ivi o o 
The Rural Appreciated in the Family. —Among 
numerous recent letters, which speak in very complimen- 
,tary terms of this .Journal, none have been more gratify¬ 
ing than a note from the widow of a former ardent Agent- 
Friend.— because it shows a high appreciation of the 
Rural in the family, and among the young. We have 
ever striven to render the paper eminently pure, instruct¬ 
ive and entertaining, — acceptable and loved in the home 
circle,—and are more gratified in achieving success in 
that direction than pecuniarily. After announcing the 
demise of her husband, Mrs. A of Yates County, writes: 
•' >! r. A. was a great friend of the Rural. I think he 
acted as agent for it fourteen or fifteen years, and intro¬ 
duced it into a great many BaJhides. The first number 
visited us the first week of our house-keeping, (eighteen 
yeaxs ago.) and if has been a regular weekly visitor ever 
*incc. Our children would as soon think of doing with¬ 
out their regular meals as without the Rural.— When I 
received the circular I thought I would try for the Dic¬ 
tionary Premium, hut am afraid I shall fail this year. 
I Will do what I can.” 
— Mrs, A, has since remitted for a club, and shall have 
j the Dictionary. Dow many will do likewise ? 
the addresses were very eloquent and able. All the speak¬ 
ers favored a protective policy, and all supported the 
resolution, which was unanimously passed. Major Me- | 
FaBLAND of Pa. offered a resolution recommending wool j 
growers throughout the United Star, * to organize county 
associations for the purpose of establishing wool depots. I 
under conditions intended to protect the rights of the J 
grower and secure for him a fair price for his wool. The ! 
subject being new to most of t he and ieure, and l i me not rc- j 
malning for its investigation. Maj. M’Farlaxd, on request, 
withdrew his resolution. The meeting then adjourned. 
•ard. and who are not stimulated by those opportunities 
’ .their condition which are open to provident 
spring, when the animals’ appetites 
dainty. Economise by cutting and 
kinds’ and by adding some grain. 
Laving good racks, warm stables, < 
bedding. Ventilate the stables, 
water, and feed regularly. By wi 
and supplying their wants the skill 
manifested. Begin uow, If you have 
feed stock with grain that are ir 
butcher early next summer. 
Timber .—Cut timber for rails, po 
Lay up a stock of choice oak, ae 
■where it will season slowly under 
wedges and the wood work of fa 
The farmer should never he without 
seasoned timber for these purposes. 
for bettering ..— .. . , _ , 
and intelligent laborers in the tnited states. 
?. That, independently of the above considerations, we 
tm-t tl d«v is far distant when the United States will 
voluntarily tfttnvnder tip the lioinC proclnetio7i ot utiv groat 
and universal of life becuu'-t* U <su. cither tern- 
por.irily or permanently', bomore chwmly produced in other 
ccurntrie*- thru* rt-nderm^r our niipplv ent-urly ci«*penaent on 
Tuitions with which wc may at any tune become engaged la 
war iind which even In ijcjicg could mid UBdoufotcclij* wolum 
take ndvanuige of the destruction of ourdf.ines.tic produc¬ 
tion to raise price* , n our market - to the highest practlca- 
- if; 
aged and put on a permanent basis at home, domestic 
competition, and foreign competition regulated by tartfi- 
which are not prohibitory, will always keep prices at a 
reasonable point, and thus permanently protect the inter- 
g w i- ot the con^ywtr fur move oScotunlly Ijuu would 
eulirii free trade policy. 
8. That it is the united testimony of ottr wool manufac¬ 
turer? that onrdothing wools are stronger and more dura 
hie than a grant proportion of the imported wool- which 
are used in manufacturing the same fabrics, and are there¬ 
fore more valuable for consumpt ion: and that our other 
wool* are at least as good as the imported wools of the 
tame class. 
!) That it admits of demonstration that the laie wool 
tariff' did not impose duties on foreign wools equivalent tn 
the internal taxation imposed on the wool growers of the 
United Slates—thus in effect discriminating in favor of the 
foreign grower; that this was markedly the. case in respc-ct 
to Canadian wools under the now happily abrogated Re¬ 
ciprocity Treaty: that we do not hi-itate to avow tljat it 
was an object of the Monde of the present wool tariff to 
compel foreign producers to pay as much for enjoying the 
benefits of our markets, ns do uur own citizens. 
10. That the present wool and woolen tariff was framed 
with a sincere purpose to benefit equally the permanent 
interests of the producer, the manufacturer, the consumer 
and the Government in onrcouutry; and that nothing ha? 
yet orcurred to shake our faith that it is as well adapted as 
any legislation which can now be devised to secure these 
results, after its operations shall cease to be disturbed by 
temporary and exceptional cause*. 
11, That prominent among these disturbing causes has 
been the vast over supply of woolens ill our markets, on 
the passage of said Tariff, occasioned in part by the ex¬ 
traordinary -timulus given to domestic manufactures by 
the war, and still more by enormous and ilteproportioned 
importations of foreign goods made In anticipation ot an 
increase of duties, while the subject was pending In Cop- 
err That thin tncr^upply Ubh hceti alowlv reduced by 
consumption, owing to the necessity of the American 
manufacturer constantly to make additions to it, or stop 
his mills and throw his laborers out ol employ : owing to 
The N., Y. Tribune states that at No. 1Y3 East 
Thirteenth street the lovers of poultry can find a 
remarkable congregation of the ham-yard family, 
ranging from “the tall, long-legged, heavy limbed, 
stout-bodied Dorking, to the wee Bantam just large 
enough to feed, hut brave enough, forsooth, to do 
battle with the most gigantic Shanghai. Here are 
ducks, too, iiTid gcc-se, that make the exhibition hall 
horrid with their quackery; and black-eyed pigeons 
that coo melodiously. Here is also a brood of 
young chicks hatched by steam in a patent eecaleo- 
bien, and a monstrous white turkey gobbler that 
needs only another pair of legs, and a saddle and 
bridle, to make him a brave steed for a soldier of 
Brobdignag t.o ride. White Bantams, game Ban¬ 
tams, fancy Bantams, Bantams with top-knots, 
Bantams with spurs as long as their little bodice; 
white Dorkings and gray; imported Iloudans, Span¬ 
ish fowls, Hambnrgs, Polish fowls, Creve Coeurs, 
Brahmas, Cochins, Leghorns, and a score of other 
breeds.” 
Effects of the Wool Tariff.— Extract from a letter 
dated Buenos Ayres. August 13tb. 1867. from Mr. Frank 
Livingston:— “ Bur The' tariff 'n the United States on 
wool has brought all the American houses to a complete 
stand; and if the tariff is not taken off', which I think it 
mn?t be, Itns country, so far as wool growing is con¬ 
cerned, will be rained. Sheep are now selling, with 
nearly a year's wool on their backs, at forty or fifty cent*, 
gold, per head. Any quantity cat. be bought at fifty cents 
—the same that two years ago would have brought ?1 75, 
Wool is a complete drag in the market, at present, and 
no buyers, even at extremely low prices, can be found to 
purchase the few lots that still remain on hand from host 
clips. It is supposed that the very best lots will be 
bought the coming season for about 60. $. currency, per 
the Arroba twenty-five pounds,”—(or. twenty-five pounds 
for $2.40 in gold.) 
which makes clear, solid blocks six inches tmen. 
Later in winter it will be porous and will not keep 
as well. Ventilate the ice house above and drain 
below. Encase with sawdust a foot thick. 
Fann work which, in this latitude, pertains to fall 
and spring months, may be done in the winter time 
further South. Open ditches, clear fields of rub¬ 
bish and stone, repair fences, get manure, imple¬ 
ments, seed. 
Tools .—Secure these from the weather; paint the 
wood parts, and put them in order for working. 
Mail-fed Valtle should be so accustomed to their 
new quarters os to be on full keep. Their houses 
should be kept moderately warm, and well venti¬ 
lated, but no cold currents allowed to chill them. 
Feed at regulated hours. Keep them thoroughly 
clean, and curry and wisp them down twice a day. 
Dispose of ill-doers, as nothing is to he gained by 
keeping them over. 
Milch Com should be kept closely in the house, 
with the exception of an hour each day for exercise 
if the weather he line and temperate. Feed liberally 
on cooked and raw food alternately. Keep them 
moderately warm, clean and well curried andwisped 
down twice a day, which will supply the want of 
exercise, in promoting the insensible perspiration 
so necessary to their health. 
Yount/ Cattle should be carefully housed and well 
fed; they require an abundant supply of nutritious 
food as much, or more so, than those full grown, to 
suunlv the requirements of their increasing size, 
Advertising in the Rural.— An Eastern advertiser 
writes us that his system is such that he can tell what 
papers benefit him most, which arc the best mediums, 
etc. After several mouths' experience, he avers that the 
Rural is the cheapest medium —that it ranks with the 
Weekly Tribune. Harper's Weekly, etc., (which charge 
about or over double our increased rates.) lie is not the 
only advertiser who has discovered the great value, and 
comparative cheapness, of advertising in this paper. We 
have lately received many letters of similar purport, hut 
with more advertising thun we could insert, had, and still 
have, no occasion to give any testimony on the subject,— 
and only allude to it now a? we have advanced our rates. 
As our advertisements are given in Me paper, instead of 
on an advertising cover or supplement, they are generally 
read and preserved.—not thrown aside or destroyed. 
c Piiirg Qqmrtmcnt 
Eds. Rural Haring recently paid a visit to the 
dairying districts of Oneida and Herkimer counties, 
I send you a few notes in reference to the cheese 
factories in that region. In the vicinity of Whites- 
boro Dr. White has two factories—one supplied by 
400 cows, and the other by 300. The furnace and 
vats used were those invented by Charles Miller, 
and were deemed to he excellent for the purpose 
designed — producing both neat, water and steam. 
The furnace is constructed of brick, through which 
large coils pass, both for steam and water. At first 
the milk is heated gradually—as it always should be 
—by water, then by turning certain valves, steam is 
circulated, and the milk warmed more uniformly 
and accurately. 
At, the other factory of Dr. White there were over 
800 cows, producing from 30 to 35 cheese per day, of 
an average weight of 05 pounds. There were in 
store some 3,500 cheese in all. The cheese at these 
factories have a tine appearance. Several of them, 
of varying ages, were tried, and all were smooth, 
buttery, and rich and of excellent flavor. They were 
colored orange. The coloring varies to suit the sev¬ 
eral markets for which they are intended. London 
and Liverpool call for highly colored, and the former 
is partial to the fancy gilt edged variety. Liverpool 
is loss exacting; while many other markets do not 
want cheese colored at all. 
Among the novelties seen here should be men¬ 
tioned a milk agitator. Cold water circulates about 
the vats during the night, and keeps in motion the 
“agitator," formed something like a small rake, 
which moves about slowly Iu the milk and prevents 
the cream from rising or forming on the surface. 
This obviates the difficulty of thoroughly incorpo¬ 
rating the cream with the milk, saves time, and adds 
greatly to the richness of the cheese. 
Alluding to the factory system of dairying, Dr. 
White gave it as his opinion that needless fears 
were entertained as to the undue extension of it, 
since some had already failed entirely, while others 
made an article of so poor a quality as to render 
sales difficult and unprofitable. Were a few impor¬ 
tant rules followed these Aalures would be of less 
frequent occurrence, PmjJor clean milk is the first 
requisite, and a most essential one. It should bo 
thoroughly cooled before being canned for the fac¬ 
tory, and not adulterated with water. Some who 
supply milk are suspected of an undue partiality for 
wells, brooks and other aqueous accumulations. In 
some instances the manufacturers get all the blame 
of bad products, when they, if not wholly blameless, 
are at most but particeps criminifi. It is the business 
of the manufacturer to have every thing about the 
factory clean, and to see that the manufacturing 
operations are properly performed, it is equally the 
duty of the dairymen to have clean pails and cans, 
and to abstain from diluting their milk, 
One of the most successful manufacturers of cheese 
is said to be Maj. Miller, near Trenton Falls, N. Y. 
He never raises the temperature of the milk above 
94°. By observing this rule of heating, and care 
in breaking the curd and letting it remain a long 
time in the whey, cheese are produced entirely free 
from pores. As probably no two factories pursue 
precisely the same method in manufacturing cheese, 
I may advert to these varicnees in subsequent notes. 
Good Thinos in Reserve. —We have many excellent 
articles from Editors, Contributors and Correspondents, 
with which to enrich early future numbers of the Rural. 
Indeed, unless we arc mistaken, the “constant reader” 
will find that wc have not given the best dishes in No. 1. 
—after the “claptrap” style of some papers,—hut re¬ 
served as good, or even better, for other issues. Our Yet" 
erinary aud Bee-Keeper's Departments will be given next 
week,—alternating with some now given. 
_JBBB iploy: owm, 
abort crops In the West and famine crops m the bout 
1866 and I lie comparative failure of the cotton crop ui 
1867 which vastly diminished the ostial means of purchase 
consequently the amount of consumption: owing to other 
obvious circumstances which have severely depressed 
trade in some of the State-; and owing to the high taxa¬ 
tion and general condition of monetary affairs, winch have 
enjoined bn the prudent portion ol therueai population, at 
Last, of our whole country the necessity of rod tiring their 
iu this and nil other practicable directions. 
12. That a repeal of the present wool and woolen tariff. 
The Crevecoeur derives its name from the small, 
heart-shaped divided comb; it is one of the crested 
varieties, of ordinary size, and has a large, white, 
full, depending crest of feathers. The hen has no 
comb. The plumage of both sexes is of a beautiful 
dark color, with blue And green metal hues inter- 
tninefied. The hen is a good layer: the chickens are 
tender aud require much care while young. A pair 
of this breed was recently exhibited at a New York 
poultry show, for which the price of -S250 was de¬ 
manded. 
expenses 
or a change in its scale of duties, before its ultimate and 
real effects are thirty demonstrated by experience, is not 
called for by anv of the great interests which it most seri¬ 
ously affects; that it ha- been earnestly and unanimously 
deprecated by the National Wool Growers' and Manufac¬ 
turers’ Organizations, which repre-eut the Interests which 
are claimed bv the opponents of the law to have chiefly 
suffered underlie operation; that it would injuriously aud 
nnjnetly disturb business arrangements made in conse¬ 
quence of its provisions, and tend unnecessarily to create 
distrust in the future prospects of wool production and 
manufacture ; and filially, that it would afford ft new and 
strikiue- example or that fickleness in tariff legislation 
which Las repeatedly inflicted the most serious iujury on 
the business interests of the country, ami which is always 
more damaging to those interests than a reasonable 
degree of stability even in imperfect legislation. 
13. That “ the interests of Wool Manufacturers and W ool 
Growers, being recognized as identical, further measures 
should he adopted to make each class familiar with the re¬ 
spective wants and necessities of the other.” 
14. That wc highly approve of the resolution passed by 
thoNatioual Wool Growers' Association at Pittsburg. Nov. 
2Tt.li, empowering a committee at its discretion, to arrange 
with the National Association of Wool Manufacturers for 
a National Exposition of their respective industries at 
such time and place as may be agreed upon. 
15. That these Resolutions he signed by the President 
and Secretary, and copies forwarded to the New York Sen¬ 
ators aud Representatives iu Congress. 
On motion, the resolutions were unanimously 
adopted. 
The Chair appointed the following committee to 
audit the accounts of the Treasurer: E. E. Brown, 
W. M. Holmes, D. Cossit. The committee presented 
an exhibit of the accounts which they reported to he 
correct. By this it appears that t here is now remain¬ 
ing in the Treasury the sum of $891,59, The report 
was adopted. 
The Treasurer read a list of the collectors of and 
contributors to the funds raised in the State, to 
defray the expenses of Tariff Committees. The 
paper was ordered to be placed on file. 
The Association then proceeded to the election of 
officers, and the following were unanimously chosen: 
President— Hznbt 8, Randall, of Cortlaud Village. 
Vice PreH'*— Wm. Chamberlain, Redllook; D. W. Percey, 
North lloorick; John D. Wing, Washington ; Win. K. 
pjttg, Honeoyo; Franklin >J. Marshall, Wheeler: i. 
Brown, New Hone: Wm. M. Holme*. Greenwich: Alien 
II. Avery. Mamins. Cor. JS&xy—Y. B. Pottle, Naples 
See. •SrC'y —11 D L. Sweet. Syracuse. Bn. Cow..—David 
Cossit, Onondaga; William llavden, Auburn: I. Y. Baker. 
Jr., Comstock's Landing: Peter McMillan, Canandaigua; 
Lionel Sherwood, Newark: i has. Champlin. Ilaimnouds- 
port ; Wm. T. Kemcr, Penh Van : John Slob him, Cazc- 
uoria: Hugh T. Brooks, Pearl Creek; Asa Pellcu. 
Norwich. Francis H. Hibbard, Cortland Village; Elbert 
Townsend, Genesee; John it. Page, Bennett: S. Newell 
Franklin, Kings' Ferry; I N. Johnson, Seneca. 
Governmental Seed Store Abolished.— When the 
appointment of Col. Oarron. to the office of Commis¬ 
sioner of Agriculture, was announced, the Chicago Re¬ 
publican expressed a hope that one of his earliest official 
acts would bn the abolition of the Government seed store 
at Washington ns u nuisance and swindle. A recent issue 
of the Republican states that its hope has bees realized ; 
the seed store is abolished, with the concurrence of the 
Congressional Committee of Agriculture. 
Ship Canal from Lakes to Ocean,— The acting Com¬ 
missioner of Agriculture suggests in his report, the pro. 
priety of making a ship canal from the lakes to tide-water, 
or a double track railway, for the transportation of west¬ 
ern produce, subject to au equitable grade of tolls. Such 
a scheme, carried out, by Congress, would afford fine 
pickings to a favored few inside of snch a ring as would 
naturally result from the. undertaking. 
Poultry raisers differ somewhat in their views as 
to the heat mode of killing fowls. Some advise to 
perforate the peck, and let the blood all run out be¬ 
fore dressing. Others think this process of depletion 
renders the meat less savory thun it would be if a 
portion of the circulation were retained in the body 
The Poultry Chronicle favors killing by breaking 
the neck—the mode generally practiced by dealers— 
causing speedy death, and giving a better flavor to 
the flesh than when all the blood is drained out. It 
adds:—The bird is taken by the leg3 and wings in 
the left hand, while the head is taken in the right, 
the body and neck being stretched to their extreme 
length; the head is then bent backwards and pulled 
at the same time. Dislocation takes place, aud the 
body is held in the same position two or three min¬ 
utes for the blood to inn into the neck. Then, and 
not before, plucking should begin. 
EDITED BV HENRY 8. RANDALL, LL. D, 
To Correspondents. —Mr. Randall s address is cortiana 
Village, Cortland Co., N. Y. All communications intended 
for this Department, and all Inquiries relating to sheep 
should he addressed to him as above. 
A Couple op Very Weighty Steers.— F. II. Hibbard, 
Cortland. N. Y., writes:—“I take the liberty of sending 
the weight, of my two year old steers, as weighed on the 
11th of this month The pair weighed 3,640 pounds. 
One. was two years old iu March, and weighed 1,915 
pounds, and the other two years in April, aud weighed 
1,725 pounds. Both are thorough bred Durhams, and 
were bred and raised by me.” 
N. Y. STATE WOOL GROWERS’ ASSO¬ 
CIATION MEETING. 
The Arm ti n.1 Meeting of the New York State Sheep 
Breeders’ and Wool Growers’ Association was held, 
pursuant to notice, at Syracuse, Dec. 12th. 
The President, on calling the meeting to order, 
announced the death of Victor Wright of Middle- 
bury, Vt., and spoke in high terms of his merits and 
ability as a usan, as a breeder and improver of sheep, 
aud as a zealous and efficient friend of the National 
and State Wool Growers’ Organizations. Messrs. 
W. M. Holmes of Washington, E. E. Brown and 
j. R Paoe. of Cayuga, A. F. Wilcox and D. Cossit 
of Onondaga, and other gentlemen, also paid tributes 
to the memory of the deceased. 
Mr. E. Ennis of Wayne, moved the adoption of 
the following resolution : 
Resolved. That inasmuch as a National Wool and Woolen 
Exposition, under the auspices of the National Wool 
Growers' aud Manufacturers' Associations, is expected to 
he held in t lie Spring of 1868. aud as it will probably occur 
about rbe time our Btiite Sheep Fairs are usually held, 
that tl'i" Association, in order to contribute all its efforts 
to the success of the former, will hold no Fair next spring, 
After a full explanation of the objects, and, so far 
as now known, of the proposed mode of conducting 
the National Exposition, the resolution passed 
unanimously. 
The Chair appointed the following Committee on 
Resolutions : W. M. Holmes, A R. Avery, F. H. 
limit ard, E. Ennis, S. N. Franklin, H. Allen. 
The Committee reported the following 
RESOLUTIONS: 
Re soli ed, ( 1 st.) That a tariff being indispensably necee- 
surary far re von tic purposes, it accord- with sound princi¬ 
ple.- of political economy, a- well as the settled policy of 
ottr Government, that the duties imposed by it he made 
discriminatory and so arranged as to afford reasonable 
protection to’all branches of American industry which 
req ui re - urotec t ion. 
j That sheep husbandry furnishes two important neces¬ 
saries of life, wool ami mutton—the first being indispen¬ 
sable and admitting of no substitute: and that it accords 
t, ith our own experience and is an established maxim 
among the enlightened agriculturists of other countries 
Whose objects; and modes ol' production are similar to our 
own that sheep husbandry is necessary, as au auxiliary 
branch to give the most profitable results to, and preserve 
the permanent fertility of the soil tinder, that system of 
general husbandry which furnishes the other staples of 
Another Facility,— After getting this number nearly 
ready for press.—ond finding it impossible to print the 
necessary edition on two presses before the next would 
be ready,—we concluded to adopt the “Papier Mache” 
system ct stereotyping, and ordered the required material 
aud machinery. Our purpose is to stereotype each num¬ 
ber of the Bubal, which will enable us to supply back 
numbers at any time. 
Monthly New England Farmer.— Wo are indebted 
to the publishers for a nicely hound copy of this journal 
for 1867 . It is made up from the weekly issue of the 
Farmer, and in a furm convenient for reference, consti¬ 
tuting the initial volume of a “New Series," 
• A New-Yrar's Greeting.— After the trials, tribulations 
and dangers which we have passed in materially enlarging, 
and. we trust, greatly improving the Rural, we close our 
extra labors by cordially greeting all Ruralists,— Con¬ 
tributors. Correspondents. Agents, Subscribers, and even 
borrowers. The outside pages are on the press, printing, 
and we insiders can see how the Rural will appear in its 
eutirely now dress and enlarged borders.—and the ver¬ 
dict is (what we hope the reader’s will he) highly favor- 
aVde—not guilty of bad style or taste. We have neither 
time nor inclination to dilate upon the subject; hut. as 
Dean Swift said, after reading a brief text for a charity 
sermon, “If von like the security, down with the dust.” 
So, Reader, if you like the Rural, ip rite for it. subscribe 
for it. and induce your friends to do likewise. 
— IT not averse to apologizing, we would add that this 
number has been gotten np in such haste,—amid so many 
cares and perplexities,—us to preclude proper attention to 
details, aud bcuec lacks the completeness, in some de¬ 
partments. which will be apparent in future issues. As 
to (he pro-pcct- of the Rural, they were never so encour¬ 
aging as on this 31st day of December. A. D, 1807—as the 
receipt of several thousand dollars per day substantially 
testifies. Thanks, Good Friends, all over the land, for so 
generously and successfully seconding our efforts to fur¬ 
nish aud circulate the Best Journal of its Class. 
Union of Papers.— 1 The Farmer, Richmond, Ya., aud 
the SoUThern Planter of the same place, are to be united 
on the first of January, 1803 After that the style will be 
“The Planter and Southern Farmer.” Success attend 
the sensible combination. 
RURAL BRIEF-MENTI0N1NGS. 
The Iowa potato crop was large last season. 
The Shirley Shakers send apple-sauce to Russia. 
Cheese Factories are becoming common in Canada. 
The Buenos Ayres wool clip of last year amounted to 
100,000.01)0 pounds.. 
The opening ceremouies of the Illinois Industrial Uni¬ 
versity are to take piace March 11. 
An Iowa farmer telle of cat ting 35 tons of timothy hay 
from 15 acres—receiving £850 therefor. 
Near Monroe. Mich,, farmers and gardeners have 
planted, within 3 years, 37,000 grape vines. 
The nop Crop of Maine exceeded the general estimate 
last season. Uplaud crops were never better. 
Farmers measure t.heir duties by the yard just now— 
the barn-yard, the wood-yard, and the poultry-yard. 
The Annual Meeting of N. Y. 8tate Ag. Society is to be 
held at Albany, the- second Wednesday (13th) of l ebruary. 
The American Dairymen's Association will meet at 
Utica, N. Y . Jan 4—9. .See notice in our issue of Dec. 21. 
One of the aims in farming should be to produce, as far 
as possible, everytliing you consume—to buy nothing you 
can raise yourself. 
Cotbwold Sheep are said to be iu greater demand in 
England now than ever before. At a late sale, 55 rams 
averaged £150. gold. 
The farmers iu a portion of Iowa are said to have one 
hundred thousand bushels of surplus wheat stored, await¬ 
ing higher prices. 
A. Soil may coutuin all the elements necessary for fer¬ 
tility, be sufficiently moist, and stiff not he fertile unless 
air has free access. 
Foe the location of the grand National Wool Exposi¬ 
tion. to be held next Spring. Chicago, St. Louis and 
Clevclaud are understood to be competitors. 
X. A. Willard says that Mr. Stearns of Herkimer Co., 
N. Y,. last year raised 96 bushels of wheat from four bush 
els of wheat sowed broadcast ou three acres. 
A St. Paul paper thinks 15 bushels per acre is high 
enough as the average yield of wheat in Minnesota last 
season, and that the crop in that vicinity was damaged 20 
per cent, by rains after stacking. 
A Lot of Fine Wool, consigned by a single dealer, (the 
product of Harrison and Belmont counties, Ohio,) valued 
at $175 000, is uow stored ou the upper floor of a wool 
warehouse iu Philadelphia. Pa. 
An Ashtabula County (Ohio) farmer is uow engaged in 
buying sheep, believing they are a good investment at 
present prices. Recently, he was allowed to pick fifty- 
young ewes out of a flock at $1 25 each. 
The Illinois State Ag’l Society's committee on scoured 
fleeces recently reported an elaborate trial of wool cleans¬ 
ing, with results which are hut. the repetition of those 
whi ch have been reached by New York 3 nd Vermont trials. 
At the Government Experimental Farm, at Washing¬ 
ton, 570 varieties of cereals and garden vegetables were 
tested last year. Among these were 169 varieties of wheat, 
20 of oats. 10 of corn, 29 of grass seeds, and 36 of potatoes. 
Condensed Correspondence, Items, &c 
Correction.— We published, November 30th, extracts 
from what we termed “ a paper read by 11. D. Tkllkami’f 
at a meeting of the National Association of Wool Manu¬ 
facturers.'' &c. Mr. T. calls our attention to the fact that 
it. was a report addressed to the President of that Asso¬ 
ciation, in consequence of the fifth aud sixth resolutions, 
adopted by the Association Oct. 2d, and heretofore pub¬ 
lished in this paper. 
Salt for Sheep in Winter.— “New Beginner," St. 
Louis, Mo., asks if “salt is indispensable for sheep in 
winter." We regard it eo. We should not dare to winter 
sheep without it, especially when any kind ql disease is 
prevalent, The best way is to give sheep constant, access 
to iu—allowing their instincts to guide them iu its use, 
The Rural's Southern Circulation is increasing in 
a gratitVing manner, though we have made no special 
effort iu that direction. Eveiy mail brings us remittances, 
requests for specimens, etc., from sections where the 
Rural never before circulated—showing that former pre¬ 
judices arc vanishing, ami the prevalence of an increasing 
desire for information in regard to our best systems of 
culture, labor-saving implements, etc. We are also re¬ 
ceiving articles for publication from intelligent gentlemen 
in various parts of the South, and think they will be read 
with interest in all sections of the Union. Those given 
in late numbers of the Rural— and especially the excel¬ 
lent, letters from Texas and Arkansas, published in cmr 
issue of the 14th nit.—have attracted much attention, and 
many mnnines for further information about the South. 
Among Lite marked improvements in farm opera¬ 
tions of the day may be ranked the institution of 
choose factories. They have produced, in the prom¬ 
inent dairy regions, a marked revolution iu the man¬ 
ufacture of cheese, affording; an improved article and 
a consequent appreciation of its value iu the market. 
The tendency of New York fanning sets strongly in 
the direction of the daily, not only in sections where 
wheat growing is a precarious business, but also in 
those heretofore noted for the production of this 
commodity. Success in tlnl factory system of cheese 
making has naturally lead to its application to tkcflj 
department of butter manitfaoturing, hence we find 
butter attachments to client factories, or the erec¬ 
tion of buildings specially designed for this branch 
of the dairy business, rapidly growing into favor 
with the farming public. In sections where water¬ 
power is readily available for churning purposes, a 
butter factory could be cheaply operated, — but in 
the absence of this power, that of steam may be 
substituted aud prove a pacing investment, Among 
the essentials to success, tLe N. Y. Tribune mentions 
a cold spring of water, good stock of ice well 
stored aud saved. That paper adds: —“A large 
reservoir (like a cellar) i»j dug in the ground aud 
tightly walled with planks j board platforms extend 
into tills, floating on two cf three feet of water, con¬ 
stantly renewed from the .tpriqg. In this reservoir, 
deep pails or cans are sei and tilled three-fourths 
full of milk- — they sinking and floating in a like 
depth of water. The mi k remains here 24 to 3G 
hours, when the cream is taken off' and churned by 
steam or water-power—six to twenty-four churns 
being operated at once, with no draft on human 
muscle. The butter thus made each day, from cream 
in the very highest condiiion, is of such uniform and 
superior quality as to brng from five to ten cents 
per pound more than fair arm dairies will command. 
And the milk, thus skiumed, is then made into 
cheese, rather mild in flavor, but palatable and of 
very fair quality. We never wish to eat better than 
some, of this, made wittily of skimmed milk, aud 
sold by the makers at ten cents per pound to their 
entire satisfaction.’’ 
Tape Worms in SnEEP.—T. P. Skinner, Sego, Ohio, 
has answered our questions in relation to the tape worms 
in sheep, supposed by him to cause pale disease. We shall 
publish his communication ae soon as practicable, with 
our own views on the subject. 
W inter M anaoemrnt of Rams— •• J. R. P.," Elkhorn, 
Wife., asks how "high fed rams should be treated after the 
close of the coupling season.” The grain feed should be 
gradually reduced to a moderate amount, but not entirely 
taken off. The animal should not be confined in a stall 
or small enclosure in the barn, but be suffered to run out 
daily in the open air and sunlight, If the high feed is 
kept. up. and the ram kept closely confined, there is great 
danger that illness, if not death, will be the result. 
History of Cotswold Sheep.—W e have received from 
a Cotswold breeder a pamphlet on the above subject, by 
James Marsh Read. Cirencester, England, which we 
shall call attention to ou some future occasion. 
The Rural in Canada.— During the late “onpleaeant- 
uis " between the North aud South, and the more recent 
Fenian imbroglio, ottr Canadian circulation was consid¬ 
erably diminished, but the past year it has been increas¬ 
ing. and, judging from present indications, will ere long 
be ns large as ever. Many of our old friends in Ontario 
(nee Canada West) are subscribing and forming clubs for 
1868, and nol a lew of them express regret that they ever 
left ye good ship Rural. All right, friends! You may 
return, (minus the sackcloth and ashes.) as arc many 
temporarily mistaken souls on this side of the line—such, 
for example, as changed to other papers under the delu¬ 
sion that they were cheaper because they cost less thau 
the Rural I But that delusion rarely lasts over a year, as 
our books attest. “ The Best is toe Cheapest." 
Wool Growers' Meeting at Pittsburg, Pa., Nov. 
27 th.—W e exceedingly regret that a report of this meet¬ 
ing lias not appeared in our columns. But a miscarriage 
of one of our letters, and the detention of another by 
blocked-up roacls, have deferred its publication until so 
unseasonable a period —and other matter has so much 
accumulated on our hands—that we have reluctantly con¬ 
cluded to pass It over after merely slating the following 
factsH. 8. Randall of N. Y. was appointed President, 
and W. F. Greer or Ohio, Secretary. Dr. F. J, LeMoyne 
of Pa. offered Cite following resolution; 
Resolved, That the present low price of wool does not 
result from any defect in the present tariff law. but has 
resulted from tnc postponed enactment of it. thus giving 
opportunity to ^importers to glut our market with wool 
and woolens, causing an extraordinary and protracted 
rtiling of low prices. 
The general subject of the wool tariff was then dis¬ 
cussed by Dr. LeMoyne of Pa.. Don, C. Delano of Ohio, 
Dr White of Pa., Gen. S. D. Harris of Ohio, Hon. 
Titos. J. Bingham of Pa., Col. James M. Cooper of Pa., 
Dr. McCook of Pa., Hon. R. M. Montgomery of Ohio, 
Major Sam’l McFarland of Pa., and others. Some of 
Wearing Out the Land.— The editor of the Monthly 
Report of the Department of Agriculture at Washington. 
J. R. Dodge, Esq., lias been ou a tour of inspection 
through the wheat growing regions of the West. His 
observations there lead him to the conclusion that the 
manner of wheat, cultivation iu that, section is wrong, 
and must soon prove ruinous to the farmers who practice 
it. By the course of cropping pursued the yield per acre 
has dwindled down from twenty-five to thirty bushels to 
an average of twelve or fourteen, and is yearly diminish¬ 
ing. To arrest this downward tendency it is proposed to 
diversify ihe crops more, thus giving the soil a chance to 
recuperate while supplyring a greater variety of products. 
