i^^vTV'V 
a more complete and instructive treatise on the whole 
work erf Draining, than this, 
n. — Darlington's American Weeds and Uskeul 
Plants, The paper and illustrative embellishments of 
this volume are fully equal to the Inst. Among the pic¬ 
torial sketches, we. think we discover the same skillful 
pencil of the publisher wkkb adorned many pages of his 
new edition of Downino‘8 " Landscape (hardening." The 
leading design of t his work U to give formers and garden¬ 
ers a full and accurate knowledge of the plnuts (both 
useful and pernicious) with which they have most to do. 
The author well says that the firmer who informs him¬ 
self on these points, “will find that he lias obtained 
many new and interesting views of objects connected 
with his profession—that he has acquired a capacity for 
observing and profiting by numerous processes and 
phenomena in the vegetable economy which had hereto¬ 
fore been unheeded, or imperfectly understood. A spirit 
of research will often be awakened, which, in itself; is an 
unfailing source of gratification to ingenious minds, and 
not unfreqncutly leads to important, practical results." 
It seems to us that no true farmer, proud of his profes¬ 
sion, and dosirnus to honor it will, voluntarily remain 
uninformed on these and related topics. To intelligent 
formers, and those who are seeking to become such more 
and more, we comuieod this book. 
in _STRAY I,SATES FROM TUB BOOK OB NATURE; by 
Prof. Dk Vbbo. Hero is a different 6ort of book—one 
which deals less with facta than with the poetical sides 
of facta. If anybody wants to see how Botany can be 
relieved of its supposed dryness, lot him open these pages. 
If anybody thinks Geology, and Chemistry, and, in short' 
any of the natural sciences arc repulsivo and uninterest¬ 
ing, let him forthwith look here. The author doe.-, not 
try hard, of set purpose, to show that these studies are 
useful and important; ho dooB it indirectly, and so all the 
more effectively For the parlor table, or for any young 
gentleman's library, few booka'can be better suited than 
this. 
Mr. Editor, if a ay of your readers may be induced here¬ 
by to read either or all of tho above excellent books, I 
am confident they will lhank you for publishing my hum¬ 
ble advice.— a. d. g. 
COOPERS NOVELS. 
aopBR's Novels— Splendid Illustrated ’Edition, issued 
•n a stylo <>f Unsurpassed Elegance, and Beautifnily 
Illustrated with Five Hundred Original Drawings by F 
O C Barest, executed on Steel aud Wood in the cost¬ 
liest atvle of the most Eminent Engravers in the 
Count-v Published by W A. Towwsknd k Co., Now 
York. E- K Hall,5 AThemmim Building,Subscription 
Agent for Rochester and vicinity 
Tub superb niustrated Edition of Coopbr's Novels, 
coarse of publication by W A. Townsend & Co., 
York, is worthy the attention of every admirer of 
of American Novelists. Twelve volumes of 
us, and although we have 
Eds, Rural New-Yorker:—I noticed in your 
valuable farm papor of the 14th of this month, 
the inquiries of R. G. H. r a youth of Oswego Co., 
respecting grasshoppers. I am a young Onon¬ 
daga county Naturalist and know all about grass¬ 
hoppers. 1 was down in Oswego county in 1858, 
in grasshopper time, and saw millions of them, 
enough,aa 1 then thought, to devour all the green 
things in that county; aud last year in Granby, in 
that comity, in June, 1 saw innumerable quanti¬ 
ties of miniature grasshoppers which, hut for the 
providential frosts and Cold weather which de¬ 
stroyed them, would have consumed the entire 
vegetable products of that section. 
You will please, through your interesting Ru¬ 
ral, say to It. G. lb, that the grasshopper is pro¬ 
duced from an egg deposited In tho ground by the 
female grasshoppers,—the mode of operation he 
Can witness by observation during the latter part 
of next autumn. Tim female grasshopper will at 
that time bo greatly distended with eggs. Nature 
has provided her with an iustrument at tho end 
of her hotly which aho can sheathe or unsheathe 
at will, and with that she pierces a hole In the earth 
and lays her eggs, one by one, to the number of 
about eight. The eggs are white, oval, of a horny 
consistence, and contain a viscous, transparent 
fluid, in this climate the eggs remain in the earth 
secure from frost and the action of moisture until 
about the middle of May. when the vernal influ¬ 
ence of the sun brings forth from each an insect 
about the size of a flea, of a light gray color, 
changing in a few days to green, and when about 
twenty dayB old. changes again from the imper¬ 
fect grasshopper to the more perfect grasshopper, 
by bursting its first skin and coming out with four 
magnifierut wings. 
The age of the grasshopper in Oswego county, 
may be reckoned at about four months, aud during 
its brief Life it undergoes soveral changes. In Cali¬ 
fornia, and some other sections of our National 
domain, the grasshopper lives about ten months, 
and during that time undergoes live changes, 
I would advise my young friend to study the 
grasshopper,—he will do well in the warm days 
of early Juno to visit some grass lands and see 
the little hopper, as ho comes out of his diminu¬ 
tive shell. If he has not got a gloss for examin¬ 
ing insects ho should get one. 
You can toll our young friond that the Grass¬ 
hopper and Locust tribes are numerous and inter¬ 
esting— their habits have drawn the attention 
and engaged the minds of the most eminent 
naturalists In all ages, and in all countries. The 
wisesavans of run- Agricultural Department, and 
the Faculty of the Smithsonian Institute at Wash¬ 
ington, are seeking information as to the most 
speedy, safe and effectual mode of destroying 
them. But enough of tho hopper, at this time, 
and when 1 come again I will come with more in¬ 
teresting items. WA3P. 
Onondaga County, N. Y., Jan. 10, 1S<30. 
now in 
New 
the greatest 
the series are now before 
specially noticed several of them during the past year. I 
we cannot refrain from reiterating our admiration of tho 
beauty of their illustrations, typography, etc., and again 
commending the publishers for presenting the works of 
the groat delineator of American life, scenery and man¬ 
ners, in a style so recherche and enduring. The edition 
is illustrated with deRigns on wood and vignette drawings 
on steel, in line and etching, by Parley, while the print¬ 
ing, paper and binding correspond—rendering the aeries 
unsurpassed in taste and elegance. Among the volumes 
already issued are. “The Pioneers," “ Red Rover,” “The 
Spy,” “Last of tho Mohicans," “Tho T“ilot,” “Wyan¬ 
dotte" “The Prairie," “The Bravo," “Tho Sea Lions," 
fcc. Each volume contains a novel complete, and aver¬ 
ages about SOO pages. The edition Is published by sub¬ 
scription, — E. R. Hall, 5 Athem.-num Building, being 
the Agent for Rochester and vicinity. 
— Since penning the above our eye has fallen npon a 
very appreciative review of Cooper's Novels, from a late 
number of tho North American Review. The article is 
attributed to II. T. Tucxbem an, a gentleman of superior 
caritical taste and scholarship and true American feeling. 
It Is based upon the superb edition above mentioned, of 
which it speaks in the highest terni3. Regretting that wc 
are unable to give the entire review, we quote tho fol¬ 
lowing: 
“To be thoroughly appreciated, the American novels 
of Cooper must he read, oven by liisconntrymen, abroad. 
His fresh and spirited pictures of colonial life in the West 
gain infinitely, as regards vividness and effect, by the 
perspective attainable only from a European stand-point. 
It is when surrounded by the visible tokens of ancient 
civilization—when the elligtes of national maturity and 
decline, the arts, the polity, tho social conventionalities 
which centuries have riuule mellow, nro visible and audi¬ 
ble—that the young life and the virgin nature of the 
world laid open by COLUMBUS impress the imagination 
Our idea of Cooper's originality and 
[Ifirno.—pp. 473.1 New York: D. Appleton & Co. 
Rochester— Adams k habnby. 
An Appeal to tiiii People in Behalf of (heir Rights ns 
Authorized Interpreters of tho Bible. By Catherine 
E. Bkxmi.hu, author of “Oominou Sonne Supplied to 
Religion," “ Pomchtio Economy," elo. [ltimo. — pp. 880.] 
Now York: Hiirper & Bros. Uoc!ii:i *——Steele, Avery 
& Co. 
Sklp-Hki.p: With Illustrations of diameter nnd Conduct. 
By Samuel Smu.kn, author of “The Life of George 
Stephenson," —pp. 3*>3.] New York: Harper 
Jr Br.». Rochester—S tkki.k, Avert k Co.) 
Tup. Hook ox Popular Sonus; Being n Compendium of 
tho best Sentimental, Comic, Negro, Irish, Scotch, Na¬ 
tional, Patriotic, Military, Naval, Social, Convivial nnd 
Patriotic Songs, Ballads luid Melodies, an sung by tho 
most celebrated Opera sod Ballad riiugi-i », Negro Min¬ 
strels aud Comte Vocalist* of tile Day [pp. 320.1 
Philadelphia: (i. G. Evans. From the PubHaher. 
Tub Diseases us CATTLB-with Descriptions and Ulus- 
trntions of various Organs and Functions of the Animal 
Economy. Containing also, Useful and Practical Infor¬ 
mation on Brooding, Ventilation aud Diet. By Geo. H. 
Dadd, Veterinary Surgeon, author of “ Anatomy and 
Physiology of the Horae," 11 Modern Horse Doctor," 
etc., Lecturer on Veterinary Scloneo at the Boston 
Veterinary School. [pp.39f>,1 Bouton: John P. Jewett 
A Co.—18d0. From the Publisher. 
and win the heart, 
vigor of conception—especially of his scenic liinning and 
elaboration of native character — was vague, until we 
thoughtfully communed with his descriptions amid tho 
mediaeval architecture or Florence, and on tho fertile 
and historical shores of Sicily To turn from the massive 
symbols of European feudalism—from ancient temples, 
vast palaces, jewelled mausoleums, refined art, Southern 
nature, trophies that were old when America was dis¬ 
covered—to the leafy forest isles, the sea-liko prairies, 
the settler’s lonely log-hut, the primitive communities, 
the inartificial habits, and nascent civil life, which ho 
delineates, is a contrast so entire, that the iniud takes in, 
as never before, the whole significance of tho ploture. 
Wo feel the very spirit of our native land and our hardy 
progenitors in its original freedom and purity. Aborigi¬ 
nal figures seem more distinct to tbo fancy, when invoked 
in the atmosphere hallowed by sculptured deities and a 
living race moulded by the highest civilization; the wil¬ 
derness Ills n singular charm when contemplated from 
an old European city; and frank, natural character, bred 
on the sea or in the forest, has a most attractive reality 
when beheld with the extrema types of artificial human¬ 
ity beside and arouod >ie We soem. in such circum¬ 
stances. to inhale the balmy fragrance of the primeval 
woods, wo catch glimpses of dusky forms in the twilight, 
and nestle to the very heart of Nature in her verdant 
solitudes or ocean haunts, as wc follow the firm step aud 
piercing eye of a writer who 1 uia> caught the inspiration 
of uuhackneyed scenes and fresh, free, intrepid, isolated, 
but most characteriHtis life, which, compared with that 
around and within us. seems indeed born in another 
niK TRAVELER’S T’RDIL 
the' leaves in urease in number anil size, they 
extend horizontally and droop at the end, thus 
giving the tree the appearance of a gigantic fan, 
w ith a very long handle. 
Madagascar, however, is not the only spot where 
water-producing trees are to be found. In the 
Canary Islands we And the “ Fountaiu Tree, ” 
which distils water so plentifully as to answer all 
the purposes of the inhabitants who live near 
them. “ There are,” says Glasse, " only three 
springs of water in the whole island of I lie row, 
wherein tho Fountain Tree grows. These springs 
are used for tho cattle, the people preferring that 
’ Travelers inform us 
The above engraving, for which we are indebted 
to the American Agriculturist, gives tho geueral 
form and structure of that splendid specimen of 
tropical vegetation known as the “Traveler’s 
Tree.” Rev. Mr. Philips, who went to Madagas¬ 
car in the employment of the London Missionary 
Society, has written a work descriptive of that 
country, and, among other novelties, pictures and 
describes this curiosity of the vegetable world. 
The remarkablo property of this tree is the fact 
that it furnishes a large supply of pure water in 
the driest season, even when growing upon the 
most arid sandy plain. From this boon of fresh, 
pure water, afforded to the thirsty traveler, it 
derived its name. The water furnished by it is 
said to be of such excellent quality that tho 
natives resort to it in preference to going but a 
little distance further for supplies from the stream. 
The leaves, which furnish the fluid, arc oach 
from four to six feet long, and about two feet 
broad, and they are attached to the body by a 
stalk six or eight feet long, and of proportionate 
thickness, each tree having from fifteen to twenty- 
four leaves. The base of each leaf-stalk, contains 
a reservoir of water, holding a quart or more, 
which is drawn out by the natives by striking a 
spear or other sharp-pointed instrument four or 
live inches deep into the stalk near its junction 
with the trunk of the tree, when the water flows 
out freely. The main stem of the tree is thick 
and succulent, resembling a plantain tree, rising 
sometimes thirty feet high, and- sending off the 
leaves from each side of the top of the stem. As 
MAKING CONE FRAMES, 
J neks on nt Twenty. 
Our young friend was twenty years of age 
when he completed the preliminary part of his 
education at Salisbury. Before sending him forth 
to try conclusions with the world, we will take 
the liberty of detaining him a moment here on 
the threshold while we survey his person and 
equipment. It is, indeed, necessary to state 
briefly what kind of a young mart young Jackson 
was, in order to rendor credible much that is Moon 
to be related, as well as to correct tho impressions 
which tho wild ways of his youth may have made 
The ocousioual audaci- 
obtainublo from the trees, 
that the same tree is to be found iu the island of 
St. Thomas, iu the bight of Guinea; and in Cook- 
burn's Voyages we read an account of a dropping 
tree near the mountains of Fora Faz, in South 
A merica. 
Mr. Philips thinks the name “ Bnilder’a Tree” 
would be even morn appropriate than its present 
title. The enorinotis leaves are used to thatch all 
the houses on the eastern side of the island, the 
leaf-stalks furnish materials for constructing the 
ven the sides of the house; and 
Eos. Rural New-Yorker: —Somebody (I’ve lost 
the paper, and can’t toll exactly why,) wanted the 
Young Kurulist, Da toll them how to make cone 
frames, »tc. I’vo waited several weeks, and seen 
no answer, and finally decided that I would try to 
give such information us I possess, for the benefit 
of all concerned. 
In the first place, I decide of what size the glass 
shall bo to suit the purpose for which I intend it, 
then get some one to fit a wood frame, narrow, 
but strong euoug!i to hold the glass firmly; then 
cut a frame of whatever shape I like best, from 
stiff pasteboard. I like those best that roll back¬ 
ward and scollop at the edge. Sew tho pasteboard 
together, wire the outer edge, arid nail it to the 
tipper side of the wood frame, letting the paste¬ 
board just conceal all the wood. If the board ia 
white, 1 stain it with ink or dye. Prepare the 
glue by putting it in a oup, covering it with cold 
water, and setting it in a basin of boiling water 
on the stove until thoroughly dissolved, and then 
lam ready fur the cones. The white pines lbake 
until the gum is bard when cold, then cat off the 
leaves with the scissors, each one about two-thirds 
of an inch in length; yellow or pitch pine cut 
about one-third of an inch. Walnut shucks, tam- 
arae and cedar buds, beech nuts, coffee, red oorn, 
acorns, and everything else pretty that is availa¬ 
ble, all come in use now; but the beauty of tho 
frame depends on the skill and nicety with winch 
they are put on. 1 begin with a plan or design of 
the figure l wish, and be it wreath, vine, braid, or 
rosettes, or all mingled, put it 0 n first, with shucks, 
white pines, or any showy material, and after this 
is done, fill all the crevices with pitch pine leaves, 
put on in diamonds, stripes, Ac., as they are light 
or dark, according to the age of the cone when 
gathered. The stem end of pitch pine, neatly 
sawed off, makes nice rosettes, by putting a small 
acorn over where the 3tein grew, and surrounding 
it with kernels of red corn, all turned toward the 
centre. When the crevices arc all filled, I put on 
three or four coats of good varnish, and the work 
is done. Vases, pin-cushions, &o., are all made 
in the same way. Some spread putty over the 
partitions, and e 
the hard bark, inclosing the stem, is stripped off, 
beaten out flat, and laid for flooring — the pieces 
often being eighteen inches wide, and from 
twenty to thirty feet long. The dusky house¬ 
keepers of Madagascar also make portions of the 
green leaves serve the purposes of wrapping- 
paper, tablo-cloths, dishes, plates, spoons and 
drinking vessels. 
upon the reader’s mind, 
ties and irregularities of a young man like this 
were likely to be remembered and exaggerated. 
He had grown.to be a till fellow. He stood six 
feet aud an inch in his stockings, lie was 
remarkably slender for that robust age of the 
world, but lie was also remarkably erect; so that 
bis form had the effect of symmetry without being 
symmetrical. His movements and carriage were 
singularly graceful anil dignified. In the accom¬ 
plishments of his day and sphere he excelled the 
youug men of his own circle, and was regarded 
by them as their chief and model. lie was an 
exquisite horseman, aa all will agree who ever 
saw him on horseback. Jefferson tells us that 
General Washington was the best horseman of 
his time, but be could scarcely have been a more 
graceful or a more daring rider than Jackson. 
Young Jackson loved a horse. From early boy¬ 
hood to extreme old age he was the master and 
friond of horses. He wa3 one of those who must 
own a horse, if they do not a house, an acre, or a 
Horses may be expected to play a leading 
presenue, even by spirit, pervading, interpene¬ 
trating spirit,—not only an occasional or partial 
beholding, but an unintermitted knowledge of our 
all, our sense, our memory, oar intelligence, our 
consciousness, even when least sensible, least 
known, least conscious to ourselves. “Thou 
hast possessed my reins; Thou knowest my 
thoughts; when 1 awake, 1 am still witli Thee.” 
And then think of this soul pervading all other 
souls—forming the universal medium, if we may 
use a term so much profaned, of all spiritual 
existences, and yet losing nothing of that distinct 
personality which it presents to each, not impair¬ 
ing in the least that distinct individuality with 
which every finite spirit stands before the Infin¬ 
ite. There is in such a view, all that the highest 
philosophy can demand, and yet all that meets 
oar lowliest human thought our deepest human 
sympathy.—“ The Divine Ifuman in the Scriji- 
ture. y,” by Tayler Lewis. 
seemed tine without being so, so his face, owing 
to the quick, direct glance of the man, and his 
look of eager intelligence, produced on others 
more than the effect of beauty.—“ Life of Andrew 
Jackson ,” by J ames Parton. 
Tin' Seclusion of the Soul. 
Who is so unthinking as not to be sometimes 
impressed with the great mystery of our spiritual 
being, its utter isolation from the all-surrounding 
universe, llow perfect the seclusion in which 
every individual finite soul dwells apart from 
every other! Wc do, iudeed, hold an imperfect 
intercourse by telegraphic signals passing thro’ 
matter, but walls of adamant could not more 
effectually separate us from direct spiritual com¬ 
muning than the state in which God has created 
us. There is something impressively solemn iu 
this deep seclusion, this everlasting loneliness. 
No other soul knows us; no other finite spiritual 
eye has ever seen ns; the nearest friend has only 
inferred our existence; like the natural belief in 
a God, “ our invisible things are understood from 
the things that are seen,” even our inward power 
and humanity. The thought is sometimes our 
pride; it (daces in such gloomy grandeur each 
soul's inviolable individuality. It may also give 
rise to a feeling tinged with melancholy. 0, 
could another know us, ns we are sometimes led 
to exclaim, just as we know ourselves; we would 
be willing even that he should know our sins, 
could he also feel and know to the fullest extent 
all the palliations to which they are entitled in 
human eyes. 
There is one soul that knows us, personally, 
intimately, thoroughly—knows us not by media, 
THREE EXCELLENT HOOKS 
Tus remark is sometimes made derisively, that if 
formers are “ the bone and sinew " of the land, they are 
nothing more,—they are not its nerves and brain. They 
do little of the country’s thinking; they read but few 
books and papers, aod those are of the commonest sort. 
This may be true to some extent, and in some parts of 
the country, but not as ajgeneral rule and everywhere. 
It is less so now thau it was twenty-five or thirty years 
ago. A large portion of our agriculturists have as good 
educational advantages in youth as any other class in 
society, and they have as much leisure for mental im¬ 
provement afterwards, as any other. The houses of many 
formers are graced with good family libraries, in which 
history, science biography and poetry are well represent¬ 
ed. Many of the agricultural papers of the day are con¬ 
ducted with eminent ability. 
But we have no desire to measure lances with those 
who rpeak disparinglv of agriculturists. We have been 
lead to touch npon this subject by reading, of late, several 
excellent Agricultural books, published by A. 0. Moore 
& Co., of New York, (now Saxton. Barker rc Co.) Among 
these, wc would specify, in particular, the following: 
I.—Far* Drainage, by Hon Henry F. French, of 
New Hampshire. This volume is handsomely printed 
and illustrated. It is written in a vigorous and racy style, 
abounds in pactical allusions and hints, is pervaded by a 
genial humor, and is at the same time as plain and prac¬ 
tical as Daholl's Arithmetic. The importance of gra¬ 
tings ntthe outlets of drains, to prevent mice, toads and 
other vermin from clogging them up, is notavery poetical 
topic, one would think, yet, while treating of it, Mr. 
French gives tts flashes from Sh akhi-karx, Viroil and 
Coleridge. Still, these rhetorical embellishments do 
coat. 
part in the career of tins tall young barrister. 
Into the secrets of forest and frontier life 
Jackson was early initiated. He was used to 
camping out, aud know how to make it the most 
luxurious inode of passing a eight known to man. 
He was a capital shot, and became a better oue 
by-and-by. "George,” his favorite servant in 
after years, used to point out the tree in which 
he had often seen his master put tivo successive 
balls into the same hole. His bodily activity, as 
we have seen, was unusual. He was a young 
man of a quick, brisk, springy step, with not a 
lazy bone in bis body; and though his constitu¬ 
tion was not robust, it was tongh and enduring 
beyond that of any man of whom history gives 
account. 
He was far from handsome. His face was long, 
thin and fair; his forehead high and somewhat 
narrow; his hair, reddish-sandy in color, was 
exceedingly abundant, and fell down low over his 
forehead. The bristling hair of the ordinary 
A Short Sermon on Manliness. —Learn from 
tho earliest days to inure your principles against 
the peril of ridicule; you can no more exercise 
your reason if you live in tho constant dread of 
laughter, than you can enjoy your life if you aro 
in tho constant terror of death. If you think it 
right to differ from the times, and to make a point 
of morals, do it, however rustic, however anti¬ 
quated, however pedantic it may appear; do it 
not for insolence, but seriously and grandly—as a 
man who wore a soul of his own in his bosom, 
and did not wait till it was breathed into him by 
the breath of fashion .—Sidney Smith. 
Crystallizing Grasses.— J. C. F., Westville, 
Conn., inquires how to "crystallize grasses dif¬ 
ferent colors.” Take your grasses when dry, and 
clip them iu a solution of gum arable, shake off 
the loose drops, and roll them in dry paint. You 
can by this means make them any color you wish, 
aud when put with crystallized grasses, make a 
handsome winter boquet-G. B. W., Perm Yan, 
N. Y., Jan., 1860. 
The chief secret of comfort lies in not suffering 
trifles to vex us, and in prudently cultivating an 
undergrowth of small pleasures, since very few 
great ones, alas! are let on long leases. 
