1858. 
THE CULTIVATOR 
123 
fjtote for % Htont|. 
The Advertisements. —We should state by way of 
apology to our readers for giving up so much space to 
Advertisements, that we should not have admitted 
them to such an extent this month, were it not for the 
fact that somewhat less than the usual space has been 
occupied in this way in the previous numbers of the 
year, and among those now inserted there are none; the 
appearance of which could be deferred to our next is¬ 
sue, without diminishing their value to the advertiser 
and their interest to the reader. Nurseries, Manures, 
Implements, Seeds of all kinds for Field, and Flower 
and Kitchen Gardens, Machinery for Horse Power and 
all kinds of Farm work, are tolerably well represented; 
and we may add that if readers were to consult the 
Advertisements a little more generally than they do, 
they would be saved the trouble of addressing so many 
of the inquiries we receive. 
We may at the same time hint to advertisers, that 
by consulting the columns we publish of “ Inquiries 
and Answers,” as well as the correspondence of the 
paper, they would often get useful hints as to what and 
when to advertise. 
Our April Premiums. —Many of our old friends 
and agents are still behind their usual lists at this 
season, and from some others we have not heard at all. 
To such, as well as to those who are now competing for 
the first time, a reminder is not improper, of the fact 
that for ten days still to come much may be done 
to secure subscriptions and decide the award of prizes 
offered for April 10th. We hope they will avail them¬ 
selves of the pleasant weather, and see as many of 
their neighbors as possible on the subject. 
Mowing Machines.—George C. Dolph, of West 
Andover, Ohio, in allusion to the description of mowers 
recently given in the Country Gentleman, informs us 
that Ball’s machine has no lever for raising the cutter- 
bar, and that Miller and Aultman’s only possess this 
arrangement He likewise furnishes several strong 
testimonials in favor of a new invention he has himself 
recently made and patented, for raising or depressing 
the cutter, with great ease, while the machine is in 
operation; and several gentlemen, and among them 
the inventor of Ball’s machine, regard it as the best 
contrivance of the kind they have seen. We are pro¬ 
mised an engraving of this improvement soon. 
The Country Gentleman. —“Hard” as the “times” 
are, I cannot yet afford to give up the Country Gen¬ 
tleman, whose weekly visits I regard as a standard 
necessity. As an Agricultural Journal, it has, I think, 
no equal; while as a Family newspaper for those en¬ 
gaged in Rural pursuits, it has scarcely a rival. Its 
moral tone is excellent. J. B. 
Planting too Much. —A correspondent in Michigan, 
after alluding to the recommendation given to farmers 
last year, to put in “ another acre of produce, in order 
that the the country and the poor of the cities might 
have enough to eat,” says—“ We did so, and what is 
the result 7 The western states, on account of the 
cheapness of produce, can scarcely pay their taxes. 
Now I would say to the farmers of the country, put in 
one tenth less this year, and see if we cannot pay our 
taxes next winter. The prices this winter are ruinous 
to the farmer. We have to ask in our neighbors to 
help eat up our produce, it is so cheap. The present 
prices will scarce pay for carrying to market after they 
are raised. The farmers are in debt, and will be at 
these prices. Three-fourths of present crop would have 
put the farmers out of debt; therefore raise less, and 
we shall come out right.” We give our readers the 
benefit of our correspondent’s advice. Our view of the 
matter, however, is, that the farmer would do better to 
produce all he can from his farm in the most economi¬ 
cal manner, in grain, beef, pork, mutton, &c. 
Portable Steam Engines. —We have received the 
annual Circular of Messrs. A. N. & E. D. Wood, steam 
engine builders, Utica, N. Y. Several of our subscri¬ 
bers who have procured portable steam engines of the 
Messrs. Wood, have expressed to us their high satis¬ 
faction with them. It will be seen from their adver¬ 
tisement, that they make them at prices varying from 
$1,75 to $1,700. Farmers and others, who contemplate 
procuring an engine, should obtain one of their Circu¬ 
lars, which they can do, we presume, by enclosing a 
stamp to the Messrs. Wood. 
Large Average Weight of Hogs. —We are in¬ 
debted to Geo. Haines, Esq., for a copy of the New- 
Jersey Mirror, which gives an account of the weight of 
several lots of hogs raised in Burlington count}' in that 
state, the past season. Isaac Harrison, of New-Han- 
over, slaughtered 35—total weight 19,415—average per 
head 554 pounds. Joseph K. Hulme of Fountain 
Green, killed 21—average weight 455£ "pounds. Jo- 
sosh Newbould, of Wrightstown, 26—average 461 lbs. 
Alex. Shreeve of the same place, 21—average 532£lbs. 
Thomas Hood of Shelltown, “ who is well known for 
raising mammoth porkers, killed 44, which averaged 
533£ per head.” Nothing is said as to the breed or age 
of these hogs. 
Large Exhibition of Oxen. —In the December 
number of your Cultivator, you notice, on the credit of 
“ the Vermont papers,” that the Town Fair in Peach- 
am, Vt., exhibited “ two hundred and fifty pairs of 
oxen, and other stock in proportion, which is believed 
to be the largest number of cattle ever exhibited at 
any one fair in the state.” At the exhibition of the 
Whitingham Ag. Society, held Oct. 1st, 1857, there 
were exhibited three hundred and twenty-seven pairs 
of cattle, “ and other stock in proportion,” and this is 
“ believed to be the largest number ever exhibited at 
any one fair in the state.” E. S. Allen, Secretary. 
Selling Hay by Measure. —Dec., 1853, I sold the 
hay from one-half the bay in my barn ; the part sold 
being 16 by 18£ by 6, or 1,776 cubic feet. The weight 
was 11,075 lbs., or one ton to about 324 cubic feet. 
This was rather fine timothy hay, and had heen press¬ 
ed by an average depth of about 12 feet of wheat in 
the sheaf, g. h. 
What a Blind Horse may be Good For. —The 
famous running horse Lexington, which was purchased 
by R. A. Alexander, Esq , of Woodford County, Ky., 
as our readers may remember, for the snug little sum 
of $15,000, is said to have earned for its enterprising 
owner during the past year, no less than $6,100 ! At 
this rate for annual return, the property may be es¬ 
teemed a pretty good one, even if its first cost was 
rather large. 
Michigan Ag. College. —We are glad to know that 
this institution is in successful operation. Its Cata¬ 
logue for 1858, just received, gives the number of pu¬ 
pils in attendance at 108. 
