1856.] Gravel Wall Houses. 327 



to examine other farms, improved stock, new and useful inventions, etc. 

 Invited guests take part in the discussions, and are criticised as closely 

 as the farms and speeches of the members. An abstract of the proceed- 

 ings is published in one of the county papers, and the influence exerted 

 extends far beyond the plantations of the twelve members. " It is," 

 adds the editor, '' a happy combination of pleasure and profit, and pro- 

 motes a good social feeling, and at the same time, a frank, uninfluenced 

 expression of approval, or disapproval, which results in the righting of 

 whatever is wrong, and in the rejection of theories based on the fancy 

 of half-fledgcd, visionary 'gentlemen farmers.' " 



These clubs are a capital idea, and the above informs us of the prac- 

 tical working of just such associations as we have always been in favor 

 of, with the addition, in our part of the country, of more frequent winter 

 meetings for discussions, etc., at some central point. And what an 

 incentive to thorough husbandry would this annual visitation be — how 

 much care would every one take, not only to keep his fields and build- 

 ings in good order, but to have no holes and corners that he would be 

 ashamed to have people look into and examine. AVe second Brother 

 Bragdon's motion, that there be more such clubs among our farming 

 friends everywhere. Who will start first in the matter. — Rural New 

 Yorker. 



< • > • » 



GRivvm. WALia novssES. 



[In consequence of the continual increase of expense in building, the public 

 mind is manifesting a growing anxiety for information in relation to this sub- 

 ject. The cost of building is now nearly quadrupled on that of fifteen years 

 ago. Economy and fitness in this parljcular are, therefore, matters of serious 

 importance to all persons desirous of securing a comfortable home. We there- 

 fore clip the following " Experience with Gravel Wall Houses," from that excel- 

 lent journal, " The Prairie Farmer."] 



" Mr. W, Maxon, of Cedar county, Iowa, says that he hai occupied a 

 gravel house for the last six years. It was the first erected in the State, 

 and was done without the aid of Fowler's book, or of the earlier inven- 

 tions of Mr. Goodrich, of Wisconsin. I have, says he. had applications 

 for information from various sources, and have universally recommended 

 this mode of building. Get a good foundation in the first place. Have 

 your lime fresh from the kiln and slack as you use it. The walls must 

 be furred and lathed, as every one wants a dry, warm house. 



