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this practicable? It is practicable, and for the following.

reasons:

1st. Except in the volcanic regions, which occupy but an inconsiderable surface, the soil is everywhere fertile and productive, and contains all the necessary food for plants and forests. Along the mountain ranges and the border of streams and lakes are fringes of timber, protected from the annual fires which devastate the plains by the moisture from the watercourses and melting snows.

2d. These belts of timber demonstrate the adaptability of the soil and climate to forest productions, and will strew the adjacent plains with plants and seeds, which require only protection to become forests, in their turn furnishing plants and seeds for the circle thus enlarged, and bringing moisture to protect and quicken their growth. Thus, by the simple process of protection, forests may be gradually extended over the great plains, from all the mountains and water-courses bordering on, or traversing these naked wastes. By ploughing large tracts in the vicinity of these timbered belts, and leaving the upturned soil uncultivated to receive the seeds scattered by the birds and wind, the growth of forest plants would be aided and multiplied to an indefinite extent, and thus millions of trees might be grown in place of the hundreds which now struggle up through the unbroken prairie sward.

3d. To the extent that planting has been intelligently performed on the plains, the production of forests has been a

Trees to the number of millions have been produced from the seed of almost every forest species, by the unaided efforts of a single association in Nebraska; and individual settlers, for the protection of their homesteads, orchards, and crops, have planted with success, though upon a limited scale. Enough, however, has been accomplished to demonstrate the feasibility of clothing the plains with forests by individual and associated efforts.

With these facts and suggestions, the necessity and utility of forest preservation and culture are submitted to the American people, and especially to that portion of them engaged in agricultural pursuits, as measures of paramount importance, and demanding their immediate and considerate attention, and decisive action.

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This machine, manufactured by Messrs. Seymour, Morgan & Allen, Brockport, N. Y., received the first prize as a self-raking reaper, at the trial of the New York State Agricultural Society at Auburn, N. Y., in 1866, where competition was unrestricted, and where thirty reaping machines were entered for trial, eight of which were self-rakers. Some of the self-rakers performed better in the various circumstances in which they were tried, than any of the hand-rakers. In the scale adopted for "quality of work," the mark of 40 denoted perfection. The work of the "New Yorker" was marked in standing wheat, 39; in lodged wheat, 38; in rye, 40; in barley, 40. In reference to the performance of the machine in rye, the judges, in their report, said: "There was a high wind acting on the tall rye; but the gavels were laid in the most admirable manner, as was witnessed by the judges and the numerous spectators." In summing up the points of value possessed by the competing

machines, the judges said: "Seymour, Morgan & Allen have, therefore, a decided preponderance in the qualities which constitute a valuable self-raking reaper. **** We therefore award the Gold Medal in this class, to Seymour, Morgan & Allen, for their 'New Yorker,' especially with reference to its superiority in adaptation to various kinds of grain, and to varied circumstances of wind."

The "New Yorker" was used in the harvest of 1868, on the farm of the Michigan State Agricultural College, and fully sustained the position given it at the trial above alluded to.

ALLEN'S WEEDING-HOE.

The cut accompanying this article, represents a weeding-hoe, invented and patented by Geo. P. Allen, of Woodbury, Connecticut. A very good idea of the implement may be obtained from the figure. It will be noticed that the zigzag edge greatly increases the cutting surface. It is more especially designed for garden work, and is used by pushing and drawing at just such a depth from the surface, as will most effectually destroy weeds. The blade is made of different sizes and lengths to adapt it to different kinds of work, or, more especially, the varying width of spaces between rows of vegetables,—as onions, carrots, turnips, &c. It has been used in the garden of the State Agricultural College, and found to be a decided improvement over hoes previously used for weeding, being worked with more ease, and doing at the same time better execution.

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THE REARING AND MANAGEMENT OF POULTRY.

It is the writer's aim to make this essay as plain and as brief as possible where details are given, that it may be suitable to the requirements of any one desirous to obtain a practical knowledge of the management of poultry; since it is the fruit of long and careful experience, gained by daily practice, it is not too much to hope that similar results to those that attended the labors of the writer, may also requite those who may feel disposed to follow the advise herein laid down.

It is intended to point out the best system with regard to the breeding, rearing, and general management of poultry, more than to dwell upon and describe the different breeds, of which so many works now treat.

There are few creatures that conduce more to man's comfort than domestic poultry, whether he be in health or sickness; and, considering how interesting and profitable is the occupation, it is astonishing how few young people there are who make poultry their study, or even bestow on it the attention it would so well pay. What a lesson of industry, vigilance, patience, perseverance, care and affection, may be learned from the parent hen that "gathereth her chickens under her wings!"

There is no doubt that poultry may be kept and managed so as to produce a profit on all farms where grain and potatoes are grown, as the light or inferior grain cannot be sent to market in a more profitable shape than as well-fed poultry; but like all other farming stock, it requires constant care and attention; and, if you expect a full remuneration for your trouble, you must adopt a good system of management, and see that it

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