1871.1 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
4,4=5 
Xlte Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, which 
is hcin" rapidly pushed out from the seaboard to the Ohio, will open up 
not only many splendid fanning regions, but will also bring into market 
vast treasures of coal that have been stored up for untold centuries 
ready for onr day and age. We do not Bee how the bonds of this road 
can fail to be as safe an investment as can he found. Messrs. Fiek & 
Hatch, the agents, give the particulars in our advertising columns. 
A IXevr \A€t and Force IMimp.— Geo. E. Waring, 
Jr., of Ogden Farm, writes: "The pump advertised in the September 
number by the American Pump Company, is the best pump of its kind 
that I have ever seen. It is as good for the kitchen-sink as a common 
pitcher-pump— and it costs but little more— and is as good to force water 
to the top of the house or (in a jet from a hose nozzle) over the roof, or 
to water a greenhouse with, as an elaborate a flair costing from five to ten 
times as mnch. We have loflg needed a good force-pump, that could be 
used for all sorts «f work about a house or barn, and now we have got 
one. I consider mine worth much more than it cost me, simply to 
wash carriage-wheels with, and to shower horses' legs when they arc 
inclined to get out of order." 
Hydraulic Rams.— A "Subscriber," Waterville, Me., 
points out an error, or rather an omission, which was perceived by us 
when too late to remedy, in the article on water rams in the Agriculturist 
for November. It is stated that a No. 5 ram, etc., using 7 gallons of wa- 
ter per minute, would elevate half that quantity to a hight of fifty ora 
hundred feet. There shonl J have been added the words " every fifteen 
to thirty minutes.''' 
Supplement to IBiclcncll's Tillage Builder: 
Containing Eighteen Modern Designs for Country and Suburban Homes 
of Moderate Cost, with Elevations, Plans. Sections, and a Variety of 
Details, all Drawn to Scale, also a Full Set of Specifications, with Ap- 
proved Form of Contract and Estimates of Cost. New York: A. J. Bick- 
nell.— The foregoing title is so descriptive of the contents of the work 
that but little need be added, save that several architects in New Jersey 
and Massachusetts have contributed the designs, and that they are in 
what is now the popnlar style of suburban dwellings. The designs are 
neatly executed, and the part relating to specifications and contracts can 
not fail to be useful. Price $3. 
The Hundred-Dollar Trophy-Xoniato Pre- 
mium. — As our readers are aware, Col. Waring offered last spring 
a premium of $100, to be awarded in the judgment of the editors of 
thi6 paper for the largest specimen that should be sent to this office, of a 
Trophy Tomato, grown from seed purchased directly from him. A large 
amount of fruit was sent in for competition, which was duly examined 
and weighed. The season was unfavorable for the growth of this fruit, 
at least in this section of the country. The largest specimen submitted 
weighed 2 lbs., but it was not of "perfect" form, although its shape 
was not at all objectionable for ordinary purposes. This was raised by 
a Mr. Heath, of Bristol, Ct. A specimen submitted by S. Hemmenway, Jr., 
Potsdam, N. Y., w-uld have received the prize, if size bad not been 
an important condition. This tomato was large enough for any use, and 
the most perfect in form, ripeness, and solidity, that we have ever 
seen. Its weight, however, was only 12 oz. The premium of $100 was 
awarded to Mr. Thomas J. Hand, of Sing Sing, N. Y. His largest 
specimen weighed 21 % oz. and was unexceptionable in all respects, 
though not quite so fine as Mr. Hemmenway's. We learn that Col. Waring 
has secured Mr. nand's entire crop of seed, and that he will renew his 
offer of a $100 premium for the coming year. The Trophy Tomato has 
been a complete snecess, and we are glad to have been instrumental in 
making it known. __ 
FTcarth and Home— Fiction.— U M. F. TV./ 1 New 
Sh .: it, Iowa, would like to subscribe for Hearth and Home, but he 
has ; card that it publishes stories, and "would like to know whether 
this is the case or not, as I do not wish to bring fictitious reading into 
my family." Hearth and Home docs publish fictitious stories, but they are 
not so good as some we could refer " M. F. W." to. Let him refer to 
Luke xv, and he will find a most touching story, beginning, " A certain 
man had two sons." Certainly, if the Saviour chose the parable, which 
is one form of fiction, to impart some of his best-remembered teachings, 
there is nothing in fiction itself that should prevent others from using it. 
Fiction may be prostituted and rendered mischievous, as may any 
other form of literature, but "M. F. W." will not find anything in 
Hearth and Home that he ann not safely take into his family. 
Fowlsfor ExSa£lh>£tio". — As the season for the annual 
poultry shows is at hand, we offttr a few rules for preparing birds for 
exhibition that may be of service to the novice. They should he en- 
tered by trios, each fowl of which mnst match with the others in color 
of feathers, legs, and ryes, as well as age, size, ami general appearance. 
I? i~ necessary that the trio he made up and confined in a small space for 
Borne days before the show, in order that they may become thoroughly 
noonointod. Otherwise they may fight and spoil their appearance. 
Cut care should be taken that they do not become dirty, or impaired 
in health, or get their plumage worn, by being caged too long. A good 
way is to put them for a few days, alternately, in a roomy yard and 
then in a coop of show-room size. They should be coaxed and petted, 
when yonng, so as to not show wrldness. For ten days before the show, 
feed one part linseed meal to three parts corn-meal, daily, and an oc- 
casional handful of hemp-seed. This will increase the luster of the 
plumage. Add a little boiled meat, and plenty of raw cabbage. The 
feathers of white or light-colored birds should he washed, if at all 
stained, in warm water to which a little soda has been added. Wipe 
with a soft cloth and place in a covered basket before a fire to dry. 
To Every Subscriber. 
A SPECIAL, and SEASONABLE REQUEST. 
This number closes Volume 30. Will the Header 
please favor us by renewing his subscription, for 1872, the 
first week in Meccpnfoer, so that our experienced 
clerics can get the new mail-books for Vol. 81 all carefully 
arranged and the wrappers written, ready to mail the next 
number promptly? It will greatly aid our of- 
fice work, and toe ask this early renewal as a special 
favor. 
For the Next Volume of American Agriculturist, the 
Publishers can promise increased attractions. Tlie present 
able Editorial force will remain at work, with the benefit 
of increased experience, and new aid will help make the 
pages still more valuable. Our Engraving Mooms and 
Artist force are now well established in our new, enlarged 
quarters, and our readers will receive a splendid assort- 
ment of very fine, pleasing, and interesting pictures, that 
will alone give information and delight of infinitely 
greater value than the small subscription price, tchich is put 
so low as to little more than cover the cost of printing paper. 
We hope our friends will also take pleasure in inviting 
their friends and neighbors to join the American 
Agriculturist Family for the coming year. We say 
family, for thus toe like to esteem all our readers, 
and our aim is to consult their pleasure and profit in all 
that is prov ided for these pages. 
We also invite attention to our splendid Weekly, Hearth and 
Home. It occupies a different field from the American 
Agriculturist, and is entirely different in matter and engravings. 
The two go well together in any family. Hearth and Home 
is essentially a family or HOME JO TTRNAL — combining the complete 
Newspaper, with elegant and refined Illustrations in large amount 
and great variety. Each number contains first-class editorial articles, 
from the best pens, on topics of the times; a Household Department 
that can but be of great value to every housekeeper ; a Children and 
Youth's Department, edited by IFrs. Mary E. Dodge, that shall not be 
surpassed in variety and interest or usefulness by any journal 
published in the world. A Story Department of the highest character- 
not trashy, sensational novels, but the most pleasing and instructive 
Utcrature,by such minds as Jean Ingelow, Miss Aleott (au- 
■ thor of "-Little Women"), Miss Phelps, Rose Terry, Re- 
becca Harding Davis, Miss Oakey, Edward Everett 
Hale, Edward Eggleston, and others. 
Science, Literature, Amusement, and a great variety of interesting 
and -useful intelligence fill up its ample pages. The NEWS 
DEPARTMENT, containing a clear, condensed account of current 
events throughout the world, brought up to the moment of going 
to press, ii of great value to every business man, woman, and child, 
who has not the lime to wade through the great miss of undi- 
gested items printed in tlie ordinary newspaper. 
We invite our readers to try both the papers for a single year, con- 
fident that they will find them of great value and interest, as well as 
remarkably, cheap. The two are supplied together to regular sub- 
scribers for §4 a year (only 8 ce/its a week). The two papers will 
give more than $3©,©0© worth of new and valuable engravings 
during the year. Subscribers for a year are entered as soon as re- 
ceived now, and get the papers to tlie close of 1872. 
[2p~ Valuable Premiums are offered on page 469 to those 
who send in clubs of subscribers. 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
# 
