similar exciting powers upon the womb to those produced by this ergot of rye. Two conditions are necessary for the production of this ergot upon the seed of rye-grass. The first is, the grass must be allowed to run to seed; and the second is, that the climate must be favorable for encouraging the development of the ergot. In practice, we find that on land which has been fed on during summer, unless it has been grazed with unusual care, much of the grass throws up seed stalks, and produces seed. In districts where the climate is humid, and rain abundant, as well as in very wet seasons, these seeds become liable to the growth of this ergot. [It may be well to observe that ergot occurs not unfrequently in the grasses growing in the pastures and meadows of America. In wet seasons it is sometimes abundant in June-grass, blue-grass (of Kentucky)—Poa · pratensis—also in timothy, or herds-grass (of New England)Phleum pratense—and in witch-grass, or couch-grass-Triticum repens, etc.-S. H.]

"Cattle appear to eat the ergotised grass with a relish, and the result is, that abortion spreads rapidly through the herd. Heifers and cows, which, up to the appearance of the ergot, have held in-calf, are excited by consuming it in their food to cast their calves. The abortion having once commenced, we know that the peculiarly sensitive condition of the breeding animal will cause its extension, even where the original cause may not be in operation, but their combined action renders the loss far more serious. If we add to this the tendency which an animal receives from her first abortion to repeat it when next in calf, we see how seriously the mischief becomes multiplied.

"A somewhat extended observation, added to my own experience, has led me to the conviction, that very much of the loss arising from abortion in our cows, may be traced to the cause I have named. I feel assured the influence is even more extended than I have stated; for not only would the fœtus be thrown off in an advanced stage, but also during its earliest growth, thus causing great trouble to breeders of high-bred stock-the repeated turning of to cows the bull, and at most ir

regular intervals. The remedy differs in no respect from the or dinary mode of treatment, except that it compels a removal of of the stock from the influence of the cause. Much, however, may be done by way of prevention, and this I shall briefly notice. It simply consists in keeping breeding cows and heifers upon land free from these seeds."

[In this country cows more frequently abort while being fed with hay than on grass; and on the supposition that ergot is the cause, care should be taken not to feed hay which contains it. -S. H]

MAMMITIS, OR GARGET.

The absurd process of hefting [letting the cow go a long time without milking] is not unfrequently the cause of mammitis, and particularly when a cow-dealer, in order to show a cow well off, feeds her very highly, and causes a very abundant secretion, of which he does not relieve the poor animal.

The udder appears much congested and red, with prominent teats, jetting forth the milk at every step the animal takes. The cow being milked is for a time relieved, but she is observed not to feed so well, to shiver and grow dull. The udswells, and becomes so tender that the milk secreted is not removed. In this early stage the disease is readily treated; but it is usually overlooked, and soon one or more quarters of the udder become firm, hard, and much swollen. No secretion follows, and if the inflammation runs very high for a time, an abscess forms, which is indicated by a circumscribed, hard and hot swelling, in which there is soon decided fluctuation. In other cases the udder becomes and remains simply indurated. The abscess discharges its contents by pointing through the skin, or opening into the milk ducts. In the latter case the pus is observed in the milk, and often blood with it.

Treatment.--In the early stage, a purgative, and abundant warm fometations to the udder. If the tension be great, the udder must be supported, and a large linseed-meal poultice

should be applied, with a drachm or two of extract of belladona in it. If there be any tendency to chronic induration, an active stimulating embrocation must be applied at intervals, with considerable friction. If abscess forms it must be opened and the teat-tubes must be used to draw off the milk.

RETURNS FROM AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.

In regard to the proceedings of such Agricultural Societies. as have made returns for the year 1861, it has been deemed inexpedient to publish details. Many of the returns consist chiefly of a list of the premiums awarded at the shows, with the names of the successful competitors. As these were generally published in the districts where the shows were held--where only they are regarded with special interest-it seems unnecessary to reissue them. In instances where societies have transmitted information relating to the condition of agriculture in their respective districts—as in the case of the societies of Genesee and Calhoun counties-it has been thought proper to preserve its substance.

BARRY COUNTY.

The twelfth annual show of the Barry County Agricultural Society was held on the grounds of the Society, at Hastings, October 12th and 13th, 1864. Number of entries for premiums, 254. Number of members, 160. The receipts and expenditures of the Society, for the year, are stated as follows:

Recording deed, $2 00; taxes, $8 40,

Balance in treasury,

10 40

66 88

$307 00

Officers.--Gilbert Striker, President; J. M. Nevins, Secretary; H. N. Sheldon, Treasurer.

CALHOUN COUNTY.

The annual exhibition of the Calhoun County Agricultural Society was held on the grounds of the Society, at Marshall, from the 5th to the 7th of October, 1864. Although the weather was, for the greater portion of the time, very unfavorable, the exhibition was highly creditable, and fully sustained the reputation which the county enjoys in regard to the character of its agriculture. The annual address was delivered by Sanford Howard, Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture. Receipts for the year are stated at....

$1,598 25

1,255 42

$342 83

Officers.-Charles P. Dibble, President; Samuel S. Lacey, Secretary; Charles T. Gorham, Treasurer; with an Executive Committee consisting of five members.

The evenings, during the time of the exhibition, were devoted by the Society to the discussion of agricultural subjects-a course which has for several years been followed, with very satisfactory results, by some societies in the Eastern States, and which it is to be hoped may be generally introduced here. Special papers were brought out on various topics, and these formed the basis of the discussions. The evenings were thus very pleasantly and profitably spent, and the matter elicited was of a character worthy to be preserved as a portion of the transactions of the Society. Among the papers produced on this occasion, was the following, by the Hon. Samuel S. Lacey, of Marshall, on the cultivation of wheat: