AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST 
P'EBRUAUY, 
46 
brought down the price. Fat hogs are now soiling 
for from 10c.@10!4c. per lb. City-dressed bring 13c.', or 
a fraction more, and western-dressed 12c.@12J4c. per lb. 
The Chicago Live-stock Reporter (ruts s the following 
packing returns of Hogs packed at the various points the 
present season, compared with the number last season: 
Present 
Last 
season. 
season. 
Chicago. .. 
30S.405 
597,945 
Cincinnati.. 
253,000 
35(5,do.) 
St. Louis... 
145,000 
224,341 
Louisville.. 
165,000 
107,209 
Milwaukee. 
75,081 
129,091 
Peoria. 
3,703 
81,587 
Lafayette... 
16,001 
33,0S3 
Total. 
Keokuk... 
Quincy. 22,(MO 
Pekin, Ill.... 2,200 
Burlingt’n, I’a. 7,500 
Muscatine_ 3,000 
Springfl’d, 111. 10,000 
Present hast 
season.season. 
31,000 41,500 
20,111 
5,310 
12,300 
5,100 
11.000 
At the points indicated above, there appears to have 
been 001,257 hogs packed to the present time less than 
the entire number last season. The deficiency will 
scarcely be made good at the close of the present season. 
containing a great variety of Items, including many 
good Hints and Suggestions which ice throw into smaller 
type and condensed form, for want of space elsewhere. 
Postage 18 Cesifis sa Year Sbj Ad¬ 
vance. —The postage on the Ameilcan Agriculturist 
anywhere in the United States and Territories, paid in 
advance , is 3 cents a quarter, 12 cents a year. If not paid 
m advance, twice these rates may be charged. 
Blow to ISoasiat;—CiaecSsM obi New 
"Yorlv Banks or Bankers are best for large sums ; 
made payable to the order of ©range Judd & So. 
J?ost-Of?ice Money Orders may too obtain- 
od. at nearly every county seat, in all the cities, and in 
many oi 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. 
Igeg'isttcs’etl I.ettea*.«, aisatler iliac new 
system, which went into effect Oct. 1, 1S6S, are a very 
safe means of sending small sums of money where P. O. 
Money Orders cannot he easily obtained. Observe , I he 
Registry fee , as well as postage, must be paid in stamps at 
the office where the letter is mailed, or it will he liable 
to be sent to the Dead tetter 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 thus sent to us are at our risk. 
Clnbs can at any time be increased by remitting 
for each addition the price paid liy the original members, 
if the subscriptions all date at the same starting point. 
The back numbers will, of course, be sent to addednames. 
ISoiiBart Copies of Volume XXVHEI 
(1869) are now ready. Price, $2, at our office; or $2.50 
each, if sent by mail. Any of the previous twelve volumes 
(16 to 28) will bo forwarded at the same price. Sets of 
numbers sent to our office will be neatly bound in our 
regular style at 75 cents per vol., (50 cents extra, if return¬ 
ed by mail.) Missing numbers supplied at 12 cents each. 
LARGE I*A¥ for ■X.I'A'TIUE 
XV OUJSv, is really offered in the Publisher’s Premium 
Table, (page 44), and there it-, in all the year, no better 
time than during February, to gather new and old sub¬ 
scribers, and obtain these premiums. There is no Post 
office of a population so small, that there are not enough 
persons to make up a smaller or larger premium club. 
These clubs can, if necessary, be gathered from several 
neighborhoods, and from different Post-offices, if all are 
forwarded by the same person. In some localities, half a 
dozen premium clubs, more or less, can be gathered from 
the same Post-office. A large premium can be obtained 
by little outlay of time. It has been done thousands of 
times, and as human wants arc about the same every¬ 
where, what has been done in one case, can he done in 
another. Reader, YOU can get a premium, if you wish. 
tl.oort Advertiscmcnls, by a largo num¬ 
ber of dealers, will be found in the proper pages, and 
they furnish useful information. Looking through these 
will often suggest new ideas and profitable investments. 
Those writing for circulars, or sending orders to our ad¬ 
vertisers, will confer a double favor by stating in their 
letters, where they saw the advertisement responded to. 
Letters siuid letters.—Each issue bears 
witness that we devote several pages of space, and a 
great amount, of time, to answering the questions of our 
correspondents, We would say to our new subscribers, 
and remind our old ones, that this is one of the most 
time-consuming portions of our editorial duties, and in¬ 
form them that they can save us much time, and insnre 
for themselves a more prompt attention, if they will 
state their case in brief, and stop when they arc done. A 
letter like this,—“ Dear Sir.—Being a great lover of that 
noble animal, the horse, I presume that you take an in¬ 
terest in him also. This is the first question that I have 
ever asked you, and I hope your well-known good na¬ 
ture,” etc., etc., for two mortal pages, at the very end of 
which comes the question. A letter like this is laid asido 
until we have time to study it, and find out what tho 
writer wants. If he had written “Dear Sir.—My horse 
finds it. difficult to open his left eye in the morning. The 
lids appear to be glued together. What is the remedy ?”— 
his case would have been comprehended at a glance. We 
have many letters which we can not answer, because 
life is too short. Twelve to twenty or more questions on 
a subject would require a treatise, and a book upon the 
subject should be procured. Where letters are received by 
the thousand, it will be seen that directness and brevity 
are desirable. Persons writing should always give their 
name, tkohgh they can use any signature they choose for 
matter intended for publication. Do not inclose; as is 
frequently done, 20 or 50 cents “for information,”—we 
have none to sell upon such terms. Send $5,000, or 
nothing but a postage stamp, which, hv the way, too 
many forget when they ask an answer by mail. 
aai- AjisisujSw Abr viz., tlie “Agri¬ 
cultural” and “Horticultural,” are beautiful and valuable 
volumes, which should go into every household. They 
cost hut 50c. each, in fancy paper covers, or 75 in cloth. 
§ix=inacl=ia.-Iffal4' Sialassea’Ilaersi se, Mi¬ 
nute ! — With the hard times among our western 
grain growing readers, we hardly expected the circula¬ 
tion of the American Agriculturist would hold its own 
this year. We are agreeably disappointed in the result. 
Instead of losing old readers, they are renewing gen¬ 
erally, and bringing along many of their friends and 
neighbors. Our largest receipts for any single day in 
any preceding year were 3,365. This year we have 
received 3,94-4 names in a single day! This, for ten 
working hours, is equivalent to oyer six subscribers a 
minute! .We tender our thanks to all the kind 
friends who have helped to secure this advance in our list 
of readers. We shall be thankful for a continuance of the 
same favors. Now is the time to lay in the year’s stock 
of plans, hints, and suggestions for the summer work 
on the farm, in the Garden, and in the Household, etc. 
.It will be seen on another page that the Publishers 
continue their oilers of fine Premiums, which are very 
desirable, and may be secured by a large number of onr 
friends during this and the succeeding month. 
West, and SontSs.—A long article from a 
special Western correspondent came too late for this 
month. We solicit communications on practical local 
topics from all our readers at the West and far South. 
New Yorlc State IPonli ry Society. 
— The annual meeting and election of officers of this 
society was held on the 11th of January, at which time 
notable changes were made in.the administration. Thoso 
elected for the current year are T. B. Kingsland, of New 
York City, President, M. C. Weld, of New York, Corres¬ 
ponding Secretary, G. II. Leavitt, of Flushing, L. I., Re¬ 
folding Secretary, Wm. Simpson, Jr., of West Farms, 
Treasurer. Some changes were also made in the list of 
Vice-Presidents, and in the Executive Committee. Votes 
of thanks were passed. A very great degree of harmony 
appeared to prevail among members at the close of the 
meeting. AH communications with reference to the So¬ 
ciety should he addressed to the Corresponding Secre¬ 
tary, Col. M. C. Weld, 245 Broadway, New York City. 
E’VbbM sylvsiitisi State I'enHry So¬ 
ciety. — A more satisfactory exhibition, than the second 
; nnual one of this Society, which closed in Philadelphia 
on the 25th of Dec., bus probably never been held in this 
< ouutry. Tlie number of fowls was hot large, but their 
quality was excellent, Light Brahmas, as usual, being 
1 irgely represented. The successful exhibitor in this 
(lass at the first exhibition again received the highest 
honors, a result mainly due to the system of feeding he 
] ursues. Dark Brahmas, and Buff and Partridge Cochins 
were shown, but tlie display of French fowls was meagre, 
no Crevccccurs being exhibited. Mrs. Sherlock, of 
Hew York, was awarded first premium for Hoiulans. 
Fine Ilamburgs, of all the varieties, were shown in pro¬ 
lusion. There were several coops of cross-bred fowls,— 
first-class birds for tho table. Cross-breeding should re¬ 
ceive more attention from breeders than lias hitherto 
1 ecu given. Tlie collection of water fowls was of great 
excellence. A pair of pet Rocky Mountain goats, a cage 
of different, varieties of diminutive African birds, and 
trout in different 6tages of growth, attracted much 
attention. Tho most extensive collection of fowls was 
exhibited by the President, Mr. Hcrstine. They were 
entered for exhibition only, which is commendable, 
and worthy of imitation hy officers of other societies. 
fawn Wages.—M. D. Miller reports from 
Atchison Co., Kansas, the following average farm wages: 
IVheat.- 1S65.-3 hush, per week with board, 3Kj without. 
1867.-2% “ “ “ 3% 
lS69.-6fi “ “ “ 7‘/ 2 
Corn. —1865.—5 hush, per week with board, 7!4 without. 
1867.—SK “ “ “ 9% 
1869.-15 “ “ “ 18 
Is not the additional allowance for “without board ” 
far too small? Let us have many correct reports. 
SHow t« import Stock.—“ J. W. H.” 
Breeders who have trustworthy foreign correspondents, 
that will select and purchase and ship stock for them, 
may import with little trouble, provided the animals 
come consigned to careful parties, who will look after 
them on lauding ; otherwise stock importation is trouble¬ 
some as well as expensive. Mr. IV. H. T. Hughes lias 
established a depot at the port of New York, is prepared 
to learn the wants of American breeders, and import for 
them, selecting the stock through responsible parties in 
England and elsewhere, eacli shipment being accompan¬ 
ied by an especial attendant. Tlie animals we liave seen 
of liis importation arrived in fine condition, and were 
good specimens of their breeds. 
Enormous Cuttle. —Mr. George Ay,rail It, 
of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., has raised and fattened four bul¬ 
locks, which are now ripe for market, and have been sold 
to Wm. Laylor, butcher, of Centre Market. They are 6 
years old—the lightest one is said to weigh 3.300 pounds. 
They will he on exhibition the first of February in 
Now York City, and butchered before Washington’s 
birthday. We shall take pains to investigate their merits. 
S«an«lry Mumlxig'S.—If there could bo a 
satisfactory feature in this whole swindling business, it 
would ho found in tlie fact that so large a part of tlie ef¬ 
forts of the present operators are aimed at those who are 
themselves dishonest. For example, many hundreds of 
thousands of circulars have recently been sent out, offer¬ 
ing counterfeit money. Of course no one bites at tlie 
tempting bait but those who are willing to circulate the 
“stuff,” and it is no pity that they loose all tlie money 
they send; it is only changing genuine money from the 
pocket of one rogue to that of another. Of this charac¬ 
ter is the new scheme of the “ Fourth (st.) National 
Banking Company of New York.” The operators 
claiming to be president, cashier, etc., propose to send 
out a few hundred thousand dollars of their bills, all over 
the country, and then “fail” about next May. They 
offer "half the profits to those who circulate tlie hills. 
They want a deposit of $10 as security from those who 
order a package of the hills. The “ Banking House ” wo 
found to be a basement room, with a cheap desk, two 
rickety chairs, and a boy, who said the “President” and 
“Cashier” had gone down to Wall street, and “didn’t 
say when they would be back.” We believe not many 
of the letters to this concern have got beyond tho “ dead 
letter office.” The money ought not to lie returned to 
the dishonest senders. [Tlie genuine Fourth National 
Bank. Nassau St., Cor. Pine, is one of our best city Banks.] 
Tlie counterfeit money circulars of J. P. Waters & 
Co., n. Lotz & Co., Porter & Co., Clement & Co., etc., 
have come to us during January from a great number of 
our readers, some of whom inquire why these fellows 
are not stopped. If any one will carefully examine these 
circulars, they will see that they try to avoid offering 
counterfeit money. They really send only fac-similes, 
which are merely little photographs of tlie currency, 
worth nothing to pass as money of any kind. The 
operators are very careful never to get caught with a 
single dollar of counterfeit money in their hands. 
For other names see our last month's humbug column. 
As fast as these swindling firms are detected, their letters 
at the Post-office are stopped, and go to Washington. 
.Even among the twelve Disciples of-our Saviour, 
there was one Judas,—rather a consolation to Christian 
people, when a supposed good man turns out to be a vil¬ 
lain. There are Judases even among our Postmasters, 
and tlie counterfeit money swindles have helped bring 
some of them to light. Several have been detected in 
trying to obtain counterfeit money for circulation. Of 
course they were lieheaded in short meter. Tlie Post- 
office Department has an eye on several not yet removed. 
Watson, Graft' & Co., Importers, etc., (new names,) 
and also G. W. Harris & Co.. “ Bankers and Receivers for 
tlie Shareholders,” appear to he still stealing simple peo¬ 
ple's money hy pretending to have $200 watches for them 
from Riverside Enterprises, and Prize Concerts, which 
will he forwarded on receipt of $10 to $1(8 cash for ex- 
