NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



371 



SMITH'S VERTICAL GATE. 



[The cut represents a large gate open, and a smaller one shut.] 



The attention of the public is requested to the 

 above gate, recently invented and patented by Lo- 

 renzo Smith, Easton, Mass. This gate does not swing, 

 but opens verticaJhj by a parallel movement of the 

 rails. Its superiority to the gate in common use 

 may be readily seen. As it does not swing, there 

 can be no sagging ; thus avoiding a great objection 

 to the swing gate. It requires no ground to swing 

 upon ; consequently it can be opened or shut while 

 teams, carts, or carriages, are standing close to it, or 

 with a snow bank on both sides of it. It is opened 

 and shut much quicker than the ordinary gate, and 

 a man on horseback can open it without alighting. 

 For very heavy gates it is designed to have weights 

 attached to the ends of the rails, to assist in raising 

 them ; but gates of ordinary size do not require 

 weights. This gate is more especially intended for 

 carriage ways, but is admirably calculated for the 

 doors of stables, and other places where the common 

 gate cannot be used, and also may be made single, 

 for footpaths and narrow passages. It costs no more 

 than the swing gate, (including the posts,) and is 

 less liable to get out of order, and more easily re- 

 paired, if repairs are needed. The practical opera- 

 tion of the Vertical Gate has been thoroughly tested, 

 and, so far as knovvn, meets with universal favor. 



^W A model of this gate may be seen in the room 

 adjoining the office of the New England Farmer. 



REVIEW OF THE WOOL MARKET 



FOR OCTOBER. 



We copy the following review of the wool market 

 from the Wool- Grower. The editor, Mr. Peters, 

 keeps an extensive wool depot at Buffalo, N. Y., 

 wh^ch affords him peculiar advantages for informa- 

 tion on this subject. 



The quantitj"^ of wool going forward is so small 

 that the eastern markets are not sensibly affected by 

 the receipts. The main portion of the clip of 1849 

 has long since gone forward, and is held by a small 

 number of dealers in Boston, New York, and Phila- 

 delphia. The largest quantity is in New York. In 

 Philadelphia there is considerable fine wool, princi- 

 pally from the western parts of Pennsylvania. In- 

 deed, the bulk of the wool now in market is of the 

 finer grades. Coarse and medium wools are neai-ly 

 out of the market, and still the demand is far from 

 being satisfied. 



Manufacturers have been in the market during the 

 month, and have bought, to a moderate extent, at 

 rates a shade higher than those quoted for Septem- 

 ber. They are, however, but poorly supplied, and 

 at best will find much difficulty in keeping their mills 

 in motion till the next clip, even if disposed to do so. 

 Man}% however, will run with the least possible 

 quantity that will keep their hands together. The 

 high price of stock, and the low price of fabric, 

 furnish no inducement for very rapid production. 

 The prospect ahead for them is not as cheering as it 

 ought to be to insure the farmer a fair price for his 

 wool, especially the finer grades. A few companies 

 are making money, but a large majority of the woollen 

 manufacturers, if not losing, are not making a fair 

 interest on their investment. A modification of the 

 tariff, so as to charge specific duties instead of ad 

 valorem, would furnish the only remedy ; and that 

 should be done. A little more competency in the 

 proper department of our custom-house would fur- 

 nish much more protection than they now get, and 

 our revenue would be very materially benefited. 



Pulled wool is now in demand, and the inquiry 

 active at full rates. We have orders to purchase any 

 quantity, at from 25 to 33 cents, according to quality 

 and condition. Pelts are eagerly sought for, and 

 find a ready sale at full rates. A contract has been 

 made in Chatauque county, for 17,000, at 62^ cents 

 all around. 



A larger number of sheep will be slaughtered this 

 autumn and winter than for many years past. 



While upon the subject of pelts, we would remind 

 our friends that we receive, store, and sell them upon 

 commission, and should feel obliged for their favors. 



Sales have been made during the past month at 

 the depot, of No. 1, at 38 cents, and No. 2 at 36 

 cents. The lower numbers are worth from 27 to 31 

 cents. 



HOVEN OR SWOLLEN CATTLE. 



The Giornale Agrario Toscano communicates a 

 remedy against the dangerous effects to which cattle 

 are liable from too free feeding on clover, and some 

 other vegetables of similar qualities. It consists in 

 a solution of ammonia, to be given in a quantity of 

 water sufficient to enable the animal to swallow it 

 with ease. One glass is generally found effectual. 

 Should it be found otherwise, a second is to be given 

 at the expiration of half an hour. Ample testimony 

 is adduced to show the value of the prescription. 



