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AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[October, 
Dr. E. Lewis Sturtevant, So. Framingham, Mass. ; 
J. J. Thomas, Union Springs, N. T. 
At the Cincinnati meeting the following gentle¬ 
men were conditionally elected : 
Prof. T. J. Burrill, Champaign, Ill.; Prof. J. P. 
Roberts, Ithaca, N. Y. ; Prof. E. M. Shelton, Man¬ 
hattan, Kan. ; Prof. W. H. Jordan, State College, 
Pa.; Prof. C. E. Dwinelle, Berkeley, Cal.; Prof. S. 
M. Tracy, Columbia, Mo. ; Prof. Geo. H. Cook, 
New Brunswick, N. J. ; Prof. W. W. Daniels, Mad¬ 
ison, Wis. ; D. Y. Salmon, Atlanta, Ga.; W. W. 
Tracy, Detroit, Mich. ; Prof. J. W. Sanborn, Han¬ 
over, N. H.; Prof. R. F. Kedzie, Agricultural Col¬ 
lege, Miss. ; Prof. F. A. Gulley, Agricultural Col¬ 
lege, Miss.; Prof. W. A. Henry, Madison, Wis. 
The meeting was quite largely attended by the pub¬ 
lic, and included such men as Dr. Warder, Secretary 
Chamberlain, Bonham, W. T. Brown, Townshend, 
and Lazenby of Ohio, Alvord of New York, 
Tracy of Michigan, Swallow, and Schweitzer of 
Missouri, Atwater of Connecticut, Peckham of 
Rhode Island, Gulley of Mississipi, etc. 
Among the papers read was one on “ The Roots of 
Plants, or Experiments in Roots,” by J. J. Thomas, 
Esq. The “Agricultural Instruction for the 
Young,” byB. D. Halsted, Sc. D. “ Testing Seeds,” 
by Prof. W. J. Beal. “ Vesiculating Test for Wheat 
Flour,” and “ The Ripening of Wheat,” by Prof. R. 
C. Kedzie. “Analysis of Milk,” by Prof. G. C. 
Caldwell. “Absorption of Water by Grain,” by 
Prof. W. II. Brewer. “Relation of Seeding to the 
Quality of Fruit aud Vegetables,” byE. Lewis Stur- 
tevant, M. D., and “ On the Influence of Oxygen 
upon Dairy Products,” by L. B. Arnold, Esq. 
The officers elected by ballot for the ensuing 
year are Prof. W. J. Beal, Lansing, Mich., President; 
Dr. E. Lewis Sturtevant, So. Framingham, Mass., 
Secretary ; and these gentlemen, with L. B. Arnold, 
Rochester, N. Y, form the Executive Committee. 
[The above information is kindly furnished us by 
Dr. E. L. Sturtevant, Secretary of the Society. Eds.] 
A Letter from the New Northwest. 
To the Editor of the American Agriculturist : 
I have had a run in the Colony Counties of this State, 
but your crowded columns can not be expected to make 
room for an account of the colonists, their number, their 
importance, and what they are doing. You at the East 
have no idea of the number of immigrants of whom 
nothing is known in Castle Garden. The English are 
coming over, many of them bringing large amounts of 
money. I met, the other day, at Avoca, one of Bishop 
Ireland's colonies, John Reynolds, an English farmer,who 
worked three hundred acres near Cambridge, and paid 
£2 for part and £3 for part, per acre. He did not com¬ 
plain that the rental was too high, but made a clean 
sweep of it by saying that in England, after the labor bill, 
and the “ rates our “ taxes ’’—were paid, there was 
not a penny for the landlord. His great trouble was, that 
he had not left England five years ago ; then, he said, he 
would have had a bit of money to start with in America, 
but he held on, thinking that every bad year would be 
the last. He said that farmers were failing this year, 
who were supposed to be rich. Mr. Henry Radley, who 
has purchased a thousand acres at Avoca, said he was of 
a family of farmers; knew all about it, and lost, in Eng¬ 
land, £1,700 in five years, and then cleared out to save 
the balance. Mr. Joseph Wood, another English farmer 
at Avoca, says that a good or a bad crop in England, is of 
no consequence, it does not affect the American crop a 
penny a bushel. “Why,” he said, “ the whole of Eng¬ 
land can not supply London with provisions.” I have 
been doing some missionary work for the American 
Agriculturist , having advised lots of these strangers not 
to be without it. They are intelligent, but our climate, 
our people, our ways, and our everything is new to them. 
You refer to flax, and its culture. In some of the coun¬ 
ties, notably in Murray Co., flax is an important crop, 
safer this year than wheat. But they have not, in these 
parts, utilized the straw, while its fibre has a market 
almost as good as wheat in America. There is, I believe, 
a factory at Mankato, for treating flax-straw. 
I hope you will give these strangers hints as to what 
kinds of cows and sheep to get. I met a family from 
Rondout, at Minneota; they had come for the health of 
the head of the family, and, I may remark, he was re¬ 
gaining. They had eight children, seven of the number 
being daughters. The prairie home did not look like a 
good market for girls, but then they are not marketable 
quite yet. The mother was lonesome. She missed the 
Hudson River. Yet she was enthusiastic about the great 
West, saying, “the grass in the sloughs down there is 
like the grass in the meadow of the Lord.” Of course 
one could not help admiring her knowledge of “ Celestial 
Geography.”—S. J. A., St. Paul, Minn., Aug. 10. 
Catalogues Received. 
With this month we resume our acknowledgment of 
Catalogues. Wo publish these as much for the benefit of 
intending purchasers as for that of the dealers. The 
catalogues are classified according to the articles offered, 
and then, to avoid all appearance of giving preference, 
they are named in alphabetical order. We would sug¬ 
gest to our friends the dealers, that our, day of going to 
press is now so early, that unless their catalogues reach 
us on or before the fifth day of the preceding month, 
they stand no chance of being noticed. 
NURSERYMEN. 
We include here all dealers in plants that are not 
properly classed as florists. In looking over our cata¬ 
logues it is gratifying to notice that the nursery business 
is reviving in the Southern States; the old establish¬ 
ments sending out enlarged catalogues, and new ones 
are being started in various parts of the country. 
P. J. Bef.ckmans, Augusta, Ga.—This, one of the larg¬ 
est of the southern nurseries, sends out a general cata¬ 
logue of all kinds of nursery and florist’s stock, and a 
special list of fruits adapted to Florida and the Coast 
States; both very full, and offering many things not 
to be bad in Northern nurseries. 
Carpenter & Gage, Bower, Jeff. Co., Neb., offer as 
specialties the Russian Mulberry and Apricot. 
JohnS. Collins, Moorestown, N. J., sends his autumn 
catalogue as full as usual, especially of small fruits. 
Henry A. Dreer, No. 714 Chestnut St., Philapelphia, 
Pa.—A special autumn strawberry catalogue of potted 
and layer old and new varieties. 
Ellwanger & Barry, Rochester, N. Y.—An autumn 
list of small fruits, including potted strawberries—and 
call especial attention to the Fall Garden Phloxes. 
Robert T. Harris, Franklin, Southampton Co., Va.— 
A well selected descriptive list of fruits adapted to Vir¬ 
ginia and vicinity. 
Stephen Hoyt's Sons, New Canaan, Conn.—Issue a 
special description of the “Champion” Quince, and 
some new apples. 
T. S. Hobbard, Fredonia, N. Y.—A full wholesale list 
of grape vines, with special prominence to the “ Prentiss 
Grape” and other small fruits. 
A. W. Kerr, McKinney, Collin Co., Tex.—A very full 
list of fruits of all kinds, and nursery stock generally, 
with useful cultural directions and tables. Mr. Kerr 
gives his patrons some useful information as to journals 
and books in their line, and as he can not do this with¬ 
out benefiting us, he has our thanks. 
Samuel Kinsey, Kinsey’s Station (near Dayton), Ohio, 
publishes a wholesale price list of a full general stock. 
D. W. Langdon, Box 254, Mobile, Ala.—The long 
established nursery of C. C. Langdon is kept up, and 
the catalogue shows it to be quite up to the times in 
general fruit and ornamental stock. 
James T. LeClaire, Rochester, N. Y.—A very full il-. 
lustrated catalogue of fruit and ornamental trees, etc; 
T. Y. Munson, Denison, Texas.—A neat and compact 
list of fruit and ornamental stock, especially suited for 
the far Southwest,with a preface full of words of wisdom. 
E. P. Roe, Cornwall-on-the Hudson, Orange Co., N. Y. 
—In his usual autumn catalogue, Mr. Roe gives much 
information about small fruits. 
Geo. S. Wales, Rochester, N. Y.— Small fruits, in¬ 
cluding the newest, and giving experience in a pointed, 
pungent manner. 
SEEDSMEN AND BULB DEALERS. 
As a general thing all the regular seedsmen offer in 
autumn a full stock of Dutch and other bulbs. Though 
the catalogues, as a general thing, have not come to hand, 
they will be out as soon as the importations arrive, and 
are opened, and our advertising columns will no doubt 
contain a large number of announcements. 
David Landreth & Sons, Nos. 21 and 23 South6th St., 
Philadelphia.—Besides their regular spring catalogue 
and almanac, publish a list of their specialties, which 
should have been noticed earlier, but is good at any time. 
James M. Thorburn & Co., No. 15 John St., N. Y. 
—A neat and handsomely illustrated list of Dutch and 
other Bulbs and Flowering Roots, including rarities, and 
seeds for autumn sowing. 
James Vick, Rochester, N. Y. — Sends his “ Floral 
Guide” for Autumn, which, besides being a Bulb and 
Plant Catalogue, contains much interesting matter on 
planting and cultivation. 
MISCELLANEOUS-INCLUDING MACHINES, FER¬ 
TILIZERS, POULTRY, ETC. 
C. Aultman & Co., Canton, Ohio.—This is a large and 
handsome octavo volume, giving a full description of 
the Harvesting Machinery of all kinds made by this 
Company, including horse and steam powers, etc. 
Alfred G. Atkins, Orange, N. J. — Describes the 
“Novelty” Incubator and Hydro Mother, for hatching 
and raising chickens. 
W. E. Bond, Cleveland, Ohio. —Improved Sectional 
Boats, for Exploring, Fishing, Hunting, etc. 
Chicago Scraprr and Ditcher Co., Maywood, HI — 
This implement, already illustrated in these columns, is 
fully described in a neat pamphlet. 
E. V. R. Gardner & Co.. West Town, Orange Co., N. 
Y.—Describe and amply illustrate their Grappling and 
Pitching Apparatus, for hay, straw, etc. 
M. P. Grove, Toledo, Ohio.—Describe the method of 
making cement Drain Tile, with the Pacific Continuous 
Drain Tile Machine. 
Geo. R. Hawley, Glen’s Falls, N. Y. — Am. Dominique 
Fowls and Pekin Ducks. 
Heebner & Sons, Lansdale, Montgomery Co., Pa. — 
Illustrate their Level Tread Horse Powers, “ Little 
Giant” Threshers, Saws, etc., in a neat pamphlet. 
H. W. Johns’ M’f’g Co., No. 87 Maiden Lane, N. Y.— 
Describe their various Asbestos products, and give sam¬ 
ple tints of their excellent Asbestos Paints. 
Wm. Y. McAllister, No. 728 Chestnut St., Phila¬ 
delphia.—An illustrated catalogue of Optical Instru¬ 
ments of over 130 pages, and very instructive. 
New York Plow Co., No. 55 Beekman St., N. 1'.— 
Special list of Ensilage Cutters, Cider Mills, and other 
seasonable implements. 
E. & O. Ward, No. 279 Washington St.—These com¬ 
mission merchants give in a circular much useful ad¬ 
vice to those who ship goods to the N. Y. market, espe¬ 
cially to Southern shippers. 
EUROPEAN CATALOGUES. 
H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley Junction, Kent.—Send 
out an enormous catalogue of over 275 pages, giving 
their novelties and specialties in flowers. 
J. Linden, Ghent, Belgium.—This catalogue, of which 
a special edition is published for Americans full of the 
choicest Palms, Orchids, and other treasures for the 
stove and greenhouse. Besides illustrations of the nov¬ 
elties are views of the immense establishment. 
Segers Brothers, Lisse, near Haarlem, Holland.— 
This catalogue shows the wonderful extent to which 
bulb culture is carried on in Holland. 
Preserving Powder.— Those who inquire about 
the “ Preserving Powder ” offered in our advertising 
columns, should be aware that the appearance of the ad¬ 
vertisement indicates two things: 1st. That we have ex¬ 
amined into and know the composition and character 
of the powder; and 2nd., that it may be used with per¬ 
fect safety, and did we need an article of the kind, we 
should use it ourselves. “What is it?’’ That we are 
not at liberty to state, as its composition is given to us 
in confidence. If parties are sufficiently enterprising to 
avail themselves of the modern discoveries in chemistry, 
and turn their knowledge to good account in applying it 
to the uses of every-day life, we think that they have a 
right to keep their methods secret, and that it is proper 
that they should profit by their enterprise, and be re¬ 
paid for their expense in making the article known. 
“ Cultivation of Grasses and Forage 
Plants at the Soutli.”— A pamphlet by the late 
Rev. C. W. Howard, Kingston, Ga., was first published 
not far from ten years ago, as its second edition ap¬ 
peared in 1875. We now have the “ third edition, revised, 
with an appendix on ensilage,” published by the widow 
of the author. This was the first, and so far as we are 
aware, is still the only treatise devoted to the culture of 
grasses in the Southern States. The value of the work 
is increased by the chapter on Ensilage, by Dr. J. M. 
Bailey, Billerica, Mass., author of “The Book of Ensi¬ 
lage.” Itis to be regretted that a “revised edition,” was 
not brought up to the present state of knowledge by 
some competent person. We should expect that the 
chapter upon “Guinea,” “Johnson,” or “Means’’ 
grass, would have been written anew to present the im¬ 
portant experience of the last few years. The Field pea, 
or Southern Cow pea, which is no doubt destined to be 
of increased value to the Southern States, with the intro¬ 
duction of ensilage, has nothing added to the brief note 
in the former edition. Still, with all its short comings 
the work has been, and will still be, a useful one, as it 
will encourage greater attention to the cultivation of the 
grasses and forage plants in those States where they have 
been too much neglected. Sent post-paid for 25c. 
Seed Sowers.— Our attention has been directed 
to the manufacture of the Philadelphia Broadcast Seed 
Sower. The manufacturers claim that in its uniformity 
of sowing all kinds of seeds, its easy adjustment to any 
farmer's wagon, its durability and breadth of cast, this 
seed sower is superior to all others. It can be at¬ 
tached to any ordinary wagon, and the farmer can, by 
means of the gauge in the bottom of the hopper, regulate 
the quantity he wishes to sow per acre. The No. 1 
Machine is especially recommended by the manufacturers 
for sowing phosphates, bone-dust, etc. It is claimed 
that whilo costing little, it sows uniformly and rapidly. 
The Methodist.— One of the proprietors of the 
American Agriculturist recalls with pleasure his associa¬ 
tion with the “New York Methodist ” at the time of its 
launching, some twenty years or more ago. It then, as 
now, embraced some of the very ablest talent in the Meth¬ 
odist denomination. Furthermore, its high scholarship 
and ability made it a welcome visitor to many homes, 
other than Methodist. The same is true now. With 
such men as Dr. Wheeler and Dr, Curry as editors, sup¬ 
ported by the leading minds around them, the “Metho¬ 
dist ” must in the future attain to still greater prosperity 
than has marked its past career. 
