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t f I f V VERMONT FARMER. T A.3ST AGBIOULTtlBAL FJls&TJLT 3SrB"WSI-A.FBI?, POB TUB B.TJI-A.XilSTS OIF TIKES GHREEUNT MOXJISTT-A-inST STATE. YOL. III.--NO. 9. ST. JOHNSBURY, FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 1873. "WHOLE NO. 113. I'UIU.ISIIKt) WKF.KI.V, at st. joii.vsiivm; rr., IIV CUMW1HCS & H0SK1HS. Trra, One copy, per (intuitu, g'J.30 Itpald itrlclly la ulrance,.... 4.00 Rates of Advertising. Short advertisement, 76 cents per Inch for (lrf t Inser tion. Each subsequent Insertion, 55 cents per Inch, N. charge leu than 11.00. Farorahle rates for eitenslro and yearly adrertlsore nay be had npon application to the publishers. 8WOHD AM) PLOW. There once was a count to I 're heard It laid Who felt that his end drew near. And he called his sons before his bed To part thetn his goods and gear. lie called for his plow, he called for his sword, That gallant, good and brare They brought him both at their father's word, And thus he his blessings gave i " My first-born son, my pride and might, 1)0 thou my sword retain, My castUon the lordljhlght And allmy brosJfilomaln. "On thee, my well-lorod younger boy, My plow I here bestow l A peaceful life shalt thou enjoy, In the quiet rale below." Contented sank the sire to rest, Now all was given away i The sons held true his last behest. E'en on their dying day. "Now tell us what came of the steel of Same, Or the castle and its knight I And tell us what came of the rale so tame, And the humble peasant wight 1" Oh ask not of me what the end may be t Ask of the country round t The castle Is dust, the sword Is rust, The night Is but desert ground. But tho rale spreads wide In the golden pride Of the autumn sunlight now i It teems and It ripens far and wide, And the honor abides with the plow. Waif gang MhIIit. TUB "ItAILUOAU IiO.WJ." by oronoK it. curiK. It is a very pretty thing, And charmingly engraved t As neatly gotten up a cheat As ever broker shaved. And I have quite a lot of them, All safe and snug at home, Enough to make & picture liook As large as Gibbon's Rome. I thought I bought them very cheap, At only eighty-throe Indeed, we higgled quite a time Before we could agree " What! Eighty-three for ten per cents 1 Dear Sir, you must be erased i Yet, I shall have to let them go, For money must be raised." Before that blessed week was out I smelt a sort of rat, For I was told that 1 could buy For even less than that. My neighbor bought for seventy-six, I nover asked him how ; But 1 am far from sad to learn Ttiat he ha got them now. Those thousand dollar promises Are printed by the reaml And being secured by mortgages, How very safe they seem ! Moreover, I reserved the right To change them Into shares, Whoso income by-and-by would I A furtune for my heirs. The coupons thoso dollcious tilings I How temptingly they look) As beautifully lithographed As Olney's copy-book. Yes, there they arei not ono cut ofTi The ranks are perfect et. And like to be, for all that I For them shall ever get. The boy who shows for half a dime Six rattlesnakes alive. Was urging me, the other day, To view his precious hire " I say, Sir, want to see the snakes t One on 'em eat a toad i I '11 let you see 'em fur a Bond Of that 'ere Western Roadf Ah well t the dream Is over cow, And so I sit and sigh, And curse the day when oily tongues Persuaded mo to buy , I spend my time with tearful eyes O'er their delusive charms, In singing sad, lugubrious hymn And penitential psalms. Pen-Spatter Companions In arms Twins. Guilt frames Prison windows. A press gangPrinter's iluviU. Nature's tailoring A potato patch. A tnblo of interest Tho dinner lublo. A fast friend Tlio electric telograpli. A waiting mcu Tim next generation. In tents cxcitonient Panic In a circus. Pies that suit the- Uolostiuls l'up-plcs. A leading nrticlo A blind man's poodle. Tho condiment for lato dinners Ketch-up, Baptist exhortation Itrcthrcn and cistern "Theraciflo Slopo" Tho Quaker I'cace Commissioners running from tho Indians Ought rl strong loy ho paid n weekly sala ry? Query Can a plain cook also bo a pretty one. Tlio most Infectious thing in existence Ca(t)chlnnation. A man that ought to bo ro-momberod A one-legged soldier. The worst kind of education to bo brought tip by a policeman. Tho Phuinix was raised in a hot bed, Unit's wtiat made him soar. v 't - A kangaroo is a curious chap; when it's wide nwako its Ioaplng. Strange! Tho heaviest speeches don't al ways have the greatest weight. A blacksmith can not only shoo' n horso himself, but lie can makn u horso hoo. Of nil things In thu world that imi "better lato than nover," going to bed certainly ranks first. When Jonah's fellow passengers pitched b I in overboard they evidently regarded him as neither prophet nor loss. Why tire, washerwomen thu silliest of pco pleP Recausu they put out their tubs to catch soft water when it rains hard. "How greedy you nro," said ono lltllo girl to another, who had taken tho best tipple in tlio dish; " was going to take that." A watering place correspondent writes flint "very few bathors batho at tho West End;" whereupon Airs. Partington nays she "had an Idcathoy bathed all over." A young yaclitinuti writes to nsk what is the proper season for pitching his boat. Tnka it out tho next rough day and nianago It your self; tho wind will soon pitch It over for you. Such Is life llrown "How's your wife, Jones?" Jones (with tho wlnu glass) "Poor ly always is poorly. She's afraid she's (to Ing to die, nud I'm afraid she Isn't, so 1'ru got n-doosld pleasant limit of It, altogether. A Frenchman cannot pronoiineo tho word "ship." Tho word Is "sheep" in his month, Seeing an iron-clad, hn said to u boys "Ish dish it war sheep?" "No, sir," mnwered the Iwy, "It's n ram." For the VRRMb.iT Farmer. METEOROLOGICAL. A Summary of Meteoroloirlenl Oltaerrntlone for the year 18T3., n! South Troy, vt. Mean temperature) for tho year, 41.39 , Mean temperature for tho year 1871. 43.38. Maximum temperature, (Juno 130,) 00.0 . Minimum temperature, (Dee. 24,) 20.0 . Jlango of thermometer from tho highest to the lowest point, 122.0 . Ilango of thermometer from tho highest to the lowest point during tho year 1871, 118.0. Amount of rain and melted enow during 1872, 87.27 inohes. Amount of rain and melted snow during 1871, 45.89 Inches. ' Amount of snow during 1872, 111.07 inches, or 9 feet and 8.07 inches. Amount of snow during 1871,' 98.00 inches. Two months of tho year 1872 had exactly tho same amount of snow, that is 11.53 in ches. December of 1872 had more than twice as much snow as January. Number of days in 1872 during which rain or snow fell, 103. Mean force of winds since February, 1.G4. Mean amount of cloudiness sinco February, 4.90. K. For the Virmokt Farmer. HORSE MANURE FOR CORN. MUCK VS. A year ago last spring I had tho hand ling of a small farm which I had taken on shares. Tho farm had been let and rented for a long period, with the exception of two or three years, and, as is generally tho caso with farms which have been intrusted to par tics whoso only aim was to get tho largest return for tho least outlay of time or money, was pretty well "run out." I found but a small quantity of mauuro on tho place, and how to use itjto the best advantage was a question more easily asked than answered. When I camo to plant my corn (about three- fourths of an acre,) I found that I had not manure enough left to do it justice. 1 used it, however, liberally as far as it would go, and then finished tho picco with muck in the hill. This muck had lain whero it received a small share ol the barnyard soakings, but I did not consider it much the better for that, and did not expect much, if any, appreciable re sults from its use. I finished out the last few rows with somo muck which was rotted a little, hut which had received none of tho wash from the barnyard. The manure used was principally from the horse-barn, with n slight intermixture of cow and hog manure. Tho season was rather cold and backward, and tho corn which was planted on tho ma nure came up ahead of that on tho muck, and kept its position for two or thrco weeks, when the weather becoming warmer and more fa vorable for plant growth, tho corn upon the muck shot ahead of the other, and kept ahead tho rest of the season. Tho ears were more numerous, larger, and better filled, and tho difference in the general appearance of tho corn was plainly noticeablo to all who pass ed. 1 intended to have measured tho corn on both parts of tho piece, but ono day when 1 was away a neighbor's cattle broke in and destroyed more corn than 1 had ever before given such a number of bovincs tho credit of being ablo to do in so short a time, and I was thus saved the trouble. (N. R. Tho cat tle got in over the other man's part of tho fence,) 1 think the heat generated by tho horse mauuro had tho effect to modify tho coldness and backwardness of tho season, thus ii'ivinc tho corn a good early start. Hut when steady warm weather set in, the ma mure became so dry and useless it ceased to give the plants any nourishment, while tho moisturo kept up by tho muck, and which always is kept up where any considerable quantity of it lies together, furnished tho tender corn with just the nutriment it need ed. I could not pcrceivo any difference bo tween tho corn grown on the muck which had recoived tho barnyard washings and that which had not. They wero both good. This triul convinced mo that one of two things is truo: Hither horso mauuro does com no good in a hot dry season, or the muck is so much better asto qui to oclipse it in results reaped. W. II. W, Barnston, P. Q., Jan, 18. For the Vkrmont Farmiii. REMINISCENCES OF THE EARLY SETTLERS. A few traditions in connection with tho surveys of tho town of St. Johnsbury may bo interesting to tho readers of the Faiimkr, At an early dato Dr. Arnold, 'Squire Wliito law, and others were making surveys in the vicinity of Sleeper's Itiver, then known as West II ranch. Tho provisions and equip nicnts of tho company woro left in charge Thomas Todd, who was instructed to keep careful watch over tho same, whllo tho oth crs penetrated into tho forest to finish their surveys. Todd removed his eflocts from tho bushes to tho river hauk, and on tho return of the party was found rolled up against a log asleep. "Uoncoforth," said Dr. Arnold "let tho West Rrancb bo knowu as Sleoper'i River ;" and over sinco that has bocn its name. After tho settlement, and befoni tho or ganization of tho town in 1790, all public business was transacted in Proprietors' Meet' iugs, which wero held at a private houso in tho town. In tho Bennington Gaxette, Vol I, Nos. 1 and 2, wo find an advertisement signed by Isaac Tichcnor, af torwards Governor of tho State, in which tho proprietors of St Johnsbury aro uotifled to meet on the eigbtl: of February, 1 7 81 , " for the purpose of ohoos- iog a committeo to complete tho divisiou of lands then undivided in tho town ; to muko provision for erecting mills in the course of tho ensuing summer; to take measures for tho furtheranco of settlement ; and to trans- act other business deemed necessary," It is doubtful if this meeting was over called to or der, and if it was no business of importance was transacted, as no record of it can bo found. Another mooting was called in Juno following. In tho mean time Dr. Arnold had removed to tho township and erected a house, as wo infer from the town record on tho first pago, of a meeting ot tho proprietors of tho town of St. Johnsbury hold at tho houso of Jonathan Arnold, Esq., in said town, on tho 18th day of Juno, 1784. Alox Harvey, Esq., was chosen moderator, and Joseph Lord, Proprietors' Clerk, It was "voted that tho sovcral rights in said township, (exclu sive of two lots, and one full right for build ing mills, and five publio rights nil which aro located and designated on plan,) bo now drafted for." Alex Harvey, Joseph liar voy, and Eneas Stovens wero directed to pro- paro lots to be shuftlod and drawn against each proprietor's name. Daniel Oahoon, Jr., and Win. Trcscott, in tho presenco and tin defjtho superintendence of the assembly mado tho drafts of lots for each proprietor in tho order recorded on tho proprietors' record book. The ono full right which was reserv ed according to charter, for building mills, was located on the Passumpsic, at tho most available place for water-power, just nbovo tho mouth of Mooso Hirer. This property, including about 300 acres, was assigned to Dr. Arnold, and during tho spring of 1787 ho put up a sawmill, and tho following spring erected a gristmill ; theso largely increased the business and importance of tho settle ment. Theso wero tho days when modern Paddock's Villago was known as Arnold's Mills, and bel'oro tho big moose which was af terward victimized on the bank of tho Has t llranch had left to that dashing stream a more historic nami. The houso of Dr. Ar nold was located in tho woodland at tho northern extremity of the Plain and its erec tion began tho settlement of the Plain. Another incident is, perhaps worthy a spaco in this connection, Dr. Arnold was quartering for tho night with Kneas Stovers, ofRirnet: in tho course of tho eveninc it was determined with great unanimity of feel ing that their condition bore a forlorn resem bianco to that of tho old Romans before tho visit of tho Sabincs, pioneers in a new set tlement and hopelessly destituto of wives. Nothing could be dona to rcmody tho matter in this northern wilderness ; an expedition to Charlestown No. 4, N. II., to spy out tho available daughters of tho land, was plan ned, to take effect on tho morrow. Arrived at Charlestown thoy railed on Samuel Ste vens,, lvq., and made known their wishes. A'fter somo consultation, ad invitation was seat to Cynthia Hastings and Sophia Grout, requesting their company at tea, it boing un derstood by the contrivers of tho plot that the two strangers from Vermont .should ac company them back to their homes. In an ticipation of a possible emergency, Mrs. Squiro West was sent for to play tbo part oLnmpjrc, shouldthoth gentlemen claim tho samo lady. Tea time arrived; and so did the unsuspecting maidens. When tho hour of departure arrived, Cynthia Hastings was in doublo demand. The ladies still remained in ignorance of tho plot. Mrs. 'Squire West was called for and constituted referee. She decided that Miss Grout was fitted to bo the companion of a tiller of tho soil, like Mr. Stevens, while Miss Hastings would be a more sultablo mate for i professional man like tho Dr. ; this wiso decision prevailed. Refore they separated that night tho gen tlemen mado known to tho parties most con cerned tho object of their visit to Charles' town. Sophia suffered somewhat from paternal opposition grounded on tho fact that Stovens was a tory, and in consequence of her disobc dienco to tho paternal mandate she left tho ancestral domain with nothing hut herself and a cow. J he Dr., experiencing less dimculty in tho preliminary arrangements, went forward to Rhodo Island where he remained a few days, and on his return to St. Johnsbury was accompanied by tho aforesaid Cynthia, of Charlestown. Sho became tho mother of Lemuel Hastings Arnold, who was born at St. Johnsbury and educated at Providenco, It. I. Ho was Governor of Rhodo Is land in 1841, a member of Congress in 1815 17, and died nt Kingston, Juno 27, 1852. Wo learn from tho political papers of that State that Mr. Arnold mot with opposition while a cundidato for Governor. During tho canvass, and in tho heat of tho election ecrlug campaign, ho was lustily accused of the enormous crimo of having been born Vcrmdht. Rut whether n mau should bo held accountable for being born in any par ticular hgo or country, or not, this kind of accountability was hardly recognized by tho Green Mountain Roys, and does not appear to havo been sanctioned by tho sons of Rhodo Island, for Mr. Arnold was elected by a do cided majority, and was un honor both to tho Statj of his birth and that of his udop tion. Kneas Stovens' grandfather emigrated from Rarnot, England, to tho Statu of Massachu setts, in 1085, and was ono of tho propria tors of Rarnet, Vt. Awiia A,i.vn. Charleston, January, 1873. IJartreulturc. For the Vmuoxr Farmer, THE JOURNAL OF INQLESIDE. I1Y IIOIITKNSII'H. (ConlinutJ.) Ilitrnliisr the Hceda of Weed Rto. 13. Tho thresher has just mado il yearly visit to our barn. 1 had tho contend of its seed-boxes carefully saved, and to-day I havo been burning tho foul stufl, piled U with a little straw, in the field hack of tho barn. There was seed enough to cover tho whole farm witli weeds, and nearly overy troublcsoiiio pest of the farm was represent ed in tho pile by millions. 1 confess 1 felt an exultant satisfaction, as I poked over tho black, smouldering mass und heard tho inccs. ' sunt snapping of myriads of seeds. I inclino to think it is hotter to disposo of theso screen ings in this way, than to suffer them to get mixed through tho manuro heaps or scattered over tho baru-yard, where thoy will be car ried to tho fields and sown broadcast with tho manure. Somo farmers think thoy util ize this refuso from tho grain, and destroy tho foul seed if thoy carry it to the gristmill, but it is apt to contain some seeds whioh aro unwholesome food for stock, and is very sure to contain some which tho mill-stoue will not ciush, Storing Kclom, Dec. 14. I havo begun to pick up scions to havo ready for next spring's use. From this timo till tho buds swoll I shall bo in fre quent receipt of new and choico varieties of fruits from many parts of tho country. I know of no material so good for preserving theso as fresh moss from the woods or swamps. My method is to tio each Kind in n litt!o bundle by itsolf, attaching to it trh strip of card with tho name of tho variety written witli a soft pencil, aud then to spread theso on a layer of damp moss placed ou the earth-floor of tho cool room of tbo cellar in which I winter many of my half-hardy plants. Thoy aro covered with another layer of moss and a marble slab is laid upon the whole. Hero they incur no risk from drying or from boing scattered by rata. Thoy re quire no attention during tho winter, and I can make additions to my store without tho least trouble, and hero thoy aro preserved in tho most perfect manner. If I do not got them all put into the trees till June, I find the buds scarcely swolled. Moisture Knvornule tn Ilorere. My neighbors complain that thoy never knew tho borers so troubtcsomo to their or chards as thoy havo been tho past season. I presumo they are correct, I have learned to think twice before contradicting a popular notion, and I think tbo fact is capable of this explanation. Tho excessive moisture of the past season favored tho operations of tho young larvro. Wo all know that tho mother insect usually deposits her eggs closo to tho ground ; that if tho cultivation has been neglected, and green hcrbago hugs tho collar of the tree, that part will bo found oven on tho hottest days throughout tho sum mer moist and cool, and that it is under such circumstances that there is tho most danger from tho pest. It has been observed also, that if tho trunk of a tree inclines to ono sido,as it leaves the ground its shaded under side offers tho insect a favorite location. Wo havo no ticed too, that when the portion of bark con taining near its surface, young insects, has been exposed to the sun and air they nre liable to get dried out, often hindered in their work and growth, and sometimes suf fering death. Theso facts tend to show that when ihe. dead bark covering tho young insect and the chips with which it surrounds itsolf are main tained in a moist condition, as has been tho caso during tho continuous rains of the past summer, it enjoys the conditions which tho instinct of the mother sought to provide for it, and thrives with the least possibility of harm. So tho borer furnishes us a motivo for clean cultivation of orchards. AVIierp Ilorers Ureeri. I had noticed (and tho concurrent testi mony of all my brother orchardists of whom 1 had inquired in tho matter confirmed tho observation,) that the borers enter a newly planted orchard ou tho Bide, of an old or de caying one, and that young trees set to fill up tho open spaces of an old orchard aro pretty sure to fall a prey to these pests. Rut until the other day I had not clearly understood why such should be tho fact, nor whero tho insects found a nidus in old trees, sinco I was certain it was not about the col lar of tho trees as in the caso of young trees with thin aud tender bark. Going over a young orchard to givo attcn tiou to tho borers, 1 camo across a picco of rotton wood lying on the ground, and pro ceeding to knock it to pieces that it might not bo in tho way of cultivation, 1 was sur prised to find it occupied by a largo number oflarca in various Btages of growth, which a oarcful examination satisfied mo wero the samo as thoso 1 had been taking from tho young applo trees. An old orchard had oc cupied tho sito of tho young one. and the rotten wood was part of an old applo stump This was a cluo to solve tho questions that had so long puzzled me. Then the borer thrives on rotten wood, even tho blackest and softest, as well as on tho liber and alburnum of tho living tree, and every rotten spot about tlio trees of an old orchard, overy old stump decaying in tho ground, and overy picco of applo wood even, crumbling to pieces on tho surfaco of tho field or in tho fence corner, af fords it a breeding place. A full examina tion in tho premises confirms these sugges tions. 1 am ready to conclude that almost ovory piece of such wood on the place teems witli borers. I can now understand why my orchards are ho beset by tho foe, even though tho old trees havo been removed, aud seldom an insect iu its perfect stuto is permitted to escape from tho trco, Tho fact that tho in sect breeds in such places furnishes an addi tional argument to support a favorite maxim of initio in orcharding.-r-that old orchards when removed, should bo grubbed out by tho roots rather than chopped off from the stump, and it, lias caused the appointment of a bon-firo of old apple-wood, at lnglcsido, noxt May, which shall at once toast tho enemy and celebrate my victory over him, Continued ntxt irrsi.) (ikncml flviculturc. For the Vkrmost Fakmkr. A PLEA FOR THE FORESTS, nv J. O. KF.NNKDT, OF TIIOV. (ContiWtit,) Tho great necessity in a commcroial, agri cultural and climatlcal point of view of the preservation aud cultivation of trees has thus far been discussed iu this paper, Vet there arc other benefits arising from this sourco but little it any inferior to t'ose, which are not duly considered by pcoplo in general. Thoso are tho beneficial effects in enhancing tho beauty of tlio country and homes whoro wo reside, nnd in cultivating tho finer feci' Ings and arousing tho nobler faculties of our nature thoso godliko powers which makous more than mere intelligent animals. Theso silent but over ennobling effects, pregnant with importance to tho morality and happi ness of tho human race, cannot bo expressed in dollars and cents, neither can they bo gauged according to any system of weight and measures, yet they ore nono tho less sub htantial nnd palpable. A country destituto of trees cannot bo in high degrco beautiful. No clement of beauty is so easily obtained and so complete ly manageable as trees. Each trco has its own peculiar and distinctly marked charac ter which affords an agreeable exercise to tho mind in discriminating botween them. The planter who is studious of tho effects of land scape has inexhaustiblo resources in tho nu merous trees and shrubs composing our for ests. Trees to be planted about n houso should bo selected with reference to their size, height, colors and variety of their flow ering. In fields at a distance from tho buildings, owing to tho difference in tho size of trees, almost any desired effect can bo produced, Tims a ininiaturo mountain' can easily bo mado on a level plain. In tho dis tance tho tall elms, pines and sycamores will appear to occupy the summit of a hill, tho maples, hickories and others to invest its sides, while the broad oaks, spreading beech es, hanging birches, and tbo smaller trees and shrubs will form tho gradual descent to tho plain. Such collections of trees scattered over the great prairies of tho west would be as refreshing to tho eye as tho appearance of verdant oases in a desert. A very few trees in certain situations will produce a Btrikmg effect. These, with tlio shrubs and climbing vines which may bo trained upou their sterna in cultivation, tho lichens which paint their trunks with brown, white, yellow and green, and the mosses of brilliant green and purplo velvet which grow about their bases, alt form an endless study for tho landscapo gardener. Theso properly arranged will add immeas urably to tho pleasure of tho contemplative man who traverses the country in autumn, with tho cyo of a painter and tho feelings of a poet. A singlo trco by n farmer s houso protects it, and to which ho there added shrubbery and flowers, gives it a desirable air of seclusion, rest and peace. Within such homes will generally bo found persons of refinement" and tasto. It will bo noticed also, that u largo proportion of our best and most intellectual men and women, our authors, poets, moralists and philanthro pists, havo been lovers of the boautics of nafteWn not 'only in tho vegetable but also in the animal and mineral kingdoms. Tho rea son lor this is obvious. 1 no observation ol natural objects, especially trees, has an en nobling effect upon tho human mind. It soothes the passions, allays prido and selfish- neiw, brings into action tho pcrccptivo facul ties and reason, and awakens friendship, ben evolence, veneration and all the nobler in stincts of man's nature; for by contemplation of the innumerable products of nature man takes broader and higher views of life and its duties. Ho sees in every existing objeet. ani matd'or iuauimatc, an adaptation to a certain purposo, and learns to regard all mankind as brothers, forming togothcr ono grand portion iu the great design of creation. Thus in spirit ho rises in contemplation " from nature up tn nature's God," and learns of his Creat or and tho ever expanding life of man. Rut cnouch has been said. 1 will not further tiro tho patienco of my readers by tho recital of facts which must be manifest to any un prejudiced mind on reflection. This paper has already been tediously prolonged to n cumbcrsomo extent without exhausting tho subject, yet tho writer believes that facts enough havo been cited to provo the great need of preserving and cultivating forest trees. In conclusion I would say to farmers and all others concerned, cultivate less laud and cultivate it better; cut less timber and cut it closer, and finally, plant useful trees and shrubs in every available spot. Kvery ono can do much in a privato way to provciit tho disastrous consequences that will ariso to our country if it is denuded of its forests, but mora must bo performed in a diflercnt man ner. Tho preservation and improvement of forests requires joint action, aud can only bo fully accomplished ou a large scalo by some wipo system begun and long continued by men of ono generation for thoso of tho next This can only be dono through tho efforts of thoso persons who aro expected to repre sent our interests in our legislative assemblies botli state and national. It is wiso in a government not acting merely for the present, to take this great question into consideration and generously make its present knowlcdgo and wisdom an invested capital for futuro uso. Many of tlio European countries havo dono much iu this direction, hut in this country 1 believe little or nothing has been dono for tho encouragement af liircstry, ex cept by agricultural sooioties in some of thu Western and other t-tatcn through tho medi urn of premiums, bounties, ,Vu. Let us then through our legislators, enact such wholo- somo and philanthropic laws that thoy of IU turo generations iu looking back to our day may say wo havo douo just what wo should havo douo in regard to tho matter broached iu this essay, which is now drawn to a closo ROOT CULTURE. A I'aer rem! nt tlie Meeting of the llouril of Alfflculture, &.C, Ht Wootlnloclf, Jan, W, liy Justin N, Mol,ljf , !!!,, i f Woo,! etok. On tho subject of root culture there is, among farmers, a wide diffurcuco of opinion practically, if not theoretically, Somo con tend that there is no real value in roots as food for stock, while others admit that they are good, but tho expense- of cultivation overbalances their valuo, Tbcto aro ques tions which should bo settled in our own minds as far as wo havo tho means of doing it. Wo know that many of our best farm ers, especially sheep men, raise roots for food. In England, Germany and France, whero agriculture is carried on most success fully, roots are extensively raised, There is no question as to taeir value ns food for stock of all kinds. Their greatest valuo, however, is in regulating tho system, keep ing it healthy, and assisting digestion ; con sequently tho animal will thrivo better with tho samo amount of other food. Grass seems to bo tho natural food for stock, and the nearer we can keep to that, tho better. Roots aid materially in this ; thoy not only serve to regulate tho system, but answer as a substitute for grain. Particularly aro thoy valuablo for sheep. Giro them a good supply of roots, and thoy will bo more healthy and fleshy, raiso more lambs, and shear more wool, with or without grain. I have no data by which to determine their actual valuo as food, or their beneficial ef fects on tho system. I judge of their valuo from experience and observation, having raised and fed them for more than'25 years. In the cultivation of roots 1 havo my own method, which may not differ materially from others. For carrots, plow the ground deep say ono foot ; harrow, if necessary, to break up lumps and render it mellow. Ap ply tho manure, then plow again, just deep enough to cover the manure well, and har row thoroughly with a light harrow to mix tho manuro evenly with the soil ami smooth the surface. Sometimes a light brush may bo used, and in caso of lumps, stones, or straw, rako tho ground. I uso shecp-ma- nuro, either alone or mixed with about one- fourth dry muck. Pile it up and let it heat well, but not so as to burn white ; in this way you kill nearly all the weeds in the ma nure, and render it fine so that tho. young roots will easily find it. It is well to fork it over beforo applying it to tho ground. I'rom 30 to 40 loads, of 30 bushels each, will be sufficient for an acre. Old well rotted manure is best, noxt to sheep manure. Soak tho seed in warm -water from 12 to 24 hours beforo sowing ; then roll dry in slaked lime or plaster. In sowing, uso n seed-sower, or a good substitute may bo mado by taking a box 20 inches long by 4 inches square, with a handlo on tho top, and the bottom mado of tin with holes 4 inches apart and an extra slide bottom to regulato the sizo of tho holes. In tho uso of this machine, of course the rows must bo first marked. Cover from one to onaaiid a halt inches, and if tho ground be light loam press it down by walking on tho rows. Care should be taken in sowing, as the carrot is a tender plant, and tho greatest difficulty is to get them to coma up. As you cannot trans plant them, it is best to sow plenty of seed, say four pounds to the acre. Sow about the last of May. As soon ns the plants aro up enough to seo tbo rows, go through with a hand cultivator or hoc, and continue it af terwards enough to keep down tho weeds. Don't bo afraid of too much cultivation. Whcu they are from four to six iDchcs high, weed and thin out the rows, leaving the car rots about four inches apart, tlio rows being two feet apart. In harvesting, use a spade to loosen ; then pull and lay four rows iu ono evenly. Cut the tops with u heavy kuifc. If tho ground is conveniently situated, a plow may bo used instead of a spade, though the tops, which arc a valuablo food for milch cows, can not bo as well saved. My aver age crop has been from 800 to 1000 bushels to the acre. Carrots are best for milch cows, horses aud colts. Nothing is better for colts than carrots. Thoy may be used as u sub stitute for grain tor a horse not at hard work, aud any horse is better for a meal of them as often as onco a week. S holes do well on them, cither raw or cooked. For turnips, prepare the ground and ma nuro as for carrots. Sow witli a seed-sower", and cover lightly. Sow at tho same timo as carrots. Phosphate is a gnat help to tur nips. Applied at the timo of sowing, it hurries them on, but applied later, it docs well. When used at sowing, tho ground must bo first drilled, and tho phosphato mix ed with tho soil, tho rows should be two feet apart, aud tho plants eighteen inches. Hoe well and often. Thin when from thrco to six inches high. Vacant places may bo filled by transplanting. After they havo reached such a sizo that tho tops cover tho ground well, it is better to keep out of them, for hoeing at that timo will necessarily break off many of tho thrifty leaves, und injure tho growth of the plant. A good method of harvesting is to go over them with a sharp hoo and cut off tho tops ; then with n fork remove, tho tops from the ground, and with a hoo pull up tho turnips, at tho samo tune cutting off tho tap roots. Lot them dry ; then clean and storo them. Yield, about 800 bushels per acre. Feed to any stock except milch cows, Give liberally to sheep beforo and after dropping lambs ; also to calves if you wish to ruise good ones, Thoy aro a great ad vautugo to working oxen, especially in tho spring. Iu tlio growing of beets I havo had but two years' oxpeiicnco j raised tho Ameri can Improved Sugar Roct. Prepared tho ground as for carrots and sowed as curly as possible, in rows two feet apart. Thin to ona toot in tho row. Givo them thorough cultivation, and harvest beforo any hard frost. On the samo soil, with liko treat ment, tho yield was better than of either carrots or turnips. As a root for feeding, I think thoy are as good as any, and it is claimed that thoy nro as good for milk as oarrots. Thus I givo my mode of raising roots, Others may havo a better ; if bo, 1 would like to havo them givo it. There is labor in it, and what crop does not require labor? Ono serious drawback at tho present timo is the high prico rf labor, Still 1 would not do without roots if I could raise them. If you have any stock which ia sickly or not doing well, nothing is better to bring them than roots. If stock pays for keeping at , it certainly pays for keeping well. THE ACTION OF FROST. The most fortilo nnd productivo regions nro thoso where tho frost penetrates tho earth deeply nnd exerts its influence during n con siderable portion of tho year. Tho action of tho frost is a powerful stimulant of tho soil, it disintegrates it, and unlocks tho closely combined elements and thus sets frco vast quantities of plant food. Its action also counteracts tho compressive force of rains and tho tread of teams and other animals, nnd so each year lifts up and lightens tbo com pact earth. With frost to aid, tho farmer need not plow nnd cultivate so much, to put tho soil in good condition, as when this cle ment is not operative. In this n, pcet, then, winter is n blessing to the farmer, and ho should wisely nvail himself of all its advan tages. If ho cannot plow and harrow during half the year, let him oxposo his soil with judgment to tbo action of tho frost which si lently plows and harrows, subsoils and rolls for him. On heavy and naturally strong, rich lands, thorough fall plowing is advisable. It tho surfaco is left rough, it is perhaps bet ter ; if lumpy, tho clods disintegrate and crumble to dust under tho ioy fingers of tho frost farmer. The addition of fertilizers to such soil in tho fall is wiso, becauso they be- como intimately mixed with it by the com bined action of frost and water, and aro then immediately available for tho plants when growth begins in tho spring. Farmers who complain that the long winters do not pormit thorough culturo, under-cstimato tho valuo of the action of frost. It is a noteworthy fact that where winter is most severe, within tho temperate zones, tho soil is prolific and good crops certain to a degrco much beyond that ol lower latitudes. The soil seems stimulat ed to productiveness in proportion to tho timo and severity with which the frost acts upon it. American Rural Home. AVERAGE YIELD AND HOME PRICE OF FARM CROPS. Yiklu pkr ache. The average yield of corn per acre, as reported by correspondents, stands highest in Iowa, 40.8 bushels, tho III inois average being 39.0, that of Indiana 39.8, and of Ohio 39.5. Tho averago of tho States of tho fortieth parallel is within a fraction of 40 bushels, thoso of Pennsylvania and Nebraska being 89 bushels, and that of New Jersey 39.5 bushels. Now England, with her garden-patches of corn, returns 31 bushels for Massachusetts and Rhodo Island, 32.2 for Connecticut, 30.1 for Maine. aud 38.2 for New Hampshire. In Now lork tho averago presented is 37.5. Texas makes tho highest southern average, 28.5 bushels, declining to 24.3 in Arkansas, and 24 in Tennessee, and to 17.5 in Mississippi, to 13 in Georgia ; tho lowest averago being 9.G in Florida. Tho highest wheat returns aro thoso of Minncssota, California and Texas ; the low est are thoso of South Carolina, tho range being from 0.4 to 18.7 bushels per acre. The rate is materially higher in tho Gulf coast States than in the Southern Atlantic States, increasing from Georgia westward. The rate of yield for ryo stands lowest in South Carolina, and highest in California, tho range being from 0.2 bushels to 29.1 bushels. A reference to tho tables will show tho variation iu these averages, which are in most cases higher than those of wheat. The highest average for oats is 40 bushels for ISebraska, the lowest is 8 bushels for South Carolina. Averages ranging from -10 down to 30 bushels como in the following or der: Nebraska, Iowa, California, Minnesota, Illinois, Rhodo Island, Vermont, Connecti cut, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Texas, Kansas, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. Kansas makes an average of 28.2 bushels for barley, and West Virginia 11.5. Tho only averages above 100 bushels of potatoes per aero are thoso of Minnesota, Texas, Ore gon, Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts and North Carolina. Tlio averages for hay range from sevcu tenths of a ton iu Maryland to 1.45 tons in Illinois, PitlcKS. Prices of cereals rule compara tively low, corn especially bearing prices that can scarcely repay tho expense of cultivation in many of tho Wcstorn States. Whero fuel is scarco and dear, the old practice of burn ing com has been revived, tn somo instan ces it has been economically used in manu factories. Thoro is a wido range of prices in the several counties iu a state, thoso upou through Hues of railroad showing higher rates ; Lot wider differences are caused by disparities between local supply and demand. Tbero. aro now couutics iu frontier regions, with small production and increasing popula tion from immigration, iu. which prices are almost as high as in eastern cities. Averaging tho local prices of corn, tho low est rate is 18 cents per bushel in Nebraska and Iowa, whilo that of Kansas is 22, and Illinois 24, Going eastward it rises to 29 in Indiana, 84 in Oh'o, 00 in Pennsylvania, and 02 in New Jersey. Tho range in New England is from 84 in Vermont to 95 in New Hampshire The averago for Now York is 70 cents. Oio bushel of corn iu Massachusetts appears to bo worth five in Iowa. In the South tho rate is highest in Florida, 81.20 per bukhcl, and lowest in Texas, 43 cents. Tho prioa increases from Delaware to South Carolina, tho rates being, in their order, respectively, 55, 57, 58, 02 and 1)0 cents; iu Alabama 78, Georgia 80, and 88 in Mississippi und Louisiana. Tho averages for wheat raugo between 31.95 iu Massachusetts and 74 cents in Ore gon, tlio uext lower being, respectively, 78 cents for Nebraska, 83, for Minnesota, and 85 for Iowa. Tho crop being poor in Kan sas and. Missouri, local prices averago iu those states respectively, $1.4,2. and $1.41, about tho same as iu Tuouo&ieo mid West Virginia. l)efarlnienl of Agriculture He. for. Rabies' cprfnrcni r pnrUeulattv dmire contribution to thi cotumn upon all iuljtet intemting tt cur my rtatertt RrfdPES. All kinds of poultry and meat can bo cooked quicker by adding to ths water in which they aro boiled, n littlo vinegar or a piece of lemon. Ry tho uso of an acid there will bo n considerable saving of fuel, as well ns shortening of time. Its action is benefi cial on old tough meats, rendering them quite tender and easy of digestion. Graham Bread, Muffins, Cake, &o. If overy housewife could bo persuadod to depend less upon supcrfino wheat flour, nnd more upon graham flour, I feci confident that tho health and tono of their families would be greatly enhanced. Tho chemiato nnd physi cians all tell us that wo injure ourselves by depending si much upon fine, bolted wheat bread, which docs not givo strength to the muscles or vigor to the nerves, but only sup plies the carbon which warms the system, aud adds to the flesh of the body. Tho miller, in preparing fino flour, extracts from it three fourths of its nutritious matter, leaving only that which is found in gluten or starch ; and he also takes from it all the phosphate which makes bone, and all the matter which would regulate tho digestive organs, and purify the blood, and leaves the pure wheaten flour in such a condition that no child should feed upon it. It is often said that graham bread, rolls and muffins are not so agreeable to the tasto ; but if they aro properly made, they will soon commend them selves to every one as pleasant articles of diet. Could we housekeepers but learn its use, and apply it, wo need not be stigmatized as a nation of dyspeptics, and should have less causo for illteinper and gloomy homes. Wliito bread would soon lose its prestige if graham bread could bo substituted for bolt ed wheat, hot rolls, muffins, etc. (irnhnm Hrend. Purchase your flour in small quantities, and if possiblo procure it at tho mill where it is made freshly, as it docs not retain its sweetness as long us fino flour. Tako one quart uiilk-warm water, or two- thirds milk and one-third water ; stir this in to n pint of wheat flour, and add enough gra- ham flour to mako a stiff batter. Mix with it half a pint of home-made yeast, or two ta blo spoonfuls of baker's yeast ; add a pinch of salt. Let it rise in a warm place over night. In tho morning add to it a small tea cup of molasses or brown sugar, and stir in enough graham flour to make as stiff a bat ter as is possiblo to stir with n spoon. Put the batter into two bread tins to rise, and let them staud about un hour, or until the sponge is well risen. If there is any dan ger of its bceoming acid, a small tcaspoouful of soda dissolved in hot water could be add ed with the molasses. Graham flour requires a thinner or softer sponge than wheat Hour, and it cannot be moulded with the hands ; it also needs baking a little longer than loaves mado of bolted flour. It is well to stir the yeast into tho milk-warm flour. Tho latter is added to givo more gluten or consistency to the dough. dritlinm Mullliiit. Take threo pints of luko-warm milk, half a teacup of home-made hop yeast, three la blcspooufuls of sugar, ono tcaspooulul of salt ; stir it into thrco pints of graham flour aud one pint of barrel flour. Set it in a warm place to riso over night, and next morning pour it into " gem " pans or muf fin rings, and bake in a very hot oven. Itiittrviiillk tlrnltniii Cekrt, Take thrco cups of rich buttermilk ; add to it ono tcaspooulul of soda, dissolved iu hot water; mix with it ono largo handful of bolted flour, and onough graham flour to make it as stiff as griddlo cakes; put iu n pinch of salt, and ono egg thoroughly beat en. Put a " gem " pan on the stove aud heat it very hot ; butter tho apertures, and turn in tho batter. Let it stand on the stove until tho bubbles rise in the batter ; then bake in a hot oven for twonty minutes. Theso aro moro delicious than cakes raised with yeast, (ll'iillKlM Doilirem. Toko ono pint of buttermilk j stir into it one quart of graham flour, and a teaspoonful of soda dissolved in water ; add to this ouo well beaten egg and a pinch of salt; with bolted flour enough tn mako a very stiff bat-, ter. Ruttcr flat tins, and tako out tho bat ter with a largo spoon, in small cakes. Rako for twenty minutus, or until well browned, in a hot oven. Break in halves when eaten, and spread with butter a uico relish for breakfast, lunch or tea. (Jrnlinm denm. Moasuro out ouo quart of graham flour, and sift into it ono measure each of Hors ford's baking powders ; add ono teaspoonful of salt, two tablespoonfuls of sugar or mo laBses, and ouo tablcspoonful of melted but o r ; btir into tins ouo pint of sweet milk, or half milk and water, and a teacup of wheat flour. Ruttcf small cups or inlliun rings, and baka quickly. Another RecijKTubo four aud a half cups of ice-cold water, ouo teaspoonful of salt, and beat into fivo cups of graham flour ; beat it rapidly for fiftuou or twenty minutes. Havo tho " gem " pan heated very hot ; but ter it, turn in tho batter, and let it stand ou tho stovo until bubbles riso on tho top of each " gem." Put it iu a hot ovon, und bake for twenty minutes, or until well browned, Daisy Eyebriyht in Country Gentleman. If wo givo up our minds to littlo things we shall nover ho fit for big ones, I know u man onco who oouhl kotch moro Mies with one swoop of his hand than onny boddy else ebuld, and he wasn't, romI for ennything rise. (Ii-.uo parent) Ol yer don't want to go Into business, don't yer! 01 yer want to bo u elorklntbo post-horflco, do yer! I'osl-lior-fico, Indeed! Why, all you're lit for Is lo stand ontsldo with yer tonjius limit, for pei. pin to wet tlioir stamps idhM