Frances of his early life. ITe bad talked—T writing 
— a half hour, when we were interrupted by the 
entrance of visitors. The writer must frankly own 
that lie was not a little impatient under the intru¬ 
sion; and it may lie that the quick perception of the 
Doctor detected it; for he kindly offered to write his 
remembrances and send them to me. He subse¬ 
quently did so; and inasmuch as I have often, been 
asked for what I might know of his early history, by 
his friends, west and east, it may not lie deemed 
presumptuous or inappropriate if t record here, 
with his ‘‘last words," hie “parting legacy,” a brief 
abstract of the autobiography in my possession. 
The whole of this manuscript would greatly interest 
those who know him; but this is not the time, even 
if there were space, to publish it. 
Dr. Kknnkott was born in Montgomery Co., 
N. Y.. near the borders of Saratoga Co., sometime 
between 1 * 1)0 and 1802, (the family records disagree.) 
lie is not so very nId, although called the “Old Doc¬ 
tor." He is thus called, because ho is the oldest of 
the family of thirteen living children, in which are 
embraced several Dr. K hnnicotts, Dr. K.’s parents 
were both born in Rhode Island. The father was a 
descendeut (in line) of an old Devonshire family, 
(not unknown to letters.) and the mother of a more 
widely known Scotch .Jacobite family. The father 
was a pioneer all his life, “ with his face ever to the 
•west ” lie first removed from Rhode Island to 
Rensselaer Co., N. Y.; thence to Montgomery; 
thence to Onondaga; next to Ontario Co., Cattarau¬ 
gus Co., and finally, in 1835, to Cook Co., 111. 
Dr. K. worked on the farm, and had charge of 
Merino sheep before the war of 18J2; also of the 
orchard, garden, and a small nursery, lie also 
asserts that he occasionally “ tended carding ma¬ 
chine." his father owning the first one he over 
heard of—about 1810. 
In 1817 or 1818, when the family removed to 
Western New York, he says, “1 was considered the 
best ax-mun and general wood-ranger of any boy of 
my age and site; but 1 was miserably ignorant of all 
matters taught in schools” There being no schools 
in that region at that early day, he had to educate 
himself as bust ho could. And he asserts that after 
thittiy days' attendance at a common district school 
in Chautauqua county, be commenced teaching 
others anfl helping to educate the youngest mem¬ 
bers of liis own family. 
About 1823 he went to Bulb^lo. where he studied 
medicine, taught district school, served as clerk in 
a drug store, Ac., Ac., mean time passing his winters 
at the Medical College at Fairfield. Herkimer 
county, New York. 
After graduating, he lectured, and wrote for the 
press in Buffalo. In summer he practiced medicine 
in Canada, on the Welland Canal. About 1828 he 
visited Detroit, Sandusky. Columbus, Cincinnati, 
Louisville, and Natchez, spending a little time at 
each place, botanizing, Ac. lie lectured and prac¬ 
ticed medicine one summer near Jackson, Miss., 
and then went to Now Orleans, where he remained, 
teaching and writing, (occasionally lecturing,) until 
March, 1836, when lie removed to Illinois. 
While in New Orleans, he was about six years 
Principal of Ibe Upper Primary School, Old Fimx- 
bourg, St. Mary, N. <). Here he also started the first 
Literary,Scientific, and Religious paper ever printed 
in New Orleans. It was called the “ Louisiana Re¬ 
corder.” The Rev. Theodore Clapp. and two 
other eminent divines, were, with his brother 
James, (now dead,) and himself, associated us a 
“Committee of Supervision ” in the publication of 
this paper. Dr. lv. wan, however, sole editor, and 
his brother James principal literary contributor. 
The Rev. Timothy Feint was an occasional con¬ 
tributor. The paper stopped when Dr. K. left it to 
take charge of the Male Orphan Asylum, about a 
year before removing hither. lie says he does not 
remember when ho began to write for the press; but 
not very young. “ And.” he says, “ I urn not 
ashamed to confess that I manufactured heaps of 
rhymes , which the Buffalo journals, Albany Masonic 
lit curd. Philadelphia Ariel, Natchez papers, Ac., Ac., 
were soft enough to print. I thought it poetry 
then; but know better—without being much wiser— 
now.” 
It is proper to say here, that while a resident of 
Buffalo, Dr. K. became intimate with I)avjd 
Thomas, to whom he said he owes most of his 
botanical and horticultural taste and knowledge, 
although he received much encouragement from 
TORRKV and Others. 1 have been told that before 
the “Old Doctor’’ was twenty-one years of age. and 
while attending school at Fairfield, he delivered a 
cc’irse of Botanical Lectures in Buffalo, which were 
quite successful. There are several residents of this 
city, (Chicago,) who attended those lectures. 
T make this statement not to compliment Dr. K., 
but simply to impress the lesson which is taught, of 
the value and result of persistent effort in the 
acquirement of knowledge. It may be. true that 
Dr. K. Was stimulated in his botanical researches 
and horticultural efforts by David Thomas, and 
that the encouragement thus given, shaped, to a 
degree, the tastes and life of the man; but back of 
it all is another fact which the writer deems equally 
important in determining the causes which resulted 
in giving the West this friend and contributor to 
Rural Science. It is this: — Ilis father was an 
orchardist;—no mat ter where located, his first work 
was to rear an orchard; and this was usually done 
from his own nursery stock. And it is averred that 
Dr. K. was first and best known in New York as a 
horticulturist—so well known, that soon after his 
removal to Illinois he was proffered au interest in a 
Buffalo nursery with the design of establishing a 
branch at. “The drove," where be now lives, and 
has lived since his arrival in the State. 
The first Work after his arrival in this State was 
the planting fruit trees and flowers about his homo; 
the establishment of a private nursery from which 
to supply his own wants and those of his neighbors. 
The country was flooded w 1th all Sorts of Jloosier 
trees, brought hither by peddlers. These trees were 
all seedlings, and as uncertain in the character of 
their fruit and hardiness, as any very uncertain 
thing. To supply settlers with something of real 
value and benefit to the country, he increased 
his nursery stock until lie had become the source of 
all things beautiful and desirable in horticulture in 
this part of the West. Meantime he practiced as a 
physician, riding rt circuit of 40 miles or more 
square, night and day, summer and winter, across 
bleak prairies, fording sloughs and streams, and 
accomplishing things impossible to all but pioneers. 
But my work is done. I have written briefly of 
what has not before been written. Of bis work 
here in the West 1 need not, write. It is recorded in 
the various Western journals for which he has writ¬ 
ten, and not less in the embellishments of our West¬ 
ern homes. There are few men—the writer knows 
none—who have written more for public journals 
and private eyes—said more or done more to pro¬ 
mote the real progress of scientific and practical 
agriculture and horticulture in the West, than Dr. 
John A. Kennicott. And I in no wise detract 
from the praise due other good nu n who have been 
his compeers and co-lahorera here. Of his personal 
character, social habits, home-life, and of the place 
he holds in the affections of his friends, 1 write not 
now, though much might Ik* written. 1 trust he lias 
long to live; and 1 have only been tempted to write 
what is here written, because of the solicitations of 
friends, and lieeause the delivery of the foregoing 
valedictory arid parting legacy rendered it appa¬ 
rently appropriate. 
$Uc g*f-£**p*r. 
Objection* to Bee Culture. 
The last Patent Office Report contains a very 
interesting article under the above bead, by Wil¬ 
liam Biu ckish, now of Texas, but an emigrant, 
from Prussia, and fully conversant with the subject, 
both in tills and his native country: 
“Numerous prejudices exist injurious to bee-rais¬ 
ing, some of which require particular refutation, as 
most frequent, and having apparently so much 
weight with many persons. First: II is alleged that 
bees yield no profit, or at least so little that they 
Bees dislike the offensive odor of sweaty animals, 
and will not endure impure air from human lungs. 
The bee-keeper will ordinarily derive all bis 
profits from stocks strong and healthy in early 
spring. 
Queenless colonies, unless supplied with a queen, 
will inevitably dwindle away, or be destroyed by 
the liee-rnoth or robber-bees. 
The formation of new colonies should ordinarily 
bc confined to the season when bees are accumula¬ 
ting honey; and if this, or any other operation must 
Ixi performed when forage is scarce, the greatest 
precaution should be uses! to prevent robbing. 
Wintering Bee* in the Cellar. 
Youu subscriber S. A. P., of .Sheridan, inquires 
about wintering bees in the cellar. He wishes to 
know of a way to prevent their crawling out on 
warm days. Last winter I had quite a number lost 
in the same way. I concluded it was caused by 
being disturbed by some members of the family 
going into the collar with a lighted candle. This 
winter 1 have made a partition in one corner of the 
cellar, of boards, so as to have it dark. Several old 
apiarians have pronounced it a good plan. 1 think 
it cannot Ixi beaten. There are shelves to place 
hives on, as high as possible from the ground, to 
will not pay for keeping; and, as to the increase of’ prevent the comb from molding. • i think there 
national wealth, that, their yield is hardly of any should lx* an upward current of air for ventilation, 
importance. Secondly: It is said that, in view of Bees did very well in Jefferson connty this last 
“ hone charcoal." By these three processes a great 
amount of extraneous vegetable matter is extracted. 
It is then subjected lo a rapid boiling at. 160 degrees 
heat, in what is called a “vacuum pan,” which 
finishes the process. So far as we could judge, 
there was nothing used to impair, but rather to 
improve the healtbftllnets of the refines! product. 
This cannot be said of some of the refined sirup 
offered in the market. 
2d. One hundred gallons of fair crude simp 
yield about ninety gallons of the refined product. 
3d. The cost of refining is not over six cents per 
gallon in large quantities. 
4th. It ranks with the lx\st. refined “Golden 
Sirup." The Eastern refined sirups are not. uni¬ 
form in quality, except in the higher grades. It has 
none of the “lxineset’’ taste of (he unrefined sirup, 
nor the smoky flavor which often occurs in other 
refined sirups. 
5th. The company offer to receive simp at. any of 
the railroad depots in this city. (Chicago,) in quan¬ 
tities ot five barrels or over, and to refine it at ten 
cents per gallon, returning to the depot, for each 
man, an equal amount of sirup, less its actual loss in 
refining; or to return seventy-five gallons for every 
hundred gallons received. These figures include 
dravage, cooperage, and re-painting the heads. The 
Company will sell the refined Sorghum tinder the 
name of (now used for the first time,) Western 
Plantation Simp. Small packages of ten gallons 
each may be obtained of them at fifty-five cents per 
gallon. 
6th. The company will purchase for further experi¬ 
ment 200 or 300 barrels of (lie crude article at thirty- 
five cents per gallon, delivered, before establishing 
any regular price at which they arc to buy it. A 
sirup refinery may be started at a cost of about 
$12,001). The cost of machinery alone in the works 
above w as $5,000. If has a capacity of refining one 
hundred barrels per day in addition to its regular 
business. We learn further, from a number of 
wholesale grocers of this city, (Chicago,) that*the 
sirup trade bus greatly fallen off since the intro¬ 
duction of the Chinese cane. In numerous locali¬ 
ties country merchants do not keep any lint Sorghum 
sirup for sale. The cultivation of the sugar cane 
in the Northwest is no longer a matter of doubt. 
As high as 300 gallons of simp have been produced 
per aerto 150 gallons is a small yield. Whether 
sugar can lx? profitably produced from it is not yet 
determined. We shall soon have a home supply 
and a surplus to export to the Eastern States. 
their propensity to sling, it is always a risk, and season, and nearly every stock swarmed, that is, so naa " rna J «'*‘taineu oi tnem at miy-nve cents per 
even danger, to keep bees. Thirdly: It Is affirmed far as I am acquainted. One gentleman 1 know of, pa< i )II ' ni „ 
that it is too dillioult, and requires too much time, from ten lust spring, had thirteen healthy new Mb. The company will purchase for further experi- 
to give the bees such a management as is most con- swarms and over two hundred weight oCbox honey. " ,( ' nl 21,11 or ' ,0 ° " , l lr cru,Jv art,cl ° ilt l,1| rty- 
riucive and natural to them. Evans Mills. N. Y , 1861 P. Z. fav « !*”• f> a!lon > establishing 
“As to the first objection, it is true that no reve- - "*” ,ar I> n< * at wllK:h are *« bu >’ * A 
nuo can lx* expected from an irrational and unnatn- To drive and keep Am* away from Hive*. sirup refinery may be Started at a cost of about 
ral treatment of bees. But wherever this indus- Mn. Balduiduk says tobacco smoke will drive $12,Wk). I he cost of machinery alone in the works 
trious little creature has been properly oared for, ante away from a bee hive, and a little turpentine above was *5,000. It has a capacity of refining one 
during a tolerably fair season, in countries which will keep them away. iund,cd ba IT° Is , »* or » ftddlt,on k> ,to 
are not wholly defllcient in honey plants, they have Wu loar ? ( ™ a * 
util on j < (riq 1 8 mudoktt wh»t kind of mink he h»s tamed that destroys the <1 act ion of the Chinese cane. In numerous locali- 
b easing many a lxm-riuser villi prosperity. 1 no | x .(, moth? There are two varieties—the black and the brown. .. , , , , , , . 
.. , * ■ .. ...i,,.,)...,. . „ ' , . ties country merchants do not keep any bnt Sorghum 
question, however, is a more serious one, whether — k. •/,. .December, ism . ,, , ... .. ‘ ,, 
, , , ,■ _... sirup for sale. The cultivation of the sugar cane 
individuals or whole families can derive their pnn- - ♦ v , .. . , • , .. , ,. 
. , ... . , .._ m the Northwest is no longer a matter of doubt. 
' ’‘•Tbl'.'yield <iThoney' annually produced by one $«VlU spirit 0f tUf f As high as 300 gallons of si,-up have been produced 
hive in the north of Germany will, on an average, r , #1 # ^ atm , 160 y ,eld ’ . W h< f<* 
hardly exceed ten pounds, unless the summer is to stop leakage. sugar can lie profitably produced from it is not yet 
unusually favorable; but in Ibe United States, at A correspondent of the Lynn (Mass.) News determined. Me shall soon have a home supply 
least at the South, and this in dry localities, a* in gives a recipe for a cheap composition, with which an. la surplus to export to the Eastern States. 
Western Texas, there are but few years when a in roofs maybe effectually stepped. Having - 
stock, on an average, yields less than twenty pounds a leaky “ L," he says, “ I made a composition of 
uyear. It is true, there are colonies which have four P oun<i » of ono of linseed oil and VOlttfl.S 01 ^flUfUUUWU 
lost their queens, or which have become weakened ” n <* of "*» lcat }5 applied it hot with a brush — 
from some other cause, and have not saved anything the P art wher « “ Ij was J oined tlle maln Anml ,beUn ? s of 311(1 ^ 8wi( ‘^- 
for the coming year, except their lives and their “oust?. It ha* never leaked since 1 then recoin, __ 
health. But such arc brought into the average, by t ,c composilnm to my neighbor, who had a s. Ac. aocn^r.-At the annual of th,s Society, 
the momirieni hives vieltlintr one hundred pounds dormer window which leaked badly. He applied lwld u. Wnsl.,.. K u«, ou the Mb n»t.. Mr. UoxnAB,,. of Ohio, 
IIH promimm ‘ i r> V . a Ai i nn L- w tr.nnr»H I mv wator-oask wtut reflected IVusidont, Mr. Poouk SocrctJir}', and Mr. 
of honey, and ovor ; for, a vigorous colony in a # x 1 ' * n< i ‘ Phkwch Trowurcr. The Executive CoxnmHtcc woa r^of^Tin- 
suitable hive, and enjoying a favorable season, will tight by this compos on > a ‘ , iw*l, and consist* of Marshal P. Wiltlor, of Musa.; FW. 8. 
here sometimes yield as much as two hundred lor cbimneys, windows, etc., and it has always 8n , y tl 10l of N. II.; Ismic Newton, of Philadelphia; Clwrtes H. 
pounds a year. Estimating the price of honey at P TOV ° d acure for * le8k ' Oolvwt, of Md. ; l. Grand nyin K ton. of low; j 11 . Suiiivnn, 
only fifteen cents a pound, the yield of the average , , „, E , of 0hi °: an ' 1 M - M J' (!re ' of Cnl 1>rp * id,,nt bwoowli worn- 
uinount of twontv pounds, is tliroo dollars, or wovon- „ . . I% . , , * , 
tv five ner rent uf the nni chase monev al lour ddl- T),E Chicago Tribune ot’December 23d contains Dopwim«nte wm warmly commended, and he was elected an 
ty live pu t lit, 1 ‘ • • ,, w hirh nrove llmt cotton can lx* Honorwy member. The Biifr^ostloiiH of the i’roddentR 
lars per hive. From this, the cost of management an a ^ ra - v ot fack «hich prove that cot on « do ut<>d and indoraod. and a Uw edition was 
and other incidental expenses must be deducted. ra,s<ld ,n Southern Illinois with as much aul y a < oriior< , d printod Tho catablodunrnt of an Agrlcultund in- 
Thin uinount, however, i» inoonHidorablo^ and dlmiu- w profitably as m the? cotton regions n io Sou prn p ar t m ,. n t wo» lUacuwed and r^commonded There waa a 
islies in proportion as this branch of industry is Sbdes. The names and addresses are given ot a decided exprewion of opinion oguinst National Exhibition*, 
extended * large number of persons who have been raising It in unit*** they can be held at Washington. The Society adopted 
‘•The most natural and profitable way of keeping that region for many years, and who have, under a aerie* of resolution* aSmdng to agricnltuml odncaUon, and 
1 4 ,. their careless mode of cultivating, succeeded in prvpxrod a premium ll*t for a wnpg of experiments "i the 
bees, is tor every farmer to put up oa many hives as • '* J Au culUvation of ,,,tu,n m ,b. Middle and Northern stut.**. 
he may want for producing his own honey and wax. ^ ’,^ f !'T ltn L, .. . , L" Also for hemp and .lax, the awards to be nude by the Central 
With sufficient assistance, the intelligent and thor- cents per pound, tlu gives re m y»t t p* Agrioultural Socictla* of tlie states In which the competitore 
ough tM>o-tnuHtor can keep a thousand hives, und U‘c lonmg «Jg it at n s o 10 u ( kuh , areal»o perfected for a national 6xhi 
even wore Many a iktsoii may bo deterred from which is the calculation made of the sla\c uc* bition of native wine* to be hold iu Wasltlngtou in January 
such an increase, by the cost of the hives; but he tion in an ..IllcJal report to Congress in 1852, we 
should consider that the increase is only gradual, so lmvo t,l< ‘ n ^“’ 10 10 * 400 !u; llie - v< -' ar 8 P ro,,uc * (>1 011(1 Connkcticot statu Ao. Sociktt —The anmud mooting 
that the bee-keeper will be prepared for it when the hmA and oi B ht unm An a ” cnt ,l I>P omU ' d th< ’ was held at. Hartford, Jan S|li Tho financial report extiililts 
expenditure becomes necessary. Even an expen- Blinois Central Railroad Company to travel and $ 0.18 on hand, with property worth *1,000, and loss than *100 
sive Ix'o-bouBc may tie doubly paid for from the investigate Ibe subject, reports that there are in of indebUxinm. The society reared .to hold a Fair next 
__ ,:| hnn „ v ^feiined the first year" Hlinpis from eight to ten millions of acres of land ri “’ Wovmg otheera were elected for ensuing year, 
piohtof the honey obtained the hret year. which are adapted to tho cotton culture. These «• ,|Y ' ,K “f; 
The Mink ns n Miller Catcher. lands Will also produce flax, Castor lieans, sorghum, (hf ^. rrtanj Il( . nrv A r>v ,, r 0 f nrooUlyn. /tec. Secretary 
Eos. Rural New-Yorker:—H aving intro- aud olll( ' r semi-tropical products. There is an —.j, jj. Gold, of Cornwall. IVcaturcr— F. A. Drown, of llnrt 
duced through your columns the mink as a miller flold for P r ® (Uable "nterprise for the pro- f()nl ha*. M i-ond. Hartford county; Randolph 
catcher. 1 think it needs an explanation, as 1 am duytl0n of c,jim tt0xt 8eaw>n ,n llllI,ols - Now ,,aven; jMl '“ A 15111 N,w K 
receivmg letters of inquiry from someoi your many fi „ ld . , ion j ; Sljmner , Windham; R. B c.uimt,orlin, Tolland, 
rotuters, to bow I Loop my minks, ;uul likowiso 1 ^ ^ t Directors (appointed by County Societies)—J. A. Hemingway, 
how bark hivos are made. Two years ago last May G. R. Ilunn writes thus to the Michigan Farmer: JJllrt f ord n a, Bacon, New Haven; Henry Bill, New 
I caught seven young minks, f made a pen of —“ I have a small field of 3 acres and 8-100 that I London; G. W. Seymour, Litchfield; Ezra Bean, Windham; 
boards near iny bees, twelve feet square, and put commenced my tiling upon. In 1800 it was planted Stcptusu Uoyt, Fairfield; J. B. Ywnnami. TolUml Chcmiet— 
them in it, when about the first of July grasshop- to corn in the usual manner, and I got about fifty Prof. JohnOon, of Yolo CoUcgc. 
]x.*rs would occasionally sail in, and they would bushels to the acre of good and poor— about one- MonkobCotott Society—A nnual meeting at Rochester, 
jump and catch them very quick. Jt soon became quarter was poor. Last spring I thought I would Jan. stb Officers elected President B. M. Bakrr, Rocbcs- 
spoi’t for hoys to catch grasshoppers and throw them tire it, for parte of it were very wet-so wet that f Martin Roberta. Hcnnetu.; Hiram 
on the side of the pen, to see the minks jump und com would not grow Well. It was not wet with wlm 7Wtw ._ M c . Mordofr Benj 
catch them. Hearing the same jumping at night, I would be called a swale, but with water oozing out 8mith of Mt , ndon aod M v B*yuoidn, of Rochester, were 
went out to SCO what was going on, and I found of tho commonly called sand knolls, of which there ( .|,o<on Directors for the ensuing three years. Thu Directors 
they were catching millers. The millers were so were two. I put 45 rods of the two and three-inch , v h„ hold over are: V. V. Brown, Wheatland; w c. Tracy, 
thick about my bees that I could catch from thirty tile in it, and on till* high ground I put a coating of IViffield. for one year. Win. Rankin, Greece; L. I). Mitchell, 
to forty a night in a pan of 1miter milk, and now I manure. The depth of the tile was from 2 to.'ij eliuford, for two years. 
have no millers about my bees. My minks cannot feet; the tile was run around under these hills, with Livingston Co Sociktt.—A t the recent annual meeting of 
climb a rough board fence four feet high. They a main drain for an outlet. The result was that I thin Society, the following board of officers was elected for 
have young once a year-from five to eleven,-and got off the piece this year 327 bushels of ears of *** Preside- Jahi-kb Barber, Avon. Vice Prudent- 
IM-Ior., I tuki. off Uieir pella, ! kccj> them in thodark ,,r„ (with vo,v U.U« ,K»,r c„ro,, ,, 107 
for about one month, to make them darker than the bushels to the acre; so that 1 tool pretty well paid JMwi ^ t _j abn v . Lauderdale, Gencseo. Dirtetars-Gco. 
wild ones. for my trouble and the expense of the first, crop. w Koot and ch , ir , e „ Colti wh0M . u . niUi of oflit . c M Directors 
The way I make the bark hives is this: I saw Now. brother tanners that have not tried tiling, had expired, were re-elected, 
around the tree the height 1 want my hive, peal oil don’t be afraid to begin; don't let the trouble and Kkik Co society.—A tthe annual meeting, held in Buffido 
the bark, set in a head the same as yon would in a expense scare you; put, it in and you will be paid i#st week, offieera were olected for the ensuing year as follows: 
Annnal Meetings of National, State, and teal Societies. 
U. S. Ac. Sociktt.—A t the annual meeting of this Society, 
held in Washington on the 9tli inat.. Mr. lion hard, of Ohio, 
wax re elected President, Mr. Poouk Secretary, and Mr. 
Eukhcii Tr( usurer. The Executive Committee was re-organ 
iscd, and consists of Marshal P. Wilder, of Maas.: Fred. S. 
Srnythe, of N. II.; Ls'uie Newton, of Philadelphia; diaries B. 
Calvert, of Md.; L. Grand Hyington, of Iowa; J It Sullivan, 
of Ohio; and M. Myers, of Cal. President LlNCOl.x’a recom¬ 
mendation of the establishment, of Agricultural and Statistical 
Departments was warmly commended, and lie was elected an 
Honorary member. The suggestions of the President's 
address were debated and indorsed, and a large edition was 
ordered printed. The eslablisjiinent of an Agricultural l)r 
partmont was discussed and recommended There was a 
decided expression of opinion against National Exhibitions, 
unless they can he held at Washington The Society adopted 
a series of resolution* adverting to Agricultural education, and 
prepared a .premium list for a series of experiments In the 
cultivation of cotton in the Middle and Northern States. 
Also for hemp and lias, the awards to he made by the Central 
Agricultural Societies of the States in which the competitors 
reside. Arrangements arc also perfected for a national exlii- 
bition of native wines to he hold iu Washington in January 
next. 
CONNKCTtcttT STATU Ao SoctBTT —The annual meeting 
was held at Hartford, Jan Stll Tho financial report exhibits 
$0.18 on hand, with property worth $1,000, ami less than $100 
of indebtedness. The Society resolved to hold a Fair next 
fall The following officers were elected for ensuing year: 
/’resident K II. IIVDK. 'Jd. of Stafford. Vice /'msidcnU — 
Robbins Battel], of Norfolk; D. F. Gulliver, of Norwich 
Oor Secretary- llenrv A. Dyer, of Brooklyn, /tec. S<crrtar>i 
—T 8, Gold, of Cornwall. Treasurer—F. A. Brown, of Hart¬ 
ford. IHr-rtors —('lias. M. I’ond, Hartford county; Randolph 
Llndsley, New Haven; James A. Bill, New London; K. Hough. 
Fairfield; Levi Cowles, Middlesex; Lemuel Hurlburt, Litch¬ 
field; Bonj. Sumner, Windham; K B. Chamberlin, Tolland. 
ZMrecUrrs (appointed h_\ County Societies)—J. A. Hemingway, 
Hartford couuty; N A, Bacon, New Haven; Henry Bill, New 
London; G. W Seymour, Litchfield; Ezra Dean. M'lndham; 
Stcphcu Iloyt, Fairfield; J. 8. Yeomans. Tolland /.’hemitt — 
Prof. Johnson, of Yale College. 
Monkok County Society—A nnual meeting at Rochester. 
Jan. Stb. Officers elected; J‘resilient —B. M Bakkr, Roches¬ 
ter Fur /’nriilrntx — Martin Roberts, Henrietta; Hiram 
Smith, Rochester; K. B. Holmes. Sweden. Secretary —J M. 
Bootli. Treasurer—til C. Mordoff Directors —Hon. Benj 
Smith, of Mendoll, and M. F. Reynolds, of Rochester, were 
chosen Directors for the ensuing three years. Thu Directors 
who hold over are: V. P. Brown, Wheatland; W C. Tracy, 
IViffield, for one year. Win. Rankin, Greece; L. I). Mitchell, 
I’lttsford, for two years. 
Livingston Co SoCTKTV.—A t the recent annual meeting of 
this Society, the following board of office.rs was elected for 
1S62: /‘resident— Jabpbr Barrbh. Avon. Vice /‘resident— 
Frederick A. Gray, York. /Secretary —George J Davis, Gene 
seo. /treasurer— Hezekiah Allen, Goneseo. Geotoffist and 
/Ahrarian —John A'. Lauderdale, Gencsoo. Id rectors —Geo. 
W. Koot and Charles Colt, whose terms of office as Directors 
had expired, were re elected. 
Ekik Co. Socikty —At the annual meeting, held in Buflklo 
Rural Notes anil Items. 
To Corrbppondk.vts, Tnquiukrs, &.C .—We are eonstraimsl 
to again state that we no not wish to inere-aso our list of paid 
contributors to the Ritual, (and especially to its Literary and 
Miscellaneous departments,) nor have we time, at this season 
of the year, to respond by letter to tho numerous applications 
received. Wish we could say aye, in many cases, but our 
present engagements and expenditures forbid further invest¬ 
ments at present. 
— Of late we have received numerous inquiries on various 
subjects — including many requests for our host advertising 
term* — soliciting written answers It ts impossible for ub to 
respond, except in Important matters, for want of time. We 
would fain treat all courteously, hut must first give attention 
to what eannot he deferred. With hundred-, of business 
letters daily, we are just now unable to devote much time to 
letter writing. Those who have written us recently, (and 
several luvve twice or thrice,) relative to advertising, on? 
referred to our terms, published in every number, for particu¬ 
lars; and such ns wish us to advertise at the r.xjos charged by 
papers having from five to twenty thousand subscribers only 
must wait awhile, ns vve are not doing that kind of business. 
The simple i*.\ct that we have received and entered upon our 
books an average of ovrh Fifteen Hundred Subscribers per 
day for nearly three weeks past, is one reason why wo “ charge 
more than other papers do " for advertising, 
Patrnt OmcR Affairs. —'The business of the Patent 
Office Is said to Is’ reviving atpfin There has been n marked 
increase for the past month, (he number of applicants for 
patents filed during December exceeding those of November 
by more than one hundred. Many of the inventions lately 
patented are more warlike than peaceful — such machines and 
instruments us lire thought to be required in the great struggle 
to maintain and perpetuate the Union. 
— A recent telegram from Washington says the Commis¬ 
sioner of Patents is to he called upon by Congress to state 
whether Mr. Brownk, formerly Agricultural Chief Clerk, is 
employed hy him to purchase seeds; and that “there is much 
fault found with 15.’t) Official conduct while here, and if he has 
been sent abroad it will make some disturbance.” We inno¬ 
cently supposed that Mr. 15. had long ago been removed from 
a position fttr which ho was unqualified 
Gov. Morgan on Opr Agricultural Intkrkbts, —Though 
unable to give our readers Gov. Moroan’H recent Annual 
Message entire, we make room for all that portion of the long 
document which relates to the Agricultural Interest* of the 
State*. What is a-vid on this important, subject may not. prove 
exceedingly gratifying; hilt the Governor deserves credit for 
imbuing such a prosaienl topic with the “soul of wit," and 
thus saving the time and patience of renders. He says:— 
11 Agricultural interests have been more than usually prosperous. 
The products have boon abundant throughout the State, and 
the remunerative rates have given increased business to the 
various modes of transportation iu the direction of markets; 
at the same time tile articles of human food have been so res 
Mumble that plenty him been within the reach of the humblest 
laborer. Public policy alone would counsel us to foster this 
great source of happiness and national wealth." 
Novkltibs jofOM Japan anu California.—^ The Hon. T. 
Hart Hyatt, late U. 8 Consul at Amoy. China—whence he 
recently returned via Japan and California, to his former 
residence in this city—has favored u- with govcml products 
and Curiosities of countries visited during his sojourn abroad 
Among them, a tine head of Millet, grown at Kanegawa, 
Japan, und specimens of Japanese ‘ 1 Cash ”—copper and Iron 
coin; the latter about as large as tin* new American cent, 
(though five thousand are valued at only one dollar,) with a 
hole one fourth of an inch square iu the center Also, a Cali¬ 
fornia apple, of good size and appearance — not yet tasted — 
and a specimen of clnnebar ore from the same state Mr. II 
lias quite a collection Of novelties and curiosities, mainly the 
handiwork of Chinese ami Japanese artist* and mechanics. 
Ska Island Cotton. — We are indebted to Mr. Huhiiakd, 
(of Uie enterprising dry goods firm of Huboako A Northrop, 
Rochester,) for a sample of the Sea Island Cotton, recently 
brought from Port Royal 8 C by tin- Government and sold 
in New York, at auction, for Do cent* per pound 1 It is a 
superior article, such a* the English use in manufacturing line 
muslins. The same quality formerly wild at ‘JO to 29 cent* per 
lb., (when ordinary cotton brought 12 to 15 cents)—indicating 
an advance in price which must ere long affect the pockets of 
all consumers of cotton goods. Let farmers “ hurry up " extra 
quantities of wool and flax, and inventors and manufacturers 
I,ring along flax cotton, or some other cheap substitute for the 
‘king” 
Grkat Importation of Siikkp ami Eggs into Britain.— 
According to the dark /.one Bwprat*. the sheep imported into 
London from foreign countries are now about 10,000 per week, 
ami Hull. Liverpool, ami Glasgow, also ie<-oive supplies. 
The total uuinber Imported in ISAS wus 184,482, and in I860, 
320,219. In the year 18(51, it doubtless approached to, or 
exceeded. 600.000 The eggs brought. Into England in 1868 
were 134.685,000. In I860, they were 107,606,200. In the 
year 1861, they must, have nearly reuehed the number of 
200,000.000. These two Items are merely specimens of a 
whole class. The oxen, the bacon, the butter, cheese, Arc.. 
are all pouring in. in rapidly Increasing quantities. 
Tiik Rural's History or Tint Rkiikllion.— A subscriber 
of Clinton county, Iowa, writes: — “The Rural is especially 
valuable at this time for its complete condensed History of the 
Rebellion. 1 Intend binding the volume, And in future yean* 
it will be read with interest by those who have the good 
fortune to possess it." Within the past month we have been 
favored with many letters commending the same feature of the 
RURAL, quite a number of them affirming its sumuuiry of War 
News to be more interesting and reliable than that given in the 
daily papers which publish so many idle rumors 
■ » 
Dogs vs. Siikkp — A Sporting Item .—A Cleveland paper 
gives some figures which must attract the attention of Ohio 
wool growers, in this style:—“ It may be of interest to some to 
know wlint it costs the State of Ohio to supply her dug* with 
a first-class sport for one year. There wore lolled by dogs in 
Ollio during the year 1861,42,781 sheep, valued at ’*>4,216.25. 
During the same period there were injured 19,000, valued at 
$32,579.70; total, 61,781 sheep, at $96,790.96'" 
half bushel measure. Let the edges lap a little 
when you fetch it around the head, and run your 
saw through the lap. This makes a good joint. 
But, I must be short on this, for fear I might M ake 
up another Michigan Beu JIunter. 
Great Valley, N. Y., 1862. A. Mudgktt. 
1 litercHiing Facts. 
One square inch of worker comb contains 
about 25 colls on one side, on both, 50. Hence, a 
piece of comb 4 inches by 5 will contain 1,000 
workers. 
One square inch of drone comb contains about 16 
cells, and on both sides, 32. 
The cells of workers aro 7-16 of an inch in depth, 
and drones are 9-16. 
It takes about i lb. oi comb to hold 15 lbs. of 
honey. 
One gallon of honey weighs 12 lbs. 
The least possible space for a loaded worker is 
5-32 of an inch. 
One pound of honey contains about 20 cubic 
inches. 
Bees gorged with honey never volunteer an 
attack. 0 
Bees may always be made peaceable by inducing 
them to accept of liquid sweets. 
Bees, when frightened by smoke, or by drum¬ 
ming, fill themselves with bone/ and lose all dispo¬ 
sition to sting, unless they are hurt. 
Bees disliku any quick movements about their 
hives, especially any motion which jars their combs. 
in a ten fold ratio. Make a beginning; you will 
never regret it. The kind of corn was the large, 
yellow Indiana Dent.” 
Kcfinrd Sorglitml Sirup. 
The cultivation of Sorghum has not been fairly 
tried in Ibis Slate, but in the Western States it has 
l>c co me an important, almost a staple product At 
the late session of the Illinois Horticultural Society, 
held iu Chicago, a committee was appointed to 
inquire into the subject of refining the sirup. Their 
inquiries and tin* answers thereto are important, as 
indicating the fact that an abundance of excellent 
simp may be produced in the Northern States at a 
price reasonably low. The committee directed 
their attention to the following points; 
QUERIES. 
1st, What foreign substances are used iu refining? 
Would their use be likely to render tbc refined pro¬ 
duct nnliealtbful? 
2d. What is the loss in quantity by refining? 
3d. What is the expense of refining? 
4th. How does the refined article rank in grade 
with other refined sirups? 
5th. How can the farmers get their sirup refined? 
6th. Is there any sale for the crude sirup? 
ANSWERS. 
1st. A small quantity of lime water is introduced 
at the commencement of the boiling. Next the 
sirup is strained through canvass sacks. After¬ 
wards it passes into immense filters, containing 
/‘resident—7.. Bonnby. Buffalo. Vice Presidents— D. 1). 
Stiles Aurora; G. W Fain. Tonawanda Secretary— M'arren 
Granger, Buffalo. Tirasurcr— Geo. AV .Scott. Buffalo Direct¬ 
ors— Benj. Baker, East Hamburgh; Paul B. Latbrup, Eluia, 
Nathaniel Tucker. Brant; Ellis Webster, Buffalo; George A 
Moore, Buffalo: \V D. Green, Lancaster. Finance Committee 
—Am os Freeman and K F Clvileort, East Hamburgh; Orlando 
Allen, Buffalo. 
Dm.AWAKii Co. Sociktv.—O fficers for 1802: /‘resident—C. 
Bki'KRR,S tamford Vice/‘residents —J. B. Yendes, Delhi; Jas. 
White, Jr., Kortright; G. 8. Tuttle. Harpersfleld; M. 8 Kel¬ 
logg, Franklin; P. R. Ferguson, Meredith; S. AVakeman. Wal¬ 
ton; Duncan Bullanlitie, Andes; G B Lyou, Stamford, 
Alfred Rrdfirld, Davenport; M. L. Bostwick Hamden; Alex. 
Storie, Bovina; A. J. Keator, Roxbury. tbc. Secretary— 
V. G. Northrup, Franklin. Oar. Secretary —Porter Krishee, 
Delhi Treasurer— Cyrenus Gibbs, Stamford 
BROOK PORT UNION Socikty.—O fficers for ljftp /’resident — 
E. 15. Hoi.mks, Fire /‘resident— C. H. Mason. Secretary— 
II. N. Beach Treasurer —Thomas Comes. Directors—A. K. 
Sweet, Hiram Mordoff', John Boughton, I.. Bnbcock, Ii ■)• 
Cook, A. K. Wilcox. 
SuHQUKit anna Valley Socikty.—O fficers elected: President 
—Salmon G. Co.vk. Vice Presidents— W. H. Emory, O. U. 
Fellows, Uniulillu; Ralph Dewey, G. S. Bidwell, Sidney. 
Secretary— K. W. Courtney. Treasurer— C 1 Hayes. Direct¬ 
ors— Ilenry C. Gregory, David Lee, UnadLUa; Abner Johnston, 
Sidney Directors holding over —Samuel R. Chaffin. Unadilla; 
W J, Ifugliston, Win. T Hodge, Sidney. 
OPPICKRS nr Ag’l Sociktiks are reminded that we are glad 
to receive brief synopses of proceedings of Htuiual meetings, 
See., for publication in the Rural. We are always pleased to 
learn, also, of the organization and doings of Farmers' Clubs, 
and will give hi print, whatever seems noteworthy. 
AYkstkkn Ritual Itkns. —It is asserted tiiat Mr J H. 
Smith, of Quincy, Ilk, has made, the past season, from one 
acre of African Sugar.Cane, 1,500 pounds of sugar, besides 
155 gallons Of good sirup, at a cost of 4 cents per pound of 
sugar, and 20 cents per gallon of sirup. He has on hand a tun 
of sugar. AVe ore not. infomied whether tire tun of sugar is 
Sorghum sugar or not,- Illinois /‘loros are going to Loudon 
to compete with the world for the prize* offered at the Exhi 
bition of 1862. Dukiik, of Moline. Is preparing four for tho 
Exhibition.- King Cotton is attacking the Illinoisans, with a 
fair prospect that he will get a permanent foothold in the 
State. The Chicago Gardeners' Society lias elected tho fol¬ 
lowing officers for 1862: President—Jouy C. UliB, First Vrce- 
J'resilient— 1 > Worthington, Second Vice Pnvids-nt— Geo 
Witbold; Corresponding Secretary —Dr. J. Ana Kbnnioott; 
according Secretary—CUSH. D. B RAO DON; Treasurer—A. T. 
Williams; t.ihrarian —II. Lombard. - CoUt/n Land in /Hi 
nois .—It Is believed there, are from eight to ten millions of 
acres of land in Illinois adapted to the culture of cotton.- 
Tin Ohio State Fair in to be. held at Cleveland this year.- 
"Important Action of tJee. National Agriewtiural Hoard ."—Such 
w.as the “style ” of a telegram sent to the Associated Press of 
tlie West ou the JOtli inal., announcing tbc perfection of 
arrangements for a “big drink" next January! They are 
going to seduce wine manufacturers to send them "a few 
bottles.” What a useful, indispensable institution that is! 
It is greatly appreciated “ Out West!" o. t>. B. 
Tiik Sugar Growkks’ Convention, held at Columbus, 
Ohio, hist week, is said to luxve been attended by gentlemen 
from most all quarters of the State, and proved quite a spirited 
affair. Similar conventions are talked of in Michigan, Indi¬ 
ana, &c. ^_ 
Tub Annual Mkkting of tlie N. Y\ State Ag. 8ociety will 
be held at the Agricultural Rooms, iu Albauy, on Wednesday, 
the 12tli day of February ensuing. 
