PROGRESS AND IMPROVEMENT.” 
| occupies it. He sb>b Virgin lit—especially aloiq 
t lie Potomac—is no place for men who have nc 
I capital to farm; for al ter the lands arc paid tot 
and stocked with implements, &c., a man ro- 
qnirca about $30 per acre to bring it up to a 
j good producing condition; this (lone, there is 
) no better land or locality. Ho is interesting 
! nunwir in organizing co-operating colonies lor 
that Stale. He urges that we induce as many 
Northern pomologlsts as possibje to attend the 
meeting of the American Pomologlcal Society 
at Richmond, in September. A hospitable wel¬ 
come and a line exhibition ot fruits Is promised. 
— Geo. C. HitAGDON, editor of the Watertown 
(N. Y.) Post Is in town, ami reports serious suf. 
| faring among the Jefferson county fanners 
front drouth. What a pity It is that the rapid 
running Black Hirer and the hundreds of living 
| streams which water that county arc not made 
I to fertilize those lands winch Jm upon rock 
foundation and suffer so seriously from drouth. 
'V inri-mJJLs unrl byricauJic ranis mfjflit plnco 
(with the aid of these spring-fed streams) Jeffer- 
son county tanners entirely out of the reach of 
i lie ill effects of drouth in many cases.—Talking 
of Jefferson county reminds us that during a 
reconl visit there we met A. H. Hale, Esq., )ato 
or the W a ter town Reunion, who is devoting his 
a it out ion lo farming this summer. He toils a 
Sior.v of a town lady who visited Ids farm mid 
Amendment or Highway Law* „r flew York 
-We have received from Homer a. Nelson. 
Secretary of State, by his Deputy, the following 
amendment of the Highway Laws of New York 
made by t he Iajgislai ure of 1871. The Secretary 
writes;—“There have been frequent inquiries 
as to an act of 1871, increasing rate 0 f compen¬ 
sation for highway labor. The rates remain 
unchanged, no amendatory act having passed. 
I inclose a copy of the only nroendraent of the 
highway laws mado by the Legislature of 1871 " 
Wc give the act, as follows: 
A b, cmaln SlSS* *° as8essmentof »lghw«y tatmr 
Passed March a*.1971: three-fifths being present. 
v?l1n imrtly within the. limit*' of sturh 
'"•«« c Jtf and partly without said village <>i eitv 
d OmU brt the da tv of the assess., re Of »Tli town 
ostIt»,. fl ^i X U") V , llU1, ‘ n °f the Whale of rueh real 
<_st.it*. as n<w tiy hiw reqtlircO, to deform im* whui 
|irr>po»tion »it Huoh vnluution Is on uncoutii *»t rint 
!*?1 -or tiling#, and ifesTfrutiU? tta M :im» 
Frcdonln, !S. Y„ Jntte |._Th Q 
was mild, and fruit, buds of 
through in fine condition 
ral days earlier than last year, but 
and some frosty nights in May reta 
tion so that we are now only' ns far 
year; yet a week 
average seasons, 
Pa6t winter 
all kinds came 
Spring opened seve- 
a cold April 
rded vegeta- 
'advanced as 
„ E ° r ten days 
Some light frosts 
-—i. Farm 
A fine rain last 
— ,f needed, 
/•anged from 
at this date last 
earlier than .- 
w - —V»WWMW> 'JVlUt; I llr, 
in May did no damage in this section 
crops are generally promising. / - 
week did great good, but more is now 
1 l,e pas' five days thermometer bus tr~ 
83. to 90’ at midday, and ground is very n,. v 
Grapes are pushing forward very rapidly, rn,'. 
tons first showed blossoms May 30, same date ■,« 
last year. All kinds are loaded, and give prom 
tse of a bountiful crop. Most varieties will pi 
>n blossom In a day or two. Peach trees arf . 
loaded. Pear trees set very full. Apples win 
not yield as largely as last year, but a fair cron 
Strawberries Just in market.-!. s. tl. ' 
tnrvllla, W’nrren Co., Tcun., May 29.— Crons 
do not look as favorable as nt this timelmd year 
Spring has been wot and cold, and rather back¬ 
ward, Wheat (fall) looks tolerable well in S( , ni0 
localities, but as a general thing the crop win 
fall below Hie average. Spring grain, such ns 
oats and barley, looks well. Corn Is about nil 
Planted, and some of the fields would be the bet 
tor lor a little stirriug .>r the soil; but tboineeV 
earn rams Prevent. The prospect for fruit is 
tolerably good, especially peaches; the trees are 
loaded and will need shaking, or I fear tlm 
branches will not. bo able to bear up the great 
amount of lruit that, is now on them. Apples 
notes plenty us lust year; still a tolerably good 
supply promised. Other fruits In abundance 
Land low in price and nlontv in tin. ! 
A Cnnadn Editor 
0,1 »**«• FroOneinl Exhibition, 
-I he Editor of the Farmers’ Advocate, London, 
Out., goes in for local fairs, but be is wedded 
unflinchingly, to the Provincial Exhibition, and 
winds up a two-column arlicle in this wise- 
farmers, we say, Jiowev .. 
duty to support your local Burs, 
your duty and privilege t 
of those under whose 
vineial Exhibition i 
striving to maintain 
in asserting the rights of agriculture, and 
flinching j n their duty to keep themsrlv 
yours free from those who, for their 
and party politics, would hav_ 
by sycophants of their own, who 
your interests to advance th 
cipled patrons." 
evs will understand this nl’lusi 
ties ”—we confess we don’t—and 
tion accordingly. 
■-*♦,- 
Professor of Agriculture In (’or__ 
-A correspondent informs us that “ the trustees 
I'uve at length secured the services ot Mr.*_ 
McCaniu.esn as Professor of Agriculture in Cor¬ 
nell University, who will enter upon the dis¬ 
charge of bis duties at the beginning of the next 
trimester. He brings with him the most ample 
testimonial:: from some of the best men In Ku- 
r "|)c,mid it it believed he will be found the right 
man in the right place. Forty acres of the Uni- 
rersity farm will be put under his exclusive 
numigemeut, to be cultivated as a model farm " 
IVe are glad to bear it, but wish there were more 
linn twenty or twenty-five out of flvo to six 
nindred students there who bad faiih enough in 
be future of Scientific Agriculture to induce its 
tudy. Most of thestudentsat Cornell, weJeurn. 
arc Studying for other professions. 
or much it is your 
-, it is no less 
o strengthen the hands 
bare aud control the Pro. 
is placed, when they are 
i an independent position, 
not 
os and 
own selfish 
i'e their places filled 
-1 would sacrifice 
O9o of their unpriu- 
We suppose our Canada road- 
‘ to "party poll. 
give it circula- 
Ternis, Only $| .50 per Volume of (2( 
er S3 per year id ,>‘Z numbers. To til id 
nme: Five copies for >7; Seven, and < 
agent, for Ten. and one tree, for 
1 mr : five copies for ?I4 ; Seven, and on 
?li»: Ten, and one free, far $3.) -only 83.5( 
The lowest Yearly rate to Canada is $2,7( 
lo Kiimjie. lirariH. P. O. Money Orders i 
tered Letters at oar risk. 
The It it ml >Viv. Yorker Is sold by f 
ers generally. The Trade. i» supplied by 
1 0UK News t’o.. No. a Spruce fit.. New Yoi 
A nvKUTiaj.N'o. inside, cents per li 
space; Outside,81 per line, each insertion 
tra Display and CiiU. n price and a hair, K 
Jiiisiness Notleos, 81.00 and 83 n line. No 
ment inserted lor less than |3. 
•inpnnese Silkworm Eggs In Colirornia 
Pueiilc Rural Press ol May 13, says ; 
* ,,e W car . <ls of silkworm eggs st 
tin. market from Japan, leave a record (In 
no mnekm Consignment*. Here t h 
no mntlu t. \\ c have asurplus i.r our own 
out an export demand. One of our mill 
planters made n considerable shipment i< 
rope as a venture, of wliich wo hiivnveti 
tiuna. Pherdisturbed condition of Franc 
bids hope in that direction. Italy wants 
inn our supplies have not yet anv gtai 
reputation. Success has not to“c» Uni 
Jap. in esc eggs. I hough vouched for by the 
ot t iatgovcromeni. mr not true to ilieir li 
\ e hav e yet no reliable means of retard in 
batching of eggs till leaf time. As anile 
liomc supply has begun to hutch this veur 
; ami the french annuals, wliich , 
l unMfifCfUi#nt ■ifj Hu* tHirsci where 
hatched. Newcomers from Italv, 
•n on rental many of um cocoons, 
the /Tench annuula, confident of 
then treuimeat, which eonsistein 
i)g Fiouhcs outside of the eocoon- 
witli open tire-pinees and means 
l even temperature-say 70’Fah 
come here expressly to raise eggs 
BUSINESS INFORMATION, 
— IV mlo the mercury was lip among the nine- 
lies and we wore “aweary,” it. was pleasant and 
invigorating to receive a call from the Rev. Dr. 
K. G. Robinson, President of the Rochester 
I hoologicai Henilnnry—a mail so cheerful, earn¬ 
est and progressiva that lie always acts as u. 
tonic upon individuals and audiences. The Doc- 
lor is spending a portion of hm summer vacation 
m efforts (which others ought to make) to build 
up and endow the institution of which lie is the 
worthy head and front. The Seminary, (bough 
comparativ ely young, has already attained high 
rank, aud is second to none under the patronage 
of tlm Baptist denomination in this country. 
Arrival or Fine Mock Expectrd.-The ship 
Hudson. Capt. Pratt, from London, May 10, has 
onboard a carefully selected lot or first-class 
breeding stock, including four Short-ltoru cows 
selected by John Thornton, Esq.; twenty-two 
Jersey cows and heifers and one hull, selected 
upon the Island by Mons. Le Bas of Jersey 
(these are, with u single exception, self-colored, 
with full black poiuts,and are said to be the 
finest lot ever shipped); thirty-five sheep. Cots- 
wulds and Southdowne; twelve ponies. Stallions, 
and mures, aud ihirty-five swine. (Berkshire 
Essex, and “ White Essex.”) The last are from 
theynrd6of six of the best breeders in England, 
ten being from (be Queen’sand PriucoCousorfs 
bu ms. All this stock is, we understand, iu the 
hands of Messrs. U. H. Allen & Co. of Now 
ork, and will be advertised as soon as the de¬ 
scriptive invoice with pedigree is received 
Mail the exception of those Imported upon 
definite orders, thennimais are the property ot 
Capt. Pratt, and were seleoted wJth a full 
knowledge of the wants of our market aud the 
fancies of breeders. The Hudson will nmha.iv 
THE SEASON AND CROPS. 
INDUSTRIAL SOCIETIES, 
Nrw England Poultry <-| n b _ q 
are the officers elect of this Socle! v 
mg year: Pres.- O. B. ]• J 
Woodward, Worc< 
tucket, R. I.;.. 
Goodale, Saco, M 
E, N. Bessel!. R. w . . , 
Chamberlin, Worcester. 2'rests, 
Worcester. Ex. Com —L‘ — 
ton, Jr.. H. 8 Ball? W. 9? Lincoln"^’ v Z 8 r 
O. Loring, 8. R. Ruck wood, ’ * N m - ce ' C 
Holman, Chas. Hadwin, Jr, 
F. A. Biscoe. 
The Western ,Y C 1 \t 
N,,„i, 
bourd of officers: Pns -Dr T tv ’ 1 .. 
John S. Heudmon! 3W-Dr C A^Zhrson 
Director*-1‘. I*. Morony. Dr j \v n,.ii V 
SWi'nlVSV"BinniS; 
The Ceuiral Iowa BUirlct Assoc, havlrur fixed 
llie 19-^1 days of 
nosa'ihp^ft^ric°f^ xfi Ure n ie oountles that nmi- 
» ri u! : A, b“r,Bmirie, Dallas, Greene. 
Guthrie* Hamilton, Hardin, Jasper, Lucas w«- 
rton, Madison, Mahaska, Marshall, Volk p'uwe” 
sheik, Story, Warren, Webster and Cuss ’ 
Eastern Iowa Agricultural and 
Aleihanlcal Association, embracinir Timor,,, 
Payette, Allamakee aud Wnmesheik cun ties’ 
and dm^rVc9v°VA 1 L. Clermoi,t ‘he 4th, 5th’ 
Attention is called to tho fact that from 
week to week wo give reports of drops from 
various localities all over the country furnished 
by voluntary correspondents. These records 
are before our renders, and indicate an extend¬ 
ed and severe drouth, unparalleled almost til 
this season of the year. During tlm past week 
we have had in tlm vicinity of Now York copious 
and frequent showers, which have accomplished 
vast good to growing crops. How far these 
ruins have extended we have now no accurate 
knowledge. In New England, tho Middle nml 
The following 
n r , —-•}’ forthoen.su- 
„;.-? A S. WEN - Worcester. 
f”, 
tucket, R. I.; ffrii, Stark, Manchester, n! H.: L 
vine Hart ford, a.j 
vile, v t. See. — Fred. W. 
: Q* Muymird, 
i.-b. \Y oodward, A. Ilough- 
Loring. 87it.liuckWoodAV°j "V hee^e^RufS 
Holmnn. - ■ Calvin Hartshorm 
Am’u, located at Salis- 
. ug 
fiorton Crop Estimates.—Reports from eight 
cotton States show a falliugoff in the number of 
acres planted this year compared with last of 
nine hundred aud t hirty-three thousand, ( 933 ,- 
d00), or an average of twelve per cent, for each 
State. This falling off in acreage and the un¬ 
favorable condition of the crop, it is estimated 
by the Agricultural Department, will cause a 
tailing (iff o! over one million aud u quarter 
(1,850,000) bales. 
--- 
Personal Item.— Here comes a pleasant per¬ 
sonal in u Rochester paper; oue that will inter- 
esl many of our readers, who have read the 
contributions to the Rural New'- Yorker by 
Bertha 8. Scrantom, youngest daughter of 
ex-Editur Epwin Scrantom. Rochester, N. Y. 
The item announces Unit she was married May 
82, by Rev. Henry Anstick, to James F. Pool 
of Rochester. We have congratulations aud 
good wishes for her aud tiers. 
English Abuse of Meclil.-The North of Eng- 
and Farmer calls Mr. Meciu’s utterances 
‘ blatant agricultural Ignorance, and plausible 
abuse of farmers and ownersof soil; " and says 
that Mr. Mechi coBt the Metropolis of England 
£4,000,000 of money in the sewage business, and 
that he ha6 thrown glamour over hosts of igno¬ 
rant land-agents and factors in the country who 
have been entrusted with the command of vast 
sums of money which they have wasted. 
Elkin A. C., May 31,-Corn is quite small, 
owing to a good deal of cold, wet weather dur¬ 
ing this month. Wheat lias the rust badly • to¬ 
bacco piauts nearly ail eaten up b 3 ' the*fly 
Health of the eouutry good. Corn is 70c.; wheat 
ft : ^ 75c ” b,lco *b K'Ac. per ib.; tobacco from 
- Money very scarce,— a. c, 
Washington, Io»vn, June 4—The weather is 
very warm. Corn is almost knee high aud looks 
well; farmers arc plowing it for the second 
v! m t' W11 b ° Ht tU CUt in three ° r four 
weeks. Outs and other small grain need rain 
quite badly- Barley is heading out. Markets 
I mt J heat ’ * L ° 7: barley ’ 55 °-: oor.i, 34c.; 
tut ter, 12?4e.; cattle, $3@4 per ewt.; rye, 60c.; 
oats, 40c.; potatoes, 40u.; eggs, 10c.; live hogs, $3 
per owt.—c. c. p. ’ ^ 
South beoville. Cape May Co., JV. J„ j llne , _ 
The springlopened unusually early, and vegeta¬ 
tion came forward rapidly; but the month of 
May was not only cool, but extremely dry so 
that now the season is not. in advance of the 
preceding. The strawberry crop is nearly a 
failure m consequence of the severe drouth, 
the time, j ram of May 31st has saved the earlv 
potato crop, 
half a crop, 
BUSINESS NOTICES 
ana asu wj’itet' and author, visited this country 
last year, and after telling, in the London Field, 
what he discovered in the way of vegetable and 
pomologlcal phenomena here, illustrative of the 
capacity of our soils and conditioua of our cii- 
mate,says:—“Blessed by every variety of cli¬ 
mate, and with its people not hedged out from 
each oilier sImprovements by strang'o tongues." 
Judging by what we know of the dose commu¬ 
nion of Englishmen who come hither in tho ca¬ 
pacity of horticulturists, there must be other 
hedges than “strange tongues" in the way of 
horticult ural progress in England. It is not un- 
lnqiiine* tor Dairymen.-We are just com¬ 
mencing with a dairy of eleven cows. Will any 
of your readers tell me the best way to keep m v 
butter sweet through the hot summer days? We 
have a milk house, but no cellar. Will the but¬ 
ter keep good In a milk house ? Would you ad¬ 
vise the firkins covered with brine or salt after 
they are filled?— Jennib. 
RURAL NOTES AND QUERIES. 
- -»lOU Lit 
Beaches promise an immeuee yield 
are about half grown, and healthy to all appeal 
ances, Blackberries are set full. GrapesUook 
promising. Pears about medium; not overload¬ 
ed ; apples do. Wheat heads short, but the ker 
nels plump and sound, and heavy growth of 
straw.—w. D, 
Ha '“ sn ' , ■ Jun *‘ I--There will be 
lutidly half a crop ot winter wheat. Corn looks 
well; most of the farmers are plowing it the 
third and last time. Spring wheat very poor- 
rust has struck it; some fields will not be cut’ 
Winter wheat is worth *1.30@*1,25; spring wheat,’ 
9oc.(K 1; corn from 75 to 85c.; potatoes, $1®5.10, 
according to locality—in some of the Southern 
counties they cannot begot at any price. Cattle 
-Good steers are worth from $50 to *55; poor 
ones from *o0 to *35— some less than that, ac¬ 
cording to age; milk cows, from $40 to $76. 
Southern cattle, (Texas), according to age, are 
worth $15@30; sheep, $1@1.76; wool, 80@k6c. 
very warm here now.— a. p. 
\ a., was our first visitor. He is, withal, a Vir¬ 
ginia farmer, owning ihe old Mason homestead 
on the Potomac. He is delighted with Virginia, 
(settling thereon account of health), mid is ren¬ 
ovating some of its old pine barrens by tbe use 
ol 1 1 mo, gypsum, manure, and subsoil plowing. 
Ho has learned, lie says, that the plowing of the 
Virginia clay should be done iu the full; tlint it 
makes a large difference in the crop whether 
laud is spring or fall plowed. He finds lh.it clo¬ 
ver, timothy, red top, orchard grass and blue 
gra.-w thrive there. Without experience, lie did 
a sensible thing by visiting \\\w. Saundcrs Q f 
the Department of Agriculture, who is testing 
the different grasses on the Depart ment,grounds. 
There he learned what seemed best adapted to 
,rArJin 0ll i" n ? e'buate and ordered them, and is 
jotting his laud into these grasses as fast as he 
Reaper and Mower Trinl.— “Pocahont 
Florida Springs, N. Y., is informed that t 
was uo trial of reapers and mowers in 
under the auspices of the Now York State 
Soc., that we ure aware of. 
Inquiries for Teacher*.— I wish to know some¬ 
thing about the Latiu language. In order to 
get a thorough knowledge, with as little help 
and labor us possible, I want to know who is the 
best author and how to get it.— A Texan. 
»»• 
Sirup from Sweet Poiatoes. — W. DOOLITTLE 
asks some of the reuders of the Rural New- 
Yorker to give the process of manufacturing 
sirup from sweet potatoes. 
swearing in Court .—a correspondent of the 
Rural New-Yorker asks if we believe it right 
to swear iu court. Our belief ought to have lit¬ 
tle iufluenee upon the individual action of oth- 
/ 
