The degree of temperature given, and the import¬ 
ance of its being equable , have been, in two or three 
instances, confirmed by large cultivators and gentle¬ 
men who have good success in keeping the crop 
through the winter. They must not lie stored in 
large bulk, or thick. And second , they must be. 
carefully handled . An old farmer once told me that 
much of the ‘‘disease” or rot of the Irish potato 
may charged to careless, reckless handling. lie had 
experimented until he lmd become satisfied that 
some varieties were as easily injured by harsh hand¬ 
ling as apples, and would rot quite as soon in con¬ 
sequence thereof. The Sweet potato may be easily 
destroyed by the same process. 
FATTENING HOGS. 
In answer to some of your correspondents’ queries, 
I give the following, as the gist of my own experi¬ 
ence, and the testimony of many others. Ground, 
Cooked, unfermented food is best for fattening hogs. 
Ashes promote the animals’ health. Light is essen¬ 
tial to the health of man or brute; and room to 
exercise and obtain pure air will uot prevent the 
improved quiet breeds from fattening. 
An axiom. No animal food should be eaten 
which is obtained by depriving the animal of the 
essentials to health. 
FARMERS SHOTTED GROW FLAX. 
Yes, because the greater the variety of the pro¬ 
ducts of the farm the greater the independence of 
the husbandman. The economical value of this 
staple is now largely increased without reference at 
all to the seed for manufacturing purposes. Simply 
for the seed, it will give as much profit per acre as 
wheat, as it is ordinarily cultivated. 
PUBLIC GROUNDS. 
The Editor’s talk on this subject is timely and 
good. All of us remember what a sort of now- 
broom look tho old village put on when the “new 
square" was first fenced, the rich loam first disturbed, 
and maples, elms, hickories, and willows of tall 
growth and full top wore planted therein and there¬ 
about Wo all remember what a tree-planting 
mania possessed the citizens — how diligently they 
worked, and how proudly and professionally they 
walked about the grounds Sabbath mornings, ex 
amintng the works of their hands and the mysteries 
and forms of trees they had planted — how patron¬ 
izingly they bowed to us farmers in our lumber 
wagons will) hickory spring seats — indeed what an 
aristocratic air the whole village suddenly put on 
the moment the public square got “rigged up." 
And wo remember that the tall trees didn’t grow — 
some of them scarcely leaved out the first season, 
and few ol them at all the second; and the willows 
that Isaac Imauoyk planted on the knoll, in his 
grounds, drooped , but never wept; the hickories 
that he planted on the edge of the swale never hurst 
the big buds of promise they were covered with 
when Isaac cut the “superfluous lap root,' in order 
to get the tree out of the ground.” One or two of 
the maples grew: but the tops of the majority of 
them had never been violated with a knife, while 
the roots had been chopped and haggled will a dull 
ax that it “ wouldn't hurt to put into the ground,” 
and they soon stood skeletons, accusing the planter 
of wanton thoughtlessness and vandalism. 
Periodically, these spasmodic free planting epi¬ 
demics attack villages; but all they amount to 
generally, is disfigurement. The article suggesting 
What is here written, is in good season and gives 
directions for commencing and prosecuting the 
work. The trustees of villages should at once call 
a meeting of the citizens, submit plans and appoint 
committees to look for trees, and employ competent 
men to transplant them; and it would he well to 
resolve not to manufacture paupers, or allow any 
one to do it under license; and devote the sum 
usually appropriated to their support, to this best 
way of increasing the population of the village and 
enhancing the value of property therein. 
- ■ -;- 
WHAT WE BUY. 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker: —Ihavc beeu looking 
over the list of importations into the country during 
the year 1860, and have been much interested, and 
witJi your permission would like to present a few 
facts to the readers of the Rural. Nothing gives 
so good an inth'x of the character of the man as a 
look at his expense book; that is, supposing it is 
kept honestly. I would not give a cent to know the 
thoughts or intents or secret acts ol‘a man, if 1 could 
just learn exactly how lie spends his money this 
would reveal the whole story without prejudice or 
favor. Happy is the man who is not ashamed to 
have his friends and the world see a faithful account 
of his personal expenses. Now, it has struck me 
that we -cuu fell something of the character of n 
nation by knowing what it buys; and just now, 
when war expenses are heavy and taxes are high, 
and there is cause and perhaps a disposition for 
retrenchment, it is well to look at our national bill 
of expenses, and see if we cannot cut off some costly 
superfluities, or at least content ourselves with the 
productions of the industry of our own land. The 
money we send abroad is wasted, just as much as 
though it was sunk in the middle of tin- ocean; but 
what wo use among ourselves is kept In circulation, 
bonefitting the laborer and the mechanic, the farmer, 
and making everybody pleasant and happy. J ust 
now, too, I for one have no sympathy with the 
foreign aristocratic governments of Europe, for 
they have treated us meanly, and taken advantage 
of our present troubles to show their hatred of our 
democratic system of government, and their sym¬ 
pathy with the meanest and most unreasonable 
rebellion that over disturbed a civilized nation. 1, 
for one, would like a system of non-intercourse, not 
established by the government, but practiced by 
our patriotic people. We have enough of our own 
to eat, drink, and wear, and need not be dependent 
upon the nations of Europe. I am glad to see that 
Secretary Stanton has concluded that we can now 
supply all munitions ol war needed, and that no 
more will be imported lrom foreign countries. 
Our tea bill in 1860 was nearly nine million, 
coffee twenty-two million, wine and liquors eleven 
million, and cigars and tobacco six million. Now 
I ask readers of the Rural how much of this nearly 
forty million was necessary to the health and com¬ 
fort of our people? If people must smoke and 
chew, is not the Connecticut Seed Leaf good 
enough; and with a country unequalled in the pro¬ 
duction of fruit, why should we import the mixed 
liquors got up for us by foreigners? Our foreign 
clothing cost us two million, watches nearly throe 
million, tanned leather a million and a half, 
gems a million, gloves a million and a half, crock¬ 
ery lour million, flax seed nearly three million, cot- 
ton and linen rags over a million and a half. Amer¬ 
ican clothing is good enough for anybody, aud so is 
American leather; white we cun produce more than 
double the quantity of flax seed we need; and if the 
people would only save the rags they now throw away, 
the benefit to themselves nnd I he country would be 
| very great. We paid over five million for foreign 
molasses, but I am glad to bear, from reports the 
present year, that there is a prospect that this heavy i 
expense will be stopped, as the farmers of the West 
are beginning to believe that with the Sorghum they 
can produce sweetening enough for the continent. 
1 hope they will also do something towards cutting 
down the thirty million that we pay every year for 
foreign sugar. But only think Of importing honey 
while we have honey enough produced to supply 
every family with abundance, if wo would only 
allow the bees to gather it, with plenty for exporta¬ 
tion; and yot we are foolish enough to spend a large 
sum every year for a very inferior quality of honey. 
1 hope our troubles will teach us national econ 
omy, and that for the present at least we will 
endeavor to live on wbat we produce. 
National. 
TIMELY HINTS ABOUT FUEL. 
HOW AND WHEN TO PREPARE WOOD FOR USE. 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker: —Allow me to say a 
few words to your readers, at least to all it may 
concern. Some of our farming friends are very 
negligent in regal’d to cutting firewood, and prepar¬ 
ing the samo properly for use: therefore, a word 
just now may not be out of place to those who have 
heretofore been careless in this respect, 
There is a time for everything, and the most con¬ 
venient time, and the best mode of preparing and 
seasoning wood, is the theme before us. The winter 
season is comparatively one of leisure with farmers, 
aud, therefore, the most convenient for obtaining 
the necessary amount ol fuel for the year to come. 
The best way 1 have ever tried, or seen, is to go to 
the woods and cut the timber about four feet long, 
more or less, according to the size of the. stove in 
which the wood is to be used; split all large sticks 
small enough to be handled with case in loading 
and unloading. Be sure and chop all you need, and 
more than you need for the year to come; and be 
very sure to get it all up to your woodshed-door be¬ 
fore the suow leaves the ground, or you will be 
caught unprepared, as thousands are every year. 
During the winter months, in our northern climate, 
swampy, low lands (and many have wood-lots ol 
this kind) are frozen, so that approach is compara¬ 
tively easy, and is the only time when fuel cun be 
obtained from such places with economy and ease. 
Even where there is no water or mud to contend 
with, the sleighing season is emphatically the time 
to secure a huge pile of firewood for family use. 
After your woodpile at. the door has increased to 
the proper size (which, in your estimation, will last 
one year), saw ami split the right length and size 
for t he stove or stoves to he used. When the ground 
is wet with the melting snow and heavy spring 
rains, this work can 1m done profitably, when it is 
impossible for fanners to do much else on the farm. 
But many dread sawing wood at the house, and I 
must confess 1 am among (hat number, yet there 
are men ready nnd willing to be employed, aud I 
have found by experlence.tlmt it is the cheapest and 
best, in the end, to get some good man at the busi¬ 
ness, and make a business of if until all is prepared 
for use. To be sure, if you can do it yourself, it is 
economy to do so; but it is poor policy indeed to 
cut fuel piecemeal, as needed, to save hiring it done. 
The practice which many adopt, by being compelled 
to get up a load when needed in planting, haying 
or harvest time, and fitting the same for use, is, to 
say the least, slovenly, and all who engage in it are 
using valuable time which is indispensable to suc¬ 
cess in farming. 
Let all who have been negligent in the past 
resolve to “ turn, over a new leaf,” and secure a 
good supply of wood, and have it fitted for use 
before the ground settles and spring repairs on the 
farm commence. 
It is best to let green wood season from two to 
four weeks before, cording it. away snug in the wood¬ 
shed; for I have learned that it does not. cure thor¬ 
oughly if piled thus while very wet, unless the 
shed is well ventilated. Beech wood, which is so 
liable fo become injured by being exposed lo the 
weather, if seasoned tinder cover, will come out as 
sound and bright its the day it was cut, and, 1 think, 
is as good as maple. I have seasoned several kinds 
of softwood under cover, and have found all much 
improved and worth one-fourth more, at least, than 
when exposed fo the weather outdoors. 
In conclusion, let me assure all who may be influ¬ 
enced to reform on the fuel question, that it will be 
no dread fo get up on a cold morning to kindle a 
tire; neither will you hear wife, daughter or domes¬ 
tic say she cannot get breakfast, lor the fire will" not 
burn, the wood is so wet and green. By observing 
the foregoing hints these troubles and inconven¬ 
iences will all vanish away as the dew before the 
morning sun. John L. Ivennell. 
Chili, Monroe Co., N. Y., 1862. 
gurat Jfoirit of tlto 
Sheep for Exhausted I’linluien. 
“ T. G.,” in the New Hampshire Journal of 
Agriculture , throws out the following:—“ I have often 
noticed that sheep pastures would look green, when 
pastures in which cattle were pastured had an 
entirely different look. I think the land on which 
sheep arc pastured will grow better, by reason of 
the manure being scattered over the ground, while 
cattle pastures are generally the reverse. There 
are many other reasons why sheep should keep a 
posture in better condition than cattle. One is, that 
sheep eat down close the raspberry and some other 
bushes that spring up in pastures; while in cattle 
lota they are untouched.” 
A Diacinwdon npon Manure* 
The Springfield Republican says that the all- 
importaut fruitful subject of “Manures” was the 
topic of the farmers in the Massachusetts Represen¬ 
tative Hall, January 13th. The lion. Josiab 
Quincy, Jr., presided, and stated that lie hud been 
farming in reality only lour years, but in that time, 
by manuring, increased his hay crop, on the same 
ground, from 250 tons per annum to 400 tons. lie 
considered the liquid manure ol cows of more value 
lhau the solid The richer the food, the richer the 
manure. On his farm, he found two parts of muck 
aud one of cow manure better, as a top-dressing for 
grass, than pure manure. The saving of manures 
is of the utmost importance to every farmer. Mr. 
Stedman, of Chickopee, stated that he had found 
well-worked compost, as a top-dressing for grass, 
better than an equal value of guano. Sanford 
Howard, of the Boston Qvllivalor, said, from what 
he had seen, in Europe and this country, of the 
application of liquid manures, bo did not believe it 
profitable to use them in that state. It is bettor to 
absorb them, and the difference in the quality of 
muck and peat would account for all the failures in 
Certain cases. 
' 
A Cheap nnd Durable Bar-Post.. 
Wb find the following going the rounds of our 
exchanges, and give it as an economic and ready 
mode of manufacturing the article mentioned:— 
“On almost every farm may be found u collection 
o t old horso-tshoes, which can be turned to good 
account in making bar-posts. Select two middling¬ 
sized sticks, having a straight edge, (two heavy 
joists answer well.) lay them side by side, and nail 
on the horse-shoes so as to form the. supports for the 
bars, and the work is done. In most cases it will 
be necessary to heat the horse-shoe, and with a 
punch enlarge the nail holes sufficiently to receive 
the fence nails, which should tie stronger and larger 
than horse nails. 
To Prevent Poms being Thrown by Erost. 
A conn kspondent of 1.1 1 o New England Farmer 
remarks that, last spring there was much complaint 
about fence posts being thrown outof the ground by 
frost, and a request to know what would prevent, it 
Several things were proposed, such as setting the 
fence with stone, &c. There is one thing that I think 
will prevent it, if uot too expensive, which is as fol¬ 
lows;—Rut alwnit a pint of coarse salt around each 
post, or enough to prevent the ground from freezing, 
and the post will not bo disturbed. There will be 
another advantage from the salt. The post will last 
twice as long ns without it. It should lie put about 
the post about the first of December each year. 
The fence between the posts must not rest on the 
ground._ 
Butler nnd tin* Profit-* of Bnttcr-fMiiking. 
John Bhattuck furnishes fhe Chenango Union 
with a statement of the amount of butter made last 
season, from twenty-throe cows. Mr. S. says:— 
“Considering it a fair yield, 1 thought, witli your 
permission, I would publish it in your paper: 
Total amount of butter made, lbs_5,130 
Amount sold ....4,846 
Used and on band__284_ 
Amount of vales of butter.__$1,078.SO 
Used In family _____ 65.32 
Calves and deacon skins sold .... 42.00 
Amount of pork from dairy.. . 100.00 
Total..$1,286.18 
Average in pounds to each row.. ..223 
Average In value to each cow....$55.92 
I would state, for the benefit of the incredulous 
and the unbelievers, that the above statement is 
correct; that the butter was all made from twenty- 
three cows, and all weighed; not a pound of it 
bought nor borrowed. Two of the cows were sold 
Nov. 1st. No allowance is made for milk or cream 
used in the family." 
In June last, Mr. Bhattuck salted one firkin of 
butter with the “factory filled dairy salt," made at 
Syracuse. The balance was salted with a foreign 
article. On sale fo an extensive and tried butter 
dealer, the commodity was tested, and that in which 
our home manufacture was used was declared the 
boat, Mr. S. says that ho fully coincided in the 
decision, and adds, “ with this experience and other 
tests that I have made, together with the analyses 
that have been made by different chemists, and all 
information 1 can get, 1 consider the Syracuse fully 
equal to the Ashton.” 
Sow Spring Wheal linrly. 
“Mr experience teaches me,” says a corre¬ 
spondent of the liT. 9 Cun.sm Farmer, “ that we must 
sow our wheat as early as possible. There is hardly 
any danger of sowing too early. Two years ago 1 
sowed a small piece in Canada club spring wheat on 
the 5th day of April. Tlmt piece yielded 33 bushels 
fo the acre, in that poor season. The berry was 
plump and heavy, weighing 6I.J pounds to measured 
bushel. I continued to sow, as the rains and state 
of the ground would allow, (having but one team,) 
until about the first day of May. and I must say, 
that just in proportion to the date of sowing, wore 
the amounts and quality of the crop; the piece 
which was sown and harrowed the last day of April 
being badly rusted, aud not yielding over eight or 
nine bushels of poor shrunken wheal per acre; 
while that portion of the field covered about the 
10th of the same month, turned out between twenty- 
five and thirty bushels of very marketable grain. 
The piece sown about the 18th and 2lJth of April 
was not so good ns that sown before, yet far better 
than the last sown.” 
In connection with the foregoing, the New Eng¬ 
land Farmer remarks, that of the two wheat crops 
submitted last year to the Essex County Agricultu¬ 
ral .Society, one was sown April 7ill, and the other, 
“ when the harrow struck the frost,” The premium 
of $8 was awarded to Mr. Paul Pearson, ol New¬ 
bury, for his crop of wheat, at the rate of thirty-five 
bushels to the acre. Pretty good crop for old Mas¬ 
sachusetts. 
Breaking Ileiters for Milking. 
This, says the American Agriculturist, is often 
made quite a serious affair, in which kicks and 
bruises are freely interchanged between the fright¬ 
ened brute and the irritated master. Many an 
otherwise excellent milker is spoiled for li e by 
harsh treatment. A heifer, if well broken to ihe 
milk pail, is thereby made worth at least twenty per 
cent, more,—an increase whieh will pay for much 
painstaking. Rnrey’s reasoning respecting horses, 
applies equally fo other animals. They only resist 
when injury is apprehended, and their natural 
instinct suggests danger whenever any unusual 
treatment occurs. Every one has noticed how shy 
a creature is in entering strange enclosures, or at 
sight of now objects. The handling of a heifer's 
bag is fo her a very unusual proceeding, and, in 
addition, the feats are often tender, ami the bag 
caked and inflamed so as fo be painful under even 
a gentle touch. Training for milking should com¬ 
mence long before calving. First teach the animal 
to welcome your 'coming by little, presents of an 
apple, a handful of coi n, or salt, or other delicacy. 
She will soon readily permit the hand fo be laid 
upon her baok, and enjoy the gentle rubbing and 
scratching which may be given. Extend the hand 
to different parts of the body, until she will not 
flinch from grasping her tents, and the work may 
soon be accomplished without even a harsh word. 
This would be a good lesson for boys to practice the 
present mouth, aud to teach them patience and kind¬ 
ness, in addition to good effects upon the animals. 
Manuring; llic Surface for Winter Wheat. 
In the Country Gentleman of the 2d insk, S. Ed¬ 
wards Todd treats the subjoctof manuring for winter 
wheat thus, in preference to mingling the manure 
thoroughly with the soil, as deep as it is plowed. By 
plowing the soil to a good depth once, and by working 
only a few inches in depth of the surface—rendering 
it fine and mellow — ami by spreading finely pulver¬ 
ized compost on the surface, and simply harrowing it 
in about the time the grain is sowed or drilled in, the 
roofs, for the most part, will strike out horizontally, 
or nearly so, and will become so thoroughly inter¬ 
woven with each other near the surface, that they 
are uot drawn out at the surface, iw they are 
when they strike down nearly vertically; but the 
entire soil rises and settles hack in the same manner 
as sod ground does, without heaving out the plants. 
1 have, made particular inquiry of those farmers 
who hove adopted the practice of manuring on the 
surface, in every locality where I have traveled 
dnring the past season, and 1 have found that in 
most instances they are satisfied that winter grain 
will not suffer so much injury from freezing and 
thawing, when the manure is well rotted and spread 
thin on the surface, and harrowed in about the time 
when the grain is put in, as it will if the manure is 
plowed under. 
This subject is a very important one to farmers in 
those regions where winter wheat Ls one of the 
great staple'', or even where but little is raised; and 
I am satisfied that when our wot soils have been 
well underdrained, and when a good supply of com¬ 
post i:- made for surface manuring in autumn, there 
will not bo so many failures in winter wheat, pro¬ 
viding the wheat midge does not injure it 
Dmitries ami gttmwjsi. 
Building Cisterns. — T ain desirous to build n water cistern, 
and wish soinr of the Hdrai.'h able corn *pondont* to inform 
me through its columns which i* the best plan, and what 
material it is heat to use. The cistern is to la- put below the 
surface of the ground. —W MoNeIL. Steuben Co., N. Y., 1862. 
Feeding Milk to Cows,— Will those who have tried, 
inform me through the columns of the Rural if it will hurt 
a cow to feed her her own milk. I live in a village, keep tint 
one cow. no pigs so all last summer I gave the buttermilk 
skim-milk, Ac., to the cow. She did not do very well, and I 
thought giving her all the milk was the cause. Thinking that 
some of the Hi kaL’h numerous render* might have tried the 
experiment I will he very much obliged if they will answer 
through your valuable paper.— A Suhsokjrkk, Industry, l'a.. 
IH 62 . _ 
Cotton Sum— There being considerable talk about cotton 
growing In our State the coming season, can the Kckai. tell 
us where seed may ho obtained In time to plant - J. It. (*., 
Marion, III., 1862. 
XV e understand that a quantity of “upland Tennessee ” is to 
he procured by the Illinois Central RK, Company, the seed to 
lie sold for cost at most of the stations on that road, )f such 
b the fact, our oorrespondent and all others who may desire 
a supply, will do better to procure from tho quarter indicated 
than to purchase from speculators. 
of g^rirutfural 
Annua! Meetings, Lt„, of State, County anil Local Societies. 
Maine State Agricultural Society — The following Isa 
list of officers of the State Agricultural Society chosen at the 
annual meeting held in Augusta on the 2Sth Tilt.: President — 
John F. Anderson, Windham. Srn-ilaiy — Dr, E. Holmes, 
Winthrop Treasurer —John W. Chase, Augusta. Trustees — 
Horace MeKenney, Waldo county; Seward 1)111, Franklin 
county, timber of Hoard of Agiimdturc. — Calvin Chamber¬ 
lain, Fox croft 
9 
Genesee County Society.—T he annual meeting of the 
Genesee County Agricultural Society was held at Batavia, on 
the 14th uH., and the following selection of officers was made; 
President — Nathaniel K. Cone. Vice presidents — Cyrenus 
Walker Chester Haimum Secretary — Ilomcv M. Warren. 
Treasunr —Homer Host wick Directors —Anson Highley. 
GOO. Shapland, Four directors hold Over, viz; Messrs Hadley, 
Phillips Newton and Short. 
I’etnam Co. Society. — At the recent annual meeting of 
this Society the following officers were elected for 1862: Pres¬ 
ident T. H. Tiir.Att, Southeast Vice Presidents — l>r, L. H 
Gregory, Lake Mahopae; I 8. Avery, Putnam Valley; A I 
Hopkins, Carmel; W F Fowler, Southeast; John Towner, 
Towner*; J. O. Dyclctnan, Cold Spring Secretory —G. M 
lieJdon, Carmel. 'Treasurer —Sexton Smith, Jefferson Valley. 
Genesee Valley Society.— The annual meeting of this 
Society wits held nt Numla on the 11th nit The total receipts 
of the year, including ea*h on hand !tt last annual meeting, 
was $226.27. The expenditures were $132 57, leaving a balance 
on hand of $90.70, nnd the indebtedness of the Society Is 
$163 The following officers were elected for the ensuing 
year; President —Wm R, Ddrvbk Vox President —15. F. 
King So'rrtary — H M. Hake, K»q 'Treasurer —E. O. Diek- 
inson Directors —John Ahgicr, Portage; Orrin 1). Lake. Mt. 
Morris; E F, Fuller. Grovclaud; Boot Fitch, Cuntile; Joseph 
Ingham, Genesee Falls; Alex. Kinney, West Sparta; Hugh 
McCartney, Sparta; Win. M. White, Ossian; Daniel Bennett, 
Bums; LorCnee Day, Birdsall, Warner Hotsford, Allen; Daniel 
Pas-.ige. Grove; John Wheeler, Granger; Edwin Skiff. Ilunie; 
Albert Page, Nunda; Alonzo Bradner, Danaville; O V. Whit¬ 
comb, Pike. 
Mokavia Onion Society. — At a regular meeting of this 
Society, held January 21st, the following officers were duly 
elected for the ensuing year: President —Dr. John Stoykll. 
Vice-Presidents — Win. Selover, Jr., Niles; Thomas Gould, 
Lorenzo Carter, I.edyard; Calvin Whitman, P L. Atwood, 
Venice; Eli ah Parker, Lucius Fitts, Semproaiua; 8. A. Cornell, 
John Snyder, Scipio; Ames Hurlbut, Willard Wilcox, Genoa; 
Henry Conklin, O bad tali Howland, O wasco; G. 8. Stoyell, 
Samuel ScorlU. Summer Bill, Dr C O. Jewett, Orlando 
Greenfield. Moravia, Parker Booth, Joseph Harris, Jr., Locke. 
Secretary — At. L. Everson Treasurer — Thompson Keeler. 
Directors —James H. Jewett, U. 11. Tuthill, G. L Mead, Abel 
Adams, Lyinau Card. 
OxKonn Union Society — At the annual meeting of the 
Agricultural Association of Oxford and other Towns, held in 
Oxford, January 8th, tho following persons were chosen 
officers for the ensuing year President — Calvin Cot.E, 
Oxford. Vicr Presidents — James M. Phillips, Coventry; Geo. 
Jutland Greene; Aaron B. Gates, Norwich; Jerome B. Sands, 
Bain bridge; Daniel Loomis, Smithvillc. Secretary — <>. It. 
Curtis, Oxford. Treasurer — I. S. Sherwood, Oxford. Direct¬ 
ors — K. A. lluruly, Oxford; Amos Aloott, Q ill j ford; J A. 
Covlllo, Preston; IC. L. Corbin, McDonough; It. J Converse, 
Coventry; E. J Horry, Preston. 
Marathon IIn'ion Society. — At the annual meeting of the 
Union Agricultural Society, held January 24th, tho following 
officers were elected for the ensuing year; President —Garrmt 
Pkwnoykil Vice Presidents — D. C. Squires, Lyman Pierce, 
John Corp, Maurice. Burry. Secretary — Lewis A. Burgess. 
TrcatWVr— B. Clark Carley. Directors — William Squires, 
Alanson Benjamin. Ogden Gray, Hurry U. Wilson, Chester 
Brink, Hugh M Kevltt. 
BnooxptKLD Town An. Society. — At the aftnuai meeting 
of the Brookfield (N. Y.) Ag. Society, Jan. 14tli, 1802, Uie 
following officers were elected: President — A. L SaUnhekh. 
Vice Presidents — Oliver T. Brown, Morgan L. Brown, John 
F. Brown, Union J. Brown. Secretary —John T. O. Bailey. 
Treasurer —Calvin Whitford. Directors —Bloaxer Itochu, He- 
umn Hill. 
Home Detautmknt nv East Pa. Ail Society.— The ladies 
connected with tho East Pennsylvania Agricultural and 
Mechanical Society, lit a recent meeting elected the following 
officers: President—Yin. Dr. Acker, Norristown. Vice. Pres - 
plant — Mrs. Dr. Foley, Norristown, lire. Secretary — Mrs. 
T W. Bean, Norristown. Cor. Srcretary —Miss A. C. Yerkes, 
Norristown. Treasurer — Mrs. A. B. Lougftkor, Norristown 
Managers- Mrs. Dr. Dunlap, Mr*. F. D. Sower, Mta .1 K. 
Huusieker, Mrs. M. Wills. Mrs. John Heins, Norristown; Mrs. 
P. M Hunter, Bridgeport; Mrs. T. Attwood, Norristown; Miss 
Shannon, Shannonville; Miss Jennie Hopkins, Up. I’.; MissE. 
Huusicker, Freeland; Miss Longaker, Perkiomen; Miss H. 
Poluy, Norristown. 
The Annual Meeting of the New York State Ag. Society 
' is to he held in Albany on the 12th inst. See advertisement in 
tills paper. 
Rural Jfotcs ani> Items. 
Tub Proposed Tax on News capers is creating some 
fluttering and excitement among onr contemporaries. From 
New York city we Iw.ve a circular headed “A& Taxes vjxm 
Knowledge," and signed by quite a number of newspaper pub¬ 
lishers, asking the united opposition of the press of the 
country. Now, we respectftlUy decline to oppose the taxation 
of newspapers, or any other Imsincas, if it i* necessary to 
sustain the credit of the Government, crush tho Rebellion, 
and save tho Union. Being in favor of maintaining the Union, 
Constitution, and Ijiwk at ail Lizards mid any cost, we are 
willing to jniy onr proportion of the expenses, and do not 
believe Cong rest will he 80 unwise its to tax any one class 
unjustly. Be that os it may, the Rural Nkw Yorker will 
endeavor to meet any tax which may he imposed on its circu¬ 
lation—and the larger both circulation and tax (they being in 
proportion,) the better. Such a tax will show the position of 
various journals, aud he very likely to elicit the truth relative 
to their iwtual circulation. In fact, wo like the idea of taxing 
papers in proportion to circulation, for it will have a salutary 
effect, upon the modesty and morals of publishers! If each 
paper pays upon the circulation claimed previous to the pro¬ 
posed tax, the credit, of ttie Government will be sustained 1 
— we have lieen asked If the price of the RURAL will be 
advanced in case newspapers arc taxed. Can't say — probably 
not, unless the tax should prove exorbitant. At least, it will 
nut he yet awhile, or until dun notion is given; and, though 
our margin for profits Ls very small, we respectfully solicit 
subscriptions on the usual terms. Moreover, we offer liberal 
gratuities (see advertising page,) for clubs formed at the low 
rates published. And all disposed to farm- us by increasing 
our taxes, are conUally invited to aid in extending the circula¬ 
tion of the Rural! 
“Terra Culture."—O f late wo have received some rich 
developments from friend* in Michigan- telling how our 
particular friend, the “ Frofeisor " of tho “Great Discovery,’* 
is progressing, mainly toward the little end of tho horn. In 
several place*, According to these advices, he has “played 
out," nnd in one been treated in a very 'ggs emplary manner— 
which is adding Insult to Injury, fur While his own egg is 
bursting (t la p.lirig on the agony Vo trouble him with others. 
We submit that the venerable philosopher should bo allowed 
to cackle undisturbed, for none liut addled eggs (or leads) 
will long remain in hts presence. One friend writes that, 
though the “ Prof," paid au agent one dullai a head for every 
person induced to hear him. (a new dodge,) (he thing proved 
a lalluro. and the “grout discoverer" left in disgust — after 
advertising the Rural so well as to give it. several new sub¬ 
scribers in the Liwui We have not space for tin) letters of our 
friends — nor do we wish to give more to the subject — yet 
cannot, refrain from quoting a note from an editor In Southern 
Michigan, (is it given the reason why some papci* putt - Terra 
culture, though their conductors believe it to he an egregious 
sell; — 11 Your recent republicalion of matter concerning that 
brazen “ prince of humbug*,” Prof Conifhr k, wan very inter¬ 
esting to Rural readers in this section. You will remember 
that he flourished ( v ) hero some months in 1H66. Your advice 
to the press to ‘ show him up’wn* well put in,' hut there 
arc too few who will regard it. For many country publishers, 
1 regret to -ay, and a* you may know, will insert anything 
that is handed thorn for the pay that accompanies it. They 
arc so badly In need of money, as a general thing, that they 
do not ask questions. [True, and “pity ‘tin, ’tis true.”! 
Comstock found uiie publisher in thin county lie could not 
bribe, or drive If you remember, 1 hud some spats with 
him. He not only threatened libel suits, but actually threat¬ 
ened to shoot me, if I did not dbicontinue my attacks on him. 
.Shull copy some of your remarks on Comstock soon." 
A Monstrous Ox — At a recent meeting of a Farmers' 
Club, in Bemurd-tou, Mass., a committee was appointed to 
measure u fat ox grown aud fed by Mr. Sanderson of that 
town. The measurements reported are us follows:—1 light, 
6 feet 9 inches; largest girth, 11 fcot 6; length from roots of 
horns to tall, 9 feet; width of buck, 4 feet; width across rump, 
1 foot 11; width across shoulders, 3 feel 3; width between 
fore legs, 1 foot 4; length from hip to root of tail, 2 feet 11; 
length from ham to brisket, 7 fret, ti, girth around neck for 
ward of shoulder, 9 feet ti. The animal U eight years old nnd 
weigh* about 4 000. Roan color, grade Durham, small horned, 
round and close ribbed Has been kept in on open shed all 
winter; and not ventured out of bum yard for three years, 
except to attend a cuttle show. Mr. 8. began feuding him four 
quarts of iky meal daily when live yeurx old, and gradually 
increased to twelve quarts, wldck has been his regular per 
diem quantity for the past three years. It is said a New 
Yorker bus bought this ox for exhibition, aud finally as a gift 
to the Federal Army. 
Ookkkk Growing in Illinois Ls now in order — for discus¬ 
sion at least—it being printed that G. It. HOKKMAN, of Elling- 
ham Co., last year raised two bushels of coffee., (nearly identical 
With tho Rio codec.,) from seed sent him threo year* ago from 
Australia Jt is said to tie unproductive tho firatyear, bearing 
a little the second, and most productive the third season. At 
Ids estimate, thirty bushels can be grown per acre. The plant 
has every appearance of hardinea* and adaptability to Illinois 
soil. Many farmers in Mr lids vicinity will plant it tho 
coming season. If Illinois can produce her own Coffee, as 
well a* Sirup, Sugar, and Cotton—as the Suckers claim to have 
demonstrated — her people may gain rather than lose by the 
great rebellion. 
• 
Cheat Draining Tile. — It affords us pleasure to learn, as 
we do incidentally, that a new establishment for the manufac¬ 
ture of Draining Tile is soon to commence operations iu tho 
Genesee Valley — on the bunks of the canal, ueur Mt. Morris. 
It U said that good tile will be furnished at a very low price — 
probably at half wliut has beeu hitherto charged in this vicin¬ 
ity This will be good news to all wishing to bury “ crockery M 
on their promises, and especially to those who have delayed 
the matter on account of the price Of tile. VV o wish the enter¬ 
prise ulnmdaut success, and trust the manufacture and sale of 
tile will no longer lie a monopoly in this region 
“Stot my Pacer ffi—A Good Reason. — Tho following Lx 
the substance of a letter just received from a subscriber in 
Canada, it explains it6clf: — “ Please discontinue, your noble 
li (tuai. New-Yorker, formerly directed tomcat-, C. Yf , 
for a few months 1 am norry to be obliged to do without 
your valuable paper, but am on my way U> your beautiful 
country to enroll my name witli the gallant defenders of the 
Union, which I trust will he a sufficient apology As a Repub¬ 
lican in principle I tlunk it my duty to take this step, and do 
all I can to help to maintain the Constitution and the Laws. 
1 hope at Rome future time to renew my subscription." 
Beet Root Sugar in Ohio. — The Secretary of the Ohio 
State Board of Agriculture states that Prof F. A. Mot, of 
Coluuilms, has succeeded in tho manufacture of sugar from 
tho beet. From a computation based upon hia experiment, 
six and a half tons of sugar can he produced per acre, or 6,000 
lbs. of sugar nnd 000 gallons of sirup. Rating tho sugar at 
six cents per pound, and the sirup at forty cents per gallon, 
the product per acre is $(300. Prof. Mot has rirdoiud from 
France sugar beet root need to plant ten acres next spring, and 
is preparing machinery to manufacture it. 
Western Rural Items — A Sorghum Convention is to he 
held at Joliet, Will Co , Ills., Feb. 12th.- The varieties of 
African sugar cone or Implied found to mature early and pro¬ 
duce sirup and sugar are Nee a za tia, Boom WA-a-na and Oom- 
ae a na The first named U believed to be the host of the 
three.- The Illinois State Ag Society offer a $50 premium 
for the best sample of Illinois coffee, of riot less than 500 lbs. 
- Eight bates of Illinois groan cotton have been exported 
from this State this season — «. ». it 
Fat Cattle from Gk.xkhkk County. — A Batavia paper lias 
been handed the following weights of thirteen fat cattle 
: shipped to New York u few day* ago by Mr. Samuel IIehton of 
that town, and J. J. Chamkkulain, of Alabama:—One steer 
weighed 1,910 lbs.; one do., 2,000; one do., 1,899; one do., 
’ 1,760; one cow, 1,640; one yoke of cattle, 3,790; one do., 
4,170; one do., 3,980; oue do., 4.080. Au aggregate of 25,819 
lbs. for the thirteen head, which is worthy of note. 
s Ukuadhtltfh, Sul, from Milwaukee.— The following facts 
an.- taken from the annual report of the Milwaukee Chamber 
of Commerce: — Receipts of wheat the past year amount to 
18,644,206 bushels, Shipments of wheat, 16,682,876 bushels. 
|- Im-reuSO of receipts as compared with I860, 6,833,400 bushels. 
i Increase of shipments, 6,816,542 bushels Value of product) 
exported In I860, $12,000,000, and iu 1861, $18,000,000. 
