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Th« Season. — March opened with pleasant, sun¬ 
shiny weather, hut the lamb soon changed to a roar¬ 
ing lion. For two weeks paat the weather lias been 
decidedly unpropltioos — a mixture of snow, sleet, 
high winds and rain, with rand in abundance. Though 
almost continuously cloudy, windy, snowy or rainy, 
no great amount of water has fallen, and Rochester 
has survived the anniversary of the great flood of 
18(55, (which occurred March 17-30,) without a deluge. 
People hereabouts “breathe freer," and those who 
are hopeful anticipate a favorable change ere long—a 
sample of beautiful, balmy Spring. 
SECOND ANNUAL FAIR OF THE N. Y. 
STATE SHEEP BREEDERS’ & WOOL 
GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION. 
At a meeting of the Executive Committee of 
the New York State Sheep Breeders’ and Wool 
Growers’ Association, held at Syracuse, March 
13th, the following regulations were made for 
the ensuing Annual Fair, to be held at Roches¬ 
ter on the 8th, 9th and 10th of May, 1866: 
CLASSIFICATION. 
Prizes are offered on six classes of Sheep, as 
follows: 
First Class— American Merinos. 
Second Class— Fine MERiNOS-yielding a wool 
adapted to the manufacture of fine broadcloths 
a staple of equal 
of the Wagner and Morgan. But as a rule, the 
horse should be from 15-3 to 16 hands, while the 
mare should not he under 15; and symmetry 
and beauty, as well as color, should never te 
overlooked. The Arabians put great faith in 
color. 
In breeding for speed, I am clearly of the 
opinion that it is not always a good plan to 
select marcs simply because they have trotted 
fast, and old mares especially. As a rule, I 
would advise the using of young mares as well 
as horses. From declining years and work, 
comes a wear! g out of the vital energy, 
But I am drawing out this communication to 
a greater length than I purposed at first, and 
yet the subject only seems to be fairly opened. 
The place filled by the horse in the machinery 
of society is of such a character that too much 
can scarcely be said In relation to his improve¬ 
ment; and I am much pleased to see that it is 
receiving more and more of the attention of 
,tock raisers throughout the country. Such 
attention will be found to bring its full reward. 
H. Millard. 
Buffalo, March, 1866. 
Get tub Implements Readt 1—As the season for 
their us« >s at hand, all farm and garden tools and 
Implements should now be put In order without de¬ 
lay. Hero is a good Item on the subject from friend 
Arnold of Illinois. Though the West Is specially 
mentioned, the advice is good for all sections. Mr. 
A. writes:—“Now is a good time in the year to get 
out the tools to be used to the coming season’s work. 
After putting them in repair cover them with a coat 
of paint; It costs but little compared with the 
amount that may be savod thereby. Nearly all tools 
used on the Western prairies are expoeed to the 
weather through the summer season, and many for 
the whole year. If a farmer cannot afford shelter for 
his tools, the least he ought to do 5* to keep them 
well painted. The wagon wheel# and tongue ought 
to he painted every year. No matter if the farmer 
cannot stripe them quite as nice as the professional 
painter, it will do just as much good, and stripes aro 
of very little show when the wheels are covered with 
rand, as they usually arc on the prairies.’’ 
and other fabrics requiring 
quality. 
Third Class — Delaine Merinos— yielding a 
wool adapted to the manufacture of delaines 
and similar fahrlcB—length of staple being a 
leading consideration, but in which neither ex- 
tremo fineness of fiber as required in the second 
clasB, nor great weight of fleece, as required In 
the first, are to be regarded as absolute essentials. 
Fourth Class— Lamm— of preceding classes. 
Fifth Class — Long Wooled Sheep- including 
the Leicestcrs, Cotswolds, and other breeds and 
varieties usually comprised under that designa¬ 
tion. 
Sixth Class— Middle Wooled Sheep— includ¬ 
ing South Downs and other sheep usually so 
classed. 
PRIZES. 
Prizes of *30, *30,and *10, respectively,are offer¬ 
ed in each of the above classes, except Fourth, for 
the first, second and third best Rams, two years 
old or over; same for the first, second and third 
best Yearling Rams; same for first, second and 
third best pen of 5 Ewes, two years old or over; 
Bame for first, second and third best pen of 5 
Yearling Ewes. 
Prizes (4th class) of *15, *10and $5, areoffored 
for the first, second and third best pen of live 
Lambs, without respect to sex. 
Sweepstake prizes aro offered of *50 for the 
best Merino Ram of any age, and *50 for the 
best pen of five Merino Ewes of any age—open 
to competition to the three first classes. 
No sheep competing for prizes are required to 
be shorn; but. the Bum of *5 will be added to 
the prize received by any Ram, or any pen of 
Ewes, which Is sheared on the ground, and the 
fleece weighed under the direction of the Execu¬ 
tive Board. The Board will decide how many 
out of each pen of Ewes are to be Bhorn. Each 
exhibitor will provide his own shearer. 
Prizes of *10, *-8 and *6 will be awarded to the 
three best shearers. Competitors not engaged 
to shear Prize Sheep may provide others for 
that purpose. 
All prizes must be claimed within thirty days 
of the Fair, or they will be considered donated 
to the Association. 
SPECIAL PRIZES. 
Asel F, Wilcox offers a prize of *25 for the 
Merino Ram’s fleece, of one year’s growth or 
thereabouts, sheared at the Fair, which, on 
being cleansed, shall be found to give the 
greatest weight of wool, in proportion to its 
time of growth, and the live weight of the 
animal. 
Emory B. Pottle offers a prize of *25 for the 
Merino Ram’s fleece, of one year’s growth or 
thereabouts, sheared at the Fair, which, on be¬ 
ing cleansed, shall be found to give the greatest 
weight and value of wool, in proportion to it* 
time of growth, without reference to weight of 
the animal. 
I. V. Baker, Jr., offers a prize of *25 for 
Merino Ewe’s fleece, conditions same os for the 
Wilcox prize. 
Davis Cossit offers a prize of *25 for Merino 
Ewe’B fleece, conditions same as for the Pottle 
prize. 
Henry S. Randall offers a prize of *25 for 
English Long Wooled fleece, conditions same as 
for the Pottle and Cossit prizes. 
D. D. T. Moore offers a prize of *25 for Eng¬ 
lish Middle Wooled fleece, conditions same as 
for the Pottle and Cossit prizes. 
VIEW1NO COMMITTEES. 
\st. Class—Haws 3 years old or over—Davis Cossit, 
Onondaga; Wra. T. Jtemer, renn Yan; Garret Hol- 
lenbaek, Ilooeick Corners. 
Rams, yearlings (or “yearlings past.) — Thomas 
Densmore, Geueva; A. 11. Clapp, Manlius; John M. 
Percy, Hoosick Corners. 
Ewes, 3 years old or over.—Wm. M. Holmes, Green¬ 
wich ; F. J. Marshall, Wheeler; A. H. Avery, Manlius. 
Ewes, yearlings, (or “ yearlings past.”)—Alexander 
Arnold, Avoca; John Stcbbine, Cazcnovia; Oscar 
Granger, Saratoga Springs. 
3 d. C7a«—Rams.—Chester Moses. Marcellus; Jos. 
A. Spencer, Spencerport; M. Hutchinson, Ledyard. 
Ewes.—James M, Ellis, Syracuse ; Wm. D. Dickin- 
on, Victor; Asa Rowe, Sweden. 
3d. Class— Rams.—Gen. R. Harman, Wheatland; 
Perez Pitts, Uoncoye; A. G. Percy, Newark. 
Ewes.—G. H. Wheeler, llammondsport; E. L. Gage, 
Y0U5C HERO.” — WEIGHT OK FLEECE, LOS. 
sheep owned stake’s dam bred by Mr. Hammond. I have bred 
-Id, Vermont, for sixteen years from the best stock in Vermont 
are as follows: and Connecticut, and have at present (Oct., 1865,) 
[r. Hammond, 130 breeding ewes averaging seven pounds of 
i, he by Sweep- wool per bead.” 
Mkndknuall’s Improved Self-Acting Hand 
Loom — recently advertised in this paper by A. B. 
Gatbs & Co. of Philadelphia, Pa.,—is worthy the at¬ 
tention of farmers and others. An examination of 
It, some weeks ago, satisfied us that it was worthy 
of commendation, and we intended to have called thtf 
attention of our readers to the improvement at the, 
time. Wc are reminded of tlic Loom now, by ascer-; 
tnining that some ona took advantage of the an¬ 
nouncement of Gatbs A Co., by advertising, below 
it, rights, looms, etc., without their authority. We 
of course supposed it was all right, anil now make 
the only correction In our power by referring all in-, 
terested in the matter to Messrs. Gatbs & Co. 
LOMBARDY POPLAR FOR 8CREEN8, Ac, 
Tns Lombardy Poplar is considerably grown 
on the western prairies for protection against 
the wind and snow, and admirably does it answer 
this purpose. When cultivated for a few years 
after setting It will increase In height four to five 
feet a year. Care should be exercised in selecting 
and sorting the cuttings in order that they may 
grow equally. I have a row 40 rods long, now 
four inches In diameter, that were set 10 inches 
apart. One stake between each two trees will 
make a fence. 1 have no doubt that they would 
tow well in a single row if set six inches apart; 
in that case they would make a complete fence 
in five or b!x years. They arc inadmissable in 
small yards, and are profitable to plant only for 
shelter on large farms, where land is cheap, for 
they will occupy at seven years old a strip of 
land 40 feet* wide on which nothing of much 
value will grow. The roots fill the ground for a 
space on each 6ide of the row about equal to the 
height of the trees. s. w. A. 
Cortland, Ill., 1866. 
Illinois and the DitrAUTMBNT or Agriculture — 
Th« Exccntive Board of the Illinois State Ag. Society 
recently adopted the subjoined significant resolution#: 
liMoivrrl. That we. the Board or Agriculture of thu 
State of Illinois, uniting with our slater societies of 
like interest throughout the nation, do earnestly de-i 
sire the President of the United States to distills* Mr. 
Iaaac Newton, Commleidouer of Agriculture, fromtho 
position which ha Is so manifestly unlit to till, and 
that he nppoiot some competent man In his stead. 
Resolved, That, holding these views, wo solicit our 
entire delegation In Congress to work to this end: 
until the Agricultural interest* of our nation shall 
stand upon a par with other into csts, and th« head 
of this department be made the peer of the head* of 
the other departments of the Foaoral Government. 
“ GREEN MOUNTAIN OEMS.” INFANTADO EWES.-FLEECES, 14^, 13)<, AND 12 LBS 
Tub Fbncb Question. —A pamphlet of 16 pages 
by Mr. Gkobob Trivet of San Juan, South Cali¬ 
fornia. The author forcibly discusses the Fence 
Question as applicable to that State, advocating the 
removal of laws and customs compelling owners to 
enclose laud extensively. He argues that in a new 
State like California avast amonntof expenditure can 
be saved by adopting the non-fencing policy early in 
the day. Hie arguments have also a general applica¬ 
tion. 
Experiment with Potatoes. 
A writer Id the Boston Cultivator gives an 
account of an experiment with potatoes, to de¬ 
termine the relative value of large and small 
ones for seed. He planted on greensward, ma¬ 
nured with horse manure. He concludes as fol¬ 
lows—“My potatoes have been grown from 
small ones for five years. I got my best and 
handsomest potatoes, as all 6ay who have eeen 
them, from the smallest ones used for seed. My 
land is old and good, producing twenty-four 
bushels of wheat per acre, when in wheat, and 
three tuns of hay when laid down. Variety of 
potatoes raised, Jackson Whites.” The results 
of most similar experiments do not agree 
with this. 
HORSES AND BREEDING—AGAIN 
S. Sheep competing for premium* must be entered 
and brought upon tho show grounds on the fli nt day 
or the Fair, and they must not, without a special per¬ 
mit from the General Superintendent, be removed 
therefrom before the third day, nor on the third day, 
until the General Superintendent shall, by direction 
of the Executive. Board, make public proclamation 
that all exhibitors arc at liberty to withdraw their 
sheep. 
4 Entries of sheep competing for premiums shall 
be accompanied in all cases by an affidavit, specifying 
according to the beet knowledge and belief of the 
Exhibit or, the age of tbe Sheep, the age of the fleeces 
then on them, the manner in which they were last 
shorn, the manner in which they have been fed and 
the amount and kind of feed given to them for the 
last year preceding the Fair, their general treatment, 
and any special treatment intended to affect their con¬ 
dition or appearance. Such affidavits aro to be made 
by filling in printed blanks which will be furuiahed 
to every Exhibitor by the Secretaries; and a proper 
officer will be present to administer oaths. It is 
understood that sheep may be shown in any condi¬ 
tion, at the option of the Exhibitor, provided the re¬ 
quired facts arc stated. Tbe Viewing Committees 
Elliott Hay-Loader.— (J. McD.) hav$ do 
practical Information aa to the merits of the above 
named machine. We have received lotterB stating 
that agents are selling the right to use It in certain 
localities. We advise farmers not to invest money ia 
patent rights until they have eeen the machine tested. 
If there is a valuable hay-loader it will be time 
enough to invest after you have seen it work. 
do so correctly. The fact is, I nut not exactly a 
Horse Knclyclopxdia, and write only of horses 
and breeding from what I have 6een and 
noticed. 
Before me is a letter from a gentleman of 
Rockford, Ill., making some inquiry as to the 
general character of the Royal George Btoek. 
The most 1 can say beyond what I have already 
written, is, that the breed Is regarded here, by 
horsemen, as second only to the Hamiltonian, 
and by some as even tho equal of that justly 
celebrated stock. The old horse was not only 
a natural trotter of fair speed, but of powerful 
build—possessing great bone and muscle, and 
well bred. “ Young Royal George,” commonly 
known as the “Field’s Horse,” when living, 1 
considered as good a stock horse, for aLl pur¬ 
poses, as there was in the country; aud I believe 
with the same care and training that George 
Wilkes has received, was his equal as a trotter, 
as he was his superior in staging qualities. 
But my purpose is not to praise any particular 
stock of horses for the benefit of the breeders of 
such stock; but simply to direct the attention 
of our farmers to judicious selection and proper 
It costs no more to raise a good 
A Heavy Pio.-I noticed in your Issue of Feb. 10th, 
a statement rnado by A. F. Houit, of tbe weight of 
a pig when dreesed. with a challenge to beat it. Mr. 
.Tanks Wood, a mar neighbor of mine, slaughtered a 
grade Chester County Pig, when eight months and 
twenty-one daye old, which weighed 472 lbs., dressed, 
-E. S. Taylou, }Vt*t SvJJUld, Conn. 
Lucerne Seed, <fcc._m. T.) To procure the seed 
you want we know of no better way than to write to 
the various seedsmen who advertise In our columns. 
If wc knew which of them sold it we should hardly 
tell you through the RdraL, for we don’t propose t» 
discriminate among honorable dealers. 
A Good Yield of Soroo Sirup Is reported by H. L. 
Hinklky of Iowa City. Iowa. Ho says:—“Some out 
brags In the Rural of making 335 gallons of mola**e( 
from IX acres. From 100 rods of ground I made tor 
Samuel Hinklbt 186 gallons— a very nice article.” 
Top Dressing Grass Lands. 
A correspondent of the Scottish Farmer 
gives his experience on the effects of the appli¬ 
cation of nitrogenous and phosphatic manures, 
and stuns up as follows : — 1st. That top-dress¬ 
ing grass land with artificial manures jxiys. 2d. 
That the general results of Lawes’ experiments 
on top-dressing grass land, aro borne out on soils 
resting on the limestone formation. 3d. That 
for the permanent improvement of pastures, 
super-phosphate of lime is better adapted than 
guano. 4th. That in proportion to the coarse¬ 
ness of the herbage the percentage of phosphate 
manures should increase, and vice versa. 5th. 
That from the effects which I have observed, it 
would appear that not only did the super-phos¬ 
phate indirectly check tbe growth of the liner 
sorts, but that it directly impeded their growth, 
and evidently disagreed with them almost from 
the period of its application. 
Drivinq Pipes fob Wells.— (P. L. C.) WedoDt 
know the patentee or any of his agents, of the proce« 
of making wells by driving pipes. Judging by what 
“ the patent isn’t very much 
crossing. 
than a poor colt, and certainly one that will sell 
w hen four years old, at from *200 to *400, and 
even *2,000, is of some consequence; *200 is but 
a common price for two year old Royal George’s 
here. I 6aw a few days ago a three year old 
mare, for which tho owner has refused *1,000. 
The dam of this colt is a pacer of large bone 
and very 6pecdy, and illustrates well my idea 
of crossing. Hiram Woodruff maintains that 
when the sire is a trotter and the dam a pacer, 
speed is almost always the result. 
But farmers in general do not seek speed, yet 
even they are not opposed to a horse that can 
“ ga-lamg ” on the road. They mostly desire 
horses suitable for all work—the plow and the 
road. But even in the raisiug of this class, 
judgment and a proper discrimination of the 
points of tbe sire should be used. The leading 
we have seen in “olldom, 
respected. _ 
Oak Grubs and Willows.— (R. M.) We should 
cut them in August. We know of no time when cut¬ 
ting will Infallibly kill them, but the last of summer 
comes the nearest to it. 
How to Make Both Ends Meet. 
John Johnson says that he has noticed that 
those farmers who have the most difficulty to 
make both ends meet, always plow the most, and 
keep the most stock. Now these men take the 
true plan to keep themselves always poor, and 
bring in little. It is a good profit to raise three 
hundred bushels of wheat from ten acres; but 
when it takes thirty acres to raise that amount, 
it is raised at a loss. So it is with cattle and 
sheep. You will see the thinking farmer making 
four-year-old steers worth from *50 to *80 each, 
and his neighbors, at the same age, not worth 
over *24 to *40. If his land is exhausted—and 
a great many farms aro—then he should plow no 
more than he can thoroughly manure. Seed 
with clover and grass, and let it rest for even 
two years, and that field will not only pay well 
Embankments fob Fish Ponds and Fish.— (P- “ 
We intend Bhortly to publish an Illustrated article on 
the management of fish, profits, kinds, &c. 
American Institute. — It is announced that Hob- 
ack Greeley has been elected PreBldont of the 
American Institute, New York. Tbe contest lay be¬ 
tween him and Gen. W. Hall, who bad filled the 
oflice very successfully for six years. The other offi¬ 
cers are-D. 8. GftEOORr. Edward Walker andWx 
Hibbard, Vice Presidents; Jirah Bull, Recording 
Secretary; S. D. Tilman, Corresponding Secretary; 
S. R. Comstock, Treasurer, 
Co.,) held 
o'clock A. M., on the third day of the Fair. 
It is hoped that the Railroads will carry stock 
free to and from the Fair, but this is not yet 
ascertained. 
The principal Rochester hotels will only charge 
their usual rates for board and lodging during the 
Fair. Their names, prices, etc., will be given 
hereafter. 
For Life and Annual Membership tickets ap¬ 
ply to the Treasurer of the Association. 
Officers of tub Association. — President— IIenby 
S. Randall, of Cortland Village. Vice-Presidents— 
Hngh T. Brooks, of Pearl Creek; I>. W. Percy, of 
Hoosick; Wm. Chamberlain, of Red llook; Wm. 
Beebe, of Northport; M. Hutchinson, of Ledyard; 8. 
Thome, of Washington Hollow; aud Alexander 
Arnold, of Avoca. Corresponding Secretary—E. B. 
Pottle, of Naples. Fee. Secretary-E. L. D. Sweet, 
of Syracuse. Treasurer —Asel F. Wilcox, of Fay¬ 
etteville. Executive Committee— C. D. Champlin, of 
The Galen Town Ag. Society (Wayne 
it* annual meeting at Clyde, a few days ago, acd 
elected the following officers: President— Matthe*' 
Mackib. Vice Pres't- A. F. Redfield. See'y-*<>*■ 
Wateon. Tnas.— Them. Plumtree. Fx. Co)n.—V>sv 
Jennison, Etban B. Kellogg. Resolved to hold Fair 
tn Sepk, (some day when it will not eclipse Statf 
Fair.) A good turnout and prospects flatteries 
-- » » - 
Vermont State Fair.— At a recent meeting of tb'“ 
Board of Directors of Vt. State Ag. Society, it wfl8 
decided to hold the Annual Fair at Brattlob oro, Sep^ 
11th to 14th inclusive. 
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