304 
GUINEA OR AFRICAN GOOSE.—MECHANICS IN MASSACHUSETTS. 
be fairly charged by the different officers of the 
government, let the same be paid oat of the 
United States Treasury. The franking privilege 
is the great curse of the country, and seven eighths 
of the weight of the mails during the session of 
Congress, is taken up with printed matter ; too 
much of which is miserable dull stuff, or vile, 
lying political documents, franked by some dema 
gogue to subserve his own selfish purposes. We 
believe now that the people are pretty thoroughly 
aware of this, and will rise in their might at the 
coming session of Congress, to compel the reform 
which has so long been denied them. Let them 
send in their petitions from every quarter. 
GUINEA GOOSE. 
Thts is the largest of the goose tribe 
which has fallen under our notice ; it is 
of the size of the swan, and it often 
weighs more than 25 pounds. We have 
now in our possession one pair which 
we purchased for a gentleman in South 
Carolina, which will weigh in common 
ordinary condition, over 20 pounds each. 
We once owned a gander that weighed 
24. pounds. They are a noble bird, 
quite ornamental about the premises, 
and add much to the scenery, partic¬ 
ularly if a sheet of water be near. 
When floating on its surface they have 
a stately majestic appearance, and in 
their movements they much resemble 
the swan. They have a low, hollow, 
coarse voice, unlike that of any other 
variety.— \Bement's Poulterer's Comp. 
YOUNG ORCHARDS. 
These should stand for many years in 
plowed ground, which gives them, if 
well cared for, a rapid and vigorous 
growth. If they do not bear so soon as 
you desire, from the too strong pushing 
out of wood, do not resort to root pru¬ 
ning, as some recommend, which I con¬ 
sider an expensive, useless, and inju¬ 
rious operation ; but lay down your or¬ 
chard land at once into grass. This 
will effectually check the rapidity of its 
growth, and set the trees in bearing. 
The grass, binding down the surface, and check¬ 
ing the activity of the roots, will at once change 
the action of the sap, and set the buds into fruit 
immediately. Such, without going into the chem¬ 
ical reason of the process, is my experience from 
actual trial. 
I have the past spring had inserted about 3,000 
grafts. Nearly 500 of them were put into the 
branches of trees from 4 to 9 inches diameter in 
the body, which I removed from a scattered plan¬ 
tation into an orchard; 500 more into stocks of 1 
to 2 inches diameter, newly planted out; and the 
remainder into stocks from 1 to 2 inches through, 
sawed off at the root and planted into nursery 
rows for future use, all intended for my own plant¬ 
ing, and mostly the best kind of winter apples. 
The stocks are, to appearance, all alive and grow¬ 
ing well. The season has been quite favorable, 
being very wet. I have no doubt of my success. 
In every instance the stock was sawed oft', and 
split down, one or two grafts inserted according to 
size of stock, or limb, well waxed, and left to go 
on its way rejoicing. The grafters charge from 
li to 2 cents per scion for doing it—a round price 
Guinea or African Goose — Fig. 58. 
to be sure ; but one had better pay it and have the 
work well done, than to do it himself in a bung¬ 
ling manner. Grafting, however, is so simple a 
process, that every farmer shonld understand it. 
It will save him much trouble and expense, and 
give him abundance of good fruit. 
Putnam. 
MECHANICS IN MASSACHUSETTS. 
I have found many, if not most of the mechan¬ 
ics in this State own a little land—some more and 
some less. They keep a cow, a couple of hogs to 
make them family pork, raise all their garden 
vegetables, and as much corn as they want to use 
of this kind of grain, usually getting at the rate of 
a hundred bushels per acre, and much fine fruit. 
Some of their land pays them the interest of 
$1,000 an acre, over and above all outla)^s. I saw 
a limb of a quince tree, 19 inches long, not larger 
than one’s little finger, on which I found quinces 
of the largest size. I have seen some of these 
grounds which would do credit to a gentleman 
living on his money. Occasionally they are em- 
