520 



NEW ENGLAND FAEMER. 



Nov. 



the enclosure, side by side, as evenly as though the 

 yoke were upon them, then backed the nigh ox to 

 the off side, and through various interesting evolu- 

 tions which showed how much may be taught the 

 patient animal, and how much he may be brought 

 under the control of man. His cattle did not appear 

 to fear him, but watched, with ear and eye, every 

 sound and motion, and evinced a great desire to 

 answer his commands. This exhibition was ex- 

 ceedingly gratifying to all, and elicited warm appro- 

 bation. Mr. A. B. Lane, of Bedford, had a pair 

 under good control, which he had been training 

 only a single month. 



The Address was by Rev. Augustus R. Pope, of 

 Somerville, and its subject was "Agricultural Head- 

 work." He said there are two classes of farmers, 

 one of which will follow in the old ruts and beaten 

 paths pursued by their forefathers, casting aside 

 everything in the shape of improvement, while the 

 other class are willing to adopt such a system of 

 agricultural chemistry as will tend more rapidly to 

 bring forth the rich products of the soil. Agri- 

 turists should continually endeavor to make the last 

 product, whatever it may be, better than the previ- 

 ous one ; and by so doing the flirmer will never be 

 obliged to say that an article has "run out." It is 

 necessary to join agricultural head-work with hand- 

 work, and in this manner the soil can be fertilized 

 so as to make nature bring forth her richest boun- 

 ties. It was Hstened to with much gratification, and 

 undoubtedly with profit. 



But it is at the dinner-table at Concord, where 

 the most interesting and we think the most profit- 

 able part of the occasion takes place. Beside a 

 good dinner, there are always accomplished speak- 

 ers present, who occupy the time with short and 

 appropriate remarks. At this meeting, among 

 other things, a brief history of the society was giv- 

 en by its Secretary, and the ancient records, com- 

 mencing in December, 1793, were shown and quot- 

 ed from. They are in perfect preservation, and 

 very minute in their details of business meetings. 



The show of Fruit surprised all. The collection 

 was of the highest order in point of quality. A 

 rule prevents the admission of a large amount, lim- 

 iting it to specimens of twelve of each variety. — 

 This gives the common farmer a fair chance with 

 the nurserymen, on most of the entries. The ar- 

 rangement of the fruit, and all articles in the build- 

 ing, was under the direction of Capt. JoHN B. 

 Moore, of Concord, who not only knows how to 

 produce good fruit and vegetables, but to arrange 

 them for exhibition to the best possible advantage. 

 His long experience in the State Horticultural So- 

 ciety has given him much skill in this department. 



The Vegetahle department was well represented 

 by specimens suitable for the table, of parsnips, 

 carrots, beets, turnips, &c. 



There were several articles for the attention of 



the committee on inventions, among which was a 

 Power Press, Cider Mill, and Root Cutter, com- 

 bined, manufactured and sold by O. Nichols, Esq., 

 of Lowell. It has high testimonials of its practi- 

 cal utility. Mr. Rufus Spalding, of Lowell, states 

 that he made from seventy-five to one hundred 

 barrels of cider with it last year, — that he could 

 and did, grind a bushel of apples in one minute 

 with it by hand power, and that he considers it su- 

 perior to any mill ever brought before the public. 

 It is intended to reduce turnips, carrots. Sec, to a 

 pulp, so that they may be strewed upon cut hay 

 and fed to cattle. It is said, also, to be adapted to 

 other purposes. We have seen it in operation two 

 or three times, and think it has valuable powers. 

 Some articles of cutlery were also presented and 

 pronounced very fine. 



There was on the table a fine show of Shaker ar- 

 ticles, consisting of tomato catsup, pulverized herbs, 

 brooms, sieves, &c., all showing the neat finish of 

 the Shaker work, and forming quite an attractive 

 feature. They were presented by A. II. Groves- 

 nor, from the Society at Harvard. 



The Show of Cattle, Horses, Swine and Poultry, 

 though not remarkably numerous in either depart- 

 ment, all excelled in quality. Rarely have we 

 seen so much stock of first quality at any exhibi- 

 tion in New England. 



So, notwithstanding the elements were unpropi- 

 tious, the old Middlesex Society set a good exam- 

 ple to her two lovely daughters, and bids them 

 good speed in thier work. 



Fall Treatment of Asparagus. — As soon as 

 the heavy frosts come to kill the tops, they should 

 be cut and removed to the stye, or to the compost 

 heap. The surface of the beds, which has become 

 hard, and perhaps weedy, should now be thorough- 

 ly scarified with the hoe, or forked over, taking 

 care not to injure the crowns. About the last of 

 the month, spread on a heavy coating of stable ma- 

 nure, at least a half cord to every two square rods. 

 The rains will carry down its fertilizing properties 

 to the roots, and give them great strength and vig- 

 or for an early start in the spring. If near the 

 shore, where marsh mud is accessible, a coating of 

 this, one inch thick, in addition to the manure, will 

 do good service. We have also found it an excel- 

 lent plan to cover the beds with seaweed or old 

 hay during the winter. The roots keep active 

 longer before the ground closes up ; the ground 

 does not freeze so deep, and starts sooner in the 

 spring. The mulch of course needs to be removed 

 as soon as the winter is over. Asparagus is a gross 

 feeder, and can be had in its perfection only by 

 high manuring. This we believe will pay, whether 

 the bed have been thoroughly prepared or not. — 

 American Agriculturist. 



^PA hog exhibited at the Chilicothe (Ohio) 

 Fair, last week, weighed 1135 pounds, and measur- 

 ed 9 feet in length, and about the same in girth. 

 He was two years and three months old. 



