OUR PRESENT VOLUME, ETC. 
11 
SAUSAGE CTJTTER. 
This is one of those minor improvements of the | 
present day, which contribute largely to the com- j 
tort of individuals and families and the dispatch ' 
of a heretofore irksome job. By the aid of this 
simple contrivance, the meat, whether for a 
hash, mincepies or sausages, is placed in a hop¬ 
per, and on turning a crank, which may be done 
by a child, the contents will be discharged from 
the opposite end, of any required fineness. 
This implement consists of an oblong box, 13 
inches in length by about 8 inches square, with 
a cavity 5{- inches diameter through the centre, 
and closed at each end. A hole on the top of 
one extremity for a small hopper, receives the 
meat, while another in the bottom at the oppo¬ 
site end discharges it. A crank at one end, 
turns a solid wooden cylinder in the centre, to 
which are attached two or more rows of spiral 
irons pins, that press the meat outwardly through 
a succession of sharp steel knives, set within the 
box. It is made finer or coarser according to 
Sausage Cutter (Open).—Fig. 2. 
the rapidity with which it is fed. One machine 
will cut several hundred pounds per day. 
Price $5 for the small size and $10 for the 
large. 
It is the opinion of some eminent chemists 
that, weight for weight, barley is nearly as ex¬ 
hausting as wheat, as it contains quite as much 
inorganic material, and differs only in its organic 
composition. 
. OUR PRESENT VOLUME. 
| In carrying out the designs of this journal, we 
| have taken measures to make the present vol- 
j ume more worthy of the reading public than 
any of its predecessors. A new font of type 
has been cast expressly for it, the engravings 
will be more numerous and expensive, the paper 
of a superior quality, and the matter throughout 
eminently practical and useful. 
Mr. D. J. Browne, author of the “ Sylva Ameri¬ 
cana,” will continue to write on various subjects, 
but more especially on those of Economical Bo¬ 
tany, and other branches of Natural History. Dr. 
Antisell, favorably known as a practical farmer 
and lecturer, will give analyses of soils, and an 
occasional article on Agricultural Chemistiy and 
Geology. Mr. S. B. Parsons will contribute 
several pages monthly on Horticulture. His 
long practical familiarity with this subject at 
home, and observations during an extensive tour 
in Europe among the nurseries, gardens, and 
conservatories of that country, eminently quali¬ 
fy him for the task he has undertaken. We 
have before announced, that Mr. Solon Robinson, 
who has long been familiar with the agricultural 
public in every section of the Union, is now on a 
southern tour, and during the ensuing spring and 
summer, will travel through the northern States; 
and all the valuable facts and improvements 
which an active and intelligent mind, in direct 
contact with the most enlightened farmers and 
planters throughout the country can condense 
for our paper, will be given through our col¬ 
umns. Nor are the ladies to be neglected. Their 
department will receive particular attention, 
by the contributions of several skilful, practical, 
and highly intelligent housewives, whose names, 
through diffidence on their part of being known 
as public writers, we are not at liberty to men¬ 
tion. The General Farming and Stock Depart¬ 
ment, will, as heretofore, be managed by the 
Editors, with the aid of a number of able corres¬ 
pondents from different parts of the Union. 
And to these last, now, we make our most 
earnest appeal, that they will give us in the most 
condensed and reliable form, such new and 
approved facts, systems or practice as they may 
deem of interest to be known. In this way the 
knowledge of each will be accessible to all, and 
every man will thus be multiplied a thousand 
fold, in his usefulness to himself and the public. 
You are scattered over a widely diversified soil, 
through various climates, and are engaged in 
bringing to maturity almost every variety of 
useful product—products on which depend the 
comfort, the health—yes, the very lives of 3 mur- 
selves, your families, and your fellow beings. 
Henceforth let us have your best experience on 
all matters connected with an enlightened agri¬ 
culture. Write often if it be but briefly. In 
this way you will greatly benefit yourselves as 
well as others. 
Wetting Brick.— Few people except builders, 
are aware of the advantange of wetting bricks 
before laying them. A wall twelve inches thick, 
built of good mortar, with brick well soaked, is 
stronger, in every respect, than one sixteen inches 
thick built dry. 
