AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
Februahy, 
Containing a great variety of Items, including many 
good Hints and Suggestions which we give here in small 
type and condensed form, for want of space elsewhere. 
Newspaper Mail Burned. — There were 
two fires among the mail bags, about the time our Decem- 
ber and January numbers were sent out. As near as we 
can judge, our papers mainly escaped. If, however, from 
this or other causes, any subscribers failed to receive any 
of these numbers, they will please notify us. 
Unanswered abetters.— During sis -weeks 
past, from five hundred to two thousand subscriptions 
to the American Agriculturist, have been received 
daily. With them have come many queries, hints, and 
suggestions, for which we are thankful. A thousand or 
more of these are answered or referred to directly or in- 
directly, in articles or items in the present number, and 
the others will receive the earliest possible attention. 
Let the material still accumulate ; it will keep well, and 
be turned to good account. A large number of letters on 
personal matters, requiring answers by letter, have also 
come to hand. Several hours daily and nightly have 
been devoted to such, but many are yet unanswered, 
simply because there are not hours enough in the day. 
No Seed Distribution this Year.— 
Our annual custom has been to offer free to all our 
subscribers, a large assortment of field, garden, and 
flower seeds. In this way millions of parcels have been 
scattered over the land, and the multiplied products are 
to be found in almost every county and town from Maine 
to California. This year we must forego this pleasant 
custom, for four reasons : 1st. The severe drouth greatly 
deteriorated our growing seed plants ; 2nd. The more 
than doubled cost of importation, deters us from getling 
the usual assortment of choice new Seeds from Europe ; 
3rd. The greatly increased cost of printing paper, etc., 
leaves too little margin of profit for the expense ; and 
4th. The strawberry plants involve all the trouble we 
can manage this year. 
Convention ©f Cheese Diarymen. 
—Pursuant to a call signed by some forty proprietors of 
" cheese factories," this convention was held at Rome, 
N. Y., January 6th. There were present a very large 
number of those interested, chiefly from Central and 
Western New York. The cheese factories represented, 
consume the milk of 40,000 cows. Various processes of 
cheese making were discussed. A plan for a State Asso- 
ciation was presented and adopted. The officers elected 
were : President, Hon. George Williams, Oneida Co. ; 
Vice Presidents, Col. Seth Miller, Lewis Co., D. Hamb- 
lin, Jefferson Co., A. L. Fish, Herkimer Co., J. E. Morse, 
Madison Co., Moses Kinney, Cortlandt Co. ; Secretary, 
William H. Comstock, of Utica ; Treasurer, R. R. Lyon, 
Lewis, Co. More than one hundred members joined the 
association. Any person becomes a member by pay- 
ment of one dollar. It was decided that the association 
would not establish an agency in New York city. The 
officers are expected soon to issue in pamphlet form the 
reports had from numerous cheese factories, in connec- 
tion with other valuable information. This is an im- 
portant move, and if not prostituted to mere speculative 
ends, will be of very great value to the country at large, 
and particularly to the great dairy regions of New York. 
USealtfr of 'Square HSunlcer. — In an- 
swer to many anxious Inquirers about the health of our 
old correspondent, the Yankee 'Squire of Hookertown, 
Conn., we are happy to say he is well and will doubt- 
less be heard from in the next Agriculturist — perhaps 
(like an old razor), all the shrewder and sharper for 
having been off duty for a few months. 
Grape Queries.— "W. H. D.," Rochester, 
N. Y. See page 325 of November Agriculturist for list 
of market grapes. The Delaware and Clinton are as far 
as known the only really hardy wine grapes. The Con- 
cord has a reputation as a wine grape in Missouri, but 
little is known of it, in this respect, at the North. 
Canada Postage on Seeds, etc.— As 
stated last month, packages of seeds, cuttings, bulbous 
roots, and cions or grafts, are posted In Canada for deliv- 
ery to any address within the Provinces or in the United 
States, by pre-payment with postage stamps, at the rate of 
one cent per ounce. Such packages received from the 
United States are charged the same rate, on being deliv- 
ered. The parcels are not to exceed 16 ounces. No 
communication, other than the address and a statement 
of the nature of the contents, can be written or printed on 
the parcel or enclosed in It. It must be put up so as to 
admit of easy examination of Its contents. If in bags, 
they must be simply tied at the neck so as to admit of in- 
spection If desired. We understand that this does not 
cover United States postage on such parcels as are sent 
from this country, our law requiring all such parcels to be 
pre-paid, wherever they may be sent to. Dealers and 
others here will of course pre-pay the United States post- 
age, and Canadians will only need to pay their one cent 
per ounce. This will give the two countries excellent fa- 
cilities for interchange of seeds, plants, etc. We can 
hereafter send our strawberry plants, and other ar- 
ticles, to Canada subscribers, the same as to those in the 
U. S., without the fear that they will be sometimes taxed 
$3.20, Instead of 16 cents per lb. — Books, book manuscript, 
proof sheets, maps, prints, drawings, engravings, photo- 
graphs, printed or written sheet music, go at the same 
rate as seeds, if no glass be In or about the package. 
The above applies only to Upper and Lower Canada, but 
we hope to soon announce a similar liberal policy in the 
Post Office Departments of the other British Colonies. 
Tlie Ag-riculturist at tHe goutb.— 
Before the breaking out of the war, this Journal circu- 
lated considerably in the Southern States— but in no re- 
gion so largely as in Eastern Tennessee. The war cut 
those all off for a time, but almost the first through-mail 
has brought back renewals from points previously inac- 
cessible. The following is one of this class-: " Chattanoo- 
ga, Tenn., Dec. 25. Dear Sir : Enclosed please find $1 for 
the American Agriculturist for 1864 : it will be a welcome 
New Year's Gift, after having been so long deprived of 
It."— Our circulation at the South lost by the war, has 
been more than made up elsewhere, but we shall gladly 
welcome back our old subscribers in Tennessee and oth- 
er regions, as fast as communication is opened. 
Land for Sale and to Lease at tlie 
South.— The Commissioners appointed by Govern- 
ment, are selling land of rebels for the taxes, at rates 
but little higher than Government wild land. Offi- 
cers appointed for the purpose, in the cotton and sugar 
districts, lease plantations under certain conditions to 
men who come well recommended. Concerning lands 
in South Carolina and Florida, in-formation may be had 
by writing to Brig. Gen. Rufus Saxton, Beaufort, S. C. 
Or a letter to Secretary Usher, of the Department of the 
Interior at Washington, D. C, would probably bring out 
the facts relative to all such matters. 
Wbat Bfioolis to Buy.— Many who wish 
to add to their stock of information— a praiseworthy de- 
sire—ask us to tell them by letter what books to buy on 
certain subjects. This is not possible. Our book list on 
page 62 will give pretty good information. The most 
esteemed works are marked with a star (*); some are 
doubly starred, to express their high value. But few 
really good books are published in the world. 
Sundry Humbugs* — "We hope our readers 
are by this time too wide awake, and too well informed, 
to need a lengthy notice of the many new swindles com- 
ing out; they will especially abound, as the planting 
season comes on. Look out for any number of wonder- 
ful plants that will be set forth as of surpassing excellence 
by advertisements and circulars. Our -humbug drawer 
Is packed full of such circulars, all sent in by subscribers, 
which we have not room to notice now. Among them 
are: A Philadelphia-Nevada-Mining-Company, issuing 
shares at $2.50 each, the operators of which only give in- 
formation through the Post Office, and are hard to get 
hold of. Grant, Harris & Co's "Merrimac (N. H.) Joint 
Stock (swindling) Company." "Shelby College Lotteries", 
prizes of which are paid by New York "Bankers" whom 
nobody here knows. Geo. W. Moore's Dacosta N. J. 
cash and watch operations. Thomas G. Browne's Bronx- 
vllle, N. Y., humbug "Cosmopolitan Art Union" prizes , 
who Is so honest, and generous, as to offer to send you 
$200 for $10, — the old dodge of writing a letter about mis- 
laid letters, ticket "1649", and offering to lie for you. A 
Cedar Street concern, seeking agents ("the same old 
coons"). "A Fortune For All" offered in half a dozen 
places. "Oriental Sugar Plant" turned up again., "Prof." 
Weslock's filthy private propositions to young men, al- 
ready noticed. "Northern Honey", "Health Associa- 
tions", etc., etc., etc., etc., etc. 
White Willow Fences.— In the Decem- 
ber and January numbers, we gave the results of the ob- 
servations of our intelligent and trustworthy Associate, 
who made a thorough reconnoissance of the region where 
the wilows have been most largely tried at the "West. 
He went expecting to have little good to say of them, but 
was happily disappointed. Having no pecuniary end to 
subserve, he had not the slightest motive to describe 
them otherwise than as he found them. But while we 
hope much for the willow, yet in this, as in all other new 
enterprises, we advise farmers not to rush into their cul- 
tivation too hastily. "When good cuttings of the true 
variety can be obtained from parties known to be reliable, 
it will be well to try a small number at first and to extend 
the culture, if the soil is found adapted to their growth, 
as fences or wind-breaks. A good many advertisements 
have been sent to us, most of which we decline because 
we know nothing positive respecting the reliability of 
parties offering them. One of those advertising them, 
Mr. Pike, was recommended to us as a reliable and re- 
sponsible gentleman, in a recent letter from one of the 
corresponding editors of the Rural New Yorker. 
What is the Matter in Western 
York ?— During several weeks past, subscriptions have 
been coming in great numbers from all over the "Genesee 
Country" and Upper Canada. Nearly 200 names were 
sent the other day from a single Post Office just out of 
Rochester. We hardly know how to account for this, as 
we have no agent there, and have not sent a single show- 
bill, circular, or advertisement into that region for a year 
or more, thus respecting the pre-emption or "squatter 
rights" of others. Perhaps the farmers there have in some 
way heard that one of the Editors of the Agriculturist 
was brought up on a farm near the Canada line, and 
knows by experience what is needed thereabouts. Per 
haps it is in part due to the gratuitous advertising of our 
strawberry and other premiums by a "Weekly contempora- 
ry, while contrasting them with his own premium offers. 
The largest Hog; ever Seen in 
America. — An immense hog was killed in this city 
Jan. 12th, by Lippincott & Martin, butchers, 511 Tenth 
Avenue. He was freely exhibited, while alive, by his 
feeder before the door of the Agriculturist and other 
newspaper offices, and excited much interest. Mr. 
A. H, Benham, of M'Lean, Tompkins Co., N. Y., by 
whose judicious management his weight reached the 
enormous figure of 1355 lbs., has been careful to have 
his weight repeatedly taken and certified to under oath. 
In February, 1863, he weighed 1120 lbs. ; in October 
1276 lbs. ; December 19th, 1340 lbs. and December 29th, 
when he left home for the Metropolis, 1355 lbs. He fell 
off rapidly during the fortnight which intervened before 
he was slaughtered, and did not feed well, but was active, 
stood and walked in a very unusual manner for so fat 
an animal. When killed, January 12th, his live weight 
was 1272 lbs. ; dressed weight 1174 lbs. ; offal 73 lbs. , 
blood 25 lbs. Through the courtesy of Mr. Benham we 
have secured the skin, and-placed it in the hands of a 
skillful taxidermist to be prepared and "setup" in a 
life-like form, and placed in the office of the Agricultu- 
rist, where it will stand as Mr. Benham's challenge to 
the "World. It will be finished early during this month. 
Worms in Colts.— John Bennett, Ripley 
Co., Ind. The symptoms you describe are those of 
worms— but the only proof of the presence of these para- 
sites is ocular demonstration. This you have, but you 
omit to describe the appearance of the worms. Tur- 
pentine is the old remedy for tape-worm, the dose being 
for colts 4 years old and under, as many half ounces as 
the animal is years old— 1 oz. is not too much for a colt 
6 months old ; but pumpkin seeds are now the favorite 
remedy for human patients and why should it not do for 
horses. Try it. Mash the seeds and give them to the 
colt in the morning, after his fasting 24 hours ; follow 
this with a purge of some sort— G drachms of pulverized 
aloes, and 10 ounces of ginger, with enough honey or 
molasses to roll them into a ball, will do. This may bring 
away other worms too. For round worm : 2 drachms of 
tartar emetic given toafnll grown horse every morn- 
ing for several days, in a ball, is recommended, for pin 
worms injections of train oil and of brine are advised. We 
hare not had much experience with these pests. 
How to Feed Turkeys.-A Lady sub- 
scriber of Montgomery Co., Pa., describes her method of 
feeding Turkeys, for the Agriculturist : A trough is made 
by nailing two boards together with end pieces extending 
3 inches above the trough ; upon these nail a cover. Set 
this trough firmly on legs 1% feet from the ground. The 
Turkeys can reach it and get their heads in. Chickens 
cannot; neither can they better their condition by flying 
up upon the trough. She adds " I keep corn or mush al- 
ways in it and the turkeys eat whenever they are hungry, 
and will fatten much sooner than when the feed is thrown 
on the ground. I have fed over 50 the past season, the 
young ones of which weighed, goblers 18 to 23 lbs., hens 
12 to 15 lbs, and they were not of the large breed either." 
Josian Carpenter's Commission 
House.— Those who have recently addressed us in 
regard to this, will please refer to Mr. Carpenter's Card 
or Letter, in the advertising columns. 
