194 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
dies a mass of authentic information, exhibiting in a 
clear light the early annals of Western New-York, its 
tardy advances in settlement during the period anterior 
to the last war with Great Britain, many incidents of 
the war and the subsequent condition of the settle¬ 
ments, and the rapid developement and improvement 
of the country, since the completion of the Erie Canal, 
thus presenting a view of American progress, which 
can hardly fail to be acceptable to intelligent minds. 
Deeming it desirable that the local history of the seve¬ 
ral sections of the State should be preserved and dis¬ 
seminated, we cordially recommend this volume, as a 
produetion highly creditable to its author, and worthy 
a place in the School District Libraries of the State. 
Christopher Morgan. 
Washington Hunt. 
Alvan Hunt. 
Third Annual Report of the Board of Agri¬ 
culture of the State of Ohio. —This report, 
like those which have preceded it, consists chief¬ 
ly of statements in regard to the products and condi¬ 
tion of agriculture in the several counties of the state. 
They show, generally, an improvement in most depart¬ 
ments of husbandry. The President of the Board states 
that an increasing taste for agricultural reading is being 
manifested among the people of Ohio, and that “ the 
spell which so long bound them to the traditions and 
practices of their fathers is partially broken.” Ohio 
has great natural advantages, and we are happy to see 
that progress is made in their development. The 
board have resolved to hold a State Fair at Cincinnati, 
on the 5th, 6th and Tth of September next. A large 
amount of money is offered in premiums, which are 
open to competition from other states, and there will be 
an extensive and interesting display. 
Chemical Technology; or chemistry applied to the 
Arts and Manufactures. By Dr. F. Knapp Professor 
at the University of Giessen; translated and edited, 
with numerous notes and additions, by Dr. Edmund Ro¬ 
nalds and Dr. Thomas Richardson. First American 
edition, with notes and additions by Professor Walter 
R. Johnson, of Washington, D. C. 
This excellent work consists of two handsome octa¬ 
vo volumes, printed and illustrated in the highest style. 
The first volume has been previously noticed in our co¬ 
lumns; the second is before us, and is deserving of the 
same high praise which was bestowed on its predeces¬ 
sor. It is a work of great value, written by one who 
has evidently devoted much study and practice to the 
subjects on which he treats. It includes the most re¬ 
cent improvements in regard to chemical processes, and 
the illustrations are full and complete. The present vo¬ 
lume contains two hundred and fifty wood engravings. 
Published by Lea & Blanchard, Philadelphia. 
The American Bee Keepers’ Manual; being a 
practical Treatise on the History and Domestic Econo¬ 
my of the Honey Bee, embracing a full illustration of 
the whole subject, with the most approved method of 
managing this insect through every branch of its culture, 
the result of many years’experience: By T. B. Miner. 
New-York: Published by C. M. Saxton. 
This is a work of 334 pages, “got up” in a very 
neat style, and illustrated with well-executed wood en¬ 
gravings. The author has made a readable book, giv¬ 
ing directions for the management of bees, based, ge¬ 
nerally, as he informs us, on his own “ practical expe¬ 
rience ” extending through “ many years.” His views 
on many points, are different from writers who have pre¬ 
ceded him. Those interested in the subject will, of 
course, examine, compare, and judge for themselves. 
He is pretty thorough in his “condemnation” of “pa¬ 
tent” hives generally, and were it not for the encomi- 
miums bestowed on one styled “ Miner's Patent Equu 
June, 
lateral Beehive ,” which he considers the “ ne plus 
ultra in every point,” we might almost be led to infer 
that there had been no improvement on the most pri¬ 
mitive structures for bees. This last mentioned hive is 
not fully described, as the author thinks “ the full par¬ 
ticulars cannot be given and do justice to himself.” It 
obviously has merits however, though we confess our 
inability to discover its superiority, from what the au¬ 
thor allows to be made public, over some other hives 
with which we have had more or less acquaintance for 
twenty-five years. 
^lusiBcrg to (Eovresponiiento. 
Compost. —Ontario Farmer. The addition of lime 
to your manure would tend to liberate the ammonia, 
and we do not see that it would be any benefit to the 
materials you mention. See an article on composts in 
this number. 
Cabbages. —B., Montgomery county. Pa. The best 
soil for cabbages is a deep moist loam. The plants are 
set from two to three feet apart, according to the size 
of the variety. The price in this market is from two 
to four cents a head in the fall, and five to eight cents 
in spring. We are not prepared to give any definite 
information as to the quantity or price of krout sold in 
the “ principal markets.” Inquire of someone connect¬ 
ed with the vegetable market in New-York. 
Broom corn for Soiling. —P. S. B., Petersburgh, 
Va. It is not so good as the common corn. It has 
been tried, but the stalks are not well relished by any 
kind of stock. 
Potato Disease. —S. A. B., South Edmeston, N. Y. 
For experiments with lime and other substances in con¬ 
nexion with the potato disease, we refer you to our 
back volumes, especially to that for 1848, pp. 191—2. 
Poultry. —J. Y. K., New-York. The breeds of 
fowls combining most “ beauty” with the qualification 
of “good layers,” and a “ substantial carcass for the 
table,” are the Black Spanish, Dorking, Game, and 
some varieties or crosses of the Malay, when well bred 
—such as those called Chinese, Jersey Blues, &c. The 
extent of ground for the confinement of fifty fowls, 
ought not to be less than one-fourth of an acre. One 
cock will answer for ten hens. For the production of 
eggs, it is not indispensible that a cock should be kept 
w-ith the hens, and for “ market purposes” it makes no 
difference in the value of the eggs. We are not aware 
that any experiments have ever definitely settled the 
question whether the number of eggs is increased or 
diminished by cocks being kept with hens. To make 
money by rearing “ fancy poultry,” skill and attention, 
with ample accommodations are required in breeding 
and management. It is not every one that can breed 
pigeons or other birds “ to a feather ,” but there are 
some who can. For feeding fowls, a variety of grains 
and other food, is preferable; but if only one kind can 
be had, we should choose wheat screenings or buck¬ 
wheat. 
Character of Soils.-— A. S. H., Bethlehem, Pa. 
The information you desire, could, probably, be given 
by a man of good practical observation, who w T as ac¬ 
quainted with the different kinds of soil, as they are 
commonly designated. Such a person is generally able 
to form a pretty correct opinion as to the capabilities 
of a soil, and its adaptation to different crops. It is in 
this way that lands are usually selected, though w T e 
have no doubt that analysis would, in many instances, 
suggest useful ideas. 
Saxons vs. Merinos. — E. H., Cleveland, Ohio. The 
match which was to have taken place as arranged at 
Low t c11, a few T years since, never “ came off.” 
