yearly cost of breaking through snow-drifts caused 
by such fences, and opening roads. These estimates 
will do to apply to other places besides Maine. The 
custom now is, that every man shall fbnce out all 
intruders; the time may come when this will be 
among the things of the post, as much as that of 
walling towns to shut out human marauders. 
the boiling point; hence every vessel and utensil 
used in the dairy for any purpose whatever, should 
pass tbrongb the scalding process, and it should be 
done thoroughly, too. , 
A writer in the Michigan Farmer attributes to 
this peculiar fermenting, or fungoid substance, the 
cause why butter does not possess at ah limes <l that 
perfect sweetness and rich taste that arises alone 
from perfectly unchanged milk; and so w ith cheese, 
in which the changed milk causes a still greater 
depreciation, and preventing the curd from ever 
making a first quality cheese,” It will hence be 
seen that boiling hot water should l>e used freely 
and liberally in the dairy, and no dairy can be con¬ 
sidered complete without convenient, fixtures tor 
beating and applying large quantities ot water at a 
perfectly boiling temperature, for the purpose of 
completely purifying, not only the utensils used, 
but occasioually the dairy-room and the shelves 
themselves, so that none of this milk-yeast, shall be 
found anywhere about tbo premises. 
potato mentioned and others like the second. The 
individual who occupied the house previous to my¬ 
self, informed me that the potatoes were of the 
growth of 1857, and remained in the box during the 
winter and summer of 1858, and had been out of the 
ground and no way connected with the earth for 
about fourteen months. 
The potatoes had attracted moisture from the air 
and earth on which they lay, and attained their 
natural size nearly, and the small potatoes had 
grown during the two months they had remained on 
the earth, hut without any connection with it. 
Pontiac, Mich., Jan., 1862. S. B. Noble. 
is important that the crop be got in as early as pos- 
Rible, and yet escape the late spring frosts. The 
plant is not quite as easily nipped by frost as the 
Indian corn plant, but does not recover from the 
withering touch of frost as does the corn. Early 
planting is important in order that the season of 
picking may bo lengthened. 
5. Yield per Acre .—It is placed at two to four 
hundred pounds of ginned cotton per acre. No one 
has named less than throe hundred pounds in the 
document before us. The quantity must of course 
depend on the length of the season and the charac¬ 
ter of the culture. Four hundred pounds per acre 
“ How Do tub Times Affect the Rural?" is occasionally 
asked by friends who call upon us. and as many at a distanoe 
would probably also like to know, we will briefly answer in 
print Thus far this year our receipts have been larger than 
lust, with a greater proportion of now subscribers. Many 
agents complain of hard times, the tax-paying season, die 
false economy of croakers, low prices of produce, &c., yet 
they seem determined that the Rural Bhall bold ita own at 
least, and therefore work more vigorously than ever before. 
Others arc far more successful than formerly, obtaining much 
larger lists than they anticipated. As an instance, Mr. II- A. 
Whittemorb, of Chautauqua C!o., (who has already remitted 
for a huger number of subscribers than he obtained last year.) 
writes:—“I have canvassed more nr less for the Rural for 
eleven years, but have never met with so good success 
Indeed, many say they find it such a welcome visitor that they 
cannot do without it, even if they sacrifice some ' creature 
comforts.' ” The times arc hard, or 1 could double any of my 
previous dubs, and am in hopes to do so even now." Though 
the times are said to be *• hard " in many sections, aud pro¬ 
duce is ruin On «ly low at the West, the currency is much better 
and money far more plenty, than a year ago — so that we do 
not real|y think the times arc so discouraging for the masses 
as they were then; and, judging from the letters we are daily 
receiving from all parts of the country, we believe fanners, 
especially, are in a much better condition. Many have made 
money since the war commenced by eOODOmuing, and others 
by confidence and good management — to each and nil of 
which essentials to success we trust, the Ritual has in some 
measure contributed. 
— The friends of the Rural will remember that its field of 
operations Is somewhat, circumscribed this year, on account 
of the Rebellion, while its advocacy of the Union, Constitu 
tion and Raws has caused secessionists in the Border States 
and elsewhere to oppose it; yet, thanks to ardent Ruralists 
who adhore.to the good old flag, we are enabled to make the 
above favorable report, and if they and others will keep the 
Rural before the People For the ensuing two months, its cir 
i-illation on the first of April will be greater than ever before. 
Need we again solicit a continuance of the kind offices of old 
friends in its behalf, or the influence of uew subscribers in 
furtherance of its circulation and usefulness? 
Value of Raw-Hide. 
We find the following item “going the rounds” 
without ,a hailing mark. The topic is worthy of 
considerationHow few persons know the value of 
raw-hide. It seems almost Btrange to see them sell 
all of their “deacon” skins for tbo small sum of 
thirty or forty cents. Take a strip of well-tanned 
raw-hide an inch wide, and ahorse can hardly break 
it by pulling back — two of them he cannot break 
any way. Out into narrow strips and shave the 
hair off with a sharp knifb, to use for bag strings; 
the strings will outlast two sets of bags. Farmers 
know how perplexing it is to lond bags and have 
them returned minus strings. It will outlast boop- 
iron (common) in any shape, and is stronger. It is 
good to wrap around a broken thill—better than 
iron. Two sets ot raw-hide halters wil) last'd mau’s 
lifetime — if he dont live too long. In some places 
the Spaniards use raw-hide log-chains to work cattle 
with, cut into narrow stripe and twisted together 
hawser fashion. It can be tanned so it will be soft 
and pliable like harness leather. 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker:— 1 send you a sketch 
of a portion of the frame of a barn, which is much 
liked in this part ot the country. Tbo first one of 
the kind was built about thirty years ago by my 
oldest brother, who had pitched off many loadR of 
hay in barns with center posts and “ big beams ” at 
the sideH of the floor, and from painful experience 
of their inconvenience, adopted the following plan 
to avoid the difficulty. 
and careful culture. This, at ten cents per pound, 
would yield a rich return—oven at the minimum 
yield given — and at five cents per pound it would 
be more profitable than the average wheat crop of 
the Suite under the present system of wheat 
husbandry. 
6. Of the comparative Quality of Illinois Cotton . 
— Samples of cotton grown in this State, the past 
year, (1861.) have been sent to England to be ex¬ 
amined by the cotton factors and manufacturers 
there. A gentleman of this city has received the 
following from a Manchester cotton merchant:—“I 
sent your sample of Illinois cotton to Mr. Badsley, 
M. P., from Manchester, a most competent judge, 
and he writes mo as follows:—‘ Your sample of cot¬ 
ton is a most welcome indication of the power of the 
Federal States to produce cotton by free 1 alter. 
Taking R& as a standard value of good Orleans cotr 
ton, I estimate your sample as worth twenty -five per 
cent more, or I(k/. per pound; but from what I see 
of the fineness of the staple of the latter, and its 
strength when unmixed with defective and blighted 
portions, 1 think that with judicious cultivation it 
might acquire merits that would ensure a value fifty 
per cent, in excess of the New Orleans class. I 
rank it as superior to Now Orleans cotton, but not 
equal to Sea Islands.’ 
“A supply of 10,000 to 20,000 bags per week of it 
would be a great boon to this country. The letters 
you inclosed to me I have sent with a chief part of 
the samples to the Colton Supply Association.” 
Thus it will be seen that we cau not only grow 
cotton in Illinois, but an extra good staple of the 
species above named. If seed can bo obtained, and 
the season of 18(12 is favorable, the amount, that will 
be grown will astonish our Southern (belligerent) 
neighbors, and teach our cousins across the water a 
lesson as to the power and enterprise of a tree peo¬ 
ple. It, is to be hoped that government will succeed 
in getting the requisite supply of seed, and that it 
be kept out of the hands of speculators. We begin 
to think, out West here, that gi'oat things are in 
store for op; for it is fast being demonstrated that 
we can grow our own cotton and sugar. 
gttquimsi ami gVtmvm 
Hungarian Grass, Culture, Yield, &o.— Being desirous 
of learning something further in regard to the cultivation, 
produce jicr acre, Ate . of Hungarian Gra*. i address a few 
inquiries to tire readers of the Rural, hoping that some one 
among the lar^vj number of imbscrihere will be able to give 
the desired iiitoromtioiL First, When is the proper time to 
sow the seed, and how much per acre’ Second, What kind of 
soil is best suited fur ita production? Third , When is the 
proper time for cutting and raring it for hay? Fourth. What 
is the genera] average yield per aore; and is the hay as good 
for stock as timothy or clover? fifth. Can t wo crops be raised 
in the same uentjon?—B., EvansvUle, fnd ., 1862. 
Lasting Effect of Mock on Crops. 
E. Leonard, of New Bedford, Mass., writes to 
the New England Farmer as follows:— Right in 
front of my house there is a fifteen acre lot of sandy 
land. Forty-four years ago, a portion of this lot, was 
treated to a heavy dressing of meadow mud. On 
this portion of the lot the crops have been from one- 
quarter to 000-third greater than on the other part 
of the lot, although it has all been treated alike ever 
since. All my neigblmrs, for miles around, have 
noticed the difference in the growth of the crops on 
this lot, and 1 have explained to them the cause, and 
invited them to go into their swamps and draw out 
muck and make a compost, or spread it on their 
land in too fall and plow it in in the spring, in the 
same manner that a part of this lot was treated, and 
they would have no cause to go to the city for 
manure and cart it from six to ton miles. But from 
all that 1 have shown and said to them, I have only 
persuaded two to try the experiment, as they call it. 
One of them has drawn from the swamp between 
five and six hundred ox-cart loads this fall, and the 
other has tried it on a gravelly piece of land, and by 
it he has doubled the fertility of the land. 
I have been digging up a piece of low swamp 
land, and carted on a coat of sarid from the high land 
that lays along toe border, on a part of which 1 intend 
to plant in the spring different kinds of garden 
vegetables, and slow grass on another park As the 
strawberry wants considerable moisture, how would 
it do in such a locality? The soil is from four to 
twelve feet deep, and it is drained eighteen inches 
below the surface. I intended it for cranberries, 
but 1 fmd the cranberry culture has taken a new 
turn; that is, instead of setting the vines in low 
swamps, people are taking the top soil off of their 
poorest high land, and setting them in the subsoil. 
They say they l>ear as well as they do in low land; 
are not, quite so large, but firmer, and not so liable 
to lie damaged by frost. 
Mkabvrino H ay in the Mow. —Will you please inform me 
of the most correct way of measuring timothy hay in mow, 
upon which grain has been stored?—Wnt A P , tfoUmbiano. 
Co., Ohio, 1861 
An experienced farmer, 7fi years of age, to whom we have 
just read the above, says tiiat 18 feet square, a foot deep, of 
mow preened hay, wiU make a tun, and on average will over 
run—that at or near the Ixittom of a stack or mow being more 
closely packed Can any one give a better rule? 
sum ajar 
BEAU 
Are our Cattle Markets open onSlnday? —We recently 
noted the fact that a reform had been instituted in the Citioago 
Cattle Market, by closing it. on Sunday. Perhaps the notice 
has called out the following from a Canadian friend, relative 
to a practice which (if it exists) requires the attention of the 
moral and right-thinking of all classes: 
*’ Are you aware tiiat a large portion of the live stock that 
goes weekly into the cattle yards at West Albany, N. Y., 
is sold on Sunday? and a considerable number slaughtered 
each Sunday morning in the great American city of Now York? 
I hope that my reason for making the inquiry may not be 
misunderstood, and that all the difference of opinion that may 
exist between the people of your country and mine on certain 
questions, will never succeed in weakening the good and true 
feeling tiiat has existed between the tillers of the soil of the 
United States of America* and Canada. We greatly mi sunder 
stand the spirit of MOORE'S Rural New Yu run it if the hope 
is not mutual. But do man or State, or country, can lie great, 
without Vicing honest.” 
a AT AT SIDE or FLOPS 
DiBhaRk among Fowls, — I have a brood of chickens about, 
half grown, some of which are affected in this wise:—A warty 
cxcrosenoc swells up on the head, extending all over it. in some 
caees inducing blindness, difficult breathing, and death. An 
other brood, about the size of quails., are also being attacked. 
On some, the warts (I call them, as they resemble them nearer 
than anything I knew ) are confined to the month nr edges of 
it, ho they cannot chine the bill. Death results eventually, 
flan you, or any of your readers, give the cause and cure?—E. 
Williams, West Bloomfield, jY. ./., 1862. 
We tost a good many fowl* early in tho winter by the disease 
described by our correspondent. It is new to ns, although 
we have kept fowls tho bust twenty years. We tried various 
remedies, but did not save one that was attacked. Of one 
flock, only two are now living. It is contagious, and the 
diseased fowls should be removed as soon as affected. * 
SILL 
The sketch represents the portion of the frame at 
tho side ol the floor, by which it will be soon that 
there are two central posts extending from the sill 
to the purlin plates. There are short beams across 
the outer spaces at the usual height from the floor, 
and small girts above them, near the top of the 
posts, to prevent spreading whore the posts are high, 
as they generally should be, as it adds but a mere 
trifle to the expense of building, and is frequently 
of much importance, 
There are long beams at the ends of the build¬ 
ing, as usual, on which stand short purlin posts. 
There should be girts over the floor between the 
central posts, in front of the scaffolds, of sufficient 
size to support movable joists from one scaffold to 
the other, which arc very convenient to stand on 
when an extra pitcher is required in filling the 
upper part of the barn, or for enlarging the scaffolds, 
if necessity requires. This arrangement leaves a 
large open space in front of the mow for pitching, 
which is very convenient lor using a horse-fork. The 
fork can be filing over the center of the mow, and as 
soon as a fork full is raised from the load it can be 
swung and dropped on auy part of the mow. The 
rope should extend from the pulley to which the 
fork is hung to another pulley hung to the upper 
girt on the opposite side of floor, and thence to the 
floor. Tims the rope is entirely out of the way of 
pitching. L. MATurrel. 
Friendsville, Pa., 1861. 
'poiwjs of §\flnntlturat J’owtios 
Weighty Pigs.—M r. John It. Pott HR, of Hermitage, Wyo¬ 
ming Co., N Y., writes thus almut a litter of six pigs, dropped 
on the 8th of April last — a grade of long Buffolk, about half 
blood—“ After they were bout six weeks old, they run in 
the pasture, fed on sour milk, (whey part-of the lime,) with 
about one quart to each pig per day of oats and buckwheat 
ground, until about the 25th of October. I then shut them 
up, fed a little soft corn and some poor potatoes, until Un) 8th 
of November, when they were seven mouths old, and weighed 
1,718 lbs. From that time, they were fed oats, buckwheat, 
und peas, equal quantities, ground tino. Until tho 8th of Janu 
nry, (uino months old,) when they were killed and dressed 
Live weight. 2,.128 lbs.; dressed, 1.927 lbs.; shrinkage, 396 
lbs., or If per cent Their respective weights were 346, 343 
318,312,311, and 297 lbs. 1 did not weigh the amount of 
feed, but it was not far from one bushel per day for each." 
Tuf. Kentucky State Ao. Society held its Boventh annual 
meeting at Frankfort, and elected the following officers for 
1862: President —Hon. L. J Bradford (re-elected.) Vice 
Presidents —F Swigert, Franklin; .1, B. O'Bannon, Jefferson; 
John G, Holloway Secretary—Col. J. S. Wallace, Louisville. 
JVOdft irer —J W. Tate, Franklin, Directors—1. O. H. Bur 
bridge, Bourbon; Zeb. Ward, Woodford; Dr. L. P. Tarleton. 
Fayette; Osdeb Walton, Harrison;.!. 11. G Bush, Clarke. 2. 
G Mallory, Jefl'eraon, 8, T. Dranc, Shelby; George Denny, 
Garrard; Alt'. Allen, Breckinridge; Felix G. Murphy, Nelson. 
3. John P. Campbell, 8r., Christian, K. B Batliff, Caldwell, 
Edward Rmnsoy, Mulilenburg; R. C. Harrold, Union; J. J. 
Towles, Henderson Resolutions of thanks were adopted to 
Hon. John J. Crittenden for valuable donations, and to the 
Ohio Statt 1 Board of Agriculture and the New York Shite 
Agricultural Society for copies of their respective Transac 
lions, which were acknowledged, in the language of the reso 
lution, “in the confident hope that the relations of our 
respective Societies and States may always be marked by the 
same friendly interchanged of information valuable io the 
different constituencies represented by ub." 
Vermont State Society. —Tho annual meeting of tins 
Society was held at Bellows Falls, on the 3d inst., when, after 
usual reports, the following board of officer* was elected: 
/'re-udeiii— H Henry Baxter, of Rutland. Vice Presidents— 
Edwin Hammond, Middlcbury; J- W. Colburn, Springfield; 
Henry Keyes, Newbury; John Jackson, Brundou. Bee. and 
Cor Secretary —Daniel Needham, Hartford. Treasurer—J. 
W Colburn, Springfield. Directors —Frederick Holbrook, 
Brattlebore, E B Chase, Lyndon; 11. 8 Morse. Shelburne; 
D. R. Potter, St. Albans; Henry G Root, Bennington; David 
Bill, Uridpnrt.; John Gregory, Northiield; Elijah Cleaveland, 
Coventry; Nathan Cushing, Woodstock, George Campbell, 
Westminster. It was decided to bold the next Annual Fair 
for 1802 at Rutland, Sept. 9th to 12th inclusive 
-The Board for 1862 
■ Eos. Rural New-Yorker:— The result of the 
experiment in feeding pigs, given in No. 2, page 14. 
present volume, by Mr. Whittkmouk, hardly coin¬ 
cides with ray experience. As a general thing it is 
easier to cipher out a desirable result upon a sheet 
of paper, sitting by a comfortable stove, than to 
work the same result by patient toil, continued for 
long weeks and months, I regret, indeed, that while 
Mr. W. took so much pains in his experiment that 
he did not take a groat deal more and give us the 
entire account on both sides. By bis figures he 
shows quite a nice balance in his l’avor, of nearly 
$12, on the two pigs. 
Now, I wish to inquire for a little light. Mr. W.'s 
feed account begins when the pigs are about live 
months old. Are we to understand that their ex¬ 
pense and cost was nothing up to that date, or no 
more than equal to their manure? According to my 
ideas, the pigs at that time must have weighed (live 
weight,) at least 250 lbs. each—w hat I should call a 
pretty good hog to begin upon, and worth last 
August live cents per pound, making the two worth 
at least $25.00, and all made on (how much?) sour 
milk and six ears of corn per day. You see plainly 
that Mr. W. missed it amazingly in not selling at 
that time, when the amount so realized would have 
been clear profit. 
During the last three and a half months of t he ex¬ 
periment we have a rather imperfect account of the 
expense. Mr. W. says “ bushels of meal." I think he 
should have stated bow much of the raw materia] he 
rook tu the mill and how many pounds he got in re¬ 
turn. As near as T can judge, during that time they 
consumed of 
Corn 18 bushels, at touts; 8)i do. Peas, at 88 cts; 
H*4 do. Burley, at 60 cts; equaling,......$21.54 ' 
We then have, 
To value of hogs, at beginning of feeding,.$26.00 
To grain fed,.. . 21.54 
By 690 lbs pork at 4 cts,.$27.00 
Loss to balance.____ 18.94 
$46.54 $46.54 
To say nothing ot the time consumed iu tending 
hogs, going to mill, killing, marketing, &c., &c. 
Time is money, and these items ought tu go into the 
estimate. 1 could not kill two such pigs at a less 
expense than twelve shillings (beside iny own time,) 
in fuel and help. E. V. W- Dox. 
Wilson, N. Y., 1862. 
Feeding Carrots to Honsets. 
Thu following, from the Working Farmer, is 
well worth the attention of those keeping horses;— 
Carrots should never lie used in place of grain, but 
only as a substitute for a portion of grain. The 
value of the carrot does not consist altogether in its 
nutritive properties, but rather in its ability to 
gelatinize all fluids with which it is mixed. Thus, 
a horse fed with three quarts of carrots will do as 
well as if fed on six quarts of oats without carrots; 
when fed on oats alone, he voids them in part in an 
undigested state; his dung will be found to contain 
the shells of oats, whole oats, and,-when these are 
not discernible, the quantity of starch unappro¬ 
priated by the horse is so great that bis dung will 
fire-fang iu the compost heap. W hen carrots form part 
of his food, then the oats, instead of passing the 
stomach mixed with a quantity of water, and in a 
condition tiiat the peristaltic motion of toe intestines 
cannot operate 1 upon them, will he gelantinized by 
the poetic acid of tbo carrot, causing their entire 
digestion and mor<#perfoct appropriation; and thus 
three quarts of oats with carrots will make more 
horse than six quarts without carrots, in addition to 
which the small amount of nutritive matter in the 
carrot itself goes to the credit of the account Horse 3 ’ 
while being fed on carrots, have always a silky coa 
and a soft skin. They are never troubled with 
heaves; indeed, their general health is materially 
improved by the use of carrots. When fed to milch 
CUTTING STALKS FOB FODDER, AGAIN 
Eus. Rural New-Yorker:— A gentleman sign¬ 
ing himself “ Rusticus,” came out in very decided 
language, in an article published in your paper, in 
answer to a short article I sent you concerning my 
experience in feeding cut stalks, Mr. R. says stalks 
are of but little account. He says all they are good 
for is to be thrown out in the yard for toe cattle to 
pick over and tread under foot, lie knows cattle 
will not eat cut stalks unless starved to it, <fcc. 
Now, u Mr. R. will just call and see my cows, 
and see the amount of milk I get, he will not think 
they are very badly starved; and they eat from two 
to three bushels each per day, and eat them up 
clean. I would not like to have Mr. R. fodder stalks 
for me if all they are good for is to be thrown out 
over the yard, for I would not like to hear the 
grumbling there would be in the spring when the 
manure came to be taken out. I fed a few stalks 
this fall before I bad my machine ready. But I took 
pains to take them out of the manger and put them 
in a pile by themselves, so they should not become 
mixed with the other manure. After I commenced 
cutting my stalks 1 got an increase of uiilk of from 
three to four quarts per day from four cows. I have 
practiced cutting stalks for three or tour seasons, 
and know it, will pay. Perhaps Mr. II. allows Jack 
to get the best part of bis corn fodder. 1 gave my 
mode of putting up my stalks in the article I sent 
you last spring. I cut them fine. They always 
steam enough to make them soft 
Shelby, N. Y., 1862. J. N. Sterns. 
Mem. for Jan 21st. — Fine winter weather, with a mild 
temperature, anil t?»C>U sleighing. Snow about six inches 
deep hereabouts—the most we have had this season. Busi 
ness good — the streets tlironged witli loaded sleighs and busy 
people Confidence in the success of the war for the Union 
rising, the good uews from Kentucky making people smile, 
but not elevating the price of pork iu our market. Sous', 
excitable people wonder if the next telegram will announce, 
as lias been the programme for months. l 'AU is quiet on the 
Potomac !" 
Ohio State Board of Agriculture. 
is constituted as follows: President —T C. Jones, Delaware, 
Del. Co. Rec. Secretary —Henry B. Perking, Warren, Trum¬ 
bull Oo. Car Sixietary — John H Klippart, Columbus. 
Treasurer —David Taylor, Columbus. Executive Commute — 
Darwin E. Gardner, Toledo; Win. Dewitt, Cleveland; C. W. 
Potwiu, Zanesville; N S. Townsheud, Avon; Jacob Egbert, 
Lebanon; N. J. Turney, Circlcville; J M. Millikin, Hamilton. 
Indiana State Board op Agrjoultukb.— Officers for 1862: 
President— James D. Williams. Free Presidents— William 
H. Bennett and S. Fisher Secretary —William H Loomis, 
Indianapolis. Treasurer —H A Fletcher, Indianapolis. Ex- 
ecutive Committee—3. D. Williams, 8. Fisher, C. Fletcher, Jr., 
A. D Hancock, W. H. Beunett. The tenth Annual Fair will 
he held in Indianapolis, commencing September 29th and 
continuing during the week. 
Tona wanda Valley Society.— At the annual meeting of 
this progressive and weD managed Union Society, the follow 
ing officers were unanimously chosen President—Col. J, B. 
Folsom, of Bennington. Fuv Presidents —M. C Bigelow, 
Attica; W. F. Cogswell, Alexander; Leonidas Doty, Batavia; 
A J. Olcott, Elba; W'm. Jenne, Bethany; C. L Hayden, Mid- 
dlebury; A. G. COliiua, Pavillion; Azro Browu, Covington; 
K. 0. Shat,tuck, Warsaw; Charles Richards, Orangeville; J. 
Doolittle, Wethersfield; M. C. Humphrey, Java; C. O. Shep¬ 
ard, China; Eli Williamson, Sheldon; James E Cross, Ben 
nirigtoh; Henry Harlow, Darien; Spencer .1. Stone, Ahlen; 
John A. Campbell, Marilla. Recording Secretary —Dr. C. 
Houghton, Attica. Oormpcmdxng Secretary—A. J. Lorish, 
Esq . Attica. Treasurer —F R Wright, Attica. Librarian— 
Dr. G Dorrance, Attica. The above board of officers consti¬ 
tute the Society’s Executive Committee. 
Niagara Co. Society.— At the annual meeting, held in 
Loekport, Jan. 7th, the following board of officers was elected 
for 1862: I‘resident— Jaaik s D. Sum. eh. Vice Presidents —T 
I. . Ely; A. .1 Hibbard, Newfaue; Jnines Thompson, Pendle¬ 
ton; Andrew Robinson, Lewiston; Lyman Flanders, Cambria, 
George Sherman, Wheatficld; Asa Aldrich, Hartland; Am¬ 
brose Packard, Niagara; E. 8. Holmes, WilBou; Stephen Mead, 
Somerset; John 1). DySinger, Koyalton; Peter Tower, Porter 
Secretary —llenrv Shaft. Treasurer—J‘ D. Walter. Directors 
(to fill vacancies)—Robert Pierson, of Royalton, and Alex. 
Campbell, of New fane. 
WYOMING Co Society. — The recent annual meeting ww 
largely attended, and both pleasant and profitable The 
reports showed the Society to be in a prosperous condition. 
Officers elected: President— Duncan Cameron, Covington. 
Vice. President—V. Wheeler, Orangeville. Secretary— H. A. 
Dudley. Treasurer—T. If. Buxton. Executive Committee— 
E C Sherman, Middlfitury; 8 M Howard, Perry; George 
Peck, Orangevilliii. 
The Southern Cayuga Union Society elected the follow¬ 
ing officers on the 7th inst President — Cvkenus Wheeler, 
Jr., Veuice Vice Presidents— 11. Lyon, Scipio; N. Morgan, 
Venice; Charles Hull, Genoa, F D. Richmond, Ledyurd; 
George II. Chqce, Springport; John Hammond, Fleming. 
Secretary —Thomas Gould, Ledyard. Treasurer— S. S. Coon 
ley, Ledyard. The Society is now in a flourishing condition; 
Both You no and Old ark “Doing Good."— We venture 
to say that, the Rural lias more warm and working friends 
among the old and young, of both sexes, than any contemporary 
journal. While hundreds of young men and maidens are 
successfully “recruiting” lor it, many seniors are doing gi>od 
by extending its circulation, Several former agents (having 
gone to tho war,) are represented by tlieir wives, who prove 
themselves capital officers in the “ Rural Brigade " The old 
gentlemen arc also making thorough work of the business in 
tho absence of their sous and grandsons. 'For example, road 
this extract of a letter from Saratoga county:—“ Having read 
your excellent paper for several years, I was not willing to do 
without it, or that others should, and as no one seemed 
inclined to renew our club, I thought I would try, although 
almost seventy four y ears old. As the result of my labor, I 
send you twenty Tour subscribers; I believe seventeen are 
new ones, and probably others will join the club and send for 
the Rural. On account of the hard times, aud the great 
quantity of papers taken, it was up hill business, but having 
tag my hand to the plow, I am not in the liabit of looking 
hack Now, Mr. Editor, if I understand your terms, 1 am 
entitled to one paper free, ami as to your premiums, do with 
me just according to y our rules, and 1 shall he perfectly satis 
fied. Your Dictionary or Lawyer would be acceptable, if I 
am entitled to one, but not without, for 1 assure you tiiat tho 
extra paper or premium was not my object, lent to have the 
Manure Measure. 
This is generally estimated by toe load, which 
is just about as definite as the phrase, “about as big 
as*a piece of chalk.” It ought to be measured by 
the cubic yard or cord. A cubic yard is 27 feet, each 
of which contains 1,72S cubic inches, jf cubic cord is 
128 cubic feet, As the most of farmers have an idea 
in their minds of the size of a pile of wood contain¬ 
ing a cord, they would readily compare that with 
the quantity of manure, if stated in cords. Every 
cart or wagon-box, before il. leaves the maker’s shop, 
ought to have the cubic feet and inches it will con¬ 
tain, indelibly marked upon it. Tin’s would enable 
the owner to calculate the amount of his load of 
grain, roots, earth, stone, or manure. So says the 
* 
Why Scald Dairy Utensils? 
In reply to this query, the Maine Farmer says 
every one admits that all vessels and utensils used 
iu the dairy should be kept perfectly clean and 
sweet. Many, however, think that merely washing 
them with Warm water and wiping them dry is 
sufficient. It appears, however, from the experience 
of the most careful and observing that this will not 
do, but that they should always be scalded or 
cleansed with boiling-hot water, aud nothing short 
of this will answer the purpose. 
The cause of the necessity of this has been the 
subject of chemical examination, and Professor 
Vocliker, of the Royal Agricultural Society of Eng¬ 
land, has made known the results of his researches in 
this question. He asserts that milk, when it begins 
to ferment, produces a substance analogous in its 
nature to yeast, such as is used in making bread. 
This yeast is a species of fungus plant which 
increases very rapidly when placed where the con¬ 
ditions of its growth arfc favorable, and when 
mingled with flour, the moisture and warmth neces¬ 
sary in making broad changes the whole mass, and, 
if allowed to go on, would destroy the whole by 
causing it to become putrid. Now, milk producing 
a similar fungus, if any particles are left in the ves¬ 
sel, it will soon effect any other milk that comes in 
contact with it; and he has found that this ferment, 
milk yeast, fungus, or whatever else you please to 
call it, will not be destroyed by warm water, and 
indeed by nothing short of water actually heated to 
A FEW FACTS ABOUT POTATOES 
Ens. Rural Nkw-Yorker:—A n article in your 
issue of January 11th, about potatoes, induces me 
to give tbe readers of the Rural a few facts that 
came under my own observation. 
In September, 1S58, I took possession of a house, 
and found in the cellar a box iu which were a few 
potatoes in a very shriveled condition. Wishing to 
use the box. tbe potatoes were thrown carelessly 
upon the bottom of the cellar, where they remained 
about two months, when they were discovered to be 
much enlarged, and had swollen to near their 
natural size. On one potato, IVInch appeared to be 
a Meiiuo, were some fifteen or more potatoes 
growing from the eyes, from the size of small shot to 
that of an ounce ball, without any thing like a root 
or top, and connected with the old potato by a 
small ligature not larger than a knitting needle, and 
so short that the old and young potatoes touched 
each other. Neither were in any way connected 
with the earth. On one other potato, which I 
thought to be a Peach Blow, about the size of a 
J black walnut and partially decayed, by what ap¬ 
peared the dry rot, there had roots put out from half 
an inch to two inches; on the end of each was a 
small potato, as large as those upon the other potato, 
and also a top or stalk about four Inches long. 
Several other potatoes of various sizes and varieties 
had small potatoes attached, some like the first 
The Cost of Fences. 
The Maine State Agricultural Report presents 
some striking statistics in relation to the cost of 
fencing. The fences of the State have cost $25,000,- 
000; the repairs require $2,500,000 annually; G per 
cent interest is $1,600,000; and a renewal in twenty 
years would he $1,250,000; making the total yearly 
expense $5,250,000 — or two-thirds the original cost 
of the Erie Canal. A strong argument in favor of 
soiling. Estimated cost of road fences, supposed to 
lie at least one-sixth part of the whole, $3,125,000. 
Tho interest and cost of annual repairs and renew¬ 
ing would be $531,000—the tax paid annually by 
the farmers of Maine to make the highway a public 
pasture. To this sum is to be added $150,000, the 
«0UI.D NOT Find a Better Taper.— Extract of a letter just 
received:—“I‘have deform! sending for your paper, thinking 
that I could find some other paper that would suit roe better; 
hut the longer I wait the ivorsn I am off. And as youra is the 
best agricultural paper that I can find, I remit $2, and wish 
you to send mo the Rural, commencing with tho first number 
for 1862.” We advise ail to examine, compare, ftnd then 
“ get the best ”—like the writer of the above! 
