2. The staves of an old barrel sawed in two and sharpened at one end answer for larger purposes, and short pieces of hemlock lath, planed smooth on one side, for smaller ones. Those who happen to have blocks of cedar cut off from long posts, or even the sound portion of cedar posts I have seen and tried numerous remedies to rid stock that have failed, will find them especially useful wood for of vermin, but never succeeded so well as with sulphur splitting up for either large or small marks and stakes. 3. For paint to mark such stakes and labels I have found on a lot of calves last spring, by giving it in their feed. nothing so cheap and ready as shellac varnish, into which I tried it before, but it did not seem to do the work, and a little lampblack had been well worked. Whether used in making letters or figures it should be applied with a small brush. It is better applied to the naked wood than to a painted surface, to which, especially if the paint be

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] RAISING LAMBS FOR BUTCHERS.

81 lbs.; twin. 4th, dropped Feb. 23; weighed March 17, 14 lbs.-June, not weighed; twin. 5th, dropped Feb, 23; weighed March 17, 144 lbs.-June 14, 83 lbs.; twin. 6th, dropped Feb. 26; weighed March 3, 13 lbs.June 14, 79 lbs.; single.

Note.-1st, all began to eat meal at three weeks old; some, a little at two weeks. 2d, sheep fed some turnips turnips; run on winter grain-did not do so well. 4th, and two quarts corn-meal twice per day. 3d, got out of gained from April 1st to 8th, 214 lbs. (the six,) in one week. 5th, took off grain-fed small potatoes, with little meal; gained from April 8th to 15th, one week, 24 lbs. lambs were sold at $3.50 apiece-a large price that seamore than single lamb from April 22 to May 24. The

First, in the selection of ewes, I know of no better class of sheep for the system of this section of country, than good York State ewes; perhaps in a drove of 1,000, from 200 to 500 of the proper grade might be selected. I should pick for a sheep of a particular wool, as all our best farmers have proved that a long open wool does not do; nor yet (although better) the little nasty Merino. The former produces a lamb too coarse, not fattening well, and the ewe is too long in getting fit for market; the lat-over 4 lbs. apiece. 6th, one youngest twin gained ter has a lamb that fattens well, but neither produces enough wool or mutton herself to be profitable. In five minutes, with the sheep before us, the best could be pointed out, and better understood than a page of writing will explain. A close compact fleece about the grade for fineness, of half Merino, is our choice. Next, I should select broad, heavy set, short-legged ewes, (as they are not to travel much more,) without horns, about four years old; the bag examined, that both teats shall be good; in con-ments, but the above must suffice, except about one lamb dition just fairish, as, if too fat, it may argue she has been a poor milker. The time of year for procuring the ewes, should be August or forepart of September.

Now a very important matter comes up, on which de. pends one-third the profit of the lamb crop, viz., are you buying of a drover that you can depend on his word, and when you ask him if any ram has run with these ewes, does he answer no? I have found no exception to the rule, that all ewes, in lamb when bought, produce inferior lambs, and the butcher rejects all such until the last, if he will have have them at all. They are perhaps got by a common ram, and he without being in a proper condition for service; and the ewes after being served, instead as they should be, improving in condition slowly but surely, have been from driving, running down very fast. Being sure you are all right so far, turn your selected ewes on short pasture for at least two weeks.

son.

I would correct here a mistake in your article, Messrs. Editors, about the weight of lambs; it should read, liveweight not dressed, as a young lamb very fat early in the season, weighing 50 or 55 lbs, alive, will dress 8 lbs. per quarter-which is good for early lamb.

I might give page after page of figures and experi

fattened in 1851. He was one-half South-down; dropped Feb. 6th; weighed Feb. 23, 24 lbs.-March 2, 31 lbs.-March 11, 384 lbs.-March 18, 444 lbs.-March 29, 53 lbs.; when sold to Mr. Charles Kent, a New-York butcher, for $4.50-just 51 days old-which lamb was said to be, of its age, the best ever dressed in New-York market. My readers need not expect to beat it often; and it would be proper in this place to say that from 3 to 4 lbs. per week is a very good gain-I never was satisfied with less than 34 lbs. per week, or a half pound per day, for fattening lambs; but lambs for breeding or stock sheep, is a different matter.

I have run so far off my intended track, that I must close for this letter without getting back,

Holmdel, N. J., April 8, 1862.

J. C. TAYLOR.

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] CORN AS FUEL IN THE WEST.

But I have forgotten another very important point, viz,, buy only so many ewes as you are prepared fully to keep well; not only for the fall when buying, (your plentiThe abundance and extremely low price of corn have ful fall pasture may tempt you,) but through the winter, led many farmers at a long distance from coal or timber, and especially through the spring. Between hay and to substitute corn as fuel for the kitchen and parlor fires. grass is a hard time for sheep; but this leads me to root-Corn cobs are excellent fuel-corn itself on the cob raising, which must be now passed over.

As worth more than all the dictatorial pages I might find time to write, to the lamb-raiser, I will here give some actual experience. About 1840 to 1845, being tempted to buy more sheep than I had keeping for, in the fall I procured 25 ewes, (having a few on hand before.) All went well until, towards spring, the ewes began to lamb, but from scarceness of good clover hay, many of them had not milk enough to keep their lambs alive; this, combined with want of warm shelter for the young lambs, caused a great loss in the number of lambs raised, so that I only raised thirteen lambs from the twenty-five ewes, and the thirteen so stunted, that in June I could only get $1.50 per head, clear of freight, for them; and the ewes were worth no more in the fall than one year before, when bought. I wonder if there are any sheep raised on the same principle in the States of New-York, Ohio, and so on West. I think so from their appearance.

burns well, and gives a strong abundant heat, In many places in the West, corn cannot now be sold for ten cents per bushel. Wood and coal have to be drawn a long distance and the corn sold to pay for them. The corn is at hand-and in many places its consumption for fuel in the kitchen fire is economy.

We have heard many persons argue that it is wicked to use corn for such a purpose, and yet they would consume it in alcohol or as burning fluid without a scruple.

A bushel and half basket of corn will last in a moderate or not very severe day, about ten hours. In a severe day of cold and wind, from two to three bushels would be consumed.

We have travelled much in this country during the past winter, and seen very many fires of large ears of golden corn. To one "brought up" among the wooded Now the above was one of the most profitable deals I hills of southern New-York, we must say this does not ever made in the sheep line-" bought wit is the cheap-look right. Yet we argue that in corn-burning as in other est." I soon began to keep a small flock. I think it was business, men should consult their own interests. in 1846, I kept only 8 ewes, and sold more dollars worth of produce than from the 25. In 1847 I wintered 4 ewes, and not only made more profit than with the 25, but sold UNRULY CATTLE.An ox or cow that is accustomed to more dollars worth from the 4 than from the 25, besides throwing fences, may be prevented doing so by taking a the greater expense of keeping 25. From my sheep-large wire and bending it in the shape of a bow; then book I will here give a few particulars of the six lambs bend the points in the shape of a fish-hook; tic two

raised from the 4 ewes:

1st, dropped Feb. 4; weighed March 3, 23 lbs.-June 2, when sold, 82 lbs.; single. 2d, dropped Feb. 20; weighed March 3, 84 lbs.-June 14, 764 lbs. ; twin. 3d, dropped Feb. 20; weighed March 3, 94 lbs.-June 14,

Amboy, Lee Co., Ill., March, 1862.

G. W. H.

strings to the wire, place the hooks in the nostrils lightly, and tie one string to the point of each horn. This will prevent the most unruly ox or cow from throwing fences.

H. R. O.

1

THE CULTIVATOR.

ALBANY, N. Y., MAY, 1862.

favor by giving us the results of his experience, and the method of manufacture adopted, as fully as possible. EDS.]

TO CHARLES L. FLINT, Esq., Secretary, we are indebted for copies of the Ninth Annual Report of the Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture for 1861. Issued with the customary promptness, its contents are of The New York STATE FAIR is to be held Sept. 30 fully the usual degree of interest and value. -Oct. 3, probably at the city of Rochester.

Sub-Committees of the Board were appointed to report Hon. Jos. A. WRIGHT, U. S. Senator from Indiana, upon different subjects now of especial interest in the sends us a report of the debate in the Senate, upon the Agriculture of the State, and the papers thus contributed form the leading feature in the volume. They includǝ House bill establishing “a Department of Agriculture.” one upon the Diseases of Vegetation, by Dr. JOHN C. This bill, as was remarked in the debate by Senator BARTLETT, upon Cattle Breeding and Feeding, by Dr. SIMMONS, advocating its passage, "simply detaches the GEO. B. LORING, upon the Protection of Sheep, Lambs, agricultural portion of the business of the Patent Office &c., by R. S. FAY, Esq., upon the Wastes of the Farm, from the Interior Department, and makes it an independ-by JAS. S. GRENNELL, Esq., and upon Wheat Culture, by Mr. LEVI STOCKBRIDGE. The other papers contained in ent Department." It does not appear to add particularly the volume make up a useful variety; and we hope to to the scope or efficiency of the Agricultural operations refer hereafter, as time permits, to several of the numof the government, but only christens the old machinery ber-especially to the tables of the Agricultural Statistics with a new name; and the best argument which Senator of the State, which appropriately occupy about 70 pages S. could find for it, was that it is simply a compliment near the close of the volume. to the great leading interest of industry." He took pains

to repeat subsequently that he considered the bill mere

We have already mentioned the Trial of Reapers

ly a compliment," as though the politicians, while they and Mowers to be held the coming season at Dixon, Illican find no time to perform any real service for the Far-nois, by the Agricultural Society of that State. The exmers, might at least touch their hats officially to them, now and then, and closed by trusting that the Senate act time is to be announced by President VAN EPPS, who would now give them this little boon, if for nothing resides at Dixon, according to the condition of the crops. else, merely to gratify their pride." The following are the prizes and the regulations adopted: For the best combined mower and reaper. Diploma and $75 For the best reaper............

With all due thanks to Senator S. for the pains he has been at in the matter, we think there is very little "pride" involved on the part of the farmer. The trouble has been that the heavy expenditure purporting to be for his benefit, has not been well and judiciously applied. It has only been his hope that a department might be devised which should not adhere to the traditions, nor be subject to the mismanagement, which have characterized the former bureau-in a word, which should be worth to the country what it cost.

For the best mower,.

For the best one-horse mower....
For the best heading machine,..

....

For the best grain binder which can be readily at

do.

50

do.

50

Medal.

tached to any ordinary reaper.. Headers to compete with headers, and not with other machines. That an entry fee of fifty per cent, upon the cash premiums offered be required to be paid by each exhibitor. chines compete for the same. That no award shall be made in any case unless two or more ma

That entries may be made with the Corresponding Secretary, at Springfield, until the 15th of June next.

That the machines competing be required to be on exhibition at the State Fair at Peoria, at which time and place the awards shall be publicly announced.

That the details of the requirements for the trials and scale of points be such as have been sanctioned by experience in similar trials in the United States, and that the Executive Committee of this Society be the awarding committee.

Senator WRIGHT, who evidently perceives that merely a change of name is not a very substantial "compliment,' at once proposed a substitute, much more nearly in accordance with the views heretofore expressed in this journal. He supported his proposition in an extended and forcible speech, laying especial stress, as we have The fact that WHEAT will "winter-kill," while done, upon the importance of making it a department for CHESS will survive and flourish, is the source, we are fully the collection of statistical information as to the condition convinced, of nearly all that we hear about so-called growth, requisites and attainments of our Agriculture. Senator W.'s bill is really a step in advance; it contem-"Transmutation." A correspondent at North Madison, plates a programme which, if well carried out, could not Ind., supplies an instance in point; in a letter just rebe otherwise than of incalculable benefit. While some ceived he says: "When I last wrote I mentioned that might be disposed to suggest modifications in its subordi- my wheat was badly winter killed, but forgot to say that nate details, the general intent of the whole is in the proper direction, and if a competent man can be found to occupy the post of Commissioner, his experience at the end of a year would enable him to report upon whatever amendments might prove necessary in order to secure the greatest efficiency of the force and money at his disposal. We have not space at present to publish Senator W.'s bill, but shall watch its progress in Congress with great interest.

IOWA SUGAR.-I enclose a small sample of sugar from the Chinese sugar cane of our own manufacture; we have a considerable that granulated from the crop of 1860, and also of 1861. I have made considerable syrup or molasses during the fall of the last three years, and think that I have learnt considerable by experience, and if I thought my little experience would be interesting to the readers of the COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, I would give it to them. J. F. GRITMAN. Linn Co., Iowa. [This is one of the nicest samples, if not the very best, we have yet seen of Sorghum sugar. Our friend will confer a great

sowed fourteen grains of chess in a place by itself. Every grain came up, and it stood the winter well; having plenty of room, it stooled or tillered very much, and I think I would have had a pint of produce, but when it got nearly ripe the chickens ate it all up, and prevented me from measuring it. I have never found wheat all to come up, and what does come up never all stands the

winter."

SEEDING TO CLOVER-PLASTER.-No better investment can be made by the farmer than in seeding all his winter grain fields liberally with clover, seed, to be followed by a top-dressing of plaster, as soon as the young clover land in spring grains, and at the present low price of plants are fairly above ground. The same is true of seed, it should be used more extensively than usual. It is the true renovater of our soils, either plowed under green or fed out on the farm, and the latter seems the most economical and profitable. Do not forget that topdressing clover with manure in midsummer, will largely increase its growth, and its effect upon the fertility of the soil.

We lately noticed the statistics of the Grain Crops

In the COUNTRY GENTLEMAN of March 27th, we asked the assistance of our correspondents in estimating of England in 1861, collected to show the deficiency in the effect likely to be produced upon the Crops of the the yield obtained last year, and the quantity probably to present year-especially in the West,-by the withdrawal be required before another harvest. A supplementary reof more than half a million of men from the field of turn has since been published, with reference to the labor to take part in the suppression of the great South breadth of land put under winter wheat last autumn, and ern insurrection. We are pleased to learn that the very the present prospect as to the yield of 1862. From the important Agricultural State of Ohio promises to show no tables therein included it appears that the acreage of winter falling off: JNO. H. KLIPPART, Esq,, Secretary of the wheat is unusually great; and not only has a very large Board of Agriculture, writes us under date of Columbus, breadth been sown, but the seed has been put in under the most favorable circumstances. "If, to some extent, O., March 29th→→→ rather too late, (as a rule,)" says the Mark Lane Express, "yet the mildness of the winter has favored it, and the plant generally is strong, healthy, and without breaks in the rows. It would be needless to give any condensed table of this schedule, as, with the exception of about four or five cases, the whole of the returns agreein their accounts, both as to the largeness of the breadth and the wonderfully fine appearance of the plant. If no disaster intervene between now and harvest, there is the prospect of this important product yielding the largest amount of produce that ever was known."

"So far as Ohio is concerned, I learn by replies to my circulars issued to every county in the State, that there was last year, and will be this year, no diminution in the breadth of ground cultivated. And what to me is somewhat surprising, is the fact that farm labor is as abundant as usual, of a better quality, and at no higher rates than in former years. Ohio has 90,000 men in the field, and in camp, and yet so far as her industrial resources are concerned they are apparently not missed. Is it possible that in Ohio we have attained the maximum of production, and that the 90,000 now in service were a surplus population, with whose services we could dispense without disturbing our industrial economy? In what direction shall we seek for a solution of this anomaly? Will the extraordinary amount of machinery introduced explain it ?”

To Mr. KLIPPART's queries we shall not at present at tempt an answer; they may suggest responses from other sources, and they certainly afford room for careful thought. It would be matter of interest to receive information from other Western States, upon the subjects mooted.

England has been forced, during the past two years, to pay such immense sums to foreign nations for Breadstuffs, that it is no wonder if her farmers are now determined to exert themselves to their utmost capacity to enlarge the production of the country. The same paper from which the above quotation is made, contains the official tables of imports and their computed value for the years 1860 and 1861. We derive from them the fact, worthy of being placed on record here, that the value of the Grain and Flour, including under the former, wheat, barley, oats, peas, beans and Indian corn, at $4.84 to the pound sterling, was:

Imported into Great Britain in 1860,
do.
do.
1861,

Aggregate for two years......

$152,134,766

168,193,349

$320,328,115

As to ILLINOIS, a letter from Livingston county, since received, states that there, "no diminution can be seen in respect to the amount of land that will be worked this season. Those remaining seem to feel called upon for What immense profits must the manufacturers and mergreater exertions to make up the loss of their brethren chants of those little islands derive from their commercial now on the field of battle. Great quantities of sorghum intercourse with the rest of the world, when they are able will be raised this season. Parties from the east are look-to pay out such a sum as this in two years for the mere ing it up with their usual shrewd calculation and energy, bread which the people consume. and the amount planted this year will be immense."

whose operations in the Winter Feeding of Sheep we Mr. JURIAN WINNE, of Bethlehem near Albany, have noticed in former years, has been fattening about

past four or five months. They were lately sold in three lots,-one lot averaging a weight of 146 lbs. per head, the second lot 169 lbs., and the third lot 238 lbs. each.

Destroying Weeds.-B. J. CULVERT of Fresh Pond, Long Island, informs us he has purchased a farm which he finds much infested with wild radish, (which we sup-four hundred Leicesters and Leicester grades during the pose to be the Raphanus raphanistrum,) and which he is destroying in the following manner: He sows oats early, with 150 lbs. of guano, and three bushels of seed, per acre; this is cut for fodder the middle of June, and yields about three tons per acre, requiring more curing than hay; Early in autumn the land is plowed and sowed a second time, and some five tons of fodder are thus obtained from an acre. The frost kills the few plants of the weed that are left. The second season, the process is repeated, by which time he thinks the weeds will be eradicated. We would like to hear the final result of the experiment. In answer to the inquiry of our correspondent, we think barn-yard and stable manure the best for enriching the soil, but a portion of ashes, marl or lime, will doubtless be a valuable auxiliary.

SORGHUM CULTURE IN OHIO. There was considerable sorghum cultivated here last year, and there will probably be a much more extended culture of it the coming season. Last year the cane did not yield per acre so much syrup by one third as the year previous-the season was too cold. I manufactured one thousand gallons of superior syrup, and had the cane been as rich as the cane of the previous year, it would have yielded fifteen hundred gallons. I sold all readily at 60 cents per gallon. There was probably made in this county between thirty and fifty thousand gallons. I intend to make three or four thousand gallons the coming The cultivation of sorghum will undoubtedly become a new resource to western farmers. P. A. SMITH. Troy, O.

season.

THE IOWA STATE FAIR, 1862, will be held at the city of Dubuque, on the last day of Sept., and three first days of Oct. Dubuque is the largest city in Iowa-is on the Mississippi river, 180 miles west of Chicago, at western terminus western division of Ill. Cent. R. R. and eastern terminus of Dubuque and S. C. R. R. This location can furnish a local population of some 26,000, within 12 miles. The Fair grounds will be only five minutes walk from the Post Office.

THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIR FOR 1862, will be held at Peoria, commencing on Monday, Sept. 29, and continuing six days. A trial of reapers and mowers will be held during the summer at Dixon, Ill. The time and programme in full will be published soon.

FARM ACCOUNTS.-In keeping farm accounts, I find Hough's "FARM RECORD," prepared for a series of 25 years, to answer every purpose, in connection with a daily diary-cost of this work, $3. Every intelligent husbandman should keep his Dr. and Cr. accounts with stock, fields, and grains, balancing each year's operations. A few minutes each day, or once each week, (if transferred from daily memoranda,) will enable him to do this satis factorily, and correctly enough for all practical purposes,

"W."

Inquiries and Answers.

What say

there any particular bean that is better adapted for this kind of soil than another. P. Montour Co., Pa. [We have not found any common soil, well manured, too rich for beans, but cannot pronounce with confidence in relation to that above mentioned. If the "neighbors" have given it a full trial, their experiments are more conclusive than any opinion merely--but they may have been imperfectly or badly performed. Small varieties of the bean, having small stems but bearing well, would do best for rich land as a general rule, but we could not mention any that have been cultivated es

TIME TO CUT TIMBER.-When is the best season to cut building timber other than evergreens-say oak, maple, beech, basswood, &c., to be cured in the old fashioned way after it is in the frame? Our people differ very much upon the subject; some say when the leaf is off; others when it is onsome say when the bark will run; others prefer the winter in February. Another class, that when the sap is out of the wood, which they claim to be in summer, while others main-pecially for this purpose.] tain that that time is in February. I have had but little experience, but that little leads to the time when the bark will peal, which is generally in the early summer. you? It is of some importance to me just now, and I should like to know. G. CLARKE. East Springfield, March, 1862. P. S.-I notice in many of our old frames, much of the oak has powder-posted. That ought not to be. I am a great lover of oak on account of its strength, but don't want a powder-posted building. I don't mean white oak; that has all left long ago. [Summer is the best time to cut timber, chiefly because it seasons rapidly at that time. It should, of course, be left in the logs as short a time as practicable. Timber cut in winter is long drying, and incipient decay commences before the process is completed. There is rather: more sap in a tree in winter and early spring than in summer, when the leaves have carried off a part. The wood is also rather less watery after midsummer than before, and dries better, and makes harder seasoned stuff. It is therefore not quite so well to cut it till rather after midsummer.]

OSAGE HEDGE. I have determined to set out an Osage Orange Hedge. Shall I plant it this spring, or cultivate the ground this year, and plant the hedge next year? In your judgment what is the best distance to set the plants apart? H. S. JR. Dayton, O. [If the ground can be made in good order this spring, it will save a year's growth to plant A good covered drain should be within a few feet of the bedge. Six or eight inches have been usually recommended, but we think a foot a better distance for the plants, as, by having more room for the roots, the trees will have double the strength above ground.]

DOW.

PEACH WORM.-Will you give us some advice how to keep the worms from destroying our peach trees? They entirely bark them at the ground. MRS. R. W. Indianapolis, Ind. [We can only repeat the mode we have so often prescribed before-to cut the worms out with a knife. This is a sure remedy--after a worm is killed he cannot possibly do any farther injury. Any man, stupid or otherwise, may do the work-always observing this single rule, that wherever he sees the saw-dust-like exudation near or at the surface of the earth, there he will find a hole or cavity eaten into the bark, which he is to follow with the point of his knife till he finds the grub. An active person will thus examine and rescue hundreds of trees daily, and if done timely and two or three times a year, nothing need be feared. It is by far the easiest and most effectual remedy.]

COUGH IN HORSES.-Will you or some of your subscribers please inform me through the columns of your paper, what will stop a horse coughing? He has not got the heaves yet -had the horse distemper three years ago, and it left him with a hacking cough. I have tried patent medicines to my satisfaction He is six years old and sound otherwise. New Lisbon. [A specific prescription can be pointed out only by knowing the particular cause of the cough-but as a general rule, which can never injure and may do much good, give moist or succulent food, such as grass or clover during the summer season, and carrots or other roots, wet or scalded chopped food, good cornstalks, &c. in winter. Slippery elm or flax-seed tea would be useful in recent cases, but would probably not produce much effect on a cough of very long standing. Work moderately, never sweat the animal much nor overdo, and blanket well in cold weather or after working. If any thing will mitigate or cure the disease, it will be this succulent food and careful nursing. The latter is indeed worth all the "patent medicines" that ever a poor sick animal was cursed with.]

BEANS ON RICH LAND.--I have a piece of ground, allowed to run fallow the coming season, previous to being put into wheat, and have concluded to put it into field beans. My neighbors say that the soil is too rich for beans, and that they have had but poor success upon the same quality of soil, their beans all running to vines. I have read the several articles in your paper, and from them must conclude that this theory is a false one. The soil is a sandy loam, good quality, on which was harvested a corn crop last fall. Is

APPLE SEEDLINGS.-Can seedlings for a nursery be raised from sowing apple (or other fruit) seed in a dry state, in the spring of the year? If not, how should the seed be prepared to sow when the weather is suitable in the spring? I wish to sow some apple seed (now dry) this spring. s. [Much will depend on the degree of dryness, according to the nature of the place where they have been kept. Some might grow if merely planted, although they would be a long time minute or so in hot, not boiling water-in which case only a starting. Others would need scalding, that is soaking for a pint should be treated at a time, as a larger quantity will be the process will require repeating. When the seeds have too long cooling, and the heat will kill them. In some cases become very dry, the scalding must be alternated with exposure to freezing. Our correspondent better try small portions of his seed in these different ways in a hot bed, or box of moist earth in a warm room, and observe the result. The trouble will be comparatively small, if the seed are of much value.]

PROPAGATING THE MAPLE.-I wish to know whether the Rock or Sugar Maple, can be successfully propagated by any method except by planting the seeds. I have long been in the practice of grafting and budding apple, pear, and other fruit trees, in the usual methods, with fair success, but have never succeeded with the maple. I have repeatedly made the experiment, but have invariably failed. Now if you or any of your correspondents know of any method by which the maple can be disseminated by grafts or buds, as we multiply the apple, pear, and the other fruit trees, I wish you would give the information in THE CULTIVATOR. If there is any mode by which this can be readily and conveniently accomplished, perhaps I may send a few thoughts on the subject for publication at some future time, showing that possibly it may become in more way than one a matter of national importance. ELISHA S. FISH. [The maple is so easily raised from seeds, that there seems to be no object in propagating it in any other way. Fruit trees are grafted or budded for the purpose of extending the varieties, but no such care is required in raising maples. There is no doubt that with sufficient care and skill, the maple might be both budded and grafted, but there appears to be no object in adopting a difficult mode, while a simple and easy one is at hand.)

THE PEACH BORER.-I cut the following new remedy for the peach borer from the Terre Haute Journal: “Mr. Á. H. Teel of this city, informs us that the gas tar applied to the foot of peach and other fruit trees, where the worms are in the habit of working, is an effectual remedy against the depredations of these destructive vermin. Mr. Teel informs us that he has used this remedy successfully for two or three years. Gas tar can be obtained at a mere nominal price." Is it of any value? s. G. Eugenie, Ind. [Gas tar may be useful in excluding the grub from the peach if it does not injure the trees. There is a difference in its quality, and while some might be harmless, others would corrode and destroy the bark. While the remedy of cutting out the peach grub with the knife is so easy and effectual, it should be adopted in preference to any external application, which cannot kill the insects that have already gained possession. Soft soap is the best application for preventing the entrance of the apple borer, but a flexible wire or stick is the only way to kill those which have cut far into the wood.]

ASHES.-At what season should ashes be applied to clover to produce the best effect? B. A. [A good time to apply is early in spring, so that the spring rains may dissolve the soluble parts of the ashes and carry them into the soil.]

Is there a pear called the Roxbury Pear? I have been informed that they have such a variety in the vicinity of Boston, Mass., and that it is an excellent variety; and also if there is an apple called the Holtin Sweeting? E. N. LEE. Wash. Co., N. Y. [We know of no varieties by the above names.]

Can you tell me where I can obtain pure sorghum and tobacco seed? J. s. Erie Co., N. Y. [Of J. M. Thorburn & Co., 15 John-st., New-York, we presume.]