36 
[February, 
AMERICAN AG-RICri,TURIS^. 
Cantaining a great varietij of Hems, incittding many 
good Hints and Suggestions which toe throw into small 
type and condensed form^ for want of space elsewhere, 
A, “ WiscoMsiii Sorg-liMSBi C«aiv«Hi- 
is to be lield in Madison, Feb. 7, at 10 A. M. 
MicSiIgaii Agriciiltiiral College.— 
The announcement of this Coliege is given in our ad¬ 
vertising colums. This is the oldest institution of lire 
kind in tlie country, has an excellent corps of professors, 
and ample means of instruction. To Western stu¬ 
dents it offers opportunities for acquiring a scientific 
and practical education, which they should not allow to 
pass unheeded. As compensated manual labor is a fea- 
tnre in this college, a student is able to complete his 
course with comparatively little expense. 
Ag-ricultiiral Colleges. —“ Sophomore,” 
i.oiii.<^ville, Ky., asks how thesediffer from other colleges 
and what are the principal studies taught in them. The 
course of instruction in Agricultural colleges is arranged 
wiili special reference to the wants of the farming popu¬ 
lation, and will be more or less extensive, according to 
the views prevailing in the community where the college 
is situated. Chemistry, animal and vegetable physiology, 
and such other sciences as have a relation to agriculture, 
are thoroughly taught, while the languages and the purely 
literary studies receive less attention or are altogether 
omitted. The only Agricultural colleges yet in operation 
as far as we know, are that of Pennsylvania, advertised 
in the January Agriculturist, and that of Micliigau. ail- 
vertisedin the present paper. There is also one in Mary¬ 
land, but. judging from its catalogue, its course does not 
esseiiliiiily differ from that of other colleges. 
WS*aft Constitutes a Ciood Coiaapost 
Besides Stable MaMtirc ?—H. M. C., Middlesex 
Co., Conn. A compost is a manure from a mixture with 
the excrements of other ingredients than the Htler bedding 
of animals. If thedung and urine of animals is the basis 
of a compost, it will,of necessity almost, be mixed with 
the litter and the waste of the fodder, etc. To this may 
be added three or four times as much dry swamp muck 
or peat broken down quite fine, parings of roadside turf 
or headlands, or any other vegetable substances, as saw¬ 
dust, chip dirt, etc. A smaller quantity of good soil does 
very well, and even sand is often employed as an ab¬ 
sorbent of liquid mannre, and as an ingredient of the 
compost. Bones pounded pretty fine, gypsum (plaster), 
leached ashes, leather scraps, bone or horn turnings, 
woolen waste, hen manure, house slops, chamber lye, 
brine, etc., are all valuable additions, and make the 
thorough working over of the heap, and a corresponding 
increase of more inert substances desirable. Lime or un¬ 
bleached ashes are not suitable to mix witli animal ma¬ 
nures. but maybe previously mixed with the muck to lie 
awhile before adding it to the manure compost, etc. 
Editorial t^iiarrels — True 
tlon.—The long time readers of the Agriculturist will 
bear witness that we very seldom have any disputes with 
our contemporaries. We confess to an ambition, in com¬ 
mon with otliers, to have our journal occupy the highest 
rank, but we scorn to seek to stand uppermost, by pulling 
otliers down iieZoio our own standard. That is a low am¬ 
bition which leads one to carp at and pick flaws in his 
neighbors, in order to show off by contrast his ovr-n su¬ 
perior merits. If any one sees the slightest leaning in 
tliat direction in this journal, he will do us a great favor 
by pointing it out. The true way to pre-eminence is 
through superior energy, enterpri.se, and intrinsic merit.. 
We repeat then, that we will not, and can not stoop to 
fault finding, to prying into the concerns of our contem¬ 
poraries, and as a rule, only refer to them and their do¬ 
ings when some error of statement or opinion is likely 
to lead the public astray. 
Stop That Falsehood,—We notice that a 
few jealous journals, in tlie spirit referred to above, have 
industriously circulated a falsehood in regard to tins 
paper, which we have so far passed by as unworthy of 
notice ; but as it is kept up, and concerns the integrity of 
the Publisher, we notice it briefly now. It is asserted 
that “ last winter, wtien the price of paper rose, this jour¬ 
nal was reduced to ‘ half size.’ ”—Another .says “ greatly 
reduced;” tliat the "half sheet was advertised at full 
rates and, increasing in the boldness of the statement, 
It is next asserted that “tlie half”—“the reduced” sheet 
—is offered at an advanced price. -The truth is, no re¬ 
duction was made “last winter,” nor unlil Seplem- 
tser, and then but a slight one, in three numbers, and it 
was tlien stated that the advertising space would be less¬ 
ened, and extra efforts be made to condense the matter, 
so as to give about the usual amount of information. So 
little was the contraction, that only two readers com¬ 
plained of it, and one of these said he did not notice it 
until informed of it through one of our jealous contempo- 
ries. The whole reduction of size during the entire year 
amounted to just three fourths of one number. Second : 
Wlien tile small advance in price was made, it was dis¬ 
tinctly stated that it was done in order “to be able to 
maintain the full size of Ihe paper, and keep up its pro¬ 
gressive cliaracter,” and tliis size w as restored before the 
advanced price took effect, and before any of our jealous 
friends uttered their shirs—or to be plain, their falselioods. 
Until September, and since November, the paper has been 
as large as it ever was. We have no idea of making it 
smaller, and tliiiik it is improving in intrinsic value willi 
each number. We have no hopes that the vilifiers will 
retract their false statements, but we sliall not quarrel 
witli tliem, nor. if they behave civilly, point out tlieir nu¬ 
merous deficiencies, the kind of advertisements they ad¬ 
mit, to meet expenses, etc. One of them would better let 
others alone, and attend to liis own business, so as not to 
stop liis paper again wlien the subscription money is ail 
in for a year aliead, and also settle up his unpatented 
patent operations, so as to die in peace.—If our readers 
are satisfied, it is enough for us. If they are not, they 
will of course go wliere tliey are better treated, and they 
ought to. We shall not complain, and scold our contem¬ 
poraries for being superior, but rather praise them for it. 
Fortunately for us, our readers seem to be more than 
satisfied, wliicli tliey manifest by bringing along many 
others—for which we tliank tliem. 
Aslies on Fotsatoes.—Hard wood ashes 
are one of llte most valuable kinds of manure, especially 
adapted to potatoes, which nowadays are so sensitive 
to decaying manures. Chester Belding, of Orange Co., 
N. Y.. writes tliat he applied “unleached ashes to the 
potato liills after first and second hoeings, at the rate al¬ 
together of about 15 barrels per acre. Two rows through 
tlie cenler whicli were not ashed, yielded at tlie rate of 
I97j^'bushels per acre, while the otliers produced at the 
rate of 280 busliels per acre. There was no perceptible 
difference between rows ashed once and those ashed 
twice. Wil! ashes continue to be beneficial if applied ? 
and liow many years will one application i'e heneficia! ? 
A dressing of ashes will show its good effects several 
years on grass, grain, etc., and marked good effects will 
be noticed from liberal applications each year on the 
same land—but tins is usually not an economical practice. 
Fsirisi Inuplemcsits C/Iteaper Mow 
Tiian Tliree Years Ago.—The manufacturers 
of the Buckeye Mower liave prepared a table showing 
tliat their $175 machine costs the farmer less now titan 
in 1861, wlien a similar mower was sold for $100. Taking 
from tlie November Agriculturist of 1861 and 1864, Ike 
New York prices of farm produce, they reckon tliat it 
required to Iniy the mower in 
lbs. Hai/. ineat. Corn. Butter. Cheesg. Wool. 
1861 ($100).14.300 77 bush. ].5‘> busli. 63,5 fts. 1667 lbs. 223lbs. 
1804 ($175) .11,000 69 bush. 93 bush. MO lbs. 800 lbs. 175 Bs. 
Similar figures a|iply to other produce and other im¬ 
plements. as well as to relative prices in oilier places.— 
They apply still more forcibly to our own subscription 
rates. Wliile improvements have been made, and print¬ 
ing paper costs nearly three times as much, the rates are 
raised but one quarter to clubs, and one half to single 
subscribers, owing mainly to increased circulation. 
Tims a .single subscription, cost (at N. Y. prices) in 
Hay. Wheat. Corn. Butter. Cheese, Wool. 
1861 ($1.00). .143 »3. 25 quarts ISquarts 6fts. 16fts. 25!f lbs. 
1864 ($1.50).. 94tbs. 18 quarts 25quarts Slbs. 70)3. IK Bs. 
■Blarley on Eig'Iaf, <S'rav«Ily Soil.— 
“ Subscriber.” Barley delights in a gravelly loam, not 
very liglit, however. Sow as early as the soli can be 
worked, on ground manured last year for some hoed 
crop, or on a sod turned under last fall. Tlie crop will 
not bear iieating manure, but on land in poor heart, such 
application.s as seaweed or muck compost, marl, leached 
ashes, gypsum, or lime, are useful. Barley is liable to 
smut and rust, but less so than most varieties of wheat. 
Apples Sor Ilojys.—Daniel Emerson, of 
Summit Co., Ohio, writes to the American Agriculturist: 
“ In my youth, my grandfather, one autumn weighed four 
shoats and put tliem up to fat. I gathered sweet apples 
and fed to them. At killing time tlie hogs were again 
weighed and were found to have gained two pounds per 
day each. They were fatted only on apples, and the 
pork was very nine, sweet, and .siifficientlv firm. This 
year I kept my pigs penned, and during tlie summer daily 
gave them weed.s from the garden. From the first of 
August for two months tliey liad notliing but sweet and 
grafted sour apples, and since then, apples and corn. 
The largest came to the knife before the fir.st of Deccm 
ber, very fat, and made ino.st beautiful and sweet pork. 
A farmer in a neighboring town pronounces an acre of 
even indifferent orcliard to be equal in value for hogs to 
an acre of the best corn, year by year.” Why not plant 
sweet apple orchards for hogs and for cows also ? 
ISOS'® Foisomed l»y Salt.—“U.,” West¬ 
chester Co., N Y., says many hogs have been lost in 
that County, through having too much salt fed to tliem 
ignorantly, and asks a cure. Old brine is very poison¬ 
ous to swine. Salt can hardly be called poisonous un¬ 
less it is taken in large quantities. In eitlier ca.?e, we 
would give the hog a warm bath, clean nest, and a diet of 
raw roots, especially potatoes, mashed to a pomace. If 
any of our readers have been successful with any par¬ 
ticular treatment, they ■will favor the inquirer and otliers 
by communicating it to the American Agriculturist. 
Wintering'Hogs om “ D. 
D.,” Lake Co., Ind., proposes wintering his iiogs on tur¬ 
nips, and asks “ Will it do ?” We think so. Why not ? 
4® Acre Clay Farsn—Ayrslaire Ksill, 
etc.—C. A. Bruce, Fulton Co., III., ■wlio lias siicli a farm, 
naturally good for fruit and wheat land.asks : “Will it p-ay 
to haul ashes wliicli have been exposed to the action of Ihe 
atmospliere for two or three years, a mile and a half, for 
the purpose of enriching or iooseiiing the land?”—Yes 
“Will subsoiling without uniterdraining be of any per¬ 
manent value ?”—Doubtful—certainly not if tlie land is 
%vet....“Can you inform me at ■What price I would be 
likely to obtain a good Alderney or .4yrsliire bull calf, 
or a yearling, next spring $25 to $75, according to 
qualityI have an interval of 2 years in my file of 
tlie AgTiC'uKurtsr, at what price can I obtain the vol¬ 
umes for 1858 and KSfl?” Sent by mail, bound for $2.44 
eacli, unbound, $1.74 each. He adds : “ The December 
and January Nos. of tlie Agriculturist are splendid, and 
I wish I could send you a hundred subscribers.” 
A ClaicIceH IIoMse for tlae Prsairies. 
Mrs. R. J. Trine, writes to the American Agriculturist: 
“ A very good, but cheap chicken house can be made 
thus : Build a rail pen, leaving an opening at one cor¬ 
ner for access ; and cover, and stop the cracks with prai¬ 
rie hay or straw. With such a hennery, and witli plenty 
of frest meat, vegetables, grain, fresh water, gravel, etc.. 
hens can be induced to lay all througli the winter.” 
Mow to Break Steers.—In ansxver to 
J. W. Brown, of Cecil Co., Md., and others; Steers 
have by no means so nervous a nature as horses. They 
will sooner yield to force, and accommodate tliemselves 
to what appears to them unavoidable necessity. So they 
do not need so much careful reasoning with, so to speak 
It is best to begin with them as calves, and let the boys 
play with them, and drive tliem tied or yoked togethei 
taking oare that they are not abused. When a pair o< 
old steers are to be put togetlier and broken to the yoke, 
or a pair of Bulls, as not unfrequenlly happens, it is usu¬ 
ally best to yoke them, and tie their tails together, in an 
extempore stall, in a well fenced yard, and then turn 
them .oose in the yard, which should not be large enough 
for them to run in -and get under much headway. If 
the tails are not tied tocellier, they will frequently turn 
the yoke, which is a very bad habit. After half a day’s 
association, the lesson of “ye up!” and “-whoha,” 
may be inculcated—and when well learned—probably tlie 
next day.“ liaw ” and “ gee.” The daily lesson should be 
given after they have stood yoked awliile. They should 
not be taken from the yard unlil they have become used 
to the yoke, and are no longer wild and scarey. ns they 
are apt to be at first. Each day all previous lessons 
should be repeated. Put them before an ox sled or a 
pair of cart wheels at first, rather than to a stone boat, 
as they are apt to step on the cliain, and that friglitens 
them. All treatment should be firm but mild, and no 
superfluous words should be employed. 
€|iiiisccs in Clay Soil, — C. Holland, 
Peoria Co,, Ill. A rich, deep loam is to be preferred, but 
the trees will doubtless do well on the clay, if it is ameli¬ 
orated by draining, deep working, and by the use of 
coarse manure. The addition of salt would be of doubt- 
fill utility. E.xperiment with it in moderate quantities. 
Sitra'wlierry Flants for Sii1>scri1>> 
ers—Uxplaoatlon. —To the numerous inquiries 
from new subscribers, we answer generally; Tlie “ Agri¬ 
culturist Strawberry” was offered free, and sent to all 
subscribers for 1864, who applied for it according to the 
rules. Tliis done, the new growth of autumn was sold 
to Rev. J. Knox, of Pittsburg, Pa., who. being liy com 
mon consent the “Strawberry King” of the country, 
was anxious to secure this Queen of the straw berries, and 
