ABOUT THE WHITE WILLOW, 
AND THE PEOPLE AND PAPERS THAT SOLD IT. 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker : — I notice a Sub¬ 
scriber from Allegany Co., has asked your opin¬ 
ion in reference to the White Willow for fencing 
and wind-breaks. I have had some experience 
with th« White Willow, which I will give for the 
benefit of my brother farmers. 
Last winter a Mr. Richardson — agent for 
E. 8 . 1'ike, Piuuesvillc, Q., — came through this 
vicinity taking orders for White Willow cuttings 
for fences, Ac. lie had with him a photograph 
picture of u hedge or fence which he said was 
White Willow, and which looked very nice, for 
fence or wind-breaks. Also, be carried two 
pieces of wood, one four or five inches in diam¬ 
eter, which he said was White Willow of four 
years growth. The smaller one was one and a 
half inches in diameter, which he said was the 
growth of the first year from the cuttings. He 
represented that it would grow and make a good 
fence in four years on any soil that apple tree? 
would do well on. He had with him a copy of 
the Genesee Farmer , which contained an article 
taken from the American AgHouUurist, written 
by the Associate EtMor of the Agriculturist, which 
represented that he hud scon the White Willow 
growing somewhere, (West, I think,) and re- 
commending it very highly for finees ; and the Gen¬ 
esee Farmer sanctioned •what the Agriculturist said 
respecting it. "Under these circumstances I gave 
SHEEP PASTURAGE IN THE SOUTH, 
Hk.nuv S. Randall, LL. D .— My Dear Sir: 
Looking over the last number of the Rural I 
noticed a statement contained in an Address, 
delivered at theChautauqua County Fair by Major 
Brooks, which is calculated to mislead Northern 
fanners with regard to the resources of the 
South. I have reason to believe that the Major 
has been misled by the statements of others; 
and has not enjoyed the same opportunltcs for 
observation that I have. But recently, 1 have 
spent about tivc weeks in examining the pastoral 
resources of a region of country extending from 
Louisville, Ky., to Savannah, Ga. The state¬ 
ment referred to, reads as follows :—“ Grasses 
suited to the southern ami western portion of 
our country are growing there, but of inferior 
value—they do not make a uniform turf, beauti¬ 
ful and desirable like our own cultivated grasses; 
it is at least doubtful whether a permanent grass 
covering of the soil can be obtained in those 
regions.” 
• In many portions of Central Georgia, where 
the Bermuda Grass has been intentionally or ac¬ 
cidentally introduced, you will find large bodies 
ofland densely covered with aluxuriantgrowth of 
fine and nourishing herbage. I am familiar with 
the pastoral capacities of Chautauqua county, 
as well as with Old England and almost every 
portion of IheUnltedStateafrom the Canadas to 
the Gulf of Mexico, and lYom the Ohio to the 
Atlantic, and I have no hesitation in asserting 
that the most densely covered pastures that I have 
ever examined have been those of Georgia. 
Antecedent to my recent visit to Georgia, no 
rain had fallen for two months. All crops were 
suffering for the want of rain, lmt the Bermuda 
Grass was green and luxuriant. From personal 
Kansas Agricultural College. —The Man¬ 
hattan, Kansas, Independent says “ The State 
Agricultural College is In a flourishing condition, 
having enrolled about eighty students this term; 
almost every day more arc added to the list. 
Quite a number arc in the higher classes of the 
regular college studies. The President, has been 
absent during the summer, collecting money 
to erect u boarding bouse. When ho returns 
plans will be adopted for the building of a fine 
boarding house, to accommodate one hundred 
students.” 
Jsureau Co. (111 .) Ag. Society, — Officers for 1S06: 
ITeMent—U. C. Fused, Princeton. Vice Pres'ts— 8. 
I lisldnson, Princeton; O. H 8, Powers, Providence; 
C. R. Mason, Wynnct. Itec. Sec'y-C. T). Trimble, 
PrlncetOU, For. 8 e'y - Bryant, Jr„ Princeton. 
7V< asunr-C. B, Alien. Princeton. Directors - John 
Clapp, Lamoille; T. W. Nichols. Dover; C. p, Mason, 
Concord; Dr, K, Stetson. Neponsct; II. W, Terry, 
Peru. Gen. Sup /.—M. G. Lbvcrin, 
Allen Co, (0) Ag. Society,— Officers for 1366.— Pres¬ 
ident—). B, Robert.-. Vice Presidents—,i. R. Hughes, 
C. Harris, Dr. R. K. Jones, J. M. Haller, John Dobbins, 
J. A. Hoover, O. W. Ovrrmcyer, O. E. Griffith. L. Jen¬ 
nings. Directors -A. M. Haller, Secretary ; O. W. Over- 
meyer, Treasurer. The Society is in a prosperous 
Condition, having a rash balance of $353. 
Morgan Co ( 0 .) Ag. Society. Officers for 1866: 
President— P. W. Wood, McConneUville. Vice Pesi- 
'lent —II. Dlnsmore, Malta. Secretary —John 8- Adair, 
McConnelartlle. Treasurer — Ford Sill, MeOonmds- 
vUlo. Managers— Wni. P. Sprague, Samuel McCone, 
Ross W. Gray, O. At. Lovell, Samuel Miller. 
Tuscaramus Co. (0) Ag. Society -Officers for 1866: 
President— N. Hayden. Vice President— Geo. Riker. 
Secretary —E. Slinging. Treasurer -G, B, Deardorff. 
Managers— B. B. Brashear. J. Coventry, Jr., 8. T. 
Welty, 11. Mosher, Josiah Waiter. Annual Fair to be 
held Sept. 3C-X8. 
Adams Co. (Pa) Ag. Society, - President - John 
Book holder. Vice Presidents — George Peters and 
Elijah Wright. Secretary— Win. B. Wilson, Cor. 
Secretary — Cyrus Gricst. Treasurer— Jonas Kaun- 
znkn, Managers - EliBlia Tenrose. Henry Epplemun, 
Henry J. Stable, William Wnlhny, and Samuel Meale. 
Pussy Co. (Ind.) Ag. Society, — Officers for 18G6 
President— Julian Dale Owen. Vice-President — 
Chambers Williams. Secretary-Frank Bolton. Treas¬ 
urer -A. E. Fretagot. Trustees— Thou. Pote, V. C. 
Dados, A. T, Stephens. Marshal— John R. Hugo. 
Utnl, ffupt. —Lycurgue Chaffin, 
SkurteaUles Farmers' Club .—Officers for 1866: Pres 
ylenl- —Vi it. E. Clark. Vice Presidents —Edward Shep¬ 
ard, V ills Clift. Dec. Secretary —Chauncey B. Thorne. 
Cor. Secretary —J. H. Vanderburgh. Treasurer —Wm 
J. Townsend. DiruUn's-Dov Au sti n, Jacob H. Allen, 
Wills Clift. Geo. Austin, Jedediah Irish. M. Parsons. 
I it has condemned the White Willow fever, and 
especially at the very time the Agriculturist and 
other Journals were highly recommending it — 
their notices largely aiding to sell both the Wil¬ 
low and the farmers of the country. At that 
time the man Pikk offered us a pile of green¬ 
backs for favorable notices, &e., — but the pro¬ 
position was declined and our notices were quite 
different from those desired. The people can now 
judge who was right, and who best, subserved 
the interest of the farming public. 
BERMUDA GRASS: 
INTRODUCTION, culture, etc., at the south. 
payiug dear for one's whistle; but when wc take 
into consideration the fact that land can be pur¬ 
chased at from three to six dollars per acre, the 
outlay will appear trifling. In fact, the interest 
for one year oh the purchase money of good 
northern land would obtain a good pasture that 
would last for an indefinite period. Taking land 
at the cheap rates prevailing in the South, aud 
wages at $S per month, it would cost but a trifle 
to obtain a few hundred acres of superior pas¬ 
ture. But there are many portions of the South 
where plantations can be purchased, on reasona¬ 
ble terms with from 100 to 000 acres ofland well 
set with Bermuda Grass. 
Owing to the lengthened period that the lands 
of the South have been under cultivation, there 
must of necessity be a deficiency ofllme, potash 
aud soda in the soil, and I have reason to believe 
that, if these were added the Bc,rtuudft Gross 
would be improved. Before the war lime could 
be purchased on the line of railroad for teu cents 
per bushel, and will probably be obtainable at a 
j similar price before very long. 
Referring to lime reminds me of one fact. 
It Is a generally received opinion that red clover 
will uot succeed In Georgia; yet the curious may 
soo a field of several acres at Covington, Ga., 
which was sown in 1860, aud which has produced 
heavy crops yearly, it was an exhausted field, 
and, as au experiment, the owner plowed it very 
deep, and gave it a good coat of lime. When I 
examined it in August last it looked well, taking 
the drouth into consideration. 
From my experience, and that of others, with 
the Bromus Schlukrianum in an urid climate, I 
am convinced that it is peculiarly adapted to the 
South. It will produce two heavy crops each 
summer. With the Pronins aud oats cut at a 
proper season, and rye for winter pastures, no 
diffleuity would be experienced in wintering 
stock in Georgia. 
I am convinced that a great deal of ignorance 
prevails in the Northern States relative to the 
resources of the South; and if you think that 
the results of my observations would 
interesting to your readers, 1 shall onl; 
happy to oommuuicate them. 
I have the honor to remain, 
Yours, &c., c. 
New York, November, JS65. 
Thanks to our esteemed 
weekly. Ulan family and sicws-piiper, with a large aud 
good agricultural attachment, iu which the Aluericnn 
Merinos are of tale made a specialty." 
The Italics In this quotation arc oars, and will be 
understood by the Intelligent reader, and especially 
by our friends of the Press—most of whom know that 
this journal hm-./tom its start, made Agriculture and 
Horticulture the leading and prominent topics of 
discussion:—and many, with tig, will be greatly sur¬ 
prised that a Journal claiming to bo reliable in its 
utterances, should, either ignorantly or willfully, so 
misrepresent the facts os to speak of the Rural as 
a “family and newspaper” with an "agricultural 
attachment.” Why not say. honestly and squarely, 
“an Agricultural and Horticultural Journal, with large 
and good Literary, Scientific, Educational and News 
attachments l — instead of dodging the truth, aud 
endeavoring tu “damn with faint praise” an honora¬ 
ble contemporary who wishes you well, and has 
expressed the wish both privately and publicly. But 
the assertion that “the American Merinos are of late 
made a specialty ” In the aforesaid “ attachment" is 
cqitaUytrao and refreshing. However, wc suppose 
our contemporary, who only gets around once a 
month, considers that over two years must be quite 
recent, or at least “ of late,” albeit it has given abun¬ 
dant time to add upwards of twenty thousand to our 
circulation—which, by the way, may bo just “what’s 
the matter.” [As our readers are aware, the Bubal's 
department of Sheep Husbandry, Edited by lion. II, 
8. Randall, LL. D., author of “The Practical Shep¬ 
herd,” “Sheep Husbandry in the. South,” “Fine 
Wool Husbandy,“ etc., was commenced in January. 
IH6L] Years ago, (in 1850.i when the Am. Ag. was 
edited by the Messrs. Allen, (among the ablest 
RT 'DR. C‘. J. KENWORTHY, 
D. D. T. Moore, Esq.: — Inspected Sir: In 
a recent letter to Dr. Randall, I referred to a 
lecture delivered at the Chutitnuqua County Fair 
by Major Brooks, in which he referred to the 
grasses (natural and introduced,) of the South, 
Which remarks arc calculat ed to mislead the tm- 
iuitated. Believing that error should bo cor¬ 
rected, I have deemed it best to trouble you with 
a few jottings. 
As the attention of fanners aud stock raisers 
is being directed to the agricultural and pas¬ 
toral resources of the South, I have thought 
that a few remarks regarding the Bermuda Grass 
(Oynodcu dne.tylen ,) might prove interesting to 
some of the readers of the Rural. From the 
best information 1 could obtain in the South, 
this grass was first Introduced from Bermuda to 
St. Marys lu Ga. In orabout 18S5, tw-o planters 
from Greensboro, Ga., visited St. Marys, and 
were so much pleased with the grass, that upou 
their return each one. placed a turf in his saddle 
bags. Upon their arrival at home, these turfs 
were carefully planted aud nursed; and from 
these small turfs the grass has spread Over a 
large portion of Central Ga. These would-be 
benefactors, who first introduced it, have been 
anathematized by thousands; for it is considered 
the great curse of the planter. For when it once 
obtains a hold on a plantation, its eradication 
and destruction is next to impossible. One old 
gentleman, residing near Greensboro, Ga., has 
been fighting i» for over twenty years, and, like 
Crockett’s cuon, has finally consented to come 
down. Its destruction is so difficult, that when 
It once secures a footing the land is abandoned. 
Plow it under, cut it up, expose it to the air, or 
do what you may, bo long as one joint is left, 
within a few weeks you will have a luxuriant 
stool, throwing out its runners in every direction. 
The Bermuda Grass 
Keep the Best Stock. 
An exchange truthfully says:—Some farmers 
are in a habit of selling their best live stock, and 
keeping the poorest to breed from. This is bad 
management. If a farmer has a good cow, she 
is worth as much to keep as to sell. The same 
applies to all other stock. The rule should be, 
keej> the. best and sell the poorest. We will illus¬ 
trate a ease as follows: Farmer A has a cow- that 
gives 20 quarts of milk a day, from which 9 lbs. 
of butter are made in a week, worth 30 cte. per 
pound. He also has a cow that gives but 10 
quarts, from which four pounds of butter only 
can be made in a wcel* ~ 
Oue cow- he values at 
880, and the other at 840. He sells the $80 cow 
and keeps the other for his own use. Now, lot 
us see how the account will stand, in regard to 
the profits from these cows. The best cow pro¬ 
duces 9 lbs. of butter a week, say from May 1st 
to December 1st — 3Q)£ weeks— 274J4 lbs., at SO 
ets.,—$82.35. The other cow produces in the 
same time life! lbs. of butter, at 30 eta., amount¬ 
ing to only 836.00, which is 845.75 profit less 
than the best cow affords. It costs, in this case, 
the same to feed each cow, and it is safe to say, 
that the advantage in keeping good cows over 
poor ones is not improperly shown in the above 
statement. A farmer actually throws away from 
825 to 840 each season, when he sells a first rate 
cow, and keeps a poor oue in her place. 
The Agricultural Press. —Among other matters 
necessarily deferred is an article on the Agricultural 
Press, with notices of changes or improvements in 
several old aud the advent of u number of new jour¬ 
nals mainly or partly devoted to Rural Affairs We 
wish all honorable contemporaries good speed--re¬ 
joicing in the prosperity of those already established, 
and bidding new comers a cordial welcome and mer¬ 
ited suceess. Our chief rivalry will continue to 
consist in striving to excel others in usefulness, and 
tf all aim to do that, the glorious cause of Rural 
Progress aud Improvement will be greatly advanced 
during the year 1866. 
Domestic Economy j otic to Mechanic Arts and Science • 
one to Education ; rind three to the News of the duv, l.tt- 
craMrc, ike. We auu Uui* imitlruln.r In 8iaUUir The lit- 
rangcroeut of tills new Weekly, for we think it a model 
PAFEk/W- the..farmer'*family, and gfa kind much more 
likely to be generally patronised Hum those purely aoiu- 
CDLTfjiAL : * • • and (f lee u?rr« to start a periodical 
again it would be in lmitatkmt of tuk Rural New- 
YORKER.'' 
— And “here we rest ” until called upon to further 
“vindicate the truth of history," come interesting 
scraps of which are in reserve. Meantime, the Rural 
New-Yorker, tan Agricultural, Horticultural, Lit¬ 
erary and Family Newspaper, tolerably well edittd, 
illustrated and printed, and somewhat widely circula¬ 
ted.) will coutinne to be published every week, at 
Rochester, N. Y., at $3 per annum, or $2.50 in clubs 
of ten or more. N. B.—The paper that “was going I 
to run the Rural NEW-YoRREn and all otb«r agricul¬ 
tural journals (except oue in New York City,) out of 
Western New York,” last year, V failed to connect,” 
but succeeded admirably in running itself “Into the 
ground as It died in December from actual starva¬ 
tion. Others “ specially educated for this profession " 
will, or will not, “make a note of it," aud govern 
themselves accordingly. 
Propagation of Fish. 
Have you a living spring upon your farm ? 
or have you a pond that does not dry up in sum¬ 
mery If you have, you can easily raise fish — 
much more easily raise it for food than you can 
beef or pork. In Europe the raising of fish for 
market is carried on largely by private persons. 
It is attended with great profit. The principal 
outlay is in preparing the ponds, and stocking 
them with the choicer kinds of fish. They need 
but little after care or attention. They require 
but little food, though it is found profitable to 
teed them some, as they will mature quicker. 
They are easily caught in note, and the smullcr 
ones are thrown back aud the larger ones sold. 
Fresh fish have always been considered one of 
the luxuries of the table. Our Western farmers 
could raise them as well as they can stock. Let 
is a dwarf growing species, 
at taining,under ordinary circumstances, a height 
of from four to six inches. The base of tho 
stem, for several joints, l> prostrate, covered-by 
sheaths, and is very dense and legnious, the re¬ 
mainder vertical aud succulent. The leaves vary 
from three to four inches in length, and number 
from five to eight upon each stem. 1 inclose ft 
specimen for your examination. 
The mode of propagation and distribution is, 
to a certain extent, a disputed point. Planters 
have used every effort to prevent its spreading, 
as well as to effect its destruction; but tdi their 
efforts have proved lurtile. I was assured by a 
number of intelligent gentlemen, that it would 
not perfect its seed iu the South, and to te6t the 
correctness of the statement, I gathered seed in 
How' to Expel Rats.—A correspondent of the 
Rural asks how he can expel rats and keep them 
away from his premises. Try various methods. Make 
war on them. 
One man says they left his barn when 
he brought dried peppermint, mixed with hay, ip to it. 
A little arsenic put on bits of bread and butter and 
placed where they, aud nothing else, will eat it> will 
destroy them. Somebody has said that pieces of cork 
fried iu lard, and given them to eat, will drive them 
away. 
Bugs in Beans.— Mr. A. Van Buren, Dutchess Co., 
N. Y., says:—“Did you ever know of bugs eating 
beans ? I never did before last spring. I found them 
in my seed beans, and they got in so extensively as 
to eat them almost np. They seem to be inside of 
the beans and to eat out. The bugs are similar to the 
pea bug, yet different. They were not confined to 
one sort.” 
Remarks.— 1 names to our esteemed corres¬ 
pondent for the above valuable article, which 
would have appeared earlier bad it not been 
mislaid. We shall be glad to hear from Dr. K, 
in regard to Southern resources, and think the 
observations he so kindly offers to furnish will 
prove interesting and valuable to our readers iu 
both the North and South. 
