1805.] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST, 
7i 
a'.'fs. ■' Will some one explain why?”—There Is no 
.'-trniig cvidenoe that posts thus set will last longer than 
if limy a ere set with the top end up. Until the evi¬ 
dence i.s produced, no reason need be sought why a post 
v\ ill ileciiy sooner when it is placed top end up, than 
when it is set the other way. To test tliis, we once 
fence posts alternately top up and top down, in the same 
fence, and there never was any perceptible difference in 
the time of their decaying. 
^Yootl waSSa ESorse 
A Subscriber in Darlington, Pa., writes: “ I saw my 
fire-wood with a circular saw, driven by a two-horse 
railway power, and I find it such an advantage that I 
never intend to saw any more vi^od by hand. It pleases 
the women very much to have plenty of seasoned wood, 
pai ticalarly when baking buckwheat cakes.” We are 
acquainted with a young man in Cayuga Co., N. V., who 
was accustomed to do all his threshing with a flail, and 
sawing wood by hand. At our suggestion, he purchased 
a two-horse threshing machine and wood saw. When 
he performed all this work by hand, he was obliged to 
labor very hard all winter. Now he does his own 
threshing and wood-sawing, and threshes for some of 
ills neighbors. He sawed over 300 cords of wood for 
them (iuring the past year, besides doing all his own 
work. He finds much more time to rest and read, and 
not half the amount of hard labor that was required 
when he threshed and sawed by hand. lie saws, usu¬ 
ally, three cords of hard wood, twice in two, per hour 
running time. Tliis practice of making the horses do the 
hard work, is worthy of almost universal adoption. 
IVSssiasii'c iba* OhiIoms.—B. G.ardner, natnp- 
den Co., itlass. If you have plenty of night soil composted 
with loam and well rotted stable manure, you need not 
buy either guano or pliosphate. An equivalent to 25 or 
SO bushels of night soil, or 20 to 30 loads of stable manure, 
sliould be used to the acre. The Wethersfield Red is 
perhaps the best market sort. Tellow Danvers is very 
productive. The white varieties produce less, but bring 
a higher price. Our Pamphlet on Onion Culture is in¬ 
valuable to a beginner. 
Mow Moacla Seed ?—The following table 
is from the new Seed Catalogue of Henderson & Flem¬ 
ing, N. Y. It will be found useful in determining how 
much seed to order, making allowance for defects, etc. 
I ounce of Asiiaragiis and Cardoon, about 600 plants, 
do Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Egg¬ 
plant. Kale, Tomato, Leek, and Pepper, 3000 “ 
do Celery, Endive, and Lettuce, - 6000 “ 
do Okra, and Spinach, may be allotted for ev’y 100 ft. row 
do Beet, do do do' 150 “ 
do Onion, Radish, and Salsify, do do 175 “ 
do Carrot. Parsley. Parsnip and Turnip, do 200 
dc Cucumber, is sufficient for 150 hills 
do IMnskmelon, “ I00-I25 “ 
do Watermelon, “ 40-60 “ 
do Pumpkin and Squash, “ 40-80 _ “ 
! quart Field Pumpkin. “ 400-500 “ 
do Dwarf or Bush Beans “ 200 ft. of row or 300 “ 
do Pole “ 200 “ or 200-300 “ 
do Peas ” 150-200 ft. of row. 
Krsssla Tor E*eas.—J. Cotton Eastman. The 
tall growing peas do better with brush. The medium 
sorts wall, perhaps, fruit as well, but are more difficult to 
pick, if allowed to fall over. For garden culture the 
dwarf sorts, such as Tom Thumb and Bishop’s Dwarf are 
convenient. Drew’s new Dwarf, is a new sort said to be 
very good. We are always glad to hear from young far¬ 
mers, and to aid them when possible. 
Tlie lJ)epartmesi4 of 
—If the agricultural community have any Interest in the 
appointments of the new administration, which will be 
inaugurated on the 4th of this month, it is in reference to 
the Department of Agriculture. They expect, and justly, 
that this Department shall have a fair chance to show its 
uselnlness, and not be a subject of ridicule. They ex¬ 
pect the appointment of a head who is sought for by the 
pl.ace, and who does not seek the place. They look for 
a man who stands in intimate relations to the agriculture 
of the country, and not one whose chief claim to the 
place is his personal services to one particular family. 
They expect a Commissioner of broad views and execu- 
livc ability, who can devote his time to the interests of 
the country, and not to making favor with members of 
Congress. They expect to see an experimental farm, 
which shall contain the best kinds of stock, and where 
tlieir comparative value shall be established by accurate 
experiments. They expect that the mails will be no 
-onger weighted down with rubbish from old Philadelphia 
seed stores ; that tropical seeds will not be sent to Wis¬ 
consin, and that useless seeds will not be sent^at all. 
They expect that reports shall be made which shall not 
be diluted by writers by the page, but which shall give 
results, and be worth more than a yearly volume of any 
good agricultural paper. In short, theyexpect that some 
one will be appointed to the head of the department who 
will get out of the old ruts, and start on a new track ; and 
they don’t wish the head of the Department to have a 
seat in the Cabinet. 
SoalciiRg- IPeas.— “ Subscriber” asks if it is 
well to soak peas. They will come up sooner if soaked 
a few hours in warm water, and it is quite an advantage 
to treat them this way, if the ground is dry. If the peas 
have bugs in them, pour on scalding water enough to 
cover them, and let them cool. This will kill the bee¬ 
tles, and not hurt the peas. 
TlRe CoiRCOS-il S®o!lc SSeaa.—Two Massa¬ 
chusetts subscribers who have cultivated this new variety 
have written in praise of it. One says: “ It is very ele¬ 
gant in appearance, the earliest pole bean I have yet 
found. It is good as a string or shell bean, very pro¬ 
lific, averaging a pint of the dried beans to the pole. Mr. 
Burr (author of Garden Vegetables of America), in a re¬ 
cent article in Ilovey’s Magazine, gives a very high rank 
to this bean, and I think justly.” We have received a 
sample of this bean, and it appears like what it is claimed 
to be, a cross between the London Horticultural and 
White Pole Cranberry, two excellent varieties. 
CiaxiliJIowoi'S asa '’SViaotes*.—P. 'W'bilter- 
say. New Haven Co., Conn., writes that he is now en¬ 
joying fine, large canlifiowers, wliich came from small 
and poorly formed ones planted in the cellar last autumn. 
We have often advised this plan. 
©aaioai Catitaaa'e. — Numerous inquiries 
are made about the culture of onions. For all general 
information we refer to our book on Onion Culture, which 
gives the experience of numerous growers. See boo’k 
list. A. C. Hayes, Washington Co., Iowa, asks if we 
would advise him to try an onion crop. No one should 
undertake to raise onions who cannot command plenty 
of help, as there is a great amount of hoeing and weeding 
to be done in order to succeed. Better try a moderate 
extent of ground at first to learn liie routine of culture. 
New land is not suited to onions, but they slio-uld follow 
roots, corn or otlier hoed crops. Great quantities of ma 
nure must be used, but the same land may be cropped 
year after year. In the warmer section of the Middle 
States the season is too hot and dry for onions from seed, 
and there, sets must be grown in autumn, and kept through 
tlie winter for early spring planting. Where onions hav e 
not been before, it is advised to sow alternate rows of car¬ 
rots, as the onions are not injured, and if they chance to 
fail, a good crop of carrots pays for the labor expended. 
'EJpBamtl Ci*aii'bcri*y.— R. Hanford, Mon¬ 
mouth Co., N. J., has confounded two things under 
the name of “Upland Cranberry.” The name is ap¬ 
plied by cultivators to a variety of the common cran¬ 
berry which they consider best adapted to dry localities. 
It is also one of the popular names of Uva Ursi, a Bear- 
berry. It is a great misfortune that many of our native 
plants have several popular names. 
Castor C&il Beam for IVSoScs.— C. F. Ray¬ 
mond, of Fairfield Co., Conn., states that a dozen castor 
oil beans planted in his garden drove out the moles, and 
that they staid out for some years. The plants were al¬ 
lowed to grow during the season. Others say the sumo. 
®rass for a Namte.— J. Straur, Tabotville, 
C. W., sends Phalaris Canariensis, or Canary grass, tlie 
seed of which is used as food for Canary birds. It is 
often found growing wild in waste places where rub¬ 
bish from bird cages has been thrown. 
l*Samt lor a Name.— R. L., Boston, Mass. 
The specimen of “Fox plum,” is Mitckella repens, usually 
called Partridge berry,sometimes Twinberry, and Tallow- 
beriy. Probably is of too slow growth for a hanging bas¬ 
ket, and we doubt if it will endure the dry heat of a room. 
"File 4«-reeley Fsaiit Briztes.—It ■will be 
recollected that the Hon. Horace Greeley last autumn 
offered a prize of $100 each for the best variety of grape, 
apple and pear for general cultivation. These prizes 
were to be awarded by the Horticultural Committee of 
the American Institute. The notice given having been 
too brief for general competition, the premiums are kept 
open for another year. At a recent meeting of the Com¬ 
mittee the following judges were appointed for the award 
of these premiums : Doctor J. A. Warder, Cincinnati, 
Ohio, Chairman; Charles Dovi-ning, Newburg, N. Y,; 
Dr. I. M. Ward, Newark, N. J.; L. Ferris, Throg’s 
Neck, N. Y.; Dr. E. W. Sylvester, Lyons, N. Y.; P. J. 
Quinn, Newark, N. J.; P. B. Mead, and W. S. Carpenter, 
New-York City. Three exhibitions will be held in 
September, October and November next, the conditions 
of which will liave timely publication. Tliis arrange¬ 
ment is made with the consent of Mr. Greeley, and will. 
doubtless, be satisfactory to fruit-growers generally 
—In this connection we add, that in a recent commnni 
cation wliich we have not room for, .Mr. Byrani distinct 
iy disclaims any intention in anything he has previously 
said or written, of attrihuting to .M r. Greelev. any bui 
the most noble and philanlhrnidi- molires in offering 
those prizes. Hesayst “ Jlr. Greeley is too imiilc 
high-minded to lend ids aid to any dislionorable nr cor 
rupt measures to advance his own interest or tlmt of his 
best friend.” 
S^isie CsaBiRcESisis.—Jlr. Win. (Jhoilton, oi 
Staten Island, has a way w hicli we coinincml to the con¬ 
sideration of otlier fiori.sts. Every winter lie makes „ 
show upon our tables of the most beautiful (huiKlIia-. 
Those exhibited this year are of Die finest varietie s, and 
beautiful specimens. As Mr. C. is not a coiiimcrcial 
florist, he does not do this as an advertisement, but jiisi 
for the love of it, and in so doing he gratifies linndrcds 
witli a sight of excellent specimens of tiiis costly flower. 
©R’japes flbi* Micliijjasj.—J. G. JI., Oak 
land Co., Delaw'are, is Die hardiest of the good grapc.s. 
Concord and Hartford Prolific would doubtless do well 
with you, and are good market varieties. It makes but 
little practical difference wlieDier stakes or trellises are 
used, provided Die training is properly carried out. Be¬ 
fore investing much in a vineyard it will pay to visit 
Kelley’s Island or some other locality where there are 
established vineyards, and study operations there. 
l>e5K-«'sire CsattiiHg'fi. 
—J. M. Cook, Ottawa Co., Midi. Cuttings of Die Dela¬ 
ware so seldom succeed in the open air, that it is about 
useless to try them. If buried in the fall below the reach, 
of frost and then put in a ■warm and moist place, a few 
may grow, blit more likely all will fail. The nursery¬ 
men use single eyes, and start them in sand by means ol 
bottom heat. The details, wliicli would occupy too 
much space, are fully given in Fuller’s Grape Culturist. 
'Flic BcacSi oil tlie WiSlow. —The con¬ 
tributor who sends us a description of Die manner in 
which peach trees are grown in Califoi nia,'_by grafting 
them in a split willow, is informed that lie lias been 
iiugely humbugged by some traveler’s yarn. 
Tl'Iie 'Fi’l'bsiMe Stra^^vBies'i'ies.— T. L. 
Stringer and others. These were sent out numliercd 
1, 2 and 3, by notches upon the tallies, whicli were at¬ 
tached. The names are; first. Col. Ellsworth; secDiid 
Monitor; third, Brooklyn Scarlet. 
lElaclc Waples Cas*i*aat.—Several sub¬ 
scribers think tliat we did not deal justly by the Blac'K 
Currant in last montli’s basket. We there expressed 
our opinion tliat it was a disagreeable and wortldes.s 
thing, and now we let others say that it “ makes a good 
jelly, fine jam and excellent wine : tlial it 's better foi 
tarts, pies and preserves than the wliile currant.” Medi¬ 
cinal qualities are also ascribed to it. Now both sides 
are given, and let those who like them grow them. 
S*ears on tSie ’’FIsoi-k.— . 1 . G. D , McLeur. 
Co., III., has tried grafting the pear on Die wild Diorn 
with fair success. The trees produced moderately, and 
the fruit was good. He thinks tliat it may be made to an¬ 
swer a good purpose wliere other stocks cannot be had. 
The grafting should be done on Die root. 
“AsMim©l>i5am” wishes to know how to make 
the seeds of Ammohium alatum germinate. We never liad 
any difficulty with it when sown in the ordinary way. 
Probably the seeds were covered too deep—a common 
cause of failure with most flower and other seeds. 
Caalti-yaiioia of 15 Ealli>! 5 .—C. C. Smith, 
JIarshall Co., Iowa; Bliss of Springfield, Mass.; Vick OJ 
Rochester, Thoiburn, and Bridgeman, both of New 
York City, and others, publish special bulb catalogues 
which contain directions for the culture of each sort 
and which will be sent on application to them. 
FaiBler is Ooissg’.—A. S. Fuller, the well- 
known nurseryman, finding lii.s place in Brooklyn loo 
small, has taken extensive grounds in New Jersey. His 
address until May 1st, will lie Brooklyn, and after Dial 
date, Godwinville, N. J. 
I^O'4’clties ABStoBig: B''lo'*vet-!s.—B. K. 
Bliss advertises a pure white IHcentra spectabilis, v. \\\ch 
by the way, florists will persist in calling " Dielylra." 
Under either name it will prove valuable if it is as good 
as the original. Peter Henderson comes out with a new 
Pansy, which rejoices in Die name of “ Good Gracious.” 
Despite the odd name ii is very double and very pretty. 
We shall next have flowers labelled “How you talk;” 
•• 1 want to kii iw," and •• Von ,lou t sav .so,” 
