and not infrequently are found aa “floats,” or in 
“slides,” where no “ true ii-sura vein ” Ih known to 
exist. I believe Montana miues to be unrivalled; 
but their richness and extent can no more be proved 
by covering tables for public view with glowing and 
glittering or<* of gold and silver, than the dimensions 
annually pays to the Federal Government about 
four per cent, iu direct or indirect taxes on its entire 
assessed value. How much additional does it pay 
in State and local taxes ? These differ in different 
States and localities, and we have not the means 
now to estimate the average. Let us assume, con- 
of a particular class of trees can be determined by jecturally, that it equals three per cent, of the 
_ -• i._ rm___ x_ o a _ a_ 
viewing a bushel of nuts therefrom. The only 
reliable test is the bullion extracted from the ton of 
rock reduced. In the future, I may have more to 
say on this subject. 
The success of this Fair is Montana’s proudest 
achievement. It has practically demonstrated to 
her citizens, and to the world, that the is as capable 
of scif-suetcuance as Illinois or New York, but it 
is proper to say that the past has been the finest 
growing season known since the turning of the first 
furrow, Copious and warm showers fell with great 
regularity throughout the summer; Irrigation was 
not necessary at all for grains, and was but seldom 
resorted to for other crops. The oldest Xudiaus 
themselves say that the water-fall of thi6 year, iu 
frequency and total amount, has been unparalleled 
in their memory; and besides, grasshoppers, so 
overwhelmingly destructive in the three or lour 
preceding yean*, gave our pioneers but little annoy¬ 
ance the present. 
Usually, we have no rain to amount to anything 
between May and October—irrigation being indis¬ 
pensable. But moistening the soil artificially in 
these valleys is not so great an annoyance and tax 
on labor as our Eastern friends might suppose. 
Could they make a tour of observation through 
Utah, or the settled portions of Montana, and see 
the ease and expedition with which farms are 
irrigated, they would most likely admit that, if they 
had the same natural facilities at home, they would 
there spend all the time and labor necessary in 
constructing like ditches through their fields, 
merely as a precautionary measure agaiust seasons 
of drouth. Nearly all our valleys and table-lands 
— which comprise all the cultivable tracts — are 
profusely studded with unfailing spriugs and coursed 
over by free-flowing brooks. Led from these, water, 
with very little preliminary effort, becomes tbe 
obedient servant of the husbandman. After his 
ditches are arrauged, it is the work of but a few 
houre to irrigate a large farm. By intelligent 
observation, and conversation with his more experi¬ 
enced neighbors, he readily acquires a knowledge 
of all the minut* of the system,— how much water 
to give the different crops, and how to make the 
distribution. 
Upon the whole, i think that the country where 
irrigation can be practiced with the same facility as 
here, has a great advantage over sections where it is 
not, or cannot, be resorted to — as summer smiles 
over no lands settled by civilized man which are 
altogether exempt from drouths. The Montana 
farmer is easy during his planting and growing 
seasons, whether the skies blaze with] aridity or 
open their gates iu deluge — to drain or distribute, 
his ditches render him independent. 
H. N. Maguire, 
HeSena, Montana Territory, Oct,, 1808. 
assessed value. Then we have the United States 
grower paying seven per cent, for what we rnay 
term the use of li s own country’s markets, while 
the Canadian grower, with reciprocity in wool, 
would pay nothing for their use! The Canadian 
grower paying neither our government taxes nor 
the duties levied on other foreigners, would be 
the most favored producer in the world in the U. S. 
markets—made so by U. S. legislation or treaties! 
How long under such circumstances would Eng¬ 
land remain the “principal long-wool producing 
country in the world?” If any confidence was felt 
in Canada that those circumstances would be per¬ 
manent—!. e. that the United States would main¬ 
tain free-trade with Canada and the present duties 
on the wool of other foreign countries—“the Do¬ 
minion” would soon become the leading long-wool 
producing country of the world: and it might even 
seriously compete with our northern regions in the 
production of fine wool. Under such a state of 
things, it would be decidedly advantageous, in a 
pecuniary point of view, for at least our long-wool 
growers to emigrate to Canada ! 
The attempt to 6how, inferentlally, that our home 
prices on long wool have been depressed by the 
tariff, because those prices were higher under reci¬ 
procity than now, is supported by no pertinent fact 
or even argument—hut simply by the coincidence 
of the two circumstances. Alone this coincidence 
proves nothing. The commercial, physical and po¬ 
litical causes which have depressed the prices of 
wool since the tariff went into effect, are patent to 
all well informed men. They have heen set forth 
in tbe resolutions of the National Wool Growers’ 
and Manufacturers' Associations, by similar State 
associations, and by the agricultural press. They 
never have been denied, or so far as we have seen, 
questioned. 
We have, iu our anxiety to treat with courtesy 
an honored correspondent, been drawn—rather 
inconsiderately—into an answer to the positions of 
an anonymous writer iu another journal. This is 
contrary to a rule of editorial action, the reasons 
for which will probably be ob\riou6 to all — and 
which wc do not propose again to violate, under 
any ordinary circumstances. 
- -»*« 4 - 
NATIONAL WOOL AND WOOLEN EXPO¬ 
SITION. 
J’bwp fluisbattfag. 
EDITED BY HENRY S. RANDALL, LL. D. 
BEOIPKOCITY AND THE TREATY. 
Boston, Nov. 30,1868. 
Hon. Henrt S. Randall — My Dear Sir; Thiqk-, 
ingyou may otherwise overlook it, I send you in¬ 
closed article which (and it is that which gives it its 
importance) I judge was written by our friend —. —. 
-. What do you think of liis facts and logic ? 
Yours faithfully, -. 
The following article, published in the New Eng¬ 
land Farmer, is the one above alluded to: 
“ Having read your remarks on the reciprocity treaty, 
and also those by Ur. Randall, and having had some expe¬ 
rience in wool, I isay, perhaps, be able to throw a little 
lighten this subject; believing, as I <io, that should the 
reciprocity treaty take effect to-morrow, ami should wool 
from Canada be Drought iu free of duty, it would not affect 
the price of combing wools of this market. uvcrDuncTTv mn C , -, T 
•• At thosame time I do not recognize any duty on the RECIPROCITY .PEATY. 
part of the United States to legislate for the relief of the - 
British Provinces, by giving them access to our markets. Tue following resolutions were presented in the 
If they really desire the benefit of our markets, audit' the ir. ... t>, . ,. XT , 
British government desire that they should imvc these ^ umou k H° use <_>1 Representatives, Nov. 13th, by 
benefits, lot them become annexed to the United Stales; the Hon. Mr. Proctor of Rutland: 
mid then, being one of us, they would have an equal rmht rrr,..„ n __ , , 
to all the benefits belonging to the several States of this , P f op S^ 0 ?T 8 ! 1 . av , e J’ cen made for the opening 
Union. But so long as they remain a part of the British of the Umtod States in prddnetions of the 
empire, 1 do not see what we have to do with their tils L !n, . lfl1 American Provinces through a new Treaty ol. 
tresses, only so far as they may appeal to our individual ^^P^clty so-called: and whereas this proposition has 
bcnovoicnc* f y mumuuai heen connected with the project lor a ship canal from the 
“ Establish the reciprocity treaty, and so far as wool Is ttnd ftom tbe Lake 
concerned, it would be equal to annexing the Canadas ,, “. H “ tberuorc, belt 
inasmuch as both the States and Canadas do not produce By the senate and House of Representatives 
aa amount sufficient to supply the wants of our nLnufm - the brate „\ eriiu ^ 1 ' 1 ial 'l 10 * 0 should be treated as 
turers. At the present time, Mr. Walworth, the wool lmle .P® U( hrNt proptwitione, each standing on its own 
buyer for the Pacific mills, and Mr. Moflit, buyer for the W and while we heartily approve ol all new Cactii- 
AUantlc Delaine Company of Providence, kre m finclaud tlCf J by ,. caiia1 '' or r*.lwftye, ,( ’ r transportation between a 11 
making purchases. So long as England is the' princiiml OBr / , JS n c, ' allt ; ,y ' -T d,J ^wnbelew, as repre- 
long-wool producing country in the world, and the onl\ t°i, tbL ’, of Vrinont, protest agamst the 
country, apart from Canada, that would compete, with our atly ® r privileges to thejBntieb 1 rov- 
farmers in its production, the price of combing wool In ni S ! •*»“*?« *. otBer . 
this country will be the price at which it is .-old in Eo£ . J* T ? al .- we do rencwedly protest against admit- 
laud,—duties am, expenses added; and so long as Canada Provinces to the 
is the only favored country allowed to have free access to j ul, ed bfates on any other terms except tnose accorded 
our markets, in v. hich to sell Us wool, fke Canadian farmer nod rrna^sti^id r!-U ao Inconsistent. with a just 
will be just aa much protected hvour tariff as m«n ? Q . d lru . en .^. u 9P a J P 0 .^ 0 ?* and injurious to the particular 
Tbe New Englaud Farmer says: 
11 We hope that the arrangements for this Exposition 
will be satisfactory to uU parries, and that there will he a 
errand exhibition not only of woolens but of wools. We 
believe such an exhibition would be more Interesting 
and useful now limn at any other period iu the history of 
the woolen Industry. Farmers are beginning to appreciate 
the importance of the products of t lieu flocks In the great 
woolen cloth business of ’he country,—just learning that 
they are co partners in the concern, - that ihey are inter¬ 
ested iu every yard of cloth made in the cou’ntrv,—that 
they grow while others grind the raw material. Such an 
exposition is needed to afford farmers an opportunity to 
compare different grades of woo), to learn their character¬ 
istics, and what kinds arc required for the production of 
the various kinds of cloth made by I he manufacturers 
of the country. It is needed also to cultivate a better 
acquaintance between men whose Interests a re so identical 
as those of the wool grower and the wool manufacturer. 
, We believe in tilts identity of interest, and regret that it. 
is not more generally recognized. As well encourage a 
feud between the farmer's sons who draw up tbe year’s 
firewood and those who work it up into stove s length, a- 
to insist on tins antagonism of the American wool grower 
and wool manufacturer. ‘United we stand, divided we 
fall.’ ” 
The Prairie Farmer, on the same subject, says: 
“President Randall, of the National Wool Growers’ 
Association, has not yet brought the subject officially 
before tbe Executive Committee, but there is little doubt 
but the invitation will be accepted. Everything should 
he done that c an be, to relieve ibc wool interest from its 
present depression. We know of no one thing that can 
do more rewards this end than a large exhibition of the 
magnificent wools of all grades now being grown in this 
country, and the fine cloths of all qualities being manu¬ 
factured therefrom. It is time that the American poople 
wore teaming that American goods, made from American 
wool, can supply any demand of the consumer. An exhi¬ 
bition under the auspices of the American Institute, will 
teach this fact to thousands of people. By all means let 
us have u National Exposition at New York.” 
flair]] JPqiaifmnit. 
ABORTION IN COWS-WINTER CARE. 
The Herkimer County Farmers’ Club had these 
topics under consideration at their meeting, Nov. 
ffith, the proceedings of which we find reported in 
the Utica Herald. We condense from that report 
as follows: 
Mr. Harris of Fairfield led off on the stock ques¬ 
tion by stating that some years ago he was much 
troubled with abortion among his cows, but latterly 
it had ceased with his herd. The aborting animals 
hud been disposed of, and a change made in the 
feed and winter arrangement. Less 6a.lt was now 
given than formerly, in tbe fall and wiuter, under 
the impression, still entertained, that a liberal sup¬ 
ply of the article tended to produce abortion. His 
practice now was to give cows a handful of salt once 
a week, during the summer, and in the fall once in 
three weeks, and in the winter none. Extra pains 
were taken to have stock enter the winter season in 
a strong condition. Grain and shorts are fed to 
cows daily, as soon as the grass commences to fail 
or get frosted. Cows should be dried off by the 
first of January, when they will require nothing but 
hay till about the time of coming in the following 
spring. Among the other changes was a more ready 
and free access to pure water during the summer 
season. If, from any cause, au animal died iu or 
about his field or stock-yard, he had it immediately 
removed from the sight and smell of the other stock 
and covered up in a compost heap. Ad account of 
abortion, from its lirs.t appearance in his neighbor¬ 
hood till its disappearance from his herd, was given, 
and the opinion expressed that an influence which 
caused it was carried by affected animals to others, 
and thus spread from farm to farm. In confirma¬ 
tion of this an instance was cited of the sale of nine 
cows, from a diseased herd, to two dairymen resid¬ 
ing miles apart, whose stock were healthy at the 
time, but were soon infected, while all others in the 
neighborhood remained healthy. 
Mr. Shell, an old dairyman and factory manager, 
had experimented with ships and middlings as a test 
of their relative milk-produeing qualities, aud con¬ 
cluded that ships were of little or no value for tlie 
purpose of milk production. The middlings were 
the best for making milk, and were the better if fed 
with whey. The mixture should be made at night, 
and fed out in the morning. Whey, alone, was 
regarded as of little or no value for milch cows, but 
by feeding the two together, he had produced as 
much milk from his herd of thirty cows as two of 
his neighbors, with a like number each, who did not 
adopt this mode of feediug. Whey, led alone, will 
slightly increase the flow of milk, but it will be 
very inferior in quality. Thought the practice of 
feeding buckwheat to cows pernicious in its effects, 
causing restlessness to the cows, and possibly pro¬ 
ducing abortion. Thought cows should be dried off 
as early hi December as possible, mid the udders be 
examined daily lor some time after, drawing away 
any milk which may accumulate in them. 
Mr. Lewis had abandoned the practice of feeding 
grain to his cows, giving nothing now but good 
early cut hay. Cows get along well with this, and 
at much less expense. Straw and stalks might be 
added when practicable. Stabled his cows during 
the winter — turning'them out hulf an hour at a 
time, morning aud evening. Fed with regularity, 
that they might not IVet with hunger. Fed at half¬ 
past five in the morning and at half-past four in the 
evening. Large he Ji should have more than one 
watering pluco, thk^fhe weak and timid may have 
a double chance of slaking their thirst at the proper 
time. The best temperature for stock stables was 
thought to be from GO to 65°, with pure air circu¬ 
lating through them. 
CATTLE COMMISSIONERS’ CONVENTION. 
The telegraph has given us the result of the 
Cattle Commissioners’ Convention which met at 
Spriugtield, I1L, December 1. Generai propositions 
were recommended to be embodied in legislative 
enactments by the different States iu the Conven. 
tion. We give them as follows, greatly condensed: 
It is recommended 'hat Commissioners be appointed in 
each State to hold office for five years, reportannualy to 
their respect*e Legislatures. watch over the welfare of 
animals in their respective States, prevent the spread of 
dangerous di- a-i s a-imag them, and protect the people 
from dangers re-ulUng from diseased meat. These Com¬ 
missioners tn have Ibv power to appoint assistants when 
necessary, administer oaths, mute sueti rules and regula¬ 
tions as arc necessary to accomplish the objects of the 
Commission, notify the public of the outbreak of danger¬ 
ous disease among c»tt>c. give directions for its treat¬ 
ment, with discretion to quarantine and kill diseased 
cattle, and in the latter ca-e cause an appraisal of the 
same to be made and the Ootiul.y or State pay for the same. 
It is farther proposed that any Commissioner, or Assist¬ 
ant Commissioner, located on the frontb-r of any State 
shall have power to inspect all cattle entering that Stats, 
detain them long enough to make such inspection for ihe 
purpose of ascertaining their sanitary condition and ex- 
clnde all animate deemed capable of diffusing doea-c, 
allowing an appeal In all such cases to a majority of the 
Commie Honors. It is also proposed that no train he 
allowed to proceed unless the animals contained therein 
shall have heen supplied with food, wn'er and rest within 
twenty-funr hours next preceding the time of each inspec¬ 
tion, and that all animals shall have test, food and water 
twenty-four hour* after having trailed a similar period; 
to require railways to provide suitable * ards forworn-ring, 
feeding and resting animals traveling on their trains amt 
for quarantine purposes and each train to he supplied 
wilb a certificate of a Ooiumi-eioner that the animals are 
in a healthy condition, which, with its endorsements!, 
shall he exhibited to tbe proper authorities when required. 
Provirions for preventing bribery, and penalties lor re¬ 
sisting officers charged wilb the execution of the law, arc 
to be tnude. 
A resolution was adopted recommending tbe enactment 
of stringent laws by the Western and Northwestern 
Stales, to prevent the trunsit through these States of 
Texas or Cherokee cattle fi on March 1 to November 1 of 
etch year: and another recommending the enactment of 
livvs making any person responsible for all damages that 
may result from the diffusion of any dangerous disease 
from animal? in bis ownership or possession. 
This action of the Convention is very well in the 
main. Tbe increase of our population, the rapidly 
changing habits of life, the demand for food aud the 
importance o£ securing it in a healthy condition, 
require precaution against the diffusion of disease 
among cattle and the consumption of diseased ani¬ 
mals. But we see grave objections to a law which 
requires animals to rest twenty-four hours after 
traveling an equal length of time. This is creating 
a law for tbe prevention ol“ cruelty to animals with 
a vengeance —to ownere. It does not accord with 
the spirit or mode of modern commercial transac¬ 
tions. Nor Is it necessary. One might as well re¬ 
quire a traveler to lay over twenty-four hours after 
traveling that length of time us a disease preventive. 
It is, it seems to us, fur better to provide against 
crowding animals In cats,; with room to rise np and 
lie down at will; and for watering and feeding them 
in transit. We are quite sure that all this might he 
effected without affecting unfavorably the sanitary 
condition of animals, and with far less expense and 
risk to owners aud much less cost to consumers. 
We are confident every drover of experience will 
condemn this measure. Profits often depeud upon 
time made in transit. The necessities of animals 
must be supplied without delaying their transporta¬ 
tion. And the genius which is perfecting our rail¬ 
road systems will not long delay to supply this need 
to the live stock trade. 
[imtl Saifs mtb Stems. 
will be just as much protected by our tariff as our own 
farmers are. 
“Tam opposed to the renewal of the reciprocity treaty, 
not because 1 think the yvool-growing interest ol this 
country Wifi suffer, or that the production of combing 
wools In this country will be retarded by it. but because 
the Canadian farmer pays the duly now, and should the 
treaty be renewed he would pocket it. 
•In 1S65 and 1S«6, under the reciprocity treaty, combing 
wool was not in am more demand than ™ vof rifilibriu 
wool was not in any mure demaud than now, yet Canada 
wool was worth from ten to twenty cents per pound more 
than it is at the present time. Tine \ear, the Canadian 
farmer received horn twenty-tlirce to twenty-five cents 
per pound, gold, for his wool; ihc-n, he received from 
turty t.o forty-five cents, gold, and the value of gold then 
was bat little higher than now. I am acquainted with a 
S arson who not a year ago bought 50,000 pounds of Cana- 
tan wool m New fork, which had been brought in under 
tlie reciprocity treaty, and lor which eighty *ilye cent* had 
aoo true national poncy. and injurious to the particular 
interests Of ail the shales of the Union bordering ou the 
British possessions. 
Bewtved, That the Secretary of State be directed to 
transmit a copy of the foregoing resolutions to each of 
our Senators and Representatives in Congress. 
Condensed Correspondence, Items, &o. 
been oilered and refused. It was purchased lor sixty- 
seven and a half cents per pound last Match. 
' succeeded in making myself understood 
on this point: that although the importer of the Canada 
wool ostensibly pays the duty, yet really the Canadian 
pays It, because he sells his wool for less. Our own lar- 
receiyc no lose so long as the production of 
both Canada and the States keeps below the consumption 
“There is a lamb and mutton question involved in chie 
matter, upon which subject I intend some dav to sav 
more." Mentor 
3oston, Nov. 16,1868. mkatok. 
Remarks.— To the propositions contained in the 
second paragraph we subscribe fully. But the as¬ 
sumption contained in the next one, that “inas¬ 
much as both the States and Cauadas do not produce 
an amount (of long wool) sufficient to supply the 
wants of our manufacturers,” therefore Canada wools 
if brought, in free of duty would not affect the mar¬ 
ket prices of our own, is wholly untenable. Prices 
rise in proportion to the scarcity of a product 
Every pound brought into the United States from 
Canada, lessens the scarcity in our market, and 
mr, the Canadian Splenitis.— W. B Ransom, Clarence, N. Y., writes us: 
wenty-five cents “lam in the habit of feeding my sheep salt once and 
dacof gold 'then olteu Lwice a v, ' ook tho - vear r011U(I ' About two weeks 
:quaimed writ, a H 2° T salted them at night. All appeared to be well ami 
pounds of Cana- heart}’. Iu the morning I found one of them dead. She 
was 113 a 8tate of mortification, No examination 
based for sixty- wa * made. On the 15th I salted in the morning and 
K ' ii -, drove them to pasture at night. The sheep all appeared 
er of the Canada " elk In tlic luoruiu 2 1 found one dull aud drooping, 
ly the Canadian She lagged iu goitm to pasture. I gave her oue-half 
; . Our own Ur- ounce Epsom salts and drove her back to stable. She 
he consu.m 1 prion f paseed b,00d y urine and appeared to be in great pain. I 
involved in this K ave ker another one-hall' ounce of salts. She (lied at 
some day to say noon. On examination wc found the heart, lungs, liver, 
Mentor. kidneys and womb healthy; the small intestines slightly 
mtuiued in th - inflamed 5 tbe s P loeu very much diseased, being about 
„ . u three times its natural size. Can you name the disease 
r- But the as- aud remedy?" 
1Las ‘ A more particular account of the condition of the 
0 no produce spleen would have been desirable — as whether by soft- 
to supply the ness, A broken down texture, purulent matter, a darker 
e Canada wools color, &c„ it exhibited the ravages of inflammation; for 
affect the mar- simple enlargement would not account for the deaths as 
enable. Prices deBCr ‘bi?d. But the general symptoms and appearances 
of a product do not " eem as Ptrou g 1 J' to indicate any other malady as 
ed States from s P ^ enlt,s ~'° r acute inflammation of the spleen—and it is 
r mnrt-o' a all0 £ e,; her probable this organ would have been found 
takes the place of so much domestic wool which had lts coridition boen more minutely 
nn.n,.rniL,i n nU .nj mi - uiiui observed. The remedy employed was a proper one, but 
. ^ ' M trwisc £T row to sup- should have been administered in larger quantities. We 
Y ply the entire demand. The Canadas not having 
I our taxes to pay can, even under our present rate of 
duties compete with us in our own markets on not 
f very unfavorable terms. Take off the duty, and 
( instead of being “just us mnch protected by our 
/ tariff as our own farmers are,” the Canadian farmer 
i will be in effect vastly better protected. The capital 
l invested in sheep production in the United States 
would have given from an ounco to two ounces of Epsom 
salts at a dose, in proportion to the size and strength of 
the Bheep. But the suddenness and the intensity of the 
disease were such that it is very doubtfhl whether any 
treatment would hare been of any avail. 
W ool Sale.—T he Geneva Gazette notes a recent sale 
in that village of a lot of wool aggregating 200,000 pounds 
—all from clips within thirty miles of that place. 
SELECTING COWS. 
A Vermont &toek raiser gives the following rules 
for selecting cows: — “ First, I get a broadside view 
of tbe animal, at the distance of about tw<a rods, as 
I have noticed for years that there was a great 
similarity in the general proportion of all first-class 
milkers, being very small in girth just back of their 
forward legs, as compared with their girth just 
forward of their hips. 1 have never known a first- 
rate milker, of any breed, not thus proportioned; so 
that if this form is wanting in au animal I have 
recommended to me, I do not care to look at her 
more, unless I want to breed for some other purpose 
Lhau the dairy. For breeding oxen 1 should want a 
cow of reverse proportions, i. r., larger girth for¬ 
ward. I next feel the size of the milk veins, and 
trace them to their enLrance into the chest, which 
in superior cows, are large, admitting the bull of the 
larger finger; if divided, or subdivided, as is some¬ 
times tbe case, I judge of the size eff each orifice, us 
I care less for the size of the vein itself thau the 
orifice. Next, examine by sight or touch the udder 
or bag, which must be capacious iu order to bold 
much milk, with teats -wide apart aud free from 
large seed warts or sores of any kind. I then 
inquire how long she goes dry before calving, as I 
don’t want a family cow to give milk less than 
forty-six weeks out of every fifty-two; also, as to 
the quality of the milk: and, to close, I milk her 
with my own hands.” 
-- 
EOOD AND SHELTER FOR COWS. 
Some years ago a farmer, of our own acquaint¬ 
ance, found himself in possession, at the coming in 
of winter, of thirty-two cows, with only stable 
room enough for ten of the number. The balance 
were consisrued to an open shed, with a rack run¬ 
ning along the enclosed side, aud fed with hay 
alone. Those in the stable, in addition to hay, had 
about a quart of Indian meal a day each, till the 
approach of spring, when they ceased to be milked. 
Besides this, they were thoroughly carded, each 
morning, before being turned into the yard for the 
day—an attention which those outside did not enjoy. 
Some said that feediug meal would stop the flow of 
milk, by giving too much flesh to the animals, but 
uo such result followed. The cows continued in 
excellent health, supplied a fair quantity of rich 
milk and were altogether in better condition, in the 
spring, thau those wintered in the open shed. The 
meal undoubtedly had something to do with the 
difference, but not more, perhaps, than was caused 
by the daily carding to which the 6tabled stock 
were subjected. 
-■»>«-» »•»-- 
Coloring Butter.— When yellow tinted butter 
is desired in wiuter without the use of anatto, which 
is not a desirable commodity in butter, carrots may 
be substituted. Take two large-sized carrots, clean 
thoroughly, then with the knife scrape off the yel¬ 
low exterior, leaving the white pith, soak the yellow 
part in boiling milk for ten or fifteen minutes. Strain 
boiling hot into the cream; this gives the cream the 
desired temperature, colors it nicely, and adds to the 
sweetness of the butter. 
|{ttrai irf % |lms. 
Compulsory Drainage. 
The Commissioners of Drainage, Genesee Co., 
Michigan, seem by their recent report to the Board 
of Supervisors to have been doing a pretty lair 
business in the matter of land drainage for the last 
live years. The total number of miles of ditching 
during this time is 190, at a cost of $54,323. Iu 
many instances the owners of land through which 
a ditch passes elect to do the work themselves, and 
uniformly at a considerable diminution of the cost 
per rod as compared with that let out by tho job. 
Food of Plants. * 
There is said to be carried off - from the soil 
nine pounds of lime in twenty-five bushels of wheat, 
nine pounds in fifty bushels of oats, and fifteen 
pounds iu thirty-eight bushels of barley’. There are 
thirty-five pounds of lime in two tons of rye grass, 
one hundred and twenty-six pouuds iu two tons of 
clover, one hundred and forty pounds in twenty-live 
tons of turnips and two hundred uud sevonty’-poondr 
in nine tons of potatoes. Some soils eontaiu au 
abundance of lime for a thousand years, while 
other soils require an occasional application of 
lime as a fertilizer. 
Irrigation in Winter. 
The popular idea that irrigation is good only 
for growing plants is efroneous. Water has a very 
important action upon any soil where there is good 
drainage, and makes the inert matter available for 
plant food. Iu the most successful case of irriga¬ 
tion that has come under our notice the water is 
kept running through the winter. The freezing iu 
severe weather makes a complete covering of ice, 
which acts as a mulch. The grass starts early in 
the spring, and the crop is kept np to two tons to 
the acre without any other fertilizer thau water. 
There is a mine of wealth in every brook that can 
be turned upon a dry soil, if the farmer will work it. 
A Good Potato Yield. 
F. D., St. Charles Co., Mo., writes Colman’s 
Rural World concerning his experience in potato 
raising. It was the impression of his neighbors 
that he could not raise potatoes there to advantage, 
as they had uniformly tailed in their efforts. He, 
however, procured some of the Harisen variety and 
planted them. There was three-fourths of an acre 
planted iu rows about three and a half feet apart, 
and from eight to twelve inches in the rows. The 
yield was 315 bushels of potatoes, or at the rate of 
420 bushels to the acre. Peach-blows, alongside of 
tbe Harison, yielded only 205 bushels to the acre, 
under the same treatment. 
Browsing Stock. 
Those who reside in regions where timber is 
plentiful aud of little or no commercial value, can 
carry cattle and sheep through the winter by sup¬ 
plying them with browse daily. The trees suitable 
for this purpose are sugar maple, beech, basswood 
and birch. Cattle and sheep will leave the best of 
hay to feed ou the buds and tender twigs of these 
trees, and we have known them to come out in the 
spring in fine condition on this food, with an occa¬ 
sional feed of corn in the ear. Where land is being 
cleared up, this aid is readily supplied, as the chop¬ 
ping is usually done in the winter season, but where 
this is not. the case, let trees be felled daily and the 
limbs chopped down, so that the stock can reach 
the twigs readily, and they will get along finely. 
The safer way is to fell the trees before the stock is 
let out of their enclosure, lest being on hand when 
the trees fall, they should be injured or killed iu the 
operation, 
. Prominent Features of Our Next Volume.— The 
l Enlarged and Improved Rubai, will comprise several 
prominent features, old and new. worthy of notice in 
• advance. The leading features or departments of the 
paper will be confirmed, tint extended or enlarged—most 
i of them containing more matter than heretofore, and in- 
^ eluding the contributions of a number of new and able 
r contributors. For example, the Agricultural and Horti¬ 
cultural Departments will bo enriched by articles from 
several practical and scientific writers, and authors of 
celebrity, who have never before contributed to tbe pages 
of the Rural. And tbe same is true of the Literary De¬ 
partment. Of the new departments those of Entomology 
aud Hygiene will be prominent, and each will be con¬ 
tributed to by the best authority in the country. The 
Dairy Department will be enlarged and contributed to 
(and probably conducted by) the beat authority ou the 
subject in America—an authority as paramount concern- 
ceniing Dairy Matters as is Dr. Randall relative to 
Sheep Husbandry. The Poultry Department will also he 
enlarged, made more- prominent, und conducted by a gen¬ 
tleman in all respectB eminently qualified for the position. 
Tbe department devoted to Domestic Economy will also 
| receive increased attention, and be under the immediate 
• supervision of a lady of abundant experience aud capaci¬ 
ty. Other departments will receive increased and special 
[ attention; and did we not rely more upon the character 
1 of the matter to be given in the Rural than upon the 
■ names of writers, we would announce a number of cele- 
1 brated authors aud writers in this connection. But onr 
. friends must await the appearance of No. 1, Vol. XX, for 
■ developments —when we are confident they will have a 
foretaste, or installment, of all that has been promised 
or intimated in regard to the Rural for 1661). 
-- 
I’ Illinois Industrial TTniveksitt.— The Board of Man- 
- agers of this Institution held a meeting ou the 18th of 
t November, when the Treasurer submitted a report on its 
financial affairs. The receipts for the year were $33,143, 
> aud the expenditures $26,003.07. The sales of college or 
laud scrip amount to $250,192.42. There remain unsold 
, 75,000 acres of land, 50,000 of which were ordered to be 
put in market at not leas thau ninety-five cents per acre. 
Professors Stewart, Suattiick, Bukuill and Sntder 
were given permanent engagements in the Institution. 
The committee on agriculture report thatnn appropria¬ 
tion of $122,000 by the Legislature will be necessary to 
• carry out and perfect the improvements contemplated, 
• aud a committee was appointed to make the necessary 
L application to that body. Iu the meantime an appropria¬ 
tion of $3,000 is made by the Board for continuing opera¬ 
tions on the college form. A proposition to admit females 
to the University, on the same conditions as males, led 
to a racy debate, resulting in a suspension of action upon 
it till the meeting of the Board in March next. Dr. 
Warder was announced for a course of lectures on Hor¬ 
ticulture, commencing on the 12th of January. 
-- 
American Dairyman's Association.— This body is to 
convene iu the city of Utica on the second Wednesday 
In January next, on which occasion Prof. Gamuke of 
London will deliver an address ou the subject of diseases 
In cattle. He has written voluminously on these sub¬ 
jects, especially with regard to rinderpest and the Texas 
or Spanish fever, and is regarded as the highest authority 
on sneb matters. He may not be enabled to give any¬ 
thing new ou them, but may call to mind and render use¬ 
ful what has heen written and forgotten by many in 
reference to them. The President of the Association, 
Gov. Seymour, will deliver tbe annual address, and, 
from the interest awakened in regard to the subjects 
likely to be discussed, it is safe to assume that tbe meet¬ 
ing will be largely attended by tho dairymen of Hub and 
other States. 
-»♦ » 
Hop Growing. —It is estimated from reliable data that 
something over 15,000 acreB of hops were poled in Wis¬ 
consin alone in the spring of 1868, and that 25,000 acres 
more were planted. Again, it. is estimated that 15,000 
acres, producing 1,500 pounds per acre, will supply all the 
hops needed in the United States for one year. If these 
calculations are correct, it is easy to sec where the bop 
business .has beeu driven, and what prospects of profit 
are before the hop grower. New York, Michigan and 
Ohio also produce largely, and when a wide margin is al¬ 
lowed for failure caused by lice, &c., over production 
must still ensue, No wonder the hop growers or the 
West are turning hop poles into (ire wood arid fence rails. 
American farmers should learn from tide the danger of 
rushing headlong into the growing of special products. 
-- 
Agricultural Report.— The annual report of the Ag¬ 
ricultural Department at Washington for 1807 is now 
passing through the press, and will be ready for delivery 
about Christmas. It would have been out sooner but for 
the sickness and death of the previous incumbent of the 
Commissioner’s office. Commissioner C apron found 
matters in a backward state ou assuming his duties, 
which will account for the delay In furnishing the report 
to the public. It will contain, in addition to the regular 
reports of the Commissioner aud the several heads of 
Bureaus, twenty-five papers on different subjects from 
various sections of the Union, mnkiug a volume of 540 
pages. Congress has ordered 225,000 copies of it. 
- 
Massacuusetts Board of AurioUltdre. —At the ses¬ 
sion of this Board, to be held at Amherst Sth, 9th ami 
10 th of December, as wc learn from the Record, among 
the distinguished men expected to take part in the ex¬ 
ercises are Prof. Agassiz, President Rogers of the Insti¬ 
tute of Technology, President Gamgee of the Royal 
Veterinary College, Hon. H. 8. Randall of New York. 
J. F. C. Hyde, Esq., President of the Massachusetts 
Horticultural Society, Rev. Wm. Clipi and Col. M. C. 
Weld of the American Agriculturist, Hon. M. P- Wild¬ 
er, Dr. George B. Loring aud Alexander Htde, Esq. 
4 »•»- 
Importing Laborers.— A large meeting, representing 
eleven of the eastern counties of North Carolina, was re¬ 
cently held at Goldsboro, for the purpose of perfecting 
arrangements for the importation of laborers from Eu¬ 
rope. A committee was appointed to visit that country 
to contract for laborers and to pay their fare to this cntin. 
try—the expense to be deducted from the earnings of the 
laborers. The male laborers are to receive from $8 to 
$10 per month and board, aud the boys and women from 
$4 to $0. Rather low wages, we think. 
—-»♦ » 
Crops in Missouri.— According to C. W. M. in Col¬ 
man’s Rural World, timely Tall rains have imparted great 
vigor to winter wheat. It looks very fine in Missouri, 
especially where sown by the drill. The corn crop is 
one-third less in yield than the promise at midsummer, 
bringing it down to an ordinary one, notwithstanding 
the increased acreage planted. The price of produce is 
considerably lower than was anticipated, but the long 
continuance of high rates furnished the farmers with a 
good surplus to fall hack upon if necessary. 
- *♦4 - 
National Poultrt Exhibition. — By an announce¬ 
ment of the committee of arrangements, we learn that a 
national exhibition of poultry will take place at Agricul¬ 
tural nail, corner of Broad and Locust streets, Philadel¬ 
phia, commencing December 21st and ending December 
26th, The rooms will be open for the reception of speci¬ 
mens on the 19th, and entries will be received for exhi¬ 
bition as well as competition. 
- 4 » » 
Premiums foe Ladies.— The daughters, sisters, wives 
and mothers interested in the circulation and success of 
the Rural— and especially such as are disposed to con¬ 
tribute thereto by individual effort—are referred to article 
at the head of Domestic Economy Department relative to 
premiums offered those forming clubs for Volume XX. 
- 4 «» 
Sugar in Louisiana.— Reports from the sugar regions 
of this State and other portions of the South are of the 
most flat tering character. The yield per acre is from 
1,500 to 3,000 pounds— an average of about 2,000. It 
takes about four cords of wood to boil down the sirnp 
for a hogshead of sugar. , 
