DOMESTIC NOTICES. 



carpet like that described in one of the tales of 

 the Arabian Nights, — if it could be set down 

 safely in that much talked of " vacant space" 

 in the American section of the Crystal Palace ; 

 and if your excellent Fresident, now there, 

 could be on the spot to meet you as you alight, 

 and to say to the assembled throng of visitors; 

 ' ' Here are the American Mechanics — here are 

 the men wlio build our ships, and our houses, 

 and our bridges, and our railroads — who make 

 our iron ware, and tin ware, and brass ware, 

 and who construct those wonderful machines 

 and invent those curious implements to which 

 you have given your prizes — and here, too, are 

 their wives and daughters — behold them, and 

 compare them with your own" — would they 

 not feel that it was something better than a vain- 

 glorious boast, for us to exclaim : — 



" Man is tlie uoblier plant our realm supplies, 

 Aiid souls are ripened in these iiorllieni skies I" 



The Norfolk Ag. Soc. — The annual Fair of this So- 

 ciety was very successful, and the anniversary dinner 

 passed off with great spirit, on the 21lh of September. 

 The Horticultural display was excellent. The diinier to 

 over a thousand ladies and gentlemen was furnished gra- 

 tuitously by John Gardner, Esq., of Dedham, Mass. 

 Hon. M. P. Wilder, the President of the Society, made 

 the annual address, a portion of which being of more than 

 local interest, we copy from the published report. 



" The exhibitions of to-day furnish ample proof that 

 progress has been made, particularly in the agricultural 

 and horticultural departments, and settles a question on 

 which there rested doubts previous to our first exhibition, 

 whether Norfolk contained resources sufficient to sustain 

 a large and successful agricultural association. The 

 show of blood stock has never been equalled in tliis, if in 

 any other county in the Commonwealth, and for which 

 we are much indebted to the officers of the State Society 

 and other geiulemen who have contributed by their im- 

 portations or otherwise to this depaitment. 



The exhibition of Fruit is of a remarkable character, 

 and we doubt whether, in some respects, it has been sur- 

 passed in any other portion of the world. 



We are happy to see again on exhibition the improved 

 implements of agriculture, the importance of which to the 

 farmer can scarcely be over-rated. And what American 

 does not feel a generous pride in the success with which 

 these implements have been crowned at the AVorld's Fair, 

 especially in the triumph of a plough, the invention and 

 manufacture of a member of this society, and which has 

 not only distanced the competition of tlie world, but has 

 absolutely turned the ridicule of European conlrilnitors 

 into universal applause f But while we rejoice in the 

 progress and prosperity of our society, and in the remar- 

 kable preservation of tlie lives and health of our members, 

 let us not forget that the Destroyer has been among us. 

 Three distinguished friends, who were present at our last 

 anniversary, who th(Ui participated with us in the privi- 

 ledges and pleasures of that occasion, have ceased from 

 their earthly labors and entered into their re.st. The Hon 

 Asa T. Newhall, Delegate from the Essex society, at 

 ^vhose approaching anniversary no doubt a just tribute 

 will be paid to his memory The vener;ible John Stewart 

 Skinner, and Gen. Henry Alexander Samuel Dearborn 



In the death of these gentlemen, Agriculture has lost 

 powerful champions, and society old and valuable mem- 

 bers. With the two latter, it was my privilege to enjoy 

 a long and happy acquainlance. Both were pioneers in 

 agriculture and the rural arts — able, constant, and large 

 contributors to the press — gentlemen of richly endowed 

 and highly cultivated minds — of varied and extensive 

 of lofty and benevolent purposes, and of untir- 

 rseverance. 

 Skinner, in addition to numerous offices of trust. 



emolument, and honor, under the national government, 

 w:ts the editor of the first rgricultural paper ever publish- 

 ed in the United States ; also, of the Plough, the Loom, 

 and the Anvil ; with many other kindred valuable works 

 — all of which, in the language of our sentiment last 

 year, were honor to him while living, and are iTionuments 

 to his praise now he is gone. 



It afibrds me great pleasure to bear public testimony to 

 the briUjant talents and "reat worth of our lamented Dear- 

 born — a testimony which is the result of more than twenty 

 years intimate acquaintance with him, in our favorite pur- 

 suits and hi official duty. 



His labors in the establishment of the Ma.ssacliusetts 

 Horticultural Society, the Mount Auburn and the Forest 

 Hills Cemeteries, are proud and durable memorials of his 

 skill, energy and taste. No enterprise was too bold for him 

 to attempt : no sacrifice was too great for him to make ; 

 no labors too arduous for him to perlorm.in order to promote 

 the intelligence, the refinement, virtue, welfare, and re- 

 nown of his countrymen. 



His eulogy has been spoken by a master hand, and pro- 

 nounced in lis appropriate place. He sleeps in the conse- 

 scrated ground which his genius planned, and which his 

 taste adorned, — beneath the flowers which his own hand 

 planted." 



^mmm to C^nrrrspniiknts. 



AuTCMN PnuNiNG. — B. Jamcs. We do not 

 hesitate to prune small limbs at any time, but 

 north of Philadelphia it is better not to make 

 large woutids just before winter. But if you 

 brush the shellac mixture (gum shellac dis- 

 solved in alcohol to the consistency of thick 

 varni.sh) over the wound.s, you may prune with 

 safety at any season. 



Strawberries. — W., (Cleveland, O.) The 

 best possible covering for strawberry beds is 

 tan-bark spread evenly over the whole bed, 

 just thick enotigh to nicely cover the plants. It 

 does not matter wliether it is new or old. If 

 you cannot get this, use straw or stable litter. 



Scarlet Geraniums. — P. B., (Watervliet.) 

 Take them up before frost and set them in long 

 shallow boxes. Keep them moderately dry all 

 winter so as to encourage growth as little as 

 possible, and they will bloom far more abundant- 

 ly in the beds next season, than if kept grow- 

 ing in the green-house. A warm cellar will 

 carry them through the winter safely, if you 

 have plenty of light in it. 



Pears. — Pyrus, (Philadelphia.) The non- 

 productiveness is owing to deficiency inthesoil. 

 The best special manure that we have tried for 

 pear trees is the bone-black of the sugar re- 

 finers — that may be had for a trifle. Mingle it 

 with the soil around the trees, at the rate of a 

 peck for a trunk of the size of your wrist, and 

 two bushels for a large-bearing tree. If your 

 soil is worn out by long culture add ashes and a 

 plentiful supply of stable manure. The Louis 



