—^I'liosc who prefer chriide- 
tMijs |!i oihcr "icons onn Inke a hint from Daniel Emer¬ 
son, Summit Co.. Oiiio. lie says, “ 1 let a few dozen 
linn lelioM roots grow in the ricliesl part of my garden, 
and cultivate tliem from year to year. Very eaily in tlie 
spring, our neigidiors see witli amazement that we have 
greens long before they have begun to tliink of them.” 
A w CsaBfisellia..—Mr. Isaac Buchanan, of 
.\.s6;? ia, lias raised a new red seedling, wliicii is quite ve¬ 
rnal Kable for its size, and very ricit color, Tlie flower 
measures over fire inciies across, and the petels are 
over two inches broad. Mr. B. names it Camellia 
Tkuibiri; it is a very striking variety. 
Ssjccc.^st'sal CSs'ajje Cwi'aftisag*.—Mr. H. 
Tronsue, Nortliampton Co., Pa., states that he followed 
tlie instructions for grafting the grape given in the AgH- 
citllurist for Sept. 1S63. In March 1864, he set a graft of 
Concord and Maxatawney into two common grape roots. 
Tlie Concord made 35 feet and the Maxat<awney 62 feet 
of ripened wood, and large and vigorous in proportion. 
The process is recommended to be done in early winter, 
before the ground freezes, but it may be done very early 
in tlie spring. Remove the earth for a few inches around 
tile worthless vine, cut it off. and put in a graft of some 
valuable sort. Let the cion be of one good eye and put 
in like an ordinary cleft graft. Tie the stock with bass 
matting or yarn and cover with earth. Grafting is only to 
be recommended where there is a valueless vine. We 
would not set out a vine for the purpose of grafting it. 
'a’4*iat €t; 5 tCB" 8 sillas-s.—An experteneed fruit 
flower on Long Island, sends tlie folloviing seasonable 
item : Last year we had a hard job to destroy all their 
nests in our orcliard, but we succeeded witli tlie excep¬ 
tion of perhaps lialf a dozen. But tlie moths came from 
the wild clierry trees and otliers’ orcliards near by, and 
iaiil tlieireggs on the outside rows. One pleasant day of 
last month, after a rain, we went around, and in abont 
tiiree Innirs collected 300 nests, containing about 100,000 
eggs, t took them to the Farmers’ Club, gave a history of 
their habits, and presented tliem to tlie members to ex¬ 
amine, in order that tliey might destroy tlie eggs on their 
trees, as it takes much less time than when hatched.” 
Siees»isE" Ssaaolcecl Heats, — Philip 
Fisclier, Clark Co., Ind„ asks: “ Can you not give us 
a good methoil for keeping smoked meats in summer?” 
(1) Pack ill dry salt, (2) Let them hang in a tight smoke 
house, and make a smoke once in a while, especially in 
fly time. (3) Pack in tight barrels, and fill up with 
strong brine. The first way named is probably the best. 
AcisBEowletlg'saieiat.—We have received 
and handed to tlie U. S. CHRISTIAN COMMISSION, 
$78 80, from B. O. Steplicnson. the proceeds of a festival 
in behalf of Sick and Wounded Soldiers, held in Nevins- 
ville, Adams Co., Iowa: also $I from J. H. Fowler, 
Weslchesler Co., N. Y. ; 50 cents from Francis Turkel, 
Guernsey Co., O.—For the U. S. SANITARY COMMIS¬ 
SION : from “ G,” Green Co., Wis., $3 ; from 11. Groen- 
wokl, Stephenson Co., Ill., 50 cents ; from W. G.Talbul, 
Huron Co., Mich., $1; Watson Robinson, $1 : Mrs. G. 
Marsliall, 50 cents; Easterbrook, $1; Thos. Philip, 
$1; John Peacock, 50 cents, Mr. Whilelam, 50 cents. 
ISoolc l®i* —No book that 
we liave ever read gave us so much information in re¬ 
gard to the habits and nature of the honey-bee as the 
work of Mr. Langstrotli. This book with the monllily 
hint under the liead “Apiary” in each number of the 
Agriculturist will furnisli as good a guide as the bee¬ 
keeper need to have. See book-list. 
New-^paper, or SJiscle 
Sam’s Journal,—The concern which under the 
name of the Department of Agriculture, uses up a goodly 
share of the taxes paid by hard-working farmers, has 
resumed tlie issue of an Agricultural paper under the 
name of Monthly Report. We should not so much mind 
tills if it went to those wlio paid for it; but as it cannot go 
to every farmer, we object to publishing a paper for the 
favored few. This monthly report is so cumbersome, 
^ thill according to the Commissioner, “ it requires from 
" fifteen to twenty days to have the reports printed, folded, 
stitcJied and trimmed.” Stop tliem altogether, and save 
fifteen to twenty days of valuable time, and also of paper 
w hich in its white stale has a decided market value, but 
ill the shape of a “ report” is of precious little use. It 
may interest the people in Clinton, III., to know that 
tliere was “ bright zig-zag lighlning in the Southeast at 
7 P. M.” on December 2d, and for the people in Ottawa, in 
tlie same Slate, to have it recorded that on December 
<lh, th.erp were “ wild geese flying eastward this morn¬ 
ing.” But faripers mostprefer to wait until war expenses 
abate before these geese or any other are brought be- 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
fore tlie public at their expense. The report contains an 
article on hops, an excellent .specimen of job work made 
up mainly from European authorities, and containing 
much that is incorrect. New York liop growers will be 
glad to hear from thi.s paper that they can learn the soil 
and manure best adapted to the growth of the hop from its 
analysis, which is all very scientific, but not very prac¬ 
tical. If the Commissioner must come before the public 
every month, all that is useful in his report may be put 
in a single sheet, which might be issued from any New- 
York office in a single day. 
BIools for BSwclcets otSici* 
purposes,—A subscriber in Otsego Co., N. Y., sends 
one of the hooks he uses to support his wooden san buck¬ 
ets. The hook made twice the size here shown, is driv¬ 
en inverted firmly into tlie tree ; the edge of the buck¬ 
et is then placed between the hook and the tree, and 
pulled out slightly so that the tooth on the hook shall 
take ho!d a little. Thus it 
iii jjMi1Sfi!i’l!i !i|ii||il|||[||{B will be held perfectly se- 
' I ii cure. This is probably the 
I H most convenient way to 
1 ffl suspend buckets when they 
I W must be hung liigh above 
the reacli of cattle, etc. Sap 
flows equally well at a hight, as near the ground This 
contriv.ance is applicable to hang buckets in other places. 
“ I’eacSiers’ As'eiicies.” —We li.ave oft- 
repeated inquiries from different parts of the country 
respecting tlie value, the reliability, etc., of this, that, 
and the other “ agency ” for securing teachers, which it 
is usually impracticable to answer. We can conceive 
of sucli an agency, conducted honestly and economically, 
as being of material advantage to both teachers and em¬ 
ployers—a sort of Intelligence office, wliere is kept a 
record of vacancies and unemployed talent. We would 
not advise a teacher to send $5 or $10 to unknown par¬ 
ties, merely to have a name recorded among a great 
number of others. Let the agency assume some risk; 
a nominal charge of 50 cents or $1, for postage, trouble, 
etc., is all tliat should be made, until something is 
actually accomplished for the teacher. When a place is 
secured, a small percentage upon the salary obtained 
would be proper. There are a multitude of teachers re¬ 
turned from the South, who are seeking occupation, and 
it is hard upon such to send perhaps their last $5 to 
some agency, with no certainty of having any relum. It 
is proper that we should say. in this connection, tliat our 
remarks do not apply to the advertisement, last month, of 
the Educational Agency of Prof. Nash, formerly of Am¬ 
herst College. From what we know of him, we believe 
he is aiming to promote the best interests of both teach¬ 
ers and employers, and at a very moderate remuneration. 
TIae Spring’ advertised in 
last month’s Agriculturist, is sold at $100; aspreading 
of the types made the price look like one dollar. 
A Word to dorrespoMtleiats.—Very 
many letters would have been answered had the basket 
room been larger. Be patient. Please always give 
full address, which will be omitted if de.sired. No 
letters of a merely personal nature are answered, un¬ 
less postage for reply is inclosed, and not then if the 
information desired requires time for investigation. We 
repeat that we cannot reply in “ the next Agricultu¬ 
rist" where to gel a hundred different tilings. The seed- 
men, nurserymen and implement-makers, rvho adver¬ 
tise in our columns, all of them have all the usual articles 
in their line. Those who have specialties advertise 
them. Inquiries about the potatoes figured in February 
are informed tliat we know of no seed for sale, 
Amy ©me Iiaviisg Fifty I>olIars or up¬ 
ward, that he can possibly spare, should put it into one 
of the 7.30 U. S. Bonds, now offered. Not only will it 
help to furnish the means of speedily finishing up the 
war, but it will be a good investment. We urged oiir 
readers to buy the old 5.20s, and all who did so have not 
only drawn six per cent in gold, but they can sell the 
bonds to-day for ten or twelve per cent advance. The 
new bonds now offered bring 7-3-10 per cent interest for 
years, and then every holder can have his money 
back, or demand a 5-20,6-per cent gold bond, which are 
likely to be quite as valuable as the old ones, because 
having longer to run. Some prefer railroad and other 
securities, lest reverses should happen to the Govern¬ 
ment and depress its bonds. But should the Government 
paper depreciate, all other values would go down with it. 
We do not fear failure. Our cause is just, and Provi¬ 
dence will make it wholly successful, and this year, too, 
we believe. Let every one who can, contribute towards 
it by investing all the money he can spare, in the govern¬ 
ment bonds. Most banks throughoat the country will 
furnish the Bonds. Those remote from banks can pro- 
[Maech, 
cure them through tlie Government agents, as noted in 
tlie advertisements of Messrs. Fi.sk & Hatch, and Jay 
Cooke, which from patriotic considerations, we give a 
prominent position here in tlie reading columns. 
Am Excellent S. S. l*a,f»er, —“ The Hun 
day School Times", edited by Joliii S. Hart and I. N. 
Baker, and published weekly by J. C. Garrigues &, Co., 
Philadelphia, at $1.50 per year, is a very valuable joornm 
for Superintendents and Teachers. It contaiii.s ;i large 
amount of information, hints, and suggestions highly use¬ 
ful not only to Sunday-School people, hut also lo teach¬ 
ers in secular schools, and to pateiiis. We often find in 
it single articles, worth more than the annual subscrip¬ 
tion. Send to the publishers for a specimen number. 
nm I 
CUtiTI¥ATI«M II ®P^. 
Hop Essays—Award of Prizes. 
A l.arge number ot responses have been received tf> 
the offer of prizes for the best Essays on the Culture ol 
Hops, and their preparation for market. It was very 
difficult to find practical hop-growers to wliom the de 
cision in regard lo relative value of these essays could be 
referred, and by wliom the prizes could be awarded, and 
have this Committee act in time to enable us to pub- 
lish the first prize essay the presenl month. Tlie sub¬ 
ject was, tlierefore, referred to llie A.ssociate Editors of 
tlie Agriculturist, who were happy in receiving the as¬ 
sistance of Hon. George H. Andrews, of the N, Y. State 
Senate, in the decisions, especialiy upon one very impor¬ 
tant point, viz.: Wlietiieran article advising tlie use of 
certain patent riglits and methods depending on their 
use ought lo be entertained ? Mr. Andrews has long been 
a cultivator of tlie hop. and for many years the editor and 
publislier of “The Hop Growers’ Journal” (now no 
longer issued), and is probably better qualified lo 
judge than any one else in this connti-y'. Wilh Ids ap¬ 
proval, therefore, we feel warranted in awarding tlie first 
prize ($40) to the writer of the essay below given. It is 
to be regretted tliat it is not more fully illustrated. Tlie 
author, however, is preparing other drawings, which will 
appear in the book or pamphlet .«oon to be issued, em 
bodying all tliat is valuable in these essays, with much 
additional information. The Second prize ($20) is aw arded 
to “ E. O. L.,” Vernon, Vermont, an excellent arlicle, 
well illustrated. The ff’hird prize ($15) is awarded lo 
S. B. Ryder, Coventry, Vermont. 
Culture, HryiHg, and Haling of Hops. 
FIRST PRIZE ESSAY. 
BY HERMAN C. COLLINS, MORRIS, OT.SEGO CO., K. Y. 
Varieties.— There are many varieties of hops ciiltivat 
ed in this country, but English Cluster and Grape Hops 
succeed best. The Pompey Hop is very large, with 
long arms, but it is more injured by rust and insects tliaii 
the first mentioned, on which the hops liang in large 
clusters, and both are early varieties. 
Soil and Situation.— The situation for a hop yard 
should be such that there is a free circulation of air- 
never by thick woods in a valley, for there rust, blight, 
mould, and lice most abound. They should have plenty 
of sunshine, which is the surest preventive for all tliese. 
The soil should be dry in winter, and have no water 
on the surface at any time. If not naturally rich enough 
it can be made so by manuring. Any soil where good 
crops of corn or potatoes can he grown is suitable, but 
it should be easily worked and kept mellow, as there is 
much cultivation to be done. Where wheat will not 
grow, the soil must have lime, if hops are planted. In 
central New-York, they are raised on very high land, 
where none but the smaller varieties of corn will grow. 
Planting. —Tlie best time to plant a hop yard is in 
the spring, as early as the ground can be worked. The 
ground should be plowed and made as tine and mellow as 
possible ; then slake it off, and eitlier mark it out with a 
plow or line it, and plant wilh a “dibble,” which is tire 
surest way to have the plants all live. Corn, potatoes, 
or any other hoed crop can be raised tlie first year wilh 
the hops. The rows should never "be less Ilian 8 feet 
apart, and on the rich bottom lands of the West 9 or 10 
feet is better. Make the hills the same distance apart 
both ways, and the rows perfectly straight. It is a great 
mistake to have the hills crowded, as they often are in 
some yards, to 7 feet each way, or even less. 
The sets for planting, are runners from old vinos, 
which can be had from any old yard. Care must be taken 
to keep the sets from male plants separate from the 
others. The hop is a diacious plant, tliat is, having tlie 
staminate or male, and pistillate or female flowers, on 
separate plants. There sliould be about one male hill to 
every eight hills, each way, or one in sixty-four, making 
from eight to twelve to the acre. These liills should be 
