Along the banka of the Merrimac, grass 
that, fifty years ago, was considered as a great 
evil, has within the last twenty years, been 
regarded as equal, if not superior, to any other 
variety, for hay. Similar favorable changes 
have been made in the South, and in every 
portion of the country, where the attention 
of agriculturists has been directed to the sub¬ 
ject. 
A planter of Alabama, in a recent commu 
nication to the United States Patent Office, 
says :—“ Our native, or spontaneous grasses, 
with proper care and attention, would prove 
an invaluable treasure. The experiments of 
Major Seymour Powell fully demonstrate the 
correctness of this impression, and prove most 
conclusively that the crop of the crab-grass 
grown on a prairie field after the corn is laid 
by, if well saved, would be worth more than 
the corn. To test the matter, he measured 
several acres. Off the first acre he gathered 
30 bushels of corn, which at the market price, 
75 cents, brought $22,50. Off the same acre, 
he saved 2,675 pounds of nice hay, worth 
from $1 to $1,25 per cwt — say $26,75. The 
second acre yielded 3,780 pounds of hay, 
worth $37,80, and corn worth $28,40. 
According to the statements of a distin¬ 
guished florist and botanist, Mr. Prince, of 
Flushing, Long Island, there are, in Califor¬ 
nia, hundreds of species of trees, shrubs, her¬ 
baceous and bulbous flowering plants, indige¬ 
nous to that region, which are totally distinct 
from those found in other parts of the globe, 
many of them being ‘ ‘ entirely new to the 
botanic world.” Mr. Prince says :—“ In bul¬ 
bous flowers, this country [California] is par¬ 
ticularly rich, and many of them are of great 
beauty and interest, and particularly striking. 
The balsamic character of very many of the 
herbaceous plants forms a peculiar feature in 
that class.” 
Some friends of agriculture arc making 
efforts to improve our grasses, by the intro¬ 
duction of foreign varieties. Many of the 
English grasses are hardy and very nutritious. 
They might not endure our climate. But, on 
the other hand, it is possible that a change of 
climate would result in am improvement of 
the good qualities of a good grass. 
It will, however, be time enough to make 
experiments upon foreign grasses, when we 
shall have learned something more of our 
own. Within the boundaries of our vast na¬ 
tional domain, in various latitudes, climate, 
soils and situations, we have, I doubt not, 
more different kinds of grass than is found in 
any other portions of the globe ; and yet the 
number which we cultivate does not exceed 
twenty. 
We should learn to appreciate the beauty, 
improve the growth, and increase the value 
of the indigenous trees, plants, and grasses 
of the United States. Leaving out of view 
the error of useless pecuniary expenditure, 
and regarding the subject as merely one of 
taste, I am inclined to believe that we have 
injured the appearance of many a large man¬ 
sion and marred the picturesque beauty of 
many an humble home, by attempting, by the 
importation of shrubs and grasses, to imitate 
the landscape gardening and the rural scenery 
of other countries. The native garniture of 
our own forests, fields, and meadows, and 
pastures, when modified and improved by our 
own hands, directed by a cultivated taste, 
will be sufficient to enrich, adorn, and beauti¬ 
fy our land. 
These remarks are made, not with the con¬ 
viction that I am offering any new facts for 
the consideration of good farmers—but, with 
the hope of inciting the agriculturists of the 
country to look, with special interest, into 
the subject of our native grasses. This subject 
has not received, nor does it now receive, the 
degree of public attention which it deserves. 
We sow two or three kinds of grass seeds. 
Nature gives us numerous varieties of those 
which arrive at perfection, in different lati¬ 
tudes of our country, during each successive 
month, from Spring to Autumn yet, we are 
ignorant of the qualities of the grasses which 
grow spontaneously in our common pastures ; 
and we know but little of the weeds which 
injure and destroy them. 
Some time ago, in the course of a scientific 
examination, twenty-two species of grass were 
found on a single square foot of a rich ancient 
pasture, in England. Recently in a Western 
State, by means of the enterprise and indus¬ 
try of one lady, specimens of seventy-five 
kinds of grass were found, and presented as a 
boquet, at an annual State Fair. 
The worst of all depredations are these 
which ignorant and reckless men commit on 
their mother earth — the source and support 
of organic life— when they destroy or impair 
the'fertility of the land, either by their igno¬ 
rance, or by their neglect of the means by 
which it may be improved and preserved. It 
is our duty to leave the earth in a condition 
as good, at least, as it was when we found it. 
In many parts of our country the people 
seem to believe that the earth is possessed of 
a constitution so strong, so stout, and so 
healthy, that no extreme of bad usage can 
affect it injuriously ; but Time, the great in¬ 
structor, is. demonstrating our folly, and 
warning us to change our modes of fanning. 
While the husbandman carries forward his 
works of agricultural improvement, he must 
not forget the injunction, “Let the earth 
bring 'forth grass.” If, disregarding this 
mandate, he shall continue to neglect the in¬ 
vestigation and cultivation of grasses, the an¬ 
nual depreciation of his crops of corn, and 
other’ - grains, will ultimately qualify him to 
appreciate fully the force of the Belgian max¬ 
im, “A T o grass, no stock:—no stock, no manure :— 
no manure, no crops,” 
In no one thing does the ignorance of the 
laws of nature, so common among farmers, 
manifest itself so plainly as in the panic that 
spreads like an epidemic over the whole coun¬ 
try, when the crops are threatened with any 
of the thousand casualties incident, not to 
agricultural pursuits only, but to every other 
human avocation. The merchant and banker 
see a financial crisis approaching, and, under¬ 
standing the laws of commerce and trade, de¬ 
liberately prepare to meet what they cannot 
avert, without the murmuring and croaking 
that fills all the land when the crops are in 
danger. This disposition to complain about 
failures in the crops, not only betrays igno¬ 
rance, but it exhibits an almost impious want 
of confidence in the wisdom and beneficence 
of that over-ruling Power that “Shapes all 
our ends, rough h3w them as we will.” 
We may justly complain of the oppressions 
of human governments, of the wrongs and 
outrages of society, of “ man’s inhumanity to 
man ;” we may murmur over hard times, and 
financial embarrassments, but we should look 
upon the thousand ills that, in threatening 
aspect, stand around all the productions of 
the soil, as so many friendly rebukes from a 
kind Providence, reminding us of our igno¬ 
rance of the natural laws on which these 
things depend 
In the severe drouth of last fall, that 
blighted the hopes of the husbandman 
throughout the greater part of the northwest¬ 
ern States, when the croaking of ruined crops 
had attained its highest point, a close obser¬ 
ver could not fail to see, here and there, a field 
green and luxuriant in the midst of surround¬ 
ing desolation. If you stopped to inquire into 
the cause, and asked for an explanation, you 
would learn that no special showers had visit¬ 
ed those favored fields, but that they had 
been subsoiled, or deeply plowed, well stirred, 
and kept in a condition to absorb all the 
moisture afloat in the atmosphere, which 
compensated for the showers that came not. 
Instead, then of repining, we should profit by 
the lesson, and go and do likewise. 
On the first and second days of June last, 
portions of Indiana were visited by severe and 
destructive frosts ; a few days afterwards, the 
farmers might be seen in anxious groups, with 
long faces, exhibiting specimens of their ruin¬ 
ed crops, with all the evidences of despair 
over the gloomy future. But, on visiting the 
fields, you would find that the injury to the 
wheat was confined to that which was in 
bloom ; the Mediterranean and early Alabama 
varieties, many fields of which were then in 
full flower, were injured, while the great body 
of the crop, consisting of other and late va¬ 
rieties, wholly escaped, and wc had more 
than an average crop, after all the panic.— 
From this, let us learn the lesson, that early 
wheat is in danger of frost, even in the 40tli 
degree of latitude. 
In low, moist grounds, the corn fields suf¬ 
fered severely, while the corn in more eleva¬ 
ted and better drained land was uninjured. 
The undrained ground was cooled down, by 
evaporation, even to the freezing point, while 
the absorbed rays of yesterday’s sun kept the 
drier soil at a temperature above injury.— 
j Drain, drain, drain, was the voice of this 
friendly admonition from Providence, and we 
should receive all such admonitions with 
thanksgiving, instead of croaking. 
[Concluded next week.] 
CcmmnntrstioRs. 
MICHIGAN STATE FAR 
Friend Moore: —Not observing either 
yourself or a reporter for the model Rural at 
our State Fair, yet knowing that you and 
thousands of your readers feel a deep interest 
in Michigan matters, I forward a brief account 
of the exhibition—which was held from 2d to 
5th inst., at Detroit, 
The Fair was, as a whole, the best ever held 
by our Society. The attendance was good 
throughout—on the second day, unprecedent¬ 
ed, I think — though the very rainy weather 
on the last day, materially diminished the 
attendance and receipts. Taken all in all, 
the show w r as superior, and certainly gave 
evidence of decided advancement in some of 
the leading characteristics of our exhibitions. 
The display of Horses, for example, comprised 
a number of superb animals, manifesting in¬ 
creased attention in that important depart¬ 
ment. Smith & Cribpen, of Coldwater, ex¬ 
hibited “ Green Mountain Morgan,” (here¬ 
tofore. portrayed in the Rural,) — a very 
superior horse in style and action, and greatly 
admired. He has both speed and bottom— 
trotting a mile within three minutes. The 
blooded mares, and a two year old filly, shown 
by E. M. CRirpEN, are also fine an mals.— 
“Abdallah Chief,” “ Jackson,” and several 
other excellent horses, were also on the 
grounds, and received deserved commendation 
from spectators who are connoiseurs in such 
matters. 
There was a large show of Cattle—upwards 
of three hundred—representing most of the 
improved breeds, grades and natives. The 
quality was not, however, up to the mark, and 
perhaps the less said on that point the better. 
Yet there were some fine Devons and Dur- 
hams. Mr. Miller, of Moscow, exhibited 
several excellent Devons. Indeed, there were 
enough good cattle in the various classes— 
not forgetting working oxen, fat cattle, steers, 
&c.,—to make a creditable exhibition, though 
there is ample room for improvement. 
The Sheep were numerous and excellent. 
All the popular breeds—Spanish and French 
Merinos, Silesians, Saxons, South Downs, 
Leicesters, Ac.,—sent superb delegations to the 
exhibition. Campbell, Kimball, Bingham, 
and other Vermonters, were on hand with fine 
sheep—and, perhaps, a little “ Cornwall fin¬ 
ish.” The show was a grand one in both 
numbers and qualily. The show of Swine 
was also good, Tie Essex, Suffolk, Berk¬ 
shire, and Leicester varieties were quite well 
represented, and I noticed many first rate 
animals. There was not a very fine display 
of Poultry. Though some good chickens, 
geese and ducks were shown, the fever is evi¬ 
dently no longer contagious. 
Fruits and Flowers were displayed in much 
profusion. The exhibition was a superior 
and progressive one; and please note, friend 
Moore, that Michigan is “coming right 
along ” in Horticulture and Floriculture.— 
You are aware, from sight and taste, that we 
raised some fine fruit years ago ; come to our 
next Fair, or visit Oakland county next 
autumn, and you shall see an abundance, and, 
bemg a hcnoiary member of the “ tasting 
committee,” can fully test its quality. [Thank 
you ; “we’ll try ”—and endeavor in passing, 
to call on Senator Shearer, and other,iriends 
who grow most excellent fruit, in the vicinity 
of Plymouth. —Ed.] 
The exhibition of Agricultural Implements 
was excellent, and of course attractive.— 
Mechanic’s Hall was well filled, embracing 
carriages, scales, safes, Ac., from your city. 
The Hall of Domestic Manufactures also 
comprised a fine display, while that of the 
Fine Arts was a creditable feature 
But I shall weary your readers. Suffice it 
to say that we had a good end successful Fair. 
The receipts, including Detroit subscription, 
were some §7,000—a large amount, consider¬ 
ing the bad weather on last day of the exhibi¬ 
tion. Please note, therefore, that we Penin- 
salar-anians are aboard the car of Improve¬ 
ment, and look sharp lest we do not soon run 
you Yorkers off the track in the matter of 
State Agricuitural Exhibitions. 
At the conclusion cf the Fair, the State 
Society elected officers as follows: 
President — Michael Shoemaker, of Jack- 
son. Secretary —J. C. Holmes, of Detroit. 
Treasurer — Benjamin Follet, of Ypsilanti. 
Executive Committee— F. W. Backus, Wayne 
county ; Horace Welsh, Washtenaw ; A. N. 
Hart, Lapeer ; Edwaid G. Morton, Monroe; 
C. A. Green, Oakland; John Miller, Lenawee; 
James B. Crippen, Branch ; J. Iv. Kinman, 
Hillsdale ; Justus Gage, Cass; Wm. L. P. 
Little, Saginaw ; A. Y. Moore, Kalamazoo ; 
W. S. H. Welton, Kent. Forty-one Vice 
Presidents were also elected, located in differ¬ 
ent counties over the State. Yours, 
Oakland Co., Micli., Oct. 8,1856. C. 
REASONS FOR GROWING BUCKWHEAT. 
Eds. Rural :— In your article on “ Buck¬ 
wheat—its History and Uses,” among the 
reasons enumerated for paying more attention 
to the same, you do not mention those that 
most influence the writer hereof. In child¬ 
hood I was taught that a farmer who got so 
low as to raise buckwheat was pretty nearly 
done for, but my impressions have changed, 
so that I have come to regard it, when right¬ 
ly managed, as a valuable crop. Especially 
is this so where land is infested with the wire 
worm, and on such, my practice is to sow 
early, just as soon as danger from spring 
frosts is passed, on grounds designed for wheat 
in the fall. The crop of buckwheat is but 
slightly exhausting to the soil, less so perhaps 
than the burning rays of the sun on summer 
fallow—leaves the ground clear of weeds and 
in fine condition when plowed for wheat—and 
is matured early in September and out of the 
way in ample time to sow. The wheat fol¬ 
lowing has a great many less wire worms to 
mar it, and what scattering buckwheat grows 
is killed by the first fall frost. 
Have tried this method several times, and 
in each instance it has worked well. My 
best wheat the present season was after buck¬ 
wheat. Early sown may not be as sure to 
fill always, but in case of blight, it may be 
cut green and fed during an August drouth 
if needed, or cured and housed for winter use, 
or turned under to replenish the soil, and I 
think it worth for either purpose more than 
the slight cost cf the crop, for, bear in mind 
all the time, it has been grown on land that 
would else have been idle or produced only 
thistles and weeds. w. b. r. 
“ Hauling,” in Oxen.— I have seen many 
fine yoke of oxen almost entirely spoiled by 
“ hauling,” and have heard repeated inquiries 
for a remedy. Can you or any of your con¬ 
tributors, give a remedy that will “ work ?” 
I have known oxen that have worked per¬ 
fectly well for years, all at once, seemingly, 
take to “ hauling,” —k. 
The Maine State Fair, held at Gardiner 
week before last, is reported to have been very 
creditable, considering the fact that it was the 
first State Exhibition. 
Agricultural UlisttllaMjr. 
THE CANADA WEST FAIR. 
The Show of the Provincial Agricultural 
Association of Upper Canada, at Cobourg, 
last week, was in many respects particularly 
noteworthy. In the more prominent depart¬ 
ments the display was exceedingly creditable 
to our Canadian friends, while those who have 
attended former shows, pronounce the whole 
superior — especially in the quality of ani¬ 
mals and articles presented — to any similar 
exhibition ever held in the Province. We re¬ 
gret, therefore, that the crowded state of our 
pages this week, precludes us from giving 
more than a mere synopsis of what we wit¬ 
nessed while among our trans-Ontario neigh¬ 
bors. Our memory and note book would 
supply ample material for an extended report, 
but we must condense. 
The Fair G rounds, pleasantly located about 
one mile west of the city, were admirably ar¬ 
ranged. The great feature was the show of 
Stock, in which department the exhibition 
was superior, especially in numbers, to our 
recent State Fair at Elmira. The display of 
Cattle was very large, and of excellent qual¬ 
ity — the herds of the principal Canadian 
breeders of Durhams, Ayrshires, Herefords, 
Ac., being well represented. Superior Dur¬ 
hams were shown by R. Wade, Jr., of Cc- 
bourg, John Wade, of Port Hope, Jno. 
Simpson of Bowmanville, M. Joness of Dar¬ 
lington, Wm. Miller of Pickering, Jno. Jar¬ 
vis of Trafalgar, Tuos. Richmond of Gana- 
noque, E. W. Thomson of York, J. P. 
Wheeler of Scarboro, R. Wade, senior, of 
Port Hope, F. W. Stone of Guelph, George 
Miller of Markham, W. H. Beresford of 
Whitchurch, J no. W alton of Smith, and many 
other breeders whose names'we could not as¬ 
certain. 
The show of Devons also embraced many 
admirable animals. Among the prominent 
exhibitors in this class were W. H. Lock of 
Yarmouth, Daniel Tye of Wilmot, R. Fer- 
rie A Co. of Doon, J. M. Minto of Ilaldi- 
mand, N. Choate of Port Hope, J. B. Wool- 
nougii of Townsend, G. S. Burrill of Cra- 
mahe, and Wm. Mead of Etobicoke. 
The Ayrshires and Herefords were not 
numerous, but creditable in quality. Of the 
former, Mrs. Ewart of Dundas, John Boxes 
of Amherst Island, Jas. Paterson of Streets- 
ville, Wm. Byers of Nepean, R. L. Denison 
of Toronto, T. R. Wright of Cobourg, and 
others, exhibited fine specimens. Good Here¬ 
fords were shown by Baron de Longueil of 
Simcoe Island, and W. McMicking, Stamford. 
Some ten fine Galloways were shown—a 
breed of uniformly black and polled cattle, 
from the highlands of Scotland. These ani¬ 
mals are hardy, and we are inclined to believe 
they will prove a most desirable breed for the 
rigorous climate of Western New York, Can¬ 
ada, Ac. They are certainly a novelty in this 
country, and attracted much attention. Wm. 
Roddick, of Cobourg, -was the principal ex¬ 
hibitor. 
Of Fat Cattle there were several noble 
specimens, much admired. 
The display of Horses was large, and gen¬ 
erally excellent in each class. The show of 
blood horses embraced some superb animals 
—particularly those of Jas. Miller of Nor- 
val, and H. Coval of Cobourg, and several 
others. In Draught Stallions and Matched 
Horses, there was an attractive show. Of 
the former, those shown by Mrs. Ward of 
Markham, D. Rountree of York, and Tiios. 
Nattras of Cavan, were superior. The class 
of Ag’l Stallions comprised many fine ani¬ 
mals. Among the most conspicuous were 
those of Wm. Shipley of London, and J. and 
R. Livingston of Markham. . 
The Sheep were numerous, especially of 
the mutton varieties—Liecesters, Cotswolds, 
South Downs, Ac.—and, to our Yankee eyes, 
magnificent. The show of Leicesters -was su¬ 
perb. Those imported by Mr. Gordon of 
Paris, and Chris. Walker of London, were 
much admired—as were also the fine animals 
shov/n by Geo. Miller of Markham, Jas. 
Dickson of Clarke, Jno. Simpson of Bowman¬ 
ville, R. AVade, Jr. of Cobourg, AYm. Miller 
of Pickering, and many other breeders. There 
were several fine Cotswolds, particularly 
those of Mr. Stone of Guelph. The show 
of South Downs was very good. A pen of 
eight Cheviots, shov/n by AVm. Roddick, of 
Cobourg, were, to our notion, among the most 
beautiful sheep exhibited. 
The Swine, of both large and small breeds, 
were well represented—the Yorkshires and 
their crosses Being the most numerous 
Altogether, the show of stock was much 
better than we expected, and highly credita¬ 
ble to the enterprise and skill of Canadian 
farmers. Would it not be well for many of 
the wheat growlers of AVestcrn New York to 
take a few lessons of their Canada friends, 
and devote more attention to stock, and less 
to grain husbandry V Perhaps those who at¬ 
tended the Fair—and we had the pleasure of 
meeting a goodly number of farmers from this 
region—have already figured on the subject. 
Indeed, several purchases of choice stock were 
made. Among others, Hon. Jno. AVilliams, 
of this city, bought of John Wade, Esq., the 
first prize three year old Short-horn heifer, 
and a fine young bull of same breed—for his 
farm near Davenport, Iowa. C. C. Chapin, 
of Livonia, purchased a superior Leicester 
ram, and an Ogden farmer another. 
The display of Agricultural Implements 
was very fine—said to be the best yet made 
in Canada. John Rapalje A Co., of Port 
Hope, C. AY., and this city, made a grand 
show—presenting nearly or quite half the Ag. 
tools, implements, Ac., on the ground. Most 
of the implements were of Yankee invention 
—a good deal of our thunder in that depart¬ 
ment being conveyed or adopted by Canadians. 
The samples of Grains and Seeds exhibited 
were very fine, and much admired. Those of 
wheat were very superior — proving that 
Canada excels us, this year, at least; and we 
are inclined to believe that, by adopting our 
implements and improved modes of culture, 
she may equal us in any season. 
The exhibition of Fruit was not large, but 
the specimens of apples were generally very 
fair and well grown. Floral Hall was most 
tastefully arranged. There was a large and 
fine show of Vegetables, especially of roots.— 
The display of Domestic Manufactures—in¬ 
cluding superior samples of embroidery, crochet 
and needle work, Ac.—was very creditable. 
But we must close, omitting mention of va¬ 
rious items and features of the Exhibition.— 
The occasion was an interesting and instruct¬ 
ive one to us,—while we had the pleasure of 
meeting many old and making not a few new 
and agreeable acquaintances. To the Presi¬ 
dent, David Christie, M. P. 1\, Mr. Secre¬ 
tary Buckland, Messrs. Ruttan, Simpson, and 
other officers and gentlemen of the Association, 
we are indebted for attentions and courtesies 
which heightened the pleasure and interest of 
our brief eojourn— for all which we hope ere 
long to render proper “ reciprocity.” 
Connecticut State Fair.— AVe learn that 
the first Annual Show of the Conn. State Ag. 
Society, held at Hartford last week, was emi¬ 
nently successful, the display being unexpect¬ 
edly large and fine in almost every department. 
Some idea of the extent of the exhibition may 
be formed from the number of entries in the 
various classes, as follows : — Cattle, 434; 
Horses and Mules, 436 ; Sheep, Swine and 
Poultry, 189; Implements, Ac., 136; Dairy 
Products, Grain, A r egetables, Ac., 358 ; Do¬ 
mestic Manufactures, 223 ; Cotton and AYooI- 
en Goods, and other articles of American 
Manufacture, 337 ; Fine Arts, 111 ; Horti¬ 
cultural and Miscellaneous Articles, 431.— 
These figures indicate a grand and interesting 
display, for a first exhibition — a demonstra¬ 
tion worthy the fountain-head of the “ Univer¬ 
sal Yankee Nation.” 
Illinois State Fair.— Chicago papers 
speak in high terms of the magnificence and 
success of this exhibition. The farmers of the 
Prairie State, and the North-AYest generally, 
evidently made a grand demonstration, while 
the receipts, some §13,000, prove that the 
attendance was numerous. See our corres¬ 
pondent’s letter in News Department. 
Gov. AA'right’s Address is so superior to 
the productions which politicians and states¬ 
men usually furnish on similar occasions, that 
we give it the post of honor. AVe intended to 
publish it entire in this number, but its great 
length compels us to defer a portion. Run ai. 
readers will find it worthy an attentive perusal, 
and we are confident none will regret the 
space it occupies, and the consequent lack of 
our usual variety in this department. 
Deferred.— In order to make room for 
Gov. AYrigiit’s Address, and reports of the 
Michigan and Canada Fairs, we are compelled 
to defer several communications and editorial 
notices intended for this number. Among 
other matters which will keep well, are re¬ 
ports of the AVayne and Genesee County 
Fairs, kindly furnished by attentive friends. 
State Fair Premiums. — AVe have been 
unable to obtain a correct list of the Premi¬ 
ums awarded at Elmira. If an accurate copy 
is received in season, we shall next week pub¬ 
lish the awards in the most prominent de¬ 
partments. 
Extraordinary AYheat.— The San 'Jose 
Telegraph says that Michael Marshall, living 
near Reed’s Mill, adjoining San Jose, raised 
eighty-seven bushels of wheat to the acre. He 
exhibited a cluster of wheat in the straw, all 
the product of one grain of Chili wheat.— 
There were ninety heads of wheat upon this 
cluster ; each head averaged seventy-five 
grains, making in the whole the extraordinary 
yield of 6,750 grains of excellent wheat—the 
product of one single grain of Chili wheat.— 
California Fanner. 
Broom Corn. —The Albany Argus says it 
is a singular omission in the United States 
census, that it does not give statistics of the 
amount of broom corn raised in the country. 
In our own State hundreds upon hundreds 
of acres are appropriated to the cultiva¬ 
tion of this desirable commodity. Broom 
corn never was stouter, nor a better crop 
than during the present year. 
