1874.] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
a person having sent 10 subscribers and $12, may after- 
ward send 10 more snbecribers with only $8 ; making a 
club of 20 at $1 each ; and so of the other club rates. 
Once More we place upon our shelves a 
bound volume, of the Agriculturist by the side of the 
goodly array of its predecessors ; and while the majority 
of our readers are occupied with the last number for 
1873, we are preparing to send them the first number of 
1874. To our old friends we need only say that the paper 
shall he as much better than it lias been as it is possible 
for us to make it. To those who now first become ac- 
quainted with us, we can say that we endeavor to present 
each a bill of fare as will be acceptable to those who are 
to partake of it, and we invite them to make their wishes 
known to ns. Our correspondence comes not only from 
every portion of our own country but from all parts of 
the world. A record is made of the subject of each let- 
ter, and at proper times these are classified, so that we 
ar« able to see at a glance what our readers are thinking 
about and what are their most urgent needs. Feeling 
that every family— at least every one in rural life— would 
find the Agriculturist not only interesting but useful, we 
call attention to the business announcements of the pub- 
lishers on pages 32 and 38. Long experience has shown 
that their manner of giving premiums enables them to 
give those who interest themselves in extending our cir- 
culation much better pay for their time and labor than 
they otherwise could. There is no way in which farmers 
or farmers 1 clubs and granges can supply themselves with 
libraries or obtain many other desirable articles so read- 
ily as by obtaining subscribers for the AgricullmHst. 
The " Basket," which is always full, has 
now overran; and though a portion of its contents will 
be found on page 35, we have not been able to answer all 
the queries of our friends. Some must wait. 
The German Agriculturist is pub- 
lished at the same price as the English edition, and is 
mainly a reproduction of that paper, with a special de- 
partment edited by the Hon. T. Hii&ch. Will our read- 
ers kindly mention this to their German friends ? Per- 
haps some who employ Germans as gardeners, laborers, 
etc., would be glad to supply them with useful reading 
matter by subscribing for the German edition for them. 
State Oranges. — Upon the 10th of last 
month two very important meetings of the Patrons of 
Husbandry were held— the State Grange of Illinois, at 
Bloomington, and that of Iowa, at Des Moines. Both 
were well attended, some Keren hundred delegates being 
present at Bloomington and a correspondingly large 
number at Des Moines. The addresses of the Masters at 
both Granges were full of good sense, and had reference, 
among other matters, to the action of the order in poli- 
tics. The course of some subordinate orders in political 
matters waa disapproved. As we learn from conversa- 
tion and correspondence with some of the most promi- 
nent men in the order, they do not propose, as a body, 
to take a part in politics, but, just as the members of a 
church will vote for candidates who they suppose are 
not adverse to religions progress, so the members of the 
granges will vote as individuals for those candidates who 
will best advance the interests of the farmers. This 
position being known, it led in California, recently, to 
both parties presenting unusually good candidates. 
Othonna — Correction. — Last month we 
gave an engraving of this promising new succulent, 
whieli was a correct representation of everything except 
the flowers. Except in bright sunshine the ray petals 
curl up as shown in the engraving, and the artist drew 
them ae he saw them. We should have directed him to 
draw them with the ray 8 spread flat, like those of an Ox- 
eye Daisy. 
English Farm Labor for America. 
—The visit of Mr. Joseph Arch to this country has awak- 
ened a new interest in the introduction of English farm 
laborers. Several have written to us in regard to those 
who advertise their readiness to provide laborers under 
the auspices of Mr. Arch and the association he repre- 
sents. In an interview with Mr. Arch shortly before he 
returned to England, he distinctly assured us that he 
ehould in no case treat with individuals, but only with 
governments and organized societies of known responsi- 
bility. He was so positive upon this point that it is dif- 
ficult to believe that he has "gone back" upon himself 
and authorized unknown persons to act with his au- 
thority. If he has done this, then he is not so well fitted 
to represent the laboring class as his previous course 
gave us reason to believe him to be. Pending definite 
information on this matter, we advise no one to risk a 
dollar upon a venture, but be sure that he has some se- 
curity that hi8 money will be properly used. The sum 
asked in advance— $5— is so ridiculously inadequate to 
bring out a man from England, that with our present 
knowledge we look upon the whole matter with sus- 
picion. A gentleman of our acquaintance has made per- 
sistent efforts to see one of the persons who advertises 
to bring out English laborers, and gone from hotel to 
boarding-house so often in vain that it looks— so far as 
this person is concerned— as if he were avoiding rather 
than seeking business. "Wait a bit" is a good motto 
to adopt in this matter. 
Our Fiuc Chromos. — Read all about 
them on page 32. It is very easy to secure one or both. 
Take Both Papers. — If both the 
American Agriculturist and Hearth and Home are 
token together they may be had for only $-1, and $4.50 
pays for both papers and a Chromo with each. 
Only Ten Cents. — We advise every 
reader of the Ameiicaai Agriculturist who docs not now 
take IIeauth and Home to get No. 1 for January 3d, 1874. 
It contains a supplement with the opening chapters of 
Mrs. Rebecca Harding Davis's great new story, "John 
Andross," and is filled with other good things. Get it of 
your newsdealer, or send a dime to this office, and a copy 
will be forwarded post-paid. 
TUe Garden Library. — Our friend 
Robinson, editor of The Garden (England), has estab- 
lished what he calls the Garden Library, for the sale of 
new and second-hand books upon horticulture and kin- 
dred subjects. A neat catalogue, giving the works for 
sale and prices, can be had by addressing The Garden 
Library, No. 37 Southampton street, Covent Garden, 
London, W. C, England. 
Farms tor Premiums. — A most liberal 
offer of farm lands as Special Premiums is made by the 
Publishers to those who will secure clubs of subscribers 
for the American Agriculturist and Hearth and Home. 
See particulars on third-cover page of this paper. 
Do \ oi Fail to Read it. — The 
Premium List on page 33 of this paper is worthy of the 
attention of everybody who would like to do good and at 
the same time make money. Thousands of persons in 
years past, not only in all parts of this country, but also 
in British America and in other parts of the world, have 
each obtained one or more of these valuable premium 
articles by simply collecting a list of subscribers and for- 
warding them, with their subscriptions, to the publish- 
ers. Do not fail to read the Premium List. 
Illustrated Register of Rural 
Affairs for 1S74. Albany: Luther Tucker & Son. 
— If we do not always notice the appearance of this use- 
ful annual it is because the publishers fail to send an 
editorial copy. It is sufficient praise for this number to 
say that it is worthy to stand by the side of its predeces- 
sors. We do not know where more can be had for the 
money— 30c, for which sum it is sent by mail from this 
office. 
A Fine Catalogue ot" a Fine 
Library is that of the Massachusetts Horticultural 
Society, recently issued. The library is rich in new and 
old books relating to horticulture, and its treasures are 
always accessible to those interested in consulting it. 
Here is one library at least in the care of those who de- 
sire to make it useful, and the Massachusetts Society de- 
serve great credit not only for accumulating such a fine 
collection of books, but for publishing a complete cata- 
logue which gives not only subjects but authors in a 
manner for ready reference. Horticulturists visiting 
Boston should not fail to see this library, and if they do 
not find the veteran Buswell at the rooms ready to serve 
them they will find his place filled by his wife or son, 
either of whom are always ready to make a stranger 
welcome. 
Much Castor-Oil. — A writer in the Kansas 
Farmer says: "Scientific writers inform us that there 
are no less than 1,500 species of the Castor-oil plant."— 
We do not know to what " scientific writers " this corre- 
spondent has access, but the standard botanical work of 
the age, De Candolle's Prodromns, posts up the whole 
number of species of Ricinus or Castor-oil plant, and 
makes— just one! We may add that he recognizes six- 
teen varieties of this species. 
TUe English of It. — French names for 
fruits when they come into common use by English- 
speaking people, sometimes become enrionsly trans- 
formed. The Gardeners'* Chronicle tells us that the pear 
Josephine de Malincs is known in England as Joseph on 
the Palings. We can nearly cqnal that on Broadway, 
where a vender placards his " Dan Jo." pears, this being 
his rendering of Beurre d'Anjou. 
SJM»RV HUHIBUOS.— If one were to 
sit at the window of this office and watch the passers on 
Broadway he would notice that among the hundreds and 
thousands who go by, some faces will reappear at short 
intervals. When his eye becomes accustomed to the 
crowd he will observe that certain men, either singly or 
in pairs, pass up and soon after go down the street, seem- 
ing to have no particular destination. These persons 
are not especially noticeable in the matter of dress, but 
the observer will find something not altogether pleasant 
in their faces, and if he inquires about them of some one 
familiar with the street he will learn that they are known 
as "strikers," "beats," and by other slang names, and 
that their business is to prey upon 
STRANGERS IN NEW STORK. 
The manner in which they operate can be illustrated 
by a bit of personal experience. A few evenings ago as 
the writer of this was hurrying to the boat in order to go 
to his home in the country, he was accosted by a person 
who was coming rapidly towards him with outstretched 
hand and countenance expressive of gratification with: 
"Well, well, of all things in the world! Why who in 
would have thought of meeting you here! When 
did you get in V — " I do not know you, sir, who are you?" 
was the reply. "What! Don't you recollect Dr. Nor- 
ton?" he said, and seeing the kind of chap we had to 
deal with, we humored him a little, and instead of deny- 
ing all knowledge of the "Doctor," we asked: "Well, 
Doctor, how is practice?" — "Oh I am not practising 
now; I'm in business."— "Business eh? what kind?" — 
"I am selling oft" a fine lot of jewelry and watches cheap; 
it is close by here, come along and Bee them." The 
Doctor was informed that New York had been our 
place of business for some 20 years, and that his little 
game would not work. There is a gang of scoundrels 
who infest the much traveled streets and make up to 
strangers in this barefaced manner, and too often suc- 
ceed in fleecing them. The police when they sec that 
one of these rogues has a victim in tow inform the 
stranger of the character of his companion. This is all 
they can do, as they can not make an arrest unless some 
misdemeanor is actually committed. Almost every one 
comes to New York sometime or another, and we must 
warn all who visit this or any other large city to repel 
the approaches of any stranger, no matter under what 
pretext he forces himself upon them. Do not even in- 
quire the way to a place or ask any other information of 
a stranger upon the street, but always apply to a police- 
man, or if one is not readily found step into a respectable 
looking store and make the necessary inquiries. 
SUSPICIOUS LIVE-STOCK DEALERS. 
We have before mentioned that numerous complaints 
have been made of certain dealers in live stock in Penn- 
sylvania, and letters continue to come relating transac- 
tions which, as they are represented by one of the parties, 
appear to be nothing less than downright swindles. The 
gentlemen who complain have sufficient means to for- 
ward pay for high priced animals ; why do they not bring 
these alleged swindlers into court f The latest letter re- 
ceived in relation to this matter comes from a postmaster 
in New Mexico, and we give an extract from it to show 
the general tenor of the charges against the firm: "In 
Feb. last I sent to & Co., of P g. Pa., for fine 
chickenB. I sent them a draft for $2(1, and as yet have 
got nothing from them, only they acknowledged the re- 
ceipt of the money. Then they wrote me that the Ex- 
press Co. would not take them unless the charges were 
prepaid, and that I should send them so much (the 
amount of Ex. charges) and they would ship. I then mis- 
trusted them, and wrote to pay express charges out of 
the money I sent them, and send chickens for the balance 
as per my letter. That seemed to be a deadener on them, 
and from that time I can get no reply whatever." The 
writer of this letter asks if wc do not think this firm 
ought to be exposed. We certainly do, and the best way 
to expose them is to bring a criminal suit against them 
for obtaining money under false pretenses. 
TnE PANIC AND HUMBUGS 
seem to have a relation to one another, as while we USD.- 
ally have a lively opening for the winter trade we never 
knew matters so dull as at present. The newer States 
and Territories are especially favored by the humbug 
chaps. One gentleman living in Colorado sends us no 
less than nine circulars of different schemes, which he 
had received within a short, time Those who wish to 
get rich quickly might invest in the 
GOLDEN BUTTER COMPOUND. 
ThiB time the butter stnffhails from Marion, Ohio. What 
is the use of Alderney cows when with this stuff butter 
can be made for " three cents a pound.' 1 '' We can afford to 
butter our bread on both sides. Those chaps in New 
York who male, "butter" out of tallow have to Mil a 
