AGRICULTURAL AND OTHER EXHIBITIONS THE PRESENT SEASON.

Putnam....Greencastle, Sept 10, 14.
Park....Montezuma, Oct 3, 5.
Posey....New Harmony, Oct 2, 5,
Ripley....Versailles, Sept 18, 20.
Rush....Rushville, Sept 11, 14.
Sullivan....Carlisle, Sept 26, 28.
Shelby....Shelbyville, Sept 11, 14.
Spencer....Rockport, Oct 10, 11.
Steuben....Angola, Oct 4, 5.
Union....Knightstown, August 29, 31.
Union....Russelville, Sept 3, 8.
Vermillion....Montezuma, Oct 2, 5.
Wells.... Bluffton, Oct 2, 3.
Warrick....Boonville, Oct 2, 6.
Whitley....Columbia City, Oct 3, 5.
Washington....Salem, Sept 11, 14.
Union....Goshen, Sept 25, 28.
Union....Bridgeton, Sept 18, 21.
ILLINOIS.

Carroll....Mt. Carroll, Sept 17, 19.
Adams....Quincy, Oct 2, 6.
Champlain... Urbana, Sept
Cass....Virginia, Sept 4, 7.
Dupage....Wheaton, Sept 26, 28.
Hancock....Carthage, Sept 19, 21.
Henry. .Cambridge, Oct. 3, 5.
Jo Daviess....Galena, Sept. 11, 14.
Knox....Knoxville, Sept 25, 28.
Kane....Geneva,

Lee..Dixon, Oct 1, 5.
Lake....Liberty, Oct 2, 3.

La Salle....Ottawa, Sept. 25, 28.
Livingston.... Pontiac. Sept 18, 20.
Monroe.. Waterloo, Oct 16. 18.
Macoupin....Carlinville, Oct 2, 5.
Macon....Decatur, Oct 1, 5.
Ogle....Oregon, Sept 25, 28.
Pike....Pittsfield, Oct 2. 4.

Rock Island....Rock Island, Sept 19, 21.
Scott....Winchester, Oct 2, 4.
Tazewell....Tremont, Sept 26, 28.
Woodford....Metamora, Sept 19, 21.

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] WHEAT GROWING AND THE MIDGE.

season gradually getting later, it cannot be many years before wheat will be mostly destroyed. So that in any case we cannot reasonably expect to be free from their ravages many years. Hence, it will be well for wheat growers in midge infested sections, to remember that no one can tell how soon a change in the seasons may expose their wheat to destruction.

MESSES. EDITORS-We have another good crop of wheat in Western New-York, and to all farmers of an observing and investigating turn of mind, it is a good subject of inquiry why we raise so much better wheat now than we did from three to six or seven years ago. And what is the wheat is, the general, in fact almost uniformly heavy crops Another thing worth noticing in relation to raising reason the midge has not destroyed it for two or three sea- that have been grown for the last few years. This is more sons back, as they did during the years before referred to? especially worthy of remark the present season, as the latThe usual answer to this question is, that farmers sow ter part of the winter and first half of the spring, were in early kinds of wheat on good wheat land, and put it in consequence of a very unusual and long continued term of freezing and thawing weather, very unfavorable for the well, and in good season. This is all true as far as it goes, crop. This heavy growth of wheat may be accounted for, but in my opinion it does not cover the whole ground. by the fact that the land had not been in wheat in five or That is, though it may give some of the principal reasons six, and perhaps in many instances, seven or eight years, why wheat does well, it by no means gives all of them. and as a general thing had been seeded down the most of One of the principal reasons why the midge has de- that time, thus giving it a good long time to rest and restroyed but little wheat during the last two years, may be cover from previous exhaustion. To which perhaps, it found in the fact that we have had early seasons. That may be well to add, that in consequence of the cessation not only wheat, but as a general thing, all other crops of wheat raising, more land has been seeded to grass, have been much earlier than they had for some years bc-more stock kept, and more manure made and applied than fore; so that wheat by heading out some two weeks or more earlier than it had for some years before, got the start of the midge, and, where other things were favorable, made a fine crop.

The influence of different seasons in favoring or preventing the operations of the midge, may perhaps be better understood by referring to the manner in which they first made their appearance and commenced the destruction of wheat in this vicinity. They were first found in a few late heads near the fences, but not early enough, nor enough of them to do much damage. The next year they were a little earlier and more of them, and so continuing to make their appearance earlier and to destroy more and more each year, until there was but very little wheat that escaped their ravages, and the prevailing opinion in this section seemed to be, that we would have to stop raising wheat. But what now seems to be generally forgotten, is the fact that while the midge was the most destructive, we had very late seasons; that wheat was not ready to harvest until nearly or quite the first of August, and that we were able to raise but very little wheat until the seasons changed, and wheat headed out some two weeks or more earlier than it had for several years before. Nor does the fact seem to be very generally considered and understood, that the change two years ago was not a gradual one. In stead of a moderate change of a few days each year, which the midge would be likely to keep pace with, the season in 1858 was some two weeks or more earlier than it had been for some years before; and that this, together with the fact that last season was a little earlier than the year before, and that this has been a few days earlier than the last, accounts for the continued good crops of wheat that have been grown, notwithstanding the midge have made their appearance a few days earlier each year.

ever before.

Now all of this, in my opinion, goes to show that it is better policy for the farmer not to sow wheat very extensively, but by giving his land a good chance, and cultiva ting and manuring well what he does sow, raise heavy crops. Another advantage in this course is, that good, heavy wheat is almost always earlier, and less liable to be injured by the midge, than a poor crop. And should we sooner or later, as most likely we shall, have late adverse be a great deal less loss in labor, seed, and the use of the seasons in which the midge is very destructive, there will land, than there would be were farmers to return to their old practice of making wheat their main dependence.

Western New-York, 1860.

P. F.

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] ABOUT WHEAT.

EDS. CO. GENT.-Farming on a small scale, I have only the experience of a small farmer to give; but, as this experience can be applied to more extensive operations, it may not be out of place to give it publicity. My present communication will have reference to a crop of wheat of the last year's growth. It consisted of about one and a half acres on a gravelly soil. The ground was fitted by raising a crop of peas, which was harvested in August, after which the land was plowed about ten inches deep, and then covered with well rotted manure; a part from an old chip yard, and the remainder from a heap of barnyard manure which had been moved and shoveled over sufficiently to secure its rotting.

The manure on the land was thoroughly dragged so as to be mixed with the soil, and the wheat sowed about the 5th of September. The crop has just been harvested and housed; and the result, so far as known, is thirteen hundred and fifty bundles of plump, clean wheat of the

Mediterranean kind.

This brings us to the consideration of a fact, that seems to be almost entirely ignored or forgotten by the farmers of Western New-York, which is, that we cannot always expect early seasons. That sooner or later, and in all I do not think it as well filled as in some instances, probability before many years, they will take a turn; owing perhaps to its lodging early. By the bye, is not the that the change may be a sudden one like that two years highly cultivated land? I infer this may be so from a reMediterranean too much given to lodge, when sown on ago, with this exception, that the season may be some mark of J. Johnston, in a communication in your paper two weeks or more later instead of earlier. And that when we consider this in connection with the fact that the of the 26th inst. In speaking of the Missouri May wheat midge continues to make their appearance several days and of Soules, both of which were heavy crops on the part earlier each year, than they did the preceding one, there of his farm sold last year, he says: "if Mediterranean had would certainly seem to be sufficient reason for farmers to been sown on the same field, the wheat would have been hesitate and be cautious in going into the cultivation of down flat, while now, none of it is down." wheat very extensively. And to fear that sooner or later, perhaps another year, a very late spring may cause wheat to be very late in heading out, which would be very likely to result in its entire destruction. But if-when we have another turn in the seasons-the change is a gradual one, the result will be much the same, with this exception, that it will be a little more gradual for a year or two. But with the midge coming a little earlier each year, and the

This remark, in connection with my experience with the Mediterranean the last year, would lead me to prefer some other kind to this, if I were to sow on highly enriched soils. I will only add, that I am in favor of sur face manuring for wheat if we desire the greatest benefit to the incoming crop, I have no doubt that in the case given above, it more than doubled the amount raised from the given field. s. w. R. Clinton, July 30, 1860.

Inquiries and Answers.

NEW ROCHELLE BLACKBERRY.-"What is the latest ex

perience with this berry, and in other places than where first
raised? B. B." [The only complaint we have heard is
sourness or a want of good flavor, in some localities or seasons
Although not equal to some varieties, we have nevertheless
found the fruit very agreeable, and possessing an important
advantage in being less seedy than any other sort. When
properly cultivated, pinched back and pruned, it is enormous-
ly productive. We have just examined a few bushes, with a
view to answering this inquiry, and selecting a single cane,
three feet and a half high, counted 327 berries on it. Others
appeared to be as productive. The size of well grown berries
is about an inch long, and three-fourths in diameter. These
bushes are now growing their third summer since planting.]
HAY-SPREADING MACHINE.-"Can you inform me the
value of Stoddard's Hay Spreader?" We have no knowledge
of this machine, other than from the examination of the cut
which has appeared in some of the agricultural papers.
does not appear to be essentially different from the hay
spreader which has been long used in England, and which we
figured and described many years ago in the CULTIVATOR,
from an imported one which had been tested in Western New.
York. In the moist climate of England it is of more value
than here. It is a heavy, costly, complex machine, and the
imported ones were soon thrown aside. They would be now
of still less value since mowing machines are so generally
used, and which leave the grass evenly distributed over the

surface.

the vault is nearly full, and the other lower down, for passing in when it is nearly empty. Three or four loads of ice will fill it.]

of the operation of the binders attached to reaping machines. GRAIN BINDERS-Mr. Hawk of Richland Co., O., inquires

"Sherwood's Grain Binder" enables one man to take care of the grain as fast as cut by the reaper, (say ten acres per day,) in good order. It is bound by a fine wire on the platform, with very little scattering, giving the attendant plenty of time for the operation, and saving at least the labor of three hands otherwise required. N. Monroe Co., N. Y.

JOINT WORM IN RYE-THE BARLEY FLY.-We learn from various sources that the rye crop of the New-England States is suffering very materially the present season from the joint worm, which causes it to crinkle down and fill very imperfectly, or not at all. The stalks effected have enlarged joints or bunches near them, in which a maggot is found, which, the the mischief. A similar fly has been very prevalent in barnext season, hatches into a fly, which is the insect originating Itley in this State, discouraging its culture, but we believe that suffered much from this insect, very early sown barley has in some instances this season, where this grain has heretofore almost entirely escaped, while the late sown is almost ruined We should be glad to learn whether this is generally the case. Niagara Co., N. Y.

CHERRIES.—I have a fine lot of dwarf cherries. Will they bear higher culture than cherries on Mazzard stocks? Has the Gov. Wood cherry proved to be a superior variety? B. Humboldt Co., Cal. [Cherry trees will grow about as vigorously on Mahaleb stocks as on the common or Mazzard root, and should be properly cultivated, but not much enriched. In the west, where the heart varieties fail, the Mahaleb will only partially prevent the evil, or in but a slight degree- but the Morello and Duke cherries, worked on the Mahaleb, succeed finely, and may be very freely cultivated. The Gov. Wood proves to be one of the very best sorts grown.

B.

STABLE FLOORS, &c.-I wish to inquire what will make the best floor for stables in a basement story. There is plenty of timber at hand, stone and gravel. I intend to make stanWill some one give me tials, as it is recommended by many. the description and the method of fastening all at a time? of my stables are stalls with chains, which I thought the best Perhaps Mr. BARTLETT can give the Shaker plan. The rest plan, but I want to keep up with the times. H. P. NORTON. LANGSTROTH'S BEE-HIVE.-Can you, or any of your correspondents, inform me through the columns of your paper, what the right of using Langstroth's patent movable frame hive costs? Also the cost of constructing them compared with those described in the Register of Rural Affairs of 1858. APIS.

SMUT IN WHEAT-BRINING AND LIMING-I have often seen the statement that to soak seed wheat in brine, and then coat it with fresh slaked lime, would prevent the appearance of smut in the future crop, but in my case, the present year, it proves no preventive. Last year I saw very little, if any, smut in my spring wheat; this year, though the seed was brined and limed, it is quite abundant. Perhaps it may have prevailed in the China Tea variety, procured of a neighbor, which I mixed with my own Black Sea, and brined mainly with a view to float out the oats, barley, and light grains of wheat found therein. What causes smut, and is there any other remedy save to sow seed perfectly free from it? TYRO

THE BIRDS.-Could you or any of your readers tell through the CULTIVATOR What will prevent the birds from picking strawberries, currants and raspberries; any information would be gratefully received by many.

A. G.

BREAD-You have published a number of recipes for making bread, but none that I have seen for making it from unbolted wheat flour. Will not some one tell us something about it? w. Circleville, O.

ICE HOUSE.-What is the best method of constructing an ice house in the open air? We have a building in the house cellar, made for that purpose, and we have but one objection to it, which is this: If it is ever so well packed, in the best season, and with the best of ice, the ice is sure to lose its visibility before the close of dog days, the time it is most desired. Will the editors, or some of the readers of the Co. GENT. or CULTIVATOR, propose a remedy? I. W. SANBORN. Lyndon, Vt. [We cannot inform our correspondent the reason of the disappearance of his ice, without knowing the size of the vault, mcde of packing, thickness of sawdust, facilities for ventilation, and manner of drainage. The latter is very important, and must be so that the water shall immediately pass off as the ice melts, and must at the same time prevent the cold air, which settles downward, from passing off also, else the warm air will flow in from above, and the current thus produced will melt the ice rapidly. The size of the vault must be large enough to hold a good supply, and to keep a cold GOOD PUMP-I notice a correspondent in the Co. GENT. of mass large enough to prevent access of warmth to the inner portions. Six or seven feet square is as small as will answer. the 19th inst., makes inquiry for a good well or cistern pump. The sawdust should surround the ice a foot in thickness, either I would refer him to Young's Rotary Pump, being, in my in the exterior and permanent walls of the ice house, or with- opinion, the best in use. It does not lift with an endless chain, in the walls, or both. The ice must be sawed in blocks of uni- as I suppose to be the case with the one in use by your corform size, so as to be packed in a solid mass. Ventilation of respondent. I am not mechanic enough to describe it, but I the upper part of the house is essential, to prevent heating feel assured that it would be free from the great objection to Sawdust may be applied so thick or copiously as to heat and force and suction pumps, also the endless chain pump; it is do injury. An unmatched board bottom, with the small cracks not liable to get out of order, in fact it looks as if it would between the boards to allow the escape of water, and then six or work for an age without repair. It is immersed entirely uneight inches of sawdust, we have found to make good drain-der the water, and is its own lubricator-has no valves or age. The sawdust must be packed even and solid-ice is stuffing boxes, no chambers to be kept air-tight, and as it is often rapidly lost by the sawdust being too loose, and admit- under water is not liable to injury by frost, and wastes sufting currents of warm air as the cold air flows out below. An ficient water to empty the pipe before the water would freeze ice house above ground is best, is more accessible in every rein it. I think it is the invention of Wm. A. Young of CharB. C. Chattanooga, Tenn. spect, and may be far more easily filled. It is usual to make lotte, N. C. simply double board walls, with a space of ten inches or a foot, filled with well rammed tan or sawdust; in which case a few inches of sawdust inside the walls, and surrounding the ice, will be sufficient. But we have seen ice kept in the best manner packed in nothing but a board shanty, without double walls, care being taken to pack a wall of sawdust a foot thick on every side. For a family of about eight persons we have an abundant supply of ice furnished by means of a house eight feet by ten outside, (eight feet high,) and six by eight feet inside. It has two double doors, one for entering above when

IRON WEED.-Would say to "P. D.," the mode of killing iron weed on pasture grounds that I have practiced or known, is to cut them down repeatedly, and not allow them to seed or even blossom. If persevered in, I think this method will If there is another more efficient ultimately eradicate them. and expeditious way of killing them, other than with the plow, I would like to become acquainted with it. Deerfield, Va.

J. M.

REFINING WINE.- How much isinglass is required to refine one gallon of wine? When should it be put in? I. [Will

some of our-wine making readers please give us the desired information.]

A BARN-YARD PUMP.-I have a well in my barn-yard forty feet deep, and would very much like to hear of a good practical pump for it. Something not liable to get out of order, anti-freezing, and constructed perhaps upon the lift and force principle. Have you, within the commonwealth of New-York, such a pump for a farmer? My well is required to serve 50 to 60 head of cattle and horses, and has ample water for that purpose. I have been using the endless chain pumps, after taking out the common stock pumps twice, and throwing them aside, as not answering, from the buckets and their leathers wearing out so rapidly. My farm hands think there must be, or ought to be, some pump invented for this purpose, that would save their arms from the almost endless crank-turning which the endless chain pump demands of them.-Brandywine, Delaware. [Cowing & Co. of Seneca Falls, N. Y., make an excellent forcing pump, which has been found valuable for deep wells, where large quantities of water are required-and they can doubtless give all the information required. We have seen also a strong recommendation of a forcing pump manufactured by J. M. Edney, 147 Chambers street, N. Y., but we do not know personally its quality. For smaller quantities, Winegar's elevator, figured and described on p. 272 of the COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, vol. ix, answers a good purpose.]

MANURING TREes and VegetabLES.-Shall I apply to my young fruit trees this fall, clear manure or a compost? If the latter, what should be its composition? I apply the kitchen and chamber slops and the washing suds to my young trees. Is it right? How shall I prepare the contents of a Is privy to render it suitable for fertilizing my garden? there any truth in the assertion that vegetables raised on ground fertilized with human excrements, are unhealthy? J. I. F. Middletown, N. Y. [Unfermented manure does well when applied in the fall as a top-dressing to trees. The rains and melting snows dissolve a portion and carry fertility down among the roots. In the spring the remainder may be spaded in, if the soil is light, or left near or at the surface, if it is heavy. When manure is applied more nearly in contact with the roots, it should be old or decayed, or in the form of compost. The best compost, for general purposes, and for common soils, is a well rotted mixture of yard or stable manure and muck or turf, with a small portion (say a twentieth) of ashes. The slops mentioned are good for trees-but care must be taken to apply them properly, that is, not at the foot of the trunk, where the tree does not want them, but over the surface as far as the small roots extend, which is usually about as far from the trunk, each way, as the height of the tree. Frequent or daily applications of coal ashes to vaults, will destroy all the bad odor, and form the whole into a good compost, that may be easily and comfortably shovelled out. the absence of coal ashes, thoroughly dried muck, or pulver ized charcoal, if in sufficient quantity, will answer a good purpose. There must be enough of either material to render the contents dry and pulverable. There is no truth in the assertion that night-soil grows unhealthy vegetables. The complete decay and decomposition of the manure takes place, and totally new compounds are formed, so that, through a wonderful provision of Creative Wisdom, decayed and foetid matter is converted into the most beautiful and delicate structures of vegetable tissue-into pure vegetables, delicious fruits, and into blushing and fragrant flowers.]

In

to this weed, and the best mode of destroying it, through
WM. BLAKELY.
your paper, it will be thankfully received.
Bloomville. [The plant forwarded appears to be a species of
Vernonia, which we are not acquainted with, and we cannot
therefore give the best mode of extirpation.]

NEW ROCHELLE BLACKBERRY.-Can you inform me the time
to plant Lawton Blackberry seed, and how much seed to the
acre, and the price per pound for the seed? M. B. OVIATT.
Euclid, O. [We are not aware that the seed is offered in
It should be mixed with slightly moist sand soon
market.
after washing out-and should be sown late in autumn in rich
garden mould, buried half an inch to an inch deep, according
to the porosity or heaviness of the soil. After one or two
years growth, plants may be set out in rows six or eight feet
apart, and four or five feet in the row, and kept constantly
cultivated, and properly pinched in in summer.
rieties will thus be produced, most of them will probably be
inferior to the genuine Rochelle, miscalled the Lawton. The
genuine plants are obtained only from the root.]

As new va

DISEASE IN CATAWBA GRAPES.-You will find inelosed some diseased Catawba grapes. I lost them last year by the same disease. The cause, and a remedy, would be thankfully received through the columns of THE CULTIVATOR. CHARLES MASON. Sterling Hill, Ct. [The disease is probably the rot, so destructive to the Catawba grape at the west. We do not know a remedy, although a well drained subsoil is generally regarded as most likely to be free from it.]

PEAVINE CLOVER.-I see a notice of the peavine clover. Can I get some in the city of New-York? If so, of whom? B. c. It can probably be procured of J. M. Thorburn & Co. of New-York.]

are

BARREN RASPBERRY PLANTS.-I wish to ask in reference to my white raspberry. A year ago last fall I set out quite a quantity, and was very particular in taking them up. They scarcely wilted, but grew right on, blossomed last summer, but no berry; this season they were and are very fine and rank, bloomed finely, but not a berry, but instead a kind of cup-rather a depression than swelling berry. They were taken from a neglected patch said to be of a good kind, but as I since learned had never borne. Please tell me if the male and female blossom are on the same stalk? I fear they all males. Or can you tell if anything can be done with them except cutting them down. J. S. WOOD. Lansing, Mich. [The raspberry usually has perfect flowers-some varieties have badly developed ones in unfavorable localities-this may be the case with the plants set out by our correspondent. some partially fruiting sorts, summer pruning will assist productiveness that is, pinching off the ends of the new shoots or canes when three or four feet high. The result will be visible another year. We would recommend him to procure Brinckle's Orange, and perhaps Fastolff, Knevett's Giant, and Franconia. The first is very prolific-the others usually nearly as much so. They should be laid down and slightly covered in winter with an inch of earth-a precaution that will often give good crops when otherwise there would be few or none.]

With

OSAGE ORANGE FROM LAYERS.-Can you inform me through THE CULTIVATOR if the Osage Orange will root by laying-also the best means for causing plants to root that are backward to do so, as it is of great importance where plants have missed and others cannot be got to grow for the shade of the old ones-also the best size and shape of bee-hives, with the best information on their management. A SUBPEARS ON QUINCE-PEACHES ON PLUMS.-1. Can the pear SCRIBER. Apanoose, Ill. [The Osage Orange may be raised be successfully propagated by root-grafting on the Angers from layers, by bending down the young and fresh growing quince roots, instead of budding? [Experiments have gener-shoots; covering in little trenches made for the purpose with ally been unsuccessful.]-2. Is not the peach, when worked a few inches of earth, and then bringing the end of each shoot on plum stocks, more hardy, and does it not blossom later in in an upright position. It is much cheaper and easier to raise spring than upon its own roots? On our lowest grounds, such from seed. It is hard to fill gapes in hedges-the young as "creek bottoms," the peach crop is more liable to be de- plants are overshadowed. Pains should be taken in starting stroyed by spring frosts than on high land; hence we wish to a hedge, to set out none but good evenly selected plants. In learn if we cannot succeed better with peaches on low ground order to get the desired information on bees fully, procure by working on plum stocks. [The peach is a little more Quinby's book, which is sent by mail for one dollar. dwarfed and rendered slightly hardier on plum stocks-similar to the effects of a hard soil and moderate cultivation-but the difference is slight. It is much more important to select elevated sites, out of the reach of valley frosts.]-3. At what height should the plum stock be "budded" or grafted? BABCOCK. Union Co., Ill. [Near, or within a few inches of the ground.]

POTATO BUG.-Will you inquire through the columns of THE CULTIVATOR, what will destroy the bug known as the potato bug? I planted four acres in potatoes early in FebAruary, and about the time they began to bloom, thousands of these striped bugs, that go in schools, took possession of the lot and stripped them of every particle of verdure. I have used lime and ashes, but nothing that I have been able to E. DASHIELL. Tenn. discover will stop their ravages.

A NEW WEED.-Enclosed I send you a weed that I should like to know the name of. It is a very bad weed, and it is spreading fast in this vicinity, and where it grows it runs out the grass, and where the land is plowed the more rank it grows. Now if you can give me any information in regard

PITS.-Nearly a year ago some one in your columns, promised to give us some directions for the construction of pits for the reception of tender plants in winter. Isn't it about Ohio. time he was doing it? w.