4=6 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[February, 
Change in Subscription Terms. 
Though, in a dozen years past, no change has been 
made in the nominal subscription terms of the American 
Agriculturist, except to add the postage when prepaid 
here, yet the price lias been really greatly lessened by 
the additional quantity and quality, for the same price. 
Those giving special attention to such matters must have 
seen a large increase required in the amount expended 
for engravings, for quality of paper, and printing (and 
cover), for gathering and preparing information, etc. 
Any one making a comparison of this journal with most 
similar publications, must have noted the attention given 
to securing the best writers of the country, to sifting and 
condensing articles, etc. It costs far more to sift out and 
reject, to investigate new plants, implements, etc., than 
it would to send to the printer a mass of ill-prepared, 
uncondensed, floating material, with extracts from other 
journals, good, bad, and indifferent. Very many thousands 
of dollars are devoted to artists, designers and engrav¬ 
ers. Oood engravings convey, in smaH space, directly to 
the eye and mind, much information, that would require 
many columns oShnsatisfactory descriptive words. Fine¬ 
ly cut, original engravings, in the careful engraving and 
printing required, are far more expensive than the ordin¬ 
ary coarse “ ink daubs,” and they are worth far more in 
being pleasing to the eye, as well as in cultivating the 
taste. The printed matter of this paper costs for gather¬ 
ing and preparing, before it goes to the printer , over 
$20,000 a year, the benefit of which is enjoyed by every 
reader. This is a larger sum than is expended upon most 
of the $3 and $4 Magazines. The subscribers are not 
charged with or asked to pay the bare cost of preparing 
and supplying the paper, but a considerable part of this 
is paid by advertisers. The Publishers would gladly fur¬ 
nish the paper even lower if possible, to promote its still 
wider diffusion. In large clubs it now nets only $1 a 
year, as 10 cents is paid to the P. O. Department on every 
subscription. The single rate $1.60 (that is $1.50 and 
postage) is very law when quality and expense are taken 
into account. (The paper is strong, sized and calendered, 
almost equal in quality and finish to good writing 
paper). Reductions to clubs are made on the wholesale 
principle, and because it costs less to send to a club. 
On and after Feb. 5th. 1877, the subscription terms of 
the American Agriculturist, payable in advance, will be: 
1 copy, 1 year, sent post-paid. $1.60 each. 
2 copies, “ “ “ .$3.00, or $1.50 each. 
3 “ “ “ .$4.20, or $1.40 each. 
4 “ “ “ “ .$5.20, or $1.30 each. 
5to9copies “ “ . $1.25each. 
10 to 19 copies “ “ . .$1.20 each. 
20 copies and upward “ . .$1.10 each. 
(When delivered in N. Y. City, through P. O., 14 cents 
extra on each of the above rates.) 
containing a great variety of Items, including many 
good Hints and Suggestions which we throw into smaller 
type and condensed form, for want of room elsewhere. 
HEP” N.B.—The Postage Law.— The 
CLUBS—Increasing : Advantages: 
Lower terms are given to clubs of four or more sub¬ 
scribers, partly because it costs less to mail in packages, 
with only name slips on each paper ; and partly to en¬ 
courage getting up large lists. We do not object to a 
person’s adding names to his club from other post-offices, 
because such additions usually become centers of other 
clubs_A Club can at any time be increased by the ad¬ 
dition of other names, if these start with the same date 
as the others... .Any one having sent a small club at one 
price, may raise the club to a large figure, and lower rate 
for all. Thus: one having sent 4 names at $5.20, may 
send 6 names more for $6.80, making $12 for the whole 
10, including postage. And so for other club rates. 
The Terms are: Single subscriptions $1.60 each ; two 
names $1.50 each ; three names $1.40 each ; ten to ni e- 
teen names $1.20 each; twenty names and upwards $1.10 
each. Postage always pre-paid by the Publishers. 
Premium clubs may be gathered at any number of post- 
offlees, if all are sent in by the same person. 
Study tlie Advertising Columns.— 
We often take up a daily or weekly newspaper and care¬ 
fully read all the Advertisements through, and never do 
this without getting some useful information. One 
learns what business is being done, and how it is done— 
what is for sale, and by whom. Our business columns 
are of especial value, because of the care taken to ex¬ 
clude all advertisements from parties not believed to be 
honest. We mean to advertise for no parties who have 
not both the ability and intention to do all they prom¬ 
ise. In order to please advertisers, we repeat the request 
that those sending ^orders, or for circulars, etc., to our 
patrons, will mention where the advertisements were 
seen. We also like to have advertisers thus get some 
idea of the large number of intelligent and enterprising 
people they find among our readers. 
Only $S, will secure TWO COPIES, 
of this Journal, sent post-paid for all of 1877. See New 
Terms given in first column. 
Every German Cultivator and 
Laborer on the Farm, or in the Garden, 
OUGHT to have the German edition of the American 
Agriculturist. It contains not only the Engravings, and 
all the essential reading matter of the American edition, 
but. an additional Special German Department, edited by 
the Hon. Frederick Munch, of Missouri, a skillful and 
successful cultivator and excellent writer. No other 
German Agricultural or Horticultural Journal in America 
has been so long issued ; no other one contains so much 
useful information, or a tithe of its engravings. The 
Germans are a reading, thinking people, and know how 
to make good use of what they read. Many Americans 
supply it to their German laborers and gardeners, and all 
would find it pay to do so.—Nothing else can compete 
with it in cheapness of price for the same amount of 
material, engravings, etc., because the expense of collect¬ 
ing and making these is largely borne by the American 
edition, and no separate office or machinery is required 
beyond a couple of German editors and the printers. 
Its terms are the same as the American edition, singly 
and in clubs; and clubs can be composed of subscribers 
for either edition in whole, or in part.—Please call 
the attention of your German neighbors to this paper. 
It will do much to help new comers to a knowledge of 
the system and modes of culture used in this country. 
present postal law requires pre-payment of 
postage by tbe publishers. Each subscribe 
must therefore remit, in addition to the regular rates, 
ten cents for prepayment of yearly post¬ 
age by the Publishers, at New York. Every 
subscriber, whether coming singly, or in clubs at club 
rates, will be particular to send to this office postage 
as above, with his subscription. Subscribers in British 
America will continue to send postage as heretofore, 
for pre-payment here. 
Remitting Money: — Checks on 
New York City Banks or Bankers are best 
for large sums ; make payable to the order of Orange 
Judd Company. Post-Office Honey Orders 
for $50 or less, are cheap and safe also. When these are not 
obtainable, register letters, affixing stamps for post¬ 
age and registry; put in the money and seal the letter in 
the presence of the postmaster, and take his receipt for it. 
Money sent in the above three methods is safe against loss. 
Bound Copies of Volume Thirl y- 
flve are now reaejy. Price, $2. at our office; or $2.50 
each, if sent by mail. Any of the last twenty volumes 
(16 to 35) will also be forwarded at same price. Sets of 
numbers sent to our office will be neatly bound in our 
regular style, at 75 cents pervol. (50 cents extra, if return¬ 
ed by mail.) Missing numbers supplied at 12 cents each. 
Florida Paper and Map.— The Flori¬ 
da New Yorker, edited by J. B. Oliver, is a journal pub¬ 
lished in New York, with a view to facilitate emigration 
to Florida, and to afford information with regard to that 
State. The numbers we have examined are remarkably 
free from exaggerated statements, and it appears to be 
conducted with fairness as well as ability. The publish¬ 
ers send us “Apthorp’s standard Map of Florida,” which 
we at first thought was a reproduction of the U. S. Land 
Office Map, but a comparison shows it to be on a larger 
scale and more distinct, hence better for general use than 
that, which we have considered the most perfect map of 
the State. Price, in book form $1.25. 
Brill for Turnips and Beets.— 
“ T. G.,” Kittrels, N. C. We recently illustrated one of 
the best double-row horse drills for sowing seeds of 
roots. It is made by Watson & Co., of Ayr, Ontario, Can. 
Cheese Factories.— “L. B. P.,” Clay Co., 
HI. An illustrated article giving many particulars about 
cheese factories, and utensils employed therein was given 
in the American Agriculturist for April 1874. 
Carrots for Stock.— “R. J. H.,” Center¬ 
ville, Iowa. A peck of cut carrots will make a feed for 
a horse or a cow. They are very healthful for horses, 
and tend to keep their skins loose and the hair smooth. 
Grasshoppers in Kansas.— “ Geo. F.,” 
Essex Co., Out. Canada. The Arkansas valley has been 
visited by the locusts, but since the year 1875 they have 
done no damage worth mentioning. In that year it was 
only the poorer settlers, who had no other resource than 
their sod corn, who suffered seriously. The locusts are 
not dreaded iu that part of the State, as they come, when 
they do appear, at a season when the crops are safe. Last 
year they ate off the newly sown wheat in scattered 
places, and made it necessary to resow the fields. This 
was the worst of their visits last year. 
“Diseases of Domestic Poultry. 
How to Avoid and Cure Them,” is the title of 
a work by Geo. P. Burnham, well known as an author of 
books on poultry. As in the title, the avoidance is placed 
before the curing, so in the book he sensibly gives promi¬ 
nence to prevention rather than medication. Indeed, 
where the oiie is thoroughly understood and practiced, 
there will be but little need of the other. The demand 
for a work on poultry diseases is here met by a pamphlet 
of 50 Svo. pages, which tells about all that can be said on 
the subject. Sent from this office for the price, 50 cents. 
Tree Labels. —Among the various labels 
now offered to nurserymen and others, none seem s« 
permanent as those made by Mr. J. E. Woodhead, Chica - 
go, HI. They consist of slips of zinc, with the name ol 
the variety plainly and permanently stamped in the 
metal. Of course this cannot be effaced, and so long as 
the label remains the name will be legible. 
Record of a Jersey Cow in Cali¬ 
fornia. —“ S. B. L.,” Alameda Co., Cal., states, that 
“Virtue 2d,” dropped 7th, Aug., 1874, on importation of 
her dam, and calving 13th March, 1876, gave 42 quarts of 
milk in seven days, from 15th to 22nd of November, fol¬ 
lowing. This milk made 5 lbs. of butter. The feed was 
lucern pasture and cut hay, with 3 quarts of bran daily. 
Estimating Weight by Measure.— 
“ W. E. B.,” Sykesville, N. Y. There are no trustworthy 
rules by which an inexperienced person can arrive at 
the weight of “ hogs, cattle, and other animals by meas¬ 
urement.” Those used to handling stock can make very 
good guesses by the help of a tape line and some meth¬ 
ods of estimating; but the result depends upon the kind 
and condition of the cattle. 
Sorcnto and Inlaid Work, by Arthur 
Hope ; Chicago, John Williamson. A beautiful book 
for amateurs in sawed work, now so popular, giving use¬ 
ful directions and numerous full-sized and tasteful de¬ 
signs. Price, $1.50. 
Mow many Ciibic Feet of Hay in 
a Ton.—“H.” No exact rule can be given for meas¬ 
uring hay in bulk. It depends upon the kind of hay, the 
condition in wh ch it was when cut, the size of the stack or 
mow, and how long the hay has been packed. As a rough 
guess 500 cubic feet of timothy, and clover, or 700 feet 
of clover alone, or meadow hay, may be taken as a ton. 
Fall and Spring Barley.— “A. G.,” 
Rockbridge, Va. Barley is not nearly so tender a crop 
as is generally supposed. It has been found to stand the 
winter very well in tbe milder parts of Englaud, and to 
spread and tiller very much through the long season of 
growth. This fall sown barley is'the same'as the spring 
sown, the same kind of seed being used for both sow¬ 
ings. Whether this grain would stand a severe winter in 
so mild a climate as Virginia, or not, is questionable, but 
this should be tried. There would be no danger further 
south, where a great yield of early spring fodder might 
thus be grown. 
FEBRUARY is it GOOD MONTH, 
for any one to secure free of cost, one or several ol 
very good, desirable useful articles, offered in our 
premium lists, (page 73). Individuals can well do 
this on their own account. Many have thus, during 
February alone, secured various Farm and House imple¬ 
ments, Pianos, and a multitude of lower cost articles.— 
It is a good month for a company of farmers, or a Farm¬ 
ers’ Club, to put their efforts together and make up a list 
of subscribers, that will secure free one of the Agricul¬ 
turist Libraries, named in the premium lists, to be used 
by all the members, ov neighbors. Thus: 18 subscribers, 
easily collected by half a dozen persons, (3 each), will se¬ 
cure a $10 Library of tbe best books, (your own selec¬ 
tion). Or 31 names, (5 each), will get a $20 Library, 
and so on. Such Libraries are a public benefit, and many 
places have got them in years past, through our premium 
offers. Let every farming neighborhood try it this month. 
