Monthly bulletin of the United States Agricultural Society

MONTHLY BULLETIN

OF

€\t %\\M states ^griatltunil ^utietg.

Vol. I.] WASHINGTON, AUGUST, 1858. [No. 7.

The Sixth National Aghicudtoiial Exhibition-, which is to be held ia the city of
Richraond, Virginia, on the 25lh, 26th, 27th, 2Sth, 29th and 30th days of October, will equal,
if it does iiot surpass, any of the Farmers' Festivals held with such decided success by the
United States Agricultural Society in different sections of the Union. Gen. Caleb Gushing,
of Massachusetts, has accepted the appointment of Orator, and a large proportion of the
distinguished statesmen and agiiculturalists especially invited, have already signified their
intention to ba present. Exhibitors of stock, products, fruit, flowers, machinery, implements,
&c., &c., are making preparation to attend, and it is certain that "a thousand hills and'
valleys" will be represented at this Industrial Congress — a visible type of the agricultural
interest of our country, on which some thirty millions of beings are dependent for their
"daily bread." The cooperation of every American having it in his or her power to
contribute in any way to the success of this National display, is respectfully and earnestly
solicited.

The following address " To the Agriculturists and Mechanic's of Virginia," shows that the
Sons of the Old Dominion anticipate a "generous rivalry" with competitors from other states,
and are prepared to receive them with that " noble hospitality" which they proudly claim as
their birth-right. Let each state take care to be well represented.

Address of the Virginia Central Agricultural Societt, to the Agricultur-
ists and Mechanics of Virginia. " The undersigned have been deputed to address
you in relatioii to the Virginia Central Agricultural Society — its aims and objects, and espec-
ially the Cattle Show and Fair which will be held at the Fair Grounds, near this city, on the
2.5th day of October, and the ensuing five days, and most respectfully we invite your attention
while we do so, promising you in return, the utmost brevity which may be consistent with
intelligent explanation.

" As you know, the State Agricultural Society has held its Cattle Show and Fair annually
for years past at the Fair Grounds which were provided for it by the City of Richmond ; as
you also know, the Executive Committee of that Society determined not very long since, to
hold the next Show and Fair at the grounds of the Union Society, near Petersburg, under
the auspices of that Society. That determination left the extensive and beautiful Fair
Grounds of Richmond unoccupied, and cat off the Metropolis, the commercial and political
centre of the State, from its annual intercourse with the farmers, graziers and artisans of the
State. _.

" The people living at and nekr the centre were not content that this estrangement should
exist, and they determined that the enjoyment so often experienced and so much delighted in
by them, of meeting the great body and elite of the farming gentry and mechanics of our
State in their annual and primary assembly, with the noble and beautiful specimens which
they brought of their skill and industry in producing, rearing and manufacturing whatever
can be necessary or useful for the comfort of our people, should continue. The hearty
welcome, the cordial intercourse, and even the painful parting, which excited the deep impres-
sion which the intercourse of a week even, with all its exciting incidents and generous rivalry,
could not be given up, and as we have said, our people at and near the centre determined they
should not be given up, and they met and organized the Virginia Central Agricultural Society,
of which we are the representatives. We have endeavored to perform, with a single eye to
the end in view, the duty assigned us, and we have now the great satisfaction to announce to
you that the United Slates Agricultural Society will hold its next annual Cattle Show and
Fair in connection with us, at our Fair Grounds, on the 25th day of October next, and the
five following days.

" "We have great pleasure in this event, and we congratulate you upon it, and earnestly and
respectfully invite you to attend the Fair and bring with you your finest specimens of your
skill and industry in all the departments of agriculture and manufactures, and especially of
your live stock of every kind. The United States Agricultural Society, with which we
co-operate this year, was organized in June, 1852, under the auspices of some of the most
distinguished men of the nation, who have ever siuco controlled and directed it, with the aid-

so Bulletin for August^ 1858, of

of constant accessions of men of equal respectability and rank ; and at its last annual meet-
ing the Agricultural Societies 6f twenty-eight States were present by their deputies, while the
President of the United States, several members of his Cabinev;, and many members of the
Senate and House of Representatives, testified their interest in it, and lent additional grace
and dignity to its sessions by their presence. The late President of it, Hon. Marshall P.
Wilder, is known throughout the country for his zeal in the cause of Agriculture, his intelli-
gence and high character; and its present President, General Tench Tilghman, is familiar to
us all as one of the most distinguished sons of our sister State of Elaryland. Its great
Cattle ShoTf and Fair has been held in five of the States, which eagerly sought its presence
among them. You have before yOu its rich premium list, and you will have no difiiculty iu
believing us when we tell you that its Cattle Show and Pair has always been the grandest and
most magnificent ever held in the Union, and we cannot but congratulate you upon the fact
that its next Show and Fair will be held in your midst and we cannot doubt that you will
meet it with all the cordiality and hospitality which distinguishes our people, and vindicate
the claims of Virginia to high consideration in Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, by the
specimens of your skill in each, which you will bring to compete with those of our friends and
brothers from the other States, who will bring their best and noblest to bear the palm, and the
premiums with it, from the sons of the Old Dominion. Meet them in generous rivalry, with
the noble hospitality which is your birth-right, but meet them, we pray you, with the best you
have, and if they beat you, confess their prowess, but shrink not from the encounter.

" VVe have heard that it is said that our Society is inimical, or will be injurious to the State
Society, and ought not, therefore, to be encouraged. This opinion is so simpls and palpable
an error that it is difficult to suppose that those who urge it are altogether candid, if intelligent.
Nevertheless, we shall treat it as a candid objection, and briefly answer it. And first let us
enquire who were the most prompt, energetic and liberal supporters of the State Society ?
Every one must reply that Ilichmond and her citizens of all classes, but especially her
merchants and millers, than whom there is not to be found in this State, (or out of it,) in
proportion to their numbers, a more liberal, intelligent and patriotic body of men. When did
they ever suggest anything which was inimical to the great cause of agriculture, or the welfare
of the State ? Why should they desire to break down or injure the State institution which
they were mainly instrumental in erecting ?

" Secondly, let us inquire how the Central Society can injure the State Society? It cannot
be by the mere fact of existence, because both Societies would be indeed mythical in effect if
they confined themselves to their chambers and debating rooms, and held no Cattle Show and
Pair. The injury, if any, therefore, must result from the Show and Fair. The question,
then, simply is, how can a Cattle Show and Fair at Richmond injure a similar Show and Fair
at Petersburg or elsewhere ? To this we answer without hesitation, that it cannot have that
effect unless that at Richmond be held so as to conflict with that at Petersburg — and we have
as little hesitation in adding, that so far from injuring the Fair at Petersburg, the Fair at
Richmond must prove beneficial to that at Petersburg, being held as it will be, one week in
advance of it. That the existence of our Society cannot of itself injure the State Society,
we suppose to be so palpable a ti'uth that it is only necessary to state it to command universal
assent. But if any man doubts, let him remember the fact that when that Society held its
Fairs at Richmond, there were, and still are, at least one dozen other Agricultural Societies in
the State, and then ask the question, were they the enemies of the State Society or was it
their enemy ? That they were not its enemies we feel satisfied that every member of each one
of them will ^swer, and accordingly most of their members are also members of the State
Society, as each one of us is, and some of us life members.

"Is, then, the State Society the enemy of the provincial Societies ? As members of the
State Society, as men who would deal Justly with it, we answer that question in the negative
— we say no; for, however, it may be that some of its members, partly because they dislike
Richmond, partly because they are vexed with it, and what is worse, vexed with themselves,
are enemies to our Society, the State Society cannot be the enemy of the provincial Societies
without proclaiming itself to be the most absurb and suicidal monopoly in the world, which,
by the avowal of its hostility, would render itself odious throughout Virginia ; and if not the
enemy of the provincial Societies generally, why should it be our enemy — why select us as
the special and exclusiA^e object of its hostility 1 No man can give a reason for imputing such
feelings to it, and in its behalf we protest that they do not exist. The State Society, on the
contrary, holds, as it should, the relation cf the parent Society to us its scattered children, who
come once a year to pay a filial visit to it, and of this it has just given the most touching
evidence, by throwing itself into the arms of the Petersburg Society, when it thought the
Council of Richmond was cold to it. Would it have done this if it regarded the Petersburg
Society as its enemy ? By its act it has justified our opinion ; and we may inquire if it was
not proper in Petersburg to have a Society, and hold a Fair, when the State Society met
and its Fair was held at Richmond, how can it be improper in Richmond to have a Society
hold a Fair, when the State Society meets and holds its Fair at Petersburg ? The idea of
our Society and Fair injuring the State Society and Fair is simply ludicrous.

Bat wo do not stop with that exposure; wo affirm that our Fairs must bo beneficial to

The U. S. Agricultural Soeiety. 51

that at Petern^buig, and so aid, not injure, the State Society, because the greater number of
opportunities which are afforded to the farmer, grazier and mechanic to exhibit his stock
within a reasonable compass, the better for him, as he may thereby get several premiums ; or,
if he fails at one place he may succeed at another— end therefore, the occurrence of two Faira
in two successive weeks, within one hour's travel of each other, will bring out more exhibitors
than one Fair would.

"Again; many of the exhibitors at Petersburg must pass through Richmond, or the
Petersburg Fair must be small, comparatively. Now, every exhibitor who would come from
any point North or Northwest or Northeast of Richmond, to a Fair at Petersburg, will come
more certainly, if he can find a Fair at Richmond on his way to Petersburg ; and it may be
safely predicted of every exhibitor who comes to Richmond, that he will go over to tho
Petersburg Fair simply before he returns home. This will be true of our own Fair ; but can
any man doubt, that, bringing as the United States Society will do, exhibitors and visitors
from every other State, and probably from every part of the Union, who would not come
otherwise, many, if not all of them, will go to Petersburg who would not otherwise see them.

"In conclusion, we cordially and earnestly invite you, and all other lovers of our great
mother Agriculture, to come up to our meeting in October, and bring with you the fatted
calf and the choicest fruits of the earth, and the most beautiful specimens from the loom and
the spindle and the machine shop, with the noblest specimen of that blood in your horses,
which has made the Virginia horse renowned everywhere.

"Richmond and her neighbors throw wide their hospitable doors, and bid you come. "We
say come — the cause cries come— and when weary of us, we will escort you to the Halls and
Fair Grounds of our yet more hospitable, charming and patriotic sister, Petersburg, and
there too, aid the cause of Ao;riculture." JAMES LYONS, Pres't.

H. C. Cabell, J. L. Davis, C. Bruce, R. Archer, J. W. Ware, J. A. Selden, HiU Carter, W.
B. Stanard, W. C. Wickham, H. B. Tomlin, Wm. Allen, Geo. M. Savage, Jacob A. Baylor,
N. B. Hill, Executive CommiiUe. Chakles Dimmock, Secretary.

Arizona. Lieut. Sylvester Mowry, in reply to a letter from Rev. Samuel M. French,
asking "what are the agricultural advantages of Arizona, and what are its most fertile regions,
has published an interesting document, from which the following paragraphs are extracted :

" The principal valleys on the East are the Rio Grande, from lat. 34° South to El Paso —
about two degrees of latitude— including the well known Mesilla. A population of some ten
thousand souls— mostly Mexican, occupy portions of this section, congregated in the towns of
Mesilla, La Mesa and Santa Barbara. There is ample room here for thousands more. Tho
soil is productive. Land lies well for irrigation and water is abundant. The climate, although
warm during the summer months, is healthy throughout the year. All the cereals grow well
here, together with some of the ssmi-tropical fruits. The Grape grows luxuriantly, and the
El Paso wine will take no humble place among those of native growth — whether of Ohio or
California. The Mesilla and Rio Grande valleys are gradually acquiring population, and
offer every inducement to emigrants in search of good soil, fine climate and pleasant home-
steads. The market for produce is mostly confined to the supply of the army and to home
consumption at present, but the development of the undoubted mineral wealth in silver of the
Organ mountains — across the Rio Grande and. in the vicinity of the valley, will, at no distant
day, give a much more extensive and lucrative trade to the agriculturist. The country west
of tho Rio Grande, for two hundred and fifty miles (250) to the San Pedro River, is the finest
grazing country in tho world. This opinion is sustained by Gen. Joseph Lane, the distin-
guished delegate from Oregon, and by Col, Jack Hays, of Texas, in letters addressed to me.
Both of these gentlemen travelled through Arizona before it became a portion of U. S. Terri-
tory, and there are few men in the world, whose judgment upon questions of soil and agricul-
tural value, is so thoroughly reliable.

" West of the Santa Cruz, except on the Gila River, until you reach the Colorado, the
country is not inviting to the farmer, although rich in minerals. Throughout the whole length
of the Gila — five hundred miles — there are many extensive and rich tracts of arable land,
lying well for irrigation, with plenty of water. Wheat, corn, cotton, melons, pumpkins,
beans and millet, grow abundantly, with little labor, and the soil seems inexhaustible. The
Pimos Indians have raised all these crops for a long series of years on the same soil, without
manure and with no apparent diminution in the yield. North of the Gila, completely in tho
possession of the Indians, are several large valleys, watered by bold streams — alive with fish
— and magnificently timbered with oak, pine and cotton wood."

Pedigrees. Persons intending to exhibited thorough-bred Horses or Cattle, at Richmond,
will be required to furnish pedigrees of the animals to be exhibited, in writing, at the time of
making their entries. The standard authority in all cases of pedigree of Horses, wiU be tho
English Stud Book and the American Turf Register; for Cattle, the English and American
Herd Books. Entries must specify the exhibitor's name and Post Ofiice address, and the age
of the animal offered. No animal to be entered in the name of any other than th§ bona-fide
owner, either by himself or his agent.

-52 Bulletin for August, 1858, of

Delegates to ExniBiTiONS. The Executive Committee of the United' States Agricul-
tural Society have appointed the following delegates to State and other prominent Agricultural
Exhibitions. It is hoped that they will find it convenient to attend, and that they will not
only present reports of what they see and hear, at the next annual meeting of the United
States Agricultural Society, but that they will urge upon the exhibitors of superior stock,
implements, products. &c., the importance of again exhibiting at the National Fair, at
Hichmond.

Alahama.—C H. McCormick, ChicagOjIllinois ; P. St. George Cocke, Jefferson, Virginia ;
Alva Gage, Charleston, South Carolina.

California. — Henry E. Erench, Exeter, New -Hampshire; A. P. Bradford, California; N.
B. Lawrence, Newport, Rhode Island.

Connecticut. — Anthony Kimmel, New London, Maryland ; P. M. Nightingale, Albany,
Georgia ; A. H. Brand, Lexington, Kentucky.

Georgia. — David Landreth, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; "W. H. Harris. Nashville, Tennes-
see ; W. D. Stewart, Syracuse, New York.

Illinois. — L. G. Morris, Mount P'ordham, New York ; Harvy Dodge, Sutton, Massachusetts;
Townzend Glover, Washington, D. C.

Indiana. — R. P. Underbill, Mount Pleasant, New York ; Wm. Gill, Columbus, Ohio ;
Edward D. Ilobbs, Louisville, Kentucky.

Iowa. — D. J. Browne, Washington, D. C. ; John Pope, Memphis, Tennessee; William
Kelly, Rhinebeck, New York.

Kentuchjj.— 3 osmh. W. Ware,Berryville, Virginia; Ramsey McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland;
David Leavitt, Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

Mains. — Charles W. Harriman, Andalusia, Pennsylvania ; Eben IVight, Dedham, Massa-
chusetts ; Pells Manny, Freeport, Illinois.

Maryland. — Thomas Amory, Boston, Massachusetts; J. Stanton Gould, Hudson, New
York ; James T. Worthington, Chillicothe, Ohio.

Massachusetts. — Springfield Horse Ecchibition. — Frederic Symth, Manchester, N. H ; Wm.
S. King, Hoxbury, Massachusetts ; Benjamin Alston, Georgetown, S. C.

Michigan. — J. P. Barret, St. Louis, Missouri; Ivcrs Phillips, Eitchburg, Massachusetts:;
Walter A. Wood, Hoosic Falls, New York.

Missouri. — 6'( Louis Agricultural and Mechanical Association. — Wm. Duane Wilson, Mount
Pleasant, Iowa ; N. Longworth, Cincinnati, Ohio ; Edward D. Hobbs, Louisville, Kentucky.

New Hampshire. — ]\Iarshall P. Wilder, Boston, Massachusetts ; James N. Thompson, Wil-
mington, Delaware : Lawrence Young, Louisville, Kentucky.

iVei« Jersey.— Charles 13. Calvert. Bladensburg, Maryland; Arthur Watts, ChiUicothe,
Ohio ; S. Cooper, Boston, Massachusetts.

Neio York. — John M'Gowan, Bridesburg, Pennsylvania ; John Brooks, Princeton, Massa-
chusetts , H. K. Burgwyn, Halifax, North Carolina.

New York. — American Pomological Convention. — L. E. Berckman, Plainfield, New Jersey;
B. V. French, Boston, Massachusetts ; J. L, Darlington, West Chester, Pennsylvania.

North Carolina. — B. P. Johnson, Albany, New York ; Charles L. Flint, Boston, Massa-
chusetts ; Oden Bowie, Prince George, Maryland.

Ohio.— J. S. Beckman, Kinderhook, New York ; B. B. French, Washington, D. C; J.
T. Brown, Providence, Rhode Island.

Pennsylvania. — Edmund Ruffin, Old Church, Virginia ; Robert Mallory, Louisville, Ken-
tucky; 13. S. Heming, Oskosh, Wisconsin.

Rhode Island.— 36hn Jones, Middleton, Delaware ; Moses G. Cobb, Dorchester, Massachu-
setts ; A. P. Hatch, Newberne, Alabama.

South Carolina. —Aaron Clement, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; William W. Corcoran,
Washington, D. C. ; Charles Ridgeley, Hampton, Maryland.

Vermont.— 3. H. McHenry, Pikesville, Maryland ; Elisha Dyer. Providence, Rhode Island ;
DeLorma Brooks, Beloit, Wisconsin.

Virgbiia. — Henry Wager, Rome, New York ; Samuel Medary, Columbus, Ohio ; J. N.
Goldsborough, Easton, Maryland.

Wisconsin. — Henry Wilson, Columbus, Ohio ; Robert C. Winthrop, Boston, Massachusetts;
G. D. Hastings, Toland, Connecticut.

Tennessee. — Richard Peters, Atlanta, Georgia ; Linus B. Comins, Roxbury, Massachusetts ;
W. L. Underwood, Kentucky.

Delegates to the National Exhibition at Richmond. The New York State
Agricultural Society has appointed the following delegation to attend the National Exhibition
at Richmond : His Excellency Governor King ; Hon. W. T. jNIcCoun, President ; Hon.
William Kelly, Henry Wager, and Secretary B. P. Johnson, Ex-Presidents ; George Clark,
W. Akenhed, C. S. Wainwright, Samuel Home and Francis M. Kotch, Esquires.

The Massachusetts Board of Agriculture has appointed as delegates to attend the National
Exhibition, His Excellency Gov. Banks, (Chairman of the Board,) and Messrs. Marston,
Wilder, Atwater, Sutton, Flint, Brooks and French.

The U. S. Agricultural Sociely. 53

Premiums for Essays. The United States Agricultural Society offer their Grand Silver
Medal and Diploma for the best essay on each of the following subjects, for publication in
the next annual volume of their Transactions.

1. Agricultural Education, including the details of a system for an Agricultural College and
Experimental Farm.

2. The best proportions between the value of land and other capital, and between the
amount invested in the different departments of a farm, viz; land, labor, stock, implements
and manures.

3. Meteorology.in reference to its connection with droughts and floods, with suggestions for
anticipating them and guarding against their effects.

4. Concentrated manures, in reference to economy, improvement of land, injurious tenden-
cies, preparation, application, &c.

.5. Depth of culture for different soils.

6. On the development of latent properties in soils.

7. Ne.v Crops, with their relative profit and the extent to which they should be cultivated.

8. The cultivation of Forest Trees.

9. The construction of Ice-houses for domestic use.

10. Farm Gardens and Orchards.

11. On Agricultural Exhibitions.

12. Agricultural subjects other than the above. The best essay offered.

No essay will be entitled to a premium, unless it shall be considered by the Committee to
be of sufficient advantage to agriculture to entitle it to a place in the Transactions of the
Society. It is expected that the essays will be founded mainly, (and on scientific subjects, at
least partly) on the writer's practical experience and personal observation or investigation —
and when other authorities are quoted, distinct reference must ba made. The award of supe-
riority to any one essay over others on the same subject, will be made in reference to its prob-
able greater utility to agricultural improvement, as well as to the ability v/ith which the sub-
ject is treated. In matters designed to instruct or to guide practical labors, clearness and
fulness of details will be deemed a high claim to merit, and next conciseness. Nothing neces-
sary for instruction should be omitted without injury to the value of the instruction.

Essays must be sent in to the Secretary, at Yfashington, D. C. before the first of December,
1858, and the name of the author must accompany his Essay, sealed up in an envelope, and
not to be opened unless a premium is awarded to the writer. It is desirable that in writing
the Essays only one side of the paper be used.

The Wheat Midge. The Executive Committee of the New York State Agricultural
Society are collecting facts on the whole history of this insect and its ravages. These facts
will be compiled by Dr. Fitch, the able entomologist of the Society, and a report will be
prepared which will give a clear view ot the remarkable career of the " wheat midge" (weevil
as frequently called) its habits and economy, and will form an authentic record of these
important facts for reference in all coming time.

Agricultukal Orators, Joseph R. Williams, Esq., President of the Agricultural
College of Michigan, will deliver the Address at the Fair of the New York State Society, at
Syracuse. Ex-Govei-nor Boutwell, of Massachusetts, will deliver the address at the Fair of
the New Hampshire Slate Society, at Dover.

Belgium. The "Scciete Central d' Agriculture," through its Secretary, Monsieur G've Le
Docte, has proposed an exchange of publications with the United States Agricultural Society.

Napoleon III, in a recent address to his Council of State, says : — " The progress of
agriculture ought to be one of the objects of your constant care ; for upon its improvement or
decline depends the prosperity or decline of empires."

The St. Louis Fate, on the 6th of September, will probably be even superior to its
predecessors. Messrs. Edward Haven & Co., of St. Louis, are well recommended as agents
far such exhibitors as may not be able to attenb in person. They state that they will be able
to have every article as well exhibited and attended to as if the owner were present.

The Peach Crop. A correspondent from Philadelphia ^ays that the New Jersey and
Deleware peach crop is very short. New Jersey is barren of peaches to what she was a few
years ago. Even Delaware, which at one time inherited her profit and fame as a peach grower,
is falling into the sear and yellow leaf.

The Army Worm in Louisiana. The army worm has made its appearance in the
vicinity of Manchac, where they are spreading rapidly, ar:d at some places eating up every-
thing green, at the rate of ten acres per day. This is the only locality from whence we have
had such d^astrous new^

54 Bulletin for August, 1858, of

A Second Edition of the Premium List of the Sixth National Exhibition will be
issued on the first of October, and will contain some additional premiums to those offered in
the edition published on the first of July. Among these will be : Cashmere Goats, pair, 1st
premium, $10.00 ; 2nd premium, $5.00. Shepherd's Dog, 1st premium, $10 00 ; 2nd premi-
um, 55.00. Deer, Elk and other rare animals, discretionary premium. Pea Fowls, best pair,
$5.00. Cochin China Fowls, best pair, $5.00. Mongrel Fowls, best pair, $5.00. Capons,
best two, $5.00. Mongrel Ducks, best pair,' $5.00. Pigeons, best collection, $5.00. Tea,
best pound, fraised in the United States,) $5.00. Silk, best display, (made in the United
States) $5.00. Best bag Upland Cotton, (exhibited by grower or his agent,) $10.00. Best
bag Sea Island Cotton, (exhibited by grower or his agent,) $10,00. Horse Shoes, best dozen,
different varieties, $5.00. Best Heavy Four Wheel Carriage, $10 00. Best Light Four
Wheel Carriage, $5.00. Best Light Four Wheel Carriage, without top, $5.00. Best Two
Wheel Chaise, $5.00. Best Trotting Sulky, $5.00. Best Express Wagon, $5.00. Best
Heavy Double Carriage Harness, $5.00. Best Light Double Carriage Harness, $5.00. Best
Heavy Single Harness, $.5 00. Best Light Single Harness, $5.00. Best collection of whips
$5.00. Best Portable Saw-mill, silver medal. Best new implement, never exhibited at a
National Fair, (in addition to any other premium it may receive in a class,) silver medal and
diploma. Best apparatus for heating country houses, silver medal. Best apparatus for
lighting country houses, silver medal. Best candles, bronze medal. Best oil or burning fluid,
bronze medal. Best bushel of oysters, $5.00.

Farm Crops. It has also been decided to give the following premiums for Farm Crops,
raised during the present year in the State of Virginia, each on not less than two acres of land.
Best crop of Indian Corn, $10.00; 2nd best, $5.00, Best crop of Wheat, $10.00 ; 2nd best,
$5.00. Best crop of Irish Potatoes, $10.00 ; 2nd best $5.00. Best crop of Sweet Potatoes,
SIO.OO; 2nd best, $5.00. Best crop of Tobacco, $10.00; 2nd best, $5.00. Best crop of
Turnips, $10.00; 2nd best, $5.00. Best crop of Sorgho, $5.00. The land from which the
crop for premiums is claimed, must be in one contiguous piece, and must be measured by a
competent surveyor, whose aflidavit must accompany the statement. The applicant must
state, in writing, the location of the land, and the kind and condition of the soil ? What was
the previous crop, if any, and how that was manured ? The quantity and kind of seed 1 The
time and manner of sowing, harvesting and preparing the crop foi market? The actual yield,
(the statute bushel in grain crops to be used)? This statement must be sworn to before a
magistrate, and a fair average sample of the crop must be exhibited.

Fiuit Trees. For the best collection of Fruit Trees, under ten years of age, in the State of
Virginia, $20 00; 2nd best, $10.00; 3d best, $5.00. Applicants for these premiums must
State in writing, the location of their orchards and the kind and condition of the soil ; the age,
number and varieties of their trees ; the amount of fruit produced last year, (estimated) and
this year, by measurement. This statement must be sworn to before a magistrate, and a fair
average sample of the fruit, when practicable, must be exhibited.

Nurseries. For the best Nursery ot Fruit and Ornamental Trees in the State of Virginia,
a silver medal. Applicants to state in writing the location and size of their nurseries ; the
kind and condition of the soil ; the manner of cultivation ; the age and number of trees
exhibited and the retail prices asked for thera. This statement must be sworn to befoie a
magistrate.

Wool. Harrison County, (Ohio) is one of the greatest wool-growing counties in the Union..
The Cadiz Sentinel estimates the crop of the county at four hundred thousand pounds, which
will sell for one hundred and seventy two thousand dollars ! This is pretty extensive for a
county of but four hundred square miles.

Stakdaed Agricultukal Works. Among the works published or re-published by A.
O. Moore, the Agricultural Bookseller, in New York City, are : Stephens' Book of the Farm,
in two large octavo volumes, forming a complete cyclopedia of English Agriculture, valuable
as a book of reference to agriculturalists everywhere — price, $4.00. Thaer's Principles of
Fractic'd AgricnUure, translated from the German — price, $2.00. Randall's Sheep Husbandry,
especially adapted to the Southern States — price. $1.25. Stewart's Stable Book, edited a,n6.
adapted to this country, by A. B. Allen — price, $1.00.

The Illustrated Annual Eegister for 1859, will soon be published by Messrs.
Luther Tucker & Son, Albany, N. Y. It will contain " Thomas' Essay on Farm Manage-
ment," re-written, enlarged and illustrated; an illustrated chapter on " Country Dwellings:"
a few pages on "Furniture and Kural Structures of iron ;" a paper on " Under draining,"
accompanied by twenty-nine diagrams ; articles on the culture of the Pear, the Peach, the
Plum and the Sti'awberry, with much other useful and interesting information,

AvRsniRE Stock. Sanford Howard, Esq., Editor of the Boston Cultivator, has purchased
in Scotland, and shipped to this conntry, gix bulls,, four cows and fourteen heifers, of the
purest Ayrshire breed.

The U. jS. Agricultural /Society. 65

Royal AgmculTural Society of England. The annual exhibition for 1858, which
closed at Chester, on Friday, the 25th ult., is said to have been " unprecedented as to the
number of exhibitors, the value of the stock and the implements entered, and the number of
visitors who entered the show-yard." The AWth British Agriculturalist gives the following
summary of the animal Departments : —

" As to the exhibition of stock, the Short Horns, Herefords and Devons have never been
excelled as to quality. The sheep were on the whole respectable, but in some of the classes
there was an absence of superior animals. The Cotswold sheep was perhaps the best repre-
sented of any class as to quality. The horses were very unequal. Several excellent animals
were shown ; still the collection did not give a favorable impression of the English agricul-
tural and dray breeds ; nor did the thorough-bred horse appear to advantage. The pigs as a
class could not bo surpassed— this applies alike to large and small breeds. The show of
poultry was very good as to quality, A greater number would have increased the interest of
this department."

The Implement Department was well filled, and it is said that never before have the trials
in the field been so thoroughly conducted, nor '"the prizes so fairly won." The Steam Plough
trial was a feature of the Society's operations, and there were no less than one hundred and
five steam-engines for farm-work on exhibition at the Show, leading the Mark Lane Express to
suggest that the engine be taken as the emblem of Agriculture, ani " Get up the steam" bo
substituted for the old motto "Speed the plough." The premium of £500 or $2,500 for the
best Steam Plough, was awarded to Mr. Fowler's machine, the judges saying: — "From the
result of the trials intrusted to our decision, and conducted throughout under onr immediate
supervision, it is beyond question that Mr. Fowler's machine is able to turn over the soil in
an efiicient manner, at a saving, as compared with horse labor, of, on light land 20 to 25 per
cent. ; on heavy land, 25 to 30 per cent. ; and in trenching, 80 to 85 per cent. ; while the soil
in all cases is left in a far more desirable condition, and better adapted for all the purposes of
husbandry."

Sanford Howard, Esq., of the Boston Cultivator, witnessed this trial, and describes Fowler's
Plough as worked with a stationary engine, with anchors and pulleys. It carried six ploughs,
three of which worked at a time, a man walking along by the side of the ploughs to keep
them at their work properly. The ground was level, the soil a sandy loam, pretty well
swarded, and free from stones, but the work was inferior to what a good farmer would require.
Mr. Sanford says, at the close of his letter : —

"But on the v/^hole, though the trials at this exhibition demonstrated the practicability of
using steam in cultivating the earth, they afi'orded nothing satisfactory in regard to the expedi-
ency of using it. In the first place, there is but little land, e-x^cept in our prairie region, where
so few obstructions to steam cultivation or to the progress of the plough exist. Tne plough-
ing done here, even the best of it, would be barely passable under any circumstances, and yet
it was nothing, comparatively, to plough such ground. Almost anything in the shape of a
plough, dragged by a team and guided by a man, could have done as well. But suppose the
ground had been all rough, stony, or of a clayey nature, and compacted by the heat and drouth
of an American summer — could the steam ploughs have done any good at all? From all that
I saw, the amswer would be, no ! Besides, their appeared to be a great expenditure of power,
and the usual force required (or used) was proportionately large. One of Howard's Norfolk
Ploughs was at work v/ith horses near where the steam machines were tried, and the contrast
in work in favor of the " old way" was the subject of universal comment among the farmers.
Still, it should uot be said that steam ploughing will never be adopted ; it is not improbable
that it will be, but " the time is not yet." It is, perhaps, the duty of associations to afford
full encouragement in regard to the experiments required to effect such modifications as prac-
tice only can suggest, and by the aid of which, steam cultivation may be successfully intro-
duced."

The North British Agriculturalist is of the same opinion as Mr. Howard, and says in a lead-
ing editorial article on the award of the judges on Steam Ploughs : — "While pleased to learn
that Mr. Fowler receives some pecuniary recompense for the expense and trouble to which he
has subjected himself, we are of the opinion that the apparatus is not in that state in which it
can be recommended for purchase, and consequently the unqualified award of the Society
may mislead it it is regarded as otherwise than a tribute to the ingenuity, energy and perse-
verance displayed by Mr. Fowler."

The Nationai, Exhibition. There is every reason to believe that the Exhibition at
Richmond will equal, if not surpass the preceding National Exhibitions, especially in the
Horse, the General Utility and the Implement Departments. The premium list is in reality
the most liberal ever offered at a National Exhibition, as the entry fees will be greatly reduced,
and entirely dispensed with in the Horticultural, Domestic, Product, General Utility and Art
Departments. Many articles exhibited in these Departments v.iU necessarily be consumed,
and the Grains and Seeds are to be retained for distribution to foreign Agricultural Societies,
The revised edition of the premium list, with the names of the judges, the regulations, &c,
will be ready on the first of October.

56 Bulletin for August^ 1858, of

OFFICERS OF THE NATIONAL EXHIBITION. "'

Chief Marshal and General Superintendent . Col. Charles Dimmock.

Committee of Invitatitm, Henry A. Wise, William H. Macfarland, John Rutherford, R.
Barton Haxall, Abram Warvfick, Joseph R. Anderson^ H. L. Kent, Thomas R. Price, Tench
Tilghman, President of U. S. A. S., and James Lyons, Prest. Virginia C. A. S.

Secretary. Ben : Perley Poore, whose address will be *' Office of the U. S. Agricultural
Society, Washington/' until October 1st, after which time, "Richmond, Va."

OFFICERS OF THE UNITED STATES AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, FOR 1858.

President. Gek. Tench Tilghman, of Oxford, Maryland.

Vice Presidents. J. D. Lang, of Maine ; II. F. French, of New Hampshire ; Frederic
Holbrook, of Vermont ; John Brooks, of Massachusetts ; B. B. Thurston, of Rhode Island ;
S. II. Huntington, of Connecticut; B. P. Johnston, of New York; W. P. Robeson, of New
Jersey; Dayid Landreth, of Pennsylvania; John Junes, of Delaware; Odin Bowie, of Mary-
land ; Philip St. George Cocke, of Virginia ; H. K. Burgwyn, of North Carolina ; C, W.
Alston, of South Carolina; Richard Peter.s, of Georgia; C. C. Clay, jr., of Alabama; M.
W. Phillips, of Mississippi; J. D. B. DeBow, of Louisiana; Lucien Buttles, of Ohio; W.
L. Underwood, of Kentucky ; T. Fanning, of Tennessee ; D. P. IloUoway, of Indiana ; Bi
F. Edgerton, of Wisconsin ; H. C. Johns, of Illinois ; J. 11. Barrett, of Missouri ; Michael
Shoemaker, of Michigan; D. L. Yulee, of Florida ; Guy Biyant, of Texas ; Le Grand By-
ington, of Iowa; A. P. Bradford, of California; W. W. Corcoran, of the District of Colum-
bia; Manuel H. Ottero, of New Mexico ; H. M. Rice, of Minnesota; J. H, Lane, of Oregon;
D. Anderson, of Washington Territory; John M. Bsruhisel, of Utah; B. B. Chapman, of
Nebraska ; F. M. Arney, of Kansas.

Executive Committee. Henry Wager, of New York; J. McGowan, of Pennsylvania; Josiah
Ware, of Virginia; Frederic Smyth, of New Hampshire; Henry Wilson, of Ohio ; John
Merryman, of Maryland; James W. Brown, of Illinois.

Treasurer. B. B. French, of the District of Columbia. ) r^cc -. ixr u- -. -n rt

Secretary. Ben : Perley Pooie, of Massachusetts. } Offices a. Washmgton, D. C.

OFFICERS OF THE VIRGINIA CENTRAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR 1S5S.

Pres'dent. James Lyoks, of Richmond, Virginia.

Vice Presidents. William C Rives, of Alberm.arle ; William B. Preston, of Montgomery;
William H. Macfarland, of Richmond, Philip St George Cocke, of Powhattan , Joseph
Mayo, of Richmond; James A. Sedden, of Goochland; G. W. Mumford, of Richmond;
Collin Clark, of Gloucester : John Rutherford, of Richmond; Abm. Warwick, of Richmond;
Allen T. Capcrton, of Monroe ; AVm. P. Taylor, of Caroline ; Wm. Wist, of Westmoreland;
Wm. P. Harrison, of Prince George ; James Scott, of Huranua; R. A. Claybrook, of Rich-
mond ; H. R. Neal, of Accomac ; Oden G. Clay, of Campbell; George T. Yerby, of North-
hampton.

Executive Committee. James Lyons, of Richmond ; H. C. Cabell, of Richmond ; J. L.
Davis, of Henrico; George M. Savage, of Henrico; Wm. B, Stanard, of Goochland; Wm.
C. Wickham, of Hanover; Hill Carter, of Charles City; Jacob A Baylor, of Augusta; John
A. Selden, of Westover ; li. B. Tomlin, of King William ; R. Baylor, of Essex ; Wm.
Allen, of Surry ; C. Bruce, of Halifax ; Robert Archer, of Richmond ; J. W. Ware, of
Clark ; N. B. Hill, of Richmond.

Corresponding and Recording Secretary and Treasurer. Charles Dimmock, of Richmond.

American Pomological Society. The Seventh Session of this National Institution
will commence at Mozart Hall, 693 Broadway, in the City of New York, on Tuesday, tho
14th day of September next, at 10 o'clock, A. M., and will be continued for several succes-
sive 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 ihe science
of Pomology ; to hear reports of- the various State Committees and other district associations;
to revise and enlarge the Society's catalogue of Fruits ; to assist in determining the synon-
isms by which the same fruit is known in America or Europe ; to ascertain the relative value
of varieties in different parts of our country ; what are suitable for particular localities ; what
new sorts give promise of being worthy of dissemination ; what are adapted to general culti-
vatien ; and especially, to concert measures for the further advancement of the »,rt and' sci-
ence of Pomology.

Salt. The Syracuse (N. Y. ) Courier says the product of the Onondago salt springs will
this year amount to at least seven millions of bushels, being an excess of nearly a million over
any previous year. The highest product heretofore v/as in 1835, when there were G,0S2,8S.'>
bushels mancfactured. The product this year will fill l,400i000 barrels,^ which at $1,35, will
foot up to $1,750,000.