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AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST, 
[February, 
“fiTlae Blessed. Bees,” is the title of a work by 
John Allen, published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons, N. Y. 
Whether Joint Allen and Linnswick, are assumed names 
for the author and his residence, we do not know. We do 
know that it is a most fascinating narrative, and is in 
bee-keeping, such a work as “Ten Acres Enough” was 
in fruit-growing. As to the accuracy of its teachings, our 
apiarian contributor must decide. That it will give a 
great stimulus to bee-keeping, we do not doubt, for the 
story is told in such a charming manner that it can not 
fail to captivate many, and induce them to follow the 
author’s example. We have always regarded “ Tun Acres 
Enough,” as one of the most mischievous works ever 
published in the country. It gave only the bright side 
of the picture, aud lured many into fruit-growing 'who 
miserably failed, and it was actually detrimental to the 
interest it sought to promote. The thought naturally oc¬ 
curs: will “The Blessed Bees” have a similarly unto¬ 
ward effect on bee-keeping? We think not—at least not 
with sensible people; the author states the causes of his 
success, and points out how others may fail. Thoughtful 
persons will read and consider these, as well as his ac¬ 
counts of success ; unbalanced enthusiasts will disregard 
these, and miserably fail. On the whole, we think the 
author fairly states his case, and if his work leads to dis¬ 
appointment, it will be more the fault of the reader 
than of the author. Sent by the Orange Judd Company, 
post-paid, for the publisher’s price, $1.00. 
A Manual of Georgia.—Among the other good 
works done by the most efficient Commissioner of Agri¬ 
culture of Georgia, Doct. Thomas P. Janes, is the compil¬ 
ing and publication of this “Manual.” It is intended to 
supply information to immigrants who would go to, and 
capitalists who would invest in that State. None of the 
former slave States has made such advances since the 
war, as Georgia, and in the way of agriculture and manu¬ 
factures has made most astonishing progress. The State 
has a wonderfully varied territory, and whether for agri¬ 
culture, manufactures, or mining, needs only to have its 
advantages plainly stated, as they are in this Manual, to 
attract the attention of those who are looking for new 
fields for enterprise. In State encouragement to agricul¬ 
ture, Georgia is far in advance of many Northern States, 
and agriculture is there regarded as the basis of prosper¬ 
ity. Her present Governor was promoted to his seat 
from the presidency of the State Agricultural Society, and 
is heartily in sympathy with every agricultural improve¬ 
ment. The work does not state how it may be procured, 
but we presume by addressing the author at Atlanta. 
The Grasses of Tennessee.—Every now and 
then we have some indication that the agriculture of 
Tennessee is rapidly improving. The latest manifesta¬ 
tion, is a work by Col. J. B. Killibrew, Commissioner of 
Agriculture for the State, on “ The Grasses of Tennessee ; 
including Cereals and Forage Plants.” The fact that 
such a work, of over 500 pages, should be prepared and 
published by the State, is most gratifying. It shows a 
desire for an improved system of agriculture, and it also 
shows an appreciation of the fact that the agricultural 
prosperity of a State as a whole—there are, of course, 
local exceptions—depends upon grass. The work appears 
to be well done, and to embody the present knowledge 
on the subject of which it treats. It contains useful sta¬ 
tistics on the grasses of the State, embodied in a large 
number of replies to questions sent out, and several 
special articles by eminent agriculturists of the State. 
The performance is creditable alike to the Commis¬ 
sioner and to the State of Tennessee. 
A Good Tea Record.-The Great American Tea 
Company has long advertised in our columns, and of 
course find many customers in this way. But we do not 
recall a single complaint from any of our readers of 
their dealings—not even of a parcel having gone astray. 
The latter fact is somewhat remarkable, for “accidents 
do happen in the best regulated families.” sometimes. 
The Bean Weevil.—That veteran horticulturist, 
Mr. Wm. Chorlton of Staten Island, writes: “Youhave 
sounded the warning regarding the Bean Weevil, none 
too soon. After reading your article on this pe=t, in the 
current number of the American Agriculturist, I imme¬ 
diately examined a package of Mohawk Beans, grown 
and ripened on my place last summer, and found it al¬ 
most a moving mass of living insects, which, under the 
microscope, proved to be identical with the very cor¬ 
rect. magnified illustration which you have presented.” 
‘'Measuring and Marking Rafters.”— 
In the January number, 19th page, is given a method of 
“ Measuring and Marking Rafters,” with a description 
of an apparatus for the work. Mr. George H. Bradshaw, 
Fayetleville, Tenn., very courteously informs us that the 
device is one covered by a patent issued to himself for 
"Improvement in Bevels.” This being the case, we at 
once inform our readers that the apparatus referred to 
can not be used without trespassing upon the rights of 
another, which we are sure they would not knowingly do. 
Among the many contrivances published by us, it is not 
strange that our editors or contributors should hit upon 
some that have been patented; indeed, the wonder is 
that the cases are so rare, but when they do occur, they for¬ 
tunately injure no one, as the correction benefits the pat¬ 
entee by giving wide publicity to his invention. 
The Deatk of Col. Wilkins.—In the death of 
Col. Edward Wilkins, which occurred in December last, 
at Chestertown, Kent Co., not only does Maryland lose 
one of her foremost horticulturists, but the horticulture 
of the country loses one of its most active and intelligent 
workers and promoters. Col. W. was regarded as the 
largest peach-grower in the country—and, consequently, 
of the world. lie brought to fruit culture—for he did not 
confine himself to peaches—the enthusiasm, progressive 
spirit, and business-like method, which characterized him 
in other walks of life. A visit to his well-managed fruit- 
farm, with each detail described by the owner, is one of 
tlie events that we shall long remember. 
Brewer’s Grains for Food.—“H. B. J.,” 
Boston. “When corn sells at 50 cts. per bushel, and 
wheat bran at $15 per ton,” brewer’s grains are worth 
from $15 to $17 per ton, according to careful analyses 
and estimates of the food constituents of those articles. 
Brewer’s grains produce no ill effects on milch cows if 
not fed too liberally, nor do they injure the quality of 
the milk. When over 3 to 4 quarts per day have been 
fed, injurious results have followed. They are freely 
used, with this precaution, by many good dairymen. 
Iiime and. Barn-yard Manure.—“J. F. W.,” 
Paradise, Pa. As we have repeatedly written in these 
columns, the value of lime as a compost is not as plant 
food, but in its action upon the crude materials with 
which it is mixed, changing the form of, and making 
available, the plant-food contained in them. On clay- 
laud lime has a similar effect, lightening up the soii, and 
by chemical action bringing out its fertility for use by 
the crops. On such soils, lime and barnyard manure 
would produce good results, applied separately or in a 
compost: if mingled in a compost, care must betaken 
to prevent waste of ammonia, by covering the heap with 
a thin layer of fresh earth. 
32-Rowed Corn.—In response to our inquiries 
for 32-rowed corn, Mr. Jas. C. Greenler, of East Bethle¬ 
hem, Pa., writes that his father and himself have raised 
it for 50 years. It is much liked in that region. Though 
the cars do not all have 32 rows, yet many of them do, 
and some have as high as 38 rows. This corn is said to 
have a comparatively small cob, and low-growing stalks, 
and to be particularly adapted to the West and South. 
Lamp Explosions.—Several applications of the 
principle of the Safety Lamp, i. e., that flame cannot pass 
through a fiae wire guaze, have been made to Kerosene 
Lamps. So far as these prevent danger, should poor oil 
be accidentally used, they are beneficial. Still they 
should not lead to the use of poor oil, as only a part of 
the danger with that comes from the lamp; it is unsafe 
to have in the house at all. Use only good oil. 
The Year Book of Education, 1878 s E. S. 
Stiger, New York. “The Cyclopaedia of Education,” 
published a year ago, was heartily welcomed by teachers 
and all others connected with educational interests. 
This is now to be followed annually by a “Year Book” 
of facts of progress and experience in the whole educa¬ 
tional field. We have the volume for 1878 before us, 
and it contains much of interest to teachers everywhere. 
Pig-eon Show in New York.-The “Na¬ 
tional Columbarian Society,” hold their fourth annual 
exioition at the New York Aquarium, Feb., 4th to 7th. 
This is open to the competitipn of the world, and prom¬ 
ises an exhibition of fancy pigeons, that will be of inter¬ 
est to all lovers of these pets, whether breeders, ama¬ 
teurs, or admirers not so fortunate as to posess them. 
The Chicago Fat Stock Show, held in De¬ 
cember, was a decided success, and it is hoped that this 
is but the first of a long series of similar exhibitions. A 
remarkable and encouraging fact for breeders is that 
quality was considered before mere gross weight. Com¬ 
pactness, and lightness of horns and legs, are better in¬ 
dexes of the value of the meat than mere size, however 
pleasant it may be to see a great carcass. This same rule 
held throughout the show in cattle, sheep, and swiue, 
and we hope it will influence breeders everywhere. 
Egg Foods.—" C. S.,” Rock Island, Ill. The “ Im¬ 
perial Egg Food,” and “Animal Meal,” are both good 
articles of their kind. It is not for us to say which is 
best. The “Animal Meal ” is to be regarded more as a 
regular food, while the other is a condiment, to aid the 
digestion of other food, and act as a tonic to promote the 
general vigor of the system. We may say here, that we 
do notallow any preparation, whether intended for horses, 
cattle or poultry, to serve as “condition powder,” “ap¬ 
petizer,” or other stimulants to digestion, to be adver¬ 
tised, unless we know its composition. If we find it to 
be free from harmful ingredients, and to be composed of 
those things that may be safely and usefully administered, 
we allow the advertisement to appear. For this reason, 
we can not, without violating confidence, say of luhat 
some of the compounds are made. Of the Animal Meal, 
no secret is made; it claims to be dried flesh, ground 
bone and parched corn. We can say that not one of 
these contains anything which is not well known as use¬ 
ful its way, and may not be procured by any one. But, a 
long experience has shown us that if a compound is made 
up ready to use, with plain printed directions, it will be 
employed 20 times, where the same article if they had to 
be procured separately and mixed, would be used once. 
Holding that such condiments, judiciously administered, 
are useful, we admit advertisements of them—but, only 
on condition that we shall know their composition. One 
of our associates uses the “Egg Food” regularly, and 
likes it; another ascribes much of his success in poultry- 
keeping to the free use of “ Animal Meal.” 
Sale of Clyde Ayr, and Guernsey Cattle. 
—A sale of “Clyde Ayr Cattle,” imported by P. E. Fow¬ 
ler, is to take place at the auction-rooms of Messrs. Herk- 
ness, Philadelphia, early in February. The prices obtain¬ 
ed for imported Guernseys and Jerseys at the recent 
sales seem large to the ordinary farmer, yet in compari¬ 
son with an English sale reported in the London “ Field,” 
they are quite moderate. At this sale, the prices ranged 
from 20 to 255 guineas for the cows and heifers, and aver¬ 
aged nearly $450. Here the highest prices seldom go above 
$500, and the average is less than $300, notwiihstanding 
the expense and frequent loss, incident to the 3,000 mile 
sea-voyage. Whether these prices are really large or small 
with reference to the actual value of the imported stock, 
in comparison with that bred in this country, we may 
have something to say at another time. 
The La Salle County, Ill., Poultry Association, 
recently held a successful exhibition of thoroughbred 
poultry, and dogs of all valuable varieties. The success 
of this first attempt has inspired the managers to organ¬ 
ize another show on a grander scale for next winter. 
Such exhibitions are always beneficial in their effect 
upon the industry they represnt. 
Wet Boots.—Several years ago a correspondent of 
the American Agriculturist gave our readers a hint which 
he picked up somewhere in Europe, which is worth re¬ 
peating. Damp boots if left to dry as they will, shrink 
and become hard and difficult to put on again. When 
the wet boots are taken off, fill each one with oats; when 
dry the boots will be found in their original shape. The 
same quantity of oats may be used repeatedly for this 
purpose by spreading them where they can dry. 
Oil as Manure.—" S. R. A.,” Camden, S. C. There 
is, practically, no manurial value whatever in the oil 
obtained from cotton-seed, nor in any other Irue oil 
(fat). Most oils are composed only of the simple ele¬ 
ments, hydrogen, oxygen, and cat bon, which are all de¬ 
rived by plants from the atmosphere, and are no draft 
upon the resources of the soil. Therefore, “a ton of 
cotton-seed” loses no appreciable value as manure by 
having the oil expressed. Aside from the cost of ex¬ 
tracting it, this cotton-seed oil is all clear profit to the 
farmer, as it takes very trifling fertility [from his lands. 
The American Agriculturist Clubbed 
with Other Journals. 
In response to numerous requests from our subscribers, 
relative to obtaining the American Agriculturist in con¬ 
nection with other publications, we have made arrange¬ 
ments with a few of the leading Magazines, which will 
be forwarded in combination with our Journal as follows: 
[Postage additional when sent to foreign subscribers.] 
American Agriculturist with 
Scribner’s Monthly ($4.00) . 
Scribner’s St. Nicholas ($3.00) — 
Demorest’s Monthly ($3.00).. 
Harper’s Monthly ($4.00)... - 
Harper’s Weekly ($4.00). 
Harper’s Bazar ($4.00) . 
Appleton’s Journal ($3.00). 
Popular Science Monthly ($5.00).. 
Atlantic Monthly ($4.00). 
Iiegular The 2 sup- 
price plied, post- 
fer paid, by 
loth. us for 
..$5.50.$4.75 
.. 4.50. 3 90 
. 4.50. 3.90 
.. 5.50. 4.75 
.. 5.50.4.75 
.. 5.50. 4.75 
.. 4 50 . 3.90 
.. 6.50. 5.50 
. 5.50. 4.75 
On receipt of subscriptions as above, we deliver the 
names and pay to the offices of publication of the maga¬ 
zines ordered, and should there ever be occasion for com¬ 
plaints of non-receipt of such magaziues, these should be 
made direct to their respective Publishers, and not to us. 
