1867.] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
B©¥S & §ICIEjLS 3 (DDil^MMS, 
A Happy ^'ew Year 1 1 1 
To all the girls and boys of Ike Agriculturist family. 
A few years ago it took some 23,000 greetings to go all 
romid, and give eack family a share of our good wishes — 
now, 150,000 congratulations are not enough to distribute to 
the throng, in return for the welcomes they send us from all 
over tke land. Kind feeling and tke words of ckeer which 
it prompts, come from a spring which can not be exhaust- 
ed ; they increase in the giving. But words are cheap — 
one little boy of our acquaintance, in reply to tke saluta- 
tion, " I wish you a happy New Year," was accustomed 
to ask, "What are you going to give uic to make me 
happy V 1 ' This, of course, was not a very polite' question, 
but it was very " common-sense-ica!.''' A true friend will 
find many ways to bestow benefits upon those he loves, 
besides kind words, although these alone, are of great 
value. Well, 1SGG has, we trust, proved that little folks 
arc kigk in our regard. The pictures, puzzles, stories, 
and other good things which the Agriculturist has given 
them, need no further acknowledgment than we have re- 
ceived already in many thousands of pleasant letters, 
telling us how much enjoyment our monthly visits give. 
The Beautiful Holiday Picture {next page) 
is an earnest of what maybe expected in 1867. There the 
old year is represented going out sorrowfully, as if regret- 
ting that more good has not. been done, while the New 
Tear, 186?, coming from the Horn of Plenty, indicates 
that we may look for abundant good things to follow; 
and wc shall certainly try to do our part in keeping the 
horn well supplied. 
All will feel like joining the joyous group who arc so 
gleefully welcoming Santa Clans, and not a few will re- 
joice with those in the corners who are examining their 
holiday gifts, or joining in the sports of the season. Bo 
not neglect to study the scene in the upperrighthand cor- 
ner of the sketch. It represents two little street sweep- 
ers, such as swann in large cities, enjoying the Christmas 
pic which some kind-hearted friend has given them. The 
stable where they find shelter, and the manger, will bring 
to mind the story and the example of Him, "who though 
he was rich, for our sakes became poor," and will, we 
trust, lead many lo bestow some good upon the poor of 
their own neighborhoods. To begin the year with good- 
will shown to the needy, will be a most worthy way of 
exhibiting onr gratitude for good received, and our own 
worthiness of expected blessings. God loves those who 
remember his poor. No surer way of making this a hap- 
py year can be found than keeping the resolution, to 
Bo Good to Some One Evert Bat this Year. 
Street BSeggurs*. 
In most large cities, street, begging is a regular profes- 
sion, having its own peculiar arts and mysteries, and re- 
quiring a special training to make it successful. A pro- 
fessional beggar studies appropriate dress, gesture, and 
manner of speech, as certainly, if not as thoroughly as the 
actors in a theatre, and many of them attain a degree of 
perfection in this part of their art, that might make their 
fortunes if practised on the stage. For example, notice 
that poor, tottering, white-haired old man, that has just 
entered our office ; he has frequently called before. He 
is the very picture of a recent emigrant. His dress is 
scanty, but neat; apparently u great effort is being made 
to be decent, though poor. lie wears wooden clogs, 
Which give notice of his approach, as be hobbles toward 
you, and stretches out bis long thin hand, that in itself 
has a most appealing look. In reply to a question, he 
mumbles over some strange jargon, that no one present 
can understand. Most persons at once think, A - here is a 
case of real misfortune, an aged stranger in a foreign 
land, who lias no doubt lost the little all ho depended on 
to make him comfortable in old age." The whole appear- 
ance of the man is carefully studied and arranged to pro- 
duce just this effect, and until known as a professional 
beggar, few can turn him away, without at leasl n trifle, 
Yet on some fine afternoon, in walking up Broadway, you 
may meet a well dressed, respectable looking old gentle- 
man, walking erect, carrying a nice cane, rather for orna- 
ment than support, the picture of one who has laid by 
enough to make him easy for the rest of his earthly jour- 
ney, and if you are sharp at scrutinizing countenances, 
you may recognize onr poor pauper, for it i^ the same. 
He is said to be already wealthy from begging, but he keeps 
at his trade, part of thestime, perhaps from mere habit. 
Thousands of onr readers have seen a one-legged man 
clad in an old military dress, stumping painfully along 
Park Row, not on crutches, but seated on the pavement, 
and moving himself by means of his hands, which are 
protected by thick leather mittens, lie never asked un- 
even a penny— that is in- word but hie appealing look 
to the passers by, said more plainly than word.- could 
speak. '-For the love of humanity, and in gratitude to 
your country's defenders, please aid a poor maimed sol- 
dier,"' and hundreds daily answered the appeal. A few 
weeks ago this man was arrested by the police, as a va- 
grant, having no visible means of support, and consigned 
to the place on Blackwell's Island, provided for such cases. 
Just as he was about being sent up, his lawyer brought 
into court, deeds, mortgages, etc., proving him to be 
worth over twenty thousand dollars'! This disclosure will 
probably put an end to his further begging operations. 
These are but two examples out of hundreds here that 
could be desciibed — some of them we may yet notice. 
The large majority of street beggars are impostors, and 
though it seems harsh, we believe it to be a safe rule to 
give to none of them, unless their cases have been first 
investigated and found worthy of help. If one desires to 
help the poor, as all should do, a little inquiry in almost 
any neighborhood will bring out deserving cases enough 
to employ all the resources of charity. 
A Game! — "Boys," said, a facetious farmer 
to his sons, "-we had a pretty hard day's work yester- 
day, now let's have a game of chopping wood/' 
Singula v Cure fov ILaziuess. 
A friend, whose name we are not at liberty to give, but 
who is well and widely known as a business man of ster- 
ling worth, was last year erecting a large building. One 
of his excellent peculiarities is, to allow no intemperance 
or profanity among his men, and to insist that every man 
shall work for the liberal pay he is willing to give. One 
' day, this gentleman noticed that one 'of the builders was 
continually shirking, seeming to care only to pass away 
the time and draw his pay. Calling bis foreman, who 
had the hiring as well as the overseeing of the men, our 
friend asked whether the lazy hand had been engaged for 
the season, or only for a short time. " For the season," 
was the reply, "but lean discharge him, I suppose." — 
bi Oh ! no," said Sir. , " but I want you to go down 
to the village hotel and* engage the best room you can 
find ; Jet this man go there and occupy it ; every month 
send his bill to me, and I will pay it." — The foreman in- 
formed the hired'man of tke instructions given, and he at 
once went to the owner. " I understand yon are not sat- 
isfied with my work," said he. — "'I find no fault with 
your work, ".was the reply, ;t butbecause you don't work." 
'I will leave, if you insist ou it," said the man. — u Not 
at all— I don't turn you away, but I have given orders to 
have the best room at the hotel put at your sendee, since 
you want to play the gentleman at my expense, and I 
promise you I will pay the bill promptly every month, 
but I will not have your bad example among my men." 
The poor fellow, utterly dumb-founded at such novel 
treatment, scarcely knew how to reply, but looked as 
though he would like to sink into the groand. Finally, 
he asked, "Are you willing to try me for a week." 
"Certainly," said Mr. , "I am always willing to help 
amnion who wants to reform." The. man returned to his 
work, cured of his laziness, and from that day forth, 
no more industrious hand was to be found on the place. 
Stories About H?arrots« 
As our young readers well know, t he parrot may be taught 
to repeat many words. It is generally supposed that they 
attach no meaning to what they say, but simply utter tke 
sounds, as they would any other notes. This may be so, 
but some incidents seem to show that they may some- 
times know the use of language. A lady friend of the 
writer occupied part of a house where was kept a very 
talkative parrot. One day the lady came down stairs 
dressed in a short-gown and petticoat, the weather being 
intensely warm, when the parrot immediately cried out, 
" What frock you got on ?" Another friend relates that a 
parrot belonging to bis landlady one day annoyed her very 
much by its continued talking and screeching. At last 
she seized the stick with which she had been stirring the 
Clothes, and raised it threateningly, when the bird imme- 
diately cried out, "Von saucy thing, poll won't speak 
another word." and remained silent almost the whole 
day. A bird show was held at the Museum in New- 
York several years since, to which a parrot was sent that 
had been taught to repeat the Lord's Prayer. This was 
advertised extensively, and hundreds of persons went to 
hear the wonder, but to their disappointment, and the vex- 
ation of the owner. Toll would not utter a word during 
the exhibition, although fully able to do what bad been 
expeeled. After the show, the parrot wan taken home, 
and upon reaching its place. El exclaimed, "I suppose I 
can talk now," and became a- voluble as ever. The bird's 
silence was not remarkable, oa song birds will seldom 
Bing freely, for some time after being taken to a new 
place ; ih" speech on going homo certainly Beemed to iu- 
dicato intelligence. A gentleman had taught his parrot 
to say, "Get your gun, John,* 1 which was well remem- 
bered one nigh! by the bird; tor burglars enl red the 
house, and Poll, hearing a noise, Bcreamcd outat the top of 
her voice, "Gel your gun; John." awakening hcrowner, 
and at the same time putting the robbers to flight. 
Answers to A'l'obients and l B uzzles. 
The following are answers to the puzzles, etc., in the 
December number, page 441. No. 230 and 240. Matbc- 
matical Problems.— These were incorrectly stated last 
month, and arc given properly below under the n ambers 
240, 247. No. 242. Geographical Problem. — We shall dis- 
cuss this next month. No. 240. Illustrated Rebus. — Ioua 
Grape Vine (eye on a grape-vine). No. 243. Conun- 
drum.— It is papa-veraceous. No. 344. Illustrated Re- 
j bus. — From infancy to adolescense a man's future posi- 
| tion and stand in life are usually taken. 
The following have sent in correct answers up to Dec. 
1st. : George and William Foulk. John Norway. Josepb 
I S. Bonaparte, Christian "Wine, J. Califf. Clara Greincr. 
I Julia Greiner, Avery L. Rand, James P. Veatch. A. Jack- 
| son. Andrew Jackson, DelmerD. Brvant, Jennie Cooper. 
J. B. Conant, Nellie J. Coe. Alfred Hawksworth, Johu F. 
Wittmer, B. J. Hammer. Sarah Purdy, Fred. Stanleys R. 
L. Selden. Frank B. Bourne. R. Matte Coulter. John H. 
Lehman, Samuel M. Edwards, Peter Smith, Nettie Wal- 
dron. H. S. Loper. D. Luther Roth. Mrs. Win, Sarm. L * H. 
D. S.," Sarah F. Winaer, Martin Keeney, James Ratlcff. 
UTew Puzzles to l>e Answered. 
No. 245. Mathematical Problem, to be solved arithmet- 
ically. The crew of a ship consisted of Sailors and Sol- 
diers. There were 22 sailors to every 3 guns and 10 over. 
The whole number of men was 5 times the number of 
soldiers and guns together. After an engagement in 
which one-fifth were slain, there lacked 5 to be 13 men to 
every 2guns. How many guns, sailors and soldiers at first .- 
No. 246. Illustrated Proverb.— Usually found to be true. 
No. 247. Mathematical Problem.— A man has a trial - 
lar piece of ground whose sides measure rcspecti 
500, 400 and 300 feet each. How can he divide it 6 
among his four sons, giving each a plot of the same i 
.No. 24S. Mathematical Problem . to be solved arith 
ically. John and Charles, set out from C, and D. al 
same time, to travel to E, the road from C to E. passing 
through D. John travels 7 miles an hour, and at that rate 
he would overtake Charles 5 miles before he arrives at E. 
But, after arriving at D, John travels 0-\{ miles an hour in 
consequence of which, he overtakes Charles just as bo 
enters E. Supposing Charles, to travel 5 miles an hour, 
what are the distances between C, D, and E ! 
%e> €*® ^ 
No. &i9. Uhutrattd Rebus.— Well worth remembering, 
% 
No. 200. Woe/rated jS»w.— Someflifiig unpleasant, 
