10. Suiting curd while yet too warm and too damp, and 
11. Putting curd# into the hoops and to press before they 
are properly cooled. 
These two are among the most prolific causes of bad 
flavor in American factory cheese. Some of the causes 
named arc easily removed, while othels, more important, 
demand our beet efforts to apply suitable remedies. 
12. Exposure of cheese to too high a temperature while 
curing .—Our dry-botisee arc not rightly constructed. In 
summer they are far too warm; in spring and fall they 
are as much too cool. A cheese that is rightly made, is 
pnre in flavor, and indeed quite perfect in all respects, 
will receive injury if exposed to the summer temperature 
of the upper rooms of onr curing-houses, What, then, 
will result to cheese made from unclean milk, from dis¬ 
eased milk, from milk from which the natural heat has 
never bcc-n removed, from mill* poisoned by adulterated 
annatto, or by tainted rennets, from curds not fully 
cooked, from curds saturated with -whey when put into 
the hoop, from curd insufficiently cooled before salting 
and pressing 1 There are other things which induce had 
flavor, foul cans and milking utensils, painted pails, un¬ 
clean surroundings to the factory. These have their 
influance, and a most baleful influenctrtit is, too. 
Mr, Moon of Herkimer named as an additional 
cause, tlie quality of food consumed. Sweet grass 
always produced good flavored butter and cheese, 
while weeds, strong flavored roots, like turnips, 
&c., affect milk injtrrlously. In his experience, 
eaudy soil pastures diminished the quantity and 
improved the value, the cheese improving in rich¬ 
ness and flavor. The reverse held true in clay soil 
pastures. The beet and richest milk by lactometer 
tests were from the highest and dryest farms. 
Mr. Moon spoke strongly upon the uuclcanly 
habits of those who furnished milk to factories as a 
prolific cause of impurity and bad flavor in cheese. 
thorongh-breds have, indeed, furnished very oily unwash¬ 
ed fleeces, unprofitable to manufacturers, on account of 
the loss in cleansing; hut for one of these there are 
scorc>-, if not huudreds of their progeny, whose wool is 
vastly superior to that of their coarse-wooled ancestors, 
and of that quality most in a cm ana at xmeriean factories, 
answering for all except the finest cloths, and c/f sufficient 
length to become a substitute for combing wools in de¬ 
laines. This breed has so far affected a vast improve¬ 
ment upon the coarse mongrel sheep constituting the 
great mass of flocks of former days, It is not necessary 
to afllrtn this fact before intelligent woo] growers, but 
millions of American citizens may be misled by widely 
published statements of the inferior condition of our 
wool clip, resulting from crosses of American Merinos 
upon the sheep of the West. 
2. That domestic, wool is inferior to foreign .—The very 
reverse of this statement is true. In etrengih of liber and 
durability of fabric our home-grown wool is far superior 
to that which is imported, livery manufacturer who has 
tested the matter will corroborate the statement. Writers 
in the foreign wool-selling interest freely- declare that a 
proportion of foreign wool is necessary for mixing with 
the domestic, and that in its absence the manufacture of 
the home fleeces must decline. The statement is utterly 
erroneous. The only pretext for it is in the adaptation of 
machinery, in certain factories, to this mixture. Every 
month is removing this mechanical impediment, to the 
supremacy of domestic wools. The progress of manufac¬ 
turers, in this respect, has been wonderful the past year. 
Cotewold and Leicester combing wools are in fact scarce, 
but the deficiency can be easily supplied in a few years, 
and the invention of our mamitkcturers, impatient of 
delay, has found an excellent substitute in the long fiber 
of Merino grades, by the aid of changes in the machinery 
by which it is wrought. Very little wool, except carpet 
grades, which are admitted with Jess duty than the wool 
grower pays as taxes, is now required by manufacturers 
from foreign sources. When the broadcloth manufacture 
shall be extended here, a finer Merino will be wanted, and 
can be enpplcd without, foreign aid. 
3. That we need seventy millions of pounds qf foreign 
wool to supplement the domestic-supply .—The imports of all 
wools, in four years of war, were but sixty-three millions 
per year, with six millions ol shoddy - in all, more pre¬ 
cisely, 279,183,041) pounds. In I860 the imports were only 
half as much, aud the home product but sixty millions ; 
the actual manufacture but eighty millions. It is folly 
now to talk of sixty or seventy iniLlions deficiency, when 
the trade is suffering from a surfeit of wools and woolens, 
notwithstanding the decrease of imports of wool since the 
war. On the other hand, there are persons who prefer to 
believe that the domestic wool product is iu excess of the 
demand, a position equally unfounded. 
4. That the recent law has not benefited wool production 
and manu facture,—The close of the war found full sup¬ 
plies of woolen goods, and immense stores of unused 
army clothing; and in anticipation of legislation affect¬ 
ing importation, nearly as many woolens were introduced, 
in a single year, as were imported during the entire period 
of the war. In this state of facts, utter annihilation of 
wool growing and manufacturing was only prevented by 
the operation of the law in repressing further importation, 
and inspiring confidence in the future, wheu the immense 
surplus should be exhausted. It lias produced all the ad¬ 
vantages that its most sanguine friends could claim for it, 
in preventing iu a large degree, miuous depression and 
the sacrifice of flocks, and jn paving the way for entire 
success in the future, which shall benefit every interest of 
agriculture and every branch of industry. 
owner, had flanked thorn, and was driving the sleet 
and snow right Into their narrow shed, open on all 
sides but one. Extending his observations still far¬ 
ther, he might. And the sill of his ham too deep in 
the mttd and the manure, and the crack* in kls 
stable too many and too wide for comfortable and 
healthy ventilation in the coldest weather, and 
which would lead his hump-hacked, snow-covered 
cattle to set up a theological seminary, if their 
minds run to such subjects, to inquire whether all 
their sufferings were in consequence of their own 
sins or their progenitors. [Note by the writer: To 
he intensely cold is to intensely mifferJ] 
If time allowed, he might see that his manure was 
being leuebed, and carried oft’ for the want of cave 
troughs, and that in the winter he could draw it best, 
to the knolls that need it. He might iind that wiu- 
The Agricultural Press of this Conntry, so far as 
we are enabled (o judge from the tone, contents and style 
Of our exchanges, enters upon the year 1808 quite pros¬ 
perously. Most of our ron temporaries open the year with 
rigor and indications of increasing success and useful¬ 
ness—whereat, we sincerely rejoice, for upon the pros¬ 
perity of well-conducted and independent Agricultural 
Journals the •• Progress and Improvement” Of the Coun¬ 
try and its Industrial Population in a great measure de¬ 
pend. Wishing all zealous and unselfish co-laborers aug¬ 
mented facilities for usefulness, and abnudant, reward for 
their laudable efforts, we will briefly chronicle a few note¬ 
worthy changes, improvements, etc. 
The Southern Planter anti Farmer.— The Southern 
Planter and The Farmer have been merged under this 
title—a union which is likely to prove beneficial to both 
the publisher and the public. The Jau. No. is rich in con¬ 
tents, and presents a fine typographical appearance. It 
contains 64 handsome octavo pages, and is edited by C. B. 
Williams, Esq., a high-toned gentleman, of wide experi¬ 
ence and observation. Published by Ch, B. Williams, 
Richmond, Va., at $2 per anuntn. 
The Ohio Farmer.— This old favontc comes to us in a 
row dress, and doubled again—changed from an 8 to a 16 
page quarto. Gen. Harris, who is a strong team alone, 
has the aid of Mr. Geo. E. Blaket.ee as Associate Agri¬ 
cultural Editor. We cordially wish the Farmer and its 
able and worthy Editor iunv^sin^rosperitv. Published 
weekly, by S. D. Harris, Cleveland, Ohio, at $2 a year. 
Tub N. H. Mirror and Farmer begins its nineteenth 
year and volume by making a change, in form from folio 
to quarto, which is a great improvement. It also dons a 
new and tasty vignette heading, and iB otherwise im¬ 
proved. Pnblishod by John B. Clarke, Manchester, at 
$1.50 a year, in advance. 
The Massachusetts Ploughman, the largest and 
spiciest Agricultural Weekly in New England, enters 
upon its twenty-seventh volume in a new dress, and pre¬ 
sents a very attractive appearance. Geo. Notes, Pub¬ 
lisher, Boston—$3 per annum. 
The Bobton Cultivator celebrates the opening of its 
thirtieth volume by materially enlarging its pages and 
donning new and beautiful attire. Published weekly by 
Otis Brewer, Boston, at $3 per annum. 
Tice Farmer's Chronicle. - We have received, hut 
mislaid, the initial number of a neatly printed 10-page 
quarto weekly bearing the above title, and published in 
Columbus, Ohio, at (if we remember rightly,) $2 a year. 
First Day — Afternoon Session. 
[Continued from page 22, last number.] 
The attendance this afternoon was very large— 
more than could he accommodated in the Court 
House with seats. Committees were appointed and 
general business details received attention. The 
Treasurer’s report shows a balance on hand of $3.43. 
The first topic for discussion is, “Purity and flavor of 
cheese—how lost, how restored.” Mr. G. B. Weeks 
discussed causes affecting it injuriously, aud it Is 
matter of regret that his remarks cannot he given 
entire. He said: 
There are unquestionably many causes affecting the 
flavor of cheese that are not rightly understood. The 
weather, heat and cold, wetness and dtyness, he. believed 
had an influence. Leaving all uncertainties out of the 
question, there are a large list of well-known causes for 
badness of flavor that demand diligent attention and 
speedy remedies. 
1. Unclean Milk —Every one knows that from dirty, im¬ 
pure milk good cheese cannot be made, and still forty per 
cent, of those who send milk to cheese factories act as 
though they fully believed that anything that Is milk (and 
many things that are not) is good enough to send to the 
factory. I have often fancied that a naturalist could 
scarcely find a more favorable opportunity to secure a 
rare aud curious collection of beetles, spiders, flieB, and 
other insects, than by bespeaking the creatures that we 
fish out of our strainers t—aud then the sticks aud straws, 
the leaves, the Clay, the dust—all of which are nothing 
when compared with the nameless horrors that belong 
only in the barn-yard; and all these after the milk has 
been strained at borne. Am 1 coloring ? Or am I not 
rather calling to your mind experiences scores and hun¬ 
dreds of times repeated? And then the filthy hands of 
careless milkers, and (he unspeakably nasty habits of 
some of themin milking we do not see. but the results of 
such things we do see in foul smelling whey, in injured 
curd, in bad flavored cheese, I know of dairies—and they 
are considered by no means as unusually objectionable— 
but rather the contrary, where the family does not pretend 
to draw milk from the factory can for household use. 
They know that it is not lit to U8e. It will he difficult 
thoroughly to remedy this ev il, but it is high time that we 
set our faces as flint against this carelessness on the part 
of those who furnish ntilk to us. We need not grope our 
way in the dark, feeling after bldde.n and unknown causes 
of bad flavor, when we have so prolific aud so apparent 
an one before our eyes. 
2. Diseased Milk .—In many cases cheese-makers are 
sorely puzzled and troubled with a curd acting strangely 
and unaccountably, aud which, despite their best efforts, 
only resulting in au almost worthless cheese. The diffi¬ 
culty is caused by unhealthy milk, which some pat ron has 
Bent in, either accidentally or intentionally. It is not al¬ 
ways easy to remedy this evil. 
3. Cows sometimes eat objectionable weeds, and a bad 
flavor is imparted to the milk, and, as a consequence, to 
the cheese. 
4. Cows in being driven from the pasture are too often 
chased by dogs, or are otherwise overdriven, and the 
milk is thereby rendered feverish, heated and unnatural. 
And in the same connection it is pertinent to remark that 
the practice of scolding and knocking the cows about by 
incompetent and brutal milking also fidds its mite toward 
the injury of the milk. 
5. Failure to Remove Natural Ilcat from the Milk -.—On 
this point there is some diversity of opinion, but I confess 
that, l every year become more strongly convinced that 
cheese made from milk from which the animal warmth 
has no.' been removed will invariably be out of flavor. 
WhonX.liecsc is made once daily, the evening's milk is 
sufficiently cooled. But the morning's milk is not. 
The practice of milking early, aud putting milk into 
dose cans and shutting nearly air tight, while they are 
exposed to the heat of a July sun from two to four 
hours before reaching the factory was strongly con¬ 
demned. It may shut out some dust and leaves, bnt it 
certainly prevents judicious cooling aud the escape of bad 
odors arising from foul milking, many of which might 
evaporate if the air had free access to the milk, and when 
it arrives at the factory, if you place the hand upon the 
can it will he found quite warm—even hot. Now here we 
have a large body of milk, the natural temperature of 
which is it) deg., which has been closely confined iu the 
can since tbe milking was completed, and which Las been 
three hours exposed to the rays of a burning snn, Now 
what do we do with this milk? Do we carefully strain it 
aud reduce its temperature to 60 deg., or thereabouts l 
Not at all. At best wc run it into a vat of night 's milk, 
which may staud at 65 deg. Filling this vat from our load 
of heated milk, the mas? will be found to stand at 72 to 75 
deg. temperature. This is too warm, bnt good cheese 
may result from it. But our heated milk rarely can be 
put directly into cool milk, It is a hurrying season of the 
year—the vats are almost overflowed with milk— the 
weather is warm, aud things must be driven or we shall 
have sour cheese. Therefore the heat is applied to a vat. 
which contains as yet nothing but night’s milk, but is 
about to be filled. As milk is added, the temperature of 
the morning's milk, aided by the heat now being applied, 
is constantly increasing the warmth of Ihe entire mass, 
so that when our load of heated milk is ready to be poured 
in, the milk already in the vat stands at 70 to 75 deg. The 
natural beat of our load will raise the temperature, of the 
filled vat to 80 or 81 deg., aud, behold, the time to apply 
the coloring aud the rennet has fully come, and no delay 
occurs iu any part of the process, for presently our curd 
has “ come," it is conked and ready for the press. 
■ What kind of checBe will this develop into, after stand¬ 
ing upon onr ranges through ono or two hot summer 
months ? And do not such cases, in greater or less degree, 
occur daily in nearly all our factories ? If then, we are 
agreed that the effects of making cheese from heated milk 
are pernicious, let us set about discovering and applying 
the remedies. 
Various remedies have been suggested, such as shallow 
vats at each farm house floating in water, into which the 
milk should be strained before canning, and then taken to 
the factory in covered wagous. 
It is also well to adopt a rule at the factory to continue 
the current of cold water around the vat of milk up to tbe 
time that it is filled, and never to apply the heat until all 
the milk is in the vat that is to be put in. A recent visit 
to Canada has strengthened these views, as tho necessity 
of a enpply of good water has there been largely over¬ 
looked. Cheese is made twice daily, and neither the 
morning nor evening milk being properly cooled, their 
cheese, generally apeaking, was much out of flavor. 
Similar practices are not rare on this side of the line, 
6. Impure Annatto. —Sufficient attention has not been 
given to coloring matter, generally from not giving the 
subject thought. Annatto is largely adulterated, and with 
the increased demand a supply of strictly pure is not 
readily obtained, and resort is bad to second and third 
qualifies, which are not supposed to be pure. 
7 . Bad Bennetts.—'So argument is needed to convince 
you that immense mischief is yearly done in the use of 
poor Rid tainted rennets. In their very best estate, ren¬ 
nets arc not suggestive of attar of roses for sweetness, 
nor o' white lilliea for purity. A substitute for rennet, 
that shall be cleanly aud ol' uniform st rength, is what we 
most deed in cheese making. It is appalling and sicken¬ 
ing te think of the numbers and the fearful condition of 
Immense quantities of rennets that are sent out by city 
butctlra and used in cheese factories. The wonder is 
that to make any cheese that is good in flavor. Again, 
we find many of our feetories still unprovided with rennet 
jars ; they persist in using wooden vessels, and in these, 
after long service and in warm weather, even good rennetB 
will taint, especially when prepared in water. 
8. tfurdB insufficiently cooked , in onr warm climate, 
will almost invariably lose their sweet flavor. 
9. (turds too lightly salted are not only sure to be ob¬ 
jectionable, ns regards porosity, but are equally sure to 
be out of flavor. 
EDITED BY HENRT 8. RANDALL, LL. I>. 
THE LATE VICTOR WRIGHT, 
The death of Victor Wright, Esq., w'as chroni¬ 
cled in these columns a few wcek6 since. Multi¬ 
tudes of friends will read with sad interest even the 
meager sketch of his life, which we have been ena¬ 
bled to prepare from the few materials we could 
conveniently collect. 
Mr. Wright was born in Cornwall, Vermont, July 
29th, 1819. Of his early educational advantages we 
know nothing, but have been led to infer that .they 
were such as the sons of Vermont farmers generally 
received in the common schools at tho perio^ of his 
youth. He was married in 1858. He was cho&en 
“select man ” in hi6 native town several times, and 
Member of the Vermont General Assembly in 1861 
and 1862. In 1864 he removed to a farm which he 
had purchased in Weybridc, near the village ol Mid- 
dlebury in the adjoining town of that name. 
He was one of the delegates of his State in tlie 
National Wool Growers’ and Manufacturers’ Conven¬ 
tion which met at Syracuse, N. Y., In 1865, and waa 
amongst tbe stauuehest advocates and subsequent 
defenders of the line of policy there inaugurated, and 
of the national tariff legislation on wool and woolens 
which that policy was the most efficient means of 
securing. He was the eamo year, wc think, ap¬ 
pointed a Director of the Vermont State Agricultu¬ 
ral Society, and in 1867 a Vice-President, aud also 
President of the Addison County Society — both of 
which offices he held at the time of his death. 
The circumstances of this tragedy were as follows : 
On the 6th of December last he started with a Mr. 
Goulett, who was in his employ, In a buggy drawn 
by two horses, for his old farm in Cornwall. About 
two miles west of Middlcbury, and while descend¬ 
ing a hill, one end of the neck-yoke became de¬ 
tached and the hold-back strap dropped down. In 
attempting to stop the horses the wagon was drawn 
against one of them, which became frightened and 
both commenced to run. Goulett sprung from the 
wagon, caught ono of them by the headstall and 
struggled to stop them until he was thrown into 
the ditch upon the side of the road. Mr. Wright 
was unable to hold the horses, aud they dashed at 
full speed down the hill, across a flat and then over 
Ellsworth hill, near the foot of which tlie buggy 
was overturned, and he was, from all appearances, 
dashed against a stone wall and dragged about a rod 
upon and against it. No human eye saw tlie catas¬ 
trophe, Mr. Charles Benedict, who lived uear the 
scene of it, hearing the noise, ran from bis house and 
he and Goulett reached Mr. Wright at nearly the 
same time. He breathed four or live times and ex¬ 
pired. Ilis skull -was broken in different places and 
his features crushed and flattened, 
The death of Mr. Wright produced a profound 
sensation throughout his county, aud indeed 
throughout the State. Few men in it would be 
more missed, or more generally lamented. Tlie 
great body 7 of those who will see this sketch know 
Mr. Wright be^t as a breeder and improver of sheep. 
He had been occupied iu this pursuit about twenty 
years, and, by common consent, ranked among the 
most distinguished breeders of our times. “ In his 
death,” most truthfully remarks Hknrt Clark, the 
able editor of the Kutlaud Herald, “the wool grow¬ 
ers of Vermont and the country have lost one of 
their most valuable, efficient and intelligent co¬ 
laborers.” But business circles, society generally, 
and the church of which he was a devoted member, 
have also lost in him one of their most reliable 
props. He supported every cause which he deemed 
good, and turned back from no useful work. 
We knew Mr. Wright well. He was a man of un¬ 
usual sagacity. His judgment of men aud things 
was rarely at fault. Hie mind waa clear and solid — 
rapid in its perceptions, and decided in its con¬ 
clusions. Having adopted an opinion or course 
of action, he followed it with calm but unshrinking 
determination. His energy was not of the 6tormy 
and demonstrative east, but it waa always equal to 
the occasion. With such traits, as would be ex¬ 
pected, he was successful in nearly all his under¬ 
takings. In conversation, in correspondence, or in 
public discussion, he was singularly concise, aud 
pointed; and though modest aud disinclined to 
take the floor in deliberative bodies, his influence 
was always felt in them. In the most comprehen¬ 
sive sense of the term he was a reliable man — relia¬ 
ble in motive, word and deed. 
We saw him about four months since at his pleas¬ 
ant home. He was apparently in tbe enjoyment of 
perfect health, with long yearn of usefulness in store 
for him. The fine, dear eye and the calm, expressive, 
cheerful face bespoke content and success — early 
struggles passed, a serene and happy autumn of life 
about being entered on. 
He left a wife and children to mourn a loss, in 
his untimely death, which they justly feel to be 
irreparable. 
Raising Calves .— Most farmers being anxious to 
“ realize,” as the phrase is, from their cows as soon 
after the calves are dropped as possible, choke them 
off from the dam when a few days old, and briug 
them forward by hand. They arc made the recipi¬ 
ents of skimmed milk aud various dilutions, and the 
consequence is frames, badly scoured at that, instead 
of the active, frisky chives they should be. Stock 
may be raised in this way, no doubt, occasional 
losses intervening,—but it will never be as strong 
and healthful as that produced by the old-fashioned 
system of allowing calves to draw their nourishment 
directly from the dam till they are a month or six 
weeks old. At this stage of growth they will he. 
better able to withstand the effects of a change of 
diet, and though the milk eaten will have cost some¬ 
thing, it will be returned many fold in the after pro¬ 
gress of the calf thus braced up and eared for iu the 
incipient stages of its development. 
Dairy Capital .— It is estimated that the capital in¬ 
vested in the dairy business, in the United States at 
the present time, is equal to six hundred millions of 
dollars. The dairy exports the past year foot up 
about fifteen millions of dollars. 
Jersey and Guernsey Cows — Value .— At a late meet¬ 
ing of the Philadelphia Agricultural Society a dis¬ 
cussion took place as to tlie comparative value of 
Jersey and Guernsey cattle for dairy purposes. The 
decision was in favor of the former as being the 
more hardy breed, aud fully equal, if not superior, 
to the latter in productive qualities. 
Newspaper Enlargements, Ac.—‘"Look here a mo¬ 
ment, please, and help an old Michigan friend with the 
aid of your spectacles. Tow promised to enlarge and 
improve the Rural, and yon have, jnst ‘ went and gone 
and did it’ handsomely,—for it’s ‘as plain as the nose on 
your face.’ But another ‘ Rural ’ paper—one published 
hereaways—also made similar promises, but, after exam¬ 
ining No. 1 for 1868, I’ll be hanged if I can ‘see it’—the 
‘ enlargement and improvement,’ I mean. In plain Eng¬ 
lish, T refer to tbe-, which a good many of our 
farmers ‘ went for’ last year because it talked big about 
Western interests, aud being smarter, for us, than any 
Eastern paper, et settery anti so fourth, as Nasuy says. 
Now, if yon can tell how the editor has ‘filled the hill,’ 
please expatiate.” Ac. [Regret that we cau’t see. what 
we anticipated in the paper referred to; yet, on rubbing 
our spectacles, discover that it really is larger than it was 
last year—fiach page being perhaps an eighth of an inch 
wider and as much longer!—and of course that is an en¬ 
largement. We note also, that No. 1 has t\yo illustrations, 
boLlj sizable and well executed, and moreover the reading 
matinr is better than that of some papers of greater pre¬ 
tensions, So we trust our friend will cease bis com¬ 
plaints, aud not accuse any one of “ lying like a—like a— 
a newspaper prospectus /” It don’t sound well, and be¬ 
sides it’s an insinuation against the profession ! ] 
OHIO STATE WOOL GROWERS’ ASSO 
CIATION. 
The winter meeting of the Ohio State Wool 
Growers’ Association took place at Columbus, Jan¬ 
uary 7th. A resolution was passed in favor of hold¬ 
ing a National Exposition at such place as the 
National Committee may select. Col. Harris pro¬ 
posed a discussion on the character of American 
wool best adapted to our present and prospective 
demands which took place, Dr. Townsiiend and Mr. 
Montgomery being the principal speakers. Mr. 
Willis inquiring for a cei-tain remedy for hoof-rot, 
an interesting debate took place, participated in, 
says the Ohio Farmer, “by the most experienced 
flock-masters in the State, Messrs. Montgomery, 
Alexander, Fhellis, Townsiiend aud others." 
“ It was agreed that it was not so essential what was 
used, as the thoroughness and judgment with which 
it was used ” — (which we esteem an entirely correct 
conclusion.) 
On motion of J. C. Stevens of Hardin, a resolu¬ 
tion was unanimously passed “affirming the neces¬ 
sity of our tariff' law and fully approving of the 
same.” After making arrangements to raise the 
quota of Ohio, called for by the Treasurer of the 
National Wool Growers' Association, the. Associa¬ 
tion proceeded to tbe election of officers, and the 
following were unanimously chosen: 
Presiden t— Norton 8. Townshend of Avon, Lorain Co. 
Vice-President —J. C. Stevens of Kenton, Hardin Co. Sec¬ 
retary and Treasurer— We F. Greer of Painesville, Di¬ 
rectors—3. Park Alexander of Summit, Isaac Welsh of 
Belmont, George Riker of Tuscarawas. Executive Com¬ 
mittee m the National Association —R. M. Montgomery of 
Mahoning and Charles Pliellis of Madison. 
riatltuntl Satieties 
Rural Architecture. —In renewing his subscription, 
C. S., of Todd Co., Ky.. writes;—“ 'faking all things into 
account, I am bound to say the Rural New-Yorker is 
the best paper published in the Union—and I have a 
great many, of different kinds. I find that'The Best is 
the Cheapest.' Please give more illustrations and in¬ 
structions in architecture, if agreeable to your good judg¬ 
ment, for that is one of the sciences very much neglected, 
especially hi the Southern States.” Wo shall not neglect 
the subject, and are well aware of the need of information 
thereupon throughout the South, particularly since the 
change from slave to free labor—a change which involves 
a radical mutation in the Rural Architecture of the 
country. By the way, we have in preparation, aud shall 
give soon, a plan of a Virginia Sheep Barn, and propose 
to give plans and descriptions of other buildings adapted 
to the wants of Southern farmers and planters. 
Indiana Board of Agriculture .—This body met at In¬ 
dianapolis Jan. 10th. The receipts for 1867 (including a 
small balance in the treasury) were $36,775.93: the expen¬ 
ditures, $22,046.83; balance In treasury, $14,729.10. Offi¬ 
cers for 1868:—Pres’t—A. D. Hamrich, Putnam Co. Sec’y 
— A. J. Holmes, Fulton Co. Tress.—Carlos Disbrow, 
Indianapolis. 
Connecticut Board of Agriculture .—Officers for 18B8- 
tafford, 
President—E. H. Hyde, j^nfford. Vice-Presidents—Rob¬ 
bins Battell, Norfolk; Henry L. Stewart, Middletown. 
Cor. Sec.—T. S. Gold, West Cornwall. Rec. Sec.—II. S. 
Collins, Collinsville. Trcae. — F. A. Brown, Hartford. 
Chemist—Prof. S. W. Johnson, New Haven. 
New Hampshire State Ag'l Society.— Prea’t—Hon. F, 
Smyth, Manchester. Sec’y—Aaron Young, Portsmouth. 
Monroe Co.—Pres’t—J. G. Klinck. Vice Prcs’ts—A. G. 
Whitcomb, I. H. Sutherland, J. H. Warren. Sec’y—M. D. 
Rowley. Treas.—L. D. Mitchell. 
Livingston Vo.— Pres't—Wm. H. Spencer. York. Vice- 
Pres’t—Aaron Barber, Jr. Sec'y—Wm. A. Brodie, Gene- 
seo. Treas.—Kidder M. Scott. 
Genesee Co.—Pres’t—Addison Foster. Vice-Pres’ts— 
I. Todd and Geo. Burt. Sec’y—Orto R. Clark. Treas.— 
Jerome Thompson. 
Erie Co,— Pres’t— P. W. Powers, Abbott’s Corners. 
Sec’y—Robert Titus, White's Corners. Treas.— Robert 
Foot, Hamburg. 
Steuben Co.— Pres't—Robert B. Wilkes, Bath. Sec’y— 
Reuben E. Robie, Bath. Treas,—Geo. W. Hallock. Bath. 
Oswego Pres’t—M. L. Marshal, Oswego. Sec’y— 
11 L. Davis, Oswego. Treas.—L. H. Conkling, Mexico. 
Herkimer Co. Ag'l Society.—President —Eli Spencer. 
Sec’y—Eli Fox. Treas.—Isaac Quackenbush. 
Putnam Co.— Pres’t—Daniel D. Chamberlain. Sec'y— 
George W. Gregory, Carmel. 
Westchester Co. —Pres’t—Warren Leland. Sec’y—D, K. 
Sherwood. 
Brookfield , Madison Co.-r-Pres’t—Thomas R. Gorton. 
Vioe-Pres’ts—D. L. Fisk, R. P. Dowes, H. A. Brown, 
J. W. Crumb. Sec’y—Wm. N. Stillman. Treas.—A. W. 
Mowrey. Directors—P. B. Burch, W. M. Brand, R. S. 
Langworthy. H, Mains, M. L. Brown, W. D. York. 
Skaneakks Farmers' Club.— Pres't—Wills Clift. Vice- 
Pres’ts—C. C. Wyckoff, Jedediah Irish. Sec’ys—C. B. 
Thome, Emerson Adams. Treas.—Wm. J. Townsend. 
Directors—E. Adams, M. C. DeWitt. 
Ontonagon (Mich.) Ag'l Sociely.— Pres't—Geo. C. Jones. 
Sec’y—Thos J. Losier. Treas.—Lathrop Johnson. 
Iowa Wool Growers' Convention.— Officers elected at 
Newton, Jan. 7th.—Pres’t—John B. Grinnell. Yice- 
Pres’t—Robert Bearers. Sec’y—J. P Beatty. Treas,— 
S. G. Smith. The Convention resolved in favor of a 
United States Exposition of Wools and Woolens, and of 
Chicago as the place of holding it. A. Failor of Jasper 
Co. was selected to represent the State at such exposition. 
A committee of twelve was chosen to designate places 
and superintend shearing festivals. 
Onondaga Co. Wool Growers' Association.— Pres’t—Davis 
Coesit, Onondaga. Cor. Sec’y—O. B. Thome. Rec. Sec’y 
—H. D. L. Sweet, Syracuse. Treas.— Asel F. Wilcox, 
Fayetteville. 
Seneca Co. Wool Growers Association— PreB’t—E. Mun¬ 
son, Tyre. Cor. Sec’y—I. N. Johnson, Ovid. Rec. Sec’y 
—D. O. Smalley, Yarick. Treas.—R. R. Steel, Romulus. 
Jasper Co. (Iowa) Wool Growers' Association— Pree't— 
S. L. Miller. Sec’y—J. R. Crawford. Treas.—F. Swy- 
hart. Oor, Sec’y—A. Failor. 
The Buinkerhopf Corn-Sheller. — Correction. —By 
some freak of the types or copy the. price of this sheller 
was given in Rural of 11th inst. at “$10 for sample,” 
instead of $19. As Messrs. Snow & Co. inform us that 
the error is working prejudicial to their interests,—some 
writing them “ abusive letters for swindling them out of 
$9, aud others piUogin orders for the sheller at $10,”—we 
cheerfully make this correction, and re-pubiish the adver¬ 
tisement. The machine is a snperior one, as we have said 
before, and the highest price named is so reasonable that 
every farmer who desires a good sheller can afford the 
investment required for t.he Biiinkeuiioff. 
Louisiana State Fair. - This Fair opened on the 
grounds of the Society, New Orleans, Jau. 8th, amid tho 
waving of flags and firing of cannon. The air was balmy, 
charged with the aroma of opening flowers, and the whole 
scene inspiriting. The display of articles was more im¬ 
posing than ever before seen iu that State. The initial 
State Fair, for the current year, seems to have opened 
auspiciously—preluding the success of those to follow. 
The Rural has a correspondent at the Fair, who will 
furnish a report of the most noteworthy features. 
“ The American Herd Book,— Containing Pedigrees of 
Short-Horn Cattle, with Introductory Notes, by Lewis F. 
Allen. Volume VIII.”—Mnny of onr readers will bo glad 
to learn that this volume is ready for delivery. It com¬ 
prises 592 octavo pages,—embracing numerous pedigrees, 
and a number of superior lithographic portraits. Price, $6 
by Express, or $6.50 if sent by mail, post-paid. Of course 
every breeder of Short-Horns who wishes to pursue his 
business intelligently will procure a copy. Address Hou. 
L. F. Allen, Black Rock, N, Y. 
Condensed Correspondence, Items, &c 
Death of ‘‘Green Mountain.”— Mr. Hammond’s ram 
“ Green Mountain ” died Jau. 7th, after a week’s illness. 
His disease was “ inflammation of the kidneys and blad¬ 
der," This celebrated ram stood for ewos last fall at one 
hundred dollars a head, and many were sent to him on 
those terms. 
Importation of Woolens. — The import of woolens, 
into New York, in 1867, amounted to $31,375,833. The 
Import in 1856, was $50,405,179, or $19,047,346 excess over 
the last year. 
Short Legs.— J. H. D., Henrietta, Ohio, asks:—“Can 
a sheep he too low ?” Yes; for the point can bo carried 
to a deformity, as in the case of the Otter sheep. Fashion, 
among Merino breeders, demands very short legs, because 
they generally accompany short necks, heads, Ac., and 
that general compactness of form, which are considered 
so desirable. But if they are short enough to bo disa¬ 
greeable to the eye, giving the sheep a creeper look, and 
causing the wool of the belly to trail in moderately high 
grass or ordinary stubbles, it is a defect instead of an 
excellence. 
~ 1 ~ " 1 1 
Samples of Wool.— L. E. Huattuuk, Jr,, Cherry Creek, 
Chautauqua Co.,N. Y., forwards ns samples from bis Cots- 
wold stock ram, two years old, bred by Hon, N. L, Chaf¬ 
fee, Jefferson, Ohio, and got by his imported “ Dandy ” 
out of one of bis imported ewes. (Portraits of sire and 
dam are published in Report of Commissioner of Agricul¬ 
ture, 1863.) Also, five from Cotswold breeding ewes, and 
ten from ewe tegs,—all bred by the owner, except one 
which was bred by J. J. Dodge of New Lyme, Ohio, 
The preceding, Mr. S. states, are pure Cotewolds. He 
has additionally 25 Cotswold ewes, some of which 
have a Leicester cross. Alt are from Imported stock. 
He has for the last five years used pure Cotswold 
rams—two of them imported—one purchased of John 
Snell of Edmonton. Ontario, which weighed 305 lbs. His 
present (Chaffee) stock ram, he says, is “the largest 
Cotswold ram he ever saw that, was raised in the States.” 
He has shown his sheep at various County Fairs for seven 
years, and with one exception (a pen of ewes) has drawn 
all the first prizes. The samples forwarded were cut Jan. 
12th. They are too numerous to particularize. They are 
of good length for the season, quite uniform, have excel¬ 
lent luster, aud the general style sought for in the wool of 
this variety. _ . ^_ 
To Correspondents.— Mr. Randall’s address is Cortland 
Village, Cortland Co., N. Y. All communications intended 
for this Department, and all Inquiries relating to sheep, 
should he addressed to hhn as above. 
Scott’s Patent Grinder,— Attention is directed to an 
illustration and advertisement of this invention. In our 
opinion it meets a want long felt by those using Mowers 
and Reapers, and hence can hardly fail of becoming 
popular among grass and grain growers. 
RURAL BRIEF - MENT10NINGS, 
Three counties in Iowa are rather sheepish—having an 
aggregate of 381,583 sheep. Baa! 
Somebody predicts that within five years Maine will 
become a great wheat growing State. 
Prairie chickens are bo numerous in Iowa the present 
winter that clubs are used in their capture. 
Hens will eat almost anything. In the gizzard of one 
recently killed in New Hampshire 14 pins were found. 
Geo. Wood of WestBruttleboro, Vt., says he has tamed 
aud broken 724 colts. He ought to be a second Rausy. 
The people in Burlington, Vt., are hard up for water— 
it costing 60 cts, per bbl Cider, too, is scarce and high. 
Tuomas Bishop of Upper Providence, Pa., recently took 
a turkey to the Phila. market, which weighed 12 po'uuds. 
Fence posts sawed from old cherry logs will last a long 
time—much longer than those prepared from white cedar. 
A writer in the Boston Cultivator comments on the 
question, “Is pork raising profitable?” One might as 
well ask, “ Docs it puy to live ? ” 
A farmer iu Vermont is boasting over his potatoes. 
Twenty-six measured a bushel. They must have been of 
the olil-fashioued Moriuo or long variety. 
Henry Harwood, Bennington, Vt., recently killed a pig 
eight mouths old which weighed 110 pounds. He would 
like to know who goes better, and how much. 
To prevent meat from getting rusty in the barrel, keep 
it immersed in the brine. A follower, just fitting the bar¬ 
rel, with a weight upon, it will do the business. 
POPULAR, FALLACIES CONCERNING 
WOOL. 
We have received from the office of the Commis¬ 
sioner of Agriculture the following article under the 
above head, in advanced sheets of the Monthly Re¬ 
port. It contains many important truths in a few 
words.—[E d. 
In commercial circles, at least, most erroneous views 
concerning the quality, consumption, present supply, and 
the influence of existing impost laws upon present prices, 
appear to prevail —a few of' which are noticed, viz: 
1. That the quality of American wool has deteriorated. 
—It has been boldly’ asserted that the dissemination of 
American Merinos has beeu injurious to tho quality of 
the wool. The most judiciously bred and carefully housed 
Washington Co. (N. Y.) Sheep Breeders’ and "Wool 
Growers’ Association.— There was a much larger attend¬ 
ance at the recent annual meeting than usual, and more 
money received for membership fees than over before. 
The Association is in a flourishing condition- a balance 
in the treasury, &c. Nearly the same officers were elected 
as last year, viz: President— H. W. Beckwith ; Secretary— 
I. V. Baker, Jr.; Treasurer—V.. J, Lawrence. 'The 
Spring Show of sheep in their fleeces, and public plica,- 
ing, will toe held at North Granville early in May. b. 
