1879 .] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST, 
33 
Commercial Matters—Market Prices. 
The following condensed, comprehensive tables, care¬ 
fully prepared specially for the American Agriculturist, 
from our record kept daily during the year, show at a 
glance the transactions for the month ending Dec. 13 lh, 
1878, and for the corresponding period last year: 
1. TRANSACTIONS AT TU1S NICW YORK MAISKBTS. 
Receipts. Flour. Wheat. Corn. liye. llarleu. Oats. 
26d’sf/ittm’th475,550 4,230,000 2,434,000 387,000 743,000 831,000 
27(1’S last m’Ui.513,000 5,821,000 3,971,000 567,000 1,079,000 1,217,000 
Salks. Flour. Wheat. Corn. line. Karlen. Oats. 
26d’s this m’tli504,000 5,936,000 4,091,000 411,000 600,000 1,302,000 
27 d’s last m’tli521,000 6,413,000 4,812,000 531,000 826,000 1,473,000 
13. Comparison with same period at tltis time last pear. 
Receipts. Flour. Wheat. Corn. Rye. Burley. Oats. 
26 days 1878. .475,550 4,236,000 2,434,000 387,000 743,000 831,000 
25 days 1877. .473,000 4,116,000 3,491,000 383,000 1,312,000 1,407,000 
Sales. Four. Wheat. Corn. Ih/e. Barley. Oats. 
26 days 1878. .504,000 5,936,000 4,094,000 411,000 609,000 1,802,000 
25 days 1877. .491,000 5,129,000 4,154,000 431,000 1,227,000 1,286,OUO 
3. Exports from New York, Jan. 1, to Dec. 10. 
Flour. Wheat. Corn. Rye. Barley. Oats. Peas. 
hbls. bush. bush. busli. bush. bush. bush. 
”78.2,433.166 52,166,952 25.844,569 3.970.465 1,518,667 3,615,001 42S,937 
’77.1,386,875 19,833,574 25,276,390 1,992,620 1,936,956 246,355 454,056 
'76.1,823,050 23,606,295 16,339,741 1,281,929 88,097 619,118 689,246 
’75.1,789,299 25,054,035 12,495,349 152,925 1,505 133,754 415,019 
’74.2,055,423 33,700,159 18,329,781 641,661 3,320 110,331 425,553 
4. Stock of grain in store at Neio York. 
Wheal. Corn. Rye. Barley. Oats. 3fatt. 
busb. bush. bush. bush. bush, busli. 
Dec. 9.1878..3,910,457 3,520,555 602,206 965,577 1,339,991 133,079 
Nov.ll,187S. .4,539,387 4,179,584 547,226 880.910 1,306,069 18,057 
Sep. 10,1878..1,162,808 1,113,458 71,886 202,774 697,668 131,841 
Aug. 12,’78.. 1,126,813 598,736 62,647 203,224 472,366 137,003 
July 11,’78..1,591,132 720,784 138,852 174,000 207,769 663,075 
May 7,1878.. 748,196 263,020 75,229 207,576 570,293 258,327 
Apr.15,1878.. 1,370,081 541,648 106,375 396.861 857,273 253,424 
Jan. 10,1878. .2,586,715 105,909 286,333 913,898 1,687.985 321,474 
Nov. 5,1877.. 981,374 2,643.502 166,949 368,429 1,770,759 328,388 
May 7,1877.. 761,686 468,809 193,046 174,375 317,881 291,654 
.Ian. 8,1877. .3.66S,010 3,077,504 341,750 905,615 1,OSS,101 425,406 
Dec.ll, 1876. .3,110.283 3,385,554 213.841 873,310 1,182,322 512,041 
Jan. 10, 1876. .5,802,293 663,982 100,741 325,191 1,080,300 307,4® 
5. Tide-water Receipts at Albany, from opening of nav¬ 
igation to Bee. 7 .• 
Flour. Wheat. Corn. Rye. Barley. Oats. Malt. 
bbls. bnsh. bush. bush. bush. busb. bush. 
TS.. 13,400 26,486,006 25,167,800 2,103,600 3,192,300 5,062,500 486.800 
’77.. 29,100 12,743,500 23,631,100 1,282,700 5,530,900 4,228,700 607,500 
’76.. 37,100 11,801,100 11,8S6,600 762,700 3,858,000 3,167,900 735,600 
IS. .113,600 21,335,200 8,581,800 250,900 3.S33.600 3,108,300 659,800 
Current Wholesale Prices. 
Nov. 13. (Dec. 13. 
Price ok Gold. 
100 1 
1-8 
101 1- 
"S 
Flour—S uper to Extra State*3 
15 
© 4 
25 
*3 
15 
© < 
125 
•• Super to Extra South’ll. 
B 
25 
@ E 
> 75 
3 
15 
© f 
; 75 
•• Extra Western. 
3 
70 
@ i 
i 50 
3 
70 
© 1 
3 75 
Extra Genesee. 
3 
85 
@ J 
5 50 
8 
85 
@ ! 
i 50 
•• Superline Western. 
3 
15 
@ 3 65 
3 
15 
@ i 
1 65 
Rye Flour, Superfine. 
2 
90 
@ ; 
1 45 
2 
85 
@ ; 
1 30 
Corn-Meat.. ... 
2 
20 
© 1 
! 85 
2 
lb 
© ‘ 
i 85 
Buckwheat Flour, $ 100 n>s 
1 
70 
@ ; 
! 00 
1 
60 
@ 1 90 
Buckwheat, per bush_... 
— 
@ 
50 
47 
@ 
— 
Wheat—A ll kinds of White. 
98 
® 1 12 
1 
(III 
© 1 
1 11 
All kinds of Red and Amber. 
75 
© i 08 
78 
@ 1 03 
Corn—Y ellow. 
’ Mixed. 
47 
© 
63 
45 
@ 
63 
42 
© 
47 
42 
® 
47 
• White. 
50 
63 
45 
© 
63 
Oats. 
28 
® 
40 
28%@ 
87% 
Rye .. 
58 
© 
63 
55 
@ 
62 
Barley. 
75 
@ i 
1 25 
75 
@ : 
1 25 
Hay—B ale, ft 100 Tbs. 
HU 
@ 
75 
25 
@ 
75 
Straw, f 100 1t>s. 
20 
© 
45 
25 
@ 
45 
Cotton—M iddlings, ft ib 
951® 
8%@ 
0% 
Hops—C rop of IS78. f lb. 
8 
© 
15 
5 
@ 
15 
1877, ft tt. 
5 
® 
8 
4 
@ 
6 
olds, ft B. 
1 
@ 
4 
i 
@ 
3 
Feathers—L ive Geese, ft lb 
35 
@ 
55 
35 
@ 
50 
Seed—C lover, West. & St.f lb 
651® 
7% 
6M® 
7% 
•• Timothy, ft bushel .. .. 
1 
20 
@ ■ 
l 25 
1 
20 
® ■ 
1 30 
Flax, ft bushel. 
1 
37 
@ : 
l 40 
1 
40 
— 
Tobacco, Kentucky, &c„ ft lb. 
2%© 
14 
2%@ 
lib? 
•• Seeil Leaf, ft lb. 
3 %@ 
50 
314® 
45 
Wool—D omestic Fleece, ft lb 
20 
® 
43 
20 
@ 
42% 
Domestic, pulled, ft lb .. 
20 
® 
38 
20 
© 
38 
•° California. 
12 
27 
12 
27 
Tallow, ft lb . 
6K@ 
0% 
6%@ 
8% 
Oil-Cake— ft ton. 
27 
50 
@28 00 
28 
00 
@ 
Pork—M ess, ft barrel _ 
7 
45 
® ■ 
l 90 
7 
30 
(3 ’ 
7 60 
' • Extra Prime, ft barrel.. 
— 
© 
' - 
— 
@ 
— 
Berk—E xtra mess. 
10 
50 
@11 00 
10 
50 
©11 50 
Lard, in tres. & bbls, ft 100 lb 
6 
15 
© 1 
5 CO 
5 
80 
@ i 
6 37% 
Butter—S tate, ft lb. 
12 
© 
28 
12 
© 
27 
• * Western,poor to fey, lb. 
7 
27 
7 
© 
27 
Cheese. . . ... 
3K@ 
9 % 
8 
8 
Eggs— Fresh, ft dozen . 
24 
@ 
‘28 
23 
® 
26 
Poultry—F owls, ft n>. 
8 
@ 
14 
7 
® 
14 
•' Chickens, Penn., ft a>_ 
12 
© 
1-4 
11 
© 
14 
Turkeys—ft lb. 
2 
@ 
13 
7 
® 
12 
Geese,ft pair.. 
1 
00 
® 
1 50 
1 
12 
© 
1 50 
Ducks, ft pair. 
45 
@ 
90 
40 
© 
90 
ft lb. 
— 
@ 
— 
9 
® 
13 
Ducks, Wild, ft pair. 
20 
@ : 
l 50 
40 
@ : 
2 25 
Chestnuts—^ bush. 
B 
50 
© < 
1 50 
3 
25 
@ 1 
1 00 
Hickory Nuts— ft hush _ 
2 
no 
@ : 
i 59 
2 
25 
© : 
l 50 
Apples, ft barrel. 
62 
@ : 
: oo 
1 
00 
@ 1 
l (10 
Grapes, ft ft. 
6 
10 
6 
© 
20 
Quinces, @ bbl. 
Cranberries —ft bbl. 
2 
00 
@10 00 
— 
© 
— 
5 
00 
@ 1 
r oo 
5 
OO 
@ ! 
) 00 
Beans— ft bushel. 
i 
50 
@ 2 
! 10 
1 
50 
@ 1 
J 20 
Peas— Canada, in bond, ft bu 
70 
@ 
72 
73 
© 
75 
Potatoes, ft bbl. 
1 
75 
@ : 
1 00 
i 
To 
© ! 
3 00 
•' Sweet, ft bbl. 
1 
00 
@ 1 
1 50 
i 
25 
@ : 
l 25 
Turnips ft bbl. 
75 
© 
— 
75 
@ 
87% 
Broom-corn . 
4 
® 
6 
4 
@ 
5% 
Cabbages— ft 100.. 
Ontons— ft bbl. 
2 
00 
© ; 
5 00 
2 
50 
@ ! 
7 00 
1 
00 
@ 
L 50 
1 
50 
@ i 
l 25 
Celery, per dozen. 
75 
@ 
87 
75 
@ : 
1 00 
Gold closes at 100%, as ; 
against 103 on 
Dec. 
12, 
1877. 
Resumption of specie payments is filed by law for Jan. 
1,1879, and the Treasury Department and the Banks are 
shaping their financial policy accordingly. Little, if any, 
disturbance of business interests is apprehended from re¬ 
sumption measures. On the 7th inst., the State Canals 
were officially closed, bringing to an end an unusually 
active and prosperous season of canal navigation... .Cable 
advices have been of a depressing tenor, as a rule, and 
have tended to check operations in Produce, and to 
weaken values. Less export inquiry has been reported 
for the leading articles, and the home trade call has been 
on a moderate scale. Inland and ocean freights hare dq, 
dined sharply and left off heavily....Flour has been 
offered more freely, and has been more or less variable in 
price, closing weak, on a comparatively tame movement, 
chiefly for home use. llye Flour declined and closed in 
favor of buyers, the available supplies having been con¬ 
siderably in excess of the requirements of purchasers. 
Corn Meal has been sparingly dealt in, yet has otherwise 
shown little change. Wheat has been less active, and 
quoted lower, though on the later transaclions exhibiting 
a stronger range on winter grades, which closed up in 
better request, in good part for shipment to the Conti¬ 
nent, whence the demand is mostly for better qualities 
of White and Red. Corn has been quoted cheaper on a 
less important business. Rye has been less sought after, 
closing heavily. A restricted movement lias been re¬ 
ported in Barley, which, however, has been held more 
confidently toward the close. Canada Peas have been in 
some demand, and have been advanced slightly in price. 
Oats have been less freely purchased and quoted lower. 
White closing more steadily, while Mixed left off de¬ 
pressed and irregular_A further sharp decline occurred 
in Cotton, which has been less inquired for... .Provisions 
have further receded in price, closing weak, and without 
notable animation. ...Wool has been moderately sought 
after, and has been quoted generally about steady.... 
Tobacco has been in fair demand within our previous 
range.. ..Seeds have been in rather better request at the 
ruling figures... .Hops have been quoted lower on free 
offerings, leading to a more liberal business, largely for 
export, mostly for London ...Hay and Straw have been 
comparatively quiet. 
New York Livestock Markets. 
RECEIPTS. 
week ending Beeves. Cows. Calves. Sheep. Swine. 
Nov. 18. 9,589 200 2,096 24,682 45,975 
Nov. 25. 9,675 154 2,162 16,590 54,582 
Dee. 2. 8,171 180 1,67(1 26,270 53,006 
Dec. 9. 10,698 123 1,851 25,719 57,960 
Total for 1 Weeks..W,m 657 6,779 93,301 211.61.3 
do.forprev. 4 IFeeAis44,831 509 11,982 134,119 197,857 
Beeves. Cows. Calves. Sheep. Swine. 
Average per Week..... . 9,533 101 1,695 23,325 52,904 
do. do. last Month ..11,207 127 2,993 33,529 49,401 
do. do. prev's Mouth .12,104 71 3,611 82,622 31.0S8 
The prices for the past four weeks were as follows: 
week ending Range. Larger Sales. Aver. 
Nov. 18.6 @10 c. 7%@ 8%c. 7%c. 
Nov.25. 6%@10 c. 7%@ Sjifc. 8 c. 
Dec-. 2. 6%@ll%c. 8 @ 9%c. 8^c. 
Dec. 9.6%@10%c. 7%@ 9 c. 8%c. 
Beeves. —The range of prices show the condition of 
business for the past month. At the close, the market 
was weak and prices fell off considerably. Extra cattle 
brought 10%@10% for a dressed weight of 57 lbs. to the 
100; native steers of 56 to 57 lbs., sold for 911 to 10c. per 
lb.; Colorado steers brought 7%@Sc. per 55 lbs. to the 
100, and dry cows and bulls 2%@4)4c. per lb. live weight 
.. ..Cows have been without change, selling according 
lo quality, for $28.50 to $70 per head... Calves have 
sold steadily on a dull market, with slightly lower prices ; 
grass calves brought 2%@3%c. per lb., and prime milk 
calves 5@7c. per lb. live weight_SUeep have declined 
on a quiet market, closing at 4(a)51£c. per lb. for common 
to choice; dressed mutton soldat6@8c. per lb. ..Swine 
have sold at 3@3%c. per lb. for live, and 3%@4c. per lb. 
for dressed; the market closes dull and weak. 
What Good Seed and Cultivation Will Do. 
123 bushels of Wheat to the Acre. 
The low average yield of wheat In this country is due 
to various causes. Lack of proper cultivation, soils ren¬ 
dered sterile by long cropping, poor seed, etc. The work 
of careful experimenters and progressive farmers, is 
teaching us that attention to these details marks the path 
to success in wheat growing. We have recorded many 
accounts of unusual yields, due to drill cultivation, and 
superior seed, but the reports of the competitors for the 
wheat premiums offered by Messrs. B. K. Bliss & Sons, 
excel anything else we have seen in this line. The pre¬ 
miums, as announced in the American Agriculturist, last 
Spring, amounted to $250, and were for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 
and 4tli largest quantities, grown from one pound of the 
“ Champlain,” and “ Defiance,” respectively, and for the 
best 20 heads of each variety. These were Spring wheats, 
originated by hybridization, by Mr. Pringle of Vermont, 
who had previously been very successful in bringing out 
new varieties of potatoes. The prize winners were: For 
‘•'■Champlain," 1st premium, A. J. Scoggins, Tulare Co., 
Cal., 791 lbs., from 1 lb. of seed.—2nd, John Brakefield, 
Stearns Co., Minn., 484 lbs.—3rd, A. Monquin, Davis Co., 
Ill., 405% lbs.—4th, Alfred Rose, Yates Co., N. Y„ 295 lbs. 
"Defiance." —1st J. Brakefield, Stearns Co., Minn., 528 
lbs., from 1 lb. of seed.—2nd, A. Mouquin, Davis Co., III., 
465% lbs.—3d, David Brothers, Denver, Col., 342 lbs.— 
4th, A. G. Hickerson, Plumas Co., Cal., 316 lbs. Calcu¬ 
lated according to the areas of the plots, one of these ex¬ 
perimenters got at the rate of 128 bushels of wheat per 
gpre, and none of the winners less than 55. One com¬ 
petitor planted his seed in drills 8 inches apart, and two 
feet between every alternate row. Reckoning only 8 
inches between the drills, this competitor states that his 
plot occupied only y 64 of an acre, and that accordingly 
his yield was at the rate of 334 bushels per acre. These 
results were of course due to the superior quality of the 
seed to a considerable degree, but largely, doubtless, to 
the methods of cultivation adopted. Most of the prize 
winners planted the seed in drills, 8 to 16 inches apart, 
placing the kernels 4 to 6 inches apart in the row, and 
then cultivating the crop as they would a choice corn¬ 
field. Tiie ground was also carefully prepared, and the 
whole treatment the best. The unusual yields are in¬ 
dications of what wheat-growers may expect, when they 
adopt the methods which these and similar experiments 
teach are the ones that lead to success. Readers will re¬ 
member that our publishers have a small amount of these 
varieties of wheat for distribution. See Premium List. 
containing a great variety of Items, including many 
good Hints and Suggestions which ice throw into smaller 
type and condensed form, for leant of space elsewhere. 
Continued from p. 7. 
In justice to the majority of our sub¬ 
scribers, who have been readers for many 
years, articles and illustrations are sel¬ 
dom repeated, as those who desire in¬ 
formation on a particular subject can 
cheaply obtain one or more of the back, 
numbers containing what is wanted. 
Back numbers of the “ American Agri¬ 
culturist,” containing articles referred to 
in the it Basket” or elsewhere, can al¬ 
ways he supplied and sent post-paid for 
15 cts. each, or §1.50 per volume. 
Our Dairy Interests.—Their Magnitude., 
—In the various addresses at the Dairy Fair, these state¬ 
ments were made: The cows of the country and the land 
they are kept on, are valued at over Thirteen Hundred 
Million Dollars ($1,300,000,000)1—The annual bntter and 
cheese products, is $50,000,000 greater than the value of 
the wheat crop. During the 12 years past, we have ex¬ 
ported over one billion pounds of cheese, or85,000,000 lbs. 
a year, or about 271,300 lbs., for every working day. 
Keeping .Potatoes.— The French hotel and res¬ 
taurant keepers are said to preserve their supplies of po¬ 
tatoes in the following manner: The tubers are first 
washed, and then, a few at a time, by means of small 
baskets, are plunged into boiling water, and held there 
for four seconds ; they are then dried and stored. This 
treatment destroys the vitality of the buds or “ eyes," 
and there is no tendency to sprout, but the potatoes keep 
sound and of good flavor, until the next crop comes in. 
Indian Corn.— It does not seem possible for an 
Englishman to understand the nomenclature of maize. 
A recent “ Gardeners’ Magazine,” speaking of the manu¬ 
facture of sugar from the “stems ” of Indian Corn saysr 
“As a matter of course, the grain must be sacrificed to 
secure the sugar, for as the cobs swell, the canes become 
less and less sweet.” Swelling of the cobs, indeed 1 
Earthworms In Pots.— A correspondent of the 
“Revue Horticole,” says that watering with a cold 
strong infusion of Horse-Chestnuts will kill earthworms. 
We have always thought that Horse-Chestnuts would 
turn out to be good for something. 
Wire Bed Mattresses are among the best addi¬ 
tions of recent inventions to comfort and rest, and they 
are quite as important to hard-working people, whether 
farmers or others, as they are to more leisurely people. 
We have practically tested different kinds, and are now 
enjoying one made by the National Wire Mattress Com¬ 
pany, of New Britain, Ct. With its strength, durability, 
and elasticity, we do not see how it can be improved. 
Petunias and Potato Bugs.— The statement 
went the rounds of the papers that the Petunia planted 
among the potato vines, would be eaten by the potato- 
beetle in preference to the potato, and the insect would 
be killed. The Petunia belongs to the same botanical 
family with the potato, and the statement looked very 
improbable. Our correspondent, “H. N. S.,” South Sud¬ 
bury, Mass., tried the matter, and, finding that the insects 
would not take to the Petunia from choice, confined them 
to that, and when forced to do so, they fed upon the Petu¬ 
nia leaves, and the diet did not appear to disagree with, 
much less prove poisonous to them. 
