1876.] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
127 
counterfeit bank-note swindles are now, or pretend to 
be, “on the street,” these “put and call” persons in¬ 
stead of advertising their trade openly, as formerly, have 
resorted to various new devices to get money into their 
hands. Some advertise for a person to “fill a position 
of trust ” where the duties are light and the pay heavy, 
but the party must have a few hundreds of capital. The 
applicants who write to the address, learn that they are 
expected to act as local agents fora “ Stock Broker,” or 
a firm of them. This is the way the thing works: appli¬ 
cant sends his money to the “brokers,” upon their as¬ 
surance that he will have a profitable return. As one 
concern plainly writes to an applicant: “You can very 
readily see the necessity for us to make you a profit, or 
your services in our behalf would be no good.”—Of course 
not, that is the bait; the way it is to be used in fishing 
for flat-fish is told in the same letter: “Your only du¬ 
ties would be to show these parties [referring to custom¬ 
ers], the result of your own experience, and direct them 
to forward their funds to Us.”—Can anything be plainer 
than the fact that this “ position of trust” is the noble 
one of playing stool-pigeon to a set of sharpers ? 
“COUNTERFEIT MONET, OR QUEER” 
has been very quiet of late. We supposed that this was 
a humbug of which we had seen every possible phase 
and development, but one A. Webb really gives us some¬ 
thing new. We have the old story about his having 
been an engraver in the employ of the government, and 
all that, but he calls his money “ counterfeit,” and “ my 
money ” in distinction from “ genuine money,” but the 
novelty in this circular is the lofty moral attitude assumed 
bythe sender. Weread: “ I wish to caution you against 
a lot of swindlers who infest the city; they make it 
their business to send letters all over the country, offer¬ 
ing for sale counterfeit money at a very low price, and 
on the most liberal terms, and after obtaining money 
from those who are foolish enough to send any, they 
send all kinds of Rubbish in return in place of the goods. 
Of course these swindlers bring distrust upon reputable 
dealers (I) and all I ask is not to be held responsible for, 
or in any way identified with these swindlers of former 
years and present excistance.”—Isn’t that sublime in its 
impudence 1 It is too bad for Webb to impair that lofty 
strain by miserably misspelling the last word, but one 
can’t be perfect in everything. 
A DANGEROUS “ ILLUMINATING OIL.” 
He still lives—the man who used to go about the country 
selling a recipe for making an illuminating “ oil ” of al¬ 
cohol, turpentine, camphor, etc. When they call it 
“sunlight oil,” they put in some sliced raw potatoes. 
The chap has been around in Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, claim¬ 
ing that the “ oil ” was invented by some professor in 
the “Girard Medical College (!) Philadelphia, in 1875. 
Did not our friend make a mistake of a figure—wasn't it 
1775 ? It probably can’t celebrate its centennial with a 
grand blow up, but it has been around at least half a 
century. If this fellow is still operating in Ohio, and 
tells any others of our readers that it is used on ocean 
steamers—reply that you have no doubt that it is by 
the old " Flying Dutchman ” who has fitted up his phan¬ 
tom ship as a steamer, and uses gunpowder under the 
boilers, and oils the machinery with nitro-glycerine. At 
all events, let his “ oil ” alone. 
IN MEDICAL MATTERS 
Not a single new thing has turned up, and this depart¬ 
ment of humbugology is getting to be very dull. Still we 
have evidence that the old ones are still alive.... It seems 
funny at this late day to have a request to show up Clark 
Johnson, M.D., of Jersey City, when we long ago showed 
that there was no such person_In brief, about eye- 
cups and ear-drums, we can say emphatically don't. Let 
all such appliances severely alone until you have found 
out from a competent physician or surgeon what is the 
matter with your eyes or your ears ; then if he advises 
them it will be safe to use them, but not without. Pay 
no attention to the certificates praising these or any 
other medical or surgical thing. Read about lotteries 
above and see what they amount to... .We have a well 
written and well meaning letter from a friend who agrees 
with us in condemning secret or “patent ” medicines as 
a general thing, but thinks we ought to except some, 
which are “ handy to have in the house ” and are much 
cheaper than the ordinary medicine. One of our objec¬ 
tions to these medicines is the large price thus obtained 
for cheap stuff, and until we can present this matter 
more in full, we advise our correspondent and every one 
else to have nothing to do with any secret stuff whatever. 
Xlie Two dollar tloeSs made by the 
Jerome Clock Co., is a very neat affair. We have had 
one running for about two months, in competition with 
a much larger and more expensive clock, and though we 
can’t say that the little one has beaten, we are quite sure 
it has kept even with the other. 
How to Cleur Wood-land.— 1 “ J. M.,” 
Bedford. Mass. Probably the best way to clear land of a 
Email growth of trees, would be to cut the timber out by 
the roots; that is to cut the roots until the weight of the 
tree breaks what is left, and causes it to fall. Then the 
brush shout be cut off and piled in close heaps, reserving 
all that is large enough for fire-wood, stakes, or fence- 
poles. The wood cut into cordwood, should pay all the 
cost of clearing. The roots being level with or below 
the surface of the ground, will not greatly interfere with 
its cultivation. When the cord-wood has been all hauled 
off, the brush heaps should be burned and the ashes 
spread. The first crop, which should be potatoes, may 
be planted in the spring. After two or three plowings 
the roots left in the soil will he torn up and out of the 
way. The future management will depend upon the 
kinds of crops that are most profitable in the locality. 
Mo ! EBoys sti&d CiSrls; !—Every one of 
you must surely have the Great Centennial Toy, 44 Ye 
Hero of’76, 55 which is the finest Toy ever made ; 
it delights old people too. The wide-awake Boys and 
Girls can have the first ones free (see third cover page of 
this paper). You will not only get “Ye Hero ” yourselves, 
but everybody you get to subscribe will be benefitted. 
Why, last month’s American Agriculturist was alone 
worth a whole year’s subscription, to say nothing of all 
the other numbers of the year. Go right to work to-day, 
and be one of the ten thousand who want and get “Ye 
Hero” right away. 
'• .Van Egg Farm,” is the title of a series 
of articles, by Mr. H. II. Stoddard, (now editor of The 
Poultry World, Hartford, Ct.), published in the American 
Agric’rllurist, in lS71-’72. This series at the time of its 
publication, attracted much attention, and ever since 
then there has been a regular demand for the numbers of 
the American Agriculturist containing them, showing 
that they have a permanent value. The publishers have 
reproduced these articles, with all their illustrations, 
which, with some additional matter upon poultry, make 
a neat volume, which is now in press, and will be sent 
post-paid, in paper covers for 50 cents, and in cloth for 
75 cts. This is the first full account of an establishment, 
in this country, for the sole purpose of poultry raising 
and egg-producing. The story is told with much clear¬ 
ness, and in great detail, and imparts much useful in¬ 
formation to those who keep a few or many fowls. 
Prices of lPa-o«lwce are often inquired 
about by our readers. T. C. Davenport, (late of Tatem 
& Davenport). Produce Commission Merchant, 107 & 122 
Dock St., Philadelphia, forwards to applicants produce 
quotations for that market. 
«■ *oom-Coi*n Culture.— There is no one 
among the special crops, upon which so little is given in 
agricultural works, as Broom Corn. In view of this we 
have gathered up the reliable information upon the sub¬ 
ject of its culture, and have now in course of preparation, 
a hand-book, that will give full directions for growing 
and harvesting the crop, and also the methods of mak¬ 
ing brooms for home use and for sale ; an account of the 
methods of culture at the great broom-corn center of 
Illinois, and other matter not before published. With 
illustrations. We hope to have this ready in time for the 
season for sowing. 
Orr’s Overalls, made by C. A. Baldwin & 
Co., New Haven, Ct., are capital things on the farm and 
in the garden. They are well made, and sent by mail so 
low, that it is cheaper to order than to make them. 
Xl»e New Jersey Reports.— Prof. Geo. 
H. Cook, State Geologist, sends us his report for the year 
1875, showing the progress of the Geological Survey. 
Rutgers College has the Agricultural Fund, and gives 
special instruction in sciences applied to agriculture and 
the mechanic arts. Prof. C. has the chair of agriculture, 
and has charge of the College Farm; the experiments 
made there with various fertilizers are of general interest. 
Tlie same gentleman is also Secretary of the State Board 
of Agriculture, and sends a full report of the doings of 
that body. Altogether the state of New Jersey compares 
favorably with other states in the aid the commonwealth 
gives to agriculture. 
Thorbuni’s 44 Early Paragon ” 
Potato.—We planted this variety last year, but made 
no report upon this and the other potatoes sent us for 
trial, for the reason that they were, in the press of other 
work, planted too late, and a long drouth came on just as 
they started. As the trial was made under unfavorable 
conditions, it was no proper test of the varieties, and 
those who sent us samples, to whom we have not already 
written, will accept this as our reason for making no 
report. As to the “Paragon,” we have before us a letter 
from Jonathan Talcot.t, of Rome, N. Y., a well known 
agriculturist, who last year made a trial of all the leading 
new potatoes. He says: “I consider the ‘Early Para¬ 
gon’ one of the best sorts I have ever tried,” and “were 
I now limited to two varieties, I should take the ‘ Snow¬ 
flake ’ and the ‘ Paragon.’ ” Mr. T.. regards it “ as a first 
class potato in all respects, good yielder, fine, smooth 
potatoes, and extra good quality.” This is excellent 
testimony from one who has tried every new variety 
offered during the past 15 years, and we hope that our 
trial this year will corroborate it. 
Wirndsnills for Eufting S’eetl.—•“ C. 
R. S.,” Iowa City, Iowa. Any one of the different kinds 
of windmills advertised in the American Agriculturist, 
would probably suit for cutting feed. The best plan 
would be to write to all the parties for catalogues of their 
mills, and choose that which appears most suitable. The 
cheapest is not always the best. Simplicity and strength 
of construction, are the chief points to look to. There 
would be little difflfcnlty in attaching an elevator or 
carrier to a fodder cutter. Any millwright should be able 
to devise such an attachment that could be removed 
when not needed. We know of none that is made, but 
see no mechanical difficulties in the way. 
The Hew York Horticultural Association. 
Tlie exhibition of plants and cut flowers at the March 
meeting, was better than on the previous month. Geo. 
Such, of South Amboy, N. J., showed a number of mag¬ 
nificent orchid blooms, conspicuous among which were 
Schomburgkia undulata , and six varieties of Lycaste Skin- 
neri: also flower spikes of six different palms, more 
curious and interesting than beautiful, nature seems to 
seldom multiply beauties in one individual; while few 
plants excel the palms in the graceful beauty of their 
foliage, the flowers are mostly devoid of color, and coarse 
in appearance. From S. B. Parsons & Sons, of Flushing, 
L. I., was a lilac-colored Daphne Genkwa, at a distance 
somewhat like a Persian Lilac, and a pure white Magno¬ 
lia, named Ilalliana, both these shrubs being from Japan, 
will probably prove hardy in this latitude. From John 
Henderson, Flushing, L. I., Pink, “ Lady Blanche,” pure 
white, clove scented, and the new Violet, “ Victoria 
Regina,” a single variety, dark blue, of large size and 
exquisite fragrance, both fine new plants for winter 
flowers. From Peter Henderson, of Jersey City, N. J., 
six new varieties of Golden Coleus. From William 
Bennett, Flatbush, L. I., an immense bunch of variegated 
Chinese Azalea. W. C. Wilson, Astoria, presented the 
new orange-colored Tea Rose, “ La Chamois,” and a 
collection of rare Ferns in pots. From John White, Jer¬ 
sey City, N. J., a fine specimen of a new crimson winter¬ 
flowering Carnation. Mr. Roehrs, Florist, Jersey City, 
had a new Begonia, with flowers 2 inches across, of the 
most brilliant scarlet. This species, sent by Mr. Rozel 
from Peru, is yet unnamed, and is one of the most valua¬ 
ble new plants yet exhibited at the meetings. The 
Association decided to hold its first exhibition in June, 
not for prizes, but the plants to be voluntarily contributed 
by the members, and other well wishers of the Associa¬ 
tion. This course is unusual at horticultural exhibitions, 
which are usually made up of articles in competition for 
prizes offered, but the members feel confident that they 
can make their first exhibition one of which the Society 
will not be ashamed, without any drain on their treasury 
for prizes. 
A School in the Woods. —To most 
farmer’s boys the idea that any boy can injure himself by 
study, may be new, yet in the hot-bed life of cities we 
find boys, never at best very strong, who are actually 
ruining themselves for life, by too close application to 
study, and their brains are crammed and overworked, 
while their bodies are neglected, as if of very little con¬ 
sequence. Such a treatment results in long, lank, small- 
limbed and flat-chested boys, with colorless skins and 
flabby flesh. The anxious parents of such youths con¬ 
sult their doctor, who well knows that they need no 
medicine, but some attention to the development of their 
bodies, and rest for their brains. To meet the wants of 
these overworked boys as well as others who need it, our 
friend Doct. J. T. Rothrock, Wilkesbarre, Pa., will open 
on May 1st, a “ School of Physical Culture ” in a wild 
locality on “North Mountain,” Pa. The boys will live 
in camp fashion, and have camp fare; they will have 
practice in all physical exercises, such as rowing, shoot¬ 
ing, gymnastics, mountain climbing, and whatever will 
tend to develop their strength. At the same time they 
will be instructed in geology, botany, and other branches 
of natural history; taught to take and record meteorolog¬ 
ical observations; surveying, and other field studies. 
Physical culture will have the chief attention, and study 
bo allowed only so far as it may be beneficial. Aside 
from the improvement in health that must result from 
four months of open-air life, a boy will learn to observe, 
and acquire much knowledge that can be learned in no 
other way, and which will hereafter be of great use. We 
know of no one so well fitted to be at the head of such a 
school as Dr. Rothrock. He is a skilled surgeon and 
