Abe Wool Presses Condemned.—J. T. Norbury, 
Jackson, -, writes :—“ Are wool presses con¬ 
demned ? I am told that wool buyers’ and wool grow¬ 
ers’ conventions have both condemned them, as 
Injuring wool.” This is a mistake. We believe that 
a buyers' convention in a Western State entertained 
a resolution disapproving of their use. but did not 
pass it. We hare seen no action of that kind by any 
body of wool growers. It is undoubtedly true that a 
strong press can be mndo to squeeze wool together, 
especially If greasy, bo tightly that after it has been 
tied for a considerable time—and especially if it has 
been piled In large masses—It becomes so compact 
and stuck together, that the difficulty of pulling it 
apart and properly sorting H for manufacturing is in¬ 
creased. And this excessive pressure gives fleeces a 
heavy, cloddy feeling which is unfavorable to their 
sale. This is all. It has no effect whatever on the 
texture, or manufacturing properties of the wool. 
Farmers neither can nor will give up a machine which 
eaves so much time, and which saves the necessity of 
so many cut and bleeding fingers. All that is needed 
is that they use it properly. 
The Wheat Harvest was commenced in this re¬ 
gion last week, and is now in the foil tide of micce^s- 
fhl operation. As before stated the yield is a bounti¬ 
ful one, hereabouts, and we think the same is gener¬ 
ally true of the crop throughout Western and Central 
New York. With favorable weather the golden grain 
will he mostly harvested in good order during this 
and next week, and find a ready market In this 
region more white wheat is grown the present season 
than In any former one for many years, and will of 
course command a very remunerative price. 
EDITED BY HENRY 8. RANDALL, LL. D. 
TEXAS-NO. I 
We have within thelaet few months received a 
number oi Inquiries in regard to Texas, which we 
have not had time to answer; and recently an as¬ 
sociation, comprising several persons who pro¬ 
pose to emigrate to that Shite, has addressed us 
interrogatories, full answers to which would 
embrace a description of the physical features 
and agriculture of the entire country. 
It would require a volume to give the informa¬ 
tion thus asked for. Texas stretches through 
ten degrees of latitude, is considerably more 
than live times as large as the State of New 
York, and more than three and a-half times as 
large as all New England. Most of the noted 
kingdoms of Europe, like Great Britain, France, 
Spain, &c., do not approach it in extent. Vast 
regions of it are yet in a state of nature—the 
rest is thinly populated—and but small portions 
have been described, with any degree of minute¬ 
ness, by competent and reliable observers. At 
best, then, we could give but a partial arid super¬ 
ficial 6ketch; and our narrow limits compel us 
to confine ourselves to the most meager out¬ 
lines. Those who have addressed ns on the sub¬ 
ject will find the best description which we have 
seen of all the different counties collectively, 
in the Texas Almanac lor 1807, (8 vo. 360 
pages,) published by and obtainable from W. 
Richardson & Co., Galveston, Texas. On this 
highly valuable work, on Olmhtead’s Jour¬ 
ney Through Texas* and some similar publica¬ 
tions, and on letters received from a large num¬ 
ber of intelligent private correspondents in dif¬ 
ferent parts of the State, we mainly rely for the 
accuracy of the statement* which follow. 
Geography. —The south-eastern side of Texas 
frouts on the Gull' of Mexico and thus open* its 
commerce of the world. It has a sufficiency of 
good harbors. Noble river* leave few of it* 
more ferlile portions unprovided with accessi¬ 
ble outlets to the sea, during periods of the year. 
It* level surface will allow railroads to be con¬ 
structed over a great part of it by the easiest 
grades. A low plain from fifty to eighty miles 
wide, very slightly ascending toward* the inte¬ 
rior, belts the entire coast. From theuce the 
surface rises and becomes first, rolling and then 
hilly, until it rcuchcs the high table-lands of the 
Llano Estaeado. The seaport towns of Galves¬ 
ton and Luvacca are respectively 10 and 24 feet 
above the level of the ocean. Houston, about 50 
miles in a direct line from the coast, has an ele¬ 
vation of 60 feet; Columbus, between 80 and90 
miles from the coast, 250 feet; Gonzales, some¬ 
thing over 100 miles from the coast, 270 feet; 
San Antonio, about 140 miles from the coast, 635 
feet.t The Table Lauds and the desert Llano 
Estaeado (Staked Plain) usually rise from 2,000 
to 2,500 feet. Some elevations in the northwest 
reach 5,000 feet. 
Geology. —The lower and rolling lands are 
alluvial. The hilly region is cretaceous and 
abounds in excellent limestone for building. 
Beyond this, primitive rocks appear In many 
places. The great plains consist of stratified 
clay and cretaceous marls. On the verge of 
these plains are deposits of gypsum extending 
over an area of thousands of square miles. Coal 
beds exist in different localities. Iron ores arc 
Crops &c., in 8execa.— Writing us under date of 
July 9, Mr. John Johnston of Seneca county, near 
Geneva. snr3“ We have rainy weather for making 
hay, but good for making the corn and second growth 
of clover grow. The clover crop in tills neighbor¬ 
hood was a heavy one, but I Jam disappointed in my 
timothy crop ; it is not a large crop with me. Corn 
is going ahead finely, although small for the 0th of 
July. Wheat looks well, but I notice there is con¬ 
siderable midge. I don’t think the crop In this im¬ 
mediate neighborhood will yield as much as last year 
owing to midge. We had none of them last year, 
and In this neighborhood, where the land was proper¬ 
ly fed the crops of wheat and barley were very good. 
Wheat, barley and oats that were sown in season this 
year look well, bnt very few of either was sown on 
account uf the incessant rains; one of the Faculty of 
Geneva College told me that r,% inches of rain fell in 
the month of May. If we have dry weather some 
wheat may be ready to cut in ten days. I have got a 
horse pitch fork rigged with railroad and car. Mine 
poems to bf> a complete success.” 
Texas.— Our articles on Texas, commenced in this 
issue, will he concluded in onr next. They carry us 
somewhat ont of the strict limits of this department, 
hut those proposing to emigrate to that State to en¬ 
gage in wool growing wish also to carry on other 
branches of husbandry, and in view of this fact and or 
others important to ail emigrant*, they have asked for 
that general kind of information which we have 
sought to epitomise for their benefit., hoping that it 
will not prove entirely uninteresting to our (other 
readers. 
Lawrencebubgh Wooden Mills, Iowa.—W e have 
received a card of excellent samples of fancy Cassi- 
merep from the Superintendent of this establishment. 
He writes ns that he uses only the finest grades of 
wool, while those grown in the adjacent country are 
Coarse ones. He wishes to encouragthe introduction 
of the former, and sheep farmers in that region, wish¬ 
ing to embark in fine wool growing will do well to 
confer with him. 
Horse Rake Wanted.—A subscriber at Elbridge, 
N. Y., (W . H. Redmond,) writes us “for information 
in regard to the best horse rake.” He wants a wheel 
rake ; “has been told that a rake is manufactured at 
Chicago, that is simple and easily operated.” Does 
not know the address, and so asks us, &c. We do 
not know what firm, in Chicago or elsewhere, has 
such a rake for sale; hut we do know It would pay 
the manufacturers of like implements to advertise in 
the Rt'RAi and other agricultural journal*,—though, 
owing to the crowd of advertising upon our columns, 
we are not personally anxious to impress the fact 
upon their minds, [N. B.—See the advertisement of 
“Warner’s SulUy Revolving Rake," in this paper.] 
afford feed, for a boundless number of horses, 
cattle and sheep throughout the year. This por¬ 
tion of the State will be more particularly re¬ 
ferred to in onr next number. 
We have thus far only alluded to staple com¬ 
modities. Com, wheat, oats, rye, barley, buck¬ 
wheat, millet, sorghum, Irish potatoes, sweet 
potatoes, pea6, beau*, turnip*, pumpkins, and 
garden vegetable* of every kind prodnee remu¬ 
nerative, and some of them abundant, crops on 
all the good soil* of the State,* and of many of 
them two crops might be taken in a season. 
Fruits can be grown in boundless profusion. 
Apple* In Northern Texas are thought to be a* 
good as those of the Northern States, Peaches, 
nectarines, apricot*, plums, quinces, figs, rasp¬ 
berries, strawberries, «fce., of choice quality, can 
be grown throughout thi; State. WUd grape* 
arc found everywhere, and the cultivated varie¬ 
ties are easily acclimated. Their production may 
be increased to any extent. Horse*, neat cattle, 
sheep and hogs require *o little artificial feed 
that they can be raised at the most trifling ex- 
Tobaeco and rice have been but little 
Condensed Correspondence, Items, &c 
Samples of Wool. —Dr. Theodore N. Davisson, 
Jeffersonton, Culpepper Co , Ya., forwards us six 
samples of wool from ewes, and three from rams of 
pure Silesian blood—drawn from the flock of Wm. 
ChmrkiiLaIN, Esq. of Red Hook, N. Y,; and also 
thirteen from grade Silesian ewes, generally of Mr. 
D's own breeding. The wool is of 11 mos. growth, 
and ranges from 1# to S.y inches long. It belongs to 
the class of extra fine or broadcloth wools, and is of 
superior quality In every particular. The sample 
from one old slock ram (the size of Mr. Chamber¬ 
lain’s ‘'Baron," and “Marshall,”) cannot easily be 
equalled in general quality. What strikes us as re¬ 
markable is that the grade wool, in a majority of in- 
stances, Is quite on a par with the full-blood: ami we 
infer therefore that the cross was made between the 
Silesian and the old stock of extremely fine Virginia 
Merinos, similar to those grown extensively a few 
years since in the “ Panhandle," and in the adjoining 
counties of Pennsylvania and Ohio—and which fur¬ 
nished what were known as the " Washington Co.” 
wools. We should be glad to learn from Mr. Davis¬ 
son whether our conjecture is correct, and if not how 
many crosses it lias takim on coarse sheep to produce 
wool of sncli quality. The Silesian sheep meet the 
same want in manufacturing that was formerly met 
by the Saxons, while they are greatly larger, hardier 
and heavier fleeced. Broadcloth and various other 
manufactures need snch wool, and it i* not supplied 
by the heavy-fleeced American Merino. All who de¬ 
sire to see aU branches of woolen manufacture* flour¬ 
ish in onr country, will be glad to sec the Silesian 
sheep more extensively Introduced. They will ex¬ 
tend the range of our wool production without com¬ 
peting with the varieties already established. 
J. Knapp. Prnttsburgh, Steuben Co., N. 5*., two 
samples. Two-year-old^ram “Brigham Youth.',’’ bred 
by Gen. O. F. Marshall & Son, got by their ruin 
“Compact.” Run out during summer and fall, in a 
flock of 175 owes during most of winter, and received 
no extra cartv Fleece of ll mos. growth: weight 18 
11)*.; carcass SOlhs. Sample a little over 2 In. long, well 
tilled with golden-tinted yolk; quality about that 
usually sought in Americau Merino rams. Ewe teg. 
got by preceding 12 mos. old, run with 100 tegs, ordi¬ 
nary keeping, exposed to storms nearly two weeks 
before shearing; fleece 10 lbs. 10 ozs.; carcass 42lbs.; 
sample nearly 2# in. long; quality and appearance 
similar to that of ram. Both sheep received first pre¬ 
miums at county Fair. 
L L. Noursk. Fillmore, Allegany C’o., N. Y. Sam¬ 
ples of washed wool from six-years old ram. fleece 
15k lbs ; eleven-years-old ewe, fleece 7 lbs. 6 ozs.; 
ewe teg, fleece 4)£ lbs. Deficient in style, especially 
the ewe samples, (The samples were accompanied 
with a sensible cnmmnicaMon on spring management, 
which was mislaid until too Jat* for seasonable pub¬ 
lication. 
Turnip Fly—Preventive. 
The North British Agriculturist, alluding 
to the ravages of the turnip fly, remarks that: 
“Various methods have been suggested to pre¬ 
vent the attacks of tin? turnip fly when the 
plants are newly hrairded. Steeping the seed 
in oil, and afterwards dusting the seed with sul¬ 
phur preparatory to sowing, lias been found to 
be of considerable service. There is, however, 
a still more certain method of prevention. 
Newly-slaked lime, strewn thinly along the rut 
made by the secd-coulter of the sowing-machine 
at the time of the brairding the plants, proves u 
protection. We have also found a mixture of 
lime and soot very effectual in protecting the 
young plants as they put out first leaves. When 
a small quantity of white turnip seed is sown in 
the hollows of the drills, the insects resort to 
the white turnip plants, preferring them to the 
Swede. This method of protecting the latter is 
more expensive than top-dressing the seed rows 
with lime previous to the brairding of the plants. 
After the rough leaves are formed, little damage 
is caused by the turnip fly, but other Insect* feed 
on the leaves, the black beetle being the most 
common. The most effectual means to combat 
all insects i* to push forward the growth of the 
plants by manures applied at the time the seed 
is sown, and after the plant,* come up to stir the 
surface frequently, but without injury to the 
turnip plants.” 
A Superior F arm fur Sale, —A » will be seen by 
reference to an advertisement In this paper, advanced 
age ha* induced Mr. John Johnston, the famous 
farmer no widely known a* Urn father of tile-draining 
In America, to offer hi* splendid Homestead Farm for 
sale. The superiority of this farm, and it* flue loca¬ 
tion on the cast bank of the bcautiftil Seneca, only 
three miles from the charming village of Geneva, ren¬ 
der it one of the most valuable and desirable rural 
estates in Western New York. Of course the offer 
of our venerable friend will attract the attention of 
those interested. 
pense, 
introduced, but there is no doubt that they can 
and will be cultivated iu extensive regious, and 
will become most, profitable crops. All in all, 
there is not, perhaps, an equal area of land on 
the globe which possesses greater natural fer¬ 
tility and a better adaptation to the production 
of the necessaries, comforts aud luxuries of life 
and the profitable staples of commerce. 
Climate.—A s a sample of the climate, wo 
give the mean temperature of every month In 
1859, as Observed by Prof. C. G. Fobshy in Fay¬ 
ette county, on the Colorado, in latitude 80':— 
Jau., 50’.57’; Feb., 62.44; March, 61.50; April, 
05.31; May, 75.61; June, 81.50; July, 84.76; 
Aug., 84.90; Sept., 79.42; Get., 06.29; Nov., 
63.93; Dec., 43; annual menu, 68.04. The range 
Of temperature will be illustrated by the follow¬ 
ing extract from a letter in Texas Almanac, 1807, 
kept at Austin by J. Y'an Nostkand, A. M.: 
IsOC.-1*63.—, —1*61.— — 1 KUO.— 
high. low. high, low. high. low. high. low. 
January. Mi 23 78 28 7!) 06 73 20 
February .... *8 25 ill 30 80 23 SO 82 
March. 97 2S 85 48 *1 32 80 26 
April . *7 46 90 45 89 47 S3 El 
May. 91 60 99 60 96 58 103 51 
June. 103 71 US 69 96 67 90 69 
July,,,. 104 74 99 69 99 71 95 75 
August. 103 74 99 68 99 71 106 75 
September... 97 6* 97 59 98 66 9* 70 
October. 90 81 80 80 RR 48 90 42 
November_ 84 33 85 20 80 25 83 86 
December.,, 75 30 76 17 97 19 82 18 
The annual amount of rain which fell, accord¬ 
ing to the same authority, was in 1858, 36,87 
inches; in 1851), 30.24; in 1800,29,61; in 1861, 
28.09; in 1862, 23.17; in 1863, 33.85; in 1864, 
25.03; in 1805, 38.40; mean average for eight 
years, 30.67 inches. 
“ In point of climate, ” say* Olmstead, 
“ Texas claims, with at least as much justice as 
any other State, to bo called the Italy of Amer¬ 
ica. The general average of temperature corres¬ 
ponds, aud the skies are equally clear and glow¬ 
ing. The peculiarities over other climates of 
latitude, are fouud in it* unwavering summer 
sea breeze and its winter northers. The first 1* 
a delightful alleviation of itB summer heats, flow¬ 
ing iu each day from the Gull’, as the sun’s ray6 
become oppressive, aud extending remotely in¬ 
land to the furlhcrest settlements, with the same 
trustworthy steadiness. It continues through 
the evening, and is described as having so great 
effect that, however oppressive the day may have 
been, the nights are always cool enough to de¬ 
mand a blanket and yield iuvigoratiug rest.” 
The severe northers occur from December to 
April, and usually occupy not over forty days. 
The rapid reduction of the temperature from 70 
or 75 degrees to 30 or 40 degrees and the driving 
wind are keenly felt. When most cold and vio¬ 
lent- and accompanied with rain and sleet, they 
sometimes cause considerable destruction among 
domestic animals exposed to their full fury. 
These instances, however, are rare, and the shel¬ 
ter of a grove, or hill, or even a good farm wall, 
is sufficient to prevent sneh consequences. They 
are regarded a* healthful and invigorating, and 
notwithstanding the sudden change of tempera¬ 
ture accompanying them, do not cause, or even 
exasperate, pulmonary diseases. It is claimed 
that consumption does not originate in the re¬ 
gion where they prevail. 
* The barren lands bordering on the lower Rio 
Grande, aud the Staked Plains in the north-west will 
not he taken into view in our account of the soils and 
products of Texas, or in any other parts of our de¬ 
scription, unless they are specially mentioned. 
Tobacco Fair. —A tobacco fair was held at St. 
Louis recently, with a large attendance from the two 
Virginias, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri 
and Connecticut. The premiums ranged from $60 to 
$400. 'Flie premiums were awarded to Missouri, Vir¬ 
ginia, Kentucky and West Virginia. The first premi¬ 
um, a hogshead of bright wrapper*, sold for $225 per 
100 pound*, and the second premium of the same class 
for $207. Other hogsheads from $14.50 to $85. 
Carrington * Draln Plow.— Thla plow was illus¬ 
trated and described in a former volume of the Rural. 
Since then we have received many inquiries on the 
enbjeet—the last from 11. A. Cob, Theresa, N. Y,, who 
say* he has written to the inventor (J. Carrington, 
Avoca, N, Y.,) without answer; also to several deal¬ 
ers in Implements, none of whom know where the 
plow can be procured. If it Is obtainable, will some 
one tell us where and of whom i 
Bees — Letting Them Alone. 
The Iowa Homestead is pretty severe in its 
remark* on what is denominated “ hive men,” 
who for the sake of selling a beehive tv ill per¬ 
form operation* in the division of swarms cer¬ 
tain to result in their ruin. The advice of that 
paper is to let the bees alone till something is 
really needed to be done, and give a wide berth 
to the bee quack* who, it is charged, have de¬ 
stroyed more bees in Iowa, within the last five 
years, by dividing swarms, than the moth, severe 
winters and poor seasons combined. 
Maryland Institute Fair.— The twentieth Annual 
Fair of the Maryland Institute for the promotion of 
the mechanic arts will be held in the Hall of the In¬ 
stitute, Baltimore. October 13th. 1867. The Hall will 
be open for the reception of goods on the 6th and 
close on the 10th for ull compet ing articles—except in 
cases of those from a distance or such as may have 
been delayed by accidents on lines of transit. 
Brush Drains. —The present and coming months 
comprise generally the best season for putting in farm 
drains. Where tile is deemed too expensive and 
stone are not available it is said that brush put into 
the ditch aud well tramped down before filling in with 
earth, will answer a good purpose. The outlets 
should be secured by a few feet of compact stone wall. 
Weevil and Other Insects —Seed Grain. 
M. Gand, Agricultural Engineer of Belgium, 
gives his method for destroying the weevil and 
other insect* on grain. His plan is to deposite 
the grain for seed iu barrels fumigated with 
burning sulphur. Coarse threads or twine are 
drawn through melted brimstone, suspended in 
the barrels intended for the grain aud burned 
there. The seed is then thrown into the casks 
amid the fume and covered up for a quarter of 
an hour, when the operation is completed and 
the seed ready for sowing. 
Wool Press.—James Rowcliff, Norwalk, Huron 
Co., Ohio, writes us that he thinks he has made an 
improvement in the wool press figured in the Practi¬ 
cal Shepherd. He says:—“It is to cut out side of 
box (opposite that where the operator stands) be¬ 
tween the legs, and attach it to the bottom with 
hinges, so as to open down level with the bottom, or 
dose up as it was before being cut out—having both 
the stationary' aud sliding head* so arranged that 
when open each will project half its thickness inside 
the lege. Those will form shoulders to prevent the 
hinged side closing too far in. This side is held in 
place while the fleece is being pressed by a spring 
latch. The advantages of this arrangement are that 
it allows the fleece after it is folded to be laid in the 
press without danger of being pulled apart in crowd¬ 
ing it in. After the side is raised up and the fleece 
pressed aud tied, the side can be instantly lowered, 
and forms a convenient table for the fleece while 
placing the strings for the second pressing, after it is 
tied both ways. By again lowering the side it comes 
out easy.” Mr. R. encloses a cut, which, to our eye, 
docs not explain the matter mere clearly than his de¬ 
scription. _ 
Stump Pulling. —Mr. Willis will operate his 
famous stomp machine on the farm of William 
Dutton. Waterloo, on Thursday, 18th inst., at 3 
o’clock P. M. Mr. D. ha* purchased a machine, and 
so ha.- Mr. Ashley of this city. Eight stumps were 
pulled on the farm of the latter iu twenty-four min¬ 
utes—one of them a pine five feet In diameter. 
Canada Agricultural Societies.— The Canada 
Farmer publishes a list of Agricultural Societies, 
township, county and district, in what is familiarly 
known as Canada West. It numbers three hundred 
and twenty-nine. This is a respectable show for that 
section of the “New Dominion." 
Labor Force in Virginia. 
The Southern Planter, Richmond, goes into 
a labored calculation of the effective farm force 
of the colored farming population in that State. 
The result is about one and a-half to each 177 
acres of tillable laud in the State. Assuming 
that the per cent, of white laborers there is 
about the same, we have, as a result, one laborer 
to each 59 acres of tillable land. It will require 
the prompt introduction of much farm machin¬ 
ery to develope the agricultural resources of that 
State with this small per cent, of laboring popu¬ 
lation. 
National Exhibition of Horses.— The officers of 
the “National Association for Improving the Breed 
of Horses,” announce a Horse Show or Fair at Kala¬ 
mazoo, Mich., on the 1st. 2d, 3d aud 4th days of Octo¬ 
ber, 1867. Cash premiums to the amount of $10,000 
are offered by the Association. 
Choice Seed Wheat.—T hose of our readers wish¬ 
ing to procure small quantities of new and choice 
varieties of winter wheat are referred to the adver¬ 
tisement of Geo. A. Deitz in this paper. Mr. D. 
offers a rare opportunity to farmers desirous of test¬ 
ing new varieties. 
Black Lambs. —J. B. Burr, Clarksburgh, Moniteau 
Co., Mo., asks:—"Do you think the sight of black 
sheep will cause ewes to mark their lambs black?” 
We do not think black sheep, or any' other black ani¬ 
mals or objects, will produce that effect, We consider 
the contrary belief a reRc of superstition ona par with 
the idea that lambs must be castrated "when tbe sign is 
right,” and a hundred other venerable traditions, of 
the same class, which yet linger in the minds of some 
even intelligent men. Sailors believe that whistling, 
or continuing to walk the deck crosswise, will bring 
on again. Ghosts yet appear in some regions. There 
are benighted spots where witches still cast the “ evil 
eye” on their neighbors flocks and herds, bringing 
murrain and other deadly diseases on them. It is use¬ 
less to reason against such superstitioue. Every man 
who entertains them ha* numberless facte drawn from 
his own imagined experience, to support his beliefs. 
Civilization, however, slowly sweeps them away. 
Not one now finds root in the popular min d, where 
hundreds did a century ago. 
Botts jn Horses — Chloroform. 
Dr. Gee ot Florida, says that botts in horses 
can be dislodged by the use of chloroform. It is 
sometimes difficult to distinguish between an 
attack of colic and botts, but by the use of the 
above the question is soon settled, A table- 
spoonful of chloroform, screened by a couple of 
spoonfuls of auy good Diucilage, administered 
to the horse, will make the bott release his hold 
on the 6tomaeh even alter having bored nearly 
through its covering. 
Beet Sugar Manufacture. —The general tone of 
the Illinois press indicates the success of the efiort to 
make beet sugar a leading feat tire in the agricultural 
operations of that State. Recently 15 tons of thiB 
sugar was sent to Chicago from the manufactory at 
Chatsworth. 
High vs. Low Barns.— Correction.— In the Rural 
of July 6th, E. W. S., in an article on High ns. Low 
Barns, is made to say ; “ Roofs, when blown off, part 
at the side." It should read " part at the ridge." 
The portion of the soil of France under cereal 
crops, for human consumption, is about one- 
fourth, while that of England is estimated at 
less than one-sixteenth. 
Deferred.— Several valuable communications, in 
type for this number, are necessarily deferred. 
