1865.] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
Veiinont : Burlington, Montpelier, liutlaud. Massa- 
cliusetts : Boston, Fall Rivev. Lowell. Lynn, Pittsfleld, Sa- 
lem. Connecticut : Bt-idgeport, Hartford, New Haven, 
New London. Rlioile Island ; Newport, Providence. 
■ IVcw York : Albany, Albion. Auburn, Binghamptou, 
Brooklyn. Buffalo, Elinira, Hndson, Lockporl., Newburg. 
New York City. Norwich, Ogrtensburg. Oswego, Plattsburg, 
Poughkeepsle, liochester, Saratoga Springs. Syracuse, Troy, 
Utica, Watertowu. New Jersey : Jersey City. >iewark, 
Ticuton. Pt'unsylvania : Easton, Erie, Harrisburg 
Ilonesdale, Joluistown, Lewiston, Meadville, Newcastle, 
Pliiladelpliia. Pittsbara:. Pottsville, Reading, Scranton, Wil- 
liaiusport. Dela-\varc : Wilmington. Maryland : 
Annapolis, Baltimore, Cuniberlaml, Frederick. D, C, : 
■Washington. Soutli Carolina : Port Royal. Vir- 
g^inia : Alexandria, Norfolk. Old Point Comfort. West 
Virginia: Wheeling. Ohio : Chillicotlie, Cincinnati, 
Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Lima, Marietta, Portsmouth, 
Sandusky, Toledo, Urbana, Wooster, Senia, Zanesville. 
Indiana : Evansville, Fort AVayne.Indianapolis, Lafayett'', 
Madison, Terre Haute, Vincennes. Michigan : UeiriMt, 
Grand Kapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing. Wisconsin : iJe- 
loit. La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, Racine, Sheboygan. 
Illinois : Alton, Bloomington, Cairo, Chicago, Elgin, Free- 
port, lialena, Ottawa, Peoria. Quincy, Rockford, Rock Island, 
Springfield. Kentucky ; Lexington, Lnnisville. 
Tennessee : Chattanooga, Memphis, Nashville. Mis- 
sissippi : Vicksbnr.!?. Louisiana : New Orleans. 
Missouri : St, Louis. loAva : Burlington, Davenport, 
Desnioines, Dubuque. Keokuk, Muscatine. Minnesota : 
lied Wing, St. Paul, Wiuona. 
Coal Xar tor Stakes aiid Labels.— 
Stakes used in nursery rows, or for labeling plants in 
general, will by dipping the portion which enters the soil 
in coal tar, last four times as long as if not so prepared. 
TTliere to Locate. — Among the difficult 
and almost unanswerable questions addressed to the 
American Agriculturist, are those of wliich the following 
is a specimen : " Will you give your opinion as to which 
is the best place for raising small fruit, New Jersey or 
Delaware ?" We have before stated our inability to give 
definite replies to such questions, but they continue to 
come. In reference to the question above quoted, the 
choice would depend mainly upon one's object. If lie 
wislies to raise early fruit for the New York and Phila- 
delphia markets, he would naturally look towards Dela- 
ware. There is an abundance of land in both Delawaie 
and New Jersey adapted to small fruit-growing, and one 
should first determine what market lie intends to supply, 
and then locate with reference to marketing facilities. 
A few days of peisonal observation will be of great 
value to a person about to engage in such an enterprise. 
I^ancl AdTcrti^ements. — This class of 
business notices we admit with less strictness of investi- 
gation than almost any other, because it is not supposed 
that any one will buy a landed property witliout full per- 
sonal investigation. Sometimes such advertisements may 
lead to needless traveling, but we always advise a man 
seeking a permanent homestead to visit a number of 
different points before deciding wheiehe will finally settle 
down. The time and money thus expended will be 
fully saved in the long run, not only in securing a better 
location and better land, but in acquiring a knowledge of 
soil culture generally. Several NeW Jersey tracts are 
from time to time advertised. Concerning them, we have 
received a great variety of letters: some, who would 
seem to be goodjudges, speak of them in high praise, 
while others condemn them in unmeasured terms. We 
have long intended to give several of these tracts a thor- 
ough personal examination, but, so fdr, one thing and an- 
otlier has come up to interfere with the project. 
A ^Soveriament AgricDiltiiral 1l[']da- 
tor.— The wife of one of a firm celebrated for black- 
ing making boasted of keeping a poet ; so may the De- 
partment of Agriculture pride itself on keeping an edi- 
tor — or at least some person whose business it is tr» en- 
gineer the agricultural press in its interests. We have re- 
ceived, under the frank of the Department, a "notice" of 
the Report of 1863, all nicely made l^uuv hands by the Gov- 
ernment scribe. As we happen to prefer to write our own 
notices— having one already in type when this official one 
came — we decline the kind offer. Has the Department so 
little confidence in its claims upon the favorable consid- 
eration of the press, that it^iust keep some one on hand 
to manufacture opinions for it ? As we help pay for this 
Agricultural Department, we reserve to ourselves the 
right to commend or censure, as its acts may demand, 
and as a lax payer, we objei^t to the employment of a 
Washington correspondent at public expense. Judging 
!rom fne signature, we find the same ready writer ap- 
pears in the Prairie Farmer, in an article which sets 
forth the wondeiful mental and physical qualilies of the 
head of tlie Department, in a style romantic- and peculiar. 
The whole article is so funny ihat we regret we have 
not room for it. We can give only an extract : " At nine 
A. M., the CouuTnissioner and his corps of clerks are at 
llieir desks. A page has placed before the Commissioner 
a pile of five hundred letters, more or less ; these are all 
opCDed ^nd read by him, contents nojed and iinmecllately 
sent to the clerk in whose department they properly be- 
long. Half an hour after, the string of daily visits com- 
mences — some to form his agreeable acquaintance, others 
for office, some for employment at putting up seeds, again 
a petition desiring his signature, then a subscription list 
for some charitable purpose, now an old friend claims re- 
cognition." Now we think we know something about 
opening letters, and have some clerks who are rather 
quick at the business, but uOO letters in half an hour 
is latlier rapid work. It is over IG a miniUc, and gives 
nearly four seconds to each. This is quick opening, but 
when we consider that they are at the same time "read 
and the contents noted," it becomes something super- 
hiuiian. Well may the writer add, "None but one of 
gieat strength of both body and mind could persevere 
under such a herculean task"— to which we say, "just so." 
Original Coniiudnim. — When is an edi- 
tor like a greedy swine ? Ans. When he steals from others* 
pens. Exchanges who take articles fVom tlie American 
Agriculturist without giving any credit, will please copy. 
A Ifiad. Case. — A fi-icnd in Conuecticut has 
sent us a circular of a so-called "Purchasing .Agency" 
in New York, of a cliaracter too indecent to particular- 
ize. Were we to expose the swindler by name it would 
only give him a wide advertising, which would just suit 
him. He is lost to shame, and the best we can do in the 
case is to hand the vile circular to the Chief of Police. 
^Vhat is iBie Best Horse Boole ?— 
We are often asked, and many limes have answered, 
that for general use. for indicating the principles which 
should guide any one in breeding, buying, training and 
using hoises, " Herbert's Hints to Horse-keepers'" stands 
unrivaled among American books. " Majjhew's Horse 
Management."' and " Doctor," are very English, but con- 
tain a f&st deal of Viilue to all horsemen, mixed with 
more or less which is of little use to American farmers. 
TI»e Cotton Planter's Manual.— This 
work, by J. A. Turner, was the first, and we believe llie 
only work publislied on the culture of cotton. In view 
of the fact that many persons who have had no previous 
experience in cotton growing, are engaging in thisbranch 
of Agriculture, a new edition of this work is publish- 
ed to meet a growing demand. Aside fiom the 
author's ownexpeiience, tlie work embodies essays and 
letters from several other cultivators, and contains a 
great deal of useful^ and interesting information. 
Bail^vay Acci«lents in C<reat Brit- 
ain,— The London Arlizan states that in 1861,79 pas- 
sengers were killed and 789 injured by railway acc^idenls 
in the United Kingdom ; in 1862, on an increased number 
of lines, 35 were killed, 536 injured ; 1863, with still more 
numerous lines. 35 were killed, and 401 injured. These 
matters aic managed differently in the United States, 
where as with other enterprises the slaughter of rail- 
road passengers is conducted on a magnificent scale. 
Ciacesc Mannfi'actnrer's Associa- 
tiou,— The second annual meeting of the New York 
State C. M. A. is announced to take place at the City 
Hall of Ulica, Januai-y 11th and 12th instant. In addi- 
tion to the regular business, it is proposed to discuss the 
following important topics : — Improved Methods of 
Cheese Manufacture; Best Manner of Marketing Cheese, 
whether direct or through middle men : A Uniform Rale 
of Cheese Manufacture for 1865; The Best Manner of 
Organizing Factories, whether by private enterprise, by 
corporations, or otherwise ; Best Breed of Cows for the 
Dairy ; Summer and Winter Management of Milch Cows, 
etc., etc. There should be a full attendance of dairymen. 
Barniun's Ainericau JVIusenni.^ 
Strangers in the city have asked us the question, " Sliall 
we go to Barnum's ?" " Will it pay ?" Our answer has 
been, and is, "Yes." The Museum contains a large 
and rare collection of curiosities, to which Mr. 
Barnum is continually adding from every quarter of the 
globe, and from every kingdom of nature— giants and 
dwarfs, fat people and lean ones, whales, minnows, and 
queer fish, birds of many feathers, animals, minerals, 
specimens of the oldest, and the most beautiful produc- 
tions : but it would require a book to enumerate them. 
There is enough to please, instruct, exercise and gratify 
curiosity, to repay for many hours of careful examination. 
A ^35 Bollar Farmer^s I^il>rary,— 
We are often asked to recommend a greater or less nxun- 
ber of books, for a Fanner's Library. Our book list, 
(page 29,) is kept standing to answer such queries. Here 
ia a list just made up for one who desires us to select 
from available books an assortment f-or $25 ; American 
Farm Book ; American Weeds and Plants ; Allen's Rural 
Aichilecturq ; Barry's Fruit GarUen ; Bement's Poultry ; 
Dadd's Horse Doctor ; French's Farm Drainage ; Flint 
on Grasses ; Flint on Milch Cows; Fuller's Grape Cul- 
turist: Fuller's Strawberry Culture ; Herbert's Hints to 
HorseUeepers ; Langstrothor Quinbvon Bees ; Our Farm 
of Four Acres (bound edition) ; Onion Culture ; Tobacco 
Culture (if wanted) ; Todd's Young Farmer's Manual, 
Youalt on the Hog ; Shepherd's Own Book ; Watson's 
Home Garden ; Youman's Household Science. This list 
coni[irises a variety on different topics, which would 
make a good foundation for a librnry. and be of far more 
value than any other permanent investment of $25. The 
retail price, or if sent by mail, amounts to about $30 ; but 
a lot like this, taken together and sent by express, could 
be furnished for $25. Ten dollars more added, for Down- 
ing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America ; Bridgeman's 
Young Gardener's Assistant ; Buist's Flower Garden Di- 
rectory ; Quinby or Langstrolh on Bees; Goodale's Prin- 
ciples of Breeding ; Y'ouatt and Martin on Cattle ; Thom- 
son's Food of Animals, and Tucker's Annual Register, 
would make the list still better, and more complete. 
Thirty-five dollars in good books, placed before a son, 
would be of infinitely more value to him. than if laid up 
to be left to him by will, or put into an extra acre of land 
for liim in the future. 
Bacld^s Morse Boctor.— We know of 
no better book for the price, as a guide to anyone who 
must himself treat his horses for those ailments and acci- 
dents to which all horses are liable. It is adapted to pop- 
ular use, and has given general satisfaction. Price $1.50. 
'fl'^lie farmer's Manual. — We often felt 
tlie need of a hand-book of practical mechanical opera- 
tions on the farm, and in the tool shop, before " Todd's 
Young Farmer's Manual" supplied the want. Do you 
want to know how to buy an axe and hang it ? Would 
you like to " post" yourself as to how to examine and 
judge of various kinds of tools, how to fi ame a shed or 
barn, liow to select agrindslone, hang a gate, make a 
fence, plain or ornamental, of wood, stone or wire, temper 
edge tools, survey a lot, lay out the site for a house, or 
plot a field for plowing ? These things are all explained, 
and a great deal more, with numerous good illusirations, 
in the volume above named. Price $1.50. 
Kleepins^ I£a,1>l>its.— This pleaannt and in- 
structive employment for young folks may be made 
more agreeable, perhaps, more profitable too, by greater 
familiarity with the principles of breeding, rarieties, dis- 
eases, and general management. ''BemenVs Rabbit Fan- 
cier" furnislies much excellent information. Price 30 els. 
Xhe Ohio Sorg-hnm Assoriaiiou 
holds its annual meeting at Columbus, in the Hall above 
J. L. Gill & Son, Agricultural warehouse, on tlie 3rd of 
January. Samples of syrup and sugar will be exhibited. 
A Happy Oronp. — The more we study Mr. 
Nast's beautiful sketch, on page 16, the more we enjoy 
it. Every touch of the pencil speaks. The joyous greet- 
ing to the returning patriot, is not only exhibited by the 
whole family group, but the animals appear as if partici- 
pants—the dog, the poultry, the sheep— and even the 
sleek porker seems to be specially pleased. 
ETCrgreen and other Xree Seeds. — 
Those who inquire where tree seeds can be had. will do 
well to notice that Mr. Thomas Meehan. of German- 
town, Pa., advertises several desirable sorts. We under- 
stand that Mr. M. has seeds of several of the rare Rocky 
Mt. evergreens. We fear he will not meet with much 
sale for these, as the seeds of all such tilings firs-t go to 
Europe, and the plants return as higli priced novelties. 
fl»etroloiun is a good thing. Its general in- 
troduction into commerce just at the outbreak of the war 
may be considered Providential, as the immense export 
of the article has saved many millions of gold, and thus 
aided the country's finances very materially. There are 
good companies in operation, but there are also so many 
more bogus ones, or those without a sound basis, that it 
is not safe for a man to invest in them, unless he can go on 
the ground in person, or by a reliable proxy, and definite- 
ly ascertain w liere his money will h«? expended, and how. 
This was all we intended to intimate last nionlh— not to 
discourage enterprise in this direction, as a few seem 
to suppose. As a rule, the most reliable companies say 
little to the public— they think too much of their posses- 
sions to let others come in for a share of the profits. 
XiinotUy Hay in lo-wa,— To show how 
false the notion is that cultivated grasses will not mnke 
good crops of hay in Iowa, J. Rliodea, of Marshall Co., 
assures us that he cut Timothy hay at the rate of 3'^ Inns 
per acre for the fti'st prop, anj piio t^n for Vio aecoiui, 
