166 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[Mat, 
for disease; and a still more important step in determin¬ 
ing to ascertain for themselves, by careful experiment, 
what they can most profitably employ. There is another 
thing relating to fertilizers in which the American Agri 
culturist has done its share, viz: the pointing out the 
commercial forms in which the essentials—nitrogen or 
ammonia, potash and phosphoric acid—may be bought, 
and their prices. We must admit that our efforts in en¬ 
couraging experiments with fertilizers would have borne 
little in the way of practical results, had they not been 
seconded by the dealers in fertilizers. It is greatly to the 
credit of the respectable houses in this business, that 
they offer to sell by actual analysis, and guarantee that 
the article they offer shall contain exactly the elements, 
and in the quantities represented. It is possible for the 
farmer now to do, what a short time ago was so difficult 
that it was well-nigh impossible, i. e., order just such 
amounts of plant food he may desire, in the cheapest or 
most available form. If he wishes to test the value of 
any formula upon his land, it can be put lip he directs. 
If he wishes to have at hand in stock, phosphoric acid, 
potash, and nitrogen, that he may test them singly or in 
various combinations, he can buy the articles containing 
them, of high grade or low. as he may prefer, knowing 
that he will get just what he pays for. A reference to 
our advertising columns will show that dealers, as a 
general thing, offer their fertilizers as warranted to con¬ 
tain a given percentage of the valuable constituents, and 
a perusal of the circulars sent out by the makers of, and 
dealers in these articles, shows that they assume that the 
purchaser knows what he wants, and will buy intelligent¬ 
ly. The day for secrecy in fertilizers is over. 
Just 2 Months More. 
IMPORTANT.- The Publishers of the American 
Agriculturist employ no agents; the high cost of making 
the paper and its low subscription price do not admit of 
this. But they do offer something in the way of recogni¬ 
tion, or remuneration, to friends who take the trouble to 
show the paper to those not acquainted with it, and re¬ 
ceive and forward their subscriptions. This assists the 
Publishers,and is beneficial to those solicited to subscribe. 
The remuneration is given in the form of highly useful 
and always valuable articles, which are named and de¬ 
scribed in a Premium List, a copy of which is supplied 
to every one desiring it.—The articles offered are first 
class, and just as good as money , though by special ar¬ 
rangements, and large wholesale cash purchases, they 
cost the Publishers less. 
This list of Premiums is open to all until July 1st, 
when it will be positively withdrawn. There are there¬ 
fore just 2 months more in which those who have 
begun lists may fill them out. . Those who have 
struck for a larger premium and have not succeeded in 
getting that, may select a smaller article, and complete 
their list to get that one. There is 
Plenty of Time Yet to fill out lists in progress, 
and to begin new lists, and complete them during May and 
June. (A lady begun the second week in May and procur¬ 
ed subscribers enough within one month to secure free a 
$650 Steinway Piano.—A farmer in three weeks secured 
a Buckeye Mower free in the same way, without neglecting 
his work; and many others have in like manner got large 
and valuable premiums in a short time in May and June.) 
There is a large list of good articles to select from, vary¬ 
ing all the way from $1 to $650 in value, given free, for 
from 3 subscribers up to hundreds. 
Over 18,000 persons have received these valua- 
able premium articles free of cost. Reader, Try it 
this month. A little effort now will secure you one or 
more valuable articles the present season, and the prac¬ 
tice thus acquired will pave the way for getting hundreds 
of dollars worth next year. 
Every German Cultivator and 
I.al»orer 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 
jigefnl inforipation, or ft pf its engravings. Tire 
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. 
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. 
Publisliero’ Notices, Terms, etc. — The Annual 
Subscription Rates of the American Agriculturist, postage 
prepaid by the Publishers, are : One Copy, $1.60 a year; Two 
Copies, $3 ; Three Copies, $4.20 ($1.40 each) ; Four Copies, 
$5.20 ($1.30 each); Five to Nine Copies, $1.25 each; Ten to 
Nineteen C pies, $1.20 each; Twenty Copies and upwards, 
$1.10 each ; Single Numbers, 15 cents, post-paid.—The above 
terms are for the United States and Territories, and British 
America. To the above add 14 cents extra per year for 
papers delivered by mail in N. T. City, and for copies sent 
outside of the United States and British America, ex¬ 
cept to Africa, Brazil. British Honduras, the East Indies, 
and Mexico. For the last named five countries the extra 
charge is 38 cents per year, to cover extra postage; Single 
Numbers, 17 cents, post-paid. Remittances, payable to 
Order of Orange Judd Company, may be sent in form of 
Checks or Drafts on N. T. City Banks or Bankers or P. O. 
Money Orders; or in Registered Letters, such letters to 
have the money enclosed in the presence of the Postmaster, 
and his receipt taken for it, and the postage and registering 
to be put on in stamps. Money remitted in any one of the 
above three methods is safe against loss. Bound Volumes 
from Vol. 16 to 35 inclusive, supplied at $2 each, or $2.50 if to 
be sent by mail. Sets of numbers sent to the office will be 
bound in our regular style for 75 cents (50 cents extra if to 
be returned by mail). Missing numbers for such volumes 
supplied at 12 cents each.—Any Numbers of the paper is¬ 
sued for 20 years past, sent postpaid for 15 cents each.... 
Clubs of Subscribers can be increased at any time.at the club 
rates, if new members begin at same date as original club. 
TRY THE NEW POTATO.— In our 
last number we described the most promising new vari¬ 
ety of Potato this year, and offered some seed. We 
have sent parcels to several hundred different locali¬ 
ties during the past month, from which we hope to have 
excellent reports in autumn. Those who plant half a 
pound or more, with 'the care in cultivating, etc., as de¬ 
scribed on page 127, will be likely to have seed for a large 
planting next year, and thus be ahead of all their neigh¬ 
bors, as there was not 50 bushels for the whole country 
this year. If this potato proves as valuable as it is hoped 
it will, the product of a single pound will be worth $30 
to $100 for planting next year. It is certainly worthy of 
a careful trial. It can be planted during the first part of 
May, and even up to the 20th, or later in Northern locali¬ 
ties. At the time of writing this, the prospect is that 
we shall have some 400 to 500 parcels to distribute, after 
May 1. We therefore continue the offer of last month, 
viz: To any present Subscriber sending 
one new subscriber to the “ American 
Agriculturist” for 1877, at the regular 
price of §1.60 a year, the Publishers will 
send, postpaid, two of the SUPERIOR 
POTATOES or one half pound ; and to 
any one forwarding TWO subscribers as 
above, they will send 3 parcels or 1 1-2 
lbs. of the Potato; and in the same pro¬ 
portion for more than 2 subscribers. 
(Names for this premium count in no other list, and it will 
only be given to those sending names specially for it.) 
A Roclcet Microscope ought to be in 
every house as a source of rational amusement and in¬ 
struction; to examine plants, insects, and multitudes of 
objects too small for the unaided eye. Abbott's Pocket 
Microscope, costing $1.50, and serving a good purpose, 
will be presented, and sent securely packed, post-paid, 
to any one forwarding four subscribers to the American 
Agriculturist, at $1.60 a year,—The “ gxcelsior," posting 
$2.75, a more complete instrument, will be presented to 
any one sending seven subscribers. It will he delivered 
free. Any hoy, or man, will he abundantly rewarded by 
one of these instruments for the trouble required to find 
and forward four or seven subscribers. 
Look into Ike “ BAZAAR.” — We 
know no better designation than this, for the fine display, 
by good parties, of the great variety of seeds, plants, im¬ 
plements, machinery, and many other things, that are set 
forth on the second cover and some other pages of this 
Journal. One can there learn, without going from his 
fire-side, concerning a multitude of articles and enter¬ 
prises. Those in charge of that department are instruct¬ 
ed to “ admit no quacks or quackery, and only those who 
have the ability and the intention to do what they prom¬ 
ise to do in their advertisements.” Our readers will find 
it profitable to take a stroll all through this department, 
not only to find the best places to get what they want, but 
also to gather useful business hints by seeing what others 
are doing, what they say, and how they say it. It is al¬ 
ways well when corresponding with these men in order¬ 
ing, inquiring, sending for circulars, etc., to inform them 
that you made their acquaintance through the pages of 
the American Agriculturist ; it will do no harm, and may 
be of double advantage. 
Very Handy to Have,is the “ Pocket Tool 
Holder for a hundred little jobs. A hollow handle con¬ 
tains 20 small cast-steel tools—awls, chisels, punches, 
screw driver, etc. Any one of these is quickly adjusted 
in the end of the handle, ready for use. One will be sent 
free, post-paid, to any person remitting three subscribers 
for the American Agriculturist, at $1.60 a year. 
To Puzzlers Young- and Old.— Last 
month, page 146, Aunt Sue gave a “ Prize Enigma.” In 
making up the page, an “ Illustrated Rebus ” was placed 
iu the same column with her offer, because there was no 
more convenient place for it. Many who are working 
for her Enigma Prize, think that this Rebus is included 
with it. This Rebus has nothing to do with Aunt Sue’s 
Enigma. Read her article just as if this was not there. 
More Potato Premiums. — Messrs. 
Hawkins & Cornish, Seedsmen of Goshen, Orange Co., 
N. Y., last year offered premiums for the greatest yield 
from one pound of seed of their Mahopac Seedling Pota¬ 
to. The largest yield was returned by H. C. Pearson, 
Pitcairn, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., who obtained 1,994 lbs., 
or 33M bushels, from one pound, and received the high, 
est prize, $50. The amounts reported by four others 
were: 1,877, 1,774,1,528, and 1,278 lbs. respectively. The 
catalogue of Messrs. H. & C. gives the modes of culture. 
The Mahopac was raised from the seed of the Garnet 
Chili, crossed with the Prince Albert; is medium late, 
light rose color, and great excellence, as well as produc¬ 
tiveness is claimed for it. They have other specialties 
in the way of potatoes, not offered elsewhere. 
Any Boy Wanting a Good Rocket 
Knife, can secure one of first-rate quality, sent to him 
by mail, free of all cost, with 3good blades and buck-horn 
handle, by stirring round among his friends with a copy 
of the American Agriculturist, and geting four of them to 
subscribe for a year. The exercising of his business 
talents in this way, will do him good; he will get the 
good knife; and the four subscribers will be benefitted 
by having the paper. (Six subscribers will secure an ex¬ 
tra four-bladed knife, with pearl handle: or a lady’s 
beautiful pocket-knife, with four blades and a shell han¬ 
dle). N.B.—These knives are not poor, soft, or brittle 
things, made for show or “ to sell,” hut first quality, A, 
No. 1 articles made to use. 
“ The East India Tree Rea.”—This 
is being generally advertised, and numerous inquiries are 
made concerning it. As nearly as we can recollect, this is 
advertised in almost exactly the same terms that were used 
a few years ago in describing the “Japan Pea.” If, as 
we suppose, this “ East India Tree Pea ” is the same as 
the “ Japan Pea,” a description of it will be found in the 
American Agriculturist for Feb., 1874, with an engraving 
of the leaves and pods. It may be useful as a fodder 
plant in the warmer States, but for human food, nearly 
worthless, green or ripe. It is not a true pea. 
There is no Qwestionin"- the Fact 
chat any Farmer who has a small ttnrary, even if it oe 
but half a dozen good books, treating about his own 
business, will feel himself more of a man, will have more 
dignity of character, will he more respected by others, 
and respect himself and his calling more; and the same 
effect will he produced upon his entire family. Then 
again, he will think more and better; and there are few 
books so poor that they will not give him some new 
thoughts, hints, and suggestions that will lead to more 
profitable practice, po that in the end he vyill receive 
