THE 
Information Wanted. 
Ground Mice. —Can any of your correspondents in¬ 
form the readers of the Country Gentleman, how to de¬ 
stroy ground mice. They are injuring my thorn hedges 
to such an extent, that I think it useless to plant any 
more unless these pests can be destroyed. A. W. C. 
Coshocton, Ohio. * - 
Steaming Apparatus. —You willeonferafavor upon 
one of your readers, by making known through your 
papers, the best mode of erecting a steaming apparatus 
for cooking food for hogs. Orange. Middletown , N. 
Y., June 18, 1853. - 
Vinegar. —I would like to be informed through your 
paper, of the best plan of making good Vinegar from 
cider, in a short'space of time. I have seen a recipe for 
making good Vinegar in a few days, but have forgotten 
what it was. E. S. S. 
Shepherd Dogs. —-Can you inform me where a pair 
of Shepherd dogs can be purchased—their price, size, 
age, &c. 7 If so, I should feel greatly indebted to you 
for your kindness. C. L. R. Fairfield, July 11, 1853. 
Chorlton’ s Cqli Grapery. —Sir: having seen an 
advertisement of a book entitled the Cold Grapery, by 
William Chorlton, if you will be so kind as to in¬ 
form me where it can be purchased, and the price of 
the same, you will much oblige Uriah Oakes, Jr. 
South Malden, Mass. 
We have been applied to frequently for the above 
work, but it has not as yet appeared in our bookstores. 
Mr. Chorlton, or his publisher should let the. public 
know where it can be procured. 
Agricultural Societies. 
Exhibition of the Vermont State Ag. Society. 
—The Annual Exhibition of the Vermont State Agri¬ 
cultural Society, will be held at Montpelier, on Tues¬ 
day, Wednesday, and Thursday, the 13th, 14th, and 
15th of September, 1853. 
An area of forty acres will be enclosed for the exhi- 
tion, and within the enclosure suitable structures will 
be erected, and arrangements made for the accommo¬ 
dation of all who wish to exhibit either animals or ar¬ 
ticles. Fresh water forage, consisting of hay, grass, 
green oats, and corn stalks, for cattle, horses and sheep 
—straw for littering, and oats for feeding .horses, and 
grain for swine and poultry, will be supplied free of 
charge, to such exhibitors as choose to keep their ani¬ 
mals on the grounds enclosed; and exhibitors of valu¬ 
able horses, desiring barn accommodations for the same, 
may procure then? in the village at a reasonable ex¬ 
pense. 
Exhibitors must become members of the Society, and 
must have whatever they intend to exhibit entered on 
the Secretary’s books on or before Tuesday, the 13th 
of September. It is quite desirable, however, that the 
entries should be made at least as early as Monday, 
the 12th. 
Persons residing out of the State, may compete for 
premiums on foreign stock, plowing, agricultural imple¬ 
ments and machines, the various manufactures named 
in the Premium List of the Societ}'-, under the head of 
Discretionary Premiums; and may make entry of ani¬ 
mals or articles of any class, for exhibition merely, 
which will be admitted within the enclosure for that 
purpose, if deemed worthy by the Executive Board. 
Arrangements have been affected with all the Rail¬ 
road Companies in Vermont, to carry all animals and 
articles for exhibition, to and from the Fair free of 
charge, and without changing cars; and visitors each 
way at half fare. 
Gentlemen from the States, and from the Canadas, 
are cordially invited to participate in the exhibition. 
Communications may be addressed to J. A. Beck¬ 
with, Corresponding Secretary of the Vermont State 
Ag. Society, Middlebury Vt., or to his agent, E. P. Wal¬ 
ton, Montpelier, Vt. Frederick Holbrook, Prest. 
J. A. Beckwith, Secretary. 
New-York State Ag. Society. 
Executive Meeting, Saratoga Springs, July 7, 
1853.—Present— Lewis G. Morris, Pres t; J. Beek- 
man Finlay, Vice Pres't; J. A. Sherman, Charles 
Morrell, J. T. Blanchard, Executive Committee; B. B. 
Kirtland, Treas.; B. P. Johnson, Sec'y* 
Letters were received from Messrs. Vail and Kelly, 
regretting that they were unable to be present. 
Minutes of last meeting read and approved. 
The list of Judges was taken up, and vacancies filled, 
and*delegates appointed to corresponding State Societies. 
The President presented a letter from the Hon. W. 
C. Rives of Virginia, announcing his acceptance of the 
invitation presented to him to deliver the annual ad¬ 
dress at the Fair. 
On motion of Mr. Johnson, Resolved, That Prof. 
John Wilson of London, one of the Commissioners 
from Great Britain to this country, be requested to de¬ 
liver, during the Fair, a lecture on the subject of the 
culture of Flax, and its preparation for manufacture. 
The Secretary was directed to present, on behalf of 
the Society, to the New- York State Agricultural Col¬ 
lege , a set of the Transactions and Journal of the Society. 
The following gentlemen were elected corresponding 
members of the Society:— 
Prof. Loon Falkersabouf, Member Agricultural So¬ 
ciety of St. Petersburgh, Russia; Prof John Wilson, 
F. R. S. E.. London; His Ex. Alexander Bodisco, Min¬ 
ister from Russia. 
J. Beekman Finlay, of Saratoga, made himself a 
life member of the Society. 
The following Superintendents for the various depart¬ 
ments of the Fair, were appointed:— 
General superintendent of the grounds,... John A. Corey. 
Cattle department... Thomas Bell. 
Horses,.......I. T. Blanchard. 
Sheep, .. Charles Morrell. 
Swine,...Joseph Daniels. 
Poultry,.. O. L. Barber. 
Floral Hall,.... A. F. Chatfield. 
Vegetable Department,.. Israel Denio. 
Manufacturers’ Hall,.. Lewis E. Smith. 
Mechanic’s Hall, .. Wm. Platt. 
Implement department,. Moses Fames. 
Plowing match,. Siias G. Smith. 
Marshall and Chief of Police,.. ... Henry H. Hatliorn, 
Sheriff. Saratoga. 
Committee of Reception of Guests and 
Strangers,.. Hon. R. H. Walworth, 
“ John A. King, 
Wm. Kelly, Esq. 
J. Beekman Finlay, 
To assign places to visitors,. Gideon Putnam. 
Application for places for stock previous to tlie 
Fair.- —J. A. Corey of Saratoga, will give attention 
to any req-uests that may he made. G. W. Cole, Agent 
of railroads at Saratoga, will attend to all stock and ar¬ 
ticles consigned to his care, provision being made by the 
persons sending things for any expense incurred. 
Committee on the Part of Citizens of Sara¬ 
toga. — Of Finance —Henry H. Hathorn, James M. 
Marvin, J. T. Blanchard. 
Of Correspondence —J. A. Corey, J. Knickerbocker, 
Jr., G. W. Wilcox. 
The specifications for the enclosures, erections and 
arrangements of the building, tents, and other fixtures, 
supply of water and fodder for stock, &c., to be provi¬ 
ded by citizens of Saratoga, were presented by the Sec¬ 
retary and approved by the board. 
B. P_. Johnson, Sec’y. 
Mr. Finlay invited the board, after the session was 
closed, to examine his premises near the village, and the 
members of the board and other gentlemen visited Mr. 
Finlay’s place, and were highly gratified with the admi¬ 
rable arrangements of his barns and stables, as well as 
