f August, 
378 
AIVIERIC/AN AQ-RICULTURIST. 
hoe. About Jackson, they are trying German laborer s, 
and are pleased with the change. In Western Tennessee, 
two-thirds of the land is said to be in corn and the small 
grains, which last have been gathered with a fair yield. 
We have recently conversed with a large planter, from 
Southwestern Georgia, who reports the negroes as work- 
ino' well generally; oats a good crop, and, being fed un¬ 
threshed, a great relief to Avorking animals ; wheat very 
good, coni looking well, and fruits abundant. The cotton 
crop is promising, and planters in his section estimate 
it at not less than three millions of bales. We have 
seen this estimate made in other responsible quarteis. 
The apprehension is felt that the crop may bo so Urge as 
to carry prices doiim below a remunerative point. In 
spite of the tax, which we think a great blunder on the 
part of the Government, cotton is likely to be the main 
crop ill the Gulf States for generations to come. On the 
whole, the crop prospects are eminently satisfactory, and 
indicate a profitable trade for the coming foil and Avinter. 
The Chops of Eheope.—T he prices of grain in this 
country depend very much upon those of Europe. Almost 
all our surplus crosses the Atlantic, and a heavy Euro¬ 
pean demaud,or the prospect of wars, Avhich will interrupt 
the regular supplies, at once puts our prices up. It is still 
too early to be able to judge of the Avheat crop of Europe. 
By the last advices the Aveather Avas so good, that, though 
the stock of Avheat in first hands Avas reduced so Ioav that 
its amount could hardly be estimated, yet markets Avere 
dull, and the general expectation of a full harvest caused 
an unsettled state of iirices, Avhich Avill no doubt continue 
until the question is settled, and the harvest in good part 
over. In Great Britain, a large part of the hay had been 
secured in unusually good order, and though the Aveather 
was cold and unfavorable for grains, yet, Avith an abun¬ 
dance of hay, ftirmers Avero feeling very Avcll satisfied. 
A New Era in Poultry Breeding in 
America. 
We have expressed ourselves plainly in regard to the 
sad demoralization of most poultry breeders Avho raise 
birds for sale. That the grossest frauds are intentionally 
and unintentionally practiced, Avill not be denied. One 
reason is that poultry fanciers in this country have no 
sure standard of excellence to guide them. Judges at 
fairs decide awards upon the same principles that they 
Avould judge of hogs or sheep, AVithout knoAvlng the very 
accurate and uniform points of color, of form and feather, 
by which the various breeds of poultry are raised and 
judged of in Europe, and among poultry fanciers of intel¬ 
ligence in this country. Koav a society of energetic men has 
been formed to disseminate knoAvledge, to correct faulty 
standards, and establish good ones. We knoAV many of 
the gentlemen Avho formed the society, and believe that it 
Avas done from the real love of beautiful domestic poultry 
and their breeding. Some have, and Avill have, birds for 
sale, others have not, and never Avill have, but in the so¬ 
ciety they meet as lovers of poultry, and breeders, and not 
as merchants. We hope much from their exhibitions 
and from their annual reports, but more from the spirit 
of honorable rh'alry, of thoroughly honest dealing, and of 
fair investigation, Avhich seems to animate all. The mem¬ 
bers of the society are noAV located at the North, East, 
and West, others Avill join from the South, and by inter¬ 
change of birds, and opinions, and free discussions at the 
gatherings of the society, it is not too much to expect a 
new era in poultry breeding in America. We append 
a brief report of the meeting for organization. 
The American Poultry Societa'.— Pursuant to the 
call noticed in the July number of the American Agricul¬ 
turist, a meeting Avas held at the Coophr Institute, in this 
city, July 10th. Those present represented several States 
of the Union, and much enthusiasm prevailed, all agree¬ 
ing in the desirability of establishing a Poultry Society, 
national in character. A committee, consisting of Messrs. 
A. M. Halsted, S. M. Saunders, and J. C. Thompson, sub¬ 
mitted a draft of a constitution, Avhich, after thorough 
discussion, Avas unanimously adopted. The first article 
indicates the purpose of the society. It is as folloAvs: 
“ This association shall be called ‘ The American Poultry 
Society.’ Its object shall be to increase interest in, and 
promote the improvement of poultry breeding and man¬ 
agement in this country, by adopting standards of excel¬ 
lence, by public discussions ^and exhibitions, by collect¬ 
ing and disseminating intelligence, and by such other 
reasons as may be deemed advisable.” The terms of mem¬ 
bership fixed upon, are the the payment of $3 a year. The 
names of thirty-eight gentlemen Avere enrolled as mem¬ 
bers, and the folloAviug officers Avere chosen to hold their 
places until the annual election, to be held the second 
Wednesday in October. P)'esident, J. G. Finnie, Esq., 11 
Wall-st., NeAvYork; ytee jh^esiclent, S&raea E. Mallory, 
TarrytoAvn, N. Y.; Becording Secretary, W, A- Fitcji, 
Ame7'ican Agriculturist Office, New York; Correspondhig 
Secretary, C. M. Saunders, corner Cedar and Pearl-streets, 
New York; rreowM/’g?', J. C. Thompson, TompkinsAulle, 
Staten Island, N. Y.; Auditor, A. M, Halsted, 68 Pearl- 
st. NeAV York. These form the Executive Committee. 
Editorial Jottings in Europe. 
[Mr. Judd, in making a summer’s tour on the other 
side of the Atlantic, went for the express purpose of 
securing rest, though expecting to glean much informa¬ 
tion Avhich will be indirectly useful to our readers here¬ 
after. He expressed the determination to abandon his 
pen and everything that has the slightest connection with 
Avork for the mind. Still, he sends home occasional 
social letters, and we shall take the liberty to give some 
brief extracts that Avill interest others, perhaps, as Avell 
as ourselves.—A ssociate Editors.] 
.... Mid-Atlantic, June 3d, 1867.—For five days Ave have 
been driven eastward by both steam and Avind power, 
about 300 miles every 24 hours. Our good ship, the 
“ Tripoli,” tossed and rolled by the AAnves, like a floating 
cork, though built Avholly of iron, keeps her straight on¬ 
ward course, regardless of wind or tide. As usual, I 
refuse any tribute to Old Neptune. Most of our company 
make at least an hourly contribution. I already begin to 
feel the exhilaration of absolute freedom from business 
cares, and every day’s journey is adding to the broad sea 
wali that separates me from routine Avork. I really feel 
free for once-the first time in a dozen years, or more. 
Five years ago to-day I Avas in precisely the same latitude 
and longitude, and for the same object, but the depressing 
anxiety for the fate of the armies and of our country, 
gaA'e little reason for calm quietude, and the disasters to 
our soldiers on the Peninsula, magnified by the interest¬ 
ed London editors AAffio Avere holders of Confederate 
Bonds, so distressed me that I hastened home, Avorse 
jaded than Avhen I set out. God grant that no troubles, 
political or financial, may this year interfere Avith the 
quietude and rest I seek. 
.... r/w/t, Ireland, June lOl^/t.-All Avell. Yesterday af¬ 
ternoon we AA'cre landed at QueenstoAvn, in less than 11 
days’ running time from Ne\\' York, despite several days 
of severe storm. I could wish every friend crossing the 
ocean might have as good a ship as the Tripoli, and as 
good officers as Capt. Martyn and his associates-Not a 
single profane Avord has been heard from officer, creAV, or 
passengers, and not even a discourteous look. Every¬ 
thing possible to be done, has been done to make every 
one comfortable, and at a meeting of the passengers on 
Saturday, a unanimous and hearty A'ote of thanks Avas 
given to Captain and men-To-day AA'e rode out It) 
miles through the country, visiting “ Blarney Castle,” 
and kissing the “ Blarney stone ” of coui'se. This is a, 
beautiful region. I am sure that Avithout something 
Avrong in the political, social, and religious condition of 
the country, no Irishman Avould ever leave such a fertile 
and lovely land as this. 
_ Londonderry, Ireland, June 14ifA.—During the last 
four days I have passed through the entire length of the 
“ Emerald Isle ”—a distance of full 300 miles as Ave trav¬ 
eled—and stopped nearly a day each at Dublin and Bel¬ 
fast. I confess, I have fallen in love Avith the country. 
You need never think of Ireland as a poor barren coun¬ 
try. NoAvhere in America can you travel 300 miles and 
see so beautiful, so fertile, and so Avell cultiA-ated a region 
as that I have just traversed. With fcAV exceptions there 
is a succession of thoroughly tilled fields, clothed Avith 
luxuriant crops. I suppose there are barren sections on 
the island, but I have not seen them. The fiirther Ave 
came north, the more beautiful has the country appeared, 
and right here, aw'ay up to the very shores of the North¬ 
ern Ocean, and as far north as Hudson Bay in America, 
the farms fairly rival in beauty and luxuriance, and good 
culture, the finest regions of South-eastern PennsylA'ania, 
or the Genesee Valley in Western Ncav York. The living 
hedges, instead of fences, of course increase the attrac¬ 
tiveness of the rural scenery... .Had I not seen scores, if 
not hundreds, of beggars, CAmrywhere in the streets of 
the towns I have passed through, I should Avonder greatly 
Avhence come the millions of poor that have flocked from 
these shores to our OAvn land. There is another ex¬ 
planation. Every noAV and then the attentive and polite 
railAvay officials have pointed out to me a village and its 
surrounding country, remarking that “ they belonged to 
such and such” a “lord,” or “baron,” or “carl,” etc. 
Divide the soil among the peoiJe, as in America, and there 
Avill be a different state of things. 
— The “ Giant's Causeioay."—T\\Q sun rises here 
nOAV a little after 3 o’clock, A. M., and sets about 9 P. M., 
and the tAvilight continues nearly all night. I am Avriting 
this by daylight, at 9]4 P. M. ! Last night I stopped at 
Portrush, some 40 miles northeast of Londonderry, and 
taking advantage of the early sunrise, rode 7 miles east 
to the noted “Giant’s Causeway,” a mass of regular 
columns four or five thousand in number, just out from 
the sea, presenting a most Avonderful exhibition. Let no 
one fail to see this natural phenomenon. It far exceeds 
my previous conceptions. I Avill not attempt a descrip¬ 
tion, when so ffiany gbler pens have failed. 
Containing a great variety of Items, including many 
good Ilirits and Suggestions which we throw into smaller 
type and condensed form, foi' want of space elseivhei'e. 
Mow to IftcBnit without danger of loss.— 
Clieclis on New-Yorlt Banks or Bankers 
are best for large sums; make them payable in all cases 
to the order of Orange Judd & Co. 
Post Office Money Orders may noAv be obtain¬ 
ed at nearly every county seat, in all the cities, and in 
many of the large toAAms. We consider them perfectly 
safe, and the best means of remitting fifty dollars or less, 
as many hundreds have been sent to us Avithout any loss. 
Begistered lictters, under the new system, 
which Avent into effect June 1st, are a A'ery safe 
means of sending small sums of money AA'here P. O. Mon¬ 
ey Orders cannot be easily obtained. Obsene, the Reg¬ 
istry fee, as Avell as postage, must be paid in stamps at 
the office Avhere the letter is mailed, or it Avill be liable 
to be sent to the Dead Letter Office. Bmj and affix the 
stamps both for postage and registry, put in the money and 
seal the letter in the presence of the postmaster, and talce his 
receipt for it. Letters sent in this Avay to us are at our risk. 
Fairs.—Wlao are tlie Officers ?—We 
desire to have, and to keep regularly, the names of the 
officers of all the Agricultural Societies in the United 
States. Will those interested in such institutions, please 
foi-Avard them, and also notify us Avhen changes are made ? 
Also please state time and place for holding next exhibi¬ 
tion ; Ave shall publish as complete a list as can be made. 
Be particular to give in each instance not only the 
name of town, but that of county, and STATE. 
Tlae l>eat5i of tlie Coniniissiomer 
of Agriculture.— The Hon. Isaac NeAvton died at 
Washington, in June last. Though Ave have at times felt 
it our duty to be rather seAmre on his official acts, Ave be¬ 
lieve that he did as Avell as he kncAV hoAV, and that he Avas 
socially a kind man, but placed in a position for Avhich 
he Avas naturally unfitted. Rumor has mentioned the 
names of some dozen or more, as likely to be nominated 
as his successor, but at the time of our Avriting, no nomi¬ 
nation for the position has yet been sent to the Senate. 
Cliemistry of tlae Fai-ni. and. tite 
Sea.— This title covers a series of familiar, short, and 
interesting essays by Dr. Jos. R. Nichols, of Boston, edi¬ 
tor of the Boston Journal of Chemistry. The subjects 
treated, besides those named in the title, are the chemistry 
of a boAA-l of milk, of the dAvelling, of a kernel of corn, and 
of the sun, obscure sources of disease, the action of Avater 
on lead pipes, and bread and bread-making. Published 
by A. Williams & Co., Boston, of 123 pages, 8vo. 
ISaia'bns's.—The number of let¬ 
ters received during the last month from parties Avho have 
been insulted Avith piles of circulars from the various 
SAvindling shops, is not as large as in some previous 
months, and they come from feAver sources than is usual; 
but several of the old offenders are still operating, not- 
Avithstanding they have been arrested,and held for trial un¬ 
der bonds, and their places cleared of the thousands of cir¬ 
culars, envelopes, etc., Avhich Avas the bulk and substance 
of all they contained. The AVonder is that people can be 
so easily taken in and SAvindled ; in feet, it appears as if 
they Avere not only Avilling but desirous of being hum¬ 
bugged, and of paying for the operation. One of our cor¬ 
respondents AAU’ites that he sent forty-five dollars to Ston- 
dard, IMaguire & Co., Baltimore, AA'hose circular is Avord 
for Avord'^like C. H. Garland & Co.’s, and received goods 
Avhich he invoices thus : 
2 Brass Watches, AA'oi'th .$0.00 
1 White Watch “ 0.05 
1 Pistol “ 0.25 
12 White Spoons “ .0.10 
1 Brass Chain “ 0.00 
1 Plated Pin “ 0.10 
Grand total.$0.50 
Such trades arc of daily occurrence, and yet the people 
are infatuated Avith the idea that somebody is going to 
give them, as a particular favor, five, ten, or a hundred 
times the value of their vaowey, for the sake of inducing 
others to try the same operation, and get gulled. ...J. E. 
Brennan <fe Go. send out their circulars, representing that 
they are determined to send a good prize to your neigh- 
horhood, and have accidentally met Avith your name, etc., 
etc., and if you Avill send them tAventy dollars in gold,they 
