4:34= 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[December, 
THE AMERICAN 
HORTICULTURAL ANNUAL for 1868. 
The second number of this serial will be ready about 
the holidays, and will contain a popular record of hortir 
cultural progress during the past year, besides valuable 
articles from 
EMINENT HORTICULTURISTS. 
Amoug those who contributed to its pages are 
Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, Doctor John A. Warder, 
Peter Henderson, S. B. Parsons, 
Thomas Meehau, Jas. J. H. Gregory, 
Josiah Hoopes, George Such, 
Wm. S. Carpenter, Andrew S. Fuller, 
Geo. W. Campbell, John Saul, 
Doctor Van Keureu, James Vict. and other well- 
known poniological and iioricultural writers. 
The engravings which have been prepared expressly for 
the work, are numerous, and of a character that will make 
it the 
MOST BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED 
work of its kind ever published in this or any other coun- 
try. Tables, Lists of Nurserymen, Seedsmen, and Florists, 
and other useful matters of reference. 
Price, in fancy paper covers, 50 cts.; in cloth, 75 cts. 
THE AMERICAN 
AGRICULTURAL ANNUAL for 1868. 
The volume will be ready toward the close of the pres- 
ent month, and will contain much of interest to every 
agriculturist. Besides the general record of agricultural 
progress, it will contain a valuable article on 
Factory Dairy Practice, by Gardner B. "Weeks, 
Esq., Secretary of the American Dairymen's Association, 
in which he discusses the reasons for the best practice 
and the most approved apparatus, buildings, etc., fully 
illustrated, and is equally interesting to the practical 
dairyman and to the novice ; — an article on 
Sewers and Eartli Closets in tlieir -relations to 
Agriculture, by Col. Geo. E. Waring, Jr. ;— one upon 
Winter "Wheat, describing, with engravings, new 
and valuable varieties, by John Johnston ;— one upon 
Scytlies and Cradles, by John W. Douglas, (fully 
illustrated;) also articles on Horse Breaking- and on 
Bitting Colts, by Sam. P. Headly, Esq., (illustrated.) 
On Recent Progress in Agricultural Science, by 
Prof. S. W. Johnson; on Commercial Fertilizers,, Veter- 
inary Medicine 'and Jurisprudence, Farm Architecture, 
Progress of Invention Affecting Agriculture, etc. 
It is intended that the work shall be practical, excellent 
in beauty of its illustrations, and in its adaptation to the 
wants of American Farmers, superior to anything of the 
kind heretofore published. 
In its general features it will be like the Agricultural 
Annual for 1867, containing an Almanac and Calendar, 
aud there will be added a list of dealers in Agricultural 
Implements, Seeds, etc. Price, fancy pa., 50c. ; clo., 75c. 
Containing a great variety of Items, inducing many 
good Hints and Suggestions which ice throw intosmalkr 
type and condensed fo?>m, for want of space elsewhere, 
Tlae End of the Volume.— With this 
issue we close volume 26th of the American Agriculturist. 
We have neither time nor inclination for valedictory ad- 
dresses to our readers. We believe that we can, how- 
ever, congratulate ourselves ou having not ouly done all 
we agreed to, but more. Our prospectus promises only 
thirty-two pages, and we have in every month given more 
than that, and we believe that we have in good part ful- 
filled our pledge to make the paper better than ever be- 
fore. The nest number will begin volume 27— (how fast 
we grow old !) and we enter upon it with increased facili- 
ties for meeting our obligations to our readers. A new 
building gives us the long needed room, and with an 
abundant working force in the business, editorial and 
mechanical departments, we are warranted in saying that 
the coming volume will be better than any of its predeces- 
sors. We feel that our old readers are well enough sat- 
isfied to continue with us, and that many will express 
their satisfaction by an early renewal of their subscrip- 
tions, and also in making the Agriculturist known to their 
friends. The publishers offer remarkable inducements to 
personal effort, as will be seen by the premium lists on 
another page. With all pleasant holiday greetings to old 
and young, we turn our attention to preparing them a 
brilliant and varied number for the new year. 
A. 3iew Work upon Cotton Cul- 
ture, by J. B. Lyman. This work has been prepared 
to meet a growing want, and is a complete manual of cot- 
tou growing, intended for those who are unfamiliar with 
the production of this crop. It discusses climate, the 
farm, stock, implements, preparation of soil, and planting, 
cultivation, picking, ginning, baling, and marketing. A 
calendar of monthly operations, a discussion of the extent 
of the cotton lands, the varieties of the cotton plant, and 
the insects and diseases that molest it, form the second 
part of the work, which also includes valuable statistics 
and suggestions. An additional chapter has been pre- 
pared by J. R. Sypher, Esq., upon Cotton-Seed and its 
"Uses, giving the details of manufacturing the oil ; the 
whole forming a handsome, illustrated volume of about 275 
pages. Beady this month. Price, by mail, $1.50. 
Louisiana, Fair. — The State Fair at Baton 
Rouge was postponed on account of the prevalence of 
yellow fever, until after frosts should have stopped the. 
disease, aud rendered the State salubrious. It is now an- 
nounced for the the 23d of December aud days following. 
The similar postponemeut of the Mechanical and Agricul- 
tural Fair at New Orleans, to January 7th, will render it 
possible for exhibitors to attend both fail's. A great ob- 
ject which the managers of these fairs have in view is 
the introduction of labor-saving machinery of all kinds, 
especially such as under the old regime found litrle favor. 
Substitutes for manual labor are the great need of the 
South now. These States are almost entirely destitute of 
those little conveniences found in the'North, such valu- 
able auxiliaries to household economy — washing ma- 
chines, wringers, improved churns, improved pumps, etc. 
The popular idea among manufacturers that such things 
would not sell was well founded when Dinah and Pompey, 
"Uncle" and "Auntie." had to do the work. Now, the 
case is different, and the easier Pliillis and Cato work, 
and the more they can do, the less care and labor 
come upon the heads of the household. We hope these 
departments will soon be well filled, and there will be 
abundant time for many of our readers, who have wares 
to exhibit, if they start after reading this. 
Castor* Beans and Itroom-CM'ii.- 
Numerous inquiries have come from Tennessee and other 
States concerning the cultivation of these articles. We 
are glad to see our friends there turning their attention to 
a varied husbandry, and shall always be glad to aid them. 
The subjects mentioned have been put into competent 
hands, and articles upon their culture will shortly appear. 
Boston Fun. — Boston is the embodiment 
of "down East. 1 ' We like Boston, we like its people, 
and above all we like its Horticultural Journals, as we arc 
sure of a laugh at least once a month. Now, who would 
suspect the staid and dignified Hovey's Magazine of pro- 
voking a smile ?— But it does. In January last our Horti- 
cultural Annual was published, and in September this 
journal notices it. That is funny enough, but see what 
it says : " Much or the greater part of this has appeared 
previously in our pages, but is here condensed for the use 
of those who like the rapid path to knowledge and have 
no time to obtain really valuable information." — Oh, Ho- 
vey ! Tou didn't find that where the most* of your good 
things come from — in the Gardener's Chronicle — did 
yon ? This venerable magazine is getting so lively that its 
young rival, the American Journal of Horticulture, is be- 
coming funny also. It takes pains to inform us in Italics 
as follows : " The illustrations which we shall use will be 
made for the subjects which they represent. They are paid 
for by us, and tlve description given will be our own." As 
this is in the announcement for 1S6S. the question natural- 
ly occurs, were not former illustrations "inade for the 
subjects which they represent? " and were they not "paid 
for *" It is too much of a conundrum for us — we give it up. 
A. Good Religious Newspaper. — In 
addition to the Agriculturist, every family should have 
the help which a good religions newspaper will give in 
forming the character of the children, and keeping the 
minds of the older ones alive to the progress and the 
wants of the world. We cheerfully commend the Metho- 
dist, published in this city, as a first class paper of its 
denomination, wide awake, progressive, and conducted 
with eminent literary ability. 
Russian Sweet Potato.— Several of 
our Western friends have been swindled by chaps selling 
the seed of the "Russian Sweet Potato" at $2 a pack- 
age. One of the seed papers and a few of the seeds have 
been sent us. The directions for planting are signed by 
"Frank Delaine, Gardner, Long Island." who gives as 
references A. T. Stewart, S. S. Fitch. M. D.. and G.V. Big- 
low, New York. The seeds are apparently millet. Why 
cannot people exercise a little common sense about such 
things and know that novelties do not first make their 
appearance in the hands of peddlers ? New things are 
alwaj-s talked about in the papers long before they be- 
come common enough to be hawked about the country. 
.flat liusliek Pianos.— Wo are pi eased to 
notice that these pianos, which were selected for our pre- 
mium list after careful examination, received the high- 
est premiums at the late fair of the American Institute. 
-\o Grafts, ISo Seeds. — We have more 
than once expressed our inability to comply with re- 
quests for grafts and seeds. We scarcely ever publish an 
illustration of a new plant or fruit but we have several 
applications for cuttings or seeds. It would give us 
pleasure to comply with these requests were it in our 
power, but it often happens that the things described are 
entirely new, and we do not even possess a plant our- 
selves. We mention the source from which our illustra- 
tions are obtained, and applications should be made there. 
Poultry Exhibition. — The first Annual 
Exhibition of the American Poultry Society will be held 
in this City, commencing Tuesday, Dec. 3d, instead of 
during the last week in November, as previously an- 
nounced. We understand arrangements have been made 
to insure a large and interesting Exhibition. The Pre- 
mium List, which is very attractive, and all other infor- 
mation on the subject will be furnished by Mr. A. M. Hal- 
Btod, Secretary, 68 Pearl-street, New York. 
Tlie Pennsylvania Horticultural 
Society. — Our report of the annual show of this society 
was crowded out last mouth, and we can now only briefly 
record its success, and congratulate the thoroughly alive 
association on the completion of its new and beautiful 
hall. The exhibition was very strong in specimen plants, 
and we doubt if so fine a show could be made elsewhere 
in the country. Grapes were well represented, and other 
fruits moderately so. One of the most noticeable things 
in the fruit line was a collection of apples from Franklin 
Davis & Co., Richmond, Va. This comprised 163 kinds, 
and took the first premium. The display of vegetables 
was fine, as it always is here, where they have an equal 
chance with Pineapples and other costly luxuries. 
Sundry Humbugs*— There seems to be 
little that is new in the humbug line, but many of the old 
schemers that have been "shown up" in the columns of the 
Agriculturist are still at work, sometimes in new places 
and sometimes under different names, but with the same 
old story, told in flattering and golden words to deceive 
the unwary. Has any one of our readers, who, "just for 
the fun of the thing.*' has tried his hand in some one of 
these wonderfully sure and rapid ways of making money, 
ever received satisfactory returns ? We have not been ad- 
vised of such a circumstance in a correspondence amount- 
ing to thousands of letters. The lottery scheme lead-, in 
swindling humbugs, and everything with tickets to be 
drawn should be avoided by all honest people. Clark, 
Webster & Co., who have before appeared in the columns 
of the Agriculturist^ are now sending out circulars, ad- 
vising parties that one of their tickets has drawn a prize 
valued at $200, and on paying an assessment of $10 the 
prize will be forwarded. Singularly enough, all the prizes 
drawn, so far as heard from, are valued at $200, and con- 
sist of two hundred shares in the " Sand River Petro- 
leum Company. 11 We are not informed as to when this 
company was chartered, or who are the principal stock- 
holders. It does not appear in the stock lists, but the 
same article was given out a year or two ago by one J. D. 
Miller, a humbug, at No. 526 Broadway. Any one sending 
$10 for this drawn prize, will get in return, if anything, 
about one-eighth of a cenCs worth of printed HHtper, and will 
find that he has "Struck He" more explosive than 
"Bo wen's Eureka, 11 which needs fire to "blow it up." 
"Sand River" is "bust" when you get it. This will be a 
fair representation of any oue of the swindling lottery 
schemes, circulars of which are being sent all over the 
country. "Gettysburg Asylum Association " is a lottery, 
aud consequently a humbug, and should be avoided. One 
wouldnot be excused for stealing money, though a part of 
it might be given to the poor. As the holidays approach, 
the watch and jewelry swindle circulars are on the incre a se. 
We advise all our readers not to waste their money or insult 
their friends by buying or presenting the bogus stuff tha* 
is offered by these swindlers. See the November number 
of the Agiicultwist for a fair exposition of all this class 
of dealers. Temple, Richardson & Co., (bogus,) send 
out circulars to advertising agents, containing advertise- 
ments of many firms in this city of high standing, and 
ask the price for inserting in different papers. On re- 
ceiving a reply, the advertisement of Wright, Brothers & 
