or yourselves will proceed to make. In the meantime allow me to present some hasty estimates of the amount which Pennsylvania pays annually for the support of her horse flesh.

From some recently published statistics, I learn that there are in Pennsylvania 352,657 horses and mules. Of this number, perhaps 52,658 are employed in cities and towns for other than agricultural purposes, leaving 300,000 for the use of the farmer. At the present price of horse provender, the average daily cost of feeding a working horse would be fully 33 1-3 cents. Assuming this to be correct, the daily expenditure for horse feed in Pennsylvania is $100,000, or $36,500,000 per annum.

The average lifetime of the horse is about nine years, and the average cost of his keeping for that time $1094,94. Shoeing, medical attendance, grooming &c., not included.

The average first cost of the 300,000 horses used in Pennsylvania for agricultural purposes, is not less than $50 each, making an ag gregate of $15,000,000, dividing which by nine, (the average term of horse life,) and we have $1,666,666 2-3, principal and interest, as the annual outlay for horse flesh in our State, the whole of which is to be charged to the expense account of our agricultural operations. Let us now re-capitulate:

Cost of feeding 300,000 horses one year,
Average annual purchases,

Average annual cost of shoeing, grooming,
medicine, &c., $20 each,

Making an aggregate of

$36,500,000
1,666,666

6,000,000

$44,166,666

as the sum total of the amount which the people of this Commonwealth pay annually for horse flesh alone. At even the present high rates of produce, it is equal to more than the entire value of the wheat and oats of the State.

From the above statements, we find that more than 333,000 horses die annually, the average weight of which may be set down at 800 pounds each, or 26,400,000 pounds of flesh, bones, &c., abounding in nitrogen, the phosphates, &c. It is asserted upon good authority, that the body of a dead horse, cut to pieces, and mixed with ten loads of muck, becomes, in a single season, compost of the most valuable character. If this be correct, and I believe it is, we ought to have from the carcasses of the 33,000 dead horses, 330,000 loads of compost, or sufficient to manure 30,000 acres annually.

Now, if the carcases of all the horses that die were taken care of as above suggested, what a vast addition to the fertilizing material of the State would they afford. Enough manure would be produced by them to add 600,000 bushels to the wheat yield of the State-an item certainly worth looking after. But it is more than probable, that not one carcase out of a hundred is ever cut up and mixed with muck, or even buried. Generally, they are dragged to some

out of the way place to furnish a banquet for the corn-thieving crows, or more than worthless dogs.

These estimates are not presented as being accurately correct, but they are sufficiently so to render the enquiry whether steam or horse power is most economical, peculiarly interesting.-Farm Journal.

MISCELLANEOUS.

THE CAMELS.-The camels and dromedaries purchased and otherwise procured by Major Wayne and Captain Porter, in Asia Minor, under the appropriation made for the purpose at the last session of Congress, have embarked, and the vessel would sail with the first fair wind for the United States. The number of animals procured is 33, viz., 9 male and 15 female camels; 4 male and 5 fe

male dromedaries.

ap

TO PREVENT HORSES FALLING.-One of the omnibus lines in this city, has plied a safety cradle to their stages, to prevent their horses falling on the Russ pavement. It consists of straps connected with the front part of the stage, stretch. ing forward and slung under the body of horses, so as to hold them up when they slip on the pavement. The object of the invention is good, and very necessary.— New York Paper.

SINGULAR FACT.—Did you ever buy a horse? If so, you have doubtless been struck with surprise at the great number of horses just seven years old. A shrewd Scotch jockey, whom I once employed to aid in the selection of a horse, as he examined the animal's mouth, inquired of the seller, "How old is he?" "Seven years." "Ah," said Johnny, "that seven years ago was a tremendous year for colts."-Saturday Evening Post.

PRESERVING Vegetable SubsTANCES.-F. J. Anger, of London, has taken out a patent for preserving potatoes and other like vegetable substances, by dipping them in a warm solution of diastaste, or gum made from starch. Some of this gum is dissolved in water which is heated up to about 140 degrees, Fahren, and the vegetable substances are then introduced into it, and kept at that heat until imbued with the solution. The vegetables are then taken out and placed in drying rooms until they are completely dried. Potatoes, when so treated are stated by the patentee not to be susceptible of decomposition, by the influence of the atmosphere.

INCREASE IN THE BULK OF VEGETABLES BY BOILING.-Mons. Reaumur caused four pints of each of the six grains following to be boiled until they were well bursted, and he found that the increase in bulk of each sort was as follows: 4 pints of oats, after boiling, filled 7 pints.

4 do.

4 do.

4 do.

barley,
buckwheat, do.
Indian corn, do.

do.

do 10 do.

do. 14 do.

do. 15 do.

Rice was not tested, but swells much more than either of the above: it is seldom, however, used for the above purpose.

HEAVY PRICES FOR MULES AND JACKS.-On the 3d inst., at Paris, Ky., a large number of mules were sold for $60,000; 42 mules for $133 each; 54 at $120 each, &c. Captain Leer sold his famous old jack," Buena Vista," for $3,200 -in his younger days be rated at $7,000. Inferior jacks sold at $700,$400, $100, &c.

VETERINARY COLLEGE.-A bill has been introduced in the New York Legislature to incorporate the New York College of Veterinary Surgeons of the City of

New York. The corporators are William Cooper, H. Williams, M.D., John Lockwood, Thomas D. Andrews, M.D., J. Ogle, M.D., T. Nortram, T. Grice and P, Green. The object is to promote veterinary science and instruction in the department of learning connected therewith. It allows them to hold and convey real estate to the amount of $100,000. It gives power to the Trustees to confer the degree of V.S. (Veterinary Surgeon) on any man of the age of 21 years, who may have studied three years with some Veterinary Surgeon duly licensed, and have attended two complete courses of lectures, one of which shall have been delivered by the Professors of said College.-New York Daily Times.

IDLE VISITS.—The idle are a very heavy tax upon the industrious, when by frivolous visitations they rob them of their time. Such persons beg their daily hap piness from door to door as beggars their daily bread, and, like them, sometimes meet with a rebuff. A mere gossip ought not to wonder if we evince signs that we are tired of him, seeing that we are indebted for the honor of his visit solely to the circumstance of his being tired of himself. He sits at home until he has accumulated an insupportable load of ennui, and then sallies forth to distribute it among his acquaintance.-Life Illustrated.

GRAND EXHIBITION IN FRANCE.-French Consulate, Boston.-By decision of the French Government, an Universal Exhibition of Procreative animals, Agricultural Implements and Produce, both French and foreign, will be opened in Paris, from the 23d of May, to the 7th of June, 1856—and from the 23d of May, to the 6th of June, 1857.

At this Exhibition, 320 Premiums from 100 to 1000 francs, will be distributed, for the most remarkable cattle, swine and sheep.

Forty Premiums, from 25 to 125 francs, for Poultry.

Thirty-nine Premiums, from 75 to 500 francs, for Agricultural Machines and Implements.

Gold, silver and bronze medals will be given with some of the Premiums.

The following Agricultural Produce will also be admitted to this exhibition :Grain, Seeds, Forage, Flax, Hemp, Dye Stuffs, Vegetables, Fruits, Wool, Down, Feathers, Silk, Butter, Cheese, Honey, Wax, Sugar, Farina, Wine, Liquor, Preserved Meats and Vegetables, Plants, Trees, Shrubs.

Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to the exhibitors of the Agricultural Productions who may be judged worthy of them.

Foreign articles will be transported from the frontiers of France to Paris, at the expense of French Government.

All implements sent to the Exhibition of 1856, will be received in Paris until the 23d-Agricultural Produce until the 26th-Animals until the 28th of May.

To be admitted to exhibit, a written declaration must be addressed to the Minister of Agriculture, in Paris, six weeks before the opening of the Exhibition; or to French Diplomatic or Consular Agents, before the 10th of April.

For further particulars, information may be had at the French Consulate's, No. 10 Devonshire Street, Boston.

66

NEW WORK ON MORGAN HORSES.—Mr. D. C. Linsley, of Middlebury, Vt., sends us a copy of a Prospectus of a book on Morgan Horses," which he is now preparing and will soon have ready for the Press. He proposes to give a full, minute, and accurate description of Morgan Horses, accompanied with a large number of cuts of the best stallions, which will shew the true horseman their peculiar shape and figure. The work will also contain many useful hints on breeding, breaking, training, &c., &c.

The book will be furnished to subscribers at one dollar per copy. Address D. C. Linsley, Middlebury, Vt.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

"Case of Inflammatory Pneumonia, and Inhalation of Chloroform in the Treatment of the Same.-J. H. C., V. S. We never heard of a case of pneumonia terminating in resolution in so short a space of time as you have described. We do not doubt your skill in diagnosing a disease, but knowing, as we do, that mistakes

of this character will sometimes occur, even among the best informed physicians, we should prefer to know what was the character of the fluid "vomited," whether it was pus, food, or fluid. Some of the symptoms you have given correspond to chose attending inflammatory pneumonia; still, a horse may have cold ears, limbs, and body; breathe quick, hang his head "low, and appear stupid," yet not be the subject of inflammatory pneumonia; such an one may just as likely be the subject of congested lungs, which is often mistaken for the above, and if so, emesis would, in all probability, relieve the distended state of the blood-vessels; the inhalation of chloroform and ether would also, under the circumstances, have a good effect. Please write us again on the subject.

"A Farmer." Yes. Cows that have once aborted are liable to miscarry at a future period. See article "Hereditary Diseases," in present No.

W. J. S. enquires, "if tar rubbed about the roots of cows' horns will tend to keep the rain out, and thus prevent them getting sick." This is a funny question. If the writer will first prove to us that rain does penetrate the parts and induce sickness, we will reply. In view, however, of keeping the rain off, we advise our correspondent to try shelter. A good barn, well shingled, makes a capital umbrella for cows. Try it.

ner:

L. E. The small tumor you write about, may be removed in the following man -Take a common suture needle and arm it with a double ligature of strong saddlers' silk, push the needle through the base of the tumor, exactly at its centre, and firmly secure each half, separately; in the course of a few days the morbid production will slough off, without any hemorrhage.

J. A. H. Littleton. Thanks for your compliments. We cannot decide, with any degree of accuracy, at what time glanders will supervene after infection. It depends on various circumstances, more especially on the animal's health at the time. A common discharge from the "off" nostril would not be proof of glanders. We never pronounce a horse glandered until the lymphatic system is affected, and ulceration of the nasal membranes can be detected. You shall see an article, ere long, on the subject.

P. J. M. The price of our "Modern Horse Doctor," is $1.25, free of postage to any part of the United States. Send us five subscribers' names with the cash for the Journal, and we will forward a copy of the Modern Horse Doctor for your kindness. And any other of our subscribers, desiring a copy of the above work, can procure it on the same terms.

EDITOR'S DRAWER.

"THE INVENTOR."-A Monthly, of thirty-two pages. Published by Low, Haskell, & Co., New York. Price $1.00 a year. This is a work that will probably circulate extensively among mechanics and men of inventive genius, to whose special interest it seems devoted, and whom it is well calculated to please. Mr. Warren, No. 119 Washington St., Boston, is the authorized agent for the “ In

ventor."

"CALIFORNIA FARMER,"-Price $5 per annum. Published at Sacramento City, Cal., by Warren & Co. This paper will be found exceedingly valuable to those who feel interested in the agricultural improvements of the present era, and who desire to be kept posted on the improvements and prospects of our Pacific State. The California Farmer can be procured in this City, at 119 Washington St. WE are indebted to Dr. C. M. Cleveland, of Cincinnati, Ohio, for a copy of "A Chart of Incompatibles and Poisons, embracing the chemical theory of the former, and the antidotes, tests, &c., appropriate to the latter, by J. W. Hoyt, A. M., M.D. This Chart will probably find its way into every Physician's office if it is not already there.

"Journal of the United States Agricultural Society." We are indebted to W. S. King, Esq. for a copy of the above. We happened to be on the "ground" during the "fair" days; partook of the Society's hospitality, saw all the fun, rejoiced with the rest in the magnificent exhibition, and listened to the eloquent speeches made on that occasion; and, on looking over the pages of this Journal, the whole proceed

ings appear with such unerring accuracy that we are almost tempted to believe that Mr. King employed some other than human agency to reproduce the sayings and doings which occurred on that very interesting occasion. The Journal is embellished with a splendid view of the "Grounds and Structures of the United States Agricultural Society, at its Third Exhibition in Boston, 1855," and also by numerous engravings, representing some of the best Stock in the United States.

To Messrs. Ticknor & Fields, of this city, we are indebted for a copy of Professor Longfellow's admirable production, "The Song of Hiawatha." Published by the above Firm. Price one Dollar. Prior to the peru-al of this work, we had the pleasure of seeing Mrs. Barrow personify the heroine of this legend and recite portions of the same, which better prepared us to appreciate the merits of the work than if we had already made ourselves conversant with its contents without representation. The Song of Hiawatha appears to us in the light of an aboriginal literary trail, which but few authors have dared to trace. It is redolent of the heart's affections; descriptive of the characteristics of Nature's noblemen-the Sons of the Forest. There are passages in it which in sentiment, soar above and beyond the Ken of ordinary philanthropists and men of the world, leaping over the commonplace affections of every-day life, right up to the gushing fountains of forest love and affec tion; which places the red man and his helpmate in a position that the Great Spirit and nature intended they should occupy.

Every one will read the work; especially

"Ye whose hearts are fresh and simple,
Who have faith in God and Nature,

Who believe that in all ages
Every human heart is human,

That in even Savage bosoms

There are longings, yearnings, strivings,

For the good they comprehend not,

That the feeble hands and help ess,

Groping blindly in the darkness,

Touch God's right hand in that darkness
And are lifted up and strengthened;-
Listen to this simple story,

To this song of Hiawatha!"

The Medical Chronicle or Montreal Monthly Journal of Medicine and Surgery. Edited by William Wright, M.D., L. D. C. MacCullum, M.D., Montreal. Price $2 per annum, payable in advance. The specimen now before us contains several original articles of more than ordinary interest to professional men, and we heartily welcome the "Chronicle" to Uncle Sam's territory, and also to our sanctum.

Dr. Bryan, of Philadelphia, will please accept our thanks for a copy of the Con stitution and By-Laws of the American Veterinary Association of Philadelphia. "A Plea for the establishment of Veterinary Colleges in the United States. Being a Lecture, delivered October 24th, 1854, before the State Agricultural Society of Pennsylvania, by James Bryan, A.M., M.D., Professor of Surgery in the Philadelphia College of Medicine."

We are indebted to Dr. Bryan for a copy of the above, and highly delighted have we been in the perusal of the same; it is refreshing to know that amidst the darkness that at present prevails on Veterinary Science, there are a few choice spirits laboring for its advancement; and still more gratifying is it to know that the members of our sister science- the noblest calling that ever man embarked in — are raising their voices and using their influence to arouse the community to a sense of duty which they owe to the inferior orders of Creation.

-

Dr. Bryan comes to the rescue, as an advocate for those "benefit of speech," and in so doing he has broken the spell, which, with a few exceptions, has hitherto operated to deter his professional brethren froin lending their powerful aid and influence for the advancement of veterinary science. We sincerely hope that the members of a liberal profession will no longer stand aloof, nor give our science the cold shoulder; but, like Dr. B., and others that we might name, engage and interest themselves in that which has contributed greatly to advance a knowledge of human surgery.