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NEW-YORK STATE AG. SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of this Society was held in this city on the 8th and 9th of February. It met in the Assembly Chamber at 12 o'clock on the 8th-Hon. A. B. CONGER, President, in the Chair-B. P. JOHNSON, Sec'y,

of the Chair, and conveys a just and graceful tribute to their memory, which will appear in the next volume of the Transactions, and we make room below for the resolutions appended and previously passed by the Board:

Resolved-That in the death of Benjamin B. Kirtland, Joel Tarrill and Anthony Van Bergen, the New York State Agricultural Society has sustained the loss of three of its oldest associates and warmest friends- the cause of agriculture, three of its most devoted and intel

The Treasurer, L. H. TUCKER, read his annual report, of ligent diciples, and the christian community some of its most exwhich we present the following brief abstract:

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$18.724.19
5,696.07-

emplary and respected members.

While as individuals we mourn the departure of those who have been endeared to us by long companionship, and whose intercourse $ 2,650.93 with us has been marked throughout by kind feeling, by christian 657.00 courtesy, and by cordial sympathy in all the objects which as farmers 75.00 we have had at heart; as a Board, we deplore the loss of those whose 16.00 valued labors have been associated with every important enterprise 1,000.00 of this Society, and whose example as liberal minded, intelligent 1,200.00 farmers was so well calculated to inspire all engaged in that pursuit 18.111.33 with higher aspirations, and with greater love for their calling, 700.00

Resolved-That this Report and the accompanying resolutions be entered at length on the minutes of this Board, and be printed in the $24,410.26 Transactions of the Society.

$24.410.26

Resolved-That a copy of this report and resolutions be sent by the Secretary under the seal of this Society to the family of each of the deceased, with the assurance of the sincere sympathy which the members of this Board severally feel for them in their affliction.

On motion of Gov. KING, the report and resolutions were adopted.

A letter was read from citizens of Elmira, applying in behalf of that place as the location of the next Show, and offering to meet in all respects the Society's usual requirements. The committee of twenty-four then withdrew for consultation, and after a brief and harmonious session, returned with a report reccommending ELMIRA as the location of this year's Fair, and proposing for election the following officers, who were duly balloted for and unanimouschosen.

PRESIDENT-BENJ. F. HUNTINGTON, Oneida county.

VICE-PRESIDENTS,

First District-JOHN JAY of Westchester county.
Second-CHARLES S. WAINWRIGHT of Duchess
Third-HERMAN WENDELL of Albany.
Fourth-CALVIN J. HULBURD of St. Lawrence,
Fifth-JOHN BUTTERFIELD of Oneida.

Sixth-FRANCIS M. ROTCH of Otsego,
Seventh-JAMES Ö. SHELDON of Ontario.
Eighth-T. C. PETERS of Genesee.

Cor. Secretary-B, P. JoHNSON of Albany.
Rec. Secretary-ERASTUS CORNING, Jr., Albany.
Treasurer-LUTHER H. TUCKER of Albany.
Executive Committee-Hon. A. B. Dickinson of Steuben; L. Chan-

dler Ball of Rensselaer; Chas, P. Wood of Cayuga; Ezra Cornell
of Tompkins; and Samuel T. Thorne of Duchess.

MANURES FOR GRASS LANDS.

The Wednesday evening meeting of the Society, held in the Assembly Chamber, was attended by a very lange audience, among whom, as well as in the morning, were to be recognized many of the oldest and best known members of the Society, and several of the most accomplished agriculturists of the state. After the President, Mr. Conger, had taken his seat, a paper was read upon the use of Manures in the Fertilization of Grass Lands, by Mr. J. Stanton Gould of Columbia.

The balance on hand, however, is subject to a still unadjusted claim on the part of the Albany Local Committee. The customary Annual Report from the Executive Com-ly mittee was read by the Corresponding Secretary, Col. B. P. JOHNSON. After mentioning that the past year has been one of unusual Agricultural interest, not only from the success of the State, County, and Town Agricultural Fairs that have taken place, but also as in some respects quite a peculiar season-attention was directed to the encouraging remarks contained in the Governor's Message, also to the commendation he expressed of the Agricultural College at Ovid. The survey of Onondaga Co., just completed by Hon. GEO. GEDDES was highly spoken of. The fact was mentioned that the wheat crop of the past year was an unusually good one, showing how important it is to its rescue from the ravages of the midge, that it should be brought forward as early in the season as possible. The importance of Agricultural Statistics was next referred to; the extent of our dairy interests considered; an allusion given to the use of steam power in farming; an early catalogue of the Agricultural Museum partially promised, (which would be a most convenient and valuable matter for every visitor.) The circulation of our Transactions in exchange for those of other bodies, has shown that they are held in high esteem, and has been the means of spreading the knowledge of our implements more widely; and the hope was expressed, to which we may here call particular attention, that our citizens would prepare themselves to be well represented at the World's Fair promised in London in 1862. The subjects next treated were the value of Dr. FITCH's investigations; the system of visiting the farms entered for the Society's Premiums; and, lastly the general character of the last Exhibition in this city. We were very glad to notice, in addition to the above, that the Report contained some very just observations upon what is really a great desideratum whenever the Society is able to accomplish it, either through its own resources or with the assistance of the State, viz: the employment of an accomplished chemist to pursue his investigations under its di- The apples included very large specimens of the Farections, as those of Dr. FITCH are now carried on in En-meuse and the King of Pippins, while the King of Tomptomology; and a complimentary, but well deserved allusion kins, Swaar, Lyman's Pumpkin Sweet, and Twenty-Ounce, was made in passing to the services performed for the Ag-were fine. riculture of Connecticut by Prof. S. W. JOHNSON, under A large quantity of Grain was on exhibition, and of a the auspices of the Society of that State.

Dr. Asa Fitch followed with an interesting paper on the Curculio and Black Knot, a brief summary of which we reserve for our Horticultural Department another week. He was followed by the passage of a resolution, on motion of Hon. T. C. PETERS, requesting the Legislature to continue their customary appropriation in behalf the important investigations Dr. Fitch has been several years engaged in carrying on, under the auspices of the Society.

THE EXHIBITION AT THE SOCIETY'S ROOMS.

The Show on the 9th was a good one, and the quality of the articles said to be unusually fine. There were 147 plates of winter fruit, 46 of which were winter pears chiefly from the grounds of Ellwanger & Barry, in excellent condition and very attractive in appearance.

very good quality, full and heavy. A large dressed Hog, With the Report of the Executive Committee, there at the head of the hall, was shown by William Richardwas embodied the report and resolutions offered by Messrs. son, weighing 529 lbs., of the Yorkshire breed. A fine KELLY, PETERS, JOHNSON, WAINWRIGHT and CHEEVER, carcase of mutton weighing 126 lbs., was exhibited by the committee to whom was referred the duty of present- Messrs. Charles & Van Meter of Center Market. There ing officially an announcement of the death, during De- were forty-three firkins of Butter and twelve boxes of cember last, of three valued members and late officers of Cheese. The display of dressed poultry was not large. the Society. This was read by Mr. BOGART, at the request | There were thirty-five plates of Potatoes. A Churn was

Thomas Evans, Watkins, Pruit Picker,

WINES.

S. S. M. copy of Downing.

brought forward by T. A. Jebb of Buffalo, the Patentee, Grapes Best Isabella and Catawba, R. P. Wiles, Albany, vol. Thomas. called the "Telegraph Churn," which was highly recommended, and attracted much attention from the favorable results of several trials made at the rooms during the day. The following are the awards of the several committees whose reports were submitted during the day:

FARMS, &c.

50

Grain-First premium, Lewis Sherrill, Greenville, Greene Co..... $50
Dairy-First premium, Hiram Mills, Martinsburg, Lewis Co.,
Draining-Best experiment, W. T. & F. Smith, Geneva, (83 acres,) 20
T. C. Maxwell & Bro., Geneva, special, 8330 acres,)...... S. Medal.
Fertilizers for Indian Corn, W. P, Ottley, Phelps, Ontario Co.,... $50
Irrigation of Land, C. S. Kiersted, Kingston, Ulster Co.,
20
Prepared Grasses and Herbage, Mrs, J, T. Van Namee, Pittstown,
Rensselaer Co., (97 varieties,)..

15

Grain and Seeds-Mrs. Henry Wier, Johnsonville, Rens. Co., 35
varieties Grain and Seed bottled and 17 do, stalk,.
FIELD CROPS.

10

Best crop of Spring Wheat, C. W. Eells, Westmoreland, 68 48-60 bush., two acres,.

$15

Best crop Spring Barley, Hiram Mills, Martinsburgh, 122 9-48 bush., two acres,.

15

Best crop Rye, C. L. Kiersted. Kingston, 302 bushels, 835-100 acres, 15
Best crop Oats, C. L. Kiersted, Kingston, 215 bushels, on two acres, 15
24 best crop of Oats, W. 11, Slingerland, Albany Co., 618 bush-
els by measure and 6574 by weight, 6% acres,..

10

Best crop Buckwheat, C. L. Kiersted, Kingston, 35% bush., one

8

$8

acre,

Best Crop Peas-F. W. Bushnell, Hillsdale, 40% bush., 1% acres; . 2d do., Jolin Potter, Marcy,

3d do., Ira R. Peck, East Bloomfield,

Trans.

5

Potatoes Best crop, S. 1layward, Rochester, 305 bush., 1 acre,. $8
Ruta Bagas-Best crop, Hiram Olmstead, Walton, 807 bush., 2 rods,

Best Isabella, Dr. O. F. Presberry, Buffalo,
Elderberry, A. F. Chatfield, Albany,
Currant, Ellwanger & Barry, Rochester.................
Pure Cider, O. Howland, Auburn,..
Maple Molasses, Hiram Mills, Martinsburgh..
Preserved Strawberries, P. Myers, Bethlehem,..

MISCELLANEOUS.

do.

do.

copy of Thomas. ........ vol. of Trans. Thomas.

T. A. Jebb, Buffalo, Patent Telegraph Churn, manufactured by B.

D. Gilbert, Buffalo...

Wm. Richardson, Albany, fat Hog, 529 lbs.,..........
W. P. Ottley, Phelps, very fine Poultry..
O. Howland, Auburn, Poultry,..

Dip. S. Medal. S. S. M. Trans.

Walter A. Wood, Hoosick Falls, Rensselaer Co., model Wood's
Patent Mower,.......

S. E. & M. P. Jackson, Boonville, Oneida Co., model of Mowing
Machine, with improvements on side draft,.
T. K. Van Zandt, Albany, painting of Bull
Hurst, Bullock & Slingerland...

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Neptune," owned by INFORMAL MEETING FOR DISCUSSION.

Dip.

A meeting was held in the Society's Lecture Room, on Thursday, Chancellor McCous presiding, for the purpose of informal discussion. Some notes of the proceedings, will hereafter appear in our columns." ADDRESSES FROM PRESIDENTS CONGER AND HUNTINGTON AND OTHERS. In the evening, President CONGER called the meeting to order at half-past seven. After the reading by Secretary Johnson of reports awarding the prizes as above given, Mr. Conger proceeded to address the Society, reviewing Trans. the history of that body and preceding organizations in $15 this State devoted to the promotion of Agriculture; expressing some gratification at our present position; sug$3gesting one or two precautions in the management of our 3 future exhibitions, and intimating that the railroad companies would hereafter issue excursion tickets for them. Many other points of practical and scientific nature were briefly referred to, and, in concluding, Mr. CONGER introduced to the audience his successor in office, Hon. B. N. HUNTINGTON of Oneida.

Carrots-Best crop, E. S. Hayward, Rochester, 47-100 acre, 303 bush., 8
2d do., Hiram Olmstead, Walton, 42 reds, 277 bush,.
3d do., A, Gurnee, Watertown, 15th acre, 195 bush.,
Discretionary-Best crop Grass, C. L. Kiersted, Kingston,
Flax-Best crop. M. C. Snyder, Rensselaer Co.,.....
2d do, Henry Wier, Rensselaer Co......

GRAINS AND SEEDS.

Winter Wheat-Oliver J. Tillson, New Paltz, 60 lbs...
Spring Wheat-Best. C. W. Eells, Westmoreland, 63 lbs.,
2d do., W. P. Coonradt, Brunswick, Rens. Co., 62 lbs.,.
3d do., A. E. Van Allen, East Greenbush, 62 lbs.....
Rye-Best, O. J. Tilison, New Paltz. 59 lbs.,.
2d do., E. W. Bushnell, Hillsdale, 58 lbs...
3d do. W. P. Coonradt, Brunswick, 56 lbs....

Barley, 2-rowed-Best, II, Mills, Martinsburgh, 50 lbs.,
2d do., Norman Gowdy, Lowville, 49 lbs....
Oats-Best, C. W. Eells, Westmoreland, 42 lbs.,
2d do, George Cary, Bethlehem, 42 lbs....
3d do., Heary Wier, Johnsville, 40 lbs...

Corn, yellow-Best, F. S. Elting, New Paltz, 61 lbs...
2d do., Wm. Newcomb, Rensselaer Co., 60 lbs....
3d do., W. P. Coonradt, Rensselaer Co., 61 lbs..
Corn, White-Best, Henry Wier, Rens. Co., 58 lbs.,
Peas-Best, Henry Smith, Lowville, 62 lbs........
2d do., Norman Gowdy, Lowville, 61 Is....
3d do., E. W. Bushnell, Hisdale, Col. Co., 62 lbs.,
Beans, white-Best, W. P. Coonradt, Rens. Co., 64 lbs.,
2d da, O. Howland, Auburn, 63 lbs.,.

Ed do.. Henry Wier, Rensselaer Co., 61 lbs..

Flax Seed-Best, Henry Wier, (red flax,) 53 lbs.,

2d do., Henry Wier. (white,) 52 lbs.,

3d do, Wm. Newcomb. Rensselaer Co.. (red.) 50 lbs., Buckwheat-Best, O. J. Tillson, New Paltz, 52 lbs... 2d do., Wm. P. Coonradt, 52 lbs...

3d do., A. E. Van Allen, East Greenbush, 51 lbs..

DISCRETIONARY.

Corn in the ear, D W. C. DeForest, Rensselaer Co.,.
do. W. P. Ottley, Ontario Co.,

E. S. Elting. New Paltz, Rhode Island Corn in ear,..
W. P. Coonradt, Brunswick Sweet Corn,.

Trans.

10

The President elect thanked the Society for the honor conferred upon him, in a few well chosen remarks. A vote of thanks was passed unanimously to the retiring Presi 3 dent, Mr. CONGER, for the able manner in which he had performed the duties of the office during the past year, and for his instructive address, a copy of which was requested for publication. Ex-Governor KING then brought forward the subject of the Agricultural College, earnestly impressing upon the company his sense of its high character and importance, and calling out Major PATRICK, the President of the Institution. Major P. spoke of the ne1 cessity of a higher order of agricultural education than we had hitherto received, and thought a better system of culTransture was called for here, since the fertility of her soils was SSM enabling the West to under sell us in all the markets of the world.

Trans.

Trans.

Samuel Cheever, Waterford, 26 varieties of Potatoes, raised from seed furnished by C. F. Goodrich, Utica, the fifth year from planting, special premium recommended.

B. N. Huntington, Rome, exhibited nine varieties of Potatoes, Trans,
W. P. Ottley, Phelps, some fine specimens of Chilian Potatoes, Trans.
D. A. Buckley, Williamstown, Mass., five samples of early and late

Potatoes..

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Trans.

Trans.

10

5

$15
10

.... Trans.

Agriculture was of too great concern to be suffered to shift for itself in the matter of education and the preparation required for successful practice. It was impossible to calculate the influence of one good farmer upon the agriculture of his region. He said John Johnston had told $15 him (he was sorry he was not present to speak himself,) that the value of real estate in Seneca county had increased Trans. one-tenth throughout the county, under the influence of the exertions of John Delafield. Mr. Patrick alluded to the wants of the Institution to which he had been called, and said $81,000 had been expended in its establishment, and some $20,000 more were required-he referred to the 3report on the subject, for information in regard to it. The Trans. institution would probably be ready for pupils about the 1st of April. Enough applications had been received duTrans, and Fruit Book. ring the first 20 days of the month past, to compose the first class. He urged the propriety of the farmers present bringing the subject before the people at large. Scarce 10 any of our prosperous farmers but could aid materially by money or otherwise, in placing the institution upon a solid foundation, and he was sure when once established it would $5 be self-sustaining.

Best sample. R. H. Wands, College Farm, Ovid, Seneca Co........

2d do., Sanford Coe, Constableville, Lewis Co.,.. 3d do., N. Gowdy, Lowville, Lewis Co......

DISCRETIONARY.

.......

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spades, I was able to get my ditches sunk and refilled for about one-half, though working under several disadvanthree feet drains can be sunk with the plow for eight cents a rod, while I find some of my neighbors paying the Albany contractors 25 ets. Now I feel that there is some hope of my being able to drain my land at a cost that will make it pay, as soon as opposition brings the price of tile down to anything like a reasonable sum-say one-half of what they are now asking in Albany.

Cost of Draining---Thomas' Drain Plow. MESSRS. EDS.-Having last season put down a few thou-tages. I am confident that under favorable circumstances, sand tile by the aid of Thomas' drain plow, at a cost very much less than I had ever been able to do it at before, perhaps it may be of some service to those of your readers who, like myself, are farmers of wet clays, to lay before them a short statement of the way in which the work was done, and comparative tables of the cost of sinking ditches by the spade and by the plow.

Allow me in the first place to say, that my farm belongs I add a table to show the number of rods of drains to to the stiffest class of fine yellow clays, with no variation the acre in thorough drainage, at various widths, thinking in the subsoil, save that the deeper you go the stiffer it be it may be useful to some of your readers. No allowance is comes. The greater part of it too, lies on almost a dead made for the mains, for if the lateral drains enter them from level, with numerous shallow basins of a quarter or half both sides, they will be entirely extra, and it will be best an acre in extent, a few inches lower than the surrounding to consider them so in making calculations as to the cost surface; while the whole seems to have been formerly of draining any piece of land. I also add the number of plowed without any reference to the fall of the dead fur-tile required to the acre, allowing 16 to a rod, which I rows corresponding to the lay of the land, I merely mention this, to show that there are but few farms on which drains cannot be laid as cheaply as on my own.

between drains.

20 feet,

25 do.

30 do.

40 do.

50 do.

No. rods to the acre.

133
103%

88
66

52% 44

No. tile to

the acre.

2,112

1,688

1.408

1,056

844

704

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have found to be about right; and a third column, showing the cost per acre, laid about three feet deep, taking my operations of the past summer as a basis for the labor In the month of May last, I laid out on a piece of six account, and tile at $10 a thousand, the cash price of twoacres, 493 rods of tile-drains, 25 feet apart. There was inch sole-tile at Albany. Of course this last column can already a large stone drain 34 feet deep, running length-only be considered as a general guide, even when the exways through the piece, into which the new ones were to pense of transportation is added to the first cost of the empty. These were all opened to a depth of about 10 in- tile; but it may be of service to some farmers who intend ches with a common plow, by a pair of horses and two trying underdraining this year. men in little over half a day. (For this labor-saving idea width of interval I am indebted to my old friend, Mr. Robt. Swan of Geneva.) With the same plow, set as deep as possible, we then threw two furrows together in the bottom of the ditch, and when this loose earth was thrown out we already had a depth of from 15 to 18 inches. With Thomas' draining plow we had then no difficulty in so loosening the earth for another 15 inches, (giving us a total depth of 33 inches or a little over,) that it was easily thrown out with a common shovel. It required three separate plowings to get it to this depth-about five inches of earth being loosened each time. One man and a pair of horses, straddling the ditch, worked it with ease; passing it through the ditch four times for each plowing, so as to get the earth thoroughly loosened. The final spit, grading the fall, was removed with a narrow draining-spade and a scoop. The tile were covered with inverted sods, and the earth, thrown out equally on both sides, was all returned with a common plow.

The past spring here was very wet, so that several days we could not use the draining plow, for fear of the horses slipping into the ditch, and were obliged to open a number of rods in the old way, with spades. It also prevented my finishing the job at that time, leaving about a quarter of it until the end of last month, when the days were very short. The land was so nearly level that it required great care and a good deal of time to grade the bottom properly; but we got most of the tile down to a depth of three feet.

Let us now compare the cost of these drains with that of a piece done a few years ago entirely by the spade and shovel, on exactly similar land.

COST OF LAYING 625 RODS OF TILE WITH SPADE AND SHOVEL. To 117 days sinking ditches, at 87% ets...... do. laying tile and covering with sod,.

17

32% do. filling,

Or nearly 234 cents a rod,

COST OF LAYING 493 RODS OF TILE WITH PLOW AND SHOVEL.

60 do.

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[For the Country Gentleman and Cattivater.}

SHALL WE BUY THE CATTLE WE FEED? EDS. Co. GENT.-I thank your Geneva correspondent, JOHN JOHNSTON, for his prompt response to my inquiry on cattle feeding. I thank him also for the valuable instruction he has given in that important branch of farm economy. I find I was correct in my former communication, when I remarked that Mr. Johnston was a much more successful feeder than I was; but I did not expect to be so badly beaten as I now find myself to be.

Last season I sold my four-year old steers at $60, and thought I was doing pretty well. This year I have as good, but the price ruling low I could not now get as much for them. Mr. Johnston, at 22 to 24 months old, by his system, gets from $47 to $60, a gain of two years upon my system of feeding.

This comparison between Mr. Johnston and myself, reminds me of a very pointed and practical illustration of the value of Agricultural Fairs, made in an address before one of our Maryland Societies, some years ago, by Prof. Benjamin Hallowell, late President of the Maryland Agricultural College-a man of wisdom and learning, and devoted to rural life and agricultural improvement. Mr. 14.88 Hallowell, on the occasion alluded to, was invited to deliver an address before the Ag. Society in the county in $146.34 which he resided. Feeling, doubtless, a little ambitious from the position he was to occupy, to have something attractive from his own farm to exhibit, he went among his

$102.81

28.65

Today, horse team and extra driver, marking out, at $3.75,. $2.50 stock to make his selection; but he found nothing which

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so completely filled his beau ideal of perfection as his half3.60 blood Merino ram. This ram was forthwith ordered to the Fair, and with the just pride of a farmer, friend Hallowell $65.47 soon invited his friends to an examination of his beautiful I have not included the tile in either case, as the cost of sheep-when to his astonishment and surprise he found them per rod would not differ. I have also charged full his favorite ram, the pride of his flock, completely and price for the horse labor, which should be done in all farm overwhelmingly eclipsed by a pair of noble Cotswolds, exaccounts, though in this case they would have been stand-hibited by Horatio Trundle, Esq., from another part of the ing idly in the stable if they had not been used here. If county, the existence of which he, Mr. H., was totally we deduct the charge for team, it makes the cost 11 ets. ignorant of. In his address the learned Professor turned this circumstance to very good account. In speaking of It will be thus seen, that by using the plow instead of the value and importance of Agricultural Fairs, he frankly

a rod.

confessed the pride with which he had entered his afore-
said ram for the prize, which be confidently expected to
win until he saw the far superior sheep exhibited by his
friend Trundle-and but for this exhibition, he not only
should have remained ignorant that there was such sheep
in the county as his friend Trundle had exhibited, but that
he should have continued himself under the delusion with
which he left home, that he had himself the finest.
Just so it is in raising and feeding cattle; but for the
medium of your valuable paper, and the interesting and
remained under the delusion that I was doing pretty well
instructive communication of Mr. Johnston, I should have
in raising and selling four year old steers at $60 per head.
I now find they can be sold for as much money at 2 years
old, by Mr. Johnston's superior management.

Something, however, is due to difference in circumstances. In a rapid railroad excursion to the north some years ago, I was struck with the beauty, fertility and high state of cultivation of the land bordering on Seneca lake, on which I believe the town of Geneva is situated.

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] TREATMENT OF RINGBONE.

MESSRS, Editors-In the Country Gentleman of Jan, 12, you say there is no cure for confirmed ringbone." A few years since, one of my horses was badly ringboned upon both hind feet, and very lame. A friend, upon seeing his lameness, remarked that he could give me a recipe that would surely cure the lameness, but not remove the bunches. I tried it as directed, and a permanent cure of ed to keep cd in here it was erected in an auth, I was request. a secret, and I will say nothing about it, but let the Country Gentleman" do the talking. Recipe: pint spirits turpentine. 1 ounce oil oreganum. 11 ounce oil amber. 1 ounce oil of spike.

an ounce aqua fortis.

Mix in a bottle, and apply daily (Sundays excepted) with a swab. L. T. M. Vernon Center, N. Y.

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clover," and from being extensively raised for seed in the The large variety of clover, sometimes called "peavine southern part of this county, known in some parts as "Herkimer clover," has some qualities that commend it to the use of dairymen.

1

Firstly, its enormous growth. It yields fully double the amount of herbage produced by any other clover or grass we cultivate. It has been objected to by some as being too large. Its stems grow very long and large in rich soil, and not being able to support their weight, a considerable portion of them injured. Weight for weight, such hay is not as good as that often lie flat upon the ground, and hence become more or less made from timothy, red top, nor June grass; nor is it as good as from clover that has not fallen down, but still it makes valuable fodder.

I am afflicted with a larger quantity of old worn out land (as we describe it in the south) than I can at present bring to LARGE OR PEAVINE CLOVER. under the hand of improvement. The only profitable way We find of using such land, is to appropriate it to pasturage for the following article on this variety of clover, sheep and young cattle. My practice then is, to winter about which there has been considerable inquiry of late, my calves as Mr. Johnston does-the first winter on clover in the Mohawk (Herkimer county) Courier, and it is, we hay, omitting the meal which he adds to the clover hay-presume, from the pen of the editor of the Ag. Departand in the spring turn them on the inferior pasture just ment of that paper: described. The second winter they are fed on corn fodder and wheat straw, without grain, and turned again with the sheep on inferior pasture. The third winter fed as the second, and the following spring put on better pasture, which by the fall brings them forward in a condition to be sold as grass fed beef, or fed 2 or 3 barrels of corn, worth from $6 to $9, and generally sold at a much higher price as stall fed beef. In this way I bring my 4 year old steers, at a cost of not over $9 in grain, to an average of $60 per head. Mr. Johnston, by feeding from $15 to $20 worth of ail meal or other grain, sells his two year old steers for $60 per head. His is doubtless nearer the true mercantile principle of turning his capital as rapidly as possible. But my objection heretofore to feeding cattle so young, was a want of maturity, and consequently a disposition to take on and carry to market solid and substantial fat and tallow. Mr. Johnston's system of feeding oil cake, with which I have no experience, will perhaps overcome this objection. He, however, admits that he finds it more profitable to buy 3 and 4 year old cattle to feed; but what then becomes of his calves? Are they sacrificed to the butcher and the epicure? It is against this wasteful and destructive practice that I contend-wasteful, because it destroys in infancy an animal fitted and intended for rapid growth, improvement and maturity-destructive, because it deprives the country of the provision intended by Providence to feed and sustain it. To buy 3 or 4 year old cattle to fatten, requires an active capital constantly on hand to keep up the supply-and renders us dependant on others for what we can ourselves furnish. My plan brings to niaturity and full development the tender calf-saves the capital necessary to buy the 3 and 4 year old steers, and renders me independent of the fluctuations of the stock market. Mr. Johnston's system requires tact and judgment in buying as well as selling. The system I advocate is better adapted to that large class of farmers who are not so highly gifted in this respect as Mr. Johnston evidently is. A MARYLAND FARMER.

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] To make Hard Soap.

EDS. Co. GENT.-I send you the following recipe, which I wish the readers of your paper to have the benefit of, as it is considered the best of many:

I am now keeping part of my cows upon this kind of clover that grew at the rate of six loads to the acre, as large as I could draw on a common hay rigging. It was coarse indeed; but it was well cured, and comes out bright and free from mould or discoloration by heating, and without loss of leaves. The cows eat it readily and with a geod relish, consuming even the coursest steins. They keep in good health and flesh, and like any clover, depends very much upon the manner in which are in every respect doing finely upon it. The value of this, it is cured. When partly dried, its strength is quickly steeped out by a shower of rain; or its leaves lost, and its goodness burnt out by drying too long in the sun; and to be good must be cut when in full blossom.

Secondly, This kind of clover is less liable to injury by drouth than any other, and much less so than the grasses. As soon as it gets a hold in the soil, its large and leng roots strike be effected by the dryest seasons we have had since I com down below the reach of drouth. I have never known it to menced cultivating it.

hence is better where timothy is to be cultivated with it. The Thirdly. It ripens at the same time with timothy, and earlier kinds will be greatly injured by standing till timothy is ripe enough to cut; and if cut at its proper season, the timothy will not be full grown.

Fourthly. By ripening slowly, it remains a longer time in a suitable staté for cutting.

Fifthly. While through its large leaves it derives most of its support from the air, its large roots extending through the ground loosen and enrich it. The exhaustion of soil for a given value of fodder is much less than with timothy.

SHARES' HARROW.-This harrow I think is a good imTake 6 lbs. of soda, 6 lbs. of fat, 3 lbs. of lime, and 4 gal-heavy, and of the toughest wood. To make it work proplement, but the timber should be made about double as lons of water. Put the soda, lime and water in the boiler, and boil them. Then take it out in something to settle; then put perly I had a log weighing between 50 and 100 lbs. put the fat in the boiler and add the water (leaving the settlings on it. The shank or portions of the metal inserted into behind.) Boil about half an hour, or until it is thick. Then the wood, should be made somewhat longer. I never saw take it out to cool, when it is ready to cut as is desired. any implement put in wheat better. J. R. W. Highland Home, Pa. E. COPE. Albemarle Co., Va.

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NEW AMERICAN STYLE OF RURAL ARCHITECTURE. EDITORS COUNTRY GENTLEMAN-The last example of the new American style, was undoubtedly too expensive a design for a great majority who may have desired to build, or who intend to commence this spring. We intended that example, without any reference to the plan, should represent the general characteristics of the style, and as far as that motive was concerned, a great many, especially gentlemen of refinement and taste, have acknowledged our efforts by adopting designs with the same characteristics. We are endeavoring, as far as our ideas will allow, to produce a style that shall be national and truly American; and it lies with the people of both north and south, east and west, to approve of our attempts or not. We desire to submit to their examination, designs with every

graceful forms; ornament does not add a particle to beauty, unless the simple forms are right and in their proper place. To describe why we inserted a large window in front, three small ones above, and made the entrance porch as it is, &c., would take up too much space.

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variety of plan, hoping by so doing a better judgment can be made, whether we are to satisfy our countrymen as regards a new and National style. We submit a third example -a residence for a small family, that cost $2,500, and shows how plain and how picturesque a country cottage can be designed. To have a high roof, dormer windows, plenty of piazza, tower, or an abundance of ornament, would not make this design one iota more beautiful or interesting. Beauty lies in simple, yet characteristic and

We will describe the plan briefly, and it must be understood these requirements were given by the owner, and not arranged by us. You enter by an entrance porch a, 7 feet square-have a hall 6, 5 feet wide, affording an uninterrupted draft-staircase hall, 7 feet wide, leading to two bed-rooms, k and h, with fire-place and closet to each, and to passage between dining-room, D, and parlor, C. The entrance hall has door to parlor, to dining room, and to small passage with wash basin, &c., to kitchen, E. F is a store-room with shelves, and g is kitchen pantry, well lighted. M. is veranda, and is on the rear side, we may say, because towards the south-the front faces north, kitchen east. There is a closet, L, under stairs, for dining room. On second floor of main building are two bedrooms and bathroom.

There can be a piazza on front if desired, as well as any other change. Our desire is to represent how this style has conformed to the wishes of those desiring their own arrangement of rooms carried out. In conclusion we will state here, that we shall soon represent the adaptation of the style to brick construction, and we hope this small design will show our intentions, as remarked beforehand.SAELTZER & VALK, Architects,

[See advertisement.]

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Bible House, Astor Place, New-York.

GRAPE-GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF CONNECTICUT.-The following are the officers elected at the annual meeting, held at Hartford, Jan. 10:

President-DANIEL S. DEWEY, Hartford,

Vice Presidents-C. S. Middlebrook, Bridgport; E. A. Holcomb,
Granby.

Secretary-M. C. Weld, Hartford.
Treasurer-Richard H. Phelps, Windsor.

Some of our readers we doubt not, will be surprised to learn, as we do from statements at this meeting, that 200,000 gallons of wine were made in Connecticut last year, samples of some of which, made without sugar, were pronounced at their last State Fair equal to the choicest Rhenish wines. The Diana, Hartford Prolific, Isabella, and Concord, were the kinds of grapes recommended in their order for cultivation in Connecticut. Several kinds of wild grapes were also recommended.

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