186.: 



NEW EXGLAXD FARMER. 



133 



powers before they will take the color uniformly 

 through the whole length of the fibre. This efi'ect 

 has been demonstrated the past year very fully in 

 indigo colors, and has worked great damage ; at 

 first attributed to the indigo, but subsequently 

 found to be in the wool. 



The theory of the influence of climate upon 

 sheep, as well as pasturage and feed upon their 

 wool, is by no means new ; though some of your 

 correspondents seem to ridicule the idea. Such 

 persons must be sadly ignorant of the slicep liter- 

 ature of the past, as well as of practical mamifac- 

 iuring of the present day, or they would not treat 

 an idea of such importance lightly. The first 

 requisite of wool hjinrnefis, which is produced un- 

 der and governed by all the laws of stock raising, 

 such as good blood, or breed, to start with, and 

 feed, pasturage, climate and careful keeping. 



The second is softness, which is almost entirely 

 governed by the character of feed, pasturage and 

 care, which will fix the character of the "yolk" or 

 oily matter which surrounds and penetrates the 

 tube of the fibre. This substance coagulates and 

 crystalizes around and within the fibre in clean- 

 ing, and renders it harsh and brittle, or soft and 

 silky, according to the influences which have gov- 

 erned it in its growth. 



The third is the IciKjtli of fibre, Avhich is not of so 

 much consequence when its real length can be es- 

 timated by the manufacturer. But for ages it has 

 been well known that the change of climate and 

 condition of the sheep has afiected and almost 

 governed the length, of wool. 



Wool comes to us in various states, each coun- 

 try gives it a certain character for our market, all 

 affected by locality as well as by the different 

 breeds of sheep from which the wool is taken. 

 Australian wool is divided into several varieties. 

 German wool is the finest usually used for broad- 

 cloths, in connection with the Australian and 

 Cape wool. The great magnitude of the worsted 

 trade is of comparatively late interest, though 

 very ancient in its introduction, and uses long 

 wool. Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, Prus- 

 sia, and in fact all Europe, have changed the whole 

 character of theLr wool, by changes of breed, cli- 

 mate and keeping, and it only remains for Ameri- 

 ca to do what she can do, to produce as good 

 wool, and as much of it, as any country of the 

 same size on the face of the globe. What, in fact, 

 may not Massachusetts do ? She can raise the 

 wool for her whole manufactures. She can raise 

 flax as a ])artial substitute for cotton ; and when 

 she does this, she will find her home-product more 

 valuable to her, from the fact that the capital thus 

 saved will fill a gap now open, and growing wider 

 and deeper, dangerously so, by importations from 

 other States of products she might do without, 

 and which carry off her silver and gold, as well 

 as much of her best energies without a proper re- 

 turn, s. M. A. 



Fur the Nfir En^^land Fomter. 

 METEOROLOGICAL RECORD FOR 

 JANUARY, 1863. 



These observations are taken for, and under the 

 direction of the Smithsonian Institution. The ba- 

 rometrical heights are given as at a uniform tem- 

 perature of 32". 



The average temperature of January was 27° ; 

 average mid-day temperature, 32*^. The corres- 



I ponding figures for January, 1862, were lO**, and 

 ! 23" ; for January, 18G1, IT*^ and 22°. Warmest 

 ; days the 2.^d and 2i)th, averaging 39" ; coldest 

 day the 18lh, averaging 1". Highest temperature, 

 I 45" ; lowest temperature 2" below zero. 

 I Average height of mercury in the barometer, 

 i 29.3.J inches ; do. for Jantiary, 18(>2, 29.23 inches ; 

 do. for January, iSdl, 29.23 inclies. Highest dai- 

 ly average, 29.98 inches, on the IHth; lowest do., 

 2S.,jG inches. Range of mercury from 2S.4 1 inches 

 to 30.00 inches. 



j Rain fell on four days ; snow on twelve davs. 

 i Amount of rain and melted snow, 3.(j(j inches ; 

 I amount of snow, 2G,7u inches ; corresjjonding fi^'- 

 , ures for January, 18()2. 2.2.5 inches and 29 inches ; 

 do. for January, 1861, 3.97 inches and 34. ,jO inches. 

 ' There was but one entirely clear day ; seven days 

 I were entirely overcast. The comparisons between 

 ! the thermometrical and barometrical averages of 

 this and the two preceding years will be noticed 

 with interest. This season will long be memora- 

 ble as the "Warm Winter during the Great Re- 

 bellion." A. C. 

 Claremont, N. 11., Febntary, 1863. 



HINTS FOR THE SEASON. 



Thk Gaiidkn. — Decide what you will plant or 

 sow in it, and vhen you will do it, as it will great- 

 ly relieve you when you come to the actual work. 

 What trees shall be set, what shrubberj-, flowers, 

 or what general improvements made ? 



Scioxs. — Scions should be cut before the sap 

 is active. Cut them carefully from the ends of 

 limbs of last season's growth. Wrap them loose- 

 ly in moist paper and lay them in some damp 

 place until they are wanted for use. The bot- 

 tom of the cellar, if damp, answers verj' welL 

 Be sure to mark each variety distinctly so that 

 no question shall arise as to what they are. Some 

 jjcrsons place them in moist earth or sawdust, but 

 they are rather more apt to mould than when in 

 paper. They should be looked at frequently. 



Pruning. — It is sometimes as important to re- 

 frain from doing a thing as to do a thing. Few 

 labors on the farm are more injudicious, in our 

 opinion, than to prune apple trees in March, April 

 or May. It has proved fiital to thousands of 

 trees. Wait till June or October. 



Gauden Cukss. — (Lcpidium Satirum.) — This 

 should be sown every week from the time tiie 

 ground can be got in proper condition to receive 

 the seed, till September. It is thought by some, 

 one of the best articles known in the whole list of 

 salads, and is cultivated with the least trouble an<l 

 expense. The soil should bo sandy, light and 

 warm, with a suHiciency of old, well rotted ma- 

 nure. 



Maine Board of Agriculture. — The Maine 

 Board of Agriculture, at its late meeting in Au- 

 gusta, made choice of the following officers for 

 1863 : President, Hon. S. F. Perlev ; Vice Pres- 

 ident, Samuel Wasson ; Secretar)', S. L. Goodale; 

 Messenger, J. L. Martin. 



