1876 .] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
475 
Motes of Special Exhibition of Live Stock, 
etc., at the Centennial. 
The Sheep exhibition at Philadelphia was not an en¬ 
couraging one, excepting in regard to the American Me¬ 
rinos, which were there. Not one pen ot American 
Cotswolds was shown, nor any sheep except Merinos 
which might claim to be American Neither were heic 
any of the cross-bred sheep which have been Ponced 
by our energetic and skillful breeders. 10 n ° ' e . 
able animals were some monstrously fat Southdown and 
Cotswolds from England, which were to om thinking, 
examples of a vicious breeding which s iou c t 
couraged. Ti e Sonthdowns of Lord Walsingham were 
masses of tallow, covered, it is true, with a beautifully 
smooth fleece, hut they were not useful sheep, and can¬ 
not he maintained here in the condition in which they 
were shown. The same may be said of the Cotswolds 
of Mr. Russel Swanwick, with the exception that these 
were very unsatisfactory as to fleece ; the wool being 
open and thin on their broad backs; a usual objection to 
overgrown long-wools. It is scarcely to be regretted 
that these sheep sold at very unprofitable prices, hoping 
as we do to see no more importations of this kind. It 
is time for ns to devote our attention to breeding 
American sheep and imitate the Merino breeders, 
who have surpassed the rest of the world in pro¬ 
ducing fine wools. The Merinos on exhibition were 
too good to have been neglected for the foreign sheep. 
Vermont sent a fine lot of animals ; one ram, bred by 
E. S. Dana, was sold to go to Ohio for $650 ; a ram was 
shown by L. P. Clark, from which a fleece weighing 37 
lbs. was sheared last season. The premium flock was 
shown by Sam’l. Archer, of Kansas City, Mo. Sheep were 
exhibited also from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and 
New York. The Silesian Merinos of Mr. Chamberlin and 
Carl Heyne, of Dutchess Co.. N. Y., were on exhibition. 
Meetings of the Sheep-breeders were held, at which it 
was proposed to institute a National Sheep Fairatan early 
date, and the “ National Sheep-breeders and Wool-grow¬ 
ers Association ” was requested to take the necessary 
action for this purpose. 
Swine.— Amongst these the Berkshires took the lead, 
the Chester Whites taking the second place. Some fine 
imported Berkshires were sold on the ground at very 
reasonable prices. 
The Dairy Exhibit, notwithstanding all the difficul¬ 
ties and opposition which the managers have experienc¬ 
ed, was a very fair one. More than 400 cheeses from 
Canada were on the tables, and a large number from 
American dairies. The rooms were more densely crowd¬ 
ed at times than almost any other buildings on the 
ground; one of the attractions being the cheap restaurant 
on the upper floor of the dairy house. 
The Poultry Show was large and fine, notwithstand¬ 
ing the number of empty coops. Pigeons were numerous 
and of a high class. Mr. L. Waefelaer, of Hoboken, N. 
J., showed a coop of Antwerp Carriers that had flown 
345 miles, also some very beautiful fancy fowls, such as 
Golden and Silver Pheasants. Toulouse Geese weighing 
50 lbs. the pair, Rouen ducks, of IS lbs. the pair, and 
Black Cayugas of 14 lbs., were shown by W. n Todd, of 
Vermillion, Ohio; besides these, (his breeder exhibited 
largely of other poultry. Benson and Burpee, of Phila¬ 
delphia, showed fine Light Bratimas, Plymouth Rocks, 
Houdans, and other breeds, numbering in all 60 coops. 
The Brown Leghorns of J. E. Kinney, of Worcester, 
Mass., were fine as usual. He had one hen, 10)4 years 
old, which had laid over 2,000 eggs; and another, 6}4 
years, that had produced 1,000. Fine specimens of La 
Fleche were shown by P. Williams, Taunton, Mass, and 
some Black Hamburghs of extra quality, by J. C. Pen¬ 
nington, of Paterson, N. J. On the whole the Poultry 
was a fine exhibition, and seemed to he very attractive, 
although it was in an out of the way building. We regret 
we have not space to notice further the large variety of 
fine birds shown. 
Bee Motes for December, 
BY L. C. ROOT, MOHAWK, N. Y. 
If bees were placed in winter quarters in due time, and 
in proper condition, they will need no other attention 
the present month, than to observe tiie necessary con¬ 
ditions. These are as follows: the room should be kept 
perfectly dark, and the temperature as near 45° as pos¬ 
sible. Let the thermometer be so arranged that the 
temperature can be ascertained without entering the 
room. I have usually attached a small round thermome¬ 
ter to a cord, and let it down through a hole in the floor 
into the bee-cellar ; it can thns be examined many times 
a day without disturbing the bees in the least. Perfect 
quiet is at all times essential. 
questions and Answers. 
“ Should bees be confined to their hives during win¬ 
ter Wherever bees may be placed for winter, they 
should not be confined to their hives. If the proper re¬ 
quirements are observed, they will not leave the hive, 
but if confined by wire-cloth, although well ventilated, 
they will become uneasy, and I have often known 
very serious results from a failure to observe this point. 
•‘How much honey win a swarm consume during win¬ 
ter i" _From 5 to 25 lbs., according to circumstances. If 
wintered in an even temperature of about 45% and iu 
perfect quiet, they will remain nearly dormant, and con¬ 
sume very little food, but if often disturbed, or kept in 
a cold and uneven temperature, the quantity consumed 
may reach even more than 25 lbs. I have wintered over 
100 swarms, that consumed less than 10 lbs. on an aver¬ 
age. No one, however, should infer from this fact that 
it would be safe to allow bees to go into winter quarters 
with only this amount. Occasionally a swarm will con¬ 
sume much more, and to meet this exigency, at least 20 
lbs. should be supplied. If not needed during the win¬ 
ter, it will be ready for use in spring breeding. 
Ucc-Ueeping at tile Centennial. 
As is usual, this branch of industry was very sparingly 
represented at the Centennial Exhibition. Those who 
made an effort for a special display in this department, 
deserve particular credit. Mr. J. S. Coe, of New Jersey, 
was, as far as we were able to ascertain, the only party 
who exhibited bees. The colonies were arranged in what 
he calls his “House Apiary,” and he has been earnest 
and successful in representing his system of manage¬ 
ment. J. S. Harbison, of San Diego, Cal., exhibited a 
case of his honey in small frames, illustrating his modes 
in regard to form and style of packages. Geo. Neighbor 
& Son, of London, Eng., exhibited a line of fixtures ful¬ 
ly illustrating the state of apiculture in that country. 
Capt. J. E. Hetherington, of Cherry Valley, N. Y„ was 
the largest exhibitor of honey. When it is remembered 
that the package exhibited by Mr. H. is oDly a sample of 
those he has in general use, and that the neatness and 
perfection of their manufacture are only an illustration 
of his mechanical skill, as practiced in ail branches of 
his business, the inference that his standard of excel¬ 
lence in this respect, is second to none, will be a just 
one. There may have been other exhibits worthy of 
mention, but not being concentrated in one general de¬ 
partment, they escaped notice. 
Preparing Poultry for Market. 
Every fall we are asked about preparing poultry for 
market. There are in the back volumes several elabo¬ 
rate articles giving full details, but new subscribers 
have not, generally, access to these, and their requests 
make it necessary to give something on the subject at 
the present time. We cannot do better now ttian to 
reproduce the directions sent to their customers by 
Messrs. E. & O. Ward, 279 Washington street, one of the 
oldest commission houses iu New York City. Though 
very brief and concise, it gives the results of an exten¬ 
sive experience and presents all the essential points. 
They say: “To insure highest market prices for poultry, 
they must be well fattened ; crops empty when killed ; 
nicely and well picked; skin not broken or torn ; en¬ 
trails should not he removed: thoroughly cooled, hut 
not frozen. Pack in boxes with a layer of clean straw 
(rye straw the best) between the layers of poultry, in 
the same posture in w’hich they roost. Mark each box, 
specifying wliat it contains. Send invoice by mail. Ship 
to reach us about the middle of the week-should never 
reach us so late in the week as on Saturday. 
There is the greatest demand on special occasions for 
fine and fat turkeys for Thanksgiving; prime and nice 
geese for Christmas; extra large and nice turkeys for 
New-Year’s Day. On ail these occasions shipments 
should reach us two to - five days in advance. If you 
cannot find any profit in sending prime quality and well 
prepared, you need not look for any in ordinary or poor 
qualities.” 
Observe that these rules apply to the New York 
market; if intending to ship poultry or other produce to 
other cities, it will pay to find out in advance the re¬ 
quirements and customs as to manner of putting up, 
kind of packages, etc., for their markets. For example, 
if poultry is sent prepared as above to Boston, Provi¬ 
dence, or other New England cities, it would bring very 
poor returns ; in those places the people expect the 
birds to be drawn, i. e ., the entrails to be removed; the 
styles of packages for fruit, etc., also vary greatly, and a 
compliance with established customs is necessary if one 
would get the best prices. 
Catalogues Received. 
NURSERYMEN. 
Chas. Black & Bro.. Hightstown, N. J. Fruit and 
Ornamental trees, Small Fruits, etc. 
E. W. Harrington. Palmyra. Wayne Co., N.Y. Small 
Fruits, Fruit-trees and Root-grafts. 
William Parky, Cinnaminson, N. J. A general stock, 
including several specialties, such as Brandywine and 
Delaware Raspberries, and Mr. Durand’s remarkable 
new Strawberries. 
Purdy & Dorland, South Bend, Ind. General assort¬ 
ment of Small Fruits. 
B. F. Transou & Bro., at the “ Humboldt (Tenn.)Nur¬ 
series,” send a wholesale list of their extensive stock 
EUROPEAN CATALOGUES. 
Wilson & Rankin, Glasgow, Scotland. Agricultural 
and Garden Seeds ut wholesale. 
IMPLEMENTS AND MISCELLANEOUS. 
The Ames Plow Co., New York and Boston. A spe¬ 
cial catalogue of Hupgood’s Patent Swivel Plows. 
A. B. Cohu, 197 Water St., New York. An elaborately 
illustrated caialogue of Farm Implements and Machinery, 
including a list of farm and garden seeds. 
Edward Burnett, Southborough, Mass. A catalogue 
of the products of Deerfoot Farm. We can only remark 
in passing, that this is a remarkable instance of success¬ 
ful farming iu a “ worn out” country like New England, 
when its hams, bacon, sausage, and many other things, 
are in such demand as to warrant a priced catalogue. 
A Centennial Commendation. 
[Mr. C. J. Fay, of Camden, N. J., makes building pa¬ 
pers of various kinds. The editors are not personally ac¬ 
quainted with Mr. F., though some of them know and 
have used his articles. Under these circumstances iheir 
surprise was only equalled by their gratification at re¬ 
ceiving the following wholly unsolicited and unexpected 
pleasant words. They take the liberty to print it, that 
the many new subscribers may see the voluntary com¬ 
mendation of one, who has “summered us and wintered 
us ” these many years— Eds.] 
“ Camden, N. J., Sept. 9, 1876. 
“ Messrs. Orange Judd Company. 
“ Gentlemen :—Having a desire for a long time to drop 
you a few words relative to the American Agriculturist, 
I have resolved not to let the Centennial year pass without 
doing so. I wish to say that I have taken this valuable 
journal from its very birth. * * * * Not having a reiish 
for political reading, have kept myself pretty well sup¬ 
plied for the last fifty years with scientific and agricul¬ 
tural publications. I am satisfied that I have derived 
more useful information from this journal, than from all 
other agricultural ones combined. I advertised in its 
columns occasionally, some twenty-five years ago, and 
for the last ton years think my card has appeared in 
every number issued. At first I thought its rates too 
high, but time changed this opinion. Notwithstanding 
the cost of advertising during this time appears in the 
aggregate a large sum, I have the satisfaction of know¬ 
ing, that the money has been beneficially laid out for 
myself, and I think a still greater benefit to thousands of 
yonr patrons, who have through its columns learned 
where they could obtain our useful and cheap building 
materials. Parties have written us that had they not 
seen our card in the American Agiicidtuiist, they would 
not have ventured to send us the money before receiving 
the goods, which is a convincing proof of their confi¬ 
dence in the journal. I am pleased to add that, in look¬ 
ing over my hooks carefully, I find that the cost of ad¬ 
vertising in this journal is several per cent, cheaper 
than in any other leading publication in which I adver¬ 
tise. I close with the hope thet the tide of prosperity 
may ever follow the wake of this valuable journal, and 
remain, Very truly yours, C. J. Fay.” 
Eye-Caips Once More. —Inquriries still 
come as to eye-cups, from persons who think of trying 
them, and from those who have been solicited to act as 
agents for their sale. Articles called “ eye-cups” are no 
novelty, they have been made and offered by various par¬ 
ties for several years. When first advertised, notwith¬ 
standing that some respectable names were used on the 
circulars of the venders, our own impression was that 
the articles were such as should not come into general 
use, hut before publishing our views, we consulted 
with an occnlist, who is an authority, not only in 
this country, hut in Europe. He fully confirmed our 
opinion, and expressed his objections to the cups in the 
most positive manner. These eye-cups propose to alter 
the convexity of the eye. Admitting that they can do 
this, (which we do not), they could only be of use in a 
particular class of defects. The danger with the eye-cups, 
as with the various advertised remedies, lies in the tact 
that they induce people to treat themselves, without first 
finding out what is the trouble. The eye, of all organs, 
should be let alone by all who have not the knowledge 
and the skill to treat it understandingiv. An intelligent 
person, who will properly consider the matter, will see 
the absurdity of attributing ail difficulties of vision to a 
mechanical defect of the eye-hall. We regard all tamper¬ 
ing with one’s own eyes, by the use of eye-cups or any 
other applications, as highly dangerous, and which, for 
the safety of the community, should he discouraged. 
