1871 .] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST 
getting more than 25 bushels of wheat or rye, as the aver¬ 
age of a crop, fairly measured ; hut out of such a crop 
much better specimens could bo picked, than those sent. 
containing a great variety of Items, including many 
good Hints and Suggestions u'hick we throw into smaller 
type and condensed form , for want of space elsewhere. 
Fosts«g'e 13 Cents a ¥car in Ad¬ 
vance. —Tlie postage on the American Agricidturist 
anywhere in the United States and Territories, paid in 
advance , is 3 cents a quarter, 12 cents a year. If not paid 
in advance, twice these rates may be charged. 
How to Heurait:—CI«eci«s on N«w» 
York Banks or Bankers are best for large sums ; 
made payable to the order of Orange Judd. <fc t o, 
Post-Office Money Orders may be obtain¬ 
ed at nearly every county-seat, in all the cities, and in 
many of the large towns. We consider them perfectly 
safe, and the best means of remitting fifty dollars or less, 
as thousands have been sent to us without any loss. 
Kegistercd Fetters, iimler tlic new 
system, which went into effect Oct. 1, 1868, are a very 
safe means of sending small sums of money where P. O. 
Money Orders cannot be easily obtained. Observe, the 
Registry fee , as well as postage, must be paid in stamps at 
the office where the letter is mailed, or it will be liable 
to be sent to the Dead-Letter Office. Buy and affix the 
stamps both for postage and registry, put in the money, and 
seal the letter in the presence of the postmaster, and take his 
receipt for it. Letters thus sent to us are at our risk. 
Special Notice. —Communications giving 
or asking for information are always acceptable. These 
should always be accompanied by the name of the wri¬ 
ter. The name will not be published whenever there is 
indicated a desire that it be withheld. Writers may 
choose any signature they please, but we sanst be fur¬ 
nished with the real name. We are under no obligation 
to return rejected manuscripts. Where stamps are sent 
for their return, we, as a matter of courtesy, try to send 
them back. Writers should retain copies of articles 
which they consider valuable, as, with the best intentions 
in the world, we may not be able to return them if called 
for after the lapse of considerable time. 
“ Tlic New York Agricultural 
Editorial Excursion ” is announced as having 
started for the Mammoth Cave, Kansas, Colorado, and 
the Parks of the .Rocky Mountains. Upon looking over 
the list of excursionists which start out under this fla¬ 
ming banner we do not find the name of a single editor 
of an agricultural paper. There are several male and fe¬ 
male attaches of agricultural and daily papers who have 
thus boldly pushed off upon the railroad, and are ready 
to brave its dangers. For fear that these lambs (and—we 
don't know the feminine for lambs) should lose them¬ 
selves in the agricultural intricacies of the Mammoth 
Cave, or get astray among the attractions of Denver, we 
have induced Tim Bunker to go with the party. If any 
thing transpires worlh knowing that the sharp eye 
of the ’Squire does not see, we shall—for the first time— 
be mistaken in our man. 
Fellows will be specially interested in 
an announcement in the business columns. The publish¬ 
ing business association has been thoroughly reorganized 
on an efficient basis, and the Magazine will doubtless 
have a splendid success. 
Wheat and Cliess. —O. Gillette, Say- 
brook, O., sends us some newspaper accounts which 
shake his belief on the question of the degeneracy of 
wheat into chess. One of these statements is by Lewis 
Austin, of Austinburg, O., who some thirty years ago 
iound “ a perfect head of wheat out of whicli grew a 
perfect head of chess, each of which was well filled with 
its respective kind of grain.” This is what we have 
been trying to get a sight of these many years, and have 
offered a reward for it. People have written us that they 
had such heads, and we have sent immediate requests to 
be allowed to see the specimens, but never have been able 
to inspect one. It is a matter upon which we shall ac¬ 
cept the testimony of no one else, as the sources of error 
are so many that one not used to examining plants may 
be readily (and honestly) deceived. Until we can see and 
examine a specimen showing distinctly wheat and chess 
growing from tire same root, or a grain intermediate in 
vharacter between the two, we shall insist that the fre¬ 
quent claim that wheat degenerates into chess is not 
proven. Send on your specimens. 
Farmers’ —A young farmer asks 
how to organize a farmers’ club. These associations gen¬ 
erally result from the action of some one go-ahead indi¬ 
vidual, who invites a few of his neighbors to a social 
meeting, where they converse without formality on the 
subjects most interesting to them, compare notes gener¬ 
ally, and make arrangements for continuance. When 
the ice is broken and an interest in the tiling is felt, there 
do not seem to be any difficulties in the way of getting 
along. The main point is to choose a chairman whose 
principal duty will be to prevent two men speaking at 
one time, and in other ways to see that the meetings arc 
conducted in order. 
Poppy foal a tire.—O. B. McCurdy, Mus¬ 
kingum Co., O. We gave considerable space to this matter 
last year, and in April, May, and June, 1S70, you will find 
full directions. As your questions show that you have 
not looked into the matter at all, ive refer you to those 
articles. It is too late to begin this year. 
ISooiSilioig’ :t. GJreeBiIioiase. —The article 
on pages 301 and 302, upon building a cheap greenhouse, 
is, by one of those accidents that will sometimes occur 
in a printing-office, rather abruptly terminated. As we 
have in hand for September an article upon heating such 
a house, we can then give the description of the internal 
arrangement, which is now unfortunately omitted. 
Criticisms.—'“ M. E. W.,” Bowling Green, 
Ohio, is informed that letters which the writer does not 
consider of sufficient importance for him to attach his 
name to them, are not of sufficient importance to require 
a reply. 
A Siock'-Growers’ Association.— 
Somebody at Cheyenne (whose name is entirely illegible) 
sends us a very plainly-written letter asking where he 
can obtain information as to the preparation of the con¬ 
stitution and articles of association for a “ Territorial 
Stock-Growers’ Association.” We have no definite in¬ 
formation on the subject, but, doubtless, many of our 
readers may have, and if our correspondent will be good 
enough to send us his address, we will try to put him in 
communication with the officers of some organization. 
Corn should not be allowed to stand until a 
frost has injured it. As soon as the ears are glazed it 
may be cut up. Much corn is ready to cut by the middle 
of August which is left from day to day, until at last a frost 
occurs, and the value of the fodder is deteriorated, pos¬ 
sibly one fourth. The great value of com fodder is be¬ 
coming recognized, and more care is exercised in har¬ 
vesting it than heretofore. Cutting it at the right time 
is one of the first requisites in preserving it, and if this 
is neglected, no after-care can repair the damage. 
Wash. from fiSosaals. —“I. A. V.,” Kana- 
wha, Va., asks if the wash from roads should be allowed 
to run into the fields.——By all means. Keep the ditches 
open, and turn all the road wash into your fields in such 
a manner as to have it spread over as much ground as 
possible. It contains much fertilizing matter. 
B8real<»Big- in Aomig' Steers. — A 
“Subscriber,” Carbon Cliff, Ill., asks hoiv to break a 
pair of young steers to the yoke. First train them to 
lead by a rope attached to the horns. Then procure a 
light yoke and bows, and teach them to stand with them 
on for a few days until they get used to them. Then 
take them out and exercise them gently, and witli great 
patience, teaching them the meaning of the terms used 
in going to the right or left and backing. If they get 
restive, quiet them with a little salt and some coaxing. 
Never unyoke them while they are excited; cool them 
down first. Let the lessons gradually increase in length 
until they understand their business; then attach a 
chain, and soon after a small log or other weight may be 
given them to draw. Working in this manner, they may 
soon be broken in to do light harrowing or other -work 
not too heavy for them. It would be well if oxen were 
broken in to the use of a line, attached to the horn, and 
tire shouting commonly made use of were abandoned. 
'i’o IPVeves&t Cows BSolrtiiig'rsjs their 
Milk. —J. A. Wilson, of Erie Co., N. Y., says the best 
remedy ho has found for preventing cows holding up 
their milk, is to “ take a log-chain, double it, then lay 
it gently over the cow’s back—on the ‘ small of the back ’— 
so that the ends of the chain will clear the floor. The 
cow loses the power of holding up her milk, and after 
a few trials will forget the habit.” - That cows do hold 
up their milk, every one who has had any experience 
knows to his sorrow. But still it is, to say the least, 
doubtful whether cows have the power of holding up or 
letting down the milk voluntarily. It is more likely that 
the muscles refuse to relax, from nervous excitement, 
rather than from a mere act of the will. And if so, any¬ 
thing that will soothe the cow, such as kind words, ora 
mess of palatable food, would be the proper remedy. 
Mitle-JBoiaiadL Calf.—Jas. Wilson, Fond 
du Lac, Wis., has some calves that are hide-bound, and 
wants a remedy. There is no better remedy than oil- 
meal, which will act as a gentle laxative on the bowels 
and remove the causes of the disease. . 
Blorse that will isot JLeatl.—Wm.i 
Johnson, Benton, Tenn., asks how to make a horse lead. 
If the horse drags on the halter, or stops and pulls back, 
take him by the head close to the jaws, and stand back 
against the shoulder. If ho objects to go then, touch 
him behind with a light switch. With patience you will 
persuade him to start, and with a little practice ho will 
keep up with his leader. 
SIJNSSBiW MIJAflBlUdS. — To many of 
our readers, the following will not be new, as multitudes 
have received this or a similar document. To others, it 
will be a curiosity, as it is a fair sample of a great variety 
of letters used by the “ Queer ” swindlers: 
New Yoke, June 9th, 1871. 
l)EAr. Sir.Your favor rec’d. I have concluded to take 
you into my confidence, and I here beg of yon for God’s 
sake not to betray me. I have at last got hold of the right 
thing, and all I want is a very few true men. and I guaran¬ 
tee we can eacli make a fortune in 6 months. I was trained 
up as an Engraver from bsyhoocl. and after executing many 
plates for different banks, 1 was employed by the Govern¬ 
ment on the Treasury Notes. My last work was the engrav¬ 
ing of the plates for the 1, 2. 5, and 10 dollar notes of the old 
Greenbacks issued in 1863. These bills are still in circula¬ 
tion, and I can refer you to them as evidence of my skill. 
When I had the plates completed. Sec’ty Chase publicly 
complimented me as the most skillful engraver in the U. S. 
Shortly after this, however, I was removed to make place 
for a political favorite, and I then vowed I would never die 
until I got square with the Government. I have been at 
work for years in secret, and I now have produced counter¬ 
feits of the 1,2, 5, and 10 dollar plates winch are absolutely 
perfect I have printed a large stock of bills which I want 
to sell immediately. I use nothing but the very best paper, 
and the Dies. Signatures, and every tiling are so perfect 
as to defy detection. I know there is a flood of spurious 
money afloat which I would not advise you to touch but I 
solemnly swear no one can detect these bills. Only keep 
perfectly sober, and I pledge you my word you can have no 
trouble. I have the money done up in packages of $250 and 
over, all properly assorted, and I will sell it for 10 per cent. 
If you mean business, come on here to 1,210 Broadway, and 
inquire in the Stationery store, which I carry on as a cover, 
and you will find me. Do not mention the nature of your 
business to any one, for 1 am in high standing here. Just 
mention the password “ Ink," and I will know it is yon. 
When von come bring money enough to buy a large stock, 
as I guarantee when you see the money you will liny all yon 
can. If you can not come on, let me know, and I will send 
you the money on receipt of the price, for I must get my 
stock off at once. To favor you, I will send you $250 for 
$10 only, and von can pay me $15 when you pass it. I will 
sell you a $500 package for $18 cash and $30 after, or $1,C09 
for $32 down and $60 after. If you take a $5,000 package, 
I will send it for $120, and von .can pay $300 after. Always 
send me National Bank bills. I can make Greenbacks 
enough. You can send the money simply folded in a letter, 
well sealed, and plainly addressed to me. I will send tile 
money in such a way that no one will suspect it is money, 
and you need have no fears whatever. It you do not hap¬ 
pen to have, the money ready when you write, don’t delay, 
but tell me how much you want, and I will send it by Ex¬ 
press, C. 0. D., and you can have the money ready to pav 
tlie Express Agent ivlien it arrives. Now, my dear sir, 1 
ao-ain implore you to use the utmost secrecy in this business. 
Do not mention it to your dearest friend, and while you re¬ 
main faithful to me I solemnly swear to be true to you. 
Yours, in Truth and Sincerity, 
C. EMERSON. 
This time, as a blind, be sure to address 
Miss Bei.le Vernon, 1210 Broadway, 
and I will certainly get the letter. 
P. S—Send money by express, if possible. 
By sending out a great number of such letters, now ana 
then one of them reaches a person green enough and dis¬ 
honest enough to respond. If money is sent, of course it 
is never heard from. If a C. O. D. box is sent, the recip¬ 
ient finds, after paying the bill, and going to a secret 
place to open the parcel, that he has only old paper, saw¬ 
dust, etc. If he calls, lie is taken to a private room, 
stripped c->f all his money, usually by the aid of a bogus 
policeman, or he is shown a box of real money, and 
given another bogus one. In any case, he dare not com¬ 
plain, as he has himself tried to deal in counterfeits. Sim¬ 
ilar letters to the above are signed Win. Webb, alias D. 
A. Mason, 1210 Broadway. Letters like these are 
sent to those who answer the following advertisement, 
which we are sorry to see in newspapers that claim to 
bo respectable and reliable: 
A MILLION DOLLARS. 
Shrewd but quiet men can make a fortune by revealing 
the secret of the business to no one. 
Address G. ESEkmUI, 
ma 20 4w ” 1210 Broadway, New York. 
Conrad Long, hailing from the same place (and doubtless 
tlic same operator), sends neatly printed gilt certificates 
stating that so and so have drawn “ solid gold watches, 
valued at $200,” in a Spanish Policy, Which will be for¬ 
warded on receipt of the usual 5 per cent—but said Long 
is just leaving for Spain, and the money must be sent 
by mail to Mr. Edward Miller, bis appointed agent for the 
United States. What surprises us most is that many people 
