128 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[March, 
Markets—What of Future Prices ? 
Thi6 is not now eo serious a question to many, as it 
often is-at the present time of the year, because a smaller 
number than usual have grain and other products on 
hand to sell. As to the outlook, the situation is about 
thus: Beginning last summer, speculators, in view of 
the manifest shortage of crops, undertook to control 
the markets of grain and hog products. Prices were put 
up and kept up, beyond what Europe could or would 
pay, and exports have been greatly limited. Foreign 
dealers find more home supplies than expected ; con¬ 
sumption has been diminished by high prices ; and re¬ 
mote regions, not usually drawn upon, have furnished 
muchlarger supplies of Breadstufi's than were looked for. 
The speculators still pretend to be hopeful of a de¬ 
mand at almost any price, however high, before the next 
harvest, while some of the largest holders hope to “ un¬ 
load” upon the “lambs,” and so every effort is still 
being made to sustain the high rates as long as possible. 
—At this writing (February 10), and during the past two 
days, it has looked as if a heavy break in prices is close 
at hand. There has been a material decline within 
48 hours. Some predict that prices will drop to last 
year’s figures during spring. This does not seem proba¬ 
ble; it will depend upon how far the foreign markets 
are already provided for. The “ longs ” among the specu¬ 
lators, who have large stocks on hand, or contracted for 
at the high rates, may have the financial ability to hold 
up the market for awhile yet, or even advance figures 
temporarily, but it hardly looks like it now. 
Those who have already been able to get their Wheat 
and Corn and Hogs into market, and realize the high 
prices that have prevailed, may well be in a very com¬ 
fortable state of mind now. 
'1’Iie Extent of tlie Fertilizer Trade.— 
Those who can recollect the sensation produced by a 
single cargo of guano, some thirty years ago, when the 
question was, “ Who will buy it?” may be surprised to 
learn the vast sums now annually expended in fertilizers. 
The Bowker Fertilizing Company, in a pamphlet des¬ 
cribing its own various products, gives an interesting 
estimate of the amount annually expended in fertilizers 
other than barn-yard and stable manures. It presents the 
following estimates; That Virginia consumes over 40,000 
tons; Pennsylvania, over 50,000 tons; New Jersey, over 
20,000 tons ; New York, over 35 000 tons; Ohio, over 15,- 
000 tons ; New England, over 50,000 tons. And the use 
of fertilizers is rapidly increasing towards the Missis¬ 
sippi Valley, and through Michigan, Indiana, and Ken¬ 
tucky. The consumption in the Atlantic and Middle 
States is estimated at not less than 500,000 tons, or about 
$20,000,000 worth. 
Three Thousand Dollars, ready money, is a 
comfortable sum to have on hand by a widow and or¬ 
phans if the head of a family be removed by death. The 
Mutual Life Insurance Company’s report in another 
column shows that on January 1 it had in force 101,490 
policies, averaging about $3,103 each, with a surplus of 
twelve million dollars over the necessary amount to 
make all these policies good, according to the New York 
State standard. The reduced rates of insurance adopted 
by this Company have not prevented an increase in its 
surplus of over a million dollars during the year. 
Scaly Legs in Fowls.— 1 ' E. E. S.,” Union, N. Y. 
The enlarged scales are usually due to the presence of a 
small insect which lives and breeds under the scale. It 
may be cured by the use of the Flowers of Sulphur mixed 
with lard, or by the application of lard in which a small 
quantity of kerosene has been mixed. No proportions 
are given. Ode writer advises the use of the sulphur 
ointment for a few days ; then to wash the legs with 
soap and water, and afterwards rub them with a flannel 
moistened with kerosene. 
The Madison Co. (Miss.) Farmers’ Club. 
—A very sensible and wide awake club is that of Madi¬ 
son Co., Miss. While it is desirous that the State should 
establish Expeiiment Stations, it does not wait for this, 
but makes experiments itself. A special committee was 
appointed, and this committee went to work in a most 
practical manner. Properly regarding corn as the most 
important erop, the question that the committee pro¬ 
pounded was, we infer, “What do our exhausted lands 
need in order that they may raise good crops of corn ? ” 
The committee went, of course, to some expense, but 
not for any kinds of “’imeters” or “’ometers.” They 
were extravagant only in the way of tubs, and these 
were made from flour barrels, forgetful that in the days 
cf witchcraft, one who made two tubs from a barrel was 
hung as a witch. The tubs were two-thirds filled with 
soii, '• the most exhausted red clay to be found.” Corn 
was planted in each tub, and the soil in each was fertil¬ 
ized with Potash, Phosphoric Acid and Nitrogen, sepa¬ 
rately and in combination. We have an interesting 
Bulletin sent out by the Club, showing the details of 
the experiments and the results. The great want of the 
soil experimented with is shown to be Nitrogen, and 
it appears that this is beet supplied by manuring with 
Cotton-seed. But our object is not so much to give the 
results of the experiments, as to point out the eminently 
practical action of the Madison (Miss.) County Farmers’ 
Club. If it can not have an Experiment Station, yet 
awhile, it invests in tubs and experiments itself. We 
commend its action to other Clubs not only in Missis¬ 
sippi, but in other States. One fact like this, thus estab¬ 
lished, raises the value of every acre of land in the State. 
The Statement telegraphed all over the country a 
few days ago that Beatty’s Piano and Organ establish¬ 
ment at Washington, N. J., had been destroyed by fire 
a second time, proves to have been a malicious falsehood. 
Had such a calamity occurred to so great an enterprise, 
it would have occasioned universal regret and sympathy 
from the public. We are glad to hear that the Factory 
is in perfect repair and full operation, and turning out 
more instruments than ever. 
Cracks in Stoves. — The “English Mechanic” 
says, mix equal pans of finely sifted wood ashes and 
clay, and “a little salt.” (How much this is the writer 
does not state). Make into a paste with water, and fill 
the cracks while the stove is cold. It becomes very hard 
when heated, and does not crack or scale off. 
The mcchine that received au award on both 
Horse-power and Thresher and Cleaner, at the Centen¬ 
nial Exhibition ; was awarded the two last Cold 
given by the Mew York State Agricultural 
Society on Horse-powers and Threshers; and is the 
Only Thresher selected from the vast number built in 
the United States, for illustration and description in 
‘ ‘Appleton’s Cyclopedia of Applied Mechanics,” re¬ 
cently published, thus adopting it as the standard 
machine of this country. Catalogue sent free. Address 
I HOARD It ADDER, CoblesMll, Schoharie Co., N. Y. 
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JOEBAM, MARSH & €0,* Washington and Avon Streets. 
The disappointment, vexation and loss from the failure of the season’s 
supply of Vegetables, by planting worthless seeds, is a fact experienced 
perhaps once by every grower. To all such, and those who want a 
strictly reliable strain of Vegetable and Flower Seeds, 
we invite you to give DREER’S GARDEN SEEDS a trial. Forty- 
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thorough inspection of growing crops and satisfactory trials on our own 
farm. DREER’S GARDEN CALENDAR FOR 1882, giving 
complete descriptive and priced lists, mailed free. Please state if a 
Market Gardener. 
IHTlEJIsriR'Y' -A.. DEEER, 
714 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. 
Every one who plants SEEDS, or raises Flowers should see 
and read THE FARM and GARDEN, our monthly Journal. 
Every Market Gardener, Trucker, Fruit Grower or Farmer, no 
matter what he raises should send for it. Every Housewife 
should have it. SendS Cents in Stamps to 
275 S.lthSt.eet, Philadelphia. 
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PENNOCIi MANUFACTURING CO., 
Kennet Square, Chester Co., Pa. ' 
T HE BEST VARIETIES-Strawberrles, Raspber¬ 
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S ILVER 3IAPL.ES, Magnolias, Elms, Hydrangeas, 
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L. F. DENTON, Plainfield, N. J. 
MY SPLENDIDLY ILLUSTRATED 
SEED CATALOGUE 
Of New and Rare Vegetable and Flower Seed sent free 
to all. Please Send for it. _ ,, 
AARON LOW. Seedsman, Essex, Essex Co., Mass. 
Graces, Poeklington, Lady Washington, Jef¬ 
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I. C. WOOD & BRO., 
Fislikill, N. Y. 
