L -vV 
fZrvfc.VYS 
IM 
r 
jjktft. 
Hid? 
the Collins Co. of Collinsville, Ct., one medal and 
three diplomas; to C. W. Sykes of Suflield, Ct., 
two diplomas, with very honorable mention; to 
the Belcher & Taylor Agricultural Tool Co. of 
Chicopee Falls, one diploma, and to Solomon 
Meade of New Haven, Ct., one diploma. 
Prof. Knox, the veteran artist of the Ames Plow 
Co.,—discoverer of the mathematical relations that 
one part of a plow should bear to another, and in¬ 
ventor of a majority of the winning plows,—may 
well feel proud of this recognition of his high claim 
as the chief of plow* makers. It should be re¬ 
marked in this connection that the new style 
swivel plow of Mr. Sykes’ was highly approved by 
everybody who saw it; but as it is not duplicated 
and not on the market, the committee did not feel 
warranted in awarding It a medal. The Morse 
Co.’s iron beam plow, winner of the medal in class 
1, was much admired by the bystanders, and I could 
not help thinking that if some of the other plows 
had, like that, been bent there all alone, to stand or 
fall upon their own merits, instead of being too 
zealously supported, the result might have been 
more favorable for their contributors. 
It is a matter of surprise to many that, of all the 
many plow makers in New England, but six could 
be found willing to enter their wares for trial. The 
firm that earned off the majority of the prizes at 
Utica hist fall, believing that “discretion is the bet¬ 
ter part of valor,” did not deem it best to risk an¬ 
other experiment. 
One of the happy Incidents connected with the 
trial, was a levee given by President Clark at 
his residence, on Wednesday evening. Among the 
guests on the occasion were the Faculty of Am¬ 
herst College, the Trustees and Faculty of the 
Agricultural College, including, of course, the ven¬ 
erable pioneer In the cause of Agricultural Educa¬ 
tion, Col. Wilder of Dorchester, Mr. Secretary’ 
Flint of the Mass. Board of Agriculture, and the 
officers and guests of the New England Society. 
It was my purpose to write a brief notice of the 
Agricultural College, but I have already spun too 
long a yarn, and I must close with a simple ex¬ 
pression of thanks to all for the many kindly cour¬ 
tesies extended to me. o. s. n. 
Amherst, Mass., May 6t.h, 1808. 
JUicfji fiiiskiuU'j?. 
EDITED BY HENRY S. RANDALL, LL. D. 
A REFORMATION NEEDED IN WOOL 
buying. 
Tiiat a reformation in the selection of agents for 
buying wool, and in the mode of purchasing it, is 
demanded by the best interests of both the grower 
and manufacturer, is perfectly apparent to the sen¬ 
sible men in each of those occupations. It is noto¬ 
rious that not one-half of the buying agents are 
anything like good judges of wool. To be a nice 
judge is an art, and requires much experience — 
far more than can be acquired by annually buying 
wool a couple of months during two or three, or 
even half a dozen years. We have seen farmers 
who have spent their lives in growiug wool, and 
wool merchants and dealers who have spent their 
Jives in handling it, who were scarcely fair judges of 
the article. To be a very skillful mechanic, a man 
must have, besides experience, naturally mechanical 
tastes, eyes, and hands. The wool expert, must 
equally, in our judgment, have this natural adapta¬ 
tion joined to long practice. 
It these things are 60 , what degree of proper dis¬ 
crimination is to be expected from buyers possess¬ 
ing little or no experience? During the existing 
depression in manufacturing, more than the ordi¬ 
nary circumspection has been employed in selecting 
agents. Manufacturers, and consequently dealers, 
have, found it necessary to buy “ close: ” and the 
former, instead of laying In large stocks for the year 
soon after shearing, as they formerly did, buy in lim¬ 
ited quantities from time to time—just fast enough 
to keep their mills running. Consequently, there 
has been no rush in purchasing; few traveling agentB 
comparatively have been employed; utterly incom¬ 
petent ones have not been quite so frequently em 
ployed; and therefore rather more reference has 
been had to quality and condition in the prices paid 
for washed wool. There would have been still more, 
but for one pernicious old custom of the trade, and 
an attempt to establish some very Injudicious new 
ones. 
The highly pernicious old custom referred to is of 
pricing wools by localities. Thus the clips of New 
York, Ohio, Illinois, &c., are each rated, iu theaggre" 
gate, at a different rauge of prices. And those States 
are subdivided into counties or groups of counties, 
between which a similar discrimination i6 made. 
If one State or county, on the average, produces 
better or cleaner wools than another, it is perfectly 
right that its wools obtain a higher average price. 
But is this any excuse for saying that all the wools 
in either, without respect to the quality or condition 
of individual lots, shall go for about the same price ? 
Yet this'is substantially insisted on by dealers. They 
send out buying agents restricted in the prices which 
they arc allowed to pay in particular regions. They 
rarely or never put the maximum price allowed to 
be paid, high enough to make a fair, or even decent, 
remuneration for the choicest wools of the region. 
When one of these choice lots is shown to the agent, 
he admires it, sometimes admits that it is worth 
more than he is authorized to pay, but says he 
“ must obey orders.” The owner is compelled to 
6 ell at the price at which inferior and dirtier wools 
are selling, or keep it on hand until the bulk of the 
wools of the region are sold out—and until, perhaps, 
not enough lots are left to make it an object for other 
buyers to come in to pick them up. In that case 
they must be kept over the year, perhaps to have the 
same thing take place another year. What is Ike in - 
evitable result of such a system? (Jan growers be 
expected to produce superior and superior condi¬ 
tioned wool, when they perfectly well know, in ad¬ 
vance, that they will be robbed—yes, robbed—of their 
just remuneration for an object which we will now 
proceed to state ? 
What is the excuse given by the dealers for thus 
tying up the hands of their buyers, by fixing maxi¬ 
mum prices concededly below the value of the 
choice, clean wools of the regions into which they 
are sent ¥ Why, that all the growers of the region 
will insist on having about the 6amc prices which 
are paid for the best, or they will refuse to sell. 
Consequently, to enable the dealer to make rapid 
and clean work in buying up wool, to enable the 
agent to pocket a good commission without un¬ 
necessary expense of time or travel, and to obtain 
the bulk of the wool on good terms, it has been 
deemed expedient to fix the maximum price of each 
locality at about the middle or average of the actnal 
value of the aggregate clip, so that as much of it shall 
be brought under as aver the actual value ! 
Such is the splendid encouragement which the 
„ dealer—always whining and passing resolutions 
about inferior, ill-conditioned wools—offers for the 
production of good, clean wool! He pays a direct 
premium on the bad article— a premium not taken 
from bis own pocket, but wrenched from the grower 
of the good article—and then scolds and whines and 
affects astonishment because the seed ke has planted 
and 60 diligently watered bears its legitimate fruit. 
There have been a few old-fashioned men who have 
continued to produce none but good and well con¬ 
ditioned wool, because they did not know how to 
do business in any other way. Thoroughness was a 
principle with them, even when it wouldn’t pay. 
But tliey arc fast dying out or deserting the busi¬ 
ness. Young America is a shrewder chap. He 
won't take the trouble to raise figs, when thistles 
will fetch as much. You will not catch him care¬ 
fully screening his wheat for market, when he knows 
that mixed half with cockle, cbesa, oats, &c., it will 
sell for about the same price. We don’t think he 
would he trauscendently particular to carry good 
butter or potatoes to market, if somebody would 
pay him a premium which would make it equally 
remunerative to carry half worked butter or un¬ 
sorted potatoes to market. » 
The present situation of the dealers remote us- of 
that of the person in Bulweii’s talc, who learned 
the invocation which caused the water spirits to 
pour forth their stores, but forgot to learn the 
words to stop them—and therefore was drowned! 
But, on second thought, there is this etrong dis¬ 
tinction between the cases. The drowning mau had 
DO time to save himself. Wool dealers can yet learn 
the counter invocation, and bail out the inrushing 
fiood—of grease! They have but to do right—to 
pay fairly for whftt they want to get—make a proper 
discrimination in price in favor of good, clean wool 
—make it equally remunerative to grow it—and they 
will speedily be able to obtain the most ample sup¬ 
ply. Will they do this, or will they fight it out on 
the old liue ? Of one thing they may rest perfectly 
assured. By no resolutions they can pass, no “ rales” 
they can attempt to enforce, no combinations they 
can form, will they coerce American growers to pro¬ 
duce fine, clean wool, in order to sell it at a mere 
trifle above the heavy, half washed wool. 
Such is the old and great nuisance which requires 
abatement in the trade of what is termed washed 
wool. But instead of talcing steps towards this 
abatement, the buyers are attempting to create and 
enforce new r nuisances! A body of them under the 
sounding title of “The Woolen Manufacturers’ As¬ 
sociation of the Northwest,” in resolutions passed 
at Chicago, Feb. l'Jth, classed all fleeces “stuffed 
with tags,” “black fleeces,” &c., as unmerchant¬ 
able, decided that a deduction of one-third should 
be made on them, and formally agreed to be gov¬ 
erned by these rales in all cases. The context shows 
that the words 11 stuffed with tags,” merely meant 
putting in tbe fleece the tags taken from it; and cir¬ 
cumstances also prove it,—for who ever heard of 
anybody buying tags to put in hi6 fleeces ? In qual¬ 
ity, tags, as the word is nsually understood, (dip¬ 
pings from the breech which are liable to become 
dungy in spring,) are not the worst part of the 
fleece, and when clean, are good, workable wool. 
If put in the same condition with the rest of the 
fleece, there is not a shadow of a good reason why 
they should not be sold with the fleece and at the 
same price, We see that the Ohio Buyers’ Conven¬ 
tion, which met a few days since, in their resolu¬ 
tions, say:—“ We further recommend all buyers to 
urge the growers to bring their tags carefully tub- 
washed and loose, to market, outside the fleece, and 
wc agree to pay for them the same price of the bal¬ 
ance of the clip, provided tliey are in equal condi¬ 
tion.” That will do. Tha>. is the most rational 
step to reform a particular grievance, that we have 
yet seen in the proceedings of any convocation of 
wool buyers. Here we have a definite promise to 
make better handling equally remunerative. This 
will be fouud a far better and more successful 
caurse, than imperiously threatening the grower 
with the confiscation of one-third of his fleeces, if 
ho presumes to sell them whole, and will not throw 
out a part aud sell the thrown out part, (so it has 
hitherto resulted practically) for a song. 
And then to think of this “ Manufacturers’ Asso¬ 
ciation of the Northwest,” passing a shrinkage or 
confiscation rule on black fleeces! We suppose there 
may possibly be one black sheep in two hundred. 
Black wool is a little less valuable. It was a matter 
demanding serious attention! Nothing short of a 
fixed and published rule would properly meet the 
emergency. But some of the aspects of the case 
were overlooked. How if a sheep is part white and 
part black ? Shall it be separated, and the black 
wool alone undergo the prescribed confiscation, or 
must the whole fleece go in as black ? Seriously, 
this st rikes us as very small business. 
We believe the wool growers of the “ Northwest" 
and the growers in all parts of the country, will 
never submit to the arbitrary dictation of cither 
dealers or manufacturers in regard to the mode of 
marketing, or rales for selling their wool. We be- 
lieve they will sell their wool unwashed or washed, 
as they please,—and that they will never grow fine, 
light wool and put it up in choice condition, until 
they can obtain a decent remuneration for so doing. 
We most deeply regret the depredation 1'rom the for¬ 
mer standard, in the average condition of American 
wools,—but we more regret that suicidal and short¬ 
sighted policy on the part of buyers which has pro¬ 
duced this effect, and which will continue to pro¬ 
duce it until the cause is removed. And this will 
never be removed until the buyers and dealers aban¬ 
don their present unjust and absurd system of pur¬ 
chasing. 
•-- 4'»4 > . »- 
PURE SAXON SHEEP. 
“A real Friend of the Wool Growing Interest” 
(at Chicago,) whose letter was published, with some 
comments of our own, in these columns April 4th, 
l.%8, again writes ns: 
“You ask if Mr. Harris lias tested Buenos Ayres 
wools ‘alongside with wbat were formerly generally known 
iu the trade as Washington C'o, wools—grown in Wash¬ 
ington Co., Pennsylvania, and adjacent portions of Vir- 
g 'nin and Ohio?—such wools as Old John Brown, of 
arper'e Terry memory, used to deal so largely in ?’ You 
say' some of the sheep bearing Washington Co. wools 
are yet grown, - Ac. Now, these wools were pure Saxou. 
Will yon be good enough to inform me who grows them 
and when they tire grown? Can you give me the post- 
office address of the owner or one hundred such sheep in 
the regions mentioned? li so, you will do me, and per¬ 
haps some breeders and manufacturers, a favor. I con¬ 
cede your great accuracy and fairness generally in the 
statement of fiicte which affect the wool and woolen in¬ 
terests of the country, aud your grout knowledge of the 
subject; but in this particular matter my own sources of 
information ought also to be considered good, and 1 be¬ 
lieve Saxons of undoubted purity, or sheep bearing their 
precise quality of wool, arc entirely or nearly extinct in 
this country.’' *4***4 
Other matters have delayed our reply several 
weeks. We will now proceed to give our some¬ 
what categorical, but at the same time respectful 
interrogator the definite information which he asks. 
We have good authority for believing that the fol¬ 
lowing gentlemen breed sheep of the most un¬ 
doubted purity of blood, and as regards wool, 
coming strictly under the description in the last 
sentence of above letter. And to show that the 
breed are not “ nearly extinct,” wc give what we 
are informed are about the usual numbers of sheep 
kept in the several flocks:—John KirtUuJ, Poland, 
Mahoning Co., Ohio, 500; John flisey, Columbiana, 
Columbiana Co., Ohio, 80G; Thomas Wood, Smith- 
field, Jefferson Co., Ohio, 000; Richard Ridgely, 
West Liberty, Ohio Co., West Virginia, 1,000; Pea¬ 
body Atkinson, Triadclpbia, Ohio Co., West Vir¬ 
ginia, £00; Dr, J. C. Campbell, Wheeling, West 
Virginia, 000; John Wilson, Wheeling, West Vir¬ 
ginia, 300; J. McDowel, Washington, Washington 
Co., Pennsylvania, 800; Mr. Davis, Washington, 
Washington Co., Pennsylvania, 500; Mr. Clark, 
Washington, Washington Co., Pennsylvania, 400; 
Mr. Gabby, Washington, Washington Co., Pennsyl¬ 
vania, 500; Lysander Patterson, Patterson's Mills, 
Washington Co., Pennsylvania, 200; Mark R. Cock- 
rill, Nashville, Tennessee, number unknown. 
We have mentioned above only as specimens of 
the pure Baxon flocks—flocks fit to draw breeding 
rams of this variety from—in regard to which we 
have definite and, we suppose, entirely reliable in¬ 
formation, There are doubtless a great many 
others in the same and other States, concerning 
which we have not such information. And we 
know there arc a multitude of flocks, scattered 
through all the principal wool growing States, 
which produce wool only a shade or two lower in 
quality, but tine and short enough to make good 
broadcloths. We confidently repeat the opinion 
heretofore expressed, that with remunerating prices 
the production of this kind of wool can, and we 
have no doubt will, fully keep pace with its manu¬ 
facture in the United States. 
- 4 «» ♦-- 
ONTARIO AND LIV. CO. SHEEP FAIR. 
ONE-THIRD SHRINKAGE RI LE. 
At the Annual Fair of the Ontario and Livingston 
Co. (N. Y.) Wool Growers’ Association, May (J, the 
following resolutions were unanimously adopted: 
Whereas, Various wool buyers' conventions have re¬ 
cently passed resolutions in favor of enforcing the one- 
third '-bnnkage rule on all unwashed wool, without 
regard to breed or condition, and in favor of other 
“rules” equally unjustifiable; and. whereas, buyers in 
different parts of the country a re now attempting to form 
a genera) combination to force these rules on the grower, 
by pledging themselves to purchase wool on no other 
conditions, it Is hereby 
Resolved, That we recognize no right on the part of 
buyers to dictate any rules to producer* other than those 
constituted by iaw, and by tin established and mutually 
recognized customs of the trade; that an attempt to im- 
pose'such rules by combination, without the assent and 
contrary to the interests of the seller, is a most unwar¬ 
rantable and arrogant assumption of ftnthoriiy. 
Resolved, Thai the one third shrinkage rula is in force 
in no other country -is not applied, iu the trade, to un¬ 
washed wool imported from other countries—is not 
called for by the leading man alia Iurfirs of the United 
States-tinrls no precedent or support in the established 
rules for the purchase of any other product—Is wholly 
unnecessary—and operates with palpable inequality aud 
injustice In respect to the woo! of different breeds of 
sheep, and to wool of the same breed under different 
inodes of treatment. That so apparent are the latter 
facts, that no meeting of buyers or others, which has en¬ 
dorsed these rules, has ventured to embody any reasons 
or excuse for them in its resolutions, or in any other 
form of manifesto addressed to tbe public. 
Rewired, Thst we pledge ourselves not to submit to 
those rules in our individual sales: not to send our wool 
to any commission bouses for sate which will not ex¬ 
pressly agree wholly to disregard those rules, and to sell 
our wool according to its actual quality and condition; 
aud we earnestly recommend ail the wool growers 
throughout the country to adopt a similar course. 
Resolved, That we disapprove of putting dung or dead 
wool into fleeces, or tags whirl; are not in a- clean con¬ 
dition as the fleece : or of using an Unnecessary amount, 
of twine ; and that doing either of these things justly 
entitles the buyer to make a deduction In the price fully 
proportioned to the increase of weight obtained by such 
practices. 
-- 4 .» 40 »-- 
Condensed Correspondence, Items, 4o. 
-7 4 
Good Me kino Fleeces.—M. A. wkins of Castleton, 
Vt., writes us that two yearling ores of his yielded re¬ 
spectively 10 lbs. 6 oz., and 18 lbs. If wool; five two year 
olds, 17 lbs., 10 lbs. 8 oz., 14 lbs., 12 lbs. 4 oz., 13 lbs. 11 
oz.; older ones, 9 lbs., 3 oz., 13 lbs. 3 oz., 13 lbs. 4 oz., 12 
lbs. 12 oz., and 12 lbs. A sample of the lightest fleece in 
the lot is forwarded. It is about Bit inches long, and of 
very fair quality. 
Ohio Wool Buyers' Association.—T his body held its 
annual meeting in Cleveland abput the flrst of May 
“The meeting.” says the Ohio iFarmcr, 1 would have 
beeu one of perfect harmony and unanimity of opinion, 
had it not been that a certain trouplosome old fellow from 
the office of the Ohio Farmer would persist In saying 
things and asking questions.” This “old fellow" (Gen. 
Harris) said many things to the purpose, and asked some 
puzzling questions, but we have not room to give the 
discussion. The following resolutions were adopted: 
Whereas. The wool growers have been instrumental in 
securing the passage of a tariff that excludes certain 
grade? or qualities of wool much needed by manufac¬ 
turers. such as combing and strictly fine, light, fancy, 
clothing wools. 
Unsolved, That wc recommend the grower? of Ohio to 
give special attention to the production of those kinds of 
wool that will supply the present wants of manufac¬ 
turers, and we feel confident in assuring the farmer that 
their goods will command a ready market aud a fair price. 
Resolved , That the members of this association do 
hereby most heartily endorse and re-affirm the principles 
embodied In the “ Rule? and Regulations of 1807.” We 
further recommend all buyers to urge the growers to 
bring their “ tags” carefully tub wasned, ana loose, to 
market outside of the fleece, aud we agree to pay for 
them the same price of the balance of the clip, provided 
they are in equal condition. 
We believe the “Rules aud Regulations” re-affirmed 
in the third resolution include the one-third shrinkage 
rule. &c. 
it* loaltrg - iarh. 
natures subject to Christianity! The Society for 
the “ Prevention of Cruelty” should not overlook 
the too often abused hen,—abused shockingly, after 
having fed aud nourished us as nothing else does or 
can! Poulterers, Farmers, Humanity, I appeal from 
such decisions, and for those of common, practical 
sense. The feverish excitement under which the 
hen labors is a weakness occasioned by long exer¬ 
tion, and subsides -when the fowl is again in prosper¬ 
ous condition. And it is for the poulterer’6 interest 
to use, and not abuse, poor “biddy” to that end. 
Shut her apart from nests and male fowls, feed pien- 
teously aud water freely; give her good roosts, and, 
my experience for it, you will never do wrongly 
again. Keep her thus, until the ominous cluck is 
omitted, and soon the pleasant song will take its 
place, and the eggs will shortly follow the gladsome 
notes. 
Is not this the better way ? That it is practically 
feasible, I know ; and that it is profitably preferable, 
t need not ask your good opinions to acquiesce in. 
There are many persons who would be poulterers 
were it not for the targe mischief which fowls trans¬ 
act out of their enclosures. It is with many an al¬ 
most, if uot quite, impossible feat to confine hens, 
especially if their pen is small. Let every person so 
afflicted try this simple eure:—Take the fowls be¬ 
tween your knees, and pull out, not cut, the first 
eight or ten wing feathers, commonly known as 
flight feathers, counting from the outside. When 
drawn out one by one, they yield with an ease hardly 
supposable. The fowls seem to suffer none from 
the hurt, aud their appearance remains the same. 
Fences for poultry need not be higher than ordinary 
farm fences, when fowls have their flight feathers 
extracted, being careful to have the cracks between 
tbe boards so narrow they cannot crawl through. 
There is a wide difference of opinion how large in- 
closures should be for any number of fowls. W r e 
fiud that one and one-half rodB square is sufficient 
for a dozen fowls; double this yard and you may 
treble your number of fowls. Again, we hear much 
dispute concerning the proper number of male birds 
among hens. We say one cock to a dozen hens. 
Eggs will hatch better from this proportion of the 
sexes than if the number of males were doubled. 
Lomas. 
- ■■ ■» ♦«--»-- 
Longevity of Fowiis —A common hen will live, 
in some cases, from ten to fifteen years, hut is not 
profitable after the third and fourth year. A hen is 
in her prime the first and second years. Wc do not 
keep any after the third year, except some of our 
choice birds. 
rv cv; c < 
|>ce - peeper’s pepurtmenl 
ems. 
HINTS TO POULTERERS.-No. V. 
SETTING HENS—“ BREAKING ” SETTERS, ETC. 
When poulterers desire fowls to set, oh, then 
how fine a thing to have a good setter! But when 
the course of egg laying is desired to be smooth and 
uninterrupted, how provoking is the ominous cluck! 
But it is just as natural for a hen to desire to set as 
it is for her to lay eggs, wc know. That there 1 b a 
vast difference between hens in this respect, we 
readily admit; but in all our experience we never 
have seen a variety yet destitute of the desire to 
set. But such is the wishy-washy prologue we are 
too ofteu insulted with, when some far distant 
speculator would “ sell ,” either extraordinary fowls, 
or unsophisticated poulterers. Observation teaches 
that all the Asiatic breeds are uncommonly wanton 
in this respect. The Spanish, much less 80; and 
the Boltons aud Leghorns still less; yet these de¬ 
sire to set sometimes, and are often very tenacious 
of their right to do so. So far from “never Inclin¬ 
ing to set,” as per Bement, (page 159,) Boltons are 
thus inclined, and make the best of mothers. If a 
breed can be proved to lie without the property of 
setting, I think it will appear, in that event, to he 
much like the horse warranted to stand without 
tyiug, which could not be started with a whij); the 
property of sterility may be claimed as theirs also. 
It is not advantageous to have fowls Bet whenever 
nature prompts them, and we desire to “break" 
them up. How shall we do it ? is a question which 
arises in the minds of all poulterers. One says : 
“ Put them iuto a barrel, in the bottom of which 
are about six inches of water; let them remain for 
two days!” Another—“Tie their legs three or 
four inches apart!” Aud still another—“Starve 
them for a week!” Such brutality is shocking to 
ENEMIES OF BEES —REMEDIES. 
Bees have several real enemies, and not a few 
imaginary or questionable ones. First in the list, 
and the most auuoyiug, is the bee-moth, followed 
by the bee martin or king-bird. This is a disputed 
point, as this bird is reported to feed on drones 
only, at a time when they are about played out, and 
therefore not of much consequence. The wood- 
picker is accused of rapping on hives and, when 
the bees issue, of gobbling uji some. Mice occa¬ 
sionally work their way into hives and commit dep¬ 
redations, while toadB, snakes, hornets and spiders 
—the latter by means of their webs—are charged 
with depredating on bee colonies. Lastly, bees 
depredate on or rob each otbcl. Most of these 
enemies, the moth excepted, are probably rattier 
fanciful than real—their depredations being on a 
limited scale; occasional or accidental rather than 
premeditated or persistent. These enemies, gener¬ 
ally, are of such a character as to elude summary 
execution — though birds may be shot, toads crash¬ 
ed, aud spider webs swept away when found, but 
neither of these processes is likely to prove a pay¬ 
ing one. 
Tbe most annoying and disturbing enemy the 
bee has, is the bee termed pirate. It is painful to 
witness the commotion in a hive assailed by a 
strong band of brigands. If the assailed colony 
he weak and the enemy strong, tbe former, if not 
aided, will be demoralized if not broken up. Iu 
such cases, D. L. Adair, Esq., in his new system 
of Bee-Keeping, recommends making a smoke, for 
some hours, in front of the hive attacked; rubbing 
turpentine about the entrance of the same; placing 
pieces of onions or garlic in the hive of the robbers, 
which will give them so strong a scent that the 
guard-bees in the other will be enabled to distin¬ 
guish enemies from friends; contraction of the en¬ 
trance so that but one bee can pass at a time; 
removal of the robber hive a considerable distance 
from its original position; throwing a litter of small 
chips or shavings into the hive of the robbers, which 
will divert their attention from robbing while clean¬ 
ing out their own domicil. To ascertain the home 
of the robbers, to a certainty, it is recommended to 
throw some flour on them as they are leaving with 
their booty, aud notice what hive they enter. Once 
found, they may be dealt with in such a manner as 
shall promise the best results. Finally, it is recom¬ 
mended to keep the several colonies as nearly of 
equal strength as possible, as the danger of robbing 
will be much diminished. 
-- 
PREPARATION FOR SWARMING. 
Many persons, who know better, neglect to clean 
their bee stands in the spring — an operation grate¬ 
ful to the bees and essential to a full development 
of their productive powers, There is sometimes 
remissness, too, in preparing hives for the swarming 
season, resulting often in the loss of colonics, which 
otherwise would not have sought a forest domicil. 
No matter what description of hive is used, it is best 
to have an ample number on hand to meet any pos¬ 
sible exigency which the freaks of off-shooting colo¬ 
nies may chance to display. These preparations 
may not save all, but the chances are they will, if 
uot delayed till the moment when the outgoing col¬ 
ony is about to take wing. It is a trite saying that 
“delays are dangerous,” and in nothing are they 
more so than with bees in the swarming season. 
---- 
BEE-HIVES. 
It is the. opinion of some practical bee-keepers 
that tall, narrow hives do not preserve the colonies 
in winter any better, if as well, as broader aud shal¬ 
lower ones, A hive ten iuehes deep is deemed about 
right if pretty broad, as the bees will store more 
honey and be nearer the brood apartment, which 
seem6 to 6uit the workers best. A hive teu inches 
high and fifteen or eighteen broad will give ample 
room to begin with. As the hive fills, others may 
be added and removed as circumstances warrant. If 
it is not desirable to have a colony throw off others, 
a hive placed under the original one will most likely 
prevent swarming, hut whether thi6 is advantageous, 
on the whole, is a matter about which opinions vary. 
tmral Elates atrtr 
The Weather, Crops, &c.— A bountiful supply of rain 
has fallen in Western and Central New York during the 
past week, and from reports we hear, it seem? no part of 
the country is at present suffering from Lack of it. Many 
sections have complained of too much this Pining, hut 
here fanners have wished for more vain than lias been 
given. Now there is an ahandance of moisture, and with 
spring grains already above ground, and a large share of 
the planting done, farmers are contented to “let, it rain/’ 
It comes Indeed opportunely, aud '.hough with the pres¬ 
ent northwest storm the mercury ha? dropped into the 
forties, yet for many days previous it averaged 00”, and 
as a consequence tbe peach and cherry trees dressed np 
in blossoms, and a dark green tinge crept- over the apple 
orchards and maple groves. Crops are looking finely, 
aud though the grumblers have their chroDic croaking 
about the -‘backwardness of the season,” the latter part 
of May brings all.vegetation to its standard growth and 
forwardness. 
- - 4 4 4 -- 
Improved Farming Implements,— At a late meeting of 
the Herkimer Farmers' Club the subject of improved 
farming implement? was pretty thoroughly ventilated. 
Many of the more prominent members of the Clnb par¬ 
ticipated in the discussions, and there was a general con¬ 
currence of views as to the worthlessness of nine-tenths of 
the patent? claiming an improvement in various fanning 
implements. Among the things specially denounced as a 
bnmbng and swindle was the patent hay loader, so per¬ 
sistently urged upon the attention of farmers. As a 
means of warding oft the evil complained of, a committee 
was appointed to examine what are denominated im¬ 
proved farm implements, and report to the Club as each 
claim is passed upon. In this way it Is thought valuable 
improvements will be brought prominently before the 
public, and worthless articles consigned to merited ob¬ 
livion. 
- 4*4 - 
Hoo Cholera,—H, C Dickson, Talbot Co , Ga., find¬ 
ing his herd of swine rapidly diminishing in consequence 
o f cholera, experimented on the ailing ones successfully. 
When a hog was attacked, it was thrown upon its back 
and a gag placed in its mouth. A strong dose of salts—a 
half a teacnpful—was dissolved in a bottle, and poured 
down tbe throat, of the hog. If the action was not favor¬ 
able, the dose was repeated in about six hour?, and 
always with success. After the salts commenced to 
operate, laudanum was administered as a soothing po¬ 
tion, and with manifest advantage. In cases of the 
milder type, laudanum alone will effect a cure. 
- 4—4 - 
Sheep in Steuben Co.—The Courier at Bath notices a 
flock of sheep recently sheared by Alexander Arnold 
& Sons of Avoca — parties noted for the excellence of 
their flocks. At a shearing, on the dth and 0th of May, 
ten Merino ewes, two and three year? old, sheared 150& 
pounds of wool. Their aggregate weight, of carcass was 
074 pound?. The fleeces were from lour to eight day? 
short of one year’s growth. The Infantado ram, Eureka, 
sheared 24 pounds—fleece one year old, and weight of car¬ 
cass 110 pounds. 
- ♦♦4 - 
Hurrying Farm Work. —It is a good thing for a 
farmer to have his ground mapped out, the crop for every 
section specified, and the time for working each part 
noted in his plan of action. But this rule is liable to 
modification from causes not foreseen, and especially 
from tbe character of the weather. If it has been de¬ 
cided to plow such a field at a given time, it would be 
poor policy to do it if the soil was overcharged with 
water, or too arid to make plowing easy or profitable. 
4 44 - 
“ Sterility is laid,” is the text of an address deliv¬ 
ered before the Bedford (N. H.) Farmers' Club by John 
A, Riddle, Esq , of Manchester, N. H. The principal aim 
of the author seems to have been to elucidate and give 
prominence to the new system of Agriculture as put 
forth by Prof, Ville an eminent French chemist and 
practical culturist. The lecture is published iu pamphlet 
form, and is worthy of perusal. 
-4~*"*- 
Rain in the Occident.— Late California papers men¬ 
tion the season as an uncommonly wet one there. The 
rains have been copious and protracted, retarding ma¬ 
terially farming operations. Owing to the character of 
the climate there, the delay in farm work is of lunch less 
consequence than it would be in our section of the Union. 
- 44-4 - 
Michigan Agt,. College.— According to the report re¬ 
cently made by the officers of this institution, its affairs 
are in a prosperous condition. Every student is required 
to devote three hours each week day to manual labor on 
the farm, or in some of the mechauical branches con¬ 
nected with the institution. 
-- 4-44 - 
Washington Co. Sherd Show.— This show came off 
at North Grauville, Washington Co., on the 5th and 6th 
of May. There were 158 sheep exhibited, surpassing all 
previous shows of the Society iu this respect. Baker & 
Harrigan, Comstock's Landing, carried off the sweep- 
stakes prize, the two-year old ram, Cashier, being the 
winner. 
- 4-44 - 
State Fair Premiums.— The Maine Agricultural So¬ 
ciety is perfecting its premium list for the ensuing State 
Fair. The premiums for the various field crops are an¬ 
nounced, and are quite liberal in amounts. Those for 
stock are yet under advisement. 
- 4 - 44 -- 
A Little More Churn.—Au exchange suggests that, 
in view of the disproportion existing between the stock 
of cheese aud butter now produced, it would be good 
policy for farmers to adopt as a inotto, “ More chum and 
less vat.” 
-4> «4« « » - 
RURAL BRIEF-MENT10NMGS. 
A Tennessee paper crows over a chicken with three 
eyes. Is this the Ku-klux f 
The wheat crop in Tennessee is reported more prom¬ 
ising than for many years past. 
The farmers in Illinois propose to do up the Colorado 
potato bug this year with hellebore. 
James Thompson, Davenport, Iowa, has sown 3,000 
acres of spring wheat, 1,500 of barley, and 1,000 corn and 
oats. 
The city of Portland, Me., has donated $2,500 for the 
purpose of putting the Fair Grounds in order for the fall 
exhibition. 
The Painesville (O.) Telegraph gives Lake Co. the 
credit of haviug exported 400,000 bushels of potatoes 
this spring. 
Accounts from Egypt, III., tbe Canaan of tbe fruit 
growers, represent the damage by frost us much less than 
at first reported. 
According to the Charleston (S, C.) Courier, the spring 
has beeu so wet as to prevent cotton planting in most of 
the State. Corn is to be substituted. 
the State. Corn is to bo substituted, 
A man iu Farmington, Me., has a small uutive cow, 
seven years old, which, during six mon.iia lust year, 
uveraged li# pounds of butter per week. 
The superiority of Herkimer Co. pastures is attributed 
to the prevalence of clover. This has more nitrogen 
than the grasses, aud hence better for the dairy. 
Samuel Thorne of Dutchess Co., N. Y., cures breachy 
cattle of all deposition to jump over fences by clipping 
oil' the lashet from the under lid of the animal's eye. 
A German author says the useful plants number about 
12,000. Ol these, there are 1,350 varieties of edible fruits, 
berries aud seeds. The cereals number 108, aud vegeta¬ 
bles 400. 
Cattle troubled with lice can be readily relieved from 
them by a free application of the water in which potatoes 
have been boiieu. This is cheaper thau a tobacco decoc¬ 
tion. 
When a cow or ox gets choked, it is said that imme¬ 
diate relief may be obtained by strapping up a fore leg 
and compelling tne animal to jump, when the obstruction 
will fly out- 
It i? reported chat the wool business in Buenos Ayres 
is in a very depressed state. Owing to war, cholera ana 
a limited foreign demand, large numbers are giving up 
wool growing. 
A fruit grower iu a Western State tried the experi 
rnent of burning brimstone on a hot shovel under a plum 
tree to kill the curculio. The burning was done weekly 
and the fruit saved. 
r W. Gardner of Cross Hill, Me., informs the Maine 
Farmer that one of his ewes dropped four ewe lamb? at 
one yeaning. Two are cared for by the mother and the 
others brought up by hand. 
m 
