388 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



the expense of constructing manure pits. He thought they should 

 be careful to convey water into the manure, to keep the entire 

 mass so moist that it will not ''lire fang." 



Trial of Straw-Cdtteks. 

 On motion of Mr. W. S. Carpenter, the same committee that 

 conducted the trial of hay forks, were empowered to make 

 arrangements for holding a trial of feed-cutters, at the barn of 

 Mr. Josiah H. Mac}^ Eye, AVestchester Co., K. Y, on Friday, 

 April 5. The invitation is extended to manufacturers in other 

 States, as well as in the State of New York. 



Farming in Iowa. 

 Mr. J. W. Stibbins, Fonterella, Iowa. — Ten years ago I moved 

 from New York city, where I was born and lived till forty years 

 old. It cost $130 to move, and I took my furniture. I bought a 

 team- for $428, a farm at $5 an acre, and paid half down. I started 

 with $1,300; I was a carpenter. The first year we had to work 

 out and live on what I had left, but my family all united with me. 

 NoAV I have six horses, thirteen head of cattle, Chester hogs, sheep, 

 etc. ; and last year I raised 1,200 bushels of corn and other grain. 

 When we came the railroad was two hundred miles distant; now 

 it is forty miles. There were no school-houses in the county ; now 

 there are twenty-five. I am out of debt, and, knowing city and 

 countr}^ life, I think it would be a good plan for many mechanics 

 iu New York to come west and get farms. 



Foreign Poultry. 



Mr. A. M. Halstead, Rye, N. Y., brouglit in a trio of Crevecoeurs, 

 and placed them on the table. They are said to excel the Black 

 Spanish for laying. These birds were just imported from France, 

 and he has none for sale. Their great excellence consists in their 

 value for laying lai-ge supplies of eggs. These fowls were large 

 black fowls, and are said to be very quiet, and not disposed to 

 scratch up grain and plants in the garden. 



Mr. Halstead said so far as his experience g(ws, the Brahmas 

 are the most profitable fowls for eggs and the table of any fowls 

 that are generally raised. He spoke of the dispositions of the 

 Brahmas as being unusually mild and peaceable when confined in 

 a close yard. When other fowls would fight, these would dwell 

 in peace and quiet. 



