520 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST, 
[December, 
A County Society may often do more useful work 
than a large one. For example, the Burlington County, 
N. J., Agricultural Society offered premiums for and ap¬ 
pointed a committee on Farms, Farm Buildings, Crops, 
and Reclaimed Lands. The premiums were not large, 
hut the information gathered by the Committee in their 
visits to the farms, etc., entered for competition, was of 
great value. When we say that our friend William Parry 
-was chairman of the committee, it will be known that 
there was thoroughness in the work. The report not only 
gives the awards made, but why they were made; thus 
making it instructive and useful. Work like this is more 
profitably done by a County than a State Society, and the 
example of the Burlington Society is commended to 
others that have not already adopted this feature. 
A Carriage Makers’ Magazine.— A friend in 
Kansas City writes to know if there is a journal devoted 
to carriage painting. We do not know of one that solely 
occupies itself with the painting of carriages only, but 
“The Hub” of this City (323 Pearl st.) with all branches 
of carriage making, has very full departments on carriage 
painting, varnishing and finishing generally. This affords 
us an opportunity of saying, what we have long thought, 
of all the Journals devoted to a specialty, there is none 
that comes to this office that seems to be more complete 
in its way, or more beautiful in its dress than “The Hub”. 
Setting Hens. — “Nav.,” Haddonfield, N. J., 
writes: I think I have found a new way of breaking set¬ 
ting hens. When I find one on her nest at night, 1 re¬ 
move her gently to a small out-house, with no window 
in it, but leave a small crack at the door for light and 
air. There I keep her without food or drink until the 
next afternoon, when I let her out to drink, and for 
food. If she goes on her nest again, I subject her to the 
same treatment. This kind of discipline will almost in¬ 
variably break her if repeated three times, and very of¬ 
ten twice will be sufficient. 
The International Dairy Fair.— The second 
exhibition of the “ International Dairy Fair Association” 
will be held in the capacious hall of the American Insti¬ 
tute, New York City, beginning on Monday, Dec. 8, and 
will continue for two weeks. The Machinery Hall—a part 
of the building not occupied at the last Dairy Fair—will 
be devoted to the manufacture of butter and cheese, the 
testing of implements, the raising of cream, etc., etc. 
The Premium List indicates a great advance in the num¬ 
ber and amount of the prizes offered, and an improve¬ 
ment in their distribution through the different classes. 
The experience at the last Fair will no doubt lead to *he 
avoidance of some mistakes which were perhaps in¬ 
separable from an entirely new enterprise. 
Not for Notes.— Mr. Buckmaster gives some of his 
experience with the farmers of Scotland in the “ North 
British Agriculturist.” The other day a farmer was giv¬ 
ing him the results of his observations, and Mr. B. took 
ont his note-book to write them down, when the farmer 
at once remarked, “ I’m no speakin’ for’t to be a note o’.” 
—Mr. B. replied, “ Why, that is the very thing for which 
most people do speak.”—The Scotchman quietly an* 
swered, “Well, I d'ur.na, bit gin ye pit by yer book I’ll 
tell yer ony thing ye want to ken.”—No doubt the 
farmer remembered Burns’ “ A duel's amang ye takin’ 
notes, And, faith, he’ll prent it,” and was afraid of get¬ 
ting into “ prent.” 
Bicycles and Bicycling.— Those who saw the 
“Mechanic’s Magazine,” (England) of well nigh half a 
century ago, can remember the remarkable machines 
for locomoting—the velocipedes, there figured. In won¬ 
derful contrast with those cumbrous three and four- 
wheeled affaire, are those figured in its successor, the 
“English Mechanic,” of the present day. The machines 
are no longer “ velocipedes,” but Bicycles , and their 
structure is discussed with the minutest detail. Some 
20 years ago or so, the Bicycle was introduced into this 
country; there was a “Bicycle fever,” many, especially 
professional men, had the fever, and it seemed as if the 
Bicycle would supersede the old-fashioned mode of loco¬ 
motion, first introduced by Adam. All at once the fever 
subsided, and not a Bicycle was to be seen, except per¬ 
haps in country towns, where the news that they were no 
longer “in fashion” had not reached. But whatever 
the fashions, a thing that really has elements of useful¬ 
ness does not die out altogether. The Bicycle, which all 
this while retained more or less of its popularity in Eng¬ 
land, has, within a few years, again come to the front in 
this country, as shown by the numerous designs we see 
offered for sale, and by the appearance of a literature of 
the subject. Among other publications, one has come to 
ns called the “ American Bicycle,” by Charles E. Pratt, 
and is issued by the “ Pope Manufacturing Co.,” of Bos¬ 
ton. Unlike many such publications, this is not a mere 
catalogue, but a very interesting treatise. After giving 
the history of velocipedes, and the growth of the Bicycle 
from them, it has full descriptions of the different 
styles of the Bicycle, and an account of all its parts in de¬ 
tail, discussing in full the “ Mechanics of the Machine.” 
Beginners are taught how to ride, and also where to ride, 
as nnmerous routes are marked out, and their peculiari¬ 
ties explained. Rules for the formation and manage¬ 
ment of clubs are given, and also for the conduct of meets 
and races. A full list of the Literature of the Bicycle, 
and a copious index, make this one of the most com¬ 
plete little hand-books it has been our fortune to meet. 
Holiday Presents.— The stores and show win¬ 
dows begin to put on their holiday dress, and anxious 
thousands are waiting for the day when they shall “ go 
to town.” What shall we get for this one and that one ? 
is the hard question to settle. For a neighbor, or rela¬ 
tive, there is nothing more acceptable than to say, or 
send word, that you have ordered the American Agricul¬ 
turist sent to his address for one year. As each number 
arrives it will be to him a reminder of your kindness. 
Tlie Coming Census of 1880.— The law re¬ 
quires that the Tenth Census shall be taken during the 
month of June, 1S80. This will divide the crops of the 
year, so that some will be those of 1879, while others 
which come early in the season will be of the census 
year. The cotton crop reported will be that of 1879; the 
wool clip will be of 1880. “ In view of the requirements 
of the law, and of the great importance of accurate sta¬ 
tistical information relative to agriculture, it is deemed 
to be highly desirable that farmers should prepare them¬ 
selves in advance to give the information with prompt¬ 
ness and accuracy.” For such products as butter, milk, 
cheese, etc., where there is no harvest, the yield of the 
twelve months, June 1,1879, to May 31, 18S0, is taken. 
There is sometimes a foolish prejudice against the census 
taker, and it often happens that his questions are evaded. 
Sensible people know that the census taker is for the 
time an officer of the United States, and that he is acting 
under a Law of Congress, and will prepare to give their 
answers quickly and accurately. Opposition can only 
come from the ignorant, and these should know that there 
is a penalty for resistance to the Laws of their Country. 
Rubber Boots are of so much importance to all 
who have to work out in the wet, that they should be 
found in every farmer’s home. But they should be worn 
only when it is wet. Leather is best in dry weather. 
About Ailantus Woodj-We are asked if it 
is durable, and will it sustain strains ? Experiments have 
shown that it will sustain a third more weight than elm, 
and almost double that required to break the European 
oak. The wood is r.ot only strong, but durable, and 
the tree is a rapid grower on poor soil, and in exposed 
situations. The wood is of value for furniture and cabinet 
work, as it takes a fine polish, and is not given to warp¬ 
ing, and shrinking, when once thoroughly “seasoned.” 
American Horses In Europe.— The business 
of exporting horses, so successfully begun in this country, 
fortunately meets with favor in England. The following 
remarks from the “ English Live Stock Journal,” may be 
both interesting and instructive, as pointing out a needed 
improvement in our stock of horses,and one which has fre¬ 
quently been enjoined by the American Agricultwist. Our 
horses are too light for much of the English heavy work. 
In England, tools, and vehicles are heavy, and clumsy, 
and require heavy animals to move them. English riders, 
too, are in general more corpulent than Americans, and 
a saddle horse needed for that country, must have stout 
limbs, strong back, and shoulders; points which have been 
neglected in the breeding of our trotting or road horses. 
Our road horses are unexcelled. Our English coutem. 
porary has the following to say on this question: “ Ot 
late a considerable trade has been done in importing horses 
from the United States and Canada. The North Metro¬ 
politan Tram-ways [this is the name given in England 
to all horse railroads] imported more than a thousand. 
They were full of quality, with fair, and in some specimens 
fine action. There were pairs well worth $750 to a dealer, 
but they have not weight enough for tram-work, and are 
being superseded by the French horse of the class so 
largely used for the last five years by the London Omni, 
bus Company. Unless the recent fall in prices stops the 
trade, the United States will send us a great many high, 
class horses—of the sort Yorkshire used to breed. In the 
States they have plenty of mares of the right stamp for 
hunters, hacks, and harness; they have thoroughbred 
sires to keep upqnality; they have boundless pastures 
of good grass and maize at a very cheap rate. On the other 
hand, they have no idea of the proper make, shape, and 
action of a riding horse, or of breaking for saddle, Ari 
their horse talent has been directed to producing fast 
trotting harness horses, these they understand perfectly. 
But they are the quickest people in the world to learn a 
new trade if it pays. They will learn to pick out mares 
and sires with riding shoulders and strongbacks, thighs, 
and hocks. Their horses have size, quality, good temper, 
and sound constitutions to start with. With these advan. 
tages the Americans will soon fill up the blank in horso 
stock created by the competition of beef and mutton in 
Yorkshire and in Ireland.” 
North Carolina for Immigrants. —If we 
were to publish all the articles sent us, showing the 
reasons why each writer’s locality is the best in the 
country for one looking for a new home, we might fill 
the paper. In former years we gave a few such articles, 
but found that each one called out 20 or more from others 
near by, showing that while Smith County may be toler¬ 
able, Jones County was a perfect paradise. We were 
obliged, to keep at peace with all, to refuse the publica¬ 
tion of all. But when, as in the case of North Carolina, 
the claims of a whole State are presented, it is a different 
matter. We have on more than one occasion shown the 
advanced position taken by North Carolina in establish¬ 
ing a Department of Agriculture, with a Commissioner, 
an Experiment Station, etc., and we now find a concert¬ 
ed effort made to bring settlers to the State. A circular 
has been prepared by Mr. Geo. Allen, of Newburn, N. C., 
whose enterprise in furnishing his customers with copies 
of the American Agriculturist, we have formerly com¬ 
mended. Mr. Allen has now published fourteen good rea¬ 
sons why immigrants should come to his State. These 
reasons show that the healthful climate, the length of 
the growing season, the cheapness of land, the easy 
access to Northern and other markets, make North 
Carolina worthy of careful consideration by those who 
are seeking homes in Southern localities. Col. L. L. 
Polk, the State Commissioner of Agriculture, at Raleigh, 
or Mr. George Allen, Newbnrn, will either of them fur¬ 
nish applicants the desired information about the State. 
Ice-Houses.—In answer to the numerous letters on 
ice-houses and ice gathering, we have prepared an arti¬ 
cle, which please find on page 502 of this number. 
Celluloid Again.—“What is Celluloid?” is a 
question that is frequently asked, and it is not to be won¬ 
dered at, as so many articles of every-day use are made of 
it. Celluloid or Artificial Ivory is made of gun cotton; 
this is common cotton treated with nitric acid, which, 
while it does not alter its form, completely changes its 
properties; this is dissolved in a solution of camphor in 
alcohol. The gun cotton is ground to a pulp and the 
camphor solution added, stirred, and allowed to stand 
for a time, when by heat and pressure the liquid portions 
are removed and the crude celluloid obtained. 
December Exhibition List. 
Dairy Fair. 
International Dairy Ass’n.New York.Dec. 8-2# 
Poultry Exhibitions!. 
MAINE. 
Oxford Co. Poultry Ass'd .South Paris.. .Dec. 16-18 
NEW HAMPSHIRE. 
Mascoma Poultry Ass’n.Lebanon.D c. 39. 
VERMONT. 
Champlain Valley Poultry Ass’nBurlington...Dec. 30-Jan. 1 
Wide Awake Poultry Club.St. JohnsburyDec. 30-Jan. 1 
Vermont State Poultry Ass’n....Rutland.Jan. 6 9 
MASSACHUSETTS. 
Brocton Fanciers' Club.Brocton.Dec. 23-26 
Cent al Mass. Poultry Ass’n.Worcester...Jan. 20f’3 
Middlesex Poultry Ass’n.Lowell.Dec. 29-JanA2 
Southern Mass. Poultry ss’n... .Fall River.Jan. 13-17 
RHODE ISLAND. 
Rhode Island Poultry Ass’n., Providence.Feb. 4-11 
CONNECTICUT. 
Meriden Poultry Club.Meriden.Jan. 6- 8 
Southern Conn. Poultry Ass’n.. .Bridgeport.Dec. 15 1# 
NEW YORK. 
Akron Pet Stock Ass’n.Akron.Dec. 18-20 
Cortlan I Co. As-’n.Cortland.Ja . 20-23 
East End Poultry ss'n.Sag Harbor.D c. 17-20 
Empire State Poultry AssV.Syracuse.Ian 29-Feb. 5 
Eastern N. Y. Fanciers’ Ass’n. ...Albany.Jan, 20-27 
Now Berlin Union.Chena go.Dec. 9-12 
NEW JERSEY. 
New Jersey State Society.Newark.Dec. 3- 9 
PENNSYLVANIA. 
Central Poultry Ass’n.Pottsfteld.Jan. 6-10 
Germantown Pet Stock.Germantown.Dec. 23-26 
Huntington Poultry Ass’n.Huntington.Jan. 12-15 
Lancaster Poultry Ass’n.Lancaster.Ian. 2- 4 
Lehigh Valley Ass’n.Allentown. ...Dec. 30-Jan. 3 
Luzern ■ Pet Stock Ass’n.Wilkesbarre. .Dec. 31-Jan.2 
Pottstown Pigeon Club.Pottstown.Dec. 23-26 
OHIO. 
Cincinnati Pet Stock Ass’n...Cincinnati.Dec. 24-31 
INDIANA. 
Northern Indiana Poultry Ass’n.Fort Wayne.Jan. 27-30 
State Poultry Ass’n.Indianapolis.Jan. 8 16 
Terre Haute Pet Stock A s'n_Terre Haute..Dec. 29 
Wabash Valley Ass’n.Lafayette.Dec. 10-17 
ILLINOIS. 
Champaign Pet. Stock Ass’n .Urbana.Dec. 4- 8 
Rock River Valiev Ass’n.Sterling.Dec. 9-1* 
Western Poultry Club.Bloomington.Jan. 16-23 
IOWA. 
Central Poultry Ass’n.Marshalltown.. . .Dec. 16-18 
Council Bluffs District Ass’n.Council Bluffs.. ...Ian. 20-23 
Southeastern Iowa Ass’n.Burlington.Dec. 2ih81 
WISCONSIN. 
Rock Co. Pet Stock Ass’n.Beloit.Dec. 22-25 
OREGON. 
St.ite Po ltry Ass’n.Portland.Dec. 8-1* 
CANADA. 
Montreal Pet Stock Ass’u.Montre il__Feb. 4 6 
