204 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[June, 
first week in June is early enough to set the plants. 
See notes and page 175 last month. 
Tomatoes. — As the vines grow, keep tied np to a 
trellis, or place brush to keep them from the ground. 
FIower-Gavden and. I>a« 11. 
Lawns. — Mow often and leave the clippings on 
the grass. A few hours of sun make them invisible, 
and they serve both as mulch and manure. 
Bedding Plants will now need attention. Keep 
the weeds down until the plants cover the beds. 
Annuals may be transplanted and seed be sown. 
Tuberoses need a warm and rich spot. Plants 
that have been started under glass may be obtained 
and will grow rapidly. 
Bulbs. — Do not remove the leaves from those that 
have passed out of flower until they begin to turn 
yellow. Take up Hyacinths, Tulips, Narcissuses 
as soon as the failure of the leaves shows that the 
growth is over. Spread under cover until the 
leaves are dry, and then store in a cool and dry 
place until time to plant in the fall. 
Roses. — When the Remontants pass out of flower, 
cut them back. Remove the remains of the flow- 
ers of the Ever-blooming varieties. Shake off 
rose-bugs. 
Neatness is secured by constant attention to little 
things. Keep straggling plants tied up. Remove 
unsightly flower-stalks unless seeds are wanted.— 
Rake off remains of flowers and dead leaves. Clip 
or pinch shrubs disposed to grow out of shape. 
dJ i-<'<- m-lioiisc :iti«l 'Window Plants. 
These will likely all be out of doors, and they 
must be disposed of according to their needs. — ■ 
Some may be set in full sun, while Fuchsias, Ca- 
mellias and other broad-leaved evergreens need a 
partial shade. Some may he disposed of as or- 
naments to the veranda, while others may be 
plunged in the borders. Place a little coal-ashes 
under plunged plants to keep worms from enter- 
ing. The earth in the pots dries rapidly, and care 
must be taken that they do not sutfer for want of 
water. The pots containing tall plants should be 
protected from strong winds. Procure sods for 
potting soil, and look after supplies of manure. 
Lightning-Rods. 
The peeping of frogs is no surer indication of the open- 
ing of spring, than is the appearance of the lightning-rod 
pedlers. There may he some respectable men engaged 
in hawking about lightning-rods, but most we have met 
are unmitigated nuisances. Our letters indicate that 
many of them arc swindlers, and that when one gets a 
chance at a house, the owner is made to pay roundly. 
There has been so much that is unpleasantand suspicious 
attached to the lightning-rod business, that some whose 
opinions arc regarded as authority, have asserted that all 
lightning-rods arc humbugs. "We cannot agree with this 
view, hut think that a properly constructed rod is a pro- 
tection. There are many cases in which buildings furnish- 
ed with rods have been injured by lightning; this is 
no testimony against lightning-rods in general, but only 
against those particular pieces of work. The kinds of 
rod offered for sale are numerous ; and by twists and other 
externals are made to look very unlike. The cheapest 
material is iron ; copper is a better conductor, hut its ex- 
pensiveness leads to the nse of a larger rod of iron. A 
solid iron rod ££ of an inch in diameter, is found to be 
best and cheapest. It should he as continuous as pos- 
sible, using screw couplings where the lengths cannot be 
welded. The rod may be painted black as a protection 
against rust. Iron fastenings are as good as the glass in- 
sulators, sometimes used. When glass is wet, the insulat- 
ing power is destroyed. The upper end should terminate in 
one or more platinum points. Merely covering with gold- 
leaf is a poor protection against rusting. The lower end 
of the rod should terminate in permanently moist ground. 
All the better if it can terminate in a well, below the 
lowest point the water ever reaches. In cities, the lower 
end of the rod may connect with the main gas or water 
pipes. A tin or other metallic roof should he connected 
with the rod. The number of rods required will depend 
upon the size of the surface to be protected ; the rule 
given by electricians is, that a rod will protect a space 
around in every direction from its base equal to twice its 
night. In practice we believe rods are put nearer together 
than this rule would require. There are no objections, 
save those of expense and appearance, to having any 
number of rods, provided they are properly constructed. 
We have given what are considered by the best au- 
thorities the essential requisites in a lightning-rod. The 
various " improvements " which have been patented from 
time to time are not considered to be of practical import- 
ance. We believe that our best constructors of rods do 
not claim to have any patent about the matter. If some 
one would make and advertise platinum points, any person 
could put up his own rod, with the aid of a blacksmith. 
Commercial Matters— Market Prices. 
The following condensed, comprehensive tables, care- 
fully prepared specially for the American Agriculturist, 
show at a glance the transactions for the month ending 
May 13, 1S70, and for the corresponding month last year. 
1. TRANSACTIONS AT THK NEW YORK MARKETS. 
Receipts. Hour. WJteat. Corn. Bye. Barley. Oats. 
25 clays thin m'tli.231,000 986,000 243,500 12,500 139,000 230.000 
27 days;<Mim'tIl.221,500 478,000 153,000 2.050 313,000 217,000 
Sales. Flour. Wheat. Corn. Bye. Barley. Oats. 
ma&J&thU m'th.243,000 2,414,000 1,170.000 20,000 154.000 1,200.000 
27daystas«m'th.216,000 1,485,000 897,000 1S.500 321,000 059,000 
2. Comparison with same period at this time last year. 
• ' IVIieat. Corn. Jlye. Barley. Oats. 
9S6.000 243,500 12,500 139.000 230,000 
37,000 541,000 11,000 41,000 237,000 
Sales. Flour. Wheat. Corn. Rye. Barley. Oats. 
25 (lays 1S70 243,000 2,414,000 1 ,170,000 20,000 154.000 1.200.000 
26daysI869 217,000 1,093,0001,443,500 70,500 121,000 '.180,000 
Receipts. Flour. 
25daysl870 231,000 =» - 
26 days 1809 182,000 387, 
Exports from New York, Jan. 1 to . 
Flour. 
1870 570,343 
1869 337,389 
186S 319,202 
Wheat. 
3,993,275 
2,643 ,S60 
1,708,175 
Com. 
108,046 
1.173,285 
2,909,014 
Oats. 
9.103 
ra.r.s:; 
36,469 
Slock of grain in store at New 
Corn, Bye, Barley, 
bush. hush, bnsli. 
Wheat, 
bush. 
....1.158.052 
..1,845,186 
1870. 
May 10. . . 
April 11. 
March 7 2.5IRI.00.8 
Feb. 11 2,902,638 
.Tan. 12 4,423.023 
1809. 
Dec. 11 3,810,562 
Nov. 10 1,610,030 
Oct. 11 978,272 
Sept. 6 745,121 
Aug. 9 034.262 
July 10 531.657 
June7 637.S77 
Way 11 1,056.048 
110.829 20,502 120,013 
285,946 23,249 is;, 172 
4SI.1T6 .".9.089 278.905 
531,003 02,112 322,125 
591,903 38.2S9 34,900 
York : 
Oats, 
bush. 
410,517 
756,811 
1,105.194 
1,199,672 
1,310,935 
833.900 
093,035 
445,008 
127.7311 
253, 155 
328.013 
885,241 107,5111 
394,156 107,50! 
Apr. 10 1,684,033 1 ,080,709 105,003 
50,013 285,000 1,380,591 
281.5S1 
120,9511 
18 ;,920 
50.219 
250.985 
555.008 
613,106 
1,178,710 
81,700 
31,107 
50,1.81 
75,797 
1.4 IS 
31,584 
5,918 
301 
2,966 
383 
17,681 
■18,281 
Malt, 
bush. 
83,000 
90,088 
97.139 
86,211 
85,405 
77.097 
00,782 
61,091 
134,870 
105,153 
97,117 
109.7111 
77.077 
06,004 
Current Wholesale Prices, 
Price of Golo . 
Flour— Super to Extra State 
Super to Extra Southern 
Extra Western 
Extra Genesee 
Superfine Western 
Rye Flour 
Corn-Meat. 
Wheat— All kinds of White. 
All kinds of tied and Amber. 
Corn— Yellow 
Mixed.. 
Oats— Western 
State 
RYE 
Barley 
Hay— Bale 1(1 100 B 
Straw, 9 100 ft 
Cotton— Middlings, i< lb... 
Mors— Crop of 1809, %t lb 
Feathers— Live Geese, %< lb. 
Seed— Clover, 3* lb 
Timothy, ^ bushel 
Fhix.iS bushel 
Sugar— Brown, TO Tb 
MOLASSES, Cuba, ijlgal „ 
Coffee— Bio, (Gold, In bond) 
Tobacco, Kentucky, &c 3* lb. 
Seed Leaf, is lb 
Wool— Domestic Fleece, ?! lb. 
Domestic, pulled, 3* lb 
California, unwashed 
Tallow, «< lb 
Oil-Cake— V ton 
Pork— Mess, ?) barrel 
Prime, $ barrel 
Beef— Plain mess 
Lard, in tecs. & barrels, if) lb. 
Butter — Western, $ lb 
State, i? lb 
Cheese 
Beans— $ bushel 
Peas— CanndSj in bond, ii* bu. 
Egos— Fresh, f dozen 
Poultry— Fowls & Chickens 
Tin-keys, W lb 
Geese, VIb 
Potatoes, 9 bbl 
New Bermudas, $ bbl 
Apples— ill barrel 
Sweet Potatoes, $ bbl 
Turnips— $ bbl 
Cabbages— V 100 
Onions— $ bbl 
Cranberries—^ bbl 
Beoom-corn— 3) lb 
Tomatoes, new, per box 
Pens, green, per*crate 
Rhubarb, per 100 bunches 
Asparagus, per bunch 
SI 30 
5 25 
4 55 
5 75 
4 SO 
3 90 
4 30 
April 14. 
@ 5 45 
® 9 75 
@ 9 25 
@ 7 25 
(3 4 50 
® 5 00 
® 5 25 
1 27X® 1 00 
1 25 
@ 1 10 
@ 1 10 
@ OS 
® 68 
® 1 10 
" 1 10 
_ 1 15 
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21J^ 
25 
85 
14Ji® 14JI- 
6 25 @ 75 
® 2 20 
UK 
95 
1 08 
90 
57 
64 
93 
70 
80 
,65 
U 90 
25 
5 25 
00 
4 90 
4 30 
4 75 
1S5 
1 00 
1 17 
1 01 
1 03 
70 
90 
60 
May 13. 
10 ® 
2 10 
8 
so 
45 
isu; 
13« 
65 
06 
46 
32 
9H@ »K 
S5 00 @39 00 
27 75 @28 00 
20 50 ®31 50 
8 00 ®14 00 
14«® 16« 
15 "" 
® 5 90 
@10 00 
® 9 75 
® 8 00 
® 5 20 
® 5 65 
® 5 SO 
® 1 85 
@ 1 30 
® 1 20 
(..; 1 17 
64K® 70 
'" ® 70 
® 1 14 
® 95 
® 1 25 
@ 1 00 
24'i 
25 
35 . 
® ){*{ 
Ira 8 00 
® 2 25 
11H! 
23 }<!® 
10 ® 
80 - 
14 
7 50 
2 15 
42 
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IS 
70 
03 
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29 
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IS 
6 
1 20 
1 10 
27 
31 
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16 
125 
8 50 
3 00 
@ 16^ 
® 2 40 
® 1 25 
® 29 
@ 24 
® 29 
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® 2 00 
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® 5 25 
1 50 ® 2 00 
6 00 ®10 00 
4 50 ® 5 50 
16 00 ®22 00 
11 ® 15 
40 
20 
15 _ 
9K® 
39 00 ©40 00 
29 12 ©29 50 
®23 50 
®18 50 
® 17 
® 35 
® 33 
® H'A 
® 2 50 
@ 1 00 
® 18'4 
® 21 
© 22 
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® 2 00 
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® — 
® — 
®10 00 
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22 00 
10 00 
15 
20 
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1 20 
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16 
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1 00 
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1 50 
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75 
150 
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© 40 
Gold has been in more active, speculative demand and 
has advanced There has been more inquiry for the 
leading kinds of Breadstuffs, the offerings of which have 
been less extensive, and prices have been quoted firmer. 
Provisions have been more sought after at higher 
rates, but close less buoyantly Cotton has been in 
active request, and has been quoted dearer Wool 
has been very slow of sale, though buyers have had every 
existing advantage as to price Tobacco, Hay, and 
Seeds have been in fair demand ; Grass seeds have been 
much firmer Hops have been quiet, but steady. 
i^ew York JL.ive-St.ock Markets.— 
wfek endtng. Beeves. Coios. Calves. Sheep. Swine. Tot'l. 
April 18th 5,778 123 2,459 17,361 10,171 35,892 
do. 26th 6,003 68 3,569 13,432 12,730 35,802 
May 3<l 0,416 74 4,813 11,434 15.197 37,934 
do. 10th 0,924 66 4,083 15,346 18,985 45,404 
Total inA Weeks.... 25,121 331 14,924 57,573 57,083 155,032 
do.forprev. i Weits 22,825 532 5,885 63,021 42,579 134,262 
Beeves. Cows. Calves. Sheep. Swine. 
A%erac/e perWeck 6,280 84 3,731 14,393 14,271 
do. do. last Month 5,581 133 1,459 15,755 10,645 
do. do. prev's J/oh(/*.... 6,069 130 790 25,202 18,785 
Averageper Week, 1869. 6,275 92 1,752 28,836 15,348 
do. do. do. 186S. 5.733 105 1,583 27.182 18,809 
do. do. do. 1807. 5,544 64 1,320 22,154 20,605 
do. do. do. 1S66. 5,718 94 1,200 20,000 13,000 
do. do. do. 1S65. 5,255 118 1,500 16,091 11,023 
Total in 1869 320,280 4.827 91,083 1,499,509 793,199 
Total in 1S0S 29S.128 5,406 82.571 1,413,479 978,061 
Total in 1S07 293,832 3,369 69.911 1,174,154 1,102.643 
Total in I860 298.380 4.S85 62.420 1.010,000 672,000 
Total in 1865 270.274 6,161 77,991 836.7S3 57S.190 
Total in 1801 207,609 7,603 75,021 782,462 660,277 
Beef Cattle.— The supply of stock has been a little 
larger for the past month and of better quality. The 
prices paid range about as those given for last month, 
and the market is firm. We notice some few early 
" grass " beeves in market. They look plump, but butch- 
ers arc rather shy of such stock. Early "grass" beef is 
apt to dress light, and some butchers found theirstock to 
have cost as high as 10c. per pound. Prices run very 
even ; Yty z being the top of the market for best grades. 
Some few extras brought lSc.,bnt the majority of good 
cattle brought only 17c. per pound. The quality has so 
much improved in the past week or two that few sales 
are made below 13c, and these for bulls and cows. There 
has been some call for working cattle, but none were on 
sale. Below we give the range of prices, average price, 
and figures at which the largest lots were sold. 
Apr. 13. ranged 12M@17Ke.Av. 15Ke. Large sales 14><@16 
do. 26th, do. 13K@17!<fc. do. 15KC. do. do. 15 ®16J4 
May 3d, do. IS ®lSc. do. 16 c. do. do. 15K®17 
do. loth, do. 13 ®17Ke. do. 16 c. do. do. 15>«@16>i 
Mileli Cows, — The arrivals have been rather 
small, and prices a little better. Milkmen are ready to 
pay $9067j$100 for a good fresh cow, and even those of 
only medium quality bring good prices. Some fancy 
stock was sold as high as $ll(l@.$120 during the past 
month, but these were very extra cows. Prices may be 
quoted as $!)0©$100 for good, $S0(S)$90 for medium, and 
less for poor cows Calves have been plenty and 
cheap this month, and prices have gone down proportion- 
ally, and the market rather dull. Good, fat calves may he 
had at from 9c.f3>10c., if very extra 10!4 will bo paid. 
Medium quality bring Sc.@.S%c, and buttermilk fed 
Cc.@.7c, per pound Sheep. — There has been hut 
little change since our last report. The quality of the 
stock offered is a little improved, and prices about the 
same. More sheep are coming in, minus their wool, and 
sell readily. Prices range from 5^c.@Sc., with some 
very extra selling for SUc. per pound. Spring Lambs are 
beginning to come in quite plenty, and go quickly at 
about 15c.@.lSc. per pound Swine. — The trade 
keeps steady, and we note but little change. Almost all 
the hogs go direct to the slaughter-pens. We quote 
dressed hogs at from ll l /nQ,.@\%e. per pound. ■ 
UKi-iiiming iPoinls. — A farmer in Ohio has 
a farm with several ponds on it. lie wishes to drain 
them, and the low land adjoining, with tiles, and wants to 
know what size of tiles will be needed, and whether he 
should put boards under the tiles ; also whether it would 
not be well to dig a hole in tho center of the ponds three 
or four feet deep, stone them up and have the drains 
run through them. — If the ground is firm, no boards are 
needed under pipe tiles. If the drains run through the 
ponds, three or four feet below the Burface, and are cov- 
ered with nothing but. soil rammed in tight, they will 
work well and take off all the water they can carry. He 
need have no fears but that the water will find its way 
into the drain. Stones on the top of a tile-drain do moro 
harm than good. We cannot tell the size of the tiles re- 
quired. A common mistake is, to use too small tiles for 
the main drains and too largo for fhc sub-drajns. If cut 
in the spring, when the ponds are full of watpr, thero 
will of course be more water for the drains to discharge, 
at first, than they will ever be required to carry again. 
"We think the better plan would be, to first cut open 
ditches and let them remain open for a few weeks ; and 
then, by putting single tiles of different sizes in the ditch, 
and ramming some clay on the sides to force all the water 
through the tiles, one can easily ascertain what sized tiles 
are required. The quantity of water a tile will carry off 
is surprising. A two- inch tile will carry off about 4 
times as much as an inch-tile, and a three-inch about 9 
times as much, and a five-inch about 25 times as much. 
