That it combines the advantages of a good sta¬ 
tionary feeding-trough with the rack; 5, That 
the trough, apart from its ordinary uses, is 
foudd very convenient to keep bay-seed out of 
the manure when it, is desirable to do so, and to 
catch and save huy-seed for use. 
to decline. While the present condition of the 
currency continues it is difficult to predict, with 
much confidence, what may be the quotable 
value of butter or any other farm commodity 
during the coming winter. One thing it is pret¬ 
ty safe to assume, however, and that is that, so 
long as cows command present rates no mate¬ 
rial declension in dairy commodities need he 
looked for. Especially will this hold true with 
respect to those butter makers who pay atten¬ 
tion to the quality of the article they manufac¬ 
ture and the manner in which it Is got up and 
presented for market. Much depends on these 
considerations, hende the necessity of care and 
cleanliness in the process of making butter. 
Work It clean of milk; do not salt it so much 
as to render bitter to the taste nor so little as to 
endanger Sts perfect keeping. Let the firkins, 
Su which it is packed, be perfectly sweet before 
receiving the butter and let it be put in so com¬ 
pactly as to exclude the air from the mass as 
much as possible. With care and good man¬ 
agement in these respects the chances are that 
butter makers will have no just cause to com¬ 
plain of dull markets or of nnremunerativc 
prices for their dairy commodities. 
LETTER FROM VERMONT. 
THE SEAS OX, CHOPS, AGRICULTURAL FAIRS, AC 
Tub Weather —Is charming, and has been for 
ecveral days —a bright sunshine and genial atmos¬ 
phere the prevailing type. We had several severe 
frosts last week, seriously damaging the corn, grape 
and other exposed crops. 
Dr. Randall's Illness.—W e have the pleasure of 
announcing that at the date of our last advices from 
his family, (Oct. 5th,) Dr. Randall was improving, 
though the physicians were unwilling to pronounce 
him entirely oat of daDgcr. It i* feared that hi* 
recovery, at the beet, will be long and tedious,— but 
the fact that he is recovering will be gratifying in¬ 
telligence to many thousands of OHr readers. 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker.—T he past season 
has been unusually wet in Vermont, especially 
so 6ince about the 20th of July. The hay crop 
was hardly an average yield, though the quality 
was very good; the most of it was secured in 
fine condition before the heavy rains set in. The 
grains generally were of heavy growth, and 
with favorable weather in which to have har¬ 
vested them, the crops would have been bounti¬ 
ful. But the continued cloudy and wet weather 
during nearly the entire months of August and 
September injured the quality of oats and wheat 
to a considerable extent. Indian corn was un¬ 
usually backward, and the early frosts—the first 
occurring on the night of Sept. 15—damaged it 
to some extent; lute planted fields in some 
localities were made nearly worthless, except 
for fodder. Such cases are not general, how¬ 
ever, and the crop throughout the State, it is 
hoped, will fall but little below an average. 
Potatoes were quite early affected with the 
rust, and it was feared if the rainy weather con¬ 
tinued they would be seriously injured by the 
rot. Some fields on low, wet lands are reported 
as being thus affected; but the late change in 
the weather— from very wet to favorable — will 
be of great advantage to the potato crop, if it 
will only continue so. The weather now is de¬ 
lightful, and it Is duly appreciated by every 
farmer and out-door laborer, 1 can assure you. 
Our Agricultural Fairs generally have proved 
successful. The New England and Vermont 
State Fairs, which were held in conjunction at 
at Brattleboro, were a great success. The Exhi¬ 
bition is said to have been very good and the 
attendance unusually large. One of the best 
things which emanated from the Fair was Gov. 
Andrew’s admirable address; and I question 
whether the Rural can do better service to its 
thousands of Agricultural and Horticultural 
readers than to give liberal extracts from this 
instructive and praetlcal address. Had I at¬ 
tended the Fair I should have furnished the 
Rural with a brief report as usual of this ex¬ 
hibition—an exhibition which is regarded as one 
of the largest and most important ever held in 
Vermont or New England. 
Several of our County Fairs were held on the 
week of the 20th ult., during which occurred 
the wetted “Equinoctial” ever experienced In 
Vermont. For three days it rained with scarcely 
an intermission—day and night—resulting in 
much damage to public highways and bridges, 
and some losses of stock are reported. The 
Conn. River Valley Fair was held at Bradford 
last week, with a fair attendance and a very sat¬ 
isfactory show. This Society embraces the 
finest and best farming lands in the Norhern 
Valley of the Connecticut, and nothing should 
be allowed to prevent a full and successful an¬ 
nual exhibition. Isaac W. Sanborn*. 
Lyndon, Vt.» Oct. 1 , 1866. 
Condensed Correspondence, Items, &e 
Samples or Wool.—A friend forwards ns three 
samples taken from sheep owned by Isaac H. Mor¬ 
gan, PonUnev, Yt. They were shorn at. the Sheep 
Shearing at East Poultney, May 8th. No. 1, from 4 
year old ram; earcas* nborn liOvr lbs., fleece SO lbs. 
9M oz., time of growth 1 year; average of wool to 
carcass 1 lb. to 0 lbs. IS*, oz. He had been sick over 
2 months and was tn bad condition. Ills fleece last 
year weighed 27 lbs. No. 2, from ewe got by pre¬ 
ceding, 1 year and 3 day old; carcass shorn 40# lbs., 
fleece 9 lbs. 12 oz.; average of wool to carcass, 1 lb. to 
4?j lbs. No. 3, from ewe got by same, 12# months old; 
carcass shorn 44 lbs. 6 oz.; fleece 9# lbs.; average 
of wool to carcass 1 lb. to 4119148 Iba. The sam¬ 
ples are good specimens of American Merino wool. 
That of the ram is too short (2 inches,) but this is 
probably due to his illness. (A number of excel¬ 
lent sheep were shorn at the Hast Ponltncy show, 
and we should have published %hc list entire had we 
received k earlier.) 
Richard Fitch, Ellsworth, Mahoning Co., forwards 
two Saxon samples from sheep of Fitch Kirtlanp 
of Poland, in the same Co. The wool is euperb, and 
in point of cleanliness resembles scoured wool. The 
flock, says Mr. F., consists of about 500 and Tor the last 
two or three years baa averaged over 4 lb*, of wool 
per head. If the wool averages In quality and con¬ 
dition with the samples sent, the flock Is a matchless 
one of its kind, and ought to be carefully preserved 
for tbc time when the choicest quality of wool comcB 
Into demand In pur conntry; for Germany or Austra¬ 
lia would be searched in vain for heavier fleeces of 
Buch exquisite quality. Indeed, such wool would be 
profitable now, If its owner could get it into the 
right market. The local buyers dare not pay a fair 
The Mosroe Countt Fair— held near this city, on 
the 3d, 4th and 5th inst.,—proved quite successful, 
although the weather during the forenoons of both 
the first and second days was cold and cloudy, with a 
slight flurry of snow on Thursday. In most depart¬ 
ments the 6how was better than usnat or late years 
—and decidedly superior ia Cattle and Horses. The 
quality of the cattle shown was pronounced extra, 
while the display of horses (especially for road and 
carriage) was Urge and fine. Of Sheep there was 
a good show of both fine and coarse wools—the 
latter predominating in numbers,VThere was a fair 
show of Swine—the Cheshire* shown by L. S. Ful¬ 
ton, Esq., Sup't of the Penitentiary, taking the palm. 
The display of Poultry was good but not large. The 
exhibition of Implements, Machinery, Ac., was not 
as large as usual, but included several prominent and 
noteworthy articles. The Reaper “New-Yorker,” 
manufactured by Setxour, Morgan * Allen, of 
Brockport,—the same that won the Gold Medal at the 
Auburn Trial,—was shown among the reapers and 
mower* and attrac ted much attention. The premium 
machine is owned by F. HtNCHST,"E*q., of Gates. 
The Vegetable show was quite creditable—the Dairy 
otherwise. Of Fruits the smiteur cultivators made 
a fair display, but the professionals did not enter the 
arena. The hall devoted to Domestic Manufactures, 
Fancy Work, Fine Arts, Ac., comprised a line dis¬ 
play. Oliver Allen, Esq., of the Oatka Woolen 
Mills, Mumford, exhibited many samples and several 
pieces of snperb cassimcrc — which demonstrated the 
superiority of his manufactures In that line. Many 
Other items are worthy of notice, but wc have not 
space to particularize. On the whole the exhibition 
was creditable to the Society and County. The 
receipts were about $2-,000. 
HAY RACKS. 
[From Ran cl all’s Practical Shepherd.] 
A great variety of racks for sheep have been 
introduced into use, hut for double and portable 
ones for ordinary purposes, those of the form 
exhibited in the annexed cut are generally pre¬ 
ferred. 
CHURNING, WASHING AND COLORING 
BUTTER. 
slatted box-rack. 
The corner posts are 2 by 2 % or 3 inches 
in size, and are 2 feet 8 or 10 inches long—some¬ 
times 3 feet, where the rack's are to be used as 
partitions. The side and end boards are an inch 
thick, the upper ones six and the lower ones 
nine inches wide. The perpendicular slats arc 
three-fourths of an inch thick, seven inches 
wide and seven inches apart, fastened to their 
places by wrought and well clenched nails. 
Each slat requires four nails, instead of two as 
represented in the cut. The slats are highly 
useful in keeping lu hay, but their principal ob¬ 
ject is to prevent the 6heop from crowding. 
They give every sheep fourteen inches at the 
rack while eating. This is a liberal allowance 
for the Merino; but the English 6heep requires 
more room. The ordinary breadth of the rack 
is two and a half feet, and the length depends 
upon circumstances. Those Intended to be 
moved often are usually made ten feet long. 
They should be so light that a man standing 
inside of one of them can readily carry it about. 
Single or wall racks, to be used against the 
walls of stables and other places where the 
sheep can approach them but on one side, are 
often constructed like one side of the box rack 
and attached to the walls by stay-laths. Some 
arrange them so that they can be raised as the 
manure accumulates; but there Is no need of 
this if they are made with the bottom boards a 
foot Instead of nine inches wide, and If the ma¬ 
nure is cleaned out as often as it should be. 
But a far neater and more convenient wall 
rack, having troughs also connected with it, 
was invented by Mr. Viktulan Rich of Rich- 
villc, Vermont. The following cut, from a 
drawing kindly furnished me by that gentleman, 
gives an easily understood general view of it; 
demand higher prices. We earnestly hope Mr. Kiht- 
land's flock will be preserved uncromcl by any thing. 
Mr. F. sends a sample from a Cotewold ram teg 14 
months old, belonging to a neighbor. It Ib nearly a 
foot long. He H9ks “If such wool ia suitable for 
combing wool or can be used for any purpose that 
would make It any more valuable than the common 
wool from the old fashioned native sheep.*’ Good 
Cotswold wool has, according to our recollection, 
sold for CO or 70 ct«. per pound throughout the sea¬ 
son; the worsted manufacturers of New England de¬ 
pend upon this and similar long wools, which arc 
principally supplied from Canada. 
M. L. Howard, Pierpcmt, N. Y., 2 year old Merino 
ram; flcccc lacking six daysof a years growth, 18 lbs.; 
wool Vi in., style and quality good, yolk of good color 
and sufficiently abundant 
C. K. Stewart, Danville, Dodge Co., Wisconsin, 
forwards samples from his 3 year old Infantado ram 
“Idaho,” bred by 8. W. Rcmeicc, Middlebnry, Yt. 
Ontario Countt Fair.— This was held at Canan¬ 
daigua week before last, and its success impaired 
eomewHt by unpropitions weather. The show of 
stock was not as extensive as on some former occa¬ 
sions, but of very good quality. The exhibition of 
farming Implements was a marked feature of the 
Fair. Owing to the etora the attendance was com¬ 
paratively light, and the money receipts correspond¬ 
ingly diminished. 
aicvv uegrees warmer in cold than in warm 
weather. As soon as the butter has come and 
gathered, take it, Immediately from the churn in 
its warm state and put it in a large wooden 
bowl, which is the best vessel for the purpose; 
then put it in cold, soft water- then commence 
pulling the butter over with the ladle in so gen¬ 
tle and careful a manner as not to affect|thc 
grain, for as sure as that is injured.at the wash¬ 
ing or the working, the butter becomes oily and 
can never be reclaimed. Every particle of milk 
must be washed out, and then season with the 
best Liverpool salt. Set the bowl away until 
the next day, and when sufficiently cool, work 
the mass thoroughly, but not so as to make it 
oily, and on the third day pack It away if it has 
assumed the right color. Examine it well be¬ 
fore packing, and be sure that no milky water 
runs from it, for if packed with the least drop, 
you will hear from it in next April. 
“If your spring or well is hard water, save 
ice from streams, as lime never congeals with Ice. 
Save rain-water, and then with Ice yon will have 
soft, cool water to wash your butter, without 
which you caunot get the milk out without in¬ 
juring the grain. Soft water is as indispensable 
to wash butter as it is fine linen. Washing but¬ 
ter is not positively necessary if it is to be used 
within a few weeks. 
“ The idea of coloring butter with anything 
after it is made is as absurd as painting rye 
bread white, with the expectation of making it 
taste like wheat.” 
St. Lawrence County Fair— The St, Lawrence 
County Fair closed on the nit. The weather was 
nnpropitloue, yet the entries vrero considerably In 
excess of last year—numbering about 1,100. The en¬ 
tries of Durham and Devon stock were only four. 
There was a full show of Ayrshire*. The show of 
Horses was quite full and good, and so was that of 
the Dairy Department. That of Sheep was also good. 
The Canada West Fair. —The Toronto Globe 
states that the recent Provincial Fair, held in that 
city, excelled all of Its predecessors in the extent, 
variety and superior character of the products exhib¬ 
ited. The average dally attendance on the grounds 
of the Society was about 18,000. 
Livingston Cocntt Fair.— The Livingston Repub¬ 
lican closes a notice of the recent Fair held In Gene- 
sco by saying;—“Taken together the Fair was a 
most decided EucceB*. The attendance was quite 
large, the receipts amounting to about $1,900.” 
HOPS IN MICHIGAN, 
This section has already become of much in- 
' terest to both the buyers and growers of hops. 
Only a very few years—five or six—Lave passed 
by since the hop was first introduced and planted 
in our soil. Since then sets have been in demand 
and acre upon acre has been set with them. 
The prevailing high prices of hops, and the 
abundant crop which was gathered one year ago, 
induced men to buy seta from four to seven dol¬ 
lars per 1000, until the supply was exhausted. 
The northern part, of Macomb, and the border 
towns of St. Clair counties constitute a region 
of hops and hop-growers. Hop pales have in¬ 
creased from $1.50 to $30 per thousand. The 
country for thirty miles is scoured for pickers, 
ana prices range from 30 to 50 cts. per box, 
including board. 
We have just secured our crop, which is by no 
means a full one. Old yards, and a few new 
ones, were much injured by the blight; some, at 
the time of it, would have sold their crop for 
five dollars per acre, but have gathered from two 
to twelve hundred pounds per acre, while new 
yards generally have nearly a full crop of about 
seven huudred pounds per acre. 
A few—not the choicest—lots have sold for 40 
to 42 cts.;—one early secured lot sold for 50 cts. 
Generally hop raisers are holding on and getting 
their hops insured for a short time, expecting 
from 45 to 50 cts. for them. Buyers are few and 
not anxious. The Hop louse has been in all our 
yards, but not to materially injure the crop. Sam¬ 
ples are good, especially in new yards. The pros¬ 
pect is that all the sets will be sold for high prices 
and thousands of acres will be planted in the 
spring. R. Hublbut. 
Armada, Mich., Sept., 1666. 
Genesee Countt Fair.— The show this year at 
Batavia is said to have been a good one in all res¬ 
pects. The tent was particularly fine. In the trot¬ 
ting department there was a bolt among the horse¬ 
men, and the money was saved. 
Illinois State Fair.— This Fair, held atChicago i 
closing on the 29th nit., was very successful. The 
products exhibited were varied and excellent. The 
receipts were $11,732. 
CHEESE IN GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO, 
The Cleveland Herald says the extent of 
cheese manufacture in Geauga county is a mat¬ 
ter of surprise to all who become acquainted 
with its extent and importance. There are sev¬ 
enteen cheese factories in operation there, with 
&n average number of six hundred cows to each 
factory, or ten thousand and two hundred cows 
in all connected with these establishments. The 
average yield of milk per cow from May to 
November, is three handred and fifty gallons, 
producing one pound of cheese to the gallon, or 
a total of 3,570,000 pounds of cheese. The 
amount made in private dairies is put at 892,500 
pounds, constituting an aggregate for the county 
of 4,452,500 pounds. Most of the cheese made 
during the warmer months Is of the Cheshire 
style, being 15 inches in diameter and 10 inches 
high, weighing from 60 to 70 pounds each. This 
style of cheese is designed for the European 
market. For the home and Southern market a 
style varying from this is preferred. 
The Oswego Falls Fair closed on the 27th ult. 
The attendance was affected by adverse weather, but 
the receipts amounted to $2,370, which is pretty fair 
under the circumstances. 
WALL RACK AND TROUGH, 
a, Plank 2 Inches thick and 9 inches wide, placed 
20 inches from wall (#,) to form bottom rati of out- 
eide rack. 
b, scantling 3 by 3 inches, forming top rail of out¬ 
side rack. 
c, Bottom of trough, being a board placed on floor, 
or if there is no floor, on scantling to raise it suffi¬ 
ciently from the ground. 
d s Board live inches wide, to support tho board 
4 inches wide, which forms bottom or the inside rack 
(/) These would be better made of plank. Bottom 
of inside rack should be 0 inches above bottom of 
trough. 
« , Outside wall of bam or stable. 
j\ Inside racic hung with hinges to bottom board. 
It is made by nailing slats l# inches wide, 3 Inches 
apart, on upper and lower rails, which are aboat 1 v by 
2 inches in diameter. 
j), Slats to outside rack 7 inches wide and 7 inches 
apart. 
h, Slanting board, from bottom of inside rack to 
bottom of trongh and forming back side of trough, 
| tion and question, we say that we judge Idaho to he 
a ram or good promise. 
J. 8. J ohnson, Warsaw, Illinois, 6ends samples to 
ask whether they, In connection with the description 
given, indicate scab. They do indicate that disease. 
Tnc remittance for Mr. Moore was overlooked, bnt 
will now he forwarded. 
James J. Fort, Minetto, N. Y., sends samples of 
Fatter Baker's sheep, Itoosick, N. Y., by permission 
of Mr. B. Samples taken April 1, when of about a 
year’s growth, and apparently from tegs. They are 
from 8 to 3# in, long, and or good style and qual¬ 
ity. The wool has become soiled and has lost Its 
luster from handling and being carried in a pocket. 
Foot Rot in Sheep. —E. E. Harris, East Ponltncy, 
Yt., writes us that the following has been found su c * 
Wvomdjg Covntv Fair.—T ho Attica Atlas says 
the Fair at Warsaw last week was quite successful— 
the exhibition good and the attendance large, 
Questions Answered.— (W. W. If., Greensburg, 
lud.) You can hardly go amiss as to the fence around 
your dwelling. If it is to be of wood, we should 
think a picket one would answer very well. If of 
stone or Iron tbo plan of it will readily snggoet iteolf, 
as patterns are common in all manufacturing towns. 
As to keeping “boys out of orchards’ - we feel some 
diffidence in makiug a suggestion. The only effectual 
plan we can think of is to cut down the fruit trees. 
Hardly anything short of this will prevent boys from 
“vindicating” their apples in the season of them. 
If our correspondent will examine the Rural for 
Dec. 2,1865, he will find a plan for a “chicken house” 
with fall directions with reference to its construction. 
LITTLE FALL8 CHEESE MARKET, 
Live Stock in Iowa.— It seems but as yesterday 
that Iowa commenced to be settled to any extent, yet 
it even now takes high rank in the scale of agricul¬ 
tural development and wealth. According to a report 
from the Auditor of the State, the live stock assessed 
In Iowa for the present year—excepting some half 
dozen comities not heard from—preeents the follow¬ 
ing aggregates s 
Cattle, .. % .*.. • YOO,59S 
Horses,. 812,982 
Mules,. 13,7ol 
Sheep,.1,353,816 
Swine,. 621,974 
We think this is a very flattering exhibit for so 
young a State as Iowa. 
Little Falls, Tuesday, Oct. 2,1866. 
Two thousand, five hundred and seventy-eight 
boxes of cheese were received at this depot yes¬ 
terday, which, together with factory cheese on 
delivery to-day, will swell tie number to over 
4,000 boxes. 
The prices paid for farm dairy, ranged from 15 
to 17 cents, very little, however—and that exceed¬ 
ing choice—selling for the latter figure. 
The feeling amoDg factories was less firm for 
holding, and the following made sales at 17cents: 
Herkimer County Central, 300 boxes; Avery 
t£ Ives, 200 boxes; Fait on Factor)-, 580 boxes; 
Fairfield Dairy Association, 500 boxes. 
The Diamond Hill and Danube Cold Spring, 
also sold, but upon what terms we were unable 
to learn.— Utka Herald. 
THE BUTTER SEASON. 
EXD VIEW OF WALL-RACK. 
This ftatafallysoeceeds that of cheese making 
and the question of supply and demand is at- 
tractingattention. It is a mooted point whether 
the season has been favorable or otherwise for 
the production of this article, hence opinions 
vary as to the probable ruling of butter in the 
market for the coming winter. There has been 
no complaint as to short pasturage; hence some 
have inferred that the product of butter will be 
6o ample as to keep down prices below the aver¬ 
age of last year. In opposition to this con- 
clusion it is asserted that the quality of pastur¬ 
age. has keen so much below the ordinary aver¬ 
age as to materially diminish the products of 
butter, so that the supply will be less this season 
than it was during the preceding one, and con¬ 
sequently prices are more likely to advance than 
The end-views of the rack render the details of 
its construction a little more apparent. The 
left hand cut shows the inside rack in its 
place as when filled with hay. In the right 
baud cut, it is turned up or thrown back onits 
hinges as when grain or roots are being put in 
the trough (c, j or the trough is being cleaned out. 
The advantages of this rack are, 1, That it 
prevents crowding as well as the slatted box- 
rack; 2, That it prevents sheep from thrusting 
their heads and necks into the hay, as they can 
do to some extent in the slatted box-rack 
thereby getting dust, hay-seeds and chaff into 
their wool; 3, That it almost entirely prevents 
the hay which is pulled from the inside rack 
from being dropped under foot and wasted ; 4 
cessful in caring this disease among sheep:—Take a 
peck of green ozier bark and one pound of tobacco, 
and steep in a gallon of water till very strong, then 
add what blue vitriol—sulphate of copper—the decoc¬ 
tion will dissolve. One application will generally 
effect a care if thoroughly applied. The preparation 
may be bottled and preserved for any length or time, 
improving rather than otherwise by age,— m. 
C’Rors is Ouio.—The Ohio Farmer says that since 
the drenching rain in September they have had fine 
fall weather. In some ol’ the north-eaetern counties, 
back ftom the lake, the corn hus been injured by the 
frost; bnt in the southern section of tho State the 
crop is ripening tolerably well. The grape crop is 
not very good - the weather affecting it adversely. 
Milk and Mustc.— An exchange says that a 
California farmer has a cow that will permit no 
one to milk who will not sing during the opera¬ 
tion. If the music stops the milk ceases to Dow 
and the animal breaks away in disgust, but let 
the singmg he resumed and the animal becomes 
docile and milkable again/. No doubt a song is 
more soothing and assuring than an application 
of stool — the usual resort of milkers in sueh 
cases. 
Honey Yield.—T he season hae been quite unfa¬ 
vorable to bee-keepers. The prevalence of wet weath¬ 
er has prevented the customary accumulation of 
honey, leaving many swarms without the necessary 
winter stores to carry them through. The quality of 
the honey made is generally of a lower grade than 
common. _ _ _ 
A New Quarter of the Rural commenced last 
week. See notice of Trial Trip at head of page 330. 
Premiums on Sheer —Correction.— In our last 
issne it was stated that Joseph Uaviland of Glens 
Falls, received, at tkc recent State Fair at Saratoga, 
two premiums on sheep exhibited there. It BhouJd 
have read Joseph Uaviland, Jr., as the former had 
no sheep at the Fair. 
Prolific Ewes, —On a farm near Dunse, Scotland, 
in a flock of 230 ewes, 140 dropped twins this seaso 
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