No. 1. Premiums of the Ag. Society ofJVew Castle County, Del 



33 



there is a diversity of opinion. Dr. Com- 

 stock says, "A single rod only protects a 

 circle around it which is equal to twice its 

 height above the building;" and J. M. C. 

 lays down the same "established rule" in 

 nearly the same words. But Observer says, 

 "no such distances can be assigned, because 

 they continually vary from nothing up to an 

 indeterminate extent, as the intensity of the 

 electric charge and other circumstances 

 vary." Among these "other circumstances" 

 must be included the form and extent of the 

 cloud and of the surfaces around the build- 

 ing. It is prudent to avoid attempting pre- 

 cision where it is not possible to be precise. 

 I would therefore only lay it down as a 

 general rule, that where a rod is properly 

 constructed, one may be sufficient for a 

 building of moderate extent. Where the 

 structure is large, two or more should be 

 used. It is better to err on the safe side. 



In concluding these hasty remarks I will 

 adopt the sentiment of Observer: "We too 

 often see conductors hang dangling by the 

 sides of buildings, with the lower ends 

 broken off," or very imperfectly planted in 

 the earth. " Still more frequently we see 

 their points scarcely raised above the top of 

 the building, or completely overhung with 

 trees. The protection which they afford 

 must be very precarious. Indeed we often 

 hear of such buildings being struck with 

 lightning;" or perhaps more properly the 

 rod attached to them — or the overhanging 

 tree. This is no more than might be ex- 

 pected. Some years since an excellent rod 

 was erected to a house that was shaded by a 

 row of Lomhardy poplars, which stood some 

 twenty-five feet from the rod, and in a few 

 years ascended many feet above it. At dif- 

 ferent times, two of those trees have been 

 struck by lightning — the point below being 

 crippled and prevented from disarming the 

 cloud by their rising above it. This is no 

 uncommon case — but is one which we have 

 abundant cause to regret, inasmuch as it is 

 continually brought up to prove that light- 

 ning rods are of no use. But we would say, 

 let those who may doubt their efficacy, give 

 them a fair trial before they pronounce a 

 judgment upon them — let all the conditions 

 of a perfect conductor be fully complied 

 with. Make it one connected whole — sink 

 it deep into moist earth — elevate it far above 

 all near objects, and furnish it with a per 

 feet point — and he who now so confidently 

 recommends its use will cheerfully abide the 

 trial. Franklin, 



Eighth mo. 1st, 1845. 



Try to love flowers — cultivate them ; it 

 will make you happier — perhaps better. 



Premiums offered by the A$;ricultural 

 Society of IVew Castle County, Del. 



At the Fall Exhibition, Cattle Show and 

 Ox team Ploughing Match, to be held at 

 Wilmington, on Wednesday and Thurs- 

 day, the nth and 18th Sept., Id45. 



HORSES. 



For the best thorough-bred stud-horse, cer- 

 tificate of merit. 



For the next best do. do. certifi- 



cate of merit. 



For the best stud-horse for field and road, 

 certificate of merit. 



For the best pair of carriage horses, certifi- 

 cate of merit. 



For the best saddle horse, Farmers' Ency- 

 clopedia. 



For the best pair of work horses, certificate 

 of merit. 



For the next best do. certificate 



of merit. 



For the best thorough-bred mare, certificate 

 of merit. 



For the best mare for field and road, Youatt 

 on the Horse. 



For the best horse-colt from two to three 

 years old, colt bridle. 



For the best horse-colt, one to two years old. 

 Cabinet, 1 year. 



For the best mare-colt, from two to three 

 years old, colt bridle. 



For the best mare-colt, one to two years old, 

 Cabinet, 1 year. 



For the best colt under one year old, Farm- 

 ers' Land Measurer. 



CATTLE. 



For the best bull, certificate of merit. 



For the second-best do., Youatt on Cattle. 



For the third-best do.. Cabinet, 1 year. 



For the best cow, the latest improved Churn. 



For the second-best do., superior Butter Tub. 



For the third-best do., Farmers' Encyclo- 

 pedia. 



For tlie best pair of fat cattle. Treatise on 

 Cattle. 



For tlie best fat steer, Clater and Youatt's 

 Cattle Doctor. 



For the best lot of grass fed steers, not less 

 than six in number. Farmers' Encyclo- 

 pedia. 



For the best lot of fat heifers, not less than 

 six in number, Farmers' Encyclopedia. 



For the best bull-calf, from one to two years 

 old, certificate of merit. 



For the best bull-calf under one year old, 

 Cabinet, 1 year. 



For the best heifer-calf, from two to three 

 years old, Colman's Reports. 



For the best heifer-calf, from one to two 

 years old, Youatt on Cattle. 



