242 WIRE FENCES.-EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL SHOW AND FAIR OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 
otherwise, send over a common mechanic, and after 
looking at mine, which is a good model, you can 
have one made at home. I advise you to plant your 
com for experiment in bottom land (if not rich, make 
it rich by improvement), in drills, from four to six 
inches in the drill, and the drills from thirty to thirty- 
six inches wide. James S. Pope. 
Idatid Ford, Edgefield Fist., S. C., Feb., 1845. 
WIRE FENCES. 
Wishing to make three or four miles of the 
cheapest, most durable, and, at the same time, suffici¬ 
ently substantial fence, I would like to ascertain from 
the editor and correspondents of the Agriculturist, the 
best and most economical plan of a wire fence. I 
want the exactest and most minute details as to the 
posts, size and manner of setting; distance from each 
other ; the least size of the wire required for cattle and 
horses; the number of wires effectually to secure 
them and sheep (no hogs or geese to be taken into the 
account); the manner of running and securing them 
on to the posts, &c., ko. Price in the New York 
market of galvanized wire, or wire, so prepared as to 
prevent rust, and secure as near eternal duration as 
possible; weight of wire to the rod, &c , &c. An 
early and full answer is requested. L. 
The only places where we have seen iron hurdle 
fences in the United States, are at Mr. Woolsey’s, 
Hellgat Neck, N. Y., and at Mr. Cushing’s, Water- 
town, Mass. These were imported at a considerable 
cost. We are of opinion, a good article, 4£ to 5 feet 
nigh, and sufficiently strong to resist cattle, may be 
made in this country for 20 cents per foot, running 
measure. Coat this with coal-gas tar, with a hand¬ 
ful of slaked lime mixed in every gallon, and the 
fence would last a century or more. To answer every 
question of our correspondent as minutely as he 
seems to wish, would require half a dozen cuts and a 
long explanation We should be glad to hear from 
any of our readers who can give us information in 
this matter, and if we must have fences we greatly 
prefer those of iron hurdles. They are elegant in 
their appearance, are seen only when close at hand, 
and in consequence of their great duration are much 
the cheapest in the end. They can also he taken up 
very easily, and replaced anywhere when wanted. It 
is the only fence which should be tolerated on a 
lawn or near a gentleman’s house. When construct¬ 
ed with connected chain top, it is strong, light, grace¬ 
ful, and, to our eyes, highly ornamental. 
Curious Facts in Grafting. — I have just visited 
an orchard of Mr. Jeremiah Lambertson, Flushing, 
L. 1., and was shown a small apple tree, into which 
in April, 1844, thirteen grafts of different kinds were 
inserted, all sweet, and all ripening about the same 
time, in the latter part of July. On one of the grafts 
of the strawberry variety, of about 20 inches growth, 
there had grown eight fine strawberry apples. The 
graft had two branches, on one of which six beautiful 
apples hung in one cluster, on the other there were 
two, each nearly as large as a hen’s egg. 
Mr. Lambertson promises to give you at some con¬ 
venient time, a description of the tree above alluded 
to, its age, the names of the thirteen varieties of fruit, 
&e » for the benefit of the readers of the Agriculturist. 
A. Sherman. 
EIGHTEENTH ANNUA.L SHOW AND FAIR 
OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 
The conducting of this anniversary celebration of 
the progress of a great nation in industry and the 
arts, has been confided by the Institute to the under¬ 
signed Managers. 
The exhibition will be open to the public on Mon¬ 
day, the 6th day of October, 1845, at 12 o’clock M.» 
at Nibio’s Garden, Broadway, in the city of New 
York. Contributions from exhibiters will be received 
on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of the previous 
week. To insure the most favorable locations, and 
the advantages of competition, the products of the 
manufacturer, mechanic, and artisan must he delivered 
and entered on the books of the Fair, on one of those 
days. The chance of a good location will be in favor 
of those who come the first and second day. Fruits, 
flowers, &c., form an exception. The proper time 
for entering them will be specified in the agricultural 
and horticultural circular, or notices hereafter to be 
issued. 
Arrangements already made, and in progress, for 
carrying out the eighteenth celebration, are on a scale 
more extended and attractive than ever before; and if 
public favor towards this institution continues to ex¬ 
tend and increase each year as it has during the last 
•seventeen, means will be afforded of enlarging the 
value of the premiums, and thereby creating a more 
; intense and universal competition. Several opulent 
and munificent individuals, desirous of making the 
exhibition worthy of our great emporium, and giving 
a fresh impulse to improvements in our country, have 
volunteered donations for the purpose; others have 
promised not only to contribute, but to use their in¬ 
fluence to cause their friends to do the same. After 
reserving what discretion demands, to cover the an¬ 
nual current expenses of the institution, every dollar 
will be expended by the Managers to promote im¬ 
provements in Agriculture and the Arts. It is the 
fixed policy of the Institute, to appropriate every dol¬ 
lar for the benefit of that public which has been its 
generous, unfailing patron. 
There will be an opening address, followed by 
novel and interesting displays of the Pyrotechnic art. 
On Thursday, the ninth day of October, a National 
Convention of Farmers and Gardeners, and Silk Cul- 
turists will be held. Circulars, with questions pre¬ 
pared, will be issued. Washington’s Home Depart¬ 
ment of Agriculture, recommended by the Institute, 
and unanimously approved by a National Convention 
held last year, will again be urged. These precious, 
interests demand extensive concert, unanimity and 
profound deliberation; and the time, during the great 
Fair—-and the place, the emporium of the western 
world, were, by the Convention of last year, decided¬ 
ly resolved to be the best suited to accomplish the 
objects sought. 
For the second week, has been assigned the show 
of cattle, horses, and other live stock, and the plow¬ 
ing and spading matches. Fine horses, combining 
size, strength, and fleetness, for wagon and carriage— 
healthy fat cattle and sheep, suitable for market— 
well trained, well matched, and powerful working 
cattle, and the best milch cows, will each and all com¬ 
mand high premiums. To accommodate those inte¬ 
rested in the cattle show, a beautiful plot of ground 
has been secured between Twenty-third and Twenty- 
fourth streets, near the intersection of Broadway and 
