MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER: AN AGRICULTURAL AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER. 
SEPTEMBER 4. 
There is a ratchet on one end of the axle which 
holds it firmly at any desired point 
When the bucket is let down to the water the 
valve in the bottom opens, and the bucket is in¬ 
stantly filled, without tipping. You wind up, and 
the weight of the water firmly closes the valve, and 
you are enabled to bring the bucket up till the 
hook on the spout catches it, tips it, and throws its 
contents into the spout. 
The object of having two ropes is to steady the 
bucket. I have used this plan over five years, and 
would not change it for any pump I ever saw. For 
simplicity and efficiency I never saw a better. Hop¬ 
ing this may meet with your approval, and be of 
use to your thousands of readers, I subscribe my¬ 
self, as ever, a friend to the Rural. 
Waverly, Tioga Co. N. Y, 1858. J. A. Graves. 
APPLICATION OF MANURES. - ABSORBENT 
POWER OF THE SOIL, 
Messrs. Eds. Having read a number of articles 
in your valuable paper, on the “ absorbent power 
of soils,” and having noticed lately in the N. Y. 
Tribune, the remarks of “8. W., of Seneca Co.,” 
before the American Farmers’ Club of New York 
city, alluding to this subject, and, differing with 
him, I thought that my opinion, founded on ex¬ 
perience, might be of interest to the readers of the 
Rural. I formerly was of the opinion that ma¬ 
nures should be applied to the soil before decom¬ 
position had taken plaee to any great extent, think¬ 
ing that the only loss to be guarded against was 
by evaporation, consequently the manure should 
be turned under before it had become much rotted, 
spreading it as turned under, so that none of the 
essential properties should be lost. S. W., above 
referred to, says, “ if you can keep manure from 
going up, you may let it go down as much as it 
will.” On the contrary, I would say if you can keep 
manure from going down you may let it go up as 
much as it wilL In proof he says, further, that 
« water will always run clear, from tile drains.”— 
This is unquestionably so; but, because water runs 
clear from tile drains, therefore cleansing itself 
from all impurities, by leaching through the earth; 
however foul and filthy it may be on the surface— 
yet in practice it does not hold true that the most 
essential properties of manure do not leach down 
beyond the reach of the roots of the plant I sup¬ 
pose that sand and fine gravel makes the best filter; 
that water filtered through Buch soils is the most 
pure; yet we know that such soils are the most 
barren—that it is only by constant manuring and 
nursing such soils that we can get good crops. A 
good, thorough application of manure on clayey 
or clay loam soils, will render such soils productive 
long after a like application on loose, sandy soils 
has ceased to perceptibly affect the crop. I have 
always advocated deep plowing, and one of the 
strongest arguments in favor of the practice, is 
that it not only makes a deeper soil, for the roots 
of plants to spread and extend themselves—there¬ 
by absorbing a greater amount of food for the 
plant—but it brings to the surface, and within 
reach of the plant, the leachings of centuries of 
decomposed vegetable matter and the manures 
that have been applied. 
My practice for years has been to leave the ma¬ 
nure as near the surface as I cap, and have it cov¬ 
ered, or thoroughly mixed with the soil. My plan 
is this:—I draw my manure when it best suits my 
convenience, sometimes in the winter or spring, 
and put it in large, compact piles, on or near the 
ground where I wish to apply it. I leave it until 
just before planting my corn, or, if applied to sum¬ 
mer-fallow, or where I wish to sow wheat, until 
two or three weeks before sowing my wheat I 
then draw it out and spread evenly over the sur¬ 
face of the ground. I then take gang-plows— 
which are well adapted to the purpose—and plow 
the manure under, from three to four inches deep; 
let it lay a few days, take my harrow and thoroughly 
mix with the soil, and if I drill in my wheat, I give 
it another gaBg-plowing and dragging before drill¬ 
ing, in order to get a fine tilth. If the land be a 
clay the manure has a tendency to ameliorate the 
natural tenacity of the soil, thereby securing the 
quick and healthy growth of the wheat plants. 
Any farmer that has any thiBg to do with clay 
land knowp, if you can get a good, thrifty growth 
in the fall, that such lands are the best wheat 
lands we have. I have found that in lands tho¬ 
roughly manured, and treated in the manner above 
described, the benefit arising therefrom is plainly 
to be seen for years; whereas, if plowed under to 
the depth of seven or nine inches and suffered to 
remain there—if it was a stiff clay soil—little if 
any benefit would redound to the crop that follow¬ 
ed the application. If such applications were 
continued for a few years, you would find the soil 
very much improved, but its effects would not be 
as perceptible to each crop that followed the appli¬ 
cation as a surface dressing, evenly mixed with the 
surface soil. I would ask if manures lose so much 
by evaporation as Mr. 8. W. would seem to infer? 
Why is it that composted or rotted manures spread 
on the surface of clay soils without being mixed 
with the soil are productive of more good to the 
crop that follows, than if plowed under deep, with 
a common plow? In fact the stiffness, or tenacity 
of the soil seems to be ameliorated far more than 
if it were turned under deep, in a decomposed 
state. Should I plow under manure on a stiff soil, 
I would wish it to be unrotted—in fact, as coarse 
as I could get it under—for the tendency would be 
more to keep the soil loose and porous, than to 
materially enrich it for that crop. So you see that 
in practice, I am opposed to deep applications of 
manures, and, at the same time, I do not advise a 
top-dressing; without thoroughly mixing with the 
surface soil. In no case would I plow manure un¬ 
der eight or nine inches deep if composted or rot¬ 
ted. I do not believe that manures lose much of 
their essential properties by “ going up,” as S. W. 
has it, but much is lost by being absorbed by the soil 
at too great a depth to afford sufficient nourishment 
for the growth of crops. From practical experience 
and close observation in the practice of others for 
a period of over fifteen years, I have formed the 
above opinions, which I could substantiate by vari¬ 
ous experiments, tried at various times, on different 
crops, and different soils. Knowing short articles 
are preferred, I will close this communication, and, 
if desirable, will at some future time give you the 
result of my experiments. w. h. h. 
Wheatland, N. Y., 1858. 
PREVENTING DROUTHS-A NOVEL THEORY. 
Eds. Rural:—I n these times of signs and won¬ 
ders, inventions and discoveries, it would seem to 
me that a circumstance of such vast importance to 
the well-being of the human family as the fall of 
rain, should receive more attention, and be the sub¬ 
ject of more experiments by philosophers and 
meteorologists, than it has ever yet received. 
Suffering, as we now are, from a destructive 
drouth, the discussion of the above subject would 
be interesting, if not profitable. The idea of man¬ 
ufacturing thunder showers will be looked upon as 
chimerical by some, and blasphemous by others; 
but I verily believe the thing may be done. To 
witness as I did last night, the rapid formation and 
equally rapid dispersion of thunder clouds, very 
reasonably suggests the idea that the operating 
causes are not bo great as to be beyond the power 
of imitation by human skill and sagacity. 
With Hugh Miller, I believe the physical world 
is not yet completed; and that it was designed, in 
the creation of man, that he should be a co-worker 
with Deity in perfecting the physical, as well as the 
moral world. And surely, nothing would conduce 
more to that end than to be able to cause and con¬ 
trol the fall of rain upon our famishing fields and 
extensive plains made sterile by want of water. 
We have never yet been fortunate enough to 
meet with a theory which explains to our satisfac¬ 
tion, all the phenomena of a common thunder 
shower. We are told, to be sure, that lightning is 
caused by electricity passing from one cloud pos¬ 
itively, to another negatively electrified; and that 
thunder is the resulting consequence. But I have 
never yet been told how, under apparently the same 
circumstances and conditions, one cloud becomes 
positively, and another negatively electrified. In¬ 
deed, we know there is yet much to be learned on 
the subject of electricity. It is not unlikely, that 
what we call empty space, is an ocean of electri¬ 
city, binding in telegraphic sympathy sunB, planets 
and comets. 
After these preliminary remarks, I will proceed 
to give as briefly as possible, my plan for produc¬ 
ing rain. In the first place, have a balloon of a 
lifting power sufficient for the purpose; then con¬ 
struct a bundle of copper wires, from one and a 
half to two miles long; let the upper ends of the 
wires be properly shaped and prepared as conduc¬ 
tors, and surround the balloon with them, lettiDg 
the points extend aB far above the balloon as their 
strength will sustain. The cord, or bundle of wire, 
for the sake of convenience, should be wound 
upon a reel, and the lower end of the wires placed 
in water. 
Thus arranged, let the balloon ascend, and when 
it is at a sufficient height, (if my theory is good,) 
the wires will commence conducting off streams of 
electricity from the atmosphere in the region of 
clouds, causing a condensation of vapor, and form¬ 
ing a cloud, from which rain would be immediately 
precipitated. A cloud thus formed, would be a 
nucleus around which the forming process would 
continue until a large scope of country would be 
overcast with clouds, as in ordinary rains. Show¬ 
ers produced in this way would not be attended 
with lightning and thunder, and, probably, not with 
destructive winds. 
Observation teaches us, that when a tract of 
country becomes very dry, it seems to repel or dis¬ 
sipate clouds as they rise over it; and the prospect 
of rain is nearly (perhaps I should say entirely,) 
hopeless, until a brisk wind springs up, thus bring¬ 
ing over the country, from other and more favored 
parts, a more humid and better conducting atmos¬ 
phere. 
Perhaps I should before have said that my theory 
stands upon the assumption, that a portion of at¬ 
mosphere in contact with very dry earth becomes 
completely a non-conducting medium, thus pre¬ 
venting any electricity passing from the clouds to 
the earth, and consequently preventing a conden¬ 
sation of vapor sufficient to cause a fall of rain.— 
The above theory may be very absurd; but I am 
sure nothing but actual experiment can refute it 
0. J. Phelps. 
Hesperian Plains, Piketon, Ohio, Aug., 1858. 
Remarks. —In these days of Atlantic Telegraphs 
it will hardly answer to scout the ideas of any indi¬ 
vidual, hence the space given to the foregoing 
seemingly chimerical propositions. The assump¬ 
tion of Mr. Phelps, ‘‘that a portion of atmosphere 
in contact with very dry earth becomes completely 
a non-conducting medium, thus preventing any 
electricity passing from the clouds to the earth, 
and consequently preventing a condensation of 
vapor sufficient to cause a fall of raiD,” may be ad¬ 
mitted as true, yet the balloon and conducting 
rods, as proposed by Mr. P., may defeat the very 
object he desires to attain. He must have a proper 
atmospheric condition else the electricity may go 
up m place of down, and thus prolong instead of al¬ 
leviating the drouth. Will Mr. Phelps give bonds 
not to make the matter worse? However, the sub¬ 
ject is worthy of discussion, and is thrown out for 
the purpose of eliciting the ideas of those who 
have devoted time to the Btudy of this subtle ele¬ 
ment.— Eds. 
LIGHTNING RODS, AGAIN. 
Messrs. Eds. :— In your note appended to the 
article on Lightning Rods, inserted in the Rural 
of the 28th ult, you state truly, that it is a common 
belief that the conduction of electricity in the 
same metal depends upon the surface. This com¬ 
mon error has arisen from confounding Static and 
Dynamic Electricity, or, to use plainer language, 
Electricity in motion and Electricity at rest. The 
experiments of the solid and hollow rods prove 
nothing in relation to this matter, for, in the case of 
the tube, the surface was nearly doubled while the 
section was greatly reduced, and consequently, an 
equality of conducting power in both cases shows 
that neither conductor was taxed to near its limits 
—without which it would be impossible to obtain 
even comparative data. 
The experiment by which Poujllkt decided 
this point is the most accurate and the most beau¬ 
tiful. After finding the conducting power of a 
round rod or wire, he flattened it so as to retain 
the same section, while the surface was greatly in¬ 
creased. The conducting power remained the 
same, thus proving the truth of my first proposition. 
Another experiment, devised by myself, consist¬ 
ed in placing ten strips of thin silver leaf in a pile 
with strips of paper interposed between each strip 
of silver. The conducting power of the pile as 
thus constructed, being ascertained, the paper 
strips were removed, and the silver strips pressed 
into close contact between two blocks of varnished 
wood. The conducting power remained the same. 
I recommended simply tacking the strips together 
(the ends being overlapped,) for the following 
reason: 
1st, Telegraph wires which are merely twisted 
together answer all practical purposes. 
2d, The same plan has been used by able elec¬ 
tricians to convey the current from a distant bat¬ 
tery into their laboratory, it being convenient to 
have the battery out of doors to avoid the fumes. 
3d, It is the method adopted in the British navy 
by Sir W. Snow Harris, and has never been known 
to fail 
It is obvious that the longer the lap the greater 
the security. The word “ diameter,” for which in 
your note you correctly substitute thickness, was 
an oversight on my part. j. p. 
BUILDING CISTERNS. 
Messrs. Editors:— I observed in the Rural of 
the 2Gth June, a communication by J. Vance, of 
Belle Valley, Pa., on this subject, and am heartily 
glad to hear that any one will talk up the impor¬ 
tance and means of obtaining large supplies of 
rain-water; one of the most desirable appendages 
to a household, for all family uses. It is truly sur¬ 
prising, so many people will spend large sums of 
money in digging wells, with the uncertainties of 
obtaining water, except second-rate, (if any) par¬ 
ticularly in lime-stone sections of country, when 
if the money thus used had been invested in mak¬ 
ing large cisterns, to contain the floods of clear rain¬ 
water that annually pour off the houses, they would 
be so much better served every way. 
While his plan must result in having a very good 
cistern, it seemed to me (not exactly ambiguous,) 
rather complex in detaiL There appears to be 
considerable engineering, so to speak, in getting 
it completed; so, I would suggest a plan, too, 
by which one may be more readily made, and an¬ 
swer an excellent purpose. 
Dig a hole the diameter and depth desired, (and 
don’t make a small one,) then eighteen inches from 
the edge, commence and dig down all around, some 
eighteen inches deep. In this space build up with 
stone, laid in water lime, for the purpose of form¬ 
ing a more permanent rim, or protection to the 
mouth of the space dug out, avoiding the tendency, 
from any cause, to cave in. In this stone work in¬ 
sert your joists or cross pieces,—upon which you 
will plank and cover the cistern — these pieces 
should be a foot or more from the top, sufficient to 
allow the covering to prevent the plastering from 
freezing. The work of plastering may now be 
commenced, and completed the usual way, always 
using clean and coarse sand, and let it be thor¬ 
oughly dry before letting the water in. It is well, 
where it can be obtained, to finish with a coat of 
Rosendale Cement, as it prevents much of the 
hardness of the water, observable when lime alone 
is used. 
The curb, water pipe, and inlet will be located 
at pleasure, the usual way; recommending also, to 
continue the conductor pipe from the roof into 
the cistern within a foot of the bottom, placeing 
a flat stone where the discharge is, to prevent the 
wear on the cement; thus the fresh water is taken 
in at the bottom, and the waste pipe being at the 
top, the water is less liable to become impure by 
standing inactive. The pipe entering the cistern 
should be made of zinc, it being less liable than tin 
to oxydize or rust out 
It is very desirable to so place the cistern that a 
pipe from near the bottom can be taken into the 
cellar, where, having a large faucet, the water can be 
so easily applied to a properly constructed portable 
water filter, thus securing the most healthy, the 
purest and sweetest of water, for all culinary and 
drinking purposes. 
This method is recommended from long ex¬ 
perience, as the cheapest, and more convenient 
than the plan of making a cistern-filter, adopted by 
some. The latter answer a very good purpose if 
properly made, but the objections are, the trouble 
and expense of making, also the fact that so much 
more water is filtered than is necessary for daily 
consumption, it becomes less pure and perfect by 
standing in an inactive state—then there is so 
much more water filtered than used, the power is 
unduly exhausted,—and finally the trouble and ex¬ 
pense of re-packing. k. 
Canaan, Conn., August, 1858. 
CROPS IN STARK C0„ OHIO. 
Wheat. —The wheat crop has suffered immensely 
by rust and weevil. Wheat on the upland has suf¬ 
fered the least The opinion of our best farmers 
is, that there will be about three-quarters of a 
crop this year. The wheat best adapted to this, 
and adjoining counties, is the Mediterranean—it 
requires a peck or a half a bushel more of seed to 
the acre. 
Rye.—R ye is tolerably good this year. I noticed 
a piece this harvest that had been entirely ruined 
by the weevil—something very singular for this 
locality. 
Barley. —This crop is very good, but it is un¬ 
profitable as will appear by the annexed prices. 
Corn. —The crop this year is as promising as 
in 1855. 
Oats.—T his crop also suffered by the rust, caus¬ 
ing it to fall so flat that we had to mow it 
Potatoes look exceedingly well. 
Markets. —Wheat, Red, 90cts; White, $1,00 per 
buBheL Rye, 50cts. Barley, 20cts. Corn, 75cts- 
Oats, 25cte. T. J. Roach. 
Paris, Stark Co., Ohio, 1858. 
LARGE FLEECES. 
Editors Rural:— Noticing occasionally in the 
columns of the Rural, weights of heavy fleeces of 
wool—reports of sheep shearing festivals, &c., 
therefore, I send you the result of the shearing of 
a small flock of my own, as follows: 
One Yearling Buck of thirteen months growth, 
weight of fleece, 23 lbs; weight of carcass, 75 lbs. 
Also, a flock of ten Bucks, same age as above.— 
Average weight of fleece, 15 lbs. 4oz.; average 
weight of carcass; 72 lbs. 
Unlike Mr. Taft, I want it distinctly understood 
that the sheep that sheared the above weights of 
fleeces were heavily grained,—perhaps they con. 
sumed too much grain for their future benefit; also, 
their conveniences for wallowing in plenty of dirt 
were middling good. I should consider it a fruit¬ 
less task to attempt to make a wool-growing com¬ 
munity believe that my sheep sheared a3 heavy 
fleeces of clean wool as some particular men report 
their sheep to shear, fed only on hay and grass. 
Wheeler, Steuben Co., 1858. Julius Stick.vky. 
— ' ■ ■ ■ 4 ♦-»-- 
CONDENSED CORRESPONDENCE. 
Wheat, Corn and Potatoes in Ogle Co., III.— 
A correspondent of the Rural (E. J.) writing from 
Oregon, Ill., says:—“The wheat crop in this section 
is very poor—some fields yield about 3i bushels 
per acre. The corn crop promises to be superior. 
Potatoes are but middling, and the rot is beginning 
to manifest itself. Ogle county holds her Annual 
Fair, at Oregon, on the 5th, 6th, and 7th of October. 
To Prevent Musquitoes Biting. — B. Rogers, 
of Scottsville, asks, “ what will prevent musquitoes 
biting?” I have always found the application of 
the spirits of camphor a sure preventive. I hope, 
Mr. Editor, as you are laboring to benefit others, 
you, yourBelf, may be benefited by this simple 
piece of information, and for the future make no 
unsuccessful attempts to rid yourself of those trou¬ 
blesome insects.—A Housewife, Herkimer, N. Y. 
How to Kill Live-For-Ever. —I have noticed, 
in the Rural, an inquiry of the above import. I 
will give you our experience. We have a three- 
acre lot, of good soil, that, twenty years ago, was 
literally covered with this pest. We used to plow, 
plant, and sow it, in turn with the other lots— 
carting off loads and loads of the roots; but stock 
it down and it was as green as ever. At last we 
put sheep upon it—changing to another pasture 
about once a week. They cropped it off some, 
but our chief exterminator was salt. Salt, enough 
of it, will kill almost anything. We sprinkled fine 
salt on the branches freely, letting the sheep and 
the rest of the stock eat of it what they would, 
put on old brine and all refuse salt, and it entirely 
disappeared. We have plowed the lot since, but 
there is none to be seen. We say, then, salt it to 
death. Don’t mow it; every leaf or particle that 
drops will make a new root.—E. H. Wright, 
Milton, Conn., 1858. 
INQUIRIES AND ANSWERS. 
A Substitute for Rennet. — I would like to in¬ 
quire through the Rural if there is a substitute for 
rennet in cheese-making?— Mrs. M. J. W., West- 
ville, La Porte Co., la., 1858. 
Burying Potatoes. — I wish to be informed, 
through the columns ef the Rural, of the best 
method of burying potatoes to preserve them thro’ 
the winter in good condition. Will any one who 
knows by experience, respond?—W. C., llomer, 
Cortland Co., N. V, 1858. 
Galls on Horses. —A four year old colt has 
been afflicted with lumps on the neck, which be¬ 
came raw during plowing, or when he was worked 
hard. By stating the cause or the cure, you will 
greatly oblige—A Subscriber, Cardington, Ohio. 
The query of “A Subscriber,” is rather in¬ 
definite, but we infer that the friction of the collar 
produced excoriation. New horses are very liable 
to have the skin injured by the harness—it is 
tender, and a little matter exposes the quick.— 
Prevention is better than cure, and this depends 
upon the driver. As a preventive, after every 
journey the neck should be closely examined. If 
there be any spot, however little abraded, hot and 
tender, when pinched, that part of the collar which 
produced it, should be cut out before the next 
journey. The guard or safe, is a useful article to 
prevent galls of this kind. It is merely a thin slip 
of soft leather, covering the seat of the collar. It 
obviates friction, and prevents injurious pressure 
from any little protuberance or hardness in the 
stuffing of the collar. On the first or second 
journey a new horse often comes in with his neck 
somewhat inflamed; it is hot, tender, and covered 
with pimples. In the stables it is said to be fired. 
A solution of common salt in water is usually ap 
plied, and it serves to allay the inflammation; it 
should be applied whenever the collar is removed. 
Tumors, containg bloody water, frequently rise on 
the neck. They should be opened immediately, 
emptied, and kept open for a few days. The 
piece should be taken out of the collar, and a safe 
used. As a preventive we know of nothing better 
than frequent bathing of the neck in a solution of 
whiskey and alum—as much alum being put in 
the liquid as it will dissolve—and this, when per¬ 
sisted in, we have known to actually cure the worst 
cases, even when the animal has been kept in 
continued service. 
Fowl Meadow Grass. —What is Fowl Meadow 
Grass?—S. G. M., Benton, Luz. Co-, Pa. 
Remarks. —This is a valuable grass for low, 
moist meadows. Flint describes it thus:—“The 
specific characteristics of this species are two to 
four, sometimes five, flowered spikelets, oval, spear 
Bhaped ligules elongated, flowers acutisb, green, 
often tinged with purple, roots slightly creeping; 
wet meadows and banks of streams, very common. 
Flowers in July and August. In long continued 
moist weather the lower joints send up flowering 
stems. The panicle is erect and spreading when 
in flower, but more contracted and droopiDg when 
ripe. This grass grows abundantly in almost every 
part of New England, especially where it has been 
introduced and cultivated in suitable ground, such 
as the borders of rivers and intervals occasionally 
overflowed. It will not endure to be long covered 
with water, especially in warm weather. It is well 
to let a piece go to seed, save the seed and scatter 
it over low lands. It makes an excellent grass for 
oxen, cows and sheep, but is thought to be rather 
fine for horses. It never grows so coarse or hard 
but that the stalk is sweet and tender, and eaten 
without waste. It is very easily made into hay, 
and is more nutritive, according to Sinclair, than 
either foxtail, orchard grass, or tall meadow oat 
grass. Owing to its constantly sending forth 
flowering stems, the grass of the lattermath con¬ 
tains more nutritive matter than the first crop at 
the time of flowering, hence the names ferlilis and 
serotina, fertile and late flowering meadow grass. 
It thrives best when mixed with other grasses, and 
deserves a place in all mixtures for rich moist 
pastures.” 
Wheat and Chess. —Keep cool, reader excitable, 
for we do not purpose to agitate the subject of 
transmutation sufficiently to open a prolix and 
unprofitable discussion. The N. Y. Tribune says: 
“Mr. John Carpenter, of Rainsville, Ind., sends 
us a fine, plump head of Wheat with a Chess grow¬ 
ing out of one side of it.” Though honestly made, 
we doubt the correctness of this assertion, and will 
give a reason why we disbelieve. Two or three years 
ago two heads of wheat were sent us from different 
localities, presenting every appearance, at first 
sight, of having “chess growing out of the sides” 
of them; but on close inspection it was found that 
the wheat and chess did not grow together, though 
they were so closely attached as to deceive those 
willing to believe without critical examination. 
Accounts of these were published in the Rural at 
the time. In one case the sample had been pre¬ 
viously shown by Judge Wright, of Irondequoit, 
to the editor of one of our daily papers, whereupon 
it published to the world that the long mooted 
question was settled! We soon convinced Judge 
W., however, that the announcement wa3 prema¬ 
ture, albeit himself, the editor aforesaid, and many 
others who had seen the curiosity, had supposed 
there was no doubt on the subject. Now, we sus¬ 
pect that the Tribune man has been deceived or 
“sold” in a similar manner; at least we will give 
him a new beaver if he will show us (or send to the 
next N. Y. State Fair, at our expense,) a head of 
wheat with genuine chess “growing out of one 
side of it” 
The Cotton Crof.—U nder date of Aug. 17, Dr. 
M. W. PniLLirs, an extensive planter, of Hinds 
Co., Miss., writes as follows:—“This has been an 
awful year for the Cotton Planters—overflow, rains 
and worms, with no prospect for the better. Rains 
every day, when we need all the clear sunshine and 
dry weather possible. Well, it is so, and we should 
be content to believe all will be well. Notwith¬ 
standing all these backsets, we have a goodly 
country, a noble country, and much cotton will be 
made. I put the figures at 2,500,000 bales, not to 
exceed 2,750.000, and at a value of $125,000,000. I 
think from Memphis to New Orleans is the most 
desirable country on earth, and that the leading 
agricultural spirit can Bee more than anywhere 
else to elevate, expand, and give a true feeling of 
the greatness of our land and nation. I would 
like to have all your Northern leading agricul¬ 
turists visit this country.” 
— Dr. P. will accept our acknowledgments for 
the kind invitation and offer of hospitality, which 
accompanied the above — and our regrets that we 
cannot yet awhile visit him and the rich region of 
country to which he alludes. 
Ayrshire Cattle for Mass. —A late number 
of the Ayrshire Express, published in Ayr, Scot¬ 
land, makes the following announcement:—“An¬ 
other compliment has just been paid to the skill of 
our Ayrshire farmers, by the purchase, by Mr. 
Sanford Howard, of Boston, U. S. America, of six 
bulls and eighteen cows and heifers, for the Massa¬ 
chusetts State A g. Society, and various individuals. 
These animals are from the very best stocks, and 
are of the very best quality in the country.” 
Among the individuals for whom a portion of 
the above animals were purchased, are J. S. Cabot 
and Dr. Loring of Boston, Mr. Carter of Worces¬ 
ter, and Hon. John Brooks of Princeton. The 
animals are expected to arrive this week. 
Frost in TnE Southern Tier—Grasshoppers, 
&c.—A correspondent of the Rural (J. C.) writing 
from Owego, under date August 24th, says:—“ This 
vicinity has been visited by an early frost, also in 
Litchfield, Bradford Co., Pa., on the night of the 
18th. Several other places had a slight touch on 
the 22d and 23d. Little or no damage has been 
done. Grasshoppers are doing considerable mis¬ 
chief to growing crops, as well as pastures and 
meadows. We are also having quite a drouth, 
while a short distance from us rain is not un¬ 
frequent” 
National Horse Fairs. —Three Horse Shows, 
each claiming to be “ National,” are to be held the 
present season. As already announced, one is to 
be held at Springfield, Mass., Sept 14th to 17tb, 
inclusive. Michigan announces two—one at Cold- 
water this week, (Sept 1st to 4th,) and the other at 
Kalamazoo, Oct 12tb, 13th and 14th. Though the 
premium lists of the Michigan Fairs are not as 
large as the former, they are varied and liberal, and 
from the character of the managers and people we 
doubt not the exhibitions will prove creditable to 
the Peninsular State. 
-- -- 
Agricultural Fairs.— In addition to the large 
number of Fairs recently announced in the Rural, 
we give the times and places of holding two or 
three others in this State, from information obtain¬ 
ed during the past week. The Genesee Co. Fair is 
to be held at Batavia, Sept 16th, 17th and 18th. 
Wayne County, at Lyons, Sept 22d and 23d. The 
Nunda Union (several Towns,) at Nunda, Liv. Co., 
N. Y,, Sept 8th and 9th. 
The Hog Cholera — Remedy. —This disease has 
recently appeared, in its most virulent form, in 
Frederick Co., Md. Mr. Peter Culler, who lost 
thirty head, arrested the disease, and saved the 
remainder of his hogs, by using the following 
remedy:—1 pound of sulphur, 1 pound of rosin and 
j pound saltpetre, beaten into a powder, and given 
in the proportion of a large spoonful to seven hogs, 
every other day. 
- - — 
Superior Wheat in Nebraska. —The Nebraska 
City News makes the following reference to the 
wheat:—The winter wheat now harvested and 
being threshed out, in this and Douglas Counties, 
weighs from 61 to 62 lbs. to the bushel. And wc 
venture to say a more beautiful article was never 
raised in any other State or Territory. 
Very True is this remark by some sensible 
writer:—“Money invested in a tool, and the tool 
exposed to the weather, is like money loaned to a 
spendthrift with no security received. In both in¬ 
stances it is a dead loss, and the result of indolence 
or inexcusable indifference to one’s own interest. 
