1862. 



THE ILLINOIS FAEMER. 



27 



Instrucfion in the studies of the first year of 

 the regular course has already commenced, and 

 the chemical lectures will begin January 2, 1862. 



For information'relaiive to the agricultural col- 

 lege, address J. H. McChesuey, care of the Uni- 

 versity of Chicago." 



Ed. Farmer — Dear Sir : I am desirous of ob- 

 taining some information in regard to the Ozier 

 or Basket Willow, and as I can see no advertise- 

 ment of cuttings or anything connected with 

 them in the papers, I wish to ask if you can give 

 me any information as to where cuttings can be 

 procured, or refer me to any persons who are en- 

 gaged in their cultivation ; also, do you know of 

 any work or pamphlet treating upon their culti- 

 vation or mode of preparation for market ? If 

 you can give me any information or furnish any 

 reference I shall be much obliged to you. 



My address is Hennepin, Putnam county, Ills. 



Chas. E. Topping. 



Hennepin, Ills. Dec. 8, 1861. 



— But little has been done as yet in our State 

 in regard to willow culture for baskets, though 

 more or less are made in our large ci'ies- At 

 Quincy is a small shop for this purpose. Michi- 

 gan furnishes the supply for Chicago. In our 

 deep, loomy, damp soils, the Ozier makes a good 

 growth. Cuttings can be had at any of the nur- 

 series. Charles Downing, in Horticulturist for 

 1854, page 172 has a chapter on the subject ; he 

 says the English Ozier has failed in this country, 

 and recommends the Purple Willow and two other 

 varieties ; these can be had of Dr. Kennicott, of 

 '*The Grove," Cook county. He says the num- 

 ber of cuttings required to plant an acre is 

 about twelve thousand ; but this we think too 

 many. We have found the English or common 

 Ozier to do well in deep, well cultivated soil, but 

 it must not be too wet. Dr. Grant has a variety 

 called the Beveridge Willow, which he says is the 

 most productive of all. We know of no exclu- 

 sive work on the willow. The Horticulturist for 

 1854-5 will give ample information. Stripping 

 the bark is an important item in preparing for 

 market ; this is done with a machine, but where 

 to be had we cannot say. 



Personal. — The present number of the Farmer. 

 has been made up amid many very pressing du- 

 ties, both at home and abroad. Nearly all of our 

 children have suffered with sore throat, with two 

 marked cases of diptheria, but thanks to the use 

 of simple remedies, the most valuable of which is 

 a gurgle of warm water and salt, they are now 

 out of danger. During this time we have made 



two visits to Missouri to visit our army, one 

 to Springfield, and have attended the State Hor- 

 ticultural Society at Chicago. We therefore ask 

 the indulgence of ourreiders for any shoit-com- 

 ings. Hereafter we hope to have more tim« at 

 our command. 



-—>■ 



Convention or County Ageictltural Socie- 

 ties — The Bureau County Agricultural Society 

 has taken the initiation in calling a convention 

 of County Societies, to take into consideration 

 the propriety of concerted action in regard to 

 crop statistics. We see no reason why such a 

 measure might not be carried out, much to the 

 advantage of all interested. It is certain that 

 our present means of obtaining such information 

 is very inadequate and superficial. The proceed- 

 ings alluded to in the letter of the Secretary, 

 Mr. E. S. Phelps, jr., have not come to hand. 



CONTENTS 



January 1 



lu Memory of Edward D. Baker 2 



Incombustible Art 2 



The Culture of Cotton on the Prairie , 2, 6 



Chemical Oddity 6 



Railroad Joke 6 



Statistics of an Old Orchard 7 



Milk Sickness — Cicuta its Cause 8 



Madder — Soil and Preparation, etc 9 



A New Invention 10 



The Southern Emblematic Bird 10 



The Neglect of Fruit Trees 11 



The Constitutional Convention 11 



The Real Sovereign States 12 



Stockings for the Army 12 



Bleeding Cattle in Spring 12 



Flax Cotton 13 



To Keep Fowls Free from Yermin 13 



Drying Rhubarb, etc 13 



Annual Meeting of the Ills. State Hort. Society... 14 



Gold at Vancouver, etc 18 



Cotton Culture on the Prairies — Historical Facts 



and Proofs IS 



Uncle Job's Hen-Turkey 20 



To Remove Clinkers from Stove 21 



Cheap Marine Glue 21 



Iron Cement 21 



Spreading Manure in Autumn 21 



Cotton in Illinois 23 



Sorghum 23 



Editor's Table : 



There is Corn in Egypt — A Paying Cat... 24 



Officers Vermillion Co. Ag. Association — Coal for 

 Fuel — Fine and Coarse Wool — Transactions 

 of the State Ag. Society — The Horticulturist 

 — Gardners' Monthly 25 



Golden Sirup from Sorghum — Chicago Bank Note 

 List — Agricultural College, Chicago 26 



Ozier or Basket Willow — Personal — Convention of 

 County Agricultural Societies 27 



