mixing the flocks. Our own opinion is fixed 
that exercise is important lor breeding ewes , and 
that under ordinary circumstances they will not 
get enough of it if kept rigidly confined nearly 
the whole period of gestation to a small yard— 
particularly if they are, as is becoming usual, fed 
and watered in the stable. To this confine¬ 
ment, connected with high keeping and con¬ 
tinuous dry feed, we ettiibute the increasing 
recurrence of those reasons when lambs come 
small and weak and perish vrith or without ap¬ 
parent disease. Many tell us that they keep 
their sheep closely confiued, and yet never have 
their lambs come small and weak. The occa¬ 
sional loss of five or ten per cent, of weak lambs 
is soon forgotten if no written records of ihe 
flock are preserved; and, granting there are one 
or many such instances of apparent impunity, if 
it is contrary to sound principles of physics, it no 
mere establishes tho propriety of close confine¬ 
ment during pregnancy, than does the apparent 
impunity of hundreds and thousands of human 
violators of natural laws — drunkards, debau¬ 
chees, etc.,—establish the healthfulness of their 
vicious course. We know that the mare, the 
cow and the sow do not do as well if closely 
confined and high fed during the period of ges¬ 
tation. We know that the best medical writers 
earnestly recommend the usual amount of exer¬ 
cise and the avoidance ■ f luxurious feed to the 
human female, during the same important 
period. Then why can we suppose that the 
sheep—an animal naturally peculiarly inclined 
to rove about—should be an exception to the 
same laws of health? 
Green feed is also essential to the sheep, and 
particularly to the breeding ewe. It is natui al. 
The sheep earnestly craves it—and the voice of 
natural instinct never habitually misleads the 
appetite of any brute. It prevents eh lie. It 
tends to prevent other diseases. It tends to 
prevent that unnatural and unhealthy plethora 
incidental to pregnancy and always dangerous 
in its consequences. 
If a pasture or meadow adjoining the sheep 
pen could be kept unfed during the fall so as to 
leave a heavy coat of grass on it, and if the 
breeding ewes eonid be let out on it an hour 
every day, when they chose, to dig through the 
snow for grass, they would get both exercise 
and green feed: and vte believe they would be 
the better for it—though possibly they would 
not exhibit the pampered beauty of overfed and 
constantly housed show sheep. We believe 
they would be better breeders now — and espe¬ 
cially that they and their descendants would 
better resist that fatal tendency to produce 
weak lambs which is already disclosing itself in 
so many flocks—and which would disclose itself 
more, but for the admirable skill in other re¬ 
spects with which so many of our flocks arc 
managed. Nature sometimes gives long credits, 
hut Rbe exacts principal and interest at last. 
The powerful human constitution which with¬ 
stands the effect of debauchery for years, suc¬ 
cumbs at last: or if death intervenes, posterity 
pays the debt. One generation of sheep may ex¬ 
hibit the effects of mismanagement but slightly. 
If the mismanagement is continued, the next 
will exhibit it more, and so on. 
The small Merino breeding flocks in Vermont 
seem to show the strongest examples of the 
safety of close confinement and high keep in 
winter. But here comes in that remarkable 
skill which we have spoken of. Most of the 
docks get green feeds once or twice a week; and 
as for exercise, not a few oi them are driven 
about enough every day by purchasers and visi¬ 
tors, to afford them abundance of it. We have 
heard it colloquially asserted, that the flock of one 
distinguished breeder walk round in their sheds, 
and in and out of their sheds, as they are shown 
to visitors, more than three miles a day, d ring 
the entire winter, though there is doubtless con¬ 
siderable sportive exaggeration in this state¬ 
ment. As the ewe approaches the term of her 
pregnancy and grows heavy, she needs less exer¬ 
cise, and should be left mainly to her inclina¬ 
tions in that particular. 
Are we asked by persons unaccustomed to 
give their sheep green feed in winter, if it will 
not t"ke off their appetites for dry feed? A 
vigorous confinement to dry feed for a considera¬ 
ble period, and then a sudden admission to as 
i, uch green feed as they will eat, (for example, 
turning out hay fed sheep to grass during a 
“January thaw,") will produce this effect. 
But a reasonable quantity of green feed daily, 
will not, any further tbau it supplies In part the 
natural appetite, have any tendency to produce 
that effect. We can pronounce on this point 
confidently, having daily fed our sheep turnip? 
in winter for more than twenty-five years. 
Sheep Breeders’ and Wool Growers’ 
Association oe N. Y.—The time and place 
of calling the Winter Meeting of this Associa¬ 
tion were left to its President. Some of our 
friends have suggested Syracuse and others 
Albany, as the best place, and some January 
aud others February, as the best time for the 
meeting. Our wish is to call it where the 
attendance will be largest and the interests 
which the Association is intended to foster be 
best promoted. Persons connected with sheep 
husbandry', and all others interested, are invited 
to correspond with us on the subject. 
CONDENSED CORRESPONDENCE, ITEMS, &c. 
Sale of American Sheep in Australia.— Messrs. 
,T. H. Clough & Co., the eminent Wool Brokers of 
Melbourne, Australia, have forwarded to us a priced 
dialogue of a large sule of imported rams made by 
Uiem, at auction, at Melbourne, August 16th and 17lii, 
1861 . Among the lots was Otoe of eleven rams, bred by 
George Campbell of Westminster, Vermont These 
sold on an average for £65.9* or $268 88 per bead 
These sheep, if shipped directly from New York to 
Australia, had a passage of between thirteen and four 
teen thousand miles. If they were first shipped to 
England, the passage was nearly three thousand mileB 
longer. 
The Ohio Farmer.— Tills ably conducted Journal 
speaks with becoming pride of the effects produced on 
tho wool growlntr interest by the organization of the 
Ohio Wool Growers’ Association, which we will say, 
as its own modesty suppresses the fact, was in a great 
measure due to its own able, energetic and untiring 
efforts. Gen. Harris may well congratulate himself 
on the effects produced on the wool trade of the coun¬ 
try by this aud kludred Associations in other States; 
and, as be not obscurely hints, ihey may have impor¬ 
tant duties to discharge In reference to movements 
soon tn take place In other quarters. Gen. H, though 
not. a wool grower himself, deserves the gratitude of 
al! that class or agriculturists in I he United States for 
his constant, fearless and able advocacy of their 
interests. 
-- 
Tonn's Improved Scamp pojiMarking Sheep. —In 
answer to several inquirers, we would say that, for 
neatness, durability and easiness of being cleaned, no 
stamps for marking letters aud figures on the pides of 
sheep after rhearing, equal those of A. Todd, Jr. of 
Ontario, Wayne Co., N. Y. They are three aud a half 
inches long, accurately shaped, aud are formed of cast 
iron with email Iron handles which can be readily 
lengthened by those who wish it, by driving down 
feruled wooden handles over t he iron ones. One set of 
stamps, fthe ten numerals,) costa $2 00, and with 
initial letters, $2 25. 
■ - «-»<- 
Bban axdSuorts pobTbos.—A. of Kenosha, Wis., 
wishes to know whether bran and shorta are good feed 
for tegs. They are admirable for that purpose, if tegs 
go Into the winter strong and fleshy no grain feed could 
possibly be better for them. If they require stronger 
feed, a little oats or corn or peas may be mixed with 
the bran and shorts. 
(ttommunkotirms, ®tc. 
WINTERING BEES IN THE OPEN AIR IN 
MOVABLE COMB HIVES. 
Mit. 0. Sprague, of Fulton, Whiteside coun¬ 
ty Illinois, has devised a plan which with some 
modifications promises to effect as great an im¬ 
provement in wintering bees, as the movable 
coinb frames have wrought In handling and 
managing them. He has tested it for three 
years, first with nine, then with sixty-four and 
last winter with seventy-five stocks, without 
losing one where the bees had sufficient honey, 
although from the extreme cold of last winter 
many bee keepers in his vicinity lost nearly all 
their colonies. . 
Having noticed that dry corn-cobs were ad¬ 
mirable absorbents of moisture, and non-con- 
daetors ol heat, it occured to him to remove in 
the Fall the honey-board and use cobs in its 
place. These can be easily cut to suitable 
lengths with a sharp hatchet, so that two rows 
laid crosswise will exactly cover the tops of the 
frames, by alternately placing the rows butt to 
butt, and point to point. A few nails in the 
front or rear ledge of the hive, or tacks in the 
tops of the frames for the outer cobs of each 
row to rest against, will keep them in place 
when the cover of the hive is raised. 
Mr. Sprague has a machine by which he cuts 
thirty or forty cobs per minute, and in one day 
he can cut aud adjust enough for fifty stocks, ir 
stored in a dry place they arc almost as durable 
as cork; to which in warmth and dryness they 
bear close resemblance. 
Mr. Sprague says that the bees easily pass 
from comb to comb under the warm hollows 
made by the cobs, where they lie against each 
other; thus requiring no other winter passage. 
In the coldest weather his bees are warm and 
dry, adhering closely to the lower &ides of the 
cobs, and they come out of winter quarters in 
prime condition, very few having died in the 
hives. The frost which often collects in the 
upper cover of the hive, cannot when melted, 
wet the colony, as the cobs will absorb and 
retain all the dampness which can possibly 
arise from “ the breath of bees.” Before using 
the cobs, his colonies, when wintered on their 
summer stands, were often in the spring |both 
weak and sickly, By removing the honey- 
board be sometimes saw large drops of water on 
the tops of the frames, even when all its holes 
had been left open for tbe escape of dampness, 
and in some Instances the bees were so drench¬ 
ed that a sudden change to a severe temperature 
would have frozen them into a solid mass if left 
in the open air. 
Mr. Sprague further claims that the cobs en¬ 
able him without any drawback in wintering 
his bees, to use a low or shallow hive, which 
shape he is satisfied, after much experience, 
yields more surplus honey in marketable form, 
than can be obtained from taller hives. 
Since Mr. Sprague communicated his plan to 
me, 1 have placed a layer of cobs on the bottom 
board, also suspending tbe frames on cobs 
fastened to the rabbets ;an<l have lined the sides 
with cobs held in an upright position by fine 
annealed Iron wire, fastened to the heads of nails 
driven into the sides of the hive. 
I think that these sides and bottom linings 
are a great improvement, and that the saving of 
honey will more than pay for their additional 
cost. Many however, will prefer Mr Sprague's 
plan, as it requires less labor, aud may be used 
wheu the lateness of the season does not permit 
a more thorough lining of the hive. 
If any stocks are likely to need feeding, I 
would advise shortening two or more of the 
central cobs of each row, so as to leave a space 
for a piece of oid-comb or a shallow feeder, 
which when covered with cobs and old woolen 
garments, will alow the bees to be safely fed in 
the coldest weather. In the Spring, a little food 
to stimulate breeding may be sprinkled on the 
cobs, or water, when the weather is too chilly 
to allow the bees to venture abroad. 
In many parts of Europe where corn-cobs 
cannot be obtained, winter lining for movable, 
comb-hives may be made of straw. Permanent 
linings of straw are objectionable, because they 
afford in summer an excellent harbor for the 
larva: of the bee-moth, and occupy so much 
room that the size and cost of the hive must be 
considerably increased. There is no need of 
any summer lining to prevent the combB of 
movable frame hives from being melted by the 
heat: as with proper ventilation, suoh hives may 
be safely exposed if necessary to the full heat of 
our hottest suns. 
There can be no question that corn-cobs are 
preferable to straw either as temporary or per¬ 
manent linings for bee-hives; and the lovers of 
the busy bee in this country will appreciate the 
services ol Mr. Sprague, in suggesting and suc¬ 
cessfully experimenting with a material so 
cheap, so lasting and so universally accessible. 
L. L. Langstrotii. 
Oxford, Butler County, Ohio, October, ISBi. 
HOW TO KEEP BOOTS. 
Seeing an inqury on this important point 
about root raising, I thought perhaps my ex¬ 
perience in root raising might he of some little 
worth to some of the numerous readers of the 
Rural. In raising roots, I consider it of the 
greatest importance to look well to the first 
handling, preparatory to laying them by, what¬ 
ever the kind may be, carrots or turnips. I will 
give my mode of digging and storing. Take 
your spade and begin on the first row, loose the 
roots, grasp the tops in one hand, toss them back 
about three feet, leaving them in a row, with 
the tops toward you. Now take the next row, 
shake well, toss them so as to leave the carrot on 
the first row’s tops, and so on until you have dug 
what you can take care of that day; then take 
your knife and basket and go where you began 
to dig. If it i- a suitable day you will find the 
carrots dry and nice, lying In plain sight ready 
to top. Cut the tops close. If any dirt, or 
straggling roots are on, rub off the dirt and break 
offthe roots. Where are you going to put them ? 
—in the cellar or in a pit? if in a pit, dig.one 
three feet wide, and as long as you please; I 
think 25 or 30 bushels is enough in one pit. If 
you have a dry place, dig 8 or 10 inches deep, 
heap them above the ground as high as they will 
lay, cover thick with straw and not much dirt— 
say about 10 inches. Be sure to Leave two or 
three air holes in the top as largo as a hoe han¬ 
dle until cold weather; then shut tight. In this 
way I have never lost any. Turnips should be 
covered 5 or 0 inches, but be sure to give them 
air until freezing weather. 
I think a house cellar too warm. I have one 
under my bam floor, 10 by 30 feet. The barn 
stands about 3 feet above the surface of the 
ground. I have a window at the north end; as 
I drive in the bam. at the south end I can drive 
a team and wagon up to the window, and with 
the aid of a spout, scoop roots into the cellar. 
We go from a low stable, through a door, into 
the cellar. When storing we carry them back 
rainy days or evenings then take a broom and 
sweep the dirt up and throw it out. By this 
time the roots are cleafi and dry. I have put in 
over five hundred bushels in this way at one 
time and they kept welL 
I laid the wall of my root cellar, paved the 
bottom and plastered it with water-lime myself, 
with the aid of a hired man; it is not done quite 
as smoothly as a mason would have dsne it, but 
it is a good place for roots; it cost in all about 
$50, ten years ago. I store all my rough apples 
in it to feed. I leave the window open until cold 
weather, and then, when the air feels too warm 
on going into it I leave the door open until it 
feels cooler, and then close it. 
I consider root-raising indispensable in good 
farm cwnomy where stock raising and fatten¬ 
ing is practiced. The late rains in this section 
are unfavorable lor roots to remain in the ground. 
I like to have them remain in as long as I dare, 
and save in good order. A. Smith. 
Hess Hoad, N. Y 
Remarks.— Our correspondent does not tell 
us in his Interesting letter, what time, nor to 
what kind of stock, he thinks it most profitable 
to feed his roots. We shall be glad to receive 
his experience in feeding, preparing roots for 
feeding, &e. 
■ - »■* ■ — 
HARD TIMBERED LANDS OF MICHIGAN. 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker :-Seeing a com¬ 
munication in a late number of the Rural re¬ 
specting the sandy soils of Michigan, I would 
like to speak of some of the hard wood sections 
which he says arc “ good , but not so nicely 
located.” The 1st of last August I visited that 
vicinity to see whether its excellence, as repre¬ 
sented to me, came up to my ideal of a home — 
such as every one wishes when he locates for 
life. To insure this ‘“ideal” It is desirable to 
combine as many as possible of the following 
qualities: first, good soil; second, good water: 
third, good timber; fourth, a healthy location: 
fifth, convenient to market and communication 
with the world. Other:' might be named, but 
the above are sufficient if found within the 
reach of our purse. 
From the end of my railroad route, (Grand 
Haven) I took the propeller north, 70 miles, to 
tbe mouth of Little Bablo river, where the pop¬ 
ulation is collected by the best w ater mill I ever 
saw; and the harbor has taken to itself the satis¬ 
factory name of Lincoln. The river, back one 
half mile from tbe harbor, widens into a lake 
about one-haif mile wide and lour miles long, 
and filled, as are all the little lakes in this part of 
Michigan, with an abundant supply of fish. 
Above the lake the river is Davigable (1 miles 
from the harbor, and will be, I was told, when 
cleared of snags, 12 miles or more. But I found 
at the distance of 7 mile* from the barbor, as 
nearly as I could judge, all the above qualities, 
and to my mind it was “nicely located ” on tbe 
banks of this streaui. The curse of all good new 
countries—speculators—have not yet visited it 
to any great extent, and actual settlers can have 
it free at the hands of the Government. 
On my return, 1 traveled by land through the 
country watered by the Pere Marquette and 
Pent Water rivers, and found the land near Lake 
Michigan covered with timber, described by 
your correspondent, and the soil “ hungry ” 
enough. But back on the hard Umbered land, 
which is blessed with a substratum of clay, I 
found the black sandy soil teeming with abund- 
aut vegetation, notwithstanding the drouth, 
which was as severe a3 in any part of the country. 
Such an abundance of large and thrifty sugar 
maples 1 never saw any where else; and it seems 
to me that the present high price of sugar calls 
for the proper working of those immense forests. 
I do not know of any brauch of farming that 
would pay better. The land in the vicinity of 
White Lake and south to Muskegon was, as you 
described it, “ hungry.” Hungry not only for 
clay and peat to be incorporated in its soil, but 
hungry for settlers, and must remain so until the 
better parts are occupied. But with all prairie 
land for a market for its timber, and Lake Mich¬ 
igan for a highway, the hard timbered sections 
of Michigan are bound to a speedy settlement as 
soon as enterprising men penetrate beyond the 
nearly worthless belt of laud that lies along the 
shore. If any of your readers purpose moving 
to a new country they would do well to 
thoroughly examine this part of the world, but 
let speculators invest their spare funds ingovern- 
ment stocks and not curse every desirable part 
of the earth’s surface with their presence. 
J. B. 
ABOUT MARL AND KILNS. 
Eds. Rural New Yorker:— Seeing a little 
notice in your paper of a marl bed in Pennsyl¬ 
vania, I read it with much interest, because I 
was once engaged for several years in manu¬ 
facturing mar] Into lime. From various experi¬ 
ments tried by myself and neighbors i am led to 
differ from Professor Dewey aato marl being 
more valuable than lime for lands. We found it 
to the contrary every time. I have lately 
examined the crops and soil where the experi¬ 
ments were tried ten or twelve years ago. 
The petrified marl is best for lime; still if tbe 
soft marl is well manufactured into brick, and 
then burned, it will make good lime for house 
walls, but not for stone. Marl lime can not be 
burued in a perpetual kiln, but has to be filled, 
burned, emptied, and filled again. The best 
material for the kiln is marl, for the lime never 
wants washing or sifting if the kiln is made of 
the same—no dirt gets in. The best shape I 
found for a kiln is this: for a smallish kiln, nuke 
it a long square, 8 feet by 10, with the corners a 
Utile rounded, and i) feet high, with one arch at 
one end for the wood. If this, or any part of it, 
is worthy of note, please give it a place. I will 
give any information in regard to the marl-lime 
business that I can, at any time when called 
upon to do so. Ira C. Crandall. 
Little Valley, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. 
Remarks.— Prof. Dewey is not responsible 
for the remark that marl should not be burned 
if it is to be used on land. Of course its value 
burned or otherwise must dopend both upon the 
character of the marl and tbe soil to which it is 
applied. We do not think tho sample of marl 
sent us from Pennsylvania would be improved 
for application to soils that do not contain large 
quantities of humus, by burning. 
Rural Notre anlr (SHueries. 
Tine Report on Agriculture —Undur this heading 
a Washington paper says: — “ The quarto volume on 
Agriculture, bring tbe second volume of the regular 
series or the Census publications, is in the press, and 
will be presented to Congress early in tho coming ses¬ 
sion. lu addition to the tables of agricultural pro¬ 
ductions, the wort; will contain n full review of Ihe 
progress Of agriculture up to tho present time, and pre 
sen: an exhibit of the improvements In agricultural 
machinery, as well ns of the advance la agricultural 
science, and Its resultB on our productions It will 
also contain a history or tnc grain trade of the United 
States, domestic as well as foreign, aud piesent much 
general Information of interest to the farmer and inval 
uablc to the statesman.” 
— Whether the forthcoming volume i* the annual 
report of liic Commissioner of Agriculture, or an ema¬ 
nation from IheOeusns Bureau, we arc unable to deter¬ 
mine,—bnt probably the latter, as the former is usually 
In octavo form, aud not, moreover, so full of meat as 
promised in the above announcement But whatever 
tho source, the Agricultural World may anticipate a 
stunning work, like unto its predecessors lmiliDg from 
the seat of government. The manufacture of books in 
Washington, lor the benefit of favored constituents of 
Members of Congress, is about the hugest swindle to 
which the American people are subjected. 
The Loyal States not Laid Waits nr War —In 
1861 the Mark Lane (English) Kxprets said that so much 
of this country was laid waste by war that no large 
amount of grain could be expected The same prophecy 
was repeated iti 1862 and 1863. An examination of the 
returns published by the government shows that while 
Great Britain imported from this country 1,261,150 
quarters of wheat (aud Its equivalent In flour,) from 
Jau 1 to July 1,1863, the amount for the corresponding 
period this year was 1,210,286 quarters-showing but a 
very small decrease. Indeed we find also that while 
in 1862 — the year of Our greatest exports, as well as of 
England’s greatest, need — we supplied her with 18 per 
cent, of the foreign wheat, she consumed; during the 
first six months of 1861, 80 per cent, of oil she has taken, 
was derived from our markets— bo that our supply has 
continued, within thlscompnrntlvely unimportant frac¬ 
tion, in proportion to her demand 
A Large bow —One or our Kentucky subscribers— 
H- M M’Cabty, K*q. of bhepherdsvlllo—has a Nea¬ 
politan sow, (black and almost hairless,) that measures 
6 feet -1 inches from tip of snout to root of tail, and 5 
feet 1(1 Inches around the girth. It 1s not fat and not fed 
with a view of fattening, hut runs loose lti a woods pas¬ 
ture, living on mast Who has a liner “ stock hog? ” 
■ I 4 I — - ■ 
Deferred —Several articles intended lor this num¬ 
ber, and also over two columns of advertisements. 
Advertising friends will please exercise patience—for, 
though advertising is t he only profitable branch of the 
Rural this year, we must not indulge in “ too much of 
a good thing.” 
Get toe Genuine Rural —We occasionally re¬ 
ceive leite.ru from persons who have subscribed for a 
paper with the prefix “ Rural,” supposing they were 
to have the Rural New Yorker, a weekly Agricul¬ 
tural and Family Newspaper, bnt who aver they were 
mistaken. An Illinois Farmer writes ns that, aelnb 
was formed in his town last winter for u Rural which 
he thought was the genuine, bnt on Us receipt it proved 
to be the Rural -, which, as he adds, “sold ns 
entirely, as It was a horse or quite another color.” He 
requests ns to send specimens, Ac., In order that “a 
club for the next volume of tho original and reliable 
Rural may he formed in season”—adding that if the 
people of his locality “sre humbugged again by a 
catchpenny affair it will be their own fault.”., We 
thinkonr correspondent is rather hard on iv contempo¬ 
rary which advertisers itself as no humbug, though it 
don’t tell when or how often il is published. 
-- 
Mason & Hamlin’s Cabinet Organ —The success 
which everywhere attends the Introduction of this in¬ 
strument not only speaks favorably for the ability and 
genius of its manufacturers, but Is also a true indica¬ 
tion of the advance of t he Art of Music. Our neighbor, 
the Kxpresgf concludes an able article on this subject 
ns follows:— “As a substitute Tor the pipe organ 
nothing yet. produced can compare with the Cabinet 
Organ; and we learn that such is the demand for it, 
both at home and abroad, (for it is confessed that 
nothing of the kind In Europe can equal lt.) that the 
manufacturers have now the largest factory of the kind 
in the world, and give constant employment to hun¬ 
dreds of men ” Attention is directed to the announce¬ 
ment of Messrs. Mason & Hamlin In this paper. 
- >-*-• - 
A Thorn dale Bull for Illinois,—W e notice that, 
since the election of Mr. Wentworth of Illinois to 
Congress, he has secured for his herd at Summit Farm, 
an entirely red, yearling bull of the Thorndale stock. 
He was sired by Mr. Thorne’s Celebrated Duke of 
Geneva, (l'Jb’H,) who was sent to England and sold for 
$3,000, and who has won a great reputation there both 
as a prise winner and stock getter, he being out of 
Duchess71st by 2nd Grand Duke (12981) Mr. Went¬ 
worth’s bull was out of the largest cow ever Imported 
by Mr. Thorne, named Mistress Gwynne, by Grand 
D uke, (M r. -! _^ _ 
An Early Wixter — Last week we remarked that 
the wells and springs were full, and we should not be 
surprised if winter were to take possession at once. 
And the indications are that winter will set in early at 
the North, ir indeed it has not already. Our exchanges 
and letters tell of cold weather and heavy snows in 
various parts of the West, and in Northern New York 
and New England, during the past week. Those who 
are not already “snowed lu,” will do well to prep ire 
for the grim monster. 
Comstock’s Spader — It will be seen by reference to 
our advertising columns, that this machine, which we 
have before noticed as working a revolution iu the 
agriculture of the West, is to be supplied to cultivators 
from Pittsburgh, Pa. Wo look to see these Implements 
largely used in the East as well as in the West. 
->-*-•- 
Potato Crop.—John Willis of Tompkins Co , N. 
Y., writes us be produced from eight pounds of pota¬ 
toes, this year, thirteen bushels and three pecks of the 
same. He cut the seed into ns many pieces as there 
were eyes, planting two ryes in a hill. Varieties, Cuz¬ 
co, Rusty Coat, Pinkeye and Garnet Chill. 
Steel Plows.— We continue to receive testimony in 
favor of steel plows ns compared with cast Don. 
Those manufactured by Remington & Sous, Lilian, N. 
Y., and John Deere of Moline, Ilk, arc especially 
commended. 
Trr Practical Shepherd.— The price of this valu¬ 
able etaudard work on Sheep Husbandry has been ad¬ 
vanced to $2. It is cheap at that figure, compared 
with prices of other works of like size, style, etc. See 
advertisement. 
-»-*->- 
Burson’s Binder —You said, in a late number, that 
you think there is not a grain biuder yet made that will 
work in the hands of the farmers. 1 purchased one of 
W. W. & n. M Burson’b American Grain Binders last 
harvest, and it. worked well, giving entire satisfaction. 
If yon think It will do any good to publish this you 
can.—A. II., Waukesha Co., Win. 
We do not know but we have said what onr corres¬ 
pondent says wo have, but we think he is mistaken, 
although we know t at prior to tbe past senson, Bur- 
son s Binders were not entirely satisfactory in the 
hands of farmers We know they will work or may be 
worked well, for we have seen It done. Wcdufsay, 
last June, that we seriously doubted if there was a 
binder so perfected as to be an economical aid to the 
farmer with the present cost of wire. If Hudson's, or 
any other, has proved to be such an aid tbe past season 
we shall be glad to record It. Will onr correspondent 
tell ns the cost per acre or binding wheat. Including 
the labor and wire, with this biuder? Also the rust of 
binding the same amount by baud, paying the current 
harvest wages- To say that a machine has given entire 
satisfaction is n very broad term; hut we like to know 
just how easily a man may be satisfied Facts and 
flguera will show whether be has any grounds for sat 
isiaction or not Pray, let us have them. 
i 4 » 
Maple Sugar. —We are indebted to Mr. J W. 
Tnu mbull, of this lown, for a cake of superior maple 
sngar, made by him on Monday last, from trees just 
tapped. This is the first time we ever heard of maple 
sugar being made in November .—Pulaski (AT. T) Dem 
ncrai, Nor. 2UA. 
-■»» 
Warts on Cows’ Teats —Please tell “afanner's 
wife” to wash her cows’ teats with alum-water directly 
alter milking, and the warts will disappear in a few 
day*. I tried it on two cows and lt cured them.—S. 8. 
Bailey, Pierce Cb., Ili-s. 
-.»■ 
Ground Moles —I wish to Inquire of your fifty 
thousand subscribers tbe host, way to get rid of the 
around moles They are very destructive with ns. I 
would Uke the practical experience of n few men. It 
will doubtless do good in more than one locality.—Dr. 
11 N M , /leme.lite, Mo. 
To Tan Skins —Will some ol the readers of the Ru¬ 
ral please inform me, through its columns, tho best 
process hv which to tan shins with the far on so that 
they will be pliable, a'*” the best mode to dress the 
fell for user—G G- B., Binghamton, N. Y 
-— -( 4 * —- 1 ■ - 
Side Hill Plow — Plea u inform me through the 
Rural who manufactures a steel side-hill plow. I 
have used several cast side-hill plows and none of them 
would break blue gras* sod — J. P. A , Me/amora, Ind. 
- ♦ ■ 
Manufacturing Tobacco —Will some one please 
inform me, through the Rural, how to manufacture 
ping or chewing tobacco from the leaf?—U. M. Oort 
LAND. 
• - - - 
(’ONDRNxKD Milk —Can any one Inform mo how to 
condense milk as It l« sent to soldiers through the S#n- 
ltary Commission?—C. M. Portland, 
-- 
Read correspondence about “Terms of the Rural 
New-YobkkR for 1865,” in first column of page 365. 
