c 
AGRICULTURE 
J $3.00 PER TEAR* 
I klK mo, -j QjjQLg-ie Copy, Six Cents. 
ROCHESTER, N. Y., AND NEW YORK CITY. 
ccipco (.82 Buffalo St., BrOcliostl “-*» 
Ur FlCEo, J - 41 Park RoWt New Yo ; § 
YOL. XIX. NO. 52.} 
FOR THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1868. 
I WHOLE NO. 988. 
“PROGRESS AND IMPROVEMENT.” 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
AJT ORIGINAL WEEKLY 
AGRICULTURAL, LITERARY AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER. 
CONDUCTED BY D. D. T. BOORB, 
With a Corps of Able Associates and Contributors, 
Term* In Advance — Tiirutu Dollars a Year:- Five 
•opies for $14; Seven, and one free to Club Agent, for $19; 
Ten, and one free, for $25 — only $2.50 per copy. As we pre¬ 
pay American postage, $2.70 Is the lowest Club rate to Canada 
and $3A0 to Europe. Tba best way to remit is by Draft or 
Post-Office Money Order,—and all Drafts and Orders made 
payable to the Publisher may be mailed at his bisk. 
ASBICDIiTIIBAL. 
CLOSE OF VOLUME XIX, 
RETROSPECTIVE. 
Before adding “Finis” to its Nineteenth Year 
and Volume, we have somewhat to say in regard to 
the actual past and probable future of the Rural 
New-Yorker. The occasion is an interesting and 
important one to ns, and we may be permitted to 
become a trifle garrulous, il not egotistical, in speak- 
iug of a Journal which wc projected and founded, 
and the conducting of which has constituted our 
chief and earnest life-work for nearly twenty years. 
Starting the Rural under comparatively unfavora¬ 
ble auspices, when shrewd and sincere friends feared 
and predicted falluro, we determined to risk our all 
in an attempt to establish a Rural, Literary and 
Family Weekly which should surpass, in several 
important essentials, any journal then published. 
Claiming no superior tact, talent or ability, we re¬ 
solved to do our utmost to fill worthily an unoccu¬ 
pied niche in Journal is in. With the vigor of early 
manhood, the hope of a sanguine temperament, and 
some experience as a journalist, we dedicated indus¬ 
try, energy and all the means and ability at com¬ 
mand, to the accomplishment of our object; but 
long years elapsed before the Rural New-Yorker, 
being the pioneer in its peculiar and important 
sphere, became profitable—though it is no ego¬ 
tism to say that, from its start, it proved beneficial 
to community, and especially to the Rural Popula- 
lation. And we must here acknowledge our in¬ 
debtedness to the earnest and influential friends of 
“ Progress and Improvement” who seconded our 
efforts in the early days and years of the Rural, 
and who, with thousands of others, have since most 
kindly and substantially aided us in achieving a 
success as remarkable as it is gratifying. We are 
under special obligations to hosts of active and 
right-thinking people, all over the land, for the 
valuable assistance they have contributed to the 
enterprise, a8 correspondents, agents and advocates 
of the Rural. May they arid theirs prosper alway, 
and their numbers increase! 
Many whom we address have been readers of 
this Journal from its commencement, and therefore 
know its character and objects —how well and 
faithfully, or the reverse, its promises have been 
redeemed. We can only aver that what seemed our 
duty has ever been conscientiously and fearlessly 
discharged, and hence whatever errors may have 
been committed (we trust they are few in number 
and small in magnitude,) are not attributable to a 
lack of right intentions. As we have before stated, 
“ ( )ur object from the eommencemeut of the Rural 
New-Yorker has not been to luruish either an 
Agricultural, Horticultural, Scientific, Mechanical, 
Educational, Literary or News Journal,—but rather 
to combine all these, and thus present a paper uue- 
qualed in Value, Variety and Usefulness of Con¬ 
tents, Onr earnest desire has been to make it an 
honest, independent, reliable and eminently useful 
Run.vi., Literary and Family Newspaper— correct 
in its teachings on Practical Subjects, instructive 
and entertaining to members of the Family Circle, 
of high moral tone, and entirely free from decep¬ 
tion and quackery, even in its advertising depart¬ 
ment.” If we have not adhered to this brief, 
explicit and comprehensive platform, we have 
come as near it as possible, aud will only say of 
the past, “What is writ, is writ — would it were 
worthier.” 
PROSPECTIVE. 
Our plans for the future have already been an¬ 
nounced to some extent, but not fully developed. 
They are now so far matured that we can safely 
promise thut Volume XX of the Rural will far 
excel either of its predecessors in Size, Style and 
Contents. It will not only he nearly double the 
original size, but the Improvements will correspond 
with the great enlargement. Of this we are assured 
from arrangements already completed. At first 
6ome of our friends doubted the feasibility of the 
enterprise, but we know there is room, and even a 
demand for 6ucb a journal as we shall issue—far more 
than there was for the Rural, when it was com¬ 
menced—for the world moves, and its inhabitants 
(especially on this Continent) are intelligent and 
progressive. The great Industrial and Producing 
Classes are the foundation of the Nation, and should 
bo the peers of any in intelligence, refinement and 
independence. Our aim will continuously be to aid 
them in their avocations , and iustruct and eutertaiu 
them in tbeir homes. While practical aud scientific 
topics will be thoroughly discussed, ornamental 
embellishment, and intellectual culture and enter¬ 
tainment, will by no means be neglected. Indeed 
we hope to render the Rural, more than ever 
before, a most acceptable visitor to every fireside, 
whether urban, suburban or eouutry. 
The enlarged Rural will be printed on a quad¬ 
ruple sheet, each number comprising sixteen pages 
of five columns each. The paper will be superior 
to that hitherto used, and the illustrations more 
numerous and expensive. Though considerably 
laiger than any other illustrated paper published in 
ibis country, we believe our arrangements are such 
as will secure a neat and tasteful appearance. 
In regard to the Contents of the new volume—a 
matter of the first importance—we can Bpeak with 
stiff greater confidence and «ertaint.y. Onr aim is 
to excel, and we believe the arrangements made 
will enable na to accomplish the object. The 
Rural’s staff of Editorial and Special Contributors 
will be augmented by noteworthy accessions, and 
comprise the best talent and ability obtainable. 
The principal members of onr present corps are re¬ 
engaged, and will increase the number of tbeir 
instructive and pleasing contributions. The de¬ 
partment of Sheep Husbandry will continue in 
charge of the Hod, H. S. Randall, LL. D., than 
whom there 5 b no better authority on any branch of 
the subjeet. Mr. G. F. Wilcox, our principal asso¬ 
ciate in the Practical departments for some years, 
having charge in our absence, will continue his 
editorial contributions—writing from his borne near 
Rochester, where he is known as an experienced 
and successful farmer aud horticulturist. Prof. A. 
A. Hopkins, our chief aid in the Literary and Mis¬ 
cellaneous departments, will continue in his present 
position. Dr. Daniel Lee, our Southern Corre¬ 
sponding Editor, promises to increase his contribu¬ 
tions, while Messrs, P. Barry, H. T. Brooks, F. 
R. Elliott, T. C. Peters, E. W. Stewart, James 
Vick, "Now and Then,” (C. W. Idell,) and other 
able and experienced contributors, have already 
furnished articles for the new volume, and assure 
us of their continued assistance. 
Among the accessions to our Editorial Stall', with 
the new year, we have the pleasure of announcing 
Chas. D. Bragdon of Chicago, TIL, and X. A. Wil¬ 
lard of Little Falls, N. Y., gentlemen widely and 
favorably known to the agricultural community. 
Mr. Bragdon, who was formerly editor of the Prai¬ 
rie Farmer, and subsequently for some years con¬ 
nected with this Journal, (first as Western Corre¬ 
sponding and later as Associate Editor,) resigns a 
responsible position on the Chicago Republican to 
resume his connection with the Rural as Associate 
Editor. Mr. B. is an able and practical man, and 
withal an experienced journalist, and we aie con¬ 
fident this announcement will give pleasure to 
thousands of our readers. Mr. Willard is exten¬ 
sively known as Agricultural Editor of the Utica 
Herald and as an able writer and lecturer on Dairy 
Husbandry—being regarded as the best (if not only) 
American authority ou the subject. He will con¬ 
duct the Dairy Husbandry department of' the Rural, 
giving it his special and chief attention. Our read¬ 
ers will not only have the benefit of the results of 
his experience and observation in matters pertain¬ 
ing to the Dairy, but aRo of his reports of (and 
sagacious comments and prophesies concerning) the 
Cheese Markets, both home aud foreign—the former 
from his own personal knowledge, and the latter 
from hiB private aud trustworthy European corre¬ 
spondence. These reports wilt be made exclusively 
for this Journal , and comprise information not given 
in auy other. We shall give prominence to Mr. 
W.’s department, and are confident he will render it 
invaluable to all interested in dairy products. 
Wo have scarcely space to enumerate, in this con¬ 
nection, the new contributors which we have been 
so fortunate as to engage. Among them, however, 
are Hon. J. Stanton Gould, Ex-President N. Y. 
State Ag. Society, of Hudson, N. Y., who will •on- 
tribute a series on the Texun Cattle Disease, the 
Grasses, aud other subjects,— Mr. J. Wilkinson. 
Architect and Landscape Gardener, of Baltimore,— 
C. V. Riley, State Eutomologist of Missouri,— 
Mrs. E. P. Ellet, Mary A. E. Wager, Mary J. 
Holmes, “ Minnie Mintwood,” aud several other 
able and brilliant writers. 
— In conclusion, our own long experience and 
enlarged facilities, with the assistance of the best 
talent, earnest effort aud liberal expenditure, will, 
we firmly hope and believe, enable us to render the 
Rural New-Yorker nncqualed iu all the essentials 
of a combined Rural, Literary and Family 
Newspaper. 
-■ »>» • »»» ♦■- 
OILING AND BLACKING HARNESS. 
At this season the farmer should overhaul, repair, 
oil and black his harness, so they will be pliable iu 
the cold weather, and be durable and safe. A cor¬ 
respondent of the Scientific American gives the 
following method: — “In the first place, I subject 
the harness to one or two coats (as the leather may 
need) of lamp-bluek and castor oil, warmed sufficient 
to make it penetrate tfic stock readily. Then I 
make about two quarts of warm soap suds, and with 
a sponge wash the harness. When dry, rub it over 
with a mixture of oil and tallow, equal parts, with 
sufficient lump-black to give it color, or, what is 
better, prussian blue, whieh gives it a new and fresh 
look. This compound should be applied sparingly 
and well rubbed in, which can be quickly done, and 
will leave a smooth and clean surface. 
“Bysaturating the stock iu the first place with 
oil, the soup and water are prevented from penetrat¬ 
ing it iu the process of washing. VVheu leather is 
permitted to absorb water or soap it bus uu ulti¬ 
mate tendency to harden it. When the harness is 
washed first (as is generally the case) the water 
repels the oil; consequently in the one ease you 
haye the oil inside of the stock, aud iu the other 
you nave the &oap and water. By oiling first it 
softens the dirt, so that it can be washed off' in at 
least one-half the time required when washed before 
oiling, and also saves the ' scraping’ process, which 
defaces the grain of the leather. It will remain soft 
much longer from the fact of its being penetrated 
with oil. The whole process cun be accomplished 
without the delay of waiting for it to dry. Conse¬ 
quently the harness can ue oiled and cleaned iu 
much less time, will remain soft longer, wear 
longer, and look better lhan when cleaned by the 
old method. And I coupler these reasons of suffi¬ 
cient importance for every one having a hurness to 
give this method a fair trial.” 
The English patent harness blacking, which is 
commended for keeping leather soft, and giving it 
a good polish, Is made by dissolving together over 
a slow tire three ounces of turpentine, two ounces 
of white wax; then add one ounce of ivory-black 
aud one drachm of indigo, to be well pulverized and 
mixed together. When * .e wax and turpentine are 
dissolved add the ivory Mack and indigo, and Btir 
till cold. Apply very thin, and brash afterwards. 
-^ »»•»»» »•- 
EFFECT OF DROUTH ON WEIGHT OF HAY. 
The present season has been peculiar, being dry 
through the previous fall and winter, and in spring 
till the latter part of May, when we had three 
weeks with gentle sliowc.s, which coaxed the over- 
dried grass rootB into a sudden growth. No rain 
fell from 12th June till after haying, and grass made 
nearly its entire growth in four weeks. Of course 
the bulk was not large, but many were surprised to 
fiud the weight so low iu proportion to bulk. We 
had a mow 80 feet long, 15} feet wide aud 18>£ feet 
high, containing 8,325 cubic feet, which weighed 
only 11 tons 1,-I00 pounds, requiring nearly 800 
cubic feet per ton. Yet this hay has a very fine ap¬ 
pearance— a lively, bright green, which takes the 
eye of a city horse feeder. The only method of de¬ 
tecting the quality of such hay, without weighing, 
is to examine the texture of the stalk. The stalk 
will be found of a looso, texture, easily flattened, 
not so round as when fj|ly mature — hollow, al- 
though the stalks are t:;Mi Ao>ond j, i 
this hay will be found to Consume one-third more 
in bulk than of well matured hay. 
Many who suffered by the drouth expected the 
hay would weigh heavy fur the bulk, because the 
grass contained less water, and, as they supposed, 
ripened into solid stalks. This is the case where the 
drouth comes on gradually after a moist, warm 
spring, giving the grass a long time to mature; but 
when the seasou is so dry 'arly in spriug that vege¬ 
tation only gets a start after late rains, and then a 
sudden drouth commences in June, the grass does 
uut fairly ripen at all, but partially drieB up in an 
immature state, the saccharine juices only partially 
developing, and the hay weighs much less than in a 
very wet season. The drouth very seriously affect¬ 
ed most crops on a narrow belt of land on the south 
shore of Lake Erie, extending from near Buffalo 
into Ohio; the average of hay being not more than 
,60 per cent, of the crop of 1807—aud the continued 
dry weather after haying has very seriously affected 
the grass roots, aud thereby probably reducing the 
next crop. The measurement of hay at 512 cubic 
feet per ton will result this year, in districts affected 
by drouth, much iu favoi of sellers. It requires 
well matured timothy grass to weigh a tou to 513 
eubic feet, when cured aud pressed iu a mow at 
least 16 feet high and of the ordinary width. But 
the maturity of grass for hay which weighs the best 
does not require ripe seed. The ripening of the 
seed is at the expense of the nutriment, which 
should remain in the stalk; and hay is lighter from 
such ripened grass than when cut in the blossom. 
—E. W. S. 
-■ » «!♦ » »- 
THE CULTURE OF TIMBER. 
“Tlie rich man’s wealth is his strong city.”— Pkov. 18,15. 
The nation's wealth is its strong timber. 
As the first of these maxims is an inspired truth, 
no less is the last a practical truth. In proportion 
to the strength and durability of its timber will be 
a natiou’s wealth and power. There is not found a 
native timber on this Continent the durability oi 
which is counted by cen turies. The red cedar, the 
most enduring of all American wood, decays; nor 
has it ever existed in sufficient quantity and size to 
become available to a great extent lor building pur¬ 
poses, and its growth is so slow that he who would 
advocate the planting it iu forests for the future 
supply of the country’s want, would be regarded 
an idle dreamer. The oak that is found in our 
forests is most valuable for strength and durability 
of all American timber, both lor land and naval 
purposes. Yet our navies, built of this limber, 
endure but a few yearn. Public defenses, bridges, 
railroad fixtures, &c., are all of short duration. 
The resources of this nation are mightily taxed to 
perpetuate its workB. The masts of ships are main¬ 
ly made of the piue as the only available American 
timber suitable for this purpose. But while these 
resources of timber are rapidly decreasing, the de¬ 
mand is in the same ratio increasing, and we need 
not call up any of the old prophets to tell us of the 
future want and destitution- 
l’arauiount to all other questions relating to the 
practical interests of this country, is that of timber, 
or forest culture. We are floating on smoothly 
with, the song of plenty on our lips, but as surely 
we ore approaching terrible want. We can build 
great cities, create mighty fleets, and fill onr coun¬ 
try with farm houses in a single year, but we cannot 
build trees and forests in a year. Without timber a 
nation is helpless. 
A remedy is at baud. Already action is being 
taken by some of the Agricultural organizations in 
the Western States to encourage a system of forest 
culture. The Legislature of the State of Kansas 
has offered large premiums for forest, planting, Iowa 
has taken steps in her councils to secure the same 
end, and we trust the time is at hand when not only 
ail the State governments will adopt similar meas¬ 
ures, but that the General Government will lead off 
in this great enterprise. 
Another question arises in connection with this 
subject,—What is the kind of timber to plant? I 
reply that whieh possesses the greatest strength 
and durability,—is of the most rapid growth aud 
adapted to American soil. There is a variety ot 
timber which has been known from high antiquity, 
existing a native in the interior of the Eastern Con¬ 
tinent, and has beeu extensively planted within the 
last ceutury in Western Europe,—which possesses 
extraordinary strength, exceedingly rnpid in its 
growth, and regarded by all European writers as 
‘ imperishable,” either in or out of water It has 
withstood thus far the skill aud ingenuity of man 
to cause it to decay. Nothing but the action of the 
elements and wear of time marks its duration. It 
was first introduced in Scotland by one of the nobil¬ 
ity in 1748, since which time he has planted of the 
same extensive forestB. In fifty-two yeare from 
planting, his trees measured more than one hundred 
feet in height and three feet in diameter. 
It is asserted by a responsible gentleman who was 
on the Duke of Athol’s grounds in 1863 that treeB 
which were first planted in his grounds at Dunkeld 
in 1743 were five feet iu diameter and one hundred 
and fifty feet in height. This timber is known as 
“European Larch,” and flourishes equally well iu 
America. n. c. s. 
--*■«•» - 
NOTES ON NEBRASKA.-No. II. 
“Without counting Alaska, the United States 
has still 1,500,000,000 acres of public lands.” Why 
not count Alaska? It cauuot be more superlatively 
worthless than niuety-nine hundredths of this much 
heralded “billion and a half acres of public land." 
ft to |;>iui t.liyt <)d oiw Lisa, /*rcduh ns, spend¬ 
thrift, sovereign people should know not merely 
the extent but the quality of their possessions. 
Of all this vast public domain, not one acre in 
three hundred is worth one dime for farming pur¬ 
poses. Excepting a few fertile valleys on the Pacific 
slope, which generally have to be irrigated in order 
to .produce crops, there is no land lit to farm ou 
west of a line drawn through Texas, Kansas, Ne¬ 
braska and Minnesota. This line will leave at least 
one-third of those States “out in the cold” — or 
more definitely, out in the dry, for drouth comes in 
to spoil what sterility has spared. West of this 
fine and east of the Continental divide, (the Rocky 
Mountains,) most of the surface is covered with 
wild grass, generally short and thin, hut which gets 
a start the last of May, and for three or four months 
affords some pasturage, but early Croats render it 
nearly worthless. Its value as a grazing region has 
been greatly overrated. This year stock would fall 
away rapidly if left on prairie grass after the middle 
of September. These dry prairies will not bear 
close feeding. Cropped like New York pastures, 
they will run out, and there is little hope that they 
can be renewed with tame grasses. 
Our cheap, fertile, arable lands are mostly all ap¬ 
propriated,—bought up by actual settlers or specu¬ 
lators,—and this fact should be speedily known to 
all who intend to go West with a little money to 
procure homes. Going West is one of our most 
inveterate national habits, but it will soon be over 
with. Americans start for the setting sun as nat¬ 
urally as a young goose starts for the water, but the 
setting sun cannot bo their guide much longer. 
Central Nebraska still holds out groat induce¬ 
ments to men of small rneanB, great courage and 
good habits. I don’t luteud by that remark to class 
“small means” among the cardinal virtues; it is 
pretty near a crime to be poor anywhere, or, if not 
a crime, it. Is “ dreadful inconvenient.” It is a Her¬ 
culean labor to set up farming successfully in any 
country with small means. Few know what our 
first settlers fiave endured and achieved. American 
pioneers arc tfic world’s most Illustrious heroes. 
But a Western pioneer on a good soil like Nebraska, 
all ready for the plow, aud with railroad facilities 
such as will soon be enjoyed iu every part of that 
State, and with land that can be had from nothing 
to $2.50 per acre, has a belter prospect than most of 
our fathers had. 
I was very glad to learn from Hon. A. F. Harvey, 
the old editor of the Nebraska Statesman, that 
there are still several millions of acres ot good land 
in that State subject to entry under the Homestead 
act. Large grants of excellent land have been 
made to railroads, whieh are offered within fifteen 
miles of the truck at $2.50 per acre; and good gov¬ 
ernment land maybe purchased for $1.85 per acre. 
iSucii chances, I Say again, cannot long continue. 1 
therefore advise ihose who meau to go West to go 
soon. 
My first visit to Nebraska was at the time of the 
State Fair, held at Nebraska City in October last. 
Nebraska City is one of the old towns, and is very 
venerable compared with Lincolu, Fremont and 
other upstart places, it consisted about twenty 
years ago of one block-house, where overland folks 
fitted up l'or California. It is picturesquely situated 
on the west bank of the Missouri, with about 
18,000 inhabitants, aud every evidence of prosperity. 
Chief Justice Mason, whose hospitality I enjoyed, 
lives on a fine, well cultivated farm a mile or two 
out of the city. He Is a well developed specimen 
of a Western man. Furiner, judge, lawyer, poli¬ 
tician—he can husk more corn, hold more courts, 
make better speeches, than a whole regiment of 
bashful men. He is giving much attention to the 
cultivation of fruit, forest trees and hedges, and to 
the Improvement of stock. 
One of the very best farms in Nebraska is owned 
and eultivuted by Mr. Gilmore, whose fine fruit 
and flue Durham stock deserves the highest praise 
—at least 1 should have thought so if I hud not 
been oven better entertained insole of the house than 
outside. Tils neighbor, Mr. Morton, is also a very 
prominent farmer, who was patriotically engaged 
iu saving the country while I was there. One of the 
happy features of Western travel is the whole-soul 
hospitality extended to yon, especially if you belong 
to the Mate they came from, which, Id point of con¬ 
sanguinity, ranks with cousin in New England. 
Mr. aud Mrs. Wm, E. Kennicott, from New York, 
entertained me a day or two with a cordiality I 
shall not forget. O. Harmon, Esq., an enterprising 
farmer and able writer, I hope to Introduce more 
fully hereafter. 
The State Fair at Nebraska City was very credita¬ 
ble to the officers and to the contributors. I greatly 
regret that I have not room to notice it at length. 
Every department was represented by specimens 
that would do credit to any State of the Union. 
Set a New-Yorker down among the agricultural im¬ 
plements, and he would know without telling that 
they belonged to a go-ahead people; plows that 
would turn a furrow twenty Inches wide, all east 
steel aud no cast iron; com cultivators, drawn by 
two horscB, that clean two rows at a time; two- 
horsc drills for planting com; reapers of truly 
formidable proportions, drawn by four stout steeds; 
machines with a wide sweep and moving in advance 
of the team, cutting off the heads oi the wheat and 
putting it into wagons that convey it to the stacks, 
leaving most of the straw behind;—these were some 
of the Western peculiarities. 
1 was indebted to Mr. C. H. Walker of Ashland, 
Secretary of the S’ate Board of Agriculture, for 
roauy eourteaies dnrlug the Fair. He was also my 
escort during a delightful ride of several days over 
different parts of Nebraska, \yitli fine roads, and 
Judge Mason’s first premium trotters, if anybody 
went by us I have entirely forgotten it! 
At the Fair I made the acquaintance of Robert 
W. Furnas, Esq., President of the State Board of 
Agriculture, a very enterprising farmer and an in. 
telligcnt gentleman. He is largely engaged iu 
raising the Cashmere goat, several of which he ex¬ 
hibited. They are tender while youug, but are 
cheaply kept aud their wool is very valuable. From 
Nebraska City wc went to Lincoln, the State capi¬ 
tal, with ninny fine buildings, 800 inhabitants, aud 
not two years old. A fine 8tate House is nearly 
completed, built of stone, whieh is abundant, is 
very easily worked and very durable. At Lincoln 
we saw the u coming” plow, all idle and out of gear 
in consequence of some “ little” discrepancies; but 
it had done some good plowing, which we saw 
proving conclusively that you can plow by steam it 
you can only afford to foot the bill I tt was mude 
in England, and two others like it are in use in this 
country; one iu Illinois, said to average ten acres 
per dny, druwiug live or six plows at a time across 
the field by an inch rope of steel wire, the engines 
being stationary. We were assured that the Viceroy 
Of Egypt had 400 of them in use. 
We went from Lincoln to Ashland, where 1 saw 
the line farm of my friend Walker, who is one of 
the pioneer wool growers of Nebraska. Here, in a 
a most beautiful and fertile country, I found several 
old neighbors, satisfied, as well they might be, with 
their surroundings. One of them, Mr. Hovby, had 
bought a farm for $13 per acre four months before, 
which he would not think of selling short of $85 
per acre. “Tell Jenkins,” said he, “that every 
loot of my land is as good as his best acre after ho 
has put a hundred loads of manure on it.” Jen¬ 
kins’ farm would bring $50 or $00 per acre; it is iu 
Western New York. 
We spent a night with Prof. 1. S. Miller of 
Pluttsinouth, who owns, aud is now improving, 
several of the finest farms in Nebraska. He says 
that wool growing is unprofitable iu the West un¬ 
less yon have two thousand sheep, and then put a 
good shepherd with them and graze them on the 
prairie in summer and protect and feed them weU 
in winter, — a less number will not pay. Sheep ap¬ 
pear to be diminishing In Nebraska. L. A. Walker, 
Esq., is an excellent tanner near Omaha, and an in¬ 
telligent and public spirited man, who thinks Para¬ 
dise must bo located four or five degrees nearer the 
equator; but bis wife said:—“ Tell people Nebraska 
is the healthiest eouutry iu the world.” A friend 
of mine found fever enough for hiB whole family on 
the Missouri bottom, north of the Platt. 
Omaha is the place you heard about, — it is the 
beginning of the Pacific Railroad, whieh 1 was 
“ passed ” over, and whieh I will write about. Here 
George Francis Train flourished and faded, leav¬ 
ing a dozen little plain houses and a fine hotel to re¬ 
member him by. Here dwell the moving spirits of 
the Pacific Railroad. Here are merchants prepared 
to Bupply u Continent with goods, prominent among 
whom are Messrs. J. H. & J. S. Collins, who 
showed me many courtesies during my stay. Oma¬ 
ha is beautifully situated on the Missouri, and is to 
be the great town of a great and prosperous State 
—Nebraska.—n. t. b. 
Richard Knight, Esq., of Antrim county, Mich., 
cleared and fenced twenty acres of heavily timbered 
land. He sowed it to wheat, and from the product 
he has, beside the straw, two hundred dollars iu 
cash, after deducting- all expenses, according L o his 
own statement. 
