346 



respectively, $250 for the best bale, and $100 for the second-best bale, 

 from each State. In addition, a large gold medal is to be given for 

 the best bale among the total receipts from these States. Cotton will 

 be admitted for entry np to Septeinber 30. 



National Agricultukal Association. — The Tennessee Agricultu- 

 ral and Mechanical Association has issued circular letters inviting all 

 societies of like description throughout the United States to meet in 

 congress at I^ashville, Tennessee, October 3, 1S71, for the purpose of 

 forming a national agricultural association. The object of this move- 

 ment is to secure, by concerted action, unity aud harmony in the promo- 

 tion of agriculture, and to increase the advantages offered by experi- 

 ence, skill, and science, in its development. Each society taking part in 

 the congress will be entitled to one delegate for every fifty members, or 

 fractional part of that nun}ber. Manufacturers of agricultural imple- 

 ments, throughout the United States, are invited to exhibit their articles 

 at a national exiiositiou during the State Fjiir. 



Address of Dr. George B. Loring. — Dr. George B. Loring, in an 

 address before the Xev/ England Agricultural Society, at Lowell, Massa- 

 chusetts, September 8, urged upon mechanics and others engaged in 

 daily lal)or in large cities and towns the i)ropriety of sc^curing rural 

 homes within reach of their daily avocations, thus advancing the health 

 and moral well-being of themselves and their families, and establishing 

 a surer basis of material prosperity. The address also contains these 

 suggestive remarks on the pecuniary condition of the agricultural popu- 

 lation of Massachusetts : 



I think I may safely say that we Lave no industn'ons farmers wlio are poor, and 

 very few farms, nuless it be those which are in the hands of what are called fancy farm- 

 ers, which are unprofitable. The homesteads of the agricultural community are in 

 good condition ; good houses, good barns, and well-tilled fields greeting you on every 

 hand. Farms which were mortgaged ten years ago are now free from incumbrance ; 

 and even while the debts resting upon them have been paid, it would be difficult to 

 estimate the amount of money which has been drawn from thera in the shape of taxes 

 for general aud local jjurposes, and of contributions to all charitable purposes. 



Soiling crops. — Mr. E. W Stewart gives the following as a good di- 

 vision of soiling' crops when twenty cows are wholly soiled : First, two 

 and a half acres of winter-rye, sown late in August or early in Septem- 

 ber,in theMiddleand iSew England States ; but inaj'be somewhat later in 

 the season in the South. Cut in the spring before the heads form, so that 

 it will immediately commence a new growth. Under favorable condi- 

 tions of soil aud climate, rye may be cut in the way recommended every 

 three weeks. Second, two and a half acres of orchard-grass and earl 3^ 

 clover, sown together, and cut just before coming into blossom. Three 

 cuttings may be obtained on good ground in moist seasons. Sow twenty 

 pounds of orchard-grass and twelve pounds of clover to the acre on land 

 in fine tilth and well manured. Third, two and a half acres of timothy 

 and large red clover, to be cut before coming into blossom. Ten pounds 

 of timothy-seed and ten pounds of clover-seed to the acre will be suffi- 

 cient. Fourth, two and a half acres of oats, sown early in Ai)ril, at the 

 rate of three or four bushels of seed to the acre, to be cut while in blos- 

 som. Fifth, four acres of corn, sown as follows: one acre each on tlie 

 20th of J\Iay, and on the 1st, lOth, and 20th of June. The rotation rec- 

 ommended will permit the feeding of a variety of food to stock at the 

 same time, as clover with corn — a practice always desirable. 



Irrigation in California. — For two years the wheat crop in Cali- 

 fornia has suffered. greatly from drought, andtlie journals of that State 



