3m)itsi’l Societies. 
NOTES FROM THE WINTER MEETING 
OF THE CONNECTICUT BOARD OF 
AGRICULTURE. 
(RURAL SPECIAL REPORT.) 
Bran and u flne feed?' saving and keeping 
fruits: Connecticut game laws; Canadian 
») ilk and cattle feeding r:cpe ri inents;grasses 
for permanent past arcs; hints as to rattle 
feed; milk for cities; agricultvrat fairs; 
e.vperi in rids wi th ferf i I izers. 
The nutritive autl matiurial value of wheat 
bran was discussed by Dr. Jenkins. The husk 
of spring wheat is brittle, rich in glutcu and 
difficult to separate, just the opposite of winter 
wheat, but the brau of the latter is the richest, 
containing about five per cent, less digestible 
matter than line feed. New-process bran con¬ 
tains one per cent, more phosphate mid three 
per cent, more protein than old-process. Brau 
is cheaper at *18 per ton than middlings or line 
feed at *20, and contains 48 pounds of nitro¬ 
gen per ton. Twelve tons of bran contain 
578 pounds of nit rogen. 840 pounds of phosphor¬ 
ic acid and 760 pounds of potash—as much as 
is contained in three tons of dried fish—to say 
nothing of its value as feed—an important 
consideration. It. requires considerable faith 
in chemistry to believe coarse bran, as com¬ 
monly sold, contains more nutriment than the 
finer grades. 
Saving and keeping fruits was the topic- 
treated by pomologist Augur. He advocated 
giving the best, plenty of it. and of the best 
keeping varieties. Half the battle is to have 
well-grown specimens free from insect blem¬ 
ishes, to gather early and carefully, avoiding 
bruising, discarding interior samples and feed¬ 
ing them to stock. Cold storage should lx> 
more extensively employed. Evaporat ing will 
lie found profitable. Apple jelly is a profitable 
product and. with canning now so popular, we 
can have these healthy products of the soil on 
our tables, in.some shape, the year round, much 
to our health and profit. 
The game laws of Connecticut were shown 
by Mr. Kelly to lie enacted in favor of irre¬ 
sponsible sportsmen and pot-hunters, auil the 
New York markets are largely benefited by 
receiving the game that rightly belongs to t he 
farmers of Connecticut. He pleaded earnestly 
for the birds, and denounced, in well-merited 
terms, the wholesale robbery of the nests 
under the plea of making cabinet collections 
of no benefit to any body. The crow came 
under this ban; as it is guilty of destroying 
more eggs and young of robbins than all its 
good works can atom for. 
What the cattle have said relative to food 
for 10 years past, was an interesting topic 
treated by Prof. Brown, of Ontario, Canada, 
The figures from his experiments represent 
tlie average of tests during a series of years 
not from one cow, but from three, four and 
mire, it will be untied that while the Hol¬ 
lands are noted generally for thsir yield of 
milk, it the lowest, in quality. [Numerous other 
experiments in the United States show much 
more favorable results as regards the quality 
of Holland milk, —Eds,] 
Another curious feature shown is that the 
Jersey stands not only at the head of the list 
for butter, but forchee.se also. [Tests in other 
pla res have given very different results also. 
—Edd. 
|, S§.*' Chemical 
,S 5 analysis of 
milk. 
Breeds. P * „* Total. 
it V O ; -• i W JP -2__ 
15 i •:t , 
— — — — -,“x tats, solid. 
•lersey.. 5.1 55. 15, ti 1J.H5 
Ayrshire . 1.5 43.5 12.» 5.72 I8,li3 
Short-horn. 1.4 41.lt II. 4, Ml 111,99 
Short horn grade. 8.7 11.9 1.03 12.3S 
Devon. 4.8 18.5 11.9 1.18 12.15 
Aberdeen-Angus. 3.5 ! 38. 10.1 2.87 11 :.7 
Guernsey. 2.5 . u.5 11.7 8.00 u.W 
Holstein. 2.3 1 81.5 10.0 3.73 11.88 
Galloway... 2.3 31. 11.7 l.SS 14.38 
The accuracy of these tables will doubtless 
be questioned. The lecturer himself was sur¬ 
prised; but lie could not explain them away. 
They were the facts, and must stand till dis¬ 
placed by other facts deduced iu like manner. 
It required three acres to maintain one cow 
in pasture for the season. One acre represents 
1,300 pounds of milk on pasture, against 1)00 
pounds per acre this side the line. His mixture 
of grasses for permtuient past ure is: 
Meadow Fescue.1; im. 
Red Top.,,, .3 >• 
Kentucky Bluet Jruns.g •• 
Italian Rye Grass_1 *• 
Yellow Oat Grass... .3 “ 
Lucerne.5 “ 
Alsike..,..,. 2 “ 
Yellow Clover.t " 
Meadow Foxtail. 4 lbs. 
orchard Grass.3 *• 
Timothy.....4 •• 
or English Rye.1 •' 
White Clover.S *• 
Red " 1 •• 
Total.38 lbs. 
Un a farm of 400 acres he has 20 acres in 
roots—sweeds or rutabagas mostly—and ex¬ 
pects a yield of 22 tons per acre. After four 
years’ trial of ensilage,lie had abandoned it on 
account of its objectionable effects on the milk 
He avoids tine ground feed; coarse or cracked 1 
grain is better. Oil cake is'fed cracked to the 
shse of hickory nuts, or larger. He thinks cat¬ 
tle masticate it better in that condition, and 
more thoroughly incorporate it with saliva 
and coarser food. He feeds cattle for beef 
about six months, and prefers two-year-olds— 
not profitable to feed longer. 
Prof. Brewer, treating of the milk question 
for towns and cities, urged absolute cleanliness 
and the prevention of auy foul odors or impu¬ 
rities being absorbed by the milk, and thus 
conveyed to the human system. Skimmed 
milk is by no means innutritions or unwhole¬ 
some; but itshouhl be sold for what it is. Con¬ 
necticut has no law on the subject. 
A paper on agricultural fairs took the 
ground that if the fat woman and other side¬ 
shows, as well as horse racing were necessary 
to induce people to visit the fair where they 
might perchance see and receive instruction 
from contact with other things, have them by 
all means. If fine music is needed to draw peo¬ 
ple to church, when they are there the minis¬ 
ters have the material to hammer and mold 
into such shape as they please. The State of 
Connecticut contributed about £7,500 and the 
people *45,000 for the support of the faii-s, and 
the benefit, if any, must be educational. In 
defence of horse racing and such attractions, 
a Danbury fair manager stated that at their 
cattle show the first day the)' sold 800 tickets. 
The cattle were then taken away, and the next 
day came the horse trotting, etc., with a sale 
of 10.000. This was necessary to make the 
money to pay the premiums awarded on the 
cattle. The entry fees for trotting sometimes 
pay the premiums; hence there was no loss to 
the society: while cattle and agricultural ex¬ 
hibits were admitted free. One exhibitor w^s 
charged *15 for his vegetable display, because 
he wished to have it where it could be seen. 
Tlie manager replied it was his own fault; had 
he been content to go with others of his class, 
it would have cost him nothing. The situation 
assigned for this class of exhibits was said to 
be an obscure, out-of-the-wav place totally 
unfit for the purpose, and the attendants at the 
horse trotting were not farmers: but jockeys, 
sports, dudes, and their fast lady friends from 
the towns and cities all over the State anil be¬ 
yond. From developments I judge Connec¬ 
ticut is fully up to the standard in the manage¬ 
ment of modern agricultural fairs, 
Mr. Fairchild detailed his experiments with 
fertilizers and believed in getting his chemicals 
and mixing them himself, though he saves 
this labor by applying each ingredient directly 
to the soil, trusting to cultivation to do the 
mixing. He found that without ]K»tash he 
could get no crops at all. Phosphoric acid, 
nitrogen and potash were the chief elements 
necessary, tlie latter especially. A farmer 
ought to kuow enough of his business to know 
what he wants better than the merchant does; 
but a great many farmers ask the merchant 
what, they need, and the latter of course re¬ 
commends the particular brand he is inter¬ 
ested in. The farmer should know and de¬ 
mand what he wants regardless of the mer¬ 
chant’s advice. 
Mr. Bartholomew found on his soil that 
phosphoric acid was the absolutely essential 
element he ueeded, except with potatoes; he 
could dispense with this crop but uol for corn. 
There are those who want prescriptions for 
their soils, as they have neither time nor iu 
clination to experiment; but both speakers 
urged them to conduct experiments themselves; 
they would find it useful, instructive, interest¬ 
ing and profitable; aud in no other way could 
they arrive at satisfactory conclusions. 
The concluding paper was addressed to the 
young folks of the farm by Mrs. Slosson. Its 
title “Open Your Eves” was an appeal to 
young folks to observe more keenly the more 
common aud every-day objects around them, 
for in them lie hidden and unnoticed a store¬ 
house of useful knowledge and beauty. The 
grasses, weeds, flowers aud bushes of fields 
and meadows afford abundant means for study 
and observation. The method of treating 
the subject was quite as applicable aud inter¬ 
esting to the older and mature minds of those 
present, as to those for whom it was prepared, 
and ought to be quite as beneficial. k. w. 
The New York Fertilizer and Chem¬ 
ical Exchange is the name of a new organ¬ 
ization among the manufacturers and dealers 
in fertilizers and fertilizer materials. The 
object of this organization is to promote 
sociability among its members, aud a free con¬ 
sultation on all points which will secure 
uniformity and a high grade in the fertilizers 
put upon the market. Mauy of the extensive 
manufacturers and the leading dealers have 
already liecome members. The first meeting 
of the association was held in New York early 
in December, and the following bourd of 
officers was elected: C. V, Mapes, President; 
John Kehoe, Wm. H. Bowker, and Wm. H. 
Reed, vice-presidents; Geo. B. Forrester, 
Treasurer, and John T. Williams, H, J. Baker, 
R. G. Kirkland and A. S. Malcomson, Direct¬ 
ors. ^This seems to be a move in the right 
direction, as the members of this association 
will be quite likely to make their brands of 
fertilizer of a uniform grade, and they will 
each have a direct interest in seeing that the 
i nferior grades are kept out of the market. In 
this way, we can see how this association can 
be of real benefit to the fanners as well as to 
themselves- It is hoped that all the leading 
manufacturers will become members, and that 
the farmers may be able to get. just what they 
buy. If there is one thing in which they have 
been cheated more than iu anything else, it has 
been in the quality of the fertilizer which they 
have bought. 
Pennsylvania State Board of Agri¬ 
culture. —The annual meeting of the Penn¬ 
sylvania State Board of Agriculture will be 
held at Harrisburg, Pa., on Wednesday and 
Thursday, January 27th and 28th, 1886. The 
very important matter of fences and their 
relations to the farm and farmer, will lie fully 
discussed. It will be a very important, and 
interesting meeting, and all who can, should 
attend. Further information will be furnished 
by Thos. J. Edge, Sec’y., Harrisburg, Pa. 
Wisconsin Dairymen’s Association.— 
The 14th annual meeting of the above associa- 
will be held at Richland Center. Wis., for 
three days, commencing Tuesday January 26, 
at 10 o'clock a. m. A very rich and varied 
programme has been prepared by the Sec’y., 
our friend D. W. Curtis, of Ft. Atkinson, Wis., 
who w iil gladly furnish a printed circular of 
the meeting. Every butter and cheese maker 
of Wisconsin should lie in attendance. It is 
time to w ake up the dairy interest aud crash 
the bogus butter business. 
Western New York Horticultural So¬ 
ciety. —No one within reasonable access should 
forget the meeting of the Western New' York 
Horticultural Society, which will convene 
at Rochester on Wednesday January 27th. at 
10 o’clock a. m. Rochester is emphatically 
the “Flower” (Flour) City. She furnishes this 
society a hospitable welcome and the finest hall 
imaginable in which to meet, and Western 
New York has many able and live horticultur¬ 
ists who are always on hand. The programme 
is a fine one, and all who attend will have a 
good time. 
CATALOGUES, ETC.. RECEIVED. 
Jas. M. Thorbcrx & Co.. 15 John St., New 
York. — Annual descriptive catalogue (100 
pages) of seeds for the vegetable and flower 
garden; for the lawn, farm aud nursery. This 
firm was established in 1802, aud we know of 
no other firm enjoying a better reputation. 
The catalogue is a plain uuembellished state¬ 
ment of the seeds offered, with simple direc¬ 
tions as to their cultivation. The lists of tree 
and shrub see<ls (both deciduous and ever¬ 
green), as to numbers and selections, are un¬ 
equaled. There are many new- varieties of 
seeds offered, among which may be mentioned 
the Bird Cantaloupe, new beans, sweet corn, 
jieas, potatoes and tomatoes. Chryanthemum 
stills saved from the best Chinese aud Japanese 
plants are catalogued among the flower nov¬ 
elties. The list of miscellaneous seeds should 
be examined. The catalogue will be sent to 
all who apply to the above firm mentioning 
-the R. N.-Y. 
W. AtLEE Burpee & Co., Philadelphia, 
Fa.—This is certainly an enterprising firm, 
aud it has sent out many novelties of real merit 
of late years. The catalogue (128 pages) is pro¬ 
fusely illustrated with several colored plates 
and wood cuts of all sorts of plants as well as 
of farm animals. Among specialties we find 
the Pipe-stem or Top-over Corn, Burpee’s Em¬ 
pire State Potato. Emerald Gem Mnskmelon, 
Turner Hybrid Tomato, Giant Pera Cucum¬ 
ber, many different kinds of new beans, peas, 
cabbages, onions and celery; new hardy glad¬ 
ioli. chrysanthemum seeds, new pansies, etc., 
etc. In the stock department we find Chester 
White, Berkshire, Small Yorkshire, Jersey 
Red and Poland China pigs: Laugshans, Wy- 
andottes. Plymouth Rook fowls; several breeds 
of sheep, dogs, etc., etc. The catalogue is w'ell 
worth examination. Sent free to our readers. 
Pete:. Henderson & Co., 35 and 37 Cort- 
landr, Snvet. N. Y.—A beautiful catalogue of 
138 pages, illustrated with hundreds of wood- 
cuts aud three colored plates, one of a new 
asparagus, a new lettuce aud a new cucumber; 
another of the roses Bennett, American 
Beauty, Ball of Snow and Sunset, and the 
third of the Eclipse Beet, There are too many 
specialties to notice here. We need only men¬ 
tion a new “Self-husking” Cora, the “Volga” 
Watermelon; the Perfect Peaehhlow, Charter- 
oak, Empire State aud Pearl of Savoy Pota¬ 
toes; the Mikado Tomato and Tree Tomato of 
Jamaica, Henderson’s new Rose Celery, new 
Chrysanthemums, new' strains of Verbenas, 
etc. The catalogue must be examined to be 
appreciated. Send three two-cent stamps, aucl 
mention the Rural. 
D. Landreth & Sons. Phila., Pa.—An illus¬ 
trated catalogue of 100 pages. Though not the 
showiest, it is still one of the best published in 
America, anil by one of the oldest houses. We 
find in tins potato seeds (true seeds from the 
ball or fruit) offered. We have repeatedly ad¬ 
vised our readers to raise their own seedling 
potatoes. Now is the time to sow them in 
pots or boxes. The lists of all kinds of vege¬ 
table, flower, grain, root and grass seeds are 
full and carefully selected. The Laudreths 
grow most of their own seeds, Catalogue free 
to our subscribers. 
S. L. Allen & C-o., 127 and 129 Catherine 
St, Philadelphia, Pa.—An illustrated cata¬ 
logue of garden and farm implements made by 
this firm, among which we find the Planet Jr. 
Seed Drills of several sizes, the Planet Jr. 
Combined Seed Drills. Wheel Hoes. Cultivators 
and Plow, the Planet Jr. Single and Double- 
hand Wheel Hoes and Cultivators, the Fire-fly 
Garden Plow; also the Planet Jr. Horse Hoes, 
Cultivators and Coverers. These are fine im¬ 
plements for the use of the gardener or farmer. 
We have had them in use on the Roral Grounds 
and Rural Farms, and find them most useful 
for every kind of crop cultivation. Send for 
tins catalogue and see what they make. 
Ant. Roozex & Sox, Overveen, Holland.— 
Deveer & Booinkanip, agents for U. S. and 
Canada, 19 Broadway, N. Y. An illustrated 
catalogue of gladioli,dahlias.ranunculuses. ane¬ 
mones, irises, cannas, begonias, gloxinias, am- 
arylis and other Dutch bulbs. There are special 
collections offered at most reasonable prices. 
All duties are paid and the prices include 
packing and all expenses for freight, etc., to 
New York and Toronto. Canada. The firm is 
entirely trustworthy. Catalogue free. Ad¬ 
dress the U. S. agents, as above. 
Hotchkin Carriage Works, Syracuse, 
N. Y, —An illustrated catalogue of all styles of 
wagons, carriages, buggies and sleighs made 
by this firm. It embraces extension-top car¬ 
riages ; side-bar Brewster. Tiniken. end-spring 
and side-spring buggies; eliptic, platform, half- 
platform aud three-spring wagons; sleighs, 
cutters; in short, all things that are wanted 
that are light and nice. We advise all want¬ 
ing anything in this line to send for this cata¬ 
logue and see stvles and prices. 
William Henry Maule, 1711 Filbert St., 
Philadelphia. Pa.—This catalogue is full of re¬ 
markable illustrations and staring announce¬ 
ments. from which it is rather bewildering to 
attempt to specialize. It would seem that 
about everything announced is a specialty or 
novelty better than any othur of its class. Mr. 
Maule has erected aud lately occupied one of 
the handsomest seed warehouses in the country, 
where he hopes to hear from all his friends. 
The catalogue will be mailed free to all who 
apply as above. 
Hiram Sibley & Co., Rochester. N. Y.—A 
carefully condensed and abridged catalogue 
(70 pages) of every kind of seed for the farm 
orgarden. with a number of valuable tables 
for the assistance of the farmer or gardener. 
Among oats it offers the Schcenen. White Aus¬ 
tralian. Prohsteier and Black Tartarian. The 
list of clovers, grasses and mi lets is full and 
well selected. Seeds of hardy shrubs and trees, 
as well as bulbs and various plants are also 
catalogued. Sent free to Rural readers upon 
application to the above firm. 
Jackson Iron Works. No. 315 East 28th 
Street. N. Y.—This is an illustrated catalogue 
of every fixture and device that can be thought 
of for use either in or about a stable or cattle 
farm or to ornament the outside. It is the 
mast complete list of such fixtures we have 
ever seen, and should be consulted bv every¬ 
body who wishes to have things handy. It 
has also several fine designs for stables and 
carriage houses. A splendid catalogue. 
Dutch-Friesian Hf.rd Book.— We have 
received from the Secretary. S. Hoxie, White- 
stown. N Y,, the fourth and last volume of this 
herd book, as this society is now merged into 
the Holstein-Freisian Association, which event 
is very pleasantly announced in the preface 
bv the secretary. It contains registry of some 
300 males and 600 females. 
American Duroc-Jkrseys.— The first vol¬ 
ume of the American Duroe-Jersev Record, 
containing the constitution and by-laws of the 
society, the historv of the Duroc-Jersevs, and 
a register of 9,000 head of these s-vine. Chas. 
H. Holmes. Sec.. Springfield, Ill. 
Mt. Vernon Linseed Oil Co.. Mt. Vernon, 
Ohio.—A circular setting forth the value of 
linseed meal as a food for farm stock. We 
hone to see the dav when everv pound of this 
rich food will be fed at home instead of being 
exported. Our fields need the manure made 
therefrom. 
Alexander Bradley & Dunning, Syra¬ 
cuse, N. Y.—An illustrated catalogue of tur- 
