44, 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST 
[February, 
Mitclieia Carden. 
The most that can be done in this department is 
to prepare everything which will be needed for use 
in the garden, and have it in readiness, so that it 
can be had at a moment’s notice. Another thing 
to bear in mind is to have every tool in a proper 
condition for immediate use. Workmen can do a 
much larger amount of work with tools which are 
sharp or in perfect repair. At the South, a few of 
the hardy sorts of vegetables, such as onions, par¬ 
snips, etc., may-be sown in open ground, but the 
tender sorts must not be planted until all danger 
from frosts has passed. 
Cold-Frames .—As the weather grows milder, see 
that plenty of air is given the plants every pleasant 
day, and on warm days the sashes may be entirely 
removed during the middle of the day. Do not 
leave them open during the night, for fear of a 
sudden storm or change of weather. 
Hot-Beds .—Prepare plenty of fresh horse-manure 
for use in hot-beds. These however will not be 
wanted until the first of next month in most of 
our Northern localities. A safe rule is to make 
the beds from four to six weeks before the ground 
is ready to work. A southern or south-eastern ex¬ 
posure ought to be selected, sheltered as much as 
possible on the north and north-west sides from 
the cold, bleak winds which are so common during 
early spring. A tight board fence is the best pro¬ 
tection if there are no buildings to shelter the beds. 
Manure .—Turn over occasionally, to prevent it 
from becoming overheated, and mix a little earth 
with it. Should it become too dry, sprinkle it 
with water. Save the horse-manure separate from 
the rest, to use in liot-beds. 
Straw Mats and Shutters .—See that these are in 
good order, and ready for immediate use, as they 
will be needed during cold snaps. 
Seed-Boxes .—Prepare seed-boxes for sowing small 
seeds. A number may be placed in a window, where 
they can be attended to easily. They are conve¬ 
nient to use in the hot-bed, as the small plants 
can readily be transplanted from them. 
Soil.— See that there is plenty of soil provided 
for use in the liot-beds and seed-boxes. 
Brush and Poles for peas and beans may be cut 
and prepared for use now. Sharpen the poles, and 
dip the ends which are to be put into the ground 
in petroleum or tar to preserve them. Bean-poles, 
when of cedar or walnut, treated in this way will 
last a long time. Pea-brush should be put in con¬ 
venient-sized piles, and a weight put upon it to 
give a flat shape, so it will occupy little room. 
Boots left in the ground during the winter may 
be dug when the ground thaws sufficiently to work. 
Flower-Garden Lawn. 
Little can be done in this department until the 
weather has become settled. Plans for improving 
old and laying out new lawns and ornamental 
grounds can be made, and everything be put in 
readiness for commencing work as soon as spring 
opens. Order all trees and shrubs needed so that 
they may be set as soon as the weatlierwill permit. 
Cannas and other roots stored in the cellar will 
need looking after, and if any tendency towards 
decay is observed, remove all rotten parts, and 
store the sound roots in a drier place, where there 
is no danger of frost. 
Seeds of choice annuals may be sown in window- 
boxes, and kept in a window where they can get 
plenty of air and sun. Select such varieties as are 
wanted for use during the spring and summer now, 
so that they may be at hand when needed. 
rianls stored in the cellar will need looking after 
now, and plenty of air given them, so that they 
will not start into growth too soon. 
Wood-work of all kinds in use in and around the 
garden and lawn should receive a good coat of 
paint or petroleum, to prevent decay. Wooden ap¬ 
pliances, with a little care in this particular, can be 
made to last much longer than when not so treated. 
(LSreeiakomse aiiil Window Piants. 
Attend to the proper ventilation of the green¬ 
house. Now that the weather is milder, the ven¬ 
tilators may be opened more. 
Sprinkling .—Shower the plants in the greenhouse 
every few days, to prevent the dust from gathering 
upon the foliage. Before sprinkling, close the 
ventilators, so as to keep all the moisture in. 
Bulbs which have done flowering may have their 
flower-stalks cut away, and when the leaves 
are dead they may be dried off, and after¬ 
wards turned out and stored in a dry place 
ready for planting in the open ground in the fall. 
Those wk^cli have not flowered may be brought 
out from time to time, so as to keep up a succes¬ 
sion of flowers. 
Camellias and Acacias may be brought into the 
warmer part of the greenhouse to flower, taking a 
little care to preserve a succession of flowers as 
long as possible. When sprinkling other plants, 
take care not to allow the water to fall upon the 
flowers, as it disfigures and spoils them. 
Be-potting .—Many plants will need re-potting in 
fresh earth to keep them in good health. Some¬ 
times the removal of a quantity of the surface soil 
and putting fresh in its place will answer in the 
case of large plants. A layer of manure upon the 
surface of the soil of a plant will cause renewed 
vigor of growth. 
Commercial Matters—Market Prices. 
The following condensed, comprehensive tables, care¬ 
fully prepared specially for the American Agriculturist, 
from our daily record during the year, show at a glance 
the transactions for the month ending January 14th, 
1873, and for the corresponding month last year; also for 
the year ending December 31, 1872. 
1. TRANSACTIONS AT TIIK NEW TORE MARKETS. 
Receipts. Flour. Wheat. Corn. Bye. Bariev. Oats. 
26 cl’s this m'tli.356,000 2,258,000 1,380,000 2S,000 664.000 821,000 
25 d’s last m’tli.374,000 2,891,000 2,216,000 64,000 961,000 972,000 
Sales. Flour. Wheat. Corn. Rye. Barley. Oats. 
26 d’s c/ii.sm’tli.203,000 1.935,000 2,606,000 42,000 325,000 1,335,000 
25 d’s last ill’til .284,000 2,279,000 2,053,000 36,000 342,000 1,251,000 
2. Comparison with same period at this time last year. 
Receipts. Flour. Wheat. Corn. Rye. Barley. Oats. 
26 (lays 1873...356,000 2,258,000 1,380,000 28,000 664,000 821,000 
23 days 1872.. .189,000 192,000 867,000 500 334,000 356,000 
Sales. Flour, meat. Corn. Rye. Barley. Oats. 
26 d’s 1873....263.000 1,955,000 2,606,000 * 42,000 325.000 1,335,000 
23 d’s 1872....172,000 1,115,000 1,797,000 102,000 168,500 1,009,000 
3 . Stock of grain in store at New York. 
Wheat, Corn, Rye, Barley, Oats, Malt, 
bush. busli. bush. bash. bush. bash. 
Jan. 13,1873.1,177,359 4,743,961 44,039 571,051 1,367,187 175,805 
Dec. 9,1872..1,305,975 5,675,730 51,665 624,554 1,608,$65 215,326 
4 . Receipts at head of tide-water at Albany each season : 
fiour. meat. Corn. Rye. Barley. Oats. 
bbls. bush. hash. bush. bush. bash. 
1872.137,300 11,349,100 29,928,700 474,600 4,543,600 5,696,200 
1871.290,700 21,313,400 20,042,300 1,407.900 3,839,400 6,639,400 
1870.469,500 18,198,100 4,898,300 630,500 4,617,400 6,561,100 
5. Receipts of Breadstuff's in New York in each of 
the last Jive years : 
Flour. Wheat. Corn. Rye. Barley. Oats. 
1872.. ..3.030.771 16,229,418 25.292,156 491,563 5,117,3ol 12,486,348 
1871.. ..3.649.045 26,518,360 27,108,156 1,055,621 3,869,123 12,546,966 
1870.. ..4.143.993 21,083,742 9,143,478 550,169 5,020,718 9,626,606 
1869.. . .3,535,716 23,813,652 11,666.784 857,803 3,007,958 8,747,322 
1568.. . .2,860,726 12,9S8,147 19,053,615 773,351 2,853,043 10,221,590 
G. Exports from New York, Jan. 1 to Dec. 31: 
Flour. Wheat. Corn. Rye. Barley.Oats. 
1872.1,179,050 13,144,956 27,864,000 668,547 22,656 31,480 
1871 .1,659,755 21,968.643 13,046,570 525,772 98,745 47,310 
1870.1,950,234 18,446,035 487,792 >92,431 28,986 
1869.1,582,211 18,240,586 1,637,586 142,542 49,393 
1368.1,020,522 5,775,109 6,002,825 153,093 94,310 
7. Comparative Stock of Flour in New York, Jan. 1. 
1870 . " 1871 . 1872 . 1873 . 
Western and State Flour .. .395,203 518,349' 330,197' 822,124 
Canada Flour. 575 850 300 1,800 
Southern Flour. 46,560 45,870 25,974 36,700 
California Flour. 1,140 .... 100 3,000 
Grand total, bbls.443,478 565,069 356,211 363,624 
8. Comparative Slock of Grain in New York, Jan. 1. 
1870 . 1871 . 1873 . 1873 . 
Wheat, bushels....4,466,369 3,700,006 4,227,181 1,996,984 
Corn, bushels. 610,500 303,033 1,439,804 6,125,803 
Rye, bushels. 66,650 2,289,065 573,557 110,854 
Bariev, bushelB.... 639,93.3 192,070 565,772 1,211,176 
Oats, bushels.1,796,962 1,461.192 2,874,586 1,765,699 
Malt, bushels. 91,114 14,571 129,480 253,402 
Peas, bushels....... 47,671 358,330 9,500 9,292 
Gold has been as low as 11114, and as high as 11254- 
closing Jan. 13th at 112%, as against 112% on Dec. 13th. 
.Business in most kinds of Produce has been fair 
for the mid-winter season, and values, as a rule, have 
been comparatively well supported.The Breadstuff 
movement has been moderately active, mainly in the way 
of Flour,Wheatj Barley, and Oats, the dealings in Wheat 
and Corn and Flour having been in good part for export. 
Holders have not been urgent in their offering of stock. 
Flour and Wheat closed in favor of sellers, who were not 
eager to realize, while the demand was improving. Com 
left off tamely, but steadily, at the current rates. Oats 
have been scarce and wanted, showing at the close an 
upward tendency. Barley has been firm and in request. 
Rye lias been held above the views of buyers, with few 
desirable samples available, checking transactions.' 
Provisions have been decidedly brisker, especially Bacon, 
Lard, Butter, and Cheese, which however have been 
variable as to prices. Hog products closed rather weak. 
The finer grades of Butter and Cheese held very confi¬ 
dently at extreme quotations.Hops, Seeds, and 
Tobacco have been moderately sought after, at the ruling 
prices.Hay has been strong in value, on a limited 
supply, and fair call for stock. 
Current Wholesale Prices. 
Dec. 12. Jan. 13. 
Price op Gold 
Flour— Super to Extra State $5 65 
Super to Extra Southern. 
113 % 
5 @ 7 
Extra W estern. 6 
Extra Genesee. 7 90 
Superfine Western. 
Rye Flour. 
6 10 @12 75 
112 % 
90 $5 95 @ 8 00 
_ 00 
@10 00 
5 65 @ 6 40 
4 50 @ 6 50 
Corn-Meal. . . 3 10 @ 3 90 
Buckwheat Flour—P 100 ib 3 90 @4 40 
Wheat— All kinds or White. 1 75 @ 2 05 
All kinds of Red and Amber. 
1 35 
1 85 
6 15 @12 75 
7 10 @13 00 
8 10 @10 25 
5 95 @ 6 50 
4 50 @ 6 50 
3 20 @ 3 90 
3 60 @ 3 90 
1 80 ® 2 15 
140 @ 2 oo : 
Corn— Yellow. 
67 @ 
68 
67 @ 
69 : 
Mixed . 
64%© 
67 
63 %@ 
67 ' 
Oats— Western .... 
48 %@ 
55% 
45 @ 
55 ' 
State . 
52 @ 
55 y> 
52 @ 
55 
Rye .. 
93 @ 
95 
93 @ 
97 
Barley. . 
85 @ 1 16 
85 ® 1 
18 ’ 
Hay—B ale, ?! 100 lbs.,7 
Straw, iR 100 lbs. 
Cotton— Middlings, 9 lb_ 
00 @ 1 75 
85 © 1 30 
19%@ 20% 
37 @ 50 
40 @ 70 
9%@ 9% 
“ ‘ 3 50 
1 15 
„ 1 75 
85 @ 1 30 
20 %@ 21 % 
42 @ 55 
50 _ 
9 @ 9% 
3 25 @3 75 
00 
@ 2 10 
2 00 
2 10 
9 
@ 
UK 
8 K® 
11% 
IS 
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35 
17 
@ 
S5 
55 
68 
55 
@ 
70 
15%@ 
18% 
16 
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9 
@ 
16 
9 
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16 
8 
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50 
8 
@ 
50 
60 
@ 
75 
GO 
@ 
75 
45 
@ 
68 
45 
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OS 
23 
@ 
45 
20 
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8%@ 
8K 
8 
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8% 
00 
@40 00 
38 00 
@40 00 
114 00 
12 
25 
@12 
50 
11 
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®n 
50 
10 
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@12 
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10 
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@12 
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V 
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8% 
7%® 
8% 
18 
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25 
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42 
10 
25 
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23 
4 
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14% 
5 
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15% 
1 
75 
© 3 
75 
1 
75 
@ 3 
75 
Hops—C rop of 1872. Ib 
FEATnERS —Live Geese, p Ib. 
Seed—C lover, P Ib . 
Timothy, ?! bushel. 3 00 
Flax, if) bushel. 2 
Sugar—R efi’g& Grocery?tlb 
Molasses, Cuba. 18 gal. 
New Orleans, p gal. 
Coffee—R io (Gold). 
Tobacco, Kentucky, &c., KUb. 
Seed Leaf, PR-. 
Wool—D omestic Fleece,?! Ib 
Domestic, pulled, ?! lb. 
California, clip. 
Tallow, ?! Ib. 
Oil-Cake—?! (on.88 .. _ 
Pork—M ess, V barrel. 13 00 @13 75 13 50 
Prime, if> barrel. 12 
Beef—P lain mess.10 
Lard, in tres. & barrels, P lb. 
Butter—S tate, ?! lb. 
Western. IP Ib. 
Cheese. 
Beans—S bushel. 1 
Peas—C anada, free, ?l bu_ 1 10 @ 1 12 
Eggs—F resh, $ dozen 
Poultry—F owls. 
Turkeys—'P lb. 
Geese, ?! pair. 
Ducks, ?! pair. 
Partridges. 
Wild Duck—?! pair.. 
Quail—?! doz..— 1 
VENISON—?l Ib... 
Hakes—?! pair.., 
Rabbits—$ pair 
Turnips—?! barrel . 1 
Cabbages—?! 100.. 6 
Onions—?! bbl. 
ISp.oom-corn— 18 lb. 
Apples— new, 19 barrel. 
Potatoes—?! bbl. 
Sweet Potatoes—?! bbl. 3 
Cakrots—?! bbl. 1 
Celery—?! doz. 1 
Cranberries—?! crate. 2 
New York Live-Stock markets. 
Nominal 
32 
@ 
37 
35 
@ 
42 
6 
@ 
16 
6 
@ 
15 
8 
17 
8 
@ 
17 
1 
53 
@ 2 50 
i 
75 
@ : 
3 50 
50 
@ 
87 
75 
® : 
1 12 
62 
@ 1 
L 00 
40 
® 
70 
40 
@ 2 50 
40 
@ ! 
l 25 
1 
25 
@ 1 
l 50 
i 
12 
© 1 25 
12 
® 
21 
10 
® 
16 
60 
@ 
70 
50 
@ 
75 
30 
@ 
40 
30 
@ 
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1 
25 
® ‘ 
L 50 
i 
75 
© : 
l 00 
6 
00 
@10 00 
7 
00 
@10 00 
3 
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© ' 
1 00 
5 
50 
@ ’ 
> oo 
2 
@ 
8 
2 
@ 
8 
1 
25 
@ 3 00 
1 
50 
@ S 25 
1 
25 
@ 3 00 
1 
75 
@ 3 50 
3 
50 
@ 4 25 
3 
50 
@ < 
1 00 
1 
50 
@ 2 00 
1 
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® 2 00 
1 
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— 
1 
50 
® ’ 
1 75 
2 
50 
@ £ 
1 50 
2 
50 
@ 3 50 
week ending Beeves. 
Cows 
. Calves. Sheep. 
Sivine 
. Tot'}. 
December 16th. 
8,850 
76 
856* 
25,576 
52,720 
88,078 
December 23d. 
. 6,664 
48 
790 
14,354 
51,486 
73,342 
December 80th. 
. 3,831 
54 
821 
10,197 
34,079 
48,485 
74 
560 
25.533 
31,667 
64,723 
. 5,444 
73 
667 
18,503 
31,441 
56,128 
.31,680 
325 
3,194 
94,163 
201,393 
380,755 
do .forprev. 4 Weeks. 
.36,205 
4o3 
5,S09 
112,35S 
218,471 
373,279 
Reeves. Cows. Calves. Sheep. Swine, 
Average per Week .6,336 65 639 18,833 40,27b 
do. Ko. last Month.... 9,051 108 1,452 28,089 54,616 
do. do. prev's Month... .8,458 70 1,869 27,575 46,5SX 
Beef Cattle.— There were some interruptions in 
the receipts of cattle owing to heavy snows which blocked 
the roads at the West. Besides, the railroads are taxed 
to their utmost capacity in bringing forward Jive and 
dead freight, at a time when, more than any other season 
of the year, cold weather plays havoc with the rails and 
disables the locomotives. In addition to this, corn is so 
cheap at tho West that cattle men prefer putting it into 
beef for sale, so they are feeding stock in preference to 
selling it, having an idea also that they can advance the 
rates at this end by playing the ‘'hold-back” game, as 
they arc now successfully doing. The receipts were very 
liberal at close of last report, but dwindled somewhat 
towards the end of tho year. The totals for 1872 were 
425,275 beeves against 880,934 for the previous year. In 
comparing the source of supply, we find that Texas comes 
second, Ill. leading off with 241,864, while Texas gave ns 
59,926, though she was fourth on the list the year before. 
At this rate of increase, the long horn and long-legged 
breed may yet win in the race, as despised as they used 
to be. We arc happy to note an improvement in their 
quality, some, of rising 7 cwt., fed in Ill., just selling at 
