312 



THE ILLINOIS FARMER 



Oct. 



eight inches in tliameter. I have ridden through 

 va<t fields of this species of fern in the vicinity 

 of the s-olcano Kilanea, that extended as far as 

 the eye could see. On the edges of these fields 

 neare^it the vilcanocs the lava has flowed and 

 covered large tracks, forming plateaus upon 

 which the natives have built pleasant hamlets, 

 and are carrying on a lucrative business in gath- 

 ering and drying th<e pulu for ehipmeiit to San 

 Frauciicn, where it ia extensively used for filling 

 mattresses. From a single fern they gather a 

 tuft about the size of a man's hand mid spread 

 it on the grass and lava banks, where it is thor- 

 oughly dried, then bagged and transferred on 

 the backs of mules to the sea coast. There it is 

 pressed in bales for shipment like cotton. Pulu 

 and sugar ai e the principal exports from the Is- 

 lands to California. rice there is scarcely 

 enough raided to speak of, while extensive sugar 

 plantations are becomiug numerous, antl a better 

 quality of crude sugar cimrjot be produced else- 

 where. Eeporied experiments have been made 

 in some localities for producing cotton, but have 

 failed, perhaps lor the want of knowledge of the 

 proper method of cultivation. — Cor. Scknlijic 

 American. 



Land Hollers. — Ed. III. Farmer: I see a 

 Btatetnent in your paper that is not correct in 

 regard to land rollers. You say you think the 

 parties arc not making any mere of the kind j'ou 

 have. Well, we are able to fill all orders for 

 land rollers, same as we made for you, and of 

 any required length, at a fair price, if gentle- 

 ineu will just send in their orders. We make 

 none unless ordered, as farmers are not, as yet, 

 enough interested in land rollers to support the 

 trade, so send in your orders. J. C. Caer. 



Morris, Illinois. 



It is a matter of astonishment to us that farm- 

 ers do not make more use of the roller, we would 

 &3 soon think of kteping house without a 

 stove as lo faiui without a roller. We g've the 

 farmers the benefit of the above information 

 without >barge, and hope they will patronise Mr. 

 C. sufficicnily to enable him to advertise his very 

 superior rollers and to keep a good stock on 

 hand, they must be put in use next spring 

 lor planting corn as we have before intimated. 



State Hokt. Fair. — This has been a success 

 so far as a large show of fruits and fiowers, and 

 a small show of vegetables are concerned. The 

 extended notice of it will well repay a perusal. 



we were just entering upon a new era of gar- 

 dening, fruit growing, and ornamental work on 

 both farm and village plot?, which the war lias 

 checked but has not wiped out. Fe'^, if any of 

 the thrifty agricultural and horticultural jour- 

 nals have failed to pay, while several of them — 

 like the two preceding — have increased their cir- 

 culation.. Those which have catered to the war 

 news — to save them — have generally gone under. 

 The American Farmer took a stand for Dixie, 

 and was the first victim to its own traitorous dis~ 

 position. 



The IIoKTictTLURisT. — This valuable work is 

 on the high road to prosperity. The editors are 

 practical men and know what is wauied by the 

 great mass of small cultivators, have a large in- 

 crease in its circulation. AVith the exception of 

 the January number of the currant volume, we 

 have the set complete, making the seventeenth 

 volume. Some one of our readers who n siy ha 

 an odd number for January, aiid will exchange 

 it for a years subscription to the Illinois Fab- 

 JiER, will please inforn; us. For the Horticul- 

 tural address — Mead & Woodward, New York 

 City, §2,00. 



-—*- 



Stripping Sofgiium — Sorghum should be 

 stripped of its leaves a few days before cut- 

 ting. Do not CLit off' the heads until you cut 

 up for grinding When the cane stands up, a 

 three-tined fork is a good implement, but when 

 it is down, as much of it is this season, it is best 

 stripped by hand, using a pair of buckskin glovea 

 in the operation. 



-<•► 



The Garednees Monthly. — This sterling work 

 continues to fluurish, notwithstanding the war, 

 steadily increasing its circulation. The truth is, 



Illinois Teachj-.r. — Mr. Gow, the editor, has 

 taken charge of the public sliools at Ruck Island 

 where he should be addressed. 



The Teacher, in the hands of Mr. G. has be- 

 come a valuable journal in its special depart- 

 ment, and should have a wide ciiculaticn in the 

 State. 



Brnevolent War Claim Association. — We 

 have the circular of this enterprise with are- 

 quest to publish entire, but for this we have not 

 the space. The association proposes to attend 

 to all war claims at t^e cost of doing the busi- 

 ness, and from the names connected with the en- 

 terprise, we think they will. 



Any of our readers wishing to consult them, 

 will address C. A. Gregory, Post Ofiice box 163, 

 Chicago Illinois. 



