mooke’s euem* hew-yoe: 
n 
. 21 
The machinery for the worlt of refining eugar is 
much more costly than that required for refining 
Birap alone. The cost of tbiB refinery is little, if 
any, Icsb than $125,000. Its capacity Is enormous. 
Its boilers will hold 90,000 pounds of sugar at once. 
But with a little modification it can be used for both 
purposes-for the refining of both sugar and sirup. 
We look to see reflnerya built up in the different 
sections of the sorghum producing States, whereat 
the crude material may be putin marketable, useable, 
and eatable shape, on a large Beale, and refined sirup 
or cash returned to the producer for the Bamc. r Ih> a 
is the purpose of the proprietors of this establish¬ 
ment, and they have made a good introduction oi 
the Sorghum product, refined, to the notice of the 
public. 
After having seen the process, we Bhall write more 
of it. 
TO DRIVE RATS. 
The great gray rats that infest the grain stacks 
and granaries of the West, cost nearly as much to 
keep as the same number of sheep. A farmer told 
me the other day he would give twenty-five dollars 
for something that would drive them from his prem¬ 
ises. I told him wbat I knew would do it, but could 
not say what the cost would be. And 1 am reminded cf 
of the conversation with him by seeing it asserted w 
that gas tar, daubed in their holes and placed in to 
corn cribs and granaries, will cause them to leave. 4b 
I should think it would!—but I do not know that it 80 
will. But I do know that ferrets are “ death on rats.” A 
How they scamper whon the ferrot is let loose! w 
They are effectually driven off. They do not soon di 
come back. My friend G«0. B. Davis, of this city, 
said to me one day, as he pulled one of his pets from 1,1 
bis great coat pocket, “ This here his the feller what w 
gives hemployraent to ha dozen Patricks with their 1,1 
shilalahs wbero the rats hare plenty. Be golly, blf hl 
’e don’t make ’em jump!”— uml from the other 1° 
pocket he pulled a large slice of fresh beef, iu which K' 
the ferret fastened bis teeth, and Gboiuik held him f?' 
out at arm’s length to show bis 11 way of’olding lion!” * e 
Gkorob has a way of his own in managing these •' 
pretty and useful creatures. They cost little to keep, il: 
“Twenty bon 'hem don’t cost ns much as one rat, v vf 
said Geoiiok must be kept clean, and require a Bt 
warm—not hot place—in winter. There are doubt- 
less many Rubai, readers who kuow all about them; 
but, there arc others who do not. Ruch should have 
Gkokgk’s mode of management. But get ferrqts (if cl 
you can) if your stacks or premises are infested by 4,1 
the rats, and they will leave your place quickly, and ai 
your neighbor, wbo lias no ferrets, will soon inform ’’ 
you that lie is “overrun with rata—never saw them 18 
ho thick.” " 
One of the essentials, in keeping ferrets, is cleanli- ” 
ness. Their cages must be so arranged and furnished NV 
as to avoid filth; for, like all sensible animals, the 0 
ferret soon dies if it is not kept clean. The cage w 
should have two or three compartments, which 11 
should be well furnished with clean, sweat, sort hay. 
The lawn cuttingB are best. The cage should bo f< 
cleaned twice a week, and washed thoroughly occa u 
sionally. j* 
In summer they may bo kept in a barrel—an apple 1 
barrel, with holes bored in the bottom, and throe 8 
iucheB of straw laid in. Over the top nail laths to v 
keep the dogs out. They must have air. A barrel 41 
thus prepared and frequently eleaned, is an excellent 1 
place for them in summer. 
In winter make a snug box with threo compart- v 
ments—two partitions. Fill one of these full of bay. 1 
Feed in another apartment, and allow them to have 1 
free access to the third for their own private pur 8 
poses. In this way they will ho careful to keep 1 
themselves clean. Get the front of the cage be made 1 
of laths, to admit light aud air. Keep them In a * 
•warm barn where there is other stock with horses 4 
or cattle, where the air is kept warm. Do not admit 1 
& strong draught of air to them. When tho weather < 
is very cold, protoct them by throwing a forkful of 
hay over the cage. I 
A little milk, and some kind oi fresh meate-beef, i 
or a piece of fowl or bird—are al'l that they desire , 
as food. They must not have salt food; it mill. kill. 1 
them. If the ferret has young, shoot a bird, pull off < 
a few feathers, and throw it into the cage. It will i 
be quickly and eagerly devoured. A piece of fresh . 
beef will be acceptable. Do not cut it too line. 
The day before the ferret is to hunt, ho Bliould have 
no food! give him a little water, and he will be in 
condition to hunt. If rats are to bo hunted, do not 
muzzle tho ferret; but if rabbits arc the game, put 
on a muzzle. 
If rats arc plenty, it is a good practice to rear a 
young Scotch terrier witti the ferrets, and let them 
learn to co-operate In the work of extermination. 
Mr. Ferret will explore the subterranean passages 
and ferret out Mr. Rat, while the Scotchman scotches 
and destroys the victim the moment ho makes his 
appearance above ground or out of doors. But the 
terrier iB not essential; for where ferrets are kept, 
rats and rabbits will not remain; and the cost of 
keeping one rat Is greater than that involved by the 
care and support of a half dozen ferrets. 
I asked Gkoikim about their breeding, and the 
care required, and give his answer in his own words: 
“They will breed twice per year, but I do not let 
them breed but once. One female will bear from 
five to nine per litter, and that is cnougli for her to 
Bring up in a year. After fco female has had the 
buck three wcekB, isolate her und put her where she 
won’t hear the old fellow (the buck) Bcratch. Iced 
her well with birds, milk, Ac. When you see that 
she is scratching up a handful of hay, give her 
plenty of it. She must be left to her own quiet, j 
The cage should be covered so that she can see no 
one; especially the first three weeks after she has 
dropped her young, she must not be disturbed or 
allowed to see anybody. The door ol the cage must 
not be opened to get her food to her; push it through 
the laths. Feed her bread soaked in milk, and let it 
be milk-warm. Arrangements should be made for 
feeding her quietly and without disturbing her, be¬ 
fore she is confined. If disturbed, she will destroy 
her young. 
Mr. D. lias eight or ten ferrets, and they don’t eat 
a half pint of milk per day. A small pieeo of meat 
suffices; and, although he is in the midst of a rat 
region, has not seen one on hiB premises for years. 
And rabbits never bark his trees or disturb his 
plants. With the foregoing precautions, he has no 
difficulty in keeping them in this climate and breed¬ 
ing them successfully. 
exception or the shoes, which are getting very thin, 
it seems as perfect as when new. J have not paid 
out fifty cents in repairs, except painting. It has 
been painted twice during the time, and has not 
staid out doors ten nights during the whole time. In 
the fall of 1858 I exhibited this sled, one doable 
wagon that had been used eight years, one hoe that 
bad been in use twenty-eight years without even a 
new handle, and one pitchfork that had been in uBe 
fifteen years without even a new stale, at the Adams 
Union Agricultural Fair, held in that tpwn. I did 
not expect a premium, from the fact of their not 
being made the last year, but was awarded a discre¬ 
tionary premium. They were pronounced by the 
committee on tools as good as new, with the exoep 
tion of the natural Wear. And now, Messrs. Editors, 
should you think the above worthy a place in your 
columns, for the benefit of farmers, yon can use It in 
this way. Lorino Coolby. 
Rodman, N. Y., 1861. 
DI xt §**-$** 
CAKE OP IMPLEMENTS. 
Ena. Rural Nbw-Yobkek:— Seeing in your last 
Rubai, an article in relation to the care of farm imple¬ 
ments, I wish, in answer to his recommendations, to 
state my experience. I had a sled made in the fall 
of 1834, at a coBt of nineteen dollars. I have the 
same sled now, and I will warrant it to carry as large 
a load as when it came out of the shop. With the 
Finding nnd Hiving Wild Itccs. j s f 
Eds. Rural Nhw-Yokkkh:—I n answer to certain tli 
correspondents who are desirous of learning the fo: 
modus operandi of bee-bunting, 1 will now proceed cli 
to give, as well as I may be able, the method prae- hfl 
ticed by myself, whereby I have no difficulty in very be 
soon determining the exact locality of tho swarm, wl 
As something depends upon the season of the year in al 
which it is proposed to hunl them, I will give the tli 
different methods suitable for each, beginning with be 
early spring. Take tho middle of a warm sunny day, th 
the thermometer above 48° in the shade, go to the 1 
woods near the supposed locality of the wild swarm, 
and with a lighted match or candle, burn a little dry b« 
honey-comb, bees wax or piece of wood, on which a vi 
few drops of oil of anise has been poured. Keep a 
gentle “smudge" (to nse the bee-bunter’s phrase) n< 
going for 16 to 30 minutes, or until the bees come w»i 
searching along close to the ground, following the ta 
line of the smoke. A foot or two from the “smudge,” 
in the direction in which the wind is blowing, ele- v ' 
vated a foot or two from the ground, if the Burfuoo be 
Bmooth,- if busby, higher, so as to have it the vn 
highest object near the smoke, —place a piece of ™ 
honey comb, partially filled with sweet freshly diluted of 
honey; or sweetened water will do if tho Bwarm is m 
close by, otherwise they are not so sure to readily j ni 
accept it. If a drop or two of the oil of anise be th 
added to it, or sprinkled on the comb, tho bees will wi 
be attracted by its strong scent, and work all the Wl 
more rapidly. The bees will soon begin to collect “ 
upon the comb, and if the weather continues favora- 
hie, with hut little wind, and the swarm near by, (by fa 
which I mean within, say, half a mile,) a steady line 
of bees will be seen going from the combs, laden ^ 
with the sweets, to their home, wherever that 
may bo. dl 
The first time a bee starts for homo, and sometimes 
for several of the first trips, it will be seen to describe 
a circle immediately around tho comb, tho circles 
gradually becoming larger and larger, till apparently ^ 
the true bearing is found, when a “bee lino" is 1 
struck for home. In order to see them plainly, and 
watch tlieir course as far possible, an open space 
must be clioseD, or what is better, an open field, even 
if it bo somewhat further off, when we shall be able, 
by keeping the eye as close to the ground as possible, I 
while tho bee flies against the sky. for a hack-ground, 
unobstructed by trees or other objects, to moro per- B 
fectly line them. Of course new coiners are con- p 
stantly arriving, and these latter will fill the air with p 
' their spiral curvings; bat a little practice will enable t, 
I tho hunter’s eye to catch those whoso Uight will now j, 
be straight for homo, without more than a part of a t 
Bingle circle, while even those striking spirals, (if it j 
be not windy,) will evidently lean towards home, or j 
circle from tho oombs in that direction. t 
Many different swarms are often thus set at work t 
from the same spot at once, sometimes causing much j 
vexation. This will at once bo known by constant i 
quarreling. If, now, we desire to divide them, get- i 
ting rid of all but those which go in a direction indi¬ 
cating that they are probably wild ones, we have J 
only to place a box supplied with a clean honey¬ 
comb, with a little honey iu the cells, in the spot from i 
which the beeB have been working, removing all other 1 
comb, and after tho bees have collected therein, olose 1 
them In with a cover, and carry them in the diree- I 
tion nearly where we suppose the swarm to bo, and 
as nearly to the spot as we can guess. I say nearly, 
because if we diverge a little out of the line, and yet, 
when wc set them again at. work be considerable 
nearer the swarm in quest of, while we arc further off 
from the others, we shall pretty effectually divide 
i them. Besides this, if we havu chosen the right spot 
i we shall now probably get a “rross-line,” and by fol- 
4 lowing both lines accurately, to the point where the one 
' crosses the other, we shnllbe in their Immediate neigb- 
, borliood. If left to themselves, one swarm only will be 
f u t work after two or three hours, usually, the near- 
3 est and hungriest swarm generally driving the others 
off'. Hence it is that not tho best, but the poorest 
j and least valuable, is often found if we do not divide 
: them. 
t When the spot is found nearly where they must be, 
! as indicated by the point where the lines cross each 
■j other, we inuHt carefully mark the place and com- 
e mcnco the search of tho.trees. This is tho most 
e tedious of the whole process, and often requiring the 
j nicest skill in getting into the right position to dis- 
lt cover bees at altitudes in which they are often found. 
r When the trees are but short and small, it iB not a 
t. difficult matter to see them; but when they are up 
0 from 40 to CO feet from the ground, it is another thing 
l8 altogether. In any case, tho way to find them is, when 
, r yon have nothing but the naked eye to aid yon, to 
*t I get in the shadow of the tree, aud walk Blowly back- 
h I wards and forwards, so as to bring every point of Its 
it body and larger branches in range between the eye 
>r and the sun, looking at the Bides of the tree just below 
c- the sun and outwardly, carefully and slowly. They 
iy will bo seen very easily while in this position, and 
appear quite large from the reflection of the sun’s 
at rays striking upon their wings. A good spy-glass is 
at a great help, however, and by its aid one can readily 
at determine whether bees are at work in and out or a 
•s. tree or not, even by looking over the top and sides of 
is the branches, or through openings almost anywhere 
ao about the tree. * 
d- Bees will work honey at any time, even in mid- 
Bummer, if it be fresh out of the hive. The way to 
set them at work at this season, is with a cup or box, 
with a cover, catching one at a time from the blossons, 
sotting the cup on a stump of a tree, or other comre- 
ist uient point, till no humming is beard in the cup, 
le- when the cover is very carefully removed, and tho 
to bee allowed to get its fill of honey undisturbed. It 
all is usual with bee-hunters to make u bee-box for 'innt- 
.he ing purposes, with a slide two iuches from its bottom, 
-ge so that the comb and honey may be shut out from 
the 1 the bees while catching and carrying them, to pre¬ 
vent their becoming besmeared with honey; for when 
one bee does so, ever so little, there is no use trying 
to do anything with that bee, for she knows, as well 
you can tell her, that honey is of no consequence so 
long as Bhe can’t get home with it. A bee-tree 
should never be cut, except by a person of great 
experience, before tho middle of May nor after the 
1st of September, since it will be extremely difficult 
to save them at such times. During these months 
no trouble need be had by a person ever so green in 
the business. Simply remove the honey and comb, 
after subdoing the bees a little with smoke of old rags 
or tobacco, and with a stick or nail fasten ft small 
piece of the comb, containing eggs and brood only, 
in a box, for a temporary hivo. Now hive them pre¬ 
cisely as yon would a young swarm in swarming 
time, removing them at nigbtto yourdomicil, having 
previously placed tho brood combs as evenly and 
carefully in ft hive as it is possible for yon to do, 
transferring thither the bees, giving them but little 
or no honey. If movable frame hives are at hand, 
this is easily done. Should the queen have been des¬ 
troyed, they will soon rear another, and collect far 
more honey, and prove ten thousand timeB more sat¬ 
isfactory to yon, than if you had waited till fall, and 
then cruelly destroyed them all, as is so often done 
for their storeB alone. I have no patience with that 
class of bee-hunters who practice this latter, and 
have now only to Bfty to them that their practice may 
be likened to that of the rude Indians of the forest, 
who annually slay whole herds of deer for their Bkins 
alone; but a more perfect parallel would be found in 
the farmer who Bhould make yearly slaughter of his 
beeves and other stock for their hides and pelts, 
throwing their valueless (?) carcasses to the winds. 
Graml Rapid*, Mich., November, 1861. M. Mutuals. 
p. S.—P. T. Baknuk, of New York, would he most 
happy, I have no donbt, If be oould secure the ser¬ 
vices of your correspondent of Great Valley, N. Y., 
and his tame minis! Beyond question, there will be 
do trouble from the “moth miller” while the “ tame 
minks ” are about!!—Equal to “salt on the pigeon's 
tail ,” of school-boy memory. m. m. 
Rural Note?, anir Items. 
Wintering llecH. 
Eds. Rural New-Yorkjsrj— Being a reader of yonr 
widely extended paper, and knowing it to he open for Inqui¬ 
ries, I will take the privilege of asking a lew questions. 
What 1 wish to know is, how I can winter twenty-live swarms 
of bee* in the most proper manner? Last year I wintered 
my been in a log house. Daring the coldest weather tho 
innide of the hives would hcoome icy, and I thought Itlnjured 
tho bees. I have an out-cellar that freezer solid in abont two 
week* after the ground If frozen outside, and remain* ho two 
weeks after the front in out in thu rpring. Now thin being of 
au oven temperature through the winter, is it advinable to 
put them In this cellar? It afford* protection from the bleak 
winds and the smothering nnow, and the latter often proves 
fatal.—H. C., Middlesex, Yales Co., H. Y, 1801. 
The cellar as suggested would be of some advan¬ 
tage in affording protection from the most severe 
storms and changes of temperature, and unless too 
damp would answer pretty well if proper ventilation 
was afforded from the top of the hive. Your cellar, 
however, we think, could be mado frost proof by a 
proper covering of earth, or straw and leaves, 
and then it would be much better for the bees, and 
no donbt valuable for many other purposes. 
-- - — »- « ^ - — 
How to Cure Side Fork. 
A. A YLKswouTH, writing to the Ohio Farmer , 
says — “If any one w7*h«i to have his side pork a 
little better, and keep better than any he has ever 
had, let him try my way, as follows: — Take out the 
bone and lean meat along the back, cut and pack the 
pieces snugly in the barrel, pot more salt on the bot¬ 
tom and on each layer of meat than will probably 
Oca Nkxt Volume — Prospects, <®c.—As the clone of this 
volume of the Rural is near, wo would remind all who wish 
to secure its succofsor (which, wo trust, includes every pres¬ 
ent su'.Hcrlber, aud thousand* of regular or occasional bor¬ 
rowers and reader*.) that wv is the lime to subsc-ribe. Those 
wbo aim to commence with the year and volume, and secure all 
the number*, will promote their own Interest and favor us by 
renewing or subscribing at the earliest practicable moment, 
as we desire to get a* many names &8 possible in type and 
ready for mailing by machinery in the regular packages, be¬ 
fore issuing No. 1 of Vol. XIII. This will save labor and 
delay—for if we aro obliged to mail several packages, instead 
of one, to hundred* of posloffices, the extra time and expense 
will be considerable, while many subscribers will receive their 
papers later than others in the same place*. What wo 
request is, therefore, for tho mutual benefit of the parties 
late rested_subscribers and publisher—and wo trust all who 
propose to take the Rhkal for 1862 will give the matter early 
attention. This can be easily done—by remitting single Hub 
scriptlons to ns direct, or forming or joining a club. Those 
who arc not regular agent* can greatly aid the object in view, 
by handing their subscriptions to the nearest club agent, and 
inducing their friends and neighbors to do likewise. Don’t 
be Jealous of the agent, hut join with him, or form a club 
yourself. We ai.k all its friends to aid the Ritual, and give 
uo one any special powers—as some seem to infer. Surely, 
In a good cause, the only strife or rivalry should be in endeav¬ 
oring to see who can do most for its promotion. 
— The Rusal’s prospects for 1862 continue very encourag¬ 
ing. Though its field will be less than last year, on account 
of the rebellious secession, we anticipate an increase of its 
aggregate circulation. We are already receiving handsome 
accession*, nnd if assurances from agents and friends are 
reliable, onr list for 1862 will far exceed tho present, which is 
larger than ever before. Several who neglected to subscribe 
for tills volume, have recently ordered tho next, expressing 
regret for the omission. One of these sends $5 for three 
years from January last, remarking that the Rural is an 
indispensable family institution. 
Tub Rural’s Position on tub War —From the day Fort 
Sumter was stormed by the rebels, our position relative to 
the War for the Union has beeu unequivocal. Unlike many 
Northern journals circulatiug at the South, tho Rural, at 
the risk (Indeed, with the certainty) of losing many subscri¬ 
bers, went heart and soul for preserving the American Union 
by upholding the Stars and Stripes, and advocating the main 
tenanco of the Constitution and Laws at all hazards and at 
whatever sacrifice*. This caused some rebellious spirits to 
seceipi from our list, but their places were long ago filled by 
true and loyal Unionist*, and “etill they come." We are 
dally receiving the best assurances that the Rural’s position 
—viz; going unreservedly for the War for the Union, while 
standing aloof from ali merely political or party orgamzations 
—Is heartily endorsed by the People. As a sample, we quote 
tho concluding sentences of a letter (requesting bills, speci¬ 
mens, etc .) just received from a subscriber in Oneida Co., N. 
Y., as follows : “Mr. Moontt, your paper is appreciated aud 
has many ardent admirera here, as you will sen when I send 
my club. 1 have assisted in obtaining subscribers for tho last 
two years, but am taking more interest now than formerly, 
for the reason of the prompt and efficient stand you have 
taken for onr Glorious Union and Flag. May Ood prosper 
and bless you, along with the thousands of loyal heart* that 
to day are beating high for the perpetuation of the noble and 
elevated principles of a Free and Independent Government. 
Yours, for tho Union, the whole Union, and our Glorious Flag, 
without a single star or stripe disfigured or dishonored.” 
Thk “Empiric State” and tub World’s Fair —A New 
York paper announce* that the contributions of this State to 
the World’s Fair are rapidly increasing. Mr. JOSEPH E. 
FIolmkb, of New York, the General Agi*tof the American 
Commissioner* for this State, haH already received applica¬ 
tion* for six thousand cubic feet of spa.ee, or more than one- 
third of the estimated stowing capacity of the vessel which 
will be eln.i terdil bytlie ChiTernment for carrying tho articles. 
A large proportion of tho contributions are labor-saving 
chines, of novtl and ingenious patterns, many of tjiem 
exclusively adapted for steam power, which will be I'arnrSbed 
free at the fair. It Is now certain that the Yankee Nation 
will make no moan show in competition with the inventive 
talent of all Europe. 
— Rochester, Buffalo, and Western New York generally, 
N EW A nv EHTISEMENTS. 
To the Patrons of Ketchum’s and Howard's Mower and Mow¬ 
er and Resuer—R L. Howard. 
Agent* Wanted—A. C Rallou k Son. 
Berkshire* for Sale—Edward Wait 
Farm for Sale. 
bhort-Horua for Sale.—James O. ShcldoD. 
®l)e (ftonfrenaer* 
tom and on each layer or roe at than will probably oughtt0 be repnwnted a t the great Iodustrial Exhibition, 
penetrate the meat; then boil and skim the brine, (if Sp(V . imi<nM 0 f our Flour, Grain, Seeds, implements, etc, 
it i* sweet,) and add enough to it to cover your meat would no doubt prove creditable, cTen at a H’orW* Fair. 
two or three inches over the top, made strong like 
the ham brine; and as soon as you pack your meat, 
pour the brine on boiling hot; it will penetrate the 1 
meat much quicker than cold brine, and give it an 
improved flavor. ( 
A Hint in Wool Growers. 
t! 
An Illinois exchange, urging farmers to grow t 
moro wool, says comparatively few realize the fact i 
that the Northern States are now wholly deprived of i 
their usual supplies of cotton, and so make oftlcula- ( 
tions accordingly. A correspondent at Washington 1 
very properly remarks, that as the Congress of the ' 
“Confederate States” has formally recommended to 
the people of the Booth to devote less breadths of 
land to tho cnltnre of cotton than usual, and more to 
grains and grasses, so the necessities of the North, 
springing from the want of “cotton wool,” suggest 
tho pretermitting at this time of the usual slaughter 
of sheep and lambs, to tho end that in futnre the 
wool crop may be made as large as possible. 
Preparing Poultry for market-. 
Solon Robinson, in the New York Tribune, 
repeats his last year’s remarks upon this subject as 
follows:—“The best mode of killing, particularly tur¬ 
keys and geese, is to hang the birds by the heels to 
a rope stretched across ft yard, and then bleed them 
by the incision of » pen-knife blade in the neck. If 
heads are to he cut off of any birds, first draw the 
skin of the neck hack tightly, and afterward bring it 
forwurd and tie U over the stump. Keep the skin 
whole and smooth as possible; the intestines must 
not be drawn. The water for scalding should be 
nearly boiling hot; dip the poultry In, and raise it. 
out two or three times, so as to scald evenly, then 
pick off all the quills, feathers and pin-feathers ub 
quick as possible without breaking the skin. Don’t 
rub them off’, as that mbs off the thin outside skin, 
which injures tho Bale. Next, immediately before it ’ 
cools, dip it into clean, hot water; hold it in but a 
few seconds, then suddenly’ dip it into cold water for 
a few seconds more, then hang or lay it up to cool 
atd dry. Be careful to arrange the legs and wings 
’ smoothly, arid lay the birds straight and singly upon 
I shelves in a dry room. Never pack until the birds 
s : re thoroughly cool — not frozen that you may 
i dlow after they are packed. Boxes lor packing 
i should bold about three hundred pounds. Dry-goods 
4 boxes, next to the largest size, make good packages, 
f See that your boxes are light, tight, clean, and packed 
1 entin-ly full. Small birds will do packed in good 
flour barrels. Straw for packing must be bright, 
. clean, Bweet and free from chaff and weeds. Rye 
> straw is best of all. Shake it and Bun it dry before you 
put it in the box. Then put a layer of straw in the bot- 
, tom, and on it a course of birds, all as near of a size 
- as poBBible, and another layer of straw. 1 at straw 
between thu binU and the hi dee of the box. Some 
* nice Bhipnert wrap each bird in clean, &<»ft paper. 
B Lay them backs np and legs straight out behind, arid 
t stow Bnngly, so that there can be no movement to 
produce chafing. More Btraw is needed in warm 
weather than when it is cold, as it absorbs the 
> moisture. Put straw on the top, and pack the birds 
O so that the lid will have to be pressed down with 
1 - considerable power.” 
Anothbr Rural Recruit bob tub War. —Mr. Garret 
Van Inckn, for several years employed in our mailing depart¬ 
ment, latterly a* chief entry clerk, has accepted the appoint ' 
ment of Sergeant Major In the 89th Regiment N. Y. V., 
(known a» the Dickinson Guard ) and gone to the war - 
whereby WO lose, until rebeldam Is conquered, a most faithful 
and efficient aid, and the Union gains a valiant and experi¬ 
enced soldier. Though wc could just now better spare 
almost auy other employe, ire believe he will prove “ the 
right man in tho right place,” und he has our best wishes 
(and those of all his office associates) for suc.co** and the 
promotion wo are aasured ho will merit. Mr. 1. 1. has served 
a number of years in the army of his native country, Hol¬ 
land—during which he was in several engagoments-under- 
stands the business in band, and we are confident will acquit 
himself well in any position. 
Ritual Itkms —The. horse “Silver Heels,” renowned all over 
the Union for his beauty, died at Gen. Sinclrton s farm, in 
Adums Go., Ill, ft few days ago. He was one of the finest 
animals In nil the West, and hia owner bad several times re¬ 
fused *10,000 for him.- The Kzports of Wheat Flour from 
Now York to foreign port*, week before last, were 09,637 hbls. 
Only twice before in ten yean- have the clearances from that 
port reached this amount, and those instances wero in Nov., 
1863 over eight years ago -- The new Ouvemor of Vermont, 
Ron. F. Holbrook, or Brattleboro\ba* long beeu one of the 
Corresponding Editors of the N. R Farmer. He is a practi 
cal farmer, aud has by his experiments, observation and 
atody made many valuable improvements in plows and other 
agricultural implements .-—The Canal Tolls of Hew York, 
from the opening of navigation to Pec. 1st, inst., were $3,- 
002 701—about fWlO.OOO more than for the same period iul8«0, 
__ Good Hams aud Sheds arc indispensable to the comfort 
of domestic animals, at this season, to protect them from 
rain, wind, snow and sleet during winter. Next to his own 
dwelling, every fanner should so* that his barns, shed*, racks, 
etc., are iu good order. “ IF hat Glorious Weather !" is a 
frequent greeting in the streets on this 17th ol December, 
18 Cl_while the sun shine* clearly, and the atmosphere i* 
decidedly Septemberish. A good 1ime to “ fit" those barns, 
sheds, etc. (above mentioned), and make other preparations 
for the sure, though tardy, oucoming of winter. 
Travri.inO Swjndi.brs,—I t is no use talking: some “all 
fired smart" people got outrageously swindled, and if they 
' were alone concerned, we should say : Serves them right I— 
Butother partiu. suffer : publisher* feel this most severely. 
S,,r instance, we have just seen a written receipt purporting 
* to hftvo hceu given to a lady of this county, by William W 
Wilson," "Agent for the Publishers. ' Tor 81 25 for the Rural 
1 Nkw Yorrhr one year, free of postage I But Dio, Moon a 
i ip,** not .In Ihut sort of bm-iness ; the bogus “agent" lobs 
, $1 25, and the subscriber is looted. We learn that tills game 
bfts been played extensively iu This region during the last 
J month. If ahv reader of this notice Is solicited to subscribe 
for Field Holes, at a less rate than our published club terms, 
J just pull down the corner of your eye, und ask the “ agent' 
. if he sees anything green I 
1 — So says Col. Harris, of the Ohio Field Holes, and he is 
rij,ht every time -especially in saying we don’t do the sort of 
buxines* named. We have published for years (see notice on 
' last page) that no traveling agents are employed by the 
3 Kr ral, and that persons professing to hold certificates from 
1 us are importers—yet it Is very like the minister talking to 
-- his devout aud attentive listeners concerning the wickedness 
E of absentees, for the verdaot people who are “ sold ” by the 
y swindlers, do not listen to our “stated preaching." 
Clark’s School Visitor, advertised on onr last page, is an 
excellent journal-admirably edited and elegantly printed. 
We can cordially commend it to teachers, parents and pupils 
as moral, instructive and entertaining. In its specialty as 
“A Day-School Paper, for Teachers and School-Children 
Everywhere "—the Visitor has no equal, to our knowledge, 
and is worthy the attention of all interested. 
— Queen Victoria now reigns over 179,000,000 people. 
— It is thought the present session of Congress will last 
six monthB. 
— December, the present year, will have two new moons 
and five Sundays. 
— Gen. Buell, in Kentucky, refuse* to let wive* of officers 
aocompany them. 
— Lieut Slemmeris lying dangerously ill at FortElkwater, 
Western Virginia. 
— Tho Southern papers are advocating the abolition of the 
elective franchise. 
— The reported removal of the Capital from Richmond to 
Nashville 1 b incorrect. 
— The New Orleans papers boost of the review of 1,400 
negro troops In that city. 
— Mrs. Lincoln is said to beaconstantattendantatreviews, 
and often visits the camps. 
— The New York City Council has voted half a million for 
the relief of soldiers' families. 
— Every unmarried man but one in the village of Washing¬ 
ton, Ind,, ha* gone to the war. 
— It is said that Gov. Blair will convene the Michigan 
Legislature on the 2d of January. 
— On Monday, 25th nit, the first street passenger railway 
was opened for travet In Montreal. 
— There are already 164 pieces of cannon at Cairo, none 
of which are less than 32-pouoders. 
— Blondin, the celebrated ropo-walker, came near losiDg 
his life during a recent performance. 
— The United State* Sanitary Committee have expended 
$200,000, ali voluntary contributions. 
— There are 300 secession prisoners at Camp Chase, Ohio. 
Twelve wero released on the 6th Inst. 
— Two hundred and forty barrels of eggs arrived at Boston 
in the steamer New Drunswick from SL Johns. 
— The President’s message, sent by telegraph to California, 
was published in San Francisco on Thursday week. 
— Tho Belgian guns, largo numbers of which have been 
sent out West, are reported to bo nearly worthless. 
_The Utah delegate took hia seat in Congress Monday 
week. Ho and Brigham Young are strong Unionist*. 
— The N. Y. Tribune nays Archbishop Hughes goes to Spain 
on a secret mission in the interest of our Government. 
— Upward of 300 negro emigrants from Pennsylvania, 
Michigan, and Canada, sailed from New York last week for 
Uayti. 
— Hon. Garrett Davis has been elected U. 8. Senator from 
Kentucky to fill out the unexpired term of the traitor Breck¬ 
inridge. 
_The Leavenworth Conservative thinks there is little 
donbt that Topeka ha* now the State Capital location of 
Kansas. 
— New South WaleB has now a population of 350,650, 
against 251,834 for 1866, being an increase in five years of 
298,721. 
— The rebels estimate the property at the South, belong¬ 
ing to Union men, at $800,000,000, all of which I* to be con¬ 
fiscated. 
_Tho railway carriages in France are now wormed very 
comfortably by means of the exhausted steam from the 
engines. 
_It is worthy of remark th»t tUo n»lin"»i flog floats over 
..n uf ..it cue icbcl Btetee excepting two—Alabama and 
Arkansas. 
— Ten thousand uniforms niannfActneaJ in UVanne, and 
recently arrived In New York, are to be the price of discipline 
aud valor. 
— potatoes are selling in New Orleans at a cent a piece, or 
$2 60 per bushel. Candles are being sold at from 16 to 20 
cents each. 
_The third “stone fleet” will sail in a few days for block¬ 
ing np the water approaches to Charleston. It consist* of 20 
old vessel*. 
_During the season of lake navigation, the propeller 
Omar Pasha made forty three round trips between Buffalo 
and Detroit. 
— A colored man named Jack Havens recently died in 
■ Geneva, who, according to the reckoning of hi* family, was 
* 114 years old. 
* — The list of disasters on the lakes and sea for November 
9 is much larger than for several months past, reaching 
* seventy-seven. 
” — Quite a large portion of the circulating medium In the 
i vicinity of Cinuinnati is made up of United States demand 
Treasury notes. 
t — The sleighing is said to bo superb over nearly the whole 
of the States of Maine and Vermont, and a large portion of 
New Hampshire. 
r _a serious accident occurred recently in a mine near Pott*- 
n vllle, Pa., resulting in the death of two men, and severely 
>4 injuring five others. 
v _ The amount of silver now finding it* way to San Fran- 
n cisco from Nevada is estimated, by well informed bankers, at 
* six millions per annum. 
1 — One of the finest pearls in the world has recently been 
” found iu the Bay of Panama. It is of a perfect pear shape, 
and of the finest water. 
:i — For the year ending Sept. 30,1861, over 14,000,000 tetters 
id were mailed at the New York Postoffice, a falling off of 
\x 1,000,000 from last year. 
*5 — There was the unusual phenomenon of a rainbow in the 
l|- morning, against the western sky, seen at Newark, N. J., on 
tho morning of the 11th. 
f 4 _ Qf po tato crop in Canada, the Hamilton Spectator 
U1 gays; “ We hear discouraging account* of the potato crop 
U from all western counties.” 
a — Henry Graham, a farmer residing near Kingston, C. W., 
, r had his hand and part of his arm torn off in a thrashing 
machine on Thursday week. 
is, — Eleven Kentuckian*recently released from Fort Warren, 
ns being destitute of means, were, on Friday week, sent to their 
homes at the expense of Boston. 
— The West IndiaStoamsbip Company have, in consequence 
■11- 0 f the Trent affair, ordered all their agent* to furnish no more 
|!£ coal to vessel of the United States. 
'J 4, — An invitation i*issued by the “Secretary of the Metro 
iy* poiitsri Canine Society,” for dog-fanciers to correspond with 
al him in reference to holding a Dog Fair. 
,b“ — A schooner has left New York for North Carolina, with 
me provisions, clothing, and other gifts, for the loyal people of 
itet that State, who are said to be suffering. 
ibB 
ns, — It is said that the Secretary of the Navy is in favor of 
l " creating the rank of admiral, and of conferring that high 
j honor upon Commodore Charles Stewart, 
of — A large number of refugees, compelled to leave home 
on on account or their Union sympathies, have arrived at Rolla, 
;he Mo., from Arkansas, and joined our army. 
om _The Postoffice at Loonardtown, Md , od the lower Poto- 
4o mac, was visited by a detective on Saturday, who bagged half 
ew a bushel of letters to and from Richmond. 
_Until lately Southern papers spoke of Northern soldiers 
as “cowardly Hessians." Now they call them “fierce and 
cruel Hessians.” The change is significant. 
C(J — There is a Union movement in Arkansas. Tha Little 
( jl a Rock State Journal notices the arrival of 27 prisoners, mens- 
^ bers of a Becret Lincoln organization, from Van Buren Co. 
ren _One hundred and sixteen marriage licenses were issued 
[ge, from the Clerk’s Office of the District of Columbia during 
November. A large proportion of the bridegrooms are soldiers. 
