^^93 



lu Santa Barbara County, California, Mr. A. Packard has live acres 

 iu mnlberry trees, eight years old, planted at 10 by 18 feet distance. 

 Mr. J. E. Goux also has a plantation of the same size and age, planted 

 20 by 20 feet distance. Dr. James Ord has a similar plantation. 



The California State Board of Agriculture have awarded State pre- 

 miums to Mrs. E. M. Weston, of Sacramento, for 025,000 silk cocoons; 

 A. Packard, of Santa Barbara, for 150,000 cocoons ; H. G. Bollow, of 

 Yolo County, for 100,000 cocoons ; and to several parties for mulberry 

 plantations. 



Texas Cattle. — There has recently been established at Schuyler, 

 Nebraska, on the Union Pacific railroad, seventy-five miles west of 

 Omaha, a dejiot for the sale of Texas cattle. 12,000 to 15,000 are now 

 at this point on their way to the eastern markets. The Kansas Pacific 

 railway is sending forward 600 head of cattle each day. It is stated 

 that there are now about 50,000 head in the vicinity of Abilene, await- 

 ing shipment and sale, and that 200,000 head of Texas cattle have 

 crossed the lied Kiver. 



SouTn American Cattle ik England. — Alfred Fox, United States 

 consul at Falmouth, England, in a recent letter to this Department, 

 writes as follows : 



The farmers here appear to be paying increased ititention to the breeding and fat- 

 tening of cattle as an important source of profit'. A steamer has lately landed here, iu 

 fair condition, with a few exceptions, from Montevideo, 142 oxen, which cost about £4 

 per head on board at Montevideo ; 6 cows, which cost about £3 per head ; 5 calves, 

 which go with the cows ; 297 sheep, which cost about 5s. per head ; and 6 horses, 

 v/hich cost about £4 per head. 



About 70 oxen were killed on the voyage, owing, as was alleged, to injuries sus- 

 tained by the rough manner in which they were put on board, to the length of the voy- 

 age, (forty-three days,) to the high temperature at Baliia, where the steamer called 

 to repair machinery, and to the want of experience in the requirements on board in 

 this the first experiment. Such a traflQc might perhaps be advantageously carried on 

 between Montevideo and the United States. 



It is the invariable practice in this county to make butter from clotted cream, which 

 is generally produced by placing the pan of milk over a hot iron jdate, but it must not 

 be allowed to boil. The cream becomes very rich and of a greater consistency, and is 

 also largely used with ripe strawberries, raspberries, fruit pies, &c. This plan is 

 supposed to have been introduced here by the PhcBiiiciaus, who are said to have vis- 

 ited Cornwall three thousand years ago iu quest of tin. 



A BOAED OF AGEicuLTUEE FOE New Hampshiee. — The legis- 

 lature of this state has passed a bill establishing a board of agricul- 

 ture, to consist of one member from each county, to be nominated by 

 the governor and confirmed by the council. It is made the duty of the 

 board to investigate subjects in relation to agriculture and kindred arts; 

 to cause to be analyzed samples of commercial fertilizers offered for sale 

 in the State; to collect and distribute grains and other seeds, &c. Ee- 

 turns are to be secured from all parts of the State, and an annual report 

 is to be issued, to be distributed as other public documents. The mem- 

 bers of the board are to receive no compensation beyond necessary 

 expenses, 



Teichin^e in Oregon. — It is stated iu the Oregouian that a party of 

 French, who had camped at Wilhoit's Soda Springs, killed a deer which 

 was found to be literally alive with trichinae. A number of families ate 

 of it before the discovery. The trichinse were first noticed in the ham, 

 and, upon closer observation, in every part of the animal. The discovery 

 of trichinjB in venison killed in its "mountain fastness" has created quite 

 au excitement among the hunters. 



Wool in Colorado. — A Colorado correspondent writes that the 

 establishment of a woolen factory at Denver has akeady stimulated 

 wool-growers to the introduction of thorough-bred Cotswold and South- 

 down bucks to cross with the native sheej). 



