479 



corn, or wheat, l^roadcast. Good shelter for our barn-yards is also one of tlie very best 

 investments a farmer can make; manure exposed to the sun ami drenching rains in 

 tli(> barn-yard is almost worthless, the substance of fertilizing properties having long 

 since polluted some rivulet, and passed into the ocean. 



Mr. Isaac L. Sahler, of West Braud^wiiie, raised on one acre 131 

 bushels and 26 pounds of corn, allo\ying- 70 pounds of ears to the bushel. 



THE AMERICAN DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



The sixth annual convention of this association will be held in Utica, 

 New York, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, January- 10, 11, and 

 12, 1871. The full programme for the meeting- is not yet settled upon, 

 but the secretary presents the following as constituting the main features 

 of the convention : 



Addresses will be made by the following gentlemen on the siibjects specified : 



Donald G. Mitchell, of New Haven, Connecticut, " How far and in what way the 

 practical farmer or dairyman can best avail himself of the teachings of science." 



Professor George C. Caldwell, of Cornell University, " The manufacture of cheese 

 in Germany, France, Switzerland," &c. 



Joseph Harris, of Rochester, New York, "Fattening cows on dairy farms." 



The following topics will come before the convention, and short papers, introductory 

 to the general discussion of each theme, may be expected from the gentlemen named 

 in connection with each subject : 



Is there a gradual decline in the amount of dairy products in all our older dairy 

 regions ? If so, what is the cause and what the remedy ? X. A. Willard, of Herkimer. 



Is there any way by which patrons of butter and cheese factories can receive credit 

 for the milk delivered according to its actual value, and not according to its weight or 

 measure ? 



Should not every dairyman practice soiling his cows in connection with pasturage, 

 and what crop or crops are best for the jiurpose ? Harris Lewis, of Herkimer. 



What shall be done Avith the cream which rises upon the milk during the night, in 

 cases where the agitator is not used ? L. B. Arnold, of Tompkins. 



Grinding curds — is it advantageous or otherwise ? Alex. Macadam, of Montgomery. 



Management of a good butter dairy. O. S. Bliss, of Vermont, and S. A. Farriugton, 

 of Tomi)kins. 



Would the consumption of cheese be promoted in any considerable degree by the 

 nioi'e general manufacture of small cheeses ? A. Holdredge, of Otsego. 



Condensed milk manufacture. 



What is the best method for maintaining an even temperature in cheese-curing 

 rooms ? 



Proper construction of cheese factories as bearing upon the quality of the product, 

 as also with reference to convenience and durability. Dr. L. L. Wriglit, of Oneida. 



Causes of tainted milk, and the remedies. 



What have been the lessons of the past year ? 



Ample time will be allowed for the full discussion of each subject, and members may 

 bring before the convention such other pertinent subjects as they may desire to present 

 for consideration. 



THE VALLEY OF THE RIO GRANDE. 



Mr. F. E. Starck, secretary of the Esperanza Agricultural Associa- 

 tion, Brownsville, Texas, writes to the Department, under date of No- 

 vember 9, that tbe drought has been severe this year, but that, notwith- 

 standing this, agricultural interests are progressing generally. Cotton, 

 which was planted early, the latter part of January or early in Febru- 

 ary, has yielded a fair crop. Sugar-cane, though a little backward, 

 still looks as well as the best which Louisiana can produce. The first 

 crop of corn was short, but the recent rains have insured a good fall 

 crop. There is now standing on the experimental farm of the associa- 



