464 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Oct. 



ter, weighs 1.092 pounds, and has 11.50 inches of 

 surface to one pound weight ; while a shot eight 

 inches in diameter weighs 69.889 pounds, and 

 has 2.87 inches of surface to the pound. This 

 enormous disparity, in proportionable surface, di- 

 minishes, as between larger spheres, but still it is 

 a material one, between a sheep weighing one 

 hundred, and another weighing one hundred and 

 fifty pounds. Too small sheep, however, are ob- 

 jectionable, on several almost obvious grounds, 

 (which I have not space now to point out,) and, 

 all things considered, fair, plump, medium size, 

 for the breed, is the best one. 



SURFACE APPLICATION OF MANUBE. 



From the result of various trials, Prof. Voelcker 

 seems to lean to the opinion that the spread- 

 ing of farm-yard compost on the surface of the 

 soil, for even a considerable period before it is 

 plowed in, is by no means so injurious a practice 

 as we have hitherto been led to suppose. He says 

 "that on all soils with a moderate proportion of 

 clay, no fear need be entertained of valuable fer- 

 tilizing substances becoming wasted, if the manure 

 cannot be plowed in at once. Fresh, and even 

 well-rotted dung contains very little free ammonia ; 

 and since active fermentation, and with it the for- 

 ther evolution of free ammonia, is stopped by 

 spreading out the manure on the field, valuable 

 manuring matters cannot escape into the air by 

 adopting this plan." If this is a reasonable con- 

 clusion, it goes far to remove our dread of losing, 

 ©n such soils, the better portions of farm-yard ma- 

 nure by top-dressings. As the season will soon 

 be here when these dressings are commonly ap- 

 plied to grass, it will be useful to remember this 

 fact. 



The best time for applying the manure is held 

 by the great Cheshire grass farmers to be in the 

 end of September or the beginning of October, 

 particularly in a showery period, as the grass soon 

 covers it, and renders it less liable to be damaged 

 by the sun or drying winds. — Mark Lane Express. 



Sleep. — Invalids generally do not sleep enough. 

 The importance of sound, quiet and sufficient sleep 

 cannot be too highly estimated, as may be inferred 

 from the physiological fact that it is during sleep 

 that structures are repaired. The materials for 

 nutrition elaborated during the day, but assimila- 

 tion — the formation of tissue — only takes place 

 during sleep, when the external senses are in re- 

 pose. Literary persons require more sleep, other 

 circumstances being equal, than those who pursue 

 manual-labor occupations. If the brain is not duly 

 re])lenished early decay, dementation or insanity 

 will ])e the result. The rule for invalids is to retire 

 early, and to remain in bed as long as they can sleep 

 quietly. If their dietetic and other habits are cor- 

 rect, this plan will soon determine the amount of 

 sleep which they requii-e. Gross, indigestible and 

 stimulating food, heavy or late suppers, etc., neces- 

 sitate a longer time in bed, for the reason, nervine 

 and stimulating beverages, as tea and coffee, pre- 

 vent sound and refreshing sleej), and thus wear 

 out the brain and nervous system prematurely. 

 Those who are inclined to be restless, vapory or 

 dreaming, during the night, should not take sup- 

 per. — Dr. Trail. 



PATENT OFFICE EEPORT FOR 1861. 



We have before us the Report of the Commis- 

 sioner of Patents for the year 1861, on Agricul- 

 ture. It is printed by the Government, and its 

 typographical appearance is better than that of 

 any of its predecessors. This is encouraging. The 

 papers which make up the volume are — the per- 

 sonal report of the Commissioner, D. P. Hollo- 

 way, which gives an account of the transactions 

 of his Department for the year. In this an inqui- 

 ry is made, and briefiy answered, as to the agri- 

 cultural, manufacturing and commercial resour- 

 ces, capabilities and facilities of this republic. 



In the course of his answers to this inquiry, 

 some interesting facts are stated. The aggregate 

 of coal-Jields of the United States, he says, is 

 200,000 square miles,— more than ten times as 

 much coal as Britain, Spain, France and Belgium 

 united ! The diflerence in the quantity and qual- 

 ity of iron is about as great. The railroads now 

 in operation amount to 30,000 miles, and the tele- 

 qraphs to 40,000, and the productive industry of 

 the country is to the enormous amount of four 

 thousand million of dollars ! The Commissioner 

 adds : — Of all the nations of the earth there is not 

 one at whose command there has been placed an 

 amount of resources at all to be compared with 

 those of the United States ; not one with stores 

 so boundless of coal, iron, copper, lead, silver and 

 gold ; not one with such a soil and cHmate com- 

 bined, producing such diversified products in so 

 lavish abundance ; not one with a people so free, 

 so generally enlightened, enterprising and inven- 

 tive. 



In noticing some departments of our industrial 

 energy and resources, the Commissioner passes 

 in review Great Britain herself, and four of her 

 principal victims, Portugal, Turkey, Ireland and 

 India, comprising in the whole two hundred mil- 

 lions of men — nearly one-fifth of the population 

 of the globe. In speaking of the despotism exer- 

 cised over the people of India, he says : — "Under 

 their old masters they had at least one resource ; 

 when the evil became insupportable, the people 

 rose and pulled down the government. But the 

 English government was not to be shaken off. 

 The government, oppressive as the most oppres- 

 sive form of barbarian despotism, was strong with 

 all the strength of civilization. It resembled the 

 government of evil genii rather than the govern- 

 ment of human tyrants." 



The next paper is ujwn 2'he History, Industry 

 and Commerce of Flax, and is a long article, go- 

 ing into minute details of the value and culture of 

 the plant. Then follow articles on Raising Sheep 

 and Wool Growing, Sheep Breeding, The Breeds 

 of Sheep best adapted to New England, Artificial 

 Manures, Belt of Frost, or Thermal Belt, Hog 

 Cholera, Territory of Colorado, Raspberry Culture, 



