m€ 
old way is destined never to purchase any more 
farms. “Luck” in raising crops is no longer inva¬ 
riably or even generally good. Chance, the deity 
which presides over the operations of old fogy far¬ 
mers, now and then gives us an abundant harvest, 
but at intervals, which 1 can perceive, increase in 
length with the march of time. 
Such a thing as making improvements which 
would take results out of the hands of chance, and 
render success certain and invariable ? Pshaw! 
That would be flinging insults right into the face of 
Providence. We must have our ups and our downs. 
Y\ e must have our hard times, and our good times, 
and our indifferent times, and these must depend on 
our good crops, our poor crops and our medium 
crops. I sadly tear the ups, the good times and the 
good crops will soon be altogether among the 
u things that were, but are not,’’ to all these tradition¬ 
ary larmers. But it will make no difference in their 
professional opinions. Their confidence in the 
soundness of their inherited dogmas and whims can 
never be shaken—never. As long as they live and 
control operations on the soil of their deteriorated 
acres, they will do it just as their fathers did, and 
just as they have always done, though nothing but 
starvation to the soil and to themselves ever comes 
of it. 
No system of underdraining on their farms. It 
would cost as much as they paid for their farms in 
the outset. No fine cattle in their pastureo. Do you 
think they would pay twenfy-five, fifty or a hundred 
dollars for a blooded calf to improve their stock, 
when their own half-starved creatures will hardly 
bring fifteen dollars at two years old ? No, indeed! 
They will keep their short-cropped pastures over¬ 
run with poor half-sfarved cattle and sheep of the 
real dung-hill sort, and pens full of squealing, bony 
creatures which they call hogs, but which look the 
personification of — but I forbear,' “it’s no use talk¬ 
ing." Go you on, good old Rural ! Continue 
your efforts to diffuse liberal ideas, and we will hope 
that their influence will be perceptible in the old 
fogies' children, if not in themselves. 
West Sparta. N. Y, t Nor., 1862. RuSTiaiy8. 
pure—in the same market. A letter on this sub¬ 
ject was also received by the Secretary of the meet¬ 
ing, from the proprietors of a grain elevator in 
Chicago, and heavy grain dealers. Messrs. Monger 
it Armour, from which I make the following 
extracst: 
-It has occurred to us that it would be a favor¬ 
able lime to present to farmers the propriety of 
changing their seed corn to that of yellow or yel¬ 
low mixed. The red corn, while it is not more 
productive or less expensive in its culture than 
yellow or yellow mixed, realizes on an average 
four cents per bushel less than yellow, and about 
one and a half cents less than yellow mixed, in the 
same market. * " * We have bad a large and 
long experience in handling, selling, and shipping 
all kinds of cereals, and in doing so, we have found 
red coni difficult of sale in this market; still more 
so on the seaboard; and in New England, where 
corn is wanted fur mealing purposes, it is alto¬ 
gether unsaleable. It is obvious that where there 
is not a ready demand for an article, such as red 
corn, sellers are compelled to submit to the terms 
of the buyers, and in consequence the priceB real¬ 
ized are often the source of complaint- and dissatis¬ 
faction to the owners. With yellow and yellow 
mixed corn, there is always a ready market at cur¬ 
rent prices. It may also be. mentioned, that in 
warehousing red corn, here and elsewhere, it has 
frequently to be mixed in bins with corn of a more 
desirable color to the loss and injury of warehouse¬ 
men and the holders of t he better grade." 
IX FAVOR OF DIRECT TAXATION. 
lie was in favor of direct taxation, and believed 
the internal revenue laws most unjust and oppres¬ 
sive in their operation practically. The tax should 
not be levied on articles consumed, but on the aggre¬ 
gate wealth of the. country, and should be assessed 
upon each man according to what he owned. lie 
thought the currying trade would regulate itself as 
soon as the Mississippi was opened. 
NOT AN EASY THING TO DO. 
Mr. Hise said:—It is nut an easy thing to wipe 
out this banking system at a single stroke. It en¬ 
ables men to control the products of the country. It 
is our duty to prevent this, if we can; but it cannot 
be done except gradually, and only by shattering 
moneyed monopolies by the abolishment of tariffs or 
the establishment of free trade. 
A REFLECTIVE PRE88 WANTED. 
Mr. Z. T utter said:—We want our political sys¬ 
tem changed. We must act. Our slavery is based 
on one system of politics. We need to be eduacted 
differently. We white men are more slaves than the 
slaves of the South, because our appreciation of op¬ 
pression is more sensitive. We must be educated 
differently. We need a press that will reflect our 
interests. Let US establish one,— one that will ad¬ 
vocate our lights. Let us pay money to do it, if 
necessary. The trouble is, farmers don’t understand 
their own interests. They must be instructed. 
FARMERS DO NOT CO-OFKKATK WITH OTHER 
0LA88KH. 
Among others, Hon. W. H. IIkidick addressed the 
meeting. He said:—There is difficulty in under¬ 
taking to regulate currency matters and the issues 
of banks in any other way than by taxation. All 
classes are obliged to take the same kind of money 
that the farmer does. You, gentlemen farmers, are 
the source of power in this manner, and we appeal 
to you. I am sorry to say that, in some instances, 
OUr appeals have been without success. You do 
not refuse to take bad money when you know that it 
is bud. You have done this in this town when the 
stocks on which Illinois currency was based were 
tottering, notwithstanding the urgent advice of the 
merchants here, who were fighting a powerful com¬ 
bination of bankers determined that these worthless 
rags should circulate. Wherever a cent more on a 
bushel of grain could be obtained, nominally, 
thither the farmers would flock and sell their grain 
for this depreciated stuff, and bring it right around 
to merchants and ask them to take it at par for in¬ 
debtedness. The farmers must co-operate with the 
class or classes that best guard and subserve their 
interests. 
THE YALUB OF THE CURRENCY CIRCULATING NOW. 
One item which may benefit you and save yon 
loss. You arc daily receiving, and taking home, in 
payment for your produce, bank paper from almost 
all the Eastern States you can name, and yet you 
can to-day go into Wall street and buy these identi¬ 
cal bank notes for seventy-five or eighty cents on the 
dollar, United States currency. I know what I as¬ 
sert. for I have been so advised by Wall street 
brokers. Just let Congress say that United Slates 
legal tender notes will be received for revenues, and 
these banks will collapse. You, anil you, and you, 
who carry this vile trash about in your pockets, 
will suffer by this collapse. Men who live in towns, 
and can deposit their money every day in bank, and 
watch the current of affairs, will not lose in propor¬ 
tion. But, I say, let the greenbacks be made receiv¬ 
able for revenue and you who hold this irresponsible 
paper will lose it. 
A LTTTI.K APTTCE. 
It may be that Congress can pass a revenue law 
better than the present. I do not believe it is per¬ 
fect. But we must be careful what we do. We 
must sustain the Government. Let us drop ques¬ 
tions that only irritate and upon which we cannot 
agree, and combine upon something on which we 
can agree. Let us put this currency question for¬ 
ward. Let us combine to do it. Every other 
interest, combines for its protection. Even lawyers, 
as dishonest as they are, combine. Cannot farmers? 
They have not Why? Whether it is because they 
are not honest enough to do it, or whether they have 
been so oppressed that they distrust everybody, I 
cannot tell. But we must, combine together to edu¬ 
cate ourselves and know what is going on. We can 
then command our representatives intelligently, 
and exert an influence that shall be felt. 
THE MEMORIAL TO CONGRESS. 
A committee was appointed to report a memorial 
to Congress. Such a memorial was presented and 
adopted- Its object is of sufficient importance to 
warrant its publication and to demand the careful 
consideration of thoughtful men. 
[Concluded on last column of next page ] 
plaitilv, you must b6 lip with the limes, ou must 
keep yrm i-< ives posted, and you must work in co¬ 
operation. You must be vigilant to discover your 
own wants, and prompt to express them; and in 
such a manner, and with such a force, that no man 
or class of men can mistake them. 
TI1E EFFECT OF USING IT. 
Why, gentlemen, see what could have been saved 
to the farmers of the country during the past two 
years, by perfectly legitimate legislation in the 
early history of railroads in this State. Take no¬ 
tice, I do not make war on railroads. They hare 
been built by Eastern and English capital, aud 
are a monopoly, and sometimes impose burdens 
upon the people grievous to be borne; but they 
have built up the State. It is the railroad system 
that has developed the wonderful, resources of the 
State. But suppose we had been represented In 
the Legislature at the time these railroads were 
asking for their charters, by men who properly 
appreciated or comprehended the interests ot the 
producer in his relation to the progress ol the de¬ 
velopment of our wealth; and suppose those char¬ 
ters that were granted had provided a limit beyond 
which the carrying trade should not go in fixing 
its rates of tariff on freight and passengers, and 
established a graduated scale of rates correspond¬ 
ing to the price of produce, do you suppose these 
capitalists would have refused to have received 
these charters with those provisions? No, sii: aud 
then we would not have to pay thirteen cents 
freight on a bushel of corn from Dixon to Chicago, 
when the corn itself would only bring ten or twelve 
cents per bubhei to the producer iu Dixon. 
THE FARMERS FAULT — HULLS AND BEARS IN TIIE 
GRAIN MARKET. 
No, gentlemen, you do not control your interests; 
and I must say it is almost solely your own fault. 
You are passive sufferers, while other interests com¬ 
bine to protect themselves, and often, without real 
design to injure you, become your aggressors. Men 
say that the price of products is fixed by supply 
aud demand. No, sir!—no more than the price of 
stocks in Wall street is fixed by supply and de¬ 
mand. Why, gentlemen, bulls and bears regulate 
priceB in your grain markets as much as they do 
the price of stocks in Wall street,—just as much. 
As farmers, I say we are too passive. 
NOT WIDE AWAKE. 
We are not wide awake. We must combine,— 
not to war upon other interests, but to protect our 
own, and compete with other men in other voca¬ 
tions with equal advantages, and by securing to our¬ 
selves equal rights. T believe the farmersofillinois 
are capable of governing iu this matter of regulat¬ 
ing their affairs, if they will to do it. This other 
controlling class don’t have to labor with their 
hands, and limy concentrate thought upon the sub¬ 
ject in hand. Farmers do not always do it. They 
should, and must, before they can cope with the 
non-producing political power which governs us. 
and monopolizes all our places of trust and respon¬ 
sibility. Farmers, use the public press of the coun¬ 
try; shell out money; pay the press and speakers, 
iF necessary, to agitate the subjects that interest 
you, and manufacture public opinion of the right 
character. These matters must be taken hold of 
as if you were vitally interested in it, as you are. 
Before voting for any man, find It you are going to 
be represented by him,—if your interests are to be 
looked after by these politicians that you vote for. 
WK 1)0 NOT FIX OUR OWN PRICES. 
One thing: We, of the West, pay the prices asked 
by Eastern manufacturers for their goods, includ¬ 
ing the tax levied on the manufacturer, on the 
dealer, and his profits on his goods besides. No 
one would complain of this if be had the privilege 
of fixing his price on his own products. We of the 
West do not do this. The seaboard towns do it. And 
then we are in the power of the carrying trade. 
There is no limit to their exactions, and what they 
take is taken from us,— not added U> the cost of the 
product to the consumer abroad. These railroads 
are owned in the East, aud hence the pertinence of 
the argument before made with reference to them, and 
the granting of charters to such corporations. The 
people of the West must regulate the carrying trade. 
You mustget together often. It is association which 
strengthens us, and the friction of contact stimulates 
us to act. How easy it is to interest the farmers in 
a political pow-wow. A little paper and ink, and 
together we come,— hurrah, boys, how we go in. 
Apply the same means to interest and excite the 
fanners in the country on subjects that more vitally 
concern them, aud there will be the same success, 
and the same end will be secured. The poliiicianR 
have a systematic way of doing their work that is 
effective. We may profit by adopting their system 
of canvassing the country. Work hard. Get an 
expression of the wants of the people; and then let 
your representatives know what you want. Demand 
it of them. You will get it. 
A CURRENCY WANTED THAT WILL KEEP OVER 
NIGHT. 
Mr. Abrams, of La Salle, said:— I have been en¬ 
gaged in mercantile matters several years. The 
money lost by discounts on currency has been im¬ 
mense, and yet the parties who have wrought these 
panics make the money. The gold is now in the 
hands of men who control it. We must memorial¬ 
ize Congress to be responsible for all the currency 
issued. We have suffered long enough. Our labor 
is brought down to the level of the serf of Russia 
and the negro of the South. 
You say this is not the time to agitate this ques¬ 
tion. It is. Bonds are going into the hands of irre¬ 
sponsible bankers as a basis of currency, and then 
a scheme is gotten up to put it down, to depreciate 
it, that the bankers may buy it in. We want $5(>,- 
000,000 of currency issued by the United States 
Treasury and made, a legal tender. Let it be 
backed by Government. We want a currency that 
can be kept over night. We don't know whether 
money is good or not. It is up to-day and down to¬ 
morrow. Let us have a currency backed by the 
nation; when the nation goes down we don’t need 
any currency. The people will back it; will light 
for it 
THE TROUBLE IS THE BANKING SYSTEM. 
John Hise said:—The representative wealth of 
this nation is confined to the East, and it is embodied 
in her banking systems. Hence, if you would be 
relieved from this burihen which fluctuations in 
currency produce, you must rid the country of the 
entire system. I cau Bee but one practicable way of 
doing it. Memoralize Congress to tax banknote 
engravers for every bank note they engrave, and 
every banker for every note he issues. The people 
must be permitted to have their own currency. Give 
us a national currency. The people will back it; 
will fight for it 
Important Movement of Western Farmers 
trial League. —We devote considerable space, th 
synopsis uf the proceedings of a Farmer's Conven 
ly held at Ottawa, Ill 
fk, to 8 
Teont- 
The report of the discussion and action 
of this Convention, (as furnished by our Western Associate,) 
will be read with interest by the great mass of our readers 
botli East and West. Though the meeting was comparatively 
tooal. we consider it the germ of an impottaut movement, 
likely to extend over the State of Illinois, and indeed the 
whole West. The discussion is especially worthy the atten¬ 
tive consideration of Western farmer*—those who produce 
largely, but are poorly remunerated —who, in fact., pay the ex- 
travagaut expenses, and make the large fortunes, of commis¬ 
sion merchants, contractors, forwarders, and speculators in 
bread studs and provisions Some of the speeches are a little 
“strong” on the Government and bankers, yet the discussion, 
as a whole, embraces an abundance of such salutary truth as 
should be iterated and reiterated until those most deeply in¬ 
terested shall be induced to give the subject profound (bought 
and decided action. Farm rs have too long been bamboozled 
by demagogues, politicians and spectators—have permitted 
others to think and talk and act in their behalf, and it's about 
time for a change in the programme such as this embryo 
movement indicates. But unless our Western friends are 
shrewd and discriminating itr their actum the political dema¬ 
gogues will outwit them, riding into power and place on the 
new and popular horse, and then snapping their fingers at 
those who furnished the means of their elevation. It won't 
do for them to trust the politicians or partisan or commercial 
organs, but hey must, in the main, do their own thinking, 
talking and writing , and enlist as advocates of the cause only 
those persons and journals known to be honestly and unquali¬ 
fiedly for the Rights of the great Producing Interest of the 
Country We cannot devote proper time or space to this sub¬ 
ject at present, but shall endeavor to recur to it in a future 
number. 
ABE YOU READY FOR WINTER? 
Old Winter is close upon us, anti are we ready 
to welcome him and say “all is well ?” His time is 
appointed, and we know there will be no delay; he 
may even send his train before him in snow and 
frost and chilling winds. Are we prepared for them ? 
Are the crops all secure, the roots dug and housed, 
or buried lrotn ihe frost ? Are the apples all gath¬ 
ered, or are there a few trees left with fruit half 
picked to be an eye-sore through the long dreary 
months of winter? Are the cellars banked around, 
so that Juck Frost will not creep in and mar our 
happiness by fear of his mischief? The garden 
sauce has all been taken in when dry and before 
hard frosts. Those flower roots have received their 
winter protection, have they?—if not, “do not put 
off until to-morrow what ought, to be done to-day." 
A load of coarse borsc-litter is preferable, but straw, 
forest leaves, or even the refuse from the garden 
will answer a very good purpose, and save most of 
Ibem. Are the grape vines laid down and covered 
with straw or earth, that the past summer's growth 
may be preserved? If so, another summer we may 
say how much comes of a little. An hour’s labor 
now may give us many hours of pleasure in the 
enjoyment of rich clusters of well-ripened fruit. 
No doubt the barns are all well supplied with bay 
and grain for the comfort of the poor brutes depend¬ 
ant upon us for their many wants. But their many 
wants are not all supplied by food alone. The one- 
idea man might claim that all their wants are sum¬ 
med up in food and drink, but this the experience 
of thousands verify to ua is all a fallacy. There is 
a certain amount of animal heat to be kept up ; in 
all eases where it can be done artificially, by means 
of shelter, it adds much to the saving of fodder and 
to the comfort of the cattle, and the value of the 
manure. The cattle should all be put in stables that 
can be conveniently. But these, with their side- 
hoards flapping in the wind, with floors raised two 
feet or more from the ground for the wind to have 
free circulation, is little if any better than the broad 
canopy ol heaven for a shelter. Nail the loose 
boards, batten Ihe cracks, bank up arouud the stables 
and sheds, and keep them well littered, and one- 
fourth the cost of wintering a stock of cattle is saved, 
beside the pleasurable reality that your duty is done- 
and your conscience clear. 
Regularity of feeding is one of the most essential 
things in bringing through your cattle in a prosper¬ 
ous condition. My idea is feeding but twice in 
twenty-four hours—as soon as light in ihe uiorniDg, 
and as late as I cau at night. I have tried feeding 
three and even lour times a day, but have settled 
upon the twice-a-ilay system—for Ihe reason that 
when so fed all is eaten up clean and nothing wasted; 
then the cattle lie down to chew their cud content¬ 
ed until the hour for feed again; while by the for¬ 
mer (three or four times a-day) system they are 
constantly expectant of something more, and are 
always uneasy and restless, never quiet. 
Are the sheep provided with shelter from the rain, 
snow, and changes ol weather, so that the draft upon 
their system for heat to dry their wet fleeces is not 
an over-tax on them at an enormous expense of 
A Goon Idka. —A farmer asked his neighbor if he would 
join a club for the-nt $1.50 per year 1 11 No.” said 
Ire. " I am going to economize next year.” • • Well.” said he, 
“ as you cannot do « ithout an agricultural paper, give me 50 
cents for the-. You will save a dollar ” Our 
journal of twelve issues a year,—price sixty cents (50 cents to 
clubB,)—which constantly prates about furnishing the best and 
cheapest paper ill the universe. Ah it omits the name of 
the $1 50 paper, we are equally courteous as to the cognomen 
of the 50 pent “slow monthly.” But what paper was the 
sensible farmer canvassing for—the Kurai, Nkw-Yohxkr, 
Country GcrtHrvian , or Acre England Farmer t In either case 
it wn\ “a good idea” to ft.nl ask his neighbor to subscribefor a 
weekly, and according to our notion it showed his own wise 
preference ! But. wo reckon the fanner was canvassing for the 
Rural— a great many are, now-a days, quite successfully —and 
if so, wily not print it light out? It won’t hurt our “ feclinks” 
n bit; arid beside, if disposed to open the contemptible busi¬ 
ness (which, thank Heaven, we are'ut,) wo could publish any 
number of letters de.-ired by Mrs GRUNDY, who runs the pa¬ 
per which contains bo much agricultural and horticultural 
Witter if such “high character,'’ (in far own estimation,) —said 
letters showing “a white horse of another color,” or changes 
to instead of from the Rural. It's a great pity that the people 
don't appreciate Mrs. G.'s transcendent ability and high repu¬ 
tation !—but a “ prophet is not without honor, save in his own 
country,” and it's a blessed thing that the old lady circulates 
more extensively in Canada than her own Empire State! It 
is. also consoling to know, for the old lady has published it for 
a long time, (not having heard of the rebellion, or not think¬ 
ing how ridiculous the transparent, fib would sound to people 
of intelligence.) that her wonderful monthly “has large lists 
of subscribers in evert State and Territory , and in all the 
British Frireinces ”:!! There’s simplicity for you!—and Mrs. 
G.’s is Ihe only paper iu which you can find it (twelve times a 
year) in all America—for there is nut a journal in all tiie Loyal 
Staler which does or cau circulate “in every State and Terri¬ 
tory,” and the one from which we quote is alone simple 
enough to stereotype such nonsense. Vive, la Mrs. Grundy! 
When barns are scattered about the farm some 
thirty rods from each other, and as many more from 
the house, it pays to move and arrange them in the 
most convenient manner—as the time would soon 
amount to enough to pay all expenses, say nothing 
of what better care the stock will receive when near 
the bouse, than they used to, at the “further barn.” 
Also, it pays to put a good stone wall (laid up with 
mortar) under every frame building—except corn- 
houses and cheese-houses, which should stand upon 
posts set solid in the ground, wiLb a large tin pan 
bottom side up placed upon the top of every post to 
prevent mice running up. Remember and have the 
mason leave several small holes at the top of the wall 
to let air in; for if closed tight it will cause the sills 
and sleepers to decay. When you build a bridge in 
front of the large doors, of stone and dirt, do not put 
any dirt near the sill, as the water from the roof will 
soon cause decay. I believe thousands of dollars are 
wasted in this way every year. Remedy—Build 
your bridge of stone and dirt within two feet of the 
doors and place a stick of timber four inches from 
the sill and tonr short pieces from sill to embank¬ 
ment. and place two planks upon this foundation, 
and your Fills will not decay here before it does 
anywhere else. Do not nail a board on the front 
side of the sill where the doors are, as this will 
cause decay. Observation. 
Onondaga Co., N. Y.. 1862. 
Dancer or Famjnk in titk South.— A correspondent of 
the Savannah (Ga ) Republican gives the figures to show that 
both the Southern arnry and people are iu peril of starvation. 
He a<aerta that if the manufacture of whiskey is not stopped, 
the rebel army will have to be disbanded for want of provis¬ 
ions in less than eight months, aud adds;—“ We have no grain 
to spare. If every aero of land in the confederacy, which 
is safe from the ravages of the enemy, were cultivated in grain 
at an average yield, it would not supply us with provisions 
without the most rigid system of economy The cavalry 
branch of the fervieo and transportation stock alone consume 
at least 10,000 bushels of grain per day, while 30,000 bushels 
of rneul and 500,000 pounds of bacon, at regular ami) rations, 
is required to sustain the army daily. To this almost incredi¬ 
ble amount we may add one fourth for waste in transportation 
aud destruction upon retreats and another fourth for the con¬ 
sumption of the invading forces. Now multiply this amount 
by 305 and wo have 30,600,000 bushels of grain 182 600.000 
pounds of bacon, which amount i* absolutely required for the 
support of the army, alone, for one j ear. Independent of this 
wo have to support a population of about sight millions. This 
calculation is made independent of the two fourths allowed 
above for waste and consumption of the enemy. Those are 
mathernateal facts.” 
Some time ago, somebody gave you the old recipe 
lor making a gate:—“Scantling, boards and nails,” 
and proposes to bate the scantling. “ Progress and 
improvement," so far—but, as your friend tells how 
to hang the gate, 1 interpose —hating the hanging . 
Since it is discovered that heavy lumber is useless 
in a farm gate, why not let fastenings (caiches, 
latches, hooks, sockets, grooves, bolls, or any cheap 
device,) hold both ends when in place, and lift the 
light thing and set it one side when animals or teams 
are to pass it ? Or, if it. is to be used frequently. Dr 
the old notion of a substantial thing is insisted on. 
mount it on rollers, with a plank or small timber, 
t wice the gate’s length, for the wheels to run upon— 
fasten it at each end with a book—and have au ex¬ 
tra staple to hitch one hook into while you change 
staples with the other hook when your gate is open. 
Of course yon steady the gate while running it 
back and forth. 
One extra hook, two staples, the rollers and the 
plank or timber to run them on, will cost less than 
a pair of suitable hangings aud a heavy post suita¬ 
ble to hang a gate upon—and by my “ improvement” 
the gate makes “progress" without danger of sag¬ 
ging or being broken down by lazy boys swinging 
on it l» s. 
Attica, N T , 1862. 
RisckiI’ts of Hogs in Chicago. —The reoeipts of hogs 
for the week ending November 29th were 55,089 head. The 
receipts for twenty-eight days in November were 222,120 
against 117,975 for the corresponding month in 1661, show 
ing an increase of 102,523. The hogs received this season 
are said to bo much lighter than the average weights of last 
year and the packers think the falling off in weight this 
year as compared with last season will bo equal to ten per 
cent. The natural yield of lard will also be less than last 
year. It is generally believed, that while tire number of hogg 
packed in tire city will be larger than ever before, the aggre¬ 
gate hog crop of the West will not be found to be larger than 
last year. This belief is based upon the representations of 
men who have visited the principal hog raising sections of the 
country.—0. D. li. 
To Test the Quality of Wool. 
A Texas paper says:— Take a lock of wool 
from the sheep's back and place it upon an inch 
rule. If you can count from thirty to thirty-three 
of the spirals or folds in the space of an inch, it 
equals in quality the finest Electoral or Saxony 
wool grown. Of course, when tfie number of spirals 
to the inch dituiuishes, the quality of the wool be¬ 
comes relatively interior. Many tests have been 
tried, but this is considered the simplest and best. 
Cotdtvokl wool and 6ome other inferior wools do not 
measure nine spirals to the inch. With this test 
every farmer has in his possession a knowledge 
which will enable him to form a correct judgment of 
the quality ot all kinds of wool. There are some 
coarse wools which experienced wool growers do 
not rank as wool, but as hair, on account of the 
hardness and straightness of the fibre. 
The Sorghum Crop op 1862.—Though lire figures seem too 
large to bo correct, it is printed that statisticians conversant 
with tiie progress of tire Sorghum culture, and qualified to 
judge pretty correetly of the past season's product, estimate 
the aggregate of cane syrup at 40 000,000 gallons, and the area 
cultivated at 250,000 acre*. In 1809, by tbo showing of the 
last census, the product was lens than 8,000,000 gallons. The 
estimated amount for 1S62 is sufficient to supply more than 
hall'the syrup and molasses demand of the United Stales. 
Tiie Sorghum syrup, this fall, is said to bo unusually rich and 
pleasant to the taste, and many farmers throughout the West 
are laying it up by the barrel. 
A Farmer. 
OLD FOGY FARMERS 
Cotton in Illinois. — A Chieago paper denies the truth of 
the statement published by many journals, that the cotton 
crop of Illinois for 1S62 will amount to 20,000 bales, and says 
there was considerable difficulty about getting enough seed 
at the proper season, and much of what was planted did not 
germinate, from a variety of causes. There were few in¬ 
stances where many acres were planted togetiier, but on tiie 
contrary, the cultivation of it was confined to “ patches,” for 
homo consumption. It estimates the quantity for export at 
about two hundred bales. 
Auvancing Prick of Stock. —According to the American 
Stock Journal the raising of horses and cattle is to pay better 
for some years to come than formerly. It says the demand for 
horses for army aud other purposes is such that the prices paid 
for them are from twenty-five to thirty-three per cent, higher 
than tire same quality of horses sold for one year ago, aDd yet 
they are rising, and will continue to rise so long as the supply 
is inadequate to the demand. Farmers who give their atten¬ 
tion to the raising of good horses will find it a remunerative 
business for the next few years, Cattle for beef, work, and 
milk, though not materially higher than one year ago, must 
advance considerably in price tire year to come, or we much 
mistake the signs of the times. Those who have large stocks, 
or who have the means to produce them, will do well to 
double their efforts, with a certainty of realizing largo profits. 
Personal.—D r. Guo. Dadd, the accomplished Veterinary 
Surgeon and well known Author, is now located in Chicago. 
Perhaps, and probably there is no man in the country better 
qualified to instruct medical students in Veterinary Science, 
than Dr. Dadd; and this fact ought to induce young men in 
the West who attend the medical schools here, to seek to 
profit by his tuition. I do not know whether he receives pu¬ 
pils; for 1 write this without his knowledge. But veteri¬ 
nary skill is of so much importance in the West 1 am led to 
make this recommendation —0. D. B. 
Thb Extra Premiums, offered fur early and efficient efforts 
for obtaining subscribers for our next volume, will be found 
on seventh page of this paper. Agents and others interested 
will please give the list a careful perusal, and decide as the 
propriety of immediate action in the matter. 
“ Sowing Plaster on Clover." —The third line of the arti¬ 
cle under this head, on page 374, should read—“to sow the 
plaster soon after the grain oomes up," instead of “to sow the 
clover,” See .—o. d . b. 
