830 
AMERICAN AaRICULTUKIST. 
[SEPTEiTBEU, 
ing;. But the worst calamity ha? come in the shape of 
torrents of rain, which have beaten down the growin;? 
crops, sprouted the harvested wlieat, and in destructive 
flood;^, wliich have swept extensive river-bottoms clear 
of growing and harvested crops. Indiana, Ohio, Illinoi:?, 
Missouri, and Kansas liave suffered badly. The dama^jc 
in single counties has been estimated above a million 
"dollars, and tlie loss in the a;rgregale is many mil- 
lions. This is doubtless over-estimated, but there 
has been immense loss, and will be much suffering, 
there can be no doubt. As to the effect on the markets 
for grain, it is premature to speculate. The condi- 
tion of the crops in Europe is reported as greatly im- 
proved by fine weather, and the influence of the damages 
bv rain and floods in Europe«n countries upon prices, is 
no longer felt. What will be the effect of the damage to 
our crops, when the actual loss is ascertained, remains to 
be seen, but it would seem to be impossible that an ad- 
vance in values should not be maintained, if farmers do 
not hurry their grain to market. It would be an addition 
to our misfortunes, if the losses by reason of these 
disasters should be followed by a season of lowpiices. 
WHAT ^5." >Vir.r.I>0,— By reference 
to page 329, it will be seen that the Publishers make a 
liberal Centennial proposition. They propose to open the 
subscription books now for 1876, and enter every name 
down on the books at once, and send the paper from the 
ffate of the subscription to the end of 1876, for a single 
year's rate. As four copies are sent for $5.40, postage 
prepaid by the publishers, this sum will pay for four 
copies of the paper all through next year and all the rest 
of this year. 
IIy4lroplio1>ic B*ea<rlies. — A seasonable 
Wftming in peacb time. The Lncknow correspondent 
of the Indian Daily News, states that two native garden- 
ers and a little boy were seized with hydrophobic symp- 
toms after eating certain peaches. The fruit on being 
analyzed was found to contain a poisonous virus, and on 
further search being made, it was discovered that a 
pariab dog, which had apparently died mad. had been 
buried beneath the tree as manure."— This is from the 
London Graphic. The malady ought to have been per- 
ceived in the bark of the tree in time to warn the poor 
gardeners against the "poisonous vims," which is really 
too much of a bad thing. 
Kimiey's Slra^vberries.— In some 
notes about strawberries in August last, it was men- 
tioned that Kinney's No. 10, raised by Mr. T. J. Kinney, 
Worcester, Mass., was not productive on our light soil. 
The reports of the weekly exhibitions of the Worcester 
Horticultural Society, show that it is valuable in some 
localities, as they speak highly of its quality, and state 
as evidence of its prolonged bearing that it had been ex- 
hibited for six successive weeks, a statement that prob- 
ably needs qualification, as we can hardly suppose that 
the same vines continued in bearing for this length of 
time. Mr. Kinney has a still newer variety which he 
calls Eclipse, said to be a cross between his No. 10 and 
Jucanda, of which great things are expected in the way 
of productiveness and quality. 
Importsition or PerctftoronL a.n<l 
Norman Horses,— Mr. Robert Stoddart has re- 
cently exhibited to us at his stables, 630 Greenwich St., 
New York, a remarkably fine lot of imported Percherou 
.jnd Norman horses. 43 of these animals were at his 
stables at one time ; they were the property of Mr. Dil- 
lon, of Bloomington, III., and Mr. Dunham, of Wayne, 
Dupage Co., the same state. 5 other horses were the 
property of Mr. John Virgin, of Fairberry. Livingston 
Co., 111. This class of horses are so well known at the 
west through the numerous importations of these gen- 
tlemen, that we need only say these animals ar-^ equal to 
any imported previously by them. 170 imported horses 
have passed through Mr. Stoddart's stables the present 
season. 
Borers.—" B. 0. C," Los Anp:elo3 Co., Cal., 
writes that an old fruit-grower there tells him tliat trees 
which branch at 18 to 20 inches from the ground are not 
attacked hy borers, the alleged reason being that they 
will not work where the trunk is densely shaded. We 
shall be glad of other testimony on this point. 
JProg»-«S9lT« American Arcliitec- 
tnre, by G. B. ('loff. This work has received the hiirh- 
est praise in ail quarters, for its fnltness of its details, 
and the general irood taste, and unu^^nal excellence of its 
designs. It isdifllicnU to conceive liow a L'reater variity 
of useful architectural matter could be compressed into 
one handsome, copiously illustrated volume. Published 
by the Orange Judd Company. Price, post-paid, $10. 
More Boolc!^. — The Orani^e Judd Company 
have added to their list of publications the following 
standard works : 7^^? Smling of Cattle^ by Jo^iah Quin 
cey. This was the first work upon this important sub- 
ject, and remains the stjxndard authority Geyelin's 
Pouilr'j Breeding. This gives accounts of European 
methods with poultry not to be found in any other work. 
Chemisfryqf the Farm and Sta, by Doct. J. H. Nich- 
ols. These familiar essays are among the best of the 
popular science treatises of the day. See Book-List on 
another page. 
JPor Only $1.C0, any one can, this month, 
get the AmeHcan Agt^icultui-Ut , Fifteen ITfontlis, 
or from now away on to the end of 1876. (Seepage 
330.) Will all the friends of the journal please make 
this fact kno^-n to their friends and neighbors. 
A E*roi>o.se<l j^oiliug- Crop.— The Rural 
New Torkcv publishes a letter from a "Rnral Editor," 
who writes from Nebraska, in which he states that Prof. 
Aughey, of the State University, finds among several 
native grasses, SorgJitmi nutans to be " exceedingly nutri- 
tious, and could, he thinks, be profitably introduced at 
the cast as a soiling crop. The plant is buing tested at 
the University, and Prof. A. kindly promised to send us 
set'd, 80 that an experiment might he made to see bow 
far the plant was adapted to the soil and cliniaic of New 
York."— We shall look for the results of Prof. A. 's ex- 
periments in feeding this grass with interest. The 
"adaptability of the plant to the soil and climate of New 
York," was probably tested Fome thousands of 5'ears ago. 
It is ratlier strange that neither a professor nor an editor 
should know tliat this grass. Sorghum n/'ions. extends 
from Manhattan Island throughout the state. There is 
nothing like travel to open one's eyes. 
Xlie Potato "Buft"" on its Xrav- 
els.— Some of our associates who have been to the sea- 
side, report immense numbers of the Colorado Potato 
Beetle on the beaches. At Rockaway, (L. L), especially, 
they were in th'' s^a-wced that is thrown up by the surf 
in myriads, and though rather quiet when wet, they were 
lively enough when they had a chance to dry. and \\'cre 
around on the verandas of the hotels in abundance. 
These may have started from New Jersey, and were 
blown ashore on the Long Island coasl. It can hardly 
fail that some of them may aliglit upon the out-going 
steamers, and thus get a free passage to Europe, and 
verify Prof. Riley's iirediction that this would be the 
manner of their introduction abroad. 
Sir.*%ORY IIVMBUOJS. — Whenever a 
person who has been engaged in some swiudting opera- 
tion through the mail is arrested, his letters, not being 
called for. are sent to the dc.ad-letter office, and then the 
post-office authorities have a chance to see to what ex- 
tent this kind of correspondence is carried, and those at 
the dead-letter office can know who are the foolish vic- 
tims. It appears from these facts, and other evidence, 
that no scheme can be started, so absurd or improbable 
upon the face of it, but a large number are ready to catch 
at the bait. Let one advertise in obscure country papers, 
that he can for $10 make a return of $100 or more, the re- 
mittances will begin to flow in. Tiie readiness to believe 
whatever appears in print, and to trust the representa- 
tions of al)solute stran:>crs, is perfectly astonishing. The 
old saying that *' people want to be humbugged," is in a 
great measure tnic. and it is a melancholy phase of hu- 
man nature that there should be always a large number 
of persons ready and waiting for any swindle that may 
be offered. All the forms of insanity have not yet been 
studied, and iu our opinion the moVbid desire to try 
every new quack medicine, or to invest in improbable 
schemes, arc as much fonns of mental disease, as klepto- 
mania. When some new swindle is offered, there arc a 
few not 80 far gone with the disease, but they have 
sufficient caution left to I'.^ad them to inquire as to its 
character, but for one who docs this, hundreds walk 
straight into the trap We have on several occasions 
warned our readers against all real estate agents who 
ask money in advance, and have over and over advised 
against having any money transactions with unknown 
parties. Recently persons have advertised that they had 
LARGE SrMS OP MON^Y 
to loan on mortgages. Other advertisements appeared, 
offering for $1 to name the bor?es that would be sure to 
win at the Saratoga races. Last month two men. named 
Henry and Ildl. were arrested for smug^rling aud swind- 
linir in diamonds, and it came out in the examination 
that these diamonds were probibly stolen, and that, 
moreover, those same Henry and Hall were the chaps 
who could loan their money so freely, and were eo very 
knowing in horse-jockey tricks. The case is a very com- 
plicated one, and we have not room for an account of it ; 
the special point to which we wish to call attention, is 
that one of the chaps confessed that he had no idea of 
granting loans, but he charged $10 or more in advance, 
for the purpose of having the property of applicants sur- 
veyed, or the titles examined. This money in advance 
was w hat they were after, and when they had this safely 
in hand, all their interest in the applicant ceased. If he 
pressed them, it was easy to reply, "title imperfect," or 
*' security not sufficient." Here were unknown men, 
who did not give thtir names, but had a post-office box 
as their sole address, daily receiving numerous letters, 
which contained advance fees. Those who sent this 
money must feel higlily gratified to find that they have 
been playing into the hands of men, who had been ar- 
rested with apparently stolen diamonds in their posses- 
sion. We repeat the advice, to have no money dealings 
whatever with unknown parties, whether in effecting 
loans, or selling real estate, and especially do not send a 
dollar in advance. This caution includes those 
WALL-STREET STOCK-GAMBLERS, 
who Still have the-ir advertisements in papers all over 
the country. Notwilhstanding that we have frequently 
advised people to have nothing to do with these chaps, 
inquiries still come in regard to them. Here is a letter 
from a reader enclosing a very tempting advertise- 
ment, and asking, "will it do to respond and send 
money to .speculate on ? "— " Do ! "— Wc hava't the least 
donbt that it will " do," any more than we have that yon 
will be beautifully rf[>;)^. The "do" is what's the mat- 
ter. Those who s*?nd money to these chaps, have no 
remedy whatever, as they send it for gambling purposes ; 
all that the gambler need say is that he used the money 
according to his judgement, and lost, and that is the end 
of it. Tlie men who advertise in this tempting manner, 
are not members of the stock-board ; many of the respect- 
able banking houses and the President of the Board of 
Exchange receive inquires about those parties, who 
hold out gi'eat inducements, complaining of their doings, 
and asking how lost money can be recovered. Legal 
advice has been taken, and it is found that there is no 
remedy at law. It is impossible to find the parties when 
a complaint is made. The letters of some of the victims 
of the Wali-st. swindlers are very pathetic ; the Presi- 
dent of the Stock Exchange is in frequent receipt of 
such, from shop-girls and others, who starved themselves, 
to invest their last dollar, in the hope of a small for- 
tune, and lost it all past remedy. If persons have money, 
which they would iMther invest in risky stock operations, 
than iu any other way, they can find regular, honorable, 
and responsible brokers, who will hold out no false hope 
of great gain, but will invest the money according to 
their best judgment. Such brokers are members of the 
regular board, and are to be found when wanted ; they do 
not advertise in the countiy papers with a lot of unintel- 
ligible street jargon. Our advice is, unless one has a 
sum of money that he can afford to loose, to keep out of 
Wall-st. altogether, but if ho has any dealings there, let 
them be only with members of the stock board.. ..There 
are several so-called 
"TELEGKArUIC INSTITUTES" 
in Ohio, Wisconsin, and other western states, which 
make great promises, but. to judge from the letters of 
complaint we receive, are but little short of humbugs. We 
would suggest to the young men who claim to have been 
swindled, that they write out their statements, and make 
oath to tliem before some Justice of the Peace or other 
authorized official. Wo notice that all these "Institutes" 
get all their money in advauce. A young man wrote to 
the superintendL-nt of a telegraph company, for his opin- 
ion of these "Institutes." and received the following 
reply: "I do not know much about these Institutions 
personally. It is reported th.it one can beat a young man 
out of his money about as well as another. Keither of 
them tan furnish situations. Merit, supply, and demand, 
regulate that." 
orFT COXCERTS OR LOTTERIES 
appear to have simmered down to just one— and that in 
Texas, in aid of an Odd Fellows' Temple, at Dennison. 
Texas is naturally a grand state ; parts of it are as near 
perfection as we expect to see on this globe ; it has a 
£rreat future in store, and the time will come when these 
schemes of gambling iu the name of benevolence, wiH no 
longer be tolerated Inquiries continue to come about 
"ete cits." 
We some time ago gave an opinion on tliis matter 
from one of the most eminent oculists iu the country. 
We briefly repeat in substance. These eye-cups have an 
India rubber bag attached ; the bag being pressed, and 
the cup placed over the eye. it is claimed that the con- 
vexity of the eyeball will be changed by atmospheric 
pressure, which, from the manner of the application, isan 
absurdity to start with. How many persons are able to 
tell the cause of any defect of sight? the use of these 
assumes that something is wrong in the shape of the eye, 
while it is very likely nothing of the kind exists, and if 
