186 



THE ILUNOIS FABMEB, 



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H^The spring grains througlioat Cen- 

 tral Illinois hare made a most extraordin- 

 ary yield. Flax has been grown in a few 

 cases for seed, and has done well. The 

 drought has injured the potatoe crop to 

 some extent; but corn is growing wonder- 

 fully. There is an immense breadth of 

 land planted with corn, and if the latter 

 part of the season is farorable, double the 

 corn will be raised in Central Illinois than 

 was ever done before in one season. — 

 Farmers, surely, have much to be thankful 

 for. They ought not to distrust Provi- 

 dence; but ever bear in mind the truth, that 

 •'God helps those who help themselves" — as 

 has been abundantly proven the present sea- 

 son. 



I^The stock imported by the Illinois 

 Association, arrived here on Sunday eve- 

 ning. When taken from the cars, they 

 had arrived atJiheir journey's end. Those 

 who best understand the matter, say that 

 the stock justifies all their expectations. — 

 The sale is to take place on the 25th of the 

 present month, and we shall be much sur- 

 prised if there are not 5,000 people at the 

 sale. 



The horses, cattle, hogs and sheep are at 

 the fair grounds, and can be examined at 

 all times except Sundays. 



-<•»- 



•A letter from Randolph county says: 

 "There was a great breadth of fall wheat 

 sown in this county last season, and the 

 yield is unequalled in this section. It is 

 nearly all housed now (27th July,) and the 

 samples coming to market are of a veiy 

 superior quality, most of it of the White 

 Genesee variety. Farmers think it yields 

 better, is not as easily winter killed, nor is as 

 apt to be injured by rust, as some formerly 

 favorite varieties. Oats and hay harvest 

 are progressing — the yield is good. Corn 

 is in tassel and is most luxurient. Farmers 

 are in high spirits." 



J®*There is a new drill — a single one — 

 on sale at Francis & Barrell's, for putting 

 in newly broken up sod ground. 



jjerThe July number of the Yalley 

 Farmer had a criticism on Dr, Peck's com- 

 munication on the soils of IlUnois! The 

 statements of Dr. Peck do not seem tb be 

 shaken by the Valley Farmer. The great 

 question at issue is — will the soils of Illi- 

 nois produce as well, for a long period as 

 those of Kentucky? Dr. Peck, and hund- 

 reds of other long residents of our State, 

 say that they do — and they prove the truth 

 of the declaration. Our opinion is, that the 

 Geological Report of Dr. Owen was in- 

 tended for Kentucky consumption only. 



-«•»- 



.At a mower and reaper trial in Mary- 

 land, on the 7th and 8th July, the following 

 premiams were awarded: Manny's combined 

 mower and reaper, with Wood's improvement, 

 first preBoium, $100. For the best reaper and 

 self-raker, Dorsey's, $50; for the bsst reaper 

 Allen's, (of New York,) $50; for the best 

 mower, Manny's with Johnson's improvement, 

 $50. 



At a trial in Ravena, Ohio, Manny's, with 

 EUisworth's improvement, took the firstpremium. 



-*•*■ 



Opening of the State Normal University. 



We have received a circular from Gbas. E. 

 Hovey, Principal of the State Normal Univer- 

 sity, from which we learn that the first session 

 is to commence at Bloomington on the fifth of 

 October. Candidates are required to be, if 

 males, not less than 17, and if females, not less 

 than 16 years of age. To produce a certificate 

 of good moral character, signed by some re- 

 sponsible person. To sign a declaration of 

 their intention to devote themselves to school 

 teaching in this State. To pass a satisfactory 

 examination, before the proper officers, in read- 

 ing, spelling, writing, arithmetic, geography 

 and the elements of English grammar. 



Tuition and text-books will be free to all 

 students appointed under the following provi- 

 sion of the statute-. 



I 7. Each county within the State shall be 

 entitled to gratuitous instruction for one pupil 

 in said Normal University, and each represent- 

 ative district shall be entitled to gratuitous 

 instruction for a number of pupils, equal to the 

 number of representatives in said district, to be 

 chosen in t^e following manner ; The School 

 Commissioner in each county shall receive and 

 register the names of all applicants for admis- 

 sion to said Normal University, and shall pre- 

 sent the same to the County Court; or, in 

 counties acting under township organization, to 



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