846 
THE CULTIVATOR. Oct. 
NOTES FOR THE MONTH- 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. —Communications have come to 
hand, since our last, from H., M. S. Bidwell, T. B. Mi¬ 
ner, C. E. Rappe, F. Partridge, Solomon Leonard, An 
Inexperienced Fruit-grower, J. J. M., D. E. C. Bra- 
man, B- H. Andrews, A Young Observer, T. F. Eyre, 
J. W. Gray, Prof. J. P. Norton, B. P. Johnson, D. T., 
Oliver Moore, L. Durand, if. C. W., W. G. Edmund- 
son, Samuel Logan, J. Conant, A. C. D., B., S., A 
Subscriber. 
Books, Pamphlets, &c., have been received as fol¬ 
lows: Transactions of the York county (Maine) Ag. 
Society, for 1847, ’48 and ’49.-Half a dozen new 
Chrysanthemums, from Geo. G. Thorburn, Esq., As¬ 
toria,--Muck Manual for Farmers, by Samuel L. 
Dana, 3d ed., revised and enlarged, from the publisher, 
J. P. Walker, Lowell. 
Albany University. —It may not be known to all 
our readers, that an institution under this name was or¬ 
ganized several months since. It comprises three gene¬ 
ral divisions: Law, Medicine, and a School of Theoret¬ 
ical and Practical Science, which includes Agriculture. 
In reference to the latter department, we publish a cir¬ 
cular in this number, to which we invite particular at¬ 
tention. The department is under the charge of Prof. 
P. Norton, who, it will be seen, announces a course of 
Lectures on Scientific and Practical Agriculture, to 
commence the first week in January next, and to conti¬ 
nue during the ensuing three months. We think this 
institution presents peculiar advantages for the acquire¬ 
ment of knowledge in all branches embraced by its ge¬ 
neral design. To the young farmer, especially, the 
School of Theoretical and Practical Science, offers faci¬ 
lities superior to any to be obtained elsewhere in the 
country. In addition to the lectures of Prof. Norton, 
it will be seen that the labors of Prof. Hall have been 
secured in reference to the economical illustration of the 
sciences of Geology and Mineralogy, and also the servi¬ 
ces of Professors Goadby and Cook, on Entomolv and 
Elementary Chemistry. 
Astronomical Observatory. —We learn that nearly 
$20,000 have been subscribed towards the establishment 
of an astronomical observatory in this city. Of this 
sum, $10,000 has been generously donated by 'Mrs. C. 
E. Dudley. The land for the site has been given by 
Stephen Yan Rensselaer, Esq. The institution will 
be placed under the charge of the distinguished astrono¬ 
mer Professor Mitchell, and will form a department 
of the Albany University. 
Flour from Mediterranean Wheat. —We have re¬ 
ceived from Dr. Crispell, of Hurley, Ulster County, 
N. Y., a barrel of flour manufactured from this wheat. 
It has been tried in most of the various forms of cookery, 
in all of which it gives entire satisfaction. It evidently 
contains a larger proportion of gluten than ordinary 
flour,—in popular language it is 11 stronger,”—absorbs 
more water, and makes more bread from a given quan¬ 
tity of flour. The bread has a slight orange tinge, but 
is light, and of peculiar sweetness. It is only necessary 
that the miller and cook understand their business, for 
this flour to be highly esteemed. 
Sheep from Africa. —Several papers have spoken 
of an importation of sheep from Africa, lately made by 
a gentleman in Salem, Mass. They are said to be dis¬ 
tinguished by 11 the enormous fatness of the tail,” &c. 
Some suppose they are of a race not heret ofore described ; 
but we see nothing in the description of them, indicating 
their difference from the broad-tailed African sheep, 
which were introduced into this country fifty years ago. 
Lard Oil. —There are said to be in Cincinnati, forty 
manufactories of lard oil, which use 15,000,000 pounds 
of lard per annum. Of this, 5,120,000 pounds is con¬ 
verted into stearine, leaving 4,480,000 pounds, equal to 
1,110,000 gallons of oil. The hogs of our western states 
will soon come into strong competition with the whales 
of the Pacific Ocean. -- 
The Augusta Rose. —We have received a specimen 
flower of this new climbing rose, from Messrs. Thorp, 
Smith and Hanchett, of Syracuse. It is a fine rose, 
emitting an abundant and delightful fragrance. Messrs. 
T., S. & II. say — 11 It is a free bloomer in clusters of 
three to six, and the foliage is magnificent.” We pre¬ 
sume it will be an acquisition. 
DCr* Messrs. Jas. D. and Wm. H.Ladd, of Richmond, 
Jefferson county, O., have lately purchased in Yermont 
a valuable colt. He was bought of Mr. C. M. Fletcher, 
of Orwell, Yt.; was foaled May 17th, 1848; by Black 
Hawk; dam, a fine mare, showing much of the Morgan 
character, now owned by Mr. Wicker, of Ticonderoga, 
N. Y. We had the opportunity of seeing this colt as he 
passed through this city on his way to Ohio, and ^on- 
igratulate Messrs. L. on their success in obtaining an 
animal of rare excellence. We cannot doubt that he 
will prove an important acquisition to that section of the 
country. - 
The Yermont State Fair was held at Middleburry 
Sept. 10. It is spoken of as eminently successful. A 
notice of the Fair was expected from a correspondent, 
but has not come to hand. We shall speak of it more 
at length next month. -- 
Wind-power for Saw-Mills—Machinery for mak¬ 
ing Castor Oil. —A correspondent in Texas wishes in¬ 
formation in regard to the best application of wind as a 
motive power for saw-mills; also in regard to the best 
mode of manufacturing oil from the castor bean. Any 
person giving information on these subjects, through our' 
pages, would confer a favor. 
Albany and Rensselaer Hort. Society. —The an¬ 
nual show of fruits of this Society, took place on the 
10th and 11th of September. It was one of the best ex¬ 
hibitions that has taken place since the society was or¬ 
ganised. In plums and pears the. display was very fine, 
and in flowers and vegetables there was a highly credi¬ 
table show, considering the severe drouth. Some new 
varieties of plums were brought out, for two of which 
premiums were awarded. One of these was a light co¬ 
lored plum, produced from seed of the Green Gage,'by 
by Isaac Denniston, and named “ Dorr’s Favorite.” 
It is of excellent quality. Mr. D. also exhibited anoth¬ 
er seedling of the Green Gage, so exactly resembling the 
