1863. 



THE ILLmOIS FARMEE. 



203 



cut was only some four and a half feet. This ma- 

 chine had another feature that we like very much, 

 it contained a platform for carrying the bundles 

 until a sufficient number accumulated to make a 

 shock when they dumped, by the aid of a spring 

 catch. 



If heading is practicable, which many contend 

 is the case, binding is out of the question, and the 

 thresher should receive the cut grain Irom the 

 reaper of the Marsh machine, retain the grain in 

 sacks, and leave the straw on the ground. 



Invention in the harvest field is not as yet ex- 

 hausted, by a long way. It has taken years to 

 perfect the self-raker, but it is done at last, when 

 up comes Burson and others to do the binding, 

 throwing the self-raker aside, but now we see it 

 aiding, the string binder to do the heaviest part of 

 the work. Perhaps Burson will let out his raking 

 to it by next year, and thus save one hand, — and 

 one step further, may not the driver by the aid of 

 clever machinery, operate the binder ? "We shall 

 see what we shall see." 



Agricultural Fairs Again. 



It is gratifying to observe how sensibly the ag- 

 ricultnral men of the country are settling down 

 again, after two years of distraction, into their 

 accustomed channels of effort for the advancement 

 of the great interest to which they have consecra- 

 ted themselves, and are this year so much less dis- 

 turbed by the turmoils than heretofore. We 

 would not have them lose their interest in the 

 grand struggle in which, as a free people, we are 

 engaged with the demons of rebellion — for vast 

 consequences hang upon its termination — but we 

 would have them so far prove their wisdom and 

 patriotism as to devote all ther practical energies 

 to that interest upon the perpetuity of which the 

 ultimate success of the Government seems now, 

 more than ever, to be staked. 



If we are not to break down the rebellion by 

 great victories won on the field of Mars, it must 

 be done by an obstinate hemming in of the rebels 

 on every side, and by triumphs in the Field of In- 

 dustry. For the farmer, therefore, it is patriotic 

 to attend to his farm until his country shall call 

 for his services in the ranks of war. Industry was 

 never so much in need of the earnest efforts and 

 entliusiasui of its votaries. And, inasmuch as ag- 

 '"^^'^I'ural exhibitions have been found to be a very 

 efficient means of advancing the interests of prac- 

 tical agriculture, it is hoped that every effort will 

 be made to insure their success this year. 



It is possible that, after all has been done that 

 can by the most zealous friends of the many Soci- 

 eties of our State, some of the exhibitions will not 

 oe all that they otherwise might be made, nor 

 equal to some of the great successes of the past, 

 but what of that ? There is but little doubts that 

 with proper effort they may, without exception, be 

 iQade to clear expenses ; and if they do no more 

 than this, the results can hardly fail to make full 

 compensation for the labor expended upon them. 



Members of Societies, if your officers have be- 



come lukewarm in these matters, kindle them 

 anew by the fire of your own enthusiasm, and thu8 

 set the ball a-moving once more. — Wis. Farmer. 



— The above will do for our latitude also, and 

 we cheerfully give it a place. 



If the fair is not all that it should be, it ought 

 to be held to keep the interest, not sustained by 

 monkey shows, horse races, buffalo hunts, or 

 drunken revels, as in some instances of last year, 

 but genuine agricultural and horticultural exhibi- 

 tion. We have a premium list before us in which 

 $31 is offered on agricultural implements, twenty- 

 four first premiums of 30 cents each on farm pro- 

 ducts, $8.50 on fruits, $13 on flowers, $3 on dairy 

 products, while horses come in for $198. With 

 such a bill, will it be any wonder that horses will 

 form the chief attraction and the fair culminate in 

 horse racing and lager beer. We hope for a better 

 result, but experience thus far has been against it. 



Ed. 



* Topping of Cotton. 



The topping of cotton is practiced in many parts 

 of the South, when the crop is over luxuriant and, 

 as that is its tendency in our rich soils, there can 

 be no doubt it would be beneficial here. On ac- 

 count of the dryness of this season thus far, the 

 cotton is small and backward, and may not need 

 topping, but a heavy rain may bring it forward 

 rapidly, when it would be well to cut out the lead- 

 ing shoots. 



- The Aquarius. 



This is a hand force pump. The box holds some 

 thing over a pail of water. At the bottom is a stir- 

 rup on which the right foot is placed to hold it in 

 place, when with one hand you work the pump, 

 and with the other direct the hose. In the green 

 house and small yard it is invaluable. ': ■-' ' 



We have a garden engine yet find no small 

 amount of work for the Aquarius or force pump. 

 It is very handy when a single bucket of water is 

 needed. It can be used by persons of moderate 

 strength, not capable of handling the garden en- 

 gine. They are made very strong and durable, 

 and cost but a few dollars. Ours came from the 

 warehouse of H. W. Austin, Chicago, who has on 

 hand most kinds of farm and garden tools at whole- 

 sale. It is probable most of our country hardware 

 stores can furnish them as cheap as to send to Chi- 

 cago, at least Vhen ordering similar goods of M. 

 Austin. 



— Curran was asked by one of his brother 

 judges, "Do you see anything ridiculous in this 

 wig ?" Nothing but the head," was the reply. 



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