1877.] 
AMERICAN AG-RICULTURIST. 
blockade, with its delays and losses, helpird the market 
np H a ceut. The arrival of the delayed trains with the 
weiijht of a lot of poor stock, forced to sale, diu-j^ged 
prices down again, and the advantage was more thfu lost, 
A principal feature of the monthly business was the ship- 
ment of more than 6.000 head to Europe. It is very clear 
that the extension of this business tends to take away all 
our best stock, skinning our markets of what we need. 
It is equally clear that the margins for profit depend up- 
on low prices here, and liigh prices in England, and also 
that the trade can not change these conditio;.s and still 
exist. To take over 1,000 head of the best cattle weekly 
from onr supplies, is a serious loss. The effect is seen iu 
the return of the rates for extra stock to 13 cents. On the 
whole the market has been dull, closing with a little life, 
and a slight advance. The unusually large stock of prime 
cattle selling at lie, and extra at li;; to l'2c. for 59 fts. ^ 
cwt. estimated, helped the average. Good natives brought 
9?^®10>,ic., for 56@57 B>s., and Texans estimated at 55 
fts. ^ cwt., were dull at 8?i®9c. ^ lb. 
The prices for the past five weeks were as follows: 
WEEK ENDING Riiiwe. Large Sales. Aver. 
Jan. 15 8^rtl2 c. 93^@llMc. 10?gc. 
Jan. 23 8i^@12Kc. 9 @11><C. lO^c 
Jan. 29 7K@I3 c. 9M@10Mc. 10 c. 
Feb. 5 7K«12 c. 9 @;OMc. ^Xc. 
Feb. 12 8M@12>iC. 9K@il c. 10 c. 
Co W8.— On various favorable accounts the market has 
improved slowly but sieadily. and there is a fair Inquiry 
for good milkers, at §60 to $65 ^ head, and S70 is readily 
paid for choice. Common cows are quoted at $40 to 
$45 Calves.— Good veals have been in fair demand, 
with firmer prices. Prime sold at 9@9>5'c. ^ lb., extra at 
10c. , and fair to good at S@9c. ^ lb. live wciglit. Prime 
hog dressed are quoted at 12@13c. ^ B> Slieep.— 
The trade in sheep has dragged miserably since the re- 
ceipt of 33,000 and over in one week,. Stock has been 
sold for less than cost in Chicago, and many lots have 
bCL-n carried over from week to week unsold. Very fat 
sheep closed at T>tf@T?iC. "^ B)., live weight: fair at 6c, 
and poor at A^(^)iQ: ^ ft Seville. — The warm 
weather has taken the stiffness out of the hog market, and 
prices have weakened considerably. Western dressed 
have come in in bad order, bringing only 7>^c. ^ B). City 
dressed sold for S'ltiSiic., and live brought 6i<i^6?ic. ^ ft. 
Prices of Feed. 
Brnn, per ton |il5.00@ $?0.00 
Mid'llin^s. per ton 19.00'.ii 21,00 
Ground Feed, per ton 15.00® 21.00 
Llnseed-oU-c:ikf, western, per ton 4l,00@ 47.00 
Cotron-seed-c;ike, per ton 25.50® 40.00 
Chandler's Scnips, per ft 3@ 4 
Prices of Fertilizers. 
No.l.Peniv.GiKuiolO p.ct. arainoni;i. standard, IP to!i..|56.f)0 
do. do, guarnnteed, ^ ton, rargo A 56.00 
do do. rectllled. per ton, 10 p. c,, 6S.'0 
Mapes* Complete Manure (ViUe fo'.mula> p. 1,000 lbs 26.14 
Pot:ito do do do do 2.^.97 
" Turnip do do do do 19.36 
" Fine Hone, strictly pure per ton 40,00 
'* Di^'^olved Bone, 1'. per cent do 40.00 
Qalonipiac Fertilizer Go's. Phosnhiite. per ton.. 40.00 
" " Dry cround Fish Guano, ton 45.00 
" *' Pine Island Gu mo, per ton. 4'>.00 
Stockbrhlse Corn Manure, (Boston) per acre... 22.01 
" Potato do do do 1"2.00 
" Tob:uxo do do do 60.00 
Bowker'a Hill and Drill Fertilizer, per ton 45.on 
Flsii Guitno (cru.te in b;irrels), per ton IS.OO 
Bou!' Flour, per ton. ... 45.00 
Rawbones Ground (pure), per ton SS.i'OO -10.00 
Gerniiin Potasli S;Uts. {1^%-]^ ner cent), per ton. 22.00® 115.00 
Gvpsum, Nova Seotin. ground, per ton S.OO 
Niirjite of Potash iP5 per cent.), per lb S-lfc.® 0*^c. 
Sulphate of Totash (SO per cent) per lb 3,Sc.@ 4 e. 
Cliloride of Potass. (mnriate of i>otash, SOp.c). lb 2Xc.'^ S^c 
Nltniteof Soda, per Ih 41^0.^-1^0. 
Sulphite of Ammonia (i'l per cent.), per lb 5 c.® Vt^c. 
Drlcl Blood or Dried Meat per unit olammonia.$3.00® $ 4.00 
Fisli riillm-e I»rolilablc.— In the Re- 
port, Jan. 1,1877, of the Connecticut Fish Commissioners, 
(Ifessrs. Hudson. Pike, and Bill), we read: "There arc 
few enterprises enjoying pnblic attention at the present 
time that promise more profitable results than the multi- 
plying of food fishes in fresh water ponds It is the be- 
lief of all who have studied the subject, that fresh water 
fishes of all kinds can be multiplied almost indefinitely, 
and so cultivated as to be improved not only in quantity 
but in quality, and made to be the cheapest of cheap food. 
This fact should be repeated over and over again, until 
every one who has a p.itrh of water on his premises large 
enough for tadpoles and shiners, can make it yield an 
abundance of wh(desome fish food, at not h:ilf the trouble 
and expense with which he cultivates a like patch of 
ground. The food thus produced is too iinch neglected 
by the farming community; it affords elements of nour- 
ishment necessary to a healthy condition of the body, for 
which no cheaper available substitute can be ftumd."— 
The Report describes 25(1 ponds of 5 to 3,lK)0 acres each, 
aggregates 31,r.ai acres in Conn, alone.—" These contain 
a considerable number and variety of food -firihcs— al- 
though probably not a thousandth part of what this may 
be made to produce at a little expense of time and money. 
Besides these (2.">6) large ponds, there are a gn-atcr num- 
ber of ponds of less than 5 acres each, that are in like 
manner capable of development."— We would Ike to sec 
a similar report of the capabilities of olher States. Xlic 
85 
subject is one of great interest, and importance to every 
State. Those not abounding iu lakes aud ponds, have 
rivers which may be easily stocked with food-fishes, 
doubtless at a great profit. 
MARCH 
Is a first-rate moatli in whicli to secnre 
some of tie 
Good Things Offered 
In our IlLlusti-ated. Preminiu List. 
If joii Iiave not received this, send 
to llie Ptiblisliers and get one, free. 
Spring Work 
Is coming on, and multitudes \rill ^rant 
tlie aid of this Journal. Gatlier a few^ 
names of Sucn, and receive some valuable 
article free. Hundreds of people always 
do tills in jTXarcIi, and you may as well 
be one of them. 
containing a great varietij of Items, inc^vding many 
good Hints and Suggestions whicli we throw into smaller 
type and condensed form, for want of room elsewhere. 
vuiiiuifuiig u. yitiiM, uuntt 
good Hints and Suggestions which we throw intosmalle)' 
'""^ and condensed form, for want of room elsewhere. 
[^" i\.B.— The Postage I>a-w,— The 
present postal law requires pre-paynient of 
postage by tlie pnblisliers. Each subscriber 
must tlierefore remit, in addition to the old rates, 
ten cents for prepayment of yearly post- 
age by the Publishers, at New York. Every 
subscriber, whether coming singly, or in clubs at club 
rates, will be particular to send to this office postage 
as above, with his subscription. Subscribers in British 
America will continue to send postage as heretofore, 
for pre-payment here. 
Reiiitting ^Ioii<*y: — Clieclcs on 
New Vork City Ranks or Bankers are best 
for large sums ; mukc payable to tlic order of Orange 
Jndd t ompniiy. Post-Officc Money Orders 
for $50 or loss, are cheap and safe also. "When these are not 
obtiiinable, register letters, affixing stamps for post- 
age and registry ; pnt in the money and seal the letter in 
the presence of the postmaster, and take hi? receipt for it. 
Money sent in the above three methods is safe against loss. 
IKoiiiid Copies of Volume Xliirfy- 
flve are now ready. Price, $2, at our office ; or $*2.50 
cacli, if sent by mail. Any of the last twenty volumes 
(IG to 35) will also be forwarded at same price. Sets of 
numbers sent lo our office will be neatly bound in our 
regular style, at 75 cents per vol. (50 cents extra, if return- 
ed by mail.) Missing numbers supplied at 12 cents each. 
CI..f IRS— Inci-eaMiu^r : Ailvantages: 
Lower terms are given to clubs of four or more sub- 
scribers, partly because it costs less to mail in packagca, 
with only name slips on each paper ; and partly to en- 
courage getting up large lists. We do not object to a 
person's adding names to his club from other poet-offlccs, 
because such additions usually become centers of other 
clubs A Club can at any time be increased by the ad- 
dition of other names. If these start with the same date 
as the others Any one having sent a small club atone 
price, may raise the club to a largo figure, and lower rate 
for all. Thus: one having sent 1 names at $5.20, may 
send G names more for $6.80. making $12 for the whole 
10, including postairc. And so for other club rates. . 
The Terras are: Single subscriptinns $1.60 each ; two 
names $1.50 each ; three names $1.40 each ; ten to ni e- 
teec names $1.20 each; twenty names and upwards $1.10 
each. Postage always pre-paid by the Publishers 
Premium clubs may be gathered at any number of post- 
offices, If all are sent in by the same person. 
Krery CiIerniaM CiiKivnfor and 
I^aborcr on tbo Farm, or In the Garden, 
OUGHT to have the G-.-rniau edilitni of the American 
Agricul/urist. It contains not only the Engravings, and 
all the essoutinl readiuL: matlcr of the .\tucrican edition, 
but an additional Sper^ial German Dffyartment. etlUcd by 
the lion. Frederick Miinch. of Mi^^sonri. a skillful and 
snccessful cultivator and excellent writer. No other 
German Agricultural or Horti-Miltural Jounial in .America 
has been so long issued ; no other one contains so mnry 
useful informatiou, or a tithe of its engravings. The 
Germans are a reading, thinking people, and kD°ow how- 
to make good use of what they read. Many Americans 
supply it to their German laborers and gardeners andaJl 
would find it pay to do so.-^^othing else can compete 
with it in cheapness of price for the same amount el 
material, engravings, etc., because the expense of collect- 
ing aud making these is lai-ely borne by the American 
edition, and no separate office or machinery is reqnired 
beyond a couple of German editors and the prirteri. 
Its terms are the same as the American edition, . ingl^ 
and m clubs; and clubs can be composed of subscribed 
for either edition in whole, or in part.— ^^ P]ea«e call 
the attention of your German neighbors to this papet. 
Ir will do much to help new comers to a knowled'-e of 
the system and modes of cultnre need in this coantr^ 
Amuse Yom- IfiOVS, and Yourseli: 
—One of the best ways of keeping your boys, (and yonr^ 
selO, out of evil associations, is to provide pleasant 
entertainment at Home. C. M. Crandall has just brongUt 
out one of the best things for this, that we have ever 
seen, or thoroughly tried. We have seen a whole family, 
including Father, Mother, Daughters, and Boys, partici- 
pating in and thoroughly enjoying this new amusement 
In one sense it is a "moral reformer"— for Boys. WiXfe 
this at home, they will not be found playing marbles and 
spoiliHg their clothes in the street. A cannon that wiE 
shoot without powder, and at the same time be a good 
homri substitute for games that grown men indulge iu at 
public resorts, is certainly an acquisition. As one will last 
half a dozen years or so, the cost may be pnt down at 50 
cents ayear, or 1 cent a week — cheap indeed for so attrac- 
tive a home amusement. For particulars, ^ee p.nge lia 
A Valua1>le I^'eM" Potato — Some 
Seed Free.— The introduction of the "Early Rose "^ 
Potato was worth millions to the country, and mostttf 
those who paid $3 to $5 a pound for the first seed, found 
groat profit in it.— This year a ?ieiv and very' promising 
variety- is ofi"ered, the "Superior." Though there ie 
but a very limited supply, the price is put at $1 a pound. 
Those who get even half a pound will with care have 
a good start, as a single pound produced 675 lbs. during 
the past seasou. We have secured a email quantity 
for the benefit of our readers, aud would gladly presei^ 
each of llieni with a little, but as this is impossible, we 
make the following proposal : Any present subscriber 
who will, after March Ist, send one new subscribert* 
the American Agriculturist for 1S77, at $1.60, will be pre- 
sented with two of the '' Superior" Potatoes, weighLug 
'4 lb. each, post-paid. Any present subscriber seudinf 
two new subscribers, as above, at $1.60 each, will be pre- 
sented with three half-pound parcels, (or 1)4 lb.) Wiflh, 
care in dividing the eyes, and cultivatiou, llilb. may 
be multiplied to 1,000 lbs., or fifteen bushels, or evco 
more, the first season, which will furnish a good staii. 
for next year, as but few who will hare them any waj_ 
(One man produced l.TOT.^^lbs. from 1 lb. of the *' Alplia"" 
last season, and another ],nS2 lbs. from 1 lb. of the 
"Ruby.") The above ofter is well worthy of at tentkm. 
Business Reviving^ in Earnest.— 
Marked evidences of this are visible overj'where. The 
country is down to hard pan prices, with the exception 
of house servants* wages and a few otherthings, and £27 
change must now be for the better. Tlie country ia reallj 
growing richer as a whole ; the economy practiced ro- 
dnces the expenses below the earnings. If a mau cacua 
50 cents a day. and spends 45, he is improving hie con- 
dition by 10 percent of his earnings.— As to revival of 
business, among many indications our advertising col- 
umns arc one. They arc more crowded than at any time 
before, since the panic of 187:?.— In March and April the 
editors usually yield more space to the business colaaxn 
tlian at olher seasons, but onr readers will hardly te^Kt 
Ibis, for in the advertising pages they will find mnfdi of 
interest. This is the time to look out in advance ftir 
Spring Se ds. Plants, Implements, etc.. etc.. and it ivil 
pay oven.' one to go caref\illy through all these JMigcs, 
and see what is offered, by whom, and at what prioen 
and forward early oi-dcrs. or send for circulars, catalogve^ 
etc. Nowhere was there ever brought to-rcthcr a better 
class of advertisers as a whole. Onr niles are pcrb^H 
