RASPBERRIES AND BLACKBERRIES

were more nearly a failure, generally, as a crop, in 1883, than strawberries, but owing to a different cause, namely, the severe cold of the previous winter. None of the cultivated varieties escaped unharmed wherever the mercury sank lower than 30 degrees below zero, and 32 degrees below was marked nearly everywhere north of the latitude of Peoria and Bloomington, in Illinois, and in many places 36 degrees below was recorded. Blackberries also suffered; even the hardy Snyder not escaping; and a similar disaster threatens the crops of these species in 1884, for as I write, on a clear, sunny day, the mercury has not risen higher than 16 degrees below zero, and this morning (January 5,) was 33 degrees below here in Peoria, and 35 degrees below in Bloomington. The canes went into the winter in good order, however, and, if no intense cold prevails hereafter, the damage may be less than last winter when they were not as well hardened.

Since we can not prevent the recurrence of these polar region down-pours, we can prepare our canes of raspberries and blackberries for enduring such extreme cold, by commencing cultivation early in the spring and discontinuing by the middle of June, also by stopping the growth of young canes, by pinching or chopping off, when not more than two and a half feet high, and again, as soon as another foot in length is made, stopping both uprights and laterals. If all weak canes are kept cut out, and those shortened for fruiting the next year not allowed to stand nearer than eight or ten inches of each other, they will become "ripe" and firm in texture before cold weather overtakes them. The hardiest of the red varieties are Turner, Thwack, and Cuthbert; and of the black-caps, the Soughegan (earliest), Tyler, and Gregg (latest). The black-caps named endured the winter fully as well as the hardy red varieties.

Of blackberries the Snyder still heads the list for hardiness and general value north of the latitude named, though Early Harvest bids fair to be of value. Taylor was damaged a little more than Snyder, while Barnard, Ancient Briton, and Stone's Hardy rank with Snyder for hardiness.

Raspberries and blackberries should be planted early in the spring, if not done in late autumn, in rows six to eight feet apart. Red raspberries may be set two feet apart in the rows, and black-caps and blackberries wider—two and one-half to four feet, according to stock of plants or desire for quick returns; for all will bear the next year after planting. Give good cultivation the first year and mulch in the fall, along the rows of both raspberries and blackberries, with manure free from grass seeds, and cover the entire surface between the rows of blackberries with old prairie hay, corncobs, or straw; or, if cultivation the next year is intended, the inter-row of mulch may be omitted.

The intense cold of these two consecutive winters should not deter land owners from planting these fruits. These extremes come in cycles; and, though old Jupiter is now, and was last winter, exerting an unusual disturbing influence upon our planet, he will this year calm his temper and give us nine or ten years of respite from his powerful magnetic sway.

CURRANTS, GOOSEBERRIES, AND GRAPES

were less affected by the severity of the winter of '83-'84 than by the late frosts of spring, which destroyed the young shoots of grapes and the blossoms and young fruit of the berries. Currants are yearly growing in favor and the price of the fruit advancing; and now currant culture is profitable and likely to continue so for a series of years.

Ground can not well be made too rich for currants and gooseberries. Plant in rows four feet apart and plants three feet apart in the rows; give thorough culture or deep mulch over the entire surface, cut out all wood of three years' growth (or after first crop is often considered better), and a good crop is almost certain. Red Dutch, White Grape, Victoria, and Versailles are still the favorites; and American Seedling (or Cluster) and Houghton are usually the most profitable gooseberries.

Every one who can raise corn and potatoes can as easily raise, with little trouble and expense, grapes enough for a family's use. Plant such hardy sorts as Moore's Early, Worden, Concord, and Martha, in rows seven or eight feet apart, and same distance in the row, give good cultivation the first year, cut back to two or three feet in autumn, lay the short canes on the ground and hold down with a spadeful of earth. Plant posts four feet high and stretch two No. 15 wires along them—the upper one on top—and in the spring, as the vines grow, tie to the wires, keeping one cane only for fruit this year and two new ones for next year's fruiting; and a crop is as certain as a crop of corn. Cut out weak canes every year, and encourage those starting nearest the ground, cutting back each autumn one-half or two-thirds the growth; cut out old canes. It is not necessary to lay the canes down and hold them to the ground or cover in this latitude, though this work will pay well.

In two weeks orchards will be discussed.



ILLINOIS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the Executive Board of the State Horticultural Society was held in the agricultural rooms at Springfield, January 9th. Present: John M. Pearson, Godfrey, President; A. C. Hammond, Warsaw, Secretary; S. M. Slade, Elgin, Arthur Bryant, Princeton, Dr. A. G. Humphrey, Galesburg, H. M. Dunlap, Champaign, and E. A. Reihl, Alton.

A large amount of routine business was transacted, not of public interest, after which the board proceeded to arrange for a grand fruit exhibition, to be made by the society at the next State Fair. This collection will not be entered for a premium, but only to show the diversified horticultural products of the State.

The public-spirited citizens of Illinois, and particularly of Chicago, have decreed that the State Fair of 1884 shall eclipse anything of the kind ever held in the Northwest, and the State Horticultural Society, desiring to keep abreast of the times, will make a display of fruit that the State may well be proud of.

It was also decided to offer liberal premiums for horticultural products to be exhibited at the next winter meeting, which will be held in the Industrial University, at Champaign, the first or second week in December.

After some discussion as to the best method of interesting the students in our work, it was decided to offer premiums, first and second, for the best essays on horticultural subjects. The board and members of the society hope that this offer will be the means of bringing out a number of papers from the young gentlemen and ladies of the institution.

There seems to be a determination evinced by the members of the board and society to make an aggressive, vigorous campaign the present year, and to bring our work more prominently before the people than ever before.

The following are the standing committees for the year:

Orchard Culture—B. F. Johnson, Champaign; Henry Mortimore, Manteno.

Forestry—Thomas Gregg, Hamilton; L. C. Francis, Springfield.

Vegetable Gardening—A. L. Hays, Jacksonville.

Grapes and Grape Culture—Ayres, Villa Ridge; M. A. Baldwin, Jacksonville; D. J. Piper, Foreston.

Strawberries—J. G. Bubach, Princeton; Henry Wallace, Villa Ridge; O. B. Galusha, Peoria.

Raspberries, Blackberries, Currants, and Gooseberries—H. G. Vickroy, Normal; Wm. Jackson, Godfrey; D. Wilmot Scott, Galena.

Pears—C. N. Dennis, Hamilton; Parker Earle, Cobden; W. T. Nelson, Wilmington.

Peaches—J. B. Spaulding, Riverton; H. C. Freeman, Alto Pass.

Plums and Cherries—Dr. A. H. Sanborn, Anna; L. C. Francis, Springfield.

New Fruits, Trees, and Plants—J. T. Johnson, Warsaw; E. Hollister, Alton.

Gathering and Marketing Fruits and Vegetables—R. W. Hunt, Galesburg; Ed. Rogers, Upper Alton.

Utilizing Fruits—G. H. Clayson, Crystal Lake; —— Roberts, Godfrey.

Floriculture—Thomas Franks, Champaign; Joseph Heinl, Jacksonville.

Landscape Gardening—J. P. Bryant, Princeton; Prof. Standish, Galesburg.

Vegetable Physiology—Prof. Burrill, Champaign; G. H. French, Carbondale.

Entomology and Ornithology—Prof. S. A. Forbes, Normal; Miss Alice Walton, Muscatine, Iowa; Miss Emily A. Smith, Peoria.

Geology and Soils, as Affecting Plant Life—Wm. McAdams, Alton; Henry M. Bannister, Kankakee; Henry M. Shaw, Mt. Carrol.

Horticultural Adornment of Home—Mrs. Lavina S. Humphrey. Galesburg; Mrs. H. N. Roberts, Alton; Mrs. P. V. Hathaway, Damascus.

The appointment of ad-interim committees was referred to the members of the board from each horticultural district. A portion of them asked time for consultation, which was granted. When the entire committee in appointed, the names will be reported to THE PRAIRIE FARMER.

A. C. HAMMOND, Sec'y.



DIOGENES IN HIS TUB.

And first, Diogenes would discourse of that remarkable polar wave that struck us on Saturday the 5th of the year, and its probable effect on the fruit product. Great fear is manifested on all sides, and not without grounds: yet the conditions, it seems to me, have been so favorable that there is cause for hope. Remember that there was no very sudden change, the temperature having been low for two or three weeks before, and no sudden rise since. The sudden changes seem to be the ones—coming in the midst of winter—that are the most destructive to our fruits. So I conclude there is ground yet for hope; and unless some future disaster should occur, Dio., if living, will expect to eat of several sorts of fruit this year grown on his own grounds. Keep in good heart, brethren; Providence will send us all we deserve.

But hasn't that man at Cape Girardeau a level head? Dio. himself could not have given as many sensible suggestions concerning farmers' libraries, as he did in No. 1. All farmers and horticulturists can not go as deeply into periodicals as he, but they can profitably go much deeper than they do. Take a farmer's home provided on his plan, and then imagine, if you can, sensible sons running off to breaking on freight trains, or selling soap and candies behind counters! Improbable.

And then, again, in No. 2, his thoughts on naming country houses. How suggestive!

The Editor in No. 1, favors interdiction of French liquors, etc., as retaliation for their interdiction of American pork. Dio. says interdict them as a matter of protection to ourselves, without regard to hog or hominy.

"Man of the Prairie" was looking out for a little colder weather. Did he find it—and is he satisfied?

An extremely suggestive paper that, of Prof. Budd's on the "Cherry Possibilities." Further investigation in the wide field of European horticulture is demanded, not only in regard to this but to most other fruits. Even unpromising sorts, not prized there, transplanted here, may turn out to be the most valuable of any. I fear the agricultural colleges are not taking as much interest in this matter as they ought. Our State Society ought, and doubtless does, feel thankful to Prof. B., for his presence and wise counsel at its late Bloomington meeting. His remarks will be found valuable reading in the forth-coming volume of Transactions.

Seedsmen's catalogues will soon be floating around thick as autumn leaves, and planters will be puzzled what to buy. My experience may be worth something: Of tomatoes, I know nothing better than Acme and Trophy, and I think favorably of the Golden Trophy—though with some the color is objectionable. The Short-horn carrot can't be beat for table use, nor the Egyptian beet. Of the former, planted pretty thick in good soil, in rows two feet apart, 400 bushels per acre can easily be grown; and besides being good for stock, they are mighty good for men and women. In squashes the Hubbard and Boston Marrow are standbys, and that little Perfect Gem is likely to prove A No. 1. And give me the Stowell Evergreen sweet corn and the Winningstadt cabbage yet all the time. But Dio. will not be fooled with so many new sorts in 1884 as he has been in former years.

Yes—increase the tax on dogs, and collect it; so say the Iowa stock-breeders, and so echoes every sensible friend of the farmer and his interests.

Next time Dio. proposes to call up a subject of much importance to everybody, and one that badly needs ventilating.

DIO.



POSSIBILITIES OF CHERRY GROWING.

The insertion of one little word gives too unfavorable an idea of the best varieties of the Griotte cherries, grown all over the interminable steppes north and east of the Carpathian mountains in Europe.

As printed the paragraph reads: "Some of the thin-twigged Griottes, with dark skins and colored juice, are as large as the Morello and nearly or quite as sweet."

The copy reads—or should read—"as large as the English Morello and nearly or quid sweet."

As you say my object in talking the matter up is the hope of interesting some of the large nurserymen, like those at Bloomington, in the desirable work of importing and propagating the Griottes, Amarells, and the Asiatic sweet cherries known as "Spanish," of the East plain, on a large scale.

Why should our Western propagators permit our importing of fruits, ornamental trees and shrubs, to be done by the nurserymen of the Eastern States.

If we turn to a good map of Europe we will see at a glance that the importing of fruits so far has been from the west coast of France, Belgium, and Holland, or from the south of England. As with our west coast, this whole region has been made a land of verdure by the soft, humid air of the Gulf stream. Tracing on the map the line of the Carpathian and Caucasus mountains, we find three-fourths of all Europe, north and east of these ranges, without a mountain or hill traced on the great expanse except the Valdai hills, and these are only bluffs not as high or extensive as those of our rivers and dividing ridges. It is the greatest plain section of the world, and is the ancient home of the best fruits of the temperate zones. Common sense should lead us to give trial to the horticultural products of this plain. To find apples, pears, cherries, and plums as hardy, and as well adapted to the hot summers and cold winters of Illinois and Iowa as the Fameuse apple, we need not enter the empire of Russia. Northeastern Austria has a variable summer and winter climate, which will not permit the growing of apples of the grade of hardiness of the Ben Davis, Stark, Jonathan, and Dominie; of pears of the grade of Flemish Beauty, or of cherries of the grade of Early Richmond as to foliage and ability to endure low temperature. The commercial nursery-man who will visit the "King's Pomological Institute," at Proskau, in North Silesia, will see at a glance, as he wanders over the ground, that the fruits, forest trees, ornamental trees and shrubs of the nurseries of England, France, Belgium, etc., suddenly disappear with the Carpathians on the edge of the great steppes.

J. L. BUDD, AG. COLLEGE, AMES, IOWA.



Prunings.

The soil for window boxes is the same as for plant culture in pots; the best is that formed by rotted sods with a little well decomposed stable manure mixed with it.

Rhubarb requires deep, rich soil. A good dressing of well-rotted manure, put on the ground this winter when it is not frozen, will start off the plants briskly in the spring. The same is true for asparagus.

Mr. Russel Heath, Carpenteria, Cal., has an "English walnut orchard" of two hundred acres of rich, level land, near the sea-shore. The trees are from ten to twenty-five years planted. His crop in 1882 was 630 sacks of 70 pounds each; this season he expects the harvest will aggregate about one-third more.

Gardener's Monthly: The writer found among the gardeners in Canada, when in that country recently, that the English plan of preserving grapes in bottles of water was in not uncommon use. The bunches are cut with pieces of stems, and then so arranged that the ends are in bottles of water. By this plan the grapes can be preserved far into the spring season.

The American Cultivator: "Can you tell we what kind of weather we may expect next month?" wrote a farmer to the editor of his paper, and the editor replied: "It is my belief that the weather next month will be like your subscription bill." The farmer wondered for an hour what the editor was driving at, when he happened to think of the word "unsettled," and he sent a postal note forthwith.

The Farmer and Fruit Grower: Mr. Willis, Lamer, a prominent fruit grower of the Cobden region, says he very distinctly remembers that the freeze of 1864 killed young fruit trees to the snow line, and that he cut his peach trees to that line, and saved that much. In 1864 the temperature was about the same as it was on January 5, 1884—in the neighborhood of 21 degrees below zero. Mr. Lamer thought no damage was done to strawberry plants.

A pomologist gives the following excellent advice in regard to maintaining the fertility of fruit lands: "Encourage the utmost variety of vegetable growth near and upon your orchard lands, and never rob the soil of its honest dues. Give judicious and thorough cultivation and pruning; and with our generous soils and climate, I do not believe the child is yet born that will live to see our orchards languish on account of poverty of soil, or any necessity arise for the importation of fertilizers."

The Country Gentleman says two things are necessary for the growing of good asparagus, namely, plenty of room for the plant to grow, and copious manuring. The latter is best applied to thick beds by covering the whole surface with manure two or three inches thick, late in autumn, and forking it in very early in spring, before the new shoots start. Thick beds, however, should not be planted, but the plants allowed three or four feet each way to each. Three by five is a common and suitable distance, and large stalks may be obtained in this way.

Charles Merritt, of Battle Creek, has been very successful with strawberries. His plan is to plant rows about two and one-half feet apart and plants nine inches in the row; he prefers the spring time. He manures highly, cultivates thoroughly and mulches with clean straw late in the autumn. The next season he gets a large crop, and, while he is taking it off, another patch is being treated in a similar manner for the next year's crop. The second year with any bed he simply pulls out the weeds, and after picking turns it under. This plan proves to be satisfactory.

T. F. Leeper, of Warsaw Horticultural Society, says: I have been greatly interested in the condition of orchards this season, and have examined quite a number. One orchard in my neighborhood died during the summer—I supposed it was winter-killed, but an investigation showed that the roots had been destroyed by mice. Last spring I reported a number of trees in my orchard, winter-killed. These trees have been dug up and it appears that they too, were killed by mice. In my orchard the greatest injury by winter-killing has occurred in the draws or low places and I would not plant another orchard without tile drawing such places.



FLORICULTURE

Gleanings by an Old Florist.

THE PANSY.

Gray, in his Manual, says: "Viola tricolor (pansy or heart's-ease) is common in dry or sandy soil. From New York to Kentucky and southward, doubtless only a small portion of the garden pansy runs wild. Naturalized from Europe."

Seen in this condition the flowers are very small, not more than one-half an inch across and oblong in shape. Cultivated at its best it has a flower two inches in diameter, almost an exact circle in outline.

All this has been brought about by lovers of flowers during a long period of years, by saving the seed of only the best, a sort of survival of the fittest, and only to be kept up by rich soil and constant cultivation, for if left to itself the pansy dwindles back into its original nature.

It has another peculiarity also: the young plants always bring the largest flowers, so that if the extra large flowers are wanted they can be obtained only by seed annually, or a division of the old roots by cuttings. The latter is too much trouble for most cultivators in the country, and named kinds are never thought of, while in the old they used to be; perhaps it is still common for the pansy grower to name his pets, and reproduce them each year by cuttings or division of the roots.

The seed that brings the largest and best flowers generally come from Germany, although some of our own florists save them themselves for several consecutive years. I was a long time before any fixed character was maintained in color in this flower, but now seed from certain kinds will mainly reproduce its like, hence are often so used for massing kinds of a color. The plant being a native of the cooler and moister parts of Europe is better adapted to their climate than ours, and hence as our spring weather is more nearly like their original climate than our other seasons, they luxuriate in it; it is the only season in which the florist finds much of a market for his goods, and even then he receives some round abuse for selling very large noble flowers that quickly deteriorate after leaving his hands. This, however, is not his fault, the hot weather being one cause, the other that the plant refuses to produce large flowers except in its young state.

There are two methods adopted by a florist in the preparation of his stock; one, by sowing the seed in the fall and wintering the young plants in cold frames, or even by means of a slight protection of brush. The other by sowing the seed on a bench in the green-house in January. If sown in the fall early enough to get well into rough leaf, if they do not flower in the fall, which they usually will do, they are ready to do so at the first peep of spring, as they flower at a comparatively low temperature. If sown in January, they are transplanted once on other benches, from which they are lifted and transferred either to the outside borders or to other cold frames as the case may be. It is not best to keep them in a green-house longer than necessary, say the first of March, as the conditions of a green-house will bring about the small flowers similar to the hot weather of the summer.



By the different systems the market florist can have his goods always at their best during the selling season, which ranges from the first of March up to the first of June. They are so easily grown he can afford to sell cheap, even if his goods are of the very best, and will usually bring about seventy-five cents by the single dozen, down to as low as three dollars by the hundred. Enough sod should hang to the roots to keep them fresh, and they will, after planting, go on flowering just as though they had never been disturbed. Nothing can be done with this plant, at least worthy of the name, in the window, hence it should not be attempted. To enjoy the large flowers as long as possible during summer, if there is any choice of position, give them the coolest and moistest place in the garden, not forgetting plenty of watering in dry spells. A rich, loamy soil, inclined to be porous, will give the best satisfaction, but almost any garden soil will grow them.

EDGAR SANDERS.

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1841. 1884.

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SPECIAL NOTICE

To each Subscriber who will remit us $2.00 between now and February 1st, 1884, we will mail a copy of THE PRAIRIE FARMER FOR ONE YEAR, AND ONE OF OUR NEW STANDARD TIME COMMERCIAL MAPS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA—showing all the Counties, Railroads, and Principal Towns up to date. This comprehensive map embraces all the country from the Pacific Coast to Eastern New Brunswick, and as far north as the parallel of 52 deg., crossing Hudson's Bay. British Columbia; Manitoba, with its many new settlements; and the line of the Canadian Pacific Railway, completed and under construction, are accurately and distinctly delineated. It extends so far south as to Include Key West and more than half of the Republic of Mexico. It is eminently adapted for home, school, and office purposes. The retail price of the Map alone is $2.00. Size, 58 x 41 inches. Scale, about sixty miles to one inch.

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READ THIS.

ANOTHER SPECIAL OFFER.



"THE LITTLE DETECTIVE."

WEIGHS 1/4 OZ. TO 25 LBS.

Every housekeeper ought to have this very useful scale. The weight of article bought or sold may readily be known. Required proportions in culinary operations are accurately ascertained. We have furnished hundreds of them to subscribers, and they give entire satisfaction. During January, 1884, to any person sending us THREE SUBSCRIBERS, at $2.00 each, we will give one of these scales, and to each of the three subscribers Ropp's Calculator, No. 1.

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OUR PREMIUM LIST.

Revised, extended, and properly illustrated will this week be sent to every subscriber. There must be something offered in it that every one needs or would like to have. The terms are the most liberal ever offered. All readers are hereby constituted agents to solicit subscriptions to THE PRAIRIE FARMER. If those who can not enlist in the work will hand the PREMIUM LIST to some person who will do so, they will confer a great favor upon the publishers and editors. What we all want is to double our present list before the first day of April.

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RENEW! RENEW!!

Remember that every yearly subscriber, either new or renewing, sending us $2, receives a splendid new map of the United States and Canada—58 x 41 inches—FREE. Or, if preferred, one of the books offered in another column. It is not necessary to wait until a subscription expires before renewing.

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WE WANT AGENTS

in every locality. We offer very liberal terms and good pay. Send for sample copies and terms to agents.

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The Adams County (Ill.) Fair at Camp Point will be held the first week in September. The premium list is out.

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The seventh annual fair at Jerseyville, Ill., will be held commencing Tuesday, October 14, 1884, and continue four days, with $5,000 premiums.

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At the Cape of Good Hope Agricultural Society's trials, November 11, 1883, the Johnston Harvester Company were 1st in the trial field, and also for the machine best adapted for the colony.

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The growth of the Western live stock business has stimulated parties to organize a Union Stock Yards Company at Sioux City, Iowa. The company has a capital of $100,000. The shipping of dressed beef may become a branch of its business.

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One of the most popular and instructive essays at the late Wisconsin Dairymen's Convention was entitled "THE FARMER'S GARDEN," contributed by J. M. Smith, Esq., of Green Bay. This essay will appear, in full, in the next issue of the PRAIRIE FARMER.

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French papers declare that the Government crop reports for 1883 are exaggerations. If land has risen in value and stock doubled in price, the extra cost of running a farm more than makes up for it. The impost duty on all agricultural products has also alarmingly increased.

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Mr. Merritt, United States Consul General at London, directs attention to the falling off in the value of exports from Great Britain to the United States during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1883. The total value of declared exports from the various United States consular districts in Great Britain and Ireland during the year was $165,207,987, a reduction from the figures for the preceding year of $14,231,858.

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Mr. Calkins, member of Congress from Indiana, succeeded on Monday in getting a suspension of the rules and the passage of a bill providing that in any suit against an innocent purchaser of an article manufactured in violation of the patent law, if the plaintiff shall not recover twenty dollars or over, he shall recover no costs. This bill is a blow aimed at the drive-well patent agents, and others of that ilk who are perambulating the country to the annoyance of farmers. If the bill passes the Senate, and there appears no valid reason why it shall not, it will put an end to this species of robbery now so prevalent.

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The only general advices we have regarding winter wheat come through the extensive grain commission house of W. T. Baker & Co., Chicago. They have private reports which indicate that the crop maintains a very high average, and, with the exception of a few points in Southern Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee, is doing as well as could be expected at this season of the year. In Kentucky and Tennessee the ground is quite bare of snow, but north of the Ohio river, from Kansas to Ohio, the wheat, as a general thing, is well covered. The crop, however, was generally sown late, and in many quarters fears are entertained of the final outcome.

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The Nebraska State Farmers' Alliance held a meeting at Kearney on Wednesday of last week. A platform was adopted declaring in favor of national legislation to regulate railway traffic, demanding the abolition of national banks and the substitution of Government currency, demanding a tariff for revenue only, expressing sympathy with labor, asking protection to labor organizations, recommending the abolition of convict labor, asking Congress to reclaim all unclaimed land grants and reserve the public domain for actual settlers, and opposing the acquisition of public land by foreigners.

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Do not forget that the Annual Farmers' Institute, or Agricultural Lecture Course, at the Illinois Industrial University will be held from Tuesday, January 29th, to Friday, February 1, 1884. Four lectures will be given each day, at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., by Dr. Peabody, Regent of the University, Professors Burrill, Jillson, McMurtrie, Morrow and others. The topics discussed will be: Soils—Their Origin, Physical Characteristics, Chemical Composition, Drainage, Cultivation, Fertilization; Plants—Their Structure, Growth, Nutrition, Seeds, Movement of Sap, Development and Distribution, Economic Products. Addresses will be given in the evenings by Dr. Peabody, Governor Hamilton and others. These lectures and addresses are given as a part of the work of the College of Agriculture of the University. No fees or examinations are required. All interested are cordially invited to attend.



THE COST OF COLD WINDS.

Prof. Shelton, of the Kansas Agricultural College, puts the question of sheltering stock in an exceedingly pointed manner. He has lately been feeding ten steers in an experimental way. He found that for the period of ten days ending December 29, the average gain per head was thirty-one and one-tenth pounds. The weather was warm and sunny. The steers were fed in an unbattened board shed. During the succeeding ten days, when the cold was intense almost the entire time, the same steers, fed on the same rations, and in the same shed, gained but six and six-tenths pounds per head. About a year ago the Professor fed a lot of pigs for three weeks of the coldest weather, in open yards, and found them to consume more than three times the amount of food to pound of increase than the same number of pigs in the warm basement of the barn. He has a cow kept in a bleak "Kansas barn" which shrinks in her milk from one-fourth to one-half after twenty-four hours of very severe weather. From all this the conclusion is what we have so often taught in these columns, though not as forcibly as the Professor teaches by his careful experiments, that you can not burn feed as fuel to support the body of an animal and at the same time have the animal stow it away in the form of muscle and fat. The fact is that our farmers throw away one-half their feed in furnishing animal heat that they might just as well save by paying a small lumber bill and expending a moderate amount of labor.



GOOD WORK AT WASHINGTON.

Surely the House of Representatives is getting down to solid work since the holiday vacation. Mr. Holman, for instance, found no great difficulty in getting a resolution passed declaring that in the judgment of the House all public lands heretofore granted to States and corporations in aid of the construction of railroads, so far as the same is subject to forfeiture by reason of the nonfulfillment of the conditions on which the grants were made, ought to be declared forfeited by the United States, and restored to the public domain.

This was good work, but Mr. Holman's second resolution, also passed, was fully as much in accordance with public feeling and desire. It is to the effect that our laws relating to public lands should be so framed and administered as to ultimately secure freeholds to the greatest number of citizens, and to this end all laws facilitating speculation in public lands authorizing or permitting entry or purchase in large bodies ought to be repealed, and all public lands adapted to agriculture, subject to bounty grants, and those in aid of education ought to be reserved for the benefit of actual and bona fide settlers, and disposed of only under the provisions of the homestead law.

There was some opposition to this resolution. Mr. Kasson feared such a law might work injury to the cattle industry. Mr. Bedford, however, neutralized Mr. Kasson's influence by declaring that he did not propose that four or five cattle kings should own the West as four or five railway kings own the East.

It may be that our readers would like to take down the names of members who voted against the resolutions. Here they are: Barksdale, Bingham, Bisbee, George, Horr, Kean, Libbey, Lyman, Morse, Muldrow, Poland, Ranney, Reed, Rice, Russell, Stone, Van Eaton, Whiting.

Now that the representatives have resolved that these things ought to be done let us see if they will stand up to the rack and attend to their part of the doing.



WISCONSIN MEETINGS.

Feb. 5 and 6—The State Horticultural Society in Senate Chamber, Madison.

Feb. 5—The Wisconsin Cane-Growers Association, Madison. Prof. Wiley of the Department of Agriculture will be present.

Feb. 6, 7, and 8—Farmers' State Convention, under the auspices of the State Society, at capitol.

Feb. 13 and 14—16th annual meeting of the Southern Wisconsin Cane-Growers' and Manufacturers' Association at Whitewater.

Feb. 6—The Wisconsin Swine Breeders will hold a meeting at the capitol, for the transaction of such business as may come before them and the discussion of subjects appertaining to successful breeding and feeding of swine. All interested in this subject are invited to attend.



Answers to Correspondents.

J. C. MCCONAUGHY, ROCHELLE, ILL.—1. How can I secure a blue-grass pasture? 2. How much seed to acre? 3. Can blue-grass be grown successfully mixed with other grasses? 4. What season and what soil is best adapted to secure a good catch? 5. Can it be grown on low, wet land?

ANSWER.—1. There are almost as many ways to obtain a blue-grass pasture as there are men who undertake the job, though essentially the practices are alike. The usual method is to sow the seed in the spring or fall, either alone or with clover or timothy. 2. The seed is very light and chaffy, and weighs only fourteen pounds to the bushel, and the amount sown varies from five to seven pounds to the acre. 3. Yes, though after a few years blue-grass, on a true blue-grass soil, roots every other grass out and reigns with a divided empire with white clover. 4. Any good corn or wheat soil will produce good blue-grass—the usual method of obtaining a blue-grass pasture is as follows: To one bushel of good timothy seed one quart of red clover is added, and this quantity is made to cover from five to six acres. The seeding may be done in the fall with fall grain, in the spring with oats, or on stubble or wheat land on the snow in February. After, in the month of August from a peck to a half bushel of blue-grass is sown upon the young timothy and clover. But little or nothing can be seen of the blue-grass for the first year and it does not show vigorously until the third year. Thereafter if the soil is a true blue-grass one and the land is pastured, blue-grass and white clover dominate to the exclusion of everything else. Perhaps the surest way to obtain a stand of timothy and thereafter a set of blue-grass, is to prepare the land carefully and sow rye in October. On this sow timothy and red clover as above on the snow in February or March; pasture the rye, but not too closely, to 15th of May. Harvest the rye at the usual time, and the yield will be all the better for the pasturing, and sow the blue-grass seed on the stubble in August. 5. No, but red top will in spite of your best efforts to the contrary unless you till and thoroughly break up the land.

JOHN ZIMMERMAN, CAMERON, MO.—1. Has setting trees on a fence line as posts for barb-wire been a success? 2. If so what kind of tree is the best? 3. Will the hardy catalpa do, if so what distance apart?

ANSWER.—1. Barb-wire has not been introduced and used long enough for trees set for the purpose of posts to grow to a sufficient size. But in many cases aged Osage orange hedges, which have been suffered to grow up, have been thinned out so as to leave a tree every ten, twelve, or fifteen feet, and on these barbed-wires have been strung and made a fence, which so far has proved satisfactory. The same success was obtained where fruit and shade trees standing in a line have had barbed-wire attached to them. But the precaution must be taken to nail a strip—a common fence picket will answer—to the tree and then the barb-wire to that. If this is not done, and the wire is fastened by a staple to the tree, the wood soon overgrows, cracks and increases the strain on the wire, damages the tree and spoils the fence. 2. Almost any fast growing tree will do, but hard wood varieties are preferable. 3. The hardy catalpa may do, but for low land we would just as soon have the common willow. Eight feet apart is a good distance. The wires may be fastened to these when they have acquired a diameter of four or five inches, and later every other post may be removed. For high and dry land in your latitude one Osage orange is worth a half-dozen catalpas, because it is just as easily grown—and when grown it furnishes the strongest and most lasting timber known. We may add here, that where a fence is wanted across sloughs, or through permanently wet or moist land, posts large enough for barbed-wire may be grown in a couple of years or so—this by cutting stakes six or seven feet long and from three to five inches in diameter from the common willow, and setting them in March. The stakes require attention the first summer, in case of dry weather or drouth, but nothing more than that the moist earth shall be pressed up against them to prevent the young roots from drying out.

M. D. VINCENT, SPRINGFIELD, MO.—1. Can you tell me how badly oranges were frosted during the late cold spell in Florida? 2. Is there a record of colder weather at Charleston, S. C., Savannah, Ga., if so when was it?

ANSWER.—1. It is hard getting at the facts. One report is that neither oranges nor the trees were injured at Palatka, fifty miles south of Jacksonville, while another just as credible says the fruit was badly frozen on the trees as far south as Enterprise, 100 miles south of Jacksonville. The probabilities are, that there was a good deal of damage done to fruit on the trees, but no permanent or serious injury to the orchards. 2. The mercury may not have been lower for 100 years at Charleston or Savannah than the late cold spell, but during the winter of 1834-35 the weather was so severe the orange trees were killed to the ground 100 miles south of Jacksonville. Snow to a foot in depth fell at Millidgeville, Ga., Lat. 33, and several inches over all northern Florida. Some apprehensions are felt that these southern sections are not safe from severe frosts for this winter and the next, since it is pretty well known that these extreme cold periods return about every half-century—the winters of near fifty and one hundred years ago having been made remarkable by terribly severe and protracted cold.

J. H. J. WATERTOWN, WIS.—Give us the best remedy for chillblains?

ANSWER.—Tincture of iodine painted over the parts; or 10 grains of salicylic acid extended in an ounce of half water and half alcohol. Both to be applied with great caution, and largely diluted where the skin is broken and ulcers have formed.

CHARLES C. PETERS, OLNEY, ILL.—If you were about to plant an orchard on levelish, but at the same time naturally well drained land, would you advise throwing up ridges as the common custom is in some sections?

ANSWER.—It might be advantageous to throw up ridges so as to secure permanent moisture; but the trees should be set in the depression between them instead of on the ridges.

THOROUGHBRED, LEXINGTON, KY.—There is a belief or an opinion current among a class of breeders, always ready to accept and experiment with new fangled notions, that the draft breeds imported from abroad, especially the high priced French horses, are fed from birth on a more or less regular ration of bone or flesh meal. This they claim is for the purpose of developing bone and muscle. What do you know of the facts?

ANSWER.—Not much. Some of the foreign journals contain accounts of experiments in feeding soluble phosphates of lime, but no two agree on results, except that when the salt is judicially fed, no harm is done. The subject is worthy of investigation and especially by Kentucky breeders, since it would establish the claim that their soil, being especially rich in the phosphates and nitrogen, produces grain, hay, and forage of superior strength for feeding purposes, which appear again, in their high bred stock of horses, sheep, and cattle.

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The fourth National Agricultural Convention, under the auspices of the American Agricultural Association, will be held at the Grand Central Hotel, New York City, Wednesday and Thursday, February 6th and 7th, 1884. Addresses will be delivered and papers read by leading thinkers and writers on topics of general interest, and all identified with agriculture and kindred pursuits are cordially invited to be present and participate in the proceedings. Delegates will be present from all sections of the country, and arrangements for reduced rates of fare are being made with the railroads leading into New York. The annual meeting for the election of officers and the transaction of other business, including the matter of a national agricultural fair, will be held at 12 m. of the first day of the Convention.



Wayside Notes.

BY A MAN OF THE PRAIRIE.

I notice that Mr. Sanders, of the Treasury Cattle Commission, thinks it beneath the dignity of Congress to adopt retaliatory measures against France and Germany for prohibiting American pork products from entering those countries. He thinks it a far better scheme to appoint a small army of inspectors to examine all the pork before it is shipped from this country. This might be more dignified, and after a time effectual, but how shall we make France and Germany stop shipping their poisoned goods to this country? Will they be equally "dignified" and appoint inspectors on their side that will be satisfactory to our people. Probably they would after a few months of prohibition; never before. Dignity is a good thing, but protection to the health and wealth of the people is better. Besides, Government inspectors are expensive luxuries, and by no means always efficient. A fat Government appointment is a nice thing—for the appointee, as Mr. Sanders is aware, but it is not profitable to the tax-payers of the country to multiply them too extensively. In my opinion the easiest way out of the muddle is to strike back and to hit where it will hurt worst.

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Clinton Babbitt, Secretary of the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society, is reported to have said at the late meeting of the State Dairymen's Association that he had a very poor opinion of editors. In fact, that he held them in about the same esteem as Ben Butler does. Now I don't suppose it makes an iota of difference to any editor under the sun what Butler or Babbitt think of him; what Ben and Clint need to look out for is what the editors think of them. Big Ben got an inkling of this a few weeks ago; Little Clint's turn may come next.

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For some time I have been noticing the advanced style of writing in the two or three "Down East" agricultural papers that come under my notice. They bear evidences of "culcha" that are truly encouraging, but here is a case that is actually exhilarating, or would be were it not somewhat bewildering. It is from an article about the Jersey Lily, Mrs. Langtry: "Who ever vocalized such a word with a more complex intonation, or with a more marvellously intimate union with a more inextricably intertwined relationship to the most exquisite sensibilities that accompany and mark the infinite flights and reachings of the soul, as within its human casement it burns with fire divine?" Now, I call that decidedly fine, and were I the owner of a whole herd of Jerseys I should endeavor to engage this genius to write them up for me. At any rate I think he should be brought West to help on the Jersey boom.

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I sent the editors of THE PRAIRIE FARMER, the other day, from Springfield, where I was paying a flying visit to the agricultural rooms, a copy of the Reynolds argument for a change in the awarding of sweepstakes prizes on cattle. Mr. R. applied it to the Fat Stock Show alone, and I believe the State Board adopted the suggestions. But for the life of me I can not see why the principle is not equally applicable to the State Fair premiums, and indeed to similar exhibits at all our fairs. Next year I hope the State Board will extend the innovation to the State Fair, and from this it may be it will extend to similar organizations of lesser magnitude.

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I notice that the National Academy of Sciences have decided that glucose is not injurious to health. Well, this is good news, at any rate, but it does not follow that manufacturers and merchants have the right to mix it with cane sugar or sell it to us for genuine cane sirups, or real honey, or pure sugar candy, or in any of the other ways in which we are made to pay two or three times what it is really worth. It does not do away with the great need of a rigorous food adulteration act, though there is great satisfaction in knowing that when we eat it we are not taking in a mild death-dealing potion. But, come to think of it, there are other great scientists in the country besides those composing the National Academy. Some of them have decided in a contrary manner. Is it not best to have the question decided by a majority vote of reputable chemists, and then stick to the good old things, whichever way the decision may be? On principle I don't object to suine, oleo, or any of the objectionable articles. All I want is to know when I am buying, and paying for them in real genuine dollars. Bogus dollars are every whit as respectable as bogus butter or bogus honey, though the law makes it a little unhealthy to use them with any degree of liberality.



Letter from Champaign.

A light rain yesterday (the 18th) was the first for five weeks, and the first sign of a January thaw we have had. But it began to snow at dark, continued lightly all night, and has been snowing, blowing, and drifting to-day up to this hour, 2 P. M. Coming soft at first, that part of it will lay where it fell, and the uncovered portion of the wheat has got a new blanket, which we hope will out-last January. We have had but one so long uninterrupted spell of sleighing for these many years, and that was in the winter of '78-'79. With the exception of the few very cold days before and after the 5th, the month has been quite favorable for stock and all the labors of the farm.

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The damage done by the cold wave of January 4th to 7th is believed to be greater than first reported. Growers tell me that Snyder blackberries are killed down to the frost line, which proves it is not iron-clad, as some believe. Accounts from the Cobden fruit region are of the gloomiest character, everything being given up for lost but the strawberries. The Fruit-Grower says they will have to rely on them and their truck patches this year, and advises an extension of early potatoes, tomatoes, and Japan melons. According to local records at Anna, there has been nothing like it since the first week in January, 1864; and the estimate of the damage done in '84 is computed from what followed in '64, rather than from what is absolutely known. Let us hope that they are mistaken, and that the Cobden fruit region will sustain its well-earned character as the source of a perennial fruit supply.

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It appears the cold wave did not reach its minimum in Central Florida, lat. 27, till the night of the 9th, ice having been found on the morning of the 10th, near Enterprise, three-fourths of an inch thick. Oranges on the trees were frozen through, and the leaves killed so they will drop. But though here and there a branch may be frosted and will die and have to be removed, little permanent damage to the groves has probably resulted. Central Florida is distant, as the crow flies, from Central Illinois, about one thousand miles. Suppose the cold wave moved steadily southwest, it follows, then, its rate of speed was not far from 200 miles every twenty-four hours. It is easy to comprehend how a complete signal service might warn of the approach of cold waves in time to take every necessary precaution to meet and disarm them.

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But as much of a stinger as the late cold turn was, it was a mere cool breeze compared with that which fell on Florida and the entire Southwest in the winter of 1834-35. Then snow covered all Northern Florida, and in Central Georgia it lay on the ground some days, a foot deep. The young orange trees were all killed to the ground, and few of the aged trees escaped without the loss of most of their branches. But they soon recovered—sprouting from the roots and stumps with great vigor, as they will again do after the late freeze. And this is one of the strong points of the orange. It will sprout from the stump or root when the trunk is removed, as surely as the young hickory or chestnut, and when transplanted young and trees of considerable size, will bear mutilation with about as much indifference as the Osage orange or soft maple.

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Those who expect Congress to do anything that will hurt German and French importers, by way of retaliation for prohibiting pork and pork products, will be pretty sure to be disappointed. Senator Williams is responsible for the statement that the reason why agriculture is treated with so much contempt, is it sustains no lobby. But you may be sure the importers will not fail in that respect, as millions will be spent to prevent legislation which will seriously interfere with the enormous profits of the foreign importing houses in New York. Perhaps Senator Williams will inform us what it will cost to keep up a well appointed lobby in Washington, and how much the average one-horse lawyers in Congress expect, in money down, in the way of a retainer. Huntington could tell, and so could Jay Gould; but both are silenced for the present, and Villard too.

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"Put your thumb down there." That the trees on low lands which bore big crops in 1874-75, are just the trees which bore crops equally in '83, and the very trees also which have made the most vigorous growth both previously and last year. The whole matter is a question of nutrition.

B. F. J.

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REMEMBER that $2.00 pays for THE PRAIRIE FARMER from this date to January 1, 1885; For $2.00 you get it for one year and a copy of THE PRAIRIE FARMER COUNTY MAP OF THE UNITED STATES, FREE! This is the most liberal offer ever made by any first-class weekly agricultural paper in this country.

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POULTRY NOTES.

Poultry-Raisers, Write for Your Paper.

Chicken Chat.

Somebody says that "Plymouth Rock pullets are not always early layers, for they often grow for ten or twelve months before laying, though some lay as early as six months after hatching."

Well that's news to us, and we have kept Plymouth Rocks quite a while, too. We have had Rock pullets commence laying at six months, and once we had a few that didn't do a thing toward earning their own living till they were almost eight months old; but seven months is nearer the average, and that is what we count on when selecting the pullets that are to be kept for winter layers. The pullets that are hatched from the first of March up to the first of May, commence laying all along from the middle of September to the first of December. Pullets that we want to commence laying in February, are selected from those hatched in July. It would really be very gratifying to me if the people who know no more about the Plymouth Rocks than they do about the fate of Charlie Ross, would keep their twaddle out of print.

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One of my correspondents is very anxious to know if the Langshans are the "coming fowls." Hardly. Fanciers who have tried them pronounce them the "best birds that were ever imported from China," which is pretty high praise, but all the same they are not popular with farmers. They will never hold the place that the Plymouth Rocks hold. Since you wish to buy fowls of the breeds for which there will be the greatest demand next season, I should advise you get Plymouth Rocks and Wyandottes. These, in addition to the Light Brahmas and Brown Leghorns that you already have, will give you the four breeds that are the most popular, and if you have good stock, and let people know that you have eggs to sell for hatching, you will probably have orders for all the eggs that you will care to sell.

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Another correspondent wants to know the meaning of the word "strain," as applied to fowls, and I don't wonder that he asks the question, for the word is used "promiscuous like" by every tyro in poultry breeding.

When any poultry-raiser has bred fowls of any breed long enough to fix his notion of what constitutes a standard fowl of that breed upon them permanently, he may claim a "strain." For instance: Smith believes that the Light Brahmas should have very short legs, and he breeds for short legs until they are permanently fixed, and everybody who knows anything about Light Brahmas knows one of Smith's short-legged Brahmas at sight; then, but not before, Smith may claim a strain of his own, and it is proper for others to speak of "Smith's strain" of Light Brahmas. But Johnson, who buys of Smith, or of some one who has Light Brahmas of Smith's strain, this year, should not next year talk about "my own strain" of Light Brahmas. It takes years of steady, judicious breeding after a certain type to establish what may truthfully be called a strain, and it can only be done by breeders of rare skill and long experience in mating fowls for breeding.

FANNY FIELD.



Chicken Houses.

I often read inquiries about the best plan for building hen houses. My plan is, for 100 fowls, to build a house for them to roost in, eight or even ten feet wide and sixteen feet long, one story high with tight floor of yellow pine flooring. I prefer a tight floor because it is easily cleaned out, and every time it is cleaned out and swept the floor should be well covered with slaked lime; one cleaning a week is often enough.

A building of the same size should be built with a dirt floor, or close one, as preferred, about ten or fifteen feet from the roosting house for the hens to lay and sit in. A petition may be made of laths dividing the house into two compartments, the front arranged for the laying hens and the back compartments for sitting hens; then the laying hens will not disturb the sitting hens. A closed passway should be made, say one and one half or two feet square leading from the roosting house to the laying house with a sliding door at each end to be used at pleasure. As it often happens in cold, snowy weather in winter it is not desirable to let the fowls out, then the slides at each end of the passway can be opened and feed and water placed in the laying house (because the floor in that house will always be cleanest), and all the fowls will soon learn to go in there to eat and drink, and lay if they want to. It is, I think, bad policy to force fowls to roost, lay, and sit all in the same room.

The boxes that contain the nests should be made so that they can be at any time taken out and the nests turned out in a pile, set on fire and the boxes held over the fire to kill any lice that may be sticking to them.

B. F. C. HIKE'S POINT, KY.

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A person signing himself a "Nobleman's Gardener," says in an English paper that it is a mistake to use poultry manure as a top-dressing for garden crops; for farm crops also, if the poultry and pigeon dung were in any considerable bulk. This, however, is not usually the case, and a hundred weight or two would not make much of an impression on a farm. The manure in question is a powerful fertilizer, containing ammonia, phosphates, and carbonate of lime in considerable quantity, also uric acid, all of which are valuable ingredients for the support of crops. The simplest method of preparing the manure for use is to partially dry it, then mix it with perfectly dry sifted soil or ashes in sufficient quantity that will enable the entire mixture to be rubbed through a half-inch sieve. A man can do this comfortably with the hand inclosed in a thick leather glove. In this finely powdered state it can be stored in a dry shed till wanted for use. It is an excellent top-dressing for onions, strawberries, and, in fact, for all vegetable crops that need assistance, also for fruit trees and lawns. It is best applied in showery weather in the spring—for lawns at the rate of two ounces, vegetable crops and strawberries three ounces, and fruit trees four ounces per square yard. If in very large bulk and needed for use in fields it would scarcely be necessary to pulverize it, as mixing it with dry soil, etc., and turning the heap over a few times would suffice for its ready application.

* * * * *

The strength of the donkey mind lies in adopting a course inversely as the arguments urged, which, well considered, requires as great a mental force as the direct sequence.

* * * * *

MISCELLANEOUS.

Cheapest Farms for Sale in Illinois.

BEST FRUIT REGION IN THE STATE.

Send for my List of Farms and timbered Lands for sale. DEWITT C. SMITH, Land Agent. Stone Fort, Saline Co., Illinois.

When you write mention THE PRAIRIE FARMER.

* * * * *

MARKET GARDENERS,

AND ALL OTHERS who want the BEST Cabbage, Onion, Beet, Carrot, Parsnip, Cucumber, Tomato, and other Seeds, DIRECT FROM THE FARM, at the LOWEST PRICES, can now get them at wholesale rates. Catalogue, with directions for cultivation, FREE. Address JOSEPH HARRIS, Moreton Farm, Rochester, N. Y. Seeds for the Children, 25 per cent discount. If you do not want the Catalogue, let the Children send for it, and send at once, as this advertisement will not be repeated.

When you write mention THE PRAIRIE FARMER.

* * * * *

BLUE STEM SPRING WHEAT!!!

The best variety of Prairie Wheat known. Yields largely and is less liable to blight than any other variety.

Also celebrated Judson Oats for sale in small lots.

Samples, statement of yield, and prices sent free upon application to

SAMPSON & FRENCH. Woodstock, Pipestone Co., Minn., or Storm Lake, Ia.

When you write mention THE PRAIRIE FARMER.

* * * * *

EUROPE

EDUCATIONAL EXCURSIONS

1884

COMBINING UNEQUALLED ADVANTAGES. Send for Descriptive Circular, Free. Register early. E. TOURJEE, FRANKLIN SQ., BOSTON.

When you write mention THE PRAIRIE FARMER.

* * * * *

FOR SALE—One-half interest in a thoroughly equipped CREAMERY located in one of the best dairy districts of Wis.

J. G. SNYDER & SON., Mt. Hope, Wis.

When you write mention THE PRAIRIE FARMER.

* * * * *

CUT THIS OUT & Return to us with TEN CTS. & you'll get by mail A GOLDEN BOX OF GOODS that will bring you in MORE MONEY, in One Month, than anything else in America. Absolute Certainty. Need no capital. M. Young, 173 Greenwich St. N. York.

* * * * *

FARM IMPLEMENTS. Etc.

THE "NEW" BIRDSELL CLOVER HULLER.



SAVES all the Seed, CLEANS Ready for Market as Threshed.



Besides manufacturing the "NEW" BIRDSELL Clover Huller, for which we have the sole right, we make a specialty of HALF PLATFORM and THREE-SPRING WAGONS.

Send for illustrated Catalogue and prices. Address

BIRDSELL MANF'G CO. SOUTH BEND INDIANA.

—> When you write, please mention this paper. <—

* * * * *

SEED CORN

FOR SALE.

A large quantity of first-class, selected Iowa seed corn, in large or small quantities. Address

MITCHELL, VINCENT. Onawa, Iowa.

Please state you saw ad in this paper.

* * * * *



THE STANDARD REMINGTON TYPE-WRITER is acknowledged to be the only rapid and reliable writing machine. It has no rival. These machines are used for transcribing and general correspondence in every part of the globe, doing their work in almost every language. Any young man or woman of ordinary ability, having a practical knowledge of the use of this machine may find constant and remunerative employment. All machines and supplies, furnished by us, warranted. Satisfaction guaranteed or money refunded. Send for circulars. WYCKOFF, SEAMANS & BENEDICT, 38 East Madison St., Chicago, Ill.

* * * * *

SEEDS

ALBERT DICKINSON,

Dealer in Timothy, Clover, Flax, Hungarian, Millet, Red Top, Blue Grass, Lawn Grass, Orchard Grass, Bird Seeds, &c.

POP CORN.

Warehouses {115, 117 & 119 Kinzie St. {104, 106, 108 & 110 Michigan St. OFFICE. 115 Kinzie St. CHICAGO, ILL.

* * * * *

FAY GRAPES

CURRANT

HEADQUARTERS

ALL BEST NEW AND OLD.

SMALL FRUITS AND TREES. LOW TO DEALERS AND PLANTERS. STOCK First-Class. Free Catalogues. GEO. S. JOSSELYN, Fredonia, N.Y.

* * * * *

—> A CHANCE OF A LIFETIME!

This Offer Holds GOOD UNTIL MARCH 10th ONLY.

$40,000 IN PRESENTS, GIVEN AWAY.

NO BLANKS! every Subscriber gets a Present.

The proprietors of the well-known and popular weekly paper, THE GOLDEN ARGOSY, being desirous of introducing their paper into every home where it is not now taken, have organized a stock company with an AUTHORIZED CAPITAL OF $200,000 for the purpose of pushing the Argosy extensively, and have decided to give away to all who subscribe before March 10, 1884, $40,000 in presents. READ OUR GREAT OFFER.

FOR ONLY FIFTY CENTS

We will enter your name on our subscription books and mail THE GOLDEN ARGOSY regularly for three months, (thirteen numbers), and immediately send a printed numbered receipt, which will entitle the holder to one of the following magnificent presents.

PARTIAL LIST OF PRESENTS TO BE GIVEN AWAY:

5 Cash Presents of $1,000 each $5,000 5 Cash Presents of $500 each 2,500 10 Cash Presents of $200 each 2,000 10 Cash Presents of $100 each 1,000 10 Cash Presents of $50 each 500 3 Elegant Upright Pianos, $300 each 900 5 Elegant Cabinet Organs, $100 each 500 25 Sewing Machines, $30 each 750 20 Gents' Solid Gold Watches, $40 ea. 800 30 Ladies' Solid Gold Watches, $25 ea. 750 20 Beautiful Diamond Rings, $30 ea.. 600 20 Gents' Solid Silver Watches, $15 ea. 300 25 Ladies' Chatelaine Watches, $10 ea. 250 30 Boys' Silver Watches, $10 each 300 100 Waterbury Watches, $3.50 each 350 20 Gents' Solid Gold Chains, $20 each 400 20 Ladies' Gold Neck Chains, $15 each 300 20 Solid Gold Bracelets, $15 each 300 10 Elegant Bicycles, $85 each 850 5 Silver Tea Sets, $100 each 500 5 Sets Parlor Furniture, $100 each 500 10 Elegant Boys' Suits, to order, $20 200 10 Girls' Outside Garments, $15 each 150 50 Gold Pens and Holders, $2 each 100 500 Extension Gold Pencils, $1 each 500 500 Pair Nickel-Plated Skates, $2 each. 1,000 500 Large Photograph Albums, $2 each 1,000 500 Pair Roller Skates, $2 each 1,000 500 Two-Dollar Greenbacks 1,000 500 One-Dollar Greenbacks 500 500 Magic Lanterns, $1 each 500 500 Boys' Pocket Knives, $1 each 500 500 Ladies' Pocket Knives, $1 each 500 1000 Oil Pictures, $1 each 1,000 500 Solid Gold Rings, $2 each 1,000 1000 Autograph Albums, $1 each 1,000

AND 92,532 OTHER USEFUL AND VALUABLE PRESENTS RANGING IN VALUE FROM TWENTY-FIVE CENTS TO ONE DOLLAR, making a grand total of 100,000 presents to be given to the first one hundred thousand subscribers received. EVERY ONE GETS A PRESENT. All of the above presents will be awarded in a FAIR AND IMPARTIAL MANNER by a committee chosen by the subscribers. Among the last 92,532 presents are 50,000 of one article, which we manufacture and own the patent, and that retails at One Dollar the world over and never sold for less; it is something needed in every home, AND IS WELL WORTH FIVE DOLLARS IN ANY FAMILY; millions have been sold at One Dollar each. Being owners and manufacturers we can afford to give 50,000 to our subscribers, believing that you will be so well pleased that you will always be patrons of the ARGOSY;—besides all this you have a chance to get one of the most valuable presents offered in our list. THE AWARD OF PRESENTS WILL POSITIVELY TAKE PLACE MARCH 10, '84.

THE GOLDEN ARGOSY IS A WEEKLY PAPER for the FATHER, the MOTHER, the BOYS, and the GIRLS. It is the most BEAUTIFUL, USEFUL, ENTERTAINING, INSTRUCTIVE, AND POPULAR WEEKLY published. It has the best corps of FIRST-CLASS AUTHORS in the United States, including such as HORATIO ALGER JR., EDWARD S. ELLIS, OLIVER OPTIC, HARRY CASTLEMON, FRANK H. CONVERSE, REV. EDWARD EVERETT HALE, and a host of others too numerous to mention. It is BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED, and its reading matter is all original from the pens of noted authors. Its regular subscription price is 50 CENTS FOR THREE MONTHS; $1.00 FOR SIX MONTHS; $1.75 FOR TWELVE MONTHS; without present or premium; but in order to secure 100,000 subscribers at once we make the FOLLOWING LIBERAL OFFER.

FOR 50 CENTS we will send you THE GOLDEN ARGOSY, weekly, for three months and one numbered receipt, good for one present. FOR $1 we will send THE GOLDEN ARGOSY, weekly, SIX MONTHS, and TWO numbered receipts good for TWO PRESENTS. FOR $1.75 we will send THE GOLDEN ARGOSY, weekly, for ONE YEAR and FOUR numbered receipts, good for FOUR PRESENTS.

A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO YOU. If you will CUT THIS ADVERTISEMENT OUT and show it to your FRIENDS, ACQUAINTANCES AND NEIGHBORS, and get five to subscribe for three months, and send us $2.50, we will send you your subscription free, and one numbered receipt; get ten to subscribe and we will send you TWO numbered receipts and THE ARGOSY for six months; get twenty to subscribe for three months and we will send you the ARGOSY ONE YEAR, and FOUR numbered receipts, good for FOUR PRESENTS. A few hours' work will give you A SUBSCRIPTION FREE and a CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE PRESENTS. SAMPLE COPIES FREE.

THE GOLDEN ARGOSY is a well ESTABLISHED weekly paper and is backed by HALF A MILLION DOLLARS CAPITAL, so that every subscriber may be sure of GETTING JUST WHAT WE PROMISE. LIST OF THE AWARDS will be forwarded to all subscribers immediately after Mar. 10th.

HOW TO SEND MONEY. Send small sums, from 50 cents to one or two dollars by POSTAL NOTE, cash or stamps; larger sums should be sent by REGISTERED MAIL OR POST OFFICE ORDER. Address all orders to

THE ARGOSY PUBLISHING CO., 81 WARREN STREET, NEW YORK.

REMEMBER, THE ABOVE PRESENTS ARE GIVEN ABSOLUTELY FREE TO OUR SUBSCRIBERS. CUT THIS OUT AND SHOW IT TO YOUR FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS AND ACQUAINTANCES.

—> IT WILL NOT APPEAR AGAIN. <— AGENTS WANTED EVERYWHERE.

WHAT SUBSCRIBERS SAY.

I cannot SPEAK TOO HIGHLY of the ARGOSY, my boys think they could never do without it.

Mrs. M. E. AXTELL, West Richfield, Ohio.

THE ARGOSY has been SO GOOD this year I MUST HAVE it another; enclosed is $1.75.

DAN. W. HUNTINGTON, Boston.

I LIKE THE ARGOSY VERY MUCH, and think it GREATLY IN ADVANCE of the usual style of papers for the young—THE BOYS LIKE IT.

Mrs. AGNES S. ARMSTRONG. Ephraim, Utah Ter.

I have taken a number of papers, but I NEVER HAD ONE I LIKE AS WELL as THE ARGOSY. To sit before the fire these cold evenings and read it IS THE BEST ENJOYMENT I KNOW OF. To-night I am reading my old papers over again.

W. S. KNOWLTON, Portland, Me.

I should take the ARGOSY another year IF I HAD TO SIT UP NIGHTS TO EARN THE MONEY TO PAY FOR IT: enclosed is $1.75.

ED. L. PEMBERTON, Ansonia, Conn.

I am SO DEEPLY INTERESTED in the ARGOSY I SHOULD BE LOST WITHOUT IT; please extend my subscription another year.

WINNIE S. MOORE, Audubon, Ia.

I have been a reader of the ARGOSY the last year, and CANNOT NOW DO WITHOUT IT, LET IT COST WHAT IT WILL.

D. E. BROTHWELL, Wakefield, Kan.

THE ARGOSY is the VERY BEST PAPER of the kind published. I WOULD NOT DO WITHOUT IT FOR TWICE $1.75.

FRANK G. JOHNSON, Painesville, O.

I prize the ARGOSY ABOVE ALL YOUTH'S PAPERS. Its high moral tone and instructive reading is sure to leave a LASTING IMPRESSION WITH ITS READERS.

Mrs. IDA AUSTIN, Fort Halleck, Wy.

The character of the ARGOSY COMMENDS ITSELF TO ALL.

WM S. CLARK, Washington, D. C.

I have read the Golden Days, Youth's Companion, and Wide-Awake, for boys and girls, BUT GIVE ME THE ARGOSY; I WOULD NOT GIVE IT FOR ANY OTHER PAPER I EVER SAW.

A. B. WILLIS, Brooklyn, Ill.

NOTICES FROM THE PRESS.

THE GOLDEN ARGOSY is handsomely printed on tinted paper, and is freighted with reading matter that can be safely placed in the hands of our youth.—Herald, Norristown, Pa.

It is SPARKLING and PURE, interesting and HIGH-TONED. The best authors in America contribute to its columns.—Journal, Lewistown, Me.

Parents and guardians who would place fascinating as well as instructive, reading before their children, WOULD DO WELL TO SUBSCRIBE TO IT.—Church Union, N. Y.

THE GOLDEN ARGOSY has ECLIPSED, in EVERY respect, its older but less enterprising contemporaries.—Daily Transcript, Peoria, Ill.

Full of LIFE and VIM, it commends itself to those desiring to be entertained and instructed. The illustrations are SUPERB. We commend it to the reading public.—Vanity Fair, San Francisco, Cal.

It has taken a LEADING PLACE among the best papers of its class. The publisher EVIDENTLY UNDERSTANDS boys' tastes.—Times, Indianapolis, Ind.

THE GOLDEN ARGOSY is a BRIGHT, SPARKLING paper for boys and girls; NEITHER SENSATIONAL ON THE ONE HAND NOR DULL ON THE OTHER.—Press, Philadelphia, Pa.

THE GOLDEN ARGOSY is a youths' paper, and CONTAINS MORE INTERESTING READING MATTER than any other similar publication in the country.—Telegraph, Dubuque, Iowa.

IT IS A FIRST-CLASS PAPER, FULLY EQUALLING THE Youth's Companion, and, being once introduced into the home, will be sure to remain.—Herald, Camden, Me.

THE GOLDEN ARGOSY is AS FAR REMOVED FROM THE PROSY INANITY OF SUNDAY-SCHOOL LITERATURE AS IT IS FROM THE DEMORALIZING SENSATIONALISM OF THE HALF-DIME DREADFULS.—N. Y. World.

THE GOLDEN ARGOSY is not only BEAUTIFUL IN APPEARANCE, but every way COMMENDABLE IN the CHARACTER OF ITS CONTENTS. IT IS ONE OF THE FEW PAPERS for young people that JUDICIOUS FATHERS AND MOTHERS care to put in the hands of their children.—Detroit Free Press.

* * * * *

REMEMBER that $2.00 pays for THE PRAIRIE FARMER from this date to January 1, 1885; For $2.00 you get it for one year and a copy of THE PRAIRIE FARMER COUNTY MAP OF THE UNITED STATES, FREE! This is the most liberal offer ever made by any first-class weekly agricultural paper in this country.

* * * * *



FORESTRY.

Henry Stuart writes the New York Times: A wise and careful system of agriculture might have left our fields still fertile and productive, so an economical use of the forests might have made them a perennial source of wealth. Fortunately the injury is not beyond a remedy, for it is easier to restore a growth of timber than it is to bring back fertility to a barren soil. It is easy to care for what is left and to replant and renew the growth, and even to do this better and more quickly and with more and quicker profit than nature has done it. It is easy, too, by a wise and practical use of the forests that are left, to so husband them as to take regular harvests from them as the farmer regularly harvests his fields or selects the fatlings from his flocks. He does not gather in all these at one fell swoop, taking the fat and the lean and the young and the old, as the fisherman gathers all into his nets, and as the lumberman has felled the woods, but he selects those that are ripe and carefully rears the rest until they are ready. Had the timber been culled in this way from the forests year by year there would have been a periodical harvest, and as the mature trees were cut out a new growth would spring up. But, on the contrary, as in the old fable, the goose has been killed for its golden eggs, and the source of a lasting profit has been recklessly sacrificed.

Fortunately the land is left, and can be put to its proper use as soon as it can be controlled. And still fortunately, by a wise administration, the forests may be made a profitable source of public income, instead of, as heretofore, the prey of the spoilers. It is useless to complain of past mistakes. They have been, as we have pointed out, mere incidents of our system, and possibly unavoidable. But the time has come when the system must be changed, and the necessity for a change has become so apparent that it can not be long delayed. It is not only the commerce of the country that must suffer by a continuance of the system, but agriculture suffers still more; and it is not only the public who will gain by a change, but the example will be followed by the farmers, who will doubtless soon learn to take care of their own timber lands and plant more, and so the benefit will be general. Besides, the farmers will not be long in discovering the profit in growing timber, and would plant groves as one of the most profitable crops that could be grown upon their rougher lands, or as a resting and restorative crop for their worn soil.

* * * * *

Before the New York Academy of Science a few days ago, Professor Albert R. Leeds gave some "facts gathered from eight years of personal inspection as to the alleged destruction of the Adirondack forests." He said that a rapid course of spoilation was going on in the outskirts of the forest, and the effect of it would soon be felt in the flow of the Hudson. The impression that the Adirondacks were pine-producing was a false one. Pine trees were seldom seen and the mountains were covered with spruce and hemlock. But the spruces, owing to a disease which attacked them a few years ago, are rapidly dying off. On the Ausable river and along the shores of Lake Champlain the destruction of the forest is especially great. Persons living about the forest start fires in the woodland which spread rapidly and are more destructive to the trees than the lumbermen. Professor Leeds thought that the railways which are making their way through the forests would be an important element in their destruction, for the sparks of the locomotives would originate forest fires. He said that the purchase of the forests by the State might not require so great an expenditure of money as was anticipated.

* * * * *

In closing an article on "Forestry and Farming," the Germantown Telegraph maintains that the idea that farmers and land-owners generally entertain that they may not live to enjoy the advantages of the tree-planting, should be utterly banished from their minds. It will require only about twenty years to realize the most liberal hopes of success; at least it will add to the value of the farm by the fact that the amount of timber is to be increased instead of diminished. We all know how anxious every purchaser of a tract of land is to know whether there is any and how much timber upon a farm offered for sale. In fact, there is no greater mistake made than to cut down the wood upon a farm when purchased, with a view to meet the second payment; and this mistake is invariably brought home to everyone in a few years. It is like taking the life-blood out of the land.



SCIENTIFIC.

Official Weather Wisdom.

Almost from its invention the barometer has been vaunted an indicator of impending weather, and now we are in possession of numberless rules for interpreting its indications, mostly of a vague and indefinite purport, few, if any, pretending to accuracy and certainty. As mankind are always desirous of attaining weather wisdom, these rules have tended to give the barometer its widely recognized reputation, rather than any really infallible principles, clearly formulated. With no other philosophical instrument have people so deluded themselves as with the barometer. Meteorology having become almost an official monopoly, the officials seem to have made the readiest and largest amount of reputation out of the barometer as a weather glass; for all that they have had to do is to compile rules from a number of authors, without any necessity of acknowledgment, print as much as they please at the Government expense, give it away freely, and the notoriety of authorship is secured easily and expeditiously. Thus the British nation has been officially supplied with about eighteen different editions of the Barometer Manual, widely differing from each other according to the views of the authors; for although the book remains the self-styled authors change, much the same as with the Cambridge books on mathematics. A study of the edition, "Coast or Fishery Barometer Manual," teaches that the barometer foretells coming weather; that it does not always foretell coming weather; that only few are able to understand much about what it does tell us; that it may be used by ordinary persons without difficulty; that its indications are sometimes erroneous: that any one observing it once a day may be always weatherwise; that its warnings do not apply always to the locality of the instrument; that storms frequently occur without its giving any warning; that barometer depressions happen with and without gales; and similar ambiguous or contradictory assertions ad nauseam. It is perfectly astounding to contemplate that official authority sanctions such inconsistent teaching, and moreover disseminates it far and wide, forcing its circulation by giving it away gratuitously on humane and eleemosynary grounds. Where only such confusing advice and direction can be given is it becoming to stamp it as official? it is lamentable inconsiderateness to expect fishermen to be able to dodge the weather by such guidance; and it is time to stop this easily concocted nostrum for notoriety; for it is vague and inconclusive in every precept, and has scarcely an assertion which is not contradicted by some other.—Engineering.



A Remarkable Electrical Discovery.

The London Times of recent date states that a new electrical contrivance has been perfected by Mr. A. St. George, the inventor of the telephone which bears his name. This invention, which is really supplemental to the telephone, will enable every description of conversation carried on through the instrument to be not only recorded but reproduced at any future time. Briefly stated, Mr. St. George's invention may be thus described: A circular plate of glass is coated with collodion and made sensitive as a photographic plate. This is placed in a dark box, in which is a slit to admit a ray of light. In front of the glass is a telephone diaphragm, which, by its vibrations, opens and closes a small shutter through which a beam of light is constantly passing and imprinting a dark line on the glass. Vibrations of the shutter cause the dark line to vary in thickness according to the tones of the voice. The glass plate is revolved by clock work, and the conversation as it leaves the telephone is recorded on the sensitive plate, the imprinted words spoken being fixed as is done in photography. The plate can be brought forward afterwards, and when replaced in the machine and connected with a distant telephone, will, when set in motion, give back the original conversation.

* * * * *

On October 15, 1881, a gentleman in Newburgh, N. Y., inclosed a spider in a small paper box. He carefully guarded and watched it, and affirms that for 204 days it partook of no food or water. It showed no emaciation, and appeared as active and strong as at first until within a very few days of its death on May 7, 1882. Tamerlane learned patience from a spider; perhaps Tanner was taught by them how to fast. The Hour, from which we take this item, also has the following: Another spider story is sent from California by the Rev. Dr. McCook, of honey-ant fame. He found a small cocoon of eggs and young spiders, which had no less than five other kinds of insects living in and about it. These intruders consisted of small red ants, a diminutive beetle, and a series formed by a minute chalcid, parasitic on a larger chalcid, which was parasitic on an ichneumon, which was parasitic on the spider. All were seeking to devour the eggs and spiderlings, yet the whole cocoonful, victims included, seemed to be living on most amicable terms.

* * * * *

Various methods for hastening the conversion of cider into vinegar have been recommended. A French method is as follows: Scald three barrels or casks with hot water, rinse thoroughly and empty. Then scald with boiling vinegar, rolling the barrels and allowing them to stand on their sides two or three days until they become thoroughly saturated with the vinegar. The barrels are then filled about one-third full with strong pure cider vinegar and two gallons of cider added. Every eighth day thereafter two gallons of cider are added until the barrels are two-thirds full. The whole is allowed to stand fourteen days longer, when it will be found to be good vinegar, and one-half of it may be drawn and the process of filling with cider be begun again. In summer the barrels are allowed to stand exposed to the sun and in cold weather kept where the temperature is 80 degrees.

* * * * *

A Party of the United States Geological Survey have found it practicable to ride to the highest peak of Mount Shasta, and suggest the establishment there of a third elevated station for weather observations, similar to those on Pike's Peak and Mount Washington.

* * * * *

A herring produces from 30,000 to 50,000 eggs, and the eggs are so small in size that 20,000 can be put one layer thick on a square foot of glass.

* * * * *

COUGHS AND HOARSENESS.—The irritation which induces coughing immediately relieved by use of "Brown's Bronchial Troches." Sold only in boxes.

* * * * *

MISCELLANEOUS.

To Our Readers.

THE PRAIRIE FARMER is the OLDEST, MOST RELIABLE, and the LEADING AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL OF THE GREAT NORTHWEST, devoted exclusively to the interests of the Farmer, Gardener, Florist, Stock Breeder, Dairyman, Etc., and every species of Industry connected with that great portion of the People of the World, the PRODUCERS. Now in the Forty-Fourth Year of its existence, and never, during more than two score years, having missed the regular visit to its patrons, it will continue to maintain supremacy as A STANDARD AUTHORITY ON MATTERS PERTAINING TO AGRICULTURE AND KINDRED PRODUCTIVE INDUSTRIES, and as a FRESH AND READABLE FAMILY AND FIRESIDE JOURNAL. It will from time to time add new features of interest, securing for each department the ablest writers of practical experience.

THE PRAIRIE FARMER will discuss, without fear or favor, all topics of interest properly belonging to a Farm and Fireside Paper, treat of the most approved practices in AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, BREEDING, ETC.; the varied Machinery, Implements, and improvements in same, for use both in Field and House; and, in fact, everything of interest to the Agricultural community, whether in FIELD, MARKET, OR HOME CIRCLE.

IT WILL GIVE INFORMATION UPON THE PUBLIC DOMAIN, WESTERN SOILS, CLIMATE, ETC.; ANSWER INQUIRIES on all manner of subjects which come within its sphere; GIVE each week, full and RELIABLE MARKET, CROP, AND WEATHER REPORTS; PRESENT the family with choice and INTERESTING LITERATURE; amuse and INSTRUCT THE YOUNG FOLKS; AND, in a word, aim to BE, in every respect, AN INDISPENSABLE AND UNEXCEPTIONABLE farm and fireside COMPANION.

Terms of Subscription and 'Club Rates':

ONE COPY, 1 YEAR, postage paid $ 2.00

TWO COPIES, " " " 3.75

FIVE " " sent at one time 8.75

TEN " " sent at one time, and one to Club getter 16.00

TWENTY " " sent at one time, and one to Club getter 30.00

Address

The Prairie Farmer Publishing Co., Chicago. Ill.

* * * * *

STANDARD BOOKS.

ROPP'S CALCULATOR AND DIARY.

Practical Arithmetic made EASY, SIMPLE, and CONVENIENT for all, by this unique and wonderful work. Is worth its weight in gold to everyone not quick in figures. Contains nearly 100,000 BUSINESS Calculations, SIMPLE and PRACTICABLE Rules and ORIGINAL Methods—the CREAM of this great and useful science—which makes it possible and EASY for ANY ONE, even a child, to make CORRECT and INSTANTANEOUS computations in GRAIN, Stock, Hay, Coal, Cotton, Merchandise. INTEREST, Percentage, Profit and Loss, Wages, Measurement of Lumber, Logs, Cisterns, Tanks, Granaries, Wagon-beds, Corn-cribs, Cordwood, Hay-stacks, Lands, Carpenters', Plasterers', and Masons' work, besides THOUSANDS of other practical problems which come up every day in the year. Will prove of GREAT BENEFIT, almost A NECESSITY, in the hands of every FARMER, Mechanic, and Tradesman.

It is neatly printed, elegantly bound, accompanied by a RENEWABLE Diary, SILICATE Slate, PERPETUAL Calendar, and VALUABLE POCKET-BOOK, all combined, for the price of a COMMON diary.

Fine English Cloth $ .50 Fine English Cloth, with flap .75 Fine Roan Leather, with flap 1.00

Sent postpaid to any address on receipt of price.

Address PRAIRIE FARMER PUB. CO., CHICAGO ILL.

* * * * *

How to Paint

A new work by A PRACTICAL PAINTER, designed for the use of TRADESMEN, MECHANICS, MERCHANTS, FARMERS, and as a guide to PROFESSIONAL PAINTERS. Containing a Plain, Common-Sense Statement of the methods employed by Painters to produce satisfactory results in PLAIN and FANCY PAINTING of every description, including FORMULAS for MIXING PAINT in OIL or WATER, Tools required, etc. This is just the book needed by any person having anything to paint and makes

"EVERY MAN HIS OWN PAINTER."

Full directions for using WHITE LEAD LAMP BLACK—IVORY BLACK— PRUSSIAN BLUE—ULTRAMARINE—GREEN—YELLOW—BROWN—VERMILLION— LAKE—CARMINE—WHITING—GLUE—ASPHALTUM—PUMICE STONE, and SPIRITS OF TURPENTINE—OILS—VARNISHES—FURNITURE VARNISH—MILK PAINT—PREPARING CALCIMINE.

Paint for Outbuildings

—WHITEWASH—Paste for PAPER HANGING—HANGING PAPER—GRAINING IN OAK, MAPLE, MAHOGANY, ROSEWOOD, BLACK WALNUT—STAINING—GILDING— BRONZING—TRANSFERRING—DECALCOMANIA—MAKING RUSTIC PICTURES— PAINTING FLOWER-STAND—MAHOGANY POLISH—ROSEWOOD POLISH— VARNISHING FURNITURE—WAXING FURNITURE—CLEANING PAINT—

Paint for Farming Tools

for MACHINERY, and for HOUSEHOLD FIXTURES

To Paint a Farm Wagon

—to RE-VARNISH A CARRIAGE—to make PLASTER CASTS. The work is neatly printed, with illustrations wherever they can serve to make the subject plainer, and it will save MANY TIMES its cost yearly. Every family should possess a copy. Price, by mail, postpaid, $1. Forwarded free to any sender of two subscribers to this paper at $2 each. Address

PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING CO. Chicago.

* * * * *

STANDARD WORKS.

By PETER HENDERSON

Gardening for Profit,

A WELL-KNOWN WORK ON

Market and Family Gardening

Gardening FOR Pleasure

A guide to the amateur in the Fruit, Vegetable, and Flower Garden, with full directions for the Green-House, Conservatory, and Window Garden.

PRACTICAL FLORICULTURE,

A guide to successful Propagation and Cultivation of Florists' Plants.

PRICE, $1.50 EACH, BY MAIL, POSTPAID.

Address PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING CO., Chicago.

* * * * *

TALKS ON MANURES

By JOSEPH HARRIS, M. S.

Author of "Walks and Talks on the Farm," "Farm Crops," "Harris on the Pig," etc.

While we have no lack of treatises upon artificial fertilizers, there is no work in which the main stay of the farm—the manure made upon the farm is treated so satisfactorily or thoroughly as in this volume. Starting with the question,

"WHAT IS MANURE?"

the author, well known on both sides of the water by his writings, runs through in sufficient detail every source of manure on the farm, discussing the methods of making rich manure; the proper keeping and applying it, and especially the

USES OF MANURE,

and the effects of different artificial fertilizers, as compared with farm-yard manure, upon different crops. In this he makes free use of the striking series of experiments instituted years ago, and still continued, by Lawes and Gilbert, of Rothamsted, England. The

REMARKABLE TABLES

in which the results of these experiments are given, are here for the first time made accessible to the American farmer. In fact, there is scarcely any point relating to fertilizing the soil, including suitable manures for special crops, that is not treated, and while the teachings are founded upon the most elaborate scientific researches, they are so far divested of the technical language of science as to commend themselves to farmers as eminently "practical." It is not often that the results of scientific investigations are presented in a manner so thoroughly popular. 12mo. Price, postpaid, $1.50.