other, it is the one which prompts the purchaser of inTerior ininlAmests because they are something cheaper in price than better ones. It is certainly not only incompatible with our interests, but decidedly incompatible with our character as prudent and reflecting men, and the day has arrived when the faces as well as the profits of the farmers should be set against the encouragement of this error. A moments reflection ought to be sufficient to convince every farmer of the downright impolicy of purchasing any thing but the very best, by which I mean those which are not only neatly but strongly and durably made, and which at the same time are as simple as the objects for which they are intended will allow.- But the selection of the best, is not the only point to be attended to. There is another equally important and just as frequently neglected. I refer to the carelessness which 80 many farmers manifest, not only in the use, but in the care of their implements when not in use. How often do we gee an excellent machine ruined in the very start by the carelessness of the operator. There are those who appear to think a machine less deserving of attention than a thinking reasoning human being. What would be thought of a farmer who would send a laborer to mow his fields without his break- fiiPt^and with a dull and good-for-nothing scythe; he would be regarded by every thinking man, as a very careless farmer. And yet how much more careless is he, who purchases a mow- ing machine, and starts it into his grass without oil, and with the knives as devoid of a keen ed^e as a superanuated case knife ! Not a whit less careless, nor a whit less reprehensi- ble. But are there such negligent ones ? Plenty of them I assure you, and they are the very ones who can never find a good implement, that i«, one that will perform well for any length of time under their treatment. This negligent class of farmers do not stop here, they not only neglect to treat their machines properly when in use, but neglect them wholly when the season for using them is over. Where do you frequently find their plows, harrows «nd cultivators ? In the fence corner nearest the spot where they stopped using them. The horse power instead of being carefully housed is permitted to stand exposed to the in- clemency of the weather, from one thrashing season to wolher. Do you ever see the irons of any parts of their ifflFdements protected from rust by oil, or the wood work Mved from decay by a coat of paint ? Rarely if ever, even '^ith our best farmers. And yet how necessary these pre- cautions are, and how much they would add to the durability of machinery. All these negligences are leaks— constant leaks, through Which dollar after dollar is drained to be lost forever. Now 0 my mind, no good farmer should ever indulge in these «-^pen8ive habits. He cannot afford them, and he should Dot even if he could. They only encourage negligence in « er directions, are eyesores to the visitors, wretchedly bad «^aniples to his sons and daughters, and in every respect nnrariner like. ^Jake good care of your implements friends, buy the best ^jay?, do not hesitate for a moment between a high priced, end "^'^^^/"P*®™®"*^' a»d a low priced inferior one. In the you will bo repaid for all your outlay of money and labor, and you will not feel ashamed when a friend calls to see you, to invite him to your tool house, or to your fields to see your machinery operated. PER Lower Merion, Montgomery co.. Pa., For the Farm Journal. „ SOILING— IS IT PRACTICABLE IN THE UNITED STATES. Messrs. Enrroiig ? — Evp»-w fKin*. «u:^i, i . a-_j , . !»= . x_._.j, «»....^ Bu*\^n 4ja« III fccuueucy lo lessen the expenses of the farmer, ought at least, to find a welcome place in your columns. Will you therefore permit me a little space for a few remarks upon a subject which though not new, has scarcely been treated as thoroughly as its merits deserve. The increasing cost of fencing material has been a profit- able theme for agricultural writers, and a thousand schemes for lessening this onerous tax upon the farmers income, have been advanced. And yet we are apparently no nearer a remedy for the evil, than we were twenty years ago, indeed it is constantly increasing, and from the very nature of things must go on increasing until the exhaustion of timber, will render a substitute of some kind an absolute necessity. Now is it not well to look this evil in the face before it grows too formidable ? If wire fencing will not answer, and if hedging is deemed too expensive, or tedious a process, what will do ? cannot the object be more nearly accomplished by soiling our cattle, than by any other plan which has yet been suggested ? Soiling as your readers doubtless understand, is the keeping of cattle in the stables or yards all the season, providing them, when it is to be obtained, with green feed fresh cut from the fields. The advantages of this system of feeding are so manifold that the limits of a single article will not admit of more than a bare reference to them. I have already spoken of its economy so tar as fencing is concerned, where the system is fully carried out, and especially where it is in general use, fencing may be almost entirely dispensed with, were it not for cattle, there would be no necessity for fencing. One of your correspondents a year or two since estimated the cost fencing at one-tenth the expense of the farmer. If this estimate is correct, we have an item to begin with, which to say the least, is worth something. But it is not only the cost of fencing which is saved. The land the fences occupy and which of course, when ihus occupied, is useless for any other purpose, becomes available for crops, and thus another item of saving is to be added to the one already named. Let any farmer make a careful estimate of the amount of ground which the fence rows on a farm of two or three hundred acres occupy, and my word for it, he will be astonished. Fence rows, and particularly, the worm fence, are the prolific hot beds of weeds. They are carried into their corners, by the winds and birds, and unless more attention is given to their eradication than is usually the case, they are carried thence, by the same agencies, over the adjoining fields, thus adding very materially to the expense of every well kept farm. Again, dividing farms into fields by means of fences fVequently subjects the farmer to much inconvenience. He may have afield laid down to grass, part of which it may be advisable to plow under and put in some other crop, but by so doing he forfeits his ability to use the grass portion for any other purpose than grazing, whereas, if his soiling arrange- ments were complete, his object could be readily accomplished without any loss. Another decisive advantage of soiling is found in the fact, that a much larger number of cattle may be kept on a farm of the same size. We have abundant evidence upon thia !' '41 TIGHT BINDING im$' 216 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. ^j^j^^ point. It Is asserted with great confidence thatthe advantage i blank and practically barren. ** But soiling with green is as three to one; but taking a more moderate view, let ua food in summer is a method admirably calculated for assume the more reasonable ground of two to one. This would bean immense saving, especiullyin dairying districts, and particularly in the vicinity of large cities, where hay commands a good price and ready sale. *'A good sized Ox or Cow requires from two to throe acres of pasture or meadow to feed it all the year round, allowing a portion for hay. But by raising clover, lucerne, sainfoin, and other green crops, three cows or more can be fed upon the produce of one acre, especially if a portion is in turnips or other succulent roots, thus the straw of the white crops is converted into ex- cellent manure, and the land kept in a state of fertility." The following extract treats the subject so concisely and clearly, that I cannot forbear asking its insertion. "One advantage of soiling, is the addition to the health, strength, and secretions or flesh of the animals, result- ing from regularity and fulness of feeding, from the ab- sence of all interruption and inconvenience in feeding, and from superior protection from the heat of the oun and the harrassing attacks of flies. — Another advantage is the economising of food,, by the prevention of waste in the use of it, by the growing of kinds which are far bulkier and more nourishing, than any crops of grass, and by the saving of land for the production of the cost- lier sorts of food suitable for the use of man. Any given superficies of laud has been proved, by many, va- rious, and careful experiments, to feed from two to five or six times more cattle in tije soiling method than in the depasturing one; and probably no one piece, if wisely managed, would ever do less than feed at least three or four times more, while many a piece might feed so much as seven or eight times. Waste often occurs also in the soiling method, indeed, by portions of leguminous crops getting into pod before being cut, by portions running into over-ripeness and decay, and by some part of the cut and carried supplies being trodden down or heated ; but these modes of waste, as well as all others incidental to soiling, may easily be avoided by methodical propor- tioning of the diff'erent kinds of green crop, by timeoubly cutting down the excess of each for hay, and by proper system in the daily carrying and feeding ; while the methods of waste and loss incidental to depasturing— such as the trampling down of the herbage, the defoul- ing of it with excrements, and the total occupation of the land with it to the exclusion of bulky green crops and of all cereal ones— are inevitable and unmitigable. Even, too, in spite of waste needlessly incurred in soiling prac- tices, and in spite also of clumsier and less economical methods of husbandry employed in raising the crops, the various trials recorded long ago -in the Annals of Ag- riculture clearly demonstrate that a vastly greater num- ber of stock may be kept upon the same extent of land by soiling than by depasturing— But a third and even greater advantage is the obtaining of a comparatively vast quantity of excellent manure for the raising of rich crops on the additional lands made available for arable hus- bandry. In the depasturing system the excrement of live stock contributes scarcely anything in the way of fertilizement, being scattered about the fields and dissi- pated by strong exposure to the sunshine and the weather; or, on the whole, it is rather injurious than useful, blanching and burning the tender grass on the spots where it falls, and rendering them for a long time producing an abundance of manure ; as from the great increase of urinary discharges in the consumption of green food in this way, and the heat of the season, the littering material, whatever it may be, is speedily con- verted into manure ; by which means with proper atten- tion, vast stores of manure may consequently be raised where there would otherwise be none. By these meana the summer produce in manure may probably be made to exceed that of the winter, and at the same time be sa< perior in quality, as there is reason to suppose, that the manure produced by any kind of cattle fed in the same way, when not in a state of fattening, is much better in the summer than in the winter season. The proportion of valuable manure that the careful farmer may be capa- ble of providing by this system of management is scarce- ly to be conceived, except by those who have been in the practice. In this view it is of much importance to hare reservoirs for the reception of the urine, in order that it may be occasionally thrown up over the litter, and there- by promote its more speedy converfcion into manure." *'In order to ensure the full benefits of soiling, the farmer who practises it must pay strict attention to the circum- stances connected with it, — particularly to having con- venient sheds and yards, to the providing of suitable crops in proper succession and in due proportion, to the orderly and regular cutting, carrying, and apportioning of the food, and to the full and constant supply of suita- ble materials for the purpose of litter. The sheds and yards, as to both relative position and internal arrange- ment, ought to be such as to economise labor in the feed- ing of the itock and in the making and accumulating the manure. The crops raised should be so selected and proportioned as, in the aggregate, to afl'ord a constant and steady supply of green food from the beginning of spring till the end of autumn. Rye and winter barley, sown early in autumn, will be ready for use in the earl- iest mild weather of spring ; the same crops sown later with winter tares, and the young clover which was not cropped in autumn, will follow ; the artificial grasses and the early-mown gra^s of water-meadows, will come next, — the latter modified and made palatable by the in- termixture of oats and cut straw; and clover, spring tares from successions of sowings, and lucern and sain- foin on farms which have suitable soil for them, willfully and uninteiTuptedly maintain the supply till the com- mencement of winter-feeding. Other crops also, such as white mustard and succory, may be made to lend their aid. The supplies from the field to the feeding- place ought always to bo fresh, regular, and exactly proportioned to the current wants of the stock. No food should be allowed to stand packed in the carts, or to be i apportioned to the animals in large quantities at a tini«i for all is liable to pass rapidly into a state of incipic^^ fermentation, and to become disagreeable and be rejected. The animals, too, thrive best by receiving their foodie small quantities, at short intervals, and always in ape^ fectly fresh condition ; and they ought, in every instance, to be fed atliast three times a-day, and may with advan* tage be fed four times. Litter ought always to be sup- plied in abundance; and wherever sufficient provisi^^'* 1856.] THE FARM JOUNRALAND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 2ir cannot be made for it in the form of straw, stores ought to be laid up of ferns, rushes, forrest leaves, and any other similar materials which can be found. Care ought also to be constantly practised that the sheds and yards be kept well ventilated, that the cribs, racks, and other feeding spots be kept perfectly clean, that the bodies of the nnimals be kept free from all sorts of dirt, that a plentiful supply of pure water be maintained in a situation of constant access to the animals, that the kinds of food be occasionally varied and always agreeible, and that the animals bo turned out into the open air during a few hours in the cool of the evening in summer, and in the middle of the day when the season advances. -^v- MENTAL CONDITION OF THE HORSE. In a very interesting essay on *' Body and Mind,'* in the last number of the Edinburgh Revien\ it is stated that many of the mental conditions of the hu- man being are also observable in some of the lower animals. They sleep, they dream, they become in- sane. They have variations in temper. The horse weeps like his master, and the big tears course as rap- idly down his cheeks, from grief or pain. In the dis- ease rabies, the mental character of the horse is won- derfully changed. If before the disease he was good- tempered and attached to his groom, he will recognize his former friend, and seek his caresses during the in- tervals between the paroxysms of fury, and he will press his head against his bosom, and with a piteous look gaze upon him, as if beseeching relief from the dreadful malady. Yet in an instant his whole con- duct will change into furious madness and singular treachery. lie labors under an intense feeling to de- stroy ; and there appears to be a desire of mischief for its own sake.— Sc/c/i/i/tc American. London Society of Arts, we give his process as follows in his own language : '* Supposing it was a moderate quantity of well water from the chalk strata around London, that we had to soften, say 400 gallons. This quantity would contain one lb. of chalk, and would fill a vessel four feet square. We would then proceed by taking 9oz of burnt lime, made from soft upper chalk ; and first la^ts. IV iiivo a ujuiaic, uy auuing a jitiie waier. When this is done, we would put the slacked lime in- to the vessel where we intend to soften ; then gradu- ally add some of the water in order to form lime water. For this purpose, at least forty gallons are necessary, but we may add water gradually till we have added thrice as much as this ; afterwards, we may add the water more freely, taking care to mix intimately the water and the lime water, or lime. Or we might previously form Saturated lime water, which is very- easy to form, and then make use of this lime water, instead of lime, putting in the lime water first, and adding the water to be softened. The proportion in this case would be one bulk of lime water to ten bulks ^f the hard water. — Scientific American. 4«» SOFTENING HARD WATER. In many parts of our country, the waters of the wells, springs, and some of the creeks, contain car- bonate of lime (chalk) in solution, which makes them what is termed hard. There are also other substan- ces in the water, such as sulphate of lime and the carbonate of magnesia— the latter prevailing in many parts of Ohio, &c.— but the carbonate of lime is the most common salt. An alkali like soda or potash renders water soft, but this is simply by neutralizing tbe carbonic acid in the water. We suppose that few persons are aware of an acid being the cause of all hardness of water, but such is the case. Such water curdles soap, and renders it unsuitable for washing, for supplying steam boilers, and when it is in excess It cannot be healthy as a beverage. A cheap and sim- ple method of softening hard water, by the use of a ^»Ule quick lime according to Prof. Clark \s process, dis- covered by him about fifteen years ago, was described jn a former volume of the Scientific American, and ^as been of great value to many of our readers. As ^enow have many new subscribers, to whom the in- ormation must also be very useful, and as Prof. Clark ^as recently read a paper on the subject before the From the Scientific American. RESTORING FRUIT TREES BARKED BY MICE. It is not as extensively known as it ought to be, that young fruit trees can be restored to full life and vigor after the bark has been stripped off all around their stock by mice. Last winter being unusually long, and severely cold weather, and the ground cov- ered with snow for several months, it was evident, as soon as the snow had disappeared, that these little pests had made sad destruction among the shrubbery and young fruit trees generally In a little orchard of thirty trees I had planted, of the best selected fruit, and had cultivated and trained with much care for six years, until they were begin- ing to bear, I discovered in the spring that the bark was completely stripped off* nine trees all around the stocks close to the ground, varying in width from three to six inches. I at once banked the earth around them, so as to protect the exposed wood from the weather. In the course of six weeks after, when the uninjured trees were beginning to put out their leaves, I concluded to try an experiment and to en- deavor to restore those trees that were injured ; four of them I operated upon in this way : I took a straight limb, of an inch in diameter, from an older tree, and cut off" pieces of such a length as to reach the sound bark above and below the injured part. I then split off* slabs of about three-eighths of an inch thick with the bark — being careful not to injure the bark. These I titled nicely into the stocks of the trees— the ends of the girdled bark fitting close, so that the con- nection was formed and the sap conveyed past the in- jured parts. The other five trees were so badly stripped that it required strips of from six to ei^ht inches in length to i( ;i TIGHT BINDING 218 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. [J'ULT. form the connections. — these I treated differently. I took young sprouts of less than half an inch thick, beveled the ends, and then raised the bark of the trees with a sharp instrument, and inserted the ends of the sprouts in the incision, and then applied plenty of grafting wax to the injured parts. When this was done, I again banked the earth around them, and ap- plied plenty of water to moisten it well. In less than a week the buds were perceptibly swollen : they af- terwards put out leaves, blossomed, and the young fruit bids fair to come to perfection. They are all flourishing equally well with the others, and no per- son could tell from their appearance they had been in- jured in any way. To save the trouble of thus doctoring trees, it would be well to apply tar, or any other preparation that would be offensive to the mice about the roots of trees at the approach of winter. Samuel L. Denny, Penningtonville, Chester Co., Pa. -^•»- A GREAT FRENCH HENNERY. The French practical philosophers certainly know how to make the most of things. A Mons. de Sora has recently discovered the secret of making hens lay eggs every day in the year, by feeding them on horse flesh. The fact that hens do not lay eggs in winter as well as in summer is well known, and the simple reason appears to be that they do not get the supply of meat in winter which they readily obtain in the warm season by scratching the ground for worms and injects. M. de Sora was aware of all these facts, and, living at the time upon an old dilapidated estate, a few miles from Paris, the acres having been bequeathed to him a few years previously— he set himself earnestly at the task of constructing a hennery, which should be productive twelve months in the year. He soon ascer- tained that a certain quantity of raw mince meat, given regularly, with the other feed, produced the desired result, and commencing with only some three hundred female fowls, he found that they averaged, the first year, some twentyfi ve dozen egg!^, each, in the three hundred and sixty-five days. The past season he has wintered, thus far, about one hundred thousand hens, and a fair proportion of male birds, with a close approximation to the same results. During the spring, summer and autunm, they have the range of the estate, but always under surveillance. In the winter their apartments are kept at an agreeable temperature ; and although they have mince meat rations the year round, yet the quantity is much increased during cold weather. They have free access to pure water, gravel and sand, and their combs are always red. To supply this great consumption of meat, M. de Sora has availed himself of the constant supply of superanuated and damaged horses, which can alwrays be gathered from the stables of Paris and the suburbs. These useless animals are taken to an abattoir, owned by M. de Sora himself, and there neatly and scientifically slaughtered. The blood is saved, clean, and unmixed with offal It is sold for purposes of the arts, at a remunerative price. The skin goes to the tanner— the head, hoofj, shanks, &c., to the glue maker and Prussian blm manufacturer— the larger bones form a cheap substi. tute for ivor} with the button makers— while the remainder of the osseous structure is manufactured into ivory black, or used in the shape of bone dust for agricultural purposes. Even the marrow is pr^. served ; and mueh of the fashionable and hichlv rm. fumed lip salve and pomade, so much in vogue, wii once enclosed within the leg bones of old horses. Uses are also found for the entrails— and, in fact, no portion of the beast is wasted. The flesh is clearly dissected off the frame, of course, and after being cut into suitable pieces it is run through a series of revolving knives, the apparatus beint similar to a sausage machine, on an immense scale, and is delivered in the shape of a homogenous mia I of mince meat, slightly seasoned, into casks, which are instantly headed up and conveyed per railroad to the egg plantation of M de Sora. The consumption of horses for this purpose, by M. de Sora has been at the average rate of twenty-two per day for the past twelve months, and so perfectly economical and extensive are all his arrangements, that he is enabled to make a profit even on the cost of the animals by the sale of the extraneous substances enumerated above, thus furnishing to himself the mince meat for less than nothing delivered at his Hennery. It has been ascertained that a slight addition of salt and ground black pepper to the mass is beneficil to the fowls, yet M. de Sura does not depend upon these condiments alone to prevent fermentation and putrefaction, but has his store rooms so contrived is to be kept at a temperature just removed from the freezing point through all the njonths of the year, so that the mince meat never becomes sour or offensive: the fowls eat it with avidity ; they are ever in good condition, and they lay an egg almost daily, in all weathers and in all seasons. The sheds, offices, and other buildings are built around a quadrangle, enclosing about twenty acres, the court in the centre forming the general feeding ground. This latter is subdivided by fences of open pailing, so that only a limited number of fowls »« allowed to herJ together, and these are arranged in the different compartments according to age, no bird being allowed to exceed the duration of four ye%r8of life. At the end of the fourth year they are placed in the fattening coops for about three weeks, fed entirely on crushed grain, and sent alive to Paris. As one item alone in this immense business, it rosy be mentioned that in the months of September, October a>id November last, ^I. de Sora sent nearly 1000 dozen of capons to the metropolis. He never allows a hen to set I The breeding rooms are warmed by steam, and thi heat is kept up with remarkable uniformity to that 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. 219 evolved by the female fowl during the process of in- Rev. Amos Brown, Secretary. Messrs. Bacon, Brown cubation, which is known to mark higher on the and N. P. Ellis of Ovid, were appointed a Committee thermometer than at any other periods. A series of to obtain subscriptions— and desired to obtain special shelves, one above the other, form the nests, while subscriptions for the endowment of the " Dclafield blankets are spread over the eggs to exclude any acci- | Professorship of Agricultural Chemistry." The Corn- dental light. The hatched chicks are removed to the : mittee on Subscriptions reported the amount subscribed nursery each morning, and fresh eggs laid in to supply ' as exceeding $40,000, which, with the $40,000, ap- the places of the empty shells. A constant succession ' propriated by the Legislature for the endowment of of chickens is thus insured, and moreover the feathers I the College, *' render its establi.^hment in full and are always free from vermin. Indeed, a lousy fowl is unknown upon the premises. M. de Sora permits the males and females to mingle successful operation at an early day no longer a matter of question." It is said that the people of Seneca county, and especially the citizens of Ovid, have sub- freely at all seasons, and after a fair trial of all the ' scribed liberally, and it is anticipated that the farmers various breeds, has cleared his establishment of every and Friends of Agricultural education in other sections will aid in endowing this State Institution. ■'—- shanghai, cochin china, or other outlandish fowl breeding only from old fashioned, barn-yard chantic- leers, and the feminines of the same species. He con- AGBICTTLTTTSE OF MASSACHUSETTS, tends that the extra size of body and eggs pertaining The Annual Report of the Secratary of the Board to these foreign breeds can only be produced and of Agriculture, of which the Legislature has ordered sustained by extra food, while for capon raising the the printing of ten thousand copies for general dis- flesh .sneuher sodehcateor juicyas that of the native tribution, is more than usually replete with the stat- b.rd. lh.s theory ,s identical with the opinion of istics of the Agriculture of the Commonwealth. From our own Prof i\fape.s, of New Jersey, who has devoted these it appears that there ar« in the State 80,321 horses, valued at $7,284,889 ; 77,511 oxen and steers, valued at $3,246,341 : 184,010 milch cows and heif- much time and attention to this subject. The Pro fessor, however, permits the process of incubation to proceed m the natural way, and strews the floors of Lrs, valued at $4,892,291, yielding 8,116,009 pounds .'IT' ?k1 !!!,^?1^'^.*'''I' ""! ^i'"^ ^V^"". P"'^'^ I ^^ ^""^^''^ ^^^"^ ^^ $1,678,557, and 5,762,776 pounds „ ».. . „i.._j r .. 'of cheese, valued at $464,250.55, and 13,204,665 quarts of milk, valued at $755,887.90. The number of sheep is reported to be 145,215, valued at $309,843, while the value of wool produced is $155,046. The number of swine is 51,113, valued at $581,536.71.— of fixing the ammonia evolved from the incipient guano. The manure produced in this French establishment is no small item, and since it forms the very best fertilizer for many descriptions of plants, it is eagerly sought for at high prices by the market gardeners in j Boston Cultivator the vicinity. The proprietor estimates the yield this year at about one hundred cords. Ue employs nearly one hundreJ persons in different departments, three fourths of whom, however, are females. The sales of fggs during the past winter have averaged about forty thousand dozens per week, at the rate of six dozens for four francs, bringing the actual sales up to $5 000 JD round numbers, for every seven days, or $260,000 per annum.— The expenses of M. de Sora's hennery, including wages, interest, and a fair margin for re- pairs, &c., are in the neighborhood of $75,000, leaving a balance in his favor of $185,000 per year— almost as remunerative as Col. Fremont's Mariposa grant. -S'orristown Herald and Free Press. -•«»- HEAVES IN HOBSES. The latest remedy for this troublesome disease is feeding on corn-stalks through the winter. The Prai- rie Farmer says : ** We have a horse which had the heaves a year ago and coughed badly. Last fall we commenced feeding on corn-stalks, and continued nearly all the past winter. To our great satisfaction he has exhibited none of the usual symptoms of heaves — has not had a cough that would be noticed, drives well, and breathes without the least difficulty." Well cured corn-stalks, cut before frost-bitten, are good fodder, and horses, colts, cows, or sheep, will do about as well on them as on hay. Horses at all affected with the heaves will do better when fed upon them than upon clover hay. A great many horse owners have communicated facts to different agricultural pa- pers, going to show that chopped straw, wet, or good timothy hay, cut and wet, would improve the health of a heavey horse. Dusty hay, musty oats, exposure to changes of weather, always increase the cough and difficult breathing which constitutes the heaves. In ^raW YORK STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. A meeting of the Trustees of this Institution was ^eld at Ovid on the 12th inst. Hon. Joun A. King was re-elected Chairman for the ensuing year, and vacancies in the Board— occasioned by the death of j^f^HN Delafield, the resignation of N. B. Kidder as treasurer and Trustee, and T. Delafield as Trustee Hor J ^y^^^^^ ^y ^^^® ^^® election as Trustees of the way of medicines, a great many have been pro ^ • J. B. Williams of Ithaca, Rev. Amos Brown of posed, we have but little faith in any of them, unless ^la. and Hon. Samcbl Cheever of Waterford. Joel • Bacon of Waterloo, was elected Treasurer, and accompanied with care in feeding and diet, as well as overwork and exposure. (:; TIGHT BINDING N 220 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. s m o CQ o V t4 ■tJ 03 fl o • ■•4 a D 1^ Oi • O CO ^ H P4 i4 < •< M 04 M U) Pn o s •-> ^ >4 H piS < 8 •< u 1-3 H n U) p >- ^ ^ ■*-d (•^ 4 o iq ^4 O V s •/J CO ^ '"i 3 w » •« >; p o M CO p M4 ?? p o H Ed a twentieth part of the crops, not unfrequently is de- «^oyed by them. The Larva of Miss. Morris's wheat midge inhabits tho cavity in the center of the straw. In June the egg is de- pogited in the grain whilo in the soft or milky state, and remains unhatched till the wheat has been sown and has germinated. Tho young larva soon ascends the stalk, which it penetrates above the top joint, and enters the cavityfin the center of the culmi, where it feeds, with its head downwards, till it acquires its full growth. It then passes down the center of the straw, cutting through the joints, till it reachas the root, when it emerges from the interior of the culm, ascends the stalk on the outside, attaches itself firmly to the Btraw, passes into the fiox-seed or pupa state in its carnal skin, and completes its final change in June. Before the larva arrives at maturity, the straw very frequently becomes so hard, that the worm, when done feeding, is unable to cut through the joints and make its exit at the root in its usual way, under these circumstances, its transformations are com- pleted within the cavity of the culm, where the image must eventually perish, unless liberated from its confinement by some fortuitous means. Thus it appears, as Miss Morris has remarked in her con-municationsto the American Philosophi- cal Society, and to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, that this destructive insect may be transported from place to place, and even from one country to another in wheat straw, as well as in the wheat itself. The Cecido- myia Culmicola has been confounded with the true Hessian Fly, which it resembles in appearance, and perhaps equals in its destructive ravages on the wheat crop, under the im- pression that Miss Morris was describing the Cecidomyia destructor, her facts were called in question, and a controversy ensued. The accuracy, however, of her observations have been triumphantly established,- and it is now conceded that the insect described by her is one which had escaped the notice of other entomologists. The Larva of the joint-worm dwell in the parenchyma or substance of the sheath, near its junction with the stalk • and can only be seen by cutting into the excresence or blistered spot which constitutes its abode. Whether or not this insect prevails to any extent in Pennsylvania I am unable to inform you. But in some parts of Virginia the injury done by it to the wheat crop is sometimes very considerable. ««»^ THE WEEVIL— AN EXPERIMEITr. According to M. Gorrie, (Magazine of Natural History) the larv(B of the Wheat Midge or Weevil, deposited in the ears of Wheat, leave them about the first of August and go into the ground, where it is •• probable*' ihey remain during the winter in the pupa state, and become flies the next season, when the wheat is in blossom. For the purpose of testing this theory, and of as- certaining what might be done to arrest or retard the appearance of the fly in the proper season, the writer devised the following experiment : Having constructed two boxes, each about three feet square and nine inches deep, covering the top with millinet, and leaving the bottom open to the ground, I selected a spot in the field where wheat had been harvested the precedingyear.and where the wheat had been entirely destroyed by the weevil and placed the two boxes side by side — the first box on the ground that had remained undisturbed since the harvest the second on ground that had just been turned over with a spade, ten inches deep. Care was taken to make % 'wKi- TIGHT BINDINC, 224 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [JUI,T. ill i the boxes tight and lit them closely to the ground, to allow of no opening anywhere but through the meshes of the millinet top, which were sufficiently coarse to admit the light, air, and rain, and fine enough to pre- vent the escape of the flies, should any come out of the ground under the boxes. The boxes were set about the first June last. On the 12th of the same month, sure enough, the true wheat fly, the indubitable weevil, began to appear in *i»« «j,4:i- iw^Y — uAniA fViiTP or four onlv, at first, but increasing daily till the 2Gth, when there were some scores of them. From this time to the first of July they remained, as to numbers, about stationary, whtn apparently, all at once, there were several hundreds ihe weather being very warm and somewiiat showery —swarming in the clover now grown up thickly under the box. Coincident also with their appearance in the box, they were noticed in the adjacent clover of the field, in which they seemed to find an appropriate nursery home until strong euouoh to fly oft* to the fields of wheat. In the meantime, the second box was carefully watched, and nothing was discovered therein up to the 28th of June. Supposing by this time that the spade had done an effectual work with the embryo weevil, this box was not noticed again till the 3rd day of July, when to ray surprise, I counted near 150 flies, hanging torpidly, like mosquitoes, on the under side of the millinet. Dividing the four days that occurred between the last two observations, it would fix the time of their appearance under the second box, on the fiist day of July— eighteen days after their appearance under the first box. This simple experiment discloses some interesting facts : — 1. It demonstrates as SLfact^ what is stated only as a probability by M. Gorrie — that the wcevd pupae winter in the earth, and come out flies the ensuing season when the wheat is in blossom, to commence their work of destruction for the farmer, and of repro- duction for themselves. 2. It shows also, that to turn over the ground in the Spring and sink thi piipce below their natural position, will proportionately retard the period of their develope- wen/— a depth of ten inches retarding them in the above instance, eighteen days. This length of time, later than its usual time of appearance, would render the fly comparatively harmless— the wheat being too far advanced to be seriously damaged. As the fly would find but very few heads still in blossom, but few eggs or larvae would come to maturity if deposited ; and in two or three years, if followed up, the weevil would disappear. 3. The most effectual remedy, therefore, would seem to be, to subsoil the stubble in the spring. Even ordi- nary ploughing, would, without doubt, considerably diminish the weevil, while, on the other hand, to seed with clover and leave the ground undisturbed the ensuing season, is the most eff'ectual method of securing a large increase of the fly. II. Darling. HONOR TO THE PLOW. Though clouds o'crcast our native sky, And seem to dim the sun, We will not down in languor lie, Or deem the day is done. The rural arts wo loved before, No less we'll cherish now, And crown the banquet as of yore. With honor to the Plow. In those fair fields, where peaceful spoil To faith and hope are given. We'll seek the prize with honest toil. And leave the rest to Heaven. We'll gird us to our work like men Who own a holy vow. And if in joy we meet again. Give h(»nor to the Plow. Let us arrayed in magic power. With labor hand in hand, Go forth, and now, in perils hour, Sustain a sinking land. Let never sloth unnerve the arm, Or fear the spirit cow. These words alone should work a charm — All honor to the Plow. The heath redro.ss, the meadows drain. The latent swamp explore. And o'er the long expecting plain Diffuse the quick'ning store. Then fearless urge the furrow deep Up to the mountain's brow, And when the rich results you reap, Givo honor to the plow. So beauty still o'er pastures green. And nodding fields shall roam, And still behind the rustic screen Shall virtue find a home ; And while their bower the muses build, Beneath the neighbouring bough, Shall many a grateful verse be filled With honor to the Plow. [Blackwood's Magazine. SOAP SUDS FOR CURRANT BUSHES. A correspondent of the Indiana Farmer says:— "I have found the cultivation of currants to be very profitable. By care and attention I greatly increased the size of the bushes and the quantity and qu^4 of the fruit. My bushes now are about eight feet in height, and are remarkably thrifty. The cause of this large growth, I attributed in a great measure to the fact that I have been in the habit of pouring soap suds and chamber lye around their roots during the summer season. I am satisfied from my own expe- rience and that of some of my neighbors, that this treatment will produce a most astonishing effect upon the growth and product of the bushes, and would a»»-»■ WILLIAM B. COATES GREEN CORN CUTTING MACHINE, FOB CCTTING GREEN CORN FROM THE COB BEFORE ASD AFTER BOIIISG. PATENTED MAY 13th, 1866. Intended for Hotels, Boarding Houses. Eating Houses, Packet Ships. Steamboats. Canal Packet- and Private Families. It. i^ilHea^P^eaTur^^^^^^^^^ this simple and easy o^^erated machine is offered to the public For year, such an apparatus h«i \m resired by thoS pereons who have seen the d.ffieuhy of cutting corn off the cob by hand ; and more especially by those wb nack large Quantities of dried and 6ojYerf corn lor exportation. , .. . • i aa.^^ ^For iStheriLrmation in regard lo State, County. City. Town, or Village Rights and Machines. ple«Ke addre« WILLIAM B. COATES Si CO. No. 152 South Front Street. Phiiadelphk July, 3tn WILLIAM. B COATES' sa!as>m®w3Ei) PATENT OBUQUE METHOD OF CUTTING STALKS PATSNTXD OOTCmSR 16th, 1%5&, Thit Machine is intended tor cutting Hemp, Com. Sugar Cane, Cotton Btwhes, Ac. &c., and laying tham in Y^odk* i« For further information in regard to State or County Kights, or Machines, pieaae addreai, WILLIAM B. COATES & CO. No. 152 North Front Street, Phih^o^r • !, J TIGHT BINDING CONTENTS — No. 8. Agricultural Statistioa of Massachusetts, . - 258 C. M. [Communication.] - - , . 246 Cultivation of the Sun Flower, Ae, - - , 262 Drilling vs. Hilling, - .... % 266 Editor's Table, - 24^ Effect of Flowers on the air of Rooms, . - 249 • Fourth Annual Exhibition of the U. S. Ag. Societj, 237 Give me great thoughts, > ... 256 Home madte Guano, ..... 248 "HooSung/* - - .... 228 Insects injurious to Wheat, - ... 227 Improved Stump Puller, - - . - - 228 Improved Self-Begulating Windmill, . . 233 Influence of Ariceltaral pursuits, Ac, . - . 235 J. Payne Lowe, _.-... 254 Management of Mowing Lands, . . • :. 254 New Fertilizer, -,,... 244 New Mowing Machines, ..... 247 New Rotary Pump> - - - . - - 248 Phosphatic Guanos, --.--. 229* Pennsylvania Farm School, .... 234 " " •*-.;.. 245 " Agricultural Society, - . 246 Recent Agricultural Inventions, ... 255 Sale of Col. Morris' Stock, .... 243 Super Phosphate of Lime, ..... I45 Tomatoes for Stock, ..... 245 JAMES H. BRTSON, 0lj printing #ffia, No. 2 North Sixth Street. PRINTED AT THE SHORTEST NOTICE. . THE SIXTH ANi\UAL EXHIBITION OF THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY WILL BE HELD AT J On September 30th, and on October Ut, 2d, and 3d, 1856. ROB'T C. WALKER. Secretary. OSAGE ORANGE SEED AIVD PL.A]¥T8 FOR SALE. EEDQES PLANTED AND WARRANTED. Apr?l". ?8S*^^" ""^^'^"^ --^/ HARSHBARGER^ McVeytown, Mifflin co., Pa. MAY ELEVATORS ! MAY CXfiVATORS ! Hrv ELEVAToK"?*'^".'?"?* '*''8^®."""™''«'* of SELF-ADJUSTING rfAMH-Hi^ -„ tP"?' 8'^«^»tly Improved over those of la«t s-ason anil w » n PASCHALL MORRIS A Co., «. B. Coraer 7th aod Market Streets, FhUi^elphla. M COLUMBIAN GUANO, CONTAINING FIFTY PKR CENT, and upwards of bL Phosphate of Lime, of which 13 lo 15 per cent, is Soluble Fhoi. pliate of Lime. It also coniains six to eight per cent, of dry or ganic matter with ammonia, and less than three per centw water, as abundantly verified by repeated analyses by Professor Booth, of Philadelphia, Stewart, of Maryland, Chilton, of New York, Hayes, of Boston. Il is sold in fine powder, does not require siftiniar, and ranbi applied either broad easi for top dressing, or with adrill,rapid|t and with a perliecl unilormity. ™ 200 ions received direct from the Venezuelan Islands, in tbe taining 160 lbs. each, at the rate of $40 for 2000 lbs kirlessthw five Ions, and for fiy;e tons or upwards, 2240 lbs. per ton, atprj. ces satisfactory to dealers. The vessels now chartered by the Company, and their acttnj arrangements lor the future, will insure the receipt at thiHpoit of large supplies during the summer and fall, and regularli thereafter. RICHARDS be applied either in tW drill or broad cast— if the latter case, the ground should b lightly harrowed after the application. For Potatoes. Turnij»8, &c , 200 to 250 Ibi per acre, in tbt drill or hill aAer the seed is sown, will produce an abundant yield of either article. For Grass Crops. — Tt can be advantageously used as a top- dressing for Grass, Clover, Ac, at the rale of 200 lbs to the acre, apphed immedistely af\er ihe frost is out of the ground. Iti> also a valuable manure ibr garden vegetables, flowers. gni» vines, fruit trees, &c. RICHARDS & MILLER, Agenta of Philadelphia Gunno Co. 92 South Front Street. SUPER PHOSPHATE OF LIME. DIPrOM AS have been awarded to the Subscribers for the above article, by the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society. New Jersey 44 »« »« Bucks County ** •• Schuylkill County ** « Berks County ** « New Castle Co., Del. «« " The quality and high character of our preparation is well known, and it is considered the best and most reliable Monare for CORN. OATS, WHIiAT, POTATOES and GRASS. Wol only producing Large Crops, but permanently Improving the Soil. Price $45 Per 2000 lbs. (2i centi per lb.) Owing to the high pnce of articles used in manufacturing the above, we have been compelled to advance our price to $45. CAUTION— Observe that every Barrel of our Article Im our name and that of Polls Wilson's Imphovbd Harvester. — In this improve- ment the cutters are all pivoted and cut, like tne knives of a straw cutter, against hide or other suita- ble material. There is also a peculiar arrangeinem for driving the cutters, varying their height from tn ground, etc. | For the Farm Journal. INSECTS INJURIOUS TO WHEAT. When we take into consideration the fact that upwards of 100,000,000 of bushels of wheat are atmually grown in the United States, and that the national wealth of the country would be much more than it now is, consequent upon increased produce, were it not for the insects that attack the wheat plant, it can readily be understood that all facts pertaining to the nature and habits of insects injurious to this most useful and favorite food of nations, is worthy the attention of all wheat growers. We are now beginning to feel the necessity of the application of the sciences generally, and chemistry particularly to the assistance of the husbandman, in order that the largest amount may be produced at the slightest cost, and with the least injury to the soil ; but if our fields of golden grain are assailed by the wheat Midge, Hessian Fly, Angomois Moth, et cetera^ we cannot but feel that it is of equal importance to endeavor to guard them from destruction while being grown. Farmers .should study the habits of insects, or else it will be impossible for them to arrive at any effectual means to prevent their injuries. I do not mean that every farmer should be an entomologist, viewing the subject professionally, (for to do this, as a worthy collaberateur has justly remarked, he would need the eyes of Argus, the years of Methuselah, and the patience of Job,) no more than that he should study Veterinary science because he might have a horse sick once in 12 months, but rather that he ought to be so familiar with certain principles ofthe science as will enable him to read undersranding- ]y the sayings of those who make entomology a profes- sion. The wheat Midge, known to Naturalists as the Cecidomrja tritici, is often, but erroneously, called weevil; for itis a dipterous insect, having membraneous wings, whereas all of the weevil tribe have crustaceous coverings over their wings. The true wheat Weevil {Curculio granarius) never attacks wheat while growing. Its attacks are now well known in many parts ofthe United States, and the Canadas, and observations while travelling during the past two years assures me of this fact. In some few sections of the country, as much as fifty per cent, of the wheat crops had been destroyed. These little depredators seem to be much more numerous some years than others, which is owing in part, at least, to peculiar hygrometric condition of the atmosphere. The imago, or perfect insect is smaller than the Hessian Fly. It is furnished with a retractile ovipositor, the body is orange colored ; the wings are clear, and fiinged with minute hairs. During the day the perfect insects remain shaded by the leaves of the growing plants. About 30 or 40 days generally elapse from the time of leaving the chrysalis until they die. They deposit their eggs in the ear of the growing ^heat during the dusk of evening or cloudy weather. Ihe eggs take from 6 to 9 days, less or more, according ^ the state of the weather, to be hatched, and the young larvie make their appearance in June. They are citron colored ; their sides are somewhat wrinkled and their posterior ends are truncated. They jump briskly on being touched. They feed upon the juices of the young grains of wheat which as a consequence become shrivelled up. When about to pass into the pupa or chysalis state, they are either thrown from the stalks by the wind • washed from them bv rain, or Ple*. a^ — j -^ ., ' own accord. They cannot spin. The pupa are of a reddish color, and pointed at both ends. Notwithstanding that the larv» go into the soil, to undergo the next metamorphosis in order we have reason to ^uppose that they do not passintJ the pupa state until the following spring. Eariy sown wheat very often escapes. The Yellow Bird, which is a most beautiful specimen of the feathered tribe, consumes large quantities of the larvse of the wheat Midge, and is in this respect a true friend to the farmer. There are Ichneumon flies, which deposit their eggs in the larvaejof the Midge, which, when hatched, ihe young feed upon the semi-fluid portions, and being unable to withstand this, the larvaj of the wheat Midge die. It often proves highly bene- ficial to shake slacked lime upon the wheat, before the dew 18 evaporated by the morning's sun, but better still the salt and lime mixture, which, if used sparingly will prove to be a useful preventive. Because the insect passes Its pupa state in the soil, deep plowing will prove to be highly advantageous, thus placing the pupa at a depth which will render it impossible for the perfect insects to make their escape during the ensuing season. This fact, in addition to many others, shows the necessity of thorough and deep disintegration' (for a large class of soils at least,) so that the roots of plants may not only be able to freely travel in search of necessary food to build up their structures, but also come in contact with the elementsof the decomposed insects which will pass into that state of ultimate constituency so favorable to vegetable growth. Some persons recommend that two successive crops of wheat should not be grown upon the same land, but it should be remembered that the insect referred to in many instances, injures Rye, Barley, Oats, Timothy grass. Clover, et cetera. The following extract is from a letter furnished us by Counsellor Gifford, Vice President of the New Jersey Natural History Society, but not having ex- perimented with the variety of wheat referred to, do not know to what extent the remarks are applicable in an entomological point of view, and especially for the reason that the wheat plant is subject to the attacks of many insect depredators. ** The Lawler wheat was introduced in our section ofthe country in the year 1818, it having been procured of Mr. Lawler of this state (Virginia.) It had attained great celebrity, both on account of the beautiful character of the grain, and its exemption from the attack of the Hessian Fly. It is a beardless white wheat, heavy, and suited to the manufacture of th TIGHT BINDING THB FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [AUOBST. best and whitest flour. The stalk is tall, strong and elastic. The yield makes it compare with the best of ether varieties when not attacked by rust. In some instances in our neighbourhood, when it was first in- troduced, it yielded as much'as from 80 to 100 bushels to one sowed. Its comparative exemption from fly was illustrated in one instance, cited to me, in which another popular variety was cultivated alongside of it on the same field ; the first was almost entirely destroyed, while the latter was free from injury to the line of contact." • • * • lumber, and pull the stumps, all by machinery : in the afternoon they plow the ground, and seed it down into smooth meadows. Our engraving shows a recent improvement in gtump pullers, for which letters patent were granted to Mr. Solomon W. Ruggles, Fitchburg, Mass., May 6, 1856. The chain. A, is attached by a hook at one end, to the stump, and the other to a strut, B ; this is con- nected by rod, C, with lever D, the forward end of which has a strap, E, which winds around the shaft, strut, B, raided to a perpendicular position, and the stump pulled. Most of the parts are attached to the sled, K, on which they are conveniently transported from place to place. This machine is very compact, portable, and eco« nomical to manufacture. It is also very powerful. A force of 200 lbs. applied to the end of lever II, will lift 2000 tuns on chain, A. The power of the appar- atus is only limited by the strength of the wood and iron of which it is made. -«•»- For the Farm Journal. "HOO SUNG." Some years since, I had an article inserted in the Farm Journal, offering to distribute seeds of the above vegetable. The article was copied into many other papers, and as a Consequence, the applications were so numerous, that I had not seed enough to send to all ; and much against my wish I had to disappoint many applicants. As I have now a prospect of securing a good stock of seed, I will with pleasure supply all who will make their wishes known, the recompense I ask, s a few rare or new seeds in exchange, or a stamp nclosed to pre-pay the letters. As a salad while young, it is equal to other lettuce, and when shooting up towards flowering, the stems cut and boiled in water with some salt, for an hour, or until tender, then taken out on a dish, and some butter melted in sweet milk poured over the "Hoo Sung," seasoned with salt and pepper, and if desirable a few drops of vinegar, it will be found to be a very palatable dish, and a good substitute for asparagus. The richer the ground, and the more rank its growth, the more succulent and tender the vegetable; it should be sown as early in the spring as the ground will permit, and if the season is wet, a succession crop ni*y be sown every few weeks through the season. Respectfully, J. B. Gabbbb. Columbia, Pa., June 25th, 1856. |M IMPBOVED STOMP PULLER. The old fashioned way of getting rid of stumps was F ; this shaft has a ratchet wheel Q, upon it, operated to let them stay in the soil and rot. The clearing-up | by lever, H. When the lever is raised, the pawl, I, of a piece of ground required half a generation; our catches in the teeth of the ratchet wheel, G, and forefathers took things easy, and were in no hurry, turns it in direction of the arrow ; the pawl, J, holds ) But the modern *• go-ahead*' principle recognizes no the purchase obtained and prevents the ratchet such waste of time. Our modern farmers enter a wheel from turning back. By the winding of forest in the morning, fell the trees, cut them into strap E on shaft F, the lever, D, is brought down, 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 229 For the Farm Journal. PH08PHATI0 GUANOS. BT S. S. HALDEMAN. 1. Attentive study of the principles involved* will show that everything is in favor of the phosphatic cuanos. I say attentive, because in a short article, where principles which might be expanded into a book, are stated concisely, the loss of one or two words, or inattention to a single statement, may vitiate the reasoning of the whole ;— whilst in a more expanded discussion, the essential points may be overlooked in the mass of material. 2. The principle ingredient of Columbian guano bt'ing phosphorus, whilst that of Peruvian guano is ammonia, the value of the other ingredients in each, need not be discussed here. 3. Liebig mentions an [unmanured, fertile soil, which yielded crops for twelve years, although it had DO organic matter but humic acid, which contains neither ammonia nor nitrogen. The analysis of this soil (Johnston's Lectures, XIII, 3,) shows the following per centage. Silica and fine sand, • - - . Alumina, ------ Oxides of iron, - - - . • Oxide of magnesia, . • « . CArI>oimte of lime ... * Carbonate of magnesia, • • • . Potaeh, ---... Soda, - - . • • . PhoRphorio acid, - - ... Sulphuric acid, ..... Chlorine, ...... Humic ficid, ..... occurred at the time when such a remarkable mate- rial was most required, and from the moment it be- comes known in Europe, it will take its place in the front rank of fertilizers. 9. Many farmers will not allow straw and hay to leave the premises, and this, portion of the manure remains as permanent capital, since it returns potash, soda, ammonia, chlorine, and phosphoric acid to the soil. But it cannot restore the materials which have lUllIlAlO, ItllltV, 4,810 • • • 8,316 800 M03 10,361 J JOO 13 . - . 1,221 9 3 447 4. This soil, says Prof. Johnston, is* not ** desti- tute of any one of the mineral ccmpoimds which plants necessarily require in sensible quantity.'* 5. This analysis has a bearing upon the use of bone dust, showing that its value is due, not so much to its nitrogen as to its phosphorus, for how can nitrogen be essential in a manure, when a soil can be fertile without it? SprengePs view is therefore reasonable, when he accounts for the little advantage which has resulted from the use of bones in certain parts of Germany, by the fact that these soils contain naturally a sufficiency of phosphate of lime. 6. In England where bone manure has been thorough- ly tested, bones are worth £8 per ton when fresh, and ^C when deprived of their animal matter by boiling, a difference which is not so much due to the loss of nitrogen as to the value of the recent bones to the soap and candle manufacturer, who extracts the solu- ble materials for his own use and sells the remainder ^ the farmer. '• The extent to which bone manures are used in %land causes the agriculturists to fear that (he supply must very soon, if it does not now, fall short of the demand. In the '» Chimic du Cultivateur " of P- «Joigneaux, Paris, 1850, phosphate of lime is men- tioned for its good effect on the cereals, and gives Qirpctions for preparing it artificially from urine.f °* "ftppily, the discovery of phosphatic guanos has butter, &c., hence the necessity of replacing the min- eral constituents of the crop sold, to prevent the land from deteriorating. As long as there is a sufficiency of these, good crops may be expected, especially when the stimulant of ammonia or Peruvian guano, is pres- ent to enable the plant to appropriate the mineral constitVients more rapidly — in other words to exhaust the soil of the latter, unless it be restored in bone dust or Columbian guano. 10. The owner of the soil, he who is interested in its continued fertility, will be most benefitted by bone dust, or its equivalents : whilst the tenant will reap the greatest advantage in the shortest time, by the use of ammonia, but it will be at the expense of the fertility of the soil, and he will fail, if there is not a sufficient supply of the originally small amount of phosphoric acids. 11. Mr. L. II. Hildreth, who has used Peruvian guano more or less for eleven years, says that when the season proves favorable, and it is carefully and properly applied, *' it will pay well for the investment." (Boston Ploughman ; — American Farmer, JpriL 1866.) Yet in 1853 his corn was injured by it, and more recently, in a comparison of the effects of composted barn-yard manure, Peruvian guano, and De Burg's super-phosphate, he found that the resulting fodder was one fifth better with guano than with the manure, and two fifths better with the super-phosphate. With potatoes, beans, vines, cabbages, and carrots, the phosphate gave him the best crops, He objects to Peruvian guano as being of ** so caustic a nature, that unless applied with much care, it will injure, instead of benefitting the seed." This is not a valid objection, because a proper caution must be exercised throughout the entire range of farming operations. 12. It is probable that the conjoint action of barn- yard manure, Columbian guano, sulphate of lime (gypsum) and common salt would constitute a fertilizer of first rate excellence. But as the first is too bulky for distant transportation, Peruvian guano, oi» the nitrates of soda or of potash might replace it. This would give the fertility of the phosphates, with the means which ammonia posesses of urging them into greater activity than they could have, if dependent upon the soil and atmospj^ere for the supply of ni- trogen. Bearing in mind that ammonia, like carbon, can be supplied by the air and soil, true economy suggests that much the largest proportion of mixed guanos should consist of the phosphatic kinds. The proportion should indeed vary with the nature of the n TIGHT BINDING hill ill 230 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [AuQuif l| soil, but probably in the mftjority of cases, one part of Peruvian to eight or ten of Columbian guano would be satisfactory. Common salt would furnish chlorine and soda; and gypsum should be added, for the double purpose of arresting the dissipation of the ammonia of the Peruvian guano, and of yielding its sulphuric acid to the grasses, &c4 13. Columbian guano is estimated by the plants of the first crop, whilst it is not subject to be washed away and dissipated. Consequently, its effects may continue for a number of years, proportionate to the amount given to the soil. 14. It is doubtful whether dissolved bones and insoluble phosphates would be considered superior to bone dust in the end. were it not that sulphuric acid (the solvent used) is itself a f^rtihzer. During a visit in 1853 to the distinguished farmer and horticulturist, Dr. Kirkland,of Cleveland, he stated as the result of his practice, that it is not necessary to dissolve bones artiticially to benefit the soil. 15. Solubility, in the ordinary acceptation of the terra, is not always essential to the action of a manure, because plants and animals can, by their viUl powers, separate, combine, and assimilate matter, when prop- eriy pulverized and distributed, in very many cases where the chemist must fail in the attempt. 10. The stomach of an ox will digest insoluble woody fibre ; clover can make use of the sulphuric acid in gypsum ; lichens appropriate mineral food from the lace of the most permanent rocks ; plants can take moisture from a soil so arid that the sun has ceased to abstract it: and clay, with its strong affinity for ammonia, will retain it until forced to yield it to the plant. "^ p/J'h n'p"! '^ '^' "insoluble- green sand marl, 1 ft^r N , ^- ^^^eers. says (Geol. Survey of New Jersey, 183G,) land which had been sold at two and a half dollars per acre, in consequence of the permanent in- crease in Us fertility from the marl, is now worth thirty seven dollars the acre." p. 48. "The most sterile patches of sandy soil are made to sustain very admirable crops of corn by the use of this powerful «gent. p. 54. The latter quotation refers to the green sand of Long Branch, where the formation ex. tend^ under the sea, and the material used is that cast upon the beach, a sufficient proof of its insolubility. This IS admitted in the next extract, p. 55. - Another ftll important consideration is, that the mari or green mineral loses nothing of its potency by a long exposure, even of years, to water and the atmosphere ; in other words, that it is not dissolved, or decomposed, or changed, by the ordinary atmospheric agents which react so powerfully upon many other minerals, and consequently that we are to regard it as nearly un- changeable until the roots of the plants come in contact with ,t. effect its decomposition, by the vital power of their organs, and imbibe a portion of some of its con.stituents." The vital principle, according to Turner, -controls chemical affinity in a surprising manner and directs this power in the production of new compounds from elementary bodies." Columbia, Pa., June 26th, 1856. * With regard to the relative value of phosphatic and ammonical guanos. t The loss of this valuable material i8\ery great in tb« large cities, and often under circumstances whore it migbt be turned to profitable account. X " In the neighbourhood of Lyons, it has been found tb«t very dilute sulphuric acid exhibits the same beneficial «>fefli upon clover, that has elsewhere attended the use of gypsum." — Prof. Johntton. *%i ]86«.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVB FARMER. 231 For the Farm Journal. ON THE ANATOMY AND PH7SI0L06T OF DICOTYLEDONOUS TREES. BY HARLAXD COULTAS. It is very possible that some of our readers may not understand what is meant by a Dicotyledonous tree, wc therefore give the following explanation. If we plant a common garden bean, as soon as the seed begins to germinate, the first thing that we notice is the softening or swelling of its envelopes : its testa or outward skin is ruptured and the embryo or infant- plant elongates downwards by its radical or young root and upwards by its plumule or young stem, lifting the cotyledons or seed leaves above the earth's surface, which by exposure to the light, speedily acquire a green hue, and soon become so much enlarged and altered as to present quite a different appearance to that which they exhibited when they were wrapped up within the folds of the testa. These cotyledonary leaves contain a store of starch which wai elaborated by the parent plant as a provision for its ofiFspring. The infant plant in the first stages of its life is parasitic on this starch which contributes to its development until its roots and leaves are sufficiently grown to enable it to draw its food from the earth and atmos- phere ; the cotyledons then die and become detached from the plant. Now in the bean, two of these thick fleshy nutritive seed leaves, or cotyledons, are attached to the erobrjo or infant plant ; it is therefore called by Botanists a Dicotyledonous plant. If the plant has only one of them it is called a monocotyledon. The Indian corn is a familiar example of such a plant. Ferns and Mosses spring up without these appendages and are therefore Acotyledonous plants. The climate of Pennsvlvania is too cold for the de- velopment of monocotyledonous trees. With the ex- ception of the Green Briar, {smilax rotundifolia,) our monocotyledonous plants are entirely herbaceous. The forest trees of Pennsylvania are all Dicotyledons. If we examine a horizontal section of the stem of one of these trees, we shall find it to be composed of a number of concentrical and almost circular beds of wood, ensheathing one another around a common centre, occupied by a canal of medulla or pith, and the whole of which is covered by the bark formed on the exterior front of the stem. By a superficial ex- amination of such a section we may distinguish very readilv that the stem of a Dicotyledonous tree is com- posed of bark, wood, and pith, three, physiologically speaking, separate and distinct systems. But a much more correct view of the anatomical structure of the stem is afforded when we employ a microscope. If ire place a thin cross-section of one of the newly de- veloped shoots of a tree beneath this instrument.we find that the outer portion of the bark and the innermost part, the medulary canal or pith, are composed of a u^- «r /.aIIo ckr Klflilripr.IikA vftRicleR of a variable forjn which are united among themselves, and form a continuous mass, and that the woody portion of the plant consists of thick-walled cells, among which are numerous openings exhibiting quite a distinctive char- acter. The examination of a longitudinal section of the shoot proves that these openings are the mouths of vessels of a cylindrical form, and that the thick-walled cells are sections across tubes which taper to either extremity terminating in a joint. The annexed drawing which is a longitudinal section through the stem of the Italian reed, will give the reader some idea of the appearance of the vessels and fibre-cells of the wood, and of the cellular structure of the bark and pith. «, colls of the pith; ft, c, d, different kinda of vessels; «, «, fibre cellg ; /, cells of the bark and epidermis. Attempts have been made by Botanists to classify these different species of cells according to their out- ward form, which have failed to give satisfaction, for their form is too variable to admit of a classification of them on such a basis. A much better character, because a more permanent one, is afforded by their physiological peculiarities. Gnidtd by this principle we may readily distinguish in the stem of a dicotyledo- nous tree six different species of cells. In the bark, three species, viz., the cells of the epidermis, those of the corky or tuberous envelope, and the bast cells ; in the wood two species, the fibre cells, and the vasiform or duct cells ; and in the pith, and medullary rays one species, common parenchyma. Each of these species of cells carries its own life, has its own peculiar period of growth and vital activity, ftndits cells differ morphologically as well as chemically from the cells of the neighbouring tissues. New, clear and correct views of the Anatomy and Physiology of the stems of Dicotyledonous trees must be founded on a knowledge of their minute structure. We propose therefore, first to give the Physiological peculiarities of each species of cell a separate considera- tion ; we shall then show their action in a state of combination, and from thence deduce the cases of the superficial appearances presented by the bark and stem of trees : lastly we shall endeavor to show how this knowledge mav be turned to account, in the preserva- tion of the stems of trees from permature decay, and the prolongation of their life. The cells of the epidermis clothe the outer part of the bark of trees during the first year of their life, and subsequently the surface of those green herbaceous shoots which are annually put forth from the branches. These cells are in form, flat and tabular, and as they are without chlorophyl, and are united among them- selves with an extraordinary degree of force, they may be separated from the subjacent tissues without being detached from each other, as a continuous, transparent plate or membrane. In the young and tender condition of the stem of trees the epidermal cells are of considera- ble importance ; but they survive the first year only in a few cases. In general, these cells die towards the middle of summer and the epidermis beoomes fissured and rent. The epidermis is therefore absent from the old stems of forest trees. The life of the epidermal cells speedily closes. The pores must be regarded as a variety of the epidermal cells. The cork cells or tuberous layer. — These cells lie im- mediately beneath the epidermis. They are more or less flat, and tabular, thin-walled cells of a brpwn color. They form themselves under the epidermis and usually appear first as lenticals through the chinks of the epidermal layers. The commencement of the cork formation can be observed under the epidermis of the young branches of the oak, birch, or beech tree, in the middle of summer, or at the commencement of autumn. It is the cork which gives to the trunk of trees their peculiar color and rugged appearance. When the cork cells form, the epidermis speedily dies off, and the cork supplies its place and in some measure its function. It restrains equally with the epidermis the evaporation from the underlying cells, and affords them an excellent protective shelter from hurtfi.l outward influences. Cork invariably forms itself over the wounds of plants as a protective envelope. Therefore, although the life of the cork cells is of short duration, it is, when dead, a very important tissue and continues to be of con- siderable service to the tree. The rough fissured bark on the outside of old trees chiefly consists of layers of dead cork cells. The bast cells — These form the fibrous portion of the inner bark and develope vertically as elastic tubes, more or less elongated and thick- walled, which usually lie together in fascicles or bundles and are united with considerable force. It is these bundles which consti- tute the textile fibres in the flax and hemp, and in general in all plants cultivated for the fabrication of ^ -« ^ TIGHT BINDING I! 232 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE EARMER. [Auflrst, clothing. The bast cells are also, for the roaufacture of paper and cordage, a very important tissue. The bast cells elongate themselves with the parts of the plant in which they originate without fornjing new cells, and often attain to a considerable length. It is in the bast fibres that the sap descends after its elaboration in the leaves. The fluid contents of the bath cells are therefore as manifold as that of the parenchyma cells. The bast cells of one plant contain quite a different fluid matter to that of another nlant. In one the fluid is poisonous, in another nutritiye^ here it is a white, yellow, or orange colored milk sapj there caoutchouc, chlorophyl, or resinous matters m present. , Although the bast cells form the innermast layer of bark, in no case do they rest immediately on the wood, They are always separated by a bed of cells more or less thick, called the cambium layer, of which wo shall speak in our last communication. P '*%»' NEW LAND MEASURING INSTRUMENT. Tht annexed Engraving represents an Improved Land Measuring Instrument, invented by Mr. Louis Younf(, of Jersey City, It ooBsists of a pair of light ornamental wheels and frame, ma.le in the form shown. Within tho hubs, A, is an eocentrio, the rods of which extend through the hollow side pieces, B, to the registering disks at C The disks at C are divided into links, chains and fractions of the diameter of the measuring wheels. Every revolution of the wheels moves tho disks one cog. In use tho surveyor pushes the instrument before him over the surface of the ground, and when a given point has been reached, the disks at C will indicate correctly the precise distance travelled. The use of the chain, with its tedious- ness, halts and starts, calculations and ay conductors of and writers for Agricultural period- icals, as the subject demands. It is not to be supposed that this want of attention to the subject of the health of human animality ig owing in any degree to want of interest, or want of thought, on the part of the conducters of, or contrib- utors to the periodicals devoted to the interests of those engaged in these pursuits ; but it is doubtless mainly owing to the fact, that physicicms seldom ^'"te on these subjects except for journals specially devoted to the interests of their profession. "a fanner cannot reasonably expect either profit J)'* pleasure from unhealthy domestic animals^ much 'es« can he anticipate that disease either in his own P^^n, or in the members of his household, can be c«>nducive to his or their happiness, or to the ad- vancement of their interests ; and it may be well, from time to time, to ask attention to these matters. All tho.se who are engaged in agricultural pursuits, are subject to certain influences unfavorable to health, and those who are active laborers, are particularly exposed to the vicissitudes of the weather — more so, probably, than any other class of people who reside in the country, except perhaps the physician. The farmers are under the necessity of caring for their cattle, their fences and their crops, without regard to the state of the weather, and they are therefore particularly liable to sufl'er from colds, coughs, fever, rheumatism, ague, &c.; and they are likewise liable to exhaust their system by over-exertion, either from too severe labor continued for a few hours, or from that which is too long continued, as in the hot days, and exhausting labor,* of the haying and the harvest season, when many persons become completely ex- hausted. In matters of foodt every intelligent farmer knows that on it the animal depends for all his vital powers: and he is therefore careful to supply the horse, or the ox that works, food suitable in quantity and quality, and properly prepared, to meet the wants of the sys- tem ; but in regard to himself, and the " rest of mankind " in his household, he often betrays a degree of thoughtlessness that is truly wonderful. The farmcr*s food has not variety enough, is generally composed of too great a proportion of salted meat, especially of salt pork, and even that is often improp- erly cooked. Many suppose that little art is required to cook a piece of salt beef or salt pork, or to boil vegetables., and as the severe labor and pure atmos- phere of the farmer produces a vigorous appetite, he is inclined to content himself with but little variety in his food, and he is not over particular as to the manner it has been cooked. It has been said that *♦ l)read is the staff of life:" but if that which often goes by the name of bread, is the staff* referred to, it may be doubted if such a staff does not aid in the road to death rather than to con- tinued life. There are many persons who have never enjoyed the luxury of good bread : and until they do know what that is, they will continue to partake of too large a proportion of animal food. As a general thing, as little attention is usually paid to supplying the table of the farmer with a proper amount and variety of vegetables, as there is to good bread. In regard to the location of their dwelling and out- buildings, too many farmers display as little care and taste as in the culinary department. If it be more convenient, the farm yard is immediately adjoining the parlor, or the cook room : and sometimes the swine are permitted to refresh themselves in a pond of mud from the drainage of the sink, so that the whole house becomes perfumed therefrom : or all the wash and slops from the kitchen are allowed to ac- cumulate and ferment near the windows of the bed- rooms, where, surrounded by a rank growth of poison- ous weeds, they continue undisturbed to distill dis- ease and death. 'J his, and the oJor and malaria I TIGHT BINDING A 236 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [AuCDgf. arising from the accumulations of matter about the premises, are allowed to assail the nostrils of all, and to poison their systems, without restraint and with- out thought. Yet, with all these sources of disease, and others not enumerated, which press with great force on the vital powers of the farmer, and which we might sup- pose would make him more liable to disease and death, than almost any other person having a different em- nlovment. we find that in realitv such is not the case, and it is a well-established fact, that as a class, far- mers are amongst the most healthy and longest lived people in the community. We find by the *♦ 'Rejiort of Births, Marriages, and Deaths '* in Massachusetts, that during the twenty months preceding the 1st of January, 1850, there were reported in that State the death of 4,974 /arwiers, and they died at the average age of 63 83 years. Of men classed as laborers, 2,283 were reported to have died during the same period of time. These were, in good part, men who were engaged on farms as house ser- vants, and in any chance employment where they could earn a day's wages: and doubtless they had less healthy habitations and food than the farmers. They died at the average age of 45.39 years, or near- ly 18i less than the average for farmers. In the report for 1850, there were recorded the deaths of 886 agriculturists , who had attained the average age of 65.13 years, or about U more than those reported the previous year. In this report are also recorded the deaths of 707 laborers, at an average of 44 14 years, or over a year less than that attained by the same class as recorded in the previous report. As each of these classes was equally exposed to the same general causes of disease, these reports prove that the comparative relative condition of these two classes of people had undergone quite a change in that short space of time. As a contrast between the salubrity of different occupations, or to show the influence occupation has upon the health and life of those engaged therein, it may be well to present other results gathered from the above reports. During the year 1850 there were reported the deaths of 203 shoemakers, whose lives averaged 44.37 years, and 26 tailors, who averaged only 41.33 years, showing that they who follow these occupations, although laboring under shelter, unex- po«»d to the inclemencies of the weather, and as a general thing, with less hours of labor for a day, arc nevertheless obnoxious to other causes, which tend to reduce their lives to more than 20 years /e55 than that attained on an average by farmers. The reports that have been made Bince that year have fully sustained the conclusions drawn from them ; and the comparision might be extended to all classes of occupations, and without any exception, they will be found to produce results favorable to those engaged in agricultural pursuits. To present the matter in different form, it may be proper to consider that individuals do not usually enter upon the active duties of any occupation, so ai to be entitled to be classed with those who follow that occupation for a livelihood, before they arrive at 18 years of age ; and we find that the farmers live as farmers after this period 47 years, while shoemakerj and tailors do not, on an average, survive but about 25 years after commencing their occupation. It is true these estimates are based on the reportg of a New England State : but there can be no doubt similar results would obtain in regard to the West. had we any reports as a basis for our calculations. As I have pointed out many sources of disease, to which the farmer is exposed some of which, however, he can readily remove, it might be doubted if these tables of mortality, which show that they are re* mark ably long-lived, could be correct. One of the most prominent causes of this exemption from disease is the fact, that farm-labor is performed where the lungs are well supplied with pure air> and the whole body is allowed to enjoy the direct rays of the sun. With a pure air for the lungs during labor, when the inspirations are deepest and most frequent, and with the blessed sun-shine to warm and vitalize the whole frame-work and all the fluids of the body, a man becomes prepared to re.sist the ordinary inju* rious impressions that would otherwise produce sick* ness or death. The farmer's labor is of that character which gires play to all his muscles, and not to a few only, as is the case with other occupations, and therefore he is less liable to have impurities collect in his system ts a source and centre for disease. His mind is free from anxiety, turmoil, and trouble attendant on trade, or in a profession. He is not obliged, like many mechanics, to dispose of the products of his labor, as soon as produced, to procure bread for his family; his food is mainly obtained from the land, and is not subject to the changes in the money market. Neither is he subject to the pangs of conscience, which must at times harass those whose ** business it is to cheat each other for a living;" consequently his appetite and digestion are good, and his sleep undisturbed and refreshing. But there are other causes of no small potency in producing the farmer's great exemption from disease Almost all who follow farming for a livelihood are the offspring of parents of the same class of people. and their parents have been too busily occupied during their childhood to spend time in dosing them with Tincture of rhubarb. Paregoric, Godfreys cordial, Hot drops. Soothing syrup, &c. &c., after they hate crammed their stomachs with cakes and confection* ary, or half-decayed fruit, which forms so large a part of the aliment and ailment of the children of the cities. Being exempt from these influences, their systems have become well developed, and they are therefore able to endure fatigue and exposure, which wouW destroy persons of a less hardy constitution ; andu they would but remove the other sources of diseascj they would become the most healthy, and happyi «o^ independent people on the earth. —Ohio Valley Farmer- 1866.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. jsr FOURTH NATIONAL EXHIBITION OP THE AT PHILADELPHIA, OCTOBER 7th, 8th. 9th, 10th, and Uth, 1858. Office, Fhilad'a., Agricultural Rooma, 160 Chestnut St. GENERAL ARRANGEMENTS. Thb Fourth Annual Kxhirittov nf *ht% TTwtT««> Statbs Aoricultueal Socikty, will be held at Powbl- TON (Philadelphia,) on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, October 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th. The Judges will, at their discretion, appoint a time for the examination of animals in their stalls, of which due notice will be given, through the Superintendants, to exhibitors; the exhibition in the cattle rings or on the track, will take place punctually at the hours herein- after specified. The Judges will report not only the animals and arti- cles entitled to premiums, but also those next in merit, in each class, to meet the contingency of any objection which may arise to the awards, and also that they may receive suitable commendation. Any animal or article vhich, in the opinion of the Judges, deserves a special comraeadation, will be so reported to the Executive Com- mittee. Regard will be had to the purity of blood, as estab- lished by pedigree, symmetry, size, and general charac- teristics of the several breeds of animals ; and the Judges will make proper allowance for age, feeding, and other circumstances. They are expressly required not to give mcouragement to over-fed animals in the breeding classes. When animals or articles are not deemed worthy of a premium the Judges will, in all cases withhold it. An animal or article entered for exhibition in one class can- not compete for premium in any other ; but cattle in other classes are not prohibited from competing for the Herd premium or as County Teams ; nor stallions en- tered for exhibition from competing for premiums for speed. Notice of intention to enter live stock, and all other contributions, must be sent to the Secretary on or be- fore October 1st, that proper arrangements may be made for their accommodation. Letters may be ad- dressed to the Secretary at Boston, or to the Assistant Secretary at Philadelphia. The Executive Committee will take every possible precaution for the safe keeping of stock, &c., on Exhi- O'tion, after itg arrival and arrangement upon the R^ounds, but will not be responsible for any damage 2 T^ '''"''• ^*^">' ^^^^^^ exhibitors to give personal «€ntion to their animals and articles, and at the close «^ine Fair, to attend to their removal. Exhibitors must see to the delivery of their contribu- 008 upon the Show grounds ; and the Society cannot, ^^ any case, make provision for their transportation, or subjected to any expense therefor, either in their very at or return from the grounds ; but all the ex- Pro n 'y^'^ therewith must, as heretofore, be provided for by the exhibitors. For the convenience of exhibitors, stalls will be pro- vided for the stock ; and forage, consisting of hay (and straw for litter,) with water, will be supplied without charge; so that animals, on their arrival, may be driven to the Show Grounds, and need not be removed till the Exhibition is closed. Grain for stock win also be upon the Ground, and will be furnished to those who desire it at the market price. ' In Class V. (Poultry) it is expected that every trio will consist of a cock and two hpn« TKg «««^„ .4^ ,. specimens must be labelled with what the exhibtor believes to be the true name. Exhibitors are expected to furnish their own cages ; but no rough or clumsy ones will be admrtted. All cages should be made light and tasteful, and as small as convenient. For the sake of uniformity, it is recommended that they be made of J inch stuff, and be 36 inches in length, 28 inches high, and 34 inches deep, with wire fronts. Claimants for premiums on Grain and Root crops are required to furnish to the Secretary in writing, on or before the first day of the Exhibition, a statement of the following particulars: A description of the soil; the value of the land; the amount of taxes; the value and the kind of manure used ; the expense of preparing the ground, and sowing or planting; of cultivating and harvesting the crop ; and the total value of the crop raised ; that at a glance, the net profit of the production may be seen. I PREMIUMS. — Premiums will not be paid on animals or articles re- moved from the exhibition, unless such removal has the special approval of the Executive Committee; and premiums not claimed within thirty days after the award, will be considered as forfeited. The Treasurer will pay premiums at the business office, on the ground, during the last day, and at the office of the Society, during the week following ; or will forward any premium not so paid, in such manner as the person entitled to the same may direct. The fees of Annual Members of the Society, are two dollars a year. The payment of ten dollars constitute! a Life Member. One Thousand Dollars have been set apart by i\\Q Executive Committee, to be awarded in Discretionary Premiums, should objects of special interest, not provided for in any of the classes, be presented. SCHEDULE OF PREMIUMS. Premiums will be paid in silver plate or money, at the option of successful competitors, who must become members of the Society. CLASS L CATTLE No. 1 — Sweepstakes Premium, For the Best Herd, (a bull and four cows or heifers of any age,) of any breed, belonging to one person, a Sweepstakes Premium of . ^jjqq No. Z.-'The Herd Premiums, For Best Durham Bull and four Cows, or Heifers of any age, belonging to any one person, - • - $100 Next best, ---•-. n;».f/^r«« For best Devon Bull and four Cows, or Heifers, belonging to any one person, - • - . . - $100 m TIGHT BINDING 238 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. [Ac«^. $100 50 $.')0 25 $20 $100 50 $50 25 $20 10 Nextbe^t, Diploma. For best Aywhire Bull and four Cows, or Heifers, belonging to any one person, . r - - - *10^ Next best. Diploma. For Uest Hereford Bull and four Cows, or Heifers, belonging to any one person, - - - - - ^^^^ Next best, Diploma. For best Jersey (Alderney) Bull and four Cows or Heifem, belonging to anyone person, - - - $100 •Vf.** i^ABt ------ Diploma. For best four Cowg, or Heifers, (not full blood,) belonging to any one person ------ ^'^O Next best, Diploma. No. ^.—Durham Bullf. Three years old and upwards, 1st premium, do. do. 2d do. Two years old and under three years, Ist premium, do. do. 2d do. One year old and under two years, 1st premium, do. do. 2d do. Durham Cows and Htifera. Three years old and upwards, Ist premium, do. do. * 2d do. Two years old and under three years, Ist premium, do. do. 24 do. One year old and under two years, Ist premium, do. do. 2d do. No. 4. — Devon Bulls, Three years old and upwards, 1st premium, $100 do. do. Ist premium, 50 Two years old and under three years, Ist premium, $50 do* do. 2d do. One year old and under two years, 1st premium, lare3 four years old and upwards, 1st premium, do. do. 2d do. do. do. 3d do. No. 14. — Heavy Draft JStallions and 3 fares, Stallions three years old and upwards, Ist premium, do. do. 2d do. do. do. 3d do. Mares three years old and upwards, Ist premium, do. i\o, 2d do. do. do. 3d do. ISo. 15. — Stallions for General Utility, Four years old and upwards, Ist premium, do. do. 2d do. do. do. 3d do. No. \6.Stallionsfor General Utility, Three years old and under four, Ist premium, do. do. 2d do. do. do. 3d do. f^o. M. Stallions fur General Utility. Istpremii _ ^ 2d do. 3d do. Ist premium, 2d do Two years old aud under three, do. do. Ao' do. One year old and under two, do. do, 'So. \8.— Breeding Mares and Fillies Mares four years old and upwards 1st premium, do. do. do. do. Fillies three years old, do. do. Fillies two years old, do* do. Fillies one year old and under two, do. Ui premium, 2d do. 3(1 do. 4ih do. do. 3d do. ad do. 1st premium, 2d do. 1st premium, 2d do. Ist premium, Sd do. No. 19. — Matched Horses. No- 20. — Fancy Matched Hurses. No. 21. — Ponies. 1st premium, 2d do. Matched, Single, ...... No. 22.— 'Draft Horses. Matched Draft Horsei, l«t premium, do. do. Sd do. do. do. 3d do. Single Draft Horses, 1st premium, do. do. 2d do. No. 23.— Family Horses. (Single,) {Fur General Utility ) l«t premium, W do. 3d do. $150 75 50 $1.50 75 25 $100 50 25 $200 100 50 $150 75 50 50 25 15 $30 20 $150 100 60 $75 50 $50 20 $30 20 $100 75 60 25 $75 60 No. 2^,— Family Horses. (Single.) (For Speed) The speed of Horses under this division, that have never trotted lor money, will be tested on the track. Exhibitors to drive, and to be persons who have never driven for mon«y. iV"""'"" $800 l^, •"; .100 3d do. -^, " - 60 No. 25. — Untrained Hnrsfs (Sino^le> , Speed to be tened on the track, in harness.** Competition open to uli horses that have never trolled for money 1st premium, ...... * j^OO 2d do. 100 4th 5lh 6th 7ih do. do. do. d0. $25 20 $100 60 25 $^0 25 $100 ^0 60 60 40 30 20l No. 26. — Trotting Horses. A grand trial of speed, in harness, for all trotting horses 1st premium ^jOO ^^ ^^ 100 No. 27.— Trotting Stallvms. Grand trials of speed. For Stallions six years of age and over, Ist premium, $200 ^«- Jo- 2d do. 100 For Stallions under six years of age, 1st premium $150 <^o. do. 2d do. 75 No. 2S.— Mules. Two years old and over, best pair, $50 *io- 2d do. 25 <*o- 3d do. 15 CLASS nr. SHEEP. No. 2%.— Long' Wooled Bucks. Two years old and over, lai premium $30 do. do. 2d do. 15 Under two years, ist premium, $20 6. Charlemagne,* yearling. Capt. Joseph Hil- ton, New Scotland, N. Y., J 7. nrawith's Bi3y,t yearling, Francis xAIorris, Ihrog'sNeck, N. Y.. 8. Marmion.* 9 mos., B. AC. S. Haines, Eliz- •oeth, N. J. 9. Jacintha's Romeo, bred by Morris & Becar, John Hunter, Hunter's Island, N. Y. ^' y*'^^^'-'' 8 mos., David Brooks, Avon, N. i^*> 11. Orpheus.* 6 mos., J. B. Crippen, Cold- water, Mich., • ^^'mont,^ 4 mos., Amos F. Wood, JeflTer. sonCo., N. Y., Stanley,! 4 mos , Benjamin Whitlock,W^est Farms, N. Y.. ^' B^rrington,* 3 mos., Joseph Orvis, Masse- "a, N. Y., 5- King of Algiers,* 2 mos., Robert Gerdon, ^aris, C. W., $450 340 440 300 For the third best, . . . '116 Ball'ff+^i ''*' riculturalln*-! ' ^'"«'T 1 mo., Joseph Oryis, Masscna, N. For the best and largest collection of Agr plements, without reference to the manufacturer, • For the second best, . • For the third best, $C00 225 325 300 IGO 245 340 500 400 300 C75 375 210 150 400 1 110 $5,315 Devon Cows and Heifers. 1. Birthday, 12 yrs., imported, L. H. Colby. Groton, "^ 2. Princess, 9 yrs.. imported, Francis Morris. Throg's Neck, N. Y., 3. Virtue, 8 yrs., imported, Francis Morris, 4. Edith, 8 yrs., imported, Joseph Hilton New Scolland, N. Y., Birthday 2d, 3 yrs— was set up at J250— (not breeding)— was withdrawn by Col. Morris to fatten-$300 was afterwards offered for her. 5. Princess 2d. 3 yrs , Hon. John Wentworth, Chicago. 111., 6. Birthday 3d, 3 yrs., Francis Morris, Throg's Neck, 7. Princess 3d, 2 yrs., A. G. Summer, Colum- bia, S. C., 8. Birthday 4th, 2 yrs., Francis Morris, Throg's Neck, 9. Princess 4th, yearling, John Wentworth, Chicago, 10. Rena, yearling, E. D. Hunter, Pelham, N. ^ •» 11. Rachel, 5 mos., B. M. Whitlock. West Farms, 12. Princess 5th, 6 weeks old, A. G. Summer, 13. Rouge, aged cow, Jos. Hilton, New Scot- land, Fuchsia. 5 yrs.— not breeding— was withdrawn to fdbtten. 14. Ruth, 3 yrs., Joseph Hilton, New Scot- land, N. Y., "~225 16. Princess 6th, 4 weeks, Hon. A. B. Conger Waldeburg, N. Y., ' jj^ 16. Birthday 5ih, 2 weeks, Francfs Morris, 150 270 325 250 350 265 235 175 150 125 bourn Down Rahs. 1. Young York. 4 yrs , imported from Jonas Webb's flock, Samuel Thome, Thornedale N Y J400 2. A two year old, L, F. Allen, Black Rock, 25 TIGHT BINDING TEXT CUT OFF 244 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVB FARMER. [^VQ9m: n ill Ycarlingif sired by Young York, 3. John Bard, Tarrytown, N. Y., 4. S. 0. Wilson, Norwalk, Ct., 5. E. Corning, Jr., Albany, N. Y., 6 and 7. Mr. Sheldon, N. J., 8. Gen. Cadwallader, Philadelphia, Pa., 9. J. B. Crippen, Ooldwater, Mich., 10. Wm Summer, Columbia, S. 0 , 11 WW nionn Balk'Tnore. Md., 12. Simeon Orr, Mississippi, 13. W. Firmstone, Easton, Pa., 14. 15, 16, 17, L. F. Allen, Black Rock, N. Y., Ram Lambs. ^18. '* Master Fordh&m,'' J. C. Taylor, Mon- mouth Co., N. J., 19. Simeon Orr, Mississippi, 20. Thomas P. Devereaux„ Norfolk. Va., 21. J. C. Taylor, Monmouth Co., N. J., 22. 23, 24, 25, 26, John llunter, Westchester Co., N.Y., 140 175 125 220 105 99 70 55 40 30 105 130 40 35 40 n 60 $1,885 South Down Ewks. 1 — 5. Prize Lugar Ewes, imported, S. Thome, at $140, 150, 160, 140. 150, . $740 &. Jonas Webb Ewe, imported, J. C Taylor, Monmouth Co., N. J., 140 7 — 13. Jonas Webb Ewes. Samuel Thorne, $160, 130, 180, 140, 180, 105, 105, 1000 14. Jonas Webb Ewe, J. C. Taylor, 80 15, 16. Jonas Webb Ewes, Col. A. G. Summer, $100, 75, 175 17—21. Jonas Webb Ewes, E. Coming, Jr., tt $110 each, 550 22, 23. Bred by Col. Morris, J. C Taylor, at J $105 each, 210 24. Samuel Thome, 110 22, 26. Simeon Orr, at $100 each, 200 27—37. J. C. Taylor— six at $25 and five at $20 each, " 250 38, 39. Francis Morris, at $20 each, 40 Yearling Ewes, 40,41. Gen. Cadwallader, Philadelphia, at $55, 120 42, 43. Mr. Sheldon, Monmouth Co., N. J., at $50, 100 44—49. J. B. Crippen, Coldwater, Mich., at S50, 300 50—55. S. 0. Wilson, Norwalk, Ct., at $50, 300 56—59. Mr. Sheldon, N. J., at $45, 180 Ewe Lamb, 60, 61. J. H. Reid, Frederickton, N. B., at $40 80 j62— 74. Gen. Cadwallader, 2 at $40, 8 at $35, 3 at $20, • 420 75—77. J. C. Taylor, N. J., at $25, 75 78. Thomas P. Devereaux, Norfolk, Va., 15 TouDg Boars : one to R. Peters and Josiah Hil- ton, at $30— Mr. Wilmerding, Islip. L. I., $45— Simeon Orr and Mr. Hunter, at $20 L. F. Allen, $15, Imported sows; one to Mr. Firmstone, with 4 pigs, $75— one to Mr. Delaney, Va., $80 Mr. Hunter, $50. Sows bred by Col. Morris; one to Samuel Thorne, $65— Mr. Hunter, $60— Thomas Ellison, $45— Simeon Orr, $30— Mr. John- son, New York, $25— two to Wm. Giles, Yonkers, 20 and 25— L. F. Allen, 20— two to David Pugh, New Orleans, at $15 —one (crippled) Mr. Butterworth, 7 50— Jacob Buckhout, 35— R. Peters 50, 412 50 Pairs of Pigs ; J. G. Holbrook, 27 50— Joseph Hilton, 24— A. B. Conger, 22 50— William Giles, 21, '95 Three sucking Pigs, A. B. Conger, 37 50 Essex Swtnb Imported Boar, " Fisher Hobbs," 27 50, and two sows at 75 and 72 50 to A. B. Conger — one sow to John Hunter, 25— one to J. M. Miller, 25, and one to N. J. Becar, Pigs, 8 months old— two to George P. Nelson, Peekshill, at $25 each— one to John Jay, Bedford, 27 50, im] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE t-ARMER. 2IIS 280 7750 SCMMART. 16 Short Horn Bulls and Bull Calves. 7 Devon Bulls and Bull Calves, 16 Devon Cows and Heifer Calves, 27 South Down Rams and Ram Lambs, 78 South Down Ewes and Ewe Lambs Berkshire Swine, Essex Swine, * Bred by N. J. Becar. 1 f Bred by L. J. Morris. 135750 $5,315 0§ 1,50000 4.160 00 1,88500 5,07500 980 00 35750 $19,272 50 New Fertilizer.— R. P. Forlong, of Bristol, M has patented a new manufacture of manure, which? stated not only to be a fertilizer, but capable of pW" tecting the young shoots of plants from the ^^^^^1 and vermin. The patentee takes bone dust and t such a heat in a furnace as will fuse the sulph flour of sulphur, and mixes them together in . quantities, by weight. He then subjects them to jo o„«K « i,««4- ;« • Cty^antx oQ will fnfip. the sulphi^''' "^ BuRKSniRK SWINB. Imported Boars, Master Burke, R. Peters, and Sir Robert D. B. Haight, at $36 each, cause a thorough combination of the materials, this effect is obtained, he removes the compound W sets it aside to cool and solidify. After this i 5^5,075 ground fine between a pair of burr stones. Thenc ^ i of this fertilizer is reduced for use by mixing it ^ I an equal weight of gypsum. It is applied in the u 70' way— like guano. 8 Communicated to the Farm Journal. SUFSB FHOSPHATE of LIME, £rom BOASTED BONES. la a Super Phosphate of Lime, manufactured from Roast- ed Bones as vnhiablo for agricultural purposes as one made from Raw Bones ? This is a question of much interest to the agricultural cfinmunity ,• and ns it has repeatedly been put to me, I have taken some pnins to inform myself upon the subject j the resuU of which has been a conviction that it is an impossi- bility to make as valuable a preparation for agriculturnl purposes from raw bones as may be manufactured from roasted bones. In determining this question, we must first consider what coDstitutes the value of a Super Phosphate of Lime ; and gecondly, the relative amount of matter in each article, ca- pable of being mode valuable as a Super Phosphate. In answer to the first, it is universally admitted that the agricultural value of a Super Phosphate of Lime depends, First, upon the amount of Soluble, or Super Phosphate of Lime contained in the preparation. Secondly, the per centage of ammonia. Thirdly, the amonnt of insoluble phosphate. By the action of sulphuric acid upon the phosphate of lime contained cither in the raw or roasted bone, the soluble, or super phosphate is produced. 80 that the amount of guluble or super phosphate capable of being produced, will depend upon the amount of phosphate present in the.bones. Now raw bouea, as procured from dealers, rarely contains over 50 per cent, of phosphate of lime, and seldom yields over four per cent, of ammonia by decomposition, while good bono black (bones roasted in air tight vessels,} usually flontoins from 80 to 86 per cent of phosphate of lime. So that It will be impossible to produce as much soluble or su- perphosphnte from lOOlbs of raw as from lUOlbs of roasted bones; therefore, as far as both the soluble and insoluble phosphate is concerned, the roasted bones are from 30 to 35 per cent, the most valuable for manufacturing into super phosphate of lime. The next ingredient in ralne to the soluble or super phos- phate ig ammonia. Of this, roasted bones contain none, it being driven off by the heat employed in roasting. On the other hand, raw bones are capable of yielding about four percent, of ammonia, by decomposition. Thus we have in «Tery lOOlbs of raw boues, a compound out of which to make a super phosphate of lime, consisting of ^0 lbs. of Phosphate of Limt, 4 lbs. of Ammonia, (capable of being produced by the decomposition of the organic matter of the bones.) 46 lbs. of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Ac, J"Jich cannot be considered of much or any value. So that Jfthe purpose of procuring four lbs. of ammonia, we have oake use of 46 lbs. of matter which is of no particular more phosphate, (to be converted into a super phosphate,) than we have in the raw bone, and 23i lbs. less useless mat- ter for the purpoe of getting the same amount of ammopia. Estimating the phosphate of lime in each at 2i cts. per lb. and the ammonia at 12 cts. per lb., 100 lbs. of raw bones containing 50 lbs. phosphate at 21 cents, and four lbs. am- monia at 12 cents, it will be worth for the purpose of con- verting into a super phosphate of lime, (when finely ground) II C2. And 100 lbs. of the roasted bone compound, con- taininsr 73i lbs. Dhosphata and fnnr ih* »?»»*<.»;« *o ik 60 that super phosphate made from roasted bones will be worth nearly one-third more than a super phosphate made from raw bones, according to the above calculation, which cannot be considered as quite exact, from the fact that there are other causes which still further reduce the value of raw bones. Yours, C. P. HEWES. Wat Cheater, Cheater Co,, Pa, -•••- value. To the roasted bone the ammonia may be added in a much /' ^«nocntrated form. For instance, 100 lbs. of sulphate ^^ammoma contains 35 lbs. ammonia. 11^ lbs. of sulphate aminoaiawill therefore conUin four lbs. of ammonia. "lut by adding to 885 lbs. of raw bones Hi lbs. of sul- Mte of anjQi^nj,^ we have 100 lbs. of a compound, out of •c to make a super phosphate of Ume, consisting of 73t lbs Phosphate of Lime, . * ll>8 Ammonia, 22J lbs Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen, Ac, which may be ^ bo considered, in both cases, as of little value y comparing these two compounds, out of which a super ^^^sphate of lime is to be made, it will be seen that to every «• of the roasted bone compound, we have 23^ ibs. For the Farm Journal. Messrs. Editors : ' Having been brought up on a farm, it has always been my delight to see good farming. Nothing looks better, in my estimation, than to see a farm in good repair; to have first rate stock, and everything ap- plicable to their comfort and convenience, particularly dur ing the cold and chilling winters ; sheds are highly neces- sary for a person to have who pretends t^ farm and keep stock. I frequently hear persons say that cattle would do just as well without shelter as with : but I am far from be- lieving any such thing. It does not appear reasonable that stock of any kind will thrive and do ns well, exposed to the cold winds, as they will to have good shelter. It is generally the opinion of inexperienced persons, that it is no accomplishment to be a farmer, and that any one might be a farmer, whether he ever worked on a farm or not Now it is my opinion that it is just as much of a trade to be a good, practical farmer, in this age of the world, as it is to be a mechanic of any kind. And the only way to ob- tain a true knowledge of the art of farming is by taking a paper or journal devoted expressly to agriculture, horticul- ture, Ac If "armers would, instead of laying out their money for articles of no use to themselves nor families, lay it out for some agricultural paper, and learn lessons of farm- ing therefrom, it would be much better, and highly advan- tageous to both them and their children. If those pretend- ing to be farmers would go in strict accordance with the rules laid down in the Farm Journal, we would not see so many farms over-run with noxious weeds, thistles and briers, as we do at the present day. I would recommend the Farm Journal to every man who pretends to be a farmer. Some may say they are not able, but I think the benefit derived from one number would am- ply repay him for his whole year's subscription. Milton, July, 1856. C. M. Can you give us a effectual method of destroying th« Canada Thistle ? • CM. «•» For the Farm Journal. PENNSYLVANIA FAKM SCHOOL Messrs Editors: — In the July No. of your "Journal '* appeared several articles signed •• W," giving a short but most encouraging notice of the progress of the ground improvements, of the above Institution — the foreshadow- ing for a '* seat of learning," such as the coming genera- tion, who will reap its rich blessings, may well be longing to enjoy, and which will redound greatly to the honor of fl TIGHT RTNDTNr, il SHr 246 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Auauif. those noble spirits, who, encompased with difficulties and popular prejudice, persevered against all obstacles m accomplishing their praiseworthy undertaking. Every Pennsylvanian should be proud of such an Institution, «« go hand and heart" in its favor, and aid by all the means in his power to accelerate its speedy completion, and opening of its doors to the many applicants, who are even now awaiting with anxiety the time when they may share its benefits, and reap the honored and useful reward of a practical education. It is most unaccountable, that our " Solons" at Harrisburg, should be such great economists, in a matter of this kind, as to " tighten the purse strings" of the commonwealth against squandering n, few thousand dollars for the building up of this Institution, when it is well known (and we are forcibly reminded of the fact every time the tax collector gives us a call) that hundreds of thousands are annually appropriated towards far less worthy objects. There was even found in the Legislature of last Winter a sinf/le member, who had the bold assurance to make a '♦ motion" withdrawing the paltry stipend now annually contributed by the State ! I trust there will be none, not even one, in the next Legislature, of 80 craven a spirit, as to aim at notoriety, by so unworthy a course, as to use his paltry influence in trying to embarass, or impede the prosperity of so useful an Institution. The Pennsylvania Agricultural Society has not the necessary funds in hand to prosecute to completion the buildings, and to lay out and establish the grounds with that speed that would be desirable, and for this reason, it is considered more in accordance with a just sense of the responsibility of the Society, to make a beginning, and to progress towards a completion, as fast as the funds will warrant, trusting a more liberal, and therefore a better spirit will animate the community; such an Institution can not be brought to perfection in a year, scarcely in a lifetime ; though the buildings may be put up — the grounds laid out — trees planted — and even a course of studies commenced, yet it will take years before the Orchard will bear fruit — or the arboretum become a full grown ffrove academia ! It is a great satisfaction to knoWf however, that the Horticulturist engaged in laying out and beautifying the grounds, is a gentleman fully competent to the task, and who, not merely understands his profession, but who has the energy, perseverance and ** go aheaditiveness" necessary to accomplish the object aimed at, in the most economical manner, and shortest possible time. All he wants is the means. It will therefore be very appropriate, if persons who may have fruit, or ornamental trees, shrubs, plants, seeds, &o., suitable to transplant, and which they can spare, to send a few for the benefit of the Institution. All such favors will b% gi'atcfully received, and properly disposed of. With my best wishes for the prosperity of the '^Farmer's School,'* I remain, Yours, J. B. G. Columbia, Pa., July 21, 1856. «•• PENN8YLVANU AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. The Executive Committee, of the Pennsylvania Agri- cultural Society, met yesterday at the Monongahela House. Members present—Janxes Gowen, Esq., Presi- dent of the Society ; A. Boyd Hamilton, Corresponding Secretary; George H. Bucher, Treasurer; Robert C. Walker, Recording Secretary; and Vice Presidents, John P. Rutherford, James Miles, John Murdoch, Jr., and William Martin, Sr. On motion, James Gowen was callen to the Chair. The premium list for the coming annual exhibition it Pittsburgh was adopted after it had been amended sou to make it the most comprehensive and liberal ever yet issued by the Society. Several new and aitracuTe features were added, which will make the exhibition on« of great interest, and conduce greatly to encoui*age tk« emulation that has been so spiritedly manifested by ex- hibitors on the occasion of former State Fairs. A specific class has been established for Pittsburgh manufactures, and a silver medal offered to each, for the best display in their business. The amount offered to exhibitors, in money and silm plate, will probably exceed seven thousand dollars. A committee was appointed to wait upon the Horti- cultural Society, of Alleghany county, with a view to make arrangements with said Society, to have their annual exhibition in connection with the State Fuir. The following is the Committee of Arrangements, appointed by the State Society, for the approacliiDg annual exhibition ; — Wra. Martin, Sr., Chairman; J. McK. Snod grass, Benjamin Kelly, Capt. John Young, Robert C. Walker, James Miles, John H. Ewing, John Murdoch, Jr. and John McFarland. The Treasurer was authorized to place in the hands of the Committee of Arrangements, a sufficient sum of money to complete the preparations upon the Fair grounds. A Committee consisting of John P. ilutherford, A. Boyd Hamilton and Robert C. Walker, was appointed to invite a suitable person to deliver the annual addreii. The members of the Committee from the western part of the State, indulged in lively expressions of the pros- pects for the exhibition, and no one doubted, but thil the State Fair this full would be as successful as mJ preceding one. | After a long and tedious session in the transaction of an unusual amount of business, the Committee adjourned. Pittsburgh, July 16, 1866. EFFECT OF FLOWERS ON THE AK OF ROOIIS. Pbof. Gray writes to a correspondent of the ** Counti7 Gentleman" the following information relative to tb» effect of plants on the nature of the air of rooms. Pwt Gray says — •* As to their foliage affecting the air, plants practicaHj neither benefit nor injure the air of rooms— t!»e amount of oxygen they increase in daylight, or that of carbonic acid they increase by night, not being large enough relatively, to make a sensible difference to an individuri in the room. For instance, the amount of carbonic fl<* a dozen potted shrubs would exhale in a single mg would be less than what a child sleeping in the roo« would exhale in the same time, or a small niglit-la"? burning would exhale, and this, in the actual open sU" of our appartments would be wholly unimportant affecting health. The real objection to plants in slecp'i'l apartments is owing — „ M 185«.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. 247 Ist. To the dampness they might cause from exhalation or evaporation, as they must bo kept moist ; and 2d, and chiefly, from the unpleasant effects of the odors of most blossoms in close rooms. The unpleasant effects here are owing to the volatile oil, etc. in the aroma, and not to the carbonic acid ; for though flowers do give out carbonic acid gas, day or night, yet this is not copious enough, by its accumulations for a night, to do the lea£t damage. Very odorous flowers often prove injurious in a close room on account of their exhalations, which contain volatile oils and other principles. I have known persons made ill by sitting under a flowering Pittosporum, in an ordinary room in the day-time. At night it is generally worse, both on account of the room being close(}, and from the fact that some flowers exhale their odors most abundantly at night." -••^ KEW MOWING MACHINES. ' Machines for •uowing are coming into such general use, that any improvement which has for its object the lessening of the expenses of their construction, is worthy of attention. The invention illustrated hj the accompanying engravings belongs to this class. Figure 1 is a side delation ; figure 2 a top view, and figure 3 a section. One improvement consists in making the frame. A, of light strong iron, and placing the driving wheel, the tongue is further secured by a brace E' ; the upper part of frame A terminates in a driver's seat, F. The finger bar, G, is made of wood ; it is attached to D, by an over-lap and bolts, as seen in figure 3 ; the connection is further strengthened by bolts and plates on the opposite rfdes of the parts, shown in dotted lines ; the finger bar is of wood, made in the usual manner. The pinions are placed quite near the driving wheel, so that the gearing, is out of the way, and protected from the grass, dirt, &c., while the machine B, between, as shown in fig. 2. The driving wheel ; is rendered very compact. The method of costruc ting has cogs upon it, by means of which, and suitable | the frame and attaching the tongue is at once simple, pinions, pitman, &c., motion is given to the cutters, ( strong, and economical in construction. The joint C. The lower parts of frame A bend down and con- i ^<^tween bars D and G is also cheap, but very strong, nect with the bar, D : they also extend forward far ! ]^'^ ^"^ention pos^^sses several valuable features . , , . .X. i e. . T^ *"^ ^'^^^' "° doubt, find favor among agraicultunsts. eaough to receive Aod support the draft tongue, E ; i The inventor is Mr. Collins B. Brown, Alton, III. TIGHT BINDING ^m THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROaRESSIVE EARMER. [AUGtiT. *l KBW ROTARY PUMP. Mr. HosBA LiNDSBT, of Ashville, N. C , is the in- Tentor of a new lift and force pump which presents MTeral novel and useful features ; herewith we present an engraving of the invention. The pump barrel, A, is placed horizontally at the bottom of the well, and is made to revolve by means of hollow shaft, B. Each end of the pump barrel is furnished with a piston, the outer extremity of whose rods provided with friction wheels, C, As the pump barrel revolves, these wheels, C, come in contact with the cam-shaped half circle, D, and the pistons are thug alternately moved in and out ; the pistions are eon. nected together by rods, E, so that when one i% pushed in the other goes out. The action of the pistons forces the water up thi hollow shaft, B, and it escapes through the crank,? one end of which is hollow for that purpose. Motion is given by turning the handle, G. The circular basin, from F, as it turns around. Water may be raised to an indefinite height by the use of this pump, at a comparatively small expense, The common iorce pump must be placed within thirty feet of the water, and in addition to the induction and eduction pipes and air chamber, requires to have i pistion rod, extending from the top of the well down to the piston. In the present improvement no such air chamber or rod is required ; the hollow shaft, B, serves the double purpose of communicating motion and conducting the water. HOME-MADE GUANO. S. Tennet, in the New England Farmer, says, though much as has been said and written upon the subject, there are still some who neglect this Boarcle of enriching the farm and garden, viz., the scrapings of the poultry-roost. I have used it for two years, and am fully convinced of its utility as a fertilizer. For all kinds of garden vegetables, I consider it ex- cellent. Last season I used it in the hill on corn, but had not quite enough to go over n^y pi?ce, and the result was^ there was fully one- third more corn where it was applied than where it was not, though I pot only a small handful to a hill. It was prepared as follows : — One-half hen manure, one- half decomposed swamp muck, and one bushel of ashes to four of the mixture, put in the day it was used. The ashes should not be put in until it is to be used, as they will set free the ammonia and thereby cause a loss. In conclusion, save what you have at home, before going abroad after fertilizers ; so says common sense. «#* Tomatoes for Stock. — It is needless to say anything respecting tomatoes, as an article of human food, but we think they will yet be used extensively as food for stock. The proportion of solid nutriment furnished by this plant is not large, still it is not inconsiderable; and taking into account the great bulk obtained from a very small surface of ground, we have no reason to doubt the profitableness of tomatoes as food for cows» hogs, &c. A friend writes us that last season he boiled a bushel a day, with a little meal and some green pumpkins and squashes, and fed five cows upon the mixture. The result was a large increase of milk, wd a peculiarly rich flavor and color of the butter. A friend at our elbow says he has fed tomatoes, both cooked and raw, to his cows, and with the happiest results. 1866.] THE FARM JOUNRALAND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 240 PHILADELPHIA, AUGUST. 1866. | EDIT0B*8 TABLE. STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. We have received a letter from R. C. Walker, Esq., the Secretary of the State Agricultural Society, which informs ug that the grounds and buildings of the Alleghany Society having been secured for the coming exhibition, but little mnrei preparation is needed. The grounds and buildings of the Alleghany Society are very complete, and remarkably well adapted to the purpose. We also lenrn that the greatest interest in regard to the Bxhibition prevails through the whole of the Western part of the State, and that there is no doubt that the coming display will equal, in every particular, the one made at Pitts- hurg a few years since. It ought, and we havo no doubt will be, better : for the impetus given to every branch of agricultural and domestic economy by the fine County ex- hibitions in the West, cannot but have the eflfect of drawing out spirited competition. Some of the finest cattle, sheep and horses in Pennsylvania are to be found West of the Alleghanys, and will doubtless be on the grounds. We hope that the farmers and mechanics in that section will not be sparing in their efforts, and that the rivalry will be rafflciently strong to render the State Exhibition fully equal to that of the United States Society, which is to be held in this city this fall. We would commend the State Society's Exhibition to the Special notice of Manufacturers in the Eastern portion of the State. It is their interest, as it should be their pride, to assist in rendering it creditable in every particular. No finer opportunity could be desired than this, for bringing prominently before a great many thousands of people in the Western part of our own and the Eastern part of the State of Ohio, evidences of their taste and skill. It is desirable that every branch of manufacturing industry should be well represented, as it could not fail but have a salutary effect. Railroad facilities are now so ample, that the difficulties and expense which formerly attended the transportation of goods, »re in a grent measure obviated. We therefore again urge npon our Mechanics and Manufacturers the policy of having themselves fairly represented, assuring them that the man- agers will leave nothing undone which will in any degree serve t3 promote their interest and convenience. Such as way not be able to attend in person, can have their goods shipped to Pittsburg free of expense, delivered on the Fair grounds, and exhibited as fairly as if present themselves. We will take pleasure in forwarding any articles, or im- parting such information as may be in our power to those desiring it «»» TRY YOUB HAKD AT IT. It is a humiliating yet incontrovertible fact, that while oar political and literary publications teem with original Contributions, our agricultural journals have to beg for them, w though men competent to write a practical article upon «ome subject connected with their daily avocation were re- *"y scarce. Now this is all wrong — wrong in every sense. That there are ton thousand farmers in the State of Penn- sylvania who could, if they would^ write a sensible, practical article for an agricultural paper once a month, at least, no on* will pretend to deny. And yet, how many are there of ^"18 ten thousand who ever attempt or even think of it? we are to judge by the number of contributions which appear in our monthly journals, about one in a thoutand. Think of that, farmers. One in a thousand ! Is it not too bad? A correspondent in our last number presented some sensi* ble remarks on this subject, and we commend a re-perusal* of them to all our subscribers. Good friends, we want your experience. Write it out in your own style. Never mind polished sentences, or well rounded periods. Only give us the facts — stubborn facts — and if you have a theory which you think valuable, give us that. Let n» be the judge of the fitness of the article for publication. If it needs prun- ing or amending, wo will endeavor to put it in an acoeptablo form. What we. want are the facts and ideas. We submit it to the serious and candid consideration of our readers whether this demand is an unreasonable one. It is certainly no great task to write out the result of some experiment, or to put to paper a thought which may be val- uable if discussed and fully developed. If it is a task at first, it will not be so long. A very little practice and per-- severance will render it a pleasure. It will become a pleas- ant recreation, a relaxation from the severe physical duties of your calling. Shall we have enough original articles to fill our nexl number ? If but a single farmer in one half of the counties of our state will sit down and give one hour's attention to this request, we shall have not only enough but more than enough. Try it, friends, try it, and when you see your ar- ticles in print, and find that your suggestions and experi- ments are doing good to your fellow men, we venture the prediction that you will feel suiRciently encouraged to per- severe in the good work. A habit of observation and writ- ing once acquired, and you are possessed of a means of en- joyment, of which, until you have secured it, you can have no conception. Try it, therefore, for your own benefit, for the benefit of your neighbors, and for the benefit of your children. We repeat it, try it, if but once, and let our drawer for the next month be filled with your articles. A word to our old correspondents, — to those who have proven theuselves competent writers. Why are you so silent? Why are our columns no longer the medium by which yur valuab le thoughts and suggestions are presented to the farmer? Friends, we shall be much pleased to hear from you again. We want your articles. Our readers want them. Sit down to the good work once more. Sit down at once. To you, writing is not a task. In a word, old corres- pondents and new, we shall feel deeply indebted if we havo a hearty, whole-souled response to this appeal. Try it, and see if our jounial will not present an array of substantial articles, which every farmer may read with profit. «••- Oats and Corn. — The oat crop in this vicinity is nn' usually light, conseduent upon the drought. Corn looks much better than it did a few -weeks since. The few showers we have bad, and the excessively warm weather which followed them, removed the well-founded apprehension that the corn crop would prove a failurej as it is, we can scarcely look for an average yield, from the fact that so much of the early and even later plant- ings failed to grow. Sullivan County Fair. — The fifth annual exhibition of this flourishing Society will be held at Laporte, Sept. 26 and 26. The list of Premiums is not only extensive, embracing every department of agricultural produce, but the premiums are liberal, and we learn that the prospect for a good exhibition is very flattering. ii TIGHT BINDING S50 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Auaust WHAT IS DOING IN SCIENCE AND PRACTICAL ART 1 We prO|^>o^e, in a series of occasional communications, to post up our readers in a familiar manner, with respect to some of the most important transactions in science and practical art, as they from time to time occur; giv- ing facts and theories, and perhaps a stray *' bit of gos- sip." Mechanical improvements and inventions gene- rally find their way before the public through the medium of the public prints, or the agency of parties interested, with a great degree of promptitude ; but the progress made in the other and less familiar branches of science is rarely reported in a popular manner. No little attention has been excited during the past two years, by the preparation in considerable quantities of those rare metals wiiich form the bases of the so-call- ed "earths." The most important of these bodies is Aluminium, the metal which, united to oxygen, forme the great bulk of our clays. Deville, of Paris, has succeed- ed in preparing this metal in quantity, at a price a little less than the value of an equal weight of gold ; and Du- mas, the eminent French Chemiat, prophecies that ulti- mately it will be made cheaper than silver. As prepared by Deville, this metal Aluminium has most curious pro- perties ; it is white, with a lustre like silver, can be made by hammering harder than iron, and is lighter than glass. It is not affected by most of the acids, and although easily melted, never tarnishes. When Alumi- nium becomes cheap, the latter property will undoubt edly bring it at once into varied and extensive use for many articles of domestic economy — tea utensils, spoons, knives and forks, door knobs, &c., which will not need rubbing, only washing — verily the r.Menium of house- keepers is not distant. Then we have another metal, Glucina, which much resembles Aluminium, but is still lighter, being only about twice as heavy as water. Iron, it will be remembered, in about eight times heavier than water, and gold nearly twenty times heavier. Both these metals are sonorous in a remarkable degree, and a bell formed of them would prove as musical as if made of the finest glass. A writer in one of the English mag- azines has suggested that by the employment of these metals in musical instruments, as for the construction of strings, keys, &c., great additions of power and tone would be obtained. The idea of the compound nature of many of the bod- ies which are now considered and classed as elementary, seems gradually to be gaining ground among the leading chemists. We do not mean to be understood as saying that a belief in the old doctrine of the Alchemists is again becoming paramount, that one substance may be changed or transmuted into another ; but there are strong reasons for thinking that nitrogen, iodine, chlo- rine, and some other substances, will ere long, under the course of experimentation, break down, and show their true character or compounds. Speaking of metals leads us to notice the discovery recently made of the existence of large quantities of native iron — that is, iron in a pure malleable state — on the West coast of Africa, near to the colony of Liberia. Copper, silver and gold are, it is well known, found in this condition, but this is the first instance in which iron has been found in a pure state upon the surface of 1866.1 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 251 the earth, occurring in large masses or beds. Meteoric masses of native iron are not infrequent, but they pog sess a different and distinctive character. A meteoriti has recently been obtained in Greenland, which has th« composition of cast-iron, that is, it contains carbon and iron, thus proving the existence of carbon, and indirectly that of organization in the region it originally cane from. The discovery of the native iron of Liberia is due to Dr. A. A. Hayes, of Boston, who obtained speci- mens sent to the Colonization Society, as samples of iron nro An nttpmnf lia« hpon morla Kv a «>••»«.. :_ 4» Journal of the Franklin Institute, to throw some doubt upon this discovery; but there can be none, and theaN guments used in the article in question, show that tlii author has never fully examined the matter. A curious incident connected with the bombardmeat of Grey town has, we believe, never come before the p^iblic, and may prove interesting to recall at the pres- ent time, when so much discussion is going on relatife to the efficiency of the navy. It seems that the War and Navy Departments have been for a number of years acquainted with the method of preparing a percussioa shell, or bomb, so arranged as to be fired without a fn. see, and to explode when coming in contact with a hard body by percussion. Such an invention has long been considered a great dcsidcraium by military men, and every attempt made in Europe to accomplish it, his failed. Notwithstanding, the U. S. Government got possession of the secret, and kept it welLs When the Cyane sailed for Greytown, some of these shells were pot on board, to be used if the occasion presented itself. To fire them, it was necessary that a particular part shonld be uncapped, or have a bit of lead removed from it; bat in the wondrous fight which took place, this importaBt circumstance entirely escaped the notice of the officers and crew of the Cyane, and the shells were fired without the necessary preparation. Of course they failed to bu. St. A day or two after, a British sloop of war arrifed in the harbor, and these peculiar shells being noticed among the ruins, they were carefully picked up, and forthwith despatched to England. The result has been, that the secret is not only out, but our officers have been congratulated by English military men on the important discovery which they were able to make, bat nol to keep. M. Dureau de Malle has recently discovered in tfce library at Rennes, France, a manuscript illustrated with drawings representing the arms used in war in the 16th century. It is a French translation of a celebrated work written in 1473, entitled Gmvernement des RoiSf ^^^ contained, originally, ten designs, which are attributed to Jean de Bruges, •♦ Grand Maitre" of the Artillery of the Duke of Bourgogne, Philip ♦♦ Le Bon." These de- signs are now but seven in number, but they are suffi- cient to prove that cannon, howitzers, hollow projectilei and bombs were not a Flemish invention, and that the; were not first used at the battle of Cressy ; that these agents of destruction were perfectly well known at th« end of the 14th century and the commencement .of the 15th. Even the Paixhan guns were not a recent in^^"' tion, though re-introduced in modern times. I THE UNIMPROVED LANDS OF NOBTBERN PENNSYLVANIA. We have become so accustomed to think and speak of the West as a perfect El Dorado, that nothing short of aa actual tour through it will satisfy an Eastern man, and particularly a Pennsylvanian, that his own State is ittst as desirable, and presents as many attractions as a place of residence, or for the purposes of money making. Our own convictions upon this point have been very nmcn {)ircii^it*citcv4 uj at tcovub til ip luiutAgu vUw KHMn.%>a of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. While we saw much to admire, in the energy and enterprise which characterize the people of these States, we saw much more to make us f jel entirely satisfied with our own good commonwealth, and we returned to it with the full im- pression that where skill, energy and perseverance desired a profitable outlet, the unimproved lands of Pennsylvania offered attractions as great as those of any of tlie States through which we passed, and that a knowledge of this fact is all that is wanting to turn the tkle of emigration partially at least from the far west, to the unimproved lands, millions of acres of which are lying at our very doors, awaiting the hand of industry to reader them productive and profitable. In a former article on this subject we referred to the unimproved lands iu the Northern tier of counties of Pennsylvania, ns presenting the strongest inducements to industrious and enterprising farmers. We solicited uiformation in regard to their agricultural and mineral Talue, and were led to hope that some of the residents woald supply it. la this particular we hiive been (except in a single instance) disappointed. But even in the absence of this desired particular information, we have enough of a general character to make out our case, and establish the position we have assumed, viz., that the unimproved lands of Northern Pennsylvania present stronger inducements to the actual settler than the lands of the far west. AU who are familiar with the agricultural character of the lower or Southern tier of counties in the State of New York are aware of the fact that the soil is almost precisely the same in character as that of the counties which they adjoin in Pennsylvania, and that they have, under the fostering hand of improvement, become in an agricultural point of view, the most important and ▼aluable counties in the whole State of New York. The reason of this is evident at a moment's glance. Thopublic improvements which pass through them, have served to develope their ample resources, and place them within reach of a profitaV>le market. Had the same policy been pursued in Pennsylvania in regard to her Northern counties, they would now, instead of being comparatively unimproved, be rivalling the best counties of our sister State, and adding to the wealth and prosperity of our own. But such has not been the case; the spirit of improvement never extended itself sufficiently in that direction ; our enterprising capatalists preferring the more distant sources of supply, leaving those within comparatively easy reach, and within our own borders, to await that " good time coming," so frequently promised *ud so certain to come, sooner or later. Some of the causes which have served to delay the settlement and proper cultivation of this highly valuable portion of our State will be found in the following extracts which we make from a letter on the subject by an old and highly intelligent farmer of Susquehanna county. EXTRACT. I am entirely willing to admit, that the lands of Northern Pennsylvania taking into consideration their locality, their natural productions, their unrivalled 1 ^<».. r\r\w£\m* activity and moral principle of their inhabitants, are equal for most farming purposes to any of the Western States; but no country in the United States has had to struggle with one-tenth of the difficulties that attend upon new settlements, (difficulties that have been met, and are now partly overcome by the inhabitants,) like the unimproved lands of Northern Pennsylvania. They were for fifty years before and after the Revolution, the seat of a relentless and cruel war, between rival States, wnged with all the bitterness of sectional, and religious controversy. And being mostly settled by chartered companies from Con- necticut and the Eastern States, the conquest attended as it was with perfidious violations of promises, and with an armed expulsion of the inhabitants, drove thousands and tens of thousands to the western reserve, and to other parts of the Western States. This was but one of the causes that retarded their progress. They were, long after the settlement of that controversy, under the ban of that State policy that forfeited a man's estate, not for crime, nor for the commission of any overt act, but for a mere omission (often unintentional) to pay his taxes. The courts holding such legislation to be penal statutes, required strict and rigid construction of all laws that forfeited lands for non-payment. Hence continued litiga- tion, involving titles in inextricable confusion, and a determination on the part of speculators to hold such quantities as 120,000 acres without putting settlers on them, unless at extravagant prices. And I have at this moment personal knowledge of one combination of wealthy men holding a million of acres, and another of half a million, not a foot of which could be obtained for less than three and four dollars per acre, while the United States Government was selling at from 60 cents to $1.25. Add to this the nominal purchases of John Nicholson, the many frauds that followed it, the claim of the State to hold alien upon his lands, utterly unknown to purchasers, because not registered in any of the counties where the lands were situated, and the con- tinuation of that lien with all its iniquities for a period of 52 years, upon another million of acres ; many of them the very best lands in the State. Add to this combination of circumstances, the donations of the public lands in the Western States, to Rail Road Companies, to Colleges, Schools, and otherpublic objects, millions upon millions of dollars being thus expended to enhance the value of western lands, and excite th# industry of their inhabitants, while every effort to obtain one dollar for Northern Pennsylvania was laughed at with derision and scorn. If I should go on enumerating the various causes that have contributed to the present state of things here, the surprise you express would be exchanged for an acknowledgement, that we have over- TIGHT BINDING 252 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. m' [AuGtw; '■> 'I h come more adyerse circumstancea than any of those who emigrated a thousand miles over lakes and rivers to the west. I will only add that the yarious circumstances to which I have alluded kept those who thought happiness could be obtained in Pennsylvania, along her southern border ; and in her central counties ; and thus a large majority of her Legislature being southern members, her public improvements were of course all made there, and out of forty niiUions of dollars of State debt, incurred for tkoMimnrovArnoni'a fnr tho inl^aroaf /vf vrhioh ^)io Vni^f hoi«n edunties have been steadily taxed, not one million has been expended North of the 41° of North Latitude. HOLKUAM. Fnendsvilley Susq. Co., Fa , 6 wo., 1856. From these it will be seen that a host of influences have been operating with powerful force against the occupation and improvement of these lands. There is every reason to believe that these hindrances to the prosperity of these uncultivated lands will shortly be removed, as it appears impossible that our legislators can much longer remain blinded to the importance of making such improvements as will lead settlers to pause and compare the advantages of lands with a market at their very door, with others not only distant from market, but unhealthy in location and in almost every particular less desirable. <«i CTHiTIVATION OF THE SUN FLOWEB AS AN AGRICULTURAL PLANT. The Sun Flower, (Helianthus annuus) though a highly ornamental plant in the garden and the shrubbery, possesses much more valuable and profitable qualities, than it generally gets credit for, and from its utility and hardihood, in many instances maybe profitably cultivated in the field. The stalks when burned for alkali, are reported to yield 10 per cent of potash ; the green leaves when dried and reduced to powder, and mixed with bran, according to some French writers, are excellent food for cows, and greedily consumed by them. In Portugal, the seeds are made into meal and bread, and in America, they are roasted and substituted for coffee. But their chief value in a commercial point of view, is in the great quantity of a very pure oil which may be expressed from them, which is reported to be little inferior to olive oil, and suited for table use, burning in lamps, and for the manufacture of soap. The seeds are also greedily devoured by birds, and yield a cheap food for poultry, with the further advantage, it is said, of rendering the hens prolific, and the cake produced after expressing the oil is excellent for cattle feeding. The produce must vary considerably with the soil, and other circumstances, but it has been found to yield 60 bushels of seed per statute acre, producing about 60 gallons of oil and about 1500 lbs. of oil cake. Though the plant seems to flourish in any soil, and to require but little care or attention, that which is most suitable for it is dry deep loam, and rich in alkaline matter. Fresh sea mud makes an admirable manure for it, and if the soil be heavy, may be advantageously prepared by dressing with shell, sand, limestone, gravel, or any other opening calcareous matter; but it should be well worked and finely pulverized. The best time to sow is early in March, in dry weather, and as the plant bears trans- planting admirably, the seeds may be either sown per- manently where they are to remain, or in drills 18 iLches apart in a nursery, for future transplanting, the proper time for which will be when the young plant has perfected its fourth leaf. They may then be planted out in rowi 18 inches apart, and at 12 inches plant from planting row. If sown where they are to stand, drills should be drawn by the hoe, about an inch deep, 18 inches apart, auu LUC aVVQa svaitcicvi tutuij (uu>a|^ ii, aQui vuvctcu up, or what is better and more economical, the seeds may be dibbled in rows at the above distance three or four inches apart in the rows, and when of the size described thinned out to 12 inches apart* The thinnings if care- fully lifted may be transplanted as above directed, if required, watering the plants if the weather be dry. Keep the land clean of weeds by the hoe, putting a little earth round the plants for about six weeks, when the leaves will so cover the land as to smother all the weeds, and will require no further care till the crop is fit for harvesting, saving that it may and no doubt will be found necessary to remove all the secondary flowers, which would only tend to rob the primary flowers of the nutriment required, and retard their ripening. "When the heads are ripe, or nearly so, the plants should be cut down near the ground, choosing dry weather, thiC no wet may stick or remain in the flower heads, and remove them to a dry airy shed, where they are to i*cmain until quite dry, when the seeds may be extracted. Ai they are particularly susceptible to moisture, which is injurious to their keeping quality, they should not b« left on the ground, but be stored away in a dry airy place, where the vermin cannot get at them. Hitherto, the cultivation of the Sun flower has be«|; chiefly confined to gardens and shrubberies, as |P ornamental plant, where it flourishes without much cart or trouble, in the most ordinary soils, except merely the sovwng the seeds, and keeping down weeds, and we can safely recommend its culture as a field plant, but only on a limited scale, till we get more practically acquainted with it, and until its uses are better developed. [The above from the Irish Farmer's Gazette commends itself to the attention of our farmers. It has long been a matter of surprise that more attention has not been paid to the cultivation of this plant. That it will succeed admirably in our climate and in almost any soil, but especially our heavy limestone, we have had abundant evidence for the last twenty years. If as stated above, its stalks when burned yield 10 per. cent of potash and fifty gallons of oil can be produced from an acre, leaving 1500 lbs of excellent oil cake, as well as a handsome yield of food for cows from the leaves, the inducements for its cultivation are certainly strong, and we shall be pleased to learn that some of our farmers are willing t . Apples and Pears. — The apple crop promises tolerably fair. We have during the last four or five weeks passed over a large portion of the territory surrounding Phila- delphia, and have observed that the apple trees were nearly all well set with fruit. The young apples appear to be sound and healthy, though we do hear occasionally of instances where the fruit is dropping rapidly. Pears are abundant. We have never known a finer prospect, at least never on standard trees. i "rinuT RTMniMr: 254 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER'. AuGQit, r.i I-' '■•vll ■*■■"'.. -i^ 'J J. PAYNE LOWE. We take much pleasure in quoting the following, relative to the intended tour of our worthy collaberateur, Mr. Lowe, from the New York Tribune. Several of his contributions to the Working Farmer^ of which he is an associate editor, have come under our notices, and they are of such a character as assure us that he is working with a view to the best interests of agriculture. His lectures during the past winter in the British provinces were well recieved. We wish him all success in gathering and imparting information. " J. Payne Lowe, a pupil of Professor Mapes, and a young man of decided ability, who has made the science of Agriculture a study, particularly wheat and its enemies, and has done something in the way of lecturing upon the necessity and advantage of agricultural improvements, is about starting on an extended tour West, both to gain and impart information. We think we are doing a service to the country in publishing the fact, and saying that his theories or lec- tures are not of the ♦* Terra Culture" humbug order. Mr. Lowe certainly possesses knowledge that would benefit the country annually to the amount of millions of dollars if possessed by all the cultivators of American soil." -••»■ Harvest. — Haymaking and Harvesting is now com- pleted—the exceedingly favorable weather enabling the farmers to secure these important crops in the finest possible condition. The hay crop is much lighter than was anticipated earlier in the season. The wheat crop can scarcely be called an average one, and yet it will not fall materially short. The quality of the wheat is remaikably good, and the excellent condition in which it was harvested, together with the fact that it was gath- ered with much less trouble and expense than in less favorable seasons, all go to make up the deficiency in quantity, and ought to make the farmers feel satisfied with the return. -«••- From the Gerniantowu Telejrraph. MANAGEMENT OF MOWING FIELDS. There appears to be a very great discrepancy in the practice of our farmers in managing their mow ing lands. The want of system is too generally observable, even among the most judicious and intelligent ; and the rea- son of this^, undoubtedly, is i\\Q tenacity with which as a class, we cling to old usages, and the customs of our predecessors, which we adopt as precedents, and plead in justification even of tenets which are clearly wrong One great cause of the speedy emasculation of grass lands, IS the imperfect methods adopted in laying them down. It is supposed by many that a good -catch" cannot be secured unless the grass seed is sown with an accompanying crop of grain to protect thenacent plants from the too direct rays of the sun, which is supposed to exert a stultifying influence and to greatly retard its development and growth while young. With equal pro pnety might the cultivator of corn permit the growth of weeds ,n the fields occupied by that cr.p upon'thl pre sumption that the shade afforded by the former is \ protection to the latter, and tends to keep the soil moist by preventing the evaporation of moisture during seasons of excessive drought. No sane man, however, can b«. lieve this. All vegetables exhaust moisture, and a t^ dundant development of course effects this with arapidit. proportioned to its extent. Consequently the practice of sowing wheat, oats or other grains with grass seedt must deprive the latter of a portion of the liquids nee«|. sary for the solution of their appropriate food, anditij only in a liquid or fluid state that they can receive their aliment, be it of whatever character it may. Experience has shown that lh« most indiViAn* ..j ultimately, the most economical method of laying landi to grass, is to sow the seed immediately after corn or potatoes, or some other weeded crop, and without any accompanying crop. This insures a ready and vigorous germination, a rapid and healthy development of the youthful plants, and a remunerating crop ; and sccnr« a sustained production which can be effected so readil? and cheaply in no other way. In examining, carefully, fields managed in this way, we shall find that the planU have a much broader expansion, and firmer grasp upon the soil, than the roots of the same kind of plants on lands which have matured a crop of cereals. By cleansing the surface of lands after taking off i crop of potatoes, for instance, thoroughly pulverizing it by harrowing, having previou.sly applied, broad cast, i few cords of fine compost, or old, well-rotted stable ma- nure, and sowing herdsgra^^, red top and clover, allow- ing about double the quantity usually sowed, and covc^ ing it by means of a suitable harrow, followed by the roller— we shall be sure to secure a good crop of hay the next year, which will exceed in value the grain which the soil would have produced, to say nothing of the exhaustion of the soil which the latter would necessarily effect. If we examine grass plants growing among wheat, oats or barley, or indeed^ with any dry crop, we shall find them exceedingly weak and spindling ; the foliage, when there is any, p:ile and thin, and the whole appearance of the plant indicating imbecility and disease. Such is not the case where the seed is sown by itself. It then starts vigorously, comes forward with a rapid and «oi- tained development, and is not subject to those sudden and fatal checks which militate so powerfully against their advancement when shaded by grain. Very few farmers top dress their grass lands. Many regard manure applied in this way a dead loss. Prog- ress and experience will correct this mistake. The application of special fertilizers to mowing lands, is now becoming quite common, and where the soil is replete with the staple of vegetation, the practice is unquestion- ably highly judicious. Gypsum, super phosphate of lime, muriate and nitrate of soda, guano, saltpetre, lime and poudrette, are all used successfully for this purpose. On clayey or argillacious soils, gypsum is of great valne and efficacy; it stimulates and strengthens the roots, and by exerting the absorbent system, induces a rapid and energetic circulation of the vitalising fluids. The universality of its use, for this purpose, would seem to afford a full attestation of its great excellence, not only as a top-ln>sing for grass lands, but also for lands under grain cultivation, wheat, rye, oats, &c. J. C.C. BiithLhem, Pa., 1856. 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. S55 Fiom the Ocmmntown Telegrjipti. DRILLING VS. HILLING. Mr. Editor : — The comparative merit of these two systems has long been discussed, but without eliciting any reliable data to bhow the superiority of either. Cir- cumstances may sometimes favor the one and sometimes the other, as much frequently depends upon slight con- tingencies arising from sudden alternations of heat and cold, wet and dry seasons. After having perused an able /liHCiiflHion between two " Practical Farmers." on the characteristic excellencies of the antagonistic systems —and in which much good nature blended with a some- what too pointed and caustic irony, was displayed on both sides, I determined to give the two a fair trial. To do this impartially, I selected a piece of light sandy soil which had not been cropped for several years, and whicii after having been manured with old stable dung at the rate of tweuty-tive one-horse loads to the acre, was carefully plowed, and after receiving a thorough working, planted on the first of May. The piece contained exactly one acre, and was divided into sixths, by a practical surveyor. Oa the first sixth, corn was planted in drills, three and a half feet apart — the drills being one foot asunder, and each hill containing three grains of corn. In these drills one gill of poudrette, mixed with the same quantity of wood ashes, the whole being saturated with urine, was dropped before depositing the corn, and covered with one inch of soil ; the covering was performed with the Land hoe, and in the ordinary way. The second division was furrowed and planted 4u corn — the same seed being used as on the first division ; the rows being the same distance apart, and the hills in the rows having the same distance between them as that between the rows, viz : three feet and a half iu the clear. Seven kernels of co rn and the same kind of manure, in equal quantity, was allowed to the hill ; the details of dropping, covering &,c., were also the same. On the third sixth, beans were planted in drills two feet apart, the seed being deposited by a corn planter in such a way that one stalk would stand on every four inches. On the fourth division, the bill syitem was adopted — the rows being two feet apart, and the hill in the rows eighteen inches — eight beans being allowed to the hill. One gill of poudrette was allowed to each hill, and somewhat less than a common teaspoonful to each stalk of beans in the drills, which was a fair apportionment, doubtless, taking into con- sideration all the circumstances. The fifth allotment was furrowed three feet apart, and planted in potatoes —the hills three feet apart — one good sized potato, cut into quarters being allowed to each hill, but no manure. The sixth division was furrowed and the potatoes, similarly cut, placed eight inches apart in the drills, and both lightly covered. One piece in a hill was probably light under the circumstances, but two pieces to the hill, or a nearer approximation or arrangement of the hills in the rows, would have been equally objectionable, as it Tfould have been liable to the complaint of over-seeding. After the several crops were fairly up, gypsum was applied to the potatoes, but no farther manuring applied to corn or beans — the quantity used on the potatoes being half a bushel to each of the divisions. On harvest- ing the crops, the product of the several plots was ascertained, by measurement, to be as follows ; Corn, drilled, on No. 1. " planted in hills, No. 2. Beans, drilled, No. 3. - " in hills, No. 4. - Potatoes, drilled, No. 5. " in hills, No. 6. 10 bushels, 7 quarts. 8 " 1 peck. 3 ** 6 quarts. 2 'Hpk. Siqts. 18i ** It will be seen by the foregoin* tabular exhibit, that the superiority of product was, in every case, iu favor of drilling. The weight of fodder, beun haulm and poiuto viiica Wuo uibO superior on iiie drilied divisions ; but as no means of ascertaining the discrepancies in the several parcels, were adopted, they cannot be exhibited with the same accuracy observed in our report of the more important portions of the several crops. In mentioning this result to a friend — a practical agriculturist of distinguished abilities and enterprise — he assured me that in the course of several years he had made repeated experiments, all of whicli had resulted in demonstrating the superiority of the new system over the old. He had tried it, he assured me, iu the cultiva- tion of all hoed and weeded crops usually grown in this section, and also in several of the cereals — all of which were successful, though in diflerent degrees. Potatoes, beets, carrots, turnips and several other vegetables are usually cultivated in drills; but the practice has not yet fully extended to the cereals ; at least, it cannot be said to be the established and prevalent usages in most sections. But wherever it has obtained, and where candor and intelligence are exercised, it is generally conceded that its superiority is too obvious to admit of doubt. This, indeed, is shown by every published account that has made its appearance, or been orally reported, and as additional light is progressively diffused, and prejudice loses its vice-like grasp upon the human mind, its superiority will be universally acknowledged. TREDYPFJilN. Great Valley, July 2, 1856. «•• \ Attempts are now making iu England to effect the conversion of iron into steel by the employment of electrio currents jointly with the agency of heat. The experi- ments are in progress at Sheffield, and the results thus far reported appear satisfactory. At a recent meeting of the academy of Sciences, Paris M. Flourens remarked that the use of chloroform in the field hospital of the army doubled the strength and power of the surgeons. In the campaign in the Crimea, chloro- form was employed 25,000 times, and always with success. 4«» Failure of the Potato Ceop. — The prospect of any thing like an average yield of late potatoes looks gloomy enough. We have never seen them look so unpromising at this season of the year. Several farmers of our acquaintance have plowed down their entire planting. Even with the most favorable weather hereafter the yield must be much below the average. We regret that ours is not the only section in which this unfavorable prospect is presented. From almost every other quarter we have the same reports, and we are led to fear that our own supply of this important esculent will be uuusually short .1 I i I T^muT^ oTMrMNir:! 258 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Auinj^i, FowLERsviLLE, Jiine 28th, 1856. Resprcted Friends: — I received your communica- tion a few days ago, stating that there were over 300 Post Offices on your books to which only one copy of the Farm Journal goes and my own among that number, and requesting me if I could conscientiously recom- mend the Journal to a neighbor or friend to make an effort to obtain one more subscriber. As soon as I could spare the time to do so I took a copy of the Journal- nnri Bfaptf*rl nnf on^/vrity r^yrr noiK fafrnt^fo and succeeded in getting each one that I called on to subscribe, until I raised a club of ten. Now let each one of the 300 single subscribers do as I have done, and you will most assuredly have a very respectable addition to your subscription list. , Very respectfully your friend, Ellwood ITqgiies. [Many thanks to our friend Hughes, and others of our single subscribers, for such hearty responses to our circular. And will not each and every one of you who received the ** Communication '' imitate their example, and thus place the Journal and Farmer far in advance of all other Agricultural Periodicals. As we have before said, we do not wish to conceal the fact, that we are dependant on our friends for an in- crease of our subscription list— the lowness of our terms will not ulluw us to employ agents— and al "winter and spring pruning are avoided ; but we baT« large, nice, smooth grapes in abundance. — C. G L North Blcomfidd, N. Y, ' '' 4#» ^ RECENT AGRICULTURAL INVENTIONS. ) Improvement in Harvesters.— An improvement patented by J. C. & L. C. Pluche, Cape Vincent, N. J., consists in dovetailing the teeth to the sickle btr so as to give additional strength. The back ends of the teeth are furnished with cleets, and the sickle bar is grooved to receive said cleets. The cleets and groove are made in dove-tail form. Thus the teeth are firmly secured to the sickle bar, and may be attached or detached for sharpening or repair. Luce's Seed Planter.— In an improved Seed Planter, recently patented by C. 0. Luce, Freeport, III., the seed is sown by centrifugal action, It is in« troduced into the center of wheels having hollow arms, like a turbine water wheel. The improvement con- sists in the employment of valves placed in the con- veying tubes, and used in connection with the dis- tributing wheels, whereby the discharge of grain during the planting operation may be accurately reg- ulated. PoTATOB Digger.— A new Potatoe Digger, patented by A. L. Grinnell & J. Williams, of WilleL, AVis., coq- .._. _ _ w».^,.w^ «6^iii-o— niiu «i- ®^^^^ ^^ * s^^J^s of iron prongs or forks pivoted together though we have now a larger list than the Journal | ^^^^ * P^*^ ^^ scissors or oyster rakes. The prongs ever possessed before, yet it should be much larger. ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^" thrust into the ground, but in the act And wc again ask the influence of such of our readers ^^ Polling them out, their lower ends come together, as can conscientiously recommend the Journal to a ^^^ ^^® potatoes are thus lifted from the hill. neighbor.— Eds.J -••» Turnips.— The last of July or the first part of August is a good time to sow a patch of turnips. The soil should be moist, rich and mellow. In the field, a piece of clean wheat stubble mny be plowed for the purpose, or the seed ma:^' be sown where corn has failed, or stands too thin. In tlie garden, it may occupy the place where peas and early potatoes have been harvested. Seed is cheap and enough should be purchased to re-sow with, in case the fly or dry weather should destroy the first sowing. Sbbd Clover.— <:iover patches that have been cut and are now devoted to the gcgwth of seed, should be coated with plaster, at the rate of about 100 pounds to the acre, as it will push the clover forward rapidlv if the weatlier should prove to be dry. This crop does not receive sufficient attention. No farmer should be Seed Planter. — A most curious arrangement for planting seed has recently been patented by Geo. A. Meacham, of N. Y. City. It consists of a contrivance which is attached to the heel of one's boot, and is so arranged, that by the act of walking, the grain is dropped and planted in the ground. The seed \i contained in a belt worn around the waist. A flexi- ble tube conducts the seed down to the planting apparatus. Farmers may henceforth dispense with their cumbersome planting machinerj'. To plant their crops they will only need to slip on a pair of these magic boots, and leisurely stalk over the soil. Horses' feet may be supplied with shoes of the same sort, and the animals become thus converted into four-legged, self-moving, seed planters. Improvement in Raking ATTAcriMENT to Reapers. —By Wm. II. Hovey, Springfield. Mass.— Consists in the employment of a reciprocating rake, and also obliged to buy his clover seed, as by care he can raise a . • • , ' - better article than he can usunlly buy. Any land con- * ®^^"6'"S ^^*^^ applied to the platform, so arranged — :„i X- ., .. ._ " on- ^g ^^ sweep off the grain with the utmost evenness, regularity, and certainty. A further improvement of Mr. Hovey, consists in covering the sickle bar with a shell or shield through which the cutting teeth only genmltothe crop, if well seeded, will pay interest on $100 to the acre, in nddition to the hay, which is better for being cut early, or at tlio period of full blossom. - " *•*— a sneii or shield through which the cutting teeth only rniMMiNG Grape Vines.— For many years we ha7e Project, so as to prevent the sickle from being raised grapes by the busi.el from a single vine, and our tnmming w done in the following manner. The first week in July we commence and cut back to the second leaf or bud of the present season's growth. Have a choked or clogged by straw, grass, or other obstruc- tions. This is a good idea. A peculiar device is also emploj^ed for raising and lowering the sickle so that it may pass over the ob- structions, and likewise secured at varying heights time) until the wholP vino I u •" v" "'•'''*' ^i a svrucuuns, ana likewise secured at varying neignia me) the whole v.ne has been gone over. Autumn, I from the surface of the ground as occasion requires. SCOTT'S LITTLE GIANT CORN AND COB MILL, PATENTED MAY 16TII, 1854. The Little Giant, though but recently introduced from ; the West, now stands pre-eminent as the most Simple, ErpiciENT, and popular Farm Mill of the age. Our Manufactories are probably the only ones in the ITor/d— exclusively devoted to making Metallic Mills, there- fore possess superior advantages in preparing such an admixtare of metals, as best adapted to making a strong tad durable article. The Little Giant has been awarded the Firtt Premium at the principrl Fairt of the Nation, as the most oomplete Aod convenient Mill now in use. These Mills are not only guaranteed superior to all others in their construction and quality of material, but in the Amount and quality of work they perform with any given power; and warranted in all cases to suit, or the purchase- Boney refunded on return of the mill. They are offered to Farmers and the trade complete^ at 128, $32 and tU, for No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3, and $2 extra lor iweeps. Warranted to grind from 8 to 15 bushels per Moording to sise. SCOTT'S NIMBLE GIANT GRAIN MILLS, (CAVEATED MAY, 1855.) This Mill is a most complete and important article for Planters, Farmers and others, having horse-power or other conveniences for running a belt They can be worked advantageously with one, two or more horses, wherever a speed of from three to five hundred revolutions per minute can be obtained upon a 14-inch pulley, with a three-inch belt. These Mills are adapted to any kind of work, grinding coarse feed from corn, oat8> Ac, or fine corn, wheat or rye j and that in the most satisfactory manner. The first premium was awarded these Mills at the In^e Fairs of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Industrial Exhibition at Boston. The Nimble Giant weighs about 300 pounds, occupying a space of .30 inches square. It is pecnliarly simple, strong, and durable ; requiring no skill to run it, or to keep it in order. They are offered complete, ready for attaching the belt, at $55 ; with oast steel cob attachments, $65. Warranted to give perfect satisfaction. Please call at the Little Giant Works, and witnesa their operation. MANUFACTURED BY ROSS SCOTT & CO., COR. 17TH 4: COATES STS., PHILA. WITH THE 1st MONTH (JAN.) NUMBER. (1856 ) WILL COMMBNCB THE SIXTH VOLUME OP THE FARM JOURNAL AMorUfdu Periodie^d qf Thirtf/ Two Octavo Ptiges, devoted exdtuivdj/ to the best tnteretts qf the Parmer, the Gardener, the PruUOrower and Stock- Breeder. A few bade Volume* handiomdy hound %\ 50 each. -Among Uie subjects treated In the Journal will be comprehended the The Cultivation of the Soli; Manures and their Application; De Knptions of all New and Improved Implements of Husbandry, de- •ifmed to facilitate and abridge the labor of the Farm; Descriptions «r all new Fruits, Flowers, and Trees; Prunlnir and Grafting; Expert menu of Farmers; Rural Architecture; Market Reports; Plowing, oowng and Harvesting; Draining; Grains and Grosses; Esculent BooiRasfood for Cattle; Gardening; Live Stock of every description, .n?4 I?' ")' fattening, Ac; The Dairy; Reviews of Agricultural m Hort cultural Books; Rural Habits, Manners and Customs, and Winer bubjects which are calculated to Interest and Inform the class for >;- nS^'ir® laboring. The Editorial Department will then be assumed ?^™P.D A.WELLS, and A. M. SPANGLER, tbe original Editor i«L- '^P'' • *®'' °^ ^^® Journal, assisted by a nunibr of eminent ^ancuJZunsts and practical Ihrmerg, making It at the same time, a ..V^f"^ ol>Ject to keep the Journal clear from all collateral Interests. »ua to render It In all respects a reliable paper. IMui a Sn-eat fallacy to suppose that when an mdlvidual becomes the H^l-/ ,*" Agricultural paper, he necessarily constltutetf hlmselt a .^fl^r of opinion and practice to his readers." hi*.rLli w "' '^® encouragement of AgricuUure^ any country, however wgsed by nature, must continue poor." Bmm,!fi"'* specimen numbers to all applicants, gratis— and will answer u^ T.,^ *l' •^"ers of inquiry, Ac, relating to matters contained In « Journal— not omitting even those that have a postage stamp en *JJ«<1 <£pay for the reply. »- •«» v «n»M (?/ Subgcription pUxu the Journal within the rtaah ofaU, iJngleCopy, $ i oo per annum. Five Copies, 4 00 ** Ten Copies, 7 80 * Twentjr Copl««, 14 « CASH. INVARIABLY IN ADVA^CE. A limited amount of advertising (which must be paid for before in- •ertlon) will be admitted at the follovlHg rates. Six lines, or under ibr each Insertion, $ 1 00 From six to twelve lines " 2 00 Haifa column, 4 00 One column, 7 oo One page, 14 oo All subscriptions must begin with the Ist or 7th number of the vol- ume which commences with the j¥«r; and In eveir case the Journal will be stopped at the explratkm Jf the time paid for, unless the sub- scnptlou Is previously renewed. 8AML. EMLEN A CO., Publishers, N.E. cor. Seventh and Market St«.,Philarla. To whom all communications, whether editorial or business, should be addressed. HARROWS, CULTIVATORS, HORSE HOES- THIC MOST complete assurtmeni of Square Expanding* Giddes', and IScotch Harrovis, iu the City. Cullivators of ihe most approved kinds. Knox's celebrated Horse Hoes. Whole- ale and retail. Our own manufacture. PASCHALL MORRIS & CO.. N- E. cnrnfr Seventh and Mnrket Sig Phila. FARM, GARDEN, FLOWER, FIELDTGRASS AND BIRD SEED. AT my warehouse will be found the largest and best assortment of all the above Seeds to be found in the United States. I would also call the attention of Gardeners, Truck Farmers, and others, to my new Japan Blood Red Head Lettuce, one of the best varieties ever Intro- duced for standing the Intense heat of summer, making good heads, and of supi'rior quality. My assortnieut of Flower Seeds Is unrivalled, an!••. 822 and S24 Market Bt». above Vlnib. I- 1 T^T/^T TT^ n £. ®wma©wg ^mm ^®mm wmmmmw) m^^smimM. 4 mmm > WILLIAM ?. COATE5 I \: II' GREEN CORN CUTTING MACHINE, FOR CUniNG GREEN COBN FROM TEE COB BPOBE AND AFTER BOILING. PATENTED MAY 13th, 1856. Intended for Hotels, Boarding Houses, Eating Houses, Packet Ships, Steamboats, Canal Packets and Private Families. It ii with gieat pleasure, that this simple and easy operated machine is oflered to the public. For years such an apparatus has beti desired by those persons who have seen the difficulty of cutting corn off the cob by hand ; and more especially by those wbi pack large quantities of dried and boiled com for exportation. For further infurma^on, in regard to State, County, City, Town, or Village Rights and Machines, please address WILLIAM B. COAXES & CO. No. 152 South Front Street. Phiiadelphis. July, 3ro 2 — WILLIAM B. COATES' 2sis»m® w^s) PATENT OBLIQUE METHOD OF CUTTING STALKS 1 PATENTED OCTOBER 16th, 1S5^ Th For is Machine is intended for cutting Hemp, Com, Sugar Cane, Cotton Bushes, &c., Sic, and laying them in bundles in the r further information in regard totState or Couaty Rights, or Machines, please address, WILLIAM B. COATES & CO. No. 152 North Front Street, Philadelphi*' IMPORTANT BOOKS FOR FARMERS. ALLEN'S AMERICAN FARM BOOK. The American Farm Book ; or, a Compend of American Agriculture, being a Practical Treatise on Soils, Manures, Draining, Irrigation, Grasses, Grain, Roots, Fruits, Cotton, Tobacco, Sugar Cane, Rice, and every Staple Product of the United States; with th« best methods of planting, cultivating, and preparation for market. Illustrated by more than 100 engravings. By R. L. Allen. Cloth, $1. UKUWi^jCjo riiiJiU duuisluF iviAr\iuKJCi»: Or, American Muck Book ; treating of the Nature, Pro» perties. Sources, History, and Operations of all the Principal Fertilizers and Manures in Common Use, with Specific Directions for their Preservation, and Application to the <8oil and to Crops. By D. Jay Browne. $1 25. THE STABLE BOOK. A treatise on the Management of Horses, in relation to Stabling, Grooming, Feeding, Watering, and Working, Constmction of Stables, Ventilation, Appendages of Stables, Management of the Feet, and Management of Diseased and Defective Horses. By John Stewart, Veterinary Surgeon. With additions adapting it to American Food and Climate. hj A. B. Allen. $1. ^ ALLEN'S DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS ; Being a History and Description of the Horse, Mule, Cattle, Sheep, Swine, Poultry, and Farm Dogs, with Directions for their Management, Breeding, Crossing, Rear- ing, Feeding, and Preparation for a profitable Market ; also, Iheir Diseases and Remedies. By R. L. Allen. Cloth, 75 cts. JOHNSTON'S ELEMENTS OF AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY and Geology. With a Complete Analytical and Alphabetical Index, and an American Preface. By Hon. Simon Brown, Editor of the *four hours, furnishing a full supply for all domestic uses. The most impure Rain, River, ' or Lake water, by this means becomes pure, clear as crystal, without taste color or smell, in this poses, as a means of promoting the general health. They are portable, durable, and cheap, and are not excelled by any other filter known, for sale by, MURPHY & YARNALL, 262 Chesnut St., Phila., TO FARMERS & mECHAmiCS. COOPER'S IMPEOVED LIME AND GUANO SPREADER. THESE Machines stand unsurpassed and without paraJe as machines for the purpose intended, viz: spreading Li Ashes, Ac , and sowing Guano, Superphosphate of Lime, P ter. or any such Fertilizer. They are simple, strong, durable, and adjustable to sow any desired quantity to the acre that farmers may desire. Any common hand can operate them. They are of very easy draft for horses or oxen, for which they are adapted. One or two hands and team can with ease do four times as much with the use of the machine as they could in any way without if, and in a manner for evenness wholly unimitable. No. 1 Lime and Guano Spreader combined, 5} feet wide Price at shop, $75. No. 2 Lime Spreader (not combined) is larger and stronger, 6 feet wide. $75. Guano Spreader, one horse, 5 feet wide, $40. •* •• two horse, 84 feet wide, $60. AGENTS-^PASCHALL MORRIS & CO.. Philadelphia R SINCLAIR, Jr., & CO., Baltimore. Reference testimonial can be had by addressing the following gentlemen who have machines in use: Maris Hoopes, Lancaster, Pa.; Simmons Coates, Gap, Lan caster co., Pa ; Andrew Steward, Penningtonville, Chester co., Pa.; S. C. Williamson, Cain, Chester co.. Pa.; Wm. C. Hoffman and Lewis G. Kemp, Frederick City, Md.; Henry Tell, Texas Baltimore co,Md. Ali orders or communications addressed to LEWIS COOPER Christiana P. O., Lancaster Co., Pa., will meet with promp attention. 9ir PATENT RIGHTS FOR SALE. April, 1856; ATKINS' SELF-RAKING REAPER AND MOWER. FLOURS. .DOUBLE MICHIGAN, Eagle SelfSharpener. Blaker's Bar ^aare, Star Self-Sharpeners, Mapes' Cast and Steel Subsoil, ■Ullside, Ridging, Swivel, and all other kinds. PASCHALL MORRIS & CO., N. E. corner Seventh and Market Sts., Phiki. FABMEBS TAKE NOTICE! THE first premium awarded at the State Fair, held at Harrisburg in 1856, also first premium at the County Fairs of Northumber* land, Cumberland, Franklin, York, Lycoming, Centre, Weetmoreland, Washington, Berks, Schuylkill, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester, in competition with from eight to ten different reapers and mowers. The Atkin's self-raking reaper and mower, will be lor sale at the Factory at Harrisburg, also at PASCHALL MORRIS & CO., N. E. COR. rth AND MARKET STS., PHILA. Farmers wisL^ng there Celebrated Reapers and Mowers forth* next haryest must send in their orders soon. Price of Reaper alone $165 Cash. — Reaper and Mower Cash $190 All reapers warranted to fdTe entire satisfiBustion, or the monej re- funded. All orders left with PASCUALL MORRIS A CO., as aboTe, or addressed by letter to JAMES PATTEN, General Agent ibr Foafci- syWania, at fi&rrisburg, will meet with prompt sttenUoit. March 4t TIGHT BINDING I ll ALBA[«Y TILE WORKS, Corner of Fatroon and Knoz Streets, Albany, N. Y. The subscribers, being the mdet extensive manuocturers of Draining Tile in ihe United States, have on hand, in large or small quantities, for Land Draining, the following descriptions, warranted superior to any made in this country, hard burned. On orders for 10,000 or more, a small discount jwill be made. \ HORSE SnOB TILE, 14 INCHES LOXO. PIECE& 2\ inches calibre, • 3i «4 THE BEST PORTABLE CIDER MILL AND PRESS IN THE UrORIiD. WE ARE NOW MANUFACTURING KRAUSER'S CELEBRATED PATENT PORTABLE CIDER MILL & PRES^ Which has been greatly improved since last season, and is now offered to the public with full confidence, at being beyoad all doubt the most complete and effective mill in use. , , . .. , • r •* *i.* #v>. ;»- .^.i This celebrated mill, which has attracted so much attention, not less for its novelty and simplicity than for lU pw •efficiency, is offered to the public upon its own merite, which are of the highest character. During the past two seaaoM we have had hundreds of opportunities of testing the superiority of this admirable mill, and in every instance ithaa pjej entire satisfaction to purchasers. It is believed to be far superior in effectiveness and durability to any thmg of liie kind in the market. It can be worked by a couple of men to the extent of eight or ten barrels per day, and can also be readily adapted to horse and hand power if desired. . One of its principal features is the arrangement of the RECIPROCATING PISTONS, which by their alterajte action, cause a quantity of apples or grapes to advance with irresistible force against the passing teeth of the rspidl revolving cylinder, so that they are speedily reduced to pulp, and are discharged into the tub beneath the miW. By M operation at once simple and beautiful, the apples aie irresistibly retained against the revolving teeth till they are m into a fine pulp. In other portable machines they are often cut into small pieces, which of course will not so readily m with the juice when subjected to pressure. The press attached to the machine is capable of performing a pressurt eqW to ten tons. TBB ARR'AXraSimSlVTS FOB. PRfiSSZIVa Have been greatly improved and strengthened. As will be seen by a reference to the illustration above, the n«[^ for handling the pumic* is entirely obviated. The tubs beneath the grinding apparatus receive the pulp as »^*"rj" the mill. These tubs ar^ then shoved beneath the press, thus saving not only the loss of time, but the waste of wn. In point of novelty, simplicity, durability, effectiveness and cheapness, Krauser's mill stands unrivalled. IT IS ADAPTED TO RAND OR HORSE FOWEB, Is made in a style of workmanship, and of a quality of material, altogether superior to any mill ever offered the pnt> It is warranted to work well. • i fort^ We therefore confidently ask the attention of farmers and others to this mill, believing that it is juat the article tw times and decidedly the best and cheapest in the market. ALSO A COMPLETE AgSORTMENT OF AGRICVLTVRAIi kmPLEilEniTS, FIELD AlVD C^ARDElf sSM CSVAIVO, SVFER-PBOSPHATE OF LIlflE, POVDRETTE, ScC. Dealers supplied with every article in our line of business on the most liberal terms. Orderg^^ Cider ^*J»*V^ J other Implements or Seeds, Manures, Trees, Ac, respectfully solicited and proaiptly attended tOo Illustrated scea Implement Catalogues furnished on application. ' * ^^ PASCHAIrL MORRX6 & CO., Manu&ctaren and Dealeia in Agricultiwal and Horticulturaf ImplemenU, Seeds, «c» N. E. Comer 7th and Market Streete, Phil^ sm • •« "S n^ik M TIGHT BINDING CONTENTS — No. 9. PAGE- Anatomy and Physiology of Dicotiledonous Trees, - 260 Beauty Spot, 3d- - -,- - - - 264 Bots in Horses, -.----- 287 Cider, .-------2 282 Drills and Drill Seeding, 265 Deep Plowing and the Drought. • - - - ii88 Editor's Table, 287 Fanny 4th, 264 TntncrtvA/l rJrain SonaratAr. ----- 267 Improved Water Filter and Cooler, - - - 281 Millet, f- - - ^^^ Necessity for a School of AgricultiTtal Instruction and Experiment, - - - - - " " ^^^ Our Horse Mowers and Reapers, - - - 258 On the Fertilizer for Fruit Trees, '- - - - 268 On the Comparative value of Peat and Peat Charcoal, 261 Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society's List of *' Premiums, - ^ . - - - - 269 Pear Tree Blight, ----.. 288 To make pure Apple Wine, - - - . - 288 JAKES H. BBTSON, rinting #ffia, No. 2 North Sixth Street. PRINTED AT THE SHORTEST NOTICE. _THE SIXTH ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCiETY, WILL BE HELD AT On September SOtli, and on October 1st, 2d, and 3d, 1856. ROBT C. WALKER, Secretary. OSAGE ORArVGE SEED AND PJLAI¥TS FOR SALE. HEDGES PLANTED AND WARRANTED. For Circulars addresa A. HARSHBARGER April, 1856. McVeytown, Mifflin co., Pa. SEED WHEAT. We have in store, several varieties of Choice Seed Wheat at various prices. ' PASCHALL MORRIS & CO., N. E. Corner 7lh and Market Sis., Phila., PRIME TlMOTHl^ SEED. 500 Bushels in store and for sale by \ ^ PASCHALL MORRIS & CO., N. fi. corner Seventh and Market StreeisT Philadelphia 4< II / Webster. ( " Without the encouragement |f Agriculdl?^ any country, however blessed by naftr(<|iiust cotitinue poor." " The farmer of to-day should b ly educated man. and possessed of ^ow^oT accom/;//*/m^M^*, bathe should be pre-eminently a man of fine ''^te.^ Veb, aft foUiJfa una accom 4« • « • « A YOUNG man born to the inheritance of landed estate, may well be accounted fortunat if he has not learned how to value and regard or to manage it judiciouslj, it may prove but casion of a so much deeper fall into ruin, contrary, if he has been predisposed in his youth to take interest in the developments of culture, and to employ the creative hand of industry, his suceess in lifei^ secured, and he will become cue of Nature's noblemen. And, to the youth who is wholly dependent on his •wn exertions practical instruction is equally valija- k!' ^^^' ^^' ^' ^^^^' ^^® ** Vicar of Winkfield," observes in his Dictionary of the Farm, that " The a little care, and be readily sold when in perfection, can employ his labor with double advantage, and may raise himself to independence, if not to affluence : while he that plods on in the beaten track, ends his days in ignorance and poverty." These considerations refer to individual advantage ; the benefits to a community at large of the special ed- ucation of the agricultural population are clearly seen in thfccondition of diiferent nations under different pro- cedures. Through all ages there were men as ingenious and obserj^ant as any are now, but it was only when the art of printing began to diffuse its enlightening influ- encej^rough whole nations, that improvemenU made by iBd;y.iauals became generally known. So great were^e prejudices and animosities existing between diffcrei^fetricts, which since, '^ * Like neighboring ,^ dropsJ Have melted into one,'* tha^g^e are instances where some of the most obvi- ous improvements in farming were practised for hun- /] dreds of years on one side of a border line before thev e j were accepted on the other ! "^ So great a change has taken place, and civilized na- tions have become so much more fraternal and social, that now they invite each other to see and examine all irf^lements, material processes and results of their indufej^. They meet and award premiums to the bcstTrticle or invention without respect to nationality. They exchange seeds and breeds ; and improvements of all kinds are diffused more widely now in one year than they were in one hundred years, but two or three E„rr',if ,i^T: --• -" -" ^" ■ --> - = n-z-rrrr: established to teach the children of the poor to work ^^ well as to read, over those which teach book knowl- edge only, is indisputable. A boy who can manage a culture are of modem introduction. Clover was first grown in England about 1650— the first culture of turnips was later— potatoes still later. Culture in Ks'i"'"'.' 't", '^"""' ^" "^^^'"^^ "^^ I "^^"^ hor'srhoeinraL;;; m\:*^Cast.l;on7ows ^r :::Illi^!!L'l ^.^i!:!T--f - -" - I ^" 'J'^' .^. -t improvement in the breeds 0/0^! »t appears, and who prides himself upon the fruits and vegetables which he can place upon his father's table, 'S more advanced in his education than he who can J^ly read and write> however well he may do both. ne cottager who is acquainted with the means of falsing early garden produce, who can graft young fees, who knows what plants can be propagated with and especially their rearing and fattening on arable land with artificial grasses, about the same time Gypsum about 1800. The first society for the collec- tion and diffusion of agricultural knowledge, under the presidency of Sir John Sinclair, and the application of chemical investigations to soils, plants and manures ; with countless improvements in implements and ap- •,lf TIGHT BINDING 258 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE EAI^MER. [September, . ifi pliances belong to the present century. With all this the farmer is rising from the position of a peasant or a boor towards his lit condition. It is found, however, that, as the mere sight of mechanical operations does not make a mechanic without practice, so, and much more is it requisite that regular training should aid sight-seeing in giving to youth a facility and consequent permanent relish for rural pursuits ; and that the pen, although mightier than the sword, is not competent to a full uiuactic illustration of the subject. Thus in France, where numerous writers have published the fullest theoretical instruction, the mass of cultivators are still procuring but a hard and scanty subsistence while bent to the earth with heavy toil. In Belgium, Northern Germany and Switzerland, on the contrary, little has been published, save the reports of practical experiments ; but, influenced by example, the culturists produce by comparatively moderate labor a generous abundance of crops. The success of the Prussian schools of agriculture, which are established on large farms, is deservedly acknowledged. ' All other enlightened governments, at tirst availing themselves of these sohools to educate teachers for themselves, are now hastening the estab- lishment of similar institutions.^ Some private schools have been established on a similar plan ,♦ that of M. de Fellenberg, in Switzeland, has become consprqk)us : agricultural and horticultural practice is an essential feature in his great plan of general education!' M. Vattemare has also adopted a similar ^u-se in furtherance of the same noble aim. Ag^Riltural missions have proved effective where all ot^iers have failed. And Napoleon III, who seems to be r^^fjging his character, by the grand and practical scafP on which he is proceeding to carry out what Henry IV is immortalized for simply wishing — " that every one of his subjects might have meat in his pot" — has de- termined to establish agricultural departments in connection with all the principal education establish- ments of the empire. ^ It is as essential to learn what ought or n^ not be done, as to know well what should be done. Slfhat labor and anxiety are ignorantly spent upon operations that might be wholly dispensed with, and are often actually injurious ! Science and progress are con- tinually exposing among us as manifest absurdities of practice and opinion as seem to us the prejudice of the Cubans which prevents their feeding oats to horses, or the incredible labor that many of the miserable peasantry of Europe undergo in blind obedience to some foolish notions rooted among their ancestors. It. is greatly to be desired that all measures of disputed practice or of proposed improvement could be at once submitted to test by competent authorities, and the result reported for the common beneGt. The London Horticultural Society, which has done so much for the dissemination everywhere of fine fruits, and the true principles of their culture, resolved some years ago that every proposed or prevalent point of practice. 1 no matter how apparently absurd — should be fairly tested and reported on. And this proceeding, besides sanctioning and confirming all normal practice, has relieved Pomology of an immensity of rubbish, as any one may see by comparing modern manuals of the art with publications 50 or 60 years old. But Pomology is only one stall of the Augean stable. It is time that science should go with empiricism through the whole. Such a Herculean cleansing is beyond the means of an individual, however devoted. Only an institution founded on the most liberal scale, admitting of the most complete subdivision of labor and care could undertake it. Agriculture requires , for every day use, the closest calculations of the mathematician, the severest thought of the inventor, the utmost skill of the engineer and mechanician, the nicest infinitesimals of chemical analysis, the deepest researches of the physiologist, the utmost devotion of the naturalist, and the unfolding, if possible, of the yet occult mysteries of meteorologia science. A man who would excel in any one of these branches must devote himself to it singly and for life. A farmer may determine for himself the comparati value of new implements or machines after a few trial and hae^can compare the cost and the result of dififereal I modes^^ulture ; b«tin the investigation of mantti*s I — of soils — of^SeCTS— of plan t^ so many hidden or obscure' inflti&jices alp to be pbs^fied or detected— and so mart^ yeaSitf cljse^ scr^)^y are required ; that, if ht attempts tnfe search, he cannot hope to benefit by it ;/Bor has he the meansof extensively benefitting others-.^ While he is thus engaged, his pecuniary inter^ft must take care of themselves. ^j^B^rs should contribute and solicit contribution! ^yrM^the employment of competent agents, to be pufiflL^n tho most advantageous location for the pros^Rion of such enquiries uninterrupted, by any other pursuit or care. This location must necessarily be a farm. It should be of the largest size in order that its buildinglt gardens, orchards, and fields may form a complete Museum, including every object connected with runl economy that the farmgr can desire to refer to, er inspect for himself, or have his son to study 9$i acquire. , After providing for the general, equal , and sufficiently primary instruction of all its youth, no betttr or mflrt appropriate object of governmental attention can M conceived of in a free, prosperous and extensive state like ours, rich in all elements of prosperity and » peace with all the world, than to lay such a foundation for assuring the special instruction and elevation oi its agricultural propulatioD. 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. -«•► For the Farm Journal. ONE H0R8E MOWERS AND REAPERS. " It is the general opinion that ease of draught in tW moTving machine should constitute its first feature to secure public favor ; but this is an error, and a Tcry great and important mistake in public opinion; firt^ find the machine that will do the best work under all circumstances, and it may be, that in consequence of this very defect in draught, it is enabled to overcome difficulties and obstructions ; and then, if of never so great a draught, declare unequivocally in its favor and put on an additional pair of horses, mules or even oxen • it is a mere matter of dollars and cents, and would be defrnyed m a day's superior work, perhaps ten times over. Tbe very best reaping that I ever witnessed was on thefarmofDr. ChurlAaVnhin ««T>i.:<- J.I I ■ . ^ . . .. ^ ~ •"■»""»u«t fnvariabU r, s r?H "^ '"'' '"^'"'*'»-» 6'-° - to purchase quiUa „, r"" 'V" """ »f '"terprising mechanics, hat our rh""" """f ""^ """"" "' """ - "OoulJ the old h ' ^"""'*'^' """ '■"" t*-" f»"»wi°g season builH 1 ^" ** '° proclaim their ability to Mure, oJiT'"''^T '''" '"'"'*• »°-l »»'« -«»»"». »»d f!:„„ ^T ""'*'"''«' '""'*'°« «"> obsolete idea »tht?h ""'l'"'''' ""'"' "' "'"'"' "e worked .Jl ^ h e a sat?'""' ^ '"" '=""'«'* "' °P""- " "^ely 1th I 7'"'7;'f«<=' '» "">™ directions than one. ■"uch moroT 1 T' ''"' ''"«"«" implemenU are mo.c .fongly built than American. As a con- sequence they are higher priced, but much more effective and durable. Almost every attempt at making one horse mowers, or even improvements upon Hussey'sand McCor- mick s. machines, was by lightening the working parts, thus reducing the weight, as well as the firmness and durability of the machines. Three years since we had a fair practical illustration of the hurtful tendency of this "penny wise and pound foolish economy." The country wasfloodedwith Reapers and Mowers, thennir ~ - dation for which, wag the fact that they were to wo7k so much lighUr than any before in use. Now what was the result ? I think I hazard nothing in asserting that fully one half of them went to pieces before half the season was over, or required so many repairs, as to make hem like the Indian's gun, " cost more than they come to. Another result to be deplored was the loss of oonfi- dence on the part of farmers. Those who had tested them were satisfied with the experiment, while these who were " waiting for the latest improvement," con- eluded to wait a little longer. This state of affairs opened the eyes of manufacturers. It was found to be a poor business to build machines one half or more of which were thrown back upon their hands. More strength was required, and this they to a certain extent supplied Last year the machines did better, but the distrusi occasioned by the failures of the year before, deterred many from purchasing, and as a consequence, the sale of Mowers and Reapers did not increase in the expected ratio. Generally speaking, the leading machines did better. The breakages were not so frequent, and the lightness of the grass favored them very much. Durine theseajip through which we have just passed, confidence in them appeared to be renewed, and the sales greatly exceeded those of any former year. It ia^tae, the lightness of the grass, and the exceeding!^ |^itious wetlher both for cutting grass and making the hay, was to the advantage of the machines, but still, the fact indicates the return of a more healthy feeling_a dispo- sition to adopt such as gave promise of strength and durability, combined with effectiveness, and I am led to believe that a year or two hence we shall have fewer inquiries for light running, one horte mowers. To any one who has paid the slightest attention to ma- ohinery, it must be apparent, that the amount of work which a mowing machine, advancing through heavy gras. IS required to do, demands strength and compactness in the machine, as well as weight, to secure its jerfect working. A light framed machine may answw for a brief period, but a very little trial will prove its worth- lessness. If the weight is not there to keep it firmly to to the ground and bring the cutter bar and knives with a steady motion to the grass, it is folly to expect that either the work will be well done, or that the machine will be able to do the amount of work which the outlay for its purchase demands. We are a sanguine people, and have achieved so many triumphs over difi5culties. that it will. I am aware be diflicult to convince a great many of the truth of what I have stated. I profess to be as sanguine and hopeful ns the generality of my countrymen, and will welcome as heartily as the most .^anguine of them, any improve- mentm our farmingimplements ; but I must confess, that It will require bvttcr evidence than I have yet had to TIGHT BINDING MUTILATED TEXT m\ 260 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [September. convince me of the practicability of, not only one horse mowers, but of the expediency of having our agricultural implements generally, made in such a light, flimsy manner. My own belief is, that the day is not very distant, when reasonable weight, if essential to strength and effective- ness in farming machinery, will not be considered an obstacle in the way of purchasers, but rather a recom- mendation, Yours. REAPER. Delaware Co.^ August 6, 1856. For the Farm Journal. ON THE ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF DICOTYLEDONOUS TREES. BY HARLAND COULTAS. NO. II. ^. — TheI Wood. — The wood includes nearly the whole of that part of the stem situated beneath the bark. We stated that the wood of a Dicotyledonous tree exhibits, on the cross section, a number of circu- lar and ligneous beds disposed around a common cen- tral point, or medullary canal. The longitudinal sec- tion, on the contrary, shows that the stem is formed of a series of superposed and elongated cones, the diameter of the base of each cone increasing in propor- tion as it is situated towards the exterior part of the stem. All the ligneous circles visible on the cross section are traversed by lines radiating from the centre to the circumference of the stem, that is to say, from the medullary canal to the bark, and wiiich are called the medullary rays. This disposition of the wood in circular beds, or layeis, takes place in all the Dicotyledonous Hiees of countries where the season of growth has only a lim- ited duration, and is followed by a period of cold and vegetable inactivity. Each year there is formed^n spring a new bed of wood, and at the same time a fresh layer of bark. The age of a Dicotyledonous tree is, therefore, in most cases, the same as the number of ligneous circles which can be counted on the cross section of its stem. In the same manner the age of of the branches may be computed. But the seasons leave their mark on the outside as well as the inside of the tree. When the young shoot, in early spring, unfolds itself from the bud, and the brown scales which enveloped the young leaves fall off, they leave ring-formed or annular scars at the bottom of the shoot, and we recognize in the numer- ous girdles, the place where, during the previous win- ter, the growing shoot remained in a state of rest. Here bud traces often continue visible for many years on the bark of trees, and through this means we can ascertain the age of a branch and the amount of its annual growth, as if we had ourselves observed and marked its progressive growths from year to year. The clearest marks of these bud traces may be seen on the branches of the beech, the horse-chestnut and the maple, and are less visible on the bark of the birch, the linden and the fir, where they are not recognized through the growth and changes of the bark. The Wood CcJ/s.—In the wood of Dicotyledonous trees, two distinct species of cells can be recognized ; the fibre cells and the vasiform or duct cells. The fibre cells form the principal part of the wood of each ligneous deposit. They consist of elongated and extremely attenuated cells, tapering to either extremity, and lying together in bundles more or less compact, which are developed vertically. It is through the fibre cells of the wood that the main current of the sap flows in the spring. Their vital activity, however, only continues for a short time. Their walla are soon thickened by earthy matter, which goes on accumulating until their cavities are finally closed* and the sap ceases to circulate through them. Their color then changes, and they cease to take any further part in the vital operations of the tree. Their func- tion is now purely a mechanical one ; for the very same matter which tenninates their life endows them with force and persistence. The fibre cells thus ligni- fied, form, as it were, the skeleton or frame work of the tree, and withstand outer influences as well as inner decomposition much longer than the other tis- sues. They are the very last to yield to dissolution. The vasiform or duct cells are spread through the mass of fibrous tissue. They originate out of a row of cells the cross walls of which are absorbed, so that when fully developed they form one continuous tube. These ducts may be readily distinguished from the wood cells among which they are interspersed, as their interior diameter, or bore, is much more considerable, and they remain permanently open. The open mouths of the ducts are very conspicuous on a cross section of common pine wood, where they resemble pores. There are several varieties of this speeies of cell, termed by botanists dotted, annular, spiral and scalariilrm ducts. The whole of these vessels at first contain sap, which is afterwards displaced by air. They may be regarded, in fact, as the air vessels of plants, by means of which the sap in their interior is brought into communication with the atmosphere. This is the reason why these ducts or air tubes are placed amongst the fibre cells or sap tubes, as inspec- tion plainly shows. Z.—The cells of the Pith and the Medullar^/ Rays.-- These are parenchyma cells, the most widely diffused, important and variable tissue of plants. The paren- chyma cells of the pith are spherical or ovoid, when they are but slightly united together, but more often they are more or less polyhedral by reciprocal press- ure. In the young stem, the pith is of considerable im- portance ; it abounds in nutritive matter, which serves to nourish the young buds on its surface, and is often of a green color, more or less intense. But when the buds developeinto branches supporting leaves, flowers and other appendages, the nutritive liquids accumu- lated in the pith are absorbed, the particles of green matter disappear, and when the vegetation commenc- ed in Spring is arrested in Autumn, the cells of the pith are dry, colorless and empty : they are, in fact, dead cells. 856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. 261 Tho parenchyma cells of the medullary rays are of a quadrilateral form, and develope in horizontal radi- ating lines from the pith to the bark. These lines are easily distinguished on the cross section of the stem, when the wood is compact, and not too deeply colored, the oak, for example. Their looser structure and lighter color renders them in such circumstances more visible. The medullary rays develope vertically as well as horizontally, and partition off the wood into a number of wedges in the form of elongated triangles, of which, the point that is a little obtuse, ' corresponds to the medullary canal. The medullary rays are of great service to the old wood. They maintain an exchange of sap between the cells of the pith, wood atid bark, and when the pith cells are quite dead, they unite the older annual layers of wood with the younger and with the bark, and thus continue the communication They, there- fore, survive the death of the pith cells, and even of the wood cells, in the midst of which they radiate. The medullary rays of a five or six years old wood ring, are still vitally active cells, filled with sap. We have now accomplished the first portion of our task, and have given the physiological peculiarities of different species of cells which, united, form the tissue or substance of the stem of a Dicotyledonous tree, in our next and final communication, we shall inves- tigate the physiological phenomena of these cells as combined together into a continuous tissue, and thus give the reader as clear and philosophical an idea as possible of the growth of forrest trees, and the best means of preserving their wood from premature decay. ON SOME EXPERIMENTS MADE WITH A VIEW OP DETERMINING THB COMPARATIVE VALUE OP PEAT AND PEAT CHARCOAL FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES. The following interesting and valuable article in the department of experimental agriculture, has been prepared by Dr. Davy, Professor of Chemistry, in Dublin, Ireland. At no former period has the importance of animal excrementitious matter to agriculture been so clearly understood as at present, while the growing attention which IS now paid to the sanitary condition of towns and the methods which have been discovered o} deodorizing such matter, afford increased facilities of converting it into the most valuable manure. Manj'- substances, as chlorine, the chloride of lime and of zinc, &3., possess considerable deodorizing pro- 1 Perties, and may in certain cases be usefully employed for sanitary purposes, but are quite unfit to be used ' m niaking manures from animal excretas, because they either decompose some of the most valuable constitu- ents of those matters, or are injurious to vegetation. The most important substances which have yet been proposed, both for deodorizing, and the manufacture of manures from putrescent matters, are peat and peat charcoal. The deodorizing property of vegetable charcoal, from whatever source, has long been known ; that of un- charred peat was first clearly ascertained by my father, Professor Davy, who at the scientific meetings and I lectures of the Royal Dublin Society, and subsequently in a pamphlet, called public attention to it ; and his statements have since received the most ample con- firmation from various sources. Peat, therefore, in its charred or uncharred slate, mav Kp iici:.d sl° « deodorizer for sanitary purposes, and it becomes little more than a question of expense which should be employed for this object. A difference of opinion, however is entertained whether peat or peat charcoal is the best a lapted to I deodorize animal excreta, &c., where the object is to I manfacture manures. The advocates for the use of I peat-charcoal allege, as one of the most important of its properties, that, when mixed with animal excreta, it absorbs and retains the ammonia which is evolved from such matter. If peat charcoal really does this, it effects a valuable object, as the importance of ammonia as a food of plants and a fertilizer of the soil is well established. With a view to throw some light on this subject, if possible, I made some comparative experiments with peat and peat charcoal on stall urine, which by decomposition had become highly ammonical. This urine was put in a well stoppered bottle and kept for the experiments. As peat from different localities differ in certain respects. I employed the same sods, charring one part of each, and leaving the otb^r part uncharred. The peat (m being converted into charcoal in a close crucible, was, on cooling, immediately put into a dry bottle and kept well corked. The uncharred peat, was broken into pieces and r laced in a similar bottle, and both, on being used, were reduced to the state of coarse powder, the particles of each being about the same size. Having taken equal weights of the powdered peat and peat charcoal, I put them into two similar evaporating dishes, and inti- mately mixing each with the same quantity of the ammoniacal urine, left the mixtures exposed to the ' air for some days under an open shed where they were protected from the rain. The proportions I employed were 500 grains of peat or peat charcoal to 6 drachms by measure (or about 355 grains by weight) of urine. I may observe, on mixing the urine with the charcoal a very strong- odor of ammonia was immediately disengaged, and the continued evolution of ammonia from the mixture for several days was readily detected by moistened I turmeric paper ; whereas in the case of the peat, no odor of ammonia was perceptible on making the mixture, nor could the disengagement of the sli lUOO bKVl v*\/« \^f n 714 l< it ^t " with peat, - 1.105 These results show, that when the urine was mixed with peat charcoal and exposed to the air for only four days, it lost 0.714 part of a grain of ammonia, which is more than three-fourths of the entire quantity contained in the urine ; whereas in the case of the peat, instead of there being any loss of ammonia, there was a slight excess over that existing in the urine alone, which is easily explained by the fact that peat itself always contains a minute quantity of ammonia. In these experiments, the quantities of ammonia were ascertained by boiling the urine and the mixtures for some time in a retort with a strong solution of caustic potash, and collecting the evolved ammonia in a given quantity of diluted sulphuric acid of known strength, and determining its amount by Peligot's method, which is one much used by chemists on account of its accuracy and expedition. I made also the following experiments, which confirm the results of those just noticed. Having weighed 300 grains of peat and of peat charcoal, I carefully mixed each with half an ounce by measure of the •ame urine as that employed in the former experiments, and putting each mixture on a small saucer placed it in a large plate holding some mercury, and having arranged a small tripod supporting an evaporating dish containing some diluted sulphuric acid of known strength over each mixture, finally covered the whole with a bell-glass ; the mercury serving to exclude the air. Having left the mixtures thus covered for five days. I removed the bell-glasses and examined, by Peligots method, the acid contained in each evaporating dish. I could not detect any ammonia in that placed over the peat, showing that none had evolved, and that the peat had completely retained and fixed, as it were, the volatile carbonate of ammonia existing in the wine. On the other hand, in the case of the peat charcoal, the acid indicated the absorption of 0 028 part of a grain of ammonia, or considerably more than one-fifth of the entire quantity existing in the urine of the mixture which had been evolved'. I repeated this last experiment, mixing 500 grains of peat and of peat charcoal with 1 fluid ounce of the same ammoniacal urine, and employing a similar arrangement as in the last, with the exception of using diluted muriatic instead of sulphuric acid for absorbing the evolved ammonia. After the mixtures had been left for sixteen days, I removed the bell-glasses, and found that the mixture with peat charcoal had a slight urinous smell, and was still evolving ammonia, which was apparent both by its odor and its action on turmeric paper suspended over the mixture; whereas the mixture with peat had no smell whatever, and no evolution of ammonia could be detected by means of turmeric paper. On evaporating to dryness in a water-bath the two acids placed over each mix- ture, I obtained in the case of the peat charcoal a residue of 57 grains of muriate of ammonia, which is equivalent to 1 812 grain of ammonia, or just about tbrpp-fnnrtV»c nf fV»<» pnfirp ommnnin r»nnt»inpH in iKa urine employed which had been evolved and afterwards absorbed by the acid. On the other hand, in the case of the peat there was an inappreciable residue, which on being dissolved in a little water and treated with caustic lime, gave a slight indication of ammonia, showing that only a very minute quantity had been evolved ; and this may in part be accounted for by the peat being mixed with a larger proportion of urine in this than in either of the two former experiments. The loss of ammonia in the case of the peat charcoal in these two latter comparative experiments is not so great in proportion, considering the time occupied, as in that of the former ; but this is easily explained by the surface exposed, not being so large, and the ex- periments being made under bell glasses, the same facilities for the evolution of ammonia were not present as when the mixture was exposed to open air ; but had the experiments been carried on longer, a much greater loss of ammonia would have taken place ; for on opening the bell-glasses in each, it was found that the mixture with peat charcoal was still evolving ammonia. These experiments show that peat charcoal (contrary to the many statements which have been made by its advocates) has very little power of absorbing and retaining the ammonia of excrementitious matter when mixed with it ; whereas peat possesses this valuable property in an eminent degree, and absorbs and retains it in a most striking manner, which would appear to be owing (at least in part) to peat containing some substance which acts the part of an acid in neutralizing and fixing the ammonia of the volatile carbonate ;. for I found that when peat in certain proportions was mixed with urine which was highly alkaline (from the quantity of carbonate of ammonia it contained) and the mixture filtered after a short time, that the filti-ale, though it contained ammonia, was quite neutral to test-papers, showing evidently that the ammonia o the carbonate had combined with some other acid to form a neutral salt. The evolution of ammonia in the case of peat charcoal seems to arise from two causes, namely, its inability to retain the volatile carbonate of ammonia existing in decomposing animal mattefi and the property I have observed it to possess of decomposing to a certain extent the fixed salts of ammonia, for example, the sulphate, phosphate, mu- riate, and urate which may be present in such matter* and converting them also into the volatile carbonate which is readily evolved. This latter property would seem to depend on the J856.] THE FARM JOUNRALAND PROGRESSIVE FARMER, £63 alkaline and earthy carbonates formed during the process of charring ; for when the charcoal was boiled for some time in diluted muriatic acid, and well wash- ed with distilled water, so as to remove as much as possible those salts, and again dried at a red heat, the power it possessed of decomposing the fixed salts of ammonia, though not completely removed, was, however greatly diminished, which clearly shows its connexion with those substances. Peat, on the other hand, does not possess this property in the slightest degree. These facts prove the great superiority of peat over peat charcoal for agricultural purposes as regards the important substance, ammonia ; for b}'^ the use of peat, the ammonia is retained more or less completely in the manure, to exercise its fertilizing action on vegetation, whereas the peat charcoal suffers it to be in greater part dissipated and lost. The foregoing results and statements, as regards peat charcoal, are contrary to what might have been anticipated from the experiments of De Saussure and other chemists, who have shown that charcoal poses- ses the power of absorbing different gaseous substances, and particularly ammonial gas, in large proportion: but the circumstances under which they conducted their experiments were very different from those in the experiments described in this communication. De Saussure. who appears to have made most ex- tended researches on this subject, when he ascertained that charcoal absorbed about ninety times its volume of ammonial gas, employed perfectly dry and very dense charcoal made from box wood, (the denser the charcoal the greater its absorbent power,) and in order that it might be as free as possible from air, heated the charcoal redhot, and while in this state plunged it under mercury, and thus cooled it out of the contact of the air, and afterwards let up into the gas. Such perfectly dry charcoal, and so free from air could never occur in practice, and are not the con- ditions in which charcoal is placed when used as a deodorizer of animal excreta, &c. ; for in addition to its having absorbed much air and naoisture from the atmosphere in spite of the must careful mode of keep- ing, it becomes more or less completely wet on mix- ing it with excrementitious matters ; and the experi- ments of De Saussure show that the absorbing power of charcoal for different gasea is greatly impaired by the presence of moisture. It appeared interesting to me, however, to asceatain what was the relative ab- sorbent power of peat charcoal, thoroughly dried peat, and of its ordinary state of dryness for ammonial gas. For this purpose I selected a good and tolerably dense sod of peat or turf, and having converted a part of it into charcoal, I made three small cubes of the same size as nearly as possible, one out of the charcoal, and two out of the uncharred part, one of which I then thoroughly dried by expsing it for many hours to a temperature of 212<^ F. The cube of charcoal, that it niight be as nearly as possible under the same condi- tions in respect to dryness and absorption of air as the cube of dried peat, I left exposed to the air for some time, and afterwards dried it at 2l2^ F. The third cube was left in the ordinary state of dryness, which was found by drying another portion of the sod to contain about 20 per cent, of water. These cubes were then let up into graduated receivers, filled with ammonial gas standing over mercury, and the follow- ing are the results of their absorption, the volume of charcoal of peat being taken as unity. VOLUMES. - 18.4 83.2 Peat Chnrcoal, Peat dried at 212® Fahrenheit, Peat in its ordinary state of dryness, contaiaing \ no, r. about 20 per cent, of water, / ^^'^ As the weight of the cube of peat charcoal to that of the cube of dried peat in this experiment was in the ratio of 13 to 16.6, the volume of ammonial gas absorbed by equal weights of the peat charcoal and the dried peat ought, by calculation, to be in the ratio of about 23.4 to 33 2. These results show that the absorbent power of peat charcoal, for ammonial gas, even in the dry state, is very much overrated, and is much less than that of dried peat, whether estimated by bulk or weight, and is far less than that of paat in its ordinary state of dryness. As regards carbonic acid, the great food of plants, peat has a decided advantage over peat charcoal, as the former readily undergoes decomposition in the soil, particularly if it is in contact with decomposing matter, (as excrementitious substances,) and gives rise to carbonic acid in the soil, both to supply the wants of the young plant before its leaves are suffi- ciently formed to obtain this indispensable substance from the surrounding atmosphere, and to render solu- ble in water certain earthy salts, >y vegetation, and present them in a state in which they can easily be taken up by the roots of the plantg. Charcoal, on the other hand, from its being so little liable to undergo change, or be oxidyzed and convert- ed into carbonic acid at the ordinary temptrature. would, under the .same circumstances, furnish only a minute quantity of carbonic acid, even after the lapse of a long period. Peat, likewise, from its greater elasticity, is better calculated than peat charcoal to improve the texture, and render more pervious to the air heavy clay soils deficient in vegetable matter ; and besides many other arguments which might be adduced in its favor, peat in the partially dried* and coarsely powdered state in which it should be employed, would only be about one-fifth, if so much, of the expense of peat charcoal. All these circumstances show that peat is greatly su- perior to peat charcoal in manufacturing manures for agricultural purposes. * The peat used In all these experiments, except those on the ab* sorption of ammoniacal gas, contained about 28 per cent, of water. 264 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Skptimbkb \m^ M FANNY 4th. Roan ; bred by T. P. Reminfrton, Pod Leaf Farm, near Philadelphia ; calved March 30, 1850 • got by imp Puke of Wellington (A. If. P., 55); out of Fanny 3d, by Meteor (104); Fanny 2d, by Magnum Bonum (E H B ' 2248); bred by Mr. Bell, Woolsington, England. * *' -ss:.^^'^ BEAUTY SPOT 3rd. .S5l!r:;^e":!:^^ '\ '- l ^^'--^-^ -^ ^-^ -- — ^r-^ ; .wed October 19, A.H B 874 E H B 4U ^^^ ""^ ^' ^^"'^^^^ '^'^'^^ ^«^' ^^ ^^^<-^ Wellington (son of Pnncc of Wal^^^ A. H. ii., b.4, E. H. B., 4882) ; Charlotte; by imported Wje Comet (1591). 185fi.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 9 365 For the Farm Journal. ' Friend Editors : — Your remarks in the last number of the Journal under the heading ** Try your hand at it," has induced me to sit down at once and try what I can do towards the good ivork, ! Though I cannot call myself a farmer (it is the farmers you call on) nor even an amateur yet, still there are some little experiences, which I have gained from a single season in the country, and my note book already has many pages of writing in it, which will be of use to me in after operations; I quite agree with you that every farmer should daili/ note the various changes of the atmosphere and the effect on his crops, so that in a succeeding season of similar character he will have ex- perience, not theory to teach him. I have been a careful reader of your valuable Journal since the commencement of the present volume, and wish every farmer in our state, could say the same thing, for I am certain there is good to be obtained from it, and no doubt but that the secret of the great success of some persons lies in the benefit they derive from the experi- ments of others, and the timely hints as portrayed in agricultural papers. While on this subject I must not forget two other valuable periodicals in the same line. The Horticulturist and the Germantown Telegraph, neither of which would I like to dispense with. But I was about to give the result or rather an account of some experiments I made with Guano and Super- Phosphate of Lime. (Peruvian Guano and Allen & Needles' Phosphate.) My garden was ploughed and harrowed three times, and abopt 300 lbs of guano to the acre put on it and thoroughly worked in. I planted Beans, Peas, Beets, Carrots, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes and all the usually cul- tivated garden vegetables, and in each row with the seed, I put superphosphate about as thick as is generally sown to corn in the hill ; the consequence was, that although my garden was newly made out of a clover field, from which oats were taken last summer. I had vegetables of some kinds in advance of any of my neighbors, particularly Beans and Peas, in which crops the greatest difference was observable. Now whether this was owing to the working of the soil or the manuring, I cannot from one trial say, but it has fairly proved that both together had a good effect ; I should also add, the quantity and quality were satisfactory. Sweet corn planted 5th mo., 25, is now coming into 'ise ; it was sown in drills, same as the above, and not- withstanding the dry weather it is verj'tall and is earing well. One experiment I tried with corn may not be new to most of your readers but it was to me. Part of it I •oaked and planted immediately on the phosphate, and part planted dry, the latter did the best. Another lot, the phosphate and earth were mixed together and dry and soaked corn planted ; in this instance the soaked was ^V rather earlier, but the planting was followed by rain while in the former instance no rain fell for two weeks after planting ; a third experiment was in my garden with the early Tusoarora corn, Guano broad cast and phosphate I'i the rows were used and the corn soaked ; the weather iwas dry, and early in the morning before the corn made 'ts appearance above ground, while the ground was wet With dew, the rows would be dry and could be distinctly seen their whole extent ; the com came up finely (not more than 2 or 3 grains to a hundred sown, failing) but in consequence of the drought has grown but little. Your readers may draw such conclusions from these facts as they can, mine being that in dry seasons phosphate should be mixed with the soil rather than put in the hill next the seed — also that it and guano form a valuable manure for the early vegetables for table use. I should like to hear from others who have tried it this I will trespass no further on your space at present, but may have at some other time, some results to give you, if agreeable to you, though just now lama pupil, rather than an instructor. Yours truly, B. Chester CO,, 8 mo., Wth, 1856. «»i > DRILLS AND DRILL SEEDING. The following excellent practical remarks on a subject of great importance were prepared about a year ago at our request by a gentleman whose opportunities for testing the comparative value of Drill and Broadcast seeding have been as extensive as perhnps any other in the country. We commend the article to the special attention of those who have not yet adopted the drill. In the former number it was stated that the drill was not only a labor-saving machine, but that it possessed still more important features, which belong to but few agricultural implements. I allude to its capability of increasing the crop per acre, with a diminished cost of labor and seed; and the extent to which it guards against accidents and uncertainties, which, (especially of late years,) in many parts of the country, render the wheat crop so fortuitous and unprofitable. In this and a few succeeding numbers I propose giving somewhat in detail, the principal reasons which experience demonstrates, tend to sustain the position. First. — In the outset, the drill economises seed. This it does, in part, by its regular distribution. Every foot of ground has its proper quantity of seed assigned to it, while, by the irregularity of broad-casting, in order to secure a sufficiency of seed to every part of the surface, many parts receive too much, thus, not only wasting seed, but constituting a great detriment to the crop. The drill not only puts every kernel in its right place, as far as distribution is concerned, but deposits it at a proper depth in the earth, insuring a full and healthy germination. This, the uncertain method of harrowing cannot do ; as many kernels are not buried at all, and thus are entirely lost ; others are barely covered and spring up without sufficient root to nourish them, producing at harvest, a slender feeble stalk, and as a consequence, a very light and imperfect ear. Many more grains than are absolutely necessary must be sown, where so great an allowance is to be made for wasted seed. The seed that is thus saved by the use of the drill, calculating from the most moderate estimate of common experience, is, at least, one peck per acre, amounting to two and a half bushels on ten acres. This, at a dollar and a half per bushel, is three dollars and seventy-five 369 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [September. 't cents saved; — the interest of oyer sixty-two dollars, — sufficient, or nearly so, to pay for a drill. An equal saving may, by a similar estimate, be shown in the oat crop. Thus the farmer in the course of one season, obtains more than the interest on his investment in the machine, in this one item alone. ' It will, however, be shown in a future number that this estimate of the saving of seed is too low by one half, generally. ^ Secondly-^The perfect manner in which the drill per- forms its work at one operation, is of great importance to the farmer. The seed is deposited and covered at once, leaving the whole work finished, and in order, as the drill passes over it; none partially harrowed in, and exposed to the rains that are liable to come upon the farmer, especially in the unsettled weather common to the season of spring seeding. This, of itself, especially on extensive grain growing plantations, saves more than the price of the drill, in one crop. The experience of every farmer attests, that by the use of the drill, he might often have realized an abundant crop, instead of seeing his seed, which sudden and heavy storms prevented him from having more than half har- rowed in, carried off by birds, thrown out by the frost or destroyed by drought. ' Thirdl!/-The simplicity of the drill is such that it is easily managed by the most ordinary hands, of limited experience, to whom our farming operations are often of necessity entrusted ; none but the most experienced and careful seedsman, at advanced wages, can, with any approximate degree of certainty, broad-cast evenly. Drtllm^ leaves the ground in letter condition than the harrow after sieding.-T^^e tubes run at considerable depth raising and breaking the earth, leaving it in a loose friable condition, admitting free access to air and moisture; and destroying the weeds much more effectu- ally than the harrow, which only scarifies the surface of the furrows, leaving the substratum compressed and PLOUGHED. HARROWED. hard. Oa many arenaceous soils the drill is the only instru- ment that IS necessary in spring seeding, it performing InlT f""' ""^■'"""' """l *«-»"' «' the «ame operation. Some of the best crops of oats in Chester and Bucks County are raised in this manner tubes moulder m around the horizontal* roots when they are U ted out of the ground, and laid bare by the freezing and thawing of winter. * This is illustrated by cuts Nos. 1, 2 and 3, of which No 1 represents wheat drilled in, No 2 plowed, and No. o narrowed in. DRILLED. By reference to Nos. 1 and 2, it is evident that when the horizontal or uppermost roots are only raised out of the ground, there is no resource but for the plant either to die or dwindle into a feeble stalk, for want of sufficient support, leaving the farmer to regret that his field of wheat presents so many bare spots, and that so large a proportion of the stalks are weak and puny, promising to yield him but a niggardly return for his labor. A glance at plate 3, will show how this difficulty is over- come in the drilled field. It is very apparent that as soon as the frost begins to raise the plant out of the ground, the ridges of earth between the rows are equally raised, and being disturbed and loosened, are gradually filled into the furrows around the stalks ; thus the roots that would otherwise be left bare, are covered up, and perform their part in nourishing the plant. 6. It is a preventive against drouth. — Often times, wheat when sown in dry weather, obtains just enough moisture from the surrounding particles of soil to make it germinate, but not enough to bring the shoot through the surface of the ground. This ruins the seed. The farmer calls it malting, and the case not unfrequently occurs in which he has to sow his whole field of wheat over again. This can rarely take place when the drill is used ; for every kernel is then distributed with regu- larity and precision, several inches below the surface, where the earth always has sufficient moisture to supply the wants of the plant. A moment's inspection of the annexed plates will show that many grains, whether of the harrowed or plowed wheat, are scarcely buried beneath the surface, and therefore exposed to the effects of the sun, which, in addition to the want of moisture, aids in malting the sprouting grain. Many instances have fallen under my own notice, in which portions of fields sown broad cast and harrowed in had to be entirely resown, from this cause, while parts immdiately contiguous, planted with the drill, came up bright and green, and lived through several weeks of dry weather. Yours truly, Peogressivi. * For convenience I have called those roots which branch out and creep along near the surface horizontal, and those which go deeper, radical roots. 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 267 In a new threshing machine recently invented by Alfred Brlchawber, of Ripley, Ohio, and illustrated Jibove, the principal novelty consists in the construction of the chaff screener, and in a new method of rubbing out the grain from such heads as happen to pass through the threshing cylinder without being wholly separated. The grain is fed into the threshing cylinder, A, in the usual manner, and the straw traverses up the endless carrier, B, and falls off, as shown, while the chaff* and grain pass on to the screen, C. This screen 18 covered with tongued ribs, made of sheet metal. The tongues, C,' are slightly bent up, and are larger at their base than at their points ; consequently, when the customary shaking motion is given to the screen, the chaff and heads will advance in direction of the arrow, while the grain sifts through and falls upon screen D, down which it rolls into a receiving box at E. The light chaff is blown off from screen, C, and from other parts of the apparatus, during the various stages of the operation, by means of a fan at F, which sends its blast through all the screens, and cfTectually cleanses the grain. The unthreshed heads, stones, 268 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. : 1 [Septembu etc., fall from screen 0 down to screen G, and the! ©there, the soil. Each, I think, maintains a truth; heads are thoroughly rubbed by the toothed rubber, G'. until the grain separates : the chaff is blown away, but the stones, weeds, heavy chaff, &c., roll out from . and both together, nearly the whole truth. We need the am. lyais of the crop to teach ua its ingredients, and that of tjj, soil to ascertain whether it contains those ingredients; and trough, II, while the clean grain falls down through - if it does not, what fertilizer must be applied to suppl tube I into receiver E. A screen (not shown) is placed : them. Thus, by analysis, we learn that nearly a quart* over trough II, on to which the stones fall, the grain ] part of the constituents of the pear, the grape, and the straw. passing through the screen into tube I. From the i berry consists of potash. This abounds in new soils, and receiving box, E, the grain is raised by elevators, J, ' peculiarly adapts them to the production of these fruiu. and passes down over screen K, thoroughly cleaned but having been extracted from soils long under cultivaiim and separated, into measures or bags, ready for market. »t »s supplied by wood ashes or potash, the value of which 1866.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 360 The required vibration of the screens is accomplished by means of rods, M N, &c. Springs are employed to relieve the shock of the vibrations. The method of rubbing un threshed heads, is good. has of late greatly increased in the estimation of culti?|. tors. Among the arts of modern cultivation, universal eip«ri. ence attests to the great advantage of" mulching" the soil as it saves the complication and expense involved ^''^und the fruit trees, as a means of fertilization and of 1 1 . • , , . . . .^_«„_« .: r , 1 . . . when mechanism is employed to carry the grain, stones, weeds, &c., back to the threshing cylinder for re-working. This separator is strong and compact in all its parts, certain and thorough in operation, and economical for manufacture. Many of the ordinary separators are liable to choke up, and if the chaff screen breaks, they are not easily repaired. In this machine these objections do not exist ; owing to the nature of the construction, the straw, chaff, and grain are rapidly carried away, so that no choking can take place ; any of the tongued ribs of the chafl' screen may be replaced without trouble. On a recent trial, we are informed that one of these machines threshed and delivered the clean grain at the rate of two bushels per minute, or over 1000 bushels per diem; it was also driven with less power than other machines. Price from $300 to $320 complete ; power required, eight horses. preservation from drought and heat, so common with uiin midsummer. In iliustriation of this, experiment has proYed that on dry soils, where the earth has been strewn with straw, the crops have been as large without manure ai with it, where evaporation has disengaged the fertilizing ela- ments of the soil. ON THE FERTILIZER FOR FRUIT TREES. BT MARSHALL P. WILDER, OF BOSTON, MASS. In relation to appropriate fertilizers for trees a diversity of opinion prevails. All agree that certain substances exist in plants and trees, and that these must be contained in the soil to produce growth, elaboration and perfection. To sup- I)ly these, some advocate the use of what are termed '* spe- cial manures," others ridicule the idea. I would suggest whether this is not a difference in language, rather than in principle; for in special fertilizers, the first make simply those which correspond with the constituents of the crop ; but are not the second careful to select and apply manures' which contain those elements? and do they not, in prac- tice, affix the seal of their approbation to the theory which they oppose 1 Explode this doctrine, and do you not de- Btroy the principle of manuring and the necessity of a ro- tation of crops 1 Trees exhaust the soil of certain ingre- dients, and, like animals, must have thoir appropriate food. All know how difficult it is to make a fruit tree flourish on the spot from which an old tree of the same species has been removed. The great practical question now agitating the commu- nity IS, how shall we ascertain what fertilizing elements are appropriate to a particular species of vegetation ^ To this two replies are rendered. kmtsgllj^a State Jgritultural Bmii REGULATIONS FOB ^858. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FAIR. Anv person can become a member of the Society for one year by the payment of one dollar into its treasury. All the members of the Society whose dues are paid, and all who shall become members previous to or at the Ftir, will be furnished with cards of membership. Secretary's office at the Seed and Implement Store of James Wardrop, No. 47 Fifth st, Pittsburgh. Cards of membership will be furnished by the Secr«Ury at his office in Pittsburg, at any time after the first of Sep. tember, and by the Treasurer, at his office on the Fair Grounds during the Exhibition. Each member will be furnished with eight admission tickets, one of which muit be left with a gate keeper, at each entrance to the Fair Grounds. The members cards are certificates of member* ship for the year, and are not to be given up at the gates. Single tickets for one admittance, price twenty-five cenU, will be ready at the Treasurer's office on the Grounds, on Tuesday morning, the 30th of Sept. Carriages will be allowed to enter the Grounds, but no hacks or other public conveyances will be permitted to enter. .. I To Exhibitors. The books ofentries will be open at the Secretary's office, on and after the Jimt day of September. The days of the Fair are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thurir day and Friday, the 30t/i of Sep f ember, and Ut, 2d and 3d days of October next, fi^^Exhibitors must become members of the Society, and have their articles and animals entered on the Secre- tary's books on or before Tuesday evening the 30/A of September; and all articles and animals except horses, Some sa h "*"^' ^^ brought within the enclosure as early as Tuesday say, ana yze the crop; j ^^^/i, in order that they may be suitably arranged for ex- amination by the Judges on Wednesday morning. Horses will be received early on Wednesday morning, but must be entered previously. The Executive Committee do not intend to assure any exhibitor, who neglects these requirements, that his articles can he passed upon by the Judges. While every effort will \iB made to secure the examination and proper notice of every article on exhibition, justice to those who comply with tke rules of the Society, requires that they shall, in all cases, £„»* raooivp attpntinn. Articles or animals removed from the grounds before the cloac of the Exhibition (except by permission of the Presi- dent,) cannot receive a premium, though awarded. jH^On 7'uesday the grounds will be opened to the pub- lic, and continue open for four days. Single admission, 26 cents. Member* s cards, $1. Articles and animals for Exhibition can be entered on and after the first of September at the office of the Secre- tary in Pittsburgh, until the first day of the Exhibition, when an office for entry will be opened upon the ground, where entries will be made only during that day. Competition without the State. The Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society makes the field of competition co-extensive with the United States, and cordially invites the citizens of other States to compete with U8 for our prizes. Animals and articles entered for exhibition will have cards attached, with the No. as entered at the business of- fice; and it is desired that exhibitors should, in all cases, obtain their cards of Number and Class, previous to placing their stock or articles on the grounds. All persons who intend to exhibit Horses, Cattle, Sheep or Swine, or who intend to offer stock for sale should notify the Secretary of such intention, on or before the 20th day of September, and leave with hir!i a list and full description of such t-tock, in order that proper arrangements may be made for their accomodation. Applicants for premiums are particularly requested to pay attention to the directions attached to the list of pre- miums fox fat cattle, /a/ sheep, butter and cheese, &c., and the statements required from Exhibitors of those articles, must be lodged with the Secretary before the 25th of Sep- tember. They will not award premiums for Bulls, Cows or Heifers which appear to have been fattened for the Butcher; the object being to have superior animals of this kind for breed- ing. No person whatever will be allowed to interfere with the Judges during their adjudications. No animal or article can lake more than one premium. AH productions placed in competition for premiums, must be the grouth of the competitors. When there is but one exhibitor, although he may show several animals in a class or sub-division of a class, only one premium will be awarded to one animal ; that to be the first, or otherwise, as the merit of the animal or article may be adjudged. And a premium will not be awarded, when the animal or article is not worthy, though there be no competition. In any case the person to whom a pecuniary premium may have been awarded, may elect to accept a diploma instead thereof. Superintendents. It is expected that the Superintendents will take particu- lar direction of all articles in their respective df^partments, and see that all such articles are arranged, as near as may be, In numerical order, for their easy approach and exam- ination. iMtmctions for the Judges and for the Superintendents of the Different Departments. The Judges are requested to report themselves to the President on their arrival, at the Business Office, at the Show Grounds; they arc desired to meet at the Society *d tent, on the grounds, at 4 o'clock, P. M., on Tuesday, 30lh ^^ September, when the vacancies will be filled ; and on Wednesday morning, at 9 o'clock, at the same place, they w»ll be furnished with the books of entries, when they will proceed to decide upon the merits of the different animals and articles submitted to them. The Judges on all animals will have regard to the sym- J^etry, early maturity, size and general qualities character- '«lic of the breeds which they j udge. They will make due, Allowance for age, feeding, and other circumstances, on the •^aracter and condition of the animals. * ncy will not give encouragement to over-fed animals Plowing and Harrowing Match. The Plowing Match will take place on Friday, the 3d, at 9 oVlock, A. M., in a field adjacent to the place of Exhi- bition. Persons competing in the Matches are requested to have their teams hitched, and ready to move off at the appointed hour. Harrowing Match immediately after the plowing. The Address. The Annual Address will be delivered by the Hon. Geo. W. Woodward, at 2 o'cIocJL, P. M., on Friday, the 3d of October ; and immediately after the Address the reports of the Viewing Committees, or Judges, will be read and the Premiums awarded and distributed. Hay and Straw. Hay and straw will be furnished gratis, for all animals entered for preniums; and grain will be provided at lowest cost price, for those who desire to purchase. Payment of Premiums. Cash premiums awarded will be paid by the Treasurer, at the Seed and Implement store of James Wardrop, No. 47 Fifth street, Pittsburg, during the whole of the week after the Exhibition. Jg^*" Persons to whom cash premiums have been awarded are informed that unless they call for them at the place and time specified above, application must be made by letter, to the l^reasurer, Georor H. Buciier, at Hogestown, Cum- berland county, with whom the Book of Awards will be left. Persons to whom medals and silver plate have been awarded will please furnish their names to the Recording Secretary, in order that the engraving of names may be properly done. JB^^The Secretary will forward the Diplomas awarded, in such manner as may be directed by the persons entitled to receive them. 4 H 'TT/^TT'X' OTXTrMXT/^ 268 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [Septembu etc., fall from screen 0 down to screen G, and the' others, the soil. Each, I think, maintains a truth; a^j heads are thoroughly rubbed by the toothed rubber, i both together, nearly the whole truth. We need the an Q\ until the grain separates : the chaff is blown away, lysis of the crop to teach us its ingredients, and that of til but the stones, weeds, heavy chaff, &c., roll out from soil to ascertain whether it contains those ingredients- and trough, H, while the clean grain falls down through ' if it does not, what fertilizer must be applied to sipni, tube I into receiver E. A screen (not shown) is placed j them. Thus, by analysis, we learn that nearly a quart! over trough II, on to which the stones fall, the grain j part of the constituents of the pear, the grape, and the straw, passing through the screen into tube I. From the : berry consists of potash. This abounds in new soils, and receiving box, E, the grain is raised by elevators, J, ! peculiarly adapts them to the production of these fruiii and passes down over screen K, thoroughly cleaned ' !>"' having been extracted from soils long under cuIiivaiioB and separated, into measures or bags, ready for market. | »' »s supplied by wood ashes or potash, the value of whick The required vibration of the screens is accomplished I has of late greatly increased in the estimation of cultin. by means of rods, M N, &c. Springs are employed to ' 'o"» 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 269 relieve the shock of the vibrations. The method of rubbing unthreshed heads, is good, Among the arts of modern cultivation, universal experji ence attests to the great advantage of" mulching" the toil as it saves the complication and expense involved ' *''ound the fruit trees, as a means of fertilization and of 1 1 .♦ • , -. , ., . T^..^C^,..^t'.^^ C .1 L. 1 ■ . when mechanism is employed to carry the grain, stones, weeds, &c., back to the threshing cylinder for re-working. This separator is strong and compact in all its parts, certain and thorough in operation, and economical for manufacture. Many of the ordinary separators are liable to choke up, and if the chaff screen breaks, they are not easily repaired. In this machine these objections do not exist ; owing to the nature of the construction, the straw, chaff, and grain are rapidly carried away, so that no choking can take place ; any of the tongued ribs of the chaff screen may be replaced without trouble. On a recent trial, we are informed that one of these machines threshed and delivered the clean grain at the rate of two bushels per minute, or over 1000 bushels per diem; it was also driven with less power than other machines. Price from $300 to $320 complete ; power required, eight horses. «•> . ON THE FERTILIZER FOR FRUIT TREES. BT MARSHALL F. WILDER, OF BOSTON, MASS. preservation from drought and heat, so common with uiia midsummer. In illustriation of this, experiment has proved that on dry soils, where the earth has been strewn with straw, the crops have been as large without manure m with it, where evaporation bai disengaged the fertilizing el^ ments of the soil. amination by the Judges on Wednesday morning. Horses will be received early on Wednesday morning, but must be entered previously. The Executive Committee do not intend to assure any exhibitor, who neglects these requirements, that his articles J can be passed upon by the Judges. While every effort will ' be made to secure the examination and proper notice of I every article on exhibition, justice to those who comply with the rules of the Society ^ requires that they shall, in all casts, Articles or animals removed from the grounds before the close of the Exhibition (except by permission of the Presi- dent,) cannot receive a premium, though awarded. I^On Tuesday the grounds will be opened to the pub- lic, and continue open for /our days. Single admission, 26 cents. Member* s cards, $1. Articles and animals for Exhibition can be entered on and after the first of September at the office of the Secre- tary in Pittsburgh, until the first day of the Exhibition, when an office for entry will be opened upon the ground, where entries will be made only during that day. 'i^i ^mws^WiK State Agricultural Sofi^ REGULATIONS FOR J 856. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FAIR. Any person can become a member of the Society for one year by the payment of one dollar into its treasury. All the members of the Society whose dues are paid, and all who shall become members previous to or at the Fair, will be furnished with cards of membership. Secretary's office at the Seed and Implement Store of James Wardrop, No. 47 Fifth St., Pittsburgh. Cards of membership will be furnished by the Sec!tta7 at his office in Pittsburg, at any time after the first of Sep. tember, and by the Treasurer, at his office on the Fair Grounds during the Exhibition. Each member will be m relation to appropriate fertilizers for trees a divprsitv of ' r i i •. • . ODinion prevails All «.r.. .» * '«'' trees a diversity of , fum.ghed with eight admission tickets, one of which moit opinion prevails. All agree that certain substanrpfi pTisf ' k« i r* -.u , in plants and trees, and that these must be coSdin^^^^^^ left with a gate keeper, at each entrance to the Fair Boil to produce growth, elaboration and perfection. To sup- ply these, some advocate the use of what are termed '« spe- cial manures," others ridicule the idea. I would suggest whether this is not a difference in language, rather than in principle; for in special fertilizers, the first make simply those which correspond with the constituents of the crop ; but are not the second careful to select and apply manures' which contain those elements 1 and do they not, in prac- tice, affix the seal of their approbation to the theory which they oppose ? Explode this doctrine, and do you not de- stroy the principle of manuring and the necessity of a ro- tation of crops 1 Trees exhaust the soil of certain ingre- dients, and, like animals, must have thoir appr..priate food AH know how difficult it is to make a fruit tree flourish on the 6pot from which an old tree of the same species has been removed. The great practical question now agitating the commu- nity IS, how shall we ascertain what fertilizing elements are appropriate to a particular species of vegetation ^ To Grounds. The members cards are certificates of member- ship for the year, and are not to be given up at the gates. Single tickets for one admittance, price twenty-five cenU, will be ready at the I'reasurer's office on the Grounds, OD Tuesday morning, the 30th of Sept. Carriages will be allowed to enter the Grounds, but no hacks or other public conveyances will be permitted to enter. this two replies are rendered. To Exhibitors. The books of entries will be open at the Secretary's office, on and after the first day of September. The days of the Fair are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thun- day and Friday, the 30th of Sep/ ember, and Ist, 2d and 3d days of October next. fi^rExhibitors must become members of the Society, and have their articles and animals entered on the Secre tary's books on or before Tuesday evening the 30/A of September; and all articles and animals except horses, must be brought within the enclosure as early as Tuesday Some sav I u -•"^"g""' wumu uie enclosure as eariy as ^ ucjwwjr y,anayze the crop; j^^on, in order that they may be suitably arranged for ex- Competition without the State. The Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society makes the field of competition co-extensive with the United States, and cordially invites the citizens of other States to compete with us for our prizes. Animals and articles entered for exhibition will have cards attached, with the No. as entered at the business of- fice; and it is desired that exhibitors should, in all cases, obtain their cards of Number and Class, previous to placing their stock or articles on the grounds. All persons who intend to exhibit Horses, Cattle, Sheep or Swine, or who intend to offer stock for sale should notify the Secretary of such intention, on or before the 20th day of September, and leave with him a list and full description of such frtock, in order that proper arrangemenU may be made for their accomodation. Applicants for premiums are particularly requested to pay attention to the directions attached to the list of pre- miums for fat cattle, /a/ sheep, butter and cheese, &c., and the statements required from Exhibitors of those articles, must be lodged with the Secretary before the 25th of Sep- tember. They will not award premiums for Bulls, Cows or Heifers which appear to have been fattened for the Butcher ; the object being to have superior animals of this kind for breed- ing. No person whatever will be allowed to interfere with the Judges during their adjudications. No animal or article can lake more than one premium. All productions placed in competition for premiums, must be the grouth of the competitors. When there is bui one exhibitor, although he may show several animals in a class or sub-division of a class, only one premium will be awarded to one animal ; that to be the first, or otherwise, as the merit of the animal or article may be adjudged. And a premium will not be awarded, when the animal or article is not worthy, though there be no competition. In any case the person to whom a pecuniary premium may have been awarded, may elect to accept a diploma instead thereof. Superintendents. It is expected that the Superintendents will take particu- lar direction of all articles in their respective departments, and see that all such articles are arranged, as near as may be, In numerical order, for their easy approach and exam- ination. Plowing and Harrowing Match. The Plowing Match will take place on Friday, the 3d, at 9 o*clock, A. M., in a field adjacent to the place of Exhi- bition. Persons competing in the Matches are requested to have their teams hitched, and ready to move off at the appointed hour. Harrowing Match immediately after the plowing. The Address. The Annual Address will be delivered by the Hon. Geo. W. Woodward, at 2 oV'locJt, P. M., on Friday, the 3d of October ; and immediately after the Address the reports of the Viewing Committees, or Judges, will be read and the Premiums awarded and distributed. iMtructions for the Judges and for the Snperintcndente of the Different Departments. The Judges are requested to report themselves to the President on their arrival, at the Business Office, at the Show Grounds; they are desired to meet at the Society's teot, on the grounds, at 4 o'clock, P. M., on Tuesday, 30lh of September, when the vacancies will be filled ; and on Wednesday morning, at 9 o'clock, at the same place, they '^iH be furnished with the books of entries, when they will proceed to decide upon the merits of the different animals and articles submitted to them. ihe Judges on all animals will have regard to the sym- l^^etry, early maturity, size and general qualities character- •"tic of the breeds which they j udge. They will make due, allowance for age, feeding, and other circumstances, on the character and condition of the animals. ihcy will not give encouragement to over-fed animals Hay and Straw. Hay and straw will be furnished gratis, for all animals entered for preniums; and grain will be provided at lowest cost price, for those who desire to purchase. Payment of Premiums. Cash premiums awarded will be paid by the Treasurer, at the Seed and Implement store of James Wardrop, No. 47 Fifth street, Pittsburg, during the whole of the week after the Exhibition. Jg^* Persons to whom cash premiums have been awarded are informed that unless they call for them at the place and time specified above, application must be made by letter, to the Treasurer, Georgr H. Bucher, at Hogestown, Cum- berland county, with whom the Book of Awards will be left. Persons to whom medals and silver plate have been awarded will please furnish their names to the Recording Secretary, in order that the engraving of names may be properly done. JB^^'The Secretary will forward the Diplomas awarded, in such manner as may be directed by the persons entitled to receive them. TIGHT BINDING 270 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [September mi m The Reports of the Judges will be published by the So- ciety, as soon after the Fair as practicable. Notice to Exhibitors. The Executive Committee will take every precaution in their power for the safety of Stock and articles on Exhibi- tion, after their arrival and arrangertient upon the grounds ; but will not be responsible for any loss or dam- age that may occur. They desire Exhibitors to give per- sonal attention to their articles and animals, and at the close of the Fair to attend to their removal. AH articles intended for exhibition and not accompanied by the exhibitor, may be directed to the State Fair, Pitts- burg. Forms of Affidavits for Surveyor, Applicants and Assistant. •County, ss. A. B being duly sworn, savs he is a surveyor ; that he surveyed with chain and com- pass, the land on which C. D. raised a crop of the past season, and the quantity of land is -acres, and no more. A. B., Surveyor. Sworn io before roe, this day of , 185 — , .Tustice. County, ss. C. D. being duly sworn, says that he raised a crop of the past season upon the said land surveyed by A. B., and that the quantity of grain raised thereon was bushels,* measured in a sealed half bushel; and that he was assisted in harvesting and measuring said crop by E. F., and that the statement an- nexed subscribed by this deponent, as to the manner of cultivation, &c., is in all respects true to the best of his knowledge and belief, and that the sample of the grain ex- hibited is a fair average sample of the whole crop. C. D. Sworn to before me, this day of , 185 — . , Justice. County, 88. B F. being duly sworn, says that he assisted C. D. in harvesting, getting out and meas- uring his crop of referred to in the affidavit, that the quantity of grain was bushels, as stated in the affidavit of CD. E.F. Sworn to before me, this day of 185 , Justice, LIST OF PREMIUMS. The Society will take great care in the selection of their Judges, and they confidently hope that all who shall be named will attend. The names of the Judges will be an- nounced and published at least one month before the Ex- hibition. CLASS NO. 1 Cattle No- 1. — Short Horns. BULLS. For best Bull, three years old and upwards, Second best do do Third best do do - I Best Ball between two and three years, - Second best do do - . Third best do do - • Best Bull between one and two years Second best do do - . Third best do do - • $20 15 8 15 8 4 10 5 3 Best Bull Calf under 10 months, Second best do do Third best do do cows. Best Cow 3 years old and upwards, Second best do do Third best do do Best Heifer between 2 and 3 years old, Second best do do Third heat do do Best Heifer between 1 and 2 years, Second best do do Third best do do Best Heifer Calf under 10 months. Second best do do Third best do do No. 2.^-Devona, Bulls. For best Bull 3 years and upwards, Second best do do Third best do do Best Bull between 2 and 3 years, Second best do do Third best do do Best Bull between one and two years Second best do do Third best do do Best Bull calf under 10 months Second best do do Third best do do COWS. Best cow 3 years and upwards Second best do do Third best do do Best Heifer between 2 and 3 years Second best do do Third best do do Best Heifer between 1 and 2 years Second best do do Third best do do Best Heifer calf under 10 months Second best do do Third best do do No, 3. — Herefords. BULLS. For best Bull 3 years old and upwards Second best do do Third best do do Best Bull between 2 and 3 years Second best do do Third best do do Best Bull between 1 and 2 years Second best do*^ do ^~~~" Third best do do Best Bull calf under 10 months Second best do do Third best do do COWS. Best Cow 3 years old and upwards Second best do do Third best do do Best Heifer between 2 and 3 years 8 3 II I 18 H I 10 8 % 5 3 i $20 16 8 15 8 4 10 8 8 5 8 S $20 10 6 15 10 8 18 5 t 8 8 t $20 15 8 15 8 4 10 " 6 4 5 3 15 8 15 U53.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 271 I Second best do do Third best do do Beat Heifer between 1 and 2 years Second best do do Third best do do Best Heifer calf under 10 months Second best do do Third best do do No. 4 — Ayrshire, Bulls. For best bull 3 years old and upwards, Second best do do Third best do do Best bull between 2 and 3 years, Second best do do Third best do do Best bull between 1 and 2 years. Second best do do Third best do do Best bull calf under 10 months, Second best do do Third best do 6o Cows, For best cow 3 years old and upwards, Second best do do . Third best do dO , Best heifer between 2 and 3 years, . Second best do 49 • Third b. st do do Best heifer between 1 and 2 years, . Second best do do . Third best do do , Best heifer calf under 10 months, . Second best do do . Third best do do No. 5. Holsfein. BuUs. For best bull 3 years old and upwards. Second best do do Third beat do do Best bull between 2 and 3 years, Second best do do Third best do do Best bull between 1 and 2 years. Second best do do Third best do do Best bull calf under 10 months, Second best do do Third best do do Co I vs. For best cow 3 years old and upwards, Second best do do Third best do do Best heifer between 2 and 3 years. Second best do do Third best do do Best heifer between 1 and 2 years, . Second best do do Third best do do Best heifer calf under 10 months, Second best do do Third best do do 8 10 6 2 5 3 1 $20 15 8 15 8 4 10 6 3 5 3 2 $20 15 6 15 8 5 10 5 2 5 3 1 $20 15 6 10 8 4 10 5 3 5 3 2 20 15 6 15 8 5 10 5 2 6 3 1 $20 15 8 15 8 4 wi 5 3 5 3 2 $20 15 6 15 8 5 10 5 2 5 3 1 No. 6. — Alderney. Bulls, For best bull 3 years old and upwards, Second best do do Third best do do Best Bull between 2 and 3 years. Second best do do Third best do do Best bull between I and 2 veai^^ Second best do do Third best do do Best bull calf under 10 months, Second best do do Third best do do Cdws. For best cow 3 years old and upwards. Second best do do Third best do do Best heifer between 2 and 3 years, Second best do do Third best do do Best heifer between 1 and 2 years Second best do do Third best do do Best heifer calf under 10 months. Second best do do Third best do do No, 7. — Natives or Grades. Bulls, For Best bull 3 years old and upwards, Second best do do Third best do do Best bull between 2 and 3 years, . Second best do do Third best do do Best Bull between 1 and 2 years, . Second best do do Third best do do Best bull calf under 10 months, . Second best do do Cows, For best cow 3 years old and upwards, Second best do do Third best do do . Best heifer between 2 and 3 years Second best do do Third best do do Best heifer between 1 and 2 years, Second best do do Third best do do Best heifer calf calf under 10 months, Second best do do No. 8. — Wor Icing Oxen For the best team of 20 yoke from any county, (Pre- mium to be paid to the County Agricultural Society in said county,) ^^^^ Second best team of 20 yoke from any county, (Pre- mium to be paid to the County Agricultural Society in said county,) -^ Best team of oxen, not less than 2 yoke . • . 25 Second best do *^° • • . • 20 12 10 8 10 e 4 6 4 2 3 1 12 10 8 10 8 4 6 4 2 3 i TIGHT BINDING 272 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. m I [Septembkb Best yoke of oxen, • • • • . . 20 Second besl do • • • • • • .10 Third besl do .....•• 8 A cart will be provided to test the working qualities of the oxen. Nc, 9.— Fat Cattle. For best pair fat steers or oxen, Second best Third best RAjt fat CQ^ Second best . Third best Best fat heifer Second best do Third best do Best fat steer, . Second best do Third best do do do do do 15 10 6 10 5 3 10 5 3 15 10 5 30 stock by the exhibitor, combining the best properties Iq rej^ard to profitable Breeding, Feeding and Milking 5Q Second btist, do« CLASS No. 11. Hones and Mules. No. 13 — Stallions and Mares for all Work, Best Stallion 4 years and upwards, Second best do do • . Third best do do . * upwards, Second best Third best Applicants for premiums for fat cattle, must furnish state- ments of the manner of feeding. Jljj^ Judges on Fat Cattle will give particular attention to the animals submitted to them for examination. It is believed that all other things being equal, those are the best cattle that have the greatest weight in the smallest super- fices. The cattle to be judged as fat cattle will all be weighed and the Judges will take measure to get the super- fices of each. No. 10— Milch Cows. For best Milch Cow, ••.... 20 Second best do 15 Third best do .10 jg^gr The cows to be kept on grass only during the trial, and for ten days previous to each period of trial. The time of trial from 1st of May till the Fair. STATEMENT TO HE FCR!VISI1KD COifTAIWIWO First. The age and breed of the cow, and time of calving. Second. The quantity of milk, in weight, and also of butter made from such cow, during each period of ten days. Third. A statement to be made to the Judges of the facts, verified by the affidavit of competitor and one other person conversant therewith. No. \\— Foreign imported Cattle. Best Short Horn Bull 2 years old and upwards, di- ploma and •••.,.. Best Heifer or Cow 2 years and upwards, diploma and ,....• Best Devon Bull 2 years and upwards, diploma and Best Heifer or Cow 2 years and upwards, diploma and Best Hereford Bull 2 years and upwards, diploma anJ "... Best Heifer or Cow 2 years and upwards diploma and . • Best Ayrshire Bull 2 years and upwards, diploma and Best Heifer or Cow 2 years and upwards, diploma and ...... . The importation, to entitle it to compete must have been adme within two years. No. n.— Best Herd of Cattle. For the best display of Cattle owned and held as farm do do do do do do Heavy draught. Best Stallion 4 years and upwards, Second best do do Third best do do Best Brood Mare, (with foal at her foot,) 4 years upwards, ...... Second best do do do Third best do do do Quick Draught. Best Stallion 4 years and upwards, • 25 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 Second best do do Third best do do Best Mare do do Second best do do Third best do do Best Stallion 4 Second best years do Draught. and upwards, • do Thiru best do do Best Mare, do do Second best do do Third best do do Three years old. Best Stallion and under 4, •» Second best do do Third best do do Best Mare, do do Second best do do Third best do do Best Stallion 2 years Two years old. and under 3 Second best do do Third best do do Best Mare, do do Second best do do Third best do do f bird best Best Mare, Second best Third best One year old Colts. Best Stallion 1 year old, - iSecond best do . • i\o do • • do • • do . • Matched Horses for Carriag Best pair of Matched Horses, Second b«'st do - . Third best do - Best pair of Matched Mares, Second best do Third best do • - 5 a and PS. -I iU 30 15 5 30 15 5 30 15 6 30 15 5 30 15 5 30 15 5 30 15 5 30 15 6 §30 . 15 ft 30 15 6 $80 16 5 30 15 .1 $15 10 5 15 10 5 $30 15 5 20 10 5 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. For draught or Farm. Best pair of Horses, Second best do Third best do Best pair of Mares, Second best do Third best do Best Gelding Second best Geldings and singh Best Gelding for Saddle, Second l>est do Third best do Best Gelding for Harness, Second best do Third best do Besl Family Horse, Best Family Mare, Second best do Single Mares Best Mare for Saddle, Second best do Third best do Best Mare for Harness, Second best do Third best do Jacks and Mules, Mares. $30 16 6 15 10 6 10 6 $10 7 5 10 7 6 10 6 5 |10 7 5 10 7 5 $20 10 20 10 20 10 5 10 5 25 15 Best Jack - Second best Best Jennet Second best Best pair of Mules, Second best Third best Best pair of mules 2 years or under Best draught Mule, Silver Medal, Second best do Best team of Mules not less than 4, Second best do do No. 14 — Foreign imported Horses. Hiving been imported within three years. "' Best Blood Stallion 4 years and upward, diploma and ---... Best Brood mare 4 years and upwards, diploma and Best Stallion of all work 4 years and upwards, diploma and ----.. Best Draught Stallion 4 years and upwards diploma and - - - - . . Best Brood Mare 4 years and upwards, diploma and Thorough bred. Best Stallion 4 years and upwards. Second best do - - . . Third best do - - - . Best Br.od Mar- (with fonl at her foot) - Second best do - - - . Third best do - - . . In order to compete in XhWcUs'T^f Thorough Breds, ecligrees must be produced, showing the purity of blood of ail amm^ils exhibited in this class. Ti»e pedigree must be c^nipicie on the part of both dam and sire, and a certificate 01 the tune of importation. I $20 20 20 20 20 $30 20 10 80 20 10 CLASS NO. IIL Sheep, Swine and Poultry. No. 15— Sheep and Wool. Spanish. Best Buck, - . . ^ Second best - . . _ Best pen of Ewes, not less than 3 Second best do - Best pen of Lambs, not less than 4, Second best do - Middle Wooled. Best Buck, - - - . Second best do - • . Best pen of Ewes, not less than 4, Second best do - Best pen of Lambs, not less than 4 Second best do - Long Wooled. Best Buck, - - - • Second best do - Best pen of Ewes, not less than 3, Second best do - Best pen of Lambs, not less than 4, Second best do - Merinos. Best Buck, - - - - Second best do - Best pen of Ewes, not less than 3, Second beat do - Best pen of Lambs, not less than 4, Second best do - Saxons. Best Buck, - - • . Second best do - Best pen of Ewes, not less than 3, Second best do - Best pen of Lambs, not less than 4, Second best do - Cross-bred Sheep, Best Buck, - - - , Second best, do - Best Pen of Ewes (breeders) not less than 3, Second best do - Bedt pen of Lambs, not less than 4, Second best do - No. 16 — Foreign Imported Sheep, Long Wooled. Best Buck, • • • Second best do • • • Best pen, 3 Ewes, • , Second best do . • ; Middle Wooled, Best Buck, • Second best do . B ;st pen, 3 Ewes, Second best do • Best Buck, . Second best do . Best pen, 3 Ewes, Second best do • * Merinos 273 $10 6 10 « 10 6 $10 6 10 6 10 6 $10 6 10 6 10 6 $10 6 10 6 10 6 $10 6 10 10 $10 6 10 6 10 6 $10 8 10 8 $10 S TO 8 $10 8 10 8 TIGHT BINDING 274 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. -" [Septb ip irv Spanish. Best Buck, • • • . Second best do , • , . Best pen, 3 Ewes, • • . Second best do . . , , Saxons, Best Buck, • • • . Second best do • , , , Best pen, 3 Ewes, • . , Second best do . . , , No, \l^Fat Sheep, and Wool. Grown and fed by Exhibitor. Best Fat Sheep, two years eld and upwards Second best do J'hird best do , Best Fat Sheep under 2 years Second best do , Third best, under 2 years . Best 5 Fat Sheep, any age . Second best do . Wool. Best 3 fleeces Saxony Wool Second I»est do • Best 3 fleeces Merino Wool Second best do • Best 3 fleeces of Long Wool Second best do Best 3 fleeces of Middle Wool Second best do Best 3 fleeces Lambs Wool Second best do , Best Shepherd Dog • Second best do No. 18 — Suuine Large Bred, For best boar over 2 years old, Second best do . Jiest Boar, 1 year old • i** cond best do Best Boar 6 months and under 1 year, >S cond best do • li- st Breeding Sow 1 year and over, > cond best do . « B :st Sow, 6 months and under 1 year Second best do Best lot pigs (not less than 5) under Second best do Including Chester, Berkshire, Hampshire; and their grades. Small Breed. Best Boar one year and upwards Second best do - Best Boar 6 months old and not 1 year SjconcJ best do - Best breeding Sow 1 year and upwards. Second best do - Best Sow 6 months and under 1 year, - Second best do - Best lot of Pigs not less than 5 and under 6 months. Second best do . Including Neapolitan. Sufl'alk, improved China, Chinese, Mocha and their grades. $10 8 10 8 $10 8 10 8 cock and 2 hens $6 5 3 6 5 3 10 8 5 3 b 3 ' 6 3 5 3 5 3 6 3 6 mo*8, $10 5 10 5 10 5 10 5 10 5 10 6 Leicester 10 5 10 5 10 5 10 5 10 b ear over 1 For best Fattened Hog Second best do • No. l9.^Poultry Best trio of Bufl'or Red Shanghais— 1 over 1 year old, Second best do • Best irio under one year. Second best do • • Best trio of Grey Shanghais over one year. Second best do - Best trio under 1 year Second best do - Best trio of White Shanghais over one Second t^est do • Best trio under one year, Second best do - Best trio of Bucks Co. Fowls, Second best do - Best trio of Jersey Blues, Second best do - Best trio of Malays, Second best do • • Best trio of Grey Dorkings, Second best do • Best trio of White Dorkings, Second best do • Best ino of Games over I year Second best do • • Best trio under 1 year, - Second best do - Best trio of Black Spanish over 1 year. Second best do • Best trio under 1 year, • Second best do Be>nzs do Silver Medal Bronze do Silver do Bronze do Silver do Bronze do $15 10 5 3 10 8 5 3 Second best plow. Third best do Fourth best do Best single horse plow. Second best do Bcfit Subsoil pluw. Second best do Best Corn plow. Second best do Best Side-hill plow. Second best do First premium to be awarded to the best Plowman, Second best Plowman, Third beat do Fourth best do First premium to be awarded to the best Plowboy under 18 years. Second best Plowboy under 18 years, Thinl best do do Fourth best do do {KrTlie name of Plowman must be given, as well as ths kind ©f plow to be used, at the time of entry. HARROWS AND HARROWING MATCH. Immediately after the plowing, the Harrowing Match will begm. Best Harrow and Harrowing, Silver Medal Second best do Bronze do Third best do 03 No 2i.— Rotters, Cultivators, Grain Drilh, Planters and Sovjers. Best Cultivator for general purposes, Second best do Best Corn Cultivator, Second best do Beat Grain Drill, Second best do „ „ , Best Seed Planter, for horse or hand power, for hills or . ^"^ Silver do Second best do Bronze do Best horse C^rn Planter, Silver do Second b*8t do Bronze do «est hand Corn Planter, silver do Second best do Bronze do oest Roller for general use, ^ Second best do 3 Best Threshing Machine, Second best do Best Separator and Winnower, Second best do Best Fanning Mill, Second best do Best Hay Straw and Stalk Cutter, Second best do Best Hay and Straw Cutter, Second best do Best Corn Stalk Cutter, Second l>est do Best Vegetable Cutter, Second best do Silver Medal Bronze do Silver do Bronze do Silver do Bronze do Silver do Bn>nze do Sdver do Bronze do Silver do Bronze do Silver do Bronze do No, 2i.—Co7'n Shellers and Crushers, Silver Medal Bronze do Silver do Bronze do Silver do Bronze do Best Corn Sheller Horse power, Second best do Best Corn Sheller hand power, Second best do Best Corn and Cob Crusher, horse power. Second best do No, 25.— Heaping and Mowing Machines, Horse Power and Implements. Best Reaping Machine, Second best Best Mowing Machine, Second best Best Reaping and Mowing Machine, Second best Silver Medal Bronze do Silver 60 Bronze i\o Silver do Bronze do Best Sweep horse power. Second best Best Railway horse power, Second best Best Clover HuUer, Second best Best Horse Rake, Second best Best Farm or Road Scraper, Second best Best portable Hay press Second best Best portable Cider Mill, Second best Best Washing Machine, Second best Best Lime Spreader, Second best Best Pump for Wells Second best Best Hydraulic Ram, Second best Silver Medal Bn)nze do Silver do Bronze i\o Silver do Bronze do Silver do Bronze do Silver do Bronze do Silver do Bronze do Silver do Bronze do $5 3 Silver Medal Bror.ze do Silver do Bronze do 15 3 Silver Medal Bronze do Silver do Bronze do Silver do Bronze do W" TIGHT BINDING f3l 276 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE EARMER. [September, Best liny and Cattle Scales, Silver do Second best Bronze do Best Weighing Machine for general farm purp(»e, Silver do Second best Bronze do Best lot of small and large Scales, Silver do Second best Bronze du Best collection of Farmer's tools ; arranged in a de- posit, Best invention for securing the run of water in drains, Seconl best Best and most numerous collection of Agricultural Imple* ments* diploma and Second best JVb. 26. — Machinery, Best portable Saw Mill, Diploma and Best portable Steam Engine, Diploma and Best portable Grist Mill, Diploma and Best Churning Power, Sec nd best Best Machinery for Churning, adapted to dog power. Silver do Second best Bronze do Best Shingle and Stave Cutier, Silver do No. 27. — Farm and Domestic Tools. F>)r best Churn, Silver Medal Second best Bronze do $5 10 5 25 20 $20 20 20 Silver Medal Bronze do Best Cheese Press, Second best Best 12 milk pans, Second best Best milk strainer. Second best Best Grain Cradle, Second best Best scythe — snathe and scythe, Second best Best six hand Rakes, Second best Best six hay forks, Siicond best Best six grass scythes. Second best Best six grain scyfrhes, Second best Best six axes. Second best Best six manure forks, Second best Best six Devonshire shovels, Second best Best six Canal shovels. Second best Best six spades St'coiwl best Bijst six corn hoes. Second bdst Best set of horse shoes. Best lot of grain measures, not les«! than six, econd best Best dozen wire brooms. Second best Best dr)zen Shaker or twine tied brooms, Second be B3St hal dozen corn baskets, Second best Best half dozen wooden buckets, Second best Best half djzen wooden tubs, kCCO •J best 5 3 3 2 2 1 2 ) Diploma 2 3 2 Diploma 2 Diploma 2 Diplon'g 2 Diploma 2 Diploma 2 Diploma 2 Diploma 2 Diploma 2 3 2 3 3 2 2 7 2 1 6 3 Silver Medal Diploma Silver Medal Diploma Best display of kitchen utensils, tinware, &c., Silver Medal Second best Diploma Best Ox yoke |5 Second best 3 Best half dozen flour barrels. Silver Medal Second best Bronze do Best display of cooper work, adapted to household use. Silver do Second best Bronze do Should there be any new or meritorious implements and in- ventions exhibited, that are not provided for in the foregoinff class, the co.iimittees in said class may repxjrt the merits of the same for preminm^i, to the Executive Committee. No. 28. — Pittshuryh 3fanu/a?tures. A Silver Medal will be awarded to each manufacturer for the best display in his line of business. Which display, the commiilee must deem worthy. Aricles mnnufiictured in the vicinity, will be considered ai Pittsburgh manufactures. No. 29. — Leather and its Manufactures. Best plow gears, 15 3 5 3 5 8 6 8 Silver Modal Bronze do Silver do Bronze do $5 3 Second best Best wagon harness for farm Second best Best cart gears Second best Best set of double harness, Second best Best carriage harness Second best Best buggy harness Second best Best farm saddle. Second best Best lot of men and women's saddles and bridles. Silver Medal Second best Bronze do Best traveling trunk. Silver do Second best Bronze do Best lot of men, women and children's boots and shoes. Silver do Second best Bronze do Best wagon whips, $5 Second best 2 Best carriage whips, Diploma Second best $3 Best sole, harness and upper leather, Diploma Second best $5 Best calf skins, dressed, Diploma Second best $5 Other articles manufactured of leather, and not enumer- ated above, cash premiums and diplomas may be awarded to by the committee. CLASS NO. V. No. 30. — Dairy, Sugar and Honey, ' ] \ Butter. Best lot of butter — quality as well as quantity consid- ered— made from 5 cows, in 30 consecutive days, 10 pounds of the butter to be exhibited. A Silvor frAflra Pot Second best A Silver Cup A certificate, signed by the owner of the cows, and at least one other person, who assisted in milking and making the butter, certifying to the facts of the case, to accompany each lot of butter. Besi lot of 20 ibs. made in 1856. A Silver Goblet Second best lot made in 1856 A 6'ilvt r cup liesi lot of 10 Ibs, made at any time A Silver Goblet. Second best lol of 10 lbs. made at any lime A Silver Cupi 1856.] THE FARM JOUNRALAND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. 277 I Best firkin or tub of butter, not less than three months old, A Silver Goblet Second best A Silver Cup Premiums to be awarded to girla nuder twenty-one years of age. Best lot of 101 bs butter, made at any time A Silver Goblet Second best lot A Silver Cup Best lot of 5 ibs df butter made at any time Set Silver Teaspoons Second best lot A pair of Silver Butter Knives Rf>8t barrel of salt for dairv nurmises 3 — rf • « - Second best do 2 Best barrel coarse salt for packing 3 Second best do 2 Cheese — One year and older. Best 50 Ibs cheese Silver Medal do 90 Second best Third best do Best half doz. cheese boxes Best Dairies from any county, not less than three cheese from each. Those who present cheese for the premiums offered, must state in writing, the lime it was made; the number co\^s kept; whether the cheese was made from one, two. or more milkings; whether any addition is made of cream; the quantity of rennet used, and the mode of preparing it; the mode of pressure, and the treatment of cheese afterwards ; and the kind of salt used. Sugar and Honey» Best 20 lbs maple sugar, $5 2d best 5 Best 10 lbs honey, 5. 2d best 3. 3d best 2 Best 5 lbs honey, 5. 2d best 3 3d liest 2 The honey to be taken without destroying the bees ; and the kind of hives used, and the management of the same to be added. CLASS No. VI. FlouTy Corn Meal, Grain Seeds and Vegetables. No- 31. — Flour and Corn Meal. Best barrel of flour, Silver Medal. 2d best. Bronze do. 3d best 3 Best barrel of corn meal, prepared from kiln-dried corn, A Silver Medal. 2d best Bronze Medal Best sample of corn Fanna, 2. best wheat Farina, 2 Best sample 5 loaves baker''s bread. Silver Medal 2(1 best do do Diploma Best sample, one barrel each, water and butter crackers, A Sdver Medal. 2d best Bronze Medal Best Smut Machine, Silver Medal. 2d best Bronze do Pest late invention in manufacturing flour. Silver No. 32. — Grain and Seeds. Best bushel white wheat, Second best do Best bushel red wheat, Second best do Best bushel Mediterranean wheat. Second best do do Best bushel of rye. Second best do Best bushel yellow gourd seed corn. Second best do do Best bushel white flint corn. Second best do Best bushel mixed corn. Second best do Best bushel oats. Second best do Best bushel barley, Second best do Best bushel Irish potatoes. Second best do Best bushel sweet potatoes, Second best do Best bushel field turnips. Second best do Best bushel ruta baga, Second best do Best bushel sugar beets. Second best do Best bushel carrots. Second best do Best bushel parsnips. Second best do Best bushel flaxseed. Second best do Best sample hops not less than 10 lbs.. Second best do do Best sample of timothy seed, I bushel. Second best do do Best sample of newly introduced grain, valuable to farmers, not less than 1 bushel, 5 ^5^ Samples of grain and seeds, in all cases to be de- posited with the Secretary. No. 33. — Vegetables, For 12 best stalks of celery, 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 ;i 1 3 1 3 1 H 1 do $3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 Second best do do 6 best heads of cauliflower, Second best do 12 best white table turnips. Second best do 12 best carrots. Second best do 12 best beets, Second best do 12 best parsnips. Second best do 12 best onions, Second best do 6 best heads of cabbage. Second best do 6 best heads of brocoli, Second best do 12 best tomatoes, Second best do 2 best purple egg plants. Second best do 12 best sweet potatoes. Second best do Best ^ peck Lima beans, Second best do Best bunch double parsley, Second best do 3 best garden squashes. Second best do 3 beet large squashes, Second best do 3 largest sweet pumpkins, Second largest do 3 largest field pumpkins, Second largest do 12 best ears yellow seed corn, Second best do do Best 12 ears white seed corn. Second best do do Best seedling potatoes, Second best do Best display of table vegetables, Second best 3 :3 3 2 .3 r2 :^ :a 1 ;8 :3 ;2 1 s 3 :3 2 .3 2 20 278 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [September, U It CLASS No. VIL No, 34. — Domestic and Homehold Manufacturet, Best lot of silk cocoons. Silver Cup 2n(i best do $5 Bos t specimen of raw^ silk, ' Silver Cup reeled silk. Silver Cup »ewing silk, ^ Silver Cup ** pair silk stockings, $5 " »ilk shawl, 5 " " handkerchief, 5 ^ " pair of woolen blankets. Silver Cup tnd best do |5 Sd best do 3 Best 10 yards of woolen dotb^ 5 2nd best do 3 Best 15 yards of woolen carpet. Silver Cup 2nd best do $S Sd best. do 4 Best hearth tvlq,, Silver Cup 2nd best do 5 ZA best do '3 4th best do , 2 Best rag carpet, fifteen yards^ 6 2nd h€s* do 3 2^d b4jst do 2 Best double corerfel^ 2iid bx)st do " 3 3d best do 2 Be&t pair woolea kait »4oeki(E«gi^ 3 2ikI best do 2 Zd best do 1 Best pair woolen knit balThiOS^ 3 2n^ %ies4 do 2 Zd best do 1 B«»t pair woolen mitteiw, 2 2d be»t p«tir do do ^\ Best bottte Kade durt^ 5 2nd best do 3 Best barre flannel, twelre yardat Silver Cup 2n.d best do 3 B€st pTain flannel, twelTC yarda^ Silver Cup 2nd best do 3 Best ten yards barred linen. Silver Cup 2nid best do 3 Be»t ten yard.« plain linen. Silver Cup 2nd be»t do 3 3d best do 2 Be»t ton yards linen diaper. Silver Cup 2Dd best do 3 3d best do 2 Best ornamental needle work, 5 2nd best do 3 3d best do 2 Best ottoman cover, 3 2nd best do 2 Best table cover, 3 2nd best do 2 Best artificial flowers, . 3 2nd best do 2 Best variety worsted work, 5 2nd best' do 3 Best fancy work with needle for chair, 3 2nd best do do 2 Best worked cushion and back, 3 2nd best do 2 Best silk quilt. Silver Cup 2nd best do 5 3d best do 3 Silver Cup 5 8 Silver Cup 5 3 3 3 3 2 Best fancy quilt, 2nd best do 3d best do Best plain white quilt^ 2nd best do 3d best do Best counterpane, 2nd best do Best lamp stand mat, 2nd best do i-s,*^«» ^ « £« M* AAA ^ Ul V«** 3*AVAA f V \^A A t 2nd best do 2 Best specimen wax flowers, 2 2nd best do 2 Premiums of $2 each, to the number of ten, may be awarded on articles coming within this class and not enume- rated above. Articles of Domestic manufacture to be made in the family; and, in all cases the exhibitor must furnish evidences that the nrticles are so manufactured. And no article muanufac- tured in fi;ctorie8, or out of the family, will be received in this class. Best home made bread. Silver Cap 2nd best do 3 Best pound cake, 3 2nd best do 2 Best sponge cake, $3 2nd best do 2 Best ginger bread, 8 2nd best do 2 Best preserves. Silver cup 2nd best do 3 Best fruit jelly, Silver Cup 2nd best do 2 Best tomato preserves. Silver Cup 2nd best do 3 Best tomato figs, 5 2nd best do 8 Best apple preserves. Silver Cup 2nd best do 8 Best specimen of pickels, ^ 2nd best do 2 Best sample of apple butter, ^ 2nd best do 2 Best scalded peaches. Silver Cup 2nd best do 3 Best quince and peach butter, each, ^ 2nd best do do 2 Best home made soap, 3 2nd best do - 2 Jp^^ Persons whose trade is baking, cannot enter this liet in competion, as it is intended alone for the encouragement of housekeepers. No, 35. — Manufactures other than Domeatic, Best piece black broad cloth, American manufacture ; twenty yards Diploma Best piece blue broad cloth, American manufacture, twenty yards Diploma Best piece woolen carpet, manufactured in factories, twenty yards Diploma Best piece of satinott, twenty yards Diploma do bleached cotton shirting ; thirty yards Diploma do unbleached cotton shirting; thirty yards Diploma do bleached cotton sheeting ; thirty yards Silver medal do unbleached cotton sheeting, 30 yards Silver Medal do linen sheeting ; twenty yards Diploma do pair woolen blankets Diploma 1858.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 279 do variety of flannel, Diploma do variety of American shawls, from American wool, Silver Medal CLASS No. VIIL No. 36. — Carriages Cabinet Ware &c. Silver Medal ' Diploma Silver Medal Diploma Silver Medal Diploma Silver Medal Diploma Silver Medal Diploma Silver Medal Diploma Silver Medal Diploma Silver Medal Diploma Silver Medal Bronze Medal Silver "Medal 10 Silver Medal Silver Medal Silver Medal Best two horse carriage 2od best do do Best two horse Buggy 2nd best do do Best one horse Buggy Best Spring Wagon 2ud best do do Best Omnibus 2nd best do do Best one horse Market Wagon 2nd best do do Best Display of Carriages, Buggies, Spring wagons tfcc, 2Qd best Best Display of cabinet ware 2nd best do do Best improved Bedstead 2nd best do do Best Improved School desks and chairs 2Dd best No, 37. — Musical Instruments. Best Piano Best Melodeon Best Display of Pianos, Melodeon s kc, CLASS NO. IX. Agricultural Productions of Field Crops. No, 38. — Winter Premiums, Best 5 acres of corn, $50. Second best Best acre of Corn, not less than 80 bushels, 2d best do do do 70 do Best 5 acres of Wheat, $50. 2d best Best acre of Wheat not less than 40 busheis, 2d best do do do 35 do Best 5 acres of Rye, $25. 2d best Bv'st acre of Rye not less than 40 bushels. 2d best do do do 35 do Best 5 acres of Barley, $25. 2d best . Best acre of Barley not less than 50 bushels, 2d best do do do 40 bushels Best 5 acres of Oats, $25. 2d best Best acre of Oats not less than 60 bushels, 5d best do do do 50 do Best acre of Timothy seed, $10. 2d best Best acre of Clover seed, $20. 2d best Best acre of Irish Potatoes, not less than 200 bushels, 2d best Best acre of table potatoes, S25 2d best Best half acre of table potatoes, $10 2d best Best acre of carrots, 60 lbs. per bushel, $20. 2d best Best half acre of carrots, 60 lbs. per bushel, $10 2d best 5 Best acre of ruta baga, 60 lbs. per bushel, 20. 2d best 15 Best half acre of ruta baga, 60 lbs per bshl., 10. 2d best 5 Best half acre of sugar beets, 10. 2d best 6 Best quarter acre of mangel wurtzel, 10. 2d best 5 Best do do turnips, 10. 2d best 6 Best do do sweet potatoes, 10. 2d best 5 Best half acre of tobacco, 10. 2d best 6 Competitors for premiums for the above agricultural pro- 20 20 10 20 20 10 15 10 5 15 10 5 15 10 5 5 10 20 15 15 5 10 ductions, must produce a full statement of the mode of cul- tivation and the kind of seed used. The ground 10 be in one contiguous piece to be measured by a Surveyor, with chain and compass, who shall make affidavit to the correctness of the measurement of the land cultivated. AH of the corn competing for the five acre crop, and all of the corn competing for the one acre crop, must he shelled and measured between the 1st of December and the lOth of Jan- uary, and number of bushels certified to by affidavit of some oth^r rM^mon who h<»lnA/1 tn sVtoll on>I mn<*o.i..» tu^ ..^^.» The grain to be measured in a sealed half bushel, or measured by weight according to the standard. The exhibitor must also exhibit a sample of each crop not less than half a bushel, at the annual meeting in Harrisburg on the thiid Tuesday of January nexL jg^^See forms of affidavit on page 3. CLASS NO. X. Fruit and Flowers.— No. 39.— -Fruit. Apples. — Best 6 Fall varieties, 5 each, $4. 2d best 8 3d best 2 Best 3 Winter varieties, 5 each, 3. 2d best, 2. 3d best I Best and largest collection. Silver Cup. 2d best 6. 3d best 4 Blackberries. — Best pint Lawton or New Rochelle, 2 2d best 1 Best quart any other variety, 2. 2d best 1 Cranberries. — Best peck, 3. 2d best 2 Best peck grown in Allegheny Co., 4. 2d best 3 Fiffs, — Best 12 ripe fruit under glass, 2. 2d best 1 Best 12 ripe fruit grown out doors, 2. 2d best 1 Grapes.-'— Best half peck Isabella, 3. 2d best 2. 3d best 1 Best 4 bunches, 3. 2d best 2, 3d Lest 1 Best half peck Catawba, 3. 2d best 2. 3d best I Best 4 bunches. 3. 2d best 2. 3d best .1 Best bunch New Hardy variety superior to the above, 5 Best collection Native Grapes, Silver Cup Best collection Foreign Grapes, Silver Cup Best sample of Grape training, Silver Cup Best collection Foreign Grape vine grown in pots, in fruit, $6. 2d best 4 ForeigUj grown in a hothouse. — Best bunch black Hamburgh, 2. 2d best Best bunch any variety, 2 2d best Lemons. — Best lemon plant in fruit, 8. 2d best Melons. — Best three largest water, 2* 2d best Best 3 varieties, 1 each, 3. 2d best 2. 3d best Best 6 green fleshed citrons, musk variety, 2. 2d best Best 6 do nutmeg, do 2. 2d best Best new variety superior to the above, 2. 2d bent Nectarines. — Best 12 grown under glass, 2. 2d btst Best 12 grown out of doors, 2. 2d best Oranges. — Best orange plant in fruit, 3. 2d best 3 Pears. — Best 6 summer or fall varieties, 3 each, 4 2d best 3. 3d best 2 Best 3 summer or fall varieties, 3 each, 3 2d best 2. 3d best I Best 6 winter or fall varieties, 3 each, 4. 2d best 3. 3d best 2 Best 3 do do do do 3. 2d best 2. 3d best 1 Best and largest collection. Silver Cup. 2d best 6 3d best 4. 4th best 3 Peaches, — Best 10 varieties, 5. 2d best 4 3d best 3. 4 th best 2 i TIGHT BINDING 280 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. >4Pk' Best 6 varieties, 4. 2d best 3. 3d best 2. 4th best 1 Best 3 do 3. 2d best 2. 3d best 1 Best and largest collection, gjiver Cup 2d best $6. 3d best 4. 4 th best 3 Prunes — Best 12 ripe fruit, 2. 2d best l P/www.— Best 6 one variety. 3. 2d best 2. 3u best 1 Best collection, 4. 2d best 3. 3d best 2. 4th best 1 Quinces. -Best 3 varieties, 5 each 3. 2d best 2. 3d best 1 [September. Best 12 one variety, 2. 2d best Raspberries. ^^Q^\, pint fresh ripe fruit, V/l l^»£» O oil* 20 6 1 ] 1 For the best general assortmesjt of fruit of all kinds, A Silver Cup worth 2d best 15. 3d best 10. 4 th best IfV/ic.— Best Home made sparkling Wine, Silver cup 2d best iJq g Best home made Wine. 3. 2d best 2 Best home made Cordial, 3. 2d best 2 Best Cider in bottles with mode of curing, so as to keep sweet one year, suver cup Best barrel cider vinegar, Silver Medal. 2d best Diploma The fruilexhibiton not to be removed uniil the close of the exhibition, and particular care is requested to be ol»served by all persons that the same be not injured. No. 4:0'—Fl>jwers, Plants and Designs. Plants in Flower.— Achimenes. For the best 3 varieties, $3. 2d best 2. 3d best Asters. For the best collection, 2. 2d best Dahlias, For the 3 best varieties, 1 each, 3. 2d best 2. 3d best Fuchsias, For the best 6 varieties, 1 each, 4. 2d best 3. 3d best Dianthus, For the best collection, 3. 2d best Heliotrope, Tot the best 3, 4 varieties, 3. 2d best Geraniums and Pelargoniums, For the best collection, 3. 2d best Specimen Plants. For the best 12 varieties, 1 each, 4. 2d best 3d best For the best 6 varieties, 1 each 3. 2d best 3d best For the best 1 new, hot shown before 3. 2d best Best collection variegated leaf Plants, 10. ad best Eoses. Tor the best collection, 10. 2d best Lilium hanc'^ folium. For the best collection, 4. 2d best Verbenas. For the best 12 varieties, 3. 2d best 2. 3d best the best 6, 2. 2d best, 1. Best 6 new seedlings superior to old, 3. 2d best, 1. 3d best Tuberose, Tot the best variety, not less than 3, 2. 2d best Collections, Tot the best bedding and out door decoration for the ~ garden, 6. 2d best bedding and out door ditto, 3 the best nurseryman's collection, 12. 2d best 10 3d be«t 8. 4th best* 6 3 2 2 1 2 5 1 1 1 the best Amateurs, superior to any of the nurserymen's A silver cup and 10. 2d best, 20. 3d best 4th best Cut Flowers, — Asters, Best collection, 2. 2d best Dainthus, Best collection, 3. 2d best Dahlias, Best 12 varieties, 3. 2d best. Best 6, 2. 2d best Best collection, 3. 2d best Phloxes. Best 6 varieties, 2. 2d 6, Best collection not less than 10 varieties, 3. 2d best, Pansies, Best collection, 3. 2d best " Poses, Best 6 perpetuals, 2. 2d best Best 6 Bourbon, 2. 2d best Best collection, 5. 2d best, 2. 3d best Verbenas, Best collection, 5. 2d best Hollyhocks. Best collection, 2. 2d best Designs and Boquets — Designs. Best decorative, original, 10. 2d, best 8. 3d best 4 th best Best Floral designs, 10. 2d be£,t Basket. Best with flowers, 5. 2d best, 4. 3d best Best fancy flowers, 3. 2d best, 2. 3d best Vase, Best vase with flowers, 3. 2d best, 2. 3d best Best fancy vase with flowers, 2. 2d best Poquets. Best pair round hand, 3. 2d best Best flat, 3. 2d best Best round bridal. 3. 2d l>r8t Best round table, 3. 2d best, 2. 3d best Articles in the foregoing class will be under the control of the Committee of Arrangement from the first to the clow of the Fair, but exhibitors in this class have the right to arrange their display according to their own taste, after th«ir respective positions have been assigned them by the Super- intendent. CLASS NO. xr. Stoves. Silver. Ware, Glass and Glasih Ware, Cutlery, and Britannia. — No. 41 — Stoves Best Cooking Stove for coal, Silver Medal 2d best do do 5 Best Cooking Stove for wood fire. Silver Medal 2d best do do 5 Best Cooking Range for families. Silver Medal 2d best do do 5 Best Furnace or other apparatus for warming houses, economy of construction and consumption of fuel, and security of premises to be taken into considera- tion. Silver Medal 2d best do Diploma 5 Best Ornamental Parlor Stove, Silver Medal 2d best do do ~ 6 15 10 1 3 3 I 2 1 8 2 1 1 1 I 6 4 5 3 1 1 1 8 2 2 1 1866.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRES SIVK FARMER. S8 Best Hall Stove, Best sample Hollow Ware, 2d best do Best sample Iron Railing, 2d best do Best Arbor Seats, 5. 2d best, Best sample sculptured Matble, 2d best do do Silver Medal Silver Medal 5 Silver Medal 5 3 Silver Medal 5 No. 42. — Silver- Ware, Glass and Glass- Ware, Cutlery, ttnd Prit/tnni/t Best exhibition of Silver Ware, Silver Medal 2d best do Diploma Best exhibition of Table Cutlery, American Manu- facture, Silver Medal. 2d best Diploma Best Pocket Cutlery, American manufacture, Silver Medal Second best do Diploma Best specimen of Silver Ware, with agricultural designs. Silver Medal Diploma Silver Medal Silver Medal Diploma Silver Medal D ploma suitable for premiums. Second best do Best variety of Britannia Ware, Best sample of Window Glass, Second best do do Beit samples of Glass Ware, Second best do CLASS NO. XIL Bacon, Hams, Inventions, Miscellaneous Articles and Farm Buildings. — No. 43. — Bacon and Hams, For best 2 Hams cured by exhibitor, 8. 2d ^ 3d, 3. 4tb 2 All competitors for these premiums are required to have their Hams cooked and brought to the exhibition with the skins on, and also give a statement of the manner oi curing. No. 44. — Inventions, For the bejt improvement for roofing houses, with wood, iron or other material Silver Medal Best lot of pressed Brick, 3 Best lot of water or sand moulded brick, 3 For improvements in machinery useful to the farmer, having valuable properties and not included under any head of any regular premiums, discretionary premiums will be awarded uptm articles which properly belong to any of the previous classes. Under this general head, premiums will be awardfd upon articles of ingenuity, usefulness and merit, which may be ex- hibited, which are not provided for in the foregoing list of premiums. Any articles deemed worthy, manufactured of iron, metal, brass, leather india-rubber, and articles com- posed of cloth, fur, hats, caps, umbrellas, &c. cash premiums and diplomas may be awarded to. No. 47 — Horse Shoeing, Best Horse Shoer, 10. 2d best 5 The operation is to be performed upon the grounds in presence of the judges, 4«*^ IMPROVED WATER FILTER AND COOLEa. The following engraving represents an improved water filter and cooler recently invented by Mr. C. Warner, of New York City. The shell is made double. The water to be filtered is placed in the chamber. A, whence it passes down tube, c, and then rises in direction of the arrow through diaphram E, charcoal dust, F, and sand, H, to the inner chamber, B. In its rise through the charcoal and sand, the water is thoroughly purified. From B the pure liquid is drawn ofi" through faucet K. G are flanches to prevent the charcoal from rising, in consequence of the smoothness of the sides of the vessel. The superincumbent sand, H, aided by flanches, G, keeps the charcoal always down in proper place. J is a plug, by opening which the water in chamber B may be drawn off, and by its downward or reverse movement made to cleanse the sand and charcoal of their impurities. During this cleansing operation the plug, K, should be shoved firmly into the mouth of c, so as to prevent the passage of water from A. No. 45. — Miscellaneous Articles and Fine Arts, For best specimens of Daguerreotypes, 2d best do d« Best specimen of Cattle Drawing, 2d best do do Best specimen of animal painting in oil, 2^1 best do do Best specimen of Dentistry, Best specimen of Animal Lithographing, 2(1 best Silver Medal Diploma Silver Medal Diploma Silver Medal Diploma Silver Medal Silver Medal Diploma No 46 — Farm Buildings. Best plan of Farm Buildings with description thereof to be ajiproved by the Committee, 30 *^ best do 20 This invention is adapted to the filtering of water on a large as well as a small scale. It may be made in the form of a cistern, and sunk in the ground. In such cases the water from the eaves spouts is conducted to chamber A, and is raised by a pump from chamber B. The filter is cleansed by the application of a pump to the tube, D. The water in B will thus be drawn down through the filtering materials, bringing away the im- purities and discharging them through D. This invention appears to be admirable for the pur- pose intended, and will, no doubt, come into extensive use. TIGHT BINDING 282 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER [Septembe* 1858.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 283 iVffl' CIDER. There are several qualities of cider, but we propose to notice particularly only two. The first is that sweet, mild liquor which can only be obtained by careful attention to the fruit, and by unremitting caution during the process of fermentation ; and the second, that strong, harsh, and rough liquor which results from an active and perfected fermentation. This kind is generally preferred by the people of the cider districtg. t\r at Ipout Kv tlio orrvionUiirol 1«Knfora but is disliked by others not accustomed to it. It will not bo needful to enter upon a minute description of the processes which this rough cider undergoes, since they all are dependent upon a balance of the Rweet principle, and the natural leaven of the juice; the latter just suffices to subdue the former. Our remarks, therefore, will be restricted chiefly to that delicious beverage, which requires all the vigilance of the brewer, and is so agreeable to the palate of most persons, whether fresh from the cask, or as rendered more lively and sparkling by bottling. As all success depends upon a practical knowledge of vinous fermentation, every one who attempts to obtain sweet cider ought to understand the use of the saccharometer, employed to ascertain the density or specific gravity of beerworts. This density is usually ascribed to the quantity of sugar contained in the sweet wort of beer and in the raw juice of the apple ; but in this there is a mistake; because in both there is also mucilage, which adds density to the fluid. Moreover, cane sugar is not chemically the same as the sweet principle of fruits ; therefore a solution of sugar, recommended by some writers as a standard of comparison, tends to erroneous conclusions. The cider-brewer must, therefore, accustom himself to ascertain, by direct and repeated experiments, the precise value of any juice which he wishes to convert to cider ; and this he can do by the use of this instru- ment. We shall arrange the operations of cider-making in the order following: — 1. Time and manner of gathering the fruit, and preparatory storing. 2. Grinding and pressing. 3. Fermentatfon. 4. Checking fermentation. 5. Sulphurizing, by several processes and coloring. 6. Clarifying and bottling. 1. (raf^enrjg. —Whatever be the sort of apple em- ployed, certain it is, that the longer the fruit remains upon the tree, without decay or being injured by frost, the better ; and this for more reasons than one ; for not only is the perfect maturity of the juice a great consideration, but such is the susceptibility of apple- juice, that the colder the weather, short of actual frost, the more quiet and equable will be the fermenta- tion. The proximate elements of this juice are held together very feebly, and tend to such a rapid fermenta- tion, that the destruction of the whole is the inevitable result of too early an excitement by over-mild temper rature. The apples, therefore, should remain on the trees, and not be gathered till the approach of cool, bracing weather; and then, during the finest and driest occasion that offers itself, they should be carefully gathered. It is not that a bruise would of itself injur* the juice, but experience teaches that, whatever the cause of mould, mouldiness speedily establishes itself upon the edges of every wound of a fruit gathered in autumn; and whenever this mysterious visitant efr tablishes itself, it communicates a most disgusting flnvnr fo o r«ii/^lf is to dig it and expose it to the sun, air and rains one year, and then, when in a dry state, ]»lace it in a barn cellar where it will take the droopings of the cat- tle above until it is thoroughly saturated ; then mix it well, and it is ready for use. It is good for all dry lands" He estimates it at about three doll irs by the cord of one hundred and two bushels. A Middlesex farmer of great experience states that ** swamp muck is of different qualities, and varies as much as wood when used for fuel. Peat mud, the older the better, consists principally of vegetable matter. It has most effect on high and dry ground. Wood ashes are the best article to correct its acidity." , Similar accounts come from every section of the State. From Hampshire county we have the follow- ing: *♦ The best method of using swamp muck, judging from experiments of my neighbors and my own, is to cart it out in the Autumn, expose it to the frosts and snows, and then spread and plow it in the Spring on sandy, dry soils, or, in other words, on soils of an opposite nature to its own. I plowed in twen- ty-five loads on one quarter of an acre last Spring, and planted it to early potatoes, corn, peas, cucumbers, squashes and melons. It was a great preventive against drouth. That ground has been sown to rye, and it looks first-rate." And from Plymouth county: *' Swamp muck, as also upland soils, are valuable to mix with various kinds of manure to retain and ab- sorb the salts. For upwards of two years I have adopted a different course with my swamp land from any I know of. I employ men with long-bitted hoes, sward hooks, etc., to dig up the hummocks and bushes, in bodies large and small, as is convenient, and pile them in bunches for a few days to dry, after which I select a central bunch, in which I form a cavity or hMenear the bottom or surface of the ground. Then I set fire to some of the dryest and most combustible, and as it burns I replenish it from the other bunches, smothering in the coal-pit form, though more combus- tible, till it burned down to a perfect body of ashes and sand. I have not carried the experiment into full effect as I designed to ; but so far as I have used the ashes they have given me entire satisfaction. Their nature is to improve exhausted lands: and my belief is, that they may be spread upom the same land upon which the ashes were made, and increase the growth of English grass. Much has been said on the subject of reclaiming wet, swampy lands ; but after all that has been done, as I understand it, a coat of manure is required to produce a good crop of English grass. Now, if our worthless swamp lands possess the veri article required to produce such grass by the simple process as above named, I think it would be anim. provement in one point of agriculture." A farmer of Barnstable county says : ** The bei( compost manure is made in our barn and hog-yards of swamp muck, sea weed, and animal manure. Swamp muck and sea- weed are accessible to all who will take the trouble to procure them. My barn and liquids passed into them. Every Spring and Summer, after my barnyard is emptied, I replenish it from time to time with swamp muck, peat, sea-weed and other materials from the farm, which, with the animal manure produced by yarding my cattle, furnish me in the Autumn with 200 loads of good compost, which! either stock in the yard, or cart on to the land! intend to plant in the Spring. I again replenish the yard, giving me, with the proceeds of my hog-yard, from 100 to 150 loads more in the following Spring, In addition, I have for two years past composted, in the field adjoining my peat bog, from 75 to 100 loads of peat (thrown from the pit in Summer or Autumn) with sea and rock weed, or ashes and animal manure, which I esteem of equal vvlue to barnyard manure; I estimate the value of a cord, or four ox-cart loads d barn-yard manure composted as above, at from %^. to $5. We esteem the value of this for a corn crop, and the improvement of land higher than pure animil manure." We give one more extract from a farmer of Berkshire County. Ue says: *' I have used swamp muck fori number of years past with good results by mixing it with yard and stable manures in the proportion of one third to one-half muck, and consider it worth $1 per load to use for agricultural purposes on soils that are a mixture of loam and gravel." The testimony is uniformly in favor of composting muck with other manures. Its power of absorbing valuable liquid and gaseous substances is very con* siderable: and this makes it an excellent substiDoe to mix with guano when the latter is to be used asi top-dressing. The importance of a free use of dry swamp muck as an absorbent of the liquid manures o the barn and stable can hardly be over-estimated. The loss throughout the State from the neglect ind consequent waste of these rich manures, which, with a little care, might all be saved, is almost incredible. The attention of farmers was but lately called to the subject ; but the value of the substances is acknow- ledged by some, and efforts are now being made to sa?« them by means of the use of muck and loam, either properly composted in the barn cellar, or supplied daily to the stalls of cattle. No judicious far«er should neglect to save all such substances as tend to increase the value and productiveness of his lands. ^ is poor economy and bad calculation to buy concentra* ted manures, or buy any manures abroad, till every thing of the kind is saved at home. — iV. y. Times, 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. 285 For the Parm Journal. STILLIVAN COUNTY FARM LANDS. Messrs Editors : — Having noticed with much pleasure an article in the May number of the Journal, calling the attention of the enterprising farmers of Pennsylvania, to the unimproved lands of our own Commonwealth, allow me to state some facts relative to Sullivan county. The advantages gained by the settler in improving the lands of this county are greater no doubt, than is generally known to those unacquainted with its localit.v w — tf and resources. Situated as we are, between the North and West branches of the Susquehanna, wo can command I the markets of either, or send our produce with equal facility to New York or Philadelphia. There is no part of the State where the soil and climate are better adapted to the production and manufacture of butter and cheese, or, where the r.:ising of cattle and sheep can be more advantageously can led on. A large proportion of the soil, is of the red shale formation, which is well adapted to raising grain or grass. The waste lands are rather the steep sides of our most hilly lands, or along the narrow ravines. The ridge lands which include by far the larger proportion of the whole surface of the county, are covered with a heavy growth of Beach, Maple, Ash, Cherry and Hemlock timber. The Hemlock will be found dotted in wherever there are springs or streams of water, and on the steep side hills that are partially shaded from the sun. It will be readily seen by those acquainted with the clearing of lands, that the timber which is now standing on those lands which are best adapted to agricultural purposes, are also the most easily cleared, while the lands covered with a heavy growth of Hemlock will coniiii'.ie to increase in value, for the bark and lumber as fast as the better quality of lands are cleared. The amount of lands under cultivation in this county in 1850, was about 18,000 acres, the amount now under cultivation, is supposed by the best judges to exceed 30,000 acres. The advantages this rapid increase of settlement and cultivation of new territory, has given to those wishing to invest capital in Tanneries, are very great. The increased cultivation of the soil has made new openings into the dense Hemlock forests, and furnished provisions and laborers at home, while it increases the home demand for leather. We say to all who wish to invest capital in this business — that this is the place, and now is the time to make such investments. The clearing of lands is now in rapid progress — bark can be had by paying the expense of securing it, and enough lands can be purchased to secure a supply of bark at a low rate, while we believe the inducements for any who are seeking a home on unimproved lands in our State, are at least as great in this county as any other. « is peculiarly so to the industrous laborer, who is depending upon his exertions to obtain his bread, and to secure a comfortable home for old age. Good liincis can bo boug!it c'icap, wo;kmen c?.n ^ehnd It reasonable wages at all seasons of the year. Either among the farmers or along the public works of the North or West branch of the Susquehanna, provisions Cftn be purchassed generally at a much lower rate than "^6 city market prices ; so that a man of ordinary skill c^n secure enough to supply the wants of his family tiuiing one half of the year, giving him the rest of the time to clear and improve his lands; and I have no doubt but the condition of the foreign population that has settled in this country is fifty per cent, better than those who remain in our large towns and cities. The amount that is there expended for rent is here invested in paying for a permanent home, which is not only a place where a man can live, but where he is comparatively independent. Laporte, Sullivan Co.^ Pa,^ w. M. The above communication, from a most estimable farmer of Sullivan county, in our own State, serves to corroborate to a great extent the statements made in previous articles, in regard to the unimproved lands of Northern Pennsylvania. Since our last issue, we have had the pleasure of spending some time in this section of our State, and however favorable our previous impressions may have been, we had them materially strengthened by our visit. Our observations were confined more particularly to the locality referred to in our correspon- dent's article; and were sufficiently accurate to satisfy us, that the industrious man who seeks a home at comparatively trifling cost, will find it in this vicinity. That very many of the difficulties which present them- selves to the settlers of all new lands will have to be met here, is not to be denied, but it is also equally clear, that there are many advantages, (some of which have been enumerated by our correspondent,) which very few other localities possess. The fact is, there is a lamentable want of information in regard to Northern Pennsylvania, among our own citizens. Some understand its political character, and others are aware of the fact that there is in that section of the State, a tier of counties, sparsely populated, and which have had but a meagre share in the distribution of the money appropriated to public im- provements. But, there are comparatively few who havt ever travelled through any portion of it, or who are to any extent familiar with its resources. Take the whole State of Massachusetts, and you will not find as much good arable land in it, as will be found in this apparently neglected section, and yet, every foot of land in Massachusetts susceptible of cultivation has been laid under tribute, every stream capable of driving machinery has been used to its utmost capacity, and the result of the whole has been an almost unexampled state of prosperity. Why should this not be the case in Northern Pennsylvania? Why do not capitalists avail themselves of the countless advantages offered here, and expend their means in enterprises which will pay a heavy per centage, and aid in developing the resources of this important section of our Commonwealth. This apathy can certainly not exist much longer. Already New York capatilists are selecting sites for immense tanneries ; and other improvements nre in contemplation, which clearly demonstrate the value which our keener sighted neighbors attach to lands which our own citizens have permitted to lie unnotic*»d. H" the same efforts made to advance the character and interests of less important sections of our country, were directed to Northern Pennsylvania, the millions of acres which now lie comparatively worthless, would speedily be populated by an active and intelligent popu- lation, and grain and corn fields flourish, where now all or nearly all, is a forest. TIGHT BINDING 286 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [SePTEML iR, For the Farm Journal. WHEAT FOB SEED. Messrs Editors : — I am one of those who have faith in "little things," believing that attention to them will produce <* great results,** sometimes, at least. It is an important and highly interesting question, to what extent the threshing of wheat for seed, affects the future crop. For some years my attention has been drawn to this subject, and it appears to me, that the farmer who threshes his seed wheat by ma- chinery, although he may save a trifle in the mere operation of threshing, loses five times as much in the end, by the damage done to the wheat by the machine. If any of your readers have not given this subject their at- tention, I would ask them to examine their seed before sow- ing. Let them take a handful of machine threshed wheat and count how many of the grains are to a greater or less extent damaged by the machine. Unless the result is differ- ent from what I have always found it, at least one third will be found to have suffered by the operation. There may not be that quantity actually broken in pieces, but if the grains which are badly bruised, as well as those that are split are counted, my estimate will not be too high. Now if this is the case, what must be the result ? I presume no good farmer expects broken, bruised, or split seed to germinate. It may in some cases make a start, but it will be found to do it feebly. In most cases it will not germinate at all. We then have one or the other disadvantage to meet, feeble germin- ation, or no germination at all in nearly one third of the wheat sown. Is this not a subject worth looking after? Some farmers will tell you that there is no disadvantage in thresh- ing seed wheat by machinery, but I always find on inquiry from such farmers, that they have never taken the pains to investigate the matter closely. There is little doubt that if a careful estimate were made and published, the results wonld astonish every one. We have had estimates of the annual waste of field seeds, wheat, barley, oats, rye, Ac, in England, from which it appears that the loss is equal to 4,666,606 quarters. How much of this is due to machine threshed seed I of course cannot tell, as other causes operate powerfully against the germination of seeds; but it is evident that machine threshing has had a prominent part in the alarming loss. What the estimated annual loss from the various causes may be in the United States, I cannot say, but presume it is still greater than in England. The same causes which operate to the injury of seed tohcat, will apply to corn, oats and rye. Allow me, in conclusion, to direct the attention of your readers to the fol- lowing plan, adopted by an excellent farmer of my acquain- tance, and which was published by him sometime since. He says: " When cutting my wheat, the invariable practice is to se- lect from the field such quantities of the fairest portions, as I deem FuflScient for seeding purposes. This is so housed, as to be within easy reach when wanted. When ready for threshing, instead of putting it through the machine, a pair of good flails.are brought into requisition, and it is threshed just enough to get out the largest and best matured kernels. The straw is then tied up in bundles, and when general threshing with the machine is done, it is put through with the rest. The advantages claimed for this plan are twofold, first: the choicest, heaviest and best matured kernels are secured. Second : the kernels are left in an unbroken state, Whieh all experience goes to prove is highly desirable. If the question is asked " will it pay ?*' I can only say that I think it will and pay well too.** Yours, Pennsylvania Agricultural Society.— -To the ex- clusion of a number of valuable communications, we publish this month the Premium list and Regulations of the State Society. We hope our readers, and es- pecially those who have it in their power to contribute anything to this great exhibition, will give the list a careful perusal, for it is certainly worthy their atten- tion, It is muoh more comprehensive than any for- mer list, and the premiums offered are very liberal. «••> ChesterCounty Agricultural Society.— Our friends ID Chester county, are making a move in the right airection, and one which is certain to succeed. Having long felt the want of a suitable place for holding their Annual Exhibitions, a meeting was held, and a committee jippointed to solicit subscriptions to a fund, to be expended in the purchase of ground, and the erection of permanent buildings, for the use of the Chester county agricultural Society. Nearly $7,000 have been raised for the purpose, *nd the arrangements, we understand, are so far com- pleted as will enable the Society to hold its next exhibition on the new grounds. We are gratified to note this fact, *nd hope it will find many followers in other counties. «#• Berks County Society. — Perhaps no Society in the otate has made as rapid progress in strength and useful- ness, as this one. Although of comparatively recent ^^ _ ■ Transactions of the Connecticut State Agricultu- ral Society, for 1855.-— We are indebted to the Cor- responding Secretary, Mr. Dyer, for a copy of these transactions, and from a hasty glance at its contents, cannot but congratulate our Eastern friends upon the progress which from the reports, agriculture appears to be making. We were particularly pleased with the accurate character of many of the reports from county Societies and committees. Some of these embrace sta- tistics of the most valuable character, in regard, not merely to the agricultural, but the manufacturing interests of the State, and serve to show, what energy and enter- prise when properly directed, can accomplii^h over the most formidable obstacles. Could the county Societies of our State, be prevailed upon to furnish such reports, our forthcoming volume of transactions would become doubly valuable. We shall take occasion to refer to these reports hereafter. -«•> . — Try Again. — A number of new correspondents have responded to our appeal for contributions, in the shape of articles for the Journal. We can only regret that in order to publish the Premium List of the State Society, we have been compelled to defer presenting them until our next. Now, that a beginninjj has been made, may we not hope that it will be continued. AVe are sincerely desirous of hearing from any or all of our friends in any and every section, and therefore, again cordially invite them to try their hand again at writing an article for the Journal. * <#• We have received from Mr. P. Stewart, of New Lebanon, New York, a specimen of a new variety of Gooseberry, called ** the Mountain Seedling of Lebanon," which is certainly far superior in flavor, (though not quite so large) to anything of the kind we have seen for many years. Mr. Stewart says, it^.as discovered growing wild about ten years since, and that while other varieties growing side by side with this, are constantly deteriorating, mildewing and casting their fruit, the Mountain Seedling has steadily improved both in the quantity and quality of its fruit. He has never known it to blast or mildew, and pronounces it a strong and healthy grower. ' TIGHT BINDING 288 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [September Northampton County Society. — The friends of agri- culture in Northampton, have done a good work in the purchase of grounds, and the erection of very substantial fencing and buildings for the use of the County Society. Wherever this step has been taken, the best results have invariably followed. The farmers of Northampton are, we understand, determined to keep pace with their enterprising neighbours, and announce a most tempting list of premiums. "We have no doubt that under these ««w o«aM;n»a fntiirp PxhiMtlons will prove hisrhlv attrac- tive and beneficial. The Society has expended some ten or twelve thousands dollars in these improvements. For the Farm .Journal. DEEP P LOTJGHING AND THE DROTTGHT. The past season has been one of severe trial to Summer crops, and ought to teach every cultivator of the soil, the value and importance of deep ploughing. This subject has been so frequently and ably treated in the Journal, that the few plain remarks I may have to offer, will scarcely be regarded as of much importance. Yet it is a matter of vital interest, and deserves even more consideration than it has yet received. Seasons of drought always convey lessons of practical utility, which the careful farmer ought to improve. In passing through a large extent of cultivated territory, both in our own and adjoining States during the past two months, I was struck with the immense difference the appearance of crops of corn and potatoes, upon lands of the same quality, and apparently under the same system of cultivation. I say apparently under the same system of cultivation. But my inquiries in regard to the facts of the case, invariably showed, that where the land had been subjected to shallow plowing, the effects of the drought were perfectly disastrous to the growing crops, while on the other hand, where deep plowing and thorough pulverization were practiced, the crops stood the dry weather admirably. Now there must have been a reason for this, and the only one I could assign was the difference in the depth of plowing and the superior pulverization of the soil before seeding. If such be the case, I submit to the farmer, the simple proposition, whether, if, as the experience of many years and thousands of farmers testify to the superiority of deep, over shallow plowing, it is not a matter of policy and strict economy to adopt the former plan. In ordinary seasons it is certainly as advantageous as the shallow system, while in such as has just passed, its superiority stands unchallenged. But it is better in all seasons, loet or dry, and should therefore, be generally adopted. If our farmers will forsake some of their old prejudices, and fall in with the advancing spirit of the age, there is little doubt that an increase in the quantity and quality of all our field crops will certainly follow. Somebody says — " Plow deep while Sluggards sleep, An \ yon «*ia'l ^nvc coaih!^ "^-^ •'^'' ^ Icpop." and sounder advice, even if it is* nearly a century old, was never given to the farmer. P. <#•— MILLET. There are probably but few of the cultivated grains that possess higher claims upon the attention of far- mers engaged in stock raising, than millet. It would be extremely difficult, indeed, to assign a satisfactory reason for the general neglect it has experienced at the hands of our agriculturists, and equally difiBcuU is it for us to conceive why, when all our other avail- able resources are ta»«ked to the uttermost, so little should be said in its favor, and no more vi^^orous ef. forts put forth to secure its more general introduction. Millet requires for its successful cultivation, a soil re- plete with the fecundating remains of vegetable and „ .- ! 1 .„:,.«^c. 4r>^ a'> />(-»r»Qf!t-t»fp<1 plmnriirml]»r »»vJ UililllUl UI ttHllianio, aia\^ Sv» \^\-»jii3vI5<«.* vCvi ,^i.*,s...x-»..j <•»«« mechanically, as to secure a due and equally gradu- ated humidity. Extreme wet or extreme dryness acts detrimentally upon the development of this crop, and to perhaps a greater degree than upon any other. Light, sandy soil, in which there is a mixture of clayey matter, and which has been well manured un* der previous cropping, will almost invariably produce good millet. The proper time for sowing the seed is about the time Indian corn receives the first hoeing; or, if the season be forward, a little before that period. The soil should be carefully prepared by thorough plowing ajid harrowing, and, if very light, by the ap. plication of the roller.— It should then receive the seed from a common seed sower, which furrows, drops the seed, covers and rolls the soil all at one operation. The rows may be graduated as to distance by the character and condition of the soil ; if very fertile, they may be fifteen inches apart ; if not so rich, twen- ty or twenty- four inches should be allowed between the rows. Broadcasting as a practice, though not destitute of its peculiar merits, has, nevertheless, gone mostly into disuse of late. It requires a much larger quantity of seed, does not insure the same uni- formity of appearance and produce, and acta much less favorably upon the character of the soil.— Ger* mantown I'elegrapk. 4^ To Make Pure Apple Wine —Take good new cider, fresh from the press; dissolve in it sixty pounds of common brown sugar to each fifteen gallons of cider, and let it settle. Then put this fifteen gallons into I clean barrel, and fill the barrel up with clean cider, to within two gallons of being full: leave the bung out for 48 hours ; then put the bung in, with a small vent. Let the barrel stand a year— the wine is then fit for use. It needs no racking. The longer it stands the better. AVe give the above receipt on the principle on which Moses tolerated concubinage. It is so much better to drink wine without poisonous drugs, th»t costs but 2') cents or 25 cents per gallon, than the vile poisons which cost from S3,00 to jj:5,0) a gallon, that we think the change would be an improvement. The best way, we think, is to drink no wine at all, pure or impure. —Ex. ^ 1»» ■ Tear Tree Blight.— As a hist resort for young trees, affected with the blight, cut down the body of the tree until you find it perfectly sound, then cut it off smoothly ax\(\ cut the birk. two inobo« or 1'»«p. down the tree on each side— tnke a graft of some of the hanlier va)ietH'», vuch as Seckel or VirgMlicu— shave it down on one sn^J diagonnlly as yoii would for slip gnifting, and push » gently down iri the bark at the cut ; and with a coating of the stump and the cuts so made, the work is done, the b.irk holding the graft sufficiently tight. THW remedy may still he applied with grafts cut at the proper season.. <-S. N. Holmes. THE SULLIVAN COUNTY FARM AND IMPROVEMENT COMPANY. covered wuu umuer f)nn« nnesr, qv.„,,,,. . ^.-.».c.,v.„c, uuu mti bolj"?"."!; m^'k't tL""«e"*i''„!l„1il"fJ!'iX°.';r,e'l?^^^^ toprovemenl. «, th.t pr^pajing Stock Pri<-.ofSha™^wl,lchrfpre,eutTWESTY'ElmiTACRl*?^fli^^ unexceptionable. '^ ^ J'^e »toclt EACH. «-l'er,on, de.i,i„i5 further informatfon."requetja to c,T in.talment, of OKEiDOLLAR valuable (or tanning purpo«,.''?r:e'7ar,iLretri/C^,M^^^ altheeinensaof the persun rrom whom the lands were niip.-l,»o»rf .„,iVL .• ' * j I- '"'""8 roods. The road* are a cut Thi. ia a feature pec'uiiar lo Ihia roi^^ny »"»ne P""^^'^'' '"'' ">• "mber removed from them without cost to Siockholdera. a„d^'ghl^vu>;mbl'e^m;Zi;;em.!r w'l.ltt^ ''Z^l^^r' Ir^'l ''!i"'.T.I?"n''n'n' '"«« "•""•«" "^ "-"«> 8,^.kh'„lde™, ,0 be diajributed by rf^Mi.r n^.., . ..^ ..,0:.: ^.1 '" ""'»•" "y i"/^«y 'n v^iawi. Alltneont- xi^'Sedtitt rifrS^i?; :r,h£?-'--»- "r, :tr te.;tle3TJs -^wi^ih^f !■• - "Z^'^^^^^ a7Xe"^ri;7herer;:^e:atrJ:^^^^^^^^ »" « -" '"«'"■'« Jf kil n* Bar"n^Shedt&c'™''"'"™*"" '" "" '""'" •"■ ^^"'- ""'' " « '"'g" '«" '""y •''"f-"" S""?- B'-kami.h Shop SutI, Five Hu.ndred and Ninetv Vali-ablic Lots in the town of Laporie. ^ REFERENCES. Hon. J. RICHTER JONES, Eaglesmere, Sullivan County. WM. A. MASON, County Surveyor, Sullivan. / WM. MEYLERT, Laporte, Sullivan County. LEWIS ZANER, Cherry, Sullivan County. Hon. G F. MASON, Towanda, Bradford County. WM. EL WELL, Esq., Towanda, Bradford County. Hon. WM. JES8UP, Montrose, Susquehanna County. HENRY DRINKER, Esq., Montrose, Susquehanna County. B. 8. BENTLEY, Esq., Montrose, Susquehanna County. Col. A. N. MEYLERT, Butler, Butler County. Hon. WM. F. PACKER, Williamsport, Lycoming County. O. WATSON, Esq., Williamsport, Lycr.ming County. PETER W. SHEAFER.Pottsville, Schuylkill County. PETER E. STOUT, South East (Jorner Seventh andSansom Stt.. Phila SAMUEL NEWELL, Third and Walnut Streets. P. E. ARMSTRONG, 431 North Fifth Street. W. RA WLE, Esq., South Sixth, \- phia. W. H. RAWLE, Esq., South Sixth, below Walnut, Philadelphia. J. JI. COWAN, 77 South Fifth Street, Philadelphia. OFFICERS. PRESIDENT.— A. M. SPANGLER, Editor Farm Journal, Seventh and Market Sts., Phila. VICE.PRESIDENT.-CoL WM. WIRT DECHERT, Civil Engineer, West Jer^ey Railroad TREASURER.— CHARLES NEIL, M.D , No. 309 Walnut Street SECRETARY.— ROBERT PERRY, Company's Office, No. 90 Walnut Street. DIRECTORS.— THOS. HOPE PALMER, 699 North Tenth Street, Philadelphia. SAMUEL EMLEN, Seventh and Market Streets, Philadelphia. DUNCAN WILLIAMSON, M. D., Fifth and Pine Streets, Philadelphia. CHARLES PSOTTA, Vine Street, helow Sixth Street, Philadphia. JOHN WURFLEIN. Third Street, below Walnut Street, Philadelphia. Capt ARNOLD SYBERG, Civil Engineer, Central Baltimore Railroad. "" F. S. BOAS, Reading, Pennsylvania, C. C. FINCH, Laporte, Sullivan County. TOLICITOR.— HENRY M. DECHERT, 89 South ^iflh Strtet, Philadelphia. TIGHT BINDING MORRIS NURSERIES, J. L. DARLINGTON & CO., PROPRIETORS, WEST CHESTER, Pa., The subscribers offer for sale the present fall, their usual large and well selected nursery stock. The ornamental department is very complete, including many of the rare Trees and Shrubs, recently introduced from abroad, and also a fine stock of large and deciduous Evergreen Trees, suitable for immediate shade and ewbellishmeiit lor Mew Places. n u i j- « Th*» Fruit Hpnnrment is verv full, and comprises all the leading varietie's of Apple, Pear. Plum, Peach, Cherry, Apricot, JNecla- rine, Gooseberry, Strawberry, &c., &c„ &c. For general particulars we refer to our Catalogue, a new edition of which, is ready, and will be sent gratis to all appli- ^'^Sept-St J. L DARLINGTON &. CO, A FIVF DOLLAR AGRICULTURAL LIBRARY- {)cr SENT FKEE OF POSTAGE. The American Farm Book, Disease's of Domestic Animals, Brownes Field Book of Manures, The Stable Book, Nash's Progressive Farmer, Munn's Land Drainer, $100 75 125 100 60 50 This Library is arranged with a view to supplying the greatest amount of practical instruction, without endless repelitmn. At least ihis much of an Agricultural Library, should be m the hands of every Farmer in America. ^ _ . .„ . Our descriptive catalogue of Agricultural Books, will be sent to any who will favor us with t^eir^address.^^^^ ^ ^^ Agricultural Book Publishers, j^ 140 Fulton Street, New York. ALDERNEY BULL, AND DORKING CHICKENS! For sale a Superior Alderney Bull, 6 years old, price $45. Also, While and Grey Dorking Chickens, at reasonable prices. Apply to E..YL TOWN SEND. 8 mo., 20/A, 1856. Wesf CkesUr, TO ADVERTISEBS. THE SOUTHERN PLANTER, a Monthly Periodical, pub- lished at Richmond, Va., offers to advertisers one of the best mediums which the state affords of reaching the (iarmers of Vir- ginia and North Carolina, where it has a large subscription list, and of the other Southern and Western States, where it is ex- tensively circulated Those who take it are substantial men who live in the country ; the best customers to every trade— the very class whom advertisers desire to reach. To Boarding Schools and Academies, to the Merchant, the Mechanic, the Hotel Keeper, the Druggist, the Dentist, the Nurseryman, and in short, to all who have Lands, or anything to sell or anything to make known, the " Southern Planter " is recommended with confidence, not only on account of the substantial character of those who subscribe to it, but likewise by the fact, that posses- sing the additional advantage of being printed in book form and stitched, it is therefore more apt to be preserved than an or- dinary newspaper, and gives to advertisers a better chance of keeping themselves before the people. /. ,. m ». The increased business of this department of the " Planter since it has been undertaken, proves that those who have tried it, find it to their interest to encourage the enterprise. ADVERTISEMENTS Will be inserted at the following rates.— For each square often lines, one dollar ; each contiuance, seventy-five cents. A libe- ral discount to those who advertise by the year. Advertisements out of the city must be accompanied with the money to insure tbeir insertion. RUFFIN & AUGUST, Proprietors. July. IMPROVED STOCK FOR SALE," The subscriber, breeder ol Durham Cattle, Jacks, Jennets, and Mules. South Down Sheep and improved Swine, offers the largest portion of h« Slock to the pubhc^a, PJ%« ™'«,,lL. June 1 1, 1856, 4tp Hartford, Trumbull Co., Ohio. United States Agricultural Society. The Fourth Annual Exhibition of the United States AgricuU tural Society, will be held at Powelton. (Philadelphia) on Tue». day, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, October 7lh, 8th.9ih,10ih and 11th. ^ .. .. . The first Exhibition ol this Society, held at Springfield, Maw, in October, 1853, was devoted exclusively to an examination of horses ;— at Springfield, Ohio. 1854, Cattle alone, were exhihited \ —at Boston 1855, all departments of Faim Stock— Cattle, Hor- | ses. Sheep and Swine, were shown. , ^ ^ The Society, encouraged by pr.st success, and by the approba. tion of the Agricultural community, now propose to offer P^^ miums, not only for Domestic Animals, but also for Poultry, and ine DrouuciB oi mo r tu** x^«»v«»^«», »••*/ x^«»»... • .c.«., »..«. mg Vineyard, and for Agricultural Implements and Machinery. A local committee of forty citizens of Philadelphia, represent- ing the various branches of industry, has already been appointed to cooperate with the officers of the Society, m perfecting ar- rangements for the Exhibition; and fifteen thousand dollan have been guaranteed to meet expenses. This material aid, coupled with the excellence of the selected location, and the large amount of Premiums offered, induces the expectation that the exhibition of 1856, will be superior to any of its prede- cessors. ^ , * r o. i j Favorable arrangements for the transportation o! atock and other articles, will be made with the various Railroads. The List of Entries, the Awards of Premiums, and the Pro- ceedings, will be published in the Journal of the Society for 1856. „ . . The Premium List, with the Regulations and Programme of the Exhibition, will be furnished on application to Mr. John Me Go wan. Assistant Secretary of the United States Agricultural Society, 160 Chestnut Street, (Rcoms of the Philadelphia Agri- cultural Society,) or by addressing the Secretary, at Boston. MARSHALL P. WILDER, President. William S. Kino, Secretary. JOrEditors are respectfully requested to give the above as inseition in their Journals. THE SOUTHERN PLANTEE, A Monthly Periodical of thirty-two octavo pages devoted to Agriculture. Horticulture, and the Household Art?, puhlishjl at Richmond, Virginia. Frank G. Ruffin, Editor. TERMS: One dollar and twenty-five cents per annum, or onedolkr only, if paid in cuivance. ^ ^ RUFFIN & AUGUST, Proprietor!. July. ^ ♦ PREMIlJill IMPROVED Super-Phosphate of Lime. SILVER MEDAL AWARDED BT THE PENNA. STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, 1855. THIS superior article is now offered to Farmers and Dealeri. It is of the most approved quality, producing all the effectaol the best _^_ ^_ . ,____ PERUVIAN GUANO AT A MUCH LESS PKICE with the advantage of being much MORE LASTING IW THE SOIL and IMPROVING IT in a greater degree. ALSO, PREPARED CHEMICAL FERTILIZER FOR TOP-DRESSING GRASS, CORN. POTATOES. &« For sale in barrels weighing two hundred pounds each by JOHN L. POMEROY, No 10 South Wharves, below Market Street, A.pril, 1856.3t Philadelphtf^ WEST CHESTER AGRICULTURAL WORKS. | pared to do most kinds of Cwtlng and FJttJng-uP to <)f< f ^' ^^^^^^^^ J^:mt Wall CHiMUif. CUnUt 00. ^ ^U THE 1st MONTH (JAN.) NUMBER. (1856) WILL COMMENCE THE SIXTH VOLUME OF THE FARM JOURNAL i Wnnthlu P&rxodiexL of Thirty Two Octavo Pages, devoted exclusively to the beit interests qf the Farmer, the. Gardener, t/te FruUGrower * A few back Volumes handsomely bound $1 50 each. Among the subjects treated In the Journal will be comprehended the *ThrCulTlvatlon of the Soil; Manures and their Application; De -/.Hntlonsof all New and Improved Implements of Husbandry, de- !fan^(i to facilitate and abrldue the labor of the Farm; Descriptions «f9lnew Fruits, Flowers, and Trees; Pruning and Grafilng; Expert rnpnts of Farmers; Rural Architecture; Market Reports; Plowing, S^wlnz and Harvesting; Draining; Grains and Grasses; Esculent ««rtts as food for Cattle; Gardening; Live Stock of every description, Kls modes of fattening, Ac; The Dairy; Reviews of Agricultural •iid Proprietor of the Journal, assisted by a number ot eminent Aaricuiturists and practical fUrmers, making it at the same time, a nrlniary object to keep the Journal clear from all collateral Interests, «nd to render It in all respects a reliable paper. "It is a great fallacy to suppose that when an individual becomes the Fdltor of an Agricultural paper, he necessarily constituted hlmselt a dictator of opinion and practice to his readers." "Without the encouragement of AgricuUuret any country, however blessed by nature, must continue poor." We send specimen numbers to all applicants, gratis— and willansw* nromptly all letters of Inquiry, Ac., relating to matters contained In the Journal— not omitting even those that have a postage stamp en closed to pay for the reply. Our Terms of Subscription place the Journal within the reach qfaU. Single Copy, $ 1 00 per annum. Five Copies, 4 00 " Ten Copies 7 50 T Twenty Copies. 14 «» CASH. INVARIABLY IN ADVANCE. A limited amount of advertising (which must be paid for before In- sertion) will be admitted at the following rates. Six lines, or under for each insertion, $ 1 00 From six to twelve lines ** 2 00 Haifa column, 4 00 One column, 7 00 One page, 14 00 All subscriptions must begin with the Ist or 7f h number of the vol- nnie which commences with the year; and in fvery case the Journal will be stopped at the expiration of the time paid lor, unless the sub Kriptlouls previously «ocw.d^^j^ ^^^^^^ ^ CO.. Publisher,. N. E. cor. Seventh and Market Sts., Philada. To whom all communications, whether editorial or business, should be aildressed. HARROWS, CULTIVATORS, HORSE HOES THE MOST complete assortment of Square Eipanding Gidderf, and Scotch Harrows, iu the Citv. Cultivators of the most approved kinds. Knox's celebrated Horse Hoes. Whole- ale and retail. Our own manufacture. PASCHALL MORRIS & CO.. N. E. corner Seventh and Market Sis.. Phiia. FARM, GARDEN, FLOWER, FIELD, GRASS AND BIRD SEED. AT my warehouse will be found the lar.irest and best assortment of ill the above Seeds to be found In the United States. I would also call the attention of Gardeners, Truck Farmers, and others, to ray new Japan Blood Red Head Lettuce, one of the best varieties ever Intro- duced for standing the Intense heat of summer, making good heads, and of suprrior qualit.v. My assortment of Flower Seeds is unrivalled, and embraces many new and pure sorts never before offered In this country. Dealers supplied on liberal terms. Catalogues n^aUed to all who enclose a postage stamp. ^ . «. ^\^^^^v-i' iu Seed Warehouse Nos» 822 and 324 Market St.. abovs I^lnth. April, 1856-2t PLOWS. DOUBLE MICHIGAN, Eagle Self Sharpener, Blakcr's Bar Share. Star Sell^Sharpeners, Mapes' Cast and Steel Subsoil, Hillside, Ridging, Swivel, and all other kinds. PASCHALL MORRIS & CO.. N. E. corner Seventh and Market Sts , Phila. ~ 6ERMANT0WN NURSERIES. THOMAS MEEHAN, NTJBSEBTMAN AXD LANDSCAPE Qkmmtn, {Opposite G. W. Carpenter's,) Germantown, Phtladdphxa. . Fruit and Ornamental Trees and Shrubs in great vari'^ty. Gardens *c., laid out and planted. Seeds of hardy Trses and Shrubs. Grewi- h0Tu«8.Qrapcri«t, Ac, designed or erected. TO FARMERS Sc HECHANICS. COOPER'S IMPROVED LIME AND 6UANQ SPREADER. THESE Machines stand unsurpassed and without parallel as machines for the purpose intended, viz: spreading Lime, Ashes. &c , and sowing Guano, Superphosphate of Lime, Pias< ter, or any such Fertilizer. They are simple, strong, durable, and adjustable to sow any desired quantity to the acre that farmers may desire. Any common hand can operate them. They are of very easy draft for horses or oxen, for which they are adapted. One or two hands and team can with ease do four times as much with the use of the machine as they could in any way without i», and in a manner for evennesa wholly unimitable. No. 1 Lime and Guano Spreader combined, 5 J feet wide Price at shoo, $75. No. 2 Lime Spreader (not combined) is larger and stronger, 6 feet wide. $75. Guano Spreader, one horse, 5 feet wide. $40. •» «• two horse, 8i feet wide, $60. AGENTS.— PASCHALL MORRIS & CO., Philadelphia R. SINCLAIR, Jr., & CO , Baltimore. Reference testimonial can be had by addressing the following gentlemen who have machines in use: Maris Hoopea, Lancaster, Pa.; Simmons Coates, Gap, Lan caster co., Pa ; Andrew Stevvard, Penningtonville, Chester co., Pa.; S. C Williamson, Cain. Chester co.. Fa.; Wm. C. Hoffman and Lewis G. Kemp, Frederick City, Md.; Henry Tell, Texas Baltimore co , Md. All orders or communications addressed to LEWIS COOPER Christiana P. O., Lancaster Co., Pa., will meet with promp attention. IKT PATENT RIGHTS FOR SALE. April, 1856. ATKINS' SELF-RAKING REAPER AND MOWER. FARMERS TAKE NOTICE! THE flrst premium awarded at the State Pair, held at Harrisburg in 1856, also first premium at the County Fairs of Noithumber- land, Cumberland, Franklin, York, Lycoming, Centre, Westmoreland, Washington, Berks, Schuylkill, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester, in competition with from eight to ten different reapers and mowers. The Atkin's self-raking reaper and mower, will be for sale at the Factory at Harrisburg, also at PASOHALI. MORRIS ^i CO., N. E. COR. Tth AND MARKET STS., PHIJLA. Farmers wishing thefie Celebrated Reapers and Mowers for the next harvest must send in their orders soon. Price of Reaper alone $166 Cash. — Reaper and Mower Cash $190 All reapers warranted to give entire satisfaction, or the money re- funded. All orders left with PASCHALL MORRIS & CO., as above, or addressed by letter to JAMES PATTEN, General Agent for Vmvc sylvania, at Harrisburg, will meet^witb prompt attentioB. March 4X i TIGHT BINDING ^ ^wmmwm M.mm jl©m© ^©lismsgD la^^sass^jEa * m0m > WILLIAM B. COATES FARMER'S MACHINE SHOP, GILBERT ^ RITTENHOUSE, MANUFACTURERS OF WHEELKR'S PATENT Railiv^ay Horse Pcwer, and Overshot GREEJV CORN CUTTING MACHINE, FOR CUTmc GBEES CORN P80JI THE fOB BEFORE ASD AFTER BOIIIKO. PATENTED MAY 13,1,, 1856. .lc..red l,y .t.ase person, who ha^e .een Z »fi™ hy 7\uZ'^"TP?, """ l"^'''l *'"' J-*"" ""-h «" »Ppo,au,. b". t^ park large quo.,,,,,., of dried and Med com ,or exZa i^ * '" "'^ "'* ""' "J" ''""'' ' """ """e especifiy by ?hoJe wto _Ju[y,3ra K, :". ZT;:;„XS ^P.Slp.. EPARATINe THRESHER, FEED CUTTER, &C. ■ ■■- — L,-— ■ ^ ^ WILLIAM B. COATES' The subscribers call the attention of Farmers and the public generally to ilieir superior Horse Power and Threshers, which V are constantly manufacturing, and making improvements, which makes it the best machine in use. For further particulars address, GILBERT & RITTENH '( E.NcErisloun, Pa. Wm. R. FRINGE & Co., FLUSHING, N. IT. Offer the following Collection, which the mass of Visitors now are unequalled, and which may be transplanted the pres- nl and ensuing months. Premium Strawberries^ a Collection combining every requi- te, of which a new descriptive catalogue will be forwarded. {Rhubarb, of the finest varieties; large German and (Jiant bparagus. Horse Radish, Madder, Patience Dock, Sea Kale, Ucorice, and Globe Artichoke. Bulbous Flowers, of all the beautiful species. Chinese Herbaceous and Tree Peonies, of 20 i id gorgeous varieties. Also, in Autumn. Trees. Shrubs and Plants of every descrip- 3n, and Garden Vegetable and Flower Seeds, in large quantities it the lowest wholesale rates. Fruit and Ornamental Tree Seeds and Stocks, and Young Trees for Nurseries. Chinese Potato, will be contracted for, deliverable in October, 115 per hundred if ordered now, and 25 per cent, remitted ih the order. 200 most splendid PATENT OBLIQUE METHOD OF CUTTING STALKS P-iTENTEn rKTvnrtvxy ir*v ib— i PATENTED OCTOBER 15th, 185C, > WILLIAM B. COATES & CO. No. 152 North Front Street, Philadelphia. TO IRSERYMEN & DEALERS IN TREES The subscribers beg leave to announce that their Wholesale "^d Catalogue of Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Roses' '.for the Autumn of 1856, is now ready, and will be sent i to all applicants wbo enclose a stamp. ELLWANGER & BARRY. Mount Hope Nurseries, July 15th, 1856. Rochester, N. Y. WILLIAM SAUNDERS, iJrajctlcal Horticulturist, Landscape Gardener, and Garden Architect *nnantown, Philadelphia. AGENCY FOR THE PURCHASE AND SALE ov ZMPROVBD BRZSSDS OF AZTZlMtAZiS. Cattle, Sheep and Swine of improved Breeds will be bought and sold on commission by AARON CLEMENT. Sep— 3t 184 South 9th St., Phila., FARMERS, GARDENERS AND GENTLEMEN Having Country Seats, use TAFEU upon your Lawns, Grass* Lands, Buckwheat, Turnips and Winter Grain. We will warrant it equally efficacious as Guano, without being so caustic, and the price being $20 per ton less is a further inducement. Tafeu is composed of night soil, 3-4th. and No. 1 Peruvian Guano, l-4th ; compounded with sulphuric acid, and we claim that this combination contains everything necessary tor the quick and full development of grass and grains. HaA^ing purchased the exclusive right to nil the night soil of the City of^ New York for fivejyears, for $4100 per annum, we are interested in keeping up the quality of our manufactures, and we can furnish Poudrette and Tafeu of first quality at the following prices : Poudrette at $1 50 per bbl. for any quantity over seven bbls. The Tafeu is packed in bbls. of 228 to 260 lbs each, and in bags 125 lbs. Price of Tafeu is 1 34 cents per lb , or $35 per ton. A pamphlet sent gratis to any one applying to THE LODI MANUFACTURING CO.. No. 60 Courlland street, N. Y. aRAzir FASTS, KORSzs p.ivszis, THRESHERS &c., of the most approved kinds, always on hand, at manufacturers prices. PASCHALL MORRIS & CO., N. E. corner 7th and Market Sts., TIGHT BINDING ^ I THE BEST PORTABLE CIDER miLL AND PRESS i\ THR WORLD. KRAUSEfv'S CELEBRATED PATENT PORTABLE CIDER MILL &, PRE S Which has been greatly improved since last season, and is now offered to the public with full confidence, as being beyoi all doubt the most complete and effective mill in use. This celebrated mill, which has attracted so much attention, not less for its novefly and simplicity than for its greai efficiency, is offered to the public upon its own merits, which are of the highest character. During the past two seasoni we have had hundreds of opportunities of testing the superiority of this admirable mill, and in every instance it has giyet entire satisfaction to purchasers. It is believed to be far superior in effectiveness and durability to any thing of the kind in the market. It can be worked by a couple of men to the extent of eight or ten barrels per day, and can also be readily adapted to horse and hand power if desired- One of its principal features is the arrangement of the RECIPROCATING PISTONS, which by their alternate action, cause a quantity of apples or grapes to advance with irresistible force against the passing teeth of the rapidly revolving cylinder, so that they are speedily reduced to pulp, and are discharged into the tub beneath the mill. By to operation ^««HBARGl!f VOL. VI. PHILADELPHIA, OCTOBER, 1856. NO. 10. ■ MORRIS NURSERIES, J. L. DARLINGTON & CO., PROPREETOBS, WEST CHESTER, Pa., Ii.Z!!t«!?**!li*^? "^V ^*'' ■•^^ ^'»« P"»ent fell, their lawe and|well selected nuraery ttock. and aC n !!? I^'^r^l "^^^^^''^ introduced fromll TW. ^mIkI r ^"^^ ^? '"'^^ ""^ deciduous Eveigi NeTp,!!;^ ^""^ immediate ihade and embellithmeS rin^G^d't'^'^i.^^^J^'"^/*"^^' ^^^''yi Apricot. S3 nne, Oooeeberry, Strawberry, Ac.. Ac., Ac. editL*nf"tIli^"'''"'T •^^•.'•^•' *« **"' Catalogue, i nn ^.non of whicfc. 1. ready, and wi II be sent gratis to all i|# ^P^~^^ J L. DARUNGTON A CO, AGENCr FOR THE PURCHASE AND SALE THE SIXTH AlViVUAL EXHf BmST OF THE AAVi.1 PENNSYLVANIA. STATE AGRICULTUflAL SOCIETY. WILL BK nnm km 9 OF WILL BB HELD AT 0« «.ptMab« SOth, .nd on OetoW Itt. Sd. .Id»d. 1M6 ROBT C. WALKEE. &««*,,. I Jul, Mih. 185t. xMPAovaB ^^irn'Mi or awzbcau K«.?*i!I*** ^^'^Tf *"'' ''^^ ^^ improTed Breeds will h bought mod sold on commijiion by fl ,, AARON CLEMENT. _ ^P""^^ 184 South 9th St, PhiK TO lUBSERTIEN & DEALEBS IN TBEQ h^ to all applicants who enclose a atanp. ELLWANGER A BARRY. Mount Hope Nnneritfi^ AochesleK, N. T' For the Parm.Iournul. ON THE ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF DICOTYLE- DONOUS TREES, AND THE BEST MEANS OF PEE- 8EEVING THEM FROM PREMATURE DECAY. BY HARLAN D C0ULTA3. No. III. In the two preceding articles we have shown that the wood and bark of a Dicotyledonous tree is com- posed of a number of superposed circular beds, develop- ing around a common centre, occupied by a medullary canal. This remarkable disposition of these two substances, results from the annual formation of a new bed of wood on the exterior of that already existing there, and of one or more layers of bark on the interior surface of the bed of bark formed during the previous year. We are going to endeavor, if possible, to render an account of the origin of these new productions of wood and bark. If during winter, when vegetation is in a state of repose, we examine the cross section of a young stem or branch, we shall find it in ttie following state. Between the bed of wood last formed and the bark, a bed of parenchyma will be seen, deprived of green granules, which is called the cambium layer. This bed has been formed during the preceding summer, from the descending sap or cambium, which spreads itself between the bark and wood ; and it is through the transformations effected in its cells, that new rings of wood and layers of bark are annually produced. Parenchyma is the original form of every species of cell. If we examine with the microscope a section of a young leaf, or root, or any other organ of a plant, we shall find that it is composed entirely of paren- chymatous tissue in the first stages of its development ; as growth progresses, these cellules are gradually transformed into fibre cells, and vasiforra tissue or ducts. In the same manner, the different species forming the annual growths of wood and bark, are generated from the parenchyma cells of the cambium layer. During winter we perceive no change in the cells of the cambium layer, which are filled with nutritive matter, whilst the cells of the medullary rays contain starch. As soon, however, as spring commences, the' starch granules are converted into a soluble sugary gum, called dextrine, with which the cells of the cambium layer are speedily gorged. Their vital activity now commences, and they generate cells of the same nature as those with which they are organ- ically connected, and elongate into fibre and bas cells, wood producing wood, bark forming bark, the tissues preserving their original form of parenchyma only in those portions which correspond to the medullary rays. In this mr.nner a new layer of wood and bark is annually formed. The vasiformor duct cells in early spring, when the ascent of the sap is most powerful, at first conveys it to the leaves in conjunction with the fibre-cells of the wood. But, as the flow of the sap becomes less vigorous, it gradually disappears from the ducts, owing to their deficiency in the requisite amount of capillarity, which thus become filled with air ; the finer capillary tubes of the fibre cells, however, still induce a continuance of its flow through their cavities. As the sap speedily subsides in the ducts, earthy deposits necessarily accumulate sparingly on their parictes or walls, and their tubes remain permanently open. The interior diameter of the duct tubes, is from the first much larger than the bore of the fibre tubes, hence the sap continues to flow in the latter much longer than the former, in fact throughout the season. As^every additional deposit of earthy matter on the parietes or walls of the fibre cells, necessarily gives them a finer degree of capillarity, the sap continues to flow in them, through subsequent seasons, until their tubular character is obliterated altogether. When this is the case, the life of the fibre cells is terminated, and they exercise a purely mechanical function. This solidification of the fibre cells is usually con- nected with a change in the color of the wood more or less marked. If the stem of a cherry or oak tree be examined, a very perceptible difference will be seen between the circular beds of wood, towards the mterior of the stem which are of a deeper color, and more compact, than those which are situated nearest the bark, which are on the contrary pale and of a looser texture. The pale wood nearest the bark is called alburnum or sap-wood, as the sap still continues to circulate there to a "Tcater or less extent ; the older. TIGHT BINDING 300 THfi FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. i>i [October. more compact, deeply colored, and more solidified [ when common air gains access to the interior of stems wood, which occupies the more interior part of the stem, is called duramen or heart wood. This wood consists of dead indurated cells, the cavities of which have been filled up with earthy matter or lignine, and is the part chiefly valued by workmen as most suitable for economic purposes. The various fancy colored woods employed by ths turner and cabinet maker, consist of the heart wood only, which assumes different colors in different species, being black in the ebony, bright yellow in the barberry, niirpj;«li rg^ ju i\%q cedar, and dark brown in the black walnut. The alburnum in all these trees, even in the ebony itself, is always white, and is chipped off with the axe before the wood is shipped, as a part of little or no value. As a general rule the years rings are manifest only in the wood, and never in the bark. The cork tree quercus suber, and some few other trees, must however that they become rotten and hollow. The air which is contained in the interior of a tree is very different from that which surrounds it exte^ nally. As soon as air enters the organism of a plant it becomes subject to the vital action of the tissues, and undergoes decomposition, which renders it nutritious. To be of any service, it must enter by the appropriate channels, viz., by the pores on the leaves and young twigs, and by the fibres of the roots. Air gaining €*^wcoS lu tiic iuiciiui ui tt tFee uiiiurwise man uy iD^gQ channels, exercises a decidedly injurious influence. The oxygen is separated and evolved in the one instance, in the other it is absorbed and eremacausis, literally slow burning, or decay, is the inevitable result. Every physician knows the importance of ex- cluding the air from an incised wound, and a wounded tree ought to be treated on the same principle. Hence be regarded as exceptions. As every new layer of the importance of protecting the stems of young trees wood is deposited on the exterior surface of the last from injury, when the trees are planted in exposed years wood, the diameter of the wood is a constantly increasing quantity, and each ring of wood remains unaltered in its dimensions and position until its cells finally decay ; on the other hand, as each new layer of situations. We have shown that the bark has a con- tinually tendency to expansion and fissure, h<»nco i wound received in early life by a young tree is seldom healed, although nature usually makes an attempt bark IS deposited on the interior surface of the ring invariably to close the same by the development of of bark of the previous year, the previous annual layers I a quantity of corks or cellular matter which forms are subjected to gradual but incessant distention, and ; what has been very appropriately termed the lips of are finally fissured and rent. The interior growth of ' the wound, for the expanding is generally greater than the bark combined with the annual development of the closing process. If the wood be examined at these the subjacent wood rings, thus prevents an accumu- parts, it will be found to be rotten. Mostof the shade lation of bark to any very great extent, on the exterior of the stem. Hence it is that on the cross section, trees of Philadelphia have been injured in this manner, and unless their wounds are closed effectually, the the bark bears but a small proportion in thickness to | progress of their decay will be .low but sure. It is the wood. In the common p ane tree, after the eighth only when the air gets access in this way to the interior or tenth year, all the old layers of bark fall away ' entirely in the form of brittle plates. The iimer- most layers of wood, and the outermost layers of bark, are therefore, after a certain period, both deprived of life. The old, dead, and fissured bark on the exterior of trees, that they become rotten and hollow. If all wounds were closed with some cement as soon as made, and the air thus excluded from the heart wood in the interior of the tree, its quantity might be almost in- definitely increased. Forest trees have all the conditions of an unbounded surface of yon aged t,ee, was once a you-g. living. Hfe-duration granted them, and nature is successful ^LTm''""' ■".""r'^"'' '°"''"' "'"^ ""> i" P^<"<^'=«"e them from outward influence in a greater the s; Wentirh'7 "^ """"'"' '""" ''' '^^ ^ ^^^ ^^g^*- ^'^e f-^'owing is a list of the dLent Innual reratfonTof hr?"n"''Tr T'-"' "' '"''^"' "S^^ '« '^'"'=h '"e same tree arrives under more or less annual generations or bark eel s. Life has in sucrps<;inn <• ui • . m, r.a«cnH frnn. fKo.oo^ro^ rn, , , ^ "**''^ m successiou favorablc circumstances. The number of instances IZ'M: It :r:..7'lf ::!!lrA-'-:- '^■^^^^ -^-^t »>« almost indefinitely increased. shelter the younger, and more internal bark cells. Vegetative life is at present,^ torpid and inactive, and the snow covers the ground ; but the sun shall again shine bright and warm on that now leafless tree, and under its magic influence another generation of young and vitally active bark cells, shall develope and be pushed forward to be ultimately exuviated from the exterior of the tree, like the generations which have preceded them. The life of the European Larch varies from 36.'J to 676 years. u tt li i( M Chestnut, Cedar of Lebanon, *' Olive, " Oak, « Linden, ** ew. t4 360 to 626 " 2fl0 to 800 " 700 to 2000 " 600 to 1400 " 364 to 1076 *' 1214 to 2880 " The oldest tree in the world is the Adansonia digitata or Hasbab, its age is over a thousand years. a rom the whole of these facts it is evident that the ' It is a malvaceous plant, and grows in Western Africa, life of a tree depends on a harmonious working together in Senegambia, on an island. VtlZ]lllj TA^""^ ''"':. "°^ '^ '^' ^^^^^ '^ I '^^^' ^i^^l P^<><^«««es of plants are however liable to the neartwood could be prevented th& Ufi^ nf ih^ ^^r.r. v • * ^ ji , might be almost indefinLTy proli Tin. ' !f ''"'"^ pf 'f ''^'' ''''''' ""' ^'^" '' ''''"'''''''' b uci.iiiLeiy proiongca. It is only j or decay. Plants may acquire diseases as well as [1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. J,01 animals, which will ultimately deprive them of life. Of the nature of the diseases of plants, and their cure little is known. There we have a wide and as yet almost unexplored field of research. "VcJimposed by the writer on the 6th of Feb., 185G. 4%¥ For the Farm Journal. Mr. Editor : — I am a constant reader of the Journal, and so much have I become attached to it, that the period of its arrival at the ofiQce, though regular, appears to be an age. At the suggestion of the * Journal', I commenced the use of ' Peruvian Guano,' and have used it as a fertilizer ever since, and each year I have derived more benetit from its use than the preceding year; in consequence of applying it diftbrently to the crops. The first season I had not a sufficient quantity of barn-yard manure to spread over a field which T intended to sow with wheat, consequently T pur- chased Guano to fill out the field, and applied 300 lbs. to the acre sown broad-cast, and harrowed in with the wheat. The barn-yard manure was put on as a top dressing ; lx;ing fine and w^ell-rotted, it was harrowed in with the grain, the same as the guano. The result was, that the wheat grown upon the guanoed part, exceeded that which had been manured, several bushels to the acre. The clover was better likewise during the first year, after which there was no perceptible diflerence. The next season I prepared a field for seeding, by plowing deeply and pulverizing thoroughly, upon which I sowed the same quantity of guano as before, and plowed it in as deeply as possible, (ten or twelve inches.) Sowed the grain on and covered it with the harrows. The following harvest I had the finest crop of wheat upon this field, that I ever raised, and upon threshing, I found I had double as much wheat to the acre, as I had from that where the guano was only harrowed in. Yours with respect, George W. Bretts. Newport, Perry Co., Pa., Aug., 21 tk 1856. »^ ROTATION OF CROPS. It is always better to prevent special exhaustion of land than to cure it. It is often difficult to discover what the land really requires, and, therefore, to cure theevil when it exists. The only method of preventing it with which we are yet acquainted, is by the intro- duction of a skilful rotation or alteration of unlike crops. In adopting such a rotation, we only copy from nature. In the wide forest, many generations of broad-leaved trees live and die, and succeed each other ; but the time comes at last when a general p«Btilence seems to assail them ; their tops droop and wither, their branches fall off, their trunks rot. They die out, and a narrow- leaved raoe succeeds them. This race again has its life, of centuries, perhaps : but death seizes it too, and the expanded leaf of the beech, the ash, and the oak, again cheer the eye — playing with the passing zephyrs and glittering in the sun. So in the broad meadow, the old pasture changes, a:id new races of humble grasses succeed each other as the fields increase in age. The alternation of crops, therefore asserts to itself something of the dignity of a natural law, and man is evidently in the right course when he imitates nature in a procedure like this. But upon wiiat do its good effects depend ? Why do the broad leaves alternate with the narrow in the ancient forest ? Why do the grasses change in the old meadow ? Why does the farmer obtain a larger produce, and for a greater number of years, by growing unlike crops alternately, than by continuing year after year to grow the same ? The reason is not merely that one crop carries off more, and another less, of all those which all our crops derive from the soil, but that one crop carries off more of one thing, another crop more of another. The grain carries off phosphorus, the straw silica, the bulb alkaline matter. After, perhaps, fifteen or twenty successive crops of the same kind, the surface soil through which the roots are spread becomes so poor in those siibstances which the crop especially requires, that the plant cannot obtain from it a sufficient supply to nourish and bring to maturity the full grown plant, within the time allotted to it in our climate for its natural growth. The roots do their l>est ; they collect as diligently as they can, but winter comes on, and the growth ends before the plant is fully matured. In the case of corn, the first effect of a scarcity, say of phos- phoric acid, is to make the ear smaller and the number of grains less ; the next to continue the growth into the winter, and only when a very fine season occurs to ripen the ear at all. But suppose we alternate the corn crop, which in its grain carries off phosphoric acid, with a hay crop which requires much silica, or a root crop to which much alkaline matter is necessary —then the one crop would live upon and remove what the other had left in greater abundance. Instead of robbing the soil every year of the same substance, we should be exhausting it more equally of all, and we should be aWe, for double the time at least, to crop it without, the risk of its ceasing entirely to give us a profitable return. We should gradually work up every available substance in the soil, whether such as are naturally present in it, or such as we have ourselves added in the form of manure. What is true of the simple alternations of corn with a green crop, is more true still of a longer and more complicated rotation. The greater the variety of crops we grow, and more perfectly do we avail ourselves of the benefits which an obedience to the suggestions of this principle is fitted to confer upon us. No rotation it is true, however skilful, will alone prevent the land from becoming ultimately exhausted. Nothing but regular and generous manuring w\\\ do this, unless there be, in springs from beneath, or in the decaying fragments of rock mixed with the soil, or in substances broucrht down from higher grounds, or in the nature of the rains that fall upon the land, some perrennial source of those substances which the crops always carry off from the soil. But in a skilful rotation there is this virtue, that land which is subjected to it cannot be ruined in so short a time. • I I TIGHT BINDING 302 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARxMER. [October, «l For the Farm Journal. Frtbnds : — Permit uie once more through the col umns of the Farm Journal, to express my opinion, that For the Farm Journal. POTATO OAT. Last spring I received from the Patent office a small there is too much difference between the amount of package of Potato Oat, selected by the agent of the premiums offered for the different breeds of cattle, and office in England. [ have cultivated it this season those offered for the different breeds of Sheep, when ! with apparent success, so far as a person might judge, the fact is, there is far more room, and a much greater having so small a quantity for trial. In the length of necessity for the improvement of the latter than the the straw, and the form of the panicle, this variety is former. And while I have pen in hand, I wish to j similar to the Black Oat of France. The grain is bring to view an error which I was witness to, in the ' very large, light-colored, heavy, and well filled with nremiUm list of nnr AfnrvlaTT^ fripnric at ihair loot- farina oaf\iia rnoH-pr Jt iq vp^'V rM'«-.lJfi/» nr%A ^«t^V». . Annual Exhibition, and which I cannot see any thing late variety. In order the more fully to test its to prevent occurring at our National Exhibition, unless adaptation to our soil and climate, I will send % there is some precaution made use of. Having served small quantity of seed to those desiring it, by their on the committee for Imported Sheep, as also on that j enclosing me a stamped envelope. Where practicable, for Long Wool Sheep, I will here insert a portion of I would also be pleased to receive a small quantity of each committee's report. The Committee on Imported Sheep, have awarded to Col. J. W. Ware, of Va., the premium for the best Imported Cotswold Buck, to the same gentleman, the some rare or valuable seeds in exchange. A small amount of seed will in most instances, test the adap- tation of any vegetable to a particular soil and climate, as effectually as would be done in a larger quantity. -,, ,,T . ^ r. ^,^ «, Testing on a more extensive scale is only deferred premium for the best Imported Cotswo d Ewe. The f .^ „ „ ° . ^ i ui • r „i T . J x^ uu- J 1^ ^ , ,^ I '^'^ a year or two, and valuable experience maybe only Imported Ewes exhibited, were by Col. Ware. „„•„ a i - ,u . .- *u • , . . r^.,lf« • V -.u r V- 1. • V .* gained during that time with respect tons cutivation, fourteen in number, either of which, in the op n on of Thnf ♦!, ii .i .• i i. i , .. ^ ^ ..^ ,j , , ., , \ I"" wi that the delay may not be entirely unproh table. the committee, wauld have been entitled to the pre- mium under the rule of the Society. (Signed,) Wm. D. Bowie, Chairman. In the case of Long Wool Sheep, after awarding the Colonel five premiums out of six, we believed it to be our duty, to state that all the sheep exhibited by Col. Ware, of Va., are imported, and not his own breeding, and they regret exceedingly, that imported sheep are suffered to compete with the native breeders, as it will have a tendency to drive from the exhibitions all breeders who are disposed to exhibit sheep, bred on our native soils. John R. Emobt, Chairman. We should take more of an interest in receiving and distributing through the Post Office small parcels of rare and valuable seeds, or of foreign seeds that may be on trial, testing their adaptation to our variety of of soil and climate. The Patent Office is rendering valuable service in this particular, but still there is ample room for exertion on the part of individuals in order to increase our agricultural riches, and permanently add to our useful economical recources. Jesse Gorsuch. Huntingdon y Pa. Aug., 185G. And although I have no idea of feeding or fattening breeding Ewes, to compete with such as our English neighbors may occasionally send, or sell to some of our countrymen, yet it would be a matter of curiosity to see how some would compare with some of ours, after they have produced lambs and summered and wintered on our soil. Probably few of those appointed as judges of sheep, are aware of the art that is prac- tised in England in fitting them up for those great shows. Some years ago I had living with me a regular English Shepherd, who gave me such information; and during the present year I have received a long letter of seven pages from my friend John Ellman. now eighty years of age, in which he writes " unfortunately at our shows the trimming and cutting into shape is carried to such a height, that it is quite useless for any one not having a man to do this thoroughly, to think of exhibiting." Respectfully, Joseph Copb. Highland Home, near West Chester, 19^Ao/8mo.,1856. For the Farm Journal. Bayou LAPouRcnE, La., August, 1856. Messrs Editors :— I will suggest a few remarks upon a question which has run through several numbers of the Farm Journal, and may be notice one or two other articles. In entering into the potato question, which shall be used for seed large or small potatoes ? I ^ive my experience coupled with that of sage farmers, and if your readers do pronounce me a common Holer, (commentator) they will I think find me sound. Without entering into experimental detail, for I have tried several modes of culture, in raising this esculent, let me assure your readers, that in the selection of any or all seed, no matter whether potatoes or grain seeds, that the btst seed is always the medium size, rather inclining toward large than small, provided the seed in fully formed and 7ipe. If the smallest seed were always used, the degeneration would soon render this valuable article of food useless as a vegetable for man. The eyes in the largest are not always perfect, and the tuber is more apt to be watery and subject to rot. There is a standard for i^eed as well as for other things. We choose a certain size of working animal as the best, and apply this also to trees and fiuits. I • 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 30 3 have always found well rotted stable manure, or a compost of stable manure, leaves and loam, the best manure for potatoes Others may differ. Should rot appear in a potato field, none of that crop should be used as seed, no matter how sound they appear. Get seed from some one who has no rot on his place. Human excrement makes an excellent manure when made into compost, and goes farther thus mixed than otherwise. Every farmer can have a box on small wheels under his pfivy, which can be drawn to tuc compost heap, and emptied when occasion requires. Spread some charcoal pulverized in the empty box every time it is put in its place. I am an advocate for green manuring, and lately sent an article upon the subject, to an agricultural Journal in New York. I prefer the southern field pea as being the best to precede grain crops. In addition to the suggestion of H. Shubart, in regard to Agricultural Societies, see April No. I would suggest that all premiums be awarded in the shape of Agricultural Books, Journals or Implements. Plain country farmers have not much need for silver ware, that is never used but kept for show. In regard to the culture of carrots, May No , page 135, the following I believe the best mode. Plough thoroughly, deep and well, any piece of land you may have, approaching a mellow or sandy loam, then by harrowing, cross ploughing and rolling, get it well pulverized. If the ground is damp and moist, soak the seed and roll them in plaster ; if the ground and weather is dry, do not soak the seed. Sow in drills with a drill harrow, using guano or super-phosphate of lime, with the seed or afterwards as a top dressing. Make your drills one foot apart, thin out to four or six inches in the drill, top dress with plaster, super-phusphate or guano ; weed with hoe until half grown, or make a frame holding two or three cultivator teeth in a row, a tooth to go between each drill, and pull it through the rows. This cleans the weeds out, and throws a few inches of dirt towards the plant. When the leaves are well grown, the ground will be so much shaded that weeds cannot grow. With good attention, rich and mellow ground, I am afraid to say how many bushels may be raised to the acre. But I will say that horses, cows and hogs will get fat, and milk and butter increase in quantity and quality from their use. There should be no hesitation in regard to the superiority of ground over unground food for animals. Experience and experiment prove it. Grind all grain, cat the roots, and hay and fodder, and steam them before feeding, and neither you nor your stock will ever regret it. In regard to the management ot hard pan soils article taken from the Country Gentleijian, page 156, May No., of Farm Journal, I venture a hint which has been found to be true practice. Whether your hard pan is at the suaface, or two feet below it, will be cured by draining and turning under green crops, say clover or field peas. We premise deep ploughing always. * For the Farm Jounial. PRESERVED FBTJITS FOR WINTER USE. It may not be to late yet to attend to the preserva- tion of Tomatoes, Corn, Beans, Peaches and other fruits and vegetables, that will not keep in a green or ripe state, for winter use. No good house-keeper (laving made a successful trial of it one season, will fail do so the next, if fruit can at all be obtained at a fair price. No family having enjoyed those In^ll»»»i ir».. ••%4*rf>». Vfcit^ ^wrilf f »>«»%i^ y\W .^ V% «»^^.^.«.^\r aviAUl (CO \jit\j rv iiiiivx , muv i^ iti viiiuiv yji i\> vVivii rvgic-v, should they be deprived of them the next, especially towards the spring when vegetables are becoming scarce, high priced, and insipid. And yet I am per- suaded from experience, that there are many who deprive themselves of these things in winter and who have them in abundance at the proper season, from a fear that they may spoil, or from a want of confidence in the modes of preservation that have been variously recommended. I had heard of, and had seen so many failures myself, that I confess my first essay was undertaken with some reluctance, and with a large margin allowed for disappointment. I tried on Toma- toes, Peaches. Green Grapes, and Green Corn, and failed only in the latter, (of which I had but one can) and that failure I am assured was solely from the imperfect character of the vessel. The last can of peaches was opened on the 4th of August, and the taste, color, and flavor was equally as good as any fruit of the present year, and I am even doubtful whether I could have told the difterence if I had not previously known the circumstances. In tomatoes I was even more successful, for in these I did not lose a single can, in peaches I lost one out of two, from the same cause that spoiled the corn. The green Grapes lost something in acidity, but they were of an inferior quality before they were prepared, otherwise they were in good order. As the labor is all the same, and the matter ought to be attended to carefully and efii- cientljs it is of importance to take into consideration, that the best fruit should be selected for the purpose, that can be obtained. I used Arthur's Hermetically sealed cans, and also some others of a different struc- ture. No matter however about the vessel, if it is only perfectly air-tight, and all the air expelled before the fruit is finally closed, and stored away. Peaches may be put up in this way either whole, in halves, quarters, or cut up in slices, and pared or unpared. I prefer quartering or slicing as it leaves less or no spaces between, and they are consequently less liable to damage. The cans when filled with fruit, should be set in a vessel of boiling water as deep as pos.sible, not allowing the water to boil over the sides of the vessels and into the fruit. Peaches should remain thus in boiling water for twenty-five or thirty minutes, and as they settle down, the cans should be filled up, keeping them quite full. The lids should then be carefully placed on and pressed down so that the edge of the lid is perfectly immersed all round in the hermetical sealing. Simultaneously with this last act, the cans should be lifted out of the boiling water. r TIGHT BINDING 304 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [OCTOBBB, and set out to cool, placing a weight upon the lid to press it gradually down to its place. If when the can is perfectly cool, the two ends become concaved, or hollowed inward, you may safely set them away, for the work is perfect ; if not, the work must all be done over again ; before doing which the can ought to be thoroughly examined, to see if a leak may not be found. It is optional whether sugar is used or not, if peaches are tartish t would recommend sugar. Tomatoes should be divested of the skin, and then boiled for one hour, in order that the redundancy of juice may be evaporated ; afterwards canned as above described for peaches. Good ripe tomatoes should be always selected. Those ripening in August, or beginning of September are the best. Those of later growth do not ripen so evenly and thoroughly, and are always more acid, and consequently more corrosive. Grapes are done the same as peaches, but may have a syrup over them, of as much loaf sugar as hot water will take up in solution. Green corn and green Lima beans, and also string beans, should be boiled two, or two and a half hours before they are put in the cans to seal. As these things are no longer regarded as a luxury, but a necessary of life, and are greatly conducive to health, these practical hints upon the subject, may be of use in such quarters where a trial has not yet been Miade. S. S. R. Lancaster, Aug. 23, 185G. 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 305 ly do we see cattle, in the heat of summer, annoyed b» flies and the heat of the sun, galloping about the past, ures a great part of the day, sometimes to the loss of much keep and their own detriment ! I believe tint the plan of feeding under cover is much followed on the continent, where economy in everything is much more studied than in England. The meadows might frequently be dressed as they are cut. By this method the home buildings might be kept filled with fatting cattle all the year round, and the manure thus mad$ would be of first quality; and a tank at one end of the building would prevent any waste. Many farmersin the present day pay as much as £100 per annum for artificial manures, which have not the enriching and enduring effect upon the land that a large bulk of dung made in this way would have. Upon the matter of loose boxes, or tying up in stalls, farmers generally do not appear to have'come to a satifactory conclusion. Ifoneor two persons of known experience would favour your readers with their opinion upon this sub- ject, the agricultural world (and perhaps the public generally) might be much benefited by it. -«•• -•♦•► As one of our correspondents has expressed a desire to hear more on the subject of soiling cattle, we copy the following as apropos, from the Mark Lane Express. Although not directly to the point, it contains some suggestions which may be valuable, and lead to a further discussion of this important subject. We are aware that the general impression is, that soiling will not pay, and some of our ablest writers are opposed to it, but we do not think it has been thoroughly tested yet in the United States, to enable any one to pro- nounce with positive certainty upon its merits. We shall be happy to hear more on the subject. Feeding Cattle under Cover— Summer Soiling. Sir, — Among the many way sof advantageously feed- ing cattle that have been recommended and followed, I have occasionally seen allusion to summer soiling, as it is called— that is, having the cattle in convenient, cool, and comfortable sheds, or buildings, either tied up, or in loose boxes; and fed through the summer with green food, clover, or meadow grass, cut and brought to them. I have known cattle to do very well indeed in this way, and the quantity of manure made is very great; and flour, and cake, &c., could easily in this way be added; but, generally speaking, the old farmers do not seem to approve of it, thinking it would not pay expense, and saying that there is nothing like letting the cattle help themselves to what they like best on the pastures. I am Inclined to think that on farms where the land and buildings are convenient for it, it would be found to do very well. How frequent- Venttlatixg Hay Stacks.— The Briti.sh farmers have a method of ventilating iheir hay, oat and barley stacks which we may frequently adopt with advantage; and in stacking cornstalks it would be always beneficial They fill a large bag, say Zi feet high and 20 inchei in diameter, with straw, and place it vertically in the centre of the stack, putting the barley, oats or hay, whichever it may happen to be, round it. As the stack rises they lift the sack ; and so on to the top. In this way there is a chimney formed in the center of the rick or bay, into which the steam or gases generated find their way and escape readily. -••^ CtJRTNO Clover. — The Boston Cultivator recon* mends the following mode of curing clover : ** Cut tJN clover, if practicable, when free from wet. Leave the swaths unspread for three or four hours. Then, with forks, put the mown clover into socks which will make each about fifty pounds of dry hay — taking care to lay it up in flakes, and rounding ofl" the tops so as to give the best protection against rain. The process of curing will advance according to the state of the weather. By examination from day to day, a good judge can tell when it is cured, or how much more time it will require. When it is so near dry that it maybe finished in one day, if the weather is fair, turn the cocks bottom upward, after the dew is off, and lighten the damp part as much as seems necessary, being careful not to dry it so much that it will powder in handling.'* -4••- WoRMY Apples— IIow to Prevent.— A correspon- dent of the New York Country Gentleman, writes as follows ; — •• Having been troubled with wormy apples for the last fifteen years, I thought I would try an experiment on one tree this season, to see if I could not stop these marauders in their wild career. I took half a dozen nuart porter bottles, and filled each half full of sweet- ened water. I then suspended them from the branches of the tree in the following manner : I tied leather straps three-fourths of an inch wide around the branches, to prevent them from being girdled : to these leather straps I tied hemp strings, to which I attached the bottles, leaving them open to allow the millers to enter. I let the bottles remain in this situation five or six weeks, and on taking them down and emptying them, I found the millers had eutered in great numbers, and were drowned in the liquid. In one bottle I counted fifteen — in another forty. I had twelve bushels of sound, wormless apples, while the fruit on the other trees not experimented upon was wormy.'* -••► BEARING CALVES. Take the calf from its dam when a few days or a week olJ, according to the conditiori of the cow's bag, and learn it to drink new milk, warm from the cow, feeding it thus twice a day till four or six weeks old. Then begin quite gradually to lessen the quantity of new milk, adding in place of that taken away, an equal measure of skimmed ujilk — the milk, previous to skimming, having stood about twelve hours, and, before it is given to the calf, having been warmed to the temperature of the new milk. So graduate the reduction of the new and the addition of the skimmed milk, that the latter shall constitute the entire mess /or the calf when it arrives at the age of eight or nine weeks. When the calf is five or six weeks old, give it a few dry oats, say a moderate handful daily, and increase a little at a time, till at and after ten weeks of age the calf shall receive about a pint per day ; also, at the age of five weeks, begin to feed a little nice fine hay. When the calf is ten weeks old. the milk it receives may be that which has stood longer than twelve hours beP>re being skimmed; also at and after this age, the quantity of milk may be gradually lessened, and water substituted for the milk taken away, so that when the calf is twelve or fourteen weeks old, the milk shall be wholly withdrawn, and the calf shall receive oats, hay and water, or shall be turned off* to good pasturage. Thus managed, the calf will never know when it was weaned from milk — will have no reason of repining and falling away in flesh, or remaining stationary in growth, will have no troublesome habit, after the time for weaning, of sucking cows that may chance to be in the pasture or yard with it, and will be quite as large, plump and symmet- rical when a yearling, as though it had been reared by the more expensive mode of sucking a cow. During the Winter preceding the period when the calf becomes a yearling, it should be fed on the best of fine hay, with one quart of dry oats, or six to eight quarts of mashed roots daily. It is not a good practice to feed meal to young calves, either before or after weaning, the meal being too heating, injuring digestion and bringing on purging, and worse still, if fed freely, causing the calf to grow out of shape, picked and scrawny. It is difficult to rear a nice well shaped calf on gruel, because of the meal of which the gruel is in part made, and because the quality for forming well developed hone and a well shaped body, which milk eminently possesses, is too much lacking in the gruel. — F. Hulbrook. Nkw Spkcies of Cranberky — Mr. F. Trowbridge, in a letter to the New England Farmer, states that he has recently had his attention called to an upland cranberry, found on sterile hill sides and barren, cold lands, near the upper lakes in Canada. Prof. F. Shepherd, of New Haven, from whom 1 gained my information, and from whom I received a sample of the berries, says that he has seen them in great abundance on his exploring expeditions, and that they little vegetable matter can be found, and look beautiful, in their bright flaming red color. The berries are smaller and more round than the low vine. When prepared for sauce it is not as acid, and has a peculiar rich flavor, and is very highly esteemed by those persons who are able to procure them. The vines are very much like our low cran- berries, and yield more abundantly. If they can be introduced into the waste, cold, unproductive parts of the United States, they must be very remunerative and valuable to the producer. «t FENWICK AND BOCKLEN'S. MACHINE FOR PLANTING AND ;COVERING CORN BY HAND. Fig. 1. is a central section, showing the planter in the condition it is before touching the ground. Fig. 2 is a section at angles to fig. 1, showing the parts in the condition they assume when the seed plunger is forced into the ground. Fig. 3 is a similar section to fig. 1, showing the parts in the condition they assume as the seed tube is being lifted up to draw the seed plunger from the ground. The nature of this invention consists, first, in the conical valve on the lower end of the seed slide, whereby the discharge of the seed can be effected simply through the depression of the seed tube and resistance of the soil against the seed slide as the tube descends, and thus the necessity of employing loose connections for operating the seed slide avoided. It consists, second, in the hinged plates on the lower end of the seed tube, whereby a quantity of earth is always taken up, no matter what may be the nature of the soil, and dropped on the corn in a manner to cover it perfectly, as fast as it is discharged from the seed tube. A is the seed box, consisting of a long tube of metal, four-sided or of other suitable form. This box is to be carried in the hand, and is fitted with a central slide, B, extending across it, the part of the box above the said slide is filled with corn, being separated from the lower part by fixed partition pieces, a and b, on opposite sides of the slide. Above the slide there is a stop piece, c, to check the upward movement of side B ; to this stop piece, C, is attached the stationary cut-oif, d, furnished with a brush, e, to cut off from the upper part of the box or tube. A, the quantity of corn which is received within the liole, /, of the slide. To the partition piece, h, is attached a rigid curtain, g, in which is a hole, A, to allow the corn to escape from the hole, /, of the slide, B, into the lower part of the box, A. A spring, /, is applied between slide, B, and seed box, A, in such a manner as to force down the slide over the hole, A, and thus close said liole, while the machine is not operating, the down- i . ja TIGHT BINDING 306 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [OCTOISI. CORN PLANTING AND COVERING, BY HAND. 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. W7 ward movement of the slide being limited by a stop pin, k, which comes in contact with the partition piece, 6. To the bottom of slide B is attached rigidly a plunger valve, C, which combines with a plunger tube, D, to form a plunger, by which the hole is made in the ground for the seed. The upper part of plunger tube, D, is made longer than the lower part, to fit easily to the interior of seed box, A, so as to be capable of sliding freely up and down therein ; and the lower part is of the same size as the plunger valve, C, which is beveled to fit to a beveled seat in the bottom of the plunger tube. Between the extreme lower part of seed box, A, and plunger tube, D, on each side, a plate or covering plate, E, is attached by a knuckle, t, in such a manner as to be capable of a swinging movement, to and from the plunger tube. The covering plfftes, E E, which are for the purpose of taking up a quantity of earth from the sides of the hole formed by the plunger, have their lower edges sharp and extend some distance below the bottom of the seed tube, but not so far below as the plunger valve does when the latter is kept down by the spring, J. The upper parts, / /, of the covering plates above the center of motion, • i, are inclined inwards towards the plunger tube, and the exterior of the plunger tube has two inclined projections, n n, on each side of its exterior, for the purpose of acting upon the covering plates in » manner thnt will be hereafter described. On one side of the interior of seed box, A, is attached a spring catch, p, for the purpose at a certain stage of the operation, of catching in a notch, o. in one side of the plunger tube, D. to connect the latter with the former. The operation of the planter is effected by a person taking it in one hand by the handle, walking over the field, and at certain distances dropping the lower end upon the ground. The plunger, which, before toucling the ground, is in the condition shown in fig. 1, enters the ground to sufficient depth to make the hole before it is arrested by the increasing resistance of the ground, the covering nlates, E E, remaining, in the meantime, spread open. After the arrest of the plunger the continued descent of the seed box. A, brings the inwardly inclined upper parts of the covering plates into contact with the inclined upper portions of the projections, n n, of the plunger tube, and causes the said parts, 1 1, to be thrown out- wards, and the lower parts to be thrown inwards towards the plunger tube, and thus to grasp a quantity of earth between themselves and the plunger tube, and it event- ually brings the spring catch over the notch, o, in the plunger tube, and locks the latter to the seed box or tube. The condition now described is represented in fig. 2. The operator now lifts the implement, but the plunger valve and slide are kept down by their own weight, aided by spring,/, and thus an opening is formed between the plunger valve and bottom of the plunger tube for the corn, which has passed from the hole, /, through the hole, A, and into the plunger tube during the descent of the seed box or tube to escape into the ground During the lifting of the seed box with the plunger tube locked to it, the earth, q q, which is within the covering plates, is lifted by them until a shoulder, r, of the slide comes in contact with, and forces out the spring catch, p, as shown in fig. 3, so as to liberate the plunger tube, which falls by its own weight, and its projections, n n, in passing the centers of motion, i i, of the covering plates throw out the lower parts thereof, and releases the earth, q q, which falls back into the hole in the ground just as the plunger valve begins \o be lifted by the stop, b acting on pin ^, and covers the corn which has been deposited. This machine seems to be a step in advance of many of the Hand Planters in use. It can be made by a common workman, is quite cheap, compact, and durable, and so constructed that it must plant regularly and surely as it enters the soil, clamp a quantity of earth, and, when raised out the of the soil, lift and drop the same upon the seed, so as to cover it perfectly. 4«» IMPROVED AGRICULTURAL MACHINE. The annexed engraving represents an invention of James B. Davis, of Boston, Mass., which is intended to accomplish four distinct purposes at one operation, to wit : — It harrows the ground, sows the seed, covers, and then rolls it in. It is a great labor-saver. The common way is to employ three distinct machines for these purposes, and thus to triplicate the time required hy the use of the present improvement. The machine consists of a rectangular frame A, mounted on wheels, B. The latter are not connected directly to the frame, but have their axes attached to the rims of annular plates, C, which are fastened to the frame by pivots or bolts, a. Each plate, C, has a series of holes made through it, through either of which pins, c, pass into the side pieces of the frame. A, and allow the plate, C, to be secured at any desired point. By turning the plates, C, on their pivots, a, the frame. A, of course, will be brought nearer to or further from the axis of the wheel, B, and consequently tlie said frame may be elevated or depressed to the •11 li' desired height from the surface of the ground. Into the under surfaces of the frame. A, however, teeth, d, are secured, so constructed as to turn a slight furrow at each side of them. The teeth are shaped somewhat like plow coulters. The frame. A, with its teeth, d, attached, form a harrow. To the upper surface of the frame. A, the draft pole, D, is attached. The draft pole, by being thus connected, has a tendency, when the implement is drawn along, to keep the front end of the harrow down, or prevent it from rising from the ground. At the back end of the machine a shaft, E, is attached parallel with the end of the frame, A. Shaft E has a series of rectangular plates, G, attached to it, TIGHT BINDING 3d8 TH]i: FA RM_ JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [OCTOJBI tho front ends of said plates working loosely on the shaft, E, so that each one may rise and fall indepen- dently of the others. When under surfaces of the plates, G, there are oblique or diagonal rows of teeth placed quite close together, similar to those of a hand rake. Two or more rows may be attached to each plate. Chains, II, are attached behind, G, so as to form loops that will trail or drag over the surface of the ground as the implement is drawn along. K K are rollers attaehed by rods, I, to the hinder part of the machine. When the machine is drawn along, the harrow and toothed plates harrow the land, the drag chains, H, cover the seed, and the rollers K K, press the earth down upon the seed. The implement will do its work effectively, and the seed will be worked or harrowed into the soil a uniform distance, the toothed plates preparing the soil for the action of the drag chains. The frame. A, being rendered adjustable, the wheels, B, may be so regulated that the harrow teeth will sink any required distance into the ground : and as the toothed plates rise and fall independently of each other, they will accomodate themselves to the unevenness of the soil. ON THE CHEMICAL PRINCIPLES INVOLVED IN AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENTS. The following is an abstract of a paper recently read before the Royal Institution, by Dr. Playfair, of Great Britain. ^ He commenced by pointing out the modern views m regard to the food of plants. This may be divided into Air Food and Earth Food. The aiVfood contains carbonic acid, water, ammonia and nitric acid. Hu- mus, to which great value was formerly attached by vegetable physiologists, is now known to act by its decay as an earth-provider of these substances. Al- though the soil and plants have the power of absorb- ing ammonia directly from the atmosphere, still the largest ponion must be supplied to them in solution, either ,n the form of rain or dew. Our knowledge on this subject IS still imperfect. The average fall of ram on an acre may be taken in this country at 2270 tons. Taking the largest results for the ammonia found in rain water, only 30 pounds of nitrogen would thus be supplied to crops, while a fair crop of cereals growing m a few weeks only, contains 50 pounds of nitrogen ; a crop of turnips contains 100 pounds, and one of mangold and clover 150 pounds. No doubt nitric acid furnishes a considerable quantity of the nitrogen brought down by rain, but probably the dew is the most active agent, and this falls in proportion as diligence applied to the cul ti vation of land increases Its radiating surface. With regard to the earth food attention was drawn to the essential ingredients of all plants, and to the characteristic quantities of each m crops. Within certain limits, the air food may be viewed as of a constant composition and quantity, the diffusion of air equalizing it over all districts. Both air food and earth hoi being necessary conditionsrf fertility, the sterility or diminished fertility of afield must depend upon that condition of growth which' variable, and not upon that which is constant. % soil, (the variable condition) contains its ingredienti either free or imprisoned, that is. either soluble orji. soluble. The action of air, rain and frost libertti, the imprisoned substances, rendering them available to plants. The mechanical operations of thefinj plowinsr. harrowine*. f!lnd•'*ru«^>»n"• d»'«'"in~ • have this end in view. But sooner or later the fertile ingredients of a soil must be removed by the croM- and to prevent sterility, we supply by manure wikit we take away by cultivation. The primary action of manure must be to render to the soil that which ij taken away ; or in other words, to produce a constant condition of growth in that which would otherwise be variable ; but its secondary action often is, like hu- mus, to supply an excess of air food in order to gain time in cultivation. Nutrition of plants must bedi- reclly proportional to to the quantity of the necessa^ ingredient, and inversely proportional to the obstacles to their assimilation. The quantity of ingredients of earth food is constant for the same crop, within cer- tain limits, arising from the greater or less develop- ment of particular organic substances in them. It is with plants as with animals. Formerly experimenti used to be made with the latter by confining them to certain substances present in food. Dogs were fed separately on starch, or gelatine, or sugar, and they died, because all the conditions of nutrition were not satisfied. So it is with plants ; if a single necessary ingredient be omitted, the plant cannot grow. This, expressed as a law of fertility, means that the body in minimo rules thb crop. If, for instance, bone earth be the body present in least quantity, and pot- ash, soda, liuKJ, &c., be in excess, the extent of the crop will depend only upon the amount of bone earth, and the amount of the other substances taken up will be in exact proportion to the limit of the former. All the bone earth being removed, the excess of the other substances is of no use. for the crop will refuse to grow. Add, however, an excess of the bone-earth, and the crop will grow to the extent of the next sub- stance, in minimoy which may be sulphuric acid, or any other necessary ingredient. Attention was drawn the recent extensive experi- ments of Mr. Lawes, aided by Dr. Gilbert. Asagen- eral result of these it was found that mineral manures alone did not suffice for full crops of cereals, but that ammonia was required to be added to them for proper success. The air, then, did not supply enough of the latter substance. With root crops, such as turnips, the result was different ; mineral bodies, especially phosphates and sulphates, being found highly benefi- cial, while ammonia did not appear to be required aS an addition to the manure. Alkalies s^Qve found fa- vorable to the leguminous crops. When the different habits of the plants are considered, the results appear to be more comprehensible. Cereals have a small ex- 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 309 panse of leaf, and a short period of life. In the 17 ^eeksof their growth at Rothamstead, they receive 800 or 900 tons of water as rain, of which about 500 tons are evaporated by passing through the crop. But in reality they make half their dry substance in four or five weeks. Even admitting that they received all the ammonia of the rain, only about 12 pounds of nitrogen would be thus received by the crops instead of the 50 pounds which they require. In the case of ,t u^j.f n^rpfi oevpal*: tn whi'*h a. gain of time is every thing, it would be natural to expect that an augmen- tation of ammonia would be favorable to their growth. The turnip, on the other hand, grows steadily over 21 weeks, making dry substance all the time, and with its broad leaves can take in more air food. Then as regards earth food. Wheat has long greedy roots, which it throws out in all directions in search of food ; the turnip, with its small, delicate fibres, is dependent on the food in its immediate vicinity. These habits of the plants determine why an artifi- cial supply of an ingredient of air food is more neces- sary to one, and of earth food to another ; but this result, though a valuable accession to our knowledge, in no way shakes the original laws of nutrition. It is not, however, quite clear that even cereals, with high cultivation, may not get ammonia enough for themselves out of the air, without an artificial supply being given. A soil frequently stirred, and well worked, has, without any manure, grown for ten years full crops of wheat, of 34 bushels, on half an acre placed under growth, the other half being kept under fallow. In this instance, the absorption and radiating power of tho soil being much increased by the fre- quent stirring, more ammonia is absorbed, and more dew, containing ammonia, is deposited, while the working of the soil has hitherto liberated sufficient mineral ingredients for full crops. If no other conclusion had been drawn by farmers from the Rothamstead experiments than that, in soils of an ordinary condition, an artificial supply of am- monia must be furnished to cereals, a practical result of importance would have been arrived at; but they have laid down as an agricultural dogma, that " nitro- gen is the manure for wheat, and phosphates and sul- phates for turnips," thus re-introducing the notion of ifecijicz into the laws of manure, and thereby drop- ping the veil of Isis over the whole subject. The sum of nutrition is made up of two factors, air food and earth food, both of equal importance. To discuss whether air food or earth food does most for particular crops is like discussing which side of a pair of scissors is of most use in cutting, or whether the upper or lower jaw is most useful in chewing. Dr. P. discussed at length the conditions of durable fertility of a soil, showing that the earth food was the capital of the farmer, and that any diminution in his capital should only be made by a deliberate and in- telligent decision. For example, on a limestone soil it would be legitimate to draw upon lime without re- placement, or in heavy clay soils upon alkalies. But as no soil is equally rich in all ingredients, an unin- telligent draft on the soil will soon destroy it, for when one ingredient of earth food becomes in minimo, the fertility is reduced to its proportion, and is des- troyed when it is used up. He then proceedtd to show how the chief recent experiments in manures, which were rendered graph- ically in diagrams, bore out these views. Among others, a series of experiments made in Saxony, to show the duration of the action of manures, led to conclusive results. Thus, in one case, an addition of 11 pounds of phosphoric acid produced an augmenta- tion of a half more crop of clover containing 158 pounds moie of earth food and nitrogen, thus showing, not that phosphoric acid was a specific, but that it was the body in minimo, and this being supplied, the crop was enabled to thrive and appropriate from the air and the soil the large quantities of other ingredi- ents necessary for its development, but which were of no use when one ingredient was deficient in its ne- nessary proportional quantity. All the variations ot district or local agriculture, instead of representing specifics, which varying in them, would by contrary experience destroy one another, represent only imme- diate requirements of particular soils having different bodies in minima* The only ** specific'' that should be admitted into farming is a knowledge of the laws upon which nutri- tion depends. As long as farming is carried on with- out an acquaintance with these laws on the part of the cultivators, great progress cannot be expected, and uncertain counsels will always prevail. It is not the duty of such philosophers as Liebig to make the direct application of the laws of nature which they discover to the actual practice of the field. It is the art of the practical man thoroughly to understand these laws, and to find their technical applications for himself, as the other is the science of the philosopher. The recent review of the agricultural experiments which are supposed to be so antagonistic to Liebig's views of the science, Dr. P. endeavored to show, were, when properly discussed, strongly confirmatory of them, and the antagonism was due not to any inhe- rent contradiction between the philosopher and the farmer, but to a want of understanding as to their rel- ative positions and duties to each other. •>•*• For the Farm .lournal. WHICH REaUIRE MOST SEED, POOR or RICH SOILS 1 The comparative advantages of thin and thick sowing, has been the subject of frequent discussions in Agricul- tural Journals, and yet we do not appear to have arrived at any correct conclusion in regard to it. Now it is very apparent that circumstances should govern in this matter, and that no fixed rule will apply in all cases. If the characteristics of all soils were precisely similar, if the drainage, ploughing, manuring and general culti- vation were the same, then rules might be laid down which would apply indiscriminately to every farmer's case. But such not being the case ; every farm presenting conditions differing from that adjoining it, the judgment and experience of the farmer himself must be the guide. TIGHT BINDING 310 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. In the sowing of timothy seed, there is the greatest diversify of opinion. A gentleman of my acquaintance, whose skill in farming is well known, applied four bushels of clean seed to five acres, and the results were of the most gratifying character. Another equally good farmer, insists that six quarts are sufficient for all practical purposes, and quotes the yield of his hay crop in evidence. In consultation with an English farmer a few days since, he insisted that three bushels rye grass were absolutely essential to a good crop, while another .«- SI ^-^^cttviivcvA ttiiu Bui;ce»»iui growers 01 inis valuable grass, never sows more than from half a bushel to three pecks per acre. Now the question is, who is right? In both cases where the large quantities were Bown, the grass was of a fine quality, stood thickly in the bottom, yielded largely, and was less ^ialkey than in the other cases, but whether these advantages were not purchased at too dear a rate is a question which could readily be determined when timothy seed rates at five dollars per bushel. Again, this diversity of opinion has its origin to some extent, in the difference in the mechanical condition of the soil, as well as in the uniformity of depth, in sowing. An argument offered by the advocates of thin seeding of wheat upon good ground, is, that upon such soil almost every grain sown will vegetate, and in the spring, tiller well, and increase its number of plants, and not only so, but will bring them to perfection. The same parties contend also for thick seeding upon poor ground The arguments they offer are, " that the land being cold ' ^^"^^^"^^"' among all these forms of trees, modes of tind poor, and perhaps stiff, a very great proportion of ^"^^"^®' ^*^^^"' ®^°-' ^"^^ ^^^^ g^'ea* variety of taste aid tind poor, and perhaps stiff, a very great proportion of the seed will not vegetate at all, and secondly, because in poor land, the plants do not tiller as they do on good land." There is certainly a show of plausibility, to say the least, in the argument, and ample food for reflection. I do not pretend to offer an opinion, but have cited a few cases simply to show, that on a subject of so much importance, so little appears to be generally understood and practiced. I dare venture the assertion that nine out of every ten farmers, will tell you that from six to eight quarts of timothy, and from four to seven quarts of clover, are the proper quantities for an acre ; and these quantities will be named without the slightest reference to the character of the soil to which they are to be applied. Now the question which naturally pre- sents itself is. do poor and rich soils require the same amount of seed. If they do, will some one explain why 7 If the quantities should vary with the soil, which should have the larger quantity. I pause for a reply. ' Dbill. DWARF FRUIT TREES. Mr. Barry, in his address before the North-westej, Fruit-Growers' Association, at Burlington, Iowa, sj about dwarf trees ; * ^ '♦ When once it becomes fully understood that oih certain varieties of pears take well upon the quince, \ make vigorous, permanent, and fruitful trees, and ,|^' that the quince stock requires deep, rich soil and genenu culture, then its use will really be attended with profitabi, and pleasant results. So far. in thia mn ♦♦«».. ;♦ k-.v all experiments with us. The Mahaleb stock will rendu the culture of the cherry possible in many soils whe« the Mazzard stock would not grow ; besides, it dwirfl the tree to some extent, and makes them more manage able as pyramids and low bushes. The Paradise aid Doucain stocks are an interesting feature in apple cnl- ture, and enable thousands of persons to have their kitchen gardens enrich d with beautiful dwarf and pjrt mid apple trees, who could not possibly cultivate the apple under any other forms. The Paradise stock ii invaluable for nurserymen, as it enables them to t«j their entire collection on a small piece of ground. Yoj can have, for instance, 600 trees on half an acre of land, and these will bear, generally, the second or third yw, and the most tardy the fourth. Is not this a great giii! At the same time, nothing can be more interesting thu one of these miniature apple orchards. You see whati field for investigation and experiment there is hew, gentlemen, among all these forms of trees, modes of 85«.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 311 APPLE PARER AND SLICER. circumstances to which fruit trees can and maybe adapted. " When you hear a man cry out that he has no faitk in dwarf apples or dwarf pears, or dwarf trees of aij kind, you may be assured that he has something to learn, and you should make it a point to correct him. I flatter myself tiiat I have made a great many converti in my time, and I hope to live long enough to make i great many more." "*•*■ ' Brinckle's Orange Raspberry.— The Boston Culti- vator says, *' Specimens of this superior raspberry were shown at the Horticultural Exhibition in that city on the 16th of August. In connection with them the exhibi- tor presented branches with fruit ripe and unripe and even blossoms, showing that the bearing season was not yet over. The fruit shown on the 16th of August was from the same stalks from which specimens were exhib- ited on the 12th of July. These facts go very strongly to prove the value of the Orange Raspberry, for which as most of our readers are aware, we are indebted to our fellow townsman, Dr. W. D. Brinckle." THE MARKET GARDENERS FOR LONDON. The care and attention bestowed by the market g»^ deners is incredible to those who have n.t witnessed it Every inch of ground is taken advantage of— cultivati* runs between the fruit trees ; storming parties of cabbagi and cauliflowers swarm up to the very trunks of appl^ tress ; raspberry bushes are surrounded and cut off by young seedlings. If you see an acre of celery growinf in ridges, be sure that, on a narrow inspection, you will find long files of young peas picking their way along thi furrows. Everything flourishes here except weeds; aod you may go over a 150 acre piece of ground, without discovering a single one. But the very high state of cultivation in the metropolitan market gardens necessi- tates the employment of a large amount of labor; and it is supposed that no less than 35,000 persons are engaged in the service of filling the vegetable and desert dishes of the metropolis. This estimate leaves out those in the provinces, and on the Continent, which would we doubt not, nearly double the calculation, and show a troop of men and women as large as the allied army now acting in the East. — Quarterly Review. Among the many ingenious inventions of the day, there are few that will compare with the Apple Parer and Slicer, represented in the above cut. It is the in- vention of a son of New England, and does its work in very complete style. The paring, slicing and coring are all performed at one operation, the apple being left without a core, and in a form resembling a spiral spring. Whether it will answer well for apples intended for drying we cannot say, but for apple dumplings, sauce, &c., it is just the ticket. They are a little larger in size than the common apple parer, are operated just as readily, and cost but a trifle more. Price, $1 50. < ^< For the Farm Jotimal. DESTROY THE WEEDS. The Irish government has recently decreed that Railroad companies should be compelled under a heavy penalty, to keep down noxious weeds along the entire line of their roads. What a blessing it would be if similar laws were passed in the United States. The sides of uearly all of our railroads are lined with weeds, which increase in quantity every season, and prove a source of the greatest annoyance to the farmers whose lands the roads pass. It would not be amiss if a restriction of similar character were laid upon farmers themselves, for so long as a man may grow weeds which are of a noxious character, and which despite all efforts to the contrary, will spread themselves to adjoining farmers, it is mani- festly impossible to eradicate these pests, and the con- sequence must necessarily be, a perfect overgrowth of weeds in the course of time. I have known the eff'orts of many really careful fiirmers to keep down weeds, to be rendered entirely futile, by the carelesness or indif- erence of their neighbors. Weeds may be got the better of in two ways : first, by strict care in the selection of the various seeds sown, and secondly: by persevering efforts to destroy such as may have made their appearance, before they go to seed. Few fanners are careful enough in the selection of their seed, whether grass or grain. The presence of a single hurtful weed should be a sufficient excuse for declining its purchase ; and if this course were pursued, the holders of the immense quantities of trashy seed, which now finds a ready sale, would be compelled to find a market for it elsewhere. Again, if proper care were manifested, the growth and spread of noxious weeds could be speedily checked. The most effective method is, never to permit a weed which propagates itself by seed, ever to mature its seed. A year or two of well directed effort, would do much towards the accomplishment of the good work. And it 13 to be hoped that if legislation cannot be had upon it in this country as in Ireland, that the good sound sense which has always characterized the American farmers, will prompt them to take the matter in their own hands and press it vigorously to a successful consummation. It is really lamentable to note the rapid spread of hurtful weeds, in almost every part of the country. Sections which a few years since were noted for their freedom from these troublesome interlopers, are now literally overrun with them, and the well grounded fear is, that unless something is speedily done, the evil will become wider spread, and the eradication more difficult. In a word, sow only clean seed, and never permit a weed to mature itself upon your soil, is the advice to every good farmer. Anti-Weed. «•» For the Farm Journal. AORICTTiniRAL SOCIETIES AND JOURNALS. Those who are strict observers and lovers of agricultural pursuits, and of the progress of improvements, will at once notice the effect that Agricultural Societies and Journals have had in advancing the interest of the farmers within a few years, at least in Western Penn- sylvania. At our leisure moments, or when resting from the toil of the day, we can read from the journals of the theory and practical results of brother farmers in other parts of the state. It has a tendency to strengthen our arms with renewed vigor. We go forth to the field encouraged and enlightened. Labor is light if the mind is only prepared for it. And as agricultural periodicals are among the cheapest and most direct sources from which information can be had, we beleive it to be the interest of farmers both individually and collectively to support their publications. Much can be done by our County Societies if properly managed, to diffuse and spread abroad agricultural infor- mation, by giving periodicals in place of small money premiums, and diplomas or medals. The past Fairs in our County, have had a good effect on the products; it is a kind of a yearly holiday for the farmers of our county, to meet and compare their products, and have an interchange of sentiment on the great question of successfully tilling the soil, raising the best stock, &c. Much is done in this wny to impart and TIGHT BINDING 312 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE EARMER. [OCTOI^ i receive information. It also excites the spirit of compe- tition with beneficial results. But when a set of hiwyt^r broken down politicians, with their political preferences, takes the lead in a society for their own political advancement, wo may with propriety use the language of that veteran agricul- turist, James Go wen, Esq., in his address • before our society. When this is the situation of affairs, we may truly exclaim, Farewell to Agriculture. But even under circumstances of this kind, our persevering farmers should not be deterred from their duty, but continue their membership in the society, and persevere until I ^^ Tertilizing properties. This is said to be the every political humbug is stript of power, and the manage- ment of the society restored to tlie hands of the practical farmers. The grubbing up and extermination of docks and thistles at the proper season, adds much also to the comfort and profit of the farm. Yours, Respectfully, S. HOAGLAND. Mercer, Fa., Sept. 1«/, 1856. for several years. How this effect is produced • the soil by the decomposition of vegetable niatt«r do not pretend to know to any certainty, and wonlj rather leave it to those scientific in these things (i solve and say. To be convinced of the fact mayl), suflBcient for practicable purposes. We may ventm to give an opinion however before we close. It has been recommended to farmers by nicnof science to plow down clover when in full bloom, amouB! resoli the best time to secure to the soil its greatest 1856.] THE FARM JOUNRALAND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 313 -*c»- For the Farm Journal. CLOVER AS A FERTILIZER— THE CROPS, &c. Messrs. Editors: — So much has appeared in agri- cultural reading, in favor of plowing down green crops for the improvement of the soil, that to express a different opinion, may seem to some a little like heresy. However, we will venture just to say that our ex- perience does not coincide with this theory, and a theory it still is in our section of country, at least so far as it favors the turning down of large quantities of green clover, as a safe and reliable method of benefitting our lands. Many farmers practice the turning down all the clover they can spare when they fallow their land in the months of May or June, pre- paratory'^ to a wheat crop, believing that by so doing the succeeding crop is much benefitted as well as the soil somewhat improved. This was our own theory and practice too for several years, until led by ex- perience that was rather unprofitable, to a different opinion, and of course to different practice. It was only after we had unmistakeable evidence of the injurious effects of the practical workings of the theory, that we were induced to change our minds on the subject. We find now that by grazing short or mowing previous to fallowing for winter grain, is more sure than to plow the whole mass of green herbage under. If this is indeed the case, then this question becomes one of much importance to every farmer. For if the plowing of the crop under is of no benefit either to the succeeding crop or to the land, then to do so is certainly a loss, for it can be pastured off to profit, or else mowed and made into hay, and after realizing gain by feeding it to his stock, can return it or the manure to his land, and in this condition there can be no doubt of it being a benefit But if the loss of the clover crop were all, then there would not be so much to contend for, but we believe that by turning under any considerable quantity of green clover in the fore part of the summer does to the soil a positive injury, from which it does not recover in some instances in the case after the plant having been analyzed « various stages of its growth, and of the correctness o( this we have no reason to doubt, and if nothinj interfered with what would naturally appear to Ik the effect on the land, it would no doubt be the prow time to turn it under. But it does seem to us thntii the rapid decomposition of this vegetable mass, a 80ln^ thing of a sterile or neutralizing nature is induced.oi the fermentation that always attends such a dccomp* sition, may it not be, has a tendency to set free thoje nutritive gaseous elements that the vegetable matter may have contained, as well as perhaps a portion of what was in the soil, and producing an acidity of the same. The injurious effects of green clover upon the soila above stated, varies much, owing to circumstanw^ such as the nature of the soil, the season, &c. The farmer who plows down a full crop of grw clover in the fore part of the summer as a fallow for wheat, and succeeds in raising a good crop cannot be certain that the clover, so far at least as the top il concerned, was of any benefit, for we hold that if it had been mown or pastured off previous to fallowing, the wheat crop would have been equal if not greater. To test the matter as fairly as possible, experimenti should be tried for several seasons on fields partly mown and a part left in full crop, but all to be turned down about the same time, and as near the blocming of the crop as possible, the difference, if any, to be noted on succeeding crops. In conversation with several good and practicil farmers of different parts of our county on the subject of green clover, as a manure or fertilizer, I found thit their experience coincides with what we have ex- pressed above on this point, that it has frequently an injurious effect. If any of your correspondents are in keeping with any facts or experiments bearing on this matter either way^ and would give publicity to them through the pages of your valuable journal, much that would b* useful to farmers might result. We had intended before closing this article to have said something on the culture and importance of the clover crop in our system of farming, but fearing that I have trespassed on your pages already, I shall defer it to another time. J. II. Alexaxdbb. Sept, I5th, 1856. CUTS OF LAROE AND SMALL CORN MILLS. The accompanying illustrations represent a new hand grain and corn mill, patented by A. Atwood, which is destined we think to take the place of everything intended for the purpose we have yet seen. We have made several experiments with them, in grinding wheat, and have found them to answer the purpose admirably. Wheat may be ground with them of sufficient fineness for bread, and of all intermediate grades for puddings, mush, &c. For dyspeptics, and invalids, these mills would be invaluable, as it would enable them to prepare their own flour, and in such quantities as would secure freshness and entire purity. Cut No. 2, represents a mill designed for grocers. It 18 admirably arranged for the purpose, as the mill is placed upon the counter, and the ground material passes directly through the stem into a receptacle placed beneath. This is well adapted to family use also, as grain, corn, &c., may be ground nearly as rapidly and quite as well as upon mill No. 1. If people generally, were aware of the advantages of the use of meal, such as may be grodnd on these mills, it would soon become an article of daily use, and healthy folks and children, as well as invalids benefitted by it. We commend the Globe Mill to the attention of our health seeking readers. 4^,^ _ For the Farm Journal. CANADA THISTLE. Messrs. Editors :— A trip through the Southern and Western part of the State of New York, a few months since, opened my eyes for the first time to the true character of that dreaded pest, the Canada Thistle. Whole sections are literally overrun with it, to the great detriment not only of the growing crops amongst which it flourishes, but of the fingers of the binders in the grain fields. How long since this weed first obtained a foothold in the State of New York, T cannot say, but one thing is very certain, the value of the lands upon which it abounds is certainly very seriously prejudiced by it. To commence the work of eradica- tion in the district through which I passed, would certainly be a most formidable undertaking. Indeed it appears to me that the evil has become too wide spread ever to be checked, and we who reside on lands free from its hateful presence, may congratulate ourselves upon that fact ; but may look forward with positive certainty to the day when we shall be called upon to battle with the formidable foe. Possessing as it does, so strong a foothold now, its onward march is as certain and steady as the rise and progress of the sun from day to day. Walls and artificial bar- riers of every kind are perfectly impotent to check its progress. The only hope we farmers of Pennsyl- vania have, is in the natural barriers, presented by the mountain ranges which lie between us and New York. For a period they may serve as a protection, but ultimately, even they will be passed by it, and then we shall have the enemy within our own borders. Already we hear of farms upon which it has gained a foothold, but I am glad to know that vigorous effort has always proved too much for it. The only plan is to give it battle, as soon as you are aware that it has secured a foothold, however slight. One of the very best plans that can be adopted is to prevent them from reaching any top. This can be done by means of a sharp hoe, and should be done as frequently as the enemy makes his appearance above ground. Give him no quarter. Cut, slash, wound, mutilate, hack, hew, in fact do anything or everything you think will drive the vitality out of him, for he has more lives than a tom-cat, and clings to your soil with a fondness that in a more desirable incumbent would be perfectly irresistible. In a word, Messrs. Editors, every farmer should dread the Canada Thistle, as he would the fiercest enemy he has. He should not only dread, but if TIGHT BINDING 3U THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. positive hatred could induce more vigorous efforts for its destruction, the passion would be a laudable one. My own experience with the Canada Thistle, has been very slight, and the hints I have given for its destruction may be well known to all your readers. [OCTOBEB, If they are, so much the better, and if any better pU for their destruction is known, will not those who to possessed of the information impart it to us throuri the columns of the Journal ? P. A B Sept. 12/A, I85G. ■^•^ NOVEL MILKING APPARATUS. 1858.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 315 CONTRIVANCE FOR MILKING COWS. Our engraving shows a novel arrangement of me- chanism, intended for the assistance of dairy maids and others, who milk cows. The milking is done by means of a crank attached to a shaft, on which there are four elastic arras, of steel, the ends of which are furnished with rollers. A, as seen in the cut. On one side of the ring within which the rollers, A, move, there is an elastic pocket, B, into which the animal's teat is placed. The back of this pocket is stiff, so that when the rollers. A, revolve, they will come in contact with the front part of the pocket and press it, with the teat, against the back part. The teat thus pressed is relieved of its milk, which flows down through the pocket, and through the hollow case of the instrument into a tube, C, and thence into the milk pail. Nothing can exceed the simplicity of this device. Its size is convenient, and its cost not great. The inventor thinks that cows may be milked much quicker by this contrivance than by hand. Neither the hand of the operator nor the teats of the cow are liable to be m»de sore, as they are when the pressure of the hand is continually applied. If desirable, the instrument roiy be make with two pockets, so as to milk two teats »t a time. The inventor of this improvement is Mr. H. A. Reeves, of Williamson, Wayne Co., N. Y., In relation to this invention, the Scientific American says, ** We would suggest an improvement to this invention, to wit : — The attachment of a music box to be operated by the main shaft, in such a way as to discourse sweet melody during the delivery of the milk- Few animals are insensible to the charms of music and even insects are said to lend a willing ear. Un^^' its fascinating influence the old cow may be expected to stand perfectly still, while the flics, forgetting to bite, will buzz around with joy." IMPROVED GANG PLOW. The above engraving illustrates an improvement recently patented by Messrs. A. & T. S. Smith, of Aroy, Illinois. The machine is intended to expedite the laborious work of plowing, the arrangement being such as to permit the advantageous use of several plows at once. A is a strong, flat bottom board, and B another nearly similar, placed a short distance above A, the tw-o being firmly bolted together at their ends. The sbanks of the plows, C, pass through both boards, ^nd connect above with the levers, D, by means of ^bich the plows are raised or depressed at will. The levers are held in any desired position by means of the pins an g 33 Nitrogen, 1795 Oxygen, 25.35 100 It is identical in composition with horn and izinglass. and is very nearly the same as hair, wool and skin. It is important to recollect that it contains about 18 per cent., or one-sixth of its weight, of nitrogen. That this organic part is likely to act beneficially, as manure, is rendered probable by the fact, that horn shavings are highly valued as an application to the land and that the parings of hides, and woolen rags bring a high price in the market as manures for certain crops. But that it does act beneficially, is proved by the suc- cess that attends its use, when separated from the earthy part of the bones. In Manchester, bones are boiled for the extraction of a size (glue) which is used for the stif- fening of calicoes. When the stiffening liquor is so ex- hausted as to be unfit for further use, it has been ap- plied as a liquid manure to grass lands with the greatw !i?uccess. There can be no reasonable questicn, tk that upon the organic part of bones, their beneficial |i tion as a manure in some degree depends. It is ogL surprising that chemists of name should have bcenfomJ to deny it, and that practical men should have bo fo distrusted their own experience as to have believed nrf acted upon such an opinion. But how does this organic matter act ? It no feeds the plant, but it may do this in one or other oftn ways. It may be either completely decomposed in tie soil, and enter the roots of plants — as Liebig suppojej all organic nourishment to enter — in the form of carbonie acid and ammonia ; or it mny be rendered soluble infti soil, and may thus be taken up by the roots, withojt undergoing any ultimate and thorough decomposition. Now, supposing it to be resolved into carbonic lejj and ammonia, the quantity of gelatine contained in 10) lbs. of dry bones is suflScient to produce 6J lbs. of tv- monia, as much as is present in 20 lbs. of aal. ummonii, or in 30 lbs. of crystalized sulphate of ammonia. Sua* posing the animal matter of the bones to be thus decoi. posed in the soil before it can be useful to the plait few, I think, will question, that the quantity of ammo- nia it is likely to produce would materially aid tbi growth of the crops to which the bones were applied. But I do not think this final decomposition necessan. The large quantity of nitrogen which the gelatin contaioB, may, 1 believe, be taken up by the plants without beio{ previously brought into the state of ammonia. The gel- atine being rendered soluble in the soil, may enter tke roots, and may at once minister to the growth of tke plant, just as the gluten of the seed, being rendered sol- uble wlien the grain germinates, ascends with the m^ and feeds the young plant. It would be out of place here to discuss this point, or to give the reasons whick induce me to entertain this opinion. It is sufiicient for the practical man to know, that whichever of these view a man may hold, be must still grant that the gelatine of the bone is valuable to the farmer. Whether its nitrogen enter into the root in the form of ammonia, or in some compound state, it must be use- ful to the plant ; and therefore, he who advises tkefamtr to burn his bones, or would persuade him that the eartki part alone, or anything equivalent to the earthy part, wovii alone be as useful to his land as the entire bone, advises Aii to his hurt, and would persuade hin^ to that which would eventually be a source of loss.'* I take this extract from Prof. Johnston's essay on tiw use of Bones, and think it demands a place in your pa- per now, as the value of bones as a manure has latdj called forth several articles in the Journal. That there is more of the phosphates in burned than in unburned bones, as Mr. Hewes states in his article » the August number, I admit, but doubt very much the utility of burning. Professor Johnston estimates the relative difference according to the freshness of the un- burned bones, in this way, — '* That from 11 to 2011* of wwburnt bones would produce an effect equal with w lbs. of burnt bones." Boiled bones are not as valuable as raw bones on account of the loss of much of their W imal matter, the part that in decomposing yields amDK'' nia. 1866.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 317 farmers who save and collect bones for their own use, must break and crush them as fine as possible, and dis- golve in sulphuric acid. The editor fcf the American Farmer says : ** Every four bushels so saved, will be equal, in their fertilizing virtues, to 200 lbs. of guano, if dissolved in sulphuric acid. Bone manure is one of the richest and most enduring that can be used. For more elaborate information in regard to bones as a manure, I refer your readers to Johnston and Liebig's works on Aj^ricultural Chemistry, books that should be in every farmer's library. H. H. MB. BARRY'S ADDRESS _ At the' Fruit Growers' Association, Burlington, Iowa, Contains the following remarks, so valuable in them- selves, that we have thought it a duty to preserve them here. '♦Let us look at the list of our best foreign pears. The Bartlett is supposed to be English, originated in 1760, and it is certainly the best variety ever obtained in that country. Gunsell's Bergamot is the next best, but it is uncertain, and a poor tree while young. Dun- more, one of Knight's, stands next — a large, fine fruit, but too uncertain. These, then, are about all the Eng- lish varieties admissible to our list of select sorts. The White Doyenne and Brown Beurre are old French sorts, supposed to date back almost to the days of the Roman Empire. The Louise Bonne de Jersey originated as a chance seedling, at Longueval, in France, in 1788^originally Bonne de Longueval. The Flemish Beauty, originally called Davy, originated by chance in a Flemish village called Deftinge. The Duchess de Angouleme sprung up by accident, in a garden, in 1800. It bore in 1819, and, the year before, the gardener had ordered it cut down, and only changed his mind after it had received several blows with the axe. The Urbaniste was raised by the Count Coloma, in 178-3. Beurre Diel was found on a farm, near Brussels. Doyenne Boussock is an old Belgian sort, called Dou- ble Phillippe, Beurre de Merode, etc., origin not known. Belle Lucrative was one of Esperin's seedlings, one of the first and best ; he called it Seigneur, the French renamed it. His method was, I believe, to sow the seed of good pears. Beurre Capiaumont was raised at Mons, in 1787. Winter Nelis, at Malines, some 70 or 80 years ago, and called Bonne de Maline; Van Mons Leon le Clerc, was raised from the seed by Leon le Clcrc ; the seeds sown were said to be Easter Beurre, Beurre de Arem- berg and St. Germain. Beurre d'Aremberg was a chance seedling, at Eng- hein. Easter Beurre, known as Pastorale, Bergamotte de la Pentacole, Doyenne d'Hiver, etc., was found at Lourain, « m an old garden of theCapuchint — the original tree was was standing in 1825. Glout Morceau, by M. Hardenpont, 1789, and called to this day Beurre Hardenpont. Niipoleon, at Mons, in 1808. Beurre Superfin, by Goubault; Beurre Clairgeau, ^y a man named Clairgeau, at Nantes, in 1850 or 1851; no we might proceed with Beurre Giffard, Beurre Gou- bault, Beurre Gris d'Hiver, Beurre Langelier, Triomphe de Jodoigne, Jalousie Fontenay Verdee, Epine Dumas, Rostizier, Vicar of Winkefield, and indeed all the leading varieties in our catalogues. Beurre Bosc, Beurre d'An- jou, and Doyenne d'Ete, are said to be seedlings of Van Mons, but the facts concerning their origin are not very- clear; so that, although the world is greatly indebted to Van Mons for his devotion, through long years, to what he regarded as the regeneration of fruits, nnftfi philosophical principles, yet his seedlings, so far, have not yielded any great treasure. The Belle Lucrative, of Esperin, is perhaps the finest pear, all in all, produ- ced in the last century. Esperin, in it, left a noble mon- ument to his memory, and his seedlings have produced many other fine fruits. At his death he placed them in the hands of his friend, Mr. Berkmans, who has them now planted in New Jersey, and we are in hopes to hear from them in a few years. Knight's attempted improvement in England, by Ay- bridization, produced only a few good fruits. His pears, with the exception of Dunmore, which I have mentioned, are of no value in this country. He gained the Black Eagle, Elton, and a few other good cherries. Dr. Brinckle, of Philadelphia, has attempted the same thing in this country, and has already a large number of very promising seeedlings in the hands of Mr. Berkmans, for trial. They are all grafted in strong stocks, and will soon bear. The learned doctor has great faith in this method. He believes it to be as certain to raise a good new fruit by crossing to good ones, as it is to raise a good animal on the same principle. The art of hybridization of fruits, however, is a very nice one, and requires time, labor and precaution, that few people can or will undertake and execute with accuracy. In this country, as in Europe, our new fruits have either sprung up by accident, or have been produced by sowing the seeds of good varieties. Thus we obtain nearly all our peaches, all our hardy grapes, most of our best plums and apples. Of pears we have already a no- ble list; all of them either picked up wild in hedges, or from the seeds of good pears. The whole of Europe has not produced a pear so fine as the Scckel, nor one which succeeds over a wider ter- ritory; and then we have the Brandy wine, Tyson, Shel- don, Howell, Lawrence, Onondaga, and many others nearly as good as these. There are, at this moment, many thousands of seedlings from our best fruits on trial, and we may reasonably anticipate some important acquisitions. Indeed, I believe that before the end* of the present century, our best pears, as well as our apples, will be those originated on our own soil. The facts which I have stated concerning the origin of our best fruits, both native and foreign, hold out great en- couragement for the prosecution of this work. My ad- vice to you, here in the West, is to sow every good seed you can get, I mean the seeds of those fruits which succeed best here. When your seedlings have made one season's growth, you can bud or graft the most promis- ing on strong stocks or bearing trees, and test them in three or four years. 'Hi' TIGHT BINDING 318 THB FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [OCTOBEB, For several years we have been sowing in this way, and if we get one good one in five hundred, we shall feel satisfied ; we may get twenty. The interest and excite- ment which th» work awakens is no mean recompense in itself. No other fact connected with fruit culture is more fully substantiated by every day's experience than this, viz : To insure successful cultivation, we must have va- rieties that are adapted to the peculiarities of our soil and climate. Many of your most valuable apples for this country prove utterly worthless with us, wiiiie ma- ny of our best fruits fail entirely with you. This Soci- ety, and others of a similar character, are collecting in- formation on this head, of the highest value. The fact is well established, that the fruits which suc- ceed best in particular localities are those which origin- ate there, or in others slightly diiferent. I believe the Baldwin, Hubbardson's, Nonesuch and Porter apples are nowhere quite so good as in New England. The Newtown Pippin, Swaar, Esopus, Spitzenberg and North- ern Spy are scarcely anywhere so good as in New York. Our Northern apples are of little value in the South, and the very finest Southein apples are utterly worthless in the North. The reason why those seedling fruits obtained in certain localities are more successful there than elsewhere, cannot be that the climate and soil ex- ercise such an influence upon the seed or the seedling, but because, when the seedlings show fruit, those only are preserved which show qualities that are desirable there. The R. I. Greening would not have been preser- ved in Georgia, nor the Rawles Janet in Massachusetts. The true way to advance in this matter will be for the cultivators of each district to sow the seeds of those va- rieties which succeed best, or which possess the most important qualities. Every successive generation will be more and more acclimated, and thus, in time, fruits will be obtained capable of all the changes and severities of climate, and peculiarities of soil. In the hurry of our first planting, this experimental culture has been neglected, but it is now high time that it should be taken up in earnest. It may be said that our varieties are already numerous enough, and so they are ; indeed we have far too many, but who will say that even the best are good enough, or that improvement is not necessary or desirable ? No, indeed j the work of improvement has scarcely begun. The reform which has, within a very few years, been effected in the nomenclature of fruits, is not the least important part of our progress. What a laybrinth of error and confusion the names of fruits were in, some dozen years ago. Not more than seven years ago, full one-half of all the fruits exhibited were incorrectly named, or not named at all. The specimen trees which we collected between 1839 and 1843, were full one-half incorrect, and they were obtained from the most relinbl© dources then in existence. Of thirty or forty specimen peach-trees from one establishment, scarcely one proved true to name. In the course of my business as nurseryman, and during my connection with horticultural journals, I have often been surprised, of late, at the number of persons 0 are particular and discriminating. I One man writes, on reception of some trees he hii purchased, such and such a variety has dark shoot8->tli( books say they <^ught to be light. Another says the habit, or the foliage, or the flowers, of his trees do not answer the description. A third says his strawberries are staminate — ihey ought to be pistillate ; and so on These are all indications of that spirit of inquiry and observation which is a sure presage of intelligent a&ii successful culture. The time has come when nurserynjea must be observing and accurate, or they will lose their business character and customers both. They moit plant specimen orchards, test and compare their varieties, read and study, attend exhibitions and meetings, such as this, and by these means acquire such knowledge of their profession as will enable them to prosecute it successfully and honorably. The facilities which dwarf trees now off'er for testing a large collection rapidly on i small plat of ground, and at a moderate expense, leave no excuse whatever for the neglect of this work. The cultivation and management of trees in orchardi and gardens are improving rapidly, but much yet remains to be done before we attain even mediocrity. The Ion which the United States sustains annually in the carelesi and unskillful planting and management of trees, if ac* curately summed, would be almost incredible. At the Fruit Growers' Meeting in Western New York, a few days ago, the question was raised : What becomei of all the trees that are propagated and sold in the nurseries of that section ? The opinion of the meeting expressed in the discuss- ion, was, that although m.iny trees were lost and worth- less from defective or improper treatment in the nursery, and many from damage sustained in transportation, yet more were lost by unskilful planting, and neglect afterwards, than from any and all other causes com- bined. Thig I believe to be the case. In all my observations of travel, I think I can safely say that I have not seen one orchard or one garden in a hundred even tolerably managed. By far the greater number look as though the proprietor had a andoned his trees to ruin. Blown over to one side, anchored in a tough grass sod, buried up in groves of cornstalks, torn and broken by cattle, barked and bruised with the plow, pruned with an axe— thus they perish in their youth, or become old, deformed, covered with lichens, and a prey to swarms of ins cts, before they have yielded their first fruits. What folly it is in men to invest their money in trees, and then wilfully ruin them in this way! In Western New York, where cultivation is about as good as in any other section, a man who cultivates his orchard or his garden thoroughly, whose trees are healthy and handsome, making vigorous growth, and yielding fin« fruit, is talked of as a rarity — and so he is. The specimen trees in the establishment with which I am connected, are but tolerably well managed ; the ground is kept clean around them, and is occasionally dressed with manure or compost; so that in i 11 seasons, we get a fair growth and a fair crop — but amateurs might have theirs vastly better. Yet we are daily asked what we do to our trees ? aud many seem to think that 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 319 we have some secret art — some system of * terraculture' ^with which the world at large is unacquainted. We need a complete revolution in these matters. I cannot now detain you to go into the details of planting and mulching; but I beg you who understand these matters, to constitute yourselves missionaries, and preach this doctrine of high cultivation zealously in your re- spective parishes, and give examples of it in your own grounds, that your practice may correspond with your "recept. " — Horticulturist, <»> ALDERNEY CATTLE. We make the following extracts from Lavergne*s Rural Economy of England, Ireland and Scotland. The milch cow, par excellence of the British Empire, conies originally fiom the islands of the Channel, which are detached fragments of our Normandy. The breed usually goes under the name of Alderney. The greatest precautions are adopted for maintaining the purity of this race, which is, after all, only a variety of our own. A large number of heifers are bred in the Channel Islands, and sold into England, where they are in the greatest request among the wealthy classes, for the dairies in the country. Any one who has visited Jersey, must have admired those beautiful animals, so intelligent and gentle-looking, which stock the pasture-lands of that island, and which torm a part of the family of every farmer there. Although naturally good, the afTectionate care with which they are treated, has not a little contributed to render them so productive. The Jersey people are as proud and jealous of them as if they were the greatest treasures in the world. This race, however, has a rival in one which much resembles it, and which has been produced from it by crossing, namely, the Ayrshire, in Scotland. It is not long since Scotland was in an almost uncultivated state ; Ayr- shire, particularly, has been cultivated with some degree of care, only within the last fifty or sixty years. This cuunty, it one time covered with heather and moss, has become a sort of Arcadia. Robert Burns, the shepherd poet, was born there. His rustic poetry, which was written about the time of the French Revolution, was coeval with the dawn of agriculture in his native country. The same feeling which inspired the pastorals of Burns, raised up that charming race of Ayrshire cows, whose graceful forms, speckled hides quiet dispositions, large udders, and rich and abundant supply of milk, realize the ideal of pastoral life. And these animals are to be found everywhere, both in Scotland and England. ««» ^_ BEEF PBODUCmO CATTLE. Among the improved breeds the short-horn, or Durham ranks first. It took its rise in the rich valley of the Tees. • • • The brothers CoUng, farmers at DarUngton, first thought of applying these principles, (the principles taught by Bakewell,) to the race of the Tees Valley, and they obtained from the first important results. The herd of Charles Colling had attained such a reputation m thirty years, that when sold by auction in 1810, the forty-seven animals of which it was composed, and of which twelve wer « under a year old, were purchased for 178,000 francs, (£7100.) The improved race of Short^horns has improved since that period, throughout the United Kingdom, and was some time ago introduced into France. The animals bred from it may be fattened as early as two yeara old, and attain at that age a weight which no other breed can arrive at so soon. Their heads, legs and bones have been reduced to such small proportions, and the more fleshy parts of the body so largely developed, that nearly three- fourths of their weight is meat. After the Short-horn, which among cattle is what the TiioK Iaw ^ *>t T-«kt^«Aet<%»*^ l\iFA4%tfl ■a Q tv>tf>v»nr ono«>l^ n/itviA f h|i A<^ ao&j IV-^V V *'* a^«^av^'»fr^ > y ■-'b v/V/k* ao «»«*««^aa^ m »««.,%. |^f «^«^ ■%«siam 1 .11 And other mineral ingredients / 6.20 It appeared an object of importance, and one wbiek called for my particular attention, to afford an uinpl« supply of the elements of food suited to the mainteaaiii and likewise to the produce of the animal, and that, if I omitted to effect this, the result would be imperfect and unsatisfactory. By the use of ordinary farm produce only, I could not hope to accomplish my purpose. T^^ nips are objectionable on account of their flavor: and I seek to avoid them as food for dairy purposes. I m cabbages, kohl rabi, and mangold wurzel, yet onlyia moderate quantities. Of meadow hay it would require, beyond the amount necessary for the maintuneuce of the cow, an addition of fully 20 lbs. for the supply of casein in a full yield of milk (16 quarts ;) 40 lbs. for the supply of oil for the butter ; whilst 9 lbs. seem adequiU for that of the phosphoric acid. You cannot, then, indoce a cow to consume the quantity of hay requisite Itx her maintenance, and for a full yield of milk of iki quality instanced. Though it is a subject of controversj whether butter is wholly derived from vegetable oil, yet the peculiar adaptation of this oil to the purpose will, I think, be admitted. I had, therefore, to seek assistaoct from what are usually termed artificial feeding subst&o- ces, and to select such as are rich in albumen, oil, and phosphoric acid ; and I was bound also to pay regard to their comparative cost, with a view to profit, which, when farming is followed as a business, is a necessary, and in any circumstances an agreeable accompaniment I think it will be found that substances peculiarly riohiM nitrogenous or other elements have a higher value for sjfftcuti than for general purposes ; and that the employment of ma- terials characterized by peculiar properties for the attainment of special objects has not yet gained the attention to whidi^ is entitled. I have omitted all reference to the heat-supplying ele- ments— starch, sugar, &c. As the materials commonly used as food for cattle contain sufiicient of these to effect this object, under exposure to some degree of cold, I have a right to calculate on a less consumption of thea as fuel, and consequently a greater surplus for deposit as sugar, and probably also as fat, in consequence of my stalls being kept during winter at a temperature of nearly 60 degrees. I now proceed to describe the means I am using to carry out the purposes which I have sought to explain. My food for milch cows, after having undergone various modifications, has for two seasons consisted of rape-cake 5 lbs. and bran 2 lbs. for each cow, mixed with a sufl&cient Quantity of bean straw, oat-straw, and shells of oats, in equal proportions, to supply them three times a day with as much as they will eat. The whole of the materials are moistened and blended together, and after being well steamed are given to the animals in a warm state. The attendant is allowed 1 lb. to IJ lb. per cow, according to circumstances, of bean-meal, which he is charged to orive to each cow in proportion to the yield of milk, those in full milk getting 2 lbs. each per day, others but little: it is dry and mixed with the steamed food on its being dealt out separately : when this is eaten up, green food is given, consisting of cabbages, from October to Decem- ber, kohl rabi till February, and mangold till grass time. With a view to nicety of flavor, I limit the supply of green food to 80 to 35 lbs. per day for each. After each feed 41bs. of meadow hay, or 12 lbs. per day, is given to each cow ; the^ are allowed water twice per day to the extent they will drink. As several of these materials are not commonly used as food, I may be allowed some observations on their properties. Bean-straw uncooked is dry and unpalatable; bv the process of steaming, it becomes soft and pulpy, emits an agreeable odour, and imparts flavor and relish to the mess. For my information and guidance I obtained an analysis of bean-straw of my own growth, on strong and high-conditioned land : it was cut on the short side of ripeness, but yielding a plump bean. The analysis by Professor Way shows a per-centage of — Moisture 14.47 Albuminous matter 16.8S Oil or fatty matter 2.23 Woody fibre 25.84 Starch, gum, Ac. 31.63 Mineral matters 9>45 During May, my cows are turned out on a rich pasture near the homestead ; towards evening they are again housed for the night, when they are supplied with a mess of the steamed mixture and a little hay each morning and evening. During June, when the grasses are better grown, mown grass is given to them instead of hay, and they are also allowed two feeds of steamed mixture. This treatment is continued till October, when they are again wholly housed. — Extract from the Report of the Royal Agricultural Society, of Great Britain. Total 100.00 In albuminous matter, which is especially valuable for milch cows, it has nearly double the proportion contained in meadow hay. Bran also undergoes a great improve- ment in its flavor by steaming, and it is probably im- proved in its convertibility as food ; it contains about 14 per cent, of albumen, and is peculiarly rich in phosphoric acid, nearly 3 per cent, of its whole substance being of this material. The properties of rape-cake are well known; the published analyses give it a large proportion (nearly 30 per cent. ) of albumen ; it is rich in phosphates and also in oil. This is of the unctuous class of vegetable oils, and it is to this property that I call particular attention. Chemistry will assign to this material, which has hitherto been comparatively neglected for feeding, a first place for the purpose of which I am treating. If objection should occur on account of its flavor, I have no difl&culty in stating that by the preparation I have described I have quite overcome this. I can easily persuade my cattle (of which 60 to 80 pass through my stalls in a year,) without exception, to eat the requisite quantity. Nor is the flavor of the cake in the least per- ceptible in the milk or butter. INFLUENCE OF THE MALE. The advantage arising from the judicious crossing of stock, is no longer a matter of doubt or uncertainty, and we are pleased to observe an awakening interest on the subject, which promises excellent results. An examina- tion of the cattle of very many of our best agricultural dis- tricts, must satisfy every unprejudiced mind of the absolute necessity that exists for improvement of some kind, wheth- er it be produced by the impo.tation of improved breeds of cattle to supersede the present stock, or by judicious cross- ing. The first method is impracticable, both from the high price and ncarcity of the pure Durham. Devon, Hereford, and other superior breeds. The second is not only practi- cable but commendable, as it may be accomplished at a reasonable cost, and in a comparatively short space of time. We present a few suggestions for the consideration of those who are really desirous of attempting the improvement of their stock by judicious crossing. We have high authority for asserting that " the male is the parent, from motives of sense and sound policy lo which we can alone look for the improvement of our live stock." Mr. Berry, in a prize es- say, asserts " that only one rational course can be adopted by breeders, viz • that of resorting to the beat male, a sim- ple and eflficacious method of improving such stocks as re- quire improvement, and the only proceeding by which stock already good, can be preserved in excellence.** If, then, the influence of the male is the predominant one in reproducing, the course of the farmer whose stock is suscep- tible of, and requires improvement, is a very clear one. If he desires to secure particular excellence for his flock, he should select a male in which these excellencies have their fullest development ; and whose points in other respects, are free from blemish. But perfection in all his points doe«. not always constitute a desirable animal for breeding pur- poses ; for unless he is a descendant of a series of progeni- tors which were also perfect in all their points, their faults, whatever they might have been, will most probably appear in his issue, and thus wh(dly defeat the intentions ard ex- pectations of the owner. But if, having found an animal which combines the precise excellencies he is desirous of securing to his stock, he can trace his pedigree through a series of unblemished predecessors, steady and persevering efforts and attention, will be certainly followed by success. The introduction of a bull possessed of the desirable char- acteristics referred to, into a neighborhood where only com- mon and inferior stock is to be found, would prove of incal- culable advantage, while the cost of purchase might be borne respectively by the several parties who desired his services. By such an arrangement, the expenses to each farmer would be comparatively light. iB'- » m TIGHT BINDINC, 322 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [OCTOBJI ^Hff ' ■f NYMPH SECOND. The property of B. & C. S. HAINES, Elizabeth, N. J Color, Roan, calved July 16, 1850. Sire imported 3rd Duke of Cambridge. (3041) ; dam. Nymph by Bertram 2d, (3144) ; grand dam, Nannette by Patriot (2412)- great grand dam. Nonpareil by young Denton, (063); great great grand dam, Arabella by North Star (460) • great great great grand dam, Aurora by Comet, (155) ; great great great great grand dam, by Henry (301V great great great great great grand dam, by Danby, (190). Nymph 2nd took the first premium in her class at the recent State Fair held at Newark, N. J. ^ ^•» » INSXRTJCTIONS FOR SAVING GARDEN SEEDS. When the seeds are ripe, gather tuem without unneccbsary delay ; otherwise the pmds will split open and their contents be scattered upon the ground. Do not gather indiscrimi- nately, but take only the finest looking heads. By this selection of the best plants and the best seed, good varieties may Ite even improved, and they certainly will not deterior- ate. In this way many of our choice vegetables have been obtained. The practical stockbreeder's motto is that " like produces like," and he breeds from those animals only which possess the points he wishes perpetuated^ Thus, if you select the earliest peas from the earliest vines, for a number of seasons, you can obtain a variety ripening several days earlier than that with which you commenced. It has been done once, and may be done again. Place the seed vessels, as soon as gathered, upon a cloth in the shade, so that they may become perfectly dry, at which time thresh out the seed, by means of a small stick. Winnow out the chaff and small or defective seed, and put the remainder in drawers or small paper bags. Every kind should be labelled with its name and the year when raised, in this manner: "Early salmon radish, 1856." This will prevent all possibility of the inexperienced cul- tivator mistaking beet for cabbage se d, or sowing that which by t!ie lapse of time has lost its powers of germina- tion. Keep these drawers or bags in a cool, dry apartment, where no injury may be apprehended from moisture or I the attacks of mice. With care seeds may be preserved for several years, according to the annexed table. The vitality of seeds, under favorable circumstance^ may be depended upon for the following periods : Parsnips, Rhubarb, ahd other thin, scaly see^ls one year. Balm, Basil, Beans, Cadroon, Carrot, Cress, Inditn Cress, Lavender, Leek, Orka, Onion, Peas, Pepper, Ramp- ton, Sage, Salsify, Savory, Soorzonera, Thyme, Tomato, Wormwood, and small herbs ge erally, for two years Artichoke, Asparagus. Corn Salad, Egg Plant, Endive, Indian Corn, Lettuce. Marigold, Marjorum, Mustard, Para- ley, Rosemary, Rue, Sterrit, Spinach, and Tansey, fro three years. Borage, Borecole, Broccoli. Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Radish, Sea Kale ,Tarragon, and Turnip, for four years. Beet, Burnet, Celery, Cherval, Cucumber, Dill, Fennel, Hysop, Melon, Pumpkin, Sorrel and Squash, from five ta eight or ten years —[5cA Advaittaob of Kekpino Manure Covered.— All experiment conducted by the President of an Agricultural Society in England, shows that manure which was kept covered with nine inches of earth, so that no evaporation escaped, produced four bushels more of grain per acre, than the same quantity and kind of manure applied to the same extent and quality of land, but which manure had lain from the 13th of January, to the 4th of April, exposed to the weather. — Rural New Yorker, 1856.] THE FARM JOUNRALAND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 323 COOKING BY ALCOHOL. The following engraving represents a contrivance invented by G. W. J. Dbmorest, of New York City, for Qooking by alcohol, in a simple and economical manner. The construction is such as to insure a great economy of the heat. The alcohol is contained in the bellow ring reservoir. A, being introduced through »n aperture at B, which is covered with wire gauze to prevent accident. C is a pipe which conducts the fluid to the burner, D, (fig. 2.) The burner is made simply of two tubes placed one within the other, and sealed at the bottom, the space between them being filled with fine pebbles which serve to conduct and spread the alcohol. E is a hollow perforated cone placed above the burner, so as to deflect the flame, as shown. Cold air passes up through the burner into the cone and escapes, through the perforations, into the flame, thus increasing the supply of oxygiBU, causing most perfect combustion, and augmenting the intensity of the heat. F G are reflectors, which throw the heat upwards into the oven and increase the tempera- ture in that direction, while they keep the alcohol holder, A, perfectly cool. There is a space left be- tween the ring, A, and burner, D, through which cool air always circulates ; ring A, therefore, never becomes warmed. H is a deflector which spreads the heat as it ascends into the baker, I. All the p»rts above the flame and cone, E, are made of tin, and can be removed or changed for other cooking utensils, when desired. Beefsteak and meat of all kinds may be quickly broiled, and in the very best manner. The article to be broiled is brought in direct contact with the flame, and the results are said to be far superior to those obtained with other fuel. Various operations, such as baking, boiling, heating flat-irons, &c., maybe don© at once. This is a very excellent practical invention. It reduces the art of cooking to a very simple business, divests it of all nuisances, saves much time, greatly lessens labor, creates no smoke, soot, dirt, or ashes, requires no previous preparation of fuel. It maybe used anywhere, in any apartment, out doors or in. It needs no stove pipe or chimney, and is always ready for use. «Si:'^' The peculiar mode of economising the heat and perfecting the combustion, renders the use of alcohol, even at its present high prices, a comparatively cheap fuel. This apparatus sells for $7 60 and upwards, according to size. When desirable, the ordinary illuminating gas used in cities, may be used instead of alcohol, with the same advantages. ■*•»- RECENT TRIALS OF REAPING MACHINES IK ENGLAND AND FRANCE. A trial of Reaping Machines, under the direction of the oflBcers of the Royal Agricultural Society, took place on the 13th and 14th of August, near Colchester, Eng- land. Four machices were entered to cut a field of wheat containing 54 acres. The machines were a McCormick'a, by Burgess & Key ; a Bell's, by Croskill ; a Hussey's, by Deane & Dray ; and a Palmer's. All the machines were severely tested, on level and i TIGHT BINDING 824 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE EARMER [OCTOBBI. • rolling ground, and on furrowed land, and worked well the whole time. The judges awarded £20 to Bell's ; £15 to Ilussey's ; and £15 to McCormick's. In making the awards, the Judges said: «'From the results of these trials, we re- gret to observe that very little improvement has been made in this class of machines since last year." They consider that for general harvest purposes, the machines of Crofskill, (Bell's) and of Burgess & Key, (McCor- mick's) are to be preferred ; but for reaping only, they think Dray'*. /'Hiioo/»«'qN Ai^^:^^.ii^ au- i * ... - .i • . At the the recent Agricultural Congress held in Paris, it was announced that several prizes would be awarded to exhibitors of superior Reaping Machines. The trials for these prizes took place on the 3d of July, at Cour- oelles, in a large field of oats, divided into lots of twenty ftores to each machine. Seven machines were put upon trial, viz : two of Mc- Cormick's, (one by M. Bella, of Grignon, and one by M. Laurent, of Paris); Hussey's, by M. W. Dray; Manny's, by M. Roberts ; two of M. Mazier, (Orne); and a single- horse machine, by M. Simon, of Paris. Of all these, three only accomplished their tasks— those of M. M. Dray, Bella and Laurent. The others either stopped of themselves or were stopped in conse- quence of their defects. The chief interest of the trial became concentrated ^pon McCormick's machines by the French makers, and Hussey's by M. Dray ; and it was to these that the prizes were awarded. The first prize was not adjudged to any one, none of the machines exemplifying that de- gree of excellence for which alone, if attained, it was designed. Two second prizes, of 400 francs and a silver medal each, were awarded to M. M. Bella and Laurent and a third, of 300 francs and a bronze medal, to m' Dray. The reason that the fourth prize, and not the third or second, was given to M. Dray was, that a great- er number of laborers were employed in connection with his machine than with either of the others -*•*- WASTE OF LIQUID MAHURES. The proper construction and location of barn yards is a iubject entitled to most respectful consideration. If the question, - are liquids flowing from manure heaps valuable^" were seriously submitted to the farmers of this country, it would provoke a smile of derision, that any one possessed ot common sense would propound so simple a queiy . And yet, notwithstanding: this perfect knowledge of the fact that thtf hquid u comprised of a large portion of the most valuable fertilizing ingredients of the manure heap from Which It flows, how very few farmers appear to consider it worth their while to save it from utter waste. We have been led to these remarks from having had very frequent opportunities during the past two months of observing the r ckless indifference manifested by very many farmers in the construction and location of their barn yards. Indeed It appeared to us, that had it been the fixed design of the owners to afford the most complete escape for all the liquids from their barn yards, they could not have accomplished it more effectually. It is almost impossible to conceive of a more complete disregard of true economy. The farmer Who year after year witnesses the streams of rich liquid manure flowing from his barn yard to the nearest ri„, to be lost to him forever ; or running alonj the road g^jT rendering it unpleasant to eyes and olfactories, has a poj right to complain if his crops are less abundant than Kl, neighbour's. Nor should it be a matter of surprise to him. after having applied the same quantity of manure plowed as deeply, pulverized as thoroughly, and in every other respect given his crop the same attention, ihe yield sbooU fall short of his who does not permit the washing raini to exhaust the most valuable portion of bis manure haap. It should be a cardinal principle with every farmer to economize his manures. Upon it depends his success, aod without it, his labors must to a very great extent; be without profit, if not attended with absolute loss. If it is found necei. sary to have the barn yard on a hill side, it is equally necessary to have the lower side of it protected by a wall or some other arrangement by which the escape of liquid manure may be prevented. It is almost equally important to have a spout to convey the rain water from the roof of the barn in some other direction than directly through the barn yard. It is bad enough that the manure heap ghoiU be exposed to the rains which fall directly upon it, withoal adding to it the droppings from the roof of the barn. If such improvident farmers were to behold the actual vali» of the fertilizing material thus lost, rolling from their puraei in the shape of dollars and cents how energetically would they labor to prevent the waste. The loss of a single little gold dollar would stir them up to a greater activity than the direct waste of a hundred limes that little gold dollar's valae in the form of liquid manure. Year after year, silently bat steadily, the golden streams are flowing from their puna. Tell them of their error, and they acknowledge it, but rarely does it happen that being reminded of it in a friendly manner, they make a single effort to correctit. How many are there, who after a life time of steady unremitting toil, find themselves no richer in lands or money than when they began. They cannot explain the reason. Othff causes may have led to such discouraging results, but if tha drain of liquid manures from their barn yards had ben checked when they began farming, very many of tbm unsuccessful ones would have been as prosperous as thiir more provident neighbours. t^t- FABM EXPERIMENTS. We hold in high appreciation, the practical experimenti of practical men in their farming operations, and as intima* ted elsewhere, shall be much pleased to make our columni the medium of their publication. We would, however, remind correspondents that the successful result of a single experiment ought not to be satisfactory to themselves, and cannot as a general tiling, he beneficial to the comraunitj. The first experiment in almost any other direction, may U so entirely satisfactory as to preclude the possibility of • doubt of its complete adaptedness to public use, but in any occupation so varied in 'its attendant circumstance! ai farming, one trial is not enough. The man who builda up a theory and recommends its application in practice on w sight a foundation, runs the risk not only of sacrificing bii own reputation, but of seriously injuring those who adopt his suggestions. Our farmers although prudent men have much of the *« go ahead" principle which is so striking a characteristic of the American people. They stand ready 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. I2t adopt any system of culture which promises to be in higher degree remunerative, than that last pursued. • We admire the men, who, having the means, have the courage to test the value of a plausible theory. Such men are the pioneers of progressive farming. If the trial proves unsuccessful, they are able and willing to meet the conaequeuces ; but unfortunately, this is not the caae with all experimenters. Our young men are in an eminent degree imbued with this progressive spirit. The novelty and excitement attendant upon the introduction of new seeds, implements or systems of culture, have too many charms to be resisted, and, as is often the case, these novelties are commended by writers who are either interested in their sale or adoption by the community, or whose ex- perience in their use is limited to a single experiment. Is it wonderful then, that we hear of the failure of ao many of the highly extolled novelties of farming. It is to guard against such errors as these, that we throw out our suggestions. We are desirous of rendering our paper reliable in every particular, and in order to this end, must have reliable data upon which to build. A very general impression prevails that an enormous product is necessary to render an experi- ment worth recording. Here we have another hurtful error. Such extraordinary results are not demanded by good husbandry, nor does experience as a general thing sustain them. If under peculiar circumstances and treat- ment, a much heavier crop than usual is obtained, such a result is certainly worth being made public ; but the follow- ing season, if under the same treatment the yield is greatly lessened, that fact is equally valuable. It is not the successes of farming experiments only, with which the farmer should be made acquainted, the failures also should be brought to his notice, and that prominently, in order that he may be enabled to steer clear of the shoals upon which the hopes and expectations of others have been wrecked. We there- fore repeat the request, that when results of experiments ire furnished for publication, the writers will distinctly state during how many seasons trials were made ; whether a aingle one, or two, or three, or more. If this course is pursued our readers will be enabled to form a naore correct estimate of their value, and adopt or reject them a« the cir- cumstances seemed to justify. «•» IMPROVED H|ND CORN PLANTER, By S. L. Denny, Penningtonville, Chester Co., Pa.— This invention belongs to that class of planting contri- vances which are carried in the hand of the operator, the seed being planted by thrusting the lower part of the apparatus into the ground. Externally the machine has the appearance of a slender box supported on four legs. The legs are hollow, and the corn passes down through them to the ground. In our engraving one of the side boards is removed in order to exhibit the interior mechanism. The seed is contained in the upper part of the box, A. B is a partition which supports the grain. It has four perforations, a, corresponding to the four legs of the machine. Immediately below B is a seed cylinder, D, having four pockets, c, to receive the seed which falls from the four apertures, a. The pockets c, are furnished with plurgers, d, the lower ends of which pass through cylinder D, and project from its periphery. D is united by rod E with a slide, F, and this latter is connected with the handle of the apparatus, K, in such a manner that by the act of thrusting the legs of the machine into the ground and then lifting them for a new stroke, the cylinder win be partially rotated, first in one direction and then in the reverse. During this operation, the pockets, e, are brought directly under the apertures, a, and the plungers, rf, fall by their own gravity, so as to leave space for the reception of the.seed. The rotation of the cylinder, D, being now reversed, the ends of plungers d, come in contact with one of the sides of the machine, and are pushed up, and the seed is ejected from the pockets, e, into the chambers, e e, of which there are four, one for each leg. // are apertures leading from the chambers into thelegs. Each pocket, c, communicates respectively, by means of a channel, e, with one of the hollow legs. The legs are composed of two parts— Q, which is fixed, and G', which is movable, the movable parts being pivoted |. ' TIGHT BINDING 326 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [OCTOBI^ to the fixed parts at g. The lower ends of the movable ' nun^i;*. r r ^ r , . "'^'''^'^^^^ legs are kept closed against the ends of the fixed le^s f'^'^'^ of food far working horses equal /o 16 or ft, Jegs are kept closed against the ends of the fixed legs, in order to prevent the entrance of dust, by means of Bpiral springs, H. I, are plunger rods, which open f e legs at the proper moment, and push the grain down into the ground. acres of oats," Low says •' it (the carrot) is adminfcL food for all kinds of stock." We have Loudon's autho,!! for asserting " that Carrots when mixed with cut straw J a little hay, without corn, keep the horses in excelU condition for performing all kinds of labor." Burrows fcj 1866.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 327 These rods are attached above to the slide, F. When I ZTZ ""rT' f. "' '''"'" ^"^^*'« the slide rises, rods I also rise into the interior of thl Slh run"Mh7fi?st^"f J °f ' '"" '^ '''' ^''' ' legs, and the corn falls dnwn n.^.. .u. v.*. .. .. """^^^^^ ""^'* '^^ ^'^^ ^^ J""« * ^e states that he fed h. legs, and the corn falls down under the bottom ends of the rods, ready to be pushed down and out. When the legs are thrust into the ground, the slide, F, is pushed down, and with it rods I, and the corn is thus forced - -^ fed ttt cart horses m this way for six years, without giving thain any corn whatever, effertinor tlon a rnnaWlAroKu -...: . hay. Stewart in his « Stable Economy" speaks of tin Carrot, as follows ;— " The Carrot is held in high esteem. into the ground. The seeds are thus driven into the I a^!!" ^ "' T *""" '^^^ ^""'' '' *^"'^ ^" *"^^ '''^' Boil, and embedded with some little force. The ground I ^*^^'•^'«."^"\ better, nor perhaps so good. When fi« in which they are embedded is also slightly compacted I f '"'' '^ '' ^ ^^ ^'^ '^'"''^''' and hxative, but, as the hon, by the action of the legs ; the grains are also p anted edgewise in the soil. Thus all the conditions for rapid germination, such as securing moisture around the seed imbeddmg, separation of the seeds, etc., are fully obtained' Only one kernel of corn is planted from each leg at a time, leaving four kernels to each hill, properly separated and scientifically planted. J is an adjustable buffer head, by which the depth to which the legs enter the ground may be regulated at pleasure. ^ This invention strikes us as one of peculiarm"erit7-rt 18 light, simple, effective, and convenient. It deposits each kernel in the most approved manner, fulfillinir every requisite that could be desired in an instrument of its class. ARE CARROTS WORTH CTTLTIVATING. A correspondent enquires whether Carrote are really worth cultivating as food for cattle ? Ja answer to his SueT: '^^""^ ^ '^^ ''-' '^''^'^ ^«>- --<^-d coltriTf'" ""'"'' i" '"™''' " *"*^^^«^ ^^ ^-"'^tadt, comprise 9 per cent, of starch and fibre, L75 of gum 7 8 Zn' T v'''Yf '-' •^^'^"'"^- Clatertn^lhem among his list of drugs, " because they contain the best medicine that can be given, either when the animal is Blowly recovering from severe illness, or when he has much cough, or considerable humorer foulness about him. Prof Norton says <* a half bushel of carrots to each cow daily, will be found an excellent addition to their food ; it .ives Bweetness and richness to the milk, making the butter If a afford excellent nourishment for all kinds of live stock • for this purpose, they are better Xhan any kind of turnip " The «ame author, in his *« English Agriculture," says : « the ahowth'^K'"'""'"'^^''^"''^''^^ tW.Tnl/ ^T" "^'^ ^' ^'^' '" ^"" ^i^^^ '^ '^-"t*^^ upon should '!::refr;^' ^f r- V-^« "^- ^-^^-^ Worses' I found H ' ^"'^^'^ ^^ ««^« " Mr- ^"rner remarks " I have eLht nn^ . ?P'"'"'^ "^ '^' ^''' '^^ y^*r«' that where eight pounds of oat feeding was allowed to draught horses four pounds might be taken away and supplied by In^^ weight of carrots; and the health, spirit and ability of the horses to do their work, be perfectly as good as with the whole quantity of oats. An acre of Carrots supplies a become accustomed to it, the effects cease to be produced. They also improve the state of the skin. They form a good substitute for grass, and an excellent alterative for honei out of condition. To sick and idle horses, they render corn unnecessary. They are beneficial in all chronic diseases connected with breathing, and have a marked io. fluence on chronic cough or broken wind." We mighi multiply these quotations ad infinitum; but enough hue been given to satisfy any reasonable farmer that Canote are a most valuable article of food for cattle and horses, tod if so, why should they not be more extensively cultivated? If the Suffolk horses are kept in full vigor on them for lix months in the year, why should not our horses be equally benefitted by their use ? If, as experience has abundantly proven, Carrots are excellent and profitable food for cowi, why should not our farmers avail themselves of theee excellencies ? « Because," answers one who undertook theircultivation, as he does everything else, in an un-farnwr. like manner, •* oats or corn are more profitable." We will feel greatly obliged to the correspondent who will 8ati8fi& torily prove that the Carrot crop is not one of the moet valuable which can be grown. With anything like proper cultivation. Carrots will yield at least 500 bushels to the acre, and in some instances the yield has been treble that quantity. Estimating them at 26 cents a bushel, and the expense of cultivation at $25 more per acre than oats, it if not diflficult to arrive at a tolerably satisfactory conclusion as to the relative value of the two crops. At this time, Carrots command in Philadelphia, a ready sale at 50 cente per bushel, and we venture the assertion that tens of thousands of bushels would be% required to supply the demand in this city alone if their value as food for honee and cattle was properly understood. That diflSculties do stand in the way of their cultivation, is admited, but these diflSculties are not insuperable, nor are they even formidable enough to afford room for discoffl^ agement. Where all the requisites of successful cultivation have been complied with, the cost has been ascertained not to exceed 12 cents per bushel, and in many cases, as much as one-fourth less. But admitting that they cost the farmer 16 cents, we contend that they are still more profitable thai oats or corn ; for in addition to the fact that the yield i« very large, no other root crop leaves the soil in so fine a mechanical state for the growth of the following crop. In our next we will give the details of the preparation oi the land and seed, and the cultivation and storing of the crop. THE IMPROVEMENT OP GRASS LANDS. In the improvement of grass lands, the first thing to be done ia the removal of all stagnant water by means of thor- ough underdraining. Unless this is accomplished, the best of cultivation, seeding and top-dressing, will fail to produce their full eflfect. When our meadows fail, from whatever cause, it is gene- rally advisable to plow them up in the fall, and cultivate them thoroughly for two or throe years, with corn, potatoes, or other root crops, manuring them heavily, and seeding down again when the white daisy and other weeds have been de- stroyed, and rhe oid turf has entirely disappeared. If, how- ever, the land is so low that it is not desirable to cultivate it with other crops, it may be plowed up in August, and well* worked with a cultivator, harrow, Ac, till a fine "seed bed" if obtained, not forgetting to give it a good coat of manure; if long manure, plow it in ; if well decomposed, which is best, spread it on the furrows, harrow and cultivate till it is thor- oughly incorporated with the soil. About the first of September, sow it with artificial grasses, and be not sparing of the seed; half a bushel of timothy and half a bushel of red-top, or other grasses in proportion is none too much. Generally, by so doing, a fair crop of good hay is obtained the next season. This method of re-stocking worn out meadows has been practiced with much success by many excellent farmers in Now England. Some of them recom- mend sowing clover with the timothy and red-top, in the fall, but we should be inclined to fear it would seldom survive our hard winters; unless, indeed, it were sown quite early, say in July or first of August. We have seen meadows greatly improved by simply scarrifying the sward in the fall by means of a heavy harrow and then sowing from eight to sixteen quarts of timothy red-top and rye grass seeds, equal parts, to the acre. In the case alluded to, heavy rain followed immedi&tely after the sowing, and the seed was not harrowed in at all, but gen- erally it would be well to cover them slightly with a light harrow. A good coat of compost, spread on the sward before the first harrowing would be of much benefit. The best time to top-dress all moadows that are not of too light or porous a nature, is in the fall. In England nothing was more common, twenty years ago, than to make a com- post with barn yard manure and old headlands, and after it was well decomposed, to cart it on to the meadows during the winter months. The effect was very beneficial. Unmixed manure was seldom used. Since the introduction of Peruvian guano, however, the practice of composting old head lands has, to some extent, given way to top-dressing with light arti- ficial manure. Guano gives a better immediate effect, at a much less cost; but wether it is ultimately more profitable is an open question. With hay at from $ 15 to $20 per ton, there can be no doubt that a judicious application of good Peruvian guano, in the fall or very early in the spring, will give suf- ficient increase, for a few years at least, to pay for the guano and have a reasonable profit. The constant exportation of hay draws heavily on the soil for potash, and as guano contains ▼wy little potash, (not more than two per cent) it may reason- ably be supposed that to manure with guano alone will soon leave the soil deficient of available potash. If such should be the case, an application of wood ashes would supply the deficiency.— ^e»we*ee Farmer, -••»- ■A^JfTAGONISTIC EFFECTS OP CERTAIN InORBDIENTS IN COM- P08T. — In many cases in practice, it will be found — so far from the true circumstances of a compost being satisfied, and we value and effect of each ingredient augmented by its un- ion with the rest — that certain of the compounded ingredients have antagonistic effects and, by their influence upon each other, diminish to a serious extent the positive value of the whole. Indeed, it is quite possible that a bulk compounded of materials that are individually potent mauures may become stale and unprofitable by their improper combination. For example, the addition of blood, fish or animal offal to ordi. nary farm manure is a practice that is, if not always unwise frequently unsafe; for unless great care be used, a loss of the nitrogen of the animal substances, and a portion of that of the farm yard manure, is the result of the active fer- mentation that ensues. By the addition of a dose of lime to this heap, the destruction and loss of fertilizing power would be still further affected by the property which lime possesses of promoting decomposition and detaching the nascent am- monia. The value of the whole compost would thus be actu- ally less than that of one of its parts, and the labor of preparation a loss to the farmer. On the other hand, by careful and judicious combination of substanc s, the reverse would have been the result. By the addition of a mass of maiden earth, road scrapings or other inert soil, to actively putrifying animal remains, fermentation would have been stayed, slow and gradual decomposition would have taken place, and the whole of the juices and ammoniacal products retained; while by a coating of ashes, charcoal, burnt sods or other carbonaceous substances, the volatile products of fer- mentation in the manure heap would be preserved; and in both instances, we should secure to the mixture, effects great- er than from the several parts if applied singly. -••► Draining Land. — A writer in the Country Gentleman says: *♦ I took up the first drain I ever laid, to dig it deeper, in order to drain a flat piece of land adjoining. It is nearly 18 years since the tiles were laid, and I found them as good as the day they were put down. People would ask me if my crockery would not decompose, ly- ing in the earth, and my money all be lost. These in- quiries were in my early stage of draining. Many thought it would make the land cost more than it would ever come to, and some would say it never could pay. Now, Messrs. Editors, I have finished, and I can speak to a certainty. I firmly believe I can take a farm simi- lar to this, and with $400 or $500 drain it, every acre, complete. DonH start now ^ until I explain myself. With that $400 or $500 I would at least drain twenty acres very thoroughly, and get two crops of wheat from that twenty acres. The excess of crop over what it would have been had I not drained, would at least give me back my money agnin, to go on and drain twenty acres more. I would give the drained land no rest till it paid back the cost of drainage ; so yon can readily percieve it don't need much capital, after all, to drain a farm. It re- quires good management and enterprise to get along with it, and the owner of the land to have it done under his own inspection, and have it done so he is sure it will thoroughly drain the land. He is only loaning the money to the land one or two years , after that he gets it returned ; and every two or three years during his life-time it is again returned ; therefore you and your readers can readily perceive that capital for draining is not so much needed as it would appear to be.'* «#»^ Money skilfully expended in drying land, by draining or otherwise, will be returned with ample interest. TIGHT BINDING 228 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROaRESSIVB FARMER. [OOTOBS^ How TO Harvest Corn. — A correspondent of tbe I It will be 40 'feet wide, and a half mile around. Rai|,i Michigan Farmer recommends the following method of seats will be placed near the track, to accommodate ei*kt harvesting earn : ** Let the corn remain on the stalk until it is dry and fit for the crib. Enter the field with horses and wagon, straddle every fith row, with a man on each side and a boy in the rear. Break oflf the ears as rapidly as possi- ble, throwing them into the wagon ; this saves carrying or handling over, not being particular about taking off j of these committees, and we feel as&ured that their doiafl all the hu«$ks ; secure your corn in any convenient place I y^\\\ giy^ ceueral satisfaction. or ten thousand persons. The list of Judges is now complete, comprising gentle. men from all the states. Their labor will be so divide thnt every interest of the exhibitors will be attended to and fair and impartial reports made upon articles fj. hibited. Great care has been manifested in the selectiM 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 829 till wiiiier, a peQ of raiU will a&swer. The liaoks that remain will keep the corn from spoiling in the crib, when you wish to market your corn, put it on a floor, thresh with horses, the husks will not be in the way, rake off, run through a mill, and your corn will be bright and clean, and in first rate condition. Two men and a boy can pick up and crib 250 bushels of ears in a day. ' My opinion is, if farmers will adhere strictly to these rules, they may save half their labor, and have better crops. This is quite an item. Try it." The entire arrangements will be sufficiently completed I t)y the middle of this month, to allow the opening of books of entries, at the office of the Secretary, Mr. Johj McGowan, at 100 Chestnut street, (Rooms of the Philj. delphia Agricultural Society.) All applications uj communications should be addressed to his office. PHILADELPHIA, OCTOBER, 1866. EDITOR'S TABLE. ORIGIN OF THE UNITED STATES AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. As the Fourth Annual Exhibition of this Society is to be held in this city, in October next, we give the following brief acoaunt of its origin and history. On the 14th of January, 1851, Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, President of the Massachusetts Board of Agriculture, was requested to enter into correspondence with the Presidents of State and other Agricultural Societies, on the expediency of calling a National Agricultural Convention. The request was complied with, and responses wererecieved from Penn- sylvania, and nearly all the State«, and the convention was called for the 24th of June, 1861, in the city of Washington, to organize a National Society, to consult together upon the subject. The convention met, and it was found that 28 States and Territories, were represented by 162 delegates. Mr. Wilder was elected President of the Convention, and after the adoption of a Constitution and By-Laws, was elected Pr(?sident of the Society, and at each Annual Meeting of the Society, has been re*elected. The Officers of the Society are a President, a Vice President from each State and Territory, a Corresponding Secretary, an Executive Committee of five, antl a Board of Agriculture, to consist of three members from each State. The President of the Society was in this city a few days since, forwarding the interests of the coming exhibition, which will be ih^ best ever given, if energy and industry upon the part of the committees can accomplish anything. The preparations of the grounds are already completed. The grounds are enclosed with a substantial fence, and over lUOO stalls have already been erected. A number of applications for the stalls have been received from various states, showing thus early the interest manifested by the farmers in the coming exhibition. The track for the trial of horses is nearly completed. CAMDEN AND GLOUCESTER CO. (N. J.) EXHIBITIOH. The joint exhibition of these took place on the I6ihaiii 17th, on the grounds of Charles Shinn, Esq., in the io. mediate vicinity of the pleasant village of Haddonfield. ft was our privilege to be present on both days, and aithuugii the displays in the various departments were not as lai^ as ihey might have been, the quality of almost everythiDf exhibited was remarkably good. The cattle, of which there was a fair display of DevoBi and Durhams, would have done credit to any exhibiticis, and were much admired. The principal contributors mm the Messrs. Cooper and the Messrs. Wood, all of wboie 8tock were in fine condition. The entries of horses wen large, and the general character good. The exhibition ob the course was quite interesting, and attracted a large po> tion of the visitors. We have never seen finer fruit, especially apples and pears. A few peaches were exhibited, but the number of exhibitors was small. We think the apples, especially tlie Pearmains, exhibited by J. K. Lippincott, and the Maidei'i Blush, by our friend, Wdliam Parry, of Cinntmin8on,ei» celled in size, beauty ai d perfection, anything of the kind we have ever seen. We were favored with a basket rf each, and speak from the book. Had those who, some time since, dreaded the failure of the potato crop, had an opportunity of examining thetefj remarkable specimens exhibited at Haddonfield, we think their fears would have been dispelled. By universal coft* sent, the Sweet potatoes. Mercers, white and black Foiit»i Pink-eye, and other varieties, were pronounced deciiMy ahead of anything ever seen at any of their exhibitiottk We did not succeed in getting a sight of the articles of do- mestic manufacture, but understand they were very credit- able. The display of Agricultural Implements was small, bat good, and ought to have been larger and better. The attendance was large, and so far as we could learn, the whole affair passed off with entire satisfaction to »H parties. Corn and Potatoes. — The seasonable weather of th« latter part of August as well as of the early part of Sep- tember, has very materially improved the prospect of the com crop in nearly every section of our State, ^ veil as of those adjoining. This is certainly encourag- ing to the farmers, who, a short time since, rather de- spaired of even half a crop. From present appearances, (Sept. 15,) we have every reason to believe that we shall have, if not an average, at least nearly an average crop. This remark, however, will apply only to that which was planted late in the season, and provided the frosts do not set in too early. Potatoes have also improved greatly under the fine season, and from present appearances the yield will be a fair average. -••• NEW JERSEY STATE EXHIBITIOCT. We were not able to attend the Annual Exhibition of the New Jersey State Society, held at Newark, on the 12th, I3th and 14th of September. We learn, however, that while the attendance was immense, the various depart- ments of the Exhibition were not as well filled as was de- sired and expected. The well known manufacturing char- acter of Newark, together with the close proximity of the city of New York, led to the impression that in the manu- facturing department, at least, there would have been a large show. This, however, it appears was not the case, and much disappointment was manifested by the crowds who thronged the grounds. ^ Among the exhibitors of Devons and Short Horns, we notice the names ef Messrs. B. 4- C. S. Haines, George Hartshorne, Prof. Mapes, A. M. Treadwell, and others. The qualitv of the animals was said to be excellent, but the numbers limited. We regret that we were debarred the pleasure of seeing for ourselves, as we intended, and that the reports which have come to hand thus far have been so meagre, as to prevent the possibility of as extended a notice as we should take pleasure in presenting. Perhaps we will be able to furnish something more satisfactory in our next. One thing which reflects great credit upon the people is, that they were on the grounds in immense numbers, and manifested the warmest interest in everything on exhibition. The receipts, we understand, largely exceeded expenses, and the pecuniary condition of the Society, therefore, has been materially improved. *9f . PLOWING BY STEAM. Plowing by steam is no longer a problem — it is a fixed fact in agriculture, and England has the honor of having first successfully applied this mighty agent to the culti- vation of the earth. We had hoped that American in- genuity and skill would have taken the lead in this as they have done in other departments of agricultural ma- chinery, but we have been disappointed. Fowler's Steam Plow, which was tried before a committee of the Royal Agricultural Society, proved itself in every way adapted to the work for which it is intended, and by its very ejQ5cient performance, won not only the admiration of its most sanguine friends, but dispelled, to a very great extent, the prejudices which many who were pre- sent had alwaws entertained. All that remains now, is for some genuine Yankee to improve upon Fowler's ma- chine. This, we are very sure, can and will be done. Who is the man to do it ? Read the following interesting report of the trial : " We now come to one of the most interesting features f the Boxted Lodge gathering, which was undoubtedly the trial of Fowler's steam plow. In the very field where the reaping machines had been at work, a space was cleared, and preparations made to plow the land scarcely relieved from its burden. It was even anticipa- ted^ we believe, in order to demonstrate the wonderful rapidity of mechanical operation, to reap, plow, harrow and actually sow the same field in one day, besides threshinff. firrindincr. kneading Andhakino>n innf r^f K>.UnueI,cl»th, J oq Dana's Prise Essay oa Manures, 34 Stockhardt's Chenical Field Lectures, 1 00 Blake's Farmer at Hosfie, J £ S'*.'"^* ^™®.r*<^ Flower Carden Directory, 1 J5 Bulst's Family Kitchen Oardener. JS Norton's Scientific and Practical Agriculture, 60 Johnston s Catechism of Agrtcultural Chemistry (*»r Sch^ls,) « Johnston 8 Elements of Agricultural Chemistry and Geology, 1 00 Johnston's Lectures on Agricultural Chemistry and aeology, 1 25 Downlng'H Landscape Gardening, a 5( Fessenden's Complete Farmer aad hardener, 1 21 Fessenden's American Kitchen Gardenet cloth, U Nash's Progressive Farmer, tf KlchardRori's DoniesUc Fowls, 2! Richardson on the Horse- Varieties, Breeding, Ac, 3J Klchardson on tbe Diseases and Management of the Hog, « K chardson en the Desrtrucftlou of the Pests ef the Farm, 22 Klchardson ou the Hive and Honey Bee, 2i5 Mllburn ai'd Stevens on the Cow and Diriry Busbandry, 25 Skinner's Elements of Agriculture, 26 T^?^^^!? Chemistry Made Easy, for the use of Fanoera. 25 Al en's Treatise on the CuWture of the Grape, 1 00 Al en on the Diseases of Domestic Animals, 75 Al en s American Farm Book, l 00 Allen's Rarai Architecture, | 25 ^ardee «n the Cultivation of the Strawberry, Ac, 60 ^der»8 Farmer's Land Measurer, 50 Phelps' Bee-keeper's Chart, 25 Guenon's Treatise on Milch Cows ; paper 38 cts., clot!^ «8 «unn s Domestic Medicine— a book for every married nan and woman, a 60 Rsodairf Sheep Husbandry, 1 25 X ouatt, Randal 1, and Sklnosr's Shepherd's Own Book* S 00 ipuatt on the Breed and Management of Sheep, 75 Touatt M the horse, 1 25 loiutt, Harein, and SteTsns on C«ttto, 1 25 \ I. Youatt and Martin on the Breeds and Management of the 5. Munn's Practical Land Drainer, r S.^P'i*"*' ^<^^ <>^the Farm, complete, 450 illustrations, I. i-be Auttericon Architect, or Plans for Country Dwellings, •• JiL^KL^,***^*"^'»»»i"«o"'si'rlnclple9 of Agriculture, ^ w^i?\ ..?"* «P® Garaenlng, Parks aud Pleasure Grounds, . Weeks on the Honey Bee : paper 25 cts., cloth, L Wilson on Cultivation of Flax, L Miner's American Bee-keeper's Manual, . Qiilnby's Mysteries of Bee-keeping, . Cottage and Farm Bee-keeper, . ElMott's American Fruit Grower's Gtiide. . The American Florist's Guide, • lhni!i^**%*'^"/l*i'^^/^"^«n«''' paper 25 cts.. cloth, . Xhe American Rose Culturist ; paper 25 cts., cloth. Hoare on the Cultivation of the Vine, . Chorltem's Cold Grapery, from direct American Practice. . |axton«s Rural Hand Books, I vols., «^wi^o, . Bement's Rabbit Fancier ; paper 35 ^ts., cloth, . Reemehn's Vine-Dresser's Manual, Neil's ft-uit, Flower, and VegeUble Oarden€!r's Companisn. . Browne's American Poultry Yard, Browne's Field Book of Manures, . Hooper's Dog and Gun, Skillful Housewife, paper, SV?w'^**°^* ^r»P^ Grower's Guide; paper «e cts., cloth, White's Gardening for the SoutSi, £astwoou*d Manual for Cnltlva^tag the Cnmbeny, Johnson's Dictionary of Modern Gardening, Persoz on the Culture of the Vine, American Agriculturist, 10 vols^ Bousslngault's Rural Economy, Thompson's food of Animals; paper 50 cts,, cloth, Richardson on Dogs— their Origin, - cts., cloth, Lleblg's Familiar Letters to Farmers on Chemistry paper 75 50 4 00 6 00 2 00 25 50 25 CO oe 50 2ft 75 50 £0 00 50 75 50 60 00 09 25 1 Varieties, Ac. ; paper 60 25 SO 50 50 12 50 1 25 75 26 50 25 50 mPItOVED STOCK POB SALE, The subscriber, breeder of Durham Cattle, Jacks, Jennets, and Mules, South Down Sheep and improved Swine offera the' largest portion of his Stock to tbe public at private sale SCTH A. BOSHNELL. Jin'^«e-Kntltled ' THE PEOPLE'S PICTORIAL DOMESTIC BIBLB T>.i r , v.^'1^^ about One Thousand Engravings. "^ This useful book Is destined, If we can form an opinion fr,.n..w Notices of the Press, to have an u.iprecedented c rcE a Uon ln?.*« section of our w 'e spread continent, and to form a distinct irafn'S^ sale of our works. It will, no doubt In a f>w v*.//,!, k*:^ *^'^*' "» thj FAMILY BIBLE OF TIIE AMKKICAN PEoi>LK ^ ™ '''''*°^'' ^^ K^Themost Lb(Mlreruuneratlon\xM be allowed to all persomi*. may be pleased to procure subscribers to the above, FromfiO i!.^ 22H'!!.™*7 ^^"^^y ^.^ ?»''C"'?.t.evu.tii is^'^KjVKXi \}\ null, lais ev raising new varieties. I respectfully urge you to ' cannot be entirely overcome : but that it may in continue and increase your efforts, and. in order to great measure, be controlled by suitable fruit-roo»^ hasten maturity, and to multiply the chances of and other expedients ; and that we may thus nrol«! success. I confidently recommend the grafting of the season of fruits beyond their usual duration « seedling fruits at the earliest possible moment. i entertain no reasonable doubt. What we esneciJk In respect to the best method of obtaining choice ' need.isValuable late autumn and winter sortK Tt-J varieties tVom seed. 1 urged you '• to ptof /A« mostl however, will not supersede the necessity of suiul maf«re and ferfecl seed of the most hardy and vigorous storehouses, without which the heat of our ww, ^'"^f*.' ".'-.• 1 • 1 a A ^-.u- ''""""""l months is liable to start the ripening prooea, Additional experience has confirmed my faith in and compel us to dispose of them. this doctrine : for. where seeds have been obtained The proper construction and management of thai from cross fertilization of healthy and strong growers, jg, therefore, commanding the attention of pomolorisu the progeny has partaken of the same character ; but, | both in this country and in Europe. Their success i where the parents have been of slender habit, or slow i fou„d ^^ j^pend on a perfect control of the temperatwi growth, the oftsprmg have exhibited corresponding ^oj^ture and light. After having built and manZ qualities. If this fact may be relied upon though the fo^, fruft-rooms, upon different plans, I am of opin^ process of artiflcial impregnation be difficult and that a proper equilibrium of temperature and rndstm tedious, yet, pursued with skill and perseverance, it «o««/>f /^^^;«««;l„ i.« ^u* • a wl ^ .x^ . .„ , . -^ / .. T w 1. ij . cannot ordinarily be obtained without the use of ce. will ultimately secure a rich reward. We should not ry^^ r.r*»c«,.v«f ;^r. ^r fk« «« i« o i jxax ^^ .1. . ^ ,.,,,, ., rr. 1 I » I ■^'^e preservation of the apple IS less difficult than thit be disheartened by the poor success of Duhamel, or of ^r „,^af ^*u^^ r...,Wo ««^ ;„ * 1 vi n 1 ur TT . u^ -.ui-uKj- ^ r .u r -1 I 0* n^ost Other fruits, and IS tolerably well understood Mr. Knight, with his hybridized pears; for the failure U-, ^,,^ r„^^^^^ c»;ii 1 r • ^.1 1 .. • .* u . VI * .u 1 V e- t ' i-^your farmers. Still, how few specimens, even irf of the latter is attributable to he selection of inferior ; .^is fruit, are brought to our sprin/market in a fre«k varieties, from which his seedlings were raised. In ; ^^^ perfect condition ! The art of keeping the pe»r, reliance upon natura fertilization I would stiU ^^^ ^^^.^^ ^^ ^^^.^^^^ ^^^^^^^.^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^ encourage the continual planting of the seeds of choice ^^^ j^ is to these I particularly refer, varieties of all kinds of fruit, in the belief that new 1 Having heard of the great success of Mr. Schooler, and valuable varieties may thus be obtained. By | ^f Cincinnati, Ohio, by his celebrated discovery ft, these various processes, we shall have continual access- 1 the preservation of meats, I opened a correspondence ions to our collections of such choice fruits as the | ^jth him with respect to the applicatioii of the same Beurre Clairgeau, Beurre d Anjou, and Doyenne | p,ocess to the preservation of fruits. He subsequently Boussock pears. Let nothing discourage you in this ! ^j^jted me at Boston, and advised as fo the comim most hopeful department of pomology. Go on, per 1856.] ^E FARM JOUNRALAND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 838 severe ; " Give new endeavors to the mystic art, Try every scheme, and riper views impart ; Who knows what meed thy labors may await? What glorious fruits thy conquests may create ? tion of a fruit-room upon his principle. This I han found, during the last winter and the present sumnwi to operate in accordance with his statement, as illi» trated by Professor Locke, in his ** Monograph upofl the Preservation of Organic Sub.stances." V>y hispim, the temperature and moisture of the fruit- room, and er a These are triumphs worthy of the highest ambition, n *i • • f.u c -. , /. •_ v.- K i««^« «/> ^..,^„r.^ *u u . ; consequently the ripening ofthe fruit, may be perfectly conquests which leave no wound on the heart of I ^ w a f\ *i • c l , 1 » ^ ^ . ^u • r *• TT , , controlled. One gentleman informs me that he kept memory, no stain on the wing of time. He who on y , u - - c •, . , t^., , ! 11 «i„oVi^ ^o.;tf^ f^ ^ r . rr . . strawberries in a fruit-room constructtd on this plii adds one really valuable variety to our hst of fruits s! r t i ^ 4 ♦u on u • r . i- • ^ \l. ,,1- r * T \.^A „fk u .u /from June 1st to the 20th, in perfect condition forth a public benefactor. 1 had rather be the man whoL i, ax. **• i^.^.. 1. ^ , y ^ . . c , , ,. I table ; and he entertains no doubt of its complete planted that umbrageous tree, from whose bend njj • *! *• r 1 j % X , -, ° .•«„„ ok 11 11.., . ° I success in the preservation of apples and pears indefi- branches future generations shall pluck the uscious ., , ,, c u_i -, .u . • .1 .k«/ ■; . , ^ ° , . , .u .1 . , « . I mtely. Mr. Schooley writes me that in the month of fruit, when I am sleeping beneath the clods of the I t u 1 1 i 1 r t> ,^a „',,,, A • T June, he received several barrels of Be Uiow valley, than he who has conquered armies. I would prefer the honor of introducing the Baldwin apple, the Seckel pear, Hovey's Seedling strawberry, aye, or the Black Tartarian cherry from the Crimea, to the proudest victory which has been won upon that blood- stained soil. PRESERVATION OF FRUITS. But the production of new and choice varieties of fruit is not the only labor of the pomologist. The great annual loss from decay constrains me to say a word more on the preservation of fruits Probably which had been kept for eight months, that were in that market, at two dollars and twenty-five cents per bushel. The remainder out of eight hundred bushels was sold at home at three dollars per bushel These apples were purchased at random from tb< strolling wagons passing through the streets of Daytoi. and were more or less bruised by careless picking aoii transportation. My own experience corresponds wiui these statements. The construction of these rooms is simple. AW th*^ is required is walls raadeof non-conducliUj; ir:atcrial«i with an apartment for the ice above the fruit-room, and with Mr. Schooley's descending flues for the cold air, so as to preserve an equable temperature and moisture, and to hold the ripening process in suspense. The air, by passing over the ice, is deprived of its moisture, and, being cold, specifically heavier than the surrounding atmosphere, falls through his descend- ing flues, and, by a ventilator, escapes on one side of the room, thus creating a temperature not only cool, but dry. This principle, I am informed by a distin- guished member of the medical faculty, may be applied to the construction of hospitals with great advantage, 80 that the air may be kept at a uniform temperature and degree of humidity. For a more particular account of this process, I refer you to Pjofessor Locke's Monograph, and to the inventor's letter, herewith submitted. In these remarks, our object has been to provide against the maturing of fruiu until the season when they are wanted for use. Care should, however, be exercised, especially with the pear, and more delicate fruits, not to reduce the temperature much below 45 degrees of Farrenheit, lest the vital principle of the fruit be destroyed, and the flavor lost. LOCATION, SOIL, AND TREATMENT OP FRUIT TREES. Time admonishes me to be brief, but T cannot refrain from alluding to the appropriate location, soil and treat- ment of fruit trees. These are subjects surrounded with mystery, and which can be relieved only by study and personal experience. The importance of thorough draining, and perfect preparation ofthe soil, have not received the consideration they deserve; especially where its silicious character does not furnish a ready natural conductor to superfluous moisture. Thorough draining lies at the foundation of all successful culti- vation. In cold, wet, undrained grounds, the disease of trees commences at the root, which absorbs injurious substances, and the tree ceases properly to elaborate its nutritious matter. Wherever there is an excess of water, and consequently too low a temperature, and the soil is not properly drained and thoroughly worked, the vital energies of the plant are soon impaired, and Its functions deranged. I am inclined to think that death by drowning is quite as common m the vegetable as in the animal kingdom, with this difference, that It IS not so sudden. How many of the diseases, such as the spotting of the leaf and fruit, the cancer, fungi and decomposition of the bark are attributable to this cause, it is not easy to determine. Perfect drainage, which should always be accompanied with subsoiling or trenching, permits the air and light to penetrate and sweeten the soil, warms it, and prepares its latent fertilizing properties for the nourishment ofthe plant. A writer in the Journal of the Royal Agricultural ^ciety of England says : " I have frequently found |he soil of a well drained field higher in temperature rom lo to 15 degrees thau that of another field, not ^ drained, though in every other respect the soils ^ere similar." Another advantage is, that vegetation seldom or never suffers from the drought, where the soil has been properly drained and worked. The necessity of thorough drainage and perfect pulverization of the soil, is not less for fruits in open cultivation, than for the grape under glass, where one of the pre-requisiteshas ever been the perfect drainage of the border. In relation to locality, some succeed best in one place, while others flourish well in several districts, and are elsewhere nf^rlv wArfMooo mr^A • r^a- adapted to general cultivation. The affinity of the stock to the graft, is of immense importance to the happy union and success of both. Some unite as though ordained by Heaven to be joined, while others resist all the appliances of art. We have seen trees made sick by the insertion of an uncongenial scion, and finally destroyed. Well does a writer remark, that " it is from the analogy ofthe stock and graft that healthy vigor results, and unless this analogy is sufficiently close, it is impossible to obtain fruits in perfection. Not only does this influence raarrifest itself in the vigor and hardiness ofthe tree, but also in the quality of the fruit and the time of ripening." We must, therefore, learn on what kind of stock, in what soil and aspect, and with what treatment each variety will flourish best. By a natural law, every tree, plant and herb, from the cedar of Lebanon to the flag of the Nile, from the loftiest oak of the forest to the humblest daisy ofthe meadow, from the fantastic parasite luxuriating in solstitial air to the little flower that peeps from Alpine snows, every thing endowed with vegetable life, requires its own peculiar element and treatment to sustain its vigor, and secure its highest possible perfection. However varied this sus- tenance may be, and whether derived from earth, air or water, if it be uncongenial, deterioration and decay are inevitable. Every branch, twig and bud, every leaf that flutters in the breeze, is an organized and living body. Each has its correlative part, and any injury done to the one will be felt in the other. Under these general laws, each variety requires a particular treatment, and should be nurtured with a wise reference to its peculiarities and habits. I am inclined to believe that the most valuable treatise on pomology would be one descriptive of the wants of each sort. The pomologist must, therefore, study the constitution and natural tendencies of each variety, as a father would those of his children : — " Each tree a child, your aid their weakness rears, Directs their youth, and tends their drooping years, Their diflferent bents you mark with studious eye. Their laws you give, their manners you supply ; Directing thus their flowrets, fruits and leaves, Your potent hand Creation's work achieves." PEARS ON THE QUINCE STOCK. My experience has so often been solicited by private communication in relation to the pear upon the quince Mock, that I deem it proper to introduce it in this connection, with the reasons on which it is founded. Many varieties ofthe pear thus grafted grow vigorously 1^ TIGHT BINDING 334 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. [NOVEMBIJ, and bear abundantly. T am aware that an impres&ion has prevailed in the minds of some unfavorable to the cultivation of the pear on the quinoe stock, an im- pression which must have arisen from an injudicious selection of varieties, or improper cultivation. In this opinion, I am happy to know that T am sustained by Mr. Barry, in his address before the North Western Association of Fruit Growers in Iowa, and by other distinguished pomologi&ts. Pears upon the quince should be planted in a luxuriant deep soil, and be abundantly supplied with nutriment and good cultiva- tion. They should always be planted deep enough to cover the place where they were grafted, so that the point of junction may be three or four inches below the surface. The pear will then frequently form roots independently of the quince, and thus we combine in the tree, both early fruiting from the quince, and the strength and longevity of the pear stock. For instance, of trees of the same variety, standing side by side in my own grounds for ten years, and enjoying the same treatment, those on the quince stock have attained a larger size, and have borne for seven years abundant crops, while those upon the pear stock have scarcely yielded a fruit. We have, also, others on the quince, which twenty-five years since were obtained at the nursery of Mr. Parmenter, where now is the most populous part of the city of Brooklyn. N, Y., and which have borne good crops for more than twenty years, and are still productive and healthy. That the introduction and cultivation of the pear upon the quince has been a great blessing, I entertain no doubt, especially in gardens, and in the suburbs of large towns and cities. And as to its adaptation to the orchard, I see no reason why it should not succeed well, if the soil, selection and cultivation be appropriate. A gentleman in the eastern part of Massachusetts planted in the years 1848 and '49 as many dwarf pear trees as he could set on an acre of land at the distance of eight by twelve feet, and between these rows he planted quince bushes. In the fifth year from planting he gathered one hundred and twenty bushels of pears, and sixty bushels of quinces. Of the former he sold seventy bushels at five to six dollars per bushel, and he now informs me that he has lost only three per cent, of the original trees, and that the remainder are in healthful condition. homestead, are treated in such a way as to obtain froi them the g^reatest amount of benefit they are capable if yielding to his farm. One fact should ever be kept in view in connexion wi| this subject, which is, that while artificial manuret n special^ and are designed frequently for a particular crn upon a particular soil, and are unsuitable in altered circus stances, farm yard manure is adapted for all soils and {^ every variety of crop ; it contains all the elements, oxp^ and inorganic, which are essential to the nourishment i 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 3.35 plants. This Can Bcafcciy be Raid uf any aftiuciai maigi ON THF PRESERVATION OF MANITRES. It is obvious that profitable farming depends chiefiy upon the skill and success with which the elements of the food of plants, extracted from the soil by cropping, are collected, preserved, and returned again to our fields, to feed the next generation of plants. The manufacture and sale of artificial manures has of late years been widely ex- tended, and assumed an importance to which until recently Ibey were not supposed to be entitled. The preservation of the natural manures is, however, a primary consideration, Und can never be deemed of secondary interest in the practice of agriculture. The first duty of the farmer is to look, at home, and to enquire whether the excrements of his own stock, and all the other manurial products of his whatever. It is common to speak of milk as aHy pe of animl food ; Nature has provided it for the young, while j« unable to search elsewhere, or to assimilate it in a foii less perfectly adapted to the digestive organs, and furniihij it with all^the materials necessary to the support of anioil life. Few if any other single substances will periled^ answer the purpose ; we are obliged to supply variety, itj irAitate the composition of milk, to obtain the end, tki healthful nutrition of the animal system. There is a remarkable analogy between milk as food d animals, and farn>-yard manure as food for the soil. Thej are each of them capat)le of supporting the animals c plants which are furnished with them as food; thejM each equal to the work required of them ; they each coutiii all the required elements of nutrition, and in a fim adapted to the constitution of the plant or animal whoa life they sustain. Farmers have here therefore a manure of the right kini if they can only preserve it in a proper condition, and obtaii it in sufficient quantity. This, in fact, is the problem. An idea is prevalent that the animal excreta consiilirf substances in a state of putrescence : this is quite erroneom; experiments have proved that the excreta of healthy anioiali are never putrescent. They should never be allowed li become putrescent, as it can only be permitted at (hi expense of their value as manure, and the sanitary cooditia of the atmosphere. It is, however, a fact, that although ml putrescent when voided, few substances are more periahtbk, or more liable to become putrescent, and to sufier loss u^ deterioration from carelessness and neglect. The instant that dung or urine is voided and comes into contact with the air, it is liable to decomposition ; some of its elements assume the gaseous form, and pass into tk atmosphere ; others are broken down, and become so eaflg soluble in water that they are readily rr moved in solutioDi so that if animal excrements be exposed for a sufficitfl time to air and moisture, they continually decrease in vaiw (ill they become utterly effete^ nothing remaining but woo^ fibre and other matters equally worthless. This procMi* pregnant with mischief. The loss of manure is not tw only, nor perhaps the greatest evil suffered by the farraei* The decomposition of animal manures yields gases oi w most noxious character, and most detrimental to hcaltn and where it is permitted, the evil consequences are as unsanitary condition of the atmosphere in and around ^ stables, cow»houses, piggeries, Ac, where the animals «« kept,— a lowering of the general health of the locality, &<"" which neither the farmer, his family, nor his servants «• escape, — a greatly increased liability to disease, especw"; among the cattle, which are constantly inhaling an atfflfli' m phere charged with fermenting emanations from their own dung. The lamentable loss of cattle from disease which has been witnessed of late years is justly attributable to this lod kindred causes. If the statistics of the annual loss of cattle from preventible disease cousd be obtained, it would show a large deduction from the profit of the farmer. These» with all their collateral evils, are in addition to the great loss of manure from the want of proper means of preventing the fermentation, and consequent dissipation, of the consti- tuents of animal excrements. Amazing as it may seem to some, it is nevertheless true, that many farmers have a prejudice in favor of a strong graell of putrid dung upon their premises ; they have been so long accustomed to it — having been in fact reared in it it appears to them so natural and necessary a thing in a form-yard, as I was once told, ♦* It smells so like home,'' that they would feel as if all were not comfortable with- out it. These emanations consist chiefly of sulphuretted hydrogen and phosphuretted hydr#gen, two poisonous gases in com- bination generally with ammonia. To gentlemen who have a partiality for these smells I would say, " You cannot indulge iu a more expensive luxury. You cannot enjoy it but at the cost of your manure, the injury of lowering the general health of your homestead, and greatly increasing the susceptibility to disease both of yourself and your stock A little sickness in your family, heaviness and lowness of spirits to yourselves, the same in a greater degree to your servants, and in a still greater degree to your cattle, and occasionally the death of a valuable cow at the very period of greatest promise, are the sacrifices which farmers are constantly making to the demon of stench." The precise cost of a stink in money it is diffleult to catimate ; but if intelligent farmers will attempt the calcu- lation, it will convince them that a pure atmosphere is not only the most sanitary but the moat economical, and that no foetid emanation arises from the farm yard which does not carry away money's worth on its wings to dissipate in the air. An approximate calculation may be made« but it will fail to give a correct idea of the injury and loss sustained by the want of a better system than the one now in use The carefully conducted experiments of Sprengel wil' enable us to arrive at a result sufficiently near the truth to demonstrate the general fact. A stall-fed cow will void 15,000 lbs. of urine in a year, this will yield 240 lbs, of ammonia (this is in additton to the phosphates of the urine &nd ail the* other excrements; of this 240 lbs. of ammonia no less than 162 lbs. are annually lost by the ordinary mode of treatment — or rather neglect — of the urine. Ammonia cannot be purchased by the farmer for less than fid. per lb. ; 162 lbs. of ammonia at fid. is 81s., the annual value, per Dead for stall-fed cattle, of the manure lost from the urine wone (the loss on the other excr ments is proportionally great.) This 8 Is. worth of ammonia is dissipated in the ^^ generating disease and impoverishing the soil. The same author remarks in reference to this subject — " Whoever fails to employ some neutralizing substance to combine with wc ammonia which is produced in so great a degree during ^mmei\ suffers a loss of manure which exceeds all belief *i is indeed only a gaseous substancCf and not a solid material visible to the eye, which thus escapes and is lost ; but for all that, it is of greater importance to the nourishment of plants than perhaps any other portion of the excrements** Much has been done in recent years to cover dung heaps and provide tanks for liquid manure. This is a step in the right direction, but it is only a step ; it does not meet all the requirements of the case, something more than this is essential. From careful experiments conducted by Sprengel it appears that urine conducted to tanks immediately on being voided, and allowed to remain only five weeks, had iost one-haif ol its manurial elements. " Hence," he remarks, •♦ it will be obvious to everyone that urine-tanks are no such exci'llenl arrangements as they are frequently rep- resented to be." Natural manures are so liable to decom- position, they 80 readily deteriorate, that in order to obtain from them their entire manurial effect they must be pickled or preserved like other substances liable to decay. There is a close analogy between manures and animal substances generally which it is instructive to observe. As soon as life is extinct in an animal its fiesh is liable to de- composition. With care and in favorable circumstances it may resist the tendency to become putrid for a short time, but only for a short time ; being no longer fed and renovated by the circulation of the living organism, it is forthwith subject to decomposition. Being removed from the conser- vative action of the vital force, it is subjected to the ordinary action of chemical law. The proximate clement^ of fiesh are all of a highly complex character, and their tendency is to assume simpler forms ; herice the change which is called decomposition. When fiesh is to be preserved ibr food we resort to a variety of means to prevent this , we select some substance with antiseptic properties which will not seriously interfere with the value of the flesh for food ; common salt, nitre, and sugar, for example, are the most familiar instances of sub- stances used for preserving animal food from putrescence. These substances fill the pores of the flesh, and thus preserve it by excluding the air. They also form a chemical com- pound with the fibre of the fiesh and with the substances contained in its natural juices ; this compound is less liable to decay than the flesh itself, and thus preserves the flesh in a state fit for food for an indefinite period. This operation is necessary because, although the stomach may receive, it can neither digest nor assimilate putrid flesh. Whatever enters the stomach in this condition is rejected, it can take no part in the process o/ nutrition. When the compounds are broken up which exist in wholesome food, whether of vegetable or animal origin, assimilation'cannot take place, as the stomach possesses no power to reconstruct the com- pounds on which nutrition depends. Animal excrements and offal have the same liability to decomposition, are equally unfit for the food of plants when decomposed ; and equally with bacon, and other varieties of animal food, require to be salted, pickled, and preserved. The great desirableness of doing this has long been felt, and the means of doing it have long been sought after. The late Professor Johnson, in a book which he published last year, and in a part of it which he wrote a very short time before his death, refers to this thing as a desideratum yet to be supplied. His words are — " An effective disin- fectant must be able either to decompose or combine with both the alkaline and acid products of decomposition. And, TIGHT BINDING 336 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. [NovavgL 1856.] economically y its value will be further increased if ^ while it effects these chemical purposes^ it at the same time produces a new substance which is not offensive in any way^ and still more if ft produces one that is positively useful^ The fact » that ihis department of agricultural improve- ment has been retarded for the want of a suitable agent to effect the purpose ; neither salt, nor sugar, nor nitre, nor any of the substances which are ordinarily used to preserve flesh would be effective for the disinfection of animal offal and excrements, and the preservation of those elements in ihem which gi¥e io these substances their agricultural value. -««^ WILL HIGH PRICES CONTINUE! The Prairie Farmer discusses this question as follows : To the farmer there is no question, which for the moment is 80 important, or which he feels with so much force, as the one at the head of this article. All his calculations, all his expenditures for improvements during the year to come, depend upon the prices wkich he shall receive for his staples. For several years past the price of agricultural products has been advancing and in nearly the same ratio has that of manufactured articles decreased. Let us now proceed to inquire into the cause of the high prices of agricultural products, as from the investigation we shall be able to draw some tolerably certain conclusions relative to the future. To aid us in illustrating this subject, we have compiled this table of figures. The first column shows the production for 1840; the second column the same for 1850; the 3rd shows what the amount should have been, to have corresponded with the rate of increase of population : __, J840 18S0 Ought to have been Wheat, 84,823,272 100,485,944 115,485,944 Com, 377,531,875 692,07.1,104 51C,071.'l04 Rye, 18,645,567 14,188,813 25,188,813 Oats, 12.3,071,341 146.584,179 166,584,179 Say* 10,248,108 13,838,642 Kept pace with population. By this table it will be observed that there is a deficiency in everything except Indian corn, which has increased in a greater ratio than the population; and hay, which has increased in the same ratio as the population. It is supposed that 16,000,000 bushels of corn are consumed annually in the manufacture of whiskey. But let us illustrate this subjf'ct a little further. The population of the United States was in 1840, 17,069,453; ii 1850,23.191.876; or an increase in 10 years of 36 per cent. The increase of wheat during the some period was only 20 per cent. The increase of oats during the same period was 20 per cent. ; Indian corn, during same period, 67 per cent., or 21 per cent, over the rate of increase of population. During the ' pame period rye decreased nearly four and a half million bushels, in actual production. Whatever may be the conclusions drawn from the above facts, one thing is apparent, viz : that vegetable food has not increased in proportion to the increase of population, but has rather fallen behind. Maize is the only crop which advances faster than our rapidly increasing population. M'heat is mainly used for bread and we are exporting largely of corn and corn meal. Will, then, high prices continue 1 We think they must! For aside from the growing demand at home, arising from the increase of popuimL over production, which will continue to be the casefor^ years to come -our erports of grain are continually oBtL increase. Are we not right then— are we not perfecu, safe in reckoning upon the stability of present priceg. ^ hazard the prediction that prices will po t/;>, rather tU down, although under the influences of momentary c^ they may fall below the present standard, but not ren^ long down. But again : The price of all kinds of animal food, k increased with the increase of the price of grain. Therii in price of meat, is perhaps the more remarkable, 1840. 185(1. Onaht to havejm No. Cattle, 14,971,586 18,378,907 20,178,n; No. Sheep, 19,311,374 21,723,220 20^223,211 No. Swine, 26,301,293 30,254,213 34'854,Ju Now let us compare the ratio of increase of animals wji that of the population ; As above stated the latter is36to cent; of cattle the ratio of increase is 24 per cent; ofihl the ratio of increase is 13 per ce^t. ; of swine the ratio t( increase is 15 per cent. These facts are instructive; and they go far towards plaining the mystery of the high prices of grains, beef,piii and mutton, which the farmer has enjoyed for the last kt years. This stat© of things will continue, until the prin range so high and the demand for bread and meat beoooi 80 great, that capital and labor will be drawn into the channel of agricultural production ; until this is done « can see no permanent diminution of prices. The immense internal improvements which have beni progress in all parts of the country, especially in the gnii and meat producing States — and the ready returns whici they offer to labor, have drawn thousands away from agri- cultural employments; — and once in the harness lai disciplined to the work, they remain in it, and follow tin works from point to point and from one locality to anOliuf. There is one or two facts we have drawn from the abovi tables, to which we desire to call particular altentiN. While wheat, rye and oats ; horses, cattle, sheep and bwIm have fallen off— per man — 12 to 20 per cent, during tk period from 1840 to 1850; Indian corn, during thatlilBft i ncreased at the rate of noarly sir per cent, per annum-^\ little more than 60 per cent for the whole ten years. Thii is a prodigious increase. The crop of last year calculaleJ on this ratio, must have been not far from 800,000,000 bushels ! and at the same rate the crop for 1869 must nn np to the enormous yield of one thousand million busheli' The foreign demand for corn is now so rajjidly advaciBl that we shall probably And a ready market for even thii immense product. To give ihe reader some idea of lk» extent of the trade in corn at the present time — there weff shipped from the single port of New York, from Jan. U^^ June 17th, this year, nearly thirty-five thousand barrels O' corn meal and about two mi'lion bushels of corn — being H increase over the shipments of last year during the sann period of six thousand barrels of corn meal and three hunoi*' thousand bushels of corn. We contemplate with no ordinary interest the portentous nature of these facts. Td« corn crop is one which is easily raised, and its culture nwj be pushed to an indefinite extent. It must therefore beconw the staple production of the northern and middle StaW' Our belief in this is fixed. THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 337 Besides the reasons already given to show that high prices will continue, we have to mention the constant increase in the exports of grain to European countries. For the first six months of 1865, the total number bushels of wheat sent from New- York was 81,288; this year the total for the same time is 2,064,780 bushels. The shipments of rye for the last six months are over a million bushels, being greater than any previous year, in the history of the trade. In wheat flour the exports have largely increased. There is also a great gain in certain Vinila nf in**a-ts ^P ♦^>«» wl»«l« 'T^^.^a... -se.!!! u- --/•- think, in calculating upon past average prices for their products of the present year. And in consequence of the drouth, whic'.: has prevailed so extensively throughout many of the corn-growing States, this crop will be much diminished and the price will probably advance. Those who have old corn will lose nothing by holding on. -••^ HOW SEED CORN SHOULD BE SELECTED. Let no real fanner neglect to save his seed corn in due season, and string it up where it may be not only above the reach of mice, hut above the suspicion of a foggy atmosphere and close covers. The best ears of corn arc often rendered unfit for vegetation by being put in hogsheads and close bins. But the seed ears must not be selected in harvest time. They should be plucked in the field at a time when the very earliest ears can be selected. This has an important effect on the next harvest, as all farmers know. And as corn wants the whole length of the season to insure a full harvest, it is vastly more important to gain a few days by selecting the earliest, than of any of the English grains, for our summers are long enough for any of them. As soon as any ears in a cornfield have grown to be too hard for boiling, they may be gathered for seed. The husks should be stripped down, and the ears braided together by means of the husks, so that that they may hang for twenty years at least without detriment. But should they be closely packed, there will be no certainty of their power of vegetation. The selection of the best ears at husking time is not the thing; for a great majority of the ears then appear sound, though some may have ripened a whole week earlier than others. Just think of a week's gain in the latter part of August. One week would save many a field of corn from a cruel frost. — Massa husetts Ploughman. Hon. F. HoLBROOK, President of the Vermont State Ag. Society, and one of our most enlightened farmers, in an article on the culture of Indian Corn, in the New England Farmery gives the following advice for select- ing seed : " While upon my present subject, T will say a word about saving seed corn. All experienced farmers are aware that the productiveness and early ripening of any kind of corn depends very much upon the manner of selecting the seed. I have a long eared variety which I have been planting and improving for some ten or twelve years ; and although during that time I have tried, I presume, a dozen other sorts, I give the preferenco to the lirst-nained sort. Whatever may be said in favor of a change of seed, as regards other crops, there is no need of changing seed corn,;)roi;jW«/ proper care is used in the yearly selection of that for planting. By proper attention to this matter, a variety may be perfectly adapted in its habits to a given cli- mate and soil, and changed much for the better as to productiveness. The difference in product between careful selection in the field, and taking seed at ran- dom from the crib, will, in a very few years, be much in favor of the former mod*' — *hf% cnii ot^/i »..u:^«.«:^^ being in both cases alike. As soon as the earliest ears are thoroughly glazed, I go over the field myself, selecting from those stalks that are '* stocky" and vigorous, and that produce two good ears. The selected ears are taken in m :diately home, braided, and hung up in a dry, airy place. When I commenced with my favorite variety, it was difficult to find twin ears ; but now they are abundant. My crops also ripen ten days earlier than at first. I will not mention the length of ears that fnight be found in my fields, but will say to you, Mr. Editor, come and see for yourself." 4«» A Cheap lew Uouse. — A person, in the country, where timber is cheap, can erect an ice houso at but little expense. All that is required is to put up a strong frame for the sizo of houso required, and board it up close, inside and outside, with a space between, all around. This space is stufied close with straw, or dry saw dust. The roof is made in tho same manner, and the house is then complete. Straw and saw dust are cheap and good non-conductors. Tho house should be situated on a dry spot, and should have a Irain uudor the floor. It should also bo convenient, to be lied easily. The walls of stone and brick ice houses shou bo double, as well as those of wood. Great care should bt. 'ex- ercised in packing ice ; all tho blocks should be elenr and solid, and about the same thickness, so thyttheymay be packed close together, and frozen into a solid mass. In favorable situa- tions good ice houses may be excavated like caves, in tho face of a hill. Oxen vs. Horses. — The ♦' Wool Grower" says tha " the plowing matches throughout the country have es- tablit^hed the fact, that oxen can plow a given space of ground as quick and as well as horses." We do not know how this may be, but we do know a gentlemnn who puts a yoke of Devon oxen to a plow, immediately behind a team of three good horses, and they do the same days' work of plowing that the horses do. They are stabled, and curried and fed like horses, and do all the work required of them with as much spirit — American Far- mer, -••• Hand Corn Planter— By H. B. Hammon, Bristol- ville, Ohio. — This is another of those contrivances that are carried in the hand like a cane, the planting being accomplished by thrusting the lower end of the machine down upon the ground. The invention consists in a novel arrangement of parts for depositing the seed into the lower end of the tube, ready for being forced into tho soil by a plunger, whereby all liability of clogging and bruising the seed is prevented, and increased sim- plicity and certainty in the planting operation is se- cured. TIGHT BINDING 838 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [NovjsiiBti^l 1856.] THB FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. MACHINE FOB BOEING POST HOLES. The nboTe illustration represents a new and improved machine for boring Post Holes-which is one of th« most difficult portions of labor required in the erection of Post and Rail Fences. It accomplishes its work with great ease and rapidity, and is very simple and easily managed. Price from $16 to $20. The inventor is Ret. J. W. Ward, of Birmingham, Huntingdon Co.. Pa., from whom any information respecting it may be obtained. Growing Grapes in Pots.— One of the finest orna- ments produced by horticultural science is the raising of grapes in pots. There can be no sight in Pomology more beautiful than a well trained vine in full fruit, for an ornament to a conservatory, or for a table at a public dinner. To accomplish this desirable object in the most speedy way, a good branch of a bearing vine should be layered into a pot. or small tub, in the winter, before fruit spurs start. In this way it will form its roots and immediately set its fruits, go on and perfect them, and thus present in a single year a handsome vine. With a judicious care, the vine can be separated from the old one, and the pot removed with the fruit perfected Great care should be had not to let the vine overbear • this would affect the size of the clusters, and tlie size of the berries. The circumference of the vine will always guide the grower as to the number of clusters and the weight of crop the vine can ripen. j Taking Care op Farm Implements. — Every farmer j phould have a house for keeping his implements. It should be tight and dry j and adapted for repairing, altering, clean, ing and sharpening them. Every implement, when not re- quired for use, should have its proper place, and before it is laid past for winter, all the bright metal belonging to it should be carefully dried and well greased to prevent rust- ing. Rust is a viper which poisons the farmer's purse: many farmers ahow their plows, harrows, and cultivators to rust and rot in the corners of open damp sheds during six months of the year, and they seem surprised that their im- plements do not last longer. All farm implements, after haying been used durifl^ spring, summer, and fall, should have their wood-worit painted, also their coarse metal work ; and every bolt and nut should be oiled. The loss of an ounce of iron by rusl, if equal to the loss of an ounce of gold. Carefulness in all things is economy, and a little extra trouble saves extra expense. MACHINE FOB DIGGING POTATOES. IMPBOVED POTATO DIGGEB. The improvement herewith illustrated is the inven- tion of Mr. T. Baker, of Stillwater, N. Y., It consists of a cast-iron frame, mounted upon two wheels, on whose shafts A, are two driving gear wheels, B, meshing into pinions, 0, on shaft D. Shnft D is armed with curved fingers or teeth, E, which project up between the separating bars, F. In front of these bars (see fig. 2,) is a scoop-shaped mold-board or share, G, which lifts the earth and potatoes, and by the advance of the machine they are pushed back to the base of bars F, where the fingers, E, work through. ^y these fingers the potatoes are carried over the rounding curve of the separator bars, F, and dropped behind the machine, upon the ground or into any receptacle that may be attached to receive them. The earth is sifted through bars F, leaving a smoothjand even surface wherever the machine passes. The chief features of novelty consist in the curved grate bars, F, by which a hollow is formed at their junction with the mold-board, G, for receiving the hill of earth and potatoes. Second, the earth is dis- charged through instead of over the separator bars, Fi the raised or rounding parts of which prevent th^ earth from passing freely over, but allowing the potato to be carried over by the fingers, the earth and potatoes being agitated in their passage from the fore to the »fter part of the machine. The depth to which the mold board cuts is regulated by levers, H, at the back of the machine. The two wheels on which the machine runs pass between the hills. The curve of the bars, F, being eccentric to the axis of the cylinder, clear the fingers of all vines or roots. A recent trial of this machine proved it to be per- fectly adapted to the work for which it is intended. All the driver has to do, is to ride on the machine and guide his team. The apparatus is simple, strong, and durable, the whole being made of iron except the pole. It weighs only about three hundred pounds. The machine readily recommends itself by its neat proportions and philosophical principles. It is adapted to save a large amount of labor, converting what has heretofore been a tiresome drudgery into a pleasant recreation. 4«> ON THE FBODUCE AND COMPOSITION OF WHEAT. At the British Association, the last meeting, Db. Gilbert read a paper containing the results of a large number of experiments made by him and Mr. Lawes, during a period of several years, upon wheat grown in England as well as abroad. Dr. Gilbert subjected the various coarsejand fine varieties of flour to analysis, and showed that the nitrogen increased in proportion as the sample was coarser and contained more bran. The flour that contained least nitrogen was that which '!■ TIGHT BINDING 340 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PfiOGREfSSIVE FARMER. ifr I up least water in the process of bread making, I so as to lift the tnrt~^^^n^i [NoTBin^ and an interesting question arose as to the nutritive ( r>0B,ihU..,;lT .1 °''""' ""'' "" '•W value of bread containing .uch or no br^lTor ' C tM^Ct::;!'"^ "^~'"'^ "^^'^^ Gilbert's opinion being in favor of the latter, as far as working men are concerned, nothwithstanding the theoretically higher value of bread containing bran. Another interesting fact stated by Dr. Gilbert was, that the Black Sea wheat in Europe and the Southern States wheat in America were far richer in gluten than those from more northern latitudes, those from Dantzic containing least gluten, while they stood highest among bread making grain. The character of the gluten seemed dependent in some degree on its oily constituent, and therefore the quality of the bread , ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ on the whole prairie. The plow was depends on the maturation of the seed.— Dr. R. D. "*'' **^ ' ' Thompson remarked that the value of bread might depend on the state of hydration of the starch and gluten ; but was doubtful as to the value assigned to the nutritiousqualitiesofstarch,asthe French chemists proved that the starch was often left undigested .—Dr. VoELCKER stated that he had arrived at similar ex- perimenfal conclusions as Dr. Gilbert, but while he acknowledged that starchy bread was mechanically the best, he combated Dr. Gilbert's view, that this was the most wholesome kind of bread for the working man. He traced the phosphoric acid found bv Dr. Gilbert in the bran to phosphorus contained as'such , 7Z1Z7TZ-T7- in the gluten. Dr. Vcelcker having found this element' '' " ""P"''^"^ ' in cascine and legumine. FRYE'S NEW PLOW. Ma. E. Abbot, former editor of the St. Louis Valley Farmer, tlms describes in that paper, a new prairie plow, the invention of Mr. Jesse Frye of Missouri. He says :— The plow of which we speak is styled ** An adjustable anti-friction carriage plow;" and when we say that with two horses attached to it. a furrow twenty-four inches wide and five inches thick was rapidly turned in the toughest kind of prairie sod, and that too in ground that had been beat down by cattle, and dried by the summer's drought, until it was as hard and as dry as ground can be, our readers will not think us extravagant when we style it one of the greatest inventions of the age. More- over in this trial, the driver of the team and the inventor of the plow, both heavy men, rode at their ease on a seat prepared for the purpose and placed over the plow. It appears a very simple machine, easily adjustable, and not liable to get out of repair. An ordinary plowman can ride at his ease, manage the plow and drive his team without any difficulty. Some of the peculiarities about this plow are ; First— It is supported on a carriage which runs on four-wheels. This carriage takes all the weight of the plow, leaving nothing to be dragged on the ground. It also overcomes all the land side friction— the share being held firmly in its position by its attachment to the frame of the carriage, cannot press upon the land side. Thus when the plow is out of the ground, a boy twelve years old can move it all about the lot, a feot not easily per- formed by two men with an ordinary breaking plow. Second— The mold-board is composed of anti-friction rollers, which are arranged in the most scientific manner, I operation We believe Mr. Frye has perfected an improvementk the plow which is of immense importance to the far J of our country, and as the principle is equally appiie,u; to plowing all kinds of land, we predict a great chZ m the manner of performing this hitherto laborious b necessary part of farm labor. In addition to the above, the Illinois Farmer givegA, particulars of another t-ri«i »no^« -.ui. *k:- , _-a .....,*^ ?»n,ii luia plow til Sangamon Prairie. The trial was made on what is callfti "^yf^P^g^ound," the toughest piece of ground tUt ^lut into the ground about three o'clock, and was drawu k four horses. It did the work well, cutting bome twentj. six inches. The ground was, of course, baked hvA It was hard work for the horses ; but it was conceded by good farmers present, that eight yoke of cattle wmM not have drawn a common plow, cutting the sume widtk which was cut by the Adjustable Plow with anjthiii^ like the ease with which the horses did their work. At the close of the trial, the company present m organized into a meeting, and the following resolutioi passed : Resolved, It is the sense of this meeting that the "Ad- justable Anti-Friction Carriage Plow," invented by Mi, mprovement on any plot now in use, and will do more work with less power, thia any plow with which we are acquainted. We need only add, that since the above noticed trill of the plow was made, it has been subjected to seyenl other trials, and in all cases has been successful. To see two or three horses breaking prairie with a plot cutting twenty-six inches — the plowman sitting comfort- ably on a seat above the plow — having the team and the plow at his perfect control — is a gratifying and wonderfiil sight, even in these days of progress. THE BEST HENS FOB LAYING. A correspondent of the Country Gentlemen, furnishes the following statement of the qualities of several varietitt of fowls, fdr producing eggs, and more especially of thi Black Spanish and Leghoi-n breeds. He snys I b»t! kept the two above named for some time, as well as » number of other varieties, but find none to equal then in the quantity or size of egg.s — rarely evincing a desiw to set — in fact none of my Leghorns have ever shown that desire. Last Spring I confined throe hens andow cock of the following named varieties, each quarterd in a separate enclosure, and for 72 days kept an accurate account of their performances, which was as foUoirti beginning Feb. 17 and ending April oOth ; Leghorns laid 122 eggs — No disposition to eet. Spanish do 103 do do do Bl'k Polands 83 do do do Gold, do 66 do do do Grey Dorkings, 65 — all setting April 15. Cochin Chinas, 43 do do March 13. Anothei" correspondent also adda his testimony •* follows : — " I am satisfied from my own experience, as well ^ 185«.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 341 the information I receive from friends who breed Leghorn fowls, that for laying they are superior to any other variety. They do i.ot attain so large a growth of body as gome other kinds of fowls, and for this reason may not be go desirable for the table; their eggs, however, are of a very fair size. I have imported several direct from Leghorn, and have never known one of them manifest a disposition to set, and am compelled to secure the services of a hen of some other breed to hatch their eggs. Strange to say I have never seen the Leghorn fowl noticed in any treatise on poultry which has come un- der my observation. It may possibly be classed with the Black Spanish, as it resembles them in many par- ticulars, although I am disposed to consider them distinct gpecies. I have had experience with most, if not all, varieties of domestic fowls, and have no hesitation in placing the Leghorn breed before any other, and I think were they substituted for the present generation of fowl, the egg crop would be increased at least 50 per cent. COMMUNICATIONS. The article onjthe Anatomy and Physiology of Di- cotyledonous trees, tliopgh an excellent and descrip- tive one for those who have studied Botany, contains almost too many technicalities for plain country farmers. The new land measuring instrument, the invention of Mr. Louis Young, of Jersey City, illustrated in the August number, cannot fail of being a welcome im- provement to surveyors. cently invented you give in the same number, there needs published experience. I mean that each one who has bought or had put up one for his own use, should publish to the world the practical benefits re- sulting from its use. We will then know the good from the worthless. I am glad to see the subject of Farm Schools is awaking attention. These useful adjuncts to the making of good farmers has been too much neglected. What valid objection can there be to ediicaling farm- ers' sons in a scientific and practical manner, lo befit them to pursue the noblest calling of nmn as they should do. Let them know the why and wherefore of their mode of culture, application of manures, &c , and we shall have an agriculture that the nation shall For ihe Farm .Inurnal. MONTHLY COMMENTS, KosE Cottage, Sept., 1856. In the August number, the attention of farmers is I ^^ P''^^"^ ^^- ^hese schools will also do what Prof, called to •' Insects injurious to Wheat,'' which article [ Cleaveland's article aims at, instruct the young farmer will, I hope, not be the last of the kind. The subject I ^° P^^ attention to the health of his family and labor- is one that demands no less observation upon the part ^^^' ^"^ ^^ ^^^ ^»"^"^ ^^^^^^ influencing the general of the practical agriculturist, than any other branch ' ^ygeinic condition of his farm and neighborhood of his business. Several articles have been written lately, descriptive of the insects injusious to vegeta- tion, their nature, habits, and some means which It would give me much pleasure to be present at the U. S. Agricultural Society's Exhibition in your city next month, did circumstances permit. In their have been used to prevent their evil eff'ects. The ; printed ** General Arrangements," it would have been Patent Office Report for 1854, Agricultural, enters j inore appropriate to have the premiums paic? in Agri- quite extensively upon the subject ; and much inter- ! cultural Books, Journals, Implements or Stock. Farm- esting information may be found in the September, | ers of moderate means, or indeed of any means, should and other numbers of the American Farmer for 1855, ' prefer receiving useful articles as premiums to silver published at Baltimore. I recommend these articles ' P^&te, or even money. To be sure they can appropri-^ to the careful perusal of every farmer, and also advise ' ate money to the purchase of useful articles, but silver him to make a note of his observations in regard to P^ate comes rather under the head of superfluities in any insects he may find upon his place injurious to his ' a farm house. But, chacun a son gout, "every one to cro^s, and send these observations to his agricw/^i^ra/: his taste," says a friend; true, but let a taste be paper. (I say his agricultural paper, because it is the cultivated for things pertaining to our calling. The duty of every farmer to subscribe to at least one agri- main object of Agricultural Societies, Shows, &c., is cultural paper.) By this means much valuable infor- mation may be collected. Phosphatic Guanos— advocated by Mr. Haldeman. The Peruvian proverb, "Huano, though no saint, to advance the knowledge of the farmer in his calling, and to instruct him in the most skilful application of that knowledge, consistent with economy and profit. That there are more phosphates in roasted than in works many miracles," is a truism no one can well ! raw bones, as Mr. Hewes states in his article, is not deny who has used it. Nevertheless, every farmer denied, but the farmer can derive no practical benefit should know, as near as may be possible, what sort of manure his crops need, that he may apply that special manure ; ammoniacal, phosphatic or other. " The whole aim of t e application of manures being the greatest yield in crops, from the smallest outlay ofmon- ^!/. it is not enough for a farmer to know that the ap- from roasting bones. His most economical mode of application, and that from which he may expect the greatest results, is to apply the bones dissolved in sulphuric acid. (See article on bones ) Management of mowing fields, by J. C. C, Bethle- hem, Pa. I take the liberty to add to these excellent plicationof a particular substance does w;e//; he should remarks, the following extract from an ♦* Essay on not be satisfied unless he knows that it is the best for Meadows and their management," by the Editor of his particular soil that can be used." the American Farmer, to be found in Vol. 6, No. 10, TIGHT BINDING 342 THE PARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. (Mi April, 1851, the perusal of which e§say I recommend to those needing any information on the subject. ** The management of meadows, and the cultivation of grasses, as a general thing, may be said to be among the neglected duties of American agriculturists. Not more than three out of every ten farms or plantations have, among their apppointments, well set, and well cared for meadows. Here and there, in travelling through the country, we may see a field or so, bear- ingthe marks of having once been tolerably well set in timothy ; but also bearing the unmistakable evi- dences of having been subsequently neglected. This should not be so, as a meadow, well treated, will be found to be one of the most profitable fields on a farm, whether the grass grown on it be intended to be made into hay, to be fed out to the stock, or for sale. But from neglected meadows it is fallacious to look for profit. Every crop of grass carries off large portions of the organic matters of the soil, and proportional parts of its inorganic substances, the which, to keep up its fertility, must be restored, or its productive powers will be annually decreased ; and hence it is that the yield is less and less every year." ** We maintain, first, that unless meadows, from which the grass may be cut and made into hay, be periodically manured, that to the extent of more than a moiety of the orjanic and inorganic substances contained in the hay thus removed, so will be the extent of the deterioration of the fertility of the soil. Secom%.— That all the benefits arising to a grazed meadow, from the deposits of the stock, are more than counterbalanced by the injuries done, as before pointed out, and that these injuries can only be counteracted by applications of manure, an eradication of the coarc^e vegetation which may have taken the place of the finer grasses, and the reseeding of the injured spots. Thirdly. — That all meadows, every few 3'ears, as the soil may become compact and surface bound, should be harrowed, to open an easy access to the meliorating influence of the dews, rains, snows and atmosphere, and that upon such occasions they should receive top-dressings of manures containing the proper food of grasses, mineral as well as nutritive." The article of ** Reaper," on one- horse machines for reaping and mowing, should be published broad- cast throughout the land. The fundamental error with nearly all American machines, is their flimsy build. I venture to say, no people pay so much for repairs of all kinds, as the " universal Yankee nation." The whyy is that the demand is for cheap articles. Farmers must bear in mind that the ** hent is always the cheapest f^^ in the long run. The " experiments made with a view of determining the comparative value of peat and peat-charcoal for agricultural purposes," cannot fail of interest to the scientific farmer. It is by well conducted experiments that we discover the value and use of all applications to the soil as manures. [NoVKMBtJ, read by farmers, and demands their attentivTconsid, eration. Wherever possible, drill culture should il, ways have the preference over broadcast sowing. Th( writer is evidently well posted upon his subject, ^ is truly progressive. The improved Grain Separator, of which you givei cut in the September number, seems from the descrip. tion to be well calculated to do what is promised for it : but all agricultural machines should be well re- commended by practical farmers before their bowM powers are believed. They should be tested before im;jar^/a/ judges, and their report published. Swamp Muck. This article, from the N. Y. Tri- bune, contains excellent advice; farmers cannot go astray in following it. The remarks of" Flail," in regard to the selectifln of wheat and other grain for seed, are very just. It is astonishing how careless the majority of farmerg are in the selection of their seed grain, trusting too often to the farm hands to select what they should attend to in person ; yet they expect to find all their seed to come up, and frequently blame land or man- ure for what is really their own fault, the sowing bad seed. Soiling. For the benefit of " F." of Chester County, I will send you some extracts on soiling which may be of value to him. Let any of your readers who have experience, speak out, not only on the subject of ^soil- ing, but on any other matter. To them I say, do not be afraid of exposing your own errors by writing to an agricultural journal, they will be checked and cor- rected by the experience of others. Your mode of farming may embrace some valuable truths unknop to your fellow readers, but of practical value to thea when known and adopted. Write for your own ftgri* cultural papers. H. H. 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. iiZ Drills and Drill Seeding. This article should be For the Farm Journal. SOILING CATILE. ^ Rose Cottage, Lancaster, Sept., 1856. Gentlemen: — I send you herewith a communici* tion on the subject of soiling cattle, which was written for and published in the Albany Cultivator, by James Gowen, Esq., of Mount Airy, Philadelphia, February 6th, 1843, and which will, I think, give your correspondent **F." of Chester county, some insight into the matter. I copy from the Cultivator. " Messrs. Editors.— From the many letters ad* dressed'to me since the publication in your Novembe? No. of a communication relating to Bokhare clovtf and soiling, it seems necessary that I should explais what appeared to my respectable correspondents so extraordinary — the having fed so numerous a herd from so small a quantity of land. My stock of cattle for the last three years, has not been less than 40 head, which, had I pastured in tlie usual way, would certainly have consumed all the grass on my farm, leaving none to mow, which I obviated, as I said, ** by keeping them in good condi* tion on three or four acres." It would have bfitf better, had I said, with the aid of three or four acres in Lucerne, Rye and Clover, which enabled me to save more than one hundred tons of good hay. I must also add, or throw into the account, a lot of eight or nine acres, in which there is a itone quarry. Its condition may be understood when I say, had it been allotted solely to one cow for the season, she would have been doomed to short com- mons. There was, however, good water in the lot ; this, with the change and exercise it furnished, made it of considerable value for the purpose of soiling. It may also be proper to remark, that I own a woodland farm, distant about two miles from the homestead. Thither I send, in the spring, about a dozen dry cattle. This division left/me on hand last summer, to provide for at home, about 20 head full grown cattle, and a few full blooded young heifers, and several calves. My resources were two acres in rye and clover; both seeds sowed at the same time, the previous August, and one acre of Lucerne, in the spring of e84l. I also sowed,; in order to be fully provided, an acre of Indian corn, broadcast, which was not used green: it was cut and cured for winter fodder. I began to cut the rye for the cattle in the middle of April, it was very thick and quite tall, shooting into head, before through with it, the heads were formed. It was cut high, to save the young clover that stood with it. The rye fed off*, the lucerne was ready, stalks as high as 2 i to 3 feet. When the lucerne was fed, then the rye and clover was fit for cutting: audit was suprising to see the second crop of rye so thick and tall. This time, clover cut with it. This through, the lucerne, which may be called ** cut and come again," was provokingly tall, and yielded a heavier crop than at first. Then the ck)ver which had been once cut, was ready, and before through with it, the lucerne was again fit for cutting. It and the clover were cut alternately, or fed together, as convenience or fancy might determine. Before my season for soiling (the middle of Augui^t) was ended, the lucerne's third, and clover's second crop, were not consumed. The remainder was cut for the hogs, who had all the leavings of the cattle pre- viously. In fact, this proved very beneficial to them. I had about 20 large hogs, and some sows and pigs. In the hot weather, confined as they were to their pens, what the cattle left of the rye, lucerne, and clover, was refreshing and cooling to them. I said my season for soiling ended the middle of August. Why ? Because I cut no second crop for hay. The cattle were then turned in upon the orchard grass and clover fields, " up to the eyes," and from middle of September, to 1st October upon the timothy fields — in all, some 60 acres, on which they made but little impression. Early in November, they Were withdrawn, and put to turnips and other roots, of which I have generally a large supply for winter. No one can see my grass fields in winter, without ^ing surprised at the thick and closely matted sod that so perfectly covers them. Indeed, were a sensible farmer led over them blindfold, he could not but ap- preciate their condition, for their softness and elasticity would prove it to him ; and this too, on some of the highest lands in the highlands of the county of Phila- delphia, washed by the Schuylkill, and the more romantic and precipitate Wissahiccon, on whose banks, in my immediate neighbourhood, the laurel grows as luxuriantly as on the shelving slopes of the Blue Mountains.. But to return to the feeding the green food. That cut late in the afternoon, was fed early next morning ; that cut early in the morning was fed at noon ; that cut about noon was fed that evening. This was the general practice. No more was brought into the stables at a time, than what was supposed to be required for one feeding. When the cattle were fed in the morning, they were turned out to the yard, and there left to stand for at least half an hour, or while their troughs and stables were being cleaned, then drove to the quarry lot above described. The yard was then cleaned, every dropping carefully put away on the dung heap. Before, or by 11 o'clock, they were brought home and fed : and by four in the afternoon, when the sun was declining, turned out as in the morning, drove to the lot ; from which they were brought back by sun setting, and fed— remaining in the stables all night. The cattle had no other food except occasionally a little good hay, which they were provoked to eat a handful of, as often as possible, and which is very necessary where so much green food is consumed. If the hay be thrown to them in quantity, while on green food, they will but waste it, not eat it. The best way is to tempt them by a handful, which, if they bite at, and eat, they may be then served with a small wisp in their troughs or racks. This with a regular supply of clean salts was all the food they had from the middle of April, till the middle of August, a period of four months. Now as to the expense. One man and a boy, whose united wages were seventeen dollars a month, did all. The patch from which the food was cut, was, as it should be, close to the stables. The sujiply was brought in on hand barrows, wheeled into the entry, and served by hand into the troughs. Sometime!, when the horses were not specially engaged, a horse and cart was permitted, but this led to bringing too much at a time, and it being tilted at the door, carried on a fork some distance, tossed and turned too often, which rendered it objectionable, to say nothing of the danger of the food attracting some dirt or rubbish. Cleanliness in feeding cattle, is at all times essential, but in soiling it is indispensable ; unless the troughs or racks are well cleaned after every feeding, and the stables kept clean and well ventilated, the cattle will assuredly fall off in appetite, if not take a specific disease. The expense of this practice was in reality nothing to me ; it was some work superadded to the man and boy, who would be engaged taking care of this number of cattle, in cleaning them, driving them TIGHT BINDING 344 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE EARMER. [NOVEMBU, to and from the fields— the Durhams having to be milked three times a day — the keeping of the stables clean, and taking special care of the manure. Bat suppose this man and boy to be extra help, then am I sure it cost me not a farthing. Every two horse loads of good manure, purchased in the city, laid down on my place, will stand me in $5 00. Then I am free to say, that the extra quantity of manure saved by soiling, was not less in the period of four months, than 20 loads. From this is to be deducted extra straw, rent of the three acres, and cost of producing the green food. But the great profit lay in the many acres producing two tons of hay to the acre, which if the cattle had been turned out upon, by the 1st of May, would have been despoiled ; and which was prevented, by feeding them from the three acre patch, behind the barn. Simple as these details are, they may seem to some difficult to put in practice. To such I can only say — try ; but let them not begin till they are prepared; having a good patch of orchard grass and clover, lucerne or corn. Rye, I do not recommend ; when quite young it may do, but when in head and filling, it is not good. I adopted it because it came early. How many are there, who, if they would mow the head lands of grain, corn, and potato fields, might in this way furnish a considerable item of th« food requisite for soiling, to which might be added the extra shoots in corn hills ; all this would benefit the lands by clearing the weeds from the fences, and it would pay, so far as the growing corn is concerned. Our southern friends might derive much benefit from partial soiling. A close or strict soiling in our climate, I would recommend to none. But the appropriating one field, where there is water or shade, for air and exercise, while many fields may be used for cropping that otherwise would be made bare by the cattle, and their equivalent in grass made from three or four acres, is a practice that may find favor with all, on arable, fight, upland soils. Respectfully, James Gowen. Let us now see what Massachusetts does in this matter, again I have recource to that valuable '* old stand by," the Albany Cultivator. I select from the "Cultivator" for June, 1845, the following. ** The farm of Cheever Newhall, Esq., in Dorchester, six miles from Boston, furnishes one of the best examples of productive husbandry, we have any where met with. It consists of sixty acres, a (ew of which are still in wood. Several acres are taken up by the grounds about the house, in garden, shrubberry, &c., and there are eight or ten acres in orcharding, yet the farm supports twenty-five cows, one bull, four oxen and three horses. All this stock is supported entirely from the farm, with the exception of a few oats occasionally for the carriage horses, and some wheat bran for the cows. The soil was originally very strong and some of it wet. Soiling. — Mr. Newhall keeps his stock altogether upon the soiling system. They are fed mostly in the 1856.] barn, at all seasons of the year. The cows are turned, out for a few hours in each day, when the weather wiB admit of it, and are driven for exercise to a small shaded enclosure, about a quarter of a mile from thi barn. They are perfectly healthy, and Mr. NewhaH thinks, give quite as much, if not more, milk, in the course of the year, as they would do if grazed in summer in the ordinary way. The cows average 420 gallons per year, and the milk is sold at the farm it an average of fourteen cents per gallon. season, are rye and Indian corn, cut green. The former is sown in the fall, and is the first thing thit is fit to cut in the spring. It may be commenced qb as soon as it is high enough to mow, and will continue to grow until the usual time that rye matures, bf which time, the com, which is most relied on, is U for use. Corn is the most productive of fodder of an? crop which can be grown. The past season, Mr. Newhall kept twenty three cows for eight weeks, wholly from two acres and a half of corn. He is confident thit one acre of rich land is more than sufficient to keepi cow the year round — ihat is, it will afford sufficient green food in summer, and leave enough to be dried to keep the cow through the winter. In 1843, Mr. Newhall measured a square rod, being part of a lot of corn sown for fall and winter use, and carefully | weighed the produce, which he found to be at the rate of more than thirty two tons to the acre. It was tbea carefully dried, when it weighed 160 lbs. to the rod, or nearly thirteen totis to the acre. He prefers planting in the drill mode, three feet apart, and uses two to three bushels of seed (of the southern corn) per acre. Large quantities of carrots, potatoes, and beets are grown for winter feeding. The white carrot is Um kind most cultivated— it is easier raised than other sorts, and generally yields better — giving from 800 to 1000 bushels per acre. Each cow is fed during winter, with from a peck to half a bushel of roots per day, with a little wheat bran, in addition to their dry fodder." These two instances of the value of soiling will, I hope sufficiently contradict the Chester county farmers who think cattle cannot thrive on it. II. H -^''^-ll^^Z^^^^^^ ^^^ PROGRESSIVE I^ARMER. 345 -«•»- For the Farm Journal. PRACTICAL HUSBANDRY. Sketch of a visit to (he Farm of J aims Oowen^ Mt. Airy. Messrs. E itors : The example of eminent practical agriculturi^ affords the emulous husbandman the means of improve* ment that would be otherwise exceedingly difficult to ob- tain. Indeed, there is nothing pertaining to rural afiaitf* that will contribute more to elevate the mind of the practi- cal farmer, than directing his attention to the systematic iind prosperous condition of those farms whose owners re- joice in the bountiful harvests that crown their efToits witk success. In view of this consideration, it is important that agricultural writers should impress upon iheir minds tW truthi as it is a confirmed fact, that a single description oi a well managed farm, oftentimes, incites the careless aiw „„prov.den. rmer „,o a feelmg „f emuI.Uon, that f,e. | ue wa. abootTS^TI^J. ^,„^^, ,hc bushe, growii;^* ,„e„ yr.su.. m a la.tmg .^provement. both to him«lf together, tbu, forming a b-autiful perspec.ive view h!„" .ad Ins children. Indulg.ng ,„ the«, remarks, reminda of which gradually temunated in the dLnce AM your corrrspondent Ihat a brief description of a visit to the it constituted a very attractive fea.ure beautiful farm of James Gowen, at Mount Airy, in compa- ny with Messrs. A. Cornell, G. Engle, and Jona. Knight, would no doubt prove interesting and instructive to those of your readers who have not the opportunity to view it personally. The mansion of Mr. Gowen, in connection with the «ur. rounding ornamental grounds, is beautifully situated on the extreme elevation of a gently rising hill, called Mount Airy, which gives it an elevated position, sufficient to afford a view, from the observatory, of a region of country many miles in extent. The exterior is built in the most substan- tial manner of stone, and beautifully rough cast, while the interior contains every department that convenience and taste could suggest to contribute to the comfort of the prac- tical farmer. The first object, however, to which we di- rected our special attention was the Ice-llouse, which is ingeniously formed by underarching the sodded bank of earth which serves to beautify the Eastern corner of the ground floor basement, at the same time affording one of the coolest situations imag nable. Connecting with the ice-house, is the summer spring-house, or vault, for pre- serving the milk and butter ; a cool air baing constantly obtained from the ice-house, by means o( a door opening .... - ««'d was much ad- mired for the antique appearance it presented. The Grapery being in proximity, it was now referred to and the abundance of superior grapes depending from thJ overladen trellis work, was truly a iheme for comment. Mr. G. stated that this grapery had been planted but three vears. and vel Hp haa ai Curing Cornstalks. — A correspondent of the Meim Farmer says his method of saving cornstalks is to cutaai lay tL'^m on the hills the butt ends highest, for tlA reason: if it rains no water will collect inside of the bantl part of the leaf, and should it be rainy for several d»y» while the stalks are gi'een they will receive but litA injury. He speaks from experience. When he bindi them, which may be done the same day they are cat," the weather is doubtful, he hauls them directly into** barn, pitches them on to the hay mow, and spreads tfc* out as he used to spread flax. They may lay a footthidE or more, cutting the binders as he lays them down. W need no more care, and are as bright and fresh a« c*" be wished. THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER 347 IMPROVED BROAD-CAST SEED-SOWER. The Invention illustrated by our engraving, and which has been recently patented by Hosea Willard, of Ver- gennes, Vt., is intended for broad- cast seed sowing, cov- ering and harrowing. The grain to be planted is con- tained within the two cylindrical holders, A, A^ both of which revolve upon a common shaft, I. Motion is given to the shaft by means of belts and pulleys, which connect With the cart-wheels. The grain is introduced into the holders by withdrawing one of the screens, B. which slides out for that purpose. When the holders rotate, the grain passes down through the screens, strikes upon the inclined board D, and falls to the ground. E are guides placed upon the surface of B, and standing upon the edges as shown. Their object is to guide the grain so that when the ma- chine is used on hilly ground, the seed will not all slide down on one side, and thus be imperfectly sown. The guides cause the grain to be evenly delivered from the machine, no matter what the nature of the ground. The guides are pivoted, and their upper ends all connected together by means of a rod, F ; therefore, when F is op- erated, all the guides will be simultaneously moved TIGHT BINDING 348 THE FAR3f JOURNAL AND PROGRB PIVB FARMER. [Noviifn, Where a hill is very steep, or where, from other special circumstances, it is desirable to control the delivery of the seed from the board, D, it may be instantly done by moving F, through its handle, G. C are covers for the screens; the covers move in the direction of the arrow, and close over the screens, so that the discharge of the grain may be accurately regulated or wholly cut off, as desired. H is a revolving harrow, for covering the grain. It is attached to the rear of the machine, and receives motion from the cart wheel by pulleys and chains, as shown. J is a lever whereby the driver lifts the harrow from the ground, when it is not waiited for use. This machine is quite simple in construction and con- venient for use. The inventor claims for it the following among other advantages, viz : The harrow will cut up the ground more freely than those in common use ; the soil being lifted by the harrow, will fall and cover the grain ; the harrow teeth being placed on a cylinder are not liable to clog up with rubbish. The seed may be planted in drills or broad-cast; it will sow all kinds of grain, also cotton seed, lime, plaster, Ac* The appara- tus can be readily set to sow any desired quantity of seed per acre. Grain sown by this machine will be like- ly to grow up evenly, since it will be evenly sown and harrowed in. The loss occasioned by the trampling of the animal's feet, estimated by some at 20 per cent., is avoided, for the grain falls behind the point of traction. Less power is required to draw the machine than to drag the common harrow. 4«» For the Farm Journal. BOTS IN HORSES. Messrs. Editors.— There have of late several arti- cles appeared in the Journal on this important subject. The last writer, in the September number, signing ** P." gives so cruel a cure, ** drenching with blood and some other purgative medicine,'* that I cannot forbear speaking a word to endeavor to stop a prac- tice causing such unnecessary suffering. It appears to me there is but one question in connection with bots in horses ; this once settled, the treatment is unmistakable, innocent, easy and certain in its effect. The question is, ** Do bots ever hurt horses ? " Upon this our best authors and veterinary surgeons differ, some contend that the worms eat through the stomach and kill the horse ; while others sa}"- they only break through for the purpose of maHng their escape after death has been caused by some other disease. Should this question be decided in the negative, — the only | treatment is to let them alone, while to those who de- cide in the affimative, it is nearly as simple. All that is necessary to prevent the possibility of bots getting into horses is, after the eggs have been deposited on the horse about a month or six weeks, to wash those parts of the animal once a day with warm water, when all which are sufficiently matured will hatch in an instant and be destroyed, and the horse will not lick off any more for twenty- four hours. In the July number of the Journal, some person, over the signature of " Dclos," recommends a quantity of salt to prevent the worms hatching in the stomach of the horse. I would ask Mr. D. whether he e»» saw one hatch there ? Salt may be good for hoi% but it is not necessary for the purpose of preventi^ bots, for there has never yet an egg of the "gad-fly (astrus equi) hatched in the stomach of a horse, igj should one ever get there at the proper time for hatct ing, my word for it, it would not wait to ask whether the stomach was foul or sweet. After the eggs hif, rvAA«% w«k*-«v%ri.^«!%-^ IP. .#»^««^#.**« 1^»»«^a1« ^^^f,^. ^ J 1. . 1 OiixiiM. vtcpv^oiicrvi a xiQiiaiu iciigvu \Ji iJUic, lue UOrSe fflr some reason or other best known to himself, licks thea, and upon the application of the tongue, they hatck instantaneously and find their way down his thwii That Mr. Delos' theory of the bots hatching in afimj stomach only, is erroneous, any person may conyjntt himself by the following simple experiment—when the eggs are ripe for hatching, which will be in Octo- ber and the early part of November, take a piece c( black silk, put it for a few moments into water at the temperature of 100° Fahrenheit, then pass it as quick- ly as he pleases over the part where the eggs are d^ posited, and upon examination he will find hundreds of the little grubs moving quickly about in search of a passage to the stomach. I would not advise himto try the experiment by applying his tongue, lest he should learn more about bots than he wishes to know, Yery respectfully, Francis ScnHEivm, Moss Grove, Sept. 14, 1856. N. B. — I do not claim this as a discovery ; ithu been published long ago, and ought to be universaDj known, and any owner of a horse who will not attend to it, is not worthy of so noble a slave. F. S. 1856.] THE FARM JOUNRALAND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. "*•»> For the Farm Journal. SCHUYLKILL CO. AGRICULTURAL, HORTICULTURAl AND MECHANICAL ASSOCIATION. The first Annual Exhibition of this Association com- menced on the 24th of September and closed on the 28tli, at Schuylkill Haven. The display in all departm nte (except Agricultural Implements) exceeded all expecti- tions. All passed off to general satisfaction. The at- tendance "vras large, and the behavior of those attending was much better than is usual on such occasions. With the exception of a few trifling accidents, happening through the gross carelessness of the suffering partie« themselves, nothing marred the pleasure of the visitor! during the Exhibition. The weather was favorable, boi the dust almost intolerable. Had it not been for the latter, fully one half more would have attended this faif- The Association, although only organized on the 26th of July, 1856, under the 4th section of the act incorpont- ing the Tennsylvania State Society, has so fully estab- lished its character as to warrant future success. I*"* in the hands of the first and best farmers in the countyi who will spare nothing to make it one of the best Socie- ties in the State. The Exhibition ground is admirably adapted for the purpose, and with a trifle of expense, can be made to stand second to none in the Union. Th* necessity of affording the public a more central location and easy of access, at which to hold exhibitions of tfeJ* j kind, has caused this institution. The old Society, under ^ a special act, unfortunately located at Orwigsburg, be- ing on the decline for want of a more judicious location, the object is to have finally but one Society in the coun- ty. The founders of the old Society learned by experi- ence that an organization of this kind will not do in a small, declining village, three miles off from a railroad, in these days of steam travel, and have connected them- selves with the new organization at the thriving borough of Schuylkill Haven. October 13, 1856. -•••► For the Farm Journal. HEAVY CLOVER. Is a former number of the Journal we noticed an arti- cle under the head ** A large stalk of Clover," stating that a stalk of clover had been presented to the Editor, which measured over three feet in length. In conside- ration of that being considered a long stalk in Eastern Pennsylvania, we would like, if it were possible, to hand you n specimen of the article as it grows in Crawford Co. But as this is next to impossible, if you will prom- ise that your readers will not exclaim *' Munchausen," we will try to give you a correct idea of it by descrip- tion. A field of clover here which does not average three feet in length in any favorable season, is not a first rate crop. We have just been cutting our seed clover, which we find, in many places, to measure four and a half feet. A neighbor tells us that he found in his field some stalks which, while growing in the ground at his feet, he stretched up at his sides, standing erect, and tied them together upon the top of his head. These must have been at least six feet in length, though he did not meas- ure them. But this is not what I intended to describe. We have just been measuring and counting the product of a single seed in the form of a plant of the second year, which grew without manure, upon a dry timothy mead- ow, cleared two years ago. The number of main stalks, starting at the ground from the one root, are forty-five ; average length of main stalk, three feet ; average length of stalks, including side branches, twelve feet ; whole length of stalks bearing heads, five hundred and forty feet ; number of red heads, five hundred and seventy-six. This does not include heads which were just forming, of which there were some. Now if any of your numerous readers can heat this— please let them bring on their clover ! If they feel dis- posed to doubt the above, please tell them we have the animal, and think we can find more like him for exhibi- tion at Moss Grove. Very respectfully, August 14, 1856. Yours, &c. F. S. «•» — Compiled for the Farm Jonrnal. TEMPEEAMENT IN ANIMALS. Human physiologists pay considerable attention to the temperament, and though we do not profess to make the same nice distinction with regard to brutes, yet It is extremely important to keep in mind those general and distinctive varieties of temperament which operate so powerfully in characterising various animals. ^e may then broadly divide the temperaments of animals into three kinds, the nervous, the thoracic, ana the abdominal. In proportion as the nervous system, the chest or the abdomen, is strongly developed, may we consider an animal to belong to one class or the other. In the breeding of animals for the purpose of the butcher, such as sheep, oxen, &c , the grand object has been to establish the supremacy of the belly, so as to preserve and perpetuate that form of abdomen most favorable to the due performance of the digestive affording the capability of extracting the utmost quantity of nourishment from the food, and at the same time, diminishing as much as possible the development of the nervous system, (which would induce too much irritability, and destroy that indolence and quietness so essential for the fattening process,) as well as that of the organs of respiration, which give at once the capability and the disposition for muscular exertion. The advantage of this peculiar temperament (the lymphatic) is strikingly manifest in the sheep, particularly the Leicester, which is justly regarded as one of the most perfect specimens of meat producing animals, and, perhaps, no other in the creation posesses in so high a degree, the power of converting vegetable substances into the utmost quantity of animal food. It possesses the most perfect, and in proportion to the size of the animal, the most capacious digestive organs, whilst its nervous and thoracic organs are altogether secondary. In the Southdown and Cheviot, these systems are brought into great play, activity being more required, but the brain and chest, are still subservient to the belly. The ox on the other hand, is naturally adapted for, and, indeed, often employed in laborious work. The locomotive organs therefore, are more developed ; there is greater intelligence, and the body is longer in coming to maturity than in the sheep, and the muscles are more interlaced with muscle and sinew. The chest and nervous system are consequently, more fully developed, though the belly is still supreme. The Devon cattle have long been regarded as the best workers, and possess greater activity in their locomo- tive powers; their lungs and brain are therefore, more developed, but their feeding properties were, as might be anticipated, somewhat inferior to the Short Horn or the Herefords. In the horse, the brain and chest are far more highly developed, than in the ox, but there is a great variety in this respect in the different breeds. Whilst the heavy cart horse approaches the ox in the sluggish- ness of its temperament, and the preponderance and power of its digestive organs, the thorough bred animal is distinguished by opposite qualifications: the chest and the brain are more highly developed, and the belly no longer has the preponderance. Although the cart horse is an unprofitable feeder compared with the ox, yet he is highly profitable compared with the thorough bred horse. A hundred weight of hay, or a bushel of oats, will make less flesh in the latter than in the former, but the muscular vigor produced by it will be in a superior and more concentrated form. A cart colt will thrive on keep that will starve a thorough bred, but the former will TIGHT BINDING \ 850 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. sink exhausted from exertions that will not tire the latter. What is called hreed in horses, consists in the superior organization of the nervous and thoracic organs, as compared with the abdominal ; the chest is deeper and more capacious, and the brain and nerves more highly developed. More air is respired, more blood purified, more nervous energy expended. Whilst the heavy cart horse may be considered to possess the lymphatic temperament, the blooded horse may be regarded as the emblem of the nervous and sanguine temperament combined, the latter, however, predom- inating. When the nervous temperament has the ascendancy, the animal will carry but little flesh, but will go till he drops, never seeming to tire. He will, however, takq too much out of himself, become thinner, and is, what is called a hot horse. When the sanguine temperament greatly prevails, the horse will have great muscular powers, but not much inclination to put them to the stretch. When the lymphatic tem- perament has superior influence, the animal though looking fresh and fat, and starting well at first, will soon flag and knock up, and will rather endure the lash than make an extra exertion. It is the happy combination of the three temperaments, that makes a perfect horse, when severe exertion is demanded. The full development of the abdominal organs is essential inasmuch as it is through the food that both the muscular system and the nervous energy is furnished. If the digestion is weak, the other powers will be inefficiently supplied. The sanguineous organs are needed to furnish the muscular powers, and the nervous system is demanded to furnish the muscles with the requisite energy, and the capability for endurance. What is called bottom in the horse, is neither njore or less than the abundant supply of nervous energy, the muscles at the same time being well developed. A well bred sheep and a well bred horse refer to totally different qualities ; and inariving at improve- ment, we should endeavour to foster in the one animal that which we would fain suppress in the other. [NoviMi,^ 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 851 teen and a half hours— amounts to from 240 to 3ft insects per hour, and the enormous number of 9511 insects per day ; this is without allowing any for tj parent wrens to eat. Even allowing them not to work quite so hard,i, the figures are so high, and say they will average o)„ insect a minute, even that would amount to 1,000 jkj OaV. How inanv vniUinmi rrtnqf K« ^«o»«^-^ J •- son ! Imagine all these millions that are destroyeii besides all that are not destroyed, and where would be all our crops of grain, grass, fruit, &c. To any thinking mind, this, of itself, would shot the very great wrong in permitting boys to wantonlj kill or frighten these little songsters, and 1 thini would go far to show the necessity of a law to prevent such. From F. 9- Larden's Agricultural Note Book PRESERVATION OF LITTLE BIRDS. AND THEIR TTSE. This is a subject that, very properly, much has been said about, and it cannot, in my opinion, be harped on too often— viz : The Preservation of Little Birds. They not only enliven and enchant us with their sweet songs, but destroy the farmer's worst enemies— cut- worms, grubs and other insects that destroy and live oflfof the farmer's toil. A law should be enacted to put a stop to the wanton cruelty of killing these use- ful little pets. I closely observed a pair of little wrens that built in my portico, and which had young for the third time this season, feeding their young, for both male and female feed. My observation was this— that the two carried as food to their young, from four to six worms and other insects in a minute, which, in their work- ing day-that is, from half past three o'clock in the morning to eight o'clock in the evening, making six WHERE AND HOW GUANO IS OBTAINED. The New York Evening Post furnishes the follow, ing interesting account : An intelligent gentleman, who has been employed ii loading a ship with guano at the Chincha Islandsii the coast of Peru, has communicated to us someint* esting information with respect to the trade. IlehM been at the islands at three different times, and nearly six months in all. The last time he was there was in the fall and summer of 1855. He says that he foundsl times five hundred sail of vessels there, loading with guano, generally large ships. One ship was 4,500 too burden. Not less than three hundred sail of veisdi are now at the islands, for the United States, Spaii, Portugal, France, and English, and German ports. Some cargoes are sent to Constantinople and some to Russian ports in the Black Sea. This was before tin war in the Crimea. The Russian trade will now open again, both from the Black Sea and the Baltic. Fi-eights are high; £6 lOs. are often paid per ton for Liverpool and Hampton Roads. Generally ten shilling more a ton freight is paid to Europe. At the rate it which guano is now shipped from the Chincha IslandJ, it will be exhausted in six to eight years— not a ton will be left. Twenty thousand tons are sometimes re- moved from the islands in a single day. These islands are about one hundred miles north from Callao. The longest of the group is two miles ia length and a quarter of a mile wide, but contains only 1 small quantity of guano. The most northerly islandii the smallest, being about a mile in length by half 1 mile in breadth. Guano on this island is two hundred and fifty feet deep. The island contains a Chinese settlement of Coolies, about a thousand in number, who are employed in digging guano and loading tin vessels. A task is given them each day and if the ganj fail to get out the given number of wagon loads, of two tons each a day their bondage is continued a longer period, so as to make it up ; so many months ord»yi being added as wagon loads are wanting. The Coolies are cheated into the belief that they »i« to be shipped from China to California and the goW diggings, and are further deceived by the offer of • I free passage. The knowing Chinese, or the Mandarin^ I ship them. The ship- master carries them to the Pe- ruvian coast, and sells the cargo of living Chinese to the Peruvian government for his freight money. All this time the Chinamen are kept in irons and confined below in the ship. The Peruvian government pur- chase the cargo of living Coolies, paying the Yankee or English captain a round sum for his care, diligence and labor in stealing Chinamen from their homes to V. «...v^i> iw^/\ *l»f» ^..^~^ *«,:.,.> „i*T>-_-- i», _ » •<• -,./*. n uo Bcui/ lucw viiC yt*i»#*v miuca ui reru lor me, or lor iivc to seven years, and to be held in bondage or peonage to pay their passage to the glorious land of the Meas, The guano is hard, and can only be broken up with the pickaxe. It is then broken and shoveled into the wagons, and rolled from the shutes into the vessels. No person can go upon or come away from the islands without a pass as they are guarded by more than one hundred soldiers belonging to Peru. The Peruvians send all their prisoners of state into the guano mines, say about two to three hundred. where they are let out to work by day, and at night are shut up in their cells, with only two meals per day. These prisoners are generally provided with wives or female companions, who have been permitted to go to the islands, and hire themselves out for work and prostitution. They are mostly Indians, natives of the country. There is no fresh water on the islands, and each vessel is compelled by law to carry a ton of fiesh water there for erQty hundred tons burden of the ship. The oldest captain in the fleet from each nation is appointed Commodore, and hoists his flag as such on his ship, where all disputes are settled. In- deed the municipal laws of the islands and of the fleet are of decidedly Yankee origin. The islands are about ten miles from the main land, and are composed of red sandstone. The guano is not all bird dung, but is largely composed of the mud of the ocean ; that brought from Peru is so, at least. When anchors are hoisted into the ship from the hold- ing grounds of vessels along the Peruvian coasts, large quantities of mud, of a greenish white color, are brought up, and this mud, when dried, makes guano equally good with that taken from the islands. The birds and seals come upon the island when the I^ople are not at work, but it does not appear that their dung or decayed bodies are more than a foot rv^vik %\/ A c»\/AU|L* c*aA\A TV AAV «**a.\*vA stand every turn which can prove of advantage to them in the contest. We leave the reader to decide in what degree such trials serve to improve the breed of horses. They may stimulate the young farmer to the more thor- ough training of his fastest horse, or to the purchase of the speedie-it nag in his vicinity at an extravagant price, but we very much doubt whether they serve, except in a very remote degree, to improve the breed of that class of horses which need improvement most — our draught horses. We have not a doubt that the gentlemen who control the Society have only good in view — that they honestly and sincerely disclaim the remotest intention of converting the Society into an institution for the encour- agement of racing ; but we are compelled frankly to acknowledge that such appears to be its tendency, and that every subsequent exhibition but adds strength to the opinion. Trials of speed, and the display of fast horses do, and will continue to attract the crowd, but while they constitute the charm of the exhibition, and aid largely in filling the coffers of the Society, it becomes a question how far such displays and such trials are cal- culated to promote the object of the Society, viz : the advancement of the Farmer's interests. We are compelled by want of space, to say no more on this subject, and as we shall probably publish the list of premiums, our readers will have an opportunity of judg- ing for themselves whose were the fastest horses, and whose were considered worthy of the handsome premi- ums offered. STOCK DEPARTMENT. The Stock Department embraced a larger display of really first class animals, of the various breeds of cattle, sheep and swine than has before been exhibited in this country. It is very seldom, indeed, that the peculiar distinctions and merits which characterise the different breeds are presented together, for such convenient com- parison and study, as they were at the recent exhibition. Not only were there specimens of Devons, Durhams, Ayrshires, Herefords and Alderneys among the cattle, Cotswolds, Southdowns, Saxon, Silesian, French and Spanish Merinos, and Tartars among the sheep, Suffolk, Berkshire and Chester breeds among the swine, but the very best and choicest animals of all these, from the best herds in this country and in Europe. There has been much improvement of stock in Pennsylvania, but by far the largest portion are grade animals, developing more or less of valuable points, but still not showing the full type of the improved breed, which can only be represent- ed by the thorough-bred. We consider the opportunity of observation, especially for our young farmers, at the late fair to have been very valuable, and amply suflScient to compensate for any time and expense they may have incurred. The Durhams, exhibited by Samuel Thome, ¥ TIGHT BINDING 354 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [^OVBlcm^ 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. 855 of New York, far surpassed anything we had ever seen. The magnificent bull, Neptune, excited general admira- tion, not on account of his superiority in certain fine points, but for his excellence in everything constituting the beau ideal of a perfect animal. The difficulty was to find anything defectiye, or not exactly right. Not only did his form and handling seem perfect, but he had the air, and carriage, and bearing of a noble, highborn bull, and stalked about with his fine, erect head and intelli- gent eye, as if conscious of his superiority over the com- mon herd around him. We shall never forget Neptune. And then such heifers from the same herd. Lady Mel- licent, Lallah Rookh, Peerless, Mistress Gwynn, Azalea, &c. Thousands of spectators, in their walks around the grounds, were attracted and riveted in their attention to these model animals. Their owner, who has spared no expense in importing the best blood of England, deserves the thanks of the whole country. We profess to know something about Durhams, but never before met with their equals. The Herefords of U. H. Totham, the De- vons of Messrs. McHenry, of Maryland, Failes & Wain- wright. of New York, and Cumen & Martin, of Pa., and the Alderneys of Messrs. Twaddel & Remington, of Pa,, Glenn & McHenry, of Maryland, and Colt, of N. Jersey, all occupied as high a position as first class animals in their respective breeds, as the Durhams from S. Thome. As before remarked, we have never in this country, seen 80 many first class animals together. The sheep and swine also attracted great attention, and were models in their line. Some imported Southdown bucks, from the flock of Jonas Webb, (the best in England) and which had but recently arrived, were much admired, as were the beautiful ewes of the iame breed, belonging to our friend Joseph Cope, who has long been known as a pro- minent breeder of Southdowns. There seems to be now in the country all the materials for improving our stcck, and bringing them up to the highest standard. The en- terprise and public spirit of our farmers have purchased for us the results of the most scientific breeding of Eng- land and the Continent, and we should now be pleased to see a general disposition to embrace the rare advan- tages of crossing our best stock in this section with such animals as have lately been brought together, so that the tables may be turned, and cattle, sheep and swine be ex- ported instead of imported. AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. The display of Agricultural Implements was very large, and of superior quality. There was not a very great number of new or improved articles, the standard implements now in general use preponderating. Still there was a fair number of new machines, some of which we considered meritorious and to which we propose refen-ing in future, but by far the greater portion of them were untried, and gave but little promise of useful- ness. The principal contributors in this department were Messrs Nourse, Mason & Co., of Boston, D. Landretli & Son, Paschall Morris & Co., Rogers & Boyer, and Charles Bradfield. Ther were quite a large number of entries of single implements, such as Reapers and Mowers Com Shellers, Straw Cutters, &c. As many of these as c ould be, were put into operation, giving an interest to the exhibition, which attracted large crowds every day We were pleased to observe that notwithstanding th« attractions of the horse ring, and the fine stock, there was a marked interest felt in the implement department by the farming portion of the visitors at least. It ^^ to be regretted that a more enlarged space for the dispUj of implements had not been assigned. As it was, ^ exhibitors were exceedingly cramped for room, and had not an opportunity of showing their goods as advantage- of implements and machines had not been anticipated or perhaps better provision for their exhibition would biTe been made. We think we are safe in asserting that this department was better represented than it has ever been at »ny Agricultural Exhibition held in the United States. Our readers will bear us out in the assertion, that we have ever regarded the awards of premiums at Agrieul* tural Exhibitions as far better calculated to mislead than enlighten the farmer. Of course, where awards are based upon actual trial before the committee, they possess some value, but it is absolutely impossible to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion in regard to the actual merits of a machine from the very casual examination which committees are enabled to give them on the exhibition ground, during the fair. The report of the Committee on Discretionary Premiums, which is herewith appended, embodies our views so fully, that we commend it to the earnest consideration not only of our readers but of every sincere friend of agriculture. We hope that the premiums ofi^ered for the largest displays will be abolished, and that hereafter no premium will be awarded by any society, the merits of which have not been thoroughly tested hy actual practical trial, before a competent committee. The awards of the committee were as follows : CLASS IX. — AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. For the best collection of agricultural implements manufactured by the exhibitor, first premium of $100 — David Landrcth & Sons, of Philadelpliia; second do $75— Paschall Morris & Co., of do ; third do $50- Nourse, Mason & Co., Boston. [It is proper to remark, that if skill in workmanshif and design only had been consulted, the last firm would have been entitled to a higher premium, as their work manifested a high skill m their branch, especially in the plough department, which was adapted to every character of ground likely to be met with, but the Committee felt themselves bound by the terms of the premium indicated.] For the best and largest collection of agricultural im- plements, without reference to the manufacturers, first premium $100— Paschall Morris & Co., Philadelphia; second do $50 —David Landreth & Sons, of do ; third do $25— Bradfield & Gillingham, of do. Here is the report of the Committee on Discretionary Premiums. The Committee on Discretionary Premiums beg leave respectfully to report that, upon proceeding to the pe^ formance of their duties, they found more than sixty (60) articles entered for their consideration, and only two hundred (200) dollars placed at their disposal for awards. That their list embraced some of the mobt important of all the implements of agriculture, such as ploughs, cultivators, mowers and reapers, threshers, I harvesters, grain mills, hay-presses, and a great number of other machines, of more or less value. In addition to these sixty articles, there have since been exhibited to us over fifty others, which were intended^ by their owners, to have been considered by the Committee, with especial reference to a Discretionary Premium, thus enlarging our field of observation to more than one hundred implements. limited amount of means at their control, to award to such implements as they deemed meritorious, premiums at all consistent with their worth or the dignity of a National Society, they have, nevertheless, occupied the time of two entire days in making their examinations, have patiently listened to the explanations afforded by exhibitors, and where it was possible, have made com- parative trials in similar machines. These earnest endeavors to arrive at a correct decision upon the merits of machines on exhibition, have resulted in the conviction of the great importance attached by the public to the awards of this Society: of the undue advantage which would be furnished to implements of little merit by hasty and incorrect awards ; of the great injury thus done to the farmer ; and of the actual worth- lessness of all awards not based upon comparative practical trials of rival machines. Of various classes of implements examined by us, some were manifestly inferior to others on exhibition, but not coming within our province, owing to imperfection in the arrangements of the Society in this particular department ; others were quite unworthy of a national commendation ; and as in neither cases could we give premium without injustice to either the Society, the Exhibitors, or ourselves, we have determined, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, that it would not be proper to favor the few actual competitors to the disad- vantage of the remaining greater number who from unintentional informality in their entries, were debarred from competition. Your Committee would respectfully suggest that the comparative merits of such machines and implements as farm engines — both for steam and wind, reapers and mowers, power presses, ploughs, threshers, com shellers, mills, &c., can only be correctly ascertained by protracted and carefully conducted trials in the field; as a number of contingencies might arise in practice, which would utterly destroy any plausible theories of action advanced by ai inventor, and considered by a Committee at a Fair. A preference should always be given (other things being equal) to such articles as have, by long trial before the public, earned an enviable reputation over more recent, but yet untried ones. But the application and ^development of new and important principles should also t>e generously encouraged ; and your Committee entertain the opinion that in the absence of a thorough trial, no decision can be made without danger of injustice to inventors of either the one or the other of these two classes. For these reasons your Committee have decided, with entire unanimity, and after mature deliberation, to Present, as the result of their labors, a respectful and earnest recommendation for a Great National Trial ^ THE Field, at such time and place, and under such regulations, as in the opinion of the Society would be most conducive to a correct decision upon their various merits and advantages. The United States of America have already outstripped the world in the discovery and application of scientific principles to mechanical purposes, and awards made under such circumstances, and by a Society representing so large a portion of the intelligence of the Union, will r\naa^aa a hi(Vfi<>r vnlni* ♦bnn tbrvap nf tVip Rnval Acrriftill- tural Society of England, or any similar association in the world. There is one suggestion connected with this subject, which your Committee desire to present to your conside- ration, because it involves a new feature in the arrange* ment of the Society. It is, that a compensation be made to the Judges at the proposed trial of implements, for their travelling expenses. A thorough acquaintance, both scientific and practical, with the subject of mechanics, is an indispen- sable qualification for a judge in this department, and in the compensating economy of the great architect of the Universe, a large proportion of those endowed with these valuable qualities possess but a small share of the wealth which is created by their labors. Your Committee feel that a full elaboration of this im- portant subject would be practically impossible in the limited time allowed for the performance of their duties, and might be regarded as exceeding the legitimate scope of their official action. They have, therefore, decided to confine themselves to this brief indication of their views. All of which is re- spectfully submitted for the consideration of the Society. Tench Tilghman, Oxford, Md. G. E. Waring, Jr., American Institute, N. Y. C. M. Saxton, Orange, N. J. H. S. Olcott, Westchester Farm School, N. Y. PEinirSYLVANIA STATE EXHIBITION AT PrTTSBTTRO. Wk have to regret the fact that we were prevented by circumstances of which we had not the control, from attending the Annual Exhibition of our State Society at Pittsburg, during the last days of September. Having made our arrangements to be present in person, we neg- lected to secure the services of a reporter, and conse- quently have been compelled to depend upon the kind- ness of a friend for the following interesting report of the Fair. We are assured that the Stock department was filled in every particular, and the display of sheep unprecedented at any former State Fair. This was an- ticipated from the proximity of the exhibition to the fine sheep- growing districts of Western Pennsylvania. Every other department of the Exhibition was well represented, and we are pleased to learn that notwithstanding the unfavorable weather of the first two days of the Exhibi- tion, the receipts were large, and after paying premiums and expenses, a handsome surplus will be left for the use of the Society. This is gratifying, and what we predicted would be the case, judging from the well known spirit of enterprise which characterises our Wes- tern Pennsylvania farmers. In order that our readers may have a fuller understanding of the character of the Fair, we have, at considerable inconvenience, made room for a list of Premiums awarded, to which we invite at- tention. TIGHT BINDING 356 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [NoVElfBBB, 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 357 EXHIBITION OF THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE AOBI- CULTUEAL SOCIETY AT PITTSBURG. Me. Editor — The Annual fair of the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society, was held at Pittsburg, last week, commencing September 29th, and ending on Friday October 3rd. The weather was somewhat unfavorable during the fore part of the week, which prevented many from visiting the grounds at the opening of the exhibition. Large numbers attended however, notwithstanding this, there being at least from eight to ten thousand people on the grounds during Wednesday. The two last days, Thursday and Friday, were very propitious and immense crowds visited the fair ; great numbers having come from a distance. The arrangements were very complete, and the buildings appropriate and convenient. About 20 acres of beautifully situated ground were enclosed, thus affording ample space for the accomodation of stock, farming implements, and the products of the farm. A more creditable exhibition has not been held by the society, while the success which attended it has proved, that the interests of the State Society can be sustained by the practical farmers of Pennsylvania. Agricultural implements were largely represented, and many new patterns attracted the attention of the pro- gressive husbandman. The contributors were mainly from Pittsburgh and vicinity. Hall and Spear, and A. Major & Co., were amongthelargestexhibitors of ai tides in this line. The display of horses was very large, and comprised many superior animals, both for their beauty of symmetry and quick action. All the horse stalls provided by the society were occupied, the number of entries, being so large. Indeed, this was the case in regard to all the stock, for there were no unoccupied stalls or pens on the ground, and beyond this, several temporary sheds were erected to accomodate those who were detained with their stock, by the wet weather. Several very good specimens of cattle of the Durham and Alderney breed, were much admired for their beautiful appearance and general good points. The principal exhibitors of this stock, were David Hiland, Mrs. Harman Denney, John S. Goe, and Jonas Kelvey. A very superior Hereford Bull, owned and imported by Thomas Astin, was much admired for his symmetry and beautiful pro- portions. The sheep pens were filled with numerous specimens, all of which were remarkably fine. Thomas Astin exhibited some superior imported Cotswold sheep, which he held in high estimation. Pure Southdown and a cross of Leicester and Southdown sheep, owned by Robert Hare Powel, were splendid animals and attracted much attention. The display of Swine was very large, and many pens contained beautiful specimens of different breeds. The Suffold, Essex, Black and White Berkshire and Chester county swine were all handsomely represented. The priucipal exhibitors were C. W. Gochering, Andrew McCready, James Gowen, Edward Gillian, and A. H. Gross. The Horticultural and Floral departments were ar- ranged with much taste, and constituted a most splendid feature of the exhibition. Several very large contribu- tions of vegetables and fruits were displayed by Alexander Negley, W. C. Harberson, James H. Nelson, John M. Liveney, John Hughes, and William Martin. Some of the specimens of vegetables were extraordinary, while the fruits were remarkably fine and exceedingly luscious In the Floral department the most rare exotic plants might be seen, while the boquets, temples, pyramids and vases of cut flowers were in profusion, and elicited the admiration of all the visitors. Beautiful bridal boquet« exhibited by J. McKaib, were much admired by the ladies. An elegant temple and fancy vase, composed of many rare flowers, were shown by Negley & Co., and formed a verv ornftmental feature. A ^^rivate collec***- of rare plants owned by John Shoenberger, added verj much to the general display. In household goods, the ladies as usual exerted their wonted zeal, and excellent articles of their handiwork occupied the tent devoted to their special accomodation. Fancy quilts of beautiful designs were exhibited, by Mrs. E. Torrence, Mrs. R. Vance, Mrs. Blackburn, Miw M. E. McKelvey and Miss Jackson. One case of ladies, worked collars, shown by Mrs. Duncan, of Pittsburg, were considered remarkable for neatness of execution. Elegant Ottoman covers, worked by Miss McKehey, Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Gaffy, displayed much skill in this art. £. Near Bustleton, Oct. 7M, 1856. «•» LIST OF PREMIUMS Awarded at the Pennsylvania State Ayricultural Societt/*t Exhibition, held at Pittsburg, September 29/A, to October let, inclusive. No. 1 — Cattle. Durhams, best bull 4 yre old, Josiah Brinker, Westmoreland counly, $20,00. 2J best, 4 years old, Wm. Reynolds, West- moreland county, 15,00. 3d best, J. Kelley, Allegheny Co, 8. Best Bull, 2 years oM, Mrs Harmer Denny, Pittsburg. 15,00. 2d bull. James McKelvy, Allegheny county, 8,00. 3d bull, Andrew Russell, Wa.shiiigton county, 4,00. Best bull between 1 and 2 years old, John S Goe, Fayette county, 10,00. 2d belt. Jonathan Garrard, Allegheny cuunty, 5,00. Best bull calf, 10 months old, John S Goe, Fayette county, 5,00. 2d best, Andrew Russel, Westmoreland county, 3.00. Best heifer, 2 years old, J. S. Goe, Fayette county, 10.00. 2d best, Levi Campbell, Allegheny county, 5,00. 3d best, John Scott, A llegheny county, 2,00. Best heifer calf, 7 months old, Mrs. Harmer Denny, Pittsburg, 5,' 0. 2d best. 10 months old, John S. Goe, Fayette county, 3,00. Best cow, 3 years old. John S. Goo, Fayelt* county, 20,00. 2nd best, James McKelvey, Allegheny county, 10,00. 3d best, Matthew Hall, Allegheny county, 6,00. No. 2 — Durhams. fi. B. Vanvoorhis, Washington county, special premium. 5.00. For his Grade Durham cow, to Robert Woods, Allegheny county, a special premium of 5.00. For his grade Durham bull, to Jonathan F. Garrard, Allegheny county, special pr« mium, 5,00. No. 3 — Hereford Stock. Thomas Asten, first premium cow, 20,00. H. B. Van Voorhii, 2d best, bull, 8.00. H. B. Van Voorhis, 3d best, 6.00. H. R Van Voorhis, 1 heifer, 2,00. No, 4 — Ayrshire Stock. David Dickson, best bull, 3 years old. $20 00. H. B. Vin Voorhis, best cow, 3 years old, 20,00 H. B. Van Voorhis, belt heifer, between 2 and 3 years old. 15,00. H. B. Van Voorhis Ayrshire bull, 13 months old, 10,00. No. 6 — Alderney Stock, Cows 3 years and over, Mrs. Harmer Denny, 1st premium, $20.00. Capt ThomaiF. Brieston, 2d best, 15,00. Mrs. H. Denny, 3d best, 5,00. Cova between 2 and 3 years old. Mrs H. Denny, Ist premium, 15.^' Mrs. H. Denny, 2d best, 8,00. Bulls, 3 years, Mrs. H. Denny. Ist premium, 20,00. Between 2 and 3 years, Mrs. H. Denoy. lit premium. 10,00. 2d best, 5,00. CaJvos— H. B. Van Voorhis, Ist premium, 5,00. No. 7 — Natives or Oradet. B5st bull. 3 yrs old, James Neely, Allegheny county, $12,00. Best bull between 2 and 3 years old, Wm. C. & J. Shaw, Jr., Allegheny counly, 10.00. Best bull between 1 and 2 years old, Thomas Reiley, Allegheny county, 6,C0. 2d best between 2 and 3 years old, Captain John Young, Allegheny county, 4,00. Best bull calf. Wm. Barker, Pittsburir, 3.00. 2d best, James Neely, Allegheny county, 1.00. Best Cow, 3 years old, H. B Van Voorhis, Washington county, 12,(:0. 2d best, George D. McClintock, 10.00, 3d best, Robert Douglas, 8 CO. Best heifer between 1 and 2 years old, Thomas Riley. Allegheny county, 6,00. 2nd best, Benjamin Sleigh, Allegheny county. 4,00. 3d best, W. C. & J. Shaw, Allegheny county, 2 00. Best heifer calf, W. C. & J Shaw, Allegheny counly, 3,00. 2d best, R. II Kerr, 1,00. No. 8 — Working Oxen. JohnK Foster, Allegheny county, best yoke, 20,00. No. 9— Fat Cattle. Eh Cope, Fayette counly, best pair fat oxen, 15,00. No, 10. — Milch Cows. Capt. John Young, for best milch cow, 20.00. A^o. 11. — Foreign Imported cattle. Thomas Aston, Lorain, county, Ohio, best Hereford bull, 20,00. No. 12— Herd Cattle. John S. Goe. Fayette county. Pa. ; best herd, 50,00. James McKelvey, Allegheny county, 2d best herd, 30. No. 13 — Stallions and Mares. Fayette counly, Morga I Horse Company, best stallion. Young Black Hawk. 30. Daniel Weller, 2J best, 15. James Floyd, 3J best. 5. Wm. Gabby, best blood raare with colt for all work, 30. John Bovard. 2d best, 15. A. McJunkin, 3d best, 5 For Heavy Draught. William Thompson, best stallion, 30. A. J. Stewart, 2d best. 15. Joseph Sievenscm, 3d best. 5.00. James McGilvry, bof. brood mare, 30. Samuel Nixon, 2d best, 15. David McBride, 3ct best, 5. Quick Draft. S. B. Hays, best stallion, Black Hawk. 30. D. R. Gal way, 2d best, 15. Stephen Smith, 3d best, 5,00 John Wiley best niare, 30,CO. John Wiley, 2d best, 15 R. L. Allen, 3d best, 6. For Draught. Henry Lemon, best stallion, 20. O H M'Kowan & Co., 2d best, 15. S. H. Vlies. 3d best, 5.00. Stephen Firker best mare, 30. James Donaldson 2<1 best, 15. Jamison Bealty, 3d best, 5. Three years old. John Wiley, best stallion. 30 J. W. Forrester, 2d best, 15. Hugh R Logan, 3d best, 6. H. D Gill best mare, 15. Samuel M'Causlin, 2d best. 15. James M'AawI, 3d best, 5. Two years old, Wm. Thompson, best stallion, 30. John Young 2d best, 1.5. John K. Foster, 3 T^nttnrt K«>a^ fnArxAi. uiifK g^tlf* koItak G!I«>m« •••^.I.-I JdllJCO J. «»»»v».., w«.~» •«.wpx/s «*>»•• Sv>>« »(»&wi fcJKWl lUVIitti Chautauque Company, best combined reaper and muwer Silvef medal. E Ball, best single mowing machine Silver medal. N 0 Hickock, best portable cider mill Silver do. J Wardrop, 2d best Bronze medal. Emory Brothers, best Railroad horse power Silver medal. Wardrop, Stout & Williams 2d best Bronze medal. Coale & Walton, best washing machine $5. Andrew Ralston, 2d best do 3. Livingston, Copeland &. Company, bes^ hay and cattle scales Silver medal. M S Kahle, best machine or gathering, threshing and cleaning cloverseed 3. Scott Silver medal. B ^ & J H Sawyer, assortment soaps and candles Silver medal, "ayne Bissel & Co display of stoves, ranges, grates and fenders Silver medal C Daly, display of hoisery Silver medal T Wilson Hl Ca. 3 Smith's bellows Bronze medaf A A Mason Si Co , display of ladies' silk bonnets and cloaks, &c Silver meda\ H H Ryan, display cabinet furniture Silver Medal Shorten & Brothers, display of leather trunks Silver medal Wardrop Stout & Williams, display agricultural machines Silver mtdal A McTighe, display cloaks and mantillas Bronze medal Mitchell. Herron & Co display cooking ranges, grate fronts, and fenders Bronzed medal Samuel Kennedy, display childrens carriages and parlor seats Diploma Coale & Walton, display tuuS aiiu uuuKeio ioiivct uicuai i\ Alttii 0(< V^U Uispiay piUWS, cultivators, harrow Bronzed medal J A Speer ^^, Co display of plows Bronzed medal J R Reed & Co engineering and sur- veying instruments Silver medal W & D Reinhart, case manufactured tobacco Bronzed medal Isaiah Ells, patent re- volving pistols Silver medal G P Wertz, Grecian and Venitian blinds Bronzed medal A Fulton, bells Silver medal James Wardrop, collection agricultural implements Silver medal Holmes & Co axes, hatchets, adzes, <&c.. Silver medal Hall & Speer, display of plows Silver medal J Spencer & N Smith sample wrought and horse nailu Bronzed medal A Mitsch,, sample small files Bronzed medal Root 6i Reed, sample nail kegs Diploma Singer, Harlman & Co vices, axles, sheet cast steel, &.C Silver medal W B Scaife, Francis' life boat, preser vers, hair felt, cooking stoves, globe furnace, refrigerators, water coolers, portable forges, self sealing cans, <&c Silver medal Livingston, Copeland and Co locks, latches, platform and counter scales Silver medal Wood. Morehead and Co galvan- ized sheet iron and imitation Russia sheet iron Silver medal and Diploma Gridge, Wads worth and Co oscillating engines Silver medal John England, display of files Silver meda George Weyman, case segars Diploma F A Heisley, grading machine Brona^d medal. No. 30 — Dairy, Sugar and Honey, Mrs J Hays, best lot of butter made in 30 consecutive days from 5 cows Silver Cream Ci'p Mrs Mary H Wil«n, 2d do Silver do Mrs Mary M'Cullough, best lot made in 1856 Silver Goblet Miss Jane M Wilson, 2d do Silver Cup Miss Phebe Clark, best lot 10 lbs made any time Silver Goblet Mrs Mary M'CuUy, 2d do Silver Cup Mrs J F Garrard, best firkin tub butler Silver Goblet Miss J H Wilson, 2d do Silver Cup Frances L Garrard, best lot butter by girls under 21 years Silver Goblet Harriet Mary Hays, 2d do Silver Cup Miss Ra hel E Garrard, best lot 5 lb butter Silver Spoon Miss Lizzie P Simpson, 2d do Silver Butter Knife Miss Anne H Young, Eleanor McCormick, Mary Torrence and Kate Cope, for skill and care; each a Diploma Kepp, Lockhardtand Co best bb salt of Dairy $3 do do packing 2 Mrs Job Hays, best cheese one year old Silver medal Miss H A Hays, do lese Silver medal Job Hays, best cheese from any county 2 N C Har- beson and Brothers, best 10 lb honey R S Cooke, 2d best 3 Dr S Jones, 3d best 2 Thomas Thornly, best 5 lb do 5 P J Mahan, 2d best 3. No. 31 — Flour, Com Meal, Grain, Seeds, and Vegetables, N C and J Shaw, best bbl flour Silver medal James Raney, 2d do Bronze medal George Brenard, 3d do 3 James Raney, best bbl Corn Meal Silver medal Mrs Jno F Garrard, best corn Fanner, 2 Jacob Benner, best Smut machine Silver medal. No, 32 — Grain and Seeds. Capt John Young, Jr. best while wheat 3 James Neely, 2d best do 1 Robert Wilson, best Mediterranean wheat 3 Joseph Miller, 2d do 1 Wm Smith, best Red wheat 3 Robert Wilson, best Rye 3 Andrew Russell, 2d best Rye 1 L McC Larimer best Oats 3 David Giesler, 2d best do 1 Joseph Miller, best ground seed corn 3 John Gormley,2d best do 1. Wm Martin ' best mixed corn 3. A Negley, 2d do 1. Andrew Russell, best Spring Barley 3. R G Cook, best Timothy Seed 3. Andrew Russell, 2d best do 1. John Gormley best Irish potatoes 3 Robert Cummings, 2d best do 1. Robert Phillips, best Sweet do 3. Robert Cummings, 2d best do 1. J F Garrurd, bes Sugar Beet, 3 James Jackson, 2d 1 J F Garrard* superfitne TIGHT BINDING 360 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROaRESSIVB EARMER. [NOVEMB. 1856.] THE^rARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. 361 French Sugar beet 3. Robert Curamings, best Carrots 3 Robert Cummings, do parsnips 3. No. 33— Vegetahlefi, John Hughes, best 12 stalks Celery $3. James Jackson, 2d best do 2. Robert Cnmming, best 6 heads Cauliflower, 3 John Hughes best 12 white table turnips 3. do best 12 carrots 3, A Negley, 2d do 2. Robert Cummings best 12 beets 3 Wm. Martin Sr 2d do 2. Wm Cummings best 12 parsnips 3. John Scott. 2d do 2 A Negley best 12 onions 3. Wm Cummings 2d do 2. Joseph Muse best 6 heads cabbage 3. Jerome Jones 2d do 2. A Negley best 6 heads beets 3 Jacob Mish best 12 tomatoes 3 do 2d do 2. Eliza Mowry best 2 purple egg plants 3. J*Mi8h2n, 2d do 10. A. Bennett, 3d do 8. J. Lamont, best amateur's collection 10. J. M'Closkey, 2d do 20. Cut Flowers, do^f ' K *1 ^""i^'p ' '? """'"'" ^■""""^ 2. Mrs. ThomaP. do 3. do 6 vane. e. Phloxes 2. do collection, not Ie„ than 10 3 do 6 perpetual rose, 2. do 6 Bourbons 2. do ooUeo- lion do 5. do best collection Verbenas 5. Deaif/m and Hoqueii 2d^d'ot^ *T m'.'J""' i""?:""' ""S'""' 1»- J- M'Closkey, ^ddo8. J. M'Kain, best floral design 1(1 t tt.. _. /, fdl f VT'':'';"^''"'"''^-- "'■ '-^'"-o-C 2d do 2 J Murdoch, Jr., best pair round hand boquets 3 Negley A Co., 2d do 2. J. Murdoch, Jr best «Tt^. . boquets 3. J. M'Closkey, 2d do 2 J wl. : L ^ boquet 3. J. Murdoch, J ., 2d do 2 J Hul ' t"' "■''" table boquet 3. W. K. Al'rieks 2d tT';':'C Tco' seedling Verbena, special premium 3. J. M'Kain 6 woil grown spceimen plants 3. Negley A Co., display gr'een and hot house and out door plants Silver cup. Xo. il—Stovei, lie., Payne Bissel 4 Co., best cooking stoves for wood Silver medal, do coal Silver medal, do cooking ran-^e do T hall stove Diploma. Qrafl- 4 Co Zl . ,^ ^° wood 5. .„Li5. d„^n'am:;ta?pi7t ::? ri B Scalr; « .■ T'""' ^PO^-'^g'-'^nied baker do. W wZJu ' t """"« '""SO; «5 and a Diploma W. W. Wallace, best marble sculpture Silver medal nl W. Windsor, 2d do 5. John M'Cargo, fine samp e o Dip oZ Matthew Lawton, fine marble bust of Col M'r a, Diploma. Williams 4 Allen, 2d hJ[ , ""' $5 and a Diploma. "' '"""'°« "PP"""" i A-o. 42.-^,-W Wa,.e. Ola^^.a^ae. War.. CuUery and Edward Redman, samples ornamental glassware 'P oma David M'Combs, iron tie for hay, hemn or cotton bales Si ver medal. A. Laughlin, model of slaTeVof Diploma. T. Arnold, variety slate and slate blackboard ^' t T. *"• I- ""''''• ' '"" '*'"■'"» -«- blinds D?i:. M F. Eaton Trott's oil globe and Hopper's plane, $5 and a D.ploma. M F. Eaton, Tower's clothes pins do. d„ Holt'' ^and stamp do. do Hay's locomotive lard lamp do T bm.th, patent Projectile Ball Silver medal. J. s Snvder" patent head blocks diploma and Bronze medal. J s SnvZ' patent wagon bed for farm use honorable mention. DA medal. R. H. 4 D. Davis, 6 parallel vices $5 and Diploma do 2 wooden paraUel vices Diploma. J. H. Gould, husking th mbles do. L. Thomas, match machine do. J Paiton self balancing sash raiser and lock combined do. G. AdamJ 4 Sons, patent felloe machine do. J. B. Riley, RaU Ro»d TIGHT BINDING 362 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PEOaRESSIVB FARMER. [NOVEMBBE, Bignftl do. M. M'Kenna, universal chucks Silver modal. Wood, MoreheadA Co., galvanized iron for roofing Silver modal. J. B. Hayden & Co., one set buggy wheels Diploma. T B Carter, rotary, one washer, Diploma. D. Hullman, 8;iff;edhig Shingle machine, do. G. AV. Gibbs dynamome- Jer do. D. Sykes, wheelwrights guide mandrel, honorablo mention. W. B. Scaife, 2 life preservers Diploma do boat do. do 3 water coolers, honorable mention, do 1 piece hair felt Diploma. Lewis Connell, circular interest table So Wood. Morehead & Co., culinary utensils of galvani/ed Iron do. Williams & Allen, galvanized iron pipe, do. U. Nycum, patent buggy hub, Bronze medal. 2^0^ 4,^)— Miscellaneous Articles and Fine Arts, Robert Munroe, best ambrotypes Silver medal. A. W. Phipps, 2d do Diploma. R. M. Cargo, best daguerreotypes. Diploma. Mary Wray, best pencil drawing 3 do Ogden, bes'tpastel or crayon drawing Silver medal HuldaJohn^^^^^^ 2d best pastel or colored crayoA Diploma. E. Oudry, mechanical drawing Diploma. Mary Shaw, best andscapes in oil 3. E. Forrester, Female portrait in oil, lb W. khodes, portraits oil 15. J. N. Glogger, display of oil paintings 5. Hulda Johnston, best water color sketches 2. George lletzel, vegetable oil painting 15. R. J Cummins & Bro. paper mache%ork Silver medal William J. Barker map of Indiana Co.. Diploma. W. S. Schuchman bes Sal lithography Silver medal. Krebs A Bro 2d best So Diploma. \V. S. Schuchman, best lithography Silver medal Krebs & Bro., 2 do Diploma. Cooper A Cowley, best penmanship, Silver medal, do do best pen drawing Diploma. P. Duff, best do lithographed Diploma. ?• Duff, spread eagle with pen, by a pupil ; Diploma. P. ^^f>^^^^ ** system Book-keeping," silver medal. Mayer, Stout A Morgonroth. best plaster busts, Ac , m c ay ; silver medal. David Rice, best fancy table, 3. Mary Ann Greer, feather flowers 8. M. Duffshafer. ladies' caps and woolen coat^ 2. J S Hall, best Dynamometer Diploma. Megargie Bro s., binders boards do. McCoy A Miller, assortment paints do. F. Beese, European Leeches, raised in Pitts 3. L. W. Von Bonnhorst, best specimen Dentistry ; Silver medal. John Carpenter, Tailor's Protractor 3. P. Seibert carved Oak Eagle 3. C. A A. Oyer, display of Segars Diploma. Dawes A Cluley, splendid Grain Doors, Silver Medal. John Fry. Pair Rifles Diploma. H. Overington, display of corks do. Adam Naylor, Allegheny Blacking do. S. Hamilton, Cannel Coal do. Wm. Diller, Case hardened axles Silver medal. J. W. Tim A Co., Best canes and ^mbrellas diploma. Eleanor McCormick, fine broom corn 2. N. H. Simpson, Sugar cane 2. Leah Barner, ornametal Leather Picture Frame 1,50. Campbell A Pollock, Imitation Rose- wood, do Diploma. Mary Swain, i dozen Gold iish 1. Butler A Parr, Merchants A Bankers Writing Fluid Silver medaL W. Alexander, Vigilant Fire Engine Diploma. No, 46 Farm Building. No Premiums awarded. No. 47 — Horse Shoeing, Wm. Jackson, best horse shoeing 10. BONES AND ACID— THEIR PREPARATION. An unusual degree of interest is beginning to be man- ifested in regard to the economy of manures, and par- ticularly in reference to the use of bones, and the most advantageous method of applying them to the soil. This is a most gratifying fact, and with the hope of giving some additional strength to this praise-worthy feeling, we present some extracts compiled from an able article on the subject in Morton's Cyclopedia of Agriculture. ** The preparation of bones and acjcifhas been so simpli- fied that it is within the reach of every farmer, thus en- abling him to guard against fraud, as well as to vary the proportions of the ingredients to suit the special circum- stances of each application. The proportion of acid used has generally been one half the weight of the bones, but one third and even one fourth the weight of the bones may, if occasion demands it, be used with success. The efficiency of a given quantity is materially affected by the strength of the sulphuric acid. In detetermining, therefore, on a certain proportion, the liability of the acid to adulteration must be considered. The strength depends on the freedom from water. The pure and con- centrated acid has a specific gravity from 18.30 to 18.50. Some may be met with whose specific gravity is onlj 17.00 : 100 lbs. of the former is more than equivalent to 120 lbs. of the latter. If, therefore, the weaker acidig used, the quantity applied must be augmented at lewt 20 per cent. T»,« «,,««fUv nf wat«»r uspd in the nrpnaratinn hbJ application of bones and acid varies with the mode of using the mixture. If the liquid form of applicatioa b« adopted, a large quantity is necessary. When bonee and acid are used in compost with earth or ashes, no more than is absolutely useful for the decomposition of the bone requires to be employed. This is comparatively a small quantity. If one part by weight of water to fonr of acid is added, the temperature is immediately elevated to 300° Fahrenheit. This heat materially facilitates the process of decomposition. Our practice has been to add the water to the bones previous to pouring the acid over them. One of the best methods of preparing bones and acid, is to form a heap of ashes or earth of a conical form, with a hollow space at the top, in which the bones should be placed, and the acid poured over then. Workmen with hoes stir it, and take care that by its swelling (ia^ ing fermentation, it does not burst its sides. This, with ordinary care, is easily prevented. We have siace adopted a modification of this plan with success ; and have, without trouble, dissolved 80 bushels in one couch. The process of manipulation in this case, is to form a circular wall of coal or cannel ashes, about two feet deep, the enclosed space being about ten feet wide. When water is near, we prefer doing ttiis in the field where the manure is to be used, as the ashes are at hand with- out much carting. The crushed bones are then passed through a quarter inch sieve, and all the fine particle! are placed around the inside of the wall, forming an in- ner coating or lining to the barrier of ashes. The rougher particles of the bone are placed in the middle of tiie cir- cle and made level. In ten quarters of bone we find about two quarters of fine dust. Water in the proper proportion to hasten decomposition is then poured over the bones, and they are turned over frequently in the course of a few hours. After they have become sui- ciently evenly saturated with moisture, the proper qu«n- tity o(L sulphuric acid is added : the bones being shovel- led over during the process, and stirred about sevewl times. In six or eight hours, the fine dust forming m second circle is thoroughly mixed with the bulk, and I few ashes thrown over the mixture. Next dny the ashes forming the wall are mixed with the bulk, and thrown into a heap for a week ; after which the heap is openw out, thoroughly stirred and mingled, and the whole passed through a sieve or riddle. If necessary, a few more dry ashes are added, as the compost pabses throng! the sieve ; after which the moisture will be found t^ W completely absorbed, except in a few little lumps Ii" pills, which are encased in a coating of dry ashes, an the mixture is well adapted for drilling. We may noUOJ that the deeper the walls are, and the less the e^P^'' surface of the bones, the more thorough the decoroposi' tion. It may be well, also, to observe, that more tD» ordinary care in seeing that the mixture is evenly dinur ed among the ashes, will be amply repaid by the resiiiw. The neglect of simple points is more common then id» tention to the difficult— the injury of a cause is oiw fated from trifles light as air ; and if one part oi i crop obtain the lion's share of the carefully V^^^^ and valuable mixture, and the other be deprived there ; of i»8 proper quantity, the crop will be to the same tent unequal. FARMER'S MACHINE SHOP, JVORRISTOnMT, Fa. GILBERT ^ RITTENHOUSE, MANUFACTURERS OF WHEKLER'S PATENT RailvD'ay Horse Po-virer, and Overshot SEPARATINa THRESHER, FEED CUTTER, &0. -<•>• The subficribers call the attention of Farmers and the public generally lo iheir superior Horse Power and Threshers, which tbey are constantly manufacturing, and making improvements, which makes it the best machine in use. For further particulars address, GILBERT & RITTEIN HOUSE, Norristown, Pa. ISABELLA AND CATAWBA GRAPE VINES. 20,000 (or Sale at the lollowing low prices; 5 vines ibr $1. $2 per duzen. $12 50 per 100. A reason able reduction will be made on larger lots to thooe forming vineyards. A. HARSHBARGER. McVey(own, Mifflin County, Pa. ivn inpRovi':u Superphosphate of Lime. SILVER MEDAL AWARDED BT THE PENNA. STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, 1855. THIS superior aricle is now offered to Farmers and Dealers. It is of ihe most approved quality, producing all the effects of tbsbest PERUVIAN GUANO AT A MUCH LESS PRICE with the advantage of being much WORK LASTING IH THE SOIL and IMPROVING IT in a gre»ter degree. ALSO, PREPARED CHEMICAL FERTILIZER Ft)R TOP-DRESSING GRASS, CORN. POTATOES. &c for sale in barrels weighing two hundred pounds each by JOHN L. POMEROY, No 10 South Wharves, below Market Street, ^^Ajnl, l856-3t Philadelphia. o&Axnr FANS, Boass powsrs, THRESHERS &c., of the most approved kinds, always on "^a. at manufaciurcm prices. PASCHALL MORRIS & CO., N. E. corner 7th and Market Stf^, I MORRIS NURSERIES, J. L. DARLINGTON & CO., PROPRIETORS, WEST CHESTER, Pa., The subscribers oflfer for sale the present fall, their usual la^e and well selected nursery stock. The ornamental department is very complete, including many of the rare Trees and Shrubs, recently introduced from abroadf, and also a fine stock of large and deciduous Evergreen Trees, suitable for immediate shade and eriibellishment lor New Places. The Fruit deparment is very full, and comprises all the leading varieties of Apple, Pear. Plum, Peach, Cherry, Apricot, Necta- rine, Gooseberry, Strawberry. &c., &c„ &c. For general particulars we refer to our Catalogue, a new edition of which, is ready, anJwi'l be sent gratis to all appl^ cants. Sept~3t J L DARLINGTON & CO., AGENCY FOR THE PURCHASE AND SALE ~ or ZIMCPROVXSD B&BZUM OF AXTZIUKAUL Cattle, Sheep and Swine of improved Breeds will b« bought and sold on commission by AARON CLEMENT. Sep— 3t 1 84 South 9th St, Phila., NUBSERTHEN & DEALEBS IN TREES The subscribers beg leave to announce that their Wholesale priced Catalogue of Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Roses dtc, for the Autumn of 1856, is now ready, and will be se^t free to all applicants who enclose a stamp. ELLWANGER & BARRY. Mount Hope Nurseries, July 15th, 1856. Rochester, N. Y. ■S!:' TIGHT BINDING T*^^' SCOTT, MOCKBEE 56 CO., ii LITTLE GIANT" WORKS Corner of Seventeenth and Coates Streets, PhUa., ) Are Mclufiive Manufacturers o( METALLIC MILLS, and are determined to spare no effort or ex]>en8e in the production of ihe most approved MILLS, and those best adapted to the use ol the Farmer and Miller, and such as ore suited to every vu„ei, ol' purpose. THE '' LITTLE GIANT'' CORN AND COB MILl, Has stood unrivalled Ihe last two years, and has received First Pre- miums at the Principal Agricultural Fairs of the nation, as the most useful and convenient article of the kind in use. Weverlhelei*, the Mill has, the present season, been improved beyond all expectation, • and our late invention, the ** DOUBLE GIANT" MILL, may now be I considered perfect, and has excited the wonder and admiration of all. 'i It is vastly superior to any mills of the kind now in use, excelling not { only in durability, but in the quality, and quantity of its work. No 1 is warranted to grind from eight to twelve bushels of fe«Hl per hour, with one horw; and is sold at $25 and S2 50 each for Box and Lever. No. 3, Double Mill, will grind from twenty to tweiity- tive bushels per hour, with two horses Price $45 and $2 50 each for box and fever. The No. 3 "Double Giant" is readily changed Irom a double to a single mill, ntlju«iiable to die power ul oim or mo horses, at pleasure— a very important feature. THE KANSAS HAND MILL Is made upon a new prim iple. dispensing with cog gear entirely. The |K)wer bpin? applied direct to the mafenal to be ground. 'I'he griiidinii siirfa« es beiris; lour limes larger than romiiion, and of <;h{Mce iiinteriul. they will e:rind thousands ot busheifl witnoj depre<;iaiion. of corn, wheat or oats, hud to any degree* finenetw desired. Knsily udjuRted b<»th as to feed and degree Ot fineness All ihinjs nmsidf r« d ure guaranteed superior to any thing of the kind Price $10.00. CRESCENT MILL. LN6A8 HAND MILL. THE CRESCENT MILL Is the most simple article of the kind in use ; adapted to any kind of work; grindmg coarse or fine meal from Corn. Wheat or Rye It is easily attached to any common horse power or other ma- chinery for running a belt And is provided with cast nteel cob breakers, lor making cob meal, and separator lo be used if desired wiieii miKing bread meal Price $66 00 complete, or $.'>0 00 without cob breakers and Heparators Guaranteed lo grind Irom 4 l'3 20 Bushels per hour, according to power and lipeed applied. No family can afford to dispense wiih the luxury or convenience of having Fresh Graham Flour, or sweet fresh Meal, aod hominy, from new Corn; which can only be enjoyed by those having a suitable Mill of ihtir own. lO" All of our mills warranted U» give satisfaction to purchasers, or may be returned after thirty day's trial and the money promptly refunded. For Sale by PASCHALL MORRIS & CO., Philadelphia. For State or County Rights address VZVUILN SCOTT, Philadelphia or CincinoatL FOR SALE, A VALUABLE FARM of about 130 acres, situated on the Bail Koad, about three miles North of the Borough of West CheHter, in West Goshen TownHhip. Applyto PASCHALL MORRIS & CO. V, £• Corner of Sevvntli aud Market i»t«cc(«, Palladelpl^i** TIGHT BINDING CONTENTS — No. 12. Close of the Volume, True Kconomy in Seed, " Canada Thistles, Does Caustic Lime Effect Farm Yard Manure, Calling Things by their Right Names, Dwarf Pear Trees, Blood as a Fertilizer, Bones and Guano, Profits on Poultry, Cashmere Goats, Broadcast Sower, Chinese Sugar Cane, What shall be done with the Mice, Syrup from the Chinese Sugar Millet, Time up. The Official Returns, Advantages of the Educated Farmer, The Country is Safe, Rape. Butter Making, The Carter Potato, Black Mercer Potato, Write for the Journal, Improved Hay Rake, ^ Hereditary Influence, Hints on the Management of Farm Stock, Dioecorea Batatas, An Important Movement, Temperature of the Stable, Mulching, Manuring, Book Notices, Monthly Comments, Farmers' High School, Com Fodder and Fodder Cutters, The Beef we Cook, Bones as a Manure, PAOK- 363 363 364 365 366 366 366 368 369 370 371 372 373 376 375 375 375 376 376 377 378 378 373 379 380 381 381 382 382 383 384 384 384 386 386 387 388 PROSPECTUS OF THE AMERICAN VETERINARY JOURNAL. This Journal will furnish original and reliable articles on the science of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. Selections will also be made iirom Foreign Journals, calculated to inform the reader of what it known, or believed to be so, of the above Science in the Old World. We shall also hirnish reports of cases occurnng in the daily practice^ of qualified practitioners.; detail the mode of treat* ment; nature of the disease, its cause, and the best means of prevention. We shall endeavor to enrich our pages with practical infor- mation on breeding, '-earing, leeding. and the general manage- ment of live stock, and at the same lime, keep the reader ;)Oji/e<{ on all that is new and useful in this department of Agricultural Husbandry. CONDITIONS. The Journal will be published monthly, in octavo form, con* taining thirty-two pages; making, at the end of the year, a handsome volume of three hundred and eighty-lour pages, fur- nished with a copious index. The price per annum is one dollar, invariably in advance. Any person, however, forwarding five dollars shall receive tit copiei to his, or the address of others. Persons desirous of having their Journal prepaid, must en- close lour postage stamps in addition to the usual price. All communications uintaining matter for publication in the Journal, or seeking for professional advice, should be addressed to the Editor. George H. Dadd, Boston, Mass. Advertisements, letters containing subscriptions, and all bu- siness letters, should be addressed to the Publisher, 8. N. Thompson, Wo, 97 Union Street, Boston, Maes. As an advertising medium for agriculturists and horseownera, the Journal possesses superior advantages over the ordinary publications, inasmuch t» it circulates extensively among the right snrt of jnen, and ©very cflRjrt will be made t© extend ila circulation. S. N. THOMPSON, Publisher, Dec— It No. 97 Union St., Boston. THE NORTHERN MUSCADINE GRAPE. We are prepared to fill orders for the roots of this justly cele- orated grape. SA.M'L ci^' cvr >- ^--^ Dec— 5t STXIPHSXirS' EMLEN profitable as a political or religious one,) but still. We should be pleased with some little remuneration, something more substantial than kind wordi. In plain language, we desire to derive from the Journal a family's support at least, and if our friends will but go to work as they have done in times past, we have not a doubt that our desires will be fully realized. To one and all, then, we send our message greeting. If not for our sakes, for the sake of Agriculture, for the sake of State pride, let us have your earnest and well-directed efforts in behalf of the Farm Journal. Do not permit any trifling object to interfere, bp^ consider a day devoted to the increase of our subscrip- tion list, as a day devoted to the cause of the country. If you have not time to spend a whole day, take a prospectus in your pocket, and when you meet a neigh- bor, whether at the mill, the blacksmith's shop, the store, the political or agricultural meeting, present th^ prospectus, and solicit his name. Nearly every one would do as much for a favorite political candidate, why not for the Farm Journal ? We, therefora, in all earnestness, solicit the favor of hearty co-operatioa with us in our efforts to advance agriculture. Shall we have it ? We think so, and therefore are prepar-^ ing to enter upon the duties of the coming year with cheerful hearts. <••• For the Farm Journal. TBT7E ECONOMY IH SEED. Dbar Sir : — Among no class of men do we hear so much of ** economy," and •* saving," as among farm- ers. Their efforts in this line generally point to the use of moderate priced articles— reducing price at the expense of quality. In nothing is this so often prac- ticed as in the purchase of seeds. Indifferent, and sometimes bad seed is used for the sake of saving a few shillings a bushel, or cents per pound, at the ri«k of introducing noxious weeds, or loss of entire crop from want of vitality in the germ. To save a small sum of money in spring by using improper seed, if to lose in fall both in quantity and quality of crop. If a farmer wanted a strong plow beam, he surely would not select a stunted knotty tree to hew it from. If the germ which is to produce a plant be not strong, how can the ofiOspring of that germ possess ^ood qnid- i TIGHT BINDING m 364 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRBSSIVB FARMER. [DECBmii, ities ? It is known that a poor soil will bring forth imperfect crops and trees. So will imperfect seed develope poor, weak plants — for is not the seed the soil and manure to the young germ ? We have known varieties of potatoes to be rendered worthless by con- tinually planting the small, unripe ones for several years in succession. Indeed, we believe that ** Pota- to-Rot" has this practice as god-father. We are led to make these statements from a loss we have sustain- ed by means of badly selected seed. Last spring we obtained a very choice early potato, the seed of which always commands two dollars a bushel. We grew lifty bushels from seed procured from parties supposed to be reliable. On selecting those true to kind from the gross product, we find but one-third of any value for future plantings, the remaining two-thirds being mongrel kinds. We have, therefore, lost nearly thir- ty-five dollars on a small piece of ground. One maxim for the farmer should be, " select the best seed for planting," another maxim, *' select all your seed yourself, and do not depend on others to do it for you." This is just the difference between good and poor farming. The truly practical farmer not only pre- pares his soil thoroughly by plowing and manuring, but he uses the utmost care in selecting sound seed of the best quality. If due attention were paid to this one fact, millions would in time b« added to the wealth of our nation. Respectfully, Yours, Henet C. Vail. Westchester Farm School^ \ Mt. Vernon, N. F. Oct. 23, 1856. f The following communication is from the pen of one of the original settlers of Somerset County, who is now nearly 90 years of age. We welcome him to our pages ; and hope we shall hear from him again, and that his declining years may be attended with the reward of peace. — £ds. For the Farm Journal. CAITADA THISTLES, AND OTHER NOXIOUS WEEDS. There is nothing in the whole science of Farming that is more frequently asked, and nothing that is so difficult to answer, as how to destroy these trouble- some plants ? The first thing that is necessary in order to destroy weeds, is to study the nature of the plant. The this- tle is the growth of two years ; the first year it lies flat on the ground, and is not injurious. The second year it shoots up to seed. Let it alone until in bloom, then is the time to destroy it— cut it down with the scythe, leave no heads to seed, and you are done with this crop, for the root dies after once bearing seed. Turn your swine on the young crop in the fall and winter, and they will dig up every vestige of a root, and leave you little work for the scythe the next year, but that little must be attended to. Clean your fence corners, lanes and alleys, and get your neighbors to do likewise. The green stalk, boiled, makes good feed for hogs, and if cut and cured like hay, and then steamed, might make good food for cows— it is it least worth the trial. Devirs Flax is killed by being covered with apple pumice fresh from the press. Mul. len is destroyed by mowing when in bloom. Hoping these few suggestions may prove beneficial, particulir. ly to young farmers, I submit them to you for publi. cation in your valuable Journal. H. E Somerset Tp»t Oct., 1856. «•» For the Farm Journal. DOES HOT OB CAUSTIC LIME AFFECT FAEM-YABD MANUilE OS GUAN0 1 Messrs. Editors — You have, no doubt, been frequently asked the question— whether guano or farm-yard manure should be applied immediately with, or shortly before or after hot lime? As the following article on the subject, by an able writer, appears to throw some light on the subject, you will oblige some of your readers, atlewt, by giving it a place in the Journal. ** The question is frequently asked, how caustic lime should be employed along with farm-yardman* ure, guano and bones, either ground or in combina- tion with sulphuric acid. It is frequently insisted on, that farm-yard manure should never be applied along with, or shortly before or after an application of caustic lime ; the reason assigned being, that the amt* moniacal substances contained in the dung are dccom* posed by the hot lime, and that ammonia, under such circumstances, being volatilized, escapes into the air, and is there lost. No doubt such is a correct explan* ation of the results produced by bringing hot lime and farm-yard dung into immediate contact in the open air ; but in the soil we are warranted in concluding that the ammoniacal gas is in a great measure retained; and, if a crop of any kind be growing on the surface, the escape of ammonia is still less to be apprehended. If, however, we were to lime and dung a bare fallow in the heat of summer, and plow all in together, ind afterwards go on with the usual stirring and working of the soil, the great likelihood is, that nearly all the ammonia contained in the dung would be dissipated by frequent exposure to the air. But, on the other hand, were the caustic lime applied in autumn, or even in spring, and thoroughly incorporated with the soil before applying the dung, there is no reiW to fear any notable loss of ammonia, especially in the case of green crops, where the dung, being cd* closed in some degree of bulk in the heart of a raised ridge, is only in partial contact with the soil ; and is. at the same time, so situated that any volatile matter escaping from it, could be readily laid hold of by th* roots or leaves of plants growing above. In the case of guano, there is, no doubt, a consider- able difference ; inasmuch as^the ammonia it contaiQS is in much greater quantity in proportion to the bul i compared with farm- yard dung ; and being distribut' ed through the soil in minute particles, it presents* largf surface to the action of a decomposing substance^ IM.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRBSSIVE FARMER. l«5 such as caostio lime, whioh is itself, also, distributed through every portion of the surface soil. Some wri- ters even go so far as to say, that guano should not be applied to land which has been hot-limed, for at least twelve months afterwards. Some of our practi- cal readers may, no doubt, be able to give instances proving the groundlessness of this precaution. Still, we are inclined to give it some consideration, and to recommend, in the case of turnips especially, the use of bones, either ground or digested in sulphuric acid, in preference to guano. Laid on as a top-dressing to wheat, or other com crops, we cannot suppose that guano can be greatly if at all injured by a previous application of hot lime ; because all the lime on or near the surface is very speedily converted into the carbonate or mild state by the action of air and rain- water ; and even although a small quantity of caustic particles were present, the ammoniacal gas evolved thereby from guano, would speedily be converted into a carbonate of ammonia, and in this state rapidly ab« sorbed by the roots and leaves in contact with it." * -••^ For the Farm Journal. GUAVe. Thousands of dollars are paid annually by the Farmers for Guano, or other concentrated manures, and the main question to be determined is, whether the increased product pays for the outlay of cash. To determine this important fact, it will not do to point to the yield of a field where the stimulant had been applied throughout the length and breadth there- of, for it cannot be known what the crop would have been had no stimulant been applied ; and it is only by the application of such manures to parts of fields, and noting the effect as compared with other parts, where no such manure had been applied, that any correct conclusion can be arrived at. In 1852, 1 applied Peruvian Guano at the rate of 200 lbs. per acre across the middle of two fields, on the last of April ; a heavy rain fell immediately after sowing ; one of the fields was clover after oats, and the other first mowing after wheat, both sandy loam, one had been limed about ten ycM's previous, the other not for many years ; no perceivable effect was pro- duced in either field. In 1853, on the last of April, I applied the same quantity on a timothy sod, second year's mowing, — ground loamy — and had been limed about seven years previous ; it rained at the time of sowing, and all the remainder of the day ; here the effect was very decid- ed, the increased crop on those parts guanoed being sufficient to pay all expenses, but since then there is no perceivable effect from the guano, having entirely expended its benefits the first year. Now the ques- tion with me is, whether it would not have been more profitable to have attended to the compost heap, than to have relied on guano— for there is no lack of mate- rials for the making compost, if we will only look after them. T. Philadelphia, Oct, 28, 1856. For the Fann JoumaL POTATOES. For a few years past, the potato crop has been a failure, compared with the yield of previous years ; this has been attributed to various causes, the most prominent of which, is the opinion that the root had deteriorated by repeated planting on the same soil, and required to be renovated by raising from the seed, or procuring seed potatoes from other sections of the country. Both of these expedients, and many others, have been tried, without producing the desired effect ; hence it is evident that we have to look further for the cause why it is more difficult now to raise one hundred bushels per acre, than it was formerly to raise two hundred bushels. What the true cause is, can only be determined by close observation, and repeated experiments. It is a common remark that when vines die early, or prema- turely in the season, the crop is light, and perhaps, if the cause of this blight could be discovered, and a remedy applied that would be effectual, the crop would be increased. A few weeks since, on clearing off my potato ground preparatory to digging, I noticed many of the vines dead, whilst others were green ; and on exatnimng the dry vines, I discovered that an insect had entered the vine about three inches from the ground, and bored down the heart of the vine to a little below the sur- face of the earth, where I found a web, and a small black bug, just ready to take its departure. From the circumstances of the case it appears evident that this is another of the family of insects,— and their name is legion — that prey upon the industry of the farmer, and which appears to have escaped the notice of those versed in Entomology— and if this is the cause of the failure in the crop, the critter ought to be looked after, and a remedy applied to its devastations. T. Pkibdelphia, Oct, 18, ^55. *mf • For the Farm Journal. CALUNQ THIN OS BY THEIR RIGHT NAMES. Mbssbs. Editors : It was Phineas T. Barnum, I believe, who first conceived the ingenious plan by which the pious portion of the community'might, without reproach, have an opportunity of witnessing theatrical rcpreaen- tations. His collection of curiosities was the screen interposed between the good folk*» consciences and their inclination to look upon forbidden spectacles. The artifice was transparent enough, but was permit- ted to pass unrebuked. Thousands upon thousands crowded his halls nightly, ostensibly to examine the curiosities, but redly, to avail themselves of the oppor- tunity afforded of witnessing the moral (?) drama in the fourth story. Now, Messrs. Editors, it appears tome that the managers of our Agricultural Exhibitions have avail- ed themselves of Mr. Barmim's ingenuity, and in order to gratify what appears to be an inherent love for the ^^ exercises of the turf, have turned our once Agricultu- |: TIGHT BINDING 866 THB FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. [BECElflu^ ral Fairs into genteel horse races. The moral portion of the community must certainly feel greatly indebted to them for this marked display of regard for their convenience, and the farmers are under no slighter obligations. But seriously, have not Agricultural Exhibitions been grossly prostituted, and instead of being made the means of imparting valuable information to the farmer, are they not, (as now managed,) merely con- yen iences for the display of ** fast horses and fancy men" ? We all remember the character of those ex- hibitions ten, or even five years since. Then, the horse-ring was an important but subordinate feature. The horses were led out and inspected by the judges, but it has been reserved for more modem managers to improve upon this ** good old way," and the qualities of a horse for a farmer are determined now, not by the points which mark his adaptation to the plow or wag- on, but by the rate of speed with which he can be made to pass over a given space of ground. Premi- ums, it is true, are offered for draft horses, stallions, brood mares, &c., but in all cases which have come under my notice, I find that the fast horse premiums are double in amount those offered for horses of any other character. The question to be solved is, where will this end ? Already the horse-ring has overshadowed every other portion of the exhibition, and yet the evil has only commenced. It is only within a year or two that premiums for the fastest horses have been offered, or a half mile track required, constructed upon the most approved race-course principles, and at a cost nearly as great as that of all the other fixtures upon the grounds combined. Improvement follows improvement, and the notable example set by the managers of our Agri- cultural exhibition is already emulated by regular jockeys. I have just read an advertisement in one of the city papers, in which a racing association, instead of offering a purse for the fastest nag, awards a 'premi- um; and those who a year or two since would have raised their eyes in holy horror at such proceedings, now look on complacently, and congratulate them- selves upon this decided improvement upon the old plan. 0 1 tempwa, \0 1 mores I who would have be- lieved that a few short years could have wrought so great a change in our minds and manners ! God fear- iag, church loving, piousiy disposed men sanctioning by their approbation and presence this modernized horse racing. Lovely women, who would as soon enter upon the pathway of the pestilence as be seen within the precincts of the regular race course, giving their most approving smiles to contests which difiier from vulgar horse racing, only in the fact that the shield of Agriculture has been thrown around them, and the prize offered in the shape of a premium instead of a purse* But we are told that Agricultural Exhibitions can- not be sustained unless the horse-ring is allowed to present its attraotions. Then, in the name of all that is honorable in Agriculture, let them be given up. If such adventitious aids as these are essential to their success, they are no longer Agricultural Exhibitions neither are they worthy the support of the farmer, for the very good reason that he is less interested in them than the horse jockey or the fancy man. Allow me, then, to enter my solemn protest against horse racing at our annual Exhibitions. If it is abso* lutcly essential that such trials must be had, then let them be known by their right names. Do not dignify them with the titles of Agricultural Exhibitions. It is a mockery of those deserving institutions. It is a prostitution of the cause of Agriculture to the worst purposes. It is a fraud upon the farmer, and as such, should meet his hearty condemnation. In New £ng. land they have a Horse Exhibition, and our Puntani* cal friends there crowd in eager thousands to witneu trials of speed between the fastest horses in the coun- try. They have thrown off" all disguise — separated them from Agricultural Exhibitions — and the old horse race is now honored by the high sounding title o^ Horse Exhibition^ and prominent men, respectable, church-going citizens, are the aiders and abettors of them. If, therefore, we must have horse racing again, let us have it by its proper name. Chetter Co., lUh Mo., l^M, 1856. J. B. S. For the Fami Journal. DWARF FEAR TREES. Ix the report of the Committee on Fruits, at the last Bucks County Exhibition, the cultivation of dwarf Pear Trees was condemned as being a failure, and coming from so respectable a source, the opinion is entitled to respect whether true or not ; but as other opinions have been advanced, it would be of advantage to the community, if those of the readers of the Farm Journal who have experimented in dwarf trees, would give the result of their experience, and particularly as to the mode of cultivation, the yield, and the profit, in a pecuniary view ; this last item being an import- ant matter to most farmers. ««, . BLOOD AS A FERTILIZEB. The increasing demand for fertilizing material in i form better adapted to transportation than farm-yard manure, renders information upon points connected with this important subject, not only interesting, but valua- ble. The following article is more full than anything we have seen, and as such, is commended to the atten- tion of the reader. "As a manure, the efficiency of blood has been fre- quently tested in practice. Owing to the circumstance of its being seldom within reach of the farmer in quan- tity sufficient to make it an object of importance, as well as the inconvenience attending its carriage, and its li** bility to speedy decomposition, it rarely forms one of those substances which are used as fertilizers in general farm practice. But as an accidental auxiliary manure, its usefulness is frequently exhibited. In the gardens, allotment patches, adjoining towns, and in the lands in the occupation of butchers, it is frequently used with the high degree of success which its composition predicate* 1866.] THB FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 36 Too frequently, however, it forms an ingredient in those heterogeneous masses of filth and rubbish which, instead of being made the instrument of producing, in the shape of vegetable and animal food, fresh supplies of sinew and strength for the laborer, offend the senses, engender disease, and perpetuate wretchedness among the crowded population of our cities. For the reasons stated above, we have but few pub- lished experiments with blood which afford us precise data as to its comparative efficiency as a fertilizer for farm crops. In many of the very extensive series of experiments which have been published in the Transac- tions of the Highland and Agricultural Society, of Scot- land, very productive results have been developed, by the use of substances such as sugar refiners' waste, &c., which contain blood ; and Professor Johnston mentions instances in which the absence of this ingredient was followed by less successful results from the application of the mixture as a manure. The experiments of Hermb- stadt, however, furnish us with results which exhibit, in a itriking manner, the positive potency of the manure, and, at the same time, confirm the estimate of its relative efficacy when compared with other manures, which che- mical analysis warrants. Thus, from the analysis of Playfair, blood appears to he extremely rich in nitrogen — an element which, when it exists in a manure, never fails to produce visible evi- dence of its fertilizing influence ; and in a series of trials made by Hermbstadt, the results obtained from the use of blood are only equalled by those from one other ap- plication—concentrated urine ; which, it is worthy of remark, is, with one or two exceptions, the only manure that excels blood in the amount of nitrogen in its com- position. Subjoined is an abstract of the result of these trials, and of the relative quantities of nitrogen in blood and other manuring substances, according to the analy- ses of Payen and Boussingault ; from which it will be seen that blood holds, as nearly as may be, the same position in practice that it does in theory, if we estimate by the nitrogen it contains : Experiment by Professor Hermbstadt. Soil without manure, yielded 3 times the seed sown. Soil dressed with old herb- age, grass, leaves, &o., Cow dung, Pigeons* dung, Horse dung, Human urine, Sheep's dung, Human manure, Bullocks' blood. Table of the relative amount of nitrogen in blood and other fertilizing substances. II - «< (« It II II *( 5 7 9 10 12 12 14 14 rter'« Froffress qf the Nation, p- lOl "ii. I TIGHT BINDING \ 368 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRBSSIVB FARMER. [Deczvbkk. This method is, however, rarely adopted, except on small garden plats, where it can be used immediately. And as decompoeition ensues rapidly, when it is in this con- dition, there can be no doubt but that a great waste of ammonia takes place when the practice is adopted. The most convenient mode of using it as a liquid top-dress- ing is to mix it liberally with tank liquid, or water, by which process decompotition is retarded ; and it may be applied at the time most convenient, and to the crop to which it is best adapted. The ordinary liquid manure cart will distribute it upon grass lands, or upon the young wheat crop in spring, for which, upon thin and sandy soils, it is especially suited. It has been applied during the present year upon the aftermath of meadow grass, in a case that has come under our own observa- tion, with decided success. The most portable and convenient form in which blood oi^n be used is in the dried or desiccated state. The pre- paration is very simple : by exposure to heat it coagu- lates, after which it is broken down and dried on a stove. With the addition of a small quantity of charcoal, gyp- sum, or ashes of peat, sods or wood, it forms a pulveru- lent mixture, admirably adapted for drilling alone, or with bones, guano, or rape dust. As an application for turnips, which require the manure to be put along with the seed for immediate use, this mode is far more conve- nient than that of liquid top-dressing ; and it might be carried out to an extent that would enable us to make use of the immense supplies which at present is unavail- able for the purposes of fertilization In France, a ma- nure, of which blood in this condition is the basis, has been prepared to some extent. The immense diminution in bulk of the manure from the evaporation of sixty per cent, of water, economizes the cost of the application by diminishing the expense of carriage and distribution ; one ton of dried blood is equivalent to four in the liquid state. If this method were put into practice, the immense quantities of blood contained in the flocks and herds con- gtantly exported from the turnip lands and pastures of England — and which from day to day are wasted through the sewers of our large towns — might, like the skeleton portion of the animal, the bones, be returned to the most distant fields, and assist in produing an increase of ve- getable productions that would in turn enable us to mul- tiply our flocks, and augment the future supplies of hu- man food. «» BONES versus OUANO. Until the supply of home-made or barn-yard man- ure is exhausted, we would not advise any one to go beyond the farm to purchase any kind of fertilizer whatever, unless it be gypsum, (plaster of Paris,) where this has been found beneficial, or where it has been untried, and timet to apply to cold, sour soils, or to those abounding in undecayed roots and other or- ganic matters. But when the home manures are all used to the best advantage, most farmers will have still remaining one to a dozen fields, that may be pro- fitably treated with a dose of some kind of fertilizer brought from abroad. No other question connected with agriculture is half so frequently asked us as this ; — What manure would you advise me to purchase ? Since the thorough and successful trials of good Peruvian Guano have proved its high and almost universal value, as a fertilizer, on nearly all kinds of soils and crops, we have in most cases recommended the use of this, in preference to all other foreign manures ; and when it can he obtained at a reasonable price, we still think it the safest and the best, all things considered. But there is a limit to its profitable use, and those who chance to have a mo- nopoly of the article seem determined to reach that limitc It will be well for them, for farmers and fop the country if they do not go beyopd. The last straw broke the caraePs back, and we are inclined to think the agents of the Peruvian government, by a contin* ual increase in the price of guano, have very nearly, if not quite, put upon their own backs the last straw. The constantly varying price, and the imperfect a^ rangements for shipping regular supplies, have been and are the cause of much dissatisfaction among con* sumers. Just at this time the agents have little or none to sell at any price. The excuse that shipping is not available will htfrdly pass. The supply of in article that pays the owners so large a profit, and which has been depended upon by so large a number of persons, should not be left to the chance ships tbit may find it convenient to visit the Chincha Islands. A reaction is already taking place among intelligent cultivators, and when the tide has once fully set back* ward, it will not be so easy a matter to stay its course. Those who have patiently experimented with guano at 2i cents a pound, until they have concluded that at that price it will paj, will not at once conclude that this will be the case when, as now, they cannot get it for less than 3 cents per pound, or an advance of 20 per cent. Some will continue its use, while a multitude of others will become irritated and disgust* ed with what they consider an imposition practiced upon them, and they will be quite likely to ignore the use of the article altogether. These hints are thrown out in all kindness to the Peruvian Agents. We do not know what are their present intentions in regard to this matter, but if we are to judge from the past, we may look for another advance of 20 per cent, in the price of guano during the next year or two. If such should be the case, and even if there be not a partial receding from the present prices, and a steady supply furnished, our advice to farmers will be, look out for yourselves and let Peru do the same. We are glad to see public attention turned to other sources for materials to resuscitate our impoverished soils. A large manufacturer of super- phosphates, combined with ammonia from our gas works and other sources, informs us that his orders this year, are in* creased four-fold over those of former years, and that the rise in the price of guano, and its irregular supply have made his fortune. His orders are mainly from those who have heretofore relied upon guano. Almost every week we hear of some new factory started to manufacture artificial fertilizers, and companies 9^^ 185^.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRSSSIVB FARMER. 369 formed, and being formed, to explore the Islands of the Pacific in search of new deposits of guano as yet unmortgaged and unraonopolized. But thus much by the way. We commenced this article to call the attention of farmers to one or more substitutes for guano. In our own experience, as well as observation, we have found no so good substitute as finely ground unbumed bones. Unfortunately, the supply of this material is not unlimited, nor indeed considerable, but so far as it goes it is worth looking after. We recently saw a hundred or more barrels of fine bone sawings lying without a purchaser, though ottered at $3 to $3 50 per barrel of 250 to 300 lbs. or but little above one cent per pound, And yet chemi- cal analysis, as well as experiment, shows that this article strongly resembles guano, both in its composi- tion and in its eff'ect upon crops. The large amount of organic matter in unbumed bones, which decomposes readily when they are finely pulverized, furnishea an excellent stimulant or nourisher to most growing plants. It is a safe application, as there is none of that causticity found in guano. Where immedi.^te benefit is desired, it is important that the bones be finely ground. Whole bones will he in the soil for years without being entirely decom- posed, aud when crushed to the size of peas, it will often be two or three years before their full effect is realized. Where a large application of bones is to be made, as in grape borders, in gardens, &c., the coarse- ly pulverized are preferable, as in this case they will afford a sufficient nourishment for present use, and continue longer operative. — N. Y. Times. PROFITS ON PI09 AND POULTRY. Messrs. Editors :— During the nine years that I have pursued farming, I have kept accounts with the products of the farm, and find it beneficial in many respects. I herewith send you my accounts with poultry and swine for the past nine years. My poultry I charge with their worth at the commencement of the year, and with the food they consume during the year, and the mischief they do about the premises, and credit the eggs they lay, and the worth of those killed during the year, with the worth of those I have at the close of the year. Abstract of account with hens : I charge the swine their cost when I buy them, what grain they consume, and five or six dollars for the skim milk from each cow I keep, and credit their market worth when slaughtered, allowing their manure as an offset to care and attention while fattening. My loss on swine I attribute in part to not keeping suffi- ciently well in the summer season, and consequently not slaughtering early enough in the winter, and partly m not paymg sumcient attention in selecting pigs. Generally have taken spring pigs and killed in the winter. Abstract account with gwine : Year. No. Cost. Worth. Profit. Loss. J847 3 130.97 $43 79 $12.82 1«48 4 60.00 46.40 $12.60 1849 6 93 47 76 75 16.82 1850 12 131.92 104.46 27.46 1861 4 66.90 63.00 3.99 1862 4 107.07 98 22 8 84 1863 4 115.64 101.04 1460 1864 3 66 74 65.68 11.06 1855 3 68.55 65.00 6.45 Year. 1847 1848 1849 1850 1851 1852 1863 1854 1856 No. 84 60 67 78 70 Cost $1725 26.64 23.11 27.80 3605 67.76 69.45 58.19 74.09 Worth. $25 68 36.87 45.59 41.64 63.10 89.69 91.67 86 09 82.67 Profit $8.43 10.23 22.48 14.84 1706 30.03 22.12 28.50 8.58 ^19.27 $96.26 Loss on the nine years, $77. Here you see is a wide difference in the result in keeping two descriptions of farm stock ; and without facts find figures, how can the farmer know whether he is gaining or losing from year to year in his farm operations ? Milnbr Cask. Avon, Ct» -<•»- Gain in nine years, $162 26 I have no record of the number of hens for the first four years. CASHMERE GOATS. Col. Richard Peters, of Atlanta, Ga., has kindly favored us with the engravings of these beautiful ani- mals found on the following page. They were first introduced into the United States from the East, in 1849, by Dr. J. B. Davis, of South Carolina, from whom Col. Peters purchased, in the year 1853, the entire flock of pure bred females, with the exception of the one owned by Col. Wade Hampton, of South Carolina ; one sold by Dr. Davis to Mr. Davenport, of Virginia, and one to Mr. Osborne, of New York. The iiock now consists of twenty- five head, excluding the three pure bred females above enumerated, and several bucks owned by gentlemen in Tennessee, Geor- gia and South Carolina, who are breeding grades by crossing on the common goat. The fleeces of the matured bucks weigh from six to seven pounds. Ewes yield from three to four pounds. The flesh of the crosses is superior to most mutton, tender and delicious, making them a desirable acqui- sition to our food- producing animals. The ease with which they are kept, living as they do on weeds, briers, browse and other coarse herbage, fits them (or many portions of our country where sheep could not be sustained to advantage ; whilst their ability and disposition to defend themselves from the attacks of dogs, evidence a value peculiar to this race of animals. They are free from diseases to which sheep are liable, hardy and prolific ; and experience has proven that they readily adapt themselves to all portions of the United States. I; TIGHT BINDING 870 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRBSSIVB FARMER. [Dictirnj. m m MALE CASHMERE GOAT. The property of Richard Peters* of Atlanta, Georgia, imported during the year 1849, from Turkey, in Asia, by J. R. Davis, M. D., of South Carolina. Live weight 155 lbs., weight of yearly fleece 7 lbs. FEMALE CASHMERE GOAT. Asia\"v jToLiK^ M n''^^^7if'n^ Atlanta Georgia, imported during the year 1849, from Turkey, in Asia, by J. B. Davis, M. D., of South Carohna. Live weight 102 lbs. weight of yearly fleece 44 lbs. 186«.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. Sfl IMPROVED SEED PLANTING MACHINE. HEW BROADCAST SOWEE. In this improvement the seed is deposited in a box, A, and flows down through a tube,B, into the curved hollow arm, C, by whose centrifugal motion the seed is scattered broadcast. The arm, C, is attached to the upright spindle, D, which is rotated with great rapidity, by means of pinions and gear wheels which derive power from the axle of the vehicle. The con- nections for this purpose will be readily apparent by reference to the cut. E, is a lever by moving which the pinion, F, is instantly disconnected from the driving gear wheel, G, and the seed sowing apparatus brought to a stop. The extremeties of the arms, C, are furnished with ▼alves, H, each of which is connected by means of rod *nd spring, I, and rollers, with a cam arrangement, K L, attached to the under side of the bottom board of box A. (See fig. 2. ) The object of tho valves and adjutants is to regulate the quantity of seed sown per *cre, and also to prevent the scattering of seed except from that end of hollow arm C which sweeps out at the rear of the machine. Were the seed allowed to *8c»pe indiscriminately from both ends of C, portions of it would strike the vehicle, or animal, and be im- properly scattered. The tendency of the springs, I, is to keep the valves, H» constantly closed, and they never open except when the arm, C, revolves and brings friction rollers J against the cam surfaces, K L. The duration of contact between the rollers, J, and cam surfaces is equivalent to the time occupied by the arm 0, in sweeping around the rear of the machine. The valves, H, are therefore open, and the seed escapes, when the extremity of arm 0 begins to emerge from beneath the seed box, A, but the valves instantly shut, when the extremity of C has finished its rear sweep and begins to go under box A again. The quantity of seed sown per acre is regulated by adjusting the nut, a, (fig. 2,) which releases or tightens the pressure of springs, I, on the valves, 11. The cam surfaces, K, it will be seen, are formed by bending the ends of the rods of which they are com- posed. Cam surface L is attached to a moveable eross bar, M, one end of which is hinged to box A. A rod, E, extends from M to a point near the driver's seat within his reach. When he wishes to stop the discharge of grain he pushes rod N, and throws M out a little (fig. 2.) This carries the yoke, L, towards the outer ends of K, and they open so that rollers, J, when they come around, cannot touch the cam sur- faces ; consequently the valves H, remain closed, and no discharge of seed takes place. This machine will sow all kinds of grain or grass seeds, at the rate of from four to six acres per hour, 'k I TIGHT BINDING srt THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVB EARMER. I CDBCBMBn, doing the work in the most even and perfect manner. The patentee states that its cost is not much more than a common gig, for which the vehicle may also be used if desired, the seeding arrangement being so fixed as to be easily removed. Or the wheels of a common wagon may be conveniently applied during the seeding operation, thus saving a portion of the cost. The inventor of this seed sower, is EnosStimson, of North Craftsbury, Vt. -*•*- THE CHINESE SUGAR CANE. Wb are pleased to observe that the plant has attracted the attention of some of our best farmers, in the Northern as well as Southern States, and that the results of their experiments have, in almost every instance, been of the most satisfactory character. In our own state, our valued correspondent, I. B. Garber, of Columbia, has grown it very successfully. He says of it. ** Apparently it is of the same family of plants as the Dhouri corn, chocolate com and the broom corn. It will grow on any soil; and in any climate where the broom corn matures. This will come to full per- fection, is as easily cultivated as other corn, and it is believed by those in the South who have given atten- tion to the plant, that it will in time supercede the cane, even in Louisianna ! It will be largely planted in the South next season. The only impediment in the way of every farmer making his own sweetenings is, the diflBculty of crush- ing, or grinding the stalks, for which purpose heavy Iron rollers, or some powerful yet compact machinery will be requisite to properly macerate the canes, so as to press out the juice. After the juice is extracted from the canes, it will not require as much time in boiling down to a proper consistence for syrup or niolaHses, as it does to boil applebutter. The syrup is superior to the best molasses, as you can judge by the sample left with you ; though this was a first experiment, and as ** practice makes perfect" we may improve on a second trial. In a state of Syrup it may be used in a family for all the purposes, where a pure sacharine is needed. To granulate it, so as to produce a dry Sugar, can be effected by a continuation of the evaporating process, and by using the usual re-agents to precipitate and granulate the syrup. As % forage plant it will, I believe, become of great value by sowing the seed broad cast, cutting and drying the fodder &c. ; owing to the large quantity of sacharine matter contained in the stems, stock of all kinds will thrive and fatten on it to greater advantage, than on any other feed. The Western Farm Journal states that the Chinese sugar cane has been used this season for fattening cattle in Warren County, Ohio. The cattle appeared to be very fond of it, and are said to have gained well, though it may be mentioned that they were fed with a peck of meal each, per day, in addition to the ** sugar millet." The same paper states that Gov. Hammond, of South Carolina, in a letter to Mr. Buchanan, of Cincinnati speaks of this plant as follows : ** I had half an acre planted, and only ground enougl* to try it. It will do here, and it will do also in youf climate at* Cincinnati. It will mature sooner thai corn, and in any climate suited to Indian corn. J^ fine syrup can be made of it, at a cost of eighteen to twenty cents per gallon. On an acre of land prepared as you would work it for sugar beets or carrots, y^ can, with less labor than used for com, grow enough millet to make five or six hundred gallons of syrup. You can grind and boil from three hundred to threi hundred and fifty gallons of juice per day, producing about fifty gallons of syrup. I have not tried it for sugar, and I only desire to save some $600 or $800 annually, that I expend for molasses for my people. It can be kept for grinding. I think it is likely to compete with the sugar cane of Louisiana. I think it is particularly valuable in your region, and hereafter I will give the particulars of my experiment if yoa desire it." Sandford Howard, of the Boston Cultivator^ cultivi. ted this plant last year, and his experiments *' proved the practicability of producing it in Massachusetts," and he suggests that it would probably be more useful as a forage plant, than for producing sugar and molasses ; an opinion which the above results sustain. In addition to the above, the following circular from Richard Peters, Esq., of Atlanta, Georgia, will be reid with interest by those who desire to add another valuable plant to those already cultivated in oar country. If any of our readers have experimented with it, we shall be pleased to have an account of them, as well as their opinion of its merits for sogir making as well as for forage for cattle. Messrs, Editors — I feel it my duty to make known to the Southern public the result of my Syrup roakiog from the Chinese Sugar Millet, in hopes that othen who have sown this valuable variety of the Millet, may be induced to work it up into Syrup this season. I send you a few joints of the Cane and a sample of the Syrup, of which I have made several barrels. I obtained my start of seed during the Spring of 1856, from D. Redmond, Esq,, of the ** Southern Cal* tivator." I considered it a "humbug," from iti close resemblance in seed and growth to the **Guiiw* Cora," until ray children, towards fall, made tk discovery of its being to their taste equal to the trM Sugar Cane. This year I planted one patch, April 15th, another May I8th, near Calhoun, Gordon county, on land th»» would produce, during a *' seasonable" year, forty bushels of Corn per acre, and this year not over twefltj bushels. Seed sown carelessly in drills, three feet ap^^t covered with a one-horse plow ; intending to ** chop out" to a stand of one stalk six inches apart la tW row ; but failed to get a good stand, as the seed cain« up badly from the deep and irregular coveriog' 185«.] THB FARM JOUNRALAKD PROGRESSIVB FARMER. 9tt forked out, same as for Com, plowing twice and Ijoeing once. By suggestion of Gov. Hammond, of South Carolina, I determined to give the Syrup-making a fair trial ; consequently ordered from the Messrs. Winship, of Atlanta, a very complete Horse-power Mill, with vertical iron rollers, that has worked admirably, /.Miahin? out iuice for eight gallons of Svrup per hour, worked by two mules, with one hand to put in the Cane, and a boy to drive. On the 13th of this month, finding the seed fully ripe I had the fodder pulled, and the seed heads cut. Yield of fodder per acre. 1,100 to 1,300 lbs. Yield of seed per acre, 25 bushels of 36 lbs. to the bosbel. First trial of Mill, 70 average canes gave 20 quarts of juice. 606 average canes, passed once through the rollers, gave 38 gallons 1 quart of juice ; passed a second time through, gave 2 gallons of juice ; the 40 gallons, I quart, gave 8 gallons thick Syrup. I carefully measured an eighth of an acre, having the best canes, and the best stand, another eighth having the poorest canes and the poorest stand. The result I give below, the canes having passed once through the roller. BEST EIGHTH OF AK ACRE. Yield of juice from 3,315 Canes, 253 gallons. " " syrup from 253 gals, juice, 58^ « Batea per acre oi syrup, - - 468 ♦* POOREST EIGHTH OF AN ACRE. Yield of juice from 2,550 Canes, " " syrup from 179 gals, juice, Rates per acre of syrup, • • • Weight of 30 selected Canes, ** ** Juice pressed out, ** " Crushed Cane, - • * Loss in crushing, - • Wfight of crushed cane dried in sun, - The following tests were made at the mill, by Dr. Robert Battey, of Rome, Ga., a graduate of the Phil- adelphia College of Pharmacy : Specific gravity of juice, ----- 1,086 " " syrup, 1,3.35 •• " New Orleans syrup, - -1,321 Thermometer applied to syrup, - - • - 77° " « juice, - - - - 70° Saccharometer ** juice, - • • -25}° The juice should be placed in the boilers immediately on being pressed out, then boiled slowly, until the green scum ceases to rise ; then stir in a tea-spoonful of air-slacked lime to five gallons of juice ; continue skimming and boiling until the syrup thickens and ^*ng8 down in flakes on the rim of the dipper. I have made the clearest syrup by simply boiling tnd skimming, without lime or other clarifiers. The lime is requisite to neutralize a portion of the *cid in the juice ; the true proportion must be deter- Diined by well-conducted experiments. The cost of making the Syrup in upper Georgia, in my opinion, will not exceed ten to fifteen cents per gallon. This I shall be able to test another season, by planting and working up fifty acres of the cane. I am satisfied that this plant will enable every farmer and planter in the Southern States to make at home all the Syrup required for family use ; and I believe that our Chemists will soon teach us how to convert the Syrup into Sugar, for expf»rt, %& one of the staples of our favored clime. Obtaining such unlocked for success, with the Chinese Sugar Cane, I concluded to try our common Corn. From a " new ground," planted 3 by 3, one stalk to a hill, a week beyond the roasting-ear stage, I selected thirty stalks. Weight of 30 stalks, 85f " •* juice, - - - • • -16|- " « crushed stalks, 19} Loss in crushing, - - - * • * J Yield of Syrup, ... - - 1 J pints' The Syrup of a peculiar disagreeable taste, entirely unfit for table use. Richard Peters. Atlan'ay Ga.f September j 1866. -••► 179 gallons. 43J •* 346 *• . 49} lbs. . 25i " . 2f3 " . J" - n " WHAT SHALL BE DONE WITH THE MICE1 The amount of injury done to the fruit trees by mice during last Winter ia almost incredible. All through the Summer, report after report has reached us of large flourishing orchards almost entirely destroyed by these wily depredators. There has been little noise and ex» citement on this subject, owing to the circumstance that the extent of the mischief has been but gradually devel- oped. Even where the barking of the trees was above ground so as to be readily seen, most orchadists hoped to save many of their trees by applying various substan- ces, and they have been loth to come to the conclusion that their favorite fruit trees, so long nursed with assid- uous care, were really destroyed beyond recovery. But the progress of the Summer has proved that the fatal teeth of the depredators penetrated deeper than usual towards the life wood of the tree. But the injury last Winter was in very many cases different from anything experienced in former years. Thousands of trees were gnawed below the surface of the ground, while heretofore the bark has only been eaten off above giound. Last week we called upon a friend who is noted as a fruit grower. For a dozen years or more he has been preparing large orchards, stocking them with the best kinds of fruits. One year ago he had over one hundred and thirty acret of choice trees, most of them just at the right age to yield remunerative crops, and he had looked for the product as a sort of income for the rest of his life, now somewhat advanced. Last Winter the mice ruined nearly the whole of this finest single collection of trees in the country. The loss, not only to the proprietor himself but to the community, is irreparable. At least fifteen years would be required to rear other orchards to the same condition, and this will not now be attempted — at least not until some sure safeguard against another like destruction shall bo discovered. TIGHT BINDING 4 I fl' 374 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. [I>«CE»(BH, We have giyen an outline of one case, to us the more striking as it came under our own immediate observa- tion. But there are thousands of other cases, individu- ally less in importance than the above, but in the aggre- gate of very serious moment. We learn that the mice are now in the fields in great numbers, and that there is a prospect of extended ravages the coming Winter. The question now is, WHAT SHALL BE DONE WITH THE MICE ? We have had remedies proposed by the dozen, but none of them will be effectual because they all refer only to the protection of the tree above ground, whereas much injury has been done last Winter both to the main ■took below the surface, and the roots. We were recent- ly asked to examine a couple of sickly-looking trees to ascertain what was the matter with them. Observing mice holes at a little distance from the trunk, we dug away the earth around the roots, and found the tap root gnawed half away and entirely dead, while most of the side roots were also dead from the same cause. We doubt not that a large number of similar cases will be found elsewhere. Now tar, salt, lime, ashes, turpentine, assafoetida, &c., upon the trunk, removing the snow as fast as it falls, or packing it down solid, will none of them answer in such cases. Can any of our readers suggest anything that will ? We solicit replies to this question at an early day, that, should any feasible plan be suggested, we may publish it in time to be available the present season. WHY WERE THE MICE 80 DESTRUCTIVE LAST WiNTER ? This has been accounted for by the fact that there was an unusually large body of the snow around the trees during several months. But this will not account for the abundance of mice, as these annimals cannot nest and breed in a snow-bank. So far as we can learn, in those localities where the chief injury was done, the heavy snow of last Winter was not preceded by any rain, but it fell upon dry ground after the unusually long dry season in November and December. The seil was BO warm and free from water, and was so thoroughly protected by dry snow, that the mice were able to burrow in it and breed during the entire Winter. It is well known that these animals multiply very rapidly, and quickly arrive at maturity when in good quarters. A single pair finding their way into a house, will in a few months completely overrun it. This will account for the immense numbers of them produced last Winter. For a time they found the usual sustenance in seeds, &c., in the soil, but owing to their greatly increased numbers, and the long continuance of the snow, they were driven to attack not only the rcots of fruit-trees, but also shade trees, as well as shrubbery of various kinds. We have heard of whole hedges of the Osage Orange, and also currant bushes, blackberry, raspberry and strawberry plants being destroyed. The mountain and prickly ash, maple, beech, elm and other shade trees and even ever- greens were also attacked. Should the ground fill with water this Fall before freezing, the ordinary methods of protecting trees will doubtless suffice, but we need some method to resort to in a season like last year. Who will suggest an eflfectual one ?--JV: r. TimM. Ploughing.— This is the time to talk about plou^ On this subject, much has been written of late years ^\ the impression has been given that only deep plouffhi will answer. This doctrine, as adapted to the \ii soils of New England, is not wholly sound. The natu ^ of the sub-soils should always be taken into accoilt If the sub-soil is clay, and the upper soil lacks that sub- stance, turn up the clay, of course, but a sub-soil ««- taining any considerable degree of iron will need much correction. There are three objects legitimately to be sought for in deep ploughing, viz : the development of the elements of fertility that lie idle, the loosening of the earth to give greater depth to roots, and the securint of the crops from the effects of drouth. The New E^ gland Farmer says that six or eight inches is deep enough for Indian corn, and that it has not yet been pmed that corn has been improved by a greater depth. Where it is decided to plough deep, the process should be ac- complished gradually, so that by cultivation, from yeir to year, the new soil may become corrected from aay noxious element by exposure, and be intimately mixed with the old soil. ■^•»- SYRirP FROM THE CHINESE STTGAR MILLET. The Calhoun (G».) Statesman states that Mr. J. Peters, of that place, has made about 320 gallons of good syrup this season from the juice of the Chinese sugar millet. Sixteen stalks yield a gallon of juice, and five gallons one of thick syrup, by evaporation. The stalks are simply run through between a pair of heavy rollers, the juice received into tubs, and then boiled down into syrup or molasses. In Georgia, the Statesman asserts that with proper cultivation 400 gallons may be obtained from an acre of millet. The Boston (Mass.) Tiaveller states that J. F.C. Hyde, of Newton Center, haa cultivated some of thii millet this season, and has made a quantity of excellent molasses from it. It is stated that it can be cultivtted as successfully as Indian corn in Massachusetts, tod that both syrup and sugar can be obtained from it This is a question which should arrest the attention of our farmers. Not one or two experiments, but i great number are required to decide whether or not this plant can be cultivated with economy, for the purpose of extracting syrup or sugar from it. Tbi warm regions of our globe now furnish our saccharine matter ; it yet remains to be proved whether colder climates can furnish a cheap supply. Capacity of Cistekns. — Every barn should havei cistern for the use of cattle in Winter. A cistern is generally cheaper and better than a well, and M the distance to raise the water is so much less than from a well , a vast amuont of labor is thus saved in pumping up the water. A cistern 10 feet in diameter aod 5 feet deep, will hold 168 barrels. That is a very good size to make barn cisterns. If you want more capw* ity, make two. A cistern 5 feet in diameter will hold 6f barrels to each foot in depth ; and 7 feet in diameter, 9h barrels per foot ; 8 feet, nearly 12 barrels ; 9 feet» 13| barrels ; 10 feet, 14f barrels per foot. 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRJSSIVB FARMER. 375 PHILADELPHIA, DECEMBER, 1866. EDITOR'S TABLE. TnlE UP. The time for which nearly all our subscribers have paid, has sow expired ; and as our terms are *' cash IN ADVANCE,'* those who intend favoring us with a renewal of their subscription, can do so at once with- out waiting for a bill — in fact, we shall send no bills, but only remind our readers that their TIKE IS UP, and that we earnestly solicit the continuance of their patronage, and their aid — hoping by redoubled efforts, and the advantages of past experience to render the Journal more and more welcome to our friends of 1857. «•» THE OFFICIAL RETURNS. Nearly all of our subscribers have experienced the anxiety with which official returns are waited for, espe- cially when the contest is close. We have a candidate in the field, in whose success we have a deep interest, and therefore feel no little anxiety in regard to the official returns. We mean the Farm Journal and Progressive Farmer. Its new term of office commences with the first of January, 1857. Our political frienda with a due re- gard to honest suffrage, do all their voting on the same day. We are not so exacting, and therefore take pleasure in announcing that our ballot box will be kept open as long as voters can be found — that we have no property qualifications, every man woman or child, who sends us one dollar of good and lawful money, being entitled to a vote, and an equal share in the benefits. We presume oar platform is so thoroughly understood that it is scarcely necessary to publish it again, but for fear that some may not fully understand, we state that our uncom- promising determination is, to work for the good of alL Such being our platform, we ask all good men and true, to rally to its support, assuring them that it shall be our earnest endeavor to carry out honestly, the principles we have proclaimed. To work then friends, with a hearty good will, and the victory is our own. The result will be announced as soon as the official returns are received. ADVAKTAOES OF THE EBUCATEB FABHEB. A characteristic of the true practical farmer is his desire to avail himself of every means of information within his reach. It is no disparagement of farmers to say, that as a class they are not as well informed upon subjects relating to their calling as they should be. Somebody has said that ** the most effectual way to im- prove husbandry, is first of all to improve the husband- man." Educated labor, (the world's experience proves) w always the most pleasant as well as successful. It should be borne in mind that men were not created merely for physical toil. God has given us all intellect, and he has given it to us for a wise purpose. He has given us hands and feet also, but if we permit our hands and feet to remain perfectly still, in a little while they become useless, and we helpless. Now the same laws which regulate our physical organization will apply to the mental. Both demand healthy exercise, for their perfect development, and without this exercise, both become enfeebled. The man therefore who tills the soil intellectually, scientifically, derives a double profit there- from— first, in the pecuniary advantages which are certain to follow from such a course, and secondly, in the development of the powers of his mind, from which he derives pleasures which the mere hap-hazard farmer can never know. An intimate acquaintance with the nnncinlM wh^oh lie at the foundation of all true farming, must of absolute necessity fit a man more thoroughly for his duties, whether those duties be to direct others, or to perform the actual labor himself. If with his knowledge he com- bines skill, so much the better ; for he will apply both knowledge and skill to the more*successful management of his business. The farmer who seeks to render his calling most profit- able, will discard at once the too prevalent idea that he «* knows enough already." He will always remember that no process is so perfect, but that it is susceptible of improvement — that we are standing upon the thresh- hold onli/y of husbandry. The mysteries which lie beyond have yet to he penetrated, and he, as one of the interested party, is expected to contribute his mite of information to unravel them. It therefore becomes his duty to read, and observe. His, should be an inquiring spirit. Every new truth, from whatever source obtained, and however trivial its character, should be treasured up for future use. Knowledge of almost every kind is needed to qualify men for perfect farmers. If the professional man requires special training to fit him for his duties, does the farmer require it in any less degree. He may not be able to secure this training in schools specially set apart for this purpose, but it is not beyond his reach for all that. ** Where there is a will there is a way," and no man who resolves that he will inform himself, need remain in ignorance, if he has but the moral courage to tax his energies and perseverance properly. The lion which generally stands in the way of so many good reso- lutions, want of timet must not be permitted to assume proportions of too formidable a character. If grappled with stoutly at once, it is surprising to see how soon this much dreaded master will turn tail and flee. There is not one farmer in an hundred, who if he will, has not ample time for all the reading and writing necessary to render him familiar with the elements, and many of the details of all the sciences which are connected with his profession. No man has such rare opportunities for investigation and experiment. Whether he gives his attention to Chemistry, Botany, Mi jsralogy. Geology or Entomology, every operation of the farm, (if his powers of observation are exerted as they should be) will assist him in understanding some one or other of these subjects, as well as give a zest to his labors, which the know- enough-already farmer, can never understand. How many long winter evenings are permitted to pass unim- proved, which if properly employed would enable any man of ordinary capacity, to master almost any one of the branches of familiar science. It may not be denied that the undertaking appears formidable, and the hard names which will necessarily have to be encountered, are very well calculated to frighten the beginner. Com- mencing the study of any branch of science, is like going TIGHT BINDING ^f THR7FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. P^Kcnn I I to sea for the first time. The fresh water sailor unac- customed to the rough buffeting of the ocean, grows deathly sick, and longs to place his foot on terra firma, ODce more ; but a day or two serves to dispel the nausea, and thenceforward he welcomes the boiling wave, and feels no where so perfectly at home as when tossed upon its rough bosom. Farmers, you have time enough for all the reading you require, if you will only improve it. Suppose that in the course of a single evening or wet day you familiarize yourself scientifically with the nature and peculiarities of a particular plant, say wheat, or rye, or com — or with the character of a particular kind of soil you have upon your farm, its wants, and the food best adapted to these wants — or with the symptoms and treatment of some disease to which your horses, cows or sheep may be liable ; or of the habits of one of the many hurtful insects which prove so destructive to your crops ; do you not perceive that a single fact thus learned and treasured up eYery evening, makes an aggr^ate of three hundred and eixty-five in the course of a year* And yet the means of securing this large amount of valuable information, the want of which not only always retards the operations of the farm, but keeps many a farmer poor all his life, is in tens of thousands of cases thrown away. Precious hours which might be thus pleasantly and profitably em- ployed, are squandered and lost, never again to be recovered. There is no human pursuit, to the perfection of which, education is not an almost absolute essential. Let this one all important fact ever be borne in mind, that science is not mere guess work or conjecture. It is science only, where established principles are the foundation upon which it rests, hence the importance of starting at the proper time and place. The purely scientific man, how- ever well versed in all the branches which hold a relation to the cultivation of tfce soil, and however competent to explain the principles upon which it should be conducted, is not for that reason to be regarded as a practical farmer, but if with his scientific acquirements he possess the skill requisite to put into practical operation the know- ledge he has acquired, is it not reasonable to presume that he would succeed where the purely practical farmer would fail. For, as almost eveiy operation of the farmer, however trifling, rests to a certain extent upon scientific principles, the one walks confidently onward, knowing that he is treading in the right path, while the other, like a traveller in the dark, may be right ; but may just as readily, for aught he knows to the contrary, be press- ing forward to the precipice which threatens destruction to all who approach it. The Country is Safe. — It is a gratifying reflection that the intense political excitement of the last four or five months has subsided, and in the language of some- body *' (he country is safe,'' such being the fact. We in- vite the earnest attention of our friends to the fact, that with the present number the Sixth volume of the Farm Journal ceases. In view of this all important (to us) fact, may we now hope that we shall liave a very large accession to our subscription list. If our friends will but go to work and use their influence with their neighbors, we hope to be able at the close of the com- ng year to repeat again, *' the country is safe." RAPE. A correspondent desires us to give him some InfmL tion in regard to the Rape Plant, and its cultivati The cultivation of this plant in the United States hii been on so limited a scale, and so few have written m the subject, that we are unable to present anything fr^ American writers. We, however, condense the followin, from an able English writer, hoping that it will opeotL way to u more o^teuudu uiBvUDBlou of the merits ot |bnii It is a biennial plant, of the same natural boU^ order as the turnip, but differs from it in having a ft^j. form and stringy root in place of a fleshy bulbous oni The leaves of the Rape are very similar to those of tke Swedish Turnip in their early growth ; but as the pUm advances towards maturity, the latter may be readilj distinguished, for rape has a tall stem, covered T»itli i branching foliage of succulent leaves, of considerable yalw for sheep feeding. In England it is cultivated for sheep feeding, either by itself, or mixed with vetches or turniw. As our correspondent desires information in regard toili oil producing qualities, we presume that the method o! cultivating it for seed is what is wanted. In Belgium, Flanders, and other countries of Europe, and upon the alluvial soili of the fens of the county o( Essex and other parts of England, rape is largely culti- vated for its seed, from which superior oil is made. Tie system of cultivation upon the rich loams and cliji along the Elbe, is to tear up the pasture intended fjt fallow in Autumn, leaving a rough clod exposed to tiM Winter ; when hard with frost and snow, the M receives a coating of long fresh dung, which is worked under with a rude kind of plow in the Spring. Aflir heavy and light harrowing, the rape seed is sown broid cast at the end of July or beginning of August. The crop is said to be greatly benefitted by a dusting of gypm over it at the rate of about 100 lbs. to the acre. In Jily following, the seed is ripened, and when the weather permits, it is trodden out by horses very expeditiooalj on large canvass sheets in the field. In Essex (Eng.) the land is plowed after harvest, well harrowed, the weeds and stubble gathered together and burned ; it may then be plowed and harrowed again to bring it to the fine tilth, which is indispensable to suck small seed. The land must have a good dressing of manure ; the seed is best drilled about one foot apart, or one and a half foot on good land. Transplanting invohM much labor and expense ; and the crop has been fpuid to be much greater when sown where it is to stand. The advantage of transplanting, however, is that the farmer may choose his own time for putting in the seed, wbc" the weather and ground are suitable. In Lincolnshire, and contiguous counties, on the rick alluvial loams, cole-seed (as it is called) is grown for its seed, after various crops, and in different methods, i' is very common to graze the fallen crop of colo-***" until December or January, taking care to preserre tie heart or eye of the plant untouched, or, on very rick land it may be entirely eaten off; the seed is then left to come to maturity, requiring a hoeing or weeding in «^^ spring. If the crop is sown for seed only, it is after* crop of p<^a^, or c]b3 a piece of seeds is early \)T0^^ up and worked, and the rape then sown. Soils aBouufl- ing in vegetable matter are the most suitable for produc 1856.] THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. 8Tf ing rap® for herbage ; but any deep rich earth is as well qualified as these for bearing the seed. Cole-seed is sometimes ridged like turnips, but when sown purposely for seed, it is always drilled, generally in rows about 14 inches apart The time for sowing is a point of considerable moment, because if too early, or if, when grazed, it be left to itself too soon, the flowers in blowing in the spring are liable to injury irum lavc iruBiD auu uuitiug muuD, Wuiuu uip them and prevent them from setting ; if sown too late, the plants will be liable to injury from frost, owing to their backwardness, and feebleness of growth before the winter sets in. The old adage is, that if the plants attain to the size of a half crown before the frosts set in, the crop is considered safe. The most common time for sowing is about the latter end of July, and the quantity of seed used per acre, from two to three quarts. The mode of culture is somewhat similar to the turnip. The crop is ready for cutting about the end of June or the first of July. As it ripens unequally, the proper time for cutting is when the upper pods are quite purple or ripe. As the seed is easily shaken out, great care is required in cutting, to prevent waste. It is laid in small handfuls until perfectly dry, when it is better to thresh it immediately. The seed i£ easily damaged by rain or moisture. Where it is carted to the bams for threshing, light-bodied carts or sleds are used to prevent the loss^of seed. Rape is more extensively grown on the Continent than in England. It is largely cultivated in Belgium, the southern parts of Germany, and in France. In these countries it is grown not only for its oleaginous seeds, but also, as food for cows and sheep ; also for green manure. It grows very rapidly, and continues to grow until late in the fall, and sends forth its shoots very early in the spring. On account of these properties, it is considered an excellent green manure ; indeed it is preferred to almost any other plant used for this pur- pose. It cannot be grown to any advantage on thin, poor soil, and requires ground whch is already, in some measure, rich. Green rape is rich in flesh forming constituents, as well as in fatty matters. It ought therefore to be a valuable feeding substance, and indeed experience has proven, that green rape is given with much advantage to fattening sheep. It contains about as much of protsin compounds as cabbage, but is considerably richer in fjitty matters than this, or any other plant which is used as green food for animals. Hence its superiority as a fattening substance. Rape seed furnishes on an average 38.6 per cent of oil, and 62 per cent of cake. The oil belongs to the class of non-drying oils ; it possesses a disagreeable smell and taste, and is generally used for lighting purposes. Rape dust is extensively used for fertilizing purposes, Either as a top dressing, or mixed with farm yard man- ure. The most common method of using it, is to throw It mto the liquid manure tanks. It does not exert imme- diate effect, nor are its fertilizing properties all lost in a single year. Whether Rape can be profitably cultivated in the United States, is a question which experience alone can determine, and one which we hope some of our farmer friends will undertake to solve. -••►• BUrTER MAKING. Let us think that when we manipulate milk or sweet cream in a churn, the oleaginous portion i^ separated from the caseine and watery portion, and floats in small granulated particles, provided the churn i /k f ^ is kept at a iemperature of about 06^, that are not in- clined to unite and form a mass, until we have per- formed that operation called ** gathering the butter ;" that is, beating it as the putty-maker does the particles of earthy matter with oil, till they lose their granulated character, and form a tough mass that we call putty. In forming butter into a putty mass, we do first what we should always avoid. We destroy the granular character of the particles of butter. Thus every touch, of the hand so as to warm the butter — everv blow of hand or ladle that compacts the mass together, as the putty-maker or bread-maker does his mass of dough, is an injury to the butter. That point must, I think, be conceded. Then why is it done? First, it is gathered into a mass so that it can be handled, to free it, by the hand, or ladle, or washing, from all the milky particles ; because unless so freed, it will not keep sweet. In gathering and forming the butter in a mass, the particles of caseine and milk and whey are incorporated with the butter, and hence the working, and washing, and patting, to beat it out. Look at the inventions of machines for butter working. Look at the patient butter-worker how she pats, and breaks, and works, and breaks again the mass of butter in her tray, as though she was looking for some hidden thing within the mass. So she is — she is looking for and expelling the buttermilk. It is a work of great labor, and rarely successful. It is calculated that butter-makers suffer an average loss of j&ve cents a pound upon all the butter sold in New York, because of the imperfection of this work of freeing i t of caseine, buttermilk, and water, and because of the manipula- tion that destroys the grain and goodness of this de- licious food. Delicious and wholesome when sweet, as I believe it always may be, if reason moves the churn, and thought attends the butter^ working. Thought of why it should be worked, and how it is done, and the effect of doing the work in the way that has been so long practiced, that few ever inquire whether there is any other wfcy — a way based upon reason. Now I have discovered, not a new way, but that somebody else has applied thought and reason to the art of making butter ; and has adopted a new plan, that looks to me as certain of insuring sweet butter, as it is now certain that in trying out lard, if aW the water is expelled, the lard will always remain sweet — sweet as the oil of olives, for which it is sometimes substituted, after separation from it of the substance that resembles the sperm of whale oil. Simply, this is his simple plan : When the butter comesi it is not massed together in the chum, but i Mm i i TIGHT BINDING IT8 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMER. [Dkcimii,^ i tnS 4 SUE ■f I strained out, and kept cool, and washed in brine, till the milk is all washed away. The grains of butter are then all separate, but covered with water, which, if incorporated into the butter, would be as sure to make it turn rancid as would the buttermilk. Who that has ever smelled bilge-water, does not know how naseous water becomes whenever it is stagnant or shut up from the air. The object of the butter-maker now is to get rid of this water, so as to leave nothing but the oleaginous compound that we esteem as sweet butter. The plan is so simple that it is indeed won- derful that it has never been thought of before. Care has been taken, while washing in the cold brine, to separate with a fork any conglomeration of particles that may occur, and now the wet granule? are strained out of the brine and spread upon zinc plates, on a table m a cool room, where there is a dr ft of air, and in a few hours that most j>owerful agen' , solar evapo- ration, has completed the work, and t'len the butter for the first time is massed together , [and without salt— for salt does nothing to preserve butter— is packed away for future use, in a o ndition to keep just as sweet and just as long as lard or sweet oil. These, then, are a few of the things that I have seen that will be of service to mankind, who, through the aid of your types, may discover and profit by them. ^^ THE CARTER POTATO. We have been favored with an opportunity of testing the qualities of the Carter Potato, during the past month, and are prepared to give it our unqualified meed of praise. To say that we consider it superior to any other potato we have ever tasted, would perhaps, be saying too much, but we do say that we have yet to meet its superior. The bushel sent us by our friend, were of fine size and remarkably smooth, the flesh very white, and the flavor fully equal to the Mercer, in all its glory. We were at first led to consider them rather watery, but upon fair trial our fears were wholly dispelled. A more delicious dry, mealy potato, we have never eaten, and all who have tried them coincide with us in this opinion. It being generally presumed that the Mercer has pretty nearly run out, the Carter Potato will come in quite opportunely as an excellent substitute, as in addition to its delicious flavor and mealiness, it is exceedingly prolific, producing heavy yields. Should any of our friends desire samples for seed, we will take pleasure in procuring them. i9t THE BLACK MERCER POTATO. Twelve months ago we made mention of the merits of the Black Mercer Potato, and were favored with a communication respecting them, from our friends I. N. , and E. Reeve, near Greenwich, N. J. Several of our readers procured seed, and have grown them with marked success. A sample of them was placed on our table by Moses Cadwallader, of Bucks County, Pa., which for size, exceeded anything in the potato line we have seen this season. One of these monsters, afforded the big end of a meal for our little family, though our cook failed in serving it up as well cooked as could have been desired. The Black Mercer Potato requires more boiling than the white, but when properly cooked it is quite as mealy and palatable. The yield is said to be very large, and on the whole we are led to regard them as a valuable variety, which must come into extensive cultivation. «9» . WRITE FOE THE JOHRITAT.. We indulged the hope, that when, a few months since we made a most earnest appeal to our readers for co&. tributions, that our appeal would have been responded to with cheerful alacrity, and that the spirit which once characterized our correspondents would have beea aw». kened afresh. We regret to say, that except in a few instances we have been disappointed. A few of our old friends and a few new ones have favored us with cootri* butions, but how few compared with the whole ! Good friends, the winter is upon us — the season when the farmer has leisure to read, think, and write, h it your purpose to improve the pleasant hours of the long winter evenings by inditing an article for the Journal, or have you determined to pass them less profitably. If you have not, we extend a fresh invitation to you all. We throw open the columns of the Journal to your coffl* munications, and we do most earnestly request you to fill them. We do not of course, persume to dictate to correspon- dents, but we dare venture to remonstrate against this apparent indiflference to so great a subject as the spread of agricultural information. Viewed in the light of duty, we submit it to every candid mind, whether the farmer who can, but will not write for his agricultural paper, is not wanting in one of those qualities which go to make up the character of the true farmer. We would not designate this remissness as a crime ; far from it, but we do think that if every farmer who has the ability to write, were to put that ability into practical working operation, we should soon have a better condition of things, and what is more, every contributor would haie the satisfaction of knowing that he had lent a helping hand to the good work. Let us then repeat the invitation, and we do it witk sincerity. Friends, farmers, gardeners, florists, and all, we want your help, and we trust our appeal to you will be responded to as it should be, by an intelligent, thinking class of the community. Send the articles along. We will Uke care of them, and see that they have their appropriate place. Seedless Pears.— We had an opportunity, during the holding of the United States Exhibition, of examin- ing some very fine pears, which weje wholly without core or seed. They were from the farm of Mr. Dft▼i^ who resides on the West Chester road, about six miles from this city. In appearance, taste end size, they greatly resemble the Seckel, and are, beyond doubt,* seedling from that standard favorite. A number of di^ tinguished horticulturists were present at the exsromj' tion, and all pronounced it superior. We have no donb that this fine fruit will be extensively propagated, M» is certainly deserving the attention of the lovers o(^ fruit 285«.3 THE PAIM JOURNAL AND PROG SITE FARMER. rr9 IMPROVED HAT RAKE. -•*: "*-: nCPSOVED HAT RAKE. The accompanying engraving represents an ingenious agrioulturai improvement, recently patented by Nathan Martz, of Briar Creek Township, Pa. The rake is applied to a carriage which is composed of two wheels, A A, revolving upon an axletree, B. Near the wheels and on the axletree are two brackets, D D, in which a rocking shaft, B, vibrates upon its trunnions. The rocking shaft, E, which with its additional contri- vances constitutes the principal feature of the improve- ment, is made of wrought-iron, and of such a sectional size as to resist the strains of torsion, to the action of which it is submitted. Each wire-tine, T, of the rake is separately and firmly fastened to the rocking shaft, E, by suitable means, such as hy welding, for instance. Between the last two tines and near the extremity of the shaft, coil spring, S, is applied, which, being fastened at one extremity to the shaft, E, and at the other to the axletree, B, has a tendency to keep the rake vertically down upon the pound, supplying thus the necessity of heavy and clumsy implements for the performance of the intended work, Baying a considerable amount of power lost (dead weight) wd affording greater facilities for the adaptation to the inequalities of the ground. On the right hand side (facing front towardi the horse) and near to the coil spring, 8 is a hand lever H, operating the rocking shaft, ^» by the right hand of the driver seated on the seat, G. By the above described arrangement, the management of the rake is very easy, and a very slight lifting power applied to the handle, H, will raise from the ground, and disencumber it of the hay or stubble it may have gathered. Should the hand of the operator be engaged, he can easily work the rake by applying pressure with his foot upon the lever, L. That lever is not attached to the rocking shaft directly, but is connected thereto by means of a chain link, M. The lever, L, balances over a supporting pin in the upright bracket, O. The description of the implement is completed by that of the seat for the driver, arranged in such a manner that the center of gravity of the operator may pass through the axletree, or nearly so, in order to give sta- bility to the apparatus, to decrease the resistance to the horse, and to afiford the greatest facilities for its working and controlling the operation. "♦- Wb have received from Jacob Hewes, of Lieperville, Delaware Co., in this State, some specimens of his pears, which certainly do much credit to his reputation as as experienced Nurseryman. His Fondante d'Automne, or Bell Lucrative, Beurre Easter, Epine Dumas and Vicar of Winkfield are worthy of a more extended notice, but a want of space forbids it. We cheerfully recommend an examination of his stock of trees to such aa are re» plenishing their orchards and lawns. TIGHT BINDING 390 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER. Pecemi^h^ 1W«.] TAB FARM JO0RNAL AND FROGRBSSIVE FARMER. &81 1^1 HEREDITARY INFLTTENCE. An article in a late Westminster Review, contains some facts and opinions of interest to the farmer in general, and to the breeder especially. As the entire article is beyond the limits of the Journal, we re- write and condense it. Of course we must abandon, in a great measure, the language of the writer : the ideas, however, we have endeavoured faithfully to preserve. That parents tranamit to their offspins their own physicial and mental trcits, is a fundamental and very obvious law of Nature. Otherwi^ the utmost con- fusion would prevail in the animal creation. If like did not beget like, all classification of animals would be impossible. The elephant might be the parent of a mouse — the eagle of a butterfly. Every fact open to our observation shows the universal application ot this law. Again nothing is more obvious than that offspring, frequently, in many particulars, do not resemble their parents. From this circumstance arises those slight differences which we see in families, as also those greater which we may designate as deformitieff, monsters, &c. This is true of mental and moral as of physical traits. It is not very uncommon to notice a superfluity of parts — six legs where the kind have but four, two heads instead of one. In the sam« family we observe fetriking differences in stature, aspect and disposition. Brothers under the same influences will differ as much from each other as they will from any man they may meet in the street. Even in the case of twins this diversity is strongly marked. The twins Rita and Christina, who were so fused together as to have but two legs with two heads and four arras, were quite unlike in disposition. While, then, we admit the law of constancy of trans- mission, we must also admit a modifying law of variation. It has been attempted to explain this by stating that it is the species only, and not the individual, that is reproduced. But to this there is one fatal ob- jection, namely, species cannot reproduce itself, for species does not exist. It is an abstract idea and not a concrete fact. It is a fiction of the understanding and not an object existing in Nature. Nature knows only indrvidaals. To a group of individuals closely resembling each other, we, for convenience, apply the term species. A survey of facts conclusively demonstrates that the individual and peculiarities of the individual, and not those of an abstract type, are transmitted. This has been observed in the human race ; and every breeder has seen repeated instances of the fact among the lower animals. Every breeder knows that the colors of parents ar^ inherited — that their spots are repeated. Chambon lays it down as a principle, ^l^rived from experience, that by choosing parents you can produce ani/ spots you please. But another and an important bearing of this subject is found in the fact that, at times, accidents also beoonw hortditary. A superb stallion, son of Le Glorieux^ wfco came from the Pompadour stables, became blind from disease. All his children hetamt blind before they were three years old. Horses marked during successive generations, with a hot iron in the same place, have transmitted the visible traces of such marks to their colts. Instances may be multiplied to show conclusively that accidental defects may ji; transmitted. The general law, however, is that they are not so transmitted. Longevity is an individual peculiarity and as snrk may be inherited. So it is seen that long living rujj in families. This point is illustrated, in the Reviev by numerous instances quoted from M. Charles Le- joinoourt*s Galerie des Centenaires, published in 1842. Mental or moral peculiarities, and acquired habits are in like manner inherited. Giron relates the case of a sporting dog, taken young from its father and mother, who was singularly obstinate and exhibited the greatest terror at every explosion of the gun, which always excites the ardor of its species. It was ascer- tained that the father of this pup bad exhibited the same trait. It is well known that the vicious dispo. sition of horses, dogs, &c., is often transmitted. The inevitable conclusion, says the Reviewer, is that parents transmit their individual peculiarities of form, color, longevity, idiosyncrasy, &o., to their offspring; and that tliey do this not as reproducing the species, but as reproducing their own individual organization. In all the higher classes of animals two parents, a male and female, reproduce themselves in their off- spring. The question then arises what is the influenct of each upon such offspring. Each sex has, by different writers been considered most influential. Again— it has been stated that certain portions of the yoong havo been supposed to arise from each parent. Upon the first point, Gen. Daumas has recently published the resnlt of his long experience with Anb horses, arguing that, according to the testimony of the Arabs, the stallion was the most valuable for breeding purposes. In reply, the Inspecteur de$ Haras,* who had traversed Asia for the express pur- pose ol collecting evidence on th« subject, published a diametrically opposite conclusion — that it was the mare whose influence predominated in the foal. Ctea- Daumas replied, and cited a letter addressed to Wo by Abdel Kader, in which it is said — the experience of centuries has established that the essential parts of the organization, such as the bones, the tendons, tb« nerves, and the veins, are always from the stallion ; and again, ** the principal qualities are from the stallion." Vicq-d-Azir, speaking of the mule, says:—" * seems as if the exterior and the extremities wcw modified by the father, and that the viscera emaBtt* from the mother." Mr. Orton, in his lectures "On the Physiology of Breeding," says •♦ the male gi^^ the external configuration, in other words the Iocoddo* tive organs, while the female gives the internal, tbw is the vital organs. ** This may be scientifically stated — ** the male gives the animal system, the female tJ* * Inspector or Saperhitendent of a Stud of horses. :i^ organic or vcgeUtiice." As proof of this theory, Mr. Orton cites the well known instances of the mule **a modified ass — ears, mane, tail, skin, color, legs and hoofs like the ass ; the body or barrel round resembling the mare." Whereas the product of the stallion with the female ass is in the same particulars a modified horse. ** The mule*' says Mr. Orton, "brays, the hinny neighs.** But these results may be accounted for on another principle, that oi'' potency ofrace,^^ Both are modified forms of the ass, in each of which the structure and disposition of the ass predominates, and does so in virtue of that " potency of race," which belongs to the ass— ^ potency which is less effective on the hiuny, because the superior vigor of the stallion modifies it. Buflon states that the produce of a dog and a shewolf sometimes bark and sometimes howl. In the human family we know that a magnificent voice is as often inherited from the mother as the father. Orton, again, states that the cross between the Cochin China cock and common hens invariably lay white eggs. He also sUtes that Bakewell, of Dishley, would sell or let his best rams— his best ewes were sacred. These he would neither sell nor let. On the other hand Girou states that " fanners are more particular about the bull than about the cow when they want a good milking cow, for it is observed that the property of abundant secretion of milk is more certain to be transmitted from a bull than from a cow." It cannot be doubted that a bull does transmit his qualities to his descendants. Neither can it be denied that the female does the same. And it may well be questioned whether, as regards the secretion of milk, the influence of the cow is not as great as that of the bull. It may truly be said that, ** if the organization of the male was the only one that passed to the child, the child would resemble the father, as the fruit of a graft resembles the tree from which the graft was taken, and not at all the tree on which it was grafted." HINTS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF FAKM STOCK. Use similar means to make your cattle, &c., under- stand you, to those you would employ towards a person, ^ho does not understand your language. Speak pleas- antly to them at all times ; observing always that you use nearly the same words, in all similar situations. For instance : your cow enters the baru floor ; say to her go out ; these sounds she will retain, if not frightened out of them by a kick or blow. When next she enters a for- bidden enclosure, say to her again go out ; she will soon understand the meaning of these sounds, and you will soon notice with pleasure how readily she will obey yoa» if yon say to her, this is no place for you, you must go out. By a similar course Buck & Bright, Jf not previously ruined by mismanagement, will soon «arn to use their utmost strength by your simply saying ^0 them, yoti must pull hard here. We once knew a truckaan who used the same language to his horse, that e wonW use to a boat's crew iti pursuit of a whale ; ^'PuU ahead, pull starboard, pull larboard, astern all " \ &0., and he was as readily obeyed by the horse, as he could have been by a boat's crew. We once had an opportunity to try this system, upon a heavily loaded team of three horses that were set, at the foot of a sand hill. We wei^e within sight, and witnessed for half an hour or more, the usual whipping and swearing practis- ed by many " great teamers "? Although the horses were nearly exhausted, and we bad previously been told that the leader was a perfect vixen, and dangerous to -~vt =-— ..—««- «.A^.«^^ , vcvwAutiucu uo try OUT BYSiOIO*' All know the fix a sandy road will be ia, after a team has been set for half an hour, and that it requires a much greater amount of force to start the carriage than before. We spent less than five minutes in wiping th« foam off, soothing, and forming an acquaintance with them ; before we asked them to start. No whip or spur was used, or loud command given. Each horse did his utmost, the deeply imbedded wheels turned on their axles, nor did they stop again while in sight. Accustom all your cattle, poultry &c., to come to you, by a peculiar whistle, for each particular kind. You will soon see the advantage that this is to you, ia a saving of both time and labor. If your cattle are going astray, a whistle brings them back; if astray, whistle, and if within hearing, they will soon find you. Your ducks or geese are upon the lake or river, sound their call, and they will immediately answer and return; so with your other fowls. You will soon find this course to save yoil much vexation, and materially add to the pleasures of life. All, however, cannot be accomplithed by simply speaking mildly, treating kindly, or whistling. Each kind of stock, should be constantly under the particular care of one person only; or, if left at any time to another, should be left with one, who fully understands the sys- tem practised, and who would not be likely to make any alteration in it. While your stocks are being trained to this course, always when they obey you, give them some reward. An apple or two, or a little of anything that they highly relish; together with a few kind words and caresses, that they may understand that they have done right. They will soon form a good opinion of you : acquire a tolerable knowledge of your language ; and become utacii attached to their homes. The DioscoREA Batatas.— The Homestead (Hartford, Conn.,) comments as follows upon the effort now making to introduce the Dioscorea Batatas, or Chinese Yam as as an article of cultivation into this country, It says : ** Some twenty years ago, France, that land of beau* tiful things, and of Mississippi bubbles, brought out the Rohan potato, and from a coarse, rank, yellow-fleshed vegetable made a dish that the gods might have envied. After a long gestation, and with exemplary patience prophetic of the coming prodigy, this mother of rare things is again parturient, and the world looks on with admiration and astonishment, while the offsprinir is baptized Dioscorea Batatas ; a bubble more ingeniously framed and carefully nurtured, than the Kohan, but just as truly filled with wind. Two of our neighbors, who have been long and favorably known as shipmasters in the China trade, do not recognize the drawing of the Dioscorea Batatas as an old acquaintance, and deol«re that they never saw such an article at any of the Chinese TIGHT BINDING S83 THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVA FARMER. [Dbcihh, m' I ports they have yisited. They have works upon Chinese natural history, containing elegant illustrations of all the prominent flowers, birds, animals, and vegetable products of the Empire, but this potato is not among them. Ship- masters having to look out for the support of their crews, as well as for their own, could not very well lie for weeks at a seaport, without knowing every prominent article of diet offered for sale in the market." The Homestead th'mka the whole matter a Rohan bubble, about to burst. The Rev. M. S. Culberson, who was ten years a resident in China, says : ** It is an inferior, unpalatable article, which is never eaten except by some of the very poorest classes. The same class, probably, that discuss puppies and rats, have the Dioscorea served up as an appropriate vegetable." «•» ■ AN IMPORTANT MOVEMENT. It is now an admitted fact that Guano, until some substitute is found for it, is an essential element in good and profitable farming. The price to which Peruvian Guano has advanced, with the certainty of a still further rise, has directed the attention of all reflecting minds to the important question of how they can rerder themselves independent of this costly manure. A solution io that question has been founds and a complete remedy for the evil. We possess within ourselves all the elements for the formation of a far more powerful fertilizer than the best Peruvian Guano. The proof of this assertion is as follows : The only component parts of Guano really valuable to the soil, consist in its Phosphate of Lime, and that remnant of animal matter, which time has left in it, capable of forming ammonia. A large portion of its whole weight consists in useless, Dooavailable matter : now it is clear to the common sense of any man, that if a compound be formed wholly composed of pure phosphate of lime, and the richest nitrogenous matter in that chemical state best adapted to the formation of ammonia, when placed in contact with the soil, and without any of the extraneous matters contained in guano, a far more potent and more valuable fertilizer is obtained. The attention of the first agricultural chemists in England was directed to this object, and some four years ago it was successfully achieved by the following means. The blood of animals being collected in large quantities, the water it contained amounting to some seventy-five per cent, being removed, the solid portions were so chemically treated, as to produce a highly concentrated nitrogenous matter, in which all the elements of fermen- tation or decomposition were temporarily arrested, but which was in the most favorable condition possible for the creation of ammonia; when by contact with the elements of the soil and air, its fermentation and decom- position commenced. This substance so prepared was mixed only with pure Phosphate of Lime, and thus was obtained an unadulterated compound of those pure elements which alone nourish the grotiring crop to iUfuUut maturity and permanently enriches the soil. So valuable is this discovery considered in England, that a company was formed, presided over by the most wealthy and enlightened Agriculturists in that country The gentleman selected for th^ir chairman is Mr. Jonu Webb, whose reputation as the largest and most soientilU sheep breeder in the world, is as well known in thia country as in England. The high standing and reputation of these gentlemen were a suflBoient guarrantee to lU who wished to use this manure ; and the rapidly inoreaaite success of the undertaking up to the present time has been unparalleled. Mr. Webb himself, who annually ffriv*. five hundred acres of sweet turnips for his own stock, uses no other manure, and is unrivalled in his crops. The same discovery secured by Letter's Patent in thii country is now offered to the Agriculturists of Peun- sylvania. A powerful and influential company has been formed in Boston for the manufacture of this manure, and it la proposed to form a similar one in the city of Philadelphia with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, in a thou- sand shares of one hundred dollars each, A chemiat o( high reputation will preside over its manufacture, thus securing to the consumer the unvarying quality of the manure made. Its constituent parts have been submitted to several of the most distinguished chemists inou country, and in every instance they have given it their warmest approbation. The formation of such a company would be beneficial in more respects than one. Many thousands of tons of blood and offal can be collected annually in Philadelphia and vicinity, which now only serves to breed pestilence and disease, and which, if properly prepared, would add very materially to the fertilizers of which the farmer stands so greatly in need. As a sanitary measure alone it is deserving of the warmest support, while its value aa a munure can scarcely be estimated. The immense amount of fertilizing matter annually wasted, would ba brought into profitable use, and all parties benefited. -^m TEMPERATURE OF THE STABLE. When the stable is properly constructed and not too lai|i for the number of horses, it need never be heated by fire or steam. These conditions being observed, I know of no caaa in which it is necessary to produce an artificial supply of heat for healthy horses. The heat which is ccnstantljr passing from the horse's body soon warms the aii, and judicious ventilation will keep it suinciently comforUbia; but in no case should a high heat be purchased by sacrificing ventilation so far as to produce sensible contamination of the air. It is better either to employ heavier clothing, or to heat the stable by fire. Slow work horses, and all those that are much exposed to the weather, and especially those that have to stand out of doors, must not have hot stables, yet they should be com- fortable. The temperature of stables is generally regulated by opening or shutting the windows. On very hot days, it way be proper to sprinkle clean water on the floor, or about the ground outside the doors. Sudden Transitions should be carefully avoided, moft 186«.] *f is 0n THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE PARMEr': 383 eapecially when the temperature of the stable is habitually vflry low or very high. Whether the transition from heat to cold, or that from cold to heat, be most pernicious, is still a Bubject of debate. But it is admitted by all that both are injurious. My own experience leads me to bel eve that cold doea much more harm to a horse that has just been severely heated, than heat ever does to a cold horse. Either transi- tion, however, should be effected by slow degrees. To a certain ex lent ihe horse may be inured to an alteration either wsy, without suffering any injury, if time be allowed for the system to adapt itself to the change. When the horse himself is very hot, he may be refreshed by atanding about three minutes in a cool stable, but he muat not stand there till he begin to shiver. Neither must a hot horse be put into a hot stable, especially if he have been much exhausted by his work. It makes him sick, and keeps up the perspiration, and some faint outright. A very cold horse should not be put into a very hot stable. If he be wet there is little danger, but if dry he becomes restless and somewhat feverish, and in this state he remains till he begins to perspire. 4«» MULCHING. Mulching (called Gurneyism in England) consists in covering the soil with salt hay, litter, seaweed, leaves, spent tanbark, chips, or other refuse matter. Every farmer must have noticed that, if a board or rail, or an old brush-heap be removed in spring from soil where grass is growing, the grass afterwards grows in those places much larger and better than in other parts of the field. This improvement arises from various causes. ^ 1. The evaporation of water from the soil is prevented uuring drought by the shade afforded by the mulch; and it is therefore kept in better condition, as to moisture and temperature, than when evaporation goes on more freely. This condition is well calculated to advance the chemical changes necessary to prepare the matters— both organic and mineral— in the soil for the use of plants. 2. By preventing evaporation, we partially protect the soil from losing ammonia resultant from decaying organic matter. 3. A heavy mulch breaks the force of rains, and pre- vents them from compacting the soil, as would be the result, were no such precaution taken. 4. Mulching protects the surface-soil from freezing as readily as when exposed, and thus keeps it longer open for the admission of air and moisture. When unprotected, the soil early becomes frozen ; and all water falling, instead of entering as it should do, passes off on the surface. ^. The throwing out of winter grain is often pre- vented, because this is due to the freezing of the surface- soil. of water for the uses of the roots, because it keeps the soil cool, and causes a deposit of dew. 7. It also prevents the "baking" of the soil, or the formation of a crust. It is to be recommended in nearly all cases to sow oats very thinly over land intended for winter fallow after the removal of crops, as they will grow a little before being killed by the frost, when they will fall down, thus affording a very beneficial mulch to the soil. When farmers spread manure on their fields in the fall to be plowed under in the spring, they benefit the land by the mulching more than by the addition of fer- tilizing matter, because they give it the protecting influence of the straw, etc., while they lose much of the ammonia of their manure by evaporation. The same mulching might be more cheaply done with leaves, or other refuse matter, and the ammonia of the manure made available by composting with absorbents. ■ ••* Mr. Fowler iw Philaiislpria — A course of scientific and popular Lectures on Phrenology and Physiology is announced by Mr. Fowler of New York, to be given in this city, commencing early in December. AH who are inte- rested will find the present opportunity most favorable to obtain full and accurate information on these interesting and important subjects. Mr. Fowler stands at the head of his profession, and will instruct and intereat his hearers. «•». HEW SUBSCRIBERS. We send the present number to some of our friends who are not subscribers, in the hope that when they examine the contents of Volume 6th, and the generail style of our paper, they may be induced, not only to subscribe themselves, but lend us a helping hand, by- handing round to their neighbors the sample we have sent ; and thereby obtain for us in their respective neighborhoods, haudsome lists of new subscribers. We are indebted to Judge Green, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa for a lot of very fine apples, comprising fifteen varieties, from an orchard five years of age. He says his trees present an unusually healthy appearance, and he looks forward to crops that shall compete favorably with any in the country. We understand the Judge intends to commence the manufacture of Agricultural Implements at the above place. 6. Mulching prevents the growth of some weeds, ecause it removes from them the fostering heat of ihe 8un. ^any of the best nursery-men keep the soil about the foots of young trees mulched continually. One of the cmef arguments for this treatment is, that it prevents e removal of the moisture from the soil and the conse- i"Mv»* \xxj^'ou\xo upvu tuo Boii, manures appiiea, and the markets. Every farmer, with an eye to the general laws governing rotation of crops, should endeavor to select such crops for a rotation as, without exhaust- ing his land, will prove best suited to his particular market, and to the uses of his homestead. Potato Oat.— Mr. Jesse Qorsuch, of Huntingdon, who has been cultivating a small crop of this grain, expresses his willingness to give some of the seed to such as would like to have it. This is as it should be, and is the way eyer farmer should do with any new varieties of seed he may cultivate. By thus disseminating new kinds of seed throughout the land, definite conclusions as to their value would soon be had. The kind of oat in question is an excellent variety. Preserving Fruits for winter use, has recently been introduced more generally among all classes, by the manufacture of tin cases and jars especially for that purpose. While these afford an easy and not expensive mode of preserving fruits, and vegetables of some kinds, for winter use, they also offer a convenient and safe mode of sending fine specimens of various fruits to dis- tant friends and relatives. The Improved Agricultural Machine, invented by James B. Davis, of Boston, looks well enough on paper, and may work well, but I do not like the mod^s of cover- ing the grain. I do not think the drag chains will eflfect this in as thorough a manner as muy be done by a good drill. It may be that I am mistaken, but if the ground is not very clean, much trash will collect under the chains, thus preventing regularity in covering. On the Chemical principles involved in Agricultural Experiments. This is an abstract of an article by Dr. Playfair, recently read before the Royal Institution, and deserves an attentive perusal. In the application of science to agriculture we are behind our transatlantic brethren, but it will not be very long till, by the aid of agricultural schools and the stimulus of cgricultural societies, we shall be wide awake to all the means that science, chemistry in particular, shall provide us. Those farmers who wish to know something of chemistry as applied to agriculture, will find among 8axton*8 agricul- tural publications such works as he needs. Which require most seed, poor or rich soils? This Article, by "Drill," is very good, and the question em- braces matter of much interest to the agriculturist. My own opinion is that as a general thing a great deal too fiiuch seed is sown per acre, both in poor and rich soils. If *' Drill" will look into the October number of the American Farmer, published at Baltimore, he will find an article there, in which I have called attention to the quantity of seed sown per acre. I am of opinion that poor lands, possessing, as they do, less material for plant 'ood than rich ones, should in consequence have less seed than the latter. All rich soils are capable of pro- ducing and supporting, in their natural condition, that is uncultivated, more vegetable matter than thin soils ; the same result applies to cultivated lands and plants. The poor soil will undoubtedly fail to germinate, nourish, and mature the same number of grains that a rich one will, all other things being equal. «» Drill" has only to try the experiment to be assured of this. Destroy the Weeds. Let every one read thia article and follow its injunctions. Clover as a Fertiliaer. This article, by J. H. Alexan- der, contains some assertions contrary to the accepted doctrines in regard to turning in of green crops. Mr. Alexander thinks equal benefit will accrue to the land and crop by cutting or grazing the clover before turning it under. He goes farther, and says, *♦ but we believe that by turning under any considerable quantity of green clover in the fore part of the summer, does to the sbil a positive injury, from which it does not recover in some instances for several years." This I imagine is new doc- trine to the majority of farmers who have used greeu crops as fertilizers, and is in direct opposition to the teachings of agricultural chemists. That the latter are aa liable to err as practical agriculturists I do not deny. I would here remark, that there may be existing cir- cumstances attending a particular field or locality, which prove and strengthen exceptions to general rules. Now Mr. Alexander is not alone in believing that the stems and leaves, or herbage of the plant do not, when ploughed under, increase materially the benefit to land or crop. Several of our large sugar planters here, who use the cow pea as a renovat r and fertilizer, are of opinion that if the vines were cut off for hay, the beneficial result to the land and crop, on which the vines were, would still accrue. They say that the benefit is from the shading of the ground alone. In support of these views they say, remove an old house and see how much richer is the ground upon which it stood and shaded, than that in the immediate vicinity. Mr. Dana says in his Muck Manual, ** But, powerful as are the effects of green crops, ploughed in, it is the experience of some prac- tical men, that one crop allowed to perfect itself and die where it grew, and then turned in dry, is superior to three turned in green." Now let us see what Professor Johnson says upon the subject, some of which remarks I quoted a few weeks ago, in an article in the Country Gentleman upon the renovation of worn out land. <^ Growing plants bring up from beneath, as far aa their roots extend, those substances which are useful to vegetation — and retain them in their leaves and stems. (These italics are my own.) By ploughing in the whole plant we restore to the surface what had previously sunk to a greater or less depth, and thus make it more fertile than before the green crop was sown. This manuriag is performed with the least loss by the use of vegetablea in the green state. By allowing them to decay in the open air, there is a loss both of organic and inorganio matter — if they be converted into fermented (farm yard) manure, there is also a large loss ; and the same is the case if they are employed in feeding stock, with a view to their conversion into manure. In no other form can the same crop convey to the soil an equal amount of enrich' TIGHT BINDING 3S« THE FARM JOURNAL AND PROGRESSIVE FARMER, [Biouun, inff matter as in that of green haves and sterns*^ ( «. talics by Prof. J.) I will leave this subject wth the remark, that where benefit is derived from the use of green crops th« land must be well drained. The turning under of green crops keeps the land moist, and unless well drained, it is perhaps one cause of Mr. Alexander's want of suc- cess in the using clover. I hope this gentleman will next year institute some experiments in the matter him- self, and I will do likewise. The Apple Parer and Small Com Mills, of which you give cuts, are very useful adjuncts to the farmer's wife. Canada Thistle. The remarks upon this pest apply equally to all weeds. Never let any weed go to seed ; but wage perpetual warfare against them. Waste of Liquid Manures. Farm experiments are ar- ticles that need no gilding. The subjects are of much importance to every farmer. Are Carrots worth cultivating? I know of no one who has tried them as a root crop regretting the culture, but rather continue it The article on ** Grafting of Seedling Fruits,'* and "On the Preservation of Manures," in the November number, are worth the year's subscription. " Will high prices continue ?" Yes, they will, and far- mers need not fear they will overstock the market ; there are and always will be too many mouths to feed, exclu- sive of agriculturists, to put prices down. The home and foreign demand will pay well for all the wheat Uncle Sam can raise. The cuts, m the November number, of new machines, give an idea of the great advancement continually mak- ing in the substitution of machine for manual labor in husbandry. In my article upon soiling cattle your compositor hns placed my residence in Lancaster. This is an error for Louisiana. Though once resident in the Cumberland valley of the Keystone State, I am now domiciled in the Creole State. Want of time prevents any further notice of the November number at present. Should my remarks have proved acceptable to your readers and yourselves, Messrs. Editors, I may be in- duced to continue my "Monthly Comments" another year, if in so doing I can through the medium of your valuable journal help in any manner the cause of agri- culture. With the wish that yourselves and reader^ may happily enjoy the coming holidays, I remain, H. H. 4#* ti-J For the Farm Joarnal. FARMERS' HIGH SCHOOL. It is a fact well known, that the last Legislature was very numerously memorialized by the best farmers from all sections of the State, to appropriate means to assist in getting under way the Farmers' Iligh School, of Penn- sylvania ; and the surprise was general, to learn at the close of the session, that nothing had been done by our ** political economists" towards this much needed insti- tution. They seem to have understood very little of the wants of the farmers, and the spirit that has taken hold among them. Owing, as most of them did, thanks to that class of citizens for the place they held, they looked upon them as mere drudges, who were compelled to raise food for the millions without the slightest assistance from the public purse, while they allowed thousands upon thousands to keep unprofitable public improvements «ii4 hordes of hungry appointees, a small body comp&r«d with the hard-fisted farmers, but greedy expcnderaof the public funds. All are ready to admit that the farmers are the fomi» dation of our prosperity, and all sensible men will ack- nowledge their calling an honorable one, yet the tmit farming interest of Pennsylvania has so far received but little attention at the hands of the Legislature. It is hoped that the gentlemen elect for the next ses- sion will show their good sense by acting more liberally than those of the past, and not say as some (who consider themselves ** big guns,") did, "that farmers need no education." This sentiment, unfortunately, is too gen^ ral among men who ask the farmer's patronage. But under the present state of political twistings and turn* ings, it would not be at all surprising to see the farmers agree upon a platform, and make a clear sweep of tbt present political trimmers and tricksters, should their interests be neglected much longer ; for it must be eti- dent that the^ have it in their power to do so if they choose. But their inclination is to stay at home and mind their own private business, till continued bad treat- ment at the hands of their public servants compels them to move. The public calls for cheaper food, and that can only be had by teaching an improved agriculture upon scientifie principles, which will produce heavier crops, make farm- ing pleasant, and induce more capital to be invested i& the great and all absorbing business of agriculture. It will also have the effect of bringing some who are nov mere consumers to be producers, and make industrious citizens of lazy town idlers, who are now afraid and ash'amed to soil their hands with labor ; for this is tJi4 class of people who can really make the great and much desired change. But to bring about this spirit, we most have an Agricultural College and farm attached. The farm we have, but we must have means to erect the buildings that are still wanting to complete the praise worthy plan, and those means the Legislature cannot reasonably refuse any longer. K. November 19, 1856. «•• For the Farm Journal. CORN-FODDER AND FODDER CUTTERS. Mbssrs. Editors : — The value of corn-fodder is be- coming more and more appreciated by the practical fur* mer, in proportion as he ascertains the nutritive prop- erties contained in it. That it does contain many yalua* ble properties as food for stock, is exceedingly apparent, and is fully corroborated by the experience of those who have experimented largely with the view of ascertaining the correct estimate of its worth. There can be no doubt that at no distant day, corn-fodder will become of W great importance as a product of the farm, that it will be gathered with equal care with the hay crop. Indeed it appears to me that the advantage .f feeding corn -fodder to stock, particulariy to horses, is so apparent that it i* destined to claim a superiority over all other winter provender. The inconvenience of feeding corn fodder, howe^*''» 1856J THE FARM JOURNAL AND PR0GR3S6IVB FARMER. 88Y has contributed greatly to retard the progress of its utility, ftnd has constituted one of the main drawbacks to the introduction into the horse or cattle stable. The customary practice heretofore among those engaged in the rural pursuits, was, to haul from the field at differ- ent times the quantity desired, which was thrown into the barn-yard for the cattle to pick at until their appe- tite was satisfied, while the remainder was suffered to be trampled under foot and converted into something under the cognomen of cornstalk manure. Hence that which remained in the field until the latter part of the season became so thoroughly drenched by rain and melt- ing snow as to be scarcely recognized by its original name. Happily this old fashioned and improvident method of treating corn-fodder is gradually being super- seded by the modern ideas of agricultural improvement, inculcated by the progressive farmer. And although there are many who yet doubt the value of comfodder to be so great as others suppose, nevertheless they are constrained to adopt the innovations of their more know- ing neighbors, who house their fodder or rick it securely from the weather, through a desire of emulation, thereby contributing inadvertantly to the thrifty condition of their own stock. But beyond the importance of curing comfodder pro- perly, and protecting it from the weather, there is another consideration of equal moment, and that is, the most economical nnd proper method of feeding it. There can be Qo doubt that by passing it through a well constructed /o^/.i.. i:^.:a^j -n.-x i:»ii- THE BEEF WE COOK. From Prof» Johnttoti't Chemistry of Common Life, D. Ap- pletoH db Co.f New York, Flesh. If a piece of fresh beef be dried in the hot sun- shine, or in a basin, over boiling water, it will shrink, dry up, diminish in bulk, and lose so much water, that four pounds of fresh, newly-cut beef will leave only one pound of dried flesh. Again, if we take a piece of lean beef and wash it in se- parate portions of clean water, its color will gradually dis- appear. The blood it contains will be washed out, and a white mass of fibrous tissue will remain. If this be put into a bottle with alcohol or ether, a variable proportion of fat will be dissolved out of it, and the whole fibrous mass will now be dryer and more compact than before. Through this fibrous mass many minute vessels are scattered, but it chiefly consists of a substance to which chemists, from its fibrous appearance, give the name of fibrin. Of this fibrin the lean part of the muscles of all animals chiefly consists ; it is therefore the principal constituent of animal flesh. It resembles the gluten of plants very closely in composition and properties — insomuch that, in a general comparison of animal with vegetable food, wo may consider them for the present as absolutely identical. Thus we have separated our beef — ^besides the small quan- tity of blood and other matters washed out of it by the wa- ter— into three substances, water, fibrin, and fat. Its com- position, as compared with that of wheaten bread and wheaten flour, it represented as follows :— - Lean beef. Wbeaten bread. Wheaten flour. Water (and blood), 78 46 16 Fibrin or gluten, 19 « 19 Fat, 8 1 2 Starch, Ac, — 48 72 repair is exceedingly limited. But little care or at teution is required to operate with it, consequently the "aost careless farm hand may be suffered to use it with unpunity. I have used one for a length of time, and ^'^ recommend it as being peculiarly adapted to the *ants of the practical farmer. In short, all those who «*« engaged in the rural pursuit should possess one of hese invaluable fodder cutters, in order that the economy 0 the winter provender and the thrifty condition of the J^ock may add largely to the profits of the farmer, as to afford ^'"^"^"^^ a satisfaction much beyond the pocket ^^-»,. .vA ouw^ i/uci piuput uuii ui lab luciortSoo, four fifths of all the weight above 55 lb. being tallow. In beef and mutton, such as is met with in our markets, from a third to a fourth of the whole dead weight generally consists of fat. Supposing that, as it comes to the table, one-fourth of the weight of the butcher-meat we consume consists of fat, then the nutriment contained in 100 lb. of it, made quite dry, will be represented by — Fibrin, 63 lb. Fat, 30 " Salts and blood, 7 « 100 This fat to a certain extent represents and replaces the starch of vegetable food. Fowls contain less fat than butcher-meat; though, when crammed and fed upon food rich in fat, the capon and the ortolan, and the diseased livers of the goose, become as rich M the fattest beef or mutton. , The composition of other kinds of flesh which we eat as food is much the same as that of beef. Veal and venison contain less fat, while pork contains more. Each variety also possesses a peculiar flavor and a faint odor, which is characteristic of the species, and sometimes of the variety of the animal. In some cases, as with our mountain mutton, this peculiar flavor is a high recommendation ; in others, as with the sheep of the Low Countries, and with the goat, it renders them to many altogether unpalatable. Fish in general is less rich in fat than the flesh meat in our markets, and consequently contains more fibrin. Some of our common varieties of fish, when perfectly dried, con- sist of— Skate, 'iY'"- ^l-*"- Haddock, 92 A Herring, 92 | Salmon, 73 22 ^^^> 44 66 ^ These numbers of course, are liable to variation— the her- ring especially being very much fatter at some seasons and on some coasts than on others. We see, however, that sal- mon is justly considered a rich fish, since it contains three times as much fat as the haddock. The epicure has also a Bubstantial reason for his attachment to the eel, since it con- tains a considerably greater weight of fat than it does of muscular fibre. It appears, therefore — First, That the dried flesh of all the animals that we most usually consume for food, consists essentially of fibrin. Second, That the proportion of fat is variable, and that those varieties of animal food are most esteemed for human food in which a considerable proportion of fat is present. Hence, Third, Where the proportion of fat is naturally small, we endeavour to increase it by art; as in feeding the capon. Or we eat along with those varieties in which it is small some other food richer in fat. Thus, we eat bacon with veal, with liver, and with fowl ; or we capon the latter, and thus increase its natural fat. We use melted butter with our white fish, or we fry them with fat ; while the herring, the salmon and the eel, are usually both dressed and eaten in their own oil. If the reader will take the trouble of con suiting any popular cookery-book, he will find that saugtm and other rich mixed meats, are made in general with one part of fat and two of lean — the proportion in which they exist in a piece of good marbled beef I Art thus uncon. scioufily again imitating nature. [To be continued.] 'ROVlTfi AS A MAI9IT&F In our last we spoke of booes as a manure, and of the necessity of gathering them together, and how to obtain ai excellent bone dust, by dissolving them with Sulphuric Acid or Oil of Vitrol. But a singular incident, accidentallj brought under our observation, leads us to the opinion thtt a belter and cheaper solvent is at hand, requiring no other care, trouble, or expense, than the mere gathering of the boneft. Last fall a lot of bones were thrown in a heap of hone manure in the barn-yard, and for no other purpose than to get them out of sight. To this heap the manure of the horse stable was daily added. In the spring, upon carting out the manure, the bones were found apparently the same as when thrown in — whole and sound ; but upon being handled, were found to be soft ; when lifted would fall to pieces of thtirown weight ; when exposed to the air would crumble and become as ashes, emitting a strong and oflieniiTe odor. This incident led to a trial of the same experitneot last Spring, in the same manner, and with the same reralL We do not pretend to fix the chemical process by which this result is attained ; we merely know that suchi«dw result. And if a result so happy in its eflft cts is prodood at so little trouble, and with such little cost, our farmen may well spare an odd day in gathering together the old bones lying about their farms, and for the mere trouble of gathering them, add to their lands one of the most fertiliziog materials that can be obtained. Let our readers avail themselves of this suggestion, IB^ in preparing their manure heap for the winter, hiw collected together a pile of old bones, and let them be scattered through your heaps where you throw your how manure, and you will find when the manure is carted out in the Spring, in place old bones, a manufactured A. IfOil Bone Dust — iV. J. Farmer, -<•► Soap Suds for Currant Bushes. — A corresponcwnt of the Indian Farmer says : — " I have found the cultiw- tion of Currants to be very profitable. By care and at'fli' tion I greatly increased the size of the bushes and th* quantity and quality of the fruit. My bushes are ••• about eight feet in height, and ane remarkably thrifty. TlK cause of this large growth I attribute in a great measure lo the fact that I have l>een in the habit of pouring soap w» and chamber ley around their roots during the sumiW season. I am satisfied from my own experience and tDtt of some of my neighbors, that this treatment will pfMBj a most astonishing effecl on the growth and product of w bushes/' Poultry under Plum Trees. — The Hartfijrd Couf^ says ; — " We have been presented with some specimen* the very fine Plums raised in this city. Until last aeaaon fruit upon these trees was very imperfect, owing lo ra'JJv of the curculio, but for this season, and the past, the frj" has been good, owing, undoubtedly, to the fact thai po^^lj has been kept under the trees. It is an experiment ea*!; tried." SCOTT, MOCKBEE ^6 CO., "LITTLE GIANT" WORKS, Comer of Seventeenth and Coates Streets, Phila., of purpose. AND ORESCENT MILL. r M : t'vTnir/ .*iro:"the kmd m -. Jeve,theie» ^.e Mill ha,, .he present "^ '1< ^5?^^^ MAHT 'mILL ^^nTu> and our ate iivention, the ♦* DOuBLlS W1A« i ^^^^'. '"".;,„ r ,i horees. at pleasure— a very Important feature. KANSAS HAHD MILU THE KANSAS HAND MILL deprecianon. of -„ »h«« or -».^"^J .^..'^d ^a^g^e of g^e"^.' ITuhing^c^lii^&are guaranteed superior to any thing of the kind. Price $10.00. THE CRESCENT MILL Is the most simple article of the kind in dse ; adapted to any kind of work; grindmg coarse or fine mealfromCorn. Wheator ttye It is easily attached to any common horse power or "ih®"" ma- chinery for running a belt And is provided with «»«« '^ff .^ breaken.for making cob meal. and separator to be used lodes' rert when making bread meal Price $65 00 complete, or S&O 00 without cob breakers and separators. Guaranteed to grind Irorn 4 to 80 Bushels per hour,according to power and speed applied. „ u K;f..i .«^ No fantily can aTord .dispense wi.h, .He luxury or conv^nienc^^^^^^^^^^^ '' '^ ^-^ '«'»'• "^ hominy. f«.i« new Com; which can ""'y >- * ^ ;^„ *^J'^,'^^^^^^^^ returned after thirty day's trial and the Vr All of our mill, warranted to g.ve -"."f'^li^^^^/pP^J'^^X-r °n'lTd.'^ . For Sale by PASCHALL MORRIS & CO., ^l^iladelplua. rOE SALE, AVALUABLeI^M of about 130 acres, situated on the EaU Koad. aboutthree .Ues North of the Borough of West Chester, in West Goshen Towns^tp^ PASCHALL MORRIS & CO. Apply to H, E. C.«.r of S.T.uth .nd M.rk.t street., PMl.d.lphU. TIGHT BINDING DANIELS m HAY, STRA FODDEI ®(D[Lama's ^^mai m^i 41 r irom Ihe machine '*"*""="''"• ^^e kn.ve. can be brought .0 « .rue smooih edge in . few minul.. without removing H, 1: {.' ;: :rprd",r:!fhrr ^arliThlVS '""""-«"• "^ -«■«"-'• » very de^rable. 4. It 18 finished in the very best style of workmanship and of first class material ' To sum upifseoodquaHties in a fpw %t;nrH« if rr,,w ;.,..i.. u. !, " V^ . J"* STAR CORN SHELLERS. FOR HAND AND HORSE POWER. 1, J^::zp «lq^r,e'dr/,,^„Te,ir:'rd r/ir ai^ii'ef ^r "^a?r. fh-et"- "«'"'•'• -"^ "•"* »"- --fi-^^"- No. 1. Double Extra, Plain Wheel a'-^'t^'es. We i%arrant them in every perlicular. j^o J- *• " Band Wheel'..*.';.';;; ^1522 ^0.2. ** PlainWeeel, ?0 00 No. 2. •• Band Wneel ^^ ^ Single Star, No. 1. Extra finish,.. .:;:::; J2 W Little Star. No. 2. •♦ *• ^2 00 8 00 Capable of .helimg from on. to two thousand bushel, in a day. Warranted. "^"^ P ASCH ALL MORRIS & CO., N. E. Corner 7th and Market Streeta, Phili* This is the most efficient, simple and durable FARM MILL now m use, and it precisely meets the wants of* the farmer as it is not only adapted to ' GRINDING CORN IN THE EAR, but will grind with rapidity SHELLED CORN, WHEAT, RYE OR OATS, fine or coarse Meat, or Superfine Hour, if required. It is e«8ily attached to horse or any other power, and will GRIND FROM EIGHT TO FIPrEEN BUSHELS PER HOUR, ac cording to power and speed. This Mill is constructed on an entire NEW PRLNCIPLK, which has never been used, so that it can be run for years without any perceptible wear. In fact, ilhas proven itself to be the only efficient and durable mill now in use. We invite farmers and dealers to call at our Seed and Agricultural Warehouse, No. 89 Market Streets Philada. and see one in operation. This Mill has received the folio winir Pfemiuras— * let Premium at the Delaware State Fair, 1866. 1st Ist 1st 1st 1st 1st do do do do do do do do do do do do Cheater Co., Pa., Fair, do Berks do do do York do do do Franklin do do do Salem do do do Trr»AiiMir .j~^ Cumberland" do do .,r^ r ""'".""o'a are warranted to give satisfaction. We are manulactunng three different sizes. Prices, No. 1, for hand power $10 00 ; No. 3. for two horse power. $50 00 ; for stoain or water power. No. 4, $60 00 A liberal discount made to •^X"- ,. ROGERS & BOYER, -^^"""- No. 29 Market St.. Philadelphia. THE NORTHERN MUSCADINE GRAPE Is the People's Grape ef the North before any other, as has Sin^"*^®"^ ^'"" ^®/^ X«"" P"'' perfecthy hardy, and never needing anj protection m winter—a prolific bearer with flavor "nsurpMsed. Genuine roots can only be had of the subscri- Sk'^.i?^^®.?^'^.^" ^""^ * large stock of well rooted plants, d...^l . ^..'^''* "^'^ "" reasonable terms; and will make a de- tinl Ti? • purchasing by the hundred for vine yard cul- *ure. 1 he wme from this grape commands a very high price. D. J HAWKINS, P. STEWART, New Lebanon. Columbia county, N. Y. tended^ir^" °'^®"' '■®^®*^®^ *" *®*«*'* will be promptly at- — 1- Dec — 5t FOWXiS, OBBSS, Pias, AC. BnfT mf. * ^*!^ Bf'' of Sumatra Ebm Game, Brahma Pootras. Kwls (fee ^^'^^ Shanghais, Black Spanish, Japan Silk Hong Kong, and Bremen Geeae. 8;A?'ai^e^C^5'eVl^^.°"''*'"« ' <=""• ^~'- P"" IW_i,« Dr. JAMES T CRABB, '^^— -iL__ Lancaster Turnpike, West Philad'a. p^,. WHUAM SAUNDERS, i ^^movS^^'^rS^Mpi^ ^*"**° Ai«hlte«t 1 Jf^ IT'*" combines greater power and durability, requires less labor, occupies less spate, and costs less money than any other machine for baleing Hay, Straw. Cotton. Rags and Tobac- CO ever offered to the public. ROGERS & BOYER, n o. Seed and Agricultural Warehouse, P**^- ^^' 29 Market Street, Philadelphia. (AB VERTISEMENTS. ) Bmi^loyinent for the Winter. THE BEST BOOK FOR AGENTS, TO PERSONS OUT OF EMPLOYMENT. mct^P^f^^k ^'^ '"''^ * Uiher to present to his Family. Tr.ST. A^^^l . ® ^^Py* *"^ ^^y '^ amonRyour Friends.^ ^^^'^^S^^^Si^i^/^e/iy section of the United States, to clJSilate SEARS' LARGE TYPE QUARTO BIBLE, fm «'ri^«^«.2®'"J>™"-^^8e-En titled THE PEOPLFS PICTORIAL DOMESTIC BIBLE, rrut M. , J^\^\ ***0"' <^"e Thousand Engravings. N^rL^nf ?il*'p™^'*®^""^^• ^^ ^« ^»" f«"n an opinion from the r«??I/°^i°^'*^y!'^®"*'''®™""®^^'on will be allowed to all persons who maybe pleased to procure subscribers to the above. From 50 to 100 copies may easily be circulated and sold In each of tlie DrtnclDal hmm ONLY.'^''" ^ tl^e Union. IT WILL BE S0L& BY Sl&ScT^^^^ occuple^''^"*^*"^^ should be made at once, as the field will soon be fx.**^ Persons wishing to act as agents, and do a safe business, can send for a specimen cony as- On receipt of the established price Six Sr n»Sn^«L^J^,YA^^MAP^Y filBLE, with a well bound Sub- scription Book, will be carefully boxed, and forwarded per express, afc our risk and expense, to any central town or village in the United States, excepting those of California, Oregon and Texas. f^^^^r.f^^^J^^J Letter?, and your money will come safe, Tiin«fif2 f w?i?, ^te Pictorial Bible, we publish a large number of iinSiJ-f.^M'lJ^.^^^K^®^!^' \t^y popular, and of such a high moral and ?hfi**'^P"®."^**'® character, that while good men may safely engage In their circulation, they will confer a Public Benefit, and receive a Fair Compensation for their labor. ic^ctvc • «6S- EVERY BEADER -^ 3f t^eR^®"® "o^lce the advertisement descriptive of Mr. Sears' Picto fwted wirks?'^"'' ^""^ ^*''' ^^"^ Printed (Catalogue of all our lUus- ♦w ^^ uninitiated In the great art of Selling Books, we would say, '^IZ^l'^fU^^^Slttl^^^^'^'^^''^^ better than all th'e' .«nrtinP®*«?!? ^^tlP^L^ ^^^^^^ ''J..*^« enterprise, will risk little by o? thA f «Hn,?«®i"^J**^/*': *?' f**"" Y**'*^** ^^ '«'>" receive sample copies Jnrt rtil/fS -^'"■'J?* ^*' wholesale prices,) careftilly boxed" Insured, fr«nwL^xl-u'w^'''^'"K* H very llberaf percentage to the agent for hit inJ^SlHorT'^*" ??•*? *^® ^I'L"^")*® »*>'e to asc^ln the niSst saleable, and order accordingly. 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SeKTiptlve fcaSuogues wUl be ftimlshed upon appMca«<»» A largo Supply of the Celebrated TJIR COnjY SHEI^IjERS, as' HAY. STRAW & FODDER CUTTERS, SAUSAGE MEAT CUTTERS, 'SMS SX@flrSBS9&i£.,A@. tly on hand, and for sale at the lowest prices, by PASCHALL MORRIS A CO. Ai, T* seventh and Market Sts., Philadelphia. All orders promptly filled. girAND CATAWBA GRAPE VINES. tor Sale at the following low prices ; 'nion will be mdde on larger iois to those forming im2^!Il:}minCo.u^y.?.. A'HARSHBARGER. TO YOUKG MEN.-Pleasant and Profitable Em- CpleasaIIff?'°ri7"'^^^^"''^««^ "«y obtain pleasant and profitable employment by engaging P ar Jo ''^" ^nd popular books, and canv^asfing t nlid •^^"'^^^«- ^«r terms and particulars, ad- *' P^id, FOWLER A WELLS. ■AH Ar^^nio V ^°* ^^^ Broadway, New York. »fcVt>« fr/ ''^^^^"g'^ge with us will he Becnredfrom ■ 'y oj los,, while the profits derived will be very -~^, Nov.-4t W PAWrs, HORSB POWZIRS, lERS At "^^nufactu'rc^ pHces™"^' ^^*"^''^^ ^'''^'' ^^''*'-^' °" PASCHALL MORRIS & CX).. W. E. comer 7lli and Market Stt., NURSERYMEN & DEALERS IN TREES 1 he subscribers beg leave to announce that their Wholesale priced Calalog«ie of trail and Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Ros*^ Ac, lor the Autumn of 1856, is now ready, and will be sent free to ail applicants who enclose a stamp. ELLWANGER «fe BARRY, 1 I tc.u ,o«^ Mount Hope Nurseries, July 15th, 1856. Rochester. N. Y. PATENT GLOBE MILLS. -«•*■ il FOSTME Hill MILL, FOR GRINDING CORN AND OTHER GRAINS. This Mill will enable every family to make their own com meal, samp, hominy, wheaten grits, Graham flour, &c., alwava having It iresh and sweet, making it much more wholesome lor lood. It is well known that grain, (expressly corn,) commences loosinj? Its sweetness as soon as the hull is broken, therefore the PASCHALL MORRIS & CO , JM. E. corner Seventh and Market Sit. TIGHT BINDING ^PROSPECTUS TOR 1837. < <§•» >■ THE SATURDAY EVENING Established August 4th, 1821. ii — •. ... ,_^ .i.it?- -ij A ««.^i^ AoioKUfiVtiirl nuner take oleasure in callinir the attenfim We haye therefore already made arranoements with the following brilliant list of writers .— WILLIAM HOWITT, of England. ALICE CAREY. ' T. S. ARTHUR. MRS. SOUTH WORTH. AUGUSTINE DUGANNE. MRS. M. A. DENISONj the author of "Zillah»&c. We design commencing, in the first number in January next, the following original Novelet : TAXiLCMTOETTA. or the Squatter's Home. Bv WILLIAM HOWITT, author of ** Rural Life in England," " Homes of the Poets," &c., k This is a STORY OP AUSlRALTAN LIFE, Mr. Howitt haying yisited Australia expressly with ll« of i^uainting himself with the noyel and romantic aspects under which nature and society present Uia ^ *^he folft^Cel^ will then be giyen, though probably pot in the wact order here mentioned By ALICE CAREY. An original Novelet, written eipressly for the Post. An original Novelet, written expressly for the Post, by T. S. ARTHUR. An original Noxelet, by the author of " My Confession," *• Zillah, or the Child Medium," Ac An originftl Norelet, bj Mrs. MART A. DENISON, author of " Mark, the Sexton." " Home Pict THE RAID OF BURGUNDY. An original Novelet, by AUGUSTUS DUGANNE, author of - The Lost of the ^i^^^"^*^*!'*}! We have also the promise of a SHORT AND CONDENSED NOVELET, by MRS. SOUTHWO run through about six or eight numbers of the Post. . rrrln addition to the above list of contributions, we design continuing the usual amount of ¥or% Oneinal Sketches. Choice Selections from all sources. Agricultural Articles, ^««f ^i, -^««i'^ .^^"^^^^^ View of the Produce and Stock Markets, the Philadelphia Retail Markets. Bank Note List, i^^^^wrtwr our object being to give a Complete Record, as far as our limits will admit, of the Great Worm. ENGRAVINGS.— In the way of Engravings, we generally present, two weekly— one oi an and the other of a humorous character. -^^a^imK The Postage on the Post to any part of the United States, paid quorteriy or yearly in aovw^ office where it is recefived, is only 26 cents a year. TERMS-(CASH IN ADVANCE)-SINGLE COPY «2 00 A ^^^^'^ ^ .^, i 4 copies, - - - - - ','" innn 8 " - - (And onO to the getter up of the Club,) • iV nn •to c« . , «* « ** ** - • ID Ul/ 20 '* - - " '• " " -' - 2^^^ Address, always fost-paid, ^ DEACON & PBTE^" ' No. (56 South Third Street, 1^^^ [CTSAMPLE NUMBERS sent gratis to any one, when requested. , (^ QCr'TO EDITORS.— Editors who give the above one insertion, or condense the "^rf^y^aeX' (the notices of new contributions and our terms,) for their editorial co/umns, shall be entitiea ^, by sending a markbd copy of the paper containing the advertisement or notice. n TIGHT BINDING ^''irs^»!A