254 



THE GElNEtrEE FARMER. 



The highest temperature was at 2 P. M. on the 15th, 

 and then only 80^\ with a mean heat of the day 70.3'" ; 

 while the highest last year in this half was 93o, and the 

 heat ranged for tive days from 77° to 83.6° — fcry warm 

 compared with any of the five current days just passed. 



While our weather was cool at the beginning of July, 

 at the South the heat was great from the 2d to the 5th — 

 ranging at Charleston, S. C, from 96" to 100^, and very 

 oppressive eveji westward beyond the Mississippi. Al- 

 though it is not uncommon to be 96° or more a few times 

 in the hottest weather here and far North of us, it is very 

 rarely so high at the South. Here, too, the night becomes 

 much cooler, but at the South such weather is very op- 

 pressive through the night also. 



The rain of the 4th gave 1.69 inch of water, and but 

 little has fallen since, though the earth is not yet in need 

 of more. 



A very severe thuuder storm passed over Peoria, 111., 

 and its vicinity, on the 1st. 



Wheat harvest is nearly finished about us — the most 

 being cut, and in fine order, by the 14th. This year wheat 

 is a fine crop. Some new wheat came into market in the 

 last of the first week of this month, on the 5th or 6th. 

 Black raspberries followed the disappearance of the straw- 

 berry on the first week, and soon was attended by the red 

 fine raspberry. Cherries abound, of fine size and variety, 

 and rich quality. The finest vegetables of the season fill 

 the market. Truly we, have a goodly heritage. 



The scalo-bug, already noticed, is making progress in 

 its work. Many of them are dead and decayed, but mul- 

 titudes more of the wood-lice have issued from the cot- 

 tony sacks, and multitudes of eggs are yet to be hatched. 

 The leaves on one tree are rapidly decaying, drying and 

 falling ofi", but the cause of this is not clearly the lice. 

 Let us wait in hope that these beautiful shade trees are 

 not to be destroyed by this insect. Who can estimate 

 their value? Looking at the desolations in the wheat- 

 fields by the Hessian fly and by the wheat-head midge, 

 we know how formidable are these minute foes — an army 

 with which human wisdom seems impotent to contend. 



"Famine Prices." — The gloomy accounts in regard to 

 the growing crops is Great Britain, have led some people 

 to anticipate " famiue prices" for grain in this country. 

 Farmer John Bull is proverbially fond of grumbling, and 

 these accounts should be taken with a grain of allowance. 

 The markets aflbrd the best indication of the real state 

 of the crops, and the latest reports from England show a 

 slight depression in the prices of flour and grain. Prices 

 in this country are now above the average. They may be 

 higher, but they are quite as likely to be lower. Much 

 depends on the weather in England. Farmers will, un- 

 doubtedly, secure good prices for their crops this season, 

 and it is generally the safest way to sell vi^hen fair rates 

 can be obtained, rather than to wait for "famine prices." 



Wood Cots. — The book containing impressions of over 

 seven hundred of the engravings used in the GeruKee 

 Farmer and Rural Annual and Hortieultvral Directory is 

 now ready, and will be sent prepaid to any address on the 

 receipt 50 cents. The book contains a complete inde^, 

 showing where discnptious of the cuts.will be found. 



Weathek .■l.nd the Crops. — The Hon. T. C. Peters, the 

 New York State Assessor, who has just passed over a 

 considorabie portion of the State,' infoj'ms us that the crops 

 are everywhere good. The wheat, he thinks, will not 

 average as much per acre as last yeai" ; but there is u far 

 greater breadth of land sown. At this date (July 28) a 

 small portion only of the wheat is gathered. For the last 

 week we have had, in this vicinity, unfixvorable weather 

 for harvesting operations, though as yet no, damage has 

 been done. Corn is generally good. Potatoes, in some 

 sections, are not doing ivell. 



0. S. 'W., of Madison, Wis., says: "Fanners, as well as 

 the rest of mankind, are very busy, and in this section 

 (four miles north-east of the city), there are some who can 

 clainp the title at least of being 'Some farmers.' For 

 instance: J. V. Robbins has 600 acres, all in good culti- 

 vation, of the various crops ; a dairy of 100 cows ; forty 

 acres of carrots, etc. in proportion, which it would require 

 no small army of brave soldiers to master the weeds should 

 they get the" start — but as yet they look fine. The fruit 

 prospects of the State were never half so flattering. 

 Standard pears, three years planted, are well supplied 

 with ' luscious prospects ;' and just now we are all ' hoping 

 on' for a realization, and 'hope' we will not be obliged to 

 ' hope ever.' " 



Geneva Nurseries. — On our late visit to Geneva, N.Y., 

 we called at the Nurseries of Messrs. T. C. Maxwell & 

 Brothers. These gentlemen have over 200 acres of land 

 occupied with nursery trees. Everything is admirably 

 cultivated, and in a most flourishing condition. A block of 

 about five acres of dwarf pear trees particularly attracted 

 attention by their vigorous growth and healthy appearance. 

 Yet even here, as in Rochester, slight symptoms of the 

 mysterious blight are manifest. The Messrs. M. pay much 

 attention to the grape, and their green-houses are occu- 

 pied with thousands of young Belaivares, Dianas, and 

 other choice varieties, all in admirable condition. 



Messrs. W., T. &E. Smith have an equally extensive and 

 flourishing nursery adjoining the above; but we were unfor- 

 tunate in not meeting with the proprietors. We found an 

 extensive range of green-houses, filled with young grape 

 vines and every indication of good culture and prosperity. 



The Half Volume of the Genesee Farmer commenced 

 with the July number. Now is the time to subscribe. It 

 will be sent to any address for 25 cents. 



Our friends at post ofiices^ where we have but one or 

 two subscribers, would greatly oblige us by acting as 

 agent for the Farmer. Now is a good time to introduce 

 the paper. We will send five copies of the half volume 

 for $1, and a Rural Annual to the person getting up the 

 club. Other inducements for forming larger clubs will 

 be found in our columns. 



Sale of TnoROUGH-BRED Cattle. — At Mr. R. A. Alex- 

 ander's annual sale of Short-horn cattle in Kentucky, 18 

 cows and heifers were sold at an average price of $152.63, 

 and 19 bulls averaged $153.42 each. His herd is one of 

 the largest and best in America. At Mr. Wainwright's 

 sale of Devons, at Rhinebeck, N. Y., one cow was bought 

 by Mr. McCatchem, of Louisiana, for $200; and the same 

 gentleman also paid $160 each for a cow and bull. 



