1865.1 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
107 
Woodvrard's Counfi-y Houses.— 
Geo. E. A F. W. Woodwurd, Architects of this city, 
hiive just issued a little work very tastefully gotten up, on 
country dvvellinRs. It coniains thirty or more original 
designs, including cotl:iges, gurJens, houses andvilUs, 
R country church, fences, gates, etc., with a valuable 
chapter en balloon frames, ftilly illustrated. Price $1.50. 
:Ve>v Magazine-— Messi-s. Chas. Scribner & 
Co., announce a new- .Magazine, called "ifoMri at Home." 
Jt is to be distinctively religiotis in character, and, as 
wili be seen by tlie advertisement, many prominent 
clergymen and laymt'n are engaged as contributors. 
Starting Sweet Rotatoe*.— " J.W. C," 
Salem Co., N. J., sends us an account of the method he 
has followed for the past 24 years. He commences early 
or late in April, according to the season. The hot-bed is 
made by digging a trench 6 feet wide, 2 'a feet deep, and 
one foot in length for each bushel of potatoes. The 
trench is filled with stable litter, well trodden down, 
:md watered with one bucket of warm water to every 2 
feet of bed. A layer of the best horse manure is spread 
over this, to the depth of 4 or ^ inches, and over this, -1 or 
& inches of light, rich soil. The potatoes are then laid 
upon the soil, nearly touching each oilier, and are covered 
with the same kind of soil, to the dt- pih of l}4 inch. The 
whole is tlien covered with hay, to the deplh of a foot on 
the edge, and fot ming a heap 5 feet high in the middle of 
the bed. The heat of the bed is tested at the end of three 
days, by running ihe ann tluough the hay, and if the soil 
Is found 10 be more than blood warm, the hole left by the 
arm is left open, and if the heat continues to increase, the 
hay is turned over and shaken up. If the heat increases 
loo violently, take ofT the hay, put some rails across the 
bed, and place the liayover them. Be careful not to cool 
the bed loo much, as it is difficult to restore the heat if 
once lost. In lo or 15 days tlie bed is uncovered, to give 
the plants air and sun. Leave it uncovered for two 
hours daily, at first, gradually increasing the exposure 
until past danger of frost, when they may be left open 
night and day. The plants will be ready by May 15. 
Iflails IVont tUe Pactlic <Joast 
Greatly Delayed. — On March Sth. we received a 
very large batch of letters, with money for subscriptions 
and books. Many of these date back as far as Dec. 12. 
This extraordinary delay explains our late responses. 
A Xraniiifpareiit S^team Hugrine.— 
One of the prettiest and most instructive things we have 
ever seen in Barnnm's American Museum, is a late addi- 
tion In tiie form of two complete steam-engines made 
almost wholly of glass, one a high-pressure and the other 
a low-pressure engine. The formation of the steam 
In the glass boilers, its course in the pipes, steam chest, 
condensers, etc.. as it drives the whe'els, are all visible 
to the eye. It affords a capital opportunity for grown up 
people, as well as children, to study and understand this 
most interesting source of power, in practical operation. 
I>oty*s WasUing i?lacliinie. — The pio- 
prielors write that they can supply orders west of the 
longitude of Washington, tnost cheaply from tiieir head- 
quarters at Janesville, Wis. This includes part of the 
territoiy assij;ned to Mr. Lane, of New- York, in the 
notice of the Washer in March A^icuUurist. 
Ijand AdvcrtiMemcnt^. — This cl;iss of 
advertisements we a.lmit to our columns without special 
care or examination, where no money is asked of parlies 
at a distance, for the reason that it is not supposed tliat 
any one will buy a faim or plot of land without a per- 
sonal examination both (<f the character of tlie land and 
the title, and therefore there is no such danger of parlies 
being imposed upon as ihnre Is when one sends money 
or orders lor seeds, plants, etc., to unknown parties. 
Oood Books. — Any one desirinij good books 
on Agriculture, Horticulture, and Domestic Economy, 
can receive a descriptive trade list with an account of 
some fifty different books, by addressing this office. 
Catalog^ues, &.c,^ Received. — Tiansac- 
tions of the American Pomological Society, 1664. This 
volume gives the revised list of fruits, as well as the dis- 
cussions which took place at the meeting held last 
autumn, and Is a valuable work of refei ence to the fruit- 
grower. .. The Tiansactions of the Massachusetts Hor- 
ticultural Society gives, besides the reports of the 
thirty-fifth year of this pioneer inslitulion, an account of 
the laying of the corner stone of its new Horticultural 
Hall. ..Brill & Kumerle. a ne%v firm at Newark. N. J., 
send their catalogue of vegetable and flower seeds, and 
Francis Brill, of Ihe same lirm, issues a catalogue of 
small fruits, containing all the novelties F. K. Phce- 
nlz, Bloomington (.111.) Nursery, is out with a catalogue 
which, besides the usual price lists, contains much lively 
reading. Our friend Phcenix is always ve:y much in 
earnest The Greenvale Nurseries of W. D. Stronger, 
Oswego, N. Y., offer a general assortment of nursery 
stock The seed list of James J. H. Gregory, Marble- 
head, Mass., contains the usual assortment, besides a 
number of Mr. G.'s specialties, some of wiiioh we have 
already noticed McElwain Bros., Springfield, Mass., 
send an illustrated vegetable and flower seed catalogue. 
C. B. Sciiotte & Co., Humboldt Gardens. Armstrong 
Co., Pa., oiler a select list of fruit and ornamental trees. 
Vilmorin, Andrieux «Sc Co., the world-renowned 
seedsmen of Paris, send their catalogue of novelties, 
most of which are announced by our own dealers 
J. Knox, Pittsburgh. Pa., has issued his small Auit cata- 
logue. Grapes and strawberries are specialties with 
Mr Knox, .and his list includes all the desirable sorts. 
— This most vahiabl 
print for some time, 
engravings, at theg 
has been so scarce, 
pei copy has been 
tained. The illustr 
nnw edition is now 
the last of April. 
I^aud^cape i^ardening;. 
e and beautiful work has been out of 
owing to the burning of many of the 
reat Frankfort street fire. The book 
and so highly prized, that $10 to $13 
readily paid for all that could be ob- 
ations are nearly re-engraved, and a 
In press. It will probably be ready 
Tiie price Is reduced to $6 50, 
<jsood Beef Ibr our Soldiers ! — At the 
pret^ent time, a larjae proportion of the fresh beef for our 
principal armies, in Virginia and Norlii Carolina, c.tu be 
best forwarded from this City, the cattle beiog sent on 
steiimers (transports). A government contract, under 
heavy bonds, has been taken by Ileniy Westheiiuer, to 
furidsh all the beef cattle rcquirei,! at this point, from 
March loth to June 15th. The cattle are to be strictly 
Jirst quality, and without the slightest imperfection or 
blemish ; every lot is to aveiage 1300 lbs., live weipht, and 
no single animal to be taken weighing under 1250 lbs. 
on the scales, nor under three years old. All the animals 
are to be examined by the government inspector, and they 
are to be delivered at such points in or near New York 
City, and in such quanlilies, as may be ordered by the 
Commissary of supplies, from time to time. We notify 
Ihe contractor and the in.^pector that there are several 
friends of the soldiers wjio intend to watch over the 
matter, and see that the inspection be rigid. The price 
will pay for good cattle. Tlie contr:tct price of $1.3.49 
per lOU lbs. live weiglit is equivalent to 2ic(a)'2oc per lb. 
for llie dressed or net weight, as bullocks of the required 
quality should dress full 56 lbs., to 100 lbs. live weight. 
Premliinis ibr every* one.— We invite 
special attention to the premiums on page 104, which 
have been omitted, but are restored again tliis month. 
The ai tides offered are all very good, and worthy 
of no little effiDrt to secure them. See particular des- 
cription of each article, on page 2 of January number, 
which we cannot spare room to repeat. Partially com- 
pleted premium clubs can be filled up, and new clubs 
started now. The spring woik in field and garden, now 
beginning, will lead many to feel the want of a journal 
like this. There are many thousands who would get 
some hints or suggestions from these pages, that would 
in the end be worth far more than the cost of the paper. 
Aside from the piemiums. we solicit a good word from 
each of our rea^lers. An invitation to neighbors or 
friends, will often lead them to subscribe— to their own, 
benefit as well as that of the Publisiiei'. 
Sell tlie Rag:<» ^'o-w. — The papermakers 
don't fall a peg on the price of paper from last December 
rates, but rather go up as gold goes down. They say 
rags are scarcer and higher than ever. Better take them 
at their word, and sell every white rag that can be 
gleaned up. These prices can't hold long, 
Xlie As'riciiltitrist Stra^vl>erry 
Plants tosio out tliis inoutli.— With the present 
prospect of good weather. WK liope to begin mailing the 
Strawberry Plants soon after April 3d. They will be first 
sent to the more southern points, and on northward as the 
season allows— probably to the most northern regions ilie 
last of April. Those to receive them, will do well to ar- 
range to get them soon after their arrival. Open the 
parcel, and if ready, set them out at once. If not ready, 
set the roots into moist earth. Have a plot of ground for 
each plant, lightened a Utile, if needed, by black earth 
from the woods, or rotten muck, and a little well-rotted 
manure, well mixed in. Set the plants neaily even with 
the surface, but not so that water will wash In soil up*3n 
tliecrown when they settle. Only have theeround damp ; 
too much water is injurious to any pl-mt. Spread out ilie 
roots. This spring, we shall remove all the foliage. The 
experience of last fall w,ts th;il the attempt to send out 
the leaves on, furnished too large evaporating surface. 
I The best planters always remove nearly or quite all the 
leaves in transplanting stravvberries. The main point is 
to have a supply of fibrous roots, and an uninjured crown. 
Plants look small with the leaves off, but we shall follow 
our best judgment, even if they do not show so well.— 
Many who thought their plants dead last fall, simply be- 
cause the leaves did not always come fresh, will find the 
plants alive this spring.— We only send the plants where 
they were specifically asked for at llie lime of subscrib- 
ing, and the 5 cents extra enclosed for postage and ex- 
pense of putting up. On counting the applicants so far, 
we find we shall have some more plants for the first new 
subscribers applyins for them.— Aside from the reserva- 
tion made for subscribers, as previously announced, our 
entire stock was sold lo Mr. Knox. (See his advertise- 
ment.) We have no plants or seeds of any kind to sell. 
Premiuiit Stra-*vl>erry lt*lants.— For 
terms see last item under " Good Premiums," page 104. 
Tol>acco — Seed Beds. — "J. F." The 
seed beds are generally prepared in the warmest, sunni- 
est spots, where the ground is rich, dry, and free from 
weeds. Its soil Is manured and well worked, by spade or 
plow, then brush with straw and other light stuff. i« 
burned upon it, which not only gives a dressing of ashes, 
but destroys weed seeds, and warms the soil. The bed is 
made smooth by raking and rolling, the seed sowed, 
lightly brushed in, and the surface patted with a board, 
or rolled with a hand-roller. The seed should be tested 
beforehand, and It mny be kepi mixed with moist soil, In 
a warm place, a few days, till U nearly sprouts. When 
sowed, tobacco seed ouglit to be moistened at least, and 
rolled in plaster, so that the sower may see where it 
falls. A tablespooniul of seed to the square rod, and a 
rod of seed bed to the acre, will furiush plenty of plants. 
Tobacco.— IloAV to CJroM' it.— Thebe&t 
possible information on all dfpartments. from selecting 
seed, through the harvesting, curing and marketing the 
crop is given in the Book containing the practical dlree- 
tions of fourteen experienced growers. Price 25 Ct«. 
ESSAYS OIV FLAX CULTURE. 
A-n-ard or Prizes. 
Thirty-five essays were presented, in response to the 
offer of prizes made in November by ihe Publisher of the 
American Agriculturist. The writers of the essays, as 
well as our readers, are equally fortunate in that we were 
able to avail ourselves of the services of a Couimlilee of 
extensive practical experience and scientific knowledge. 
The report of the chairman (Dr. Warder, of Ohio), is a 
valuable document, but too extended for publication 
here. We are happy to have been able, following a sug- 
gestion of Dr. Warder, to secure the services of the 
writer of the first prize essay, to assist in preparing tlift 
other essays for pubiiciition in hook form, and wc hav« 
also now made arrangements with him to become one of 
the editorial corps of the AsricuUurtst. 
Report.— " The Committee award as follows : For the 
best essay. No. 33, by S. E. Todd, Auburn, N. Y. (now 
of New-York City). $60. For tlie second best. No. 24, by 
James Cairns, Ballydurane, Clonokiity, County Cork. 
Ireland, $40. For next five which were consiilered better 
than any of the remainder, $10 each ; these are respen- 
tively. No. 17, by G. S. Kuester. Newca.'^tle. Lawrence 
Co.. Pa. ; No. 5, Dy Wm. H. White, So. Windsor. Hart- 
ford Co.. Conn.; No. 18, by Hugh McKee. Norwich, 
Canada West; No. 19, by James Barker, Hoosick Falls, 
Rensselaer Co.. N. Y. ; No. 20, by John E. Stewart, 
Redding Ridge. Fairfield Co., Conn. 
"All which is respectfully submitted by your Com- 
mittee." [Signed,! John A. Warder, CAajnnan. 
CincinnaU, Feb. 18th, 1865. 
First Prize Essay. 
The subject of flax culture may be properly considered 
uniler three parts : 1st. Tlie preparathm of the soil. 
2nd, The seed, the growth and culturp of llie plant and 
hai*vesting. 3d, The rutting and dressing for market. 
The first two parts belong particularly lo the tiller of the 
soil ; while the third is mure properly a process of mann- 
facture. and though very dii^tinct from each oiher, they 
are frequently performed by the farmer. Flax Is grown 
sometimes for the seed only, ami sometimes for both 
the seed and lint. The seed yields a drying oil of llie 
best quality for painters' purposes, the residue being oil 
cake, used for feeding stock ■ and the straw yields lint of 
two qualities, called flax and tow. Flax is the long, 
slraieht fibre, and tow consists of the short and tangled 
fibre, which separates in dressing the long Unt. Some- 
times, however, the entire fibre is piep:ired as low. The 
lint that is separated from the long fibre, when Ihe flax 
Is dressed, Is called in market, "fijie tow"; it. is man- 
