6 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST 
[January, 
containing a great ■variety of Items, including many 
good Hints and Suggestions which we throw into smaller 
type and condensed form,, for want of space elsewhere. 
Mark All Subscriptions sent in, as New or Old. 
Mow to ISeBBuit;—Claeclks on IVcw« 
Yorlc ISanks or Bankers are best for large sums ; 
made payable to the order of ©range Judd & Co. 
IPost-OMce Money Orders may be obtain” 
ed at nearly every county seat, in all the cities, and in 
many of the large towns. We consider them perfectly 
safe, and the best means of remitting fifty dollars or less, 
as thousands have been sent to us without any loss. 
Ktegistered JLetters, wilder the new system, 
which went into effect June 1st, are a very safe 
means of sending small sums of money where P. O. Mon¬ 
ey Orders cannot lie easily obtained. Observe , the Reg¬ 
istry fee, as well as postage, must be paid in stamps at 
the office where the letter is mailed, or it will be liable 
to be sent to the Dead Letter Office. Buy and affix the 
stamps both for postage and registry , put in the money and 
seal the letter in the presence of the postmaster, and take his 
receipt for it. Letters sent in this way to us are at our risk. 
IPostsig'e.—To our published tows for the 
American Agriculturist, postage must in all cases be add¬ 
ed when ordered to go out of the United States. For 
Canada, send twelve cents besides the subscription money 
with eacli subscriber. Everywhere in the United States, 
three cents , each quarter, or twelve cents , yearly , must be 
pre-paid at the Post-office where the paper is received. 
BEoaoa«l Copies of Volume SSl'SS 
(1S6S) are now ready. Price, $2, at our office, or $2.50 
each, if sent by mail. Any of the previous eleven vol¬ 
umes (16 to 26) will be forwarded at the same price. Sets 
of numbers sent to our office will be neatly bound in our 
regular style for 75 cents per volume, (50 cents extra if re¬ 
turned by mail.) Missing numbers supplied at 12c. each. 
CBJIIIBIS can at any time he increased by send¬ 
ing for each addition the price paid by the original mem¬ 
bers, if the subscriptions all date at the same starting 
point. The back numbers will, of course, be sent to 
added names. 
Editorial.—Col, Geo. E. Waring, author of 
Draining for Profit and Health, Elements of Agriculture, 
and well known as a successful Agricultural Engineer, 
has become a member of the Editorial Staff of the Agri¬ 
culturist. Col. W. will contribute articles, not only upon 
certain subjects which he lias made specialties, but upon 
improved agriculture in general. He has a farm, where, 
with ample means to test the matter, he proposes to show 
that high farming will pay as a profitable investment of 
capital, and his experience will be given to the readers 
of the Agriculturist. We make this announcement with 
no little pleasure, and our readers will take it as an indi¬ 
cation of the desire of the publishers to give them the 
best paper that can be made.—[Eds], 
'IT© Correspondents.—This month we 
address a large number of readers for the first, t ime, and we 
wish to give a few hints that may serve to make our future 
intercourse most profitable. We are always glad to hear 
from our readers, if they have anything to communicate 
that will interest or instruct others. Questions on sub¬ 
jects of general interest are always welcome. It is not 
•always practicable to answer each correspondent per¬ 
sonally, so we often reply in a general article. Queries 
are useful, as serving as an index to the wants of our 
readers. Where an answer is desired, enclose a stamp— 
and no more— for return postage. Wo answer such let¬ 
ters of this kind as we are able. Some are unanswer¬ 
able. Do not ask us to do tilings quite out of our line, 
such as finding places for boys, looking up inheritance of 
property, selling consignments of produce, and the like. 
We cannot attend to such matters. Do notask our opin¬ 
ion of any of the many advertising doctors—we don’t 
know any of them, and don’t mean to, if we can help it. 
Please write upon one side of the paper only, and do not 
mix up several subjects. If there is more than one sub¬ 
ject, leave a space between them, so that they can be cut 
apart, and each referred to the proper editor. Wc can¬ 
not be expected to write treatises for the asking. A 
young man about engaging in gardening wrote us, not 
long ago, asking Its to “ tell him all we knew about rais¬ 
ing vegetables." Volumes already printed are to be had 
(truch cheaper than they can be wi'ittem In describing 
any implement or contrivance, do not be afraid of trying 
to make a sketch, no matter how rough it may be. A 
few scratches with a pen or pencil will often tell more 
than a page of explanation. Don’t apologize for writing, 
and oblige us to read a half a page before the point is 
reached. Always give name and address; the name will 
not be used when a desire that it should not be is indi¬ 
cated. Let our friends give, as well as ask. Long essays 
are not desirable; concise, compact notes of personal 
experience in rural matters, new expedients for facili¬ 
tating work, better methods of doing things, even in 
the minor things of country life, are always welcome, 
TSae Cover will be welcomed by our sub¬ 
scribers as a protection to the first page of the paper. 
This page usually contains a valuable engraving, and as 
eacli paper is read by many persons, it is usually badly 
soiled. The cover not only prevents this, but allows onr 
art department to present a pleasing design,which speaks 
for itself. The implements and products of agriculture 
and horticulture are tastefully arranged to form a setting 
for pictures which will be changed from time to time. 
iaa the House.—It is a terrible 
thing that a largo number of happy homes are liable to 
become ai any moment scenes of desolation, that the 
lamp which lights the faces of the family circle should 
often be an impending danger. We read of kerosene 
accidents so often that they cause no feeling of alarm, 
and are looked upon as a part of the news of the day. 
Were as many killed in battle as are killed during a year 
by kerosene, the whole country would be deeply stirred. 
Let any one read the account of a recent case at Sing-Sing, 
N. Y., and say if it is not time that this matter was agi¬ 
tated. A father left his wife with three children at home; 
all that remained on his return was one poor, burned, 
little thing. The mother and two children were dead. 
A kerosene lamp had exploded, and that was all. “Do 
you not approve of kerosene ?” Certainly we do, and 
often use it in preference to gas. There is no trouble 
with the good article. The explosions and deaths lie at 
the door of the villains who mix naptha and the like 
cheaper and dangerous oils with the proper burning oil. 
The retailers are not so much to blame, as they are 
generally ignorant of the nature of the substance 
with which they deal, but the manufacturers are 
wickedly criminal, as they do know just what they are 
making, and exactly how dangerous the material is. We 
gave in November last the method of distinguishing the 
safe from the unsafe oils. Congress has passed a law in 
relation to the matter, but it does not seem to meet the 
case. Is it not time for the people to move ? Or must 
there be a few more “ accidents,” which are properly 
murders. Now that the Legislatures are generally in ses¬ 
sion is the time for the people to demand a State law. 
Rhode Island has set the example, and with most benefi¬ 
cent results. Stop this wanton waste of human life. 
Wc Accept tl»e Amendment.— “ J. J.” 
writes: “You say in the Agriculturist, Dec. 186S—‘Sell 
an acre of land, if necessary, and stock your house with 
$10 to $50 worth of good books.’ Would it not have 
been better to have said, set aside one acre of land; let 
your sons cultivate it at every odd moment; put on the 
crop that will leave the land in best condition , and bring 
the best returns when sold. Encourage them by word or 
assistance. Let. this crop be sold each year, and invested 
in all new agricultural works—histories—standard works, 
not agricultural—and papers, not forgetting that standard 
agricultural paper, the Agriculturist. Would not the 
pleasure in reading be far more when each book was 
earned by their own efforts ? In how few years a large 
library would be formed, and the acre can then be de¬ 
voted to other similar purposes.” 
d&ur Show-bill for 1869 is,we think, the most 
briliiantand attractive of any yet sent out. It is sent free 
to those making up clubs; they will find it useful, and 
will have a collection of handsome engravings besides. 
'JTtie American Agricultural An¬ 
nual for a 8 (if) is issued the present month. The 
plan of this volume, following that of former numbers, is 
to furnish the farmer with a complete Almanac and rec¬ 
ord of the more important Siderial Phenomena, Eclipses, 
etc., together with a carefully prepared Calendar of 
Operations, or Hints about Work for each month ; a 
variety of information, interesting and important to 
farmers, as indicated by the following list of articles ; and 
concluding with a Fai'mcrs' Directory, containing a list 
of the principal dealers in implements, fertilizers, seeds, 
horses, cattle, sheep, swine, and poultry. Aside from 
the matters specified, the Annual contains numerous 
valuable and convenient practical tables, a Retrospective 
View of the past year, a record of Progress in Agricul¬ 
tural Education, with a list of Agricultural Colleges, with 
the advantages offered students, and a Notice of Agricul¬ 
tural Inventions. There is also an article on Recent Pro¬ 
gress in Agricultural Science, by Prof. S.W. Johnson ; oua 
upon Hoes and Hand-weeders; one upon Clearing Rocky 
Land; “ A Few Words on Pigs, Breeding and Manage¬ 
ment,” by Joseph Harris; Gas Tar, its Products and 
Uses, Roofing, Walks, Floors, etc., by H. W. Johns ; 
Veterinary Matters, by Dr. John Busteed; Prevalent 
Diseases of the Cattle of the United States, by Prof. 
John Gamgee, 1 'of London; Trout Culture, by William 
Clift; Fine Wool Sheep; Agricultural and kindred 
literature of the past year; together with other articles 
and minor items. The whole comprises a work of 
about 152 12mo pages, illustrated in the best style, and 
bound in paper or cloth; price 50 cents or 75 cents, ac¬ 
cording to style of binding. 
Some To© Late.— Several parties whose 
advertisements we would gladly have inserted sent their 
favors too late for this number, and similar cases occur 
almost every month. Please bear in mind that to be sure 
of publication, advertisements must reach us by the fifth 
of the preceding month. Our immense edition requires 
a long time for printing in the careful manner it is done, 
and mailing, etc., can hardly be accomplished before the 
end of the month, even when commenced so early. 
<0> mr Horticultural Annual.—The 
American Horticultural Annual for 1869 is now ready. It 
follows the same general plan as in former years. It 
is the only work in which an attempt is made to pre¬ 
sent in a compact form the horticultural progress of the 
year. Reference is made to all the new fruits, flowers, 
vegetables, etc., described and figured in the several hor¬ 
ticultural journals, eacli department being made up by 
one who has made a specialty of his subject. Aside 
from the resume of the year’s doings, we aim to present 
in eacli issue several essays on horticultural matters 
which shall be of permanent value. Of this kind arc 
the excellent article on the Clematis, by Josiali IIoopos; 
on the Gladiolus, by George Such; and on tlic Cultivation 
of Asparagus, by Francis Brill. Besides the gentlemen 
just mentioned, there will bo found among the contribu* 
tors the eminent names of Warder, Barry, Elliott, Ful¬ 
ler, Henderson, Parsons, Gregory, and others identified 
with American horticulture. Besides contributions, 
there is much editorial matter, a concise Calendar of 
Operations, a list of dealers and nurserymen, the books 
of the year, etc. The illustrations are of the same supe¬ 
rior character as those of former years. The whole 
forms a useful, beautiful, and remarkably cheap year¬ 
book of 152 pages. Price, by mail, 50 cents, in illumin¬ 
ated paper covers; 75 cents, in cloth binding. 
Sundry Humbug's.—Please don’t send 
any more letters asking about this or that doctor, who 
advertises in this or that paper. We have frequently 
stated that we regard all advertising “doctors” as quacks. 
There may be a difference in them, but we are unable to 
draw the line; they differ only in degree. Some merely 
publish a list of their wonderful cures; some warrant to 
cure or no pay; while others use more striking expedients 
to attract public attention. There used to be a chap with a 
stand in the street near our old office, where for a long 
time lie peddled a toothache remedy and such stuff. 
Lately he has been extensively advertised as “ Doctov,” 
and the papers are filled with His doggerels. Loud adver¬ 
tising being his way of gulling people, he carried it to 
the extent of a procession. A few days ago this passed 
by our office. First came an omnibus with a brass band; 
then an open barouche, the four horses of which were 
decked with ribbons, and within the “Doctor” sat in soli¬ 
tary grandeur. After the Great Mogul’s chariot came 
several other barouches filled with boys carrying banners 
and placards to advertise the quack’s nostrums. This is 
one style of advertising “ doctors ” and more rare than 
another style which may be called the hotel doctor. Those 
birds of prey suddenly arrive at the village or town hotel, 
issue stunning hand-bills, stating that the celebrated 
“ Doctor” so and so may be consulted for a few days, etc. 
Forthwith the weak-minded men and women give the fel¬ 
low their dollars, and the community is well off if the 
only loss that it sustains is that of money. We recently 
gave an account in a paper of the doings of two of these 
chaps in an Eastern State. One of them, calling him¬ 
self an “Indian Doctor,” so ingratiated himself with 
the daughter of wealthy parents that she married him. 
The father, anxious for the welfare of the young couple, 
generously contributed moans to start his son-in-law ill 
business. This was just what the “Doctor” wanted, 
and with the confiding father’s money in his pocket, he! 
decamped to parts unknown, leaving his bride worse than: 
a widow. Before leaving the town lie boasted of having, 
during his short stay there, invaded the home circle of no 1 
less than eighty families, and destroyed the virtue of as 
many wotttenv This fiend is still at large, mid, no doubt,- 
