Communications, Ctc 
Rural Notes anil Clue vie 
MAPLE SUGAR MAKING, 
The Rural is Appreciated— Not only by farmers 
and horticulturists, but by professional inon and. their 
families in cities and Tillages. Many clergymen, phy¬ 
sicians, lawyers and teachers are aiding in extending 
its circulation. Tho District Attorney of Walworth 
Co., Wis., writes:—“Although eugagedln professional 
business, and doing all my farming on loss thau one 
acre of land, I have been a constant subscriber for 
your valuable paper for over eleven years, and have 
endeavored to aid you somewhat in its circulation. I 
ora not disposed to cease ray efforts because, with the 
advance of everything else, you have been obliged to 
advance your terms, I send you herewith draft, on 
New York for $5150 in payment for 21 copies of the 
Rural for 1805, to be sent to the list of subscribers 
herewin inclosed I hope to add some to tho list." 
In reply to “A Michigan Farmer’s” inquiries 
about sugar making, I would respondFirst, 
exercise considerable caution about investing in 
patent evaporators, advertised and recommended 
so highly by those having them for sale. They 
have been repeatedly tried in this section (Cen¬ 
tral Ohio,) and always failed; principal reason of 
failure, furnace too small —better adapted for 
sorghum as that requires less boat to boil than 
sap. 
Sheet iron paus (No. 1C iron,) placed upon an 
arch, are universally used here; build the arch 
so as to put the wood in at the side of the end, 
closing the end, except a flue left at the bottom 
for draft. There should be four handles on each 
pan for two poles to ran through; the thin pans 
can he taken off conveniently, t he sirup emptied, 
pans replaced, filled with, fresh sap, and boil 
l ight along without abating the fire. Pans 8 by 
4 feet can be handled in this manner quite con¬ 
veniently, and two such pans are sufficiently 
large for a camp of 800 t rees. 
The arch should be at least three feet wide and 
the chimney not less than eight feet high to 
6eeuro a good draft. Tap with a half inch bit, 
rimming out, when the trees begin to dry, with 
a five-eighth bit — Cook's patent. Bore at first 
not over one inch deep, and hang the backet on 
an eight-penny nail, directly underneath; this 
will prevent the sap from being blown away by 
the wind. Very nearly as much sap will run 
from one spigot as from two, and the life of the 
tree will thus be preserved to benefit those who 
may follow in our footsteps, remembering the 
maxim to leave the world as good as when we 
found it. 
To make nice sug&r, use a 15 gallon kettle, not 
making more thau 30 lbs. at once nor be over 
one hour in bringing the grains. Making larger 
batches requires longer boiling, which makes 
the sugar damper ami more compact. After re¬ 
moving the sugar, wash and scour the kettle be¬ 
fore commencing again, and remember to keep 
the sirup at an uniform height in the kettle, ns 
rising and falling suddenly causes it to burn. 
Seal up your molasses warm in stone jugs and 
boil so thick that it erystalizes in the bottom of 
the Jug and it. will keep the year round. 
The profits of camp are entirely dependent 
upon industry. The man who neglects to pre¬ 
pare and haul a sufficient amount of wood, re¬ 
pair his buckets, or see that his spigots and pans 
arc ready, will wake up some morning and find 
the sugar season fairly upon him. While in this 
dilemma, and attempting to succeed with leaky 
buckets, green wood, and a dull fire, he will un¬ 
doubtedly be discouraged and will very readily 
confess that he “can’t sco it” (the profits;) 
and no wonder! 
The above is. our simple modus operandi , learn¬ 
ed from experience, which you’ arc at liberty to 
publish if you deem it beneficial, or worthy of 
notice. G. K. Wyeth. 
New Way, Ohio, 1865. 
N. Y. State Sheep Breeders’ and Wool Grow¬ 
ers’ Association.— The N. Y. State Sheep Breeders’ 
and Wool Growers’ Association will hold its Annual 
Winter meeting in the City Hall, in the city of Syra¬ 
cuse. on Wednesday. Feb. 22d, at 12 o'clock M. The 
sheep Breeders and Wool Growers of tho State are 
invited to attend. The Executive Board of the Asso¬ 
ciation will meet the preceding evening to transact 
important business, and the members are requested to 
report themselvce at the Syracuse Bouse at 7 o’clock 
p, m. Henry S. Randall, President. 
MEETING OF N. Y. SHEEP BREEDERS’ AND 
WOOL GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION. 
Southern Thoro iron -rued Horses Comino North. 
—We notice that Ohio is getting some of the best 
blood of Tennessee in her .borders. Daisy Derby, a 
fine thorough-bred mare, liua beeu purchased of Hon. 
Batllie Peyton by Capt. Landes of Williams Co., 
O.; a mare by the Arabinu horse Sacklowie lias been 
purchased of Thomas Barry by Capt. On as. II, Riou- 
n an, U. 8. A., and brought North ; Prunella by imp. 
Priam out of Premium has been purchased of Wm. 
Johnson, Nashville, Tenn., by Wm. McDonald, Co¬ 
lumbus, O. These are the latest noticed of many im¬ 
portant stock purchases recently made in the South 
on Northern account. 
The N, Y. Sheep Breeders' and Wool Growers’ 
Association, it will be observed from a notice 
published in these coluruus, meets at Syracuse 
on Wednesday, Feb. 22d, at 12 o’clock M. It is 
much to be hoped that thero will be a good 
attendance of those interested in Sheep Hus¬ 
bandry from all parts of the State. "We need the 
presence of sound and experienced men to give 
to the Association, at the opening of its career, 
that tone and character which we desire it to 
preserve throughout that career. 
The utility of such an organization. if properly 
conducted, admits of no doubt. If it is hon¬ 
estly, intelligently and unselfishly managed —if 
it follows out with a single eye the objects 
which it professes to seek, viz., “to disseminate 
information and promote improvements in 
Sheep Husbandry ” — if its winter meetings are 
composed of candid, sensible meD, who come 
together to exchange opinions and communi¬ 
cate the results of individual observation on 
practical questions of Sheep Husbandry — if its 
debates arc confined to proper topics and con¬ 
ducted with decorum —if its Spring Fairs are 
managed on liberal principles and with perfect 
impartiality — it will become one of the most 
useful of those institutions in our State whose 
object it is to promote improvements in the 
various departments of husbandry. 
But there is a reverse to the medal. If the 
Association is made use of by its officers or any 
other body of men specially to advance their 
own interests, or trumpet their own claims to 
importance — if it is controlled by any one-sided 
clique who ever so honestly give the advantage 
to this breed of sheep or that, or to this family 
or that —if its viewing committees arc not 
capable and honest — if sober and decent dis¬ 
cussion is thrust aside by men wrangling for 
notoriety or to advertise their own property—if 
selfishness, jealousy and personal animosity 
usurp the place of manliness and devotion to 
the public good — the destruction of the organi¬ 
zation will bo very speedy, but not more speedy 
than every respectable man in it will desire. 
We do not augur that such will be the course 
O! * fate of this Association. Wc believe that 
those who were most active in launching it into 
existence will be found ready to demonstrate 
their disinterestedness by their acts —and that 
they will be content to be judged solely by this 
standard. We believe that the officers of the 
Association earnestly desire to do their exact 
and entire duty. But they will know that they 
are but a handful out of thousands of sheep 
breeders and wool growers in the State, who 
possess equal experience and knowledge with 
their own. As modest and discreet men, they 
must earnestly desire the aid and counsel of 
their brethren. We trust that it will be gen¬ 
erally and frankly given. We trust that tho 
meeting at Syracuse on the 22d will be an over¬ 
flowing one. We trust that it will be made up 
of men from every part of the State, and repre¬ 
senting all the valuable breeds of sheep which 
are to he found in the State. We trust that in 
its debates — In its resolutions — in its appoint¬ 
ment of important committees — in a word, in 
its entire proceedings and in all the personal in¬ 
tercourse of its members, there will be exhibited 
a spirit of liberality, candor and mutual conces¬ 
sion which will render it a gathering long to be 
remembered with pleasure by the sheep proprie¬ 
tors of New r York. 
MR. hajumond’s “gold drop. 
they bear no comparison to the losses incurred by 
inability to keep sheep t$’ reason of the “ cur nui¬ 
sance." Wc know hundreds of men, within the circle 
of our own acquaintance, who would like to stock 
their farms wholly or in pari with sheep—who feel that 
it would be particularly profitable for them to do so— 
but they know that they cannot do so safely, and rath¬ 
er than he kept in a constant state of alarm about 
their flocks, they prefer to give up sheep husbandry 
altogether. 
Wc fear our dog-laws are not stringent enough. We 
would like to see the tax increased. We would like 
to see adequate provisions nrnde (and they can be 
made) to render the collection of that tax in all cases 
compulsory, whether the money is required to pay for 
damage to sheep or not. If not required for that pur¬ 
pose any particular year, let the avails of the tax go 
to tho support of the poor. 
MR. HAMMOND’S “ GOLD DROP, 
For a Consulate. — Wc see in print that R. L. 
Adams, Esq., odltor of tho Fulton Patriot , has been 
offered by tho President a foreign consulate. Hope ho 
will accept it or something better, for he is worthy of 
a prominent and profitable position. He possesses, in 
an eminent degree, the Jeffersonian requisites— hon¬ 
esty, capacity, etc.—and is, withal, one of the cleverest 
editors that ever pul. pen to paper. 
The above cut, from a drawing by Page, 
represents the favorite Infantado stock ram of 
Edwin Hammond of Middlebury, Vermont. 
Mr. H. has refused $10,000 for him. He was 
dropped in 1861, and was out of Old Queen by 
California, wv Sweepstakes, by Little Wrinkly, 
by Old "Wrinkly, by Old Greasy, &e,, Ac, Old 
Queen was out of Old Queen’s dam, by Long 
Wool, by Old Greasy, by Wooster, &c. His 
entire recorded pedigree will be found at page 
121 of the Practical Shepherd. 
A Chance for Fine Stock.— Tho Ohio Farmer 
statee that W. H. Ladd of Richmond, Ohio, having 
sold his farms, poposes to sell all hie choice Block, 
heretofore reserved for his own use as a breeder. The 
stock consists or the best selections of Roadster 
horses and Merino sheep. Mr. L.'s reputation as a 
breeder gives assurance that his stock is genuine, 
ranking with the best obtainable. 
HOW CAN WE INCREASE THE QUANTITY 
OF WOOL! 
Metal Ear Marks.— Several inquiries have accu¬ 
mulated in our drawer on Ibis subject. The metal ear 
mark described at page 185 cr the Practical Shepherd, 
composed of a ring and plate, still labors under the 
objections there pointed tut —no improvements 
haring been made on it. John M. Mott of East 
Bloomfield. Ontario Co., N. Y n claims to have made 
an essential Improvement on the rivet or riveted 
plates, described on preceding page of same work. 
When we see specimens of Mr M.’s invention we will 
attempt to describe it. A ne.v metal ear mark lias 
been introduced by C. II. Dan. , West Lebanon, New 
Hampshire. It is a ring in the shape of a Jink—i. e., 
it is, when finally adjusted to .he ear, about % of an 
inch long, and the straight, titles are about 8-16 of an 
inch apart. It is made of iron wiro rolled flat X of 
an iiMjb wide and plated with tin. On one side is 
stamped the owner’s name, and on the other the num¬ 
ber of the sheep. The ycaVof birth can be added, 
with the latter. Thowar launched not far from the 
Lean, anti high <-n, ujjh ubi^^fcie lower edge so that 
the link-shaped ring shall desuly fit about that lower 
edge, leaving no open epaed for bushes, etc., to catch 
in, The ring opens not far from one end, so that one 
side can be sprung not to erabla it io be inserted in 
the ear and then bent back with pincers. It remains 
bright, and m.-.kee a neat end permanent mark for 
breeders’ purposes. We think it the best metal ear 
mark wc have yet seen. Mr. Dana manufactures 
proper punches for the ears, trimming shears, and lias 
got up a neat sheep register. He resides at West 
Lebanon, New Hampshire. 
C. P. Treat of Claridon, Geauga county, 
Ohio, asks the question at the head of this 
article. Wool is increased on the individual 
sheep, first, by keeping it in good fleshy con¬ 
dition, and second, by giving it food which is 
peculiarly adapted to the production of wool. 
A Merino kept in high condition all the year 
round will yield a pound or two more of wool 
at least thau the same sheep kept in tliinulsh 
condition all the year round- But it makes a 
material difference in the product of wool what 
kind of food produces this fleshy condition. 
According to the experiments made on Saxon 
sheep in Silesia by Kraunur, 1,000 pounds ot 
peas produced an increase of 134 pounds in the 
live weight of the auimals with 14 pounds and 
11 ounces of wool, while 1,000 pounds of oats 
produced an increase of 146 pounds in live 
weight, with hut 9 pounds and 12 ounecs of 
wool. Teas did not give a greater amount of 
wool in proportion to the increase of meat than 
some other of thirteen feeds tried by the experi¬ 
menter. Rejecting fractious, peas produced a 
9th part by weight as much wool as meat; oats 
a 16th part, barley a 12th part, buckwheat a 12th 
part, mangel wurzcls und potatoes a 7th part, 
good hay an 8th part, hay with straw without 
other fodder, one-half part, and so on. But it will 
he remembered 1 hat th ough mangel wurzels, pota¬ 
toes, hay, and especially hay and straw, produce 
large proportions of wool to meat., they camot 
on account of their bulk be taken into the 
stomach in sufficiently large quantities to pro¬ 
duce anything like as much wool as the more 
concentrated feeds, such aa peas. 
Wool is increased in succeeding generations 
of sheep by breeding, just as every other desira¬ 
ble quality is thus increased, viz., by coupling 
those males and females together which possess 
it in the greatest degree. If, other things being 
equal, my neighbor’s rams produce more wool 
than mine, I ought to procure rams from his 
Hock to cross with and improve my owu flock. 
By obtaining the heaviest fleeced rums (not acci¬ 
dentally so, but sprung from peculiarly heavy 
fleeced stocks,) and selecting only the heaviest 
fleeced ewes to breed from, in each succeeding 
generation, the Individual average yield of wool 
in the flock will constantly increase. Vast as 
has been the improvement in our American Me¬ 
rinos In this particular within the last fifteen or 
twenty years, and as much as they now excel the 
Merinos of all other countries in the production 
of wool, vve know no breeder ol them, however 
successful or eminent, who even imagines that 
he has attained the maximum of wool produc¬ 
tion in this breed. 
Death op Isaac Funk op Illinois.— Such of our 
readers as read the Rural in 1861, will remember, per¬ 
haps, the description wc gave (page 237, vol. 12,) of 
our visit to the 20,000 acre farm of this gentleman, and 
of our interview with this remarkable man. We re¬ 
gret to notice by our Western exchanges that Mr. 
Funk is dead—that his wife died four hours later, and 
both were bnriod lu the same grave. 
Death op Squire M. Brown.—"Wc regret to hear 
of the decease of Hon. Squire M. Brown of lilbridge, 
Onondaga Co. Mr B. was an experienced practical 
farmer, and an earnest and influential friend and pro¬ 
moter of Rural Improvement. An appropriate obitu¬ 
ary notice, furnished by a friend, will appear in an 
early future number of the Rural. 
The Kansas Farmer. This journal commences its 
second year under the editorial management of John 
S. Brown, and Is improved in both style and contents. 
It is a monthly of 16 qmtrlo pages, hundaomelyiprint- 
ed on good paper, and furnished at $1.50 per y ear, or 
$1.25 in clubs of ten ; single numbers 15 cents each. 
Published by John S. Brown & Co., Lawrenco. 
Michigan State Ao. Society.— We are pleased to 
learn, a- we do from the Annual Report of the Secre¬ 
tary, R, F Johnstons, Esq., that this Society is In a 
most prosperous condition. The Society now has a 
property worth $11,480 22, from $7,000 of which (in¬ 
vested in U. S. Bonds) it is deriving an income. After 
giving the figures showing the above balance, Mr. Sec¬ 
retary Johnstone says:—" This prosperous condition 
of tho affairs of the Society is a subject of general 
congratulation and is the result of the long continued 
harmony and generous, unselfish energy manifested 
by all who have been entrusted with t he conduct of its 
business, and who have participated in the manage¬ 
ment of its affairs.’’ Good for Michigan and its State 
Agricultural Society! 
CUTTING FOOD R0R STOCK 
Eds. Rural New Yoickeu : — I read with a 
good deal of interest the discussion on this sub¬ 
ject at the State Fair lust fall, and I about made 
up my mind it didn’t pay. I had no experience 
in the matter, and having seen a goodly number 
of machines standing by the sides of barns or 
some other by-place, I concluded it was a little 
too much labor, or else it didn’t pay. 
But I am resolved to get one and make u trial. 
I came to this conclusion by reading Mr. P.’s 
article in the Rural of Jan. 7th. I hope he will 
tell us beginners, however, how we are to save 
one-half by jnst cutting and wetting the fodder. 
Does he mean to he understood to say that 
fifty pounds of hay, corn or straw will give the 
same nourishment, without adding grain, as one 
hundred pounds uncut? I can’t think he means 
exactly that; if 60 , I should like to know how 
it is done, as I confess my ignorauce in the 
matter. This, I am aware, is a practical ques¬ 
tion, and as 6uch it needs a practical man to 
answer it. 
Mr. P. says he feeds his stock about three 
bushels of cut corn fodder a head per day. Right 
here 1 want to ask ldm if his cattle would eat 
the same uncut, making allowance for tho butts 
of ripened corn stalks which they will not eat 
up clean unless cut ? I hope to hear again, soon, 
from P. on the subject. s. l. 
Sharon Center, N. Y., 1865. 
Shedding Wool—Scab.—E. C. Si'auldinq, Grapo- 
land, Faribault Co., Minnesota, informs 119 , Jan. 3d, 
that he had a flock of 900 she«p driven from Illinois to 
Minnesota Inst full. They reached the latter State 
about the 1st of September and run on the prairies 
until 25th of October, when “the grass became so dead 
that they were taken up and fed hay." They were not 
fed grain until the 1st of December, They then '• had 
lost flesh badly and seemed to have grown weak." 
The toga began to lose their wool first, “ and would 
rub themselves against the Jinee , and also dig their 
wool with their teeth and feel .' This Shedding of wool 
slowly spread through the lock. " Some have lost 
nearly half their fleeces while others have lost but 
little. The skin where the wool has come oil' appears 
smooth arui soft and healthy Tho wool commences 
immediately to start again. Pn runic, before it stuns 
out, there is a sort of yellow scurf which adheres 
closely to the skin.” The sleep arc fed wheat, about 
of a bushel to tho huudrW, and are improving in 
condition. 
Mi. S. wishes to know wjother this is scab. The 
statement above lu regard to the tegs, which we 
place in italics, describes afaiarked symptom of that 
disease — and yet if the ifin, after being denuded 
of wool, uniformly exhit/U lno pustules, no sores , no 
scabs, no roughness or thick- ling, in short, no signs ot 
cutaneous disease, but on l|e contrary Is smooth, soft, 
and healthy, the scab cantpt, in our judgment, be 
present. We have repeateqy seen flocks shed their 
wool quite as much as these ire described to have done, 
on being raised suddenly it condition by grain feed 
after entering the winter pc >r and weak—and in such 
cases the skin never, we ap rohend, retains its clean¬ 
ness and whltcm-.-o. It r cr tes, or excretes yolk, and 
this mixed with hay dust, e makes a coating—gen¬ 
erally yellowish according t our recollection— ou the 
skin, to which tho appcllnion of “scurf" would be 
very likely to bo given. A1 sheep are apt to rub and 
scratch themselves with the r feet more or less in win¬ 
ter, and indeed at other tin is, particularly if ticky— 
and we incline to think tl it sheep shedding their 
wool from any cause are in >re Inclined to rub, etc., 
than at other times. A p mm unacquainted with 
scab, and Looking with appr leusion for its symptoms 
would be not unlikely to ei ggerato any Indication of 
that particular symptom wt :h every person and book 
he consulted would tell b! was the first and most 
readily observed one of Ihtimludy. Indeed, wc can¬ 
not see any cause for much jabbing and digging with 
the teeth and feet in the Audition of the skin de. 
scribed—and wc arc satiaflel the skin would not re¬ 
main in that condition if f/i> treated- If, then, the 
Kansas State Ao. Society. -The annual meeting 
of this Society was held at Topeka, Jan. 12th, 1865, 
when the following Board of Officers was elected: 
President— L. D. Bailey of Douglas. See, — John B. 
Brown of Douglas. Tresw— W’m. Spriggs of Ander¬ 
son Co. Executive Oom.—C. B. Lines of Wabaunsee 
Co.; R. G. Elliott or Jefferson Co.; Henry B. Keller of 
Leavenworth Co.; E S. Hubbard of Wyandott Co.; A. 
J. W. Brown, of Allen Co., and Ja*. B. Hayward of 
Doniphan Co. Resolutions wore adopted recommend¬ 
ing the Kansas Farmer to the patronage of “all the 
friends of agriculture throughout the State,’’ and also 
that the Society hold weekly meetings during the ses¬ 
sion of the Legislature. 
THE TERM “AMERICAN MERINO.” 
At the meeting in Vermont Jan. 4tli, which 
organized the New England Wool Growers’ 
Association (the proceedings of which have 
already been given in another department of 
this paper,) on motion of Hon. Hampden 
Cutts, it was resolved, “that- in consideration 
of the great advance which has been made in 
the breeding of Merino sheep in the United 
States since their first introduction hero, we 
hereby agree to adopt the name of Improved 
American Merinos, as most appropriate to the 
thorough - bred Spanish Merino sheep of these 
States, and we recommend that this name be 
adopled by Agricultural Societies in offering 
their premiums.” (Wc copy the resolution 
from the New England Farmer.) 
Seventeen years ago, in “Sheep Husbandry in 
the South,” we adopted this term, or the term 
“American Merinos," and have continued to 
use it in all our subsequent writings on the sub¬ 
ject. We have repeatedly urged its general 
adoption, as the only appropriate collective 
designation “for the thorough - bred Spanish 
Merino sheep of these States." We are glad 
that the N. E. Wool Growers’ Association 
thought the subject worthy of its attention, 
and that it distinctly recommended the name 
to Agricultural Societies. These, singularly 
enough, have, in many instances, kept in the 
rear of public opinion and custom in the matter, 
and have annually proclaimed premiums for 
“Spanish Merinos,” as il" our breeders were 
yet clinging to former or present Spanish 
models, and had not established separate and 
improved familes of their own. 
lowing officers were elected for 1865: President — 
Isaac Reed, East Otto. Vice Prest —Judson Sibley, 
Napoli. Secy. — Horace S. Huntley, Little Valley. 
Tra^.—Fuller Bucklin, Little Valley. Directors —John 
K. Comstock, Olean ; Joseph Smith, Mansfield; Lo¬ 
renzo Stratton, Lillie Valley; W. F. Kennlcott, Now 
Albion; Sam’lS. Huntley, Kllieottville; Zina Dudley, 
Napoli. _^_ 
Indiana State Fair.— Anotc from l.D.G. Nelson, 
Fort Wayne, lud., sayaYon make a mistake when 
you say the next Indiana State Fair Is to bo hold at 
Indianapolis. It is to be held at Fort Wayno the first 
week in October. Tho Bute Horticultural Society 
meets at the same time and place, where wo expect to 
see all the agricultural and horticultural editors of the 
country, and have a good time generally." 
GOVERNMENT LANDS IN MICHIGAN 
CONDENSED CORRESPONDENCE, ITEMS, &c, 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker: —In answer to 
«M. C. A." in the Rural of Jan. 7th, I reply; 
There is plenty of Government land in Michi¬ 
gan, and good land, heavily timbered with 
maple, eltn, ash, and, along the water courses, 
pine und cedar, "with some hemlock. 
J am now living iu Homestead, Grand Traverse 
county, lat. 44 deg. 80m., and thirty miles south 
of Traverse City. Tho country is healthy, very 
healthy, and wc arc never troubled with tliul 
disease which is so prevalent in some portions 
of the south part of the State — “ague.” 
I would say to “M. C. A.” and others inter¬ 
ested, that the region of country north of the 
Manistee river is perhaps unsurpassed in this 
State. Having twice traveled the length of the 
State 1 ean say 1 have nowhere seen any land 
that for fertility and natural beauty would com¬ 
pare with this. 
There have been, I believe, over 1,200 home¬ 
steads taken under the Homestead Act at tho 
Land Office lu this district.' Still thero are 
thousands of acres of laud that to the actual 
settler are very inviting. George EL Smith. 
Homestead, Mich., Jan., 1805. 
N. Y. Sio:i:r Breeders’ and Wool Growers’ Asso¬ 
ciation.—Wc have written Into many counties to ob¬ 
tain listB of those prominent sheep breeders in them 
whose names and addressee were not lu our possession. 
To these we sent circulars inviting them to become 
members of the Association and to co-operate in its 
objects. Our circulars are exhausted, and we would 
now say to every sheep breeder and wool grower in 
the Bute who lias not received one, that he Is heroby 
invited to forward his name and membership fee to 
tho President, Treasurer, or cither of the Secretaries 
of the Association. The membership l’ee is one dollar 
per annum. 
Coal Ashes —Can you tell me if coal ashes have 
any virtue as a manure? What u-o can they bo put 
tor— Mb*. Sarah Day, JUk Co., Iowa. 
They have some value and should bo used. They 
may be applied direct to the soil, either as a top dress¬ 
ing for a lawn or meadows, or incorporated with stiff 
soils, or may be used in the compost heap. They are 
far better thau nothing to throw into vaults. We 
have used them for this purpose witli good results so 
far as deodorizing was concerned. 
Dogs Preventing tub Extension op Sheep Hub- 
ban pry.— A friend writes us: — " I have a letter from 
lion. B. N. Huntington, (Rome, Oneida Co., N. Y,,) 
in which he says—' 1 sec that orders have been Issued 
by our Board of Supervisors for damages from dogs to 
sheep for the snug sum of $3,200. 1 This Is a suggest 
lve fact.” ne further states that Mr. Huntington 
was about to procure a valuable ram, but just before 
the time of using him, hia flock was nearly ruined by 
dogs—“so that for the present dogs have kept 1dm 
from moving in the direction of wool raising." 
We have heretofore published statistics showing the 
enormous losses incurred in different States by the de¬ 
struction of sheep by dogs. But great as these are, 
Right Bank op a River.—W. D. 8.; The right 
bank of a river is that on your right hand if you start 
from its source to navigate it to its mouth. 
jttle of Naples, Onta- 
ion and D. D. Johnson 
six yearling ewes and 
Salk op Merinos. 15. B. I 
lio Co., N Y., sold J. N. Jon: 
of Ovid, Seneca County, N. Y 
four owe tegs for $1,000. 
W. F. Ketchum, inventor of the Kotchum Reaping 
aud Mowing Machine, died of apoplexy in Buffalo, on 
the 2ith ult. He was about 60 years of age. 
