MOOSE’S EUEJlL BEW“YOSEEE. 
Billing th<* cuIIh at ton dollars a bead, to fto to 
Ohio u» Vermont Bhcep! Rams wore bringing 
fabulous prices, and their fleeces supposed to 
weigh any where from a hundred pounds down 
along. Hammond’s brag ram has gotten more 
brothers and half brothers than the cutest Yan¬ 
kee ever had cousins, and some of them have 
found a relation at every stopping place from the 
Penobscot to the Rocky Mountains. Wool is held 
at from 70 to 7f> cents per pound, and a‘‘right 
smart chance 1 ’ for getting it, “ I guess.’ 
My general impression of that country is thut 
if the fathers would put more of their money 
into the Improvement ot their land and less into 
savings banks, their sons and daughters would 
have much less desire to immigrate. Hy a judi¬ 
cious system of underdraining, and clearing otf 
the loose stones, and making a smooth surface to 
their meadows, more money can be made on Ihe 
average of New Kngland farms than upon four 
times the land “out West.” If ! were to go 
either way I should go East rather than West to 
make money farming. The price of grain has 
not materially Increased f«>r the last thirty or 
forty years,- - but almost every article of animal 
product has nearly or quite doubled in that time, 
and must continue to show a still wider margin 
as the country fills up with thriving manufactur¬ 
ing villages.—]*. 
THE MANLIUS AND l'OMPEY FAIR. 
The Manlius and Pumpey Fair took place at 
the village of Manlius, Oct. 1st and 2d. The 
weather was fine on the first day and the attend¬ 
ance very large. Beside the concourse on the show 
grounds — admission to which was free to all — 
the hills which rise to the south of them, like the 
seats of an amphitheater, were thickly sprinkled 
with spectators, particularly with ladies and 
children, whose many-colored draperies gave 
the whole hill-side the appearance of a brilliant 
picture hung there on purpose to be gazed at by 
the multitude on the plain. The scene on the 
plain presented a still finer and more diversified 
picture to those gazing on it from the hills, im¬ 
mediately in front (looking from the hills) was 
the elliptical “trotting course,” over which car¬ 
riages of every description were swiftly whirling, 
with plumes and veils, and sometimes brilliant 
tresses streaming out from them to the breeze. 
The middle space was occupied by the horses on 
exhibition, and the sheep-pens,— the latter most 
of the time surrounded by belts of apparently 
very deeply interested spectators. Further on 
and to the right were the cattle, while directly in 
front were the different, exhibition halls con¬ 
stantly filled and surrounded by dense crowds. 
In the back-ground were the customary booths, 
side-shows, revolving swings, .fcc., Ac. On the 
whole, the picture was one of the finest ones ot 
the kind I remember to have witnessed. 
The show of Cattle was good in point of 
numbers and excellent in point of quality. 
There were a number of first class Short-Horns, 
owned by George Butts, IIkzi'.kiaii Cass and 
Wm. F. Blanchard. The well known herd of 
Mr. Hi tts was strongly represented in cows, 
heifers and calves. Al.LKN H. Avert exhib¬ 
ited choice grade Short-Horns. Wm. Candee 
had an ox on the ground, the second day, which 
weighs ”, sot) His. it is six years old, lias been 
fed nothing but grass in summer, is as spry as a 
young steer, and considering Its enormous size 
is an exceedingly just built animal. 
The display of Horses was excellent in most 
of the classes — but 1 did not go among them to 
ascertain their names or to whom they belonged. 
The show of Merino Shoe]) was large and 
excellent. Allen H. Am rv exhibited several 
superior rains ami ram lambs, a pen of owe 
iambs, and a valuable owe. Chester Baker 
exhibited five beautiful owes. A. II. Clapp 
showed valuable ewes and ewe lambs. Oil as. 
HiniiAnu showed au excellent ram and several 
good ewe lambs. Jar. Rush. Justin F. Gates, 
Spencer Beard and Randolph Beard exhib¬ 
ited good ram and ewe lambs. George Mi tts 
exhibited a good ram. Robert Benson showed 
a ram of great earliness of maturity, and pre¬ 
senting un unusual combination of wool and 
mutton qualities. E. 0. Ci.app showed two 
large French rams. I presume this does not 
include the names of all the exhibitors, but I 
remember no others. Pompey, Manlius and the 
adjacent towns are beginning to constitute one 
of the best sheep-breeding regions of the State. 
The show of Poultry, etc., was said to be good, 
but 1 didn’t find an opportunity to examine it. 
Nor could I pay any attention to the Macliiue and 
Implement Department. I saw Russell's Screw- 
Power Mowers and Reapers on the grounds. Mr. 
Russell manufactures them at Manlius, and 
they are great favorites about home. There 
was also a new macliiue shows by Mr. Preston. 
There was a fair show of Fruits, Flowers, &c. 
John R. Chatman and Joun Low showed 
many varieties of excellent grapes, pears, apples, 
etc. E. O. Clapp showed 23 varieties of apples. 
Lewis Lacey also exhibited a handsome variety 
of apples. Dr. William Tatlor, Miss Laura 
Taylor, Mrs. David Hinsdale, Mias Carrie 
Remington, and Mrs. David Uiiidard exhibited 
fine collections of flowers, bouquets, and floral 
ornaments of various descriptions. Peter Van 
Sciiaick exhibited a unique collection of eea- 
plants. 
Among the most prominent exhibitors of Veg¬ 
etables, Seeds, Grains, Ac., were Harlow 
Wright, George Holbrook, and Mr. El- 
dridge. Some of the specimens were very fine. 
Mr. Wright’s pyramid of grains, grasses, clo¬ 
vers, etc., attracted much attention. 
The Needle Work Department showed various 
beautiful art idee executed by Mrs. Van Sciiaick. 
MissORpftA Van Sciiaick, Miss Dow and others. 
A decidedly Interesting feuture of the exhibi¬ 
tion was a collection of very ancient manuscripts 
exhibited by Henry C. Van Sciiaick, the well 
known author of the Life of Peter "Nan 
Sohaick, the Life of Henry Cruger, Ac., Ac. 
O pM 
Toward night the wind breezed up from the 
south, not giving promise of fair weather on the 
second day. The second day opened di-mally 
with clouds and sprinkles of rain. There was 
not a minute during the forenoon, and but few 
during the afternoon, when a heavy fall of rain 
did not appear imminent. Notwithstanding all 
this, the attendance was, perhaps, quite equal to 
that of ihe first day of the Fair,—and if the 
weather had been bright, it would have been 
overwhelming. 
Mr. Luther H. Tucker, one of the editors of 
the Country Gentleman, delivered the address. 
For the hour preceding, there was less prospect 
of rain and the concourse of people preferred to 
listen to it in the open air. The address v.as 
well deliver) d in a clear, perfectly audible lone. 
It was a sound, practical and at the same time 
scholarly production, and riveted the deepest 
attention of the large auditory. During*)Is de¬ 
livery, the long threatened rain commenced to 
fall briskly and of course there was a scattering 
of the ladies, but a large majority of the male 
audience held their places under umbrellas — 
and a few resolute fellows stood still and took 
the storm without any shelter. The ladies 
nought refuge under neighboring sheds where 
they could still hear the address. Mr. Tucker 
proposed to close, his remarks abruptly, but was 
called on to proceed. His closing remarks were 
very fine. 
On the whole, notwithstanding the unpro- 
pltlous weather of the second day, tin* Fair was 
a decided success. The arrangements were all 
good and everything proceeded with system and 
harmony*. The i’resident, Howard O. Claim*, 
and his brother officers have won great Credit by 
the efficient and sensible manner in which they 
have discharged their duties: and they have 
received the hearty assistance of the citizens of 
Manlius and of the leading farmers of the 
adjacent towns. I have not attempted to report 
the proceedings of the Fair. I made no notes 
on the spot, and probably in some instances have 
forgotten the names of exhibitors as worthy of 
mention as those whose names 1 have given. I 
scarcely need to say that no omission of this kind 
is intentional on my part. 11. B. R. 
October 3, 1863. 
THE CONDITION OF THE CROPS. 
The Commissioner of Agriculture has for¬ 
warded us his Monthly Jieporl of ihe Condition 
of the Crops , for August, 1863. As severe frosts 
occurred about the time the Report was made 
up, especially in the West, it is probable that the 
estimates in regard to several crops will prove 
erroneous. Wo give the following extracts, 
however, for what they are worth: 
Com--— In the States of Connecticut, Dela¬ 
ware, Kansas. Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, 
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, 
New York. Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and 
Vermont, this crop is excellent In Maryland 
and Pennsylvania it is but one-tenth below an 
average, whilst the rest are either an average 
or above it. The average of all is I0J. 
Tobacco,—This crop, in the same States, is 
within a very small fraction of an average crop. 
The Injuries to it are small. 
Sorghum .— Of the States named, tills crop is 
grown in but six of them, and in them it is just 
an average crop; but the heavy crop of this 
product lies within the frosted States, and hence 
it is unnecessary to dwell longer upon it now. 
Flux .—The crop of flax, being uninjured by 
frost, may bo considered for all the States, ex¬ 
cept Delaware, .New Hampshire, and Rhode 
island, which do not produce it. The crop is 
nearly a general average, being 9£ bushels to 
the acre: but the States producing most, as 
Ohio, Indiana, and Iowu, are below an average, 
being S, or two bushels below, and Illinois and 
Pennsylvania are 0, or one bushel below, for 
the yield of an average aero is about 10 bushels. 
The great amount sown places the actual pro¬ 
duction far above the crop of 1SG2. This will be 
seen from the report for July, where the general 
average is 120 per cent- greater than the crop o. 
last year. 
The Livi or Straw of Flax .—To the question 
whether the lint or straw was saved, the returns 
show 213 yes against 40 no. In the heavy flax- 
growing States we have, in Illinois, 20 yes, M 
no; in Indiana, 24 yes, 13 no; in Iowa, 27 yes, 5 
no; and in Ohio, 36, and 7 no. The amount of 
straw will be adequate to the demands for it, 
unless the success of the improvements in ma¬ 
chinery for spinning it should be such as to 
create a demand beyond what the want of 
cotton will produce. 
The world is determined to show itself inde¬ 
pendent of King Cotton, as will be seen Rom 
the following notice of the increase of flax 
culture in Ireland, in the London Money Mar¬ 
ket Review, August 2!): 
“ Flax Cultivation .—The impetus given to the 
cultivation of fibrous articles, in consequence of 
the absence of our usual cotton supplies from 
America, ia shown in the large increase of land 
under flax cultivation in Ireland this year, the 
total being returned at 214,092 acres, against 
130,070 acres last year, being an increase of 
64,022 acres." 
The llay Crop.—This great crop of all sec¬ 
tions of tiie country has been secured in a 
much better condition than was anticipated 
from the constant rains in the Eastern States 
during the harvest. In Connecticut, Delaware. 
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode 
Island, the condition of the hay was two-tenths 
below an average, and in Maine, Maryland, 
Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Now York, 
Pennsylvania, uud Vermont, it. was one-tenth 
below. In the remainder of the States it was 
of an average condition, or above it- How far 
the frost may have injured corn fodder, so as to 
make foddering substances scarce, cannot now 
be determined, but where hay is scarcest the 
fodder is most injured. But the wheat straw in 
these sections is excellent. 
Potatoes.— The continued drouth in many 
sections of Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana, have 
mateiittlly lessened this crop in those States, and 
the, host of August will destroy much of the late 
planted. Our table shows the crop as injured by 
drouth chiefly, and in these Slates it is iwo- 
tenths , or twenty per cent, below an average. 
The injury from, potato bugs has not been so 
great as usual. In Maryland, Minnesota, and 
Rhode Island, their condition is the same, and in 
Ohio it is down as low as 7, or three-tenths below 
an average. The rest of the States exhibit an 
average of nearly 11, or nearly one-tenth above 
an average. 
Cardens. -The appearance of the gardens is 
not much different from th it of the potato crop. 
They have suffered from drouth in the large 
Western States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and 
Iowa, as also in Minnesota and Nebraska Terri¬ 
tory. But they are increasing in number and 
extent. 
• Pastures,— In the great grazing Slates of the 
West the condition of fall pastures is not favora¬ 
ble, but in the other States it iR unusually good, 
owing to the rains ol August. 
Puller.- The amount made is nearly an aver¬ 
age, being 9 9-1 lths. The drouths in the West 
ern States have Caused a diminished amount. 
The demand tor It, however, has been above an 
average, being 11, or one tenth more. The high 
prices of meats have led to this, and there is but 
little doubt of the lad. that so long as present 
prices rule for meats, butter will be much more 
largely consumed than usual. 
Cheese .—Without entering into detail, it may 
be Baid that this product, as to supply and 
demand, ia in the same condition as butter. 
gural Spirit of tlic gross, 
Time to Cut Timber. 
Ambrose Klmrall, of Reading, thus writes 
to the Boston Recorder on this subject:—“A 
short time since i saw a statement on this sub¬ 
ject in a newspaper. I wish to give iny own 
experience and observation for over fifty-live 
years, constantly working and using most all 
kinds Of timber, more especially oak, arii, and 
walnut. I have learned by dear experience, for 
I have lost much by the effects of worms in my 
timber, and have found when timber may be cut 
and have no worms, or powder-post, as it ia 
called. Cut timber from the middle of Septem¬ 
ber to the middle of December, and you cannot 
get a worm into it. October and November are 
perhaps the best months, and sure to avoid the 
worms. You cut from March to June, and you 
cannot, save the timber from worms or borers. 
May used to be called ‘peeling time’ in my boy¬ 
hood; much wa“ then done in procuring baik 
for the tanneries, when the sap is up in the trunk 
and all the pores are full of sap; whereas in 
October those pores are all empty—then is the 
time to cut, and there will be no worms. When¬ 
ever you see an ox-bow with the bark tight, 
there are no worms, no powder-post, and you 
cannot separate it from the wood; and what is 
true in one kind jh true in ull kinds of timber, 
and every kind has its peculiar kind of worm. 
The pine has, I believe, the largest worms; and 
these worms work for many years. 1 have found 
them alive and at work in while oak spokes that 
i knew had been in my garret over twelve years, 
and they were much larger than at first; they do 
not stop in the sap, but continue into the solid 
part. I do not think of buying timber unless it 
is cut in the time above alluded to. 
“I have wondered that there has not been 
more euid on this subject, as it is one of great 
importance, even for fire wood, and especially 
for ship-building, Ac. I have already, perhaps, 
prolonged this article too much. Now I want 
to inquire of some of the wise of this enlight¬ 
ened age. whence and when do these trouble¬ 
some creatures come? Have they any parent*? 
how came they in this solid wood? was there an 
egg deposited that caused the worm, or how did 
he come iuto being? We know they are there; 
and now, will some one please to show* us the 
way, and all about their origin, Ac.” 
Spreading Straw, or Composting It, 
We am often told of the fine effect produced 
by simply spreading straw on land in the fall, 
and allowing it to lie and rot It protects the 
roots of clover and grain in the winter, and 
shields them from burning suns the following 
summer. This practice is common at the West 
and South. On the large wheat fields of those 
sections, it would be quite laborious to haul 
grain home to the barn-yard for thrashing, as we 
do at the North and East, and then after it has 
been fed out or mixed with manure, to cart the 
strawy dung back again in the spring. The 
Western plan doubtless has its advantages. Yet 
we question whether the waste of straw is not 
more than enough to puy for the extra labor 
required by the Eastern practice. When left on 
the field, straw has Utile manorial value. It is 
dry, woody matter, and amounts to little more 
than a good mulch. If drawn to the cattle sheds 
and housed, it would serve in part as a coarse 
fodder, and a litter for all kinds of stock. It is 
of no slight importance to keep stock clean and 
warm in winter. Then, by absorbing their liquid 
excrements and being mixed with the solid, it 
makes a large stock of valuable manure.— Amer. 
Agriculturist. _ 
Eradicating Sorrel. 
There are few weeds more troublesome than 
sorrel, or more difficult to eradicate. Experi¬ 
ence, however, ssems to show that marling or lim¬ 
ing, in a proper way and in sufficient quantity, 
will destroy the pest, and prevent its future de¬ 
velopment. The result of acidity in the soil, and 
lime, by its alkalescent and sweetening action, 
tends to neutralize and correct. The growth of 
sorrel is far more common on light, sandy soils, 
of an anti calcareous character, than on lime for¬ 
mations, where, indeed, it rarely appears. The 
quantity of lime that may be economically used, 
is a question to be decided by trial. It is rarely 
the case that argillaceous soils, or those contain¬ 
ing a large percentage of clay, produce this plant, 
although such i- sometimes the case. Whenever 
it appears, the immediate application of lime 
and tillage is the only remedy. Too much can 
not be said in favor of lime as a manorial agent. 
In all composts, of whatever materials formed, 
and for whatever uses designed, it should enter 
as an ingredient,—the quantity being of Course 
graduated by the character and vegetative capa¬ 
city of the soil to which It is applied—the nature 
of the crop, being in a majority of cases, merely 
a collateral consideration. In the reduction of 
green regulable matter, the use of quick lime is, 
indeed Indispensable. The heat produced by it 
in slaking engenders a speedy fermentation, 
which results in its decomposition and the break¬ 
ing up of Ihe vegetable structure more effectu¬ 
ally than it can be effected by any other process. 
—Germantown Telegraph. 
Orchard Grass. 
In an article on the “Qualities of Grasses, 
the editor of the Boston Cultivator , quoting from 
a recent English writer, adds the remarks follow¬ 
ing: 
Cocksfoot-grass grows in a few* stalks of tall 
height, w r hich are coarse and ineligible for bay, 
but for pasture ihe herbage comes early, and 
affords a good Lite from the tufted roots in the 
spring, and by close stocking the ground to keep 
down the coarse stems. The seed weighs about 
twelve pounds per bushel. 
This is commonly called orchard grass in thi 
country. As observed in the quotation, its stems 
are rather coarse, which lessens its value for bay. 
Still, from the abundance of long leaves which it 
throws out, it makes a fodder which, if cured at 
the proper stage, is well relished by stock. The 
aftermath is often of more value than the first 
crop. It seldom sends up seed-stalks after the 
first crop, but the numerous leaves continue to 
grow all the season, presenting in autumn a mass 
of soft herbage. As above remarked, however, 
its greatest value is for pasture; no grass starts 
quicker or grows more rapidly after being cut 
or fed off. It, is best, adapted to strong, loamy or 
slaty soils, where it retains it-* vigor many yetrs. 
From Ihe strength of its roots it is seldom in¬ 
jured by frost, and it is superior to most species 
in sustaining itself against drouth. 
Have you an Ice-House? 
It can be made very cheaply, and when the 
luxury of ice in summer is once enjoyed, it will 
not be readily given up. If no better structure 
can be erected, build an ice-room in one corner 
of the wood-house, or any shed w here room can 
be spared. The north-east corner is best. 
Bet a row of upright posts a foot apart one foot 
from the inner shies of the building, and two 
rows cf posts a foot apart for the other two sides 
Of the room ; make the inclosure say eight or ten 
feet square. Cover these with rough boards or 
slabs, and fill the space between w-ith spent tan- 
bark. 
Lay down a loose floor, and cover a foot deep 
with straw. When ice is formed, select that 
which is pure, clear and hard, cut it into pieces 
of convenient size, and pack it closely in the 
room. Leave six inches space between the ice 
and the sides of the room, and fill thi* with saw¬ 
dust. Also cover with saw-dust a foot thick and 
All up to the roof with straw. Packed in this 
way, ice enough to supply a family of average 
size has been kept safely the season through.— 
Maine Farmer. 
Utilization of Pond Mud. 
In reply to “Skye” relative to the utilization 
of mud taken from a fish pond, I beg to say that 
within the last five years 1 have had the orna¬ 
mental waters here cleaned out, and obtained a 
large quantity of nnid. One of the ponds had 
not been cleaned out for upward of thirty years, 
and the deposit was very great and rich. There 
is a stream rnnuing completely through the 
ponds, and there are large quantities of leaves 
and other decayed substances left in them. The 
method I follow is to load the mud on to the 
grass land as soon as it has become sufficiently 
solid to bear carting, and then spread it; uud the 
effect, on the grass is surprising. One year I put 
it on so thick that I expected I had destroyed the 
grass, but the following summer it was very diffi¬ 
cult to mow from the thickness and length of the 
grass. 1 believe that lime does not do as much 
good when mixed with the mud, as the mud 
alone. It must not be left one year before 
spread, but done at once .—London Field. 
‘ 
Leaky Roofs. 
1 have great pity for the people,and for the 
ladies especially, who live beneath a “leaky 
roof,” and a magnanimous desire to preserve the 
patience and confer a favor on the dear crea¬ 
tures, and the rest of mankind, induces me to 
send you the following recipe, instead of making 
it, as a grasping fellow might, “ a cIohc monopoly 
by patent right.” Tuke pure white lead, and 
rnix with boiled oil until it is aboutthe thickness 
of thin paint Add to this common sand, Biich 
as is used iu plastering, until the paint is about 
the consistency of mortar. The cement is now 
ready for use, and may be applied to leaks in 
roofs, or around chimneys, with a trowel or case- 
knife. When dry, it will be as hard as Btone. 
and will do excellent “picket duty” iu prevent¬ 
ing demoralized rain drops from straggling 
down through shaky places in the shingles. In 
reference to this recipe, I can say, in the lan¬ 
guage of a certain rural editor who advised bis 
readers to purchase a certain kind of soap be¬ 
cause it was “sure to clean dirty men’s faces,” 1 
have tried it, and know it to be good.— Cor. 
Dollar Newspaper. 
Rural Notes anil Items. 
Tint Season and thk Chop S. —The time has at length 
t ome when farmers can pretty accurately determine the 
re-lilt of their labors for the season. 1 think we may 
safely say that the result is oti the whole satisfactory—at 
least ought to be. The season lots been unusually dry, 
ami we have, what we generally have under such circum¬ 
stances, better returns than w e expected. 11W teutons are 
full of promise, but slack in the performance. The rank 
grass lack* in nutriment, and the luxuriant grain is dimin¬ 
ished in kernel, aud very often badly damaged in liar- 
vesting, We never had a better season than the present 
for securing crops, and the farmers are now successfully 
bringing t heir harvests to a close by gathering their corn, 
potatoes, apples and buckwheat 
Speaking of Western New York—w inter wheat and com 
arc good, oat* fair, and potatoes generally sound, with a 
medium yield. Apples are tine in quality, fair in quanti¬ 
ty, and in good demand. Harley 1* reported as good, and 
tobacco, which was planted to an unu*u<l extent., after 
suffering from the drouth, and making a narrow escape 
from the frost, t* secured In good order, leaving, no doubt, 
remunerative returns for the grower. The butter and 
cheese interest was never doing In-Urr, and prices gener¬ 
ally rule high. On the who!)' we advise our brother far- 
mera to join in President Lincoln's Thanksgiving;with 
more llmu their usual unction and emphasis. — it. r. n. 
It.it.voi8 Statu Fair,— Our Western Aid was called 
away from this Fair by the sad bereavement mentioned 
elsewhere, but in his absence, F. K. PnOBHiX, E*q , of 
Bloomington, kindly furnishes us the follow ing brief but 
comprehensive notice of the exhibition: 
“ Our State fair at Decatur, now nearly Over, lias been 
well attended. The weather fine, save the drouth and 
dust at first, then a big sprinkle which 1 wet down’ visitors 
a* well On the whole l doubt whether the impression as 
to quantity ami variety on exhibition is favorable. The bad 
sea-on w ill excuse in par!, but not altogether Vegetables, 
flowers and household machinery, save washing machines, 
not abundant. Out door machinery and show of stock 
fair. Fruit just passable —some fine apples, poaches, pears 
and grapes from the Wot, and a noble show of pears and 
apples from Messrs. EllWangioi & Baiuiy, Among the 
apple* some superb Rhode I-innd Greenings, weight 20 
ounces, and most noble, lu«cioti* Buckinghams, were es¬ 
pecially noteworthy—both of course from Egypt. Smock 
and Heath Clings, among peaches, were splendid. Dela¬ 
ware grapes, best ten lb*., all from a vine planted one 
year ago last spring by the exhibitor, Mr. St swart, of 
Quincy, wo re really splendid, and so dark colored the yvri. 
ter would not have known them. Mkad’b seedling grape 
also present and thought to he Cat aw baa save by tlie ex¬ 
hibitor. If not, It, 1* the most wonderful seedling and 
re production of a previous type or variety of fruit per¬ 
haps on record. Hut tho writer individually asks for fur¬ 
ther time and light on the subject.” 
■ — . . « » • 
Thu Provincial Fair os Canada Wkbt.— We regret 
to learn that the recent Exhibition of the Provincial Ag. 
Association, at Kingston, w as comparatively unsuccessful. 
The general tone of the Canadian pres* in regard to it is 
one of disappointment The result l* attributed to a va 
riety of eau-i s. The weather for the greater part of the 
time wa* quite unfavorable—rainy and very cold. Many 
articles intended for exhibition failed to reach their des¬ 
tination until too late, owing, it. U alleged, to some mis¬ 
management of the railroad and steamboat conveyances. 
The receipts were some $6,000, but Insufficient, we be¬ 
lieve. to pay the J remiums awarded. The next annual 
exhibition of the Association will take place in Hamilton 
u far better location, in our opinion, than Kingston, and 
we predict a fine show unit reimbursed treasury. 
■ - — 
Tine AmkhiOas Institute.— The last number of the 
SeimtiJ ia American says:—“The Fair of the American 
Institute dosed on the 26th ultimo. In previous uuml era 
we have given a brief synopsis of tire salient features and 
inventions on view. We understand that the Fair has not 
been a pecuniary success, the building being required for 
other purposes soon after the Exhibition was well under 
way. We very much missed the usual feature of forn er 
Fairs— machinery in operation- and heard many remark 
that this was the one thing wanting to make the scene 
spirited and enlivening. We lire not able to specify the 
several successful parties, as it would occupy more space 
than is at our disposal. Of gold medal* there were award¬ 
ed in all five; of silver. Including cups, there were award¬ 
ed In all sixty .six. A quantity of bronze medals and di¬ 
plomas were also awarded to various persons.” 
-■*■*-.--- 
Tuior Mibs It.— Many people who neglect to renew 
their subscription* to the Rural, have cause to regret tho 
omission. Wu are in frequent receipt of remittances and 
letters of regret from persons of this well-meaning but 
(sometimes) procrastinating class. For example read this 
frauk and manly note just received from a County Officer 
iu Branch Co., Mich.: —“I have tried keeping bouse 
without the RURAL long enough, and I find an aching 
vmd, which nothing but tho Rural can Jill. You will sec 
by your books that 1 have appreciated your efforts hither¬ 
to, and if I had not left the P. O. In - — ■ lu this County 
I think your subscribers In that town would be more nu¬ 
merous to day. Please book me a subscriber for the bal¬ 
ance of the year;—I say not for the indefinitefuture, but I 
know what 1 think. Find inclosed,” the. 
Minor Rural Items.— The Chicago Tribune says the 
late severe frosts have demonstrated that the Chinese 
sugar caDe is much hardier than Indian corn, and may 
work something of a revolution in the partial substitution 
of one staple for the other by farmers. — In the neigh¬ 
borhood of St. Clair, Franklin Co,, Missouri, hogs in ap¬ 
parent good health and condition are dying by scores, 
some farmers having lost the greater part of their stock 
In some places the same affection, or some other fatal dis¬ 
ease, aiezes fowls, and they droop about for several day*, 
become blind, and perish.-The Utica Observer ssys 
that the hop crop is generally picked in Southern Oneids 
and Madison, some in poor condition, from blight and 
the plague of Woe, a pest which made its first appearance 
ou tho vines of this locality the present year. But few 
sale* as yet, at prices ranging from 20 to 27 cents. The 
views of growers as to prices are considerably in advance 
of buyers at the present time -We learn from the Or¬ 
leans American that Mr. Wm. S. Wagb, of South Barre, 
bad seventeen fine sheep killed by ravenous dogs, aud as 
many more wounded on Monday night week. Mr. Wage 
bad lately divided his sheep, placing the best of the flock 
iu a field by themselves, apart from the lambs and ewes. 
It was this best flock that w as ravaged by the dogs. 
Paineul Bkkkatkmkxt.—W illie our Western Editor, 
Mr. OJ D. Brag don, was at Decatur, attending the Illinois 
State Fair, a telegram summoned him to attend tho burial 
of his only son—between four and five years of age—who 
was drowned at Pulaski, Oswego Co., N. I., where he 
bad gone with hi* mother to visit relatives. The bereave¬ 
ment is a very sad one, and awakens tbe profound sympa 
thies of the many relatives and friends of the parents. 
■ • ♦ e - 
A Fink Tuoitouan bred Horse was exhibited at the 
recent Mouroe Co. Fair by Mr. Human Loomis. This 
horse, “ Bahek," sired by “ Mokblohdi,” an imported 
Arabian, dam the Zenith mare, by Zenith, and Zenith by 
Old Eclipse, is said to be one of tho finest animals ever 
exhibited in this region. 
