FOREST AND STREAM 
119 
• ^if 4 Oulttjbe. — T he cultivation of tea is still an experiment 
in the United States. Possibly we may yet succeed in pro- 
ducing tea leaves of a flavor superior to the best of that itn- 
porfcecl from the Flowery Kingdom. Does not the same sun 
shine for all ? During the past year the Washington Depart- 
ment of Agriculture, at Washington, distributed over 20,000 
plants, grown in the greenhouses of the Department. Three 
hundred pounds of seed have been lately sown, with a view of 
extensive distribution in the Southern States. 
FARMING IN MINNESOTA. 
|h EARNER, Esq., Supt. of the Am. Express Co, at 
• St. Paul, has purchased several thousand acres of fertile 
prairie in Minnesota, and will at once enter, in conjunction 
with other gentlemen, upon one of the most stupendous farm- 
ing enterprises in the West. What the chances of success are 
in this pursuit may be gathered from the following very care- 
fully | repared table, which has been mosj; considerately fur- 
nished us upon application by a gentleman who has been in 
Minnesota for twenty-one years, and has not only planted 
grain over vast areas of prairie, but also numerous colonies of 
Swedish immigrants who are now well-to-do and prosperous. 
We may say, literally, that the statement has been obtained by 
us in response to a query from a subscriber relative to the 
subject. We shall be most happy to bring any of our readers 
into personal communication with the gentleman referred to, 
who has the best facilities in the State for putting them on 
the road to agricultural success. He remarks respecting the 
figures given below : 
“ In making up my estimates of disbursements and returns 
on jjnproving the land, I have been guided not only by my 
own experience of fourteen years as a farmer, but by that of 
some of the most reliable agriculturists in the State, to whom 
I have submitted my figures. The calculated expenditure is 
very liberal, and will in all probability fall much below the 
estimate. On the other hand the presumed yield of 18 bushels 
per acre is very low on land which in favorable seasons will 
doubtless produce 25 to 30 bushels per acre, and 85 cents per 
bushel is a very moderate price at the elevators. In the mat- 
ter of income no mention is made of stock raising, but several 
hundred head of horned cattle may be supported on the place 
without any cost excepting the trifling expenditure of making 
hay, which can be done at less than $1 per ton." 
As Minnesota is a broad country, so also is its farming done 
on a large scale. Much capital is required to establish a first- 
class farm, but the reward is more certain than savings-bank 
investments. Grasshoppers seem to be the only plague to 
which the country is subject, and their visits are only periodi- 
cal. We can give information of value to any capitalist who 
wishes to confer with us on the subject in hand. 
DISBURSEMENTS AND RETUBN8 IN OPENING A FARM. 
Ten thousand acres, of which six thousand were gradually 
brought under cultivation. Price of land, at $2.50 per acre, 
$25,000, payable in ten equaly early installments, with seven 
per cent, interest per annum : 
FIR8T YEAR. 
Expenditures : 
Breaking by hired teams of 1,100 acres at $2.60. . .$ 2,760 
Incidental expenses, haymaking, etc 600 — $3,250 
SECOND YEAB. 
Expenditures : 
Buildings 6,000 
Live stock and implements — 
24 Horses or mules at $160 $3,600 
7 Sulkey plows at $70 490 
7 Seeders at $70 490 
7 Harrows (17 ft) at $25 175 
7 Rollers at $15 105 
7 8elf-binding harvesters at $276. . 1,925 
1 Mower 100 
1 Separator with 10 horse-power engiue. .1,600 
24 Single harness at $18 4l)2 
6 WagonB (with runners) at $100 600 
Blacksmith tools, iron, Bteel 300 
Sundry other tools 100 
Furniture, bedding, stoves, etc 300 10,117 
Labor (wages and board)— 
1 Foreman and wife, by the year 1,000 
1 Hostler, by the year 420 
6 Men, 8 months, at $30 per mouth 1,440 
1 Blacksmith, 3 months, at $45 per m — 135 
7 Men for 12 days in the spring at $1.50 
per day 126 
14 Men for 12 days in the harvest at 
$2.50 per day 420 
21 Men for 24 days for threshing at $1.60 
per day 756 4,297 
Sundries— 
1,600 Bushels seed-wheat at $1 per bush. 1,600 
360 Bushels seed-oats at 40 cts per buBh. 120 
Wire for binding 1,100 acres grain at 
60 ota. per acre 650 
640 Acres new land brokeD, per con- 
tract $2.50 1.380 
Feed for live stock 1,000 
10 Por cent, of principal for land 2,500 
1 Year’s interest on same at 7 per cent .1,760 
1 Year s int. on last year's outlay, $3,250. 325 
Incidental expensos 500 9,626 — 30,039 
Total am’t expenditures 1st and 2d yr $33,289 
This amount of expenditure, $33,289, bearing 10 per cent, 
yearly interest, remains as a charge against the farm until 
paid. Crop during the year 1,000 acres in wheat, supposing 
to yield 18 bushels per acre, of which 1G.J for sale and 1$ f° r 
seed the following year. Estimated price of wheat, 85 cents 
bushel ; proceeds of sale accounted for in next year’s estimate 
and used as working capital on the farm. 100 acres of oats 
for feed of live stock ; 1,100 acres of new land broken, of 
which 560 acres with own and 540 with hired teams. 
Assets at end of second year : Liabilities at end second year : 
7,800 acres wild On land $22,500 00 
land at $2.50. . .$19,600 00 On 1st & 2d year's 
2 200 aoros oultiv’d expensos 33,289 00 
land at $5 11,000 00 - — — — — 
Buildings 6,000 00 $55,789 00 
Live etook and im- Assets above liabili- 
plements, loss ties 6,116 00 
10 per cent, for 
wear and toar. . 9,105 00 
18,000 bush, wheat 
at 85 cents 16,300 00 
$00,905 00 $60,906 00 
THIRD YEAR. 
(2,000 acres in wheat ; 200 in oats for live stock ; 1,100 acres new 
land broken with own teams ) 
Expenditures : 
Live stock and lm- 
plemoDta $10,117 00 
Labor — 7,46-1 00 
Wire for binding 
grain 1.100 00 
Incidental expen’s. 2,000 00 
10 per cent, on 
prin’pal for land. 2,500 00 
1 years int. on 
same at 7 per 
cent 1,675 00 
1 year's int. on let 
and 2d year’s ox. 3,328 90 
Returns : 
By Bale of wheat 
from 2d year’s 
crop 16,500 bush. 
at 85 cents $14,025 00 
By sale of 3d yoar's 
crop on 2,000 
acres, 33,000 
bash, at 85 cts. . 28,050 00 
„ , $28,084 90 
Cash on hand at end 
of year 13,990 10 
$42,075 00 
Assets at end of third year : 
6,750 acres wild 
land at $2 50 . ... $16,750 00 
3,300 acres culti- 
vated land at $5. 16,600 00 
Buildings 6,000 00 
Live stock and im- 
plements, 10 per 
cent, off 17,299 60 
Cash on hand from 
last year 13,990 10 
$70,539 60 
$42,075 00 
Liabilities at end of third year : 
On laud $20,000 00 
Ou 1st and 2d year b 
expenses 33,289 00 
$53,289 00 
Assets above liabili- 
ties 17,250 60 
$70,539 60 
FOURTH YEAB. 
(3,000 acres in wheat ; 800 acres in oats ; 1,700 aoros new land 
broken by own teams.) 
Expenditures : Returns : 
Live stock and im- By sale of 49,500 
plements $10,117 00 bush, wheat at 
£» bor 10,966 00 85 cents $42,075 00 
' Vire . , 1.050 00 Cash on hand from 
Incidental expen's. 2,000 00 previoua year. . . 13 990 10 
Buildings 6,000 00 
10 per cent, princi- 
pal on laud 2,600 00 
lyr's. int on same, 
7 per cent 1,400 00 
1 year’s int. on 1st 
and 2d year's ex . ' 3,328 90 
„ $37,961 90 
Cash on hand at end 
of year 18,103 20 
$56,066 10 
Assets at end of fourth year : 
5.000 acres wild 
land at $2.50. .. .$12,500 00 
6.000 acres culti- 
vated do. at $5. . 23,000 00 
Buildings 12,000 00 
Live stock and im- 
plements, 10 per 
cent, off 24,557 40 
Cash ou hank at end 
of year 19,103 20 
Mating Canaries.— The following directions are con- 
tributed to the New York Times: 
“In the first place cauarics should never be allowed to mate 
oftener than twice in any one year. Some canaries will raise 
as many as four litters if not prevented ; but a third mating 
is always injurious, and often brings on a disease which quite 
ruins the cock bird as a singer. The canaries while mating 
should be fed on hard-boiled egg und common oyster crackers 
well soaked in boiled milk, but, of course, made cool before 
being fed to the birds. Hemp seed should not be used, as it 
fattens the birds. A raw piece of beef highly seasoned with 
Cayenne (red) pepper should be fed them as often as once in 
each week. The cage should uot be moved about if it can bo 
avoided, and should bang in a darkened room. All canaries 
while mating like privacy When tlie eggs arc hatched feed 
the young birds only on the yellow of hard-boiled eggs for 
two weeks ; after that, mix hard, dry crackers with egg and 
feed. Sometimes the hen canary begins to make her nest be- 
fore the young birds are able to leave it. At such limes put a 
new nest in tlie cage, aDd leave plenty of food for the new- 
comers, as the mother often leaves them uncared for. Bits of 
tissue paper, cut into fine pieces, should bo thrown around 
the new nest in order to prevent the hen from pulliug the old 
one in pieces. Colton should not be used, as it is highly in- 
jurious to the feet of canaries ; they often get caught iu it 
and are quite frequently made cripples for life. 
J- P.— The following are a few of the best climbing plants, 
hardy and sure to give satisfaction. Plant them where the 
can ramble at their own free will, and allow them all the light 
and freedom possible : 
Akebia quinala— Japanese Akobia; Celastrus scandens— 
Bitter sweet ; Menispernum canadencc— Moonseed ; Wistaria 
sinensis Chinese west ; Wistaria sinensis alba— Cliincso west 
white ; Tecoma rculicans, and the largo variety Qrandiflora— 
Trumpet flowers; Clematis jlammula— Sweet-scented Virgin's 
Bower ; and any of the newer varieties of the large flowered 
sorts ; they are all perfectly hardy and desirable any or all 
of the Loniceras, or honeysuckles ; and you can fill up with 
any of the annual varieties. 
$66,065 10 
Liabilities at end of fourth year: 
On land $17,600 00 
On 1st and 2d year's 
expenses 33,289 00 
$50,789 00 
Assets above liabili- 
ties 31,371 00 
$82,160 60 
FIFTH YEAB. 
$82,160 60 
(4,500 acres in wheat ; 500 acres in oats; 1,000 aorea new land 
broken. ) 
Expenditures : 
Live stock and im- 
plements, 10 per 
Returns : 
By Bale of 74,250 
bush, wheat at 
oeat. off $15,000 00 
85 cents 
..$63,112 50 
Labor 
16,000 00 
Cash on hand from 
Wire 
2,500 00 
previous year. . . 
. . 18,103 20 
Incidental ex 
3.000 00 
Buildings 
6,000 00 
Pay remaining debt 
on land 
17,500 00 
1 year's int. on Bame 
7 per cent 
1,225 00 
Pay on 1st and 2d 
year's expenses. 10,000 00 
1 year’s int.ousamo 
10 per cent 8,328 90 
$74,653 90 
Cash on hand at end 
of year . 6,661 80 
$81,215 70 
Assets at end of fifth year : 
4.000 acr’e wild land 
at $2.60 $10,000 00 
6.000 acres culti- 
vated at $5 30,000 00 
Buildiogs 18, COO 00 
Live stock and im- 
plements 10 per 
cent off 35,601 70 
Cash on hand at 
end of year 6,661 80 
$81,215 70 
Liabilities at end of fifth year : 
Balance due ou 1st 
and 2d year’s ex. $23,289 00 
Assets above liabili- 
ties 76,974 60 
$100,203 60 
SIXTH YEAR. 
$100,263 50 
(4,500 acre s in wheat ; 500 acres in oats ; 1,000 aorea resting and 
summer-fallowed. ) 
Expenditures : 
Labor $16,000 00 
Wire and inoid. ex. 6,600 00 
Bal. on 1st and 2d 
years ex. and int. 25,669 90 
Returns : 
74,250 bash wheat 
at85oents $63,112 50 
Cash on band from 
previous year 6,60180 
(The cult, area in 
grain being same as 
previous yr. no ad- 
ditional stook and 
impl. is charged). $47,109 90 
Cash on hand at end 
of year 23,604 40 
$69,774 30 
Assets at end of sixth year : 
6,000 cult., 4.000 
wildland $40,000 00 
Buildings, $18,000; 
livestock andim. 
$32,042.63 50,041 63 
Cash on hand 22,604 40 
Value of assets at end 
nt AITHl VAftr 
9,774 80 
Liabilities none. 
M** lln( l ishittg . 
FISH IN SEASON IN MARCH. 
SOUTHERN WATERfl. 
Pompano, Vrachunotu carolinu*. Grouper, Bpituphslput n iaritus. 
Drum (two species). Family Seii a- Trout (black bass), CentroprUtU 
nidtB, ■ atrarlus, 
Klngflsti, Menttcinus nsbulosus. Striped Dilsh, or Rookflah, Jtoaevs 
Sea liass, Scttenops ocetlatus. Uiualus. 
SheepsheiKl, Archosargus prubalo- TailorllHh, PomaUrmus taltatrlx. 
ccphalus. Black I)a?aa, Microptenis salmoidt?: 
Snapper, Luljanus caxus. SI. nigricans. 
ill <1 <3 OK 
•E5T The trouting season on Dong Island, which opened last 
year, and previously on the 15th of March, doos not open this 
year until the 1st of April. The law is now uniform through- 
out the State. 
■ST Trout fishing is now open to all persons who are willing 
to pay $5 for each trout caught. On April 1 It will be dif- 
ferent. 
Fish in Market— Retail Pbiobs.— Stgped bass, 20 cents ; 
large do., 18 ; smelts, 18; Long Island green do., 20; frozen 
salmon, 35; green do., $1.25; California 45; mackerel, 15 ; 
Southern shad, 35 to 85 ; native, $2 ; white perch, 15 ; Spanish 
mackerel, 35 ; green turtle, 15 ; frost fish, 6 ; halibut, 12$ ; 
haddock, 0 ; codfish, heads off, 8 ; do., heads on, 6 ; black- 
fish, 15 ; Newfoundland herring, 6 ; flounders, 8 ; do., small, 4; 
sea bass, 15; eels, 18; lobsters, live, 8; do., boiled, 10; 
sheepsheads, 25; turbot, 25; scallops, $1.50 per gallon; 
Whitehall, 15 ; salmon trout, 12 ; bard crabs, $8.50 per 100. 
Movements of Tns Fishing Fleet.— The number of fish- 
ing arrivals reported at this port tlie past week bas been forty-* 
one. The number of Bank arrivals numbered twelve, bring- 
ing about 500,000 pounds of halibut. The number of George's 
arrivals for the week has been 25, bringing 875,000 pounds 
round codfish. — Cape Ann Advertiser, March 15. 
Connecticut— Essex, March 10.— The first lot of striped 
bass caught in the Connecticut this season were taken hero 
last week, and weighed about 600 pounds. 
New York— Kingston, March 13.— Large quantities of 
suckers and chubs are being taken out of the Esopes at tlus 
place every day. Oca Harry. 
Eldred, Sullivan Co., March 11. — Trout fishing kero already 
begun in the Beaver Brook. They are fine fish, and give 
promise of a good season, so soon as the lawful time for tak- 
ing them arrives. 
Virginia— Warrenton, March 15.— Jack and carp fishing, 
the only angling we have here, has begun. For trout we go 
to the mountain brooks of the Blue Ridge. I shall soon go to 
the trout streams in company with “Nicholas Spicer," of the 
old Porter's Spirit, whose real name is D. A. S. Payne. 
Early Comers at Washington.— We are having a very 
early spring ; mossbunktrs came March 6, a month earlier 
than usual. Alewives and mattowoccas are abundant in the 
market, and shad have been taken five or six a night for a 
week or two past. Q. B. G. 
Tennessee— Nashville, March. — Fishing season now fairly 
opened and streams generally in good condition for sport. 
The reports from Hurricane Creek, in Humphreys county, 
from Turnbull in Chatham, Buffalo in Dixon, and llarpeth 
in Williamson, are very favorable for anglers. Many fine trout 
(bass) and perch have been taken within the last week. A 
party of gentlemen had some good sport in Mill Creek, a 
small stream near this city, the other afternoon, takinga num- 
ber of trout (bass) averaging about three-quarters of a pound 
each. In Harpeth and the Cumberland rivers suckers in large 
quantities are caught, there is no sport in taking them, hut 
they are considered good food. 
Florida— Halifax Inlet.— In the seven winters spent on 
this coast, 1 have never seen so much cold and stormy 
weather as this month has given us. Wo have had fourteen 
