1850. 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
183 
Notices cf ^publications. 
Qnmzxs to Comsponfonta. 
The Farmer’s Guide to Scientific and Prac¬ 
tical Agriculture. —This is the title of a work, 
by Henry Stephens, of Edinburgh, author of the 
“Book of the Farm,” and Prof. John P. Norton, 
of Yale College, New Haven. The first volume of 
the work has already been issued in Edinburgh, and 
the American edition is in course of publication from 
the stereotype plates which have been imported. 
It is put forth in numbers of 64 pages each—22 num¬ 
bers comprising the work. The price is 25 cents 
per number, or $5 m advance for the whole. The 
numbers can be sent by mail at periodical postage. 
We have received the first number of this work, and 
from its careful perusal, and from what we know of 
the writings of its distinguished authors, we venture 
the opinion that it will be the most complete trea¬ 
tise on agriculture that has ever been issued. It 
will treat the subject in its broadest and most com¬ 
prehensive sense—fully discussing its principles and 
relations to the various sciences, and describing 
its practical details. It will be illustrated by 18 to 
20 engravings on steel, and more than 600 wood en¬ 
gravings in the highest style of the art. Published 
by Leonard Scott & Co., 79 Fulton-street. New. 
York. 
Working Farmer. —This paper has been en¬ 
larged, and its typographical appearance 'much im¬ 
proved. We have received the first number of the 
new volume, which contains a large amount of good 
matter. It is edited by Prof. J. J. Mapes, and 
published monthly by Kingman, Cross & Co., New- 
York. Terms, $1 a year. 
American Journal of Science and Arts. —We 
have received the March number of this valuable 
journal. It contains among other articles of impor¬ 
tance, an article on the “Connection between the 
Atomic weights and the physical and chemical pro¬ 
perties of Barium, Strontium, Calcium and Magne¬ 
sium, and some of their compounds,” by Prof. E. 
N. Horsford; “Observations on the Size of the 
Brain in various Races and Families of Man,” by 
Dr. S. G. Morton; “An account of some Fossil 
Bones found in Vermont, in making excavations for 
the Rutland and Burlington Rail Road,” by Zadoc 
Thompson; “On the American Prime Meridian,” 
by Prof. J. Lovering; with much other interesting 
intelligence. Conducted by Professors Silliman 
and Dana. Published at New Haven, on the first of 
every second month, at $5 a year. 
British and Foreign Medico-Chirurgical Re¬ 
view; or Qurterly Journal of Medicine and Surge¬ 
ry. This high-standing periodical is republished 
by Messrs. R. & G. S. Wood, 26, Pearl-street, New 
York. It should be in the hands of every practition¬ 
er of the healing art. Terms, $3 a year. 
Illustrated Self-Instructor in Phrenology 
and Physiology, with one hundred engravings, and 
a phrenological chart of character; by 0. S. & L. 
N. Fowler. This is an interesting manual to those 
who wish to inform themselves in regard to the sub¬ 
jects on which it treats. It is very handsomely 
“got up,” and is sold for only twenty-five cents. 
Published by Fowler &, Wells, New-York. 
Experiment with Ashes.—A correspondent of 
the New-England Farmer , spread “on a small 
square of a few rods ” ten bushels of ashes, on 
worn-out meadow. “ The grass there was three 
feet high, while all around, with equal advantages, 
except ashes, it was hardly five inches high in July.” 
Clayey Land. —M. V. B. B., Fishkill, N. Y. 
The first step towards the improvement of this land, 
is to drain it thoroughly by under drains. Then 
plow it seven inches deep, following with the sub-soil 
plow, which should be run at as great a depth as 
the team can move with it. Use plenty of coarse 
manure, and work it well into the soil for the double 
purpose of letting in the air—which effects favora¬ 
ble changes in clays—and of making the soil more 
loose. The muck you speak of, will have the effect 
to loosen the soil, and will also act as manure; but 
it will be better to let it lie in heaps one season be¬ 
fore it is applied, to dispel the acids it usually con¬ 
tains when in its natural beds. 
Cultivator for stony lands. —J. W. G., 
New Fairfield, Ct. The steel-tooth cultivator is 
best for stony and rough land, and best for working 
among corn, except where the ground is very light 
and clean from weeds or grass. It may be had at 
the Albany Agricultural Warehouse. Price, $7; 
with cast iron teeth, $5-|. 
Grafting. —W. A. E., West-Springfield, Mass. 
The wild black cherry is of no value as a stock for 
grafting the cultivated varieties. The various kinds 
of native thorn will answer for grafting the pear. 
It is best to graft close to, or below the surface 
of the ground. 
Merino and Leicester Rams. —J. W. W., 
Spring-Grove, S. C. The best opportunity for you 
to buy this kind of stock will be at our State Fair, 
first week in September next. They can be had, 
probably, at all prices, from ten to a hundred dol¬ 
lars a head. The fall is the best time to take them 
south. 
Bones. —M. D.. Jr., Lynchburg, Ya. You will 
find the best direction for preparing bones for ma¬ 
nure, in the series of articles now in course of publi¬ 
cation in our columns, by Prof. Norton. 
Work on Agriculture.— -A New-York Mechan¬ 
ic. As a work calculated to furnish “a good fund¬ 
amental and practical knowledge of farming gene¬ 
rally,” we would recommend the c Farmer’s Guide.’ 
Location for a Mechanic to engage in farm¬ 
ing.- —J. F., New-York. We should think Wiscon¬ 
sin or Northern Illinois would afford good situations 
for such a person as you mention. A residence near 
some thriving village or town, where there are good 
facilities for a market, would be desirable. 
Cast Iron Dirt Scraper. 
This implement is made in various forms. The 
cheapest and best are now made of cast iron for 
bottom, sides and edge, with wood back and han¬ 
dles, and wrought iron bail. They are extensively 
used for excavating and filling up for buildings, and 
for making and repairing roads. The prices vary, 
according to size and weight, from $4.50 to $10. 
They may be had at the Albany Agricultural Ware¬ 
house. 
